Horace Purdy Journal September 1904 Entry
9 pgs
SEPTEMBER 01 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 56. Letter by morning mail from John Watkins relative to accident insurance. He will try to come over on Saturday evening and stay over until Sunday when we can transact the business in contemplation. I wrote a reply and mailed it to Hartford. Received June renewal receipt from Clarence Morgan, the certificate of good health recently sent being satisfactory for renewal. Before dinner, I went up to Turnwell's on Terrace Place to inspect their pigeonary for insuring the same and their pigeons therein. I got an order from Jacob Hartz to write $2,000 on stock for the Spiro brothers. I delivered the same to him in the afternoon. Sidney True stopped and gave me $5.00 on account of what he owes us. He is contemplating a change of mortgage from Mr. Fairchild in Newtown to the Danbury Savings Bank. I, by his request, called at the bank and promised to make the policy payable to them as soon as it came to us for change. This was satisfactory to the bank. I drove up to 10 Henry Street to see about renewal for policy for Majik Garlick. Later in the PM, Mary rode with me down to Fannie’s and carried some tomatoes and beets. While we were at tea, Mrs. McKnight called to see about the rates for accident insurance for her nephew, Arthur Durgie. I also in the PM took Mrs. Melissa Griffith’s affidavit as to property, etc., and her means of support. George S. and his wife came over and spent the evening with us. SEPTEMBER 02 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 62. Lowery in the morning with a doubtful outlook for a pleasant day. Wrote under date of yesterday and mailed a letter to Davis Knapp at King Street with a statement of policy written on the Silas Abbott place on Westville Avenue. Received a letter from Loomis & Nettleton in reply to mine of yesterday as to the insurance for Mrs. McKnight and her nephew A. Durgie in accident, same corroborating my opinion at to ordinary classification. About noon, I got a line from the Danbury National Bank informing me that my $200 note was due yesterday which I had overlooked. I was non-plussed as I had not provided for it. I at once called at the bank. The amount to my credit in the bank was not sufficient to meet it. I borrowed $100 of Mary Dean who withdrew it from the savings bank and got Robert Chambers to endorse a note for $100 and in this way took care of it. After going up to Clapboard Ridge and then nearly up to Vernon Ferry’s Cider Mill at Middle River (where he had gone with a load of cider apples) and met him to get his endorsement, I then drove out to Lucy Haines to see her new house, which today, W. W. Sunderland the builder gave me an order to write a builder’s risk on the same. On my way home, I met Mrs. Haines and had quite a talk with her about insuring the new house. She did not like the company cancelling the $600 remaining on the same when the house burned, though we paid her $100 for the house and furniture and as usual when over half the policy is burned to cancel the remainder. I promised that I would allow her the value of balance cancelled for the unexpired term, the same to be credited on the premium for her new house. This morning I went up to J. R. Fancher’s hat shop on West Street and took an application for Arthur Durgie for $1,000 accident insurance. SEPTEMBER 03 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 68; at noon- 78. Warmer. Before breakfast, I wrote the Reliance Insurance Company that we will in a few days send a check for the May balance. My horse Gypsy is sick; I think she overdid yesterday’s PM driving in the sultry weather up to Robert Chambers’ and up to Lucy Haines’ to see her new house for builder’s risk insurance. We wrote a policy on the carriage of George Northrop, also builder’s risk for W. Sunderland on Lucy Haines’ new house and delivered and collected premiums on both. Company C left this morning for Manassas where the state troops will encamp for the fall manoeuvres with others from other states with the regulars to rehearse the old battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861 on the same battlefield. Arthur Durgie, who is a member of Company C, called this morning and paid $3.00 on account for premium of $7.50 for an accident policy applied for yesterday. His aunt, Mrs. Virginia McKnight called this noon and paid the $1.00 extra to have the doubling clause attached. After dinner, I wrote Loomis & Nettleton to attach the clause. Jacob Becker called in the PM and paid $12.00 premium on furniture insurance. George and Sarah Purdy with Mrs. Brooks and little son, Alton came over and spent the evening. John Watkins came over in the evening to talk over insurance, both life and accident. SEPTEMBER 04 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 70. Pleasant and warm. We had a late breakfast after which I harnessed and drove with John Watkins down to Dr. Frank Clark and had him examined for $1,500 life insurance on the 20 payment life plan. We then went up to Culp’s News Store for the Sunday Press and to the Post Office, then home. I wrote out the application for John which (he being a minor) will take home with him tomorrow morning for his Father’s signature for consent. After dinner, I took him over to the lake for a trolley ride. On our return, Mr. Brownlaw came in for an $8.00 check to send to his son Harry. Then came our neighbor James Andrew to hire my two seat carriage for tomorrow to go with his horse which he will hire out for the day to Hollis Holmes. SEPTEMBER 05 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 56. Labor Day. Pension Day. I put on underclothes yesterday and heavier clothes today. John Watkins took the 6 o’clock train to Hartford this morning with his application for life insurance for his father to sign as he is a minor (19 years old). I have had a very busy day with pensioners making their vouchers. It being Labor Day besides has made it a hard day’s work for me. About 10:30, the parade started out which attracted a large crowd. George, Lill and Charlie are all with us to dinner. In the PM, Mr. Beeman rode around with me to make vouchers for orphans and widows – Mc Millan, Bell, Merritt, the widows Courtney and Foley. SEPTEMBER 06 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 48. Cooler. Wrote in morning, delivered and collected for Mortimer Rogers, arranged for renewal tomorrow of Martin Repko, also Hartley Sherman for next Saturday, the 10th instant; also called at the Eagle Hat Company for a brown derby hat George had ordered for John Watkins which I sent to him at Hartford by brakeman VanGordon on the 11:37 Highland Division train. I took young Alton Brooks riding with me all the forenoon. James Martin called while I was out and had George make out his pension voucher. I came home before he went away. He borrowed $.25 of me with which the voucher fee makes $.50 due. Mrs. Sarah Keeler was with us to dinner. After dinner, I drove around to her house at Stevens Street and paid her the interest ($2.50) for six months from last November to May and endorsed the same on the note. Peter Hardwick called after dinner and had his pension voucher made out. In the evening, I wrote and sent John Davis’ policy in the Sun sent to him at 881 Stratford Avenue in Bridgeport after endorsing a reduction of same and enclosed a check for $3.20 return of premium for said reduction. Mr. Pierans was over today and directed me to tell Mrs. O’Connor to move. SEPTEMBER 07 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 42. After breakfast, I mended the spindle buggy by screwing the side of the body which had come loose to the frame. About 10 AM, I notified Mrs. Patrick O’Connor of 13 Williams Street that she must move, as directed by John Pierans. I sent a postal card to John Watkins that I yesterday sent his coffee brown hat by James VanGordon, baggage master, by the 11:37 Highland Division train. Also, on receipt this morning of a check from Royal Tomlinson, mailed the receipted bill to him at his residence at 1025 Lexington Avenue in New York. In the PM, I received John Watkins' application for life insurance from him with his father’s signature assenting to the transaction and a check for the first ¼ year’s premium, and an accompanying letter acknowledging his receipt of his new coffee brown hat which I sent to him yesterday. In the PM, I stopped at Dr. English’s office to see about a policy of insurance on his carriage which I wrote for Jacob Hartz. In the evening, I sent Watkins’ application to the Equitable and a letter to him acknowledging the receipt of application and the check for ¼ year’s premium. SEPTEMBER 08 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 54. Pleasant and warmer. In the forenoon, I made up and gave a joint affidavit with Clark Hickock in the matter of application for pension for Melissa Griffith, widow of Edwin Griffith, as to her being without any income or means of support, in consequence of which she is a dependent widow. Also our testimony as to her never being divorced and that they lived together as husband and wife until the tine of his death to which we made an oath and subscribed in the presence of George L. Purdy , Notary Public. After dinner, Mary rode with me to mail the papers to the Commissioner of Pensions in Washington. I received my pension check in the afternoon. I called at McLean’s store and made arrangement s to renew $2,500 on store stock on September 12. I delivered the policy and collected the premium of Cornelia Depew. We went up to Prospect Street to see John Ellegett to see about furniture insurance but they concluded to wait 2 or 3 weeks when they hoped to have more work to pay for it. I then drove to Foster Street and took a new case on furniture , $1,000 for three years, from Mrs. Jennie Bratton, widow of George Bratton, an old customer formerly of Danbury, who died recently in Brooklyn. We called on Emmaline Glover on Center Street and Mrs. Biddescombe on Stevens Street about making up a soap order from the Larkin Soap Company, when about 5 PM a heavy shower coming up completed us to return home. We reached home all dry but quite a little rain fell soon after with sharp lightning and heavy thunder. Mrs. Sarah Keeler came over and took dinner with us. Her brother called in the PM to say that he would come for her at her home in Stevens Street and take her with them for a week or more to Brewster. SEPTEMBER 09 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 56. Cloudy this morning though with but little rain last night. After breakfast, I drove up to Brookfield to see about the loss of Daniel Connell’s house which burned about 12:30 AM on September 4th. The Connecticut, through Treadwell & Co. had $400 on the house. I found H. Wildman and special agent William Hoyt of the L. L. Globe there with Ford Olmstead as appraiser. They were surprised to learn that I had $400 on same and I was equally surprised to learn that they were on for $800. I then went up to see J. Wesley Wells to collect from him but only got some good promises. Wildman and Special Agent Hoyt promised to call on me in the afternoon, but did not. I wanted a little more light in the case but reported the loss in the PM with the facts as known to me. I also explained about the Spiro brothers. Then I wrote the Reliance Insurance Company to change the daily report #129940 to change Hartley Sherman from a three year to a five year term. Mrs. Norman Kellogg called at noon for a short time. The day has been cloudy and cold with no sunshine at all. About 5 PM, Phil Owens the postman brought in the pension checks for Joel Bates and Charles and Frank Bevins. With the loss notice to the Connecticut this evening, I also wrote the Agricultural not to draw on us on the 12th instant as they advised us but to wait about a week when we will remit. SEPTEMBER 10 - SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 54. Cloudy and cool this morning. After breakfast I delivered a policy on furniture to Hartley Sherman on Garfield Avenue, then went down to the Union Savings Bank and drove to the old Beckerle shop to see Daniel Connell and said that we were not on his house that was burned last Sunday as we had supposed but on another small house on the old Sherman Turnpike; therefore, we are not in it. Before dinner, I made a deposit including the pension check of Joel Bates. He called at our office and I cashed it for him. At noon, Robert Jones from Brookfield called and paid me $11 on account of his insurance. Before dinner, I telegraphed to the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company that we were not on the Connell loss, and after dinner, I wrote them explaining the matter. After which, Fanny being up here, I drove downtown with her to do some marketing and also for myself. Then I came home and took Mrs. Hawley downtown to do some marketing, then came home and took Mary over to Mrs. Harry Biddescombe to arrange some order matters about a soap order to Larkin’s Soap Company. George, Sarah, Mrs. Brooks and her son, Alton spent the evening with us. Mr. Biddescombe requested me to buy six bushels of potatoes for him for winter use. SEPTEMBER 11 SUNDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 58. Foggy in the morning. George S. came over in the AM with a mess of green corn for dinner. He helped me get my two seated wagon over from Mr. Pieran’s barn preparatory to taking Mrs. Brooks, Alton and Sarah out riding after dinner. I washed and greased the axles. After dinner, I took them as planned to the Starr Sanford Mountain House down Deer Hill, west to Main, White Street, Locust Avenue, Cleveland Street, the Hospital, and the Alms House where we had quite a visit with George Foote, the superintendent, and his wife, Ellen. Then through the cemetery to Balmforth Avenue, Patch Street, Main Street and home. After putting up the horse, we over to brother George’s and spent the evening as Mrs. Brooks and Alton start tomorrow morning for Philadelphia. SEPTEMBER 12 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 60. After breakfast, George helped me draw my two seated wagon over to Mr. Pieran’s barn after using the same yesterday. I then drove up to Quien Street to see Sam Hathaway about renewal of his house insurance; also O. J. Williams and Walter Clifford. Then down to Mountainville to see Mrs. Chester Brush about the cancellation of her furniture policy; did not find her at Frank Harris’ but did so at 21 Montgomery Street where I paid her the return premium. James Martin, under the influence of drink, came to see if his pension check had arrived; as it had not, I lent him a dollar on account of the same which with other loans and voucher fees makes $2.00 due me. The fire bell struck 28 for a fire occasioned by a locomotive spark on the roof of a dwelling at 42 Maple Avenue about 2:10 PM; the damage was slight. I ascertained the facts at the Ives Street fire department house. I had a talk with John Stevens this PM about paying his August premium or dropping the policy of accident insurance. I called at the Targett & Siemon Laundry and referred again to the joint company partnership policy; Targett is thinking of the matter, but has not yet seriously conferred with Mr. Siemon. I received a letter from John Watkins; he thinks he will come over on September 23 and stay over on Sunday. SEPTEMBER 23 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 56. Cooler this morning following the shower last evening. I received a letter by the morning mail from the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company approving Spiro stock and thanking us for the prompt contradiction of the reported loss on Connell at Brookfield. George went with me up to Andrew Bell’s in the morning and made up his application for an increase in his pension under order 78 of the Commissioner of Pensions of March 15, 1094 on account of old age. I mailed the application in the evening. At noon, George served 10 days to-quit notice on Mrs. Patrick O’Conner. After dinner, I went up to Germantown to see Otto Mahler about a policy in Williamsburg City on his house which will expire Sept. 20.20. I was too late; Carol Ryder who had it for the Williamsburg City had renewed it. I then went over to Beaverbrook to renew the tobacco barn for Henry Starr. From there, I went up to the Pembroke District and arranged for the renewal of a $500 furniture policy for Isaac Havilland. I arranged for the same and raised the amount to $1,000. When I arrived home about 4:30 PM, James Martin was waiting for me to cash his pension check which I did. SEPTEMBER 14 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 58. Foggy with heavy dew in the morning. About 8 AM, it began to rain lightly. John Bouton, while working at the Fairgrounds yesterday, fell and was quite seriously hurt, the outcome of which is doubtful. Mrs. John Allen sent for me, she having papers from the Pension Department at Washington wanting more evidence about property holdings, financial position and means of support. After dinner, I made the August report to the Agricultural Insurance Company, made deposits in bank, delivered to Adolph Turnerville an agricultural insurance policy on his flock of pigeons and pigeonary. Before going to see Mrs. John Allen this morning, I went up to Quien Street and collected of Saul Hathaway a $9.00 premium on his house. In the evening, I made out the Standard accident report, also helped Mary Dean make up our order of soap and Parlor Oil Heater as premium of the Larkin Soap Company. A thunder shower during the evening. SEPTEMBER 15 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 48. It rained all last night and was still raining this morning. Mrs. Schappacane (?) came in the morning and paid the August rent. I at once made up the rent account to John Pierans, endorsing the check to make up the August rents and mailed the same to Mr. Pierans at Purdy’s Station , NY. Edgar Platt, tenant on the Silas Abbott place, paid me about 11:30 AM at the New Street school house, $6.00 for extra insurance on his store. In the PM, I went to Dr. Sunderland’s with a specimen of Mary Dean’s urine for examination; he pronounced it without fault. I delivered a furniture policy to Orlando Williams at Hadley Green’s factory and got a promise of insurance on furniture and possibly life insurance for his son. George came over in the evening for a check to send to Mrs. Kimball for $15.00. Mrs. O’Conner called in the evening to say that she had secured rooms in Rose Street. SEPTEMBER 16 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 40. Foggy in the morning, but soon came off clear and pleasant. I brought over from Mr. Roger’s garden the last of his corn stalks before breakfast, after which I pulled a few beets from the garden for pickling. I also took up a part of a Peona plant for Mrs. Couch (a white one) for transplanting. I sent the August account to the Sun and a letter about the July account. Also the Sun account with a letter regarding the allowance to Lucy Haines about the unburned part of the old policy to apply on the new policy. In the evening, I drove over to C. L. Morgan’s to see if he could let me have the money on his insurance which has been accumulating since last April. I found him cutting and hanging tobacco over to Beaverbrook. He promised to do something for me the first of next week. Just before supper, I went up to see how John Bouton was. I found him as reported this morning a little better than yesterday and holding his own, though not out of danger. From there I went up to No 5 Pleasant Street and arranged for the renewal of W. Tueple (?) on next Tuesday for which he had paid me. In the evening I made up and mailed the August report to the Reliance Insurance Company and also wrote to John Watkins and Manager VanFleet inquiring why the Watkins policy didn’t come along. SEPTEMBER 17 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 50. Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. After breakfast, I drove up to Pembroke and delivered a furniture policy to Isaac Havilland and collected the premium of $15.00. I called at the old W. Hamilton place to see Arthur Day whose wife, Minnie Day, owns the property to see about the renewal of the insurance on September 25. I saw Mrs. Day who will tell her husband to call on me when he is in town. O. H. Barnum brought me two bales of hay after dinner. Mrs. Josephine Stuart of Bethel called about 3 PM and paid the $5.00 balance on a note given June 11 for borrowed $10.00. I had my hair cut in the PM at Silvestri’s on White Street and did the marketing for Sunday. Mr. H. Stevens, brother of John Stevens, opened a market in Bell’s block at 270 Main Street today. My right testicle is giving me trouble again today. George and Sarah came over in the evening. SEPTEMBER 18 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 55. Pleasant. My trouble for which I took treatment on retiring last night had the desired effect and I am very much better this morning. While doing my morning barn work, Peter Hardwick called to see what I knew about Fred Comes’ place which he wants to sell as to the prospect of exchanging, etc. After returning from the Post Office at noon, I went over to see how John Bouton was. They try to think him better, but he is a dangerously sick man. I found George Hall there; he drove over from Brewster. After dinner, Mary went over to Will Dean’s on Balmforth Avenue. I went over to George’s for a short call, and then came home and did my barn work, after which I walked up to John Bouton’s to inquire after him. He seems to hold his own and may possibly recover, though he continues delirious. Mary returned home in time for evening church, but was too tired to go. SEPTEMBER 19 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 62. Fairly pleasant, though indications of a coming storm. John Bouton is in some respects better in a small degree. In the forenoon, I drove over to Beaverbrook and arranged for the renewal of S. W. Bradley’s tobacco barn. I also collected 2 dozen eggs and $2.00 in cash on George Bradley’s account. After dinner, I called to see how John Bouton was getting on and found him slightly improved with more hopes for his recovery. From there, I called to see Arthur Durgie to see about the accident policy he took before going to Bull Run for the National Guard to maneuver as a repetition of the 1861 battle. From there, I called on Mrs. John Allen as to the calling on Carrol Ryder and Susan Hubble for affidavits as to her financial condition, etc. I took the car for home on White Street and rode to the end of Pleasant Street to see about the renewal of Charles Seymour’s furniture policy but did not find them home at 4 Pleasant Street, but a Mr. V. Floyd Akin living in the same house promised to see me soon for a policy. I walked home from there, calling at John Bouton’s as I came. An express package of supplies came this PM from the Agricultural Insurance Company. SEPTEMBER 20 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 58. The morning looked doubtful, but about 8 o’clock it cleared up with the appearance of a pleasant day. About noon, it became overcast and continued to gather more and more until about 3:30 when it commenced to rain. Before dinner, I went down and mailed my Oath of Allegiance made before George L. Purdy, Notary Public, the same being required by the U. S. Interior Department regulations to make me a pension attorney. Before returning, I got a check from Julius Stone for $36.50 in payment for a policy on his stock recently. In the PM, I rested until nearly 3 PM when I went to the bank for a deposit. The rain caught me on my return home, after which I busied myself preparing affidavits in the Sophia Allen pension case. Mrs. Nellie Schoonmaker called later in the PM and paid $1.80 balance on insurance. SEPTEMBER 21 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 46. Clear and cool. The line storm evidently clearing off cold. George called this morning on Thomas Gallagher on Houseman Street and arranged for $300 additional insurance on their furniture. After the morning work was over, George rode with me over to Starr Avenue to Eugene Wright’s to get Mrs. Ellen Thacker’s affidavit in the Sophia Allen pension case. She was not at home, but we found her at Mrs. Allen’s on Elm Street. After securing her affidavit, we went to 22 Lake Avenue for that of Andrew Bell, also making a joint affidavit on Mrs. Allen’ behalf. There being indications of frost tonight, we picked all the ripe Lima beans and covered the tomato vines. SEPTEMBER 22 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 32. This is the coldest morning we have had this season. We were touched with a light frost this morning. Policy for John Watkins from the Equitable Life Assurance Society, Policy No. 1.371.715 for $1,500 on a 20 payment life. By noon, I sent the postal notice to Mr. Watkins that the same has been received. Today in the Sophia Allen pension case, I sent to the Commissioner of Pensions the completed affidavits of Ellen Thacker and Andrew Bell, also the certificate of Carrol D. Ryder, Treasurer of the Union Savings Bank as to the mortgage interest on the Allen property, etc. After dinner, Mr. Beeman and I went over to Mr. Morgan’s to see about coal for himself and I to see about getting $50 on fire insurance which he promise next week, also that he would attend to his life insurance premium due the 29th instant. From there, we went over to Henry Starr’s and he paid $7.50 for insurance on his tobacco barn. We then went up to Robert Jones at the Iron Works and he promised to see me for some money on Saturday. On our return, I stopped to see D. Joyce about taking my mortgage. He was not sure about money coming in this fall sufficient to enable him to do it. Should it come in, he will see me. On our return, we went over to S. W. Bradley’s and delivered and collected of him $.25 for a policy on his tobacco barn. He gave us a sample of potatoes to try in anticipation of selling to us. Supplies received today from the Sun Insurance Company. SEPTEMBER 23 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 29; at noon – 60. After breakfast, Mr. Beeman went with me over to Hull’s Hill to collect $24.00 from Thomas and Mary Dunn for insurance in the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company. From there, we drove up to Westville to see if James Stevens had potatoes which he would let me have on account of his insurance; he had only enough for his own use. Moses Baxter, our neighbor, about 40 years of age, now of Binghamton, NY, being in town on a visit gave us a call this morning. Before starting to drive this morning, I sent a check to W. B. Schiffer for $5.93 for net premium for first ¼ premium on John Watkins policy. About 4 PM, I harnessed and Mary went with me over to Robinson’s Fur Factory to see Martin Repko about payment for his insurance. He had changed and now works for Hoyt Walthausen’s company; I found him at home there. I then left the harness neck strap at Blackman’s Harness Shop to be mended. Then, with Mary, did some marketing, called at the freight depot to see if Larkin’s soap box had come, and returned home. After tea, I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s for Mr. Hawley, who is sick in bed with malaria. He gave me medicine to carry to him. Received this morning from Mrs. George Connell, an express package from Grandma Griswold’s effects - a quilt of her own making to be given to our Fannie, which when being made, was christened by Aunt Fanny, “A Grandma’s Whim”, also a silk handkerchief for myself and an ornamental plaque for Mary. Also received a letter explaining this. SEPTEMBER 24 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM - 60. Slight rain about 6 AM. After breakfast, I drove over to the New Machine Company to see Charles Fowler about insuring his tools and chest, cancelling same off his house policy at Mill Plain and writing a new policy on tools, after which arrangement, I met John Watkins on the 9:30 train; he came to visit over Sunday and receive his life insurance policy. After dinner, John and I rode over to the fairgrounds to see James Sherman about renewing his furniture policy expiring tomorrow. He having a business deal with another agent, gave him his insurance for another year. After our return, I did some office work and while John Watkins went downtown for a walk, Mrs. Hawley went with me for some business calls and some marketing. About noon, J. Wesley Wells called and paid the balance due on his insurance. Martin Repko, who was to call about 4 or 5 PM, met me downtown and proposed to call on me tomorrow after dinner. I called and saw John Bouton for the first time since he was hurt. I went downtown to buy alcohol and witch hazel for them. Mrs. Jennie Townsend called in the evening and paid $1.80 on her insurance. After supper, John went over to see Will Dean. George and Sarah came over and spent the evening with us. Arthur Durgie came over and paid the balance due on his accident insurance. SEPTEMBER 25 SUNDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 58; at noon – 78. Slight showers last night; very much warmer today. Martin Repko and son called and paid 17.00 on account of is insurance. After dinner, Watkins and I went to Bethel and gave George and Lil a visit returning about dusk. I left him on Main Street to make a call on Mr. VanGordon. In the PM, I answered Julia Connell’s letter received after sending an express package to us with mementos from grandma’s things, among which was bed quilt of her own handiwork for Fannie. SEPEMBER 26 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 58. We were up early to get breakfast for John Watkins that he could take the 6 AM Highland Division train to Hartford. A bright morn and starlight all night. After daybreak, it became foggy and lowery with but little sunshine. A light splatter of rain about 3 PM which was soon over and the sun shone after. After George came, I walked downtown to see L. K. Mansfield about George Franklin, an applicant for rent in one of Mr. Pierans' houses. From there, I went up to Thomas Duffy’s house at 16 Morris Street to get his address at Norwalk which is 16 Monroe Street, South Norwalk. From there, I went to Mrs. David’s regarding mortgage on the same. From there, I called on John Bouton. His wife sent by me to get a Post Office order and a pint of witch hazel. On our return home, Mr. Beeman and I drove over to Beaverbrook and ordered our potatoes of S. W. Bradley. On our return, we stopped at the freight depot to inquire about boxes of Larkin soap which we expected. One came for Beeman, but none for me. Stephen Pierans called at noon and wanted the key to 13 William Street where Mrs. Patrick Conner had moved out, but as all her things are not yet out, she still holds the key. I deposited in the bank in the PM. SEPTEMBER 27 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 50. Cloudy and sunshine intermingled. At 11:30 AM, I called on Orlando Williams at Hadley Green’s shop on River Street to explain stock and mutual fire insurance as he had lower rates in a mutual company offered him. After dinner, I spent the PM in the office and wrote letters and sent checks to the Agricultural and Connecticut Fire Insurance Companies. I also sent a check to Lena Knapp for interest due October 1 ad to the Equitable the life premiums for George and myself due on the 29th and ineptest due on October 3 on the note borrowed on the George policy. In the evening, I wrote the Arthur Durgie policy back to Loomis & Nettleton for correction of beneficiary. I also wrote to Judge A. B. Beers in Bridgeport for blanks to make application for James Martin and Joel Bates to enter the Soldiers’ Home at Noroton. SEPTEMBER 28 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 58. After breakfast and George’s arrival from Bethel, I took Moses Baxter (who over 30 years ago, used to be our neighbor across the way and was now making a visit to Danbury from Binghamton, NY) with me on a drive for business calls around town. In the PM, I drove to Bethel, calling as I went on Mrs. Lottie Williams at Rocky Glen for a $2.00 balance on insurance, but I did not get it. I also called at Mrs. S. S. Street’s to see about E. Frost taking out a life policy. On my return, I stopped at the iron clad house near Short’s Hat Factory and collected $5.00 on account of Andrew and Laura Wildman’s insurance. In the evening, brother George came over and brought my old black hat which he has turned and refinished and trimmed making a new hat of the same. In the evening, George Walter, a hostler for Benjamin C. Lynes met Dr. Clark at our office and was examined for life insurance. SEPTEMBER 29 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM - 50. After breakfast, George went with me over to B. C. Lynes to get a specimen of urine from his hired man, George Walters, to give to Dr. Clark for examination, after which I went to City Hall and delivered to the selectmen a $5,000 policy on the Alms House in the Sun Insurance Company, then drove over to the freight office and found that our Larkin Soap, along with the oil heater and costumer as a prize, had come but as yet had not been unloaded. On my return George went with me down to 7 Grand Street to see about the renewal of furniture insurance for Mrs. John Gallagher and not finding her at home, went around to Dr. Clark’s with the urine specimen, which was found to be all right. We returned just in time for dinner. Twice this afternoon, I drove over to the freight depot for our soap but the quantity of freight was so great on account of the Fair next week, that they had not gotten to the car in which it was and would not get to it until Friday. Fanny was with us to tea. SEPTEMBER 30 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 60. Showers during last night but not thundershowers. After breakfast, George helped me level up the flagstones from the front steps of the house to the sidewalk. We then drove over to John W. Green’s (formerly Beckel’s old stiff shop) to see Mrs. John Gallagher about the renewal of her furniture insurance, the to the freight depot, but the car containing the Larkin soap and accompanying prizes had not been unloaded. We then went up to Morelock & Husk’s Machine Shop to see George A. Blackburn about his house insurance; he being up to the Merritt shop on a job, we drove up there and found him.
1904-09
Horace Purdy Journal August 1904 Entry
8 pgs
AUGUST 01 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 72. A very humid atmosphere this morning. “Dog Days” seem to have commenced in earnest. George went up to Mrs. Cornelia Depew’s after his arrival from Bethel this morning and had her execute proofs for her lightning loss on July 28 – Agricultural Insurance Company Policy 1703 - We then paid John Bouton $15.00 for repairs and her $.35 for oil cloth for a total loss of $15.35. For the first time in about a week, I rode into the street for some errands and over to Cleveland Street and collected $28.00 from Sarah Austin for insurance on her store and dwelling building on 234 White Street. A heavy thundershower in the afternoon, after which Clara Watkins and I rode over to 26 Spring Street and by word from George Barnum called on Mrs. Charles McClintock to try and insure their furniture. They did not, but gave encouragement for 2 or 3 weeks hence. From there, we went over to the Peoples’ Market on White Street and bought a brisket of corned beef. Hattie Mills died this morning. Funeral at 2 PM at George Osbourne’s at Bethel. In the evening, I walked up to Dr. Sunderland’s with his accident policy for July. George S. Purdy came over in the evening with pieces of steel armor from the battleship “Connecticut”. AUGUST 02 TUESDAY - Warm and muggy with a gentle rain. George went down to Steven’s Insurance office in the forenoon to ascertain about the facts of cow of Mary Jackson killed by lightning at King Street. After dinner, I went by trolley to Bethel with Fannie to attend the funeral of Hattie Mills at the residence of George Osbourne on Greenwood Avenue at 2 PM. On my return, I paid William Barber for a new shaft he put in my spindle last Thursday. I then laid in wait for Herbert Wildman to collect the $100 premium for a policy we wrote for him on Rundle & White Hat Factory on May 26th. I finally caught him and had a good talk with him. He promised to have the money for me in 2 or 3 days. AUGUST 03 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 66; at noon – 80. A beautiful morning. After breakfast, Hattie Watkins went with me to King Street to take the proof of loss for Mary Jackson for loss of cow killed by lightning about 11:30 PM on Thursday, July 28th under Connecticut Fire Insurance Company Policy #1974 brokered to George Stevens & Son, after which we returned home by way of Pandanarum Reservoir. When we arrived in town, I observed that a hind shoe was gone from the left hind foot of Gip. I left Hattie to walk home while I went to D. Gage’s shop and had another shoe put on before coming home myself. After dinner, George mailed the completed proofs, we retaining the duplicate receipt to attach to the policy which we did on the policy we brought home with us for that purpose. AUGUST 04 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 62. Muggy and warm again today. Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show came to Danbury. George and I drove up to Joseph Blissard’s on Park Avenue to deliver a Reliance policy on his furniture, etc., but did not find him at home. In the PM, I wrote and enclosed a Connecticut Fire Insurance to Jacob Backer at New Fairfield, same being on his furniture written June23rd. I walked into the street before dinner and came home tired out and stayed in the office in the PM. I received a check from Commercial Union for loss of Achille Canale in Niagara Insurance Company reinsurance. AUGUST 05 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 66. Muggy again. Received transfer endorsement from National of Hartford, reinsurers of Lafayette for Taggart & Siemon for their new building on Ives Street. I also received a check from the Connecticut Insurance Company for $20 to pay Mrs. Mary Jackson their half of the loss of the cow by lightning. I drove up to King Street and paid her, taking Clara Watkins with me for a ride. I rested awhile after dinner, then went downtown for a few business calls, among them Mrs. Holton at the School of Education for collection of balance due and Saul Clark on Moss Avenue. Neither was at home. Fire Box #61 struck about 4 PM on the corner of White Street and Locust Avenue. I went over. It was a dwelling at 13 Wildman Street near the railroad crossing. It not being our case, I took the trolley and came home. On my arrival, I found Priscilla Benedict and daughter at the office to pay the balance of their insurance premium. In the evening, Achille Canale came in and signed draft and receipt for $2.50 loss which occurred July 13th by gasoline stove in dwelling No. 2. I paid him the cash and then wrote Commercial Union, endorsing the duplicate receipt, the loss being under reinsured by Niagara policy #6312 by Greenwich Insurance Company who in their closing up, reinsured in Commercial Union. After writing, I went over to the Montgomery Street Box and mailed the letter and called a few minutes on George whose wife returned last night from New York bringing Mrs. Kimball with her. I shot our old mother cat this morning. She was sick so I buried the kittens. AUGUST 06 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 66. Pleasant. Clara Watkins rode with me in the morning to do some marketing over to Andrews’ store on West Wooster Street for meat and in the street for other things. I bought a new catheter at Kinner’s Drug Store. George, Sarah and Mrs. Kimball came over and spent the evening. AUGUST 07 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7AM – 66; at noon – 82. Picked fruit and ripe tomatoes, also our first mess of green corn for dinner. Mr. Rogers brought over an armful of corn stalks for the horse, the first mess for her this season. I went to the Post Office at noon and received a letter from Jacob Layton of South Norwalk containing a check for the Hoyt Walthausen policy. Just at night, I went trolley riding with Mary Dean and Hattie and Clara Watkins to Bethel and returned to North Street and home. George had the accounts made up for the Sun, Connecticut and Reliance. I put the finishing stroke on them and mailed them in the evening. We all went over to spend the evening with George, Sarah and Mrs. Kimball. AUGUST 08 MONDAY - Mercury about 60 in the morning. A short but hard thundershower about 5 this morning. We picked up all the crab apples under the tree this morning after breakfast, mowed the backyard and then threw the apples and grass on the manure heap. The day has been close, muggy and partly cloudy. I called at Rundle & White’s just before dinner and reported to Mr. Rundle that the worthless check that Herbert Wildman mentioned was not theirs, etc. After dinner, I rode up to Park Avenue and delivered a policy to Joseph Blissard. He not being home, I left it with his wife. I put up the horse and took the trolley to Bethel and arranged for additional insurance on the sheet iron dwelling of Laura Wildman, also for insurance on her new barn, horse wagon, etc., including hay and grain for her husband Andrew Wildman. I then called on O. B. Smith and F. M. Clarkson. George, Sarah and Louise Kimball came in and spent the evening. AUGUST 09 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6AM – 62. Cooler and pleasant. Very much like a fall day. Eli Smith came in this morning being very much vexed about his insurance on account a broken term occasioned by the cancellation of Niagara policy #6134 after it had run 2 years. We wrote $500 on the new brick steam laundry of Taggart & Siemon; also wrote in Reliance of Laura Wildman’s iron clad house and frame barn in Bethel in name also of her husband, Andrew Wildman. In the evening, I drove down to Daniel McNamara’s to arrange for the renewal of a policy on the 11th, but he was not at home. I then went up to Pandaranum to see the mortgagor, George Peck. He too was away at Fairfield Beach. I then rode up to Eli Smith’s to explain about his insurance, but he too was not at home. I left word for him to call on me when was downtown. I mailed a bill in the evening to Royal Tomlinson for insurance last April on the dwelling at 5 Ellsworth Avenue. AUGUST 10 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 56. It commenced raining about daylight returned by mail to Mrs. V. E. Patch of Brookfield the pension certificate and June voucher of Mrs. Edith Ball, her mother and the widow of George Ball, which was left with me to collect the accrued pension for the three months from March to the date of her death in May. On account of my health, I did not feel able to undertake the case for her. It continued raining most of the forenoon and lowery all day, except about 2 PM the sun broke through for a short time, but soon disappeared again. I went downtown in the PM and made a deposit in the bank. I went into Hamilton’s printing rooms and talked insurance with Harry Mead and another fellow printer. I talked with A. C. Ferry, the Hackman, about selling my 2-seat covered wagon. Hattie and Clara Watkins sent their trunk to the railroad station for the 11:37 AM train to Hartford, but it rained so hard that they deferred gong themselves until tomorrow. In the evening, I made and mailed our July account with a check for $131.38 for the April balance to the Agricultural Insurance Company. Before dinner, I went by trolley to see Daniel McNamara about renewing a policy, but he has not yet returned from North Salem. AUGUST 11 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6AM – 70. Pleasant. In the forenoon, I delivered a policy on dwelling and barn on 38 Coal Pit Hill to Daniel McNamara at his saloon. I also took Mary to the 11:37 train to see Hattie and Clara Watkins off to Hartford, returning home after a visit since July 15th. After the departure of the train, we drove downtown and as stated, delivered the McNamara policy. About 4PM, I harnessed and drove over to Beaverbrook and collected on account from Fuller and grocer who gave me sweet corn, squash and tomatoes to bring home. In the evening, I made a gasoline stove permit for Edmund Sauer. AUGUST 12 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6AM – 62. The day has been somewhat mixed as to sunshine and clouds. Before dinner, I drove over to deliver the gasoline stove permit to George Sauer and collected $2.00 due from Ira Post. I also ascertained from the town records that on Feb. 25, 1903, A. T. Bates, administrator for the estate of Taylor Bates, gave to Valentine Patch a quit claim deed on the property situated on the northwest corner of George and Orchard Street, known as 21 George Street, this ascertainment being necessary for us in renewing a policy on the same tomorrow. After dinner in looking over our books, I could find no entry of George Hill paying the premium as to an endorsed reduction of this policy dated April 4th on his insurance. I stared at 3:45 and drove up to his place on Huckleberry Hill to see him as to the payment and the date thereof, which I found to be the 2nd day of April, OK. In the evening, I wrote to the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company. I find that I had not charged for the rebate on this reduction. AUGUST 13 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6AM – 60. After breakfast and picking up crabapples under the tree, I went over to Chester Brush at 21 Montgomery Street to see her about the rebate on her furniture policy on October 1st, which her son, F. C. Bush, DDS of New York, wrote me about. I found that she is gone and is now at her son’s in New York. This PM, I wrote him relating to the matter. I also went up to Mallory’s factory to see William Phillips. He promised to come about 5 PM to pay the balance of his insurance; he did not come. In the PM, Mrs. Hawley and me went downtown and did our Sunday marketing. Orrin Smith from Bethel came in the PM and paid his fire insurance. Also about 7 o’clock in the evening, came A. L. Booth and paid. George and Sarah and Mrs. Kimball came over in the evening. George Blissard came in the evening and paid $4.00 on account. I gave George a pail of vinegar to take home with him. AUGUST 14 SUNDAY - Mercury at 8AM – 65. A gentle rain during the night; lowery all morning. I went down to the Post Office at noon for the mail and the Sunday New York Press. A letter of the 10th to Royal Tomlinson with a bill for insurance on the dwelling at 5 Ellsworth Avenue was returned to me unable to be delivered, due to the fact that he has moved. I remailed it to his new and correct address, 10265 Lexington Avenue, New York. I also mailed a letter and bill for insurance to Valentine Patch at Brookfield. After dinner, I took a specimen of my water up to Dr. Sunderland’s; he found no fault with it, but gave me some tablets. AUGUST 15 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM - 65; at 2PM - 80. A beautiful day. After breakfast, I drove down to Fannie’s with a mess of green corn and cucumbers. From there I drove by way of Triangle Street to Clarence Morgan’s and arranged for the renewal of his Highland Avenue bakery. Lottie and Julia Hirsch came up in the afternoon; Lottie to attend the funeral of Winifred Barry, who was drowned at New Haven while bathing last Friday. Steven Pierans called in the PM and I gave him a check for $48.06, the amount of the July rent collections. About 4 PM, I drove down to Clark’s Box Shop and arranged for renewal of policies for Eugene Bouton for which he paid me. Mrs. Hawley’s boarder, James Busby, was taken in a fit about 8:30 in the evening and I went for a doctor and got Dr. English. AUGUST 16 TUESDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 60. Pleasant. I spent most of the forenoon shaking and picking up crab apples. Just before dinner, I drove up to 26 Lake Avenue to see Carwell Higby about the renewal of the property, formerly Marcellus Voorhies, as to writing one policy on the whole instead of two policies as formerly. After dinner, I went to the city bank and had J. Beal’s’ check for $13.75 cashed. I then went to Bethel to see Mr. Higby who works at Higson’s, then made a call at French’s Dry Goods Store. Then I called on Andrew Wildman and delivered a policy and returned home by trolley after calling on W. Booth at Short’s shop. Mary went over to Montgomery Street in the evening to carry crab apples to Brother George. AUGUST 17 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 60; at 2 PM – 80. Pleasant. Before dinner, I went down to see the new location where Frank Wilcox keeps his horse, etc. on Crosby Street to arrange a transfer of insurance but did not see hm. I also called on Stevens Street to see John Stevens about a policy on furniture, horses, etc. written last April; also an accident policy of August 6th. Fannie Hirsch was with me and did some trading after which I drove home with her and brought Lottie home with me to stay a few days. When I arrived, I found E. J. Couch waiting to see me. We had an afternoon visit and referred to his taking my mortgage which he was not able to do now but might do so later. On his departure at about 5 Pm, I opened a bottle of ginger ale. Before going out this morning, we shook off and gathered crabapples. Mr. Beeman with his artificial leg climbed where I could not and shook the tree. In the evening, I wrote to F. Bouton and enclosed a bill for insurance for Mary Turner. AUGUST 18 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 64. A pleasant day with a north wind which when out in the sun felt like a September day. I adjusted the Taggart & Siemon policy on the new laundry to conform to the newly promulgated rates and they paid for it. After dinner, Lottie Hirsch went with me about town looking after renewals, etc. Nellie Hamilton called on Mary this PM. Before supper, I also rode up to Lake Avenue and delivered a policy and bill for one left at the Danbury Savings Bank for Carwell Higby at 26 Lake Avenue; we then drove to the Post Office and mailed an accident report for July to Loomis & Nettleton and then came home. I was very tired. Mary and Lottie went over to Brother George’s on Montgomery Street in the evening. AUGUST 19 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 46. Joel Bates came over after breakfast to borrow money. I was compelled to refuse. I called on George Boughton about renewing his policy on furniture, etc. He is leaning toward the Danbury Mutual. I am to see him again. In the PM, I found John Stevens and he promised to look up my receipt for payment of premium on his insurance for furniture, etc., which he claims he paid and which I have no account of his doing so. I also delivered the Sun policy to Charles Dickens’ at Connett’s factory and had him sign the endorsement receipt on same for loss paid him under same. George, his wife and sister Mrs. Kimball came over in the evening. AUGUST 20 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 60. Awoke and found it raining hard. It continued until after dinner when it ceased but did not clear up. At 2 PM, Lottie Hirsch rode with me over to Andrew’s store where I bought a pot roast of beef for Sunday dinner. On the way, I delivered a $1,000 furniture policy to W. H. Booth at 7 Division Street and collected for it. The right forward wheel to the wagon showed signs of collapsing. We feared to ride further and came home. I then walked into the street and did other marketing – fish for breakfast, etc. – and returned home. After supper, I went down for my laundry and stopped on my return at Dr. Sunderland’s and collected $2.65 for 5 lbs. of coffee for George Purdy. In the forenoon, I called on George Boughton and discussed the difference between a stock and mutual fire insurance company. I then went to Frank Wilcox and he consented to pay the increased rate for transfer of his insurance on horses, etc. Clear and starlight at 9 PM. Elmer Keeler called this PM when I was out and paid $25 on account of his insurance. AUGUST 21 SUNDAY - Mercury at 6 AM - 65; at noon – 70. Pleasant. Before breakfast, I went over to Mr. Rogers’ garden and cut two armfuls of corn stalks for my horse. At 11:30, I went down to the Post Office and to Culp’s News Store for the New York Press. After dinner, I wrote to John Davis at Bridgeport to send his Sun policy with a more definite description of 881 Stratford Avenue for us to make the transfer. I also wrote to M. Thomas to give me a description of the property. I then wrote to the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company for their views on the cancellation of policies after partial losses. About sundown, George S., his wife Sarah, and her sister, Louise Kimball came over for a short visit. I then paid George $2.65 for Dr. Sunderland for 5 lbs. of coffee recently ordered. In the evening, I went to the Sam Harris block to see James VanGordon, a brakeman on the Highland Division to Hartford to see if he will buy at Thompson’s store at Harford for me two bottles of cod liver oil, but they were not at home. From there, I went over to brother George’s and came home with Mary Dean who had gone there to spend the evening. AUGUST 22 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 60; at noon – 78. Pleasant. As I went to the barn this morning, I found a large armful of cornstalks at the door for my horse brought over by Mr. Rogers before I was out. I took my spindle buggy down to W. Barber’s for repairs, after which I took Mrs. Louise Kimball to ride with me over to Beaverbrook for collections, etc. On our return, we came by way of the Allen house and through the cemetery arriving home just at noon. After dinner and a rest for myself in the office, I got Mr. Beeman to go with me. I collected premiums of Philo Bradley, took a trace to my harness to Blackman’s to be mended, went up to Mallory’s shop to see W. J. Phillips, returned for my harness and hitched behind my carriage the spindle buggy at barber’s Wagon Shop and brought it home. After supper, I took the trolley to Bethel to collect from Andrew Wildman, but I made a mistake. Next Saturday was the day he promised to pay. On my return, I stopped at James VanGordon’s and left $1.00 with his wife for him to buy two bottles of cod liver oil for me in Hartford. I was caught in a thundershower as I came home about 9 o’clock. I ran in the rain from West Street to the house and got quite wet. Mrs. Anna Merritt called in the PM and paid for her insurance to be written on the 24th. AUGUST 23 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 62. Clear and cooler this morning after the thundershower last night. I went to Gage’s Blacksmith Shop and had a long shoe tightened on a horse; the Mr. Beeman and I started for Westville to see James Stevens for money but did not find him at home. We found him at Vernon Young’s at Middle River. We came home by way of King Street and partly arranged matters with David Knapp about the insurance for the Silas Abbott place on Westville Avenue, it being now used in part for a grocery store. We brought home a good bushel of apples from Mr. Knapp’s. In the PM, I drove up to 33 North Street and delivered a policy to Mrs. Anna Merritt and to Tamarack Street with a policy for James Devine. Mary rode with me. Coming from King Street this forenoon, I stopped for a few minutes at Chester Wilson’s. He was not at home. AUGUST 24 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 48; at noon – 70. Quite cool this morning. Before dinner, I delivered a policy to Julius Stone on his store. I called at James in the Harris block for two bottles of cod liver oil which he bought for me in Harford. On opening the package at home, we found that he had by some mistake, got half sizes instead of full sized bottles and paid 69 cents for each, being the price for full-sized bottles. I returned them to Mrs. VanGordon to be exchanged by Mr. VanGordon tomorrow when waiting between trains. Fannie came up in the PM and rose with me to the Railroad Station to see VanGordon on his train going out at 2:57. I then went to the Turner Machine Company and exhibited to Mr. Wildman, the bookkeeper, the policy made over to him by Robert McClean on the former John Parker place which he has recently bought. I then delivered it to Mr. McClean at the store; he holds the mortgage on the place. I then carried Fannie around to do some marketing after which I drove down with her. She came up again in the evening, bringing Julia to stay all night. George, Sarah and her sister Louise came in for the evening. I received a letter from Mary Turner of Duchess County in New York, stating that she had decided not to renew the policy on her Brookfield place. I called at the Savings Bank who holds the mortgage to take up the policy, but they requested me to leave it until they write her and insist on the policy being continued. Fannie came up with Julia in the evening. Julia will stay with us over night and go to a children’s party tomorrow at Mr. Higgins on Brushy Hill road. AUGUST 25 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 62. Pleasant. I mowed a part of the yard next to the grapevine before breakfast. After breakfast, Ira Renfield called and took his furniture policy and paid for it. I went to Gage’s Blacksmith Shop and had Gip shod with new behind and forward shoes. While this was being done, I had Blackman, the harness maker mend a trace to the harness and also called on Mr. Wildman, bookkeeper at the Turner Machine Factory and got a promise of insurance on his furniture when he takes possession of the John parker house which he has recently bought. I wrote to Fred Lawton of Duchess County New York relating the insurance on the Mary Turner place in Brookfield which she wants to discontinue but the bank wants to keep it on. About 4 O’clock, I went over to Clarence Morgan’s to arrange for the restoration of his Equitable policy which lapsed for nonpayment when due on June 29th. He sent his check dated July 29th which was returned to him until he would send a statement of his good health, all of which I obtained and with the check enclosed, I forwarded to W. B. Schaffer, clerk at New Haven. AUGUST 26 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 66. I picked up crab apples for Mrs. Schepparance (?) after breakfast and before which I went over to Mr. Rogers’ garden and picked up an armful of cornstalks for the horse. Later and before dinner, I went down to Mr. VanGordon’s for my two bottles of cod liver oil which he was to get in exchange for small ones sent by mistake, but he had not yet got it. I went up in the PM to see Elmer Clark about furniture insurance; from there to the railroad station at 3 o’clock to meet Mr. VanGordon, the brakeman, about my cod liver oil, but he was not on the train. I receive Post Office orders from Mary Turner to pay for insurance on the Brookfield place. Mary went in the evening to see Dr. Sunderland and took little Julia Hirsch with her after which they visited George on Montgomery Street. I at the same time went to Orchard Street to collect on insurance of Mrs. Jennie Townsend. AUGUST 27 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM -46. Cold but pleasant this morning. Julia Hirsch rode with me nearly all morning. I called on Mr. VanGordon for my cod liver oil. I delivered a policy to Mrs. Popke at 96 Garfield Avenue, then went over to Andrew’s store and bought a veal chop for dinner. In the PM, Lottie came up and the little store girl with her, she having various parcels to carry home. I hitched the horse and took them down home. On my return, I took Mary downtown for some marketing. In the evening, George, his wife Sarah and her sister came over for a visit. AUGUST 28 SUNDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 50; art noon – 80. Pleasant. We had clam fritters for breakfast, after which I carried a fresh picked mess of corn, cucumbers and tomatoes over to brother George. I received letter from Mrs. Josephine Stout stating that she had been sick with the grippe which was the reason she had not paid the $5.00 balance of borrowed money and promising to pay the same next Saturday. Also a letter from the Sun Insurance Company for further explanation, maps, location, etc. of the Union Trust Company transfer. About 3:30 PM Mary went with Mrs. Hawley to Doctor Oley to have glasses fitted for her eyes. Mrs. Hawley sent over a dish of succotash and brother George brought in an apple pies for dinner. We spent the evening with George and visiting with Mrs. Kimball who returns to New York City tomorrow. AUGUST 29 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 56. Pleasant. After breakfast, I drove up to Westville Avenue to see Louis Bristol and his son-in-law, Edgar Platt who occupy the old Silas Abbott place and who are keeping a small grocery in the place and pursuant to arrangement with Davis Knapp, executor of the Abbott estate. I made arrangements with them to pay the difference in rates of insurance for the grocery feature of the risk. This they agreed to do. I collected on my drive home $5.00 on account from Edward Headley; also called on Mrs. Richtmyer at 75 Franklin Street about renewal of the Echo Lodge No. 30 Daughters of Rebecca policy. I then called on Mrs. Nellie Schoonmaker at 28 Starr Avenue. She promised to pay the balance due on next Saturday. Received from John Watkins of Hartford a letter asking about accident insurance. I answered it by return mail to Hartford today. Mrs. Emma Anni(?) called in the PM to get her furniture renewed at 27 Main Street where she is to move tomorrow. Also Mr. James VanGordon called to explain about the cod liver oil he did not get in Hartford. In the PM, I called at the New Street School to confer with Edgar Platt, who is the janitor of the school, regarding the insurance raised on account of the grocery store in the house, etc. I called for a few minutes at the office of the Turner Machine Factory and left some life insurance papers with the bookkeeper, Mr. Wildman. I commenced to make up an affidavit as to property, etc. for Melissa Griffith. In the evening, I wrote to J. H. Soule in Washington regarding pension blanks. AUGUST 30 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 52. Got a bundle of cornstalks for the horse from Mr. Rogers’ garden before breakfast, after which I drove down to Andrew Wildman’s near Short’s Hat Factory in Bethel and collected $6.00 for a $1,000 policy in the Agricultural Insurance Company on the dwelling. I called in the factory and took Eli Ferry’s application for one of the state’s honorary medals for the three month volunteers in 1861 in the War of the Southern Rebellion, he being a member of Company C in the Third Regiment Connecticut Volunteers. From there, I drove to Beaverbrook and collected from George Bradley on account $2.00 and two dozen eggs. After dinner, I went to the bank with a deposit, then to W. L. Wall’s Blacksmith Shop to try and collect from Howard Hall for a policy on furniture written April 19, 1904, but did not succeed. From there, I called on Taggart & Siemon and suggested a partnership life policy. In the evening, a Mrs. Virginia McKnight called about an accident policy for her nephew Arthur Francis Dugan. She is to call again tomorrow evening. When at Beaverbrook, I called on Albert Edwards who is an invalid. AUGUST 31 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 54. Charles Bevins came in the morning and borrowed $2.00 of me until next Monday, pension day. In the morning, I drove down to 23-25 Main Street and arranged with Adolph Jelenyik for renewal of his furniture policy on September 2. I then went up to Osborne Street and delivered the Echo Lodge daughters of Rebecca policy to Mrs. Stubbs. After dinner, I drove down to Bethel to Short’s Hat Shop for my fountain pen which I left there yesterday while taking Eli Ferry’s application for one of the state medals for the three month volunteers of 1861. After tea, Mrs. John Allen’s daughter came over to say that she had received a voucher for $2.80 to be executed for accrued pension for John Allen from Dec. 4, 1903 to the 10th of December – 6 days, with instructions to enclose with the same his old certificate for surrender. I went over with the daughter, Mrs. Waite, and fixed out the papers. I mailed the same to A. J. Hyatt, the U. S. pension agent at Boston. I also wrote and mailed a letter to Louis & Nettleton about accident insurance for Mrs. James McKnight and her nephew, Alfred Dugan. In the evening, Fannie called with Sarah Hirsch from New York who with her brother is stopping with Herman for a visit. In the evening, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Turnerville called to see about insuring about 200 Belgian Homing Pigeons. I sent a check to the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company for $71.00, the amount of the June balance.
1904-08