Horace Purdy Journal November 1868 Entry
12pgs
NOVEMBER 01 SUNDAY - Stormy all day. I went down to the church at noon, but there was no session of the Sunday School on account of the rain. So Fred Shears and I spent an hour or more at the library putting books in their places and putting numbers on the backs of such as had lost them off. I then came home where I spent the remainder of the day. NOVEMBER 02 MONDAY - Rain and snow all day until evening when the stars shone. I have been to New York. I made frames at the store. I brought home a walnut and gilt 16x20 frame for Egbert Gilbert's soldiers' testimonial. I found George on the Danbury & Norwalk train. He came on an earlier train to Norwalk having walked from Yonkers across to Mount Vernon to take the train. Bell, being at Bethel, she joined us at that place. They both came from the depot up home with me. George took a cup of tea with me. I sold to Walter Bartram an 'Outline of the U.S. Government' while on the train this evening. Henry Hinman moved into our upper rooms today. NOVEMBER 03 TUESDAY - Presidential Election. Snow showed on the ground last evening and did not altogether disappear until about the middle of the forenoon. I worked around home this morning, went up to Oscar Serines's for a half barrel of lime. I then dressed myself, took two of my books, 'Outlines of the U.S. Government' and delivered to Henry Kessler and Rollo Nichols. I then went down and voted. I came home at noon to dinner. After dinner, I cleaned out the woodhouse, cut up some old rubbish, sawed open my old vinegar barrel and found it to be too rotten for any use. I then dressed again and took George and Henry Quien's testimonials down to Saul Kleig's clothing store to be called for. Henry paid me for his at the courthouse - $2.25 - $2.00 for the frame, 15 cents for the card and 10 cents for the nail. I then went down to the courthouse again to hear the vote declared. I was there at 4 o'clock. The polls were closed at 5 o'clock. About 5, the vote was declared. Whole number of votes cast ' 1,654 ' Rep., 889, Dem., 765, Republican majority, 124. I immediately came home and told the news. Henry Hinman paid me $5.00 while I was at tea for his first month's rent. Our Republican majority last spring was 51. George took his trunk and left for Yonkers on the noon train after depositing his vote for Grant and Colfax. After tea, I assisted Henry Hinman to put up window shades and Gussie in putting our small chamber in order, setting up bedstead, etc. I then went into the street, exchanged 2 boxes of paper collars for one at Fleig's, mine not being so good an article and also being an inch too large. I then went to Concert Hall to hear the telegraphic returns form the election. I stayed until nearly 11 o'clock and came home. Walked up with Marshall West. NOVEMBER 04 WEDNESDAY - A pleasant beautiful day. I went to the shop this morning and had one dozen of hats which I finished by noon. There then being no further work, I came home. I delivered 'Outline' this P.M. to Adam Boyd at the sandpaper factory. The cannon was brought out this P.M. and guns were fired over the election. I ran up our folks' flag on their home this P.M. Preparations are being made for a general rejoicing and an illumination over the election of U. S. Grant as president of the United States form the 4th of March next. I went to market in the evening. NOVEMBER 05 THURSDAY - Georgie had the croup last night about 11 o'clock just as we had retired. I got up and went for Mrs. Richards who came over and advised us. We gave him some hive syrup which vomited him and gave immediate relief. He breathed and slept well all night thereafter. I have worked a part of the day I the shop. Not feeling well, I slept on the lounge awhile before tea. I went into the street in the evening and left my watch again with Fanton's man S. G. Bailey, it having stopped. Before leaving the street, there was an alarm of fire. I went sown as far as Saul Wildman's and found that the fire was somewhere on the flats as low down as Bethel and a little west. I returned, helping draw the hook and ladder truck as far as D. P. Nichols & Company. I then bought a pound of crackers and then came home. Robert Cocking came in about 9 o'clock for a roll of salve. Before retiring, I went up to Father Griswold's and prepared in part for illuminating his cupola tomorrow evening, it being a jollification over the election of General Grant as President of the United States. NOVEMBER 06 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I had part of a day's work in the shop. After work, I brought home some partly burned candles of Parmalee for Father Griswold to illuminate his cupola with this evening, it being the occasion of a jollification over the election of President Grant. I put eight of them in each window, making 32 of them in all. I superintended lighting the cupola, also my own house. I hung a picture of General Grant in our parlor window and our folks' flag in another. The Grant and Colfax Legion turned out on parade with torches. After the procession, O. H. Ferry spoke in Concert Hall. I did not attend the speaking. NOVEMBER 07 SATURDAY - I have been to New York. I called on Mason Thorp at his factory at 167 West 26th Street. I wanted to put new frames on his two looking glasses but he does not want it done yet. I made a few frames at the store. Mrs. Fields called at the store and gave me an order for framing. . On the train coming home, I fell in with one named Fitch from Aiken, South Carolina. . He married a girl, by name Lois Coleman, related to Mr. Griffin at Redding Station where he stopped to meet his wife. She has been staying there where he sent her a few weeks ago. He was ordered to leave Aiken by the Ku Klux Klan on Saturday, the 17th of October (I think it was). They gave him until Monday to get away in. He sent his family ahead to Mr. Griffin's. I expected to bring to Mr. Swift ## dozen gold frames 8x10, seal and ribbon pattern, but could not get them in the white soon enough. I took down for Elijah Morris a book on architecture to be called for by his folks at the store. I also took clean clothes for George and left at the store. NOVEMBER 08 SUNDAY - Cloudy most of the day. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon. It was our monthly concert. I did not stay in the P.M. It commenced to rain as I came home from meeting Gussie wrote to Hattie in New Haven in the evening. NOVEMBER 09 MONDAY - Warm with the appearance of rain in the morning, but it came off pleasant during the day. I went to the shop in the morning (As I went, I took an oil can and a note to Aaron Morehouse in Taylor's Block for Henry Hinman), but the foreman told us that there would be no work for the journeymen until Thursday. I then came home and got in my winter turnips and the rest of my cabbage. I discharged my gun which had been loaded for several weeks and cleaned and oiled it and put it away. In the P.M. at 3 o'clock, I attended a special town meeting at the courthouse to see about exchanging a piece of ground in the rear of Concert Hall for a part of what the steps in front now occupy with the owners of the hall, but the people, believing that both the front and rear, also the grounds on which the hall stands belong to the town and that the stockholders own nothing but the old building that they replaced, refused to grant the request. I have had a headache all day and now feel about down sick. Henry Heinman today gave up and went to bed sick. They fear lung fever. Sunday School Teachers' Meeting in the evening. I attended. As I went , I took my watch again to F. B. Fanton's to his man, S. G. Bailey, who put in a new main spring on the 17th of last month and since then it stops nearly every day. As I came home from Teachers' Meeting, I took a letter from the Post Office for Gussie from her cousin Eliza in California. Before retiring, I copied the minutes of the Sunday School Teachers' Business meeting. NOVEMBER 10 TUESDAY - Misty a part of the day. I have been to New York. Mrs. Randall was on the train this morning going to Pennsylvania. As I went down to the store, I stopped at Phillip Phillip's for two more 'Singing Pilgrims and Musical Leaves Combined'. They are engaged in the Sunday School. I have been very busy in the store today making frames etc. Mr. McDonald's hired boy met me at the station this evening to borrow my gun, I having promised to bring it to him on Mr. McDonald's account as he is going hunting with him. He came home with me and got it. I today was informed that the notice in the paper last week of Henry Young's death was my landlord. Abel Gray, I am told, died yesterday. NOVEMBER 11 WEDNESDAY - Rain until about noon. The locomotive ran off the turntable this morning and delayed us from the regular time ' 6 ## o'clock ' until 4 minutes past 7. . Instead of 80 minutes, the usual time of running to Norwalk, we ran it in 50 minutes including stoppages, the quickest time yet made on this road. J. B. Gibbs of New York, on a wager with Walter Bartram of the Fanton & Bartram Sewing Machine notoriety, started about 10 A.M. from Merritt's Eating House, 78 Ninth Street to walk to Hartford. He carries an American flag with 'Grant and Colfax' on it, also a haversack well stocked with circulars advertising the Fanton & Bartram Sewing Machine Company which he is to circulate in every place through which he passes. He started in the rain with a brass band to escort him up through the city where they left him to go on his way. I sold to Benjamin Ryder a looking glass and delivered to his office on the corner of Broadway and Spring Street. I brought up a half dozen gold 8x10 oval frames seal and ribbon pattern to Swift tonight. I also brought to Louise a No. 2 Longking's Notes. Star light this evening. My birthday. I am 33 years old. NOVEMBER 12 THURSAY - Pleasant but cooler. I have worked in the shop. I took Father Griswold's old broad brimmed hat to the shop with me to cut of the brim and curl it over again and put a spring under the curl to hold it in shape. After tea, I called at Egbert Gilbert's on Division Street to get his testimonial to frame. His wife only knowing where it was and she being out, I did not get it. I went into the street, waited until the mail was opened and then came home. Before retiring, I marked off the Sunday School papers. NOVEMBER 13 FRIDAY - The coldest morning, I think, we have yet had. The day has been pleasant. I had work in the shop until after 3 P.M. I then came home, stopping on the way at Bedient's Photographic Gallery and collected a bill of $4.00 from him for 8x10 rustic frames, a half dozen at $7.50 a dozen. There was 50 cents extra for a carved leaf on top of one of them. As I was going to the shop this morning, Mr. H. Griffing asked me if I could pay my coal bill before December 1st. After work and before tea, I brought some apples down from Father Griswold's barn and put them in my cellar. I got them as pay for picking them for him. There was about a barrel of good picked fruit and a bushel of windfalls. I brought from the shop Father Griswold's hat that I took there for repairs. I brought home my gun from Mc Donald's this morning. His hired boy used it yesterday hunting. I went into the street in the evening. Called at Swift's for $7.50 for half dozen 8x10 gold oval frames scale and ribbon pattern, but he did not pay me. I got my watch from Fanton's and came home. NOVEMBER 14 SATURDAY - Pleasant and a little warmer. I have been to New York. Galen Terry, Mr. Young's agent, he (Young) being dead, called for his rent today. I had a talk with him about the rent, now that Young is dead. So far as I can learn, there is not to be any change in affairs at present, at least. I brought home a piece of bacon with me from the city. Gussie met me at the depot to have me do a little marketing with her. I brought the small looking glass with me for Homer White. NOVEMBER 15 SUNDAY - Pleasant. After breakfast, I went down to church with the bundle of Sunday School papers and returned. Gussie attended in the forenoon. I left Georgie upstairs with Anna and went down to Sunday School. Gussie stayed and came home with me after school. After tea, I went down to church to look for my handkerchief which I have lost somewhere. In the meantime, Gussie went with Georgie over to Andrew Williams in Montgomery Street to see Mrs. Bradley. Mrs. Cocking called in just before meeting time and I walked down to church with her and Louise. NOVEMBER 16 - MONDAY - Pleasant. Before breakfast, I wrote to William at the store ordering a half dozen rustic frames for Bedient the photographer here over Gillette's store. I had work in the shop today. Before tea, I commenced raking leaves off my dooryard. Hattie Mills came in while we were at tea. She took tea with us and then spent the evening. I went into the street in the evening where Bedient saw me and was in a hurry for his frames. I wrote again to William before retiring. NOVEMBER 17 TUESDAY - The weather has been more cloudy today and threatens storms. Before breakfast, I went down and mailed two letters, one to William at the store and one to George at Yonkers asking him for money on what he owes me. I have worked in the shop a part of the day. In the P.M., I finished raking off my dooryard and covered my strawberry beds with the leaves. I then dressed and carried over to George Starr and Daniel each a book which they subscribed for, (Outlines of the U. S. Government'. I did not get my pay, George being out and Daniel not having any money with him. Before tea, I went up to Father Griswold's and took the looking glass out from there old two story gilt frame preparatory to taking it with me tomorrow to New York to regild. While we were at tea, Amos Purdy came for another roll of salve. I went to market in the evening. Gussie attended the Temperance Mass meeting with Anna Heinman in the evening. NOVEMBER 18 WEDNESDAY - To New York. I was late; took a cold breakfast and ran to catch the train. I had just time to stop at D. M. Benedict's and get a pair of rubbers on credit. It was raining so that I need them as my boots were old and leaked. I took an old style looking glass frame of Mother Griswold's down with me to regild. I spent a great part of the day at the store making frames. It rained all the forenoon but very little in the P.M.I squared and framed in walnut a small piece of looking glass (broken) from the old frame I am to regild and brought up with me to Fanny. I also brought a half dozen 8x10 rustic frames for Mr. Bedient the photographer. I left them at Simon's Shoe store. I found Louise at the house when I got home. She stayed to tea, Gussie having gone to the Aid Society. NOVEMBER 19 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. I took with me to the shop an 'Outlines of the U.S. Government' for George Sherman which he took and paid me for - $2.00. I have had work all day. On my way home, I stopped at Bedient's and collected a bill for ## dozen rustics - $3.50 After tea, I took our 8x10 frame, 1 ## Walnut with 1 inch gilt inside and gold mounted and corners and sold from it one for sample to Hamelin, to Couch and Bedient. I bought some fish at market and came home. While in the street, I paid D. M. Benedict, $1.00 on account for rubbers bought yesterday morning. NOVEMBER 20 FRIDAY - Cloudy during the day. I worked in the shop until noon then came home and spent the P.M. in preparing mortar for laying up my cellar wall, getting a few stones, etc. Before tea, I went into the street, mailed a letter to Mrs. Holmes at Essex informing her of the finding of her boy's overcoat in the car at Norwalk last Wednesday. I also mailed for Gussie a Danbury Times to Harriet in New Haven. I called at Swift's and got my pay for the ## dozen gold 8x10 ovals, scale and ribbon pattern I sod him $7.50. After tea, (Bell being here) I went up home with Bell and Louise to see Father about helping me repair my cellar wall. I brought home a small basket of my turnips. NOVEMBER 21 SATURDAY - Cloudy and threatened storm all day. I have been to New York. I only ate about half of my breakfast today. I had to run to catch the train. I took down and undershirt to George today. In reply to a note I wrote to him on Tuesday asking him for money, he wrote to William at the store and enclosed $15.00 which I found there today. I went to Philip Philip's today for a 'Singing Pilgrim and Leaves' for Minnie Vintz. I have been pretty busy making frames. I have had a severe headache, but after taking a nap in the New Haven cars, I felt better. I brought home a lot of clock keys, hand bells and springs from the shop to sell to T. B. Fanton. Isaac Jennings sat in the seat with me from New York. Bell was here when I came from the cars and got my tea for me, Gussie being downtown on an errand. I paid Galen Terry $40.00 today on November rent today for Henry Young's estate. NOVEMBER 22 SUNDAY - Cloudy most of the day. A little blustery and threatens snow. I went down to Sunday School at noon. A collection was taken to send to the Five Points Mission to aid in getting up a Thanksgiving dinner for them. $16.93 was taken up, $9.93 from the main school and $7.00 from the Infant Class box which for over a month they have been collecting for that purpose. Gussie came down to the Sunday School and went to the Baptist church in the P.M. to hear the funeral sermon for Pierce Abbott's wife preached by their new preacher, Mr. Hubbard. I came home after school to count and put up in packages the money taken for the Five Points. After tea, I went over to George Starr's with the money as he wants to send it tomorrow. NOVEMBER 23 MONDAY - Pleasant but cool. I have worked all day in the shop. Father has worked for me today rebuilding a piece of my cellar wall. He took tea with Mother Griswold, he being up there at that time for some rotten specked apples. She persuaded him to do so. After tea, I wrote to George trying to get more money from him on his old debt to help me out on December 1st. I went to F. B. Fanton's and let him have 34 clock keys, about a dozen springs, three bells, three pendulums and about a dozen hands for $3.00 in trade. I took a box of 10 packs of envelopes, $1.00, and ten quires of paper, $1.25, one dozen pencils, 40 cents and 15 rubber heads for pencils, 35 cents. I mailed the letter to George, bought a broom for Gussie and came home, walking up with Marshall West. Before retiring, I took some samples of wall molding over to Mr. Pond's for him to take and show to his assistant teacher, Mr. Holmes who wants some to make into frames himself. I took Marshall's hat home with me and heated the brim and set up the curl anew for him and returned it in a few minutes. NOVEMBER 24 TUESDAY - Cool but pleasant. I have worked in the shop. I took Mr. Pond's hat with me to the shop to set up the curl a little more for him. I came home about the middle of the P.M. and cleaned my gun and took it down to Benjamin Rolfe who wants to borrow it on Thanksgiving Day. I received a letter from William at the store stating that Sigler, Wurzberger & Ferguson in Mercer Street have been burned out. Four frames of mine at Wurzberger's to be mounted with composition corners were also burned. Henry Crofut's daughter Delia was married to one Davenport of the firm of Croft & Knapp at Norwalk. Bell came down this evening and brought a hen and 9 chickens just hatched, a present to us if we will raise them. I wrote to William and mailed it in the evening, directing Father Griswold's looking glass to be completed and ready for me on Thursday. I went to market in the evening and took an order from Swift for three frames. NOVEMBER 25 WEDNESDAY - Another beautiful forenoon, but before night, it clouded up. The wind changed to the south and at 4 o'clock, every indication of a stormy day tomorrow, but in the evening, it looked less like a storm. I have worked in the shop. We got paid off today, our pay last Saturday having been deferred until today in view of Thanksgiving tomorrow. I got a damaged hat for nothing and trimmed and finished it. It is the new style, 'Alpine'. After tea, I went to market and brought home a chicken that Gussie engaged of Eli Stone. I waited until about 9 o'clock for the mail, the train being that much behind. I called at Charles Andrews by consent of E. S. Davis and engaged him to furnish what additional pipe is needed and turn it through the thimble into the lecture room and enter the furnace pipe, the present arrangement causing the stove in the Librarian's Room to smoke so that we cannot stand it. I brought a letter for Fanny from the Post Office from Elyria, Ohio from Annie and the children. NOVEMBER 26 THURSDAY - Thanksgiving Day. Rain in the forenoon, clearing away at noon. No shop work. I have been to New York. I went down in the morning and returned at 3 ## P.M. by the 12 ## train from New York. The store has been closed, but I called at William's home at 16 Bedford Street and he went over with me and put a looking glass in the frame of Father Griswold's which I have been regilding and went down expressly for. I left $10.00 with William to do business with. Emma Bartram, the school teacher, went to New York this morning, Jennie Fairweather. She was on her way to Bridgeport. Ambrose Hill was also on the train coming from Brooklyn. Gussie and Georgie took dinner with Father Griswold. Dinner being over when I returned, I ate mine alone after which I set the other looking glass in the fame I brought from New York(it being a two story glass) and left it ready to hang up. I wrote another plain letter to George soliciting money. I went over and read it to Mr. Pond and then went into the street and mailed it. I called at Swift's, got my Harpers Weekly and came home. Before retiring, I mended a fancy black walnut bracket for Marshall West. NOVEMBER 27 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I have worked all day in the shop. My father and family and Gussie's father and family were all here to dinner this P.M. having work in the shop, I stayed until night and ate my dinner alone when I came home. Father and Mother stayed in the evening. I went to the Post Office in the evening. I paid Father $2.00 for mending my cellar wall. NOVEMBER 28 SATURDAY - Cold last night. A white frost this morning. Sarah Bouton, her son Edgar and his wife were on the train this morning going home to Georgetown, they having been up to John Bouton's keeping Thanksgiving. Alfred Targett went to New York this morning also. I have been very busy at the store today making frames. William yesterday rented the upper floor over the store to a man and wife and two children. Van Orden moves out on December 1st. Clark Beers' wife and child came up this evening. They have been down to bury her mother. I bought a passe partout and some mats up for Swift from Handler's. I also brought up the small passe partouts for Alfred Targett. I bought a hymn book for Hattie Brockett at the Book Room. When I arrive home this evening, I found Mother Griswold, Mary Vintz and Louise at the house. NOVEMBER 29 SATURDAY - Sunshine. Some clouds and a little blustery. Gussie did not go to church during the day. I went down at noon to Sunday School and returned again after the session. Through my efforts during last week, we have had the stove pipe changed in the Librarian's Room and carried through the partition to the furnace pipe in the Lecture Room. As it was before entering the chimney in the room, it smoked so that we could have no fire. Now it is remedied, I think, as it burned well and made our room comfortable today. After tea, I drew up anew the Infant Class from Fanny's book into mine. I then went over to Hattie Brockett's with the hymn book I bought for her in New York, a present to her mother. I stayed a short time and then returned about 6 o'clock. NOVEMBER 30 MONDAY - A beautiful morning before daylight but nearly all day it has been cloudy and cool. I have been to New York. Reuben W. Holmes was on the train this morning going to new Haven. He was on the train again this evening going home. I had some conversation with him about buying me out in New York. Jennie Fairweather got on the train this morning at Ridgefield on her way to her school in Yonkers. I had her company down. I helped her off the car at 30th Street while they were in motion and walked with her towards the Hudson River railroad depot as far as 6th Avenue where I left her and took a car down to my store. I have been quite busy at the store making frames. In the P.M., I went down to Tibbels', 37 Park Row, for some Judd's Lessons for the Sunday School and some reward books for the Infant Class. I took a 4th Avenue car from there up to the depot and came home. My commutation tickets expire today from here to New York.
1868-11
Horace Purdy Journal February 1869 Entry
10pgs
FEBRUARY 01 MONDAY - Pleasant but cold. No work in the factory on account of the excitement about the great catastrophe, the breaking away of the 2 Kohanza Dams, the destruction of property and loss of life. Eleven persons are missing; five have been found, Fanny Humphrey, old Mrs. Hustead (mother to Charles Andrews' wife), Edward Clark and his wife and child. Bridges are swept away; also buildings. Sunderland's Carpenter Shop near Stevens Street, on the east side of the Barn Plain Bridge was smashed entirely in pieces. Another dwelling at the upper end of Main Street was served in the same manner. Another standing near it (in which was Mrs. Hustead) was carried some distance from its cellar, turned end for end with the lower story entirely torn away. Chase's Carriage Shop was entirely demolished except a small piece of the south end which is alone left standing. In the P.M., Charles Hayes, Henry Hinman and myself went up to see the dams and the destruction caused by the rush of waters in that vicinity. Father Griswold came home on the evening train. FEBRUARY 02 TUESDAY - I have worked in the shop. My work kept me as late as I could see in the shop. It is reported that two more of the children drowned Saturday night were found today between Patch and White Streets. After tea, I wrote to George giving him a brief account of the Kohanza disaster and asking him to name if he could when he can let me have some money. When I returned home, Oscar Serine came in to have me write to William and have me find out about a William A. Wilcox at 32 North Morse Street if such a man really lives there and if he is a responsible man, he having written to Oscar about his western farm. He wants to buy a farm of that description. If he is not a humbug and is genuine, Oscar will go to New York with me on Saturday to see him. Mr. and Mrs. Pond also came in during the evening to hear news if any about bodies being found. FEBRUARY 03 WEDNESDAY - There were about 2 inches of snow on the ground this morning and still snowing. It soon turned to rain, however, which before night partially wasted the snow, the remainder being mixed with water. I have worked in the shop. This P.M., six of the drowned persons who have been found were buried, five of them from the Episcopal Church. The other one, old Mrs. Hemstead, mother to Charles Andrews' wife, was buried from Mr. Andrews' residence. As I came home from work, I took a letter from the Post Office from William, stating that Dan has again been disposing of pictures, etc. without permission. Charles Hayes, our boarder working at the Sewing Machine Factory, was paid off today. When he came home, he paid me $10.00 for board, which with an additional 65 cents he borrowed from me balanced accounts up to last Saturday night. In the evening, Charlie and I went into the street to market, etc. As we came home, it lightninged frequently and distant thunder was soon heard. FEBRUARY 04 THURSDAY - There was no rain last night from the thunder and lightning. I got from Mr. Pond two gallons of kerosene oil for Father Griswold before going to the shop this morning; also I killed a chicken for them. I have worked all day in the shop. I rained some in the morning and during the day it snowed quite hard for a time. Before night it cleared off cold. At noon there was circulated a call for 500 volunteers to assist in looking over the ground between White Street and North Main with pick axes, axes, shovels, ice tongs, etc. in search of the three bodies yet missing from the Sunday night calamity. I went to market in the evening. It grew cold very fast in the evening. FEBRUARY 05 FRIDAY - Cloudy in the morning and cold all day. It finally cleared away so that the afternoon was pleasant with sunshine. I have worked in the shop until about 3 P.M. After coming home, I started out again to George Starr's shop to see Clark Beers about the picture frames I am making for him. From there, I went to the Jeffersonian Office for a paper but they were not yet published, the delay being on account of the Coroner's Jury still in session on the bodies of the drowned at the time of the breaking up of the Kohanza Dam. The editor was waiting for their verdict for publication. After tea, I went to market and to the Jeffersonian Office for a Jeffersonian containing an account of the great disaster. The coroner's verdict was that the persons drowned came to their deaths by the breaking of the Kohanza dam occasioned by the action of the frost. I also went to the barber's and had my hair cut. I received a letter from William at the store relative to a Mr. Wilcox wanting to buy a farm in Iowa of Oscar Serine. Also one from George in Yonkers saying that he is coming home on Saturday evening and that he will meet me at the New Have Railroad depot in New York and that he has $20.00 to pay me on what he owes me. FEBRUARY 06 SATURDAY - Pleasant. Oscar Serine went to New York with me today. I went with him to see parties about buying his Iowa farm. I bought for Mr. Pond 75 singing books, the second book of 'Long Garden' of Mason at 596 Broadway. He sent $45.00, the trade price for them, but I got them for $39.38. He gave me the amount $5.62 for my trouble. I expected to find George this evening coming home from Yonkers in company with Jennie Stewart. He came earlier on the train from New York. Oscar and I went to visit the Velocipede Riding School in 9th Street near Broadway in the same block with Stewart's new store. I was much interested. George came home on the noon train from New York. FEBRUARY 07 SUNDAY - Pleasant. We rose rather late this morning. Charles Hayes and I went down to Sunday School. We started about 11 o'clock. Gussie came down at noon with Georgie. After school, Charles and I went home with Georgie, leaving Gussie to stay in the P.M. Another body of a child was found this morning in Peck's Ditch, making 10 that have been found thus far out of the 10 missing at first. Mrs. Clark and one child yet remain missing. George came down on his way to evening meeting and paid me $20.00 towards what he owes me. He then with Bell went to church with Charlie and Gussie. I stayed at home with Georgie. Later the child was found just below the railroad bridge and not in Peck's Ditch as stated above. FEBRUARY 08 MONDAY - Pleasant this morning, but before night it became cloudy with indications of rain. I have worked in the shop. Not having a full day's work, I got home before dark. The seats in the church were rented this P.M. Not feeling able to take one this year, I did not go to the church. I this morning at the shop paid to Mr. Crofut the $20.00 George gave me yesterday towards the $80.00 I borrowed of him On December 4th. After tea, I went to market and mailed letters for Father Griswold and a Jeffersonian to Alfred Humphry. I brought from the Post Office a letter for Miss Camp which I brought over to Mr. Pond's. William Warren met me on the street this evening and paid me the $2.00 he owed me for the 'Outlines of the U.S. Government'. February 09 TUESDAY - Pleasant this morning and not very cold. It soon however came over cloudy and in the P.M. it snowed a little. I have worked all day in the shop. Jo Kyle brought a dozen brooms to the shop which some of his brother-in-laws make. I bought one of them for 37 cents. Mr. Pond came in just before tea to borrow one of Gussie's old school readers to select from it a piece to read at one of their church socials. He selected 'Goody Blake' and 'Harry Gill' and read it over to us much to our amusement. I went to market in the evening, called at the Post Office, and got Mr. Pond's mail, waited for Oscar Serine to see if he got a letter making it necessary for him to go to New York tomorrow. We then came up West Street together as we came home. Harriet Stevens arrived this evening from New Haven. FEBRUARY 10 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy, warm and muggy. I have worked in the shop. I finished my work about 4 o'clock and came home. I then with a crowbar broke up the ice on my ash heap and with a shovel threw it with considerable ashes into a pile in the garden nearby. After tea, I went to market and bought a ham, weight 12 pounds at 24 cents, also a dozen eggs. I took a letter from the Post Office for Gussie from Harriet Stevens in New Haven, but she arrived here herself by last evening's train, one day ahead of her letter. As I returned from Market while walking up West Street with Theodore McDonald, it snowed quite hard. FEBRUARY 11 THURSDAY - The ground was covered with a light snow this morning. The forenoon was warm and the snow that fell last night was gone at noon. After dinner, it came off pleasant and cooler. I have worked all day in the shop. In the evening, I went to the Post Office and to the news office for the Harper's Weekly which contains the illustrations of our great calamity. 'The Breaking Away of the Kohanza Dam'. I got my package of Sunday School papers and came home. Before retiring, I marked off the Sunday School papers. FEBRUARY 12 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. I bought a Harper's Weekly and sent it to Eliza in California. After tea, I went to market. I ordered oysters for tomorrow at Raymond's. FEBRUARY 13 SATURDAY - A beautiful day. I have been to New York. Mr. Pond went down with me. His wife went with him as far as Port Chester where she spent the day and returned home with him by the evening train. As I went to the store in the morning, I stopped at 838 Broadway at Walter Bartram's and got 6 pictures for circle frames. They were imitations of statuary of the four seasons and night and morning. I put them in 18 inch Sperry's pattern polished walnut. They were $6.00 frames, but I did the lot for $30.00 which he paid me when I took the pictures. I brought them with me home. He was with me on the train. When we arrived, I went to his house with him to help carry them on Balmforth Avenue. The freight train due here at 1 o'clock fell through the bridge near Bate's Crossing this P.M. Three cars were run into the river. The engine ran across to the north end of the bridge where it rests on the timbers but off the tracks. One man, a brakeman, was badly hurt. To get home this evening, we had to leave the train cross the stream on a plank and take a train on this side. As the New York and New Haven car was run on the Danbury and Norwalk track at Norwalk this evening, the chain to the brake broke which made the brake useless and the two New York cars were run into the rear of the Danbury and Norwalk train, crushing the platforms of two cars, tearing up seats, breaking glass and running one of the New York cars off the track. Passengers were thrown violently from their seats, but none, I believe, were seriously hurt. The two accidents at Norwalk and up here at the bridge made it about 9 o'clock when the train arrived. FEBRUARY 14 SUNDAY - St. Valentine's Day. I heard blue birds this morning for the first time. I got ready about 11 o'clock to go down to Sunday School and went over to Mrs. Wilcox's on Stevens Street to carry a letter and paper to Mrs. Hiram Benjamin which Mr. Benjamin yesterday afternoon in New York gave me to take to her and on account of the lateness of the train did not deliver as I intended last evening. After Sunday School, I came home with Georgie. After dinner which was about 4 o'clock, Charlie and I went down to the lower railroad bridge to see the horror made there yesterday by the breaking of the bridge and precipitating the cars therein. The engine was extracted from its position about noon and drawn up to the depot leaving its tender still in a bad position. This however, was got out about 5 o'clock while we were there and we rode up to the depot as they drew it up. This morning was pleasant, but this P.M. it has been cold, cloudy and damp and about evening time, it commenced raining a little. I stayed home in the evening. Charlie attended church with Gussie for the first time. FEBRUARY 15 MONDAY - It snowed a little during last night but rained hard this morning. It remained cloudy all day but in the evening cleared off so that a few stars and the moon were seen. I have worked in the shop. I went down to the church in the evening to attend the Sunday School teachers' Meeting, but there was none on account of the bad walking which prevented the teachers from attending. I came up home with Elijah Morris to give him the bundle I brought for his wife on Saturday from her folks. I then returned with him to the Post Office. I bought 2 dozen eggs of Randall & Bradley for 32 cents per dozen and two small pieces of cheese and came home. FEBRUARY 16 TUESDAY - A little frozen this morning; pleasant but very muddy during the day. I have worked in the shop but finished my work before dinner. I spent some time after dinner arranging for a new hat for Walker Bartram. I went from the shop to J. W. Ives to see if I could get a job for Dick Coburn but did not. From there, I went to John Cosier's office where I spent the rest of the afternoon. After tea, Robert Cocking came in to inquire about Mark Bouton who has been applying for his upper rooms to rent out for next year. I went over to see if Mr. McDonald would let me take his horse to attend the funeral of John Bouton's baby but he intends to go himself and use the horse. I then walked down town with Robert and applied to A. Hickok for his horse, but that also is to be in use. I then did some marketing and came home. FEBRUARY 17 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant in the morning. Cloudy with some appearance of storm at noon. Pleasant again just at night and in the evening. I worked in the shop until noon and then came home to attend the funeral of John Bouton's baby about 5 months old at 2 o'clock. After the services at the house I came home, changed my clothes and returned to the shop and finished my work. In the evening John came over to see me about having the wreath and cross which was on the coffin preserved. Later, he sent it over by Henry Hinman. I went into the street in the evening and called to see Charles Carpenter at Scofield's Store about taking for him a letter containing money to his brother John at Manny's Carpet Store, 14 4th Avenue, New York. He gave me the letter which I will deliver tomorrow. FEBRUARY 18 THURSDAY - It was snowing hard this morning. About 9 o'clock, it cleared off and was pleasant and warm the remainder of the day. I have been to New York. The snow all melted away before night in the city, though there is considerable left here in Danbury yet. I went down today to take a funeral wreath to preserve for John Bouton. I took a letter with money to John Carpenter for Mr. Carpenter. I got 2 dozen passe-partouts at J. Handler's for O. H. Swift and brought them up with me. I also brought the pictures I have been framing for Clark Beers ' 'The Great Eastern' and 'Washington Crossing the Delaware'. After supper, a little after 9 o'clock, I went over and delivered them. The bill was $6.00. He paid me $5.00 leaving $1.00 due me. The railroad bridge which broke down last Saturday has been repaired and the trains ran over it tonight for the first time. FEBRUARY 19 FRIDAY - The weather has been squally. Sunshine a part of the time and then snow squalls. I have worked in the shop. I had velvet surfaced hats given me this P.M., the first I have ever done. As I came from work, I bought $2.00 worth of sugar. I went to market in the evening and got at D. P. Nichols & Co. store, John Gray's soldiers testimonial and brought it home and put it in a frame I brought home from New York for E. Gilbert. John, per agreement, left it at Nichols' store for me. FEBRUARY 20 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I have been at home today, something unusual for me on a Saturday. I took with me to the shop John Gray's soldier's testimonial which I frame for him. He paid me for the frame, but still owes me 16 cents for two yard of cord. I took a new hat (velvet surface) up to Walker Bartram as I came from work. He thought it was rather small, so I refused pay for it until next week after he has tried it over Sunday. I brought home a letter for Charles Hayes from William at my store. Feeling an unusual desire for a glass of cider, I went before tea up to Mother Griswold's and begged a little. After tea, I went to market. While in Randall & Bradley's, Clark Beers paid me $1.00 balance due on picture frames. I walked up from the street with Mr. Pond. I am very tired tonight from working on velvet surface hats. FEBRUARY 21 SUNDAY - A beautiful morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon. After school, I came home with Georgie. In the afternoon, it showed signs of storm. At 6 o'clock there was fine rain and mist. Between 6 and 7 o'clock in the evening, I went over to John Bouton's to call on them, it being the first Sabbath since the death of their baby. I stayed until about 8 o'clock and then came home. We all stayed at home in the evening on account of the storm and bad walking. FEBRUARY 22 MONDAY - Washington's Birthday. Muddy, cloudy and rain in the evening. Gussie received by mail the Danbury Times from Harriet in New Haven. It belonged to Henry Hinman. She, by mistake, took it away with her last Saturday. After supper, Charles Hayes and I went into the street. I did some marketing and then we came home. The new military company has a ball tonight at their armory. Louise came down and spent the evening with us. I wrote to William this evening and mailed it ordering 2 frames for testimonials. FEBRUARY 23 TUESDAY - I have worked in the shop. Rain in the morning and more or less during the day. A heavy fog after dinner. About 5 o'clock P.M. it cleared off with a high wind and cold. Old Mrs. Eames, sister to Mrs. Hurd, was buried this P.M. at 2 o'clock from Mr. Hurd's residence. She died in New Haven last Friday night and was brought here today and buried. I wrote to William this evening and mailed it countermanding the order for one of the two frames I ordered by letter last evening. This evening, I called at the shirt factory to see Walter Bartram about the hat I sold him on Saturday. He wants it stretched a little, it being too small. From there, I called at Swift's store and walked up West Street with him as I came home. FEBRUARY 24 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant but colder. I have worked in the shop. After tea, I went down to the Post Office and to Randall's store for a little chees and then came home. Georgie went to bed feeling poorly from a severe cold he has. We fear he will be sick. George Foot, who has this winter had trouble with his wife (formerly Eleanor Wildman) known by many before her marriage as 'Long Ellen', and declared that he would never live with her again and called her every name he could think of that was abusive, did on last Saturday go with her to Norwalk returning home in the evening (or on Monday) and he does not now deny living with her again. This afternoon, he came the shop with his left foot tied up in cloth, hobbling with a cane having last night badly scalded it with hot tea. The 'old woman' he says dropped the tea drawer on it as she was carrying it from the stove to the table. He will not say who he means by 'old woman'. It is doubtless his wife but he is ashamed to own that he has taken her back again after abusing her as he has. FEBRUARY 25 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. As I came from Work, I borrowed at Joseph Ives a pump for pumping off kerosene oil from the barrel for Father Griswold. Gussie went to the doctor's today and consulted him for Georgie and got some medicine. He has not sat up during the day, though the high fever which he had last night is broken and this evening, he appeared better. I held him after he sat well bundled up awhile at the table and ate a little toast. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to market. She went to Dr. Bulkely's again for another medicine. He told her that he wanted some money from me as soon as possible. Mrs. Bradley called here as she came from evening meeting. FEBRUARY 26 FRIDAY - It commenced snowing this morning about 8 o'clock and continued all day until evening when it cleared off. It snowed very fast. There is 10 inches of snow on a level. I have worked in the shop. William Carlton cashed my account before leaving the shop - $24.00- as I am intending to go to New York tomorrow. I sent up to the shirt factory for Mr. Bartram's hat which he agreed to leave there for me today to stretch for him but he had not done so. As I came from the shop, I bought 3 dozen eggs of Randall & Bradley at 28 cents per dozen. Before tea, Henry Hinman and I shoveled out the paths in the yard and the walk in front. I went to the Post Office in the evening and to Mr. Swift's for the amount of Handler's bill for the last passe-partouts he bought of him. He gave it to me to pay for him as I am to be there tomorrow. Mr. Pond came in this evening to have me do some errand for him tomorrow in the city. FEBRUARY 27 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I have been to New York. I did some errand for Mr. Pond, got for him some small bills at 112 Bowery, exchanged shoes at 29 Spruce Street, bought 1/3 dozen boxes of white chalk at Barnes', corner of John and William Streets. My landlord, Mr. Galen Terry, came to the store to see me about the lease of the store for another year. I deferred an answer until next Saturday. I paid Tibbel's $5.00 on account. The children from Howard Mission, who are to sing here tomorrow, were on the train this evening. They gave us some excellent singing on the train. Gussie's cousin Arthur Griswold from Elyria, Ohio came this evening from Hartford. Edgar Bouton from Georgetown was on the train also. He went to John Bouton's where his wife is and has been for two or three days past. FEBRUARY 28 SUNDAY - A pleasant day, but cold last night and this morning. I went down to the church a little before noon. After the Sunday School session, I came home and Cousin Arthur Griswold went back with me to the church to hear the children from Howard Mission sing who have been this P.M. at our church. All the Sunday Schools in town were there and the church was crowded. Gussie came down at noon with Georgie. He stayed, but Gussie was obliged during the exercises to leave and come home on account of a sick headache. She was not able to get dinner, so I got it myself for Charles Hayes and me. Father came down to have me cut his hair, which I did before dinner. Gussie retired early. I spent the forepart of the evening up to Father Griswold visiting with Arthur Griswold.
1869-02
Horace Purdy Journal May 1869 Entry
12pgs
MAY 01 SATURDAY - Stormy, rain. I had one dozen hats to finish today, which I did before 11 o'clock. I then drew my pay with Edward Stevens' (which I gave him in the P.M. at Concert Hall at the Postmasters caucus) and came home. After dinner, I helped Mr. Pond paint his sitting room until 3 o'clock when we both went down to the Concert Hall to the Postmaster's Nominating Caucus. It was the most spirited affair of the kind I ever attended. The place was crowded, notwithstanding it rained hard. There were 586 votes cast and after three ballots, Dr. Brown was nominated by a majority of 25 over P. D. Crosby who was the only opposing candidate on the third ballot. The candidates who ran on the first ballot were Brown, Crosby, Christian Quien, O. H. Swift, Allison Smith, S. G. Bailey, William Montgomery, Theo Dibble, Erastus Stevens, E. E. Wildman, and for a joke I suppose, Homer Peters got one vote. I went to market in the evening and mailed a reply to Sigler Brothers which I received a few days ago with my bill enclosed. I received a letter by the evening mail from George stating that he had moved and giving us his address, which is now Houston Street three doors from DeKalb Avenue in Brooklyn. MAY 02 SUNDAY - The storm still continues, and it is cold. Fruit buds are in danger. I went down to the church at noon, but on account of the storm, there was no Sunday School. I stayed until about 1 o'clock talking with Brother Burch, Scofield and Donnelly in the Sunday School Room and then came home. This cold rainstorm compels us to keep about as much fire as in winter to keep us comfortable. We did not go out in the evening. Before we retired, it cleared off. MAY 03 MONDAY - The day may perhaps be called pleasant on account of the cold rainstorm being broken up, but it has been showery at times during the day. I went to the shop and had a dozen hats to finish, No. 6 Pearl S. Brim, 4 and a half Round Brown. I finished them at noon and then came home. I spent a part of the P.M. in digging around my trees in the front yard and digging up a Catalpa tree. I went down to the Post Office on the evening. MAY 04 TUESDAY - More clouds than sunshine, the same as yesterday. Cold enough for overcoats. I went to the shop in the morning, not expecting work, but found enough to last until about 2 o'clock. So instead of coming home in the morning to finish cleaning the small bedroom, I was obliged to defer it until tomorrow. I came home from the shop feeling about used up with rheumatism. I got a little mortar and stopped broken places in the wall upstairs, preparatory to whitewashing tomorrow. In the evening, Gussie went to market with Susan Brayman and I, not feeling able to go, stayed home. While they were gone, John Brayman came in and spent the evening. Charles Hayes went to the depot this morning with Charles Purdy and concluded after getting there to go to New York which he did, taking Ira Odell with him. He returned by the evening train. I received a letter by the evening mail from Sigler in reply to one written a few days ago in regard to my indebtedness to him. MAY 05 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer. Just at night, there was a little sun shower which produced a rainbow. I finished cleaning the small upstairs bedroom and appointed the tin roof on my piazza. I worked a part of the P.M. and evening for Mr. Pond, tearing off paper in the parlor in the afternoon, sandpapering the walls and painting in the evening. When Charles Hayes came home to tea, He paid Gussie $20.00 for board and me $2.00 which he borrowed from me two weeks ago or more. The paint I used on my tin roof was colored remnants Mr. Pond had which when mixed made a good color for a roof. MAY 06 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I went to the shop in the morning, but there being no work I came home and Gussie and I cleaned the pantry. Besides this I grafted some strawberry apples (sent from Canton) into Father Griswold's trees, also ones in my own as well as one for Mr. Pond. I also spaded a piece of my garden. I ordered half ton of coal of Thomas Sproule which came just after dinner. After tea, I helped Mr. Pond put up his gilt molding in his parlor. I spent the evening holding lamp for him to paint his parlor. MAY 07 FRIDAY - Pleasant. There not being much prospect of work in the shop, I gave the day to Mr. Pond by helping him clean house. He offered me $3.00 for the day. I feeling pretty tired, did not go to market in the evening, but let Gussie go instead. MAY 08 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I went to the shop this morning. There being no work, the foreman, Victor Benedict, cashed my account and I came home and spent the day working in my garden. In the P.M., Father called for some potatoes for seed which was promised him by Mother Griswold. I planted some Early Rose potatoes, some sweet corn, and some Prince Albert potatoes. MAY 09 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I took Georgie with me just before close of morning service to attend the Sunday School Gussie arrived soon after. When I returned from Sunday School, I made out my report for the Annual Sunday School meeting tomorrow evening. When Gussie was getting dinner, I had to take Georgie in the bedroom and punish him for being saucy to his mother. After dinner, which was about 4 P.M., I took the Sunday School report I made out over to George Starr, I spent about an hour over there talking to him. As I came home, I saw James Wood at his house. He walked over home with me, took a look at my garden, and then came I the house. Gussie having started for church while we were in the yard, he stayed a short time with me in the house. Before he left, John Brayman came in and spent about half the evening with me. Gussie attended the Baptist church this evening. MAY 10 MONDAY - Pleasant. I had work in the shop until 3 P.M. I came home by way of Bartram & Fanton's Sewing Machine Factory to get $5.00 which George Brockett owed me and gave me an order on Col. Ryder, the paymaster, to get. They had no money. I went to Andrew Knox for a little patent dryer for some paint at home to paint the wall in the pantry. After coming home, I went down to the jail to see the keeper and got $17.00 from him (Sherwood) which he owed Henry Day and he hands over to me to collect, in payment part of what he owes me. He promises it to me the last of the week. He told me how to plant Black Seed onions I came home and planted them as an experiment. I attended Sunday School Meeting in the evening. It being the annual meeting, officers were elected. I was reelected Secretary-Treasurer. Before retiring, I painted in the pantry and copied minutes of the last meeting which kept me up until 1 o'clock. MAY 11 TUESDAY - Pleasant and hot. I have worked all day in the garden. Came near being sun stroke this P.M. from working in the sun. I had a severe headache to retire with. MAY 12 WEDNESDAY - Still pleasant and hot. Before breakfast, I wrote two letters to New York, one to William Hayes about collecting for me, the other to Henry Day who bought me out, about making a looking glass frame for Clark Beers, also about letting me have some money. I sent them to the Office for the morning mail by Mr. Short. I have worked hard again all day in my garden and have finished spading all except a part of the borders. I have not been away from the premises for two days. Today, Mr. Pond and Mr. Barry bought the land situated within George Street and Cherry (Ed. Note: Cherry Street is now Aaron B. Samuels Boulevard) except for the Rider place and one lot on Cherry Street. It extends east as far as William Street including the limestone ledge. They bought it in order to control it and keep Irish shanties off it. A little more breeze this P.M. and the evening is delightful. MAY 13 THURSDAY - Pleasant in the morning. Showery in the P.M. and in the evening. I had one dozen hats to finish at the shop. I came from work about two o'clock, stopping for lima and bush beans and Champion of England peas to pant over where the first planting failed. I came home and planted cucumbers and squash, bush and pole beans, and Champion of England peas. I also worked at digging flower borders after tea. A shower caught me before I finished the job. I went to the Post Office and to market in the evening. Fuller and Betts today bought out Osborne's Market & Grocery. Swift told me late this evening that George came home by the evening train; he is sick. MAY 14 FRIDAY - It rained hard last night. Pleasant today. I have been to New York trying to collect bills. I drew $12.00 (and interest for nearly two years on the amount) from the Manhattan Gas Company which was deposited as security for gas when I took the store in New York. I called on William Hayes at 15th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues at Heath & Smith's. Also, on Taintor's at Sugar House opposite for a bill of $4.00 He promises to send it next week by mail. I brought home an arch top gold looking glass frame for Clark Beers, also 10 yards of cord and 4 nails for him. I have not yet seen George on account of leaving early for New York and home late. I found Gussie sick in bed when I got home with a terrible sick headache. Set out early cabbage plants this morning. MAY 15 SATURDAY - It has been showery at times during the day. I had part of a day's work in the shop. As I came from work, Edmund Allen came up with me to see my house. Robert Cocking yesterday left with Gussie five nice tomato plants, a present for me. I set them out this morning. I bought at the shop today three of “Tilden's Perforated Tomato Plants” of John McNamee, some of John Canfield's raising. I paid 5 cents each. I set them out this evening. I went over to Clark Beers after tea with the looking glass I brought for him from New York. The frame was $10.00. A smaller one in oak delivered April 23rd, $2.00, 10 yards of cord, $1.00 and 4 nails, 40 cents. Total, $13.40 which he paid me. The plates were old ones which he had, and I made the frames. The money being due to Henry Day, by arrangement with him I kept and endorsed on his note of $300.00 which was due on May 8th. While in the street in the evening, I saw Albert Sherwood (Jailer). He paid me $17.00 on order from Day which I also endorsed on the note. We had a hard thunder shower about 6 P.M. accompanied with hail. MAY 16 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the morning, but while we were at Sunday School, it commenced to be showery. I came home with Georgie in the rain. I went down at 8 o'clock to the church with an umbrella and waterproof cloak for Fanny, Gussie and Louise having got home before I started. While Fanny and I were coming home, it stopped raining. The sun shone before we were through tea. Another thunder shower with hail about 5 o'clock. George came down this morning about 11 o'clock to see us. I left him to go to Sunday School with Georgie. MAY 17 MONDAY - Pleasant but cooler after yesterday and the day before. Thunder and hail. I worked until breakfast time sharpening pea bush. I went to the shop in the morning expecting to find but little work but was surprised to have enough to last me all day. I earned $5.87. After tea, I bushed my Daniel O'Rourke peas. I stayed at home in the evening to let Gussie got into the street to do some marketing, etc. I today received another circular from William Chichester, 266 Broadway. He wants agents to sell different articles for him - patent bluing, starch polish, the American pocket timekeeper, and many others. MAY 18 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I have had work in the shop until noon. After dinner, I planted radishes, Tom Thumb peas, and a second crop of sweet corn. I finished out the afternoon by spading out the flower border next to the grass flat. George, still being home sick with jaundice, was with us to dinner. He stayed with me in the garden part of the P.M. and then went up home. Charles Hayes, our boarder, went to Redding this P.M. with James Olmstead, his employer to take a colt. He did not get home in time for our tea, so we ate alone. He came later in the evening. I went to market in the evening. Before coming home, I called at Charles Crosby's and paid my taxes. It was $17.10 and 1% additional since May 1st, making $17.27. MAY 19 WEDNESDAY - No shop work. Before breakfast, I wrote to William Hayes directing him to call on Saturday on Joseph Wheeler (painter) on Carmine Street between Bedford and Bleeker Streets and collect for me $8.00. I went down and mailed it. I bought some whitewash lime and came home to breakfast. Susan Brayman came over to clean house. She worked with us all day and we cleaned and put in order again the parlor and bedroom. It commenced raining about 9 o'clock and continued all day. We shook and whipped the carpet just in time to escape the rain. George came down in the forenoon. He did intend to return to Brooklyn this P.M., but he is not feeling well enough. I persuaded him not to go back until he feels able to work. He has concluded not to go before Saturday and will perhaps wait until next week. I allowed Susan $1.50 for her day's work to stand against what John owes me. She came over again in the evening and helped Gussie cut out garments for Georgie. I did not go out this evening but sent to the Post Office by Charles Hayes who brought a letter for George from Brooklyn. MAY 20 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I went to the shop in the morning, but there being no work, William Hutchings and I took a walk up to the shoe factory where we saw the working of a pegging machine for pegging boots and shoes. It is a curiosity. On our way up there, we stopped at the Sewing Machine Factory for me to see Charles Hayes about collecting for me from their paymaster $5.00. He had not yet got it. While waiting for the morning mail, we stopped a short time at the selectmen's office and listened to a trial that was going on before Philander Comstock - a case of assault and battery between Tom Kenny and another Irishman. After dinner, I let Georgie walk down to Main Street with me to get a piece of Walnut molding 2 porcelain knobs and a cornice hook for putting up Mother Griswold's looking glass. I whitewashed Mother Griswold's kitchen. I then with Georgie and his hoop went over to Mr. Henry Crofut's and got some lettuce plants from Robert Cocking. After tea, Charles Hayes and I went up and moved Mother Griswold's stove from her kitchen to the wood house. I then went into the street and paid E. Allen for the 2 porcelain knobs I got there. After returning from the street between 9 and 10 o'clock, I set out my lettuce plants by moonlight. MAY 21 FRIDAY - I have been to New York. I went down to Murray Street and bought one dozen geographies for Mr. Pond. I also called at No. 6 Warren Street (Mr. Gideon Powell's Store) and left a package from Gussie for him to take to his wife containing a baby suit which she lent to Gussie for Georgie to wear while he was a baby. I took dinner at No. 14 Cortlandt Street. I then called on James Wood at No. 5 Cortlandt Street. From there, I went to the lower end of Vesey Street near Washington Market and bought a bunch of bananas containing 46 for 50 cents, such as retail for 8 cents each. I bought a 16X20 oval rose and gilt for Swift, which I left at his store as I came home from the depot. This morning was one of the pleasantest, but between 1 and 2, it commenced raining and continued all the remainder of the day. Susan Brayman and Louise Vintz were in while I was getting my tea. We ate bananas together. I carried some over to Mr. Pond one for he and his wife. We ate bananas and talked for a while when I came home and made ready to retire. Gussie today bought material for pants for a nice new suit for Georgie. MAY 22 SATURDAY - Cold and still raining in the morning. I went down to the factory but there was no work. Our foreman, V. W. Benedict, cashed my account for $9.00 and I started for home. I stopped for a few minutes at John Cosier's office in White Street. From there, I called at Swift's and arranged to go to New York by the noon train. I came home, got an early dinner, and returned to Swift's store. I got a pattern for a gold square spindle with the top light arched and took it to New York with me and ordered my successor, Mr. Day, to make it. I expected a half dozen 8x10 oval gold scale and ribbed frames to be done for Swift, but they were not. I called on Jo Wheeler for $8.00 which he owes me and promised to pay today but could not get it. A plumber from Bleeker Street came into the store while I was there with a bill for $1.00 against me for plumbing. I was not aware that I owed it but suppose that I do. I was too short of money then and postponed payment. On the train coming home, I fell in with a brother of Dr. Kendrick who was in a New York regiment in the same brigade with George's regiment (the 17th Connecticut) down south during the rebellion. He was a surgeon and amputated a foot for one of the 17th's boys on Folly Island, South Carolina. After I got home this evening, George and Bell called. George borrowed of me a shirt to wear tomorrow, he not having brought an extra one from Brooklyn, he not expecting to stay but a few days, but not fully able to work, he concluded to stay until he feels better. MAY 23 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I took Georgie with me to Sunday School, Gussie coming soon after. Gussie stayed to the P.M. prayer meeting. After meeting, she made fish chowder from halibut, the first chowder she ever made. It was very good. After dinner, she took a walk with Susan Brayman and I with Georgie up to Oscar Serine's and around in Division Street, through George Street and home. MAY 24 MONDAY - A beautiful day. I not having any shop work, I took Georgie to New York on a pleasure trip for his benefit. This was his first railroad ride and his first visit to New York. He was highly pleased, though it made him very tired. I took the 12:15 express from New York and arrive home at 3:15. I bought 29 yellow bananas for 52 cents on the corner of Bleeker and Carmine Streets. I went to the Sugar House on 15th Street between 9th and 10th Avenue and saw Mr. Tator again about the $4.00 he owes me for frames. He wants to turn the account with George, who he claims owes him. I am not willing, and George is to see him as soon as he can and settle affairs after which he promises to pay me. I mended Georgie's broken hoop and worked in my garden, and also put up patent clothesline fixtures after I got home in the P.M. The Wooster Guards had a target practice and parade today. MAY 25 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm. I have had work in the shop today ' 2 dozen full stiff 'Jack-Ups'- $5.50 which is probably all I shall get this week. I finished my work about 3 P.M. and came home. I fastened Mother Griswold's sink to the floor before tea. After tea, Mr. Barry, John Brayman and Mr. James with me moved Father Griswold's furnace stove from the sitting room to the lower room. John and Mr. James helped me move our sitting room stove up to Father Griswold's barn. I then went down to market. I there dressed 3 porgies for John Bouton for 10 cents. I then dressed 3 for myself after which John and I walked up West Street together. MAY 26 WEDNESDAY - Hot. We have cleaned the sink room and sitting room today with the help of Susan Brayman. There came up a hard thunder shower about 4 o'clock which interfered somewhat with getting things put away in their places again before breakfast, I wrote and mailed a letter to Crowell and Powell speaking of my indebtedness to them and giving reasons for not paying them. George is sick in bed. He has been draining a blister in his side for jaundice of which he is suffering. In the evening, I went into the street. I walked up to John Cosier's to see him (by request of him today) on some business of which I was ignorant of, he not mentioning what the business was. He not being home, but having gone to class meeting, I waited outside the church for him. He wants to sell out his leather cutting business and will give me the chance if I want it. I brought home a little brimstone for Mr. Pond to smoke out some currant worms. I went over before retiring to John Brayman's to see Mr. James about some clothing which he wants to trade with me for a peddling box formerly made for sifters. It being so late and he being in bed, I did not disturb him. MAY 27 THURSDAY - Cooler this morning and cloudy with some indications of rain. I went to New York for a half dozen gold 8x10 oval frames for Swift which Day has been making for him, 3 of them scale and ribbon and 3 of them rose and ribbon. I went in the morning to Fulton Market with Stephen Holmes. There I looked for a bunch of bananas I found plenty of them, but the price was too high. I went from there over to Vesey Street near Washington market and finally bought a bunch of 44 for $1.50. This was higher than I expected to pay but could do no better. Mr. Pond is to take half of them. It came off pleasant at noon. I came home on the Boston Express 12:15 from New York; arrived home at 3:15. I saw Fred Shears in Norwalk and spoke with him about seeing some of seeing some of Adam's Brothers journeymen to see if there was a chance for George there in their new factory which they are soon to commence in. After arriving from New York, I took Georgie up home to see George. He is able to be dressed today. While up home, I gave Father $5.00 towards the $15.00 I owe him. When Georgie and I returned from Father's I commenced mowing my door yard for the first time this season. Before tea, I took my bunch of bananas over to Mr. Pond's and divided them. He took half and added 20 cents extra for my trouble. I worked late in my yard and let Gussie go to market in the evening. MAY 28 FRIDAY - Cold and cloudy. I went to New York today. I called at William Hayes 31 Downing Street about my account books but concluded not to take them today. I called on Joe Wheeler about $8.00 he owes me but did not get it. I went to Charles Hayes' old boarding house in Hudson Street for his old straw hat and brought it to him. I went down to 98 Chamber Street and bought 1/2 gross small flags, 4x6 for Swift at $1.45 per gross. I bought a French loaf of bread nearly a yard long and brought it home as a curiosity. I bought an arch top gold spindle for Swift which Day has been making for him. Warren Bouton and wife were on the train from Cannon's. They had moved from Beaver Brook, he to turn the mill at that place. Smith Barnum's remains were brought up on the train form Norwalk arriving here at 3:15 (this was the train that I came on). It rained on my way to New York this morning but stopped before I got there and just as we arrive here in the P.M. it commenced again, this being a hard thunder shower. I waited awhile at Swift's store for the shower to be over and then I went to John Cosier's leather cutting shop in White Street to see him about buying out his half of that business. It was nearly 6 o'clock before I came home. After tea, I wrote to William Hayes about collecting bills from John Carr and Joseph Wheeler. I went into the street and mailed it. I called at Swift's and the walked up West Street with him. MAY 29 SATURDAY - Cloudy in the morning. It cleared away about 11 o'clock. I went down to the factory in the morning; there being no work, I had my account cashed by V. W. Benedict for $6.00 and then went up to John Cosier's office and talked more with him and George Barnum, his partner about buying out Cosier's interest in the business. I came home before dinner and finished cutting the grass in my door yard. While in the street, I saw Col. Ryder, treasurer of the Sewing Machine Company and got the $5.00 he owed me by transfer from George Brockett's account. I saw him as he came from the Danbury Bank with money in his hand. After dinner, I took Georgie into the street to see the procession formed at Military Hall to parade the street and visit the soldiers' graves in several burying grounds and the cemetery to decorate their graves with flowers. While in the street, I called at Swift's and collected pay for frames I had made for him at Day's in New York to the amount of $10.75. I came and raked off my door yard and carried the grass to the compost heap. I then set a new clothesline post north of the house near the cesspool. After tea, I hoed in my garden until dark. Gussie went into the street and I stayed at home. Before retiring, I oiled my walnut picture frames. MAY 30 SUNDAY - A southeast wind and rain by showers all day. I went down to Sunday School at noon and returned after the session. We had dinner at 3 P.M. after which Charles Hayes (our boarder) and myself walked over to the new town poor house. We heard that Mr. Pond was to conduct religious service there at 4 o'clock, but after getting over there, we were in doubt as to he being there, so we returned without going in. We had a drizzling rain on our return. I did not go out in the evening. MAY 31 MONDAY - Thunder shower about 6 o'clock this morning. I have been to New York today, the last on my commutation ticket, it having expired today. The day came off very hot. I have done a great deal of running in the city. I called on Sigler, also on Ferguson & Walker and explained how I cannot until Day pays me for my store, pay them. I made it all satisfactory with them. In the morning, I called on William at Heath & Smith, 400 West 18th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues and arranged with him to collect and finish up about business I could not do today. I intended to bring home my ledger and daybook and bundle of bills and receipts, but when I called in the P.M., Mrs. Hayes was out so I came home without them. I went to Tibbels' and also at the Book Room and bought for the Sunday School, Judd's Lesson and catechisms. Also, a set of 4 picture lessons for the infant class. I bought of Philip Phillips one “Singing Pilgrim & Leaves”, also for sample one of his new books just published, “The Standard Singer”. John Cave paid me $4.05 which he owed me. I went into Nassau Street, also at 18 Wall Street at A. N. Lancaster to see if I could find a customer for Oscar Serine's farm in Jasper County, Iowa. I could accomplish nothing for him. I wore thick clothing and got about overdone with the heat. Coming from the depot this evening, I met George and Fred Shears. I spoke with them about a shop for George at Adams in Norwalk. Fred promised to do all he can for George through a friend who works there. I received by the evening mail another bill from. P. Nicols & Company of $24.61 which I have owed him about a year but cannot pay him until I get my money from the sale of the store in New York. I called in the morning at 232 West 18th Street between 7th and 8th Avenue at the residence of George Talmadge to see where I could find him. I got the desired information and found him and cart standing at No. 4 Murray Street. He could pay me nothing. I tried to get his note for the amount, $63.00, but he did not want to now. He promised to pay as soon as he could pay very soon, would give me a note. Before retiring, I wrote to William about leaving my account books at the store at 61 Carmine Street for Mr. H. B. Benjamin to call for next Saturday and bring to me.
1869-05