Horace Purdy Journal July 1867 Entry
7pgs
JULY 01 MONDAY - Very warm. I took 7 quarts of strawberries to the city with me this morning for Miss Donavan who lives in rooms over the store and to Mr. Ferguson, the man I board with at No. 10 Grove Street. Daniel (my boy) wanted some money for clothing, so I paid his wages in advance this week. George went to Yonkers at noon. I went in the P.M. and again in the evening to Pier 42 at the foot of Canal Street to see if I could hear anything from the California steamer, 'Rising Star' as she is now about due. We are expecting Lauren E. Humphrey and wife and children on her. In the evening, I wrote to Gussie that the steamer was hourly expected. JULY 02 TUESDAY - Before breakfast I took a walk down the pier but nothing had been heard from the steamer. I went six times during the day and evening but not a word from her. Got a deep circular frame for a hat wreath for Swift at Ferguson's on the corner of Broadway and Broome. JULY 03 WEDNESDAY - I let Daniel have $2.00 more today to get into the country for the 'Fourth'. George, having no work in Yonkers until after the 'Fourth', he came down about noon. I got $17.70, this is from Crosby which he took from a burglar that he stole from my house. I brought the circular frame to Swift this evening as I came home. JULY 04 THURSDAY - The store is not open today and I stay at home and hoe garden. Very warm. About 10 o'clock, after hoeing my garden, I dressed anew and walked downtown. I saw Officer Crosby; He gave me $6.00 which he collected for me from Russell Smith. The 'Band of Hope' have a picnic today in Lyman Keeler's orchard on Deer Hill. While I was in the street, they had formed in procession, headed by the Bartram and Fanton Brass Band and marched to the orchard. The band move in their new uniforms for the first time and made a good appearance. Gussie took Georgie and went up. I was there a short time. In the evening, I mended a trunk for my wife as she is anticipating a visit to Canton this month if her cousin Eliza comes from California as expected. Just at night, I picked strawberries to take with me to the city in the morning. A heavy shower in the evening. Mr. Cocking had some ice cream given him by Mr. Lynes and in the evening, he brought it downstairs and treated Gussie and I to a dish of it. JULY 05 FRIDAY - I took the strawberries to the city with me this morning and in the P.M., Mr. Ferguson had some strawberry shortcake made for George's special benefit. Hot in the city this morning. It partly broke away about 9 A.M., but in the middle of the day, it became thick cloudy again and rained hard in the afternoon. The 'Rising Star' arrived yesterday. I went down today to see if Eliza came, but her name was not on the list of passengers. I went to the Great American Tea Company and bought a pound of Japanese tea for Father. I intended to go home this P.M., but a customer came in at the time I should leave the store and detained me so I could not go. JULY 06 SATURDAY - I went over to Brooklyn this A.M. to get a photograph Louise Jones has been coloring for me for my customer. I got the vase of wax flowers also that she had previously spoken about me putting in my store to sell for a friend of hers. On my return, I went to 41 and 43 Beekman Street at Hollerbach's for some porcelain-headed nails for rustic frames. In the P.M., I cut down a looking glass frame for a customer. I walked up to 27th Street and took the 4 1.2 P.M. train for home where I arrived at 7:30 P.M. It rained hard while I was on the Danbury & Norwalk train. It was a shower which subsided when the train arrived here in Danbury. As I came from the depot this evening, I met Oscar Serine who paid me $2.94 for 10 ## lbs. of butter I sold him of what we had from Ohio. JULY 07 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. Before church, I picked our first mess of peas. We had more than we wanted and I asked Mr. Pond to help me pick. He sent Miss Hutchinson. I divided with her. Gussie attended church in the morning. I went to Sunday School in the P.M. and came home after the session. After tea, we went up home to my Father's and drew Georgie in his carriage. We took some strawberries which I picked in the garden. We took George's dirty clothes up to be washed which he sent by me from the city yesterday. I went to church in the evening. Mr. Frisbie preached for us. Mr. Birch preached in his church. They exchanged. Before retiring, I drew up a list of books, etc. wanted from New York by Goodall for the Miry Brook Sunday School and by Fanny for her infant class here. Also a book wanted by Edward Everett. Also the singing book for Harriet Taylor's class. JULY 08 MONDAY - I returned again to business in the city this morning. I found Daniel there all right, he having been away in the country since the Fourth. George, who has been at the store while Daniel was away, returned to Yonkers this forenoon. I called on E. D. Hill and got $14.00 advance on the wreath I am preserving for him. Or rather, I solicited it and he promised it this afternoon or on the morrow. JULY 09 TUESDAY - Business at the store is about the same ' very dull! I went down this P.M. to Charlton Street to Mr. Hill's Coal Office and got the $14.00 he promised me and with it made but the amount of my bill with John Sherry - $18.50 and went over and paid him. A hard thunder shower about 4 P.M.; it was so dark that we were obliged to light the gas in the store. JULY 10 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and cool last night and this morning. The bed bugs tormented me last night. I annihilated a few of them this morning. I have done considerable running today. I went to the Book Room this P.M. and bought some Cards, reward Books, etc. for the Infant Class and went from there to the depot and came home. I found John Leland on the train coming home from Orange, New Jersey, where he has been at work. Gussie met me at the depot. I went with her to market and to D. M. Benedict's to get a pair of shoes for her and Georgie. After tea, I went up to see Father Griswold to get his name as endorser to a note in Danbury Bank to be given on the 19th inst. As a renewal of one of the same amount due at that time, the note being one put there in George's behalf. He expected his one hundred dollar bounty from the government to meet it but it did not come. JULY 11 THURSDAY - Returned to the city this morning. I called at the Book Room and paid for the things I got there yesterday for the Infant Class. The coal steamer 'Aragonia' arrive today. The passengers were brought from the steamer by a tug, the steamer being left below at quarantine. I was there, but Eliza did not come. I wrote home to Gussie in the evening to say that the steamer had come but Eliza had not come. JULY 12 FRIDAY - Stormy most of the day. Thunder showers about 7 P.M. A man by name of Buell came to the store and talked of canvassing to sell pictures for me. I took him with me to dinner. Rained hard in the evening. JULY 13 SATURDAY - Cloudy this morning; it soon came off pleasant. George came down from Yonkers this forenoon by boat. After dinner, I went to the Great American Tea Company for 4 lbs. of black tea for the lady where George boards in Yonkers. I bought two 11x13 gold gilt frames (oval) to Mr. Swift as I came home this evening. Helen Webster and her sister Sarah Corbin came to Father Griswold's from Plainville this evening on the train. JULY 14 SUNDAY - A pleasant day, not uncomfortably warm. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went to Sunday School and Communion Service in the P.M. We had a small mess of strawberries for tea, the last of the season. After tea, I went to Rev. Mr. Stone's to inquire where Wesley Burnett boarded. I want to see if he will take my place as Secretary and Treasurer of the Sunday School. I returned without seeing him. We went up to Father Griswold's and visited with Helen Webster and Sister Sarah until evening meeting time. I had the headache and did not go to meeting on that account. Father called and stayed a while in the evening. Gussie picked flowers and made a bouquet for me to take to George in the city in the morning. JULY 21 SUNDAY - During the past week I have been much engaged with my business in the city and have had no time to write up my journal. Mr. Buell, who is interested in business with me outside the store, insofar as to share the profits with me in whatever work he can secure for me outside, has during this week disposed of 15 large French pictures (engravings of French ports) for me. Also secured for me a job of framing 100 22x28 sporting pictures for Smith & Rand Powder Company. I yesterday made arrangements to do the work. It has been cold for July and more or less showery during the past week, particularly as regards showers yesterday. George came down from Yonkers yesterday P.M. I came home on the 4:30 P.M. train from the city. It rained almost continually on the ride home. I bought two rose and gilt 7x9 frames for Swift. Gussie met me at the depot. Helen Webster and Sister Sarah Corbin left Father Griswold's yesterday noon for Plainville in company with Father Griswold. We rose late in the morning and in consequence neither of us went to church in the morning. I went down in time for Sunday School and returned home after intending to let Gussie go in the P.M., but I spent too much time on the corner of Williams and West Streets talking with Joseph W. Allen trying to persuade him to take my place as Secretary and Treasure of the Sunday School to give Gussie time to go in the P.M. After tea, I took Georgie to walk up to Deer Hill to see Harriet. I called at Mrs. Barnum's on our return. Before walking with Georgie, I went over to see Joseph Allen again about my position at Sunday School. From there, I went to the church and emptied the Infant Class money box. I took from it and put into the treasury of the School $5.35. Gussie went to church in the evening. I stayed with Georgie. JULY 24 WEDNESDAY - I went to the city again on Monday morning and while on the Danbury train fell in with Brother Webb on his way to Collinsville (where he now preaches) and by him found that Eliza and Lauren Humphrey were in Clinton and had been since about the 1st of July. Mr. and Mrs. Pond went with me to New York in Monday. They went direct to my store with me, after which I went with them to Pier 40 North River to the steamer 'Bristol'. He bought their tickets and I went with them on board. After seeing Mrs. Pond comfortably settled on board, he went with me up into the city for a walk and for me to do some business pertaining to the store. I finally left him on the Broadway Bridge at Fulton Street and completed my business and he, I suppose, to make his way back to the steamer. We had a shower just at night on Monday. Tuesday and today, we have had no showers and it has been very warm. Yesterday, Daniel and I fitted up the first 25 large frames on the order of 100 for Smith & Rand Powder Company and got $56.00 on them. Crowe & Powell sent me the balance of the glass for the job today. A number of orders have come in today and business appears a little better. Mrs. Stevens came for the pay today for the carpet she wove for us. Gussie borrowed the money - $14.95 - of her father and then borrowed again before night of my father to pay him. I came home from the city tonight and fell in with a fellow on the train for the first time to Danbury and wanted to go to Isaac P. Hull's. He came with me from the depot and I showed him the way to Mr. Hull's. I brought home with me a large bundle of kindling wood from the city.
1867-07
Horace Purdy Journal June 1866 Entry
13pgs
JUNE 01 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I worked all day in the shop. After tea, I cut some grass in Mr. Pond’s yard for my horse. Bell came down and stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie and I go into the street and to Singing School in company with Cousin Wells Webster and daughter, Helen. When we returned, we went up to the house and stayed about an hour to visit with them, as they intend to start for home in the morning. In the P.M., Father Griswold hired Mr. Beatty’s double team with his large carriage and took a load with Cousin Wells and daughter to the cemetery and out to Beaver Brook to see the new railroad as they are at work on it. Bell is to stay with us all night. JUNE 02 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. I harnessed the horse this morning and carried Helen Webster to the depot. Her father and Father Griswold walked after putting their carpet bags in the wagon. As I returned, I bought a bushel of oats at Crofut’s Feed Store. I put the horse in the stable, ate my breakfast, and went to the shop. We had only a half a day’s work. I left my check with the foreman (V. W. Benedict) to have him draw my money and leave it at Judd’s store. In the evening, I prepared my pea brush and stuck them to my peas. Hoed a portion of my garden. Mowed some grass in my dooryard, also some in Mr. Pond’s to feed the horse over Sunday. While I was at work at my pea brush, Seth Downs came in according to arrangements made this forenoon at the shop to borrow my gun to shoot a robin for his child, who is convalescing from lung fever. Gussie went to market in the evening and left me to hoe garden which I did until after dark. I went down about nine o’clock to see if my clock at the jeweler’s was repaired. It was not, and as I left the house open with no one in it but the sleeping baby, I hurried back and arrive d home before Gussie returned. Josie Wheeler stole Jesse Pond’s little cart from their barn and pulled up a bed of onions for an Irishman which cost Harriet 50 cents damages. JUNE 03 SUNDAY - Stormy all day. I went down to Sunday School at noon. There were but few there. The usual exercises were set aside and the time spent in singing. In the afternoon, Joseph W. Allen, William S. White and myself (a committee appointed at the last teachers’ meeting) went into the Bible classroom and with the help of a map of the borough laid it out into districts and appointed Sunday School teachers (females) to canvass there this summer and bring children who do not attend any place into the Sunday School. After tea, Susan Brayman came in and Gussie went over to Aunt Louisa’s with her. While she was gone, I wrote to George. JUNE 04 MONDAY - Cloudy all day with the appearance of rain each moment though I believe little came. I had work nearly all day in the shop. Bell had the horse this forenoon to carry Julia Squires home who had been staying with her over Sunday. When she returned, Mother Griswold wanted to take a ride but found the harness was broken and did not go. After tea, Mr. Pond helped me grind his scythe and I finished mowing his dooryard. In the evening, I helped him make a small box and dovetailed it together. JUNE 05 TUESDAY - Cloudy and a little rain about 4 P.M. The sun shone before it went down. I had work all day in the shop. I came home to dinner for the first time this season. I felt so poorly that I stopped at Parmalee’s on my way home and took a glass of ale which gave me an appetite for my dinner. I felt like a different man in the afternoon. All hands have been on black hats today. Mrs. Stone washed and cleaned tins for Gussie today. Bell came down this P.M. and is to stay with us tonight. She is helping Gussie make a shell frame this evening. I went to market and by the evening mail received a letter from George. He wants to borrow two dollars. Before retiring, I answered the letter and enclosed the money ($2.00). I mended the harness before retiring. It broke yesterday just as Bell returned from Bethel with the horse. JUNE 06 WEDNESDAY - I have worked as usual in the shop. The sun shone in the P.M. and before night it gave promise of fair weather. It has been very sultry and hot today. After tea, I harnessed Jim and drove up to Mr. Hamilton’s, just on the edge of New Fairfield to try and sell George Hamilton my horse. I left there just as a heavy shower was coming up. I drove as far as Elijah Gilbert’s store and there stopped to get a shelter from the rain. I finally came home before it entirely stopped. Mrs. Cocking came to the house this P.M. and began to get things right preparatory to moving. She gave me $3.00 from Robert to pay the rent. JUNE 07 THURSDAY - I commenced this morning and mowed a little grass for the horse in Father Griswold’s door yard. Bell stayed all of last night with us and drew Georgie up home after breakfast. Mr. Edwin C. Sears, one of our shop men, who lives out to Mill Plain died last night in a fit near Lake Kenosha where he went after his tea with some of his grandchildren to catch some fish. I had work in the shop until after 3 o’clock when I came home and harnessed old Jim and went over to the bridge this side of Crofut’s Mill and washed the wagon. After tea, I bushed my Tom Thumb peas which I had heretofore thought would not require it. I got a dozen of the early Cabbage plants and three large double Sunflower plants of Seth Downs. JUNE 08 FRIDAY - Pleasant until 5 P.M. when there came up a shower. Edwin Sears, 58 years old, was buried today. The men in the shop attended in a body. Borough meeting in the P.M. at Concert Hall. E. S. Davis was elected warden by a 7 majority. I came home and went to work in the garden, but a hard shower soon came up and interfered somewhat with my work. JUNE 09 SATURDAY - Sunshine and cloudy at times during the day. I went to the shop in the morning, but there was no work. I went up to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper and then went with George Quien up to his finishing shop and bought 3 pounds of Maple sugar at 2 cents per pound. Victor W. Benedict (our Foreman) drew my money for me and I went for it in the afternoon and then went to George Quien’s and bought 5 pounds more of Maple sugar for Mr. Pond and one pound for Robert Cocking. I had words with Mr. Baxter about corn planted too near the stable door; also about me filling the gutter in front of my house. I paid George Crofut & Son $15 for a barrel of Flour bought a week ago or more. I mowed my dooryard just at tonight to get the fine grass to put around my strawberry plants. Mr. Cocking returned again today from Mr. Lynes’ to live in our rooms upstairs for the summer. Received a letter from George. JUNE 10 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Bell came down this morning for the horse to carry Mother to meeting. I harnessed and she took Georgie in and gave him a ride up to get Mother. Gussie attended church in the forenoon. I went down to Sunday School and stayed to prayer meeting in the P.M. The sacrament service being omitted on account of the inability of Brother Hill to attend to it on account of sickness, a Mr. Webb from Minnesota who came on here with Fanny Holmes (and it is reported that she is intending to marry him) preached for us. He, not being ordained, could not administer the sacrament, but superintended the prayer meeting which was held instead. After tea, Father came down with the horse. Gussie went with Susan Brayman downtown to see Thomas Purdy’s wife who is very sick. She was so late that neither of us went to meeting in the evening. I wrote to George and Gussie mailed it as she went to see Thomas’ wife. JUNE 11 MONDAY - Pleasant and very warm. I had but just got well at work this morning in the shop when the Reverend Mr. Gannon called to see me about the horse which he had before spoken about buying. I put on my coat and vest, leaving my white shirt hanging on a nail, also my watch and went home. He helped me grease the wagon and then I harnessed to drive a short distance and show him how the horse could travel. I went over to Beaverbrook with him as that was his way home and he was intending to walk to Sandy Hook, about 12 miles. I then thought that I ought to go to Sandy Hook and see if George A. Beers (a merchant there) had sold the 6 sifters which had been left there on commission. I concluded to go and did so and carried Mr. Gannon to his house and took dinner with him. Mr. Beers had sold the sifters. I collected the pay for them - $5.75. The amount was $6.00 but as I had not the receipt which he gave for the sifters when he took them, he hesitated about paying me but finally he said he would pay me and run the risk if I would throw off 25 cents. I concluded to do so rather than come home without the money. Mr. Gannon likes the horse and is satisfied with the price; he also needs a horse very much but does not feel able to buy one. He is very much in doubt about what to do. He offered me a dollar for carrying him home, but as I went mostly only on business for myself, I took only 50 cents. I started for home about 4 o’clock and arrived here about 6 o’clock. I drove to the shop to get my shirt and watch and found the watch had disappeared. Sunday School Teachers’ Business Meeting in the evening. I attended. Before returning, I tried to copy the minutes of the meeting but fell asleep three times and then gave it up. JUNE 12 TUESDAY - Pleasant; I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I worked until dark in my garden and then went to the Post Office to mail a letter to George with one enclosed from St. Augustine. I mailed one this morning to George A. Beers in Sandy Hook with the receipt for the sifters which he gave when he took six of them on commission which he sold and paid me for last Monday. JUNE 13 WEDNESDAY - Stormy all day. I had work until noon in the shop. I then came home and sawed and piled wood in the woodhouse. I got some petunias over to Seth Downs’ and set them out just at night. I gave some to Mr. Pond, also to Fanny. Daniel Baxter had a cinch with his son Moses this morning. He threw him down and kicked him. Moses, I think, submitted to it rather than strike his father. I went to the market in the evening and mailed a letter for Bell to George. I paid Charles Reed $3.50 for shoes for wife and baby bought last Saturday. Bell came down just at nigh to help Gussie work at putting shells on a box. She is to stay all night. While in the street, I got the Sunday School Journals for June and marked them off before retiring. Captain B. F. Skinner was buried today from the Universalist Church. The Bethel Military Company came up and buried him with the honors of a soldier. JUNE 14 THURSDAY - The storm is not yet over, though it has rained but little today. Bell stayed with us last night and will do so again tonight. She rubbed sprouts off my potatoes this forenoon and at noon I harnessed the horse and in the P.M., she with Gussie and the baby went up home. She took a basket of potatoes I gave her for sprouting mine. They then left Georgie there and rode up to the cemetery. When they returned, Bell unharnessed and put Jim in the stable. I went to market in the evening and Gussie worked at covering a box with shells. JUNE 15 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I had all the work in the shop that I could do today. Bell stayed with us last night and took Georgie up home with her today and kept him until night. I harnessed the horse before tea and let Harriet and Louise go up to the cemetery. After tea, I helped Mr. Pond grind his scythe. Took a paper from the Office today for George from his lady correspondent while he was in the army and this evening, I remailed it to him. By the evening mail, I received a letter from him. Nathan Miller called to look at my horse as he came from work tonight. JUNE 16 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. Commenced cutting the grass in Father Griswold’s dooryard for my horse. Gussie took Georgie up home to Father Purdy’s this P.M. in order that she could do some shopping and get her new summer hat. She stayed away until about 8 o’clock in the evening leaving me to get my own supper as best as I could. I was very tired and was much provoked. JUNE 17 SUNDAY - A beautiful morning. It became cloudy about noon and at 3 o’clock, it began to rain. Bell came down in the morning for the horse to carry Mother to church. She gave Georgie a ride up home as she went for Mother and took him again at noon when she carried her home. She left the horse up there in the P.M. and came down with him bringing Georgie in the rain about 3 P.M. I then too the horse and while it was raining in torrents drove over to Mr. Lynes’ to tell him that Mr. Cocking is very sick. He has had the doctor (Bennett) who thinks it is congestion of the lungs. He is very sick and is troubled extremely to breathe. It has rained so hard through the evening that Bell has concluded to stay all night. Gussie went to church in the morning and I went down to Sunday School. I came home when school was out for fear of the rain. JUNE 18 MONDAY - Rain in the morning; it came off pleasant at noon. Bell stayed with us last night. I worked in the shop until 7 o’clock. When I came home, I found John Brayman waiting to see me. He paid me 50 cents of the balance of $2.00 borrowed and $5.00 on an old bank account. After tea, I went into Mr. Pond’s garden to look at his strawberries with him and he gave me a handful of very fine ones. I went to market in the evening and to the Post Office and got a letter from George with $11.60 enclosed, $1.25 of it to me for borrowed money which I let him have, $1.35 to pay his taxes, and the remaining $9.00 towards a debt he owes Joseph W. Ives. Mr. Cocking is no better today but the doctor thinks he will be better tomorrow. Before retiring, I added to the letter received this evening in the one I commenced to him last evening. JUNE 19 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I worked all day in the shop. As I came from work, I called at Joseph W. Ives and paid George’s account there - $5.97- and took a receipt for the same. Bell was with us to tea. After tea, I borrowed rigging from Seth Downs and Mr. McDonald and commenced with Father Griswold to run his cultivator through his potatoes. We got at it and dark came on so quickly that we were obliged to leave it until morning. I wrote a short letter for Mr. Cocking to John Courtney informing him of the illness of Mr. Cocking and mailed it for them as I went to market. Gussie had a severe attack of sick headache in the evening. JUNE 20 WEDNESDAY - A lovely day. I worked as usual in the shop. A strawberry festival of our ladies of the church in the evening in Concert Hall. I was doorkeeper. JUNE 21 THURSDAY - Very warm. Bell, who stayed with Georgie last evening while we went to the festival, stayed all night. Charles Hull watched with Mr. Cocking last night. Mrs. Cocking took our bed upstairs. Bell slept with Gussie and I slept on the lounge. I rose at 4 ½ o’clock this morning and cleaned and greased the wagon. Before going to work, I shaved Robert. Gussie went with Mother and Bell this afternoon to Grassy Plain and stayed to tea with Mrs. Squires. I harnessed the horse at noon for them. Mr. Pond gave me a dish of strawberries for my tea. I received a letter from George by the evening mail. I wrote a letter from Robert to John Courtney at Fort Hamilton. James Osborne is to watch with Robert tonight. JUNE 22 FRIDAY - Pleasant and very warm. I rode to Grassy Plain before breakfast to David Squires for the martingales that Bell left there yesterday. She forgot them when she harnessed the horse to come home. I did not go to the shop but worked around the house hoeing the garden, etc. I drove the horse down to the shop at noon to let John Morris use him to plow out a piece of potatoes. A letter from George in the evening asking for what money was left after paying his debts from money he sent home. I paid Parmalee & Howe $4.21 that George owed them which left a balance of $3.62 to send to him. JUNE 23 SATURDAY - Very warm again today. I did not work in the shop in the P.M. but finished and got trimmed a hat for myself. Before coming home, I went to the barber’s and got my hair cut. We picked 1 ½ quarts of strawberries for our tea. We gave Mrs. Cocking a pint of them. Robert has not been so well today. I went for the doctor as soon as I was dressed. I harnessed the horse after tea and went to the Wooster House for some ice for Robert to use over Sunday, the ice dealer having failed to drive this way today. As I came home with the horse, I had to whip him to make him stand while I shut the gates. While I was getting the ice, I also got 4 oranges for Robert. JUNE 24 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. I watched with Robert Cocking last night. Mrs. Cocking got up at 3 o’clock and I came downstairs and retired. After breakfast, I shave him. He is better today. He rested well last night. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School. When it closed, I came home feeling too tired to stay to meeting in the P.M. Fred Shears had my horse and harness with Edgar Benedict’s wagon to take his mother to the cemetery in the P.M. Mr. Pond found tracks in his strawberry bed today where some person had been picking his berries last night. We have suspicions of the person, but are not certain. I wrote after tea for Robert to his brother-in-law John Courtney in Fort Hamilton, Long Island., telling him how Robert is getting along with his sickness. I also wrote to George (or finished a letter commenced last Friday) and enclosed $4.80 of his money in my hands, he wishing me to send it as he will need it before he gets paid off again. I also wrote to the Sunday School to Carlton & Porter ordering 1 dozen of No. 1 Catechisms and enclosed $.48, the price of the same. About 6 o’clock, I harnessed the horse and took Louise, Gussie and the baby up to the cemetery. We rode up Balmforth Avenue, down Main Street to Franklin, passed Mallory’s Shop, down Spring Street to the Post Office, mailed letters and came home. John Brayman then took the horse and gave his wife a ride. When John returned, I stayed awhile and talked. JUNE 25 MONDAY - Pleasant and very warm. It has seemed to me to be the hottest day yet. We took off our featherbed and filled a tick with straw and put it in its place. Negotiations have been going on today between the journeymen and Mr. Crofut to reduce the price of the coarse work so that thereby we may retain it and prevent his starting a foul shop. We deferred final action on it on account of the absence of several of the journeymen. We are to get on it tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock. After tea, I harnessed the horse and Gussie and Georgie rode with me up to Middle River to see Smith Pulling about butter. We went to notify him that our winter butter was gone and to have him commence bringing it to us for the summer according to previous agreement. When we returned, Mr. Pond and myself rode over to Oil Mill Pond (which was about 9 o’clock) and took a bath. Mr. Cocking is quite well today. He was able to dress himself and go to the table for his tea. A small shower with considerable thunder just at bedtime. JUNE 26 TUESDAY - Very warm but not quite so oppressive, I think, as yesterday. We accepted a reduction on our bill of prices today of 2% on 6-5-4-4x and 1% on 4xa. (?) hats to be the same as soft hats. The new arrangement will take effect July 1st. Smith Pulling brought us 2 lbs. of butter for the first. I harnessed the horse in the evening and went to market. I took a shopmate William H. Hutching and drove up town and down Balmforth Avenue. I carried a notice to the Times Office in the evening for Father Griswold advertising his carpet bag which he lost in the depot yesterday. It was probably stolen. Bell came down just at night and stayed to tea and finally concluded to stay all night. JUNE 27 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and still very warm. I worked as usual in the shop. As I came home from work, I hurried to get home before the shower as a heavy one came up and commenced raining soon after I got home. George Foot had a bad gash cut in his head from the heel of a shoe thrown by John Grey this noon at the shop. The whole affair was in sport. It commenced by throwing leaves (?). Mr. Cocking’s brother-in-law, John Courtney from Fort Hamilton, came to see him today. He came on the 3 o’clock train and returned on the regular passenger train. It rained hard all evening with sharp lightning and heavy thunder. I went to the Post Office in the evening, expecting a letter from George, but got none. Bell took Georgie up home this P.M. and has not yet returned and will probably not on account of the rain. JUNE 28 THURSDAY - Stormy this forenoon; it cleared away in part just before night. Bell came home with Georgie in the afternoon, he having stayed up there all night. She harnessed Old Jim and carried Mother over to Aunt Louise’s to spend the P.M. As I came from work, she had just carried Mother home. I let Hiram Hadden take the horse to go up to the Boggs in the evening. He returned about 9 ½ o’clock. I picked a few cherries before dark and then went to market. JUNE 29 FRIDAY - Pleasant and cool after the rain. I had only a half-day’s work in the shop. Mr. Cocking took a ride with me downtown in the P.M. I paid George Starr $25.00 which I borrowed of him April 1st. I made arrangements in the P.M. with Mr. McDonald about repairing my wagon. I picked what few cherries we had. Our folks expected somewhat that Edwin would come on the evening train. I harnessed Old Jim and went to the depot, but we were disappointed for they did not come. JUNE 30 SATURDAY - I harnessed the horse after breakfast and carried Mr. Cocking over to Mr. Lynes’, the first time that he has been over there since he has been taken sick which was two weeks ago tomorrow. He is not able to walk and he rode back about noon with George Lynes when he came into the street for the mail. When I returned from Mr. Lynes’ I the morning, I left the wagon at Mr. McDonald’s to be repaired. I had the horse shod also before going over with Robert. I carried my dinner at the shop, it being 9 o’clock when I went to work. We were told last night not to come until that time. Hard thunder shower about 4 P.M. with hail. George came home from Brooklyn by the evening train, also Edwin Griswold and little Eddie, Jr. from Elyria, Ohio. I borrowed Mr. McDonald’s wagon and went to the depot for them. Bell came down and stayed with Georgie to let Gussie go to the depot to meet Edwin. George came home this way and I drove home with them. After caring for the horse, I borrowed Seth Downs’ saddle for George who wants to take a ride before breakfast tomorrow morning. As I came from work this P.M., I called at Benedict & Nichols’ and paid then $25.00 on my account of $44.66.
1866-06
Horace Purdy Journal May 1866 Entry
15pgs
MAY 01 TUESDAY - I had work until noon at the shop. I came home and went with William Carlson down in the mountains for beanpoles and pea mush. It began to rain hard just as we got loaded and we got pretty wet before we got home again. I received a letter from George by the evening mail in which he acknowledges the receipt of the $4.00 I sent him. MAY 02 WEDNESDAY - When I woke, it was storming very hard. Large snowflakes came with the rain a part of the time. It cleared off, however, about the middle of the forenoon. I finished repairing my front fence, filed my saws, etc. I finished also boarding up the ends of the new steps I put too the piazza. I went down tow before tea, called at the Jeffersonian Office for my paper, rode up on Rabbit Hill to Stephens Holmes with Ira Beers for ice, and then came home. Mr. Baxter threatens to complain of me for filling the ditch in front and thereby causing the water from this last rain to stand in front of Mr. Pond’s premises. Mr. Pond has not as yet found any fault, but as usual, he is minding other people’s business and tried to make difficulty between Mr. Pond and myself today by complaining to Mr. Pond about the ditch. He has not breathed a word about it to me. Mr. Pond told me about it. I went into the street this evening to the Post Office and to buy a loaf of bread. MAY 03 THURSDAY - There being no shop work, I have worked around home. I fixed up my asparagus bed, spread up the borders (a part of them), and cut away a part of the banking on the North side of the house to make it compare with the alterations made in front. I also arranged another old mackerel tub in the yard as a mate to the one remaining over from last year. One of them fell in pieces the other day as I was preparing it for the myrtle and I rigged up another today in its place. Both are filled with myrtle. In the evening, I went down to the Post Office and to Mr. Judd’s to get pay for the horse which I hired to him the other day. I got $1.75 as he did not use my wagon. The day has been very cold for “May” weather. Uncomfortable to be out without extra clothing unless one is at work. MAY 04 FRIDAY - I went to the shop in the morning, expecting work, but there was none. I came home, harnessed the horse, and drove out to Mill Plain to see Frank Blissard about buying my horse, but he had just bought one. While there, I bought a shad of a man who was peddling them at 13 cents per pound. I also engaged 3 bushels of potatoes of a man “Bloomer” by name. I went out and carried them in the P.M. Previous to going, however, I let Mother Griswold take the team to go up to look at flour at Ira Whalen. John Brayman came over after tea and helped me dig out Thatch grass. MAY 05 SATURDAY - Yesterday’s writing looks as if I was nearly asleep when I wrote it and the looks do not deceive , for I was so very weary when I wrote it that my eyes drew together while my pen went as it would. I have worked in the shop today. It being pay day, I drew $11.00 for three days work. Bell came down this morning and wanted the horse. Harriet Wheeler also wanted him, but as I had promised him to Seth Downs to go to Ridgefield, I refused them. Seth took him this P.M.; he intends to stay until tomorrow. After tea, I worked until dark making flower borders. Bell came in as we were drinking tea. Gussie sent half of a shad by her up home to our folks. Louise came down in the evening and stayed with Georgie while Gussie and I went into the street to do some errands. Gussie went to the milliners and got her new spring hat. I bought some early Kent peas for seed to try them. MAY 06 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Gussie attended church as usual in the morning and returning at noon to let me go to Sunday School. In the afternoon, in place of the usual prayer meeting, Dr. Jacob spoke to the Sunday Schools. They were seated in the two square bodies. The house was well filled with older people also. His theme was temperance. He is a very eccentric and interesting speaker. After tea, I took a nap in the rocking chair, while Gussie, with Georgie in his carriage, took a walk. After my nap, I did my usual writing for the Sunday School and wrote to Carlton & Porter to know the dozen class books I ordered a week ago were not sent. I also commenced a letter to George. Gussie, in her walk, went over to John Bouton’s. He came home with her. Seth Downs came home with the horse about 6 ½ o’clock. He paid me a dollar for him. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to hear Dr. Jewett at the 1st Congregational Church where there was a Union gathering to hear him on temperance. Widow Bradley gave me $2.00 to help me pay our seat rent, as it is now due for the first quarter. She rents half of the seat with me. Her amount is $2.25; she had but $2.00 to give me today. I intend to pay $4.50 for the first quartet tomorrow. MAY 07 MONDAY - Pleasant. I went to the shop this morning, but there was no work. Sold a bushel of potatoes to George Benjamin. I rode to King Street and Pembroke to see Ira Lindley and Harry Jennings. I saw Lindley, but could not sell my horse to him as he had concluded not to buy. I did not see Harry Jennings, but heard that he had bought a horse. I went to Holly’s shop to see Walter Chase and ____. We did not bargain but I expect to hear from them again. In the P.M., I saw Hanford Fairchild about getting $250 of him with which to take up a note at the Pahquique Bank on the 13th of this month. I think that I can get it. Received a letter from George with $5.00 enclosed to pay George Crofut & Son on a feed bill of $11.35, which I accordingly did. I called in the P.M. at Sheather & Lacy’s and paid Mr. Witherspoon $1.65 dues and funeral tax to Hat Finishers’ Association. I worked until dark at making borders in the garden. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to market. She mailed a letter for me to George. Enclosed, I sent his bill for feed at George Crofut & Son. MAY 08 TUESDAY - Pleasant, but the atmosphere and clouds denote a storm soon, I think. I went to the shop this morning, expecting but little work, but we had a large day’s work finally. I took my syringe to Daniel Benedict’s Shoe Store this morning to have Henry Earl mend it but, he being absent, I could not get it today. Bell came down this afternoon and got Father Griswold to harness the horse for her and she and Mother went down to Starr’s Plain to Uncle Edwin’s. She returned with the horse about 6 ½ o’clock. I was too late home from work to get to class in the evening, so I went down to market and returned without attending class. Before coming home, I called at Scofield’s and paid Charles Crosby my Borough Tax - $3.93. I received a note by the evening mail from Carlton & Porter stating that the reason for their not sending my order for one dozen Sunday School Class Books was that they were out of them and as soon as they could get more, they would send them. MAY 09 WEDNESDAY - Rain this morning about 6 o’clock. It soon cleared off, however, and we had a fine day. We had about 2 hours’ work in the morning at the shop. As I came home, I went to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper. Called at Charles Steven’s store and paid him $4.50 for the first quarter seat rent at the church, $2.25 of it being for the Widow Burr Bradley who hires half of the seat with us. She gave me $2.00 on Sunday evening to pay for her. I engaged Pat Quinn to dig garden for me in the afternoon, but he, being unexpectedly called another way, he sent me a good man in his stead. I planted parsnips, beets, Tom Thumb peas, and some string beans which I got off Mr. Pond, also some “Champion of England” peas. I traded one dozen salves with Daniel Benedict for a pair of shoes. I got our syringe mended. Thomas Smith came along just before night and wanted to hire my horse to put with his to haul manure and plow. He wanted to pay only 50 cents per day and I would not let him go. MAY 10 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm. Patrick Quinn spaded garden for me this forenoon. I laid out the walks, planted, etc. I planted potatoes, pole beans, corn, squash and radishes. Harriet and Mother Griswold took the horse and went out to Charles Fowler’s this forenoon to carry a small butter pot. Before they went, I greased the wagon and cut out and put some washers on the axles to make the wheels run better. In the P.M., Fanny, Harriet and Josie, and Gussie and Georgie all went to Bethel on a ride. It made a pretty good load for the old horse. They called at Mr. Dare’s and at Peter Starr’s. They learned while at Mr. Dare’s that Ellen was married on the 26th of April to Joseph Dunning. In the P.M., I went downtown to see Hanford Fairchild about the $250. He is to let me have on the 13th instant. In the evening, I went to market and at the same time took a letter from the Post Office from George; included was one for Harriet. He wanted $1.00 with which to help pay for board until next pay day. Before retiring, I answered the letter and included $2.00 as a gift from my benevolent fund. I went to the office and mailed it before retiring. I also enclosed several sheets of paper and three stamps. MAY 11 FRIDAY - Pleasant. As I went to work this morning, I called at Gillette & Hawley’s to see if Hanford Fairchild could let me have the $250 tomorrow as well as on Monday. He informed me that he could. I had work all day in the shop. I came home at night very tired. I attended a school meeting in the evening at Military Hall in company with Mr. Pond. Marion Bouton and wife are in town. MAY 12 SATURDAY - Very warm. A shower in the P.M. I went to the shop in the morning and finished off some work I had out. While there, I bought a scissor sharpener of a peddler for 50 cents. When I completed my work at the shop, I went to Gillette & Hawley’s Store and got $250 of Hanford Fairchild and gave my note for $260. The interest is $10 and is included in the Note due October 1st. I took the $250 and took up Henry Crofut’s note (which I have used) at the Pahquioque Bank. After dinner, I harnessed and drove to Redding to try to sell my horse to Mr. Tarkington. As I went, I called at Mr. Dare’s to get directed to the place (as Mrs. Dare is daughter to Mr. Tarkington). I did not sell the horse as it did not suit him. After tea, I went to market and then went over to Mr. Lynes’ to fish on the pond with Robert and their boy, Charlie. We had no luck, but Robert gave me three pigeons to bring home. We went from the pond to the house where Robert drew some cider. After drinking a glass, I came home, it being about 11 o’clock. MAY 13 SUNDAY - Very warm, but considerable breeze stirring in the morning. Bell came down about 10 o’clock for the horse and wagon to carry Mother to church. She took Georgie in and carried him up home for a ride. As she came back with Mother, she came this way and left Georgie. She returned with the horse after taking Mother to church. Gussie went as usual in the forenoon. She came home at noon and I went down to Sunday School. Sacrament Service in the P.M. Brother Crawford preached. I did not stay on account of wanting the horse harnessed to take Mother home when church was out. I had the horse ready and Bell carried Mother home and kept the horse until after tea, when she and Hattie McKenney went to the cemetery. She returned the horse about 6 o’clock as a heavy thundershower was about upon us. I had just tine to take care of the horse before it rained. The shower commenced with hail; it rained hard for a short time. In the evening, I made out my annual Sunday School report preparatory to the Annual Business Meeting at which officers of the School are elected. I wrote to Carlton & porter ordering another copy of the Sunday School Advocate for 6 months ending October 1st. I enclosed 15 cents for the same. MAY 14 MONDAY - Pleasant, though a little cooler since the shower last evening. As I went to the shop in the morning, I mailed the letter I wrote last night to Carlton & Porter. I had work nearly all day in the shop. On my way to work this morning, I also ordered 50 lbs. of feed and paid for it at George Crofut & Son’s. John Brayman took the horse in the P.M.to get beanpoles. When he returned, I drove over to Granville Ambler’s and also to Robert Redfield’s to see them about buying the horse, but did not see either of them. I took Marvin Bouton (who is here on a visit with wife and youngest) and John Bouton in and carried them down to church to hear Dr. Jewett lecture on temperance. Marvin talks of buying the horse. I did not attend the lecture; Gussie did. Bell came down and stayed with the baby in the evening and stayed all night. I received by the evening mail a letter from George acknowledging the receipt of $2.00 in a letter which I sent him, stamps and letter paper also. Before I retired, I wrote an answer. Bought a syringe in the evening at Dr. Baldwin’s for $2.00. I have a severe cold on my lungs. I feel most sick. Engaged butter for the season of Smith Pulling. MAY 15 TUESDAY - Pleasant, but cold; a heavy frost this morning. No work in the shop. I took some pie plant to market this morning for Mother Griswold. I let Elisha Serine take the horse to go over near Deacon Beard’s where he has bought a building lot. I went over to Horace Cable’s about noon to get the key to George’s trunk which he sent home by Elmer who works in the same shop with him. I went up home and unlocked his trunk to get his duster, Concordance Dictionary and Bible. I brought them home with me preparatory to making a bundle to send to him when Elmer cable returns. In the P.M., I went up to A. Knox’ and bought 25 lbs. of white lead and three quarts of oil with which to paint my front fence. I went up to Father Griswold’s to tea by invitation, Marion Bouton and wife and Aunt Louisa and Frank Bouton were there. Gussie went into the street and I stayed home with the baby in the evening. I finished my letter to George and she carried it to the office. MAY 16 WEDNESDAY - Warmer than yesterday. Before going to the shop this morning, I helped take up carpet and clear the bedroom for cleaning as Mrs. Stone has been cleaning for us today. About 9 o’clock this morning, a Baptist minister named James (?) called at the shop to see me about buying my horse, harness and wagon, he having first been to the barn and looked at him. As he was obliged to leave on the Brookfield stage in a few moments, he could not complete a bargain then but wanted the refusal of him until Friday. I gave it and he left. We had ½ day’s work in the shop after which I carried a corrected report of our Sunday School to George Starr and then came and shook carpets, put them down and helped in a general way to get things back in their places again. At the same time, I let John Sharp take the horse to carry a barrel of ashes up to the cemetery. Just before tea, I commenced painting my front fence. I went to market in the evening. Just as I returned about 9 o’clock, it commenced raining. MAY 17 THURSDAY - There being no work in the shop, we did not rise very early this morning. It rained a little in the morning, but none of any account during the day, though it was cloudy and an east wind. After breakfast, I carried 9 ½ lbs. of pie plant to Noah Hoyt’s store for Mother Griswold. I got 4 cents per pound for it. I arranged a scraper at the back door and set out some lettuce plants in the forenoon. After dinner, I borrowed Seth Downs’ saddle and rode up to Middle River to see Smith Pulling about butter for the summer. He having rode up to the bogs to his brother Hiram’s, I rode up there and found him. I came home by way of Smith’s on Mill and Main Street and stopped at the assessor’s office and handed in my income for 1865 for taxation. My income was as follows: $1,064.13 - shop work, $36.00 for rent of upper rooms, total - $1,100.13. I had deducted from that as follows: Insurance - $2.10, Interest - $66.00, Repairs - $38.36, Taxes - $20.59, leaving $973.08, from which take $600.00 exempt, it leaves subject to 5 percent tax $373.08, making my income tax about $18.75. While I was away, Robert Cocking bought me 10 tomato plants and set them out. In the evening, I took care of Georgie to let Gussie go over to John Bouton’s on an errand. John Brayman called with Father Griswold’s and my mail matter as he came from the street in the evening. MAY 18 FRIDAY - Cloudy, east wind and looked like rain all day but not a drop. As I went to work in the morning, I carried 6 ¼ lbs. of pie plant to Benedict & Nichols for Mr. Pond. I called at Dr. Bulkley’s office, wrote a note on his slate to go to John Brayman’s (by request of John himself) and then went to the shop. We had a ½ day’s work. As I came home, I called at A. Knox’s paint shop for a paint brush. He went down to Stebbin’s and bought one for me for $1.30. I then came home and unexpectedly found Mrs. Stone there cleaning. I took a hold and finished tearing off the old wallpaper. I then harnessed and drove up to Andrew Knox’ to try to get him to paper our parlor for us but could not. I then drove up home to get Bell to come home and stay in in the evening to let Gussie go into the street. We went up to Billy Wright’s and brought home samples of wallpaper. MAY 19 SATURDAY - Cloudy in the morning, but it soon came off pleasant and proved a lovely day. Mr. Pond helped me paper the parlor for which I had to exchange ____. ”Oh Horrid! Horrid! Horrid! What work! So tired and sleepy last night that my eyes closed and my pen tried to write without my assistance. It is now Sunday Morning. For Mr. Pond’s assistance yesterday, I agreed to spade his garden for him in return of I expect to do so on the morrow if nothing happens to prevent. Gussie and I rode down to Mr. Wright’s in the morning to select the paper. I t was about 10 o’clock before Mr. Pond and I got to work putting on the paper. It was after 5 P.M. when we finished. We the got the carpet put down and the furniture put back in the room and left the curtains over until Monday. We had considerable marketing to do in the evening (feed for the horse to get, etc.), so I harnessed Old Jim and Gussie and I rode into the street, leaving Georgie with Louise. He was up on Deer Hill with Bell all day. I left my checks with Joe Treadwell in the morning. He drew my pay at the shop and left it at Mr. Judd’s store where I got it in the evening - $10.00. MAY 20 SUNDAY - A beautiful day. Bell came down in the morning and got the horse and wagon and carried Mother and Mother Griswold to church. She returned with the horse and took care of Georgie for me while I marked off the Sunday School Advocates to be distributed at noon. Gussie came home after the morning sermon and Bell and I took the horse and rode down to church. I went to Sunday School as usual and to prayer meeting in the P.M. After the noon class, Bell carried Mother up home and Father unharnessed the horse and let him run in the dooryard until after tea when Bell drove him down home. Father being down here at the time, we took a ride up to the cemetery. After putting the horse in the stable and feeding him, I went to meeting, mailing as I went a letter to George and one to Carlton & Porter ordering 20 Longking’s Questions, 2nd volume and one copy more of Sunday School Advocates for 6 months ending October 1st. The meeting in the evening did me no good. I was too sleepy to get any good from the sermon Brother Hill preached. MAY 21 MONDAY - A little cloudy in the morning, but it soon came off pleasant. There being no shop work, I spaded garden a part of the day for Mr. Pond in exchange for helping me paper my parlor last Saturday. Just at night, a hard shower came up but passed north of us. After it had passed just around us, we got just a sprinkling. After tea, I cut a little turf and built the lower edge of the mound in front of the house a little higher. Annual Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting in the evening at which I was selected for Secretary-Treasurer and Librarian. All the old officers were reelected. I planted some evergreen corn this P.M. I sat up until nearly 1 o’clock copying minutes of the Sunday School Meeting and doing some other writing. MAY 22 TUESDAY - Cool. I went to the shop in the morning, expecting work, but had none. I went from the shop over to George Starr’s and returned to him his written Annual Sunday School Report which I had to copy on the records. From there, I went to the Jeffersonian Office to pay $5.00 which George owed for advertising Flour Sifters. Swertfager the editor not being in, I did not pay it as the account could not be found. I then went over to Crofut’s and paid what George owed for feed. I then came home and helped about cleaning house, Mrs. Stone being here to help. I painted a little on my front fence, also puttied over some leaks and painted them on the wing roof. Bell brought down a letter this morning for me from George. She took it from the office yesterday. There was $11.35 in it with which I paid his bill for feed at Crofut’s . The remainder was to may Ashley for advertising his sifters. Marion Boughton who had the horse yesterday returned with it about dusk. MAY 23 WEDNESDAY - Very cold for the season. I have worked all day in the shop. I took a letter from the Office for Willie Franklin and in the evening mailed it to George as I went to market. I saw John Morris in the street with his kicking horse and rose after him from Concert Hall to the Park and returned. I walked up home with Seth Downs. I got the Question Books from Swift’s – Longking’s Vol. 2, also the Sunday School Advocates. MAY 24 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warmer today though last night was cold and a very heavy frost this morning. Some of my beans were badly cut, while other portions of the garden escaped apparently untouched. I rose early, but after starting the fire, harnessed Old Jim and rode up home to get Bell to dome down for Georgie and take up home for the day away from the house cleaning as Mrs. Stone has been finishing up the cleaning for us today. After that I rode over to George Ryder’s to try and get pasture for the horse but could not. From there, I rode over to Granville Ambler’s and there succeeded in obtaining pasture for him. While going, I was stopped by Robert Fry and questioned about John Brayman. Robert had sold him ½ cord of wood and John had not paid him according to the agreement. I returned home at 8 o’clock and gave the horse the last hay I had for breakfast and then ate mine and went to the shop. I had work all day in the shop. I had the “Blues” this morning badly over my hard fortune. Hundreds of dollars liability on other peoples’ accounts and all for trying to assist them. They have been unfortunate and no present prospect of getting back my money or extricating myself from the liabilities taken upon myself on their behalf. $460 with George - $200 I let him have in cash and $260 I have taken the responsibility of myself in raising for him at 12 percent payable October 1st and $38.25 to John Brayman and there but little work in the shop. $25 also to be paid to George Starr July 1st borrowed money. After tea, I rode Jim over to pasture and turned him out for the first time. The lot is on the crossroad between the Mill Plain and Miry brook roads. Crossing by the old Elbert Segar place, when I came home, I found Bell had come home with Georgie. I gave her a pound of coffee to take home with her. John Brayman’s wife came over and she with Gussie went into the street while I stayed with Georgie. MAY 25 FRIDAY - Pleasant, I had work in the shop. As I came home from work, I called at the Jeffersonian Office for my paper and paid George’s bill for advertising his sifters last fall. George and myself both supposed it to be $5.00, but found it only $4.00. I paid it and took a receipt for the same in George’s name. I came home and straightened some pickets on my front fence preparatory to painting. Took tea, then dressed and walked down to Military Hall to an adjourned school meeting. As I went, I called at George Crofut & Son’s and requested a peck of corn which Father ordered to be sent to his house. I also selected a shad at Avery Raymond’s, ordered it dressed, and called for it as I returned from meeting. Joe Richard’s wife, formerly Mary McNeil, died this morning. MAY 26 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. After breakfast, I marked off the Sunday School papers and with 20 Longking’s Questions, I carried to the church and then called at Brother Hill’s and got a certificate for George as he designs joining the Hanson Place Church. After dinner, I painted on my front fence until about 5 o’clock when I went over to the pasture for the horse and brought him home to let Mother ride to church tomorrow. After tea, I rode over to Horace Cable’s with a small bundle for his son Elmer to carry to George on Monday. He works in the same shop as him at Prentiss in Brooklyn. I gave my order to Alden G. Crosby today for 5 tons of coal at $12.00 per ton. In the evening I went to market and spoke for a barrel of flour – 2nd quality for $15.00 of Charles Crofut. MAY 27 SUNDAY - I woke and found it storming this morning. I t continued until noon and most of the time it rained in torrents. It remained cloudy during the afternoon. The sun several times attempted to shine but could not get entirely out from the clouds. I did not go to church in the morning. I went down at noon but there was no Sunday School, neither service in the P.M., so I walked up home to see our folks and how the horse was doing in the dooryard on grass. I found him in the stable, Father having put him there to get him out of the storm this morning. I came home in time for super and finished a letter to George which I began before going to church. Gussie started for church in the evening, supposing there would be a meeting as it did not rain, but there was not. She mailed my letter to George and then with Mrs. Stone (our wash woman) called at Widow Eli Rockwell’s to see the corpse of Jo Richard’s wife, formerly Mary Mc Neil, a daughter of Mrs. Rockwell by her first husband. Mrs. Stone came home with Gussie about 9 o’clock. She stayed about an hour and started for home just as a thunder shower was coming up. There was considerable thunder and lightning, but little rain here. 10 minutes later – the shower has reached us now at 10 ¼ o’clock and it rains in torrents. MAY 28 MONDAY - Warm and cloudy in the morning. The sun finally came out in the afternoon. It grew colder and blustering. No work in the shop. I borrowed a map of the borough of Danbury of George Starr to aid Jo Allen, William White and myself, a committee appointed last Monday evening at the Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting to divide the borough into districts convenient for canvassing by the teachers to get children into Sunday School. After dinner, I went up home and got the horse and borrowed Alfred Gregory’s lumber box wagon about 5 o’clock with which to go with Father for some bean poles. We went down to what they call the “Jams” on Seely Harris’ land. I went with him though I had the rheumatism and a severe headache. MAY 29 TUESDAY - The sun shone warm about 9 o’clock but in about a half hour it began to rain and continued more or less during the day. No work in the shop. I commenced painting the fence in the morning, but the rain drove me off. I tried to stop a leakage in the main roof of my house by using ne shingles under where I thought it had leaked. I worked a while in the woodhouse sawing and piling wood. I went into the street in the P.M. to get a coffee pot mended and took a letter from the office from George. I answered and mailed it before coming home. I wrote in the Post Office and enclosed the dollar left form the amount he sent home to pay Crofut for feed and Ashley for advertising his sifters. I went up to Joseph Ives before coming home and bought a crib for George to sleep in. It was delivered before night and in the evening, I went down to pay for it - $4.50. There was a large party going to Bethel this evening to serenade Orris Ferry, Senator-elect from this state to Congress in the place of Foster now acting as Vice President, Andrew Johnson being promoted to President on account of the death of our late lamented President Abraham Lincoln. On account of the storm I think the affair will be a failure. There was a splendid rainbow at sundown, yet it continued to rain in the evening. Before tea, I went up home on Deer Hill and got the horse thinking that Mr. Starr might object to having him in the yard, for he has been feeding there in Father’s dooryard for three days. It being too stormy to turn him out in the field, I put him in the stable and cut some grass in my dooryard and gave it to him. I borrowed a sheaf of straw of Mr. McDonald until I can get some from Theo Lyons. Bought a barrel of flour of Crofut & Son. MAY 30 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I have had work in the shop today. After work and before tea, I harnessed Old Jim and went over to Theo Lyons' for some straw. I got 6 sheaves of oat and 4 of rye. I paid only $.50 for it. Father Griswold offered me the grass form his dooryard for the season for $3.00. I told him I would take it. Welles Webster and daughter form Plainville came to Father Griswold’s today. Gussie took Georgie up home on Deer Hill and left him while she went into the street to trade, etc. When she came home with him at night she brought me a letter from George which was enclosed with one for her. MAY 31 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I have had work all day in the shop. I worked very hard and at night was very tired. Welles Webster and daughter, Helen, with Father Griswold, Harriet, Josie and the dog all came to see me at the shop this forenoon. In the P.M. they took Old Jim and went over to Lake Kenosha fishing. After tea, I finished mowing the portion of my dooryard lying south of the house. I raked it off and carried it to the barn in baskets to feed to the horse. I worked as long as I could see after which I took the clock (which this morning refused to run) down to S. G. Bailey’s to be cleaned.
1866-05