Horace Purdy Journal, January 1870 Entry
11pgs
1/1 Mr. French stayed with me last night. In the morning we went over to see Ambrose Hill. We called on Dr. Bulkely to solicit his aid in soliciting applications from the friends of Homeopathy. He then came home with me to dinner, after which I went to the Depot with him. He took the 12 o'clock train home to Bridgeport. Ambrose Hill took the same train on his way back to business in Brooklyn. I came directly home and wrote to Henry A. Ellis relinquishing my agency for the New Jersey Mutual in order to take up the Homeopathic Mutual of N.Y. Hattie Mills having gone home last evening with Emily Anderson, Gussie, Georgie and I went by invitation of Mrs. Bradley over to Andrew Williams to tea. We stayed and spent the evening. 1/2 Severe rain storm and high wind. I did not go out. Anne Heinman is only just alive, she has typhoid fever. Amos Purdy called just at night for a few minutes to see me. Father came down to see me and to see how Anne is doing. 1/3 Belle's birthday, she is 18 years old. I spent part of the day in the street principally at Noah Hoyt's store talking life insurance. In the evening I called for a few minutes on Dr. Bulkely and talked about the merits of Homeopathic Ins. Co. I did some marketing and came home. Before tea I wrote to D. R. French asking about a paid up policy on the regular plan. I mailed it in the evening and received by evening mail a statement of account from T. E. Twitchell. 1/4 After breakfast I took over and put in for Mr. Fuller a spring bed. Anna Heinman died last night a little after 11 o'clock. Gussie was there with others and helped lay her out. I was in Main St. before dinner. I received by morning mail a bill from Sigler Bros. 131 & 133 Mercer St. N.Y. requesting immediate payment. I answered by PM mail that it was impossible at present without neglecting my family. This PM I went into the street again and called at Lacey Hoyt & Co. Hat Shop. I there talked life insurance with Zerah Hoyt. From there I went to A. Knox paint shop and talked with him. I took tea with Loiuse up to Father Griswold's . I went to Hatters meeting in the evening and stayed for roll call and was excused. Went to post office and came home. Charlie Hayes and Theo Bradley came from N.Y. on the evening train. 1/5 I went over to the school house with Mr. Pond and put a door spring on one of the back doors. Ann Heinman was buried from the Church at 2 PM. Father Griswold made a prayer at the house before going to the Church. Brother Burch attended the funeral at the Church. Roxanna Hall and George, her son, came over to the funeral and took tea with us before returning to [Lodam]. In the evening Gussie and I went up town to look after a pair of black glovers Andrew Williams sister lent to Mrs. Barnum, sister of Henry Heinman. By evening mail I received a letter from H. A. Ellis, Norwich, General Agent for New Jersey Mutual Life Ins. Co. in reply to mine about giving up the agency of said company for Homeopathic of N.Y. He was very surprised and disappointed. By same mail received one from D. R. French of Bridgeport answering mine regarding a paid up policy as regular life in Homeopathic. Before retiring I wrote to the Homeopathic of N.Y. to ascertain some facts concerning the Company, to French also to know if its commissions he offers are the same on all forms of policies. 1/6 Talked life insurance today. I was at the Pahquioque shop in the PM. Joe White asked me about the $60 I borrowed from Mr. Crofut, Dec. 4, 1868. He said it was $80 I owed. The amount was originally $80, but I paid $20 in Feb. 8, 1869 to Mr. Crofut and they had neglected to give me credit. In the evening I called at Charles Andrews and Charles Hull to look for a sheet iron air tight wood stove for Mother Griswold. I called into Randall's & Bradley and walked up with Egbert Gilbert, Orin Bronson, and Fred Bradley after Fred closed the store. Received by mail another letter form H. A. Ellis extorting me to stick with New Jersey Mutual and trying to convince me it was the best company. 1/7 Harry Buckely called at 8 A.M. for my harness blacking. I received 3 letters in the morning mail., from Homeopathic Ins. Co. in NY, D. R. French in Bridgeport, and H. A. Elllis, Norwich. Father came down in the forenoon and stayed till noon but would not stay to dinner. In the PM When I came home to tea I found Carrie Mills at the house. She came from Bethel to see Hattie and to stay all night. I called on Harry Bulkely in the PM and pretty much presuaded him to take a policy on his life. After tea I called to see Hattie Taylor about rebinding my overcoat and repairing it generally. 1/8 Solicited for life insurance again today. I saw [James] Selleck at Clark Beers Grocery. He has pretty much concluded to insure his life with me. I am to see him again. I called at the Jeffersonian office to see Mr. Swertfazer,the editor. I have not seen him since I came home . He lost his wife while I was away. I called on Deacon Stone about a spring bed. I am to see him again next week. Carrie Mills, from Bethel up to see Hattie, took the train for home this PM. My bundle of Life Ins. documents came by express prepaid this evening. I emptied the drawer to my secretary to put them in. Preparing a place for them took me until 11 o'clock. 1/9 Pleasant but cold. We all went down in time for Sunday School. I took Georgie after school and came home with him. It was the monthly concert, an interesting time. My first attendance since coming home from New London County on Christmas Eve. The Sundays since my coming home have been stormy. We had a trukey for supper. After supper Louise and Minnie Vintz came down for a short time. Minnie is stopping for a few days with Louise. Gussie went to church in the evening and I stayed home with Georgie. 1/10 It snowed nearly all day. In the forenoon I went to George Hull's and to Charles Andrews to get a sheet iron air tight stove for Mother Griswold. I finally selected one of Charles Andrews. After dinner I went down and arranged to have it brought up. Benjamin Rolf came up with it and I rode up with him. He and I put it up and he took her old stove in exchange. I wrote to H. A. Ellis and mailed it in the PM, renewing my invitation to leave the New Jersey Mutual and go in for the Homeopathic Mutual of NY. I made of some old stocking legs some leggings for Georgie to reach above his boots and with elastic fastened them above his knees. 1/11 Snow has melted fast. I called at the shop in the forenoon and talked with Elbert Marsh about life insurance. After dinner I took Georgie on his sled and drew him int the street and down to the Pahquioque Shop, up the R. Road and then home. I sledded down Father Griswold's lane with him twice after returning from the street. I then went into the street and took an order from Abel S. Hawley for a spring bed. I called at Lacey Hoyt & Co. to see Zerah Hoyt. The drop letter I took for George yesterday I remailed to Brooklyn. Father Griswold offered to pay for paint for my house if I will apply it. The evening he gave me an orderon A. Knox for paint. I called in the evening to see how Dr. Bulkely who is sick with the fever is. His son William is here to attend to his patients. 1/12 I mended Georgie's crib by gluing up joints in the PM. I went down to the post office and then to Pahquioque shop to give Joe White, the bookkeeper, the date when I paid Mr. Crofut the $20 toward the $80 I borrowed of him. From the shop I went to Foster Bros. Carpenter Shop and paid for Father Griswold a bill of $1.90. After dinner I went down town again and called to see George Stratton at Tweedy's [Foul] Shop about a spring bed. On my way back I stopped at Geroge Starr's Shop to see Lee Daniel Starr about insuring his life. In the evening I went into the street again. I called to see Dr. Bulkely, he is worse with the fever. 1/13 In the forenoon went down to Andrew Knox with an order from Father Griswold for paint, enough to cover my house. About noon I talked with Andrew Bedient at his Daguerreian rooms about life insurance. in the PM I borrowed O. H. Swifts horse and wagon and took 6 gals. of chemical paint up home with which to paint my house. 1/14 I commenced painting my house. I worked until noon and painted on the south side . In the PM I went into the street. I talked life insurance in Saul Hawley's Hat Factory to Saul Petit, Timothy Rose and a man living on Great Plain. I called a few minutes at Andrew Williams Machine Shop and then walked over home with him. His father is not expected to live long. In the evening Gussie went up to E. S. Davis to the Sewing Society gathering, the first time it has met at Mr. Davis' new house. I went to market in the evening. 1/15 We had snow and the fine misty rain which makes it icy. I went into the street this forenoon and before coming home called in and talked with William Warren about life insurance in the R. R. paint shop. After dinner I wrote to A. Stanley Smith, New London; George W. Kies, Norwich, Latham & Owens, Noank; and G. J. Stevens at Stonington, and also Watsons & Bidwell at Mystic River to find out how the demand for spring beds is since I came home. The above 5 places are the headquarters for the bed in the several towns. I mailed these letters in the PM and called a few minutes at William Bedient's Picture Gallery to see how he still feels about insuring his life in the Homeopathic Mutual. From there I went up to John Cosier's office on White St. and talked with him about the Homeopathic Mutual Ins. Co. I enlisted his sympathy in the matter so that his influence for the company is gained along with a desire to assist me. Then bought a little cheese for tea and came home. Gussie went to maket in the evening while I stayed at home. Louise Vintz has a party of young folks this evening. Before retiring I completed a letter to Henry A. Ellis, General Agent for the New Jersey Mutual Life Ins. Co., Norwich Conn. That with other writing kept me up until 2 o'clock. 1/16 Went down to Sunday School at noon, after which I returned with Georgie. Father came down to see us just before night. I stayed at home in the evening and Gussie went to church 1/17 In the forenoon I talked life insurance with Almon Hickok in his shop . I went into the street again in the PM and talked insurance with George Ryder and Michael Daragan in their store. When I came to tea I found Bell at the house waiting for me to cut her hair, which I did before tea. After tea I went into the street again. Our preacher Thomas H. Burch lectured this evening in Concert Hall on temperance. 1/18 In the forenoon I took my model and went up to Saul Hawley's shop to show it to John Way. I took his order for a spring bed. In the PM I painted on the south side of my house. After tea Charles E. Hayes who boards with us paid me $25.00 on the amount he owes us for board. I mailed a letter in the evening to H. A. Ellis and enclosed $6.00 to balance the account between us, this with spring beds and door springs pays the commission I was to have on the policy on my own life which if I had stayed with New Jersey Mutual I would have had. I pay the amount of my commission to him as being his just dues. I went with Gussie in the evening to F. Starr's market to have my acccount looked up and paid him $10.00 and then took out a pass book and had $6.25, the amount of our indebtedness entered and we commence to use the pass book there after. 1/19 After breakfast, I took the 1/2 gal. oil can down to Fred Starr's store for some kerosene. From there I went to Clark Beer's store and took Stephen L. Beers application for a 12 payment life policy. In the PM I went up to Saul Hawley's shop to see Lee, George and the block makers in the rear of the factory about life insurance. In the evening I went with Beers to Dr. Bulkely's office and had him examined, After which I mailed his application to D. R. French in Bridgeport, he being the general agent I work for. I wrote this PM to the Home Office of the company, 231 Broadway, NY, asking about a 10 year paid up policy whether thereafter the dividends may be drawn in cash annually if desired. Also what a 10 yr. life policy is worth in cash paid by the company to the policy holder after the payment of the annual premium. Also what an endowment will cost for a boy 5 yrs old, payable at 21 years of age. 1/20 I went down to the Pahquioque Shop in the forenoon, called at Andrew Knox paint shop for a little putty to use while painting my house and came home. In the PM I painted my paizza except the railing and floor. In the [evening] I went into the street and mailed the letter to the Homeopathic Ins. Co. asking whether a policy on 2 joint lives will be givent for a man and wife and also about the dividends on a paid up policy. I called at Clark Beers and arranged for 4 gals. of oil. After coming home I went up to Mother Griswold's for a while to cheer her up as she is not feeling well. 1/21 Worked until noon painting the railing and finishing on my piazza. After dinner I went into the street . On my way home just at night I went to Hattie Taylor's for my overcoat which she has been binding, working button holes and putting in new pockets. By the morning mail I received a letter from H. A. Ellis, Norwhich, acknowledging the receipt of $6.00 to bring him to balance of account on my policy. I the evening I went to the post office, Gussie having gone to sewing society at Walker Bartrams. Louise stayed with Georgie while I was in the street. Before coming home I went with William Bedient up into his Deguerreian rooms for a few minutes to compare Phoenix Life Ins. tables with a copy I had. Ifound them alike and he gave me his to take home. 1/22 Saturday. After breakfast I went over to the ledge to see Charles Short and his men quarry out the stone, getting the old ledge leveled down for Mr. Pond who is contemplating building a house the next season. From there I went over to John Bouton's to see his new baby, a fine boy from last Thursday night, the 20th. From there I went over to George Crofut's mill and talked life insurance to the miller. Returning, I passed over Gallows Hill around by Tweedy's factories talking insurance when I had the opportunity. I went to the post office to get a letter from the Homeopathic Mutual in reply to quesitons asked. It then being noon I came home. Before we were through with dinner, D. R. French came in from a train on the line of the Harlem Rail Road. He took dinner with us, after which we talked over many things pertaining to life insurance. I got from him some very desirable information regarding note companies. I went with him to the depot to see him off to Bridgeport on the 4 1/4 PM train. After the train left I went over to Lacey - Hoyt Hat Shop and talked with Zerah Hoyt more about insurance on his life. I am gaining ground with him and shall take an application from him before long. I came home to tea, after which I returned again to the street, Louise came to stay with Hattie Mills all night. 1/23 Sunday. I have stayed at home all day. Bell came down jsut at night and went to church in the evening with Hattie Mills and Gussie. Fanny brought from Sunday School a picture of the National Lincoln Monument for which I subscribed a few years ago, 50 cents towards exacting it. This being the price of shares which were taken all over the country for which every shareholder was promised a picture of the same. The monument is now completed and is erected in Springfield Illinois, the home of Lincoln. Many in our Sunday School subscribed to it and each received a picture. I not being at School today, Fanny brought me mine. 1/24 In the forenoon I repaired my bedstead by putting in 2 new sockets, fasteners, in place of 2 broken. I received by morning mail from the Return Letter Office, the letter I wrote from Mystic River to Henry M. Day on Nov. 24th, notiflying him when the premium came due on his life insurance policy which I hold as security for notes given in payment for store business in NY which I sold to him March 22, 1869. I bought the 2 pairs of bed fastenings of Guthrie for 10 cents. In the PM I painted the front of my house. I went to the post office in the evening and took out a letter for Bell and brought it home. 1/25 In the forenoon I called on Lockwood Olmstead's carriage shop and talked with his 2 sons, William and John, about insuring their lives. From there I went to see John W. Bussing at his Beer and Pie shop near Tweedy's factories. After dinner I wrote to the Home Ins. Office, NY, in reply to one received in the morning mail, sending me 2 blank policies for reference and complaining about my wanting more supplies for working Insurance. I received at the same time one from Mr. French in New Haven. He is just bound from there to NY and will call at the home office. In the PM I went to Bedient's Photograph Gallery, then to John Bussing again, and then to see the block makers at Paul Newley's Shop. Received [Barnes] report by evening mail, also another letter from Mr. French from NY saying that I must not be scared by what Mr. Plummer says about more documents. 1/26 Spent the day talking life insurance at the Pahquioque Shop with Victor W. Benedict and Edwin Harris, at Wooster House Stable with George Bell in the forenoon. I called to see Harry Bulkely but he was not at home. I then called on George Starr and talked a long time with him and made some progress toward insuring him for $5,000. I am to see him again. I then went down to Sherwood's store and collected $6.5o for a spring bed from Fuller. I came home to tea with a severe headache, felt better after tea. After Gussie and Hattie Mills went over to Mrs. Bradley's to attend with her a Wooden Wedding at William Porter's on River St. nearly opposite Saul Hawley's Wool Hat shop, and Louise Vintz came to stay with Georgie. I went to the post office and took a letter from the Homeopathic Life. I called at Beers Store and showed the policy to him, Stephen L. Beers, and then went up to Dr. Bulkely's office to have him take the number of the policy. I found the young Dr. out, but his father in the office for the first time since his severe sickness.He is just able to crawl about. I came home suffering extremely with headache and retired as soon as I got home. 1/27 Had the headache all night and was late in consequence. About 9 AM the express man came with 2 sings and a policy register and those books for an agent from the Homeo. Ins. Co. Annals, Annecdotes and Legends of Life Insurance, Life Agents Manual, Life Agents Vade Mecum. Before dinner I called at Dr. Bulkely's office and left the number of the Beer's policy and then delivered it to him. He will pay the money by the 1st of Feb. if not before. In the PM I took my oil can down to Beer's store for 4 gallons of kerosene oil to come out of $5.00 I am to trade out of the premium on Stephen L. Beers policy.which will have $35.17 which he is to pay in cash. I had some conversation with Henry Barry about a policy, also William Siguor and Zerah Hoyt. I called on Andrew Knox and congratulated him upon having taken out a policy on his life though he did it with Mutual Life of New York. I saw the new iron bridge on White St. which was today completed so that teams drove over it. I came home by way of New Street to pay Harriet Taylor $1.25 for repairing my overcoat. She was not in so I left $1 with her mother who could not make change and I could not pay her the whole amount. I then went again into the street and saw Harry Bulkely and tried to persuade him to take a life policy now but he wants to postpone it for a while. In the evening I called on Mr. Barry to see how his little boy is, they are afraid of scarlet fever. Mr. Barry and I went into the street together, he to Dr. Bulkely's for medicine while I tried to persuade him to be examined for an application for life insurance but he has not yet fully decided. After dinner I put one of the tin insurance signs on the front of my house. 1/28 Another splendid day, more like May than January. I worked on painting my house all day. I finished the front and made a good start on the north side. We had 2 rabbits for dinner which Gussie bought last evening. I went to the post office in the evening and called at Mr. Barry's to see how his little boy was. 1/29 It was snowing when I arose. Around 9 o'clock I went over to Hattie Taylor's to pay her the 25 cents I owed. From there I called on George Starrs shop and had quite a spirited talk with Daniel Starr and William Bouton on life insurance. I then went to the post office and got a commission from Homeo Ins Co. for William Bulkely making hime examing physician for the company. I called on William Bedient at his photographic rooms, explaining to him the joint policy for man and wife. I then called on Victor Morrell at his blacksmith shop and talked life insurance and coming home to dinner walked up West St. with him. I spent the greater part of the PM at William Bedient's rooms. He pretty much concluded to take out a policy. I went for the doctor just at night for Father Griswold, he is severely afflicted with rheumatism. 1/30 About 2 in. of snow on the ground, neither good sleighing or wheeling. I went to Sunday School at noon with Georgie. Came home with him after and left Gussie at the afternoon prayer meetingg. I attended preaching in the evening. Our female Sunday School Supt and assistant, Mrs. Bartram and Mrs. Holmes are very sick. Mrs. Bartram has the typhoid fever. 1/31 Snowed most of the time all day. In the forenoon I rode down to Bethel with William A. Bouton on a load of hat boxes. I did it in order to talk to him about insuring his life. After dinner I went into the street and called on William A. Bedient at this photograph rooms and filled out an application for a life ins. policy all except the date and signatures. I am waiting to see about his wife going in with him on a joint policy. I then went up to George Starr's shop and had a long talk with him about a librarian in the Sunday School and a little on life insurance. From their went up to see John W. Bussing, had quite a talk with him on life insurance. I went over and spent the evening with William A. Bouton and spoke with him and his wife on life insurance.
1870-01
Horace Purdy Journal, February 1870 Entry
9pgs
2/1 Tuesday. I talked in William A. Bedient's rooms on life insurance. As I started home, I saw Joseph T. Bates ath te crossing of Main St. by the post office. He wanted me to make out an application for a life insurance policy or him. Instead of going to dinner I immediately went with him to Dr. Bulkely's office and had him examined. I then filled out the application and received the first quartely premiun, $4.89, to cover risk from present time provided the application is accepted and gave him his receipt. After dinner I went to see Lewis A. Ward, the friend he referred to me. I mailed the application to the company by the afternoon mail. I called on Stephen L. Beers expecting to get from him the premium due on his policy but he can't pay until Thursday. In the evening I went into the street and saw Oscar Levine and gave him a written statement of what I knew about his farm in Iowa or what I had heard other say about it. He wished me to do this in order to use as evidence on behalf of the farm is he should have occasion to do so. Mr. Levine came home with me and stopped a few minutes in which I showed him something pertaining to life insurance. 2/2 In the morning I took a coffee and a tea pot to Charles Hull's to be soldered and then went down to the Pahquioque Hat Shop and talked with Victor W. Bedient and George Foot abou life insurance. I called in at William A. Bedient's Photgraphic Gallery. He told me he would have the application made out for him and his wife. I this evening I went over to his house on Steven Street and filled out an application blanks for he and his wife . I spoke this PM in Swift's stoe with Fed Benedict of Miry Brook about his taking out a policy. He made some inquiries into the matter and spoke about $5,000. I am to see him again. 2/3 Between 8 and 9 this morning Dr. William Bulkely and I went over to William A. Bedient's and examined his wife. We then came back to his office and there examined William Bulkely himself. It is a joint policy. After dinner I went up to Victor Morrell's to get his sister, Mrs. Miller to sign the friend certificate for Mrs. Bedient. I mailed the applications by the 4 o'clock mail. I then went down to Foster Bros. Carpenter Shop and talked insurance with Charles Bradley, Nathaniel Barnum, and others. Received a letter in the evening from Homeo. Ins. Co. saying the Joseph T. Bates application was rejected for anything except a 15 yr. endowment. That is all they would grant. 2/4 After breakfast I walked down to see Joseph T. Bates to tell him that his application for a life insurance policy was rejected. I did not find him at home. On my return I called at L. L. [Houtbell's] office and left word with him that I wanted to see Mr. Bates. After dinner I called at the Rail Road Paint shop and then went to the Pahquioque shop and spent the remainder of the day talking life insurance with Seth Downs and Mr. Belltare. Gussie went in the evening to H. B. Fanton's to the Church Sociable or the Sewing Society. Louise Vintz stayed with Georgie for me to go into the street. I spent a part of the evening with A. E. Fuller at Sherwood's Store talking with him about insuring his life. 2/5 In the AM I put at door spring in Swift & Cowan's store door to let them try it. While at Swift's I saw Joe Bates about his rejected application for a life policy. He preferred not to take the 15 yr. endowment and wanted a 10 yr. annual life if they would grant it. I think it exceedingly doubtful but I wrote by the afternoon mail to the Company about it. I received by evening mail a joint policy for William A. Bedient and wife. Amos Stebbins died today. 2/6 I stayed at home all day. Gussie went down to church at noon and in the PM and again in the evening. While at tea Father came down and stayed for an hour. After tea we went over to Robert Cocking's and made a call. I wrote to William H. Hayes, 415 Hudson St,, NY and Gussie mailed it as she went to evening meeting. 2/7 I put 2 door springs on the Billiard and Bar Room doors for Nathan Turrell. I broke one putting it on, there being a flaw in it. I left them on trial for a few days. If they suit him he will pay me for them. After dinner I took my spring bed model down to Beer's store to show Elijah Beers and Albert Miller. I then came home and wrote to Homeo. Ins. Co. for information concerning William A. Bedient's policy, the premiums being more than I expected. I mailed the letter in the PM and called in Randall & Bradley's store and talked life insurance a little. After tea I went into the street for the mail. 2/8 Commenced snowing early and continued all day. I went into the street in the forenoon and stayed until nearly noon at Randall & Bradley's store talking life insurance. I took a letter from the Post Office from David R. French from Dover Plains. He is there working life insurance and expects during this week to come my way and call on me. After dinner I wrote to Eva B. Filed and addressed Station G. I wrote in answer to one received about a week ago inquiring about some engravings she left with me to be framed when I was in NY. I went to the post office and mailed it and then wnet up to Burr Rolands and spent the remainder of the PM talking life insurance with Henry Perry, Jabez [Amiston], Alfred Heath. I went into the street again in the evening to the post office. I brought a letter for Charles Hayes from his brother William. 2/9 Heaviest snow we have had yet. I rose early and commenced digging paths at 5 ' o'clock and worked at it til the middle of the forenoon, then went down to the post office and received a letter from Homeo. Ins. stating that the premium on William Bedients policyno. 2099 was correct , $27.09. After dinner I wrote to T. E . Twitchell a friendly letter telling him how business was here, but not ordering anything. I called on George Starr before coming home to tea. After tea I went into the street and mailed the letter I wrote to Mr. Twitchell. I called at Beers store and then walked up West St. with Aug. [Kiessier]. 2/10 After breakfast I wrote to George in Brooklyn, Houston Street, 3 doors down from DeKalb Ave. I wrote speaking of the deaths of Abel Parsons' wife, Mrs. Stewart and Amos Stebbins. I also requested some money if he could let me have some. I went up to Harris L. Crofut's Carpenter Shop (in the rear of Bradley and Mansifield's Stables) to see George Barnum about life insurance. After dinner I took Gussie and Georgie up to William Bedient's Photograph Gallery to get Georgie's picture taken. After which I mailed my letter to George. Bedient this forenoon paid me the $27.09 premium on his joint policy. As Georgie and I were walking up West St., Robert Cocking and wife with some of Mr. Crofut's family were sleigh riding and Robert took Georgie up with them and gave him a fine sleigh ride about town and then drove home with him. In the evening I went to the post office and then home. Harriet Mills came back from Bethel today. 2/11 I spent a part of the forenoon in Charles Hull's tin shop talking life insurance with Peter Ambler. After dinner I called at Wooster House to see how the door springs worked which I had put on and then I went to [Frey Hoyt Ives] shop to talk insurance a little with Albert A. Stone. From there I called a few minutes on David Cosier by the Bridge and then went to William Bedient's Gallery and took 2 proofs of Georgie's picture to show Gussie how they looked. After tea I went again into the street. 2/12 I went into the street and returned the 2 proof pictures of Georgie to William Bedient to mount and finish up. I paid him for 4, $1.00, and brought home the 2 and am to wait until next week for the remaining 2. I saw Theo Lyon at Victor Morrell's blacksmith shop and talked with him until noon and then came home to dinner. After dinner I went again into the street and collected from J. C. Beers $32.80, the balance due me from Stephen L. Beers first premium of life ins. policy,. $40.17 was the premium but I traded $7.07 of it. I expected Mr. French would be here today from Dover Plains on his way home to Bridgeport but he did not come. I called on David Cosier this PM and I offered him $1 for every man he could send me that I would insure. In the evening I went to Frederick Starr's with Gussie to do some marketing. 2/13 Gussie and Hattie Mills went to 'love feast' this morning and Gussie came home after to finish her work. At noon she returned again to church and stayed in the PM. I did not go, but just before noon took Georgie up home to see my folks. We returned home about 2 o'clock. Mother and Bell are both sick but not dangerous. They have taken cold and are not able to go out, though not confined to their beds. 2/14 Monday. I went in the morning to Benedict Bros. Shoe Store and had my boot repaired. From there I went down to Foster Bros. Carpenter Shop and then to Pahquioque Hat Shop a few moments and then home to dinner. After dinner I went to Fred Starrs market and ordered half a hog sent to Father Griswolds. I then started to go up to Tweedy's factories but the rain drove me home. I bought 5 bushels of charcoal of a peddler. I wrote to D. S. Lessington, 88 South Halsted St., Chicago Ill. in answer to an advertisement in Harpers Weekly to send sample of goods free to any good energetic canvasser. I also wrote to D. R. French. Gussie and I went into the street together in the evening. I mailed my 2 letters, bought 50 cents worth of buckwheat flour and came home leaving her to do some other marketing. Henry Crofut's wife gave birth to a son about 2 o'clock Sunday morning when she went into a fit and has lain insensible since then. They have hope of her recovery. Before retiring I wrote a receipt for $40.17 for Stephen L. Beers, the first premium of his policy. 2/15 Henry Crofut's wife died last night. I went down to his factory this morning but found all the men about to go home and the shop to be closed. There was black crape on the factory and office door. I went from there up to Foster Bros. Carpenter Shop to give Harry Davis a role of Griswold's salve which he engaged a few days ago. From there I went over to the Rail Road Paint shop and talked with William H. Warren about life insurance. I called a moment at Charles Griffins Coal Office to solicit life insurance from him, but he already has a much life insurance as he wants to pay at present. I then came down to Parmalee & Sherman's store and talked ins. with Mr. Parmalee, In the meantime Spencer the druggist came in and of course the drug seller must oppose Homeopathy so I had quite a dispute as to the merits of Homeopathy and Alopathy. Benjamin White who was there took sides against me and I fought the whole crew of them. After dinner Father called, also Horace Cable. They staid nearly all PM. After they went away I went over to Abbotts [Ban] Box Shop and talked with Ed Targett on insurance. I then called n Turner Stevens and had some encouraging talk with him on the subject, and then called on E. P. Davis at his shop. I then came home, it being about 6 o'clock. Before tea, I emptied my port cask to the the salt for Father Griswold to use in packing his pork. In the evening I went to market and to the post office and got a valentine for Georgie from Elyria Ohio. 2/16 In the forenoon I went into the street, called and talked insurance with Russell Hoyt, from there called on Saul Hawley's hat shop and talked with John Beard about ins. until about noon then went to Dr. Bulkely's office and paid him $8 for Homeop. Ins. for the 4 examinations ' Beers, Bates, Bedient and wife. I then went to the post office and got a letter from T. E. Twitchell speaking of the spring bed business in general and hoping that I will work the bed again in the spring. In the PM I took some sausage meat to Fred Starr for E. E. Griswold to be ground . I talked insurance a little in Avery Raymond's store with Albert Blissard and Rusell Bevans. I then called a few moments on Bedients Photograph Gallery and then went to Mortimer Jennings Carriage Shop and talked with him and Mr. Barber who works there. I called again at Bedients and then walked up West St. with him as I came to tea. Before coming home I went up to F. Starrs and got the sausage meat I took there and brought it home to Mother Griswold. After tea I went to the post office and to the store for coffee. I called on Dr. Bulkely and got a partial list of Homeopathists from whom to solicit ins. Henry Crofut's wife was buried this PM at 1 o'clock. Gussie went to a surprise party in the evening at Henry Tobias'. 2/17 In the forenoon called at John Meeker's Hat Shop and talked life insurance a little. Received a letter from D. R. French in the morning, he having gone home from Dove Plains by way of New York instead of coming through Danbury. In the PM I went to the Danbury Bank and got a draft which I mailed to him with my report of my two first policies issued for the Homeopathic Mutual. I went to Wooster House and collected from Mr. Turrell $3.00 for door springs on put on the Billiard and Bar room doors on the 7th. Went to William A. Bedient's Photograph Rooms and got 4 more carte de visite of Georgie and came home and painted a little on my house until night. After tea I wrote to D. R. French and that I this PM mailed him a report and draft for $42.34. I went into the street in the eve and mailed the letter. Before going into the street, as Gussie was putting Georgie to bed she had to whip him severely for disobedience through the day and sauciness at the time. 2/18 Rained hard all day. In the forenoon went into the street and took the door springs off at Swift's Store, he not caring to buy them. In the PM I called at Henry Ryder's, the Assistant Assessor's Office, to see about furnishing him a spring bed. I bought a Valentine for 5 cents for Georgie to send to his cousin, Willie S. Griswold in Elyria, Ohio in return for one received. In the eve I went into the street and mailed it. I called at Gould S. Disbrow's feed store and had a talk with him on life insurance. He liked the appearance of the Homeopathic Company very well. 2/19 Only a little snow left in place. I spent nearly all the forenoon in Disbrow's Feed Store talking life insurance with Charles Wilcox. I received by the morning mail a letter for W. H. Hayes. When I came to dinner I found Joseph T. Bates at the house waiting for me. He decided he would take the 15 yr. endowment on the stock plan. He paid me $6.00 for the first quarter premium payment and wishes to pay quarterly. I wrote to the company saying he would accept the endowment. In the PM I spent some time talking with Dwight Rogers in his store. I received by the evening mail a letter from C. M. Linington, 88 South Halstead St., Chicago with a paper of needles enclosed as one of the article for which he is soliciting agents. Also received a letter from D.R. French acknowledging receipt of report and draft for amount due his company. 2/20 I did not go to church at all. Gussie went down to Sunday School at noon with Georgie and stayed until after the afternoon service. Just at night Theodore B. Bradley came over and stayed until evening meeting time when he and Charles E. Hayes went together. In the evening Gussie wrote to Cousin Eliza in California. 2/21 It grew very cold and blustery today, like March. In the forenoon I went to see Elijah Beers to get him to insure his life in the Homeopathic Mutual. He had pretty much decided to insure with Charles H. Crosby in the Connecticut Mutual of Hartford. In the PM I called to see Edmund Allen and Joseph Ives. I called a short time at the Pahquioque shop and then came home. In the evening I went into the street to hear Mr. Lord lecture on temperance at the Concert Hall. The weather being so cold and blustery few came, so the lecture was postponed for 2 weeks. While in the Hall, L. L. Hubbell handed me the receipt I gave to Joseph L. Bates on Feb. 1st for payment of the premium on the life insurance policy, which he had sent to me by Hubbell. 2/22 I talked life insurance up to Mallory's shop this forenoon. In the PM I went up to Tweedy's shop and introduced my insurance there also. After tea I went to the post office and then up to Rose Hill to see and talk life insurance with Little Ed Duning. I filled out and application for him but he does not want the policy quite yet. I arrived home around 10 o'clcock. 2/23 I spent part of the AM in the street. In the forenoon I painted on the North side of my house. Charles Hayes paid Gussie $17.00 for board at noon, leaving a balance of $27.00 yet to be collected from his employer, James Olmstead, on March 1st. This he has made payable to me and I am to call for it. In the evening I went to the post office and then to Burr Roland's Shoe Store where I sat until time to close and then came up with Mr. Haviland. I today paid $2.50 for a life insurance agent license until May 1st. 2/24 Called to see George Bell at A. Anderson's coal yard. I agreed to call tomorrow evening at his home to talk life insurance. I also called to see John White at his home on River St. but he was just getting his breakfast so I postponed business until some other time. I received the 15 yr. nonparticipating endowment for Joseph L. Bates from Charles G. Wightman, General Agent at Bristol Connecticut. After dinner I took the policy down to him. When I returned I called at George Starr's Shop and then ordered a ' cord of wood for Mother Griswold of John Wildman. I wrote and mailed a letter to Mr. Wightman acknowledging receipt of the policy and letter enclosed. In the evening I received a list of prominent policy holders in the Homeopathic Mutual Ins. Co. 2/25 Took order from Henry Ryder for a spring bed. Took George Bell and wife's application for a joint policy. Also Charles Wilcox on his life alone. 2/26 H. B. Fanton's shirt factory has burned last night, at 2 o'clock this morning. The alarm woke me about 2 ' o'clock. Charles E. Hayes and I went down and returned about 4 o'clock. I snowed just enough to whiten the ground. On account of having been up at the fire I suppose, I have had a sick headache all day. Have one a good day's work . Took an order for a spring bed from Elijah M. Beers and had 3 men examined for life insurance policies ' Charles E. Dunning, Charles H. Wilcox, and Charles E. Disbrow. In the evening I received by mail a package from Charles G. Wightman, Gen. Agent in Bristol, a package of blotters with my name on them but with a mistake in printing. Hartford is on them instead of Danbury and vicinity and Putnam County, NY. Charlie Hayes took the train to NY for spend a short time while work is dull. 2/27 Felt poorly this morning from headache yesterday and last night. Gussie and Hattie Mills went to church but I stayed home. In the evening Gussie and I went to church to hear Brother Burch preach a sermon on 'Women's Rights' 2/28 After breakfast I went up to Maple Ave. to get James M. Bailey to sign the friends certificate for Charles H. Wilcox application. Then went up to Mallory's Shop to see Ed Dunning's hair and eye color which was omitted on Dr. Bulkely's examination of him on Saturday evening. I stayed there until nearly noon. I then called on E. M. Jones at White's factory and talked life insurance with him a little and then came to dinner. I put in the Post Office for the PM mail the 3 applications. I then went down to the Pahquioque shop. Henry Reed called me into his room over Mr. Crofut's office to see about insuring James Fenning's life for our year or Seven for security. I called at Foster Bros. Shop and got 25 cents from Harry Davis for a roll of salve I sold to him a while ago. I then called at the Rail Road paint shop to talk with William Warren. He has pretty much concluded to take out a policy on his wife for $500. In the evening I mailed an order to Twitchell for spring beds for Griswold, Hawley, May, Beers and Ryder.
1870-02
Horace Purdy Journal, March 1870 Entry
9pgs
3/1 I spent the forenoon in the street working insurance. In the morning I received a letter from my Ins. Co. saying I might forward the application for Mrs. Disbrow but would not make it payable to her husband unless he insured also. I answered by the PM mail saying that he now had $2,000 on his life. I urged the company to issue the policy as this was the only condition on which he will take the policy. Just at night I took John H. White to Dr. Bulkely's office and had him examined. Filled out the certificate there and in the evening mailed it to the company. In the street this evening I saw Peter Robinson and took him into Dr. Bulkely's to be examined, leaving the other part of the application to be filled out tomorrow. 3/2 I delivered Charles H. Wilcox's policy for $500 and received the premium of $9.73. In the forenoon went down to the sewing machine factory and talked life insurance with Col. James Ryder explaining the plan and the strong points and advantages of the company. I gained his favor and acknowledgement that it was a superior company. I then called at the Pahquioque shop for a few minutes and from there to the post office and received the 3 policies, and also a letter from L. E. Twitchell with bill enclosed for 5 spring beds, my first lot sold since coming from New London last Christmas. In the PM I got Charlie Disbrow to deliver my spring beds which came by freight, to Hawley, May, Ryder, Beers and Griswold. During the afternoon and evening I put them all in. It was about 9 o'clock in the evening when I put the last one in for Henry Ryder on Montgomery St. in Granville Hoyt's house. About 5 this evening Dr. Bulkely examined George Bell's wife for a joint policy with her husband. Gussie went this evening to a surprise party at H. E. Comes on Rabbit Hill. 3/3 In the forenoon I went up to Peter Robinson's on Balmforth Ave. and took Mrs. Robinson's application for a joint life ins. policy with her husband. I received by the morning mail the policy for John H. White and a letter from D. R. French, General Agent, with enclosed permit for the State Insurance Commissioner for me to act as agent for the Homeopathic Mutual Life Ins. Company of NY. After dinner I went up to Gould S. Disbrow and took Mrs. Disbrow's application for a policy payable to her husband. I called at Mrs. E. M. Jones and got her signature to the friends certificate on Mrs. Robinson's application. Having felt sick with a headache all day and after dinner feeling worse, I kept quiet the remainder of the PM. After tea I felt better and went into the street to see George Bell about being examined tomorrow. Gussie went this evening to the auction sale of Fanton's fire damaged shirts and bought me 6 shirts nearly perfect for $3.50. 3/4 It tried to snow in the forenoon but was too cold. It moderated in the PM so that it snowed a little. Henry M. Day came in town this forenoon. I saw and had a talk with him about the money he owes me but could not get anything definite from him. In the PM I went up to Young and Ely's shop, to Mallory's . After tea I went into the street expecting to have George Bell examined but I could not find him. I deposited $18.60 in Danbury Bank for a check I sent by this PM mail to L. E. Twitchell. 3/5 I talked life insurance in Charles Chapman's shoe store in the forenoon. Young Dr. William Bulkely went up and examined Mrs. Disbrow this morning but omitted to have her sign the document so I went up before going to dinner and had her sign it. In the PM old Dr. Bulkely went up and examined Peter Robinson's wife. I mailed the joint applications by the afternoon mail. I put in a door spring for William Bedient Jr. , the artist. I did it to test it beside another kind he was using. In the evening I went in the street and did some marketing with Gussie and came home. Joseph Bates paid me today $6.84, he balance of his first quarterly payment on his 15 yr. endowment policy. 3/6 Gussie and Hattie Mills attended church while Georgie and I stayed home. After tea Georgie and I took a walk around the square to West St. by way of George and Orchard Streets. I wrote to George concerning his voting here this spring and also offered him New London and Wyndham counties for the sale of the Connecticut Spring Bed. 3/7 It has snowed all day. I received from the Homeo. Ins. Co. an extra from the Insurance Times, a statement of business of all companies doing business in NY for the year ending December 31, 1869. In the PM I mailed a letter to D.R. French at Seymour CT. I went to Concert Hall in the evening to hear Dr. Pond lecture on Temperance. It was acknowledged by those present to be the best lecture yet delivered and the audience voted unanimously to invite him to repeat it at some future time. 3/8 Sleighs tried to run but made sorry work of it. In the forenoon I went to the Sewing Machine factory to see James Olmstead to get the $27.00 left by Charles Hayes for me to draw. I got $20.00 and then came home, stopping as I got to the post office and got Mrs. Disbrow's policy from the Ins. Co. Received also a letter from L. E. Twitchell with receipted bill enclosed for the last lot of spring beds. After dinner I wrote to Mr. Twitchell and also to Starr & Farnham printers, cor. State and Main Streets, New London for the bed cut I had them use in printing my circulars. I want them to send it to Mr. Twitchell at New Haven. I also wrote to A. Stanley Smith. I then went into the street and mailed the letters I wrote and took Mr. Disbrow and his son Charlie's policy to them. Later in the PM I saw John White and gave his to him. They all paid me but Gould Disbrow who wants me to wait a day or two. Dr. Bulkely received a letter from the Ins. Office in NY to see Peter Robinson again about his pulse. So in the evening I went with him to the Doctor's office, and his pulse instead of being over 80 was 72, and expansion of chest instead of being 37' to 38' was 35' to 37'. 3/9 I went to Bethel on the noon train to talk life insurance and returned by the evening train. Received a letter in the evening mail from George answering mine about voting here in the spring, also telling me he was now at work at Straw Hat Curling. 3/10 I received a joint policy for George B. Bell and wife. I took the noon train for Bethel. Sidney Smith came up with me on the evening train. He came home with me and talked about taking the New London and Wyndham counties to sell the Connecticut Spring Bed. He left about 10 o'clock to walk back to Bethel. I bought of George Osborne in Bethel a smoked beef tongue. 3/11 I went up to the boot and shoe factory and to the Chase Carriage factory in the forenoon and talked life insurance. Rec'd by the morning mail a joint policy for Peter Robinson and wife. In the PM I delivered it and got a check for the amount of the premium, $109.40. Gould S. Disbrow also paid me the premium for his, $31.60 less $3.13 for a 1/22 [Bbl] flour. I talked life insurance with H. E Comes and Robert Sayers. George Dickens wife died this morning about 5 o'clock. 3/12 In the forenoon I rode with Peter Robinson over to Sturdevant's to talk life insurance a little with the shop hands. I rode back about noon with William A. Bouton who drives George Starrs' team. Before going to dinner I took Peter Robinson's check to the Danbury Bank. I made out my report to D.R. French and went again to the bank and got a draft for $135.88, which with my commission, examinations, balanced accounts for all premiums collected up to date. I mailed the report and draft by the PM mail. I brought home a cat just at night from Gould S. Disbrow's feed store. 3/13 Cold, blustery and snowy all day. The funeral of George Dickens' wife was to be attended this PM immediately after sacrament service at the church. But on account of the severe weather it was postponed until tomorrow. Gussie went over to Mr. Dickens in the forenoon to help arrange flowers for the funeral but returned about noon because it was postponed. I stayed at home all day and took medicine, feeling about sick myself. First appearance of whooping cough with Georgie. 3/14 There has been some sleighing today. George Dickens buried his wife from the church this PM. After the funeral I went up to Charles Chase Carriage Shop to talk life insurance. From there I stopped at the Union Hat Shop and talked with Cyrus Raymond and think I shall finally insure him. In the evening I went to market and then over to John Bouton's and made a call. 3/15 I went over to Mr. Richards in the morning and had him cut from an old pair of slipper uppers a pair of small ones for Georgie. I then brought them home for Gussie to sew together and bind. I then went down to the Pahquioque Shop and called for a few minutes also at the Railroad Repair shop and then at William A. Bedient's picture gallery. I lent Bedient $25.00. He returned it to me again this evening. After dinner I commenced paining my home again. I finished the north side and commenced on the West end. In the evening I went to the post office and received a letter from D. R. French acknowledging the receipt of my report and the draft for $135.88 which I sent on Saturday. 3/16 I started snowing very had this morning, then turned to rain. I received by the morning mail a letter from Starr & Farnham saying that they had sent by express to Mr. Twitchell in New Haven the bed cut they used in printing my circulars last fall, also giving me Mr. Crockers name and address who keeps the Pequot House in New London. I wrote to Mr. H. S. Crocker about spring beds for the hotel. I also wrote to Mr. Twitchell that if he wrote to him concerning them, to refer him to me. I then wrote another letter to George in Brooklyn. After dinner it cleared and was warm, but splashy ' the snow being soft and full of water. Before night the wind got into the north and it grew cold. Mr. Richards had one of Georgie's slippers done but it being too large he had to rip it again and make it over smaller. Mr. Pond came in about 9 o'clock in the evening to get me to go over to Mr. Warner's on West St. and sit with Marshall West who is sick until a young man named Trowbridge should come about 11 o'clock to watch with him for the night. I did so and returned about 11'. 3/17 Henry Ryder paid me $7.20 for a spring bed. I called at the County House to see Albert Sherwood on life insurance but he was not at home. Mr. Richards finished Georgie's slippers today. I brought them home before tea. After tea I gave Georgie an injection to move his bowels, they have not moved for 3 or 4 days. Gussie and I went to market in the evening. 3/18 I called at the Pahquioque shop in the forenoon where we had a good deal of talk about the school and its principal, Mr. Pond. In the PM I went up to the Mallory Shop and talked life insurance a little. In the evening I went to the school meeting in Borough Hall, but the hall not being big enough the meeting was adjourned until next Monday at Concert Hall. Consulted Dr. Bulkely about whooping cough with Georgie. 3/19 Was around town talking life insurance. In the evening was at Randall & Bradley's and talked with 2 or 3 on life insurance. 3/20 Sunday. I stayed t home. After tea Father called with a letter written by Bell to George and wished me to mail it for her. Bell is very much worse and father feels too poor to pay for a doctor. So I went for young Dr. Bulkely and sent him up there at my expense. I went up home and was there when he called. He ordered with other things Sherry wine sweetened with loaf sugar. I went to the druggist and bought a little for 23 cents. She being much reduced and debilitated requires this as a mild stimulus and tonic. 3/21 I watched with Bell last night and came home to bed at 5 o'clock. I rose about 8 o'clock and took breakfast. I then went up to Tweedy's factory and talked life insurance. After dinner, wrote to the home office of the Homeo. Ins. Co. ordering more rate books. In the evening the adjourned school meeting met at Concert Hall. James S. Taylor and his crew who has tried to make a disturbance and break up the school was totally defeated and Mr. Pond (the principle) was completely vindicated and sustained. 3/22 In the forenoon I went up town to Tweedy's factory to see some parties about life insurance. Received by morning mail a letter from George F. Howard with George W. [Kris] at Norwich stating that there is some dissatisfaction with the spring bed I sold there last fall and on that account did not wish to engage in the business. Also a letter from William H. Hayes inquiring about business for Charlie, if work had commenced. Consulted Andrew Knox about a sign for my contemplated insurance office. Called over at the sewing machine factory to ascertain about work for Charlie Hayes. In the evening I went into the street to the post office and to see what I could strike in the way of life insurance as usual. 3/23 After breakfast I went up home to see Bell. In some respects she was better, in others she was worse. From there I went down to the County House and talked with Albert Sherwood about insuring his life. He concluded to do so the first week in April if money he is expecting from the State comes. From there I went to Dr. Bulkely's office and consulted him about Bell. I got some more medicine which with his visit on Sunday I paid him $1.25. After dinner I went up home with the medicine and gave instructions about it. In the PM I called to see John Starr about a writing desk for my office. In the evening I received a letter from Mr. Twitchell about spring beds. 3/24 After breakfast I went up into the street to send Dr. Bulkely up to see Mother Griswold. I then went up home to see how Bell was. I think she is slowly gaining. I went before dinner over to the sewing machine factory to arrange with James Olmstead about sending for Charlie Hayes to be made a freeman and vote. After dinner I wrote to William H. Hayes to send Charlie up after arranging with D. P. Nichols to pay his fare up and return. Before night I moved the desk I bought of John Starr from Scofield's old store in Pahquioque block to Bedient's Photographic Gallery where I have established my office for life insurance. I came home and took a bundle of life insurance documents to the office and arranged them in my desk. I went into the street in the evening. After taking the desk I paid John Starr $8.00 for it. 3/25 Friday. Bought both red and black ink for my office. In the PM I visited Rundle & White's, also [Samuel] Holley' s wool had factory to talk life insurance. Charlie Hayes returned from New York by the evening train. A sociable at the church in the evening. The Sunday School children met and had their gathering in the PM. 3/26 In the morning I went with Charlie Hayes to the Court House to be made a freeman. In the PM I went up home to see Bell. She is getting better. I received by the morning mail two copies of agreement between D. R. French and myself. I signed them both and returned one to him. 3/27 Commenced snowing about 9 AM but soon turned to rain. Gussie had the neuralgia last night and this morning. After supper I went up home to see Bell. When I returned I went up to see Mother Griswold who is very feeble, and there is a prospect of her never being any better. 3/28 I went down to my office in the forenoon and did some writing. After dinner I wrote to William H. Hayes about an agency for new patent oil cloth. I mailed at the same time in the afternoon mail a letter to George which I wrote yesterday. After I went down to the Pahquioque shop. Business is very dull there again. I brought from the office my large bottle of ink to fill my small ink stand at home. I went to market in the evening. 3/29 I was up to Rundle & White's and Mallory hat shops in the forenoon talking life insurance a little. In the PM helped William Bedient paint his Photograph rooms where I have my office. I was at the office in the evening. 3/30 I got a pint of French brandy at Wooster House of Smith Turrell to give to Mother Griswold. Dr. Bulkely recommended us to go there in order to get a good article. It cost 81 cents. I went to Bethel on the noon train to see Sidney Smith about going to New London to sell spring beds. I did not see him as he was away from home. I came up on the 3 PM train. Father Griswold was on the same train. Dr. Bulkely came to see Mother Griswold again about 5 PM and says she may not live longer than tomorrow. Father Griswold immediately telegraphed for Edwin and for Harriet. After tea I went to the Depot to meet Harriet from New Haven, but she did not come. Received a letter in the evening from George about the spring bed business in New London and Windham Counties. Work is getting dull and he thinks he may be glad of it soon. I went to my office and wrote a reply before coming home. I also got one from William H. Hayes at Heath and Smith, 44 Murray St., New York regarding a new patent oil cloth which I requested an agency for if it could be obtained. 3/31 We were up all of last night expecting every hour that Mother Griswold would die. She had a sinking turn at 2 o'clock but she rallied and is still living now at 4 PM. Father Griswold sent me this morning to the telegraph office with a dispatch for Uncle Lorenzo Burr at Bloomfield saying that she was only just alive. Harriet Stevens came by the morning train from New Haven. I met her at the Depot. After breakfast, I went up home to see Bell. I found her sitting up and doing well. She has discontinued the medicine almost entirely, not now needing it. William A. Bedient took my picture this morning for his own use. A telegram this PM from Edwin at Erie PA. He is on his way home and will be home tomorrow afternoon. Sidney Smith from Bethel called at my office to see me about selling beds in New London County. On account of giving up the territory to George as I contemplate, I refused to send Mr. Smith.
1870-03
Horace Purdy Journal October 1864 Entry
9pgs
10/1 Saturday - Pleasant and cool. I went to the shop in the morning, but there being no work, I went home and helped Burr Bradley get a load out from his gun. In the afternoon, John Cosier and myself went hunting. We got 3 woodcock and 1 quail. I gave my share to him. Gussie and I went up to Nelson Nickerson's in the P.M. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. She came home leaving me to attend the caucus preparatory to the town meeting next Monday. I understand that the Copperheads' meeting last evening in Concert Hall was a small affair. The attendance was good. But the speaker (Bond) was a blackguard and produced no sound arguments to substantiate his doctrine. The speech was low slang and abuse of the administration. He uttered some of the foulest lies. For instance, saying in the face of Sherman's, Sheridan's and Grant's great victories that the army has never been successful and have not gained one single victory. 10/2 SUNDAY - Stormy. On account of the rain, I did not start for church until 11 o'clock. Brother Hill exchanged with the New Canaan minister a one armed man, Carroll by name, who preached for us. I stayed to Sunday School, which was slimly attended and then came home and wrote to George in the afternoon. I mailed it in the evening, also a Harper's Weekly. Gussie attended prayer meeting with me in the evening. 10/3 MONDAY - Town Election. No work in the shop. Mr. Cocking paid his rent (or rather his wife paid it for him) this morning. Cleaned my gun before breakfast or commenced and finished it after breakfast. I went to A. G. Crosby's Coal Office to see John Cosier. From there to the shop and then down to the courthouse and voted. Previous to going to the shop, I called at the car building shop at the Depot and got the ages of Manton Bailey and William Warren of their father. From the courthouse, I home by way of the Post Office and Swift's News Office. Father Griswold came home on the morning train and voted before going home. I took a nap after dinner and about 2 o'clock went to the shop for my pay. Walked down to the courthouse again with Burr Bradley and back up to John Cosier's office. From there home and picked some apples for Father Griswold. Just before going to the shop for my pay, Mr. Harris came with my barrel of cider and helped me in the cellar with it. I went in the evening to hear Major Haggerty speak at Concert Hall for Lincoln and Johnson and the Union. It was an excellent speech. He is young but decidedly smart. He was preceded by a _____ who accompanied him. Time after time, he brought down the house with great applause. A few Copperheads in the meeting and quite a number outside seemed disposed to make a disturbance but he was not one of that kind to be bluffed off and told them so. The result of our town election was a majority for us (Republican) of 184. James S. Taylor for First Selectman by majority. O. H. Swift for Town Clerk 178. 10/4 TUESDAY - Cloudy in the morning, but it finally came off pleasant. There being no work in the shop, I finished weeding my strawberry bed. I went downtown before dinner. Called at Parmalee and Bradley's store and while there, agreed with Haviland to go hunting in the P.M. I ate dinner and went down to Dr. Lacy's and got his dog. Met my comrade at Benedict's factory in West Street and started. We went up by Oil Mill Pond, through Terry's Woods and over to a little swamp near Granville Ambler's entrance to his land. We ran 2 rabbits in a stone wall and got them. I shot a High Hole and a Blue Jay. He shot a chipmunk. I took home rabbit and gave him the remainder. Burr Bradley and wife came in to spend the evening. She stayed with Gussie while Burr and I went to Hatters' Meeting. Burr came back home with me and then went home with his wife. 10/5 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warm. Gave Lieutenant Governor Averill the list of men and their ages who have come of age since entering the army in the 17th Regiment, viz. George S. Purdy, 23 years, August 13th, 1864, Mr. H. Warren, 22 years old, March 2, 1864, James S. Bailey, 23 years old, September 25, 1864, William Otis, 22 years, September 7, 1864, Theodore Morris, 21 years, October 13, 1864. Averill is to write by the first mail to Colonel Noble and get furloughs for them in possible to come home, be made freemen and vote in the coming presidential election. I came home about 11 o' clock. Walked up with John Cozier. After dinner, I finished picking beans in the garden. Hattie Gregory, a niece of Walter F. Olmstead, living neighbor to us was married this P.M at 3 o'clock at the Baptist church. She married _____. Gussie went to see them married. After which, I met her near Benedict and Nichols' store and we tried to match some oil cloth which we have but could not. After getting my papers at the Jeffersonian Office, I found some horrid mistakes in George's letter published in it. I returned to the office before they finished striking off the papers and had the errors corrected and exchanged the copies I had for some more which had been corrected. I then came home and after tea put one for George and another for his friend in St. Augustine, Mr. Arnie Allers . I also wrote a letter to George, the writing of which made me too late for class meeting. I went down in the evening and mailed the papers and letter. Called at Jeffersonian Office and showed Ashley more mistakes and laughed at him about them. Milford Ruff (sp?), an apprentice at the Pahquioque Shop who enlisted in a New Jersey regiment for 100 days returned home on a train this evening, his term of service having expired. 10/6 THURSDAY - I went to the shop this morning, expecting work, but there being none, I went up to Alden G. Crosby's Coal Office and sat a while with John Cosier. We finally concluded to go hunting. We got ready to go just before dinner, but on account of the appearance of rain, we waited until after dinner. In the meantime, we bought a wad cutter and cut a lot of wads. It continued so lowery with some fine rain that we gave up going. I left my gun at his house rather than bring it home in the rain. I came home and got 12 bushels of potatoes from Father Griswold's cellar into mine. Gussie went up to Mrs. Sanford's and to the cemetery in the forenoon. I went up for her just at night and stayed to tea. I came home with her as far as the Union Club rooms and stopped there until the cars came that I might get the news and the mail should there be any for us. The papers say that General Grant's advanced position near Richmond is strengthened. Gold went up about 3 per cent today. Smith Pulling brought me a pot of butter - 30 lbs. I not being home could not pay him. 10/7 FRIDAY - Clear and pleasant today. Had work all day in the shop. While we were drinking tea, Aunt Louisa and Mary Purdy came in. I went to the Union League in the evening. Walked home with David Bradley. Paid Smith Pulling $3.00 towards my butter bill of $15.00. 10/8 SATURDAY - Pleasant and grew cold all day. Cold as winter in the evening. Worked hard all day in the shop. The Copperheads hoisted a McClellan banner about 6 o'clock this evening. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. The evening post gives us good news of the army of the James. Butler has been attacked by the rebels but has repulsed them splendidly and drove them within their inner line of entrenchments. 10/9 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the morning. Cloudy in the P.M and evening and cold as winter. I have shook with cold all day except when close to the stove. Brother Hill preached in the morning from Acts 4:4. Sunday School prayer meeting at noon, at which Brother J. W. Nichols read to the school a letter he received from George. Sacrament in the P.M. at which Brother Crawford assisted. Martha Stevens, or rather Martha Downs, as it is now, is home on a visit with her baby and a colored servant. She was at church this morning. Mr. Cocking shot a pigeon hawk while over to Mr. Lynes' doing the chores this evening. We moved our houseplants from the piazza into the parlor just at dusk. We feared to leave them out another night on account of the cold. Mrs. Judson, Harriet Ely's mother, died. 10/10 MONDAY - Cold last night. A severe frost this morning. We finished up our work in the shop today. I got mine done at noon. There is no time set when we will have more to do. Mrs. Stone washed and cleaned our bedroom upstairs for us today. Mr. Cocking moved over to Mr. Lynes' this morning. They are to do as they did last year, hold my rooms to store their goods and live over there this winter during the absence of Mr. Lynes and family. While we were drinking tea, Harriet came in. I walked downtown with her. Called with her at Dr. Buckley's office to get some medicine. She went to Dr. Lacy's where she is now staying and I went to Societies Meeting at the church. The following trustees were elected for another year: George Starr, George Hull, E. S. Davis, Mr. S. White, Henry G. Fanton. A. N. Gilbert spoke for the union at Concert Hall. After leaving the church, I spoke with John Cosier for a few minutes at the hall. The house was filled to overflowing. We the saw Fred Jackson about going hunting tomorrow. 10/11 TUESDAY - I mailed a Harper's Weekly with two republican campaign documents to George this morning before breakfast. I went hunting with John Cosier, Fred Jackson and dog. We were gone all day. We got separated about sundown and did not get together until we met at John Cosier's. I got there first. I brought home some everlasting for Gussie to make a wreath for me. I went downtown in the evening. I came home as soon as the mail came. 10/12 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant in the morning. Cloudy after dinner and commenced raining about 4 P.M. and was raining hard when we retired. Mrs. Stone helped us clean house. We cleaned the pantry and bedrooms. I helped them all day, not leaving home until evening, when I went down to get the Jeffersonian, to market, to the Post Office and to hear Ethan Allen of New York speak for the Union in Concert Hall. I stayed but a short time, the house being too damp and cold for me not having an overcoat. I went from the Hall up to see how John Cosier stood the hunting excursion yesterday. I found him feeling first rate. Previous to going to the Hall in the evening, I called a t Dr. Lacy's to see Harriet about getting some wood for her, etc. She gave me $8.00 to get a cord of wood for her. 10/13 THURSDAY - Pleasant but windy and cool. Before breakfast, I went to the Post Office and mailed a Jeffersonian to George and called at Dr. Lacey's to get his bird dog to go hunting. The doctor having come home last night, the boy would not let him go without first seeing the doctor. And he not yet being up and I being in a hurry, did not wait. After breakfast, I took my gun and started without a dog. I went to Fish Ware, Fox Pond Hollow, Mount Tour, Long Ridge Town Mountain and home, making it about 5 o'clock when I came in. My game was 2 red squirrels, a Shide Poke, and chipmunk, the chipmunk I did not bring home. The squirrel, I gave to Mother, as I came home that way. 10/14 FRIDAY - Cooler than yesterday. I went in the forenoon to A. G. Crosby's Coal Office to see if he had any hickory wood (I wanted some for Harriet). From there, I went to the shop to see what was doing and found that they had sent a boy for me to finish a dozen brush hats. I got there ahead of the boy. The hats were not quite ready, so I went again about 3 P.M. and squared them up (they being full stiff) and cut out a dozen tips for them, ready to finish them tomorrow. Before dinner, however, I went up on Clapboard Ridge to Mr. Elwell's (sp) with Mr. Jacob Fry for a calf which he had bought. While there, I bought a bbl. Of Roxbury Russet apples for $2.25 of a man from Stony Hill, Weed by name. He had bought the apples of an orchard of Russell Hoyt I think and was gathering them. I had the pipe fitted to a stove and put it up for Harriet up home. My apples came about 5 o'clock. After tea, I went into the street, waited until the mail came and came home. 10/15 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I have had a dozen black brush hats to finish today. Mrs. Charles Brokerton called just last night to see if we had heard from the boys in the 17th Regiment. Before tea, I filled the low places between my Trope de Grand strawberries with earth. I went to market in the evening. Called a few minutes at the Republican Club Room, took a letter from the post office for Harriet and walked home with my neighbor John Green. While in the street, Henry Ely spoke of hedging their cemetery lot joining mine to give us a chance to do mine at the same time. They want to hedge theirs next week. Wallace Pine lost his child about 6 o'clock this evening. They went down to Starr's Plain to old Captain Pine's. A dog came toward the horse barking and frightened him, throwing them all out. The child struck his head upon a stone and killed him instantly. Wallace Pine is a colored man living near us. 10/16 SUNDAY - I went up home before going to church this morning to carry a letter to Harriet which I took from the post office last night and to get my lead pencil which I left there on Friday when I put up Harriet's stove. Brother Hill preached from Genesis 19:15-20. Sunday School Concert at the 1st Church in the P.M. A Mr. Pardee of New York was there. It looked so much like rain at noon that I came home and did not attend the Sunday School concert. Gussie took care of Josie in the afternoon to let Harriet go. Commenced a letter to George. After tea, went over to Bro. McDonald's to get his horse to take Gussie to the cemetery. Could not get it. He was going to use it. So I walked up alone. I found Henry Ely up there. We talked a little about hedging our lots which join. I mailed Harper's Weekly with some Republican campaign documents enclosed to George. Mr. Pardee delivered an address to their congregation in our church in the evening on Sabbath Schools. Gussie and I attended about 3 P.M. The sun came out pleasant. The evening was clear and delightful although pretty cold. I wore an overcoat in the evening for the first time this season. 10/17 MONDAY - Pleasant. After breakfast, I went up to the cemetery and dug a trench in which to set a hedge around our lot. Went up to Mr. Down's nursery with Henry and Abijah Ely to look at the evergreens for the hedge. After dinner, I went to the shop. Squared up a dozen drab brush hats for tomorrow. Got my pay and came home. I then got my stove down from Father Griswold's barn and commenced blacking it before tea. After tea, Gussie and I went downtown and bought 2 yards of oil cloth 2 yards wide for $2.25 per yard. We then came home and before retiring I finished blacking the sitting room stove and drew the tacks from the sitting room carpet preparatory to cleaning tomorrow. Father and Harriet both received letters from George today, but none for me. 10/18 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warmer today. I had the 1 one half dozen brush hats to finish today, $3.00 per dozen. I burned one which cost me. Mrs. Stone cleaned house for us today, the sitting room and the sink room. I helped her shake carpet at noon. When I came home from work about 6 o'clock, the whole neighborhood was out looking for Josie Wheeler who was lost. I immediately went searching myself. A general alarm was given by ringing the bells. He was finally found at the lower end of Main Street. Butler G. Noble, ex-governor of Wisconsin spoke for the Union at Concert Hall this evening. I went in to the street and into the Hall for a few minutes but could not stay of account of nailing down carpet and putting up a stove which I have just completed at 10 one half o'clock. Before retiring, I finished a letter to George. 10/19 WEDNESDAY - Before breakfast I went down and mailed my letter to George. After breakfast, I helped Gussie move her plants from the parlor to the sitting room. Before we finished doing it, Harriet Mills called to see us. I then called at the shop, but there being nothing to do, I went down to see if Fred Jackson would go hunting with me. He could not go, but lent me his dog. I went over to Mill Plain Swamp, to Miry Brook and to Benjamin Norris' and engaged a cord of hardwood for Harriet. I came home by way of Mill Plain and Edward Hull's to see if I could buy some apples, but could not. Bell came down while we were drinking tea to have me to go up and fix Harriet's curtains. I went down to Jackson's to take Milo home and then went up. It took me until nearly 10 o'clock to put them up. James Birdsell, being intoxicated, tried to drive his horse and wagon across the railroad bridge just below the old crib (sp) shop and was run over by the freight train going down this evening. His horse was knocked down between the ties and suspended to the timbers by portion of the harness, but was finally extricated without serious injury. I believe the man had his leg badly mangled and was otherwise injured. Dr. Bennett amputated his leg. 10/20 THURSDAY - Worked all day in the shop on 1 one half dozen drab brush hats. About 5 P.M., the bells began to ring. We at the shop supposed it to be a fire, but soon learned that it was for another victory by Phil Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. We captured 43 guns, one major-general and several thousand prisoners. We had one general killed, three others wounded. The 'Evening Post' gave the particulars. The cannon was fired about 9 o'clock in the evening in honor of the victory. I mailed the Jeffersonian and New York Daily Tribune to George. I tried to get a Post, but could not. At the Republican Clubroom, I saw Henry Ely and paid him $2.00 for Arbor Vitae trees for hedging around my cemetery lot which joins his. A load of soil was also included in the $2.00. The man who had a leg amputated last night it is thought cannot live. 10/21 FRIDAY - James Birdsell died last night or this morning from the effects of the amputation of his leg and other injuries received at the time of the accident. I went to the shop this morning, but there being no work, I went hunting. I went down to get Fred Jackson to go with me but he had just gone in company with a schoolmate. I got Dr. Lacey's old dog, Major, and hurried on to find Fred but did not. I was gone all day and got 2 quail and a robin. I went to the depot in the evening and met Mother Griswold. She has been up in Hartford County on a visit. John Cosier, who has been away for a week came home on the train this evening also. Later - John Cosier came home from his visit on the freight train Wednesday P.M. instead of this evening. 10/22 SATURDAY - No work in the shop. In the forenoon, I borrowed Mr. Lyne's horse which Robert Cocking drove into town and rode up to the cemetery to see the new hedge around our lot. After dinner, I walked up, borrowed a wheelbarrow and shovel of Mr. Day and took the dirt off our lot which was left there after setting our hedge. Gussie went over to Daniel Starr's and in the meantime and about the time I came home, Harriet Purdy came down and wanted more Belladonna and Aconite medicine. I was alarmed when she said that Mother had taken all that she took from us the other day as it was the liquid medicine from which we put only 4 or 5 drops into a half tumbler of water. I suppose there was about 30 drops of it which she put in a half glass of water. There was about the same of each Aconite and Belladonna. But instead of hurting Mother, it did her good as she is much better than usual today. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. We made a fire in our sitting room stove for the first time this evening. 10/23 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the morning, cloudy in the P.M. Brother Hill being sick, I understood that Mr. Robertson, Pastor of the 2nd Congregational Church, would preach for us in the morning, so accordingly, I went for the first tome and heard Brother Hawley at the Episcopal Church. I went to our Sunday School as usual, and there learned that Chaplain Ambler preached for us instead of Robertson. Robertson preached for us in the P.M. and I went to the Baptist church and heard Mr. Stone. George Bell and bride were there. Bell came to our house to tea. She went with us to prayer meeting in the evening and went home in company with Mr. Squire's folks. As I went to prayer meeting, I mailed a copy of Harper's Weekly to George. It had very much the appearance of rain when we retired. 10/24 MONDAY - I went to the shop in the morning, but there being no work, I went up to A.G. Crosby's Coal Office and sat awhile with him and John Cosier. John and I arranged to go hunting in the P.M. I went down to Mr. Jackson's to get his dog, but Fred had just gone hunting himself. I arranged to have the dog whenever I want him if they are not using him. He wishes me to use him as often as I can in order to train the dog. On my way home at noon to prepare to go hunting, I found Dr. Lacey's dog (Major). He followed me and I was glad to have him do so. We went over to Fish Ware and Mill Plain Swamp. We came across Henry Rider with his gun. We all three hunted together. Rider got 2 woodcocks. Cosier got 2 woodcocks and I, one woodcock and a quail. Rider wanted the quail for his wife who is sick, so I exchanged with him my quail for a woodcock. Cosier gave me his two and I gave Mother Purdy 2 and Mother Griswold 2. It rained a little before we got in. After tea, I went home and carried two woodcock for Mother, while Gussie gave the other two to her mother. 10/25 TUESDAY - Cloudy in the morning with every appearance of a storm. But after dinner, it came off beautiful. I went to the shop in the morning, expecting work but had none. I came up to Alden G. Crosby's Coal Office and finally arranged to go hunting in the P.M. with John Cosier. Crosby found me ammunition if I would give him what birds I shot. Before going, however, I arranged with Mr. McDonald and Crawford for a horse and saddle to ride in the procession tomorrow at the mass meeting. I had Old Major, Dr. Lacey's dog. I shot a quail and a woodcock and gave them to Mr. Crosby in the evening. I received 4 letters from George by the morning mail. He has been detailed from his company for a musician in a Regimental Brass Band. In the evening, I went to the Union Club Room, and to an extra session of the Union League. Before retiring, I wrote a hasty letter to George. 10/26 WEDNESDAY - A great Union Mass Meeting. The day has been beautiful. I rode Mr. McDonald's horse in the cavalcade. The speaker's stand was built on the old Fairgrounds near the cemetery. The speakers were Col. M. Depew, General Gault of Arkansas and Colonel Noble of the 11th Regiment. The procession was about two miles long. After the speaking was over I assisted to load chairs and settees and take down the arch over the entrance to the Fairgrounds. I was in consequence late home to my tea. Father came down in the evening and brought us a chicken and then went to hear the speaking at Concert Hall. I went up to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper and returned and spent the evening at home. I mailed a letter to George early this morning, also one for Gussie to Bloomfield. The procession was as follows: in the cavalcade of horsemen 250, of which 26 were ladies wagons, 305, whole number of horses, 633. 10/27 THURSDAY - Copperhead mass meeting. The speakers were ______________________. Their cavalcade numbered 66 of which 10 were ladies. Whole number of wagons 238. The day has been cloudy and a little cool. Avery Raymond brought me a barrel of apples, greenings priced at $2.25. At the same time, he took Father Griswold's cider barrel to fill for him. Fred Dunning wanted me to hunting with him, so about 2 o'clock we started. We saw but little game and shot none but the dog pointed on one quail and caught it in the grass before in could fly up. It was dark when we got home. I went into the street in the evening and mailed a Jeffersonian with some campaign documents enclosed to George. I called at the Club Room and at Swift's News Office to wait for the train which was quite late. There has been a Republican Mass Meeting today at Bridgeport, and I learned this evening since the arrival of the train that it was a success and a grand affair. The Copperheads are holding forth this evening at Concert Hall and are applauding with great earnestness expressions like the following. This is a wicked, unholy and infamous war and never should have existed. 10/28 FRIDAY - Stormy, no work in the shop. Bought a hat for George's friend, the postmaster at St. Augustine, Mr. George Cole, price, $5.00. I sent it by mail; the postage was 78 cents, weighing 13 ounces at 6 cents per ounce. I put it in a band box. I wrote a letter in the evening to Mr. Cole about the hat and enclosed the bill - $5.78. I wrote to George also, stating that I had mailed the hat to Mr. Cole. Fanny came home on the freight train this evening from Hartford County. She brought me 2 dozen of Griswold's Salve. 10/29 SATURDAY - No work on the shop. I went hunting in the afternoon with John Cosier. We went up by Philo Wildman's and nearly to Neversink Pond. We came home down through Tamarack Woods and by the cemetery. I got 4 quail, John got nothing. I gave the birds to Alden Crosby for the powder and shot he bought for me for that purpose. I had Mr. F. G. Jackson's dog, 'Milo'. Gussie went with me to market and to take Milo home in the evening. While we were hunting, it rained for a while and we got pretty wet. 10/30 SUNDAY - Brother Hill preached in the morning. Harriet attended Methodist meeting in the forenoon to tell me to get a team if I could and come for Mother at noon and take her to church. I got Thomas Lyon's horse and did so. A Mr. Buckley, who has been preaching at the 1st Church preached for us in the P.M. Lt. Colonel Moegling of the 11th Connecticut Volunteers was buried from the 1st Congregational at 2 P.M. I did not go out in the evening, retired early. We have had sunshine and clouds during the day, but no rain. A special train from Norwalk bringing Norwalk Military Company and Masons to Mr. Moegling's funeral. 10/31 MONDAY - Pleasant. I have had work all day in the shop. I worked as long as I could see and longer too to finish off my dozen and get out of the way of the other men as these are to be numbers for the blocks tomorrow. Mrs. Stone did three weeks' washing for us today, she not being able to come last week as usual on account of her being sick. They have been making Freemen at the Courthouse today. I brought home an old paper box from the shop and cut into gun wads after tea. I went to market for Mother Griswold in the evening and called at the clubroom to hear the evening news. The news is that the official news of the Pennsylvania soldiers' vote is 12,000 for the Republicans. The horse trainer has been here today. He gave a public exhibition in the street.
1864-10