Horace Purdy Journal, April 1862 Entry
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APRIL 01 – TUESDAY – Pleasant and warm in the morning, but cloudy in the PM. I went over to Alfred Gregory’s before breakfast to pay my interest to him, but as Jarvis Hull is holding my note unbeknown to me, I did not pay it. Mr. Warren moved out and Father Griswold moved into my upper rooms today. I stayed home in the forenoon and helped them. The Griswold’s took dinner with us. I went to the shop in the PM. We were paid off, or nearly so. I received all that was due me - $18.00. I earned 6/ and came home. Father Griswold’s folks took tea with us again tonight as they were not settled upstairs. Father Griswold fooled some of us after he had returned from New York and I to pay him off for it and to pay him for making a fool of me four years ago about Mr. Hurd’s pin factory fooled him at the dinner table by giving him a bottle of turpentine to pour out a glass of cider from. I attended our hatters’ Meeting in the evening at the YMCA room. It was a lengthy session. I was home late. APRIL 02 – WEDNESDAY – Cloudy with the appearance of rain, but did not get any. I have worked all day in the shop. I went to market in the evening and to class. I paid $3.00 to Peter from seat rent. Abel’s baby, Josie, is very sick. Eddie fell out of his chair making his nose bleed and frightening his mother very much but not seriously hurting him. APRIL 03 – THURSDAY - Foggy in the morning, but the day has been very pleasant. I have worked all day in the shop. Mother came in while we were at tea and stayed until meeting time when Gussie went with her to prayer meeting, while I stayed at home to take care of Eddie. Abel and Harriet’s baby, Josie, is better today. APRIL 04 – FRIDAY – I have worked hard all day in the shop. Gussie went up home to tea and I went up when I came from work. We stayed in the evening to George’s surprise party. I paid Quartius Chichester 75 cents, which with 25 cents which he owed me paid for my lightening rod point. APRIL 05 -SATURDAY – Cloudy and cool in the morning. It began to rain about noon. I not feeling well, came home after dinner. I went into the street in the evening. It was starlight and the moon shone brightly before we retired. APRIL 06 – SUNDAY – Eddie has a bad cold and we feel somewhat concerned about him. I attended church in the morning and came home as usual after Sunday School to let Gussie attend. Brother Pegg preached from the latter clause of the 13th verse of the 11th chapter of Hebrews. It is his last Sabbath with us as Conference meets this week. Mother came in after tea and stayed until meeting time. I went. It was a prayer meeting and a good one, too. Charles Stevens was in the church in the PM and in the evening with his bride, which is his third wife. She is Reverend John Crawford’s daughter of Redding. APRIL 07 – MONDAY – I went to the shop in the morning and worked until 2 PM and then went down to the Courthouse to vote. I then came home to the raising of Father Griswold’s house. Ephraim Gregory called on me for the interest on the note of $400.00 to Alfred. I paid it, the money having been ready since the 1st of this month when it was due, but on account of it having been turned out to Jarvis Hull for security, it was not presented before. APRIL 08 – TUESDAY – Cloudy with snow in the PM and evening. I have worked as usual in the shop. After tea, we put up a basket of articles for Mrs. Theodore Brothwell, formerly Elizabeth Clark, an old Amenia classmate of Gussie’s. It was to return her joke of 4 years ago when we began keeping house. She was married about a year ago and has commenced housekeeping this spring. I carried the box over in the evening. We have had a telegraphic dispatch today that the rebels on Island No. 10 on the Mississippi River have surrendered to our forces. APRIL 09 – WEDNESDAY – Cooler and windy. I have worked in the shop. Cloudy in the forenoon, but the sun shone a little before night. Another dreadful battle at Pittsburg Landing in Tennessee. It lasted all day Sunday and Monday when the rebels were completely routed and made good their retreat towards Corinth, Mississippi and at last accounts, our cavalry were pursuing them. Their General-in-Chief, Albert Sidney Johnston was killed and General Beauregard has an arm shot off. Our losses in killed and wounded is reported at between 18,000 and 20,000 thousand. That of the enemy is over 8,000. (Note: actual total casualties were approximately 13,000 for the Union and 11,000 for the Confederacy) The report is likely exaggerated. Thirty-four guns were fired this evening in honor of the victory. APRIL 10 – THURSDAY- Cool and windy. I have worked in the shop as usual, although I have had a severe headache. E.S. Huntington was buried at 2 o’clock this PM. The accounts of the late battle at Pittsburgh Landing today gives the number of killed, wounded and missing as much less than last night’s account. It puts it as low as 5,000. Fanny stayed with Eddie in the evening, so that Gussie and I could attend the Prayer Meeting. APRIL 11 – FRIDAY – I have worked hard all day in the shop. I went into the street with George in the evening to get him a vest on an order of mine from Henry Crofut so that he could pay me the money. We selected one at Charles Stevens’. The price was $4.50. APRIL 12 – SATURDAY – On my way to the shop, I left a 5 gallon can at Benedict & Nichols to be filled with kerosene oil. It was filled and sent up. I got an order on Mr. Crofut for Charles Stevens and Hoyt to pay for George’s vest. Fanny took care of Eddie in the evening to let Gussie and I go into the street to call on Elizabeth Brothwell. She was not at home, so we went to Mr. Rowan’s and their we found her. APRIL 13 – SUNDAY – A beautiful day. It being Conference Sunday, Brother Woodruff was sent to preach for us. His text was Acts 20:35. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I came home after Sunday School and Gussie went in the PM. I went for Dr. Bulkley for Mother Griswold before evening meeting. Father and Mother came down and went to church with us in the evening. Brother Woodruff preached from John 21 and the words, “Simon Peter” in the second verse. It was an excellent sermon. He reviewed the traits and proclivities in the character of Peter and represented him as he was, a Christian hero. The church was crowded. He returns to Conference at Waterbury in the morning. Fanny took care of Eddie this evening so that we could both attend church. APRIL 14 – MONDAY – I worked as usual in the shop. The men were paid $5.00 each. In addition to the $5.00 cash. I also got an order on Benedict & Nichols for $5.00 more. Our Annual Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting for the election of officers was held this evening. I had to go to market which took so much time that I did not attend. This morning before breakfast, I grafted two of my cherry trees. APRIL 15 – TUESDAY – I have not felt very much like work today. I came home early. Mother and Mrs. Cyrus White were here in the PM. Mrs. White took tea upstairs with Mother Griswold and Mother went home before tea. I was last evening elected Secretary and treasurer of our Sunday School Society. I am undecided as yet about accepting. APRIL 16 – WEDNESDAY – I have worked as usual in the shop. Mr. B. Bradley brought the Secretary Treasurer’s books to me at the shop today, I having been elected on Monday to those offices in our Sunday School Society. I was pretty tired when I came home from work. Father Griswold came home from the Conference on the evening train. Gussie went over to Cousin Frank Boughton’s in the evening and stayed very late. I rocked the cradle and drew up a new Sunday School Teachers’ roll. APRIL 17 – THURSDAY – Pleasant and very warm for the time of the year. I worked in the shop as usual. I came home from work a little earlier than usual on account of company. Hannah Gregory and Elizabeth Clark, as it used to be, now Mrs. Theodore Brothwell. We had a pleasant visit with them. They stayed a while in the evening and then Gussie went as far as the Post Office with them. I received another good letter from Cousin David Mills. A part of it was dated at Winchester and a part at Edinburgh, Virginia. APRIL 18 – FRIDAY – Fast Day. The shop has been closed and I have worked around home repairing walks, etc. In the PM, Abel came and took up the two cherry trees north of my house which I gave to him. I helped him transplant them in his yard. After tea, Father Griswold and I drew the line for the stone work to be built on the west of my garden joining him. I took care of Eddie in the evening to let Gussie go to the store to do some trading. APRIL 19 – SATURDAY – Mr. and Mrs. Staples were buried this afternoon at 4 o’clock. William Witherspoon and John Pollett came home with me this afternoon. Witherspoon came for some black currants. APRIL 20 – SUNDAY – Cloudy and a little rain. The sun shone a little just at night. This is the first Sunday of the new conference year, being the only one in the year in which Father Griswold will be home on unless something special happens. He preached for us in the morning from Luke, 2nd chapter on the words, “on Earth peace”, from the 14th verse. He preached for Mr. Stone in the Baptist church in the PM. I acted in my new capacity as secretary of the Sunday School for the first time at noon. Our new minister, Brother Crawford, preached for us in the PM. His text was 1st Peter 1:3. Isabell came home with me at noon to take care of Eddie so that Gussie and I could go to church in the afternoon. Father, Mother and Bell were with us to tea. They stayed until evening meeting time when I went with them, Gussie staying at home to take care of Eddie. APRIL 21 – MONDAY – Stormy. I have worked as usual in the shop. George left $4.50 with Gussie this afternoon to pay me for a vest which I bought for him at Charles Stevens on an order from Henry Crofut. APRIL 22 – TUESDAY – rainy in the morning. I having to wait for a block, just before noon, I took my dinner pail and came home to dinner and then went back again in the PM. Two men (Irish) came just before dark and dug up an apple tree in my yard for John Pollett which I sold him last Saturday. I received a letter from Cousin Charley Mils this PM. He is in the army near Yorktown, Virginia, expecting a battle with the rebels soon. I answered it in the evening. Also wrote another to his brother, David, in General Banks’ division. APRIL 23 – WEDNESDAY – Windy and colder. It has been quite March-like. I left the shop about 3 o’clock to have a ton of coal put in my cellar (Lackawanna). I went to class in the evening. Brother McDonald led in the absence of Peter. APRIL 24 – THURSDAY – A little cool, but pleasant. I came home to my dinner for the first time in a long while. I received 6 ½ dozen Sunday School class books from New York for the school. I got Mr. Crofut’s order for $6.50 and gave it to Sherman Disbrow for a ton of coal which he put in my cellar yesterday. I came home from work very tired. Gussie went to market for me in the evening. APRIL 25 – FRIDAY - I have worked as usual in the shop. I went to market in the evening. George persuaded me to visit an association which Aaron Morehouse, he and others are organizing for the temporal and spiritual benefit of the young men of the town. I found that I had been proposed for membership and was to be initiated which I consented to. APRIL 26 – SATURDAY – We had quite a heavy frost last night although it has been pleasant and quite warm in the middle of the day. I was pretty tired when I stopped work tonight. On my way home, I bought a pair of shoes, price, $2.00. I got them at Elias Sanford’s I called at David Hanford’s and paid him one dollar for a pair of rubbers which I bought one year ago when I went away to the war. I burned up the rubbish on my garden before tea. I went into the street in the evening to get something for our breakfast. APRIL 27 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. Gussie went to Love Feast at 9 o’clock this morning and stayed to hear Elder W. Hoyt preach in the forenoon. I did not get to Sunday School in time to call the roll. Brother Crawford preached in the PM from Isaiah 28:16. Bell came down at 6 o’clock and went to evening meeting with Gussie while I stayed home to take care of Eddie. APRIL 28 – MONDAY – Peter Rowan and his man, Andrew Gould, came this morning to lay up the stonework west of my garden between Father Griswold and me. I paid Moses Baxter to help them. I age my order to Abel for the material to build my woodhouse. I worked until nearly 7 o’clock in the shop. When I came home it was cloudy and misty with a prospect of rain. APRIL 29 – TUESDAY – Cloudy with some rain in the middle of the day and in the PM, but it cleared away just at night. I bought a box of herring from a peddler at the shop. They cost me only 30 cents. I went into the street in the evening to get a loaf of bread. APRIL 30 – WEDNESDAY – On my way to the shop, I carried a gallon jug to Mr. Rowan to have some ale brought up to me. I came home at noon. Mother was with us to dinner. Harriet and Gussie went down to Retton’s this afternoon to get their pictures taken with their babies. I worked in the shop until about 7 o’clock and consequently, it was late before I got my supper. I went down to the Post Office after tea to mail a letter for Father Griswold and one to Cousin Phebe Palmer in Stamford written by bell. It is her first letter. Bailey’s Circus showed here this afternoon and evening.
1862-04
Horace Purdy Journal, May 1862 Entry
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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
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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, July 1862 Entry
6pgs
7/1 - Tuesday - Stephen Holmes boy Charly died this morning with inflamation in the bowels. I went to the savings bank before going to the shop and paid $21 interest money. After work hoed the garden and helped Father Griswold set out some tomatoes and cabbage plants. Went to market in the evening and to the Hatters Meeting. I didn't get home til 10 o'clock. Father has been plowing out his potatoes. Mother and Bell called in the evening. 7/2 Wednesday -Worked till noon then came home to dinner. Went to the funeral of Charly Holmes. He was a member of our Sabbath School. The School assembled at 1 o'clock and the service was at 2 o'clock. It rained all afternoon. A large portion of the scholars were present and sang the hymns commencing with Our Sweet Flower Has Drooped and Faded. Father Griswold officiated. I went up to the cemetary. Burr Bradley walked under my umbrella and we walked home by his house to keep him dry. He gave me some cabbage plants. 7/3 Thursday. Worked in the shop. I sent a letter by Beatty's Stage to Abel Grey who makes and supplies us with butter. A telegraph this afternoon that there was a heavy battle on Tuesday near Richmond. Our loss was estimated at 15,000. Louisa took care of Eddie in the evening and Gussie and I went into the street. 7/4 Friday - I hoed in my garden and went to practice with my pistol at a target in the afternoon. In the PM Gussie and I took a walk with the baby in his carriage . Went up to Emily Anderson's and then down to the new fountain at the foot of Main Street and up home to Father Purdy's . Stayed a short time and came home. on our way back from Emily Anderson's we stopped at Mr. Rowan's and took some ice cream. The day has been very quiet for Independence Day. 7/5 Saturday - Worked as usual in the shop. Henry Benedict was buried this afternoon. It is reported that Robert Nostrand had his leg amputated this PM. I later learned that this was false . The Doctor only took out some pieces of bone. I went to market in the evening. Bought a paper (the Post) to get news from McClellan's army near Richmond. He has been fighting for eight days and our losses are near 20,000 as far as can be made out. Rebel losses are much heavier. No fighting since Tuesday as far as we are informed. We had a dispatch today that Vicksburg on the Mississippi is taken. I believe this is the last rebel stronghold on the river. I came back at 9 o'clock and went up home for my clothes that mother washed. I brought home a pail of milk. When I returned I got some water from the brook and put it in a large tub and gave myself a good washing over my whole body. 7/6 Sunday - Had our first young men's prayer meeting at 9 o'clock. Brother Crawford preached. George was in Stamford today so I was Librarian and Secretary. I stayed for afternoon service. Brother Crawford preached from the same text as I heard from Dr. Ryan in Washington DC on May 19th of 1861 previouse to our crossing the Potomac. Congregation and school was small today on account of the excesive heat. Gussie went to prayer meeting in the evening. 7/7 Monday - I worked hard in the shop. After tea I wnet to the post office where I met Uncle Edwin. I had a long talk about his family, the loss of Mary and her two children. Cousin Edwin and the boy living with him now have the same complaint, the diptheria. 7/8 Tuesday -Picked cherries from Father Griswold's tree before breakfast so Gussie could make some pies. Geroge came home on the train today. He came from Stamford to Ridgefield last night, stopped there and came today walking as far as Bethel. Stopped at Aunt Harriet's in Bethel then took the train home. Worked late at the shop to finish a dozen hats. Took care of Eddie in the evening so Gussie could go to the milliner. 7/9 Wednesday - Have all the work I can do in the shop today. Gussie went over to Mrs. Cyrus White's in the PM to the Sewing Society and took Eddy with her. I got my own supper and put up a shelf in the sink room. I went into the street about 9 o'clock for a loaf of bread.7/10 Thursday - It has been very smoky today. The sun looked like a ball of fire and the moon looked the same. Worked hard in the shop. After supper I helped Father Griswold set out some celery plants. I then went to market and brought home a loaf of bread and a peck of round clams. Lieutenant Andrew Knox of the 1st Connecticut Artillery came home on the train this evening. He was in the battle near Richmond. Eddie has broken out with measles and has the whooping cough. 7/11 Friday - Mother was with us to tea. George came down and returned my carpet bag that he used to go to Bridgeport on the 4th, and to Stamford and Ridgefield. We are in doubt whether Eddy has whooping cough or the measles although he coughs considerably. Mother Griswold and Louisa took care of him in the evening to let us go into the street. 7/12 Saturday - I worked until a short time after dinner and came home as I was very tired, having worked hard all week. Mr. Ball, one of Father Griswold's masons put the finishing coat over the plastering on my chimney in the sink room just before 6 o'clock. Gussie went up home so I got my tea upstairs with Mother Griswold. Gussie went to the milliners in the evening and I took care of Eddie 7/13 Sunday - Went to men's prayer meeting at 9 o'clock and Brother Crawford preached. Came home after Sunday School prayer meeting and Gussie went in the PM. I stayed home in the evening and let Gussie go to hear our Presiding Elder Mr. C. Hoyt preach. Sacrament in the PM. John Carpenter Jr. and Henry Heinman were baptized. 7/14 Monday - I worked in the shop. It was our usual payday and I drew $21.00 for 2 weeks work. I attended Sunday School Teachers business meeting and copied the minutes before I retired to rest. Father Griswold and Fanny came home from New York on the evening train. 7/15 Tuesday - Spent the day at home white washing, moving the stove into the sink room, [bolting] down oil cloth, buying zinc and making 2 frames upon which to nail it to protect the wood work behind the stove from the heat, filing my saw and mowing my door yard and it was dark when I finished. 7/16 Wednesday - I came home to dinner. Mother went to the funeral of the child of Robert Sayres. Isabella came down in the PM and stayed to tea. I sent a bottle of cider by her to Father. A thunder shower came in the PM so I did not go to class in the evening. Father Griswold's sofa, parlor table, oil cloth and carpet came from New York today. They were taken into our house to await the finishing of their new one. I received a letter from Cousin Charles Mills in McClellan's army near Richmond. 7/17 Thursday - Worked all day in the shop. Robert Fry came for my door yard grass after tea. A special Hatters Meeting in the evening to give a card to [Saul] Sniffens. He was [rejected]. After the meeting I saw Lieut. Knox at Bennett's store. He is home on furlough. 7/18 Friday - Gov. Buckingham came on a special train at 12 o'clock to hold a meeting in the evening to get volunteers for the war. We had a cannon at the ship and all hands turned ourt to salute the Gov. The train stopped and he presented himself at the door, head uncovered to acknowledge the compliment. A large enthusiastic meeting was held at concert hall in the evening. Lieut Gov. Averill presided and spoke, the Gov. , Mr. Gilbert, a Mr. Hoyt who is preaching at the Baptist Church during Mr. Stone's absence in Europe, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Clark, the Presbyterian minister from New Fairfield, and Thomas St. John who was drunk and made a failure. Capt Moore was there and quite a few came forward after the meeting and enlisted in his new company. 7/19 Saturday - I came home to dinner instead of carrying it. I worked late in the shop in order to finish up the work I had. Cousin George Hall from Sodom called as I came from work. He went over to stay with Cousin Harriet. I went into the street in the evening. 7/20 Sunday - I went to 9 o'clock prayer meeting and George handed me a letter from Cousin David Mills, 5th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, Gen. Banks division dated 3 miles from Warrington VA. George took it out of the post office last evening, M.r Crawford preached in the AM. We had a short Sunday School shool session and an intermission before going up to the First Congregational Church to a gathering of Sunday Schools for School concert to take the place of regular afternoon services. I came home at intermission to let Gussie go to the concert. I took care of Eddy and wrote to Cousin David Mills. Gussie came home and reported an interesting meeting. After tea Mary Purdy came over with George Hall. It being rainy we did not attend church in the evening. They stayed until after 9 o'clock. 7/21 Monday - Anniversary of the battle of Bull Run. I worked in the shop until 7 o'clock. After tea I went down town and mailed my letter to Cousin David Mills. 7/22 Tuesday - George had some diffuculty with Father about leaving home and came to the shop to see me. He called at the house when I was at tea and I wrote a letter for him to [Binghamton] to E. A. Sanford to see about a situation for him to make firearms. We went into the street and he went to class and I mailed the letter. I then went to Military Hall to see how Capt. Moore was doing in getting volunteers. He is doing well with about 50 men already. I bought some groceries and came home. 7/23 Wednesday - In the forenoon I came very near enlisting with 5 of my shopmates, John Brush, Charles Small, Hiram Crofut, Flagler and John Rooney. We were all ready to go to the Recruiting Office except John Rooney who first took off his apron but put it on again immediately. I went to market in the evening. 7/24 Thursday - A special town meeting this afternoon to vote a bounty to the volunteers enlisting for the war under the President's call for 300,000 more men. I stopped work to go but heard that the business was done and the meeting adjourned. $125.00 bounty was voted to all who enlisted under this call previous and until August 20th. I went home and worked in my garden. Also went over to Mr. Hurd's and got some strawberrry plants and set them out. They are Hooker and what he called the None Such, and I got some of both. In the evening I called at Thomas Barnum's to see if he wanted a shop at the Pahquioque. I then went down town and walked up with Mr. Swift to the new dealer who bought out Smith. I had conversation with him about renting my upper rooms. George today has procured a stituation at Sturdevant's Factory at hardening [reals] 7/25 Friday - Just a year ago this afternoon the 1st Connecticut Regiment marched from camp to Meridian HIll Washington D.C. to the arsenal to deposit our arms and from there to the depot to return home after 3 months, including the Battle of Bull Run. The cars did not start until midnight, having to wait for a train arriving with troops. I was told they were a portion of Sickle's brigade. I worked all day in the shop and was very tired when I came home. After tea I propped up my pea vines and went to market. 7/26 Saturday - I brought some turnip plants home from the shop which Daniel Manley gave me and planted them before tea. I went into the street in the evening and paid for a lobster whieich Avery Raymond brought up according to order. 7/27 Sunday - I went to the Young Mens prayer meeting in the morning and came home after Sunday School. Mary Purdy offer to take care of Eddy so I went back to church with Gussie. Brother Crawford preached. A horse ran away as people were going to church in the morning. He came on the sidewalk and ran over several women and badly injured Mrs. Richards, Widow Eli Rockwell, Mrs Nathan Bennnett, John Stone's wife and her sister. I have been told others were hurt but have not yet learned their names. George came home with us to tea. After tea Gussie and I took Eddy in his carriage and called at Mrs. Richards' and at Mrs. Rockwell's. From there we went over to Burr Bradley's and then over to Town Hill to John Pollitt's . We did not got to meeting in the evening. 7/28 Monday - Worked hard all day at the shop. Pay day and I drew $18 for the last 2 weeks. After tea we left the baby with Mother Griswold and went into the street to do some trading. Capt. Moore's company of volunteers were out in the street in the eveninig parading with music. They leave for Hartford on the train tomorrow morning. 7/29 Tuesday - I have been toubled with a pain in my breast and side today. Came home earlier on that account. I came by Mr. Wright's paint shop and paid him 12 cents which I owed him. Bell came down and stayed for tea. Anna Purdy is worse. She had a spell of bleeding last night and another today. I brought home a pound of shellac for Father Griswold. 7/30 Wednesday - I have not felt very well today. William Judson from a Pennsylvania regiment under McClellan was at the shop. He was wounded, having lost a finger and a portion of another in the battle for Richmond. I tried to take up a collection for him to enable hime to get to New York, he being a pretty hard case. I did not succeed as the men feared he would spend it on liquor as I also feared. 7/31 Thursday - I felt better today but still not very strong. I worked until 5 o'clock and went down to the railroad bridge with E. Stevens, George Fenner, and Joseph Young to bathe and wash. Mrs. Russell Wildman and Lucy called after tea. Our folks went with them up to the new house. I went into the street in the evening. Stirring news in the papers. It is reported that 10 iron clad gun boats have come over from England and have broken the blockade at Mobile. I went to prayer meeting late. This morning I took 1 dozen rolls of Griswold Family Salve down to Mr. Swift to let him sell for us on commission.
1862-07
Horace Purdy Journal, August 1862 Entry
6pgs
8/1 Friday. Cousin Roxanna Hall came from [Sodom] to Aunt Louisa's today because of Anna's sickness and will stay over Sunday. Stopped work early because of a hard pain in my chest. Bought a bushel of flour of Mr. Crofut for $8. The evening papers report the iron clads in Mobile is a monstrous lie or is reported to be. I called to see Mr. Sanford who is to procure a place for George. After I saw him which was about 9 o'clock I went up home but he was not there, being at his lodge meeting. I went down there and waited a long time for him. which made it midnight before I retired. 8/2 Not as troubled with pain in my breast and side and was able to work longer in the shop. After tea George came down and I went with him to Mr. Sanford's to talk more about him going to a trade.I then went into the street to get the news and went to the Times office to order Father Griswold's paper discontinued. 8/3 I went to the 9 oclock prayer meeting and Brother Crawford preached from Mathew. William Warren who has enlisted came home from Bridgeport and was in his usual place as Assistant Librarian in the Sunday School. I came home after School to let Gussie attend in the PM. Cousin Mary wanted me to bring Eddy over in the PM and I did so for a while. After tea Cousin Roxana and Mary made us a call. I had a severe headache and stayed home in the evening. 8/ 4 Worked as usual in the shop. Went into the street in the evening and bought a gallon of ale at Mr. Rowan's. The New Haven train broke down and detained our train and it was 9 o'clock before it reached here. The mail which came on it brought a letter from Cousin David Mills, Banks Division, Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, Army of Virginia. 8/5 I see by the papers that the President has called for an additional 300,000 troops by drafting. It is causing considerable excitement in this community. I answere Cousin David Mills letter in the evening and commenced one to Charles. 8/6 Limited in our work at the shop. I came home to my dinner. Leiut. Keeler of the 5th connecticut Volunteers called at the shop this forenoon . He spoke at Concert Hall this evening, his object being to get recruits for the 5th regiment. I wrote a letter to E. A. Stanford at Starr's Arms Co., Yonkers for George to see if persons working there were exempt from the draft. I finished one and mailed it to David Mills 8/7 Great excitement about the drafting. Enlistments are going on rapidly. Many are enlisting rather than stand a draft. I went to Dr. Bennett's on my way home from the shop this afternoon and got a certificate of exemption from military duty on account of being ruptured. I mailed a letter to Cousin Charles Mills in the evening. 8/8 A warm day thought by many to be the warmest of the season thus far. Joseph Young walked up with me from the shop and stopped at my home. I gave him some ripe apples (Harriet) and then we went through Father Griswold's new house then he went over to Granville Amblers to see his lady I suppose, Mary Prior. I then started up home for tea where Gussie was but I met her coming home with George drawing the baby for her. I returned home for tea and after, walked down to the Post Office with George. 8/9 I came home to dinner. Went to market in the evening 8/10 Went to prayer meeting a 9 o'clock then came home to take care of Eddy while Gussie went up home with some white flowers with which to lay out John Freeland's little boy who died at 5 o'clock this morning. Gussie returned home at noon and I went to the communion service in the PM. Brother Hare was there and assisted Brother Crawford. After tea we went up home and Gussie attended the funeral with Mother. We brought home a small pail of milk and did not go to meeting in the evening. John Boughton and Frank called in the evening. He is going to war with Capt. Moore's company. 8/11 Worked as usual in the shop. News in the papers today of a hard battle fought near Culpeper Courthouse between Gen. Pope and the rebel Stonewall Jackson. The Colonel of the 5th Connecticut and his major were wounded and taken prisoners. Lieut. Col. Stone was killed or hurt. We will have more particulars tomorrow afternoon. I went to the Teachers meeting in the evening and we voted to have a picnic on the 20th in the Orchard just back of the church. 8/12 Went to the shop but did not feel like work because of a bad diarrhea. Was up several times during the night. I bought a new flower pot and carried it up to John Pollitt's to have a Fuschia transplanted into it. From there I went to the street and the picture rooms (Rittons) where George was having a picture taken for the [Nereka] Lodge of which he is a member. He went home with me to dinner. I went to the depot to see him off on the freight train. Mother, Bell and Gussie with Eddy went as far as Bethel with him where he also stopped to see friends and took the other train to join his squad. He went off in good spirits. I took tea with Father Griswold. I went to the depot in the evening to meet Gussie, Eddy, Mother and Bell. I received a letter in the morning mail from Mr. Sanford at Yonkers in answer to the one I wrote in reference to drafting workmen at Starr Arms Co. It was too late for George and even if it came sooner it would have made no difference. George had made up his mind to enlist. 8/13 I went to the shop but before I took off my coat, Theodore Fowler, Joseph Young and Daniel Manley wished me to got with them to Dr. Bennett's to get military exemption papers. Theodore and Joseph got theirs but Daniel could not. I came home to dinner. I stopped work just before the train left the depot to go to see John Boughton, David Bradley and his brother George and others off to join their regiment in Bridgeport. Gussie was there with Eddie in his carriage. We went from there up to John Pollitt's to get a Fuscia Mrs. Pollitt had promised Gussie. I went to class and to market. It is George's birthday and his first full day in camp. 8/14 Worked all day in the shop. Came home to dinner. Charles Small enlisted this morning in Capt. Moore's company and went off on the passenger train this afternoon.Eddy acted very strange about tea time. We thought he was sick but I guess he was intoxicated from being up to Father Griswold's house where the painter was dissolving shellac with alcohol. I mailed a letter to E.A. Sanford this morning to inform him that George had volunteered for the war and could not go to a trade. 8/15 I my way to the shop I stopped at [Morner's] and bought material for a pair of cheap shop pants and had them cut. I carried them up home in the evening to let Mother make them. George Weed brought a letter in the evening from George who is in camp in Bridgeport with the 17th Regiment. He wanted me to send him money to come home with tomorrow. I sat down and answered it and enclosed $5.00. 8/16 I was late in getting my letter to the post office this morning and had to take it to the cars. I persuaded the post master's clerk, Oliver Bedient to receive it there. George started for home on the morning train and intercepted the letter at Norwalk. He called at the shop when he arrived. Gussie went up home in the PM. I went up to tea. George and I went down to the meadow and helped Father get up his hay. We left Eddy up home in the evening and went into the street and to Singing School. We then went up home for Eddy and got home and retired around 11 o'clock. 8/17 I went to 9 o'clock prayer meeting. I opened with selection of a hymn and George led the prayer. Mr. Coc, Presbyterian, preached for us in the morning. George and William Warren are both home from camp. They assisted Aaron Moorehouse and Francis Clark who have taken their places as Librarian and Assistant in the Sunday School. I gave a notice of our picnic to Brother Crawford to be read in the PM. After Sabbath School I came home and Gussie attended church in the PM. Harriet Mills and George came home with Gussie to tea. After which George got Mr. McDonald's horse and carriage and took Harriet down home to Bethel. After Gussie got her dishes washed we went over to Aunt Louisa's to see John Boughton and Frank. John left his regiment as did George to spend the Sabbath at home. They are to return to Bridgeport on Thursday. Gussie went to meeting in the eveninig while I took care of Eddy. 8/18 Felt more like work today than some time past. Came home to dinner and on the way stopped at the Post Office and got a letter from Edwin. Gussie went up home in the PM to visit Marie Mills and Harriet. George came home with her and drew Eddie. I answered Edwins letter in the evening. 8/19 George left on the train this morning to go back to camp in Bridgeport. On my way home from work I felt sick (bowel complaint). After tea I went to the the grocers and the post office. I called at the military hall to see some recruits drill under Jenkins C. Barry. 8/20 Sunday School picnic in the orchard at the back of the church. I did not go because of work at the shop. Letter from George stating that their regiment, 17th is to leave for Washington on Monday. I wrote in reply and mailed it in the evening. 8/21 We had the shop called this forenoon to raise our prices for the work. Mr. Crofut finally consented to give us what we asked. I was made Chairman of the meeting. Worked later than usual, to 7 o'clock. Went to market in the evening. I know not why, but I felt impressed that George would come home. He did and he is to stay until Saturday. He has been having some photographs (carte de visite) taken and gave me one. A town meeting was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock to vote a bounty for the 9 month volunteers. I was told they voted $200 each. I did not attend. 8/22 Headache in the PM. George came to the shop as I finished work. I went with him to Rittons to see about some photographs. He then came home with me to tea and then we went to borrow a team to go up home to get his melodeon to take to his Lodge room for the evening. Capt. Jas. A . Betts of Company A, 5th Regiment, lately a prisoner at Salisbury, North Carolina came home on the evening train. I carried the Sunday School Role Book and my checks for my money at the shop over to Burr Bradley's as I anticipate going to Bridgeport in the morning to stay over to Sunday to see the 17th Regiment off. 8/23 I went to Bridgeport in the morning. After we got to camp, Camp Aiken) I went with the squad of men and took a bathe in sea water. I took dinner with the boys on Government army rations and drilled with them in the afternoon. There was a prayer meeting in their chapel tent in th evening. I am living camp life. When we turned in we were all in a story telling mood and consequently it was late before we fell asleep. George tents in the same mess with Phineas Lounsbury, William Warren, William Otis, John Grannis, Montgomery Bailey, Edgar Knapp, Lewis A. Ward, Amos Day and William H. Curtis. All have respect for religion and most of them are professors. They have bible reading and prayers every night in their tent. 8/24 swervices by acting chaplain Thompson. There was a collection taken up for the chapel tent. There was a large attendance from the city and ladies even threw in their gold rings. Wrote letter to wife in PM, by Seth Downs who was down with a team. About 400 of the regiment attended Mr. [Mailey's] church and Mr. Thompson preached. The house was filled to utmost capacity. 8/25 After breakfast I went up to the city and returned before dinner. George was detailed for guard duty last night and is still on duty. George proposed a prayer meeting in the chapel tent in the evening and it was a good meeting with the tent full. 8/26 went to the city again this morning . I carried a watch up to Blackman's on [Easu St] for Rufus Warren , and a letter to mail for Sargt. [Bousson]. John Brush came down on the train and went over to camp with me. The new chapel tent was dedicated in the afternoon and I started for home about 5:15. 8/27 Sick today with a bad diarrhea. Went to the shop in the morning but did not work. I wrote a letter to George after tea and mailed it. 8/28 Worked in the shop today. Gould Disbrow carted some sand for me to fill up the ditch in front of my entrance to make it easier getting in with a load. I went into the street in the evening and exchanged a bottle of Arnolds ink for one of Davids which I like better. I got my hair cut and stopped at the post office. I was going to pick my crab apples but there was a shower. 8/29 Eddie's birthday - a year old. I received a letter from Cousin Charles Mills from Old Point Comfort VA and one from George, Camp Aiken, 17th Regiment, Bridgeport. Just as I finished tea Granville Morris called and handed me a letter from George which he brought from camp. George sent $2 to pay for $1 worth of pictures at Rittons and to order another $1 to be struck off immediately. Gussie mailed my letter in the evening and I stayed home to take care of Eddie. Cousin Charles letter was written in pencil and I inked it over in the evening. 8/30 I picked a few crab apples before breakfast. I came home to dinner and found a telegraphic dispatch from George saying Capt. Moore's company would be home on the freight train. George went to Stamford and brought Eddy (Cousin Edmund) Palmer home with him on the evening train. The company assembled in the Concert Hall when they arrived to present Swords and Sashes to Capt. Moore and Lieut. Daniels and Lieut. [Lorisen]. Lieut. Governor Averill presented them in behalf of the company. The ceremony was quite interesting. Gussie was up home in the PM and evening so I got my supper then went to the depot to meet George. News by telegraph this PM that a heavy battle was fought at the old Bull Run battleground in which the rebels were severely beaten. Our killed and wounded estimated at 8,000 and the rebels double that number. Fanny came home on the evening train from Camp Meeting. 8/31 Afflicted with a severe headache all day. Did not go to the 9 o'clock prayer meeting. George and Eddie (Edmund) Palmer came this way to church. I attended in the forenoon. Brother Crawford's son-in-law, Mr. Hease preached. After Sunday School I came home and Gussie attended in PM. Edmund came and stayed with me til church was out and George called in for him and they went up home. After tea we took the baby and went up home and stayed until evening meeting. Cousin Edmund stayed with me in the evening to take care of Eddie while Gussie went to meeting.
1862-08
Horace Purdy Journal, September 1862 Entry
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9/1 George and Cousin Edmund Palmer stopped on their way to the cars. Cousin Edmund took our old gun to remember George by. George goes to Camp Aiken, of the 17 th volunteers at Bridgeport. The Regiment expects to start for Washington tomorrow. I received a letter from George this evening and he says they go without fail and wants me to come down in the morning train which I expect to do. Father picked a bushel of crab apples for me this afternoon. I carried some over to Aunt Louisa, to Abel, and to Mrs. Baxter as presents. I carried some over also to Burr Bradley and Mrs. Eames, Mrs. George Bradley, Mrs. George Dickens, Mrs. Briggs, Julia Pine and Noah Hoyts store. For these I expect pay but could not make change with some and therefore had to trust them.Gussie and I went into the street in the evening and got caught in a shower. I went up home after 9 o'clock to tell our folks we should go to Bridgeport without fail tomorrow but they had retired. I got a good drenching before I returned home. 9/2 Rose early and took the cars in company with Mother, Father & Isabelle to go to Bridgeport to see the 17th Regiment off to war and George who is in Company C., Capt. Moore. When we arrived we found they would not go today. We found Uncle Stephen in the next field adjoining the 17th with the artillary. He was sent for on account of his wife being sick and mother went with him and in the afternoon he had a fine boy born to him, his first child. Mother stayed with his wife all day. We went from camp in the afternoon to Mrs. Beardsley's, an old friend of mother's, and staid to tea. Before tea we borrowed a baby carriage and took Eddy with us and visited P. T. Barnum's old place and all around the premises and then visited his new place. We did not go around it but looked at it from the walk. We went to camp again and after dress parade George procurred a pass and came to the city with us. He went with us to Mrs. Beardsleys and he and I went to the center of the city to do a little business and then came back to Mrs. Beardsley's. Then he went back to camp. 9/3 We stayed at Mrs. Beardsley's last night. After breakfast went up to camp and found Uncle Stephen and Mother. Phebe Palmer also made her appearance. Regiment had breakfast at 6 and struck their tents at 7 o'clock. Mother and Phebe went with me to Mrs. Beardsley's and around 11 o'clock we went to the railroad crossing on Broad St. to see the regiment get on board the cars. It was noon when the train left. They we all in good spirits. The last thing I did for George was to fill his canteen after he was in the car. After, Mother and Isabelle went to Mrs. Beardsley's to dinner while Gussie and I went to the Atlantic Hotel to dinner. After we called on Brother [Meiley]. We left Bridgeport at 5 o'clock and went to Stamford to visit Aunt Abigail. 9/4 I felt very tired last night and did not rise very early this morning. Phebe came home from Bridgeport between 11 and 12 o'clock. After dinner Phebe borrowed a carriage and we took Eddy up town on a walk and to the new cemetary. Mother went to Portchester and returned around 5 PM. At 6:10 we took the cars for Norwalk to return home. Aunt Abigail gave me a sled to bring home for Eddy. We arrived safely home around 8 o'clock. 9/5 Did not go to the shop today. Stayed home to do some work. Went up to John Pollitts today with 4 quarts of crab apples and came home with some slips from flowers and plants. Spent considerable time looking for Sherman Disbrow to have him put in my coal today. When I found him he could not do it. I went to Rittons and got the rest of George's photographs. I left 3 with Edith Newman for his friends and gave another to George Starr as he directed me to. Eddie had a fall and hurt his head quite bad. After dinner I went digging potatoes in my garden. After tea I carried Burr Bradley's carpet bag back to him, which I borrowed for Mother to go to Bridgeport. I went to the post office and to market and commenced a letter to George before retiring. 9/6 Worked in the shop and on the way home to dinner took a letter and paper out of the post office from George. They were mailed from Baltimore while on the way to Washington. Gussie went up home in the PM to help Mother make crab apple jelly. I went to the post office and market in the evening and Abel came home from New Haven in the evening. 9/7 I went down to the 9 o'clock prayer meeting but the church was locked and there was no meeting. Brother Crawford preached and I attended Sunday School and came home to let Gussie go in the PM. A collection was taken at Sunday School to buy a library for the 17th regiment. We took in $2.84 and Brother Starr made it $3.00. After tea I wrote a letter to Cousin Charles Mills and finished one to George. I gave George's picture to Edward Barnum and one to Father Griswold's family and one to Abel. I went to prayer meeting in the evening. 9/8 Warrants are being served today on all military subjects to appear at the Town House on next Wednesday to draft men to fill the quota of the town for the last call for troops to serve for 9 months. I went to the post office in the evening and got a letter from George. They are at Fort Marshall, Baltimore MD. 9/9 Abel went back to camp this morning. I was up late with my writing and did not get up in time to go to the depot and see Abel. I worked as long as I could see in the shop. George Lovelace, the constable, has been to the shop serving notifications to military subjects to muster at the Town Hall tomorrow at 9 o'clock to be drafted. After tea I wrote a little more in my letter to George and went to the post office and mailed it. 9/10 The drafting was to come off at 9 o'clock, but to give them more time to volunteer, they adjourned until 3 PM. They assembled at that time and adjourned til Saturday. When they adjourned we lacked 8 men, and to make the quota this evening we lacked 4. The present prospect is that by Saturday the quota will be full. Ellen Dare came and took tea with us and went down town with us in the evening. She is to stay with us tonight. 9/11 I came home to dinner from the shop and Gussie and Ellen Dare called at the shop in the PM. I went out to the [Store] house with them and we all weighed ourselves Ellen 100, Gussie 106 3/4, Baby 21, Myself 111. They went up to the cemetary. After tea I went to the post office. Ellen is still with us and we are enjoying her visit very much. 9/12 I came home to dinner and brought home a letter from George from Baltimore. He stated he was about sick and they haven't had what they were entitled to from the Commissary in the food line. He wished me to send him a box of provisions. I got a letter for Eleanor Dare when I came home at night. I answered George's letter in the evening and mailed it. I got a can of oysters prepared for long keeping and a paper of pepper to send in a box to George next week. 9/13 I carried my dinner to work, but on account of Sherman Disbrow, came home to prepare the way to put coal in the cellar. On the way I stopped at the post office and got a letter from George acknowledging my second letter. He did not get the first since I sent it to Washington and they stopped in Baltimore. Went to market and the post office in the evening. 9/14 Attended church in the morning and Brother Crawford preached. it being Sunday School prayer meeting at noon, I did not stay. Gussie went to PM and evening. I wrote a letter to George at Fort Marshall, Baltimore MD. Mother called on her way to meeting and went with Gussie. 9/15 Worked as usual in the shop and received the Baltimore Clipper from George. I went to the market in the evening and left extracts of 3 of George's letters at the Times Office for the print. 9/16 I came home to dinner and Harriet Wheeler was with us for dinner. On my way home at night I stopped at Benedict &Nichols and bought ticking for 2 shop aprons. I took care of Eddy in the evening to let Gussie and Cousin Mary Purdy go into the street. I counted over the scholars of the Sunday School also in the evening. 9/17 Worked hard in the shop all day. On the way home I took a letter from the post office from George. Enclosed was a picture of Fort Marshall which headed the sheet of paper on which he wrote. He used 2 other sheets of paper and it was a good long letter. I mailed a Danbury Times to him and a short letter which I wrote at Mr. Swift's office in the evening. I enclosed 25 cents worth of postage stamps to him. 9/18 I have worked as usual in the shop. Good news from Gen. McClellan by telegraph. There was a terrific battle at Sharpsburg at which the Rebels were severely beaten. 15,000 of them were taken prisoner with 9 batteries of artillery. It is reported that they are surrounded and will be annihilated. I had a letter from George this evening. He wants $5 drawn from the bank and to have 75 cents used for 6 more cartes de visites for him. I wanted to send a treasury note and there are none smaller than $5, I sent the $5 and 25 cents worth of stamps and reserved 75 cents from $6. I sent it from my own pocket to avoid drawing any from the bank and give him a chance to send it to me when he gets paid off, provided I am not obliged to use it before and compelled to draw it. 9/19 I came home to my dinner. Moses Baxter built my bridge over the ditch this forenoon. In the evening, Mother Griswold took care of Eddy and Gussie and I bought a basket of peaches, $1.12 and 6 glass jars to put up the fruit air tight. 9/20 Worked as usual in the shop . On the way home stopped at Rittons to see about another $1 worth of George's carte de visits. Mother and Gussie I found up at Mother Griswolds and we took tea up there. By a letter received today by Cousin Frank Boughton from John, I learned that George is sick in the hospital in Baltimore. David Bradley is also sick and with him there. George had a considerable fever when he gave up and went there. I called in to the Singing School a short time this evening. 9/21 I attended church in the morning. Chas. B. Ford, the Ridgefield preacher preached for us all day. I came home at noon and Cousin Mary Purdy took Eddie to her house so Gussie and I attended church in the PM. I was too sleepy to benefit from the sermon. We did not go to meeting in the evening. I finished my letter to George and sent it by Mother Griswold to the post office. Gussie wrote to Cousin Eliza in Cal in the evening. 9/22 A good day to work, it not being so warm. Gussie put up her peaches in airt tight jars and Bell came down and took care of Eddy. I went to market in the evening and saw Josiah Day from the 17th Regiment, Fort Marshall, Baltimore. He came home upon getting news that his wife was not expeted to live, she having the heart disease. He told me George was able to be about camp again although he had been very sick. Gussie took a colored lithograph of Fort Marshall from the post office today that was sent by George. Major William [Meagling] from the 11th regiment came home on the freight train. He was wounded, the ball passing through the bone and entirely through the leg. He was wounded in the late battle on the upper Potomac while McClellan was driving the invading Rebels under Jackson & Lee across the river from Maryland to Virginia again. 9/23 I was rather late to the shop this morning. In the paper we had a Presidential Proclamation of freedom to all slaves in the rebellious states after Jan. 1, 1863. I went to market in the evening and to Starr Baldwins to see Josiah Day about sending a package to George when he returns tomorrow or the next day. I commeced to make up the package when I returned home. Gussie received a letter from Elizabeth Mead in the evening. 9/24 Wednesday. Joseph Young came the shop to work for the first time since his wedding last Wednesday PM. He gave $1.00 to the shop to spend for beer. I came home to dinner and just got back to the shop when Josiah Day called to tell me he was to start for the Regiment in Baltimore on the passenger train and would take a package for me to George. I left my work in time to go home and put it up and give it to him at the depot. It contained 1 gross of letter paper, a can of oysters, a bowl of crab apple jelly, a paper of pepper, 1 box of Brown's Bronchial Troaches, 2 boxes of Palmer's boot blacking, 1 roll of Griswold's salve, 5 cartes de visites (ordered by him at Rittons) in a letter, the Danbury Times, and 3 Sailors Magazines. Gussie went to the Depot and after the train left we went to look for a bedstead and wash stand which we bought at Joe Ives' and 7 1/4 yds carpet for bed room $4 which we bought at Benedict & Nichols. I took a letter at noon from the post office from George for Mother. Mothe called on her way to class in the evening and Gussie opened and read the letter to her at her request. George was well again. Their rations are miserable, nearly all the meat is stinking and some of the hams are full of maggots. I went to class in the evening. Brother Chittenden led. 9/25 I worked in the shop as long as I could see. Joe Ives delivered the bed and washstand. B&N also sent the carpet. Gussie spent the day up home and I got my supper. Before I finished Gussie came and had taken a letter from George from the post office. I went to market in the evening. Before retiring I pulled out the tacks in the parlor carpet to prepare for cleaning. 9/26 Jane Pine is helping us clean house today. I came home to dinner and helped Jane shake the parlor capet and I finished the whipping. I then planed off the edges of the floor boards that had warped and sprung and then put down the carpet. I went back to the shop and worked as long as I could see. After tea I put the sitting room stove in its intended position but the pipe was too long so I took it to Charles Hull's to be cut. I took another picture from the post office from George of the Missouri volunteers. 9/27 Saturday. On my way to the shop I carried my stove pipe to Charles Hull's to be shortened again. I also bought a 1/2 yd. of carpet, not having bought enough last Friday. Worked hard and late in the shop. I brought the stove pipe when I came home and put it up before tea. Gussie went up home in the PM. I went to market in the evening. 9/28 Sunday. Brother Crawford preached in the morning. I sat up in the choir in George's seat. Gussie went in the PM. After tea I wrote to George and Gussie wrote to Elizabeth Mead and Ellen Dare. I carried them to the post office but did not stay to evening meeting. I returned home and retired early. 9/29 Worked in the shop. Received a letter and picture, The Soldier's Dream, from George in Baltimore. I answered his letter in the evening and mailed it . I carried down to Curtis Bennett's the 3 pictures which George has sent home to be framed. Isabella came down to take care of Eddy while Gussie washed. She stayed nearly all day. 9/30 I came home to dinner and got out my cider barrel and rinsed it. At 4 o'clock it was taken away to Ridgefield to be filled. I engaged 12 bushels of potatoes of James Fowler.
1862-09
Horace Purdy Journal, May 1863 Entry
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5/1 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. I have had a slight headache all day. I borrowed $15.00 of George Fenner until next Monday and paid Mr. Harris for my overdraft $14.00 in the evening. I went to the market in the evening and to the Post Office and got a letter from Harriet. 5/2 SATURDAY - destroyed worms' nest . On my way to the shop after dinner, I stopped to Mr. Hanford's for my shop shoes which he has been mending. Stinted in my work for the first and came home about 3 o'clock. I took the leader which carries water from the roof into our hogshead down and had it soldered together as it given way. I went to the choir rehearsal in the evening. The Evening Post states that Fighting Joe Hooker has captured Fredericksburg and taken prisoners. 5/3 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I attended church in the morning. Came home after Sunday School and Gussie went in the P.M. I wrote to George and mailed it as I went to prayer meeting in the evening. 5/4 MONDAY - Showery during the day. Mrs. Stone came to the house and washed today. I did not have work enough to last all day. Sherman Disbrow brought me ' ton of better coal, it being softer and burns more fierce than did the last ' ton he brought. I bought a two inch chestnut plank at G. W. Ives to make a platform for my pump. It cost 68 cents. Just after tea, Eddie had a fall from a chair and made two very bad bruises on his head. I went to the Post Office in the evening, but got no letters. Before retiring, I wrote to Harriet. 5/5 TUESDAY - Showery all day. Good news from General Hooker's army. He has occupied Fredericksburg and turned the left of the rebels and is still driving them. I sowed some grass seed I the bare places in my yard. Received a letter from George in the evening (No. 7). He is gaining his health quite fast and will soon be able to come home on a furlough as he expects in ten or fifteen days. I wrote an answer to him before I retired. When I went to the Office, I mailed one to Harriet. Mr. Cocking paid me $3.00, one month rent. 5/6 WEDNESDAY - Stormy all day. Only 1 dozen hats at 2/ (?) to finish today. I finished about 11 o'clock and came home. I received a letter from George in the evening with his picture enclosed. I wrote a reply to it in Swift's office and mailed it immediately. The news from Hooker's army continues good. Gussie went up home this afternoon while Eddy and I went to bed and took a nap. 5/7 THURSDAY - Cold and stormy. The work not being ready, the men adjourned until tomorrow. By the request of the foreman, I finished 10 hats for trial to see how they looked, so that the facers could go on and have work ready for us tomorrow. In the P.M., I took a nap and spent the remainder of the afternoon in reading while Gussie went to the store and up home to Mother Purdy's. In the evening, I went to market and to the Post Office and got a paper from George, the National Republican from Washington D.C. The news from General Hooker's army was rather unfavorable in the morning papers, but the Evening Post gives us good news again. Hooker was not driven back across the Rappahannock, but withdrew of choice on account of the storm and the rising of the river. General Stoneman's cavalry expedition to the rear of the rebels is a complete success. He has cut the line of rebel communication by telegraph and railroad between Fredericksburg and Richmond. Hooker has been strongly reinforced also. 5/8 FRIDAY - Cloudy until near night when it cleared off or rather the sun came out, but the wind still continues easterly. I had enough work to last all day. My truss being out of order, I went down to Dr. Thompson's after I finished my work to get it repaired. The news by the evening papers are good considering all things. The complete success of Stoneman's Cavalry said cutting off the rebels' line of communication is confirmed. Hooker has been reinforced and is ready to resume the offensive again and take advantage of the rebels before they can repair damages done by Stoneman. News by telegraph this evening that the first calls for troops under the Conscription Act has been made. Number not named. I went down to the Post Office before breakfast this morning and mailed a letter to George. I wrote another to him in the evening. I expect to mail it tomorrow morning early in time for the mail. John B. Gough lectured here this evening, but I did not attend. Subject ' Lights and Shadows of London Life. 5/9 SATURDAY - Pleasant. Bell came down and spent the day and is staying all night with us. News by telegraph this P.M. that Richmond is captured. Joy beams forth from the countenance of every loyal man, a good feeling is pervading the people. Gussie went into the street with me in the evening. 5/10 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. I attended church in the morning. Sunday School prayer meeting at noon after which I came home and Gussie went in the afternoon. I wrote two letters in the P.M., one to George and to David Mills who is in hospital in Washington. Was wounded in the late battle between Hooker and Lee on the Rappahannock. The last night's news of the capture of Richmond is confirmed by telegraph. After tea, we put Eddy in his carriage and went up home. Preaching in the evening. I attended. On to the church, I mailed my letters to George and David. 5/11 MONDAY - Very warm, like midsummer. The evening papers do not credit the rumor that Richmond is captured. Fighting Joe Hooker is across the river again and after the flying rebels. I went to Teachers' meeting in the evening. Frank Boughton received a letter from John( Boughton?) this evening. He was in the late battle and escaped without a scratch. David Bradley joined the Reg't. in time to be in the battle also. He is uninjured also. 5/12 TUESDAY - Very warm again today. I cleaned out my cesspool before breakfast and carried the contents to my garden. Father commenced making my garden this P.M. I spaded between the hills of strawberries after tea. Went with Gussie to the depot to see if George came. On our way home, called at the Post Office and got two letters from George. He expects to be home by the 20th. I hung the sage (?) down cellar before retiring. 5/13 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy and smoky in the morning. Sunshine in the middle of the day. Cloudy again in the P.M. and terminated with a shower. Limited in our work at the shop. Father has been to work in my garden for me today. Before going to the shop in the morning, I finished setting out my strawberry plants. As I came home from the shop in the P.M., I came by the way of J. W. Ives' lumber yard. And bought 24 feet of studding for a framework to nail the planks to in building my platform for the pump. The shower came up before I finished it but by Father's help and making some in the rain we finished it before we stopped by working a little late. I wrote to George after tea in answer to his letter received last evening. 5/14 THURSDAY - I went to the shop in the morning, but there being but little work, I chose to come home and work with Father in my garden and yard and have two days allowance to do tomorrow and make out a day's work. It rained a little in the P.M., but we worked until night. I have finished the platform to my pump and repaired my walks in the yard. I went up to Mother Griswold's to tea as they have company. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt, and daughter from Norwalk, Ohio. Miss Hack. Mr. and Mrs. [ Seafield ?] and Mrs. Blissard. The rain increased in the evening. And got a letter from George, No.11. 5/15 FRIDAY - Pleasant but cool. Father finished spading garden for me today. 3 ' days' work. Per day $4.37. I got him a bbl. of flour from Mr. Crofut (my boss) and his work went toward it. He paid me the difference to make $11.00. I left the shop early on account of the headache. I tried to plant in my garden when I came home. I put in my best seed and was too sick to do more. 5/16 SATURDAY - Pleasant, but cool for the season. A slight frost last night. Father came this way going over to Cousin Frank Boughton's to make garden. He borrowed my spading fork and garden line. Uncle Edwin Mills came down for Mother, Eddy and Gussie this afternoon and carried them down to his house to stay over Sunday. I came home and planted potatoes, corn and carrots in my garden. I worked until dark and then came in and got my own supper, after which I went to the Post Office and to singing school a short time. I got a letter from David Mills at noon and one from George in the evening. 5/17 SUNDAY - The sun shone early in the morning but it soon clouded over and began to rain with the prospects of a wet day. It cleared off again about noon and was warmer. I got up and got my own breakfast as Gussie is down to Starr's Plain at Uncle Edwin's. I melted the solder around the coffee pot spout so that it will require mending. Trying to warm the coffee by putting it on a hot coal fire. I then gave it up and made tea. I went to church in the morning. Bro. Crawford preached as usual. The congregation was small on account of the weather. The Sunday School was small also. A Union Sunday School meeting in the P.M. at the Congregational church. A lecture to the school and illustrated with paintings by Mrs. Long. After tea (which I took up to Mother Griswold's), I wrote a letter to Georg and one to David Mills. Mrs. Long gave another lecture in the evening to both children and adults. I attended. It was at the1st Congregational. The other churches were not opened. I mailed my letters as I went. A shower during the service. 5/18 MONDAY - Pleasant, but rather cool this morning. I went up to Mother Griswold's to breakfast. I took our washing over to Mrs. Stone and then went to the shop. Not having but little work, I finished before dinner. I came home and found Gussie there and dinner ready. I planted in my garden and set out my dahlia's in the P.M. I went to market in the evening and to the Post Office and got a letter from Harriet. It being still clear and cool, OI covered my tomato plants before retiring. 5/19 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I have had work enough in the shop to last all day. I put out the second tuft (?) of myrtle in my grass flat after tea. I then went downtown with Gussie. I received a letter from George stating with other things that he should doubtless be home before next Sunday. I bought 8 more bushels of charcoal today which filled my box where I keep it. 5/20 WEDNESDAY - Warmer today. Henry Ledger, who has been to England for his health and been absent nearly a year, arrived home on the morning train. I received a letter from Cousin Phoebe Palmer from Mount Hol(yoke) Fe(male) Seminary in Mass. with one enclosed for me to direct to Harriet. Gussie walked with me down to the store and Post Office in the evening. I returned without going to class. 5/21 THURSDAY - Very warm. Mrs. Stone helped us clean house ' the parlor, sitting room and bedroom. No work in the shop and I have helped. Gussie and I went to the depot I the evening, but he did not come. Mrs. Richards called in the evening. 5/21 FRIDAY - Very warm. The thermometer standing at 90 degrees in the shade. Gussie and Mary Purdy went up to John Polletts and spent the day. I came home and got my own dinner. On my way home from work at night, I came by way of Mr. Wright's and bought 5 gallons of kerosene oil at 54 cents - $2.70. I am to pay him when I get paid off at the shop. I planted my squash seed at night. I cleaned out the hogshead with Mrs. Cocking's help. Gussie came home in time to put Eddie to bed and go to the depot to meet George. He did not come. David Stillson came on the train from the same hospital. He said that George was waiting for his furlough and would be home in a day or two. 5/23 SATURDAY - Very warm again today. I had work enough in the shop to last me nearly all day. I planted some bush beans and a [???] of peas in addition to what I had previously planted. I also put some dust around my strawberry hills. Gussie and I went to the depot again to meet George. He did not come. It was about 11 o'clock when the cars came in. A thunder storm came up and rained nearly all the time we were waiting at the depot. Gussie went home before the cars came. 5/24 SUNDAY - Cloudy but no rain. I attended church in the morning, came home after Sunday School and Gussie went in the P.M. After tea, we went over to Harriet's a short time. Before evening meeting I wrote to Harriet. As I went to the Office to mail my letter on my way to prayer meeting, I found a letter in my box from George, which I did not see as it was just [edge nice] close against the side. It was written on Friday. As his furlough had been delayed, he concluded not to start for home until Monday (tomorrow). He expects to arrive in New York on Tuesday, spend one day there and see Harriet, arriving home Wednesday probably arriving in the evening. As my letter to Harriet was not sealed, I added this news before mailing it. 5/25 MONDAY - Cloudy all day and some rain. I received a dispatch from George in New York on his way home saying that he would be home on the evening train. We went to the depot and I brought him home with us to stay. We retired about 11 o'clock. 5/26 TUESDAY - I stayed away from work and spent the day at home visiting with George. After tea, George came down home with us and went to the Sleight of Hand performance with Gussie while I stayed at home with Eddie. I have not felt very well today, which was one cause of me not working. When we went up home this morning with George, we took Mother completely by surprise. 5/27 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I went up home to see George. He was away over to Aunt Louisa's. On my return, I stopped to see Thomas Barnum. I then went over to Aunt Louisa's and went with George downtown. Thos. Kyle carried us down to Blackman's Store so that George could get his watch. George came home with me to stay all night. 5/28 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm. I went with George before breakfast down to the depot to see Kellogg and Charles Wilcox leave to rejoin their Reg't. We then returned home to breakfast. Gussie and Eddie went up home in the P.M. to visit with George. He and Bell came home with them after tea and we all went to prayer meeting together. 5/29 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. George came to the shop in the forenoon. He came to my house and took dinner with me. He came down after tea, but I worked until after 7 o'clock and he went to his Lodge before I came home. Mrs. Allen (our neighbor) died this evening about 7 ' o'clock. Gussie went into the street with me and went to the Milliner's with Bell's hat. I saw David Knowles at the Post Office. We called at Joseph Ives and looked at his ranges and came home. 5/30 SATURDAY - Appearance of a storm in the morning, but it cleared away and was pleasant and very hot. A thunder shower in the P.M., but little rain fell here. Sold my stove (Peyton Airtight) to Daniel Manly for $8. Bought a range at Joseph Ives' for $13 and put it up and made fire for tea. Louisa stayed with Eddie while we went into the street. We found George and Bell; we all went to Sunday School. 5/31 SUNDAY - Had to punish Eddie this morning to make him mind. Gussie attended church in the morning. I went to Sunday School and preaching in the P.M. A Mr. Breckinridge from Bethel preached for us all day. A young man and smart. Mrs. Allen's funeral was attended at 3 o' clock at the house. Gussie went. George came home with me to tea and on account of a thunder shower which came up after, he stayed and went to prayer meeting with us in the evening.
1863-05
Horace Purdy Journal September 1864 Entry
10pgs
9/1 Wednesday - I rose and wrote a letter to George before breakfast. I mailed it with a New York Times and went to the Depot to see Charles and Henry Hinman. Louise Jones and Harriet went off on the train, Louise to New York City and Harriet to Stamford. When the train left, I came home to breakfast. I made over the walk from Father Griswold's back door to the barn and the went downtown to the Post Office and got a letter from Charles Parsons with his pictures and a dollar enclosed for the pictures of his brother Phil which I sent to him. We took dinner up to Father Griswold's. After dinner, I went downtown and waited for the freight train in order that I could get some peaches which Parmelee and Bradley effected. They came and I bought one half a crate containing 18 to 20 quarts. The Catholics are having a picnic at Redding today. I wrote an answer to Charles Parsons' letter before tea and while Gussie was away on a walk to the cemetery. Just before retiring, I mailed my letter to Charles Parsons, went to Couch's Picture Gallery to engage him to take Mrs. Davis' boys picture tomorrow. I was at the cars when they came in and Charles and Henry Hinman returned home having been rejected by the surgeon at Bridgeport. Mike Ryan, George Blissard, and John Pollett were rejected also. Mrs. McDonald raised from 5 to 7 cents a quart for milk this morning. Frank Boughton returned the $6.00 I borrowed for her of Alden G. Crosby. 9/2 FRIDAY - No work. Pleasant and warm. After breakfast, I wrote to George about the rejection of the Hinman boys. About 10 o'clock, I borrowed Dr. Buckley's horse and went up for Mother and brought her down to spend the day with us. After dinner, I helped pare and halve peaches for canning. I mailed the letter to George and went to the shop and drew George Davis' money for his wife as he has enlisted in the navy. After tea, I got Parmalee and Bradley's team and carried Mother up home. Gussie and I went with Mrs. Davis to Couch's in the evening to get her pictures to send by James S. Taylor to George on board the North Carolina at the navy yard in Brooklyn. We waited until the cars came to see Mr. Taylor about sending a small parcel to George Davis. James Leuning (sp), William Hickok and others who were accepted yesterday at Bridgeport as volunteers and sent to camp in New Haven came home this evening in uniform on furlough until next Tuesday. As we came home in the evening we found Gussie's cousin, Miss Williams from Kansas up to Mother Griswold's. She came by the evening train. 9/3 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I worked in the shop until after 3 o'clock. Gussie finished putting her peaches in cans today. Atlanta has fallen and is now in the hands of General Sherman and his noble army. After the papers came and the news was read, the bells were rung and the cannon fired. Flags were hoisted and there was a rejoicing time generally. After I came home from work, I gathered my beets and put them in the cellar in order to make room for a strawberry bed. Before tea, I killed a chicken over to Mrs. Davis'. She gave it to me. I offered to pay her but she would not take anything. After tea, Gussie and I went to market. The cars being late, she went home and I stayed to wait for the mail. The train came a little after 9 o'clock. The news of the capture of Atlanta was fully confirmed. Just before retiring, Mr. Cocking brought a glass of beer down to me. 9/4 SUNDAY - Cloudy and rain in the P.M. Gussie did not attend church. Brother Hill preached in the morning from Acts 12:12. In the P.M. from John 2:24. I walked home from church with John Cosier under his umbrella. Talked to the Sunday School at noon. I took a nap after tea. No service in our church in the evening on account of a sermon by Starr Hoyt Nichols to the Young Men's Christian Association in the 1st Congregational Church. I went down about 7 o'clock and mailed letters for Mrs. George Davis. 9/5 MONDAY - Stormy. No work in the shop. I had calculated to work in my garden and set out a strawberry bed, but on account of the storm could not. I went down to Charles Hull's Tin Shop and make some pistol bullets. I came near putting out my eyes by wetting the molds to cool them and then before they were dry pouring in the melted lead which splattered and flew into my face blistering my eyelid a little. The first number of the War Record was sent to me for another year which I had not subscribed for on account of not feeling able to do so and not because I did not like the paper. On the contrary, I like it very much. I ordered it sent back to the publishers again. In the afternoon, I went to the shop for my pay for the last two weeks' work. Went to Sanford's Wood Sawing establishment and got a piece of hickory for a ramrod for Mr. McDonald's gun which I am keeping for him. I shaved it down in Robert Sayer's Undertaking Shop and then came home and finished it off which took me all the afternoon. I retired with the sick headache after which Mr. Cocking returned from the Post Office with two letters for me from George. He acknowledged the receipt of the hat and watch which I sent him on the 16th of August. The Letters were written the 16th and 23rd and postmarked August 27th. News by the evening paper of the capture of the rebel [Raider] Georgia, a pirate. 9/6 TUESDAY - Stormy this morning. John Cosier came up for a gallon of vinegar before I got up. I rose with the headache again. My fingers which I cut yesterday with a wire on my umbrella being pretty sore, I concluded not to go to the shop. After breakfast, I copied some extracts from George's two letters for the Jeffersonian and carried them to Ashley. I waited for the mail which was rather late and then came home to dinner. I went over to McDonald's to repair Emaline Williams' trunk lock after dinner. I went into the street and got short iron, nails straps and buckles and just about made over new her trunk by working nearly all afternoon on it. I went to the depot in the evening to meet cousin Lieut. Charles C. Parsons and wife if they should come as we somewhat expect them. But they did not come. Went to the Post Office and while there listened to Rev. Mr. Shepard talk as he has just returned from the front of our army at Petersburg. I walked up home with Mr. Cocking. Brought a letter for Father Griswold from Canton. Stayed up there a short time to visit with Cousin Emaline. The celebrated Guerilla John Morgan who was formerly captured and broke jail has been killed and his staff captured. So says the Evening Post. A letter in the office from Harriet from George which I remailed to her in Stamford where she is visiting. Commenced a letter to George in the evening. 9/7 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I had work nearly all day in the shop. Before tea, I finished gathering my vegetables on the place where I want to set out strawberry plants. I got my first Jeffersonian from the printing office on my new subscription for one year. In the evening I went to the depot and got a through ticket to Cleveland by the Erie route of Mr. Williams, the ticket agent, for Cousin Emaline Williams who goes tomorrow morning. Fred Vintz cut his foot badly today. 9/8 THURSDAY - Cousin Emaline Williams left on the morning train for Kansas. Had work in the shop until early night. There was a rainbow circle around the sun just after dinner, a thing which I never saw before or heard of either. It was a circle the same as usual, except that it contained all the colors of the rainbow. Brother Woodruff was at Father Griswold's with George Starr when I came home from work. Cloudy in the P.M. I finished my letter to George and mailed it in the evening with a Harper's Weekly and two Jeffersonians. One back number with the piece in it that George wrote of how the 17th Regt. spent the 4th of July at St. Augustine and the last number. I went to the depot to see if Charles Parsons and lady came. From there, I went to the Post Office and then to prayer meeting. Brother Woodruff was there. The evening post gives us news of the French in Mexico being whipped. When I came home, it was clear and cool with prospects of a frost. 9/9 FRIDAY - Rain early this morning. Cloudy during the day a little broken between 3 and 4 o'clock with an occasional ray of sunshine. After I finished my shop work, I came home and spaded garden to put out strawberry plants. I spaded about half the patch and put out two rows of plants. Gussie went up to Mother Purdy's in the P.M. and was late getting home. A balloon was seen (I saw it) between 6 and 7 o'clock this evening in a northeast direction. I went to the Post Office in the evening. and returned as soon as the mail was opened as I was very tired. 9/10 SATURDAY - pleasant and warmer than before since September came in. I had work in the shop until the middle of the P.M. On the way home, I bought 4 lbs. of excellent coffee of Parmalee and Bradley, the last he had of the kind, and I was desirous of securing it for fear of not being able to get any more of the kind. As soon as I got home, I went immediately back again to Hull's Tin Shop to have a new bottom put into our tea kettle and a top with a lid on our old fruit can. When I returned, I spaded a little more ground and put out two rows more of the Russel Prolific strawberry plants. While we were drinking tea, Aunt Louisa and Mary came in. Gussie went with me downtown to market and to the Post Office in the evening. A soldier who lost one hand at Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip at the time General Butler took New Orleans came to the shop today soliciting assistance to go to his home somewhere on the North River. I gave him 25 cents. 9/11 SUNDAY - Stormy. I went with Gussie down to the church and then went to Barnum's Hotel to see what arrangements had been made for the Ridgefield Military Company to get dinner, they being here to bury the remains of Captain White, Company I, 10th Regt. Connecticut Volunteers, as if there were no arrangements made to feed them, I was going to ask our friend Rockwell who is a member of the company home with us to dinner. They were to take dinner at the hotel. Mr. Tweedy not having a load, I went down to Long Ridge with him where the religious part of the service was conducted at the Methodist church by Mr. Clark of Georgetown, a protestant Methodist. He preached an excellent sermon from Job 14:14 'If a man die shall he live again. As soon as the service was over, we drove home as soon as possible not waiting for the procession as it was raining in torrents. The service at the church was at 11 o' clock. We arrive home a little before 2 o'clock. I went to the sacrament in the P.M. Brother Woodruff assisted in administering it. He preached in the morning but I, being at Long Ridge, did not hear him. The procession passed up Main Street just after the services in the church were over. I heard the three volleys fired over the soldier's grave at 3 one half o'clock as I was writing at home. Though his house was on Long Ridge, he was buried in our cemetery. After tea, I took a nap until evening meeting time. The meeting was one of thanksgiving in accordance with President Lincoln's proclamation. The three congregations united in our church. The meeting was one of great interest. Remarks were made by the several clergy with occasional prayers and singing by the choir. Brother Woodruff made the last speech which was a good one after his peculiar style. It brought down the house by way of intense interest and laughter. The exercises were closed by the congregation joining the choir in singing 'The Star Spangled Banner'. 9/12 MONDAY - Cloudy nearly all day. It cleared off in the evening or just before night. I had one dozen cheap hats to finish which I did before noon. Received three packages of old letters by from George by mail. After dinner, I cut off each end of Fanny's flower stand to make it small enough to go in their bay window. I then went over to George Starr's for a board with which to make a work bench for Gussie. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. I went to the depot with Bell in the evening to meet Harriet as we expected her form Stamford, but she did not come. 9/13 TUESDAY - Pleasant but a little cool for the season. After breakfast, I took my gun and started for Starr's Plain where I found David Bradley as I expected. We went on Moses Mountain and there and on the way home we spent nearly all day. The game I brought home was as follows: 1 rabbit, 1partridge, 2 pigeons, 2 robins and 2 chipmunks. I was very tired at night. We dressed the game before tea. After tea, I went to the Post Office. Mr. Cocking had a load of wood come today. Charlie, the boy who works for Mr. Lynes with Robert came in the evening and wheeled the wood to the woodhouse and piled it up. 9/14 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. I finished digging my strawberry ground as far as I could on account of the tomatoes and put out three rows of Poor House seedlings. I pulled up my squash vines and all the corn stalks that had no corn on them and gave them to McDonald. I then went down to the Post Office and came home to dinner. We had Father and Mother Griswold with us to eat a wild game pot pie. I cleaned my gun before breakfast. It is just one year ago this morning since Eddie died. No, I made a mistake a year ago tomorrow. I was thinking today was the fifteenth. Before tea, I wrote to George and put up a Harper's Pictorial with a Jeffersonian and last weeks' Danbury Times with the historical sketches of St. Augustine in it sent by Montgomery Bailey. I attended class in the evening. Brother Hill led it. After class, I walked up with John Cosier and called to see David Bradley to see how he stood the hunt yesterday and to see if he could go again tomorrow. I stayed about an hour and talked. When I came home Gussie had retired. It clouded up about 6 o'clock and sprinkled a little as it did during the evening. Moses Baxter, who went away to avoid the draft I see is at home today. He doubtless had word sent to him that our quota was filled and that there would be no draft. If the American people were all like him and his father the country would be destroyed before it would be defended. They will not only not fight themselves but will prevent others from doing so if they can and are continually condemning the administration for putting down an armed rebellion by force of arms. 9/15 THURSDAY - Eddie died one year ago this morning at a quarter past three o'clock. I t has been pleasant today. I took up and put in pots Gussie's house plants. Repaired Father Griswold's wheelbarrow. Nailed a strap in Mother Griswold's trunk. It was then noon. After dinner I took my gun and went over to Fish Ware and Mill Plain swamp to hunt for pigeons. I wounded one and could not find him in the swamp and shot at another but the distance was so great I did not kill him. It was dark when I got home. After tea, I went to market and to the Post Office. 9/16 FRIDAY - I have had work all day in the shop. I came home about sundown and found the house locked and Gussie away. I had a fire and boiled tea before she came. She was up home. I scolded some for coming home and finding the house fastened and no one to get supper when I had worked so hard all day and was tired. Mr. Swift occupies his new store for the first time this evening with his newspapers. I attended the Union League before I came home. 9/17 SATURDAY - Had work in the shop until noon. After dinner, I took my guns and started to find David Bradley according to last evening's agreement and found him in company with Hart Purdy and Robert Raymond in Hull's Orchard near the old Isaac Levine place down the road leading to Fox Pond Hollow. From there, we went over near the old David Ambler farm and down across the flat meadows to the edge of Mill Plain Swamp on Granville Amblers Fish Ware land. We came home by way of Terry's Woods and Oil Mill Pond. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Cocking, who have been staying out to Mr. Lyne's all the week came home in the evening. Mother Griswold and Fanny started for Bloomfield this morning. A Democratic mass meeting in Norwalk this morning. Harriet came home from New York this morning. 9/18 SUNDAY - Gussie's birthday - 28 years old. The sun shone brightly in the forenoon. Fling clouds and wind in the P.M. I attended church all day. Gussie did not. Brother Hill preached. Text in the morning _______. In the P.M. Colossians 1:17, Isaiah 11:2. After Sunday School, I took Thomas Lyons' team and went up for Mother and brought her to church. She walked home. Just as Brother Hill commenced his sermon in the P.M., Aaron Morehouse's wife was taken faint. He was obliged to leave church with her. After tea, I took a nap until nearly evening Meeting time. We both attended. Just before going, Bell and a little Squires' girl who lives just this side came bringing two letters from Harriet to mail. Gussie had news this evening that Marianne Underhill, an old schoolmate and chum of hers at Amenia School was dead with two of her children also with dysentery. She lived near Gaylordsville on the Housatonic River road. 9/19 MONDAY - Pleasant. I had work in the shop until about 3 one half o'clock. David Mills appeared to me in the shop this forenoon. He came from Bethel on the train. He arrived home on Saturday evening. When I finished work, I went to the Depot to see him off. Carrie came up with him and Harriet returned with them. I went to Austin's store and drew $2.50 the same being my traveling expenses to and from Bridgeport to have my name stricken from the rolls. James S. Taylor, the first selectman left the papers and money there to be paid to all such as myself who went down to Bridgeport for that purpose and had their names taken off. Paid to John Cosier the balance of my seat rent for this year. - $3.00 Reverend Mr. Shepherd, the Universalist minister gave a lecture or rather his experience of what he saw on a visit to our army under General Grant in front of Petersburg and Richmond., Va. Gussie attended with me. After his lecture a collection was taken up for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission. Also he presented a book to take one dollar subscription which is to be circulated throughout the country to buy a house for General Grant as a token of the country's appreciation of his service to the country. It was 10 one half o'clock when we arrived home. 9/20 TUESDAY - Had work in the shop until the middle of the P.M. I then came home by way of Burr Bradley's with him and drank some new cider which he had just got. The shop was called in the forenoon to raise the price on the Round Crown or Smith Block. We got 2 cents extra on soft hats and 3 cents on stiff rims. Mr. John Cosier called before tea to engage a gallon of vinegar for Lucius Wildman. I agreed to let him have it. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. I received a letter from George, the first since he was ordered to join his regiment. He is now with them at Picolata. The evening papers state that a heavy but successful battle had been fought by General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. Also that rebels in Canada have seized small steamers on Lake Erie. I put down my name to give $1.00 toward buying a house for General Grant. 9/21 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I had work until noon in the shop. I came home to dinner and ate with Mrs. Jesse D. Stevens and her mother. Jesse's wife was spending the day with Gussie. While we were eating dinner, the commenced firing 34 guns in honor of the late victory by General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. The bells were rung also. I went on to Ives Hill after dinner where they were having the salute and went with them to help put up the gun. (Mrs. Lanford who was with us to dinner came in just before dinner having been over to the Sand Hill for some scouring sand). I called at Tweedy Brothers and then came home and got out a piece of hickory for a ramrod in McDonald's gun, the other one which I made being rather small. Between 4 and 5 o'clock, I went out into the street to get my Jeffersonian and met John Cosier who wanted me to go hunting with him a short time over west a short distance which I did. We went over as far as Granville Ambler's land on the edge of Mill Pond Swamp and returned without seeing anything to shoot at. We arrive home after dark. I drank my tea and started for class meeting but so much of the evening was taken up with finding a daily paper to send to George and mailing it together with the Harper's Weekly and Jeffersonian that I did not go but attended the Union League which kept me out until 10 one half o'clock. I sent the daily paper in order that George might read the news of Sheridan's victory at Winchester. Mr. James Fowler brought us but 1 one half lbs. of butter this week instead of two as usual and notified us that he could bring us butter but once more. 9/22 THURSDAY - Cloudy all day. I had work in the shop until noon. I ate my dinner which I had with me and came home by way of Alden G. Crosby's coal office and paid him the $6.00 I had borrowed of him some time ago for Frank Boughton to pay her interest with. When I got home I finished the ramrod to McDonald's gun, it being the second one I made, the first being too small. Wallace Hyatt, one of the boys at the shop, climbed the flagstaff on the shop this morning to put in some new halyards. The flag was then run up and kept flying during the day. After tea, I wrote a letter to George and intended to mail it in the evening, but before mailing it, I concluded to wait for the evening mail to see if another letter came from him and sure enough there was one. While reading it in the post office, there was an alarm of fire. It was a linty (sp) on the rear of Heurie's (sp) Tobacco Store. For a few minutes prior to the arrival of the hose, there was every prospect of a large fire. But the hose soon extinguished the flames. I having just previous to the fire bought some scallops for breakfast, I took them and came home. Before retiring, I answered the letter from George just received and enclosed the letter I wrote before going to market. 9/23 FRIDAY - Cloudy with some mist in the P.M. Had work all day in the shop. I collected money in the shop for powder to fire on the first occasion we have such as a victory or the capture of Richmond. Before breakfast went down and mailed the letter to George which I wrote last night. I attended the Union League in the evening. Came home about 10 one half o'clock. 9/24 SATURDAY - Cloudy and rain between 3 and 4 o'clock P.M. A thunder shower about an hour after. I had work in the shop until after dinner. On my way home I called at Louis Moegling's (sp) dying establishment to see what it would cost to get the field of our flag at the factory dyed as it has become so faded that it is not respectable. I came home and commenced making out a letter for George for publication in the Jeffersonian from his last two letters. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. We did our marketing and she came home while I stayed for the mail. I did a little collecting of money with which to buy powder for salutes in our Union Gun. The new Union Club room was to be opened in the evening, but for some reason was not. Further good news from General Sheridan. He continues to whip the rebel General Early very severely. Upon receipt of the news, bells were rung and the cannon fired. 9/25 SUNDAY - Pleasant and cooler. I attended church all day. Gussie came down to Sunday School and afternoon meeting. Brother Hill exchanged with Mr. Stone the Baptist I the P.M. Mr. Stone preached from Luke 23:42-43. Before and after supper, I finished copying from George's letter for publication in the Jeffersonian. I then finished also the letter I commenced writing to him this morning. I mailed also in the evening with the letter, The Harper's weekly and Friday's Tribune. Also a comic picture of Lincoln, Little Mac, General Grant, Richmond, and Weldon R. Road. There being prospects of frost, we gathered what few dwarf pears there were remaining in the trees, a dozen perhaps. In the letter to George, I requested that he send me a list of the names of those in his Company who are 21 years old but who have not been made freemen, on account of coming of age since entering the army. There are measures being made to get them home to vote for president in November. Just before meeting time, Gussie and I went over to Burr Bradley's and went from there to prayer meeting with him and his wife. We got their card pictures. 9/26 MONDAY - Pleasant. My work in the shop lasted until about 2 one half o'clock. I came home by way of the Jeffersonian and left a letter from George for publication. He thinks it cannot be printed this week as the paper is full of matter for this issue. I bought one pound of shot on my way home to go hunting tomorrow with Burr Bradley. I picked beans before tea to save them from the frost. I got the one half dozen Army and Navy Dictionaries at Swift's News Office in the evening and mailed them to George. At the same time, I wrote a letter with pencil and mailed to him, stating the price of the dictionaries. After which I went to the Union meeting in Concert Hall to organize a Union Campaign Club. I was organized in due form making John Tinely (sp) president. We had speaking from Rev. Mr. Shepard and Chaplain Ambler. Also the song 'Rally Round the Flag, Boys' led by Mr. Jackson. The meeting was well attended and enthusiastic. I carried cartes de visite of Gussie and myself to the shop and gave them to Burr Bradley in exchange for theirs received last night. 9/27 TUESDAY - I rose about 5 o'clock and found it raining hard and with that gave up the idea of hunting with Burr Bradley and went back to bed as I was in no hurry having no work in the shop. I lay half an hour and then got up again, but found it pleasant, the rain being but a little shower passing over. I then hurried as fast as possible about breakfast, but Burr came before it was ready. I ate such as was ready and started with Burr. We went over to Jacob Fry's. He had promised to carry us over to Pine Mountain with his team. He not being ready, we went on and followed the stream from E. Hull's up to Fish Ware looking for ducks. While I was hunting partridge, Burr saw three ducks, but did not get a shot. Mr. Fry overtook us on the Miry Brook road just beyond Fish Ware. We rode up the old Spruce Mountain Road by Thomas Smith's and then hunted around crossing over to Pine Mountain, paying a visit to the U.S. Coast Surveyors. From there we hunted the woods down coming out in the vicinity of Starr's Plain Pond. We then went on the mountain the other side of the road up to Hawley Branson's farm over Moses Mountain across by Charles Starr's wood and home. My game was one partridge, one pigeon, one chipmunk, and a Brown Thrasher. We arrive home at 2 o'clock. At 5 P.M., went down to see the Lincoln and Johnson banner flying to the breeze. Speeches were made by John Tweedy, Silas Ferrel and Mr. H. Francis. Having a severe headache and feeling lame after my tramp, I came home and retired early, feeling quite used up. Harriet Purdy left a letter here for Gussie from Eliza Humphrey in California. Gussie being out with me to the banner raising, she put the letter in at the window beside the casing some way, how we could not imagine. This morning, while Burr Bradley was waiting for me to eat breakfast, Sarah Purdy came in to tell me that George wished her to tell me that the Regiment had received their instrument for a Regimental Brass Band. He wanted me to have it inserted in his letter for the Jeffersonian. 9/28 WEDNESDAY - Had work until noon at the shop. A subscription came to the Copperheads at the shop this morning for a McClellan banner to match and without doubt will excel ours for Lincoln and Johnson. We had the game I shot yesterday for dinner today. A little rain about 2 P.M. It soon stopped and then Burr Bradley as he promised at the shop came along with his gun and we took a little stroll to Oil Mill Pond, Terry's Woods, Fish Ware and Mill Plain Swamp, across to Thomas Lyons, from there across in the rear of the old Captain Fairchild Ambler's estate, up toward Edward Mack's, the old Benjamin Ambler orchard opposite the Levine(sp) place, the across to Charles Starr's woods and home arriving about 6 o'clock with 2 High holes and a chipmunk, which I gave to Burr. I then dressed, took tea, went up to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper and one to send to George, which I immediately mailed with a New York Times of today. I then went to class, had a good meeting, after which I went to the grocery store for some things, to the Post Office, and for the first time visited our Union Club rooms over Harvey's new store, 3rd floor. I put my name down as one of the club. Sat a few minutes and walked up home with John Green and Rev. Mr. Shepard. 9/29 THURSDAY - Stormy in the forenoon, but pleasant in the P.M. I worked all day I the shop. Frank Cornwall's (colored) house on Turner Street fell down over his head this morning about 6 o'clock. It stood on a side hill and fell for want of proper underpinning. I went to hear Henry C. Demming of Hartford speak in Concert hall in the evening upon the issues of the day. He arrived by the cars in the evening and in consequence was late in commencing his speech. I got home at 10 o'clock. Demming was the late colonel of the 12th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers. 9/30 FRIDAY - Stormy again in the morning, but some sunshine in the P.M. and pleasant in the evening. I had work all day in the shop. Gussie spent the afternoon up to my fathers. T. H. Bond of New Haven spoke to the Copperheads in Concert Hall in the evening. They made considerable display by escorting their speaker from the cars to the Hall with a band of music. I went to the Union League in the evening. Father Griswold was initiated with a large number of others. Fido was close to his heels all the time.
1864-09