Horace Purdy Journal December 1904 Entry
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DECEMBER 01 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 25. Pleasant. Before dinner, I signed an endorsement for a Reliance policy on E. A. Mallory & Sons for George C. Stevens & Sons written by them when they represented the Reliance, changing same to firm name of E. A. Mallory & Sons, Inc. I delivered same. I called at the bank about my note of $100 due today. I paid it. Then, Mr. Beeman being with me, we drove up to Mr. Corbulon’s fruit store on Patch Street and delivered his policy and collected, then delivered a furniture policy to Clarence Nelson, bookkeeper at Roger’s Silverplate Shop. From there, we drove over to Sarah Austin’s store and dwelling on White Street to see if the store had been removed that a reduced insurance rate may be given it. After dinner, I walked downtown and gave the bank a check to pay the note and went to Meeker’s Hat Shop to find Bert Hitchcock. Not finding him, I went to his home on Maple Avenue, and his mother gave me his policy for transfer or cancellation. Then I called at the silver plate shop for Nelson’s policy, then came home about 4 PM. George and Sarah were with again in the evening. Mrs. Virginia McKnight called this evening to say that Arthur Durgie had resumed work, being disabled for one week only. DECEMBER 02 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 30. Hazy with the appearance of snow but neither storm nor sunshine. I was kept busy all the forenoon doing insurance correspondence with the Connecticut Insurance Company regarding the Targett & Siemon new laundry risk, making Agricultural report and notifying Standard Accident of Arthur Durgie’s one week disability claim. After dinner, George Olmstead called to arrange for unoccupancy for two or three months which he expects to be away from home. About 4 PM, I went downtown and got Davis Knapp’s PO order for $5.40 cashed and arranged with E. Pancirole for renewal of the Italian Co-operative Grocery Provision Company. George and Sarah came over again in the evening. DECEMBER 03 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 20. Colder. Sent by early morning mail a dunning letter for $10.00 to the estate of John Wixtead. The day being cloudy, chilly and cold with an indication of snow, I stayed in the office all day except about 4 PM when I went hastily downtown for Sunday marketing. Just before going, Mrs. Lucy Haines called as she promised and said that she had decided to let Mr. Budd do her insurance at Brewster. I therefore at once cancelled her insurance in the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company covering her barn, etc. In the PM, I burned rubbish in my yard. Discussion with George as to the Sun liability with Rundle & White on Wildman’s broker policy with us when Wildman neglect to pay. 2 ½ pounds of coffee and ½ pounds of tea came today which brother George ordered from New York. 15 pounds came in the same shipment from Dr. Sunderland which George delivered, but the doctor not being in, he did not collect. He with Sarah spent the evening with us again. When they went home, I wrote a letter to A. J. Hoyt, US pension agent at Boston making inquiry as to whether a pension voucher issued on Sunday would be legal. DECEMBER 04 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 24. Hazy, cloudy, cold and unpleasant. Not a moment’s sunshine or not a drop of rain or a flake of snow. A beautiful red in the west at sunset thought the sun never shone. Lottie and Julia Hirsch came after Sunday School and stayed in the PM. I received by mail a voucher to sign for new life insurance renewals which I signed and also mailed with it to Schiffer, agent at New Haven; also my new fire insurance account to the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company in Hartford. Mary dictated a letter which I wrote for her to Clara Watkins at Hartford requesting her to come and make us a two or three week visit over the holidays. We called on brother George in the evening. On the way, we called on Dr. Sunderland. He gave a check for George to pay for his 15 pounds of coffee which came yesterday. Notwithstanding clouds and threatening of storm, it became clear about sundown and a beautiful starlit evening. DECEMBER 05 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 14. Clear until after daylight when it became cloudy and about 2:30PM, it began snowing and continued through the day. It being Pension day, we were very busy. After dinner, Mr. Beeman rode with me to make vouchers for the cripples, lame and lazy and old widows. We were caught in a snowstorm before our return. Rachel Dickenson, a widow of the Revolutionary War, lies at the point of death. I took her signature by X mark at her bedside. She will probably never sign another voucher. J. L. Day came early in the evening and made his voucher. He will make an application for an increase under the old age order, he being 65 years old, which will give him now $8.00 instead of $6.00. It ceased snowing at bedtime, about 9 o’clock. DECEMBER 06 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 14. A beautiful sunshine morning. The cleaning of the paths was the first thing on order this morning. George finished them when he came from Bethel. James Martin called about 9 AM, of course to borrow something on the strength of his pension to come in a few days. I allowed him a small amount. I delivered to E. Pancirole on the Italian Co-operative Grocery and Provision Company for which he paid me. In the PM, George drove Gip to the blacksmith shop and left her there to be shod while I went down to Dr. Clark’s for his statement as to the treatment of Arthur Durgie’s finger which was hurt and for which he makes a claim for one week’s disability to the Standard Accident Insurance Company of Detroit, after which I went to Gage’s shop for Gip. She having been shod, I drove home. After which, I went up to Fancher’s shop and had Durgie sign and execute his proof of claim to the accident insurance company. George and Sarah came over for the evening. He got shopped and went to Mallory’s shop for the first time in about a week. W. H. Merritt came in the PM and made his pension papers; Elias Osborne came this evening. DECEMBER 07 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – Sunshine at intervals during the day. Most of the time however, squally looking clouds prevailed. Between 8 and 9 AM, I went up to Fancher’s shop and got his eyewitness statement as to the hurt Arthur Durgie received for which he is making a claim. I mailed the proof of said claim today to Loomis & Nettleton, agents to the accident insurance company. James Martin came in the morning to borrow on his pension check which will come in a few days. After dinner, I drove over to Beaverbrook to see about furniture insurance of Eliza Hoddinott which she has moved from John Street in the city to her son John Hoddinott’s at Beaverbrook and stored them in an outbuilding. I cancelled the policy. After I returned, I delivered a policy to Joseph Pond on White Street and collected the premium of $30.48. Peter Hardwick called in the evening and made his pension voucher which I completed and mailed. I received a check from cashier Schiffer for my commissions on the second quarter of John Watkins life insurance which he mailed to New Haven. DECEMBER 08 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 28. Fire alarm 32 struck last night about 10 o’clock for a fire in the 5 & 10 cent store which is pretty well burned out. A little before daylight this morning, it began snowing moderately. Before dinner, I went up to the Union Shop and arranged for a renewal of sand paper stock for Charles Croft and before I left I took an order for a $500 furniture policy for Joseph Gauche at 72 Elm Street. S. W. Bradley brought the two bushels of potatoes to George Purdy which I had engaged of him. In the evening, William Bedient came in with two other members of the painters union to make an oath in a funeral benefit claim in the loss of life of the wife of one of the parties. About 8: 30 in the evening, after executing papers for Bedient and others, I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s with the duplicate of his life insurance examination by Dr. Clark on December 29, 1898 for his record as to a family record, etc. in contemplation for an application for new insurance. DECEMBER 09 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 18. Pleasant; received my pension check this morning. Mr. Beeman received his last night. He came in and paid me the $2.00 he borrowed of me. A postal by mail this morning, from Col. Saul Gregory to come up to his place and make out his pension voucher for him, he being unable to come down. George and Mr. Beeman drove up there and attended to it. A fire last night about 10 o’clock destroyed a house owned by John Walsh on the west end of Highland Avenue. Another call for the firemen about 9 o’clock this morning on Cherry Street. A chimney fire in a house occupied by James Newton insured by us in the Greenwich Insurance Company on furniture. A small damage will come to us from it. I immediately notified the Commercial Union, the reinsurers of the Greenwich Insurance Company. After dinner, I mailed up and mailed the Sun account for November, enclosing the cancelled Bert Hitchcock policy. I called at the Turner Machine Shop with the tools policy for Henry Biddescombe. I called on William Lyon at the Renfield Wholesale Store on Rose Street to try and write him up for life insurance but could not. On returning, called on Mr. Daragan to insure more on his stock if possible; he will wait for an inventory to ascertain the amount wanted. At 5:20 PM, the postman brought pension checks for Fred Bevans, Charles Bevans, Joel Bates and John Cree. During the evening. Fred Bevans called and I cashed his check. George and Sarah were over in the evening. Fannie also called. DECEMBER 10 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 14. Cloudy with indications of snow in the morning. About 3 PM, it commenced snowing gently and continued through the day and evening. I went downtown in the forenoon ad made a deposit in the bank. I saw Herbert Wildman and got another good promise for the $100 he owes me on the Rundle & White insurance. I saw Mortimer Rundle in the bank regarding it; he was surprised that Wildman had not paid me. Joel Bates called in the morning and I cashed his pension check for him. In the PM, I got a check for $57.00 of Jake Hartz on account. George Nelson called about 5:20 PM to see about $1.50 due him for transfer to a lower rated location. Clarence Wilson called in the PM and paid $3.00 on account of furniture insurance. DECEMBER 11 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 5; at noon – 24. Pleasant and very cold; the coldest we have had yet this winter. The water pipe to our sink froze for the first time but it was easily started however with a little warm water. About 10 AM, Frank Hart called and for his wife, Celia Hart paid $3.00 on house rent which he promised to pay yesterday, there being now $1.00 balance due. Grandchildren Lottie and Julia Hirsch came from Sunday School and were with us to dinner. In the PM, I mailed our November account to the Reliance Insurance Company and enclosed a check for the August balance. In the evening, we went over to George Purdy’s, prior to which I called at Charles Sherwood’s to see how old Mrs. Dickenson was, as she is not expected to live day to day as she is 93 years old. While at George’s, I cashed his pension check for $18.00, deducting the $10.00 he owes me for money borrowed to pay his rent on December 1. MONDAY DECEMBER 12 - Mercury at 6 AM – 10. Not entirely clear yet not stormy in the morning. Later, there began to be flurries of snow which continued more or less all day without more than 2 inches of snow. Mrs. Hawley borrowed 50 cents of me this morning. George and I drove over to Mrs. McDermott’s on West Wooster Street and arranged for the renewal of her little store building, then to Lake Avenue and renewed W. H. Jones and Mrs. Catherine Ryan. I then left George at the office and drove over to 11 James Street and renewed Mrs. Susanna Taylor. After dinner, I rested in the office until 3 o’clock and then went over to White Street and renewed William Charles and brother; then took a car at West Wooster Street to renew for Frank Andrews. James Martin called this morning for his pension check, but it had not yet arrived. It snowed steady all evening. DECEMBER 13 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 25. It snowed all last night and still at it at 10 AM with 20 inches of snow. As yet no wind accompanying the storm and the snow lies pretty and level. Before dinner, I put on my hip boots and went downtown and left Mrs. Emma Taylor’s policy at the Union Savings bank; also one on the pipe organ at the 1st Congregational Church with Mr. Rundle and received his order for payment on Rev. Reynolds, the church treasurer. James Martin called in the forenoon for his pension check, but it had not come. About 3:30 PM, I went into the street and got G. Rundle’s order on Perry Reynolds, the treasurer of the 1st Eccliastical Society for the premium on the church organ insurance cashed. I then called on William Conklin, engineer at the Turner Machine Shop and got $2.00 on account of his insurance. DECEMBER 14 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 6 above. Another very cold morning. When George arrived at 8:30, we finished digging out snow and got the sleigh out from upstairs in the barn. James Martin called again to get his pension check, but was disappointed as it had not arrived. I let him have another dollar on same, making it $4.00 advanced on same. Before dinner, I went downtown and called on Wagner Brothers, clothiers on White Street for $1,000 insurance by word of J. Hartz. They did not deal today, but promised to consider it. I received by morning mail forms from Lewis Reed wishing us to write $750 on the shop of P. Young & Sons. I wrote back on the forms “Please Excuse Us.” Ruth Waterman called after dinner with her voucher returned for correction; George omitted the date on the first. I supplied the want and remailed the voucher. About 4 PM, I delivered the Shaffer Brothers policy and collected same. Also $5.00 on account of Fred Seymour. About 5 PM, the postman delivered the pension check for James Martin. DECEMBER 15 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 4 below. The coldest morning yet this winter. James Martin called for his pension check. I cashed it for him. I delivered Frank Andrew’s policy to Mrs. E. Mallory, mortgagor. I got another bottle of Liprozine on account of insurance of James Doran. I called again to see Charles Watts about renewing policy on his barn. Not being able to see him, we wrote the policy and sent it to him by mail. After dinner, Mr. Beeman went with me (our first sleigh ride) and I collected from Mrs. Emma Taylor the $7.00 balance of her account. I called at William Charles Brothers, the corner of White Street and Ives Street to deliver a policy. He being undecided about accepting it, I promised to hold it open for his acceptance until next Monday. From there, we drove to Bell’s Lane off River Street to see a Mr. Repoli for furniture insurance; we did not find him at home. We went later and found him. I secured a policy of $500 on furniture for a 5 year term. I also delivered a policy to William Jarvis on his store. I found him sick; his son promised to send a check tomorrow. After tea, I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s to see how he is. Yesterday he was sick n bed. He is better, having been out attending to his patients today. He wants 5 lbs. more coffee. From there I went over to brother George’s on Montgomery Street and gave the order. Charles Betts called in the evening and paid $4.50 the first half of the rent. DECEMBER 16 FRIDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 25. A $5.00 check from Standard Accident Insurance Company for one week of disability for Arthur Durgie was received this morning from Loomis & Nettleton, state agents at New Haven. I delivered the same before dinner and cashed it for Mr. Durgie. I also received notice from the Pension Bureau that an old age pension had been granted to Andrew Bell; I drove up there and told him, after which and before noon, I drove over to Clarence Morgan’s with Mr. Beeman for him to pay for a tone of coal and for myself to tell Clarence to finish putting in my coal. After dinner, Charles Watts called to say that he had received his policy on his barn and will in a few days’ pay on the same. Charles Bevans called while I was out for his pension check; George delivered it to him. After dinner, Robert Chambers called and endorsed a blank note for me to use in the bank for such amount as I may need for discount about January 1st. I gave him calendars for the New Year -1905. While doing my barn work about 5 PM, George Brush called for two Agricultural calendars. Following that, Mrs. David Hoyt called and paid me a $2.00 fee for the age increase of David’s pension. About 3 PM, I carried Mary down to Dr. Oley’s for eye treatment. While away, Nellie Johnson left a note on my desk to call tomorrow at her place of business at 209 Main Street. Mrs. James Newton called just before tea to see if I had heard from the insurance company about her damage. Fannie Hirsch and Sonya Lyon called about 8:45 in the evening. DECEMBER 17 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM- 2. Letter this morning from W. Furness, special agent of Commercial Union Company, re-insurers of Greenwich Insurance Company, asking for more particular description of the James Newton damage. I went over there and looked up the matter and then wrote Special Agent Furness and recommended a half damage on the value of the carpet - $6.00 and the value of a child’s dress - $1.00. See letter of this date. I then went down and made a deposit in the bank. I called on Nellie Johnson as requested yesterday by a note left on my desk. She wanted to know about her pension voucher received with her last check. Arthur Barnum delivered before dinner 10 bushels of oats I ordered yesterday. In the evening, Charles Watts called and paid me the insurance on his barn. Also Clarence Wilson called and paid me the balance due on his furniture insurance. Mary is having another attack of her liver problem which nearly prostrated her. Minnie Wilberg’s rent is overlooked; she supposed it had been paid. DECEMBER 18 SUNDAY – Mercury at 7 AM – 25. The day has been pleasant though about 4 inches of snow fell during the night. Mary is still feeling badly though around and still doing her work. Mrs. Hawley came over and helped her make a chicken pot pie for dinner. Lottie and Julia Hirsch came from Sunday School and took dinner with us returning home about 4:30 PM. I mailed a check for the August balance to the Agricultural Insurance Company. I shoveled all the paths this forenoon and went to the post office at noon. I felt pretty tired the remainder of the day. George and Sarah spent the evening with us. I wrote the Watkins family for Mary and George mailed it as they returned home. A beautiful moonlit night. DECEMBER 19 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 10. A hazy frosty morning without sunshine. Received by mail from W. Furness, Special Agent of the Commercial Union, and a short proof of loss of James Newton loss under Greenwich policy No. 2668093 reinsured for us to make up and refer to him. Before dinner, I drove over to 14 James Street and delivered a policy transferred thereto for Charles Small and gave to his wife, $1.42 returned premium for lesser rate in this location. From there I drove up to Lake Avenue to see if Andrew Bell had received pension papers from Boston in the matter of age increase allowed him. He has not yet received them. Mary received a letter from M. Delos Thomas from Bridgeport. In the PM, I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s for a bottle of lame back medicine for Mrs. Hawley. From there, I went to the Foster Brothers’ shop and delivered a furniture policy to William Elwell. From there to William Charles & Brothers’ Fruit Store on White Street to deliver a policy. They put me off until next Monday the 26th. Received a check from Charles Hallstead for $2.00 for his barn. Mrs. Ella Smith sent her husband Arthur Smith and her policy for endorsed permit for other insurance. Nathan Hoy called for a large agent’s calendar. DECEMBER 20 TUESDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 22. A beautiful morning. About 9 AM, I called on James Newton at Cherry Street to see why he did not call last night and sign proof papers for his loss. I arranged to see him tonight. I then with Mr. Beeman (taking Mary over to Sarah’s as we went), went to Frank Verra’s at 169 Main Street to deliver a furniture policy. I received a letter from the Sun Insurance Company asking for the September balance, which I mailed to them by check in the PM. I then called at the Foster Brothers’’ shop and received a check for $5.00 from Wilbur Elwell in payment for furniture insurance. Then over to Clark’s Box Shop with an agent’s calendar for John Coyne. I stopped at Hugh Allen’s store and met Mary and Sarah there. Jake Hartz stopped me near Spiro’s clothing store and took me to task for George dunning them for a broker policy on his account. I pacified him and he promised to pay before January 1st. About 4 PM, I wrote a letter for Mary to Clara Watkins in which she enclosed a dollar for a Christmas present. About 8 o’clock in the evening, I went over to Cherry Street thinking to get James Newton’s signature on loss proof. I did not succeed as he had not yet arrived home. DECEMBER 21 WEDNESDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – I arose at 5 AM thinking to catch Mr. Newton as he took the freight train to Norwalk (of which he is conductor) to sign the proof of loss, but he did not stop. George and Lill made me a Christmas present of two night shirts. I slept in one of them last night for the first time. They are very nice and comfortable. About 10 AM, I with Mr. Beeman drove down to Frank Verra’s and received from Ms. Verra an order for renewal of their furniture insurance policy. I then delivered one to William Repoli at the barber shop on White Street. I also went to the Union Shop to see Joseph Gancher as to his policy already written. We then came home and I let Beeman take the horse and give his wife a sleigh ride out to Fry’s corner for an errand and then to go to the Dewey Inn for me to see the brick chimney Mr. Bradley, the owner said he had built at our request. He found it all right. I wrote a dunning letter to Arthur Dibble at Bethel and also mailed a calendar to him. In the PM, I took Mary up to Mrs. Raymond’s. I then delivered a policy to Mrs. Frank Verra on furniture and she paid me $2.00 on account. We also drove out to Clarence Morgan’s to have him bring me some furnace coal if possible tomorrow morning. Fannie called just at night and took tea with us. George and Sarah came in the evening and brought 2 ½ pounds of coffee from New York. Also five pounds for Dr. Sunderland which I sent up and delivered and collected for same. I gave George a check to send to Mrs. Kimball to pay a bill to her for coffee, etc. About 8:30 in the evening, on his way home from his train, Mr. Frank Newton called and signed a proof of loss under the Greenwich Insurance Company, reinsured in the Commercial Union. I mailed the proof before retiring. Charles Dean called in the evening to notify me that Frank Oeztel had sold his grocery to his wife Adelia Dean and to change the policy. DECEMBER 22 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 4 below. Mr. Beeman rode with me to arrange the Oetzel policy, then we got an express box for Beeman at the Express Office. I called on Sunderland’s shop with agent calendars. We then called on Byron Dexter’s house on Pleasant Street about a renewal on his house but, he being sick, I did not see him. Clarence Morgan brought me 1 ½ tons of furnace call this morning. After dinner, a son of Henry Supple called to have us insure a house near Lime Kiln above the Iron Works at Brookfield. About 4 PM, I harnessed and drove over to Frank Oetzel’s to arrange assignment of the store policy to Adelia Dean. He not being home, I took Mrs. Robert Haskins and daughter home on Hoyt Street, giving them their first sleigh ride. In the evening, I went over to Orchard Street to collect the balance from Mrs. Jennie Townsend, but could not as she was not at home. Mrs. Hawley presented me with a pair of home knit mittens. DECEMBER 23 FRIDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 35. The snow has melted fast today. In the morning, I drove over to Frank Oetzel’s store on Liberty Street and made over his store policy to his mother-in-law, Mrs. Adelia Dean. I then drove to Brookfield and made up a policy to Henry Supple’ farm just at Lime Kiln just above the Iron Works in the amount of $1,000. On my return, I stopped at Robert Jones, hoping to collect. He was not at home but is expected to return tomorrow and will see me next week. I arrive home a little before 1 PM. After dinner, I made up the daily report and George took it for mailing. Stephen Pierans called about 2 PM and I settled with him for the November rents. At 4:30 PM, after doing my barn work, I went into the street trying to collect. I did not succeed but got a promise from Mr. Daragan for January 2nd. On my way home in front of Warner’s store, I found a pair of spectacles minus the glass. A postal this evening from Andrew Bell that the papers from his pension increase had come. DECEMBER 24 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 40. Soft and the snow is getting away fast. Without a cold change we will lose our sleighing. After George arrived from Bethel, we rode up to Andrew Bell’s on Lake Avenue to care for his pension increase recently allowed - $10.00 – for age 68. A new certificate was sent and the old one ordered returned with the voucher. I mailed the old papers to Boston. I wrote Henry Supple at Brookfield to see if I left my fountain pen there yesterday. I also made an application at the bank for a loan about January 1st. It has grown cold since morning and the thaw has turned to freezing. After dinner, Mr. Beeman rode with me to do a little shopping for Sunday and Christmas. George and Sarah came over to spend the evening with us. We gave them a large lamp and I received an umbrella. This PM, Mrs. Stuart from Bethel came to borrow money to buy a watch for a Christmas present for her daughter. Not being financially fixed to do so, I declined. DECEMBER 25 SUNDAY – Mercury at 7 AM – 15. Christmas Day. Cloudy all day with the appearance and feel of snow. We rose about 7:30 AM. Mary attended church in the morning. I went to the Post Office and to get the paper at noon. After dinner, I bound by entry in the Register a policy in agency for Byron Dexter on 40 Pleasant Street occupied by himself and one for Charles Cary on furniture in Dr.Oley’s house at 135 Main Street. I found my fountain pen today in my room which I thought I left at Henry Supple’s in Brookfield on Friday and wrote to them to save it for me. I wrote to them again to say that I had found it. It commenced snowing at 4 PM and was still at it when we retired at 9 PM. After doing my barn work today, I called on Mr. Hickok who has taken to his bed and will probably never be any better. DECEMBER 26 MONDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 20.It snowed moderately during last night giving us a topping of snow. I made paths to the barn, privy, office and to the driveway. George arrived from Bethel around 8:30 AM. I sent him up to Carol Rider’s to ascertain if Byron Dexter’s policy which expired yesterday was still payable to the Union Savings Bank. Rider was not at home. Later, I saw L. L. Hubbell, the teller. He said the policy should be made payable to the bank. I had a controversy with William Charles & Brothers, corner of Ives and White Street about taking the policy I wrote for them. I left them without settling the matter. We were notified this morning of a small loss of George Bard of 48 ½ Balmforth Avenue under Sun policy No. 678530 originating from the kerosene lamp and Christmas decorations last night about 7:30. We notified the Company that the damage would not exceed $25. We took Christmas dinner with brother George on Montgomery Street. After dinner, I called on Frank Seymour and collected a $5.43 balance on a policy expiring today at 19 Elm Street in Perry’s block. I arranged for the renewal of the same. I then went home to do the barn work, fed Gip, and then returned to George’s to spend the evening. DECEMBER 27 TUESDAY- Mercury at 6 AM – 34. I commenced raining before morning with signs of losing our snow and consequently our sleighing. I delivered and collected premium of William Charles & Brothers by changing the date of the policy from December 14 to December 24. We renewed on the 14th without orders and they declined taking it on account of the high rate of premium. I today however persuaded them to be insured on condition that the policy be dated as of today. I then made a deposit on the bank and left the policy of Byron Dexter at the bank as mortgagor. In the PM, I sent a check for $23.72 to the Equitable Company for George and myself due on the 29th. Lottie Hirsch came up and spent the afternoon with us. I wrote to the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company to change the date of the Charles Brothers’ policy, explaining the matter. About 6 PM, Mrs. Hickok called to me across the street to assist her to get old Mr. Hickok back in bed. Being out of his head, he imagined he was obliged to move and attempted to get up and dress himself. The bandages on his sore leg were partly torn off and he was bleeding profusely. I sat by him until they could send for his son, William. DECEMBER 28 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 48. Warm and foggy this morning. About 9 o’clock it cleared up with the wind northwesterly and growing colder. After breakfast, I cut a new tin bottom and with the help of George, we riveted it to the bottom of the ash pan. About 10 o’clock, George went with me in the sleigh and arranged fort the renewal of Morelock & Husk Machine Works and 19 Summit Street for Peter Beradi. By the morning mail, I received a letter form Estelle White in reference to James Shelby’s insurance on piano at New Milford.; also a draft for the James Newton loss in the amount of $7.00 from W. Furness, special agent of the Union, reinsurers of the Greenwich. Rufus Rice, the soldier and pensioner, died about 7:30 this morning died this morning of apoplexy at Byron Dexter’s where he was caring for Mr. Dexter as a nurse. In the PM, I sleigh rode Mary don to Dr. Oley’s office for her to consult him about her eyes. Then I dove up to Mallory’s shop and delivered to Clifford Sturgis the Edwin Whaley policy now owned by Mr. Sturgis and his wife, the daughter of Mr. Whaley, now deceased. From there, we drove to Rufus Rice’s to ascertain about his death. As we started from there, the bits to Gypsy’s bridle broke in her mouth and very fortunate it was that they did not break while driving fast or downhill. I used the hitch strap put around her neck, then passing same around her nose, I led her home with Mary riding alone. In the evening, I went over to Mr. Newton’s on Cherry Street to have him receipt for the draft of $7.00 from the Commercial Union, but he was not yet at home. DECEMBER 29 – THURSDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 20. Pleasant. Slept well last night and did not rise until 6:30. William Phillips, an old fire insurance customer called for a calendar. I started to go downtown and met Davis Monroe coming to pay his insurance. I returned with him. As he departed, he, by mistake, took my mittens, but a little later, returned them. I then started again for the street and arranged with K. Come for renewal of his furniture insurance policy on January 1st. I saw John Vail’s grandson and he drove up home with me for calendars. Lewis Orton called after dinner for a calendar. I then went up to Willard’s shop and arranged with Mr. Regan for a policy on the life of his mother. I went to their home on Foster Street and took their application. From there, I went down to Dr. Clark’s to arrange for the examination, but did not find him. In the evening, I wrote and sent a check for the September balance to the Reliance Insurance Company, and for the first time in my life sent a check without money in the bank to cover it to the Agricultural Insurance Company and other balances, but I have arranged for money to be there by the time the checks are returned on next Tuesday, January 3rd. DECEMBER 30 FRIDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 25. Cloudy with the appearance of snow early this morning. It soon, however, came off clear and pleasant. I got up at 5 AM and opened and lighted my office, thinking that possibly James Newton, who goes by about 5:30 to take his freight train as conductor would see that I was open and would call and sign the receipt for a draft to pay his loss; he did not, however, call. After breakfast at about 8:30 I went down to 5 Foster Street and got a specimen of Ann Regan’s urine and took down to Dr. Clark and arranged for her further examination to be made at noon, while I was there. We drove up to Millard’s Hat Factory just before noon and got the particulars of Michael Regan as to being the beneficiary of his mother Ann Regan. One hind foot was off Gip’s foot this morning and while I was attending to the examination of Ann Regan, George went to Gages shop and had it put back and also had the other hind one reset. About 5 PM, Rufus Reed came in and paid the quarterly premium du today in the Equitable. I immediately made the check and mailed it to W. Schiffer the agent at New Haven. Rufus Rice was buried this PM at 2 o’clock. George mailed Ann Regan’s application after dinner to G. W. VanFleet, manager at New Haven. Received this morning from the Sun, a short form proof of loss for the case of George Bard. DECEMBER 31 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 30. Pleasant. I made up the Connecticut December account and enclosed check for the October balance and, being too late for the mail at the Post Office, I went to the railroad station and gave it to the mailman for the train. I received this morning another short form proof of loss for the Bard loss from Arthur Hatch, special agent, with orders to adjust. Mr. Wixtead called in the PM and settled for his insurance. I delivered a policy to K. L. Comes. Jennie Bratton send word in the evening that they had moved to 29 Stevens Street. Harry Gray also called and settled his insurance. James Newton also called about 9 o’clock on his way home from his belated freight train and signed his receipt for payment of loss in amount of $7.00 and endorsed the draft and I cashed it for him. George and Sarah spent the evening with us.
1904-12
Horace Purdy Journal November 1904 Entry
9 pgs
NOVEMBER 01 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 28. Pleasant. I mailed before dinner a check to the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company; left a policy on 12 Balmforth Avenue for Claude Henry at the Union Savings bank, also on that block with George Williams, administrator for the Averill Estate to whom the Daragan policy is payable for mortgage. After dinner, Charles Baldwin came in for a twenty payment life policy and paid an annual premium. I went with him to Dr. Clark’s office for examination. He was not at home, but at the City Hall where we found him and where we made the examination. Then I came home and wrote another letter to David Dignan urging him to send the policy or a lost policy receipt. I registered this letter also. About 5:30 PM, I called at Harry Gray’s about his insurance in the John L. Griffin store building, but did not find him at home. Leno Tosi brought the Chester Wilson policy to me when he came from work as Wilson promised me yesterday he would do. In the evening about 10 o’clock, Dr. Clark sent the Baldwin examination. Just prior, Mr. Baldwin came in with the records of his grandparents on his father’s side. I today called at F. Austin’s and paid a bill of $15.50 for carpeting bought last April. Joseph Barber of Hartford talked to the Republicans this evening at the Opera House. I, having too much office work, could not attend. George left his wife Sarah with us while he attended. NOVEMBER 02 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 25. After breakfast, I drove down to Charles Baldwin’s at the Elmwood district to get the current history of his grandparents. I did so and stopped at Dr. Clark’s office on my return and he made the corrections on the examination blanks. We mailed the papers after dinner to Manager VanFleet at New Haven. I wrote awhile after dinner and then helped Mary about some plants, the took up a root of White and Pink Peonas and carried them up to Mrs. Whaley’s on Division Street as I promised her. Then back to the office where I found Albert Arnold visiting to pay a premium on insurance for Wooster Hose Company No. 4. I received in the PM a return receipt card for registered letter of yesterday to Daniel Dignan. Mr. Barber came in about 5:30 with a bushel of turnips. MOVEMBER 03 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 45. A little cloudy in the morning with some indications of a coming storm, but it came off pleasant later in the day. We raked off the leaves from the dooryard in the AM. Before dinner, I drove up to David (?) in answer to a postal that he would not renew his insurance with me on the 9th instant. He had the cheaper Danbury Mutual in view. I persuaded him however to continue with us. In the PM, brother George came over to see about sending for more coffee and I then and George rode with me to Bethel where I collected a balance from Andrew J. and Laura Wildman. I called to explain to O. B. Smith about permits for housing automobiles and went to his barn and saw his new one, THE WINSTON, a spark machine that he has taken in exchange for former gasoline steam. It is beauty. We then went to Higson’s shop where Sidney True works to try to collect a balance from him but he had gone home. On our return, I collected a $1.00 balance due from Lottie Williams at Rocky Glenn. NOVEMBER 04 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 35. Pleasant. After breakfast, we built a skid for rolling barrels in and out of the cellar, then rolled out two barrels and filled them with water –one to exchange with David Wilkes when he brings a barrel of vinegar stock which I ordered and the other possibly for filling with new cider. Elsie Terwilliger came and had her pension voucher made which goes to New York. I received by the morning mail from A. J. Olmstead of Bridgeport that a fire damage has occurred at 12 Cleveland Street, the house of Sarah J. Olmstead about 12:30 noon on November 1st. After dinner, I drove down to John Bigham’s at 163 South Street to look at his new barn for insurance, after which I went to William Hall’s shop and had the tire set to one forward wheel on the spindle buggy. After supper, I went down to the corner of Grand and South Street and collected $3.00 from Annie O’Toole and from there I called at 163 South Street and took insurance on the barn and contents for John Bigham for one year which will expire about the time the insurance on his house expires on December 29, 1905, when he will give us the whole line now carried by Frank Benedict. Not being able to catch a car coming home, I walked both ways. George and Sarah spent the evening with Mary while I was away. NOVEMBER 05 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 42. No dew this morning. Cloudy with the appearance of rain. It continued so with neither rain nor sunshine all day. In the forenoon, I delivered John Bigham’s policy on his house and contents. I saw Mr. Gomell about noon about looking at and repairing damage to Mrs. Olmstead’s home on Orchard Street, there being smoke damage in the kitchen. After dinner, Mr. Beeman and myself took the office stove to pieces and put in the new fire pot which came today from the Danbury hardware store. We could not get the stove together again and adjourned until Monday when, with the help of George, we will try again. The about 4 o’clock, I harnessed and took Fannie, who was here, down home after doing my Sunday marketing. ON our way down, I stopped at John Bigham’s and collected $2.91 for insurance on his house. In the evening, Ernest Gomell called and after looking over the damage at Mrs. Sarah Olmstead’s home on Cleveland Street, he estimated $15.00 to paper, paint and varnish the kitchen and pantry. I told him to do the work. Fanny’s birthday. - 32years old. NOVEMBER 06 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 34. It began snowing about 6 o’clock this morning and continued for about two hours when it ceased leaving the ground white with quite a wintry appearance. I cleared away before noon, at which time the snow disappeared. About 11 AM, I went down for my mail and the Sunday paper, The Sunday Press, and took the trolley to tell George when he comes up tomorrow morning to bring some fire putty for filling joints when we put the office stove together. In the PM, I mailed to the Agricultural Insurance Company, a notice of a small loss under No. 7396 – Sarah Olmstead. Before church, Mary and I called at brother George’s. Dr. Wilson preached in the evening on Secret Orders. NOVEMBER 07 MONDAY - Mercury at 6AM – 34. Partly cloudy, cool and chilly and seemingly colder than indicated by the mercury. After George came from Bethel, we resumed the work that Mr. Beeman and I abandoned at dark Saturday evening of setting up the office stove, or rather, putting it together after taking it to pieces to put in the new fire pot. George and I finished the repairs which took until nearly noon, just before which, I walked over to River Street and collected the $3.50 balance from Mrs. Marion St. John. After dinner, I drove over to Cleveland Street to see the smoke damage to Mrs. Olmstead’s house. I called at C. L. Morgan’s about my order for coal; he will try to bring it tomorrow. Stephen Pierans called in the PM and I settled by check for October rents. He brought over Mrs. Elizabeth Parrish, who had been looking at rooms at 29 Williams Street; I rented them to her, she paying in advance for the November rent. George and Sarah came over in the evening and I filled his ink bottle and fountain pen. NOVEMBER 08 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 28. Presidential Election Day. I lighted the oil heater in my office before breakfast and after breakfast on going to there, I found that the stove had in some manner unaccountable turned to smoking instead of heating and while it was out and not heating, I could not see across the room. Smoke had condensed into a lampblack, settling over everything in the room. If the same is an omen of a black Republican victory in today’s election as large and complete as the office is black, it will be an overwhelming defeat for the Democratic Party. It took nearly all day to clean off, and then imperfectly. Lampblack smell over everything. NOVEMBER 09 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 34. A veritable landslide in the election; news come in this morning of an overwhelming victory for the Republican Party. Theodore Roosevelt is elected President of the United States by a large majority, having as now indicated 326 electoral votes out of a total of the electoral college of 476. The state has gone Republican by a large majority. Our city and town carried everything Republican except for Judge of Probate in the election of a Democrat in the person of Eugene Dempsey. After breakfast, we took the oil heater apart and gave it a thorough cleaning after the smoking it gave us yesterday. Before dinner, I drove up to David Morris and delivered his policy which was due today. I then called on Dr. Mead at his dental office and got the date of expiration of his mother’s place at 80 Elm Street for renewal on the twentieth of this month for one year for an amount of $2,500. I then called at Charles Rowan’s box shop to see Frank Moody about payment of life insurance premium due today under a 30 day extension. Mrs. Sophia Allen’s pension came to her today and this afternoon, I went over to her place and made the voucher fro amount due from the date of application, July 8, 1904 to September 4, 1904 at the rate of $8.00 per month for a total of $62.93. Charles Baldwin’s Equitable Life policy came today. NOVEMBER 10 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM - 32. Pleasant in the forenoon; cloudy and very chill in the PM. Before dinner, I took the office stove doors down to the New Machine Company shop and ground off the edge to make it shut closer. Just before night, I drove out to Great Plain (brother George rode with us ) to try to persuade Frank Moody to continue his life insurance in the Equitable, he having paid one year, he thinks he will give it up. I could not persuade him to go on with it. George and Sarah came over and spent the evening with us. NOVEMBER 11 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 34. My birthday – 69 years old. According to the calendar, I was born on a Wednesday. A light snow during last night, being the second snow of the season, but it melted fast and little was to be seen after daylight. In the morning, George blocked up the office stove and we built a coal fire in it. While he was working up the stove, I put up a flight of glass in the north basement window. After dinner, we went over to Cleveland Street and had the proof of loss made up in the amount of $15.00 for the Sarah Olmstead loss by her son Edward Olmstead whom she authorized to settle for her. From there, I drove over to River Street to see about buying one or possibly two barrels of new cider at the cider mill on the old John Bussing place. I then called at Pat McGrath’s store to see if he was ready to insure his grocery stock; he was not ready. Pleasant in the PM and evening. George and Sarah came over to spend the evening. A. H. Barnum brought me 10 bushels of oats for $.48 each. I mailed the October report to the Agricultural Insurance Company in which I enclosed the proof of loss of Sarah Olmstead. Fannie came up just at night with little Georgie and took tea with us. The spent the evening with Uncle George and Sarah who were also with us. NOVEMBER 12 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM - 30. Pleasant. The first morning with a good coal fire in the office stove overnight. George helped me level up the flagstone in front of the office after which I drove down to the Savings Bank and had the duplicate receipt for the $15.00 proof of loss attached to Sarah Olmstead’s policy reducing the same in said amount. I also made a deposit in the bank myself. Also before dinner, I called on Mrs. Emma Shepard and collected $3.00 for furniture insurance and on William Conklin; he will pay part of his insurance this evening. Just at noon, Aunt Mary Hoyt from South Salem called with a Mr. Horn who also brought her up to draw some money from the Savings Bank. She was too late, the bank closing on Saturday at noon. She will stay with us over Sunday and attend to her bank business on Monday. Sent policy transferred to East Norwalk of Louis Schoonmaker by mail. Mrs. Hawley rode with me in the PM to do some Sunday marketing. I bought a rib roast of beef over to L. W. Andrews on West Wooster Street early in the evening. I went over to the Peoples’ Market on White Street and collected $2.00 on account of William Conklin who works there Saturday evening. I then took a trolley car home on which I found Ernest Gomell coming up to settle for the paint and paperhanging he did for the Agricultural Insurance Company on Sarah Olmstead’s house on 12 Cleveland Street, the bill being for $15.00. Being short, I left $5.00 over to pay next week. George and Sarah came over to spend the evening with Aunt Mary Hoyt. NOVEMBER 13 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 40. It commenced raining about daylight. About noon it became mixed with snow and continued to increase showing about an inch notwithstanding that it wasted nearly as fast as it came. Aunt Mary Hoyt being with us, we had George and Sarah come over to have dinner with us. Mrs. Hawley baked a nice apple pie for us. I wrote a letter to Charles Baldwin at Lansing, Michigan notifying him that his life policy was received all right and that I would at an early date deliver it to his mother in Bethel. The storm was still on with an increasing wind when we retired at 9 PM. George and Sarah went home at about 6:30 PM. NOVEMBER 14 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 35. The first morning this season we were obliged to shovel snow form our walks, which was about an inch in quantity, soft and slushy. Blue patches of sky with clouds and very windy with indications of being colder. While at breakfast, Andrew Bradley called and reported a loss in their little store, known as the Dewey Inn, on the corner of Miry Brook Road and Sugar Hollow, caused by an accident with a kerosene stove. I mailed a Sun policy on a piano to James Shelley at New Milford. On my return from Miry Brook, I took Aunt Mary Hoyt down to the Danbury Savings bank to draw some money for which she came up last Saturday. I mailed the report of the Bradley loss with our October report after dinner. Mrs. Mary Waite, daughter of Sophia Allen came in also after dinner and gave me $15.00 for services in securing her mother’s pension which came last week. Mary C. Dean went down to Dr. Oley’s this PM for treatment on her eyes. I had a 48 gallon cask of cider from the River Street Cider Mill this afternoon. George and Sarah came over to spend the evening with Aunt Mary Hoyt. I wrote to J. C. Crabbe at Washington D. C., attorneys for Frances Dexter, and as requested by them enclosed a $3.00 check as fee for collecting accrued pension of Leonard Dexter. Also wrote a postal to Clara Watkins for Mary. NOVEMBER 15 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 25. Pleasant, clear and cold. After breakfast, about 9 AM, I drove down to Cousin Edwin Mills with Mary Hoyt who has been with us since last Saturday. On my return, I stopped at Andrew Bradley’s (Dewey Inn) and took the measure of the broken glass in the show case for which damage the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company is liable. After dinner, I sent a check to W. Schiffer, agent of the Equitable Life Insurance Company, for $16.47, the net premium of Charles Baldwin’s policy. Mrs. E. Griffith called with a blank from the Bureau of Pension for George Purdy to sign and a certificate for the clerk of the county court to attest the genuineness of the notary’ signature. About 3:30 I took Mr. Beeman and rode up town. I paid $3.00 for 48 gallons of cider at the River street Cider Mill. The I went up to Downs Street and got the address of Charles Halstead, it being 599 Whitney Avenue in New Haven to whom in the evening I wrote as to renewing his policy on barn and contents which expires tomorrow. I called at Harry Gray’s to get his policy to reduce the amount but his wife could not find it. I then drove up to Thomas Boyd’s on Franklin Street to arrange for renewal of his furniture policy. George and Sarah came over again on the evening. NOVEMBER 16 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 35. Pleasant. Requisition from the Pension Department for George to be a Notary Public to be certified by the clerk of the Superior Court was this morning attended to by Clerk Booth and mailed to the Pension Department this noon. Letter by the morning mail from the Sun Insurance Company office by order of Hartwell & Shackleford, agents at Saratoga Springs, NY to write $1,600 on each of Mrs. Balmforth’s two houses - 93 and 95 North Street, the same being already insured by us in the Agricultural Insurance Company. As we have no order from Mrs. Balmforth in this matter, we wrote her of the present fact of the policies. After dinner, Mr. Beeman rode with me to arrange for the renewal of Harry Biddescombe, John J. Bradshaw and William McGill. I also called at 55 Maple Avenue to see about transfer, etc. of Bert Hitchcock and found him sick in bed, then called at H. Biddescombe for 5 potato bags to be returned to S. W. Bradley. Fannie came up while we were away. Mary was also away at the dressmakers (Mrs. Connelly). George and Sarah again spent the evening with us. Fanny came up also and made known that she was ruptured and contemplated going to see a doctor. I gave her a pad from an old elastic truss of mine and showed her how to fix an appliance to help her. Herman requested some paper and envelopes which I sent by Fanny. I wrote to cashier Schiffer about the Frank Moody elapsed policy. Last evening, George presented to William Stoker a $5.00 gold watch chain in return for an office cabinet presented to us by him. NOVEMBER 17 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 25. A beautiful morning. After breakfast, I made up the October Reliance Insurance Company report, also the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company, sending a check to each. After dinner, Daniel Wilkes brought me a 47 gallon cask of old cider for vinegar making @ 10 cents for a total of $4.70. About 6 PM, while we were at tea, C. L. Morgan came with a half-ton of coal for furnace use. George and Sarah came and spent the evening with us. While not sick, I did not feel like going out for business today and continued at home. NOVEMBER 18 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 20. Pleasant but the coldest of the season, the worst being 22 on Friday the 28th of October. I received by morning mail, short proof papers from the Sun Insurance Company to adjust the Dewey Inn loss of Ida Bradley. After doing the morning barn work, George helped me put a barrel of new cider in the dark cellar, after which Mr. Beeman went out with me to Harry Gray’s for his policy to endorse a reduction of same. Then we went out to Miry Brook and adjusted the Sun loss of Mrs. Bradley, the so-called Dewey Inn. In the PM, I received letter from Charles Halstead of 515 George Street in New Haven replying to mine as to the renewal of his barn insurance. Before tea, I went over to call on Clark Hickok for a few minutes. He is a great sufferer with his afflicted leg. I wrote agent regarding my damage from office kerosene stove. Mr. and Mrs. Beeman spent the evening with us at brother George’s at 19 Montgomery Street. NOVEMBER 19 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 22. Pleasant and warmer. Before dinner, I delivered the reduced policy to Harry Gray. Also delivered and collected to Dr. Mead for his mother’s estate and to Thomas Boyd. After dinner, Dwight Camp from Brookfield called to have $200 business on tobacco which we arranged and paid at 1.8% bank premium - $3.60. After which, I drove up to 31 Patch Street and insured $400 on a fruit store for John Carbulon. I left $5.00 with Andrew Clark the printer to give to Ernest Gomell the balance due him on the Olmstead job on Cleveland Street. Mrs. Hawley drove around with me just at night to do our Sunday marketing. After tea, we found that what I supposed to be peanut brittle candy which I bought this PM at the ten-cent store was hard stale old style peanut candy and I returned it for exchange. They refused to exchange it and I refused to keep it and I told them I would make them a present of it which they also declined to accept but insisted on making me a present of the candy to my satisfaction and keep the old one which they would not take back. By this means, I was compelled to be the owner of both lots. In the evening, John Rowan came to have a Massachusetts Mutual policy assigned to Mrs. Hattie Brown - $500, 20 year endowment. NOVEMBER 20 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 40. Pleasant and warmer. Lottie and Julia Hirsch came in after Sunday School and took dinner with us returning home at 3:30 PM. After their departure, Mary went over to Will Dean’s and stayed until evening. On her return and before retiring, I wrote a postal card to Miles Thomas at Bridgeport stating that on account of her eyes, she could not write. NOVEMBER 21 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 48 Pleasant and warm. After breakfast, we raised the right side of the privy building about an inch so that the door will shut, it having settled which prevented it from doing so. Before dinner, I drove over to the Danbury Hat Company on Chestnut Street and got from John Bradshaw the amount of increase he wanted on the renewal of hi furniture policy tomorrow. Then I called on Mrs. Claude Harvey on Balmforth Avenue and she gave me $10.00 on account of insurance on Nov. 1st. Then to the Union Shop to see William Murphy on the transfer of hos policy on Golden Hill. After dinner, George Starr (Purdy) went with me to the Elmwood District in Bethel and I arranged with John McFarland for $1,070 additional insurance on personal to increase the present Connecticut Fire Insurance policy No. 2200 on a building for $650, making total insurance $720. From there, we went down nearly to Dodgington and delivered an Equitable policy on Charles Baldwin to his mother the beneficiary. Then we drove across to Plum Trees to W. S. Harris for $7.00 balance due but did not get it. We got a promise instead. Then we drove home, arriving about dark. We had plain mush and milk for supper. George and Sarah came over again and spent the evening. John Rowan with Mr. Brown came in the evening not being satisfied with the assignment of his policy made Saturday, rather desiring to make Hattie Brown beneficiary under same. I recommended that he give Mrs. Brown a note for the amount of the policy which would thus absorb the full policy in case of his death, being equal in effect to a change in beneficiary. I drew the note which he signed. NOVEMBER 22 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 28. This morning, I found my barrel of new cider in the cellar about to burst in want of a vent, which I proceeded to give it. We wrote the policies of Camp, Bradshaw and Carbulon in the morning and delivered and collected from Bradshaw. Received draft by morning mail from the Sun in payment of Ida Bradley’s loss on the Dewey Inn on Miry Brook. After dinner, I took Mrs. Beeman for a ride over there and Mrs. Bradley signed and endorsed the draft for $20.50 and I cashed it. On our return, I had the draft cashed at the bank. Also one from the National of Hartford, reinsurers of the Lafayette for $1.88 as a return of premium for the cancellation of policy 525194 on John Hine’s billiard parlor, they not wishing to continue on as transferred to a new location at the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Railroad Place in Bethel. After going to the bank, I carried Mrs. Beeman up to Harley Beeman’s on Balmforth Avenue and called to Mrs. Raymond’s for an umbrella which Mary left there last Sunday. About 5 PM, Mrs. Hawley went with us to buy our Thanksgiving turkey, a 12 pounder at 30 cents a pound at Eccles’, the most I ever paid for a turkey in my life. I loaned $2.00 this PM to Mr. Beeman until his pension check comes next month. George and Sarah came over and spent the evening. Wrote to G. W. VanFleet replying to his urging for business. Wrote to John Davis of Stratford replying to his of this morning asking for transfer of policy from Bridgeport to Stratford and asking for a more definite description of the locality to which he has moved. NOVEMBER 23 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 30. Another beautiful day. I sent dunning missives this AM to Herbert Wildman for $92.50 due on the Rundle & White Factory insurance and to Jacob Hartz for balance due on the Spiro property. I got my haircut and then called on Targett & Siemon in reference to the renewal of their laundry insurance on the 24th and to Joseph Brothers for theirs due on the7th. I received a PO order from John Sherman to pay his insurance and sent his policy by mail to him at Atlantic City, New Jersey. Arthur Durgie notified me this morning that about 5 PM yesterday, he accidently cut the end of his index finger off. As there is a possibility of loss under his accident policy, I this PM called at J. R. Flanders’ shop (he works there) further about it. He not being at work due to the hurt, I obtained from Mr. Fancher the facts of the matter. Just before tea, Edith Mills on her way from Waterbury home for Thanksgiving and her sister Ella Blake called with a peck of apples that her mother promised to send me. George and Sarah spent the evening with us again. Connecticut ordered cancelled Camp, Hines and Carbulon. Got my first bottle of Lipozine to try of James Duran on account of insurance to come. NOVEMBER 24 THURSDAY – Mercury at 6AM – 30. Thanksgiving Day. Pleasant. Mrs. Hawley, who with Mr. Hawley will dine with us, came over about 9 AM to help Mary in preparing the dinner. About the same time, a hand of celery was delivered from Herman who with Fanny and the children will take dinner with us. I wrote to Charles Watkins and mailed it before dinner. Then I went up to Patch Street with a policy for John Carbulon on his store. From there, I went down to Abbott Avenue with a policy on furniture for William Mc Gill on which he paid half of the premium - $3.00. After dinner, I mended my harness and wrote a letter to the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company requesting that the policy which they wanted cancelled for Dwight or Camp be allowed to stand. After our Thanksgiving dinner just at dusk, I responded to a postal from Clarence Wilson of Miller Street to arrange to rewrite his furniture policy of $500 raising the same to $800 on account of a new piano. Herman, when off from trolley work at 6 PM came for his Thanksgiving dinner, leaving with Fanny and the children about 8:30. NOVEMBER 25 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – A fine rain about daylight with an appearance of a storm, but soon passed off with more or less sunshine. Fearing snow, we raked off the balance of leaves on the yard, after which I went down to Thomas Regan’s’ on Foster Street to see about life insurance as proposed by her on Sunday night. After dinner, I drove up to Charles Betts and arranged for the renewal of his insurance tomorrow for which he paid me. Our neighbor, Mrs. Alexander, age 79, died last night. She will be taken to Pennsylvania for burial. After supper, I mailed Wilson’s voucher for retirement of premium on cancelled life policy which I omitted to enclose with the policy previously mailed today. Then I called on Mrs. Jennie Townsend on Orchard Street and collected $2.00 on account of her insurance. Then I called on Ann Regan about life insurance. The day proved pleasant after a little threatening in the morning. Arthur Durgie, lost the end of his finger, accident insurance, called in the evening. NOVEMBER 26 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 30. Pleasant and a little cooler. The remains of our old neighbor, Mrs. Alexander, was by her four daughters taken by an early train this morning to Hereford, Pennsylvania for burial. Mary had me write a postal for her to Minnie Dean that, if pleasant, she would be with them to dinner tomorrow. I sent it about 8 AM by the postman Owens. Before dinner, I delivered and collect for policies of F. Austin, left one at the Union Savings Bank for Charles Betts; deposited some $ in my bank; had my watch set and regulator adjusted at Bryant’s store. After dinner, I found that George had made a mistake in the rate of insurance on Barlow’s barn written this morning, so I immediately went down to the stamp clerk, A. H. Howe, and had DR corrected. Then I went to Targett & Siemon's laundry and made arrangements for a renewal nest Monday. Lottie and Julia came up this PM for the baby carriage left on Thanksgiving and carried two plant shelves for window which their mother wanted with them. George and Sarah came over and spent the evening. George went into the street and brought me a letter by evening mail from Clara and John Watkins from Hartford, giving us the price of Liprozine, it being 70 cents for what cost us a dollar. NOVEMBER 27 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – It began snowing about 5:30 and continued until about 8 AM when it ceased and the sun broke though giving the appearance of a fairly pleasant day. About 9:30, Mrs. Hawley came over with a chicken for me to kill, desiring it for her dinner. About noon, Mary went over to William’s to spend the day and took dinner. I went to the Post Office and walked with her as far as Gigliotti’s fruit store and bought a 12 box package of Blue Hen Tomatoes and then came home. I took dinner about 2 PM with Mr. and Mrs. Hawley. Mary returned home about 7:30 PM. NOVEMBER 28 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM -16. The coldest thus far of the season. I wrote up Targett & Siemon's insurance on laundry and fixtures. After dinner, I went over to Sarah Austin’s place at 234 White Street to see if she had, as reported, remove the store arrangement on the first floor and replaced it for dwelling purposes. I found that she had done so. I came home by trolley and did not go out again. George and Sarah spent the evening with us. I received 50 calendars today by express from the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company. A. W. Rogers came in this evening for change in his insurance policy from Montgomery Street to 16 Division Street. NOVEMBER 29 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM - 22. Not so cold; cloudy in the morning with the appearance of snow. We put new springs in the shank of the spindle shafts this morning. George reported work last evening and this morning on Alexander Eastwood (known as "Pinky"), the trolley conductor, for a $2,000 life insurance policy. After dinner, I went up to the New Machine Company and got a small strip of maple about an inch square and 13 inches long to repair Mrs. Hawley’s washboard. From there, I went up to Willard’s shop to see Michael Regan about life insurance for his mother. He promises to consider it in about a week. George and Sarah came over to spend the evening. Early in the evening, I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s to see how much coffee he wanted to order. I again referred to the additional life insurance he has been contemplating; he thinks he will do so soon. After George went home, I wrote up John Parker’s policy; also Lena Parker’s for cancellation as they refuse to give a description for the new location or pay the premium. Before closing the office at 10:30 PM, I mailed to the Agricultural Company for cancellation. NOVEMBER 30 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – A slight warm rain last evening. Neither pleasant nor stormy; clouds interspersed with sunshine. Mrs. Melissa Griffith came over this morning, having received her pension to have the voucher made on the accrued pension on Mr. Griffith’s old pension and the one for her new pension from the date of application to September 4. I mailed them to go to Boston by the noon mail. George and I tried to fix Mrs. Hawley’s washboard but broke it worse than before. We abandoned it for the present. After dinner, George S. Purdy went with me over to Mill Plain and thence to the New York state line to see Lucy Haines about writing a permanent policy on her house when the builder’s risk policy expires on Saturday. She will call on Friday or Saturday and arrange the matter. On our return, I stopped at the old Herman Knapp place for a call on Mrs. Dexter who has moved from Ridgefield to this place. On my return, I drove up to Harry Gray’s to see if he could pay on his policy. He promises to pay on Saturday. Brother George borrowed $10.00 from me until he gets his pension to pay his rent. After supper, I wrote to John Watkins replying to his asking where he shall pay his life insurance quarterly premium due on the 9th instant. George and Sarah came over again to spend the evening. Frank Hart came in the evening and wanted until December 10 to pay his November rent.
1904-11