Horace Purdy Journal, May 1862 Entry
7pgs
MAY 01 – THURSDAY – Mr. Baxter came this morning to build my woodhouse. It began to rain at noon so that he could do nothing in the PM. I went to market in the evening and brought home a gallon of ale from John Rowan’s. I intend to take a little of it every day and see if I gain a little strength and flesh. MAY 02 – FRIDAY – Stormy. I have worked all day in the shop although I have suffered with the headache. The men in the shop having concluded to take no more orders and that we have our pay in cash hereafter as other journeymen are getting in other establishments, the shop hands were called together at Mr. Crofut’s request to hear his proposition which he would make to the men. He proposed to pay us 3 or 5 dollars as he could on Monday and every two weeks thereafter to pay us off in full. But what he now owed the men he wanted to pay off as he could for a while to come. He thought he could probably pay in a few weeks. The proposition was unanimously accepted by the men. He further said that he would like to have us take orders if we could make it convenient to do so for the amount now due us. Father Griswold settled up with Mr. Edward Warren today and reserved according to agreement when he went to work $12.00 which he owed me towards home rent. I charged Father Griswold the money to go towards what I owe him. I took care of Eddie in the evening to let Gussie go to market and to the milliners. MAY 03 – SATURDAY – After I finished my work at the shop, I went over to Mr. Lynes’ and bought two evergreen trees. His hired man having to go to the cars for Mr. Lynes, he brought me and the trees home. I set them immediately. I paid 25 cents each. I received a letter from Cousin Charles Mills who is in the army near Yorktown under general McClellan. Enclosed was his and his brother’s picture taken on a card. MAY 04 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. I went to church in the morning as usual. Brother Wooley, late chaplain of the 8th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers under General Burnside in North Carolina, preached for us from Romans 11:3. After Sunday School was out, I came home and Gussie attended in the PM. Father and Mother came down after tea and went to hear Mr. Wooley give a lecture in the evening on the war and his experiences as chaplain at the battles of Roanoke Island and New Berne. He is lecturing and taking collections to procure chaplains’ tents and books and good reading matter for soldiers The two Presbyterian and Baptist churches closed their churches and assembled in mass at our church to hear the lecture. The house was filled to overflowing. Mother Griswold took care of the baby so that Gussie and I could attend. It was very interesting. Mr. Gilbert, the carpenter, lost a boy about 5 years old last night with Scarlet Fever. MAY 05 – MONDAY – Showers all day with some very heavy thunder. I had some words with John Pollett about a shilling I owed him when making change for an apple tree I sold him on the 19th of last month. I paid him the shilling twice on account of his forgetting that I had paid him the first time. I paid him the second time Saturday evening just before we left the shop. I told him that I had paid him twice and he called me a liar. I believe that he was honest in thinking that he had not paid me previously, he having forgotten it completely and he being naturally very impulsive and quick tempered, I made allowances accordingly, thinking that he would feel ashamed of it after he got cool and was able to think about calmly. It was hard work for me to submit to such abuse, but I did and thereby avoided a quarrel which I am now very thankful for. After work, I went up to his house for some Dahlia roots. We have had news today that the rebels have evacuated Yorktown and the cannon has been fired in the street during the PM and evening. I mailed a letter to Cousin Charles Mills this evening who is in the army at Yorktown. Moses Baxter has been at work today building my woodhouse. MAY 06 – TUESDAY -Showery again today. The atmosphere s cooler after the thunder. Moses Baxter completed my woodhouse today. His bill was $2.75. I paid him $2.00. MAY 07 – WEDNESDAY –Pleasant, but quite windy, very much like March. Before and after tea, I worked around my woodhouse, finishing it off, etc. MAY 08 – THURSDAY - I stayed at home today and worked in my garden leveling off from the new stone work, picking up stones, etc. I also moved my woodhouse about a foot and a half further front. Gussie went downtown in the forenoon and bought her a new black silk dress pattern. I went to market in the evening and bought a shad and sent it up home by George for Father Griswold as a present. MAY 09 – FRIDAY – It has been warmer today. This is the anniversary of the departure for Washington of the 1st Regiment for the state for three months. We broke camp after 4 PM and marched to Long Wharf in New Haven and went on board off the steamer, “Bienville”. We waited for high water until about 10 o’clock when we sailed. I have not felt like work today. I left off early and came home with harry to graft off two little apple trees. Gussie and I went up home in the evening. I carried another hat to Father. MAY 10 – SATURDAY – Pleasant and warm, but very windy. Father finished planting his potato toes today on Father Griswold’s new plowed ground around hid house. After tea, I set out a new bed of strawberries. Gussie went into the street in the evening. MAY 11 – SUNDAY – Pleasant, but cooler. I went to church as usual in the morning. Gussie went in the PM. It was the Sacrament Service. Brother Crawford preached in the morning from Matthew 13:3-8. I went to church in the evening. Mother came down and went with me. Brother Crawford preached from Mark, 10th chapter, first clause of the 21st verse. MAY 12 – MONDAY – Father has been to work for me today making the garden. I stayed at home and helped. We have had glorious war news. Norfolk was taken by General Wood’s forces. The rebel iron-clad war steamer which has caused us so much anxiety and our navy no little trouble has been blown up by the rebels to prevent it from falling into our hands. The bells have been ruing and the cannon fired as usual on the receipt of good war news. I attended teachers Meeting in the evening. I copied the minutes before retiring. One year ago today, our regiment (the 1st Connecticut for three months) landed at the arsenal yard in the city of Washington. MAY 13 – TUESDAY – Warm, muggy and very smoky. Father has worked for me again today. I went to the shop, but there being a great deal of waiting for work, I came home again and worked in my garden. We went up to John Cosier’s in the evening. Gussie brought home some house plants and I a jug of cider. One year ago today, our regiment marched from the arsenal yard in Washington up through the city to our first camp since we left Connecticut. We named it Camp Buckingham in honor of our Governor. MAY 14 – WEDNESDAY – We were stinted at the shop today on 2 dozen 6/ hats. I came home early and planted potatoes, corn and peas in my garden. Father has worked for me again today spading my garden. Burr Bradley came home with me to get some lettuce to set out. I started pretty late for class. As I was going in the church door, the class members were going out. They said that there was no class because there was no one there to lead it, not a male member being present. MAY 15 – THURSDAY – Father finished spading my garden this noon. On account of being limited on work at the shop, I came home early. I was very much satisfied, since my head ached so much that I was willing to quit. It has been very warm. I planted some more seeds in my garden just before dark. While doing it, Mr. Filly from Ridgefield called with Isaac Smith to see Father Griswold’s folks. Gussie is severely afflicted with a swelling under her arm and besides, she has had a sick headache today. She was not able to get tea, so we took tea upstairs with Mother Griswold. MAY 16 – FRIDAY – We were stinted again in the shop today thought it took me until dark to get it up. I received a letter from Cousin David Mills from the Connecticut 5th Regiment, General Banks’ division, near Harrisburg, Virginia. Old Father Wildman, as we call him, brought me 30 beanpoles which I had previously engaged. MAY 18 – SATURDAY – I have worked as usual in the shop I received 30 No. 2 catechisms from New York through Starr & Smith for the Sunday School. The bill was36 cents. I called and paid it in the evening. I bought a shad from Raymond’s in the evening weighing 4 lbs., 6 ounces and got trusted for it until Monday. After tea, I set may beanpoles but did not plant the beans. MAY 18 – SUNDAY – I went to church as usual in the morning. Brother Crawford gave us a good sermon from the last clause of the 4st verse of the 3rd chapter of Ezra. He particularly exhorted us to the faithful discharge of every duty each day as these duties presented themselves and not to defer them until these duties stand up before us a great mountain of Christian duties neglected. It was applicable to all and I am sure it cannot fail to accomplish some good. I came home after Sunday School and Gussie attended in the PM. At 4 ½ o’clock, I met with the Sunday School at the church and at 5 o’clock, we assembled with the 1st and 2nd Congregational and the Baptist schools at the 1st Congregational church where we had an interesting time. Singing by the children and speeches by the several pastors and superintendents. I stayed at home in the evening and Gussie went to church. MAY 19 – MONDAY – I planted my lima beans and set out my dahlias this morning and I was consequently late in getting to the shop. It rained a little before noon, but the ground being very dry, there was not enough of it to do much good. We are still limited in our work in the shop. After work, I went up to Mr. Witherspoon’s to get some early York cabbage plants and came home and transplanted them. His boy came home with me to get some lettuce plants. I set out some more myself, sowed some more radishes and some red Dutch cabbage seed and some broad leaf cress or some pepper grass. I paid Charles Bell for the hoe I bought of him last week this morning on my way to the shop. I went into the street in the evening and paid Avery Raymond also for a shad which I bought of him last Saturday – 35 cents. I received a letter from Cousin Charles Mills in the army under McClellan pressing on and near to the rebel capital of Richmond, Virginia. Father Griswold came home in the evening. MAY 20 – TUESDAY – I had work to the amount of $2.50 today. On my way home, I stopped at Charles Hull’s and had a piece of glass cut to put over Charles and David Mills’ picture in a frame. I went over to Mrs. McDonald’s and paid my milk bill - $1.40. I answered Cousin Charles Mills’ letter in the evening. Gussie went into the street in the evening and by Mother’s request ordered a bag of flour ($1.08) on my account to be sent up home and to be taken out of what I owe Father for gardening. MAY 21 – WEDNESDAY – Cloudy and just at night misty with a little rain. George Fenner came up with me when I came home from work. We walked around my premises and Father Griswold’s and went up into the cupola of his new house. I wrote a letter to Cousin David mills of the 5th Connecticut Regiment, General Banks’ division near Harrisburg, Virginia and went down in the evening to mail it with one to Charles which I wrote last night and a Danbury Times to each of them. I then went to market after which it was too late to go to class meeting and I came home. Father came down this morning before I went to work and I settled with him for the gardening, etc. MAY 22 – THURSDAY – A thunder shower last night. Cloudy in the morning, but it soon came off pleasant and warm. Gussie went to the store in the evening and I stayed with Eddie and wrote to the Book Room ordering 47 copies of the Teachers’ Journal and enclosing $7.00 to pay for them for one year. MAY 23 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. I have worked in the shop as usual. I hoed out my strawberries after tea. In the evening, I went downtown and mailed the letter which I wrote last night to the Book Room ordering 47 copies of the Teachers’ Journal for the Sunday School and enclosed $7.00 to pay for the subscriptions for one year. MAY 24 SATURDAY – Cool but pleasant. I took off some old boards on the backside of my wood house and nailed some new ones in place of them. Theodore put me on Black work today. I went to market in the evening. I brought home two glass cones for my lamp and some porgies for breakfast. MAY 25 – SUNDAY – Pleasant but cool. Warmer just at night. Frost this morning. I attended church this morning. Brother Crawford preached from 1st Timothy 2:1-2. After Sunday School, I came home and Gussie went in the PM. Bell came down after tea and she and Louisa took care of Eddie while Gussie took a walk up to the cemetery with Cousin Mary Purdy. I did some writing in the Sunday School’s Secretary & Treasurer’s Book as usual and walked around the premises. Thomas Barnum called and we went around Father Griswold’s new house and then I walked up to his house with him. Previous to this, Phineas Lounsbury, while walking out from his house in their back lot next to Father Griswold’s premises came over in my yard where I was and we went into the new house after which he went to the 5 ½ o’clock prayer meeting. I went to prayer meeting in the evening. Mother came in from meeting to my house for Bell who stayed with Gussie in the evening. MAY 26 – MONDAY – Cool but pleasant. The country is pretty well aroused over the retreat of General Banks for Harrisburg, Virginia back to Maryland crossing the Potomac at Williamsport. The rebel Thomas Jackson who pursues him has been strongly reinforced. On my way home from the shop, I went to Robinson’s and brought home my clock which he has been cleaning. When putting on the pendulum when I got home, I broke the pendulum wire and in the evening, I took it back again. MAY 27 – TUESDAY – Stormy. I set out some tomato plants this morning. I worked in the shop all day. I came home by way of Robinson’s Jewelry Store and brought home my clock which he had been cleaning. MAY 28 – WEDNESDAY- I stayed at home in the forenoon and cut through the wall and floor to lay a foundation for a new chimney in our sink room. It has been cloudy with drizzling rain in the forenoon. Brother Crawford made us a pastoral call in the AM. Pleasant in the PM. I went to the shop. I went to class in the evening. Brother John Cosier led it. MAY 29 – THURSDAY – Pretty cold last night. A heavy frost in some places this morning, although my garden escaped injury. Gussie went up home in the PM and I went up to tea. Mother gave us a nice pail of milk to take home with us. After we got home, I went downtown to get something for breakfast. Eddie is nine months old today. MAY 30 – FRIDAY – I have worked all day in the shop. We have had a new block come today, called the “Bomb Shell Block”. Daniel Manly gave me a new and very early variety of potatoes. I brought them home and planted them to get the seed. I made 13 hills of them. I went into the street with Gussie in the evening. We called to see Mr. John Rowan who has been blind for years and has been to New York to have his eyes operated on. His sight is greatly improved. He is going again. We have news today of the evacuation of Corinth by the rebels under Beauregard. MAY 31 – SATURDAY – I have worked in the shop as usual. On my way home, I bought a sheet iron thimble for the sink room chimney which I am to have built. I brought home a bottle of ale from Randell’s to try before purchasing a dozen bottles which I am thinking of doing. It is a benefit to me to drink a little each day if I can get that which is good. This has been highly recommended to me. I have bought a blank book in which to keep an account of all the money I expend. I shall commence tomorrow
1862-05
Horace Purdy Journal, June 1862 Entry
7pgs
JUNE 01 – SUNDAY – Stormy. I went to church in the morning. Brother Crawford preached from the 4th of Acts, the last clause of the 33rd verse, “And a great grace was upon them all.” I came home at noon and Gussie went, as usual, in the PM. Louisa stayed with Eddie in the evening and we both went to Prayer Meeting. JUNE 02 – MONDAY – Very warm and sultry. A subscription fund was started to assist Henry Ledger to go to England for his health. I gave $1.00. Another also to help Josiah Broas. I gave 25 cents for that. It has been pay day at the shop. I drew $25.00. John Brush and Theodore Flagler went off after dinner and returned to the shop to get their pay. Both were very intoxicated. John, as usual when drunk, was ugly. Burr Bradley came home with me for some tomato plants. I hoed garden as long as I could see and then went to market. A hard thunder shower just as I got home. Aunt Harriet and cousins Mina and Harriet came up on the morning train and stayed to dinner with Gussie. Before taking the train in the PM for Bethel, they came to the shop to see me. Bell went down with them for a ride and returned again by the evening train. News today of two fights near Richmond. The rebels attacked us each time (Saturday and Sunday) and were repulsed by the bayonet with terrible losses. Our losses were also heavy. JUNE 03 – TUESDAY - Sunshine and showers. I worked in the shop until after 7 o’clock. I was consequently late to tea. Charles Mason brought me a bottle of ale as I ordered from Randell’s. I went to market in the evening and bought a shad and divided it with Father Griswold. JUNE 04 – WEDNESDAY – It rained hard and steady all day. A. Hodinott, taken by the rebels at Bull Run on the 21st of July last, arrived home on the morning train and Isaac Jennings in the evening. Another letter by this evening’s mail from Charles Mills near Richmond under McClellan. JUNE 05 – THURSDAY – Cloudy and misty in the morning, but it came off clear and pleasant before night. We had a telegraphic dispatch at the shop in the forenoon of the continued retreat by the rebels from Corinth, Tennessee. The complete demoralization and breaking up of their army. General Beauregard told them to think for themselves. Ten thousand have been taken prisoner by our army under Halleck; also 15,000 stands of arms. Cousin Mary Taylor, who died yesterday, was buried today. We did not learn of the time of the funeral in time to attend and that, we found out through others. They did not send us word, not even that Mary was dead until it was too late to get ready to go. JUNE 06 – FRIDAY – Parsons sent George Bradley to build my chimney. I stayed home from the shop to tend to masonry. Gussie, Fanny and Mother started for Hartford in the PM. Cousin Hart Purdy helped me by helping the masons, etc. I paid him 25 cents for what he did. I mowed my door yard. JUNE 07 – SATURDAY – I got up this morning old bachelor-like and got my own breakfast. I went to the shop and finished off the work I had out and then came home, there being no more work to do. In the PM, I got the grass off my yard and flailed it off for manure. After I had got my lonely tea again. I took some clothes up home for Mother to wash next week. I took a pail with me and brought home some milk. I went to the Post Office and to Singing School for a while. George came home under my umbrella with me so that he could borrow it to go home with as it has rained since the shower which came up about 7 o’clock. JUNE 08 – SUNDAY – A cold rain. Wife and baby being absent; I have been able to attend church all day. Brother Crawford preached in the morning. I sat in the choir. Sunday School Prayer Meeting at noon and sacrament service in the PM, at which Mr. Crawford gave us what he called a family talk about supporting the Singing Society and keeping up the finances of the church, etc. I went up home for tea. I wrote a letter to Cousin Charley Mills in the army. I sent him a Danbury Times also. I attended church in the evening. Brother Crawford preached from Matthew 12:30. Brother Bradley being absent, I passed the basket for collections. JUNE 09 – MONDAY – Pleasant, but cool for the season. I have worked in the shop. I picked our first mess of strawberries for tea. I ate them alone in my glory, there being no one home but Prince, the cat. I went to Teachers’ meeting in the evening. JUNE 10 – TUESDAY – I overslept this morning. I got my breakfast and after eating it, I went to the shop without stopping to wash my dishes for the first time since Gussie went away. After I came from my work in the shop, I hoed in my garden while the tea kettle was boiling. Harriet sent over some stewed currants for my tea. While I was eating, Able came over and partially fixed the tin around my new chimney. He could not complete it as it required a tinner to do some soldering. I hoed in my garden as long as I could see and then went into the street to the Post Office and to get something for my breakfast. I came home and washed up the dirty dishes, trimmed the lamps, etc., which kept me busy until about 10 o’clock. JUNE 11 - WEDNESDAY – I cooked potatoes, ham and eggs and coffee for my breakfast. On my way to the shop, I stopped at Charles Hull’s and sent a tinner up to solder some tin around my new chimney. I left word with Abel to give directions about the work. I took down my fluid can and ordered a ½ gallon of fluid. On my way from the shop at night, I stopped at Hull’s and paid my bill for the work done in the morning around my chimney – 55cents. I got my tea over to Abel’s. A shower in the evening. I attended class in the evening. JUNE 12 – THURSDAY – A total eclipse of the moon at midnight last night. It has been pleasant and warmer, more like summer. We had but one dozen hats to do today. I got mine done just after dinner and came home. I paid Abel Parsons $1.50 for one day’s work done by his apprentice, George Bradley, in building my sink room chimney. I hoed in my garden, picked some strawberries and carried them up home where I took my tea and brought home a pail of milk. I brought home my washing which Mother has been doing for me. George came down with me and we went to prayer meeting in the evening. I called at Smith’s news office and paid a bill for the Sunday School for $4.38 for 2 dozen copies of the ”Theological Compendium” for the Bible Society. JUNE 13 - FRIDAY - Warm. I came home about 3 o’clock, having done my stint -$1.50. I put the first coat of paint around the tin on my new chimney. I hoed a little in the garden and then went into the street. I received a letter from Gussie, bought some meat for my breakfast and then came home. JUNE 14 – SATURDAY – Warm and pleasant. I finished my work at the shop about 3 o’clock. I brought home a hat which I had been getting up for George, also a china pink for Gussie from John Pollett’s. Mary Purdy came over while I was hoeing the garden just at night to borrow $1.25 until Monday to buy a pair of shoes. I let her have $2.00 as I could give her no less and give her the amount she wanted. I went into the street in the evening and balanced my account with Stevens & Hoyt. I bought a pair of suspenders for 38 cents. I came home and added to my letter to Gussie which I am to mail tomorrow to Canton Center. I also wrote to Father Griswold who is at Elyria in Lorain County, Ohio. It was 12 o’clock before I retired. JUNE 15 – SUNDAY – Rain early in the morning, but pleasant by meeting time. Brother Crawford preached a sermon to the Sunday School in the AM. In the PM, he preached from James 1:2. I went up home after meeting to tea. Mother gave me a pie and some cookies to take home. I finished my letter to Gussie and mailed it with one to Father Griswold who is in Elyria, Ohio. I took a walk over to William B. Bradley’s, but they were not home, so I walked back home again. I found Mother waiting for me. I unlocked the door and she stayed a short time. After she went away, I took a short nap on the lounge and then started for church. On the way, I met Captain Southmayd and lady. I had not seen home before since he came home. He is on a 30-day furlough. JUNE 16 – MONDAY – No work in the shop. I worked in my garden and on the woodhouse, putting on a ridge board. Captain Moore plastered my chimney in my sink room. I took dinner over to Abel’s. It being pay day; I went to the shop to get my money. I drew $17.00. I walked downtown in the evening and ordered ½ dozen Sunday School class books for the school and brought home some meat for Prince. JUNE 17 – TUESDAY – On my way to the shop this morning, I stopped at the jeweler’s and had one of the hands to my watch put in again. It had fallen off. He put it on in a few minutes and charged me nothing. I had but one dozen Nutrias – 12/. I finished them and came home about 4 o’clock. I picked some strawberries for my tea. Cousin Mary Purdy came over and helped me pick them and I gave her some to take home for tea. I went over to Abel’s to tea. I went to market in the evening and brought home a beefsteak for my breakfast tomorrow morning. JUNE 18 – WEDNESDAY – I rose rather late this morning, not expecting any work in the shop. I talked awhile on the walk in front of the house with Mr. Valentine while Edward Hull and his men were working the road and scraping dirt on top of the stones Father Griswold put on the road. I then went to the shop, but contrary to my expectations, I had a dozen hats weighed out to me amounting to 87 cents. After finishing them, I hoed in my garden until supper time when it began to rain. After supper, I wrote a letter to Cousin David Mills, 5th Connecticut Regiment, General Banks division, now in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. I sent him three sheets of letter paper and three envelopes with stamps upon them so that he could write to me. I did it because he and the whole regiment lost their knapsacks in the recent fight with the rebel General Jackson. I also wrote one to Gussie in Canton. I then went to the Office to mail them and found one from her to me. Mine was sealed, therefore I could not acknowledge the receipt of hers. It rained hard when I retired. JUNE 19 – THURSDAY – I have had work nearly all day in the shop. On my way home, I bought a bottle of porter to take home. I pulled out weeds in Gussie’s borders of plants and killed Prince. A hard thundershower in the evening at 7 ½ o’clock. JUNE 20 – FRIDAY – Pleasant in the morning after the thundershower of last evening. I have worked all day in the shop. I finished my letter to Gussie and mailed it in the evening. Old Mother Seymour died this morning at 2 o’clock. JUNE 21 – SATURDAY – I went to the shop and finished off some work which I had out. It lasted until 11 o’clock. I then went up to Comstock’s gun repairing shop with the chambers to my revolver to extract the point of a darning needle which I had broken off in one of the tubes. After accomplishing it, I started for home, stopping at Bennett’s store and walking up with Brother Barry. Old Mother Seymour was buried at 1 o’clock, but I did not get home in time to get ready and attend. Father came down in the afternoon to look at his potatoes. He helped me pick about 3 quarts of strawberries which I carried up home and stayed to tea. I brought home a pail of milk which I gave to Aunt Louisa. I went to the Post Office in the evening, walked up with John Cosier, left him at his house and called at Cousin John Boughton’s. John being downtown, I stayed awhile with Frank and then came home. JUNE 22 – SUNDAY – I went up home to breakfast. I attended church all day. Brother Crawford preached in the morning from Ecclesiastes 9, last clause of the 18th verse. In the PM from Ephesians 5, last clause of the 11th verse. George being gone to Bethel today, I had to take his place as librarian which together with my duties as secretary, kept me very busy at the Sunday School session. Brother Crawford preached boldly against the prevailing evils and sins of the community without fear or favor. He preaches the gospel in the spirit of it and I think is destined to do much good and build up the church. I went up home to tea. When I returned home, I took a nap and overslept so much that I did not go to meeting in the evening. JUNE 23 – MONDAY – I went to shop in the morning, but there being only one day’s work for today and tomorrow and as I had some work to do at home, I came home again. On the way, I stopped at John Cosier’s paint shop to get some blue paint for my sink room. I painted the woodwork around the bottom of my chimney and then got my tools and mowed the grass in front of my house and trimmed the edge of the walk. Mr. Hurd came over and looked at my strawberries and went into the new house. I went over to his garden and looked at his berries. They were the finest that I ever saw. He promised me some plants in August. I hoed in my garden just at night. I had some bread and milk for supper after which I went downtown and bought a pound of butter and a bag of table salt at Bennett’s store. This is the first trade that I have made there. Just before dinner, the agent for Soule’s Pills came along for the pay or the box which he left here two years ago. I gave him the pills, not thinking that I needed them. JUNE 24 – TUESDAY – Stormy. I set out my Red Dutch cabbage plants and my Feegee Island Tomatoes and a few pepper plants after breakfast. I have had work in the shop to the amount of a dollar. Came home about the middle of the afternoon. On my way, I left my silver pencil and pen holder at Robinson’s to be mended. I went into the street in the evening and got a letter from Cousin Charles Mills in General McClellan’s army. I came home and answered it before I retired. JUNE 25 -WEDNESDAY – It partly cleared off and the sun shone a little in the forenoon, but the wind still being in the wrong quarter for clear weather, it rained again in the evening. I have unexpectedly had work in the shop all day. I received a letter from Father Griswold. It gives us the news of the birth of another son at Edwin’s where he is now visiting. Also the arrival of Lieut. Charles Parsons of the regular army with his bride at Elyria. I mailed the letter of Charles Mills in the evening in answer to his, also a Danbury Times. I went to the church, but our class did not meet on account of the storm, I presume. So, I went over to the 1st Congregational Church to hear the contraband lecture. He is lecturing and taking collections to educate the Negroes who are within our army lines. JUNE 26 – THURSDAY – Stormy in the morning, but it cleared off in the afternoon. I have had part of a day’s work in the shop. I pulled some radishes and carried them over to Abel’s and had tea with them. After which, I went up home for my clothes and brought home a pail of milk. I went to market to get something for my breakfast, stopped at the Post Office and took out a letter for Father Griswold, came home and carried the letter over to Harriet for her to keep until next Sunday when we expect that he will be home. JUNE 27 – FRIDAY – Very warm. I, as usual since my wife has been away, cooked my breakfast and washed up the dishes, etc. before going to the shop. I had work which lasted me until a little after two o’clock. I came home and worked the remainder of the day in my garden and around the premises. I picked a fine dish of strawberries for my tea. I went down to the Post Office in the evening and brought home a letter for Edwin E. Griswold, but it proved to be for another person of that name in the town. By letters received by individuals, I learn that Thomas Horton, 1st Lieutenant in Captain Skinner’s company in the 7th Regiment was killed in the late battle on James Island near Charleston, South Carolina. Also, John Holmes is wounded and a prisoner. JUNE 28 – SATURDAY – No work in the shop. Very warm again today. I came home and ordered some strips at George Starr’s to batten by the wood house. It cost me $1.25. At noon, before they came, I had one of the masons who are plastering Father Griswold’s house lay over the top of my house’s chimney. I worked pretty late to finish the work on my wood house. The sun shone so hot that I was very much exhausted when I finished. I bought some meat in the evening and sent up by George as I intend to go up to breakfast tomorrow morning. I received a letter from Gussie this morning. She and her mother are coming home Monday night. JUNE 29 – SUNDAY – I went up home to breakfast this morning. Brother Crawford preached as usual this morning. I attended church all day. After the session of the Sunday School, I came home and changed some of my clothing and got an umbrella as it looked very much like a shower and the returned to the church. His text in the PM was Hebrews 11:24. After his sermon, he read a letter from Washington printed in a religious paper giving an account of the unusual interest manifested in the Sunday School of that city. It spoke of the lively interest taken by the congressmen. It was a very interesting letter. After the reading, he read a list of the young men of the church who do not take an active part in the public prayer meeting and who ought to be working. He wished us to remain after the congregation had been dispersed. We knew not what he wanted of us, but when the assembly had retired, he talked it over with us. He seemed much interested in us and proposed that we establish a prayer meeting on Sunday mornings at 9 o’clock for our special benefit that we may improve our talents and grow in grace and become spiritually strong and thereby become more fitted for the public responsibilities of the church so that as the older members pass away, there will be those to fill their places. I have long seen the want of such a meeting. Brother Crawford sees it also and he is now trying to help us and afford us all the facilities that are necessary. I went up home to tea. I carried up some radishes and some sugar as Mother was out. It was very warm this forenoon and in fact has been all day, but this afternoon, the sun has not shone so bright and now at 6 o’clock PM, it is all over cloudy and looks very much like a storm. I went to prayer meeting in the evening and gave Henry Smith an order for two dozen catechisms for the Sunday School. As I returned from the meeting, the wind was east and it began to be misty with every prospect of a storm. The day has been a profitable one for me. The preaching was good and I feel that I have been profited in hearing. JUNE 30 – MONDAY – Stormy until noon and at noon, quite a hard rain for a short time and then it cleared off. I have worked all day in the shop. Paid 3 months’ dues to the Hatters’ Society – 30 cents. Father Griswold arrived from the west on the morning train. News of a fight near Richmond, but no particulars. Mother Griswold, Gussie and the baby came home from Bloomfield on the evening train. Harriet prepared tea for us over to her house. We had, as might be expected, a considerable talking to do and consequently, it was quite late before we retired. Mother and Bell came over to see Gussie and Eddie and Mother and Father Griswold. I paid Mother $1.00 for my washing while Gussie has been away.
1862-06
Horace Purdy Journal, December 1862 Entry
6pgs
12/1 I was rather late at the shop. Payday, I drew $22 for the last 2 weeks of work. I mailed a letter to David and Charles Mills with our cart de visite to David enclosed. I received two letters from George this evening with a sheet for Mother enclosed in one of them. This one was written on Thanksgiving Day. It was quite pleasant and star light in the early evening. I sat up until past 11 o'clock and wrote to George. 12/2 Worked in the shop all day. Bell came down and took care of Eddy in the PM so Gussie could go into the street. I mailed the letter I wrote to George in the evening. 12/3 I mailed the Danbury Times to George in the evening. Walked home with Mr. Swift when he closed his office and found Gussie upstairs with his wife. I stayed a while too. Before going downtown in the evening I took out the tacks in the bedroom carpet in preparation for cleaning tomorrow. An alarm of 5 abount 10:30. While cutting bread for tea I cut quite a gash in my thumb. 12/4 Before going to the shop I helped empty the bedroom for cleaning. My thumb troubled me considerably at work. Eddie is quite poorly with a difficulty of the bowels. We sent for Dr. Bulkely. He is afraid of an inflamation of the bowels. Mrs. Lounsbury has the mittens done for George (soldiers mittens having a thumb and finger). I mailed them to him in the evening, cost of 18 cents letter postage. I walked up home with Mr. Swift. 12/5 Very cold last night and I found ice frozen in our sink room in the morning. Mr. and Mrs Chapman and Mrs Smith were at Father Griswolds and I found Gussie up there when I came from work. I went up there to tea and came home after and soon Mr. Witherspoon came as expected with a spare rib which I engaged from him today at the shop. It weighed 10 lbs 2 oz. I then went to the post office and to Lounsbury's shoe store where I bought a pair of rubbers for $1.20. When I returned I went up to Father Griswolds and we stayed until the Company left, coming home about 1/4 to 9 o'clock. I also brought home some medicine from the Doctor's for Eddie. Gussie has had a severe head ache this PM. 12/6 An eclipse of the moon about 1 o'clock last night. I went to see Dr. Bulkely about Eddy in the evening. I went to the post office and walked up home with Mr. Swift. We found Mrs. Swift down stairs with Gussie so he came with me and stayed a little while. I brought up some apples and we enjoyed their visit very much. 12/7 If froze hard in our sink room last night. I didn't go to church in the AM but went down in time for Sunday School and stayed in the PM. When I came home found Eddy so miserable that I must go for Dr. Bulkely. He gave him and injection and left medicine for his difficulty which is a weakness in the lower bowelss tending to piles. After supper I wrote to George and went down in the evening and mailed it and returned without going to meeting. Gussie wrote to Edwin's wife Anne in the evening. 12/8 We rose rather late and I worked as usual in the shop. Bell came down after dinner and stayed until night to help Gussie. Mother called on her way to the Prayer Meeting for the Country. I attended the Teachers Meeting in the evening. I ordered 1 dozen [Longlings ] Questions, vol. 1st for John Corsier. Received a letter from David Mills this noon. 12/9 I worked in the shop as usual. Eddy is better, having had a movement of the bowels this forenoon. I got some more medicine from Dr. Bulkely for him in the evening. I answered David Mills letter before retiring. I lent Father Griswold $9.00 this evening to pay a bill for manure from Crossmans Stables. 12/10 I worked at the shop as usual. Father and Mother were here to dinner but I was at the shop, having taken my dinner. Daniel Manly cmae home with me to get 5 gallons of cider which I had sold to him. After tea went down to market and the post office. I took the School Societies Minutes Book with me to let Aaron Moorehouse take it to copy the bylaws. I mailed the letter to David Mills and the Danbury Times to George 12/11 The snow is melting very fast and the sleighing is leaving fast also. The dozen questions books which I ordered at Mr. Swifts came today. George [w.] Ives died today. I took a letter from the post office for Mother from George and also one for Father from Horace [Meaglie] from Norwalk about the flourwhich he promised to Father. 12/12 Worked as usual in the shop. After tea I went up home with the 2 letters for Father and Mother. I got a drink of cider then went to the post office and walked up home with Mr. Swift. 12/13 Still warm and snow is melting fast. Sleighing is already used up and wheels are used again. Aaron Moorehouse paid me a dollar today for George for use of his melodeon. After tea I went to market. 12/14 Pleasant and warm but very muddy. A sermon to the Sabbath School today, after which at collection was taken for the benefit of the lame. Sunday School prayer meeting at noon with passages from scriptures beginning with the letter M were recited by the scholars and for the first time by the teachers also. I stayed home and let Gussie attend in the PM. Mother and Bell stopped by on their way to evening meeting. I wrote to George and mother enclosed a sheet with mine, and I mailed it as I went to church in the evening. I also wrote to Harriet and left it for Gussie to add more to in the evening. She wrote to her old school mate Louise Howe also. Brother Crawford preached in the evening. 12/15 Joseph Young having gone to New York, his wife came over before breakfast to give me his checks on order that I might draw his money for him at the shop, $16.00. Edward Stevens wife's funeral was at 2 o'clock. I attended with others of his shop mates at the Disciples Church. He was married at the same place a year ago next New Year's Day. Mrs. Young with Mrs. Wilcox to accompany her came for Joseph's money as we were drinking tea. I mailed a letter to Harriet and one for Gussie to Louise Howe in the evening. I attended an adjourned Sunday School Teachers meeting in the evening. Came home and copied the minutes before retiring. Harriet Wheeler and Josie came from Brooklyn this evening, she having been there to see Abel off in the 23rd Regiment 12/16 Medad Bradley died about 10 o'clock today. Sheridan Disbrow brought me the last 2 tuns of coal on my order just at night. I gave him $15.00 for this delivery which settled our accoutn . I went to the post office and market in the evening. 12/17 Worked as usual in the shop. I maile the Times to George in the evening and took our tea drawer to the Joiner to be mended and went to class. I walked up from the street with Brothers Chittenden and Crosier, and Lounsbury and Mr. Swift. 12/18 Medad Bradley was buried today. I have had the sick headache which compelled me to stop work before night. I took care of Eddy in the evening to let Gussie go to Prayer Meeting. 12/19 I worked in the shop all day and felt quite well. Joseph Ives' wife was buried this afternoon. I went to the post office in the evening expecting to hear from George but did not. 12/20 Saturday. Pleasant but very very cold. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie took a letter from the post office for me from George this PM. It was written last Sunday at Dumfrey's within sound of the guns at Fredericksburg. They were on the way to the latter place and had a tedious march from Fairfax through the mud. It is reported that the Sec. of State at Washington, William H. Seward, has resigned. Mother came downin the evening to hear the letter from George. I went to market, to the post office and returned home as soon as the mail was opened. A severe cold night. I commenced a letter to George before retiring. 12/21 I went to church in the morning and to Sunday School at noon. Neither Gussie nor myself attended in the PM. Isabella came from church to our house and stayed until evening meeting time. Mother Griswold, Harriet and Josie came in for a while after tea. I finished my letter to George and mailed a Harpers Weekly with a picture of the late great battle of Fredericksburg Va in it at the same time. 12/22 A little snow on the ground. Worked as usual in the shop. Emptied the old brine from my pork barrel in the evening, preparatory to putting down my new pork which I am expecting tomorrow or the next day. I mailed 3 of the last [Lewis] Weekly Tribunes to George this evening and received 2 letters from him and one from Harriet. In one that George sent was enclosed one received by him from Isabella Conrad of Bridgeport which he sent home for safekeeping. As I came home from the street this evening I went with Mr. Swift to Brittens, the Druggist, for strichnine to poison mice with. Eddy having a bad cold, we borrowed some goose grease from Mrs. Swift to grease his stomach before retiring. 12/23 Warmer, what little snow as on the ground disappeared. George Loomis, discharged from the army on account of wounds, came home yesterday. He came to the shop in the AM to see his old shop mates. He went on turn and was shopped. I answered George's letter and also mailed him a box of Brown's Bronchial Troaches in the evening. Bell came down after tea and stayed with Eddie while Gussie went into the street with me to do a little trading. I stopped at [Ansael] Hoyt's to see about my pork which he is cutting up for me to be delivered tomorrow. I borrowed a meat saw from him to cut up some beef I expect tomorrow. Bell took my lantern and went home as soon as I returned. When Mr. Swift came home he went down the cellar and brought up some sweet cider which he got today and gave me a glass. Before I went downtown, Miss Edith Newman called and gave me $15.00 which George sent in a letter to her for me to deposit in the Savings Bank for him. 12/24 On account of not sleeping much last night (Eddy being sick) I felt poorly today and quit work before night on that account. Noah Hoyt brought my pork this morning and just at night Granvil Ambler brought my beef that I had ordered of Jacob Fry, 112 lbs. I went downtown in the evening and bought more pork to fill up my barrel. Gussie spent all the evening shopping and keeping up Christmas Eve. I spent the evening packing my pork. Bell has spent the day with us taking care of Eddy to let Gussie take care of her pork and is to stary the night with us. Mr. Swift helped me cut up my beef before we retired.12/25 Christmas Day. I spent my time at home taking care of pork and beef. Bell stayed last night and today. At about 1 o'clock we went up to Father Griswold's to dinner. Mother received a letter from George with $5.00. $3.00 for her and $2 for me to deposit for him. In the evening Mr. Swift gave me $1 which Alfred Heath left there for George to be handed to me. I mailed a pair of stockings to Ohio for Fanny, directed to Mrs. E. E. Griswold intended for her little WIllie. 12/26 I worked all day in the shop. Mother came to tea and went to prayer meeting in the evening. I gave her a sparerib of fresh pork to take over to Mrs. Curtis whose husband has gone to war. I carried up fresh pork and beef into the observatory of Father Griswold's house and hung it up then went down to the post office. I mailed a Harpers Weekly to Georgeon account of the Christmas pictures it contained. Before retiring I started a letter to George. 12/27 I made a brine and salted my beef in the evening and rubbed my hams also. I went to the barbers and to the post office in the evening. Mr. Swifts father came on the train in the evening to stay with him until Sunday. We let hime occupy our bed in the parlor. Gussie's old nurse Mrs. Jackson, who died in Stamford was brought home on the train and buried this afternoon. 12/28 The last Sabbath of the year. I went to church in the morning and came home after Sunday School to let Gussie attend in the PM. I finished my letter to George. Mother came down on her way to evening meeting and enclose a letter to George with mine. I sent 85 cents in postage stamps to him, bought with his money. John Crosier came in to have me direct for him the soldiers mittens which he is sending to Amos C. Day, one of his old Sunday School scholars. I gave him the money to get the stamps for George and to enclose them in the letter and seal it and mail it. Gussie went to meeting in the evening while I stayed with Eddie. 12/29 Eddy is 16 months today. I worked as usual in the shop. Received 2 letters from George in the evening in which he ordered a box of good things sent to him immediately. I bought a pound of almonds and some walnuts to send to him. I wrote a hasty reply at Mr. Swift's office and mailed it before coming home. 12/30 I took the letters that I had from George last evening down for Mr. Ashley, the editor of the Jeffersonian, to take some abstracts from for his paper. I went out in the street in the evening and bought a box to fill with good things to send to George. I went up home before breakfast this morning to have Mother bake a cake for George and to have Bell come down and take care of Eddy while Gussie ironed and prepared things to send to George. John W. Bussing's wife died in the PM. Commenced snowing in the evening. 12/31 Stormy all day, a considerable snow fell. I mailed the Danbury Times to George. I took a letter from the post office directed to Mother from Harriet. I paid a bill at Russel Hoyt's of $12.96 for the pork.
1862-12
Horace Purdy Journal, January 1863 Entry
6pgs
1/1 Pleasant. I received $4.50 rent money from Mr. Swift in the morning. At about 9 o'clock I went to the Savings Bank and paid my net $21.00. I then went to the shop and worked until nearly 2 o'clock when I attended the funeral of John Basset's wife at the Disciple's church. After the funeral I came home and packed the box of good things and luxuries for George and took it to the Express Office in the evening. Mother and Belle were both down to help Gussie prepare the items for the box. I received a letter from George in the evening and hastily dropped just a few lines to him in reply I enclosed that receipt for the box. 1/2 Pleasant. I have been afflicted with a headache all day I worked in the shop until about 2 o'clock and then gave up and came home. I wrote a letter to George and mailed it in the evening. Gussie went downtown with me to look at Photograph Albums. She got a letter from her Brooklyn friend Elizabeth Mead. Louise stayed with Eddy to let Gussie go with me. 1/3 Pretty cold in the morning, but pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. In the evening I rubbed my [hands] with salt peter and molasses. I went to the post office and before I came home I bought a looking glass and small earthenware pot to put down some butter in to send to George next week. I went up to Father's with the pot to get Mother to fill it with butter. 1/4 Cold last night and early this morning but the day has been pleasant and has grown warmer during the day, cloudy just at night and in the evening with even possibility of rain. I went to church in the evening, this being the first Sabbath in the New Year. Our Sabbath School devoted the hour to recitations of passages of Scripture appropriate for the occasion. Both teachers and scholars participated; it was a most interesting session. In the P.M., I wrote to George. Gussie wrote to Harriet and mailed both in the evening as she went to church. 1/5 Pleasant and warm. I worked as usual in the shop. I came from work a little earlier than common in order to go before the Board of Relief to swear off $700.00 from my tax list onto Alfred Gregory who holds my note for that amount. I afterword came home and packed a box of good things for George and took them to the Express Office in the evening. I dropped a line to George and enclosed the receipt for his box. 1/6 Sunshine, fog and rain in the evening. I worked as usual in the shop I gave Mr. Ashley some extracts from George's letter for publication I attended Hatters' meeting in the evening. I was excused before it was out and came home after. Mr. Swift spent the evening with us after he came home from his office. We had nuts, apples and cider. 1/7 Pleasant but it grew cold very fast during the day and very windy. I worked late in the shop. Mother called on her way to class in the evening. I mailed the Danbury Times to George and directed a letter to him which was left at Mr. Swift's office for him to direct and mail. I went to class in the evening. Br. McDonald led. 1/8 Pleasant and cold I was rather late getting to the shop this morning but worked enough harder to make up the deficiencies in time. I filed off the toes of my skates in the evening preparatory to using them. I went to the Post Office in the evening and stayed at Mr. Swift's office until he closed up and the walked up with him. We intended to go over to the pond and skate a little, but when we got to the house we concluded to stay by the fire as the night was pretty cold. 1/9 Cloudy all day with the prospect of snow. I worked as usual in the shop. Bell came down just before night to stay all night. She took care of Eddie in the evening and let Gussie go into the street with me. We did some trading and then went down to the Skating Park a little while. I took my skates and skated a little. We saw Jennie Fairweather there learning. This is the first of my skating for the season. 1/10 It began to rain in the P.M. and rained very hard in the evening. I went to market in the evening. I carried over to the church from Mr. Swift's office 75 of the New Lesson books which we have been procuring for the church. 150 were ordered but only half of them have come. I walked up with Joe Young. I rubbed my hands for the last time before I retired to bed. 1/11 Pleasant. Went to church in the morning Sunday school prayer meeting at noon, first of the New Lesson books were given out at the school. Isabella came up and stayed with Eddie to let Gussie start for afternoon meeting (which was the Sacrament Service) as I was very busy in the school and was necessarily detained quite late. Gussie went and I came home with a severe headache. Bro. Crawford was unfortunate during the communion and spilled some wine on Mrs. B. Bradley's bonnet strings. After tea I wrote a letter to George and then we went up into Mr. Swifts' part a little while. While there, Mother and Uncle Horace [Maybie] came in on their way to evening meeting. I sent my letter to the office by her. Uncle Horace came up yesterday and is staying over Sunday with our folks. 1/12 Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop John Brush has been around the shop drunk all day. He pretended to work a little but hindered the other men more than anything else. I paid Mr. Jacob Fry $6.73 for a quarter beef which I had of him. I paid also for the Sunday School $15.00 to O.H. Swift for Lesson Books, 150 in number. I attended Teacher's Meeting in the evening. They voted to have a Sunday School Festival on Wednesday evening the 28th of this month I walked up home with Mr. Swift and then we went down to the Skating Park for a little time. It was after nine o'clock when we started. 1/13 Pleasant in the early part of the day but cloudy in the P.M. I rose rather late this morning in consequence of retiring after midnight last night. I have worked all day in the shop, though I have been very sick with a severe cold. Gussie went up home and brought down George's nightcap which he wants me to send to him in the army to sleep in these cold nights. A General Class meeting at the church in the evening. Gussie attended while I stayed with Eddie. During the evening, I fixed the straps to my skates in a different manner from what they have heretofore been. I also copied the minutes of the Sunday School Teachers' Business meeting which was held last evening. 1/14 Feeling almost sick. I did not go the shop in the morning and in the P.M. only to finish off 4 hats of a dozen left over from yesterday's work. While doing so, William Curtis, discharged from Capt. Moore's Co. 17th Regt called at the shop. I procured a small box to send to George to send home his watch and bought some licorice and put in it. I wrote a letter to him before night. I bought a pair of skates for Gussie. The price of them was $1 [???], but as they were the last pair of the kind and pretty large for ladies' use, I procured them for [???] at Joseph M. Ives. Gussie attended the Festival at the Temperance Lodge in the evening by invitation and I went to hear Mason Jones lecture, subject Garibaldi. I accompanied Mrs. Swift to the lecture. Mr. Swift could not do so on account of tending door at the Hall. Before going in I took a letter from the Office by the evening mail from George. He is sick with the Jaundice. I added a postscript in the letter I was about to mail and mailed it. I mailed the matchbox and The Danbury Times also. After the Lecture while waiting for Gussie to return form the festival, I wrote another letter to him. Bell came down and stayed with Eddy while we were at the Festival and Lecture. It rained hard when Gussie came home. We retired about midnight. 1/15 Raining. Foggy and warm. Before going to the shop this morning, I went to the bank with the draft George sent to me for $10. I endorsed it and left it for collection. Father Griswold brought home a black dog today from New York. After tea, I finished my letters to George and Cousin David Mills. I sent George's nightcap to him in his letter. I went to the Office in the evening and sent the items. 1/16 A severe rainstorm. I have been to the shop all day though I have been nearly sick with my cold. In consequence of which, I have not earned much. Mother called on her way to meeting. Having lost the bottom of her lantern, she went into the street with me and then I lent her mine to go home with after meeting. Mr. Swift brought a new on e and I walked up by the light of his. Before doing so, I carried over to the church and put into the library the remainder of the new Lesson Books which I have had via Mr. Swift since Sunday. It cleared off about 8 o'clock in the evening. 1/17 Pleasant and cold. Bell came to see if I would go up home and spend the evening if Gussie would go up with Eddy in the P.M. I worked as long as I could see. After I went home I took Gussie's new skates back to Joseph Ives and exchanged them for another pair of cheaper ones and more suitable for her to use in learning. I waited until the mail came and then got a letter for Bell from George and then went up to Father's and spent the remainder of the evening. Father Griswold and Harriet Wheeler were up there with Gussie in the P.M. In George's letter, he said that the boxes of luxuries were received all right. We came home about 10 o'clock. 1/18 Pleasant and cold. I went to church in the morning. I was detained very late at the Sabbath School to distribute and take pay for the new Lesson Books. I came home so late that Gussie could not attend in the P.M. After tea, I wrote to George. Mother and Bell came in on their way to evening meeting. I enclosed a letter for Bell. Gussie went to meeting with them. 1/19 Pleasant and cold. I worked all day in the shop. After tea, I took my pieces of dried beef and my hams over to Mr. Olmstead to be smoked and then went to market and to the Post Office. After I returned I took my skates and went over to George Starr's pond for a short time. I found Philander Brotherton and wife over there. She was just learning having on skates for the first time. I assisted her a little. 1/20 Foggy. No sunshine in the P.M. I worked all day as usual in the shop. Eddy sick last night and today he has had a high fever. It left him just at night and he appears much better. I carried another piece of beef to be smoked over to Mr. Olmstead's in the evening. From there, I went to a General Class meeting at the church. 1/21 Stormy. Snow. I worked as usual at the shop. I went to the Post Office in the evening and mailed the Danbury Times to George. I called on Dr. Bulkely at his office to consult him about Eddy. About 10 o'clock he was so much worse that I went to his residence for him. He had retired. He prescribed different medicine and said he would call in the morning. I took my beef from the brine in the evening and covered it with water in a tub and poured away the brine on account of its being so very salty. I intend to make new brine for it, one that will not be so salt. Gussie commenced a letter to Elizabeth. 1/22 Cloudy and a little rain. I sat up with Eddy last night until 3 o'clock this morning and then Gussie got up and I went to bed until morning. Mr. Swift had a tedious night also with his wounded arm. I sawed a little wood for him before I went to work. I took back my suit of clothes and finally got them for $16.00. I brought them home from Mr. Harris' last evening to try them on and decide upon taking them. He wanted $17.00 for the suit coat, vest and pants. I went to the Danbury Bank and drew the $10.00 that George sent the check for payable to me. It was after nine o'clock when I got to the shop. I have felt miserable on account of being up so late last night. The doctor came this morning after I left announced Eddie's complaint to be Diphtheria. The ' dozen [???] Questions books for Mrs. John Crosier came today. About ten o'clock in the evening Eddie was taken with strangling and I went immediately for Dr. Bulkely. His son William came with him. He prepared a wash for his throat and swabbed it out. Father and Mother Griswold and Fanny all came down. Father Griswold prayed with us before he went back. Fanny came down again to watch and we retired. 1/23 Eddie's sickness made it late before I went to the shop. Doctor came just before I went. He pronounced him much better. I came home to dinner. Doctor came again in the P.M. and found Eddie gaining fast. It cleared off just before night. I got a letter from George in the evening. Frank Butler's boy was taken with the Diphtheria today. 1/24 Gussie sat up with Eddie last night until 1 o'clock this morning and then I took her place and she retired. I went to the shop rather late but did but a little work. Came home from the shop. I went around by Mr. Olmstead's and got one of my pieces of smoked beef. I went to market in the evening. I received a letter from George this noon and another this evening. 1/25 Gussie sat up with Eddie last night until 1 o'clock and then I got up and she retired. He is better today. I attended church today and gave Bro. Crawford a notice to be read for the Sunday School Festival on Wednesday evening of this week. After Sunday School, I came home and slept a part of the P.M. The Union Sunday School concert was held at our church this afternoon in place of the regular service. After tea, father came down to see us. Mother has been sick also with the Diphtheria, but is now better. I wrote to George after tea and mailed a paper (Semi Weekly Tribune) to him. Fanny carried them to the Office as she went to evening meeting. After she had gone, I got up and directed a box of troaches to him and went down and mailed them. I returned and soon retired in order to get all the rest I could before getting up in the middle of the night to take care of Eddie again. 1/26 Pleasant in the morning, but it soon became cloudy, misty and warm. I sat up the latter part of the night with Eddie. On account of rest yesterday, I have felt more like work today and have improved it accordingly. Doctor pronounced Eddie to be much better today and he really appears to be so. I went to the Post Office in the evening and mailed Mother's letter to Harriet which I should have done last night but forgot it. I called at Doctor's office and talked with him about Eddie and then came home. I found Mother Griswold with Gussie. She gave me a talking to for not staying at home with Gussie and Eddie during the day instead of working at the shop. I did not think it necessary to do so as he appears to be better. 1/27 Stormy. Fanny stayed with Eddie until 2 o'clock this morning. Before going to the shop this morning, I deposited in the Savings Bank for George $10.00 which he sent by check from the army in Va. I left an order on Dr. Bulkely's slate for him to visit Eddie and leave medicine. He is much better today. I went to the Post Office and market in the evening. I ordered ' bushel oysters brought up tomorrow. 1/28 The ground slightly covered with snow this morning. It began to snow again in the middle of the day and continued all day increasing in the evening. I worked as usual in the shop. Our Sunday School Festival came off in the evening and considering the unpleasant weather, the children came out in good numbers and all appeared to enjoy it much. I attended but came home before it was over. Gussie stayed at home with Eddie, who is much better today. I brought some samples of the cake to Eddie. 1/29 A quite heavy body of snow on the ground this morning and still snowing Isabell stayed with Louisa up to Mother Griswold's after returning from the festival last night. She has stayed with Gussie all day and is to go up to stay with Louisa again tonight on account of our bed being occupied by Mr. Swift's brother. It cleared off just at night and is colder. 1/30 Pleasant. Isabella has been with us again today, but went home just at night. I worked as long as I could see. After tea I went up [house?] to engage Father for Jo. Young to saw some wood tomorrow. I then went to the Post Office and home. I received a letter from George. I took one from the Office also for Harriet from Abel. 1/31 Pleasant. I have worked hard as usual in the shop as long as I could see. Bell came down before dinner and stayed with Eddie in the P.M. to let Gussie go out to make a few calls. I went to market in the evening.
1863-01
Horace Purdy Journal, March 1863 Entry
5pgs
3/1 Sunday - Stormy. Snow and rain. I attended church in the morning. After Sunday School, I came home and in the P.M. I wrote to George and to Cousin David Mills. Mother came down just before evening meeting and brought a letter which she had written to George to be enclosed in mine. I went to meeting in the evening. It was a prayer meeting in the basement. An unusual interest was manifest for the country both in prayer and exhortation. It cleared off in the evening with a high wind and growing cold fast. 3/2 Monday - Pleasant. I worked as long as I could in the shop. After tea I mailed a Tribune to George and a letter to Louise Wright for Gussie. 3/3 Tuesday - Stormy in the forenoon; snow. It cleared off after dinner. I have worked very hard and am very tired. I went to the market in the evening. Gussie received a letter from Anne (Edwin's wife) by the morning mail with a Carte de Visite of herself and baby for Gussie. 3/4 Wednesday - Pleasant . When I came home from work at night I found that Mrs. Powell and Mead had come from Brooklyn. They were up home, and I went up there to tea. I went to the market in the evening but it was so late before I went on account of company that I did not get to class meeting. I mailed a Semi Weekly Tribune to George. 3/5 Thursday - A pretty cold night last. Mrs. Mead stayed with us last night while her sister m Mrs. Powel stayed with Harriet. Having a severe headache, I left my work and came home after dinner. Mrs. Powel, Mrs. Mead and Harriet took teat with us. I stayed at home in the evening to lest Gussie go with her company into the street shopping and to meeting. I mailed to George the Danbury Times and a Semi Weekly Tribune, both in one wrapper. 3/6 Friday - A snow squall in the morning. It lasted for an hour or two and then ceased. It remained cloudy during the day. The moon and stars shone in the evening. I received a letter from George in the morning mail. He is flat on his back with a fever. I wrote to him in the evening. Mr. Mallet from Redding called to see me this noon about letting me have some money $1,100.00 with which to take up two notes and mortgages on my place and have any indebtedness on my house in one amount in one place, but to be paid annually at the expiration of each year instead of semi-annually and in advance as I have done on $700.00 heretofore at the Savings Bank. I gladly accepted the offer. Eddie is in a singular manner deprived almost entirely the use of his legs in walking today. We feel some concern about him. 3/7 Saturday - It began to snow before noon and continued all day and in the evening. Mr. Mansfield was buried today. I went to the Post Office in the evening and got a letter for Gussie from Harriet. 3/8 Sunday - It snowed until about noon. I shoveled paths around home and up to Father Griswold's in the morning. I went down to the church in time for Sunday School. Communion in the P.M. I wrote to George after tea. Louise came down and stayed with Eddie and let Gussie and I go to hear Mr. Coe preach his sermon on patriotism at our church. He preached the same sermon on Washington's Birthday two weeks ago in his own church. Text. Deut 34:7-8. 3/9 Monday - About 4 or 5 inches of snow fell last night. I spent considerable time this morning in sweeping paths for Harriet, Father Griswold and myself. A little boy of Mr. Allen's (our first neighbor north) accidently had his foot nearly cut off by Violette Pine (a little colored girl across the way) while cutting wood together. Dr. William C. Bennett who came home today from the army on furlough dressed the wound. I went to Teachers' Meeting in the evening. After I came home, I copied the minutes before retiring. I took a letter from the Office for Gussie from Marianne Underhill, one of her old schoolmates at Armenia Seminary (Ed. Note ' town of Amenia in Duchess County , NY) 3/10 Tuesday - I have worked as usual in the shop. Did not get paid off yesterday on account of Mr. Crofut being in New York, but was paid today $28.00. Josiah Day discharged from the 17th Reg't. Called on me at the shop and handed me a package of George's received letters which he sent home by him. He said that George was some better when he left the Reg't last Thursday. I wrote a letter to George after tea and went down and mailed it. 3/11 Wednesday - More snow last night. It cleared off in the middle of the day. A snow squall in the evening. I received a letter from George by the evening mail. It was written by Mr. Warren, I think. He was better when it was written. I went to class meeting in the evening. 3/12 Thursday - Pleasant . I have worked as usual in the shop. I brought home Mr. Witherspoon's vinegar jug to [let] him have a [gal ??] and carry it to him at the shop in the morning. I went to Dr. Bulkely's in the evening to consult him about Eddie and got some medicine for him I paid him what I owed him $8.30. I then went over to the Post Office and finished a letter I had begun to George and mailed it. At the Office I saw Dr. William Bennett who said that he could take a small parcel to George when he returns which will be on Saturday he says. I went up home and got George's soft hat to send to him. 3/13 Friday - Pleasant. I carried Mr. Witherspoon's jug filled with vinegar to him to the shop this morning. I went over to Mr. Olmstead's for Father Griswold's hams before tea but they were not out of the smokehouse. I went to market in the evening. I carried a small package containing a soft hat over to Dr. Bennett's this morning to carry to George in the 17th Reg't as he returns to his Reg't the 5th tomorrow. 3/14 Saturday - Pleasant. Bell stayed with us last night. After dinner, Gussie came to the shop with a letter from George. He is worse and in the hospital at Brook's Station on the Aquia and Falmouth R.Road, Va. I left my work to go to Bethel to see if Chas. Mills had got home yet as George requested that he should come and take care of him if he could be persuaded to do so. He had not got home. I stayed to tea and took the evening train up. I also went to see Lieut. George Averill before going to Bethel and after my return about getting a pass at Washington to go within our lines if I should go to see George. I received a letter from Cousin David Mills 5th Reg't in the evening. 3/15 Sunday - Pleasant. I attended church in the morning. After Sunday School, I came home and wrote in the P.M. and evening to George and to Dr. William Bennett, Surgeon in the 5th Reg't requesting their influence to get a furlough for George to come home and regain his health or a transfer to some hospital nearer home. I got Lieut. George Averill's signature joining with me in my request to Dr. Hubbard. Gussie went to prayer meeting I the evening. 3/16 Monday - I worked until noon. I ate my dinner and then came home with a sick headache. On my way home, I stopped at the Jeffersonian Office to let Mr. Ashley extract something from David Mills' letter for the issue of this week. I ate no supper. I vomited a good deal in the evening. Gussie went to the Post Office in the evening and got a letter for me from Mr. Warren informing me about George. He visited him last Tuesday at the hospital and again on Thursday, the day he wrote the letter. He says that he is better. The hospital doctor says that he has the Typhoid Fever, but the Regimental Surgeon says not. 3/7 Tuesday - St. Patrick's Day. Not feeling well, I did not go to the shop. I went down to the Post Office. I stayed home in the P.M., went to bed, after which I wrote to David Mills and to Mr. Warren. The Irish turned out in grand style to keep up St. Patrick's day. This was their first demonstration ever made on this day in Danbury. Gussie went downtown in the P.M.I went down and mailed my two letters in the evening. Father Monahan, the Catholic priest lectured at Concert Hall in the evening. 3/18 Wednesday - Pleasant . I worked hard all day in the shop. Bro. Crawford and wife, Charles Stevens and wife, George Miller and wife, were at Father Griswold's to tea. Gussie being there, I also went there to tea. I went down intending to go to class, but was too late. I took a letter from the Office for Gussie from Mrs. Mead Brooklyn and then went to hear Wadsworth speak on the political issues of the day at Concert Hall. 3/19 Thursday - Pleasant. In the P.M. I, with other returned Volunteers under the command of Capt. Wildman, attended the funeral of Patrick Lilly who died in hospital. 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery, Co. B. We turned out with drum and fife with Jackson's Cadet Muskets. He was buried in the Catholic burying ground. I took a letter from the Office for Mother from Harriet in the evening and went to prayer meeting. 3/20 Friday - Pleasant . I felt in excellent condition for work in the forenoon, but after dinner I was taken with the sick headache and was obliged to leave work about 3 o'clock. I went home by way of Couch's Picture Gallery and got a dollar's worth of Cartes de Visite of wife and baby which I ordered a few days ago. I went to bed after I got home. Bell came down after school to stay all night and tomorrow Aunt Louisa called while we were at our tea. Gussie went to Sewing So(ciety) in the evening. I, not feeling well enough, did not go into the street. 3/21 Saturday - Charles Mills arrived home in Bethel last night. He came up on the train this morning and came to the shop. I stopped work and took him home with me to dinner. Caroline came up on the freight train. I spent the afternoon with them and went to the depot at {??] o'clock as they returned to Bethel. Harriet joined them at the depot and went home too. Bell, who came down last night stayed with us today and went up home again after tea. I received a letter from George by the morning mail. He is still in the hospital at Brook's Station and somewhat better, the fever being broken and changed. 3/22 Sunday ' Pleasant and warm, but the melting snow made it very wet and muddy. I went to church and spent both the forenoon and afternoon at the library checking the book from Carleton & Porter's and the Sunday School Union Catalogues in order to use the catalogues to select some new ones for the library as we have about one hundred dollars to spend for new books for our library. After Sunday School, Bell came up to take care of Eddie so that Gussie could go in the P.M. I finished a letter to George and mailed it with the Times in the evening. John Cosier called just before evening meeting time to see about going to New York to get the Sunday School library books. He wants me to go with him. 3/23 Monday - Sick, Joseph Young drew my pay and brought it to me at night. I went down to John Cosier's office and stayed until the mail came. A letter for Gussie from Ellen Dare. I not feeling able, Gussie went to doctor's and got some medicine for me and to the Post Office in the evening. She got a letter from her old school mate, now Mrs. Wright. 3/24 Tuesday - Cloudy, chilly, southeast wind. Appearance of storm. Sick. I stayed at home and took medicine all day. 3/25 Wednesday - I took a profuse sweat last night. I feel better, though very weak. It rained hard with thunder in the P.M. I received a letter from David Mills and answered it. A Mr. Hamilton from Texas is to speak to the people tonight a Concert Hall upon the political issues of the day to aid in the election of Buckingham for Governor. 3/26 Thursday (Ed note: Purdy calls it 3/25) I went down to John Cosier's office in the morning and we checked off more books on the Book Room catalogue preparatory to going to the city to buy them. Charles Mills came up on the train and stayed to dinner. I went with him to Averill's office to get him to take a pension agency for his friend in Washington. I then went to the Cars and went to New York with John Cosier and wife to buy books for the Sunday School. I stopped for the night with Bro. Pegg in Forsyth Street. 3/27 Friday (Ed note: Purdy calls it 3/26) - In New York. After breakfast, Mr. Cosier came down to Bro. Pegg and we went up to the Book Room to buy our books. We bought some at the Sunday School Union and also at then Tract Societies Room. But the largest portion, we bought at the Book Room. We were very busy all day. We took dinner at a Restaurant. We finished our book buying about 4 o'clock, when we went over to Brooklyn together. I went up Fulton Avenue to Gideon Powell's and Cosier went another way. I stayed to Mr. Powell's to tea. I went with them to hear Cyrus Foss preach in the evening. But we were disappointed. His brother Archibald preached in his stead. I returned with them and stayed all night. 3/28 Saturday (Ed note: Purdy calls it 3/27) ' After breakfast at Mr. Powell's, I went over to the corner of Classon and Greene Avenues to call on Mrs. Mead. From there, I went to Claremont Avenue near DeKalb and stayed with Harriet until noon at her boarding place at Mrs. Boyles. I took dinner with them. After which, I started for New York on my way home. I intended to stop in Pine Street to see Mr. Mead and in Murray to see Mr. Powell, but it began to rain so hard that I did not. I arrived home in the evening. 3/29 Sunday - Pleasant and muddy in the morning. It grew cold in the P.M. and evening and froze up hard. I attended church in the morning. Mr. Coe preached for us. After Sunday School, I came home. After tea, I wrote to George and Harriet. I filled out 3 Certificates of discussion for the Loveland and DeWolfe children. I went to prayer meeting in the evening. 3/30 Monday - Do not feel very strong yet. I ordered 1,000 labels for our Sunday School books at Ashley's (the Jeffersonian office). The books came from New York this P.M. by freight. I went down to the shop just before night and ironed over Father Griswold's silk hat preparatory to going to conference. In the evening I received and answered a letter from George. He is better, or was when he wrote. I mailed to him $1.00 in money and stamps. 3/31 Tuesday - Snow in the morning. Father Griswold and myself went to the Savings Bank about 9 o'clock to do business with Ephraim and Alfred Gregory and Mr. Mallett of Redding. I took eleven hundred dollars from Mr. Mallett and gave him my note and a mortgage deed together with my insurance policy to secure him. With the said $1,100.00 I took up Gregory's note of seven hundred at the Savings Bankand my note of Four Hundred with Alfred Gregory and took quit claims from the parties. D.B. Booth executed my papers for me. The mortgage deed required a Revenue Stamp of $2.00, the Note, 60 cents. I sold some specie (silver) for 23% premium which amounted to $1.37. I sold it to Robinson the Jeweler. I went to market in the evening. When I returned, I did some writing for the Sunday School and retired about 10 o'clock. The snow storm continued all day.
1863-03