Horace Purdy Journal January 1905 Entry
8 pgs
JANUARY 01 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 36. A beautiful morning. Mary attended church this morning. I wrote a postal to Clara Watkins for her, wishing her to answer one sent recently to her. Just before doing my barn chores, I called across the street to see how old Mr. Hickok is doing. He is gradually growing weaker; he can’t last long. He is liable to drop away at any time. JANUARY 02 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 26. Last night was a beautiful starlit one and the sun rose with a beautiful red, but it soon began to cloud over and about 11 o’clock, it began to rain. News by morning papers of the surrender of Port Arthur. After George arrived this morning from Bethel we changed from sleigh to wagon and I drove downtown and mailed a policy and calendar to Henry Supple at Brookfield. Then I delivered a policy and collected from Henry Beradi; also delivered a policy to Morelock & Husk and then returned new pension certificates and vouchers for next month’s payment to Andrew Bell on Lake Avenue. Alexander Lee called in the PM for a calendar. Catherine Ryan came in also in the PM and paid for her furniture insurance. In the evening, I made up the accounts for the Sun and Reliance and sent a check in each and mailed them before I closed the office at 9 PM. JANUARY 03 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 35. Rainy. In the forenoon, I went over to Meadow Street and arranged for the renewal of Booth Radcliff, Howard Bradley and O. B. Sanford. I made a new case of insuring Joseph Knowlton’s market. In the PM, the widow of Rufus Rice called and started papers in application for a pension and about dusk called again to say that her son, unbeknownst to her commences proceeding for the same with Captain Quien. In the PM, I went up to Balmforth and had George Bard make up his proof of loss for the fire on Christmas Day. I wrote to J. H. Searle ordering pension supplies and enclosing a postal order for $1.15 in payment of same. M. Daragan gave me a check for $20.50 for insurance on his block. I made a deposit and added to same a $300 note which was discounted for three months. I received from the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company cash of $.89 in a letter as being the amount overpaid of the October balance. JANUARY 04 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 10. A regular blizzard. Snow and wind. I dug out to the office and bar before George came from Bethel which was about 9:30 AM, when he brought ½ dozen tire bolts and we used one of them to repair the spindle buggy, after which we finished shoveling the snow paths. At noon time, Eugene Hyatt came in and had his pension voucher executed and sent to Charles Orr, US pension agent at Buffalo, NY where he draws his pension. After dinner, while digging a path from curb to street (task of about 5 minutes), Fred Bevans came along and insisted against my wishes to help me shovel. I said now and he said yes. When done, he wanted to borrow $.25 cents, just as I expected; he did not get it. I went up to O. B. Sanford’s to deliver a furniture policy but as no one was home, did not succeed. I then called at George Bard’s for my fountain pen which I left there yesterday while making up his proof of loss. On my return, I stopped at Bryant’s and had him touch the regulator and set my watch. Mrs. Selleck stopped about 5 PM for their 1905 calendar. JANUARY 05 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – zero. Pleasant and cold. A letter from the Equitable declining the application of Anne Regan. Letter also from W. Furness wanting more particulars about the small loss of John Greeley under the Greenwich policy reinsured by his company, the Commercial Union. Before dinner, George went with me to deliver O. Sanford’s policy and arrange for renewal of Mrs. Spencer, Lottie Cowl and Howard Bradley. After dinner, I wrote for Mrs. Hawley a letter to the teacher s pupils of room 14 of the New Street School, acknowledging the receipt of a Christmas box from them. After doing my barn work, just about dusk, I went downtown, mailed a reply to W. Furness, went over to the Bates place and arranged with Mrs. Spencer for renewal of her furniture policy, then went over to Sarah Austin about change of store to dwelling and a reduced rate therefore. Fannie Hirsch called this evening. JANUARY 06 FRIDAY – Mercury at 6 AM 10. About 2 inches of snow during last night and it has continued moderately during the day. Mr. Beeman rode with me about an hour before dinner to collect from O. B. Sanford and a balance from William Conklin. I delivered a store policy to Joseph Knowlton at 56 White Street and got another bottle of liprozene at Doran’s, after which Mr. Beeman looked at some weather strips for his doors and then we came home. In the afternoon, I walked up to Dr. Sunderland’s to show him a stone from my bladder dragged out with a catheter while drawing my water. From there, I went over to Rundle & White’s to talk about the Sun policy I wrote for them for which they paid by way of Herbert Wildman from whom I am unable to collect, but they were not at the factory. I then called on Fred Seymour and collected $5.00 on his insurance, then went over to the Bates place and got Mrs. Spencer’s name. It is Mary Catherine Spencer. I then called at the village store and got a pound of butter and arranged with Doran for 6 more bottles of liprizene for $5.50. I called on Frank Ives but collected nothing. I arranged with insurance inspector Howe to make minimum rates on Sarah Austin’s building at 234 White Street. George Harvey called this AM and arranged for the renewal of his Steven Street property and paid the premium. After supper, I went over to George Purdy’s to give him Dr. Sunderland’s and my order for coffee for which George will send the order to Mrs. Kimball. From there, I went over to Orchard Street and left a big figured calendar for Mrs. Jennie Townsend. JANUARY 07 SATURDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 45. The storm turned to rain last night and continued all night with which the melted snow has given us quite an addition to the city water supply. It cleared away giving us bright sunshine before dinner, the clouded over again about 2 PM. In the forenoon, I delivered two polices - Agricultural and Sun - to Flint & Smith on the Danbury News Plant. I collected of Joseph Knowlton on insurance for his store. After dinner, John Greeley came in and signed the proof of loss which occurred December 26 for the amount of $5.00 which I mailed to special agent W. Furness at Boston. George this forenoon helped Mr. Beeman put weather strips on his door. John Loricko called this PM for a calendar for himself and Mrs. Mary C. Spencer. William Hickok arranged and paid for furniture insurance this PM. I stayed in the office all the PM until 4 o’clock when I went to market for oysters for our Sunday breakfast. JANUARY 08 SUNDAY – Mercury at 7 AM – 25. Clear and colder. The melting snow of yesterday had now turned to ice with sufficient to hold the sleighing if renewed in a few days by a couple of inches of new snow. We had stewed oysters for breakfast. Silvio Cresci sent his boy over this morning to pay his January rent. I mailed a calendar to W. S. White at Great Plain. I also mailed Rufus Rice’s pension certificate to his son Harry for use with Captain Quien who is getting a widow’s pension for his mother. Before doing by barn work about 5 PM, I went over to see how Clark Hickok is doing. He had an uncomfortable night last night and a more comfortable day today by sleeping most of the time. His life apparently is fast ebbing away. In the evening, we attended the Baptist church to hear the evangelist F. Shepardson; we liked him. JANUARY 09 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM - 18. A pleasant morning. Received by the morning mail a package of pension blanks from J. H. Soule, publishers of same as per order of January 3. Mr. Beeker made us a call in the PM. I drove up to Millard’s shop to notify Mike Regan that his mother was rejected for insurance by the Equitable Life Insurance Company on account of family history. I delivered a policy to Lottie Carol and collected $2.00 of Frank Verra. I then looked at a storage building on the McArdle place 51-53 Main Street in reference to anticipated storage of furniture for Arthur Stowe. In the PM, I delivered and collected a policy to Mrs. Mary Spencer and started to drive to Stony Hill to arrange for the renewal of Mr. Vail, but finding so much bare ground in making Beaverbrook, that I found it not advisable to attempt going in a sleigh and returned. JANUARY 10 TUESDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 28. About a half inch of snow fell last night. Received by the morning mail a draft for $15.00 from the Sun to pay the loss of George Bard. I drove over to John Vail’s in the AM to arrange for the renewal of his insurance on the 13th instant and returned at noon. On my way over, I gave S. W. Bradley the bags he brought potatoes in to Harry Biddescombe. On my way home, I saw Mortimer Rundle on Elm Street and told him that I had got through fooling with Herbert Wildman about the $100 premium on their policy and should make somebody trouble. After dinner, I mailed a legal 5-days’ notice to Rundle & White and registered the letter. Before going to Stony Hill this morning, Arthur Stowe came in and signed a return premium receipt for cancellation of Reliance policy No. 129762 that we may rewrite a policy covering his furniture store in another location. About 4 PM, I called on Mrs. Regan on Foster Street to see if she could give me more information on her parents, the lack of which rejects her for insurance in the Equitable. Not being at home, I made the trip for nothing. Old Mr. William Lyon died today in Orchard Street at his daughter’s. JANUARY 11 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 20. A mixed and partially cloudy day but no storm. I went up to Mallory’s shop in the morning and arranged for the renewal of Charles Pierce’s furniture policy. After dinner, I mailed a letter to the Sun regarding the cancellation of the Rundle & White policy on account of non –payment of premium to me by Herbert Wildman. I bought meat at Joe Knowlton’s and sent it home .I took the receipt from the postal card from Rundle & White’s cancellation of Herbert Wildman’s broker policy. I called at Daragan’s shoe store for shoes for Mrs. Dean. I then called on Ann Regan at 5 Foster Street to find out if I could more about her family history, ages of her father and mother at death, etc. in the matter of life insurance. I sent a pension certificate by young Mrs. Griffith to Melissa Griffith. While we were at supper, Fred Vail called and arranged for the renewal of their policy in the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company on the 13th instant. After supper, I went over to brother George’s and carried a calendar for him to give to L. Robinson, a shop mate of his and a customer of ours. I brought home a pincushion Sarah has been making for me. On my return, I found the house locked, Mary and Mrs. Hawley having gone to the Baptist church to hear “The Rocking Chair Evangelist.” I called for a short time on our neighbor, Mr. Rogers. JANUARY 12 THURSDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 32. Rain. I spent the forenoon in the office. I looked up the State Mutual Life Insurance of Mass. to make comparisons with the Equitable for use with George in George Bedient’s case who is contemplating life insurance and is considering the State Mutual with Hodge. William Harris from Miry Brook called about 3 PM for me to go out there tomorrow morning and insure his property, formerly the George Allen place. About 4 PM, I went downtown and came home by way of Stevens Street and delivered a policy to Jennie Bratton, endorsed transfer and then delivered the policy to Thomas Ferry on Cherry Street and returned to James Newton his policy with loss endorsed therein. I then called on V. V. Morrell who is sick with La Grippe. After supper, I took a car over to Sarah Austin’s on White Street to get her policy for cancellation and rewriting at minimum rates. On my return, I went over to brother George’s for coffee which arrived from New York on Friday. Old Mr. William Lyon’s funeral was attended this evening at his daughter’s on Orchard Street. His remains will be taken to Southport tomorrow for burial. JANUARY 13 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 28. Pleasant and growing colder. Received by the morning mail a check for $5.58 from the Commercial Union for payment to John Greeley for loss under his Greenwich policy which occurred on December 26. Also a letter from the Sun Insurance office justifying our action in the Rundle & White cancellation matter vs. Herbert Wildman and referring the matter to Special Agent Hatch to instruct in the matter. About 10 AM, Mr. Beeman went with me over to Miry Brook to take insurance from Mr. Harris on his property. From there, we came home by way of Dewey’s Inn and returned to Mrs. Ada Bradley her policy with endorsement of loss on same. After dinner, I went over to Sarah Austin’s at 234 White Street to get her release of old policy prior to writing a new one on the same property but did not find her at home. On my return, I called at the Express Office for the Pig Model for brother George which came to him with no card explain who it was from or what it was for, on which account, thinking mistake had been made he returned it, but since receiving a letter explaining and as designating him as being the proper recipient. On my way downtown, I met Emil Popke and took an order for $1,000 furniture insurance at 55 Jefferson Avenue. The stamp clerk returned the D. R. of John Vail for correction on the rate for tobacco. I think we is wrong and we are correct in this matter. I tried this PM to see him and adjust it but could not find him. In the evening, I went over to White Street again to have Sarah Austin sign a return rate premium for cancellation of insurance, which she did and before retiring, I mailed it to the company. John Greeley came in the evening and signed a receipt for a draft for $5.50 for a loss at Christmas time. He did so and I cashed the draft. I retired at 10:30. JANUARY 14 SATURDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 16. Pleasant. A break in the water main in the street near my driveway which they commenced to repair this morning and shut the water off in consequence. An overlooked October accident account with Loomis & Nettleton, I made out this morning and enclosed a check. I made a bank deposit. Mrs. Mary Osterhaut called just at dinner time and paid for furniture insurance. Charles Bevans called in the PM and wanted to borrow $2.00; I did not lend. Mrs. Hawley rode with me downtown about 4 PM to do our Sunday marketing. Mrs. Jennie Townsend called in the evening and paid her insurance. George and Sarah came over in the evening and George and I called on Mrs. Gross to have her read the German instructions on how to make a hedgehog from a clay pig sent to him from New York. I called to see Mr. Hickok in the evening. He is dying; every hour may be his last. Mina Dean called in the evening. A. H. Hawes called in the PM and we settled about the rate on the tobacco in John Vail’s dwelling, wood house and wagon house. I endorsed the loss on the Greely policy. JANUARY 15 SUNDAY – Mercury at 7 AM – 8. Pleasant and cold. Mr. Hickok died this morning at 7:20. Mary attended church this morning. Lottie and Julia Hirsh came from Sunday School and took dinner with us. After dinner, I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s and he examined the pocket, i.e., the opening which never fully closed in my scrotum where he made an operation about two years ago. There being nothing serious about it and no trouble, not even any inconvenience, he says to leave it alone; it will do no harm. The children returned home by trolley at 4:30 PM. While at Dr. Sunderland’s he paid me $4.20 for coffee which George Purdy ordered for him for New York. We called a few minutes over to Mr. Hickok’s about 4 PM, his father now a corpse in the house. I then went down to Dr. Clark’s and left Ann Regan’s application with the doctor’s examination (a copy) for him to go over again and write to the Equitable life Insurance Company, explaining further in the case. As it stands now, it is not satisfactory to the Company. In the evening, we went over to brother George’s and spent the evening and gave him the $4.20 from Dr. Sunderland for coffee. JANUARY 16 MONDAY – Mercury at 6 AM - 18. Pleasant. We wrote up Rebecca Warner; also one for George Stevens & Son on John Green and delivered both; also one to James Doran. After dinner, I went downtown and had my hair cut by Silvsestri and called on Fred Seymour to collect on account of his furniture policy but did not succeed; collected $2.00 from Frank Verra. Mary went out this PM for a call on Aunt Sarah Boughton. The 5 days legal notice of the cancellation of the Rundle & White policy expires today of which we have heard nothing. George Purdy came over with his clay pig to exhibit it to Mrs. Gross who last Saturday evening translated the German instruction on how to make a hedgehog of it. He also brought me a check for $16.00 to the Larkin Soap Company for Emmaline Glaus’ soap order. I today got the last three bottles of liprizene to make a half dozen for $5.00 of James Doran on account of his store insurance on furniture and fixtures. JANUARY 17 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 22. Pleasant. After George arrived from Bethel, I drove down to Dr. Clark’s to see about a letter he was to write to the Equitable in the Ann Regan case, but found that he was away from home. I then drove up to Hoyt Street and delivered a policy to Charles Pierce and collected the premium. I also delivered one to Flint & Smith and left Adelia Dean’s policy at the Union Savings Bank. I got a calendar of E. E. Hamilton for Mrs. Hawley. I came home, put up the horse and then went downtown to do some marketing. After dinner, I went over and reviewed the insurance of Clark Hickok. His funeral was attended at 2: 30 PM at which I was a pall bearer. After supper, I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s with a calendar and delivered his quarterly renewal for standard accident policy for $5,000 due tomorrow, after which I took the trolley over to Samuel Hayes on Meadow Street and arranged renewal of his house insurance and arranged for an increase from $1,800 to $2,500 on same and gave him a calendar. I met J. Holton on the car. He has given up his hat store in Bridgeport and returned to Danbury and is working at hatting again, now at Mallory’s. On the way over to Mr. Hagen’s I met Herman with Lottie and Georgie. I gave an old pension certificate of Sarah Cromwell to William Knowlton. JANUARY 18 WEDNESDAY – Mercury at 6AM – 20. Pleasant. In the forenoon, I delivered policies and arranged some renewals. After dinner, Fannie called and she rode with me up to Millard’s store to see Mike Regan. She then took a car to do some trading. I gave Mrs. Hawley a pitcher of cider for mince pies. I wrote to George VanFleet at New Haven for some medical examination blanks for the Equitable and mailed it in the evening. I then went up to Dr. Sunderland’s with Mary, but he was not at home, being out for the evening if not for the night attending the doctor’s banquet at the Turner House. JANUARY 19 THURSDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 32.Pleasant in the morning, but some indications of a coming storm. George brought in the Sarah Austin Connecticut policy cancelled and rewrote on the 13th instant at minimum rates for 3years which policy we today mailed to her. In the PM, I received (after mailing the policy to Mrs. Austin) a note from her to write the same for one year only. Before dinner, I rode over to E. S. Fairchild’s to ascertain about the mortgagee in the Hambridge policy. After dinner, Josiah Day called to make an application for an increase in pension under the old age order. I wrote to Special Agent Hatch of the Sun for further instructions in the Wildman and Rundle & White matter. Just before supper, I went up to Mrs. Mary Maybie’s to deliver a $2,500 policy in the Agricultural Insurance Company. James Patilla called in the evening to have his furniture policy transferred from the Bates place to his own dwelling on 246 White Street. Mary this evening attended our special revival services at the church. Office work prevented me from attending. JANUARY 20 FRIDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 34. Pleasant. I rose early and met Josiah Day at the Post office about 9 AM for his signature on an application for an increase in pension on account of old age erroneously signed last evening. He did so in the presence of George as notary. I called on Stamp Clerk Hawes regarding furniture insurance for Mrs. Turner at Plum Trees in a frame dwelling. I then rode up to Morelock & Rusk and got a check. On my return, I stopped at Rundle & White’s to talk over the Herbert Wildman insurance matter. Not being in their office, I met George Rundle as I was going away and had a talk with him. In the PM, I delivered a policy to George Andrews on his store and he paid one dollar on account. Just before supper, I delivered a policy to Francis Benedict and collected the premium. I mailed the application of Josiah Day for an increase in pension on account of old age to the commissioner of pensions. The son of Fred Vail called this evening for their fire insurance policy in the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company. JANUARY 21 SATURDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 2. Fairly pleasant in the morning. It gradually became cloudy and after dinner, began to snow. As soon as George came from Bethel, I drove over to Mrs. Sarah Austin’s on White Street, but had to go to the Danbury Hat Factory to see her about changing her policy recently written for three years to a one year policy. From there, I came home by way of Liberty Street and collected premium from Adelia Dean for store and dwelling insurance policy, then did some marketing and came home. I found the son of L. Foster Lyon at the office talking life insurance with George. I made up a deposit and went to the bank with it before dinner. Mrs. Dwight Camp called with Mr. Camp’s tobacco policy for cancellation, he having sold the tobacco. About tea time, Arthur Booth called for his furniture policy and paid for same. Saul Hager called and paid for his policy which we left at the Danbury Savings Bank today. Also Augusta Popke sent a $3.00 balance on her policy due on her insurance since last September. Old Mrs. Depew, mother- in-law of Hart Purdy, died this morning. JANUARY 22 SUNDAY – Mercury at 7 AM – 30. It snowed moderately during last night and continued gently until noon. The sun came out in the afternoon. I went to the Post Office at noon, got the Sunday Press and then called on cousin Hart Purdy, where the remains of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Jane Depew lie. On my way home, I met Carroll Rider. He has a similar case with Frank Benedict as I have with Herbert Wildman on a broker policy with Rundle & White. We, of course, could confer and sympathize. The weather is mild and if it continues with sunshine tomorrow, the 4 inches of snow we have will disappear. In the evening, I wrote a letter for Mary to Clara Watkins. JANUARY 23 MONDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 7. Clear and cold with a prospect of a few day’s sleighing from the 4 inches of snow and the cold to hold it. I hitched the sleigh and drove to Dr. Clark’s about 9 AM to get his letter to Dr. Curtis (head medical man of the Equitable) regarding the Ann Regan rejected case. He promised to write it for me today. I the collected $5.00 on account from Fred Seymour; also $4.50 from William Repola as per agreement. I drove up to 15 Summit Street to see about the renewal of W. Warden, but found that he had gone up to Great Plain. On my return, I took in Mr. J. S. McCullum’s daughter, Edith and gave her a sleigh ride to her dinner on 21 Pleasant Street. I attended the funeral of Mrs. Jane Depew at cousin Hart Purdy’s. Frank Loper called in the PM to see what it would cost to insure household furniture. He wanted a calendar, but we had none left. JANUARY 24 TUESDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 9. Pleasant but cool. George brought from Bethel this morning a case to write for Louise Turner, grass widow (Ed. Note – A woman who is divorced or separated from her husband or an abandoned mistress) of Irving Turner, $500 on her furniture in the house of George Lawlor in the Plum Trees district. Received from the Commercial Union Greenwich policy, the Pitella endorsed policy. Great excitement and many lives lost shot down by soldiers at St. Petersburg, riots and great bloodshed and promises to be the commencement of a Russian Revolution. In the morning, I went over to Rundle & White’s factory and talked over the insurance policy of $5,000 I wrote on the 26th of last May for Herbert Wildman. I made a compromise proposition to them and am to see them tomorrow morning for their reply. Just before dinner, Mr. Beeman rode with me, first to Clarence Morgan’s for him to order some coal, and the with me to Great Plain to see Mr. William Warden about renewing his furniture policy. He has no occasion as he has broken up housekeeping. As I went, I saw George Morgan about the renewal of his policy. After dinner, I went over to John Parslow’s and collected $16.80 for insurance on two dwellings, no. 5 and 7 Williams Street. It has snowed moderately and in a squally way since the middle of the forenoon. I remained in the office for the remainder of the day. JANUARY 25 WEDNESDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 14. Snow and wind last night, giving us a blizzard this morning. George arrived from Bethel about 8:30. I went over to Rundle & White’s about 10 o’clock and arranged the Herbert Wildman insurance matter by cancelling the present policy at 8 months and rewriting the $5,000 direct from Rundle & White. A continuing blizzard all day with about 18 inches of snow up to 5 PM. I stayed in the office in the PM. I substituted cut paper No. 34 in the office door until a painter can put them in properly. I also busied myself changing No. 18 to No. 34 on envelopes. JANUARY 26 THURSDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – zero. Clear and very cold. Everything buried in snow. The drifts are waist deep in some places. It is difficult to find an even place to measure as to depth, but there must be about 1 ½ feet of snow on a level. I shoved the snow path except for the front walk which George completed when he arrived about 10 o’clock from Bethel. Just before dinner, I went over to the Rundle & White factory and delivered the $5,000 policy as per agreement and took up and cancelled the one which had been in force for 8 months. The same being in adjusting the Herbert Wildman broker policy which he appropriated the premium of $100 much to the discomfort of Rundle & White and myself. The James Shelby piano policy came to me this PM to increase the same from $250 to $325 which I did as requested and mailed the policy with a bill to Mr. Shelby at New Milford. I gave the same to Postman Phil Owen to be mailed about 4 PM. About 5 PM, I took a trolley car to go over to 234 White Street to see Mrs. Sarah Austin about making the policy written on the 13th instant a one year or longer term. She decided to have it for one year. I took it away with me to make it as directed. I returned home about 6:30. On my way, I met Howard Betts and arranged for the renewal of his policy tomorrow. JANUARY 27 FRIDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 8. We finished the snow shoveling were unable to do yesterday. I wrote to Judge William Conley, attorney for Mrs. Austin, also for Alice Jennings, mortgagor for Mrs. Austin for her signature with that of Mrs. Austin in release of the cancelled policy. I also wrote the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company explaining and endorsing the cancelled policy and with the same sent a check for $66.00 for the November balance. After dinner, I went over to Mrs. Eugene Selleck’s to ascertain if possible about Rollo Goodell as to his whereabouts, the situation of his farm property which he has apparently abandoned, etc. Mary went over to brother George in the PM. Fanny and little Julia called for a few minutes early in the evening, after which about 7 PM, I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s with Mary. On the way, I mailed a letter to the Flint Building Company of Providence, R. I. about the Rollo Goodell mortgage. On her way home from work tonight, Mrs. Virginia McKnight called for two Metropolitan Life Insurance Company calendars which I promised her. JANUARY 28 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 28. Just a little flurry of snow last night but the moon shone bright early this morning. I wrote Herbert Wildman this morning notifying him that we had cancelled the Rundle & White policy in self-defense, them and us assuming the loss until at such time he returns the $100 premium to them. About 10:30, I went over to the D. G. Renfield Company and delivered policy of $3,000. On the way, I stopped at Rundle & White’s and told them that I had notified Herbert Wildman that their policy had been cancelled and that the return of the $100 premium to Rundle & White was in order. I got the New York Press, made some purchases at the Village Store, ordered oats and bran of C. W. Keeler and came home. George brought us a chicken from Mrs. Becker at $.18/lb. The oats and bran order came in in part about 5 PM – 100 lbs. Of bran but only one bag of the four ordered of oats. JANUARY 29 SUNDAY A clear cold morning; mercury at noon about 24. I went to the Post Office and for my paper at noon. After dinner, I went down to Dr. Clark’s for the explanatory letter to Dt. Curtis at the Equitable office concerning the Ann Regan life insurance application. I caught him and obtained the letter. After which, I mailed the endorsement of transfer of Jane Depew’s transfer of policy to the Agricultural Insurance Company. I attended church in the evening with Mary to hear the revivalist Henry Delany. JANUARY 30 MONDAY – Mercury at 6 AM – 14. Hazy in the morning with the appearance of snow. Before Dinner, George went with me driving for the collection, etc. of Lottie Cowl, Frank Verra and Wallace Williams. We also drove up to Elroy E. Boudry’s at 40 Westville Avenue to see about the renewal of furniture insurance in the Danbury Mutual Company; we find that it expires on February 20. Sarah Keeler called at noon and I paid six months’ interest from last May to November 1904 on my $100 note ($2.50). I this morning mailed Dr. Clark’s letter (in the Ann Regan case) to George VanFleet to forward to Dr. Curtis to whom it is addressed. Just at night, I went over to Mrs. Keeler’s on 39 Stevens Street and endorsed the interest paid to November 1904 and came home by way of Main Street. The afternoon has been pleasant. Mrs. Tosi came in about 76 PM and paid their February rent. JANUARY 31 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 14 below. The coldest morning thus far this winter. Wrote a policy this morning for N. T. Buckley on the C. H. Merritt shop in the name of North American Hat Company in the amount of $5,000 in the Sun. Also on the estate of Margaret Sprague on a barn on the Agricultural Insurance Company and left the same at the Danbury Savings Bank, both being for February 1st. We also ordered supplies of the Reliance. Mrs. Branch came in after dinner and paid the rent. About 3 PM, I went downtown for some errands and got a rate on Stevens’ market, 1.7% to insure Michael Darak who keeps meat in ½ of the store. I bought a piece of pork for George S. at the Village Store and left it at his house on my way home. I also engaged ½ ton of hay at A. H. Barnum’s to be bought tomorrow. At his place, I telephoned to C. L. Morgan to bring me furnace coal tomorrow. Mrs. Hawley called a few minutes in the evening. Also Mr. J. Herbert Holton called for one of our agent calendars, but I had not one left.
1905-01
Horace Purdy Journal March 1866 Entry
16pgs
MARCH 01 THURSDAY - Cloudy all day, a slight flutter of snow for a few moments in the forenoon. I worked until about two o’clock and came home sick with a severe headache. Gussie received a letter from Josie Dare from Bethel. I retired about 7 o’clock, not feeling able to sit up. MARCH 02 FRIDAY - Cloudy in the morning, but the sun shone in the P.M. I worked hard all day in the shop, having a part of yesterday’s work to do today with what I had today. I talked with Frank Butler in the P.M. about John Brayman. Martha Case has spent the day with Gussie and cut a dress for her. Gussie went to meeting in the evening and I stayed at home. Louise came down and stayed with Georgie while I fed the horse and did my writing, etc. Henry Hurd went to the altar for prayers this evening. MARCH 03 SATURDAY - Cloudy and misty all day. We had just about ½ a day’s work, one dozen. I finished mine before eating my dinner which I carried with me. I saw Gussie in the street as I was coming home. She had been to the dyers for Josie Dare. She called at Mrs. Swift’s and I came home. I saw David Mills in the street. He was on business with William T. Barnum regarding his pension which he has finally got. I borrowed Seth Down’s saddle before tea and rode up home to see Mother. The roads are very muddy. It was hard work for Old Jim to get through the mud with me. Mr. Olmstead, who lives on the old Huntington place came down to get the horse to draw Maurice to the cemetery, but upon taking him out from the stable was afraid to use him on account of his lameness which always disappears after using a short time, it being the effect of a sprain. I went to market in the evening and got some oysters. MARCH 04 SUNDAY - A beautiful spring morning. The sun shone warm and pleasant until about 3 P.M. when March exhibited itself with a snow squall which however came very quietly. George went to Bethel as usual for the Chorister this morning. He carried a small package to Josephine Dare for Gussie. It contained a dress from the dyers, a piece of sheet music and a Golden Censor, which Josie requested Gussie to get for her. Gussie went to church as usual in the morning and I to Sunday School and to the prayer meeting in the P.M. There were several forward for prayers and all but two found peace in believing in the Savior. Hattie Mills was one of the number forward, but I believe was not blessed. I made arrangements with my assistant librarians to have our pictures taken tomorrow in a group to give to the Supt. George Starr and Fanny Griswold the Infant Class teacher and also one for each of us, viz.,Ed Barnum, James Parmalee, David Bradley and myself. George came down before meeting for the horse to carry Mr. Lockwood home after the evening meeting. The weather having changed and being pretty cold, he concluded to get George Starr’s carriage. I went over there with him and the horse and hitched onto the carriage and rode to the church where the team was left under the shed until after church. The choir had a rehearsal before meeting. Brother Hill preached a good sermon after which was a prayer meeting. Seven persons were forward for prayers and one of them converted a young man. Fanny stayed with the baby to let Gussie go in the evening. MARCH 05 MONDAY - Cold and blustering. I started for milk this morning with one dollar in currency and pennies (45 pennies) in the pail with which to buy milk tickets and fell against the steps going up the stone work from my garden to Father Griswold’s premises and hurt one of my toes so that I was lame with it all day and scattered the money around. I succeeded in finding all but one cent. I had a half day’s work in the shop. At 2 o’clock, I met with David Bradley, Edward Barnum and James Parmalee at Mr. Couch’s gallery to have our pictures taken in a group on one card, we being the secretary and treasurer and librarians of the Sunday School. The principal object being to give it to Brother Starr, the Supt. and Fanny Griswold, the Infant Class Teacher. James Parmalee leaves us tomorrow to go to Bridgeport in a dry goods store; for that reason, we had it done today. Before going home, I paid a visit with Edward P. Stevens to Montgomery and Mallory’s shops. From there, I called at Flint’s Machine Shop to see Russell Smith about the $12.00 he has owed me since the winter of 1860-1861 for rent. He promises to pay me before the 1st of April. Gussie left the baby up to Mother Griswold’s and went shopping in the P.M. with Harriet and Martha Case. George rode the horse up home at noon and took the blanket with him and mended it. After returning the horse at night, he tore his pants badly while getting over a fence and came here to sew them up, after which, he and Gussie went to meeting together. Father Griswold came home on the freight train after an absence of three Sundays. MARCH 06 TUESDAY - The day has been clear but very blustery and cold. I harnessed the horse before breakfast and carried Martha Case and her bundles to the depot. She is staring for New York. I came back and put the horse in the stable and ate my breakfast and went to the shop. I had work all day. George came down and mended the harness and the wagon cushions. I went to market and to meeting in the evening, though it was late when I went in. MARCH 07 WEDNESDAY - Not so cold as yesterday, but windy all the same. We were limited in our work at the shop – only 1 dozen. I finished mine by 2 o’clock. I came home by way of Couch’s and got the pictures of self and assistant Sunday School librarians in a group on one card which we sat for on Monday. David Bradley called in the evening for his. Before tea, I borrowed Seth Down’s saddle and rode Jim up home. I found Mother very comfortable, though very sick yet. George, Bell and Mother had a contrived plan to let the provisions run out and make Father go to work by starving him to it. He has done scarcely nothing all winter and made no effort to find anything to do and yet he has been able to work. They became discouraged. George stopped providing anything until this morning there was nothing for breakfast and Father for a wonder took his ax and started into the woods. George brought home some meat and said that considering that he had gone to work, he could have something to eat for supper, but fully determined that if he would not work he should not eat anything provided by others. I carried some tea and sugar to Mother, also a bowl of crabapple jelly. Louise stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie and I go to meeting. I gave George Starr our pictures (my assistant librarians and self) in the evening at church. Mother Griswold made me a present of a mat woven by herself of wool hat roundings. MARCH 08 THURSDAY - Not quite so much wind as yesterday but pretty cold. Only a ½ day’s work in the shop. Started on 1 dozen. I harnessed the horse in the P.M. and Oscar Levine and I rode over to Daniel Manley’s to see them work on the new railroad, but found neither anyone at work nor Manley at home. It was tedious riding in the cold wind. When I returned, I took a nap on the lounge. I went to market in the evening and returned immediately. I felt too tired to go to meeting. MARCH 09 FRIDAY - Cool and cloudy most of the day. Several times during the day, there was for a few moments a little flutter of snow, but not enough to whiten the ground. I had work nearly all day in the shop. There was a special town meeting at 2 P.M. to divide the two consolidated school districts, viz. the North Center and Center. It however adjourned for two weeks to give the named districts time to act upon the measures before the town takes action upon it. Harriet came home from New York on the train. George harnessed the horse and went to the depot for her luggage. He and Father had high words today. The attempt to drive him to work by starving proves successful. John Bouton and David Bradley came in just at night to speak for the horse to draw some lumber tomorrow morning to make lattice work for Father Griswold. I burned and ground some chestnut meats in the evening. We are going to try it for coffee tomorrow morning. Gussie went to market in the evening while I stayed with baby. MARCH 10 SATURDAY - Pleasant but cold. Not so cold just at night as yesterday at the same time. I let David Bradley and John Bouton take the horse to draw some stock for Father Griswold of which they have been today making lattice work for his front piazza. I finished my work at the shop at 1 ½ o’clock. We were then paid off and I came home. I went to the barn and saw the boys work at the lattice work until I was too cold to stay any longer. I borrowed Seth Down’s saddle and took a ride around by Uncle Jacob Fry’s and at B. Lynes’ place to see Robert Cocking. I went in and Mrs. Cocking made some egg cider of which I drank two glasses and then galloped home. Gussie went up home this P.M. and carried $5.00 to Mother from the poor fund of the church handed to her by Fanny from George Starr. In the evening, I went into the street and bought a spring weighing balance for 50 cents at Benedict & Nichols’. Their head salesman, Charles Mason, gave me a tin can holding 10 lbs. of coffee. I want it for that purpose. Before retiring, I marked off the Sunday School Advocates and Journals. MARCH 11 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the morning, but before noon it clouded over and in the P.M., it commenced storming fine hail (about 3 o’clock). I went to church in the forenoon for the first in a long time. Sunday School prayer meeting at noon, after which I came home to let Gussie go in the P.M. which was the communion service. A large number were taken in on probation and some were baptized. Among the numbers were John Bouton, Hart Purdy and Hattie Mills. Before evening church time, I wrote to James Parmalee in Bridgeport on the subject of religion. Before dark, the hail turned to rain, which after a short time, nearly stopped. The night up to bedtime was cloudy and being dark, George borrowed George Starr’s carriage to carry Mr. Lockwood to Bethel after evening service. He harnessed at meeting time and carried Gussie to church. I stayed at home with Georgie. When Gussie came home from meeting, she told of an unfortunate, although laughable mistake which happened about the singing of the first hymn. Brother Scofield forgot about the choir and started the tune in the congregation just as the melodeon commenced to play the piece through before singing. As there have been meetings every evening for a long time (13 weeks, I believe) and there being no choir on weekday evenings, he not thinking that the choir was in its place struck up the singing the same as on weekday evenings. It made considerable confusion and laughter all over the house. Brother Hill in the pulpit laughed heartily. MARCH 12 MONDAY - Cloudy most of the day with occasional showers, warm. A little sunshine in the P.M. I had work all day in the shop. There is quite an excitement around the town today about the arrest of Dr. William Lacy. John Grey, and one or two others on Saturday night for gambling at Mr. Raymond’s drinking saloon. Deputy Sherriff Heath and Constables Harris Crofut and Chester Brush did the job. One went in while the others guarded the outlets to the building. I went to market in the evening and carried my 5 gallon can up to William E. Wright’s for some oil (kerosene). Other merchants are charging $1.00 per gallon. I got of Wright 5 gallons at a time for 87 cents per gallon. Mrs. H. Nina Smith lectures this evening in Concert Hall, subject “The Reconstructed or Southern Society”. I was too tired to go and in fact, but little desire to do so. MARCH 13 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm. I had work nearly all day in the shop. George called there before dinner to see if I could help him get a load of hay from Nathan Benedict’s. I intended to go, but did not finish my work in time. We rode over to Mr. Benedict’s, however, to see about it. I went to market and to church in the evening. After the sermon, there was a prayer meeting. Ira Wheeler was forward; he not having been forward, he did so in order to make a public confession in that manner, though he was converted yesterday. Platt Osborne was forward also. MARCH 14 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy and misty a part on the day. George came over in the morning and we got a load of hay from Nathan Benedict. Our horse broke a trace in starting from his barn with it, so we harnessed Benedict’s horse and got home with it. There was 880 lbs. of it which with 440 lbs. drawn by Father and John Brayman made 1,240 lbs. at $15.00 per ton made a bill of $9.30 . He deducted $1.00 for carting. After we had unloaded it, George and I drove up to Lacy & Downs’ Hat Factory and paid him. George stayed with us to dinner. In the P.M., I harnessed and Gussie and I rode up to John Knapp’s house where Eben Barnum lives. She stopped while I went up to Chase’s Carriage Shop to see if I could get the baby carriage mended. We then went up to the cemetery, taking John Cosier with us. Received a note from Brother Hill asking whether Mr. Mallett would take 7.3 % (?) treasury Notes at market value on April 1st for the $1,100 I am to pay him, as he (Brother Hill) is to let me have the money in Treasury Notes. After tea, I borrowed Seth Down’s saddle and rode over to Nathan Benedict’s for my knife, which I left sticking in a board fence when I mended the harness. From there, I went to market and to Peters’ Barber Shop for my razor which I left there to be honed. I lent $10.00 to John Brayman in the evening with which to pay his mother-in-law for nursing, as she wants to go home in the morning. MARCH 15 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm, a lovely spring day. There being no drab hats ready, I consequently had nothing to do as I am on that kind of work. Bell came over in the morning for the horse and wagon to carry Mrs. McNabb to Bethel. Bell drove down and back. She came home with the horse about noon and stayed with us to dinner. In the P.M., I trimmed my trees in the yard and rode with Alden G. Crosby up town for a ride. I then went to the Carriage Shop near the bridge for the brace to the Baby’s carriage which I left there this A.M. for repairs. On my way home, I found Jacob J. Fry. I bought 1 dozen eggs of him and he brought me home. Gussie went to meeting in the evening, while I stayed at home with Georgie. The meeting was appointed with the other churches to pray for rum sellers and drinkers. Also gamblers. MARCH 16 FRIDAY - Stormy all day until about sundown when it cleared off. I had work all day in the shop . We were stinted, but it was all that I could do. Received a letter from Aaron Mallett of Redding in reply to one I wrote him about taking 7.3 % (?) U. S. Treasury Notes for the $1,100 I am to pay him on April 1st. He cannot make the Treasury Notes answer his purpose. I went to meeting in the evening. Brother Breckinridge from Bethel preached. After the sermon, there was a prayer meeting. A number were forward for prayer; among them was William Peck. After meeting, I gave Brother Hill the address of James Parmalee at Bridgeport and requested him to write to Brother Simmons, the M. E. Preacher at that place and have him find him out and get him into the Sunday School and church if he can. I also told Brother Hill the reply I got from Mallett regarding the 7.3 % (?) Treasury Notes. First robins and blackbirds that I have heard. MARCH 17 SATURDAY - St. Patrick’s Day. Pleasant this morning. In the after part of the day, the wind increased and we had several snow squalls. It grew cold very fast during the day until the ground was frozen hard. The Catholic Library Association was out on parade today celebrating “St. Patrick’s Day in The Morning”. I was the last man in the shop tonight. I was determined to finish off a dozen which completed my stint. John Crane came to the shop to see me about buying my horse. He concluded to come next Monday night and look at him. George rode Old Jim to Bethel this P.M. to see Peter Starr about work. Father has been sawing wood today for David Bradley and came here for dinner. A one-legged soldier left card pictures here today for sale. He will call on Monday for them and take pay for any we desire to buy. Received a letter from James H. Parmalee in answer to one I wrote last Sunday. I went to market in the evening and called at church with Brother Chittenden to attend Singing Society, but there being no leader present, there was nothing done. Gussie got shawls from the dyers today. George came home from Singing School and stayed a while until he got warm as the wind is very searching and the cold pretty sharp. MARCH 18 SUNDAY - Pleasant, but rather cold and blustering. George went to Bethel as usual in the morning for Mr. Lockwood, the chorister. Gussie attended church in the forenoon and I to Sunday School and to Prayer Meeting in the P.M. After tea, Gussie went over to John Brayman’s for a call. George came down before evening meeting and harnessed the horse and went over to George Starr’s for his carriage to carry Mr. Lockwood home after evening meeting. I went over with him and rode to church from Brother Starr’s. Brother Hill preached in the evening, after which there was a prayer meeting. Several more forward for prayers. Charles Stevens, Jr. acted as assistant librarian this noon in Sunday School for the first time. I borrowed tool sand a few horse shoe nails this morning from Mr. McDonald and drove two in a show which was nearly off the horse as he could not be drove to Bethel in that condition and go he must to get the chorister. My truss broke down and before retiring, I mended it. MARCH 19 MONDAY - Cloudy most of the day. Cold and chilly. Genuine March weather. The harness broke with George on Coal Pit Hill last night as he was returning home from Bethel after carrying Mr. Lockwood home. It was nearly midnight before he was able to get home on account of the break in the harness. As I went to work this morning, I called at the Savings Bank to see if the money I refused to take on account of getting the same of Brother Hill’s mother could not be obtained, as Mrs. Hill is disappointed in getting her money as expected. I could not secure it. We were limited in our work in the shop today. I finished mine about 1 o’clock. I then came home and tore down the old high board fence between Mr. Pond and myself. I divide the old fence rubbish with him and then we build a new fence or se pout a hedge dividing the expense between us. George mended the harness and this afternoon, started for Ridgefield business; thinks he may stay all night. As the road through Sugar Hollow is a very lonesome and dreary one, he borrowed my revolver. He somehow felt impressed that there might be an occasion to use it. I carried our large washtub over to Mr. McDonald’s this morning to have two new hoops put on it. When it was done, he brought it over himself. In the evening, I went down to tell Brother Hill of my business at the Savings Bank this morning. As I entered the door, I met Dr. Bennett’s son coming out. He had been to see Brother Hill’s child, Nelly, who is dangerously sick with the brain disease. George Starr was also there. Brother Hill asked him to lend me $1,100 on my place; he said he could not. I bought some postage stamps and mailed a letter for Gussie to Mrs. Dr. _______ ordering an “anatomical chart”. Gussie bought a card picture of General Grant today from a one-legged soldier who lost the same in battle at New Berne, North Carolina. He was a member of the 10th Regiment, C.V. MARCH 20 FRIDAY - Cloudy, chilly and cold all day; about 6 P.M., it began to snow. We had but a ½ day’s work in the shop. Mr. Crofut called all the men together from both departments to try and make some arrangements with them to work for the same wages as in June, 1864, which with the finishers would be about 50 cents less on a dozen hats than our present bill. He thought if he could get his work done cheaper, he would make up some hats ahead, but if he could get no discount in the manufacturing, he should make none, unless they were ordered. The men concluded not to work for any less at present, but wait and see if the prices of provisions would come down first. In the P.M., I went over to Mr. Hurd’s garden where Henry was digging horse radish and he gave me some to bring home. Gussie went into the street with Mrs. George Davis. When she returned, we grated the horse radish and we had some for supper. I went to meeting in the evening. Brother Hill preached. After the sermon, a prayer meeting was held as usual. William Peck, Anne A. Fanton and another lady were forward; they have been seeking and at the altar for several days past. Before retiring, I went up to see Father Griswold about engaging of Seymour in Norwalk some Arbor vitae for the hedge between Mr. Pond’s yard and mine. George came from Ridgefield this evening. He came home with the horse about 10 o’clock. MARCH 21 WEDNESDAY - Very icy this morning; cloudy all day with some rain. I had ½ day’s work in the shop. I came home and had the headache in the P.M. and the evening. I let John Bouton and David Bradley take the horse just at night to move their tool chest from Larson’s new house which they built down to Sunderland’s Carpenter Shop. Gussie went to prayer meeting in the evening, while I stayed with the baby. George called in the evening. MARCH 22 THURSDAY - A beautiful day. I had ½ day’s work in the shop. As I came home from work at noon, I took from the office a note from Brother Hill referring me to James Selleck for money. I called at John Meeker’s shop to see him. He wants 8% for his money and taxes paid. I called on Brother Hill as I returned and reported on the transaction to him. He advised me not to pay more than 7 per cent as he will let me have it at that rather than do it. Mr. Selleck called as he went home from work to see if I had concluded to take the money at the per cent he named. I told him no. As I could get it at 7.3 percent I should pay him no more than that. He not being willing to take that, I of course did not make a bargain with him and he drove on. John Brayman took the horse over to McDonald’s for me and had him shod over in good shape. He also trimmed his fetlocks and tail which improved the look of the horse very much. When I came home from work, I went over and paid Mr. McDonald $1.23 for the job. I let John take the horse in the evening to take his wife from the depot, she having been to Norwalk to attend the funeral of a niece. I went to a School meeting at Military Hall in the evening and found John. He drove down for me after taking his wife home. I drove home with him and got some letters from Father Griswold and mailed them, he having forgotten them as he went to School meeting. I then drove up to the Hall and gave him a ride home, he being obliged to stay until that time on account of officiating as Chairman. The meeting was called to get the minds of the district whether to divide as heretofore or to continue the consolidation. There is to be a town meeting tomorrow P.M. to decide on continuing the consolidation of the two districts, viz. the North Center and the Center. The two as consolidated voted this evening to continue the consolidation by a majority of 100. MARCH 23 FRIDAY - Pleasant in the morning, but it soon became cloudy and in the P.M., it commenced snowing. I expected but about ½ days’ work in the shop but we had enough to keep me until nearly 6 o’clock. An adjourned town meeting was held at 2 ½ o’clock P.M. to take decisive action in regard to dividing the Center and North Center districts which are now consolidated. Also to arrange for building a large and commodious school house for a higher graded school. The action of the district meeting last evening in regard to a division was ratified by the meeting; also a vote was passed for the town to build the proposed school house. Accordingly, a committee to secure a location was appointed and also to draw plans for the building. I did not attend the meeting myself on account of being too busy at the shop, though I intended in the morning to do so. The result of the meeting as named, I was told. The 10 lbs. of coffee which I sent for by Clark Beers came today. I went in the evening to hear O.S. Ferry and Joseph R. Hawley speak on the issues of the day at Concert Hall and notwithstanding it rained all the evening, the Hall was crowded. I shook General Hawley’s hand after the meeting was over. He seemed the same as when I was with him in the 3 month’s service, and he a captain commanding a Hartford company of volunteers. When I came home, I found George at the house, he having been to hear the speaking and got home first. He came for a sifter to take to Martin Clark. He went to the barn for it as I went to give the horse his feed. MARCH 24 SATURDAY - Cloudy in the morning, but it soon came off pleasant and remained so during the day. I had work until noon in the shop. After dinner, I rode down to Bethel with George who went to see Peter Starr about work in the new forming factory. I left a dozen salves with Mr. Dare to be sold. When we returned, I went to the shop and drew my pay. Then I finished the afternoon in finding and talking with E. Fairchild, Sturgis Selleck and Brother Hill about “money” matters. In the evening, Gussie went into the street with me and bought a pair of shoes. MARCH 25 SUNDAY - I woke and found about 3 inches of snow on the ground and still snowing. It soon cleared off, however. The sun shone bright, but the wind commenced blowing furiously, making it tedious to be out. Gussie went to church in the morning and I went down to Sunday School at noon and to prayer meeting in the P.M. After the prayer meeting, Brother Hill read off the new arrangements of classes which had three new classes added under the leadership of Nelson Nickerson, Joseph W. Allen and Brother Everett, many changes having been made. I was changed to Charles Stevens’ class; my old leader, Peter Starr, is going to move to Bethel. George came home with me to supper, after which he harnessed the horse and went over to George Starr’s for his carriage to go to Bethel for Mr. Lockwood, the chorister, it being too stormy to go for him this morning and they want him this evening at the preaching service, also for a rehearsal before meeting. Gussie went in the evening while I stayed with the baby. It continued windy and cold in the evening. MARCH 26 MONDAY - Clear but windy. We had about a ½ days’ work in the shop with which we were told that there would be no more work until further notice. I then went up to George Starr’s to see if he would lend me $50 on the 1st of April to enable me to pay interest in advance to Edward Fairchild for money which I have made arrangements to have from him. From there, I went up to Mr. Nutt’s Machine Shop to get $12 promised me by Russell Smith which he has owed me since 1860, but I did not get it. I then saw Edward Fairchild on the street and told him I would take the $1,100. He wanted a third person to take the note and mortgage and then he wants to buy the note. I called to see Brother Hill to see if he would act the third person. He had rather not do it. He suggested that I ask Father Griswold to do it and saddled his horse to let me ride up with him to see him (E.E.G.) about it. He consented to act. Brother Hill’s horse broke my front picket fence while hitched at my post. I rode Old Jim up home just before sundown to see our folks. George was made a freeman this forenoon. MARCH 27 TUESDAY - Pleasant, but rather windy. No work in the shop. Father Griswold has concluded not to act the third party regarding the money from Fairchild. So in the P.M., I dropped a line to Mr. Fairchild declining to take the money. I helped Father Griswold nearly all day build lattice work at his back door. Gussie and I were up there to dinner. Mrs. Pond called to see Gussie in the P.M. Gussie took her up to Father Griswold where she made a long call. Seth Downs intended this morning to take my horse to go nearly to Newtown to his wife’s home, but for some reason, he did not come for it at noon as I expected. Bell came down this afternoon to have me cut her hair, but I was too busy, and besides, we persuaded her not to have it done just now. After tea, I wrote an answer to a letter to a letter received this morning from Aaron Mallet of West Redding. Gussie went to market in the evening and mailed it. MARCH 28 WEDNESDAY - A beautiful spring day – no wind, bright sunshine, warm. In the morning, I helped Father Griswold finish off his lattice work at his back door. I then harnessed the horse and he and myself took a ride over to Beaver Brook to see the hands building the Brookfield, Danbury and White Plains Railroad. This was Father Griswold’s first visit to see them. After dinner, I rode down to the courthouse to engage some straw of Theodore Lyon, who was there as one of the Board to make Freemen as Monday and Wednesday of this week were the days designated for that purpose. From there, I went out to his house for the straw (6 sheaves), carrying Uncle Jacob Fry out home from the street as I went. When I returned, I had a severe headache which increased until I retired, which was about 7 o’clock. MARCH 29 THURSDAY - It snowed a little early last night but turned to rain before morning and took it all away. I went downtown in the forenoon and called at D B. Booth’s Office and consulted about the transfer of note and mortgage instead of making out new papers. I went to the shop and got what money was due me - $2.25. I then called at Gillette & Hawley’s and told Hanford Fairchild the reasons for my not taking the $1,100 from his father as I intended. I then went to the Post Office and came home with Father Griswold’s mail. Father was with us to dinner, he having finished a job of sawing wood for John Bouton and came this way to leave my saw which he had been using. It stopped raining about the middle of the P.M. and showed signs of clearing off just at night. I went into the street again before tea and did some shopping; bought some meat, a thimble for myself and shoes for my wife which had been repaired. Received a note from Brother Hill in the evening requesting a written Sunday School report to present to Conference next week. I stopped in at an auction under Concert Hall before I came home in the evening and bid off a silver plated castor for $4.50. MARCH 30 FRIDAY - Fast day. Pleasant. Louise stayed with the baby and let Gussie and I go to church. Mr. Power of the West Street Presbyterian Church preached. The service was held in our church about 10 ½ o’clock. In the P.M., I dug around the posts remaining from the division fence between Mr. Pond and me and too them up. We had dinner and supper together about 4 o’clock, after which I harnessed Old Jim and Gussie and I went up to the cemetery. I drove just beyond to John Crane’s to see if I could sell my horse, but he had just bought one today. There have been Democratic speakers at Concert hall this evening. A Union Prayer Meeting at our church this evening. We stayed at home and did not attend either. Eclipse of the moon tonight – total at 5 minutes before 11 o’clock. MARCH 31 SATURDAY - Cloudy all day; commenced raining a little about noon. It soon stopped; however commenced again in earnest about 5 P.M. After breakfast, I went over to Mr. Nutt’s Machine Shop to see Russell Smith about the $12 he owes me. I did not get it, but he promised it the first of next week. I borrowed $25 of George Starr to make out the amount I need on Monday. I went down to the shop and got $5.00 I lent Mr. Crofut for the Female Guardians’ Society yesterday at church. I saw George in the street; he came home with me to dinner, after which, we drove over to Theo. Smith’s to try and sell our horse to him; we did not succeed. George intended to drive to Bethel just at night to get Mr. Lockwood and have a rehearsal this evening, but the rain prevented. George ordered another cart of feed for the horse which came as I was feeding him tonight. I went to market and brought home my things and then returned into the street to hear William Stewart of Nevada speak on the issues of the day at Concert Hall. Previous to the speaking, I paid Swift & Day $4.50 for the Sunday School, the same being for expressage from April 1st, 1865 to April 1st, 1866 on papers, etc.
1866-03
Horace Purdy Journal July 1865 Entry
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07/01 SATURDAY - Cloudy all day. I quit work at noon. Went to Danbury Bank and drew the $10.00 for George's bounty check and then paid Harris the tailor $2.70 which George owed for army shirts and then came home and weeded out my strawberry beds until tea time. After tea, I worked a while at it and then went to market. I called at Griffing's block where they were taking names of soldiers who would turn out on the 4th of July. From there I went to Averill's office where they were talking up the affair of raising up a militia company in this town under the new law passed a few days ago by the legislature. When I came home I brought Oscar Serrine with me to drink a glass of beer. Mr. Cocking had a fresh barrel of ale come today. Aunt Harriet and Benjamin and Uncle Stephen's widow and Cyrus Benjamin's wife came up from Ridgefield to see Mother. Gussie went up to see them in the P.M. The new militia bill just passed compels the state to furnish uniforms and pay and 5 cents per mile when ordered out for state duty. This is in addition to the regular pay per day. Arms and equipment and armory sent as prescribed under the old law. Mr. Rotier who was reported dead yesterday is alive. The report was false so far as he being dead. He however did drop down insensible, I believe. It rained a little before we retired at night. 07/02 SUNDAY - Heavy thunder shower last night. Pleasant today with the exception of a shower between 2 and 3 o'clock in the P.M. and that was very agreeable. I believe there was no thunder with it. The baby was worse this morning. Gussie feared the Diphtheria. I went for Dr. Bulkeley before meeting time. He pronounced it as before to be mumps. He left Aconite and Bryanier (?) to be taken alternate every 2 hours. Rev. Dr. Wise, editor of the Sunday School Advocate, preached for us. Gussie went in the morning and I in the afternoon. Dr. Wise preached to the Sunday School children in the morning and to the older people in the P.M. Brother George Starr (Supt.) read a letter to the Sunday School from Brother Hill. He is away for his health and wrote from Pennsylvania. He is or has been at Carlisle, I believe. The shower last night and the rain this P.M. has made it quite cool this evening. We did not go out in the evening. Robert drew some beer. I drank a glass with him and retired about 10 o'clock. 07/03 MONDAY - A beautiful day. Father came down in the morning before I went to the shop and paid me the dollar which I lent him in addition to the one I gave him to go to Cousin Joel Benjamin's funeral in Ridgefield last week. On my way to the shop, I bought a piece of lamb at B. & N's for Mother Griswold and sent it up. I worked until noon and then came home and Father helped me mow my door yard and carry off the grass; also trim my walk edges. He stayed with us to tea. He would take nothing for his work so I gave him about 2 lbs. of butter and a bottle of ale to carry to Mother. After tea, Gussie got Georgie to sleep and I stayed with him to let her go downtown in the evening. Soon after tea, Our foreman V. W. Benedict came over to the house and brought me $23 dollars which he drew for me at the shop this P.M. Mr. Crofut paid the men on account of it being the 4th of July tomorrow though it is only one week since he has paid us. While I was with the baby this evening, Bell came down to Mother Griswold's on an errand and she stayed with him while I went downtown a short time. When I returned, I found Gussie at home and Bell waiting for her torpedoes which I promised her if she would stay with Georgie. Aunt Clarissa Burr and Cousin Hattie came from Bloomfield on the evening train and Gussie and I went up to see them before Bell went home. I returned before Gussie did and Robert brought down a glass of beer for me in the meantime. Before retiring, the baby had a turn of vomiting. He has appeared better all day. 07/04 TUESDAY - A beautiful day. The celebration was rather a failure. The soldiers were expected to march in the procession but did not. A dinner was made for them at Concert Hall. I did not take dinner with them though I understood that nearly all the nine months men did. I came home and took dinner with Father and Mother who spent the day with us. I got McDonald's horse and took Mother down about 9 AM. and took her home again about 6 PM. Foster of New Haven delivered the orations. The Fantastics (?) paraded at 3 o'clock. About that time Mr. Cocking and I went up by Father Griswold's and fired at a mark with my pistol. Fanny stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie and I go and see the fireworks. The shower which came about 6 o'clock wet the fireworks so that all the fine pieces were spoiled. A colored ball at Concert Hall after the fireworks which were put off at Concert Hall what was saved of them. 07/05 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. Did not work in the shop. Went hunting with Bob Dunning in the PM. Went down between Middle and Town Mountain and came home by way of Mountain Pond. He shot 1 woodcock and 1 robin, and I, 1 woodcock. I gave my bird to him. I stopped at his house and drank a glass of root beer and then he came home with me and drank some ale. I went to market in the evening. Received by evening mail a letter from George from Jacksonville, Florida and dated June 27th. Ed Barnum told me that the box that I had been expecting from George had arrived by express. I ordered it sent up tomorrow. Charles H. Hoyt became father of a boy weighing 10 lbs. this P.M. 07/06 THURSDAY - Pleasant. Put up my dinner in a paper and started to go to the shop if I did not conclude otherwise before I got there. I have pretty much made up my mind to play this week and rest from shop work which if I can content myself to do will do me much good for I have worked very hard of late and need rest. I went into Main Street and found Hart Purdy and we arranged to go razzberrying and take the gun and get some woodcock if we could. I went down to Jackson's and got his dog, Milo and we went. We got but few berries. I got 2 woodcock, 1 chipmunk, 1 small rabbit and a guinea hen which I found strayed into the swamp. The dog put it up near the edge of the swamp. It flew toward the swamp. I shot it before it reached it, not knowing when I fired what it was, but upon examination when I picked it up, I found what it was. It was very wild and had doubtless strayed away. After tea, I went home with Milo. Before going hunting, I ordered some pictures of myself at Mr. Couch's and in the evening, Hattie Burr and Gussie went into the street on some errand and brought them home, one of each kind, a Carte de Visite and Vignette for me to take my choice and order which style I would have the four I ordered printed. My object in ordering them now is to give one to Hattie Burr as she is very anxious for one. The box containing George's effects which he sent by express was delivered this morning. I paid $1.05 for expressage for him. Gussie got a letter for her folks from Aunt Ruth. A picture was included of Lauren for Fanny. 07/07 FRIDAY - Very warm though there was considerable air stirring. Did not work in the shop today; am trying to rest from hard work. I went to the shop in the forenoon to get my working shirt in order that Gussie could cut out two new ones for which I have bought the materiel. Mr. Cocking brought 40 celery plants for Father Griswold this morning and I set them out for him as he left home on the morning train for Canton. Gussie received a dress pattern by the morning mail from Cousin Anna Eliza Mills in Canton. The wild game which I shot yesterday, we had for dinner today. Aunt Clarissa and Cousin Hattie Burr, Mother Griswold, Fanny and Harriet all took dinner with us. After dinner I went with Harriet Wheeler and Hattie Burr uptown to the hat factories to show them how hats are manufactured. From there I went to Joseph Ives and bought the chestnut secretary which I looked at this morning. I took it for $9.00 and got trusted for it. After tea, I helped Gussie pick some currants to make jelly. I then hoed the garden for a short time and went downtown to hear the news as the four conspirators connected with the murder of Abraham Lincoln were to be hanged today, viz. Mrs. Surratt, Herold, Payne (ed. note, actually Lewis Powell) and Atzerodt. No news by the evening post but a telegram has been received that all four were hung at ___minutes, ___ o'clock. I called at O H. Swift's and got the Sunday School Advocates and brought them home. 07/08 SATURDAY - I have spent the day in training strawberry plants, pulling weeds, marking off the 74 S.S. Advocates for distribution tomorrow in Sunday School. Went onto tin roof of wing and fitted strips of siding under two windows, etc. Bought # barrel of flour of Crofut & Son. Went to Holley's shop to see Father about directions for washing uniform which George sent home. Carried the Sunday School Advocates to the church. Called at Couch's Picture Gallery for four pictures of self (cards) which I ordered yesterday. Our preacher, Brother Hill came home from a tour which he has been taking for his health. We took dinner up to Mother Griswold's with Aunt Clara and Cousin Hattie Burr. I went to the Post. Office this forenoon and Theodore Fowler brought me home with his horse and carriage and stopped and drank a glass of beer with me. I went to the depot in the evening. Theodore Morris and Seth Northrop came home on the train. They left the 17th Regiment at Hilton Head, Florida (ed. note, actually South Carolina). They being paroled prisoners were sent home first. I did some marketing and came home. The papers today give an account of the hanging of the murderers of President Lincoln. They have all four of them been hung. 07/09 SUNDAY - Pleasant. The bell tolled this morning for Levi Benedict, the father of Starr Benedict, the butcher of the firm of Benedict & Nichols. He died in a fit I learned this noon. Brother Hill had the doctor yesterday after he arrived home. He could not preach today. A local preacher by name of Barnum from New York (an old man) preached for us this morning. Gussie attended and came home as usual directly after the service for me to go to Sunday School. I went in the P.M. It was the Sacrament Service. Brother Crawford administered it. Gussie said that Peter Holmes got up after the sermon in the morning and rebuked the official members for allowing the Camp Meeting tent be in the hands of Smith Barnum over at his hotel. Peter could not stand it to be in the hands of a rum seller. I brought home the Sunday School librarian's books to draw up the names of teachers and scholars anew. Gussie thinks she has a felon (ed. note, an infection of the finger tip) on her finger. She soaked it for an hour in as hot water as she could hold it in and then did it up and kept it wet with spirits of turpentine. After tea, I took a nap and then went to the cemetery with Gussie and Hattie Burr. We carried bouquets for Abel and Eddie's graves. Just as we entered the lot a fellow and his girl came in and took the new seat which has been put up this summer and when we finished at the grave they still occupied the seat and notwithstanding the hints we made them they would not move. The fellow showed plainly the lack of gentlemanly qualities or when the owners of the lot and seat came in they would have vacated the seat for them. It was between sundown and dark when we returned home. I then immediately went up and watered Father Griswold's celery and then filled a quart bottle with ale and started up home with it for Mother who sent word by Bell to Sunday School that she wanted some. There was a prayer meeting held up there at 5 o'clock for Mother's special benefit as she is unable to attend church. On my way up, I met Father coming down for the beer. He turned back with me as we met. I stayed until about 9 o'clock. 07/10 MONDAY - Pleasant but cool for July weather. I commenced work in the shop today after resting about a week. I took my dinner and stayed all day. After tea, I took Georgie in my arms and walked around the yard and garden and Father Griswold's garden also. I went to Sunday School Teachers' Business meeting in the evening which lasted until after 9 o'clock. I came home, copied the minutes of the meeting, wrote in my journal and retired. Alson Smith became the father to a son this forenoon. 07/11 TUESDAY - When I woke this morning, it was raining hard. I worked as usual in the shop. It cleared off in the afternoon. After tea, I went to market and up to S.S. Peck's store to get the price of butter for our butter maker Charles Fowler who we expect tomorrow. I then went to Hatters' Meeting over Benedict & Nichols' store. I being on the Auditing Committee with C. H. Hoyt and Nathaniel Cable, I went early and looked over the Secretary and treasurer's books before business commenced. The meeting held until about 9 o'clock. 07/12 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy most of the day, though the sun shone a little. Gussie's finger is troubling her badly. On that account, we are having our washing done over to Alexander Pines. He came for the clothes this morning for his wife to wash. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I dug up the ground where I had dwarf peas and set out three rows of Russell Strawberry plants. At the same time Mr. Carlson came for the plants I promised him, he having prepared the ground for them today. I could not go to class as I intended as Gussie wanted to go down to see Dr. Bulkeley about her finger on which she has a felon. She showed it and he cut it open for her and put on a plaster of Grey's salve and recommended for her to buy a box of it which she did before she came home. 07/13 THURSDAY - The weather rather heavy this morning, but it came off pleasant with sunshine most of the day. Gussie's finger is bad yet there is no doubt but that it is a felon. While she was getting breakfast this morning, I sawed some wood. William Carlson finished getting his strawberry plants this morning and did it mostly before I got up. Mr. Pond got a few of them also. I worked as usual in the shop. Bought a large butcher or bread knife of the old knife man (Perry) today for Mr. Pond and gave it to him after tea. I let him have it for what it cost me 25 cents. I promised some time ago to get one for him the first time uncle Perry came with them again. I worked in the shop until after 6 o'clock. Gussie went to market in the evening and I stayed with Georgie. In the meantime David Bradley came and borrowed my compass saw to do a job at a bedstead for Mother Griswold. Rob Dunning and brother came and picked some currants which I promised him some time ago just as I came home from work. Gussie put some up in cans today. P.T. Barnum's Museum in New York City was burned today. 07/14 FRIDAY - Pleasant but rather cool for the season. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie went down to Dr. Bulkeley's again today and he cut open her felon again. After tea, I sowed some 'King of Swedes Turnip' seeds', the same that was sent to me from the Department of Agriculture at Washington. I also hoed a little in the garden. I then went to market, the Post Office and home. Aunt Louisa went up home to see Mother today and called here and told us how she was. She is very poorly now. She had another bad turn yesterday, but is a little better today. When I returned from the street, I went up to see her. 07/15 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I worked in the shop until the middle of the afternoon and then came home. Gussie and some of her folks went up to see Mother today. They found her a little more comfortable. After tea, Cousin Louisa and Frank came over for some currants. I went into the street in the evening and received two letters from George written July 8th and 11th at Hilton Head. He says the regiment expects to leave there for the North on the 28th. J. Montgomery Bailey arrived from the regiment this evening. He is to report to the regiment at New Haven when the regiment arrives there. Before retiring, I found our cat 'Prince' in the yard with a robin which he had caught. I took it away from him and put it on a tree in Father Griswold's yard as it seemed to be uninjured. 07/16 SUNDAY - Cloudy most of the day, but not stormy. Edward Barnum, my assistant librarian in Sunday School came down this morning and helped me write up the two librarian account books. W. C. Hoyt preached for us today, Brother Hill being very sick with Typhoid Fever. Gussie went in the morning and I to Sunday School and in the P.M. Mister Dunning preached in the Baptist church this P.M., but I did not go to hear him. 7 o'clock P.M. It commenced raining about 1 # hours ago. I have been sleeping on the lounge the past two hours or more. I wrote to Carleton & Porter in the evening ordering another copy of the S. S. Advocate for a new subscriber from July to October and enclosed 8 cents with which to pay for it. I also wrote to George in Hilton Head, South Carolina. It rained hard all the evening and neither of us went out. 07/17 MONDAY - Stormy last night and this morning. I felt badly nearly all day, produced without doubt from hearty eating yesterday and the lack of my usual exercise to digest my food. I worked all day however. We were paid off this P.M. I drew for my last week's work $26.50. On my way home, I called at the Coal Office of Alden G. Crosby and engaged my winter's coal. Five tons at $11.00 and if the price should be less before the 1st of September, I am to have the benefit of it. I bought # ton for immediate use and had it immediately delivered. After tea, I picked a few currants for Gussie to can up for use next winter and then went downtown. I mailed a letter to Carleton & Porter ordering one copy additional to our number of S.S. Advocates for a new subscriber, paid Mr. Joseph Ives $9.00 for the secretary I bought of him in the 7th instant. I then went to the Depot for Mrs. George Davis to see if there was a package by express for her. Father Griswold came home on the train. He has been spending a week in Canton with Cousin Alfred Humphrey. As I went into the Post Office on my way home, I found Edwin Harris waiting to see me to get some Russell Strawberry Plants which I promised him and though it was dark, we found a dozen which he took home with him. 07/18 TUESDAY - A beautiful day. I have been about sick today with the bowel complaint, but have worked hard all day notwithstanding. On my way to work in the morning, I mailed the letter to George which I wrote on Sunday. Gussie is almost down with a bowel difficulty as well as myself. I went to market in the evening. 07/19 WEDNESDAY - I felt worse this morning than yesterday. I had the Diarrhea so badly that I was up during the night and out twice before breakfast. After breakfast I took an injection of blood warm water which worked like a charm on my bowels. Did not feel able to go to work. I went into the street and talked more with O.H. Swift about the news business for George. Went down to the shop and sold 4 rolls of salve to Sam Parks and bought a piece of enameled cloth to cover the writing table of my secretary. I came home and let Milo (Mr. Jackson's dog) follow me. I covered the table to my secretary and the Gussie dressed Georgie and we took him and we went up home to see Mother. I carried a bottle of ale up to her. We came home by way of Wooster Street and Main at the same time going up to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper. I took Father's over to Mr. Holley's shop to him and then we found Jesse D. Stevens on the street. He came home with us and got a few Russell Strawberry plants which I promised him. Mr. Ashley tells me that a letter has been received from Saul Raymond at Port Royal and he says that the 17th Regiment will sail from there on the 20th tomorrow. Mr. Frisbie, the new Congregational preacher at the 1st church was installed today. The sun shone this forenoon, but in the P.M, it clouded over and commenced raining about 7 o'clock. I went to market and to the Post Office in the evening. 07/20 THURSDAY - It cleared off last night with a thunder shower and today has been warm and pleasant. I have worked hard all day in the shop. Gussie called at Alson Smith's this P.M. near Harry Stone's, corner of Liberty Street and Railroad Avenue where Miss English is nursing Mrs. Smith. When I came home from work and before tea, I drew a glass of ale. After tea, I dug three hills of potatoes, the first for us of the season. I rode downtown with Robert Cocking in the evening. I carried my patent leather boots to D. Benedict's to be soled and capped. Bought loaf of bread. Went to the Post Office and rode home again with Robert. I sold three more rolls of salve today two rolls to William Mansfield and one to another man in the plant shop. 07/21 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warmer than several days past. We gave the baby another injection this morning to move his bowels. I worked hard all day in the shop. On my way to work this morning, I mailed a letter for Father Griswold. As I came home from work at night, I called at D. Benedict's shoe store for my patent leather boots which he has been repairing for me soling and caps on the toes. When I came home, I found Father there. He had just done pressing some currants for me in Father Griswold's hard cider mill. He stayed with us to tea. After tea, Gussie went to market and to the Depot to engage Beatty to come with his carriage for Aunt Clarissa and Hatty Burr, who are going home tomorrow to Bloomfield, Conn. She also went up to Balmforth Avenue to engage Mrs. McNeil to do some dressmaking for her but found her sick and she cannot do it. While she was gone, I walked around the premises with Georgie in my arms until Mr. Cocking came and he drew some beer and I drank with him. Spent the evening up in his room until Gussie came. Fourth anniversary of the Battle of Bull Run. 07/22 SATURDAY - I woke this morning and found it storming hard. Aunt Clara and Hatty Burr started for home this morning with Father Griswold who goes as far as New Haven with them. I worked hard all day until 7 P.M. in the shop. It cleared off about 4 o'clock. After tea, I went into the street walking down with Robert and got the package of S.S. Advocates for Sunday School and my copy of Harper's Weekly and walked up home with Mr. Carlson. I took the lantern and went into the garden about 9 o'clock and dug some potatoes for breakfast. 07/23 SUNDAY - A lovely day, neither too hot nor too cold. I marked off 73 copies of the S.S. Advocate after breakfast. Gussie went as usual to church in the morning while I stayed with the baby. Starr Hoyt Nichols preached for us in the morning and Brother Crawford in the P.M. I went in the afternoon. Brother Hill is very sick yet. A prayer meeting was held up home this afternoon at 5 o'clock for Mother's special benefit. We did not go but took Georgie in his carriage and went up to the cemetery. On the way, I stopped at George Starr's and handed him the list of subscribers in our Sunday School to the Lincoln Monument and the money with it - $20.32. He told me that the old lady, Mrs. Wildman, his wife's mother had just died since the afternoon meeting. We did not go to meeting in the evening, but retired early. 07/24 MONDAY - A little cloudy and some indications of a storm this morning but it finally proved a fair day. Alden G. Crosby, agent for the People's Coal Company, delivered 3 tons of coal this morning of the 5 I ordered a few days ago. I worked hard all day in the shop. The last I did before stopping work was to finish a damaged black hat on the 5deep spring prime block to either wear myself or to give to George when he comes hone. I went into the street in the evening for groceries and went to the depot to see if some of the boys of the 17th Regiment came as we are daily expecting them to arrive in New York for Port Royal, South Carolina. Mrs. George Starr's mother was buried this P.M. Father Griswold attended the funeral at the residence of George Starr where she died. Mr. Stokes came to Father Griswold's today from New York. A School meeting this evening in the basement of Concert Hall. Father Griswold was chairman. It was I believe to take measures for building a new school house. 07/25 TUESDAY - Indications of a storm during the day. A thunder shower between 6 and 7 o'clock P.M. By the New York Herald, I see the 17th Regiment arrived in New York by steamer from Port Royal. They took refreshmnet on the battery and then took steamer for New Haven at 11 o'clock at night. It has been very close and warm in the shop today. I worked until between 3 and 4 o'clock and stopped. I brought home a black spring brim hat, 5# deep, which I have been getting up from a damaged hat. It cost me nothing except the trimming. When I got to Main Street, I borrowed Alden Crosby's horse and buggy and carried Mother's straw bed home. Amos Purdy, Jr. died about 5 o'clock P.M. I helped a little about laying him out and went to the telegraph office and telegraphed them for his wife in Norwalk and paid the fee 40 cents. I went to the depot in the evening and met George who came from New Haven with the others of his company. I brought him around to my house before going up home with him. Mr. Cocking drew a pitcher of ale and we drank a glass together after calling to see Father Griswold. We started up home but found that they had all retired, so George hung his knapsack, haversack, and canteen in the old cart house and returned with me rather than disturb Mother, fearing it would disturb her badly to wake her. It was nearly midnight when we retired. 07/26 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. After breakfast and while Gussie was cleaning up Georgie, George and I went into the street to carry the item of Amos Purdy's death to the Jeffersonian Office for publication and to buy some meat for dining up home. When we returned, Gussie was ready and we too the baby and went up home with George. We spent the forenoon and took dinner after which Father, George and myself started for the cemetery. We stopped to talk with Swift about buying him out when Gussie came along and went to the cemetery with us. When we returned, I bought a loaf of bread and George went around home with me and we got our last jar of peaches and too up home for tea. We had a good time together during the day. After tea, Gussie and I came home. I went to market in the evening and saw Mr. Crofut about money to assist George to buy out O.H. Swift. I then went to class just before it was out where George and Bell were to John Cosier's class. I told George what I had done about the money. I walked up Deer Hill with him as far as Widow Barnum's and then came down home. 07/27 THURSDAY - Did not work in the shop. Spent a part of the forenoon in talking with O.H. Swift and figuring on the store and the news business with it. Mrs. Stone did our ironing in the forenoon, just before dinner. I went up home and carried a hat to George. Before breakfast, I went over to see John Bouton. At 1 o'clock, I attended the funeral of Amos Purdy. Father Griswold officiated; it was at the church. I drove Mr. ____'s white horse with the officiating clergyman (Father Griswold). George and William Warren assisted as pallbearers in uniform, Amos having been a soldier. George left with others of his company to report at New Haven. They took the 4 o'clock train. Bucket lost in the well. I borrowed a well hook of Clark Hickok and fished it out. I paid for soldering a strip of tin on the eves of my new tin roof - $1.75. It was done yesterday. I lent George $2.00 to get back to New Haven with and my pocketbook to put his money in when he gets paid off as he has none, not having any use for it for nearly a year as they have not been paid off in that time. I do not play often enough to know how to do it easily and am very tired. I took a nap after tea and then carried the well hook over to Clark Hickok's and went to market. Bought three quarts of whortleberries and a loaf of bread. 07/28 FRIDAY - Very warm. I worked all day in the shop. Ordered a # barrel of ale at Ferrell's for Robert and myself. Bell was with us to tea and stayed with Georgie while Gussie and I went to the store and to the depot to see if George would come on the train. John Bouton and William Warren came and said that they would not be paid off until next week and George being desirous of economizing much as possible stayed in New Haven and will not be home until the regiment is paid off. Brother Hull left a paper with Gussie today with blanks for me to fill out of the numbers of officer and teachers, number of infant scholars and books in the library. I filled them out after tea and left them at his house as we went into the street in the evening. I saw Mr. Henry Crofut at the depot and he told me that he thought he could let me (or George) have the money needed to buy out O.H. Swift and the paper business of P. Starr. I wrote to George about the paper business before retiring. 07/29 SATURDAY - Pleasant, indications in the morning of a warmer day than yesterday but a breeze finally sprang up and made it quite airy. The letter that I wrote to George last night informing him that I could have the money, I mailed this morning before breakfast. I worked all day in the shop. Saw Mr. Crofut as I left the factory about the money for George. He told me how he proposed to let me have it. I saw O. H. Swift on the street before I got home and he told me that he feared George had lost the paper business as Josiah Day's brother claimed that P. Starr had given him the refusal of it before he left home. Mr. Starr has not yet arrived home. I was at the depot in the evening to see Peter if he should arrive on the train. While there, I saw Day and his three brothers ready to mount Peter when he came. They are evidently determined to have the paper business for the town. By the evening mail, I received a letter from George stating that he has seen Peter in New Haven and he has an opportunity to buy the right for Fairfield County for the patent for a flour sifter. It would take less capital than the paper business and could do far better. After tea, John Bouton and Frank called on us. Just at night Crosby sent another ton of coal making now 4 tons delivered. The # barrel of ale from Ferrell's which I engaged for Robert and myself yesterday came also just at night. 07/30 SUNDAY - Pleasant; either too warm or too cool for comfort. Brother Hill is not yet able to preach though during the last week he has walked considerably. Brother Crawford preached for him today. Gussie went in the morning and I in the P.M. John Bouton and Frank attended church in the afternoon and sat with me. We had tomatoes for breakfast and green corn for supper. After tea, we took Georgie and went up home. They were holding a prayer meeting there. So we stopped at Henry Heinman's to see John Bouton until meeting was over. Gussie wrote to her cousin Eliza Humphrey I California in the evening. I went to prayer meeting and on the way I mailed a letter to George in New Haven in reference to the County right for the flour sifter which he wrote me about Saturday. 07/31 MONDAY - Pleasant. I got breakfast early and mailed a letter for this morning's mail to George. I went from the Post Office to the depot to see the boys who were to return to New Haven. I sent word by them to George that I should be there to see him in the evening. I worked until noon and then came home. After dinner I went back to the factory to get my pay and the money to take to New Haven to assist George in buying the County right for the flour sifter. I could not get the money from Mr. Crofut on account of George not being here to sign the note. So I concluded to go to New Haven and arrange for the right and leave the money matter until George should come home. I accordingly started for New haven on the 4 o'clock train arriving there about 7 o'clock, but was disappointed in not finding George waiting for me at the depot. I inquired and hunted for him but could not find him. I went up to Elisha Dickerman's where I was welcomed as an old friend. John Bouton went with me. The2nd Connecticut Light Battery arrived by steamer in the evening and were escorted by the mayor, the New Haven Brass Band and Light Guard up Chapel Street to the State House where a fine supper was waiting for them. After this John and I went to Mr. Dickerman's to put up for the night after going to an eating house near the Post Office for supper.
1865-07
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal December 1865 Entry
7pgs
12/01 FRIDAY - Rain last night and this morning, thought the day has been pleasant. After tea, I went to market. David Bradley came in when I returned and we wrote up his Librarian's book. Gussie went to the Sewing Society at Mrs. Staples. Louise came down and stayed with Georgie in the evening to let her go. Father Griswold had 77 lbs. of butter come from Ohio today. 12/02 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. As I came home from work I left a roll of salve at the News Office for Eugene Conkling and got my new sack coat at Mr. Harris' store and paid for it $20.00. Gussie went up to Joel Sanford's this morning and stayed all day to visit with Mary Mourre as it used to be but now Mrs. Murphy. After tea, I went into the street and got the ramrod to my gun repaired. Got my vest at Gillette's where I took it to have a pocket put in and bought two sets of underclothes for $16.00. After Singing School, George and Bell came this way to get a piece of meat which I gave our folks. He brought a sifter from Parmalee & Bradley's Store to have the handle tightened. We fixed it before he went home. 12/03 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm for the season. Gussie went to church as usual in the morning and I to Sunday School and the afternoon service. Mr. Hill preached to the children in the P.M. Cousin John Brayman, John Bouton and Hart Purdy called after supper. Before evening meeting time, I wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering two more copies of Sunday School Advocates and one dozen lesson books. I mailed it with money enclosed as I went to evening meeting. Brother Hill preached. I was introduced to Mr. And Mrs. Murphy by J. D. Stevens after meeting. 12/04 Cloudy and foggy all day. We finished up what work there was to do at the shop today for the remainder of the week, as Mr. Crofut is to take an inventory and also thanksgiving days coming on Thursday. A Hatters' Meeting in the evening to elect delegates to a special session of the National Hat Finishers' Association to be held in New York On Wednesday. I attended the meeting. As I came home from work tonight, I made some arrangements with Ed Dunning to go hunting tomorrow, should the day be pleasant. Before I retired, I salted sown my beef. 12/05 TUESDAY - Pleasant but colder. Ed Dunning and myself went hunting; was gone all day; game scarce. He got one partridge only and I got nothing. We went to Middle, Thomas and Moses Mountains, to Sugar Hollow, Wolfe's Pond, Mill Plain Swamp and Pond, then across on this farm north of Terry's and home. George went to Newton with sifters. I went to market in the evening. I called at Judd's and got my money where I told George Benjamin (who drew it for me) to leave it. I paid Mr. Judd $9.92 for soap which I bought October 23rd. 12/06 WEDNESDAY - A lovely day. After breakfast I walked over to Mr. Lynes' place to see Mr. Cocking about going hinting on Friday. In the P.M. Mrs. Stevens and Murphy came and Jesse and Mr. Murphy came to tea. They all stayed in the evening. Fanny, Harriet and Mother Griswold came down in the evening to visit with us. George took in some walnuts for a sifter today and I shall buy some of them. I cracked a few of them in the evening, which with some apples served up very nicely. 12/07 THURSDAY - Thanksgiving Day proclaimed by both Governor Buckingham and President Johnson. Ad I woke it was snowing hard; it turned to a fine mist about 10 o'clock. There were about 3 or 4 inches of snow fall. I tried both barrels of my gun this morning with No.5 and 6 shot by shooting at a mark on Father Griswold's barn. I was much pleased with way it threw the shot. George came down and harnessed his horse and went into the street to do a little trading before meeting time. The sermon was preached by Brother Hill in the 1st church. I went to church while Gussie did some ironing. As I went I mailed a letter to Carlton & Porter with the balance of the bill enclosed for Lesson Books. I wrote the letter yesterday, but company prevented mailing it. Between 1 and 2 o'clock George came with the horse and carried us all up home to eat dinner. After dinner at about 4 o'clock, I rode over to Mr. Lyne's to see Robert Cocking about hunting tomorrow. We concluded that it would be too wet with so much snow on the ground and gave up going. I went down to Ed Sanford's and got Bell where she was by invitation from Minnie Sanford to eat dinner. She left me at home and drove up to her house alone. I prepared the feed for the horse and George drove down with Georgie and Gussie. It snowed hard again in the P.M.; it cleared off in the evening. There have been a number of sleighs out today, the first of the season. 12/08 FRIDAY - A beautiful day; the sun has shone warm and there has been no wind. The merry sleigh bells have been jingling quite lively today. Immediately after dinner George came down and he took Mother Griswold and Gussie with the baby over to spend the afternoon with Mrs. Cocking. I walked over and from there George and I went over to Mill Plain to get his boots which he ordered to be made a while ago at a Mr. _____, but he had not made them so we returned a and he bought a pair at Charles H. Reed's. As we went over I called at Charles Fowler's and paid him the small amount due him for my last summer's butter. After George prepared the feed for his horse, he went home and I drove over to Robert Cocking's from Mother Griswold and Gussie. I took my gun over and we tried his with mine at a mark, after which he shot a pigeon and told me to shoot another; he gave them to me. We stayed to tea and then came home. I stabled the horse and went to market in the evening. 12/09 SATURDAY - Pleasant in the morning. Mother came over after dinner and spent the P.M. over to John Brayman's and stayed to tea. Gussie being over there, John came over for me when tea was ready. After tea, Mother came home with Gussie intending to spend the evening with us, but it commenced snowing, so I harnessed old Jim and took her home. John came over and went to market with me. I sold him my heavy grained leather boots and bought a pair of rubber boots at O.M. Benedict's. In the P.M., I put a hook and staple on the stable door and repaired my inside cellar door to make it shut tight. 12/10 SUNDAY - Pleasant; the additional snow which fell last evening about all melted away today. Gussie went to church in the morning and I to Sunday School and in the P.M. and in the evening; sacrament in the P.M. After tea, John Brayman harnessed the horse and drove to the cemetery with his wife and Gussie. Before retiring I wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering another copy of the Sunday School Advocate. 12/11 MONDAY - Pleasant. As I went to the shop in the morning, I mailed the letter I wrote last evening to Carlton & Porter with 30 cents enclosed for another copy of the Sunday School Advocate. George did Mother's washing today. He received by evening mail a letter from E.C. Andrews of New Haven about selling sifters in Fairfield County as he had a chance to sell some. He asked for directions about selling them if George would allow him to sell them at all. John Brayman came over and went downtown with me in the evening. 12/12 TUESDAY - Warm; cloudy in the morning; it began to rain in the P.M. I worked in the shop until I could see no longer. Fanny came in while we were at tea from a trip of collecting sinking fund money and as her folks were through tea, she too tea with us. It being stormy, I did not go into the street in the evening. 12/13 WEDNESDAY - There was scarcely any snow to be seen this morning the day has been pleasant. Warm in the morning but grew colder towards night. I left my rubbers at O.M. Benedict's Shoe Store to be mended as I went to work in the morning. I got them as I came home at night. Louise came down and took tea with us, Father Griswold's folks being all up at Bartram's to tea. 12/14 THURSDAY - Pleasant but cooler. I worked as usual in the shop. A special Hatters' Meeting this evening to hear the report of the delegates to the special session of the National Convention. I being very tired, besides having a lame knee (the rheumatism, I think), also having to scald my beef brine, I did not attend. I stayed at home and let Gussie go to market as she wanted to go to the dry goods store. 12/13 FRIDAY - Pleasant and cold. I rose this morning with the headache which increased so that I was compelled to leave the shop and come home in the afternoon. I could eat no supper and retired about 7 o'clock leaving Louise Vintz to stay with Georgie while Gussie went to the Sewing Society at Mrs. Nickerson's. 12/16 SATURDAY - Very Cold this morning, the coldest thus far this winter. Not feeling very strong, I went late to the shop. George called at the shop to see me in the forenoon. He borrowed Mr. Judd's hay cutter and cut up a lot of hay for the horse. We were paid off in the P.M. Before leaving the factory, I bought a Black Brim Spring Hat for George -price $1.25. It was a $3.00 hat but was slightly damaged which I repaired making it almost perfect. I stayed with Georgie in the evening and let Gussie got to the store. There has been good skating and has been for several days on the pond. 12/17 SUNDAY - A little sunshine in the morning, but it soon became cloudy with the appearance of snow in the after part of the day and in the evening. I felt about sick during the day, a bad state of the stomach and head. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School and came home after the session feeling too sick to stay in the P.M. Both my assistants, Ed Barnum and James Parmalee were absent from Sunday School. I got George and William Warren to distribute books in their places. I could eat no supper. After tea, I went with Gussie and the baby over to John Brayman's for a few minutes. Mother Griswold stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie and I to go together to church. As we went I mailed a letter to Carlton & Porter ordering two copies more of the Sunday School Advocate and included 60 cents for them. Georgie walked alone for the first time today. 12/18 MONDAY - Cloudy all day and commenced snowing about 10 o'clock in the evening. Before breakfast I had John Brayman take the horse over to McDonald's to be shod. George not having shown himself or brought any feed for the horse today, I went into the street in the evening and bought enough for his supper and breakfast and ordered 100 lbs. to be brought tomorrow. I put some coal clinker and slate in the stable in the evening and then went into Mr. Pond's barn and mended my coal riddle. I retired at 11 12 o'clock. Gussie did her washing today for the first in a long time. 12/19 TUESDAY - Snow enough to whiten the ground this morning. Cloudy with more or less rain during the day. Before I went to work this morning the feed for the horse which I engaged last evening came. I worked as usual all day in the shop. I went into the street in the evening and bought a ring and staple to put on the horse's manger in which to fasten the halter. I also paid for rubber boots at O.M. Benedict's which I bought about a week ago. I put the ring on the manger before retiring. 12/20 WEDNESDAY - Clear sky in the morning but it soon clouded over and remained so all day. It commenced snowing about 8 o'clock. Gussie and George rode down to Bethel to see Mr. Davis' folks after dinner and stayed to tea. After I came home from the shop at night and while waiting for Gussie to get home, I mended the horse's manger. Mrs. Daniel Starr and little girl called in the evening. I went to market and brought home a new burner for my lantern. 12/21 THURSDAY - Snow and rain last night which made the snow wet and heavy. There as about 2 inches of snow fell last night. I t came off clear and pleasant about 7 o'clock this morning. The wind rose in a short time and blew furiously all day and grew cold. The snow was frozen hard before night. George called at the shop to see me for a few minutes in the forenoon. George came in after tea and before going to meeting, wrote at my secretary a letter to a merchant, Johnson by name, in Newtown about sifters; also to E.C. Andrews about the new pattern of sifters. I went to market and directly home again in the evening. 12/22 FRIDAY - Pleasant with the exception of a snow squall before dinner; very cold last night and today. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea Georgie burned his hand with a hot poker. Gussie went into the street in the evening and bought some Christmas toys for the baby lettered blocks and lamb of rubber and a bell. 12/23 SATURDAY - Very cold last night; pleasant today and warmer than yesterday. As I went to work this morning, I ordered 3 bushels of oats at Crofut's Feed Store. The men made a purse of $6.25 and gave to Elijah Foot as a Christmas present. He is an old man just able to get around with a basket on his arm and sells pie and cake at the shop. The old man in his gratitude shed tears and said 'God bless you all.' Willie Hurd being in Danbury on a visit called at the shop to see me this P.M. George went to Stapleburg's foul shop to work this morning learning to finish hats. He made a commencement yesterday afternoon. He went to Brewster's Station this evening to a party with Sarah Purdy. 12/24 SUNDAY - we rose about 7 o'clock and it was snowing; it continued until about 11 o'clock when it turned to rain and stormed hard all day. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went to Sunday School and to meeting (which was a prayer meeting) in the P.M. Benedict Starr was there and spent some time in talking and singing with the School. He also took an active part in the prayer meeting in the P.M. we did not go out in the evening. The moon and stars shone before we retired. George got home from Brewster about 2 o'clock this morning. 12/25 MONDAY - Christmas - Rode over to Theo Lyon's and bought 6 sheaves of straw and paid him $11.25 for 15 bushels of potatoes he brought to me last fall. Shot Mother Griswold's cat; fired at target with Willie Hurd at Mr. Hurd's barn with pistols; paid Alden G. Crosby $24.50 balance of bill for coal. Mother, Gussie and I rode up to the cemetery to see new stone for John. David Mills called in the P.M. Gussie went over to John Brayman's in the evening. John came home with her. George lent his horse after dinner to Mr. Squire's to go to bethel; he returned prior to our going to the cemetery. 12/26 TUESDAY - Cloudy, foggy and misty with a little rain in the evening. Father Griswold's folks had their Christmas dinner today. We had an invitation. Gussie and the baby went. I stayed at work in the shop and took tea with them in the evening. Gussie bought two barrels of charcoal today. I went to market in the evening. While in the street, saw Mr. Witherspoon and paid him 5 months Hatters' dues up to January 10th, 1866. 12/27 WEDNESDAY - Stormy until just at night when it cleared off. Sunday School festival in the P.M. and sinking fund gathering in the evening. The Annual Sinking Fund Meeting. Gussie and I attended in the evening though I had a headache. Bell and Louise stayed with the baby. I gave the 25 cents each. Father Griswold sick. 12/28 THURSDAY - Stormy until in the evening when it broke. Gussie is sick with a cold and rheumatism. Father Griswold is also sick. I went for the doctor before breakfast for him. Gussie not feeling able to get breakfast, I ate up to Father Griswold's. I had the headache again this P.M but got over it after tea. I went to market and home early. I made two lure (?) covers before retiring. 12/29 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Father went to Newtown for George to fill an order for sifters. Read a letter from Edwin written on Christmas day. We had roasted oysters for supper. I went to market in the evening. 12/30 SATURDAY - Snow all day; cleared off in the evening. Went to market in the evening. Bought a record book for a journal. Swept paths before retiring. 12/31 SUNDAY - Pleasant; good sleighing. Baby sick. Went for the doctor after tea. Gussie did not attend church. I went in the A.M. and to Sunday School; came home in the P.M.; both home in the evening.
1865-12
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal September 1864 Entry
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9/1 Wednesday - I rose and wrote a letter to George before breakfast. I mailed it with a New York Times and went to the Depot to see Charles and Henry Hinman. Louise Jones and Harriet went off on the train, Louise to New York City and Harriet to Stamford. When the train left, I came home to breakfast. I made over the walk from Father Griswold's back door to the barn and the went downtown to the Post Office and got a letter from Charles Parsons with his pictures and a dollar enclosed for the pictures of his brother Phil which I sent to him. We took dinner up to Father Griswold's. After dinner, I went downtown and waited for the freight train in order that I could get some peaches which Parmelee and Bradley effected. They came and I bought one half a crate containing 18 to 20 quarts. The Catholics are having a picnic at Redding today. I wrote an answer to Charles Parsons' letter before tea and while Gussie was away on a walk to the cemetery. Just before retiring, I mailed my letter to Charles Parsons, went to Couch's Picture Gallery to engage him to take Mrs. Davis' boys picture tomorrow. I was at the cars when they came in and Charles and Henry Hinman returned home having been rejected by the surgeon at Bridgeport. Mike Ryan, George Blissard, and John Pollett were rejected also. Mrs. McDonald raised from 5 to 7 cents a quart for milk this morning. Frank Boughton returned the $6.00 I borrowed for her of Alden G. Crosby. 9/2 FRIDAY - No work. Pleasant and warm. After breakfast, I wrote to George about the rejection of the Hinman boys. About 10 o'clock, I borrowed Dr. Buckley's horse and went up for Mother and brought her down to spend the day with us. After dinner, I helped pare and halve peaches for canning. I mailed the letter to George and went to the shop and drew George Davis' money for his wife as he has enlisted in the navy. After tea, I got Parmalee and Bradley's team and carried Mother up home. Gussie and I went with Mrs. Davis to Couch's in the evening to get her pictures to send by James S. Taylor to George on board the North Carolina at the navy yard in Brooklyn. We waited until the cars came to see Mr. Taylor about sending a small parcel to George Davis. James Leuning (sp), William Hickok and others who were accepted yesterday at Bridgeport as volunteers and sent to camp in New Haven came home this evening in uniform on furlough until next Tuesday. As we came home in the evening we found Gussie's cousin, Miss Williams from Kansas up to Mother Griswold's. She came by the evening train. 9/3 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I worked in the shop until after 3 o'clock. Gussie finished putting her peaches in cans today. Atlanta has fallen and is now in the hands of General Sherman and his noble army. After the papers came and the news was read, the bells were rung and the cannon fired. Flags were hoisted and there was a rejoicing time generally. After I came home from work, I gathered my beets and put them in the cellar in order to make room for a strawberry bed. Before tea, I killed a chicken over to Mrs. Davis'. She gave it to me. I offered to pay her but she would not take anything. After tea, Gussie and I went to market. The cars being late, she went home and I stayed to wait for the mail. The train came a little after 9 o'clock. The news of the capture of Atlanta was fully confirmed. Just before retiring, Mr. Cocking brought a glass of beer down to me. 9/4 SUNDAY - Cloudy and rain in the P.M. Gussie did not attend church. Brother Hill preached in the morning from Acts 12:12. In the P.M. from John 2:24. I walked home from church with John Cosier under his umbrella. Talked to the Sunday School at noon. I took a nap after tea. No service in our church in the evening on account of a sermon by Starr Hoyt Nichols to the Young Men's Christian Association in the 1st Congregational Church. I went down about 7 o'clock and mailed letters for Mrs. George Davis. 9/5 MONDAY - Stormy. No work in the shop. I had calculated to work in my garden and set out a strawberry bed, but on account of the storm could not. I went down to Charles Hull's Tin Shop and make some pistol bullets. I came near putting out my eyes by wetting the molds to cool them and then before they were dry pouring in the melted lead which splattered and flew into my face blistering my eyelid a little. The first number of the War Record was sent to me for another year which I had not subscribed for on account of not feeling able to do so and not because I did not like the paper. On the contrary, I like it very much. I ordered it sent back to the publishers again. In the afternoon, I went to the shop for my pay for the last two weeks' work. Went to Sanford's Wood Sawing establishment and got a piece of hickory for a ramrod for Mr. McDonald's gun which I am keeping for him. I shaved it down in Robert Sayer's Undertaking Shop and then came home and finished it off which took me all the afternoon. I retired with the sick headache after which Mr. Cocking returned from the Post Office with two letters for me from George. He acknowledged the receipt of the hat and watch which I sent him on the 16th of August. The Letters were written the 16th and 23rd and postmarked August 27th. News by the evening paper of the capture of the rebel [Raider] Georgia, a pirate. 9/6 TUESDAY - Stormy this morning. John Cosier came up for a gallon of vinegar before I got up. I rose with the headache again. My fingers which I cut yesterday with a wire on my umbrella being pretty sore, I concluded not to go to the shop. After breakfast, I copied some extracts from George's two letters for the Jeffersonian and carried them to Ashley. I waited for the mail which was rather late and then came home to dinner. I went over to McDonald's to repair Emaline Williams' trunk lock after dinner. I went into the street and got short iron, nails straps and buckles and just about made over new her trunk by working nearly all afternoon on it. I went to the depot in the evening to meet cousin Lieut. Charles C. Parsons and wife if they should come as we somewhat expect them. But they did not come. Went to the Post Office and while there listened to Rev. Mr. Shepard talk as he has just returned from the front of our army at Petersburg. I walked up home with Mr. Cocking. Brought a letter for Father Griswold from Canton. Stayed up there a short time to visit with Cousin Emaline. The celebrated Guerilla John Morgan who was formerly captured and broke jail has been killed and his staff captured. So says the Evening Post. A letter in the office from Harriet from George which I remailed to her in Stamford where she is visiting. Commenced a letter to George in the evening. 9/7 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I had work nearly all day in the shop. Before tea, I finished gathering my vegetables on the place where I want to set out strawberry plants. I got my first Jeffersonian from the printing office on my new subscription for one year. In the evening I went to the depot and got a through ticket to Cleveland by the Erie route of Mr. Williams, the ticket agent, for Cousin Emaline Williams who goes tomorrow morning. Fred Vintz cut his foot badly today. 9/8 THURSDAY - Cousin Emaline Williams left on the morning train for Kansas. Had work in the shop until early night. There was a rainbow circle around the sun just after dinner, a thing which I never saw before or heard of either. It was a circle the same as usual, except that it contained all the colors of the rainbow. Brother Woodruff was at Father Griswold's with George Starr when I came home from work. Cloudy in the P.M. I finished my letter to George and mailed it in the evening with a Harper's Weekly and two Jeffersonians. One back number with the piece in it that George wrote of how the 17th Regt. spent the 4th of July at St. Augustine and the last number. I went to the depot to see if Charles Parsons and lady came. From there, I went to the Post Office and then to prayer meeting. Brother Woodruff was there. The evening post gives us news of the French in Mexico being whipped. When I came home, it was clear and cool with prospects of a frost. 9/9 FRIDAY - Rain early this morning. Cloudy during the day a little broken between 3 and 4 o'clock with an occasional ray of sunshine. After I finished my shop work, I came home and spaded garden to put out strawberry plants. I spaded about half the patch and put out two rows of plants. Gussie went up to Mother Purdy's in the P.M. and was late getting home. A balloon was seen (I saw it) between 6 and 7 o'clock this evening in a northeast direction. I went to the Post Office in the evening. and returned as soon as the mail was opened as I was very tired. 9/10 SATURDAY - pleasant and warmer than before since September came in. I had work in the shop until the middle of the P.M. On the way home, I bought 4 lbs. of excellent coffee of Parmalee and Bradley, the last he had of the kind, and I was desirous of securing it for fear of not being able to get any more of the kind. As soon as I got home, I went immediately back again to Hull's Tin Shop to have a new bottom put into our tea kettle and a top with a lid on our old fruit can. When I returned, I spaded a little more ground and put out two rows more of the Russel Prolific strawberry plants. While we were drinking tea, Aunt Louisa and Mary came in. Gussie went with me downtown to market and to the Post Office in the evening. A soldier who lost one hand at Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip at the time General Butler took New Orleans came to the shop today soliciting assistance to go to his home somewhere on the North River. I gave him 25 cents. 9/11 SUNDAY - Stormy. I went with Gussie down to the church and then went to Barnum's Hotel to see what arrangements had been made for the Ridgefield Military Company to get dinner, they being here to bury the remains of Captain White, Company I, 10th Regt. Connecticut Volunteers, as if there were no arrangements made to feed them, I was going to ask our friend Rockwell who is a member of the company home with us to dinner. They were to take dinner at the hotel. Mr. Tweedy not having a load, I went down to Long Ridge with him where the religious part of the service was conducted at the Methodist church by Mr. Clark of Georgetown, a protestant Methodist. He preached an excellent sermon from Job 14:14 'If a man die shall he live again. As soon as the service was over, we drove home as soon as possible not waiting for the procession as it was raining in torrents. The service at the church was at 11 o' clock. We arrive home a little before 2 o'clock. I went to the sacrament in the P.M. Brother Woodruff assisted in administering it. He preached in the morning but I, being at Long Ridge, did not hear him. The procession passed up Main Street just after the services in the church were over. I heard the three volleys fired over the soldier's grave at 3 one half o'clock as I was writing at home. Though his house was on Long Ridge, he was buried in our cemetery. After tea, I took a nap until evening meeting time. The meeting was one of thanksgiving in accordance with President Lincoln's proclamation. The three congregations united in our church. The meeting was one of great interest. Remarks were made by the several clergy with occasional prayers and singing by the choir. Brother Woodruff made the last speech which was a good one after his peculiar style. It brought down the house by way of intense interest and laughter. The exercises were closed by the congregation joining the choir in singing 'The Star Spangled Banner'. 9/12 MONDAY - Cloudy nearly all day. It cleared off in the evening or just before night. I had one dozen cheap hats to finish which I did before noon. Received three packages of old letters by from George by mail. After dinner, I cut off each end of Fanny's flower stand to make it small enough to go in their bay window. I then went over to George Starr's for a board with which to make a work bench for Gussie. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. I went to the depot with Bell in the evening to meet Harriet as we expected her form Stamford, but she did not come. 9/13 TUESDAY - Pleasant but a little cool for the season. After breakfast, I took my gun and started for Starr's Plain where I found David Bradley as I expected. We went on Moses Mountain and there and on the way home we spent nearly all day. The game I brought home was as follows: 1 rabbit, 1partridge, 2 pigeons, 2 robins and 2 chipmunks. I was very tired at night. We dressed the game before tea. After tea, I went to the Post Office. Mr. Cocking had a load of wood come today. Charlie, the boy who works for Mr. Lynes with Robert came in the evening and wheeled the wood to the woodhouse and piled it up. 9/14 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. I finished digging my strawberry ground as far as I could on account of the tomatoes and put out three rows of Poor House seedlings. I pulled up my squash vines and all the corn stalks that had no corn on them and gave them to McDonald. I then went down to the Post Office and came home to dinner. We had Father and Mother Griswold with us to eat a wild game pot pie. I cleaned my gun before breakfast. It is just one year ago this morning since Eddie died. No, I made a mistake a year ago tomorrow. I was thinking today was the fifteenth. Before tea, I wrote to George and put up a Harper's Pictorial with a Jeffersonian and last weeks' Danbury Times with the historical sketches of St. Augustine in it sent by Montgomery Bailey. I attended class in the evening. Brother Hill led it. After class, I walked up with John Cosier and called to see David Bradley to see how he stood the hunt yesterday and to see if he could go again tomorrow. I stayed about an hour and talked. When I came home Gussie had retired. It clouded up about 6 o'clock and sprinkled a little as it did during the evening. Moses Baxter, who went away to avoid the draft I see is at home today. He doubtless had word sent to him that our quota was filled and that there would be no draft. If the American people were all like him and his father the country would be destroyed before it would be defended. They will not only not fight themselves but will prevent others from doing so if they can and are continually condemning the administration for putting down an armed rebellion by force of arms. 9/15 THURSDAY - Eddie died one year ago this morning at a quarter past three o'clock. I t has been pleasant today. I took up and put in pots Gussie's house plants. Repaired Father Griswold's wheelbarrow. Nailed a strap in Mother Griswold's trunk. It was then noon. After dinner I took my gun and went over to Fish Ware and Mill Plain swamp to hunt for pigeons. I wounded one and could not find him in the swamp and shot at another but the distance was so great I did not kill him. It was dark when I got home. After tea, I went to market and to the Post Office. 9/16 FRIDAY - I have had work all day in the shop. I came home about sundown and found the house locked and Gussie away. I had a fire and boiled tea before she came. She was up home. I scolded some for coming home and finding the house fastened and no one to get supper when I had worked so hard all day and was tired. Mr. Swift occupies his new store for the first time this evening with his newspapers. I attended the Union League before I came home. 9/17 SATURDAY - Had work in the shop until noon. After dinner, I took my guns and started to find David Bradley according to last evening's agreement and found him in company with Hart Purdy and Robert Raymond in Hull's Orchard near the old Isaac Levine place down the road leading to Fox Pond Hollow. From there, we went over near the old David Ambler farm and down across the flat meadows to the edge of Mill Plain Swamp on Granville Amblers Fish Ware land. We came home by way of Terry's Woods and Oil Mill Pond. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Cocking, who have been staying out to Mr. Lyne's all the week came home in the evening. Mother Griswold and Fanny started for Bloomfield this morning. A Democratic mass meeting in Norwalk this morning. Harriet came home from New York this morning. 9/18 SUNDAY - Gussie's birthday - 28 years old. The sun shone brightly in the forenoon. Fling clouds and wind in the P.M. I attended church all day. Gussie did not. Brother Hill preached. Text in the morning _______. In the P.M. Colossians 1:17, Isaiah 11:2. After Sunday School, I took Thomas Lyons' team and went up for Mother and brought her to church. She walked home. Just as Brother Hill commenced his sermon in the P.M., Aaron Morehouse's wife was taken faint. He was obliged to leave church with her. After tea, I took a nap until nearly evening Meeting time. We both attended. Just before going, Bell and a little Squires' girl who lives just this side came bringing two letters from Harriet to mail. Gussie had news this evening that Marianne Underhill, an old schoolmate and chum of hers at Amenia School was dead with two of her children also with dysentery. She lived near Gaylordsville on the Housatonic River road. 9/19 MONDAY - Pleasant. I had work in the shop until about 3 one half o'clock. David Mills appeared to me in the shop this forenoon. He came from Bethel on the train. He arrived home on Saturday evening. When I finished work, I went to the Depot to see him off. Carrie came up with him and Harriet returned with them. I went to Austin's store and drew $2.50 the same being my traveling expenses to and from Bridgeport to have my name stricken from the rolls. James S. Taylor, the first selectman left the papers and money there to be paid to all such as myself who went down to Bridgeport for that purpose and had their names taken off. Paid to John Cosier the balance of my seat rent for this year. - $3.00 Reverend Mr. Shepherd, the Universalist minister gave a lecture or rather his experience of what he saw on a visit to our army under General Grant in front of Petersburg and Richmond., Va. Gussie attended with me. After his lecture a collection was taken up for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission. Also he presented a book to take one dollar subscription which is to be circulated throughout the country to buy a house for General Grant as a token of the country's appreciation of his service to the country. It was 10 one half o'clock when we arrived home. 9/20 TUESDAY - Had work in the shop until the middle of the P.M. I then came home by way of Burr Bradley's with him and drank some new cider which he had just got. The shop was called in the forenoon to raise the price on the Round Crown or Smith Block. We got 2 cents extra on soft hats and 3 cents on stiff rims. Mr. John Cosier called before tea to engage a gallon of vinegar for Lucius Wildman. I agreed to let him have it. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. I received a letter from George, the first since he was ordered to join his regiment. He is now with them at Picolata. The evening papers state that a heavy but successful battle had been fought by General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. Also that rebels in Canada have seized small steamers on Lake Erie. I put down my name to give $1.00 toward buying a house for General Grant. 9/21 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I had work until noon in the shop. I came home to dinner and ate with Mrs. Jesse D. Stevens and her mother. Jesse's wife was spending the day with Gussie. While we were eating dinner, the commenced firing 34 guns in honor of the late victory by General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. The bells were rung also. I went on to Ives Hill after dinner where they were having the salute and went with them to help put up the gun. (Mrs. Lanford who was with us to dinner came in just before dinner having been over to the Sand Hill for some scouring sand). I called at Tweedy Brothers and then came home and got out a piece of hickory for a ramrod in McDonald's gun, the other one which I made being rather small. Between 4 and 5 o'clock, I went out into the street to get my Jeffersonian and met John Cosier who wanted me to go hunting with him a short time over west a short distance which I did. We went over as far as Granville Ambler's land on the edge of Mill Pond Swamp and returned without seeing anything to shoot at. We arrive home after dark. I drank my tea and started for class meeting but so much of the evening was taken up with finding a daily paper to send to George and mailing it together with the Harper's Weekly and Jeffersonian that I did not go but attended the Union League which kept me out until 10 one half o'clock. I sent the daily paper in order that George might read the news of Sheridan's victory at Winchester. Mr. James Fowler brought us but 1 one half lbs. of butter this week instead of two as usual and notified us that he could bring us butter but once more. 9/22 THURSDAY - Cloudy all day. I had work in the shop until noon. I ate my dinner which I had with me and came home by way of Alden G. Crosby's coal office and paid him the $6.00 I had borrowed of him some time ago for Frank Boughton to pay her interest with. When I got home I finished the ramrod to McDonald's gun, it being the second one I made, the first being too small. Wallace Hyatt, one of the boys at the shop, climbed the flagstaff on the shop this morning to put in some new halyards. The flag was then run up and kept flying during the day. After tea, I wrote a letter to George and intended to mail it in the evening, but before mailing it, I concluded to wait for the evening mail to see if another letter came from him and sure enough there was one. While reading it in the post office, there was an alarm of fire. It was a linty (sp) on the rear of Heurie's (sp) Tobacco Store. For a few minutes prior to the arrival of the hose, there was every prospect of a large fire. But the hose soon extinguished the flames. I having just previous to the fire bought some scallops for breakfast, I took them and came home. Before retiring, I answered the letter from George just received and enclosed the letter I wrote before going to market. 9/23 FRIDAY - Cloudy with some mist in the P.M. Had work all day in the shop. I collected money in the shop for powder to fire on the first occasion we have such as a victory or the capture of Richmond. Before breakfast went down and mailed the letter to George which I wrote last night. I attended the Union League in the evening. Came home about 10 one half o'clock. 9/24 SATURDAY - Cloudy and rain between 3 and 4 o'clock P.M. A thunder shower about an hour after. I had work in the shop until after dinner. On my way home I called at Louis Moegling's (sp) dying establishment to see what it would cost to get the field of our flag at the factory dyed as it has become so faded that it is not respectable. I came home and commenced making out a letter for George for publication in the Jeffersonian from his last two letters. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. We did our marketing and she came home while I stayed for the mail. I did a little collecting of money with which to buy powder for salutes in our Union Gun. The new Union Club room was to be opened in the evening, but for some reason was not. Further good news from General Sheridan. He continues to whip the rebel General Early very severely. Upon receipt of the news, bells were rung and the cannon fired. 9/25 SUNDAY - Pleasant and cooler. I attended church all day. Gussie came down to Sunday School and afternoon meeting. Brother Hill exchanged with Mr. Stone the Baptist I the P.M. Mr. Stone preached from Luke 23:42-43. Before and after supper, I finished copying from George's letter for publication in the Jeffersonian. I then finished also the letter I commenced writing to him this morning. I mailed also in the evening with the letter, The Harper's weekly and Friday's Tribune. Also a comic picture of Lincoln, Little Mac, General Grant, Richmond, and Weldon R. Road. There being prospects of frost, we gathered what few dwarf pears there were remaining in the trees, a dozen perhaps. In the letter to George, I requested that he send me a list of the names of those in his Company who are 21 years old but who have not been made freemen, on account of coming of age since entering the army. There are measures being made to get them home to vote for president in November. Just before meeting time, Gussie and I went over to Burr Bradley's and went from there to prayer meeting with him and his wife. We got their card pictures. 9/26 MONDAY - Pleasant. My work in the shop lasted until about 2 one half o'clock. I came home by way of the Jeffersonian and left a letter from George for publication. He thinks it cannot be printed this week as the paper is full of matter for this issue. I bought one pound of shot on my way home to go hunting tomorrow with Burr Bradley. I picked beans before tea to save them from the frost. I got the one half dozen Army and Navy Dictionaries at Swift's News Office in the evening and mailed them to George. At the same time, I wrote a letter with pencil and mailed to him, stating the price of the dictionaries. After which I went to the Union meeting in Concert Hall to organize a Union Campaign Club. I was organized in due form making John Tinely (sp) president. We had speaking from Rev. Mr. Shepard and Chaplain Ambler. Also the song 'Rally Round the Flag, Boys' led by Mr. Jackson. The meeting was well attended and enthusiastic. I carried cartes de visite of Gussie and myself to the shop and gave them to Burr Bradley in exchange for theirs received last night. 9/27 TUESDAY - I rose about 5 o'clock and found it raining hard and with that gave up the idea of hunting with Burr Bradley and went back to bed as I was in no hurry having no work in the shop. I lay half an hour and then got up again, but found it pleasant, the rain being but a little shower passing over. I then hurried as fast as possible about breakfast, but Burr came before it was ready. I ate such as was ready and started with Burr. We went over to Jacob Fry's. He had promised to carry us over to Pine Mountain with his team. He not being ready, we went on and followed the stream from E. Hull's up to Fish Ware looking for ducks. While I was hunting partridge, Burr saw three ducks, but did not get a shot. Mr. Fry overtook us on the Miry Brook road just beyond Fish Ware. We rode up the old Spruce Mountain Road by Thomas Smith's and then hunted around crossing over to Pine Mountain, paying a visit to the U.S. Coast Surveyors. From there we hunted the woods down coming out in the vicinity of Starr's Plain Pond. We then went on the mountain the other side of the road up to Hawley Branson's farm over Moses Mountain across by Charles Starr's wood and home. My game was one partridge, one pigeon, one chipmunk, and a Brown Thrasher. We arrive home at 2 o'clock. At 5 P.M., went down to see the Lincoln and Johnson banner flying to the breeze. Speeches were made by John Tweedy, Silas Ferrel and Mr. H. Francis. Having a severe headache and feeling lame after my tramp, I came home and retired early, feeling quite used up. Harriet Purdy left a letter here for Gussie from Eliza Humphrey in California. Gussie being out with me to the banner raising, she put the letter in at the window beside the casing some way, how we could not imagine. This morning, while Burr Bradley was waiting for me to eat breakfast, Sarah Purdy came in to tell me that George wished her to tell me that the Regiment had received their instrument for a Regimental Brass Band. He wanted me to have it inserted in his letter for the Jeffersonian. 9/28 WEDNESDAY - Had work until noon at the shop. A subscription came to the Copperheads at the shop this morning for a McClellan banner to match and without doubt will excel ours for Lincoln and Johnson. We had the game I shot yesterday for dinner today. A little rain about 2 P.M. It soon stopped and then Burr Bradley as he promised at the shop came along with his gun and we took a little stroll to Oil Mill Pond, Terry's Woods, Fish Ware and Mill Plain Swamp, across to Thomas Lyons, from there across in the rear of the old Captain Fairchild Ambler's estate, up toward Edward Mack's, the old Benjamin Ambler orchard opposite the Levine(sp) place, the across to Charles Starr's woods and home arriving about 6 o'clock with 2 High holes and a chipmunk, which I gave to Burr. I then dressed, took tea, went up to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper and one to send to George, which I immediately mailed with a New York Times of today. I then went to class, had a good meeting, after which I went to the grocery store for some things, to the Post Office, and for the first time visited our Union Club rooms over Harvey's new store, 3rd floor. I put my name down as one of the club. Sat a few minutes and walked up home with John Green and Rev. Mr. Shepard. 9/29 THURSDAY - Stormy in the forenoon, but pleasant in the P.M. I worked all day I the shop. Frank Cornwall's (colored) house on Turner Street fell down over his head this morning about 6 o'clock. It stood on a side hill and fell for want of proper underpinning. I went to hear Henry C. Demming of Hartford speak in Concert hall in the evening upon the issues of the day. He arrived by the cars in the evening and in consequence was late in commencing his speech. I got home at 10 o'clock. Demming was the late colonel of the 12th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers. 9/30 FRIDAY - Stormy again in the morning, but some sunshine in the P.M. and pleasant in the evening. I had work all day in the shop. Gussie spent the afternoon up to my fathers. T. H. Bond of New Haven spoke to the Copperheads in Concert Hall in the evening. They made considerable display by escorting their speaker from the cars to the Hall with a band of music. I went to the Union League in the evening. Father Griswold was initiated with a large number of others. Fido was close to his heels all the time.
1864-09
Horace Purdy Journal July 1864 Entry
10pgs
7/1 FRIDAY - Appearance of rain in the morning, but it came off pleasant and warm in the middle of the day. I woke in the morning with a severe pain in my bowels. I went down to see Dr. Bulkley, but he was not in his office. The pain increasing and to all appearances growing worse, I called on Dr. Skiff. He gave me some medicine and after the mail came in, I came home and went to bed. I could eat nothing for dinner. The pain seemed to increase in the P.M. After tea, Gussie and Hattie Mills went down to Dr. Skiff. After they had gone, Bro. Hill, who had been making a call at Father Griswold's, came down to see me. Being in somewhat of a hurry, his call was a short one. He prayed with me and then left to join a friend who was with him at Father Griswold's. He called him Bro. Whitney from New Canaan, one of his old church members. After Gussie returned, Mr. Wing, who had called at Father Griswold's on business pertaining to his clothes dryers, called to see me also. As soon as he left, which was after 9 o'clock, Dr. Skiff came. I was somewhat afraid of inflammation of the bowels. He changed his medicine and promised to call on the following morning. (It is now Saturday morning that I am writing this, I was not able to write yesterday). 7/2 SATURDAY - I suffered considerable pain last night. Could not sleep until after midnight when I fell asleep. I woke in the morning feeling easy, the pain having all subsided, but my bowels feeling sore. Dr. Skiff called about 10 o'clock as he was going to Dr. Hawley's to the next door. He left me some phosphorus for my cough. I paid him $1.00 for last night's attendance. Harriet Purdy came down before dinner and stayed until about 4 P.M. After dinner, or rather, in the middle of the afternoon, I went over to McDonald's Blacksmith Shop and made an iron thing to put top of bullets under the rod to press them home in loading my revolver. We had tea a little earlier than usual to enable Harriet Mills to take the train to go home to Bethel to spend the Fourth. After tea, I weeded out my strawberry bed. Gussie not feeling well, I went to Dr. Buckley's and got some medicine for her. I waited until nearly 10 o'clock for the mail and then came home. After I got home, I heard the locomotive blow. I then went back to the Post Office, but there was no mail matter for any of our folks. As this was only why I went back, I had the walk for nothing. 7/3 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. Gussie, not feeling well, did not attend church. Mr. and Mrs. Powel and daughter came last night to Father Griswold's and attended church in the morning. After Sunday School, I came home and returned to church with Mr. Powel; the other folks did not attend. Fanny was waiting for him at the church door, but her seat being full, he sat with me. Bro. Hill preached all day. Bro. Crawford opened with prayer and scripture reading in the P.M. Text in the morning - Eph. 2:4-5-6, in the P.M. -John 8:36; it was in part, if not entirely, a Fourth of July sermon. He dwelt considerably on the nation, the war, and the anniversary of our independence. By invitation, we went up home and took dinner with the company. After tea, Mr. Powel and I took a walk around Father Griswold's and my premises. I went to prayer meeting in the evening with the Company, Gussie staying at home with her mother. 7/4 MONDAY - Pleasant. The firing woke me at 4 o'clock. I got up and fired at a target with my revolver a few times. I went down and mailed a letter and Waverly to George before breakfast. After breakfast, I went down again to market for Fanny. As soon as the women got their morning work done, Mr. and Mrs. Powel and daughter, Harriet Wheeler, Gussie and I went up to the cemetery. On our return home, I took from the Office 4 letters and 5 bundles of Florida papers. The Ancient City, printed at St. Augustine. They were back numbers which he wants preserved. We took dinner up to Father Griswold's. After dinner, I took a nap and then Robert Cocking and I went up by Father Griswold's barn to practice target shooting again with my revolver. But previous to doing so, I went down to the baker's for some bread. After tea, we all took a walk (Father Griswold included) up West Street to Gallows Hill and around by Mallory's shop into River Street and up New street to West and home. I went to the Post Office myself previous to coming home. Harriet Mills came up on the evening train from Bethel. She spent the evening upstairs with Mrs. Cocking. Gussie and I went up into the cupola of Father Griswold's house with the company to see what little fireworks there was. 7/5 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm. Mrs. Stone could not work for us today, one of her children being sick. Our neighbor, Mrs. Curtis done it for us. I went downtown in the morning to see if I could get my winter's coal put in today, but could not; they were too busy. I waited until the cars came to get the mail. I took out two letters for Frank Boughton and took them over to her house. She being at the shop, I left them with her mother. After dinner, I went to look for a team to take us on Mount Four. Mr. Powel went home this morning. I went to the cars with him. Gussie went up to Mr. Bartram's in the P.M. with Mrs. Powel and daughter, Frank and Harriet. Before tea, I wrote to George in answer to the 4 letters received yesterday. Hattie Mills and I got our supper of bread and milk. I went to the depot when the cars came in to see Beatty about his double team to go to Mount Four tomorrow P.M. I saw John Sharp, his driver and engaged it at $4.00 for the afternoon. I then went up to Thomas Fowler's store and paid him for a gallon of molasses which he sent me this P.M. - $1.20. I then went to the Post Office. News by the evening papers is that the rebel pirate Alabama has been sunk. I attended Hatters' Meeting in Benedict and Nichols' Hall in the evening. It was the semi-annual meeting and the election of officers. It was quite late when I got home. Before retiring, I prepared some items from George's letters for the Jeffersonian. 7/6 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warm. I carried some extracts form George's letters to the Jeffersonian for publication as I went to the shop in the morning. Before breakfast, I set out some cauliflower plants for Father Griswold and myself. In the afternoon, I went with our folks and Brooklyn friends to Mount Four. We had Beatty's double team. While up there, I cut a new pole and replaced the one George put up in 1861. Father Griswold, Fanny, Harriet, Louisa, Hattie Mills, Mrs. Powel and daughter and myself. Bro. Hill, our preacher, saw the flag from mother's and started across the fields in a straight line for the place. He arrived while we had gone down to the spring to take our refreshments. I found him on the peak waiting for us when I returned for the horses. While turning round to come down the pole strap broke. Bro. Hill assisted me to repair damages. He rode home with us. When we arrived home, Father Griswold and Mother Griswold and Gussie drove up to the cemetery. When he returned, I drove the team up to the depot and paid John Sharp $4.00 for the team. I did my marketing. 7/7 THURSDAY - Hot and muggy. It commenced raining about 11 o'clock. I came home to dinner without an umbrella. I felt too much exhausted to return. I lay down on the lounge until 3 o'clock. I then got up and fixed the hinges to the pantry door and did some writing. Hattie Mills did not come home to dinner on account of the rain. I wrote to George before tea, giving an account of our trip to Mt. Four. I went to the store in the evening and bought $6.00 worth of sugar, $3.00 crushed , 9 lbs., $3.00 of a coffee sugar and 10 one half lbs. I mailed a letter to George and went into prayer meeting a few minutes before it closed. 7/8 FRIDAY - Showery in the morning. It came off pleasant and warm in the middle of the day. I have felt better and have done much more work than before in over a week. Had soup and milk for supper, after which Robert and I went to market and to the Post Office together. When we returned, I found Gussie and Hattie Mills gone away. Probably gone to find a boarding place for Hattie as it is not convenient for us to keep her longer. 7/9 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. Mike Kelly woke me this morning, shaking the door for Robert Cocking, my tenant. He was after him to help get hay. We were limited in our work today at the shop on account of the facer's getting behind with their work. I finished my work about 4 o'clock. I went to the Jeffersonian Office to get a copy of the Jeffersonian printed in June, 1863 with the memorial of Ireneus P. Woodman of Co. C, 17th Regt., Connecticut Volunteers who died at Brookes Station, Va. My 19, 1863 of a wound in the breast received at the battle of Chancellorsville fought 17 days previous to his death. I found in June 3 a card from his father in reference to his death. Also a memorium in an issue of March 2nd, 1864 taken from the Connecticut War record. These Mr. Ashley gave to me for George as it was for him that I was getting them to send to Bell Conrad in Stratford. I had been home but a short while when Burr Bradley, according to an agreement before he left the shop, came to go to the pond with me to bathe. We went over to Oil Mill. Just as we were dressing, two of our shopmates came also, Mr. Rousseau and James Sparks. After tea, I fixed a fastener to one the upstairs blinds and hoed in my garden a little. After which, I went down to market and b ought a piece of meat for Sunday. Gussie and Hattie Mills spent the evening in trying to find a boarding place for Hattie. They did not succeed. 7/10 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. Gussie and I attended church in the morning. Brother Hill preached from Hebrews 2:17. After the Sunday School Prayer Meeting, Gussie went home. I stayed to the communion in the P.M. Clark Hoyt's child was baptized. After tea, Gussie and I went up to the cemetery with a bouquet for Eddie's grave. I borrowed a pitcher of water at Mr. Days to fill the vases with. Mailed a letter to George and two Jeffersonians with card and memorium in them on the death of Ireneus P. Woodman to Isabella Conrad at Stratford by request of George. Being tired after our walk, we did not go to meeting in the evening. Hattie Mills feels badly that she must get another boarding place as we have notified her that it will not be convenient for us to keep her longer. She cried over it this morning. 7/11 MONDAY - A shower last night. Pleasant and warm today. We were limited in our work at the shop, having only 2 dozen to finish. Mrs. Stone worked for us today. Hattie Mill's engaged board this morning at Henry Fosters, but tonight they had changed their minds and concluded not to take any boarders. Hattie felt bad and cried about it. Bro. Hills' mother called at Father Griswold's and to our house in the evening. I walked down home with her on my way to Teachers' Meeting. On my way to the shop this morning, I called at Dr. Bulkley's office and left word with him to come and see Fanny who is sick with the Dysentery. In Sunday School, the propriety of a Sunday School picnic was considered. Definite action on it was deferred for one month. 7/12 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm. Another small shower last night. Before breakfast, I repaired by coal bin a little preparatory to putting in my coal. A ton of soft coal came before night. Gussie made her currant jelly and ironed. She was taken very sick with bilious colic about 3 o'clock P.M. When I came home, I found the doctor (Bulkley) there prescribing for her. Mother Griswold and Hattie Wheeler got my tea. Mother Griswold and Hattie Mills cleared the table and washed the dishes. I set out some cabbage plants between the hills of my early potatoes and then went to market. The great rebel raid into Maryland threatening Washington and Baltimore which has cut telegraph lines and stopped railroad trains, etc. The news from the tonight is a little more favorable for us. Telegraph communications are again resumed and railroad trains from Washington to Baltimore are again running regular. Excitement throughout the country runs high but things this evening by the papers seem a little more quiet. On my way back to work this noon, I mailed a Waverly to George. On my way to the shop this noon, I left 3 nice ripe tomatoes at the Jeffersonian Office for the Editor (B. Frank Ashley). They are the first ripe ones in this vicinity. He is to give Mr. Cocking a puff on the in the paper tomorrow. 7/13 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warm. Hattie Mills got up and prepared breakfast this morning and let Gussie get up when she got ready. She got up in time to sit at the table with us, however. She is about well with the exception of feeling pretty weak. Received a letter from Henry Mead saying that for some unforeseen circumstances, their visit would be for the present deferred. While we were at tea, Edith Newman came in to tell Hattie Mills that she had got a boarding place with her. I walked down to class with Edith. 7/14 THURSDAY - Wrote to Henry C. Mead before breakfast in reply to his stating that the visit would be deferred for the present. I sent it to the Office by Nathaniel Cable to have it go in the morning mail. The day has been pleasant and warm. I worked very hard in the shop and was pretty much used up at night. After tea, I went to market to get my breakfast and to Dr. Buckley's office for some medicine for Gussie for bilious colic. He not being in, I got the medicine from his son William who happened to be there. 7/15 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. Cool nights and heavy dews. I pulled weeds in my garden a little while before breakfast. Worked hard and late at the shop. On my way to dinner, I took home from the Post Office a roll of paper and 5 sheets both upon which was written sketches of historical facts relating to the early settling of Florida. Frank Boughton was with us to tea, after which, she and Gussie wen to the Post Office which enabled me to stay at home in the evening. I paid Alden G. Crosby $15.00 towards coal as I was coming home to dinner. 7/16 SATURDAY - Pleasant . I pulled weeds in my garden before breakfast. We were limited in our work to 2 dozen today. After I got up my work, I finished a damaged hat and got it trimmed but it was too small for me. I brought it home and will sell it to some boy perhaps. After tea, I went to the Jeffersonian Office with sketches of the settlement of St. Augustine, Florida to see about getting them printed. Harriet Purdy was with us to dinner and stayed nearly all the afternoon with Gussie. 7/17 SUNDAY - Pleasant ' hot ' dry and dusty. Brother Hill being away to Middletown, a man by name Willard from Colorado, a presiding elder in this section, soliciting funds to help build a church at Denver in that state preached for us. He preached two excellent sermons. In the morning, form Hebrews 2:17, the same text Brother Hill preached from last Sabbath. In the P.M., 1st Timothy 6:12, the first clause of the verse. Collections were taken at both services for his benefit or rather the benefit of his people. Brother J. W. Nichols went up for Mother at noon and carried her to and from church in the P.M. After tea, I wrote to George about the historical sketches of St. Augustine, Florida, which he wanted printed in pamphlet form for sale down there. I took a nap until meeting time, then went down and mailed a Waverly to George and attended prayer meeting. 7/18 MONDAY - Dry and warm, no prospect of rain. Nothing unusual that I know today. I worked hard all day until 7 o'clock P.M. After tea, I ate a few currants from the bushes and then went to market and to the Post Office. The evening papers give a rumor that General Sherman has taken Atlanta, Ga. I was the last man out of the shop tonight and locked the door. Took the key over to Harry Stone's for Hiram. When I returned from market in the evening, Mr. Thompson, who lives in Mr. Gregory's little blue just south of us a little distance, came over to see if any of us wanted some French Turnip plants. I went over and got some and set them out and watered them before I retired. 7/20 WEDNESDAY - Still hot and dry. We were limited I our work at the shop, having but 2 dozen. But it lasted me until about 5 o'clock nevertheless. I did not go to class in the (evening) on account of getting and setting out more turnip plants. It was nearly 9 o'clock before I finished transplanting and watering. Gussie and I went out in the street to do some trading and got home at 9 o'clock. 7/21 THURSDAY - The third anniversary of the Battle of Bull Run. Warm, but considerable wind. Cooler in the evening. We were limited in our work in the shop today, only 1 dozen. I finished it off before dinner. John Bussing then cut my hair for me. I ate my diner (which I carried for the first (time) in a long time on account of Gussie being up to my folks to spend the day) and on my way home called at A. G. Crosby's Coal Office and talked a while with him and John Cosier. When I got home, I changed my clothes, went back downtown and paid Dr. Bulkley for a visit to (my) wife a short time ago. He had another charge against me which I disputed and he did not insist upon it. I then went up home and spent the remainder of the P.M. and stayed to tea. I brought home my drawing knife which I found in a rusty condition. Went to market and to the Post Office in the evening. I got 3 letters from George. There was three more in the box from him to Mother, Harriet and Bell. The New York Times gives an account of an interview in Canada opposite Niagara between rebel commissioners and Horace Greely relative to an adjustment to our National Struggle, the war. Also of one between Rev. Col. Jacques and another man sent by President Lincoln to Richmond and Jefferson Davis, the rebel president. Gussie wrote to Cousin Eliza in California. 7/22 FRIDAY - Yesterday's account of the interview between Horace Greely and rebels in Canada concerning a settlement of our national troubles was greatly exaggerated. I shot Mother Griswold's black cat this morning by her request. Her crime was catching chickens. On my way to the shop this morning, I called on Ashley at the Jeffersonian Office to see about a letter he received from George last evening. I carried my dinner to the shop again today. We were limited in our work at the shop, but it was enough to last me all day. I mailed a New York Times and a Tribune to George in the evening. Hattie Wheeler came down a while in the evening. Edith Newman sent me a letter she received from George for me to take some extracts from for the Jeffersonian. There was a picture in it for me. Answered George's letters before retiring. 7/23 SATURDAY - Cold this morning. Dry and dusty still. Before breakfast, I went down and mailed a letter to George and brought home a piece of corned beef for dinner. We had but 1 dozen hats at the shop. I finished before dinner. After dinner, I took a nap and the fixed our clothes wringer which was broken. I finished up the afternoon work by cleaning off and trimming the edges of the walk in front of the house. After tea, Aunt Louise, Frank and Emma called to get a few currants. Mr. Cocking carried 6 quarts of tomatoes to the Wooster House. I walked down with him. While waiting for the mail, a fellow came and spoke to me calling may name, but I could not recognize him until he gave his name. It was Moses Wheeler of Company C, 17th Regt., in the same Company with George. He is home on furlough. He came from Hilton Head. He has been detached for a clerk to some officer at the place. 7/24 SUNDAY - Morning dry and smoky. Homer B. Barnum of the Co A, 11th Regt. Was buried from the Disciples' Church this forenoon. Captain Henry Hall of Company F, 8th Regt. was buried from our church this P.M. He as well as Barnum of the 11th Regt. was killed by a sharpshooter in the rifle pits in front of Petersburg. Brother Mc Kinney brought Mother to church this morning and up to our house at noon. After Sunday School, I borrowed David Cosier's team and went for her again to attend Captain Hall's funeral. Father was there, so I rode down with her. Mr. Mootry died about 11 O'clock last night. A collection was taken this forenoon to raise $350.00. I gave $1.00. I left Harriet at the house this noon when I came for Mother. I expected to find her when we came home in the P.M., but she was gone. Gussie attended church all day. We were too tired to go in the evening and stayed home. 7/25 MONDAY - Rain. When I rose this morning, I found the cat had treed a rat on one of the evergreens in the yard. I got the gun and shot it. I bought a one half bbl. of flour this morning of Crofut for $7.75. We had one dozen hats to finish at the shop. I went back after dinner to finish them off. We were paid off in the P.M. On my way home, I paid my poll tax to the collector, Charles Crosby - $1.80. He had a military tax of $1.00 against me, but I thought it should be abated on account of having served the required time by law in the state militia. We concluded to let it go unpaid for the present until he found out something definite in regard to it. I paid 3 cents to Dr. Brown for a letter overnight that someone had directed and sent to George. I spent the evening in taking extracts from George's letters for publication. 7/26 TUESDAY - The sun shone this morning, but there have been some fling clouds all day and at time the sun was obscured from sight with the appearance of rain. We had but little work in the shop today. I finished mine before dinner. I attended the funeral of Thomas Mootry at 2 o'clock at his late residence. From there, I carried an item up to B. Frank Ashley for publication in the Jeffersonian. It was the resignation of a 1st Lieutenant in Company G, 17th Regt. C.V. sent from one of George's letters. I called at Scofield's Dry Goods Store and paid Aaron Mallet's tax to Charles Crosby, the collector - $6.60. I went to market in the evening. Mrs. Cocking is sick and had Dr. Bulkley today. 7/27 WEDNESDAY - Eddie Vintz, youngest brother to Louisa, who was adopted at his mother's death to a German family named Davis died this morning at nearly 4 years old about 4 o'clock with the croup. I did what there was to do at the shop by 10 o'clock and came home by way of A. G. Crosby's Coal Office, agent for the Danbury Coal Company, and ordered my winter's coal to be brought today. I brought home a small iron from the shop belonging to John Morris to let Gussie try it at ironing her clothes. Bell came down in the P.M. and wanted Gussie to go with her to select some paper curtains for Mother. She could not go on account of staying with Mrs. Cocking who is sick so I went down with her. We bought 4. I gave her 10 cents to help get her some a little nicer. My coal came in the P.M. - 4 tons. I bought 2 Jeffersonians for George and sent them as follows: one to Bell Conrad at Stratford and one to Cornelia Smith at North Pitcher, Chenango County, New York and put his name in pencil under his piece headed 'An Evening in St. Augustine' as he directed me to do. I gave John Cosier $40.00 in the evening on my coal bill to the Danbury Coal Company to be credited to me under date of tomorrow the 28th. I attended class in the evening. Clark Hoyt's and ours went together in the middle classroom and were led by a New York man named Sudlow. We had a good meeting. The room was full. Mother was down. Some of the friends with their team brought her down as she is not able to walk so far. 7/28 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm. I went to the shop in the morning expecting work but the hats were not ready and could have nothing to do today. I came up to A. G. Crosby's coal office and talked awhile with [??] and John Crosier. I waited until the train came in and then got the mail for Father Griswold (I not having any) and came home. I fixed the eave trough to my sink room roof before dinner. I took a nap after dinner. While lying in the lounge, Hart Purdy came in to have me take the gun and take a ramble with him. I did so; we went over toward Mr. Lynes and then over to Oil Mill Pond and we shot at a few birds and at a muskrat and brought nothing home. We got home about 4 o'clock. I then copied a letter of George's for publication in the Jeffersonian. Gussie attended the funeral of Louise Vintz's brother who was adopted by Mr. Davis, a German. Mrs. Feeks called after tea. I went into the street in the evening, bought a beefsteak for breakfast, went to the Post Office and came home. Before tea, I gave my borrowed gun a good cleaning and put it away. The gun belongs to Mr. Montgomery, brother-in-law to Mr. McDonald. 7/29 FRIDAY - Pleasant and pretty warm. On my way to the shop this morning, I left Cosmopolite's letter at the Jeffersonian's office for publication in next week's issue. It was an account of how the Regt spent the 4th of July in St. Augustine. I took the extracts of his letters and arranged them by his request. We had heavy CG hats at the shop and I got tired out before night. Harry Ledger told me how to make a grease for my iron. I bought the tallow and beeswax on my way home to make it. I went to market in the evening. Took a letter from the Post Office for Father Griswold from Rev. Joseph Henson, now at Hilton for the Christian Commission. The letter was in reply to one from Father Griswold about his taking the chaplaincy of the 71th Regt., C.V. John Morris caught a turtle at Mill Pain Pond while eeling last night which weighed 61 pounds. 7/30 SATURDAY - Very warm. The thermometer stood 84 in the shade at 5 P.M. There was a town meeting held at 2 o'clock to raise an injunction previously laid to prevent paying out money previously appropriated for the procuration of volunteers, etc. The meeting being illegal on account of there being but 4 days' notice given when there should have been 30 days, nothing was done. I finished my work about 3 one half o'clock. Went to market in the evening. News by the evening post that the rebels are in Penn. and are advancing in 3 columns. Grant has also been successful near Richmond. Charles Parsons, 1st Lieutenant, Regular Army, came to Father Griswold's in the evening from West Point. He is on his way to Hartford to drill the militia officers of this state at the Officers' drill commencing next Tuesday and ending Friday. He is Professor of Ethics at the Military Academy, having been assigned to that duty instead of the filed on account of lameness caused by varicose veins in his legs. He is sick; he says he was overcome by the great heat. 7/31 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. Cousin Charlie Parsons is feeling poorly this morning, being sick to his stomach, did not eat anything at breakfast. Fanny came down for my lantern to let down in their well in their cellar thinking that their new kitten which they brought home last evening and put in the cellar had got into it. I went up and lowered the lantern but no cat was there. I then looked behind some rubbish and found him hid away. I attended church in the morning and sat in the choir. Gussie stayed at home with Charlie Parson and let her folks go, he not feeling able to go himself. Union Sunday School concert in the P.M. at the 1st Congregational Church. I came home after Sunday School and stayed in the P.M. with Gussie and Cousin Charlie. We had dinner up there with them by taking our piece of roast lamb up there. After the meal, Charlie came home with us to see our premises. I added a few lines to the letter I was writing to George and sealed it. I also put up A Saturday's Tribune and Evening Post and mailed with the letter in the evening. Instead of going to prayer meeting, I went down to see John Sharp and engage him to come for Cousin Charlie in the morning and take him to the train. I then came home and spent the remainder of the evening with Charles Parsons. We gave him our card pictures to take home with him.
1864-07