Horace Purdy Journal June 1866 Entry
13pgs
JUNE 01 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I worked all day in the shop. After tea, I cut some grass in Mr. Pond’s yard for my horse. Bell came down and stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie and I go into the street and to Singing School in company with Cousin Wells Webster and daughter, Helen. When we returned, we went up to the house and stayed about an hour to visit with them, as they intend to start for home in the morning. In the P.M., Father Griswold hired Mr. Beatty’s double team with his large carriage and took a load with Cousin Wells and daughter to the cemetery and out to Beaver Brook to see the new railroad as they are at work on it. Bell is to stay with us all night. JUNE 02 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. I harnessed the horse this morning and carried Helen Webster to the depot. Her father and Father Griswold walked after putting their carpet bags in the wagon. As I returned, I bought a bushel of oats at Crofut’s Feed Store. I put the horse in the stable, ate my breakfast, and went to the shop. We had only a half a day’s work. I left my check with the foreman (V. W. Benedict) to have him draw my money and leave it at Judd’s store. In the evening, I prepared my pea brush and stuck them to my peas. Hoed a portion of my garden. Mowed some grass in my dooryard, also some in Mr. Pond’s to feed the horse over Sunday. While I was at work at my pea brush, Seth Downs came in according to arrangements made this forenoon at the shop to borrow my gun to shoot a robin for his child, who is convalescing from lung fever. Gussie went to market in the evening and left me to hoe garden which I did until after dark. I went down about nine o’clock to see if my clock at the jeweler’s was repaired. It was not, and as I left the house open with no one in it but the sleeping baby, I hurried back and arrive d home before Gussie returned. Josie Wheeler stole Jesse Pond’s little cart from their barn and pulled up a bed of onions for an Irishman which cost Harriet 50 cents damages. JUNE 03 SUNDAY - Stormy all day. I went down to Sunday School at noon. There were but few there. The usual exercises were set aside and the time spent in singing. In the afternoon, Joseph W. Allen, William S. White and myself (a committee appointed at the last teachers’ meeting) went into the Bible classroom and with the help of a map of the borough laid it out into districts and appointed Sunday School teachers (females) to canvass there this summer and bring children who do not attend any place into the Sunday School. After tea, Susan Brayman came in and Gussie went over to Aunt Louisa’s with her. While she was gone, I wrote to George. JUNE 04 MONDAY - Cloudy all day with the appearance of rain each moment though I believe little came. I had work nearly all day in the shop. Bell had the horse this forenoon to carry Julia Squires home who had been staying with her over Sunday. When she returned, Mother Griswold wanted to take a ride but found the harness was broken and did not go. After tea, Mr. Pond helped me grind his scythe and I finished mowing his dooryard. In the evening, I helped him make a small box and dovetailed it together. JUNE 05 TUESDAY - Cloudy and a little rain about 4 P.M. The sun shone before it went down. I had work all day in the shop. I came home to dinner for the first time this season. I felt so poorly that I stopped at Parmalee’s on my way home and took a glass of ale which gave me an appetite for my dinner. I felt like a different man in the afternoon. All hands have been on black hats today. Mrs. Stone washed and cleaned tins for Gussie today. Bell came down this P.M. and is to stay with us tonight. She is helping Gussie make a shell frame this evening. I went to market and by the evening mail received a letter from George. He wants to borrow two dollars. Before retiring, I answered the letter and enclosed the money ($2.00). I mended the harness before retiring. It broke yesterday just as Bell returned from Bethel with the horse. JUNE 06 WEDNESDAY - I have worked as usual in the shop. The sun shone in the P.M. and before night it gave promise of fair weather. It has been very sultry and hot today. After tea, I harnessed Jim and drove up to Mr. Hamilton’s, just on the edge of New Fairfield to try and sell George Hamilton my horse. I left there just as a heavy shower was coming up. I drove as far as Elijah Gilbert’s store and there stopped to get a shelter from the rain. I finally came home before it entirely stopped. Mrs. Cocking came to the house this P.M. and began to get things right preparatory to moving. She gave me $3.00 from Robert to pay the rent. JUNE 07 THURSDAY - I commenced this morning and mowed a little grass for the horse in Father Griswold’s door yard. Bell stayed all of last night with us and drew Georgie up home after breakfast. Mr. Edwin C. Sears, one of our shop men, who lives out to Mill Plain died last night in a fit near Lake Kenosha where he went after his tea with some of his grandchildren to catch some fish. I had work in the shop until after 3 o’clock when I came home and harnessed old Jim and went over to the bridge this side of Crofut’s Mill and washed the wagon. After tea, I bushed my Tom Thumb peas which I had heretofore thought would not require it. I got a dozen of the early Cabbage plants and three large double Sunflower plants of Seth Downs. JUNE 08 FRIDAY - Pleasant until 5 P.M. when there came up a shower. Edwin Sears, 58 years old, was buried today. The men in the shop attended in a body. Borough meeting in the P.M. at Concert Hall. E. S. Davis was elected warden by a 7 majority. I came home and went to work in the garden, but a hard shower soon came up and interfered somewhat with my work. JUNE 09 SATURDAY - Sunshine and cloudy at times during the day. I went to the shop in the morning, but there was no work. I went up to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper and then went with George Quien up to his finishing shop and bought 3 pounds of Maple sugar at 2 cents per pound. Victor W. Benedict (our Foreman) drew my money for me and I went for it in the afternoon and then went to George Quien’s and bought 5 pounds more of Maple sugar for Mr. Pond and one pound for Robert Cocking. I had words with Mr. Baxter about corn planted too near the stable door; also about me filling the gutter in front of my house. I paid George Crofut & Son $15 for a barrel of Flour bought a week ago or more. I mowed my dooryard just at tonight to get the fine grass to put around my strawberry plants. Mr. Cocking returned again today from Mr. Lynes’ to live in our rooms upstairs for the summer. Received a letter from George. JUNE 10 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Bell came down this morning for the horse to carry Mother to meeting. I harnessed and she took Georgie in and gave him a ride up to get Mother. Gussie attended church in the forenoon. I went down to Sunday School and stayed to prayer meeting in the P.M. The sacrament service being omitted on account of the inability of Brother Hill to attend to it on account of sickness, a Mr. Webb from Minnesota who came on here with Fanny Holmes (and it is reported that she is intending to marry him) preached for us. He, not being ordained, could not administer the sacrament, but superintended the prayer meeting which was held instead. After tea, Father came down with the horse. Gussie went with Susan Brayman downtown to see Thomas Purdy’s wife who is very sick. She was so late that neither of us went to meeting in the evening. I wrote to George and Gussie mailed it as she went to see Thomas’ wife. JUNE 11 MONDAY - Pleasant and very warm. I had but just got well at work this morning in the shop when the Reverend Mr. Gannon called to see me about the horse which he had before spoken about buying. I put on my coat and vest, leaving my white shirt hanging on a nail, also my watch and went home. He helped me grease the wagon and then I harnessed to drive a short distance and show him how the horse could travel. I went over to Beaverbrook with him as that was his way home and he was intending to walk to Sandy Hook, about 12 miles. I then thought that I ought to go to Sandy Hook and see if George A. Beers (a merchant there) had sold the 6 sifters which had been left there on commission. I concluded to go and did so and carried Mr. Gannon to his house and took dinner with him. Mr. Beers had sold the sifters. I collected the pay for them - $5.75. The amount was $6.00 but as I had not the receipt which he gave for the sifters when he took them, he hesitated about paying me but finally he said he would pay me and run the risk if I would throw off 25 cents. I concluded to do so rather than come home without the money. Mr. Gannon likes the horse and is satisfied with the price; he also needs a horse very much but does not feel able to buy one. He is very much in doubt about what to do. He offered me a dollar for carrying him home, but as I went mostly only on business for myself, I took only 50 cents. I started for home about 4 o’clock and arrived here about 6 o’clock. I drove to the shop to get my shirt and watch and found the watch had disappeared. Sunday School Teachers’ Business Meeting in the evening. I attended. Before returning, I tried to copy the minutes of the meeting but fell asleep three times and then gave it up. JUNE 12 TUESDAY - Pleasant; I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I worked until dark in my garden and then went to the Post Office to mail a letter to George with one enclosed from St. Augustine. I mailed one this morning to George A. Beers in Sandy Hook with the receipt for the sifters which he gave when he took six of them on commission which he sold and paid me for last Monday. JUNE 13 WEDNESDAY - Stormy all day. I had work until noon in the shop. I then came home and sawed and piled wood in the woodhouse. I got some petunias over to Seth Downs’ and set them out just at night. I gave some to Mr. Pond, also to Fanny. Daniel Baxter had a cinch with his son Moses this morning. He threw him down and kicked him. Moses, I think, submitted to it rather than strike his father. I went to the market in the evening and mailed a letter for Bell to George. I paid Charles Reed $3.50 for shoes for wife and baby bought last Saturday. Bell came down just at nigh to help Gussie work at putting shells on a box. She is to stay all night. While in the street, I got the Sunday School Journals for June and marked them off before retiring. Captain B. F. Skinner was buried today from the Universalist Church. The Bethel Military Company came up and buried him with the honors of a soldier. JUNE 14 THURSDAY - The storm is not yet over, though it has rained but little today. Bell stayed with us last night and will do so again tonight. She rubbed sprouts off my potatoes this forenoon and at noon I harnessed the horse and in the P.M., she with Gussie and the baby went up home. She took a basket of potatoes I gave her for sprouting mine. They then left Georgie there and rode up to the cemetery. When they returned, Bell unharnessed and put Jim in the stable. I went to market in the evening and Gussie worked at covering a box with shells. JUNE 15 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I had all the work in the shop that I could do today. Bell stayed with us last night and took Georgie up home with her today and kept him until night. I harnessed the horse before tea and let Harriet and Louise go up to the cemetery. After tea, I helped Mr. Pond grind his scythe. Took a paper from the Office today for George from his lady correspondent while he was in the army and this evening, I remailed it to him. By the evening mail, I received a letter from him. Nathan Miller called to look at my horse as he came from work tonight. JUNE 16 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. Commenced cutting the grass in Father Griswold’s dooryard for my horse. Gussie took Georgie up home to Father Purdy’s this P.M. in order that she could do some shopping and get her new summer hat. She stayed away until about 8 o’clock in the evening leaving me to get my own supper as best as I could. I was very tired and was much provoked. JUNE 17 SUNDAY - A beautiful morning. It became cloudy about noon and at 3 o’clock, it began to rain. Bell came down in the morning for the horse to carry Mother to church. She gave Georgie a ride up home as she went for Mother and took him again at noon when she carried her home. She left the horse up there in the P.M. and came down with him bringing Georgie in the rain about 3 P.M. I then too the horse and while it was raining in torrents drove over to Mr. Lynes’ to tell him that Mr. Cocking is very sick. He has had the doctor (Bennett) who thinks it is congestion of the lungs. He is very sick and is troubled extremely to breathe. It has rained so hard through the evening that Bell has concluded to stay all night. Gussie went to church in the morning and I went down to Sunday School. I came home when school was out for fear of the rain. JUNE 18 MONDAY - Rain in the morning; it came off pleasant at noon. Bell stayed with us last night. I worked in the shop until 7 o’clock. When I came home, I found John Brayman waiting to see me. He paid me 50 cents of the balance of $2.00 borrowed and $5.00 on an old bank account. After tea, I went into Mr. Pond’s garden to look at his strawberries with him and he gave me a handful of very fine ones. I went to market in the evening and to the Post Office and got a letter from George with $11.60 enclosed, $1.25 of it to me for borrowed money which I let him have, $1.35 to pay his taxes, and the remaining $9.00 towards a debt he owes Joseph W. Ives. Mr. Cocking is no better today but the doctor thinks he will be better tomorrow. Before retiring, I added to the letter received this evening in the one I commenced to him last evening. JUNE 19 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I worked all day in the shop. As I came from work, I called at Joseph W. Ives and paid George’s account there - $5.97- and took a receipt for the same. Bell was with us to tea. After tea, I borrowed rigging from Seth Downs and Mr. McDonald and commenced with Father Griswold to run his cultivator through his potatoes. We got at it and dark came on so quickly that we were obliged to leave it until morning. I wrote a short letter for Mr. Cocking to John Courtney informing him of the illness of Mr. Cocking and mailed it for them as I went to market. Gussie had a severe attack of sick headache in the evening. JUNE 20 WEDNESDAY - A lovely day. I worked as usual in the shop. A strawberry festival of our ladies of the church in the evening in Concert Hall. I was doorkeeper. JUNE 21 THURSDAY - Very warm. Bell, who stayed with Georgie last evening while we went to the festival, stayed all night. Charles Hull watched with Mr. Cocking last night. Mrs. Cocking took our bed upstairs. Bell slept with Gussie and I slept on the lounge. I rose at 4 ½ o’clock this morning and cleaned and greased the wagon. Before going to work, I shaved Robert. Gussie went with Mother and Bell this afternoon to Grassy Plain and stayed to tea with Mrs. Squires. I harnessed the horse at noon for them. Mr. Pond gave me a dish of strawberries for my tea. I received a letter from George by the evening mail. I wrote a letter from Robert to John Courtney at Fort Hamilton. James Osborne is to watch with Robert tonight. JUNE 22 FRIDAY - Pleasant and very warm. I rode to Grassy Plain before breakfast to David Squires for the martingales that Bell left there yesterday. She forgot them when she harnessed the horse to come home. I did not go to the shop but worked around the house hoeing the garden, etc. I drove the horse down to the shop at noon to let John Morris use him to plow out a piece of potatoes. A letter from George in the evening asking for what money was left after paying his debts from money he sent home. I paid Parmalee & Howe $4.21 that George owed them which left a balance of $3.62 to send to him. JUNE 23 SATURDAY - Very warm again today. I did not work in the shop in the P.M. but finished and got trimmed a hat for myself. Before coming home, I went to the barber’s and got my hair cut. We picked 1 ½ quarts of strawberries for our tea. We gave Mrs. Cocking a pint of them. Robert has not been so well today. I went for the doctor as soon as I was dressed. I harnessed the horse after tea and went to the Wooster House for some ice for Robert to use over Sunday, the ice dealer having failed to drive this way today. As I came home with the horse, I had to whip him to make him stand while I shut the gates. While I was getting the ice, I also got 4 oranges for Robert. JUNE 24 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. I watched with Robert Cocking last night. Mrs. Cocking got up at 3 o’clock and I came downstairs and retired. After breakfast, I shave him. He is better today. He rested well last night. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School. When it closed, I came home feeling too tired to stay to meeting in the P.M. Fred Shears had my horse and harness with Edgar Benedict’s wagon to take his mother to the cemetery in the P.M. Mr. Pond found tracks in his strawberry bed today where some person had been picking his berries last night. We have suspicions of the person, but are not certain. I wrote after tea for Robert to his brother-in-law John Courtney in Fort Hamilton, Long Island., telling him how Robert is getting along with his sickness. I also wrote to George (or finished a letter commenced last Friday) and enclosed $4.80 of his money in my hands, he wishing me to send it as he will need it before he gets paid off again. I also wrote to the Sunday School to Carlton & Porter ordering 1 dozen of No. 1 Catechisms and enclosed $.48, the price of the same. About 6 o’clock, I harnessed the horse and took Louise, Gussie and the baby up to the cemetery. We rode up Balmforth Avenue, down Main Street to Franklin, passed Mallory’s Shop, down Spring Street to the Post Office, mailed letters and came home. John Brayman then took the horse and gave his wife a ride. When John returned, I stayed awhile and talked. JUNE 25 MONDAY - Pleasant and very warm. It has seemed to me to be the hottest day yet. We took off our featherbed and filled a tick with straw and put it in its place. Negotiations have been going on today between the journeymen and Mr. Crofut to reduce the price of the coarse work so that thereby we may retain it and prevent his starting a foul shop. We deferred final action on it on account of the absence of several of the journeymen. We are to get on it tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock. After tea, I harnessed the horse and Gussie and Georgie rode with me up to Middle River to see Smith Pulling about butter. We went to notify him that our winter butter was gone and to have him commence bringing it to us for the summer according to previous agreement. When we returned, Mr. Pond and myself rode over to Oil Mill Pond (which was about 9 o’clock) and took a bath. Mr. Cocking is quite well today. He was able to dress himself and go to the table for his tea. A small shower with considerable thunder just at bedtime. JUNE 26 TUESDAY - Very warm but not quite so oppressive, I think, as yesterday. We accepted a reduction on our bill of prices today of 2% on 6-5-4-4x and 1% on 4xa. (?) hats to be the same as soft hats. The new arrangement will take effect July 1st. Smith Pulling brought us 2 lbs. of butter for the first. I harnessed the horse in the evening and went to market. I took a shopmate William H. Hutching and drove up town and down Balmforth Avenue. I carried a notice to the Times Office in the evening for Father Griswold advertising his carpet bag which he lost in the depot yesterday. It was probably stolen. Bell came down just at night and stayed to tea and finally concluded to stay all night. JUNE 27 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and still very warm. I worked as usual in the shop. As I came home from work, I hurried to get home before the shower as a heavy one came up and commenced raining soon after I got home. George Foot had a bad gash cut in his head from the heel of a shoe thrown by John Grey this noon at the shop. The whole affair was in sport. It commenced by throwing leaves (?). Mr. Cocking’s brother-in-law, John Courtney from Fort Hamilton, came to see him today. He came on the 3 o’clock train and returned on the regular passenger train. It rained hard all evening with sharp lightning and heavy thunder. I went to the Post Office in the evening, expecting a letter from George, but got none. Bell took Georgie up home this P.M. and has not yet returned and will probably not on account of the rain. JUNE 28 THURSDAY - Stormy this forenoon; it cleared away in part just before night. Bell came home with Georgie in the afternoon, he having stayed up there all night. She harnessed Old Jim and carried Mother over to Aunt Louise’s to spend the P.M. As I came from work, she had just carried Mother home. I let Hiram Hadden take the horse to go up to the Boggs in the evening. He returned about 9 ½ o’clock. I picked a few cherries before dark and then went to market. JUNE 29 FRIDAY - Pleasant and cool after the rain. I had only a half-day’s work in the shop. Mr. Cocking took a ride with me downtown in the P.M. I paid George Starr $25.00 which I borrowed of him April 1st. I made arrangements in the P.M. with Mr. McDonald about repairing my wagon. I picked what few cherries we had. Our folks expected somewhat that Edwin would come on the evening train. I harnessed Old Jim and went to the depot, but we were disappointed for they did not come. JUNE 30 SATURDAY - I harnessed the horse after breakfast and carried Mr. Cocking over to Mr. Lynes’, the first time that he has been over there since he has been taken sick which was two weeks ago tomorrow. He is not able to walk and he rode back about noon with George Lynes when he came into the street for the mail. When I returned from Mr. Lynes’ I the morning, I left the wagon at Mr. McDonald’s to be repaired. I had the horse shod also before going over with Robert. I carried my dinner at the shop, it being 9 o’clock when I went to work. We were told last night not to come until that time. Hard thunder shower about 4 P.M. with hail. George came home from Brooklyn by the evening train, also Edwin Griswold and little Eddie, Jr. from Elyria, Ohio. I borrowed Mr. McDonald’s wagon and went to the depot for them. Bell came down and stayed with Georgie to let Gussie go to the depot to meet Edwin. George came home this way and I drove home with them. After caring for the horse, I borrowed Seth Downs’ saddle for George who wants to take a ride before breakfast tomorrow morning. As I came from work this P.M., I called at Benedict & Nichols’ and paid then $25.00 on my account of $44.66.
1866-06
Horace Purdy Journal November 1866 Entry
15pgs
NOV 01 THURSDAY - Cool and pleasant. Wrote to Carlton & Porter before breakfast ordering 5 one dollar medals. As I went to work, I mailed it with one to Tibbel’s for Centenary books and papers. I had work all day in the shop. Mr. Warren was married this P.M. at 4 o’clock and took the train for Newark, New Jersey. George stood up with him with Charlotte, his wife’s sister. They accompanied them as far as Norwalk and returned on the evening train. I consulted D. B. Booth in the evening about the time of a bank account being outlawed, having in view factorizing Fred Jennings. After the wedding, Gussie went up on Deer Hill for Georgie where he has been since Sunday. Before retiring, I wrote to Edwin to have him send Serine’s butter direct to me. Mrs. Stone was in a while in the evening. As she went home, I sent the letter to the Office by her. The “Columbian” baseball Club of this town went to New Milford today to play a match game with “Weannitaug” of that town. The game stood Weannitaug 14, Columbians, 60. NOV 02 FRIDAY - Beautiful day. I went to the shop early and finished off my work and went to Mrs. Blair’s for the dog that had just come home from George Beebe’s who stole him last Tuesday. I came home and George with me started on a hunting excursion. I borrowed McDonald’s gun for George. We started out between Town and Middle Mountain, across Middle and up the valley between Middle and Thomas. We got 3 woodcock, 3 quails and a lark. George went home and changed his clothing and came down and took tea with us. I came home with a severe headache but felt better after tea. George and Gussie went up in the evening to see Henry Hinman and wife and Harriet at Mr. Jabine’s. NOV 03 SATURDAY - George came this way this morning as he went to the depot to start for Brooklyn. I gave him some apples to take to Louise Jones and went with him to the depot. I went to the shop, but there was no work. I came home and cleaned Mr. McDonald’s gun that George used yesterday and took it home. I then went to the shop and got my pay and came home to dinner, Stopping at the Post Office on the way and got the Centenary papers and books which I ordered a few days ago. After dinner, I pulled my beets and parsnips and put them in sand in the cellar. I also sorted my apples in Father Griswold’s barn. I went to market in the evening, gave my account with Fred Jennings for rent in 1859 to Constable Crosby for prosecution. Bought a pair of rubber boots of C. H. Reed and brought them home –price $5.00. I got them on credit. Received by mail the five medals I ordered on Thursday at the Book Room. I got a receipted bill today of A. G. Crosby for my winter’s coal. NOV 04 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the forenoon, but cloudy and cool in the P.M. While we were eating breakfast, Mr. Curtis came over with some bones, bits of meat, etc. from the market for the dog. Gussie attended church as usual in the morning. Our new preacher, Brother Peck preached for us for the first time today. I wrote to the “Book Room” ordering more Sunday School Advocates. Also lessons for every Sunday in the year and a few easy lessons. I attended church in the evening and mailed it as I went. NOV 05 MONDAY - Pleasant but cold. It froze all day in the shade. I had work nearly all day in the shop. Mr. Curtis took Blair’s gun on trial to hunt with today. I let him take “Bird” also. A letter from George with $10 enclosed to pay borrowed money when Mr. Warren was married. Paid for rubber boots and bought a pair of leather gloves of Benedict & Nichols for $.90. I answered George’s letter and mailed it in the evening. I gathered the remaining few sweet apples by the south door. NOV 06 TUESDAY - Cold last night but a little warmer today. I had work nearly all day in the shop. Before tea, I picked a little sweet corn which was left I the garden and then pulled up the stalks. I went to market in the evening and called on Charles Crosby to see if he collected for me the $10.00 of Fred Jennings who is working at Rundle & Whites. He could not get it as there was nothing coming to him on the books. I also inquired of D. B Booth about the time allowed soldiers to send in their claims to government for bounties on behalf of George. I came home early to let Gussie go down and see about a new hat. Election in New York and a number of other states today. NOV 07 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I had work nearly all day in the shop. I received lesson books, easy lessons, and Sunday School Advocates for the Sunday School. After shop work, I put the rest of my cabbages in the cellar. Gussie went to the milliner’s in the evening while I stayed with Georgie and marked off the Sunday School Advocates. William H. Hanford was buried yesterday in Norwalk. He died in New York City. NOV 08 THURSDAY - A warm pleasant day. I had work nearly all day in the shop. Before tea, I took Bird, the dog, over home to see his mistress and to get some remnants they had saved for him. I made some arrangements with Mr. Curtis to go hunting tomorrow (there being no more work this week for me). I went to market in the evening and received a letter from George by the evening mail concerning soldiers’ bounty, etc. Before retiring, I wrote a reply. Gussie took Georgie up home in order to be able to attend Rev. Mr. Stone’s child’s funeral this P.M. Bell came home with him in the evening and broke the handle to the carriage. NOV 09 FRIDAY - A warm, pleasant day. Mr. Curtis and I went out hunting. George Sears died this morning. I received a letter this evening from Henry Blair saying that he had made arrangements with George Beebe of Brookfield of Brookfield to take Bird for the winter and asked me to give him up when Beebe calls for him. I was surprised and disappointed but penned a reply that I would cheerfully give him up though I regretted to lose him. I went to the office before retiring. Susan Brayman and Sarah Coles called early in the evening and Gussie went with them up to see Anna Hinman. NOV 10 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm again today. I went hunting with Mr. Curtis. We returned about 5 P.M. After tea, I went into the street to do some errands and returned early to let Gussie go to the milliner’s. NOV 11 SUNDAY - I am 31 years old today, if I was born in 1835. If in 1834 (as there is some doubt in my mind about it owing to a mistake in our family records), I am 32 years old. I felt rather old this morning, the result of the last two days’ hunting trips. Gussie attended church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School after which I came home without staying to the Communion Service I the P.M. Cloudy all day and about 9 ½ o’clock in the evening, it commenced raining. After tea, I copied a list of subscribers to the Sunday School Centenary Fund to send to New York for publication. Gussie completed a letter this evening to Cousin Eliza in California. NOV 13 MONDAY - But little rain this morning. Cloudy this morning. It came off pleasant in the P.M. and grew colder. I went to the shop expecting work, but there was none. George Beebe came and took “Bird” (Blair’s dog) this morning. I went over to Mr. McDonald’s before dinner and got the handle to the baby carriage which he has been mending for me. I also fastened the wormer on the ram rod to my gun, which came off the other day. In the P.M., I repaired my inside cellar door and shoveled over a pile of muck and manure and wheeled it onto the north side of my garden, which job lasted me until dark. I gave on subscription $.50 to the widow of George Sears. A meteoric shower looked for tomorrow bout 3 o’clock, it being an event occurring about once in 33 years. NOV 12 TUESDAY - Pleasant. The meteoric shower expected this morning did not appear. It will confidently be looked for tomorrow morning. I had work all day in the shop. Father Griswold came home today from Hartford and brought the remains of infant daughter, who died at the age of ___years ___ ago. As I came home from work, I took a letter from the office from Edwin saying that he could not furnish Oscar Serine the butter he wanted. Gussie went to the milliner’s in the evening. Louise came down and stayed with Georgie while I went over to Mr. Pond’s and held lamp for him to finish off a partition in his cellar. Before retiring, I wrote a reply to Edwin’s letter. NOV 14 WEDNESDAY - The meteoric shower did not appear this morning as expected. I went to the shop and finished off2 hats left over from yesterday; there being no more to do, I came home. I went to the church and opened the Infant Class Collection Box and took from it $1.55 and added to their amount of Centenary money. I then got from the Danbury Bank, a draft of $31.07 and mailed to Carlton & Porter, the same being the balance of the Centenary Fund on hand, making total sent $392.37. I also wrote to Henry Blair about his unfair treatment to me in taking away his dog. As I went to the shop in the morning, I mailed to Edwin a reply to his stating that he could not supply Oscar Serine the butter he wanted. Gussie dyed yellow for carpet bags this forenoon. I worked around home in the P.M. After tea, I went over to Mr. Pond’s and held lamp for him to work in his cellar until about 8 o’clock when I went to market. NOV 15 THURSDAY - I sat up a portion of last night to watch for the metric (meteor) shower but the latter part of the night was too cloudy to see if it had appeared. It either came in the daytime or the clouds prevented us from viewing it in the night. It has been stormy today. I went to the shop in the morning, but there was no work. I have been sick this P.M. with a headache caused doubtless from sitting up last night. After tea, I felt better and went to market. It rained steady in the evening. NOV 16 FRIDAY - A hard rainstorm last night which drove into the house through the roof in a shocking manner. I went to the shop this morning, expecting work, but the few hats which they intended to have finished did not give satisfaction and they were left. I went from there down to the courthouse expecting to hear an argument between the councils on the Great Adams Express Robbery case. But the principal counsel on the part of the prisoners, Judge Stewart of New York being absent, the judge threw it out of court and now it remains only to sentence the prisoners, they having been convicted. When the verdict before the prisoners was brought in, their counsel (Stewart) asked for an arrest of judgment claiming that one of the jury had previously expressed an opinion in the case thereby making the verdict illegal. Sentence was therefore postponed in order that there might be a hearing regarding the juryman in question and this morning was set apart for that purpose. Father Griswold gave me a wheelbarrow load of Hubbard Squash. I went into the street early to order blue ink, made at the druggist, one pint for dying purposes. I came home to let Gussie go to Mrs. Keeler’s to get a dress plaited. Louise came down and took care of Georgie in the evening. Georgie is two years old today. NOV 17 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I went to the shop this morning expecting work, but there was none. It being payday, I got my account cashed by John Greene - $14.00. I came home about 11 o’clock and found Gussie gone again with the baby. I made a new slide of a draft in Father’s stove. I got a piece of tinder to repair my gate. I nailed down the siding on the south side of my house on the upper story. It had warped and sprung up so that the rain drove under and came into the house. Gussie returned about 6 o’clock with Bell, having left Georgie up home to stay all night. Bell took the stove draft I made for Father and Georgie’s night clothes and went home while Gussie and I went to market. We bought a pint of blue ink at the druggist for dying purposes. NOV 18 SUNDAY - Gussie attended church as usual in the morning. I stayed home to wait for Georgie to come home from Deer Hill. Soon after Gussie went to church, Father came with him. He is not very well. We think he is troubled with worms. I went to Sunday School and to prayer meeting in the P.M. Mother was to church in the afternoon and came home with me to tea. After tea, I went up home and got some fig paste of Mother to give Georgie. John Brayman was up there and walked down with me as I returned. I brought Father’s parlor stove’s door home with me to fit in the draft I made for him yesterday. I shall try and do it sometime this week. I wrote to Carlton & Porte ordering one dozen No. 1 catechisms for the Sunday School. Bell and Mrs. Stone called just before evening meeting time. I went to church in the evening. Brother Peck preached from the 4th verse of 23rd Psalm, a good sermon. NOV 19 MONDAY - Cloudy a great part of the day but no rain and warm for November. I had work all day in the shop. I went to market for Mother Griswold in the evening and called on Dr. Bulkley who is quite poorly having symptoms of worms. I received by mail three copies of “The Great American Tea Company Advocate”. NOV 20 TUESDAY - A little rain last night; also a little this morning. Cloudy during the day but the moon shone in the evening. It has been quite warm for the season. I fitted the new damper in Father’s parlor stove this forenoon. We took dinner at Mother Griswold’s. In the P.M., I went into the street and bought some putty and spent the last part of the P. M. stopping with putty the cracks and crevasses in the siding of my house where I think it leaks – upper story, south side, over the wing roof. I begin to think the trouble with Georgie is constipation as we gave him an injection to move his bowels this morning and he has appeared like a different child since. The trustees of the church had a meeting last evening at which they decided to move off the old parsonage building and build a new one. Bell called a short time this P.M. Charles Crosby told me today that he had served the writ on Fred Jennings last Saturday factorizing Rundle & White, his employers, the $10.00 he owes me and that he, Jennings refuses to pay it saying that he does not owe me. The bill will come, so Crosby tells me on the ___. Gussie having to go out to the street this evening to do some shopping, I stayed at home with Georgie to let her go. NOV 21 WEDNESDAY - No work in the shop. I went in the morning to see D. B. Booth about the writ served to collect from Fred Jennings what he owes me and found that Booth had made a mistake in the date of the papers. He dated it Nov. 31 for the trial, which killed the document and the proceedings therefore are a failure. I got some thick paint of A. Knox to put in the shrunken places of the siding of my house and used a part of it. Night coming on prevented me from completing the job. I had a severe headache when I stopped work. I did not feel able to go out in the evening. Gussie went up home on Deer Hill for some washing fluid and carried Father’s stove door which I have been putting on a new damper. NOV 22 THURSDAY - First snow storm. It commenced about 9 A.M. and continued more or less during the day, but melted about as fast as it came down. I went to the shop and finished seven hats and then came home before dinner sick. Climbing around on the roof yesterday and a cold taken at the same time is the cause of it. Received Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School journals with a dozen No. 1 catechisms from New York, also a receipt for $31.37 for Sunday School Centenary money previously sent. I felt better after tea. Louise came down in the evening with a pair of socks from Mother Griswold which was Father Griswold’s and too small for him. I can wear them and she gave them to me. NOV 23 FRIDAY - It has been cooler today. It has snowed a little at times through the day. I feel miserable today, though better than yesterday. I worked in the ship until the middle of the P.M. I took a letter from the Office this morning which came from George last night. Another again from him by the morning mail. He has been sick most of the time since he returned to Brooklyn. He has but little work to do and little pay for doing it. I wrote a hasty letter to him by the afternoon mail and another more at length this evening advising him to come home if he could not earn his board. The bell tolled this morning for Wilie Crosby, son of Judah Crosby of Mill Plain. I wrote this evening also to the publishers of the Methodist inquiring about new subscribers in getting up a club. Gussie sold a roll of salve this morning to Amos Purdy. NOV 24 SATURDAY - Cold; but little bright sunshine during the day. I had work all day in the shop. As I went to work in the morning, I left the Sunday School papers and some catechisms at church. John McNamee bought my feed cutter of me today. I am to wait awhile for the pay - $9.00. I went to market in the evening and to the depot to see if George would come as I somewhat expected him. NOV 25 SUNDAY - Squalls of snow in the morning. Just before breakfast, “Bird” H. Blair’s dog (which I had kept for him about a month in Oct and Nov. and has been since with George Beebe on Stony Hill) came into the yard very unexpectedly. He came in and we gave him his breakfast after which I took him over to Mrs. Blair’s knowing that I had no right to keep him, but she wished me to take him home with me and secure him so that Beebe should not get him again until Henry comes home on Thanksgiving. I did as she requested. Gussie attended church this morning. I went down to Sunday School. I worked at renumbering some of the library books so long after school that I did not get to the afternoon meeting. I received for the Sunday School Centenary Fund another dollar from Theo Lyon’s class I mailed it to William Hoyt 200 Mulberry Street New York, The general Secretary of the Centenary Society. Gussie went with Louise at 5 o’clock to the Band of Hope. In the meantime, Mrs. Stone and Susan Brayman called and stayed until church time. I attended church in the evening. Brother Peck preached an excellent sermon from St. John, 10:28. NOV 26 MONDAY - Pleasant and I think a little warmer though pretty cool today. It remained hard frozen in the shade all day. I went to the shop and finished of some hats left over from Saturday and then came home with the sick headache, leaving what little work there was to be done today over until tomorrow. I felt better just at night and went to market and bought a bear’s pluck for “Bird” and then went up home to see Mother about writing for Aunt Abby and Eddie Palmer to come and spend Thanksgiving with us. I found that she had written for them last Saturday. I then came home to tea. In the evening, I went into the street and got pay of George Crofut & Son for two of the three sifters left there which had been sold. - $1.60 – there being still one left there not sold. I then went to the depot somewhat expecting George, but he did not come. Borrowed chain at Charles Hull’s for dog. NOV 27 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. I had work until noon in the shop. In the P.M., I repaired my front gate. Before tea, I went over home with Bird to let him have a run to stretch his legs after being chained all day. Mrs. Blair gave me a small pail of scrapings to bring home and feed him. I went to market in the evening and got a small bottle of ale for Georgie to see if it will do him good. I called at Miss Adams and got Gussie’s straw jockey which she has been pressing over into a gladiator for her. George Tracy was married this P.M. at 3 o’clock to Laura Wildman. NOV 28 WEDNESDAY - Warm, but little sunshine. Showers of rain during the P.M. I went to the shop this forenoon to get my pay (which was postponed until today on account of Thanksgiving). I took my chisels down and ground them while waiting for my pay. When I returned, I oiled all of my tools. After dinner, I raked off a part of my dooryard and then went as far as Mount Thomas with my gun and dog. I went more to give Bird a little run than anything else. I got no game. In the evening, I went to the depot to meet George and Aunt Abby and Eddie Palmer if they should come. I saw Sherman Smith who came in from Brooklyn yesterday. He says George is not coming home. The train was an hour and 40 minutes behind time. It did not arrive until 20 minutes before 10 o’clock. A rainbow in the east just before sundown. NOV 29 THURSDAY - Thanksgiving Day. Henry Blair came today over for his dog. I went to the depot this morning at 10 O’clock to meet Aunt Abby and Eddie Palmer, but they did not come. So we went up home to help our folks eat their turkey. I went down to Bunker’s (?) and got 3 quarts of ____ for dinner. We left Georgie up there to stay all night and came home ourselves just after dark. Gussie went over to John Bouton’s in the evening; I retired before she returned. NOV 30 FRIDAY - The same kind of weather as yesterday and the day before. A little sunshine, cloudy and occasional showers of rain. Just before night the wind blew up colder and gave signs of coming off clear and cold, but did not do so before retiring. I went to D.B. Booth’s office at 9 A.M. and got papers applying for additional bounty for George made out ready for his signature and witnesses and am to send to him by Sherman Smith tomorrow who works with him in Brooklyn. George is to see them properly signed and remail them to D. B. Booth. In the P. M., I got some mortar of Lyman Richards and added a little lime to it (which it needed) and went on to my house and painted my chimney. The mortar between the bricks being nearly all washed out and I feared it would be tumbling down some windy day. I too up fennel roots in the P.M. Mother sent down a baked chicken, a mince pie, a turkey leg and a half loaf of cake to send to George. I put them up carefully in a bundle and then wrote a letter to George. About 8 o’clock and while Gussie was downtown, Sherman Smith and his lady Miss Bennett called for the bundles and letter to George which I gave them. Another rainbow in the north this time just before sundown.
1866-11
Horace Purdy Journal October 1866 Entry
12pgs
OCT 01 MONDAY - Gussie went to Norwalk this morning with Susan Brayman to visit with her for a few days. When I went to work, I left Georgie up to Father Griswold’s until noon when Bell came down and took him up home with her to stay until Gussie returns. It being Town election, I left my work at 9 A.M. and went down and voted. I came home and got my supper which consisted of bread milk and pie, after which I helped Louise catch some chickens on an apple tree and put them in the stable. I then went up into Father Griswold’s study to pay him my interest money, but not being able to know the price of gold today, we deferred out business until tomorrow evening. I went into the street in the evening to market and to the Post Office. OCT 02 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I cooked my breakfast this morning alone, put up my dinner, locked the house and went to work. As I came from work this evening, I took a letter from the Office from George soliciting a dollar to pay a washing bill. After supper, I wrote a reply and enclosed the dollar. As I was writing, Louise came in with her collecting paper for the Centenary Fund and to have me put down my name. She was going to meeting and I to market, so I walked down with her. While in the street, I saw Hanford Fairchild and he gave me the $200 he was to lend me for three months. I paid the interest in advance - $4.50 and gave my note for the $200. This transaction is on behalf of George, who will some time I hope pay it back again. When I returned from the street, I went up and paid my interest to Father Griswold. I pay him the interest he would have received on the 5/20 bonds which he sold to get the money for me. The price of gold at the present makes my interest for the past 6 month $47.85, but he would take only $44.00. OCT 03 WEDNESDAY - I took breakfast up to Father Griswold’s. I worked in the shop until nearly noon when I quit and went to the Danbury Bank and took up my note of $260. I then came home and took dinner again with the Griswold’s. I picked apples in the P.M. for Father Griswold from the tops of the trees where he could not reach. I had half for picking them. I got about two bbls. for myself for my afternoon’s work. I went up home to tea and to see Georgie. He has been there since Monday and is happy as can be. I went to market in the evening and brought home from the tinner’s the pail I left there this morning to have some inside fixtures put in for a dinner pail. OCT 04 THURSDAY - A heavy frost this morning. I got my own breakfast and went to the shop. When I got there, I caught the boys playing a trick on me by picking the lock to my drawer and drawing part way out and loading it with old iron and other rubbish, the weight of this broke down the drawer. This made me provoked since it took me and hour or more to repair the damages. I worked until after 2 P.M. and then came home to finish picking apples on shares for Father Griswold. Before tea, I went down to Charles Hull’s for a new length of pipe for the cook stove. I took tea with Father Griswold’s folks. Brought our washing home from Mrs. Dunning’s in the evening. Received a letter by evening mail from Edwin saying that he had engaged 100 lbs. of butter for me as I requested. I went to the depot in the evening thinking perhaps that Gussie might come, but she did not. While waiting for the train in Bailey’s Jewelry Store, I paid W. Worthington dues to Hatters Association from April 10 to Oct 10. Clock from Bailey’s. It runs really well now. OCT 05 FRIDAY - A heavy frost this morning. The ground was frozen quite hard and ice on a pail of water out of doors was frozen ¼ inch thick. I got my breakfast alone. As I was ready to eat it, Louise came down with some griddle cakes smoking hot which relished nicely. Gussie came home from her visit to Norwalk with Susan Brayman on this morning’s train. She has been gone since Monday. Sarah Coles went with them; they had a good time, they say. Andrew Hull came for my stove this afternoon and repaired it with new bricks and pipe and blacked it. He came back with it about 5 ½ o’clock P.M. and set it up for us. I made a fire in it when I came home which felt good. Bell came home with Georgie just at night. He has been up there since Monday. I carried the carpet bag home to Mrs. Bradley which Gussie borrowed to take with her. I went to market and to George Hull & Sons to settle for repairs on the stove, but the bill not being made out, I deferred settlement until some other time. OCTOBER 06 SATURDAY - A heavy frost again this morning, about the same as yesterday. The day has been pleasant, though cool. We were limited in our work today in the shop for the first in a long time. We had only one dozen which was less than half a day’s work. After we were paid off, which was about 2 1/2 o’clock, I went up and paid George Hull off for repairing my stove - $10.00. I bought of Charles Hull a yard square of zinc for the sitting room stove. I called on Brother Hill and paid him $2.75 for the Christian Advocate for George. I then came home and picked what few winter apples I had on my trees. Gussie went up home to my folks with Georgie and spent the P.M. She stayed until dark which made a late tea for me. I went to market in the evening. OCTOBER 07 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. Gussie attended church as usual in the morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon and came home after the session. After tea, we took Georgie and walked over to John Earl’s where I left a collector’s card for John Earl to collect for the Sunday School centenary Fund. I also left one at Henry Ely’s for Willie. When we returned, Gussie went over to John Brayman’s and I to Robert Dunning’s to see in his wife could do our washing tomorrow. I wrote to George and mailed it as I went to church in the evening. When I returned from Dunning’s he walked over with me and stayed until evening meeting time. Before retiring, I wrote to Carleton & Porter ordering Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals for another year, also one dozen no. 2 catechisms. I intend tomorrow to get a check at the bank for the amount of money I want to forward to C&P. I shall retain the letter until then and enclose the check. Brother Hill did not preach but talked from the pulpit this morning. The little Irishman who preached last Sunday preached in the P.M. Isaac Sanford preached in the evening. OCTOBER 08 MONDAY - Pleasant and warm. I carried our washing over to Mrs. Dunning before breakfast. At noon, rather than leave my work, I sent by the foreman, Victor Benedict, to the Pahquioque Bank $29.10 for a check to Carlton & Porter for Sunday School papers and a dozen No. 2 catechisms for the school. We were limited in our work at the shop again today. I finished mine about 3 ½ o’clock and came home and cut some gun wads from hat roundings. Sunday School Teachers’ business meeting in the evening. As I went I mailed my order to Carlton & Porter for Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals, also for a dozen No. 2 catechisms. I enclosed a check for $29.10, the amount of the bill. Before retiring, I copied the minutes of the Teachers’ meeting, also wrote to Edwin in reply to his letter received on the 4th, and wrote again ordering Scripture tickets for the Infant Class from Carlton & Porter and went immediately down and mailed them. OCTOBER 09 TUESDAY - I worked in the shop until a little after 2 o’clock to get up my stint of 2 dozen came home by way of W. E. Wright’s and had his boy drive home with me and get my kerosene oil can to fill. He took it away and returned with it after a little time with 5 gallons. I worked at chopping up some old pea brush until tea time. Charles Crofut, having sold the sifters I left there, I carried three more down in the evening as I went. I attended class in the evening. I accepted $2.60 for the sifters he had sold. OCTOBER 10 WEDNESDAY - Still cloudy and a little cooler but no rain. We had but 2 dozen hats to finish today which lasted me until nearly 4 o’clock. When I came home, I found Mrs. Cocking upstairs, she having come to her rooms to get something to take up to Mr. Lynes’ I walked out the with her to see Robert about potatoes. He thought it doubtful if they had any to spare. Gussie went over to Mrs. Daniel Starr’s to call in the P.M. When I returned from Mr. Lynes’ she had returned again. I went to market in the evening, also to Mrs. Blair’s to get Henry’s address to write about his dog. I wrote and mailed it before I retired. I tried to enter into an engagement with him to take the dog and care for him this fall for the use of him. Before tea, I went over to Mrs. Dunning’s for our washing. I paid her $1.00 for it. OCTOBER 11 THURSDAY - Pleasant. As I went to work this morning, I went to Raymond’s market and ordered a peck of quinces for Mother Griswold and a peck for myself and paid for both of them. I finished a hat for Mr. Pond just before I quit work; it was too late to get it trimmed today. Louise came down and stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie go into the street with me. She went to Mrs. Grey to get a pattern for a baby’s cloak cut. By the evening mail, I received a note from E. C. Andrews acknowledging the receipt of money for the cost of sifters George purchased. OCTOBER 12 FRIDAY - Stormy. As I went to work this morning, I called at Joseph Ives to say that we would take the oil cloth which my wife and I looked at last evening. The hat I finished yesterday for Mr. Pond, I got trimmed today and brought home. After tea, I took it over to him and he paid me $3.50, just what it had cost me aside from my work. Before I came home, he took me to his house to show me the new furnace he has down cellar and the register from it in the rooms above. I received a letter from Henry Blair in New York saying that I am welcome to use his dog whenever I want him but he prefers having him at his home rather than let me keep him on account of his sister who is very fond of the dog. I went to market in the evening. I talked with Joseph Ives about John Brayman who owes him for goods bought about a year ago and promise to pay but does not. Ives spoke first of the matter; I said as little as I could against John, but could not deny the facts. The first Sunday School papers on the new year’s subscription came today. I answered Henry Blair’s letter in the evening and mailed it as I went to market. OCTOBER 13 SATURDAY - Pleasant. Bailey’s Circus and Menagerie showed here this afternoon and evening. I worked until 4 o’clock to get up my stint. As I came from work, I took from the Office a letter from Henry Blair saying that I could take his dog, “Bird”, and keep him this fall if I would be responsible for him. I also received a letter from Edwin in which was his bill for butter -105 lbs. at $.33. I went over to Mr. Pond’s after tea and showed him the bill of the butter. I then went into the street to market and called at Brother Hill’s to talk about Bell leaving our church to join the Baptists. I carried a few pears to Brother Hill. Before retiring, I answered Mr. Blair’s letter stating to him to what extent I would be responsible for his dog. OCTOBER 14 SUNDAY - I slept but little last night on account of being up with Gussie who was very sick with bilious colic and has been during today. I went for the doctor about 5 o’clock this morning, first calling Fanny to stay with her while I was gone. She has been very sick today; a high fever in the forenoon. The fever gave way in the P.M. and she had less pain across her. Her symptoms are decidedly better this evening. Just before evening meeting time, Emily Anderson and Mrs. Stone, also Susan Brayman and Mrs. Cole came to call on Gussie. After tea, I wrote to George with a letter I wrote last evening to Henry Blair I sent to the Office by Fanny as she went to meeting this evening. Emily brought me money for the Sunday School Advocates from two of her scholars – Eva Grannis and Mary Parsons. OCTOBER 15 MONDAY - Pleasant; a lovely day. Gussie not being able to get breakfast this morning, I ate mine up to Mother Griswold’s. After breakfast, they brought some delicate food down for Gussie. She finally got up and had her clothes on for the remainder of the day. I came home to dinner to look after Gussie a little. Mrs. Pond, Mrs. Davis, and Susan Brayman called during the day to see Gussie. Georgie was up to Mother Griswold’s most of the time. As I came home from work at night, I went to the Jeffersonian Office and got some old damaged envelopes for nothing. I got them (a part at least) to give to Fanny to use in the Sunday School infant class for them to enclose their centenary money to hand to the Treasury next Sunday morning. I came by the way of Mrs. Blair’s in Stevens Street to get henry’s dog, but he was not at home. Fanny came down and helped me a little about getting tea. I went to Dr. Bulkley’s in the evening to get more medicine and to settle with him for his visit on Sunday morning, which I did. I got a letter from George stating that he is about sick with a heavy cold and hard work. Enclosed was $5.00 towards what he owes me. Before coming home, I went to Blair’s again, but “Bird” was not at home. The 1st Congregational Church is being painted. A man has been at work today at the top of the spire just under the vane. I took our washing over to Mrs. Dunning’s before breakfast this morning. Answered George’s letter before retiring. OCTOBER 16 TUESDAY - Pleasant. We had but one dozen hats to finish today which I did before dinner. In the P.M., I went to the depot on the arrival of the freight train and found that the keg of butter - 105 lbs. - which I ordered for Mr. Pond and myself had come. I borrowed Joseph Ives’ horse and brought it home to Mr. Pond’s cellar. A. W. Parmalee came for two flour sifters which I let him have. Smith Pulling also came at night for one which I sold for $.80, it being damaged. I mailed a Post Office money order this evening to Edwin for the butter - $36.15. After tea, we opened it and found it to be excellent. Moses Baxter began to move out of his father’s house this evening. The old man is so ugly that they are unable to live with him; his wife has also left him. OCTOBER 17 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I finished my work at the shop a little after 2 o’clock. I came home by way of Widow Blair’s on Stevens Street and got Henry’s bird dog and took him home with me according to promise yesterday. I took the dog and gun and went over to Robert Cocking’s to go hunting with him, but he not being home, I went a little while alone. I shot one quail. Hanford Fairchild was married this morning at our church to Emma Fanton. I went to market in the evening. OCTOBER 18 - THURSDAY - A lovely day. I had work until noon in the shop. I came home and after dinner started to hunt a little. I found a Mr. Hill (a lame man with a club foot) before I had gone far who joined me. We found but very few birds. I got one quail; he got nothing. On our way home, I stopped up home to see Mother who has been sick for several days. After tea, I wrote a note to Fred Benedict saying that he need not bring the ½ bushel of potatoes that I spoke of on trial as I had since bought a supply. I went into the street in the evening and mailed it and got a letter from George saying that he was still feeling unwell with pains in his side. When I returned from the street, I carried the quail I shot up to Mother Griswold’s and took a dish over to Mr. Pond’s for a pound of butter, the first we have got from the new butter from Ohio. Before retiring, I wrote to Edwin telling him how well we liked the butter he sent to us, and that two days ago I mailed him a Post Office money order for the amount of the bill - $36.10 – 105 lbs. @ $.33 – Keg - $1.50. OCTOBER 19 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Gussie was called up at 12 o’clock last night to go up to Henry Hinman’s, Anna being confined in child bed. She had not returned in the morning, so I got my breakfast, took Georgie up to Mother Griswold’s and went to the shop. She came home in the forenoon, but was sent for again before I came from work which was about 3 P.M. I got my own tea again. I made out a statistical report of the Sunday School for Brother Hill and carried it to him when I went to market in the evening. I wrote to Edwin ordering butter for Oscar Serine, also to George in reply to one yesterday and requested him to come home for a week or two until he feels better. He is scarcely able to work, having a continual pain in his side. Before coming home from the street, I went up to Henry Hinman's to get Gussie to come home, but she would not. Louise came down and stayed with Georgie in the evening. Lewis Bartram brought me the bushel of potatoes today. I paid him for the - $9.00. Gussie returned from Henry Hinman’s a little after 9 o’clock. The child, which was a daughter – 8 lbs., was born a little after 7 o’clock. Susan Wildman took arsenic this morning – “for fun” she said, and this evening there is fear that she will die. OCTOBER 20 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I had work in the shop until noon. In the P.M., I went hunting down between Middle and Thomas Mountains. I shot one woodcock. Gussie went up to see Anna Hinman this afternoon. I went to market in the evening. Before retiring, I took the bird I shot up to Mother Griswold’s. OCTOBER 21 SUNDAY - Pleasant, so warm that it seems more like summer than fall. Our Sunday School Centenary meeting was held this forenoon in the audience room of the church. The usual forenoon service being omitted in order to give the time and room to the Sunday School. The money collected by the scholars was brought in which amounted to $360.02. I, being treasurer, was obliged to bring it home and count it, also give every scholar credit for the amount collected. Edward Barnum came over in the afternoon and assisted me. Asa Hill from Norwalk delivered the address to the school on the morning. He also preached in the evening. Gussie attended; I stayed home with Georgie. OCTOBER 22 MONDAY - Lowery. A little rain at times during the day, though the sun shone a little at times. The moon shone still more this evening. I took over $90.00 in currency with me as I went to the shop and disposed of it before I returned at night. I exchanged it for bills. It was the Sunday School Centenary money taken up yesterday. I had more work in the shop than I expected. I took no dinner, But John McNamara, a shopmate, brought some to me when he returned from dinner. “Bird’, the dog I am keeping for Henry Blair ran home this evening when I unchained him. I went over for him before bedtime and brought him back. The 1st Congregational Church people have been getting a new organ and this evening a free concert was given. I went in a short time and then came home. A dollar and a half counterfeit currency from the centenary currency I sold this evening to Albert Anderson, Jr. for $1.00. As Jacob Fry was coming from work this P.M., I sold him my old horse blanket, halter, curry comb and brush for $1.00. I gave George credit for the amount in the book. Wrote a letter to John Stephenson, Treasurer of the Centenary Committee, preparatory to enclosing a draft for the amount of money collected by our Sunday School which I intend to send tomorrow. OCTOBER 23 TUESDAY - Pleasant but a little cooler than last week. As I went to work in the morning, I went by way of George Starr’s and left with him $360 to take to the bank and get a draft to send to John Stephenson, Treasurer of the Conference Centenary Committee. As I came from work, I called on Mr. Starr and got the draft and mailed it with an order written last evening for Children’s Medals – 55 of the five dollar ones and 70 of the one dollar ones. At the same time, I mailed an order to N. Tibbles for 4 Children’s Centenary Anniversary books at $.60 and 6 of his Illustrated Centenary papers at $.25 each. In the evening I mailed an order for another paper for Seeley Harris. I received a letter from George today sent by Mr. Jabine with $20 enclosed. I answered it this evening. Fanny goes to Brooklyn tomorrow and I shall send some iron grease to George by her. He asked for it in his letter. I went to market in the evening and engaged Beatty to come for Fanny in the morning. Mr. Curtis, my neighbor, came home with me to get my gun to clean for me. He wants to use it a little tomorrow. I paid Alden G. Crosby this evening in Avery Raymond’s for my coal - $48.00. OCTOBER 24 WEDNESDAY - Colder today. Fanny started for Brooklyn this morning. I had work nearly all day in the shop. Mrs. Stone has been helping Gussie clean the pantry and bedroom today. Just before tea, Mr. Curtis brought my gun home which he has been using today. He cleaned and oiled it nicely before bringing it home. He gave me a small vial of woodchuck oil to use in cleaning it. I went to market in the evening and by the evening mail received a letter from George asking my advice about attending Mr. Warrens wedding. He enclosed a note to Mr. Warren accepting his invitation to stand up with him with Lottie Keeler The letter was for me to hand him providing I thought it best for George to come. I thought so and immediately wrote a reply accordingly and mailed it before retiring. I spoke about the news business here to see what he thought about it. OCTOBER 25 THURSDAY - Pleasant but colder than yesterday. My work lasted until noon in the shop. I came home and about 2 o’clock with my dog and gun went out hunting. I went down between Thomas and Middle Mountains. I shot 2 woodcock, a partridge, and a meadowlark. I came home by way of Deer Hill and stopped to see Mother. After tea, I wrote to George. I took it into the street to mail but forgot a letter I took from the office this morning for him which I intended to enclose, so I brought it home again. The centenary Pictorial papers came by the morning mail and the books came this evening. I got the Sunday School papers also this evening from the news Office. O.H. Swift’s wife and mother called this evening. OCTOBER 26 FRIDAY - Last night was the coldest we have yet had. It had somewhat the appearance of snow this morning. We were stinted again at the shop but the stint was all that I could do. . The birds I shot yesterday we had for dinner and supper today. Father Griswold had a letter from Edwin today in which he sent word to me that he thought he could provide the butter I wrote about for Oscar Serine. I received a letter from John Stephenson in which was a receipt from Carlton & Porter for the $361 Centenary money which I forwarded to him not knowing that it should be forwarded to Carlton & Porter. Enclosed also was a bill of the medals from Carlton & Porter. After tea, I went into the street and talked with Quartius Chichester about buying out the news business. The letter I wrote last evening to George, I did not mail until this evening. OCTOBER 27 SATURDAY - Pleasant. My work at the shop lasted until noon. I paid John Swertfager (editor of the Jeffersonian) for one year, ending with No. 339. I carried in my list to the assessors, W. S. Peck and E. S. Davis; talked with Swift about the news business; called at Brother Hill’s about the Centenary books from N. Tibbels. I marked off the Sunday School Journals and Advocates and carried them to the church before tea. I went to market in the evening. Gussie at the same time went over to Mrs. Stone to see about helping her clean house on Monday. Louise came down and stayed with Georgie while we were gone. When Gussie returned, George came with her. He came from Brooklyn this morning. He will stay for a week in hopes that by that time, he will feel better. He is troubled by a pain in his side and has been for some time past. Robert Fry borrowed my feed cutter this evening. He takes it for a week until he can buy one of them and in the meantime, he is to sell it for me if he has an opportunity. OCTOBER 28 SUNDAY - Pleasant but cool. I took Georgie up to his Grandma Purdy’s in the forenoon in order that we could both be at Sunday School as the Centenary medals were to be given to the children for their collections to that fund. After supper, we both went up to see Georgie and to visit with big George. As we are to clean house tomorrow, we left him up there to stay all night. George came down with us and went to church in the evening. Mr. Cummings preached for us. Susan Brayman went with us to church also. “Bird” broke chain this evening and went home. OCTOBER 29 MONDAY - I lent my gun this morning to Mr. Curtis. Mrs. Stone cleaned house for us today. I had no work in the shop and helped about the house and built a house in the woodhouse for Henry Blair’s dog “Bird” that I am keeping for him now during the hunting season. . In the P.M., George came down with me to Mr. Harris’ to get an overcoat. He found one which he thought would suit him and took it home. He is to pay for it in installments after he returns to his business in Brooklyn. He came home with me to tea and stayed in the evening. I went to market in the evening. As I went, I accompanied Mrs. Stone a part of her way home and she stepped into a hole in Montgomery Street and spilled a part of the whitewash which I gave her to carry home. Georgie is still away up to Grandma’s on Deer Hill. OCTOBER 30 TUESDAY - A terrible rainstorm last night and this forenoon. The rain came through our roof, the wall and into the sitting room badly. The streams rose the highest that they have been in 10 years. I had work all day in the shop and notwithstanding a severe headache, I worked until night. As I went to work this morning, I mailed a letter to N. Tibbels, 140 Nassau Street, New York for Brother Hill. He gave it to me last night to enclose with an order for books myself. But not being yet ready to send my order, I mailed his order. I gave $.50 today on a paper for George Sears’ who is very low with the consumption. Gussie went up home this P.M. to see Georgie. As he was doing well and seem contented, she concluded to leave him over tomorrow, it being washing day. George came down home with her a little after dark. Mrs. Stone called early in the evening and she and Gussie went uptown to see Anne Hinman. While she was gone, I went over to Mrs. Blair’s to see if “Bird” had got home but he had not. OCTOBER 31 WEDNESDAY - Cool and pleasant. No work in the shop. I took Henry Blair’s gun this morning and tried it for Charles Gilbert who thinks of buying it. In cleaning my gun, I lost the wormer from the rod in one barrel and had to take it up to the machinist to get it out. I went with George to see the Excelsior and New Milford ball clubs play a matched game on the grounds of the Excelsior’s. We went up home for supper to eat apple dumplings with George. I went with George to borrow a frock coat of Harris to stand up in with Mr. Warren tomorrow. George and Bell went to meeting in the evening and came this way to go home. Mother Griswold, Harriet and Louise spent the evening with us. Before retiring, I wrote to N. Tibbels ordering two children’s centenary books, also 4 illustrated centennial papers for members of the Sunday School.
1866-10