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 1869 Entry
10pgs
AUGUST 01 SUNDAY - Pleasant and not very warm. I took Georgie down to church in time for Sunday School. After school, I came home with him. After dinner, I took him for a walk over into Division Street. We stopped to see Mary, the first time we have called on her since her marriage. From there, we went over to Horace Cable's in Spring Street. Horace gave me a letter which he got from the Office last evening from D. R. French in which he acknowledged the receipt of the draft for $100.00 from Hill & Purdy. He wants money as fast as we can remit to him to pay for a large lot of slats lately received from Vermont. AUGUST 02 MONDAY - Pleasant. In the forenoon, I collected a little on our spring beds from Albert Scott, R. W. Holmes, and George L. Smith. After dinner we went up to the bogs to see a man about spring beds, but he being away from home, we did not see him. It was about 6 P.M. when we returned. After tea, Horace Cable came over to see me. We went into the street together. We received by the evening mail a bill for Lot No. 4, our last one for springs from D. R. French. AUGUST 03 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Horace Cable and I went to Brewster Station today to introduce our spring bed bottoms. We spent about a half day there showing it up and took 3 positive orders besides preparing the way for a goodly number of sales some other day. We started for home about sundown arriving here about 8:30. AUGUST 04 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I collected from Mr. Decklyn $18.50 for 3 spring bed bottoms. I turned it over to Horace Cable and he with other money got a draft for $100.00, which I this evening mailed to D. R. French with a duplicate of 6 beds ordered from Twitchell. I at the same time sent the order to Mr. Twitchell. In it were two for H. Fairchild which he is in a great hurry for to commence housekeeping. We expected a lot of beds on the freight train, but they did not come. AUGUST 05 THURSDAY - Showery with some indications of rain but only now and then a little sprinkle. It cleared off in the evening. Horace Cable and I with his horse rode over to Sturdivant's to canvass the factory for our spring bed bottoms. In the P.M., 10 beds came by the freight train. We put up a part of them, including 3 we took to Bethel for Farnum Greenwood and Thomas Wheeler. AUGUST 06 FRIDAY - Pleasant but cool in the morning. We rode up to New Milford in the morning to put up spring beds at Lanesville and the Iron Works. But found the beds had not come as we expected. We fed ourselves and the horse at Nelson Knowles in Lanesville. We came home by way of the steam excavator. George Bradley paid me $6.75 for his spring bed. I also in New Milford collected $6.00 from Michael McNiff. In the evening, I went over to Horace's but not finding him home, I went to the Post Office where I found him. AUGUST 07 SATURDAY - Pleasant but still cool. I mowed my dooryard and raked it off this forenoon. After dinner I went to the depot where I met Horace Cable with his horse. We had 6 beds come on the freight train. We put up 2 for Hanford Fairchild, one for Philo Knapp and the two which came last week for William Bailey. An eclipse of the sun this P.M. from 5:15 until about sundown. In the evening, I went to market with Gussie. We bought a toy small gun for Georgie. Two letters - one from Twitchell and one from French. AUGUST 08 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warmer. We did not get up this morning until about 8 o'clock. Gussie went to the Baptist church this morning to hear their old minister, Mr. Stone. Father came in just before dinner to have me cut his hair. I did it and then took Georgie down to Sunday School. After school, I came home again. We had dinner about 3 o'clock, after which I took Georgie with me for a walk. We went into River Street where we stopped to see E. E. Wildman about sending me word from New Milford if my spring beds were at the depot there. He is going up there tomorrow. From there I walked around to Horace Cable's and their home, stopping at Ambrose Hill's a moment to see Philo Bennett. AUGUST 09 MONDAY - Pleasant. I hoed up a few weeds in my garden before breakfast. After breakfast, I went over to Horace Cable's and we with his horse took Henry Willis' and Mrs. Lewis Bennett's bed springs and went over to Sandy Hook and put them in. I went to look at J. H. Warner's springs that Ambrose Hill put in one of the slats of which is broken. I concluded to write to D. R. French and have him take back the bed and send another in its place which will be alright. We came home by way of Bethel where I collected for Hill & Purdy $6.50 from George Osborne for a spring bed. We arrived home about 2 P.M. I tried to collect a little in the P.M. In the evening, I attended teachers' meeting. I offered my resignation, but they refused to accept it, deferring action for one month. Before I retired, I wrote to D. R. French about exchanging J. H. Warner's bed (at Sandy Hook) for a good one, one slat being broken, and several others are defective. AUGUST 10 TUESDAY - Hot. Horace Cable and I went to New Milford for 6 bed springs and brought them to Lanesville. I put up 4 of the 5 at this place, the 5h being for Nelson Knowles. I did not go there on account of his son having the smallpox. Horace not feeling very well and fearing the smallpox, he took the train at Lanesville and started for home, leaving me to take care of the beds. After putting up John and James Knowles, Perry Chase's and Willis' and leaving Nelson Knowles' at his son's place, I then started for the Iron Works and put up one for Lewis Ives after which I drove home. Before doing so, I was obliged to go to the blacksmith's and got a new shoe put on the horse's foot. AUGUST 11 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and hot. We delivered and put up John Corning's springs in Mill Plain, Hiram Paddock's and Samuel Dank's at Little Sodom in New York State. We took dinner at Mr. Paddock's. We spent the remainder of the day canvassing towards home arriving about 7 o'clock. Received a bill today from Thomas Sproule for 5 tons of coal at $10.00 per ton. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to market. AUGUST 12 THURSDAY - Pleasant and hot. We went to Bethel this forenoon to canvass a little for our spring beds and measure Henry Tinmann's bed for a set of springs. After dinner, I prepared a set of crossbars for A. W. Bailey's bed to put into Miss L. Farnum's. Harmon Knapp, professing not to like the springs (this is the first out of a hundred where dissatisfaction has occurred), we took them out and took them in the wagon and with the one for Miss Farnum, we went down to Bethel about 6 P.M. and put it in for Tinmann. AUGUST 13 FRIDAY - before breakfast, I wrote to Henry Day, telling him that I must have some money on the notes that were due April 1st and May 1st last. I sent it to the Office for the morning mail by Charles Short. I canvassed in the forenoon for our spring beds. In the P.M., I went over to Horace Cable's and spent the greater part of the afternoon on the door sill of his barn talking over business, the bed and free trade, etc. I went to Tweedy's Wool Hat Shop and collected from Willis Gunn $6.75 for a set of box springs we put in for him last Tuesday up to Lanesville. From there, I called at Ely & Young's shop under the hill by Lacey & Davis' forming factory. I then went to Mallory's shop to see Ed Dunning. Before we left there, a shower came up and we walked to his house (Horace Cable's) in the rain. There was, however, but little rain fell. I played my first game of croquet this noon over to Mr. Pond's. I went to the Post Office in the evening and got a letter from William Hayes. AUGUST 14 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I went over to Lake Kenosha with Horace Cable blackberrying. Elmer Cable, Charles Hill and Willis Graham were over there and rode home with us. We all filled our baskets and pails. I got over a peck myself. We got home about 4 o'clock. I then went into the street to see if I could see someone who owes Cable & Purdy for spring beds. I did not collect any. I went into the street again in the evening. Edwin's wife Anne is sick with dysentery. AUGUST 15 SUNDAY - Showery during the day. I went down to Sunday School at noon. On account of the frequent showers, the attendance was small. The time was spent in singing and the Superintendent spoke to the school. I came home in the P.M. Gussie went to church in the evening and I stayed at home. Before retiring, I wrote a reply to William Hayes' letter received on Friday. It rained hard in the evening with thunder showers. AUGUST 16 MONDAY - Before breakfast, I mailed a letter to William Hayes. I went down to the Pahquioque Shop (where I still hold a position) just to see the men. From there, I went over to the Sewing Machine Factory to collect $6.50 from Col. James Ryder but did not get it. As I went to the Pahquioque, I took my clock to Fanton's where it was recently repaired to fix the hands so that they can be moved. They left it before so that I could not move them either forward or backwards. I called uptown to see Mrs. E. S. Davis about springs for her bed which she had engaged some time ago. She had found by examining her other springs that they could unexpectedly use them on her new bedstead and therefore did not need new ones. She would nevertheless have taken them, but I released her from the agreement, not wishing to oblige her to take them if she did not really want them. From there, I called to measure Edmund Dunning's bed but his baby being asleep, I would not disturb the child. I then called at Horace Cable's and came home to dinner. After dinner, I spaded over a place for a strawberry bed and went over to Cable's and got 50 Green Prolific Plants and laid them out, after which Horace and I went into the street to collect. I saw Mrs. Burch, but they would have no money for me until next month. Horace went to see Mrs. W. Bailey and I to see George Raymond. He got nothing but was promised tomorrow morning. I got my pay from Raymond. In the evening, I went up and measured Dunning's bedstead. While standing near the Post Office, Charles Griffing asked me for the balance of my account or a note for the amount. I went up to his office to look over the account but would not give a note. While there, I talked with John Rowan about spring beds. I think I will sell him one. AUGUST 17 TUESDAY - After breakfast, I went down to William Bailey's and collected from his wife $12.00 for two spring beds. I went over to Horace Cable's but on account of the rain, we did not go as we intended to Brewster Station to canvass for spring beds. We spent the forenoon in talking over and arranging our partnership in the tree agency. After dinner, I had a set of half circles sawed out by Daniel Starr with which to fit the springs to Edmund Dunning's bed. Horace Cable measured Charles Griffing's bed for a set of springs. I added it to an order I was about to send to New Haven and mailed it by the P.M. train. The order was for six beds. I went into the street in the evening and got our clock from Fanton's Store. AUGUST 18 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy and misty in the morning, but before noon it cleared off. Horace Cable and I went to Brewster Station. We sold a spring bed to H. M. Senior at Mill Plain. We did a little at selling trees as well as spring beds. We stopped at the Brewster House. In the evening, I made arrangements for Mr. Doty, the new hotel keeper to try one of our beds with the view of putting in several of them if he is satisfied with it. AUGUST 19 THURSDAY - Pleasant and very hot. We canvassed at the Station today for both trees and beds. I came away this evening with 7 more names added to my list. On our way home just about dusk, we saw a woodchuck just this side of the New York state line. I took my pistol and had 5 shots at him but did not touch him. AUGUST 20 FRIDAY - Very hot. Lowery in the morning. Horace Cable and I went to Milltown by way of Joe Hill's. We came home by way of the bogs arriving about dark. Josie Wheeler took Georgie and Willie Griswold away in the broiling sun in the middle of the day up on Highland Avenue (or so he says). Josie is a bad boy learning Georgie and Willie all manner of obscene and wicked language and running away. John Brayman came home this evening. He had words with E. James who lives over him. James assaulted and knocked him down. AUGUST 21 SATURDAY - Hotter than yesterday. About 8 A.M., I went over to Cable's. From there I went to the Post Office. I saw H. B. Fairchild about what he owes me for 2 spring beds. He promised to send me a check next Monday from New York for the amount $13.50. I took a letter from the Office from T. Twitchell saying that he yesterday shipped Order No. 6 of spring beds, six in number. As I was going to Cable's to carry the letter, I overtook Sidney Thompson who was too drunk to walk straight. I took him to his home and left him flat on the floor. Ezra Malloy's house was struck by lightning. After dinner, it commenced a thunder shower. I went between showers to the depot on the arrival of the freight train and found that our 6 beds had arrived. I went up to Cable's where I was compelled to stay until nearly night on account of several hard thunder showers. On that account I did not want to get the beds from the depot. I went into the street in the evening and brought home a pair of pants to keep in they fit me. AUGUST 22 SUNDAY - Lowery but no rain. We rose rather late. I went down to Sunday School with Georgie at noon. After school, we came home again. Gussie stayed to prayer meeting. After dinner, I took Georgie for a walk over to Horace Cable’s. On our way near Lockwood Olmstead's on Stevens Street, I found an ivory billiard ball. We returned a little before dark. Hattie Mills and I stayed at home in the evening. Gussie went to prayer meeting. AUGUST 23 MONDAY - Pleasant. Mr. Cable and I went to the depot this morning and got 6 beds and delivered them. Charles Griffing, Saul Rundle, Alice B. Ford, and Edmund Dunning. The one for J. H. Warner at Newtown and one for William Fowler over the New York state line near Brewster Station, we put into Cable's barn until we go over that way with them. In the P.M., I took Ambrose Hill's fruit plate book and went down to the Pahquioque shop and commenced canvassing a little for trees. I took 4 small orders. After tea, I wrote to Henry Day, ordering 8 pictures frames, oval gold, 4 rose and ribbon 8x10, 2 scale and ribbon, 8x10 and 2 rose and ribbon 10x12, the last two with square rabbets. AUGUST 24 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Horace Cable and I left home this morning for New York state to canvass for the fruit trees. We took H. M. Senior's bed springs over to him as we went over to Mill Plain and put them in, changing the slats first with Mrs. Corning's, she not thinking hers to be long enough. I ordered $3.00 of Senior's pay in sugar - 18 lbs. - and coffee. We took dinner with Mr. Havilland, just beyond Milltown. After dinner, we started along passing near Dikeman's Station on the Harlem Railroad. Also, near Doansburg, thence to Towner's Station and put up for the night just beyond about 2 miles at George Robinson's. AUGUST 25 WEDNESDAY - After breakfast with Mr. Robinson's folks, we tried to repair his son Peter's copper strip hay cutter. We then commenced canvassing; stopped at Samuel Terry's to dinner. After dinner, we drove on to David Kent's, the old millionaire and put new cylinders in his hay cutter. We then went on through Luddingtonville and put up for the night with Clark Lewis, another old friend of Mr. Cable's. AUGUST 26 THURSDAY - Pleasant again. Before breakfast, I shot my pistol at a woodcock and missed it. After breakfast I shot Mr. Lewis' rifle at one and missed him also. We then all shot at a mark with my pistol. We then soon left Mr. Lewis and started for Patterson. Before getting there, Mr. Cable was bit by Willis Read's dog. We took dinner at the American Hotel at Patterson Station. Here we took quarters for the night. Our canvassing for trees has not been very successful thus far. AUGUST 27 FRIDAY - After breakfast at the hotel at Patterson, Mr. Cable and I rode up to Willis Read's Mill to shoot the dog which bit him yesterday. He stated the case to Mr. Read, junior, who agreed with us that the dog ought to be killed. Mr. Cable shot one bullet into him when he his somewhere around the mill. We then left after Mr. Read promising that if the dog did not die, he would see that he was killed. It now being about noon, we started for Brewster Station to see if the beds we ordered for that place had come but found them not there. Before going to the station, we went to ____, where we took dinner on Tuesday to get a halter which we had then left there. We arrive home at 3:30 P.M. I went into the street in the evening. I received from Hanford B. Fairchild, $13.50 for two spring beds, put up for him on the 7th inst. by Cable & Purdy I received by the evening mail a letter from D. R. French stating that he has given up the spring bed agency and desires a settlement with us as soon as we can do so. He sent a statement of Hill & Purdy, also of Cable & Purdy accounts which agrees with our accounts. George came home this evening by the cars (so I am told) to attend the reunion tomorrow. AUGUST 28 SATURDAY - Pleasant. A reunion of the 17th Regiment here today. In the morning, I went over to Mr. Cable's and changed the size of J. H. Warner's bed and used it for Mr. H. Griffing, after which I came home and dressed a little and went into the street to see the assembly of the 17th Regiment just as the procession was forming. I came home and did a little writing. Gussie came home also and dressed Georgie to take him to see the procession. We went into the street again and saw the procession and went to the dinner tent down to the Turner House where they had an excellent dinner for free. The procession consisted of our Military Company, the veterans of the old 17th Regiment, the Fire department, and the Brass Bands, our own and the Wheeler & Wilson's from Bridgeport. I made out a receipted bill of the two spring beds Hanford B. Fairchild paid me for last evening and gave it to him this P.M. AUGUST 29 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I took Georgie down to Sunday School at noon. After school, I came home with him. After the session, the teachers had an interview by request of the Superintendent and voted to have a picnic one week from next Wednesday (the 8th inst.) if the day is fine. It is to be in a grove at the junction of the White Plains and Housatonic railroad near Brookfield. A committee was appointed to make arrangements and procure transportation. After dinner, I took a walk over to Horace Cable's. George came home last Friday evening to attend the reunion of his old regiment which took place yesterday. I have not seen him today. AUGUST 30 MONDAY - Pleasant. After breakfast, I went into the street and over to the Sewing Machine factory and collected from James Ryder $6.50 for one spring bed from Hill & Purdy. I then waited for the arrival of the train at 10:15 to see the 8th Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard. The regiment formed just above the bridge and with Wheeler & Wilson's band marched out to Lake Kenosha where they are to encamp for the week. I commenced picking my crab apples at noon. After dinner, I went into the street again and collected from D. Osborne $6.00 bed money from Hill & Purdy. Edmund Dunning paid me $6.00 for a bed this A. M. Before night, I went to Rundle & White's and collected from Mr. Rundle $6.75 for a spring bed. This was for Cable & Purdy. I went from there over to Horace Cable's. He came home with me and got some crab apples. Also, Charles Hill came for some. I wrote to D. R. French asking for the address of the New York Expansion Spring Bed Company so that I can write and secure for Mr. Cable or us both the County of Putnam in New York adjoining Fairfield in this state. I went into the street and mailed it. I bought some pistol balls - one pound. I bought ## dozen teacups for Harriet Mills for crab apple jelly. George returned to Brooklyn this morning. AUGUST 31 TUESDAY - Pleasant but cool. I went over to Horace Cable's in the morning to go to Brewster Station to put up spring beds, but his horse having a sore back, we concluded to wait over until tomorrow. In the P.M., I went down to the shop and arranged a little to work next week. Gussie and Hattie Mills went to hear a phrenological lecture in the evening. After they went Charles Hayes came by the evening train. Louise and I got him some tea. I then went down to market. I put in 10 bushels of charcoal today.
1869-08