Horace Purdy Journal March 1864 Entry
7pgs
3/1 TUESDAY - Stormy, snow. Received three packages by mail from George. Old letters and a diary with a line saying that they (the 17th Reg't. had gone to Florida. Widow of John Keeler was buried today. 3/2 WEDNESDAY - On my way to work, went to the Jeffersonian Office to notify Ashley that the 17th Reg't. had gone to Florida. Sgt. David Dickson of Co. D, 10th Reg't. (C)onnecticut (V)olunteers was found dead in his room this morning at the Wooster Hotel. A post mortem examination was made and the decision was that he died of heart disease. 3/3 THURSDAY - Pleasant as it was also yesterday. The snow has melted fast today. Gussie and her mother went over to Mrs. Cocking's today. Hattie Mills came home and got tea ready, but before we sat down, Gussie came. The bound volume of Harper's Weekly for 1863 which I ordered for George some time since came today. It cost $4 which I paid from money in my possession belonging to George. 3/4 FRIDAY - Pleasant . Wm. Mantz was buried today. I came home in the P.M. with a headache. I had the crystal to my watch changed on my way home. Bought this book for a journal - $1.50. Hattie Mills started for Bethel this P.M. to have the remainder of her teeth out. Caroline came up to go down with her and both came home again and stayed all night. Went to market in the evening and to [???]. News by the evening paper that Kilpatrick has returned from his expedition in the rear of Gen'l. Lee's rebel army and to Richmond. Got some medicine of Dr. Buckley in the evening for bilious headache. 3/5 SATURDAY - The sun rose clear but was soon nearly excluded from view. It rained awhile after dinner and again quite hard in the evening. Hattie and Carrie Mills went to Bethel this morning. Hattie intending to have her few remaining teeth out. I met her in the evening with a lantern and umbrella. She brought her teeth back with her in her mouth, having concluded to let them remain until she got her uppers set in. I felt rather poorly this forenoon. Sick or lazy. A little of both, I guess. I felt better in the P.M. Received a letter for Gussie from Cousin Eliza Humphrey from Todd's Valley, Placer County, Cal. 3/6 SUNDAY - Clear and pleasant this morning. Yesterday's and last evening's rain together with a warm day today has nearly finished the snow, there being only a little here and there to be seen. Gussie and I both went to church in the morning. After the service, I went with her over to Dr. St. John's and she had two teeth drawn. She then went home and I went to Sunday School and stayed in the P.M. After tea, I took a nap and did not go to meeting in the evening. Gussie wrote to Frank Boughton in Philadelphia and I commenced a letter to George. Hattie Mills cracked some walnuts just before bedtime. John Rooney died this morning. He had been sick about a year, more or less. He lingered and suffered much, but was very patient, they tell me. He was a strong Catholic, though I believe sincere in his faith. 3/7 MONDAY - Cloudy early this morning. Wind clouds, quite windy in the forenoon. Pleasant in the P.M. I have felt quite well today and have worked hard and late. It being payday, I drew for my last two weeks work $36.00. After tea, I went to market and called at Dr. Buckley's office and paid him $13.88 to balance my account with him, the same being for attendance during Eddie's sickness. He gave me more medicine for my bilious difficulty. He charged me nothing for it as I had just settled my old account. 3/8 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I have worked hard all day and as late as I could see at night. John Rooney was buried today in the P.M. On my way home from work I took two letters from the Post Office from George from Jacksonville, Florida. In one of them, he demands his watch from Mother in order that I may have it put in working order and send it to him the first opportunity I have. He also requested me to find out the truth of the matter Of Capt. Daniels getting the $25.00 company money from Capt. Moore's widow. I did so by calling on her in the evening. He did not demand it, as many of the Company suppose, but she requested him to call for it as he was the proper person to receive it. Before retiring, I wrote more in my letter to George, telling him of my visit to Mrs. Moore's, etc. 3/9 WEDNESDAY - It has been a beautiful day. I came home from work very tired at night. On my way home, I got my Jeffersonian. The poetry on Eddie's death was in it. In the evening, I bought five other copies to send away. I mailed a letter to George with Abel's and Father Griswold's picture enclosed. Also the Waverly and a Daily Tribune. Bought a piece of meat for Harriet and came home without going to class. A surprise party for Bro. Crawford this evening. 3/10 THURSDAY - Pleasant in the morning. It soon became cloudy and about 6 P.M., it commenced raining. After tea, I went out into the street, mailed a letter for Father Griswold. Went to the Jeffersonian Office and got a paper to send to Mrs. Charters in Brooklyn. Got Hattie Mills' shoes which had been mended. Bought a picture of General Gilmore and came home. Burr Bradley told me at the shop that Mother was very sick or rather that Clark Hoyt had said so in class last evening. I intended to go up and see her this evening, but when I came home, Gussie said that Carrie had been down and told that the circumstances. Mother has a formation of a vein or an accumulation connected with the main artery which is increasing in size and will in a short time kill her by bursting and bleeding to death. I mailed 5 Jeffersonians this morning to Ohio, Cal. Canton, and Essex and to David Mills in Philadelphia. 3/11 FRIDAY - Storm-rain. It was rather late when we rose this morning. I have worked as usual in the shop. After tea I went to see Mother and to bring (home) a pail of milk. The pail was carried up yesterday by Harriet. I came home about 9 o'clock in a thunderstorm, the first of the season. 3/12 SATURDAY - Clear and pleasant. The makers had a strike for higher prices today and I believe got their demands. Gussie and Mother Griswold went up to see Mother this P.M. While we were drinking tea, Aunt Louisa and Cousin Mary called. Mary came again afterward for Gussie to go downtown with her. I went to market and to Robinson's for my watch where it has been for repairs. Fanny came home from New York on the evening train. She brought some things for Gussie which she sent for - table cloth, album and Mrs. Foss's picture. I copied extracts from George's letters for the Jeffersonian before retiring. 3/13 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the morning, but cloudy before night. I went up this morning to see Mother; did not get back in time for church. On my way up, I left 5 of the Rolls Books from the Sunday School library at Edmund Barnum's for him to read. Communion in the P.M.; Gussie and I attended. After tea, I finished George's letter for the Jeffersonian. It rained when it was time for evening meeting, and I, not being in the mood for meeting, being quite tired, did not go. Gussie began a letter to Cousin Eliza in the evening. 3/14 MONDAY - Cloudy in the morning with something of the appearance of snow. It came off clear and pleasant before noon. On my way to the shop, I took a letter to Ashley from George for publication. I came home sick before night. On my way, I took from the office two letters from George, or rather two envelopes and one a letter and the other some old letters for preservation. In the letter, he returned Eddie's carte de visite that I had copied and sent to him. Before retiring, I commenced a letter to George. I bought one dollar's worth of stamp to enclose to him, he having ordered them. Charles Beach died this afternoon. 3/15 TUESDAY - Pleasant until just at night and then cloudy with a little flitting of snow. While we were at tea, Mr. Cocking called in on his way to the depot. He was expecting some of Mr. Cyrus' folks by the Cars. I rode down with him. I did some marketing and called at the Post Office. While in there, I saw Saul Wildman's son, who had just arrived from Hilton Head. He states that on the 10th, heavy fighting commenced at Jacksonville, Fla. And was going on when he left. I walked up with Dr. Bennett and had a talk with him about Mother. He thinks that she imagines herself worse that she really is and lies right down and gives up to it. 3/16 WEDNESDAY - Cooler today with snow squalls. On my way home from work, I called at the express office and got a box of shells from George. They came last evening. He sends them home for safe keeping for his own use if he ever returns. The expressage was $1. I paid it from his money as he requested. I went to market in the evening. Captain Daniels arrived home on the train. He has resigned. 3/17 THURSDAY - 1st St. Patrick's Day in the Mourning. The Irish turned out to the number of 160with the brass band. Father Monahan (the priest) was in carriage drawn by a pair of greys at the head of the procession. John Waters was marshal. He was mounted on a splendid grey horse. I had a dispute with Ezra Wildman and Dan [Healy ?] about taking out work at the shop. I worked quite late. Received a letter from George for publication in the Jeffersonian. I finished my letter to him and mailed with $1 postage enclosed. I mailed also to him two Waverley's and a New York Times. Before I retired, I made corrections in his letter from Ashley. 3/18 FRIDAY - Cloudy in the morning, but it soon came off clear. Not very cold, but considerably cloudy. I had a headache in the P.M., but worked until night. We attended Louise's Temperance Lecture in the evening. 3/19 SATURDAY - Pleasant. On my way to the shop this morning, I went to A. Raymond's and ordered one half bushel of oysters. I worked as long a t night as I could see to get up my work. I was the last in the shop and locked the door. A report coming from Saul Brockett that George was wounded in the arm and amputation was unavoidable. I do not credit the report. Mr. Cocking came down today and they now occupy the rooms. Aunt Mary came to our folks today to take care of Mother. Frank Boughton was expected this evening, but she did not come. I went to market in the evening, walked down with Mr. Cocking. I found Lieutenant Knox on the street. He came home last evening, is to stay until next Friday. His health is not very good. I saw Ashley at the Post Office. I took back the letter from George which I gave him for publication, but he could not do it in his next issue as he had one already. I am to make some alterations in it and prepare it for next week. 3/20 SUNDAY - Pleasant, but a little cool. Very good weather for March. We attended church all day. Mr. Baldwin of Bethel (Congregational) preached for us. Text in the A.M. Psalm 62:1, in the P.M. Luke 14-17. In Sunday School, they concluded to do away with the old Hymn Book and adopt the Golden Chain and Shower. After tea, Hattie Mills, Gussie and I went up home to see Mother and Aunt Mary. Fanny came up just after we got there. Aunt Mary and Bell came down with us and went with us to meeting in the evening. Mr. Isaac Kelso, a Southern Methodist preacher from Missouri preached. I found Gussie and Hattie Mills upstairs in Mrs. Cocking's room. I went up also and had some wine and cake which Mrs. Cocking passed around. While I was at church and before she (Gussie?) went upstairs, she wrote to Eliza Humphrey in California and enclosed with the letter, a little book entitled 'Tiny Footsteps Within the Golden Gate'. 3/21 MONDAY - Pleasant, but cold. Before going to the shop, I went up to Edgar Tweedy's and bargained for a cemetery plot, the one in the rear of Father Griswold's. Price $20.00. Not feeling very well, I left work before night. I got my pay and came by the way of Alden Crosby's coal office and paid $10 to balance my account for coal for Harriet. I attended Mr. Kelso's lecture at our church in the evening. Gussie went to the depot with Mary Purdy to meet Frank Boughton as she was expected from Philadelphia. She came and Gussie went home with her. On my way home from the shop, I called at Come's Marble works to see about a grave stone for Eddie, but decided nothing. Before retiring, commenced a letter to George. Before breakfast this morning, I went to the Post Office and mailed letter to for Gussie to Cousin Eliza. 3/22 TUESDAY - Not feeling well, I did not go to the shop. I went down to Crosby's coal office in the forenoon and talked with John Cosier about making up a purse for a donation to Edith Newman to show our appreciation for her services as Melodeon player in the choir. Frank Boughton came over after dinner and went up home with Gussie to see Mother. I took my jackplane and went up to Father Griswold's and made a few shavings to kindle fire with. I sawed a little wood and brought in some, etc. I went to market in the evening. Uncle Jessie came up today to see Mother. He, Father and Bell came over and spent the evening with us. I gave them a few apples to take home to Mother. I sent a volume of Harper's Weekly, bound, up by them. It belongs to George which he requested me to buy for him. We think that Mother is gradually failing. 3/23 WEDNESDAY - Cool and windy. Went to the shop and did about a half day's work in nearly all day. Nearly sick. Bought 8 rubber buttons for overcoat for 15 cents. Went to market and to class in the evening and stopped a few moment s on my way home at the school meeting in the basement of Concert Hall. Mrs. Cocking came down stairs and spent the evening with us. She is alone at night (as Mr. Cocking is staying for a while until Mr. Lyons comes from New York) over there at night. 3/24 THURSDAY - More pleasant today. Not so cold. After tea, I finished a letter to George and mailed it. It was mostly about the transfer of his letters and his affairs left to my care, the trouble Mother is making about it and her accusing Gussie of reading his letters which he sends home. Mr. Wright, ex- governor of Indiana, spoke before the union men of this place this evening. I went and was never more pleased with a public speech than I was with his. 3/25 FRIDAY (fast day) - Pleasant, the shop closed. I copied George's letter for Ashley and carried it to him. Went to the Post Office, came home, and went up on Deer Hill to see Mother. I copied the family record in 'The Life of Christ' for Mother. I offered Father that if he would get a team and let us go up to the cemetery and take Aunt Mary, I would pay for it. But he would not. I then agreed with Aunt Mary that if she would come down to my house after dinner, we would go up to the cemetery with her. I got Beatty's double team and carried her, Harriet, Hattie Mills and Gussie up there. They all strayed away except Sister Hattie and I. I could not find them and drove home without them. They were all home when we arrived. Aunt Mary stayed to tea and I drove up home with Harriet. Took Edith in before we got there as she was on her way to give music lessons to Bell. I went to the Post Office in the evening. As I returned, I found George, Bell and Carrie Mills with a carriage at the door. They spent the evening with us. In the meantime I took the horse and carried Aunt Mary up home. Bell also, who came down to go up home with her. The colored folks across the way had a dance in the evening to make merry, I suppose, before morning as they are about to move out of the neighborhood. 3/26 SATURDAY - Stormy all day, rain and snow. It cleared off in the evening. We having to wait considerably for work in the shop, we concluded to adjourn and let the facers get a few ahead of us. We accordingly stopped when each man finished the dozen he was working on. Lewis Bradley came home on the freight train from Annapolis, Maryland. I bought 4 large oranges and brought home to Gussie. Mother Griswold, Fanny and Harriet spent the evening with us. I went to market for Mother Griswold. I bought a small piece of Canton flannel and made a wick for our large lamp in the evening. Mr. Price (colored) moved out of the house across the way today, Richard E. Smith having bought it. I had a hoop put on an old water pail over to McDonald's Blacksmith Shop this morning - price 10 cents. 3/27 SUNDAY - Warm and pleasant. Gussie and I both attended church. No! I attended all day and she in the P.M. Mr. Kelso, the Missouri refugee, preached in the morning from Luke, 16t chapter commencing with the11th verse -the parable of the prodigal son. Sunday School as usual. Father Griswold preached in the P.M. from Luke 24-25.26 on the death and resurrection of Christ. An Easter sermon. He preached unusually good. The whole congregation seemed much interested. It was really a feast to hear him once more. Hattie Mills stayed at home as usual. Aunt Mary was at church and walked up West Street with us. After tea, we went up home to see Mother. Just before we got there, we met Aunt Harriet coming away on her way home at Ridgefield. We stayed until dark and then came home after which we went upstairs and spent the evening with Mr. and Mrs. Cocking. I cracked some nuts and brought up a pitcher of cider. George Starr was at Sunday School at noon for the first time since his sickness. He is still rather feeble. Old Mr. Segar on Mill Plain died today. 3/28 MONDAY - Pleasant and warm. Worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I went into the street and ordered one half bbl. of George Crofut's best wheat flour $5.23. I paid him (or his son Charles); he is to deliver it tomorrow. John and Frank Boughton called in the evening. I drew some cider for John and myself. His wife, being a member of the Crystal Wave, of course did not drink. They went home between 9 and 10 o'clock. I wrote in my journal and retired. 2/29 TUESDAY - Cloudy, a little cooler. Before breakfast, I went over to Oscar Levine's to have him bring a steel jack (or card) to the shop with him, as I wanted to borrow it of him to finish Brush hats with. He brought it and I have used it today. Elbert Segar out on Mill Plain was buried this P.M. The Free Masons attended the funeral. I brought home form the shop some shellac for Father Griswold to daub on the places where he has sawed off limbs from his fruit trees. I got that which was already cut and prepared for use. After tea, I went down to the Post Office. Got a letter for Father Griswold and returned. Joseph Kyle lost his little boy this P.M. with scarlet fever. 3/30 WEDNESDAY - Stormy. Rain and snow together. I worked in the shop as usual, but felt about sick in the P.M. Bowel complaint, headache, and cancer sore in the mouth. Mrs. Cocking took tea with us and spent the evening. Read a letter from George with one enclosed for Mother, also one for Edith. He sent some poetry of his own, composing for insertion in the Jeffersonian if Ashley and I thought it worthy of room in his paper. Russel Wildman had a telegraph dispatch this P.M. that his wife was dead. She started for St. Louis, Mo. on a visit with Mrs. Levi Bartram. 3/31 THURSDAY - Stormy still. Joseph Kyle's little boy was buried this P.M. On my way to the shop this morning, I called at Fenton's Shirt Factory and gave Edith Newman a letter from George sent enclosed in mine yesterday. Gussie and Hattie Mills went up home to see Aunt Mary who goes away tomorrow morning, as she is to be married on Sunday at Ridgefield. Gussie carried a letter to Mother from George sent enclosed in mine yesterday. I went to market while they were up home. I left the poetry at the Jeffersonian Office which George sent to me. I also got a letter from George telling me of his position as clerk to Lieutenant Henry Quien. He asked for a pocket dictionary. Before retiring, I commenced an answer to George's letter.
1864-03
Horace Purdy Journal November 1864 Entry
10 pgs
11/01 TUESDAY - Pleasant and cool. I have had work in the shop all day again. The horse trainer gave another exhibition in the street this afternoon and got what names he could to learn the art at $8.00 apiece. I did not witness it either yesterday or today preferring not to leave my work. I attended a Hatters' Special Meeting in the evening over Benedict Nichol's store to take into consideration the cases of J. M. Roff and ___ Foote who are apprentices out of a shop and want the trade to allow them to finish their time in this association contrary to our rules as there are already the specified number in each shop. The case of young Roff was referred to the National Executive Court and Foote, not being under the jurisdiction of this society, we could not do anything for him. I received a letter by the evening mail from George containing $15.00 11/02 WEDNESDAY - It froze quite hard last night. The day has been pleasant. I had 1 dozen hats to finish today. I came home by way of the Jeffersonian Office and paid $7.00 for George from the money received by letter last evening for 500 pamphlets printed on the 29th of August. I engaged 10 lbs. of butter of Smith Pulling for Mother Griswold. I put up the bedstead in the parlor before tea. I went to class in the evening. Mailed a Jeffersonian and a New York Daily Times to George in the evening. We commenced marking our clothing with indelible ink before retiring and marked off a large quantity. 11/03 THURSDAY - It froze quite hard again last night but has been very pleasant and warm today. I had work enough to last me until about 2 o'clock in the shop. On the way home, I paid a bill at Swift's for George - $5.00 for one half dozen pocket Army and Navy Dictionaries and $1.10 for Jeffersonians taken by our folks. I borrowed Jo. Ives team and came up home for a stove and pipe to put up in the parlor preparatory to sickness of Gussie expected soon. I bought a new piece of pipe to lengthen out the old for my room as the ceilings are higher. Harriet left a letter here which she had received from George that I might take extracts from it for publication in the Jeffersonian. Mr. Cocking paid me $3.00 for one month's rent from October 1st to November 1st. I went to market in the evening, waited for the mail and came home. Commenced a letter to George before retiring. 11/04 FRIDAY - It rained very hard towards morning and until noon when it cleared off fine. I had work until about 2 o'clock in the shop. I finished writing a letter to George after tea and enclosed some samples of material to make shirts for him, but before mailing it, I bought 2 ready made for him and mailed them to him. I withdrew or rather did not mail the letter but wrote another in its place and mailed it. The postage on the shirts was 2 cents an ounce Weight 17 ounces - 34 cents. I did some marketing and went to Concert Hall to hear General O. S. Derry talk on the issues of the day, but could not get far enough into the Hall to get a sight of him, so I came home. Smith Pulling came to Father Griswold's for their small butter pot to put down 10 lbs. of butter for them. 11/05 SATURDAY - Cool but pleasant in the forenoon. Windy with a little snow squall in the P.M., just enough to say snow, only a few flakes. I had my next Monday's work with my allowance today in order not to work on Monday that I could go to Ridgefield to the Republican Mass Meeting, if I felt so disposed. It kept me hard a t work all day. On my way home, I saw John Cosier and partially agreed to go hunting with him next Monday. In the evening, I went to the Clubroom and to the league to make arrangements for going to the mass meeting and for the election next Tuesday. It was nearly midnight when we broke up and I came home. Frank Butters' father died this afternoon with consumption. 11/06 SUNDAY - It froze hard last night. The evening train last night did not get in until 1 0'clock this morning. It was detained in New York on account of soldiers coming home to vote who were given the preference to the regular trains. They finally arrived at Norwalk at midnight and the D and N train was there detained 2 hours waiting for the dawn freight train which was waiting for it. Each was waiting for the other, not daring to run, supposing the other claimed the right of the road. Harriet Wheeler came on the train from a visit to New York and Brooklyn. The widow Thomas Sherman lost her little boy this forenoon with Diphtheria having croupy affection with it. I did not go to church this forenoon. I attended Sunday School and the afternoon meeting. Brother Hill preached from 1st Timothy 1:16. After tea, I went to Dr. Buckley's for some medicine for Gussie's sore throat. I mailed a Harper's Weekly to George in the evening. I went to hear Brother Hill at the first church on the evening. He preached a sermon on the crisis before us and the duty of Christians to their country at this time. After I returned from church and before retiring, I completed copying from George's letter for publication in the Jeffersonian. 11/07 MONDAY - Stormy. On that account John Cosier and I did not go hunting as we intended. The delegation from here that intended to go to the Mass Meeting in Ridgefield (Republican) was also disappointed and did not go. I did my work for today on Saturday in order that I could go hunting today and in consequence of it, I have no shop work today. I went up to John Cosier's at noon and borrowed his bottle of Persian Cement and mended my rubber boots in the afternoon. After tea, I went to market and to Concert Hall to hear George W. Woodruff speak for Lincoln and Johnson until half past eight when I went to the Post Office and home. It stopped raining in the evening and the moon shone dimly through the clouds. 11/08 TUESDAY - Presidential Election - lowery and foggy all day with some rain. Levi W. Bertram came a little before 11 0'clock to borrow my revolver as he had been appointed a special police to guard the pools against assault should one be made as had been threatened. I went down and voted about 10 o'clock. Before I left the Courthouse the soldiers' votes were presented and deposited. This was the most interesting feature of the election, that our brave soldiers who are fighting in the field for the country could be allowed to have a voice as to who should administer the government for 4 years to come for which they have left the comforts of home to fight for and even die if necessary. I took a nap in the P.M. after which I went to market and got something for my breakfast tomorrow and returned home a little after 4 o'clock. The day has been given up to the election. The shop has been closed. In the evening, carried additional for Cosmopolites letter to the Jeffersonian Office. 11/09 WEDNESDAY - 7 o'clock A.M. Still stormy. I stayed downtown last night until after 1 o'clock to get the election returns. A large and enthusiastic audience assembled at Concert Hall about 8 o'clock. We bought the use of the wires and had runners to bring dispatches to the Hall. We had speakers at the Hall while we were waiting for the dispatches from the following persons in order as named - Reverend Mr. Jackson, Stowe and Griswold, Peter Holmes, D. B. Boothe, Alva Pearce of New Fairfield, Reverend Mr. Shepard and Robertson. About 11 o'clock, we adjourned from the Hall to the Clubrooms. About midnight the wires refused to work. They were soon in working order again and the news began to come. Judging in the earlier part of the evening from the towns close around us, we feared for the State. But later, we had news from the eastern part of the State that Lincoln had carried that portion by increased majorities. The best of news from Mass., New York, Penn., Maryland, Delaware, and Indiana. The crowd hurrahed and sang Rally Round the Flag, Boys with the wildest enthusiasm. James Harvey rolled in to clubroom 5 gallons of cider which was emptied before we left. Our onion plant commenced blossoming today. Harriet came down in the rain this P.M. and stayed to tea. In the meantime, I went to market for her and myself. After tea, I went up home with her and carried her things. One of the locks to her bureau broke and I took it home with me to mend. I went to the Union Clubroom in the evening and stayed until the mail came. 11/10 THURSDAY - Very stormy until noon when it cleared off and before night it was very pleasant and fair. Full work at the shop. Mrs. Stowe worked and cleaned for us today. Received a letter from George. I answered it after tea. Mailed it in the evening, also a Jeffersonian and Jeffersonian extra printed last Saturday. I went to market in the evening and got 25 cents from Russel Hoyt for a roll of Griswold's Salve he bought of us a few days ago. I went to the Republican Clubroom where they were making arrangements for an illumination and gathering at Concert Hall and perhaps a parade with music in honor of the re-election of Abraham Lincoln for President of the U.S. I came home before they finished the business. I agreed last evening to get Mother a pint of milk every other day at Mr. McDonald's for two weeks to come and got the first this morning. Bell came down and got it at our house. Election returns are coming in finely. We carry the state of New York for Lincoln and defeat Seymour for Governor. 11/11 FRIDAY - I am 30 years old today. It has been pleasant. Worked all day in the shop. At 6 o'clock in the evening, 100 guns were fired and Concert Hall was illuminated. A large procession was formed headed by the Drum Corps and marched up Main Street as far as Copperthwaight's and back down as far as Jackson's School and up to Concert Hall. We cheered all prominent places that were illuminated such as Lieutenant Governor Averill's, E.S and E. A. Tweedy, also Mr. H. Tweedy, Copperthwaight, Mr. R. White, Eli Hoyt, the Jeffersonian Office, J. W. Bacon, Union League room, Lymon Keeler, Smith Barnum's, Jackson's, D. P. Nichol, Charles Andrews, and Ashley and F. S. Wildman. The Hall was thronged to its utmost. Speeches were made by Reverend Mr. Jackson, Crawford, Buckley, Stowe and Robertson. Also Governor Averill. At this juncture, I left and came home. Patriotic songs were sung by the Glee Club. It was a grand time, a real glorification over the election of Lincoln and Johnson. While the meeting was going on, a cry of fire was raised out of doors. We thought it was a plan to break up the meeting by the Copperheads. But the meeting went on with but very little disturbance. It finally proved to be a reality. It was Benedict Stone's Hat Shop at the upper end of Main Street. 11/12 SATURDAY - Pleasant in the morning; cloudy in the P.M. with a little rain in the evening. I worked all day in the shop. After tea, I went to market. I brought home two pair of pants to see by daylight how I like them. I got them at Harris'; am to return one pair of theirs. 11/13 SUNDAY - Cold and squalls of snow during the day. I melted as fast as it fell; none remaining to be seen. I attended church. Brother Hill preached in the morning. Sacrament in the afternoon. It being Sunday School meeting at noon and no books to give out, I came home to dinner. Mr. and Mrs. Cocking called a few minutes on their way home from church. Harriet Purdy also to leave a letter and a Jeffersonian for me to mail to New York. I gave her the Jeffersonian. She wanted to send it to Mr. Boyle; it having one of George's letter in it. She would not stay to tea. After tea, I took two wreath sand a bouquet (all made of ground pine and life everlasting) up to Eddie's grave. The large wreath encircled the name and verse on the stone and the small one was placed on the grave with the bouquet in the center. I did not go to church in the evening, but copied a few items from George's last letter for the Jeffersonian. 11/14 MONDAY - Pleasant and cool. I got my cabbages in the cellar before breakfast this morning. On my way to the shop this morning I returned the pants which I concluded not to take to Mr. Harris' clothing store. I worked as long as I could see in the shop. After tea, I got my large winter turnips into the cellar by moonlight. I then went downtown. I carried to the Jeffersonian Office some extracts from George's last letter for publication. Called at Mr. Harris' and paid $8.00 for my pants. Took a letter from the office for Father Griswold and walked up West Street with David Bradley. Mrs. Stone and her little girl Jane called to see Gussie early in the evening. The Lincoln and Johnson banner was taken down today. 11/15 TUESDAY - Pleasant in the morning, but very cold. The ground froze very ha last night. The weather began to moderate and to be cloudy so that by 10 o'clock it was all over cloudy and soon began to snow. It continued snowing all day and at night the snow lay from 2 to 3 inches deep. It cleared off early in the evening. I went to market and to Dr. Buckley's office to warn him of a job expected soon, perhaps before morning. I went into C.H. Reed's for my shoes that had been mended and two strips of leather to line the inside the bottom of my pants which I had worn off. I came home and Gussie did it before she retired. I nailed down some pieces of oil cloths over more places in the sink room. This is the third snow we have had but the first of any consequence. 11/16 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I was up a part of last night with Gussie. She got breakfast and did her work. Dr. Buckley came between 7 and 8 o' clock. The child was born at 1 /12 o'clock -a fine boy weighing 9 lbs., 1 ounce. Mother Griswold and Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Cyrus White were with her. Fanny came down and got dinner. In the afternoon, I went over to Mill Plain to Curtis Bennett's for our nurse Miss English. I had Mr. Austin's team to go after her. Mailed a Jeffersonian to George. 11/17 THURSDAY - Gussie as well as could be expected. I went to the shop but had only what was left over from Tuesday to do, there being no work given out today. It began to rain after dinner and continued to rain more or less during the P.M. Stormed quite hard in the evening. Harriet was with us to dinner. I got Joseph Ives' horse and Alden G. Crosby's buggy and went over to Miry Brook at Benjamin Norris' to see about a cord of wood for Harriet which I had previously engaged for her. After tea, I went up home to tell Harriet about the wood. From there, I went down to Mrs. Stowe's to have her come tomorrow and do some washing for us. 11/18 FRIDAY - Cloudy; a little broken in the morning and again in the evening and a very little rain in the middle of the day. I took up Fennel roots and Dahlias in the morning. Made a fire up in Father Griswold's cellar for Mrs. Stowe to wash by. The doctor came before I went to the shop, which was nearly 11 o' clock. I took Miss English's watch with me to get a key for her. I worked as long as I could see at the shop. After tea, I wrote to George, informing him of the birth of our baby. Also to cousins Samson and Eliza Humphrey in California. As I went down to mail them, I carried two chickens to Harry Stone's store for Mother Griswold to send to the soldiers for a Thanksgiving dinner. 11/19 SATURDAY - Cloudy in the morning; cleared off in the P.M. I finished a hat I am designing for Dr. Buckley the last thing before leaving work. The bell tolled this morning for Elias Stevens' wife. Bell got Alfred Gregory's team and brought Mother down to see our baby this afternoon. I went to market in the evening and home as soon as the cars came. 11/20 SUNDAY - It froze hard last night; a heavy white frost this morning. Cloudy all day; it commenced raining just at night. I attended church during the day but not in the evening. Brother Hill preached in the morning and Brother Henry Monroe from Kentucky in the P.M. Father came down for milk and to see the baby this afternoon. After supper, our nurse Miss English went out to make a call to Hoyt Dibbles. Mrs. Cosier and Wildman called to see Gussie and the baby early in the evening. 11/21 MONDAY - Stormy all day. I have had the headache but continued my work until night. On my way home from work, I called at Harry Stone's grocery store for the two chickens I carried there last Friday evening for Mother Griswold to send to the soldiers but was too late to get them in the box as they went out that afternoon. I left them to see if more things came to make out another box, but there was not enough come for another and accordingly, I went for them tonight. I mailed a Harpers' Weekly to George today. Elias Stevens' wife was buried today at Mill Plain. Harriet came down today in a terrible fidget about her wood that I engaged for her of Benjamin Norris; it had not come yet and she wanted it very much. She brought a letter down to me to read from George to Mother. 11/22 TUESDAY - It cleared off pleasant in the morning. I got a good early start this morning. I prepared the fire all ready to light up in Father Griswold's cellar for Mrs. Stowe to wash but she did not come; she washed for Mother. There was no work at the shop for me this P.M. on account of there being no blocks to finish the hats on which I had out. At noon, just before noon, I sent out 30 cents to buy cider with to treat my shop mates on the birth of my boy. Daniel Manly curled a hat for me which I had been getting up from a knock down which I had. I tried to sell it to Dr. Buckley but could not. I went down for Jackson's dog Milo and went over to Mill Plain Swamp hunting in the P.M. I had no success. Brother Henry Monroe called to see Gussie, was there when I came home from hunting. After tea, I went to market and home with the dog. 11/23 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant but cold. I worked all day in the shop. Mrs. Stowe washed for us. I attended class in the evening. While there, Mrs. Daniel Starr, Edith Newman, and Hattie Mills called to see Gussie. From class, I went home with John Cosier to borrow his shot pouch to go hunting tomorrow. I borrowed Fred Jackson's dog and brought home with me for the night in readiness for tomorrow. 11/24 THURSDAY - A beautiful day. After breakfast, I started for a hunting trip. I found game but did not shoot any. I returned a little after 3 o'clock. Supper was ready as soon thereafter as it could be cooked. Father came down with a tart pie while we were eating, a present from Mother. After supper, I carried John Cosier's shot pouch home and went home with 'Milo' the dog to Mr. Jackson's. I broke my gun. 11/25 FRIDAY - Cloudy in the morning but clear and pleasant in the middle and after part of the day. Bought 1/2 barrel of flour of George Crofut and Son; am to pay for it on Monday. Mailed the Jeffersonian to George. Went hunting in the P.M. with John Cosier and Fred Jackson up to Tamarack. We got but one quail. John shot that and gave it to me for Gussie. Ellen Dare came from Bethel to see Gussie in the P.M. She stayed to tea and is going to stay all night. Miss English went out to call at Dr. Ryder's in the evening and I went up home to borrow a piece of beef of Father. Mr. McDonald's gun being broken from yesterday's trip, I borrowed Alva Parmalee's. 11/26 SATURDAY - I slept upstairs last night on the floor. Pleasant today. The boys were skating on George Starr's pond this morning. After breakfast, I cleaned Parmalee's gun, also my own (McDonald's). Carried Mr. Parmalee's home and mine up to Comstock's to see about getting it fixed. Read a letter from George Cole from St. Augustine, Florida with $6.00 enclosed for a hat I sent him costing $5.78. Also, two letters from George, one written from Jacksonville and the last from St. Augustine, the band being now station there for instruction. This letter was directed to me and headed to Mother, it being designed for both. There was enclosed one of Edith's letters for me to preserve. Ellen Dare went away about 10 A.M. The morning papers give an account of an attempt to burn New York City by firing several hotels at the same time last night. After dinner, I covered my strawberry bed with door yard grass mowed and put away in the summer for that purpose. Before tea, I took up Mother Griswold's clothes dryer post and set it again on the opposite side of the house. After tea, and just before going into the street, I wrote a reply to George Cole at St. Augustine, Florida, acknowledging the receipt of his note with the money enclosed. I went to market in the evening, mailed Mr. Cole's letter and came home. Eliza and Minnie Vents called early in the evening. Ellen Dare and Harriet Wheeler came in on their way to the Old Folk's concert. When I returned from market, Mrs. Cyrus White, Miss Pepper and Fanny came in to see the baby. After prayers and all but me had retired, I copied extracts from George's letter received today for publication in the Jeffersonian next week. I did not retire until nearly 12 o'clock. The Old Folk's Concert in the evening was at Concert Hall. 11/27 SUNDAY - Pleasant; we rose rather late. Ellen Dare stayed up to Father Griswold's last night. She came in to see Gussie before going to church at noon. Mr. Breckinridge of Bethel preached for us all day. He probably exchanged with Brother Hill as he was not home. Text in the morning -Revelation 3:20; in the P.M., Romans 10. They were both excellent sermons and did me great good. After Sunday School, I got Theodore Lyon's team and brought Mother down to church. She came home with me to tea. Harriet called while we were eating. She would not take tea with us. She finally took a cup of tea with her things on and left. After supper was out of the way, Miss English went out to make a call. I wrote to George and mailed also a Harper's Weekly on my way to prayer meeting in the evening. The Old Folk's Concert gave a sacred music exhibition at Concert Hall -admission 15 cents. 11/28 MONDAY - The stars shone brightly before daylight, but as the sun rose, it was cloudy and during the day it appeared as if it might rain at any moment. I mailed a letter and bought one dozen postage stamps for our nurse Miss English as I went to the shop in the morning. I worked all day in the shop. I came home by way of A. G. Crosby's Coal Office and borrowed John Cosier's gun wad cutter for Mr. Parmalee who wanted to cut wads for his gun as John's cutter was a fit for his gun. Miss English washed a little today. When I came home, I found Gussie up and dressed. She came to the tea table with us. After tea, I went to market and to the Jeffersonian office with a letter from George for publication. I bought a coconut with the shuck on for Miss English to keep as a curiosity, went to the Post Office and came home. It is still cloudy and warm. The notorious scapegrace of Bethel, Aunt Gill Smith was found dead on or near the railroad this morning with a bottle of whiskey by her side. She was brought up to the courthouse where an inquest was held over her body. So I hear. 11/29 TUESDAY - Cloudy in the morning, although most of the time a blue sky could be seen. It came off pleasant in the P.M. It has been very warm, real Indian Summer. Gussie had a great many calls this afternoon to see her and baby. Mrs., Barnum, Curtis, Hill, Sivine, Baxters, Mary Purdy and Bell, besides Mother Griswold's folks. After tea, I went to market for Mother Griswold and myself. I expected a quarter of beef today from Granville Ambler but for some reason or other it did not come. 11/30 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warm as summer. I worked as long as daylight would let me in the shop. We received our pay today. It was deferred in order to pay off up to the 1st of December and then take the semi-annual inventory. John Brush drunk around the shop nearly all day. On my way home from work at night I called and paid Charles Crofut for a one half barrel of flour - $7.50. I paid Miss English $8.00 for two weeks nursing. I went to class in the evening. Brother Peter Starr being absent, John Cosier led the class.
1864-11
Horace Purdy Journal January 1865 Entry
9pgs
01/01 SUNDAY - Cold but pleasant. Sleighing good. Brother Hill preached a sermon to the children in the morning from Ecclesiastes 12:1 The children sat in the square body of the church and did the singing in the place of the choir from the Golden Chair and Shower. When Sunday School was over, I came home to take care of the bay to let Gussie go to church in the P.M. After tea, Father Purdy and Mother Griswold came in to see us. I completed a letter to George before church time and with a Harper's Weekly, I mailed it on my way to prayer meeting. 01/02 MONDAY - Before breakfast, I went down and mailed a letter to Cousin Eliza Humphrey in California for Gussie. I went this early in order to have it taken in the morning mail. The day has been cold but pleasant. We had but little more than a half day's work in the shop. On my way home, I called at Charles Hull's Tin Shop and got my shot pouch in which John Cable has been putting a new spring. I took my gun and went down to Blackman's to see if I could get a silver islet put in it in which the pin which holds the barrels to the stock is inserted but could not. I then took it up to Mr. Wrights to have the new part of the stock stained and varnished. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. After supper I went down to the Post Office and carried my powder flask to have John Cable put a new snap spring on it. As I came home from work, I went before the Board of Relief, but having neglected to carry in my tax list they were prevented by law from doing anything for me. I have therefore to pay tax at $1,100.00 which a list would have avoided. 01/03 TUESDAY - A very cold morning; pleasant; the weather moderated so that it snowed in the evening. George Monroe was shopped at the Pahquioque Shop today. Hatters' Meeting in the evening over Benedict & Nichol's store. I got excused early, came out, and after the mail came, walked up West Street with John Cosier. I found Hattie Mills and Edith Newman spending the evening with Gussie. 01/04 WEDNESDAY - Another snow storm last night. It cleared off before noon. The flues in the shop wanting repairs, we adjourned in the P.M. to give them an opportunity to repair them. I went from the shop and took my gun from Mr. Wright's paint shop where it was to be varnished, and carried it over to Comstock's for repairs before having it varnished. While it was at the paint shop, one of the cocks got out of order. From there, I went to John Cosier's office and bought half cord of chestnut wood. It was sent right up and I rode on the load. Mr. Cocking paid me $3.00 for one month's rent. Mailed Jeffersonian to George. I went into the street in the evening for my Jeffersonian and saw Ezra Wildman. He insisted upon taking a sleigh ride. Captain E.E. Wildman went with us. He carried me around to my house and I gave them a drink of cider. Then we took a ride to the upper end of Main Street. The cars then came and I went to the Post Office and came home. Preaching at the church; Gussie attended. Copperhead lecture at Concert Hall this evening. Thomas H. Seymour the lecturer. 01/05 THURSDAY - I left the shop at noon and went up to Comstock's to see if my gun was repaired. It was not done. I arranged with him to leave it with John Cosier at A. G. Crosby's Coal Office and went back to the shop to work. When I left the shop at night, I went up to the Coal Office and took the gun to pieces, leaving the barrels and locks there and took the stock over to William Wright's to get it stained and varnished. Cosier paid Comstock his bill and I paid him. It was $1.50. I went to Dr. Buckley's office in the evening and borrowed a syringe to use on the baby. I went to Charles Hull's shop and got my powder flask. John Cable has been putting on a new spring. Bell went up home this P.M. Received a letter from George. 01/06 FRIDAY - It commenced raining before noon. It rained at times during the day and set in to rain steady in the evening. Our foreman V. W. Benedict went home with a sick headache at noon. Edith Newman sent the bounty check to me by Hattie Mills at the shop at noon which George sent to me enclosed in his letter. He wants the money drawn and resent to him immediately. I borrowed $10.00 of John Cosier until I can get returns from the check and in the evening, I wrote to George and enclosed a $10.00 greenback to him. I also in the evening carried my 5 gallon kerosene oil can down to Billy Wright's and ordered it filled and sent up tomorrow. On my way to Wright's, I carried Burr Bradley's meat saw home. Sold half roll of salve to Mrs. Cyrus White. 01/07 SATURDAY - Rain this morning. It began to grow cold at noon; snow in the P.M. Very blustering towards night and in the evening; thought it was pleasant in the evening. William Wright delivered the 5 gallons on oil that I engaged yesterday. I worked as long as I could see in the shop and then came home by way of Cosier's office where (after I had been over to Wright's paint shop for the stock) I put my gun together and brought it home. John shut the office and walked up with me. After tea, I went to market for Mother Griswold. Received bill for the box sent from the Postmaster. Before I retired I mended my coal riddle (sp) with brass hoops from an old hoop skirt. 01/08 SUNDAY - A cold morning, but pleasant and grew more mild through the day. An agent from the Christian Commission from the army named Powers preached for us this morning. He gave us a somewhat detailed account of the workings of the Commission with several interesting incidents, some of them quite thrilling. He being an excellent speaker made it very interesting. Sunday School prayer meeting at noon at which some arrangements were made about the Sunday School Festival to come off on Wednesday. Tickets to admit the scholars were distributed. Communion service in the P.M. Gussie went with me in the morning at came home at noon to let Bell go in the P.M. as she was to be taken into full communion with the church. After supper, Father Purdy and Mother Griswold came in to see us. A Union meeting at the 1st Congregational Church for the Christian Commission in the evening at which Mr. Powers and another man who came in with him is to speak. Gussie and Bell attended it; I stayed home and took care of Baby. Christopher Coinum (sp), a German who was in the 3 months service with me died yesterday. He had but just returned home from the Insane Retreat at Harford. His insanity was caused from working in furs and his system being filled with the quicksilver used in carroting the furs. He was buried today by the Masonic Order. Elias Sanford died this afternoon about 5 o'clock. He died of a fit while sitting in his chair. He had attended church twice today and was intending to go again this evening. 01/09 MONDAY - We rose rather late this morning. The day has been pleasant and warmer than yesterday. I retired last night with the headache, rose with it this morning, and had it all day. I worked with it until nearly 3 o'clock when they paid off and I gave up and came home. My two weeks work was $31.00 dollars. I drew $21.00 leaving to my credit $10.00, which with the $25.00 left last pay day, reduces the $60.00 dollars borrowed from Mr. Crofut to $25.00. John Cosier left the bounty check (which George sent me and which he cashed for me) in the bank to day for collection. On my way home from the shop, I called at William Wright's and paid $5.00 for the 5 gallons of kerosene oil I bought on Saturday. We had soup and milk for supper, a real treat. Teachers' meeting in the evening, but on account of headache, I did not go. 01/10 Thursday - Stormy -rain. Elias Sanford was buried today. On my way home from work at night, I called and paid John Cosier $3.25 for a .5 cord of chestnut wood delivered on last Wednesday. George Loomis's father died very suddenly today. Father bought a pair of thick leather shoes for Bell and brought them to her on his way home from work. They were too small and I changed them in the evening. He bought them at Chapman's. I paid for my Post Office box No. 300 for 6 months ending July 1st, 1865. A tea meeting or church gathering at the church in the evening to establish a sinking fund to pay the debt of over $4,000 on the church. We had a pleasant time thought the weather was stormy and on account of that, the attendance was small. Mr. Levi W. Bartram went up for Mother and Mrs. White came for Mother Griswold and Gussie. I had Bartram's team take Mother, Gussie and Mother Griswold home. We came home about 11 o'clock. Mr. Loomis' given name is Austin. He died at Lyman Keeler's with heart disease. 01/11 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. We were limited to one dozen hats today. I finished just after dinner. I came home and sawed wood in the woodhouse. Sunday School festival at the church in the evening. Burr Bradley and I were doorkeepers. We opened about 6 o'clock. Mary Purdy came over and stayed with the baby to let Gussie go. Bell went also. The festival broke up about 9 o'clock. Mailed a Jeffersonian to George in the evening. The church caught fire around the stove pipe. A narrow escape. 01/12 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. Harriet Wheeler sent by me in the evening for 6 Jeffersonians. They were sold out at the Office, but I found them at A. Smith's, the news dealer at the Post Office. I went rather late to prayer meeting. I walked up West Street with Chittendon and John Cosier. 01/13 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warmer. The ice has softened and the ground has been muddy. As I came home after dinner, I borrowed Parmalee and Bradley's horse and sleigh and took Mother's sheet iron stove and pipe up home. I borrowed it to use during Gussie's sickness. When I returned to the store with the team, I altered a white cat for Fred Bradley. I then rode up home with his clerk to carry some meal to Mother to make yeast cakes of. As we returned, he drove around by my house and left me. Bell went over to Oil Mill Pond skating with Henry and Anna Heinman. Jessie Stevens' wife came over and spent the day with Gussie. She stayed to tea. Charles Hull got away with again (ed. note - by his horse; see 01/18 below) today in West Street near Dr. Ryder's. He hurt his head and shin badly, but not considered dangerous, I believe. Later - have been skating this evening and had a collision with a fellow (Ed Target) and cut a bad gash in my forehead. Henry Blair came home with me and Sarah Day bound up my head with two of her handkerchiefs as soon as I was hurt. We sent for Dr. Buckley; he came and dressed the wound about half past nine o'clock which was as soon as we could send and he come. Took two pieces of beef over to Olmstead's to be smoked in the evening. 01/14 SATURDAY - It commenced snowing between 7 and 8 o'clock this morning. My head is not so sore today as I expected it would be. It is still bandaged in the blood. Could not go to work. Cannot get a hat on my head. Bell went to the Post Office for me at noon. Gussie went into the street to do some trading and pay Jane Hoyt for making over her hat in the P.M. Mrs. Daniel Starr came home with her to see the baby. Martha Stokes and her friend Miss Dyer called here about 4 P.M. and then went up to Mother Griswold's. Bell went to the store and the Post Office in the evening. 01/15 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Father having heard of my injury came over to see me before breakfast. Bell went to church in the morning and sent brother Jennings up for Mother at noon, but she got a ride with Platt (sp) Brush and came down to my house before noon so that Brother Jennings after going up home for her came around this way and got her. Bell did not come home at noon and Gussie went in the P.M. Dr. Buckley came in the forenoon and dressed my wound. I cannot go out as I cannot get a hat on my head. In the P. M., I wrote to George and put up a Harper's Weekly for mailing to him. After tea, John Cosier came to see me. He stayed until meeting time. I sent the letter and paper to the Office by him. The Baptist preacher, Mr. Stone exchanged with Brother Hill in the P.M. , so say our folks. Clark Polley of the Kentucky Conference to preach, I believe. 01/16 MONDAY - Pleasant but cold. Mrs. Stone washed for us. Harriet, who is now staying at Mr. Townsend's came down after dinner to see me, having heard of my injuries received while skating last Friday evening. She could only stay for a few moments, she said, and would not take off her things. But as usual, she stayed between 2 or 3 hours with her things on. Mother Griswold came in while she was there. In the meantime, Mrs. Stone finished her work. I paid her her charge - 60 cents - and she went home. Baby was poorly yesterday, last night and today. Not very sick, but worrisome. He has a cold and besides, his bowels are not regular. Mother Griswold sent us down some molasses sugar, she having quite a quantity of it from a molasses keg in their cellar. I am yet unable to wear a hat and in consequence am confined in the house with my sore head. Gussie and Bell both went into the street in the evening. Gussie bought material for a baby cloak. It cost $4.75. 01/17 TUESDAY - Stormy, snow. I got Father Griswold's brush hat, which I let him have and was too small and went to the shop about 10 A.M. and took out the trimmings preparatory to finishing it over and making it larger. I went to the Jeffersonian Office and gave Ashley the particulars of my accident while skating last Friday evening so that he could mention it in his paper. I went to the shop again in the afternoon, stayed a while, and came home. Did not work on account of my sore head. Before going to the shop in the P.M., I stopped to the Factory in West Street to see Edward Target, the fellow I ran against while skating. His forehead was bruised but slightly when compared with mine. I went to the Post Office in the evening. It cleared off before I went and was colder. It snowed hard in the afternoon. 01/18 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and cold. I went to work in the shop for the first time since I was hurt last Friday evening. James Sparks and Eugene Conkling came to work at the shop today. Both were shopped yesterday, I believe. The Baby has the scarlet rash. He has felt poorly for several days and today the rash has made its appearance. After tea, I went into the street and called at Dr. Buckley's office and got some medicine for the baby. The paper today gives an account of the capture of Fort Fisher at Wilmington, North Carolina The troops were under General Weitzel; the storming party under General Terry. What General Butler could not do, our ___(?) generals have accomplished. I mailed a Jeffersonian to George in the evening. Dwight Rogers was run away with today by Charles Hull's horse. He was not hurt, I believe. 01/19 Thursday - Pleasant in the forepart of the day, and thought by some to be the coldest morning we have had yet. Cloudy in the P. M.; the weather moderated and snowed in the evening. We gave the Baby medicine during last night and today and tonight he is better; in fact to all appearances is about as well as usual. Father Griswold came home from New York today and brought a hymn book for Bell (65 cents). Gussie went to the store in the evening and got some flannels at Gillette's in the place of what was stolen few days ago that she took there to be stamped. Bell went to prayer meeting and while both were gone I took care of the baby. 01/20 FRIDAY - It snowed considerably last night, though very quietly; it cleared off before morning and the day has been lovely though somewhat cool. I had father Griswold's old hat blocked over today and intend to finish it tomorrow and see if I can make it large enough this time. I worked as long as I could in the shop as usual. After tea, I went to the Post Office and around to Olmstead's to see if my two pieces of beef were smoked; they were not yet taken out to the smoke house. I ordered them taken out tomorrow morning. 01/21 SATURDAY - Cold this morning, but the weather moderated during the day, so that now there is a prospect of snow before morning. I finished over Father Griswold's hat today to make it larger. I got it trimmed and Daniel Manley curled it for me and I brought it home with me, feeling confident that it will fit his head and give satisfaction this time. After tea, I went over to Lockwood Olmstead's for my pieces of beef which have been there to be smoked, but they were not yet out of the smokehouse. I went from there to Burr Bradley's and left the Sunday School library key as I shall not be there myself tomorrow on account of my sore head. I then went to market and waited for the train in order to get the mail if there was any for us. I walked up with Mr. Reynolds (the one-armed soldier). 01/22 SUNDAY - Pleasant; it has thawed considerable today. I have not been at church on account of having to wear a large plaster over my eye still. Bell went all day and Gussie in the P.M. I took care of Baby. After tea, I wrote to George. Before I finished, Father came in and, as usual since the birth of the baby, stayed awhile. This time he stayed until nearly meeting time. Gussie and Bell both went to meeting in the evening. I sent a letter and a Harper's Weekly by them to the Post Office to mail to George. 01/23 MONDAY - Rain all day. I worked as usual in the shop. Pay day - I had $21.00 coming. I left five to my credit towards the $60.00 borrowed of Mr. Crofut, leaving now $20.00 his due. Being tired and the weather stormy, I did not go out in the evening. The snow has wasted fast today. 01/24 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual until dark in the shop. Father Griswold came home on the morning train from one of his P. Elder's appointments and in the evening, I carried his hat up to him. It was a little too large this time, but I soon remedied that by putting some paper under the leather. I went to the Post Office and to Gillette & Baird's for Gussie. Paid Bell $1.20 for two week's help. 01/25 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant but cold. On my way to work this morning, I called at Gillette & Baird's for a bunch of embroidery braid which I left there last evening by mistake. I worked as long as I could see at night in the shop. Came home by way of Jeffersonian Office for my paper. I mailed one to George in the evening; sent it to the Office by Gussie who went into the street. Bell went to Singing School at the Baptist Church, so I stayed home with Baby. George Bailey's oldest daughter was married this P.M. to a Mr. George H. Hoyt, a son of the Supt. of the NY & NH Railroad at Stamford. A splendid car from that road was sent up to convey the wedding party to Stamford. It was attached to the regular afternoon passenger train from here at 4 o'clock and 20 minutes. 01/26 THURSDAY - Pleasant, but still very cold. Harriet and Louise Jones called to see Gussie this forenoon, but I being at the shop did not see Miss Jones thought I would like to have done so very much. After tea, I went over to Mr. Lockwood Olmstead's for my two pieces of beef he had been smoking for me. I brought them home and then went to market to Dr. Buckley's for some tincture of Belladonna and Aconite and to consult him about the baby for sickness to the stomach. I waited for the mail walking up with Jonathan Reynolds. I took 8 yards of tatting (spa) to Gilbert and Baird's Store for Bell and got the pay - $1.48; Gussie went over to Frank Boughton's in the evening to carry a baby cloak home. 01/27 FRIDAY - Pleasant but still very cold. D. L. Chichester was shopped today at our (the Pahquioque) shop and Jesse D. Stevens was off on account of the sore mouth which always trouble him at the shop. It is what is called 'The Hatter's Sore Mouth'. After supper, I took my hams and shoulders over to Lockwood Olmstead's to be smoked. I put it in the corn basket and pushed it on the sled. I received by the evening mail two letters and an Old diary for preservation from George. There was a letter also for Mother and one for Harriet. 01/28 SATURDAY - Pleasant but still very cold. As I came home from the shop at night, I came by way of Mr. Hanford's Boot and Shoe and Grocery Store on White Street and bought some coffee. When I got home, I found Mother there; she had spent the day. After supper, I got Mr. McDonald's horse and sleigh and carried her home. I got some milk for her at Mr. McDonald's and gave her one of the cheeks of my hog. Bell rode up home with us and back home with me. I gave Mr. McDonald 10 cents to help me harness. I then went to market for Sunday. Bell got two more letters for me today from George. 01/29 SUNDAY - Pleasant and cold, but warmer in the evening. Bell and I went to church in the morning; Gussie stayed with the baby. After Sunday school, I came home to let Gussie go in the P.M. to Sunday School Concert at the North Church. I went to church today for the first time since I got hurt while skating which was two weeks ago last Friday evening. I wrote to George in the P.M. and as I went to church in the evening mailed with the letter a Harper's and a copy of the Jeffersonian of January 1864 in which was printed a letter from him in which was a statement about Lieutenant Fred Betts ordering the body of a drowned colored marine to be rolled off the beach into the sea while the 17th Regiment was on Folly Island, South Carolina. He wanted this paper sent to him for evidence in the matter I suppose, though he says there is no difficulty about it. I also mailed an Advocate and Journal for Gussie to Cousin Eliza Humphrey in California in which was printed the death of her Father. Brother Hill preached in the evening, after which there was a short prayer meeting. Bell stayed at home in the evening to let Gussie and I go. Father came down to see us as usual after tea. 01/30 MONDAY - Pleasant and warmer; it thawed considerably in the middle of the day. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. Bell went to the Sewing Society in the evening in the company of Louise Vintz up to Brother Bartram's. David Bradley called in the evening to get a carpenter's tool called a plough that was Abel's. Harriet being away, I went up to Father Griswold's barn and got it for him. While he was here, he helped me fix the lock to my front door. He brought home Harriet's glue pot which he borrowed when he repaired my gun. Took extracts from George's letter for publication in the Jeffersonian. I did this just before retiring. The seats in the church were rented this P.M. at 1 o'clock. Mrs. Bradley and Gussie went and the same seats for Burr and me for another year. The price has been advanced $2.00 making it now $8.00. 01/31 TUESDAY - Still warmer today. Cloudy at times during the day and evening. The bursting of the Kohanza water pipe near Concert Hall completely flooded Main Street near the Wooster House this morning. In consequence, the water was shut off from that section and many of the factories that depend on the water for steam purposes had to shut up. The boiler at the Pahquioque could not be supplied with water and consequently no steam could be had to warm the trimming room and the trimmers came up into the finishing room with us and worked around the two long tables there. Just at night, however, they got the old force pump at work which draws water from the brook and will be independent of Kohanza tomorrow if it affords us no water. On my way to work this morning, I left a letter at the Jeffersonian Office for Publication from Cosmopolite (George). I went late to prayer meeting in the evening and talked with Brother Hill after meeting about gathering some new Sunday school library books.
1865-01
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal March 1865 Entry
10pgs
03/01 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warm. Very appropriate weather for spring. I am feeling better now. Yesterday and today I have felt as well as usual and have worked hard. On my way home from work at night, I came by the way of the Jeffersonian Office for my paper. Bought a dozen eggs of Jacob Fry at the shop today for 40 cents. He was to leave them at the house but the folks being out, he left them at the back door in a small basket. Gussie went to the Sewing Society in the evening at John (illegible). Fanny came down and got Georgie to sleep while Bell washed her dishes. I went to class and mailed a Jeffersonian to George as I went. Louise came down and stayed with Bell while we were gone. Bell went up home today. She went about 10 o'clock A.M. and stayed until 3 o'clock. The Jeffersonian today had George's letter giving an account of the capture of Captain Quien and others at 'Salina's Ball' 11 miles from St. Augustine. Also the capture of a wagon train and its guard of 35 men while out on an expedition for cotton. The Lieutenant Colonel Wilcoxsen Adjutant Chatfield, Captain French and Captain Fred Betts accompanied the expedition. The Lieutenant Colonel and Adjutant were killed; the others excepting 6 men were captured with the train. Mrs. Stone brought me a hat to finish for (illegible). When I came home from work, she was here with it. 03/02 THURSDAY - A little flutter of snow last night. Cloudy today with a little snow in the P.M. which turned mostly to rain in the evening. I finished (illegible) Stone's hat today and got it as far as the trimming room. Burr Rockwell and William Norman were shopped today at the Pahqioque. My head felt bad again today arising doubtless from a disordered state of the stomach, but it did not drive me from work I came home from work via Raymond's and bought a large flatfish for my breakfast in the morning. I found a letter in the Post Office for me from George; also one for Mother from him and another for her from 'Ansonia', who it is from I do not know. Enclosed in mine was one of mine which I wrote him returned for preservation. It was the one I wrote speaking of the Constitutional Amendment in Congress abolishing slavery. In the evening, I commenced an answer to his. He spoke of having started a box to Widow Wilcox containing Charles' effects in which was a segar box containing something for me. As I returned from the street in the evening, I called at Mrs. Wilcox to see if the box had arrived, but it had not. 03/03 FRIDAY - It rained hard this morning. Cleared off just at night. On my way to work in the morning, I mailed a letter to George. Bell went up home this P.M. and carried the two letters to Mother which I took from the office last evening. One was from George; the other was from Uncle Stephen's wife. I brought home the hat for (illegible) Stone which I finished yesterday. Mrs. Stone came in while we were at tea. She paid me $1.00 for finishing and trimming and took it home with her. I learned that Mr. Valentine has sold his place joining me to Mr. Pond the middle district school teacher. Gussie opened some oysters which lay down cellar and we had stewed oysters for supper. I made some egg cider in the evening, the first I have made this season. Mrs. Wilcox received the box containing Charlie's effects today which George packed and sent to her. In it was a segar box containing some things for me or for me to preserve for him. It was 3 sea beans, a piece of Fort Marion, a piece of the old Spanish Treasury Chest left by them in the fort, a piece of the old Plaza Flag, a piece of lightning rod from the M.E. Church in St. Augustine, marble from Rebel mansion found on John's Island, South Carolina, some other relics with a book called 'The Letter Writer' and some old letters sent home for preservation. 03/04 SATURDAY - The inauguration of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson for President and Vice-president of the United States. It rained hard last night and this morning. It was understood last night that we should work until noon today and then spend the rest of the day in celebration of our late victories and the Presidential Inauguration. The bells were all rung at sunrise and again at noon with the firing of a national salute. It being stormy, I worked until nearly night in the shop. It was designed to have a procession and an illumination in the evening but the storm induced the committee of arrangements to postpone the affair. But when evening came, the people assembled and would have a time anyhow. So the Concert hall was opened and the people rushed in and filled the house. We had the Drum Corp. there and speaking by Jackson, Smith, Barnum, Lieutenant Governor Averill, D. P. Nichols, Shepard and Peter Holmes. We had singing also under the direction of George Stephens, Jackson and Barnum. We had a real jollification and broke up by singing 'Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow'. It cleared off colder and windy just at night. Bell stayed with Georgie and Gussie attended the jollification with me. 03/05 SUNDAY - Pleasant and spring-like. I heard bluebirds for the first time this morning. Brother Hill being sick, there was no preaching this morning, but a prayer meeting instead. Feeling hungry and tired, I came home after Sunday School. James Parmalee, my assistant librarian being absent, I got Edward Barnum to take his place. Sherman Disbrow last night or this morning, took laudanum and through the day, they have little hope of his life. He has the migraine very badly which are growing upon him very fast and he doubtless took it to commit suicide and thereby end his misery I mailed a Harper's weekly to George as I went to evening meeting. Chaplain Ambler preached for us in the P.M. Gussie was there but I was not. Gussie stayed home in the evening and wrote to George in my stead. After evening meeting, Harry Barry told me that Mr. Disbrow was better and the doctor thought he would recover. 03/06 MONDAY - It froze quite hard last night. Pleasant today. On my way to the shop this morning, I mailed a letter to George written by Gussie. I am now on drab work at the shop for the first time in a long while. I had the first dozen on Saturday. The papers today give an account of the inauguration at Washington last Saturday. It states that the new Vice-President Andrew Johnson was badly intoxicated and disgraced himself and the nation by attempting to make a speech. If it is true, it is most certainly a national disgrace. The papers also state that the rebel General Early and his command have been captured by General Sheridan. I went into the street in the evening and mailed a letter for Father Griswold. Bought 1 lb. milk crackers for Mother G., bought a pocket comb for myself and some pickled tripe for our breakfast, the first I ever bought. Before retiring, I made some egg cider. I engaged - bbl. Of Crofut's Best wheat Flour while downtown. 03/07 TUESDAY - It froze quite hard again last night, but the day has been pleasant and has thawed considerably. I worked hard as usual all day in the shop. Gussie went up to my mother's this P.M. While we were at tea, Theodore Brothwell called to inquire about the place on the corner which Father Griswold used to own to see if it could be rented. I think he wants it for his Father who I understand is to move from Mill Plain into town this spring. After tea, I went to market for sugar, eggs, beef steak and to pay Crofut for bring me # barrel of flour- $7.50 I had black hats weighed out again today. 03/08 WEDNESDAY - It did not freeze a particle last night; there is but little snow left. Cloudy in the morning with the appearance of rain but it finally came off pleasant. On my way home from work at night, I got a letter from Cousin Eliza in California. It was in reply to one I wrote on the occasion of the birth of Georgie. Gussie went up home to her Mother's this P.M. and drew Georgie down in his carriage, the first time he ever rode in it. I went to market in the evening and to class but did not get there until after the meeting was over. It was then raining and John Cosier and I sat a while in the classroom until the mail was opened and then came home. Mrs. O.H. Smith was suddenly taken sick this P.M. For a while it was thought she would die. The trouble was a miscarriage. The last of our winter's course of lectures was delivered this evening by G. W. Curtis - subject 'Political Infidelity'. Gussie went with her father and Fanny. It commenced raining hard after the lecture commenced and before it was over, I went down with umbrellas for them and came home with Gussie after listening to the last part of the lecture. Mailed a Jeffersonian to George in the evening. 03/09 THURSDAY - Stormy last night and today. I have not felt very well today. My bowels have troubled me. I have made out to work all day however. I repaired the latch and bolt on our back door before breakfast. Mr. Samuel Hancock and Susan Watson came to Father Griswold's this P.M. on the freight train. Father Griswold married them at 8 o'clock in the evening. Gussie and I were there, having left the baby with Bell. We came home about 10 o'clock after Gussie and the others had seen Susan in bed. Mr. Hancock went to his room as we came home. 03/10 FRIDAY - Stormy last night and today. It cleared off in the P.M. On my way to work this morning, I bought a piece of beef for Father Griswold's folks and sent it up. 6 lbs. and 6 ounces at 22 cents - $1.40. I commenced on drab work again today. I worked rather late at the shop. When I came home, Gussie and Bell were drinking their tea. Bell went to the Sunday School Singing School at the Baptist Church in the evening. The singing is under the leadership of Nathaniel Barnum. I, having a severe headache did not go out in the evening. Mother Griswold, Harriet and Mr. and Mrs. Hancock came down and spent the evening. I made some egg cider. Fanny who went to the Sewing Society at Mrs. John Rowan's called when she returned. 03/11 SATURDAY - It froze last night quite hard. Sick headache, not able to go to work. Mended Gussie's work box and Eddie's picture frame. The bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hancock left for Brooklyn this afternoon. Gussie and Fanny went to the depot with them. Gussie did the marketing and got my two Harper's Weeklies while she was down. I soaked my feet and shampooed my head in the P.M. I ate nothing at noon; after tea, I felt better. Bell went up home after tea and from there went to the Post Office and returned about nine o'clock. Before retiring, I was entirely free from headache. 03/12 SUNDAY - Pleasant but very blustering in the A.M., a little more quiet in the afternoon. I attended church all day. Brother Hill is not yet able to preach, so Brother Crawford preached in the morning and administered the Sacrament in the P.M. It was so cold in church this morning that I left the preaching and went downstairs and sat by the fire. I have felt chilly all day at church. Sunday School prayer meeting at noon at which a collection was taken of $3.03 with which $15.65 taken in the morning at the preaching service for the same purpose amounts to $18.72 towards paying a bill of over $30.00 for Library books. Gussie attended in the P.M. Bell did not attend at all. Before tea, Mother Griswold came down a short time, but we soon left her (Gussie and I) and took a walk up to my Father's. He is sick with a head cold. There we found Aunt Louisa and Cousin Frank. Mr. (illegible) and Jennie Tweedy and another lady were there making a call on Harriet. We walked down with Aunt Louisa and Frank. They stopped long enough to let Gussie nurse Georgie and then they all and Bell with them went to the Disciples' Church to hear a man give descriptions of the battlefields, etc. Fanny Griswold took Harper's Weekly to the Post Office for me and mailed it to George. I paid John Cosier at noon $5.00 towards my seat rent for another year. I also gave Eliza Hill $1.00 towards making up a purse for our preacher (Brother Hill). 03/13 MONDAY - Cloudy in the morning with appearance of a storm. A cold night last and this morning, but the weather moderated during the day so that this evening the thermometer stands at 50 degrees on the north side of Father Griswold's house and out of doors at that. The sun has shone pleasantly this afternoon and the moon rose in the evening looking red and warm. Mrs. Stone washed for us. Bell came down to the shop this forenoon to get my dirty overshirt to be washed. I worked hard all day in the shop. Teacher's meeting in the church in the evening, but I did not attend. I went up to Robinson's to get one hand of my watch straightened. I waited for the mail and came home. I brought home a letter for Harriet Wheeler, but it proved to be for another Harriet Wheeler and not for her. Mr. Cocking brought some things here today for Mr. Lyne's preparatory to coming back this spring. 03/14 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm. I returned a letter to the Post Office as I went to the shop this morning which was taken out for Harriet Wheeler but belongs to another Harriet Wheeler in town. I finished a dozen hats for Lucius Wildman today. He brought them there to be finished and the foreman weighed them out to me. I was on drab hats and there not being enough faced for a full day's work was compelled to stop about 2 o'clock and wait until tomorrow morning. I came home by way of John Cosier's office and sat there awhile with him. In the meantime he showed me his patent fixtures for a bed. From there, I came home and trimmed my apple trees. In the evening, Gussie went over to Mrs. Burr Bradley's to learn how to make cone picture frames. I went to class which met with Brother Charles Stevens instead of tomorrow evening on account of a temperance lecture which is to come off. We had a good meeting. It was something of a prayer meeting with all. Every Brother there offered a prayer in the course of the meeting. From the meeting, I went over to Burr Bradley's and came home with Gussie. 03/15 WEDNESDAY - Warm and cloudy - threatening rain all day and commenced just at night. I heard a robin and saw a crow blackbird for the first time this morning. I came home before night on account of being up with the facers. Bell went up home and spent the day. She got some milk over to Ira Dibble's and carried it up to Harriet. Father is sick with a head cold and not able to work. I brought a little cut shellac from the shop to put where I trimmed my trees. I also commenced to scrape from the bodies all the moss and loose bark but did not finish. As I came home from the shop, I got our coffee pot from Charles Hull's which I left there last evening to be mended. Before retiring, I fitted glasses to picture frames for Gussie. They are plain and are to be coated with cones and shells. 03/16 THURSDAY - Georgie is four months old today. Cloudy in the forenoon # pleasant in the P.M. # warm and windy. On my way to work this morning, I mailed the Jeffersonian to George. I worked as long as I could see in the shop tonight. Gussie called to see Mrs. Swift this afternoon. I went down town in the evening and got Father's Jeffersonian for Bell to take up to him when she goes home again. He is not able to go for it himself. I also lent the #Chart of Life# to Mrs. Swift. Before retiring, I made some egg cider. Gussie called on Widow Bishop in the evening to see if she could do some sewing for her. 03/17 FRIDAY - #St. Patrick's Day in the morning.# Cloudy this morning. It soon came off pleasant but very windy. In the P.M. a new bench came for me which had been ordered for several days. I took up the old one and put it down and finished four Nutria hats on it before I quit work. Gussie went to the Sewing Society in the evening at Stephen Holmes'. I went to the market and to the Post Office where I got two letters from George written February 27th and March 12th. He gave an account of the capture of Charleston. Enclosed was a card picture of the bombardment of Charleston. I got a letter for Bell and one for Mother from him at the same time. Bell is to take Mother's to her tomorrow. Bell went up home today. Father is still poorly. While she was there, Dr. Skiff came to see him, he having been sent for. Before retiring, I answered George's letters. I enclosed $6.00 for him until he gets paid off. He is out of money and has 6 months' pay due him from the government - $96.00. 03/18 SATURDAY - Pleasant but windy again. The wind rose with the sun and went down with it again. Before breakfast, I sent Bell down to the Post Office to mail a letter to George with $6.00 enclosed. Gussie went to the Savings Bank this afternoon and had the money which was deposited for Eddie transferred to Georgie's name. She deposited $1.00 with which but added makes $5.80 now standing to George's credit. Bell went up home this morning. Dr. Skiff was there and examined Mother's chest and pronounced it a tumor on the main artery of the heart or aneurism as the difficulty is called. Gussie caught Bell in a fit of anger shaking and striking Georgie today. She was very sorry and penitent after it. She confessed her wrong and asked Gussie to forgive her. I think she has learned her lesson and will not do it again. I went to market in the evening and borrowed some stain for the edges of the picture frames which Gussie is going to cover with cones and shells. I received the Jeffersonian from George today which I sent him some time ago to refer to for some purpose. I paid Dr. Brown 6 cents last night due on a letter from George. Before retiring, I stained the edges of the picture frames for Gussie. 03/19 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Not so windy as yesterday. Georgie cried a great deal last night and kept us awake. We rose late on that account. I did not go to church in the morning, but went down in time for Sunday School. Mr. and Mrs. Cocking and Mrs. Courtney called to see Gussie at noon while I was at Sunday School. I met them coming as I went away to church. I was so busy at the Library that I could not get upstairs to the preaching until after 2 o'clock. After tea, I took a nap in the rocking chair. As I went to evening meeting, I mailed a Harper's Weekly to George. It was a union meeting of all denominations except Catholic at our church to take measures to assist the freedmen of the South, sending aid in the shape of clothing, cooking and farming utensils, etc. A Mr. Guilder from New Canaan preached for us today and opened the meeting in the evening. After the opening exercises, David P. Nichols was appointed to preside over the meeting. Dr. Hawley was there and made the first speech after Mr. Guilder. 03/20 MONDAY - It sprinkled a little this morning and there was some prospect of rain, but it came off pleasant and warm. Mrs. McNeil came to do some dressmaking for Gussie and stayed to tea. Mr. McNeil (who is painting for Father Griswold) stayed to tea also. Gussie, Bell and Louise went up on Deer Hill to Fathers in the evening to carry a Spanish Rooster which Mother Griswold gave them to put with their hens. From there they went to the Post Office and home. While they were gone, I commenced a letter to George, informing him of what I have further found out about Edith's getting married. Horace Crofut's wife called this P.M. to bid goodbye to Father Griswold's folks who she heard were going to move away, that they had sold their place, etc. It is all false. She took it from the false publication in the Danbury Times that he had sold for $5,000 to Mr. Pond, when it was the place that he had formerly owned that was sold by Mr. Valentine to Mr. Pond for $2,500. 03/21 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm as June. I got tired out about 2 o'clock and left the shop. I worked around the yard a little, scraping apple tree bodies, etc. I got something from a dwarf pear tree in my eye, which caused severe pain until evening. Gussie and Bell went up home and drew Georgie in his carriage. They stayed to tea and I waited until after lamplight for my supper. I went to market in the evening and mailed a letter and a mortgage deed to Edwin for Father Griswold. William Bennett came home from the army today. He brought his horse with him. I brought a quart of bourbon whiskey in the evening of Parmalee & Bradley for $1.60. A telegraphic dispatch this P.M. from New York that gold was at 134; the evening papers put it at 133. Father came down to see us today. He was tired out when he got here. He is not yet very strong. 03/22 WEDNESDAY - A thunder shower about 7 o'clock this morning, though there was but a sprinkling of rain. The thunder was quite heavy. I have commenced taking a little bourbon whiskey each day. I took a little with me to the shop and found it a decided benefit. I was able to work all day, whereas yesterday I had to stop after dinner. David Mills came up to make us a call today; he came on the morning train. He took dinner up to Father's and spent the afternoon with Gussie. He came from the depot and called me at the shop before going up home. In the evening, I finished my letter to George, giving him what information I could about Lieutenant Colonel Goodyear of the 10th C.V. What I learned about him, I got from the Connecticut War Record of March. I also mailed to him the Jeffersonian. Blustering and cooler in the P.M. and evening. 03/23 THURSDAY - Snow squall this morning and some rain. The remainder of the day was clear, but the wind blew hard. I took a physic last night (Fig Paste) the effect of which I feel today. Fred Lockwood died this morning about 2 o'clock. I worked late though I did but little and was very tired when I came home. After tea, I took a nap on the lounge. Paid Bell $1.00 for 2 weeks wages at the tea table. It was due yesterday. (Gap in the diary Pgs. 208-209 missing). Continuation of 03/26 SUNDAY - a while and then I went up home to see Mother who for two or three days past has been worse. I returned home in time for meeting and found Mrs. Stone (who works for us) there with her little girl making a call. Gussie not wanting to go to prayer meeting, I went myself and mailed as I went a Harper's weekly to George. 03/27 MONDAY - Pleasant. On my way to the shop, I went with Gussie to Dr. St. John's to get a tooth extracted which has kept her awake nights for some time. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. Bell came down to take care of the baby that Gussie might go to Mary Olmstead's funeral in the P.M. George Blissard's child was buried today also. I worked so late in the shop that I got locked in. I unbolted the side door and went out. Fred(erick) Douglass, the colored speaker lectured here this evening. (Subject 'Equality Before The Law'). I thought of going to hear him but did not. Just previous to the lecture, Abram Blissard came along by Benedict & Nichol's store and insulted Mr. Shepard, the Universalist preacher, possibly on account of his Union sentiments. Blissard is one of the meanest of the mean Copperheads. Levi W. Bartram standing by, took Mr. Shepard's part and gave Blissard a push which sent him nearly off the walk, at the same time giving him to understand that he must mind his own business and not insult peaceable citizens. I went to Dr. Buckley's office in the evening to consult about the baby, a difficulty of the bowels. No evening papers. Mrs. Todd died this morning instead of yesterday. 03/28 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm. While scraping moss from my fruit tree before breakfast, the old chair on which I was standing broke and let me down. I carried a piece of fig paste to Daniel Manly this morning to let him try it in place of other physic which he has been in the habit of taking. I also gave him the recipe to make it. D.L Chichester called the shop on Theodore Lyon today for running (?) him out of a heater as he claimed. I worked in the shop as late as I could see. When I came home, I found Miss English at our house waiting for Curtis Bennett to come for her to take her home with him to do some sewing for his family. She stayed to tea. Georgie has a cold and some cough. I called at Dr. Buckley's in the evening to consult about it. I bought some smelt for breakfast and walked up West Street on my way home with Mr. Shepard, the Universalist preacher. 03/29 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. We had smelt for breakfast. Mrs. Todd was buried this P.M. Dr. Buckley's wife and Mrs. Daniel Starr called to see Gussie this P.M. Mrs. Starr stayed to tea. On my way home from work, I came home by way of the Jeffersonian Office and got the papers for fathers Griswold and Purdy and my own. I brought home a good quality of brown sugar # 5 lbs. for $1.00. I mailed the Jeffersonian to George in the evening. I went to market and the Post Office; was too late for class and came home. The evening Post quotes gold at 152. 03/30 THURSDAY - Stormy. Before breakfast, I picked up and carried off from my yard the trimmings from my apple trees. The uppers to my old boot bottoms which I wear in the shop gave out today and I brought them home and got Mr. Richards to mend them in the evening. I went to the Post Office in the evening. The evening Post quotes gold at 150 1/4. Henry Burroughs came home on the evening train. He was a member of the 15th regiment, Connecticut Volunteers and was taken prisoner in North Carolina short time since. He was for 4 days a prisoner in Richmond at Libby Prison. 03/31 FRIDAY - Stormy all day. Rain and snow together in the evening. After tea, I went to market and to the Post Office. Gold by the evening paper was quoted 151. Perrin speaks for the democracy at Concert Hall this evening. It cleared off between 9 and 10 o'clock in the evening. When we retired the moon and stars shone splendidly.
1865-03
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal April 1865 Entry
13 pgs
04/01 SATURDAY - Pleasant in the morning, but cloudy again in the evening. We had but one dozen to finish at the shop; I got through before dinner. I brought home a little paint for the edge of some picture frames and painted them after which I went to caucus at 3 P.M. in the basement of Concert Hall. David P. Nichols and Mr. H. Tweedy were nominated for our two representatives. L. C. Hoyt was chairman of the meeting. Edwin Harris and John Tweedy were appointed Tellers. I expected Aaron Mallett of Redding here to get his interest money, but for some reason he did not come. After I returned from Caucus, I helped Father Griswold trim some trees in his yard and move a bird house from under the cornice of his house to the sweet apple tree near the barn. When I came from Caucus however, I went to B. Cable's and got a large sized clothes dryer to use in place of the one we have been using which was a small size. The small one I am going to store until Mr. Wing or his agent calls for it. In the evening, I went to Dr. Buckley's and got a change of medicine as Georgie has some indications of croup. I went to market (after talking with Dr. and his son about politics, the war, etc.) and bought some oysters for our breakfast. By the evening Post, gold is 151. Gussie went to the dressmakers (Mrs. McNeil) in the P.M. Louise took care of the baby. Bell called this P.M.; Mother is no worse. Our new neighbor, Mr. Pond moved in today. 04/02 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Father Griswold preached for us today. I attended in the morning. His text was 1st Corinthians 3:21.22.23rd. George Cosier went up for Mother in the morning and brought her to church. After class meeting, he carried her to our house where she stayed in the P.M and to tea. I came home to let Gussie go in the afternoon. At evening meeting time, I went to the church and borrowed Mr. Levi W. Bartram's team to take Mother home with. Mr. S.W. Platt, the Newtown Methodist preacher gave a scientific temperance lecture at our church. He illustrated it by charts. The other churches were closed and all attended the lecture. A collection was taken up to help pay for the Newtown parsonage as this is the object for which he now lectures. I mailed the Harper's weekly to George as I went to the church. At the close of the lecture, the telegraphic news just received from General Grant was read to the audience. After three days hard fighting, our troops have been completely successful. Sheridan is sweeping everything before him capturing large numbers of prisoners. Grant has ordered an advance of his whole line and has captured the enemy's whole line of defenses. As the news was read the audience could with difficulty restrain their joy. President Lincoln is at City Point and directed the above dispatches to be sent. Julia Pine died this morning. She has been nearly or about a year been sick with consumption. 04/03 MONDAY - Election day ' Republican majority ' 208. The papers today confirmed the reports received by telegraph last evening. About noon we received by telegraph the intelligence that that Richmond and Petersburg had fallen with 40,000 prisoners. About 4 P.M. the cannon was fired 36 times in honor of the event. At the firing on Ira's Hill, I saw Andrew Knox for the first time to speak with him since his return from the army. He was 1st Lieutenant in the 1st regiment Heavy Artillery, C.V. His time of service had expired. He left his regiment near Petersburg. I have had no work in the shop. I worked around the house a great part of the day. Mr. Mallett of Redding came about noon for his latest interest on $1,100. I paid him $59.40 having paid his tax for him on the amount last summer, which was $6.60 the same being deducted from the 66 dollars. Later 10 o'clock at night I have just returned from Concert Hall where we have had a gathering to rejoice over victory in the field and to receive returns from the election. We have heard from nearly all the state and we have increased Union majorities and falling off of Copperhead majorities in strong Copperhead towns. The indications are that Buckingham is elected by a larger majority than ever before. By the evening post, gold is 145. During the day, it varied from 141 to 149 closing as above named. 04/04 Tuesday - I had work all day in the shop. On my way to work in the morning I took Gussie's shoes to C.H. Reed's to be mended. Buckingham is elected by about a 12,000 majority. The war news is good. The evening paper quotes gold at 146. 13,000 rebel prisoners have arrived at City Point. General Lee with what is left of his army is skedaddling and strewing the roads with the implements of war. Grant is in hot pursuit. Our prisoners are released. Libby is empty. Hatters' meeting in the evening. I got excused and left before it was over. Julia Pine was buried at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Gussie attended. We made up a purse at the shop for William Pine of about $4.20 with which to pay funeral expenses for his wife. 04/05 WEDNESDAY - Hager's barn was burned about 3 o'clock this morning with a wagon and sleigh and hay cutter belonging to Dr. Brewer and some books belonging to Mr. Robertson. We were limited in our work in the shop today. I came home about 3 o'clock and washed down my fruit trees with a solution of Salsoda. A fight today between two Dutch merchant tailors named Zarkowski and Harris. Two of their men took up the cause of their employers and had a clinch in Parmalee & Bradley's store. They were immediately parted by Bradley and Charles Hadden taking each of them one and taking them away. Thomas Stone was yesterday arrested by A.B. Hull (the freight agent at the depot) for adultery. His case was examined today and his trial put over to the next court and he was bound over under $500 bonds. John Bussing cut my hair at the shop after I finished my work. While we were at tea, Bell came in and said that Mother wished to see me up there as soon as I could come after tea as her business was important. I accordingly went up. It was about a gravestone for John and having his, Abagail's and William's remains moved from Mill Plain here to the cemetery. We concluded to let the matter rest for the present until a more convenient time. By the evening post, gold is quoted at 152. There is a rumor that Jeff Davis has been captured and that Abraham Lincoln has been taken by rebels at Richmond, but these need yet to be authenticated. I mailed the Jeffersonian to George in the evening. On account of going up home, I did not get to class. 04/06 THURSDAY - Rain a little at times, sunshine and wind. No work in the shop. I bought a little more Salsoda and finished washing my trees. Set out some horse radish roots under the drain. I filled out where plant had died in my Trompe de Grand strawberry bed. Raked leaves off the door yard. Sawed my 4 foot wood in the woodhouse once in two and piled it away in a smaller compass to make room for Mr. Cocking's wood. Gussie received a letter from Cousin Eliza in California. I sorted over the apples in the cellar. I went to market in the evening and walked up West Street as I came home with Rev. Mr. Shepard (Universalist clergyman). Good news in the evening post. Grant has cut off Lee's retreat. Gold at 150. 04/07 FRIDAY - No sunshine during the day, a little rain. There were enough rays from the setting sun to produce a rainbow. The grass has taken a fresh start today. It looks fresh and green. I have been at work on Full Stiff Drab Brush hates today. The papers tell us today the Sheridan has occupied the R. Road junction at Burkesville ahead of General Lee and Grant being close in Lee's rear there is all about a certainty of the destruction of the rebel army under Lee. Gussie went to the Sewing Society at Mrs. Alberta Hoyt's in the evening. Before retiring, I commenced a letter to George. News by the Evening Post that Sheridan has handsomely whipped Lee again near Burkesville and captured six rebel generals, a large number of prisoners, cannon, etc. Gold 147 by the Post. 04/08 SATURDAY - pleasant and a little cooler. About a half days work for the men, but I being on Brush hats had all that I could do. The news by the Evening Post last night was fully confirmed by the morning papers. Gussie made mince pies today. After tea, Louise came down and stayed with the baby and let Gussie go with me to market as she wanted to do some shopping. I bought meat, oyster crackers and two collars for myself. Nothing new by the evening papers. Gold quoted at about 149. After we came home, Fanny came in to make some arrangements about presenting books to the Sunday School Superintendents tomorrow. Brother Pegg and wife came to George Starr's this P.M. by freight train. He is to preach for us tomorrow. 04/09 SUNDAY - pleasant but cool; a heavy frost last night. Fanny and I went to church early and took the books for presentation to the Sunday School Superintendents from the parsonage into the Sunday School room. At noon, they were presented by Brother Pegg. 'The History of Methodism' in two volumes was presented to Brother William White and George Starr, Supt. and Asst. Supt. 'Biographical Sketches of Methodist Ministers', imitation of Moroccan Gilt price $3.00 was presented to Sisters Holmes and Bartrams, female Supt. and Asst. Supt. It being Conference Sunday and Brother Hill being too sick to go to conference or to preach, Brother Pegg came and preached for us. Text in the morning, Hebrews 12th, first 3 words of the second verse, viz. Looking Unto Jesus. Sacrament in the P.M. After the morning service Mary Purdy came up and stayed with the baby to let Gussie go to the presentation at noon and the Sacrament in the P.M. I went over in the morning and engaged her to come. She stayed and went with Gussie in the evening to hear Brother Pegg preach. I stayed at home with Georgie. I finished a letter to George and sent it with a Harper's weekly and yesterday's tribune to the Post Office by Gussie as she went to meeting. A prayer meeting was appointed to Mother's at 2 o'clock. 04/10 MONDAY - A day of rejoicing, General Robert E. Lee yesterday surrendered to General Grant. This morning's papers brought us the news. Stores and factories were immediately closed and notwithstanding the rain, the streets were filled with people all carrying happy faces. The bells were rung and cannon fired; the Brass Band and Drum Corps was out. In the evening, Concert Hall was illuminated and a large enthusiastic crowd assembled. Music by the Glee Club and Drum Corps. and Brass Band. Speeches were made, etc. I bought some sperm candles and illuminated father Griswold's cupola. The girls helped and also illuminated the whole house. We lighted up the lower part of our house also. I went up home and got Bell to come down and stay with baby to let Gussie go with me to Concert Hall. The evening mail brought us a letter from George. Bell stayed all night. Teachers' meeting in the evening. Mary Purdy came over before tea, and I cut her hair for her. 04/11 TUESDAY - Cloudy in the morning, a little sunshine in the middle of the day, cloudy again in the evening with a chilling atmosphere. On my way to the shop this morning, I called and paid Fred Bradley $1.00 for the sperm candles I bought there yesterday to illuminate Father Griswold's cupola. I also went to the Jeffersonian office and gave Ashley the item of Lieutenant Colonel Wilcoxsen's death for publication. I worked late on some brush hats in the shop. It was about 7 o'clock when I came home to tea. After tea, I went to market and bought some table salt. There was an adjourned Hatter's meeting, but I was too tired to attend and came home as soon as the mail was opened. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. At the Sunday School Teacher's Annual Meeting last evening, the same officers were elected except the male Supt. and Asst. which was only changed. George Starr was made Supt. and William S. White, the former Supt. made Asst. 04/12 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy most of the day. The sun shone a little after dinner though faintly. I am completely tire out finishing badly cleaned Brush hats. I burned one a little on the brim this P.M. and may have it to pay for. I stopped and would not take any more of them. I came home with the headache. An article in the Jeffersonian from George speaking of the death of Lieut. Col. Wilcoxsen of his regiment who died in Tallahassee, Florida in the rebels' hands, a prisoner of war. Inflammation set in his wounds and caused his death. After tea, I finished my letter to George and mailed with it in the evening a New York tribune of Monday and the Jeffersonian rolled up together. It is reported that William Seward, the Secretary of State in Washington is dead. He died from injuries received from being thrown out of a carriage. It is also reported that Lynchburg, Va. is taken by General Thomas. Gold by Evening Post is quoted at 145. Father Griswold returned from conference (which was held in the 17th Street Church in New York City) by the evening train. 04/13 THURSDAY - Pleasant. D.L. Chichester called the shop this forenoon to get an advance on some hats that were heavy, called B&W Hats. It is certainly harder and heavier work than we ordinarily have and we ought to have more for doing it. But as we had said nothing about it when trade was good, we thought it an unfavorable time now to ask an advance just as trade was over and a prospect of dull times coming on. It being late before I got to the shop this morning, I did but little during the day, only 1 dozen and then came home. Robert Lewis was off today, has gone to Lacey & Sheathars. I bought glass for two picture frames at O.H. Swift's. Gussie drew the baby over to Mrs. Lynes this P.M. to see Mrs. Cocking. She stayed to tea. Hattie Mills came to see us before she returned. She stayed until evening when Gussie went into the street with her. I understand that Theodore Flagler and Fred Wildman arrived home last evening, their term of service of one year having expired. 04/14 FRIDAY - A beautiful day. Fast day, no work in the shop on that account. I did some grafting for Father Griswold and myself. Before breakfast, I carried home the bottle of cut rubber and other ingredients called cement which a long time ago I borrowed of John Cosier to mend my rubber boots. I got Mr. McDonald's horse and carriage and carried Mother to church and home again. After dinner Father and Mother Griswold took the same team and rose over to Mill Plain to engage butter for the summer for themselves and us of Chris Fowler. They also spoke for Mrs. Cocking. Mr. Fowler agreed to furnish us ___ . At the same time that they went over there, Harriet, Gussie and myself went up to the cemetery to repair the flower beds and set out some plants. On my return I brought home a 3 # pound shad at 20 cents/lb. from Avery Raymond's, our first this season. It came from the North River. I finished grafting for myself before tea. In the evening, I intended to attend the Union League, but the room was not lighted, so I waited for the mail and came home. Gold 146. 04/15 SATURDAY - Pleasant in the morning; began to rain about 4 P.M. I finished grafting for Father Griswold in the morning, and while at it about 9 o'clock, a dispatch was received saying that president Lincoln was shot last night while at Ford's theatre in Washington. He died this morning about the same time the President was shot, an assassin, perhaps the same one, went to Secretary Seward's room where he lay sick in bed and cut his throat at the same time lunging his knife into his side. As he left, he stabbed ___. Upon the receipt of the news, all the bells commenced tolling. Flags are at half-mast and many houses are dressed in mourning. A general sorrow pervades the people and indignation is aroused anew against the rebels. A later dispatch this evening states that the murderer has been caught. I raked off my garden and burned the rubbish. I dug around my trees and destroyed worms. Mr. and Mrs. Lynes having come home for the season today, Robert and wife returned to their rooms and furniture. Her sister, Mrs. Courtney is visiting with them. She is to occupy our bedroom upstairs while she stays. Mrs. Lynes gave Mrs. Cocking a basket of eggs as she came away. When she got here with them she gave Gussie a dozen of them. Later, 10 o'clock in the evening I have been downtown. Received 2 letters from George, Gussie one and Harriet one. There was no evening papers come. There are rumors that Secretary Seward is not dead but that his son is and then right the reverse that the secretary is dead and not the son. Taking all the reports together we are yet in the dark as to the safety of Seward. While we were eating dinner this afternoon, Harriet Purdy called. Aunt Louisa called also a short time afterwards. 04/16 SUNDAY - Pleasant, a shower about 6 P.M. Mr. Stone, the Baptist preacher, preached for us in the morning. Gussie attended; I stayed with the baby. Father Griswold being home, he exchanged with Mr. Stone. Gussie came home at noon and I went to Sunday School and to preaching in the P.M. Brother Hill preached for the first in quite a time. He has been prostrate with inflammatory rheumatism. He looked like a ghost as he stood at the desk and preached. The church was draped in mourning at the death of President Lincoln. The galleries were hung in black. The pulpit was covered in a large American flag, draped in mourning. A solemn mournful feeling pervades the people. Father Purdy was at church and came to our house to tea. Mr. Cocking and myself bought a Sunday Times to get further news about the murder at Washington. The paper cost 20 cents. Henry E. Comes and Allison Smith went to Brewster Station for them. They sold like hotcakes even at that price. I completed my letter to George and Gussie mailed it as she went to meeting in the evening. A Harper's weekly and yesterday's Tribune also at the same time. I had dreadful sick headache and could not go out in the evening. There was a Union meeting at the 1st Church in the evening; I was too sick to go. I went to bed. Fanny came down and took care of Georgie. 04/17 Monday - Pleasant but a little cool. I am over my sick headache and have worked all day. I bought a New York Tribune to send to George and mailed it this evening. The papers today give an account of the taking of Mobile with a large number of cannon and 3,000 prisoners. Ezra Wildman was off from the shop today. Theodore Flagler called at the shop today. He has been in the Navy for one year. He came home one day last week. Harriet Mills called in the evening. The shop today was dressed in mourning by hanging black and white festooned together out the trimming room windows and the factory flag trimmed in black hung over the front entrance. Secretary Seward is better and his son Fred out of danger. The assassins not yet caught. 04/18 Tuesday - A little colored boy about 10 years old came to the door just as we were retiring about 11 o'clock and wanted to stay overnight. I refused and soon after heard him crying near Mr. Pond's east gate. I went to him and he said his feet were cold. My sympathies were aroused and after considerable questioning as to where he was from and how old he was, I took him in, gave him some supper and let him sleep in the lounge. His name is James Martin. He has no parents living. He is from Peekskill and is the same boy who about a year and a half ago stayed all night with us. I called him up this morning and set him at work sawing some wood for me to pay for his lodging, supper and breakfast which I thought he could do as well as me anyway. When breakfast was ready, I called him in to eat. After which I gave him as good a written recommendation as I could to help him get employment with some farmer. He promised to go into the farming districts and with his paper to get employment. I went to the factory and soon saw him with two other Negroes on the railroad tracks after having been kicked out of the boiler room by Hiram Haddam the engineer. I send Orlando Morris, the errand boy, after him. He brought him up into the finishing room where I talked to him and took away the papers which I gave him in the morning, not wishing the little vagabond as he proves to be to carry around a recommendation with my signature. It was cloudy in the morning, rainy in the middle of the day and cleared off before night. It is reported in the evening post that the man who attempted to murder Secretary Seward has been caught. An extra meeting of the Union League was held to make arrangements for the observance of tomorrow which is the burial of President Lincoln. All business is to be suspended and stores to be closed from 11 o'clock. What further was done at the meeting, I know not as I left before business was over on account of the lateness of the hour. They concluded, however, I believe to call a meeting of the citizens tomorrow forenoon and have it a citizen's affair rather than confine it to the League itself. I bought a shad for Mother Griswold and when Fanny came home she bought another, so I took one of them off their hands. 04/19 WEDNESDAY - The anniversary of the Wooster Guards tendering their services to Governor Buckingham under president Lincoln's call for 75,000 troops for 3 months in April, 1861. NO! It was 4 years ago yesterday and 4 years ago today that the Guards left home on the afternoon train for the rendezvous at New Haven. It is also the anniversary of the first blood shed in the revolutionary war at Lexington as well as the first of this war by the killing of a Mss. Soldier in Baltimore. President Lincoln was buried today or rather the funeral obsequies were held in Washington. All over the land services were held in churches and a sermon preached. Our churches as usual on all such public occasions united. The service was held in the First Congregational Church. Father Griswold preached the sermon or delivered the discourse as he had no text. At 11 o'clock, a meeting of citizens was held at Concert Hall to make arrangements about badges, a procession, etc. They voted to wear a badge of mourning during the day. (The Union League or its members are to wear one for 30 days.) and after the service in the church which commenced at 12 o'clock (the same hour as the services at the Presidential Mansion) a procession was decided upon which according to arrangements was formed at the church at the close of the service about 2 o'clock in the following order Band (Drum Corps), soldiers who had served in the war, ladies, next gentlemen and ladies and brought up with gentlemen. The procession was a long one. We marched down to the Courthouse and then up to Franklin Street and back again to the place of starting where we broke up in the churchyard with a benediction from Bishop Williams of the Episcopal Church. In the morning, I put coal ashes around my trees and decorated the front door and piazza with emblems of mourning. I mailed a Jeffersonian to George in the evening. Gussie put Georgie in his carriage and drew him down to Brother Hill's where she witnessed the procession. I went into the street in the evening, but there being no evening papers, we got no news. Bell came down at noon for some vinegar. Smith Terrell was this morning married to Margaret Dibble. Mr. Townsend officiated. They went off on the train. Saul Mallory was marshal of the procession at A. Lincoln's funeral, or rather at the demonstration made here at Danbury at the time of the funeral. The day has been lovely. In the evening in the post office I paid my taxes, $13.79 to Charles H. Crosby. 04/20 THURSDAY - A little sunshine during the forenoon, but after dinner, it clouded over and commenced raining about 5 o'clock. I have had no work in the shop today and have worked around the house. I trimmed the edges of my walks in the yard, made the flower bed by the piazza, set out a few Poor House Seedling Strawberry Plants which Mr. Cocking brought me to fill out my bed where a few had died out. Mr. Cocking took two dozen perpetual bearing raspberry plants from Father Griswold to set out over to Mr. Lynes. They are 50 cents per dozen. He is to let Father Griswold have tomatoes and eggplants in exchange. After dinner, I took a nap and then put out some myrtle in the tubs for that purpose in the yard. I went to the Post Office in the evening and got a letter from George from St. Augustine, Florida. I also received by ail the insurance policy for renewal from Aaron Mallett, West Redding. He holds the policy as additional security with a mortgage on my place for $1,100. Before retiring, I helped Gussie commence a shell frame for John's picture. It rained hard when we retired. 04/21 FRIDAY - Cloudy and misty but only a little rain. I have not felt well today and did not go to the shop. I went into the street in the forenoon and talked with O. H. Swift about buying out his business picture framing, stationary, books, etc. After dinner I lay on the lounge and took a nap. About 3 o'clock, I went downtown again and helped Mr. Swift carry a large picture of the deathbed of Daniel Webster (which he had been framing) up to Mr. R. White's. I then went to the shirt factory to see Edith Newman about making a general exchange for George of pictures. Letters, etc. for which purpose I came downtown. She and George had held an intimate correspondence since he has been in the army and now she has engaged herself to be married to one Samuel Main of Georgetown. George wishes me to make the exchange of letters, pictures, etc. She promised to come to our house next Monday evening and bring the letters, etc. to make the exchange. I stayed with baby in the evening and let Gussie go to the sewing society up to Mrs. Fanton's on Balmforth Avenue. While she was away, I commenced a letter to George. 04/22 SATURDAY - It rained hard last night. Cloudy but a very little rain before dinner. It cleared off about 10 o'clock. There is but a few men left in the shop, they having left and gone to Tweedy Brothers, Mallory's, and Sheather's & Lacey's to get more work and better prices. What men there are left have all the work they can do. At 4 P.M. a meeting was held in Concert Hall to nominate a man for Postmaster in the coming term. Dr. Brown was selected by a majority of over 50 above all others. Fanny stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie got to the stores with me. Elias Fay's remains came in the evening train and were taken over to his father's. He died last Monday April 17that Chatfield Minnesota. News came today that Fred Vintz was dead and buried. He was wounded and taken to Harewood Hospital, Washington, D. C. where he died with a fever. We sat up until 12 o'clock working on a shell picture frame. 04/23 SUNDAY - Pleasant this morning. Our new presiding Elder, Nathaniel Mead preached for us this morning. A love feast was held a t 9 o'clock this morning. We rose too late to attend. Gussie went to church in the forenoon while I stayed with the baby. She came home after the morning service and I went down to Sunday School. It took so long to put on anew the numbers which were off from some of the books that I did not go to church in the afternoon. When I got there at noon, I found Saul Main in the seat by the library with Edward Barnum. He is to be married to Edith Newman before long. Next month, I believe. After supper, I finished my letter to George. There were three sheets full. A Mr. Dorman who preached for the 1st Congregational Church 4 weeks ago and also again today preached this evening at their church and the 3 other congregations, viz. 2nd Congregational, Baptist and ours united and I went to hear him. It was a eulogy on Abraham Lincoln. His text was Revelations 18:8. It was a good thing. It was fitting the occasion of the nation's grief and he did justice to Lincoln. As I went to church, I mailed a letter and a Tribune to George. The Harper's weekly did not come yesterday as usual. I expect them tomorrow or the next day. 04/24 MONDAY - I was informed wrong about Elias Fay's remains coming home Saturday evening. It did not arrive, but is expected every day. The day has been pleasant but cool; a heavy mist last night. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. I had all I could do in the shop and worked until sundown. Georgie is cutting his teeth and is very worrisome. Gussie went in the evening to the Baptist Church to hear Mrs. Bingham, the southern refugee speak. While she was gone I sorted Edith's letters from other letters of George's in order to return them to her in exchange for his in her possession as he requested me. I somewhat expected her here this evening to make the exchange. She partially promised me that she would come. 04/25 TUESDAY - Pleasant. Elias Fay's remains came on the train last evening and were buried this afternoon at 2 o'clock. On my way home from work tonight, I borrowed a pair of trimming shears of Charles Hull to make a knuckle fender for my irons. I returned them in the evening. The Harper's Weeklies came today. I sent one to George and mailed it with a letter I finished after tea. Edith Newman sent the old letters she received from George with pictures, relics, etc. including a white handkerchief with blood stains on it from his wound received in the trenches before Fort Wagner on James Island. Her Mr. Saul brought them and took hers written to George in exchange. Mrs. Burr Bradley called on Gussie this afternoon. I bought some halibut for my breakfast for the first time this season. 04/26 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. Nothing unusual in the day. When I came home from work at night, I found the house locked up and wife and baby gone with Mother Griswold's folks up to Mrs. Bartram's. I got my own supper and was about starting for class when Mrs. Bartram drove up with them all. Just at that time Sarah Purdy came along and took Georgie and came in to the house with him. Mrs. Bartram also came in. The consequence was that I did not go to class, though I rode down with Mrs. Bartram to get my Jeffersonian and to mail one to George which I did, putting it up and directing it in the Jeffersonian Office. 04/27 THURSDAY - Warmer than yesterday. It has been like midsummer. News by telegraph this noon that J. Wilkes Booth the murderer of President Lincoln was shot dead in a swamp in Maryland. They were doubtless obliged to shoot him in order to get him at all. He was shot through the head. The cherry blossoms are coming out fine. Some trees were blossomed out full yesterday. Others have blossomed today. When I left the shop I came by way of George Hull's and got some pieces of tin for upright partitions in our Sunday School library and went to the church and put a part of them in before I came home. After tea, I took the lantern, went up to Father Griswold's barn and made a pair of cleats for a drawer which I brought home from the Sunday School room which was not of any use there and intend to put it up under my bench at the shop. After I did this, I went up home to see if I could get Father to come and make my garden for me. He is too busy in the shop and cannot. Mrs. Cocking's sister, Mrs. Courtney went home to Fort Hamilton, Long Island this morning. In the evening, Father Griswold wanted to borrow $10.00 until next week. I let him have it and $4.90 of it to balance my account with him. He gave me back 10 cents leaving my due borrowed money $5.00. 04/28 Friday - Very warm again for the season. I put up my dinner at the breakfast table but finally concluded to stay at home and commence making my gardens as I wanted to dig up a certain spot and plant dwarf peas as well as make the flower borders which I preferred to do myself rather than hire it done as I could suit myself much better though I could have earned in the shop more than enough to pay a man for doing it. I accomplished the task I laid out to do though working in the sun gave me a severe headache which I was obliged to endure until the heat of the day was over. After tea, I carried a drawer down to the shop which I intend to put up under my bench and then came home by way of Avery Raymond's and bought a shad for 12 cents per lb. I bought a New York Daily Times with the account in it of the capture of J. Wilkes Booth and one of his accomplices named Herold. They were found secreted in a barn near Port Royal on the Rappahannock in Virginia. Herold gave himself up but Booth would not surrender. He said they would never take him alive. They set fire to the barn to drive him out. As he was coming out and in the act of shooting, one of the men shot him through the neck. He lived only two or three hours after being wounded. He murdered President Lincoln with a bullet and came to his end in the same manner. Gussie mailed the New York Times to George as she went to the Sewing Society in the evening up to Mrs. Fantonӳ on Balmforth Avenue. I stayed with Georgie while she was away and in meantime, David Bradleyӳ wife, Frank Bouton, and Mary Purdy called to see her. I heard a Bob oҠWhite this morning for the first time this season. I planted dwarf peas and some radishes. I commenced a letter to George while staying with Georgie in the evening. 04/29 SATURDAY - Showery through the day, though there was a little sunshine in the P.M. I put up my drawer under my bench at the shop at noon time. While we were drinking tea, it thundered hard. It rained hard in the evening. I went to the church and finished putting up the tin partitions between every ten books in the library. I worked at it until 4 oӣlock; when I came home the stars were shining. The wind has blown hard all day. 04/30 SUNDAY - Pleasant but colder. Gussie went to church this morning. I stayed with Georgie. She came home at noon and I went to Sabbath School and to the quarterly Sunday School Concert at the 1st Church. Sunday School books were taken in but none were given out. After tea, Father came and gave me the particulars of Uncle Stephenӳ death of the 2nd Connecticut Light Battery at the Battle of Mobile when the city was captured. He went safely through the battle and while helping to carry the wounded from the field stepped on a secreted torpedo which blew up taking clean from his body one leg and badly shattering the other. He lived about an hour. Fanny came down and stayed with Georgie and we went up to the cemetery leaving Father with her. I mailed a Harperӳ Weekly to George ֠wrote a little in a letter I had begun to George speaking of Uncle Stephen's death. We being tired when we returned from the cemetery neither went to church in the evening.
1865-04
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal June 1869 Entry
12pgs
JUNE 01 TUESDAY - Pleasant and hot. After breakfast, I hoed out the oats in four rows of potatoes for Father Griswold. I then took the lesson books, catechisms, etc. which I bought yesterday in New York for the Sunday School down to the church and a “Singing Pilgrim and Leaves” down to Mrs. Horace Crofut at the foot of Liberty Street. I got my clock at T. B. Fanton's (where it has been to be cleaned) and the papers at Swift's and then came home. In the P.M., I went into the street to engage Mr. Sayers to plow out potatoes for Father Griswold tomorrow and to Knox's paint shop to make arrangements for graining my sitting room. I then came home and commenced scraping off the old graining preparatory to putting on the new. After tea, I planted over parsnips, also some corn. I then went into the street and engaged some butter at Holmes' to come tomorrow. I mailed a letter this morning to William Hayes. At tea time, Charles Hayes paid Gussie $24.00 for board. JUNE 02 WEDNESDAY - After breakfast, I went with Charley to his shop (The Sewing Machine Factory) and borrowed of him a scraper to scrape off the old graining in my sitting room. I worked at it until the middle of the P.M. when I went up to Knox's for paint for priming preparatory to graining. I worked until 11 o'clock at night in order to finish putting on the first coat of paint. Gussie went to the Sewing Society in the evening. Louise held lamp for me a part of the evening. It has been showery today. George came in the morning and borrowed my fish lines to go fishing. The New York circus which travels by railroad has showed here today. JUNE 03 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm. Charles Hayes (our boarder) last night thought he would change his boarding place. He arranged for a place in Montgomery Street and paid a week's board in advance. He came back while I was painting and after further consideration, concluded to stay with us. He however, stayed at the new place last night. He went to Bridgeport on a trip today and returned after tea this evening. Mr. Pond and I ground the scythe, sickle and two carvers after breakfast this morning. I worked for Father Griswold this forenoon, hoeing out his corn and potatoes. After dinner, I took a nap and then took Georgie with his straw hat down to the shop and pressed it over for him making it good as new. From there, we walked up to John Cosier's office where I had a little more talk with him about buying his business and then Georgie and I came home. After tea, while it was cool and pleasant, I worked in my garden until it was dark. Gussie and Louise went up to Mrs. McNeil's this P.M. to see about some dress making. They called a few minutes at the cemetery before returning. JUNE 04 FRIDAY - After breakfast, I wrote two letters - to William Hayes, 31 Downing Street, and Hiram Benjamin, 151 Fulton Street. I sent them to the Office in time for the morning mail by William Blissard. I helped Father Griswold hoe his garden for a while in the morning until the sun became hot about 10 o'clock when I came in and commenced putting on our sitting room, the second coat of paint for graining. Bell took Georgie up to Mallory's Shop with her but returned in time for dinner. I did not finish painting until 6 o'clock. I have to go for more paint before I can finish. I went to market in the evening. It clouded over in the P.M. and before night it rained a little. Father Griswold talked with John Cosier about me buying his leather cutting business. I wished him to see him and give his opinion concerning it that I might have the benefit of his counsel, to say nothing of his approval which is very desirable. He does not object to the movement. While in his study this evening, I signed a certificate on the back of my note of $1,200.00 to the Savings Bank stating that he (E.E.G.) had paid such note and acknowledging my indebtedness to him for said amount. JUNE 05 SATURDAY - Muggy in the morning. Sunshine and two hard thunder showers in the P.M. I went down to see John Cosier in the forenoon and pretty much concluded to buy out his share of his business. Mr. Sherman, the grocer, came up about 11 o'clock for some pie plant. I let him have 7 lbs. and Mr. Pond 10 lbs. at 3 cents per pound. After dinner, I took a short nap and then took Georgie for a walk with me into the street, to John Cosier's office, to the depot at the arrival of the 3:15 train, expecting H. B. Benjamin from New York who promised to bring my old account books, etc. from my old store. He did not however come. I then walked down to the shop and then home again just in time to escape a hard shower. In the evening, I went again to do some marketing and to see if H. B. Benjamin came on the train. George and Bell went to New York this morning. JUNE 06 SUNDAY - Pleasant but cooler. I attended church in the forenoon. Gussie came down to Sunday School with Georgie. After school, I came home with him. After supper, we all took a walk up to E. S. Davis' new house on Rose Hill. We met Henry Ely's wife and child up there. We came home by Mallory's shop and Elm Street. We called on Robert and Maria Cocking before coming home. I went to church in the evening and slept during most of the sermon. Put on underclothes. JUNE 07 MONDAY - Pleasant but cool. I put on my underclothes again yesterday morning and I find them quite comfortable. I went down to the shop this morning and got my pocketknife which I left there one day last week. I saw Mr. Crofut and told him that I was sorry that I could not pay him the $60.00 I owe him but promised to pay as soon as I received my money from the sale of the New York business. He expressed himself satisfied. I also saw D. P. Nichols and told him the same regarding $24.61 which I owe him. I spent most of the day with George Barnum (John Cosier's partner) helping him. When I came home, I went over to Ed. James to look at some clothing which he wants to sell me. I saw nothing that suited me. After tea, I transplanted dahlias and one tomato plant from a pot. Gussie has been growing this plant all last winter. At noon, I wrote to Carlton & Lenahan ordering half dozen Vol. 1 of “Two Years with Jesus”. Dr. Thompson's son Thomas was buried this P.M. at 2 o'clock. I have felt cold today and have the headache. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to market. JUNE 08 TUESDAY - I have worked in the shop today. There was shower of rain (but no thunder) about 7 o'clock this morning. Another with thunder as I was returning to the shop after dinner. After work I selected a hat for Mr. Pond and brought home to him. On my way home, I left a copy of “Outlines of the U. S. Government” with David Hoyt at the Railroad Repair shop. He promises to pay next Tuesday, a week from today. Kit is $2.00. I called at John Cosier's office also as I came home. I am yet undecided about buying him out. After tea, I spaded the ground over (or rather forked it over) between my potatoes and early cabbages. Gussie went to market in the evening with Susan Brayman and I stayed at home. I directed an envelope for Susan to send to John at Walpole, Mass. in care of Gill & Sons. The hat for Mr. Pond was $3.00. I charged it to him as I am owing to him on a book account. JUNE 09 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer than it has been since last Saturday's thunder showers. I went to the shop this morning for my pocket rule which I left there yesterday. I called at Cosier's office and came home and worked in the garden until noon. After dinner, I wrote Henry Day at 61 Carmine Street, New York about sending a package to me which was last Saturday left there for me by William Hayes. It is my old account books, papers, etc. pertaining to my business in New York at 68 1/2 Carmine Street. I went into the street, mailed the letter, and left a copy of Philip Phillips new singing book, “The Standard Singer” at Ed. Allen's to send to B. Lockwood in Bethel. I called again on John Cosier and told him that I would not buy him out after considering the matter as I have done. I pulled weeds in my garden before tea. In the evening, I went to the church to vote on the question of Lay representation. I voted against it. There were 85 votes cast, 65 for and 20 against it. Gussie attended also. Louise came down and stayed with Georgie to let us attend. JUNE 10 THURSDAY - A little sunshine in the morning but it soon clouded over and before noon commenced to rain. I began in the morning to mow the grass in front of my place, Father Griswold’s, and N. C. Ponds, also to trim out, draw a line, cut a straight edge, and repair the walk. Mr. Pond offered me $3.00 a day to do his front walk. I worked until 4 P.M. when the rain stopped me. This morning, while over to Mr. McDonald's for milk, he (Mr. McDonald) spoke to me about not paying my church seat rent. I think he is meddling with what is none of his business. If he has been directed by the Leaders and Stewards to speak to me about it, I think that they treat me unkindly at least for I am as well aware as they that I owe for the seat and have not been able to pay but will as soon as I am able and they ought to know me well enough for that. I have had the headache nearly all day but have worked out, nevertheless. I did not feel able to go into the street in the evening, so Gussie went and did the marketing. George Stevens' son, Frank, who has not long been out of the penitentiary yesterday stole $200.00 from Graham, the carpenter and this morning, Officer Crosby arrested him. After tea, I wrote to my successor in New York, Henry Day, to see if he can send me some money soon. I am owing Mr. Pond, $100.00. He has a note to meet on the 15th inst. And I would like very much to pay him and thereby help him on the note as he spoke to me about it this morning. He is a kind good fellow and will not force me at all if I do not get the money for him, but he ought to have it and I very much want to pay it for it is a long time past due. Gussie mailed the letter for me this evening. JUNE 11 FRIDAY - Pleasant with the exception of a little splatter of a shower in the P.M. and again in the evening. I finished working on Mr. Pond's sidewalk this morning. I spent the rest of the day drawing with Alfred Gregory's horse and wagon and wheeling on a barrow sand for Father Griswold's and my sidewalk. I spent a short time while waiting for the horse in hoeing my garden. I was very tired at night. Father has gone to Ridgefield and Mother has come over today to stay overnight with Frank Bouton. Tomorrow she will return as far as here and spend the day. JUNE 12 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I had work in the shop until noon. I came home to dinner and while eating it, Ambrose Hill came in with his spring bed model. I had a talk with him about canvassing New London and Windham Counties. I went over home with him and examined one in use on his bed. We had some talk about working the thing together, canvassing this county and then going to New London and Windham. I took the model home with me thinking to operate a little with it. On my way home, I stopped to see George Starr about what Mr. McDonald told me was said derogatory to my character and good name in a meeting of the church officials about my unpaid seat rent. He disbelieves McDonald's story and promises to set matters right next meeting of the Leaders and Stewards. I cashed Oscar Serine's account this morning. It was $4.00. We could not make change, so I gave him a $5.00 bill. This evening, he saw me and paid me the dollar. I went into the street this evening and got a letter from George in Brooklyn. He is yet very weak from his sickness (the Jaundice). He has but little work and is anxious to get out of Brooklyn. Mother has not been here today as expected; for what reason we know not. As I came home this evening, I called at Mrs. Wilcox's on Deer Hill to see if Mr. H. B. Benjamin had come from New York and if he brought my package of account books from the Carmine Street store. I saw him but he forgot my parcel. JUNE 13 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I went down to Sunday School at noon. It being our Concert Sunday, I distributed my papers before the exercises commenced. I delivered to L. W. Bartram the half dozen “Two Years with Jesus”, 1st Series which he ordered last Sunday. The $1.50 for these, he could not pay, having no money with him. After school, I came home with Georgie. After dinner, Charlie took a walk with Theo. Bradley. Gussie went to the Band of Hope (Ed. Note: The Band of Hope was a temperance organization for working-class children, founded in Leeds, England in 1847.) and I walked over to John Bouton's and to John Morris' new house with Georgie. JUNE 14 MONDAY - Rain most of the time until after dinner when it finally came off pleasant and hot. I had work in the shop until noon. I started out about 3 P.M. with the model to canvass for the Connecticut Spring Bed Bottom. I sold one to Henry Barry the first call I made. Almon Hickok, I think, will take one also. Several others spoke favorably and may buy. Before returning home, I called to see Alvin Hurd, who is very feeble and will not probably be any better. He is I think about 74 years old. I received by this evening's mail a letter from Yonkers, New York from George Hendrickson with $2.60 enclosed, the amount of his bill for picture frames I made for him before selling out in New York. Before retiring, I made out a receipt for the amount and enclosed with a note to him. I also wrote to George and enclosed 50 cents for him to go over to New York at 10 Grove Street and collect a bill for me from Mr. Tater. I wrote to Daniel Minnerly, my old gilder, for $1.90 he owes me for a frame he made for a friend. He is with my successor, Henry Day at 61 Carmine Street. Knox sent a man today to grain our sitting room. JUNE 15 THURSDAY - Muggy with a little rain, also warm sunshine. I had a half dozen hats to finish at the shop this morning. I took the model for the spring bed with me to the shop thinking I might canvass a little when I finished my work. I talked a little with Mr. Mansfield about laying in my winter's supply of coal. I being out, ordered a half ton of Carmel Ridge which came in the afternoon. Just at night, I canvassed a little for the spring bed. I took an order for one from Frank Larson. I went over to the depot this evening, expecting that my account books would be sent by someone from New York, by H. B. Benjamin, but saw nothing. The bill I sent yesterday to Carlton & Lenahan to be receipted was returned this evening all right by mail. David Hoyt this evening paid me $2.00 for “Outline of U. S. Government” which I a week ago delivered. Temperance Strawberry Festival this evening at Concert Hall. Gussie attended. WEDNESDAY JUNE 16 - Pleasant. I went down to Andrew Knox's in the forenoon and got a 1/2 pint of varnish. In the afternoon, I varnished the sitting room which was grained the day before yesterday. I also varnished my secretary and the parlor chairs. Gussie has had Susan Brayman helping her clean the stairway, wash blinds, scour tin ware and can 5 pineapples. She and Gussie made chowder for dinner. I went to the depot in the evening to see if H.B. Benjamin sent my package of account books which William said he would leave at the store (61 Carmine Street) to be sent to me and which Mr. Benjamin promised to send or bring to me. They were not sent. Louise brought a letter to me from the evening mail which was sent to me for New York purporting to come from Gumbridge & Company, 69 Wall Street. I doubt such a name could be found if one tried to do so. The thing was offering counterfeit U. S. Treasury Notes - $200 for $15, $1,000 for $50, and $2,000 for $80. Who the man can be who presume to draw me into such unlawful business, I cannot tell. I spoke of it to Ambrose Hill when I went in the evening to talk about the Connecticut Spring Bed business. We have pretty much made up our minds to take New London and Windham Counties and go on there to canvass for them. Before retiring, I showed the New York communication to Father Griswold. I think tomorrow, I shall put it into Officer Crosby's hands. JUNE 17 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I have canvassed all day for the spring bed. It pleases all who have seen it. Nelson Nickerson's child was brought here this P.M. from Stratford for burial. This evening, I put the counterfeiter's letter into Charles Crosby's hands. I went to the depot this evening but saw no one from New York with my store account books. I returned home and took my spring bed model and called in West Street to see Mr. Coe and Robert Redfield. Coe thinks he will take one. JUNE 18 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. I have spent today in canvassing for the spring bed. I sold one to James Olmstead at the Sewing Machine Factory. I went up to E. S. Davis to sell him some of them. They have not yet completed their house and cannot yet fit up their beds but there is a good prospect of selling them some, I think. Father and Mother were here to tea. After tea, I went over to Olmstead's in River Street and measured his bedstead for his spring bed. About 10:30 this evening, Saul Flieg and Theo. Bradley drove up for Charlie Hayes to go and ride with them. Charles was in his room partly undressed to retire. He came down and went with them. JUNE 19 SATURDAY - Pleasant and hot. Charlie Hayes went to work without his breakfast because we did not get it in time. I carried it to him. I have canvassed all day for the spring bed. Received a letter from George stating that he went to see Tator about my bill and gave him my receipt for the amount ($4.00) to bill an account which he owed to Tator and he will pay me. I went to market in the evening with Gussie. I came home with the things and then went over to see Ambrose Hill about the spring bed affair where I stayed and talked until nearly 11 o'clock. Hiram B. Benjamin brought my old account books from New York this evening. I met him coming from the depot and took the books from him. Bell took Georgie up home with her to stay all night. JUNE 20 SUNDAY - Warm but showery. A hard thundershower about 6 o'clock. Bell came down with Georgie in time to dress him for Sunday School. I did not go down until noon. Brother Burch preached to the Sunday School children this morning and took a collection for the school amounting to $8.45. I let Theo Bradley count the school, etc. for me to see if he could do it for me as I am intending to be away over a few Sundays soon. Bell came home with Gussie to supper. Gussie went to church in the evening while I stayed home. I took a letter from the Office last evening for William Franklin. This evening I mailed it to George. JUNE 21 MONDAY - I grafted Fannie's lemon tree with orange this morning, also Gussie's. I met Ambrose Hill at the Jeffersonian Office this morning at 8 o'clock to arrange for some printing on the bottom of posters advertising our 'Connecticut Spring Beds'. It was putting our names on the bottom of them as agents for the same. Joe Ives and his salesman Ed Allen tried to run down the beds to me claiming that they were good for nothing. They either lied or the beds they had were a condemned lot for the Connecticut Spring bed is a success, in fact, superior to any other kind. This is my opinion, as it is of all who have used them except Allen and Ives, and they having other kinds to sell, of course say all they can against ours. Almon Judd wants me to put one in his bedstead in competition with John Raymond's. Ambrose received a dispatch from D. R. French, the general agent in Bridgeport, and this P.M., took the 4:15 train for Bridgeport to see what he wants. It commenced raining about 5 P.M. and continued through the evening. I went to market this evening and before coming home, I went to Homer Peters and had my hair cut. Charles Hayes received a dispatch from New York this morning on business. He took the noon train for the city. JUNE 22 TUESDAY - Stormy. I worked in the shop until about 3 P.M. I then on my way home from the shop met Ambrose Hill and we went to see David Osborne and took an order for a spring bed. He (Hill) came home with me and we made out my first order of 7 and in the evening, I mailed it to the manufacturer, T. G. Twitchell in New Haven. I went over home before tea with Hill and got my new model, leaving the old one with him to put in a new spring. Our church having a Strawberry & Cream Festival this evening, I acted as one of the doorkeepers. After it was over, I went home with Florence Polly up to William Scofield's. JUNE 23 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I finished my work in the shop about noon. A part of the P.M., I canvassed for our spring bed. I sold to H. B. Fanton (1), Hanford Fairchild (3), and Daniel Starr (1). In the evening, I went to our festival. I attended door a part of the time. I guessed on the weight of the cake. Seven of us guessed the same. JUNE 24 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I worked a part of the A. M. in the shop. I finished mowing my dooryard this morning. When I came from work, I raked it up and carried it off. I met Ambrose Hill at the Depot on the arrival of the freight train. We expected 19 spring beds from New Haven, but they did not come. I canvassed a little for the remainder of the P.M. and then worked until dark hoeing in my garden. Charlie Hayes came from New York by the 3:15 train. Louise M. Jones called here about noon just after Gussie went up home. Bell came down just at night with Georgie. He has been staying up there for the last two days. JUNE 25 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I hoed in my garden in the morning. In the forenoon, I went over to E. W. Benedict's at Beaver Brook to sell him some spring beds. He did not order today, but I think he will. I took an order from William Jabine at the Danbury Savings Bank. I went in the P.M. and measured his bed. Henry Day was in town today. I saw him at the depot this P.M. as he was going away. His business is improving and will try to get some money for me soon. After tea, I went over to Robert Cocking for some cabbage plants and sent them out. I wrote a duplicate of our last order for beds of T. E. Twitchell in New Haven and mailed it to D. R. French at Derby. He is the general agent and the one we deal with and by his consent, we order direct of Twitchell the manufacturer and then send duplicates of all orders to French. I went into the street in the evening and mailed it. I took a walk to Ambrose Hill's house about 9 o'clock, but he had not returned from Newtown, so I came home again. JUNE 26 SATURDAY - I went over to Ambrose Hill's in the morning after hoeing a little in my garden, but not finding him at home, I went to Andrew William's machine shop to get a thumb screw put in a brace which I want to take with me to New London County next week to use in putting in spring bed bottoms. I went from there to the shop to see about my pay. Joe White (one of the firm) asked me about some money I borrowed from them last December 4th. I told him that as soon as I got money from the sale of the New York store, I would settle it. This seemed satisfactory. I went over to T. R. Hoyt's and measured his bed for spring bottom. I canvassed a little and went back to the shop to get my pay -$4.81. I then came home. Gussie received a paper from Eliza in California. We expected 18 beds this evening by freight but did not receive them, so Ambrose and I canvassed a little in the P.M. We sent off another order for 6 by the afternoon mail. I went into the street in the evening and bought a pair of low cloth patent leather tipped shoes for $2.00. I called a few minutes at the Wooster Guard Festival at Concert Hall and then came home. Gussie went into the street also in the evening. JUNE 27 SUNDAY - Muggy in the morning. A little sunshine in the middle of the day. From 3 to 7 P.M., we had three thunder showers, a hard rain with each. I went to church in time for Sunday School at noon. After school, I came home with Georgie, leaving Gussie at the church. I bought of our Superintendent, B. F. Bailey, a “Fresh Laurels” (Ed. Note, a Sunday School hymnal) for Gussie. JUNE 28 MONDAY - Thunder showers this morning. The sun finally came out scalding hot. I went over to see Ambrose Hill in the forenoon. We went downtown together. We took an order of bed springs of Noah T. Hoyt. After dinner, we went to the depot. Our bed springs came, 18 of them. Six of them go to Newtown; The other twelve we delivered and put up as follows: Peter Starr, David Osborne, Swertfager, (editor of the Jeffersonian), W. G. Randall, John Cosier, S. C. Holley, James O. Olmstead (he being away when we went there to put it up, we left it for tomorrow), J. W. Jennings, Frank Leason, Henry Barry, Noah T. Hoyt, and one for myself. It was 10:30 at night before we finished our work of putting up. We had a little trouble with Barry's and Leason's. At the factory where they are made, they got the names exchanged, Barry's name on Leason's and Leason's on Barry's. The trouble was not serious however, as they lived as near neighbors. We took an order of James Ryder's wife while putting up Peter Starr's. We used one ordered for Henry Stevens for Noah T. Hoyt's bed, so before retiring, we ordered one for Noah T. Hoyt's in place of one ordered for him and one for Mrs. James Ryder. JUNE 29 TUESDAY - Pleasant and hot. I slept on our new spring bed last night for the first time. We like it very much. Ambrose Hill called before breakfast to read a letter to me which he received last evening from T. E. Twitchell, our spring bed manufacturer in New Haven. He states that the last lot we ordered and expected today he cannot send until the last of the week for want of slats. He has 5,000 which he expects this week and there will be no delay hereafter about filling our orders. I fitted some bits and a screwdriver to our brace this morning. After breakfast, James Olmstead drove up here and took me in and afterword, Ambrose and we went over to his house and put in his spring bed bottom for him. He paid me as soon as the work was done. From there, we went down to Noah T. Hoyt's and finished putting in his which we did not complete last night. Ambrose went to Newtown this P.M. with six beds. I canvassed a little this P.M. I took an order this morning from Mr. Pond for a set of springs. Being very tired this evening, I stayed at home and let Gussie do the marketing. JUNE 30 WEDNESDAY - Muggy. Some sunshine and showers during the day. Ambrose came home from Newtown this noon. In the P.M., we finished fastening in their bedstead springs for P. Starr and David Osborne. While at David's he gave us another bed order. We made new crossbars for David Osborne's bed. The trouble was owing to wrong measurements done by himself. I had 5 tons of coal put in today ' Council Ridge. Ambrose took tea with us. I wrote another order for 6 spring bed bottoms, a duplicate of the same I sent to D. R. French, the general agent. I shall mail them tomorrow morning.
1869-06