Horace Purdy Journal April 1864 Entry
8pgs
4/1 FRIDAY - Cloudy, but no rain. On my way to the shop this morning, I drew from the Savings Bank $40.00 to make out with what I had on hand $66.00 to pay Aaron Mallett interest on $1,100.00. He called just after dinner for the money. John Boughton and Frank were with us to tea and spent the evening. I finished my letter to George and mailed it together with a pocket dictionary and the Waverly in the evening. John went down with me. When we returned, we had walnuts, cider and apples. We had great sport with John trying to see how much he would eat. After eating more walnuts than any other two, he ate an apple and two pieces of pie. They stayed until 11 o'clock. 4/2 SATURDAY - Stormy still - about half snow in the evening. I worked until dark at the shop. After tea, I went to market. I called a few moments at the Republican Caucus in the basement of Concert Hall. Mr. and Mrs. Cocking spent the evening with us. 4/3 SUNDAY - Stormy in the morning. A little broken with some sunshine in the middle of the day. Father Griswold preached in the morning from John 12-26. Brother Crawford preached in the P.M. from Matthew 20:19. He was personal in his remarks, referring indirectly about Edith Newman leaving the choir inferring that she was the only party implicated in the difficulty of Melodeon playing. William Stevens, John Cosier and myself talked over the matter of taking up a purse for Edith. I got $1 from Mr. Chittendon towards it; making now already raised $13.00. After tea, I went up home to see Mother. Aunt Louise, John and Frank Boughton were up there. I brought home my dictionary when I came. Gussie and I went to church in the evening. Mr. Coe preached in our church to the Young Men's Christian Association from Romans 14:7. 4/4 MONDAY - Election Day - a glorious victory for the Union 227 majority in this town. I worked in the forenoon around home trimming trees, etc. I went down and voted before noon. After dinner, I went to the shop. It took me all the P.M. to get up my Saturday's work. I dug my parsnips before tea. Gussie weighed out the 10 lbs. of butter which we bought some time ago with Father Griswold and brought it down home. Mother went down to the artist this P.M. and had some pictures taken. Mr. Donald sent Fred Vintz up with his horse and carriage for her. I went into the street in the evening and engaged Beatty to come for Mother Griswold tomorrow morning for the cars. I went to market and came home. Robert Sayers gave me $1.00 today towards the purse to be given to Edith Newman. Paid to the Secretary of Trade (Mr. Witherspoon) 2 months Hatters' funeral taxes 50 cents and 3 months dues 30 cents. 4/5 TUESDAY - Cloudy with the appearance of rain, but not a drop. The stars shone a little in the evening. I burned the rubbish in my garden before breakfast. I worked as usual in the shop. On my way home from work, I called on Edward Allen and got 50 cents towards the purse to be given to Edith Newman. John Cosier, Gussie and myself called there on our way up to present the purse to Edith and they (Allen and wife) went up with us. We spent a little time in singing when John Cosier stepped forward and presented her with the purse in a few brief and appropriate remarks. She was completely taken by surprise. It nearly overcame her. It was with great difficulty that she could control her feelings. The amount given her as $33.00, contributed as follows: John Cosier $5.00, Mr. W. Stevens $5.00, George Starr $5.00, Henry Fanton $5.00, Edward Davis 50 cents, A. McDonald $2.00, P. Starr $8.00, Mr. White 50 cents, Morgan Chittendon, $1.00, Robert Sayers $1.00, Edward Barnum $1.00, Jessie D. Stevens 50 cents, Mr. Lyon 50 cents, J. Clark Beers 50 cents, Edward Allen 50 cents, Rundle $1.00, myself $1.00. Hatter's meeting not being out as I came down, I stopped, but it closed in a few minutes after I went in. 4/6 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant, but the wind has been northeast. It clouded up just at night. I worked quite late in the shop until 6 one half o'clock. After tea, I commenced a letter to George. A man by the name of Lawrence W. Smith formerly of Co. F 17th Regt. (a Company from Norwalk) came to me at the shop to get the letter of the company that George belongs to, as John Cosier had paid him $1.00 for the War Record to be sent to him. He was an agent for the publisher getting subscriptions. He was with the Regiment until they got to Gainesville when they first went into Va. and there, he not feeling well, was sent to the hospital and has since been discharged. Gussie baked some bread and carried a loaf up home this evening. 4/7 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I gathered up the trimmings from my fruit tree around the yard before breakfast. I worked all day and late in the shop. In the evening, I bought a peck of russet apples and $2.00 worth of granulated sugar (9 lbs.) of Charles White. I bought the sugar because it was cheaper than anywhere else and the price still going up. I spoke for some manure this morning of Moses Norris but it did not come an account of his not procuring a man to haul it. Before retiring, I wrote more in a letter that I am making out for George. 4/8 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm came home to dinner. Mrs. Caroline O'Leary died this morning. Received a letter from George by the morning mail. It was in reply to the one I wrote him giving him the news of Mother's sickness. He feels very bad that Mother is likely to die before he returns home. Mother also received one from him. Hattie Mills was this morning surprised before she was dressed in her room by Dwight Rogers who came to see Mrs. Cocking and got into the wrong room. Christian Quien who has got married within a short time to Marion Nash came to the shop today with 2nd Lieutenant shoulder straps on. He was married on Monday last, I believe, and received a 2nd Lieutenant's commission on the following day. He was previously orderly sergeant. Hatter's meeting in the evening. It was an adjourned meeting from Tuesday evening to take into consideration the possibility of doing something in regard to foul shops. The meeting resolved themselves into a committee of the whole and discussed the matter pretty thoroughly but adjourned for two weeks without coming to any definite conclusion. 4/9 SATURDAY - Pleasant through the day, but it threatened storm in the evening. Hattie Mills and I came home to our dinner. Sister Hattie Purdy was with us to dinner. I scolded her somewhat for her conduct about my dictionary. She accused me of saying things to her when I took the book away that were not true. Hattie Mills went to Bethel in the P.M. I came home from work earlier than usual and went up home and got the gooseberry bushes which I have neglected to get for 2 or 3 years past. I intended to have cleaned out my privy and mix its contents with ashes, but upon commencing, I found the ash heap frozen hard a little below the surface and was obliged to delay the job for a season. Gussie went over to Frank Boughton's in the P.M. and down street with me after tea. We called at Mr. Couch's and got the pictures of Bell, 4 in number, and 3 more of Mother. 4/10 SUNDAY - Stormy. Rain and snow both in the morning. I went to meeting in the A.M., but few were there and it was held in the basement. Bro. Crawford took no text, but talked to us. I came home at noon. Gussie went in the P.M while I stayed at home. Sacrament in the P.M. Gussie said it was held in the audience room above. I finished a letter to George and mailed it in the evening with a Waverly. I enclosed Bell's carte de visite to him. Caroline O'Leary was buried this P.M., aged 60 years. I did not go to church in the evening, but retired early. Edgar Johnson died at his home in Wild Cat[??] about 2 o'clock this afternoon. 4/11 MONDAY - The weather is still stormy. I felt the Rheumatism in my right shoulder blade again this morning. I felt but little like work but did all day. On account of the storm, I carried my dinner to work. John W. Bussing cut my hair after work. Hattie Mills came up from Bethel on the morning train and worked until night without anything to eat. I went to the annual Sunday School Teacher's Meeting in the evening. Officers were elected. I was reelected Librarian. My assistant E. Barnum, was taken from me and put in paper distribution. After the meeting, I walked some with Edith Newman to talk with her about Saul, her brother, for assistant librarian in Edward Barnum's place. The moon shone faintly through the mist in the evening. 4/12 APRIL - The weather still cloudy, but no rain today. I came home to dinner. Before dinner was ready, I commenced raking off my grass flat on door yard. I carried a bottle of cider to the shop and left it for John W. Bussing for his dinner. After tea, Robert Cocking came with Mr. Lyon's team to go to the depot and I rode down with him. Mrs. Stone came up and worked for us today and was with us for dinner. Mrs. Cocking came down and spent the evening with us. George H. Benedict, son of Price Benedict, one of our neighbors from just west of us, died today. Aged 23 years. 4/13 WEDNESDAY - Cold in the morning. A little warmer in the P.M. with rain. I came home to dinner. Frank Ward of Beaverbrook died this morning about 5 o'clock. A letter from George by the morning mail in answer to one I wrote to him in regard to the affairs of his old letters of his which Mother has made some trouble about. He places the fullest confidence in me and does not believe any of the stories told about Gussie and me by Mother. After tea, Gussie and Hattie Mills went up home to Father Griswold's to see to see Mrs. White while I commenced a letter to George. Soon Mr. Cocking was ready to go to the depot with Mr. Lyon's carriage and I rode down to market. I called at the church, but the classroom was dark. When I came home, I found Mrs. Cocking, Fannie and Hattie Griswold (Wheeler) and Louise Vintz spending the evening with us. I cracked some walnuts and they stayed until after 10 o'clock. I then wrote more in my letter to George. 4/14 THUSDAY - Cloudy in the morning, but it came off pleasant before night. I carried my dinner to the shop. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. I mailed a letter, a Waverly and a New York Daily Tribune of last Tuesday the 12th to George. The Tribune contained the official report of General Gilmore regarding the Battle of Olustee in Florida. Father Griswold returned for Conference in Hartford this evening. As we were going down, we met him coming up from the depot with his hands full of trees and vines and his carpet bag. Charles H. Reed was carrying his bag for him. He left the tree and vines at Reed's gate and I brought them home when I came. 4/15 FRIDAY - Pleasant. We were limited in our work at the shop today for the first in a long time. I finished at noon. Harriet was with us at dinner. After dinner, I sowed a little plaster on my yard and then went down town to buy a fence post to repair my gate and to get a cart man to haul some manure for me. I succeeded just at night and got one load and the post brought home. Gussie went up to Mother's in the P.M. and stayed to tea. Hattie Mills went up also from the shop. Carrie Mills came up on the freight train and went up with Hattie. Edith was there to tea. Gussie and the girls came home just at dark. I ate bread and milk for my supper. Gussie, Carrie and Hattie Mills went into the street in the evening. Mr. Cocking being here with Mr. Lyon's horse and carriage, he took them all in and carried them down. 4/16 SATURDAY - Pleasant. Carrie stayed with Hattie Mills, her sister last night. This morning, she took the train to Bethel. I got to the shop about an hour earlier than usual in consequence of getting breakfast in time for Carrie to take the cars. On the way to the shop, I mailed three letters for Father Griswold. The remainder of my manure came this forenoon, making 3 loads. I finished my work about 3 o'clock and paid Norris for the manure $3.00 and $1.50 to the cart man for hauling. I commenced repairing my gate and righting up the fence in front of my house. I got the fence straighted up and the new gate hinge post set and was obliged to leave it without hanging the gate on account of its growing dark. In the evening, I went to market. I bought a carte de visite of Captain Moore at Bennett's Store for 25 cents and a pair of gate hinges at Charles Hull's for 65 cents. 16 screws for 15 cents. Before retiring, Mrs. Cocking came down and wished me to get her a quart of milk in the morning. At the same time, she gave me a glass of ale. 4/17 SUNDAY - Pleasant though somewhat windy. I got a quart of milk at Mrs. McDonald's this morning for Mrs. Cocking. Our new preacher was with us today (Mr. Hill); his family is not here yet. He preached in the morning from John 14-27.In the P.M. Luke 15-17. Father Griswold was with him in the pulpit all day. Brother Crawford was also in the morning, but sat in the congregation in the afternoon. Mr. Coles led the choir and Miss Newman played. Edward Barnum being appointed paper distributor, I now have James Parmalee for asst. librarian. Gussie and I were at church all day. Harriet came to the house at noon for something to eat. Hattie Mills gave her a lunch. After tea, I wrote two letters to George and David Mills; Hattie enclosed one with her picture in mine to David. Gussie and I went to prayer meeting in the evening. William T. Hill, our new preacher, was there. He walked up with Harriet Wheeler to see Father Griswold. Gussie went up after she got home. He talked about church affairs. Father Griswold posted him in regard to some things about the church. Mother worse today. A little rain about 11o'clock in the evening. 4/18 MONDAY - The weather was rather uncertain in the morning, but it came off pleasant before noon. Mrs. Stone worked for us. I had work all day in the shop. After I came home from work, I worked as long as I could see at hanging my gate with new hinges on a new post. The women folks (Gussie and Hattie Mills) went to the Baptist Church in the evening to hear Mrs. Ambler speak of the conditions of the paroled prisoners as they arrive there from Richmond in a starving, dying condition. I ate my supper alone after they left for church and then I went up home to see Mother. As Bell had called saying that she wanted me to come up. She wanted to see me about keeping their cow. Father was of a mind to let her go and they did not want to part with her. I persuaded him to keep her, I think, as he consented to have me buy a bale of hay for her on his account. 4/19 TUESDAY - Pleasant, but a little cooler towards night. I set out my Concord grape vine this morning; the one Daniel Manly gave me. On my way to the shop, I went to Isaac W. Ives Lumber Yard and bought two bales of hay for Father $7.00. Gussie had her first mess of greens for dinner. Harriet Purdy was with her to dinner. I received a box from George with the last evening's mail with some roots and plants for Gussie. I finished the work on my gate before tea. In the evening, I went to market and got a lot of oysters for breakfast. Mrs. Cocking came own and spent the evening with us. 4/20 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I had to wait about an hour this morning at the shop for work. After tea, I went to market and to class. I got there just as it was out. Peter Starr, our old leader, has left town and we talked awhile about a new one. We rather want J. Cosier to take it but he does not want it. Father called this morning on his way to work and paid me for the hay I bought for him $7.00. 4/21 THUSDAY - Pleasant. Before breakfast and before tea, I dug around some of my fruit trees and manured them. I came home to dinner. I had suckatash (dried corn and beans). When I came home from work at night, I bought my first shad at 13 cents a pound. I mailed a short letter to George in the evening with a dollars' worth of stamps enclosed. Gussie went with me in the evening and looked at wallpaper at William Wright's and at Benedict and Nichols. Bought 3 window shades (green) and fixtures for the parlor $1.50 each and 25 cents for the fixtures. Total $5.25. A beautiful evening, the moon being full. 4/22 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Before breakfast, I dug around and manured my Harvest Apple tree. Harriet came in while we were eating dinner and sat down with us. I worked until 6 o'clock before leaving the shop. I bought 2 pounds of maple sugar of Nosh T. Hoyt in the evening. Went to Hatter's Meeting at Concert Hall. It was an adjourned meeting to take into consideration the case of foul shops. Gussie exchanged the new window shade fixtures she bought last evening for silvered ones. She paid 15 cents in exchange. 4/23 SATURDAY - Pleasant, and it seemed to me warmer than any day previous this spring. I came home to dinner. Hattie Mills went home to Bethel on the passenger train to have the impression taken for her teeth, but the dentist (Schoolmocker) could not do it. She came back on the evening train. Before I ate supper, I manured and dug up Gussie's flower bed by the piazza. We went to market together in the evening. We went to Mr. Wright's to look at wallpaper I bought a shad and came home. I made some egg cider before I retired. I received a letter from George by the morning mail. 4/24 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. Bro. Hill preached in the morning from Acts 18:9-10 Books taken in but none given out in Sunday School on account of the previous Sunday School meeting in the P.M. at the 1st Congregational Church, usually called Sunday School concert. Gussie attended, but I came home and wrote a letter to George. I enclosed six 3 cent postage stamps and six 2 cent ones as a present. Mother sent by Bell to have Hattie Mills go up there. After tea, she went. Gussie and I went up to the cemetery; we found John Cosier there with a team. He took us in and drove over the grounds, then rode out on the Great Plain Road nearly to Marsh Brick Kiln, crossed over on to the Beaverbrook Road and back home, he bringing us to our own door. Gussie was too tired to go to prayer meeting in the evening, so Hattie Mills and I went together. Father Griswold was there. He both prayed and spoke. Brother Hill and Clark Hoyt went up to see Mother after tea. She is about the same, apparently no worse, though I suppose really no better. 4/25 MONDAY - Stormy, a warm rain. Received an invitation by mail to attend a presentation to Alfred N. Gilbert in the evening. Read a letter from George with items for the Jeffersonian. The breaking up of their Brigade and the places to which the several Regiments were assigned. The account of Jim Hammer's what is its [???], etc. I did not attend the presentation, but went to the Post Office and to market. I then came home ( after calling on Mr. Ashley to see if he had some room this week for a letter from George) and prepared the letter for publication. Mr. Cocking came down and spent the evening with us. 4/26 TUESDAY - Still stormy. I carried a letter I had made out from George to the Jeffersonian for publication this morning. I came home to dinner and on account of the rain, I carried Hattie Mills' (?) to her. The sun shone a little this P.M., but it clouded over again. Gussie and I went up to Mr. Wright's in the evening to look at wallpaper. Before retiring, I answered two letters in one of George. 4/27 - WEDNESDAY - Showery still, though the sun shone a little this P.M., the same as yesterday, and gave signs of clear(ing) off. I came home to dinner and carried Hattie Mills' to her at the shop. After I finished work, I went to Comes' Marble Works to see about a stone for Eddie. I decided upon nothing. Called at the Jeffersonian's office to tell Ashley where to direct papers to the 17th Regt. To St. Augustine instead of Jacksonville, Fla. Harriet brought George's watch down for me to take to the jewelers for repairs. I went to class in the evening. Bro. Hill (our preacher) led the class. On my way to the shop this morning, I stopped and ordered Dr. Buckley to come up and see Mother Griswold. She is quite sick. 4/28 THURSDAY - A little bit of snow before daylight. Cooler, cloudy until just before night when the sun shone again. Mr. Silverthorn came to Father Griswold's today; was there to dinner. After tea, Gussie and I went into the street and bought some wall paper for our sitting room. Mrs. Cocking's sister came to see her from Fort Hamilton, Long Island. 4/29 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Father Griswold started this morning for Philadelphia to attend the Gen.Conference. No work today for the black finishers today at the shop. I being on fancy colors, had work all day. I came home by the way of George Starr's and got a board for Harriet to make shelf in her closet up home. After tea, I commenced grafting one of my apple trees with Golden Sweets. Went to market in the evening and bought a shad for breakfast .4 and a half lbs. at 15 cents a pound from the Housatonic River. Gussie went up to the cemetery this P.M. and made some preparations at Eddie's grave for some plants. Frank Boughton was with her and selected a lot for John. Burglars last night at Tandy's, Fowler's, Barnum's, Wildman's, and Benedict's. 4/30 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I worked hard all day. Came home to my dinner. Gussie and Hattie Mills went up to the cemetery on the P.M. Gussie engaged Mr. Day to make a small flower bed around Eddie's grave. Before tea, I grafted an apple tree in the garden with Roxbury Russett. I went to market and to Singing School in the evening.
1864-04
Horace Purdy Journal April 1866 Entry
16pgs
APRIL 01 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Love Feast at 9 A.M. Gussie went and stayed to preaching in the forenoon. I went down to Sunday School and to the afternoon service. It being the last Sunday previous to Conference and thee being about a dozen to be baptized and also that there would be no preacher here next Sabbath, the Commission Service was held in the P.M. Brother Hill called me into the altar to hold the Baptismal Bowl for him while he administered the sacrament. At noon, I gave Charles Stevens, Jr. 50 cents towards a purse of $100 to be made up and given to Brother Hill before going to Conference. Preaching in the evening, it being Easter Sunday, the sermon was on the resurrection of Christ. At the close of the sermon the choir sang “Old Easter Anthem”. After meeting, George went to Bethel with Mr. Lockwood. He harnessed the horse before meeting and drove down to the Church. I rode down with him. He sat in the seat with me instead of with the choir. I gave Brother Hill and Annual Sunday School report this morning to take to Conference this week. APRIL 02 MONDAY - Election Day. Pleasant Upon the arrival of the train at 10 ½ o’clock, I met Aaron Mallett and Father Griswold at Roger Averill’s office and I there took up the Bond and Mortgage held by Mallett by paying him the $1,100 due him. He gave me a quit claim deed on the same. Father Griswold let me have the money on Bond and Mortgage. He also holds the Insurance Policy as additional security. We finished up our business before dinner. I also paid my taxes - $8.06 – 2 % deducted by paying today made it $7.90. George moved one of his shop mates down town this morning and then came back and moved John Brayman. This afternoon, I spent down at the polls driving for voters. The Copperheads had a majority of 10 for English. They elected one representative – Joseph Taylor – and us one – Saul Mallory. We elected all the Justices of the Peace. Judging from our own town, things looked dark and many of us feared that we had lost the state, but in the evening returns came in more favorable and we had reason to be jubilant, the prospects being very favorable. I stayed with a large crowd at D. B. Booth’s office until about 10 1.2 o’clock to get the returns from other parts of the state. A good joke on myself going for Henry Bevans to vote. I supposed he voted the Republican Ticket, but he said he should vote Democratic, so I left him at home and would not take him. APRIL 03 TUESDAY - A lovely spring day. No work in the shop yet. I let Seth Downs take the horse and wagon to go for his family down to Plum Trees. A 100 gun (salute) were fired today to commemorate the fall of Richmond one year ago today. Fifty of them were fired in the P.M. and fifty of them in the evening. I helped work the gun in the afternoon. A glorification was held in Concert Hall in the evening. Gussie and I went. Bell came down and stayed with the baby I ran up the flag on Father Griswold’s house today. APRIL 04 WEDNESDAY - A little muggy in the morning with some appearance of rain, but it came off pleasant and we have had another beautiful spring day. I had work all day in the shop. I have a cold settled in my lungs which ache and make me feel miserable. Gussie received her anatomical plates from Mr. Dr. Rawlins. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to market. Bell came down about 6 o’clock in the evening to have me cut her hair, but I could not, as I did not have a pair of shears suitable. APRIL 05 THURSDAY - Another beautiful day, mild and warm. I had work in the shop. When I came home from work, I raked the covering off my strawberry bed. George dug post holes for Walter Sparks this morning. Mother and Bell took the horse this P.M. and rode to Bethel to see Mr. Squires and Aunt Harriet Mills. When they returned, they went up to the cemetery. I am badly affected with the rheumatism again today. I can scarcely get my hand to my head. I heard the frogs peep this evening for the first time this spring. APRIL 06 FRIDAY - Warm and showery. Cut Bell’s hair in the morning. Mr. Cocking paid me his rent. I took the $200 Harriet Wheeler gave me last evening and took up a note of that amount in the Danbury Bank for Father Griswold as the money was left by Father Griswold for that purpose. I then went down to the shop and got some gum shellac to spread over cuts on trees made by trimming them. I got it for Mr. Pond and myself. After dinner, I borrowed Seth Down’s saddle and rode up home. From there, I went over to Mr. Lynes’ to see Mr. Cocking. I saw Granville Ambler over there. I tried to sell him (Ambler) my horse, but could not. Mrs. Cocking sent Gussie a small ball of butter and a ½ dozen of eggs. It continued showery all day. I did not go out in the evening. I received a letter today from little George Humphrey of Canton. I wrote an answer before retiring. APRIL 07 SATURDAY - Stormy. It rained quite steady in the P.M. I rode downtown in the forenoon with Mr. Cocking. He gave me two heads of lettuce, my first this season, and about the first in market with Robert. Received a letter from Ambrose Hill saying that George could have work where he is at Prentiss in Brooklyn. Lorenzo B. Sage has charge of the department where George is going. I rode the horse downtown to show to George Wood after dinner. If he sells his horse, I shall try to sell mine to him. When I returned, George took him and rode up home. He stayed with us to dinner. I went to the shop about 2 ½ o’clock and got my pay - $7.96 for two days’ work. I bought some smelt and came home. George came down after tea and we went into the street together in the evening. He called at the Post Office and got $4.00 left there for him by David Bradley which George lent to him last winter. He also got part pay for a sifter from Morgan Chittenden who he saw at the Post Office. He is making arrangements to go to Brooklyn next week. The letter I wrote last evening to George Humphrey, I mailed today. APRIL 08 SUNDAY - I woke and found the ground covered with snow and still snowing. It continued snowing all day more or less, but accumulated very slowly on account of melting so fast. About 5 P.M., it broke away in the west. This, I believe, is the 17th snow of any account this winter. We have had a number of squalls and little flutters of which I have made no accounts. Perhaps if all of them were counted, they would number 25 more or less. George came down this morning about his usual time for going to Bethel for Mr. Lockwood (the chorister), but on account of the storm did not go. He stayed until meeting time and then walked down to church with Gussie. She came home at noon and I went down to Sunday School and to prayer meeting in the P.M. George came home with me to tea, after which he went to Bethel for Mr. Lockwood intending to be at the church with him at 5 o’clock for a rehearsal before evening meeting. He borrowed Mr. McDonald’s carriage to go with, he not wanting to go in an open wagon for at the time he started, it was snowing. It being Conference Sunday, A Mr. Wardell, a young minister, was sent from Conference to preach for us today. I attended preaching in the evening. Rev. Wardell preached an excellent sermon from “The Thief’s Prayer on the Cross”. John Main and Saul Main and wife (formerly Edith Newman) have been here in town today. They attended church and sang in the choir. Mr. Lockwood was here in the evening and led the choir. George returned with him to Bethel after the evening meeting. APRIL 09 MONDAY - Pleasant. Yesterday’s snow has disappeared except a little in shaded localities. After breakfast, I got Seth Down’s saddle and rode down to Bethel to see if Lockwood (our chorister) would buy my horse. He would not give a definite answer today. When I returned, I rode up to the machine shop to see Russell Smith about the money he owes me but found that he had left there and would not work there any more for the present. George came in about noon and helped me mend the harness and stayed to dinner. He then borrowed my carpet bag and rode the horse up home to prepare to go to Brooklyn in the morning. While he was gone, George Wood and son came to look at the horse with a view to buying. He agreed to give me $50.00 provided he would work before a cart at drawing dirt. He took him to try, but before he got to the place of dirt with the cart, he got so beastly drunk that he could do nothing at all. I took the horse and cart from him and returned the cart and came home with the horse resolved to wait until he was sober before I transacted any business with him. Before I got home, however, I saw his son who told me he would come and get the horse tomorrow morning. Theo. Fowler died at 1 ½ o’clock this P.M. I went down town in the evening. APRIL 10 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I went down to the shop in the morning, but there was no work. I rode to Bethel to see if Ben Lockwood wanted my horse. I returned about 10 o’clock and harnessed and carried Mother Griswold, Fanny, and Josie Wheeler over to Charles Fowler’s to engage butter for the summer. I kept on by Lake Kenosha and home by way of Miry Brook. After dinner, we rode up to the cemetery, the same party except that Gussie went in place of Josie Wheeler. I expected George Wood to come for the horse this evening, but he did not. I made a fire in the garden to burn the rubbish just before tea. John Brayman came over and walked down into the street with me in the evening. I intended to go to Class Meeting, but was too late after doing my marketing. Commenced to wean baby. April 11 Wednesday - Pleasant. I went to the shop in the morning expecting work but met some of the men just this side who said there would be none until tomorrow. I came home just before noon and harnessed the horse and carried two bushels of potatoes downtown to an Irishman who works for A. Hickok, shoemaker. I got 9 cents per bushel; he paid for one bushel and I am to get paid for the other on Saturday if not before. I rode over to Mr. Lynes’ to borrow a whip of Robert Cocking. I drove up to Daniel’s Nursery to look at Arbor vitae for a hedge. I engaged 66 or more if I need them for 9 cents each. Hattie Mills called between 4 and 5 o’clock. Gussie and baby being up home to my father’s, I took Hattie in and rode up there and brought Gussie home. Bell walked down and drew baby in his carriage and stayed to tea with Hattie Mills. I went into the street in the evening. An umbrella mender came along this P.M. and I had 2 umbrellas repaired for 60 cents. APRIL 12 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I had a little more than a ½ day's work in the shop, the first since a week ago today. Theo. Fowler was buried at 1 P.M. I received a letter from George, giving me the number of his boarding place. It is at 64 Prince Street Brooklyn, New York. I answered it and enclosed letters for him received here from South Norwalk, Ridgefield and St. Augustine. After writing to George in the P.M., I marked off the Sunday School papers: Sunday School Advocates – 78, Sunday School Journals – 46. Gussie, Mother, Bell and Hattie Mills took the horse after dinner and went to Bethel and spent the afternoon at Aunt Harriet’s. Gussie and Bell went to Mr. Dare’s store to sell tatting. Mr. Dare paid Gussie $2.00 for a dozen salves I left there on the 24th of March. Mr. Pond called in the evening to see Father Griswold about a school meeting to be held tomorrow evening. I walked downtown with Mr. Pond and mailed my letter to George with 3 letters enclosed which came here since he went away. Susan Brayman came over in the evening to borrow flat irons of Gussie. ARIL 13 FRIDAY - Appearance of rain in the morning. It did rain a little about 8 o’clock, but it finally came off warm and pleasant. I had a full day’s work in the shop. Bell came to the shop to borrow a dollar of me with which to go to Stamford next Monday. Before tea, I rode up home and tried to persuade her not to go, believing that in their destitute circumstances, it was not advisable for our folks to encourage her in the matter, as she would need all she could earn before the summer is over for her clothing. She and Mother both felt so badly for her to have to give up the contemplated visit that I finally gave her the dollar with which what she had would make out enough though I still could not approve of her going. In the evening, I attended a School meeting at Military Hall at which there was appointed a committee to examine and find out what would probably be the expense of rebuilding or refitting buildings acquired for the primary departments of our present and more perfected plans of a graded school as is now contemplated. A paper by mail today for George which I remailed to him at 64 Prince Street, Brooklyn, New York. APRIL 14 SATURDAY - Pleasant until nearly at night when it clouded over and in the evening, it began to mist. No work in the shop. In the morning, I drove over to Philander Betts’ to try and sell my horse to him, but I did not see him. Bought 50 lbs. of corn and oats ground together for horse feed. Bought our first shad at 22 cents per pound. I rode up home just before tea and got a pair of pants which Father has been coloring for George. Before retiring, I made a bundle of them and directed it to send by express. I got my pair for a bushel of potatoes sold to an Irishman working for A. Hickok. Victor Benedict (our foreman) drew my money for me today and left it at Judd’s Store for me. APRIL 15 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. I went to Bethel this morning to get Lockwood (our chorister) in George’s place as he was obligated to go today, it being the last time. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School and the afternoon service. Brother Hill preached in the morning. A Mr. Birch from New Haven preached in the P.M. After tea, I wrote to George. Also ordered by letter of Carlton & Porter 6 more copies of Sunday School Advocates for 6 months from April 1st and 1 ½ dozen lessons for every Sunday in the year, 2nd Series, for the Sunday School; enclosed $3.06 - $2.16 for Lessons, 90 cents for Sunday School Advocates. Father Griswold preached in the evening. I harnessed the horse and drove down to the church. After meeting, I drove to Bethel with Mr. Lockwood. I returned home at about 10 o’clock. APRIL 16 MONDAY - Stormy. I had work nearly all day in the shop. In the evening I exchanged the castor I bought at auction March 29th for another which was more perfect. The one I returned was scratched. He is still here under Concert hall selling at auction every evening. Louise came down in the evening and stayed with the baby to let Gussie go over to Mrs. George Davis and make a shell frame. Mrs. Davis is showing her. The shells are from what George sent from the south while he was in the army in South Carolina and Florida. APRIL 17 TUESDAY - Pleasant but cooler. No work in the shop. I got out a part of my coal ashes and spread on apportion of my door yard and dug round some of my fruit trees. In the P.M., John Brayman worked for me at grading my front door yard and turfing the same. We took off the turf, carried away the soil, and then after grading, replaced the turf. We only about half finished the job, leaving the remainder for tomorrow or some other day. John stayed with us to tea. I let Mr. A. Judd take the horse to Bethel. He was gone until nearly night. I had a severe headache in the P.M. and in the evening. I worked, however with John, but in the evening, did not feel able to go into the street. So I sent to market by John, who was going down. Bell started for Stamford this morning. She took a bundle containing pants and a few other small things to express to George in Brooklyn from Stamford. APRIL 18 WEDNESDAY - It had some appearance of storm this morning and again in the evening, though I believe the sun shone a little in the middle of the day. I borrowed Alfred Gregory’s lumber wagon this morning and drew with Old Jim some muck from Father Griswold’s lot and manure from the barn. Just before noon, I went up to Daniel’s Nursery and got 70 Arbor vitae plants at 9 cents and Mr. Pond and myself set out a hedge between our yards. Sidney Miller came about noon to look at my horse, but did not buy. In the P.M., I went downtown and got $1.00 for the use of my horse yesterday. I went to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper. Mother came down and spent the afternoon and stayed to tea. I harnessed the horse and John Brayman drove up home with her. When he came back, we both drove over to Dr. Bulkeley’s to see if he wanted him to work for him tomorrow, but he was not home. John and myself went down to market together in the evening. I lent him a dollar. I called at Dr. Bulkeley’s office to consult about Gussie’s breasts which are very sore. She fears a “broken breast”. APRIL 19 THURSDAY - Pleasant and very warm for April. I worked around home at my strawberry bed until nearly noon when I harnessed and rode out to Mill Plain to try and sell the horse, wagon and harness to Frank Blissard who lives in the old Brown house just up the hill back of Birchard’s old place. I did not find him at home, but met him coming home as I returned. I returned home with him in order to let him see how Old Jim traveled. He was highly pleased with him and if he concludes to buy at all, he thinks he will take him. He is to let me know in a few days. As I returned home, I came by way of Dr. Bulkeley’s, where John Brayman was at work making a garden and brought him home. This was about 4 o’clock, he having made an additional hour and a half in the morning and at noon. After tea, I set out some new and removed some old rose bushes, shrubs, etc. for Gussie. We let Georgie run around the yard in the meantime, much to his amusement, it being the first time we have given him the chance to run loose out of doors. I, being tired and nearly exhausted, I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie got to market. APRIL 20 FRIDAY - Very warm again today. I went to the shop in the morning expecting work, but there was none. I came home and harnessed the horse and took Georgie and John Sharp (who is sick but able to be out a little) to ride by going up home to get a pair of George’s old army shoes to work in the garden with. I then drove down to the Post Office and the news Office for my paper, Harpers Weekly. Miss English, who is nursing Mrs. Swift, saw me and wanted me to bring Georgie up and let them see him. I did so and left him there while I went over to Crofut’s Feed Store to get some fed for the horse. It being very warm in the middle of the day, I stayed in a while and read my paper. I went out about 3 P.M. and took off a high place from my sidewalk to make it level for my fence, which I expect to set down lower tomorrow as I grade my yard down to the level of the walk. After tea, I borrowed Seth Down’s saddle and rode to market and to the Post Office. I got a letter for Gussie from Libbie Mead. APRIL 21 SATURDAY - Pleasant and very warm again. John Brayman and Patrick Quinn worked for me all day at taking up and putting down again my front fence and grading the yard. A thunder shower for the first time this spring about 5 P.M. John took dinner with us and stayed to tea, after which, I cut John’s hair for him. He helped me take care of the horse before he went home. Before going to market, I took a good bath down to my hips which made me feel like a new creature. John came along just before 8 o’clock and we went into the street together. As I went, I carried 18 Lesson Books down to the Sunday School Library for the use of the school which I ordered last Sunday and came yesterday. Also 6 Sunday School Advocates for new subscribers for the remaining half year. As I was too busy to go to the shop for my pay today, I gave my checks (only $3.00) to Ezra Abbott, whom I saw on the street this evening to have him draw it for me on Monday. While I was in the street, I called at Joseph Ives’ store and made arrangements with Edmund Allen to go to Bethel in the morning for our chorister, Ben Lockwood. APRIL 22 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. I went to Bethel for Mr. Lockwood this morning. Brother Hill being sick, a Mr. Trumble, an agent for the Sunday School State Convention, I believe, preached for him. Gussie, as usual, attended church in the morning. I went down at noon to Sunday School. The Union Sunday School Concert was held in the P.M. at the 1st Congregational Church. I went into, but being obliged to stand, I soon got tired and came home. After tea, I wrote to George in Brooklyn, enclosing 50 cents from Morgan Chittenden on a flour sifter. I also wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering 2 Sunday School Advocates and I Sunday School Journal for new subscribers from April to October. I included the money for them. I harnessed the horse before evening meeting time and drove down to the church and waited for Mr. Lockwood. He finally came with Edmund Allen and wife where he had been to tea. I started with him for Bethel immediately without going to the evening services. APRIL 23 MONDAY - Stormy. John and Patrick came in the morning to finish my job of grading and turfing, but the storm drove them off about 9 o’clock. I harnessed and went to Mr. Crofut’s for the steps I bought of him for my piazza. After dinner, Gussie went downtown to the dyers and at the same time ordered 5o lbs. of lead for me, corn and oats for the horse. When she returned, I went to the shop and got $3.00 which I should have drawn on Saturday when they paid off. From there, I went to the car shop at the depot and arranged to borrow a jack screw tomorrow with which to raise my piazza to repair the underpinning. I then went to the barber’s and got my hair cut;, called at Crofut’s Feed Store and paid for the horse feed which Gussie ordered and came home and washed my wagon. While Gussie was away this P.M., John came in and I paid him for Patrick’s day’s work on Saturday - $2.00. He let his day go on the Book Account which I have against him. He is about sick himself, so he stayed in this evening and let his wife, in company with mine, go to market. Gussie brought me a letter from George when she returned. He is doing very well in Brooklyn for a commencement, but he has been about sick during the past week with a severe cold. He has changed his boarding place form 64 Prince Street to 269 Gold Street with ____. It has rained all day with but very little intermission and in the evening, a hard thunder shower while Gussie and Susan were in the street. The wind changed just at night and about dusk, the moon shone brightly; also again after the shower about 10 o’clock. Before retiring, I commenced an answer to George’s letter. APRIL 24 TUESDAY - Neither pleasant nor stormy – wind, sunshine and showers. I fitted the steps I bought of Mr. Crofut in their place in the forenoon. At the same time, I raised the corner of the piazza and blocked it up. I did it with a jack screw borrowed of Mr. Bedient at the railroad car shop at the depot. In the P.M., I put in 18 apple grafts for Father Griswold and dug away the old walk in my yard, taking it down in the same places about a foot, the new grade and steps making it necessary. I quit this work early and harnessed the horse and took the jack screw home. After tea, I borrowed Seth Down’s saddle and rode down to see Victor Benedict (our foreman) to see if there would be work tomorrow. I was too late, he having gone uptown before I got there. So I rode back home and added to the letter I wrote to George last evening and enclosed a letter from C. + E. K. Lockwood from Norwalk with $2.00 enclosed for sifters George had sold him. I mailed the letter with the $2.00 and 50 cents from Morgan Chittenden enclosed – total, $2.50. I attended class in the evening, the first time since I was assigned to Charles Stevens’ class. Before I retired, I wrote a receipt to C + E.K. Lockwood for the $2.00 received today. APRIL 25 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant, but rather cool. I had work in the shop today which lasted until after 6 o’clock. I came home by way of the Jeffersonian Office and got my paper. I being very tired, stayed home in the evening and let Gussie go to market in company with John’s wife. I made her fill the lamps while Susan was waiting for her. I would give her no money until she did. After she returned, John came over and got instructions about working for me tomorrow. As I went to work in the morning, I mailed a receipt for George to C. + E. K. Lockwood in Norwalk for $2.00 received in full for flour sifters. APRIL 26 - THURSDAY - Cold and raw with several little snow squalls during the day and but little sunshine. John Brayman and Patrick Quinn worked for me again today. I made arrangements with the foreman at the shop (V. W. Benedict) to give me my work tomorrow and let me play today, or rather, stay at home and work with my hired help, there being but one day’s work in the shop for today and tomorrow. We complete the job of grading, turning, filling ditch in front, making a mound, and setting up piazza steps, also grading and trimming sidewalk in front. I paid Pat $2.00 when we finished for his day’s work and gave John credit on an old Book Account for his day. Horace Cable wants to buy a horse and came this A. M. to look at mine. It did not suit him. It was not heavy enough for him. I, being very tired at night, I stayed home and let Gussie go to market. Ellen Dare married today to Joe Dunning. APRIL 27 FRIDAY - Pleasant and cool, though a little warmer than yesterday. I worked in the shop today. After work and before tea, I rode over to Mill Plain to see Frank Blissard about buying my horse. He has not fully decided yet to buy, but I think he will and that I can sell to him. Received a letter from George and wrote an answer and enclosed $1.00 from Ed Allen, the balance of amount due George for bringing Ben Lockwood from Bethel all winter to sing for us on Sunday. As I went to market in the evening, I mailed the letter. The Bethel Military Company marched up from bethel about noon today. They took dinner at Beers’ Restaurant, paraded in the street, and about 5 o’clock, marched again for Bethel. APRIL 28 SATURDAY - Pleasant and a little warmer. I had work in the shop until just after dinner. As I came home, I got the Sunday School Advocates at Swift & Day’s. I cleaned pout the privy and mixed muck with it before I got my supper. Gussie has spent the afternoon up home on Deer Hill. Bell came down and stayed with the baby in the evening while Gussie and I went into the street. I got a letter from George by the evening mail. APRIL 29 SUNDAY - Pleasant but windy. Gussie went to church in the morning as usual. I went down to Sunday School Meeting (which was a prayer meeting) having commenced some time before I finished my work at the library, I did not go in but came home. After tea, I took the horse from the stable to the brook to drink and then tied him down in my yard to eat the fresh grass for a short time. I wrote a letter to George after tea, also to Carlton & Porter ordering class books for the Sunday School. As I went to church in the evening, I mailed the two letters I wrote. Joseph B. Wakely was in church and Brother Hill left the desk and went to him and finally persuaded him to preach for him. He preached an excellent sermon from the parable or narrative of the rich man in hell and the poor man in Abraham’s bosom. It was a thrilling and elegant discourse. I walked up from church with Robert Lee. Bell came in just at church time this evening. I walked down with her. APRIL 30 MONDAY - Pleasant, but still rather cool. I had work all day in the shop. While we were eating breakfast, Mr. Judd’s son came and wanted the horse for the day. I left my breakfast and harnessed for him. As I came from work this P.M., I called at the Express Office to ascertain what it would cost for George to express a carpet bag home with his clothes to be washed instead of $1.25 as he was told in Brooklyn. It will cost only 75 cents. I wrote him about it and enclosed a letter to him taken from the office for Willie Franklin (the name is one assumed by him in correspondence with a lady from West Chazy who wrote to him in the army in answer to an advertisement for a correspondent in the Waverly Magazine). Mr. Judd returned the horse a little before dark, when I took him and drove down to Crofut’s Feed Store for some ground corn and oats for the horse. I returned the bag and mailed the letter to George in the evening. Gussie went into the street in the evening to exchange a new hat she bought on Saturday evening and is not pleased with. Louise Vintz came in and stayed with Georgie while we both away.
1866-04
Horace Purdy Journal January 1868 Entry
19pgs
JANUARY 01 WEDNESDAY - I went to the Savings Bank in the morning and paid $48.00 interest for six months ending July 1, 1868 on $1,200. From there I went to the shop and took out some work. Then left it and borrowed Parmalee & Sherman's horse and went up home for Mother, Bell and Georgie, who went up home yesterday and brought them down to our house to eat turkey and stay overnight, Father being away on a visit to Ridgefield. Fanny and Louise were with us also as they were alone, Father and Mother Griswold being in New Haven on a visit to Harriet. It has been stormy, snow in the morning, rain later in the day. I went to church in the evening to attend a Special Teachers' Meeting, but there being but few present, no business was done. I mailed this evening a few circulars advertising the preservation of flowers with a few of my cards to James L. Maynard. JANUARY 02 THURSDAY - Pleasant; it has seemed like a spring day. I have worked in the shop. Mother and Bell stayed with us last night. As I came from work this P.M., I hired Mr. Beatty to take Mother home. I paid him 25 cents. I have been rather low spirited today in view of the hard times and my liabilities. I called at Benedict Brothers' Shoe Store and told them that I must have a little more time on what I owe them which was satisfactory. After tea, I went into the street and bought a diary of Mr. Swift, 50 cents. I talked to Mr. Potter about hiring George to drive his team and sell musical instruments for him. I mailed a letter to him about it, requesting him to meet me at the store on Saturday. JANUARY 03 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop today. I came home from work by way of the Jeffersonian Office to get my paper. William Hurd cashed my account for me before I left the shop - $10.00. I marked off the Sunday School Advocates in the evening. I stayed at home to let Gussie go with Louise up to George Davis'. JANUARY 04 SATURDAY - When we rose this morning, I found it snowing hard and two or more inches of it on the ground. I have been to New York. I had Josephine Dare's company from Bethel to the city. Her brother, Samuel, met her at 27th Street. Willie Hurd, Jr. was on the train with his sister and another lady friend on his way home from Danbury to Patterson. They took the 6th Avenue cars down with me. It has been misty most of the day here, while in New York, there has been no snow and a part of the day the sun shone. Soon after leaving Norwalk on my way home this evening, it began to snow again. As I left the cars on arriving home, it was snowing very fast. Gussie and Louise met me at the depot. George came down to the store to see me today about a position with J. M. Potter to drive a team on the road and sell melodeons, pianos, etc. He thinks of taking the situation if he and Mr. Potter can make a bargain. Before we retired, it cleared off finally and the stars shone brightly. JANUARY 05 SUNDAY - Good sleighing. Pleasant but cold. Gussie attended church in the morning and I went down to Sunday School when she returned from morning service. I stayed to Prayer Meeting in the P.M. Mrs. Holmes, our female superintendent, gave over to me $6.14 which she had collected to pay the expenses of our Christmas Exhibition. Bell was with us to tea. About 6 o'clock P.M., a fire broke out uptown. It was the dwelling in Franklin Street next to what was the old finishing shop on the corner of Main and Franklin Streets, owned by a Mr. Sturgis. Aunt Sally Hoyt and daughter Sarah Smith were living there. Sam Main and wife also boarded there. The house was not entirely burned down. Most of the things were got safely out except the clothing belonging to Mrs. Smith and her three children. It was about evening meeting time when I returned from the fire, but we stayed at home. JANUARY 06 MONDAY - Pleasant but cool. I went to the shop and finished off five hats which I had left over since last Friday. There being no more work, I came home before dinner. After dinner, I went into the street and went before the Board of Relief to swear off $1,100 which I owe Father Griswold. I then went to Brother Burch's and collected 75 cents which his boy Charlie took for tickets sold to the Christmas Exhibition. I then paid him $12.75 for candy which he bought for the cornucopias on that occasion. On my way home to dinner, I stopped at Foster's Carpenter Shop and collected $3.75 from Tim Foster for pictures and frames which I sold him ' Washington, Lincoln and Grant families. I took the train at 4:30 o'clock and went to Norwalk to see two undertakers there and arranged for flower preserving. I returned by the evening train. Paid printer for School printing - $6.50. JANUARY 07 THURSDAY - S. C. Holley's wool hat factory was burned this morning between 1 and 2 o'clock. I went to the fire. I have worked in the shop today. After work, I went up to see Father as he has worked for Holley and now will be out of work. Gussie having gone up before me, she got some pictures of Nellie Freeland for me to frame. I rode down home with Charles Starr. I went to a Hatters' Meeting at No. 2 Hose Company's room. I got excused early in the meeting and came home stopping at Flieg's Clothing Store to see if Theo Bradley wanted to go to New York with me in the morning; he thinks he will. When I came home, I went over to Mr. Pond's and he weighed out for me 26 lbs. of sugar at 15 cents per lb. with 2 percent added for expense of getting it here from New York. It came to $4.04. I paid him the 4 cents, leaving my indebtedness just four dollars. JANUARY 08 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy with a little snow early in the morning as I was going to the depot. I have been to New York. Theo Bradley has been down with me. I spent a good part of the day going around with him. We took dinner at the 'Savory Dining Room' in Fulton Street just out of Broadway. I framed three pictures (two of them in one frame) for Nellie Freeland and two very small ones for Gussie ' 'Christ Crowned With Thorns' and 'The Virgin Mary' colored in oil. Nellie's were Deacon Benjamin Ambler and wife in one frame and Hattie Gregory (as it were) and her husband, Mr. Craig both on one card in another. Theo and myself were about tired out when we got home. Daniel Starr had a son born to him last night at about 12 o'clock and died at birth. Mrs. Bradley and Gussie went up this evening to see Mrs. Starr and also to call in Stevens Street and see the remains of John Stone who died yesterday morning at 6 o'clock. Mr. Pond came in the evening to see if I had a new hat for him as he intends going to Boston tomorrow. I have not yet made the hat for him. Gussie went sleigh riding with 10 others with George Starr's team by invitation from him. He sent William A. Bouton, his hired man to drive. The load was made up of old maids and widows ' Emily Anderson, Paulina Pepper, Fanny Griswold, Mrs. Noah K. Barnum, Widow Hiram Cole, Mrs. Starr and others. JANUARY 09 THURSDAY - Sunshine; snow squalls and high wind in the P.M. with increasing cold. I have worked in the shop. I have worked as long as I could see, having yesterday's work and today's too to get off. Bell was with us to tea. I gave her Nellie Freeland's pictures which I framed for her. She took them with her to church in the evening and will take them with her up home after meeting. John Stone was buried this P.M. I went to market in the evening and found it to be very cold. JANUARY 10 FRIDAY - Very cold last night and today. I have worked in the shop. I stayed at home in the evening to let Gussie go into the street to market, etc. JANUARY 11 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warmer, though it is yet very cold. I have been to New York today. I saw Mr. Wing on the train this morning with a new washing machine. I brought one of them home to try. I tried today to find out which of my tenants over the store in New York it is that makes such a nuisance of the water closet but could not. Each denied it and charged the other with it. I threatened to turn out of doors the one who did it, if I could find out the guilty one provided it was not stopped. I brought 1 and a half yards of tracing cloth for drafting purposes to Morgan Chittenden from Burton's in 6th Avenue, between 4th and 5th Streets. Before retiring, I arranged a wash tub for the new washing machine preparatory to washing on Monday. JANUARY 12 SUNDAY - Pleasant but cold. Gussie went to church in the morning and came home at noon to let me go to Sunday School. I stayed to the Sacrament in the P.M. We stayed at home in the evening and retired early. JANUARY 13 MONDAY - Pleasant but very cold. The mercury stood at zero this morning. I have worked in the shop all day. Gussie tried her new washing machine, but before she had tried it long, a handkerchief got caught around one of the rollers and she, not being able to get it out again, abandoned it and did not on that account, give it a fair trial. A Sunday School Teachers' Meeting in the evening. I attended as usual, I being the Secretary. The voted to expend one hundred dollars for the new library books and appointed the preacher, Brother Burch and myself a committee to purchase them. They also voted to get up an oyster supper, the proceeds from which to be used in fitting up and furnishing the Librarian's Room. JANUARY 14 TUESDAY - Cold during the morning, but the weather moderated somewhat during the day. Cloudy in the after part of the day with strong indications of snow. I have worked in the shop. About 11 o'clock, Brother Burch and George Starr called at the shop to get the catalogue to the Sunday School Library. I gave Brother Burch the keys to the church and library and directions where he would find the catalogue. He went to New York this P.M. and I am to meet him at Tibbel's on Park Row about the middle of the day tomorrow to assist in spending $100 for library books. As I came home from work this evening, I called at the Parsonage for any keys which he left there for me. Father completed splitting Mr. Pond's wood today. He took dinner with Gussie. Bell came in as we were drinking tea and stayed until meeting time and went down with Gussie who went to market and I stayed at home. Bell came after meeting to stay overnight. About 8 in the evening, it began to snow. JANUARY 15 WEDNESDAY - Snow last night and this morning. It cleared off about noon. I have been to New York and with Brother Burch, bought Sunday School books at Tibbel's. I was busy until time to come home and then left Brother Burch to finish the job. I brought home an old door mat from the store. Bought 'Bullion's Latin Reader' for Charles Hodge. JANUARY 16 THURSDAY - Pleasant, excepting a short snow squall after dinner. I have worked in the shop. I took the Latin Reader to Charles Hodge at the shop and got 75 cents for it. Gussie washed some clothes for George today which I brought for New York yesterday. She took the up home and ironed them while Mother mended. She used the new washer and liked it better today. After tea, I went to market. Gussie went with me as far as the street and then went down Liberty Street to see Mrs. Bradley about going out to Mr. Reynold's tomorrow evening with the Sewing Society on a sleighing party to have a gathering there. JANUARY 17 FRIDAY - Pleasant but very cold in the morning. I have worked in the shop. I brought home a new hat for Mr. Pond. Brother Burch came home today. The Library books came also. He had them unpacked and his boys carried them into the Librarian's Room in the church. The Ladies' Aid Society meets this evening over to Brother Reynold's in Miry Brook. Brother Starr and Isaac Smith each furnished a double team. Avery Raymond supplies one single and Augustus Hoyt, two single teams. They were well filled and all hands started over there on a sleigh ride about 6 o'clock this evening. Gussie went with them. Georgie being sick with a head cold, I stayed with him at home. I went down, however, to the church (Louise at the time staying with Georgie) where they started from to see them off. I then called at D. B. Booth's office to see if the $100 bounty for George had come and found the check there waiting for him, it having come last Monday. I took it and am to take tomorrow to the city for his endorsement. JANUARY 18 SATURDAY - I have been to New York today. I took George's clean clothes down to him, but he not having made his appearance before I left to come home, I left the bounty check with William to have George endorse it when he did come. I cut down William's wages from $10 to $8 per week. Phillip Phillips had his new singing books that I have been waiting for so long, but I was at his place so late that I had no time to wait for them to be put up for me, so I came very reluctantly without them. I was sick with headache when I came home. Nelson Nickerson was on the train this evening on his way home from a coasting trip on the Southern Coast. He arrived in New York today by steamer from Charleston, South Carolina. JANUARY 19 SUNDAY 19 - Pleasant. Georgie being sick with a sore throat and a heavy cold and we both rose rather late. Gussie did not go to church at all today. I went down at noon to Sunday School and in the P.M., William Taylor, the Librarian and Fred Vintz, assisted by myself, put numbers on the backs of the old books and put them in the Library. In the evening, we met in the basement again and took a list of the new books and put into them what labels we had. JANUARY 20 MONDAY - Georgie, who yesterday and the day before was quite sick, is better today. He had no fever last night and today he was more like himself. I have worked in the shop until about 2 o'clock. Then, before coming home, went up to see Harriet at Mr. Townsend's to get a picture she wants framed, but Bell had been there for it and had taken it to my house. I fitted up a family group of Washington and gave to Robert. Bell came back from the street and took tea with us. Before and after tea, I worked at arranging the list of new Sunday School books in alphabetical order ready for entering them on the catalogue. When I completed it, I took the list down to the church and did some marketing. I received a letter from William, my man at the store, saying that H. D. Clark wanted a certain looking glass marked $35 for $27 and the same to remain on my $125 note due him next March. I replied before coming home. (I wrote in Swift's store and immediately mailed it) that $27 was too cheap on account, but that he could have it towards the note for $30. JANUARY 21 TUESDAY - A hard snowstorm. I was trouble so with headache last night and this morning, that I did not get up until breakfast was ready and did not go to the shop until after dinner. As I went, I mailed a letter to the store, directing William to send by return mail the $100 Bounty Check of George's which I left there on Saturday for George to endorse. As I came from work, I went to the Jeffersonian Office for 150 labels for Sunday School books which I ordered printed. When I got home, Father was at the house waiting for me to get the new washing machine for him. He wants to try it at Nellie Freeland's. After tea, I went down to the church per agreement with the Librarian to assist at putting labels on the books, etc. It cleared off so that the stars shone in the evening and grew colder. Georgie has evidently got the measles. JANUARY 22 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. In the evening, William H. Taylor, the Librarian, and I put numbers on the backs of the new Sunday School books. We worked until after 10 o'clock. JANUARY 23 THURSDAY - I have worked in the shop today. It commenced raining about 9 o'clock this A.M. and continued all day. As I came home from work, I took from the Office a letter from William with George's bounty check enclosed which I wrote for on Wednesday. I left it at the store last Saturday for George to endorse when he came down from Yonkers. I went down to the church in the evening and copied the numbers of the new Library books into the catalogue. I gave the bounty check to D. B. Booth to draw the money tomorrow. I wrote to George telling him that J. M. Potter would see him about selling instruments for him. I also wrote to Phillip Phillips to have him save me 35 of the Singing Pilgrim and Musical Leaves Combined and I will call for them Saturday. JANUARY 24 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. I worked in the shop. I went to D. B., Booth's office in the evening and got George's $100 bounty money, leaving $5.00 of it with Booth as a fee for collecting the same. Gussie then went with me to see the new Library books at the church. Before retiring, I completed copying in alphabetical order the new Sunday School books into the catalogue. Bell was with us to tea. JANUARY 25 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I have been to New York. I sent William out from the store with $90.00 with which to pay some bills and to buy some tea and coffee for me at the Great American Tea Company. He also bought a large slate and some small books which are calculated as helps to teachers for Mr. Pond. I brought home 35 of Phillips' singing books for the Sunday School. I had William come to the depot with me to help carry some of the packages and Mr. Pond met me here at the depot and assisted me. I also brought home for Harriet a pencil drawing which I framed for her. Gussie today took a letter from the Office for me from George. JANUARY 26 SUNDAY - Cloudy most of the day, although not unpleasant. I went down to the church between 9 and 10 o'clock with the Sunday School papers. I returned and let Gussie attend in the forenoon. I went down to Sunday School. The Librarian's Room is not yet fully furnished and completed though the center table chairs and carpet are there. The new Library books were given out today for the first time. I went to church in the evening. Brother Burch preached us a good sermon. JANUARY 27 MONDAY - Stormy. It has snowed more or less all day. I have worked in the shop. I went to Teachers' Meeting in the evening, it being a special one to make arrangements for an Oyster Super on February 5th. Before I retired, I copied the minutes of the meeting and drew up a notice of the supper for publication in the paper. January 28 TUESDAY - Cloudy. It has snowed more or less during the day. As I went to work in the morning, I left a notice of our proposed Oyster Supper at the Times Office for publication. I went over to Dr. Brown's to see Lizzie Hill and got some pictures of our church and parsonage and again this evening and got some more which I am to frame and offer for sale at the Oyster Supper next week. After tea, I went over to see George Starr about the money with which to pay for our new Sunday School books. I then went up to Mr. Townsend's and took Harriet's picture which I framed to her. From there, I went over home and got the washing machine as Gussie wants to use it tomorrow. JANUARY 29 WEDNESDAY - Stormy ' snow. As I went to the shop this morning, I left a notice of our proposed Oyster Supper next Wednesday evening at the Jeffersonian Office for publication. There being no work at the shop, I spent the forenoon in trying to get George W. Raymond to go to our church and cut a pipe hole in the chimney in the Librarian's Room, but did not get him. I saw Andrew Knox about doing a little graining the same room in a few days. Mr. Norris, the pianist who played for us at the Christmas Exhibition, came here with his bill which I paid. - $12.00. I dropped a note to George Starr with the bill enclosed requesting him to make up the $7.00 which it was more than we expected as it will ben needed to pay for our new library books. I also wrote to George, notifying him that J. M. Potter would call on him in Yonkers on Friday with the view of employing him to sell musical instruments. After tea, I went up to Mr. Rundle's to see George Mortimer, his son, and get $1.00 for exhibition tickets which he sold. I then went over and carried a Singing Pilgrim to Harriet Phillips. JANUARY 30 THURSDAY - Pleasant and mild after the snowstorm. I have worked in the shop. I came home feeling nearly sick. The German who disappeared last Monday was found in Turner Street. He was crazy. He seemed not to know where he had been or how long he had been gone. He is a hat maker and works for Henry Crofut. His name is Steiner. His wife, before he married her, lived with Father Griswold, a servant when they first came to Danbury when they resided in the old Parsonage. After tea, I shoveled the snow off the walk in front of my house and to Mr. Pond's gate. I then went into the street and to the church and opened the Infant Class money box and took from it $5.26 and put it into the Sunday School Treasury. I went into Prayer Meeting a few minutes before its close. JANUARY 31 FRIDAY - Pleasant but very cold last night and this morning. I have worked in the shop. Gussie went to the Sewing Society in the evening at Dr. Brown's. Louise stayed with Georgie while I went to the Society to get my key which I lent to Mrs. Holmes to clean the Librarian's Room. From there, I went over to the church and made a fire in the new stove in the Library to see if it would draw. Brother George Starr left a draft of $90.00 at the house for me today to take with me to New York tomorrow and put with other money from the treasury and pay N. Tibbels , 37 Park Row for the new Library books - $158.68.
1868-01
Horace Purdy Journal March 1868 Entry
9pgs
MARCH 01 SUNDAY - A pleasant lovely morning, but before night it snowed. Mother Griswold took care of Georgie in the forenoon to let Gussie and I attend church together. We both came home after Sunday School. I went to church in the evening. Gussie stayed at home. MARCH 02 MONDAY - A heavy and severe snowstorm. The wind has blown it into drifts. The storm lasted until about dark this evening. I have worked in the shop today until about 2 o'clock. MARCH 03 TUESDAY - Pleasant but very! very! cold. I have worked in the shop. I had the headache in the P.M. The papers this morning gave an account of the burning of the Barnum Museum between Spring and Prince Streets in New York. The fire broke out at 12 o'clock last night. MARCH 04 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant today. Very cold last night. I have been to New York today. Mrs. Minnerly came to the store this P.M. and bargained for the rooms over my store. MARCH 05 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I have worked in the shop. I went from work over to Mrs. Bradley's (where I found Gussie and Georgie) and took tea. After going home with them, I went into the street again to market. I went up on Balmforth Avenue to John Cosier's to get some money of him, but there being no one home, I returned home without seeing him. MARCH 06 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm, though in the morning it was pretty cold. The wind changed to the South in the P.M. I have worked in the shop all day. After tea, I went to market and up to John Cosier's to get $75.00 which he promised to lend me. He gave me a check for $100.00. I then called at Fred Bradley's Store and borrowed $25.00 until Monday on the strength of my pay due me tomorrow at the shop, which in my absence, William Carlton will draw for me. After returning from the street, I went up to see W. F. Olmstead, Treasurer of the Union Savings Bank and left with him a joint note signed by Father Griswold and myself for 6 months and $16.00 interest on the same, it being for $400.00 in renewal of the old one. I left them with Mr. Olmstead and tomorrow Gussie will go down and get the old note for me. MARCH 07 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. The snow has disappeared very fast. I have been to New York. The check John Cosier gave me last evening I could not get the money on in under 10 days. . Consequently, I made arrangements with H. D. Clark to let my note remain until next Wednesday when I would have the money for him. I did the same with my landlord, Mr. Young about my rent. I bought for Morgan Chittenden 3 dozen drafting nails (8 cents each); also for John Cosier 8 No. 2 Longking's Question Books for 15 cents each. Gussie went to the Union Savings Bank today and took up my old note of $400.00. I gave a new one last evening to the Treasurer, W.F. Olmstead and paid the interest of $4.00, the note being for 6 months at 8 %. My note in the Savings bank was only due today, but Olmstead drew the renewal note dated March 4th. Consequently, the three days grace which I paid for on the old one was not used and ought to be allowed on the new note without pay. MARCH 08 SUNDAY - A little rain in the morning, but the sun came out warm and the streets ran water. Gussie stayed at home during the day. I went to church in the morning. I came home after Sunday School and found Father at the house. George came also after the P.M. service and they both stayed to tea. At 5 o'clock, George and Gussie went to the 'Band of Hope' (Ed. Note: Band of Hope was a temperance society) and stayed to the evening meeting. I stayed home with Georgie. I wrote to William H. Raymond in Yonkers for what he owes me for picture frames - $9.25. George mailed it as he went to the Band of Hope. I also in the evening wrote a note to John Cosier requesting 30 days on the $100 I borrowed of him. MARCH 09 MONDAY - Pleasant and warm. The snow has wasted very fast. I have worked in the shop. As I went to work, I paid Fred Bradley (or his partner Randall) the $25 which I borrowed on Friday evening. He also cashed a check on the Danbury Bank for me of $100. After tea, I went to the Sunday School Teacher's Business Meeting. When I returned, I helped Mr. Pond make out his canvassing list of voters for the district given him. George and Bell called late. He took the washing machine home with him, I having sold it to Father. MARCH 10 TUESDAY - Father is 60 years old today. It did not freeze any last night and today has been pleasant and warm. I have worked in the shop. State election in New Hampshire today. I assisted Mr. Pond this morning and this evening to complete the canvass for voters in the immediate vicinity. We went to the Club Room together this evening to take his list of voters for the district assigned him. I paid Andrew Knox this P.M. $8.85, his bill for graining the Sunday School Librarian's room at the church. MARCH 11 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warm. I have been to New York today. I paid $75.00 on my note to H. D. Clark. William H. Raymond's son from Yonkers came to the store today and paid his bill of $9.25 for frames and cord. The election in New Hampshire yesterday resulted in an increased majority of Republicans over last year. Last year, it was 3,146; so near as ascertained, it will be about 3,300. There has been great rejoicing here today over the matter. Bells were ringing and cannon fired. After tea, I wrote a note to S. H. Burr, telling him where he can find Father Griswold this week. I took it up to A. Pulling's for him to leave in the ticket office in South Norwalk where Burr will call for it. MARCH 12 THURSDAY - It froze some last night; it, however, soon softened up again, though there has been no sun. It commenced raining this P.M. and continued during the day and evening though not hard. I have worked in the shop. As I came from work, I called at Mr. H. Griffin's to look at the large frames I made for him last summer. He complained to me today about their cracking. I found it to be so to my surprise. It is caused by the composition not being hard enough when they were gilded. After tea, I went to market. MARCH 13 FRIDAY - Rain a little in the morning. Cloudy through the day. Pleasant in the evening. I have worked in the shop. As I came from work, I stopped in the Union Savings Bank and took an order for 10 small frames from W. F. Olmstead. Gussie went to the Sewing Society in the evening at John Earl's. I went to the Post Office and home. I received a letter from Daniel at the store that last night an oil painting was stolen from the store. Mary Jane Dibble died today. Ex-governor, Joseph Hawley speaks this evening at Concert Hall, our first stump speaker to open the spring campaign. MARCH 14 SATURDAY - A lovely Spring day. Towards night, it became a little foggy and in the evening, it was cloudy. I have been to New York. I have an order on hand to put looking glasses in the show windows of a store in Grand Street, near Thompson Street. I have so much work at the store that I shall be compelled to go down again Monday morning. MARCH 15 SUNDAY - Another pleasant and warm day. George came this way to church this morning and Gussie walked down with him. She came home at noon and I went down to Sunday School. George came here to tea after meeting. Ellen Taylor came here about 5 o'clock with Cornelia Dibble, who brought a broken wreath and a cross of flowers (which were on her sister's coffin) for me to preserve, but upon naming the price, she took them home again to return with them if they concluded to have them done. I told her $40 for both including good and appropriate frames. She did not return with them. I went to church in the evening. Brother Burch preached. MARCH 16 MONDAY - Warm, cloudy and foggy until about 5 P.M. when it commenced raining. I have been to New York. I paid Mr. Young $50.00 for March rent today. I have been very busy making frames and fitting looking glasses in a pair of show windows for a German in Grand Street. I brought home with me two polished Wall 8x10 Ovals, one for George, the other being in exchange for Father Griswold, for one of the same, the gilding of which was bad. I also brought home the card photo of Mother which she gave me with a small frame to fit up for her. It rained hard all the evening. MARCH 17 TUESDAY - St. Patrick's Day. I have been to New York. I completed putting looking glass in the store show windows in Grand Street. William H. Clark called at the store to see the upper rooms for his son-in-law, Mr. Smith. I framed and brought home a picture for Eliza Hill. The Irish have been celebrating the day in New York. Pleasant in the middle of the day; foggy in the morning and evening. It commenced raining about 7 o'clock and continued during the evening. MARCH 18 WEDNESDAY - Rain last night; cloudy this morning, but no rain. It cleared off before noon and the remainder of the day has been fine. Before breakfast, I went over to Mr. McDonald's and ordered an instrument of steel to be made about 15 inches long for driving 'hold fasts' (Ed. Note: tool predating modern vises used to clamp items to work benches) in putting up Pier Glasses (Ed. Note: A pier glass is a mirror which is placed on a pier, i.e. a wall between two windows). I have been at the shop today. I sold 5 card photos at the shop. Before tea, I went for milk and the instrument I ordered to be made at McDonald's. On his way from work, George called for some iron grease. I went to the Post Office in the evening where William H. Hutchings gave me a letter in which was money to take tomorrow to his wife at 49 Charlton Street in New York City. MARCH 19 THURSDAY - It froze the ground last night. Cooler today. I have been to New York. I brought home 10 small frames for W. F. Olmstead. I tripped and fell coming up the stone steps outside the depot this evening. Brought some card photos to Joe Kyle. I got 7 lbs. more sugar of Mr. Pond in the evening. MARCH 20 FRIDAY - Cloudy but no storm. As I went to work this morning, I carried the 100 frames I made for Mr. Olmstead down to his office at the Union Savings Bank. I have worked in the shop. Having to wait for work in the morning, I went up to the bank and figured out the price of the frames and he paid me. I also took the measure for the glass. I disposed of 41 card pictures at the shop today at 5 cents each. Mr. Hurd cashed my account $19.00 as I shall not be there tomorrow in account of going to New York. After tea, I went to market and to the Post Office. Georgie went up to Father Purdy's yesterday to stay overnight. Bell came home with him this morning. MARCH 21 SATURDAY - A terrible snow and wind storm. I left home intending to go to New York, but when I got to the depot, I concluded to stay home, fearing the train would not be able to get through. I went to the shop, but it was so early that II returned home again with my satchel and then went to the shop and have done a day's work. Blowing sleet and snow has made it a severe storm though it has not been very cold. The morning train was about 1 ## hours behind time and about the same this evening. I went to market in the evening. I bought an oil stone for my tools at the store. MARCH 22 SUNDAY - The wind has blown but not as hard as yesterday. The sun has shone and the snow has wasted considerably. Gussie attended church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon and then went or started to go up to Richard Jones' funeral but met the procession this side. The service was held at the First Congregational Church at 2 o'clock. I did not go to the church but came home. Chain broke this morning and let the bucket into the bottom of the well. I last night wrote a note to William at the store. I added a little to it this evening and mailed it. I attended church I the evening. Brother Burch preached. The wife of Nathan Ferrell, the landlord at the Wooster House died today. MARCH 23 MONDAY - Pleasant and warm. I have worked in the shop. I intended to have gone to New York, but on request of Mr. Crofut, I stay to help get up 25 dozen Beaver Col. Spanish-shape Stiff Brim Hats. I today gave my name to George Quien to send to New Haven for a Soldiers' Memorial bearing an inscription of his name, Company, Regiment, etc., the same having been appropriated last year by the legislature. I came home from work very tired. Gussie went to market in the evening while I stayed home. MARCH 24 TUESDAY - Pleasant; I fished up the bucket this morning which was lost Sunday in the well. I worked in the shop until just after dinner and then came home and made a box for my oil stone and took the bucket over to Mr. McDonald's and had it mended. While at tea, George called for a cake of iron grease. I borrowed $20.00 of Joseph Allen for Mr. Pond until tomorrow. Gussie and Louise went to the dressmakers and up to see George Davis' wife in the evening. I locked the door leaving Georgie asleep and went to market. I called a few minutes at Concert Hall, where was being held a School meeting and then came home. MARCH 25 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant; have been to New York; came home with a sick headache and retired without eating anything. About 8 o'clock while I was in bed, Smith Ferrell came with a large cross and a wreath which was on his mother's coffin who was buried this P.M. MARCH 26 THURSDAY - Pleasant; I rose this morning feeling badly from having so severe an attack of headache last evening. I did not intend to go to New York again before Saturday, but on account of the wreath and cross was obliged to go. Not feeling well, I have done no work but sat quietly in the store. MARCH 27 FRIDAY - Pleasant; I have worked in the shop. I took some card pictures, some imperial size, also some small passe-partouts and sold a few of them. Bell took Georgie up home with her to stay all night. Gussie attended the Sewing Society at the parsonage in the evening. I went to the Post Office, but for some reason, the train was until after 9 o'clock getting in and I did not wait. A Republican meeting at Concert Hall this evening. (Later) The engine broke down near Kent Station. MARCH 28 SATURDAY - I have been to New York. I brought home a gift frame for George's discharge papers, also one of my plane irons to grind and one pound of black tea. I went to Tibbel's at 37 Park Row and bought 'Pilgrim's Progress' and 'The Pioneer Boy' (Lincoln) for George Starr which he deigns to put in the Sunday School Library. Before retiring, I wrote to William at the store to have him go out next Tuesday and get a job for making a frame. MARCH 29 SUNDAY - A beautiful day. George came over in the morning to have me cut his hair and father came over for the same after tea. I went to church in the morning, but was too late and did not go in to hear preaching, though Father Griswold preached. Gussie came down at noon with Georgie to Sunday School and stayed to Prayer meeting in the P.M. I came home and took a nap. Brother Webb from Collinsville preached in the evening. I attended. As I went, I mailed the letter I wrote last night to William at the store. MARCH 30 MONDAY - Pleasant; I have worked in the shop. I took the plane iron which I brought home from the store to the shop with me and ground it this noon. Bell came in in the evening and I sent George's discharge home with her, I having framed it for him. I went into the street this evening to pay Swertfager (Editor of Jeffersonian) for the first quarter for my advertisement, but found the office locked. I came home and wrote him a letter and enclosed $3.00 which I will carry or send to him tomorrow. MARCH 31 TUESDAY - Pleasant; I dug parsnips and vegetable oysters this morning. I mailed a letter to J. H. Swertfager, editor of the Jeffersonian, this morning with $3.00 enclosed for the first three months advertising of my flower preserving, etc. I requested him to stop my paper to reduce my indebtedness to him and also asked for more time in which to pay for printing circulars for which I owe him $12.00. I have worked in the shop. I called on Mr. Pond in the evening to notify him of the character of Fred Jennings and family who today have moved next to him. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to market.
1868-03