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 September 1869 Entry
10pgs
SEPTEMBER 01 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant but cold. More like November than September. Horace Cable and I went with his horse to Brewster Station to take from the Harlem Railroad depot at that location, 7 spring beds to put up in that place. As we went, we took from here two beds which we put up for William Fowler just beyond the state line and for E. C. Clark at Sodom. We got pay for 6 beds and 3 we did not collect, viz., George Hall, John Doty at the hotel, and William Orman. We took dinner at Doty's Hotel, called the Southeast House. On our way home, we stopped at William Storm's and brought into town a copper strip cutting machine. We came by the 8th Regiment encampment at Lake Kenosha at sundown just as they were on dress parade. It was about dark when we got home. SEPTEMBER 02 THURSDAY - Horace Cable came over in the morning for crab apples. He helped me pick what remained on the tree. When we had done picking, I filled his basket and then Charles Hayes and I rode over home with him. I then went down to the Danbury Bank with him and we had a draft made out for D. R. French for the balance of what we owe him - $154.54. I went over to Swift's and wrote a note to French and enclosed the draft and mailed it. In the P.M., I went over to Cable's and got some safety bars and the tools and came home and put one in our bedstead. After putting it in, I took Willie Griswold and threw him on the bed quite hard and broke a slat. I then had to go over to Mr. Cable's again for a slat and came home and put it in in place of the broken one. In the evening, I went to market and Gussie went to Professor John Logan's' lecture on Physiognomy. The day has been pleasant except an occasional cloud, which in passing over, would give us a little sprinkle. SEPTEMBER 03 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warmer. In the morning, I went over to Horace Cable's and went down into Main Street with him at mail tine. We saw Governor Jewell and staff at the depot just arrived with horses and equipage for reviewing the 8th Regiment in the P.M. at Lake Kenosha. I received a letter from Sigler Brothers, 131-133 Mercer Street, New York, requesting me to send the amount of my indebtedness which I owed when I sold out in New York and cannot pay because Henry Day, who took my business, has not paid me. In the P.M., Gussie, Louise and I went onto the street designing to take one of the omnibuses and ride out to camp and see Gov. Jewell review the regiment, but all the conveyances were overloaded and we gave up the idea of going. I came home and pulled weeds in my garden. Gussie went to the phrenological lecture in the evening. I went to market and down to the Turner House to see Gov. Jewell who with his staff holds a reception. SEPTEMBER 04 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. I went to Bethel by the morning train to collect from Thomas Wheeler $6.00 for a spring bed but did not get it. I took an order from Mr. Agnew for a spring bed. I came home by the A. M. train and saw Mr. Henry Day but could get no encouragement from him regarding the payment of his notes. The 8th Regiment marched in from the lake about 3 P.M. and broke up at the depot. They started for home on the 4:15 train. I received a letter from Mr. J. E. Chapman from New York concerning the Empire Spring Bed. Henry Cable wants Putnam County in which to sell them. I also received a note from Mr. French acknowledging receipt of $154.54 to balance Cable & Purdy's account. I did some marketing and then came home. SEPTEMBER 05 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I went with Georgie down to Sunday school at noon. We came home again after school. After dinner, which we had about 4 P.M., Gussie and I walked over to Ambrose Hill's, but Ambrose had started for New York before we got there. He went to Brookfield intending to take a train this evening from there to Bridgeport and then a night boat to New York so as to get to Brooklyn for breakfast tomorrow morning. Gussie went to church this evening. I stayed at home. SEPTEMBER 06 MONDAY - Hot. In the forenoon, I helped Robert Cocking clean out and repair his cistern. In the P.M., I went over to F. H. Austin's and took a measurement of his bedstead for a set of springs. From there, I went over to Sturdivant's factory. From there, I came to the lower end of town and then up home to see mother. I wrote three letters - one to J. E. Chapman, giving Twitchell's prices for spring beds, one to Twitchell about New London and Windham Counties, and one to D. R. French with a draft for $60.00 enclosed. Mrs. Sweetland and daughter came by the P.M. train from Hartford to see Edwin's wife at Mother Griswold's. Their baggage was left behind today, and I went to the depot this evening on the arrival of the train to get it for them, a black traveling bag. Late in the evening, I went over to Horace Cable's and gave him the tree and bed orders I had on my book from New York State. SEPTEMBER 07 TUESDAY - Appearance of rain in the morning, but before noon it came off pleasant. Just at night it clouded over again and rained in showers all evening. I have been to Bethel and stayed all day. I took tea with Mrs. Dare. I sold 7 beds. I took another tea after I came home and then went up to see Charles Bradley about a spring bed but did not find him at home. I then came down to John Bouton's for the measurement of his bed, but they having company in the bed, I did not measure the bedstead. From there, I went over to Horace Cable's to get some names for spring beds which he had got for me. I then came home feeling about used up. Before retiring, I helped Gussie seal up some of her cups of crab apple jelly. SEPTEMBER 08 WEDNESDAY - The day has been broken. A considerable rain has fallen and yet the sun has shone a little. I canvassed in the forenoon for my spring beds. After dinner, I went again and after 4 o'clock, I sold 4 beds, two to Mrs. William Bennett, one to Mrs. Charles Bradley, and one to John Bouton. I received by the morning mail a letter from D. R. French saying that I must hereafter deal with Mr. Twitchell as he has given up the General Agency. In the evening, I wrote an order for 14 spring beds, eight for Bethel and six for Danbury, the first lot for myself since giving up my partner, Cable. I also wrote to William Hayes for Stark's address that I might write and if possible, collect the $20.00 he owes me. I also wrote to George to have him collect the $7.50 owing me in Yonkers. Before retiring, I helped seal up and mark crab apple and blackberry jelly. SEPTEMBER 09 THURSDAY - Pleasant but cooler. Our Sunday School and the Baptist School held a picnic at the junction of the New York Northern and Housatonic railroads near Brookfield. Anne, Edwin's wife, and her two children, Fanny and Willie started for Ohio. They took the 11A.M. train to Brookfield. AT 12 noon, Mr. & Mrs. Sweetland and daughter Martha started for home in Hartford. I went over to Crofut's Mill in the A. M. to try and sell Mr. Crofut a spring bed. I did not succeed but sold one to his miller, Jack Wolf. I came home by way of Horace Cable's and got a set of springs. From there and before dinner, I put them in one of the beds I yesterday measured for Mrs. William Bennett. In the P.M., I went up to Tweedy's Factory with my bed model. I sold three before I got home Turner Stevens, George F. Larkin, and George Swords. Gussie being detained at the picnic, Hattie Mills and I got our tea and ate it before she got home. In the evening, I went to market and then to the barber's to get my hair cut. SEPTEMBER 10 FRIDAY - Cold in the morning but a pleasant day and warm in the middle of the day. I went to the shop in the morning and stretched Georgie's straw hat and had one blocked (a fur one) preparatory to finishing it. Before dinner, I took an order from Joel Foster for a spring bed. Received by morning mail a letter from T. E. Twitchell that he had shipped yesterday 6 beds to me. After dinner, I hired Mr. Bouton's horse and went to the depot for my spring beds. I took Mr. Austin's over to him and put it in. I also put in one for John W. Bouton and one for Mrs. Charles Bradley. Horace Cable came over to see me about dark. After tea, I went to market. SEPTEMBER 11 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I spent a part of the afternoon in finishing a hat for Georgie. I carried Hattie Mill's dinner to her at noon at the Mallory Shop. I took a letter from the Office this forenoon for Horace Cable from J. E. Chapman & Co., New York (the Empire Spring Bed maker). In the evening, I went to market and took home from the Office a bill from Twitchell for 8 beds shipped today for Bethel. SEPTEMBER 12 SUNDAY - Pleasant. About meeting time this morning, Father came down to see me. I went down to Sunday School at noon and home again after the session. I went to church in the evening. Brother Burch preached. SEPTEMBER 13 MONDAY - Pleasant and warmer than for some days past. I have been to Bethel today. I went by train this morning and returned by same in the evening. I had 8 beds come by freight to Bethel where I met them and delivered and put them up which took me until dark. I took dinner with Aunt Harriet Mills. In the A.M., I put a safety bar in Mr. Dare's bed. Gussie met me this evening at the depot with the Sunday School books. I took them and attended the Teachers' Meeting without returning home. My resignation as secretary & treasurer was accepted and Thomas Bradley was elected. SEPTEMBER 14 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I spent a portion of the day selling my spring beds. Just at night, I went down to Dr. Benedict's and put in a set of springs for Anna Eastwood. While we were at tea, Hannah Gregory came in to countermand an order Mrs. Rowan gave me today for a spring bed. I went to market in the evening with Gussie. I mailed this P.M. a check to Mr. Twitchell for $54.72, amount due him for my first set of beds. In the evening, Mr. Pond came in to pay me $10.00 borrowed last Saturday. He drew his check on Pahquioque Bank for $50.00. I am to draw it for him tomorrow and from it take my $10.00. SEPTEMBER 15 WEDNESDAY - A little lowery in the morning but it came off pleasant and warm. I rode down to Grassy Hill in the morning on a load of hat cases with William Bouton. I canvassed there and at Oren Benedict's shop until the freight train came when I took it and came home to Danbury. After I arrived, I went to the Pahquoique Bank with Mr. Pond's check for 50.00. I got the money and, in the evening, returned $40.00 to Mr. Pond. In the P.M., I called at the parsonage and Mrs. Burch paid me $5.00 for a bed purchased in July. A bed order from W. H. Barnum. SEPTEMBER 16 THURSDAY - I canvassed a little at home for my spring beds. After dinner, I went on Highland Avenue to sell beds. After tea, I went into the street and arranged with Harry Buckley to go tomorrow morning with me to Newtown to take a bed spring to H. D. Warner in place of one broken which he has. Also, to collect from Henry Willis $6.00 for one I sold him in July. SEPTEMBER 17 FRIDAY - About 6:30 this morning, Harry Buckley drove around for me to go to Newtown per arrangement. I took over the springs for J. Warner and put them in and collected $6.00 from Henry Willis for a bed. I took another order of two from W. J. Dick (hotel), also an order for another from J. B. Wheeler. We came home by way of the Steam Excavator arriving about noon. A little fine rain on our way over in the morning. I had 6 more beds (also 2 slats and a frame for George Andrews) come on the freight train. I hired Mr. Judd's horse to deliver them. I put up Turner Stevens', Jacob Wolff's, George Larkin's, Mr. Pond’s, and George Sword's, leaving Joel Foster's and the slats for George Andrews until tomorrow. In the evening, I took an order for one from Fred Hull. Received by the evening mail two letters from T. E. Twitchell with bills of beds to Danbury and Bethel. SEPTEMBER 18 SATURDAY - Gussie's birthday. She is 33 years old. I started this morning to get a new lid made for the box containing my spring bed model. Before I could get back, it commenced raining. I went over to Joel Foster's about 8 A.M. and put in his spring bed. From there I went over to George Andrew's and made over his old one which he has used for 3 years or more. I added two new slats and a new frame making a 9 slatter instead of 7 slats. I went to Bethel by the 4 P.M. train and brought in a bed for C.H. Benedict. From there I went over to W.H. Barnum's to put in one for him, but his wife having company, I deferred it until next week. I then rode up home with B. F. Bailey. SEPTEMBER 19 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I attended church in the morning to hear our old pastor, Brother William Hill, preach. We have no pastor now. He (Burch) is only a preacher. I stayed to Sunday School to see how Theo Bradley, the new secretary and treasurer, got along with his new duties. This is his first Sunday in the new position and the first since I was relieved. In the P.M., Gussie went to the Universalist to hear Mr. Haskell preach a memorial sermon for the late General John Rawlins, Secretary of War, who died in Washington, D. C. on September 6th. His wife, daughter of Stephen Hurlburt, is here at home with her father. SEPTEMBER 20 MONDAY - Hot, very hot. I went to Bethel by the train in the morning and put in a set of bed springs for S.H. Barnum. I spent my time in Bethel until the freight train came in and then came home. Mary Mills came on the same train. Four more beds came on the train, 2 for Dick's hotel, 1 for J.B. Wheeler, and 1 for myself. I did not take them from the depot as three of them I will take to Newtown tomorrow morning. Just at night, I made arrangements with Harry Buckley for his horse tomorrow to go to Newtown. After tea, I went over to Division Street and measured a bed for A. Kenner. I then went down to Blackman's to get a crystal put in my watch. I received by the evening mail a bill from T. E. Twitchell for the four beds shipped on Saturday and received today. I came home and filled out a check for the same - $32.68, to mail to him tomorrow morning. SEPTEMBER 21 TUESDAY - I have had Harry Buckley's horse to go to Newtown. I put in 2 spring beds for Dick's hotel and one more for J. B. Wheeler. I intended to canvass Newtown and perhaps stay overnight but the rain commencing about 1 o'clock, I started for home expecting a hard storm. But it stopped and rained no more during the P.M. I got home about 6 P.M. SEPTEMBER 22 WEDNESDAY - In the morning, I made 2 cross bars for a 51 inch bed to use with Turner Stevens bed for Fred Hull. At 10 o'clock, I went to the Danbury Bank and deposited $32.62 for a check sent to T.E. Twitchell for bed springs. From there, I went up to Turner Stevens and took out the springs I put in for him. I am going to put them in for Fred Hull. Cloudy. Rain about 2 P.M. About 4 o'clock, I got Luther Patton to drive over to Turner Stevens and bring away a bed for me and take to Fred Hull which I put up for him before night. In the evening, I went into the street. SEPTEMBER 23 THURSDAY - Lowery in the morning. I went down to Col. Chichester and to George Benedict and took an order from each for spring beds and returned home to dinner. Received by the morning mail a receipt from T. E. Twitchell for the last check I sent him - $32.68. It cleared off in the P.M. I canvassed in Maple Avenue until teatime and came home. In the evening, I mailed a check to T.E. Twitchell for $14.450 in full for beds to date. SEPTEMBER 24 FRIDAY - I hired Harry Buckley's team and went to canvassing towards Newtown for my bed springs. I sold three to Eugene Jennings, Jabez Peck and Reuben Blackman. The last one was on the hill overlooking Newtown. It then being night, I turned and drove home. SEPTEMBER 25 SATURDAY - Pleasant. In the morning, I went down to Foster Brothers Carpenter Shop to collect $7.25 for spring beds from Joel Foster. He paid me $5.00 of it. I then went up to Samuel Holby's shop to see George Sword. He could not pay me today. He has just buried his baby. At 10 o'clock, I went to the Danbury Bank and deposited $14.50 for a check I sent to T.E. Twitchell in New Haven. Reunion of the 23rd Regiment. Many of the veterans of the Bethel Military Company and the City Band from Bridgeport came on the 10:15 train. They formed and marched to Concert Hall where officers of the Regimental Association were elected for the coming year. After which the line again formed, and the grand parade commenced. The parade ended by marching into the Wooster House yard where an abundant dinner was served up free of charge. All appeared to enjoy it. D.R. French, one of the veterans of the 23rd was here also. I found him and we had a little visit together by ourselves. I went with him to try and find George Ambler, but we could not. SEPTEMBER 26 SUNDAY - Stormy. It has rained hard all day. None of us has been out to church. This is the first Sunday in a long time that I have remained indoors all day. Harry Buckley called about dusk. I brought some of my 'Louise Bond de Jersey' pears. He ate a number and took several to his wife. SEPTEMBER 27 MONDAY - Pleasant but cold. It rained hard during last night but came off clear this morning. I rode to Bethel this P.M. with Harry Buckley to try to collect $6.50 at Luby's shop from A. C. Williams but he was not there. When I returned, I called to see Mr. Ferrell about bedsprings but he concluded to defer the thing until next spring. In the evening, I ordered (and mailed the same) seven more beds from Twitchell. SEPTEMBER 28 TUESDAY - A heavy white frost this morning, the first of the season. In the forenoon, I prepared a place for 2 rows of 'Jacunda Strawberry' plants and got in 12 bushels of potatoes from Father Griswold's cellar. I killed and we had for dinner one of the three chickens that has been living with us all summer. In the P.M., I had a sick headache, but I went over to Ambrose Hill's for the plants and set them out just at night. After putting out the plants, I was so sick that I could hardly hold up my head. I took but a mouthful for tea and retired early. SEPTEMBER 29 MONDAY - Pleasant but cold with another white frost. My head ached all night. I feel bad today. I cleaned up my pistol in the morning. I went into the street before dinner. On the arrival of the freight train, I went to the depot to see if 7 spring beds which I have ordered came, but they did not. I then got Harry Buckley to drive his horse with me and one spring bed down to George Benedict's. Mrs. Benedict not being home, I left it and returned home without putting it in. Wrote to George and mailed in the evening about not receiving money the 27th inst., also about being in New York next week to see him. I received a receipted bill by evening mail from T. E. Twitchell for $14.49, also notice that today he shipped me 7 beds. SEPTEMBER 30 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warmer. After breakfast, I went down to the lower end of Main Street to George V. Benedict's and put in the spring bed I left down there yesterday P.M. I then came uptown and called on Mrs. Anna Eastwood to see about pay for spring beds I put in for her on the 14th. From there, I went to Randall & Bradley's Store and 'altered a cat' for them. I bought a mixed colored coat (of sack) of B. C. Sherwood, the pawnbroker, for $7.00. In the P.M., I hired Almon Judd's horse to get some bed springs from the depot. I put in one for Abram Chichester and two for Mrs. Alice Ford. I delivered one to Mrs. Keynes on Division Street, but they being away, I could not put it in. I have three more to put in tomorrow, one to Beaverbrook at Eugene Jennings', and two just this side of Newtown for John Peck and Reuben Blackman. I went up to Kenner's in the evening to put in his bed, but they still being away, I could not.
1869-09-01