Horace Purdy Journal March 1904 Entry
7 pgs
MARCH 01 TUESDAY - Mercury 32 above. Awoke this morning and found about 1 ½ inches of snow on the ground and cloudy still with a little snow in the air though not hard storming. I went over to John Parslow’s in the morning to arrange for renewal of his store policy; the increase of rate since a year ago of course was objected but he however had it renewed. In the PM, I wrote it up and in the evening, I delivered it. He not being in, I left it with his wife. In the PPM, William Popke called for me to sign a petition for a new hose carriage for the Jefferson Avenue Hose Company which I did. I found $8.00 in my old brown overcoat pocket and am puzzled to remember who put it there and who paid it to me. We have pretty much concluded that it is the house rent paid me on the 12th of February by A. Scheppeassi occupying No. 11 William Street as it was paid at their house on that day that she paid me and I was wearing that coat. MARCH 02 TUESDAY - Mercury 30 above. Lowery in the morning. Pleasant during the day and lowery again in the evening. I went downtown in the forenoon for the first time since last Saturday. I left two counterpanes at Targett & Simmons laundry and solicited insurance on their new laundry building which they are contemplating building. I saw our stamp clerk, Clark Howes regarding the high rate on Morlock & Husk and ascertained what must be done about the boiler and smokestack to get the rate reduced. I then called on them and we talked the matter over. They gave me a check for the policy recently written for them. At 2 P.M., I attended the funeral of Captain E. E. Wildman. On my return, I called at the D. G. Lowe factory to see Mr. ___ regarding the policy on the house of Louise ____ which she has just purchased. I received a check from S. E. Downs, treasurer of the Methodist Church Society for the policy on the parsonage and furniture. MARCH 03 WEDNESDAY - Mercury 35 above. I t began raining about daylight and continued more or less moderately during the day which had been warm and foggy. I have felt quite badly with the grippe and stayed in. I wrote and sent by mail a renewal policy to Caroline Gorman and Helen Purcell at new Fairfield. We made up the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company February report and mailed it. George took money and the bank book to make a deposit after dinner. MARCH 04 FRIDAY - Mercury 18 above. Pleasant and cool. Pension Day. The first old veteran to appear early this morning was Sheridan Morris. George drove up to Saul Gregory’s immediately after dinner and made his pension voucher. I had a scrap with Henry Veats because I would not advance him on his pension. He being already under the influence of drink, I would not give him money to become more intoxicated. He requested his pension certificate which I gave him and he left. While George was up to Saul Gregory’s I went over to 109 Liberty Street to Make Mrs. Foley’s voucher and then to 78 Town Hill Avenue to make Bridget Rooney’s. On my return home, I went to John Parslow’s and to James McCullum’s and to Rachel Dikeman at the home of Charles Johnson on 31 New Street. In response to a notice sent to her at Brookfield Center, Mrs. Hannah Weld called to see about her insurance. Received a check for Byron Dexter and J. Higson & Co.in payment for loss in amount of $12.41 which occurred January 18, 1904. MARCH 05 SATURDAY - Pleasant. George and Mr. Beeman started about 9 A.M. to go down to Cousin Edwin Mills to arrange for renewal of their fire insurance. Frank Sherwood called a few minutes after they started. On their return, they reported that they would write to Edith at Waterbury and wait for her reply. Before dinner, I went up to North Street and secured an $800 furniture policy for James Durbin. James Martin called in the P.M. and had his pension voucher made. In the forenoon, I bought a chicken at Marsioch’s market. Mary pronounced it spoiled and I returned it. George and Sarah came over in the evening. MARCH 06 SUNDAY - Mercury 30 above. Cloudy all day. Misty and at times a few flying flakes of snow but no real storm of either rain or snow. Lottie and Julia Hirsch came from Sunday School and took dinner with us. We stayed at home all day, but went over to Brother George’s in the evening. MARCH 07 MONDAY - Mercury 38 above. Warmer, misty and almost rain in the morning. It came near clearing away about 10 A.M. and I harnessed and drove over Wildman Street to see about collecting for insurance written last December for the East Danbury Progressive Club. I found William Lynch at Van Gall’s factory (he being headman of the club) and he said that they had concluded not to insure this year and not knowing that it was necessary to return the policy sent to them, they had retained it. He said that he would bring the matter up at their next meeting and possibly they would keep and pay for the policy. MARCH 08 TUESDAY - Mercury 38 above at 7 AM, 48 at noon. Pleasant. Edgar L. Wildman made an affidavit as to his lost pension voucher and requested a duplicate. Just before dinner, I went up to 10 Pleasant Street to get Mrs. Louise Dexter’s to sign an application for accrued pension and also for a widow’s pension. After dinner, I returned for two witnesses to sign where it was omitted but they were not in. I arranged for them to call at my office tomorrow morning. On my return, I found special agent Knox of the reliance waiting for me. After he left, Laura Boughey called for a statement regarding John Norris’ life insurance and Byron Dexter’s interest in the same. I went with her to Lawyer Davis’ office where the case was being investigated and made a statement regarding $400 paid by Mr. Dexter what was supposed to be for deferred premiums. I cleared up the matter by stating that the payment was to pay off a loan to John Norris by the American Loan and Deposit Company for which the policy was assigned to secure. This was done to clear the policy of all claims against it that it might be assigned clean to Byron Dexter which it was. MARCH 09 WEDNESDAY - Mercury 36 above. George and Mr. Beeman went to King Street this morning to see about renewing Philo Mead in the old George Wilkes place. He succeeded in doing so. Herbert Wildman called after dinner for forms to renew Edmund and Hannah Weld at Brookfield. He spent part of the PM with me. Mary and I spent the evening at Joe Merritt’s with Mr. and Mrs. Rogers. Mr. Rogers paid for furniture insurance. MARCH 10 THURSDAY - Mercury 18 above. George drove with me to take the train to go to Brookfield Junction at 9:05 A.M. and to leave the horse at D. Gage’s shop to be shod. I got left by the train. I returned to the blacksmith’s shop and got the horse after she was shod. Charles and Fred Bevans called and got their pension checks. Also Henry Veats; his had not yet arrived. Before dinner, I went with Mrs. John Germanetti (?) to show her (a prospective buyer) Edgar Wildman’s house on 43 Washington Avenue. After dinner, George took the bank book and made a deposit. I drove up to Lee Heights and arranged for the renewal of Mrs. Catherine Ryan and Clark Ferguson. I took Mrs. Fred Rogers with me and left her at Leon Rogers at 23 Willis Street. I then went down to William Hall’s blacksmith shop for my spindle buggy left there to have an axle mended. MARCH 11 FRIDAY - Mercury 30 above. Cloudy and about 9 A.M., it commenced raining gently and froze as it came making it very icy and dangerous getting about. I took the 9:15 train to Brookfield Junction to see Mrs. Wordin living near the station about the insurance of her property on Apr 4th, it being now insured in the Middlesex Mutual. I stayed in the office in the P.M. and did up some writing. Clarence Morgan came in and we looked up some accounts which had been running for about 3 years. Surprising as it may seem, we found while I was at Brookfield in the forenoon, Orrin Knox called to make an affidavit as to the marriage of Leonard Dexter to Frances Cosse on December 18, 1853, the same being necessary in Mrs. Dexter’s efforts in getting a pension. MARCH 12 SATURDAY - Mercury 20 above. Pleasant and cooler. A light flurry of snow last night which covered and disguised the ice making walking a very careful thing to do. Before noon, however, the ice gave way to the sun and the walking was quite sloppy. Mr. Johnson, so-in-law to Mrs. Dexter, called in the morning to see if I could go down to their farm and meet Mr. George Dexter who would also make an affidavit as to Mr. Dexter’s marriage. We could not today. After dinner I went to the Adams Express office with Policies # 2268107 to #2268149, inclusive, the same being 43 in number to be returned to the Greenwich Insurance Company, they having gone out of business by reinsuring in the Commercial Union of England. Sherwood Fanton called and paid for his insurance. William Phillips also called in the evening and paid $8.00 on account. Edgar Wildman called in the P.M. to see what I had done about selling his house on Washington Avenue; also as to receiving a duplicate pension voucher in lieu of one lost for his March pension. Soon after his departure, the postman, Mr. Owns called and left the duplicate voucher we were waiting for from Boston. MARCH 13 SUNDAY - Mercury 25 above. Pleasant and cool. E. W. Griffith called this morning with his pension voucher returned for correction of an error in not giving the residence of the Notary Public. H. H. Johnson called in the A.M. to see if George had come from Bethel to drive with him down to Dexter’s farm to take an affidavit of Leonard Dexter as to being present and witnessing the marriage of Leonard Dexter and France Cosse. George did not appear. Mary attended church in the morning. Lottie and Julia Hirsch came from Sunday School and took dinner with us. Mrs. Anne Miller, occupying the Pieran’s house at No. 9, died this morning at 3 o’clock. MARCH 14 MONDAY - Mercury 42 above. Pleasant in the morning. Edgar Wildman called this morning and had his pension voucher made out which I a few days ago received from Boston in lieu of one he lost. I went downtown in the forenoon and gave William Stillman a check for the church seat rent to April 1st and arranged to renew the same for another year. In the P.M., I went to the office of William Cable and had him type write two affidavit forms for me to be executed by Orrin Knox of this town and George Dexter of North Salem, New York, evidence of the marriage of Leonard Dexter and Frances Cosse in the matter of getting a widow’s pension for Mrs. Dexter. I called in the A.M. at William Stillman’s business office and delivered a furniture policy to Mrs. Lillian Pritchard. MARCH 15 TUESDAY - Mercury 30 above. About 2 inches of snow fell last night. It ceased about 8 A.M. Rufus Rice came in this morning and signed papers applying for an increase in pension. Just before dinner, I went over to see E. S. Fairchild to show him options under his ordinary life insurance policy of $3,000 at the expiration of 20 years on the 25th of this month but did not find him at home. I called down to Van Gall’s factory to see about renewal of Henry Borman’s policy which comes tomorrow, also to ascertain what the East Danbury Progressive Club had concluded to do about keeping up their insurance. They had concluded to drop it for the present, so said their treasure, W. H. Lynch. After dinner, I went up to Mrs. Leonard Dexter’s with an affidavit to be executed at North Salem, New York by George Dexter as a witness to Leonard Dexter’s marriage. They are to see that he properly executes the same and returns to me to be forwarded with other papers in Mrs. Dexter’s application for a widow’s pension. MARCH 16 WEDNESDAY - Mercury 32 above. A pleasant day. In the morning, I took a trolley car and went over to E. S. Fairchild’s and gave him a statement from the Equitable Life naming options at his disposal to select from in adjustment of his life policy at the expiration of 20 years. I then ordered coal of C. L. Morgan and came home by trolley and found Orrin Knox waiting to sign a new drawn up affidavit for him to sign in proof as an eyewitness of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Dexter. In the P.M., I made a deposit at the bank, made some purchases for the house and returned home. The city today has been mending a water break on the main water pipe at the corner of William and George Streets. I repaired the lock to the lower door for Mrs. Clark who occupies upstairs at No. 9 William Street. MARCH 17 THURSDAY - Mercury 16 above. Cool and pleasant. St. Patrick’s Day. Edgar Wildman called this morning for his pension check which came yesterday. He also took his certificate as he expects to go to the Soldiers’ Home at Noroton. In the P.M., I drove with Mr. Beeman and at Morlock & Husk’s Machine Shop had a part of Mrs. Clark’s lock repaired. We then drove to Grandview Avenue to collect of Mrs. McDonough but failed to do so. After which, I called on Mrs. John Allen to see if she had heard anything from her pension papers. She had not. I then came home and finished repairs to the lock. In the evening, I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s with Mary. MARCH 18 FRIDAY - Mercury 32 above. I awoke this morning to find it snowing. It continued to do so moderately with mingled rain until about noon. Later in the afternoon, it cleared away. I took the trolley car up to North Street to transfer Mrs. Sarah J. Bouton’s furniture policy to No. 66 North Street. After my return about 4:30 P.M., Mr. George Van Fleet from New Haven, agent from the Equitable, called on me. After a short visit, I went with him by trolley over to E. S. Fairchild’s as he is considering which option of several at his disposal he will select on his $3,000 policy. We had a pleasant call and suggested to him a continuous installment policy. As he is not contemplating any more life insurance at present, we left the matter for the present. Mr. Van Fleet left on the Highland Division train east and I returned home. The children of Mrs. Ann Miller moved her furniture, etc. out from No. 9 William Street this P.M. and in the evening they left the key at our office. George Dickens died last night at 12:30. MARCH 19 SATURDAY - Mercury 30 above. A bright morning. I drove over to Mrs. Woods and collected premium for insurance written Feb. 1st. From there, I went over to George Bradley’s at Beaverbrook and collected $1.50 from him and $2.00 from his father on a policy turned over to us by L. Treadwell. Then I drove up to see Mr. Fuller at James Jennings’s place but got nothing from him but partly arranged for some hay. I returned home in time for dinner. I broke my harness while at Mr. Fuller’s. I remained home in the P.M. and among other things done, I mended the broken harness. About 5 P.M., I gave Abram Tosi the key to No. 9 William Street which 1st floor apartment he has rented from April 1st. MARCH 20 SUNDAY - mercury 42 above. Warm and pleasant and somewhat windy. I went to the Post Office at noon from which I went and called on J. H. Ives to give him $.59, a return premium for cancellation of his Reliance Insurance policy on his store which he has given up. After dinner, I completed the Reliance report for February and enclosed the Ives policy also with the one not taken for the east Danbury progressive Club. Fanny and little George Martin, her baby came up and was with us to dinner. Before evening meeting, we went over and called on George and Sara who are still combatting their Grippe colds. We attended church in the evening. Dr. Wilson preached well to a small congregation. MARCH 21 MONDAY - mercury 30 above. Pleasant in the morning and until noon. Cloudy in the afternoon with threatening rain. I attended the funeral of George Dickens on Stevens Street at 1 P.M. where I met Frank Crofut of Boston who has been in Danbury recently taking care of his brother-in-law, Joel Foster. After the funeral, I went up to stamp clerk, A. H. Howe’s office to see about the rate of a plumber shop in Bethel which George contemplates insuring. Also to switch the Abram Tosi premium in the Turner building on Orchard Street taken by Reed for 1% when I wanted 1 ¼ % as per last known rate. I went over to W. H. Cable’s office and got $5.00 cash from him, the balance (less $.35) of his life insurance premium nearly two years ago. I then called on Frank Hartwell looking to get a business suit of clothes provided he will take some life insurance. We had a talk over it but did no business. I found to my surprise that he is carrying no life insurance at all. In the evening, I wrote to A. J. Hunt, U. S. business agent in Boston making an inquiry why Mrs. Bridget Rooney did not get her pension check for voucher used and forwarded on March 4th. I paid a $200.00 Note due today at the Danbury National Bank. In the evening, I called on Dr. Sunderland to get the name of the name of the person who told him he was a fool to pay a full year’s premium for Life insurance, but he would not inform me. Mrs. George Hartwell called in the P.M. while I was attending George Dickens’ funeral and paid $68.95 on account of insurance on mill inventory, etc. MARCH 22 TUESDAY - Mercury 34 above. Foggy with light rain at times during the day. We wrote the Edwin Mills policy today as covering from the 17th of March, Francis Lowny came in and had the $200 furniture policy cancelled as he is moving to New Jersey. We also cancelled the three month occupancy permit recently put on as he has rented the place to a tenant I went to the bank with a $150 deposit this P.M. I also went over to the R.R, Depot to see David Hoyt about the date of the death of his second wife. We hoisted the sleigh up in the barn this morning. MARCH 23 WEDNESDAY - Mercury 50 above. Pleasant and warm. I arranged for the renewal of Ada Sperry’s insurance this morning. I called at Mallory’s shop and saw Clifton Underhill about insurance. He had recently taken an endowment (?). He promised me to insure furniture. Davis Hoyt called at noon with some facts to finish hi papers ready to send to the Pension office. I received an affidavit from George Dexter at North Salem as to being a witness to the marriage of Leonard Dexter. A Mr. Miller, a special agent of the Equitable called in the P.M. We went over to Mr. Beeman’s in the evening to hear music by Mr. Tompkins on violin and Harley Beeman with banjo and Mrs. Beeman on piano. MARCH 24 THURSDAY - Mercury 50 above. A beautiful day. Before diner, I drove over Hull’s Hill with L. P. Treadwell to make the acquaintance of Thomas and Mary Dunn insured in the Conn. Fire Insurance Co. to be renewed on May 2. Also to enable Mr. Treadwell to collect a balance due, all of which we accomplished. I made another pension voucher for Bridget Rooney. The one made on MARCH 4 got lost at the Boston Post Office and another was sent. I also got the remaining facts from Byron Dexter as to the age of his mother as required in her pension claim and sent first application and affidavit for same to her attorney J. P. Crabbe & Co. at Washington, D. C. In the evening, I delivered a policy to Mrs. Ada Sperry, and then spent the evening at Edwin Rockwell’s at 24 Foster Street where George came with his talking machine to entertain them. MARCH 25 FRIDAY - Mercury 38 above. In response to orders from the Lafayette Fire Insurance Co., we this morning packed up for shipment by express all renewed policies and other supplies required in closing this agency on account of reinsuring in the national of Hartford made necessary by losses in the recent Baltimore fire. I walked considerably in the forenoon and became very tired, in consequence of which I stayed in the office in the P.M. Edith A. Mills from Waterbury, on her way home stopped at 4:30 and took a paid policy on their place in Starrs Plain. Peter M. Osborne also called and paid for policy issued last December on his furniture at Long Ridge. I felt so badly that I sent for Dr. Sunderland in the evening. MARCH 26 SATURDAY - Mercury 60 above. Warm and lowery but no rain to amount to anything. Notice came by Elmer Karl’s’ boy about 9 A.M. that the house of Lucy Harris just over the state line on the road to Brewster was burned this morning at 5:30. Total loss on the house and looks like the same for the furniture. George immediately took Mr. Beeman and drove over to look at the same. We mailed notice to the Connecticut Insurance Company this P.M. I have stayed in today. Mary and Mrs. Hawley did the Sunday marketing in the P.M. MARCH 27 SUNDAY - Mercury 30 above. Colder with feeling and appearance of snow in the morning. While it did not storm, there was but little sunshine. Lottie and Julia as usual came after Sunday school to dinner. After dinner, I went to Dr. Sunderland’s to get word as to examination of my water. He found an indication of a slight kidney affliction and gave me medicine for it. Later in the afternoon, I went over to Stevens Street to see how John Stevens was getting along with his accidental hurt for which I have him insured. After dinner, Mary went over to Balmforth Avenue to see Mrs. Raymond to see how old Grandma Bevins is who is not expected to live. Mary returned before meeting time and we with Mrs. Hawley went to hear Dr. R. S. Pardington of Bethel deliver a discourse or lecture on Mormonism. MARCH 28 MONDAY - Mercury 30 above. Little sunshine though not stormy. We wrote a furniture policy this morning for ___ Tosi at No. 9 William Street. Today being election in City for election of expiring number of Common Council only. I bought 10 bushels of oats of Mr. Barnum. The fire got out in the furnace and I had to kindle it in the P.M. Edwin Griffin died suddenly in his chair this evening. MARCH 29 TUESDAY - Mercury 22 above. I made a check this morning under date of yesterday and mailed it to the Equitable Life for premium on George’s and my own policies due today. Mr. G. Fitch, adjuster for The Connecticut Insurance Company came from Hartford, arriving on the 9:15 A.M. train and George drove him out to Elmer Keeler’s to settle with Mrs. Lucy Haines for the loss of her house which they did and he took the 11:37 train back to Hartford. While they were adjusting the loss, I went up to 19 Summit Street to see a small damage requiring paint and papering to one room. In the P.M., H. A. Wildman called and I gave him a check for the balance of the brokerage business for February. In the P.M. about 4 o’clock, I drove over to Germantown to arrange for the renewal of Adelaide Holton. She said she would call tomorrow afternoon and let me know. From there, I went over to Edgar Benedict’s and to Celia Purdy’s and arranged for the renewal of both. I then went up to Knapp’s Lane and took a diagram of the house where Joe Merritt has moved. Livio Tosi called in the evening and paid for his insurance on furniture; also for his April rent in advance. In the P.M., Elmer Keeler called with Mrs. Lucy Haines, thinking that Mr. Fitch, the Connecticut Insurance Company adjuster had taken advantage of them in settling for $300 on furniture when the policy called for $500 on their items. They were mistaken in the amount, $300 being correct. They went away satisfied. William F. Bradley came in the evening and had the mortgage interest in his policy changed from Elizabeth S. Benedict, now deceased changed to Mary S. Bradley. I sat up and worked in the office until nearly midnight making up endorsements on Greenwich policy, now Commercial Union by re-insurance for Joe Merritt and mailed the same to the Greenwich to have Commercial union sign the transfer, also notifying them of small smoke damage to Mrs. Hattie Bradley’s house on Summit Street. MARCH 30 WEDNESDAY - Mercury 30 above. A beautiful day. I did some about town driving and took Mrs. Bliven with me. Robert Chambers informed me that his Pleasant and Pearl Street house was sold to Emerson Ballard thus disappointing Thomas Scofield who thought to buy it. I took Edwin Griffith’s life Insurance policy in the Equitable and wrote the company notice of his death and requested death proof blanks to be sent to me. MARCH 31 THURSDAY - Mercury 35 above. Lowery this morning. I drove top Brookfield to see if the policy of Robert and Effie Jones in the New London County Mutual expires tomorrow. I ascertained that it expires on July 28. They paid me $5.58 for a policy written last September by the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company, same to expire in July when the one in New London is promised me to write under one policy, A little snow began to fly as I stared about 9 A.M. I returned about 11:30 in time for dinner. On my way home the storm became mixed with rain and fine hail. It increased and continued all afternoon. I attended the funeral of Edwin Griffith in the P.M., after which I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s office with a specimen of urine made by George Purdy to ascertain if he has kidney trouble. None however was indicated. The doctor spoke to me about an accident policy for his driver, Mr. Snyder. From there I went down to Mr. Daragan’s store to see about a policy on his block expiring tomorrow. After tea, Rufus Reed called and paid his life insurance premium which was due yesterday; also for one for his tools written last December.
1904-03
Horace Purdy Journal July 1867 Entry
7pgs
JULY 01 MONDAY - Very warm. I took 7 quarts of strawberries to the city with me this morning for Miss Donavan who lives in rooms over the store and to Mr. Ferguson, the man I board with at No. 10 Grove Street. Daniel (my boy) wanted some money for clothing, so I paid his wages in advance this week. George went to Yonkers at noon. I went in the P.M. and again in the evening to Pier 42 at the foot of Canal Street to see if I could hear anything from the California steamer, 'Rising Star' as she is now about due. We are expecting Lauren E. Humphrey and wife and children on her. In the evening, I wrote to Gussie that the steamer was hourly expected. JULY 02 TUESDAY - Before breakfast I took a walk down the pier but nothing had been heard from the steamer. I went six times during the day and evening but not a word from her. Got a deep circular frame for a hat wreath for Swift at Ferguson's on the corner of Broadway and Broome. JULY 03 WEDNESDAY - I let Daniel have $2.00 more today to get into the country for the 'Fourth'. George, having no work in Yonkers until after the 'Fourth', he came down about noon. I got $17.70, this is from Crosby which he took from a burglar that he stole from my house. I brought the circular frame to Swift this evening as I came home. JULY 04 THURSDAY - The store is not open today and I stay at home and hoe garden. Very warm. About 10 o'clock, after hoeing my garden, I dressed anew and walked downtown. I saw Officer Crosby; He gave me $6.00 which he collected for me from Russell Smith. The 'Band of Hope' have a picnic today in Lyman Keeler's orchard on Deer Hill. While I was in the street, they had formed in procession, headed by the Bartram and Fanton Brass Band and marched to the orchard. The band move in their new uniforms for the first time and made a good appearance. Gussie took Georgie and went up. I was there a short time. In the evening, I mended a trunk for my wife as she is anticipating a visit to Canton this month if her cousin Eliza comes from California as expected. Just at night, I picked strawberries to take with me to the city in the morning. A heavy shower in the evening. Mr. Cocking had some ice cream given him by Mr. Lynes and in the evening, he brought it downstairs and treated Gussie and I to a dish of it. JULY 05 FRIDAY - I took the strawberries to the city with me this morning and in the P.M., Mr. Ferguson had some strawberry shortcake made for George's special benefit. Hot in the city this morning. It partly broke away about 9 A.M., but in the middle of the day, it became thick cloudy again and rained hard in the afternoon. The 'Rising Star' arrived yesterday. I went down today to see if Eliza came, but her name was not on the list of passengers. I went to the Great American Tea Company and bought a pound of Japanese tea for Father. I intended to go home this P.M., but a customer came in at the time I should leave the store and detained me so I could not go. JULY 06 SATURDAY - I went over to Brooklyn this A.M. to get a photograph Louise Jones has been coloring for me for my customer. I got the vase of wax flowers also that she had previously spoken about me putting in my store to sell for a friend of hers. On my return, I went to 41 and 43 Beekman Street at Hollerbach's for some porcelain-headed nails for rustic frames. In the P.M., I cut down a looking glass frame for a customer. I walked up to 27th Street and took the 4 1.2 P.M. train for home where I arrived at 7:30 P.M. It rained hard while I was on the Danbury & Norwalk train. It was a shower which subsided when the train arrived here in Danbury. As I came from the depot this evening, I met Oscar Serine who paid me $2.94 for 10 ## lbs. of butter I sold him of what we had from Ohio. JULY 07 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. Before church, I picked our first mess of peas. We had more than we wanted and I asked Mr. Pond to help me pick. He sent Miss Hutchinson. I divided with her. Gussie attended church in the morning. I went to Sunday School in the P.M. and came home after the session. After tea, we went up home to my Father's and drew Georgie in his carriage. We took some strawberries which I picked in the garden. We took George's dirty clothes up to be washed which he sent by me from the city yesterday. I went to church in the evening. Mr. Frisbie preached for us. Mr. Birch preached in his church. They exchanged. Before retiring, I drew up a list of books, etc. wanted from New York by Goodall for the Miry Brook Sunday School and by Fanny for her infant class here. Also a book wanted by Edward Everett. Also the singing book for Harriet Taylor's class. JULY 08 MONDAY - I returned again to business in the city this morning. I found Daniel there all right, he having been away in the country since the Fourth. George, who has been at the store while Daniel was away, returned to Yonkers this forenoon. I called on E. D. Hill and got $14.00 advance on the wreath I am preserving for him. Or rather, I solicited it and he promised it this afternoon or on the morrow. JULY 09 TUESDAY - Business at the store is about the same ' very dull! I went down this P.M. to Charlton Street to Mr. Hill's Coal Office and got the $14.00 he promised me and with it made but the amount of my bill with John Sherry - $18.50 and went over and paid him. A hard thunder shower about 4 P.M.; it was so dark that we were obliged to light the gas in the store. JULY 10 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and cool last night and this morning. The bed bugs tormented me last night. I annihilated a few of them this morning. I have done considerable running today. I went to the Book Room this P.M. and bought some Cards, reward Books, etc. for the Infant Class and went from there to the depot and came home. I found John Leland on the train coming home from Orange, New Jersey, where he has been at work. Gussie met me at the depot. I went with her to market and to D. M. Benedict's to get a pair of shoes for her and Georgie. After tea, I went up to see Father Griswold to get his name as endorser to a note in Danbury Bank to be given on the 19th inst. As a renewal of one of the same amount due at that time, the note being one put there in George's behalf. He expected his one hundred dollar bounty from the government to meet it but it did not come. JULY 11 THURSDAY - Returned to the city this morning. I called at the Book Room and paid for the things I got there yesterday for the Infant Class. The coal steamer 'Aragonia' arrive today. The passengers were brought from the steamer by a tug, the steamer being left below at quarantine. I was there, but Eliza did not come. I wrote home to Gussie in the evening to say that the steamer had come but Eliza had not come. JULY 12 FRIDAY - Stormy most of the day. Thunder showers about 7 P.M. A man by name of Buell came to the store and talked of canvassing to sell pictures for me. I took him with me to dinner. Rained hard in the evening. JULY 13 SATURDAY - Cloudy this morning; it soon came off pleasant. George came down from Yonkers this forenoon by boat. After dinner, I went to the Great American Tea Company for 4 lbs. of black tea for the lady where George boards in Yonkers. I bought two 11x13 gold gilt frames (oval) to Mr. Swift as I came home this evening. Helen Webster and her sister Sarah Corbin came to Father Griswold's from Plainville this evening on the train. JULY 14 SUNDAY - A pleasant day, not uncomfortably warm. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went to Sunday School and Communion Service in the P.M. We had a small mess of strawberries for tea, the last of the season. After tea, I went to Rev. Mr. Stone's to inquire where Wesley Burnett boarded. I want to see if he will take my place as Secretary and Treasurer of the Sunday School. I returned without seeing him. We went up to Father Griswold's and visited with Helen Webster and Sister Sarah until evening meeting time. I had the headache and did not go to meeting on that account. Father called and stayed a while in the evening. Gussie picked flowers and made a bouquet for me to take to George in the city in the morning. JULY 21 SUNDAY - During the past week I have been much engaged with my business in the city and have had no time to write up my journal. Mr. Buell, who is interested in business with me outside the store, insofar as to share the profits with me in whatever work he can secure for me outside, has during this week disposed of 15 large French pictures (engravings of French ports) for me. Also secured for me a job of framing 100 22x28 sporting pictures for Smith & Rand Powder Company. I yesterday made arrangements to do the work. It has been cold for July and more or less showery during the past week, particularly as regards showers yesterday. George came down from Yonkers yesterday P.M. I came home on the 4:30 P.M. train from the city. It rained almost continually on the ride home. I bought two rose and gilt 7x9 frames for Swift. Gussie met me at the depot. Helen Webster and Sister Sarah Corbin left Father Griswold's yesterday noon for Plainville in company with Father Griswold. We rose late in the morning and in consequence neither of us went to church in the morning. I went down in time for Sunday School and returned home after intending to let Gussie go in the P.M., but I spent too much time on the corner of Williams and West Streets talking with Joseph W. Allen trying to persuade him to take my place as Secretary and Treasure of the Sunday School to give Gussie time to go in the P.M. After tea, I took Georgie to walk up to Deer Hill to see Harriet. I called at Mrs. Barnum's on our return. Before walking with Georgie, I went over to see Joseph Allen again about my position at Sunday School. From there, I went to the church and emptied the Infant Class money box. I took from it and put into the treasury of the School $5.35. Gussie went to church in the evening. I stayed with Georgie. JULY 24 WEDNESDAY - I went to the city again on Monday morning and while on the Danbury train fell in with Brother Webb on his way to Collinsville (where he now preaches) and by him found that Eliza and Lauren Humphrey were in Clinton and had been since about the 1st of July. Mr. and Mrs. Pond went with me to New York in Monday. They went direct to my store with me, after which I went with them to Pier 40 North River to the steamer 'Bristol'. He bought their tickets and I went with them on board. After seeing Mrs. Pond comfortably settled on board, he went with me up into the city for a walk and for me to do some business pertaining to the store. I finally left him on the Broadway Bridge at Fulton Street and completed my business and he, I suppose, to make his way back to the steamer. We had a shower just at night on Monday. Tuesday and today, we have had no showers and it has been very warm. Yesterday, Daniel and I fitted up the first 25 large frames on the order of 100 for Smith & Rand Powder Company and got $56.00 on them. Crowe & Powell sent me the balance of the glass for the job today. A number of orders have come in today and business appears a little better. Mrs. Stevens came for the pay today for the carpet she wove for us. Gussie borrowed the money - $14.95 - of her father and then borrowed again before night of my father to pay him. I came home from the city tonight and fell in with a fellow on the train for the first time to Danbury and wanted to go to Isaac P. Hull's. He came with me from the depot and I showed him the way to Mr. Hull's. I brought home with me a large bundle of kindling wood from the city.
1867-07
Horace Purdy Journal June 1867 Entry
12pgs
JUNE 01 SATURDAY - Pleasant; no work in the shop. I went down, however, after breakfast and arranged with Charles Purdy to draw my pay and bring it to me at noon with a new 3 D Pearl cassimere hat which I bought and left to be trimmed and curled. He brought me the money at noon and the hat as he came at night. I spent the day working with Mr. Pond. We worked in company. We worked on his premises the first part of the day digging his flower borders and later in my yard making over the flower bed by the piazza and mowing the north and front door yard. The south, I have previously mowed and raked off. After tea, Gussie went into the street. While she was gone, Robert Dunning came into the yard to look at my strawberries. When Gussie returned, I went into the street with Robert. I got my Harper's Weekly at the news office, called at Swift's a few minutes and then walked up with Charles Bennett. George and Bell came here. Bell stayed with Georgie while Gussie and George went over to John Bouton's. They returned about 10 o'clock and George and Bell went home and we soon retired. JUNE 02 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the forepart of the day. Gussie went to church in the morning and came home at noon to let me go to Sunday School. I did not stay to the Prayer Meeting in the P.M., but came home after Sunday School in order to get through with my Sunday School writing and tea early in order to go up to see Father who is sick. Bell came here after Sunday School and stayed to tea and went up with us. Before going, I wrote to Carlton & Porter for the Sunday School ordering 2 dozen Judd's Lessons for each Sunday in the year, Nos. 1 and 2, a dozen of each; also 2 dozen catechisms, Nos. 1 and 2, a dozen of each; also another copy of the Sunday School Journal for the remaining 4 months of our Sunday School paper year (for Charles Barnum). The amount of the bill was $4.08, which I enclosed. It commenced raining as we got to Dr. Hendrick's going up home, so Gussie turned about with Georgie in his carriage and went home while Bell and I went on. Father is not dangerously sick; it is only a stitch (as he calls it) in his back and neck, making him so lame that he can hardly move. I came home about 7 o'clock and went down to the Post Office and mailed the letter to Carlton & Porter ordering the things as before named. I returned without going to church on account of the rain. JUNE 03 MONDAY - No work in the shop. I however went downtown morning and got a new pearl cassimere trimmed and curled for Mr. Pond and brought it home to him at noon. I selected it from a lot of damaged ones and got it for half price - $1.00. A perfect one would cost $3.00. It was so nearly perfect that few would ever know the difference. I commenced weeding my strawberries before dinner. While I was at the shop getting the hat for Mr. Pond, George came and trimmed out my dooryard walks for me. I found them nicely done and he gone when I came home. After dinner, I went into the street and had more talk with Mr. Swift about business. He had pretty much concluded to to sell out, but we took a new tack and talked about going in company and take the New York store with the one here and run both, one of us to be in the city and the other one here and exchange so that each can be home with his family half of the time. After tea, I went up with Dr. Kellogg over to Theodore Lyons' for some oat straw for his horse's bedding. It was dark when we returned. He borrowed Rollo Nichols' box wagon to go with. I went into the street again late in the evening and had a talk again with Swift. I came home and talked with Father Griswold. He approves and we intend going to New York tomorrow morning to see about the business there. Bell came down this evening and sprouted my potatoes for me. I am going to pay her in potatoes. She worked late and will stay all night. JUNE 04 TUESDAY - A beautiful day. I went to New York this morning with Mr. Swift to see about the picture frame business at 68 Carmine Street which we have been talking about buying. We saw the business and before we got home, concluded not to go in company. The expense of doing business would be so large that it would not net profit enough for bother. I pretty much concluded to buy out the New York store myself and start it alone. It is owned by Henry D. Clark. After arriving in town this evening, I saw Mr. Jabine at the Post Office and walked up home with him to talk about the business and money from the Savings bank to buy it with. JUNE 05 WEDNESDAY - Another beautiful day. Before breakfast, I went down to Mr. Swift's house to get some statistics on paper regarding the New York store. It was so late before I got my breakfast that I had a hard headache which lasted me all day. I never the less had business to attend to. I had to make my application to the Savings bank for $1,200 which was granted on a joint note of Father Griswold and myself. I went to the shop and bought a 4 D. pearl cassimere for Mr. Swift. He telegraphed for me to Mr. Clark saying that 'all was right regarding the money' and that I would be down in the morning. I went with Mr. Swift to the Savings Bank and made arrangements for him to draw my $1,200 in my absence in New York. I went into Dr. Kellogg's office and took some medicine for my headache. After tea, I felt better and went into the street and borrowed $50 of Mr. Swift to buy a commutation ticket on the New York and New Haven Railroad provided I make all things right in New York regarding the store. I have made arrangements for George to go with me and be head salesman. I received lesson Books, Catechisms and Sunday School papers for the Book Room today. I did not send money enough and had to remit the balance with the bill to be receipted by mail. George helped me bush my peas this P.M. JUNE 06 THURSDAY - Another pleasant day. George went with me to New York this morning as clerk in my store. We took the steamer, 'Neversink'. We got aground getting out of Norwalk Harbor, and together with having to up to the bridge and down to Gregory's Point to the boat, we were to nearly noon getting to the city. We found Mr. Clark at his new place of business in the Gilbert Clock Manufacturing Company of Winsted, Connecticut at 12 Cortlandt Street. We took dinner and then spent the afternoon completing our bargain of me buying his store at 68 Carmine Street. I paid by check on the Danbury National Bank for $1,000 and gave him four notes of $125 for three, six, nine and twelve months for the remaining $500. I gave him a chattel mortgage on fixtures of the store as security and then brought the notes home with me to have O. H. Swift endorse them. We also went to the office of the Greenwich Insurance Company and had the insurance transferred to me. Then we went to the Manhattan Gas Company and deposited $12.00 for meter as security for payment of gas. As I came home, I bought a commutation ticket at the 27th Street Depot for six months - $80. Our butter came from Ohio today. I paid the expressage for it - $3.45. I also before I came home engaged William Mansfield to bring me a ton of coal tomorrow. JUNE 07 FRIDAY - Before breakfast, I went up to see Oscar Serrine about getting my apron, overshirt, towel and tools at the shop. Also gave him my check with 20 cents with which to pay my dues to the Hatters' Society and draw my traveling card. I started for the cars in good season and went to Mr. Swift's house and gave him the note to take to the Savings Bank and draw $1,200 for me which they have agreed to loan me. I also borrowed $29.00 of him, he to take it from the money he draws for me at the bank. When I arrived at the store in the city, I found Daniel there, George having gone out with William Hayes to get acquainted with parties who patronize and work for the store, also some from whom to buy frames. The day has been hot. We made some sales and took some orders for work. I took dinner with George at his boarding house; also tea and I am to stay all night. JUNE 08 SATURDAY - I stayed with George last night . It commenced raining about 6 o'clock this morning. It rained at times during the day, though not very hard. I went to buy picture frames and glass this forenoon. The account books which I ordered yesterday of Crawford & Nadine were sent to the store this P.M. I commenced to arrange in the front basement under the store for a workroom but had to leave it to go home. Just as the train left 27th Street at 4 o'clock, it commenced raining and rained very hard all the way to Norwalk. When we arrived at Redding, I perceived that it had not rained there. Gussie was waiting for me at the Depot. We did some marketing and then went to Mr. Swift's store before coming home to get the balance of the money which he drew for me yesterday at the Savings Bank. He paid the interest on the note of $1,200, stamped the same, deposited $1,000 in Danbury bank for the check of that amount I gave Henry Clark towards the business I bought from him. He bought me a large pocket book and had left for me in cash $64.50. After tea (which was late), I went to see Mr. Pond about the butter which came from Edwin and paid him my half of the amount $14.01 which with his half he will remit in a few days to Edwin. JUNE 09 SUNDAY - Stormy until after dinner. On account of the storm, we did not go to meeting. After tea, I went over to see Dr. Kellogg a few minutes and then went up home to get George's shawl and hairbrush to take to him in New York tomorrow morning. Bell stayed with us last night and today and will stay with us tonight. Gussie and I went to meeting in the evening. Brother George Hughes of New Jersey, agent of the Freedmen's Bureau, preached. Brother Hill, our old pastor, now from Redding, was with us and read the closing hymn. I took a card and went the length of the aisle to solicit for the freedmen. I got nothing. JUNE 11 MONDAY - A beautiful day. I packed up some of my carpenter's tools before breakfast and took them with me to New York to put up a bench to join frames. I was too busy to make my bench, so I came home without making it. Gussie went to the depot to meet me. We went together and paid for a half ton of coal bought last Friday of Sproule & Mansfield. JUNE 11 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I went to the city again as usual. I had a great deal of running about to do and was very tired when I returned to the store. I took it easy the rest of the day. I brought home George's washing and my new shoes which I put on in D. M. Benedict's Store, leaving my boots to be mended. JUNE 12 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I went to the city as usual. I bought a vise for my workbench in the basement of the store. As I came home, I went to the Bible House and got three bibles for Emily Anderson, Harriet Wheeler and Aunt Louise. As I came from the Depot this evening, I stopped at D. M. Benedict's and got my boots which I left there last evening to be mended. In the evening, I went over to Mr. Pond's and he reported that the butter which came for us from Ohio did not hold out. It was billed for 111 pounds but it would weigh only 101 pounds and six ounces. JUNE 13 THURSDAY - pleasant and very warm. I took a fine bouquet with me to the city this morning and put in my show window. I built my work bench for joining frames in the basement of my store today. Gussie went to Ridgefield with Mrs. Short and carried her rags to be woven today. They had Alfred Gregory's horse. After tea, I got out a piece of cherry from Mr. Pond's barn to attach to my new frame making plane I mailed a letter to Edwin this morning intending to enclose a money order of $26.78 for butter but was too late for the morning mail and left the amount with Dr. Brown to be sent by the afternoon mail which he sent this P.M. JUNE 14 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I went to New York as usual. I finished putting up my apparatus for joining frames at my store today. I bought a crate of strawberries at Washington Market for Christian Quien. The locomotive gave out on the New York & New Haven tonight so that we were obliged to get another one at Stamford. JUNE 15 SATURDAY - I took some clean clothes down to George this morning to the city. I have felt about sick today. I repaired Mrs. McCormick's looking glass today. She lives at 19 McDougal Street. Eliakim Wildman called at the store to see me today but I was out. I saw him on the train coming home. Gussie and Louise met me at the depot this evening and I went with them to market. Daniel Minnerly, my boy gilder gave me his picture today. I promised him one of myself. JUNE 16 SUNDAY - Cloudy and hazy in the morning, but it finally came off hot and oppressive. Bell stayed with us last night as she has been doing for a week past. Gussie went to church in the morning. She came home at noon and I went down to Sunday School. I came home after school to do my Sunday School writing and to rest, as I am pretty nearly tired out from last week's work in the city. Bell came here to tea and to stay all night. A thunder shower about 6 P.M. We did not go out in the evening on account of the rain. We picked some flowers before the shower and made a bouquet in the evening which I expect to take with me to the city tomorrow morning. Mr. Pond called in the evening while we were making the bouquet. JUNE 17 MONDAY - I rose early and helped Mr. Pond grind his scythe before breakfast. I took a large bouquet to the city with me for one of the conductors on the 6th Avenue cars which I promised last Friday, I believe. I gave a bill which Russell Smith owes me to David B. Booth as I went to the cars this morning for him to give to Constable Crosby to collect for me. It commenced raining as the cars left and rained hard until I got to New York. It came off pleasant and hot in the middle of the day in the city, though they tell me it has rained nearly all day here at home. As we were coming out from the city, it clouded over again and here at home it looks as if it would rain at any moment. Later - 10 o'clock. Clear and pleasant; the stars are shining brightly. JUNE 19 WEDNESDAY - A pleasant day. I went to the city as usual. I took dinner at Mr. Thompson's where George boards. I bought a pound of coffee for William Warren at the Great American Tea Company and let Mr. Fanton have it on the train before I got home. I bought 4 feet of green worsted fringe for Mr. Smith and brought it home with me. Before tea, I put grass around my strawberries around a part of them. I worked until dark and then drank my tea. JUNE 20 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I rode as far as Norwalk in the mail car with Mr. Swift. I got out at 42nd Street when the engine left the train and walked from there over to 6th Avenue with J. M. Potter and his brother. I bargained with George Baker (a son of the woman who lives on the upper floor over my store) to paint the front of the store. He commenced it immediately. I worked again as long as I could see putting grass around my strawberry to keep berries from lying in the dirt. JUNE 21 FRIDAY - Pleasant again today. Edward S. Davis and wife went to New York this morning. Trade has been a little better with me today. I bought a sample of tea today at the United States Tea Warehouse opposite the Great American, I having heard that they gave a better article for the money than the Great American. I brought home a frame from New York to show Mr. Swift. JUNE 22 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I had Father Griswold's company to Norwalk this morning, he going east to his work as elder and I to New York. I went with George to dinner at his boarding place at Mr. Ferguson's. After dinner, I went downtown and bought a chrome lithograph (The Chickens) for a customer. I brought home my ripsaw this evening from the city. Gussie met me at Raymond's Fish Market when the train arrived. I did some marketing with her and then came home. She having some more errands to do, I left her in the street. I had strawberries and milk for supper. Wells Webster and wife came to Father Griswold's today. JUNE 23 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. While Gussie was getting ready for church this morning, I took Georgie to walk over in Mr. Pond's garden to see his strawberries. Gussie came home at noon. I went to Sunday School and came home at its close to do the writing for the school. I then picked what strawberries were ripe. We had some for tea. Gave a quart to the Griswold's (Wells Webster and wife being there to tea), saving the remainder to take with me to New York in the morning. Father came down about 7 P.M. with pants and coat for George which I am to take to him in the morning. I went to church in the evening; Brother Birch preached. After church, Sherman Smith and lady (Lucy Bennett) called, he to see me about work at Yonkers, George having sent word to him that they were to commence work again on Monday. JUNE 24 MONDAY - Pleasant in the morning. I took a bag of clothes with me to the city this morning for George and a bucket (4 quarts) of strawberries to my boy in the store, Daniel Minnerly. When I got to the city in the middle of the forenoon, George took his clothes and started for Yonkers to go to work at hatting. It commenced raining about 8 o'clock this evening. After closing the store, I walked over to my boarding place in Grove Street to Mr. Ferguson's. I take the same room and bed that George left. JUNE 25 TUESDAY - I slept until 6 o'clock this morning. It rained all last night and still continues. After breakfast, I went to the store and opened it. Daniel came in a little after 7 o'clock. I completed my fixtures for joining frames today. I took the 6th Avenue cars about 4 P.M. and rode to 27th Street, from there to the depot and home where I am now writing these words. It has rained all day and we have sold nothing in the store. Theodore Bradley came up today and picked 7 quarts of strawberries for Gussie. She gave him 3 quarts to take home with him to pay for picking. JUNE 26 WEDNESDAY - The sun shone a little about 7 o'clock. It soon became thick cloudy again and more rain. I joined my first picture frames today. I took down with me this morning to the city 4 quarts of strawberries to Mrs. Baker (the lady who lives over my store). She made strawberry shortcake for tea, and my boy Daniel and I dined with her. JUNE 27 THURSDAY - Daniel spoiled a looking glass plate today by accidentally marking the back side. George Baker broke a light of glass in my showcase which stands out the door. He was painting the inside of the case when he did it. Sherman Smith came down from Yonkers this P.M. and brought me news that my house had been entered by a burglar and over $17.00 taken. A few minutes later, I received a letter from Gussie bearing the same intelligence, but both were too late for me to take the train to go home. Ill luck seems to be my portion today. JUNE 28 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Sherman Smith tried to sell sewing machine (Wheeler & Wilson) casters today for me but did not succeed very well. I took the train this P.M. and went home to see about the robbery. I found things about as represented. Constable Crosby searched the thief and found my money in his boot. Crosby now has the money in his possession. JUNE 29 SATURDAY - I returned to the city this morning. I had the company of Louise Jones going down, she having been on a visit to Mr. Jabine's. When we arrived in the city, she went with me to my store. From there, I accompanied her to Broadway and saw her in a stage for Fulton Ferry. I then went down in Beekman Street to Hallerbach's to get some porcelain headed nails for rustic frames for Mr. Swift. Sherman Smith being at the store at noon, I took him with me to dinner. George came down from Yonkers about 2 P.M. He is to stay over Sunday at my boarding place and the store until I return on Monday from home. I took the 4 o'clock train for home. Arrived about 7 1/2 P.M. Robert Cocking came back from Mr. Lynes' today to occupy our rooms again. The day has been warm. JUNE 30 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. Bell took Georgie home with her yesterday to stay overnight. Father went to church this morning for the first time in a long time. He let Georgie walk down home with him as he came down to church this morning. I wore my white pants today to church for the first time this summer. Gussie went to church this morning as usual. She came home at noon and I went down to Sunday School. Misses Camp and Hutchinson visited our school this noon. I took them up to see the Infant Class . As we came down, Miss Hutchinson fell down the gallery stairs. It hurt her but little, she said. She had a narrow escape. I was behind her coming down when she fell. I walked up home with them after school. Thomas Bradley came up in the P.M. and helped me pick some strawberries. I gave him 2 quarts to take home with him. After tea, I finished picking what was ripe. I had the headache after tea and on that account did not go to meeting in the evening.
1867-06