Horace Purdy Journal, January 1862 Entry
10pgs
JANUARY 01 – WEDNESDAY – I paid my interest money at the Savings bank and deposited one dollar for Eddie (a gold one which I sent home from Falls Church, Virginia while I was in the army). At 2 ½ o’clock, I went with every other man in the Finishing Shop to the Disciples’ Church to see Edward Stevens married to Hattie Osborne. We then went back to the shop and worked until night. We were paid $5.00 each. In the evening, I went down to Benedict & Nichols and ground our sausage meat. A false alarm of fire early in the evening. It has been warm and pleasant. A south wind, but early in the evening, it changed to the Northwest and blew hard. JANUARY 02 – THURSDAY – Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. I got an order from Mr. Crofut on Benedict & Nichols to pay for my pork - $13.50. I went into the street in the evening to get a chimney for my lamp. JANUARY 03 – FRIDAY – Pretty cold. Jesse Stevens called at the shop this afternoon to get a block from which he claimed. I claimed it by virtue of the shop rule which was of long standing and not known to but a few of the men, they being the only ones who worked there when the rule was made. But on account of the injustice of the rule, the block was given to Jesse. I, of course, abided by the decision of the shop. In the evening, I went downtown and changed a lamp chimney and got some saltpeter for my ham brine. George came with me and spent the evening. JANUARY 04 - SATURDAY - A very cold morning and cold all day. I have worked in the shop. In the evening, I carried a pot of brine over to Abel’s to put on my hams which are in the same barrel as his. There not being enough brine to cover them, I went into the street for more salt and saltpeter to make more. I got my skates at Peter Starr’s news office (George having left them there) and went up to the bridge and skated a little for the first time this evening. I made my brine after I came home. JANUARY 05 – SUNDAY – Still very cold. George called in the morning and we went over to the Love Feast at 9 o’clock. It was a good meeting. A deep feeling seemed to pervade the assembly. Preaching began as usual at 10 ½ o’clock. Brother Pegg preached from 2nd Corinthians 5:17. At the Sunday School, Mary Rockwell, having brought the largest number of new scholars into the school during the last year, received the watch which was promised a year ago by Brother Pegg. Lucy Widman, having brought in the next largest number, was presented with a silver cup by the Superintendent, Brother George Starr. Juliette Ives, standing next in line in number of scholars, received also a silver cup from Brother Starr, but smaller than the one presented to Lucy. Curtis Hoyt, being next, received a gold dollar. The presentation was quite impressive and in Brother Pegg’s remarks to Mary, he commended her very highly for her conduct in the past year for being so active and unremitting in her efforts to bring children who did not attend Sabbath School at all into the school. After Sunday School, I came home to take care of Eddie so that Gussie could attend in the PM. George came home with Gussie to tea. Father, Mother and Bell came down just before evening church time. Mother went with us to meeting and Father and Bell stayed with Eliza who had come over to take care of the baby so that Gussie and I could attend church to hear Elder Hoyt preach. He preached from 1st Corinthians, first chapter, the last clause of the 19th and 20th verse. It was a good sermon. JANUARY 06 – MONDAY – Though it was unusually pleasant last night, it was snowing very hard this morning and has continued all day. The snow is now about a foot deep on a level. George came over this afternoon and he and Gussie, together with Cousin Mary Purdy made some molasses candy. When I came from the shop, I swept out the paths again which I swept in the morning. It snowed but little in the evening. George came in after the arrival of the train and spent the remainder of the evening. I received a letter from Cousin Phebe Palmer. JANUARY 07 – TUESDAY – Pleasant. I have about a half day’s work in the shop. In the evening, I attended the Annual Meeting of the Hat Finishers Association. Officers were elected as follows: for president, Victor Benedict; for vice-president, Oscar Serine; secretary, William Witherspoon; treasurer, Calvin Dunning. JANUARY 08 – WEDNESDAY – Very cold in the morning, but the weather moderated during the day so that it was a great deal warmer at night. No work in the shop. Mother came and spent the day. I saw George down at Peter’s news office and I had him come home with me to dinner. He stayed the remainder of the day and we helped Abel raise Father Griswold’s barn. I attended class in the evening. JANUARY 09 – THURSDAY – A little rain last night. It has been thawing very fast all day. There has been no work in the shop. I attended Prayer Meeting in the evening. JANUARY 10 – FRIDAY – Foggy. Misty and warm. The snow has wasted very fast. I have been at the shop, but did not get my work in time to do much of it. I just got it well commenced for tomorrow. Aunt Louisa and Cousin Frank spent the PM and evening with Gussie. John came in the evening and so did Cousins Mary and Anna. We popped corn and ate apples and thus spent the evening pleasantly together. JANUARY 11 – SATURDAY – Sick today from the effects of the physic taken last night and this morning. I went down to the shop in the PM, but did not do anything. George tells me that Mother is sick. It is her old spinal difficulty. JANUARY 12 – SUNDAY – A little snow last night. Warm and foggy in the morning with rain in the PM. Gussie went to church in the morning and stayed to the school prayer meeting, after which she came home and I expected to go but it being pretty late and I feeling strangely indisposed and the rain together with all the other obstacles, kept me home. The two latter excuses kept me home in the evening also. It was about 8 o’clock when I went up home to see Mother who is sick. It was bedtime when I returned. JANUARY 13 – MONDAY – It froze but little last night, but it has grown cold all day. I have worked nearly all day in the shop. I went before the Board of relief and had $400 of my place transferred to Alfred Gregory, who has the mortgage on it of that amount. I went to our Sunday School Teachers meeting in the evening at which we did away with our present mode of changing books in the school and adopting the old plan of carrying them around in the boxes prepared for that purpose. JANUARY 14 – TUESDAY - A very cold day. I have worked in the shop. Mother Griswold came over a little while in the evening. JANUARY 15 – WEDNESDAY – It snowed last night and this morning, but it finally turned to rain and continued all day which has made it very bad walking. I have worked in the shop. Gussie spent the day over at Father Griswold’s and in the PM visited with Brother Pegg and wife, Mrs. Theo Barnum and Mrs. White and Horton and Abel and Harriet. I went over when I came from work and took tea with them. In the evening, Gussie attended Mr. Stone’s lecture on the Army of the Potomac. Mary Purdy came over to take care of the baby so that I could go, but I concluded not to. JANUARY 16 – THURSDAY – Pleasant. I have worked in the shop, but as usual, have accomplished but little. The work is very hard and slow to get up and the price for doing it exceedingly small. Gussie was over home to tea, Brother George Starr and wife being there together with Mrs. Hiram Cole. I picked up my supper at home, doing so from choice. George came in before meeting time and I helped him write up his Sunday School report preparatory to commencing the old plan of distributing the library books. The road and walks being very icy, I put on my skates and went down to the Post Office for the evening mail. JANUARY 17 – FRIDAY - I have earned about one dollar in the shop. Gussie and Harriet went up to Mr. Bartram’s to visit. Abel and I went up to tea and stayed the evening. A part of the choir met there. The evening was spent in singing. Brother Bartram brought us home, babies and all. JANUARY 18 – SATURDAY – Warm and rainy. I have had work nearly all day in the shop. Susan Watson came to Father Griswold’s last evening from New York. Gussie has been over there this afternoon to visit with her. George came down this afternoon and borrowed come Aconite pills (Homeopathy) to try and break up a hard cold which he has by sweating. Bell came down in a while and borrowed six cents to buy a blister plaster for Mother who is sick with her old complaint – spinal trouble. I went to the Post Office in the evening and to the store and bought a Cape Cod turkey. JANUARY 19 – SUNDAY – Rain and very icy. The trees are loaded with ice. It rained so hard in the forenoon that I did not attend church. I went down in time for Sunday School and stayed in the PM. Gussie did not attend at all. Brother Pegg preached from Matthew 13:45-46. After tea, I went up home to see Mother and George who are sick. Mother was confine to her bed, but George was so much better that he had gone to the 5 o’clock prayer meeting. It was so very icy that it was not only difficult but also dangerous walking. We stayed at home in the evening. JANUARY 20 – MONDAY – It is still stormy, commencing to rain again this morning and continuing all the forenoon. The rain has not frozen as it came as it did yesterday, although the trees are loaded with ice, so much so that limbs have broken off from some trees on account of the weight upon them. I went to the shop on skates this morning. Our foreman (Theodore Fowler) is unable to be at the shop, he being, like Job, afflicted with sore boils. He sent word what work he wanted us to do. Mine lasted until noon. I ate my dinner and waited until nearly night for some money. We finally got the whole $3.00 and then I came home. I took care of Eddie in the evening so that Gussie could go over home and visit with her friend, Susan Watson. JANUARY 21 – TUESDAY – The trees are still loaded with ice. It began to grow cold early in the morning and was quite cold before night with some considerable wind. No work at the shop. I cleaned 15 bottles in the PM and went over home and bottled Mother Griswold’s cider for her and filled my own for pay. The papers today give an account of a hard battle in Kentucky in which the rebel general Zollicoffer was killed. The loss being heavy on both sides, it resulted in a heavy defeat of the rebels. We captured all of their cannon and many wagons loaded with valuables related to the army. George called here just before meeting time and put on the skates and skated downtown as the walks are a complete glade of ice. I went to market in the evening. JANUARY 22 WEDNESDAY – No work in the shop. Uncle Jacob Fry let us take his horse and sleigh and Joseph Kyle, John Brush, Charles Small and myself went over to Kenosha to fish. We only caught two and gave these to Mr. Fry. The Ladies’ Sewing Society met at Father Griswold’s in the afternoon and evening. I went there to tea and stayed in the evening. Mrs. Hanford was taken with a paralytic stroke last night and died. JANUARY 23 – THURSDAY – Pleasant this morning. I have worked in the shop. Major Stone and Captain Betts of the 5th Regiment came last evening. They have a furlough of a few days. Henry Hitchcock, the Captain’s servant, came this morning. He stopped in Norwalk last night. JANUARY 24 – FRIDAY – No work in the shop. I went over to George Starr’s shop and made a spit box for George designed for Father’s use. I had the headache in the afternoon. I went down to the Post Office in the evening to get the news but there was none of importance. It has been a cloudy, raw, cold day. JANUARY 25 – SATURDAY – It was snowing this morning when I rose, but it turned to rain before noon. I have worked nearly all day in the shop to earn 62 cents. There has been quite a sensation in town today over the drafting for the state militia. The law has been pronounced by all as far as I have heard without a single exception to be unjust. It gives the rich the chance to buy themselves off and the military duty to fall upon the poor. A meeting of the returned volunteers was held this evening at Military Hall to make arrangements to attend the funeral of Henry Taylor, a soldier from the 8th Regiment of this state who died at Annapolis, Maryland of Typhoid fever when his remains shall come which is expected in a few days. JANUARY 26 – SUNDAY – Pleasant, it having cleared off last night. I attended church in the morning. I came home after Sunday School and Gussie went in the PM. The walking being bad and consequently the attendance being small, the preaching in the morning was in the basement. Brother Pegg preached from St. John, 19th chapter, last clause of the 5th verse. After tea, we took the baby over to other Griswold’s and then we went over home to see Mother. She dressed herself today. In the evening, I went to prayer meeting. It was a good meeting. JANUARY 27 – MONDAY – I have worked nearly all day in the shop and earned only 60 cents. The drafting of men for the state militia last Saturday not being done right, it was done again today and I was drafted. I went downtown in the evening to see and hear the result of the drafting. It is the all prevailing topic. Some are frightened and some care little or nothing about it. I received my notification while I was downtown. JANUARY 28 – TUESDAY – No work in the shop. I moved my box of charcoal from Father Griswold’s barn to my cellar as it has become dry since I laid in my new drains. I went into the street in the evening. The paper gave reliable information of the Burnside Expedition. It is congregating at Pamlico Sound on the North Carolina coast. I saw Captain J. A. Betts on my way downtown. He is home on a furlough. I enquired after Cousin David Mills who is in his company. He says that he is well and is the Adjutant’s orderly. JANUARY 29 – WEDNESDAY – I waited nearly all day in the shop for work and then came home without any. It has been misty all day with some rain and it has frozen as fast as it came, which made it very slippery. I did not go to class in the evening on account of writing a letter to Cousin David Mills to send by his captain, James Betts tomorrow. Eddie is five months old today. JANUARY 30 – THURSDAY – Warmer today. It has snowed a little and rained some. The ice has all disappeared and not only the snow that fell in the forenoon, but also the old body of snow has wasted very much. I have had work to last me all day in the shop. I stayed home and took care of Eddie in the evening, so that Gussie could spend the evening over home. JANUARY 31 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. On my way home from the shop in the evening, I stopped at the Post Office and paid my tax for the hydrant near my house - $1.25.
1862-01
Horace Purdy Journal, February 1862 Entry
9pgs
FEBRARY 01 – SATURDAY – Stormy, snow. I have had a half day’s work in the shop. I waited all the PM and then came home without getting more. I found Mother Griswold, Fanny and Miss Watson there. They stayed to tea and spent the evening. FEBRARY 02 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. I attended church in the morning. I attended church in the morning. Brother Pegg preached from John 10, first clause of the ninth verse, “I am the Door”. I came home after Sunday school and Gussie attended in the PM. After tea, we went over home and stayed until meeting time. I attended in the evening and a good prayer meeting we had too. I did not enjoy it as I would like to have done on account of a severe headache. FEBRUARY 03 – MONDAY – I spent the better part of the day at Deacon Stone’s office where the Board of Selectmen were examining persons who claimed exemption from military duty who were drafted. There being some disagreement in my case as to the time served in the active militia heretofore, I was therefore set aside for the time to await further investigation. It was finally taken up again and my name was stricken from the enrolled militia, there being a provision in the law to exempt me, I having served the required time under the old law. But the drafting was stopped by an order from the Adjutant General which arrived by mail. The seats in the church were re-rented at 2 o’clock this afternoon. Henry Taylor’s corpse came by express on the evening train. Sewing Society meeting at Abel’s. We went over. Ira Dikeman died early this evening. FEBRUARY 04 – TUESDAY – I have worked in the shop. The day has been a broken one on account of a shop call for a Bill of Prices. Father came over and spent the evening with us, a thing rather unusual for him. FEBRUARY 05 – WEDNESDAY – It has been a pleasant day. Ira Dikeman was buried this forenoon at 10 o’clock. I worked in the shop until noon and then turned out with the returned volunteers to attend the funeral of Henry Taylor of the 8th Regiment of the Connecticut Volunteers who died of a fever at Annapolis, Maryland. It was attended at the Methodist Church at 2 o’clock. The Bethel company came up and aided in the demonstration. The funeral was largely attended and was very interesting. The Disciples’’ preacher, Mr. Gilbert, opened with prayer. Mr. Coe read a chapter in the Bible and then Brother Pegg, Father Griswold and Mr. Stone talked to the friends and congregation in a very appropriate and interesting manner. The Bethel company fire the usual salute of three volleys over the grave. We took tea over to Father Griswold’s. I attended class in the evening. FEBRUARY 06 – THURSDAY – Pleasant in the morning, but before noon it snowed and soon turned to rain. I have worked in the shop. I went to market in the evening to get something for breakfast. FEBRUARY 07 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. It has thawed considerably today. We were to have a reply from Mr. Crofut in regard to a Bill of Prices, but on account of the death of his father, it was postponed until 12 o’clock next Monday. FEBRUARY 08 – SATURDAY – I have worked nearly all day in the shop. There is good news from the seat of the war. Fort Henry on the Tennessee River has been captured by Union troops. The battle was fought with gunboats on the river and the rebels surrendered before our land forces came up. The victory was complete, the rebels fleeing for their lives and leaving everything behind. The loss was small on both sides. The most disastrous event of the battle to us was that one of the rebel cannon shots passed through the boiler of one of our gunboats and 32 persons were scalded to death. This was a dreadful affair. FEBRUARY 09 SUNDAY – Pleasant. Communion Day. I attended in the morning. Brother Pegg preached from ____. I remained to the Sabbath School Prayer Meeting. It continued pretty late so that I did not get home in time to return to the Sacrament. As Gussie had concluded not to go, we were both home in the PM. Gussie attended in the morning while I stayed at home to take care of Edwin. FEBRUARY 10 – MONDAY – This noon being the time appointed for Mr. Crofut to give us an answer about a Bill of Prices, it took all the afternoon to attend to it. It was finally settled between Mr. Crofut and the men, but not in time to do much work after it. I went to Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting in the evening. It was used as a Prayer Meeting for the scholars who were seeking religion. Lucy Wildman was converted during the day and was there to speak of it. I received a letter from Cousin David Mills who is in the 5th Regiment of three year troops now near Hancock, Maryland. Gussie is afflicted with a swelling under her arm which is worse today. William B. Bradley was treated today for his girl baby. FEBRUARY 11 - TUESDAY – I have had about a half day’s work in the shop. Smith Pulling gave 50 cents to treat the men on account of a new baby his wife has. It is a daughter. FEBRUARY 12 – WEDNESDAY – There was about 2 inches of snow which fell last night. Pleasant today. I have had a full day’s work in the shop. It was so late when I came home from work that I did not go to class in the evening. FEBRUARY 13 – THURSDAY – A very little snow in the morning, but it soon cleared off warm. The snow has wasted fast. I went to market in the evening, but did not attend meeting. I came home to take care of Eddie so that Gussie could go over home to visit Miss Watson. FEBRUARY 14 – FRIDAY - St. Valentine’s Day. I have had work in the shop all day. I got an order from Mr. Crofut for $5.00 on Benedict & Nichols. It has thawed a good deal today. Good news by the evening papers from the Burnside Expedition on Pimlico Sound. The loss at the taking of Roanoke Island was small compared with the rebel accounts at first. The victory was complete. FEBRUARY 15 – SATURDAY – Stormy. Snow. I have worked in the shop. Miss Watson went home this afternoon in company with Father Griswold who is going to New York. I went to the store in the evening. FEBRUARY 16 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. I went to church in the morning. Brother Pease from Bethel preached for us from Mark 6:5-6. I came home after Sunday School to take care of Eddie and Gussie attended in the afternoon. Mother came home with her to tea and stayed until evening meeting. Isabella came down and stayed to take care of Eddie while I wrote to Charles and David Mills in the army. Gussie attended the Prayer meeting with Mother. FEBRUARY 17 – MONDAY – I have worked as usual in the shop. It has been a day of rejoicing for us today. Fort Donaldson on the Cumberland River has been captured by our troops under General Grant and the gunboats under Commodore Foote. It surrendered after three days’ fighting. The rebel generals Johnson, Buckner and Pillow with 15,000 prisoners have been taken. Our citizens to express their joy, rang the bells, threw the Stars and Stripes to the breeze, fired cannon and paraded the streets. I went into the street in the evening to get the news, etc. Sewing Society at Abel’s. I went over after I got home. FEBRUARY 18 – TUESDAY – It had the appearance of a storm in the morning, but it cleared off pleasant and quite warm. In the evening, I took my ham and shoulder over to Mr. Olmstead’s to be smoked. I went to market to get something for breakfast. FEBRUARY 19 – WEDNESDAY – Pleasant in the morning, but it soon became cloudy. It began to snow just before night and continued hard in the evening. I went to market in the evening and engaged some beef of Amos Stone. FEBRUARY 20 – THURSDAY – I spent the forenoon in getting a ½ ton of coal home and in the cellar and making some arrangements for a ½ quarter of beef to come from Amos Stone. I went to the shop in the afternoon. It has been quite warm today and the snow that fell last night is nearly gone. It grew cold just before night and began to freeze. I salted down my beef in the evening. I got my coal of Charles Reed and he took an order from Mr. Crofut on Griffing for pay - $3.62. FEBRUARY 21 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. I got an order from Mr. Crofut to pay Amos Stone for my beef - $4.25. Gussie attended the Middle District School Exhibition in Concert Hall in the evening. She went on her father’s complimentary ticket. I stayed at home and took care of Eddie. FEBRUARY 22 – SATURDAY 22 – Washington’s Birthday. It has been celebrated as I never knew it before. The people gathered at Concert hall at 2 PM and in pursuance of the President’s proclamation, Washington’s Farewell Address was read. The late Union victories have caused the day to be generally one of rejoicing. Thirty-four guns were fired at 6 ½ o’clock in the morning with the ringing of the church bells. Thirteen more were fired at 12 o’clock and 34 again between five and six o’clock in the evening. The cannon was placed in the rear of the 1st Congregational Church on Ives Hill. Washington’s farewell Address was read by Reverend Mr. Robinson of the 2nd church who was followed with short and interesting speeches by the Reverends Stone, Pegg, Gilbert, Coe and Mr. Jackson, Osbourne and others. I went to George Hull’s in the evening with Gussie to carry some rags and have her trade it out. Father, Mother and Bell called in the evening. They spent a part of the evening over to Aunt Louisa’s. FEBRUARY 23 – SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. I went upstairs before church time and dressed Mr. Warren’s wound with he made yesterday with his broad ax while he was cutting timber. I went to church in the morning. Brother Pegg preached from John 12:29. I met my class as usual in Sunday School after which I came home and Gussie attended in the PM. I attended prayer meeting in the evening. The snow has melted away very fast today. FEBRUARY 24 - MONDAY – Warm rain in the morning which made the snow and ice melt off pretty fast. The wind began to blow about 3 PM and steadily increased and grew cold very fast so that it froze considerably at 6 o’clock. It is March weather completely accompanied by snow squalls. We were paid $5.00 today. Business has the appearance of being better, two more men having been shopped – John McDowell and David Scribner. FEBRUARY 25 – TUESDAY – Cold and very windy this morning. The cold died away about noon. I received a letter from Cousin David Mills. I have worked as usual in the shop. I wrote a letter to David before I retired. FEBRUARY 26 – WEDNESDAY – Pleasant in the forenoon, but cloudy in the PM with the prospect of a storm. I have worked in the shop. A large fire in Norwalk. Our fire engines were telegraphed for about 9 o’clock, but before they were loaded on the cars, I believe the received another dispatch that they were not needed. The fire was on Main Street and 8 to 10 buildings were burned, including George Holmes & Co.’s store. Our box of Babbitt’s new soap came today. I worked so late in the shop that. Having to go to market, I did not attend class meeting. FEBRUARY 27 – THURSDAY – Snow. I left the shop in the afternoon with a severe headache. It cleared off just before night. Father was here when I came from the shop. He stayed awhile to see Eddie and then went home. Cousin Mary Purdy came over and spent the evening with us. FEBRUARY 28 - FRIDAY – Pleasant in the morning and snow in the PM with a high wind. I have worked all day in the shop. I am afflicted with canker sores in my mouth again. I have one on the end of my mouth which is very sore. It is like penance to eat and it troubles me to talk even.
1862-02
Horace Purdy Journal April 1904 Entry
7 pgs
APRIL 01 FRIDAY- No entry
SATURDAY APRIL 02- It cleared off in the night and before morning the moon shone beautifully, but today the sun shone at intervals. This morning, I delivered to George Williams at the Danbury National Bank a policy of $2,500 in the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company on the Dragan block, same payable in case of loss to the estate of Roger Averill. I then called on Thaddeus Hollister and daughter, Mrs. Tumerelle, about renewing their furniture policy. I received the death proof blanks from the Equitable for use in the Edwin Griffith case. I had Mrs. Griffith make up and sign her statement before dinner. Mrs. Lucy A. Haines called at noon to see about insuring her barn after the settlement of the loss of her house and furniture. After dinner, I got the undertaker, Mr. W. F. Tomlinson, and the friend Azerial Fuller to make up their statement and make oath to same. In the evening, I got the attending physician, Dr. Sunderland, to make and swear his statement. After tea I went over to Mrs. Clara Selleck and delivered to her the Catherine Connor policy and then called on Elijah Morris about payment of Mrs. Mayhew's policy on her Boughton Street house. From there, I took a trolley car to North Street and delivered a furniture policy to Anne Whittlesey. I then called at Eugene Boughton to deliver a policy but the house was shut. I found him waiting at my office on my return. He took the policy and paid for it. While at North Street, I called to notify Mrs. Hattie Beardsley that an adjuster will be here next week to settle for smoke damage to her Summit Street tenant house. Frank Stone's younger brother called in the evening and paid for a 3 year policy for furniture to be renewed on April 10.
APRIL 03 SUNDAY- Mercury 32 above. Cool and windy but not cold. I mailed this morning the death proof in the Edwin Griffith case to manager, G. W. VanFleet at New haven. We attended church in the morning to hear Dr. Wilson's Easter sermon. Jackie Erwin made an appeal to the congregation after the sermon for $980 to make up the deficiency in current expenses which has been accumulating during the last three years. Mr. & Mrs. Hawley took dinner with us. Julia and Lottie came from Sunday School and ate dinner with us. After dinner I walked over to 23 Griffing Avenue to see George Hawley and got his estimate for painting and papering one room at No. 19 Summit Street owned by Hattie Beardsley. In the evening, we attended the Sunday School Easter entertainment.
APRIL 04 SUNDAY- Mercury 26 above. A beautiful day. I went to the Danbury Savings bank in the morning and attached an endorsement for reduction in amount on George Hill's policy in the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company. Also an endorsed reduction in rate on W. A. White's policy. I called at Hoyt's shop and complimented Henry Hoyt for so successful an entertainment last evening at the church. I then went to Mallory's Shop to see William Mallory about my measure, also Mr. Underhill about furniture insurance. I then went to Terrace Place for Thaddeus Hollister and Mrs. Tumerelle to get their decision as to one or two years to write their furniture policy. After dinner, Mrs. Bliven rode about town with me and over to Beaverbrook.
APRIL 05 TUESDAY- Mercury 40 above. Pleasant. I deposited just before dinner. Expecting Mr. Furness, special agent of Commercial Union to adjust the Hattie Beardsley smoke damage at 19 Summit Street, we stayed at the office. He did not come however. I waited until 3:30P.M. and the drove up to Westville to see about renewing the Abbott policies. I am not inclined to do so. I had a talk with T. C. Benedict near there about insuring his property. George and Sarah came over and spent the evening with us.
APRIL 06 WEDNESDAY- Mercury 30 above. George and Mr. Beeman went to Hawleyville this forenoon to see Thomas Power about insurance. After dinner, I went over to Dr. Sunderland's to get an application from his man, William Sedor about accident insurance. I got it subject to approval of the debt. I raked off my south front yard in the P.M. Mr. W. Furness, special agent of Commercial Union called to settle the small smoke damage to the house at 19 Summit Street. I harnessed and drove up there with him to Mrs. Hattie Beardsley, the owner living on North Street. We settled for $6.00. Mr. Furness gave a sight draft and I cashed it for Mrs. Beardsley. Mr. Furness thinks favorably of giving us the appointment of agent. He will talk with the company and let us know later. After supper I went over to Mr. Underhill's on Orchard Street to try and insure his furniture. He being out for the evening, I failed to connect. I went upstairs and made a short call on Mrs. Townsend whom I also insure.
APRIL 07 THURSDAY - Mercury 45 above. Lowery in the morning and very spring like. An extremely heavy dew or light shower last night, just enough to lay the dust. Check from Equitable received this morning for $1,182.93 in payment of the death claim of Edwin Griffith, for which Mrs. Griffith signed receipt of same and policy forwarded toW. B. Schiffer, cashier at New Haven. I called over to Clarence Morgan's store before dinner. Frank Moody paid his premium on life insurance due APRIL 9. Frank Wilcox, the Carman, introduced me to Mrs. Lottie Stock for furniture. He also has just moved in to 91 White Street. From there, I called on young Mead, the painter, at Hamilton's, then on Fred Kirkley, and Phil Sunderland and at Henry Biddiscombe. I then went home, harnessed the horse and drove up to Oak Street and arranged for renewal for Mrs. Mary Betts. In the evening, I called on Mr. Sands Underhill at 22 Orchard Street for insurance on furniture.
APRIL 08 FRIDAY- Mercury 38 above. A pleasant spring day. After dinner, I went over to an auction on the Granville Ambler place, thinking to buy a carpet for the office. I did not do so. I wrote a policy in the Sun Insurance Company for Anson Eggleston for $300 of cased tobacco in John Vail's barn in Stony Hill. I called at 91 White Street to give the rate on insurance for furniture to Lottie Stock. Just at night before tea, I left the equitable check for $1,182.67 life insurance with Mrs. E. Griffith. It came yesterday. I borrowed it to show a few friends. W. Mead came in before tea and paid his Yz annual life insurance premium and before retiring, I mailed the check toW. B. Schiffer and to Frank Moody also. In the evening, Charles Perkins called to have his furniture policy transformed, he having moved. John Pierson was her today from North Salem.
APRIL 09 SATURDAY- Mercury 45 above. In the morning, I drove over to Clarence Morgan's and delivered the Equitable renewal receipt to Frank Moody, took a diagram for transfer of Charles Perkins from Locust Avenue to Cole Street, then drove down to Fannie's to see Mrs. John Stone
who lives on the same house to see about furniture insurance. I called also and got William Mead's policy for transfer. I got a pair of heel plates put on my shoes at Mr. Daragan's, then came home and made up a deposit for the bank. John Morris got out 2 loads of manure this forenoon and paid $2.00 for it. I received an accident policy from the Standard Insurance Company for William Sedor, who cares for horses and drives for Dr. Paul Sunderland. In the P.M., I drove with Mrs. Hawley to do our Sunday marketing. In the evening, Harrison Waterman's son came in and paid $21.00 on account for fire insurance.
APRIL 10 SUNDAY Mercury 46 above. I felt badly this morning and took a specimen of urine to Dr. Sunderland's to be examined. He found a little trouble indicated with the kidneys . My head felt badly also. I renewed some headache tablets he previously gave me and felt better in the P.M. After dinner, at which Julia Hirsch was with us, I hitched up Gypsy and we drove up to Panadarum and engaged Mrs. Hadley to come and help at housecleaning on next Wednesday. From there, we drove down to Fannie's for a short call. I delivered Mrs. Stone's furniture policy at the same time. After our return home, I went up to Dr. Sunderland's with Mary and he prescribed for both of us and sent some medicine also to Mrs. Hawley.
APRIL 11 MONDAY- Mercury 44 above. A light sprinkle of rain in the morning which was soon over. George helped me dig a hole at a low place near the crabapple tree at the back door to fill with surplus ashes from the driveway and thus raise a low spot in the yard which we top dressed with material we dug from the hole. This took us until noon. After dinner, I drove up to the Sprague place on Ellsworth Avenue to see if Henry Selleck was using the building in the rear of dwelling for carpenter work. If so, it would affect the insurance for William Weed, our customer living there. I then called on Lottie Stock at 91 White Street to arrange for her insurance on furniture. Lottie Hirsch came up about 4 P.M. and I took her with me down to Rocky Glen to arrange the insurance on her furniture- Mrs. Lottie Williams. On my way down, E. B. Harris stopped me and paid the $15.00 balance on his insurance. George and Sarah came over and spent the evening.
APRIL 12 TUESDAY- Mercury 40 above. The weather was a little doubtful in the morning. It however cleared up in the middle of the day. In the morning, I drove down to 172 South Street to arrange for the renewal of William Deakin's furniture insurance policy. About noon, Charles Abbott came to notify us that his house burned down last night. This was brokered by us by Frank Benedict in the Pacific (Insurance Company). After dinner, I went over to John Stevens' to take up his claim to the Standard Accident Insurance Company. From there, I attended the insurance board meeting at Olmstead & Crowe's office but few were present. They adjourned for one week. After which, I went to Dr. Lemmer's office to obtain his statement as attending physician to John Stevens.
APRIL 13 WEDNESDAY- Mercury 35 above. Cooler and pleasant. In the morning, I drove down to William Deakin's for the amount he wishes is furniture policy to be written for, the drove up to North Street and collected from Mary Monroe. In the P.M., I called on Miss Manthey (at Julia Stone's) daughter of Anton Manthey in reference to their furniture insurance. I delivered a policy to Lottie Stock at 91 White Street; also called on Mrs. Klopp on Maple Avenue for the amount of additional premium for transfer to Liberty Street. Carried a chair to Holly Green's shop for Mrs. Hattie Hawley to use at work. We took up and cleaned the parlor carpet and emptied the room preparatory to papering and painting. George and Sarah came over in the evening.
APRIL 14 THURSDAY- Mercury 33 above. Cool; it commenced snowing about 7 o'clock this morning and continued about an hour. It all disappeared however before the day was over. I did some walking about town. Called to see if Mrs. Frank Klopp could pay balance due on insurance for furniture transferred to Liberty Street, but did not succeed. I also called at one of the old Tweedy factories to see Rufus Rice, Jr. as to paying his balance. He promised to bring in his policy this evening for cancellation but did not. I finished up making John Stevens' claim for accidental injuries received on March 4 from falling down cellar. I completed making up his own statement, also his wife, Ida Stevens as eye witness and mailed them before closing my office about 9 P.M. George Hawley was here this forenoon painting the parlor prior to papering the same.
APRIL 15 FRIDAY- In the forenoon, I drove to lake Avenue and arranged for the renewal of Andrew Bell's horse and barn. Also George Barker on house and furniture. I then drove up to Frank Post's and found no one at home. From there, I drove over to lee's hat factory where I found him. After dinner, about 1 P.M., he called at the office and paid for the insurance to be renewed tomorrow. George Hawley came in the P.M. and papered the parlor I gave William Stillman $2.00 towards defraying running expenses of the church on which it was in arrears. I also went to F. Austin's and paid $3.75 for a commode which Mary recently bought. George Hawley came in the afternoon and papered the parlor.
APRIL16 SATURDAY- Mercury 38 above. Cloudy, wind squalls and sunshine. Mrs. Hawley rode with me in the forenoon about town delivering policies, etc. And then we did our marketing for Sunday. George Hawley came in the morning and put up the picture molding in the parlor which was left undone last night. In the afternoon, Charles Hopkins came for me to go and take the signature as notary public of Fred Decklyn as surety for his sample case of jewelry as traveling agent for a jewelry firm. Michael Hewitt who
APRIL 21 THURSDAY Mercury 38 above. Pleasant all day. I received by the morning mail blank from Equitable Life, death proof for leroy Smith which I have handed over to his son-inlaw, T. C. Millard to be made up. In the P.M., we received a check from the Standard Accident for John Stevens for 6 weeks total disability of $150.00, deducting for the last X's premium due August 06 of $7.50 leaving $142.50.
APRIL 22 FRIDAY- Mercury 30 above. A beautiful day. I drove in the forenoon about town arranging some five insurance renewals. 0. E. Cook, insurance agent from Bridgeport, came by direction of George Shaw to adjust loss of Dennis Cunningham of Grassy Plain, he arriving about 11 AM and George went with him. In the PM, I went with John Stevens to the bank to get a draft of $142.50 cashed, same being for the Standard Life and Accident Insurance Company of Detroit Michigan. Also while in the street, Mr. T. C. Willard, president of Danbury National Bank, called me to fill in the agent's blank in proof of the death loss of leroy Smith of $600.00., paid up in Equitable. I did so and later went to County Clerk Booth's office for his certificate of Jabez Amesbury as notary in the case. After which I mailed the proofs to George VanFleet at New Haven. In the evening, I went up to Ira Ames as notary and took the acknowledgement of his and wife's signature in assignment of the Travelers Insurance Company policy to the said company for a loan to them of $75.00. Fanny came up in the evening, bringing lottie and the baby Georgie. George and Sarah were also over and spent the evening.
APRIL 23 SATURDAY- Mercury 35 above. Pleasant. We washed both wagons this morning. Frank Bennett called about 11 o'clock and arranged and paid for insurance on their place at 10 Pleasant Street. J. Wesley Wells called while I was in the street before dinner and promised to pay on his insurance next Saturday. After dinner, Mrs. Hawley rode with me on a few business calls and we both did some marketing for Sunday. Among them, I drove over to Beaverbrook and got Arthur Grove's policy to make same payable to Howard Hoyt.
APRIL 24 SUNDAY Mercury 52 above. Pleasant and getting to be very dry. After dinner, Mary and I drove up to Mrs. Healy's at Pandaranum to engage her for next Thursday to help at housecleaning. From there, we went down to Fannie's and carried a bundle from Aunt Sarah to her. In the evening, we went to Dir. Sunderland's for Mary to consult him.
APRIL 25 MONDAY- Mercury 60 above. Pleasant and warmer. A slight shower last night. Mist enough to lay the dust. George and I mended the boardwalk near the privy after breakfast. Lillian, his wife, came up and after the morning work was done, she and George took the carriage and started for an outing down to Redding and that locality looking after collections. Etc. I helped Mary empty her room and whipped the carpet, after which and before dinner, I went into the street and ordered 1/2 ton of coal at John McCarthy's for Mrs. Hattie Hawley. After dinner, John Bouton came in and had papers executed in application for an increase in pension. I then went toW. H. Cable's office and let his boy type write an affidavit for Patrick Cunningham and Henry Taylor, city assessors, to execute as to the assessed value of her real estate in the matter of increased pension for her. I then went up to Mallory's Hat Factory and Charles Taylor put a new band on my summer hat and also flanged it for me. In the evening, I called at his house at Stevens Street and we talked over the matter of getting his policy in the Equitable changed from his wife as beneficiary who is insane to his daughter or his legal representative.
APRIL 26 TUESDAY- Mercury 48 above. A slight shower last night and cooler. The greater part of the day, however, has been pleasant. George put down the carpet in the small bedroom this morning, after which, I drove up to Bolton's shop to get Henry Taylor, one of the city assessors, to make a joint affidavit with the other assessor, Patrick Cunningham, as to the assessed value of Sophia Allen's property in the matter of her application for a widow's pension. He assented, but I afterword ascertained that Mr. Cunningham was out of town and the matter is deferred. Mrs. Hawley helped Mary this afternoon in housecleaning work and she took dinner with us. We this forenoon received a draft of $275.00 from George Shaw, special agent for the Agricultural Insurance Company in payment of the Dennis Cunningham loss on furniture. After dinner, George went down and delivered the same to him in settlement. Cunningham came directly up town to get it cashed, but before he could do so, Mr. Williams the cashier at the Danbury National Bank wanted my endorsement on the same which I did and he returned to the bank to get his money.
APRIL 27 WEDNESDAY- Mercury 45 above. It rained a little towards morning. About 8 AM, it settled in and continued rainy all day. Received Equitable check for $600.00 toT. C. Millard for death claim on the life of Leroy Smith. Before dinner, I delivered the same to Mr. Millard, taking up his policy and the receipt for same, and in the PM, mailed the same toW. Schaffer, the cashier, at New Haven. Of the several policies on the life of Mr. Smith, Ours is the first to the front for payment. In the forenoon, I called on Lottie Stock, regarding her insurance covering her piano, also in the interest of the dealer, Joseph Wright. Before coming to dinner I also called on Sophia Allen and gave instructions about getting from the rector of St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church in Yonkers, an affidavit under oath as to the record of her marriage. After dinner, I took a nap and at 3:30, I attended the funeral of the wife of Mr. Frank Hull on Cherry Street. In the evening, Mrs. Allen's daughter called to see if I would go to Yonkers to get an affidavit from the Rector of St. Johns Protestant Episcopal Church as to record in the church books as to the marriage of John Allen and Sophia Bell. After her departure, I wrote to the rector as to his willingness to look up the matter and write an affidavit.
APRIL 28 THURSDAY- Mercury 42 above. Stormy all day. In the morning, I wrote to VanFleet, the Equitable manager in New Haven regarding Charles Taylor's changing beneficiary from his wife to his daughter or to his legal representative or assigns on account of his wife being mentally deranged. I also called to see Frank Wilcox about the piano insurance for Lottie Stock. After dinner, I went to see Manny Forbush to see about insurance on his house and barn at Germantown; also Robert Haskins about his renewal. At 5 PM, Mrs. Mary Couch and daughter Hattie Hollister cane to make an affidavit as to their bill to the estate of Mrs. Arthur Reed. After tea, I called a moment on Mrs. E. Griffith to get information necessary in her application for a pension; after which Mary and I called on Laverne and Hattie Rogers on the corner of George and Orchard Street.
APRIL 29 FRIDAY- Mercury 50 above. Lowery in the morning but no rain. It cleared away in the afternoon and grew warmer. Before dinner, I went up to Robert Haskins to see further about his insurance. After dinner, I drove over to C. L. Morgan's to get the price I am to credit him for the last ton of coal he bought me. I then came home and took Mr. John Peivans and went to City Hall with him and paid his town taxes and also my own. We then returned to my office and I settled with him for March rents collected. I then went to City Hall to search the records of the marriage of Edwin Griffin to Melissa Segar, but it was not to be found. By some oversight, it was doubtless never recorded. I then called on Dr. W. Wilson of theM. E. Church and he agreed to look up the church records for it. The fact and record of it is necessary to aid her in obtaining a widow's pension. I left the matter with Dr. Wilson to look up tomorrow. George Hoddinott came in the evening with George Purdy to our office to make up some papers. Before tea, I called on Mrs. Griffith to look over some family papers for the facts of her marriage.
APRIL 30 SATURDAY- Mercury 52 above. After breakfast, I took the trolley to Bethel to see the building near Short's Hat Factory which Mrs. Laura Wildman recently bought and is repairing for dwelling purposes. They not being there, I returned home. I then with Mr. Beeman drove over to No.5 Moss Avenue (the old lves greenhouse property) and arranged for the transfer of Saul Clark's policy by cancelling same and re-writing. After dinner, Fred Kirby called to get his policy on his market cancelled as he has gone out of business. Then Mrs. Hawley went with me to Bethel again where I met Mr. and Mrs. Wildman at the house I called to see in the morning. While out, a thunder shower came up and we hastened home to escape getting wet. However, it rained but little here. We did our Sunday marketing when we returned. I bought our first quart of strawberries for the season for 15 cents which we had for tea. George and Sarah came over in the eveningn.
1904-04