Horace Purdy Journal May 1866 Entry
15pgs
MAY 01 TUESDAY - I had work until noon at the shop. I came home and went with William Carlson down in the mountains for beanpoles and pea mush. It began to rain hard just as we got loaded and we got pretty wet before we got home again. I received a letter from George by the evening mail in which he acknowledges the receipt of the $4.00 I sent him. MAY 02 WEDNESDAY - When I woke, it was storming very hard. Large snowflakes came with the rain a part of the time. It cleared off, however, about the middle of the forenoon. I finished repairing my front fence, filed my saws, etc. I finished also boarding up the ends of the new steps I put too the piazza. I went down tow before tea, called at the Jeffersonian Office for my paper, rode up on Rabbit Hill to Stephens Holmes with Ira Beers for ice, and then came home. Mr. Baxter threatens to complain of me for filling the ditch in front and thereby causing the water from this last rain to stand in front of Mr. Pond’s premises. Mr. Pond has not as yet found any fault, but as usual, he is minding other people’s business and tried to make difficulty between Mr. Pond and myself today by complaining to Mr. Pond about the ditch. He has not breathed a word about it to me. Mr. Pond told me about it. I went into the street this evening to the Post Office and to buy a loaf of bread. MAY 03 THURSDAY - There being no shop work, I have worked around home. I fixed up my asparagus bed, spread up the borders (a part of them), and cut away a part of the banking on the North side of the house to make it compare with the alterations made in front. I also arranged another old mackerel tub in the yard as a mate to the one remaining over from last year. One of them fell in pieces the other day as I was preparing it for the myrtle and I rigged up another today in its place. Both are filled with myrtle. In the evening, I went down to the Post Office and to Mr. Judd’s to get pay for the horse which I hired to him the other day. I got $1.75 as he did not use my wagon. The day has been very cold for “May” weather. Uncomfortable to be out without extra clothing unless one is at work. MAY 04 FRIDAY - I went to the shop in the morning, expecting work, but there was none. I came home, harnessed the horse, and drove out to Mill Plain to see Frank Blissard about buying my horse, but he had just bought one. While there, I bought a shad of a man who was peddling them at 13 cents per pound. I also engaged 3 bushels of potatoes of a man “Bloomer” by name. I went out and carried them in the P.M. Previous to going, however, I let Mother Griswold take the team to go up to look at flour at Ira Whalen. John Brayman came over after tea and helped me dig out Thatch grass. MAY 05 SATURDAY - Yesterday’s writing looks as if I was nearly asleep when I wrote it and the looks do not deceive , for I was so very weary when I wrote it that my eyes drew together while my pen went as it would. I have worked in the shop today. It being pay day, I drew $11.00 for three days work. Bell came down this morning and wanted the horse. Harriet Wheeler also wanted him, but as I had promised him to Seth Downs to go to Ridgefield, I refused them. Seth took him this P.M.; he intends to stay until tomorrow. After tea, I worked until dark making flower borders. Bell came in as we were drinking tea. Gussie sent half of a shad by her up home to our folks. Louise came down in the evening and stayed with Georgie while Gussie and I went into the street to do some errands. Gussie went to the milliners and got her new spring hat. I bought some early Kent peas for seed to try them. MAY 06 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Gussie attended church as usual in the morning and returning at noon to let me go to Sunday School. In the afternoon, in place of the usual prayer meeting, Dr. Jacob spoke to the Sunday Schools. They were seated in the two square bodies. The house was well filled with older people also. His theme was temperance. He is a very eccentric and interesting speaker. After tea, I took a nap in the rocking chair, while Gussie, with Georgie in his carriage, took a walk. After my nap, I did my usual writing for the Sunday School and wrote to Carlton & Porter to know the dozen class books I ordered a week ago were not sent. I also commenced a letter to George. Gussie, in her walk, went over to John Bouton’s. He came home with her. Seth Downs came home with the horse about 6 ½ o’clock. He paid me a dollar for him. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to hear Dr. Jewett at the 1st Congregational Church where there was a Union gathering to hear him on temperance. Widow Bradley gave me $2.00 to help me pay our seat rent, as it is now due for the first quarter. She rents half of the seat with me. Her amount is $2.25; she had but $2.00 to give me today. I intend to pay $4.50 for the first quartet tomorrow. MAY 07 MONDAY - Pleasant. I went to the shop this morning, but there was no work. Sold a bushel of potatoes to George Benjamin. I rode to King Street and Pembroke to see Ira Lindley and Harry Jennings. I saw Lindley, but could not sell my horse to him as he had concluded not to buy. I did not see Harry Jennings, but heard that he had bought a horse. I went to Holly’s shop to see Walter Chase and ____. We did not bargain but I expect to hear from them again. In the P.M., I saw Hanford Fairchild about getting $250 of him with which to take up a note at the Pahquique Bank on the 13th of this month. I think that I can get it. Received a letter from George with $5.00 enclosed to pay George Crofut & Son on a feed bill of $11.35, which I accordingly did. I called in the P.M. at Sheather & Lacy’s and paid Mr. Witherspoon $1.65 dues and funeral tax to Hat Finishers’ Association. I worked until dark at making borders in the garden. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to market. She mailed a letter for me to George. Enclosed, I sent his bill for feed at George Crofut & Son. MAY 08 TUESDAY - Pleasant, but the atmosphere and clouds denote a storm soon, I think. I went to the shop this morning, expecting but little work, but we had a large day’s work finally. I took my syringe to Daniel Benedict’s Shoe Store this morning to have Henry Earl mend it but, he being absent, I could not get it today. Bell came down this afternoon and got Father Griswold to harness the horse for her and she and Mother went down to Starr’s Plain to Uncle Edwin’s. She returned with the horse about 6 ½ o’clock. I was too late home from work to get to class in the evening, so I went down to market and returned without attending class. Before coming home, I called at Scofield’s and paid Charles Crosby my Borough Tax - $3.93. I received a note by the evening mail from Carlton & Porter stating that the reason for their not sending my order for one dozen Sunday School Class Books was that they were out of them and as soon as they could get more, they would send them. MAY 09 WEDNESDAY - Rain this morning about 6 o’clock. It soon cleared off, however, and we had a fine day. We had about 2 hours’ work in the morning at the shop. As I came home, I went to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper. Called at Charles Steven’s store and paid him $4.50 for the first quarter seat rent at the church, $2.25 of it being for the Widow Burr Bradley who hires half of the seat with us. She gave me $2.00 on Sunday evening to pay for her. I engaged Pat Quinn to dig garden for me in the afternoon, but he, being unexpectedly called another way, he sent me a good man in his stead. I planted parsnips, beets, Tom Thumb peas, and some string beans which I got off Mr. Pond, also some “Champion of England” peas. I traded one dozen salves with Daniel Benedict for a pair of shoes. I got our syringe mended. Thomas Smith came along just before night and wanted to hire my horse to put with his to haul manure and plow. He wanted to pay only 50 cents per day and I would not let him go. MAY 10 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm. Patrick Quinn spaded garden for me this forenoon. I laid out the walks, planted, etc. I planted potatoes, pole beans, corn, squash and radishes. Harriet and Mother Griswold took the horse and went out to Charles Fowler’s this forenoon to carry a small butter pot. Before they went, I greased the wagon and cut out and put some washers on the axles to make the wheels run better. In the P.M., Fanny, Harriet and Josie, and Gussie and Georgie all went to Bethel on a ride. It made a pretty good load for the old horse. They called at Mr. Dare’s and at Peter Starr’s. They learned while at Mr. Dare’s that Ellen was married on the 26th of April to Joseph Dunning. In the P.M., I went downtown to see Hanford Fairchild about the $250. He is to let me have on the 13th instant. In the evening, I went to market and at the same time took a letter from the Post Office from George; included was one for Harriet. He wanted $1.00 with which to help pay for board until next pay day. Before retiring, I answered the letter and included $2.00 as a gift from my benevolent fund. I went to the office and mailed it before retiring. I also enclosed several sheets of paper and three stamps. MAY 11 FRIDAY - Pleasant. As I went to work this morning, I called at Gillette & Hawley’s to see if Hanford Fairchild could let me have the $250 tomorrow as well as on Monday. He informed me that he could. I had work all day in the shop. I came home at night very tired. I attended a school meeting in the evening at Military Hall in company with Mr. Pond. Marion Bouton and wife are in town. MAY 12 SATURDAY - Very warm. A shower in the P.M. I went to the shop in the morning and finished off some work I had out. While there, I bought a scissor sharpener of a peddler for 50 cents. When I completed my work at the shop, I went to Gillette & Hawley’s Store and got $250 of Hanford Fairchild and gave my note for $260. The interest is $10 and is included in the Note due October 1st. I took the $250 and took up Henry Crofut’s note (which I have used) at the Pahquioque Bank. After dinner, I harnessed and drove to Redding to try to sell my horse to Mr. Tarkington. As I went, I called at Mr. Dare’s to get directed to the place (as Mrs. Dare is daughter to Mr. Tarkington). I did not sell the horse as it did not suit him. After tea, I went to market and then went over to Mr. Lynes’ to fish on the pond with Robert and their boy, Charlie. We had no luck, but Robert gave me three pigeons to bring home. We went from the pond to the house where Robert drew some cider. After drinking a glass, I came home, it being about 11 o’clock. MAY 13 SUNDAY - Very warm, but considerable breeze stirring in the morning. Bell came down about 10 o’clock for the horse and wagon to carry Mother to church. She took Georgie in and carried him up home for a ride. As she came back with Mother, she came this way and left Georgie. She returned with the horse after taking Mother to church. Gussie went as usual in the forenoon. She came home at noon and I went down to Sunday School. Sacrament Service in the P.M. Brother Crawford preached. I did not stay on account of wanting the horse harnessed to take Mother home when church was out. I had the horse ready and Bell carried Mother home and kept the horse until after tea, when she and Hattie McKenney went to the cemetery. She returned the horse about 6 o’clock as a heavy thundershower was about upon us. I had just tine to take care of the horse before it rained. The shower commenced with hail; it rained hard for a short time. In the evening, I made out my annual Sunday School report preparatory to the Annual Business Meeting at which officers of the School are elected. I wrote to Carlton & porter ordering another copy of the Sunday School Advocate for 6 months ending October 1st. I enclosed 15 cents for the same. MAY 14 MONDAY - Pleasant, though a little cooler since the shower last evening. As I went to the shop in the morning, I mailed the letter I wrote last night to Carlton & Porter. I had work nearly all day in the shop. On my way to work this morning, I also ordered 50 lbs. of feed and paid for it at George Crofut & Son’s. John Brayman took the horse in the P.M.to get beanpoles. When he returned, I drove over to Granville Ambler’s and also to Robert Redfield’s to see them about buying the horse, but did not see either of them. I took Marvin Bouton (who is here on a visit with wife and youngest) and John Bouton in and carried them down to church to hear Dr. Jewett lecture on temperance. Marvin talks of buying the horse. I did not attend the lecture; Gussie did. Bell came down and stayed with the baby in the evening and stayed all night. I received by the evening mail a letter from George acknowledging the receipt of $2.00 in a letter which I sent him, stamps and letter paper also. Before I retired, I wrote an answer. Bought a syringe in the evening at Dr. Baldwin’s for $2.00. I have a severe cold on my lungs. I feel most sick. Engaged butter for the season of Smith Pulling. MAY 15 TUESDAY - Pleasant, but cold; a heavy frost this morning. No work in the shop. I took some pie plant to market this morning for Mother Griswold. I let Elisha Serine take the horse to go over near Deacon Beard’s where he has bought a building lot. I went over to Horace Cable’s about noon to get the key to George’s trunk which he sent home by Elmer who works in the same shop with him. I went up home and unlocked his trunk to get his duster, Concordance Dictionary and Bible. I brought them home with me preparatory to making a bundle to send to him when Elmer cable returns. In the P.M., I went up to A. Knox’ and bought 25 lbs. of white lead and three quarts of oil with which to paint my front fence. I went up to Father Griswold’s to tea by invitation, Marion Bouton and wife and Aunt Louisa and Frank Bouton were there. Gussie went into the street and I stayed home with the baby in the evening. I finished my letter to George and she carried it to the office. MAY 16 WEDNESDAY - Warmer than yesterday. Before going to the shop this morning, I helped take up carpet and clear the bedroom for cleaning as Mrs. Stone has been cleaning for us today. About 9 o’clock this morning, a Baptist minister named James (?) called at the shop to see me about buying my horse, harness and wagon, he having first been to the barn and looked at him. As he was obliged to leave on the Brookfield stage in a few moments, he could not complete a bargain then but wanted the refusal of him until Friday. I gave it and he left. We had ½ day’s work in the shop after which I carried a corrected report of our Sunday School to George Starr and then came and shook carpets, put them down and helped in a general way to get things back in their places again. At the same time, I let John Sharp take the horse to carry a barrel of ashes up to the cemetery. Just before tea, I commenced painting my front fence. I went to market in the evening. Just as I returned about 9 o’clock, it commenced raining. MAY 17 THURSDAY - There being no work in the shop, we did not rise very early this morning. It rained a little in the morning, but none of any account during the day, though it was cloudy and an east wind. After breakfast, I carried 9 ½ lbs. of pie plant to Noah Hoyt’s store for Mother Griswold. I got 4 cents per pound for it. I arranged a scraper at the back door and set out some lettuce plants in the forenoon. After dinner, I borrowed Seth Downs’ saddle and rode up to Middle River to see Smith Pulling about butter for the summer. He having rode up to the bogs to his brother Hiram’s, I rode up there and found him. I came home by way of Smith’s on Mill and Main Street and stopped at the assessor’s office and handed in my income for 1865 for taxation. My income was as follows: $1,064.13 - shop work, $36.00 for rent of upper rooms, total - $1,100.13. I had deducted from that as follows: Insurance - $2.10, Interest - $66.00, Repairs - $38.36, Taxes - $20.59, leaving $973.08, from which take $600.00 exempt, it leaves subject to 5 percent tax $373.08, making my income tax about $18.75. While I was away, Robert Cocking bought me 10 tomato plants and set them out. In the evening, I took care of Georgie to let Gussie go over to John Bouton’s on an errand. John Brayman called with Father Griswold’s and my mail matter as he came from the street in the evening. MAY 18 FRIDAY - Cloudy, east wind and looked like rain all day but not a drop. As I went to work in the morning, I carried 6 ¼ lbs. of pie plant to Benedict & Nichols for Mr. Pond. I called at Dr. Bulkley’s office, wrote a note on his slate to go to John Brayman’s (by request of John himself) and then went to the shop. We had a ½ day’s work. As I came home, I called at A. Knox’s paint shop for a paint brush. He went down to Stebbin’s and bought one for me for $1.30. I then came home and unexpectedly found Mrs. Stone there cleaning. I took a hold and finished tearing off the old wallpaper. I then harnessed and drove up to Andrew Knox’ to try to get him to paper our parlor for us but could not. I then drove up home to get Bell to come home and stay in in the evening to let Gussie go into the street. We went up to Billy Wright’s and brought home samples of wallpaper. MAY 19 SATURDAY - Cloudy in the morning, but it soon came off pleasant and proved a lovely day. Mr. Pond helped me paper the parlor for which I had to exchange ____. ”Oh Horrid! Horrid! Horrid! What work! So tired and sleepy last night that my eyes closed and my pen tried to write without my assistance. It is now Sunday Morning. For Mr. Pond’s assistance yesterday, I agreed to spade his garden for him in return of I expect to do so on the morrow if nothing happens to prevent. Gussie and I rode down to Mr. Wright’s in the morning to select the paper. I t was about 10 o’clock before Mr. Pond and I got to work putting on the paper. It was after 5 P.M. when we finished. We the got the carpet put down and the furniture put back in the room and left the curtains over until Monday. We had considerable marketing to do in the evening (feed for the horse to get, etc.), so I harnessed Old Jim and Gussie and I rode into the street, leaving Georgie with Louise. He was up on Deer Hill with Bell all day. I left my checks with Joe Treadwell in the morning. He drew my pay at the shop and left it at Mr. Judd’s store where I got it in the evening - $10.00. MAY 20 SUNDAY - A beautiful day. Bell came down in the morning and got the horse and wagon and carried Mother and Mother Griswold to church. She returned with the horse and took care of Georgie for me while I marked off the Sunday School Advocates to be distributed at noon. Gussie came home after the morning sermon and Bell and I took the horse and rode down to church. I went to Sunday School as usual and to prayer meeting in the P.M. After the noon class, Bell carried Mother up home and Father unharnessed the horse and let him run in the dooryard until after tea when Bell drove him down home. Father being down here at the time, we took a ride up to the cemetery. After putting the horse in the stable and feeding him, I went to meeting, mailing as I went a letter to George and one to Carlton & Porter ordering 20 Longking’s Questions, 2nd volume and one copy more of Sunday School Advocates for 6 months ending October 1st. The meeting in the evening did me no good. I was too sleepy to get any good from the sermon Brother Hill preached. MAY 21 MONDAY - A little cloudy in the morning, but it soon came off pleasant. There being no shop work, I spaded garden a part of the day for Mr. Pond in exchange for helping me paper my parlor last Saturday. Just at night, a hard shower came up but passed north of us. After it had passed just around us, we got just a sprinkling. After tea, I cut a little turf and built the lower edge of the mound in front of the house a little higher. Annual Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting in the evening at which I was selected for Secretary-Treasurer and Librarian. All the old officers were reelected. I planted some evergreen corn this P.M. I sat up until nearly 1 o’clock copying minutes of the Sunday School Meeting and doing some other writing. MAY 22 TUESDAY - Cool. I went to the shop in the morning, expecting work, but had none. I went from the shop over to George Starr’s and returned to him his written Annual Sunday School Report which I had to copy on the records. From there, I went to the Jeffersonian Office to pay $5.00 which George owed for advertising Flour Sifters. Swertfager the editor not being in, I did not pay it as the account could not be found. I then went over to Crofut’s and paid what George owed for feed. I then came home and helped about cleaning house, Mrs. Stone being here to help. I painted a little on my front fence, also puttied over some leaks and painted them on the wing roof. Bell brought down a letter this morning for me from George. She took it from the office yesterday. There was $11.35 in it with which I paid his bill for feed at Crofut’s . The remainder was to may Ashley for advertising his sifters. Marion Boughton who had the horse yesterday returned with it about dusk. MAY 23 WEDNESDAY - Very cold for the season. I have worked all day in the shop. I took a letter from the Office for Willie Franklin and in the evening mailed it to George as I went to market. I saw John Morris in the street with his kicking horse and rose after him from Concert Hall to the Park and returned. I walked up home with Seth Downs. I got the Question Books from Swift’s – Longking’s Vol. 2, also the Sunday School Advocates. MAY 24 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warmer today though last night was cold and a very heavy frost this morning. Some of my beans were badly cut, while other portions of the garden escaped apparently untouched. I rose early, but after starting the fire, harnessed Old Jim and rode up home to get Bell to dome down for Georgie and take up home for the day away from the house cleaning as Mrs. Stone has been finishing up the cleaning for us today. After that I rode over to George Ryder’s to try and get pasture for the horse but could not. From there, I rode over to Granville Ambler’s and there succeeded in obtaining pasture for him. While going, I was stopped by Robert Fry and questioned about John Brayman. Robert had sold him ½ cord of wood and John had not paid him according to the agreement. I returned home at 8 o’clock and gave the horse the last hay I had for breakfast and then ate mine and went to the shop. I had work all day in the shop. I had the “Blues” this morning badly over my hard fortune. Hundreds of dollars liability on other peoples’ accounts and all for trying to assist them. They have been unfortunate and no present prospect of getting back my money or extricating myself from the liabilities taken upon myself on their behalf. $460 with George - $200 I let him have in cash and $260 I have taken the responsibility of myself in raising for him at 12 percent payable October 1st and $38.25 to John Brayman and there but little work in the shop. $25 also to be paid to George Starr July 1st borrowed money. After tea, I rode Jim over to pasture and turned him out for the first time. The lot is on the crossroad between the Mill Plain and Miry brook roads. Crossing by the old Elbert Segar place, when I came home, I found Bell had come home with Georgie. I gave her a pound of coffee to take home with her. John Brayman’s wife came over and she with Gussie went into the street while I stayed with Georgie. MAY 25 FRIDAY - Pleasant, I had work in the shop. As I came home from work, I called at the Jeffersonian Office for my paper and paid George’s bill for advertising his sifters last fall. George and myself both supposed it to be $5.00, but found it only $4.00. I paid it and took a receipt for the same in George’s name. I came home and straightened some pickets on my front fence preparatory to painting. Took tea, then dressed and walked down to Military Hall to an adjourned school meeting. As I went, I called at George Crofut & Son’s and requested a peck of corn which Father ordered to be sent to his house. I also selected a shad at Avery Raymond’s, ordered it dressed, and called for it as I returned from meeting. Joe Richard’s wife, formerly Mary McNeil, died this morning. MAY 26 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. After breakfast, I marked off the Sunday School papers and with 20 Longking’s Questions, I carried to the church and then called at Brother Hill’s and got a certificate for George as he designs joining the Hanson Place Church. After dinner, I painted on my front fence until about 5 o’clock when I went over to the pasture for the horse and brought him home to let Mother ride to church tomorrow. After tea, I rode over to Horace Cable’s with a small bundle for his son Elmer to carry to George on Monday. He works in the same shop as him at Prentiss in Brooklyn. I gave my order to Alden G. Crosby today for 5 tons of coal at $12.00 per ton. In the evening I went to market and spoke for a barrel of flour – 2nd quality for $15.00 of Charles Crofut. MAY 27 SUNDAY - I woke and found it storming this morning. I t continued until noon and most of the time it rained in torrents. It remained cloudy during the afternoon. The sun several times attempted to shine but could not get entirely out from the clouds. I did not go to church in the morning. I went down at noon but there was no Sunday School, neither service in the P.M., so I walked up home to see our folks and how the horse was doing in the dooryard on grass. I found him in the stable, Father having put him there to get him out of the storm this morning. I came home in time for super and finished a letter to George which I began before going to church. Gussie started for church in the evening, supposing there would be a meeting as it did not rain, but there was not. She mailed my letter to George and then with Mrs. Stone (our wash woman) called at Widow Eli Rockwell’s to see the corpse of Jo Richard’s wife, formerly Mary Mc Neil, a daughter of Mrs. Rockwell by her first husband. Mrs. Stone came home with Gussie about 9 o’clock. She stayed about an hour and started for home just as a thunder shower was coming up. There was considerable thunder and lightning, but little rain here. 10 minutes later – the shower has reached us now at 10 ¼ o’clock and it rains in torrents. MAY 28 MONDAY - Warm and cloudy in the morning. The sun finally came out in the afternoon. It grew colder and blustering. No work in the shop. I borrowed a map of the borough of Danbury of George Starr to aid Jo Allen, William White and myself, a committee appointed last Monday evening at the Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting to divide the borough into districts convenient for canvassing by the teachers to get children into Sunday School. After dinner, I went up home and got the horse and borrowed Alfred Gregory’s lumber box wagon about 5 o’clock with which to go with Father for some bean poles. We went down to what they call the “Jams” on Seely Harris’ land. I went with him though I had the rheumatism and a severe headache. MAY 29 TUESDAY - The sun shone warm about 9 o’clock but in about a half hour it began to rain and continued more or less during the day. No work in the shop. I commenced painting the fence in the morning, but the rain drove me off. I tried to stop a leakage in the main roof of my house by using ne shingles under where I thought it had leaked. I worked a while in the woodhouse sawing and piling wood. I went into the street in the P.M. to get a coffee pot mended and took a letter from the office from George. I answered and mailed it before coming home. I wrote in the Post Office and enclosed the dollar left form the amount he sent home to pay Crofut for feed and Ashley for advertising his sifters. I went up to Joseph Ives before coming home and bought a crib for George to sleep in. It was delivered before night and in the evening, I went down to pay for it - $4.50. There was a large party going to Bethel this evening to serenade Orris Ferry, Senator-elect from this state to Congress in the place of Foster now acting as Vice President, Andrew Johnson being promoted to President on account of the death of our late lamented President Abraham Lincoln. On account of the storm I think the affair will be a failure. There was a splendid rainbow at sundown, yet it continued to rain in the evening. Before tea, I went up home on Deer Hill and got the horse thinking that Mr. Starr might object to having him in the yard, for he has been feeding there in Father’s dooryard for three days. It being too stormy to turn him out in the field, I put him in the stable and cut some grass in my dooryard and gave it to him. I borrowed a sheaf of straw of Mr. McDonald until I can get some from Theo Lyons. Bought a barrel of flour of Crofut & Son. MAY 30 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I have had work in the shop today. After work and before tea, I harnessed Old Jim and went over to Theo Lyons' for some straw. I got 6 sheaves of oat and 4 of rye. I paid only $.50 for it. Father Griswold offered me the grass form his dooryard for the season for $3.00. I told him I would take it. Welles Webster and daughter form Plainville came to Father Griswold’s today. Gussie took Georgie up home on Deer Hill and left him while she went into the street to trade, etc. When she came home with him at night she brought me a letter from George which was enclosed with one for her. MAY 31 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I have had work all day in the shop. I worked very hard and at night was very tired. Welles Webster and daughter, Helen, with Father Griswold, Harriet, Josie and the dog all came to see me at the shop this forenoon. In the P.M. they took Old Jim and went over to Lake Kenosha fishing. After tea, I finished mowing the portion of my dooryard lying south of the house. I raked it off and carried it to the barn in baskets to feed to the horse. I worked as long as I could see after which I took the clock (which this morning refused to run) down to S. G. Bailey’s to be cleaned.
1866-05
Horace Purdy Journal May 1864 Entry
8pgs
5/1 SUNDAY - Rain last night. Cloudy but no rain. Cleared off just at night. I went to church all day and to prayer meeting in the evening, which was a missionary meeting with a missionary collection. Brother Hill's talk in the morning was 1st Thes. 5-6; in the PM, Phil. 3:7-8. I sat in the choir in the afternoon. I wrote to George after church. I mailed it with a Waverly in the evening as I went to prayer meeting. Gussie attended with me. After tea, Hattie Mills went up home with us to see Mother. Roxie gave me a pail of milk to bring home. Alexander Hodge died this P.M. about 3 o'clock. 5/2 MONDAY - Pleasant, but rather cool in the morning. Hattie Mills went to Bethel in the morning to have Dr. Schoolmocker take her impressions for a set of teeth. She returned on the first train at 10 one half o'clock. After work at night, I called at Come's Marble Works to see further about a stone for Eddie. Before tea, I went up to Father Griswold's cellar and got some early June seed potatoes. After tea, I went with Gussie and Harriet Wheeler over to her yard and took up plants for them, since they are intending to take up to the cemetery. In the evening, Gussie went to market and I went up house with a shelf for Harriet's closet and put it up for her. 5/3 TUESDAY - Rain last night and this morning. Showery and sunshine during the day. Windy and cool, pleasant in the evening. Alexander Hodge was buried this P.M. I went to market in the evening. I carried George's watch to the jeweler's for repairs. 5/4 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. Before breakfast, I dug around my three cherry trees and put some coal ashes around them. I came home to dinner and on my way took a letter from the office from George with $10.00 enclosed with which I am to pay what he owes - take $5.00 towards cemetery lot and deposit the remainder. Gussie and her sister Harriet went up to the cemetery in the P.M. with some plants to put around Abel and Eddie's grave. Before tea, I spaded up a place and set out some Triumph de Grand strawberries. I started for class meeting in the evening but there was none. The General Class meeting last evening took the place of it. I answered George's letter before retiring. 5/5 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm. I worked hard all day was very tired at night. I deposited $5.00 for George this noon. Harriet was with us to dinner and tea. Mrs. Fuller was buried this P.M. 5/6 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warmer than any day we have had this season. Bought a shad before going to the shop of Raymond's peddler. Gussie read a paper form Cousin Eliza from California with the publication of the birth of another daughter. I attended Council of the [??] in the evening. 5/7 SATURDAY - Pleasant and very warm. A shower about 6 o'clock in the evening. Harriet was down to dinner. I left my work at the shop early and came home to spade garden. I planted a row of Champ England peas. After the shower, I went around to Father Griswold's and my trees and destroyed worms. I went to market in the evening and to singing school. 5/8 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. Mr. Coe preached for us in the morning. He exchanged with Brother Hill. His text was 137th Psalm, 1st to 6th verse inclusive. He preached an excellent sermon, at the close of which, he spoke of his leaving town and that this was in all probability, the last time he would preach for us. He spoke very feelingly of the pleasant associations he had enjoyed with our preachers and Church, that he had learned to love us as well as his own church and people. It being Communion Day, we had our usual Sunday School Prayer Meeting at noon as heretofore on Sacrament Sabbath. The Sacrament was administered in the P.M. for the first time by Brother Hill in Danbury. After church, I wrote to George. News by telegraph today that the army in Virginia has been fighting for the last three days and that Grant thus far was victorious. After tea, we went over to Burr Bradley's and he and his wife went with us up to the cemetery. A sermon in the evening to the Young Men's Christian Association by Mr. Stone at the 1st Congregational Church. We did not attend. I sent my letter to the Office by Fanny who went to church in the evening. 5/9 MONDAY - Pleasant and very warm again. Mrs. Stone worked for Gussie and cleaned the bedroom. Joseph Furbush helped me spade the garden. I stayed a t home to work at it and help Gussie. Mrs. Courtney, sister to Mrs. Cocking, went home this P.M. Glorious News! from Grant's army. He has whipped the rebel General Lee in three day's fighting. He is driving the rebels back on Richmond. Harriet Mills came back from Bethel this afternoon with her new set of teeth. I went to market in the evening. 5/10 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm again today. I spent the day in the garden with my hired man, Joseph Furbush. We finished the job and did a little planting before 6 o'clock. He went to the well for a drink about 4P.M. and broke the rope, letting the bucket go to the bottom. We went over to McDonald's for a well hook and we fished it out. I paid him $4.00 for two day's work. We spaded up Mr. Cocking's and his border's to make out a day's work. Harriet came down to dinner. She stayed the afternoon and stayed to tea. I went to market in the evening. 5/11 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy most of the day and cooler. I sowed beets, parsnips, cabbage and spinach before breakfast. I sent home a bunch of asparagus for dinner, our first for the season. Harriet was with us to dinner again. I came home early at night and planted dwarf peas, cucumbers, lettuce and radishes. I attended class in the evening. Brother Hill, our preacher, led and at its close, consulted the class about a new leader. John Cosier was unanimously voted for and was appointed by the preacher. 5/12 THURSDAY - Cloudy in the morning with somewhat the appearance of storm. The shone a little in the middle of the day. A thunder shower passed over between 6 and 7 o'clock, which gave us a little spatter. When I came home from the shop, I went home with Mr. Witherspoon and got a dozen early cabbage plants and set them out before tea. The news from General Grant in Virginia is still good, though the fighting is desperate and losses great. I went to market in the evening. It was misty and a little rain at intervals. 5/13 FRIDAY - Cloudy and misty with some rain. I went to the shop and finished 4 hats, the remainder of a dozen and stopped work on account of diarrhea. I went up to Tweedy Bros. to see Henry Ely about hedging cemetery lot as his joins mine. Ordered 8 more pictures at Couch's - $1.00 worth. Called at Come's Marble Works to see further about stone for Eddie's grave. After dinner, planted some pole beans and set out some onions for the tops. Went to bed before night. Before tea, got up and went down to the Assessor's Office (E.S. Sanford), and got a blank Income Tax list to send to Philadelphia to Father Griswold (who is at the General Conference now in session in that city.) together with a notification which has been taken from the Post Office to have him send in his list. I mailed a Weekly and Daily Tribune to George In the evening containing the war news since Grant's forward movement. Glorious News! from him by the evening paper. Additional victories. The rebels' right and center crushed and their rout complete, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. 3 generals, 30 pieces of artillery and 4,000 prisoners captured. 5/14 SATURDAY - Stormy in showers. The clouds broke at intervals revealing blue sky. A good deal of rain has fallen. I have felt poorly and in consequence did not go to the shop. I hung our new parlor curtains. Robert brought me some tomato plants, also some peppers. Harriet came down to dinner again. The war news continues good. General Grant is giving General Lee a sound thrashing. I went to market in the evening. I fixed Mother Griswold bolt to her front door in the P.M. 5/15 SUNDAY - Cloudy still. Misty, though with but little rain. Gussie and I both attended church this morning. Brother Hill preached from 115th Psalm, 11th verse. There was no service in our church in the P.M. on account of Mr. Coe's farewell sermon. Our congregation went over there. Gussie and I came home. I wrote to George and mailed two papers to him last evening's Post and the Waverly. After tea, I walked downtown to hear the war news. General Butler has taken the outer works of Fort Darling. I did not go out in the evening, but sent my letter and papers to the Post Office by Fanny as she went to prayer meeting. Gussie wrote to Nellie Post in the evening. 5/16 MONDAY - Cloudy and misty. Just before night, the sun shone out about 5 minutes. Oscar Levine and myself went up on Rabbit Hill to Sidney Thompson's on our way home from work for some lettuce plants. We got them and I came home and transplanted them. I the dug up Mother Griswold's flower bed on the terrace by the piazza. I had a severe headache when I finished it. I also transplanted 5 tomato plants for her which Mr. Cocking brought to them. I went to market in the evening. As I came home, the moon broke through the clouds and shone faintly for a wonder. Mrs. Cocking spent the evening with Gussie and Hattie as usual. 5/17 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm Mrs. Stone worked and cleaned house for us today. She tore off the paper in our sitting room preparatory to papering anew. I went to market in the evening. I saw Sergeant Scott of Co. C, 17th Regt. He told me that the 17th arrived at Fortress Monroe last Thursday on their way to join General Butler at the front near Richmond. On my way home in the evening I found a breast pin with hair enclosed. 5/18 WEDNESDAY - Shower. We had one before dinner and another just after. I received a letter from George with a bounty check at noon. I carried the check to the Danbury Bank for collection on my way back to work at noon. Caroline Mills came up from Bethel and came home with Hattie to dinner. I worked late at night to finish off a dozen hats. I was the last man out and locked the shop. I got 8 more card pictures in the evening at Couch's Gallery. I was too late to get to class. 5/19 THURSDAY - Warm and Pleasant. Just before noon, Dr. Stevens appeared at the shop with a small box by express prepaid from George containing a piece of bomb shell, cotton seed, etc. Mrs. Stone cleaned parlor and sitting room and James Harvey and Brother papered the sitting room. Harriet came down, but went up to Mother Griswold's to dinner on account of our cleaning. I gave her $5.00 in addition to the dollar she borrowed about a week ago to help her. There being so many carpets to shake and put down, I stayed at home in the P.M. I got through about 5 o'clock and went back to the shop to get my shirt and watch. I went into the street in the evening to return a roll of paper which was left after papering the sitting room. Mother and Bell sent down their letters received from George for me to read and to take extracts from for the Jeffersonian. I spent the evening in preparing a piece for the paper. 5/20 FRIDAY - Pleasant. On my way to the shop, I carried a letter to the Jeffersonian Office from George for publication. I sent a shad home for dinner. Harriet was with us to dinner. I brought home a pair of kid shoes for myself when I came home from work. I sawed up some wood before and after tea. Josephine Dare spent the P.M. up to Father Griswold's and with Gussie. Gussie and Hattie Mills went into the street in the evening, while I stayed at home and sprouted my potatoes in the cellar. 5/21 SATURDAY - Pleasant and very warm. We worked at the shop only until noon as the carpenters were to cut a hole over the flues to carry off the heat. I bought a pair of kid shoes last evening and carried them to the shop this morning to have some nails driven in the heels of them. Burglars entered the Depot last night and blew open the safe of the Railroad Company with powder and it is reported they took from it six or seven hundred dollars. I bought one half cord of hardwood of Mr. Sanford for $4.50. It came in the P.M. and I took it from the northwest corner of the house to the wood house with a wheel barrow and piled it up. After dinner, I went downtown and ordered one half barrel of Hamer's Champaign Ale at Ferrell's Hotel (Wooster House). In the evening, I called at Elias Sanford's to sign a paper of Father Griswold's which he overlooked and did not sign when he filled it out. It was his tax list. Gussie went up to Mother Purdy's this P.M. and stayed to tea. Father had a one half barrel of ale come today. Hattie Mills went home this P.M. to stay over Sunday. 5/22 SUNDAY - A little rain last night and considerable mud. Pleasant this morning, but the air a little cooler than yesterday. We both attended church in the morning. Brother Hill gave us a talk about the Christian Commission and took up a collection for that purpose. After school, we both came home. I wrote to George in the P.M. Mr. McKinney with his team went up and brought Mother down to meeting in the morning. After tea, we went up to the cemetery. We carried some flowers to put on Eddie's grave. When we returned, I completed my letter to George and left it to be mailed by some of our folks, either Fanny or Eliza, and then went up home to see Mother. Father gave me a glass of ale. It was too late for meeting when I returned, so I did not go. 5/23 MONDAY - Cool and pleasant. Mrs. Stone worked and cleaned the pantry for us today. On my way home from work, I called again at Come's Marble Works to see further about a stone for Eddie. I brought home a string of porgies for my breakfast tomorrow morning. Went over to Mr. McDonald's and borrowed a gun to shoot pigeon's on my garden. I went downtown in the evening, got a letter for Hattie Wheeler, bought a box of gun caps a match safe and Fred Bradley treated me to a glass of beer. 5/24 TUESDAY - Cloudy with the appearance of rain, but not a drop until about 9 o'clock in the evening when it began to mist a little. There being no work in the shop, I ground up the scythe and mowed my door yard. I shot three pigeons on the premises. They have nearly destroyed our row of peas. After tea, I put out some Dahlia roots. Just as we were finishing up the last one, Edith Newman, Sarah Purdy, and Mrs. Wildman (Mr. W. Stevens' daughter) called. They stayed until about 8 one half o'clock. I then went down to the Post Office and to the store. I bought one half lb. of bulk tea, 1 lb. shot No. 6 and the Waverly for George and came home. 5/25 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy in the morning. Had pigeon pot pie for dinner. The sun shone a little in the P.M.I worked hard until about 6 o'clock to finish my second dozen, which most of the men left for tomorrow, as it is doubtful about getting any work then. I went to market and to class meeting in the evening. A Mr. Hollister led the class. He is a furious fellow with stentorian lungs and given to shouting. 5/26 THURSDAY - There being some doubt about having work today upon what our foreman said (Mr. Green), I went to work at my walks in the yard, trimming the edges and raking them off, etc. When I got the job about half done, it began to rain, but I was determined to finish it, so putting on an old coat, I kept at it and between the perspiration and the rain, I was about wet through, or rather my clothes were. At noon, I carried Hattie Mill's dinner to her at the shop as it rained too hard for her to dome home. The foreman weighed out a dozen Full Stiff Drab Half Brush Hats. I squared them up, cut out tips for them and then got Hattie's dinner pail and left. I went to the Danbury Bank and got the $10 for Bounty Check I left there one week ago for collection for George. I called at the Jeffersonian Office to see if Ashley wanted a communication from George this week for insertion in his next week's issue. From there, I went to Cowe's Marble Shop to see further about a grave stone for Eddie. Before going to see Ashley, I had taken three letters from the Office from George from St. Augustine. He gave the news of his appointment to Regimental Postmaster. There was a picture of St. Augustine enclosed in one of them. He wants me to send 4 copies of Carmine Sacra (Note Books) ( Ed. Note: These are hymn books). When I came home from the street, I finished hanging the green curtains (shades) in the parlor. I mailed a Daily Tribune to George in the evening. I went to market in the evening and bought the largest pineapple I ever saw for 30 cents. Before retiring, I prepared a letter for the Jeffersonian from George's letters received today. 5/27 FRIDAY - Cloudy in the morning. It cleared off the P.M. I have taken cold and do not feel very well today. I bought another pocket dictionary for George and mailed it this evening. The other one, he never received. This one cost 50 cents; the other one only 25 cents. On my way to the shop this morning, I left a letter of George's at the Jeffersonian Office for publication. In the evening, I wrote notice of the breast pin I found to put up in the Post Office tomorrow. Smith Ferrel bought me a one half barrel of ale today. 5/28 SATURDAY - Pleasant through the day, though somewhat the appearance of a storm in the evening. I left a notice at the Post Office this morning with the pin to be called for. I began to brush my peas before breakfast and finished them before tea. Gussie walked down to market with me in the evening. Robert Cocking and I drank some of my beer before retiring. Father Griswold returned from General Conference in Philadelphia Pa. by the evening train. 5/29 SUNDAY - Cool but pleasant through the day. Mr. Atkinson, an Army Christian Commission agent, preached for us in the morning and talked in Sunday School. So much of the time was taken up that books were never changed. Father Griswold preached to the young people on the P.M. text Ecclesiastes 12:1. Mother attended church all day. Mr. McKinney carried her to church in the morning and home as far as our house to tea. After tea, I hired a team and took her and Gussie up to the cemetery after which, I carried her home. Harriet Mills went up to Philo Wildman's yesterday with a friend and returned this evening about 7 o'clock. She went with us to a Union Meeting at the 1st Congregational Church in the evening. Mr. Atkinson (Agent for the Christian Commission), Mr. Kennedy, the Baptist boy preacher (now chaplain of the 79th Regt. New York Volunteers) and another agent from Hartford spoke and a collection for the Commission was taken. When we came from this meeting, it was cloudy and just after we got home, it began to rain. I finished a letter to George and mailed it as I went to evening meeting. After breakfast this morning, I went up home and got my Carmina Sacra to send to George, also his medal which he writes for. 5/30 MONDAY - Pleasant. Cool this morning but warmer at night. The three Note Books ( Carmina Sacra) came this morning to Mr. Swift. I brought them home at noon. After tea, I put them up in two packages (my old one making four) and carried them to the Office and mailed them. The postage on them was 84 cents. Frank Boughton was here when I came from work at night. I lent her $8.00 until Wednesday. Mrs. Stone washed and cleaned the sink room today. Read a letter from Cousin David Mills by the evening mail. 5/31 TUESDAY - Pleasant and rather warm. Sent a letter and paper to the Office this morning by Mr. Dunham. They were for George. We had but one dozen hats today; finished them before dinner. Mr.Cocking came in while we were eating and drank a glass of beer with me. I went downtown after dinner and bought a wire basket for myrtle. Went up to Mallory's shop and engaged some bean poles of Uncle Edwin. Came home.
1864-05
Horace Purdy Journal February 1868 Entry
6pgs
FEBRUARY 01 SATURDAY - Very cold last night and this morning. Pleasant and warm in the middle of the day. Cold again tonight. I have been to New York today. I paid N. Tibbels & Company $158.68 for library books I bought January 15th. Bought 10 more of The Singing Pilgrim and Musical Leaves Combined to sell in the Sunday School. Went to Book Room for No. 3 Judd's Lessons. Called to see Brother Duprey at the same place to get job of framing photographs of preachers. I framed 12 pictures of the church and parsonage to bring home. William was to meet me with them at the 27th Street Depot but did not, so I came without them. Martin Clark was on the train tonight. I partly got a job of framing from him. Gussie received a letter this evening from Lydia in Canton telling of Lauren and Eliza's journey to California. FEBRUARY 02 SUNDAY - Pleasant; before breakfast, I went over to Rabbit Hill to see Mrs. Holmes, our Sunday School Female Supt. about the time to be specified (in the notice to be given to the preacher) for bringing to the church donations of cake, etc. for the Oyster supper to come off on Wednesday. I went to church in the morning and stayed to Sunday School. We had a fire in the Librarian's Room in the new stove for the first time. After supper, I went over to Harriet Phillips with a Methodist Almanac I got for her in New York. From there, I went up home to see father where I stayed until nearly meeting time when I came home and stayed in the evening to let Gussie go to church. FEBRUARY 03 MONDAY - Very cold. I worked in the shop. Had a new mainspring put in my watch - $1.25. The seats in the church were re-rented this P.M. at 1 ## o'clock. Gussie attended and took our old seat again at an advance of $4.00, making it now $24.00. FEBRUARY 04 TUESDAY - Very cold this morning. The mercury stood at 10 below zero in some localities. I have been to New York. I brought home for sale tomorrow evening at the Sunday School Oyster Supper, One dozen pictures of the church and parsonage in 8x10 ## frames square. Also 4 8x10 rose and gilt and gold for Brother Burch's photographs to be sold also I put in screw eyes and cords to all of them before retiring. FEBRUARY 05 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant in the morning, but before night it commenced snowing and continued during the evening. Our Oyster Supper, conducted by the Sunday School Teachers, came off this evening, notwithstanding the snow and considering the inclemency of the weather, was a success. I have worked in the shop. Clarissa Smith came in and stayed with Georgie to let Gussie and I attend the Oyster Supper. FEBRUARY 06 THURSDAY - It snowed the forepart of the day. It has thawed all day. I worked in the shop. It cleared off before night. Kellen Brockett was buried this P.M. FEBRUARY 07 FRIDAY - Pleasant but cool. I have worked in the shop. Gussie went to Sewing Society at Mrs. Bartram's this evening. Borrowed 40 dollars of Augustus Hoyt. FEBRUARY 08 SATURDAY - Pleasant but cold. I have been to New York today. Went to C.C. Goss about making his frames. Josephine Dare at the store. Paid my rent to Young. FEBRUARY 09 SUNDAY - Stormy. It snowed in the morning. It turned to rain before noon and continued all day. Gussie rode to church in the morning with Robert. I went down to Sunday School and stayed to the Communion Service in the P.M. After tea, Father came down and called on us. On account of the storm, we stayed at home in the evening and Gussie wrote to Eliza in California. FEBRUARY 10 MONDAY - Pleasant but cool. I worked in the shop until noon and came home, there being no more work to do for the day in the shop. On my way home, I stopped at the church to see Knox' man grain the Librarian's Room I finally went home (after taking out two bricks from the outside of the church at the base of the chimney to make it draw) with the sick headache. We took tea with Father Griswold's folks. I retired early with the headache. FEBRUARY 11 TUESDAY - Pleasant . I have been to New York. Business is improving at the store. George came home with me on the train this evening. He took tea with me and is to stay all night. FEBRUARY 12 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. George stayed with us last night. I have worked in the shop today. I gave a picture of our church and parsonage framed to Fanny. FEBRUARY 13 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I have worked in the shop. Went to market in the evening. Bought two sets of underclothes - $2.50. I went into Prayer meeting just before its close. FEBRUARY 14 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. George came down after tea and we went into the street together. FEBRUARY 15 SATURDAY - Pleasant. Father Griswold got left by the cars this morning and took the stage to Brookfield and by cars from there to New Haven via Bridgeport. I have been to New York today. I brought home a steel plate engraving of 'Christ Walking On The Sea' and hung in our Sunday School's Librarian's room at the church. Gussie and George met me at the Depot. David Cosier went this morning with Paul McKay (who is crazy) to the lunatic asylum in Hartford. FEBRUARY 16 SUNDAY - Pleasant. After breakfast, George and I went down to church with the Sunday School papers and drove two more picture nails in the Library Room and for the present hung on them pictures of the church and parsonage. Gussie being too sick to attend in the morning, George and I went to church. After Sunday School, Mrs. Holmes gave over to me $57.59, the balance of receipts for the Oyster Supper, after she having paid for the oysters, help, sugar and dishes and whitewashing which amounted to $31.08. Father came down to see us after tea. George and Gussie went to church in the evening, while I stayed at home. FEBRUARY 17 MONDAY - Pleasant in the morning. It commenced snowing before noon and continued hard during the remainder of the day and evening. I worked in the shop. On my way home from work, I paid the editor of the Times for printing notice of our Sunday School Oyster Supper - $2.00. I also paid Crofut & Benedict for carpenter work in the Librarian's Room - $8.58. I am suffering this evening with rheumatism. Gussie went into the street and bought 20 yards of muslin at 15 cents - $3.00. FEBRUARY 18 FRIDAY - Considerable snow fell last night. It was windy in the morning and blowed in heaps. The day has been pleasant. I was forced to leave my work at the shop before night on account of the rheumatism. I stopped at Dr. Bulkely's and got some medicine for it. I was about done over when I got home. I stayed in and let Gussie go to market in the evening. FEBRUARY 19 WEDNESDAY - Have been to New York. It snowed hard until I got nearly to the city when it cleared off and the day has been warm and pleasant. I called to see Brother Woodruff in Seventh Street, but he was not in. I called on their sexton about preserving funeral wreaths. I had a severe headache tin the P.M. and came home with it. The New York & New Haven Railroad Company gave us a through car to Danbury this evening which was heated with steam. This was the first of the kind that has ever been through to Danbury. FEBRUARY 20 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm today. I have worked in the shop. I feel better today: no headache and no rheumatism. Gussie went up home on Deer Hill this P.M. George and Bell came down with her after tea and went from there to meeting. I went into the street in the evening and mailed a letter to William Hayes at the store in New York. I then went up to J. W. Ives and got 4 clothes hooks and went down to the church and put them up in the Library Room to hang hats, coats, etc. upon. FEBRUARY 21 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm until just at night when the wind changed for South to North and it grew colder I have worked in the shop. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie attend the Sewing Society at John Earles'. FEBRUARY 22 SATURDAY - Pleasant, but very cold. I have been to New York. Brought home from Benjamin Rider's, one dozen Wheeler & Wilson's Sewing Machine Casters for George to try and sell. FEBRUARY 23 SUNDAY - Pleasant but very cold. George stayed with us again last night. He and Gussie went to church together in the morning. I took little Georgie up to Mother Griswold's just before noon and then went down to Sunday School. It was so cold that we all stayed home in the evening and kept comfortable. February 24 MONDAY - Very cold this morning, but it moderated before night and began to snow. Saturday's paper brought us the news of President Johnson's removal of the Secretary of War Stanton and appointed General Lorenzo Thomas in his place. The evening papers say that a bill of impeaching the President has been brought before Congress and that Thomas has been arrested. Today has been full of excitement over the matter. I have worked in the shop today. In the evening, I went down to the Post Office and called a few minutes in the Club Room. Gussie wrote this evening to her sister Harriet in New Haven. I wrote a line to Augustus Hoyt wishing to see him between now and Thursday evening. I want to borrow some money of him. FEBRUARY 25 TUESDAY - Not so cold. A little snow at times during the day. I have worked in the shop. As I went to work this morning, I mailed Gussie's letter to her sister Harriet and a drop letter to Augustus Hoyt to have him call and see me. I wanted to borrow $300 of him. He came to the shop in the P.M. He could not spare the money. I worked late in the shop. I came home tired and low-spirited in view of my liabilities. After tea, I went into the street. FEBRUARY 26 WEDNESDAY - I have been to New York. I brought home one dozen No. 2 Judd's Lessons for the school, also 100 of Phillip Phillip's Musical Gems. Cloudy all day, but not stormy. FEBRUARY 27 THURSDAY - Cloudy all day. More or less snow during the day; it snowed very hard just at night. I have worked in the shop. On my way home from work, I left at the Union Savings Bank, an application to renew my note of $400 on the 7th of March. Adrian Baker died at the Pahquioque Hotel about noon today. FEBRUARY 28 - Cloudy again today. A little clear sky just at night. I have worked in the shop. I have finished my work early in the P.M. I brought home from Swift's store the Sunday School Advocates and marked them off before tea. Gussie went to the Sewing Society at William Scofield's in the evening and after Georgie fell asleep, I went to market and to Singing School a few minutes. I gave the leaflets of Phillips' new music which I bought for the school to the Chorister, Benjamin Lockwood, and heard them practice the same. FEBRUARY 29 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I have been to New York. I brought home 3 lbs. of coffee for Father Griswold and two lbs. for myself, 'French Breakfast and Dinner' from the great American Tea Company. I went to the City Hall to see about a permit to have a sign project 12 inches or more from my building. Gussie met me at the Depot this evening.
1868-02
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