Horace Purdy Journal April 1865 Entry
13 pgs
04/01 SATURDAY - Pleasant in the morning, but cloudy again in the evening. We had but one dozen to finish at the shop; I got through before dinner. I brought home a little paint for the edge of some picture frames and painted them after which I went to caucus at 3 P.M. in the basement of Concert Hall. David P. Nichols and Mr. H. Tweedy were nominated for our two representatives. L. C. Hoyt was chairman of the meeting. Edwin Harris and John Tweedy were appointed Tellers. I expected Aaron Mallett of Redding here to get his interest money, but for some reason he did not come. After I returned from Caucus, I helped Father Griswold trim some trees in his yard and move a bird house from under the cornice of his house to the sweet apple tree near the barn. When I came from Caucus however, I went to B. Cable's and got a large sized clothes dryer to use in place of the one we have been using which was a small size. The small one I am going to store until Mr. Wing or his agent calls for it. In the evening, I went to Dr. Buckley's and got a change of medicine as Georgie has some indications of croup. I went to market (after talking with Dr. and his son about politics, the war, etc.) and bought some oysters for our breakfast. By the evening Post, gold is 151. Gussie went to the dressmakers (Mrs. McNeil) in the P.M. Louise took care of the baby. Bell called this P.M.; Mother is no worse. Our new neighbor, Mr. Pond moved in today. 04/02 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Father Griswold preached for us today. I attended in the morning. His text was 1st Corinthians 3:21.22.23rd. George Cosier went up for Mother in the morning and brought her to church. After class meeting, he carried her to our house where she stayed in the P.M and to tea. I came home to let Gussie go in the afternoon. At evening meeting time, I went to the church and borrowed Mr. Levi W. Bartram's team to take Mother home with. Mr. S.W. Platt, the Newtown Methodist preacher gave a scientific temperance lecture at our church. He illustrated it by charts. The other churches were closed and all attended the lecture. A collection was taken up to help pay for the Newtown parsonage as this is the object for which he now lectures. I mailed the Harper's weekly to George as I went to the church. At the close of the lecture, the telegraphic news just received from General Grant was read to the audience. After three days hard fighting, our troops have been completely successful. Sheridan is sweeping everything before him capturing large numbers of prisoners. Grant has ordered an advance of his whole line and has captured the enemy's whole line of defenses. As the news was read the audience could with difficulty restrain their joy. President Lincoln is at City Point and directed the above dispatches to be sent. Julia Pine died this morning. She has been nearly or about a year been sick with consumption. 04/03 MONDAY - Election day ' Republican majority ' 208. The papers today confirmed the reports received by telegraph last evening. About noon we received by telegraph the intelligence that that Richmond and Petersburg had fallen with 40,000 prisoners. About 4 P.M. the cannon was fired 36 times in honor of the event. At the firing on Ira's Hill, I saw Andrew Knox for the first time to speak with him since his return from the army. He was 1st Lieutenant in the 1st regiment Heavy Artillery, C.V. His time of service had expired. He left his regiment near Petersburg. I have had no work in the shop. I worked around the house a great part of the day. Mr. Mallett of Redding came about noon for his latest interest on $1,100. I paid him $59.40 having paid his tax for him on the amount last summer, which was $6.60 the same being deducted from the 66 dollars. Later 10 o'clock at night I have just returned from Concert Hall where we have had a gathering to rejoice over victory in the field and to receive returns from the election. We have heard from nearly all the state and we have increased Union majorities and falling off of Copperhead majorities in strong Copperhead towns. The indications are that Buckingham is elected by a larger majority than ever before. By the evening post, gold is 145. During the day, it varied from 141 to 149 closing as above named. 04/04 Tuesday - I had work all day in the shop. On my way to work in the morning I took Gussie's shoes to C.H. Reed's to be mended. Buckingham is elected by about a 12,000 majority. The war news is good. The evening paper quotes gold at 146. 13,000 rebel prisoners have arrived at City Point. General Lee with what is left of his army is skedaddling and strewing the roads with the implements of war. Grant is in hot pursuit. Our prisoners are released. Libby is empty. Hatters' meeting in the evening. I got excused and left before it was over. Julia Pine was buried at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Gussie attended. We made up a purse at the shop for William Pine of about $4.20 with which to pay funeral expenses for his wife. 04/05 WEDNESDAY - Hager's barn was burned about 3 o'clock this morning with a wagon and sleigh and hay cutter belonging to Dr. Brewer and some books belonging to Mr. Robertson. We were limited in our work in the shop today. I came home about 3 o'clock and washed down my fruit trees with a solution of Salsoda. A fight today between two Dutch merchant tailors named Zarkowski and Harris. Two of their men took up the cause of their employers and had a clinch in Parmalee & Bradley's store. They were immediately parted by Bradley and Charles Hadden taking each of them one and taking them away. Thomas Stone was yesterday arrested by A.B. Hull (the freight agent at the depot) for adultery. His case was examined today and his trial put over to the next court and he was bound over under $500 bonds. John Bussing cut my hair at the shop after I finished my work. While we were at tea, Bell came in and said that Mother wished to see me up there as soon as I could come after tea as her business was important. I accordingly went up. It was about a gravestone for John and having his, Abagail's and William's remains moved from Mill Plain here to the cemetery. We concluded to let the matter rest for the present until a more convenient time. By the evening post, gold is quoted at 152. There is a rumor that Jeff Davis has been captured and that Abraham Lincoln has been taken by rebels at Richmond, but these need yet to be authenticated. I mailed the Jeffersonian to George in the evening. On account of going up home, I did not get to class. 04/06 THURSDAY - Rain a little at times, sunshine and wind. No work in the shop. I bought a little more Salsoda and finished washing my trees. Set out some horse radish roots under the drain. I filled out where plant had died in my Trompe de Grand strawberry bed. Raked leaves off the door yard. Sawed my 4 foot wood in the woodhouse once in two and piled it away in a smaller compass to make room for Mr. Cocking's wood. Gussie received a letter from Cousin Eliza in California. I sorted over the apples in the cellar. I went to market in the evening and walked up West Street as I came home with Rev. Mr. Shepard (Universalist clergyman). Good news in the evening post. Grant has cut off Lee's retreat. Gold at 150. 04/07 FRIDAY - No sunshine during the day, a little rain. There were enough rays from the setting sun to produce a rainbow. The grass has taken a fresh start today. It looks fresh and green. I have been at work on Full Stiff Drab Brush hates today. The papers tell us today the Sheridan has occupied the R. Road junction at Burkesville ahead of General Lee and Grant being close in Lee's rear there is all about a certainty of the destruction of the rebel army under Lee. Gussie went to the Sewing Society at Mrs. Alberta Hoyt's in the evening. Before retiring, I commenced a letter to George. News by the Evening Post that Sheridan has handsomely whipped Lee again near Burkesville and captured six rebel generals, a large number of prisoners, cannon, etc. Gold 147 by the Post. 04/08 SATURDAY - pleasant and a little cooler. About a half days work for the men, but I being on Brush hats had all that I could do. The news by the Evening Post last night was fully confirmed by the morning papers. Gussie made mince pies today. After tea, Louise came down and stayed with the baby and let Gussie go with me to market as she wanted to do some shopping. I bought meat, oyster crackers and two collars for myself. Nothing new by the evening papers. Gold quoted at about 149. After we came home, Fanny came in to make some arrangements about presenting books to the Sunday School Superintendents tomorrow. Brother Pegg and wife came to George Starr's this P.M. by freight train. He is to preach for us tomorrow. 04/09 SUNDAY - pleasant but cool; a heavy frost last night. Fanny and I went to church early and took the books for presentation to the Sunday School Superintendents from the parsonage into the Sunday School room. At noon, they were presented by Brother Pegg. 'The History of Methodism' in two volumes was presented to Brother William White and George Starr, Supt. and Asst. Supt. 'Biographical Sketches of Methodist Ministers', imitation of Moroccan Gilt price $3.00 was presented to Sisters Holmes and Bartrams, female Supt. and Asst. Supt. It being Conference Sunday and Brother Hill being too sick to go to conference or to preach, Brother Pegg came and preached for us. Text in the morning, Hebrews 12th, first 3 words of the second verse, viz. Looking Unto Jesus. Sacrament in the P.M. After the morning service Mary Purdy came up and stayed with the baby to let Gussie go to the presentation at noon and the Sacrament in the P.M. I went over in the morning and engaged her to come. She stayed and went with Gussie in the evening to hear Brother Pegg preach. I stayed at home with Georgie. I finished a letter to George and sent it with a Harper's weekly and yesterday's tribune to the Post Office by Gussie as she went to meeting. A prayer meeting was appointed to Mother's at 2 o'clock. 04/10 MONDAY - A day of rejoicing, General Robert E. Lee yesterday surrendered to General Grant. This morning's papers brought us the news. Stores and factories were immediately closed and notwithstanding the rain, the streets were filled with people all carrying happy faces. The bells were rung and cannon fired; the Brass Band and Drum Corps was out. In the evening, Concert Hall was illuminated and a large enthusiastic crowd assembled. Music by the Glee Club and Drum Corps. and Brass Band. Speeches were made, etc. I bought some sperm candles and illuminated father Griswold's cupola. The girls helped and also illuminated the whole house. We lighted up the lower part of our house also. I went up home and got Bell to come down and stay with baby to let Gussie go with me to Concert Hall. The evening mail brought us a letter from George. Bell stayed all night. Teachers' meeting in the evening. Mary Purdy came over before tea, and I cut her hair for her. 04/11 TUESDAY - Cloudy in the morning, a little sunshine in the middle of the day, cloudy again in the evening with a chilling atmosphere. On my way to the shop this morning, I called and paid Fred Bradley $1.00 for the sperm candles I bought there yesterday to illuminate Father Griswold's cupola. I also went to the Jeffersonian office and gave Ashley the item of Lieutenant Colonel Wilcoxsen's death for publication. I worked late on some brush hats in the shop. It was about 7 o'clock when I came home to tea. After tea, I went to market and bought some table salt. There was an adjourned Hatter's meeting, but I was too tired to attend and came home as soon as the mail was opened. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. At the Sunday School Teacher's Annual Meeting last evening, the same officers were elected except the male Supt. and Asst. which was only changed. George Starr was made Supt. and William S. White, the former Supt. made Asst. 04/12 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy most of the day. The sun shone a little after dinner though faintly. I am completely tire out finishing badly cleaned Brush hats. I burned one a little on the brim this P.M. and may have it to pay for. I stopped and would not take any more of them. I came home with the headache. An article in the Jeffersonian from George speaking of the death of Lieut. Col. Wilcoxsen of his regiment who died in Tallahassee, Florida in the rebels' hands, a prisoner of war. Inflammation set in his wounds and caused his death. After tea, I finished my letter to George and mailed with it in the evening a New York tribune of Monday and the Jeffersonian rolled up together. It is reported that William Seward, the Secretary of State in Washington is dead. He died from injuries received from being thrown out of a carriage. It is also reported that Lynchburg, Va. is taken by General Thomas. Gold by Evening Post is quoted at 145. Father Griswold returned from conference (which was held in the 17th Street Church in New York City) by the evening train. 04/13 THURSDAY - Pleasant. D.L. Chichester called the shop this forenoon to get an advance on some hats that were heavy, called B&W Hats. It is certainly harder and heavier work than we ordinarily have and we ought to have more for doing it. But as we had said nothing about it when trade was good, we thought it an unfavorable time now to ask an advance just as trade was over and a prospect of dull times coming on. It being late before I got to the shop this morning, I did but little during the day, only 1 dozen and then came home. Robert Lewis was off today, has gone to Lacey & Sheathars. I bought glass for two picture frames at O.H. Swift's. Gussie drew the baby over to Mrs. Lynes this P.M. to see Mrs. Cocking. She stayed to tea. Hattie Mills came to see us before she returned. She stayed until evening when Gussie went into the street with her. I understand that Theodore Flagler and Fred Wildman arrived home last evening, their term of service of one year having expired. 04/14 FRIDAY - A beautiful day. Fast day, no work in the shop on that account. I did some grafting for Father Griswold and myself. Before breakfast, I carried home the bottle of cut rubber and other ingredients called cement which a long time ago I borrowed of John Cosier to mend my rubber boots. I got Mr. McDonald's horse and carriage and carried Mother to church and home again. After dinner Father and Mother Griswold took the same team and rose over to Mill Plain to engage butter for the summer for themselves and us of Chris Fowler. They also spoke for Mrs. Cocking. Mr. Fowler agreed to furnish us ___ . At the same time that they went over there, Harriet, Gussie and myself went up to the cemetery to repair the flower beds and set out some plants. On my return I brought home a 3 # pound shad at 20 cents/lb. from Avery Raymond's, our first this season. It came from the North River. I finished grafting for myself before tea. In the evening, I intended to attend the Union League, but the room was not lighted, so I waited for the mail and came home. Gold 146. 04/15 SATURDAY - Pleasant in the morning; began to rain about 4 P.M. I finished grafting for Father Griswold in the morning, and while at it about 9 o'clock, a dispatch was received saying that president Lincoln was shot last night while at Ford's theatre in Washington. He died this morning about the same time the President was shot, an assassin, perhaps the same one, went to Secretary Seward's room where he lay sick in bed and cut his throat at the same time lunging his knife into his side. As he left, he stabbed ___. Upon the receipt of the news, all the bells commenced tolling. Flags are at half-mast and many houses are dressed in mourning. A general sorrow pervades the people and indignation is aroused anew against the rebels. A later dispatch this evening states that the murderer has been caught. I raked off my garden and burned the rubbish. I dug around my trees and destroyed worms. Mr. and Mrs. Lynes having come home for the season today, Robert and wife returned to their rooms and furniture. Her sister, Mrs. Courtney is visiting with them. She is to occupy our bedroom upstairs while she stays. Mrs. Lynes gave Mrs. Cocking a basket of eggs as she came away. When she got here with them she gave Gussie a dozen of them. Later, 10 o'clock in the evening I have been downtown. Received 2 letters from George, Gussie one and Harriet one. There was no evening papers come. There are rumors that Secretary Seward is not dead but that his son is and then right the reverse that the secretary is dead and not the son. Taking all the reports together we are yet in the dark as to the safety of Seward. While we were eating dinner this afternoon, Harriet Purdy called. Aunt Louisa called also a short time afterwards. 04/16 SUNDAY - Pleasant, a shower about 6 P.M. Mr. Stone, the Baptist preacher, preached for us in the morning. Gussie attended; I stayed with the baby. Father Griswold being home, he exchanged with Mr. Stone. Gussie came home at noon and I went to Sunday School and to preaching in the P.M. Brother Hill preached for the first in quite a time. He has been prostrate with inflammatory rheumatism. He looked like a ghost as he stood at the desk and preached. The church was draped in mourning at the death of President Lincoln. The galleries were hung in black. The pulpit was covered in a large American flag, draped in mourning. A solemn mournful feeling pervades the people. Father Purdy was at church and came to our house to tea. Mr. Cocking and myself bought a Sunday Times to get further news about the murder at Washington. The paper cost 20 cents. Henry E. Comes and Allison Smith went to Brewster Station for them. They sold like hotcakes even at that price. I completed my letter to George and Gussie mailed it as she went to meeting in the evening. A Harper's weekly and yesterday's Tribune also at the same time. I had dreadful sick headache and could not go out in the evening. There was a Union meeting at the 1st Church in the evening; I was too sick to go. I went to bed. Fanny came down and took care of Georgie. 04/17 Monday - Pleasant but a little cool. I am over my sick headache and have worked all day. I bought a New York Tribune to send to George and mailed it this evening. The papers today give an account of the taking of Mobile with a large number of cannon and 3,000 prisoners. Ezra Wildman was off from the shop today. Theodore Flagler called at the shop today. He has been in the Navy for one year. He came home one day last week. Harriet Mills called in the evening. The shop today was dressed in mourning by hanging black and white festooned together out the trimming room windows and the factory flag trimmed in black hung over the front entrance. Secretary Seward is better and his son Fred out of danger. The assassins not yet caught. 04/18 Tuesday - A little colored boy about 10 years old came to the door just as we were retiring about 11 o'clock and wanted to stay overnight. I refused and soon after heard him crying near Mr. Pond's east gate. I went to him and he said his feet were cold. My sympathies were aroused and after considerable questioning as to where he was from and how old he was, I took him in, gave him some supper and let him sleep in the lounge. His name is James Martin. He has no parents living. He is from Peekskill and is the same boy who about a year and a half ago stayed all night with us. I called him up this morning and set him at work sawing some wood for me to pay for his lodging, supper and breakfast which I thought he could do as well as me anyway. When breakfast was ready, I called him in to eat. After which I gave him as good a written recommendation as I could to help him get employment with some farmer. He promised to go into the farming districts and with his paper to get employment. I went to the factory and soon saw him with two other Negroes on the railroad tracks after having been kicked out of the boiler room by Hiram Haddam the engineer. I send Orlando Morris, the errand boy, after him. He brought him up into the finishing room where I talked to him and took away the papers which I gave him in the morning, not wishing the little vagabond as he proves to be to carry around a recommendation with my signature. It was cloudy in the morning, rainy in the middle of the day and cleared off before night. It is reported in the evening post that the man who attempted to murder Secretary Seward has been caught. An extra meeting of the Union League was held to make arrangements for the observance of tomorrow which is the burial of President Lincoln. All business is to be suspended and stores to be closed from 11 o'clock. What further was done at the meeting, I know not as I left before business was over on account of the lateness of the hour. They concluded, however, I believe to call a meeting of the citizens tomorrow forenoon and have it a citizen's affair rather than confine it to the League itself. I bought a shad for Mother Griswold and when Fanny came home she bought another, so I took one of them off their hands. 04/19 WEDNESDAY - The anniversary of the Wooster Guards tendering their services to Governor Buckingham under president Lincoln's call for 75,000 troops for 3 months in April, 1861. NO! It was 4 years ago yesterday and 4 years ago today that the Guards left home on the afternoon train for the rendezvous at New Haven. It is also the anniversary of the first blood shed in the revolutionary war at Lexington as well as the first of this war by the killing of a Mss. Soldier in Baltimore. President Lincoln was buried today or rather the funeral obsequies were held in Washington. All over the land services were held in churches and a sermon preached. Our churches as usual on all such public occasions united. The service was held in the First Congregational Church. Father Griswold preached the sermon or delivered the discourse as he had no text. At 11 o'clock, a meeting of citizens was held at Concert Hall to make arrangements about badges, a procession, etc. They voted to wear a badge of mourning during the day. (The Union League or its members are to wear one for 30 days.) and after the service in the church which commenced at 12 o'clock (the same hour as the services at the Presidential Mansion) a procession was decided upon which according to arrangements was formed at the church at the close of the service about 2 o'clock in the following order Band (Drum Corps), soldiers who had served in the war, ladies, next gentlemen and ladies and brought up with gentlemen. The procession was a long one. We marched down to the Courthouse and then up to Franklin Street and back again to the place of starting where we broke up in the churchyard with a benediction from Bishop Williams of the Episcopal Church. In the morning, I put coal ashes around my trees and decorated the front door and piazza with emblems of mourning. I mailed a Jeffersonian to George in the evening. Gussie put Georgie in his carriage and drew him down to Brother Hill's where she witnessed the procession. I went into the street in the evening, but there being no evening papers, we got no news. Bell came down at noon for some vinegar. Smith Terrell was this morning married to Margaret Dibble. Mr. Townsend officiated. They went off on the train. Saul Mallory was marshal of the procession at A. Lincoln's funeral, or rather at the demonstration made here at Danbury at the time of the funeral. The day has been lovely. In the evening in the post office I paid my taxes, $13.79 to Charles H. Crosby. 04/20 THURSDAY - A little sunshine during the forenoon, but after dinner, it clouded over and commenced raining about 5 o'clock. I have had no work in the shop today and have worked around the house. I trimmed the edges of my walks in the yard, made the flower bed by the piazza, set out a few Poor House Seedling Strawberry Plants which Mr. Cocking brought me to fill out my bed where a few had died out. Mr. Cocking took two dozen perpetual bearing raspberry plants from Father Griswold to set out over to Mr. Lynes. They are 50 cents per dozen. He is to let Father Griswold have tomatoes and eggplants in exchange. After dinner, I took a nap and then put out some myrtle in the tubs for that purpose in the yard. I went to the Post Office in the evening and got a letter from George from St. Augustine, Florida. I also received by ail the insurance policy for renewal from Aaron Mallett, West Redding. He holds the policy as additional security with a mortgage on my place for $1,100. Before retiring, I helped Gussie commence a shell frame for John's picture. It rained hard when we retired. 04/21 FRIDAY - Cloudy and misty but only a little rain. I have not felt well today and did not go to the shop. I went into the street in the forenoon and talked with O. H. Swift about buying out his business picture framing, stationary, books, etc. After dinner I lay on the lounge and took a nap. About 3 o'clock, I went downtown again and helped Mr. Swift carry a large picture of the deathbed of Daniel Webster (which he had been framing) up to Mr. R. White's. I then went to the shirt factory to see Edith Newman about making a general exchange for George of pictures. Letters, etc. for which purpose I came downtown. She and George had held an intimate correspondence since he has been in the army and now she has engaged herself to be married to one Samuel Main of Georgetown. George wishes me to make the exchange of letters, pictures, etc. She promised to come to our house next Monday evening and bring the letters, etc. to make the exchange. I stayed with baby in the evening and let Gussie go to the sewing society up to Mrs. Fanton's on Balmforth Avenue. While she was away, I commenced a letter to George. 04/22 SATURDAY - It rained hard last night. Cloudy but a very little rain before dinner. It cleared off about 10 o'clock. There is but a few men left in the shop, they having left and gone to Tweedy Brothers, Mallory's, and Sheather's & Lacey's to get more work and better prices. What men there are left have all the work they can do. At 4 P.M. a meeting was held in Concert Hall to nominate a man for Postmaster in the coming term. Dr. Brown was selected by a majority of over 50 above all others. Fanny stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie got to the stores with me. Elias Fay's remains came in the evening train and were taken over to his father's. He died last Monday April 17that Chatfield Minnesota. News came today that Fred Vintz was dead and buried. He was wounded and taken to Harewood Hospital, Washington, D. C. where he died with a fever. We sat up until 12 o'clock working on a shell picture frame. 04/23 SUNDAY - Pleasant this morning. Our new presiding Elder, Nathaniel Mead preached for us this morning. A love feast was held a t 9 o'clock this morning. We rose too late to attend. Gussie went to church in the forenoon while I stayed with the baby. She came home after the morning service and I went down to Sunday School. It took so long to put on anew the numbers which were off from some of the books that I did not go to church in the afternoon. When I got there at noon, I found Saul Main in the seat by the library with Edward Barnum. He is to be married to Edith Newman before long. Next month, I believe. After supper, I finished my letter to George. There were three sheets full. A Mr. Dorman who preached for the 1st Congregational Church 4 weeks ago and also again today preached this evening at their church and the 3 other congregations, viz. 2nd Congregational, Baptist and ours united and I went to hear him. It was a eulogy on Abraham Lincoln. His text was Revelations 18:8. It was a good thing. It was fitting the occasion of the nation's grief and he did justice to Lincoln. As I went to church, I mailed a letter and a Tribune to George. The Harper's weekly did not come yesterday as usual. I expect them tomorrow or the next day. 04/24 MONDAY - I was informed wrong about Elias Fay's remains coming home Saturday evening. It did not arrive, but is expected every day. The day has been pleasant but cool; a heavy mist last night. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. I had all I could do in the shop and worked until sundown. Georgie is cutting his teeth and is very worrisome. Gussie went in the evening to the Baptist Church to hear Mrs. Bingham, the southern refugee speak. While she was gone I sorted Edith's letters from other letters of George's in order to return them to her in exchange for his in her possession as he requested me. I somewhat expected her here this evening to make the exchange. She partially promised me that she would come. 04/25 TUESDAY - Pleasant. Elias Fay's remains came on the train last evening and were buried this afternoon at 2 o'clock. On my way home from work tonight, I borrowed a pair of trimming shears of Charles Hull to make a knuckle fender for my irons. I returned them in the evening. The Harper's Weeklies came today. I sent one to George and mailed it with a letter I finished after tea. Edith Newman sent the old letters she received from George with pictures, relics, etc. including a white handkerchief with blood stains on it from his wound received in the trenches before Fort Wagner on James Island. Her Mr. Saul brought them and took hers written to George in exchange. Mrs. Burr Bradley called on Gussie this afternoon. I bought some halibut for my breakfast for the first time this season. 04/26 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. Nothing unusual in the day. When I came home from work at night, I found the house locked up and wife and baby gone with Mother Griswold's folks up to Mrs. Bartram's. I got my own supper and was about starting for class when Mrs. Bartram drove up with them all. Just at that time Sarah Purdy came along and took Georgie and came in to the house with him. Mrs. Bartram also came in. The consequence was that I did not go to class, though I rode down with Mrs. Bartram to get my Jeffersonian and to mail one to George which I did, putting it up and directing it in the Jeffersonian Office. 04/27 THURSDAY - Warmer than yesterday. It has been like midsummer. News by telegraph this noon that J. Wilkes Booth the murderer of President Lincoln was shot dead in a swamp in Maryland. They were doubtless obliged to shoot him in order to get him at all. He was shot through the head. The cherry blossoms are coming out fine. Some trees were blossomed out full yesterday. Others have blossomed today. When I left the shop I came by way of George Hull's and got some pieces of tin for upright partitions in our Sunday School library and went to the church and put a part of them in before I came home. After tea, I took the lantern, went up to Father Griswold's barn and made a pair of cleats for a drawer which I brought home from the Sunday School room which was not of any use there and intend to put it up under my bench at the shop. After I did this, I went up home to see if I could get Father to come and make my garden for me. He is too busy in the shop and cannot. Mrs. Cocking's sister, Mrs. Courtney went home to Fort Hamilton, Long Island this morning. In the evening, Father Griswold wanted to borrow $10.00 until next week. I let him have it and $4.90 of it to balance my account with him. He gave me back 10 cents leaving my due borrowed money $5.00. 04/28 Friday - Very warm again for the season. I put up my dinner at the breakfast table but finally concluded to stay at home and commence making my gardens as I wanted to dig up a certain spot and plant dwarf peas as well as make the flower borders which I preferred to do myself rather than hire it done as I could suit myself much better though I could have earned in the shop more than enough to pay a man for doing it. I accomplished the task I laid out to do though working in the sun gave me a severe headache which I was obliged to endure until the heat of the day was over. After tea, I carried a drawer down to the shop which I intend to put up under my bench and then came home by way of Avery Raymond's and bought a shad for 12 cents per lb. I bought a New York Daily Times with the account in it of the capture of J. Wilkes Booth and one of his accomplices named Herold. They were found secreted in a barn near Port Royal on the Rappahannock in Virginia. Herold gave himself up but Booth would not surrender. He said they would never take him alive. They set fire to the barn to drive him out. As he was coming out and in the act of shooting, one of the men shot him through the neck. He lived only two or three hours after being wounded. He murdered President Lincoln with a bullet and came to his end in the same manner. Gussie mailed the New York Times to George as she went to the Sewing Society in the evening up to Mrs. Fantonӳ on Balmforth Avenue. I stayed with Georgie while she was away and in meantime, David Bradleyӳ wife, Frank Bouton, and Mary Purdy called to see her. I heard a Bob oҠWhite this morning for the first time this season. I planted dwarf peas and some radishes. I commenced a letter to George while staying with Georgie in the evening. 04/29 SATURDAY - Showery through the day, though there was a little sunshine in the P.M. I put up my drawer under my bench at the shop at noon time. While we were drinking tea, it thundered hard. It rained hard in the evening. I went to the church and finished putting up the tin partitions between every ten books in the library. I worked at it until 4 oӣlock; when I came home the stars were shining. The wind has blown hard all day. 04/30 SUNDAY - Pleasant but colder. Gussie went to church this morning. I stayed with Georgie. She came home at noon and I went to Sabbath School and to the quarterly Sunday School Concert at the 1st Church. Sunday School books were taken in but none were given out. After tea, Father came and gave me the particulars of Uncle Stephenӳ death of the 2nd Connecticut Light Battery at the Battle of Mobile when the city was captured. He went safely through the battle and while helping to carry the wounded from the field stepped on a secreted torpedo which blew up taking clean from his body one leg and badly shattering the other. He lived about an hour. Fanny came down and stayed with Georgie and we went up to the cemetery leaving Father with her. I mailed a Harperӳ Weekly to George ֠wrote a little in a letter I had begun to George speaking of Uncle Stephen's death. We being tired when we returned from the cemetery neither went to church in the evening.
1865-04
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal, April 1861 Entry
10pgs
APRIL 01 – MONDAY – State election. Mr. Warren moved in upstairs today. I worked in the shop until noon and then went down and voted. I went to the shop again after dinner and drew $60.00. It was the wages that had accumulated during the winter as Mr. Crofut has paid us but little money since last Thanksgiving. After I drew it, I went into the street and distributed it to my creditors and paid my interest to Alfred Gregory - $24.00. I went into the street in the evening to compare accounts with Noah Hoyt and to mail a letter for Father Griswold. It commenced snowing just before night and it was coming thick and fast when we retired. I paid 9 months’ dues to the Hatters’ Society – 90 cents. I took my watch away from Woodford’s in the evening. APRIL 02 – TUESDAY – It was still snowing hard this morning and continued through the forenoon. I have worked hard all day in the shop. Zerah Hoyt paid a garnish and with it was bought eggs and cider. I came home by way of George Starr’s shop and got a bag of shavings. George was at the Democratic meeting at the Concert hall last evening and while setting down the election figures for his own gratification, was mistaken for the Jeffersonian’s reporter and was given three groans and then a vote was taken to put him out, but he saved them the trouble by going himself. The returns they received last night were quite favorable for them and they thought that they had carried the state, but today the scales have turned and they laugh from the other side of their mouths. We have carried the state. Governor Buckingham is elected by a larger majority than last year. We have a majority of both branches of the legislature, but we have lost O. S. Ferry of this district for Congress. I attended hatters’ meeting this evening. APRIL 03 – WEDNESDAY – It snowed a very little this morning. I have worked all day in the shop. Mother called on her way to meeting while we were at tea. We both attended. The classes met together in the Lecture Room for a Prayer Meeting. After the meeting, I wrote a letter to Brother Goodenough ordering 6 dozen Sunday School Hymn Books and sending the amount of his last bill. APRIL 04 – THURSDAY – Pleasant. I went down to the Office to mail two letters for Father Griswold and one for myself to E. Goodenough with $7.40 money and an order for books for the Sabbath School. The Office not being open, I came back to breakfast and then went to the Depot when the train went out and sent it by Express. I got $3.00 from S. Stebbins to make out the amount and gave him a check on the Pahquioque Bank for the same amount. I worked all day in the shop I went to market in the evening, but did not get to class. APRIL 05 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. I have worked hard in the shop. Six dozen hymn books for the Sunday School came for me by express by the morning train which I left at the church on my way home from the shop. I went to drill in the evening. Gussie went to the Sewing Society at John Rowan’s. APRIL 06 – SATURDAY – Pleasant. I have worked at the shop. We have had a bushel of oysters at the shop this noon. They were bought with garnish money. At 3 o’clock, I went up to Concert hall to vote on the nomination of Postmaster. The first was an informal ballot which was as follows: Dr. E A. Brown - 184, Charles Fry – 118, Henry Smith – 54, Armstrong – 52, Eli Mallory – 46, Charles Bennett – 3. The second ballot was as follows, 454 votes cast, necessary for a choice, 228. Dr. Brown received 247 and was elected, after which the meeting was adjourned. I then went down to the shop, from there, up to Brother William Scofield’s for a scion of his White Ox Heart cheery tree to graft on to my Red Ox Heart tree. I came home and grafted it, also one for Abel. I stayed at home in the evening and wrote up Fannie’s Infant Class Book for her and did some writing for the Sunday School and some for myself. APRIL 07 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. Brother Pegg preached in the morning from John 11:40. A German preacher, Mr. Jost, was in the Sabbath School and talked a little to the school. Father Griswold preached in the PM. Subject, the importance of a faithful ministry. The foundation of his discourse was taken from Ezekiel 11 and Acts 1. After meeting, I went to Dr. St. John’s with Gussie and had him extract a tooth for her. We attended Prayer Meeting in the evening. The church was crowded. Mr. Jost was present and exhorted, told his experience, etc. Father Griswold was also present. He gave an invitation to all such as would seek the salvation of their souls to come forward to the altar, when quite a number presented themselves. The meeting was a good one. On my way to church, I mailed a letter to Carlton & Porter for a subscription to the Sunday School Advocate for 6 months for one of the scholars. APRIL 08 - MONDAY – Pleasant. I have worked all day in the shop. After tea, I made out a report for our Sunday School to go to Conference and carried it to Brother Pegg in the evening. APRIL 09 – TUESDAY – Pleasant. I have had work in the shop. D. K. Hickok, the clothes dryer man, called to the shop to see me in the forenoon. I went to the Wooster House in the PM to see him and again in the evening, accompanied by Andrew Knox. I would like to buy the right for this county, but think it exceedingly doubtful about raising the money. APRIL 10 – WEDNESDAY – I did not go to the shop today on account of seeing Mr. Hickok, the patenter and proprietor of the clothes dryer. I spent nearly all the forenoon with him. I then found George in the street. He came home with me to dinner, after which we prepared father Griswold’s hot bed in my garden and sowed some tomato and pepper seed and put my dahlia roots in it to sprout. We sent out Father Griswold’s cabbage stumps and my own and moved tow stoves for them. I cut George’s hair for him and then he went home without staying for tea. Abel, with some help which he procured, raised father Griswold’s barn and nearly covered it. I went to class in the evening. I have deferred buying the county rights for the clothes dryer until Father Griswold returns from conference. The news today is alarming. War seems to be inevitable between the North and the South. APRIL 11 – THURSDAY – The day has been pretty warm. I have worked in the shop. I did not go to church in the evening, but stayed home and did some writing. APRIL 12 – FRIDAY – I have worked in the shop all day. Aunt Louisa’s Cousin Betsy died this morning at the Poor House. I went to drill in the evening. Several officers of the Bethel Company were present. It was the Quarterly meeting, but because of the hard times, no dues were paid. APRIL 13 – SATURDAY – Rainy. It is reported in the papers today that the rebel batteries, together with Fort Moultrie, have opened fire on Major Anderson at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor I South Carolina and that the major has returned fire. I went into the street in the evening to get the news if there was any. The news by telegraph states that Fort Sumter is on fire and that the flag is at half-mast and the Harriet Lane is sunk. It may be correct or it may not. I have worked all day in the shop. APRIL 14 – SUNDAY – Pleasant with the exception of a shower just before evening meeting. Brother Pegg, being at Conference, we have had Prayer Meeting all day. Gussie stayed at home in the evening and I went alone. The telegraph has been at work all day receiving the war news. It say that Fort Sumter is on fire and that Major Anderson has surrendered to the rebel forces commanded by General Beauregard. I don’t believe it myself. Neither shall I until I hear more tomorrow. APRIL 15 – MONDAY – The surrender of major Anderson at Fort Sumter is confirmed. The fire from the rebel batteries was too hot for him, burning the inside of the fort until all the wood works (the officers’ quarters, etc.) was consumed by the red-hot shot and shell. The President has issued a call for 75,000 troops from the militia of the adhering states. I have worked all day in the shop. It clouded over in the PM and rained a little in the evening. I attended the Annual Meeting of the Teachers and Officers of the Sunday School in the evening, but on account of the absence of three officers of the Society, the meeting was adjourned for one week. APRIL 16 – TUESDAY – It has rained all day with a hard wind. I have worked in the shop. Our company assembled in the drill room in the evening. We are expecting to be called into the service of the government immediately, as the President has issued a call for 75,000 men from the states adhering to the Union. We are hourly expecting an order from our Governor. APRIL 17 – WEDNESDAY – I have worked in the shop during the day. I attended a special meeting of our Guards at our hall in the evening at which we volunteered our services to our Governor (Buckingham) as volunteers in the United States service in answer to the President’s call for 75,000 troops. There were a large number of spectators at the room and when we, with one voice, offered our services, a long loud shout went up from the people. APRIL 18 - THURSDAY - Today has been spent mostly in parading the street and hoisting the Stars and Stripes I received my pay from Mr. Crofut preparatory to my going away. The bells began to ring in the PM on account of a dispatch from the Governor accepting our services for the government. Supposing that we were to leave this afternoon, I went home immediately and packed what clothes I intended to carry, bid goodbye to my wife and friends, and started for the Hall, but we did not go, so I returned home again.
Copied from Pocket Diary written while in Camp during my three months’’ enlistment in the service of the United States.
APRIL 19 – FRIDAY – I went to the shop in the morning to get my shop clothes and my tools. I came home and completed my preparations for leaving my home. We took dinner over to Father Griswold’s. He broke a bottle of wine to drink together before my departure. After dinner, I bid goodbye to all and started for our Hall. Before taking the train (which was the freight), the Company paraded up as far as Franklin Street and down to Concert Hall where, unexpected to me, Father Griswold was waiting to pray with and for us as we left our native town. After the prayer, we went to the depot where the train was in readiness for us and a large concourse of people waiting to bid us perhaps a last farewell. After shaking hands with a thousand or less, we finally moved off amid deafening cheers. A number more enlisted in our company in Norwalk. We arrived in New Haven about 6 PM. A delegation from the New Haven Greys escorted us to the New Haven Hotel where we were quartered. In the evening, we were serenaded by the New Haven Cornet Band which played beautifully. We are the first company in the state to arrive at the rendezvous. APRIL 20 – SATURDAY – Three other companies arrived today. We spent a part of the day drilling on the Green. We were escorted by Ex-Colonel Gregory to the cars in the PM. He made a short speech on the platform of the rear car previous to starting. APRIL 21 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. We were sworn into the service of the United States by Colonel S. Loomis of the 5th U. S. Infantry. The examination and administering of the oath was done on the Green in front of the State House. The examination was not very close. APRIL 23 – TUESDAY – Pleasant. Drill in the morning and in the PM. After tea, we changed our quarters from the hotel to the State House. APRIL 24 – WEDNESDAY – Judah P. Crosby and Charles T. Stevens came onto the Green in the forenoon. They were on their way to Hartford to procure overcoats for our company. In the PM, we pitched our tents on a field near the hospital and went into camp. Rain in the evening. We continue to go to the New Haven House for our meals. APRIL 25 – THURSDAY – Pleasant. Received a letter from Gussie. I was detailed for guard duty at noon to continue until tomorrow morning. APRIL 26 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. I tried my revolver this morning by firing it a mark. It gave me good satisfaction. It shoots well. My feet are very sore. I retired very early or rather bunked in my tent. Retiring is rather too refined an expression for camp life. APRIL 27 - SATURDAY – We drilled in squads in the AM. The Captain excused me in the PM to go to the city to get my boots mended. A. H. Byington, one of our members, mended them for me after getting permission from a shoe maker to use his seat for the purpose. APRIL 28 – SUNDAY – I attended the 1st Methodist Church, Dr. Kennedy, preacher. Text in the AM, Hebrews 10:35. In the PM, it was Revelations 2:17. George Allen, along with several others and myself, attended. Prayer Meeting at the same place in the evening. It has stormed all day and in the evening. APRIL 29 - MONDAY – Clear this morning with a rainbow. Squad drill in the AM. I had the headache in the afternoon and evening and did not eat any supper. APRIL 30 – TUESDAY – Discontentment amounting to almost mutiny in our Company on account of our rations. A sergeant belonging to the Meriden Company was court martialed for disrespect to the colonel. Cold in the evening. I retired with a tooth ache.
1861-04-01
Horace Purdy Journal, April 1863 Entry
6pgs
4/1 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I worked in the shop for the first (time) in over a week. Mr. Swift moved this P.M. John Cosier came home from the city today. He called about six o'clock this evening to see the books which are now in my parlor. Mr. Brady from New York speaks for the administration and the Union and for our candidate for Governor, Buckingham. I went to the Post Office and mailed two Danbury Times to George. 4/2 THURSDAY ' worked in the shop. Went to the Jeffersonian office and got 1,200 labels for Sunday School books. John Cosier and wife, Fanny and Harriet came in and helped about pasting them in the books and numbering them. Bell came down and helped take care of Eddie. She stayed all night. Tomorrow being fast day and no work, we were paid off today. 4/3 FRIDAY - Fast day. I finished labeling the Infant Class books this morning. I have been sick with a headache. John Cosier came in the evening and helped pack the books to take to church tomorrow. David Bradley came home this evening on a furlough from the 17th Reg't. 4/4 SATURDAY - Mr. Cosier came with a team this morning and we carried the new library books down to the church and brought the old ones away to be looked over and reserve the best to be put back again into the library. I did not feel well enough to go to the shop and work. Mr. Swift paid me my rent today. I put a new lock on the door at the head of the stairs for Mr. Cocking. Gussie went into the street in the evening while Fanny and I looked over the old library books and discarded such as we thought best. It began to rain about 8 o'clock and I bundled up and went into the street with rubbers and umbrella for Gussie. I found her at Mr. Swift's office waiting for the mail, as the cars had not arrived. [???] Stone fell dead in Raymond's Fish Market this evening. Heart disease was the difficulty. 4/5 SUNDAY - Cloudy with a little snow and rain during the day. Father Griswold having come home last night, the Conference being adjourned in order to let the Connecticut preachers to come home to vote, he preached for us this morning. There being no Librarian present at noon to give out the new books, Edward Barnum acted as librarians and gave out the new books for the first time. They gave good satisfaction to the school. In the P.M., I stayed home and looked up my Sunday School accounts preparatory to my Annual Report as Secretary and Treasurer. I wrote a letter to George and one to Henry Mead in Brooklyn to let them know that we would be at their house tomorrow on a visit. I went to prayer meeting in the evening. Isabella took care of Eddie so that we could both go. She is to stay all night with us. (Ed. Note: No diary entries from April 6 through April 12 because of trip to New York). 4/13 MONDAY - Returned home from New York this P.M. on the freight train. We left Henry Mead's house on the corner of Classon and Greene Avenues, Brooklyn at 7 o'clock this morning. It is just a week ago today since we left home to go to New York. My journal is blank for one week back. Gussie was very sick with sick headache a week ago tonight when we arrived in Brooklyn. One Tuesday morning, we went to Williamsburg to Conference. Judge Belto of U. S. Court was there, also Gen Wood [?] by request of the Conference to administer the Oath of Allegiance to the members of the Conference. The time was occupied with patriotic addresses and altogether, it was one of the most interesting occasions that I was ever present at. We came home to Mr. Mead's to dinner and in the afternoon we went down to Clermont Ave. to Mr. Boyles and spent a part of the P.M. From there, we went to Myrtle Ave. between Bridge and Duffield Streets to Mr. Matthew's dry goods store and did some shopping. We came back to Mr. Mead's to tea and stayed all night. Wednesday morning - After breakfast, we called at Mr. Powel's for the first in Carleton Ave. near Fulton No. 368. From there, we called on Mrs. Watson, 319 Gold Street. She went out shopping with us. Gussie bought a shawl, after which we went over to New York and took dinner at Taylor's on Broadway and then went to the museum. After which, we went up to Fourth Street, No. 654, and called on Mr. Davis. They were not in. We then took a walk up as far as Ninth Street by the church and parsonage. Took the 1st and2nd Ave. cars down to Peck Slip, walked to Fulton Street, took tea at a restaurant near Fulton Market, across the way, and then we crossed the ferry and went up to the Mead's for the night. Thursday - we visited the Navy Yard, took Mrs. Johnson with us. Called on the Whalen girls in Nassau Street and went down near the City Hall and got our dinners after which, we went up to Mr. Boyle's in Clermont Ave. near DeKalb and spent P.M. with Harriet, took tea and stayed awhile in the evening and then went to Mr. Powel's 368 Carleton Ave. near Fulton and stayed all night. Friday - After breakfast I went over to New York with Mr. Powel to his place of business. On the way, we stopped in Nassau Street at Mr. Tibbals [?] and I bought an Album for Harriet Wheeler - $3.00. I went to the store with Mr. Powel and then went to Barclay Street, No. 88 and called on Mr. Boyle at his place of business. From there, I went into Maiden Lane to price some carpet bags and then went to 97 Pine Street and called on Mr. Mead at his place of business, and then crossed the ferry and went up to Mr. Powel's residence where I left Gussie, and took dinner there. After dinner, Mrs. Johnson went with us to Greenwood. On our return, we called on Miss[?] Stewart in Clinton Street No. 82, after which, we returned to the Powel's again for the night. Gussie, having a severe sick headache, she retired without eating a bite. Saturday morning we called on Miss [?] Jones, 256 Shermerhorn Street and then went over to New York to 69 Murray Street, Mr. Powel's store and bought some shoes. We then went up to Fourth Street again and called at Mr. Davis' again. We found them at home and stayed to dinner. After dinner, we went to the Book Room, 200 Mulberry Street and then down to Bro. Pegg's, Fourth Street, and spent the remainder of the P.M. and took tea. We went over to Brooklyn and stayed all night again with Mr. Powel. Sunday - After breakfast, went up to Mr. Mead's and prepared for church and went to Williamsburg, South 5th Street and heard Mr. Foss preach. Came back to Mr. Mead's to dinner and went down to see Harriet in the P.M. Came back to Mr. Mead's to tea. We intended to go to Hanson Place in the evening to hear Mr. Woodruff preach, but a shower interfered with our plans and stayed at home. Monday - Left Mr. Mead's residence and started for home at 7 o'clock A.M. Took the 9 ' o'clock train from 27th Street and connected with the Danbury, ct. train at Norwalk. It was about 3 o'clock P.M. when we arrived in Danbury. 4/14 TUESDAY - Went to the shop today. Came home early and made a fire in my garden to burn up the rubbish. Answered George's letter and procured most of the things to be sent to him in a box. 4/15 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I went to the shop in the morning. I came home about 3 P.M. to pack a box for George by Express. I brought home the box with some maple sugar and oranges to put in. I carried it to the Express Office and wrote a letter to him, and enclosed the receipt. By his request, I consigned the box to the Surgeon of the Hospital, Col. L. Wilson. Gussie went up to Brother Bartram's and took tea and spent the evening. Bell was here to take care of Eddie and get my tea. 4/16 THURSDAY - Stormy. I took George's bank book and drew $8 before I went to the shop to defray the expense of sending his box of good things and pay his paper bill at Swift's and the dollar I sent to him by mail a few weeks before. I worked in the shop until after 4 o'clock. I then felt tired and went home. I balanced the Treasurer's Account with the Sunday School and carried the books and papers pertaining to it and the Secretary over to Mr. B. Bradley in the evening who is the Secretary and Treasure elect. I then went down to Hanford's Shoe Store and exchanged a pair of shoes for Bell which I got for her in New York and was too small. I went to market and came home. 4/17 FRIDAY - Cloudy and misty all day. I worked in the shop as usual, but not feeling very strong, I stopped work about 4 o'clock and came home. I received a letter by the morning mail from Surgeon William C. Bennett stating that he could do nothing for George in the way of a transfer or furlough as he was out from under his jurisdiction. As I came home from work, I brought the Librarian's Book from the Library and drew it up anew. I received a letter from George (No. 3) asking for $5.00. I answered it in a few words added to a letter already written and enclosed the $2.00 as he requested. I borrowed it from Mr. Swift and am to draw it from the bank tomorrow and pay him. Gussie went over to Mrs. Cyrus White's and spent the P.M. and evening. She left Eddie with Fanny and I went up there and took tea. 4/18 SATURDAY - The sun shone bright and warm in the middle of the day. I dug my parsnips this morning. I came home to dinner; on the way I went to the Savings Bank and drew $5 of George's money to make up the $5.00 I sent to him last evening. After tea, I dug around and cut up a plum tree in the garden which was about dead and very much in the way. I set out our cabbage stumps. Clark Hoyt came up to borrow a small piece of grafting wax. I gave it to him and then rode down to the Post Office with him and brought home a letter for Father Griswold from Uncle Chauncy. Mr. Cocking butchered a pig today and spent the evening cutting it up in the cellar. 4/19 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm ' I attended church in the morning ' I being elected Librarian again acted for the first this noon. Mr. B. Bradley taking my place for Secy and Treas. ' After Sunday School, I came home and Gussie went in the P.M. The funeral of old Col. Moss White was attended at 3 o'clock immediately after the afternoon service at the 1st Congregational Church. I went to meeting in the evening and mailed two letters as I went which I had written, one to Harriet and one to George. Our presiding elder, Mr. C. Hoyt preached for us in the evening. I sat with choir. 2nd anniversary of the Wooster Guards leaving Danbury for three months service. 4/20 MONDAY - Pleasant and beautiful in the morning. It clouded over before noon and the wind changed to Northeast. I have felt better today than in a long time before. I came home to my dinner. Before tea I braided a Flowering Almond into a Plum tree for Mother Griswold. I went to the Post Office in the evening. A person who had received a letter from David Knowles told me while I was in the Post Office that George was in Washington and doing well. 4/21 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. After dinner, the fires being low and the men not being able to get hot irons, we adjourned until tomorrow. Burr Bradley came along with me as far as Fred S. Wildman's to see if he had yet received the money from Capt. Moore's Company to be given by him to whomsoever it was consigned. It had not yet arrived. I came home and worked around the yard the remainder of the P.M. I finished labeling the Sunday School Library books in the evening. 4/22 WEDNESDAY - I buried my Dahlia roots for sprouting this morning. After work at night, I set out some asparagus roots for a bed. I went to the Post Office in the evening. I bought a picture of the Patriotism of New Fairfield to send to Henry Mead, Brooklyn. Bought a shad, ordered some sugar, and came home. 4/23 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I worked hard all day and was very tired. Mr. Cocking commenced to make his flower borders after tea. John Cosier and wife called in the evening and took away some old library books rejected by our school to be given away to some poor school. I received a letter from George in the evening, the first since his transfer to Washington from Brooks Station Hospital. I finished labeling the old library books before we retired. 4/24 FRIDAY - Raining. On my way home from the shop, I found Theodore Lyon in the street and borrowed his horse to take the library books from my house down to the church. After tea, I set out some young lilac bushes Father brought down today. I then wrote a letter to George and put up and directed to Henry Mead a picture of the Patriotism of New Fairfield. I then went down and mailed the above with a Jeffersonian to George also. 4/25 SATURDAY - Cool and windy. On my way home from work at night, I stopped at the Town Clerk's Office George W. Hamilton's and got my quit claim deed from Alfred Gregory which I left then to be recorded. Gussie went up home this P.M. with Aunt Louise and Aunt Pasia Hall. She went into the street in the evening and I stayed at home. 4/26 SUNDAY - Pleasant but windy as yesterday. I attended church in the morning. After Sunday School, I came home and Gussie went in the P.M. Aunt Pasia Hall, Aunt Louisa and Mother came home with her to tea. Bell came down after tea. I wrote to George and mailed it as I went to prayer meeting in the evening. Gussie stayed at home and we all went to meeting in the evening. 4/27 MONDAY - Pleasant and warm. James Sherwood, who for a long time has worked in the Times Office for Osborne was buried in the P.M. on my way home from work at night, I engaged ' ton of coal of Mr. Disbrow to be delivered tomorrow. Bell was down just at night and stayed to tea. While she was playing with Eddie after tea, he fell and hurt his lip badly. I went to the Post Office and to [??] for a lamp chimney in the evening. Mailed a letter for Gussie to Libby Mead in Brooklyn. 4/28 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm. After tea, I went up home to see Father about making my garden. I brought home a pail of milk and then went to market. The coal I engaged yesterday to come today did not come. 4/29 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant, though in the morning, it appeared like a storm. Sherman Disbrow brought my coal this afternoon. I worked rather late at night. I went to class. Mailed a Jeffersonian to George and received by the evening mail a letter from him. 4/30 THURSDAY - Pleasant with the exception of a little sprinkling after dinner. National Fast Day ' the shop closed. Services at our Church. Father Griswold preached. I made a flower bed by the piazza for Gussie and built a pair of steps up the stonework going to Father Griswold's. I answered George's letter and mailed in the evening
1863-04
Horace Purdy Journal, August 1861 Entry
7pgs
AUGUST 01 - THURSDAY – A shower last night. We went down again before breakfast and took another salt water bath. It has been very warm and sultry. Wrote letter to Gussie. After tea, I took a ride around the city with Dr. Mallett. AUGUST 02 - FRIDAY – We were paid off this forenoon. We took the cars at 2 o’clock to go home. Before starting, we made up a purse of $11.00 for Elisha Dickerman where a number of us stayed when we came to New Haven. As we arrived home, there was an immense concourse of people assembled at the depot. Here was great enthusiasm and joy manifested at our return. The cannon was fired as the train came in.
Here ends my War Diary
AUGUST 03 – SATURDAY – A picnic at Oak Cottage for our special benefit in honor of our company just returned home from the war. The exercises were opened with prayer by Father Griswold and an excellent address delivered by Richard Busteed from New York. The day has been pleasant and we have had a delightful time. Our welcome home has been most enthusiastic. AUGUST 04 – SUNDAY – My first Sabbath home since my return for the war. I have enjoyed it much. Gussie attended church with me in the morning. We went up home after tea. We attended Prayer Meeting in the evening. At the request of Brother Pegg, I went into the altar and talked a little publicly thanking God for his goodness and mercy to me while away from home and friends and for his protection while on the battlefield and for his presence which was with me to comfort and sustain. AUGUST 05 - MONDAY – I went to the store in the morning and bought some groceries and provisions to commence housekeeping again. I went to the shop before coming home. I bought 4 yards of oil cloth for the sitting room. I fitted it around the stove and partly bound it myself before night. I rented Box 305 in the Post Office. I walked into the street with Gussie in the evening. AUGUST 06 – TUESDAY – I finished binding our oil Cloth. Edwin and Anne came unexpectedly on the morning train. They had just come from Hartford where they had been to attend her father’s funeral, but having to come from Ohio, they arrived too late for the funeral. After dinner, I went to the depot to get Edwin’s trunk. I used Dr. Bulkley’s horse. I moved the parlor stove upstairs. Henry Lawton came in to look at my upstairs rooms in the PM. He wants to rent them, but I refused him. Gussie went with me into the street in the evening and bought six tumblers and a carving knife and fork. AUGUST 07 – WEDNESDAY – George went with me in the morning to get my kerosene lamp fixed and to run some pistol balls at George Hull’s. We came home and fired at a target. We took dinner at home. We visited with Edwin and wife in the PM. I attended class in the evening. Wrote a letter to Elisha Dickerman in New Haven. AUGUST 08 – THURSDAY – I went to work today in the shop for the first time since I returned from the war. I earned $1.50. The day has been stormy. I did not attend the Prayer Meeting in the evening, but remained home to visit with Edwin. AUGUST 09 – FRIDAY – It is still cloudy with some rain. I worked in the shop again today. Mr. Crofut let me have a barrel of flour for work. I let father have half of it and gave him $2.50 in cash, the sane being for work while I was away at the war. He would not have taken a penny for the work he did had he not been very needy and of course, I could not refuse him. Our First Lieutenant J. G. Stevens was shopped at Mr. Crofut’s shop today. I spent the evening over home. AUGUST 10 – SATURDAY – I hired a horse in the morning to go to Ridgefield to get Aunt Mary to come and nurse for us. Before I started, Edwin rose down to the shop with me and bought a new hat. I went to Ridgefield but could not get Aunt Mary. I returned just in time to carry Edwin’s trunk to the depot with the team as I was going to the stables with it. I went to Singing School in the evening. AUGUST 11 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. I attended church all day. I came home at noon. Harriet came up at dinner and stayed with Gussie in the PM. Mr. Pegg preached in the morning from Matthew 11:28. He exchanged with Mr. Stone (Baptist) in the afternoon. Mr. Stone’s text was John, first chapter and the last clause of the 29th verse. I stayed at home in the evening. AUGUST 12 – MONDAY – I worked in the shop. I came home to dinner. It commenced raining just before night and continued all evening. I did not go out in the evening on that account. AUGUST 13 – TUESDAY – It rained very hard all day. I came home to dinner. Irish Mary washed for us. I stayed at home in the evening and helped Gussie put down carpet and oil cloth in the sitting room. AUGUST 14 – WEDNESDAY - Cloudy in the morning, but it cleared off before dinner. I have worked in the shop as usual. Father Griswold came home on the evening train. I attended class in the evening. Brother Lovejoy led in the absence of Brother Peter. AUGUST 15 – THURSDAY – Cool and pleasant. I came home from the shop to my dinner, but being sick with a headache, I did not return. I stayed at home in the evening on that account. AUGUST 16 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. I worked all day in the shop. Mrs. Richards called after tea. Mr. Fry, known as Uncle Jake, was fined 50 cents at the shop today for drawing a heater before there was enough heat to supply those present. The money was used for peanuts. I went to market in the evening. AUGUST 17 – SATURDAY – Cloudy. Sunshine with now and then a little rain in the AM. A picnic at McDonald’s Woods for the 2nd Company Volunteers, returned under Captain Moore. Speaking at Concert Hall by the Reverend Mr. Stone. The remarks were excellent and appropriate. Out 1st Company Volunteers, the Wooster Guard, turned out with them as an escort. Jackson’s Cadets turned out also. I went to market in the evening. AUGUST 1 8 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. I attended church. Brother Pegg preached from 1st Corinthians 11:26. I came home to dinner and returned to the afternoon service which was the Sacrament, the first I have attended since my return from the war. The last was in March. Harriet was here to tea. Brother Pegg preached in the evening from Psalm 87:7. Subject, Vocal Music. AUGUST 19 – MONDAY – Pleasant. I have not felt well today. I finished but one hat after dinner. We were paid $5.00 this afternoon. I went to market and to a public meeting at Concert Hall held for the purpose of recruiting Captain Skinner’s Company who are going to war as soon as the Company is full. Speeches were made by Smith Barnum, Ferry of Bethel, James Taylor, Mr. Jackson and Averill. AUGUST 20 – TUESDAY – Both sunshine and clouds. Real dog days weather. I sawed off the legs to our bedstead before breakfast. I went up to New Fairfield with Abel to get some whortleberries. We took dinner at his father’s. Their folks went out with us in the PM and gave us all the berries they picked. We had Fred Starr’s horse. AUGUST 21 – WEDNESDAY – I went to the shop, but there was no work. I went up home for some milk for dinner. I gave George a pair of shoes to help me spade up a strawberry bed and set out some new plants in the PM. I went to the market in the evening and traded on Mr. Crofut’s order at Benedict & Nichols. I did not attend class in the evening. Harriet spent the day with us. AUGUST 22 – THURSDAY- Worked all day in the shop. Rain in the PM and evening. I did not attend Prayer Meeting. I spent the evening in wrting up my journal, copying from my pocket diary, which was written while at the war. AUGUST 23 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. I worked in the shop in the forenoon, but did not go back in the PM on account of a headache. I put a new lock on our bedroom door upstairs. Gussie being up home, I went up to tea. From there, we went to market. Harriet walked down with us. AUGUST 24 – SATURDAY – Clear, cool and rain. I have been at work in the shop. Abel, Fanny, Marvin Boughton, and Mrs. White went up to New Fairfield whortleberrying. A party of our citizens and many of the returned volunteers went up to New Fairfield to a peace flag raising, where they raised the Stars and Stripes. It ended in a regular fight. A few of our men were slightly hurt while several of the New Fairfielders were severely and dangerously injured. AUGUST 25 - SUNDAY – Pleasant. I attended church in the morning. Brother Starr gave me a class in Sunday School at noon. I came home after school and stayed in the PM. Text in the morning, 1st Timothy 1:13. Harriet took tea with us. I attended Prayer Meeting in the evening. AUGUST 26 - MONDAY – Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. George came to the shop in the PM and waited until I finished my work and then I went with him to Charles Stevens’ to see about buying a coat for him. We did not conclude to take one then. He came home to tea with me. Able picked my crab apples for me in the PM. Mr.Wassen came in the evening to get my answer about my rooms. I engaged them to him. AUGUST 27 – TUESDAY – I took some crab apples over to Burr Bradley before breakfast. I was taken with a severe attack of the Bilious Cholic after breakfast. Better in the PM. I went down to the shop just at night. Bought a new coat at Yarkiski’s (?). Harriet spent the evening with us. Captain Skinner’s Company of volunteers for three years or the war elected their commissioned officers in the evening. They made the choice of Joseph Dunning for 1st Lieutenant and Thomas Horton for 2nd. AUGUST 28 – WEDNESDAY – Cloudy and a very little rain. No work in the shop. Captain Skinner’s Company went off in the PM to the rendezvous at New Haven. Elder Swan, a Judd from Bethel, and a lawyer from Bridgeport, addressed them at the depot previous to starting. Gussie taken sick with her confinement in the evening. AUGUST 29 – THURSDAY – I was up all last night with Gussie and the doctor. Mother, Mother Griswold and Mrs. Boughton were present at the party. A son born at 4 ½ o’clock this morning, weight, 8 ¼ pounds. Mother and Mrs. Boughton stayed to breakfast, after which I went for the nurse, old Mrs. Jackson. I went down to the shop, but did not go to work. I came home and went to bed. I went to the store in the evening and returned home immediately. AUGUST 30 – FRIDAY – Pleasant and warm. Irish Mary washed for us today. I came home to dinner. Harriet had a boy born this forenoon at 11 o’clock. Weight, 8 ½ pounds. AUGUST 31 – SATURDAY – Not quite so warm today. Worked all day in the shop. Bought a breast pump for Gussie in the evening, price, $1.00. Fanny sealed up Gussie’s crab apple jelly. Her mother stuffed her peppers for pickles for her. I put the vinegar in them in the evening and filled up the keg with old cider.
1861-08-01
Horace Purdy Journal, February 1861 Entry
9pgs
FEBRUARY 01 – FRIDAY – Pleasant during most of the day. It clouded over just at night and began to snow a little about dark. I went to the shop in the morning and ha one dozen hats. I attended drill in the evening. FEBRUARY 02 – SATURDAY – Abel and Harriet were run away with last night on their way to New Fairfield with David Cosier’s horse. Rain and fog today. The snow was wasted away very fast. The roads and walks are very slippery. I have worked in the shop. We took tea over to Mother Griswold’s I went to the Express Office when the evening train came in for a package of books for the Sunday School. They did not come as I expected. I came home and helped Mother Griswold bottle up some cider. Then we came home and retired. FEBRARY 03 – SUNDAY – Pleasant but very icy. I attended church all day. Gussie did not attend in the morning but came in the PM. We sat in our new seat (No. 31) for the first time with Brother William B. Bradley and wife. Brother Pegg preached in the morning from Job 26:9. A Mr. Griswold from Hartford, a local preacher, preached in the PM from 1st Corinthians 3:16. I wrote a letter after tea to Brother Goodenough ordering some books for the Sunday School. Mother Griswold called for a short time after tea. We both attended Prayer Meeting in the evening. Rev. Griswold prayed, sang and talked during the meeting. FEBRARY 04 – MONDAY – Cloudy in the morning. Clear and pleasant in the PM. I have had work nearly all day in the shop. The Pictorial Catechisms, presents for the Sabbath School scholars, came to us by express today. I went to the store in the evening. FEBRUARY 05 – TUESDAY – Pleasant. Charles Bennett’s store caught fire inside last night about 12 o’clock. It damaged his goods considerably (dry goods), burning many of them and injuring others. I had work nearly all day in the shop. Mother Griswold’s wash woman, Irish Mary, washed for us today. After Gussie had paid her for her work, she filled a basket with vegetables and gave them to her to carry home, for she is very poor. Jonas Giddings lectured here before the Young Men’s Christian Association, subject, John Q. Adams. The rowdies and roughs of the Democratic Party threaten to give him the smell of rotten eggs. I attended drill and on my way home stopped a few minutes outside the hall to see what was going on, but the crowd was made up of such a class and so obscene and disgusting was the conversation that I thought to do justice to myself, I had better leave, and did so forthwith. FEBRARY 06 – WEDNESDAY – Pleasant. I went to the shop and waited all day for work and finally came home without getting any. Mr. Crofut paid us some money. I drew $10.00. A package came for me by express from Mr. Goodenough in New York containing catechisms, Sunday School Almanacs and a catalog of Carlton & Porter’s publications which I ordered for our Sabbath School. Mother Griswold, being alone, we took tea over there. I did not attend class in the evening, but went around doing trading a little and paying some debts. FEBRUARY 07 – THURSDAY – Ran in the forenoon. Sunshine and snow with a high wind in the PM and evening. I went to the shop in the morning and worked a little and then gave up and came home. I felt too sick to work. I have had a bad cold which has settled in my bones accompanied with a bad headache. Gussie was over home and took dinner there. I ate a little myself. We did not attend class in the evening, but stayed at home by a warm fire. FEBRUARY 08 – FRIDAY – We rose rather late. It was a severe cold night last. Some of our choicest plants were frozen and all were chilled. Not feeling very well, I did not go to the shop. I made some molasses candy. Mother Griswold found the molasses and I made it, then we divided the candy. I attended drill in the evening. FEBRUARY 09 – SATURDAY – I went to the shop and worked all day on four hats. They are some which Mr. Crofut is trying to make imitate the imported French hats. It is hard, slow and very particular work. I went into the street in the evening to buy something for breakfast and got into a political discussion with Edgar Wildman which detained me longer than I intended. FEBRUARY 10 – SUNDAY – Warmer today. Misty in the morning. Pleasant at noon and in the PM. Brother preached. Text in the morning, Psalms 73:25. Thirty Three Pictorial Catechisms were given out in the Sunday School to those scholars who had committed the catechism to memory. Text in the PM, Deuteronomy 3:25. Prayer Meeting in the evening, but we did not attend. Uriel Cosie was buried this afternoon after meeting. FEBRUARY 11 – MONDAY – Warm and foggy in the morning. A little sunshine in the PM. I worked all day in the shop on those imitations of French hats, 14/ per dozen. I finished only seven hats. George called in the PM and stayed until I finished my work and then came home with me to tea, after which I cut his hair for him. We called over to other Griswold’s before he went home and stayed a short time, when he went home and I came home with Gussie who had been there all evening. Father Griswold came home on the evening train. FEBRUARY 12 – TUESDAY – Warm and some rain in the forenoon. It rained all last night. It came off clear after dinner and was warm and pleasant, but very muddy. I came home from the shop before night with a sick headache. I stayed away from drill in the evening on that account. Fanny came in about 9 o’clock with her list of books which she is going to have me send for to New York for the Infant School Library. My head feeling a good bit better, I wrote the letter ordering them before I retired. FEBRUARY 13 – WEDNESDAY – Pleasant and warm, but very muddy. I worked all day in the shop. I sent a check by John Rooney to the Pahquioque Bank at noon. He drew it for me and brought it to the shop when he came from dinner. It was money belonging to our Sunday School which I mailed this evening to Edward Goodenough in New York to pay a bill for books. Today, Abraham Lincoln has undoubtedly been declared President of these United States in the Halls of Congress in Washington, DC. FEBRUARY 14 – THURSDAY – Pleasant, warm and muddy still. St. Valentine’s Day. I waited for work in the shop from noon until 3 o’clock and then worked as long as I could see. We did not attend Prayer Meeting in the evening. FEBRUARY 15 – FRIDAY – Rainy. A little hail just before night. I waited all day in the shop for work and then came home without doing anything. I received a letter from James Maynard from East Haddam. I brought home Father Griswold’s clock from Mr. Woodford’s when I came home from the shop. I went to drill in the evening. While there, an alarm of fire was raised. It soon became quiet and we supposed it was a false alarm, but on my way home from drill, I found out that it was a reality. It was McDonald & Ford’s Dry Goods Store. It was soon extinguished, but not before it sis a great deal of damage. FEBRUARY 16 – SATURDAY – The fire at McDonald & Ford’s store last night was caused by a leakage of gas until it became so dense that it ignited from the stove. Pleasant and warm, but very muddy still I received another express package with the books and papers for the Infant Class that I ordered. I received a letter from Uncle Chauncey Griswold. I went to market in the evening. Father, Mother and Bell came down and spent the evening with us. Mother Griswold came too. Just after they went away and perhaps before they got home, it commenced raining very hard. FEBRARY 17 – SUNDAY – Pleasant during the day, but windy and muddy. Brother Pegg preached in the morning from John 20:13. Sunday School Prayer Meeting at noon; Sacrament in the PM. After tea, I wrote a letter to James Maynard in North Lyme, Connecticut. We went to church in the evening. Brother Pegg preached from John 5, last of the 4th verse. Mr. Vintz, a German, died this afternoon. He was a member of our church. His family has been sorely afflicted as of late. He has lost several children within the last four years and last fall, his wife had her foot amputated and is only able now to hobble around the house with the aid of a crutch and now he is taken away and the poor family will suffer unless, as I hope they will be, cared for by kind friends and the church. FEBRUARY 18 – MONDAY – Pleasant. I had only one dozen hats at 12/ today. Mr. Vintz was buried at 2 ½ o’clock today. I went down to the church in the evening for my certificate of life membership in the Missionary Society which was in the library. FEBRUARY 19 – TUESDAY – Warm for the season. Cloudy part of the day. I have had work in the shop. Martha Case, from Essex, came to Father Griswold’s on the evening train. I attended drill in the evening. FEBRUARY 20 – WEDNESDAY – It snowed last night and continued until noon when it cleared off warm. I worked as usual in the shop. I went to class in the evening. Peter, Brother Cosier and myself stayed a little while after class and talked. FEBRUARY 21 – THURSDAY – The wind began to blow towards noon and it grew colder. I have had work in the shop. I went to market in the evening, after which it was rather late, so instead of going to class, I came home. FEBRUARY 22 – FRIDAY – The anniversary of Washington’s Birthday. The Wooster Guards (or a portion of them) assembled voluntarily to fire a national salute. At the second volley, a horse became frightened, threw the driver out and broke the wagon at which we stopped and closed the windows to the Hall (for we were firing from the windows). I attended drill in the evening. FEBRUARY 23 - SATURDAY – Warm and muddy. I have had plenty of work in the shop. Cloudy in the evening with a few drops of rain. I went into the street for a few articles at the grocery. The news tonight by the New York Evening Post was that Abraham Lincoln, the president-elect, was to be assassinated at Baltimore on his way to Washington and that he escaped by disguising himself. He intended to arrive there today and undoubtedly did. FEBRUARY 24 – SUNDAY – Warm and cloudy in the morning, but it came off pleasant about church time. It has been windy and very muddy. Brother Pegg preached in the morning from Luke 4:4. In the PM, from Jeremiah 8:22. After tea, I spent the time until evening meeting writing up a list of all the Scholars in our Sabbath School. We went to the Prayer Meeting in the evening. FEBRUARY 25 – MONDAY – Pleasant. Have had work all day in the shop. George and David Mills called at the shop to see me. I spent the evening in writing for the Sabbath School. FEBRUARY 26 – TUESDAY – Cloudy in the forenoon, but the sun shone bright and pleasantly just before night. I have had work in the shop. I worked as long as I could see. I attended drill in the evening. FEBRUARY 27 – WEDNESDAY- Pleasant and warm. I worked as usual in the shop. McDonald & Ford sold off a large amount of goods today damaged by fire and water. Gussie went down and made some purchases. When she came home, she was taken with a severe sick headache. I did not go to class on that account. FEBRUARY 28 – THURSDAY – The last day of winter. Warm and pleasant. I have worked in the shop as usual. We were paid a little more money today. I received $8.00. I wanted $35.00, but it was of no use. I received a letter from Harriet. I went to the store in the evening and went into Prayer Meeting rather late.
1861-02-01
Horace Purdy Journal, February 1862 Entry
9pgs
FEBRARY 01 – SATURDAY – Stormy, snow. I have had a half day’s work in the shop. I waited all the PM and then came home without getting more. I found Mother Griswold, Fanny and Miss Watson there. They stayed to tea and spent the evening. FEBRARY 02 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. I attended church in the morning. I attended church in the morning. Brother Pegg preached from John 10, first clause of the ninth verse, “I am the Door”. I came home after Sunday school and Gussie attended in the PM. After tea, we went over home and stayed until meeting time. I attended in the evening and a good prayer meeting we had too. I did not enjoy it as I would like to have done on account of a severe headache. FEBRUARY 03 – MONDAY – I spent the better part of the day at Deacon Stone’s office where the Board of Selectmen were examining persons who claimed exemption from military duty who were drafted. There being some disagreement in my case as to the time served in the active militia heretofore, I was therefore set aside for the time to await further investigation. It was finally taken up again and my name was stricken from the enrolled militia, there being a provision in the law to exempt me, I having served the required time under the old law. But the drafting was stopped by an order from the Adjutant General which arrived by mail. The seats in the church were re-rented at 2 o’clock this afternoon. Henry Taylor’s corpse came by express on the evening train. Sewing Society meeting at Abel’s. We went over. Ira Dikeman died early this evening. FEBRUARY 04 – TUESDAY – I have worked in the shop. The day has been a broken one on account of a shop call for a Bill of Prices. Father came over and spent the evening with us, a thing rather unusual for him. FEBRUARY 05 – WEDNESDAY – It has been a pleasant day. Ira Dikeman was buried this forenoon at 10 o’clock. I worked in the shop until noon and then turned out with the returned volunteers to attend the funeral of Henry Taylor of the 8th Regiment of the Connecticut Volunteers who died of a fever at Annapolis, Maryland. It was attended at the Methodist Church at 2 o’clock. The Bethel company came up and aided in the demonstration. The funeral was largely attended and was very interesting. The Disciples’’ preacher, Mr. Gilbert, opened with prayer. Mr. Coe read a chapter in the Bible and then Brother Pegg, Father Griswold and Mr. Stone talked to the friends and congregation in a very appropriate and interesting manner. The Bethel company fire the usual salute of three volleys over the grave. We took tea over to Father Griswold’s. I attended class in the evening. FEBRUARY 06 – THURSDAY – Pleasant in the morning, but before noon it snowed and soon turned to rain. I have worked in the shop. I went to market in the evening to get something for breakfast. FEBRUARY 07 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. It has thawed considerably today. We were to have a reply from Mr. Crofut in regard to a Bill of Prices, but on account of the death of his father, it was postponed until 12 o’clock next Monday. FEBRUARY 08 – SATURDAY – I have worked nearly all day in the shop. There is good news from the seat of the war. Fort Henry on the Tennessee River has been captured by Union troops. The battle was fought with gunboats on the river and the rebels surrendered before our land forces came up. The victory was complete, the rebels fleeing for their lives and leaving everything behind. The loss was small on both sides. The most disastrous event of the battle to us was that one of the rebel cannon shots passed through the boiler of one of our gunboats and 32 persons were scalded to death. This was a dreadful affair. FEBRUARY 09 SUNDAY – Pleasant. Communion Day. I attended in the morning. Brother Pegg preached from ____. I remained to the Sabbath School Prayer Meeting. It continued pretty late so that I did not get home in time to return to the Sacrament. As Gussie had concluded not to go, we were both home in the PM. Gussie attended in the morning while I stayed at home to take care of Edwin. FEBRUARY 10 – MONDAY – This noon being the time appointed for Mr. Crofut to give us an answer about a Bill of Prices, it took all the afternoon to attend to it. It was finally settled between Mr. Crofut and the men, but not in time to do much work after it. I went to Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting in the evening. It was used as a Prayer Meeting for the scholars who were seeking religion. Lucy Wildman was converted during the day and was there to speak of it. I received a letter from Cousin David Mills who is in the 5th Regiment of three year troops now near Hancock, Maryland. Gussie is afflicted with a swelling under her arm which is worse today. William B. Bradley was treated today for his girl baby. FEBRUARY 11 - TUESDAY – I have had about a half day’s work in the shop. Smith Pulling gave 50 cents to treat the men on account of a new baby his wife has. It is a daughter. FEBRUARY 12 – WEDNESDAY – There was about 2 inches of snow which fell last night. Pleasant today. I have had a full day’s work in the shop. It was so late when I came home from work that I did not go to class in the evening. FEBRUARY 13 – THURSDAY – A very little snow in the morning, but it soon cleared off warm. The snow has wasted fast. I went to market in the evening, but did not attend meeting. I came home to take care of Eddie so that Gussie could go over home to visit Miss Watson. FEBRUARY 14 – FRIDAY - St. Valentine’s Day. I have had work in the shop all day. I got an order from Mr. Crofut for $5.00 on Benedict & Nichols. It has thawed a good deal today. Good news by the evening papers from the Burnside Expedition on Pimlico Sound. The loss at the taking of Roanoke Island was small compared with the rebel accounts at first. The victory was complete. FEBRUARY 15 – SATURDAY – Stormy. Snow. I have worked in the shop. Miss Watson went home this afternoon in company with Father Griswold who is going to New York. I went to the store in the evening. FEBRUARY 16 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. I went to church in the morning. Brother Pease from Bethel preached for us from Mark 6:5-6. I came home after Sunday School to take care of Eddie and Gussie attended in the afternoon. Mother came home with her to tea and stayed until evening meeting. Isabella came down and stayed to take care of Eddie while I wrote to Charles and David Mills in the army. Gussie attended the Prayer meeting with Mother. FEBRUARY 17 – MONDAY – I have worked as usual in the shop. It has been a day of rejoicing for us today. Fort Donaldson on the Cumberland River has been captured by our troops under General Grant and the gunboats under Commodore Foote. It surrendered after three days’ fighting. The rebel generals Johnson, Buckner and Pillow with 15,000 prisoners have been taken. Our citizens to express their joy, rang the bells, threw the Stars and Stripes to the breeze, fired cannon and paraded the streets. I went into the street in the evening to get the news, etc. Sewing Society at Abel’s. I went over after I got home. FEBRUARY 18 – TUESDAY – It had the appearance of a storm in the morning, but it cleared off pleasant and quite warm. In the evening, I took my ham and shoulder over to Mr. Olmstead’s to be smoked. I went to market to get something for breakfast. FEBRUARY 19 – WEDNESDAY – Pleasant in the morning, but it soon became cloudy. It began to snow just before night and continued hard in the evening. I went to market in the evening and engaged some beef of Amos Stone. FEBRUARY 20 – THURSDAY – I spent the forenoon in getting a ½ ton of coal home and in the cellar and making some arrangements for a ½ quarter of beef to come from Amos Stone. I went to the shop in the afternoon. It has been quite warm today and the snow that fell last night is nearly gone. It grew cold just before night and began to freeze. I salted down my beef in the evening. I got my coal of Charles Reed and he took an order from Mr. Crofut on Griffing for pay - $3.62. FEBRUARY 21 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. I got an order from Mr. Crofut to pay Amos Stone for my beef - $4.25. Gussie attended the Middle District School Exhibition in Concert Hall in the evening. She went on her father’s complimentary ticket. I stayed at home and took care of Eddie. FEBRUARY 22 – SATURDAY 22 – Washington’s Birthday. It has been celebrated as I never knew it before. The people gathered at Concert hall at 2 PM and in pursuance of the President’s proclamation, Washington’s Farewell Address was read. The late Union victories have caused the day to be generally one of rejoicing. Thirty-four guns were fired at 6 ½ o’clock in the morning with the ringing of the church bells. Thirteen more were fired at 12 o’clock and 34 again between five and six o’clock in the evening. The cannon was placed in the rear of the 1st Congregational Church on Ives Hill. Washington’s farewell Address was read by Reverend Mr. Robinson of the 2nd church who was followed with short and interesting speeches by the Reverends Stone, Pegg, Gilbert, Coe and Mr. Jackson, Osbourne and others. I went to George Hull’s in the evening with Gussie to carry some rags and have her trade it out. Father, Mother and Bell called in the evening. They spent a part of the evening over to Aunt Louisa’s. FEBRUARY 23 – SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. I went upstairs before church time and dressed Mr. Warren’s wound with he made yesterday with his broad ax while he was cutting timber. I went to church in the morning. Brother Pegg preached from John 12:29. I met my class as usual in Sunday School after which I came home and Gussie attended in the PM. I attended prayer meeting in the evening. The snow has melted away very fast today. FEBRUARY 24 - MONDAY – Warm rain in the morning which made the snow and ice melt off pretty fast. The wind began to blow about 3 PM and steadily increased and grew cold very fast so that it froze considerably at 6 o’clock. It is March weather completely accompanied by snow squalls. We were paid $5.00 today. Business has the appearance of being better, two more men having been shopped – John McDowell and David Scribner. FEBRUARY 25 – TUESDAY – Cold and very windy this morning. The cold died away about noon. I received a letter from Cousin David Mills. I have worked as usual in the shop. I wrote a letter to David before I retired. FEBRUARY 26 – WEDNESDAY – Pleasant in the forenoon, but cloudy in the PM with the prospect of a storm. I have worked in the shop. A large fire in Norwalk. Our fire engines were telegraphed for about 9 o’clock, but before they were loaded on the cars, I believe the received another dispatch that they were not needed. The fire was on Main Street and 8 to 10 buildings were burned, including George Holmes & Co.’s store. Our box of Babbitt’s new soap came today. I worked so late in the shop that. Having to go to market, I did not attend class meeting. FEBRUARY 27 – THURSDAY – Snow. I left the shop in the afternoon with a severe headache. It cleared off just before night. Father was here when I came from the shop. He stayed awhile to see Eddie and then went home. Cousin Mary Purdy came over and spent the evening with us. FEBRUARY 28 - FRIDAY – Pleasant in the morning and snow in the PM with a high wind. I have worked all day in the shop. I am afflicted with canker sores in my mouth again. I have one on the end of my mouth which is very sore. It is like penance to eat and it troubles me to talk even.
1862-02
Horace Purdy Journal, January 1861 Entry
10pgs
JANUARY 01 – TUESDAY – The report that Buchanan had resigned is false. The papers today state that General Scott was offered the War Secretaryship but declined. Postmaster Holt was then appointed who is now officiating as such. He is a strong Union man, they say. It looks a little more favorable for the Union now. The report also that Major Anderson is to be recalled id contradicted and he is to keep his position at Fort Sumter for the present at least. I paid my interest at the Savings Bank, $21.00. I drew $25.00 for Father Griswold. I have had work in the shop, but having a hard headache, I came home after dinner. I brought home my boots from Mr. Hanford’s which he has been soling for me. Mr. Smith came down in the evening to say that he is moving out tomorrow and that he could not pay his rent until the last of the week. JANUARY 02 – WEDNESDAY – The day has been pleasant. I have had work in the shop, but have had to wait a great deal for it. No papers from New York today. I brought home a bag of shavings from Starr & Barnum’s shop when I came from work. Annual meeting of the Hat Finishers’ Association under Concert Hall in the evening. Officers were elected. For president – Charles Lamb; Vice President – William Bradley; Secretary – Philander Betts; Treasurer – Calvin Dunning. JANUARY 03 – THURSDAY – Rain, snow, fog and mist. I have had work all day in the shop or at least the work has kept me there. I have waited some and then they want a great deal of work laid out on the hats. Taking all the hindrances together, I have accomplished but little. Gussie went up home today. George came down home with her about dark. I wrote a letter to Harriet in reply to one of hers asking her at her request to come up and stay awhile as she has no work. I went into the street and mailed it in the evening. The stars shone brightly when I came home. JANUARY 04 – FRIDAY – I have worked all day in the shop. A little snow in the AM; pleasant in the PM. The news from South Carolina today is that the Carolinians have repaired Fort Moultrie and are planting cannon at the nearest land point to Fort Sumter and are nearly ready to open fire on it in an attempt to take it. Now is the time for the President to act, and quickly too to send reinforcements to Major Anderson at Fort Sumter. Gussie went to Sewing Society at George Starr’s in the evening while I stayed home and read my paper and cut out documents and select pieces for a scrap book. JANUARY 05 – SATURDAY – Pleasant. Good sleighing. I had work in the shop until about 2 o’clock. Yesterday’s news in regard to besieging Fort Sumter is contradicted today. Instead of getting very stirring news today as expected, affairs are more tranquil. Secession has reached its highest pitch. Next week will tell. Something will be done then, if ever. I had the headache in the afternoon. Gussie and I went into the street in the evening. JANUARY – 06 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. A Love Feast in the morning at 9 o’clock; a good one. William Hoyt was with us and preached in the morning from Romans 13:14. A picture of Joshua commanding the sun to stand still was given in Sunday School by Brother Pegg to George Cosier for bringing the greatest number of scholars into the school, he having brought in seven. Peter Starr ids to give another present is to give another present to the scholar bringing in the next highest number. He did not say what it is to be. Brother Pegg told the school that he had a watch that cost $15.00 when new (and it is nearly new now) which he would give to the scholar who would get the largest number of new scholars to attend regularly in the year which we have now commenced, the watch to be given at the expiration of the year. Brother Pegg preached in the PM from Mark 13:36. I took a nap after tea. Mother Griswold and Mrs. Crofut stopped to go to church with us in the evening. Brother Pegg styled his sermon as the funeral sermon of the old year. Text, 1st Chronicles, 20th chapter, the first part of the first verse. It became cloudy before we went to church and snowed a little when we came home. It has more the appearance of rain than snow. Mother Griswold and Fanny made me a present of a diary for 1861. JANUARY 07 – MONDAY – Warm, cloudy, rain and a little sunshine. I waited again until nearly noon for work in the shop. I went to Oliver Stones’ office before the Board of Relief and swore off four hundred dollars on my place. Alfred Gregory holds my note for that amount on which I am paying interest. Father Griswold came home in the evening. I went to the Post Office, expecting a letter from Harriet, but did not get one. JANUARY 08 – TUESDAY – Cloudy and sunshine. Having but 7/ worth of work, I finished it before night. I received a letter from Harriet declining our invitation to spend a few weeks with us while she was out of work. Her reasons are that she had engaged to sew for a lady for the present. I brought one for Father Griswold, also from Edwin in Elyria, Ohio. I went to the store in the evening for some kerosene oil. George came in just before bedtime, he having been over to Aunt Louisa’s. It snowed before we retired. JANUARY 09 – WEDNESDAY – The ground was thinly covered with snow this morning. I had one dozen hats to do at the shop, /7. I finished about 3 o’clock. It began to snow again in the PM and was still snowing when we retired. JANUARY 10 – THURSDAY – There was about two inches of snow on the ground this morning. The papers report that the Star of the West, carrying reinforcements to Major Anderson at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, was fired into as she attempted to enter the harbor. She put about and set out to sea. George called in the evening and we went to Prayer Meeting. JANUARY 11 – FRIDAY – Colder. No work in the shop. We did not get the newspapers until the freight train came in at 2 o’clock. South Carolina has actually declared war against the United States. Major Anderson is now waiting orders from the President through one of his lieutenants who he has sent as a messenger to Washington. He will undoubtedly have orders to blockade the port and protect the Stars and Stripes. I painted a little upstairs before dinner. I attended the Quarterly Meeting of the Guards in the evening. There was not a quorum present. JANUARY 12 – SATURDAY – It snowed very quietly last night and this morning, which has made the sleighing very good. I went to the shop and earned 6/. We took tea over home. I went into the street in the evening to get the news. The Star of the West has returned to New York with her troops, she not being able to land them at Fort Sumter. Out of 17 shots fired at her from Morris Island and Fort Moultrie, only two struck her. The President has determined to remain inactive and to send no troops to retake the forts which are on the Gulf Coast of the United States, thinking that the secession difficulty can be managed better without arms than with. This is the news tonight in the New York Evening Express. JANUARY 13 – SUNDAY – Very cold last night and today also. Brother George Woodruff preached in the morning from Exodus 32: 30-32. Subject, “The Unselfishness of Moses”. A good sermon. A rehearsal of the Catechism by the Sunday School at noon. We did not change books on that account. Brother Pegg preached in the PM from Hebrews 13:8. We attended church in the evening. Brother Woodruff preached his sermon entitled, “The Blight of Tobacco.” The church was densely crowded. The sermon or lecture (for it could pass for either) was excellent. He took his text from 2nd Corinthians 6:17, 1st Corinthians 10:6-9, and 1st Kings 2:2. JANUARY 14 – MONDAY – No work in the shop. I waited there until the cars came in and then went up for the papers. I brought them to the shop and there we all read the news. The return of the Star of the West to New York is confirmed. The troops were landed on Sunday morning at their barracks on Governor’s Island. The war steamer, Brooklyn, is laying off Charleston Bar. Its real object is not definitely known. I ate my dinner at the shop and came home. The weather has moderated. It began to snow about noon. JANUARY 15 – TUESDAY- The snow turned to rain before morning and the snow was crusted in the morning. It soon stopped raining, though the day has not been entirely pleasant. I did not get my work in the shop until nearly noon. We gave in our checks to the foreman and I expect we will get some money before the close of the week. I gave in $17.00 of checks. I stayed at home and read my paper in the evening. JANUARY 16 – WEDNESDAY – Rain. The snow water runs freely. The streams are rising rapidly and a prospect of breaking up of the ice. I have had work nearly all day or rather have been kept at the shop all day as I did not get my work until nearly noon. Chauncey Haines died. Mother Griswold was taken with bleeding from the lungs this afternoon. We feel concerned about her. I did not go to class in the evening on account of the walking and storms. JANUARY 17 – THURSDAY – No work in the shop. Mr. ___ Clark sent a side of beef to me in the afternoon. I then had it cut up and the brine to make after which I went to the shop and Mr. Crofut gave the men a little money. I got five dollars. I paid $3.00 of it to David Hanford on my bill of $5.12. JANUARY 18 – FRIDAY – I laid awake all night last with a severe pain in my bowels and sickness to my stomach. A severe headache today and nearly prostrate. I felt better towards night. JANUARY 19 – SATURDAY – I have felt better today but did not go to the shop to work. I went into the street to get my paper and came home and read it, after which I painted my upstairs until night. George came in while we were at tea. We sat awhile and then went into the street. I to get some things at the store and he to accompany me. Francis Harris died yesterday afternoon with smallpox and was buried last night at 12 o’clock to avoid exposure. He was taken sick in New York and was smuggled into the cars to be taken home to die as it happened. Mother Griswold is quite feeble. JANUARY 20 – SUNDAY – Windy and cool. Gussie, not being well, did not attend church. I went alone. Brother Pegg preached in the morning from John 1:36. Sunday School prayer meeting at noon. Sacrament in the PM. Our Sacrament will be on the third Sabbath of the month this year instead of on the second. When I came home from church in the PM, I found Gussie quite sick. She has a bad cold, which, with other causes, has prostrated her for the day. I did not attend church in the evening. Gussie feeling a little better, we went over and stayed with Mother Griswold while the others went to church. We brought home some medicine and Gussie is going to take a sweat tonight. JANUARY 21 – MONDAY – Cool, but pleasant. I have worked in the shop today. Gussie has a severe cold. I went to Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting in the evening. On account of James Maynard leaving town tomorrow, he resigned as Secretary-Treasurer of the school. I was appointed to fill the vacancy. After the meeting, he surrendered over the books and funds to me. I came home and copied over the minutes of the meeting and ordered a dozen catechisms and three cards of tickets for the infant class of E. Goodenough of New York. JANUARY 22 – TUESDAY – Mr. ___and wife called this morning to look at my rooms upstairs. On my way to the shop, I stopped at the Pahquioque Bank and drew from our Sunday School Fund, $25.00, and in the afternoon, paid Abel $24.50 for making drawers for the seats in the Sunday School room. I finished my work in the shop just after dinner. I went to the Depot when the train went out in the PM to see James Maynard in regards to the Sunday School Secretary’s book. Gussie has not been so well today. I went for Dr. Bulkley in the PM and he came in the evening and prescribed for her. I mailed a letter to E. Goodenough ordering some catechisms and tickets for the Infant Class. JANUARY 23 – WEDNESDAY – I sat up all last night to give medicine to Gussie to get her in a perspiration to drive off a severe cold and a fever. She has kept to her bed all day. I did not go to the shop. I went up home for Mother. She came down in the afternoon and did Gussie’s ironing, dressed and cooked a chicken, got tea, and washed the dishes, stayed until evening time and the went to class. Mrs. Baxter came in while we were at tea and was surprised to find Gussie sick. Mother Griswold and fanny have been in during the day and helped also. Father Griswold came in twice. JANUARY 24 – THURSDAY – It commenced snowing in the morning and snowed hard until nearly night when it turned to rain and was raining until 11 o’clock when I retired. I have not been to the shop today, but have stayed home to take care of Gussie. She is better. George called after dinner. My order of Mr. Goodenough for catechisms and Infant Class tickets came by express on the morning train. JANUARY 25 – FRIDAY – Gussie is better today. She got up and prepared breakfast while I shoveled the paths. I went to the shop and had one dozen hats, 6/. Mother baked two loaves of bread for us (Gussie not being able to make it herself) and sent it down just at night by George. He stayed until evening and went with me to drill. We took tea over to Mother Griswold’s. Our Captain, having had orders from the Government to drill his men and look to our arms and equipment and hold ourselves in readiness to march at short notice to fight for our country, the company was better represented than it has been for a long time before. Three new recruits were proposed for membership. Two of them were accepted. Viz., Fred Starr and George Brockett. When I returned from drill, I drew up the minutes of the meeting and retired. JANUARY 26 – SATURDAY – We rose rather late and consequently I was late to the shop. It was nearly noon before I got any work. I got one dozen. Gussie is about the same today. I found her over home when I came. Mother Griswold requested us to stay to tea. We did so and stayed there during the evening. It began to snow about 4 o’clock and abated about 9 o’clock. I swept paths around the house and up home before we came home to retire. JANUARY 27 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. The snow which fell yesterday afternoon and evening lay about 6 inches deep this morning. Gussie is not able to attend church yet. Brother Pegg preached in the morning from Luke 12:34. I officiated this noon in my new position of Secretary of the Sabbath School for the first time. Mr. Core preached in the PM from 1st Samuel 28:7-8. Brother Pegg exchanged with him. I stayed at home on the evening with Gussie. JANUARY 28 – MONDAY – Cold last night, a little snow in the morning. I went to the shop, but there being no work, I went up for the papers. The train did not get in until 2 o’clock on account of snow on the track. In the meantime, I had a political discussion and argument with David Pierce at the paper office at Bennett’s store. When the papers came, I went down to the shop and Burr Bradley and myself went up to the church and rented a seat together, No. 31 for 16 dollars. I went into the street in the evening for a beef steak. JANUARY 29 - TUESDAY – It snowed all the forenoon. The sun shone in the PM. I have worked in the shop all day. I attended drill in the evening. JANUARY 30 – WEDNESDAY – Pleasant in the morning, but blustering in the PM and evening. I finished one hat in the shop. I went to Brother George Starr’s shop and got a bag of shavings. I wrote a letter to Brother Goodenough in New York, ordering 38 Pictorial Catechisms for presents to Sunday School Scholars. Father Griswold’s folks had company. Brother Scofield and wife, Emily Anderson, Harriet Phillips, etc. We took tea with them, after which I went to class in company with Emily Anderson. We turned our class into a conversation meeting Subject – Faith. JANUARY 31 – THURSDAY – No work in the shop. I came home and painted upstairs. Gussie having gone up home, I went up to tea. I attended Prayer Meeting in the evening.
1861-01-01
Horace Purdy Journal, January 1862 Entry
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JANUARY 01 – WEDNESDAY – I paid my interest money at the Savings bank and deposited one dollar for Eddie (a gold one which I sent home from Falls Church, Virginia while I was in the army). At 2 ½ o’clock, I went with every other man in the Finishing Shop to the Disciples’ Church to see Edward Stevens married to Hattie Osborne. We then went back to the shop and worked until night. We were paid $5.00 each. In the evening, I went down to Benedict & Nichols and ground our sausage meat. A false alarm of fire early in the evening. It has been warm and pleasant. A south wind, but early in the evening, it changed to the Northwest and blew hard. JANUARY 02 – THURSDAY – Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. I got an order from Mr. Crofut on Benedict & Nichols to pay for my pork - $13.50. I went into the street in the evening to get a chimney for my lamp. JANUARY 03 – FRIDAY – Pretty cold. Jesse Stevens called at the shop this afternoon to get a block from which he claimed. I claimed it by virtue of the shop rule which was of long standing and not known to but a few of the men, they being the only ones who worked there when the rule was made. But on account of the injustice of the rule, the block was given to Jesse. I, of course, abided by the decision of the shop. In the evening, I went downtown and changed a lamp chimney and got some saltpeter for my ham brine. George came with me and spent the evening. JANUARY 04 - SATURDAY - A very cold morning and cold all day. I have worked in the shop. In the evening, I carried a pot of brine over to Abel’s to put on my hams which are in the same barrel as his. There not being enough brine to cover them, I went into the street for more salt and saltpeter to make more. I got my skates at Peter Starr’s news office (George having left them there) and went up to the bridge and skated a little for the first time this evening. I made my brine after I came home. JANUARY 05 – SUNDAY – Still very cold. George called in the morning and we went over to the Love Feast at 9 o’clock. It was a good meeting. A deep feeling seemed to pervade the assembly. Preaching began as usual at 10 ½ o’clock. Brother Pegg preached from 2nd Corinthians 5:17. At the Sunday School, Mary Rockwell, having brought the largest number of new scholars into the school during the last year, received the watch which was promised a year ago by Brother Pegg. Lucy Widman, having brought in the next largest number, was presented with a silver cup by the Superintendent, Brother George Starr. Juliette Ives, standing next in line in number of scholars, received also a silver cup from Brother Starr, but smaller than the one presented to Lucy. Curtis Hoyt, being next, received a gold dollar. The presentation was quite impressive and in Brother Pegg’s remarks to Mary, he commended her very highly for her conduct in the past year for being so active and unremitting in her efforts to bring children who did not attend Sabbath School at all into the school. After Sunday School, I came home to take care of Eddie so that Gussie could attend in the PM. George came home with Gussie to tea. Father, Mother and Bell came down just before evening church time. Mother went with us to meeting and Father and Bell stayed with Eliza who had come over to take care of the baby so that Gussie and I could attend church to hear Elder Hoyt preach. He preached from 1st Corinthians, first chapter, the last clause of the 19th and 20th verse. It was a good sermon. JANUARY 06 – MONDAY – Though it was unusually pleasant last night, it was snowing very hard this morning and has continued all day. The snow is now about a foot deep on a level. George came over this afternoon and he and Gussie, together with Cousin Mary Purdy made some molasses candy. When I came from the shop, I swept out the paths again which I swept in the morning. It snowed but little in the evening. George came in after the arrival of the train and spent the remainder of the evening. I received a letter from Cousin Phebe Palmer. JANUARY 07 – TUESDAY – Pleasant. I have about a half day’s work in the shop. In the evening, I attended the Annual Meeting of the Hat Finishers Association. Officers were elected as follows: for president, Victor Benedict; for vice-president, Oscar Serine; secretary, William Witherspoon; treasurer, Calvin Dunning. JANUARY 08 – WEDNESDAY – Very cold in the morning, but the weather moderated during the day so that it was a great deal warmer at night. No work in the shop. Mother came and spent the day. I saw George down at Peter’s news office and I had him come home with me to dinner. He stayed the remainder of the day and we helped Abel raise Father Griswold’s barn. I attended class in the evening. JANUARY 09 – THURSDAY – A little rain last night. It has been thawing very fast all day. There has been no work in the shop. I attended Prayer Meeting in the evening. JANUARY 10 – FRIDAY – Foggy. Misty and warm. The snow has wasted very fast. I have been at the shop, but did not get my work in time to do much of it. I just got it well commenced for tomorrow. Aunt Louisa and Cousin Frank spent the PM and evening with Gussie. John came in the evening and so did Cousins Mary and Anna. We popped corn and ate apples and thus spent the evening pleasantly together. JANUARY 11 – SATURDAY – Sick today from the effects of the physic taken last night and this morning. I went down to the shop in the PM, but did not do anything. George tells me that Mother is sick. It is her old spinal difficulty. JANUARY 12 – SUNDAY – A little snow last night. Warm and foggy in the morning with rain in the PM. Gussie went to church in the morning and stayed to the school prayer meeting, after which she came home and I expected to go but it being pretty late and I feeling strangely indisposed and the rain together with all the other obstacles, kept me home. The two latter excuses kept me home in the evening also. It was about 8 o’clock when I went up home to see Mother who is sick. It was bedtime when I returned. JANUARY 13 – MONDAY – It froze but little last night, but it has grown cold all day. I have worked nearly all day in the shop. I went before the Board of relief and had $400 of my place transferred to Alfred Gregory, who has the mortgage on it of that amount. I went to our Sunday School Teachers meeting in the evening at which we did away with our present mode of changing books in the school and adopting the old plan of carrying them around in the boxes prepared for that purpose. JANUARY 14 – TUESDAY - A very cold day. I have worked in the shop. Mother Griswold came over a little while in the evening. JANUARY 15 – WEDNESDAY – It snowed last night and this morning, but it finally turned to rain and continued all day which has made it very bad walking. I have worked in the shop. Gussie spent the day over at Father Griswold’s and in the PM visited with Brother Pegg and wife, Mrs. Theo Barnum and Mrs. White and Horton and Abel and Harriet. I went over when I came from work and took tea with them. In the evening, Gussie attended Mr. Stone’s lecture on the Army of the Potomac. Mary Purdy came over to take care of the baby so that I could go, but I concluded not to. JANUARY 16 – THURSDAY – Pleasant. I have worked in the shop, but as usual, have accomplished but little. The work is very hard and slow to get up and the price for doing it exceedingly small. Gussie was over home to tea, Brother George Starr and wife being there together with Mrs. Hiram Cole. I picked up my supper at home, doing so from choice. George came in before meeting time and I helped him write up his Sunday School report preparatory to commencing the old plan of distributing the library books. The road and walks being very icy, I put on my skates and went down to the Post Office for the evening mail. JANUARY 17 – FRIDAY - I have earned about one dollar in the shop. Gussie and Harriet went up to Mr. Bartram’s to visit. Abel and I went up to tea and stayed the evening. A part of the choir met there. The evening was spent in singing. Brother Bartram brought us home, babies and all. JANUARY 18 – SATURDAY – Warm and rainy. I have had work nearly all day in the shop. Susan Watson came to Father Griswold’s last evening from New York. Gussie has been over there this afternoon to visit with her. George came down this afternoon and borrowed come Aconite pills (Homeopathy) to try and break up a hard cold which he has by sweating. Bell came down in a while and borrowed six cents to buy a blister plaster for Mother who is sick with her old complaint – spinal trouble. I went to the Post Office in the evening and to the store and bought a Cape Cod turkey. JANUARY 19 – SUNDAY – Rain and very icy. The trees are loaded with ice. It rained so hard in the forenoon that I did not attend church. I went down in time for Sunday School and stayed in the PM. Gussie did not attend at all. Brother Pegg preached from Matthew 13:45-46. After tea, I went up home to see Mother and George who are sick. Mother was confine to her bed, but George was so much better that he had gone to the 5 o’clock prayer meeting. It was so very icy that it was not only difficult but also dangerous walking. We stayed at home in the evening. JANUARY 20 – MONDAY – It is still stormy, commencing to rain again this morning and continuing all the forenoon. The rain has not frozen as it came as it did yesterday, although the trees are loaded with ice, so much so that limbs have broken off from some trees on account of the weight upon them. I went to the shop on skates this morning. Our foreman (Theodore Fowler) is unable to be at the shop, he being, like Job, afflicted with sore boils. He sent word what work he wanted us to do. Mine lasted until noon. I ate my dinner and waited until nearly night for some money. We finally got the whole $3.00 and then I came home. I took care of Eddie in the evening so that Gussie could go over home and visit with her friend, Susan Watson. JANUARY 21 – TUESDAY – The trees are still loaded with ice. It began to grow cold early in the morning and was quite cold before night with some considerable wind. No work at the shop. I cleaned 15 bottles in the PM and went over home and bottled Mother Griswold’s cider for her and filled my own for pay. The papers today give an account of a hard battle in Kentucky in which the rebel general Zollicoffer was killed. The loss being heavy on both sides, it resulted in a heavy defeat of the rebels. We captured all of their cannon and many wagons loaded with valuables related to the army. George called here just before meeting time and put on the skates and skated downtown as the walks are a complete glade of ice. I went to market in the evening. JANUARY 22 WEDNESDAY – No work in the shop. Uncle Jacob Fry let us take his horse and sleigh and Joseph Kyle, John Brush, Charles Small and myself went over to Kenosha to fish. We only caught two and gave these to Mr. Fry. The Ladies’ Sewing Society met at Father Griswold’s in the afternoon and evening. I went there to tea and stayed in the evening. Mrs. Hanford was taken with a paralytic stroke last night and died. JANUARY 23 – THURSDAY – Pleasant this morning. I have worked in the shop. Major Stone and Captain Betts of the 5th Regiment came last evening. They have a furlough of a few days. Henry Hitchcock, the Captain’s servant, came this morning. He stopped in Norwalk last night. JANUARY 24 – FRIDAY – No work in the shop. I went over to George Starr’s shop and made a spit box for George designed for Father’s use. I had the headache in the afternoon. I went down to the Post Office in the evening to get the news but there was none of importance. It has been a cloudy, raw, cold day. JANUARY 25 – SATURDAY – It was snowing this morning when I rose, but it turned to rain before noon. I have worked nearly all day in the shop to earn 62 cents. There has been quite a sensation in town today over the drafting for the state militia. The law has been pronounced by all as far as I have heard without a single exception to be unjust. It gives the rich the chance to buy themselves off and the military duty to fall upon the poor. A meeting of the returned volunteers was held this evening at Military Hall to make arrangements to attend the funeral of Henry Taylor, a soldier from the 8th Regiment of this state who died at Annapolis, Maryland of Typhoid fever when his remains shall come which is expected in a few days. JANUARY 26 – SUNDAY – Pleasant, it having cleared off last night. I attended church in the morning. I came home after Sunday School and Gussie went in the PM. The walking being bad and consequently the attendance being small, the preaching in the morning was in the basement. Brother Pegg preached from St. John, 19th chapter, last clause of the 5th verse. After tea, we took the baby over to other Griswold’s and then we went over home to see Mother. She dressed herself today. In the evening, I went to prayer meeting. It was a good meeting. JANUARY 27 – MONDAY – I have worked nearly all day in the shop and earned only 60 cents. The drafting of men for the state militia last Saturday not being done right, it was done again today and I was drafted. I went downtown in the evening to see and hear the result of the drafting. It is the all prevailing topic. Some are frightened and some care little or nothing about it. I received my notification while I was downtown. JANUARY 28 – TUESDAY – No work in the shop. I moved my box of charcoal from Father Griswold’s barn to my cellar as it has become dry since I laid in my new drains. I went into the street in the evening. The paper gave reliable information of the Burnside Expedition. It is congregating at Pamlico Sound on the North Carolina coast. I saw Captain J. A. Betts on my way downtown. He is home on a furlough. I enquired after Cousin David Mills who is in his company. He says that he is well and is the Adjutant’s orderly. JANUARY 29 – WEDNESDAY – I waited nearly all day in the shop for work and then came home without any. It has been misty all day with some rain and it has frozen as fast as it came, which made it very slippery. I did not go to class in the evening on account of writing a letter to Cousin David Mills to send by his captain, James Betts tomorrow. Eddie is five months old today. JANUARY 30 – THURSDAY – Warmer today. It has snowed a little and rained some. The ice has all disappeared and not only the snow that fell in the forenoon, but also the old body of snow has wasted very much. I have had work to last me all day in the shop. I stayed home and took care of Eddie in the evening, so that Gussie could spend the evening over home. JANUARY 31 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. On my way home from the shop in the evening, I stopped at the Post Office and paid my tax for the hydrant near my house - $1.25.
1862-01
Horace Purdy Journal, July 1860 Entry
7pgs
JULY 01 – SUNDAY – (9 o’clock AM. I took breakfast with Mrs. Baxter. Cloudy and some prospects of rain. I found Prince this morning over to Mother Griswold’s locked up in the house. He had been there since sometime yesterday. He followed me over home for his breakfast. He was very hungry. I went up to Dr. Bennett’s and got a half pint of milk for him after going over to Harriet’s for some fragments of meat. 10 o’clock in the evening. The clouds have passed away and it has been a pleasant day. I attended church alone. Brother Pegg preached from Revelations, second chapter and the latter clause of the tenth verse. Text in the PM was Exodus 12:14. The sermon was on the celebration of the 4th of July. It was good. George came home with me from church and helped me pick some strawberries to bring up home for tea (as I went up there to tea instead of Mrs. Baxter’s). John Boughton being alone also, he went up with us, his wife having gone to Norwalk. Gussie, I expect, enjoyed herself today with her old friends in Essex. JULY 02 – MONDAY – I rose about 5 o’clock. I made my bed and went over to Mrs. Baxter’s to breakfast, after which I took my dirty clothes over for her to wash. I worked as usual in the shop. Before tea, I varnished my sitting room and returned the brush in the evening. I went to the depot with Harriet and George to meet Mrs. Jones. I walked up home with them after she came. I stopped at the church and left three dollars towards my seat with Peter Starr. JULY 03 – TUESDAY – I hoed in my garden before breakfast. We had only two dozen hats to finish. I finished them before dinner and came home with my dinner and ate it. I finished painting my piazza in the PM. Father Griswold came home on the 2 o’clock train. I went to the depot when the evening train came to see if Mrs. Jones trunk had come. It came. I got Mr. Beatty to take it up home. I rode up with him and back again. The German who was so brutally beaten by the Irish a week ago died last night. He was buried this afternoon. The Irish are to be tried next Thursday. JULY 04 – WEDNESDAY – There not being any celebration here in town, the village has been quiet with the exception of pistols and firecrackers. I walked down to Main Street after breakfast but soon returned again and went to work in my garden. Father came down and picked some dwarf peas for dinner and some strawberries for Mrs. Jones and Harriet. I worked in the garden until early 11 o’clock when I locked up and went down to the Post Office and got a letter from Gussie in Essex and went up home to dinner. About 2 o’clock, Mrs. Jones and Harriet came home with me for a walk. We walked around mine and Father Griswold’s premises. We went in for a short time. When they went home, I went back to work in my garden. I worked until teatime and then shaved and cleaned up and took a walk downtown and went to class. I answered Gussie’s letter and wrote one to Aunt Mary in Ridgefield for Mr. Crofut. Emailed them both in the evening. JULY 05 – THURSDAY – A stormy day. I have had all the work I could do in the shop. On my way home from work, I stopped at Mr. Woodford’s and got my watch, which he has been repairing and cleaning. It cost me $1.75. I brought home a letter for father Griswold from Fanny in Elyria. I wrote a letter in the evening to Brother John Miley about the wrong certificates which were sent to Clark Beers and myself. JULY 06 – FRIDAY – Cloudy in the morning but it soon cleared away and the day has been pleasant. There was a report this morning that burglars tried to enter the house of Alfred Hyatt on Wooster Street last night and that he and his dog found an Irishman secreted in his currant bushes. After getting up and going out, I have been working in the shop all day. The examination of the Irishmen arrested for the murder of the German closed this morning. They have been bound over to a higher court. I took tea as I have done since Gussie went away at Mr. Baxter’s. I attended drill in the evening. I came home and copied the minutes of the military meeting and retired. JULY 07 – SATURDAY – The day has been pleasant. I have had all the work that I could do today in the shop. Mr. Crofut had a piano put up in the shop for his daughter, Laura, to take lessons on as she keeps the books and is home but little. She thought it would be more convenient for her at the shop. I received a letter this evening from Uncle Jesse Mills from Ridgefield saying that Aunt Mary would come up to help Mr. Crofut as a nurse on next Tuesday, provided we would come after her. I also received one from Gussie in Essex. I went to market and bought a piece of meat for Prince and came home. After reading Gussie’s letter to Mother Griswold, I retired. JULY 08 – SUNDAY – Cloudy in the morning. Brother Pegg preached in the AM from Revelations 2, part of the 17th verse. Sunday School Prayer meeting at noon. Sacrament in the PM. Preaching in the evening by Brother Pegg. Subject, “God in the Floral Kingdom”, text, Matthew 6:28. I went up home to tea, after which Miss Jones and Harriet came down to Abel’s with me and we had a sing before evening meeting. We sat upstairs in the evening, Miss Jones, Harriet and myself. I walked up home with them after meeting and brought home some milk for Prince. JULY 09 – MONDAY – Rainy in the morning. On my way to the shop, I mailed a letter to Gussie who is still in Essex. I had work all day in the shop. It cleared off before night and was very warm. I attended our Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting in the evening. I have a boil on the left side of my face which annoys me very much. JULY 10 – TUESDAY – Pleasant. I have had blk. work in the shop today. I stopped work at 3:30 o’clock to go to Ridgefield after Aunt Mary for a nurse for Mr. Crofut. I found her at Uncle Jesse’s at the old grandmother place. We took tea with Aunt Riana and started for Danbury. We arrive about 9 o’clock. I drove the horse up to Crosby’s Stables and bought some meat for Prince and came home. Mr. Crofut paid for the horse. JULY 11 – WEDNESDAY – I went to the shop in the morning and finished off the work which I left last night to go to Ridgefield and then I waited until noon for work, and there not being any prospect of getting any very soon, I went up to the church and took out of the school library 143 books to make room for 84 new ones which were larger. I numbered them and put them in the library besides tying up the old one to send up to the Boggs’. After tea, I hoed out my cabbages and called on Aunt Mary over to Mr. Crofut’s a few moments. I then went down to the Post Office and before I came home went to market and bought a piece of meat for Prince. I brought a letter home for Father Griswold and retired about 10 o’clock. JULY 12 – THURSDAY – Cooler but pleasant. Mrs. Baxter had breakfast ready about 5 o’clock. By that means, I got an early start for the shop. The foundry caught fire this afternoon, but it was soon extinguished by our shop hands who ran over each carrying pails of water (or all who could get pails). I worked rather late. I did not attend Prayer Meeting in the evening, but went over to the Post Office and back. There has been a circus here today and this evening. P. T. Barnum, the say, is interested in it. JULY 13 – FRIDAY – Pleasant, but the mornings are rather cool. I have had full work today. I received a letter from Gussie. I attended drill in the evening, after which I went up home to see Miss Jones as she is going back to Brooklyn tomorrow. JULY 14 – SATURDAY – I went to the depot in the morning to see Miss Jones off. I had only 10 hats. I brought my dinner home and went over to Mother Griswold’s and ate it with them. I attempted to paint, but it was so hot that I could not. Jacob Blissard’s wife died this morning. I hoed my turnips after tea, and went down town and bought a pair of shoes for $1.37. JULY 15 – SUNDAY – I commenced a letter to Gussie, who is in Bloomfield, before church. I finished it before evening meeting. Brother Pegg’s preaching has been excellent. Today, his text in the morning was Acts 12:5. In the PM, Hebrews 1, last of the 27th verse. We have an addition of 84 volumes in our library. I gave them out today for the first time. I went over to Mother Griswold’s to tea. After tea, I went over and sat a little while with Michael Knapp and his wife. I went to church in the evening and walked home with Aunt Mary and Jane (Mother Griswold’s girl). JULY 16 – MONDAY – Pleasant and warm all day. I have worked all day in the shop. On my way home, I called and balanced my account with Stevens & Hoyt. Mother Griswold has been very sick today. There was a shower passed overhead In the PM, but it did not give us any rain. It was soon clear and pleasant again. Another one came up in the evening and it rained considerably, accompanied by a great deal of lightning and thunder. Report after report in quick succession, many of them sounding like the discharge of firearms and some of them like a volley of musketry. It was the most terrific thunderstorm I have witnessed in a long time. JULY 17 – TUESDAY – Pleasant. I finished my work in the shop a little after dinner. I came home and picked currants for Mrs. Baxter to make jelly for Gussie tomorrow. She being in Bloomfield, Mrs. Baxter offered to do it for her. I pulled weeds in my garden before tea and hoed it afterwards. I gathered my dwarf peas for seed. I walked down to the Post Office in the evening. An Irishman named ___, who was killed by lightning last night on Spring Street, was buried today. JULY 18 – WEDNESDAY – An eclipse of the sun this morning. It lasted about two hours, commencing about 7 o’clock, passing over nearly half of the sun. The drab work being scarce in the shop, I was put on blacks. I had plenty to do. Mrs. Baxter made Gussie’s jelly today (currant). When I came home from work, I found Harriet at Mrs. Baxter’s waiting to see me. She stayed and took tea with us, after which I went up home with her and lent her two dollars to get her teeth cleaned. JULY 19 – THURSDAY – Cloudy in the morning with a prospect of a storm but it came off very warm and pleasant in the afternoon. I have felt the heat more than at any time this summer. In the evening, Mrs. Baxter and I pasted paper over dishes of our jelly. JULY 20 – FRIDAY – It has been very warm again today. One of the apprentices at the shop (Pahquioque), Miles Doran, was 21 years old today. He had refreshments out under an apple tree east of the factory. It was a pleasant place and we had a pleasant time. Henry Harvey and Ebenezer Bailey took corrosive supplements instead of sugar in brandy this evening and my latest information is that they are not expected to survive. JULY 21 – SATURDAY – A thunder shower in the morning. Another hard one in the afternoon. A meteor was seen last night a little before 10 o’clock to rise in the northwest and pass through the heavens to the southeast. Those that saw it say that it was a beautiful sight. My blinds were brought home today by the painter. After I came home from work, I put them on. I went to market in the evening to get a piece of meat for Prince. Mr. Harvey and Mr. Bailey are no better from the effects of the poison. JULY 22 – SUNDAY – Pleasant and a little cooler. Brother Pegg preached in the morning from Mark 14, first of the 8th verse. The Reverend Mr. Sanford, preacher in charge at the Five Points In New York City, preached, or rather talked ( for he did not take a text) talked to the congregation about the working of the mission in that place after which a collection was taken for the support of the mission, the clothing of children, etc. The collection was a liberal one. His remarks and description of the place, the suffering and the degradation and the wickedness of the place which is crowded in that vicinity was interesting to listen to and drew tears from a large part of the congregation. At 5 o’clock, the several Sunday Schools assembled at the 1st Congregational Church where he addressed them on the same subject until about 6 ½ o’clock. Mother Griswold’s girl, Jane, wanted company to the church in the evening, so I let her walk down and back with me. Mr. Sanford preached from Romans 8:26. The sermon was excellent. JULY 23 – MONDAY – Cloudy and some rain in the forenoon, but it cleared away in the PM. There was but little work in the shop – only one dozen. I painted our sink room. Father Griswold came home in the afternoon on the train. I went over home in the evening to see him. Abel and Harriet were there singing. They wanted me to sing, but the music they were singing was new to me so that I could not enjoy the sing very well. I stayed until after prayers and then came home feeling lonely and low-spirited. I retired as usual since Gussie has been away with my only companion, Prince. JULY 24 – TUESDAY – It appeared this morning very much like a September morning – clear and cool. I went to the shop but there was no work. I came home and mowed my dooryard again and trimmed the edges of my yard walks. It kept me busy all day. The burglars were around again last night. They took from Henry Crofut’s pantry window their breakfast which had been prepared overnight and some milk. They also tried to enter a house on Franklin Street through a window, but while attempting to do so, was struck at with a knife by B. F. Skinner. He hit him and the fellow ran. He has not been heard from yet. He was not recognized. His features were black; he was either masked or he was a Negro. I went into the street in the evening after some meat for Prince. The two persons which were poisoned are fading fast. Ebenezer Bailey is not expected to last until morning. Mr. Harvey remains about the same. JULY 25 – WEDNESDAY – Ebenezer Bailey died this morning about 2 o’clock from the effects of the poison (corrosive supplement) taken last Friday evening. No work in the shop. I went up with Nelson Nickerson and performed an operation on a kitten for him and then came home and painted some Dahlia sticks and went partly over my sink room with another coat besides fixing window springs and putting in two new blind fastenings which were broken at the painter’s at the time of the fire. I paid Andrew Knox $15.00 on debt for paint and painting my blinds. I mailed a Jeffersonian to Gussie and went to class. JULY 26 – THURSDAY – I worked in the forenoon in the shop. I came home for dinner and dressed myself to attend the funeral of Ebenezer Bailey at 2 o’clock. There was a shower during the services, which were held at the Disciples’ Church. Immediately after the services, I went down to William Bradley’s to attend also the funeral of his youngest child, a boy, aged one year an nine months. I bought me a silver pencil with a gold pen attached of Mr. Huntington - $2.50. I borrowed two dozen boxes of blacking of Mr. Hanford until I can get some from New York. I am getting it to fit out Fred Bradley to peddle as his health is poor and consequently is not able to work in the shop. I wrote a letter to Mr. Palmer ordering 12 dozen large boxes and three dozen small for Mr. Hanford. We had another shower about six o’clock. I went into the street in the evening to mail a letter and to exchange my pen. I did so and returned home. JULY 27 – FRIDAY – There was a very hard shower last night after I retired with very strong thunder. I have been to the shop and worked until about the middle of the afternoon and then stopped because of a pain across me in my right side and back. I think I have taken cold, probably after mowing my door yard last Tuesday. My back being a little lame after it, I think the cold settled there. Fred Bradley came to the shop this morning and told me that Harry Stone kept Palmer’s blacking and sold it for 10 cents per box. I returned the blacking I borrowed of Mr. Hanford (Fred having sold only one box) and then telegraphed to new York and countermanded the order I sent Mr. Palmer for 15 dozen this morning. Mother Griswold tried to persuade me to go to Canton tomorrow morning and take the time now that I don’t feel very well to visit instead of visiting a week later. I was almost persuade to go, but upon considering the matter a little more, I saw plainly that it would not be convenient and immediately gave up the idea. I attended drill in the evening. There being no business done, we adjourned early. JULY 28 – SATURDAY – Last night before retiring, I wet a towel in cold well water and bandaged it around me for the lame side and back which I had. When I arose this morning, I found that the difficulty was entirely removed. The nights and mornings are very cool for the season. I went to the shop feeling quite well but after dinner, I was taken with a severe headache and worked all afternoon in severe pain. I paid my board to Mrs. Baxter at the tea table. I went down to the Post Office in the evening. I helped James Maynard carry over to the school library 13 bibles which he was ordered to purchase for the school. Twenty were ordered but the whole amount could not be obtained at a time. I brought a letter from the Office for Father Griswold from Fanny who is in Madison, Wisconsin. JULY 29 – SUNDAY – Cloudy with more or less rain all day. A love feast at 9 o’clock. There was a melting. A warming influence pervaded the meeting. Many were blessed and I think all were profited, both those who spoke and those who didn’t. A strange minister, Mr. Bailey, preached for us in the AM. His text was Daniel 1:8. Brother Pegg preached in the afternoon from John 7:47. Brother William Hoyt, our presiding elder was to preach to us in the evening and I supposed he did. I did not attend on account of the storm. I spent the evening over to Mother Griswold’s. I sang a little with Harriet and Abel before I came home. JULY 30 – MONDAY – Hot and sultry. The heat in the shop has been very oppressive today. Mr. Harvey died this morning about 4 o’clock from the effects of the poison which he took a week ago Friday. I went to the Office in the evening and had a letter from Edwin Palmer in New York, a business letter about blacking and one from Gussie mailed from Bloomfield, but she is to start for Canton tomorrow. I only earned $6.00 this week which I received this afternoon. JULY 31 - TUESDAY – Warm again today. . Mother Griswold told me this morning that Prince had killed another of her chickens. Mr. Henry Harvey was buried today at 2 o’clock. I went downtown in the evening to mail a letter to Gussie. I intended to mail in the morning, but by spending so much time trying to find Prince, I was too late. I found him after I came home from work and took him over to the coop and showed him the chickens and punished him severely.
1860-07-01
Horace Purdy Journal, June 1860 Entry
6pgs
JUNE 01 – FRIDAY – I left my work in the shop with the promise of getting it tomorrow and left for Ridgefield for Mr. Crofut to get Aunt Mary for a nurse, but she had been exposed to the small pox so I could not bring her home with me. I went to drill in the evening. JUNE 02- SATURDAY – Windy in the forenoon. Having yesterday’s and today’s work to do in the shop kept me nearly all day at work. I came home and hoed my peas and worked around home. We went out in the street in the evening but did not get there soon enough to meet Harriet who came on the train and took a ride out to Mill Plain with Mr. Beatty to deliver a passenger before he delivered her to her home. We did not go up to see her as it was too late. JUNE 03 – SUNDAY – It was 7 o’clock before we rose this morning, we being very tired last night. The day has been pleasant. Brother Pegg preached good as usual. Mrs. Pegg’s father and mother are visiting them and were at church. The text in the morning was John 11. He used the first clause of the 39th verse. In the PM, Job 34:29, the first clause of the verse. I was sleepy during the afternoon service for the first time since he has preached here. It was a misfortune of my own and not the preaching which was good, what I heard of it. After tea, we were getting ready to go up home to see Harriet. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert from Derby. Mrs. Pegg’s parents, but fortunately, they were on their way up to see Father and Mother Purdy, so instead of it putting us to any inconvenience, it was a pleasure for us to accompany them up home. They started early to church with Mother. Gussie and myself waited until church time before we went. JUNE 04 – MONDAY - I took our sickle to the shop in the morning to grind it, but there being no work, I returned home and cut my door yard grass and put on a final coat of paint on the south side of my house. After tea, we put Frank’s plants in her mounds and borders over home. There being prospects of a shower, I hastened downtown to Benedict & Nichols. After I came home, I found that one of the pieces of meat smelled bad. I hastened back with it and exchanged it for another. JUNE 05 – TUESDAY – Cloudy all day, but no rain of any account. I had work nearly all day in the shop. After I came home and before tea, I took some straw over to Dr. Benedict’s and cut it with his hay cutter and covered the ground around my strawberry plants so that the berries will all keep clean. I went downtown and paid Noah Hoyt the bill I owed him -$1.75. I also paid Norris, the butcher, $1.27 that I owed him. I went to the cars when the train arrived to meet Father and Mother Griswold just for the General Conference in Buffalo, New York. Gussie had tea ready for them when they came. They seemed to enjoy their tea with us very much. After tea, we went over home with them to talk a short time and unpack. We stayed until after prayers and the came home to retire. JUNE 06 – WEDNESDAY – I went over to Dr. Bennett’s before breakfast to cut some more straw to put around my strawberry plants. We have been very busy in the shop on small Pearl hats. Rowena Pease and her husband called on Gussie and her folks today. Her husband’s name is Pease also, her own cousin, I believe, and an officer in the army. I went to market in the evening and was rather late to class. Gussie did not attend as she was too tired. JUNE 07 – THURSDAY – Warm and showery with a south wind in the AM and a hard shower in the afternoon. The wind got around in the west before night and the sun shone brightly. The evening was beautiful. We went to market, but it took so much of the evening, that we did not get to the Prayer Meeting. I have all the work that I could do in the shop. Mr. Smith paid to Gussie his last month’s rent today - $4.00. Augustus Seeley was married this PM to a Miss Hoyt. JUNE 08 – FRIDAY – Pleasant in the morning. A thunder shower before dinner. Showery in the PM. Plenty of work again in the shop today. Judge Culver gave a political address in the evening. The Wide Awakes turned out in the evening in a torch light procession. I went to drill in the evening, but the Captain dismissed us early, so I came home for Gussie to go down to see the procession. She went and was pleased. JUNE 09 – SATURDAY – Pleasant, but cool for the season. The work in the shop not being ready in the morning, I went up to Main Street and bought a new silk hat on credit for a few days - $4.00. I was rather late home from the shop. After tea, Gussie and I went down to market. I took a letter from the Office for Father Griswold and also one for Harriet Purdy. JUNE 10 – SUNDAY – Cool for the season, more like September or October than June. Text in the morning by Brother Pegg, Luke 23:52. Sabbath School Missionary meeting at noon; Sacrament in the PM. We were asked to go up in the choir and help sing in the morning, but we refused. We expected Harriet Purdy to tea, but she did not come. We went over to Abel’s and sang a little before church. We attended in the evening and Abel, Harriet, Gussie and myself went up into the choir and helped them by the urgent request of Peter Starr, the chorister, thought we much preferred to sit downstairs. Brother Pegg preached from 1st Timothy 1:19. Subject, “The Shipwreck of Faith”. JUNE 11 –MONDAY – Pleasant but cool. I have had a severe headache today. Our foreman being in a great hurry to ship some hats which we were at work on, I stayed until the lot was finished and were paid off, then went into the street and paid Charles Sanford $4.00 for a hat I bought of him last Saturday and then came home. Harriet Purdy called a few minutes on her way to her church. I did not go out in the evening, except to walk up to the new street between Barnum and Olmstead with Gussie. JUNE 12 – TUESDAY – Warmer today. I spaded up the flower bed beside my piazza before breakfast. I worked in the ship until after sundown and earned $3.62. I came home very tired. Harriet Purdy spent the PM with Gussie and took tea with us. We had a fine dish of strawberries from my bed. Father Griswold came home this morning on the train and mowed his front yard before night. I had intended to mow it for him but could not get the time. I went to market in the evening. JUNE 13 – WEDNESDAY – I hoed my lima beans and set out the poles before breakfast. I had work all day in the shop. We had class in the evening. Brother Cosier led the class, Brother Starr being absent. JUNE 14 – THURSDAY – I worked in the shop as usual today. Julia Pine helped Gussie clean house. It was late before she finished. I helped tack down the carpet after I came home. We both retired very tired. JUNE 15 – FRIDAY – I had to wait some time for work in the morning. A trial of several different mowing machines was had today by their agents, near Deacon Beard’s just east of our village. Gussie went up home in the forenoon and stayed all day. I came home from work and got my own tea and went to drill. Mr. Horace Crofut, our old tenant became the father of a 7 lb. boy this afternoon about 5 o’clock. JUNE 16 – SATURDAY – Warm and dry. A shower passed over us in the PM and sprinkled a little but not enough to lay the dust. I hoed in my garden before breakfast. We had a fine mess of strawberries for tea. We gave some to Mr. Smith who lives upstairs and also some to Harriet Wheeler. Mother Griswold called just at dusk, and Gussie and myself made a call with her to George Starr’s. JUNE 17 – SUNDAY – Pleasant and warm. Mother Griswold called in and walked down to church with us. Brother Pegg preached in the morning from 1st John 3 and the first clause of the 2nd verse. The text in the PM was Galatians 5 and the latter clause of the 6th verse. I had a severe headache all day. Mother Griswold and Harriet Purdy took tea with us. Gussie wrote a letter to Cornelia Post in Essex. We mailed it with two others for Harriet on our way to church. The Prayer Meeting was a good one. Mr. Wing from Goshen was there and we spoke with him after the meeting. JUNE 18 - MONDAY – Foggy in the morning, but pleasant and warm during the day. We have been stinted in our work in the shop today on $2.50. After I finished my work in the shop, I went up to Mr. Weiss’ and got some winter cabbage plants and set them out after I came home. It was dark when I finished. JUNE 19 - TUESDAY – I worked in the garden before breakfast. The morning was cloudy, but the sun soon made its appearance for a short time when it became cloudy and we had some rain. The sun shone again before night. We were stinted again on $1.87. When I came home, I found Gussie picking strawberries. I helped her. We picked about 4 quarts and gave Mr. Smith a dish of them and Harriet Wheeler also. After tea, I painted the ceiling to my stoop and then went to market. JUNE 20 – WEDNESDAY – Rain last night. Cloudy, rainy and some sunshine during the day. We have been stinted again today on our work in the shop. Another house was entered last night on Rabbit Hill and a watch taken. After I came home from the shop, I painted my piazza until tea time. Stormy in the evening. I went to market but was late to class meeting. The Universalist Strawberry Festival came off at Concert hall this evening. The weather being stormy, I think their attendance must have been small. Harry Thompson died this morning about 7 AM. JUNE 21 – THURSDAY – I went to the shop this morning and finished up one dozen hats. That being all the work to be done, I came home. Mother Griswold took dinner with us. In the afternoon, I mowed my dooryard. Harriet Purdy took tea with us. We had a fine lot of strawberries form our vines, about two quarts. Harriet relished them every much. There was nearly a bowlful left which we sent by Harriet up to Mother. After tea, I worked about the yard until dark and then went to market. I saw Charles Stevens. He gave me the certificates which Martha brought him from New York for Clark Beers and myself. They should have certificates of Life Membership in the Parent Missionary Society, but for some reason, they were filled out for the New York East Conference Missionary Society, $10.00 each instead of the $20.00 for the Parent Society. They were sent by Charles Stevens, Jr. He sent to me also another Librarian’s Account Book as I requested. Harry Thompson was buried this afternoon. JUNE 22 – FRIDAY – A pleasant day. I went to the shop and finished one dozen hats. That being all there was to do, I came home and painted the north side of my house. Harriet came down and helped Gussie sew and stayed to dinner and tea. We had strawberries for tea as usual I attended drill in the evening. JUNE 23 – SATURDAY – Warm and pleasant. We have had two dozen hats today at the shop. I came home in the PM and copied the Sunday School classes in a new account book. I worked in my garden. I was so busy that Gussie went to market in the evening. She brought home the news that the houses of Theodore Benedict and Oscar Serine on West Street were entered last night by burglars. JUNE 24 – SUNDAY – Warm and pleasant. Burglars to the number of five tried to enter last night the houses of P. A. Sutton and Widow Sherwood on Deer Hill Street about 12 o’clock. Dr. Bennett and his son, William, saw their maneuvers for about an hour when they were about to enter the houses and they gave chase to them but they could not catch them. Nearly every night they are entering and trying to rob some houses. They have been caught at it several tie but as yet, no one has been able to recognize them. They are either masked or it is too dark. It is causing a great sensation in our village and many persons are arming themselves. They will get in the wrong man’s house yet and will get dealt with as they deserve. They ought to be shot down like dogs and will be yet in they are not careful. The people are getting so that they are afraid to leave their homes by day or to retire by night and they have certainly cause to fear. The Ridgefield minister Joseph Smith preached for us today. He and brother Pegg exchanged pulpits. Text in the AM was Psalm 16, first clause of the 8th verse. In the PM, Acts 16:29-31. He is a good preacher but different in his style from Brother Pegg. Harriet Purdy and Mother Griswold took tea with us. Clark Beers came over before tea and helped me pick strawberries and I gave him a mess to take home for his tea. We attended church in the evening. George Andrew’s son-in-law, Mr. Hill from New Jersey preached. Text John2:25-25. He is a Baptist preacher. The sermon was good. JUNE 25 – MONDAY – I worked in the shop as usual today. G. M. Southmayd’s shop was burned today. The burglars were out again last night. They tried to enter Mr. Sutton’s and Mrs. Sherwood’s houses again and also Mr. McDonald’s. I borrowed a gun of Dr. Bennett so that I could be ready for them if they came around this evening. JUNE 26 – TUESDAY – A man was arrested last night, but not finding anything against him, he was liberated this afternoon. We have been hurried in the shop today. The weather has been very warm. David Knowles called on me at the shop and came home with me to tea. I came around by way of Wooster Street and got some celery plants for Father Griswold. David and I set them out for him. In the evening, I went downtown with Gussie to do some trading. JUNE 27 – WEDNESDAY – Warm and pleasant. I have been very busy all day in the shop. There was a fight yesterday in the PM or evening between some Irishmen and a German on River Street. The German was cruelly beaten to death almost. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp came over in the evening. I left them m with Gussie and went downtown with Abel. JUNE 28 – THURSDAY – I rose a little after 5 o’clock and brought water from Father Griswold’s hogshead for Gussie to wash with again, the second time this week, as she wanted to wash everything she could before she went away. I finished up my work in the shop before night. In the evening, I went shopping with Gussie to fit her out for her visit. I had my measure taken and a shirt cut by the shirt maker this afternoon. It has been a very warm day. JUNE 29 – FRIDAY – A very warm day. I think the warmest we have had this summer. I worked in the shop as usual. Mother came down in the PM and took tea with us over to Mother Griswold’s. I went to the drill room in the evening and got excused after the roll was called and went to a special meeting of the Hat Finishers’ Association. The Wide Awakes turned out in a torch light precession in the evening. Gussie spent the most part of the evening in packing up her trunk to go to Essex in the morning. We both took a bath in a wash tub before retiring. JUNE 30 – SATURDAY – We rose a little after 4 o’clock. Gussie went over home and helped her mother get breakfast and we both ate there. Mr. Beatty came up for her and she in company with her father started for Essex. I went to the depot to see them off, after which I went to the shop. I worked hard and rather late. I am boarding with Mr. Baxter across the way. I went there to tea for the first time. Afterword, I hoed a little in the garden. I went down town for a short time in the evening.
1860-06-01