Horace Purdy Journal, March 1863 Entry
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3/1 Sunday - Stormy. Snow and rain. I attended church in the morning. After Sunday School, I came home and in the P.M. I wrote to George and to Cousin David Mills. Mother came down just before evening meeting and brought a letter which she had written to George to be enclosed in mine. I went to meeting in the evening. It was a prayer meeting in the basement. An unusual interest was manifest for the country both in prayer and exhortation. It cleared off in the evening with a high wind and growing cold fast. 3/2 Monday - Pleasant. I worked as long as I could in the shop. After tea I mailed a Tribune to George and a letter to Louise Wright for Gussie. 3/3 Tuesday - Stormy in the forenoon; snow. It cleared off after dinner. I have worked very hard and am very tired. I went to the market in the evening. Gussie received a letter from Anne (Edwin's wife) by the morning mail with a Carte de Visite of herself and baby for Gussie. 3/4 Wednesday - Pleasant . When I came home from work at night I found that Mrs. Powell and Mead had come from Brooklyn. They were up home, and I went up there to tea. I went to the market in the evening but it was so late before I went on account of company that I did not get to class meeting. I mailed a Semi Weekly Tribune to George. 3/5 Thursday - A pretty cold night last. Mrs. Mead stayed with us last night while her sister m Mrs. Powel stayed with Harriet. Having a severe headache, I left my work and came home after dinner. Mrs. Powel, Mrs. Mead and Harriet took teat with us. I stayed at home in the evening to lest Gussie go with her company into the street shopping and to meeting. I mailed to George the Danbury Times and a Semi Weekly Tribune, both in one wrapper. 3/6 Friday - A snow squall in the morning. It lasted for an hour or two and then ceased. It remained cloudy during the day. The moon and stars shone in the evening. I received a letter from George in the morning mail. He is flat on his back with a fever. I wrote to him in the evening. Mr. Mallet from Redding called to see me this noon about letting me have some money $1,100.00 with which to take up two notes and mortgages on my place and have any indebtedness on my house in one amount in one place, but to be paid annually at the expiration of each year instead of semi-annually and in advance as I have done on $700.00 heretofore at the Savings Bank. I gladly accepted the offer. Eddie is in a singular manner deprived almost entirely the use of his legs in walking today. We feel some concern about him. 3/7 Saturday - It began to snow before noon and continued all day and in the evening. Mr. Mansfield was buried today. I went to the Post Office in the evening and got a letter for Gussie from Harriet. 3/8 Sunday - It snowed until about noon. I shoveled paths around home and up to Father Griswold's in the morning. I went down to the church in time for Sunday School. Communion in the P.M. I wrote to George after tea. Louise came down and stayed with Eddie and let Gussie and I go to hear Mr. Coe preach his sermon on patriotism at our church. He preached the same sermon on Washington's Birthday two weeks ago in his own church. Text. Deut 34:7-8. 3/9 Monday - About 4 or 5 inches of snow fell last night. I spent considerable time this morning in sweeping paths for Harriet, Father Griswold and myself. A little boy of Mr. Allen's (our first neighbor north) accidently had his foot nearly cut off by Violette Pine (a little colored girl across the way) while cutting wood together. Dr. William C. Bennett who came home today from the army on furlough dressed the wound. I went to Teachers' Meeting in the evening. After I came home, I copied the minutes before retiring. I took a letter from the Office for Gussie from Marianne Underhill, one of her old schoolmates at Armenia Seminary (Ed. Note ' town of Amenia in Duchess County , NY) 3/10 Tuesday - I have worked as usual in the shop. Did not get paid off yesterday on account of Mr. Crofut being in New York, but was paid today $28.00. Josiah Day discharged from the 17th Reg't. Called on me at the shop and handed me a package of George's received letters which he sent home by him. He said that George was some better when he left the Reg't last Thursday. I wrote a letter to George after tea and went down and mailed it. 3/11 Wednesday - More snow last night. It cleared off in the middle of the day. A snow squall in the evening. I received a letter from George by the evening mail. It was written by Mr. Warren, I think. He was better when it was written. I went to class meeting in the evening. 3/12 Thursday - Pleasant . I have worked as usual in the shop. I brought home Mr. Witherspoon's vinegar jug to [let] him have a [gal ??] and carry it to him at the shop in the morning. I went to Dr. Bulkely's in the evening to consult him about Eddie and got some medicine for him I paid him what I owed him $8.30. I then went over to the Post Office and finished a letter I had begun to George and mailed it. At the Office I saw Dr. William Bennett who said that he could take a small parcel to George when he returns which will be on Saturday he says. I went up home and got George's soft hat to send to him. 3/13 Friday - Pleasant. I carried Mr. Witherspoon's jug filled with vinegar to him to the shop this morning. I went over to Mr. Olmstead's for Father Griswold's hams before tea but they were not out of the smokehouse. I went to market in the evening. I carried a small package containing a soft hat over to Dr. Bennett's this morning to carry to George in the 17th Reg't as he returns to his Reg't the 5th tomorrow. 3/14 Saturday - Pleasant. Bell stayed with us last night. After dinner, Gussie came to the shop with a letter from George. He is worse and in the hospital at Brook's Station on the Aquia and Falmouth R.Road, Va. I left my work to go to Bethel to see if Chas. Mills had got home yet as George requested that he should come and take care of him if he could be persuaded to do so. He had not got home. I stayed to tea and took the evening train up. I also went to see Lieut. George Averill before going to Bethel and after my return about getting a pass at Washington to go within our lines if I should go to see George. I received a letter from Cousin David Mills 5th Reg't in the evening. 3/15 Sunday - Pleasant. I attended church in the morning. After Sunday School, I came home and wrote in the P.M. and evening to George and to Dr. William Bennett, Surgeon in the 5th Reg't requesting their influence to get a furlough for George to come home and regain his health or a transfer to some hospital nearer home. I got Lieut. George Averill's signature joining with me in my request to Dr. Hubbard. Gussie went to prayer meeting I the evening. 3/16 Monday - I worked until noon. I ate my dinner and then came home with a sick headache. On my way home, I stopped at the Jeffersonian Office to let Mr. Ashley extract something from David Mills' letter for the issue of this week. I ate no supper. I vomited a good deal in the evening. Gussie went to the Post Office in the evening and got a letter for me from Mr. Warren informing me about George. He visited him last Tuesday at the hospital and again on Thursday, the day he wrote the letter. He says that he is better. The hospital doctor says that he has the Typhoid Fever, but the Regimental Surgeon says not. 3/7 Tuesday - St. Patrick's Day. Not feeling well, I did not go to the shop. I went down to the Post Office. I stayed home in the P.M., went to bed, after which I wrote to David Mills and to Mr. Warren. The Irish turned out in grand style to keep up St. Patrick's day. This was their first demonstration ever made on this day in Danbury. Gussie went downtown in the P.M.I went down and mailed my two letters in the evening. Father Monahan, the Catholic priest lectured at Concert Hall in the evening. 3/18 Wednesday - Pleasant . I worked hard all day in the shop. Bro. Crawford and wife, Charles Stevens and wife, George Miller and wife, were at Father Griswold's to tea. Gussie being there, I also went there to tea. I went down intending to go to class, but was too late. I took a letter from the Office for Gussie from Mrs. Mead Brooklyn and then went to hear Wadsworth speak on the political issues of the day at Concert Hall. 3/19 Thursday - Pleasant. In the P.M. I, with other returned Volunteers under the command of Capt. Wildman, attended the funeral of Patrick Lilly who died in hospital. 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery, Co. B. We turned out with drum and fife with Jackson's Cadet Muskets. He was buried in the Catholic burying ground. I took a letter from the Office for Mother from Harriet in the evening and went to prayer meeting. 3/20 Friday - Pleasant . I felt in excellent condition for work in the forenoon, but after dinner I was taken with the sick headache and was obliged to leave work about 3 o'clock. I went home by way of Couch's Picture Gallery and got a dollar's worth of Cartes de Visite of wife and baby which I ordered a few days ago. I went to bed after I got home. Bell came down after school to stay all night and tomorrow Aunt Louisa called while we were at our tea. Gussie went to Sewing So(ciety) in the evening. I, not feeling well enough, did not go into the street. 3/21 Saturday - Charles Mills arrived home in Bethel last night. He came up on the train this morning and came to the shop. I stopped work and took him home with me to dinner. Caroline came up on the freight train. I spent the afternoon with them and went to the depot at {??] o'clock as they returned to Bethel. Harriet joined them at the depot and went home too. Bell, who came down last night stayed with us today and went up home again after tea. I received a letter from George by the morning mail. He is still in the hospital at Brook's Station and somewhat better, the fever being broken and changed. 3/22 Sunday ' Pleasant and warm, but the melting snow made it very wet and muddy. I went to church and spent both the forenoon and afternoon at the library checking the book from Carleton & Porter's and the Sunday School Union Catalogues in order to use the catalogues to select some new ones for the library as we have about one hundred dollars to spend for new books for our library. After Sunday School, Bell came up to take care of Eddie so that Gussie could go in the P.M. I finished a letter to George and mailed it with the Times in the evening. John Cosier called just before evening meeting time to see about going to New York to get the Sunday School library books. He wants me to go with him. 3/23 Monday - Sick, Joseph Young drew my pay and brought it to me at night. I went down to John Cosier's office and stayed until the mail came. A letter for Gussie from Ellen Dare. I not feeling able, Gussie went to doctor's and got some medicine for me and to the Post Office in the evening. She got a letter from her old school mate, now Mrs. Wright. 3/24 Tuesday - Cloudy, chilly, southeast wind. Appearance of storm. Sick. I stayed at home and took medicine all day. 3/25 Wednesday - I took a profuse sweat last night. I feel better, though very weak. It rained hard with thunder in the P.M. I received a letter from David Mills and answered it. A Mr. Hamilton from Texas is to speak to the people tonight a Concert Hall upon the political issues of the day to aid in the election of Buckingham for Governor. 3/26 Thursday (Ed note: Purdy calls it 3/25) I went down to John Cosier's office in the morning and we checked off more books on the Book Room catalogue preparatory to going to the city to buy them. Charles Mills came up on the train and stayed to dinner. I went with him to Averill's office to get him to take a pension agency for his friend in Washington. I then went to the Cars and went to New York with John Cosier and wife to buy books for the Sunday School. I stopped for the night with Bro. Pegg in Forsyth Street. 3/27 Friday (Ed note: Purdy calls it 3/26) - In New York. After breakfast, Mr. Cosier came down to Bro. Pegg and we went up to the Book Room to buy our books. We bought some at the Sunday School Union and also at then Tract Societies Room. But the largest portion, we bought at the Book Room. We were very busy all day. We took dinner at a Restaurant. We finished our book buying about 4 o'clock, when we went over to Brooklyn together. I went up Fulton Avenue to Gideon Powell's and Cosier went another way. I stayed to Mr. Powell's to tea. I went with them to hear Cyrus Foss preach in the evening. But we were disappointed. His brother Archibald preached in his stead. I returned with them and stayed all night. 3/28 Saturday (Ed note: Purdy calls it 3/27) ' After breakfast at Mr. Powell's, I went over to the corner of Classon and Greene Avenues to call on Mrs. Mead. From there, I went to Claremont Avenue near DeKalb and stayed with Harriet until noon at her boarding place at Mrs. Boyles. I took dinner with them. After which, I started for New York on my way home. I intended to stop in Pine Street to see Mr. Mead and in Murray to see Mr. Powell, but it began to rain so hard that I did not. I arrived home in the evening. 3/29 Sunday - Pleasant and muddy in the morning. It grew cold in the P.M. and evening and froze up hard. I attended church in the morning. Mr. Coe preached for us. After Sunday School, I came home. After tea, I wrote to George and Harriet. I filled out 3 Certificates of discussion for the Loveland and DeWolfe children. I went to prayer meeting in the evening. 3/30 Monday - Do not feel very strong yet. I ordered 1,000 labels for our Sunday School books at Ashley's (the Jeffersonian office). The books came from New York this P.M. by freight. I went down to the shop just before night and ironed over Father Griswold's silk hat preparatory to going to conference. In the evening I received and answered a letter from George. He is better, or was when he wrote. I mailed to him $1.00 in money and stamps. 3/31 Tuesday - Snow in the morning. Father Griswold and myself went to the Savings Bank about 9 o'clock to do business with Ephraim and Alfred Gregory and Mr. Mallett of Redding. I took eleven hundred dollars from Mr. Mallett and gave him my note and a mortgage deed together with my insurance policy to secure him. With the said $1,100.00 I took up Gregory's note of seven hundred at the Savings Bankand my note of Four Hundred with Alfred Gregory and took quit claims from the parties. D.B. Booth executed my papers for me. The mortgage deed required a Revenue Stamp of $2.00, the Note, 60 cents. I sold some specie (silver) for 23% premium which amounted to $1.37. I sold it to Robinson the Jeweler. I went to market in the evening. When I returned, I did some writing for the Sunday School and retired about 10 o'clock. The snow storm continued all day.
1863-03
Horace Purdy Journal February 1865 Entry
8pgs
02/01 WEDNESDAY - The weather quite moderate and cloudy in the A.M. The sun shone in the afternoon and just at night the wind began to blow with the appearance of being colder. Father Griswold's folks had company to tea. Gussie, Baby, Bell and I went up there. Brother Hill (preacher) and wife, Bartram and wife, Scofield and wife, C. T. Stevens and wife, R. Wildman and wife, and George Starr and wife made up the party. They borrowed our table to put with theirs and had them filled twice at that. The second table however was only about half filled. Harriet had Josie baptized before tea by Father Griswold. It was done before I got home. I mailed the Jeffersonian to George in the evening. Wendell Phillips lectured this evening at Concert Hall. I cannot attend. The papers say today that the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery throughout the length and breadth of the land was passed by Congress. 02/02 THURSDAY - Pleasant, but cooler that yesterday. I was put from black hats onto Full Stiff Vicuna Col. (called Brush), but in reality only 'Jack Ups' today. After tea, I went to market and Mother Griswold came down and prepared some doughnuts for Gussie which she intends to fry tomorrow. I bought a new top for one of our high fluid lamps for burning kerosene oils without a chimney. Received another letter from George today in which he acknowledged the receipt of the $10.00 I sent him. 02/02 FRIDAY - Pleasant in the morning; cloudy in the P.M. and in the evening. I was late getting to the shop this morning, but worked very hard and was tired at night. As I came from work at night, I took from the Office a package of old letters from George which he sent home for preservation. Bell went to the Children's Singing School at the Baptist Church in the evening. I went to market and brought home a brass bound Cedar Water Jack, price 88 cents. A war meeting in the basement of Concert Hall in the evening for the purpose of filling our quota for the coming call for troops and thereby save a draft. I did not stay but came home. The evening post says that the rebel peace commissioners and our authorities have met and are on board of one of our gunboats on the James River in conference with each other. The baby is poorly with a severe cold and Gussie called in Dr. Buckley today as he was riding by. Mother Griswold came down this morning after breakfast and helped Gussie make a bunch of doughnuts. Father Griswold started for the train this morning and got left. He took the stage and went to the city by way of Brewster Station. Before retiring, I commenced a letter to George. 02/04 SATURDAY - The ground was just whitened over with snow this morning and some of the old ice besides before night. I have felt miserable today; it is without doubt from the effects of the poison from the hats which is inhaled while finishing them. David Mills came up on the freight train to call on Mr. T. Barnum, the War Claim Agent, to see about his back pay and pension which is being procure by him (Barnum). He called on me at the shop. The afternoon was warm and pleasant. I went to market in the evening. A caucus was held in the basement of Concert Hall in the evening to nominate delegates to the _____. 02/05 SUNDAY - Pleasant with the exception of a snow squall at 10 o'clock in the A. M. bot colder than yesterday; Windy, much like March. Cousin Eugene Douglas from New York City came to Father Griswold's by the train last evening. I spent the forenoon at the Sunday School Library alphabetically arranging the books. Gussie came home at noon to take care of baby and let Gussie go to church in the P.M. I stayed down and attended too. After tea, Father came down as usual. When Gussie's cousin Eugene finished his tea, Mother Griswold and fanny came down with him and I went him up to Whitlock's Boarding School to see one of his scholars, the son of a friend of his in the city, after which I walked with him the length of Main Street and to the cemetery arriving home again just before evening meeting time. Gussie and I attended in the evening as did he. On my way, I mailed a letter to George and a Harper's Weekly. After evening meeting we spent about an hour visiting with Cousin Eugene up to Father Griswold's. 02/06 MONDAY - Gussie's cousin Eugene Douglas took the train this morning for New York. I worked as usual all day. We were paid off in the P.M. I turned in $20.00 of my last two weeks' work to balance my account with Mr. Crofut for the $60.00 he advanced me when I bought my pork. I drew Jesse D. Steven's money for him - $11.75 - and sent it to him by Tom Mansfield. Just as our tea was ready, David Bradley came in with some picture frames he had been making for Gussie. He got one of them too large. Before he got away, Emily Anderson came in and gave me some library books from her scholars who had them out a long time. We are trying to get them all in preparatory to buying some. Burr Bradley went with me in the evening to the church to help me catalogue the library. The peace movement of government officials a failure. 02/07 TUESDAY - Cloudy all the forenoon until after dinner when it began to snow and continued until bedtime, accumulating fast. On my way home from work, I took from the Post Office a package of old letters sent home by George for preservation. They were marked $1.60 due by the scales in this Post Office. It felt a little short so that I paid only $1.54. In the evening, I went to Gillette and Baird's store for a baby's sack that Gussie had left there to be stamped. I paid 20 cents for the stamping and came away and left it on the counter. After class meeting, I went there for it. On account of a temperance lecture to be given at our church tomorrow evening, our class joined with Brother C T. Steven's class. Very few were present on account of the storm. 02/08 WEDNESDAY - Fine mist and rain this morning with 3 or 4 inches of snow, the bottom of which was all water. It cleared off and the sun shone brightly after dinner. Colder just at night; it began to freeze in the evening. Cousins Susan, Addie and Albert came up from Ridgefield and took Bell home with them. She met them at Barnum's Hotel about 5 o'clock where they all took supper and started for Ridgefield about 7 o'clock. We heard that they were to remain at the hotel quite late before leaving and I went there to take Bell from the party and bring her home on that account but I was just too late as they had gone about 5 minutes previous. There was a young fellow with them, probably a beau of Susan's. Burr Bradley and myself intended to finish making up the catalogue of our Sunday School this evening, but the temperance lecture that was to be delivered there was held downstairs on account of the bad walking and therefore, we could do nothing at the library. I borrowed a pair of tinner's shears at Charles Hull's to cut a piece of zinc to take to the shop to round hats on and came home and cut it out. Gussie attended the lecture. 02/09 THURSDAY - Bell is still at Ridgefield. The day has been pleasant but cold. I have worked hard all day in the shop. A boy living with Dr. Lacey gave Harriet a sleigh ride passing here. She stopped in front of the house and talked with Gussie but did not come in. As Father came from the shop tonight, he came this way to see if Bell had gone to Ridgefield. I did not see him as it was before I came from work. I did not go downtown in the evening but stayed home and split wood in the woodhouse. As I went to work this morning, I mailed a Jeffersonian to George. I also carried home the shears I borrowed last evening to cut zinc with. 02/10 FRIDAY - Cold; sunshine and snow squalls during the day. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie took tea up to her mother's before I came home. After tea, David Bradley came with the picture frames he took back to alter the size of. He made in all 5 of them and charged only 50 cents. He walked down into the street with me. I there met Burr Bradley according to agreement and we together completed making a catalogue of our Sunday School library. We worked at it until after 9 o'clock. Bell came home from Ridgefield on the evening train. 02/11 SATURDAY - Pleasant; it thawed a little in the middle of the day. John Bussing cut my hair in the shop this afternoon. Gussie went out and made some calls this P.M. Bell stayed with the baby. Dr. Buckley came about nine o'clock today and vaccinated our baby. After supper, I went into the street; came home after the mail arrived. 02/12 SUNDAY - Severe cold. I have felt it more than any other time this winter. Bell did not go to church today; she is nearly sick with a cold she caught going to Ridgefield last Wednesday. I attended all day. Gussie went in the P.M. which was the Sacrament Service. After supper, I finished a letter to George. Father came down to see us as usual after tea. Rev. Mr. Whittaker addressed the people at the 1st Church in the evening on the workings of the sanitary Commission in the Army. Gussie and I both attended. On my way there, I mailed a letter and Harper's Weekly to George. 02/13 MONDAY - Severe cold last night and this morning; the weather is not quite so severe tonight though it is very cold still. On my way to my work this morning, I called at the Jeffersonian Office to see what it would cost to have some catalogs of our Sunday School Library printed. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I went over to Lockwood Olmstead's for my hams and shoulders which he has been smoking for me. Four of them cost 1 dollar each. After I brought them home I hastened to the church to attend a Sunday School teacher's meeting. The subject of having the school select their books by catalogs was brought up. They finally concluded not to get the catalogs but distribute the books for the present on the old plan. Brother Hill ordered the new Sunday School Library books this morning through Swift and Sage. Wrote off numbers for library books just before retiring. Retired at midnight. 02/14 TUESDAY - St. Valentine's Day. Very cold last night, but more mild now. It has thawed a little during the day. Mrs. Stone washed for us. Bell is still nearly sick with her cold - she coughs and is hoarse - Gussie went over to Mrs. Miller this afternoon and stayed to tea. She took Georgie and the two babies together was rather a pleasing affair for Mrs. Miller and Gussie. I went to the church in the evening to carry 3 books to the library which I have got in since Sunday. I went to the Post Office and got Father Griswold's mail in which was a letter for Fanny from cousin Lydia in Canton. When I came from work, I brought home some Gum Arabic and made some mucilage. 02/15 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant this morning. It clouded up in the middle of the day and commenced snowing before night and continued during the evening. I worked as usual in the shop and came home by way of the Jeffersonian Office and got my paper. After tea, I went down to the church and stuck numbers on some of the library books making a commencement toward numbering them new with the new books expected this week. When I left the church, I went to market, to the Post Office and then home without going to class. Gussie intended to go to the Sewing Society in the evening, but on account of the storm did not. She walked over as far as Chaplain Ambler's in Montgomery Street and took an outside view as the people of the Baptist Church on Mill Plain (where he preaches) are giving him a donation party. 02/16 THURSDAY - It rained last night and this morning. There was plenty of snow and water standing on the ground. Cloudy all day, except for a short time in the P.M. when the sun shone. On my way to the shop this morning, I took Father Griswold's gallon oil can to Benedict & Nichols and ordered some oil for him. On my way home from work at night I bought a blank book at Robinson's for 35 cents in which I intend to write up the catalog of the Sunday School Library. Bell went up home today and found that Aunt Mary and Uncle Cyrus Hoyt and children were up there from Ridgefield. They came on Monday afternoon and went away Wednesday morning. Mailed a Jeffersonian this morning to George on my way to work. 02/17 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I worked as usual all day in the shop. Brother Hill sent word before dinner that the new Sunday School books had come. After tea, Gussie went down with me. She arranged the new books alphabetically and stuck labels in them in the parsonage while Burr Bradley and myself arranged the old books in the library according to the new catalog and made ready to admit the new ones. This job took us until after 10 o'clock when we left it to another time. We hope to finish tomorrow night and have the books ready to give out on Sunday. Mrs. Cocking came this afternoon and took Gussie sleigh riding up to the cemetery. She brought home the wreath from Eddie's grave stone. 02/18 SATURDAY - The severe cold weather seems to be broken up for the present at least. It thawed considerably today. I was taken with a sick headache before dinner and was compelled to leave the shop about the middle of the P.M. After tea, I went down to the church to take the new library books from the parsonage to the library in the Sunday School room, but before I accomplished it, I was compelled to stop, my sickness growing so much worse. I had to lie down in the parsonage and had a severe turn of vomiting before I could get home. Gussie has taken a head cold and is quite sick. 02/19 SUNDAY - Gussie had a high fever at midnight last night. She continued to take Aconite and broke the fever before morning. I feel very weak today myself from the severe attack of sick headache last night. I went early to church this morning and worked at the library until meeting time when George Cosier drove with me up for Mother and brought her down to church. Brother Hill preached a good sermon from Mark 10:49 in the morning. We could give out no books in Sunday School today, the new ones not yet being numbered. After the noon class, David Cosier let George (his son) go up home with Mother again. I rode up with him and he came around to my house and left me and carried Mother Griswold down to church. I did a little towards writing up my Sunday School Library Catalog in the P.M. After tea, I went up to George Cosier's with some pennies from the Sunday School collection. From there, I went over to Dr. Buckley's and consulted him about Gussie. He said she was doing well and to continue giving Aconite and Belladonna. Neither Gussie, Bell nor myself feeling very well did not go out in the evening. I sent Harper's Weekly to the Post Office by Fanny to mail to George at St. Augustine. 02/20 MONDAY - Pleasant; did not feel able to go to work. I brought the remainder of the new Sunday School books from the parsonage and put them in the library. Went down to the shop and left my checks with Burr Bradley to draw my money for me in the P.M. I looked up some of the old books which were out. In the evening, Burr and Jim Parmalee helped me label and number some of the books. We did it in the middle class room where we had a fire for the purpose. We worked at them until after 11 o'clock. I came home completely tired out; I was not able to do it. Gussie feels better today with the exception of a sore throat. Good news from General Sherman's army - he has captured Columbia, the capital of South Carolina 02/21 TUESDAY - Pleasant. A dreadful weakness across my stomach and bowels. A little exertion tires me and gives a pain across me. Have not been at work, but spent a part of the day at church (with Harriet Purdy to assist me) numbering the library books. My mouth and nose are sore; it is doubtless caused by the poison in the hats I finish. Quicksilver, which is used in the carroting the fur. It is known as the 'Hatter's Sore Mouth'. News that Charleston, South Carolina is in the possession of the Union Army and that General Sherman is marching victoriously north from that place. I brought home a quart of oysters for supper. Bell went down for Dr. Buckley to come and see Gussie and myself but he had gone to Bridgeport. (Gap in the diary; pages 189-190 missing) -this evening but they were not done. Burr Bradley helped me in the evening finish numbering the Sunday School library books. When I came home from the church, it was about 11 o'clock and all the family had retired. But I found on the table a comic picture and the written valentine accompanying it which George had sent to Edith. The picture is of himself and a comrade member of the band and it is certainly the most comical thing I ever saw. Ephraim Gregory called to see me early this morning about the fate of Lieutenant Colonel Wilcoxsan of the 17th Regiment, C.V. 02/25 SATURDAY - Pleasant this morning. On my way to the shop this morning, I bought a piece of veal, 6 lbs. (the first I have seen this season) and had it sent home to cook for Sunday. I left off work a little after 3 o'clock and went up to Robinson's for Josephine Davis' spectacles and sent them to the ticket agent, Mr. Gillette at the Bethel Depot by Ben Bassett. I called to see John Cosier at the people's Coal Yard office and showed him the comic picture that George sent to Edith for a valentine. From there, I went over to Louis Moegling's Dye Works to get some garment Gussie had left there to be dyed. It clouded over in the P.M. and began to rain before dark. After tea, I went over to Widow Wilcox to see what George had written to her concerning the death of Colonel Noble. From there I went to market and waited until the (??). 02/26 SUNDAY - It rained hard last night and this morning. It cleared off after dinner warm and pleasant. I spent nearly all the forenoon at the S.S. library sticking numbers on the shelves of the library 10-20-30 and so through to be able to tell within ten books at a glance where to put up any particular book. The new books were given for the first time this noon and gave good satisfaction. I stayed to church all day. Bell came in the P.M. Gussie did not go at all. Father called to see us after tea and I finished preparing George's last letter for publication. It gave the particulars of the death of Lieutenant Colonel Wilcoxsan and capture of wagon train and guard of 35 men about70 miles distant from St. Augustine, Florida. Also of the capture of Captain Quien, Charles Wilcox, Theo Morris and Seth Northrop at a dance about 11 miles from St. Augustine. Before meeting time, I wrote to George. Bell went to meeting in the evening and mailed the letter along with a Harper's Weekly to George. Gussie wrote to Cousin Emmaline Williams in the evening. She lives in Leavenworth, Kansas. Fanny is sick with a cold, I think. She did not go to prayer meeting last Thursday evening and stayed home from church today. It is something unusual for her. She won't tell what ails her, only a cold. 02/27 MONDAY - Pleasant. I feel better today. On my way to the shop this morning, I carried George's letter to the Jeffersonian Office for publication. The new journeyman who has for about a month worked at my left hand was off today and went away on the train. His name was Hogan. Mr. Witherspoon also finished his work at the shop and left. He has gone for a foreman to the new firm of Lacey and Sheather in the factory lately occupied by Mr. Montgomery and originally the old carriage factory. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. I went into the street in the evening and mailed a letter for Fanny Griswold and one for Gussie to Cousin Emmaline Williams at Leavenworth, Kansas. 02/28 TUESDAY - The ground was just whitened over with snow this morning. It remained cloudy all day with indications of a storm but it only occasionally spit a little snow. I have felt more like myself today and have done a pretty good day's work. I worked as late as I could at night. After tea, I went downtown and mailed a letter to Jennie Fairweather for Fanny. I called at the Jeffersonian Office a few minutes and to Harry Stone's store for the husk mat I bought there last evening and forgot to bring home while waiting for the mail, I saw Charles Anderson who was in our company in the three months service in 1861 from April to July. He has since been in for three years. His time is out and is now home on that account. He was at the taking of Fort Fisher in Wilmington, North Carolina. A very little snow this evening.
1865-02
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal August 1865 Entry
10pgs
08/01 TUESDAY - A fire broke out last night about 11 o'clock in Orange Street. We had just retired for the night. Mr. Dickerman, John and myself went to it. There I saw for the first time a steam fire engine work. There were three of them there and they worked splendidly. A good share of the inside of the building was burned out, but the walls were all left standing. The lower floor was used for an eating house, upstairs was a storehouse for Singer Sewing Machines. I am told also a room where a lodge of colored masons met. They had a meeting that evening previous to the fire. We rose this morning between 6 and 7 o'clock and went down to see where the fire was in Orange Street and then walked up to the barracks at Grape Vine Point to find George. We were told that he did not stay there last night and no trace of him could be found. So we took a horse car and rode back to the city and got breakfast at an eating house nearly opposite the Depot in ____Street. After breakfast, we continued our search and inquiring for George and finally succeeded in learning that he went over to Bridgeport last night in company with William Warren. John and myself spent the day as best we could. We visited the Trumbull Gallery on the college grounds and about 3 o'clock P.M. George arrived from Bridgeport. We immediately started for Mr. Andrews, the maker of the patented flour sifter. We got so far as Elisha Dickerson's where we found his brother Chauncey who had just made it there to see me. He took us both in his wagon and carried us to his home to see his wife and then drove with us over to see Mr. Andrews. There he left us and we talked with Mr. Andrews until about 6 o'clock about the right of Fairfield County for the sifter. We finally came to terms on certain conditions until Friday to which time we got the refusal of it when he would come to Danbury prepared to give George the papers provided he could arrange the matter with Parmalee & Bradley in a way satisfactory to us, as he has given P & B some machines to sell for him with certain claims against the sales of them in the vicinity. We took supper at the same place we did our breakfast and then all went again to Mr. Dickerman's to stop for the night. I had a hard headache in the P.M. and evening and retired with it. 08/02 WEDNESDAY - I slept but little last night and feel poorly today. Mr. Dickerson gave us all free tickets to take a steamer and go to Money Island on an excursion, but before it was time to start, George received orders to report to the depot with his horn ready to go at 2 P.M by express train to go with the band to play at the grand reception to be given the two companies of the 17th regiment from that place. I concluded to go with them to see the reception at Norwalk and then go home. This of course prevented us from going on the excursion. While at Norwalk, I saw John and Harry Brayman and their wives. As George was to return to New Haven to get his pay tomorrow, I left him in the lunch tent in Norwalk getting his dinner and came home. I fell in with A. G. Crosby on the train coming up. Bell was at the Depot expecting us. Sarah Purdy was at the house when I got home waiting to see us to pay for the dispatch I sent to Norwalk when her brother died. I would not take it. 08/03 THURSDAY - Very warm. I rose rather late. After breakfast and doing my chores, I went to bed again and slept until 10 o'clock, being very tired and not feeling well. I am not feeling in a condition to work. Just as I got up from my sleep, Robert drove by on his way to market with tomatoes and cabbages. I drew some beer and we drank together, then I rode downtown with him. I went to the Post office and called at the factory to see Mr. Crofut but he was not in, so I came home to dinner. After dinner, I went down to the shop again and arranged with Mr. Crofut for $400 tomorrow to help George buy the right for flour sifters in this county. A thunder shower came up about 4 o'clock this afternoon and for a few minutes, it rained hard. It sprinkled a little in the evening, but cleared off when we retired. Father came this way from work at night and brought our pail home which Bell borrowed a few days ago. I drew some beer for him. In the evening, I went to the depot expecting to meet George. The regiment was paid off and nearly all the boys came home, but he stayed over to play in the band in Bridgeport tomorrow at the reception there for the returned soldiers. I was much disappointed as it is very necessary for him to be here tomorrow to sign a note to be given to Mr. Crofut for the money he gets of him. Bell was at the depot expecting to meet him and was disappointed also. 08/04 FRIDAY - I went to the telegraph office before breakfast to telegraph to George who is in Bridgeport to come home on the morning train to attend to getting his papers from E. C. Andrews for the County right for Tilden's Universal Flour Sifter, but concluding finally not to send the dispatch, thinking it would do no good. I got a late breakfast and then took a hat over to John Bouton, but it did not fit. I started back to the shop to exchange it and met Andrew Knox who wished me to get a hat for him and let it go towards a little painting he intends to o for me. I got it and carried it to him and made 50 cents on it. I exchanged the one for John Bouton and carried it to him, but this one did not suit either, and while on my way back with it, I sold it to one of the firm of VanDensen & Matthews at a profit of 50 cents also. Mr. E.C. Andrews of New Haven, the owner of the right for this county of Tilden's Universal Flour Sifter came on the morning train according to arrangement and I did the business of getting the papers for George by endorsing Mr. Crofut's note for 3 months and getting it discounted at the Pahquioque Bank. The note was for $400. I borrowed from the Savings Bank $59 to make out the $450, the discount on the Note of $400 being about $9. We had the document. It was made out by Lieut. Governor Roger Averill. The fee was 50 cents, of which I paid half for George. After the business was completed, I met Gussie at O. H. Swift's store and did up a dress which had been dyed for Josephine Dare and a parasol. I directed it and gave to Edward Barnum on the cars to hand to Mr. Gillette, the ticket agent at Bethel. Gussie then did a little shopping and then we had ice cream at DeKlyn's. We then came home and soon after, Ezra Wildman came to the house for a roll of Griswold's Salve. After tea, Mr. Pond helped me carry my tool chest over to his barn. I intend keeping them there for the present. He is to build a bench and I supply the tools and thereby both will be accommodated. I walked downtown with Mr. Cocking. I went to the depot to meet George. He came with his rifle, cartridge box and belts and his horn, an E flat cornet and over $200 in his pockets. He came round to my house with Bell (who also met him at the depot). He left the $200 overnight with me for safekeeping. He called up at Father Griswold's for a few moments. The house was full of ladies of the Sewing Society who meet there tonight. George drank a glass of beer and then I went up home with him and Bell. I stayed a short time and he played several pieces on his horn. When I returned, I took care of baby and let Gussie go up home to the Sewing Society. 08/06 SATURDAY - Very warm. I mowed in front of my premises; also Father Griswold's and I trimmed the works. I worked at it nearly all the forenoon. George came down just before I finished and helped me and then we went downtown to pay the savings bank what I borrowed - $59 yesterday. We went to Charles H. Sanford's office and he applied for a license to canvas for the flour sifter. From there, we went over to Harris' clothing store and he bought a pair of pants and a vest. We then came home and he took dinner with us. I took a nap and about 4 o'clock, Gussie and I took Georgie some bread cake and a bowl of jelly and went up home to tea. After tea, I cut Father's hair. George came down home with us and I went with him and Bell to market. After we did our trading, we went over to Singing School; there was no one there but Harriet Wheeler. I stayed awhile and came home leaving Bell, George, and Harriet there. They came home by way of my house. I gave him a black spring brimmed hat and went up home with him to help carry a basket with things which he bought in the street and two of his old uniform coats, one of them an overcoat. 08/06 SUNDAY - We rose rather late. Gussie attended church in the morning and I in the P.M. Brother Hill preached in the A.M. A Mr. Huntington preached in the P.M. George attended church all day and sat with us. This is his first Sunday home since he returned from the army. George and Bell came down and went with us to meeting in the evening at the 1st Congregational Church to hear Reverend Mr. Huntington from Stamford. He is acting as agent to establish a state institution for the cause of orphan children, especially the children of deceased soldiers. It was a Union Meeting. It has been showery (thunder) all day and rained very hard just as we came home from church in the evening. 08/07 MONDAY - Showery again today, thought there has been considerable sunshine during the day. I have worked all day in the shop. After tea I pulled some weeds from my strawberry bed until nearly dark when George came in and I went downtown with him. He mailed a pile of letters to Florida, Maine and elsewhere including money to pay what he borrowed at different times of different ones when he was in the service. I bought some Sal Soda to wash Mr. Cocking's hat with. I went to O.H. Swift's and got one dozen lesson Books and a Golden Chain of Showers. The singing book was for Avery Raymond's daughter. The 1st Connecticut Cavalry arrived in New Haven from Washington on Saturday evening. Henry Hurd arrived home on the morning train today. 08/08 TUESDAY - The showers are over and the day has been lovely clear and pleasant and not very warm for the season. George called this morning while we were breakfast. He walked down as far as Main Street with me as I went to work. I washed Mr. Cocking's hat in the Sal Soda before breakfast and took it with me to the shop and finished it over and had it trimmed. Mr. Pond has been building a work bench in his barn today and I am to leave my tools there for the joint accommodation of us both. I pulled weeds from my strawberry plants until dark and then went to market. Harriet started for the cars to go to Stamford this morning, but got left. 08/09 MONDAY - Pleasant. As usual, I worked hard in the shop. After tea, I went to market and walked up with Mr. Pond who was looking for Dr. Bennett, his wife being sick (confinement). 08/10 THURSDAY - Pleasant in the morning, cloudy in the P.M. It commenced raining about 9 o'clock in the evening. On my way to work in the morning, I bought of Benedict & Nichols 1 # yards of cotton cloth at 36 cents a yard. I worked hard all day. After tea, I went to market and the Jeffersonian Office for paper and at Couch's gallery for 4 card pictures of the baby. Our neighbor Mr. Pond had a son born last night at about 11 o'clock. 08/11 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Before breakfast I wrote a letter to Everett C. Andrews in New haven to know why he does not send the order of flour sifters to George. I did not have time to mail it and I left it until George came in for dinner while I was at the shop. Gussie showed it to him and he approved its wording and took it and mailed it himself. Mr. and Mrs. Cocking took the train this morning for Fort Hamilton, Long Island to visit her sister. Gussie called on Widow Burr Bradley this P.M. I went into the street in the evening and walked up with Robert Dunning. He stopped in when I got home and compared his rifle bullets with my pistol balls. 08/12 SATURDAY - A beautiful day. I worked until about 4 o'clock and then quit. We received our pay this P. M. We now receive our pay weekly on Saturdays instead of once in two weeks and on Monday. This is the second pay day under the new order of things, but the first that I have drawn as I did not work last week. I brought home a new black hat for John W. Bouton which he ordered about a week ago. After tea, I started to carry John's hat over to him and saw him in the road near Father Griswold's lot on George Street and gave it to him there. He paid me ($2.50) the price for it and I returned home. I then started up home to see him (George?) and found him away. I then went into the street and there I found him. We did some trading and he took a flour sifter from Parmalee's store for a sample with which to commence business on Monday morning. He came home with me and showed Gussie and Fanny how it worked by running some flour through it. He forgot a loaf of bread which he bought for Anna Heinman. Before retiring, I marked of the Sunday School Advocates preparatory to distributing tomorrow. 0813 SUNDAY - A beautiful day. George came down before breakfast for a loaf of bread which he left here last evening. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School and to church in the P.M. It was the sacrament Service. George came home with me and we put Georgie in his carriage and all went up home to take supper with him as it is his 24th birthday. There was a prayer meeting held at 5 o'clock for Mother's special benefit, she not being able to get out to church. I lay on the bed in George's room during the meeting and had a good nap. George and Bell came down with us as we came home. I drew a glass of beer for George and then I went with him and Bell to meeting. Brother Hill's brother-in-law preached for us. 08/14 MONDAY - Pleasant. Before breakfast, I wrote to Carleton & Porter ordering $2.00 worth of illustrated books for children for Fanny to use in the infant class. As I went to work I mailed it. Harriet Wheeler came home from New Fairfield today where she has been visiting for a few days. Father Griswold came home on the train from a trip in his district. George went out for the first time to sell flour sifters. He received by this evening's mail a letter from Everett C. Andrews saying that he would ship the sifters immediately. Teachers' meeting in the evening. I, of course attended as I am Secretary and Treasurer. George came home with me after the meeting and we talked awhile at our gate. I copied the minutes of the Sunday School Teachers' Meeting before retiring. 08/16 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer than it has been for several days past. I carried 12 quarts of crab apples to Parmalee & Bradley's as I went to work in the morning. George took sifters off from Parmalee & Bradley's hands today. The package of small books for the infant class which I ordered on Monday morning came today. Mother, Bell, George and Gussie went over to Aunt Louisa's visiting this afternoon. Our folks had Mr. Thomson's horse to bring Mother over. We raised our bill of prices at the shop today. 2 % (?) on a dozen, except No. 5 the coarsest quality and for extra heavy hats we raised the 4 % (?). The books I ordered Monday morning for the infant class came today. After tea, I went to class and found no one there and cane home again after waiting for the mail. 08/17 THURSDAY - There were indications of rain in the A.M. but it finally came off pleasant. I carried a flour sifter with me to the shop this morning for Edward Stevens who engaged it yesterday. George Benjamin engaged one, also John W. Bussing. I carried one down to Mr. Benjamin's this evening with a peck of crab apples. And left one with Mr. Pond this morning to show his folks and let them try it. I expected John Bouton to come today to lay a new floor to my stoop today, but he did not come and now I think I will defer it until I paint the house. I picked a part of my last tree of crab apples tonight. 08/18 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I sold a sifter this morning for George to a German named Syfer. I carried one to Mr. Carlson to try. Henry Hurd, just home from the war, was shopped at Mr. Crofut's today. The facers at the shop being tired out and discouraged stopped work and thereby obliged us to stop for want of hats. We came home about the middle of the afternoon. I pulled weeds from my strawberry beds until about dark and then went to market. I called at Randall's Store to see some flour sifters and made arrangement to place some of George's kind beside them. Took a letter from the Office from George from Mr. Andrews of New Haven. I carried over to him at Aunt Louisa's where he was spending the evening. He came home with me and wrote Sterling & Peck of Bridgeport about the sifters as Andrews wrote George that they wanted 4 dozen. Georgie is sick; he has dysentery symptoms. 08/19 SATURDAY - Foggy in the morning, pleasant and warm in the P.M. In order to have the flues repaired at the shop, we all stopped work at noon. The trimmers struck for higher prices today. In the P.M., I went with George to sell sifters. He had Mr. Judd's horse. We hauled 8 dozen from the depot. I went to market in the evening. Before retiring, I wrote to E. C. Andrews in New Haven and enclosed $53.20, his bill for the 8 dozen sifters, this being the amount after deduction $6.00 for the 10 machines which he allowed George that were at Benedict & Nichols' when he bought the county rights. I left the letter to be mailed tomorrow night or Monday morning. 08/20 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm in the P.M. Gussie attended church in the morning. I went to Sunday School and to meeting in the afternoon. Brother Hill preached from 2nd Tomothy2:3. George went home with Aunt Louisa to tea; he stopped at my house on his way to look at the letter I wrote for him last evening. After tea, Gussie went over to Elisha Severine's to see how their baby was; it is only just live. While she was gone I wrote to Carleton & Porter ordering another copy of Sunday School Advocate form July to October for Katie Benedict, a scholar in Jane A. Post's class. I enclosed 8 cents for the paper which is the price of eight month's subscription. George called before meeting time and took the letter I wrote for him to E.C. Andrews and mailed it as we went to meeting. Bell was there to go home with him after meeting. 08/21 Monday - Cloudy and smoky in the morning, but it finally came off pleasant and very warm in the P.M. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I went in to the street and made arrangements with Parmalee & Bradley and Joseph Ives to put some sifters in their stores for sale. I took a letter from the Post Office for George from E.C. Andrews concerning sifters; also a circular for the collector of Internal Revenue Tax ( H. Hoyt) notifying me to pay my tax of $6.80. I started immediately up home to take the letter to George but found that he, Bell and Phebe Palmer who comes from Stamford today had gone downtown. I started back on a run and met them near Mr. Townsend's and made them go back home with me.. I there talked business with George and then he Bell and I went up into Father Griswold's barn garret where he stores his sifters and put the cranks on two dozen of them ready for Parmalee and Ives in the morning. They then went home and I at his request wrote an answer to Mr. Andrew's letter. Georgie did his first creeping this evening. 08/22 TUESDAY - A thunder shower last night about 1 o'clock and at the same time Abel Gregory's barn was burned near the northern extremity of Balmforth Avenue, supposed to have been set on fire. George took the train this morning for Bridgeport to make arrangements with Sterling & Peck for the sale of his sifters. He intends to visit Norwalk and Stamford on the same business before he returns. I went to the depot to see him off. He took a sample of his sifters with him. Joseph Ives came for one dozen sifters today. I called there this evening and got the pay - $12.00. I took about a peck of crab apples up to Fred Starr's market this evening for Fred Harrington. He is to call for them there. I did some trading and came down to Parmalee & Bradley's store and got my pay for the 12 quarts of crab apples which I left there to be sold. I received a letter from Carleton & Porter stating they would furnish "Longking's Questions" for $1.56 per dozen. I also took a letter from the office for George from Mr. Andrews. Burr Rockwell came to the shop today asking assistance from the Hatters. 08/23 WEDNESDAY - Clear and pleasant this morning and cool after the rain. I repaired one of George's flour sifters before breakfast. Parmalee & Bradley came for one dozen sifters today. I worked as usual in the shop. Theo Lyon came with me from the shop and (bought ?) 50 Russell Strawberry plants. I went into to the street in the evening and got my paper (the Jeffersonian), bought a garden trowel, went to class and walked up home after meeting with Robert Dunning. Elisha Serrine's baby was buried this P.M. at 2 o'clock. Gussie bought another barrel of charcoal. Mr. Lynes sent $1.25 for a sifter which he bought of George. Phebe Palmer and bell came down this evening bur went home before I returned from class. Before going into the street this evening, I carried a sifter over to Alex Pine's for his wife to try. 08/24 THURSDAY - Cold this morning; some say there was a little frost. I worked all day in the shop. Oscar Serrine came for some strawberry plants as he came from work. Bell came down at noon for Gussie to go up home and spend the P.M. She went and cousin Phebe came home with her at night to stay. I ate some bread and milk for supper and then went to market. I called at Henry Hoyt's office and paid $6.80 Income tax. I also went to the depot to meet George, but he did not come. He has doubtless not been able to complete his business regarding the sifters in the lower part of the county. 08/25 FRIDAY - pleasant and a little warmer. Phebe stayed with us last night. I worked as usual in the shop. George came home on the morning train. Edwin Harris brought me some Trompe De grand strawberry plants at the shop today. I brought them home and transferred then before tea. After tea, I dressed up a little and went into the street with cousin Phebe. Gussie did not go, she having been to the cemetery and was too tired. George and Bell came down in the evening and Phebe went home with them. 08/26 SATURDAY - Pleasant and I think a little warmer than yesterday. I went to the shop but on account of the facers not having hats enough ahead we only got one dozen which I finished before dinner. Theo Lyon came home by way of my house and bought a sifter. I have to give him some strawberry plants for buying a sifter. I brought my dinner home with me and ate it with Gussie at the table. Ed Harrington paid me for the sifter he bought several days ago. I went up home about 2 o'clock and George came down with me. Phebe and Bell came down a short time afterword. George and I went into the street. He mailed a letter to John Brayman about canvassing for the sifter. He gave a letter to Ed Barnum to be thrown off at Maria and Carrie Neil's boarding place. He then walked with me down to the shop and I got my pay. I bought a new gold pen, price - $1.15. I sold my old one and got 90 cents for it. Oscar Serrine came for some strawberry plants before tea. George, Phebe and Bell were with us to tea. I went to market in the evening in company with George. When we returned we ate a watermelon which I got in Father Griswold's patch. We enjoyed the evening very much. They went home a little before 10 o'clock. Before retiring, I drew up a bill of prices for the shop, adopted on the 16th instant. 08/27 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Gussie attended church as usual in the morning. Phebe came home with her at noon and I went down to Sunday School. Brother Hill preached in the morning, but on account of a head cold could not preach in the P.M. and consequently there was no service in the afternoon. After the Sunday School session, I came home walking up with David Bradley after going with him across to Barnum's Hotel to get a paper of tobacco. Georgie tumbled out of bed this morning while we were at breakfast. This is the first time it has happened to him. He is just 9 months and 11 days old today. Phebe was with us to tea. After tea, she and Gussie went up home to prayer meeting. George and Bell came back with them at evening meeting time. Gussie stayed with baby and I went with them to prayer meeting mailing as I went a letter to Carleton & Porter ordering another copy of the Sunday School Advocate for a Sunday School scholar for July to October. After meeting, Phebe, George and Bell came home with me to get some paper curtains they bought yesterday for Mother and left by mistake at my house. I fixed a pitcher of cold coffee with milk and sugar which we drank before they went home. 08/28 MONDAY - I rose feeling nearly down sick this morning, having a bowel complaint. George called just as we finished our breakfast., he having been down at Mr. Judd's to get his horse but it was not at home. As I went to work I carried Father Griswold's clock down to Mr. Robinson's store for repairs. I worked until after 6 o'clock in the shop. George started for Ridgefield about 4 P.M. with a load of sifters to peddle out. He took cousin Phebe and Bell as far as Uncle Edwin's. After tea, I went into the street and did some marketing and then attended the Annual School meeting of our district. B F. Ashley was elected clerk and James Taylor, Isaac Smith and Ezra Mallory for committee, Ephraim Gregory for collector, Henry Williams for treasure. 08/29 TUESDAY - Pleasant. Father and Mother Griswold and Fanny started this morning for Ohio. I worked as usual in the shop. Considerable talk today among the hatters about the reported combination of the bosses, an arrangement entered into by some of them determining not to pay any more advances to the workmen and agreeing not to shop any man who is on a turnout for prices at any other shop. Gussie received a letter from Ellen Dare with the balance of money due for dying a dress some time ago which Gussie paid for her. I went to market in the evening. George came home about 9 o'clock in the evening from a trip to Ridgefield selling sifters. Before retiring, we sealed up cups of Crabapple jelly. 08/30 WEDNESDAY - Warmer today. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie called at Daniel Starr's this P.M. and stayed to tea. I marked Fido's collar before tea. While splitting kindling this evening, a piece hit my eye and hurt it. I went to market in the evening. 08/31 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. Muggy in the morning and appearing like rain but by the middle of the forenoon, the sun comes out hot. We being so close onto the facers at the shop, we could get only one dozen today. I finished mine at noon and came home. I met George with Mr. Judd's horse before I got home. I rode down with him to Mr. Judd's store to take the team home and then he came home with me. We talked over the matter of putting the price of the sifters up again to $1.50 instead of $1.25 as he has been for a few days selling them. Noah Hoyt came while we were talking about it for a # dozen. He let him have them and rode down with him to notify Parmalee & Bradley, Joseph Ives, and Randall that they must sell them at $1.50. Harriet and Louise Jones came to tea and spent the evening. Mr. Jabine and friend Potter came in the evening and went home with Louise to Mr. Jabine's. I bought a baby carriage of Elisha Serrine and put Georgie in it and went up home to come down with George who was also with us to tea.
1865-08
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal August 1866 Entry
14pgs
AUGUST 01 WEDNESDAY - The day has been made up of sunshine, cloudy, windy and a very little rain. I worked hard all day until 7 o’clock again. The new hands shopped yesterday commenced work today in the other shop. Hattie Mills was with us to tea. I stayed at home with Georgie in the evening and let Gussie go into the street with Hattie. Before they went, however, I wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering one dozen for gratuitous use in the Sunday School and enclosed $6.00 for the same. Gussie mailed it for me. It rained again in the evening, it having rained a little in the middle of the day. Our neighbor John Greene lost his son Samuel about sundown; difficulty was tubercles on the brain. He was sick a little over two weeks. AUGUST 02 THURSDAY - Pleasant. It was nearly 7 o’clock when we rose this morning. The funeral of Sammy Greene was attended this this P.M. at 3 o’clock. Tomorrow morning, he will be taken to New Rochelle for burial. Received a letter from George by the evening mail in which he acknowledged the receipt of my last two letters and proposed having Mrs. Jones come to Danbury for a week. Her health being poor, the doctor has recommended coming to the country. Robert came home from church in the evening with his wife. I made some lemonade and they drank with me before he and Charlie (who came with them) went back to Mr. Lynes’. I bought a dozen lemons in the evening for 50 cents. AUGUST 03 FRIDAY - Before going to the shop this morning, I began to construct a leader from the rain water hogshead. Gussie went up home today to see about having Mrs. Jones come to Danbury for a week. She is George’s boarding mistress and he wants us to try and accommodate her. When I returned from work at night and before I went over to Mr. Leason’s to get him to come tomorrow morning to lay up a little brick work at the corner of my house. I received a notification from H. T. Hoyt, Internal Revenue Collector, to pay for my income tax -$18.63. I came home from work with a headache and on that account, I stayed home in the evening and let Gussie go to market. AUGUST 04 SATURDAY - I rose this morning at 4 ½ o’clock. Mr. Leason came over and before breakfast laid over anew the brick foundation under the Southwest corner of my house which was washed loose by the waste water from the rain water hogshead. As it was threatening rain, I left my work at the shop when I got my pay and came home to complete the work of a leader for the waste water from the rain water hogshead, but I was compelled to leave it unfinished on account of a hard thundershower. I went to market in the evening. As I came from the shop, I paid my income tax - $18.63. AUGUST 06 SUNDAY - Pleasant this morning after the shower last evening. Gussie went to church in the A.M. and I commenced a letter to George while staying with Georgie. It was in reply to one received on the 2nd inst. about Mrs. Jones coming to Danbury to stay with us for a week. I went to Sunday School at noon and brought Mr. Lockwood home with me to supper. After supper, he and I went over to Mr. McDonald’s and borrowed his horse which I harnessed before my wagon and took Susan and Gussie with their babies up to the cemetery. I supposed Mr. Lockwood would go with us but he preferred to go up to Ed Allen’s to stay until church time which he did. When we returned, I finished the letter which I began this morning to George and mailed it as I went to church. Mr. Hare preached. Robert Cocking was immersed at the Baptist Church after the morning service. Gussie attended that church this morning to witness the baptism. AUGUST 06 MONDAY - Pleasant and cool. I went down before breakfast and mailed another letter to George telling him that Mr. Fanton would carry the yeast cakes to his store in New York where he could call and get them. As I went for milk this morning, I tried to pay Mr. McDonald for his horse yesterday, but he would take nothing. He not having any whip for his wagon, I gave him mine as I now have no use for it. I ordered another small piece of tin leader as I went to work this morning and called for it as I came from work to tea. I also stopped on my way home from work at Charles T. Stevens’ store and paid him $4.40 towards my church pew. The foreman over the trimming department at the factory ( E.E. Wildman) to tell Widow Mrs. Burr Bradley to come to the shop as he had a vacant place and would now give her work. She being away from home for a week, he promised to reserve the situation for her. I worked hard and late at the shop today. John Brayman called while I was getting my tea and gave me $5.00 towards what he owes me. I went to market in the evening and called at Mr. Henry Fanton’s office with a small package of yeast cakes which he will carry to his store in new York to be called for by George who wants the for his boarding mistress Mrs. Jones. Timothy Foster saw me in the street and enquired about my wagon. He thinks he will buy it. AUGUST 07 TUESDAY - Pleasant still and cool for August. I have worked as usual in the shop. Gussie went in the P.M. up to Eben Barnum’s and drew Georgie in his carriage. Bell was here while I was getting my tea and told us that Harriet had been writing to Mrs. Jones where George was boarding and pleading poverty trying to prevent Mrs. Jones coming to Danbury for a visit to our house for her health as she has been contemplating. She and George having arranged the matter, George having made arrangements for our folks to trade on his account for whatever should be wanting to set a grand table and make it comfortable and pleasant for Mrs. Jones. He having a high regard for her, had invited her to come and Father and Mother had both consented to it and seemed pleased that Mrs. Jones was coming, but Harriet had seemed determined to prevent it if possible and spoil the pleasure anticipated by our folks. It seems as if Satan himself at times had complete possession of her. After tea, I wrote to George telling him all about it, how Harriet had written to Mrs. Jones not to come and told him to tell her how Harriet had acted and that Father and Mother and all of us wanted her to come and to urge her by all means to come regardless of what Harriet had written. I mailed it as I went to the Annual School Meeting for the election of a new committee. The meeting was held in Military hall. I walked home from the meeting with Mr. Pond, the principal of our school and my nearest neighbor. He is agent with two or three insurance companies and he had some conversation on the way with me about insuring my life. Our newly elected district officers were as follows: for committee – J. Amsbury, Ammon T. Peck and David P. Nichols, for clerk – David B. Booth, for Treasurer – Harvey Williams, for Collector – Ephraim Gregory. AUGUST 08 WEDNESDAY - Another beautiful day, but a little warmer towards night. As I went to work in the morning, I took a piece of tin pipe which I had made for a leader for waste water from my rainwater hogshead back to Charles Hull’s to be made as I wanted it, they not having made it rightly the first time. My butter maker not having brought my butter as I expected, I bought a little as I came home from work. After tea, I attached the leader to my hogshead and completed the drain from waste water and then went to market. Smith Pulling, who furnished us with butter this summer, told me today that his wife was offended because I found fault with her butter the last time she came with it. The butter not keeping good, I only asked her if any of her other customers found fault. She said not, and I told her that it was without doubt our fault then that made it spoil by not keeping it in a good place. It seemed that she took offense at it and determined not to bring us anymore. I tried to have him promise to furnish us still, but he said he would leave it all to his wife as she had the managing of the butter business. He is to let me know in a few days what he is to do. Another quarrel across the street tonight – old Mr. Baxter having used violence on Elisha Serine’s little boy George. AUGUST 09 THURSDAY - Stormy, We woke up at three o’clock this morning by Georgie who was vomiting. He was very sick. Yesterday he was troubled by diarrhea and when he woke us had a high fever also. I gave him an injection of tepid water which gave relief. He slept well the remainder of the night and today was comparatively well. Booth Trowbridge this afternoon threw himself head long into the stream by the shop and then tried to butt his brains out against a stone work and by striking himself in the head with a stone. It created quite an excitement at the factory. I went to market in the evening and took a letter at the Office from George in which was enclosed what he received from Harriet. AUGUST 10 FRIDAY - Pleasant; I worked as usual in the shop. When I came home from work, I found John Brayman’s and Thomas Purdy’s wives at the house. They stayed to tea. John came over and took tea with us. After tea, I pulled up pea vines and prepared to set out strawberry plants. Just at dusk, Tim Foster came to look at my wagon, bringing another man with him. I went to the Post Office in the evening and walked up home with Mr. Pond who stopped at my gate and talked about life insurance. The trial of ___ Darling for rape on the person of Lucy Bennett commenced today and adjourned over to the next session of court. AUGUST 11 SATURDAY - Pleasant. On my way to work in the morning, I called at Foster’s Carpenter Shop to get a reply from Timothy Foster about my wagon. He was not willing to give over $60.00 for it. I went to work and when I came home, I went to see him again and sold it to him for $65.00. He is to take it away the first opportunity he has and agrees to pay me in two weeks. I left the shop earlier than usual and came home to set out strawberry plants. John Brayman helped me after tea. Henry, having come from Norwalk today to stay over Sunday with John, he came with him. They came over in the evening while Gussie was downtown to market and stayed until she returned. I gave John a piece of pork to take home with him. Gussie went to see Dr. Bulkely today concerning Georgie. He has a bad diarrhea and we fear the dysentery. AUGUST 12 SUNDAY - We rose late. Gussie went to church in the morning as usual. I went to Sunday School at noon and to the Sacrament Service in the P.M. Mr. Hare administered it as assisted by Brother Webb. After tea, I took a nap. After the nap Father came in to see how Georgie was. He stayed about an hour in which we talked about the expected visit of Mrs. Jones this week. I wrote to George by request of Father requesting him not to tell Harriet when Mrs. Jones is coming. We did not go to church in the evening. I went to the Office and mailed the letter I wrote and returned. We retired about 9 o’clock. Before putting Georgie to bed, we gave him an injection of warm water to soothe and cleanse his bowels, they being in a very bad state. AUGUST 13 MONDAY - I worked in the shop as usual. Gussie went to see the doctor again about Georgie. He changed his medicine. After tea, I set out another run of Russell strawberry plants. I attended Sunday school teachers’ meeting in the evening. As I came from the meeting, I took a letter from the Office from George with $12.25 enclosed: ten dollars for Mr. Harris towards clothes, two dollars for me towards the ten dollars he owes me and 25 cents for Mother for yeast cakes for Mrs. Jones. I went to market and came home. Father Griswold came on the evening train from an appointment on his district and Mother Griswold from a visit to Bloomfield. When I returned from the street, I copied the minutes of the Sunday School meeting and then went up to the other house to see the folks and was introduced to Miss Ferry from Middletown who is visiting at Father Griswold’s. Before retiring, I wrote to George acknowledging the receipt of the money by letter. AUGUST 14 TUESDAY - Cloudy, but no rain. Sunshine a part of the time, but the wind not being right, it has not entirely cleared off. As I went for milk this morning, I saw Mr. McDonald going downtown and I sent the letter to the Office which I wrote last night to George. I set out another row of strawberry plants before breakfast. We can earn but little in the shop now, for since Monday morning things have been in an uproar. The work all at once did not suit Mr. Crofut and he has tried to exact more than is possible to be given in the way of work on hats. I went to the Post Office in the evening and called at Harris’ Clothing Store and paid him another $10.00 which makes $20.00 for George towards his suit of clothes costing $45.00. Gussie washed today. Bell came down this afternoon and Gussie gave her the 25 cents which George sent to Mother for yeast cakes. She also gave her the letter I received yesterday from George speaking of the contemplated visit of Mrs. Jones to Danbury to take home for Mother to read. Before retiring, I wrote to Alfred Humphrey, notifying him that if he wanted strawberry plants, I would send him some in a week or a little more. I enclosed $5.00, the balance of my indebtedness to him for salve bought nearly a year ago – one gross $20.00. AUGUST 15 WEDNESDAY - It was raining very hard this morning and continued nearly all the forenoon. On my way to work, I went to the Jeffersonian Office and took out the advertisement of wagon and paid for two weeks insertion – 75 cents. After work, William Carlson came up with 27 Wilson strawberry plants and exchanged with me for some Russells. I went to the Post Office this evening and mailed the letter to Alfred Humphrey which I wrote last evening and enclosed the 5.00. I brought home a pair of shears to sharpen for John McNamee, a shopmate. Harriet Mills came home from the shop to Mrs. Cocking’s to tea and to stay all night. AUGUST 16 THURSDAY - Pleasant and cool. I went to the shop and worked until nearly noon to finish off a dozen hats I commenced yesterday and then came home nearly sick. I have taken cold and feel used up. I came home by way of Alden G. Crosby’s Coal yard and arrange to have my coal got in this P.M. He sent three tons of it and left the other ton to be delivered tomorrow. I transplanted the Wilson Strawberry plants which William Carlson gave me last evening (or rather exchanged for Russells). I took a nap on the lounge for about an hour. Philo Wildman came to Father Griswold’s this P.M. and was married to Mrs. Merriam. Gussie went up and witnessed the ceremony. After it was over, they got into his carriage and rode back home as happy as a bride and groom of 20 years. She was a widow and he a widower. He is a man of about 70 years. I went to market in the evening. AUGUST 17 FRIDAY - Pleasant and a little warmer. The fourth and last ton of my coal came this morning while we were eating breakfast which was about 8 o’clock. I was not feeling well and concluded not to go to the shop and on that account, we took our time over breakfast. I finished preparing the ground and putting out strawberry plants. The last was enough of the Wilsons for another row which I got from Mr. Carlson about 6 o’clock this evening. I am to let him have some Russells in exchange. In the P.M., Gussie went with me into the street, drawing Georgie in his carriage. I took from the Office a circular from Washington for George relating to collection of soldiers’ bounties; also a letter from D. H. Johnson from Newtown inquiring why the sifters which he ordered did not come. I went to market in the evening. The fireman on the locomotive attached to the up freight train today while oiling the engine just before coming up to the Ridgefield Station fell in front of the engine and had one leg cut off and one hand badly hurt, cutting off one or two of the fingers and badly hurting the others. I learn this evening that he died this afternoon about 4 o’clock. Before retiring, I answered D. H. Johnson’s letter to George and offered to sell the rights to him. AUGUST 18 SATURDAY - As I went to work this morning, I mailed a letter to D. H. Johnson in Newtown in reply to one received yesterday. I carried a pair of shoes to Benedict’s Shoe Store to be mended and went to the shop via the depot. I worked until about 3 o’clock and then came home. I weeded out my strawberry bed and the helped Mr. Pond set out a bed of strawberry plants. Dark came on before we finished the job, so we took a lamp and my lantern and completed the work by lamplight. While I was helping Mr. Pond, Gussie went to market and bought supplies for over Sunday. Timothy Foster sent George Wood for the wagon he bought of me. AUGUST 19 SUNDAY - Lowery; a little sunshine and a little rain during the day. On account of rain at morning church time, Gussie concluded not to go, so I went myself for a wonder in the forenoon. I generally go in the P.M. and to Sunday School and she goes in the morning. I came home after Sunday School . Just before I left to come home, I had a talk with Mrs. Sylvester Harris about Bell leaving Sunday School and church to go to the Baptists. Mrs. Harris was Bell’s Sunday School teacher. She feels badly about Bell’s conduct and has talked with her and wept over it. A letter which I wrote to bell on the subject 12 days ago, but hesitated to send, I have about concluded to send and made additions to it this evening for the purpose. I also this evening wrote to George on the subject. Georgie has been very cross today and has tried our patience severely. Mother Griswold came in a while in the evening. I went to church in the evening. Mr. Hare preached. It rained hard when meeting was out. Before retiring, Gussie wrote to her friend, Mrs. Nelson G. Post in Essex. AUGUST 20 MONDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. As I came home from work, I went to William Carlson’s and got 41 Wilson strawberry plants and brought home for Mr. Pond. He is to exchange them for other varieties. After tea, I spaded up a place to transplant some agriculturist plants which Mr. Pond has given me. It was dark when I finished spading, so I left the plants to be set out tomorrow morning. As I came from work, I took a letter from the office with $1.25 enclosed for a sifter for Mrs. Platt of Ridgefield. George sold it to her a long time ago and trusted her for the pay, telling her to send it when it was convenient for her to pay it. Before retiring, I wrote a note in reply, acknowledging the receipt of the money. AUGUST 21 TUESDAY - I rose at three o’clock this morning and Mr. Pond helped me transplant some agriculturist strawberry plants before breakfast. I worked as usual in the shop came home about 5 o’clock and went down to Town Mountain for some moss in which to pack strawberry plant s tomorrow evening to send to Alfred Humphrey. I took my gun with me, but I found nothing to shoot. I wrote a note in the evening to Alfred telling him when to look for the plants. As I went to the Office to mail it, I got a letter from George W. Oakley saying that George came home from the shop yesterday very sick and requested him to write me asking for $2.00 until next Sunday when he would write and repay. I went into Randall & Bradley’s store and enclosed the $2.00 to George. I also got a letter from D.H. Johnson of Newtown saying he did not wish to purchase the rights for “Tilden’s Universal Flour Sifters”, but wished one dozen of them as soon as possible. As I came from the street, I was caught in a thunder shower and got so wet that I changed my clothes when I get home. I wrote to Johnson before retiring saying that he might expect the sifters or hear from me in a few days. Also to Everett C. Andrews, sifter manufacturer in New Haven to know whether he or the man to whom he sold could fill the order immediately or not. AUGUST 22 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant, except in the P.M. when we had two small showers. Before breakfast, I went down to the Post Office and mailed two letters: to D. H. Johnson in Newtown and E. C. Andrews in new Haven. I worked as usual in the shop. I quit a little earlier and came home to put up strawberry plants to send to Alfred Humphrey. I got them put up and carried them to the express office before I ate my supper. I sent about 350 plants. AUGUST 23 THURSDAY - I worked as usual in the shop. A considerable excitement today about a rape case perpetrated by ___ West on a daughter of Peter Rowan about __ years of age. It happened this last Tuesday. After tea, I wrote to George and enclosed a circular sent by parties in Washington who collect claims for soldiers, soliciting the collection of bounty which is due George from government. I also ordered of Carlton & Porter for Fanny to use in the infant class eight packages of illustrated books for children – 25 cents per package. I enclosed $2.00 for the same. I went to the Office and mailed them. After I returned home I went up to Father Griswold’s to help him take a fish hook from Fido’s ear which he got in some way tonight. He would not hold still to let us take it out, so we concluded to wait until morning. AUGUST 24 FRIDAY - Pleasant but very cool for August. We had two showers with a rainbow about 6 P.M. I came home from work about 5 o’clock with a headache. Bell, having taken Georgie up home to stay all night and Gussie being away when I came home, I started for the Baseball Grounds on Deer Hill to watch the Waverly Club play, but just as I arrived near our folks, they stopped playing and I went into the house to see Georgie. While there, the shower spoken of came up so I stayed until it was over as I thought and started fir home but it began to rain again and wet me considerably ere I got home. After tea, I went to the Great American Tea Company (ordering 30 lbs. Of coffee and 13 lbs. of tea; 10 lbs. of coffee and 5 lbs. of tea for Nathan Pond; 5 lbs. coffee and 5 lbs. of tea for John McNamee; 5 lbs. of coffee for Charles Hoyt; and 10 lbs. of coffee and 5 lbs. of tea for myself. The coffee to be burned and ground for 30 cents per pound. The tea to be $1.00 per pound. I went into the street in the evening to mail the order and to buy our breakfast. AUGUST 25 SATURDAY - Pleasant but cool. I worked as usual in the shop. As I came home from work, I called on Tim Foster for the pay for the wagon I sold him. I did not get the money, but next Tuesday or Wednesday, he will give me a note on which I can get the money at the bank provided he does not have the money himself. Gussie went up to my folks on Deer Hill this P.M. and stayed to tea. Bell came home with her to stay all night. We somewhat expected George by the evening train and Gussie and I went to market, also to the depot, but he did not come. AUGUST 26 SUNDAY - Pleasant, but still very cool for August. Bell stayed with us last night and went home after breakfast. Gussie attended church this forenoon. In the meantime, I marked off the Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals for the school. She came home after the sermon and I went to Sunday School after which I came home. After supper, Gussie took Georgie up to Mother Griswold’s and went with Susan Brayman and Mrs. Aikin up to the cemetery and I walked over to Mr. Lynes with Robert Cocking. As I returned, I stopped at John Bouton’s a few moments and then came home. I went to the Baptist Church I the evening with Robert and Maria. AUGUST 27 MONDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie went over to Cousin Frank Bouton’s and stayed to tea. I pulled weeds in the garden from the time I came from work until Gussie came and got tea for me. I went into the street in the evening to see if the tea and coffee which I ordered last Friday came; it did not. By the evening mail, I got a letter from George with $15.00 enclosed and he spoke of $3.00 more for me in a letter to Harriet. Ten dollars of it was for Mr. Harris, the tailor towards a suit of clothes which he bought when he was home on the 4th of July. Before coming from the street, I paid Harris the $10.00 and wrote an acknowledgement to George of the money and enclosed a letter which I took from the Office for him today from St. Augustine, Florida. The small picture books which I ordered last week for Fanny to use in the Sunday School Infant Class came via Swift’s today and I brought them to her this evening. I overtook her coming home from the street and she came in with me to have me write a card with her name to tack on her trunk to take with her to Camp Meeting at Milford tomorrow morning. AUGUST 28 TUESDAY - Warmer today than it has been for some time past. As I went to work this morning, I left a bottle at Widow Clark Hoyt’s for a pint of wine to put spices into to give to Georgie for medicinal purposes. As I came from work, I called at Foster brothers and got a note for $65.00 payable at the Danbury Bank, the same being for the wagon they bought of me. As I came home, I stopped at Mrs. Hoyt’s for the wine. After tea, I went to the depot to see if the tea and coffee I ordered in New York should come by the evening express. I received a letter from Everett C. Andrews (George’s sifter manufacturer in New Haven) saying that he would send the sifters to Mr. Johnson in Newtown this week. AUGUST 29 WEDNESDAY - Muggy and warm – real dog days weather, I have not felt well today. I have a sore throat, the result of a cold. I carried in Foster Brothers note to the Danbury Bank and drew the amount - $65.00, less the discount which was 52 cents – the note I took in pay for the wagon I sold him. The Bank not being open until 10 o’clock, I gave it to the cashier (J. Amsbury) in the morning who presented it to the Board of Officers and after dinner as I returned to the shop, stopped and drew the money. Bell came down this forenoon and took Georgie up home with her. She returned with him before tea, and as Gussie wanted to go over to Harriet Ely’s in the evening, she arranged with her to stay all night s as to be with Georgie in the evening. We not hearing anything of the order I sent to New York to the Great American Tea Company for tea and coffee, I wrote again this evening and repeated the order. After the arrival of the train, I waited for the mail to open and then rode into West Street with Robert Cocking. Before retiring, I commenced a letter to George. AUGUST 30 THURSDAY - I went to the shop as usual. On my way in the morning, I met Robert Dunning, who told me that his little boy Fred was taken last night with cholera; was taken at tea time about 6 o’clock and at 9 o’clock, his feet and legs were cold as death and no pulse was perceptible. They all expected that surely he would die, but it finally turned favorable. The doctor (Bennett) was with him all night. He is now considered out of danger of the cholera, but is very feeble after such a severe illness. I called over to see them this evening after tea. I went to the depot this evening to see if the tea and coffee came from the Great American Tea Company, but it did not. I waited for the mail and then walked up home with John Brayman. I spoke with him about the debt he owes Mr. Harris, the tailor for an overcoat bought last winter. Before retiring, I wrote more in a letter I commenced last night to George. AUGUST 31 FRIDAY - A little splatter of rain this morning about 6 o’clock. I worked as usual in the shop. I carried two large tomatoes to the shop with me to exhibit. George Benjamin and I ate one of them with our dinners at noon and he took the other home with him. Georgie went up home with bell yesterday morning and stayed until about 7 o’clock this evening when bell came down with him, drawing him in his carriage. Gussie called on Mrs. Jesse Stevens, Mrs. McNeil, Nelson Nickerson and Harriet Ely today. After tea, Hanson Smith came over to borrow my gun to use tomorrow, but I refused him on the grounds that I never lent it and did not want to now begin. I went to the depot upon arrival of the train to see if my tea and coffee from the Great American Tea Company. And Lo! And Behold! It came after a delay of a week. The bill was $24.00 for 30 pounds of coffee at 30 cents per pound and 15 pounds of tea at $1.00; collections by express man - 60 cents, expressage - 75 cents making a bill complete of $25.35, which I paid at the express office to E. M. Barnum with the understanding that it should be delivered tomorrow morning early.
1866-08
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.
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