Horace Purdy Journal May 1868 Entry
8pgs
MAY 01 FRIDAY - Pleasant but cooler than yesterday. I have worked in the shop. The new schoolhouse was dedicated today. From 9 A.M. until noon it was open for inspection to the public. In the P.M., addresses were delivered. Cut down a tree in my yard. After tea, I helped Mr. Pond graft a little. I went to market in the evening. MAY 02 SATURDAY - Stormy; have been to New York. William Carlson went down with me. I brought home some of William's wedding cake. Brought a package for Mr. Dare at Bethel from Marlowe's in Bleeker Street. Took an order for regilding two frames and making connecting corners for them for parties in 23rd Street near 6th Avenue. VanAmburgh showed his menagerie today on Deer Hill near our folk. Gussie went to see it at Fannie's expense. MAY 03 SUNDAY - Pleasant, but not very warm. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School, returned and took a nap in the P.M. George came home with me. We had an early tea and then took a walk up home with Georgie. The menagerie's tent was still standing. Georgie saw the elephant for the first time in his life. I went to church in the evening; Brother Burch preached. George and I this evening notified Charles Stevens that he (George) would take half of my seat with me. MAY 04 MONDAY - Pleasant; have been to New York. Two large Pier Glasses to regild from 23rd Street near 6th Avenue. Paid $50 for rent to Young for store in New York. I am about discouraged with my business prospects; have been very low spirited today. George has helped Gussie clean house today. He is to take his pay in boarding with us for a while. He commences today. MAY 05 TUESDAY - Pleasant until evening when we had a thunder shower. I slept but little last night on account of my business. I had a talk this evening with Father Griswold about business and felt better in consequence of it. I have worked in the shop. George helped clean house again today. They cleaned the parlor. In the evening, we hung paper curtains. MAY 06 WEDNESDAY - George helped Gussie again about house cleaning. I have worked in the shop. John Bussing started yesterday morning at 6 o'clock and walked to New Haven arriving there at 4:20 last evening. It was done to fulfill an agreement between him and Seth Northrup regarding our last election. It fell to John to walk to New Haven to see the governor inaugurated. I wrote to William at the store regarding buying me out and mailed it. MAY 07 THURSDAY - Lowery and a part of the day rain. I have worked in the shop. The work being the last for this week, I got my account cashed - $11.00, by William Carlson. I came early and picked a lot of greens for dinner tomorrow. I made out my annual report for the Sunday School to present next Monday evening at the Annual meeting. I went to market in the evening. I received a statement of my indebtedness from Benedict & Nichols - $34.00. MAY 08 FRIDAY - Stormy; it rained hard all last night and this morning. Early this morning the hills were white with snow. I have been to New York. I had conversation with my man, William Hayes, today about selling to him the business. He thinks he will take it if he can find a friend to loan him the required money. It cleared off pleasant and cool in the middle of the day. MAY 09 SATURDAY - Pleasant; have been to New York. Called at E. H. Purdy's in 13th Street to see about having Mr. H. Griffin's frames repaired, which were badly made last August by E. H. Purdy. They would not make it good without charging for it. I left a hand looking glass at Fanton's store at Broadway, corner of Spring Street for B. F. Ryder which I have been setting a plate to for him. Mrs. Pond called in the evening. MAY 10 SUNDAY - Pleasant with the exception of a shower just at night. Gussie went to church in the morning. She came home at noon and I went to Sunday School and to the Sacrament Service in the P.M. George and I took a walk over to John Bouton's after tea. George and I went to church in the evening. I gave a written statistical report of the Sunday School to Mary Vintz at the evening meeting to carry to George Starr. MAY 11 MONDAY - George helped me commence making a garden this morning before breakfast. I went to the shop and had a little work. Bought a half ton of coal of Charles Griffing. Prices reduced today on the two coarsest qualities, Nos. 6 and 3. Borrowed $60.00 of Mr. Pond to pay to John Cosier. The Annual Teachers' Meeting was held this evening. The same old officers were reelected. MAY 12 TUESDAY - Pleasant; have been to New York. I called on L. B. Sage at 424 Grand Street. Bought a mess of porgies, the first in town. George spread manure on my garden. Left with Lorenzo Nickerson $76.00 for John Cosier. MAY 13 WEDNESDAY - No work in the shop. I spaded garden until noon when it commenced raining. I went to the factory in the P.M. and ordered a hat for Father Griswold, also one for Mr. Pond. I paid $11.67, the balance for the Sunday School indebtedness to Joseph W. Ives for furnishing the Librarian's room. I carried an umbrella up to George to Montgomery's shop for him to come home with. MAY 14 THURSDAY - It rained very hard last night. I have been to New York today. Cloudy in the morning, but no rain. It came off pleasant and warm in the middle of the day. I took dinner with my salesman, William Hayes this noon. I brought one half dozen looking glasses to Bethel for Mr. Dare tonight. I left them at the depot with Mr. Gillette. George and Gussie met me at the depot this evening. I got some seed potatoes this evening of Mr. Philander Brotherton. MAY 15 FRIDAY - Pleasant; I went to the shop in the morning, but there was no work. I came home and planted corn, potatoes and peas. I weeded out my strawberries. I went to Bethel by the afternoon train to see Mr. Dare about the looking glasses I brought him last night. I came home and found a letter from him with a check enclosed for the amount of the bill - $5.00. He sent it by the baker. I walked from Bethel as far as Orin Benedict's factory and rode up from there with Lucius Wildman. George and I spaded more garden after tea. I went into the street in the evening and Swift cashed my check from Mr. Dare. Mrs. Bradley called in the evening. George and Gussie went home with her. MAY 16 SATURDAY - I went to New York today. I took William Carlson's soldier's testimonial down with me and framed it. I brought home and delivered it in the evening and hung it for him. He paid me for it $2.50. I also brought home a preserved wreath and cross for Mrs. Ferrell. John Cosier went to New Rochelle today for the remains of Saul McNeil, who was found dead in a barn. He saw the account in the New York Sun. He died with the heart disease. The vote of impeachment was taken in Congress today. President Johnson was acquitted by one vote. MAY 17 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I have had a headache all day. I only attended Sunday School at noon. Theodore Lyons, John Green and Daniel Starr and wife called to see the preserved flowers I brought last night from New York. Mrs. Bradley called also after tea and Gussie went with her to the cemetery. A little sprinkle of rain in the evening. MAY 18 MONDAY - Stormy and rain. I rode about 40 miles today to Fishkill Village for J. M. Potter to take a melodeon and meet him there with three new horses from Middletown, New York, 25 miles back of Newburgh. He was to meet me this evening at Jackson's Hotel. I received a dispatch from him to wait for his arrival. MAY 19 TUESDAY - It is still unpleasant. I went this forenoon to Mrs. Knapp's where I left the melodeon yesterday and unpacked the instrument and set it up for them. I stayed about 4 P.M. to ride down to Fishkill's landing and if I should not meet Potter to go over to Newburgh and call on Daniel Manly. I met Potter at Mattawan with his horses and I returned with him to the village. After tea at the hotel, Mr. Potter and I called on Mrs. Knapp. Mr. Potter sang and played for them. MAY 20 WEDNESDAY - I started a little after 8 A.M. for Danbury (with the same team I drove to Fishkill on Monday) and led one of the new span which Potter bought. I stopped at Towner's Station on the Harlem Road to feed horses and eat my own dinner. I arrived in Danbury about 4 P.M., just after it began to rain again. I saw the horses taken care of and then went down to the factory and from there home. MAY 21 THURSDAY - It rained very hard last night and a great part of today. The streams are very high. I worked a little in the shop. I finished a hat for Father Griswold and one for Mr. Pond. I then finished 9 odd hats which kept me nearly all day. I the evening, I delivered some flower work to Nathan Ferrell, a wreath and cross. Henry Day had placed in his hands an order of $30.00 which he wanted me to allow Ferrell on the flower work. It was unexpected to me but I honored the order and then called on Day and told him what I thought of the transaction. My indebtedness to him (Day) was perfectly understood between us and before doing so, he should as a friend as he professed to be given me notice of his intention to turn the account and thereby save me trouble. MAY 22 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Paid Mr. Pond this morning $25.00 toward $60.00 borrowed on the 11th instant. I went to the shop and finished up 5 hats to finish up a lot of odd ones, 14 in number. I brought home 3 new Pearl Cashmere hats for Father Griswold, Mr. Pond and Mr. Pond's nephew. I went to the factory again after dinner and got an old knock down Pearl Cashmere body and finished for myself which made a very good hat. It cost me only for the trimming. I brought home Hiram Hadden's soldier's testimonial to frame for him. George, Gussie and Mrs. Bradley went to the cemetery in the P.M. to set out plants, etc. I sold 8 ## pounds of pie plant in the evening at Benedict & Nichols' I let him have it on account at 5 cents per pound. MAY 23 SATURDAY - Stormy and rain. I have been to New York. I took down some pictures to frame for Fanny, John Bouton and Lucy Bennett. I brought one for Hiram Hadden, Fanny and Lucy Bennett. I helped Fanny hang some pictures in the evening. George has worked today for Mr. Pond, whitewashing, etc. MAY 24 SUNDAY - Cloudy and some mist, but no rain during the day. I attended church in the morning, returning after Sunday School. Father made us a call about 4 P.M. and stayed an hour or more. I stayed at home in the evening to let Gussie attend church. MAY 25 MONDAY - I have been to New York. It has been neither pleasant nor stormy. Rain in the morning, sunshine in the middle of the day, rain again after 3 P.M. I made two sample frames for Tibbel, having in view a large order. Called at 12 Courtland Street to see H. D. Clark. He has not yet got home from his trip selling clocks. I gave Daniel a scolding at the store today for being so lazy about his gilding. I bought tea and coffee at the great American Tea Company. I brought a small package from Saul Northrup at the New York and New Haven Railroad Depot in New York to N. P. Gillette. George and I went over to River Street this evening to see his boss Kellogg Nichols to get his pay but could not get it, he not being at home. MAY 26 TUESDAY - Clouds, sunshine and rain. I started from home this morning to go to New York. I went to the depot but on account of the weather, concluded to stay at home. I went to the shop and worked all day. After work and before going home, I went to see E. S. Davis about endorsing paper for me to get $300.00. George went into the street in the evening while I stayed at home. I got a picture from Mr. Pond to frame. MAY 27 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant day. I have been to New York. I went to see Tibbel at 37 Park Row and arranged to do some framing for him. In the P.M., I went with William up to 23rd Street to put up pier glasses. I took a picture down to frame for Mr. Pond. Bought ## barrel of flour in the evening of Charles Crofut at $17.00 per barrel. Went to market in the evening and borrowed $10.00 of Fuller at the market. Before retiring, George and I took down our sitting room stove and carried it up to Father Griswold's barn. MAY 28 THURSDAY - An East wind. Cloudy and a little rain. I have been to New York. I accompanied Mrs. Cyrus White to New York. I have been very busy at the store today. I brought Mr. Pond's picture of 'Christ Blessing Little Children' which I framed for him. After tea, I went into the street again to see Mr. Crofut about borrowing some money. I saw him but my courage failed me and I did not ask him. Mr. Burch returned this evening from Chicago. George and Gussie cleaned the sitting and sink rooms today. Charles Crofut brought me a ## barrel of flour today which I ordered and paid for last evening. MAY 29 FRIDAY - Rain in Danbury, but none of any account in New York where I have been. I spoke with Mr. Fanton on the train this evening about lending me some money for a few days. Frank Butler came home, or rather, came to town from Minnesota this evening. I talked with him on the train. Gussie met me in the street. We went to market and then she went to see Mrs. Bradley and I came home. George went up home to a rehearsal this evening. MAY 30 SATURDAY - Rainy a part of the day. I have been to New York. Helped put up cornices at Mrs. Haight's in 23rd Street and found that they did not fit as they should. Alterations will consequently have to be made. I called at Tibbel's in Park Row with some frames. I bought of him 1 ## dozen No. 1 Catechisms for the Sunday School and ## dozen 'Two Years With Jesus' for George. I went to Schermerhorn's in Browne Street for school records for Mr. Pond. I brought him one for a sample. I borrowed of H. B. Fanton, $150.00 for a few days. Soldiers' graves today were decorated with flowers all over the country. A grand demonstration was made here by the Grand Army of the Republic, Fire Department and Temperance Lodge. Georgie is up home to stay overnight. MAY 31 SUNDAY - A lovely day, the first in a long time. Georgie having been sent up to Father Purdy's yesterday and being still there, we all attended church in the morning. After tea, Gussie and I went up to the cemetery. We called for Mrs. Bradley in Liberty Street and she went with us. We returned rather late for meeting, so we stayed at home in the evening. I wrote to William at the store in the evening.
1868-05
Horace Purdy Journal October 1866 Entry
12pgs
OCT 01 MONDAY - Gussie went to Norwalk this morning with Susan Brayman to visit with her for a few days. When I went to work, I left Georgie up to Father Griswold’s until noon when Bell came down and took him up home with her to stay until Gussie returns. It being Town election, I left my work at 9 A.M. and went down and voted. I came home and got my supper which consisted of bread milk and pie, after which I helped Louise catch some chickens on an apple tree and put them in the stable. I then went up into Father Griswold’s study to pay him my interest money, but not being able to know the price of gold today, we deferred out business until tomorrow evening. I went into the street in the evening to market and to the Post Office. OCT 02 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I cooked my breakfast this morning alone, put up my dinner, locked the house and went to work. As I came from work this evening, I took a letter from the Office from George soliciting a dollar to pay a washing bill. After supper, I wrote a reply and enclosed the dollar. As I was writing, Louise came in with her collecting paper for the Centenary Fund and to have me put down my name. She was going to meeting and I to market, so I walked down with her. While in the street, I saw Hanford Fairchild and he gave me the $200 he was to lend me for three months. I paid the interest in advance - $4.50 and gave my note for the $200. This transaction is on behalf of George, who will some time I hope pay it back again. When I returned from the street, I went up and paid my interest to Father Griswold. I pay him the interest he would have received on the 5/20 bonds which he sold to get the money for me. The price of gold at the present makes my interest for the past 6 month $47.85, but he would take only $44.00. OCT 03 WEDNESDAY - I took breakfast up to Father Griswold’s. I worked in the shop until nearly noon when I quit and went to the Danbury Bank and took up my note of $260. I then came home and took dinner again with the Griswold’s. I picked apples in the P.M. for Father Griswold from the tops of the trees where he could not reach. I had half for picking them. I got about two bbls. for myself for my afternoon’s work. I went up home to tea and to see Georgie. He has been there since Monday and is happy as can be. I went to market in the evening and brought home from the tinner’s the pail I left there this morning to have some inside fixtures put in for a dinner pail. OCT 04 THURSDAY - A heavy frost this morning. I got my own breakfast and went to the shop. When I got there, I caught the boys playing a trick on me by picking the lock to my drawer and drawing part way out and loading it with old iron and other rubbish, the weight of this broke down the drawer. This made me provoked since it took me and hour or more to repair the damages. I worked until after 2 P.M. and then came home to finish picking apples on shares for Father Griswold. Before tea, I went down to Charles Hull’s for a new length of pipe for the cook stove. I took tea with Father Griswold’s folks. Brought our washing home from Mrs. Dunning’s in the evening. Received a letter by evening mail from Edwin saying that he had engaged 100 lbs. of butter for me as I requested. I went to the depot in the evening thinking perhaps that Gussie might come, but she did not. While waiting for the train in Bailey’s Jewelry Store, I paid W. Worthington dues to Hatters Association from April 10 to Oct 10. Clock from Bailey’s. It runs really well now. OCT 05 FRIDAY - A heavy frost this morning. The ground was frozen quite hard and ice on a pail of water out of doors was frozen ¼ inch thick. I got my breakfast alone. As I was ready to eat it, Louise came down with some griddle cakes smoking hot which relished nicely. Gussie came home from her visit to Norwalk with Susan Brayman on this morning’s train. She has been gone since Monday. Sarah Coles went with them; they had a good time, they say. Andrew Hull came for my stove this afternoon and repaired it with new bricks and pipe and blacked it. He came back with it about 5 ½ o’clock P.M. and set it up for us. I made a fire in it when I came home which felt good. Bell came home with Georgie just at night. He has been up there since Monday. I carried the carpet bag home to Mrs. Bradley which Gussie borrowed to take with her. I went to market and to George Hull & Sons to settle for repairs on the stove, but the bill not being made out, I deferred settlement until some other time. OCTOBER 06 SATURDAY - A heavy frost again this morning, about the same as yesterday. The day has been pleasant, though cool. We were limited in our work today in the shop for the first in a long time. We had only one dozen which was less than half a day’s work. After we were paid off, which was about 2 1/2 o’clock, I went up and paid George Hull off for repairing my stove - $10.00. I bought of Charles Hull a yard square of zinc for the sitting room stove. I called on Brother Hill and paid him $2.75 for the Christian Advocate for George. I then came home and picked what few winter apples I had on my trees. Gussie went up home to my folks with Georgie and spent the P.M. She stayed until dark which made a late tea for me. I went to market in the evening. OCTOBER 07 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. Gussie attended church as usual in the morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon and came home after the session. After tea, we took Georgie and walked over to John Earl’s where I left a collector’s card for John Earl to collect for the Sunday School centenary Fund. I also left one at Henry Ely’s for Willie. When we returned, Gussie went over to John Brayman’s and I to Robert Dunning’s to see in his wife could do our washing tomorrow. I wrote to George and mailed it as I went to church in the evening. When I returned from Dunning’s he walked over with me and stayed until evening meeting time. Before retiring, I wrote to Carleton & Porter ordering Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals for another year, also one dozen no. 2 catechisms. I intend tomorrow to get a check at the bank for the amount of money I want to forward to C&P. I shall retain the letter until then and enclose the check. Brother Hill did not preach but talked from the pulpit this morning. The little Irishman who preached last Sunday preached in the P.M. Isaac Sanford preached in the evening. OCTOBER 08 MONDAY - Pleasant and warm. I carried our washing over to Mrs. Dunning before breakfast. At noon, rather than leave my work, I sent by the foreman, Victor Benedict, to the Pahquioque Bank $29.10 for a check to Carlton & Porter for Sunday School papers and a dozen No. 2 catechisms for the school. We were limited in our work at the shop again today. I finished mine about 3 ½ o’clock and came home and cut some gun wads from hat roundings. Sunday School Teachers’ business meeting in the evening. As I went I mailed my order to Carlton & Porter for Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals, also for a dozen No. 2 catechisms. I enclosed a check for $29.10, the amount of the bill. Before retiring, I copied the minutes of the Teachers’ meeting, also wrote to Edwin in reply to his letter received on the 4th, and wrote again ordering Scripture tickets for the Infant Class from Carlton & Porter and went immediately down and mailed them. OCTOBER 09 TUESDAY - I worked in the shop until a little after 2 o’clock to get up my stint of 2 dozen came home by way of W. E. Wright’s and had his boy drive home with me and get my kerosene oil can to fill. He took it away and returned with it after a little time with 5 gallons. I worked at chopping up some old pea brush until tea time. Charles Crofut, having sold the sifters I left there, I carried three more down in the evening as I went. I attended class in the evening. I accepted $2.60 for the sifters he had sold. OCTOBER 10 WEDNESDAY - Still cloudy and a little cooler but no rain. We had but 2 dozen hats to finish today which lasted me until nearly 4 o’clock. When I came home, I found Mrs. Cocking upstairs, she having come to her rooms to get something to take up to Mr. Lynes’ I walked out the with her to see Robert about potatoes. He thought it doubtful if they had any to spare. Gussie went over to Mrs. Daniel Starr’s to call in the P.M. When I returned from Mr. Lynes’ she had returned again. I went to market in the evening, also to Mrs. Blair’s to get Henry’s address to write about his dog. I wrote and mailed it before I retired. I tried to enter into an engagement with him to take the dog and care for him this fall for the use of him. Before tea, I went over to Mrs. Dunning’s for our washing. I paid her $1.00 for it. OCTOBER 11 THURSDAY - Pleasant. As I went to work this morning, I went to Raymond’s market and ordered a peck of quinces for Mother Griswold and a peck for myself and paid for both of them. I finished a hat for Mr. Pond just before I quit work; it was too late to get it trimmed today. Louise came down and stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie go into the street with me. She went to Mrs. Grey to get a pattern for a baby’s cloak cut. By the evening mail, I received a note from E. C. Andrews acknowledging the receipt of money for the cost of sifters George purchased. OCTOBER 12 FRIDAY - Stormy. As I went to work this morning, I called at Joseph Ives to say that we would take the oil cloth which my wife and I looked at last evening. The hat I finished yesterday for Mr. Pond, I got trimmed today and brought home. After tea, I took it over to him and he paid me $3.50, just what it had cost me aside from my work. Before I came home, he took me to his house to show me the new furnace he has down cellar and the register from it in the rooms above. I received a letter from Henry Blair in New York saying that I am welcome to use his dog whenever I want him but he prefers having him at his home rather than let me keep him on account of his sister who is very fond of the dog. I went to market in the evening. I talked with Joseph Ives about John Brayman who owes him for goods bought about a year ago and promise to pay but does not. Ives spoke first of the matter; I said as little as I could against John, but could not deny the facts. The first Sunday School papers on the new year’s subscription came today. I answered Henry Blair’s letter in the evening and mailed it as I went to market. OCTOBER 13 SATURDAY - Pleasant. Bailey’s Circus and Menagerie showed here this afternoon and evening. I worked until 4 o’clock to get up my stint. As I came from work, I took from the Office a letter from Henry Blair saying that I could take his dog, “Bird”, and keep him this fall if I would be responsible for him. I also received a letter from Edwin in which was his bill for butter -105 lbs. at $.33. I went over to Mr. Pond’s after tea and showed him the bill of the butter. I then went into the street to market and called at Brother Hill’s to talk about Bell leaving our church to join the Baptists. I carried a few pears to Brother Hill. Before retiring, I answered Mr. Blair’s letter stating to him to what extent I would be responsible for his dog. OCTOBER 14 SUNDAY - I slept but little last night on account of being up with Gussie who was very sick with bilious colic and has been during today. I went for the doctor about 5 o’clock this morning, first calling Fanny to stay with her while I was gone. She has been very sick today; a high fever in the forenoon. The fever gave way in the P.M. and she had less pain across her. Her symptoms are decidedly better this evening. Just before evening meeting time, Emily Anderson and Mrs. Stone, also Susan Brayman and Mrs. Cole came to call on Gussie. After tea, I wrote to George with a letter I wrote last evening to Henry Blair I sent to the Office by Fanny as she went to meeting this evening. Emily brought me money for the Sunday School Advocates from two of her scholars – Eva Grannis and Mary Parsons. OCTOBER 15 MONDAY - Pleasant; a lovely day. Gussie not being able to get breakfast this morning, I ate mine up to Mother Griswold’s. After breakfast, they brought some delicate food down for Gussie. She finally got up and had her clothes on for the remainder of the day. I came home to dinner to look after Gussie a little. Mrs. Pond, Mrs. Davis, and Susan Brayman called during the day to see Gussie. Georgie was up to Mother Griswold’s most of the time. As I came home from work at night, I went to the Jeffersonian Office and got some old damaged envelopes for nothing. I got them (a part at least) to give to Fanny to use in the Sunday School infant class for them to enclose their centenary money to hand to the Treasury next Sunday morning. I came by the way of Mrs. Blair’s in Stevens Street to get henry’s dog, but he was not at home. Fanny came down and helped me a little about getting tea. I went to Dr. Bulkley’s in the evening to get more medicine and to settle with him for his visit on Sunday morning, which I did. I got a letter from George stating that he is about sick with a heavy cold and hard work. Enclosed was $5.00 towards what he owes me. Before coming home, I went to Blair’s again, but “Bird” was not at home. The 1st Congregational Church is being painted. A man has been at work today at the top of the spire just under the vane. I took our washing over to Mrs. Dunning’s before breakfast this morning. Answered George’s letter before retiring. OCTOBER 16 TUESDAY - Pleasant. We had but one dozen hats to finish today which I did before dinner. In the P.M., I went to the depot on the arrival of the freight train and found that the keg of butter - 105 lbs. - which I ordered for Mr. Pond and myself had come. I borrowed Joseph Ives’ horse and brought it home to Mr. Pond’s cellar. A. W. Parmalee came for two flour sifters which I let him have. Smith Pulling also came at night for one which I sold for $.80, it being damaged. I mailed a Post Office money order this evening to Edwin for the butter - $36.15. After tea, we opened it and found it to be excellent. Moses Baxter began to move out of his father’s house this evening. The old man is so ugly that they are unable to live with him; his wife has also left him. OCTOBER 17 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I finished my work at the shop a little after 2 o’clock. I came home by way of Widow Blair’s on Stevens Street and got Henry’s bird dog and took him home with me according to promise yesterday. I took the dog and gun and went over to Robert Cocking’s to go hunting with him, but he not being home, I went a little while alone. I shot one quail. Hanford Fairchild was married this morning at our church to Emma Fanton. I went to market in the evening. OCTOBER 18 - THURSDAY - A lovely day. I had work until noon in the shop. I came home and after dinner started to hunt a little. I found a Mr. Hill (a lame man with a club foot) before I had gone far who joined me. We found but very few birds. I got one quail; he got nothing. On our way home, I stopped up home to see Mother who has been sick for several days. After tea, I wrote a note to Fred Benedict saying that he need not bring the ½ bushel of potatoes that I spoke of on trial as I had since bought a supply. I went into the street in the evening and mailed it and got a letter from George saying that he was still feeling unwell with pains in his side. When I returned from the street, I carried the quail I shot up to Mother Griswold’s and took a dish over to Mr. Pond’s for a pound of butter, the first we have got from the new butter from Ohio. Before retiring, I wrote to Edwin telling him how well we liked the butter he sent to us, and that two days ago I mailed him a Post Office money order for the amount of the bill - $36.10 – 105 lbs. @ $.33 – Keg - $1.50. OCTOBER 19 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Gussie was called up at 12 o’clock last night to go up to Henry Hinman’s, Anna being confined in child bed. She had not returned in the morning, so I got my breakfast, took Georgie up to Mother Griswold’s and went to the shop. She came home in the forenoon, but was sent for again before I came from work which was about 3 P.M. I got my own tea again. I made out a statistical report of the Sunday School for Brother Hill and carried it to him when I went to market in the evening. I wrote to Edwin ordering butter for Oscar Serine, also to George in reply to one yesterday and requested him to come home for a week or two until he feels better. He is scarcely able to work, having a continual pain in his side. Before coming home from the street, I went up to Henry Hinman's to get Gussie to come home, but she would not. Louise came down and stayed with Georgie in the evening. Lewis Bartram brought me the bushel of potatoes today. I paid him for the - $9.00. Gussie returned from Henry Hinman’s a little after 9 o’clock. The child, which was a daughter – 8 lbs., was born a little after 7 o’clock. Susan Wildman took arsenic this morning – “for fun” she said, and this evening there is fear that she will die. OCTOBER 20 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I had work in the shop until noon. In the P.M., I went hunting down between Middle and Thomas Mountains. I shot one woodcock. Gussie went up to see Anna Hinman this afternoon. I went to market in the evening. Before retiring, I took the bird I shot up to Mother Griswold’s. OCTOBER 21 SUNDAY - Pleasant, so warm that it seems more like summer than fall. Our Sunday School Centenary meeting was held this forenoon in the audience room of the church. The usual forenoon service being omitted in order to give the time and room to the Sunday School. The money collected by the scholars was brought in which amounted to $360.02. I, being treasurer, was obliged to bring it home and count it, also give every scholar credit for the amount collected. Edward Barnum came over in the afternoon and assisted me. Asa Hill from Norwalk delivered the address to the school on the morning. He also preached in the evening. Gussie attended; I stayed home with Georgie. OCTOBER 22 MONDAY - Lowery. A little rain at times during the day, though the sun shone a little at times. The moon shone still more this evening. I took over $90.00 in currency with me as I went to the shop and disposed of it before I returned at night. I exchanged it for bills. It was the Sunday School Centenary money taken up yesterday. I had more work in the shop than I expected. I took no dinner, But John McNamara, a shopmate, brought some to me when he returned from dinner. “Bird’, the dog I am keeping for Henry Blair ran home this evening when I unchained him. I went over for him before bedtime and brought him back. The 1st Congregational Church people have been getting a new organ and this evening a free concert was given. I went in a short time and then came home. A dollar and a half counterfeit currency from the centenary currency I sold this evening to Albert Anderson, Jr. for $1.00. As Jacob Fry was coming from work this P.M., I sold him my old horse blanket, halter, curry comb and brush for $1.00. I gave George credit for the amount in the book. Wrote a letter to John Stephenson, Treasurer of the Centenary Committee, preparatory to enclosing a draft for the amount of money collected by our Sunday School which I intend to send tomorrow. OCTOBER 23 TUESDAY - Pleasant but a little cooler than last week. As I went to work in the morning, I went by way of George Starr’s and left with him $360 to take to the bank and get a draft to send to John Stephenson, Treasurer of the Conference Centenary Committee. As I came from work, I called on Mr. Starr and got the draft and mailed it with an order written last evening for Children’s Medals – 55 of the five dollar ones and 70 of the one dollar ones. At the same time, I mailed an order to N. Tibbles for 4 Children’s Centenary Anniversary books at $.60 and 6 of his Illustrated Centenary papers at $.25 each. In the evening I mailed an order for another paper for Seeley Harris. I received a letter from George today sent by Mr. Jabine with $20 enclosed. I answered it this evening. Fanny goes to Brooklyn tomorrow and I shall send some iron grease to George by her. He asked for it in his letter. I went to market in the evening and engaged Beatty to come for Fanny in the morning. Mr. Curtis, my neighbor, came home with me to get my gun to clean for me. He wants to use it a little tomorrow. I paid Alden G. Crosby this evening in Avery Raymond’s for my coal - $48.00. OCTOBER 24 WEDNESDAY - Colder today. Fanny started for Brooklyn this morning. I had work nearly all day in the shop. Mrs. Stone has been helping Gussie clean the pantry and bedroom today. Just before tea, Mr. Curtis brought my gun home which he has been using today. He cleaned and oiled it nicely before bringing it home. He gave me a small vial of woodchuck oil to use in cleaning it. I went to market in the evening and by the evening mail received a letter from George asking my advice about attending Mr. Warrens wedding. He enclosed a note to Mr. Warren accepting his invitation to stand up with him with Lottie Keeler The letter was for me to hand him providing I thought it best for George to come. I thought so and immediately wrote a reply accordingly and mailed it before retiring. I spoke about the news business here to see what he thought about it. OCTOBER 25 THURSDAY - Pleasant but colder than yesterday. My work lasted until noon in the shop. I came home and about 2 o’clock with my dog and gun went out hunting. I went down between Thomas and Middle Mountains. I shot 2 woodcock, a partridge, and a meadowlark. I came home by way of Deer Hill and stopped to see Mother. After tea, I wrote to George. I took it into the street to mail but forgot a letter I took from the office this morning for him which I intended to enclose, so I brought it home again. The centenary Pictorial papers came by the morning mail and the books came this evening. I got the Sunday School papers also this evening from the news Office. O.H. Swift’s wife and mother called this evening. OCTOBER 26 FRIDAY - Last night was the coldest we have yet had. It had somewhat the appearance of snow this morning. We were stinted again at the shop but the stint was all that I could do. . The birds I shot yesterday we had for dinner and supper today. Father Griswold had a letter from Edwin today in which he sent word to me that he thought he could provide the butter I wrote about for Oscar Serine. I received a letter from John Stephenson in which was a receipt from Carlton & Porter for the $361 Centenary money which I forwarded to him not knowing that it should be forwarded to Carlton & Porter. Enclosed also was a bill of the medals from Carlton & Porter. After tea, I went into the street and talked with Quartius Chichester about buying out the news business. The letter I wrote last evening to George, I did not mail until this evening. OCTOBER 27 SATURDAY - Pleasant. My work at the shop lasted until noon. I paid John Swertfager (editor of the Jeffersonian) for one year, ending with No. 339. I carried in my list to the assessors, W. S. Peck and E. S. Davis; talked with Swift about the news business; called at Brother Hill’s about the Centenary books from N. Tibbels. I marked off the Sunday School Journals and Advocates and carried them to the church before tea. I went to market in the evening. Gussie at the same time went over to Mrs. Stone to see about helping her clean house on Monday. Louise came down and stayed with Georgie while we were gone. When Gussie returned, George came with her. He came from Brooklyn this morning. He will stay for a week in hopes that by that time, he will feel better. He is troubled by a pain in his side and has been for some time past. Robert Fry borrowed my feed cutter this evening. He takes it for a week until he can buy one of them and in the meantime, he is to sell it for me if he has an opportunity. OCTOBER 28 SUNDAY - Pleasant but cool. I took Georgie up to his Grandma Purdy’s in the forenoon in order that we could both be at Sunday School as the Centenary medals were to be given to the children for their collections to that fund. After supper, we both went up to see Georgie and to visit with big George. As we are to clean house tomorrow, we left him up there to stay all night. George came down with us and went to church in the evening. Mr. Cummings preached for us. Susan Brayman went with us to church also. “Bird” broke chain this evening and went home. OCTOBER 29 MONDAY - I lent my gun this morning to Mr. Curtis. Mrs. Stone cleaned house for us today. I had no work in the shop and helped about the house and built a house in the woodhouse for Henry Blair’s dog “Bird” that I am keeping for him now during the hunting season. . In the P.M., George came down with me to Mr. Harris’ to get an overcoat. He found one which he thought would suit him and took it home. He is to pay for it in installments after he returns to his business in Brooklyn. He came home with me to tea and stayed in the evening. I went to market in the evening. As I went, I accompanied Mrs. Stone a part of her way home and she stepped into a hole in Montgomery Street and spilled a part of the whitewash which I gave her to carry home. Georgie is still away up to Grandma’s on Deer Hill. OCTOBER 30 TUESDAY - A terrible rainstorm last night and this forenoon. The rain came through our roof, the wall and into the sitting room badly. The streams rose the highest that they have been in 10 years. I had work all day in the shop and notwithstanding a severe headache, I worked until night. As I went to work this morning, I mailed a letter to N. Tibbels, 140 Nassau Street, New York for Brother Hill. He gave it to me last night to enclose with an order for books myself. But not being yet ready to send my order, I mailed his order. I gave $.50 today on a paper for George Sears’ who is very low with the consumption. Gussie went up home this P.M. to see Georgie. As he was doing well and seem contented, she concluded to leave him over tomorrow, it being washing day. George came down home with her a little after dark. Mrs. Stone called early in the evening and she and Gussie went uptown to see Anne Hinman. While she was gone, I went over to Mrs. Blair’s to see if “Bird” had got home but he had not. OCTOBER 31 WEDNESDAY - Cool and pleasant. No work in the shop. I took Henry Blair’s gun this morning and tried it for Charles Gilbert who thinks of buying it. In cleaning my gun, I lost the wormer from the rod in one barrel and had to take it up to the machinist to get it out. I went with George to see the Excelsior and New Milford ball clubs play a matched game on the grounds of the Excelsior’s. We went up home for supper to eat apple dumplings with George. I went with George to borrow a frock coat of Harris to stand up in with Mr. Warren tomorrow. George and Bell went to meeting in the evening and came this way to go home. Mother Griswold, Harriet and Louise spent the evening with us. Before retiring, I wrote to N. Tibbels ordering two children’s centenary books, also 4 illustrated centennial papers for members of the Sunday School.
1866-10
Horace Purdy Journal March 1864 Entry
7pgs
3/1 TUESDAY - Stormy, snow. Received three packages by mail from George. Old letters and a diary with a line saying that they (the 17th Reg't. had gone to Florida. Widow of John Keeler was buried today. 3/2 WEDNESDAY - On my way to work, went to the Jeffersonian Office to notify Ashley that the 17th Reg't. had gone to Florida. Sgt. David Dickson of Co. D, 10th Reg't. (C)onnecticut (V)olunteers was found dead in his room this morning at the Wooster Hotel. A post mortem examination was made and the decision was that he died of heart disease. 3/3 THURSDAY - Pleasant as it was also yesterday. The snow has melted fast today. Gussie and her mother went over to Mrs. Cocking's today. Hattie Mills came home and got tea ready, but before we sat down, Gussie came. The bound volume of Harper's Weekly for 1863 which I ordered for George some time since came today. It cost $4 which I paid from money in my possession belonging to George. 3/4 FRIDAY - Pleasant . Wm. Mantz was buried today. I came home in the P.M. with a headache. I had the crystal to my watch changed on my way home. Bought this book for a journal - $1.50. Hattie Mills started for Bethel this P.M. to have the remainder of her teeth out. Caroline came up to go down with her and both came home again and stayed all night. Went to market in the evening and to [???]. News by the evening paper that Kilpatrick has returned from his expedition in the rear of Gen'l. Lee's rebel army and to Richmond. Got some medicine of Dr. Buckley in the evening for bilious headache. 3/5 SATURDAY - The sun rose clear but was soon nearly excluded from view. It rained awhile after dinner and again quite hard in the evening. Hattie and Carrie Mills went to Bethel this morning. Hattie intending to have her few remaining teeth out. I met her in the evening with a lantern and umbrella. She brought her teeth back with her in her mouth, having concluded to let them remain until she got her uppers set in. I felt rather poorly this forenoon. Sick or lazy. A little of both, I guess. I felt better in the P.M. Received a letter for Gussie from Cousin Eliza Humphrey from Todd's Valley, Placer County, Cal. 3/6 SUNDAY - Clear and pleasant this morning. Yesterday's and last evening's rain together with a warm day today has nearly finished the snow, there being only a little here and there to be seen. Gussie and I both went to church in the morning. After the service, I went with her over to Dr. St. John's and she had two teeth drawn. She then went home and I went to Sunday School and stayed in the P.M. After tea, I took a nap and did not go to meeting in the evening. Gussie wrote to Frank Boughton in Philadelphia and I commenced a letter to George. Hattie Mills cracked some walnuts just before bedtime. John Rooney died this morning. He had been sick about a year, more or less. He lingered and suffered much, but was very patient, they tell me. He was a strong Catholic, though I believe sincere in his faith. 3/7 MONDAY - Cloudy early this morning. Wind clouds, quite windy in the forenoon. Pleasant in the P.M. I have felt quite well today and have worked hard and late. It being payday, I drew for my last two weeks work $36.00. After tea, I went to market and called at Dr. Buckley's office and paid him $13.88 to balance my account with him, the same being for attendance during Eddie's sickness. He gave me more medicine for my bilious difficulty. He charged me nothing for it as I had just settled my old account. 3/8 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I have worked hard all day and as late as I could see at night. John Rooney was buried today in the P.M. On my way home from work I took two letters from the Post Office from George from Jacksonville, Florida. In one of them, he demands his watch from Mother in order that I may have it put in working order and send it to him the first opportunity I have. He also requested me to find out the truth of the matter Of Capt. Daniels getting the $25.00 company money from Capt. Moore's widow. I did so by calling on her in the evening. He did not demand it, as many of the Company suppose, but she requested him to call for it as he was the proper person to receive it. Before retiring, I wrote more in my letter to George, telling him of my visit to Mrs. Moore's, etc. 3/9 WEDNESDAY - It has been a beautiful day. I came home from work very tired at night. On my way home, I got my Jeffersonian. The poetry on Eddie's death was in it. In the evening, I bought five other copies to send away. I mailed a letter to George with Abel's and Father Griswold's picture enclosed. Also the Waverly and a Daily Tribune. Bought a piece of meat for Harriet and came home without going to class. A surprise party for Bro. Crawford this evening. 3/10 THURSDAY - Pleasant in the morning. It soon became cloudy and about 6 P.M., it commenced raining. After tea, I went out into the street, mailed a letter for Father Griswold. Went to the Jeffersonian Office and got a paper to send to Mrs. Charters in Brooklyn. Got Hattie Mills' shoes which had been mended. Bought a picture of General Gilmore and came home. Burr Bradley told me at the shop that Mother was very sick or rather that Clark Hoyt had said so in class last evening. I intended to go up and see her this evening, but when I came home, Gussie said that Carrie had been down and told that the circumstances. Mother has a formation of a vein or an accumulation connected with the main artery which is increasing in size and will in a short time kill her by bursting and bleeding to death. I mailed 5 Jeffersonians this morning to Ohio, Cal. Canton, and Essex and to David Mills in Philadelphia. 3/11 FRIDAY - Storm-rain. It was rather late when we rose this morning. I have worked as usual in the shop. After tea I went to see Mother and to bring (home) a pail of milk. The pail was carried up yesterday by Harriet. I came home about 9 o'clock in a thunderstorm, the first of the season. 3/12 SATURDAY - Clear and pleasant. The makers had a strike for higher prices today and I believe got their demands. Gussie and Mother Griswold went up to see Mother this P.M. While we were drinking tea, Aunt Louisa and Cousin Mary called. Mary came again afterward for Gussie to go downtown with her. I went to market and to Robinson's for my watch where it has been for repairs. Fanny came home from New York on the evening train. She brought some things for Gussie which she sent for - table cloth, album and Mrs. Foss's picture. I copied extracts from George's letters for the Jeffersonian before retiring. 3/13 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the morning, but cloudy before night. I went up this morning to see Mother; did not get back in time for church. On my way up, I left 5 of the Rolls Books from the Sunday School library at Edmund Barnum's for him to read. Communion in the P.M.; Gussie and I attended. After tea, I finished George's letter for the Jeffersonian. It rained when it was time for evening meeting, and I, not being in the mood for meeting, being quite tired, did not go. Gussie began a letter to Cousin Eliza in the evening. 3/14 MONDAY - Cloudy in the morning with something of the appearance of snow. It came off clear and pleasant before noon. On my way to the shop, I took a letter to Ashley from George for publication. I came home sick before night. On my way, I took from the office two letters from George, or rather two envelopes and one a letter and the other some old letters for preservation. In the letter, he returned Eddie's carte de visite that I had copied and sent to him. Before retiring, I commenced a letter to George. I bought one dollar's worth of stamp to enclose to him, he having ordered them. Charles Beach died this afternoon. 3/15 TUESDAY - Pleasant until just at night and then cloudy with a little flitting of snow. While we were at tea, Mr. Cocking called in on his way to the depot. He was expecting some of Mr. Cyrus' folks by the Cars. I rode down with him. I did some marketing and called at the Post Office. While in there, I saw Saul Wildman's son, who had just arrived from Hilton Head. He states that on the 10th, heavy fighting commenced at Jacksonville, Fla. And was going on when he left. I walked up with Dr. Bennett and had a talk with him about Mother. He thinks that she imagines herself worse that she really is and lies right down and gives up to it. 3/16 WEDNESDAY - Cooler today with snow squalls. On my way home from work, I called at the express office and got a box of shells from George. They came last evening. He sends them home for safe keeping for his own use if he ever returns. The expressage was $1. I paid it from his money as he requested. I went to market in the evening. Captain Daniels arrived home on the train. He has resigned. 3/17 THURSDAY - 1st St. Patrick's Day in the Mourning. The Irish turned out to the number of 160with the brass band. Father Monahan (the priest) was in carriage drawn by a pair of greys at the head of the procession. John Waters was marshal. He was mounted on a splendid grey horse. I had a dispute with Ezra Wildman and Dan [Healy ?] about taking out work at the shop. I worked quite late. Received a letter from George for publication in the Jeffersonian. I finished my letter to him and mailed with $1 postage enclosed. I mailed also to him two Waverley's and a New York Times. Before I retired, I made corrections in his letter from Ashley. 3/18 FRIDAY - Cloudy in the morning, but it soon came off clear. Not very cold, but considerably cloudy. I had a headache in the P.M., but worked until night. We attended Louise's Temperance Lecture in the evening. 3/19 SATURDAY - Pleasant. On my way to the shop this morning, I went to A. Raymond's and ordered one half bushel of oysters. I worked as long a t night as I could see to get up my work. I was the last in the shop and locked the door. A report coming from Saul Brockett that George was wounded in the arm and amputation was unavoidable. I do not credit the report. Mr. Cocking came down today and they now occupy the rooms. Aunt Mary came to our folks today to take care of Mother. Frank Boughton was expected this evening, but she did not come. I went to market in the evening, walked down with Mr. Cocking. I found Lieutenant Knox on the street. He came home last evening, is to stay until next Friday. His health is not very good. I saw Ashley at the Post Office. I took back the letter from George which I gave him for publication, but he could not do it in his next issue as he had one already. I am to make some alterations in it and prepare it for next week. 3/20 SUNDAY - Pleasant, but a little cool. Very good weather for March. We attended church all day. Mr. Baldwin of Bethel (Congregational) preached for us. Text in the A.M. Psalm 62:1, in the P.M. Luke 14-17. In Sunday School, they concluded to do away with the old Hymn Book and adopt the Golden Chain and Shower. After tea, Hattie Mills, Gussie and I went up home to see Mother and Aunt Mary. Fanny came up just after we got there. Aunt Mary and Bell came down with us and went with us to meeting in the evening. Mr. Isaac Kelso, a Southern Methodist preacher from Missouri preached. I found Gussie and Hattie Mills upstairs in Mrs. Cocking's room. I went up also and had some wine and cake which Mrs. Cocking passed around. While I was at church and before she (Gussie?) went upstairs, she wrote to Eliza Humphrey in California and enclosed with the letter, a little book entitled 'Tiny Footsteps Within the Golden Gate'. 3/21 MONDAY - Pleasant, but cold. Before going to the shop, I went up to Edgar Tweedy's and bargained for a cemetery plot, the one in the rear of Father Griswold's. Price $20.00. Not feeling very well, I left work before night. I got my pay and came by the way of Alden Crosby's coal office and paid $10 to balance my account for coal for Harriet. I attended Mr. Kelso's lecture at our church in the evening. Gussie went to the depot with Mary Purdy to meet Frank Boughton as she was expected from Philadelphia. She came and Gussie went home with her. On my way home from the shop, I called at Come's Marble works to see about a grave stone for Eddie, but decided nothing. Before retiring, commenced a letter to George. Before breakfast this morning, I went to the Post Office and mailed letter to for Gussie to Cousin Eliza. 3/22 TUESDAY - Not feeling well, I did not go to the shop. I went down to Crosby's coal office in the forenoon and talked with John Cosier about making up a purse for a donation to Edith Newman to show our appreciation for her services as Melodeon player in the choir. Frank Boughton came over after dinner and went up home with Gussie to see Mother. I took my jackplane and went up to Father Griswold's and made a few shavings to kindle fire with. I sawed a little wood and brought in some, etc. I went to market in the evening. Uncle Jessie came up today to see Mother. He, Father and Bell came over and spent the evening with us. I gave them a few apples to take home to Mother. I sent a volume of Harper's Weekly, bound, up by them. It belongs to George which he requested me to buy for him. We think that Mother is gradually failing. 3/23 WEDNESDAY - Cool and windy. Went to the shop and did about a half day's work in nearly all day. Nearly sick. Bought 8 rubber buttons for overcoat for 15 cents. Went to market and to class in the evening and stopped a few moment s on my way home at the school meeting in the basement of Concert Hall. Mrs. Cocking came down stairs and spent the evening with us. She is alone at night (as Mr. Cocking is staying for a while until Mr. Lyons comes from New York) over there at night. 3/24 THURSDAY - More pleasant today. Not so cold. After tea, I finished a letter to George and mailed it. It was mostly about the transfer of his letters and his affairs left to my care, the trouble Mother is making about it and her accusing Gussie of reading his letters which he sends home. Mr. Wright, ex- governor of Indiana, spoke before the union men of this place this evening. I went and was never more pleased with a public speech than I was with his. 3/25 FRIDAY (fast day) - Pleasant, the shop closed. I copied George's letter for Ashley and carried it to him. Went to the Post Office, came home, and went up on Deer Hill to see Mother. I copied the family record in 'The Life of Christ' for Mother. I offered Father that if he would get a team and let us go up to the cemetery and take Aunt Mary, I would pay for it. But he would not. I then agreed with Aunt Mary that if she would come down to my house after dinner, we would go up to the cemetery with her. I got Beatty's double team and carried her, Harriet, Hattie Mills and Gussie up there. They all strayed away except Sister Hattie and I. I could not find them and drove home without them. They were all home when we arrived. Aunt Mary stayed to tea and I drove up home with Harriet. Took Edith in before we got there as she was on her way to give music lessons to Bell. I went to the Post Office in the evening. As I returned, I found George, Bell and Carrie Mills with a carriage at the door. They spent the evening with us. In the meantime I took the horse and carried Aunt Mary up home. Bell also, who came down to go up home with her. The colored folks across the way had a dance in the evening to make merry, I suppose, before morning as they are about to move out of the neighborhood. 3/26 SATURDAY - Stormy all day, rain and snow. It cleared off in the evening. We having to wait considerably for work in the shop, we concluded to adjourn and let the facers get a few ahead of us. We accordingly stopped when each man finished the dozen he was working on. Lewis Bradley came home on the freight train from Annapolis, Maryland. I bought 4 large oranges and brought home to Gussie. Mother Griswold, Fanny and Harriet spent the evening with us. I went to market for Mother Griswold. I bought a small piece of Canton flannel and made a wick for our large lamp in the evening. Mr. Price (colored) moved out of the house across the way today, Richard E. Smith having bought it. I had a hoop put on an old water pail over to McDonald's Blacksmith Shop this morning - price 10 cents. 3/27 SUNDAY - Warm and pleasant. Gussie and I both attended church. No! I attended all day and she in the P.M. Mr. Kelso, the Missouri refugee, preached in the morning from Luke, 16t chapter commencing with the11th verse -the parable of the prodigal son. Sunday School as usual. Father Griswold preached in the P.M. from Luke 24-25.26 on the death and resurrection of Christ. An Easter sermon. He preached unusually good. The whole congregation seemed much interested. It was really a feast to hear him once more. Hattie Mills stayed at home as usual. Aunt Mary was at church and walked up West Street with us. After tea, we went up home to see Mother. Just before we got there, we met Aunt Harriet coming away on her way home at Ridgefield. We stayed until dark and then came home after which we went upstairs and spent the evening with Mr. and Mrs. Cocking. I cracked some nuts and brought up a pitcher of cider. George Starr was at Sunday School at noon for the first time since his sickness. He is still rather feeble. Old Mr. Segar on Mill Plain died today. 3/28 MONDAY - Pleasant and warm. Worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I went into the street and ordered one half bbl. of George Crofut's best wheat flour $5.23. I paid him (or his son Charles); he is to deliver it tomorrow. John and Frank Boughton called in the evening. I drew some cider for John and myself. His wife, being a member of the Crystal Wave, of course did not drink. They went home between 9 and 10 o'clock. I wrote in my journal and retired. 2/29 TUESDAY - Cloudy, a little cooler. Before breakfast, I went over to Oscar Levine's to have him bring a steel jack (or card) to the shop with him, as I wanted to borrow it of him to finish Brush hats with. He brought it and I have used it today. Elbert Segar out on Mill Plain was buried this P.M. The Free Masons attended the funeral. I brought home form the shop some shellac for Father Griswold to daub on the places where he has sawed off limbs from his fruit trees. I got that which was already cut and prepared for use. After tea, I went down to the Post Office. Got a letter for Father Griswold and returned. Joseph Kyle lost his little boy this P.M. with scarlet fever. 3/30 WEDNESDAY - Stormy. Rain and snow together. I worked in the shop as usual, but felt about sick in the P.M. Bowel complaint, headache, and cancer sore in the mouth. Mrs. Cocking took tea with us and spent the evening. Read a letter from George with one enclosed for Mother, also one for Edith. He sent some poetry of his own, composing for insertion in the Jeffersonian if Ashley and I thought it worthy of room in his paper. Russel Wildman had a telegraph dispatch this P.M. that his wife was dead. She started for St. Louis, Mo. on a visit with Mrs. Levi Bartram. 3/31 THURSDAY - Stormy still. Joseph Kyle's little boy was buried this P.M. On my way to the shop this morning, I called at Fenton's Shirt Factory and gave Edith Newman a letter from George sent enclosed in mine yesterday. Gussie and Hattie Mills went up home to see Aunt Mary who goes away tomorrow morning, as she is to be married on Sunday at Ridgefield. Gussie carried a letter to Mother from George sent enclosed in mine yesterday. I went to market while they were up home. I left the poetry at the Jeffersonian Office which George sent to me. I also got a letter from George telling me of his position as clerk to Lieutenant Henry Quien. He asked for a pocket dictionary. Before retiring, I commenced an answer to George's letter.
1864-03
Horace Purdy Journal, July 1861 Entry
14pgs
JULY 01 – MONDAY – After coming in from guard this morning, I went to sleep and slept nearly all the forenoon. I commenced a letter to Gussie. Drilled at skirmishing at 3 ¾ PM. A hard shower in the evening. Water ran through our tent in a perfect stream. We rolled our beds over on a dry place and drained the tent as well as we could, but it was soon all the same for us as we all closed our eyes. JULY 02 – TUESDAY – A large comet was seen in the northeast last night. Windy, clear and cool. I was taken with a severe pain across me after dinner which continued all day and grew worse. JULY 03 – WEDNESDAY – I was in such pain all of last night that I did not get any sleep. Cholicer (?) inflammatory pains. The doctor gave me some medicine and a mustard poultice to lay across my bowels which relieved me pretty soon. I am pretty sick. My trouble is a hernia. JULY 04 – THURSDAY – I feel somewhat better this morning, although pretty sore across me and still pretty weak. A few ladies came on to the camp accompanied by some gentlemen who with some of our soldiers got up quite a dance, the band furnishing the music. This is the only demonstration that has been made. It has seemed more like Sunday than The Glorious Fourth. In addition to what I have named, The Stars and Stripes were hoisted on a new pole erected for the purpose. The band played suitable music for the occasion and the men cheered the flag most enthusiastically. Billy Cowan, having a little tea in the cook’s tent, he made me a little for my supper, which did me a great deal of good. I wrote a letter to Gussie. JUNE 05 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. I am excused from duty again today. George Allen went with me to the brook to bathe and wash after breakfast. Received a letter from Harriet. Wrote one to Gussie. More certain news that we shall go to Fairfax Courthouse. JULY 06 – SATURDAY – Prospect of a storm in the morning. It did rain a little. I went on camp guard. I was posted at a farm house just down the road from the camp. John Waters was there with me. The duty was very much like picket, having our rations brought to us. The regiment was reviewed at dress parade by our newly appointed brigadier Colonel Hays of the Regular Army. JULY 07 – SUNDAY – Warm and pleasant. A good sermon at 4 ½ o’clock by Chaplain Weber. A few professors of us had a Prayer Meeting at the Chaplain’s tent. I enjoyed it very much. JULY 08 - MONDAY - The day has been pleasant and very warm. I went on picket guard in the woods about two miles from the camp in the direction of Fairfax Courthouse. We lay in the shade all day. We changed our post at night. Edgar Wildman and Harris Anderson were on the post with me. I commenced a letter to Gussie. We carried over 24 hours of rations with us, but Edgar went with me to a house nearby and we bought some good corn cake and coffee for our supper. JULY 09 – TUESDAY – I came in from picket guard early this morning. A balloon ascension soon after for reconnoitering purposes. I finished and mailed my letter to Gussie after dinner. Haversacks were given out in the PM. A hard thunder shower in the evening. JULY 10 – WEDNESDAY – Very warm. A skirmish drill from 8 to11 in the morning. Received a letter from Gussie and answered it. Governor Buckingham has been to camp today. Another hard thunder shower in the evening. Very windy. JULY 11 – THURSDAY – Skirmish drill again this morning. Received a letter from Harriet. Wrote again to Gussie. An inventory of arms, ammunition, equipment, etc. made out by every man in his possession and handed to the orderly sergeant. JULY 12 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. Skirmish drill in the morning, commanded by Major Bixbee. General Keys and Lieutenant Colonel Speidell with some cavalry went out on a scouting expedition near Fairfax. They took two rebels prisoner. A member of the New Britain Company accidently shot himself in the shoulder while out with the party. JULY 13 – SATURDAY – I went on picket guard this morning. Showery during the day and quite cool to stand on post. George Allen and Edgar Wildman were on the same post with me. Pleasant cool through the night. Frank Skinner and I went outside of our line to scout a little. One of our own men, while cleaning his musket, snapped a cap and we mistook it for an attempt to shoot us by a secessionist rebel. Skinner was fearless, but another fellow who was with me and myself thought it was suspicious and went back a short distance to a piece of woods from which it sounded to reconnoiter a little. It was all explained when we returned to our own lines again. JULY 14 – SUNDAY – Came in from picket guard this morning. After breakfast, the regiment was inspected by Colonel Keys, acting as our Brigadier General. We were marched into a field adjoining our encampment in the PM and ordered to discharge our pieces, after which we were inspected by our captains equipped in light marching order. Services by our chaplain in the PM. We had a Prayer Meeting in the evening in his tent. JULY 15 – MONDAY – Pleasant. Skirmish drill in the morning. Wrote a letter home. Positive orders have been given ( read at dress parade ) to be ready and equipped for light marching with the day’s cooked rations by 3 o’clock tomorrow afternoon to go and take Fairfax. JULY 16 – TUESDAY – Was detailed for camp guard in the morning. I was posted at General Key’s headquarters. We took up our line of march this afternoon at 3 o’clock as ordered yesterday. There were 13,000 troops in our division. We marched as far as Vienna and stopped for the night. A portion of our regiment and the 2ndacted as skirmishers. The 2nd went to the right of the road and we to the left. There being a bend in the road and we being in the woods we lost sight of it and thereby failing to take the same direction, we got far away in the woods before we became aware of our position (the fault was with the officer in command of the skirmishers, it being his duty to know the direction in which we should march and direct accordingly). When our officers found out our predicament, we were far behind the marching column (a good place for skirmishers). We had a run of between two and three miles before we got to our old place at the head of the column. We had not but just regained our position when we halted for the night, as tired and hungry a set of men as I ever saw. We stacked arms by regiments and the men spread their blankets near their guns, took off their haversacks and partook of a supper on hardtack and salt junk (?). It was at Vienna or near it in a meadow at the side of the road. We slept well considering we were without tents and nothing but blankets to cover us. I pitied those who had no rubber blankets to spread to lie upon. I had one but divided it with Harris Anderson. We then took both of our blankets to cover us with which made both of us pretty comfortable. JULY 17 – WEDNESDAY – My blanket being the top one, I found it wringing with the dew. We “feasted” again on the same stock as last night, the contents of our haversacks. The next thing to be had was water from our canteens for the march. There was pretty good supply of it nearby, but there being so many men to get it, it became oily (?) before I got to it so I had to content myself with it as it was. At an early hour, we again commenced our march. Other regiments acted as skirmishers today. We had marched but a little ways when we found the road blocked with trees felled across it. Our men soon made a way through it sufficient for the artillery to pass. In a number of places, the road was blockaded in the same manner. It was a good thought on the part of the rebels, for it interfered with our march considerably. We came in sight of Fairfax Courthouse before noon. It lay off to our left while our direction was to the right of it. Previous to this we were thrown out in line of battle. At this time, parties of the enemy were seen ahead of us. One of our pieces of artillery (a howitzer, I believe) was brought up in a position commanding Fairfax and several shots were fired at the enemy and one shell was thrown into the town. Just previous to this, two of the rebels were taken prisoner by our skirmishers. We soon took up our march again and arrived at Germantown about noon where we found entrenchments with one gun in position. A rifled cannon from Sherman’s (?) battery was brought forward and fired two shots at it which made the leave in double quick time. When we got into the entrenchments, we found spades, etc. just as they left them. A little further on and we came to the village, if such it could be called, where a secession flag was flying. Our skirmishers soon made off with it and hoisted in its stead the Old Glorious Stars and Stripes. A loud shout went up to see the old flag flying where but a few moments before a traitors’ flag was seen. A little further on and we came to the direct road leading from Fairfax to Manassas where the rebels had passed about an hour before our arrival. We designed to cut off their retreat at this place, but on account of the blockades in the roads, they had got the start on us. Here we halted to rest. We found campfires burning which the rebels had left in their hasty retreat. Also some provisions, ham, whiskey, etc. Tents, drums, shoes and clothing were also found. We had some sport in this place, some of the men dressing themselves in secession clothing and such rigs (?) as some of them were, it was enough to make one’s sides ache with laughter even though we had nothing but hard sea biscuit and salt junk (salt pork?) to eat. Tyler’s Division with a cannon shot from our direction routed them and I suppose that they made good time towards Manassas. The blockade in the road was all that saved them from being cut off by our division. When we started again, we found in the road a broken-down wagon load of flour which they could not spend the time to reload and had knocked in the barrel heads and emptied it into a foot of mud and water to prevent our capturing it, I suppose. We halted for the night about half way between Germantown and Centerville. We lay ourselves down for the night the same as the night before. Previous to doing this, Lewis Shack and myself made some coffee after getting an old coffee pot at a house nearby. He had the coffee and sugar with him which he brought from camp. JULY 18 – THURSDAY – Our whole army was aroused just before daylight this morning by the report of firearms. Whole regiments sprang from their slumbers and in an instant were under arms and ready for the battle, as we supposed, but it proved to be only a horse which had gotten loose and came galloping over the ground, knocking down stacks of muskets as he went about making noise and confusion enough for a body of cavalry as we supposed it was. The sentinels being so suddenly startled that they fired at the supposed enemy. I did not learn as the horse was injured and yet the poor fellow might have been killed and I not have known it among the confusion. Quiet was soon restored again, but it was too late to sleep more, so by that means, I got an early breakfast. Lewis Shack and myself made some more coffee which did our stomachs good. We stopped just before noon a little this side of Centerville hill. Our advance found the enemy, or at least a portion of them, entrenched in pace at Blackburn’s Ford in Bull Run and our artillery (a few pieces with the Mass. 1st Regiment, Michigan 1st and New York 2nd) under Tyler engaged them. The battle lasted nearly all the afternoon. The rebels were once driven from their positions by the shell from our battery, but they took it up again before our troops got possession of it. Their position was a strong one, too strong for the numbers which engaged them. Our troops were withdrawn without driving them from their position. Out loss was about 60 killed and wounded. Theirs was far heavier, it was reported. We could hear the cannon very plain from where we were; it sounded more like battle than anything we had heard before. On the hill in this place is an embankment thrown up without trenches. They vacated as we came up, although they could cut us badly for a while if they had kept their position, as their guns at this place completely commanded the road leading to it. JULY 19 – FRIDAY – Provisions came on to us last night. We had corned beef, hard bread and coffee for breakfast. About 20,000 more troops, including the Fire Zouaves arrived last night. Heavy artillery is constantly arriving, a portion of which is rifled cannon10, 20, 32 and 64 pounders. We are resting here as best we can, building temporary huts of rails and brush to shield us from the sun and dews. I am enjoying myself first rate, considering how we are situated. JULY 20 – SATURDAY – In the PM, we were ordered to cook three days’ ration and be ready to move at 6 o’clock this evening. The order was soon superseded by another to be ready at 2 o’clock tomorrow morning. So we prepared accordingly and retired early. We were reviewed this morning by the Secretary of War and I believe that the President was with him. JULY 21 – SUNDAY – We started at 2 o’clock this morning to advance on the enemy. The first gun was fired by our artillery at about 6 o’clock in the morning. Our brigade was brought into the fight about 9 o’clock. The battle lasted all day. It was a hard struggle. Our force was about 30,000, while theirs was about 90,000 strong. They had their choice of the ground and had a strong position, but notwithstanding this, we whipped them and the battle was ours up to 3 o’clock when they were reinforced by General Johnston and we were obliged to retreat as it was night and we were very tired. The retreat proved to be a real stampede, some regiments being entirely broken up and scattered. We retreated back as far as Centerville, our old stopping place, and there, Lieutenant Colonel Speidell headed what he supposed to the remnants of our regiment and started for Alexandria. Our term of enlistment expired today. We supposed that this was all that was left of our regiment, thinking that they were cut off by the Black Horse Cavalry, which pursued us for a distance. JULY 22 – MONDAY – I traveled all of last night with a portion of our regiment headed by our Lieutenant Colonel Speidell. He left us in the vicinity of Fairfax Courthouse and went across the county to our camp at Falls Church. We, not knowing he had left us, kept traveling towards Alexandria. I arrived there about daylight this morning, nearly tired to death after the fight of yesterday and last night’s retreat of about 30 miles. The first thing that I did was to find something to eat. At a market, I procured some ham and eggs, some bread and butter and coffee, which was the first good meal I have eaten in a long time and I did it justice too. We then took the first boat up to Washington. It began to rain when we landed. Captain Hillman of the Windsor Locks Company, being the only captain with us, we marched under him to General Mansfield’s at the War Department, where we reported ourselves. We went back from the War Department to an Armory over some livery stables previously used by the National Rifles where we took quarters for the day. I immediately wrote a few lines home to let them know I was alive, and then, what a sleeping time I had. It rained very hard all day. JULY 23 – TUESDAY – Pleasant this morning. My pistol was stolen from me last night while I was sleeping. It hung over my head in a holster. I went out to buy a piece of emery paper with which to clean my gun and when I returned, General Tyler was just marching the men away to go to Fort Corcoran. I went upstairs to get my gun and equipment and they too were stolen, everything except my canteen. I am discouraged trying to keep anything and almost wishing that someone would steal me. I joined my comrades and went over to Fort Corcoran where just at night, the remainder of the three regiments joined us from their camps at Falls Church. There were two taken prisoner from our company – Isaac Jennings and Alfred Hoddinott, none killed. JULY 24 – WEDNESDAY- Our three regiments stayed at Fort Corcoran last night. We stacked our arms by regiments and rolled up in our blankets and slept on the ground with no other covering but the firmament. This afternoon, just before night, we were ordered to march and the three regiments started for Washington by way of Long Bridge. We arrived about 10 o’clock at the camp of the New York 33rd Regiment which today had left and gone over to Virginia leaving the camp in charge of a guard. We occupied their tents for the night. We having had but little food and poor at that during the day, we were fatigued and hungry. The guard of the 33rd gave us some bread and meat which was very acceptable. The camp is on Meridian Hill. JULY 25 – THURSDAY - We rested very well last night. We had some provisions weighed out to us this morning, about enough for one meal. I bought a pistol of a member of the Hartford Company. I paid $10.00. In the PM, we marched to the arsenal and left our arms and belting and then went to the Depot to start for home. It was 12 o’clock before we could leave Washington. JULY 26 – FRIDAY – We arrived in Baltimore about daylight this morning. Here, we procured breakfast as best we could, some by buying it and some by being given to them by the Union people who were very kind. We were obliged to wait here until 5 PM before we could procure a train on account of other regiments being in advance of us and having all the trains engaged. It was very tedious waiting here for we were all very tired. The men would get to sleep while sitting by the side of buildings and in the Depot. We had a pleasant ride from Baltimore to Havre de Grace where we arrived just before night. It took until midnight before we had all crossed the Susquehanna which was done by running a portion of the train at a time on a large boat which ferried us across. After the train had all crossed, it lay by for the night. JULY 27 – SATURDAY – We started from Havre de Grace about daylight this morning and arrived at Philadelphia about noon where the citizens gave us a good dinner. After which we crossed the Delaware and had to wait again until 5 o’clock before we could leave Camden. In the meantime, there was a shower. We finally got a train and started. We had not gone far before our train had to wait about an hour more for another train to come and pass us before we could proceed. We got underway at last, but had not gone but a few miles before one of our cars broke down and that detained us for another hour or more. At this place, I was taken with a severe pain across me. A good lady nearby took me to her house and gave me some medicine, but it did me but little good. I was very sick all night. I vomited from the platform of the car while we were traveling at great speed. JULY 28 – SUNDAY – We arrived at Jersey City about daylight this morning, where we found “The Elm City”, a New Haven boat, waiting at the dock for us. We immediately went on board of her and she steamed off with us. As soon as I washed myself, which did me a great deal of good, I took possession of a berth and slept all the way to New Haven where we arrived about 10 AM, making a passage of about 4 hours. We disembarked amid a great crowd of citizens and made a quiet march to the statehouse where we took up our quarters. In a short time, we were marched to the old Republican Wigwam, where a dinner was waiting for us and it seemed to me that I never ate a dinner that tasted so good to me. After the dinner was over, Governor Buckingham made a few remarks welcoming us home. In the evening, Thomas Horton and I went to Mr. Philander Ferry’s and spent the evening. JULY 29 – MONDAY – Was paid $10.00 by the state, the same being the monthly bonus due us. There is a great deal of delay about our mustering out and payrolls which are necessary for us to get our pay. Charles Crofut being here, I sent a letter home by him. Rain in the morning. I stayed at Mr. Chauncey Dickerman’s last night. JULY 30 – TUESDAY – Pleasant today. I stayed at Mr. Dickerman’s again last night. His brother, Elisha the druggist, went down to the beach before breakfast with us and we had a delightful bathe. I called at J. Dudley’s, the Congregational preacher, and he persuaded me to stay to breakfast, after which he had family prayers and then I stayed a short time in which we conversed about the battle, etc. I had the headache nearly all day. I sent a letter home by Lieutenant Bussing in the PM. As I was returning from tea at the Wigwam, I met Kate Mallory, formerly one of our Danbury friends. I walked to her home with her and stayed a while to see her mother and then rode back as far as Mr. Ferry’s with John in his baker’s peddling wagon. JULY 31 WEDNESDAY – I took another salt water bath this morning before breakfast. Our uniform coats from Alexandria and our knapsacks came this morning. My knapsack had been robbed of its contents. My over coat which I thought the most of, was gone also. We were mustered out but not paid off this afternoon.
1861-07-01