Horace Purdy Journal October 1869 Entry
7pgs
OCTOBER 01 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. I have used Harry Buckley's horse and Saul Barnum's wagon and been to Reuben Blackman's on top of the hill this side of and in view of Newtown and put in a spring bed. On my way over at Beaverbrook, I put one in for Eugene Jennings. From Newtown, I drove to Hawleyville and fed my horse, then through the village of Brookfield up to Lanesville where I put in a set of springs for Nelson Knowles that I have deferred since August 10th on account of smallpox at that place. I collected from James Knowles $3.00 balance due since that date for Cable & Purdy. I drove home in about an hour and a half from Lanesville, arriving about 6:30. I unharnessed and fed the horse again in Nelson Knowles' stable before starting for home. After tea, I went over to Aug. Kenner's and put in his springs which I delivered yesterday while they were at the fair in Norwalk. OCTOBER 02 SATURDAY - Lowery early in the morning. Pleasant in the middle of the day. Towards night, it clouded over and a little fine rain for a few moments. Clear and pleasant again in the evening. In the forenoon, I went up to E. S. Davis to get my model box repaired. I called at Mr. Crofut's shop and left the key to my drawer under my bench for Joe Kyle to take charge of in my absence. After dinner, I put a safety bar in Charlie's bedstead. I then went up to Benjamin Morris' to see a wreath they want to get preserved but found no one home. I came home and picked my pears and pulled my carrots. In the evening, I went into the street. I saw Joel Foster at the Caucus. He paid me $2.28 balance due on springs. I bought 2 quarts of sweet potatoes and came home. OCTOBER 03 SUNDAY - It has rained hard all day. None of us has been to church. It stopped raining just at night when Gussie went up on Deer Hill to Father's. She brought home a piece of mosquito netting that George wrote to have us bring down to him on Wednesday when we go to New York. OCTOBER 04 MONDAY - It commenced raining again about 2 o'clock this morning and rained very hard and steady until about 2 P.M. when it stopped, and the sun came out. It being Town Meeting Day, I went down in the forenoon and voted. I ordered 400 labels printed with the name 'Horace' printed on to paste over 'Hill' on my spring bed posters to make it read Horace Purdy instead of Hill & Purdy, Agents for New London and Windham Counties. In the P.M., I went down for them and in the P.M. and evening I pasted them on. Gussie went to market while I stayed home in the evening. Before retiring, I wrote to Twitchell that I expected to be in New Haven on Thursday morning when I would see him. After writing, I went over to Horace Cable's to carry a pair of sockets and screws for a spring bed for him to put into H. M. Senior's bed for a safety bar. It being about 10 o'clock, he was in bed. I did not disturb him but put them on the door sill so that he would see them when he opened the door in the morning. OCTOBER 05 TUESDAY - Pleasant but cool. In the morning, I took the train for Bethel and then collected from Adam C. Williams and A. Chichester pay for spring beds and then rode back to Danbury with the Col. (Chichester). I collected $6.50 from Mrs. Ford and $3.50 from Anna Eastwood leaving $3.00. After dinner, I rode over to the Fair Grounds with Harry Buckley to see Eugene Jennings about pay for a bed I put I for him. He promised to leave the $7.25 in Chichester's Store in White Street this evening. We then rode up to L. C. Fanton's to the cider mill. I collected $6.00 from him from Cable & Purdy. I took my black vest over to have Mrs. Cocking put in two watch pockets. I picked my sweet apples just at night. Bell being down here, she helped me carry them upstairs. I went into the street in the evening. Charles Hayes gave me a check for $25.00 for his last month's board. I got William G. Randall to cash it for me as Gussie wants to use the money in the morning to go away with. Before retiring, we packed a trunk and bags for going away in the morning. OCTOBER 06 WEDNESDAY - Started for New London and Windham Counties to see the Connecticut Spring Beds for Thomas E. Twitchell in New Haven. Gussie and Georgie with Louise Vintz started with me via New York. We took the steamboat 'Nelly White' from Norwalk; arrived in New York at the foot of Market Street about 11 o'clock. We all went to the St. Charles Hotel corner of Bleeker Street and Broadway to dinner. From there, we went to Central Park and spent the P.M. This was Louise's and my first visit to the park. We went from the Park to William Hayes, 415 Hudson Street to tea. I called as I went at 61 Carmine Street to see Henry Day but got no satisfaction about payment of his notes. We had a pleasant time at William's to tea, after which he went with us to Peck Slip to take the steamer “Elm City” for New Haven, the same that the 1st Connecticut Volunteers took from New York to New haven in 1861 when we returned from the three months campaign at Bull Run at the commencement of the late Southern Rebellion. George met me at the steamer and gave me $5.00 on account towards picture frames at Yonkers and at Ferguson's at No. 10 grove Street, which he sold for me when I was in business in New York. The steamer left at 11 P.M. OCTOBER 07 THURSDAY - The steamer arrived with us at New Haven at 4:15 this morning. We took a hack to E. B. Stevens at 92 Ward Street and took breakfast with him and Harriet. I soon went to 95 Orange Street at the corner of Chapel to see Mr. Twitchell. Mr. D. R. French, his old general agent for the beds was there. I paid Mr. Twitchell his last bill for beds, $29.00. I took the 10:45 train for New London. Gussie and Georgie took a train at the same time for Collinsville. I arrived in New London about 1 P.M. I took board at 28 ## State Street with a Mr. M. Moore who keeps a large but good boarding house. OCTOBER 08 FRIDAY - I spent the day in surveying my field of operations, putting up posters and showing my model. OCTOBER 09 SATURDAY - I canvassed for the beds. Saw the assistant assessor about a license. He says because I deliver the beds, it puts me down as a peddler and I must have a license. In the evening, I met Frank Trowbridge on State Street. I took a walk with him about the city and went to the 'Metropolitan', his hotel where I Left him and repaired to my boarding house. OCTOBER 10 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the morning. After breakfast, Frank Trowbridge and I had a man to row us across the Thames to Groton where we visited the tower erected in Memory of the massacre perpetrated by the traitor, Arnold, during our war with England, or rather in memory of the gallant dead who there fell in defense of Fort Griswold. We ascended to the top by means of winding stone stairs where we had a splendid view of New London and the Thames river above and below to its mouth. We visited old Fort Griswold and then returned to the city. After dinner, I went with Mr. E. S. Simpson, an old gentleman of about 60 years formerly of Danbury who boards with me at Moore's and visited Fort Trumble, a new work erected I believe about 15 years ago. It commenced raining before we returned and continued all evening. OCTOBER 11 MONDAY - Pleasant this morning. I have canvassed for the bed with a little more success today. OCTOBER 12 TUESDAY - Canvassed as usual for the bed. During the day, I visited Bosses Cracker Bakery on Water Street, also a Horse Nail Factory. In the evening, I called on a man in John Street about bed springs. I then took a walk with Mr. Simpson. OCTOBER 13 WEDNESDAY - A cold Morning. Canvassed as usual. Received a letter from Mr. Twitchell stating that upon consultation with the Internal Revenue Assessor in New Haven, I am required to take out a license to sell the spring beds upon the grounds that delivering them as I do, makes me a 4th class peddler subject to a $10.00 license. OCTOBER 14 THURSDAY - A little rain last evening. Pleasant and a little warmer today. Canvassed but took no orders. OCTOBER 15 FRIDAY - Canvassed but took not an order. It commenced raining in the evening. OCTOBER 16 SATURDAY - It rained all last night and this morning. It cleared away in the P.M. About 3 P.M., I took the ferry boat and went over to Groton and took an order from Mr. Budington and Mr. Kearns. Windy and cool. OCTOBER 17 SUNDAY - Attended M. E. Sunday School on Federal Street from 10:30 to noon. After dinner, I wrote to Gussie in Canton. Mr. E. S. Simpson, an old gentleman, a printer boarding where I do, went with me to M. E. Church in the evening. After meeting, we took a walk around the city awhile before retiring. OCTOBER 18 MONDAY - In the forenoon, I went to R. E. Burrow's Carpenter Shop, No. 2 Kellam Street and prepared a set of half circle blocks for Stephen Budington's round nail bedstead. I did but little canvassing and took no orders. I found one Henry M. Lester, a shoe dealer at No. 10 Main Street who has one of my pattern bedsprings which he bought in Boston during the Great Peace Jubilee last June; he likes it very much. OCTOBER 19 TUESDAY - A cool day. I canvassed in the forenoon. AT 2 P.M., John H. Sloan, son of Mrs. Moore, was buried. A Mr. Gomley, an Englishman boarding where I do hired a team with me and we rode in the procession. After the funeral, I went over to the Kerse Nail Factory and took 3 orders for bed springs. I went also to the tannery but sold none there. I went in the evening with Mr. Simson to the printing office and finally retired with the headache. OCTOBER 20 WEDNESDAY - The coldest day we have yet had. A heavy white frost and ice thick as glass. I wrote to Mr. Twitchell for a cut of the bed springs to use in printing 5,000 circulars I am about to have done. OCTOBER 21 THURSDAY - Received a letter from Mr. Twitchell saying that he yesterday shipped 8 beds to me. Received another after dinner in reply to one asking for a cut of the bed. OCTOBER 23 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I was disappointed in not finding my 8 beds at the depot this morning. In the P.M., I visited the New London Boiler and Engine Works. I then crossed over the New London and Northern Railroad Bridge over the cove to what they call the 'Neck' to canvass for my beds. OCTOBER 23 SATURDAY - After breakfast, I employed an expressman to deliver my beds (they are my first in New London). Three of them were for Groton, for Budington, Kearns, and Morgan. After dinner, it commenced raining and continued all the remainder of the day and evening. I got my beds all put in before night except for Mr. Crump's and he was not ready as he is moving and will not be settled for 2 or 3 days. OCTOBER 24 SUNDAY - Pleasant but cool. I attended Father Whitney's preaching in the P.M. at the Bethel ___. OCTOBER 25 MONDAY - Pleasant. Shoes mended at A. Stanley Smith, 54 State Street, and my headquarters for the bed springs. Called on my customers to see how the beds suited. Went to Groton in the P.M. to get B. Ellison's order. I wrote to Mr. Twitchell in the evening, ordering 10 more beds and enclosed a check for $30.05, the amount of the last bill for beds. I received the bed cut by express. OCTOBER 26 TUESDAY - Went down to the Pequot House (a summer resort near the mouth of the Thames) to see if I could arrange to put in spring beds for it next spring. Canvassing on my way back without any knowledge of the place, I got into a house of bad repute which I afterward learned was known as the Cottage by the Sea'. As soon as I saw the character of the place, I told short stories and retreated. I got 12 dozen cards, 8 ## x 12 with 'Orders for the Connecticut Spring Bed Received here' printed on them. I put one of them in A. Stanley Smith's Store Window at 54 State Street. I deposited in the Union Bank, $30.05 to meet the check I sent to Mr. Twitchell. OCTOBER 27 WEDNESDAY - First snowstorm. It snowed nearly all the forenoon quite hard making about 2 inches of snow. I looked after printing 5,000 circulars at Starr & Farnum's, corner of Main and State Streets. I took 3 bed spring orders before noon. In the evening, I folded, wrote across the ends, and filed away in a bill holder a lot of bills for A. Stanley Smith at his store. I then went down to Blinman Street with Mr. Simpson and helped him put up a bedstead preparatory to the arrival of his wife from New Jersey whom he expects tonight by New York steamer. I sat up with him until the arrival of the steamer at midnight to meet his wife. She came. I then left him to return to my boarding place at Mr. Moore's for the night. OCTOBER 28 THURSDAY - Cloudy and cold. I took and order for bed from D. B. Thurston, 56 Bank Street, ex-Governor of Rhode Island. I took 1,000 of the 5,000 circulars ordered from Starr & Farnum. I telegraphed to J. E. Chapman, 177 Grand Street not to send the large bed cut. I sent by mail a sample of my new circular to Mr. Twitchell. OCTOBER 29 FRIDAY - Warmer. I took 11 spring beds for the depot this morning, delivered and put them up before night. It commenced raining before night. I put in one for A. Stanley Smith and took tea with him. I wrote to T. E. Twitchell in the evening and enclosed a check for $41. 14 for the last lot of beds and enclosed the bill to be receipted. OCTOBER 30 SATURDAY - A little sunshine though cold and most of the day cloudy. I deposited in the Union Bank, $41.14 to meet check with. I canvassed a part of the day. I spent the evening in A. Stanley Smith's Shoe Store, writing for myself and helping him wait on customers. OCTOBER 31 SUNDAY - Pleasant but cool. A fire alarm last night at 1:30 o'clock. I turned out to see what I could, but the fire was extinguished so soon that no light was seen. I understood that it was in the Wilson Manufacturing Company, a foundry and iron-working establishment. This P.M., I attended M. E. Church. We had an excellent sermon from Mr. Cooper from Westerly Rhode Island, formerly preached here in New London. He preached another good one this evening. A young lady sat in the seat with me and offered me part of her hymn book. I accepted and sang with her. After dinner, I called on Mr. Simson in Blinman Street.
1869-10
Horace Purdy Journal December 1869 Entry
7pgs
DECEMBER 01 WEDNESDAY - I hired Mr. Stanton's horse again to get beds from the depot and go to Noank. Received a letter this evening from Gussie. DECEMBER 02 THURSDAY - I put in two beds for Mrs. I. D. Gates this morning. I mailed a check to T. E. Twitchell for $44.78. I wrote to Gussie and enclosed $5.00. It snowed a little in the evening. DECEMBER 03 FRIDAY - Finished up my bed business for the present in Mystic. Took in part pay from H. D. Chesbro two undershirts and two pair of drawers for $3.60. Took sample of grape pickers from Dennison & Packer. I left Mystic on the 4:15 train and arrived in New London about 5 o'clock. I took board at the old place for a few days at Moore's, 28 ## State Street. As I left Mystic, I received a letter from William Hayes saying that Henry Day had closed up in New York and had gone to New Jersey. DECEMBER 04 SATURDAY - New London. The coldest morning we have yet had. I have been around today to see some of my customers. I took an order for two more beds from William C. Crump, the lawyer, making now the third from him. Received a letter from Mr. Twitchell with the receipted bill enclosed for the last lot. I wrote to him ordering three more for here. I had my boots mended by A. Stanley Smith. Bought of him a pair of Arctic Rubber shoes for $2.50. DECEMBER 05 SUNDAY - At Mr. Moore's in New London. Rain and snow together most of the time during the day. I attended M. E. Sunday School n Federal Street in the morning. Before tea, I went with Mr. Smith (a boarder) to visit Fort Trumbull. After tea, I called on Mr. Simpson in Blinman Street. I wrote Gussie and to William Hayes. I attended Methodist prayer meeting in the evening. Five were forward for prayers. DECEMBER 06 MONDAY - In the morning, I got from Starr & Farnum another 1,000 circulars, packed my things, and took the 10:40 train for Norwich in a hard snowstorm. I found Mr. Ellis in his office at 134 Main Street. The P.M., I spent arranging for a headquarters which I did at George W. Kee's, 168 Main Street, a boot and shoe dealer. I then arranged for board by eating at the Breed Hall Dining Rooms kept by Bruce & Harris and sleeping with Mr. Ellis in his office. DECEMBER 07 TUESDAY - Pleasant and good sleighing, the first of the season. Commenced canvassing for my springs. While canvassing, I got into Mr. Linnell's insurance office, agent for New York Life. He wants to hire me on a salary to be agent for that company. I like the New Jersey Mutual better. He kept me over an hour; he seemed determined to have me. DECEMBER 08 WEDNESDAY - Cold this morning; sleighing excellent. H. L. Butts of the Chelsea File Works while looking at my model accidentally broke a slat. He made another for me. Received by the 4 P.M. mail, a letter from home. Also, one from Twitchell with a bill for three beds for New London. I answered Gussie and enclosed $10.00. DECEMBER 09 THURSDAY - Mercury 3 above zero; pleasant but cold. I took my first order here this morning from P. S. Thrasher. At 12:30, I took the train to New London to put in three beds, two for Crump and one for Coney; this I accomplished. I took an order for W. B. Tate before I could get out of town. I talked with J. D. Hoxie from New London about life insurance. DECEMBER 10 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I spent a part of the day canvassing for my beds. A Mr. Stewart, a life insurance agent, called on Mr. Ellis in his office today. I being in the office at the time was very much interested in the conversation which was on life insurance in general. I lent Mr. Ellis in the morning $1.00 to buy his breakfast with $5.00 again at noon to go to Mystic with where his family is boarding. Before going, he and I talked religion for a long time. I wrote to Mr. Twitchell and enclosed George W. Kee's check for $12.00 for three beds sent to New London. DECEMBER 11 SATURDAY - Pleasant and a little warmer. Measured a single bed for Mr. Keeps and a double one for Mr. Engler, a banker at the Waukegan Hotel. Received a letter from Gussie acknowledging the receipt of $10.00. I wrote to Mr. Twitchell ordering 4 beds for here and one to New London. I slept alone on Mr. Ellis' office last night. He returned this evening. After he returned, I took my old dirty thin underclothes, shoes, stock of New Jersey Mutual Life Insurance Company, documents) , Mr. Barnes (Ellis assistant in Life Insurance) etc. and made up a package and took them to the Adams Express Office to send them home. I paid 35 cents to send them. DECEMBER 12 SUNDAY - Warm and a little rain. Mr. Ellis and I had to wait until about 11 o'clock for our breakfast at Bruce & Harris' Dining Rooms. One of the proprietors was waiting for the other and vice versa and the result was that neither came until we sent for them. William Gardner (the artist in Mr. Ellis' office and a Mr. Cook with Ellis and I went for a sleigh ride down to Mohegan (the Indian Reserve) to Sunday School and evening meeting. Mr. Ellis is superintendent of the school. There are about in all 80 of the Mohegan tribe remaining, only 4 or 5 of them full bloods; the others are all half-breeds. Many of them ae good Christian people. They have a church and preacher (Mr. Muzzy) in part supported by the government. A schoolhouse also. There are between 2,000 and 3,000 acres in the reserve. To attend church and Sunday School among the Indians was very interesting to me. I talked to the school a little in the P.M. This was my first attempt at talking to a school. How well I made out I will leave to them to judge. About 40 rods from the church is the favorite spring where the old Indian Chief, Uncas, used to drink. Mr. Ellis and I took dinner with a half-breed whose wife and one daughter were good consistent members of the church. The sleighing grew beautifully less all day so that after the evening meeting, we went on bare ground a part of the way back to Norwich. DECEMBER 13 MONDAY - Warm with rain and sometimes sunshine during the day. The snow is fast disappearing. The choice between sleighs and wagons is now but slight. I this morning received a letter from T. E. Twitchell with a receipted bill enclosed for the last lot of beds. He is tomorrow or the next day coming on to see me. DECEMBER 14 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I took 4 bed orders today. Mr. Ellis went to Hartford this morning. I have had a hard headache. DECEMBER 15 WEDNESDAY - Mr. Twitchell arrived here on the 11:15 train. I met him at the Norwich & Worcester depot. He brought a few samples of door springs and 9 bill holders. I took them from him to sell. We put a spring on one door in the depot and one at the Police Headquarters. He took the 9:38 P.M. steamboat train to New York. DECEMBER 16 THURSDAY - I had 4 beds come on the freight train at 11 o'clock. I employed Mr. Sparks, an expressman to deliver them. After dinner, I put them in; these are my first in Norwich. I put a door spring on Col. McCord's Segar Store 103 Main Street. I worked a part of the P.M. in the rain. I lent Mr. Ellis $2.00 at teatime at Bruce & Harris' Dining Rooms to pay his bill for several meals there. DECEMBER 17 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. I have been to New London to put in William B. Tate's bed. He is a grocer on Bank Street. I lent Mr. Ellis $2.00 again. I bought ## ton of coal for him also, he being out of coal and money. I received a letter from D. R. French from Bridgeport, offering me a chance at Life Insurance in the Homeopathic Mutual Company of New York. Received a letter from Gussie. I answered it after tea and enclosed to her $5.00. While in New London, I put a door spring on for Mr. Moore for 28 ## State Street, my old boarding place. DECEMBER 18 SATURDAY - Mr. Ellis being in Mystic with his family, I stayed alone last night in his office. Raining this P.M. This evening, I mailed an order for 6 beds, enclosing last bill of $19.05 to be receipted and a check for $9.05 to balance the same. The check I bought of George Kees. DECEMBER 19 SUNDAY - Pleasant and cooler than yesterday. I retired alone last night but about 4 o'clock this morning, Mr. Ellis woke me by shaking the office door. He had just arrived from Mystic by the steamboat train from New London. I walked down to Mohegan today to attend Sunday School and evening prayer meeting. We took dinner with Mr. Aaron Rogers, a white man living near and a member of the Mohegan Church. He is a fine man and has an interesting family. His residence is located where one can overlook the city of New London about 8 miles distant. Midway between his house and the church is an old Indian fort of the Mohegan tribe. We walked from Mohegan to the city of Norwich in the evening in about an hour. Mr. Barnes (one of Ellis' agents) and I out walked Mr. Ellis coming home and left him on the road. DECEMBER 20 MONDAY - Pleasant. After breakfast George Barnes went with me up to Norwich Falls and showed me the chasm 30 feet across and 60 feet deep where the old Mohegan chief Uncas jumped across while pursuing Miantonomo, chief of the Narragansett. While jumping, Miantonomo broke his leg and was captured, so says tradition. I also visited Norwich cemetery. From there, I visited the enclosure on Sachem Street where is the Uncas monument, 17 feet high with simply the name 'Uncas' inscribed thereon. In the same enclosure are a number of stones representing the dead of Mohegan blood dating back as far as 1740. One singular epitaph reads as follows: 'Here lies Samuel Uncas, the second and beloved son of his father, John Uncas, who was the grandson of Uncas, Grand Sachem of the Mohegan, the darling of his mother being daughter of said Uncas, Grand Sachem. He died July 1st, 1741 in the 28th year of his age.' Another reads as follows on the opposite side of the enclosure: 'Pompeii Uncas, son of Benjamin and Ann Uncas of Mohegan Blood. Died May 1st, 174 - 0 21 years old. 'The above are verbatim as inscribed on the stones, some of them nearly obliterated but yet intelligible if carefully read. DECEMBER 21 TUESDAY - I spent the day selling door springs. I wrote to Gussie that I will be home on Christmas. I wrote also to D. R. French answering me a chance at life insurance by saying that I have taken an agency for the New Jersey Mutual. I sold a door spring at the American Hotel; also, one to Mr. Bruce of the Breed hall Dining Rooms. The spring was for his residence. DECEMBER 22 WEDNESDAY - Stormy all day. I collected for 3 door springs. I wrote to Mr. Twitchell that I expect to be in New Haven on my way home on Friday, P.M. on the Shoreline Express to New York and requested him to meet me at the train as I could not stop over. I arranged with George Kees for selling beds for me in my absence from Norwich perhaps until Spring. DECEMBER 23 THURSDAY - Pleasant. Mr. Ellis being in Mystic, I stayed alone last night in his office. I took the train about 9 A.M. for New London to put in two springs (which I expected were there for Charles Bell who lives below Fort Trumbull on the harbor road) and then returned to Norwich and put in six which I expected to be in Norwich by the morning freight train. I was disappointed to find that the springs had not yet arrived in New London. I stayed during the day to see if they would come by freight from New Haven due at 5 P.M. They arrived. I spent the evening in getting them away from the train, which was a special favor granted by the freight agent and putting in the two of Mr. Bell. I intercepted the from new London, took them from the freight and gave them to the Merchant's Union Express Company to take to Norwich early tomorrow morning, by which I saved about 2 ## hours though they cost me $3.00 expressage from New London to Norwich when 60 or 75 cents would have been all by freight. I succeeded by hard work and the assistance of Mr. Howard, a clerk at Mr. Kees, in getting them all put in before dinner, which enabled me to get away from Norwich by the 1:40 train to go home. The day was splendid and the trip home delightful. I sat in the seat with an agreeable Boston lady from New London to Norwalk. I expected to see Mr. Twitchell at the New Haven depot but did not. I arrived home at 7:30 P.M. Gussie met me at the depot. Lucius Wildman carried me and my baggage from Concert Hall to the corner of West and William Street. I returned to the church where the Sunday School was holding a festival after which we came home, it being rather late. (Ed. Note: no entry for December 24th) DECEMBER 25 SATURDAY - Christmas Day. I took a walk into the street before dinner. I called on Horace Cable at his home. Called also at Ambrose Hill's to see if he was home from Brooklyn. He was not. DECEMBER 26 SUNDAY - Stormy all day; did not go out. DECEMBER 27 MONDAY - Pleasant awhile in the morning, but it finally commenced raining. I called at Crofut's Shop. I mailed a letter to Twitchell informing him of my arrangement with George Kees for selling the spring beds in my absence. I enclosed a check in the Danbury Bank for $35.65 for the last beds received at New London and Norwich. I deposited the amount to meet it. George Purdy and Ambrose Hill came from Brooklyn, arriving on the 3:15 train. DECEMBER 28 TUESDAY - I bought a key for Father Griswold's barn and gave them. I spent a part of the A. M. talking life insurance. In the afternoon, I went over to Ambrose Hill's who came yesterday with George. DECEMBER 29 WEDNESDAY - I called at Crofut's shop again and talked with several on life insurance. The Sunday School officers and teachers and some of the older scholars made me a surprise party in the evening. They presented me with a splendid portable writing desk as a token of appreciation for services rendered in the Sunday School for a succession of years as Secretary and Treasurer. I served then about 10 years. The surprise was complete, and we had a good time. DECEMBER 30 THURSDAY - More pleasant today. Headache doubtless caused by being up late last night. Father Griswold lent me $32.44 for which I gave my note to pay the premium on Henry Day's life insurance policy, which I hold as security for $600.00. He owes me for the store and goods I sold him at 68 Carmine Street. He failing to pay it, I had to pay it in order to keep my security good. I called this evening to see Anna Hinman, who is not expected to live. She has typhoid fever. DECEMBER 31 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I made in the forenoon a clock shelf for George to take with him to Brooklyn. I also mended by putting in a new axle a small toy cart for Georgie. Ambrose Hill and I met D. R. French at the train at 10:15 A.M. He came from Bridgeport to see Ambrose and me about balance due him on old spring bed business. Ambrose paid him his amount due - $40.31. I can't pay mine yet. He also came to see me on life insurance. He wants me to take the agency on Homeopathic Mutual of New York. George took the noon train for New York. Charles Hayes and Theo Bradley took the 4:15 train for New York. Charles goes to keep New Year's and takes Theo with him. We ate New Year's dinner at Father Griswold. They have it today on account of him going away tomorrow. Mother and Bell, Hattie Mills and Emily Anderson were there. After dinner, I went over to Ambrose to see him and French. In the evening, he and French came over to see me and by arrangement, French will stop with me tonight.
1869-12-01