Horace Purdy Journal April 1867 Entry
13pgs
APRIL 01 MONDAY - Showery during the day. State election. I did not go into the shop. I went into the street about 8:30 o'clock and got $4.00 towards the $5.00 I sent George to come home and vote. I then went down to the courthouse and voted as soon as the polls were opened. I returned home and soon George went down. I went with him to Mr. Harris' to pay him $10.00 which he did. I then went into Burritt & Stone's with him where he bought muslin and bosoms for two shirts. He then went down and voted. I went with him. After dinner, he came down and I went over to Mr. Warren's to help William put up stoves and curtain fixtures. He commences housekeeping today. After this we went into the street where I bought a dozen tumblers and 10 cents worth of nuts for our rag bee tonight. He went home to dress for the evening and I went home and cracked the nuts. I paid Father Griswold my interest money at noon - $14.22. George went over and took tea with William Warren and came from there with Lottie Keeler, Warren and wife to our house. Carrie Hoyt (formerly Francis) and Sister Sarah, John Bouton and Frank, Fanny, Harriet and Louise were present. Just before 9 o'clock, we went down to Military Hall where the Republicans were gathered to hear the returns from the election by telegraph. We could learn nothing definite and we soon came home. It was about 11 o'clock when our party broke up. We had two kinds of cake, six kinds of nuts for refreshments after sewing the rags. APRIL 02 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop all day. The democrats claim the election. As I came from work, I went to Brush & Griffith's and got a calves' liver. After tea, I went to Hatters' Meeting and paid fines and dues up to April 10th amounting to $1.45. The Copperheads have been firing their cannon and are having a glorification this evening at Concert Hall over their success at the polls ' the first Democratic victory here for 14 years. APRIL 03 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I saw two robins this morning for the first time. George returned to Brooklyn this morning. He came this way and called as he went to the depot. I gave him some apples to put in his bag. Mrs. Cocking came here today and paid their rent. She also brought a present to Georgie from her sister, Mrs. Courtney from Fort Hamilton, Long Island ' material for a dress and sack, very pretty. Anniversary of General Grant's entry into Richmond, the advance column commanded by General Weitzel. I bought a half dozen oranges from a wagon in the street for 18 cents. John Freeland sent his boy for 2 lbs. more of coffee today. Gussie let them have only one pound as we could spare no more. I stayed at home in the evening. APRIL 04 THURSDAY - A lovely day. I worked as usual in the shop. When I came from work at night, I found Uncle Jesse and Harriet Mills here to tea. Bell was with us too. Uncle went up home with Bell to stay all night. The passenger trains of cars which should have arrived last evening at 8 o'clock did not get in until nearly 3 o'clock this morning. They ran off the track at Ridgefield Station. Received a bill of Sunday School Journals for 6 months of Carlton & Porter. I sent the money for one year from last October, but they could not supply the back numbers so they returned half the money, 17 cents of which was enclosed. APRIL 05 FRIDAY - Showery in the morning. The sun shone but little until just at night. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie went to market in the evening. I helped Mr. Pond in his barn repair a clock. APRIL 06 SATURDAY - Pleasant, but a little cooler. I worked as usual in the shop. I bought a dozen oranges of a peddler at the shop. I borrowed some blocking cord at the shop and brought home to put through the pulley in Father Griswold's flag staff and with it to pull through the pulley a larger rope as a fixture to the staff with which to run up the flag when occasion may require. I have in view (as a reason for putting it in order) the running up of the flag next Tuesday the 9th inst., it being the second anniversary of the surrender of General Lee to Grant which closed the fighting of the Great Rebellion. Mr. Pond assisted me in doing it. I dug some horseradish this morning. Gussie grated a part of it; the remainder I carried over to Mr. Pond this evening. Gussie went into the street this evening while I stayed at home. Mrs. Powell from Brooklyn came by this evening to Father Griswold's. APRIL 07 SUNDAY - Pleasant but rather windy. After breakfast, I went down to the church and brought home one of the Sunday School Librarian's books which I had to write up anew before it could be used this noon. I did it while Gussie was at church this forenoon. Brother Crawford preached, we having no preacher today, it being Conference Sunday. Gussie came home at noon. I went down to Sunday School and stayed to prayer meeting in the P.M. Bell came here to tea and went to the 'Band of Hope' at 8 o'clock. After tea, Gussie took Georgie and went up to Mother Griswold's to visit with Mrs. Powell. Susan Brayman called, but finding her gone, went away again. Father called also and stayed a little time with me. Gussie stayed home in the evening and I went to church. Brother Crawford preached. APRIL 08 MONDAY - Pleasant and warm. I worked as usual in the shop. About 6 o'clock this evening, we had a little shower. I bought 38 feet of small rope and brought home to rig as halyards on Father Griswold's flag staff, preparatory to running up the flag tomorrow. I did it before tea. I attended Teacher's Meeting in the evening at the church. After the meeting, I recorded the minutes of the meeting and went up to Mother Griswold's to visit with Mrs. Powell before retiring. As I came home from work this evening, I paid David Chichester $3.00 for eight months' expressage for the Sunday School during the year, the other four months being payable to O. H. Swift who had the news business a part of the time. I intend to pay him $1.50 tomorrow. APRIL 09 THURSDAY - A beautiful day. The second anniversary of the surrender of the rebel General Lee and his army to General U. S. Grant. I ran up Father Griswold's flag this morning in honor of the day and kept it flying all day. I had a hard headache last night and this morning. I went to the shop, but my head ached so hard that I came home again without doing any work. I paid O.H. Swift for four months' expressage on Sunday School papers, etc. I felt better in the P.M. and raked the covering off my strawberry plants. Georgie has had a good time out of doors today and it has done him good, I believe. I went into the street in the evening and did some marketing, but was too late to go to class. Mrs. Powell and Harriet came in late in the evening, Mrs. Powell wishing to give us a call before she returns home. She starts tomorrow morning. I moved my vinegar barrel from the cellar to the wood house. Got the last of my 30 lbs. of butter from Mr. Pond's this today. Paid my taxes to collector A. G. Crosby by giving him the town order which William Peck gave me when I paid him the money on March 2nd. I wrote to the Book Room ordering for the Sunday School another copy of the Sunday School Journal for Harriet E. Mills. APRIL 10 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy all day with fine rain in the P.M. and evening. I worked in the shop as usual. I did not go out in the evening but stayed at home and wrote to Edwin to see what butter will cost in Elyria this summer. Gussie bought some salve of a no-armed man today to assist him. His arms were torn off in a woolen factory. APRIL 11 THURSDAY - Pleasant. As I went to my work this morning, I mailed the letter I wrote to Edwin last evening. There was a small allowance of work today; I finished mine about 3 P.M. and I came home and trimmed some of my apple trees and got the grapevine Father Griswold gave me last season (Concord) and divided it making two vines and set them out. After tea, I dug the few parsnips I had in the ground and gave Mr. Pond a part of them. Gussie went out in the street in the evening and I stayed home with Georgie. APRIL 12 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I went to the shop feeling badly from a headache and a disordered state of the stomach. I had to wait until about 10 o'clock for my work and then felt so badly that I stopped about 3 P.M. and went over to Sheather & Lacy's to get a new hatters' check from William Witherspoon, the trade secretary. As I left this place, I met Brother Webb on the walk going over to Bartram & Fanton's Sewing Machine Manufactory and I went over with him and was showed with him around the factory. It was quite interesting and I felt repaid for my visit there. Nellie Freeland sent down for a pound of tea today. After tea I helped Mr. Pond hoop a tub in his barn. Gussie went to the Sewing Society in the evening. Before retiring, I marked off the Sunday School papers which I today brought from the Express Office. Lent my map of New York City to Mr. Pond. Mother Griswold had a crazy turn last night. She was a raving maniac for a short time. APRIL 13 - As I went to work this morning, I went to Foster's Carpenter Shop to see if John Brayman could let me have some money on what he owes me. He promised to get some for me by Monday evening if he could. In case I could do no better, Mr. Crofut promised today to the $100 which I am to pay Mr. Pond for George next week. I came from work early and went over to see Mr. Cocking about letting me have the money I am in want of next week; he will do so if I can do no better. I went with him to look at his hot beds. He gave me three heads of lettuce which I divided with Father Griswold and Mr. Pond. Mrs. Cocking sent a nice bouquet to Gussie. Mother Purdy was with us to tea. Mother Griswold came in also. Bell came down after tea to go home with Mother. I went into the street in the evening to see D. B. Booth about George's bounty money. He offered to loan George $50 towards the bounty. Father Griswold came home in the evening. APRIL 14 SUNDAY - On account of Gussie wanting to take Georgie to church this P.M. to be baptized, I went to church in the morning and heard Brother Birch preach for the first time as our new preacher. I stayed to Sunday School which was a Sunday School prayer meeting after which Gussie made her appearance with Georgie. We tried to get him into the church in the afternoon, but he insisted upon going out in the open air to walk. As we could not get him in quietly, we gave it up and I came home with him while Gussie stayed to communion. Bell came in to tea and stayed with Georgie afterward to let Gussie and me walk over to Mr. Cocking's on Mr. Lynes' farm. When we returned from the walk, I wrote a short letter to George stating that I was obliged to pay Mr. Pond $100 on next Tuesday towards the Two Hundred he owes him. I mailed it as I went to evening meeting. Brother Birch preached again. Clark Beers and wife sat with me in my seat. APRIL 15 MONDAY - Warm, smoky and dusty. As I went to work this morning, I called on D. B. Booth about the $50 he promised to advance on the bounty due George. He cannot let me have it as he has not received certain money which he expected. We were limited in our work at the shop today, though mine lasted me nearly all day. I went to Father Griswold before tea about getting the hundred dollars and he promised to endorse for me to get it at the Danbury Bank. In the evening, I went to Fanton's Shirt Factory and got a blank note and filled it out and Father Griswold endorsed it and tomorrow either he or I is to get the money. This morning, I carried a half bushel of apples over to Mr. Pond for Mother Griswold and this evening, he paid me $1.00 for them. Bell came down today and took Georgie up home with her until night when she returned with him. Father came down this evening and borrowed our syringe to give Deacon Ambler an injection. He is not expected to live. George F. Bailey's Circus showed here today previous to starting on their tour for the season. APRIL 16 TUESDAY - It has rained all day and very hard a part of the time. I called to see John Brayman as I went to work this morning to see if he had secured any money for me. He said that he had $10 partly promised to him to let me have but it was very uncertain about it. He was to bring it to me this evening if he got it but he did not come. I came home for dinner and took a note with Father Griswold to the bank as I returned (Danbury Bank) and got $100 for three months I paid it to Mr. Pond this evening on my note of $200 for George and paid interest on the same up to April 5th. From this date, the note stands against me for $100. The rate of 8% on the $200 for three months was $4.00 which I paid and charged the same to George's account. I went into the street in the evening and got a letter from George in which he stated that this evening he would take his washing over to the Express Office and tomorrow I would receive it. Enclosed was 75 cents, 50 cents for Bell and 25 cents for me to pay for expressage home. The expressage, I intend to pay myself so I gave George credit for the 25 cents on his book account. Before retiring, I commenced a letter to George. APRIL 17 WEDNESDAY - It rained this morning but before night it cleared off and this evening has been lovely. I worked late in the shop. As I came from work, I went to the Express Office for George's bag of washing, but it had not come. I went again this evening upon arrival of the train and got it. It had in it a large bundle from Harriet for our folks and his shawl. A letter also was enclosed to me speaking of work, money matters, etc. Lottie Keeler has been here all day dressmaking for Gussie. I finished the letter I had commenced to George and enclosed the 25 cents which he had sent me to pay expressage, he requesting me to do so that he may use the same to pay for the return of the bag. As I had given him credit for it, I charged it to him as I enclosed it. Bell came down today and took Georgie home with her to get him out of the way of Gussie while she had so much work to do with Lottie. Deacon Benjamin Ambler died last night about 12 o'clock. I mailed the letter to George before retiring. APRIL 18 THURSDAY - Pleasant but cool. I worked as usual in the shop. Mr. Ambler was buried this P.M. at 2 o'clock. Gussie has been up home today and stayed until 7 P.M. She left Georgie up there for another night. I helped Mr. Pond build a mound in his yard this evening. I went to bed feeling about sick. APRIL 19 FRIDAY - Fast day. No work in the shop. I have had the headache badly today. I forked over my asparagus bed this morning. After dinner, I grafted some cherry trees for Mr. Smith across the way. This was all I felt able to do. I gave Mr. Alban Hurd some Russell Strawberry plants. Georgie has been up home for two nights. Bell brought him home this P.M. while Gussie was away at the cemetery. I have not been away from home today except across to Mr. Hurd's garden. Horace Crofut's daughter ran away from home yesterday (it is said on account of abuse from her stepmother). Her father and neighbors were looking for her nearly all of last night and this forenoon and finally found her at her aunt's in Bethel. APRIL 20 SATURDAY - I worked as usual in the shop. As I went in the morning, I left a pair of old shoes at Charles Reed's to be half-soled. As usual on Saturday, we were paid off. I received from the Great American tea Company several of their adverts printed by themselves. A shower in the evening accompanied by thunder and lightning. I stayed at home and Gussie went to market in the evening accompanied by Louise. APRIL 21 SUNDAY - I went to church and carried the Sunday School papers and returned to let Gussie attend the morning service. She came home about noon and as usual I went down to Sunday School and stayed to prayer meeting in the P.M. After supper we dressed Georgie and let him take a walk with us around into Spring Street, up on Mechanic's Avenue (Dr. Bennett's Hill) and then home. When we arrived, we found our wash woman's two children waiting to get the clothes to wash tomorrow. As I went to church in the evening, I mailed a Jeffersonian to George. Brother Birch preached a good sermon. After meeting, I took the lantern and went with Louise to the barn and killed their old hen turkey, as Father Griswold's folks are to make a dinner on the occasion of Harriet's wedding. APRIL 22 MONDAY - Cloudy and rain about 9 A.M. The sun, however, came out and after dinner it was pleasant and warm until about 4 o'clock when a tremendous thunder shower came up. I came home at noon (bringing as I came my old garden shoes from the shoe makers), there being no shop work in the P.M.I did some apple grafting for Father Griswold until the shower drove me off. Then I wrote to George saying that his clothes would be sent tomorrow. Bell came down with them this P.M. I took them to the Merchants Union Express Office in the evening; as I went, I mailed the letter. I put a few apples in the bag for him. Elias Stevens came today from New Haven. He and Harriet have been busy packing her things for moving to New Haven. They expect to be married on Wednesday morning and then off on the train. I walked from the post office this evening up Main Street with William and Louise Blair. APRIL 23 TUESDAY - Pleasant but cool. I worked late in the shop. When I came home, I found that, unknown to me, Harriet had been married. The affair was all over and I was invited to partake of the leavings for tea. They made a party and I was not only not invited but was not told that the wedding was to come off today. May Joy Go With Them. I went to market in the evening. Gussie went to bed sick. Georgie went up home today to stay overnight. APRIL 24 WEDNESDAY - Cold with rain and snow during the day. Elias Stevens and wife left for new haven this morning to spend their honeymoon and go to housekeeping on May 1st. I had work all day in the shop. I set out some lettuce plants before breakfast which Mr. Pond brought from Robert Cocking's last evening. Deacon Benjamin Ambler's widow died last night, surviving her late husband only a week and three hours. Edgar Wildman's remains (son of Saul Wildman) arrive today from near Savannah, Georgia where he was accidentally drowned. The funeral was attended this P.M. at 2 o'clock. In the evening, I took the picture of General U. S. Grant down to Mr. Swift's and got it framed. It was presented to Georgie by his new uncle Elias Stevens. The price of frame was $2.50. Gussie went over to John Bouton's in the evening and John came home with her. APRIL 25 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I have worked all day in the shop. Gussie went up home with Aunt Louise this forenoon and brought Georgie home after tea. I was very tired and did not go out in the evening. I wrote the marriage of Elias Stevens' and Harriet for publication in the Jeffersonian and sent this evening by Gussie to the office. When she returned, she brought a letter for me from George saying he could not find anything of bag of clothing at the Express Office in New York. I immediately went into the street to see Crosby, the express agent about it. He sent it all right on Tuesday morning. I wrote (in D. M. Benedict's Shoe store) to George about it telling when it was sent, how directed, etc. and enclosed 25 cents which I thought I did in my last letter, but he says not. APRIL 26 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. I bought an extra Jeffersonian in which was the marriage of Elias B. Stevens and Hattie W. Wheeler to send to Eliza in California. Bought ## ton of coal of Thomas Sproule. I brought home the Sunday School papers from the news office. After tea, I finished grafting an apple tree for Father Griswold. Gussie went to the Sewing Society at Henry B. Fanton's in the evening. Louise stayed with Georgie to let me go to the post Office. John Bouton came in about 10 o'clock to wait for his wife to return with Gussie from the Sewing Society. Before retiring, I took three of Soule's pills for headache. APRIL 27 SATURDAY - I have felt rather bad today from taking the pills last night. I have, however, worked nearly all day in the shop. The 'Great European ____ Circus 'came into town this forenoon. They made the greatest demonstration of any circus troop that I ever saw in this place. A large lion rode on top of one of the wagons or cars in the procession. This was something that was never before seen in Danbury. The troop was a large one. All the actors rode on splendid horses and richly caparisoned. All hands left the shop and went up to Main Street for a few minutes to see them. I finished my work in the shop about 3 o'clock ad then came home by way of Tom Sproule's and paid for the 1/2 ton of coal he brought me yesterday - $5.50. I also called at O.H. Swift's and paid for framing picture of General Grant - $2.70, including cord to hang it. I then went over to Benedict & Nichols' and bought a half box of J. M. Littel's bar soap ' 40 lbs. at 13 cents - $5.30 which was delivered before night. When I got home, Gussie was away up home with Georgie where she took him in the morning that she might go and see the circus troop parade the street. It rained nearly all the P.M. and cleared off just at night at which time she came home with Georgie. After tea, I commenced smoothing over the ground under the trees in my garden preparatory to seeding down the same. While we were at breakfast this morning, Mrs. Smith came in to beg some canned fruit for Betsy Roseborne who is nearly gone with consumption. We gave her a jar of quinces. APRIL 28 SUNDAY - Pleasant but cold. It froze the ground quite hard last night. Gussie went to church as usual this morning. I went to Sunday School at noon and stayed to prayer meeting.in the P.M. After tea, we put Georgie in his carriage and went over to Robert Cocking's to give Georgie a little outdoor exercise. As we came back, we called a few minutes at John Bouton's. I wrote a short letter to George and as I went to meeting in the evening, I mailed it and a Jeffersonian to him. Also a letter to Cousin Eliza in California. Harriet's marriage was in the paper. Brother Woodruff has been with us today. He preached in the morning and this evening. APRIL 29 MONDAY - Pleasant this morning but cold. It became cloudy before noon and in the P.M., it rained a little. I felt about sick this morning with my cold. I however worked until about 3 o'clock then came home and finished preparing the ground for grass seed under the apple trees on the north side of my garden and sowed the seed. I feel better this evening than I did this morning. Bell was here to tea, and Gussie went with her to the depot to meet Harriet Purdy who came up for a visit from Brooklyn. I went to the Post Office, but did not go to the depot. Today commences the Teachers' Convention to be held for one week in this place. APRIL 30 TUESDAY - Cloudy again this morning and rain in the afternoon and evening. I worked all day in the shop. Susan Brayman was here today and Gussie made arrangements with her to get some soda ash at Norwalk, as she intends to go down in a few days. After tea, Moses Baxter gave me a species of pie plant called the 'Wine Plant' which I divided and made six plants of and set them out. He also gave me some for Mr. Pond which I took over to him. Gussie went to market in the evening and bought some dye stuff for coloring carpet rags. When she returned, I went to the 1st church to hear a lecture on the interior of Africa by Professor Gilman. The lecture was one connected with the Teachers' Convention being held here. Joseph Furbush died this evening.
1867-04
Horace Purdy Journal August 1866 Entry
14pgs
AUGUST 01 WEDNESDAY - The day has been made up of sunshine, cloudy, windy and a very little rain. I worked hard all day until 7 o’clock again. The new hands shopped yesterday commenced work today in the other shop. Hattie Mills was with us to tea. I stayed at home with Georgie in the evening and let Gussie go into the street with Hattie. Before they went, however, I wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering one dozen for gratuitous use in the Sunday School and enclosed $6.00 for the same. Gussie mailed it for me. It rained again in the evening, it having rained a little in the middle of the day. Our neighbor John Greene lost his son Samuel about sundown; difficulty was tubercles on the brain. He was sick a little over two weeks. AUGUST 02 THURSDAY - Pleasant. It was nearly 7 o’clock when we rose this morning. The funeral of Sammy Greene was attended this this P.M. at 3 o’clock. Tomorrow morning, he will be taken to New Rochelle for burial. Received a letter from George by the evening mail in which he acknowledged the receipt of my last two letters and proposed having Mrs. Jones come to Danbury for a week. Her health being poor, the doctor has recommended coming to the country. Robert came home from church in the evening with his wife. I made some lemonade and they drank with me before he and Charlie (who came with them) went back to Mr. Lynes’. I bought a dozen lemons in the evening for 50 cents. AUGUST 03 FRIDAY - Before going to the shop this morning, I began to construct a leader from the rain water hogshead. Gussie went up home today to see about having Mrs. Jones come to Danbury for a week. She is George’s boarding mistress and he wants us to try and accommodate her. When I returned from work at night and before I went over to Mr. Leason’s to get him to come tomorrow morning to lay up a little brick work at the corner of my house. I received a notification from H. T. Hoyt, Internal Revenue Collector, to pay for my income tax -$18.63. I came home from work with a headache and on that account, I stayed home in the evening and let Gussie go to market. AUGUST 04 SATURDAY - I rose this morning at 4 ½ o’clock. Mr. Leason came over and before breakfast laid over anew the brick foundation under the Southwest corner of my house which was washed loose by the waste water from the rain water hogshead. As it was threatening rain, I left my work at the shop when I got my pay and came home to complete the work of a leader for the waste water from the rain water hogshead, but I was compelled to leave it unfinished on account of a hard thundershower. I went to market in the evening. As I came from the shop, I paid my income tax - $18.63. AUGUST 06 SUNDAY - Pleasant this morning after the shower last evening. Gussie went to church in the A.M. and I commenced a letter to George while staying with Georgie. It was in reply to one received on the 2nd inst. about Mrs. Jones coming to Danbury to stay with us for a week. I went to Sunday School at noon and brought Mr. Lockwood home with me to supper. After supper, he and I went over to Mr. McDonald’s and borrowed his horse which I harnessed before my wagon and took Susan and Gussie with their babies up to the cemetery. I supposed Mr. Lockwood would go with us but he preferred to go up to Ed Allen’s to stay until church time which he did. When we returned, I finished the letter which I began this morning to George and mailed it as I went to church. Mr. Hare preached. Robert Cocking was immersed at the Baptist Church after the morning service. Gussie attended that church this morning to witness the baptism. AUGUST 06 MONDAY - Pleasant and cool. I went down before breakfast and mailed another letter to George telling him that Mr. Fanton would carry the yeast cakes to his store in New York where he could call and get them. As I went for milk this morning, I tried to pay Mr. McDonald for his horse yesterday, but he would take nothing. He not having any whip for his wagon, I gave him mine as I now have no use for it. I ordered another small piece of tin leader as I went to work this morning and called for it as I came from work to tea. I also stopped on my way home from work at Charles T. Stevens’ store and paid him $4.40 towards my church pew. The foreman over the trimming department at the factory ( E.E. Wildman) to tell Widow Mrs. Burr Bradley to come to the shop as he had a vacant place and would now give her work. She being away from home for a week, he promised to reserve the situation for her. I worked hard and late at the shop today. John Brayman called while I was getting my tea and gave me $5.00 towards what he owes me. I went to market in the evening and called at Mr. Henry Fanton’s office with a small package of yeast cakes which he will carry to his store in new York to be called for by George who wants the for his boarding mistress Mrs. Jones. Timothy Foster saw me in the street and enquired about my wagon. He thinks he will buy it. AUGUST 07 TUESDAY - Pleasant still and cool for August. I have worked as usual in the shop. Gussie went in the P.M. up to Eben Barnum’s and drew Georgie in his carriage. Bell was here while I was getting my tea and told us that Harriet had been writing to Mrs. Jones where George was boarding and pleading poverty trying to prevent Mrs. Jones coming to Danbury for a visit to our house for her health as she has been contemplating. She and George having arranged the matter, George having made arrangements for our folks to trade on his account for whatever should be wanting to set a grand table and make it comfortable and pleasant for Mrs. Jones. He having a high regard for her, had invited her to come and Father and Mother had both consented to it and seemed pleased that Mrs. Jones was coming, but Harriet had seemed determined to prevent it if possible and spoil the pleasure anticipated by our folks. It seems as if Satan himself at times had complete possession of her. After tea, I wrote to George telling him all about it, how Harriet had written to Mrs. Jones not to come and told him to tell her how Harriet had acted and that Father and Mother and all of us wanted her to come and to urge her by all means to come regardless of what Harriet had written. I mailed it as I went to the Annual School Meeting for the election of a new committee. The meeting was held in Military hall. I walked home from the meeting with Mr. Pond, the principal of our school and my nearest neighbor. He is agent with two or three insurance companies and he had some conversation on the way with me about insuring my life. Our newly elected district officers were as follows: for committee – J. Amsbury, Ammon T. Peck and David P. Nichols, for clerk – David B. Booth, for Treasurer – Harvey Williams, for Collector – Ephraim Gregory. AUGUST 08 WEDNESDAY - Another beautiful day, but a little warmer towards night. As I went to work in the morning, I took a piece of tin pipe which I had made for a leader for waste water from my rainwater hogshead back to Charles Hull’s to be made as I wanted it, they not having made it rightly the first time. My butter maker not having brought my butter as I expected, I bought a little as I came home from work. After tea, I attached the leader to my hogshead and completed the drain from waste water and then went to market. Smith Pulling, who furnished us with butter this summer, told me today that his wife was offended because I found fault with her butter the last time she came with it. The butter not keeping good, I only asked her if any of her other customers found fault. She said not, and I told her that it was without doubt our fault then that made it spoil by not keeping it in a good place. It seemed that she took offense at it and determined not to bring us anymore. I tried to have him promise to furnish us still, but he said he would leave it all to his wife as she had the managing of the butter business. He is to let me know in a few days what he is to do. Another quarrel across the street tonight – old Mr. Baxter having used violence on Elisha Serine’s little boy George. AUGUST 09 THURSDAY - Stormy, We woke up at three o’clock this morning by Georgie who was vomiting. He was very sick. Yesterday he was troubled by diarrhea and when he woke us had a high fever also. I gave him an injection of tepid water which gave relief. He slept well the remainder of the night and today was comparatively well. Booth Trowbridge this afternoon threw himself head long into the stream by the shop and then tried to butt his brains out against a stone work and by striking himself in the head with a stone. It created quite an excitement at the factory. I went to market in the evening and took a letter at the Office from George in which was enclosed what he received from Harriet. AUGUST 10 FRIDAY - Pleasant; I worked as usual in the shop. When I came home from work, I found John Brayman’s and Thomas Purdy’s wives at the house. They stayed to tea. John came over and took tea with us. After tea, I pulled up pea vines and prepared to set out strawberry plants. Just at dusk, Tim Foster came to look at my wagon, bringing another man with him. I went to the Post Office in the evening and walked up home with Mr. Pond who stopped at my gate and talked about life insurance. The trial of ___ Darling for rape on the person of Lucy Bennett commenced today and adjourned over to the next session of court. AUGUST 11 SATURDAY - Pleasant. On my way to work in the morning, I called at Foster’s Carpenter Shop to get a reply from Timothy Foster about my wagon. He was not willing to give over $60.00 for it. I went to work and when I came home, I went to see him again and sold it to him for $65.00. He is to take it away the first opportunity he has and agrees to pay me in two weeks. I left the shop earlier than usual and came home to set out strawberry plants. John Brayman helped me after tea. Henry, having come from Norwalk today to stay over Sunday with John, he came with him. They came over in the evening while Gussie was downtown to market and stayed until she returned. I gave John a piece of pork to take home with him. Gussie went to see Dr. Bulkely today concerning Georgie. He has a bad diarrhea and we fear the dysentery. AUGUST 12 SUNDAY - We rose late. Gussie went to church in the morning as usual. I went to Sunday School at noon and to the Sacrament Service in the P.M. Mr. Hare administered it as assisted by Brother Webb. After tea, I took a nap. After the nap Father came in to see how Georgie was. He stayed about an hour in which we talked about the expected visit of Mrs. Jones this week. I wrote to George by request of Father requesting him not to tell Harriet when Mrs. Jones is coming. We did not go to church in the evening. I went to the Office and mailed the letter I wrote and returned. We retired about 9 o’clock. Before putting Georgie to bed, we gave him an injection of warm water to soothe and cleanse his bowels, they being in a very bad state. AUGUST 13 MONDAY - I worked in the shop as usual. Gussie went to see the doctor again about Georgie. He changed his medicine. After tea, I set out another run of Russell strawberry plants. I attended Sunday school teachers’ meeting in the evening. As I came from the meeting, I took a letter from the Office from George with $12.25 enclosed: ten dollars for Mr. Harris towards clothes, two dollars for me towards the ten dollars he owes me and 25 cents for Mother for yeast cakes for Mrs. Jones. I went to market and came home. Father Griswold came on the evening train from an appointment on his district and Mother Griswold from a visit to Bloomfield. When I returned from the street, I copied the minutes of the Sunday School meeting and then went up to the other house to see the folks and was introduced to Miss Ferry from Middletown who is visiting at Father Griswold’s. Before retiring, I wrote to George acknowledging the receipt of the money by letter. AUGUST 14 TUESDAY - Cloudy, but no rain. Sunshine a part of the time, but the wind not being right, it has not entirely cleared off. As I went for milk this morning, I saw Mr. McDonald going downtown and I sent the letter to the Office which I wrote last night to George. I set out another row of strawberry plants before breakfast. We can earn but little in the shop now, for since Monday morning things have been in an uproar. The work all at once did not suit Mr. Crofut and he has tried to exact more than is possible to be given in the way of work on hats. I went to the Post Office in the evening and called at Harris’ Clothing Store and paid him another $10.00 which makes $20.00 for George towards his suit of clothes costing $45.00. Gussie washed today. Bell came down this afternoon and Gussie gave her the 25 cents which George sent to Mother for yeast cakes. She also gave her the letter I received yesterday from George speaking of the contemplated visit of Mrs. Jones to Danbury to take home for Mother to read. Before retiring, I wrote to Alfred Humphrey, notifying him that if he wanted strawberry plants, I would send him some in a week or a little more. I enclosed $5.00, the balance of my indebtedness to him for salve bought nearly a year ago – one gross $20.00. AUGUST 15 WEDNESDAY - It was raining very hard this morning and continued nearly all the forenoon. On my way to work, I went to the Jeffersonian Office and took out the advertisement of wagon and paid for two weeks insertion – 75 cents. After work, William Carlson came up with 27 Wilson strawberry plants and exchanged with me for some Russells. I went to the Post Office this evening and mailed the letter to Alfred Humphrey which I wrote last evening and enclosed the 5.00. I brought home a pair of shears to sharpen for John McNamee, a shopmate. Harriet Mills came home from the shop to Mrs. Cocking’s to tea and to stay all night. AUGUST 16 THURSDAY - Pleasant and cool. I went to the shop and worked until nearly noon to finish off a dozen hats I commenced yesterday and then came home nearly sick. I have taken cold and feel used up. I came home by way of Alden G. Crosby’s Coal yard and arrange to have my coal got in this P.M. He sent three tons of it and left the other ton to be delivered tomorrow. I transplanted the Wilson Strawberry plants which William Carlson gave me last evening (or rather exchanged for Russells). I took a nap on the lounge for about an hour. Philo Wildman came to Father Griswold’s this P.M. and was married to Mrs. Merriam. Gussie went up and witnessed the ceremony. After it was over, they got into his carriage and rode back home as happy as a bride and groom of 20 years. She was a widow and he a widower. He is a man of about 70 years. I went to market in the evening. AUGUST 17 FRIDAY - Pleasant and a little warmer. The fourth and last ton of my coal came this morning while we were eating breakfast which was about 8 o’clock. I was not feeling well and concluded not to go to the shop and on that account, we took our time over breakfast. I finished preparing the ground and putting out strawberry plants. The last was enough of the Wilsons for another row which I got from Mr. Carlson about 6 o’clock this evening. I am to let him have some Russells in exchange. In the P.M., Gussie went with me into the street, drawing Georgie in his carriage. I took from the Office a circular from Washington for George relating to collection of soldiers’ bounties; also a letter from D. H. Johnson from Newtown inquiring why the sifters which he ordered did not come. I went to market in the evening. The fireman on the locomotive attached to the up freight train today while oiling the engine just before coming up to the Ridgefield Station fell in front of the engine and had one leg cut off and one hand badly hurt, cutting off one or two of the fingers and badly hurting the others. I learn this evening that he died this afternoon about 4 o’clock. Before retiring, I answered D. H. Johnson’s letter to George and offered to sell the rights to him. AUGUST 18 SATURDAY - As I went to work this morning, I mailed a letter to D. H. Johnson in Newtown in reply to one received yesterday. I carried a pair of shoes to Benedict’s Shoe Store to be mended and went to the shop via the depot. I worked until about 3 o’clock and then came home. I weeded out my strawberry bed and the helped Mr. Pond set out a bed of strawberry plants. Dark came on before we finished the job, so we took a lamp and my lantern and completed the work by lamplight. While I was helping Mr. Pond, Gussie went to market and bought supplies for over Sunday. Timothy Foster sent George Wood for the wagon he bought of me. AUGUST 19 SUNDAY - Lowery; a little sunshine and a little rain during the day. On account of rain at morning church time, Gussie concluded not to go, so I went myself for a wonder in the forenoon. I generally go in the P.M. and to Sunday School and she goes in the morning. I came home after Sunday School . Just before I left to come home, I had a talk with Mrs. Sylvester Harris about Bell leaving Sunday School and church to go to the Baptists. Mrs. Harris was Bell’s Sunday School teacher. She feels badly about Bell’s conduct and has talked with her and wept over it. A letter which I wrote to bell on the subject 12 days ago, but hesitated to send, I have about concluded to send and made additions to it this evening for the purpose. I also this evening wrote to George on the subject. Georgie has been very cross today and has tried our patience severely. Mother Griswold came in a while in the evening. I went to church in the evening. Mr. Hare preached. It rained hard when meeting was out. Before retiring, Gussie wrote to her friend, Mrs. Nelson G. Post in Essex. AUGUST 20 MONDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. As I came home from work, I went to William Carlson’s and got 41 Wilson strawberry plants and brought home for Mr. Pond. He is to exchange them for other varieties. After tea, I spaded up a place to transplant some agriculturist plants which Mr. Pond has given me. It was dark when I finished spading, so I left the plants to be set out tomorrow morning. As I came from work, I took a letter from the office with $1.25 enclosed for a sifter for Mrs. Platt of Ridgefield. George sold it to her a long time ago and trusted her for the pay, telling her to send it when it was convenient for her to pay it. Before retiring, I wrote a note in reply, acknowledging the receipt of the money. AUGUST 21 TUESDAY - I rose at three o’clock this morning and Mr. Pond helped me transplant some agriculturist strawberry plants before breakfast. I worked as usual in the shop came home about 5 o’clock and went down to Town Mountain for some moss in which to pack strawberry plant s tomorrow evening to send to Alfred Humphrey. I took my gun with me, but I found nothing to shoot. I wrote a note in the evening to Alfred telling him when to look for the plants. As I went to the Office to mail it, I got a letter from George W. Oakley saying that George came home from the shop yesterday very sick and requested him to write me asking for $2.00 until next Sunday when he would write and repay. I went into Randall & Bradley’s store and enclosed the $2.00 to George. I also got a letter from D.H. Johnson of Newtown saying he did not wish to purchase the rights for “Tilden’s Universal Flour Sifters”, but wished one dozen of them as soon as possible. As I came from the street, I was caught in a thunder shower and got so wet that I changed my clothes when I get home. I wrote to Johnson before retiring saying that he might expect the sifters or hear from me in a few days. Also to Everett C. Andrews, sifter manufacturer in New Haven to know whether he or the man to whom he sold could fill the order immediately or not. AUGUST 22 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant, except in the P.M. when we had two small showers. Before breakfast, I went down to the Post Office and mailed two letters: to D. H. Johnson in Newtown and E. C. Andrews in new Haven. I worked as usual in the shop. I quit a little earlier and came home to put up strawberry plants to send to Alfred Humphrey. I got them put up and carried them to the express office before I ate my supper. I sent about 350 plants. AUGUST 23 THURSDAY - I worked as usual in the shop. A considerable excitement today about a rape case perpetrated by ___ West on a daughter of Peter Rowan about __ years of age. It happened this last Tuesday. After tea, I wrote to George and enclosed a circular sent by parties in Washington who collect claims for soldiers, soliciting the collection of bounty which is due George from government. I also ordered of Carlton & Porter for Fanny to use in the infant class eight packages of illustrated books for children – 25 cents per package. I enclosed $2.00 for the same. I went to the Office and mailed them. After I returned home I went up to Father Griswold’s to help him take a fish hook from Fido’s ear which he got in some way tonight. He would not hold still to let us take it out, so we concluded to wait until morning. AUGUST 24 FRIDAY - Pleasant but very cool for August. We had two showers with a rainbow about 6 P.M. I came home from work about 5 o’clock with a headache. Bell, having taken Georgie up home to stay all night and Gussie being away when I came home, I started for the Baseball Grounds on Deer Hill to watch the Waverly Club play, but just as I arrived near our folks, they stopped playing and I went into the house to see Georgie. While there, the shower spoken of came up so I stayed until it was over as I thought and started fir home but it began to rain again and wet me considerably ere I got home. After tea, I went to the Great American Tea Company (ordering 30 lbs. Of coffee and 13 lbs. of tea; 10 lbs. of coffee and 5 lbs. of tea for Nathan Pond; 5 lbs. coffee and 5 lbs. of tea for John McNamee; 5 lbs. of coffee for Charles Hoyt; and 10 lbs. of coffee and 5 lbs. of tea for myself. The coffee to be burned and ground for 30 cents per pound. The tea to be $1.00 per pound. I went into the street in the evening to mail the order and to buy our breakfast. AUGUST 25 SATURDAY - Pleasant but cool. I worked as usual in the shop. As I came home from work, I called on Tim Foster for the pay for the wagon I sold him. I did not get the money, but next Tuesday or Wednesday, he will give me a note on which I can get the money at the bank provided he does not have the money himself. Gussie went up to my folks on Deer Hill this P.M. and stayed to tea. Bell came home with her to stay all night. We somewhat expected George by the evening train and Gussie and I went to market, also to the depot, but he did not come. AUGUST 26 SUNDAY - Pleasant, but still very cool for August. Bell stayed with us last night and went home after breakfast. Gussie attended church this forenoon. In the meantime, I marked off the Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals for the school. She came home after the sermon and I went to Sunday School after which I came home. After supper, Gussie took Georgie up to Mother Griswold’s and went with Susan Brayman and Mrs. Aikin up to the cemetery and I walked over to Mr. Lynes with Robert Cocking. As I returned, I stopped at John Bouton’s a few moments and then came home. I went to the Baptist Church I the evening with Robert and Maria. AUGUST 27 MONDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie went over to Cousin Frank Bouton’s and stayed to tea. I pulled weeds in the garden from the time I came from work until Gussie came and got tea for me. I went into the street in the evening to see if the tea and coffee which I ordered last Friday came; it did not. By the evening mail, I got a letter from George with $15.00 enclosed and he spoke of $3.00 more for me in a letter to Harriet. Ten dollars of it was for Mr. Harris, the tailor towards a suit of clothes which he bought when he was home on the 4th of July. Before coming from the street, I paid Harris the $10.00 and wrote an acknowledgement to George of the money and enclosed a letter which I took from the Office for him today from St. Augustine, Florida. The small picture books which I ordered last week for Fanny to use in the Sunday School Infant Class came via Swift’s today and I brought them to her this evening. I overtook her coming home from the street and she came in with me to have me write a card with her name to tack on her trunk to take with her to Camp Meeting at Milford tomorrow morning. AUGUST 28 TUESDAY - Warmer today than it has been for some time past. As I went to work this morning, I left a bottle at Widow Clark Hoyt’s for a pint of wine to put spices into to give to Georgie for medicinal purposes. As I came from work, I called at Foster brothers and got a note for $65.00 payable at the Danbury Bank, the same being for the wagon they bought of me. As I came home, I stopped at Mrs. Hoyt’s for the wine. After tea, I went to the depot to see if the tea and coffee I ordered in New York should come by the evening express. I received a letter from Everett C. Andrews (George’s sifter manufacturer in New Haven) saying that he would send the sifters to Mr. Johnson in Newtown this week. AUGUST 29 WEDNESDAY - Muggy and warm – real dog days weather, I have not felt well today. I have a sore throat, the result of a cold. I carried in Foster Brothers note to the Danbury Bank and drew the amount - $65.00, less the discount which was 52 cents – the note I took in pay for the wagon I sold him. The Bank not being open until 10 o’clock, I gave it to the cashier (J. Amsbury) in the morning who presented it to the Board of Officers and after dinner as I returned to the shop, stopped and drew the money. Bell came down this forenoon and took Georgie up home with her. She returned with him before tea, and as Gussie wanted to go over to Harriet Ely’s in the evening, she arranged with her to stay all night s as to be with Georgie in the evening. We not hearing anything of the order I sent to New York to the Great American Tea Company for tea and coffee, I wrote again this evening and repeated the order. After the arrival of the train, I waited for the mail to open and then rode into West Street with Robert Cocking. Before retiring, I commenced a letter to George. AUGUST 30 THURSDAY - I went to the shop as usual. On my way in the morning, I met Robert Dunning, who told me that his little boy Fred was taken last night with cholera; was taken at tea time about 6 o’clock and at 9 o’clock, his feet and legs were cold as death and no pulse was perceptible. They all expected that surely he would die, but it finally turned favorable. The doctor (Bennett) was with him all night. He is now considered out of danger of the cholera, but is very feeble after such a severe illness. I called over to see them this evening after tea. I went to the depot this evening to see if the tea and coffee came from the Great American Tea Company, but it did not. I waited for the mail and then walked up home with John Brayman. I spoke with him about the debt he owes Mr. Harris, the tailor for an overcoat bought last winter. Before retiring, I wrote more in a letter I commenced last night to George. AUGUST 31 FRIDAY - A little splatter of rain this morning about 6 o’clock. I worked as usual in the shop. I carried two large tomatoes to the shop with me to exhibit. George Benjamin and I ate one of them with our dinners at noon and he took the other home with him. Georgie went up home with bell yesterday morning and stayed until about 7 o’clock this evening when bell came down with him, drawing him in his carriage. Gussie called on Mrs. Jesse Stevens, Mrs. McNeil, Nelson Nickerson and Harriet Ely today. After tea, Hanson Smith came over to borrow my gun to use tomorrow, but I refused him on the grounds that I never lent it and did not want to now begin. I went to the depot upon arrival of the train to see if my tea and coffee from the Great American Tea Company. And Lo! And Behold! It came after a delay of a week. The bill was $24.00 for 30 pounds of coffee at 30 cents per pound and 15 pounds of tea at $1.00; collections by express man - 60 cents, expressage - 75 cents making a bill complete of $25.35, which I paid at the express office to E. M. Barnum with the understanding that it should be delivered tomorrow morning early.
1866-08
Horace Purdy Journal July 1866 Entry
11pgs
JULY 01 SUNDAY - A beautiful day. George came down early this morning for the horse and took a horseback ride before breakfast. He came down before meeting time and we shaved each other. Edwin came in and shaved also with my razor. George and Gussie went to meeting together in the A.M. I went to Sunday School as usual at noon. George and Bell came home with us to tea after which I borrowed Saul Barnum’s wagon and George and I took Georgie and rode up to the cemetery, over to Sturdevant’s to see the new R.R. ,across from there to the lower end of Main street and home. I wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering one dozen lesson books for the Sunday School. I went to church in the evening. Brother Webb preached for us. After meeting, we went up to visit with Edwin and stayed until after 10 o’clock. JULY 02 MONDAY - A lovely day. In the morning, I borrowed Charles Hull’s wagon and Edwin Griswold and Eddie, Jr., Josie Wheeler, Gussie and I took a ride. George went with us downtown where I stopped with him to buy a new set of clothes. He wants them by Thursday to take with him when he returns to Brooklyn. I paid Charles Hull $10.00 for the second hand hay cutter bought February 26th. I also paid my P.O. Box rent up to Jan. 1, 1867. After dinner George came down and hoed the garden for me while I painted my front fence. After tea, Gussie and Louise went with me over to Lake Kenosha to secure a boat for fishing tomorrow. JULY 03 TUESDAY - I took Charles Hull’s wagon home this morning and borrowed Mr. McDonald’s to go fishing. Father Griswold, Edwin and little Eddie, George and myself went over to Kenosha fishing. We stayed until nearly 4 o’clock. We took a bath and then came home. We had very good luck, though most of the items were small. After tea, I went up to James Fowler’s and borrowed Theo’s carriage which he offered for sale before he died. Plowed out Father Griswold’s corn and potatoes after tea. JULY 04 WEDNESDAY - I rose this morning by Edwin calling me and helped hoe corn and potatoes before breakfast for Father Griswold. I finished painting my front fence before dinner. After dinner, I practiced with my pistol at a target. Edwin tried, also Gussie. I sold my horse and harness to _______ this afternoon. Andrew James brought me the customer. I sold the old Theo Fowler carriage with him which I was using while my wagon was being repaired. I had the privilege of buying or selling the carriage for $25.00 for Mr. Fowler. I had a chance, so I sold the establishment - horse, harness and carriage for $90.00. The horse and harness stands me $65.00. After selling, I went up to the cemetery, our folks having gone up previously. From there, I went to Mr. Fowler’s to pay him for the carriage. I waited until it began to rain and then came home without seeing him. On my way home, I bought a pair of thin pants at Mr. Harris’ for $2.50. In the evening, we had a few pieces of fireworks to set off up at Father Griswold’s. It was done to please little Eddie Griswold. JULY 05 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I went up to see Mr. James Fowler before breakfast and paid him $25.00 for his carriage which I sold with my horse yesterday. After breakfast, I went into the street again and settled my account with Benedict & Nichols by paying the balance $16.16. I felt about sick at noon, could eat no dinner, took a nap and felt better after. Caroline Mills was here to dinner. In the P.M., I painted the brickwork under my house in front and the piazza and steps. I used some old paint of Father Griswold’s by buying some oil to put with it. George got his new set of clothes and left for Brooklyn on the regular afternoon passenger train at 4 o’clock, 58 minutes. Mrs. Cocking made Georgie a present of a small cart. We took tea up to Father Griswold’s with Edwin. I wrote two letters in the P.M. for George on the sifter business to Everett C. Andrews, his manufacturer, ordering one dozen sent to D. H. Johnson at Newtown and one to Said (?) Johnson. George mailed them as he went to the depot. I went to market in the evening. When I returned, we went up to Father Griswold and sat until bedtime on his piazza. Did not go to the shop today, but worked around the house. JULY 06 FRIDAY - Very warm – over 90 in the shade. I took up and put down a new drain in the forenoon. In the P.M., I painted the lattice work under Father Griswold’s piazza. Edwin and little Edwin, Mother Griswold and Harriet Wheeler, and Josie came down to tea. Edwin and Ed Jr. walked downtown with me in the evening as I went to the Office. JULY 07 SATURDAY - Very warm. My wagon being done at the blacksmith’s about 9 o’clock, I took it over to Olmstead’s Carriage Shop to be painted. I did not go to the shop, but worked around home, mowing my door yard and trimming my walks. I worked hard until 12 ½ o’clock in the hot sun. In the P.M., I went down to the shop and sleeked off a silk hat for Mr. McDonald. Fanny bought some ice cream in the evening. When I returned home from the market, I ate some with them. I had a headache in the P.M. and the evening. Mr. McDonald’s bill for iron work on my wagon was $14.30; he threw off the 30 cents and I paid him $14.00. JULY 08 SUNDAY - Very warm. Gussie attended church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon after which I came home to keep cool rather than to stay to prayer meeting in the P.M. I took a chair in the yard under the trees and sat nearly all the afternoon. A shower came up about 5 ½ o’clock. It continued to rain at evening meeting time, so we stayed home. JULY 09 MONDAY - Cloudy nearly all day and colder. I went to the shop today- the first time. Edwin and little Eddie came to the shop to see me in the P.M. Gussie bought some handkerchiefs for him to take home with him as presents to the family. After tea and supper, I went to the church for a teachers’ meeting. JULY 10 TUESDAY - Cloudy with some appearance of rain in the morning, but it came off clear and pleasant in the middle of the day. We having trouble at the shop to get hot irons, we stopped work at noon to have a large flue put in the place of a small one we have been using. We contemplated going over to Daniel Manley’s to help him get hay in the P.M. we sent Joe Kyle over to see if he wanted us today, but the weather not looking favorable, he feared to get a large quantity of grass cut with bad weather to prevent getting it up so we stayed at home. I hoed cabbage, planted strawberry peas for seed next season, dug over the ground beside my hedge between Mr. Pond and myself, and after tea, went over near Oil Mill Pond with Ed Dunning to practice shooting at chimney birds. I hit two and he only one. Louise Vintz took tea with us. There being no one home at Father Griswold’s, Mother Griswold and Harriet having gone to Harford by the noon train with Edwin and son Eddie, who have been visiting with us since June 30th. I did not go the depot to see them off, having bid them goodbye in the morning. I saw Edwin on the train as it passed the factory. John Brayman paid me $2.00 on what he owes me today. I got the ramrod to my gun which has been to Stevens’ Machine Shop for a new head. Smith Pulling came with butter just at night. I paid him $1.49 which pays for all up to date. Georgie being badly broken out, Gussie went to the doctor with him. He pronounces it Scarlet rash and gave us medicine for it. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to market. I took two letters from the Office this morning which came last night – one from George and one from Everett C. Andrews, saying that he has sold out his sifter manufacturing, but would try and fill the order of one dozen for George in a few days. I wrote a reply to Andrews and a note to D. H. Johnson in Newtown saying that his order could not be filled for several days. Cleaned gun before retiring. JULY 11 WEDNESDAY - A beautiful day. We were up considerable with Georgie last night. The flues at the shop which were repaired yesterday afternoon were so arranged as to make it dangerous to the wood work adjoining, and in consequence, we had to stop again this P.M. to change the flues. I came home to dinner, after which I went over to Olmstead’s Carriage Shop to direct about the wagon I am having painted there. From there, I went to Robinson’s and bought a record book for the Sunday School came home and copied the minutes of the last three meetings into it, which takes it back to the May meeting which was the first of the Sunday School year. Louise took care of Georgie while Gussie went up home to see Bell who is sick. She is having trouble again with her lungs caused without doubt from getting too tired and overdone while George was home to send the Fourth. After tea, I went again with Ed Dunning over to Oil Mill Pond to practice shooting at chimney birds. It was dark when we returned. JULY 12 THURSDAY - I went to the shop this morning, but the flues were not yet fixed and we could in consequence do no work, so I returned and went to work in my garden weeding out my strawberry bed and trimming the runners for new plants. I worked with bare arms and blistered them in the sun. After tea, I went to work again and worked until dark. Gussie put Georgie to bed and then went to market herself. She called to see the doctor about Georgie; he thinks that he has the “chicken pox” with the Scarlet Rash”. Later – not the chicken pox – July 16th. JULY 13 FRIDAY - Very warm. Gussie, having no bread baked neither pie; I bought my dinner at the baker’s as I went to the shop in the morning and carried it to the shop with me. Gussie had Mrs. Stone to wash for her today. I mailed in the evening a necktie and a collar with a note to George. JULY 14 SATURDAY - Very warm. Mr. Sifer mowed the remnant of my grass on Father Griswold’s dooryard today, not quite either- a little corner of it he left. It was so hot in the shop that I quit work at noon, waited for my pay and came home. I borrowed Charles Stevens’ horse and got my wagon home from Olmstead’s Shop where it had been to be painted. The whole amount of repairs on it is as follows: $14.00 to McDonald for setting up springs and one new leaf in the hind one and two new tires and $14.70 to Olmstead for new rims ($3.00) and six new spokes ( $1.00), washers ($.70), painting, striping and varnishing ($10.00) – total $28.70. I went to market in the evening and saw Harris Crofut about my feed cutter; he thinks he will buy it. When I returned from market, Gussie went down to pay Mr. Adams the balance due for Georgie’s’ straw hat. I sent by her for a pint of ale which Robert and I drank before retiring. She bought a pair of slippers for herself also. JULY 15 SUNDAY - Very warm; I went to church in the morning and stayed to Sunday School after which I returned home. After tea, Gussie and I drew Georgie up home to see Bell who is not very well. Gussie went to church in the evening to the Baptists to hear their new organ. She went in company with Mr. and Mrs. Cocking. I stayed with Georgie. Ed Dunning sat in the yard with me all the evening. We talked on religion. I found him to be a fine young man, steady in all his habits with serious religious impressions. I trust the evening has not been spent unprofitably to either of us. I wrote a short letter to George and enclosed a letter received here for him directed to Willie Franklin. Gussie mailed it as she went to church in the evening. JULY 16 MONDAY - Hot; the thermometer 96 in the shop, the hottest day thus far this summer. I worked until about 5 P.M. and then gave up nearly exhausted. Gussie went to market in the evening. Harriet and Josie returned form Bloomfield on the evening train, she not feeling well. The difficulty with her side being so much worse, she feared to stay from home any longer. Alva Stevens was found dead this noon in his room in Hull block over Dr. Baldwin’s Drug Store. He has been missed since last Saturday morning. His body was in a very corrupt state. JULY 17 TUESDAY - Another very warm day. About 5 P.M., showers passed by us in the north giving us only a few drops. The lightning was sharp and the thunder heavy. It struck Stevens’ Carpenter Shop near Barn Plain Bridge. The fire was out before the hose got there. I worked all day in the shop. I went to market in the evening. When we retired, it looked as if we would have a settled rain. I made some lemonade in the evening; Robert drank some with us. JULY 18 WEDNESDAY - Warm again today but the sun was hid from sight several times which made it less oppressing out of doors. I worked in the shop until 7 o’clock. A shower came up about 5 o’clock which gave us a little rain. Robert Dunning came over and picked some currants after tea. I went to market in the evening. JULY 19 THURSDAY - It rained some last night; it has been cool today. I worked as usual in the shop. As I went to work in the morning, I left an advertisement at the Jeffersonian Office for my wagon. After tea, I went into the street with Ed Dunning. I called at the Jeffersonian Office and changed the wording of the advertisement I left there this morning. When we returned, we sat on my front steps for a while and partly made arrangements for going hunting a sort time early tomorrow morning. JULY 20 FRIDAY - I rose about 3 o’clock this morning and went over to Robert Dunning’s to wake his son Ed who agreed to get up and come over to wake me. I got the start of him. We started about 4 o’clock and got to the hunting ground down between Town and Middle Mountain by the time we could see to shoot. We found three woodcock and shot two of them; each of us got one. It was about 6 ½ o’clock when we returned. I went to the shop, but was obliged to come home about noon, having a hard headache. Getting up so early and taking so much of a tramp was rather too much for me, not being used to it. Bell came here after meeting last night and stayed all night with us. She took Georgie up home with her in the forenoon to spend the day. I went to market in the evening and came home about 8 o’clock when it commenced raining. JULY 21 SATURDAY - Cloudy with occasional fine rain and mist. I went to the shop and worked as usual. After tea, I trimmed an Elm tree standing in front of the house. Robert Dunning came along as I was doing it and helped me drag off the limbs I cut off, after which I walked downtown with him and did some marketing and returned home. JULY 22 SUNDAY - Cloudy most of the time during the day. Mother walked down about 9 o’clock and went from here to church about meeting time. John Brayman came over and picked a mess of peas from our vines before we rose this morning. Gussie told him last night to come and get them. Gussie went to church this morning. I went down to Sunday School and returned when it was over, not staying to the prayer meeting in the P.M. I wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering one dozen new catechisms and one copy of the Sunday School Advocates for the three remaining months of the Advocate year. I enclosed $.56 for the both of them, that being the amount of the bill. After tea, I took Georgie to walk over to Mr. McDonald’s. When I returned with him, we took him in his carriage and went over to Daniel Starr’s and made a short call before evening meeting. I went to church in the evening; Mr. Webb preached. After meeting, I walked up home with Bell, she being alone. JULY 23 MONDAY - Pleasant and not so extremely warm as last week. I brought water from Father Griswold’s cistern before breakfast for Gussie to wash with; this is the first time we have been obliged to do so this summer. John Meaker made his finishing shop foul today. Mallory discharged all his finishers Saturday and it is expected that his shop will be made foul also. After tea, I hoed my cabbages and went to market. I called at David Osborne’s store to tell him of my wagon for sale, I having heard that he wanted to buy one. Before retiring, I helped Gussie seal up her currant jelly in cups. JULY 24 TUESDAY - A beautiful summer day, not extremely hot. Mrs. Coles came over this morning and picked a mess of peas which we gave her if she would pick them. Mrs. Pulling came about 7 o’clock as we were eating breakfast this morning with our butter – 2 lbs. I paid her for it - $.70. David Osborne came to look at my wagon. He thought the springs were not quite heavy enough to suit him. I went to market in the evening. JULY 25 WEDNESDAY - A beautiful morning. I worked as usual in the shop. We had a heavy shower about 1 o’clock P.M. As it passed over, the sun shone a short time, but another soon followed which was far heavier than the first. It continued until nearly 8 o’clock in the evening. I went into the street in the evening to take a lamp for repairs and to go to the Post Office. I bought a small kit of Mackerel No. 1 at Randell & Bradley’s to be sent up tomorrow morning. I paid $3.12 for them. I walked up with Joseph W. Allen from the street He came home with me to get a bottle of cider at father Griswold’s for his wife, it being ordered by the doctor. Mrs. Cocking spent the evening with us. I made some lemonade which we drank before retiring. JULY 26 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. I had the headache in the afternoon. As I came from work, I got the Sunday School Advocates at Swift & Day’s; also one dozen No. 1 catechisms which I ordered last Sunday. After tea, I went over to Robert Dunning’s for a few moments to see him shoot at a mark with his rifle. I stayed at home in the evening with Georgie and let Gussie go into the street. JULY 27 FRIDAY - Warm, muggy, clouds, sunshine and a little rain. I worked as usual in the shop and stayed until about 7 o’clock. Gussie is calculating to go to Norwalk with an excursion tomorrow in company with and at the invitation of Mr. Cole’s folks. She accordingly went up for Bell to come and stay all night and take Georgie home with her tomorrow morning after she leaves for Norwalk. JULY 28 SATURDAY - An excursion to Norwalk and Roton Point. Gussie went in the company of Mr. Coles’ folks. Warm and muggy in the morning. Showers in the middle of the day; a severe one between 4 and 5 o’clock P.M. Walter Fayerweather’s house on Highland Avenue was struck by lightning. Bell stayed with us last night and did the work after breakfast to let Gussie go on the picnic and then took Georgie home with her. On account of the shower, she did not come home with him at night. The excursionist arrived here at 11 o’clock. I met Gussie and Susan Brayman at the depot. JULY 29 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. On account of retiring so late last night, we did not get up this morning until after 8 o’clock. Gussie is nearly used up from her excursion yesterday. She did not go to church as usual this morning, so I went instead. We expected Mr. Lockwood to tea with us, but he, not feeling well, concluded not to come. Father came down with Georgie this morning about 8 o’clock. After tea, I took a walk into West Street and up to Seth Downs’ and return. I then wrote to George to the Book Room, 200 Mulberry Street and to the Bible House on 4th Avenue between 8th and 9th Streets to enquire the price of cheap bibles per dozen. Gussie walked up to the cemetery about 6 P.M. with Harriet and Mr.Stokes and others of their family, I believe. I stayed with Georgie. She returned too late to get to evening meeting, so she went over to Mrs. Green’s to see how their little boy, Sammy was. He is dangerously sick. I made some lemonade before retiring. JULY 30 MONDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. I gave Gussie $2.25 to pay Mrs. Baxter for dress making. I bought $.25 worth of sugar to make lemonade at the shop. Received a letter from George with $10.00 enclosed to pay Mr. Harris towards his suit of clothes which he bought when he was home over the 4th of July. Reverend L. Webb delivered a lecture in the evening at our church on the massacre by the Sioux Indians of the white settlers in Minnesota in August, 1862. As we went (Gussie and I), I called at Mr. Harris’ store and paid him the $10.00 George sent to him towards his clothes. Brother Webb was in Minnesota at the time doing military duty against the Indians. He was Adj. General to General Sibley at the time. The papers today state that the Atlantic cable has been successfully laid, it being the third attempt. Messages have been sent back and forth already. JULY 31 TUESDAY - I wrote a letter to George before breakfast in answer to one received yesterday but did not mail it until this evening. A number of men have been shopped today to go into the new shop (formerly used for foul men) as Mr. Crofut has more work than can be done in his main shop. Ed Harris, James Hagen, Daniel Manly, John Knowles and others were shopped. I worked until 7 o’clock at the shop. Received a letter from Carlton & Porter in reference to the bibles for Sunday School use. I went to market in the evening – bought clams, eggs and lemons. An account in the papers today of a riot in New Orleans, or rather a mob. Loyal men assembled in a convention were attacked by rebels who had formerly fought in the Rebel Army. The affair took place on the 30th of July.
1866-07
Horace Purdy Journal March 1867 Entry
16gs
MAR 01 FRIDAY - Lowery with fine rain. As I came home from work, I left the 'Sentence of Christ' at the Jeffersonian Office for publication. I then called at D. B. Booth's office to look at the state register for the residence of Dr. Henry Stearns, formerly surgeon of the 1st Connecticut Volunteers. Gussie went over to Mrs. Daniel Starr's this P.M., from there to Emily Anderson's, where she stayed to tea. Frank Bouton came this way to go with Gussie to the Sewing Society. John came in soon after and we went into the street together. He returned with me and stayed until the women came from the Sewing Society. Wrote to Dr. Stearns to find when and where I could have an interview with him relative to a pension for hernia received in the army. MAR 02 SATURDAY - A little sunshine during the day. Warm and muddy. We had work in the shop until noon. Received a letter from George. Before coming home, I went to D. B. Booth's office to see if George's name was still on the list so that he can vote; I found that it was. I went to D. W. Benedict's and brought home 3 pairs of rubbers from which to have Gussie select a pair. One pair was not mates, though nearly alike. These she concluded to take as they would cost only 75 cents where the others were $1.25. I returned them before night and tried to get another pair of odd ones for the same price for Mrs. Stone, but could not. I called at the Selectman's Office and paid Mr. S. Peck my taxes which were $18.05. By paying now I had 3 % deducted, making the amount which I paid, $17.52. I went to the Post Office in the evening, came home and commenced a reply to George's letter. It cleared off in the evening and grew colder. MAR 03 SUNDAY - The ground was frozen hard this morning. The sun shone until towards night when it clouded over and now looks like storm. Gussie attended church in the morning. She came home and I went down to Sunday School at noon. I was busy at the Library until after 2 o'clock. It was so late that I came home without going into church. We expected Bell would come here to tea, but she did not. After tea, Father came down to see us. Susan Brayman came in also. Before Father went home, I cut his hair for him a little. It looked so badly that I would not let him go longer looking so. I do not feel so well this evening, so I let Gussie attend church and I stayed home. Before Gussie went, I finished a letter to George and sent it by her to the Post Office. MAR 04 MONDAY - The ground this morning was covered with snow about 3 inches deep and a fine rain was falling. It remained misty with increasingly a little snow through the day. I have worked all day in the shop, though I have felt about sick, my head and stomach feeling badly. I ate only a mouthful of my dinner and felt better for not eating. As I came from work, I took from the Office two letters, one from George with $5.00 enclosed for Mr. Harris towards the $38.00 for his account, and one from Dr. Henry P. Stearns, formerly surgeon of our regiment in reply to one written to him as to where and when I could find him to see him about a certificate for me regarding hernia which I received while in the service. I am obliged to get one and forward the same to Washington in order to get a pension. I am thinking about going to Hartford to see him about it. His residence is at 196 Main Street. After tea, I wrote to George acknowledging receipt of $5.00 for Harris. I went into the street in the evening to see the agent of the Merchants' Union Express for George's washing in a traveling bag from New York. I added to the letter what it would cost and mailed it. I left my watch at S. G. Bailey's for cleaning. I called at O.H. Swift's and bought a pass book for my use at work at the shop and a top for Georgie. I then walked up West Street with Swift. MAR 05 THURSDAY - Pleasant but cooler. I worked as usual in the shop. I had but little appetite at noon and ate but little. I worked hard and was very tired at night. Bell came in while we were at tea and wanted me to go up home and pull a tooth for Mother but I was too tired to go into the street and up there too. I went to the Post Office and got a letter from Father Griswold mailed from West Granby saying that he would be in Hartford at the Trumbull House on Friday next instead of Saturday as he told me before he left home. Before retiring, I wrote a reply to him. John Stone told me this evening that Bird (Henry Blair's dog) had been shot. Before retiring, I wrote to Henry Blair, telling him what I heard. MAR 06 WEDNESDAY - I worked as usual in the shop. While waiting for a block this forenoon, I went up to Mr. Barnum's office to see about me going to Hartford to see Dr. Stearns about my getting a certificate of disability to enable me to get a pension but found his office closed. As I came from work this evening, I took a note from the office from Louise Blair saying that Bird was dead. While at tea, Miss English, our old nurse came in for a call. Bell soon came in also to stay all night. Gussie went with Harriet and her mother to hear Anna D. Dickenson lecture, while I went over to Mrs. Blair's to see Bird and do some marketing in the street. I stopped at Mr. Swift's store and when he shut up, I walked up with him. Mr. Crofut is having the roof of his drying room raised up to make another story. Robert Cocking paid me his February rent today - $3.00. MAR 07 THURDAY - A little snow this morning and through the day. I came home from work with a headache. A letter from George this evening. George Hawley, P T. Barnum and Judge Pitkin from New Orleans speak this evening at Concert Hall, the first meeting of the campaign. I now hear the band sweetly playing to escort the speakers from the Wooster House to Concert Hall. I am too sick to attend. Gussie has gone into the street. Before retiring, I went over to see Mr. Pond about stopping in New Haven (as I go to Hartford tomorrow) to get his watch. Amos Purdy, who I engaged this morning to bury Bird, tried but the ground was frozen too hard and he was obliged to defer it until the frost should get out more. Bell has been down today, but went home again this evening. MAR 08 FRIDAY - My head and stomach feel badly still though better than yesterday. We rose early so that I could take the train to Hartford. I took the accommodation to New Haven where I stopped and got Mr. Pond's gold watch at Benjamin's Jewelry Store near the depot. I waited half an hour and took the express to Hartford where I arrived at 12:30 o'clock. Father Griswold was on the platform waiting for me. We went together to my old Regimental surgeon, Dr. Henry P. Stearns, at 196 Main Street. I, not telling him of my hernia at the time, it occurred on July 2nd, 1861 at Fall's Church, Virginia. He of course had not personal knowledge of the case to warrant him in giving a certificate that would be of any good to me. I therefore failed to accomplish what I went for. I was not, however, surprised at the result. It was exactly what I expected for he lacked the positive knowledge required. I went with Father Griswold to the Trumbull House to dinner. John Parker, proprietor, is an old family friend of Father Griswold's. I took the steamer, 'City of Hartford' at 2 P.M. for New York. We got out of the river at Saybrook between 9 and 10 o'clock at night. MAR 09 SATURDAY - I was awakened at a quarter before four this morning by the steamer arriving at Peck Slip, East River, New York. I turned out from my berth and after making my toilet, I waited nearly an hour for daylight when I went to Fulton Market and got my breakfast after which I went over to Brooklyn to George's boarding place, 115 Myrtle Avenue and found him still in bed. His landlord, Mr. Peter Haver, invited me in and then called George saying that a gentleman wished to see him. He was greatly surprised to see me. After breakfast, we walked to his shop and then to Fort Greene. He concluded not to go to work, so we returned to his boarding place. He changed his clothes and we went over to New York. We went to the Great American Tea Company, where I gave in my club order of $37.00, made arrangements for its shipment today, and then we called on Henry Blair at 327 Broadway. I told him about the death of Bird, had a little pleasant conversation and then we called at the Merchant's Union Express Office at 180 Broadway, to see about the tea and carpet bag (which George left there last evening.) being forwarded today. We then returned to Brooklyn and called on Louise at 380 State Street. From there, we went to George's boarding place to dinner. In the afternoon, we tried to find some soda ash, but could not. We crossed at the Catherine Street ferry and went to Pier 37 at the foot of Market Street, New York, where we met Henry Blair who was coming to Danbury also. George stayed at the boat with us until it left at 2 P.M. I lent him a dollar before we left which he promises to pay next Saturday. We arrived at Norwalk a little after 5 o'clock. Arrived in Danbury about 8 o'clock where Gussie met me at the depot. My box of tea from the Great American Tea Company and the bag from George was on the train with me by Merchant's Union Express. I took the bag with me leaving the box to be sent up on Monday. We walked around home with Henry Blair to see Bird as he lay dead in his house. When we got home we went over to Mr. Pond's to carry Mr. Pond's watch which I got in New Haven. MAR 10 SUNDAY - Stormy, rain. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon, after which I came home as I felt tired. After tea, Gussie and I went up home to see Georgie, Bell having taken him up home with her yesterday. I took the bag of dirty clothes of George which I brought home with me last night up home to have Mother wash and mend them. We stayed until dark and then came home. It has rained more towards night and this evening than it did earlier in the day. We stayed at home in the evening and retired early. MARCH 11 MONDAY - Pleasant. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. As I went to work this morning, I called at the Merchant's Union Express office to pay for the box of tea from the Great American Tea Company, but the agent was not in and I called again as I came home from work at night and paid for it with the bag of clothes from George sent home for washing. I opened the box of tea and coffee before tea. I attended the Sunday School Business meeting in the evening. L. S. Barnum speaks this evening at Concert hall in opposition to P.T. Barnum a candidate for congressman from this district. After returning from Teachers' Meeting, I carried Amos Purdy's tea over to him and the tea and coffee to O.H. Swift which he ordered. Before retiring, I entered the minutes of the Teachers' meeting in the Sunday School records. Susan Brayman was over this evening and I sold her 1 lb. of bulk tea. MAR 12 TUESDAY - Stormy; a little snow in the morning and fine rain most of the time during the day. As I went to work in the morning, I carried Edward Ambler's tea to him which he sent for by me to the Great American Tea Company. There has been considerable excitement today over L. S. Barnum's speech in opposition to P. T. Barnum last evening. The makers today have struck for their old wages. Mr. Crofut says that he will not give it. As I went to work this morning, I called into Mr. Swift's store and he paid a part of his bill for tea and coffee and the balance this evening. After tea, I went into the street and carried George's bag of clothes to the Express Office to send to him and mailed a letter to him with a note enclosed to the New York express agent from our agent arranging for carrying his bag for 25 cents. I carried Robert Dunning's tea over to him this morning. Before retiring we put John's picture and our marriage certificate each in a shell frame. MAR 13 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy all day. I have worked as usual in the shop. As I came from work, Istook from the Post Office another receipted bill for tea and coffee from the Great American Tea Company, sent doubtless by mistake as they gave me one when I bought the tea and coffee last Saturday. I now have two. 11 o'clock P.M. - Gussie has had this evening a carpet bag bee. The party has just left. They sewed about 23 lbs. of rags. We had loaf cakes with doughnuts and apples for refreshments. We had a good time. The party was as follows: John Bouton and wife, William Warren and wife, Henry Miller and wife, and Daniel Starr and his wife, Carrie Hoyt and Sarah Francis, Mrs. Nickerson and daughter, Libbie, Eliza Hill, Lottie Keeler, Mrs. George Davis, Mother Griswold, Fannie, Harriet and Louise. Father Griswold came down and stayed awhile in the evening, but went home again before refreshments were served. MAR 14 THURSDAY - Colder, cloudy in the forenoon. The sun shone pleasantly this P.M. and melted what it froze this morning. It froze up again by dark. A shop call today to raise our prices. Mr. Crofut being in New York, the matter was postponed until tomorrow when he is expected home. Bell came home with Georgie today and stayed awhile into the evening until I could go into the street and return, Gussie having gone with Susan Brayman up to Mrs. Cole's before I came home from work. When I returned in the evening from the street, Bell went up home. I weighed out a pound of coffee for her to take to Nellie Freeland, she wanting to buy some from me. I took my small spring balance with me into the street and traded with Charles Hull for a pair of steel yards. Upon trial, I found them incorrect. MAR 15 FRIDAY - Pleasant; as I went to work this morning, I took back to Charles Hull's the steel yards I got there last evening. We raised our bill of prices at the shop today 2% on a dozen, only half the reduction made on the 28th of last December. A grand Republican rally at Concert Hall this evening. Judge Culver and ____ spoke. A boy named McDermott was today carried by a belt over the main shaft and both legs broken at Tweedy' Forming Factory. MAR 16 SATURDAY - Bell stayed with us last night. It commenced snowing this P.M. and it still continues (it is now 9 o'clock in the evening). I have worked hard all day in the shop. A democratic political meeting is being held this evening at Concert Hall. MAR 17 SUNDAY - It has snowed all day, clearing off between sundown and dark. Mr. Pond with Frank Fanning (and a boy with Frank), George Davis and myself, drew our snow plow out to West Street, up Father Griswold's lane and in Fanning and Davis' yards before breakfast. I swept out the paths in my yard again when it cleared off this evening. I went down at noon to Sunday School which was very small and returned home again when it was over. Except for me going to Sunday School, we have both stayed home all day and made a rest day of it. Father came down after tea to tell us that Mother came near dying last night. It was her old trouble in her chest with an accumulation of phlegm, which came near strangling her. Father said that for two or three hours, she struggled so for breath that he thought she would die. She being better now and the snow so deep, I have concluded not to go up this evening. MAR 18 MONDAY - Pleasant, but cool. Mrs. Stone washed for us today and Gussie engaged her for Wednesday for Mother as she is not able to do her washing this week. She is still in bed from the severe attack on Saturday night. I worked as usual in the shop. Susan Brayman came over after tea and paid for the lb. of black tea she bought of me and then went into the street with Gussie. Louise stayed with Georgie in the evening to let me go into the street to carry a lb. of coffee to Oscar Serine. I called at the Republican Club Room a few moments and then went up home to see Mother and take letter to her from George which came this evening. MAR 19 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. As I went to work this morning, I returned one of the pairs of shoes which Gussie brought home last evening to fit a pair to Georgie. I also took from the Office a letter from George which was not put in my box last evening., Dr. Brown having withheld it for the few minutes I was at the Office to read what was on the envelope and to make out who it was for, George having wrote the face over with some rhyme in which was the address, the rhyme being about our Connecticut Gubernatorial Campaign, naming George Hawley and P.T. Barnum our nominees for Congress. The sentiment evidently not suiting some New York Post Office officials as on the opposite side of the envelope was written in pencil ' 'Oh gas! You are a da-n fool. You lie'. Enclosed was a letter for Harriet, also the dollar he borrowed of me when I was in New York. In the evening, Gussie had another rag bee. Mrs. Amos Purdy and daughters, Sarah and Lucy, Mrs. Coles and daughter Sarah, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Stone and daughter Matilda, Clarissa Smith, Susan Brayman. Mr. Coles and son Paul came in late for Mrs. Coles and Sarah. They came just in time for refreshments. We had loaf cake, crullers, green and black tea and apples. After tea, I finished my letter to George and mailed it. MAR 20 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. Mrs. Coles came down again today to help Gussie sew carpet rags. As Gussie was going to the Sewing Society, she took the rags over to Susan Brahman's and spent the P. M. there and sewed rags. Father Griswold having two tickets sent to him to hear George William Curtis (ed. note lecturer, editor of Harper's Weekly, one of the founders of the Republican Party) lecture and none of them being able to attend, Gussie and Louise took them and went. Mother Griswold offered one ticket to me but I was too tired to go, so I let Gussie go in my stead. MAR 21 THURSDAY - Stormy; snow which melted about as fast as it came. My work at the shop only lasted until noon. After dinner, I took Mother Griswold's chopping knife over to Benedict's factory and rounded the edge by taking off the corners. The remainder of the P.M, I spent in Mr. Pond's barn helping Oscar Serine get out material for a grape arbor and make some lattice work. I mended a flour sifter also for Gussie to give to Harriet. After tea, I went over to see Henry Blair who is quite sick. From there, I went into the street and paid for a half lb. of smelt - 33cents - which they brought to us yesterday (Avery Raymond). I saw the band with their new instruments which they played from the depot to Concert Hall for William H. Burleigh of New York who spoke on the issues of the day for the Republican Party. I heard him about five minutes and then came out and went over to Randell & Bradley's and engaged a kit of mackerel to be brought up tomorrow and then came home, after which I went over to Mr. Pond's to set my watch by his in order to regulate it. I then went to the barn and finished repairing the flour sifter. MAR 22 FRIDAY - Cloudy and windy. It was frozen in the morning, but thawed during the day. The moon shone at times through the clouds in the evening. I worked as usual in the shop. I came from work by way of the Jeffersonian Office for my paper. I also got the Sunday School papers at the news office. After tea, John Bouton came over with his wife to go with Gussie to the Sewing Society at Widow Thomas Barnum's. Mother Griswold stayed with Georgie to let John and I go into the street. I went to Randell & Bradley's and paid $3.25 for the kit of mackerel they brought me today. I also called at D. B. Booth's office to see if the $100 bounty for George had come. After the arrival of the mail John and myself walked up together. He stayed with me until the women came from the Sewing Society. In the meantime, he read off the names for me to write on the Sunday School papers. MAR 23 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie and I went to market in the evening. As I went, I carried a pumpkin down to the Post Office for Joseph Kyle. He was to get it from there. I came home leaving Gussie to do some trading and I went up home to see Mother who has been sick. I carried some rotten specked apples up to them and a letter to Harriet which came enclosed in one to me from George. I stayed until 10 o'clock. MAR 24 SUNDAY - Cloudy; warm and very muddy. I went down to church in the morning with the Sunday School papers and arranged them with the lot which came the week before for distribtion this noon. I then went to the barber's and got shaved. Homer Peters and I came home in time to let Gussie go to church. She came home at noon and I went down to Sunday School and stayed to the prayer meeting in the afternoon. After tea, Gussie went up on Deer Hill to see Mother. I wrote to George and enclosed samples of muslin to aid him in buying some for shirting. I also wrote to the Book Room ordering another copy of the Sunday School Journal. I went over to Mr. Pond's to get 50 cents changed that I might enclose 35 cents for the paper and stayed and talked until nearly meeting time. Gussie returned just in time to let me go to evening meeting which I did mailing as I went the two letters I wrote. Missionary Collection in church today. MAR 25 MONDAY - I woke and found it raining this morning. It soon stopped and rained no more during the day, but remained cloudy. Mrs. Stone washed for us. I worked as usual in the shop. I had pearl cassimeres weighed out for the first time. The Board of Registration met today and a large number were made freedmen. They meet again on Wednesday. While we were at tea, Frank Bouton came in to go with Gussie to the Sewing Society at George Starr's. After they were gone, I went over to see Henry Blair a few minutes. From there, I went down to the Post Office and returned home, not wanting to leave Georgie longer alone in the house. A Democratic meeting at Concert Hall this evening. Babcock from New Haven was expected, but did not come. John Bouton called about 9 o'clock and waited for the women to return from the Sewing Society. MARCH 26 TUESDAY - Pleasant. As I went to the shop this morning, I went by way of George Starr's and carried a rubber Gussie borrowed there last evening. I also went to S.S. Peck's store and bought 50 cents worth of pulverized sugar for frosting cake and ordered it sent home as Gussie is to make cake today for the oyster supper at the church tomorrow evening. I have worked on pearl cassimeres today, it is very hard work. When I came from work, I brought two cassimere hats each a different style for Mr. Pond to select from as he is to have a new hat. Georgie is quite sick today, a sore throat. He has taken cold, I think, from going out bareheaded and getting his feet wet yesterday. Susan Brayman and Mrs. Short came in while we were at tea to go with Gussie over to Frank Bouton's to a carpet rag bee. As soon as tea was over, they all went leaving me with Georgie. Theodore Tilton speaks tonight in Concert hall ' Subject ' 'Reconstruction'. After the arrival of the mail, Bell came here from the street to stay all night and brought me a letter from George. I sat down and wrote a reply, but shall defer mailing it until tomorrow evening to wait the result of the board of registration to see if his name is taken from the list of voters that I may add to the letter regarding it. MARCH 27 MONDAY - As I went to work this morning, I left word on Dr. Buckley's slate to have him come and see Georgie who is no better. He came about 10:30 o'clock A.M. and pronounced it a severe case of sore throat and not Diphtheria as we feared. Bell, who stayed last night with us, stayed until after breakfast and then went home and returned again just before tea to stay with Georgie to let Gussie and I attend the Oyster Supper at the church, the proceeds of which are to help furnish the new parsonage. I, according to appointment, acted as doorkeeper with John Bouton. We had a good time, it being nearly 12 o'clock when we came home. As I went down to the church early in the evening, I mailed a letter to George with a note to the 'Great American Tea Company' requesting a pound of their best oolong tea if they have any better than what I bought March 9th. George is to get it if he has time. I told George that he was alright and could vote and I enclosed $5.00 for him to come home expecting the Republican Committee will refund to me. I sold the Sewing Society one pound of tea for the Oyster Supper. MARCH 28 THURSDAY - Squally, cloudy, cold (not freezing) but muddy. Bell stayed with us last night. We were limited to one dozen hats in the shop today. I finished mine about the middle of the P.M. Mr. Pond's new hat being trimmed, I took it over to the curling shop and had it curled and brought it home with me. Before tea, I went for Dr. Buckley, we fearing that Georgie had the Diphtheria. He came but said our fears were groundless, there being no symptoms of the dread disease. Just before tea, I took Mr. Pond's hat over to him. He was well pleased with it. I went to the Post Office and to market in the evening. MARCH 29 FRIDAY - I worked as usual in the shop. Joe Kyle's brother-in-law came to the shop today with the brooms the men engaged of Joe. I took a dozen at $4.00. I divided them with Mother Griswold, Mother Purdy and Mr. Pond. Gussie got pay today for the 5 lbs. of coffee I got for Father Griswold in New York on March 9th. Also for a half lb. of tea I sold to the Ladies' Aid Society. Bell came down just at night to stay this evening with Georgie to let Gussie go with me to hear Horace Greeley in Concert hall. She is to stay all night. Just before tea, Freddie Dunning came over to buy a pound of coffee which I promised his father. We attended the lecture as we intended and got home after it about 11 o'clock. MARCH 30 SATURDAY - A beautiful spring day. I took Mr. Pond's hat back with me to the shop this morning to have the trimming reversed, his head being such shaped that the back of the hat put in front fits his head best. George Benjamin and John Morris got into a quarrel today about politics. Loud words and hard names passed between them, but no blows were exchanged. After tea, Gussie and I went to Dr. Buckley's for more medicine for Georgie. We went to market and then to the depot to meet George who came on the evening train to vote next Monday. He went home with Gussie and I. I went to the caucus to nominate representatives to the Legislature. Saul Mallory and Grandison Foot were nominated. After the nominations, the meeting was organized into a club meeting. I then left them and came home where I found George taking tea. He brought me a pound of oolong tea from the Great American Tea Company of a better quality than the last lot I bought. He stayed until nearly 10 o'clock and then went home with Bell who came down about dark and stayed with Georgie while we went into the street. MARCH 31 SUNDAY - Brother George came this way to church this morning and went with Gussie. She returned at noon and I went down to Sunday School. I returned immediately after school to let her return to attend Jennie Humphrey's funeral which was held at the church in place of the P.M. service. As I returned, I went to Charles Stevens and engaged his horse and buggy to for Brother Lockwood in Bethel to sing for us this evening. George went home from Sunday School with William Warren and stayed until 3 P.M. and then came here to tea, after which I went with George Stevens with his father's horse and buggy to Bethel for Benjamin Lockwood to lead our choir this evening, it being Brother Peck's farewell sermon. The house was crowded to overflowing. As soon as he finished his sermon, George Stevens and I went out and went to his father's and harnessed and came to the church as soon as the meeting was closed and took Mr. Lockwood home again. I helped him take care of the horse when we returned. Harriet Purdy sent by George for a half pound of tea. I let her have it for 50 cents.
1867-03
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 November 1865 Entry
10pgs
11/01 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. Mrs. Stone has been cleaning for Gussie today. Father has been helping Mrs. Stone and cutting up some wood and getting in my vegetables. George went to Redding today for my butter but it was not put down yet. I went to market in the evening. Before retiring, I wrote to Alfred Humphrey in reply to a note saying that he could not provide the flour for us which I spoke to him about. I also wrote to Carleton & Porter and enclosed $2.90 for papers which I ordered last week. I omitted to enclose the money at that time; until now I supposed that I did. 11/02 THURSDAY - Cloudy in the morning and rain in the P.M. As I went to the shop this morning, I carried my gun over to Stevens' Machine Shop to get a new tube put in and some other repairs. In the P.M., I saw Henry Blair's dog, Bird near the shop. I called him in and kept him until I came home from work. As I came out from the shop tonight, Mr. Crofut spoke to me about the $400 note he gave me to raise money on at the bank to assist George in buying the patent rights for his sifters. The note will come due on the 7th. Mrs. Stone finished cleaning house for us today '3 days' work; I paid her $4.00. Alex Pine came for the clothes last night his wife is to wash for us this week. After tea, I took the coffee pot, bread pan, funnel, toy tin pail and small tin cup to the tin shop to be mended. At an auction at the pawnbrokers, I bought a pound of black pepper for 20 cents. I bought 2 quarts of scallops for Mother Griswold and 2.5 pounds of striped bass for myself and came home. 11/03 Friday - Cloudy but no rain. I have felt nearly used up today. I lay down for a nap at the shop at noon. I got tired and stopped about an hour earlier than usual. As I came home from work, I called at A.G. Crosby's Coal Office and reported for not paying for some which I intended to about two weeks ago. I stopped at Charles Hull's for the tin ware I left there for repairs last evening. Before tea, I carried my apples from the woodhouse to the cellar. Just as we finished tea Clark Beers came in with the 5 lbs. of coffee and the 5 lbs. of black tea I have been for a long time expecting. We emptied it in jars and cans and then Clark, John Brayman and myself walked into the street together. Platt Osborne came in on the evening train; he came from Mexico; he has been an army sutler down on the Rio Grande. 11/04 SATURDAY - Stormy. On my way to work in the morning, I carried a high glass fluid lamp to Charles Hull's to be altered over for kerosene. An adjourned Hatters' Meeting at 3 P.M. in the room over Harris' Clothing Store opposite the 1st Church. The meeting was to further consider and take some action relating to Foul Shops and the apprentice rules of the National Trade Association and especially to hear the report of the Committee who were appointed at a previous meeting to wait on the bosses and make some arrangements if possible to prevent more Foul Shops and do away with what at present exist. The meeting was called by the Chairman of the Committee, Abram Chichester as it was left to him to do so as soon as a meeting could be had with the employers. They reported that arrangements could be made with the bosses to give fair men the work and stop giving out more to foul men provided we could supply men enough to do it and also if the Association would give them the privilege to take more apprentices. By doing so we would have to break over a law of the U.S. Association and at the meeting before I left (for I came out before it closed) they appointed a committee to wait on other soft hat finishing associations to see about withdrawing from the U.S. Association and establish one for ourselves for felt hatters. I carried in my tax list. I got some back numbers of Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals which I ordered. Got my lamp at Charles Hulls' and came home. Mr. Hull stuck a knife into his hand while at work on my lamp this morning and this evening I gave him a plaster of Griswold's salve to put on it. 11/05 SUNDAY - Pleasant this morning but cooler. I stayed with Georgie in the morning to let Gussie attend church. She came home at 12 o'clock and I went to Sunday School and Prayer meeting in the afternoon, but having emptied the Infant Class money box, I had between 4 and 5 dollars in pennies to carry home and came home directly after Sunday School without attending the Prayer meeting. George kept his horse up to his house last night; he came back here with it about dusk. A snow squall, the first of the season came about dusk. I was sufficient to white the ground. I went to church in the evening. Brother Hill preached. Before retiring, I wrote to Carleton & Porter concerning the subscribers to the Teachers' Journal in 1864, now the Sunday School Journal. I requested that the paper be sent for the unexpired term of those who took it at that time when it was stopped with 6 months due to subscribers. Gussie wrote to Canton before retiring. 11/06 MONDAY - Pleasant this morning, but colder than before this season. I t froze harder. The snow which fell last evening was on the ground and gave it a wintry appearance but a few hours of sun drove it from sight. John Brayman came from Norwalk on the freight train and was with us to tea. Louise came down and stayed with Georgie to let Gussie go with me into the street. She went to the milliner's with her hat and to Mr. Morse with her furs to be relined. I bought a pair of gloves for myself and we went together to see Dr. Bulkeley about Georgie's cold. Before retiring, I drew up the prices paid in New York for hardening wool hats. John has been to New York at the expense of the hardeners to ascertain the prices for them. (the hardeners at P. Robinson's shop). He wished me to write it up for him. While I was writing this journal, John put up pennies in 25 cent rolls for me. 11/07 TUESDAY - Pleasant. Did not work in the shop in the forenoon on account of having to make a payment on a note in the bank and getting it renewed. The note was one given by Henry Crofut for $400 to assist George to buy the county right for Tilden's Flour Sifters. George being away at the time, I endorsed it for him, so it stood in my name at the bank. George gave me $50 to pay on it and $350 to be renewed which I got done for him. I worked in the shop in the P.M. As I came from work, I came by way of Stevens' Machine Shop and got my gun which he had been repairing, tightening one hammer and forging out a new tube and setting it in. I could not buy one large enough and he in consequence was obliged to make a new one. He charged me $1.00 for the job. Bought 2 yards of material for pants in the evening at Gillette's, carried them to Charles Stevens' to be cut and to be called for tomorrow. The material cost $3.00 per yard. The clerk at Gillette's (Crosby) is to get them made for me. Colder in the evening. While in the street, I let the news dealer (Mr. Day) have $3.00 in pennies; he gave me bills for them. New York and New Jersey state elections today. 11/08 WEDNESDAY - Very cold last night; the frost went into the ground about 4 inches. I loaded and tried my gun this morning to see if it leaked around one of the tubes as before it was repaired. I found it perfectly tight. I worked until about 2 o'clock in the shop and then came home with a hard headache. I brought home the Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals from the news office, also two stove pipe elbows from Charles Hull's which I ordered yesterday. When I got home, I marked off the papers for the Sunday school. John Brayman's boss (Peter Robinson) buried a child today and in consequence the formers' factory has been closed and John out of work. He put up some wood for me in the wood house in the P.M. Wrote to Carleton & Porter with 30 cents enclosed for another copy of the Sunday School Advocate. I not feeling able to go to market, I let John mail my letter and do the marketing. Corydon Lord from Elyria came on the train this evening form Warehouse Point near Hartford. He is a segar manufacturer and is here to buy tobacco. 11/09 THURSDAY - A snow or hail squall this morning about 7 o'clock, after which it was pleasant all day. John forgot to mail my letter last evening and I mailed it as I went to work this morning. Between 3 and 4 o'clock this afternoon, Gussie and Harriet came to the shop with Corydon Lord who wished to go through the factory and see how hats were made. I went through with him and the he waited for me to finish off one hat and part of another when I came home with him. We found Gussie and Harriet who had been in the trimming room waiting for us at the foot of the stairs. The hat which I finished yesterday for John was trimmed, so I brought it home with me. While waiting for tea, Mr. Wright's boy came with 5 gallons of kerosene oil which I engaged yesterday. Alex Pine brought a keg in the evening for us to save our swill in for him. I stayed with the baby in the evening to let Gussie go up to William Scofield's where Harriet Mills boards to get some corers from hat trimmings to send by Corydon Lord to his daughters when he returns home to Elyria. 11/10 FRIDAY - George had a new shoe put on his horse; borrowed $2.00 of me; started on peddling trip in the P.M. to be gone until tomorrow night. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, Corydon Lord, Fanny and Harriet came in to spend the evening. I went into the street and engaged Beatty's to come for Cousin Corydon and take him to the cars in the morning. John went with me. When we returned Harriet had gone home and Fanny went soon after, leaving Corydon to finish the evening with us. 11/11 SATURDAY - Corydon Lord left this morning on the train. My Birthday. I worked all day in the shop. On my way home from work I got my new pants at Gillette & Fairchild's. I got the material there and they got them made for me. They cost $10.37. Gussie got her furs today which Mr. Morse has been repairing for her. After tea, John and I went into the street together, he to a Hat Makers' and I to a Hat Finishers' Meeting. Ours was to hear a report from a committee (A. Heath and A. Chichester) who had been sent to confer with other Finishers' associations in Bethel, Norwalk, New Jersey and New York relative to calling a meeting of the National Association or cutting loose from it altogether. I left the meeting before its close. Louise stayed with the baby in the evening to let Gussie go and get her new bonnet. 11/12 SUNDAY - Cold in the morning but it moderated before night. George came home last night and kept his horse up there until this morning when he came down with the team. John Brayman stayed with the baby in the forenoon and let Gussie and I go to church together. She came home at noon and I stayed to Sunday School and to Sacrament in the P.M. Mr. Breckenridge from Bethel preached in the morning and Sunday School Prayer Meeting at noon. George came home with me to supper. John went up home with him after supper and Gussie went up to the cemetery with Mrs. Daniel Starr. Philo White, a son of Cyrus White, and the one who has all his life had fits died in one at about one o'clock this afternoon. John not having suitable clothes to attend church, I stayed home and lent him my overcoat and he went to meeting. George's horse is sick; it acts like horse distemper. Before retiring, I drew up a paper soliciting help for Henry Heinman. John is to take it to the shop with him in the morning and put it into the hands of Mr. Squires or some other good man for circulation. 11/13 MONDAY - Pleasant and warmer; Indian Summer weather. A shop call after dinner to hear a proposition from Mr. Crofut. He wants to reduce our wages to 2 (per cent?) on a dozen now that the hurry is over. As the last raise was made in hurried times and he obliged to lose money on account of it. As there was a trade meeting called at 3 P.M. by the journeymen of Mallory's shop on the same question of reducing prices, we deferred final action until tomorrow morning. The shop adjourned at three o'clock to attend the meeting. After the meeting, I bought material the same as my new pants at Gillette's for a new vest. Carried it to Charles Stevens' to be cut. Bought some horse powder at Dr. Baldwin's for George to give to his horse. Mrs. Stone washed for us today; she did the ironing also. I went to Sunday School's teachers' Meeting in the evening. When I returned, I found John Bouton and wife at the house spending the evening. They stayed late. I copied the minutes of the Teachers' Meeting before retiring. John Brayman and I rolled a half barrel of cider in the cellar for Father Griswold before we retired. Mr. Harris brought it just at night. 11/14 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm again today. A shop call at 8 o'clock this morning (it being an adjourned meeting from yesterday. And we accepted Mr. Crofut's proposition of a reduction of 2 (per cent?) per dozen on our bill of prices except on one Quality No. 5. All the employees in town are reducing their prices on account of a slack of trade. By working for little less, we can have work steady. When at our late high prices they will not manufacture without orders and store the goods. I worked as long as I could see in the shop. George carried Gussie and baby up home this P.M. She stayed to tea. I went to market in the evening. 11/15 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and mild. I worked hard in the shop. Father dug up two cherry trees and moved two pear trees in their places for me this afternoon. I sent my boots to the shoemaker's this morning by the errand boy at the shop; he went for them just before I quit work. George went to Norwalk on the afternoon train to help John move tomorrow. After tea, I went to market. I stayed in the street until the mail cam and then came home and went up to Father Griswold's barn and finished putting a lock on George's peddling box which Father commenced just at night but did not finish it. 11/16 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm again today. Father came down early this morning to put another lock on one of the seat boxes to George's peddling box. He started on his first peddling trip about 10 A.M. We expected John Brayman and family up here today as he went down home last night intending to move today but they did not come. I went into the street in the evening and got the Sunday School Journal back numbers which were due old subscribers in 1864 when they stopped for a season publishing them. William B. Davis died today from injuries from being thrown from a wagon. 11/17 FRIDAY - It is still very warm for the season. There were signs of rain in the morning and in fact, it did rain a little at noontime. John Brayman moved from Norwalk today by railroad. George has been helping him. His wife and children took tea over to Aunt Louisa's and John at my house. Gussie and I went over to see how they were getting along after tea. They got the stove put up and a bed so that they could stay overnight. John and I went into the street together to do some marketing in the evening. Father came home from peddling this evening. 11/18 SATURDAY - Another beautiful day. I worked until about 2 o'clock and then came home feeling about tired out. I laid down on the lounge and slept until tea time. Harriet Mills came here to tea from the shop and spent the evening. I went to market in the evening and paid William E. Wright for 5 gallons of kerosene oil - $4.60. Paid Dr. Bulkeley 25 cents for coming to see the baby last week. I got my new vest at Gillette & Fairchild's. 11/19 - Stormy. Gussie attended church in the morning and evening and I in the P.M. A Union Temperance Meeting in the evening at the 1st Church addressed by Col. Smith. After tea, I went over to see John Brayman a few minutes. In the meantime, his wife and Aunt Louisa had gone up to see Anna and my folks on Deer Hill. 11/20 MONDAY - Cloudy all day but no rain. I ordered one cwt. Of horse feed for George's horse and paid for it myself as I went to the shop this morning. George went to Redding to _____ for the pot of butter she has been putting down for me. There were 34 pounds of it at 55 cents for $18.83. I bought a pocket clothes track of George for 80 cents. I paid 50 cents sinking funds money to Fanny in the evening. I sold a roll of salve in the evening to Henry Earl. 11/21 TUESDAY - Stormy all day. Sold two rolls of salve at the shop to Walter Sparks and George Benjamin. I traded one roll with Oscar Serrine for 2 pounds of a new kind of soap. We had strawberries for tea which were kept in Lyman's patent air-tight fruit jars. They were very delicious. Father and George built a rack over the horse manger in which to put hay for the horse to feed on between feeding times. Before tea, I went to Serrine's for the soap. After tea, I went to the barn to see about the horse and as he had been standing in the stable all day, I put on his bridle, mounted him and too a horseback ride up Main Street by lamp light, the first time I ever rode him except to water him. I went to market and brought home some scallops, after which I washed the grease from Mr. Kerrigan's hat. Before retiring, we ate our last pear from my dwarf trees in the garden. 11/22 WEDNESDAY - The sun has tried to shine once or twice today but most of the time it has been cloudy with some rain. Just after tea, about 6 o'clock, it cleared off and the moon and stars shone quite beautifully but it became quite cloudy about 8 o'clock. The hat which I washed last evening to finish over today would not bear blocking over but broke before putting it on the block. After tea, I cleaned off the horse, cleared out the stable and fed him and then went to market. 11/23 THURSDAY - Cloudy all day with the exception of once or twice when the sun shone rather dimly for about 5 minutes. I am nearly sick with a cold. I feel sore and lame; my bones ache. I finished over an old hat for Mr. Kerrigan of the Jeffersonian Office. Carried it to him as I came home from work. I got $1.50 for the job, all trimmed up and in good shape. 11/24 FRIDAY - Pleasant. We having so many hats ahead of the trimmers, they concluded to pay us off this afternoon and stop work tomorrow to let the trimmers get a little start. I felt bad in the morning, had a severe headache come on before noon. I ate nothing at dinner time but kept at work all day and actually felt better in the P.M for not eating anything at noon. I came home sick however and retire early. Louise came down in the evening and took care of Georgie to let Gussie attend the Sewing Society at Emily Anderson's. John Brayman called to see me after I was in bed. 11/25 Saturday - Cloudy and cool with some appearance of rain in the morning. There being no work in the shop, I went with Henry Blair and George hunting. It being so late when we started, we did not go where we intended # Starrs Plain. I brought home one quail only. As soon as I came home I cleaned my gun and put it away. After returning from hunting George left me at the house and then drove up home. After tea, George dressed for Singing School and took Mother in and drove down to my house and she spent the evening while George went to Singing School and I to market. After marketing I went into the rehearsal for a few minutes. Mr. Lockwood, our new choir leader was with us for the first time. He is hired, I understand, to lead our choir. After rehearsal, George came to my house and harnessed the horse to take Mother home. I rode up with them to drive the horse home and put him in the stable. Got a picture of Georgie at the artist and lost it. 11/26 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Dr. Durbin, Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society, preached in the forenoon and the missionary collection was taken. Gussie attended and came home directly after the service to let me go down to Sunday School and the afternoon service. Mr. Lockwood led the choir today for the first time on the term for which he is hired. After supper, I went over to see John Brayman for a few minutes. Dr. Durbin addressed our congregation again in the evening. I attended. I was requested by Brother Hill to take a card and pass down the aisle and take subscriptions; I did so. We finished up the work by rising up $500.00 for the missions. When I returned, I found Father and John Brayman at the house. Father came for a handkerchief and spectacles which Mother left yesterday. John came to borrow my overcoat to wear to Norwalk tomorrow, he having been subpoenaed on a case to be tried there tomorrow. 11/27 MONDAY - Pleasant. George went out selling sifters and took in $10.00. He took my gun with him and brought home 3 red squirrels. Carried vest to Gillette & Fairchild's store to get a watch pocket put in as I went to work in the morning. Also, I ordered a new coat at Harris' store and was measured for the same. John Brayman returned form Norwalk where he went as a witness on a case in law. He returned my overcoat in the evening which he borrowed to go down. His wife came in with him as he brought the coat and from here they went into the street together. Mr. Crofut's new shop near the Gas Works was raised today. 11/28 TUESDAY - Pleasant but cold. George too my gun with him today on a peddling trip. He shot two red squirrels. He broke the wormer (ed.note, used to extract unfired bullets from gun barrel) off the end of the ramrod. I repaired it in the evening and also made a pouncing block (ed.note, device used hat manufacturing) to use in the shop. Bell came down today with her old cloak to be cut over. She stayed all day. I went to market in the evening. 11/29 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy and cold with the appearance of snow all day. I came home before night with a headache. I picked up some wood around the woodhouse and carried it in. Father raked off my yard and covered my strawberry beds with leaves before tea. I bridled Jim and rode up home and paid Father $.50 for working for me. After tea, Moses Baxter and myself helped Father Griswold move stoves. I then went into the street and bought a fore quarter of beef and ordered it sent up tomorrow. I got shaved at Homer Peters' and came home. 11/30 THURSDAY - Pleasant. My beef came today -85lbs. at 12 cents of David Osborne. I called in the evening and paid him for it - $10.62 and 18 cents for 4 quarts of salt. Came home and ruled a Librarian's book for David Bradley; expected him to call and read off names for one to write them in the new book but he did not come. George was not able, he said, to drive away and sell sifters today on account of a sore face, where he had a tooth extracted. He could not even cut some hay for his horse, but could go downtown and this evening take Sarah Purdy and his cousin Mary Purdy and ride over to Mill Plain. Gussie went over to Mrs. Baxter's in the evening and got her new dress which she has been making for her.
1865-11
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal October 1864 Entry
9pgs
10/1 Saturday - Pleasant and cool. I went to the shop in the morning, but there being no work, I went home and helped Burr Bradley get a load out from his gun. In the afternoon, John Cosier and myself went hunting. We got 3 woodcock and 1 quail. I gave my share to him. Gussie and I went up to Nelson Nickerson's in the P.M. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. She came home leaving me to attend the caucus preparatory to the town meeting next Monday. I understand that the Copperheads' meeting last evening in Concert Hall was a small affair. The attendance was good. But the speaker (Bond) was a blackguard and produced no sound arguments to substantiate his doctrine. The speech was low slang and abuse of the administration. He uttered some of the foulest lies. For instance, saying in the face of Sherman's, Sheridan's and Grant's great victories that the army has never been successful and have not gained one single victory. 10/2 SUNDAY - Stormy. On account of the rain, I did not start for church until 11 o'clock. Brother Hill exchanged with the New Canaan minister a one armed man, Carroll by name, who preached for us. I stayed to Sunday School, which was slimly attended and then came home and wrote to George in the afternoon. I mailed it in the evening, also a Harper's Weekly. Gussie attended prayer meeting with me in the evening. 10/3 MONDAY - Town Election. No work in the shop. Mr. Cocking paid his rent (or rather his wife paid it for him) this morning. Cleaned my gun before breakfast or commenced and finished it after breakfast. I went to A. G. Crosby's Coal Office to see John Cosier. From there to the shop and then down to the courthouse and voted. Previous to going to the shop, I called at the car building shop at the Depot and got the ages of Manton Bailey and William Warren of their father. From the courthouse, I home by way of the Post Office and Swift's News Office. Father Griswold came home on the morning train and voted before going home. I took a nap after dinner and about 2 o'clock went to the shop for my pay. Walked down to the courthouse again with Burr Bradley and back up to John Cosier's office. From there home and picked some apples for Father Griswold. Just before going to the shop for my pay, Mr. Harris came with my barrel of cider and helped me in the cellar with it. I went in the evening to hear Major Haggerty speak at Concert Hall for Lincoln and Johnson and the Union. It was an excellent speech. He is young but decidedly smart. He was preceded by a _____ who accompanied him. Time after time, he brought down the house with great applause. A few Copperheads in the meeting and quite a number outside seemed disposed to make a disturbance but he was not one of that kind to be bluffed off and told them so. The result of our town election was a majority for us (Republican) of 184. James S. Taylor for First Selectman by majority. O. H. Swift for Town Clerk 178. 10/4 TUESDAY - Cloudy in the morning, but it finally came off pleasant. There being no work in the shop, I finished weeding my strawberry bed. I went downtown before dinner. Called at Parmalee and Bradley's store and while there, agreed with Haviland to go hunting in the P.M. I ate dinner and went down to Dr. Lacy's and got his dog. Met my comrade at Benedict's factory in West Street and started. We went up by Oil Mill Pond, through Terry's Woods and over to a little swamp near Granville Ambler's entrance to his land. We ran 2 rabbits in a stone wall and got them. I shot a High Hole and a Blue Jay. He shot a chipmunk. I took home rabbit and gave him the remainder. Burr Bradley and wife came in to spend the evening. She stayed with Gussie while Burr and I went to Hatters' Meeting. Burr came back home with me and then went home with his wife. 10/5 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warm. Gave Lieutenant Governor Averill the list of men and their ages who have come of age since entering the army in the 17th Regiment, viz. George S. Purdy, 23 years, August 13th, 1864, Mr. H. Warren, 22 years old, March 2, 1864, James S. Bailey, 23 years old, September 25, 1864, William Otis, 22 years, September 7, 1864, Theodore Morris, 21 years, October 13, 1864. Averill is to write by the first mail to Colonel Noble and get furloughs for them in possible to come home, be made freemen and vote in the coming presidential election. I came home about 11 o' clock. Walked up with John Cozier. After dinner, I finished picking beans in the garden. Hattie Gregory, a niece of Walter F. Olmstead, living neighbor to us was married this P.M at 3 o'clock at the Baptist church. She married _____. Gussie went to see them married. After which, I met her near Benedict and Nichols' store and we tried to match some oil cloth which we have but could not. After getting my papers at the Jeffersonian Office, I found some horrid mistakes in George's letter published in it. I returned to the office before they finished striking off the papers and had the errors corrected and exchanged the copies I had for some more which had been corrected. I then came home and after tea put one for George and another for his friend in St. Augustine, Mr. Arnie Allers . I also wrote a letter to George, the writing of which made me too late for class meeting. I went down in the evening and mailed the papers and letter. Called at Jeffersonian Office and showed Ashley more mistakes and laughed at him about them. Milford Ruff (sp?), an apprentice at the Pahquioque Shop who enlisted in a New Jersey regiment for 100 days returned home on a train this evening, his term of service having expired. 10/6 THURSDAY - I went to the shop this morning, expecting work, but there being none, I went up to Alden G. Crosby's Coal Office and sat a while with John Cosier. We finally concluded to go hunting. We got ready to go just before dinner, but on account of the appearance of rain, we waited until after dinner. In the meantime, we bought a wad cutter and cut a lot of wads. It continued so lowery with some fine rain that we gave up going. I left my gun at his house rather than bring it home in the rain. I came home and got 12 bushels of potatoes from Father Griswold's cellar into mine. Gussie went up to Mrs. Sanford's and to the cemetery in the forenoon. I went up for her just at night and stayed to tea. I came home with her as far as the Union Club rooms and stopped there until the cars came that I might get the news and the mail should there be any for us. The papers say that General Grant's advanced position near Richmond is strengthened. Gold went up about 3 per cent today. Smith Pulling brought me a pot of butter - 30 lbs. I not being home could not pay him. 10/7 FRIDAY - Clear and pleasant today. Had work all day in the shop. While we were drinking tea, Aunt Louisa and Mary Purdy came in. I went to the Union League in the evening. Walked home with David Bradley. Paid Smith Pulling $3.00 towards my butter bill of $15.00. 10/8 SATURDAY - Pleasant and grew cold all day. Cold as winter in the evening. Worked hard all day in the shop. The Copperheads hoisted a McClellan banner about 6 o'clock this evening. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. The evening post gives us good news of the army of the James. Butler has been attacked by the rebels but has repulsed them splendidly and drove them within their inner line of entrenchments. 10/9 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the morning. Cloudy in the P.M and evening and cold as winter. I have shook with cold all day except when close to the stove. Brother Hill preached in the morning from Acts 4:4. Sunday School prayer meeting at noon, at which Brother J. W. Nichols read to the school a letter he received from George. Sacrament in the P.M. at which Brother Crawford assisted. Martha Stevens, or rather Martha Downs, as it is now, is home on a visit with her baby and a colored servant. She was at church this morning. Mr. Cocking shot a pigeon hawk while over to Mr. Lynes' doing the chores this evening. We moved our houseplants from the piazza into the parlor just at dusk. We feared to leave them out another night on account of the cold. Mrs. Judson, Harriet Ely's mother, died. 10/10 MONDAY - Cold last night. A severe frost this morning. We finished up our work in the shop today. I got mine done at noon. There is no time set when we will have more to do. Mrs. Stone washed and cleaned our bedroom upstairs for us today. Mr. Cocking moved over to Mr. Lynes' this morning. They are to do as they did last year, hold my rooms to store their goods and live over there this winter during the absence of Mr. Lynes and family. While we were drinking tea, Harriet came in. I walked downtown with her. Called with her at Dr. Buckley's office to get some medicine. She went to Dr. Lacy's where she is now staying and I went to Societies Meeting at the church. The following trustees were elected for another year: George Starr, George Hull, E. S. Davis, Mr. S. White, Henry G. Fanton. A. N. Gilbert spoke for the union at Concert Hall. After leaving the church, I spoke with John Cosier for a few minutes at the hall. The house was filled to overflowing. We the saw Fred Jackson about going hunting tomorrow. 10/11 TUESDAY - I mailed a Harper's Weekly with two republican campaign documents to George this morning before breakfast. I went hunting with John Cosier, Fred Jackson and dog. We were gone all day. We got separated about sundown and did not get together until we met at John Cosier's. I got there first. I brought home some everlasting for Gussie to make a wreath for me. I went downtown in the evening. I came home as soon as the mail came. 10/12 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant in the morning. Cloudy after dinner and commenced raining about 4 P.M. and was raining hard when we retired. Mrs. Stone helped us clean house. We cleaned the pantry and bedrooms. I helped them all day, not leaving home until evening, when I went down to get the Jeffersonian, to market, to the Post Office and to hear Ethan Allen of New York speak for the Union in Concert Hall. I stayed but a short time, the house being too damp and cold for me not having an overcoat. I went from the Hall up to see how John Cosier stood the hunting excursion yesterday. I found him feeling first rate. Previous to going to the Hall in the evening, I called a t Dr. Lacy's to see Harriet about getting some wood for her, etc. She gave me $8.00 to get a cord of wood for her. 10/13 THURSDAY - Pleasant but windy and cool. Before breakfast, I went to the Post Office and mailed a Jeffersonian to George and called at Dr. Lacey's to get his bird dog to go hunting. The doctor having come home last night, the boy would not let him go without first seeing the doctor. And he not yet being up and I being in a hurry, did not wait. After breakfast, I took my gun and started without a dog. I went to Fish Ware, Fox Pond Hollow, Mount Tour, Long Ridge Town Mountain and home, making it about 5 o'clock when I came in. My game was 2 red squirrels, a Shide Poke, and chipmunk, the chipmunk I did not bring home. The squirrel, I gave to Mother, as I came home that way. 10/14 FRIDAY - Cooler than yesterday. I went in the forenoon to A. G. Crosby's Coal Office to see if he had any hickory wood (I wanted some for Harriet). From there, I went to the shop to see what was doing and found that they had sent a boy for me to finish a dozen brush hats. I got there ahead of the boy. The hats were not quite ready, so I went again about 3 P.M. and squared them up (they being full stiff) and cut out a dozen tips for them, ready to finish them tomorrow. Before dinner, however, I went up on Clapboard Ridge to Mr. Elwell's (sp) with Mr. Jacob Fry for a calf which he had bought. While there, I bought a bbl. Of Roxbury Russet apples for $2.25 of a man from Stony Hill, Weed by name. He had bought the apples of an orchard of Russell Hoyt I think and was gathering them. I had the pipe fitted to a stove and put it up for Harriet up home. My apples came about 5 o'clock. After tea, I went into the street, waited until the mail came and came home. 10/15 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I have had a dozen black brush hats to finish today. Mrs. Charles Brokerton called just last night to see if we had heard from the boys in the 17th Regiment. Before tea, I filled the low places between my Trope de Grand strawberries with earth. I went to market in the evening. Called a few minutes at the Republican Club Room, took a letter from the post office for Harriet and walked home with my neighbor John Green. While in the street, Henry Ely spoke of hedging their cemetery lot joining mine to give us a chance to do mine at the same time. They want to hedge theirs next week. Wallace Pine lost his child about 6 o'clock this evening. They went down to Starr's Plain to old Captain Pine's. A dog came toward the horse barking and frightened him, throwing them all out. The child struck his head upon a stone and killed him instantly. Wallace Pine is a colored man living near us. 10/16 SUNDAY - I went up home before going to church this morning to carry a letter to Harriet which I took from the post office last night and to get my lead pencil which I left there on Friday when I put up Harriet's stove. Brother Hill preached from Genesis 19:15-20. Sunday School Concert at the 1st Church in the P.M. A Mr. Pardee of New York was there. It looked so much like rain at noon that I came home and did not attend the Sunday School concert. Gussie took care of Josie in the afternoon to let Harriet go. Commenced a letter to George. After tea, went over to Bro. McDonald's to get his horse to take Gussie to the cemetery. Could not get it. He was going to use it. So I walked up alone. I found Henry Ely up there. We talked a little about hedging our lots which join. I mailed Harper's Weekly with some Republican campaign documents enclosed to George. Mr. Pardee delivered an address to their congregation in our church in the evening on Sabbath Schools. Gussie and I attended about 3 P.M. The sun came out pleasant. The evening was clear and delightful although pretty cold. I wore an overcoat in the evening for the first time this season. 10/17 MONDAY - Pleasant. After breakfast, I went up to the cemetery and dug a trench in which to set a hedge around our lot. Went up to Mr. Down's nursery with Henry and Abijah Ely to look at the evergreens for the hedge. After dinner, I went to the shop. Squared up a dozen drab brush hats for tomorrow. Got my pay and came home. I then got my stove down from Father Griswold's barn and commenced blacking it before tea. After tea, Gussie and I went downtown and bought 2 yards of oil cloth 2 yards wide for $2.25 per yard. We then came home and before retiring I finished blacking the sitting room stove and drew the tacks from the sitting room carpet preparatory to cleaning tomorrow. Father and Harriet both received letters from George today, but none for me. 10/18 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warmer today. I had the 1 one half dozen brush hats to finish today, $3.00 per dozen. I burned one which cost me. Mrs. Stone cleaned house for us today, the sitting room and the sink room. I helped her shake carpet at noon. When I came home from work about 6 o'clock, the whole neighborhood was out looking for Josie Wheeler who was lost. I immediately went searching myself. A general alarm was given by ringing the bells. He was finally found at the lower end of Main Street. Butler G. Noble, ex-governor of Wisconsin spoke for the Union at Concert Hall this evening. I went in to the street and into the Hall for a few minutes but could not stay of account of nailing down carpet and putting up a stove which I have just completed at 10 one half o'clock. Before retiring, I finished a letter to George. 10/19 WEDNESDAY - Before breakfast I went down and mailed my letter to George. After breakfast, I helped Gussie move her plants from the parlor to the sitting room. Before we finished doing it, Harriet Mills called to see us. I then called at the shop, but there being nothing to do, I went down to see if Fred Jackson would go hunting with me. He could not go, but lent me his dog. I went over to Mill Plain Swamp, to Miry Brook and to Benjamin Norris' and engaged a cord of hardwood for Harriet. I came home by way of Mill Plain and Edward Hull's to see if I could buy some apples, but could not. Bell came down while we were drinking tea to have me to go up and fix Harriet's curtains. I went down to Jackson's to take Milo home and then went up. It took me until nearly 10 o'clock to put them up. James Birdsell, being intoxicated, tried to drive his horse and wagon across the railroad bridge just below the old crib (sp) shop and was run over by the freight train going down this evening. His horse was knocked down between the ties and suspended to the timbers by portion of the harness, but was finally extricated without serious injury. I believe the man had his leg badly mangled and was otherwise injured. Dr. Bennett amputated his leg. 10/20 THURSDAY - Worked all day in the shop on 1 one half dozen drab brush hats. About 5 P.M., the bells began to ring. We at the shop supposed it to be a fire, but soon learned that it was for another victory by Phil Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. We captured 43 guns, one major-general and several thousand prisoners. We had one general killed, three others wounded. The 'Evening Post' gave the particulars. The cannon was fired about 9 o'clock in the evening in honor of the victory. I mailed the Jeffersonian and New York Daily Tribune to George. I tried to get a Post, but could not. At the Republican Clubroom, I saw Henry Ely and paid him $2.00 for Arbor Vitae trees for hedging around my cemetery lot which joins his. A load of soil was also included in the $2.00. The man who had a leg amputated last night it is thought cannot live. 10/21 FRIDAY - James Birdsell died last night or this morning from the effects of the amputation of his leg and other injuries received at the time of the accident. I went to the shop this morning, but there being no work, I went hunting. I went down to get Fred Jackson to go with me but he had just gone in company with a schoolmate. I got Dr. Lacey's old dog, Major, and hurried on to find Fred but did not. I was gone all day and got 2 quail and a robin. I went to the depot in the evening and met Mother Griswold. She has been up in Hartford County on a visit. John Cosier, who has been away for a week came home on the train this evening also. Later - John Cosier came home from his visit on the freight train Wednesday P.M. instead of this evening. 10/22 SATURDAY - No work in the shop. In the forenoon, I borrowed Mr. Lyne's horse which Robert Cocking drove into town and rode up to the cemetery to see the new hedge around our lot. After dinner, I walked up, borrowed a wheelbarrow and shovel of Mr. Day and took the dirt off our lot which was left there after setting our hedge. Gussie went over to Daniel Starr's and in the meantime and about the time I came home, Harriet Purdy came down and wanted more Belladonna and Aconite medicine. I was alarmed when she said that Mother had taken all that she took from us the other day as it was the liquid medicine from which we put only 4 or 5 drops into a half tumbler of water. I suppose there was about 30 drops of it which she put in a half glass of water. There was about the same of each Aconite and Belladonna. But instead of hurting Mother, it did her good as she is much better than usual today. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. We made a fire in our sitting room stove for the first time this evening. 10/23 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the morning, cloudy in the P.M. Brother Hill being sick, I understood that Mr. Robertson, Pastor of the 2nd Congregational Church, would preach for us in the morning, so accordingly, I went for the first tome and heard Brother Hawley at the Episcopal Church. I went to our Sunday School as usual, and there learned that Chaplain Ambler preached for us instead of Robertson. Robertson preached for us in the P.M. and I went to the Baptist church and heard Mr. Stone. George Bell and bride were there. Bell came to our house to tea. She went with us to prayer meeting in the evening and went home in company with Mr. Squire's folks. As I went to prayer meeting, I mailed a copy of Harper's Weekly to George. It had very much the appearance of rain when we retired. 10/24 MONDAY - I went to the shop in the morning, but there being no work, I went up to A.G. Crosby's Coal Office and sat awhile with him and John Cosier. John and I arranged to go hunting in the P.M. I went down to Mr. Jackson's to get his dog, but Fred had just gone hunting himself. I arranged to have the dog whenever I want him if they are not using him. He wishes me to use him as often as I can in order to train the dog. On my way home at noon to prepare to go hunting, I found Dr. Lacey's dog (Major). He followed me and I was glad to have him do so. We went over to Fish Ware and Mill Plain Swamp. We came across Henry Rider with his gun. We all three hunted together. Rider got 2 woodcocks. Cosier got 2 woodcocks and I, one woodcock and a quail. Rider wanted the quail for his wife who is sick, so I exchanged with him my quail for a woodcock. Cosier gave me his two and I gave Mother Purdy 2 and Mother Griswold 2. It rained a little before we got in. After tea, I went home and carried two woodcock for Mother, while Gussie gave the other two to her mother. 10/25 TUESDAY - Cloudy in the morning with every appearance of a storm. But after dinner, it came off beautiful. I went to the shop in the morning, expecting work but had none. I came up to Alden G. Crosby's Coal Office and finally arranged to go hunting in the P.M. with John Cosier. Crosby found me ammunition if I would give him what birds I shot. Before going, however, I arranged with Mr. McDonald and Crawford for a horse and saddle to ride in the procession tomorrow at the mass meeting. I had Old Major, Dr. Lacey's dog. I shot a quail and a woodcock and gave them to Mr. Crosby in the evening. I received 4 letters from George by the morning mail. He has been detailed from his company for a musician in a Regimental Brass Band. In the evening, I went to the Union Club Room, and to an extra session of the Union League. Before retiring, I wrote a hasty letter to George. 10/26 WEDNESDAY - A great Union Mass Meeting. The day has been beautiful. I rode Mr. McDonald's horse in the cavalcade. The speaker's stand was built on the old Fairgrounds near the cemetery. The speakers were Col. M. Depew, General Gault of Arkansas and Colonel Noble of the 11th Regiment. The procession was about two miles long. After the speaking was over I assisted to load chairs and settees and take down the arch over the entrance to the Fairgrounds. I was in consequence late home to my tea. Father came down in the evening and brought us a chicken and then went to hear the speaking at Concert Hall. I went up to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper and returned and spent the evening at home. I mailed a letter to George early this morning, also one for Gussie to Bloomfield. The procession was as follows: in the cavalcade of horsemen 250, of which 26 were ladies wagons, 305, whole number of horses, 633. 10/27 THURSDAY - Copperhead mass meeting. The speakers were ______________________. Their cavalcade numbered 66 of which 10 were ladies. Whole number of wagons 238. The day has been cloudy and a little cool. Avery Raymond brought me a barrel of apples, greenings priced at $2.25. At the same time, he took Father Griswold's cider barrel to fill for him. Fred Dunning wanted me to hunting with him, so about 2 o'clock we started. We saw but little game and shot none but the dog pointed on one quail and caught it in the grass before in could fly up. It was dark when we got home. I went into the street in the evening and mailed a Jeffersonian with some campaign documents enclosed to George. I called at the Club Room and at Swift's News Office to wait for the train which was quite late. There has been a Republican Mass Meeting today at Bridgeport, and I learned this evening since the arrival of the train that it was a success and a grand affair. The Copperheads are holding forth this evening at Concert Hall and are applauding with great earnestness expressions like the following. This is a wicked, unholy and infamous war and never should have existed. 10/28 FRIDAY - Stormy, no work in the shop. Bought a hat for George's friend, the postmaster at St. Augustine, Mr. George Cole, price, $5.00. I sent it by mail; the postage was 78 cents, weighing 13 ounces at 6 cents per ounce. I put it in a band box. I wrote a letter in the evening to Mr. Cole about the hat and enclosed the bill - $5.78. I wrote to George also, stating that I had mailed the hat to Mr. Cole. Fanny came home on the freight train this evening from Hartford County. She brought me 2 dozen of Griswold's Salve. 10/29 SATURDAY - No work on the shop. I went hunting in the afternoon with John Cosier. We went up by Philo Wildman's and nearly to Neversink Pond. We came home down through Tamarack Woods and by the cemetery. I got 4 quail, John got nothing. I gave the birds to Alden Crosby for the powder and shot he bought for me for that purpose. I had Mr. F. G. Jackson's dog, 'Milo'. Gussie went with me to market and to take Milo home in the evening. While we were hunting, it rained for a while and we got pretty wet. 10/30 SUNDAY - Brother Hill preached in the morning. Harriet attended Methodist meeting in the forenoon to tell me to get a team if I could and come for Mother at noon and take her to church. I got Thomas Lyon's horse and did so. A Mr. Buckley, who has been preaching at the 1st Church preached for us in the P.M. Lt. Colonel Moegling of the 11th Connecticut Volunteers was buried from the 1st Congregational at 2 P.M. I did not go out in the evening, retired early. We have had sunshine and clouds during the day, but no rain. A special train from Norwalk bringing Norwalk Military Company and Masons to Mr. Moegling's funeral. 10/31 MONDAY - Pleasant. I have had work all day in the shop. I worked as long as I could see and longer too to finish off my dozen and get out of the way of the other men as these are to be numbers for the blocks tomorrow. Mrs. Stone did three weeks' washing for us today, she not being able to come last week as usual on account of her being sick. They have been making Freemen at the Courthouse today. I brought home an old paper box from the shop and cut into gun wads after tea. I went to market for Mother Griswold in the evening and called at the clubroom to hear the evening news. The news is that the official news of the Pennsylvania soldiers' vote is 12,000 for the Republicans. The horse trainer has been here today. He gave a public exhibition in the street.
1864-10
Horace Purdy Journal September 1866 Entry
13pgs
SEPT 01 SATURDAY - Very warm. The express box containing tea and coffee was delivered this morning before I went to work. I opened it and carried Mr. Pond’s portion – 10 lbs. coffee and 15 lbs. tea over to him and then took 5 lbs. of coffee and 5 lbs. of tea to John McNamee and 5 lbs. of coffee to Charles Hoyt at the shop. I took my time at may work today and finished only one dozen at $2.00 which took me nearly all day. As I came home from work, I stopped at Tim Foster’s Carpenter Shop and he paid me the discount on the note which he gave me for the wagon and $1.00 for the bridle. I came home and put away in cans and jars the tea and coffee which came in the morning. Mr. Clark who is from Hartford and visiting at Father Griswold’s came down this P.M. and took tea with us. A slack rope performance between Concert Hall and Hull’s block across Main Street came off this evening by a performer who shows this evening in the Hall. I did not see it however. Fanny came from Camp Meeting by the evening train. I received a letter from George in the evening. I walked up from the office with Samuel Barnum and had conversation with him about a lamp post on the corner of West and William Street. SEPT 02 SUNDAY - A shower this morning about 9 o’clock. It rained very hard for a few minutes. As I came from getting my milk, Joe ___ came home with me to get some tomatoes. Gussie went to church in the morning and at the same time, I drew up the Sunday School classes anew for one half of the school in Edward Barnum’s Librarians Book. It kept me nearly all the forenoon. Gussie came home at noon and I went down to Sunday School. After school, I went down to see Harmon Ellis who lives at the lower end of the town near the Episcopal Burying Grounds. I went to carry to him a letter from George telling him that he could have work with him at Prentice in Brooklyn. I walked down with David Bradley who went with me to show me where he lived. I waited to have him write a note in reply to enclose in a letter which I mailed to George in the evening. I went from there up home on Deer Hill to get a melodeon instructor which George sent for. I could not find it so Father came down with it after tea. I gave him some tomatoes to take home with him. I finished my letter to George and put up a Singing Book (Nightingale), the Melodeon instructor and a pile of sheet music called “Tis Finished” or “Sing Hallelujah” in a small package and carried it over to Lorenzo B. Sage in Spring Street to have him take it to George when he returns on the morrow. From there I went to the Post Office and mailed my letter to George and came home to let Gussie go to church but found her gone and Louise there staying with Georgie Gussie went to Baptist Church to see Thomas Purdy’s wife and Mary Hickok baptized. SEPT 03 MONDAY - Warm again today. I do not feel well. I had the headache this morning and my throat has been very sore this afternoon. I did but little work. I came home from the shop about 3 o’clock and went over to Spring Street to see L. B. Sage about saving the position in Brooklyn for George’s friend, Harmon Ellis. I did not find him at home, he having gone to the depot to see about the shipment of furniture which he is moving to Brooklyn. I returned to the depot and saw him. He promised to reserve the place for Ellis for one week. I came home feeling about sick. While at tea, Mr. Pond came over and paid me for his tea and coffee - $8.00. Gussie went over to see Mrs. Stone about washing and to Dr. Bulkely for some medicine for me in the evening while I stayed at home with Georgie. Before retiring, I looked up Fred Jennings' old account for rent with the design of taking legal steps to collect it. Gussie brought a letter from the Office for her folks from Canton stating that Aunt Ruth, Alfred and Lydia were intending to come to Danbury for a visit. SEPT 04 TUESDAY - It rained hard during last night. It has been lowery all day with some rain. It rained very hard about 9 o’clock. Not feeling well, I did not go to the shop, but with Mr. Pond’s help, I ground his scythe and mowed my door yard. It was nearly night when I finished carrying off the grass. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. Harriet Wheeler started this morning for Camp Meeting at Plainville at which her father presides. From there, she intends going to Canton. I paid Granville Ambler $.30 for pasturing horse May 25 and 26. I went into the street in the evening and exchanged my broken gold pen for a dollar box of Easterbrook’s containing 144 pens for $.75, $.25 being allowed for the old gold one. SEPT 05 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy in the morning, but it came off pleasant about 9 o’clock. I have felt about sick again today – very lame. I think I took more cold yesterday. I did not intend to go to the shop in the morning, but I became so uneasy, thinking of my liabilities and payments coming due that I started for the shop despite my feelings. I accomplished but little, but that little is better than nothing. After tea, I picked some Citron melons in Father Griswold’s melon patch and after returning from market, we invited Mrs. Cocking downstairs. She came and ate of the items with us. The down passenger train this P.M. ran off the track just this side of the Georgetown Station. The engine lies on its back, so say reports. The particulars we will get tomorrow. Caroline Hull died about 1 o’clock of consumption. SEPT 06 THURSDAY - The cause of the passenger train running off the track last evening was that a hand car was coming up at the same time. A curve in the track prevented one from seeing the other. The locomotive lies on its side instead of its back as reported last night. It ran into a stream of water nearby before it could be stopped where it now lies. Fortunately, no one was hurt. It was 6 o’clock this morning before a train came in here through from Norwalk. We got an advance on our bill of prices at the shop today. It was only the course qualities and they were put back again (with the exception of No. 5, they lack 1 % (??)only) to where they were before the last deduction was made. In the evening, I cleaned my gun and repaired one of the locks. Gussie went to evening prayer meeting. SEPT 07 FRIDAY - Cloudy all day. Orin Benedict’s Hat factories at Grassy Plain were destroyed by fire about 4 o’clock this morning. T. & E. Tweedy’s finishing shop which has for the past year been foul is to commence again fair next Monday morning. Zerah Hoyt is hired as foreman. This report comes well authenticated and is doubtless true. Caroline Hull was buried this P.M. at 1 ½ o’clock. Gussie attended the funeral. Bell took Georgie up home yesterday morning and kept him until about 5 o’clock this afternoon when she brought him home and stayed to tea. Rev. Mr. Stone (the Baptist preacher) was taken last night with spitting blood and is today quite feeble with its effects. Baptist Peach Festival this evening at Concert hall. I went to market this evening and got caught in a shower on my return. Gussie bought some coarse cotton yarn today from which to knit sock for me and sent it up to Mother who is to knit them for me. SEPT 08 SATURDAY - Pleasant and cooler towards night. I worked as usual in the shop except that I worked later, it being nearly 7 o’clock when I left the shop. Rollo Nichols brought some lemonade into the shop today in a wash tub. We all drank of it and then he passed a hat and took a collection for the benefit of the Baptist Bible Class Library, the lemonade being some which was left over from their Peach Festival last night. I went to market in the evening and walked up home with Robert Cocking. The trial of the Adams Express robbers which has been on for about two weeks was ended today and the case submitted to the jury. Whether jurymen have been able to agree yet or not, I have not heard. SEPT 09 SUNDAY - A pleasant September day. Robert Dunning called in the yard this morning a few minutes and ate some pears which had fallen from one of my dwarf trees and pronounced them excellent. Gussie attended church in the morning. Brother Webb preached. I went to Sunday School at noon. I came home after the session with the collection money and then went down home for George’s stencil plate which he wants sent to him. From there, I went down to William H. Taylor’s to see Harmon Ellis (who I expected would go to Brooklyn tomorrow to work with George) to send the stencil plate to George by him but did not find him at home. I reached home again about 3 o’clock just in time for dinner. Before dark, I wrote to George and enclosed a letter for Willie Franklin. Gussie, Georgie and myself took a walk before dark around the square by Mr. McDonald’s I attended church in the evening. Gussie stayed with Georgie. As I went, I mailed my letter to George. Mr. See (?), a Dutch reform preacher from New York, preached from Phil 1-21. It was an excellent sermon, the best I have heard in a long time. While I was at church, Gussie commenced a letter to Cousin Eliza in California. SEPT 10 MONDAY - Pleasant. Before going to the shop, I killed a fowl for Mother Griswold. I worked in the shop until 7 o’clock this evening. After tea, I went up to see Father Griswold about sending in a club (which is being made up by Ben Roff) to New York for coffee. He wants 3 lbs. He gave me the money - $3.00-which pays for the coffee and $.10 for Roff for trouble and expressage. I went into the street to the Post Office, but got no mail. I walked up with John Cable. Father Griswold came from camp meeting today. SEPT 11 TUESDAY - Pleasant in the morning but it soon began to cloud over and in the P.M., it commenced raining. Before breakfast, I saw Mr. Pond and we arranged to send to Ohio for our winter butter. I immediately wrote an order and mailed it to Edwin as I went to work for 100 lbs. I gave the money to Ben Roff this forenoon which Father Griswold gave me last evening for 3 lbs. coffee. I worked until 6 o’clock in the shop this evening and came home in the rain. On my way, I stopped at the Post Office and got a bill for 1 dozen sifters from Everett C. Andrews of New Haven which he has sent to D. H. Johnson of Newtown, an order which George had for the same some time since. Milo Clark from Hartford, who has been visiting Father Griswold the past two weeks left here by the noon train. Before retiring, I wrote to D. H. Johnson concerning the sifter and enclosed a bill of the same. SEPT 12 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant this morning and through the day, but in the evening it was cloudy again. As I went to work in the morning, I mailed the letter to Johnson which I wrote last evening. I worked as usual in the shop. Harriet and Louise Jones and Mrs. Jabine called here today. Louise brought me a letter from George with $13.75 enclosed - $10.00 to pay Mr. Harris towards clothes and $3.75 to me to balance borrowed money. I wrote a reply to George acknowledging receipt of the money and mailed it to him this evening. I sent his stencil plate, ink, etc. by young Jabine to Louise who is at Mr. Jabine’s to take to George on her return. Mrs. Craig, formerly Hattie Gregory, died last evening with consumption at the residence of Walter F. Olmstead. Before I retired, I helped Gussie seal up jelly (crab apple) in cups. SEPT 13 THURSDAY - Pleasant. Before breakfast, we changed the bedstead from our bedroom with the one upstairs in the small room, it being smaller and in consequence would give us more room. I filled a tick for it before making the bed from oat straw which I had from Father Griswold’s barn. I worked until 7 o’clock which was as long as I could see. Merritt ____ who committed rape on Peter Rowan’s daughter was tried this P.M. ad was sentenced to State Prison for life. I came from work with the headache, but after tea felt better and went down to market. SEPT 14 FRIDAY - Bell came down this morning while we were at breakfast to take Georgie up home for the day and to stay overnight. Gussie went down to court at 9 o’clock with Frank Bouton and Lucy Bennett, but Lucy’s case did not come before the court as expected, so they returned. Gussie went up to Mr. Craig’s after dinner to attend the funeral of young Craig’s wife (the former Hattie Gregory). She, while up there, went across the way and called on Anna Hinman. I had a headache all night and woke with it this morning. I went to the shop, but did not feel able to work and returned. On my way home, I stopped at the church and emptied the Infant Class money box and took from it $4.92, all pennies, except a 5 cent stamp. I took them over to Scofield’s Dry Goods store and exchanged them for bills and when I came home deposited it in the Sunday School treasury. I then knowing that I should feel better out of doors took my gun and started for a walk. I finally got as far as Mill Plain Swamp where I shot a pigeon. I returned home about 3 o’clock, not having eaten anything since breakfast, abstaining by choice to drive away any headache which it did effectually before I returned. A fellow by name of Reed, a member of our church, came to me early in the evening to borrow my gun. I went into the street and borrowed Parmalee’s for him rather than lend mine. Before I came from the street John Bouton wanted to borrow it. Not wanting to refuse him, I let him take it. He came home with me and got it. Gussie went in the evening in company with Louise to the tableaux in Concert Hall, the proceeds to be given to the Female Guardian Society. A hard thunder shower about 6 P.M. SEPT 15 SATURDAY - Pleasant and cool. I worked in the shop as usual. The three pounds of coffee that Father Griswold sent for to New York by Ben Roff came today to the shop and I brought it home. After tea, we went up home to get Georgie and to see George. Bell and George came home with us. Just as we got home, John and Frank Bouton came with the gun I let him have yesterday to hunt with today. We all went into the street to do marketing leaving bell with Gussie. I bought my first scallops of the season this evening. When we returned from market, we found Louise Vintz and Clarissa Smith with Bell. George came on the morning train form Brooklyn. SEPT 16 SUNDAY - Cold this morning. They say there was frost, but I did not see any. The day has been pleasant. George came down to breakfast this morning and ate scallops according to promise last night. He went back home and came this way with Bell to church. Gussie went with them. She returned at noon. I went to Sunday School, after which George returned home with me. We took Georgie and went up home to supper and had apple dumplings. After supper, we (George, Gussie, Bell and myself) went up to the cemetery, leaving Georgie up home to stay overnight with Bell. When we came from the cemetery, it was evening meeting time, so we went directly to the church. A Mr. Sanford preached for us. George and Bell came by way of our house from meeting. They stopped and we ate melons and pears. We sent a pail of milk by them up to Georgie. SEPT 17 MONDAY - Pleasant. George came this way as he went to the depot this morning and put some pears and tomatoes in his carpet bag. While making the fire this morning, I broke the grate to the stove. I worked as usual in the shop. I felt nearly sick towards night and stopped work a little earlier than usual. Gussie attended the trial of Nathan Darling for the attempted rape of Lucy Bennett. She stayed until the court adjourned which was about 6 o’clock. Louise came down while we were at tea and helped Gussie clear away the dishes, she being lame with her carbuncle. After the table was cleared away, she went over to John Brayman’s awhile, leaving me with Louise. Louise mended my pocketbook and I gave her $.50 for it to help her get one of the Centenary Medals. The Norwalk Brass band are here this evening giving a concert to be followed by a hop at Concert Hall. SEPT 18 TUESDAY - Warmer today. I went over to Robert Dunning’s before breakfast and engaged his wife to wash for us tomorrow. I worked until dark at the shop. On the Darling rape case, the jury today brought in a verdict of guilty. When I came home from work, I found Aunt Mary Hoyt with her two step children (twin boys) at our house to tea. After tea, Louise came down to let Gussie and I go up to our folks with them, where we found Uncle Cyrus. They, with Bell, went up to the cemetery in the P.M. and stopped at our house to tea. Uncle Cyrus being lame, he could not go with them. Just after we returned home in the evening, there came up a shower. SEPT 19 WEDNESDAY - Gussie being too lame to do her washing, I took the clothes over to Mrs. Dunning, who consented to wash them for us. This I did before breakfast. There has been but little sunshine today, it being lowery most of the time and a little rain in the P.M. Robert Cocking came to the factory with their boy Charlie to get a hat and came up to the finishing room to see me. I was too tired to go into the street in the evening so I stayed home. Gussie canned the remainder of her pears today. Crofut’s second daughter Mary was married today at 9 o’clock to Joe White, a new partner in the firm. SEPT 20 THURSDAY - Stormy. I worked as usual in the shop. Nathan Darling was today sentenced to the State Prison for 6 years for attempted rape on Lucy Bennett. Before tea, I went over to Mrs. Dunning’s for the clothes which I took there yesterday morning to be washed and ironed. Gussie’s arm is worse today. SEPT 21 FRIDAY - Lowery in the morning with an East wind. It finally changed to the South and broke away, giving some sunshine. About 5 o’clock, there came u a shower. A little after 9 o’clock in the evening, it rained. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie’s arm has given her so much pain today that she let Bell take Georgie home with her to stay overnight. I went into the street in the evening and got the Sunday School papers at Swift’ store, consulted Dr. Bulkley about Gussie’s swelling under her arm and came home. Before retiring I marked off the Sunday School papers for distribution next Sunday. SEPT 22 SATURDAY - The morning broke with a cloudless sky. It has been pleasant but cool. I worked all day in the shop. After tea, I took the Sunday School papers down to the church. I waited for the train and then walked up with John Brayman, Bob and Edward Dunning. Bell came down with Georgie just before night. Louise stayed with Gussie in the evening. While in the street, I paid Robert Cocking $1.12 for pears – ½ bushel for myself and a peck and a half for Mother Griswold. SEPT 23 SUNDAY - Cold; a frost this morning. I went to church this morning in order to be present at Sunday School as we begin today to organize the school for collecting funds for the centenary cause or rather to procure funds to advance the cause of Methodism and education through the church in this our centenary year. We took the names of scholars who desired cards with which to take the subscription. After church, I filled out cards for those who applied and will deliver them next Sunday. I also took a list of the names and numbered them to correspond with the cards for the purpose of receiving the money when it shall be paid in to the treasurer who is myself. After tea, father came in and stayed a short time. Before evening meeting, John Brayman came in to ask my advice about building as he has an opportunity to do so; the lot and money to be furnished on bond and mortgage. He came to see me this evening on account of being obliged to give an answer to the parties tomorrow morning. I advised him to do it. Mr. Sanford preached for us again today. He preached a powerful sermon this morning on “The Faith of Moses”. Gussie, not having attended church during the day, she went in the evening and I stayed at home with Georgie. SEPT 24 MONDAY - Pleasant this morning with a heavier frost than yesterday morning. I carried our clothes over to Mrs. Dunning’s before breakfast for her to wash them, Gussie being yet too lame to do it herself. It is reported today that Zopher Keeler’s house was entered yesterday while they were at church and robbed of $240. I worked as usual in the shop’ it began to cloud over in the forenoon and finally became thickly clouded and in the evening about 8 ½ o’clock began to mist. Gussie bought me 20 bushels of charcoal today at $.20 - $4.00. I went to market in the evening and bought a pair of pants of Mr. Harris - $8.00. I got a letter by the evening mail from George with $10.00 enclosed, five of it to balance his account with Harris for clothes and five to pay me what he borrowed a week ago to return to Brooklyn. Before retiring, I answered George’s letter and done up 4 Sunday School Advocates to mail to Mrs. Turner in Jacksonville, Florida. SEPT 25 TUESDAY - Cloudy and misty in the morning, but before night it came off pleasant and warm. As I went to work in the morning, I mailed the letter I wrote last night to George. I came home from work rather late this evening, it being nearly 7 o’clock. Before we sat down to tea, Harriet and Mr. Jabine came in to spend the evening. We passed the evening very pleasantly. Mr. Jabine and I went up to Father Griswold’s a few moments and while there ate grapes with the elder and brought home a bunch for Harriet. Before going up there, we had been eating pears. Mrs. Jabine has gone to Brooklyn and Harriet is staying there in her place. They left for home about 8 ½ o’clock. SEPT 26 WEDNESDAY - Stormy all day; it rained very hard in the P.M. I worked as long as I could see in the shop. Harriet Wheeler and Josie came home from Essex today, arriving about 2 o’clock P.M. on the freight train. It being raining in the evening, I did not go out but spent most of the evening in cleaning my gun and pistol. Those prisoners sentenced by the court recently held here were started this morning for Wethersfield. Among them were three of them for life for rape and one (Darling) for six years for the attempted rape of Lucy Bennett. SEPT 27 TUESDAY - Pleasant this morning again. I went to the shop as usual, but came home at noon with the headache. A letter from D. H. Johnson from Newtown with a check on Pahquioque bank for $11.50 for sifters. I went to the bank and drew it in the P.M. They charged me $.10 for discount making it $11.40 received. I sent enclosed in a letter $6.85 to E.C. Andrews in New Haven for the sifters sent to Johnson. I also wrote to Johnson acknowledging the receipt of the check. Mother came down in the fore noon and stayed all day. Bell came just at night and took Georgie home with her to stay the night. I took my gun and went over towards Mr. Lynes’ and shot at a mark with coarse shot. I ate no dinner or supper on account of headache. I retired about 7 o’clock. Gussie went into the street in the evening and bought a dress for herself and one for Bell – a present – and other articles – Canton Flannels, Seidlitz powders, dress trimmings, etc. SEPT 28 FRIDAY - I went to the shop this morning, but not feeling very well, did not go to work but returned home and helped Gussie take up some house plants and put them in pots preparatory to housing them when the weather becomes colder. After dinner, I took my guns and went over to Mill Pain Swamp to look for pigeons but found none. I found a flock of quails in Ferry’s Woods and shot two of them. I then fell in with a fellow named Knox. He shot one also. Gussie and I went to market in the evening. I bought the sheet music which George ordered – “Sherman’s March Through Georgia” and mailed it to him this evening. I called to see Hanford Fairchild to see if he would endorse a note for $200 for me at the Danbury Bank. He preferred not to endorse but thought he would let me have the money. Before coming home, we went down to Andrew Williams to borrow a carpet bag of Mrs. Bradley for Gussie to carry to Norwalk with her next week. When we returned I went up to let Father Griswold have $30 toward the debt I am to pay him next Monday, as he wanted some to use before that time. SEPT 29 SATURDAY - Pleasant in the morning; cloudy in the P.M. and evening with the appearance of a storm. I went to the Danbury Bank between 9 and 10 o’clock and withdrew the note of $200 which I had left there yesterday to be presented to the board today. My reason for withdrawing it was that Hanford Fairchild has promised to let me have the amount. I went to the shop about 10 o’clock and finished off a dozen hats and commenced another and about 2 P.M. went up to the baseball Grounds to see a game played between the Columbia and Waverly clubs. The game lasted from 1 ½ and 5 ½ o’clock. Gussie went up home this P.M. and carried Bell’s new dress which she is making her a present of and to bring Georgie home. Bell came down to stay all night as Gussie has been sent for to go up to Henry Hinman’s to be with Anna who is confined with child birth. I received a letter in the evening from George. I carried our clock back to S. G. Bailey this morning; it was worse than before he cleaned it. I saw Sealy Harris at caucus this evening and paid him $4.00 for Father Griswold, the same being for cider bought last year. SEPT 30 SUNDAY - A little rain last night; pleasant and mild today. Bell stayed with us last night and went home after breakfast. Gussie went to church this morning. I went to Sunday School and prayer meeting in the P.M. I distributed t cards to the Sunday School scholars to collect money for the Sunday School Centenary Fund. After tea, Father came down and he took a little walk with Georgie and me. In the meantime, Gussie and Susan Brayman went uptown to see Anna Hinman. When Father left, I went over to John Brayman’s and Robert Dunning’s a few minutes, more to walk with Georgie than anything else. Robert walked back home with me and ate some pears. Gussie returned a little before evening meeting time and I finished a letter to George which I began last evening. I attended church in the evening and as I went mailed the letter to George. A young man from New York preached for us today. He is an Irishman, a graduate from Dublin University in Ireland.
1866-09
Horace Purdy Journal, January 1863 Entry
6pgs
1/1 Pleasant. I received $4.50 rent money from Mr. Swift in the morning. At about 9 o'clock I went to the Savings Bank and paid my net $21.00. I then went to the shop and worked until nearly 2 o'clock when I attended the funeral of John Basset's wife at the Disciple's church. After the funeral I came home and packed the box of good things and luxuries for George and took it to the Express Office in the evening. Mother and Belle were both down to help Gussie prepare the items for the box. I received a letter from George in the evening and hastily dropped just a few lines to him in reply I enclosed that receipt for the box. 1/2 Pleasant. I have been afflicted with a headache all day I worked in the shop until about 2 o'clock and then gave up and came home. I wrote a letter to George and mailed it in the evening. Gussie went downtown with me to look at Photograph Albums. She got a letter from her Brooklyn friend Elizabeth Mead. Louise stayed with Eddy to let Gussie go with me. 1/3 Pretty cold in the morning, but pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. In the evening I rubbed my [hands] with salt peter and molasses. I went to the post office and before I came home I bought a looking glass and small earthenware pot to put down some butter in to send to George next week. I went up to Father's with the pot to get Mother to fill it with butter. 1/4 Cold last night and early this morning but the day has been pleasant and has grown warmer during the day, cloudy just at night and in the evening with even possibility of rain. I went to church in the evening, this being the first Sabbath in the New Year. Our Sabbath School devoted the hour to recitations of passages of Scripture appropriate for the occasion. Both teachers and scholars participated; it was a most interesting session. In the P.M., I wrote to George. Gussie wrote to Harriet and mailed both in the evening as she went to church. 1/5 Pleasant and warm. I worked as usual in the shop. I came from work a little earlier than common in order to go before the Board of Relief to swear off $700.00 from my tax list onto Alfred Gregory who holds my note for that amount. I afterword came home and packed a box of good things for George and took them to the Express Office in the evening. I dropped a line to George and enclosed the receipt for his box. 1/6 Sunshine, fog and rain in the evening. I worked as usual in the shop I gave Mr. Ashley some extracts from George's letter for publication I attended Hatters' meeting in the evening. I was excused before it was out and came home after. Mr. Swift spent the evening with us after he came home from his office. We had nuts, apples and cider. 1/7 Pleasant but it grew cold very fast during the day and very windy. I worked late in the shop. Mother called on her way to class in the evening. I mailed the Danbury Times to George and directed a letter to him which was left at Mr. Swift's office for him to direct and mail. I went to class in the evening. Br. McDonald led. 1/8 Pleasant and cold I was rather late getting to the shop this morning but worked enough harder to make up the deficiencies in time. I filed off the toes of my skates in the evening preparatory to using them. I went to the Post Office in the evening and stayed at Mr. Swift's office until he closed up and the walked up with him. We intended to go over to the pond and skate a little, but when we got to the house we concluded to stay by the fire as the night was pretty cold. 1/9 Cloudy all day with the prospect of snow. I worked as usual in the shop. Bell came down just before night to stay all night. She took care of Eddie in the evening and let Gussie go into the street with me. We did some trading and then went down to the Skating Park a little while. I took my skates and skated a little. We saw Jennie Fairweather there learning. This is the first of my skating for the season. 1/10 It began to rain in the P.M. and rained very hard in the evening. I went to market in the evening. I carried over to the church from Mr. Swift's office 75 of the New Lesson books which we have been procuring for the church. 150 were ordered but only half of them have come. I walked up with Joe Young. I rubbed my hands for the last time before I retired to bed. 1/11 Pleasant. Went to church in the morning Sunday school prayer meeting at noon, first of the New Lesson books were given out at the school. Isabella came up and stayed with Eddie to let Gussie start for afternoon meeting (which was the Sacrament Service) as I was very busy in the school and was necessarily detained quite late. Gussie went and I came home with a severe headache. Bro. Crawford was unfortunate during the communion and spilled some wine on Mrs. B. Bradley's bonnet strings. After tea I wrote a letter to George and then we went up into Mr. Swifts' part a little while. While there, Mother and Uncle Horace [Maybie] came in on their way to evening meeting. I sent my letter to the office by her. Uncle Horace came up yesterday and is staying over Sunday with our folks. 1/12 Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop John Brush has been around the shop drunk all day. He pretended to work a little but hindered the other men more than anything else. I paid Mr. Jacob Fry $6.73 for a quarter beef which I had of him. I paid also for the Sunday School $15.00 to O.H. Swift for Lesson Books, 150 in number. I attended Teacher's Meeting in the evening. They voted to have a Sunday School Festival on Wednesday evening the 28th of this month I walked up home with Mr. Swift and then we went down to the Skating Park for a little time. It was after nine o'clock when we started. 1/13 Pleasant in the early part of the day but cloudy in the P.M. I rose rather late this morning in consequence of retiring after midnight last night. I have worked all day in the shop, though I have been very sick with a severe cold. Gussie went up home and brought down George's nightcap which he wants me to send to him in the army to sleep in these cold nights. A General Class meeting at the church in the evening. Gussie attended while I stayed with Eddie. During the evening, I fixed the straps to my skates in a different manner from what they have heretofore been. I also copied the minutes of the Sunday School Teachers' Business meeting which was held last evening. 1/14 Feeling almost sick. I did not go the shop in the morning and in the P.M. only to finish off 4 hats of a dozen left over from yesterday's work. While doing so, William Curtis, discharged from Capt. Moore's Co. 17th Regt called at the shop. I procured a small box to send to George to send home his watch and bought some licorice and put in it. I wrote a letter to him before night. I bought a pair of skates for Gussie. The price of them was $1 [???], but as they were the last pair of the kind and pretty large for ladies' use, I procured them for [???] at Joseph M. Ives. Gussie attended the Festival at the Temperance Lodge in the evening by invitation and I went to hear Mason Jones lecture, subject Garibaldi. I accompanied Mrs. Swift to the lecture. Mr. Swift could not do so on account of tending door at the Hall. Before going in I took a letter from the Office by the evening mail from George. He is sick with the Jaundice. I added a postscript in the letter I was about to mail and mailed it. I mailed the matchbox and The Danbury Times also. After the Lecture while waiting for Gussie to return form the festival, I wrote another letter to him. Bell came down and stayed with Eddy while we were at the Festival and Lecture. It rained hard when Gussie came home. We retired about midnight. 1/15 Raining. Foggy and warm. Before going to the shop this morning, I went to the bank with the draft George sent to me for $10. I endorsed it and left it for collection. Father Griswold brought home a black dog today from New York. After tea, I finished my letters to George and Cousin David Mills. I sent George's nightcap to him in his letter. I went to the Office in the evening and sent the items. 1/16 A severe rainstorm. I have been to the shop all day though I have been nearly sick with my cold. In consequence of which, I have not earned much. Mother called on her way to meeting. Having lost the bottom of her lantern, she went into the street with me and then I lent her mine to go home with after meeting. Mr. Swift brought a new on e and I walked up by the light of his. Before doing so, I carried over to the church and put into the library the remainder of the new Lesson Books which I have had via Mr. Swift since Sunday. It cleared off about 8 o'clock in the evening. 1/17 Pleasant and cold. Bell came to see if I would go up home and spend the evening if Gussie would go up with Eddy in the P.M. I worked as long as I could see. After I went home I took Gussie's new skates back to Joseph Ives and exchanged them for another pair of cheaper ones and more suitable for her to use in learning. I waited until the mail came and then got a letter for Bell from George and then went up to Father's and spent the remainder of the evening. Father Griswold and Harriet Wheeler were up there with Gussie in the P.M. In George's letter, he said that the boxes of luxuries were received all right. We came home about 10 o'clock. 1/18 Pleasant and cold. I went to church in the morning. I was detained very late at the Sabbath School to distribute and take pay for the new Lesson Books. I came home so late that Gussie could not attend in the P.M. After tea, I wrote to George. Mother and Bell came in on their way to evening meeting. I enclosed a letter for Bell. Gussie went to meeting with them. 1/19 Pleasant and cold. I worked all day in the shop. After tea, I took my pieces of dried beef and my hams over to Mr. Olmstead to be smoked and then went to market and to the Post Office. After I returned I took my skates and went over to George Starr's pond for a short time. I found Philander Brotherton and wife over there. She was just learning having on skates for the first time. I assisted her a little. 1/20 Foggy. No sunshine in the P.M. I worked all day as usual in the shop. Eddy sick last night and today he has had a high fever. It left him just at night and he appears much better. I carried another piece of beef to be smoked over to Mr. Olmstead's in the evening. From there, I went to a General Class meeting at the church. 1/21 Stormy. Snow. I worked as usual at the shop. I went to the Post Office in the evening and mailed the Danbury Times to George. I called on Dr. Bulkely at his office to consult him about Eddy. About 10 o'clock he was so much worse that I went to his residence for him. He had retired. He prescribed different medicine and said he would call in the morning. I took my beef from the brine in the evening and covered it with water in a tub and poured away the brine on account of its being so very salty. I intend to make new brine for it, one that will not be so salt. Gussie commenced a letter to Elizabeth. 1/22 Cloudy and a little rain. I sat up with Eddy last night until 3 o'clock this morning and then Gussie got up and I went to bed until morning. Mr. Swift had a tedious night also with his wounded arm. I sawed a little wood for him before I went to work. I took back my suit of clothes and finally got them for $16.00. I brought them home from Mr. Harris' last evening to try them on and decide upon taking them. He wanted $17.00 for the suit coat, vest and pants. I went to the Danbury Bank and drew the $10.00 that George sent the check for payable to me. It was after nine o'clock when I got to the shop. I have felt miserable on account of being up so late last night. The doctor came this morning after I left announced Eddie's complaint to be Diphtheria. The ' dozen [???] Questions books for Mrs. John Crosier came today. About ten o'clock in the evening Eddie was taken with strangling and I went immediately for Dr. Bulkely. His son William came with him. He prepared a wash for his throat and swabbed it out. Father and Mother Griswold and Fanny all came down. Father Griswold prayed with us before he went back. Fanny came down again to watch and we retired. 1/23 Eddie's sickness made it late before I went to the shop. Doctor came just before I went. He pronounced him much better. I came home to dinner. Doctor came again in the P.M. and found Eddie gaining fast. It cleared off just before night. I got a letter from George in the evening. Frank Butler's boy was taken with the Diphtheria today. 1/24 Gussie sat up with Eddie last night until 1 o'clock this morning and then I took her place and she retired. I went to the shop rather late but did but a little work. Came home from the shop. I went around by Mr. Olmstead's and got one of my pieces of smoked beef. I went to market in the evening. I received a letter from George this noon and another this evening. 1/25 Gussie sat up with Eddie last night until 1 o'clock and then I got up and she retired. He is better today. I attended church today and gave Bro. Crawford a notice to be read for the Sunday School Festival on Wednesday evening of this week. After Sunday School, I came home and slept a part of the P.M. The Union Sunday School concert was held at our church this afternoon in place of the regular service. After tea, father came down to see us. Mother has been sick also with the Diphtheria, but is now better. I wrote to George after tea and mailed a paper (Semi Weekly Tribune) to him. Fanny carried them to the Office as she went to evening meeting. After she had gone, I got up and directed a box of troaches to him and went down and mailed them. I returned and soon retired in order to get all the rest I could before getting up in the middle of the night to take care of Eddie again. 1/26 Pleasant in the morning, but it soon became cloudy, misty and warm. I sat up the latter part of the night with Eddie. On account of rest yesterday, I have felt more like work today and have improved it accordingly. Doctor pronounced Eddie to be much better today and he really appears to be so. I went to the Post Office in the evening and mailed Mother's letter to Harriet which I should have done last night but forgot it. I called at Doctor's office and talked with him about Eddie and then came home. I found Mother Griswold with Gussie. She gave me a talking to for not staying at home with Gussie and Eddie during the day instead of working at the shop. I did not think it necessary to do so as he appears to be better. 1/27 Stormy. Fanny stayed with Eddie until 2 o'clock this morning. Before going to the shop this morning, I deposited in the Savings Bank for George $10.00 which he sent by check from the army in Va. I left an order on Dr. Bulkely's slate for him to visit Eddie and leave medicine. He is much better today. I went to the Post Office and market in the evening. I ordered ' bushel oysters brought up tomorrow. 1/28 The ground slightly covered with snow this morning. It began to snow again in the middle of the day and continued all day increasing in the evening. I worked as usual in the shop. Our Sunday School Festival came off in the evening and considering the unpleasant weather, the children came out in good numbers and all appeared to enjoy it much. I attended but came home before it was over. Gussie stayed at home with Eddie, who is much better today. I brought some samples of the cake to Eddie. 1/29 A quite heavy body of snow on the ground this morning and still snowing Isabell stayed with Louisa up to Mother Griswold's after returning from the festival last night. She has stayed with Gussie all day and is to go up to stay with Louisa again tonight on account of our bed being occupied by Mr. Swift's brother. It cleared off just at night and is colder. 1/30 Pleasant. Isabella has been with us again today, but went home just at night. I worked as long as I could see. After tea I went up [house?] to engage Father for Jo. Young to saw some wood tomorrow. I then went to the Post Office and home. I received a letter from George. I took one from the Office also for Harriet from Abel. 1/31 Pleasant. I have worked hard as usual in the shop as long as I could see. Bell came down before dinner and stayed with Eddie in the P.M. to let Gussie go out to make a few calls. I went to market in the evening.
1863-01
Horace Purdy Journal, May 1863 Entry
6pgs
5/1 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. I have had a slight headache all day. I borrowed $15.00 of George Fenner until next Monday and paid Mr. Harris for my overdraft $14.00 in the evening. I went to the market in the evening and to the Post Office and got a letter from Harriet. 5/2 SATURDAY - destroyed worms' nest . On my way to the shop after dinner, I stopped to Mr. Hanford's for my shop shoes which he has been mending. Stinted in my work for the first and came home about 3 o'clock. I took the leader which carries water from the roof into our hogshead down and had it soldered together as it given way. I went to the choir rehearsal in the evening. The Evening Post states that Fighting Joe Hooker has captured Fredericksburg and taken prisoners. 5/3 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I attended church in the morning. Came home after Sunday School and Gussie went in the P.M. I wrote to George and mailed it as I went to prayer meeting in the evening. 5/4 MONDAY - Showery during the day. Mrs. Stone came to the house and washed today. I did not have work enough to last all day. Sherman Disbrow brought me ' ton of better coal, it being softer and burns more fierce than did the last ' ton he brought. I bought a two inch chestnut plank at G. W. Ives to make a platform for my pump. It cost 68 cents. Just after tea, Eddie had a fall from a chair and made two very bad bruises on his head. I went to the Post Office in the evening, but got no letters. Before retiring, I wrote to Harriet. 5/5 TUESDAY - Showery all day. Good news from General Hooker's army. He has occupied Fredericksburg and turned the left of the rebels and is still driving them. I sowed some grass seed I the bare places in my yard. Received a letter from George in the evening (No. 7). He is gaining his health quite fast and will soon be able to come home on a furlough as he expects in ten or fifteen days. I wrote an answer to him before I retired. When I went to the Office, I mailed one to Harriet. Mr. Cocking paid me $3.00, one month rent. 5/6 WEDNESDAY - Stormy all day. Only 1 dozen hats at 2/ (?) to finish today. I finished about 11 o'clock and came home. I received a letter from George in the evening with his picture enclosed. I wrote a reply to it in Swift's office and mailed it immediately. The news from Hooker's army continues good. Gussie went up home this afternoon while Eddy and I went to bed and took a nap. 5/7 THURSDAY - Cold and stormy. The work not being ready, the men adjourned until tomorrow. By the request of the foreman, I finished 10 hats for trial to see how they looked, so that the facers could go on and have work ready for us tomorrow. In the P.M., I took a nap and spent the remainder of the afternoon in reading while Gussie went to the store and up home to Mother Purdy's. In the evening, I went to market and to the Post Office and got a paper from George, the National Republican from Washington D.C. The news from General Hooker's army was rather unfavorable in the morning papers, but the Evening Post gives us good news again. Hooker was not driven back across the Rappahannock, but withdrew of choice on account of the storm and the rising of the river. General Stoneman's cavalry expedition to the rear of the rebels is a complete success. He has cut the line of rebel communication by telegraph and railroad between Fredericksburg and Richmond. Hooker has been strongly reinforced also. 5/8 FRIDAY - Cloudy until near night when it cleared off or rather the sun came out, but the wind still continues easterly. I had enough work to last all day. My truss being out of order, I went down to Dr. Thompson's after I finished my work to get it repaired. The news by the evening papers are good considering all things. The complete success of Stoneman's Cavalry said cutting off the rebels' line of communication is confirmed. Hooker has been reinforced and is ready to resume the offensive again and take advantage of the rebels before they can repair damages done by Stoneman. News by telegraph this evening that the first calls for troops under the Conscription Act has been made. Number not named. I went down to the Post Office before breakfast this morning and mailed a letter to George. I wrote another to him in the evening. I expect to mail it tomorrow morning early in time for the mail. John B. Gough lectured here this evening, but I did not attend. Subject ' Lights and Shadows of London Life. 5/9 SATURDAY - Pleasant. Bell came down and spent the day and is staying all night with us. News by telegraph this P.M. that Richmond is captured. Joy beams forth from the countenance of every loyal man, a good feeling is pervading the people. Gussie went into the street with me in the evening. 5/10 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. I attended church in the morning. Sunday School prayer meeting at noon after which I came home and Gussie went in the afternoon. I wrote two letters in the P.M., one to George and to David Mills who is in hospital in Washington. Was wounded in the late battle between Hooker and Lee on the Rappahannock. The last night's news of the capture of Richmond is confirmed by telegraph. After tea, we put Eddy in his carriage and went up home. Preaching in the evening. I attended. On to the church, I mailed my letters to George and David. 5/11 MONDAY - Very warm, like midsummer. The evening papers do not credit the rumor that Richmond is captured. Fighting Joe Hooker is across the river again and after the flying rebels. I went to Teachers' meeting in the evening. Frank Boughton received a letter from John( Boughton?) this evening. He was in the late battle and escaped without a scratch. David Bradley joined the Reg't. in time to be in the battle also. He is uninjured also. 5/12 TUESDAY - Very warm again today. I cleaned out my cesspool before breakfast and carried the contents to my garden. Father commenced making my garden this P.M. I spaded between the hills of strawberries after tea. Went with Gussie to the depot to see if George came. On our way home, called at the Post Office and got two letters from George. He expects to be home by the 20th. I hung the sage (?) down cellar before retiring. 5/13 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy and smoky in the morning. Sunshine in the middle of the day. Cloudy again in the P.M. and terminated with a shower. Limited in our work at the shop. Father has been to work in my garden for me today. Before going to the shop in the morning, I finished setting out my strawberry plants. As I came home from the shop in the P.M., I came by the way of J. W. Ives' lumber yard. And bought 24 feet of studding for a framework to nail the planks to in building my platform for the pump. The shower came up before I finished it but by Father's help and making some in the rain we finished it before we stopped by working a little late. I wrote to George after tea in answer to his letter received last evening. 5/14 THURSDAY - I went to the shop in the morning, but there being but little work, I chose to come home and work with Father in my garden and yard and have two days allowance to do tomorrow and make out a day's work. It rained a little in the P.M., but we worked until night. I have finished the platform to my pump and repaired my walks in the yard. I went up to Mother Griswold's to tea as they have company. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt, and daughter from Norwalk, Ohio. Miss Hack. Mr. and Mrs. [ Seafield ?] and Mrs. Blissard. The rain increased in the evening. And got a letter from George, No.11. 5/15 FRIDAY - Pleasant but cool. Father finished spading garden for me today. 3 ' days' work. Per day $4.37. I got him a bbl. of flour from Mr. Crofut (my boss) and his work went toward it. He paid me the difference to make $11.00. I left the shop early on account of the headache. I tried to plant in my garden when I came home. I put in my best seed and was too sick to do more. 5/16 SATURDAY - Pleasant, but cool for the season. A slight frost last night. Father came this way going over to Cousin Frank Boughton's to make garden. He borrowed my spading fork and garden line. Uncle Edwin Mills came down for Mother, Eddy and Gussie this afternoon and carried them down to his house to stay over Sunday. I came home and planted potatoes, corn and carrots in my garden. I worked until dark and then came in and got my own supper, after which I went to the Post Office and to singing school a short time. I got a letter from David Mills at noon and one from George in the evening. 5/17 SUNDAY - The sun shone early in the morning but it soon clouded over and began to rain with the prospects of a wet day. It cleared off again about noon and was warmer. I got up and got my own breakfast as Gussie is down to Starr's Plain at Uncle Edwin's. I melted the solder around the coffee pot spout so that it will require mending. Trying to warm the coffee by putting it on a hot coal fire. I then gave it up and made tea. I went to church in the morning. Bro. Crawford preached as usual. The congregation was small on account of the weather. The Sunday School was small also. A Union Sunday School meeting in the P.M. at the Congregational church. A lecture to the school and illustrated with paintings by Mrs. Long. After tea (which I took up to Mother Griswold's), I wrote a letter to Georg and one to David Mills. Mrs. Long gave another lecture in the evening to both children and adults. I attended. It was at the1st Congregational. The other churches were not opened. I mailed my letters as I went. A shower during the service. 5/18 MONDAY - Pleasant, but rather cool this morning. I went up to Mother Griswold's to breakfast. I took our washing over to Mrs. Stone and then went to the shop. Not having but little work, I finished before dinner. I came home and found Gussie there and dinner ready. I planted in my garden and set out my dahlia's in the P.M. I went to market in the evening and to the Post Office and got a letter from Harriet. It being still clear and cool, OI covered my tomato plants before retiring. 5/19 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I have had work enough in the shop to last all day. I put out the second tuft (?) of myrtle in my grass flat after tea. I then went downtown with Gussie. I received a letter from George stating with other things that he should doubtless be home before next Sunday. I bought 8 more bushels of charcoal today which filled my box where I keep it. 5/20 WEDNESDAY - Warmer today. Henry Ledger, who has been to England for his health and been absent nearly a year, arrived home on the morning train. I received a letter from Cousin Phoebe Palmer from Mount Hol(yoke) Fe(male) Seminary in Mass. with one enclosed for me to direct to Harriet. Gussie walked with me down to the store and Post Office in the evening. I returned without going to class. 5/21 THURSDAY - Very warm. Mrs. Stone helped us clean house ' the parlor, sitting room and bedroom. No work in the shop and I have helped. Gussie and I went to the depot I the evening, but he did not come. Mrs. Richards called in the evening. 5/21 FRIDAY - Very warm. The thermometer standing at 90 degrees in the shade. Gussie and Mary Purdy went up to John Polletts and spent the day. I came home and got my own dinner. On my way home from work at night, I came by way of Mr. Wright's and bought 5 gallons of kerosene oil at 54 cents - $2.70. I am to pay him when I get paid off at the shop. I planted my squash seed at night. I cleaned out the hogshead with Mrs. Cocking's help. Gussie came home in time to put Eddie to bed and go to the depot to meet George. He did not come. David Stillson came on the train from the same hospital. He said that George was waiting for his furlough and would be home in a day or two. 5/23 SATURDAY - Very warm again today. I had work enough in the shop to last me nearly all day. I planted some bush beans and a [???] of peas in addition to what I had previously planted. I also put some dust around my strawberry hills. Gussie and I went to the depot again to meet George. He did not come. It was about 11 o'clock when the cars came in. A thunder storm came up and rained nearly all the time we were waiting at the depot. Gussie went home before the cars came. 5/24 SUNDAY - Cloudy but no rain. I attended church in the morning, came home after Sunday School and Gussie went in the P.M. After tea, we went over to Harriet's a short time. Before evening meeting I wrote to Harriet. As I went to the Office to mail my letter on my way to prayer meeting, I found a letter in my box from George, which I did not see as it was just [edge nice] close against the side. It was written on Friday. As his furlough had been delayed, he concluded not to start for home until Monday (tomorrow). He expects to arrive in New York on Tuesday, spend one day there and see Harriet, arriving home Wednesday probably arriving in the evening. As my letter to Harriet was not sealed, I added this news before mailing it. 5/25 MONDAY - Cloudy all day and some rain. I received a dispatch from George in New York on his way home saying that he would be home on the evening train. We went to the depot and I brought him home with us to stay. We retired about 11 o'clock. 5/26 TUESDAY - I stayed away from work and spent the day at home visiting with George. After tea, George came down home with us and went to the Sleight of Hand performance with Gussie while I stayed at home with Eddie. I have not felt very well today, which was one cause of me not working. When we went up home this morning with George, we took Mother completely by surprise. 5/27 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I went up home to see George. He was away over to Aunt Louisa's. On my return, I stopped to see Thomas Barnum. I then went over to Aunt Louisa's and went with George downtown. Thos. Kyle carried us down to Blackman's Store so that George could get his watch. George came home with me to stay all night. 5/28 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm. I went with George before breakfast down to the depot to see Kellogg and Charles Wilcox leave to rejoin their Reg't. We then returned home to breakfast. Gussie and Eddie went up home in the P.M. to visit with George. He and Bell came home with them after tea and we all went to prayer meeting together. 5/29 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. George came to the shop in the forenoon. He came to my house and took dinner with me. He came down after tea, but I worked until after 7 o'clock and he went to his Lodge before I came home. Mrs. Allen (our neighbor) died this evening about 7 ' o'clock. Gussie went into the street with me and went to the Milliner's with Bell's hat. I saw David Knowles at the Post Office. We called at Joseph Ives and looked at his ranges and came home. 5/30 SATURDAY - Appearance of a storm in the morning, but it cleared away and was pleasant and very hot. A thunder shower in the P.M., but little rain fell here. Sold my stove (Peyton Airtight) to Daniel Manly for $8. Bought a range at Joseph Ives' for $13 and put it up and made fire for tea. Louisa stayed with Eddie while we went into the street. We found George and Bell; we all went to Sunday School. 5/31 SUNDAY - Had to punish Eddie this morning to make him mind. Gussie attended church in the morning. I went to Sunday School and preaching in the P.M. A Mr. Breckinridge from Bethel preached for us all day. A young man and smart. Mrs. Allen's funeral was attended at 3 o' clock at the house. Gussie went. George came home with me to tea and on account of a thunder shower which came up after, he stayed and went to prayer meeting with us in the evening.
1863-05