Horace Purdy Journal October 1869 Entry
7pgs
OCTOBER 01 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. I have used Harry Buckley's horse and Saul Barnum's wagon and been to Reuben Blackman's on top of the hill this side of and in view of Newtown and put in a spring bed. On my way over at Beaverbrook, I put one in for Eugene Jennings. From Newtown, I drove to Hawleyville and fed my horse, then through the village of Brookfield up to Lanesville where I put in a set of springs for Nelson Knowles that I have deferred since August 10th on account of smallpox at that place. I collected from James Knowles $3.00 balance due since that date for Cable & Purdy. I drove home in about an hour and a half from Lanesville, arriving about 6:30. I unharnessed and fed the horse again in Nelson Knowles' stable before starting for home. After tea, I went over to Aug. Kenner's and put in his springs which I delivered yesterday while they were at the fair in Norwalk. OCTOBER 02 SATURDAY - Lowery early in the morning. Pleasant in the middle of the day. Towards night, it clouded over and a little fine rain for a few moments. Clear and pleasant again in the evening. In the forenoon, I went up to E. S. Davis to get my model box repaired. I called at Mr. Crofut's shop and left the key to my drawer under my bench for Joe Kyle to take charge of in my absence. After dinner, I put a safety bar in Charlie's bedstead. I then went up to Benjamin Morris' to see a wreath they want to get preserved but found no one home. I came home and picked my pears and pulled my carrots. In the evening, I went into the street. I saw Joel Foster at the Caucus. He paid me $2.28 balance due on springs. I bought 2 quarts of sweet potatoes and came home. OCTOBER 03 SUNDAY - It has rained hard all day. None of us has been to church. It stopped raining just at night when Gussie went up on Deer Hill to Father's. She brought home a piece of mosquito netting that George wrote to have us bring down to him on Wednesday when we go to New York. OCTOBER 04 MONDAY - It commenced raining again about 2 o'clock this morning and rained very hard and steady until about 2 P.M. when it stopped, and the sun came out. It being Town Meeting Day, I went down in the forenoon and voted. I ordered 400 labels printed with the name 'Horace' printed on to paste over 'Hill' on my spring bed posters to make it read Horace Purdy instead of Hill & Purdy, Agents for New London and Windham Counties. In the P.M., I went down for them and in the P.M. and evening I pasted them on. Gussie went to market while I stayed home in the evening. Before retiring, I wrote to Twitchell that I expected to be in New Haven on Thursday morning when I would see him. After writing, I went over to Horace Cable's to carry a pair of sockets and screws for a spring bed for him to put into H. M. Senior's bed for a safety bar. It being about 10 o'clock, he was in bed. I did not disturb him but put them on the door sill so that he would see them when he opened the door in the morning. OCTOBER 05 TUESDAY - Pleasant but cool. In the morning, I took the train for Bethel and then collected from Adam C. Williams and A. Chichester pay for spring beds and then rode back to Danbury with the Col. (Chichester). I collected $6.50 from Mrs. Ford and $3.50 from Anna Eastwood leaving $3.00. After dinner, I rode over to the Fair Grounds with Harry Buckley to see Eugene Jennings about pay for a bed I put I for him. He promised to leave the $7.25 in Chichester's Store in White Street this evening. We then rode up to L. C. Fanton's to the cider mill. I collected $6.00 from him from Cable & Purdy. I took my black vest over to have Mrs. Cocking put in two watch pockets. I picked my sweet apples just at night. Bell being down here, she helped me carry them upstairs. I went into the street in the evening. Charles Hayes gave me a check for $25.00 for his last month's board. I got William G. Randall to cash it for me as Gussie wants to use the money in the morning to go away with. Before retiring, we packed a trunk and bags for going away in the morning. OCTOBER 06 WEDNESDAY - Started for New London and Windham Counties to see the Connecticut Spring Beds for Thomas E. Twitchell in New Haven. Gussie and Georgie with Louise Vintz started with me via New York. We took the steamboat 'Nelly White' from Norwalk; arrived in New York at the foot of Market Street about 11 o'clock. We all went to the St. Charles Hotel corner of Bleeker Street and Broadway to dinner. From there, we went to Central Park and spent the P.M. This was Louise's and my first visit to the park. We went from the Park to William Hayes, 415 Hudson Street to tea. I called as I went at 61 Carmine Street to see Henry Day but got no satisfaction about payment of his notes. We had a pleasant time at William's to tea, after which he went with us to Peck Slip to take the steamer “Elm City” for New Haven, the same that the 1st Connecticut Volunteers took from New York to New haven in 1861 when we returned from the three months campaign at Bull Run at the commencement of the late Southern Rebellion. George met me at the steamer and gave me $5.00 on account towards picture frames at Yonkers and at Ferguson's at No. 10 grove Street, which he sold for me when I was in business in New York. The steamer left at 11 P.M. OCTOBER 07 THURSDAY - The steamer arrived with us at New Haven at 4:15 this morning. We took a hack to E. B. Stevens at 92 Ward Street and took breakfast with him and Harriet. I soon went to 95 Orange Street at the corner of Chapel to see Mr. Twitchell. Mr. D. R. French, his old general agent for the beds was there. I paid Mr. Twitchell his last bill for beds, $29.00. I took the 10:45 train for New London. Gussie and Georgie took a train at the same time for Collinsville. I arrived in New London about 1 P.M. I took board at 28 ## State Street with a Mr. M. Moore who keeps a large but good boarding house. OCTOBER 08 FRIDAY - I spent the day in surveying my field of operations, putting up posters and showing my model. OCTOBER 09 SATURDAY - I canvassed for the beds. Saw the assistant assessor about a license. He says because I deliver the beds, it puts me down as a peddler and I must have a license. In the evening, I met Frank Trowbridge on State Street. I took a walk with him about the city and went to the 'Metropolitan', his hotel where I Left him and repaired to my boarding house. OCTOBER 10 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the morning. After breakfast, Frank Trowbridge and I had a man to row us across the Thames to Groton where we visited the tower erected in Memory of the massacre perpetrated by the traitor, Arnold, during our war with England, or rather in memory of the gallant dead who there fell in defense of Fort Griswold. We ascended to the top by means of winding stone stairs where we had a splendid view of New London and the Thames river above and below to its mouth. We visited old Fort Griswold and then returned to the city. After dinner, I went with Mr. E. S. Simpson, an old gentleman of about 60 years formerly of Danbury who boards with me at Moore's and visited Fort Trumble, a new work erected I believe about 15 years ago. It commenced raining before we returned and continued all evening. OCTOBER 11 MONDAY - Pleasant this morning. I have canvassed for the bed with a little more success today. OCTOBER 12 TUESDAY - Canvassed as usual for the bed. During the day, I visited Bosses Cracker Bakery on Water Street, also a Horse Nail Factory. In the evening, I called on a man in John Street about bed springs. I then took a walk with Mr. Simpson. OCTOBER 13 WEDNESDAY - A cold Morning. Canvassed as usual. Received a letter from Mr. Twitchell stating that upon consultation with the Internal Revenue Assessor in New Haven, I am required to take out a license to sell the spring beds upon the grounds that delivering them as I do, makes me a 4th class peddler subject to a $10.00 license. OCTOBER 14 THURSDAY - A little rain last evening. Pleasant and a little warmer today. Canvassed but took no orders. OCTOBER 15 FRIDAY - Canvassed but took not an order. It commenced raining in the evening. OCTOBER 16 SATURDAY - It rained all last night and this morning. It cleared away in the P.M. About 3 P.M., I took the ferry boat and went over to Groton and took an order from Mr. Budington and Mr. Kearns. Windy and cool. OCTOBER 17 SUNDAY - Attended M. E. Sunday School on Federal Street from 10:30 to noon. After dinner, I wrote to Gussie in Canton. Mr. E. S. Simpson, an old gentleman, a printer boarding where I do, went with me to M. E. Church in the evening. After meeting, we took a walk around the city awhile before retiring. OCTOBER 18 MONDAY - In the forenoon, I went to R. E. Burrow's Carpenter Shop, No. 2 Kellam Street and prepared a set of half circle blocks for Stephen Budington's round nail bedstead. I did but little canvassing and took no orders. I found one Henry M. Lester, a shoe dealer at No. 10 Main Street who has one of my pattern bedsprings which he bought in Boston during the Great Peace Jubilee last June; he likes it very much. OCTOBER 19 TUESDAY - A cool day. I canvassed in the forenoon. AT 2 P.M., John H. Sloan, son of Mrs. Moore, was buried. A Mr. Gomley, an Englishman boarding where I do hired a team with me and we rode in the procession. After the funeral, I went over to the Kerse Nail Factory and took 3 orders for bed springs. I went also to the tannery but sold none there. I went in the evening with Mr. Simson to the printing office and finally retired with the headache. OCTOBER 20 WEDNESDAY - The coldest day we have yet had. A heavy white frost and ice thick as glass. I wrote to Mr. Twitchell for a cut of the bed springs to use in printing 5,000 circulars I am about to have done. OCTOBER 21 THURSDAY - Received a letter from Mr. Twitchell saying that he yesterday shipped 8 beds to me. Received another after dinner in reply to one asking for a cut of the bed. OCTOBER 23 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I was disappointed in not finding my 8 beds at the depot this morning. In the P.M., I visited the New London Boiler and Engine Works. I then crossed over the New London and Northern Railroad Bridge over the cove to what they call the 'Neck' to canvass for my beds. OCTOBER 23 SATURDAY - After breakfast, I employed an expressman to deliver my beds (they are my first in New London). Three of them were for Groton, for Budington, Kearns, and Morgan. After dinner, it commenced raining and continued all the remainder of the day and evening. I got my beds all put in before night except for Mr. Crump's and he was not ready as he is moving and will not be settled for 2 or 3 days. OCTOBER 24 SUNDAY - Pleasant but cool. I attended Father Whitney's preaching in the P.M. at the Bethel ___. OCTOBER 25 MONDAY - Pleasant. Shoes mended at A. Stanley Smith, 54 State Street, and my headquarters for the bed springs. Called on my customers to see how the beds suited. Went to Groton in the P.M. to get B. Ellison's order. I wrote to Mr. Twitchell in the evening, ordering 10 more beds and enclosed a check for $30.05, the amount of the last bill for beds. I received the bed cut by express. OCTOBER 26 TUESDAY - Went down to the Pequot House (a summer resort near the mouth of the Thames) to see if I could arrange to put in spring beds for it next spring. Canvassing on my way back without any knowledge of the place, I got into a house of bad repute which I afterward learned was known as the Cottage by the Sea'. As soon as I saw the character of the place, I told short stories and retreated. I got 12 dozen cards, 8 ## x 12 with 'Orders for the Connecticut Spring Bed Received here' printed on them. I put one of them in A. Stanley Smith's Store Window at 54 State Street. I deposited in the Union Bank, $30.05 to meet the check I sent to Mr. Twitchell. OCTOBER 27 WEDNESDAY - First snowstorm. It snowed nearly all the forenoon quite hard making about 2 inches of snow. I looked after printing 5,000 circulars at Starr & Farnum's, corner of Main and State Streets. I took 3 bed spring orders before noon. In the evening, I folded, wrote across the ends, and filed away in a bill holder a lot of bills for A. Stanley Smith at his store. I then went down to Blinman Street with Mr. Simpson and helped him put up a bedstead preparatory to the arrival of his wife from New Jersey whom he expects tonight by New York steamer. I sat up with him until the arrival of the steamer at midnight to meet his wife. She came. I then left him to return to my boarding place at Mr. Moore's for the night. OCTOBER 28 THURSDAY - Cloudy and cold. I took and order for bed from D. B. Thurston, 56 Bank Street, ex-Governor of Rhode Island. I took 1,000 of the 5,000 circulars ordered from Starr & Farnum. I telegraphed to J. E. Chapman, 177 Grand Street not to send the large bed cut. I sent by mail a sample of my new circular to Mr. Twitchell. OCTOBER 29 FRIDAY - Warmer. I took 11 spring beds for the depot this morning, delivered and put them up before night. It commenced raining before night. I put in one for A. Stanley Smith and took tea with him. I wrote to T. E. Twitchell in the evening and enclosed a check for $41. 14 for the last lot of beds and enclosed the bill to be receipted. OCTOBER 30 SATURDAY - A little sunshine though cold and most of the day cloudy. I deposited in the Union Bank, $41.14 to meet check with. I canvassed a part of the day. I spent the evening in A. Stanley Smith's Shoe Store, writing for myself and helping him wait on customers. OCTOBER 31 SUNDAY - Pleasant but cool. A fire alarm last night at 1:30 o'clock. I turned out to see what I could, but the fire was extinguished so soon that no light was seen. I understood that it was in the Wilson Manufacturing Company, a foundry and iron-working establishment. This P.M., I attended M. E. Church. We had an excellent sermon from Mr. Cooper from Westerly Rhode Island, formerly preached here in New London. He preached another good one this evening. A young lady sat in the seat with me and offered me part of her hymn book. I accepted and sang with her. After dinner, I called on Mr. Simson in Blinman Street.
1869-10
Horace Purdy Journal, March 1870 Entry
9pgs
3/1 I spent the forenoon in the street working insurance. In the morning I received a letter from my Ins. Co. saying I might forward the application for Mrs. Disbrow but would not make it payable to her husband unless he insured also. I answered by the PM mail saying that he now had $2,000 on his life. I urged the company to issue the policy as this was the only condition on which he will take the policy. Just at night I took John H. White to Dr. Bulkely's office and had him examined. Filled out the certificate there and in the evening mailed it to the company. In the street this evening I saw Peter Robinson and took him into Dr. Bulkely's to be examined, leaving the other part of the application to be filled out tomorrow. 3/2 I delivered Charles H. Wilcox's policy for $500 and received the premium of $9.73. In the forenoon went down to the sewing machine factory and talked life insurance with Col. James Ryder explaining the plan and the strong points and advantages of the company. I gained his favor and acknowledgement that it was a superior company. I then called at the Pahquioque shop for a few minutes and from there to the post office and received the 3 policies, and also a letter from L. E. Twitchell with bill enclosed for 5 spring beds, my first lot sold since coming from New London last Christmas. In the PM I got Charlie Disbrow to deliver my spring beds which came by freight, to Hawley, May, Ryder, Beers and Griswold. During the afternoon and evening I put them all in. It was about 9 o'clock in the evening when I put the last one in for Henry Ryder on Montgomery St. in Granville Hoyt's house. About 5 this evening Dr. Bulkely examined George Bell's wife for a joint policy with her husband. Gussie went this evening to a surprise party at H. E. Comes on Rabbit Hill. 3/3 In the forenoon I went up to Peter Robinson's on Balmforth Ave. and took Mrs. Robinson's application for a joint life ins. policy with her husband. I received by the morning mail the policy for John H. White and a letter from D. R. French, General Agent, with enclosed permit for the State Insurance Commissioner for me to act as agent for the Homeopathic Mutual Life Ins. Company of NY. After dinner I went up to Gould S. Disbrow and took Mrs. Disbrow's application for a policy payable to her husband. I called at Mrs. E. M. Jones and got her signature to the friends certificate on Mrs. Robinson's application. Having felt sick with a headache all day and after dinner feeling worse, I kept quiet the remainder of the PM. After tea I felt better and went into the street to see George Bell about being examined tomorrow. Gussie went this evening to the auction sale of Fanton's fire damaged shirts and bought me 6 shirts nearly perfect for $3.50. 3/4 It tried to snow in the forenoon but was too cold. It moderated in the PM so that it snowed a little. Henry M. Day came in town this forenoon. I saw and had a talk with him about the money he owes me but could not get anything definite from him. In the PM I went up to Young and Ely's shop, to Mallory's . After tea I went into the street expecting to have George Bell examined but I could not find him. I deposited $18.60 in Danbury Bank for a check I sent by this PM mail to L. E. Twitchell. 3/5 I talked life insurance in Charles Chapman's shoe store in the forenoon. Young Dr. William Bulkely went up and examined Mrs. Disbrow this morning but omitted to have her sign the document so I went up before going to dinner and had her sign it. In the PM old Dr. Bulkely went up and examined Peter Robinson's wife. I mailed the joint applications by the afternoon mail. I put in a door spring for William Bedient Jr. , the artist. I did it to test it beside another kind he was using. In the evening I went in the street and did some marketing with Gussie and came home. Joseph Bates paid me today $6.84, he balance of his first quarterly payment on his 15 yr. endowment policy. 3/6 Gussie and Hattie Mills attended church while Georgie and I stayed home. After tea Georgie and I took a walk around the square to West St. by way of George and Orchard Streets. I wrote to George concerning his voting here this spring and also offered him New London and Wyndham counties for the sale of the Connecticut Spring Bed. 3/7 It has snowed all day. I received from the Homeo. Ins. Co. an extra from the Insurance Times, a statement of business of all companies doing business in NY for the year ending December 31, 1869. In the PM I mailed a letter to D.R. French at Seymour CT. I went to Concert Hall in the evening to hear Dr. Pond lecture on Temperance. It was acknowledged by those present to be the best lecture yet delivered and the audience voted unanimously to invite him to repeat it at some future time. 3/8 Sleighs tried to run but made sorry work of it. In the forenoon I went to the Sewing Machine factory to see James Olmstead to get the $27.00 left by Charles Hayes for me to draw. I got $20.00 and then came home, stopping as I got to the post office and got Mrs. Disbrow's policy from the Ins. Co. Received also a letter from L. E. Twitchell with receipted bill enclosed for the last lot of spring beds. After dinner I wrote to Mr. Twitchell and also to Starr & Farnham printers, cor. State and Main Streets, New London for the bed cut I had them use in printing my circulars. I want them to send it to Mr. Twitchell at New Haven. I also wrote to A. Stanley Smith. I then went into the street and mailed the letters I wrote and took Mr. Disbrow and his son Charlie's policy to them. Later in the PM I saw John White and gave his to him. They all paid me but Gould Disbrow who wants me to wait a day or two. Dr. Bulkely received a letter from the Ins. Office in NY to see Peter Robinson again about his pulse. So in the evening I went with him to the Doctor's office, and his pulse instead of being over 80 was 72, and expansion of chest instead of being 37' to 38' was 35' to 37'. 3/9 I went to Bethel on the noon train to talk life insurance and returned by the evening train. Received a letter in the evening mail from George answering mine about voting here in the spring, also telling me he was now at work at Straw Hat Curling. 3/10 I received a joint policy for George B. Bell and wife. I took the noon train for Bethel. Sidney Smith came up with me on the evening train. He came home with me and talked about taking the New London and Wyndham counties to sell the Connecticut Spring Bed. He left about 10 o'clock to walk back to Bethel. I bought of George Osborne in Bethel a smoked beef tongue. 3/11 I went up to the boot and shoe factory and to the Chase Carriage factory in the forenoon and talked life insurance. Rec'd by the morning mail a joint policy for Peter Robinson and wife. In the PM I delivered it and got a check for the amount of the premium, $109.40. Gould S. Disbrow also paid me the premium for his, $31.60 less $3.13 for a 1/22 [Bbl] flour. I talked life insurance with H. E Comes and Robert Sayers. George Dickens wife died this morning about 5 o'clock. 3/12 In the forenoon I rode with Peter Robinson over to Sturdevant's to talk life insurance a little with the shop hands. I rode back about noon with William A. Bouton who drives George Starrs' team. Before going to dinner I took Peter Robinson's check to the Danbury Bank. I made out my report to D.R. French and went again to the bank and got a draft for $135.88, which with my commission, examinations, balanced accounts for all premiums collected up to date. I mailed the report and draft by the PM mail. I brought home a cat just at night from Gould S. Disbrow's feed store. 3/13 Cold, blustery and snowy all day. The funeral of George Dickens' wife was to be attended this PM immediately after sacrament service at the church. But on account of the severe weather it was postponed until tomorrow. Gussie went over to Mr. Dickens in the forenoon to help arrange flowers for the funeral but returned about noon because it was postponed. I stayed at home all day and took medicine, feeling about sick myself. First appearance of whooping cough with Georgie. 3/14 There has been some sleighing today. George Dickens buried his wife from the church this PM. After the funeral I went up to Charles Chase Carriage Shop to talk life insurance. From there I stopped at the Union Hat Shop and talked with Cyrus Raymond and think I shall finally insure him. In the evening I went to market and then over to John Bouton's and made a call. 3/15 I went over to Mr. Richards in the morning and had him cut from an old pair of slipper uppers a pair of small ones for Georgie. I then brought them home for Gussie to sew together and bind. I then went down to the Pahquioque Shop and called for a few minutes also at the Railroad Repair shop and then at William A. Bedient's picture gallery. I lent Bedient $25.00. He returned it to me again this evening. After dinner I commenced paining my home again. I finished the north side and commenced on the West end. In the evening I went to the post office and received a letter from D. R. French acknowledging the receipt of my report and the draft for $135.88 which I sent on Saturday. 3/16 I started snowing very had this morning, then turned to rain. I received by the morning mail a letter from Starr & Farnham saying that they had sent by express to Mr. Twitchell in New Haven the bed cut they used in printing my circulars last fall, also giving me Mr. Crockers name and address who keeps the Pequot House in New London. I wrote to Mr. H. S. Crocker about spring beds for the hotel. I also wrote to Mr. Twitchell that if he wrote to him concerning them, to refer him to me. I then wrote another letter to George in Brooklyn. After dinner it cleared and was warm, but splashy ' the snow being soft and full of water. Before night the wind got into the north and it grew cold. Mr. Richards had one of Georgie's slippers done but it being too large he had to rip it again and make it over smaller. Mr. Pond came in about 9 o'clock in the evening to get me to go over to Mr. Warner's on West St. and sit with Marshall West who is sick until a young man named Trowbridge should come about 11 o'clock to watch with him for the night. I did so and returned about 11'. 3/17 Henry Ryder paid me $7.20 for a spring bed. I called at the County House to see Albert Sherwood on life insurance but he was not at home. Mr. Richards finished Georgie's slippers today. I brought them home before tea. After tea I gave Georgie an injection to move his bowels, they have not moved for 3 or 4 days. Gussie and I went to market in the evening. 3/18 I called at the Pahquioque shop in the forenoon where we had a good deal of talk about the school and its principal, Mr. Pond. In the PM I went up to the Mallory Shop and talked life insurance a little. In the evening I went to the school meeting in Borough Hall, but the hall not being big enough the meeting was adjourned until next Monday at Concert Hall. Consulted Dr. Bulkely about whooping cough with Georgie. 3/19 Was around town talking life insurance. In the evening was at Randall & Bradley's and talked with 2 or 3 on life insurance. 3/20 Sunday. I stayed t home. After tea Father called with a letter written by Bell to George and wished me to mail it for her. Bell is very much worse and father feels too poor to pay for a doctor. So I went for young Dr. Bulkely and sent him up there at my expense. I went up home and was there when he called. He ordered with other things Sherry wine sweetened with loaf sugar. I went to the druggist and bought a little for 23 cents. She being much reduced and debilitated requires this as a mild stimulus and tonic. 3/21 I watched with Bell last night and came home to bed at 5 o'clock. I rose about 8 o'clock and took breakfast. I then went up to Tweedy's factory and talked life insurance. After dinner, wrote to the home office of the Homeo. Ins. Co. ordering more rate books. In the evening the adjourned school meeting met at Concert Hall. James S. Taylor and his crew who has tried to make a disturbance and break up the school was totally defeated and Mr. Pond (the principle) was completely vindicated and sustained. 3/22 In the forenoon I went up town to Tweedy's factory to see some parties about life insurance. Received by morning mail a letter from George F. Howard with George W. [Kris] at Norwich stating that there is some dissatisfaction with the spring bed I sold there last fall and on that account did not wish to engage in the business. Also a letter from William H. Hayes inquiring about business for Charlie, if work had commenced. Consulted Andrew Knox about a sign for my contemplated insurance office. Called over at the sewing machine factory to ascertain about work for Charlie Hayes. In the evening I went into the street to the post office and to see what I could strike in the way of life insurance as usual. 3/23 After breakfast I went up home to see Bell. In some respects she was better, in others she was worse. From there I went down to the County House and talked with Albert Sherwood about insuring his life. He concluded to do so the first week in April if money he is expecting from the State comes. From there I went to Dr. Bulkely's office and consulted him about Bell. I got some more medicine which with his visit on Sunday I paid him $1.25. After dinner I went up home with the medicine and gave instructions about it. In the PM I called to see John Starr about a writing desk for my office. In the evening I received a letter from Mr. Twitchell about spring beds. 3/24 After breakfast I went up into the street to send Dr. Bulkely up to see Mother Griswold. I then went up home to see how Bell was. I think she is slowly gaining. I went before dinner over to the sewing machine factory to arrange with James Olmstead about sending for Charlie Hayes to be made a freeman and vote. After dinner I wrote to William H. Hayes to send Charlie up after arranging with D. P. Nichols to pay his fare up and return. Before night I moved the desk I bought of John Starr from Scofield's old store in Pahquioque block to Bedient's Photographic Gallery where I have established my office for life insurance. I came home and took a bundle of life insurance documents to the office and arranged them in my desk. I went into the street in the evening. After taking the desk I paid John Starr $8.00 for it. 3/25 Friday. Bought both red and black ink for my office. In the PM I visited Rundle & White's, also [Samuel] Holley' s wool had factory to talk life insurance. Charlie Hayes returned from New York by the evening train. A sociable at the church in the evening. The Sunday School children met and had their gathering in the PM. 3/26 In the morning I went with Charlie Hayes to the Court House to be made a freeman. In the PM I went up home to see Bell. She is getting better. I received by the morning mail two copies of agreement between D. R. French and myself. I signed them both and returned one to him. 3/27 Commenced snowing about 9 AM but soon turned to rain. Gussie had the neuralgia last night and this morning. After supper I went up home to see Bell. When I returned I went up to see Mother Griswold who is very feeble, and there is a prospect of her never being any better. 3/28 I went down to my office in the forenoon and did some writing. After dinner I wrote to William H. Hayes about an agency for new patent oil cloth. I mailed at the same time in the afternoon mail a letter to George which I wrote yesterday. After I went down to the Pahquioque shop. Business is very dull there again. I brought from the office my large bottle of ink to fill my small ink stand at home. I went to market in the evening. 3/29 I was up to Rundle & White's and Mallory hat shops in the forenoon talking life insurance a little. In the PM helped William Bedient paint his Photograph rooms where I have my office. I was at the office in the evening. 3/30 I got a pint of French brandy at Wooster House of Smith Turrell to give to Mother Griswold. Dr. Bulkely recommended us to go there in order to get a good article. It cost 81 cents. I went to Bethel on the noon train to see Sidney Smith about going to New London to sell spring beds. I did not see him as he was away from home. I came up on the 3 PM train. Father Griswold was on the same train. Dr. Bulkely came to see Mother Griswold again about 5 PM and says she may not live longer than tomorrow. Father Griswold immediately telegraphed for Edwin and for Harriet. After tea I went to the Depot to meet Harriet from New Haven, but she did not come. Received a letter in the evening from George about the spring bed business in New London and Windham Counties. Work is getting dull and he thinks he may be glad of it soon. I went to my office and wrote a reply before coming home. I also got one from William H. Hayes at Heath and Smith, 44 Murray St., New York regarding a new patent oil cloth which I requested an agency for if it could be obtained. 3/31 We were up all of last night expecting every hour that Mother Griswold would die. She had a sinking turn at 2 o'clock but she rallied and is still living now at 4 PM. Father Griswold sent me this morning to the telegraph office with a dispatch for Uncle Lorenzo Burr at Bloomfield saying that she was only just alive. Harriet Stevens came by the morning train from New Haven. I met her at the Depot. After breakfast, I went up home to see Bell. I found her sitting up and doing well. She has discontinued the medicine almost entirely, not now needing it. William A. Bedient took my picture this morning for his own use. A telegram this PM from Edwin at Erie PA. He is on his way home and will be home tomorrow afternoon. Sidney Smith from Bethel called at my office to see me about selling beds in New London County. On account of giving up the territory to George as I contemplate, I refused to send Mr. Smith.
1870-03