Danbury Land Deeds (Deer Hill and Stadley Rough)
12 leaves
Includes the names; David H.Ferguson, John Keeler, Frederick Wildman(4), William M. Hill, Silas Hickok, James Beebe, Hoyt Porter, Miles H. Wildman, Joseph R. Wildman, Thomas H. Lemier, Frank S. Wildman, George Cole, J.P.White, Abram Moffett, David L. Wildman, Peter M. Holmes, Frances Fairchild, Larry Barnum, Thomas Steadwell, James Taylor, and George Clapp.
1829-1844
ms038_02_10
Deerhill Avenue, Danbury
3.5 x 5.5"
View looking down Deerhill Avenue in Danbury, CT
First Congregational Church, Danbury
3.5 x 5.5", colorized postcard
First Congregational Church of Danbury, CT at Deer Hill and West Streets.
1930s
Horace Purdy Journal April 1866 Entry
16pgs
APRIL 01 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Love Feast at 9 A.M. Gussie went and stayed to preaching in the forenoon. I went down to Sunday School and to the afternoon service. It being the last Sunday previous to Conference and thee being about a dozen to be baptized and also that there would be no preacher here next Sabbath, the Commission Service was held in the P.M. Brother Hill called me into the altar to hold the Baptismal Bowl for him while he administered the sacrament. At noon, I gave Charles Stevens, Jr. 50 cents towards a purse of $100 to be made up and given to Brother Hill before going to Conference. Preaching in the evening, it being Easter Sunday, the sermon was on the resurrection of Christ. At the close of the sermon the choir sang “Old Easter Anthem”. After meeting, George went to Bethel with Mr. Lockwood. He harnessed the horse before meeting and drove down to the Church. I rode down with him. He sat in the seat with me instead of with the choir. I gave Brother Hill and Annual Sunday School report this morning to take to Conference this week. APRIL 02 MONDAY - Election Day. Pleasant Upon the arrival of the train at 10 ½ o’clock, I met Aaron Mallett and Father Griswold at Roger Averill’s office and I there took up the Bond and Mortgage held by Mallett by paying him the $1,100 due him. He gave me a quit claim deed on the same. Father Griswold let me have the money on Bond and Mortgage. He also holds the Insurance Policy as additional security. We finished up our business before dinner. I also paid my taxes - $8.06 – 2 % deducted by paying today made it $7.90. George moved one of his shop mates down town this morning and then came back and moved John Brayman. This afternoon, I spent down at the polls driving for voters. The Copperheads had a majority of 10 for English. They elected one representative – Joseph Taylor – and us one – Saul Mallory. We elected all the Justices of the Peace. Judging from our own town, things looked dark and many of us feared that we had lost the state, but in the evening returns came in more favorable and we had reason to be jubilant, the prospects being very favorable. I stayed with a large crowd at D. B. Booth’s office until about 10 1.2 o’clock to get the returns from other parts of the state. A good joke on myself going for Henry Bevans to vote. I supposed he voted the Republican Ticket, but he said he should vote Democratic, so I left him at home and would not take him. APRIL 03 TUESDAY - A lovely spring day. No work in the shop yet. I let Seth Downs take the horse and wagon to go for his family down to Plum Trees. A 100 gun (salute) were fired today to commemorate the fall of Richmond one year ago today. Fifty of them were fired in the P.M. and fifty of them in the evening. I helped work the gun in the afternoon. A glorification was held in Concert Hall in the evening. Gussie and I went. Bell came down and stayed with the baby I ran up the flag on Father Griswold’s house today. APRIL 04 WEDNESDAY - A little muggy in the morning with some appearance of rain, but it came off pleasant and we have had another beautiful spring day. I had work all day in the shop. I have a cold settled in my lungs which ache and make me feel miserable. Gussie received her anatomical plates from Mr. Dr. Rawlins. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to market. Bell came down about 6 o’clock in the evening to have me cut her hair, but I could not, as I did not have a pair of shears suitable. APRIL 05 THURSDAY - Another beautiful day, mild and warm. I had work in the shop. When I came home from work, I raked the covering off my strawberry bed. George dug post holes for Walter Sparks this morning. Mother and Bell took the horse this P.M. and rode to Bethel to see Mr. Squires and Aunt Harriet Mills. When they returned, they went up to the cemetery. I am badly affected with the rheumatism again today. I can scarcely get my hand to my head. I heard the frogs peep this evening for the first time this spring. APRIL 06 FRIDAY - Warm and showery. Cut Bell’s hair in the morning. Mr. Cocking paid me his rent. I took the $200 Harriet Wheeler gave me last evening and took up a note of that amount in the Danbury Bank for Father Griswold as the money was left by Father Griswold for that purpose. I then went down to the shop and got some gum shellac to spread over cuts on trees made by trimming them. I got it for Mr. Pond and myself. After dinner, I borrowed Seth Down’s saddle and rode up home. From there, I went over to Mr. Lynes’ to see Mr. Cocking. I saw Granville Ambler over there. I tried to sell him (Ambler) my horse, but could not. Mrs. Cocking sent Gussie a small ball of butter and a ½ dozen of eggs. It continued showery all day. I did not go out in the evening. I received a letter today from little George Humphrey of Canton. I wrote an answer before retiring. APRIL 07 SATURDAY - Stormy. It rained quite steady in the P.M. I rode downtown in the forenoon with Mr. Cocking. He gave me two heads of lettuce, my first this season, and about the first in market with Robert. Received a letter from Ambrose Hill saying that George could have work where he is at Prentiss in Brooklyn. Lorenzo B. Sage has charge of the department where George is going. I rode the horse downtown to show to George Wood after dinner. If he sells his horse, I shall try to sell mine to him. When I returned, George took him and rode up home. He stayed with us to dinner. I went to the shop about 2 ½ o’clock and got my pay - $7.96 for two days’ work. I bought some smelt and came home. George came down after tea and we went into the street together in the evening. He called at the Post Office and got $4.00 left there for him by David Bradley which George lent to him last winter. He also got part pay for a sifter from Morgan Chittenden who he saw at the Post Office. He is making arrangements to go to Brooklyn next week. The letter I wrote last evening to George Humphrey, I mailed today. APRIL 08 SUNDAY - I woke and found the ground covered with snow and still snowing. It continued snowing all day more or less, but accumulated very slowly on account of melting so fast. About 5 P.M., it broke away in the west. This, I believe, is the 17th snow of any account this winter. We have had a number of squalls and little flutters of which I have made no accounts. Perhaps if all of them were counted, they would number 25 more or less. George came down this morning about his usual time for going to Bethel for Mr. Lockwood (the chorister), but on account of the storm did not go. He stayed until meeting time and then walked down to church with Gussie. She came home at noon and I went down to Sunday School and to prayer meeting in the P.M. George came home with me to tea, after which he went to Bethel for Mr. Lockwood intending to be at the church with him at 5 o’clock for a rehearsal before evening meeting. He borrowed Mr. McDonald’s carriage to go with, he not wanting to go in an open wagon for at the time he started, it was snowing. It being Conference Sunday, A Mr. Wardell, a young minister, was sent from Conference to preach for us today. I attended preaching in the evening. Rev. Wardell preached an excellent sermon from “The Thief’s Prayer on the Cross”. John Main and Saul Main and wife (formerly Edith Newman) have been here in town today. They attended church and sang in the choir. Mr. Lockwood was here in the evening and led the choir. George returned with him to Bethel after the evening meeting. APRIL 09 MONDAY - Pleasant. Yesterday’s snow has disappeared except a little in shaded localities. After breakfast, I got Seth Down’s saddle and rode down to Bethel to see if Lockwood (our chorister) would buy my horse. He would not give a definite answer today. When I returned, I rode up to the machine shop to see Russell Smith about the money he owes me but found that he had left there and would not work there any more for the present. George came in about noon and helped me mend the harness and stayed to dinner. He then borrowed my carpet bag and rode the horse up home to prepare to go to Brooklyn in the morning. While he was gone, George Wood and son came to look at the horse with a view to buying. He agreed to give me $50.00 provided he would work before a cart at drawing dirt. He took him to try, but before he got to the place of dirt with the cart, he got so beastly drunk that he could do nothing at all. I took the horse and cart from him and returned the cart and came home with the horse resolved to wait until he was sober before I transacted any business with him. Before I got home, however, I saw his son who told me he would come and get the horse tomorrow morning. Theo. Fowler died at 1 ½ o’clock this P.M. I went down town in the evening. APRIL 10 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I went down to the shop in the morning, but there was no work. I rode to Bethel to see if Ben Lockwood wanted my horse. I returned about 10 o’clock and harnessed and carried Mother Griswold, Fanny, and Josie Wheeler over to Charles Fowler’s to engage butter for the summer. I kept on by Lake Kenosha and home by way of Miry Brook. After dinner, we rode up to the cemetery, the same party except that Gussie went in place of Josie Wheeler. I expected George Wood to come for the horse this evening, but he did not. I made a fire in the garden to burn the rubbish just before tea. John Brayman came over and walked down into the street with me in the evening. I intended to go to Class Meeting, but was too late after doing my marketing. Commenced to wean baby. April 11 Wednesday - Pleasant. I went to the shop in the morning expecting work but met some of the men just this side who said there would be none until tomorrow. I came home just before noon and harnessed the horse and carried two bushels of potatoes downtown to an Irishman who works for A. Hickok, shoemaker. I got 9 cents per bushel; he paid for one bushel and I am to get paid for the other on Saturday if not before. I rode over to Mr. Lynes’ to borrow a whip of Robert Cocking. I drove up to Daniel’s Nursery to look at Arbor vitae for a hedge. I engaged 66 or more if I need them for 9 cents each. Hattie Mills called between 4 and 5 o’clock. Gussie and baby being up home to my father’s, I took Hattie in and rode up there and brought Gussie home. Bell walked down and drew baby in his carriage and stayed to tea with Hattie Mills. I went into the street in the evening. An umbrella mender came along this P.M. and I had 2 umbrellas repaired for 60 cents. APRIL 12 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I had a little more than a ½ day's work in the shop, the first since a week ago today. Theo. Fowler was buried at 1 P.M. I received a letter from George, giving me the number of his boarding place. It is at 64 Prince Street Brooklyn, New York. I answered it and enclosed letters for him received here from South Norwalk, Ridgefield and St. Augustine. After writing to George in the P.M., I marked off the Sunday School papers: Sunday School Advocates – 78, Sunday School Journals – 46. Gussie, Mother, Bell and Hattie Mills took the horse after dinner and went to Bethel and spent the afternoon at Aunt Harriet’s. Gussie and Bell went to Mr. Dare’s store to sell tatting. Mr. Dare paid Gussie $2.00 for a dozen salves I left there on the 24th of March. Mr. Pond called in the evening to see Father Griswold about a school meeting to be held tomorrow evening. I walked downtown with Mr. Pond and mailed my letter to George with 3 letters enclosed which came here since he went away. Susan Brayman came over in the evening to borrow flat irons of Gussie. ARIL 13 FRIDAY - Appearance of rain in the morning. It did rain a little about 8 o’clock, but it finally came off warm and pleasant. I had a full day’s work in the shop. Bell came to the shop to borrow a dollar of me with which to go to Stamford next Monday. Before tea, I rode up home and tried to persuade her not to go, believing that in their destitute circumstances, it was not advisable for our folks to encourage her in the matter, as she would need all she could earn before the summer is over for her clothing. She and Mother both felt so badly for her to have to give up the contemplated visit that I finally gave her the dollar with which what she had would make out enough though I still could not approve of her going. In the evening, I attended a School meeting at Military Hall at which there was appointed a committee to examine and find out what would probably be the expense of rebuilding or refitting buildings acquired for the primary departments of our present and more perfected plans of a graded school as is now contemplated. A paper by mail today for George which I remailed to him at 64 Prince Street, Brooklyn, New York. APRIL 14 SATURDAY - Pleasant until nearly at night when it clouded over and in the evening, it began to mist. No work in the shop. In the morning, I drove over to Philander Betts’ to try and sell my horse to him, but I did not see him. Bought 50 lbs. of corn and oats ground together for horse feed. Bought our first shad at 22 cents per pound. I rode up home just before tea and got a pair of pants which Father has been coloring for George. Before retiring, I made a bundle of them and directed it to send by express. I got my pair for a bushel of potatoes sold to an Irishman working for A. Hickok. Victor Benedict (our foreman) drew my money for me today and left it at Judd’s Store for me. APRIL 15 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. I went to Bethel this morning to get Lockwood (our chorister) in George’s place as he was obligated to go today, it being the last time. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School and the afternoon service. Brother Hill preached in the morning. A Mr. Birch from New Haven preached in the P.M. After tea, I wrote to George. Also ordered by letter of Carlton & Porter 6 more copies of Sunday School Advocates for 6 months from April 1st and 1 ½ dozen lessons for every Sunday in the year, 2nd Series, for the Sunday School; enclosed $3.06 - $2.16 for Lessons, 90 cents for Sunday School Advocates. Father Griswold preached in the evening. I harnessed the horse and drove down to the church. After meeting, I drove to Bethel with Mr. Lockwood. I returned home at about 10 o’clock. APRIL 16 MONDAY - Stormy. I had work nearly all day in the shop. In the evening I exchanged the castor I bought at auction March 29th for another which was more perfect. The one I returned was scratched. He is still here under Concert hall selling at auction every evening. Louise came down in the evening and stayed with the baby to let Gussie go over to Mrs. George Davis and make a shell frame. Mrs. Davis is showing her. The shells are from what George sent from the south while he was in the army in South Carolina and Florida. APRIL 17 TUESDAY - Pleasant but cooler. No work in the shop. I got out a part of my coal ashes and spread on apportion of my door yard and dug round some of my fruit trees. In the P.M., John Brayman worked for me at grading my front door yard and turfing the same. We took off the turf, carried away the soil, and then after grading, replaced the turf. We only about half finished the job, leaving the remainder for tomorrow or some other day. John stayed with us to tea. I let Mr. A. Judd take the horse to Bethel. He was gone until nearly night. I had a severe headache in the P.M. and in the evening. I worked, however with John, but in the evening, did not feel able to go into the street. So I sent to market by John, who was going down. Bell started for Stamford this morning. She took a bundle containing pants and a few other small things to express to George in Brooklyn from Stamford. APRIL 18 WEDNESDAY - It had some appearance of storm this morning and again in the evening, though I believe the sun shone a little in the middle of the day. I borrowed Alfred Gregory’s lumber wagon this morning and drew with Old Jim some muck from Father Griswold’s lot and manure from the barn. Just before noon, I went up to Daniel’s Nursery and got 70 Arbor vitae plants at 9 cents and Mr. Pond and myself set out a hedge between our yards. Sidney Miller came about noon to look at my horse, but did not buy. In the P.M., I went downtown and got $1.00 for the use of my horse yesterday. I went to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper. Mother came down and spent the afternoon and stayed to tea. I harnessed the horse and John Brayman drove up home with her. When he came back, we both drove over to Dr. Bulkeley’s to see if he wanted him to work for him tomorrow, but he was not home. John and myself went down to market together in the evening. I lent him a dollar. I called at Dr. Bulkeley’s office to consult about Gussie’s breasts which are very sore. She fears a “broken breast”. APRIL 19 THURSDAY - Pleasant and very warm for April. I worked around home at my strawberry bed until nearly noon when I harnessed and rode out to Mill Plain to try and sell the horse, wagon and harness to Frank Blissard who lives in the old Brown house just up the hill back of Birchard’s old place. I did not find him at home, but met him coming home as I returned. I returned home with him in order to let him see how Old Jim traveled. He was highly pleased with him and if he concludes to buy at all, he thinks he will take him. He is to let me know in a few days. As I returned home, I came by way of Dr. Bulkeley’s, where John Brayman was at work making a garden and brought him home. This was about 4 o’clock, he having made an additional hour and a half in the morning and at noon. After tea, I set out some new and removed some old rose bushes, shrubs, etc. for Gussie. We let Georgie run around the yard in the meantime, much to his amusement, it being the first time we have given him the chance to run loose out of doors. I, being tired and nearly exhausted, I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie got to market. APRIL 20 FRIDAY - Very warm again today. I went to the shop in the morning expecting work, but there was none. I came home and harnessed the horse and took Georgie and John Sharp (who is sick but able to be out a little) to ride by going up home to get a pair of George’s old army shoes to work in the garden with. I then drove down to the Post Office and the news Office for my paper, Harpers Weekly. Miss English, who is nursing Mrs. Swift, saw me and wanted me to bring Georgie up and let them see him. I did so and left him there while I went over to Crofut’s Feed Store to get some fed for the horse. It being very warm in the middle of the day, I stayed in a while and read my paper. I went out about 3 P.M. and took off a high place from my sidewalk to make it level for my fence, which I expect to set down lower tomorrow as I grade my yard down to the level of the walk. After tea, I borrowed Seth Down’s saddle and rode to market and to the Post Office. I got a letter for Gussie from Libbie Mead. APRIL 21 SATURDAY - Pleasant and very warm again. John Brayman and Patrick Quinn worked for me all day at taking up and putting down again my front fence and grading the yard. A thunder shower for the first time this spring about 5 P.M. John took dinner with us and stayed to tea, after which, I cut John’s hair for him. He helped me take care of the horse before he went home. Before going to market, I took a good bath down to my hips which made me feel like a new creature. John came along just before 8 o’clock and we went into the street together. As I went, I carried 18 Lesson Books down to the Sunday School Library for the use of the school which I ordered last Sunday and came yesterday. Also 6 Sunday School Advocates for new subscribers for the remaining half year. As I was too busy to go to the shop for my pay today, I gave my checks (only $3.00) to Ezra Abbott, whom I saw on the street this evening to have him draw it for me on Monday. While I was in the street, I called at Joseph Ives’ store and made arrangements with Edmund Allen to go to Bethel in the morning for our chorister, Ben Lockwood. APRIL 22 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. I went to Bethel for Mr. Lockwood this morning. Brother Hill being sick, a Mr. Trumble, an agent for the Sunday School State Convention, I believe, preached for him. Gussie, as usual, attended church in the morning. I went down at noon to Sunday School. The Union Sunday School Concert was held in the P.M. at the 1st Congregational Church. I went into, but being obliged to stand, I soon got tired and came home. After tea, I wrote to George in Brooklyn, enclosing 50 cents from Morgan Chittenden on a flour sifter. I also wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering 2 Sunday School Advocates and I Sunday School Journal for new subscribers from April to October. I included the money for them. I harnessed the horse before evening meeting time and drove down to the church and waited for Mr. Lockwood. He finally came with Edmund Allen and wife where he had been to tea. I started with him for Bethel immediately without going to the evening services. APRIL 23 MONDAY - Stormy. John and Patrick came in the morning to finish my job of grading and turfing, but the storm drove them off about 9 o’clock. I harnessed and went to Mr. Crofut’s for the steps I bought of him for my piazza. After dinner, Gussie went downtown to the dyers and at the same time ordered 5o lbs. of lead for me, corn and oats for the horse. When she returned, I went to the shop and got $3.00 which I should have drawn on Saturday when they paid off. From there, I went to the car shop at the depot and arranged to borrow a jack screw tomorrow with which to raise my piazza to repair the underpinning. I then went to the barber’s and got my hair cut;, called at Crofut’s Feed Store and paid for the horse feed which Gussie ordered and came home and washed my wagon. While Gussie was away this P.M., John came in and I paid him for Patrick’s day’s work on Saturday - $2.00. He let his day go on the Book Account which I have against him. He is about sick himself, so he stayed in this evening and let his wife, in company with mine, go to market. Gussie brought me a letter from George when she returned. He is doing very well in Brooklyn for a commencement, but he has been about sick during the past week with a severe cold. He has changed his boarding place form 64 Prince Street to 269 Gold Street with ____. It has rained all day with but very little intermission and in the evening, a hard thunder shower while Gussie and Susan were in the street. The wind changed just at night and about dusk, the moon shone brightly; also again after the shower about 10 o’clock. Before retiring, I commenced an answer to George’s letter. APRIL 24 TUESDAY - Neither pleasant nor stormy – wind, sunshine and showers. I fitted the steps I bought of Mr. Crofut in their place in the forenoon. At the same time, I raised the corner of the piazza and blocked it up. I did it with a jack screw borrowed of Mr. Bedient at the railroad car shop at the depot. In the P.M., I put in 18 apple grafts for Father Griswold and dug away the old walk in my yard, taking it down in the same places about a foot, the new grade and steps making it necessary. I quit this work early and harnessed the horse and took the jack screw home. After tea, I borrowed Seth Down’s saddle and rode down to see Victor Benedict (our foreman) to see if there would be work tomorrow. I was too late, he having gone uptown before I got there. So I rode back home and added to the letter I wrote to George last evening and enclosed a letter from C. + E. K. Lockwood from Norwalk with $2.00 enclosed for sifters George had sold him. I mailed the letter with the $2.00 and 50 cents from Morgan Chittenden enclosed – total, $2.50. I attended class in the evening, the first time since I was assigned to Charles Stevens’ class. Before I retired, I wrote a receipt to C + E.K. Lockwood for the $2.00 received today. APRIL 25 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant, but rather cool. I had work in the shop today which lasted until after 6 o’clock. I came home by way of the Jeffersonian Office and got my paper. I being very tired, stayed home in the evening and let Gussie go to market in company with John’s wife. I made her fill the lamps while Susan was waiting for her. I would give her no money until she did. After she returned, John came over and got instructions about working for me tomorrow. As I went to work in the morning, I mailed a receipt for George to C. + E. K. Lockwood in Norwalk for $2.00 received in full for flour sifters. APRIL 26 - THURSDAY - Cold and raw with several little snow squalls during the day and but little sunshine. John Brayman and Patrick Quinn worked for me again today. I made arrangements with the foreman at the shop (V. W. Benedict) to give me my work tomorrow and let me play today, or rather, stay at home and work with my hired help, there being but one day’s work in the shop for today and tomorrow. We complete the job of grading, turning, filling ditch in front, making a mound, and setting up piazza steps, also grading and trimming sidewalk in front. I paid Pat $2.00 when we finished for his day’s work and gave John credit on an old Book Account for his day. Horace Cable wants to buy a horse and came this A. M. to look at mine. It did not suit him. It was not heavy enough for him. I, being very tired at night, I stayed home and let Gussie go to market. Ellen Dare married today to Joe Dunning. APRIL 27 FRIDAY - Pleasant and cool, though a little warmer than yesterday. I worked in the shop today. After work and before tea, I rode over to Mill Plain to see Frank Blissard about buying my horse. He has not fully decided yet to buy, but I think he will and that I can sell to him. Received a letter from George and wrote an answer and enclosed $1.00 from Ed Allen, the balance of amount due George for bringing Ben Lockwood from Bethel all winter to sing for us on Sunday. As I went to market in the evening, I mailed the letter. The Bethel Military Company marched up from bethel about noon today. They took dinner at Beers’ Restaurant, paraded in the street, and about 5 o’clock, marched again for Bethel. APRIL 28 SATURDAY - Pleasant and a little warmer. I had work in the shop until just after dinner. As I came home, I got the Sunday School Advocates at Swift & Day’s. I cleaned pout the privy and mixed muck with it before I got my supper. Gussie has spent the afternoon up home on Deer Hill. Bell came down and stayed with the baby in the evening while Gussie and I went into the street. I got a letter from George by the evening mail. APRIL 29 SUNDAY - Pleasant but windy. Gussie went to church in the morning as usual. I went down to Sunday School Meeting (which was a prayer meeting) having commenced some time before I finished my work at the library, I did not go in but came home. After tea, I took the horse from the stable to the brook to drink and then tied him down in my yard to eat the fresh grass for a short time. I wrote a letter to George after tea, also to Carlton & Porter ordering class books for the Sunday School. As I went to church in the evening, I mailed the two letters I wrote. Joseph B. Wakely was in church and Brother Hill left the desk and went to him and finally persuaded him to preach for him. He preached an excellent sermon from the parable or narrative of the rich man in hell and the poor man in Abraham’s bosom. It was a thrilling and elegant discourse. I walked up from church with Robert Lee. Bell came in just at church time this evening. I walked down with her. APRIL 30 MONDAY - Pleasant, but still rather cool. I had work all day in the shop. While we were eating breakfast, Mr. Judd’s son came and wanted the horse for the day. I left my breakfast and harnessed for him. As I came from work this P.M., I called at the Express Office to ascertain what it would cost for George to express a carpet bag home with his clothes to be washed instead of $1.25 as he was told in Brooklyn. It will cost only 75 cents. I wrote him about it and enclosed a letter to him taken from the office for Willie Franklin (the name is one assumed by him in correspondence with a lady from West Chazy who wrote to him in the army in answer to an advertisement for a correspondent in the Waverly Magazine). Mr. Judd returned the horse a little before dark, when I took him and drove down to Crofut’s Feed Store for some ground corn and oats for the horse. I returned the bag and mailed the letter to George in the evening. Gussie went into the street in the evening to exchange a new hat she bought on Saturday evening and is not pleased with. Louise Vintz came in and stayed with Georgie while we both away.
1866-04
Horace Purdy Journal April 1868 Entry
9pgs
APRIL 01 WEDNESDAY - A lovely warm Spring day. I have been to New York and for the first time without an overcoat. Fanny went down with me to attend Conference in Brooklyn. She went to the store with me, her first visit at the place. I bought a few more card photos at Meeker's, 106 Nassau Street to sell in the shop. Also, a few of Longfellow at Anthony's, 501 Broadway. I had a lady put in my charge at 27th Street to go to Mr. Fanton's Shirt Factory. When we arrived, I showed her into his office. He then paid me $5.50 for pictures bought at the Oyster Supper of the Sunday School. I stopped at J. W. Ives and paid it over towards what we owe him for furnishing the Library Room. APRIL 02 THURSDAY - Pleasant in the morning, but showery in the P.M. The first thunder shower of the season. I have worked in the shop. I was very tired and stayed at home in the evening. APRIL 03 FRIDAY - Pleasant, but a little cooler. I have worked in the shop. I expect to go to New York tomorrow and William Carlton cashed my account today and will draw it tomorrow. As I came from work, I called on Swertfager, editor of the Jeffersonian, to see about my indebtedness to him and the letter I wrote to him with $3.00 enclosed for the first quarter of advertisement. Ex-Vice President Hannibal Hamlin spoke this evening for the Republicans at Concert Hall on the issues of the day. I went in for a few minutes to look at the man and then came home. APRIL 04 SATURDAY - A little cool this morning. Pleasant during the day. I have been to New York. Difficulty with the gas pipes at the store so that they could not light up last evening. I had plumbers work at it today who made things all right again. Father Griswold, who has been this week at Conference in Brooklyn, started with me from New York this P.M. to come home to vote on Monday and by leaving the train a few minutes at Norwalk got left. I took charge of his satchel and umbrella and brought them home. I brought a picture I framed for George Fenner, also my discharge papers in a frame and some picture cards for George. I stopped at Kern's Clothing Store and brought home a coat which if I like by daylight, I shall keep. It commenced snowing a little in the evening. I brought a letter for Mother Griswold from Fanny given me on the train by George Starr. APRIL 05 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Though last night it snowed so that this morning it was 3 inches on a level. Gussie attended church this morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon after which George came home with me to tea and went with me to meeting with me in the evening. He returned with me and found Bell waiting who had come from the Baptist church. I persuaded him to take three pictures belonging to him which he sent home from war and which I framed and have hung in our sitting room. I want the room for others. Brother Burch in his sermon this evening made an appeal to the people upon the use of the ballot tomorrow at our state election. He advocated no party but exhorted us to vote as our consciences dictated, to act as Christians for right and justice and not for party ends merely or for any selfish motive. APRIL 06 MONDAY - State election. Pleasant but cold in the morning. I voted in the morning and then worked the remainder of the day. While at the courthouse today, I paid my taxes to Charles H. Crosby - $4.00. Later in the evening - the votes are counted and the Republican majority is one more than last year, it being then 50; this year it stands 51. Last year, we elected but one representative; this year we have both. The news from the surrounding towns is not very encouraging, our majorities being less than last year. Letter from William in the evening. APRIL 07 TUESDAY - The ground is white with snow this morning. It snowed in the morning but soon turned to rain and continued all day until evening when it cleared away. I went to Hatters' Meeting in the evening and called at the Wooster House to see Smith Ferrell about the style of frame for his wreath and cross I am preparing. Another letter this evening from William. He wants me to assist him to borrow $200.00 on mortgage valued at $200.00. After returning from the street, I went over to John Bouton's for Gussie who went over to John's tin wedding. On account of the stormy weather, the party was postponed until tomorrow evening. APRIL 08 WEDNESDAY - Cold this morning with some snow on the ground. I have been to New York. I brought home a picture frame and two looking glasses for Mr. Samuel Dare in Bethel. John Bouton had his tin wedding this evening. We stayed until after midnight and the came home. APRIL 09 THURSDAY - Anniversary of the surrender of General Lee to General Grant. I have worked hard today in the shop. I took the P.M. train to Bethel and carried 2 looking glasses and one picture frame to Mr. Dare and took an order for small looking glasses to the amount of $6.00. I took tea with them and returned on the evening train. APRIL 10 FRIDAY - Fast day. Snow this morning. I went to New York. Mrs. Carlson was in my charge to New York on her way to New Jersey. The storm turned to rain in the middle of the day and continued all day. Father Griswold and Fanny came home from conference on the evening train. At Norwalk Bridge, one of the axles to the locomotive broke, and in consequence, we were until after 10 o'clock getting to Danbury. APRIL 11 SATURDAY - The snow is sufficient for sleighs to run this morning. The day has been pleasant and the snow has disappeared very fast. I have worked in the shop. Gussie took the looking glass over to John Bouton's (which I brought from New York) this evening. I saw John in the street and he paid me for it, 85 cents. Paid Father Griswold $10.00 towards interest I owe him. APRIL 12 SUNDAY - The day has been blustering. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon and returned when it was over. After tea, we went up home on Deer Hill and left Georgie to stay overnight. APRIL 13 MONDAY - Cold as winter; I have worked in the shop. Oscar Serine gave me a picture to take to New York next time I go and frame for him. The widow Caleb Benedict (Mother to Harriet Phillips) was buried this P.M. I attended Sunday School Teachers' Meeting in the evening at the church. I received a letter from William H. Hayes this evening, stating that the money he was expecting from his intended wife had failed to come. I wrote a reply and mailed it. APRIL 14 THURSDAY - I have worked in the shop. A beautiful morning; in fact, pleasant until towards night when it commenced raining about 5:30 o'clock. I brought from the shop a cup of shellac for Father Griswold to cover where he sawed limbs from his trees. I went to market in the evening and got at Barnum's Saloon, opposite the Danbury Bank, my Testimonial awarded by the legislature of 1867 to soldiers who served during the War to Suppress Rebellion and Traitors and Maintain Constitutional Liberty. APRIL 15 WEDNESDAY - I have been to New York today; exchanged tea for the second time at the Great American Tea Company and got a better quality this time. I tried to borrow for William Hayes of Gideon Powell $250.00, but could not. William delivered two wreaths today and got for them over $50.00. William is near crazy over his disappointment in not getting the money he expected to get married with. It rained last night but none today, though it has been cloudy until late in the P.M. Cloudy and windy again this evening. I framed a picture today for Oscar Serine and delivered it this evening. Rev. Mr. Powers is to be installed pastor this evening of the West Street Congregational Church. APRIL 16 THURSDAY - A thunder shower this morning between 6 and 7 o'clock. Showery all day. I have worked in the shop. After tea, I went up to Father Griswold's and paid him the balance of the interest which was due April 1st. I paid $10 on the 11th inst. and $30.00 this evening. The amount was $45.00, but he gave off $5.00. After making the payment, I went down to the Post Office. APRIL 17 FRIDAY - I have worked in the shop. Tomorrow being payday, and as I shall be in New York, William Carlson cashed my account - $11.00. I took our wash boiler to Charles Hull's in the evening to be mended. . While in the street, I paid O. H. Swift $4.50 for expressage for one year on Sunday School papers, etc., the year ending April 1st, 1868. Mr. Pond being afflicted with a boil and wanting the plans of the new school house, I went for them for him over to John Stevens on Stevens Street. Gussie went to the Sewing Society in the evening at Russell Wildman's. APRIL 18 SATURDAY - Pleasant though cool in the P.M. and this evening. I have been to New York. I escorted Isaac Smith's wife to the city this morning. Father Griswold started this morning on his first trip to his new district on Long Island. I brought home my Soldiers' Testimonial in a frame which I have made this P.M. APRIL 19 SUNDAY - Pleasant until just at night when it clouded over and now has the appearance of storm. The presiding elder, Mead, has been here today. There was a love feast at 9 o'clock which Gussie attended. She returned to let me attend preaching at 10:30 o'clock. Brother Mead preached. Gussie came down at noon with Georgie to attend Sunday School. I came home with him after leaving her at the prayer meeting in the P.M. Having the headache, I stayed home in the evening and let Gussie go to church. Just seven years ago today, I left home for the war with my old company, the Wooster Light Guards. We went to New Haven. We were the first company on the ground, being the first to respond to Governor Buckingham's call for troops in response to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers for three months. APRIL 20 MONDAY - Rain all day. I have worked in the shop. Have scarcely felt able to work from headache. George R. Tremaine, lecturer and exhibitor of paintings of the Holy Land, came to see me at the shop about an exhibition which he designs giving under the auspices of our Sunday School next week. After work, I helped Mother Griswold put up a bedstead in her garret. We then stayed to tea. I went to market in the evening. APRIL 21 TUESDAY - It gave promise of a fine day in the morning, but it finally clouded over again and continued so during the day. I have worked in the shop. Bell was with us to tea and to stay overnight. I got another $1.10 worth of sugar (7 lbs.) of Mr. Pond again this evening. After tea, I went to market and to the Wooster House to see Smith Ferrell about a card picture of his mother to put in the center of the wreath I am preparing for him. Gussie also went down to Mrs. Bradley's. and Mrs. B's sister, Mrs. Williams, came home with her. APRIL 22 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warm. I have been to New York. Josephine Dare came with me from New York to Bethel. Fuller came to the store this P.M. and we walked up 6th Avenue to 23rd Street and then to the 5th Avenue Hotel and across Madison Square to the depot where I met Josephine Dare. I brought 8 small looking glasses for Mr. Dare. Josephine and a friend took them at Bethel to take to Mr. Dare. When I arrived home, I met Gussie and we went to the market where I bought my first shad of the season. APRIL 23 THURSDAY - Pleasant with the exception of a shower of wind and rain about 4 o'clock, P.M. I have worked in the shop. After tea, I grafted some apple trees for Father Griswold. I went to the grocery in the evening and called at the Wooster House for a picture of Mrs. Ferrell to set in the center of a wreath (which was on her coffin) that I am preserving, but I did not get it. From there, I went to prayer meeting at church. APRIL 24 FRIDAY - Cold. I have worked in the shop. I finished my work early and went down to Bethel to see Mr. Dare about looking glasses. He paid me $2.40 for what I sent him on Wednesday. I took the freight train from Bethel to Georgetown and met the passenger train and came home. Gussie went to the Sewing Society up to Thomas Fanton's. Father came down in the evening and borrowed our syringe, Bell being sick and requiring its use. Bought a cake of Lewis' Tar Soap. APRIL 25 SATURDAY - I have been to New York. The day has been stormy. It commenced snowing about 5 o'clock this morning and continued more or less all day. The ground is well covered here in Danbury, although none is to be seen in New York. I was I company with a lady to New York who has been staying at Mr. Dare's in Bethel. George was at the store this morning before I arrived, but left before I came. I joined him at Norwalk on my way home this evening. He came home with me to tea. I framed my soldier picture in a carved rustic to match my discharge. APRIL 26 SUNDAY - The ground was covered with snow this morning, but the day being pleasant. It soon disappeared. Gussie attended church in the morning. She returned at noon. I went down to Sunday School and stayed to prayer meeting in the afternoon. After tea, Gussie went down to see Widow Bradley, leaving Georgie and myself at home. I went to church in the evening. Brother Burch preached. I arranged with George after meeting to help me pay my seat rent by assuming half of it. I had thought about giving up the seat on account of the hard times, but shall now keep it. I arranged with Benjamin Bailey this noon to take my place in giving the Sunday School Children's tickets to dispose of for the entertainment to come off on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings ' 28th and 29th. The same being scenes and views of the Holy Land as shown at the Heliographorama. One half of the proceeds to be for the benefit of our Sunday School. APRIL 27 MONDAY - Cool in the morning so that I wore an overcoat to New York, but the day has been warm. I got for our Sunday School Infant Class, the Apostles' Creed from the Episcopal Book Room at the Bible House. I also brought a small package for Mr. Dare and left at the Bethel Depot this evening. I bought one dozen 'Laughing Cats' at Meeker & Pickford's in Nassau Street and let Joe Kyle have a half dozen of them at the depot this evening. Mrs. Bradley called this evening while I was taking my tea. My chief man at the store, William Hayes, is to be married this evening at his new residence, No. 16 Bedford Street. APRIL 28 TUESDAY - I slept but little last night on account of my business affairs weighing so heavily on my mind. It looked like storm early this morning, but the day finally proved beautiful and warm. I have worked in the shop. I bought a 3 and a half pound shad of a peddler at the shop and came home to dinner expressly to bring it home. I was doorkeeper this evening at the church for a heliographic exhibition of scenes and pictures of the Holy Land, one half the profits of which go to our Sunday School. Lucy Purdy took care of Georgie in the evening to let Gussie attend. When we returned, I gave Lucy three tickets so that she and others of her family who feel too poor to buy them can go tomorrow evening. I sent a note this P.M. to Mr. Dare in Bethel stating that last evening, I left a package for him at the depot. APRIL 29 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy and in the evening, rain. I have worked in the shop. Had my boots mended at M. Daragan's. Sewed up for nothing where previous mending had ripped. I attended the exhibition again this evening of the heliographic views, a very good house for a rainy night. The Sunday School realized $31.00 from the affair, the proprietor giving us half after paying expenses. APRIL 30 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm. I have worked in the shop. George has helped Gussie clean the pantry today. He stayed to tea, after which he helped me graft for Father Griswold. We then went to market. I called at the Wooster House and got Mrs. Ferrell's card picture to set in a wreath for them. After returning home, I wrote to William and enclosed the picture and then went to the Post Office with it. Went to the barber's for a haircut and then returned home again.
1868-04
Horace Purdy Journal August 1864 Entry
9pgs
8/1 MONDAY - Charlie Parsons woke me this morning a little after 5 o'clock by coming down and shaking my door I immediately rose and after lighting my fire, took a walk with him down to the Wooster House took get a little spirits, he not yet feeling well. After breakfast, John Sharp came with his coach to carry him to the depot. I rode down with him and saw Charlie on the train and then started for the factory. The train passed the shop just as I got there. He signaled to me as he passed. Sharp carried us on West Street around Rabbit Hill for another passenger before going to the depot. The day has been very warm. I finished my work at the shop about 1 o'clock and then came home to dinner. In the P.M., I mailed a Tribune and a Waverly to George. Carried picture of Phil Parsons to Couch's to copy some card pictures from for Charles Parsons. I went to the Savings Bank and had the $20.00 I paid for the watch for George transferred from his book to mine. Also deposited a dollar for Eddie with his old book in his name, though he is dead. After tea, Gussie went with me down to market. We went into Deklyn's and took some cream. 8/2 TUESDAY - Very warm. We have suffered more with the heat in the shop than any day before. We were limited in our work today, but it was all I wanted for so warm a day, it lasted me until 5 o'clock. John Bush has lost his last and only child with Cholera Infantius. He has had six children; this one was about 20 months old. Cloudy just at night and before I retired, it began to mist a little with good prospects of a storm. I was so tired that I did not go out in the evening. I put some water in a tub and just before I retired I washed me all over. Bought 2 quarts of blackberries of Zarr (sp) Hack who came along peddling them just before dark. 8/3 WEDNESDAY - Stormy. No work in the shop. Between 9 and 11 o'clock, I went over to Mr. Lyne's and Robert and the boy Charles went over to Lake Kenosha fishing. I went with them. We fished until about nearly 7 P.M. Not very good luck. After tea, I went down to the Post Office and directly home again. John Brush's child was buried this P.M at 3 o'clock. 8/4 THURSDAY - Being very tired last night, I overslept this morning. I dressed my fish before breakfast. After breakfast, I pulled the weeds from my Tromp De Gard strawberry bed. National Fast Union Servicers in our church. Brother Hill preached the sermon from Zachariah 14:6-7. It was an excellent discourse for the occasion. The service commenced at 11 o'clock and closed about 1 0'clock. We had dinner about 3 o'clock. I went to market and to the Post Office in the evening. Robert went with me and carried some very fine tomatoes to the editor of the Jeffersonian. Perfected and free tomatoes, the nicest I ever saw, I think. I have felt dull with no ambition all day. I think I caught some cold yesterday while fishing. 8/5 FRIDAY - Rain in the afternoon though in the forenoon it had the appearance of clearing off. Limited in our work at the shop. Some of the men finished at noon, I worked until nearly night. I came home by way of Couch's Picture Gallery and got the card pictures of Philemon Parsons which his brother Charles directed me to have copied from a picture fanny had. He being at Hartford and drilling militia officers and expecting to return this way and get them. I went to market and the Post Office in the evening. Martha Whealon came to our folks (Griswolds) by the evening train to make a visit. She is from Brooklyn. 8/6 SATURDAY - Clouds and sunshine, at times appearance of more rain. I finished my work in the shop at noon, we having but a small allowance now. I picked up a damaged hat yesterday and finished it for my head, had it trimmed today and brought it home. Received a letter from George at noon. Commenced an answer in the P.M. Hoed in my garden. Harriet and Louise Jones called before tea, but could not stay. Gussie went with me downtown to market in the evening. We somewhat expected Charles Parsons in the evening, but he did not come. While in the street, Mr. Barnum hailed me about my application for a pension. The officers at the pension office wanting more particulars regarding my case, such as who attended me and how much, also what hospital I was in and the name of our camp. The name of the camp I gave, it was Camp McDowell. As for the hospital, I never went into one, but lay in my tent. The name of the surgeons I gave, but they never treated me for hernia, as I did not tell them the difficulty after I discovered what it was, knowing that medicine would do me no good. There is but little possibility of me getting the pension. Another town meeting this P.M. about filling our quota in order to evade the coming draft. A vote was passed instructing the selectmen to fill the quota of the town as best they can regardless of expense, no particular sum of money being appropriated. 8/7 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. Gussie attended church with me in the morning. Brother Breckinridge, the Bethel preacher, preached for us all day. Text in the morning was Malachi 4:2, in the P.M., Proverbs 4:12. 2 dozen new singing books, Chain and Shower were brought into the school today. John Comes went up for Mother at noon and brought her down for the afternoon service. Theo Lyon carried her home after meeting. Bell came home with us to tea. I got Mr. McDonald's horse and carriage after tea and carried Gussie and Bell up to the cemetery. I fund Edith Newman and Harriet Mills up there. After Gussie and Bell had rode around the cemetery, they got out at Eddie's grave and I took Edith and Hattie Mills in and drove around the grounds. I had to go up to Oil Mill Pond for the horse and back with him again after the ride. Before church this morning, I wrote to Charles Parsons in order to send the pictures to him of his brother Phil which I had copied for him while he was up to Hartford as he requested. But concluded to not mail it until tomorrow for fear that he may come here on his return from Hartford. We did not go to church in the evening. 8/8 MONDAY - Very smoky and warm. Half the men in the shop worked today and the other half works tomorrow. I worked today. The reason for this arrangement was that all the work was on one set of blocks, the 5 deeps. Not feeling very well, I was very tired when I finished my work. I came home by way of Dr. Rider's office and had him dig out an old root for me. I broke the tooth off even with the gum one day last week. He broke it, or rather crushed it in his instruments 3 different times. I finished my letter to George after tea and mailed it in the evening with one to Charles Parsons at West Point. I enclosed 2 card pictures of his brother Philemon which he wished me to have copied from one Fanny has. In fact, to send the pictures was the reason for me writing. I mailed also to George a Waverly. On my way home from the shop, I called at Alden G. Crosby's Coal Office and balanced my account for coal by paying $10.00. 8/9 TUESDAY - Pleasant. No work in the shop. I worked around home all day. Dug up my old strawberry.. (Ed. Note: breaks off here. Pages 78-79 are missing. Diary resumes at the end of 8/12) 8/12 FRIDAY - in the forenoon. The New York train ran off the track just this side of the city and consequently, it was 9 o'clock before we arrived in Danbury. I came home with the sick headache. 8/13 SATURDAY - Pleasant and very warm. We had 1 dozen each at the shop. After I finished mine, I took six from John W. Bussing at his request as he was to leave to go to Boston. I cut the vines from my strawberry plants leaving the new plants alone preparatory to transplanting. After tea, Robert helped me alter a cat for Mother Griswold. I took the two heaps of grass and piled it west of the woodhouse. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. Mrs. Stokes, sister to George Bevans died this morning. She gave birth to a pair of twins yesterday. One side of her has been for some time paralyzed. She was not expected to live through her confinement. 8/14 SUNDAY - A hard shower last night which has made the air more pure, though the day has been very warm. The sermon in the morning was to the Sabbath school children by our pastor, Brother Hill. Text was the middle clause of the third verse 15th chapter, 1st Corinthians 'Christ died for our sins.' Sunday school prayer meeting at noon at which Brother George Starr brought a fine picture of 'Christ Blessing the Little Children.' He exhibited and explained it to the schools. Sacrament in the P.M. I stayed, Gussie went home. The funeral of Mrs. Stokes was attended at 3 o'clock at the residence of Avery Raymond on Balmforth Avenue. After tea, Gussie and I walked up to the cemetery and put a bouquet on Eddie's grave. It was about dark when we returned. We did not go to church in the evening. 8/15 MONDAY - Pleasant and warm. A vote is to be cast today to see if the people will allow the soldiers in the field to vote. I went to the depot with Mother Whealon this morning. I introduced her to Daniel Mauly who was going to Bridgeport and he promised to put her on board of the New Haven train for New York. Carried my shoes to Charles Reed's to be mended. I left George's watch at the jeweler's to be brightened up as I think of sending it to him tomorrow by mail with a hat I am going to send. After I returned from the depot, I trimmed the edges of my door yard walks. I then took extracts from George's letter for publication and carried it to Ashley, editor of the Jeffersonian. Went down and voted and got home at noon. I found Harriet there to take dinner with us. She says Father is pretty sick. Mrs. Stone washed for us. After dinner, I went up home to see Father. He is better. I stayed until nearly 4 o'clock and came home and set out a new bed of the Tromp De Gard strawberries. I went into the street and to the Post Office. The vote allowing soldiers to vote stands. I put up a letter to mail to 200 Mulberry Street, New York for (Father Griswold). 8/16 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm. The letter I intended to mail to Father Griswold, I neglected and he came home on the morning train rather unexpectedly, so I gave him the letter h just as I had prepared it to mail. I spent nearly all the forenoon in mowing the grass and repairing the sidewalk I front of Father Griswold's and my premises. In the P.M., I put up a package for George containing a hat and his watch to send my mail. I also wrote him a letter and put up a Harper's Weekly to send. I went up home to see our folks. Father is improving, I think, but Mother is troubled again with her old difficulty in the region of the heart. I brought home some pears from Mrs. Peck's to stew. Bought 1 dozen eggs of Mother to assist them and bought a quart of molasses for them. Pulled up the weeds west of my woodhouse before tea, after which I went downtown to market and mailed the package to George along with a letter and a Harper's Weekly. I had the package registered, which cost me 20 cents. The postage was 45 cents, making full cost of sending 65 cents. 8/17 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy when I rose in the morning and began to rain about 8 o'clock. Previous to the rain, I dug what potatoes I had where I had set out cabbage and turnips, the chopped up some old pea brush in the wood house. I went to the Post Office when the mail came and rode back in the rain with Charles, the boy who lives with Mr. Lynes. After dinner, I cracked some walnuts and then went up to the Jeffersonian office to get the paper which Ashley sends to George and mail it myself to go by the afternoon mail in order to take the southern mail from New York tomorrow. If Ashley sent it with his other papers, he would not send it by this afternoon's mail, which was necessary to do or wait 8 days for another steamer. I sent with it a New York Daily Times. I went up home to see my folks who are sick and was caught in a shower coming home between 4 and 5 o'clock. I went to market and to class in the evening. There being but few there and Brother Hoyt being sick, Brother Hill led his class and we met with them. Widow White came to Father Griswold's in the evening from Newark, New Jersey. 8/18 THURSDAY - Clear and pleasant. I had 2 dozen hats to finish today. It lasted me until nearly night. After (tea?), Gussie went over to Mrs. Daniel Starr's to make a call and I went downtown and mailed a letter to E. Wing at West Goshen with $3.30 enclosed for a clothes dryer, the balance of the $5.00 ($1.50), I gave to Father Griswold at his (Wing's) request which he made by letter received today by Father Griswold. I met Gussie at J. M. Ives' store where we selected 18 fruit jars (glass) and ordered them brought up tomorrow. On our way home, we bought a lampshade at Charles Hull's. We took from Father Griswold's box a letter for Mrs. Marie White who is visiting there and brought it home to her. Father Griswold gave me a few Russell Seedling strawberry plants. I set them out before going downtown. 8/19 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Before breakfast, I got Alfred Gregory's team and went up home for a load of manure Father gave to me. I dug some of it in my new strawberry bed between the rows. After dinner, I pulled up my pea vines and carried away the brush and hoed my cabbages and turnips. Mr. Cocking brought me some Poorhouse Seedling strawberry plants. I put them out for the time being where I took away my pea vines. Gussie picked and stuffed her peppers. The glass fruit jars I engaged last night came this morning. I walked downtown with Mr. Cocking in the evening. Received a letter from George by the evening mail. Attended the (Union League?). 8/20 SATURDAY - Appearance of rain in the morning. I had one half day's work in the shop. In the P.M., I got my Wilson's Prolific strawberry plants from Father Griswold's and set them out temporarily until I get my ground ready for them. In the evening, Gussie went down to market with me. Harriet was with us to tea. 8/21 SUNDAY - Cloudy all day. Love feast in the morning at 9 o'clock. Brother Osborne, the presiding elder, was there. Gussie and I attended, but on account of me going to the shop for my umbrella which I left there yesterday, it was late when I got there. Brother Osborne preached in the morning form Exodus 20: last of 24th verse. Brother Lamon from the 27th Street Church, New York City, who is spending a few weeks up here and boarding with J. W. Nichols preached in the P.M. from Hebrew 4:15. Brother Lamon is a deaf man Brother Hill being sick, is not able to preach. It commenced raining a few minute after we returned from the afternoon services a little after 3 o'clock. After tea, Mr. Olmstead (who lives on Deer Hill where Mr. Huntington used to) came down to tell me that Mother was quite low that she had been sick all day. I went up immediately and found her better. From her telling, I think it was an attack of Cholera Morbus or Bilious Cholic. Father has not been so well today either. I stayed all the evening. I spent a little time up in Harriet's room with her and Miss Jones. Miss Jones was sitting in the room with Mother when I went up. She is a good girl. I returned home about 9 0'clock or a little later. 8/2 MONDAY - Cloudy and Sunshine and showers without thunder in the P.M. I had one half days' work in the shop. Burr Bradley came over after dinner and I gave him 100 Tromp De Gard strawberry plants. Harriet and Louise Jones came down in the forenoon and spent the day. We had water and citron melons for dessert at dinner. I picked my crabapples. Went into the street and engaged Parmelee and Bradley's horse and Brother Hill's carriage to carry Harriet, Louise and Gussie up to the cemetery after tea. We went and got in a shower while up there. Before taking the team home, I carried Harriet and Louise up home. Gussie rode up with them and called in a moment to see Mother. A hard shower again about 10 o'clock in the evening. 8/23 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I finished my work in the shop at noon. On my way home, I took a letter from the Post Office from George. When I got home, Bell was down to tell us that Aunt Ann was dead and would be buried tomorrow at 12 o'clock. And that Aunt Harriet Benjamin was sick with the same complaint, Dysentery. I tried to get McDonald's horse to attend the funeral, but could not. Jo. Kyle came for what strawberry plants I could spare. I helped him carry the up as far as the depot and then called at the Jeffersonian Office to give him some items from the 17th Regt. just received from George. I then called at the Post Office to get a Post Office way bill filled out which George had sent from the St. Augustine Post Office for that purpose. The last thing before coming home was to help Brother Hill wash his carriage which I used in the rain and mud last evening. After tea, I went up home to see if any of the family intended to go to Ridgefield to Aunt Ann's funeral tomorrow. Father and Mother are both too sick to go. I went to the store with Gussie in the evening to buy some cotton for a quilt. I looked around for a team with which to go to the funeral tomorrow. 8/24 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warm. I hired Mr. A. Judd's team and took Bell and went to Ridgefield to attend Aunt Ann's funeral at Uncle Joel's house. It was held at 12 o'clock. We brought Phebe Palmer home with us. Before taking the team home, I took Phebe and Bell up to the cemetery. I went to market in the evening and mailed a letter and Harper's Weekly to George. Before starting for Ridgefield, which was about 9 o'clock, I exchanged Judd's carriage for George Hoyt's, the tin peddler who boards across the street to Mr. Smith, his being lighter and nicer. I paid 2 extra for the carriage. Paid Judd $2.25 for his horse and carriage. Mother gave me 60 cents to help pay it if I would take Bell with me. Aunt Joanna (for this was her real name though she would never own the Jo) was 61 years, 4 months and 18 days old. Died Monday night 12 o'clock after two weeks severe sickness with dysentery. Mr. Clark, the Presbyterian minister, conducted the services at the house. Captain Ben Keeler, an old man across the street from Uncle Joel's was buried also a 2 o'clock. We started for home about 2 o'clock, arriving a few minutes before 5 P.M. Before taking home the team, I went up to the cemetery with Phebe and Bell and then carried Bell up home, Phebe riding up with us but returned with me to stay all night. Hattie Mills, Edith Newman and her brother Saul came up in the evening. I had a hard headache all the evening for riding all day in the sun. On my way for the horse in the morning, I carried a gallon of vinegar to the Post Office for Jo. Kyle. 8/25 THURSDAY - Pleasant. On my way to work, I called at Crofut's Feed Store to do an errand for Father Griswold. Bought a card picture of Mother at Couch's Gallery for Phebe. We had more work than usual today. It lasted until 3 o'clock. Gussie and Phebe went up home to spend the afternoon and I went up to tea. Hattie Mills went up with them. Mrs. Orin Bronson and Frank Boughton came up a little while. We had a good time. We came home about 8 o'clock and went down to the saloon for some ice cream. 8/26 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. Work in the shop lasted until about 2 o'clock. Phebe went up home in the forenoon to visit with our folks and returned with Bell about 4 o'clock. About 3 o'clock Robert came along with his horse and wagon to carry some tomatoes to the Wooster House and to get some lumber. I went down with him for the ride. Phebe stayed until after tea, when she went home with Bell to stay all night. I went up to Mr. Hurd's and got one Tromp De Gard strawberry plant to fill out my bed. Went to the store and to the Post Office in the evening. I went down and returned with Mr. Cocking. 8/27 SATURDAY - Rain between 5 and 6 in the morning. When I went for milk, I brought home Mr. McDonald's double barreled gun to take care of and keep in good order having the use of it for my trouble. I went down to the Jeffersonian Office after breakfast to help Ashley bind the historical sketches which he had been printing for George, but they not being pressed, I could not do it. I bought a coconut with the outer hard shell on just as they are picked from the tree. I bought for a curiosity as I had never before seen one like it. I spaded in some manure in between the rows of the upper part of my Tromp De Gard strawberry bed just before dinner. After dinner, I went into the street for some groceries and my paper, Harper's Weekly. I saw Uncle Edwin, who was to come for Phebe before he went home. She being up home on Deer Hill, I hastened back to tell her that Uncle Edwin would call for her at my house soon. She came down with me and found him waiting for her. After she had gone, I read my paper, took a nap and cracked some walnuts. The sun came out pleasant and warm after dinner. Harriet and Louise came and took tea with us after which we all went up to Mother Griswold's a few minutes. In the meantime, Hattie Mills called and after Harriet and Louise went home walked downtown with us as we went to market. The evening paper gives us news of another major battle on the Weldon Railroad near Petersburg, Va. General Hancock of our army was attacked by the rebels who tried to drive him for the railroad but was repulsed with great slaughter. 8/28 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I attended church in the morning and in the P.M Brother Hill preached from John 3rd 27th verse. George Andrews' son-in-law, Mr. Hull, preached in the P.M. from John 15:25. Gussie did not attend during the day. Mother was at church all day. She walked part of the way in the morning and Brother Lyon took her in and carried her the remainder. She went to Smith Barnum's at noon and came home with me to tea. After tea, Gussie and I went with her up home. We spent the evening up there and sang with Miss Louise Jones. 8/29 MONDAY - Eddie's birthday, had he lived. He would have been three years old. Pleasant and more like fall. I had Mr. McDonald put a hoop on our large washtub before breakfast. I finished my work at the shop at noon. I ate my dinner and spent the P.M. at the Jeffersonian Office binding the historical sketches that I have been having printed for George at his request. They are sketches and incidents pertaining to the early settlement of St. Augustine, Fla. In the evening, Gussie went over to Mrs. Daniel Starr and I went into the street to the Post Office. 8/30 TUESDAY - Pleasant, but cool night and morning. I had work in the shop nearly all day. Bell came down for my carpet bag for Harriet who thinks of going to Stamford to make a visit. She stayed to tea. I went to the Post Office in the evening and while there, Mr. H. Griffing asked me about Father saying that he owed him about $10.00 for coal since the winter of 1860. I engaged John Sharp to come to Father Griswold's tomorrow morning for Fannie, Hattie and Mrs. Widow White who are going to Camp Meeting at Milford. Anna Purdy was married today to Henry Hinman. They went over to Sodom with her folks to Cousin Roxanna's where the marriage took place. They all returned home in the evening. Gussie spent the evening over there. 8/31 WEDNESDAY - I commenced mowing my dooryard last night and finished it this morning. My work lasted until about the middle of the P.M. I then came home and raked up my grass. By telegraph this afternoon and the evening paper, news of the nomination of George B. McClellan for president by the Democratic Convention at Chicago. I went to market and mailed 525 Pamphlets (?) and Harper's Weekly with a Jeffersonian to George in the evening. Gussie spent the evening over to Aunt Louisa's again. I went over to come home with her.
1864-08
Horace Purdy Journal December 1866 Entry
12pgs
DEC 01 SATURDAY - Pleasant but a little cooler. I worked around home today, sorted my apples in Father Griswold’s barn and brought them down into my cellar. Weeded out my strawberry beds and spread manure over them. I took down Mother Griswold’s kitchen stove pipe and cleaned it for her. Went up home and got a ½ bushel of French turnips of Father Griswold and brought them home just before tea. He was sick yesterday, but is better today. Georgie has been up home since Thanksgiving and just after dinner today, Bell came home with him. I carried Henry Blair’s gun home in the evening and made new arrangements to keep Bird, his dog. I went to market in the evening and bought a dog chain I borrowed of Charles Hull. DEC 02 SUNDAY - A cold morning though pleasant. It thawed some in the sun in the middle of the day. Before breakfast, I went up home and carried a little tea and coffee to see Mother who was sick last night. She was no better, getting but little rest last night. Gussie attended church as usual in the morning and I to Sunday School at noon and to prayer meeting in the P.M. After tea, I took a walk over to see Robert Cocking and then called at Harriet Phillips and got $1.50 for a book she wants me to send to New York for – “Women of Methodism” by Abel Stevens, LLD. Also $25 to get a Centennial Illustrated paper for her. She at the same time paid me for the Sunday School Advocate and the Sunday School Journal. Before evening meeting, I wrote to N. Tibbel for the book and paper. Also a short letter to George telling him of the bundle of good things and the letter and bounty papers sent to him yesterday by Sherman Smith. Also telling him that Bell is to be baptized this evening at the Baptist Church. Gussie is nearly sick with a head cold. DEC 03 MONDAY - Pleasant . Before breakfast, I went over to Mr. Bell’s to engage him to come and work a day for Father Griswold. No work in the shop. I went hunting and got two quails. When I got home, I had a hard headache. Before tea, I went over to Mrs. Blair’s and got a 3 quart pail full of leavings and scrapings for Bird. I gave then to him for his supper. I stayed at home in the evening to let Gussie go to the milliner’s with the baby’s hat and to go to market. Bell was baptized last evening in the Baptist Church. Mr. Cocking paid me $3.00 rent money this morning when I stopped at his place as I went hunting, the four months past having been paid with a ton of coal which I took from him. By the evening mail, I received a letter from George; Gussie brought it. DEC 04 TUESDAY - No work in the shop. It commenced raining about 10 A.M. I commenced to cover my strawberry plants before the rain and got quite wet before I finished it. I copied the constitution and by-laws of the M. E. Sunday School from an old record book into a new one. I went to the Post Office in the evening, but before going, Robert Dunning called to enquire about the place where Epephas Widman lives. He supposed that Father Griswold owned it. He is contemplating buying it. DEC 05 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and remarkably warm for December. I made a box for a mortar bend then made some mortar and painted around my back chimney and the inside cellar door; it took me all day. Before tea, I went to market and bought a beaver pluck for the dog. I also went over to Mrs. Blair’s and got some leavings for him. I received the book and Centennial paper by mail for Harriet Phillips and carried them over as I went to Mrs. Blair’s for the remnants she had saved for Bird. Mrs. Pond called on Gussie this P.M. DEC 06 THURSDAY - Pleasant until just at night when it threatened rain, which it commenced to do in the evening. I went hunting and returned before 3 and 4 o’clock. I went to Terry’s Woods and Mill Plain Swamp; followed the Miry Brook Swamp across Wallingford Road down to Wolf Pond and returned. I got only two quails. I went to market in the evening for Mother Griswold and received a letter from George inquiring whether he could get trusted here for a pair of boots. I called at Charles Reed’s before I came home to see about it. He does not like to trust these times but says he will accommodate George. Gussie went to the milliner’s this P.M. for a new hat for Georgie which is made of an old silk hat cover. Before retiring, I commenced a reply to George’s letter. DEC 07 FRIDAY - I was surprised this morning to find it pleasant. It has been a beautiful warm day. Sidney Grannis and I went on the top of Mt. Thomas. I took a hatchet and cut 8 poles for Mr. Pond and myself. I took my gun but found no game. I bought a pair of boots on credit for George at D. & M. Benedict’s. I did them up with 2 pairs of socks and took them over to Mr. Fanton’s. He will take them to New York tomorrow. I went into the street this evening and did some marketing, waited for the mail and then came home. Letter to George by the P.M. mail about sending the boots. DEC 08 SATURDAY - I rose at 5 o’clock and went with Mr. Pond down to Mt. Tom and got the 8 poles I cut yesterday with Sidney Grannis. We returned about 7 o’clock and found breakfast waiting for us with we ate with relish after our morning jaunt. I emptied and cleaned my pork barrel in the forenoon. In the P.M., I took my gun locks apart and repaired and cleaned them. In the evening, I held lamp for Mr. Pond to make a box in which to keep the Sunday School class books at his church. I assisted him until 11 o’clock with the exception of a short time, when the train came and I went to the depot to meet Fanny who has been away about 7 weeks on a visit to New York, Brooklyn, Newark, Middletown, Hartford, Bloomfield and Canton. It commenced raining in the forenoon and continued until about 8 o’clock in the evening when it cleared up and was pleasant. Widow Benedict died this morning about 8 o’clock. DEC 09 SUNDAY - Pleasant again this morning. After breakfast, I went up home to carry a letter to Harriet from George which came in a letter I received several days ago. She has been sick for several days with an inflammation on the lungs. I unchained Bird and let him go up with me for a run. Gussie attended church in the morning; I went down to Sunday School which was prayer meeting. Sacrament in the P.M., which I attended. When I came home from church and before tea, I went for Dr. Bulkley for Mother Griswold. I let Bird go with me. I stopped at his home to have him eat the scraps Mrs. Blair had saved for him. I attended church in the evening. Brother Peck preached an excellent sermon. DEC 10 MONDAY - Cold this morning. The ground considerably frozen. After breakfast, I went over to Mrs. Blair’s for some stale victuals and leavings for Bird. I repaired his kennel. Took George’s little Georgie’s, Gussie’s and my bank books to the savings bank and had interest added to cash. When I returned, it was about dinner time. Mrs. Stone and Susan Brayman were to dinner with her two youngest children. Mrs. Stone was washing and Susan visiting. In the P.M., I spoke with Fred Starr about beef and pork. In the evening, I attended Sunday School teachers’ meeting and put on record medals received and amounts collected by the children for the Centenary Offering. This was a long task and accounts for returning so late. Bell came home after meeting to stay all night. DEC 11 TUESDAY - Very cold last night; water was frozen in our sink room this morning. Pleasant but cold all day. I went down to the shop this morning to see if there was any prospect of work very soon. We may have a little the last of this week. About 11 o’clock, I took Bird and my gun and went over to Mr. Lynes’ and called on Robert Cocking and wife. They were dressing poultry to send to Mr. Lynes in New York. I drank a glass of cider with Robert and then went a little farther to look for game, but did not get any. It being pretty cold, I came home and took a nap as I was feeling sleepy from being up so late last night. Fannie went with Gussie this A.M. about 11 o’clock to get a picture of Georgie. They are to be photographic card pictures. I called in the evening and got a proof of his whole figure and a vignette and brought home to let the women decide which they will have. I also went to Fred Starr’s and selected a hog - 275 pounds - to be delivered tomorrow. From there I went to Concert Hall to the Temperance meeting. Peter Holmes was called on the platform and in the course of his remarks, gave Rev. Mr. Powers of the 2nd Congregational Church a shaking up for advocating billiard playing by church members. He handled Powers without gloves and served him right. Powers may be honest, but I think he will never accomplish what he designs; namely to take such games out of the hands of the devil. Instead of getting such games out of the devil’s hands, I more fear the devil will get him if he attempts the thing. DEC 12 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and cold, though I think a little warmer through the day than yesterday. No work in the shop. I went to the savings bank in the forenoon and drew $20 and paid Fred Starr towards my pork, which I expect will be delivered this P.M. It is a hog weighing 275 pounds at $.10, $28.87 being the whole bill. From the market, I went over to Halley’s Wool hat factory to see Father. He wants ½ pound of my bulk tea which I will let him have, it being better and costs less than he can procure here. I then went down to Foster Brother’s Carpenter Shop and ground my drawing knife preparatory to doing some coopering tonight. I also paid Charles Stevens $9.00, the balance due towards church pew rent. After dinner, I put Father Griswold’s hand cider mill in his wheelbarrow and took it to the express Office for him. He is sending it off for repairs to Peekskill. Mr. Webb, the young preacher was married this P.M. at the church. While the ceremony was being performed I was in the basement repairing partitions in the Sunday School library and did not witness it, not caring to. After they were married (he married Fannie Holmes), I went with Gussie over to Charles Hull’s and bought a round bottomed donut kettle for her. My pork came in the afternoon. Bell came in the P.M. and took Georgie home with her to stay over until tomorrow while she is tying up her lard. In the evening, Gussie went with Susan Brayman up to Mrs. Cole’s and I worked with Mr. Pond in his cellar hooping my pork barrel. It was about 11 o’clock when we stopped work. DEC 13 THURSDAY - Pleasant but cold; It has thawed none anywhere today. I went to the shop in the morning, but there being no work, I went with Edward Cody over to Oil Mill Pond to skate for the first of the season. The afternoon, I spent helping Gussie tying up her lard. I also salted down my pork. After tea, I took the sausage meat down to Benedict & Nichols and ground it. Also left word for Dr. Bulkley to come tomorrow morning to see Mother Griswold. I waited for the mail and got a letter from George acknowledging receipt of the boots I sent him. DEC 14 FRIDAY - Pleasant but still colder. I had work in the shop; the first work in the shop in 16 days. Gussie went up to Father Purdy’s to see Georgie who has been up there for two days out of the way of our work with pork. She carried to them as a present a piece of hogshead and a nice piece of spare rib. Bird came home this morning about 9 A.M., he having been gone since last evening when I let him go for a run. In the evening, Gussie and I went to market together. I did some errands for Mother Griswold. I took a letter from the Post Office for Willie Franklin. DEC 15 SATURDAY - Very cold again this Morning. Mr. Pond is very sick this morning. He is threatened with fever. He wished to take a sweat with Aconite, so I prepared some for him. I was obliged to get some more medicine from the doctor so I called the doctor to supply me and sent him to see Mr. Pond and prescribe for him. The time I spent looking for the doctor and cutting some wood for Mother Griswold made me late to the shop this morning. I called at Couch’s and got the 4 Cartes de Visite and one vignette of Georgie which he promised yesterday. He gave me a large photograph of Father Griswold to take to them as a present. Mr. Pond borrowed a spare rib of me weighing 5 pounds, 14 ounces to be returned when his pork comes. Bell came home with Georgie this P.M. He has a severe cough. We fear Whooping Cough. After tea, I washed and scrubbed an old half of a lard barrel preparatory to putting my hams in brine. I made brine in the evening and before retiring, I put my hams and shoulders into it. DEC 16 SUNDAY - Cloudy and cold this morning. The air grew a little warmer, I think, and about 11 A.M., it commenced snowing. Gussie did not attend church as usual this morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon. Meeting commenced in the P.M. before I finished my work at the library, so when I did finish, I came home. Mr. Pond is better this morning. After tea, I wrote to George and enclosed a letter for Willie Franklin. I also wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering for the school a dozen class books. I enclosed the money for them - $.45. It stormed so hard in the evening that there was no meeting or at least when I went down about 8 o’clock to mail my letters there were no lights in any of the churches. It was snowing hard when we retired. DEC 17 MONDAY - Stormy about half the day, Snow. It cleared off just before night. I shoveled paths this morning for Mother Griswold, Mr. Pond (who has been sick) and myself. It was snowing at the time. I was in consequence late at the shop. I had work all day. This is the second snow and the first sleighing. After tea, I helped Gussie press her headcheese and then went to the Post Office. I returned a letter to the Office for Harriet Purdy which I took out Saturday evening, expecting to get it to her before this time but I did not do so. I walked up with Ed Dunning who was coming in from a hunt. He had a bagful of birds having shot 30 quail and several rabbits. Before retiring, I called to see Mr. Pond. He is better and hopes to get to his school tomorrow. DEC 18 TUESDAY - Cloudy and not very cold considering that there is a body of snow on the ground. I worked all day in the shop. I went to class in the evening; Brother Peck led. As I went, I took a letter to Phebe Palmer in San Francisco, California for Gussie. Mrs. Stone called while we were at tea. She was on her way to call at Mr. McKnabb (on Deer Hill near our folks) who was last Friday badly stabbed at White’s factory. The 2nd Congregational Church has a fair and festival at Concert hall this evening. DEC 19 WEDNESDAY - No work in the shop. I went and finished off a few hats I had left over from yesterday and came home. In the P.M., I went over to see George Starr about money. I want to borrow $200 on January 3rd with which to take up a note with Hanford Fairchild. Mr. Starr could not promise me the money and yet would not positively refuse saying that if I did not get it elsewhere to see him again. Cloudy with appearance of snow this morning but it grew warmer towards night and appeared more like rain. Gussie washed this forenoon and had a severe headache in the P.M. At teatime, she drank a cup of tea and felt better. Her folks gave her a complimentary ticket to the 2nd Congregational Church Fair and Festival and she went. After tea, I rubbed my fresh meat (Spare Ribs) with salt and pepper to keep them. I carried a nice piece over to Mrs. Curtis as a present. It snowed at the time. DEC 20 THURSDAY - Very cold but clear. We had to wait for work this morning in the shop until 10 o’clock. There being but one dozen, I finished about 3 P.M. It was not very cold early this morning, but it grew cold during the day. I went in to see Mr. Pond a few minutes in the evening. Bell came here after evening prayer meeting to stay all night. DEC 21 FRIDAY - A severe cold morning. Some of Gussie’s plants in the parlor were frozen. I went to the shop but had to wait until about 11 o’clock for work. The weather moderated somewhat during the day. I came home from work with a headache. I cut a little wood for Mother Griswold before tea. I wanted to attend the temperance meeting this evening, but did not feel able to do so. I stayed at home with Georgie and let Gussie go. After she had gone, Mrs. Stone and daughter Matilda called to see her to get instructions about knitting a worsted hood. Soon after she left, George came in, he having just arrived on the train from Brooklyn. Prentiss having stopped work until after New Year’s, George came home to spend the holidays. When Gussie came from the temperance meeting, he hid in the parlor and surprised her greatly when he revealed himself. He is to stay with us tonight. DEC 22 SATURDAY - Not so cold today; appearance of rain in the morning. The sun shone in the middle of the day, but it soon clouded over again. George cut a little wood for Mother Griswold for me after I went to the shop this morning. He stayed down until the train arrived at 10 ½ o’clock and then went up home. I had but one dozen hats today and had to wait so much for blocks that I had to leave over 4 hats, not being able to get a block. I drew $14.00 for my week’s work. As I came home, I went to Fred Starr’s and paid him $8.88, the balance of my bill of $28.88 for my pork. I then called at the Jeffersonian Office for my paper and at D. B. Booth’s to see about George’s bounty papers. I went to the Post Office for Harper’s Weekly and got the Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals and then came home. I found Mrs. Stone and Mrs. Daniel Starr there. Before tea, I went down to see if benedict & Nichols had beef pluck for my dog Bird, but they had none. I then called at Charles Hull’s tin shop and got the nozzle to my shot pouch in which John Cable has been putting a new spring. I felt nearly sick this evening, the effects of a cold. It commenced raining in the evening and froze as it came. Before retiring, I marked of the Sunday School Advocates and Journals. DEC 23 SUNDAY - Stormy. A warm fine rain and mist, making the walking on account of the melting snow very bad. George came this way to church in company with Bell. Gussie went with them. She came home at noon and I went down to Sunday school. I stayed to the Prayer meeting in the P.M. George came home with me to supper, after which he helped me look over the Librarian’s Books and compare my list of the school with them. While we were doing this, John Brayman came in. I did not go to church in the evening on account of the rain and bad walking but called at Mr. Ponds a little while. George went to church and came home afterwards to stay all night. Before retiring, I made out a statistical report of the Sunday School, to be given to Brother Peck this week for the Quarterly Conference. DEC 24 MONDAY - Misty and more or less rain during the day. As I went to the shop this morning, I stopped at Harry Stone’s and ordered coarse salt and saltpeter for Mr. Pond. I left George at the house when I went to work. I finished a hat for Louise today and brought it home at night. I did not feel very well so I stayed home this evening. Louise came down and stayed while Gussie went into the street and made some Christmas purchases. Mrs. Stone called in the evening. Later – 8 ¼ o’clock P.M. – George has just come in and wants me to walk downtown with him. Still later. I went with George. When we returned I found Gussie and Fanny at the house with toys for Georgie. After Fanny went home George and Gussie went over to John Brayman’s a few minutes. When they returned we ate apples and roasted oysters and the Gussie and George took a large pumpkin and three beets and went over to John Bouton’s and fastened them to the doorknob, the pumpkin labeled merry Christmas to Mrs. Purdy (for Aunt Louise) and to the beets were attached a label inscribed as follows; “ Mr. Bough Town BEETS DED! DED! DED!!! DED! Mary Krismas." It was 12 o’clock when they (pages 284 and 285 missing)… salt to be sent up as I came from the shop, I stopped at J. M. Ives to see if I could borrow $200 of him. He was not in but his chief salesman, Edward Allen thought it was doubtful about me getting the money as Mr. Ives was rather straightened at the moment in money matters. I called also at Charles Hull’s store to see if John cable had mended my shot pouch. Also at D. M. Benedict’s and paid him the $5.00 I owed for George’s boots. About noon, Enos Kelly, the man I bought 10 bushels of charcoal a while ago came along. I gave him his dinner and then went down to Charles Reed’s Show Store to Ed Knapp who held the due bill to Kelly and paid him the $1.80 and took the said bill. Before night, Kelly called there as I directed and got the money. The snow continued during the day and the wind and cold increased so that at bedtime it blew tremendously. Schuyler Colfax, Speaker of the House in Congress gave a lecture this evening, Subject, “His travels Across the Continent”. I stayed at home and retired early. I felt poorly all day and retired nearly sick. My kidneys and liver are affected, I think. DEC 28 FRIDAY - A very high wind last night and today. The frame for a new house nearly opposite Abel Wheeler’s old place just raised by Ephraim Gregory was found this morning leveled to the ground by the wind. There was no work in the shop today but three or four of us who left our yesterday’s work over until today had that to finish off. Mr. Crofut yesterday requested the men to meet this morning as he wished to make some propositions to them. The men accordingly assembled and his business was to reduce our wages as he could not make hats at the present prices he was paying and sell them in the market. As the question seemed to be work for less or do nothing, we concluded to make a reduction. He would listen to nothing less than $.50 off on each dozen and we finally with no hard words or feelings between employer and employees accepted his terms. The day has been blustering and severe for those obliged to be out, though I think not so exceedingly cold as some days we have previously had. DEC 29 SATURDAY - George stayed with us last night. Not feeling very well myself this morning, George sifted my ashes for me and Mr. Pond got my milk as he went for his own. . I went to see George Starr about 10 o’clock to see about letting me have $200. He could not let me have it. From there, I went to the shop and got my pay. While there, Eliaken Widman paid me $1.25 for a sifter he bought about a year ago of George. I took the money and gave George credit for it. We had corn and beans for dinner of which I ate hearty and after dinner I was taken very sick in consequence. After vomiting and throwing off from my stomach all I ate for dinner, I felt better and then went over to Mr. Pond’s to see if he could lend me $200. He kindly consented to do so. While I was over to Mr. Pond’s, Dr. Bulkley came to see me. Gussie having gone into the street at the time I was most sick called the doctor about it. But when he came I did not need him as I was feeling better. I however paid him $.50 for his trouble which was only half hi price for attendance. In the evening, I went to market for a beef’s pluck for the dog, to Charles Hull’s to get a lamp repaired, and to the church where quarterly conference was in session to hand some Sunday School statistics to the preacher, Mr. Peck. Mrs. Stone and daughter Matilda called in the evening to have Gussie show them about knitting a ladies’ hood. DEC 30 SUNDAY - Pleasant. A very destructive fire occurred this morning about 3 or 4 o’clock in Selleck’s old wooden block opposite the savings bank. It burned 4 stores, viz., Decklyn’s Bakery and Store, O. H. Swift’s Yankee Notions and picture Store, Colgan’s small Clothing Store and Mrs. Ely’s Millinery rooms upstairs. Swift was also burned out of his residence over his store, as was Mr. Decklyn over his. I heard nothing of it until Mr. Pond told me of it when I went for milk. Mr. Pond and myself walked down to see the ruins before we ate breakfast. Gussie went to church in the morning as usual. I went to Sunday School at noon and stayed to the funeral of old Mrs. Coles. As the funeral was held in the P.M. at the church. I do not feel well yet; am just able to be around. A union meeting was held this evening in the 1st Congregational Church at which contributions were made in behalf of the Freedmen. A discourse was delivered by ____, the state agent. DEC 31 MONDAY - I do not feel well yet. Cold and raw this morning No work in the shop. Mr. Pond helped me build a shelf for lamps in our sink room this forenoon. George came in just at dinner time and dined with us, after which I helped him make some blocks upon which to fasten curtain fixtures in his room in Brooklyn. I then went to the Danbury Bank to ascertain when my note of $200 to Hanford Fairchild (which he had discounted) would mature. I then called to see Dr. Bulkley about myself and bought of O.H. Swift a diary which was saved from the fire yesterday morning. He spoke of using Robert Cocking’s rooms upstairs until April 1st. It began to snow about the middle of the forenoon and continued all day. George called in the evening as he went into the street and carried Father Griswold’s clock to Fanton's for repairs.
1866-12
Horace Purdy Journal February 1867 Entry
11pgs
FEB 01 FRIDAY - It did not freeze any last night and today has been the first thawing time we have had this winter. Instead of the familiar squeaking of the snow, it is tonight soft and sloppy. Water is running in the streets. I went to work this morning feeling nearly sick with my cold and expected to be obliged to return home before night but stayed the day's work pretty well and stayed as usual as long as I could see. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to the Sewing Society. I sent by her to the Post Office a letter to George, acknowledging the receipt of his letter and the gold bracelet for Harriet. I still hold the bracelet and wait to hear from him and wait to hear from him as I wrote him that I thought that he should sell it and use what it would bring him to help him pay his debts. FEB 02 SATURDAY - A little colder this morning than yesterday. Cloudy in the morning with the appearance of rain, which it began doing about 11 A.M. It was trifling until along towards night when it increased and rained during the evening. We were limited in our work today and I got home from the shop a little earlier. On my way, I bought a pair of rubbers at Benedict's for myself. I saved 25 cents by buying large sized ladies' heeled instead of men's rubbers; they cost me only 10 cents each. Mr. Pond took his hams and mine over to Mr. Olmstead's today to be smoked. Gussie made her first bread today from the new barrel of flour Mr. Pond got for me of Eli Hoyt. We like it very much. After I came from work, I went over to Mr. Pond's and paid him $8.00, the balance of the $18.00 for flour which I owed him. Before retiring, I made out a written statement of Sunday School Centenary Funds forwarded and children's medals ordered. Brother George Starr sent me word to do this and give it to him tomorrow. FEB 03 SUNDAY - Cloudy, foggy and very bad walking. The large body of snow is melting fast. Gussie attended church in the morning and rode home at noon with Mr. and Mrs. Swift. I went to Sunday School at noon and to the prayer meeting in the P.M. There were four forward for prayers George S. Bailey and two other Sunday School boys, W. Ely for one. I carried an account of Sunday School Centenary Funds as forwarded by me to the Book Room, 200 Mulberry Street, New York and gave to Brother Starr to send to William C. Hoyt, the secretary of the Centenary Commission as he had requested Brother Starr to do so. After School, I made out an account of the Children's medal received and sent to Brother Starr in the evening by Fanny also. I wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering another copy of both Sunday School Advocate and the Sunday School Journal and enclosed 65 cents for the same. Before tea, I went over to Mr. Blair's on Stevens Street to see if 'Bird' had been there since last Friday as he had been missing since then. They had not seen him. I had a severe headache in the evening and did not go out. There was lightning and some thunder last evening. FEB 04 MONDAY - It froze a very little last night. The snow has melted very fast again today. I have worked all day in the shop. As I went to work in the morning, I mailed the letter I wrote last evening to Carlton & Porter. The church pews were rented this P.M. at 2 o'clock. Gussie went and secured one for us. We gave up the one we have had for the past six years and took No. 33 directly across the aisle, the old one - No. 31 - having been raised to $20. We now pay the same as last year - $18. It clouded over just before night and in the evening began to rain. Bell was here this P. M. and stayed with Georgie while Gussie was at the church and stayed to tea and then went to meeting and then returned here to stay all night. Before retiring, I finished reading 'Six Months at the White House with Abraham Lincoln' by Carpenter. FEB 05 TUESDAY - It is still thawing - melting snow and mud, clouds and a snow squall just before night. I had work all day in the shop. A small girl going from school this P.M. fell from the timber that spans the stream by the factory as she was attempting to cross. Several of the men rushed to her assistance, but Walter Signor, being in the advance, helped her out of the water. After tea, I went into the street for some salt peter and took with me 200 pennies to exchange for currency. I disposed of 150 of them. While in Mr. Reed's Shoe Store, Arthur showed me where he had charges to me a pair of child's shoes - 75 cents. I disputed the account and after coming home, I referred to my expense book and found that I had paid for them. Before retiring, I poured off the old brine from my beef and made a new one, packed the beef over again and poured on the new. FEB 06 WEDNESDAY - It froze a little last night . The day has been pleasant and the snow has melted fast. I have had work again all day. As I was taking my leave this evening, the same fellow (a stranger to me, Charles Stevens by name) who brought me a letter from George, the bracelet, and a letter and paper for Lottie Keeler on January 29th came again and brought me another note from George in which he states that he has changed his boarding place from 346 Carlton Avenue to Myrtle Avenue, No. 115. I sat down and answered George's letter immediately and sent it to the Office by Gussie who was going to market. Before retiring, I sorted over my apples. Paid Mr. Cypher for spreading lime for Father Griswold. He owed me $1.00, so I let it balance Father Griswold's account and Father Griswold will pay me. FEB 07 THURSDAY - Another beautiful Spring day, although it is still winter. I worked all day in the shop. After tea, I went into the street to see Charles Reed and explain to him the error of charging to me a pair of child's shoes on 6th of last July. I saw his son, Arthur and explained it to him. He made it all right by crossing it off from his book. I bought a pocket comb of O. H. Swift and then went over to the church where a protracted meeting is being held. George Carpenter was converted while at the altar. After meeting, I told Mrs. Bradley of the seat in the church Gussie selected for her and us last Monday - No. 32. She was feeling very badly over some words she had in the shop today with Mrs. Bigelow. FEB 08 FRIDAY - Pleasant this morning, but a little before night it commenced raining and continued through the evening. I have worked hard all day in the shop. I came home by way of the Jeffersonian Office and got my paper. I stopped at the news office and got a bundle of papers for the Sunday School. FEB 09 SATURDAY - Cloudy and foggy through the day. I t commenced raining about 7 P.M. and continued through the evening. I have worked all day in the shop thought I have scarcely felt able to do so on account of rheumatism. 'Bird' (Henry Blair's dog) made his appearance again this morning after an absence of 8 days. He looked as if he had hard treatment somewhere. We gave him some breakfast and then I chained him in his house. After tea, I took my lantern and went through the rain and mud to the Post Office. When I returned, I took for the brine a piece of beef for smoking. FEB 10 SUNDAY - I awoke this morning and found it had cleared off, the wind blowing strong and cold. The mud was scarcely frozen in the morning, but before night it was very hard. Gussie attended church as usual in the morning. I went down to Sunday School prayer meeting at noon and stayed to the communion service in the P.M. Several of the new converts were baptized and William Purdy and William A. Bouton, also Charles H. Stevens were given the right hand of fellowship in full connection with the church. After tea, I made a minute on the Sunday School records of the Festival held January 23rd. I went to church in the evening. Susan Brayman came over and went with me. Brother Peck preached after which there was a prayer meeting. Six or seven were forward for prayers. FEB 11 MONDAY - Pleasant but pretty cold. I worked all day in the shop. Mrs. Stone washed for us. We hired her to do it mostly because we wanted to assist her as she is very poor. Georgie is very sick today; he has a bad cough and a high fever. Gussie went to see the doctor for him this P.M. and got some medicine. Mrs. Stone stayed with us to tea. After tea, I went over to Mr. Olmstead's to see if Mr. Pond's and my hams were yet out of the smokehouse. They were not. From there, I went to the Post Office and O. H. Swift's and walked up with him and Moses Baxter. Before going downtown, I went over to Mr. Pond's and got 2 lbs. of butter. FEB 12 TUESDAY - Gussie sat up until 2 o'clock this morning to give medicine to Georgie. He has a high fever and symptoms of Whooping Cough. As I went to work this morning, I left an order on Dr. Bulkley's slate to come and see Georgie. I worked all day in the shop. Harriet Mills came to tea and spent a portion of the evening. She wants to borrow some money to pay board with. She has left hat trimming and works in the shirt factory. She gets along so slowly that she is discouraged. Georgie not being any better, I went to see the doctor this evening. and he changed the medicine. The Brass Band Festival is being held this evening at Concert Hall. FEB 13 WEDNESDAY - The ground was a little frozen this morning. As I went for milk this morning before breakfast I went over to Mr. Olmstead's to see if Mr. Pond's and my hams were smoked. I found that they were and that he had taken them out from the smoke house. I left them for Mr. Pond or myself to go for when it may be convenient. I worked all day in the shop. Bell was with us to tea; she went to meeting in the evening. I stayed at home in the evening to let Gussie go into the street. Before returning, she went into the Brass Band Festival. She brought me a letter from George; he is now having steady work again and is feeling greatly encouraged. FEB 14 THURSDAY - Warm, foggy, and muddy. Rain in the P.M. and in the evening. I worked (as usual of late) until dark. After tea, I wrote to George in answer to one received yesterday and mailed it as I went to market this evening. I went to Dr. Bulkley's office and got some medicine for Georgie, did a little marketing and walked up West Street as I came home with John Stone. I brought a letter from the Office from Edwin to Father Griswold. I took it up to him when I came home and he paid me the dollar I paid for him to Mr. Cypher on Feb. 6th. I paid it by turning an account of that amount which he owed me for dooryard grass since last summer. Mrs. Stone came and ironed for Gussie this forenoon. FEBRUARY 15 FRIDAY - I went to the shop and finished off the work I had out (there being none today) and then agreed to help Oscar Serine get out the material for two grape arbors. He bought the lumber and had it brought to Mr. Pond's barn and Oscar and me worked all the P. M. to get them made ready to put together. Bell came down and stayed with Georgie to let Gussie go to the Sewing Society in the afternoon. Gussie went to temperance Meeting and I to D. B. Booth's in the evening to see about bounty money for George. Booth had not yet heard from the application sent to Washington. He gave me blank documents to send to George requiring his signature which I mailed to him before coming home. John Bouton received his money of Booth while I was in the Office. I went to the Town Clerk, O. H. Swift, to get the register number of Blair's dog to put on his collar, he having lost the old collar. The number is 161. FEB 16 SATURDAY - It commenced raining about 7 o'clock this morning and froze as it came, making it very slippery. No work in the shop. I went down in the morning and the foreman (Victor W. Benedict) paid me my account and I came home (after waiting at O.H. Swift's store until the arrival of the mail) instead of waiting until noon for my pay. As I came out from the Post Office, I saw Fred Jennings. He spoke in a vexing manner about my failure to collect what he owed me by factorizing, but it did not vex me in the least. I cared nothing whatever about it. I replied that I failed in the attempt but that my intentions were good enough notwithstanding. I went up home about noon and got a music book, entitled 'Musical Leaves' to send to George by request from him. I brought home a basket which we let Bell take home some apples in the morning. She stayed with us last night. I took a nap in the P.M. We had dinner about 3 o'clock and then I went into the street and mailed the music book to George and carried the Sunday School Advocates over to the church to distribute tomorrow. I then went down to the shop and sharpened my scissors, carried the gold bracelet George sent home to S. G. Bailey's Jewelry Store and left it there for sale. I then went over to D. B. Booth's office and sat awhile, went to market and got home again about 6 ## o'clock. Louise came down and spent a part of the evening and then Gussie went up home with her. I commenced a letter to George in the P.M., wrote a little more before retiring, leaving it to complete tomorrow or some other time. FEB 17 SUNDAY - A lovely day overhead, though it has been muddy underfoot. Gussie attended church as usual in the morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon and to prayer meeting in the P.M. After tea, I took Georgie out of doors a short time to breathe the fresh air and feel the sunshine. Mother Griswold came down and stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie and I go to church together, which privilege we seldom have on account of the baby. As we went I mailed the letter I wrote yesterday to George and a Jeffersonian also. Brother Peck preached a powerful sermon from John 3: 14-15. After the sermon, there was a prayer meeting. The house was crowded, but no one came forward for prayers. FEB 18 MONDAY - Pleasant. As I went to work in the morning, I mailed for Gussie a letter to Cousin Eliza in California. I worked all day in the shop. FEB 19 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop as long as I could see. Mr. Pond split out a piece of hickory from his woodpile this morning for me to make a ramrod for my gun. After tea, I killed a turkey for Mother Griswold. I then went into the street. I called At D. B. Booth's Office and he wrote a letter (and I signed it) to Washington for my discharge to be returned to me, William T. Barnum having forwarded it with an application for a pension for me. I called at O.H. Swift's store and walked up with him as far as Deer Hill Street. Bell came this way to church this evening. She came back here to stay all night. I weighed out a half lb. of tea for her to take home tomorrow. FEB 20 WEDNESDAY - I woke this morning and found it snowing. It continued all day and cleared off in the evening. I worked as usual in the shop. When I came home from work I found that Mr. Pond had drawn the snow plow to West Street and up Father Griswold's path to the house and made good paths. After tea, I shoveled out my premises where the snow plow could not be drawn. I then went up to Raymond's and ordered a half bushel of turnips to be brought tomorrow. I went to the Post Office and to Swift's store. I gave him 6 apples from Gussie to his wife. We walked up together. The Brass Band are having another entertainment this evening ' concert and to close with a hop. FEB 21 THURSDAY - The clearing off last evening did not last long as it was storming again this morning. At first it was misty; then it began to snow again and continued all day. It seemed to increase and before night there was a large body of snow on the ground - 8 to 10 inches on a level, I should think. I went into the street in the evening to do an errand for Gussie. When I returned, the stars were shining, so Mr. Pond and I determined to draw the snowplow to West Street and clear the sidewalk. We got Mr. Fenning and son and George Davis out to help. After clearing the walk and making a path to Father Griswold's house, I took my snow shovel and dug out around my house where we could not use the snow plow. I worked as usual in the shop. FEB 22 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I shoveled snow this morning where we did not use the plow last night. Father Griswold made a birthday party for Fanny and Harriet today - George Starr and wife, William Scofield and wife, Mrs. Thomas Barnum and Brother Peck (our preacher). They had the turkey which I killed on Tuesday evening. I was too busy in the shop to be with them. Bell came down in the P.M. and took care of Josie and Georgie at our house so that Gussie could be with them. Gussie went to the Sewing Society in the evening. I stayed with Georgie. Louise came down and helped to take care of Georgie early in the evening to let Gussie go. Bell went to meeting in the evening and returned here to stay all night. FEB 23 SATURDAY - Bell stayed with us last night and until about 5 P.M. to take care of Georgie to let Gussie go to Mrs. Swift's and Anna Hinman's. I came home at noon with a headache. I marked off the Sunday School Journals and took them to the church in the P.M. and brought home one of the Librarian's Books and drew up the classes anew and brought it back again in the evening and went to the Post Office and received a letter from George with a copy of the original 'Sentence of Christ' (ed. note: possibly a print by William C. Robertson, published about 1861). When I went to the church with the papers and for the book, I went to the barber's and had my hair cut and shaved. I also called at William Barnum's office to see if he had heard anything from my soldier's discharge which I had told him to send for. Since telling him to do so, I have written myself for it (or rather D. B. Booth wrote and I signed it). I did not tell him this which I intended to do when I went in. The sun shone this forenoon, but it was cloudy in the P.M. with snow just at night. Mailed last week's Jeffersonian to George this evening. FEB 24 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm in the forenoon. The snow has melted very fast. Cloudy towards night. Headache through the day, better this evening. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went to Sunday School at noon and prayer meeting in the P.M. Mr. Pond came into our Sunday School just before we closed. He came to look at the school. I went with him upstairs to see the Infant Class. Brother Bartram, in the prayer meeting this P.M., spoke of a remarkable experience as he thought last Friday evening at his home. He received a great blessing from God. With the blessing to himself, he felt a great desire for the salvation of souls. He felt so deeply this P.M. that he could scarcely speak. I commenced writing to George this morning and completed the letter after tea. Susan Brayman came in about dusk. I went to church in the evening. Brother Peck preached, after which there was a prayer meeting. As I went to church, I mailed my letter to George. FEB 25 MONDAY - Pleasant. It froze a little last night but thawed again today. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. I have been troubled with rheumatism in my left ankle and wrist but have worked all day notwithstanding. After tea, I wrote to the Great American Tea Company for a price list and a blank form for making up a club. I also put up two cakes of iron grease for George and mailed it with the letter in the evening. I walked up from the street with Mr. Swift. FEB 26 TUESDAY - I worked as usual in the shop . As I went to work, I left a sample of our black tea Mr. Swift's Store for him to try. The authorities seized liquors this P.M. on the premises of Albert Anderson and reports this evening say that he has been arrested. I received my Soldier's Discharge from Washington today where it was sent by Mr. Barnum with an application for a pension. After tea, I went into the street to the Jeffersonian Office to see about printing the 'Sentence of Christ 'sent to me by George and to D.B. Booth's office to tell him that I had received my discharge. Louise had her birthday party this P.M. and evening. FEB 27 WEDNESDAY - I worked as usual until dark in the shop. The homestead, furniture, etc. of Widow Polly Benedict, deceased, was sold this P. M. at auction. Gussie bought a lounge worth $25.00 for $16.50. Charles Benedict's wife bought the place for $2,575.00. Bell came in while we were at tea to borrow a nutmeg. I gave her a basket of rotten specked apples to carry home. I went into the street this evening on some errands. I talked with O. H. Swift about teas from the Great American Tea Company. Josephine Stevens, who was seduced by James Scantling and is now at his house is this P. M. being confined to child bed. FEB 28 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I had work only until noon in the shop. I came by way of William T. Barnum's to tell him that I had received my discharge from Washington. I had quite a lengthy talk with him about bounties and pensions. I finally concluded to write to Dr. Stearns in Hartford or rather write and see if he still resides there. If he can be found, I contemplate going to see him to see if he recollects enough of my case of hernia incurred in the army to give me a certificate that such is the case to enable me to procure a pension. When I came home, I wrote to him to see if he can be found. Received a blank for getting up a club, also a price list from the Great American Tea Company. I marked off the Sunday School Advocates and carried them to church, and at the same time, mailed the letter to Dr. Stearns and a Jeffersonian to George. Gussie went up home this P.M. She left Georgie with Mother Griswold while she was gone. After tea, Susan Brayman came in and Gussie went with her into the street. I stayed at home and oiled the black walnut woodwork to our new lounge.
1867-02
Horace Purdy Journal February 1868 Entry
6pgs
FEBRUARY 01 SATURDAY - Very cold last night and this morning. Pleasant and warm in the middle of the day. Cold again tonight. I have been to New York today. I paid N. Tibbels & Company $158.68 for library books I bought January 15th. Bought 10 more of The Singing Pilgrim and Musical Leaves Combined to sell in the Sunday School. Went to Book Room for No. 3 Judd's Lessons. Called to see Brother Duprey at the same place to get job of framing photographs of preachers. I framed 12 pictures of the church and parsonage to bring home. William was to meet me with them at the 27th Street Depot but did not, so I came without them. Martin Clark was on the train tonight. I partly got a job of framing from him. Gussie received a letter this evening from Lydia in Canton telling of Lauren and Eliza's journey to California. FEBRUARY 02 SUNDAY - Pleasant; before breakfast, I went over to Rabbit Hill to see Mrs. Holmes, our Sunday School Female Supt. about the time to be specified (in the notice to be given to the preacher) for bringing to the church donations of cake, etc. for the Oyster supper to come off on Wednesday. I went to church in the morning and stayed to Sunday School. We had a fire in the Librarian's Room in the new stove for the first time. After supper, I went over to Harriet Phillips with a Methodist Almanac I got for her in New York. From there, I went up home to see father where I stayed until nearly meeting time when I came home and stayed in the evening to let Gussie go to church. FEBRUARY 03 MONDAY - Very cold. I worked in the shop. Had a new mainspring put in my watch - $1.25. The seats in the church were re-rented this P.M. at 1 ## o'clock. Gussie attended and took our old seat again at an advance of $4.00, making it now $24.00. FEBRUARY 04 TUESDAY - Very cold this morning. The mercury stood at 10 below zero in some localities. I have been to New York. I brought home for sale tomorrow evening at the Sunday School Oyster Supper, One dozen pictures of the church and parsonage in 8x10 ## frames square. Also 4 8x10 rose and gilt and gold for Brother Burch's photographs to be sold also I put in screw eyes and cords to all of them before retiring. FEBRUARY 05 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant in the morning, but before night it commenced snowing and continued during the evening. Our Oyster Supper, conducted by the Sunday School Teachers, came off this evening, notwithstanding the snow and considering the inclemency of the weather, was a success. I have worked in the shop. Clarissa Smith came in and stayed with Georgie to let Gussie and I attend the Oyster Supper. FEBRUARY 06 THURSDAY - It snowed the forepart of the day. It has thawed all day. I worked in the shop. It cleared off before night. Kellen Brockett was buried this P.M. FEBRUARY 07 FRIDAY - Pleasant but cool. I have worked in the shop. Gussie went to Sewing Society at Mrs. Bartram's this evening. Borrowed 40 dollars of Augustus Hoyt. FEBRUARY 08 SATURDAY - Pleasant but cold. I have been to New York today. Went to C.C. Goss about making his frames. Josephine Dare at the store. Paid my rent to Young. FEBRUARY 09 SUNDAY - Stormy. It snowed in the morning. It turned to rain before noon and continued all day. Gussie rode to church in the morning with Robert. I went down to Sunday School and stayed to the Communion Service in the P.M. After tea, Father came down and called on us. On account of the storm, we stayed at home in the evening and Gussie wrote to Eliza in California. FEBRUARY 10 MONDAY - Pleasant but cool. I worked in the shop until noon and came home, there being no more work to do for the day in the shop. On my way home, I stopped at the church to see Knox' man grain the Librarian's Room I finally went home (after taking out two bricks from the outside of the church at the base of the chimney to make it draw) with the sick headache. We took tea with Father Griswold's folks. I retired early with the headache. FEBRUARY 11 TUESDAY - Pleasant . I have been to New York. Business is improving at the store. George came home with me on the train this evening. He took tea with me and is to stay all night. FEBRUARY 12 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. George stayed with us last night. I have worked in the shop today. I gave a picture of our church and parsonage framed to Fanny. FEBRUARY 13 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I have worked in the shop. Went to market in the evening. Bought two sets of underclothes - $2.50. I went into Prayer meeting just before its close. FEBRUARY 14 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. George came down after tea and we went into the street together. FEBRUARY 15 SATURDAY - Pleasant. Father Griswold got left by the cars this morning and took the stage to Brookfield and by cars from there to New Haven via Bridgeport. I have been to New York today. I brought home a steel plate engraving of 'Christ Walking On The Sea' and hung in our Sunday School's Librarian's room at the church. Gussie and George met me at the Depot. David Cosier went this morning with Paul McKay (who is crazy) to the lunatic asylum in Hartford. FEBRUARY 16 SUNDAY - Pleasant. After breakfast, George and I went down to church with the Sunday School papers and drove two more picture nails in the Library Room and for the present hung on them pictures of the church and parsonage. Gussie being too sick to attend in the morning, George and I went to church. After Sunday School, Mrs. Holmes gave over to me $57.59, the balance of receipts for the Oyster Supper, after she having paid for the oysters, help, sugar and dishes and whitewashing which amounted to $31.08. Father came down to see us after tea. George and Gussie went to church in the evening, while I stayed at home. FEBRUARY 17 MONDAY - Pleasant in the morning. It commenced snowing before noon and continued hard during the remainder of the day and evening. I worked in the shop. On my way home from work, I paid the editor of the Times for printing notice of our Sunday School Oyster Supper - $2.00. I also paid Crofut & Benedict for carpenter work in the Librarian's Room - $8.58. I am suffering this evening with rheumatism. Gussie went into the street and bought 20 yards of muslin at 15 cents - $3.00. FEBRUARY 18 FRIDAY - Considerable snow fell last night. It was windy in the morning and blowed in heaps. The day has been pleasant. I was forced to leave my work at the shop before night on account of the rheumatism. I stopped at Dr. Bulkely's and got some medicine for it. I was about done over when I got home. I stayed in and let Gussie go to market in the evening. FEBRUARY 19 WEDNESDAY - Have been to New York. It snowed hard until I got nearly to the city when it cleared off and the day has been warm and pleasant. I called to see Brother Woodruff in Seventh Street, but he was not in. I called on their sexton about preserving funeral wreaths. I had a severe headache tin the P.M. and came home with it. The New York & New Haven Railroad Company gave us a through car to Danbury this evening which was heated with steam. This was the first of the kind that has ever been through to Danbury. FEBRUARY 20 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm today. I have worked in the shop. I feel better today: no headache and no rheumatism. Gussie went up home on Deer Hill this P.M. George and Bell came down with her after tea and went from there to meeting. I went into the street in the evening and mailed a letter to William Hayes at the store in New York. I then went up to J. W. Ives and got 4 clothes hooks and went down to the church and put them up in the Library Room to hang hats, coats, etc. upon. FEBRUARY 21 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm until just at night when the wind changed for South to North and it grew colder I have worked in the shop. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie attend the Sewing Society at John Earles'. FEBRUARY 22 SATURDAY - Pleasant, but very cold. I have been to New York. Brought home from Benjamin Rider's, one dozen Wheeler & Wilson's Sewing Machine Casters for George to try and sell. FEBRUARY 23 SUNDAY - Pleasant but very cold. George stayed with us again last night. He and Gussie went to church together in the morning. I took little Georgie up to Mother Griswold's just before noon and then went down to Sunday School. It was so cold that we all stayed home in the evening and kept comfortable. February 24 MONDAY - Very cold this morning, but it moderated before night and began to snow. Saturday's paper brought us the news of President Johnson's removal of the Secretary of War Stanton and appointed General Lorenzo Thomas in his place. The evening papers say that a bill of impeaching the President has been brought before Congress and that Thomas has been arrested. Today has been full of excitement over the matter. I have worked in the shop today. In the evening, I went down to the Post Office and called a few minutes in the Club Room. Gussie wrote this evening to her sister Harriet in New Haven. I wrote a line to Augustus Hoyt wishing to see him between now and Thursday evening. I want to borrow some money of him. FEBRUARY 25 TUESDAY - Not so cold. A little snow at times during the day. I have worked in the shop. As I went to work this morning, I mailed Gussie's letter to her sister Harriet and a drop letter to Augustus Hoyt to have him call and see me. I wanted to borrow $300 of him. He came to the shop in the P.M. He could not spare the money. I worked late in the shop. I came home tired and low-spirited in view of my liabilities. After tea, I went into the street. FEBRUARY 26 WEDNESDAY - I have been to New York. I brought home one dozen No. 2 Judd's Lessons for the school, also 100 of Phillip Phillip's Musical Gems. Cloudy all day, but not stormy. FEBRUARY 27 THURSDAY - Cloudy all day. More or less snow during the day; it snowed very hard just at night. I have worked in the shop. On my way home from work, I left at the Union Savings Bank, an application to renew my note of $400 on the 7th of March. Adrian Baker died at the Pahquioque Hotel about noon today. FEBRUARY 28 - Cloudy again today. A little clear sky just at night. I have worked in the shop. I have finished my work early in the P.M. I brought home from Swift's store the Sunday School Advocates and marked them off before tea. Gussie went to the Sewing Society at William Scofield's in the evening and after Georgie fell asleep, I went to market and to Singing School a few minutes. I gave the leaflets of Phillips' new music which I bought for the school to the Chorister, Benjamin Lockwood, and heard them practice the same. FEBRUARY 29 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I have been to New York. I brought home 3 lbs. of coffee for Father Griswold and two lbs. for myself, 'French Breakfast and Dinner' from the great American Tea Company. I went to the City Hall to see about a permit to have a sign project 12 inches or more from my building. Gussie met me at the Depot this evening.
1868-02
Horace Purdy Journal January 1867 Entry
12pgs
JAN 01 TUESDAY - Stormy, snow all day. I swept paths and dug out the snow on my sidewalk before breakfast. George came down in the morning and we went into the street together in the forenoon. Gussie made fruit cake in the morning and frosted it. She desires one loaf as a present to George. She put on the frosting the initials of his name, also 1867 with small confectionary. George came here to dinner. He spent the day mostly in making calls. In the P.M., I cracked walnuts and cut up some wood I had in the wood house. Just before night, Robert Cocking and wife called as they were sleigh riding. He paid me $3.00 for December rent and we talked about letting Mr. Swift come into his rooms upstairs until April 1st. George called in the evening. I put up in a paper box two loaves of cake, one fruit cake frosted, 5 apples and about a quart of cracked walnuts. Gussie and I went over to Mr. Pond's about 10 o'clock for some butter ' 2 lbs.; we left George in the house while we were gone. He brought down his carpet bag backed all ready for a start in the morning. JAN 03 WEDNESDAY - George came this way on his way to the train for the trip to Brooklyn. He took his bags and box of good things which I packed for him last evening. After breakfast, I went to the shop expecting work but we were told that it would not be ready before Friday . I took my beef barrel over to Mr. Pond's before dinner intending to hoop it in the P.M. but was taken with a severe headache was obliged to abandon it. I retired early very sick. Gussie attended the weekly Temperance Meeting at Concert Hall in the evening. When she returned, I was in bed. JAN 03 THURSDAY - A beautiful day. The sleighing good and many are enjoying it. I hooped my beef barrel over to Mr. Pond's this forenoon. In the afternoon, I took a walk down to the shop and carried a copy of our Bill of Prices which I have been drawing up for my own use. I paid my post Office rent and my newspaper postage. The box rent is paid up to July 1st. In the evening, I took up Mr. Pond's and my hams and packed them over again. He came over and helped me pour the brine off into a tub and pour it on again before repacking. Bell called here before evening meeting. JAN 04 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I have had work today in the shop for the first time this week. I have felt better today than I have in about two weeks. I worked as long as I could see in the shop and then came home by way of the depot and called at Fenton's Jewelry Store and got Father Griswold's clock which has been there for repairs. After tea, I went over to Mr. Pond's and got the $200 he was to lend me and gave my note for the same payable on demand. Bell came down in the evening and stayed to let Gussie go to Sewing Society. Mother came down this forenoon and stayed to dinner with Gussie and spent the greater part of the P.M. JAN 05 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. Bell stayed with us last night. As I went to work this morning, I took the jug and ordered a gallon of molasses at Benedict & Nichols. I had work all day at the shop. At noon, I went up to the Danbury Bank and took up my note of $200 to Hanford Fairchild which he took there and got discounted. I then returned to the shop and worked until dark. I last evening paid Gussie $8.00 for the first time under our new arrangement, viz. to pay her $8.00 per week for her to pay the house holding expenses and to let her do the contriving and providing and save all she can out of it. Today she did her first buying under the new order of things. Bell took the sled and drew Georgie up home with her to stay until tomorrow. This is his first ride on a hand sled. In the evening, I went to the barber's and then to S.S. Peck's store to increase Gussie' s order for onions from a peck to a half bushel. I saw O.H. Swift on the street and paid him $1.90 for Father Griswold's expressage on hand cider mill from Peekskill where he sent it for repairs. JAN 06 SUNDAY - A little snow during the day which came quietly. The day although cloudy has been warm for a winter day. We expected Georgie to be brought home by Father today but on account of the storm (which was slight) Gussie went up in the forenoon instead of going to church and made arrangements for him to stay over today. I went down to Sunday School and attended prayer meeting in the P.M. Dinner was ready at 3 o'clock when I returned from meeting, after which I took to my usual Sunday School writing and Gussie with Susan Brayman in company with Ed Ireland went up to see Anna Delavan, who is dangerously sick at Henry Hinman's. Not having any baby to stay home with, we both went to church in the evening. Brother Peck as usual preached a good sermon. JAN 07 MONDAY - Pleasant but colder. We had only about a half day's work in the shop. When I came from work in the P.M., I found Gussie in the street shopping. I set to work and arranged for smoking a shoulder in the fireplace. I soon hung it up and had a smoke going. Just before tea (between sundown and dark), Bell came down with Georgie on the hand sled. She stayed with us to tea and went to meeting in the evening. I today received again three of the papers printed by the Great American Tea Company and in the evening took one of them over to Mr. Pond. I have had a headache. Today this towards night increased in the back part of my head. JAN 08 TUESDAY - Pleasant and cool, about the same as yesterday. We had but one dozen hats to finish today. I finished my work about the middle of the P.M. and came home by way of Fred Starr's meat market where I bought on credit a forequarter of beef 117 lbs.at 10 cents a lb. I saw it cut up. It came before night. As I went to work this morning, I took from the Office a letter which came last evening from George. I returned to Mother Griswold 8 lbs. of beef to replace 8 lbs. which I borrowed of them. Today the rum sellers were notified to close up. JAN 09 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I had work all day in the shop. As I came from work at night, I took from the Post Office a letter written November 9th to Henry Blair in New York about his dog which he never received and had been sent to the General Post Office in Washington and from there returned to me. In the evening, I went over to Mr. Pond's and he helped me about putting on a hoop on my beef cask to tighten if possible the bottom, but we did not succeed. I will have to get a new bottom put onto it. Moses Baxter and wife were down to their house across the way this evenng to make arrangements for moving in again in a few days. They called in a few minutes before going home again. Bell came by this evening as she went to meeting. Gussie let her do some errands for her in the street. She came back this way and is to stay with us tonight. JAN 10 THURSDAY - Bell stayed with us last night. The day has been cloudy with a little fine snow in the forenoon. I have had work all day in the shop. The rum shops have all been closed today, they having been notified to do so or take the full extent of the law. The Temperance Committee having waited on them the 7th instant giving them today to close up in. Bell was here this P.M. and to tea. In the evening, I went over to Mr. Richards for my slippers which he has been making for me for $1.75. Mrs. Stone has been here this evening. Gussie called on Mrs. Swift this P.M. for the first time since they were burned out. They are now living in Charles Benedict's house on Deer Hill. I helped Louise catch and kill two chickens for Mother Griswold this evening. Gussie retired with the sick headache. JAN 11 FRIDAY - Have had work all day in the shop, but on account of a sick headache, I was obliged to stop a little early and come home. Mr. Cocking brought us a peck of carrots today. Moses Baxter moved back in his house across the way today. JAN 12 SATURDAY - Pleasant but colder. I worked as usual in the shop. To do my allowance and what was left over from yesterday, I was obliged to work as long as I could in the evening. John McNamee, a shopmate who bought my hay cutter, paid me for it today - $9.00. I went into the street in the evening and paid Fred Starr $12.28 for 117 pounds of beef (forequarter) at $.10 a pound which I bought on the 8th instant. I also called to see how O.H. Swift (who was burned out) is fitted up for a store on the south side of Potter's Music Rooms in Taylor's block. I walked up home with him after he closed and went in a few moments. He is living in a part of Charles Benedict's house on Deer Hill, lately sold to Jackson for a school. JAN 13 SUNDAY - Very cold last night and this morning. The weather has moderated during the day. It has been cloud with more or less snow during the day. Neither of us attended church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon and stayed to the communion service in the afternoon. I brought home the third Assistant Librarian Book and drew it up anew for William Warren who I think I shall get to fill the position in place of David Bradley who has not of late attended to it as he should. Gussie went to church in the evening while I stayed at home. Bell came here after evening meeting to stay all night. JAN 14 MONDAY - Pleasant but very cold. Bell stayed with us last night. I worked all day in the shop. I attended Sunday School Teachers' Business meeting in the evening at which arrangements were made for a Sunday School festival on Wednesday the 23rd instant. Before retiring, I copied the minutes of the Sunday School Teachers' meeting. The day has been much colder than yesterday. Some think it was the coldest day we have had yet this winter. I think not. JAN 15 TUESDAY - Pleasant, but I think colder than yesterday. As I came home from work at night, I called at Fanton's Jewelry Store for Father Griswold's clock which was there for a new bell. When I got home with it, I found that he had given me the wrong clock. So I went back with it and exchanged it. At the same time, I took my 5 gallon oil can to Charles Hull's to have a new bottom put on, it having rusted so that it leaked. After tea, I wrote to the publishers of The Methodist to have my subscription renewed and sent the name of Aaron Morehouse with $5.00 enclosed to pay for both and thereby according to their advertisement, I shall receive a book entitled 'Six Months at the White House with Abraham Lincoln' by (Francis) Carpenter, this being a premium for my renewal and a new subscriber. I stayed at home in the evening to let Gussie go into the street to do some errands and mail the letter. JAN 16 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and very cold thought I think it was a little warmer towards night. We rose late and I did not get to work until after 9 o'clock. I let 'Bird' out last night as usual for a run and he did not get back until the middle of this forenoon. I went onto the street this evening and found that Charles Hull had repaired my 5-gallon oil can by cutting off the bottom about 1 and a half inches where it leaked on account of rust and putting on a new one which I suppose will lessen its measure about a half gallon. I had him put 4 gallons of oil in it at 65 cents per gallon. I paid for it and ordered it to be sent up tomorrow. James Clark Beers was married yesterday in New York to a daughter of the Rev. Joseph Wildy. He arrived here last evening on the train with his bride and stayed at his Mother's last night which I suppose for the present he will make his home. Widow Wanzer died this evening about 9 o'clock. She sank into a sleep at 2 P.M. out of which she never came. JAN 17 THURSDAY - I woke this morning and found it snowing hard which continued all day and made the heaviest snowstorm of the winter thus far. There was which kept me at the shop until noon. No work given out today but I had some left over from yesterday. I swept the paths this morning and shoveled them out again this P.M. After Mr. Pond got his tea, we went to work and made a snow plow. We got it nearly done when I left him to finish it while I went up to Father Griswold's to visit with Clark Beers and wife who came there this afternoon. His mother and two sisters Emma and Lydia came with them. George Starr sent Amos Bouton with his horse and sleigh to bring them. He also came to take them home about 8:30 o'clock. After they had gone, I went with Mr. Pond to try our snow plow on our sidewalks. JAN 18 FRIDAY - There was but little if any snow last night, but the wind blew fiercely driving the already fallen snow into heavy compact drifts filling up most of the paths which were shoveled yesterday and last evening. There but being no work in the shop today, I spent about half the forenoon digging out the paths again. The drifts were too hard to make any use of our snow plow today. After dinner, I wrote to New York ordering some pictorial books for Fanny to present to our infant class at the Sunday School festival next week. I gave it to her to mail as she was going into the street. After tea, I went over to Mrs. Blair's to see if 'Bird' had been there today, he having been about all day. From there, I went into Main Street for my Jeffersonian and home in time to let Gussie got to the Sewing Society at Mrs. D. Brown's. JAN 19 SATURDAY - Pleasant and a little warmer. I went to the shop, but there was no work. I went into the street and did some errands and then returned to the shop just before dinner and got my pay. I then came home to dinner after which Mr. Pond helped me repair the bottom to my beef cask. I then helped him clean out his cistern, after which we put a pair of handles on our snow plow. In the evening, Gussie and I went into the street with some rags to Charles Hull's and traded them out in tin ware. We called to see Dr. Bulkley about Georgie. I went up to Fred Starr's Meat Market to see about some lard for Mother Griswold. I took 'Bird' home this evening over to Mrs. Blair's. JAN 20 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the A.M., but about noon, it began to be cloudy and in the evening, it commenced snowing. Gussie attended church in the morning. Mr. Frisbie of the 1st Congregational Church preached for us, Mr. Peck having exchanged with him. I went down to Sunday School as Gussie returned from the morning service. I stayed to the prayer meeting in the P.M.; it was a good meeting. Many of the young members gave their testimony for the Savior. After tea, I wrote to Carlton & Porter, ordering three more copies of the Sunday School Advocate, also a dozen No. 1 Lesson Books for every Sunday of the year. I also wrote to George. Father came down after tea and stayed until nearly evening meeting time. Gussie at the same time went to the Band of Hope at 5 o'clock. I let Father have a half lb. of my black tea to take home with him. When Gussie returned, I went down to the Office and mailed the letters I wrote and returned as it was snowing. JAN 21 MONDAY - The fall of snow last night was about a foot. It was still snowing a little this morning and continued more or less during the day. It took me until about 10 o'clock to shovel out my paths. It was about 11 o'clock when I went to the shop. We had only one dozen hats which I did before night. As I came home, I got the package at Chichester's News Room which I ordered last Friday of Carlton & Porter - pictorial books for children for Fanny to give to her Infant Class. Before tea, I made me a snow shovel of pine wood. In the evening, I shoveled off my side walk and helped Mr. Pond do part of his. Gussie went over to Spring Street in the fore part of the evening to see Mrs. Stone about washing and into the street to do some trading. While she was gone, Louise stayed with Georgie to let me shovel snow. JAN 22 TUESDAY - I went to the shop in the morning, but there was no work. Mrs. Stone came and washed for us. She came crying because Stone yesterday struck and beat her without any provocation. They are very poor. We paid her for washing and gave her some flour and meat to take home. I shoveled out Father Griswold's path from his gate entrance to his house. I lent Mr. Bradley and Green a snow shovel to dig out their sidewalks in the P.M. Bell was here to dinner and to tea. Father came this way from work and paid me $1.10 for the half lb. of tea which I let him have from ours. After tea, I wrote to Henry Blair about his dog, 'Bird'. I wish that if I keep him any longer, not to be responsible for his safety. Before mailing it, I went over to his Mother's to get his address. From there, I went to class meeting. As I came home, I took from the office Carpenter's 'Six Months at the White House with Abraham Lincoln' which I got as a premium from the publishers of 'The Methodist' for renewing my own subscription and sending one other new name. JAN 23 - Pleasant. Only a half day's work in the shop. Sunday School Festival in the P.M., which I attended. A Mr. Leonard of New York was there and spoke to the children. 139 scholars were present out of 294. Bell stayed with Georgie to let Gussie go also. We both went to the Tea Meeting in the evening where the members of the Church and congregation assembled and a delightful social time was enjoyed. A report of the doings of the Sinking Fund for the last year was given and new subscriptions taken. We brought some nice cake home for Bell to take to Mother tomorrow as she is to stay all night here. I mailed this evening two Jeffersonians to George and by the evening mail received a letter from him. JAN 24 THURSDAY - After breakfast, Bell took Georgie on the hand sled and drew him up home with her. Gussie went up in the P.M., but on account of the wind let him stay up there all night. I have had work all day in the shop. Received a letter from Henry Blair saying that I could keep his dog 'Bird' until he needed him and he will be responsible for his safety. Gussie also received a letter from her cousin Eliza in California with card pictures of her three children enclosed. Georgie being away and we by the means being at liberty, we, after tea, called on Clark Beers and wife. We then went into the street to market and after returning home went over to Mr. Pond's and made a call. JAN 25 FRIDAY - Pleasant in the morning; cloudy later in the day and warmer; signs of rain. I had work all day in the shop. We were limited, but the amount lasted me until night. As I came from work, I went to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper and to the news office for the Harper's Weekly and for some Sunday School Lesson books which I sent for and the Sunday School papers - Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals. Georgie is still up to Father Purdy's. I went to market in the evening. It commenced snowing before we retired. JAN 26 SATURDAY - No work in the shop. It was snowing when we rose this morning and continued more or less until the middle of the forenoon when it came off warm and pleasant. It became cloudy in the P.M again and grew cloudy and colder. About 10 A.M., I went to the church with the Sunday School papers and then to the factory for my pay, which I got just before dinner. In the P.M., I went up to see Mr. Barnum - War Claim Agent - to direct him to send for my discharge papers to Washington (where he sent them with an application for pension for me for a hernia contracted while in the army). As there is no probability of me ever receiving a pension for want of the Regimental Surgeon's certificate of the disability and that I could not get as he was not knowing to the case because I did not make known the difficulty to him, it being but a few days prior to the expiration of our term of service. Mr. Pond engaged a barrel of flour for me of Eli Hoyt for $18.00. He paid the amount for me and I paid him $10.00 towards it, leaving the balance for one week. Mr. Cocking called in the P.M. to see if he had caught any mice in the trap he set a few days ago in his rooms upstairs. Bird (the dog) came home before night with a wound on his breast between his forelegs. I tried to sew it up, but it was too sore to do it without assistance, so I gave it up. I went into the street in the evening and paid Fred Starr $2.30 for Mother Griswold for lard and a beeve's pluck - 10 lbs. of lard at 18 cents and a pluck at 50 cents. Before coming home, I bought of O. H. Swift a 5 quire blank book for a journal to use when this is filled up - price, $1.75. I drew $9.00 for my week's work, which is small. But when I consider that most of the hatters have earned nothing for about 3 months past, I count myself exceedingly fortunate. Since January 1st, I have earned $41.00. Bell has not yet brought Georgie home. He has been up home since last Thursday morning. Yesterday, I hung another shoulder in the fireplace to smoke. JAN 27 SUNDAY - The sun shone most of the time today, though at times it has been hidden flying looking clouds. Gussie went to church in the morning, and at noon rode out home with Robert Cocking and wife, first stopping at the house to see if I would go out there for tea, which I did after Sunday School. We stayed until after 8 o'clock in the evening when Robert harnessed and gave us a sleigh ride home. His wife came with us for a ride. Georgie is still up to Father Purdy's where he has been since last Thursday, today being too cold to bring him home. Fred Shears helped me this noon at the Sunday School Library as 3rd Assistant Librarian. JAN 28 MONDAY - I have had work all day in the shop. Gussie did her washing in the forenoon, and before she finished it, Bell came home with Georgie. He has been up there since last Thursday. Bell stayed here through the day and after tea went to meeting. My flour came today from Eli Hoyt's. Mr. Pond helped me get it in the house this evening. Between 8 and 9 o'clock in the evening, I went over to Mrs. Blair's and got my dog collar and chain which I took over there on the 19th inst. to have them try and keep Bird, but he is here so much of the time that I want for the chain and I shall keep him myself for the present. JAN 29 THURSDAY - Pleasant, but pretty cold. I have had work again all day. Yesterday and today, we have had full work. I worked as long as I could see in the shop. I went over to Mr. Pond's in the evening and got 2 lbs. of butter. I took his hams out of brine in my cellar also in the evening. I intended to go to class this evening but I was too late and too tired, so I stayed home. A young man called this evening and brought a letter from George, a box with a gold bracelet in to give to Harriet and a letter and paper for Lottie Keeler. My letter was marked 'Favor of Charles Stevens'. If this was the man, he was a stranger to me, and not one of our Danbury Charles Stevens'. Mother Griswold was down here while we were at tea. Louise came down a little later and spent the evening. JAN 30 WEDNESDAY - Very cold last night . I got some eggs this morning at Mr. Cypher and Mr. Wildman this morning. I have had all that I could do again in the shop. Gussie took the papers and letter from George over to Lottie Keeler's this P.M. Bell came down early in the evening as she went to church and brought the Jeffersonian for me to send to George. After meeting, she came here to spend all night. There has been no wind today and the sun has shone brightly, but still it has been cold and now (at bedtime) it is very cold again. JAN 31 THURSDAY - Cloudy, it snowed a little in the morning. It grew warmer during the day. As I went to work in the morning, I mailed a Jeffersonian to George. I worked as long as I could see in the shop. After tea, Mrs. Stone and Matilda came in, and Gussie went with them over to John Bouton's. I retired before she returned. Soliloquy Upon Laying Aside This Work: Farewell, Old friend! No more will we be associated together as in the past. Many has been the time when I needed to be resting on my couch that I have bended over thee in the quiet hours of the night to note down the incidents of the day. And weary of the tales of the day, Often have my eyes irresistibly drawn together and my pen from want of guiding has somewhat disfigured thy face. But yet, I regard thee with somewhat of pleasure and interest none the less. Henceforth my pen will cease to write upon thy ages and for reference alone shall thou be preserved. And now that I lay thee aside with others like unto thee, I will commence another volume to place by the side of thee if my Heavenly Father spares my life to complete it. Thus again I say 'Farewell!' Repose quietly in thy place. The work which was appointed thee to do is completed and henceforth shall thou rest, except when I may require thee to testify to thing which transpired in the past. - H.
1867-01