Horace Purdy Journal September 1869 Entry
10pgs
SEPTEMBER 01 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant but cold. More like November than September. Horace Cable and I went with his horse to Brewster Station to take from the Harlem Railroad depot at that location, 7 spring beds to put up in that place. As we went, we took from here two beds which we put up for William Fowler just beyond the state line and for E. C. Clark at Sodom. We got pay for 6 beds and 3 we did not collect, viz., George Hall, John Doty at the hotel, and William Orman. We took dinner at Doty's Hotel, called the Southeast House. On our way home, we stopped at William Storm's and brought into town a copper strip cutting machine. We came by the 8th Regiment encampment at Lake Kenosha at sundown just as they were on dress parade. It was about dark when we got home. SEPTEMBER 02 THURSDAY - Horace Cable came over in the morning for crab apples. He helped me pick what remained on the tree. When we had done picking, I filled his basket and then Charles Hayes and I rode over home with him. I then went down to the Danbury Bank with him and we had a draft made out for D. R. French for the balance of what we owe him - $154.54. I went over to Swift's and wrote a note to French and enclosed the draft and mailed it. In the P.M., I went over to Cable's and got some safety bars and the tools and came home and put one in our bedstead. After putting it in, I took Willie Griswold and threw him on the bed quite hard and broke a slat. I then had to go over to Mr. Cable's again for a slat and came home and put it in in place of the broken one. In the evening, I went to market and Gussie went to Professor John Logan's' lecture on Physiognomy. The day has been pleasant except an occasional cloud, which in passing over, would give us a little sprinkle. SEPTEMBER 03 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warmer. In the morning, I went over to Horace Cable's and went down into Main Street with him at mail tine. We saw Governor Jewell and staff at the depot just arrived with horses and equipage for reviewing the 8th Regiment in the P.M. at Lake Kenosha. I received a letter from Sigler Brothers, 131-133 Mercer Street, New York, requesting me to send the amount of my indebtedness which I owed when I sold out in New York and cannot pay because Henry Day, who took my business, has not paid me. In the P.M., Gussie, Louise and I went onto the street designing to take one of the omnibuses and ride out to camp and see Gov. Jewell review the regiment, but all the conveyances were overloaded and we gave up the idea of going. I came home and pulled weeds in my garden. Gussie went to the phrenological lecture in the evening. I went to market and down to the Turner House to see Gov. Jewell who with his staff holds a reception. SEPTEMBER 04 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. I went to Bethel by the morning train to collect from Thomas Wheeler $6.00 for a spring bed but did not get it. I took an order from Mr. Agnew for a spring bed. I came home by the A. M. train and saw Mr. Henry Day but could get no encouragement from him regarding the payment of his notes. The 8th Regiment marched in from the lake about 3 P.M. and broke up at the depot. They started for home on the 4:15 train. I received a letter from Mr. J. E. Chapman from New York concerning the Empire Spring Bed. Henry Cable wants Putnam County in which to sell them. I also received a note from Mr. French acknowledging receipt of $154.54 to balance Cable & Purdy's account. I did some marketing and then came home. SEPTEMBER 05 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I went with Georgie down to Sunday school at noon. We came home again after school. After dinner, which we had about 4 P.M., Gussie and I walked over to Ambrose Hill's, but Ambrose had started for New York before we got there. He went to Brookfield intending to take a train this evening from there to Bridgeport and then a night boat to New York so as to get to Brooklyn for breakfast tomorrow morning. Gussie went to church this evening. I stayed at home. SEPTEMBER 06 MONDAY - Hot. In the forenoon, I helped Robert Cocking clean out and repair his cistern. In the P.M., I went over to F. H. Austin's and took a measurement of his bedstead for a set of springs. From there, I went over to Sturdivant's factory. From there, I came to the lower end of town and then up home to see mother. I wrote three letters - one to J. E. Chapman, giving Twitchell's prices for spring beds, one to Twitchell about New London and Windham Counties, and one to D. R. French with a draft for $60.00 enclosed. Mrs. Sweetland and daughter came by the P.M. train from Hartford to see Edwin's wife at Mother Griswold's. Their baggage was left behind today, and I went to the depot this evening on the arrival of the train to get it for them, a black traveling bag. Late in the evening, I went over to Horace Cable's and gave him the tree and bed orders I had on my book from New York State. SEPTEMBER 07 TUESDAY - Appearance of rain in the morning, but before noon it came off pleasant. Just at night it clouded over again and rained in showers all evening. I have been to Bethel and stayed all day. I took tea with Mrs. Dare. I sold 7 beds. I took another tea after I came home and then went up to see Charles Bradley about a spring bed but did not find him at home. I then came down to John Bouton's for the measurement of his bed, but they having company in the bed, I did not measure the bedstead. From there, I went over to Horace Cable's to get some names for spring beds which he had got for me. I then came home feeling about used up. Before retiring, I helped Gussie seal up some of her cups of crab apple jelly. SEPTEMBER 08 WEDNESDAY - The day has been broken. A considerable rain has fallen and yet the sun has shone a little. I canvassed in the forenoon for my spring beds. After dinner, I went again and after 4 o'clock, I sold 4 beds, two to Mrs. William Bennett, one to Mrs. Charles Bradley, and one to John Bouton. I received by the morning mail a letter from D. R. French saying that I must hereafter deal with Mr. Twitchell as he has given up the General Agency. In the evening, I wrote an order for 14 spring beds, eight for Bethel and six for Danbury, the first lot for myself since giving up my partner, Cable. I also wrote to William Hayes for Stark's address that I might write and if possible, collect the $20.00 he owes me. I also wrote to George to have him collect the $7.50 owing me in Yonkers. Before retiring, I helped seal up and mark crab apple and blackberry jelly. SEPTEMBER 09 THURSDAY - Pleasant but cooler. Our Sunday School and the Baptist School held a picnic at the junction of the New York Northern and Housatonic railroads near Brookfield. Anne, Edwin's wife, and her two children, Fanny and Willie started for Ohio. They took the 11A.M. train to Brookfield. AT 12 noon, Mr. & Mrs. Sweetland and daughter Martha started for home in Hartford. I went over to Crofut's Mill in the A. M. to try and sell Mr. Crofut a spring bed. I did not succeed but sold one to his miller, Jack Wolf. I came home by way of Horace Cable's and got a set of springs. From there and before dinner, I put them in one of the beds I yesterday measured for Mrs. William Bennett. In the P.M., I went up to Tweedy's Factory with my bed model. I sold three before I got home Turner Stevens, George F. Larkin, and George Swords. Gussie being detained at the picnic, Hattie Mills and I got our tea and ate it before she got home. In the evening, I went to market and then to the barber's to get my hair cut. SEPTEMBER 10 FRIDAY - Cold in the morning but a pleasant day and warm in the middle of the day. I went to the shop in the morning and stretched Georgie's straw hat and had one blocked (a fur one) preparatory to finishing it. Before dinner, I took an order from Joel Foster for a spring bed. Received by morning mail a letter from T. E. Twitchell that he had shipped yesterday 6 beds to me. After dinner, I hired Mr. Bouton's horse and went to the depot for my spring beds. I took Mr. Austin's over to him and put it in. I also put in one for John W. Bouton and one for Mrs. Charles Bradley. Horace Cable came over to see me about dark. After tea, I went to market. SEPTEMBER 11 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I spent a part of the afternoon in finishing a hat for Georgie. I carried Hattie Mill's dinner to her at noon at the Mallory Shop. I took a letter from the Office this forenoon for Horace Cable from J. E. Chapman & Co., New York (the Empire Spring Bed maker). In the evening, I went to market and took home from the Office a bill from Twitchell for 8 beds shipped today for Bethel. SEPTEMBER 12 SUNDAY - Pleasant. About meeting time this morning, Father came down to see me. I went down to Sunday School at noon and home again after the session. I went to church in the evening. Brother Burch preached. SEPTEMBER 13 MONDAY - Pleasant and warmer than for some days past. I have been to Bethel today. I went by train this morning and returned by same in the evening. I had 8 beds come by freight to Bethel where I met them and delivered and put them up which took me until dark. I took dinner with Aunt Harriet Mills. In the A.M., I put a safety bar in Mr. Dare's bed. Gussie met me this evening at the depot with the Sunday School books. I took them and attended the Teachers' Meeting without returning home. My resignation as secretary & treasurer was accepted and Thomas Bradley was elected. SEPTEMBER 14 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I spent a portion of the day selling my spring beds. Just at night, I went down to Dr. Benedict's and put in a set of springs for Anna Eastwood. While we were at tea, Hannah Gregory came in to countermand an order Mrs. Rowan gave me today for a spring bed. I went to market in the evening with Gussie. I mailed this P.M. a check to Mr. Twitchell for $54.72, amount due him for my first set of beds. In the evening, Mr. Pond came in to pay me $10.00 borrowed last Saturday. He drew his check on Pahquioque Bank for $50.00. I am to draw it for him tomorrow and from it take my $10.00. SEPTEMBER 15 WEDNESDAY - A little lowery in the morning but it came off pleasant and warm. I rode down to Grassy Hill in the morning on a load of hat cases with William Bouton. I canvassed there and at Oren Benedict's shop until the freight train came when I took it and came home to Danbury. After I arrived, I went to the Pahquoique Bank with Mr. Pond's check for 50.00. I got the money and, in the evening, returned $40.00 to Mr. Pond. In the P.M., I called at the parsonage and Mrs. Burch paid me $5.00 for a bed purchased in July. A bed order from W. H. Barnum. SEPTEMBER 16 THURSDAY - I canvassed a little at home for my spring beds. After dinner, I went on Highland Avenue to sell beds. After tea, I went into the street and arranged with Harry Buckley to go tomorrow morning with me to Newtown to take a bed spring to H. D. Warner in place of one broken which he has. Also, to collect from Henry Willis $6.00 for one I sold him in July. SEPTEMBER 17 FRIDAY - About 6:30 this morning, Harry Buckley drove around for me to go to Newtown per arrangement. I took over the springs for J. Warner and put them in and collected $6.00 from Henry Willis for a bed. I took another order of two from W. J. Dick (hotel), also an order for another from J. B. Wheeler. We came home by way of the Steam Excavator arriving about noon. A little fine rain on our way over in the morning. I had 6 more beds (also 2 slats and a frame for George Andrews) come on the freight train. I hired Mr. Judd's horse to deliver them. I put up Turner Stevens', Jacob Wolff's, George Larkin's, Mr. Pond’s, and George Sword's, leaving Joel Foster's and the slats for George Andrews until tomorrow. In the evening, I took an order for one from Fred Hull. Received by the evening mail two letters from T. E. Twitchell with bills of beds to Danbury and Bethel. SEPTEMBER 18 SATURDAY - Gussie's birthday. She is 33 years old. I started this morning to get a new lid made for the box containing my spring bed model. Before I could get back, it commenced raining. I went over to Joel Foster's about 8 A.M. and put in his spring bed. From there I went over to George Andrew's and made over his old one which he has used for 3 years or more. I added two new slats and a new frame making a 9 slatter instead of 7 slats. I went to Bethel by the 4 P.M. train and brought in a bed for C.H. Benedict. From there I went over to W.H. Barnum's to put in one for him, but his wife having company, I deferred it until next week. I then rode up home with B. F. Bailey. SEPTEMBER 19 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I attended church in the morning to hear our old pastor, Brother William Hill, preach. We have no pastor now. He (Burch) is only a preacher. I stayed to Sunday School to see how Theo Bradley, the new secretary and treasurer, got along with his new duties. This is his first Sunday in the new position and the first since I was relieved. In the P.M., Gussie went to the Universalist to hear Mr. Haskell preach a memorial sermon for the late General John Rawlins, Secretary of War, who died in Washington, D. C. on September 6th. His wife, daughter of Stephen Hurlburt, is here at home with her father. SEPTEMBER 20 MONDAY - Hot, very hot. I went to Bethel by the train in the morning and put in a set of bed springs for S.H. Barnum. I spent my time in Bethel until the freight train came in and then came home. Mary Mills came on the same train. Four more beds came on the train, 2 for Dick's hotel, 1 for J.B. Wheeler, and 1 for myself. I did not take them from the depot as three of them I will take to Newtown tomorrow morning. Just at night, I made arrangements with Harry Buckley for his horse tomorrow to go to Newtown. After tea, I went over to Division Street and measured a bed for A. Kenner. I then went down to Blackman's to get a crystal put in my watch. I received by the evening mail a bill from T. E. Twitchell for the four beds shipped on Saturday and received today. I came home and filled out a check for the same - $32.68, to mail to him tomorrow morning. SEPTEMBER 21 TUESDAY - I have had Harry Buckley's horse to go to Newtown. I put in 2 spring beds for Dick's hotel and one more for J. B. Wheeler. I intended to canvass Newtown and perhaps stay overnight but the rain commencing about 1 o'clock, I started for home expecting a hard storm. But it stopped and rained no more during the P.M. I got home about 6 P.M. SEPTEMBER 22 WEDNESDAY - In the morning, I made 2 cross bars for a 51 inch bed to use with Turner Stevens bed for Fred Hull. At 10 o'clock, I went to the Danbury Bank and deposited $32.62 for a check sent to T.E. Twitchell for bed springs. From there, I went up to Turner Stevens and took out the springs I put in for him. I am going to put them in for Fred Hull. Cloudy. Rain about 2 P.M. About 4 o'clock, I got Luther Patton to drive over to Turner Stevens and bring away a bed for me and take to Fred Hull which I put up for him before night. In the evening, I went into the street. SEPTEMBER 23 THURSDAY - Lowery in the morning. I went down to Col. Chichester and to George Benedict and took an order from each for spring beds and returned home to dinner. Received by the morning mail a receipt from T. E. Twitchell for the last check I sent him - $32.68. It cleared off in the P.M. I canvassed in Maple Avenue until teatime and came home. In the evening, I mailed a check to T.E. Twitchell for $14.450 in full for beds to date. SEPTEMBER 24 FRIDAY - I hired Harry Buckley's team and went to canvassing towards Newtown for my bed springs. I sold three to Eugene Jennings, Jabez Peck and Reuben Blackman. The last one was on the hill overlooking Newtown. It then being night, I turned and drove home. SEPTEMBER 25 SATURDAY - Pleasant. In the morning, I went down to Foster Brothers Carpenter Shop to collect $7.25 for spring beds from Joel Foster. He paid me $5.00 of it. I then went up to Samuel Holby's shop to see George Sword. He could not pay me today. He has just buried his baby. At 10 o'clock, I went to the Danbury Bank and deposited $14.50 for a check I sent to T.E. Twitchell in New Haven. Reunion of the 23rd Regiment. Many of the veterans of the Bethel Military Company and the City Band from Bridgeport came on the 10:15 train. They formed and marched to Concert Hall where officers of the Regimental Association were elected for the coming year. After which the line again formed, and the grand parade commenced. The parade ended by marching into the Wooster House yard where an abundant dinner was served up free of charge. All appeared to enjoy it. D.R. French, one of the veterans of the 23rd was here also. I found him and we had a little visit together by ourselves. I went with him to try and find George Ambler, but we could not. SEPTEMBER 26 SUNDAY - Stormy. It has rained hard all day. None of us has been out to church. This is the first Sunday in a long time that I have remained indoors all day. Harry Buckley called about dusk. I brought some of my 'Louise Bond de Jersey' pears. He ate a number and took several to his wife. SEPTEMBER 27 MONDAY - Pleasant but cold. It rained hard during last night but came off clear this morning. I rode to Bethel this P.M. with Harry Buckley to try to collect $6.50 at Luby's shop from A. C. Williams but he was not there. When I returned, I called to see Mr. Ferrell about bedsprings but he concluded to defer the thing until next spring. In the evening, I ordered (and mailed the same) seven more beds from Twitchell. SEPTEMBER 28 TUESDAY - A heavy white frost this morning, the first of the season. In the forenoon, I prepared a place for 2 rows of 'Jacunda Strawberry' plants and got in 12 bushels of potatoes from Father Griswold's cellar. I killed and we had for dinner one of the three chickens that has been living with us all summer. In the P.M., I had a sick headache, but I went over to Ambrose Hill's for the plants and set them out just at night. After putting out the plants, I was so sick that I could hardly hold up my head. I took but a mouthful for tea and retired early. SEPTEMBER 29 MONDAY - Pleasant but cold with another white frost. My head ached all night. I feel bad today. I cleaned up my pistol in the morning. I went into the street before dinner. On the arrival of the freight train, I went to the depot to see if 7 spring beds which I have ordered came, but they did not. I then got Harry Buckley to drive his horse with me and one spring bed down to George Benedict's. Mrs. Benedict not being home, I left it and returned home without putting it in. Wrote to George and mailed in the evening about not receiving money the 27th inst., also about being in New York next week to see him. I received a receipted bill by evening mail from T. E. Twitchell for $14.49, also notice that today he shipped me 7 beds. SEPTEMBER 30 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warmer. After breakfast, I went down to the lower end of Main Street to George V. Benedict's and put in the spring bed I left down there yesterday P.M. I then came uptown and called on Mrs. Anna Eastwood to see about pay for spring beds I put in for her on the 14th. From there, I went to Randall & Bradley's Store and 'altered a cat' for them. I bought a mixed colored coat (of sack) of B. C. Sherwood, the pawnbroker, for $7.00. In the P.M., I hired Almon Judd's horse to get some bed springs from the depot. I put in one for Abram Chichester and two for Mrs. Alice Ford. I delivered one to Mrs. Keynes on Division Street, but they being away, I could not put it in. I have three more to put in tomorrow, one to Beaverbrook at Eugene Jennings', and two just this side of Newtown for John Peck and Reuben Blackman. I went up to Kenner's in the evening to put in his bed, but they still being away, I could not.
1869-09-01
Horace Purdy Journal October 1865 Entry
9pgs
10/01 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I cooked my own breakfast this morning and while clearing away the dishes turned over a quart of milk. I attended church all day. Brother Hill preached in the morning. A Hungarian preached in the P.M. upon the persecutions of Protestants in Hungary. A collection was taken to enable him to send his mother and sister back to Hungary who have been pardoned as all of them have been banished for the sake of their religion. I got my tea after which John Brayman came over and we hitched George's horse and rode up to the cemetery. After putting up the horse and feeding him, I went up home to see George and John went to the depot to send word home by the milk train. I went rather late to church in the evening. Brother Hill preached. George and Bell came home with me after meeting to see John. I paid the balance of my seat rent today for the year. Also what Mrs. Bradley owed - $6.00. 10/02 MONDAY - Election day. I went with George to buy hay up to L. E. Bartram's. We borrowed his hay cutter. The hay came in the P.M. I helped George stow it away in Father Griswold's barn. George got his wagon repaired up to Chase's shop. I bought 2 barrels of charcoal for 60 cents a barrel. George went to Starrs Plain in the evening on an errand to Uncle Edwin. I went to market in the evening. The town election went republican but the amendment to the Constitution allowing the Negro to vote was rejected by votes. John Brayman came this evening to stay with me for the first time. 10/03 TUESDAY - Cool and pleasant. I went to the shop today for the first time since a week ago Saturday. We raise our prices 2 % (?) on a dozen all round today. I worked until dark. Hatters' Meeting in the evening but I did not go on account of hearing that cousin Anna Heinman was very low and going up to see her. John Brayman went with me. I went to market in the evening. Bought beefsteak, sugar, matches and a ream of notepaper. George went to Ridgefield today and entered one of his sifters for a premium. He returned in the evening. A letter from Gussie in the evening. I wrote an answer before retiring. 10/04 WEDNESDAY - Cool and cloudy with a sprinkling of rain in the morning. I picked apples for Father Griswold in the forenoon in the tops of the trees where he could not climb. He gave me half for picking or rather, gleaning. I made a barrel for myself which is worth $4.00. I drew $10.00 for Gussie out of the Savings Bank in place of what I gave her to go to Canton with. I went to the shop at 3 o'clock and found the journeymen in an uproar about foul shops; as at the trade meeting last evening, they voted to stop working for a man who had both a fair and foul shop in the same locality. There was a meeting called for this evening to take into consideration the case of foul shops. I attended. The meeting finally adjourned until 2 o'clock tomorrow P.M. I picked my dwarf pears before dinner. I mailed the letter this evening which I wrote to Gussie last night. 10/05 THURSDAY - Cold and raw. The difficulty about foul shops not being settled, we could not go to work today. John Cosier and I went hunting. George went to Ridgefield to get his sifter at the fair and to bring Bell home. In the evening I borrowed $25.00 of Mr. Judd for John Brayman to go to Norwalk and pay grocery bill. 10/06 FRIDAY - Pleasant. John Brayman went to Norwalk this morning. In order to get away, we were up early. In a Hatters' Meeting yesterday afternoon, the trouble about foul shops so far as Mr. Crofut's shop went was settled and today we are all at work while William Tweedy and Edmund Tweedy's shops are still doing nothing. They threatened to make them foul and not employ any more fair men. John came home on the freight train and brought some oysters, a bushel for Mr. Brockett and a half bushel for me. We got them in the evening at Raymond's store where he left them when he arrived. O. A. G. Todd got a beating last night at Oscar Serine's house. He had been to see a widow woman who lives upstairs and a man went and called him out and before he was down the stairs, he (attacked) him. Todd cried murder to the top of his voice and alarmed all the neighbors. 10/07 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I worked late in the shop. Mr. Thompson came in while we were drinking tea, after which we all walked downtown together. I borrowed $25.00 of Andrew Knox to pay A. Judd what I borrowed for John Brayman on Thursday evening. 10/09 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I went to church all day. Sunday School Prayer Meeting at noon and communion in the P.M. After tea, John and I harnessed George's horse and too a little ride to limber old Jim's legs and settle our suppers. We rode on the hill west of Col. White's Pond, across from there to near Colby Bartram's on the road to the bogs, and then on the Mill Plain road as far as the old Elbert Segar place and then across to the Miry Brook road and home. I wrote to Carleton & Porter ordering 65 Sunday School Advocates and 26 Sunday School Journals for another year, also 4 sheets of tickets for the infant class. The bill according to the catalog will be $29.20. I enclosed $30.00 for the amount; over to stand to my credit. I mailed it as I went to meeting in the evening. 10/09 MONDAY - John Brayman and I went to the shop as usual after getting our breakfast and washing the dishes. John went to Norwalk this afternoon as he was not to have any work tomorrow. A special Hatters' Meeting in the evening to take into consideration the case of apprentices in the shop lately declared foul and to do any other business proper to be done. I could not attend on account of a Sunday School Teachers' Meeting at the church. I being secretary and having the books was obliged to attend. After the meeting I went to the Jeffersonian Office and got 50 large cards for the sellers of Tilden's Flour Sifters to hang in their stores. I got them for George, he having ordered them. 10/10 TUESDAY - John being in Norwalk, I had to get my breakfast alone. I was in consequence late at the shop. George came before I got away and carried my dirty clothes over to Alex Pine's and carried me as far as Concert hall on my way to work. John came home on the morning train and was here again to tea. George went to Stebbins' store to see about their underselling his sifters; he had some words with Amos about them but finally arranged the matter. I attended a Hatters' Meeting in the evening (a special) but the object to rescind the vote previously taken to not work for a boss who has a Fair and a Foul shop in the same locality was not gained. 10/11 WEDNESDAY - I earned $8.12 today, the largest I ever earned in one day. John Brayman not having any work went hunting in the afternoon, but got nothing. I went to class in the evening. 10/12 THURSDAY - Windy and cool. I went to the shop immediately after breakfast, leaving Cousin John to wash the dishes as he had plenty of time not having any work. He and George went to Norwalk selling sifters as they went or rather started; they are to return tomorrow or the next day. We had but one dozen hats today. I finished mine about 11 o'clock. My last ton of coal came in the P.M. I busied myself around the house until just at night when I took my gun down to Charles Hull to have a new tube put in but finally remedied the difficulty with the old one (there was leakage around the tube). I then went to the Wooster House and got shaved and my hair cut bought a loaf of bread, a pound of coffee and came home and got my tea. I took a letter from the Office for Gussie as I came home from work at noon. The postmark was so indistinct I could not tell where it came from. I opened it and found it to be from Edwin's wife. I carried it up to Father Griswold's for the family to read. I went up home in the forepart of the evening to see Bell who is very sick with lung fever. From there I went to the Post Office and home. 10/13 FRIDAY - Cool. I worked as usual in the shop. While I was getting my tea, Father came in to borrow our syringe. I looked all around for it and then went up to Father Griswold's and Fanny said that Gussie took it with her to Canton, thinking that the baby might require its use. After tea, I went to market and at the same time carried a lamp to Joseph Ives to have the top fastened on. As I came from work, I took a letter from the Office from New Haven for George, he not being home. I shall keep it until he returns from Norwalk. Before retiring, I washed myself all over in a tub. 10/14 SATURDAY - Very cold for the season last night and in fact today. There was ice on a water pail outside this morning of considerable thickness, the first I have seen this fall. I have felt rather poorly today, not really sick but a used up languid feeling. When I came home from work at night, I put on my underclothes. Just as I was about to eat supper, George and Cousin John Brayman drove up having come from Norwalk. I helped John unharness after giving George two cups of jelly for bell (who is sick). John and I took tea, after which we went into the street to do some marketing, etc. I took three letters from the Post Office for George, two of them from St. Augustine and one from his lady correspondent while he was in the army directed to Willie Franklin. As I came home from work in the P.M., I got a letter from Gussie who is in Bloomfield. She wants me to come for her next week. 10/15 SUNDAY - Rain last night and storm and wind today. Sunday School was thinly attended. The presiding elder was with us in the P.M. at the prayer meeting and preached in the evening. After tea, John and I harnessed Jim and rode up home to see bell and down to see Beatty to have him come to Father Griswold's tomorrow morning and carry Miss Sutherland to the depot. We stayed at home in the evening. George called as he came from evening meeting. 10/16 MONDAY - Started for Bloomfield this morning. I had the company of Peter Starr; he was going to Boston. I met Father Griswold at Norwalk. The trains were delayed about an hour on account of the burning of the Cos Cob bridge in the town of Greenwich. While waiting at Norwalk, Father Griswold and myself visited Seymour's Nursery. While waiting in New Haven, Peter with me called on Elisha Dickerson, druggist in Chapel Street. We took dinner in the depot building (a branch of the Merchant's Hotel). I took stage at 3 P.M. from Hartford to Bloomfield Center. From there I walked to Uncle Lorenzo's and arrived about sundown where I found wife and baby. George Wilson, known as Nicodemus, called in the evening. 10/17 TUESDAY - Picked corn with Uncle Lorenzo a part of the forenoon until Alfred Humphrey called at the house on his way to Hartford and Gussie sent Willie Dean to the field for me. Alfred made arrangements with Hiram Barber of Canton to carry us to Canton in the P.M. if we wished to go. Fearing that tomorrow would be stormy we concluded to go on the baby's account. So about 3 o'clock Mr. Barber came along and we started. Arrived at Alfred's at dark. I paid Barber $1.50 for the job; he thought himself well paid. We were met with the usual hearty welcome and good cheer. 10/18 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy with a little rain. I rode with Alfred to the mill in the morning, after which Lydia and Gussie rode with us up to Mrs. Foot's. I husked corn in the barn in the P.M. and milked a cow for Alfred at night. Boiled chestnuts, put stamps on 3 dozen Salves and told stories in the evening. 10/19 THURSDAY - Stormy all last night and this morning; the sun finally came out and in the P.M. we all went up to Lucien Case's and stayed to tea. Windy and colder towards night. Starlight and rain squalls in the evening. Alfred made salve in the forenoon, as I wanted a gross to take home with me for George to peddle. 10/20 FRIDAY - Went up to Lucien Case's in the morning and borrowed a gun to hunt partridges. I got no partridges, it being too windy but found a fine lot of chestnuts. I went for chestnuts again in the P.M. with Anna, Gussie and the children. We returned in time to visit with Lucien's folks who came down and stayed to tea. 10/21 SATURDAY - We rose about 5 o'clock. Alfred started with us to Collinsville about before 7 o'clock. The train left 20 minutes before 8 o'clock. We arrived in New Haven about 10 o'clock. Our trunk was checked through to Norwalk. My carpet bag I deposited in the Merchant's Hotel and then we went up Chapel Street and called on Elisha Dickerson; from there we went over to Cousin Charles Bradley's in Hubbard Street near the hospital and took dinner. After dinner I went with Mr. Bradley to the carriage factory, his place of business. I returned and in about an hour we left there and called at Mr. Chauncey Dickerman's in York Street, but he and his wife were away so we went to Elisha's and stayed a while. From there we went to the depot where Gussie got a beefsteak. It was tiresome waiting for the train in the crowd. We arrive home at 9 o'clock in the evening, an hour behind time on account of the difficulty of changing trains at the Cos Cob Bridge. Mother Griswold had tea for us when we arrived. John Brayman went to Norwalk today with George with the horse. George intends spending a week or more in that vicinity with his sifters. I brought home a gross of salve for him to sell. 10/22 - SUNDAY - We feel rather tired today. I went to Sunday School at noon and then returned home again. Gussie did not go to church, only in the evening when I stayed with Georgie. After tea, I went up home to see Bell who has had the lung fever. I wrote to Carleton & Porter in the evening ordering additional copies of Sunday School papers 5 S.S.A.'s and 4 S.S.J.'s. I enclosed the money for them - $2.90 and Gussie mailed it when she went to church in the evening. 10/23 MONDAY - The milk train from here last evening had a collision on the N.Y & N.H. Railroad between Stamford and Greenwich. The train form here was chartered by the N.Y. & N.H. Railroad to run as far on that road as the Cos Cob Bridge to carry the milk but was run by an engineer of that road. A man by name of Horace Wildman was killed. Conductor Parsons of this road had a leg broken. Engineer George Stevens was badly injured but not dangerously hurt. I worked all day in the shop. I expected Joe Kyle to bring some butter to Judd's store this evening for Oscar Serine and myself, but he did not. I got a letter firm the Office for George tonight and with one that came on Saturday, I mailed them to him at Norwalk where he is now with his sifters. I saw A. Knox in the street about the $25.00 I borrowed of him for John Brayman which should be paid this evening. John could not pay him; I am to see him again tomorrow evening when John expects to have the money. Bought 62 lbs. of bar soap of Mr. Judd this evening for 16 cents per pound. He is to bring it tomorrow. I am to pay him as soon as I can. John Brayman came home from Norwalk this morning on the train. The dead body of Wildman and the wounded from the railroad accident came by the same train. John is to board with us until he moves his family which will be in about a week. 01/24 TUESDAY - Cold; ice was on a water pail at the back door this morning. After tea, I went to market. I saw Andrew Knox in the street and paid him $11.00 which John Brayman gave me last evening toward the $25.00 I borrowed for him over two weeks ago. I went to the depot when the train came with Clark Beers to see if the tea and coffee which he bought for me in New York came but it did not. There was a letter in the mail for George from his sieve manufacturer, Mr. E. C. Andrews of New Haven. I mailed it to George at Norwalk. Mr. Judd brought the soap today which I bought last evening. 10/25 WEDNESDAY - Quite cold again this morning. I worked until noon in the shop and then came home with a headache. I felt so much better out of doors than I did in the house. I took my gun and with Henry Blair's dog, Bird, I went out a short distance to get a bird for Bell as she is now much better of her fever. I got one quail and two chipmunks. I went to bed early and left Cousin John Brayman to rock the cradle while Gussie and Louise went up home to see our folks and to carry the bird to Bell. 10/26 THURSDAY - The baby sick; John went for the milk this morning while I held Georgie to let Gussie get the breakfast. As I went to the shop, I stopped and left word on Dr. Bulkeley's slate at his office for him to come and see the baby. He came about 9 o'clock. He could not tell exactly what to call the disease but feared both Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria. I brought home a Blk. Spring Brim hat with me at night that I got up from a damaged body. John and I went to market in the evening. I called on Dr. Bulkeley to see about the baby. Mr. Pond gave us about a peck of quinces this morning. A brakeman on the freight train was killed today at Norwalk while coupling cars together. He was jammed between the cars and died soon after. 01/27 FRIDAY - A little rain in the morning; cloudy all day with the appearance of rain every hour. The baby a little better today. George F. Bailey's circus exhibited here this day and evening. After tea, John Brayman and I went to market. The train came in this evening about the usual time as the detentions at Cos Bob Bridge are at an end, they having it now so far rebuilt that the trains run over it. Before retiring, I wrote out a card for George for publishing (subject to his approval) in reply to Edwin Gilbert in reply to one previously written by George. 10/28 SATURDAY - Stormy last night and this morning; it cleared off after dinner. We had but one dozen hats today. I came home at noon and went over to Mallory's shop to see Theo Lyon about getting the Russell Strawberry plants which I engaged to him. He was not at the shop so I returned and let Alban Hurd have some of them. Gussie made quince jelly and preserved some of the quinces today. John Brayman went home on the afternoon train. I went into the street in the evening and received a letter form Alfred Humphrey about the flour he was to buy for us. He was disappointed in not getting it, the parties having sold out all of that brand which they had on hand. I also received a bill from Carleton & Porter for Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals which I supposed I sent the money for when I ordered them. I intended to do so and was surprised to learn there was no money in the letter accompanying the order. George arrived home from a peddling trip of 1 week this evening. 10/29 SUNDAY - It was nearly 8 o'clock when we rose this morning. I had Sunday School Advocates to mark off this morning and in consequence of that and late rising, I did not go to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School after which I came home to let Gussie go to the Union Sunday School Concert at the 1st Church, which took the place of the usual afternoon service. George came down in the afternoon to curry his horse. William Warren came with him and called a few minutes. While they were here, Henry Blair's dog, Bird scratched at the door. I opened the door and let him in. He having hunted with me, he came around I suppose to give me a call and see if I would take my gun and go with him not knowing the difference between Sunday and any other day. He stayed with me until about two o'clock and then left. Gussie stayed with the baby and I went to church in the evening. Brother Hill preached. Fido came in church and stayed until meeting was out and then climbed over the seats to get to Fanny. 10/30 MONDAY - Cloudy, but no rain; the sun shone however just before it went down. After tea, Louise came down to stay with the baby to let Gussie go into the street with John and myself. While in Benedict & Nichols, George came in and Gussie and I took his horse which was standing in front to f the store and rode over to Theo Lyons' to see if he wanted to take the Russell Strawberry plants this fall which I engaged to him as Alban Hurd wants them if he does not. When we came back, we papered up the cups of jelly (quince) which she made on Saturday. 10/31 TUESDAY - Appearance of storm in the morning. It commenced raining after dinner and rained hard all the afternoon. It broke away in a measure about 7 o'clock in the evening so that the moon shone a little. George helped Gussie and Mrs. Stone clean the bedroom and pantry today and harnessed the horse and came to the shop for me a little before 5 o'clock. We took Oscar Serine in and carried him home as we came home. There was a special Hatter's Meeting this evening held over Harris' Clothing Store. It was to take measures to prevent foul shops and diminish foul men; also to rescind a resolution previously passed regarding pouncing (?) I attended the meeting.
1865-10
Western Connecticut State University