Horace Purdy Journal March 1867 Entry
16gs
MAR 01 FRIDAY - Lowery with fine rain. As I came home from work, I left the 'Sentence of Christ' at the Jeffersonian Office for publication. I then called at D. B. Booth's office to look at the state register for the residence of Dr. Henry Stearns, formerly surgeon of the 1st Connecticut Volunteers. Gussie went over to Mrs. Daniel Starr's this P.M., from there to Emily Anderson's, where she stayed to tea. Frank Bouton came this way to go with Gussie to the Sewing Society. John came in soon after and we went into the street together. He returned with me and stayed until the women came from the Sewing Society. Wrote to Dr. Stearns to find when and where I could have an interview with him relative to a pension for hernia received in the army. MAR 02 SATURDAY - A little sunshine during the day. Warm and muddy. We had work in the shop until noon. Received a letter from George. Before coming home, I went to D. B. Booth's office to see if George's name was still on the list so that he can vote; I found that it was. I went to D. W. Benedict's and brought home 3 pairs of rubbers from which to have Gussie select a pair. One pair was not mates, though nearly alike. These she concluded to take as they would cost only 75 cents where the others were $1.25. I returned them before night and tried to get another pair of odd ones for the same price for Mrs. Stone, but could not. I called at the Selectman's Office and paid Mr. S. Peck my taxes which were $18.05. By paying now I had 3 % deducted, making the amount which I paid, $17.52. I went to the Post Office in the evening, came home and commenced a reply to George's letter. It cleared off in the evening and grew colder. MAR 03 SUNDAY - The ground was frozen hard this morning. The sun shone until towards night when it clouded over and now looks like storm. Gussie attended church in the morning. She came home and I went down to Sunday School at noon. I was busy at the Library until after 2 o'clock. It was so late that I came home without going into church. We expected Bell would come here to tea, but she did not. After tea, Father came down to see us. Susan Brayman came in also. Before Father went home, I cut his hair for him a little. It looked so badly that I would not let him go longer looking so. I do not feel so well this evening, so I let Gussie attend church and I stayed home. Before Gussie went, I finished a letter to George and sent it by her to the Post Office. MAR 04 MONDAY - The ground this morning was covered with snow about 3 inches deep and a fine rain was falling. It remained misty with increasingly a little snow through the day. I have worked all day in the shop, though I have felt about sick, my head and stomach feeling badly. I ate only a mouthful of my dinner and felt better for not eating. As I came from work, I took from the Office two letters, one from George with $5.00 enclosed for Mr. Harris towards the $38.00 for his account, and one from Dr. Henry P. Stearns, formerly surgeon of our regiment in reply to one written to him as to where and when I could find him to see him about a certificate for me regarding hernia which I received while in the service. I am obliged to get one and forward the same to Washington in order to get a pension. I am thinking about going to Hartford to see him about it. His residence is at 196 Main Street. After tea, I wrote to George acknowledging receipt of $5.00 for Harris. I went into the street in the evening to see the agent of the Merchants' Union Express for George's washing in a traveling bag from New York. I added to the letter what it would cost and mailed it. I left my watch at S. G. Bailey's for cleaning. I called at O.H. Swift's and bought a pass book for my use at work at the shop and a top for Georgie. I then walked up West Street with Swift. MAR 05 THURSDAY - Pleasant but cooler. I worked as usual in the shop. I had but little appetite at noon and ate but little. I worked hard and was very tired at night. Bell came in while we were at tea and wanted me to go up home and pull a tooth for Mother but I was too tired to go into the street and up there too. I went to the Post Office and got a letter from Father Griswold mailed from West Granby saying that he would be in Hartford at the Trumbull House on Friday next instead of Saturday as he told me before he left home. Before retiring, I wrote a reply to him. John Stone told me this evening that Bird (Henry Blair's dog) had been shot. Before retiring, I wrote to Henry Blair, telling him what I heard. MAR 06 WEDNESDAY - I worked as usual in the shop. While waiting for a block this forenoon, I went up to Mr. Barnum's office to see about me going to Hartford to see Dr. Stearns about my getting a certificate of disability to enable me to get a pension but found his office closed. As I came from work this evening, I took a note from the office from Louise Blair saying that Bird was dead. While at tea, Miss English, our old nurse came in for a call. Bell soon came in also to stay all night. Gussie went with Harriet and her mother to hear Anna D. Dickenson lecture, while I went over to Mrs. Blair's to see Bird and do some marketing in the street. I stopped at Mr. Swift's store and when he shut up, I walked up with him. Mr. Crofut is having the roof of his drying room raised up to make another story. Robert Cocking paid me his February rent today - $3.00. MAR 07 THURDAY - A little snow this morning and through the day. I came home from work with a headache. A letter from George this evening. George Hawley, P T. Barnum and Judge Pitkin from New Orleans speak this evening at Concert Hall, the first meeting of the campaign. I now hear the band sweetly playing to escort the speakers from the Wooster House to Concert Hall. I am too sick to attend. Gussie has gone into the street. Before retiring, I went over to see Mr. Pond about stopping in New Haven (as I go to Hartford tomorrow) to get his watch. Amos Purdy, who I engaged this morning to bury Bird, tried but the ground was frozen too hard and he was obliged to defer it until the frost should get out more. Bell has been down today, but went home again this evening. MAR 08 FRIDAY - My head and stomach feel badly still though better than yesterday. We rose early so that I could take the train to Hartford. I took the accommodation to New Haven where I stopped and got Mr. Pond's gold watch at Benjamin's Jewelry Store near the depot. I waited half an hour and took the express to Hartford where I arrived at 12:30 o'clock. Father Griswold was on the platform waiting for me. We went together to my old Regimental surgeon, Dr. Henry P. Stearns, at 196 Main Street. I, not telling him of my hernia at the time, it occurred on July 2nd, 1861 at Fall's Church, Virginia. He of course had not personal knowledge of the case to warrant him in giving a certificate that would be of any good to me. I therefore failed to accomplish what I went for. I was not, however, surprised at the result. It was exactly what I expected for he lacked the positive knowledge required. I went with Father Griswold to the Trumbull House to dinner. John Parker, proprietor, is an old family friend of Father Griswold's. I took the steamer, 'City of Hartford' at 2 P.M. for New York. We got out of the river at Saybrook between 9 and 10 o'clock at night. MAR 09 SATURDAY - I was awakened at a quarter before four this morning by the steamer arriving at Peck Slip, East River, New York. I turned out from my berth and after making my toilet, I waited nearly an hour for daylight when I went to Fulton Market and got my breakfast after which I went over to Brooklyn to George's boarding place, 115 Myrtle Avenue and found him still in bed. His landlord, Mr. Peter Haver, invited me in and then called George saying that a gentleman wished to see him. He was greatly surprised to see me. After breakfast, we walked to his shop and then to Fort Greene. He concluded not to go to work, so we returned to his boarding place. He changed his clothes and we went over to New York. We went to the Great American Tea Company, where I gave in my club order of $37.00, made arrangements for its shipment today, and then we called on Henry Blair at 327 Broadway. I told him about the death of Bird, had a little pleasant conversation and then we called at the Merchant's Union Express Office at 180 Broadway, to see about the tea and carpet bag (which George left there last evening.) being forwarded today. We then returned to Brooklyn and called on Louise at 380 State Street. From there, we went to George's boarding place to dinner. In the afternoon, we tried to find some soda ash, but could not. We crossed at the Catherine Street ferry and went to Pier 37 at the foot of Market Street, New York, where we met Henry Blair who was coming to Danbury also. George stayed at the boat with us until it left at 2 P.M. I lent him a dollar before we left which he promises to pay next Saturday. We arrived at Norwalk a little after 5 o'clock. Arrived in Danbury about 8 o'clock where Gussie met me at the depot. My box of tea from the Great American Tea Company and the bag from George was on the train with me by Merchant's Union Express. I took the bag with me leaving the box to be sent up on Monday. We walked around home with Henry Blair to see Bird as he lay dead in his house. When we got home we went over to Mr. Pond's to carry Mr. Pond's watch which I got in New Haven. MAR 10 SUNDAY - Stormy, rain. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon, after which I came home as I felt tired. After tea, Gussie and I went up home to see Georgie, Bell having taken him up home with her yesterday. I took the bag of dirty clothes of George which I brought home with me last night up home to have Mother wash and mend them. We stayed until dark and then came home. It has rained more towards night and this evening than it did earlier in the day. We stayed at home in the evening and retired early. MARCH 11 MONDAY - Pleasant. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. As I went to work this morning, I called at the Merchant's Union Express office to pay for the box of tea from the Great American Tea Company, but the agent was not in and I called again as I came home from work at night and paid for it with the bag of clothes from George sent home for washing. I opened the box of tea and coffee before tea. I attended the Sunday School Business meeting in the evening. L. S. Barnum speaks this evening at Concert hall in opposition to P.T. Barnum a candidate for congressman from this district. After returning from Teachers' Meeting, I carried Amos Purdy's tea over to him and the tea and coffee to O.H. Swift which he ordered. Before retiring, I entered the minutes of the Teachers' meeting in the Sunday School records. Susan Brayman was over this evening and I sold her 1 lb. of bulk tea. MAR 12 TUESDAY - Stormy; a little snow in the morning and fine rain most of the time during the day. As I went to work in the morning, I carried Edward Ambler's tea to him which he sent for by me to the Great American Tea Company. There has been considerable excitement today over L. S. Barnum's speech in opposition to P. T. Barnum last evening. The makers today have struck for their old wages. Mr. Crofut says that he will not give it. As I went to work this morning, I called into Mr. Swift's store and he paid a part of his bill for tea and coffee and the balance this evening. After tea, I went into the street and carried George's bag of clothes to the Express Office to send to him and mailed a letter to him with a note enclosed to the New York express agent from our agent arranging for carrying his bag for 25 cents. I carried Robert Dunning's tea over to him this morning. Before retiring we put John's picture and our marriage certificate each in a shell frame. MAR 13 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy all day. I have worked as usual in the shop. As I came from work, Istook from the Post Office another receipted bill for tea and coffee from the Great American Tea Company, sent doubtless by mistake as they gave me one when I bought the tea and coffee last Saturday. I now have two. 11 o'clock P.M. - Gussie has had this evening a carpet bag bee. The party has just left. They sewed about 23 lbs. of rags. We had loaf cakes with doughnuts and apples for refreshments. We had a good time. The party was as follows: John Bouton and wife, William Warren and wife, Henry Miller and wife, and Daniel Starr and his wife, Carrie Hoyt and Sarah Francis, Mrs. Nickerson and daughter, Libbie, Eliza Hill, Lottie Keeler, Mrs. George Davis, Mother Griswold, Fannie, Harriet and Louise. Father Griswold came down and stayed awhile in the evening, but went home again before refreshments were served. MAR 14 THURSDAY - Colder, cloudy in the forenoon. The sun shone pleasantly this P.M. and melted what it froze this morning. It froze up again by dark. A shop call today to raise our prices. Mr. Crofut being in New York, the matter was postponed until tomorrow when he is expected home. Bell came home with Georgie today and stayed awhile into the evening until I could go into the street and return, Gussie having gone with Susan Brayman up to Mrs. Cole's before I came home from work. When I returned in the evening from the street, Bell went up home. I weighed out a pound of coffee for her to take to Nellie Freeland, she wanting to buy some from me. I took my small spring balance with me into the street and traded with Charles Hull for a pair of steel yards. Upon trial, I found them incorrect. MAR 15 FRIDAY - Pleasant; as I went to work this morning, I took back to Charles Hull's the steel yards I got there last evening. We raised our bill of prices at the shop today 2% on a dozen, only half the reduction made on the 28th of last December. A grand Republican rally at Concert Hall this evening. Judge Culver and ____ spoke. A boy named McDermott was today carried by a belt over the main shaft and both legs broken at Tweedy' Forming Factory. MAR 16 SATURDAY - Bell stayed with us last night. It commenced snowing this P.M. and it still continues (it is now 9 o'clock in the evening). I have worked hard all day in the shop. A democratic political meeting is being held this evening at Concert Hall. MAR 17 SUNDAY - It has snowed all day, clearing off between sundown and dark. Mr. Pond with Frank Fanning (and a boy with Frank), George Davis and myself, drew our snow plow out to West Street, up Father Griswold's lane and in Fanning and Davis' yards before breakfast. I swept out the paths in my yard again when it cleared off this evening. I went down at noon to Sunday School which was very small and returned home again when it was over. Except for me going to Sunday School, we have both stayed home all day and made a rest day of it. Father came down after tea to tell us that Mother came near dying last night. It was her old trouble in her chest with an accumulation of phlegm, which came near strangling her. Father said that for two or three hours, she struggled so for breath that he thought she would die. She being better now and the snow so deep, I have concluded not to go up this evening. MAR 18 MONDAY - Pleasant, but cool. Mrs. Stone washed for us today and Gussie engaged her for Wednesday for Mother as she is not able to do her washing this week. She is still in bed from the severe attack on Saturday night. I worked as usual in the shop. Susan Brayman came over after tea and paid for the lb. of black tea she bought of me and then went into the street with Gussie. Louise stayed with Georgie in the evening to let me go into the street to carry a lb. of coffee to Oscar Serine. I called at the Republican Club Room a few moments and then went up home to see Mother and take letter to her from George which came this evening. MAR 19 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. As I went to work this morning, I returned one of the pairs of shoes which Gussie brought home last evening to fit a pair to Georgie. I also took from the Office a letter from George which was not put in my box last evening., Dr. Brown having withheld it for the few minutes I was at the Office to read what was on the envelope and to make out who it was for, George having wrote the face over with some rhyme in which was the address, the rhyme being about our Connecticut Gubernatorial Campaign, naming George Hawley and P.T. Barnum our nominees for Congress. The sentiment evidently not suiting some New York Post Office officials as on the opposite side of the envelope was written in pencil ' 'Oh gas! You are a da-n fool. You lie'. Enclosed was a letter for Harriet, also the dollar he borrowed of me when I was in New York. In the evening, Gussie had another rag bee. Mrs. Amos Purdy and daughters, Sarah and Lucy, Mrs. Coles and daughter Sarah, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Stone and daughter Matilda, Clarissa Smith, Susan Brayman. Mr. Coles and son Paul came in late for Mrs. Coles and Sarah. They came just in time for refreshments. We had loaf cake, crullers, green and black tea and apples. After tea, I finished my letter to George and mailed it. MAR 20 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. Mrs. Coles came down again today to help Gussie sew carpet rags. As Gussie was going to the Sewing Society, she took the rags over to Susan Brahman's and spent the P. M. there and sewed rags. Father Griswold having two tickets sent to him to hear George William Curtis (ed. note lecturer, editor of Harper's Weekly, one of the founders of the Republican Party) lecture and none of them being able to attend, Gussie and Louise took them and went. Mother Griswold offered one ticket to me but I was too tired to go, so I let Gussie go in my stead. MAR 21 THURSDAY - Stormy; snow which melted about as fast as it came. My work at the shop only lasted until noon. After dinner, I took Mother Griswold's chopping knife over to Benedict's factory and rounded the edge by taking off the corners. The remainder of the P.M, I spent in Mr. Pond's barn helping Oscar Serine get out material for a grape arbor and make some lattice work. I mended a flour sifter also for Gussie to give to Harriet. After tea, I went over to see Henry Blair who is quite sick. From there, I went into the street and paid for a half lb. of smelt - 33cents - which they brought to us yesterday (Avery Raymond). I saw the band with their new instruments which they played from the depot to Concert Hall for William H. Burleigh of New York who spoke on the issues of the day for the Republican Party. I heard him about five minutes and then came out and went over to Randell & Bradley's and engaged a kit of mackerel to be brought up tomorrow and then came home, after which I went over to Mr. Pond's to set my watch by his in order to regulate it. I then went to the barn and finished repairing the flour sifter. MAR 22 FRIDAY - Cloudy and windy. It was frozen in the morning, but thawed during the day. The moon shone at times through the clouds in the evening. I worked as usual in the shop. I came from work by way of the Jeffersonian Office for my paper. I also got the Sunday School papers at the news office. After tea, John Bouton came over with his wife to go with Gussie to the Sewing Society at Widow Thomas Barnum's. Mother Griswold stayed with Georgie to let John and I go into the street. I went to Randell & Bradley's and paid $3.25 for the kit of mackerel they brought me today. I also called at D. B. Booth's office to see if the $100 bounty for George had come. After the arrival of the mail John and myself walked up together. He stayed with me until the women came from the Sewing Society. In the meantime, he read off the names for me to write on the Sunday School papers. MAR 23 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie and I went to market in the evening. As I went, I carried a pumpkin down to the Post Office for Joseph Kyle. He was to get it from there. I came home leaving Gussie to do some trading and I went up home to see Mother who has been sick. I carried some rotten specked apples up to them and a letter to Harriet which came enclosed in one to me from George. I stayed until 10 o'clock. MAR 24 SUNDAY - Cloudy; warm and very muddy. I went down to church in the morning with the Sunday School papers and arranged them with the lot which came the week before for distribtion this noon. I then went to the barber's and got shaved. Homer Peters and I came home in time to let Gussie go to church. She came home at noon and I went down to Sunday School and stayed to the prayer meeting in the afternoon. After tea, Gussie went up on Deer Hill to see Mother. I wrote to George and enclosed samples of muslin to aid him in buying some for shirting. I also wrote to the Book Room ordering another copy of the Sunday School Journal. I went over to Mr. Pond's to get 50 cents changed that I might enclose 35 cents for the paper and stayed and talked until nearly meeting time. Gussie returned just in time to let me go to evening meeting which I did mailing as I went the two letters I wrote. Missionary Collection in church today. MAR 25 MONDAY - I woke and found it raining this morning. It soon stopped and rained no more during the day, but remained cloudy. Mrs. Stone washed for us. I worked as usual in the shop. I had pearl cassimeres weighed out for the first time. The Board of Registration met today and a large number were made freedmen. They meet again on Wednesday. While we were at tea, Frank Bouton came in to go with Gussie to the Sewing Society at George Starr's. After they were gone, I went over to see Henry Blair a few minutes. From there, I went down to the Post Office and returned home, not wanting to leave Georgie longer alone in the house. A Democratic meeting at Concert Hall this evening. Babcock from New Haven was expected, but did not come. John Bouton called about 9 o'clock and waited for the women to return from the Sewing Society. MARCH 26 TUESDAY - Pleasant. As I went to the shop this morning, I went by way of George Starr's and carried a rubber Gussie borrowed there last evening. I also went to S.S. Peck's store and bought 50 cents worth of pulverized sugar for frosting cake and ordered it sent home as Gussie is to make cake today for the oyster supper at the church tomorrow evening. I have worked on pearl cassimeres today, it is very hard work. When I came from work, I brought two cassimere hats each a different style for Mr. Pond to select from as he is to have a new hat. Georgie is quite sick today, a sore throat. He has taken cold, I think, from going out bareheaded and getting his feet wet yesterday. Susan Brayman and Mrs. Short came in while we were at tea to go with Gussie over to Frank Bouton's to a carpet rag bee. As soon as tea was over, they all went leaving me with Georgie. Theodore Tilton speaks tonight in Concert hall ' Subject ' 'Reconstruction'. After the arrival of the mail, Bell came here from the street to stay all night and brought me a letter from George. I sat down and wrote a reply, but shall defer mailing it until tomorrow evening to wait the result of the board of registration to see if his name is taken from the list of voters that I may add to the letter regarding it. MARCH 27 MONDAY - As I went to work this morning, I left word on Dr. Buckley's slate to have him come and see Georgie who is no better. He came about 10:30 o'clock A.M. and pronounced it a severe case of sore throat and not Diphtheria as we feared. Bell, who stayed last night with us, stayed until after breakfast and then went home and returned again just before tea to stay with Georgie to let Gussie and I attend the Oyster Supper at the church, the proceeds of which are to help furnish the new parsonage. I, according to appointment, acted as doorkeeper with John Bouton. We had a good time, it being nearly 12 o'clock when we came home. As I went down to the church early in the evening, I mailed a letter to George with a note to the 'Great American Tea Company' requesting a pound of their best oolong tea if they have any better than what I bought March 9th. George is to get it if he has time. I told George that he was alright and could vote and I enclosed $5.00 for him to come home expecting the Republican Committee will refund to me. I sold the Sewing Society one pound of tea for the Oyster Supper. MARCH 28 THURSDAY - Squally, cloudy, cold (not freezing) but muddy. Bell stayed with us last night. We were limited to one dozen hats in the shop today. I finished mine about the middle of the P.M. Mr. Pond's new hat being trimmed, I took it over to the curling shop and had it curled and brought it home with me. Before tea, I went for Dr. Buckley, we fearing that Georgie had the Diphtheria. He came but said our fears were groundless, there being no symptoms of the dread disease. Just before tea, I took Mr. Pond's hat over to him. He was well pleased with it. I went to the Post Office and to market in the evening. MARCH 29 FRIDAY - I worked as usual in the shop. Joe Kyle's brother-in-law came to the shop today with the brooms the men engaged of Joe. I took a dozen at $4.00. I divided them with Mother Griswold, Mother Purdy and Mr. Pond. Gussie got pay today for the 5 lbs. of coffee I got for Father Griswold in New York on March 9th. Also for a half lb. of tea I sold to the Ladies' Aid Society. Bell came down just at night to stay this evening with Georgie to let Gussie go with me to hear Horace Greeley in Concert hall. She is to stay all night. Just before tea, Freddie Dunning came over to buy a pound of coffee which I promised his father. We attended the lecture as we intended and got home after it about 11 o'clock. MARCH 30 SATURDAY - A beautiful spring day. I took Mr. Pond's hat back with me to the shop this morning to have the trimming reversed, his head being such shaped that the back of the hat put in front fits his head best. George Benjamin and John Morris got into a quarrel today about politics. Loud words and hard names passed between them, but no blows were exchanged. After tea, Gussie and I went to Dr. Buckley's for more medicine for Georgie. We went to market and then to the depot to meet George who came on the evening train to vote next Monday. He went home with Gussie and I. I went to the caucus to nominate representatives to the Legislature. Saul Mallory and Grandison Foot were nominated. After the nominations, the meeting was organized into a club meeting. I then left them and came home where I found George taking tea. He brought me a pound of oolong tea from the Great American Tea Company of a better quality than the last lot I bought. He stayed until nearly 10 o'clock and then went home with Bell who came down about dark and stayed with Georgie while we went into the street. MARCH 31 SUNDAY - Brother George came this way to church this morning and went with Gussie. She returned at noon and I went down to Sunday School. I returned immediately after school to let her return to attend Jennie Humphrey's funeral which was held at the church in place of the P.M. service. As I returned, I went to Charles Stevens and engaged his horse and buggy to for Brother Lockwood in Bethel to sing for us this evening. George went home from Sunday School with William Warren and stayed until 3 P.M. and then came here to tea, after which I went with George Stevens with his father's horse and buggy to Bethel for Benjamin Lockwood to lead our choir this evening, it being Brother Peck's farewell sermon. The house was crowded to overflowing. As soon as he finished his sermon, George Stevens and I went out and went to his father's and harnessed and came to the church as soon as the meeting was closed and took Mr. Lockwood home again. I helped him take care of the horse when we returned. Harriet Purdy sent by George for a half pound of tea. I let her have it for 50 cents.
1867-03
Horace Purdy Journal September 1865 Entry
9pgs
09/01 FRIDAY - Very warm, I think the warmest of the season. George started with his sifters for Brookfield this morning; he only sold two today. I worked hard all day. Theodore Bradley came down to the shop this morning according to agreement last evening with his mother and me for me to take the size of his head to get him a new hat. I got one before night and finished it but could not get it trimmed. George came home about dusk. I helped him unload his sifters and he came in and got supper; then I rode down with him as he took Mr. Judd's horse home. I did some marketing and then we rode home with Robert Cocking who was at the depot to meet some of Mr. Lyne's folks who did not come. Mr. Cocking paid his rent for last month in the evening. 09/02 SATURDAY - Rain last night and a little this forenoon; the sun came out in the P.M. I worked as usual but finished about 3 o'clock when we got our pay and I came home by way of A. G. Crosby's Coal Office to pay him for some coal but did not find him in the office and therefore did not leave the money.. Before tea, I went over to Joseph W. Allen's and altered a kitten for him. About 7 o'clock I went over to Widow Burr Bradley's with a hat I had been getting for her boy Theodore. Burr's old shop mates with myself made her a present of the hat. I went to the market and home not waiting for the mail as the train was very late. I saw George over to Singing School and he came home with me and got a bottle of ale for Father who is sick. The makers who have been on a strike for a few days at Edmund Tweedy's shop were sent for by the boss yesterday and today they went to work having got the prices they asked for, I believe. 09/03 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. Gussie went to church in the morning as usual and I to Sunday School and in the afternoon. The Rev. Mr. Horn, who formerly preached in Redding, preached for us. In the afternoon, In place of the regular sermon, he talked to the Sunday School which occupied the north square body. After tea, we went to the cemetery, drawing Georgie in his new carriage, arrived back home about dusk and having the headache, did not go to meeting in the evening. We went upstairs a short time and sat with Mr. and Mrs. Cocking, then came down and retired. 09/04 MONDAY - Very warm. George started with a load of sifters for Ridgefield this morning and has not yet returned (8 o'clock in the evening). As I came from work tonight, I stopped at A. G. Crosby's Coal Office and paid him for 4 tons of coal - $14.00. While we were at tea, John Bouton came in to carry home some apples for Aunt Louisa which she got of Father Griswold. Phebe Palmer came from Starr's Plain with cousin Edwin Mills this morning. She took the train this P.M. for Stamford. Gussie went to the depot with her. 9 o'clock George has returned. I rode downtown with him as he rode home with the horse. He returned home with me and too supper before going up home. Just before George came, Harriet came down saying that Josie had locked herself in her room and she could not get in. I got the ladder just as George came and he went up and got in the window and came downstairs leaving Josie asleep. 09/05 TUESDAY - Indications of rain until about 4 P.M. when the sun shone a little. A fine moonlit evening and very warm. We were limited in our work today, only 2 dozen but it lasted me nearly all day. I worked in my strawberry bed until tea time assisting the runners to take root. I went into the street in the evening and saw George and gave him a letter from E.C. Andrews which I took from the office. Expected Clark Beers on the evening train with some tea and coffee and a basket of peaches for me from New York, but after the train came I learned that he only started for the city that P.M. instead of yesterday morning as he intended. John Brayman came to our folks last evening on the train. George has spent the day with him in the Hat Shops and this evening he attended a meeting of the Makers. 09/06 WEDNESDAY - A little rain in the forenoon, but it came off pleasant and warm in the P.M. We had only 2 dozen hats today; I finished mine by 3 o'clock. I called at Couch's and got 4 card pictures of Georgie which I ordered on Monday. I finished rooting strawberry plants before tea. I went to the depot in the evening expecting Clark Beers with a basket of peaches for me but he did not come. I broke my garden trowel yesterday morning and bought another as I came home from work this P.M. Theodora (?) Flagler and James Sparks were married this afternoon. 09/07 THURSDAY - We were limited to 2 dozen today in the shop. I finished about 4 o'clock. When I came home, I put up a shelf for Mrs. Cocking to set her water pail upon. Gussie went uptown in the P.M. to see Eben Barnum's wife; she stayed to tea and I got a bowl of milk for mine at home. George and John Brayman came in from a peddling trip just after dark. I returned 6 pint fruit jars to Joseph Ives in the evening. 09/08 FRIDAY - Cloudy all day and began to rain about 3 P.M. I worked until 6 o'clock. Gussie went with me into the street in the evening to do some trading. We gave Mr. Austin a picture of Georgie to give Miss English who is nursing at his house. John Brayman and Hart Purdy came home with us from the street. John borrowed a pair of rubbers of me as it was raining hard. 09/09 SATURDAY - It rained hard last night. It has been cloudy nearly all day. Before breakfast, I carried dozen quart preserve jars back to Joseph Ives. George and John Brayman called to see me at the shop before the afternoon train went. I went to market in the evening after which Andrew Knox came home with me to get a copy of the Constitution and By-laws of the old Wooster Guards as a sample for new ones to be printed for the new militia company. I did not find them. Clark Beers brought my peaches from the depot which came on the evening train. 09/10 SUNDAY - Cloudy and at times misty during the day. Gussie went to church as usual in the morning and I to Sunday School and communion in the P.M. Saul Main and wife Edith Newman as it was are in Danbury and attended church today. Gussie went to church in the evening. It was a Union meeting at our church for the benefit of the Guardian Society. As she went she mailed a letter for me to Carleton & Porter requesting the copy of the Sunday School Advocate which w they omitted in the last package. Victor Benedict's child died about 10 A.M. 09/11 MONDAY - Cloudy and misty in the morning but it came off pleasant in the middle of the day. Victor Benedict's child was buried this P.M. at 2 o'clock. Gussie put up 8 air tight glass jars of peaches today. I attended the Teacher's meeting in the evening. I copied the minutes of the meeting before I retired. 09/12 TUESDAY - Cloudy and misty with the exception of a short time in the P.M. when the sun shone. John Brayman came to the shop in the P.M. to ask my advice about taking a card for wool hat finishing as the joiners (?) at Rundle & White's have concluded to give him a card rather than let him go to work foul. He stayed until I stopped work and walked up West Street with me. After tea, John came over and we went into the street together. I did some marketing; called a few minutes at Military Hall where George was intending to play with the band and then I came home, John coming with me and stayed awhile. 09/13 WEDNESDAY - Lowry, foggy and thick mist in the morning, but it soon came off clear and extremely hot. I was taken early in the forenoon with the sick headache which increased so that at noon, I was compelled to stop work and come home. I had a severe turn of vomiting in the P.M. after which I felt better. Mrs. Daniel Starr came over and spent the afternoon and stayed to tea. We gave her a basket of sweet apples for baking and in return she sent us a fine head of cabbage. John Brayman went up home and got the hat which I gave to George and he does not want. I let John have it for a small price and he is well pleased with it. A Mr. Thompson who came from Norwalk to work with John at Rundle & White's called with him in the evening. He is a Methodist. He was waiting for George to go with him to class meeting. George was late and they went into the street without him. While they were gone, I broke the grate to my stove and though I did not feel able to go into the street, I was compelled to for a new grate as I could not make a fire in the morning unless I did. 09/14 THURSDAY - Misty in the morning; sunshine and showers during the day. I did not feel very well today and in consequence have not been to the shop. George went to New Fairfield with sifters today. I saw him in the street previous to going. We talked about selling out the county if a purchaser could be found. I talked with Joseph Ives about it. He said he would think about it and give an answer in a day or two. I saw Charles Barnum about John Brayman's case of working foul or getting a card. I saw John at noon and advised him to take the card (as he now had a chance to get one) and leave the shop. He took my advice and left in the P.M. I saw him again in the evening and lent him $10.00 until he could get to work and earn something. I returned a dozen Eureka Preserve Jars' to Joseph Ives in the evening, they being a failure. They will not keep the fruit air tight. John Brayman and George came with me from the street. We gave George some supper and then we shaved each other. They went home about 9 o'clock. I bought our first mess of scallops in the evening. In the afternoon, I took Georgie in his carriage and went over to Mr. Lynes' to see Robert and the garden, particularly the strawberry bed. I got another dozen Moore's Preserve Jars' at Charles Hull's in the P.M. and Gussie changed the fruit from the Eureka into them so that I could return them in the evening. 09/13 FRIDAY - A little sprinkle of rain this morning, but the day has been pleasant though t warm. I worked in the shop though not very hard as I do not feel very strong yet. We expected Mrs. Beardsley and daughter from Bridgeport here this afternoon and to tea, but they did not come. The have been in town a week or more visiting at Mrs. Cyrus White's, up to our folks and other places. John Brayman got a Wool Hatter's card, also a Fur Makers' card today. I went up to the old military hall in the evening to see George who was there to play with the brass and. Gussie had a letter today from Fannie in Ohio. Andrew Hull's child died today. 09/16 SATURDAY - No fog this morning, but clear and pleasant and cooler. I left the shop as soon as we were paid off and got into a buggy with John Bussing intending to go with him over to Miry Brook and show him where Mrs. Doane lives, he wanting her to nurse his wife, she having had a little daughter last night or this morning.. We rode up to Daniel Benedict's land and I put a pair of heavy boots in the buggy which I had been buying. We then went down to A. Judd's store to enquire of him if we would be likely to find Mrs. Doane at home, and he told us that she had been getting married again within a few days and would not be likely to get her. So John drove up home with me and did not go to Miry Brook. Andrew Hull's child was buried this P.M. George had 2 dozen sifters brought from the depot this P.M. I broke a crank to one of them while trying to straighten it while on the machine. I went to the market and to the depot in the evening to see if Mother Griswold's trunk and bags came from New York which was left behind this morning. They arrived home by the morning train from Ohio. Father Griswold left again in the P.M. for one of his appointments. I wrote for Mother Griswold before I retired to John Stevenson in 27th Street opposite the depot to have him try and look up the baggage and forward it. Before we retired George came in from Singing School suffering from the toothache. Gussie helped him doctor it. 09/17 SUNDAY - A beautiful day; neither to hot or cold for comfort. Gussie went to church as usual in the morning and I went down to Sunday School at noon and to prayer meeting in the P.M. This was the first prayer meeting under the new order of things, not having preaching in the afternoon but in the evening instead. After supper, we took Georgie to ride in hi carriage around the square and up to Father Griswold's where we picked some watermelons and brought home two of them. I added a few words to the letter I wrote for Mother Griswold last evening and enclosed the express man's receipt for the trunk and bag thinking it would assist Mr. Stevenson I finding them. George stopped on his way to meeting with Sarah Purdy, Bell and Mary Purdy. We gave them some watermelon. I went to church in the evening. Brother Hill preached from Luke 12:20. I commenced today to take subscriptions for the Sunday School Advocate for the coming year commencing October 1. 09/18 MONDAY - Cloudy all day but a few drops until evening. It has been cold enough for December today. After tea, John Brayman came over and we went down to market together. I went to the depot when the train arrived to see if Father Griswold's trunk and bag arrived. Ed Barnum the Express messenger said that they were in Norwalk. I arranged with him to bring them up tomorrow and deliver them. I went from the depot to the Post Office and got a letter from Father Griswold written at Meriden to have me see about the lost trunk and bag. John Brayman came home with me and stayed awhile. Before retiring I wrote an answer to Father Griswold directing to West Suffield. 09/19 FRIDAY - Clear and cold. As I went to work this morning, I mailed the letter to Father Griswold which I wrote last evening. I worked in the shop until about 2 o'clock and then came home with the headache. I repaired 2 sifters for George and went with him to Mr. Mygatt's to look at his horse which he offers for sale. I then came home to tea. After tea, I helped Mr. Pond pick some quinces. I went into the street in the evening to try and dispose of some windfall apples at the store for Mother Griswold but could not. I bought dozen fruit jars from Hull & Rogers for her and came home. 09/20 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer. Not feeling very well, I did not go to the shop. In the morning, I went over to Granville Ambler's to look at a horse for George. Ambler harnessed it and drove it into town with me and took George in. George and I afterwards went up to Theodore Fowler's to look at a wagon and before we left pretty much concluded to buy his horse, wagon and harness. He harnessed it and we drove home to dinner after which we went up and paid him for it. We gave $100 for the establishment. I took the money from the Savings Bank and lent it to George. George called after tea and we went into the street together intending to go to class but I did not. I received a letter from Mr. John Stevenson of New York in reply to one I wrote him about Father Griswold's baggage. 09/21 THURSDAY - Pleasant. After breakfast, I went up home to ride over with George to Granville Ambler's to notify him that we did not want the horse we were looking at but before we got there, we discovered that we had lost the whip out of the wagon and turned back to find it. We found it and then gave up going to see him. I rode down to Main Street with him and then went to the shop leaving George to get a crate of sifters from the depot and go out on a trip to peddle them. I feel miserable having a bad cold and being nearly used up with hard work. I quit work earlier than usual on that account. Gussie and Georgie went up to my folks in the afternoon and stayed to tea. I rode from the street with Theodore Lyon who came up to get some strawberry plants but it was too dry and he deferred it. 09/22 FRIDAY - While we were eating breakfast, George came in having taken his horse to the blacksmith to be shod. He wrote a letter at my secretary to Mr. Andrews about a sifter got up in the best style to put in the County Fair in Norwalk next week. We were limited in our work at the shop, but I being behind on yesterday's work had more than I could do. After tea, I started to go home to see George but found him away giving Mother, Harriet and Sarah Purdy a ride. They returned while I was there and he drove downhome with me. 09/23 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I went to the shop and worked until noon to get off a dozen hats on yesterday's work as there was no work to weight out today on account of being so close to the facers. After dinner, I went into the street again to get some boards with which to make a box for George's wagon in which to carry sieves and other articles to peddle, but not being able to get a carman to haul the boards, I gave it up. I came home and helped Gussie pot some plants. After tea, George rode his horse down to eat of the grass in my dooryard until after Singing School. I went to market in the evening and brought home a gun from Joseph Ives' store for trial that I am contemplating buying. It is one Joe used to use himself. It became cloudy and commenced to mist a little before I retired. I mailed a letter this morning which I wrote last evening to Mr. John Stevenson of New York telling him that Father Griswold's trunk and carpet bag had arrived safely. O9/24 SUNDAY - Cloudy most of the day; a little sprinkling of rain about church time in the A.M. The sun shone a little after meeting in the P.M. After breakfast, I walked up home and stayed until church time when I harnessed the horse for George to take Mother to church. I left before they started and came directly home to take care of Georgie to let Gussie go to church. She came home at noon. I went to Sunday School as usual. I took subscriptions for the Sunday School Advocate and the Sunday School Journal, a new form of the Teacher's' Journal which is issued again commencing a new volume with October 1. It is a double sheet and the reading matter more interesting than the old Teachers' Journal. Prayer meeting in the afternoon. I went up home just before evening meeting and went from there to church. Brother Hill preached. After meeting, I walked up with George as far as Widow Thomas Barnum's and then came across home. When I arrived home, I found John Brayman there, he having come up from Norwalk on the engine which ran up to get the milk car. 09/25 MONDAY - A little rain last night. It sprinkled a little at times in the forenoon. A thunder shower just after dinner. I tried the gun that I bought of Joseph Ives Saturday evening this morning. I fired at a mark on my woodhouse. Did not go to the shop today but built a peddlers' box for George's wagon. I was from 10 A.M. until 10 in the evening building it. Mr. Pond helped me in the evening. I built it in his barn. George helped me nearly all day and through the evening. John Brayman was with us in the evening, keeping us company in the barn. 09/26 TUESDAY - pleasant; did not go to the shop. Painted (or helped George paint) his peddler's box and built a stall for his horse under Father Griswold's barn. Moved his feed down from up home. Borrowed McDonald's hay cutter and cut up some hay for several days ahead. Rode out to Fish Ware to hunt a little while just at night and then came home and put his horse in his new quarters for the first time. Mr. Pond paid for a sifter this morning and Mr. Carlson this P.M. Wrote to Alfred Humphrey at Canton saying that Gussie would arrive there on Saturday and mailed the letter in the evening. I paid Mr. Joseph Ives $11.00 for a gun in the evening. Bought a warmer for a new rod I am to make for it and came home. 09/27 WEDNESDAY - A lovely day. George stared for Norwalk with a load of sifters this morning. I helped him off. Not feeling in good working order did not go to the shop. I went into the street in forenoon and got some medicine of Dr. Bulkeley for Gussie to take with her to Canton in case the baby requires it. After dinner I took my gun and started for a ramble and to get some birds. I returned home a little after 5 o'clock with 4 birds 2 highpoles and 2 robins. I want ore to try the gun I bought than anything else. Bell came down and stayed with Georgie for Gussie to go shopping. I went to market in the evening and returned home as soon as the mail was opened. I saw John Brayman in the street and he came home with me and stayed a little while. Gussie dressed the birds before we retired. 09/28 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I went down to the shop in the forenoon but did not go to work. I came up to John Cosier's shop and made arrangements to go hunting. We went after dinner up to Tamarack. We had Henry Blair's dog. I got a pigeon and John a red squirrel. I t was after dark when we got home. After tea, I went into the street and changed some No. 5 shot (which I bought today at George Hull's) for No. 8. I found John Brayman in the street and went with him to Mr. Harris' Clothing Store to buy some underclothes. Mr. Harris trusted him upon my recommendation. 09/30 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I found Jake Morris in the street this morning and we went hunting together over to Mill Plain Swamp. I got three pigeons. We used Robert Dunning's old yellow dog. John Brayman came over to breakfast this morning on account of Aunt Louisa's folks being all away to Norwalk at the fair. He came to tea also. I went into the street in the evening to get something for breakfast and to engage Beatty to come for Gussie in the morning. 09/30 SATURDAY - Gussie started this morning for Canton. We took breakfast up to Father Griswold's. A burglar got into Joseph Ives' store last night and was shot at by the clerk who sleeps in the store. I went hunting today with John Cosier, Robert Dunning, and Henry Blair. George returned from Norwalk this evening having taken the first premium on the flour sifters at the County Fair at that place.
1865-09
Western Connecticut State University