Horace Purdy Journal August 1864 Entry
9pgs
8/1 MONDAY - Charlie Parsons woke me this morning a little after 5 o'clock by coming down and shaking my door I immediately rose and after lighting my fire, took a walk with him down to the Wooster House took get a little spirits, he not yet feeling well. After breakfast, John Sharp came with his coach to carry him to the depot. I rode down with him and saw Charlie on the train and then started for the factory. The train passed the shop just as I got there. He signaled to me as he passed. Sharp carried us on West Street around Rabbit Hill for another passenger before going to the depot. The day has been very warm. I finished my work at the shop about 1 o'clock and then came home to dinner. In the P.M., I mailed a Tribune and a Waverly to George. Carried picture of Phil Parsons to Couch's to copy some card pictures from for Charles Parsons. I went to the Savings Bank and had the $20.00 I paid for the watch for George transferred from his book to mine. Also deposited a dollar for Eddie with his old book in his name, though he is dead. After tea, Gussie went with me down to market. We went into Deklyn's and took some cream. 8/2 TUESDAY - Very warm. We have suffered more with the heat in the shop than any day before. We were limited in our work today, but it was all I wanted for so warm a day, it lasted me until 5 o'clock. John Bush has lost his last and only child with Cholera Infantius. He has had six children; this one was about 20 months old. Cloudy just at night and before I retired, it began to mist a little with good prospects of a storm. I was so tired that I did not go out in the evening. I put some water in a tub and just before I retired I washed me all over. Bought 2 quarts of blackberries of Zarr (sp) Hack who came along peddling them just before dark. 8/3 WEDNESDAY - Stormy. No work in the shop. Between 9 and 11 o'clock, I went over to Mr. Lyne's and Robert and the boy Charles went over to Lake Kenosha fishing. I went with them. We fished until about nearly 7 P.M. Not very good luck. After tea, I went down to the Post Office and directly home again. John Brush's child was buried this P.M at 3 o'clock. 8/4 THURSDAY - Being very tired last night, I overslept this morning. I dressed my fish before breakfast. After breakfast, I pulled the weeds from my Tromp De Gard strawberry bed. National Fast Union Servicers in our church. Brother Hill preached the sermon from Zachariah 14:6-7. It was an excellent discourse for the occasion. The service commenced at 11 o'clock and closed about 1 0'clock. We had dinner about 3 o'clock. I went to market and to the Post Office in the evening. Robert went with me and carried some very fine tomatoes to the editor of the Jeffersonian. Perfected and free tomatoes, the nicest I ever saw, I think. I have felt dull with no ambition all day. I think I caught some cold yesterday while fishing. 8/5 FRIDAY - Rain in the afternoon though in the forenoon it had the appearance of clearing off. Limited in our work at the shop. Some of the men finished at noon, I worked until nearly night. I came home by way of Couch's Picture Gallery and got the card pictures of Philemon Parsons which his brother Charles directed me to have copied from a picture fanny had. He being at Hartford and drilling militia officers and expecting to return this way and get them. I went to market and the Post Office in the evening. Martha Whealon came to our folks (Griswolds) by the evening train to make a visit. She is from Brooklyn. 8/6 SATURDAY - Clouds and sunshine, at times appearance of more rain. I finished my work in the shop at noon, we having but a small allowance now. I picked up a damaged hat yesterday and finished it for my head, had it trimmed today and brought it home. Received a letter from George at noon. Commenced an answer in the P.M. Hoed in my garden. Harriet and Louise Jones called before tea, but could not stay. Gussie went with me downtown to market in the evening. We somewhat expected Charles Parsons in the evening, but he did not come. While in the street, Mr. Barnum hailed me about my application for a pension. The officers at the pension office wanting more particulars regarding my case, such as who attended me and how much, also what hospital I was in and the name of our camp. The name of the camp I gave, it was Camp McDowell. As for the hospital, I never went into one, but lay in my tent. The name of the surgeons I gave, but they never treated me for hernia, as I did not tell them the difficulty after I discovered what it was, knowing that medicine would do me no good. There is but little possibility of me getting the pension. Another town meeting this P.M. about filling our quota in order to evade the coming draft. A vote was passed instructing the selectmen to fill the quota of the town as best they can regardless of expense, no particular sum of money being appropriated. 8/7 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. Gussie attended church with me in the morning. Brother Breckinridge, the Bethel preacher, preached for us all day. Text in the morning was Malachi 4:2, in the P.M., Proverbs 4:12. 2 dozen new singing books, Chain and Shower were brought into the school today. John Comes went up for Mother at noon and brought her down for the afternoon service. Theo Lyon carried her home after meeting. Bell came home with us to tea. I got Mr. McDonald's horse and carriage after tea and carried Gussie and Bell up to the cemetery. I fund Edith Newman and Harriet Mills up there. After Gussie and Bell had rode around the cemetery, they got out at Eddie's grave and I took Edith and Hattie Mills in and drove around the grounds. I had to go up to Oil Mill Pond for the horse and back with him again after the ride. Before church this morning, I wrote to Charles Parsons in order to send the pictures to him of his brother Phil which I had copied for him while he was up to Hartford as he requested. But concluded to not mail it until tomorrow for fear that he may come here on his return from Hartford. We did not go to church in the evening. 8/8 MONDAY - Very smoky and warm. Half the men in the shop worked today and the other half works tomorrow. I worked today. The reason for this arrangement was that all the work was on one set of blocks, the 5 deeps. Not feeling very well, I was very tired when I finished my work. I came home by way of Dr. Rider's office and had him dig out an old root for me. I broke the tooth off even with the gum one day last week. He broke it, or rather crushed it in his instruments 3 different times. I finished my letter to George after tea and mailed it in the evening with one to Charles Parsons at West Point. I enclosed 2 card pictures of his brother Philemon which he wished me to have copied from one Fanny has. In fact, to send the pictures was the reason for me writing. I mailed also to George a Waverly. On my way home from the shop, I called at Alden G. Crosby's Coal Office and balanced my account for coal by paying $10.00. 8/9 TUESDAY - Pleasant. No work in the shop. I worked around home all day. Dug up my old strawberry.. (Ed. Note: breaks off here. Pages 78-79 are missing. Diary resumes at the end of 8/12) 8/12 FRIDAY - in the forenoon. The New York train ran off the track just this side of the city and consequently, it was 9 o'clock before we arrived in Danbury. I came home with the sick headache. 8/13 SATURDAY - Pleasant and very warm. We had 1 dozen each at the shop. After I finished mine, I took six from John W. Bussing at his request as he was to leave to go to Boston. I cut the vines from my strawberry plants leaving the new plants alone preparatory to transplanting. After tea, Robert helped me alter a cat for Mother Griswold. I took the two heaps of grass and piled it west of the woodhouse. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. Mrs. Stokes, sister to George Bevans died this morning. She gave birth to a pair of twins yesterday. One side of her has been for some time paralyzed. She was not expected to live through her confinement. 8/14 SUNDAY - A hard shower last night which has made the air more pure, though the day has been very warm. The sermon in the morning was to the Sabbath school children by our pastor, Brother Hill. Text was the middle clause of the third verse 15th chapter, 1st Corinthians 'Christ died for our sins.' Sunday school prayer meeting at noon at which Brother George Starr brought a fine picture of 'Christ Blessing the Little Children.' He exhibited and explained it to the schools. Sacrament in the P.M. I stayed, Gussie went home. The funeral of Mrs. Stokes was attended at 3 o'clock at the residence of Avery Raymond on Balmforth Avenue. After tea, Gussie and I walked up to the cemetery and put a bouquet on Eddie's grave. It was about dark when we returned. We did not go to church in the evening. 8/15 MONDAY - Pleasant and warm. A vote is to be cast today to see if the people will allow the soldiers in the field to vote. I went to the depot with Mother Whealon this morning. I introduced her to Daniel Mauly who was going to Bridgeport and he promised to put her on board of the New Haven train for New York. Carried my shoes to Charles Reed's to be mended. I left George's watch at the jeweler's to be brightened up as I think of sending it to him tomorrow by mail with a hat I am going to send. After I returned from the depot, I trimmed the edges of my door yard walks. I then took extracts from George's letter for publication and carried it to Ashley, editor of the Jeffersonian. Went down and voted and got home at noon. I found Harriet there to take dinner with us. She says Father is pretty sick. Mrs. Stone washed for us. After dinner, I went up home to see Father. He is better. I stayed until nearly 4 o'clock and came home and set out a new bed of the Tromp De Gard strawberries. I went into the street and to the Post Office. The vote allowing soldiers to vote stands. I put up a letter to mail to 200 Mulberry Street, New York for (Father Griswold). 8/16 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm. The letter I intended to mail to Father Griswold, I neglected and he came home on the morning train rather unexpectedly, so I gave him the letter h just as I had prepared it to mail. I spent nearly all the forenoon in mowing the grass and repairing the sidewalk I front of Father Griswold's and my premises. In the P.M., I put up a package for George containing a hat and his watch to send my mail. I also wrote him a letter and put up a Harper's Weekly to send. I went up home to see our folks. Father is improving, I think, but Mother is troubled again with her old difficulty in the region of the heart. I brought home some pears from Mrs. Peck's to stew. Bought 1 dozen eggs of Mother to assist them and bought a quart of molasses for them. Pulled up the weeds west of my woodhouse before tea, after which I went downtown to market and mailed the package to George along with a letter and a Harper's Weekly. I had the package registered, which cost me 20 cents. The postage was 45 cents, making full cost of sending 65 cents. 8/17 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy when I rose in the morning and began to rain about 8 o'clock. Previous to the rain, I dug what potatoes I had where I had set out cabbage and turnips, the chopped up some old pea brush in the wood house. I went to the Post Office when the mail came and rode back in the rain with Charles, the boy who lives with Mr. Lynes. After dinner, I cracked some walnuts and then went up to the Jeffersonian office to get the paper which Ashley sends to George and mail it myself to go by the afternoon mail in order to take the southern mail from New York tomorrow. If Ashley sent it with his other papers, he would not send it by this afternoon's mail, which was necessary to do or wait 8 days for another steamer. I sent with it a New York Daily Times. I went up home to see my folks who are sick and was caught in a shower coming home between 4 and 5 o'clock. I went to market and to class in the evening. There being but few there and Brother Hoyt being sick, Brother Hill led his class and we met with them. Widow White came to Father Griswold's in the evening from Newark, New Jersey. 8/18 THURSDAY - Clear and pleasant. I had 2 dozen hats to finish today. It lasted me until nearly night. After (tea?), Gussie went over to Mrs. Daniel Starr's to make a call and I went downtown and mailed a letter to E. Wing at West Goshen with $3.30 enclosed for a clothes dryer, the balance of the $5.00 ($1.50), I gave to Father Griswold at his (Wing's) request which he made by letter received today by Father Griswold. I met Gussie at J. M. Ives' store where we selected 18 fruit jars (glass) and ordered them brought up tomorrow. On our way home, we bought a lampshade at Charles Hull's. We took from Father Griswold's box a letter for Mrs. Marie White who is visiting there and brought it home to her. Father Griswold gave me a few Russell Seedling strawberry plants. I set them out before going downtown. 8/19 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Before breakfast, I got Alfred Gregory's team and went up home for a load of manure Father gave to me. I dug some of it in my new strawberry bed between the rows. After dinner, I pulled up my pea vines and carried away the brush and hoed my cabbages and turnips. Mr. Cocking brought me some Poorhouse Seedling strawberry plants. I put them out for the time being where I took away my pea vines. Gussie picked and stuffed her peppers. The glass fruit jars I engaged last night came this morning. I walked downtown with Mr. Cocking in the evening. Received a letter from George by the evening mail. Attended the (Union League?). 8/20 SATURDAY - Appearance of rain in the morning. I had one half day's work in the shop. In the P.M., I got my Wilson's Prolific strawberry plants from Father Griswold's and set them out temporarily until I get my ground ready for them. In the evening, Gussie went down to market with me. Harriet was with us to tea. 8/21 SUNDAY - Cloudy all day. Love feast in the morning at 9 o'clock. Brother Osborne, the presiding elder, was there. Gussie and I attended, but on account of me going to the shop for my umbrella which I left there yesterday, it was late when I got there. Brother Osborne preached in the morning form Exodus 20: last of 24th verse. Brother Lamon from the 27th Street Church, New York City, who is spending a few weeks up here and boarding with J. W. Nichols preached in the P.M. from Hebrew 4:15. Brother Lamon is a deaf man Brother Hill being sick, is not able to preach. It commenced raining a few minute after we returned from the afternoon services a little after 3 o'clock. After tea, Mr. Olmstead (who lives on Deer Hill where Mr. Huntington used to) came down to tell me that Mother was quite low that she had been sick all day. I went up immediately and found her better. From her telling, I think it was an attack of Cholera Morbus or Bilious Cholic. Father has not been so well today either. I stayed all the evening. I spent a little time up in Harriet's room with her and Miss Jones. Miss Jones was sitting in the room with Mother when I went up. She is a good girl. I returned home about 9 0'clock or a little later. 8/2 MONDAY - Cloudy and Sunshine and showers without thunder in the P.M. I had one half days' work in the shop. Burr Bradley came over after dinner and I gave him 100 Tromp De Gard strawberry plants. Harriet and Louise Jones came down in the forenoon and spent the day. We had water and citron melons for dessert at dinner. I picked my crabapples. Went into the street and engaged Parmelee and Bradley's horse and Brother Hill's carriage to carry Harriet, Louise and Gussie up to the cemetery after tea. We went and got in a shower while up there. Before taking the team home, I carried Harriet and Louise up home. Gussie rode up with them and called in a moment to see Mother. A hard shower again about 10 o'clock in the evening. 8/23 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I finished my work in the shop at noon. On my way home, I took a letter from the Post Office from George. When I got home, Bell was down to tell us that Aunt Ann was dead and would be buried tomorrow at 12 o'clock. And that Aunt Harriet Benjamin was sick with the same complaint, Dysentery. I tried to get McDonald's horse to attend the funeral, but could not. Jo. Kyle came for what strawberry plants I could spare. I helped him carry the up as far as the depot and then called at the Jeffersonian Office to give him some items from the 17th Regt. just received from George. I then called at the Post Office to get a Post Office way bill filled out which George had sent from the St. Augustine Post Office for that purpose. The last thing before coming home was to help Brother Hill wash his carriage which I used in the rain and mud last evening. After tea, I went up home to see if any of the family intended to go to Ridgefield to Aunt Ann's funeral tomorrow. Father and Mother are both too sick to go. I went to the store with Gussie in the evening to buy some cotton for a quilt. I looked around for a team with which to go to the funeral tomorrow. 8/24 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warm. I hired Mr. A. Judd's team and took Bell and went to Ridgefield to attend Aunt Ann's funeral at Uncle Joel's house. It was held at 12 o'clock. We brought Phebe Palmer home with us. Before taking the team home, I took Phebe and Bell up to the cemetery. I went to market in the evening and mailed a letter and Harper's Weekly to George. Before starting for Ridgefield, which was about 9 o'clock, I exchanged Judd's carriage for George Hoyt's, the tin peddler who boards across the street to Mr. Smith, his being lighter and nicer. I paid 2 extra for the carriage. Paid Judd $2.25 for his horse and carriage. Mother gave me 60 cents to help pay it if I would take Bell with me. Aunt Joanna (for this was her real name though she would never own the Jo) was 61 years, 4 months and 18 days old. Died Monday night 12 o'clock after two weeks severe sickness with dysentery. Mr. Clark, the Presbyterian minister, conducted the services at the house. Captain Ben Keeler, an old man across the street from Uncle Joel's was buried also a 2 o'clock. We started for home about 2 o'clock, arriving a few minutes before 5 P.M. Before taking home the team, I went up to the cemetery with Phebe and Bell and then carried Bell up home, Phebe riding up with us but returned with me to stay all night. Hattie Mills, Edith Newman and her brother Saul came up in the evening. I had a hard headache all the evening for riding all day in the sun. On my way for the horse in the morning, I carried a gallon of vinegar to the Post Office for Jo. Kyle. 8/25 THURSDAY - Pleasant. On my way to work, I called at Crofut's Feed Store to do an errand for Father Griswold. Bought a card picture of Mother at Couch's Gallery for Phebe. We had more work than usual today. It lasted until 3 o'clock. Gussie and Phebe went up home to spend the afternoon and I went up to tea. Hattie Mills went up with them. Mrs. Orin Bronson and Frank Boughton came up a little while. We had a good time. We came home about 8 o'clock and went down to the saloon for some ice cream. 8/26 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. Work in the shop lasted until about 2 o'clock. Phebe went up home in the forenoon to visit with our folks and returned with Bell about 4 o'clock. About 3 o'clock Robert came along with his horse and wagon to carry some tomatoes to the Wooster House and to get some lumber. I went down with him for the ride. Phebe stayed until after tea, when she went home with Bell to stay all night. I went up to Mr. Hurd's and got one Tromp De Gard strawberry plant to fill out my bed. Went to the store and to the Post Office in the evening. I went down and returned with Mr. Cocking. 8/27 SATURDAY - Rain between 5 and 6 in the morning. When I went for milk, I brought home Mr. McDonald's double barreled gun to take care of and keep in good order having the use of it for my trouble. I went down to the Jeffersonian Office after breakfast to help Ashley bind the historical sketches which he had been printing for George, but they not being pressed, I could not do it. I bought a coconut with the outer hard shell on just as they are picked from the tree. I bought for a curiosity as I had never before seen one like it. I spaded in some manure in between the rows of the upper part of my Tromp De Gard strawberry bed just before dinner. After dinner, I went into the street for some groceries and my paper, Harper's Weekly. I saw Uncle Edwin, who was to come for Phebe before he went home. She being up home on Deer Hill, I hastened back to tell her that Uncle Edwin would call for her at my house soon. She came down with me and found him waiting for her. After she had gone, I read my paper, took a nap and cracked some walnuts. The sun came out pleasant and warm after dinner. Harriet and Louise came and took tea with us after which we all went up to Mother Griswold's a few minutes. In the meantime, Hattie Mills called and after Harriet and Louise went home walked downtown with us as we went to market. The evening paper gives us news of another major battle on the Weldon Railroad near Petersburg, Va. General Hancock of our army was attacked by the rebels who tried to drive him for the railroad but was repulsed with great slaughter. 8/28 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I attended church in the morning and in the P.M Brother Hill preached from John 3rd 27th verse. George Andrews' son-in-law, Mr. Hull, preached in the P.M. from John 15:25. Gussie did not attend during the day. Mother was at church all day. She walked part of the way in the morning and Brother Lyon took her in and carried her the remainder. She went to Smith Barnum's at noon and came home with me to tea. After tea, Gussie and I went with her up home. We spent the evening up there and sang with Miss Louise Jones. 8/29 MONDAY - Eddie's birthday, had he lived. He would have been three years old. Pleasant and more like fall. I had Mr. McDonald put a hoop on our large washtub before breakfast. I finished my work at the shop at noon. I ate my dinner and spent the P.M. at the Jeffersonian Office binding the historical sketches that I have been having printed for George at his request. They are sketches and incidents pertaining to the early settlement of St. Augustine, Fla. In the evening, Gussie went over to Mrs. Daniel Starr and I went into the street to the Post Office. 8/30 TUESDAY - Pleasant, but cool night and morning. I had work in the shop nearly all day. Bell came down for my carpet bag for Harriet who thinks of going to Stamford to make a visit. She stayed to tea. I went to the Post Office in the evening and while there, Mr. H. Griffing asked me about Father saying that he owed him about $10.00 for coal since the winter of 1860. I engaged John Sharp to come to Father Griswold's tomorrow morning for Fannie, Hattie and Mrs. Widow White who are going to Camp Meeting at Milford. Anna Purdy was married today to Henry Hinman. They went over to Sodom with her folks to Cousin Roxanna's where the marriage took place. They all returned home in the evening. Gussie spent the evening over there. 8/31 WEDNESDAY - I commenced mowing my dooryard last night and finished it this morning. My work lasted until about the middle of the P.M. I then came home and raked up my grass. By telegraph this afternoon and the evening paper, news of the nomination of George B. McClellan for president by the Democratic Convention at Chicago. I went to market and mailed 525 Pamphlets (?) and Harper's Weekly with a Jeffersonian to George in the evening. Gussie spent the evening over to Aunt Louisa's again. I went over to come home with her.
1864-08
Horace Purdy Journal August 1868 Entry
8pgs
AUGUST 01 SATURDAY - Pleasant and hot. I have been to New York. Dr. Brown's wife went down with me and stopped at Mr. Ryfield's at 44 Downing Street. Levi Wildman called at the store, also James Fanning. A heavy shower on my way home from Stamford nearly to Danbury. AUGUST 02 SUNDAY - Pleasant. George and I went over to the Oil Mill Pond to wash after breakfast. It has been warm. I went down to Sunday School at noon and came home again at its close. We had a hard thunder shower about 6 P.M. I called at Mr. Pond's early in the evening. The meeting was held in the basement today on account of painting, repairs, etc. going on upstairs. AUGUST 03 MONDAY - Pleasant and hot. I dug out worms from my apple trees in my yard before breakfast. I have worked in the shop. A moonlight excursion on the steamer 'Nelly White' on Long Island Sound this evening. An excursion train left here for Norwalk about 6 P.M. After tea, I went up to see Mr. Jackson to see about my pay for looking glass frames. He promises it tomorrow. I then went to market. AUGUST 04 TUESDAY - A hard thunder shower this morning. George went on the moonlight excursion last night. He got home between 3 and 4 o'clock this morning. The door being locked, he could not get in, so he went in Father Griswold's barn and took a nap until morning. I got don work in the shop before dinner. As I came home, I called and settled my old account with O. H. Swift in exchange of frames and molding, etc. between us. I owed him $1.25 I mowed a part of my dooryard this P.M. In the evening, I got my pay from F. G. Jackson for looking glass frames - $17.00. He left it at the Post Office for me. Mr. Sherman put up some cabbage (which Gussie bought) as he came from the store tonight. I bought a half gallon measure for Mr. Pond to measure kerosene oil in. He gave me credit on it for what I owe him. Before retiring, we sealed up 10 cups of currant jelly. AUGUST 05 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy in the morning with the appearance of rain. I trimmed with a scythe where I mowed last night before breakfast. I have been to New York. The sun shone in the P.M. I took dinner with William Hayes at No. 16 Bedford Street. I paid store rent to Mr. Young. It rained very hard when we retired for the night. AUGUST 06 THURSDAY - This morning was lovely. The sun shone brightly for an hour or two. I raked off my yard before breakfast where I mowed it on Tuesday. I have worked in the shop. Mrs. Haviland living in the house with Mr. Richards was buried this P.M. AUGUST 07 FRIDAY - I worked at digging up plantains in my yard before breakfast and again as long as I could see at night. I have worked in the shop. A thunder shower about 5 P.M. Gussie went to the market in the evening while I stayed at home. William Carlson cashed my account at the shop - $15.00 - before I came home as I shall be in New York tomorrow and cannot draw my pay myself. AUGUST 08 SATURDAY - Showery. While in New York, we had a heavy thunder shower. The Liberty Pole at the corner of Carmine and Bedford was struck by lightning and the upper half shattered at 2:30 o'clock. I priced marble mantels for Oscar Serine near the junction of 6th Avenue and Broadway. AUGUST 09 SUNDAY - George and I went over to the pond to wash before breakfast. I went to church in the morning. Mr. Kearn from New Fairfield preached. Gussie came down to Sunday School with Georgie at noon. After school, I came home with him, leaving her to stay in the P.M. The collection made by the children for the National Orphan Homestead at Gettysburg was handed in. The amount so far handed in was $53.89. After tea, we took a walk with Georgie up to Serine's new house. A thunder shower about 6 P.M., though the rain was not very heavy here. AUGUST 10 MONDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop today. I went to Teachers' Meeting in the evening at which the Infant Class money box was opened and I brought home a portion of the money. AUGUST 11 TUESDAY - Showery. I have worked in the shop. Before tea, I made a strawberry bed. After tea, I finished setting out the plants. I then went into the street to the Post Office and returned early but tired. I bought a new grate for our Opal Range of Joseph W. Ives. Gussie got Mrs. Bradley to go with her this P.M. and got a tooth extracted. AUGUST 12 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and cool. I have worked in the shop. After tea, I went to market. I engaged my winter's coal this evening of Charles Griffing, 5 tons at $9.75. AUGUST 13 THURSDAY - Pleasant but cool. I have worked in the shop hard all day. This is brother George's birthday. AUGUST 14 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Worked ## day in the shop. A 'Clam Bake' in the P.M. at 3 o'clock at the river bank in the rear of Joseph Kyle's. It was by the shopmen to spend over $3.00 fine money in the shop. We had a very pleasant time. An adjourned Sunday School Teachers' Meeting this evening in regard to a picnic which was voted for on Monday evening. On account of expense, the vote was reconsidered and lost. AUGUST 15 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I have been to New York. I took with me and framed and brought back with me this evening a Soldier's Testimonial for Cyrus A. White and two more pictures, same size ' 'Heroes Dead' and 'Brave and True' groups for Mr. Frank Page. AUGUST 16 SUNDAY - A small shower early this morning. After breakfast, George and I went over to Oil Mill Pond to wash. Mr. Vincent, the great Sunday School man, has been with us today. He preached in the morning, talked to the school at noon and lectured the several schools in our church in the P.M. After tea, Gussie, Georgie and I took a walk to George Starr's to give him the $53.89 collected by the children for the National Orphan's Homestead in Gettysburg, Pa. AUGUST 17 MONDAY - Cool but pleasant. I have worked in the shop. Deborah Merritt with Bell was here to tea. I went over to Cyrus White's in the evening with his testimonial which I framed for him. AUGUST 18 TUESDAY - Muggy and warmer than yesterday. I have worked in the shop. Martin Foster came to the shop to see me about preserving a cross, I believe from a friend's coffin in Ridgefield in memory I believe connected with John Rockwell who sent the flowers to me. Upon naming the price, he was in doubt about what to do. He promised to bring it to me this evening if they concluded to have it done. I brought home a new black soft hat for Mr. Pond. After tea, I dug a place for another strawberry bed. AUGUST 19 WEDNESDAY - Warmer than for some time past. Before breakfast, I set out a bed of strawberry plants. I have worked in the shop. Received a bill of $1.65 from Hull & Rogers for tin conductor. Mother and Father Griswold came down in the evening and sat awhile. AUGUST 20 THURSDAY - Hot and muggy again today. A special hatters' meeting last evening about consolidation of the Fair independent Societies. They did not consolidate but adjourned until next Tuesday evening when the matter will again be brought up for final action. A heavy thunder shower about noon. I went to market in the evening. AUGUST 21 FRIDAY - Pleasant. On account of a bad color of hats, our work in the shop was stopped before dinner. William Carlson cashed my account for me for $23.00. In the P.M., I paid my bill at Hull & Rogers - $1.65. It was contracted last November. I also paid $8.00 to Henry Williams, Danbury & Norwalk Railroad, for commutation during September. AUGUST 22 SATURDAY - A beautiful day; have been to New York. Father Griswold went down this morning also. I went to Carlton's Book Publisher at 699 Broadway for Wallace Pine. I went also to Phillip Phillips for 3 'Singing Pilgrims and Musical Leaves Combined' for members of the Sunday School. I framed and brought home with me a picture for Frank Page, 'Heroic Dead', 16x20, two inch walnut and gilt. James Wood (clock dealer) from No. 5 Courtland Street called to see me at the store. AUGUST 23 SUNDAY - I attended church in the morning. Gussie came down at noon to Sunday School with Georgie. I came home with him after school. The awards to the children for collections for the Gettysburg Orphan Asylum were distributed this noon. After tea, Gussie, Georgie and I took a walk around the square West, Division, Wooster and Deer Hill Streets. AUGUST 24 MONDAY - I have worked hard in the shop; came home late. Feeling tired, I stayed at home in the evening. Gussie bought 10 bushels of charcoal. AUGUST 25 TUESDAY - Worked in the shop Adjourned special meeting this evening to investigate the case John Clark, Walter Signor and Saul Brockett. Signor was granted a card, but Clark and Brockett were rejected. Consolidation was disposed of by laying the motion on the table. While at the meeting, John Morris gave me a picture of his wife's daughter to frame for him in 8x10 polished walnut. AUGUST 26 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer. Have worked in the shop. In the P.M., a fine Liberty Pole was raised by the Democrats in the street near the Wooster House. Mr. Fowler's boy, Frank, came in while we were at tea with butter for Mother Griswold. They being away, we are taking it in their stead. I wrote to William at the store. Gussie mailed it in the evening. AUGUST 27 THURSDAY - Worked in the shop; headache all day. George Foote, for a wager of $1.50, walked up to the depot, down Main and Liberty while wearing an old caved-in silk hat. Two large placards with the names of candidates for President on them of each political party ' Grant & Colfax and Seymour & Blair. The Republican candidates, Grant & Colfax on his shoulders and the other Democratic, beneath his shirttail which was a very long one made of two kinds of calico (shop shirt) hung outside. He did it in 7 minutes including a stop for a drink. Gussie and Louise Vintz, another Griswold girl (who is staying with us now while they are away on a visit to Hartford County) have been up to George Davis' to spend the day. Georgie went up to Mother Purdy's yesterday where he still is. George, not having any work, went to Norwalk on the noon train to stay over tomorrow at the reunion of his old regiment, the 17th. AUGUST 28 FRIDAY - Gussie went to Norwalk this morning to act as lady for George at the reunion. I have worked in the shop. Edward Dickenson was this morning found dead near the junction of Main and Town Hill Streets, supposed to have been murdered. He was intoxicated when last seen about midnight. A post-mortem examination found that he died in a fit. Many think, however, that he was murdered by one called Bully Townsend, a desperate character seen last with him. George Foote after the wager yesterday was drunk the remainder of the day. He cried off the shop this morning, but I persuaded him to try and return again which he did and was shopped. Cyrus White cashed my account as I intend to go to New York tomorrow. AUGUST 29 SATURDAY - Shower early this morning. I have been to New York. I framed for the Sunday School a certificate of shareholder in the Gettysburg Orphan Asylum for soldiers and sailors of the war. Also a photo for John Morris ' 8x10 oval, polished walnut. A Democratic banner raising at the Wooster House. Philander Comstock's horse ran with his daughter, Lois. She was thrown from the carriage and picked up insensible. Her life is despaired of. She was reported dead once today, but this is not so. John Smith, an unprincipled Democrat, abused Saul G. Bailey this evening in a shameful manner. Captain Bailey could stand it no longer and gave him a beating up. AUGUST 30 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. Before breakfast, I went down to the church with the certificate I framed and hung it in the Sunday School room. It was sent to the school for contributions made in the amount of $58.85. George and I went to Oil Mill Pond to wash after breakfast. I attended church in the morning. Our chorister, Benjamin Lockwood, came home with me to tea. We went over to Mr. Pond's and had a sing, Mrs. Pond playing the piano. AUGUST 31 MONDAY - A shower at noon. Another just at night and in the evening. I have worked in the shop. Wrote to William before I retired.
1868-08
Horace Purdy Journal December 1866 Entry
12pgs
DEC 01 SATURDAY - Pleasant but a little cooler. I worked around home today, sorted my apples in Father Griswold’s barn and brought them down into my cellar. Weeded out my strawberry beds and spread manure over them. I took down Mother Griswold’s kitchen stove pipe and cleaned it for her. Went up home and got a ½ bushel of French turnips of Father Griswold and brought them home just before tea. He was sick yesterday, but is better today. Georgie has been up home since Thanksgiving and just after dinner today, Bell came home with him. I carried Henry Blair’s gun home in the evening and made new arrangements to keep Bird, his dog. I went to market in the evening and bought a dog chain I borrowed of Charles Hull. DEC 02 SUNDAY - A cold morning though pleasant. It thawed some in the sun in the middle of the day. Before breakfast, I went up home and carried a little tea and coffee to see Mother who was sick last night. She was no better, getting but little rest last night. Gussie attended church as usual in the morning and I to Sunday School at noon and to prayer meeting in the P.M. After tea, I took a walk over to see Robert Cocking and then called at Harriet Phillips and got $1.50 for a book she wants me to send to New York for – “Women of Methodism” by Abel Stevens, LLD. Also $25 to get a Centennial Illustrated paper for her. She at the same time paid me for the Sunday School Advocate and the Sunday School Journal. Before evening meeting, I wrote to N. Tibbel for the book and paper. Also a short letter to George telling him of the bundle of good things and the letter and bounty papers sent to him yesterday by Sherman Smith. Also telling him that Bell is to be baptized this evening at the Baptist Church. Gussie is nearly sick with a head cold. DEC 03 MONDAY - Pleasant . Before breakfast, I went over to Mr. Bell’s to engage him to come and work a day for Father Griswold. No work in the shop. I went hunting and got two quails. When I got home, I had a hard headache. Before tea, I went over to Mrs. Blair’s and got a 3 quart pail full of leavings and scrapings for Bird. I gave then to him for his supper. I stayed at home in the evening to let Gussie go to the milliner’s with the baby’s hat and to go to market. Bell was baptized last evening in the Baptist Church. Mr. Cocking paid me $3.00 rent money this morning when I stopped at his place as I went hunting, the four months past having been paid with a ton of coal which I took from him. By the evening mail, I received a letter from George; Gussie brought it. DEC 04 TUESDAY - No work in the shop. It commenced raining about 10 A.M. I commenced to cover my strawberry plants before the rain and got quite wet before I finished it. I copied the constitution and by-laws of the M. E. Sunday School from an old record book into a new one. I went to the Post Office in the evening, but before going, Robert Dunning called to enquire about the place where Epephas Widman lives. He supposed that Father Griswold owned it. He is contemplating buying it. DEC 05 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and remarkably warm for December. I made a box for a mortar bend then made some mortar and painted around my back chimney and the inside cellar door; it took me all day. Before tea, I went to market and bought a beaver pluck for the dog. I also went over to Mrs. Blair’s and got some leavings for him. I received the book and Centennial paper by mail for Harriet Phillips and carried them over as I went to Mrs. Blair’s for the remnants she had saved for Bird. Mrs. Pond called on Gussie this P.M. DEC 06 THURSDAY - Pleasant until just at night when it threatened rain, which it commenced to do in the evening. I went hunting and returned before 3 and 4 o’clock. I went to Terry’s Woods and Mill Plain Swamp; followed the Miry Brook Swamp across Wallingford Road down to Wolf Pond and returned. I got only two quails. I went to market in the evening for Mother Griswold and received a letter from George inquiring whether he could get trusted here for a pair of boots. I called at Charles Reed’s before I came home to see about it. He does not like to trust these times but says he will accommodate George. Gussie went to the milliner’s this P.M. for a new hat for Georgie which is made of an old silk hat cover. Before retiring, I commenced a reply to George’s letter. DEC 07 FRIDAY - I was surprised this morning to find it pleasant. It has been a beautiful warm day. Sidney Grannis and I went on the top of Mt. Thomas. I took a hatchet and cut 8 poles for Mr. Pond and myself. I took my gun but found no game. I bought a pair of boots on credit for George at D. & M. Benedict’s. I did them up with 2 pairs of socks and took them over to Mr. Fanton’s. He will take them to New York tomorrow. I went into the street this evening and did some marketing, waited for the mail and then came home. Letter to George by the P.M. mail about sending the boots. DEC 08 SATURDAY - I rose at 5 o’clock and went with Mr. Pond down to Mt. Tom and got the 8 poles I cut yesterday with Sidney Grannis. We returned about 7 o’clock and found breakfast waiting for us with we ate with relish after our morning jaunt. I emptied and cleaned my pork barrel in the forenoon. In the P.M., I took my gun locks apart and repaired and cleaned them. In the evening, I held lamp for Mr. Pond to make a box in which to keep the Sunday School class books at his church. I assisted him until 11 o’clock with the exception of a short time, when the train came and I went to the depot to meet Fanny who has been away about 7 weeks on a visit to New York, Brooklyn, Newark, Middletown, Hartford, Bloomfield and Canton. It commenced raining in the forenoon and continued until about 8 o’clock in the evening when it cleared up and was pleasant. Widow Benedict died this morning about 8 o’clock. DEC 09 SUNDAY - Pleasant again this morning. After breakfast, I went up home to carry a letter to Harriet from George which came in a letter I received several days ago. She has been sick for several days with an inflammation on the lungs. I unchained Bird and let him go up with me for a run. Gussie attended church in the morning; I went down to Sunday School which was prayer meeting. Sacrament in the P.M., which I attended. When I came home from church and before tea, I went for Dr. Bulkley for Mother Griswold. I let Bird go with me. I stopped at his home to have him eat the scraps Mrs. Blair had saved for him. I attended church in the evening. Brother Peck preached an excellent sermon. DEC 10 MONDAY - Cold this morning. The ground considerably frozen. After breakfast, I went over to Mrs. Blair’s for some stale victuals and leavings for Bird. I repaired his kennel. Took George’s little Georgie’s, Gussie’s and my bank books to the savings bank and had interest added to cash. When I returned, it was about dinner time. Mrs. Stone and Susan Brayman were to dinner with her two youngest children. Mrs. Stone was washing and Susan visiting. In the P.M., I spoke with Fred Starr about beef and pork. In the evening, I attended Sunday School teachers’ meeting and put on record medals received and amounts collected by the children for the Centenary Offering. This was a long task and accounts for returning so late. Bell came home after meeting to stay all night. DEC 11 TUESDAY - Very cold last night; water was frozen in our sink room this morning. Pleasant but cold all day. I went down to the shop this morning to see if there was any prospect of work very soon. We may have a little the last of this week. About 11 o’clock, I took Bird and my gun and went over to Mr. Lynes’ and called on Robert Cocking and wife. They were dressing poultry to send to Mr. Lynes in New York. I drank a glass of cider with Robert and then went a little farther to look for game, but did not get any. It being pretty cold, I came home and took a nap as I was feeling sleepy from being up so late last night. Fannie went with Gussie this A.M. about 11 o’clock to get a picture of Georgie. They are to be photographic card pictures. I called in the evening and got a proof of his whole figure and a vignette and brought home to let the women decide which they will have. I also went to Fred Starr’s and selected a hog - 275 pounds - to be delivered tomorrow. From there I went to Concert Hall to the Temperance meeting. Peter Holmes was called on the platform and in the course of his remarks, gave Rev. Mr. Powers of the 2nd Congregational Church a shaking up for advocating billiard playing by church members. He handled Powers without gloves and served him right. Powers may be honest, but I think he will never accomplish what he designs; namely to take such games out of the hands of the devil. Instead of getting such games out of the devil’s hands, I more fear the devil will get him if he attempts the thing. DEC 12 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and cold, though I think a little warmer through the day than yesterday. No work in the shop. I went to the savings bank in the forenoon and drew $20 and paid Fred Starr towards my pork, which I expect will be delivered this P.M. It is a hog weighing 275 pounds at $.10, $28.87 being the whole bill. From the market, I went over to Halley’s Wool hat factory to see Father. He wants ½ pound of my bulk tea which I will let him have, it being better and costs less than he can procure here. I then went down to Foster Brother’s Carpenter Shop and ground my drawing knife preparatory to doing some coopering tonight. I also paid Charles Stevens $9.00, the balance due towards church pew rent. After dinner, I put Father Griswold’s hand cider mill in his wheelbarrow and took it to the express Office for him. He is sending it off for repairs to Peekskill. Mr. Webb, the young preacher was married this P.M. at the church. While the ceremony was being performed I was in the basement repairing partitions in the Sunday School library and did not witness it, not caring to. After they were married (he married Fannie Holmes), I went with Gussie over to Charles Hull’s and bought a round bottomed donut kettle for her. My pork came in the afternoon. Bell came in the P.M. and took Georgie home with her to stay over until tomorrow while she is tying up her lard. In the evening, Gussie went with Susan Brayman up to Mrs. Cole’s and I worked with Mr. Pond in his cellar hooping my pork barrel. It was about 11 o’clock when we stopped work. DEC 13 THURSDAY - Pleasant but cold; It has thawed none anywhere today. I went to the shop in the morning, but there being no work, I went with Edward Cody over to Oil Mill Pond to skate for the first of the season. The afternoon, I spent helping Gussie tying up her lard. I also salted down my pork. After tea, I took the sausage meat down to Benedict & Nichols and ground it. Also left word for Dr. Bulkley to come tomorrow morning to see Mother Griswold. I waited for the mail and got a letter from George acknowledging receipt of the boots I sent him. DEC 14 FRIDAY - Pleasant but still colder. I had work in the shop; the first work in the shop in 16 days. Gussie went up to Father Purdy’s to see Georgie who has been up there for two days out of the way of our work with pork. She carried to them as a present a piece of hogshead and a nice piece of spare rib. Bird came home this morning about 9 A.M., he having been gone since last evening when I let him go for a run. In the evening, Gussie and I went to market together. I did some errands for Mother Griswold. I took a letter from the Post Office for Willie Franklin. DEC 15 SATURDAY - Very cold again this Morning. Mr. Pond is very sick this morning. He is threatened with fever. He wished to take a sweat with Aconite, so I prepared some for him. I was obliged to get some more medicine from the doctor so I called the doctor to supply me and sent him to see Mr. Pond and prescribe for him. The time I spent looking for the doctor and cutting some wood for Mother Griswold made me late to the shop this morning. I called at Couch’s and got the 4 Cartes de Visite and one vignette of Georgie which he promised yesterday. He gave me a large photograph of Father Griswold to take to them as a present. Mr. Pond borrowed a spare rib of me weighing 5 pounds, 14 ounces to be returned when his pork comes. Bell came home with Georgie this P.M. He has a severe cough. We fear Whooping Cough. After tea, I washed and scrubbed an old half of a lard barrel preparatory to putting my hams in brine. I made brine in the evening and before retiring, I put my hams and shoulders into it. DEC 16 SUNDAY - Cloudy and cold this morning. The air grew a little warmer, I think, and about 11 A.M., it commenced snowing. Gussie did not attend church as usual this morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon. Meeting commenced in the P.M. before I finished my work at the library, so when I did finish, I came home. Mr. Pond is better this morning. After tea, I wrote to George and enclosed a letter for Willie Franklin. I also wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering for the school a dozen class books. I enclosed the money for them - $.45. It stormed so hard in the evening that there was no meeting or at least when I went down about 8 o’clock to mail my letters there were no lights in any of the churches. It was snowing hard when we retired. DEC 17 MONDAY - Stormy about half the day, Snow. It cleared off just before night. I shoveled paths this morning for Mother Griswold, Mr. Pond (who has been sick) and myself. It was snowing at the time. I was in consequence late at the shop. I had work all day. This is the second snow and the first sleighing. After tea, I helped Gussie press her headcheese and then went to the Post Office. I returned a letter to the Office for Harriet Purdy which I took out Saturday evening, expecting to get it to her before this time but I did not do so. I walked up with Ed Dunning who was coming in from a hunt. He had a bagful of birds having shot 30 quail and several rabbits. Before retiring, I called to see Mr. Pond. He is better and hopes to get to his school tomorrow. DEC 18 TUESDAY - Cloudy and not very cold considering that there is a body of snow on the ground. I worked all day in the shop. I went to class in the evening; Brother Peck led. As I went, I took a letter to Phebe Palmer in San Francisco, California for Gussie. Mrs. Stone called while we were at tea. She was on her way to call at Mr. McKnabb (on Deer Hill near our folks) who was last Friday badly stabbed at White’s factory. The 2nd Congregational Church has a fair and festival at Concert hall this evening. DEC 19 WEDNESDAY - No work in the shop. I went and finished off a few hats I had left over from yesterday and came home. In the P.M., I went over to see George Starr about money. I want to borrow $200 on January 3rd with which to take up a note with Hanford Fairchild. Mr. Starr could not promise me the money and yet would not positively refuse saying that if I did not get it elsewhere to see him again. Cloudy with appearance of snow this morning but it grew warmer towards night and appeared more like rain. Gussie washed this forenoon and had a severe headache in the P.M. At teatime, she drank a cup of tea and felt better. Her folks gave her a complimentary ticket to the 2nd Congregational Church Fair and Festival and she went. After tea, I rubbed my fresh meat (Spare Ribs) with salt and pepper to keep them. I carried a nice piece over to Mrs. Curtis as a present. It snowed at the time. DEC 20 THURSDAY - Very cold but clear. We had to wait for work this morning in the shop until 10 o’clock. There being but one dozen, I finished about 3 P.M. It was not very cold early this morning, but it grew cold during the day. I went in to see Mr. Pond a few minutes in the evening. Bell came here after evening prayer meeting to stay all night. DEC 21 FRIDAY - A severe cold morning. Some of Gussie’s plants in the parlor were frozen. I went to the shop but had to wait until about 11 o’clock for work. The weather moderated somewhat during the day. I came home from work with a headache. I cut a little wood for Mother Griswold before tea. I wanted to attend the temperance meeting this evening, but did not feel able to do so. I stayed at home with Georgie and let Gussie go. After she had gone, Mrs. Stone and daughter Matilda called to see her to get instructions about knitting a worsted hood. Soon after she left, George came in, he having just arrived on the train from Brooklyn. Prentiss having stopped work until after New Year’s, George came home to spend the holidays. When Gussie came from the temperance meeting, he hid in the parlor and surprised her greatly when he revealed himself. He is to stay with us tonight. DEC 22 SATURDAY - Not so cold today; appearance of rain in the morning. The sun shone in the middle of the day, but it soon clouded over again. George cut a little wood for Mother Griswold for me after I went to the shop this morning. He stayed down until the train arrived at 10 ½ o’clock and then went up home. I had but one dozen hats today and had to wait so much for blocks that I had to leave over 4 hats, not being able to get a block. I drew $14.00 for my week’s work. As I came home, I went to Fred Starr’s and paid him $8.88, the balance of my bill of $28.88 for my pork. I then called at the Jeffersonian Office for my paper and at D. B. Booth’s to see about George’s bounty papers. I went to the Post Office for Harper’s Weekly and got the Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals and then came home. I found Mrs. Stone and Mrs. Daniel Starr there. Before tea, I went down to see if benedict & Nichols had beef pluck for my dog Bird, but they had none. I then called at Charles Hull’s tin shop and got the nozzle to my shot pouch in which John Cable has been putting a new spring. I felt nearly sick this evening, the effects of a cold. It commenced raining in the evening and froze as it came. Before retiring, I marked of the Sunday School Advocates and Journals. DEC 23 SUNDAY - Stormy. A warm fine rain and mist, making the walking on account of the melting snow very bad. George came this way to church in company with Bell. Gussie went with them. She came home at noon and I went down to Sunday school. I stayed to the Prayer meeting in the P.M. George came home with me to supper, after which he helped me look over the Librarian’s Books and compare my list of the school with them. While we were doing this, John Brayman came in. I did not go to church in the evening on account of the rain and bad walking but called at Mr. Ponds a little while. George went to church and came home afterwards to stay all night. Before retiring, I made out a statistical report of the Sunday School, to be given to Brother Peck this week for the Quarterly Conference. DEC 24 MONDAY - Misty and more or less rain during the day. As I went to the shop this morning, I stopped at Harry Stone’s and ordered coarse salt and saltpeter for Mr. Pond. I left George at the house when I went to work. I finished a hat for Louise today and brought it home at night. I did not feel very well so I stayed home this evening. Louise came down and stayed while Gussie went into the street and made some Christmas purchases. Mrs. Stone called in the evening. Later – 8 ¼ o’clock P.M. – George has just come in and wants me to walk downtown with him. Still later. I went with George. When we returned I found Gussie and Fanny at the house with toys for Georgie. After Fanny went home George and Gussie went over to John Brayman’s a few minutes. When they returned we ate apples and roasted oysters and the Gussie and George took a large pumpkin and three beets and went over to John Bouton’s and fastened them to the doorknob, the pumpkin labeled merry Christmas to Mrs. Purdy (for Aunt Louise) and to the beets were attached a label inscribed as follows; “ Mr. Bough Town BEETS DED! DED! DED!!! DED! Mary Krismas." It was 12 o’clock when they (pages 284 and 285 missing)… salt to be sent up as I came from the shop, I stopped at J. M. Ives to see if I could borrow $200 of him. He was not in but his chief salesman, Edward Allen thought it was doubtful about me getting the money as Mr. Ives was rather straightened at the moment in money matters. I called also at Charles Hull’s store to see if John cable had mended my shot pouch. Also at D. M. Benedict’s and paid him the $5.00 I owed for George’s boots. About noon, Enos Kelly, the man I bought 10 bushels of charcoal a while ago came along. I gave him his dinner and then went down to Charles Reed’s Show Store to Ed Knapp who held the due bill to Kelly and paid him the $1.80 and took the said bill. Before night, Kelly called there as I directed and got the money. The snow continued during the day and the wind and cold increased so that at bedtime it blew tremendously. Schuyler Colfax, Speaker of the House in Congress gave a lecture this evening, Subject, “His travels Across the Continent”. I stayed at home and retired early. I felt poorly all day and retired nearly sick. My kidneys and liver are affected, I think. DEC 28 FRIDAY - A very high wind last night and today. The frame for a new house nearly opposite Abel Wheeler’s old place just raised by Ephraim Gregory was found this morning leveled to the ground by the wind. There was no work in the shop today but three or four of us who left our yesterday’s work over until today had that to finish off. Mr. Crofut yesterday requested the men to meet this morning as he wished to make some propositions to them. The men accordingly assembled and his business was to reduce our wages as he could not make hats at the present prices he was paying and sell them in the market. As the question seemed to be work for less or do nothing, we concluded to make a reduction. He would listen to nothing less than $.50 off on each dozen and we finally with no hard words or feelings between employer and employees accepted his terms. The day has been blustering and severe for those obliged to be out, though I think not so exceedingly cold as some days we have previously had. DEC 29 SATURDAY - George stayed with us last night. Not feeling very well myself this morning, George sifted my ashes for me and Mr. Pond got my milk as he went for his own. . I went to see George Starr about 10 o’clock to see about letting me have $200. He could not let me have it. From there, I went to the shop and got my pay. While there, Eliaken Widman paid me $1.25 for a sifter he bought about a year ago of George. I took the money and gave George credit for it. We had corn and beans for dinner of which I ate hearty and after dinner I was taken very sick in consequence. After vomiting and throwing off from my stomach all I ate for dinner, I felt better and then went over to Mr. Pond’s to see if he could lend me $200. He kindly consented to do so. While I was over to Mr. Pond’s, Dr. Bulkley came to see me. Gussie having gone into the street at the time I was most sick called the doctor about it. But when he came I did not need him as I was feeling better. I however paid him $.50 for his trouble which was only half hi price for attendance. In the evening, I went to market for a beef’s pluck for the dog, to Charles Hull’s to get a lamp repaired, and to the church where quarterly conference was in session to hand some Sunday School statistics to the preacher, Mr. Peck. Mrs. Stone and daughter Matilda called in the evening to have Gussie show them about knitting a ladies’ hood. DEC 30 SUNDAY - Pleasant. A very destructive fire occurred this morning about 3 or 4 o’clock in Selleck’s old wooden block opposite the savings bank. It burned 4 stores, viz., Decklyn’s Bakery and Store, O. H. Swift’s Yankee Notions and picture Store, Colgan’s small Clothing Store and Mrs. Ely’s Millinery rooms upstairs. Swift was also burned out of his residence over his store, as was Mr. Decklyn over his. I heard nothing of it until Mr. Pond told me of it when I went for milk. Mr. Pond and myself walked down to see the ruins before we ate breakfast. Gussie went to church in the morning as usual. I went to Sunday School at noon and stayed to the funeral of old Mrs. Coles. As the funeral was held in the P.M. at the church. I do not feel well yet; am just able to be around. A union meeting was held this evening in the 1st Congregational Church at which contributions were made in behalf of the Freedmen. A discourse was delivered by ____, the state agent. DEC 31 MONDAY - I do not feel well yet. Cold and raw this morning No work in the shop. Mr. Pond helped me build a shelf for lamps in our sink room this forenoon. George came in just at dinner time and dined with us, after which I helped him make some blocks upon which to fasten curtain fixtures in his room in Brooklyn. I then went to the Danbury Bank to ascertain when my note of $200 to Hanford Fairchild (which he had discounted) would mature. I then called to see Dr. Bulkley about myself and bought of O.H. Swift a diary which was saved from the fire yesterday morning. He spoke of using Robert Cocking’s rooms upstairs until April 1st. It began to snow about the middle of the forenoon and continued all day. George called in the evening as he went into the street and carried Father Griswold’s clock to Fanton's for repairs.
1866-12
Horace Purdy Journal January 1865 Entry
9pgs
01/01 SUNDAY - Cold but pleasant. Sleighing good. Brother Hill preached a sermon to the children in the morning from Ecclesiastes 12:1 The children sat in the square body of the church and did the singing in the place of the choir from the Golden Chair and Shower. When Sunday School was over, I came home to take care of the bay to let Gussie go to church in the P.M. After tea, Father Purdy and Mother Griswold came in to see us. I completed a letter to George before church time and with a Harper's Weekly, I mailed it on my way to prayer meeting. 01/02 MONDAY - Before breakfast, I went down and mailed a letter to Cousin Eliza Humphrey in California for Gussie. I went this early in order to have it taken in the morning mail. The day has been cold but pleasant. We had but little more than a half day's work in the shop. On my way home, I called at Charles Hull's Tin Shop and got my shot pouch in which John Cable has been putting a new spring. I took my gun and went down to Blackman's to see if I could get a silver islet put in it in which the pin which holds the barrels to the stock is inserted but could not. I then took it up to Mr. Wrights to have the new part of the stock stained and varnished. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. After supper I went down to the Post Office and carried my powder flask to have John Cable put a new snap spring on it. As I came home from work, I went before the Board of Relief, but having neglected to carry in my tax list they were prevented by law from doing anything for me. I have therefore to pay tax at $1,100.00 which a list would have avoided. 01/03 TUESDAY - A very cold morning; pleasant; the weather moderated so that it snowed in the evening. George Monroe was shopped at the Pahquioque Shop today. Hatters' Meeting in the evening over Benedict & Nichol's store. I got excused early, came out, and after the mail came, walked up West Street with John Cosier. I found Hattie Mills and Edith Newman spending the evening with Gussie. 01/04 WEDNESDAY - Another snow storm last night. It cleared off before noon. The flues in the shop wanting repairs, we adjourned in the P.M. to give them an opportunity to repair them. I went from the shop and took my gun from Mr. Wright's paint shop where it was to be varnished, and carried it over to Comstock's for repairs before having it varnished. While it was at the paint shop, one of the cocks got out of order. From there, I went to John Cosier's office and bought half cord of chestnut wood. It was sent right up and I rode on the load. Mr. Cocking paid me $3.00 for one month's rent. Mailed Jeffersonian to George. I went into the street in the evening for my Jeffersonian and saw Ezra Wildman. He insisted upon taking a sleigh ride. Captain E.E. Wildman went with us. He carried me around to my house and I gave them a drink of cider. Then we took a ride to the upper end of Main Street. The cars then came and I went to the Post Office and came home. Preaching at the church; Gussie attended. Copperhead lecture at Concert Hall this evening. Thomas H. Seymour the lecturer. 01/05 THURSDAY - I left the shop at noon and went up to Comstock's to see if my gun was repaired. It was not done. I arranged with him to leave it with John Cosier at A. G. Crosby's Coal Office and went back to the shop to work. When I left the shop at night, I went up to the Coal Office and took the gun to pieces, leaving the barrels and locks there and took the stock over to William Wright's to get it stained and varnished. Cosier paid Comstock his bill and I paid him. It was $1.50. I went to Dr. Buckley's office in the evening and borrowed a syringe to use on the baby. I went to Charles Hull's shop and got my powder flask. John Cable has been putting on a new spring. Bell went up home this P.M. Received a letter from George. 01/06 FRIDAY - It commenced raining before noon. It rained at times during the day and set in to rain steady in the evening. Our foreman V. W. Benedict went home with a sick headache at noon. Edith Newman sent the bounty check to me by Hattie Mills at the shop at noon which George sent to me enclosed in his letter. He wants the money drawn and resent to him immediately. I borrowed $10.00 of John Cosier until I can get returns from the check and in the evening, I wrote to George and enclosed a $10.00 greenback to him. I also in the evening carried my 5 gallon kerosene oil can down to Billy Wright's and ordered it filled and sent up tomorrow. On my way to Wright's, I carried Burr Bradley's meat saw home. Sold half roll of salve to Mrs. Cyrus White. 01/07 SATURDAY - Rain this morning. It began to grow cold at noon; snow in the P.M. Very blustering towards night and in the evening; thought it was pleasant in the evening. William Wright delivered the 5 gallons on oil that I engaged yesterday. I worked as long as I could see in the shop and then came home by way of Cosier's office where (after I had been over to Wright's paint shop for the stock) I put my gun together and brought it home. John shut the office and walked up with me. After tea, I went to market for Mother Griswold. Received bill for the box sent from the Postmaster. Before I retired I mended my coal riddle (sp) with brass hoops from an old hoop skirt. 01/08 SUNDAY - A cold morning, but pleasant and grew more mild through the day. An agent from the Christian Commission from the army named Powers preached for us this morning. He gave us a somewhat detailed account of the workings of the Commission with several interesting incidents, some of them quite thrilling. He being an excellent speaker made it very interesting. Sunday School prayer meeting at noon at which some arrangements were made about the Sunday School Festival to come off on Wednesday. Tickets to admit the scholars were distributed. Communion service in the P.M. Gussie went with me in the morning at came home at noon to let Bell go in the P.M. as she was to be taken into full communion with the church. After supper, Father Purdy and Mother Griswold came in to see us. A Union meeting at the 1st Congregational Church for the Christian Commission in the evening at which Mr. Powers and another man who came in with him is to speak. Gussie and Bell attended it; I stayed home and took care of Baby. Christopher Coinum (sp), a German who was in the 3 months service with me died yesterday. He had but just returned home from the Insane Retreat at Harford. His insanity was caused from working in furs and his system being filled with the quicksilver used in carroting the furs. He was buried today by the Masonic Order. Elias Sanford died this afternoon about 5 o'clock. He died of a fit while sitting in his chair. He had attended church twice today and was intending to go again this evening. 01/09 MONDAY - We rose rather late this morning. The day has been pleasant and warmer than yesterday. I retired last night with the headache, rose with it this morning, and had it all day. I worked with it until nearly 3 o'clock when they paid off and I gave up and came home. My two weeks work was $31.00 dollars. I drew $21.00 leaving to my credit $10.00, which with the $25.00 left last pay day, reduces the $60.00 dollars borrowed from Mr. Crofut to $25.00. John Cosier left the bounty check (which George sent me and which he cashed for me) in the bank to day for collection. On my way home from the shop, I called at William Wright's and paid $5.00 for the 5 gallons of kerosene oil I bought on Saturday. We had soup and milk for supper, a real treat. Teachers' meeting in the evening, but on account of headache, I did not go. 01/10 Thursday - Stormy -rain. Elias Sanford was buried today. On my way home from work at night, I called and paid John Cosier $3.25 for a .5 cord of chestnut wood delivered on last Wednesday. George Loomis's father died very suddenly today. Father bought a pair of thick leather shoes for Bell and brought them to her on his way home from work. They were too small and I changed them in the evening. He bought them at Chapman's. I paid for my Post Office box No. 300 for 6 months ending July 1st, 1865. A tea meeting or church gathering at the church in the evening to establish a sinking fund to pay the debt of over $4,000 on the church. We had a pleasant time thought the weather was stormy and on account of that, the attendance was small. Mr. Levi W. Bartram went up for Mother and Mrs. White came for Mother Griswold and Gussie. I had Bartram's team take Mother, Gussie and Mother Griswold home. We came home about 11 o'clock. Mr. Loomis' given name is Austin. He died at Lyman Keeler's with heart disease. 01/11 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. We were limited to one dozen hats today. I finished just after dinner. I came home and sawed wood in the woodhouse. Sunday School festival at the church in the evening. Burr Bradley and I were doorkeepers. We opened about 6 o'clock. Mary Purdy came over and stayed with the baby to let Gussie go. Bell went also. The festival broke up about 9 o'clock. Mailed a Jeffersonian to George in the evening. The church caught fire around the stove pipe. A narrow escape. 01/12 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. Harriet Wheeler sent by me in the evening for 6 Jeffersonians. They were sold out at the Office, but I found them at A. Smith's, the news dealer at the Post Office. I went rather late to prayer meeting. I walked up West Street with Chittendon and John Cosier. 01/13 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warmer. The ice has softened and the ground has been muddy. As I came home after dinner, I borrowed Parmalee and Bradley's horse and sleigh and took Mother's sheet iron stove and pipe up home. I borrowed it to use during Gussie's sickness. When I returned to the store with the team, I altered a white cat for Fred Bradley. I then rode up home with his clerk to carry some meal to Mother to make yeast cakes of. As we returned, he drove around by my house and left me. Bell went over to Oil Mill Pond skating with Henry and Anna Heinman. Jessie Stevens' wife came over and spent the day with Gussie. She stayed to tea. Charles Hull got away with again (ed. note - by his horse; see 01/18 below) today in West Street near Dr. Ryder's. He hurt his head and shin badly, but not considered dangerous, I believe. Later - have been skating this evening and had a collision with a fellow (Ed Target) and cut a bad gash in my forehead. Henry Blair came home with me and Sarah Day bound up my head with two of her handkerchiefs as soon as I was hurt. We sent for Dr. Buckley; he came and dressed the wound about half past nine o'clock which was as soon as we could send and he come. Took two pieces of beef over to Olmstead's to be smoked in the evening. 01/14 SATURDAY - It commenced snowing between 7 and 8 o'clock this morning. My head is not so sore today as I expected it would be. It is still bandaged in the blood. Could not go to work. Cannot get a hat on my head. Bell went to the Post Office for me at noon. Gussie went into the street to do some trading and pay Jane Hoyt for making over her hat in the P.M. Mrs. Daniel Starr came home with her to see the baby. Martha Stokes and her friend Miss Dyer called here about 4 P.M. and then went up to Mother Griswold's. Bell went to the store and the Post Office in the evening. 01/15 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Father having heard of my injury came over to see me before breakfast. Bell went to church in the morning and sent brother Jennings up for Mother at noon, but she got a ride with Platt (sp) Brush and came down to my house before noon so that Brother Jennings after going up home for her came around this way and got her. Bell did not come home at noon and Gussie went in the P.M. Dr. Buckley came in the forenoon and dressed my wound. I cannot go out as I cannot get a hat on my head. In the P. M., I wrote to George and put up a Harper's Weekly for mailing to him. After tea, John Cosier came to see me. He stayed until meeting time. I sent the letter and paper to the Office by him. The Baptist preacher, Mr. Stone exchanged with Brother Hill in the P.M. , so say our folks. Clark Polley of the Kentucky Conference to preach, I believe. 01/16 MONDAY - Pleasant but cold. Mrs. Stone washed for us. Harriet, who is now staying at Mr. Townsend's came down after dinner to see me, having heard of my injuries received while skating last Friday evening. She could only stay for a few moments, she said, and would not take off her things. But as usual, she stayed between 2 or 3 hours with her things on. Mother Griswold came in while she was there. In the meantime, Mrs. Stone finished her work. I paid her her charge - 60 cents - and she went home. Baby was poorly yesterday, last night and today. Not very sick, but worrisome. He has a cold and besides, his bowels are not regular. Mother Griswold sent us down some molasses sugar, she having quite a quantity of it from a molasses keg in their cellar. I am yet unable to wear a hat and in consequence am confined in the house with my sore head. Gussie and Bell both went into the street in the evening. Gussie bought material for a baby cloak. It cost $4.75. 01/17 TUESDAY - Stormy, snow. I got Father Griswold's brush hat, which I let him have and was too small and went to the shop about 10 A.M. and took out the trimmings preparatory to finishing it over and making it larger. I went to the Jeffersonian Office and gave Ashley the particulars of my accident while skating last Friday evening so that he could mention it in his paper. I went to the shop again in the afternoon, stayed a while, and came home. Did not work on account of my sore head. Before going to the shop in the P.M., I stopped to the Factory in West Street to see Edward Target, the fellow I ran against while skating. His forehead was bruised but slightly when compared with mine. I went to the Post Office in the evening. It cleared off before I went and was colder. It snowed hard in the afternoon. 01/18 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and cold. I went to work in the shop for the first time since I was hurt last Friday evening. James Sparks and Eugene Conkling came to work at the shop today. Both were shopped yesterday, I believe. The Baby has the scarlet rash. He has felt poorly for several days and today the rash has made its appearance. After tea, I went into the street and called at Dr. Buckley's office and got some medicine for the baby. The paper today gives an account of the capture of Fort Fisher at Wilmington, North Carolina The troops were under General Weitzel; the storming party under General Terry. What General Butler could not do, our ___(?) generals have accomplished. I mailed a Jeffersonian to George in the evening. Dwight Rogers was run away with today by Charles Hull's horse. He was not hurt, I believe. 01/19 Thursday - Pleasant in the forepart of the day, and thought by some to be the coldest morning we have had yet. Cloudy in the P. M.; the weather moderated and snowed in the evening. We gave the Baby medicine during last night and today and tonight he is better; in fact to all appearances is about as well as usual. Father Griswold came home from New York today and brought a hymn book for Bell (65 cents). Gussie went to the store in the evening and got some flannels at Gillette's in the place of what was stolen few days ago that she took there to be stamped. Bell went to prayer meeting and while both were gone I took care of the baby. 01/20 FRIDAY - It snowed considerably last night, though very quietly; it cleared off before morning and the day has been lovely though somewhat cool. I had father Griswold's old hat blocked over today and intend to finish it tomorrow and see if I can make it large enough this time. I worked as long as I could in the shop as usual. After tea, I went to the Post Office and around to Olmstead's to see if my two pieces of beef were smoked; they were not yet taken out to the smoke house. I ordered them taken out tomorrow morning. 01/21 SATURDAY - Cold this morning, but the weather moderated during the day, so that now there is a prospect of snow before morning. I finished over Father Griswold's hat today to make it larger. I got it trimmed and Daniel Manley curled it for me and I brought it home with me, feeling confident that it will fit his head and give satisfaction this time. After tea, I went over to Lockwood Olmstead's for my pieces of beef which have been there to be smoked, but they were not yet out of the smokehouse. I went from there to Burr Bradley's and left the Sunday School library key as I shall not be there myself tomorrow on account of my sore head. I then went to market and waited for the train in order to get the mail if there was any for us. I walked up with Mr. Reynolds (the one-armed soldier). 01/22 SUNDAY - Pleasant; it has thawed considerable today. I have not been at church on account of having to wear a large plaster over my eye still. Bell went all day and Gussie in the P.M. I took care of Baby. After tea, I wrote to George. Before I finished, Father came in and, as usual since the birth of the baby, stayed awhile. This time he stayed until nearly meeting time. Gussie and Bell both went to meeting in the evening. I sent a letter and a Harper's Weekly by them to the Post Office to mail to George. 01/23 MONDAY - Rain all day. I worked as usual in the shop. Pay day - I had $21.00 coming. I left five to my credit towards the $60.00 borrowed of Mr. Crofut, leaving now $20.00 his due. Being tired and the weather stormy, I did not go out in the evening. The snow has wasted fast today. 01/24 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual until dark in the shop. Father Griswold came home on the morning train from one of his P. Elder's appointments and in the evening, I carried his hat up to him. It was a little too large this time, but I soon remedied that by putting some paper under the leather. I went to the Post Office and to Gillette & Baird's for Gussie. Paid Bell $1.20 for two week's help. 01/25 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant but cold. On my way to work this morning, I called at Gillette & Baird's for a bunch of embroidery braid which I left there last evening by mistake. I worked as long as I could see at night in the shop. Came home by way of Jeffersonian Office for my paper. I mailed one to George in the evening; sent it to the Office by Gussie who went into the street. Bell went to Singing School at the Baptist Church, so I stayed home with Baby. George Bailey's oldest daughter was married this P.M. to a Mr. George H. Hoyt, a son of the Supt. of the NY & NH Railroad at Stamford. A splendid car from that road was sent up to convey the wedding party to Stamford. It was attached to the regular afternoon passenger train from here at 4 o'clock and 20 minutes. 01/26 THURSDAY - Pleasant, but still very cold. Harriet and Louise Jones called to see Gussie this forenoon, but I being at the shop did not see Miss Jones thought I would like to have done so very much. After tea, I went over to Mr. Lockwood Olmstead's for my two pieces of beef he had been smoking for me. I brought them home and then went to market to Dr. Buckley's for some tincture of Belladonna and Aconite and to consult him about the baby for sickness to the stomach. I waited for the mail walking up with Jonathan Reynolds. I took 8 yards of tatting (spa) to Gilbert and Baird's Store for Bell and got the pay - $1.48; Gussie went over to Frank Boughton's in the evening to carry a baby cloak home. 01/27 FRIDAY - Pleasant but still very cold. D. L. Chichester was shopped today at our (the Pahquioque) shop and Jesse D. Stevens was off on account of the sore mouth which always trouble him at the shop. It is what is called 'The Hatter's Sore Mouth'. After supper, I took my hams and shoulders over to Lockwood Olmstead's to be smoked. I put it in the corn basket and pushed it on the sled. I received by the evening mail two letters and an Old diary for preservation from George. There was a letter also for Mother and one for Harriet. 01/28 SATURDAY - Pleasant but still very cold. As I came home from the shop at night, I came by way of Mr. Hanford's Boot and Shoe and Grocery Store on White Street and bought some coffee. When I got home, I found Mother there; she had spent the day. After supper, I got Mr. McDonald's horse and sleigh and carried her home. I got some milk for her at Mr. McDonald's and gave her one of the cheeks of my hog. Bell rode up home with us and back home with me. I gave Mr. McDonald 10 cents to help me harness. I then went to market for Sunday. Bell got two more letters for me today from George. 01/29 SUNDAY - Pleasant and cold, but warmer in the evening. Bell and I went to church in the morning; Gussie stayed with the baby. After Sunday school, I came home to let Gussie go in the P.M. to Sunday School Concert at the North Church. I went to church today for the first time since I got hurt while skating which was two weeks ago last Friday evening. I wrote to George in the P.M. and as I went to church in the evening mailed with the letter a Harper's and a copy of the Jeffersonian of January 1864 in which was printed a letter from him in which was a statement about Lieutenant Fred Betts ordering the body of a drowned colored marine to be rolled off the beach into the sea while the 17th Regiment was on Folly Island, South Carolina. He wanted this paper sent to him for evidence in the matter I suppose, though he says there is no difficulty about it. I also mailed an Advocate and Journal for Gussie to Cousin Eliza Humphrey in California in which was printed the death of her Father. Brother Hill preached in the evening, after which there was a short prayer meeting. Bell stayed at home in the evening to let Gussie and I go. Father came down to see us as usual after tea. 01/30 MONDAY - Pleasant and warmer; it thawed considerably in the middle of the day. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. Bell went to the Sewing Society in the evening in the company of Louise Vintz up to Brother Bartram's. David Bradley called in the evening to get a carpenter's tool called a plough that was Abel's. Harriet being away, I went up to Father Griswold's barn and got it for him. While he was here, he helped me fix the lock to my front door. He brought home Harriet's glue pot which he borrowed when he repaired my gun. Took extracts from George's letter for publication in the Jeffersonian. I did this just before retiring. The seats in the church were rented this P.M. at 1 o'clock. Mrs. Bradley and Gussie went and the same seats for Burr and me for another year. The price has been advanced $2.00 making it now $8.00. 01/31 TUESDAY - Still warmer today. Cloudy at times during the day and evening. The bursting of the Kohanza water pipe near Concert Hall completely flooded Main Street near the Wooster House this morning. In consequence, the water was shut off from that section and many of the factories that depend on the water for steam purposes had to shut up. The boiler at the Pahquioque could not be supplied with water and consequently no steam could be had to warm the trimming room and the trimmers came up into the finishing room with us and worked around the two long tables there. Just at night, however, they got the old force pump at work which draws water from the brook and will be independent of Kohanza tomorrow if it affords us no water. On my way to work this morning, I left a letter at the Jeffersonian Office for Publication from Cosmopolite (George). I went late to prayer meeting in the evening and talked with Brother Hill after meeting about gathering some new Sunday school library books.
1865-01
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal July 1864 Entry
10pgs
7/1 FRIDAY - Appearance of rain in the morning, but it came off pleasant and warm in the middle of the day. I woke in the morning with a severe pain in my bowels. I went down to see Dr. Bulkley, but he was not in his office. The pain increasing and to all appearances growing worse, I called on Dr. Skiff. He gave me some medicine and after the mail came in, I came home and went to bed. I could eat nothing for dinner. The pain seemed to increase in the P.M. After tea, Gussie and Hattie Mills went down to Dr. Skiff. After they had gone, Bro. Hill, who had been making a call at Father Griswold's, came down to see me. Being in somewhat of a hurry, his call was a short one. He prayed with me and then left to join a friend who was with him at Father Griswold's. He called him Bro. Whitney from New Canaan, one of his old church members. After Gussie returned, Mr. Wing, who had called at Father Griswold's on business pertaining to his clothes dryers, called to see me also. As soon as he left, which was after 9 o'clock, Dr. Skiff came. I was somewhat afraid of inflammation of the bowels. He changed his medicine and promised to call on the following morning. (It is now Saturday morning that I am writing this, I was not able to write yesterday). 7/2 SATURDAY - I suffered considerable pain last night. Could not sleep until after midnight when I fell asleep. I woke in the morning feeling easy, the pain having all subsided, but my bowels feeling sore. Dr. Skiff called about 10 o'clock as he was going to Dr. Hawley's to the next door. He left me some phosphorus for my cough. I paid him $1.00 for last night's attendance. Harriet Purdy came down before dinner and stayed until about 4 P.M. After dinner, or rather, in the middle of the afternoon, I went over to McDonald's Blacksmith Shop and made an iron thing to put top of bullets under the rod to press them home in loading my revolver. We had tea a little earlier than usual to enable Harriet Mills to take the train to go home to Bethel to spend the Fourth. After tea, I weeded out my strawberry bed. Gussie not feeling well, I went to Dr. Buckley's and got some medicine for her. I waited until nearly 10 o'clock for the mail and then came home. After I got home, I heard the locomotive blow. I then went back to the Post Office, but there was no mail matter for any of our folks. As this was only why I went back, I had the walk for nothing. 7/3 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. Gussie, not feeling well, did not attend church. Mr. and Mrs. Powel and daughter came last night to Father Griswold's and attended church in the morning. After Sunday School, I came home and returned to church with Mr. Powel; the other folks did not attend. Fanny was waiting for him at the church door, but her seat being full, he sat with me. Bro. Hill preached all day. Bro. Crawford opened with prayer and scripture reading in the P.M. Text in the morning - Eph. 2:4-5-6, in the P.M. -John 8:36; it was in part, if not entirely, a Fourth of July sermon. He dwelt considerably on the nation, the war, and the anniversary of our independence. By invitation, we went up home and took dinner with the company. After tea, Mr. Powel and I took a walk around Father Griswold's and my premises. I went to prayer meeting in the evening with the Company, Gussie staying at home with her mother. 7/4 MONDAY - Pleasant. The firing woke me at 4 o'clock. I got up and fired at a target with my revolver a few times. I went down and mailed a letter and Waverly to George before breakfast. After breakfast, I went down again to market for Fanny. As soon as the women got their morning work done, Mr. and Mrs. Powel and daughter, Harriet Wheeler, Gussie and I went up to the cemetery. On our return home, I took from the Office 4 letters and 5 bundles of Florida papers. The Ancient City, printed at St. Augustine. They were back numbers which he wants preserved. We took dinner up to Father Griswold's. After dinner, I took a nap and then Robert Cocking and I went up by Father Griswold's barn to practice target shooting again with my revolver. But previous to doing so, I went down to the baker's for some bread. After tea, we all took a walk (Father Griswold included) up West Street to Gallows Hill and around by Mallory's shop into River Street and up New street to West and home. I went to the Post Office myself previous to coming home. Harriet Mills came up on the evening train from Bethel. She spent the evening upstairs with Mrs. Cocking. Gussie and I went up into the cupola of Father Griswold's house with the company to see what little fireworks there was. 7/5 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm. Mrs. Stone could not work for us today, one of her children being sick. Our neighbor, Mrs. Curtis done it for us. I went downtown in the morning to see if I could get my winter's coal put in today, but could not; they were too busy. I waited until the cars came to get the mail. I took out two letters for Frank Boughton and took them over to her house. She being at the shop, I left them with her mother. After dinner, I went to look for a team to take us on Mount Four. Mr. Powel went home this morning. I went to the cars with him. Gussie went up to Mr. Bartram's in the P.M. with Mrs. Powel and daughter, Frank and Harriet. Before tea, I wrote to George in answer to the 4 letters received yesterday. Hattie Mills and I got our supper of bread and milk. I went to the depot when the cars came in to see Beatty about his double team to go to Mount Four tomorrow P.M. I saw John Sharp, his driver and engaged it at $4.00 for the afternoon. I then went up to Thomas Fowler's store and paid him for a gallon of molasses which he sent me this P.M. - $1.20. I then went to the Post Office. News by the evening papers is that the rebel pirate Alabama has been sunk. I attended Hatters' Meeting in Benedict and Nichols' Hall in the evening. It was the semi-annual meeting and the election of officers. It was quite late when I got home. Before retiring, I prepared some items from George's letters for the Jeffersonian. 7/6 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warm. I carried some extracts form George's letters to the Jeffersonian for publication as I went to the shop in the morning. Before breakfast, I set out some cauliflower plants for Father Griswold and myself. In the afternoon, I went with our folks and Brooklyn friends to Mount Four. We had Beatty's double team. While up there, I cut a new pole and replaced the one George put up in 1861. Father Griswold, Fanny, Harriet, Louisa, Hattie Mills, Mrs. Powel and daughter and myself. Bro. Hill, our preacher, saw the flag from mother's and started across the fields in a straight line for the place. He arrived while we had gone down to the spring to take our refreshments. I found him on the peak waiting for us when I returned for the horses. While turning round to come down the pole strap broke. Bro. Hill assisted me to repair damages. He rode home with us. When we arrived home, Father Griswold and Mother Griswold and Gussie drove up to the cemetery. When he returned, I drove the team up to the depot and paid John Sharp $4.00 for the team. I did my marketing. 7/7 THURSDAY - Hot and muggy. It commenced raining about 11 o'clock. I came home to dinner without an umbrella. I felt too much exhausted to return. I lay down on the lounge until 3 o'clock. I then got up and fixed the hinges to the pantry door and did some writing. Hattie Mills did not come home to dinner on account of the rain. I wrote to George before tea, giving an account of our trip to Mt. Four. I went to the store in the evening and bought $6.00 worth of sugar, $3.00 crushed , 9 lbs., $3.00 of a coffee sugar and 10 one half lbs. I mailed a letter to George and went into prayer meeting a few minutes before it closed. 7/8 FRIDAY - Showery in the morning. It came off pleasant and warm in the middle of the day. I have felt better and have done much more work than before in over a week. Had soup and milk for supper, after which Robert and I went to market and to the Post Office together. When we returned, I found Gussie and Hattie Mills gone away. Probably gone to find a boarding place for Hattie as it is not convenient for us to keep her longer. 7/9 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. Mike Kelly woke me this morning, shaking the door for Robert Cocking, my tenant. He was after him to help get hay. We were limited in our work today at the shop on account of the facer's getting behind with their work. I finished my work about 4 o'clock. I went to the Jeffersonian Office to get a copy of the Jeffersonian printed in June, 1863 with the memorial of Ireneus P. Woodman of Co. C, 17th Regt., Connecticut Volunteers who died at Brookes Station, Va. My 19, 1863 of a wound in the breast received at the battle of Chancellorsville fought 17 days previous to his death. I found in June 3 a card from his father in reference to his death. Also a memorium in an issue of March 2nd, 1864 taken from the Connecticut War record. These Mr. Ashley gave to me for George as it was for him that I was getting them to send to Bell Conrad in Stratford. I had been home but a short while when Burr Bradley, according to an agreement before he left the shop, came to go to the pond with me to bathe. We went over to Oil Mill. Just as we were dressing, two of our shopmates came also, Mr. Rousseau and James Sparks. After tea, I fixed a fastener to one the upstairs blinds and hoed in my garden a little. After which, I went down to market and b ought a piece of meat for Sunday. Gussie and Hattie Mills spent the evening in trying to find a boarding place for Hattie. They did not succeed. 7/10 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. Gussie and I attended church in the morning. Brother Hill preached from Hebrews 2:17. After the Sunday School Prayer Meeting, Gussie went home. I stayed to the communion in the P.M. Clark Hoyt's child was baptized. After tea, Gussie and I went up to the cemetery with a bouquet for Eddie's grave. I borrowed a pitcher of water at Mr. Days to fill the vases with. Mailed a letter to George and two Jeffersonians with card and memorium in them on the death of Ireneus P. Woodman to Isabella Conrad at Stratford by request of George. Being tired after our walk, we did not go to meeting in the evening. Hattie Mills feels badly that she must get another boarding place as we have notified her that it will not be convenient for us to keep her longer. She cried over it this morning. 7/11 MONDAY - A shower last night. Pleasant and warm today. We were limited in our work at the shop, having only 2 dozen to finish. Mrs. Stone worked for us today. Hattie Mill's engaged board this morning at Henry Fosters, but tonight they had changed their minds and concluded not to take any boarders. Hattie felt bad and cried about it. Bro. Hills' mother called at Father Griswold's and to our house in the evening. I walked down home with her on my way to Teachers' Meeting. On my way to the shop this morning, I called at Dr. Bulkley's office and left word with him to come and see Fanny who is sick with the Dysentery. In Sunday School, the propriety of a Sunday School picnic was considered. Definite action on it was deferred for one month. 7/12 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm. Another small shower last night. Before breakfast, I repaired by coal bin a little preparatory to putting in my coal. A ton of soft coal came before night. Gussie made her currant jelly and ironed. She was taken very sick with bilious colic about 3 o'clock P.M. When I came home, I found the doctor (Bulkley) there prescribing for her. Mother Griswold and Hattie Wheeler got my tea. Mother Griswold and Hattie Mills cleared the table and washed the dishes. I set out some cabbage plants between the hills of my early potatoes and then went to market. The great rebel raid into Maryland threatening Washington and Baltimore which has cut telegraph lines and stopped railroad trains, etc. The news from the tonight is a little more favorable for us. Telegraph communications are again resumed and railroad trains from Washington to Baltimore are again running regular. Excitement throughout the country runs high but things this evening by the papers seem a little more quiet. On my way back to work this noon, I mailed a Waverly to George. On my way to the shop this noon, I left 3 nice ripe tomatoes at the Jeffersonian Office for the Editor (B. Frank Ashley). They are the first ripe ones in this vicinity. He is to give Mr. Cocking a puff on the in the paper tomorrow. 7/13 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warm. Hattie Mills got up and prepared breakfast this morning and let Gussie get up when she got ready. She got up in time to sit at the table with us, however. She is about well with the exception of feeling pretty weak. Received a letter from Henry Mead saying that for some unforeseen circumstances, their visit would be for the present deferred. While we were at tea, Edith Newman came in to tell Hattie Mills that she had got a boarding place with her. I walked down to class with Edith. 7/14 THURSDAY - Wrote to Henry C. Mead before breakfast in reply to his stating that the visit would be deferred for the present. I sent it to the Office by Nathaniel Cable to have it go in the morning mail. The day has been pleasant and warm. I worked very hard in the shop and was pretty much used up at night. After tea, I went to market to get my breakfast and to Dr. Buckley's office for some medicine for Gussie for bilious colic. He not being in, I got the medicine from his son William who happened to be there. 7/15 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. Cool nights and heavy dews. I pulled weeds in my garden a little while before breakfast. Worked hard and late at the shop. On my way to dinner, I took home from the Post Office a roll of paper and 5 sheets both upon which was written sketches of historical facts relating to the early settling of Florida. Frank Boughton was with us to tea, after which, she and Gussie wen to the Post Office which enabled me to stay at home in the evening. I paid Alden G. Crosby $15.00 towards coal as I was coming home to dinner. 7/16 SATURDAY - Pleasant . I pulled weeds in my garden before breakfast. We were limited in our work to 2 dozen today. After I got up my work, I finished a damaged hat and got it trimmed but it was too small for me. I brought it home and will sell it to some boy perhaps. After tea, I went to the Jeffersonian Office with sketches of the settlement of St. Augustine, Florida to see about getting them printed. Harriet Purdy was with us to dinner and stayed nearly all the afternoon with Gussie. 7/17 SUNDAY - Pleasant ' hot ' dry and dusty. Brother Hill being away to Middletown, a man by name Willard from Colorado, a presiding elder in this section, soliciting funds to help build a church at Denver in that state preached for us. He preached two excellent sermons. In the morning, form Hebrews 2:17, the same text Brother Hill preached from last Sabbath. In the P.M., 1st Timothy 6:12, the first clause of the verse. Collections were taken at both services for his benefit or rather the benefit of his people. Brother J. W. Nichols went up for Mother at noon and carried her to and from church in the P.M. After tea, I wrote to George about the historical sketches of St. Augustine, Florida, which he wanted printed in pamphlet form for sale down there. I took a nap until meeting time, then went down and mailed a Waverly to George and attended prayer meeting. 7/18 MONDAY - Dry and warm, no prospect of rain. Nothing unusual that I know today. I worked hard all day until 7 o'clock P.M. After tea, I ate a few currants from the bushes and then went to market and to the Post Office. The evening papers give a rumor that General Sherman has taken Atlanta, Ga. I was the last man out of the shop tonight and locked the door. Took the key over to Harry Stone's for Hiram. When I returned from market in the evening, Mr. Thompson, who lives in Mr. Gregory's little blue just south of us a little distance, came over to see if any of us wanted some French Turnip plants. I went over and got some and set them out and watered them before I retired. 7/20 WEDNESDAY - Still hot and dry. We were limited I our work at the shop, having but 2 dozen. But it lasted me until about 5 o'clock nevertheless. I did not go to class in the (evening) on account of getting and setting out more turnip plants. It was nearly 9 o'clock before I finished transplanting and watering. Gussie and I went out in the street to do some trading and got home at 9 o'clock. 7/21 THURSDAY - The third anniversary of the Battle of Bull Run. Warm, but considerable wind. Cooler in the evening. We were limited in our work in the shop today, only 1 dozen. I finished it off before dinner. John Bussing then cut my hair for me. I ate my diner (which I carried for the first (time) in a long time on account of Gussie being up to my folks to spend the day) and on my way home called at A. G. Crosby's Coal Office and talked a while with him and John Cosier. When I got home, I changed my clothes, went back downtown and paid Dr. Bulkley for a visit to (my) wife a short time ago. He had another charge against me which I disputed and he did not insist upon it. I then went up home and spent the remainder of the P.M. and stayed to tea. I brought home my drawing knife which I found in a rusty condition. Went to market and to the Post Office in the evening. I got 3 letters from George. There was three more in the box from him to Mother, Harriet and Bell. The New York Times gives an account of an interview in Canada opposite Niagara between rebel commissioners and Horace Greely relative to an adjustment to our National Struggle, the war. Also of one between Rev. Col. Jacques and another man sent by President Lincoln to Richmond and Jefferson Davis, the rebel president. Gussie wrote to Cousin Eliza in California. 7/22 FRIDAY - Yesterday's account of the interview between Horace Greely and rebels in Canada concerning a settlement of our national troubles was greatly exaggerated. I shot Mother Griswold's black cat this morning by her request. Her crime was catching chickens. On my way to the shop this morning, I called on Ashley at the Jeffersonian Office to see about a letter he received from George last evening. I carried my dinner to the shop again today. We were limited in our work at the shop, but it was enough to last me all day. I mailed a New York Times and a Tribune to George in the evening. Hattie Wheeler came down a while in the evening. Edith Newman sent me a letter she received from George for me to take some extracts from for the Jeffersonian. There was a picture in it for me. Answered George's letters before retiring. 7/23 SATURDAY - Cold this morning. Dry and dusty still. Before breakfast, I went down and mailed a letter to George and brought home a piece of corned beef for dinner. We had but 1 dozen hats at the shop. I finished before dinner. After dinner, I took a nap and the fixed our clothes wringer which was broken. I finished up the afternoon work by cleaning off and trimming the edges of the walk in front of the house. After tea, Aunt Louise, Frank and Emma called to get a few currants. Mr. Cocking carried 6 quarts of tomatoes to the Wooster House. I walked down with him. While waiting for the mail, a fellow came and spoke to me calling may name, but I could not recognize him until he gave his name. It was Moses Wheeler of Company C, 17th Regt., in the same Company with George. He is home on furlough. He came from Hilton Head. He has been detached for a clerk to some officer at the place. 7/24 SUNDAY - Morning dry and smoky. Homer B. Barnum of the Co A, 11th Regt. Was buried from the Disciples' Church this forenoon. Captain Henry Hall of Company F, 8th Regt. was buried from our church this P.M. He as well as Barnum of the 11th Regt. was killed by a sharpshooter in the rifle pits in front of Petersburg. Brother Mc Kinney brought Mother to church this morning and up to our house at noon. After Sunday School, I borrowed David Cosier's team and went for her again to attend Captain Hall's funeral. Father was there, so I rode down with her. Mr. Mootry died about 11 O'clock last night. A collection was taken this forenoon to raise $350.00. I gave $1.00. I left Harriet at the house this noon when I came for Mother. I expected to find her when we came home in the P.M., but she was gone. Gussie attended church all day. We were too tired to go in the evening and stayed home. 7/25 MONDAY - Rain. When I rose this morning, I found the cat had treed a rat on one of the evergreens in the yard. I got the gun and shot it. I bought a one half bbl. of flour this morning of Crofut for $7.75. We had one dozen hats to finish at the shop. I went back after dinner to finish them off. We were paid off in the P.M. On my way home, I paid my poll tax to the collector, Charles Crosby - $1.80. He had a military tax of $1.00 against me, but I thought it should be abated on account of having served the required time by law in the state militia. We concluded to let it go unpaid for the present until he found out something definite in regard to it. I paid 3 cents to Dr. Brown for a letter overnight that someone had directed and sent to George. I spent the evening in taking extracts from George's letters for publication. 7/26 TUESDAY - The sun shone this morning, but there have been some fling clouds all day and at time the sun was obscured from sight with the appearance of rain. We had but little work in the shop today. I finished mine before dinner. I attended the funeral of Thomas Mootry at 2 o'clock at his late residence. From there, I carried an item up to B. Frank Ashley for publication in the Jeffersonian. It was the resignation of a 1st Lieutenant in Company G, 17th Regt. C.V. sent from one of George's letters. I called at Scofield's Dry Goods Store and paid Aaron Mallet's tax to Charles Crosby, the collector - $6.60. I went to market in the evening. Mrs. Cocking is sick and had Dr. Bulkley today. 7/27 WEDNESDAY - Eddie Vintz, youngest brother to Louisa, who was adopted at his mother's death to a German family named Davis died this morning at nearly 4 years old about 4 o'clock with the croup. I did what there was to do at the shop by 10 o'clock and came home by way of A. G. Crosby's Coal Office, agent for the Danbury Coal Company, and ordered my winter's coal to be brought today. I brought home a small iron from the shop belonging to John Morris to let Gussie try it at ironing her clothes. Bell came down in the P.M. and wanted Gussie to go with her to select some paper curtains for Mother. She could not go on account of staying with Mrs. Cocking who is sick so I went down with her. We bought 4. I gave her 10 cents to help get her some a little nicer. My coal came in the P.M. - 4 tons. I bought 2 Jeffersonians for George and sent them as follows: one to Bell Conrad at Stratford and one to Cornelia Smith at North Pitcher, Chenango County, New York and put his name in pencil under his piece headed 'An Evening in St. Augustine' as he directed me to do. I gave John Cosier $40.00 in the evening on my coal bill to the Danbury Coal Company to be credited to me under date of tomorrow the 28th. I attended class in the evening. Clark Hoyt's and ours went together in the middle classroom and were led by a New York man named Sudlow. We had a good meeting. The room was full. Mother was down. Some of the friends with their team brought her down as she is not able to walk so far. 7/28 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm. I went to the shop in the morning expecting work but the hats were not ready and could have nothing to do today. I came up to A. G. Crosby's coal office and talked awhile with [??] and John Crosier. I waited until the train came in and then got the mail for Father Griswold (I not having any) and came home. I fixed the eave trough to my sink room roof before dinner. I took a nap after dinner. While lying in the lounge, Hart Purdy came in to have me take the gun and take a ramble with him. I did so; we went over toward Mr. Lynes and then over to Oil Mill Pond and we shot at a few birds and at a muskrat and brought nothing home. We got home about 4 o'clock. I then copied a letter of George's for publication in the Jeffersonian. Gussie attended the funeral of Louise Vintz's brother who was adopted by Mr. Davis, a German. Mrs. Feeks called after tea. I went into the street in the evening, bought a beefsteak for breakfast, went to the Post Office and came home. Before tea, I gave my borrowed gun a good cleaning and put it away. The gun belongs to Mr. Montgomery, brother-in-law to Mr. McDonald. 7/29 FRIDAY - Pleasant and pretty warm. On my way to the shop this morning, I left Cosmopolite's letter at the Jeffersonian's office for publication in next week's issue. It was an account of how the Regt spent the 4th of July in St. Augustine. I took the extracts of his letters and arranged them by his request. We had heavy CG hats at the shop and I got tired out before night. Harry Ledger told me how to make a grease for my iron. I bought the tallow and beeswax on my way home to make it. I went to market in the evening. Took a letter from the Post Office for Father Griswold from Rev. Joseph Henson, now at Hilton for the Christian Commission. The letter was in reply to one from Father Griswold about his taking the chaplaincy of the 71th Regt., C.V. John Morris caught a turtle at Mill Pain Pond while eeling last night which weighed 61 pounds. 7/30 SATURDAY - Very warm. The thermometer stood 84 in the shade at 5 P.M. There was a town meeting held at 2 o'clock to raise an injunction previously laid to prevent paying out money previously appropriated for the procuration of volunteers, etc. The meeting being illegal on account of there being but 4 days' notice given when there should have been 30 days, nothing was done. I finished my work about 3 one half o'clock. Went to market in the evening. News by the evening post that the rebels are in Penn. and are advancing in 3 columns. Grant has also been successful near Richmond. Charles Parsons, 1st Lieutenant, Regular Army, came to Father Griswold's in the evening from West Point. He is on his way to Hartford to drill the militia officers of this state at the Officers' drill commencing next Tuesday and ending Friday. He is Professor of Ethics at the Military Academy, having been assigned to that duty instead of the filed on account of lameness caused by varicose veins in his legs. He is sick; he says he was overcome by the great heat. 7/31 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. Cousin Charlie Parsons is feeling poorly this morning, being sick to his stomach, did not eat anything at breakfast. Fanny came down for my lantern to let down in their well in their cellar thinking that their new kitten which they brought home last evening and put in the cellar had got into it. I went up and lowered the lantern but no cat was there. I then looked behind some rubbish and found him hid away. I attended church in the morning and sat in the choir. Gussie stayed at home with Charlie Parson and let her folks go, he not feeling able to go himself. Union Sunday School concert in the P.M. at the 1st Congregational Church. I came home after Sunday School and stayed in the P.M. with Gussie and Cousin Charlie. We had dinner up there with them by taking our piece of roast lamb up there. After the meal, Charlie came home with us to see our premises. I added a few lines to the letter I was writing to George and sealed it. I also put up A Saturday's Tribune and Evening Post and mailed with the letter in the evening. Instead of going to prayer meeting, I went down to see John Sharp and engage him to come for Cousin Charlie in the morning and take him to the train. I then came home and spent the remainder of the evening with Charles Parsons. We gave him our card pictures to take home with him.
1864-07
Horace Purdy Journal July 1866 Entry
11pgs
JULY 01 SUNDAY - A beautiful day. George came down early this morning for the horse and took a horseback ride before breakfast. He came down before meeting time and we shaved each other. Edwin came in and shaved also with my razor. George and Gussie went to meeting together in the A.M. I went to Sunday School as usual at noon. George and Bell came home with us to tea after which I borrowed Saul Barnum’s wagon and George and I took Georgie and rode up to the cemetery, over to Sturdevant’s to see the new R.R. ,across from there to the lower end of Main street and home. I wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering one dozen lesson books for the Sunday School. I went to church in the evening. Brother Webb preached for us. After meeting, we went up to visit with Edwin and stayed until after 10 o’clock. JULY 02 MONDAY - A lovely day. In the morning, I borrowed Charles Hull’s wagon and Edwin Griswold and Eddie, Jr., Josie Wheeler, Gussie and I took a ride. George went with us downtown where I stopped with him to buy a new set of clothes. He wants them by Thursday to take with him when he returns to Brooklyn. I paid Charles Hull $10.00 for the second hand hay cutter bought February 26th. I also paid my P.O. Box rent up to Jan. 1, 1867. After dinner George came down and hoed the garden for me while I painted my front fence. After tea, Gussie and Louise went with me over to Lake Kenosha to secure a boat for fishing tomorrow. JULY 03 TUESDAY - I took Charles Hull’s wagon home this morning and borrowed Mr. McDonald’s to go fishing. Father Griswold, Edwin and little Eddie, George and myself went over to Kenosha fishing. We stayed until nearly 4 o’clock. We took a bath and then came home. We had very good luck, though most of the items were small. After tea, I went up to James Fowler’s and borrowed Theo’s carriage which he offered for sale before he died. Plowed out Father Griswold’s corn and potatoes after tea. JULY 04 WEDNESDAY - I rose this morning by Edwin calling me and helped hoe corn and potatoes before breakfast for Father Griswold. I finished painting my front fence before dinner. After dinner, I practiced with my pistol at a target. Edwin tried, also Gussie. I sold my horse and harness to _______ this afternoon. Andrew James brought me the customer. I sold the old Theo Fowler carriage with him which I was using while my wagon was being repaired. I had the privilege of buying or selling the carriage for $25.00 for Mr. Fowler. I had a chance, so I sold the establishment - horse, harness and carriage for $90.00. The horse and harness stands me $65.00. After selling, I went up to the cemetery, our folks having gone up previously. From there, I went to Mr. Fowler’s to pay him for the carriage. I waited until it began to rain and then came home without seeing him. On my way home, I bought a pair of thin pants at Mr. Harris’ for $2.50. In the evening, we had a few pieces of fireworks to set off up at Father Griswold’s. It was done to please little Eddie Griswold. JULY 05 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I went up to see Mr. James Fowler before breakfast and paid him $25.00 for his carriage which I sold with my horse yesterday. After breakfast, I went into the street again and settled my account with Benedict & Nichols by paying the balance $16.16. I felt about sick at noon, could eat no dinner, took a nap and felt better after. Caroline Mills was here to dinner. In the P.M., I painted the brickwork under my house in front and the piazza and steps. I used some old paint of Father Griswold’s by buying some oil to put with it. George got his new set of clothes and left for Brooklyn on the regular afternoon passenger train at 4 o’clock, 58 minutes. Mrs. Cocking made Georgie a present of a small cart. We took tea up to Father Griswold’s with Edwin. I wrote two letters in the P.M. for George on the sifter business to Everett C. Andrews, his manufacturer, ordering one dozen sent to D. H. Johnson at Newtown and one to Said (?) Johnson. George mailed them as he went to the depot. I went to market in the evening. When I returned, we went up to Father Griswold and sat until bedtime on his piazza. Did not go to the shop today, but worked around the house. JULY 06 FRIDAY - Very warm – over 90 in the shade. I took up and put down a new drain in the forenoon. In the P.M., I painted the lattice work under Father Griswold’s piazza. Edwin and little Edwin, Mother Griswold and Harriet Wheeler, and Josie came down to tea. Edwin and Ed Jr. walked downtown with me in the evening as I went to the Office. JULY 07 SATURDAY - Very warm. My wagon being done at the blacksmith’s about 9 o’clock, I took it over to Olmstead’s Carriage Shop to be painted. I did not go to the shop, but worked around home, mowing my door yard and trimming my walks. I worked hard until 12 ½ o’clock in the hot sun. In the P.M., I went down to the shop and sleeked off a silk hat for Mr. McDonald. Fanny bought some ice cream in the evening. When I returned home from the market, I ate some with them. I had a headache in the P.M. and the evening. Mr. McDonald’s bill for iron work on my wagon was $14.30; he threw off the 30 cents and I paid him $14.00. JULY 08 SUNDAY - Very warm. Gussie attended church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon after which I came home to keep cool rather than to stay to prayer meeting in the P.M. I took a chair in the yard under the trees and sat nearly all the afternoon. A shower came up about 5 ½ o’clock. It continued to rain at evening meeting time, so we stayed home. JULY 09 MONDAY - Cloudy nearly all day and colder. I went to the shop today- the first time. Edwin and little Eddie came to the shop to see me in the P.M. Gussie bought some handkerchiefs for him to take home with him as presents to the family. After tea and supper, I went to the church for a teachers’ meeting. JULY 10 TUESDAY - Cloudy with some appearance of rain in the morning, but it came off clear and pleasant in the middle of the day. We having trouble at the shop to get hot irons, we stopped work at noon to have a large flue put in the place of a small one we have been using. We contemplated going over to Daniel Manley’s to help him get hay in the P.M. we sent Joe Kyle over to see if he wanted us today, but the weather not looking favorable, he feared to get a large quantity of grass cut with bad weather to prevent getting it up so we stayed at home. I hoed cabbage, planted strawberry peas for seed next season, dug over the ground beside my hedge between Mr. Pond and myself, and after tea, went over near Oil Mill Pond with Ed Dunning to practice shooting at chimney birds. I hit two and he only one. Louise Vintz took tea with us. There being no one home at Father Griswold’s, Mother Griswold and Harriet having gone to Harford by the noon train with Edwin and son Eddie, who have been visiting with us since June 30th. I did not go the depot to see them off, having bid them goodbye in the morning. I saw Edwin on the train as it passed the factory. John Brayman paid me $2.00 on what he owes me today. I got the ramrod to my gun which has been to Stevens’ Machine Shop for a new head. Smith Pulling came with butter just at night. I paid him $1.49 which pays for all up to date. Georgie being badly broken out, Gussie went to the doctor with him. He pronounces it Scarlet rash and gave us medicine for it. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to market. I took two letters from the Office this morning which came last night – one from George and one from Everett C. Andrews, saying that he has sold out his sifter manufacturing, but would try and fill the order of one dozen for George in a few days. I wrote a reply to Andrews and a note to D. H. Johnson in Newtown saying that his order could not be filled for several days. Cleaned gun before retiring. JULY 11 WEDNESDAY - A beautiful day. We were up considerable with Georgie last night. The flues at the shop which were repaired yesterday afternoon were so arranged as to make it dangerous to the wood work adjoining, and in consequence, we had to stop again this P.M. to change the flues. I came home to dinner, after which I went over to Olmstead’s Carriage Shop to direct about the wagon I am having painted there. From there, I went to Robinson’s and bought a record book for the Sunday School came home and copied the minutes of the last three meetings into it, which takes it back to the May meeting which was the first of the Sunday School year. Louise took care of Georgie while Gussie went up home to see Bell who is sick. She is having trouble again with her lungs caused without doubt from getting too tired and overdone while George was home to send the Fourth. After tea, I went again with Ed Dunning over to Oil Mill Pond to practice shooting at chimney birds. It was dark when we returned. JULY 12 THURSDAY - I went to the shop this morning, but the flues were not yet fixed and we could in consequence do no work, so I returned and went to work in my garden weeding out my strawberry bed and trimming the runners for new plants. I worked with bare arms and blistered them in the sun. After tea, I went to work again and worked until dark. Gussie put Georgie to bed and then went to market herself. She called to see the doctor about Georgie; he thinks that he has the “chicken pox” with the Scarlet Rash”. Later – not the chicken pox – July 16th. JULY 13 FRIDAY - Very warm. Gussie, having no bread baked neither pie; I bought my dinner at the baker’s as I went to the shop in the morning and carried it to the shop with me. Gussie had Mrs. Stone to wash for her today. I mailed in the evening a necktie and a collar with a note to George. JULY 14 SATURDAY - Very warm. Mr. Sifer mowed the remnant of my grass on Father Griswold’s dooryard today, not quite either- a little corner of it he left. It was so hot in the shop that I quit work at noon, waited for my pay and came home. I borrowed Charles Stevens’ horse and got my wagon home from Olmstead’s Shop where it had been to be painted. The whole amount of repairs on it is as follows: $14.00 to McDonald for setting up springs and one new leaf in the hind one and two new tires and $14.70 to Olmstead for new rims ($3.00) and six new spokes ( $1.00), washers ($.70), painting, striping and varnishing ($10.00) – total $28.70. I went to market in the evening and saw Harris Crofut about my feed cutter; he thinks he will buy it. When I returned from market, Gussie went down to pay Mr. Adams the balance due for Georgie’s’ straw hat. I sent by her for a pint of ale which Robert and I drank before retiring. She bought a pair of slippers for herself also. JULY 15 SUNDAY - Very warm; I went to church in the morning and stayed to Sunday School after which I returned home. After tea, Gussie and I drew Georgie up home to see Bell who is not very well. Gussie went to church in the evening to the Baptists to hear their new organ. She went in company with Mr. and Mrs. Cocking. I stayed with Georgie. Ed Dunning sat in the yard with me all the evening. We talked on religion. I found him to be a fine young man, steady in all his habits with serious religious impressions. I trust the evening has not been spent unprofitably to either of us. I wrote a short letter to George and enclosed a letter received here for him directed to Willie Franklin. Gussie mailed it as she went to church in the evening. JULY 16 MONDAY - Hot; the thermometer 96 in the shop, the hottest day thus far this summer. I worked until about 5 P.M. and then gave up nearly exhausted. Gussie went to market in the evening. Harriet and Josie returned form Bloomfield on the evening train, she not feeling well. The difficulty with her side being so much worse, she feared to stay from home any longer. Alva Stevens was found dead this noon in his room in Hull block over Dr. Baldwin’s Drug Store. He has been missed since last Saturday morning. His body was in a very corrupt state. JULY 17 TUESDAY - Another very warm day. About 5 P.M., showers passed by us in the north giving us only a few drops. The lightning was sharp and the thunder heavy. It struck Stevens’ Carpenter Shop near Barn Plain Bridge. The fire was out before the hose got there. I worked all day in the shop. I went to market in the evening. When we retired, it looked as if we would have a settled rain. I made some lemonade in the evening; Robert drank some with us. JULY 18 WEDNESDAY - Warm again today but the sun was hid from sight several times which made it less oppressing out of doors. I worked in the shop until 7 o’clock. A shower came up about 5 o’clock which gave us a little rain. Robert Dunning came over and picked some currants after tea. I went to market in the evening. JULY 19 THURSDAY - It rained some last night; it has been cool today. I worked as usual in the shop. As I went to work in the morning, I left an advertisement at the Jeffersonian Office for my wagon. After tea, I went into the street with Ed Dunning. I called at the Jeffersonian Office and changed the wording of the advertisement I left there this morning. When we returned, we sat on my front steps for a while and partly made arrangements for going hunting a sort time early tomorrow morning. JULY 20 FRIDAY - I rose about 3 o’clock this morning and went over to Robert Dunning’s to wake his son Ed who agreed to get up and come over to wake me. I got the start of him. We started about 4 o’clock and got to the hunting ground down between Town and Middle Mountain by the time we could see to shoot. We found three woodcock and shot two of them; each of us got one. It was about 6 ½ o’clock when we returned. I went to the shop, but was obliged to come home about noon, having a hard headache. Getting up so early and taking so much of a tramp was rather too much for me, not being used to it. Bell came here after meeting last night and stayed all night with us. She took Georgie up home with her in the forenoon to spend the day. I went to market in the evening and came home about 8 o’clock when it commenced raining. JULY 21 SATURDAY - Cloudy with occasional fine rain and mist. I went to the shop and worked as usual. After tea, I trimmed an Elm tree standing in front of the house. Robert Dunning came along as I was doing it and helped me drag off the limbs I cut off, after which I walked downtown with him and did some marketing and returned home. JULY 22 SUNDAY - Cloudy most of the time during the day. Mother walked down about 9 o’clock and went from here to church about meeting time. John Brayman came over and picked a mess of peas from our vines before we rose this morning. Gussie told him last night to come and get them. Gussie went to church this morning. I went down to Sunday School and returned when it was over, not staying to the prayer meeting in the P.M. I wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering one dozen new catechisms and one copy of the Sunday School Advocates for the three remaining months of the Advocate year. I enclosed $.56 for the both of them, that being the amount of the bill. After tea, I took Georgie to walk over to Mr. McDonald’s. When I returned with him, we took him in his carriage and went over to Daniel Starr’s and made a short call before evening meeting. I went to church in the evening; Mr. Webb preached. After meeting, I walked up home with Bell, she being alone. JULY 23 MONDAY - Pleasant and not so extremely warm as last week. I brought water from Father Griswold’s cistern before breakfast for Gussie to wash with; this is the first time we have been obliged to do so this summer. John Meaker made his finishing shop foul today. Mallory discharged all his finishers Saturday and it is expected that his shop will be made foul also. After tea, I hoed my cabbages and went to market. I called at David Osborne’s store to tell him of my wagon for sale, I having heard that he wanted to buy one. Before retiring, I helped Gussie seal up her currant jelly in cups. JULY 24 TUESDAY - A beautiful summer day, not extremely hot. Mrs. Coles came over this morning and picked a mess of peas which we gave her if she would pick them. Mrs. Pulling came about 7 o’clock as we were eating breakfast this morning with our butter – 2 lbs. I paid her for it - $.70. David Osborne came to look at my wagon. He thought the springs were not quite heavy enough to suit him. I went to market in the evening. JULY 25 WEDNESDAY - A beautiful morning. I worked as usual in the shop. We had a heavy shower about 1 o’clock P.M. As it passed over, the sun shone a short time, but another soon followed which was far heavier than the first. It continued until nearly 8 o’clock in the evening. I went into the street in the evening to take a lamp for repairs and to go to the Post Office. I bought a small kit of Mackerel No. 1 at Randell & Bradley’s to be sent up tomorrow morning. I paid $3.12 for them. I walked up with Joseph W. Allen from the street He came home with me to get a bottle of cider at father Griswold’s for his wife, it being ordered by the doctor. Mrs. Cocking spent the evening with us. I made some lemonade which we drank before retiring. JULY 26 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. I had the headache in the afternoon. As I came from work, I got the Sunday School Advocates at Swift & Day’s; also one dozen No. 1 catechisms which I ordered last Sunday. After tea, I went over to Robert Dunning’s for a few moments to see him shoot at a mark with his rifle. I stayed at home in the evening with Georgie and let Gussie go into the street. JULY 27 FRIDAY - Warm, muggy, clouds, sunshine and a little rain. I worked as usual in the shop and stayed until about 7 o’clock. Gussie is calculating to go to Norwalk with an excursion tomorrow in company with and at the invitation of Mr. Cole’s folks. She accordingly went up for Bell to come and stay all night and take Georgie home with her tomorrow morning after she leaves for Norwalk. JULY 28 SATURDAY - An excursion to Norwalk and Roton Point. Gussie went in the company of Mr. Coles’ folks. Warm and muggy in the morning. Showers in the middle of the day; a severe one between 4 and 5 o’clock P.M. Walter Fayerweather’s house on Highland Avenue was struck by lightning. Bell stayed with us last night and did the work after breakfast to let Gussie go on the picnic and then took Georgie home with her. On account of the shower, she did not come home with him at night. The excursionist arrived here at 11 o’clock. I met Gussie and Susan Brayman at the depot. JULY 29 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. On account of retiring so late last night, we did not get up this morning until after 8 o’clock. Gussie is nearly used up from her excursion yesterday. She did not go to church as usual this morning, so I went instead. We expected Mr. Lockwood to tea with us, but he, not feeling well, concluded not to come. Father came down with Georgie this morning about 8 o’clock. After tea, I took a walk into West Street and up to Seth Downs’ and return. I then wrote to George to the Book Room, 200 Mulberry Street and to the Bible House on 4th Avenue between 8th and 9th Streets to enquire the price of cheap bibles per dozen. Gussie walked up to the cemetery about 6 P.M. with Harriet and Mr.Stokes and others of their family, I believe. I stayed with Georgie. She returned too late to get to evening meeting, so she went over to Mrs. Green’s to see how their little boy, Sammy was. He is dangerously sick. I made some lemonade before retiring. JULY 30 MONDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. I gave Gussie $2.25 to pay Mrs. Baxter for dress making. I bought $.25 worth of sugar to make lemonade at the shop. Received a letter from George with $10.00 enclosed to pay Mr. Harris towards his suit of clothes which he bought when he was home over the 4th of July. Reverend L. Webb delivered a lecture in the evening at our church on the massacre by the Sioux Indians of the white settlers in Minnesota in August, 1862. As we went (Gussie and I), I called at Mr. Harris’ store and paid him the $10.00 George sent to him towards his clothes. Brother Webb was in Minnesota at the time doing military duty against the Indians. He was Adj. General to General Sibley at the time. The papers today state that the Atlantic cable has been successfully laid, it being the third attempt. Messages have been sent back and forth already. JULY 31 TUESDAY - I wrote a letter to George before breakfast in answer to one received yesterday but did not mail it until this evening. A number of men have been shopped today to go into the new shop (formerly used for foul men) as Mr. Crofut has more work than can be done in his main shop. Ed Harris, James Hagen, Daniel Manly, John Knowles and others were shopped. I worked until 7 o’clock at the shop. Received a letter from Carlton & Porter in reference to the bibles for Sunday School use. I went to market in the evening – bought clams, eggs and lemons. An account in the papers today of a riot in New Orleans, or rather a mob. Loyal men assembled in a convention were attacked by rebels who had formerly fought in the Rebel Army. The affair took place on the 30th of July.
1866-07
Horace Purdy Journal July 1868 Entry
6pgs
JULY 01 WEDNESDAY - I have been to New York. I came home by steamer to Norwalk to bring a looking glass frame for Mr. Jackson. I sat up until about midnight, cutting plate and fitting and fastening in the new frame. Mr. Pond assisted me. JULY 02 THURSDAY - Very warm. I have worked in the shop. After tea, George helped me to carry the glass to Mr. Jackson's and hang it. JULY 03 FRIDAY - Very hot; a heavy shower commencing little before 4 o'clock and lasting an hour or more. The rain fell in torrents accompanied with hail. The mercury stood from 90 to 100 in the shade. JULY 04 SATURDAY - Another hot day. I went to New York and took to William Hayes about 3 quarts of strawberries. I returned on the 12:15 Express from New York and arrived here at 3:45. The Catholics held a picnic in Keeler's Orchard on Deer Hill. The 'Grand Army of the Republic' held one in McDonald's Woods at Oil Mill Pond. Gussie attended the G.A.R company. With what was expected, it was a failure. It has been very hot. Georgie has been up home on Deer Hill today in order to let Gussie attend the picnic. He is to stay overnight. The Democratic Convention meets today in New York at the new Tammany Hall between 3rd and 4th Avenues on 14th Street. A salute was fired this evening at sundown at Rose Hill by members of the G.A. R. JULY 05 SUNDAY - Very warm again. After breakfast, George and I went over to Oil Mill Pond to wash. Georgie being up home, we all attended church in the morning. While we were at tea, Father came with Georgie. Showers around us with heavy thunder and lightning but no rain here. Georgie has a bad cough. I went over to West Street to Mr. Wood's to get a recipe for a cough syrup to make for Georgie. JULY 06 MONDAY - A pleasant warm day though more comfortable than yesterday there being more breeze. I had work in the shop until nearly 6 o'clock. I went down to Swifts with two 10x12 one inch Rose and Gilt frames and cut them down for Fanny to make 8x10's of them. I went to market in the evening. JULY 07 TUESDAY - Cloudy. No work in the shop. I took the 12 o'clock train and went to New York, arrived a 3:20. I took the 4:30 train back again. The shone when I got to the city. Before I arrived home, we had a summer shower. George met me at the depot with my overshoes and an umbrella. JULY 08 WEDNESDAY - Lowery; muggy and hot, but little sunshine. I have worked in the shop. I have filed my saw which belongs to the store after I came from work. After tea, George went to market for me and I took F. G. Jackson's old looking glass frame to his house which I have had since I made his new one. Before bedtime, I went up to Father Griswold's and had a talk with him about my business affairs. JULY 09 THURSDAY - Thunder shower this morning early. Went to New York. William started today with his regiment for Norwich. Horatio Seymour was today nominated for President and Blair for Vice-President. JULY 10 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I have been to New York. We had Dr. Bulkely for Georgie. I talked with Mrs. Willard about learning Gussie to preserve flowers. I brought a package from John Carpenter in New York to Charlie, his brother, in Burnett & Stone's store. JULY 11 SATURDAY - Pleasant but hot. I have been to New York. As I went to the depot this morning, I carried to Charles Carpenter at Burnett & Stone's store, 4 rolls of salve. The store not being open, I left them at Benedict's Shoe Store. William returned this P.M. from his excursion with the New York 7th Regiment to Norwich. I delivered 6 Bead Walnut and Gilded frames to N. Tibbel this P.M. I came near being left by the train in New York this P.M. Gussie moved our bed upstairs today and put my secretary in the bedroom. JULY 16 SUNDAY - Before breakfast, George and I went over to Oil Mill Pond and washed. I went to church in the morning and to Sunday School. Gussie went in the P.M. to the Communion Service. Before its close, it was nearly broken by an alarm of fire. A Mr. Beers on Balmforth Avenue owned the house. A part of the house was nearly destroyed. After tea, Gussie went with Mrs. Rowan to see Mary White, an old schoolmate. JULY 13 MONDAY - Very warm. HOT! I have worked in the shop. After tea, George and I trimmed the edges of the walk in front of the house. Father Griswold's and Mr. Pond's front also. I wrote to Southmayd & Company, my agent for selling my store and enclosed $2.50 for advertising in the Herald, which with $2.00 given him when I arranged with him to try and sell the business makes $4.50. George took it to mail for me. I also wrote to E. Wing, West Goshen to send an improved washing machine for the one we have had of the first lot, it being imperfect. JULY 14 TUESDAY - Pleasant but very warm. The mercury stood at 95 in the shade. I worked until after 3 P.M. in the shop. As I came home, I bought a quart of Old Stock imported ale for Georgie. The doctor ordered it for him. I sent to the office this morning the letter I wrote to Mr. Wing. JULY 15 WEDNESDAY - Very warm again today. I have been to New York. I left our washing machine at Ridgefield Station for Mr. Wing this morning; he is to send another in its place. I delivered more frames to Tibbels' and received $34.00, the amount of his bill. Hannah Gregory and Mary White from Dover, New York were here to tea. They were old Amenia school mates of Gussie's. George and I went across to Mr. Green's about 11 o'clock and took a wash in the brook and then retired, being nicely cooled off. JULY 16 THURSDAY - Warm, but more comfortable there being a breeze. I have worked in the shop all day. JULY 17 FRIDAY - Pleasant but a little cooler. I have worked in the shop all day. I went to market in the evening. JULY 18 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I have been to New York. I took a small bundle for Elisha Morris to be called for at my store. I put in a 10x17 looking glass plate for Robert Cocking and built two small ones. I brought them home with me and delivered them this evening and got my pay for them. Dan Rice's Circus has been here today. George went to Yonkers. JULY 19 SUNDAY - Pleasant. As I went for milk this morning, I carried to Mr. McDonald the 3 cents worth of Children's Tracts which I got for him yesterday in New York. George went to Yonkers yesterday and is consequently not with us today. I went to church in the morning. Brother Burch preached to the Sunday School. I came home after school. Gussie came down at noon and stayed in the P.M. After tea, Father came down with Georgie who has been up there since yesterday. We stayed home in the evening. JULY 20 MONDAY - Cloudy; east wind and misty and fine rain just at night. I have worked in the shop. William Carlson drew my pay - $12.00 ' on Saturday and gave it to me today. Bell drew George's pay at Montgomery's today and left $10.00 with Gussie for board. He expects to return from Yonkers tomorrow. Gussie went to market this evening. JULY 21 TUESDAY - Cloudy; east wind but no rain. I have worked in the shop. George came home from Yonkers on the evening train. Thought I lost my pocketbook at A. E. Fuller's Market, but found it at home. The seventh Anniversary of the 1st Battle of Bull Run. JULY 22 WEDNESDAY - I have been to New York. Cloudy in the morning with fog. Sunshine in the middle of the day. Warmer than the last two or three days. Mrs. Stewart went home this morning from Father Griswold's. I escorted her to the city. I saw her on a 3rd Avenue and Fulton Ferry Stage and left her. Elisha Morris' wife was put in my care also. She took the boat at Norwalk where I turned her over to John Cosier who was going to the city. I framed and brought home Hanson Smith's and George's Soldiers testimonials and brought them up with me at night. JULY 23 THURSDAY - An east wind and cloudy most of the day, but no rain. I have worked in the shop. In the evening, I went to market and paid Charles Griffing for the ## ton of coal I owed him for. JULY 24 FRIDAY - I have worked hard in the shop. JULY 25 SATURDAY - A heavy rain last night. I have been to New York. The day has been fine in New York, though it has rained here about two o'clock; also about 7 this evening and again between 9 and 10 o'clock. I had some conversation with William Hayes in the store about buying me out. Gussie met me in the street after the train arrived and I went with her to market. JULY 26 SUNDAY - Before breakfast, George and I went over to Oil Mill Pond and took a good wash. I went to church in the morning. Gussie came down at noon with Georgie to Sunday School. After school, I came home with him and left Gussie to the afternoon meeting. After tea, Gussie, Georgie and I took a walk up West Street into Stevens and Spring Streets. JULY 27 MONDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. After tea, I went up to F. G. Jackson's to see about the $20.00 he owes me for the looking glass frame I made for him July 2. He promises to pay it this week. From there, I went up to Agnes Keeler's to see the size of the three pictures I framed for them last summer; also to inquire the price of braiding a hair watch chain for John Cave in New York. From there, I went to market. The proprietor of the Turner House failed this morning. The sheriff was there and attached his property. JULY 28 TUESDAY - I have worked in the shop. A shop call after dinner to put the price of No. 7-6-8-and 4back again to the old price, we having made a deduction on these qualities during dull times about 6 weeks or two months ago. We got the price on all except the No. 6 which Mr. Crofut would not give the 2%, but we agreed on 1% advance. Elijah Morris and myself were the committee to wait upon the boss. I worked all the P.M. in misery with a sick headache. Gussie went to market in the evening. I cut George's hair and helped Mr. Pond set out celery plants. JULY 29 WEDNESDAY - Went to New York. Levi Wildman came to the store to see my business. He thinks of buying a business of some kind. I got two pounds of coffee and one pound of tea at the Great American Tea Company. I brought up two pictures to Oscar Serine which I framed for him ' 'Lost' and 'Saved' in Rose and Gilt. I delivered them after tea and then went to Mr. Richards for my boots and shoes for Georgie which he has mended today. JULY 30 THURSDAY - Pleasant. After breakfast, I turned grindstone for Mr. Pond to grind his scythe up to Father Griswold's barn. I have worked in the shop. Today has been the first for a long time that we have had full work in the shop. After tea, Bell came home with Georgie. He has been up to Grandmas since yesterday. Gussie went to market in the evening, while I, being tired, stayed home. Gussie bought a pair of heeled slippers - $1.15. JULY 31 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. Real Dog Days' weather. I have worked in the shop. Oscar Serine cashed my account - $20.00. In the evening, I called to see F. G. Jackson per agreement to get my pay for looking glass frames but he was away to New York. I went to market in the evening.
1868-07
Horace Purdy Journal July 1869 Entry
10pgs
JULY 01 THURSDAY - Pleasant but cold. I have helped Ambrose Hill hoe out his potatoes today. I took dinner with him. I mailed an order this morning to T. E. Twitchell for 6 more beds. I also mailed to D. R. French a duplicate of the order. I went into the street in the evening. I ordered another half bushel of the garnet potatoes and paid for both, bringing the mail for Mr. Pond and Father Griswold. JULY 02 FRIDAY - Pleasant but still cool. I hoed in my garden before breakfast. After breakfast, Ambrose Hill came over and helped me build a framework to keep my tomatoes off the ground. Before dinner, I commenced putting some soil thinly spread over my sidewalk to help pack the sand which I a short time ago put on the walk. In the P.M., Ambrose and I completed repairing our sidewalk. After dinner we went up to Samuel Holby's to take the extra springs out from his beds. We finally concluded to leave it until tomorrow and then put 3 more springs in Father Griswold's bed. JULY 03 SATURDAY - Showery in the morning; also in the P.M. The sun has shone about half the time. I sawed and split up some old boards, brush and broken bean poles which lay near the woodhouse. I then went into the street to try to collect for some beds we have been putting up, but I could not get a cent. In the P.M., we expected 12 sets of bed springs but they did not come. About 4 P.M., I put a new string on the flagpole at Father Griswold's house and ran up his Stars and Stripes. I lowered it again about dusk. I went into the street in the evening. Gussie also went to market. We saw John Brayman who had just come in on the train from Walpole, Mass. to stay over Sunday with his family. In the Jeffersonian printed yesterday, Frank Page advertised John Brayman's name as having bought a bag of flour last February 15, promising to pay in one week and not having done so to the present time. Charles Hayes, our boarder, gave Georgie two packs of torpedoes. The boys are shooting crackers today about the same I suppose as they will next Monday. The day has been since noon extremely warm. JULY 04 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. After breakfast Charles Hayes and I went over to Oil Mill Pond for a wash. I went down to Sunday School at noon. I gathered from the teachers their quarterly statements of pennies contributed by their classes. I am to arrange them in the form of a report to be read at school next Sunday. I opened and emptied the Infant Class box from which I took $3.74 as their collections for the last three months. I came home with Georgie after school. We had our first mess of peas from the garden for dinner today. After dinner, I took a nap and then took a walk until about 7:30 . On my walk, I stopped a few minutes at Daniel Manly's , also at Ambrose Hill's gate, talked a few minutes with his wife and then met Ambrose before I got out of Stevens Street. When I got home, I found John Brayman at the house. I talked awhile with him and then went up to take down the flag at Father Griswold which I ran up this morning and has been flying all day. JULY 05 MONDAY - Pleasant and not extremely warm. The Fourth has been observed today. I have sold 6 beds today one to George Starr, Walter Fayerweather, Charles Stevens, Henry Booth, Fanny Griswold and a small one for Father's lounge. While canvassing for my springs in the P.M., I called up home and took Father's order. On my way home, I called at Robert Cocking's. His wife treated me in Robert's stead to a bottle of ale. In the evening, I went down to the park to see the fireworks. From there, I went over to Ambrose's to see about going to Bethel tomorrow. We have concluded to go. Charles Hayes went to New York today on the "Nelly White" - an excursion. JULY 06 TUESDAY - I wrote last evening to George, offering him work canvassing for our bed springs provided he was doing scarcely enough in Brooklyn to pay his board. I mailed the letter this morning. The day has been pleasant. Ambrose Hill and I went to Bethel this morning on the train to canvass for the spring beds. We stayed all day and came home on the evening train. We sold 7 beds. JULY 07 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. In the morning, I split some wood in the wood house. I commenced cropping the ends of my tomato vines. Ambrose and I went in the forenoon to the box shop of E. Davis for two boxes for our models. We called at E. S. Davis to get the measure of his bedstead preparatory to ordering his bedspring. She concluded to wait until she got a new bedroom set before giving us an order for bedsprings. In the P.M., Ambrose and I took a walk up to Elwell Fink's farm to measure a bedspring for them. After tea, he came over and we went to Henry Booth's to see about putting springs in his bedstead. We arranged for it and came home and ordered 15 more beds. As Ambrose went home he took the order to the office; also a duplicate of the same to the general agent, D. R. French. JULY 08 THURSDAY - Pleasant. Ambrose came over after breakfast and we went over to Isaac Jennings and took out his middle row of springs in the bed we sold him and adjusted the others properly, the third row being too much for people no heavier than he and his wife. From there, we went over to Henry Booth's and planed some extra fixtures in order to put a set of springs in and old round barrel cord bedstead. After dinner, I waited for Ambrose to come over and go with me to sell the beds. I waited until after 2 P.M. and then started alone. I sold one to E. Thompson, the truss maker; also one to Harry Hornblower. After tea, I went over to see Ambrose and found that he had gone away by the Brookfield cars to Bridgeport, Stratford, etc. trying to collect some money due him for trees. JULY 09 FRIDAY - Cloudy with the appearance of rain in the morning. After breakfast, I plucked the runners from my strawberry plants. I then took a walk over Town Hill with my model, taking measures as I went of Mr. Collins' bedstead. I visited Sharp's store, Ira Morse, Col. Chichester's house. Both want spring beds but did not order this morning. After dinner, I started for the depot, but was caught in a thunder shower before I got there. So I stopped at Isaac Jennings's Agricultural Warehouse in West Street near Main. After the shower, I proceeded to the freight depot to see if our spring beds came, but they did not. Davis Hoyt sent me up to his house to measure a bedstead for a set of springs, but his wife objected to getting them when I went there so I went away without measuring the bed. JULY 10 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. I spent most of the forenoon in preparing fixtures for Henry Booth's bed and making an arrangement for carrying tools, bits, etc. for putting in spring beds. I went to the depot on arrival of the freight train at 1 3/4o'clock, expecting a lot of spring beds, but they did not come. I spent a part of the P.M. in canvassing for our beds. I went between 4 and 5 o'clock over to Ambrose's and found that he had returned on the 3 1/4 train. I went to market with Gussie in the evening. JULY 11 SUNDAY - A considerable air stirring, but very warm. By far the warmest day we have had yet, I think. Bell came down at meeting time with Georgie who went up home with her yesterday and stayed last night. I went down in time for Sunday School and took Georgie with me. After school I came home with him. I read to the school the first quarterly report of their collections by classes. Only 14 out of 30 teachers reported to me so that my report was meager. The teachers did not all understand the new order of things. We had our first lobster of the season for dinner. We had a thunderstorm between 5 and 6 P.M. which cooled the air and made the evening pleasant. JULY 12 MONDAY - A beautiful morning. Before breakfast, I wrote and mailed an order for 4 spring beds to T. E. Twitchell and a duplicate of the same to D. R. French. After breakfast, I wrote to Carlton & Lanahan for a June, 1868 number of The Ladies' Repository for Jemima Marsh. I took an order in the P.M. from Lyman Keeler and George Rundle for a spring bed. Ambrose Hill and I took the 6:30 train on the New York Northern & Housatonic railroad for the Brookfield junction, thence to New Milford to canvass for two days to canvas for our spring beds. We put up at the New England House. We saw E. Wildman in the evening who is there working with Jarvis Polley building a tobacco warehouse near the depot. JULY 13 TUESDAY - We rose this morning and took breakfast at 6 o'clock. I must say that the landlord needs some of our spring beds, for the one I slept on last night squeaked enough to alarm all in the house. We canvassed all day and advertised the beds as best as we could. We sold 7 before night, which was for the first time, we think, good. Mist and fine rain during the evening. JULY 14 WEDNESDAY - Showery with mist and fine rain all morning; cloudy all day. We sold enough to make 9 before noon. We mailed an order to Twitchell before taking the noon train for home. We ordered the 9 sent to New Milford as soon as possible. We arrived home just in time to meet the freight train on which we expected beds from New Haven but they did not come. I came home, took dinner, did some writing and then went over to Ambrose Hill's. JULY 15 THURSDAY - Fine rain and mist in the forenoon. Having a hard headache, I felt but little like canvassing, so I wrote on mucilage paper the figure $6.75 to put over the $6.50 on our advertising posters. I went down to the shop for a little while in the forenoon. After dinner, I went to the depot to see if our spring beds had come. They did not come, so I went from there down to the Pahquioque Factory again and had a wide black band put on my round crown pearl cass. hat. After tea, we had a hard thunder shower. After the shower, I went over to Ambrose Hill's to look over our company books together. When I came home, I brought the advertising posters home with me. I received from Carlton & Lanahan a bill of Ladies' Repository for Jemima Marsh. Before I retired, I enclosed the amount for mailing to them in the morning. JULY 16 FRIDAY - I sent to the Post Office early by Fred Lewis the note with pay enclosed to Carlton & Lanahan for The Ladies' Repository. I canvassed a little in the A.M. with going around and changing the error in print of the posters - $6.50 for an 8-slat bed ought to be $6.75. Twenty of our beds came by freight train. Noah Hoyt delivered our beds for us. I worked until after 10o'clock last night putting up beds. I went up and put in Father's lounge springs, the last thing. I found them in bed. They both got up and helped me. The day has been extremely warm. JULY 17 SATURDAY - Pleasant but not so extremely warm as yesterday. We have spent about all day putting up the balance of our twenty spring beds. We finished up by taking Horace Cable's horse and going up to put up Lewis Elwell's bed. In the evening, Gussie and I went to market, after which I went over to Ambrose Hill's for a short time before retiring. JULY 18 SUNDAY - It has been a little cooler today; not so much sunshine. I picked peas and dug potatoes for dinner and then went down to Sunday School I came home again after school. After dinner, which was about 4 o'clock, Gussie and I walked over to Ambrose Hill's where we stopped a few minutes and then went up to the cemetery. On our way home, we stopped a few minutes at Andrew Williams. I there helped Andrew's sister lift her father out from his bed and set him in a chair, Andrew himself being away. Old Mr. Williams is a cripple and needs help in and out of his bed. In the evening, I helped Mother Griswold shift some bedding and then I made up her bed as I thought it was best for the springs under it. After this, Charles Hayes and I took a walk up on Deer Hill to Father's. JULY 19 MONDAY - A little rain in the morning. I wrote and mailed a letter to Mr. Twitchell about spring beds before breakfast. Mr. D. R. French, the general agent of the state, came on the train from Derby. He came to see Ambrose as he is going to leave the business; also to see George Ambler about taking Hartford County. I received from Carlton & Lanahan my bill receipted for The Ladies' Repository which I sent for Jemima Marsh. JULY 20 TUESDAY - Before breakfast, I wrote to William Hayes at 415 Hudson Street, New York, to see if he could collect from Joseph Wheeler $8.00 for me. Also to see if he had heard from Tobias Stork regarding the $20.00 he owes me for looking glasses. After breakfast, I measured Albert Scott's bed for a set of springs, and then took my satchel of tools and went over to Horace Cable's. We put a spring bed in the wagon for John Wheeler in Newtown, and with Mr. French, the general agent, we started for Newtown to put up the bed and take a slat to J. H. Warner in Sandy Hook where one was lacking when Hill put up his bed. The bed being 3 rows of springs it did not work well so we took out the middle cross bar and shifted the head and foot springs, making it a regular 2 row bed which now gives satisfaction. We sold 7 beds, two on our way over this morning to Benedict and Osborne and 5 in Newtown and Sandy Hook. We arrived home about 6:30 o'clock this evening. In the evening, I went up to see how Father Griswold likes his 3 row bed; he likes it very much. JULY 21 WEDNESDAY - Rain early this morning. It finally came off pleasant. After breakfast, I went over to Ambrose Hill's and we looked over our company account to see how the business stood before he left for Brooklyn. He left on the noon train. Horace Cable and I started about 11 o'clock with his horse and carriage over into Miry Brook where we canvassed a little for our spring bed. We returned about 2 P.M. without selling any. We both canvassed a little about town in the P.M. In the evening, we went up to George Scott's and secured an order from him and Widow Fanton. Measurements to be taken on Saturday. Elias Stevens, Harriet and Josie came by the train this evening from New Haven. JULY 22 THURSDAY - Pleasant. Horace Cable harnessed his horse in the morning and we rode up to Pandanarum to canvass for our spring beds. We rode downtown to George Raymond's and William E. Bailey's for orders. Before coming to dinner, I stopped at Charles Reed's and sold two. We sold 7 today besides spending all the P.M. putting up a lot of 8 which came on the freight train. We put up 8 of them leaving E. Thomson's until tomorrow morning, they not being at home this P.M. JULY 23 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. Horace Cable and I went to Bethel today with his horse to put up spring bed bottoms. As we went, we stopped at E. Thompson's and put up his which was left over from yesterday's batch of 8. It took us until noon to finish putting up the lot down there. We finished up the P.M. canvassing there and on our way home. I received by the evening mail a letter from Mr. Twitchell that he today shipped for us 11 beds. I went round to Horace's and showed him the letter before coming home. JULY 24 SATURDAY - Before breakfast, I wrote and mailed a letter to Charles Peck, harness maker in New Milford concerning spring beds sold to him and others requesting him not to disturb them at the depot as we would be there the first of next week and put them up. We canvassed for beds in the forenoon and sold 5 before dinner, 3 of them to Charles Decklyn's family. I had Daniel Starr saw our 4 half circles for me to attach to William Leach's round rail bedstead in putting in his spring bed bottom which we did in the P.M. Eleven beds came on the freight train. We put in7 in the P.M., viz, J. F. Burgen, H. B. Fanton, Albert Scott, T. R. Hoyt, William Leach, George L. Smith and Edgar L. Benedict, leaving Lockwood Olmstead's on account of it being a cord bedstead and Twitchell not sending the right castings. Also Burton Osborne's to Stony Hill and Henry Willis of Newtown. In the evening, we went uptown to George Scott's and measured a bedstead for springs, after which I saw Walter Fairweather at Peck & Wildman's store. He acknowledged the superiority of the bed and pronounced himself highly pleased with it and paid me for it $6.00. Before retiring, I tried to write up my books but was so tired that I gave it up and went to bed. JULY 25 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. Gussie got Georgie ready for church and let him go in the morning with Josie Wheeler to hear Brother Burch's sermon to the children. I went down and heard the last end of the sermon and stayed to Sunday School after which I came home with Georgie. After dinner which was about 4 P.M., Gussie went to the Band of Hope and Georgie went with me for a walk over to Horace Cable's. Gussie, after the Band of Hope, went to Mrs. Bradley's and stayed until evening meeting time. I stayed at home in the evening. I wore my white linen pants to church today for the first time of the season. JULY 26 MONDAY - Before breakfast, I wrote and mailed to T. Twitchell an order for Lot No. 3 ' 13 beds, also a duplicate to Mr. French, including Lot No. 2 to Newtown and Danbury ' 10 beds. Total Lot No. 2 and 3 ' 23 beds to French. After breakfast, Horace Cable came over and we went to Henry Booth's and put in a safety bar under the springs we put in his bedstead. They not being at home, we got in the window, did the job, and came out the same way. We then went over to Lockwood Olmstead's and put his springs into a cord bedstead. This took us until noon. It was showery in the A.M. After dinner, it rained for a time very hard. After the rain, Horace and I went down to Ezra Stone's (over Avery Raymond's market) and put in 2 new slats in place of 2 which were split from careless handling between New Haven and here. From there we went over to Ambrose Hill's and fitted to and put up the springs (3 rows which we took from T. R. Hoyt) in his bed after changing them from 3 to 2 rows. After tea, I went over to Henry Booth's and got paid $6.00 for his bed. I then went into the street and mailed a letter Mrs. Hill found in the street. I took one from the Office for Bell from George. JULY 27 TUESDAY - Horace Cable and I drove to New Milford this forenoon. We arrived there about 1 o'clock. There were 2 or 3 hard showers during the P.M. which interfered somewhat with our work putting up beds. We put up the nine and got the pay for all except one to Michael Mc Niff. We drove back as far as Lanesville where we put up for the night with Nelson Knowles. JULY 28 WEDNESDAY - After breakfast at Mr. Knowles' this morning, we commenced to canvass in Lanesville a little. We took orders for 4 beds, one for Mr. Knowles, one each for his two sons, James and John, also one for Henry Chase. After dinner, we drove down to the Iron Works, canvassing as we went, but sold not a bed until we got there where we took an order from Lewis Ives for one. We left the Iron Works after 6 o'clock, arriving home about 8 in the evening. I found 2 letters waiting for me, one from William Hayes in reply to one requesting him to collect for me if possible $8.00 from Joe Wheeler and $20.00 from Tobias Stork. The other letter was from D. R. French with a bill for beds for Lots 1, 2 and 3 amounting to $115.25. George Ambler called in the evening to see me about Hartford County. He and Booth are going. JULY 29 THURSDAY - Before and after breakfast, I wrote up Cable & Purdy's books, copying orders in the order book, etc., also wrote to French acknowledging receipt of first bill to Cable & Purdy for beds comprising Lots 1, 2, and 3 amounting to $115.25. I went to the Danbury Bank at 10 o'clock and got a draft for $100.00 and mailed it in the P.M. mail to D. R. French. Showers early in the morning, but pleasant the remainder of the day. Horace Cable helped me canvass before dinner and in the P.M. We expected 13 bedsprings this P.M. by the freight train, but were disappointed, so we canvassed for more orders. JULY 30 FRIDAY - Pleasant and not very warm. Horace Cable and I went to Bethel this morning to collect pay from Beers Blackman and George Osborne. Blackman paid me but Osborne deferred it until next week. We took three orders, Farnum, Greenwood and Tom Wheeler. We expected our beds by freight but were again disappointed, so in the P.M., Horace went out to Mill Plain to collect money for fees. I went with him to canvass for our beds. We took an order from John Corning for one. Georgie went to Bethel with us this morning. I broke another crystal to my watch this P.M. JULY 31 SATURDAY - Horace Cable and I went over to Newtown to put up spring beds. We put up 4 and brought home the fifth one which was made the wrong size. We arrive home again about 1 o'clock. We fed the horse. I ate dinner with Horace after which we took the horse and went to the depot for 13 beds which came on the freight train. We delivered them and put up all but three. We worked until about 8 o'clock in the evening putting up three for Charles Decklyn. We received a letter from T. E. Twitchell stating that he had sent us the 13 beds. He wants us to send him money as fast as we can.
1869-07
Horace Purdy Journal June 1864 Entry
8pgs
6/1 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. Warm until about 4 P.M. when a hard thundershower came up. John Bussing was married this morning at 6 o'clock and took the train. Gussie went up to Mrs. McNeil's to get a dress cut and we carried our dinner (Harriet and I). On my way home from work at night, I came by way of Come's Marble Works and engaged a stone for Eddie. I went to market and to class in the evening. Our pay was put off on account of taking an inventory until today. But did not get pay for what work we did today. Gussie received a letter from an old Essex friend Kate Bailey, formerly Kate Doane. 6/2 THURSDAY - Rain last night. Cloudy this morning. Cleared off at noon. Before tea, I set a post for Clothes line. After tea, I helped Father Griswold move their refrigerator from barn to cellar. Went downtown by way of Bund's[?] garden with Mr. Cocking who went that way to carry some eggplants to Mr. House [?] in the evening. While downtown, I consulted carpenters and tinners about roofing my center. Received 3 letters from George. There was one for Mother, Harriet and Anne Purdy also in the Office from him. The letters gave the intelligence of the Capture of Companies B, H and K. Gussie and Hattie Mills spent the evening up to Father Griswold's. Brother Hill called there after meeting. Before retiring, I looked over the letters from George and made out one for the Jeffersonian. 6/3 FRIDAY - Pleasant, but rather cool for summer. After breakfast, I commenced taking extracts from George's letters for the Jeffersonian. After the mail came in, I went up home to see Mother's letter from George. It was written later than mine and contradicted what he wrote to me about Companies H and K being captured. They are alright, but Company B had been taken sure. I bought the one half dozen pocket almanacs that George had ordered of R. C. Cowen and mailed them in the evening. I wrote a short letter also and mailed at the same time. I gave up the idea for the present of putting a tin roof on my wing and bought a few shingles to patch it for the present. While we were drinking tea, Burr Bradley, his wife and youngest child called on us. 6/4 SATURDAY - Pleasant. No work in the shop today. I hoed in my garden. Went up to Chas. Chase's about mail time with Robert for a ride. I patched up my wing roof just at night. Gussie went to the cemetery in the evening. 6/5 SUNDAY - Cloudy and some rain. We were rather late this morning. I attended church during the day. Burr Bradley being absent, I took the collections for him. Gussie did not attend on account of the weather and not feeling well. Wrote to George after tea and mailed it with a Waverly in the evening. I copied from his last letter an account of the capture of Company B of his regt. At Welaka, Fla. for publication in the Jeffersonian. Attended prayer meeting in the evening. It was the Monthly Missionary Concert. On account of the weather, it was in the basement. After the meeting, I called at Mr. Ashley's residence and handed him the Cosmopolite's correspondence for the Jeffersonian. Gussie wrote to Kate Bailey, Essex, Conn. in the evening. 6/6 MONDAY - Cloudy in the morning. Cleared off about noon. I worked until about 7 o'clock to wait to wait for the shower to be over. When I came home to tea, I found Mary and Carrie Mills. The came up to go to the N!66er Show. Carrie to stay all night with Emma Wildman and Mary to stay with us. I went to market in the evening for myself and Mother Griswold. 6/7 TUESDAY - Pleasant, but rather cool for summer. Mary Mills stayed all night with Hattie. She took the cars for Bethel after breakfast. Uncle Edwin bought me two dozen beanpoles this forenoon for 50 cents. Mrs. Stone washed and cleaned the cellar for us. On my way home from the shop, I conditionally bought or paid difference between and old watch and a new Hunter's Case Detached Lever for George. If the price is agreeable to George, I shall keep it, if not I am to return it get my money. I bought it at Robinson's. I set my bean poles and bushed my string peas when I came home. I set out some purple cabbage for Father Griswold just before dark. I went down intending to attend the Gen. Class meeting. I was late and besides before going in Dr. Ryder stopped me and wanted Mr. Hill to marry a couple. I went in the church and frightened the people terribly by calling out Bro. Hill. Bought a shower and chain for Bell at Swift's with George's money as he directed. 6/8 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant in the morning. Cool for the season of the year. Cloudy with appearance of rain in the evening. I wrote to George in the morning before breakfast about the watch I have been getting for him. I sent the letter to the Office in time for the morning mail. I have worked on black hats today for the first time in a long while. On my way to the shop this morning, I called at the Jeffersonian Office to inform him (Mr. Ashley) of the wedding last evening at Deacon John Fry's, the parties Bro. Hill was called from Gen. Meeting last night to marry. Oscar Serrine called on his way home from the shop and I gave him some pea brush. I planted over some pole and bush beans that did not come up good. We all went up to hear our presiding Elder, Bro. Pillsbury preach in the evening. After meeting, I went to market for my breakfast and to Mr. Swift's News Office and I bought 6 quires of note paper and two packs of envelopes. The Jeffersonian today, has a letter from George (Cosmopolite) in it from the 17th Regt, Connecticut Volunteers in St. Augustine, Florida. Before retiring, I strung and hung up dome ornamental shelves for Mrs. Cocking, my tenant upstairs. It rained a little as meeting was out and hard before retiring between 10 and 11 o'clock. 6/9 THURSDAY - Pleasant through the day. A shower just at night about 6 o'clock. I cut my finger with a jack plane while making a shelf for Mrs. Cocking's new set of hanging shelves. I am not able to work with it, it is so bad. I called at the shop this morning. Received two letters from George, they being designed for publication in the Jeffersonian. I bought a quarter bbl. No. 2 mackerel at Parmelee and Bradley's for $3.50. I took a nap after dinner. Harriet came down and spent the P.M and stayed to tea. In the meantime, I got some mortar and went up home and plastered up some mouse holes in Harriet's room. I went to prayer meeting in the evening. 6/10 FRIDAY - pleasant but cold. Sore finger still. Can't finish hats with it yet. Mowed the grass in front of Father Griswold's and my own premises and trimmed the walk, finishing it up in good shape. After dinner, Gussie went up home and Harriet Mills went up there from the shop to tea. I went up to Mother Griswold's in their absence to tea. While there, I dressed my finger for the first time since I cut it. I then did it up in the blood and kept it wet with Witch Hazel Extract. Today, I changed it and put a plaster of Uncle Chauncey's Salve. Mother Griswold had a few strawberries for tea for the first time. After tea, I hoed out my garden with a rake. In the evening, I carried a pail down to the store for Mother Griswold to get molasses with. Bought some beefsteak for breakfast and came home. 6/11 SATURDAY - Pleasant but cool. Frost last night in some places. Very heavy in Brookfield, I learn. I see no effects of it on my premises. I prepared from George's last two letters from the Jeffersonian. I went to the Post Office before dinner. Called at the shop and to the Fish Market and brought home a lobster. Harriet was with us to dinner. Gussie went over to Daniel Starr's and to Mr. Swift's in the P.M., while I made some slats to put over the windows to fasten curtains and make them hang over the green shades. I then went to the Jeffersonian's Office with a letter from George for publication. Found Gussie in the street and then went to Raymond's and bought a peck of peas and some radishes. I came home and painted Dalia' sticks. Had our first mess of strawberries from our own bed. Hattie Mills went to Mrs. Ryan Whites' to tea. She came home in time to eat a few strawberries with us. I went to the Post Office and to Singing School in the evening. 6/12 SUNDAY - Cool, chilly. I attended church in the morning. Bro. Hill preached. A shower of rain, but no thunder, I believe, just before morning sermon closed. Sunday school prayer meeting at noon. There being no distribution of books, I spent nearly all the session in the churchyard talking with Bro. Chittenden. In the meantime, we walked over to Dr. Bulkley's office as I wanted to consult him about a cold I have on my lung. The office was closed. Bro. Hill went to Bethel to preach in the P.M. Bro. Crawford administered the Sacrament. Rebecca Mills was baptized and received into full connection. Gussie had the toothache and went out early in the service. After meeting, I wrote a letter to George with directions in R(h)yme to match the one he sent me. I mailed a Waverly to him also with the letter. After tea, Hattie Mills, Gussie and I went up to the cemetery. We stayed rather late and did not go to meeting in the evening as there was none at our church. A union service at the 1st Congregation Church. Sermon by Mr. Robertson to the Young Men's Christian Association. When we came home, we went upstairs to call on Mr. and Mrs. Cocking. I drew a pitcher of ale and carried up. She gave some Madden Porter's Syrup for my cough. 6/13 MONDAY - Pleasant and a little warmer. I have a hard cold on my lungs. Intended to work I today, but after going down to the shop, I felt so poorly that I concluded not to. I engaged another stone in place of the one I ordered some time ago for Eddie's grave. Mr. Swift brought one half dozen verbenas from Norwalk for Fanny this morning. I brought them home from the Post Office. Mrs. Stone washed for us this morning. I went to bed after dinner. Got up about 4 o'clock and drew up my Librarian's Book anew for the Sunday School. Father called on his way home from work and left $5.00 towards our cemetery lot. Mr. Cocking and myself went downtown in the evening to Robinson's to compare George's new watch with his regulator. To the Post Office where I lost sight of him. I went into the War Meeting in the basement of Concert Hall for a few moments. The meeting was to take measures against the coming draft to fill quotas of volunteers or substitutes. I left soon. Did not stay to see what was done. Gussie and Hattie Mills went shopping too. 6/14 TUESDAY - Pleasant, warmer. Went to pay for cemetery before going to the shop in the morning, but did not see Mr. Tweedy. Called at Cowe's Marble Works to direct about inscription on Eddie's stone. There being several garnishes to spend at the shop, it was sent out for a keg of lager beer, crackers and cheese. Henry Ledger got drunk. A Mr. Kidder and Mother came home with Father Griswold today. Kidder stayed all night. I talked with Father Griswold about a chaplain for the 17th Regt. He thinks he knows a man. I went to market in the evening. Bought some liver for breakfast and 15 one half lbs. Ham 22 cents to be brought up tomorrow. I came home and drank some ale with Robert Cocking. 6/15 WEDNESDAY - I coughed about 2 hours last night, from 12 one half to 2 one half o'clock; felt poorly in the morning. Mrs. McNeil came down to do some dressmaking for Gussie and stayed with us to dinner. Harriet was with us also. After tea, I went down to see Dr. Bulkely. He gave me medicine to take and ordered a cold water bandage around my waist when I go to bed. I saw Mr. Tweedy, the cemetery man and paid him $15.00 for our lot, $5.00 from Father, $5.00 from George, and $5.00 myself. I did not attend class but came home to doctor myself and go to bed. The Evening Post says that Grant has changed his base from the White House on the York River to Charles City on the James River. 6/16 THURSDAY - My cough is a little better this morning. I think that the medicine that the doctor gave me did me good. It has been very warm. I sowed some French turnip seed after I came home from the shop. I went downtown with Mr. Cocking in the evening. When I returned, I drew some beer and we drank together. I received through the Post Office from E.S. Tweedy, the Secretary of the Cemetery Association my certificate of purchase and ownership of a lot in the cemetery. 6/17 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm again. Worked hard, was very tired at night. On my way home at night, I came by the way of Come's Marble Works to look at Eddie's stone. After tea, I went to market and waited until after 9 o'clock for the cars to come with mail and news and then go tired and came home. 6/18 SATURDAY - Pleasant and very warm. I worked hard until 4 o'clock and then went up to the cemetery to see about setting Eddie's grave stone. Mr. Comes and Northrop did it. I found Gussie and Fanny up there waiting. On our way home, we met Harriet Wheeler on her way up there at the corner of West and Main Streets. When we got home, it was about 7 o'clock. Hattie Mills had the tea table all set for us. After tea, went to the Post Office and received a letter from George, then went to Singing School. Our preacher, Mr. Hill came in and gave me Fannie's parasol to bring home and stayed and sang with us. It was just one year ago today that George was home and we had our picnic on Thomas Mountain. Before retiring for the night, I copied some extracts from George's letter for the Jeffersonian. 6/19 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm. I attended church all day. Gussie went in the P.M. Our afternoon service commences now at 2 o'clock in order to give more time for Sunday School. I sat in the choir all day. Aunt Anne, Susan and Addie Benjamin came up to our folks this morning. We went up to see them after tea, but it was too late. They had gone home. I wrote to George and mailed it as we came from up home. I then called on Lieut. Governor Averill, to inform him that we had a man in view for Chaplain in the 17th Regt. I did not go to prayer meeting, but came home and drew a little ale. Robert and wife came down and he drank with me. When they went up, I wrote in journal and retire a little after 10 o'clock. 6/20 MONDAY - Pleasant and very warm. It was nearly 7 o'clock when we rose this morning. A shop call just before noon for an advance on our prices. A committee to draw up a new bill. They reported, the Report was accepted and we voted to stand by the bill. Mr. Crofut refused to give what we demanded. We finished off the work we had taken out and stopped. I came home by the way of the Jeffersonian Office and left a letter from George for publication. I then went over to George Hull's garden to see his Poor House Seedling Strawberries. Andrew gave me 4 samples to bring home. Before tea, I went up home and fixed curtain fixtures for Fanny, as they did not work good. After tea, Mr. Cocking and I cleaned out the cistern. I went downtown in the evening with Gussie. Mrs. Stone worked for us today. 6/21 TUESDAY - Cooler with prospect of a storm. I commenced hoeing in my garden after breakfast, as I was not going to work (the men being still on a turnout for prices). But soon Edward Smith, one of the apprentices, came after me to go to the shop, the men being there to allow Edward Stevens to iron off hats which were to go off on the train this P.M. He was allowed to do so. Then men then assembled at Barnum's Hotel to compare bills of other shops. A committee being sent down to Orin Benedict's shop for his bill. While there, one of the apprentices came in saying that Mr. Crofut had a proposition to offer. We went to the shop and he offered one half of what we demanded. We refused it. He then offered still more, but not what we asked for. We instructed the Foreman, (Victor W. Benedict) to say to him that we wanted what we asked for and nothing less. He did so, and Mr. Crofut wanted time to think about it. We then adjourned. I came home to dinner after which I hoed out my garden, finishing it about 3 o'clock. Then I took a walk up through Mr. Hurd's garden to look at his strawberries. From there, I went over to Burr Bradley's. He had just finished hoeing his garden. We went into the house and had some of his wine. After which, we went up to the cemetery for a walk. We had our third mess of strawberries for tea. After tea, I went downtown with Mr. Cocking. Before retiring, Fanny came down with a little dog left at their house by the Ice peddler. She wanted to shut him my woodhouse, so that Mother could not hear him cry in the night. Our folks had a letter from Edwin today. He has been drafted in Ohio. He paid $300.00 and got clear. 6/22 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and very warm. No prospect of a storm. The dog Fanny shut in my woodhouse last night cried continually during the night, keeping us all awake and I doubt not at all, the neighbors until a little before 3 o'clock this morning when I became vexed with his whining and got up, dressed, and let him out, at the same time giving him a kick. He took the path toward Father Griswold's house. That is the last seen or heard of him. I hope he is dead. If he don't die of a sore throat, diphtheria, or a lung disease, I shall wonder for he cried himself hoarse before I let him out of the woodhouse. I mowed my door yard this forenoon and carried the grass home to the compost heap. Father Griswold came home on this morning's train. I put on my thin pants before dinner for the first time this summer. We had chicken pot pie for dinner. Went downtown after dinner. Had another keg of No.2 Mackerel brought up from Parmelee and Bradley's in exchange for the other one which proved not good. Mr. Fowler brought up 2 lbs. of butter just at night. I attended class meeting in the evening. There was a good attendance and the meeting was good. 6/23 THURSDAY - The warmest day of the season. I trimmed the edges of my walks in the morning. After which, I went down for Dr. Bulkely for Mother Griswold, she being suddenly taken with a sore throat and fearing the diphtheria. I found several of my shop mates in the street. Mr. Crofut sent for us to come to the shop. We went down and he talked with us about prices. From present appearances, he did not see as how he could pay the full advance we asked as the market was full of goods and the demand small. He offered the same as on Tuesday, it being but a little less than our demands. He talked very candid and fair saying that we should really have all we asked as it cost as much to him. But he still could not from present appearances manufacture if he paid what we asked for his work. I borrowed his horse and went up for Joseph Kyle and Edward Harris. Harris was getting in hay and could not come. After I returned the men came together and voted to accept for the present Mr. Crofut's offer until he could get up what hats he had in the works which he thought would take about 2 weeks. After which, we would be governed by circumstances. We adjourned to go to work tomorrow morning, it then being noon. After dinner, I took a nap. Slept until almost 4 o'clock. After tea, I spent a little time around the yard. Went down town for the mail and the news. There was no mail, neither news. 6/24 FRIDAY - Very warm, but not quite so much so as yesterday. We went to work in the shop in the morning. In the evening, I went downtown with Mr. Cocking. Went to Raymond's and ordered lobsters for Mother Griswold and myself. Bought a linen coat and thin pants of Charles Stevens. 6/25 SATURDAY - Very warm. The thermometer stood at 90 in the shade. Have been to work on black hats for the first time in a long time. Mr. Wing came to the shop today with Patent Clothes Dryer. I pretty much concluded to have one put up in my yard. After tea, I went over to David Bradley's to go to the Pond to bathe. But we concluded to wait until tomorrow morning. I then went downtown and found Gussie who went down alone as I intended to go to the Pond. We had some ice cream and came home. Harriet Mills has a bad cold and Gussie went to see Dr. Bulkley about it, but he was not in his office. Henry Starr and a son of Mr. Wing's came with the clothes dryer just before tea. I helped dig a hole to set the post. 6/26 SUNDAY - Made a fire. Went for milk and the went with Mr. Cocking as far as Oil Mill Pond where I went into the water and washed after which I went over to Mr. Lyons and waited for him to finish his chairs and then we came home together. He gave me a large head of lettuce when we got home. Gussie had finished breakfast and the table was waiting for me. The mercury has stood at 98 in the shade. After tea, I wrote to George and put up a Waverly for him to mail at the same time. About six o'clock, Gussie, Hattie Mills and myself went up to the cemetery with a bouquet for Eddie's grave. On our return, I mailed the letter and paper to George. We did not go to meeting, but returned home. I drew some beer and Mr. and Mrs. Cocking sat out on the grass plot in the yard and drank beer with us until 10 o'clock. There was a shower passed over a short time before we went to the cemetery. We got only a few drops of it. In an hour's time the dust flew as badly as ever. Mr. Hill preached in the morning from Proverbs 28:27. After Sunday School, I came home and did not go out in the P.M. While we were up on the cemetery, Bell made her appearance to visit Eddie's grave also. I have been giving Hattie Mills homeopathy medicine for a cold all day. 6/27 MONDAY - Smoky, so that the sun shone but dimly in the morning with the prospect of another warm day. But the wind finally went into the North and blew furiously and cool so that thin clothes felt almost uncomfortable. I worked hard all day in the shop. Mrs. Stone worked for us and used the new clothes dryer. Gussie does not like it very much on account of it taking the clothes too long to dry. Harriet was down to dinner. After tea, Robert and I went down to market. When we returned, I drew some beer, and Robert and I drank together. I then wrote this journal, fixed my fire for morning and retired. 6/28 TUESDAY - Pleasant and Cool again today. I have worked hard and late in the shop. On my way to the shop this morning, I saw John Cosier and paid him $5.00 toward church seat rent - No.31. After tea, Robert and I went downtown to market and to Post Office. Robert traded his watch for a Hunter's case at Robinson's. 6/29 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and cool, though warmer than yesterday. The wind went around from North to Southeast. I felt very much like work and have improved it. Harriet Purdy was with us to tea. Father Griswold came home from New York on the evening train. The minister he previously spoke about wanting a position as chaplain has gone to South Carolina for the Christian Commission. I went to class in the evening. There were few present, but a good meeting. I took a letter from the Office for father Griswold from Uncle Chauncey. 6/30 THURSDAY - The sun shone in the morning, but it began to thicken over with clouds until nearly night, when it began to rain. Mr. Wing came to see Gussie and her folks about the clothes dryer in the forenoon. He sold the one he left for us to Father Griswold and brought a smaller size to us in the P.M. After tea, I got some cabbage plants of Father Griswold and transplanted them. I then went downtown with Mr. Cocking to get the mail. Before retiring, I drew off a gallon of vinegar and filled up the keg with old cider.
1864-06
Horace Purdy Journal June 1866 Entry
13pgs
JUNE 01 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I worked all day in the shop. After tea, I cut some grass in Mr. Pond’s yard for my horse. Bell came down and stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie and I go into the street and to Singing School in company with Cousin Wells Webster and daughter, Helen. When we returned, we went up to the house and stayed about an hour to visit with them, as they intend to start for home in the morning. In the P.M., Father Griswold hired Mr. Beatty’s double team with his large carriage and took a load with Cousin Wells and daughter to the cemetery and out to Beaver Brook to see the new railroad as they are at work on it. Bell is to stay with us all night. JUNE 02 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. I harnessed the horse this morning and carried Helen Webster to the depot. Her father and Father Griswold walked after putting their carpet bags in the wagon. As I returned, I bought a bushel of oats at Crofut’s Feed Store. I put the horse in the stable, ate my breakfast, and went to the shop. We had only a half a day’s work. I left my check with the foreman (V. W. Benedict) to have him draw my money and leave it at Judd’s store. In the evening, I prepared my pea brush and stuck them to my peas. Hoed a portion of my garden. Mowed some grass in my dooryard, also some in Mr. Pond’s to feed the horse over Sunday. While I was at work at my pea brush, Seth Downs came in according to arrangements made this forenoon at the shop to borrow my gun to shoot a robin for his child, who is convalescing from lung fever. Gussie went to market in the evening and left me to hoe garden which I did until after dark. I went down about nine o’clock to see if my clock at the jeweler’s was repaired. It was not, and as I left the house open with no one in it but the sleeping baby, I hurried back and arrive d home before Gussie returned. Josie Wheeler stole Jesse Pond’s little cart from their barn and pulled up a bed of onions for an Irishman which cost Harriet 50 cents damages. JUNE 03 SUNDAY - Stormy all day. I went down to Sunday School at noon. There were but few there. The usual exercises were set aside and the time spent in singing. In the afternoon, Joseph W. Allen, William S. White and myself (a committee appointed at the last teachers’ meeting) went into the Bible classroom and with the help of a map of the borough laid it out into districts and appointed Sunday School teachers (females) to canvass there this summer and bring children who do not attend any place into the Sunday School. After tea, Susan Brayman came in and Gussie went over to Aunt Louisa’s with her. While she was gone, I wrote to George. JUNE 04 MONDAY - Cloudy all day with the appearance of rain each moment though I believe little came. I had work nearly all day in the shop. Bell had the horse this forenoon to carry Julia Squires home who had been staying with her over Sunday. When she returned, Mother Griswold wanted to take a ride but found the harness was broken and did not go. After tea, Mr. Pond helped me grind his scythe and I finished mowing his dooryard. In the evening, I helped him make a small box and dovetailed it together. JUNE 05 TUESDAY - Cloudy and a little rain about 4 P.M. The sun shone before it went down. I had work all day in the shop. I came home to dinner for the first time this season. I felt so poorly that I stopped at Parmalee’s on my way home and took a glass of ale which gave me an appetite for my dinner. I felt like a different man in the afternoon. All hands have been on black hats today. Mrs. Stone washed and cleaned tins for Gussie today. Bell came down this P.M. and is to stay with us tonight. She is helping Gussie make a shell frame this evening. I went to market and by the evening mail received a letter from George. He wants to borrow two dollars. Before retiring, I answered the letter and enclosed the money ($2.00). I mended the harness before retiring. It broke yesterday just as Bell returned from Bethel with the horse. JUNE 06 WEDNESDAY - I have worked as usual in the shop. The sun shone in the P.M. and before night it gave promise of fair weather. It has been very sultry and hot today. After tea, I harnessed Jim and drove up to Mr. Hamilton’s, just on the edge of New Fairfield to try and sell George Hamilton my horse. I left there just as a heavy shower was coming up. I drove as far as Elijah Gilbert’s store and there stopped to get a shelter from the rain. I finally came home before it entirely stopped. Mrs. Cocking came to the house this P.M. and began to get things right preparatory to moving. She gave me $3.00 from Robert to pay the rent. JUNE 07 THURSDAY - I commenced this morning and mowed a little grass for the horse in Father Griswold’s door yard. Bell stayed all of last night with us and drew Georgie up home after breakfast. Mr. Edwin C. Sears, one of our shop men, who lives out to Mill Plain died last night in a fit near Lake Kenosha where he went after his tea with some of his grandchildren to catch some fish. I had work in the shop until after 3 o’clock when I came home and harnessed old Jim and went over to the bridge this side of Crofut’s Mill and washed the wagon. After tea, I bushed my Tom Thumb peas which I had heretofore thought would not require it. I got a dozen of the early Cabbage plants and three large double Sunflower plants of Seth Downs. JUNE 08 FRIDAY - Pleasant until 5 P.M. when there came up a shower. Edwin Sears, 58 years old, was buried today. The men in the shop attended in a body. Borough meeting in the P.M. at Concert Hall. E. S. Davis was elected warden by a 7 majority. I came home and went to work in the garden, but a hard shower soon came up and interfered somewhat with my work. JUNE 09 SATURDAY - Sunshine and cloudy at times during the day. I went to the shop in the morning, but there was no work. I went up to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper and then went with George Quien up to his finishing shop and bought 3 pounds of Maple sugar at 2 cents per pound. Victor W. Benedict (our Foreman) drew my money for me and I went for it in the afternoon and then went to George Quien’s and bought 5 pounds more of Maple sugar for Mr. Pond and one pound for Robert Cocking. I had words with Mr. Baxter about corn planted too near the stable door; also about me filling the gutter in front of my house. I paid George Crofut & Son $15 for a barrel of Flour bought a week ago or more. I mowed my dooryard just at tonight to get the fine grass to put around my strawberry plants. Mr. Cocking returned again today from Mr. Lynes’ to live in our rooms upstairs for the summer. Received a letter from George. JUNE 10 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Bell came down this morning for the horse to carry Mother to meeting. I harnessed and she took Georgie in and gave him a ride up to get Mother. Gussie attended church in the forenoon. I went down to Sunday School and stayed to prayer meeting in the P.M. The sacrament service being omitted on account of the inability of Brother Hill to attend to it on account of sickness, a Mr. Webb from Minnesota who came on here with Fanny Holmes (and it is reported that she is intending to marry him) preached for us. He, not being ordained, could not administer the sacrament, but superintended the prayer meeting which was held instead. After tea, Father came down with the horse. Gussie went with Susan Brayman downtown to see Thomas Purdy’s wife who is very sick. She was so late that neither of us went to meeting in the evening. I wrote to George and Gussie mailed it as she went to see Thomas’ wife. JUNE 11 MONDAY - Pleasant and very warm. I had but just got well at work this morning in the shop when the Reverend Mr. Gannon called to see me about the horse which he had before spoken about buying. I put on my coat and vest, leaving my white shirt hanging on a nail, also my watch and went home. He helped me grease the wagon and then I harnessed to drive a short distance and show him how the horse could travel. I went over to Beaverbrook with him as that was his way home and he was intending to walk to Sandy Hook, about 12 miles. I then thought that I ought to go to Sandy Hook and see if George A. Beers (a merchant there) had sold the 6 sifters which had been left there on commission. I concluded to go and did so and carried Mr. Gannon to his house and took dinner with him. Mr. Beers had sold the sifters. I collected the pay for them - $5.75. The amount was $6.00 but as I had not the receipt which he gave for the sifters when he took them, he hesitated about paying me but finally he said he would pay me and run the risk if I would throw off 25 cents. I concluded to do so rather than come home without the money. Mr. Gannon likes the horse and is satisfied with the price; he also needs a horse very much but does not feel able to buy one. He is very much in doubt about what to do. He offered me a dollar for carrying him home, but as I went mostly only on business for myself, I took only 50 cents. I started for home about 4 o’clock and arrived here about 6 o’clock. I drove to the shop to get my shirt and watch and found the watch had disappeared. Sunday School Teachers’ Business Meeting in the evening. I attended. Before returning, I tried to copy the minutes of the meeting but fell asleep three times and then gave it up. JUNE 12 TUESDAY - Pleasant; I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I worked until dark in my garden and then went to the Post Office to mail a letter to George with one enclosed from St. Augustine. I mailed one this morning to George A. Beers in Sandy Hook with the receipt for the sifters which he gave when he took six of them on commission which he sold and paid me for last Monday. JUNE 13 WEDNESDAY - Stormy all day. I had work until noon in the shop. I then came home and sawed and piled wood in the woodhouse. I got some petunias over to Seth Downs’ and set them out just at night. I gave some to Mr. Pond, also to Fanny. Daniel Baxter had a cinch with his son Moses this morning. He threw him down and kicked him. Moses, I think, submitted to it rather than strike his father. I went to the market in the evening and mailed a letter for Bell to George. I paid Charles Reed $3.50 for shoes for wife and baby bought last Saturday. Bell came down just at nigh to help Gussie work at putting shells on a box. She is to stay all night. While in the street, I got the Sunday School Journals for June and marked them off before retiring. Captain B. F. Skinner was buried today from the Universalist Church. The Bethel Military Company came up and buried him with the honors of a soldier. JUNE 14 THURSDAY - The storm is not yet over, though it has rained but little today. Bell stayed with us last night and will do so again tonight. She rubbed sprouts off my potatoes this forenoon and at noon I harnessed the horse and in the P.M., she with Gussie and the baby went up home. She took a basket of potatoes I gave her for sprouting mine. They then left Georgie there and rode up to the cemetery. When they returned, Bell unharnessed and put Jim in the stable. I went to market in the evening and Gussie worked at covering a box with shells. JUNE 15 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I had all the work in the shop that I could do today. Bell stayed with us last night and took Georgie up home with her today and kept him until night. I harnessed the horse before tea and let Harriet and Louise go up to the cemetery. After tea, I helped Mr. Pond grind his scythe. Took a paper from the Office today for George from his lady correspondent while he was in the army and this evening, I remailed it to him. By the evening mail, I received a letter from him. Nathan Miller called to look at my horse as he came from work tonight. JUNE 16 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. Commenced cutting the grass in Father Griswold’s dooryard for my horse. Gussie took Georgie up home to Father Purdy’s this P.M. in order that she could do some shopping and get her new summer hat. She stayed away until about 8 o’clock in the evening leaving me to get my own supper as best as I could. I was very tired and was much provoked. JUNE 17 SUNDAY - A beautiful morning. It became cloudy about noon and at 3 o’clock, it began to rain. Bell came down in the morning for the horse to carry Mother to church. She gave Georgie a ride up home as she went for Mother and took him again at noon when she carried her home. She left the horse up there in the P.M. and came down with him bringing Georgie in the rain about 3 P.M. I then too the horse and while it was raining in torrents drove over to Mr. Lynes’ to tell him that Mr. Cocking is very sick. He has had the doctor (Bennett) who thinks it is congestion of the lungs. He is very sick and is troubled extremely to breathe. It has rained so hard through the evening that Bell has concluded to stay all night. Gussie went to church in the morning and I went down to Sunday School. I came home when school was out for fear of the rain. JUNE 18 MONDAY - Rain in the morning; it came off pleasant at noon. Bell stayed with us last night. I worked in the shop until 7 o’clock. When I came home, I found John Brayman waiting to see me. He paid me 50 cents of the balance of $2.00 borrowed and $5.00 on an old bank account. After tea, I went into Mr. Pond’s garden to look at his strawberries with him and he gave me a handful of very fine ones. I went to market in the evening and to the Post Office and got a letter from George with $11.60 enclosed, $1.25 of it to me for borrowed money which I let him have, $1.35 to pay his taxes, and the remaining $9.00 towards a debt he owes Joseph W. Ives. Mr. Cocking is no better today but the doctor thinks he will be better tomorrow. Before retiring, I added to the letter received this evening in the one I commenced to him last evening. JUNE 19 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I worked all day in the shop. As I came from work, I called at Joseph W. Ives and paid George’s account there - $5.97- and took a receipt for the same. Bell was with us to tea. After tea, I borrowed rigging from Seth Downs and Mr. McDonald and commenced with Father Griswold to run his cultivator through his potatoes. We got at it and dark came on so quickly that we were obliged to leave it until morning. I wrote a short letter for Mr. Cocking to John Courtney informing him of the illness of Mr. Cocking and mailed it for them as I went to market. Gussie had a severe attack of sick headache in the evening. JUNE 20 WEDNESDAY - A lovely day. I worked as usual in the shop. A strawberry festival of our ladies of the church in the evening in Concert Hall. I was doorkeeper. JUNE 21 THURSDAY - Very warm. Bell, who stayed with Georgie last evening while we went to the festival, stayed all night. Charles Hull watched with Mr. Cocking last night. Mrs. Cocking took our bed upstairs. Bell slept with Gussie and I slept on the lounge. I rose at 4 ½ o’clock this morning and cleaned and greased the wagon. Before going to work, I shaved Robert. Gussie went with Mother and Bell this afternoon to Grassy Plain and stayed to tea with Mrs. Squires. I harnessed the horse at noon for them. Mr. Pond gave me a dish of strawberries for my tea. I received a letter from George by the evening mail. I wrote a letter from Robert to John Courtney at Fort Hamilton. James Osborne is to watch with Robert tonight. JUNE 22 FRIDAY - Pleasant and very warm. I rode to Grassy Plain before breakfast to David Squires for the martingales that Bell left there yesterday. She forgot them when she harnessed the horse to come home. I did not go to the shop but worked around the house hoeing the garden, etc. I drove the horse down to the shop at noon to let John Morris use him to plow out a piece of potatoes. A letter from George in the evening asking for what money was left after paying his debts from money he sent home. I paid Parmalee & Howe $4.21 that George owed them which left a balance of $3.62 to send to him. JUNE 23 SATURDAY - Very warm again today. I did not work in the shop in the P.M. but finished and got trimmed a hat for myself. Before coming home, I went to the barber’s and got my hair cut. We picked 1 ½ quarts of strawberries for our tea. We gave Mrs. Cocking a pint of them. Robert has not been so well today. I went for the doctor as soon as I was dressed. I harnessed the horse after tea and went to the Wooster House for some ice for Robert to use over Sunday, the ice dealer having failed to drive this way today. As I came home with the horse, I had to whip him to make him stand while I shut the gates. While I was getting the ice, I also got 4 oranges for Robert. JUNE 24 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. I watched with Robert Cocking last night. Mrs. Cocking got up at 3 o’clock and I came downstairs and retired. After breakfast, I shave him. He is better today. He rested well last night. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School. When it closed, I came home feeling too tired to stay to meeting in the P.M. Fred Shears had my horse and harness with Edgar Benedict’s wagon to take his mother to the cemetery in the P.M. Mr. Pond found tracks in his strawberry bed today where some person had been picking his berries last night. We have suspicions of the person, but are not certain. I wrote after tea for Robert to his brother-in-law John Courtney in Fort Hamilton, Long Island., telling him how Robert is getting along with his sickness. I also wrote to George (or finished a letter commenced last Friday) and enclosed $4.80 of his money in my hands, he wishing me to send it as he will need it before he gets paid off again. I also wrote to the Sunday School to Carlton & Porter ordering 1 dozen of No. 1 Catechisms and enclosed $.48, the price of the same. About 6 o’clock, I harnessed the horse and took Louise, Gussie and the baby up to the cemetery. We rode up Balmforth Avenue, down Main Street to Franklin, passed Mallory’s Shop, down Spring Street to the Post Office, mailed letters and came home. John Brayman then took the horse and gave his wife a ride. When John returned, I stayed awhile and talked. JUNE 25 MONDAY - Pleasant and very warm. It has seemed to me to be the hottest day yet. We took off our featherbed and filled a tick with straw and put it in its place. Negotiations have been going on today between the journeymen and Mr. Crofut to reduce the price of the coarse work so that thereby we may retain it and prevent his starting a foul shop. We deferred final action on it on account of the absence of several of the journeymen. We are to get on it tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock. After tea, I harnessed the horse and Gussie and Georgie rode with me up to Middle River to see Smith Pulling about butter. We went to notify him that our winter butter was gone and to have him commence bringing it to us for the summer according to previous agreement. When we returned, Mr. Pond and myself rode over to Oil Mill Pond (which was about 9 o’clock) and took a bath. Mr. Cocking is quite well today. He was able to dress himself and go to the table for his tea. A small shower with considerable thunder just at bedtime. JUNE 26 TUESDAY - Very warm but not quite so oppressive, I think, as yesterday. We accepted a reduction on our bill of prices today of 2% on 6-5-4-4x and 1% on 4xa. (?) hats to be the same as soft hats. The new arrangement will take effect July 1st. Smith Pulling brought us 2 lbs. of butter for the first. I harnessed the horse in the evening and went to market. I took a shopmate William H. Hutching and drove up town and down Balmforth Avenue. I carried a notice to the Times Office in the evening for Father Griswold advertising his carpet bag which he lost in the depot yesterday. It was probably stolen. Bell came down just at night and stayed to tea and finally concluded to stay all night. JUNE 27 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and still very warm. I worked as usual in the shop. As I came home from work, I hurried to get home before the shower as a heavy one came up and commenced raining soon after I got home. George Foot had a bad gash cut in his head from the heel of a shoe thrown by John Grey this noon at the shop. The whole affair was in sport. It commenced by throwing leaves (?). Mr. Cocking’s brother-in-law, John Courtney from Fort Hamilton, came to see him today. He came on the 3 o’clock train and returned on the regular passenger train. It rained hard all evening with sharp lightning and heavy thunder. I went to the Post Office in the evening, expecting a letter from George, but got none. Bell took Georgie up home this P.M. and has not yet returned and will probably not on account of the rain. JUNE 28 THURSDAY - Stormy this forenoon; it cleared away in part just before night. Bell came home with Georgie in the afternoon, he having stayed up there all night. She harnessed Old Jim and carried Mother over to Aunt Louise’s to spend the P.M. As I came from work, she had just carried Mother home. I let Hiram Hadden take the horse to go up to the Boggs in the evening. He returned about 9 ½ o’clock. I picked a few cherries before dark and then went to market. JUNE 29 FRIDAY - Pleasant and cool after the rain. I had only a half-day’s work in the shop. Mr. Cocking took a ride with me downtown in the P.M. I paid George Starr $25.00 which I borrowed of him April 1st. I made arrangements in the P.M. with Mr. McDonald about repairing my wagon. I picked what few cherries we had. Our folks expected somewhat that Edwin would come on the evening train. I harnessed Old Jim and went to the depot, but we were disappointed for they did not come. JUNE 30 SATURDAY - I harnessed the horse after breakfast and carried Mr. Cocking over to Mr. Lynes’, the first time that he has been over there since he has been taken sick which was two weeks ago tomorrow. He is not able to walk and he rode back about noon with George Lynes when he came into the street for the mail. When I returned from Mr. Lynes’ I the morning, I left the wagon at Mr. McDonald’s to be repaired. I had the horse shod also before going over with Robert. I carried my dinner at the shop, it being 9 o’clock when I went to work. We were told last night not to come until that time. Hard thunder shower about 4 P.M. with hail. George came home from Brooklyn by the evening train, also Edwin Griswold and little Eddie, Jr. from Elyria, Ohio. I borrowed Mr. McDonald’s wagon and went to the depot for them. Bell came down and stayed with Georgie to let Gussie go to the depot to meet Edwin. George came home this way and I drove home with them. After caring for the horse, I borrowed Seth Downs’ saddle for George who wants to take a ride before breakfast tomorrow morning. As I came from work this P.M., I called at Benedict & Nichols’ and paid then $25.00 on my account of $44.66.
1866-06