Horace Purdy Journal, September 1861 Entry
6 pgs
SEPTEMBER 01 – SUNDAY – Cool last night. Pleasant today. It was late when we rose this morning. Father and Bell came down before church, he for the first time to see the baby. I went with Noah Hoyt up to New Fairfield to meeting. Mother came from church and took tea with us. SEPTEMBER 02 – MONDAY – Gussie worse last night and today. She has considerable fever. I sent for the doctor. Father Griswold came home on the morning train. I worked rather late in the shop. Doctor came again in the evening. SEPTEMBER 03 – TUESDAY – Showery all day. A hard one at noon and another one as I was coming home from the shop. I received a letter from Elisha Dickerman in New Haven. Gussie very sick. SEPTEMBER 04 – WEDNESDAY – I sat up and took care of Gussie last night. The nurse not being a good one, I feared leaving her with her. She appears better this morning. I went to Mrs. Vintz to arrange for Mary to come and help us in place of our nurse. I did not go to the shop, but stayed with Gussie. I wrote a letter for Mrs. Jackson. Paid her off in the evening $3.00 preparatory to discharging her in the morning. Harriet came down at noon with more of her home difficulties and took me aside and wanted to have me tell her just what I thought of her. I talked plainly to her, more so than I had ever done before. I hurt her feelings. She felt badly, but I felt it my duty to tell her the truth. I told her where I thought the difficulty lay. I considered her in the wrong as well as our folks, but I think that I accused her of no more than she was guilty of. She told me that I abused her and that I was no brother to her but notwithstanding this, I felt it was my duty to talk plainly with for once. SEPTEMBER 05 – THURSDAY – When Mother came from evening meeting last night, she brought Miss Elwood and Mrs. Ives to watch with Gussie. We made our nurse go to bed and I went over home to sleep. No work in the shop today. George Starr brought Father Griswold and myself some shavings. I got out the barrels and went over and filled them. Gussie received a letter from Anne (Ohio). Mary Vintz came in the evening. SEPTEMBER 06 – FRIDAY – Fanny stayed with Gussie last night. She is somewhat better today. Not feeling very well, I have stayed at home. I took some medicine before dinner and went to bed. George called in the evening and brought a letter to Gussie from Elizabeth Mead in Hempstead. SEPTEMBER 07 – SATURDAY – I did not feel well enough to go to the shop. I dug my potatoes in the garden, picked beans, etc. A great Union meeting on the green in front of F. S. Wildman’s. I signed the call for the meeting and expected to attend, but had forgotten it. I drew $5.00 at the shop. I carried Mrs. Jackson’s bundle over to her home and ran some pistol bullets at Charles Hull’s shop. SEPTEMBER 08 – SUNDAY – I sat up with Gussie last night. She rested well and appeared better this morning. I attended church and Sunday School. Charles Fletcher preached from 2nd Corinthians 5:6-9. I came home from Sunday School and found Gussie worse. I went immediately for the doctor. Mrs. Boughton came in the evening to watch. SEPTEMBER 09 – MONDAY – Cloudy, musty and some rain. Gussie has a high fever and is very sick today. I did not go to the shop, but stayed at home with her. I cleaned out my rainwater hogshead and took dinner over home. Mrs. Barnum came in the evening to watch with Gussie. SEPTEMBER 10 – TUESDAY – I went to the shop and worked all day. Edward Stevens time was out today. He brought in cake, pie, cheese and lemonade. Gussie was better today, but very weak in the evening. SEPTEMBER 11 – WEDNESDAY – Father Griswold prayed with us before retiring last night. Fanny and Ma being over here after breakfast this morning, Father Griswold came over also and attended prayers here. We moved Gussie from her bed to the lounge by moving the bedclothes with her and made the bed anew. Brother Pegg came up about 9 o’clock and prayed with Gussie. She is much better. Stormy all day. It rained very hard in the morning and just at night. It was nearly 11 o’clock when I got to the shop this morning. Caroline Beatty was married today. SEPTEMBER 12 – THURSDAY - I sat up with Gussie last night. She in improving very fast. I worked all day in the shop. SEPTEMBER 13 – FRIDAY – Mrs. Cyrus White and Mrs. Ives watched for us last night. Mother came down in the afternoon and stayed with Gussie. I came home from the shop very tired. Mrs. Daniel Starr and Mrs. McNeil called in the evening to see Gussie. SEPTEMBER 14 – SATURDAY – Mother watched with Gussie last night. I brought home some ale for her in the evening. SEPTEMBER 15 – SUNDAY – Fanny watched last night. I attended church in the morning. A Presbyterian man, a stranger to me, preached from Hebrews 11, last clause of the 4th verse. Sacrament in the PM, but I did not stay. I came home after Sunday School Prayer Meeting. Pleasant and very warm. SEPTEMBER 16 – MONDAY – I carried my dinner to the shop for the first time since my return from the war. A letter, or rather an envelope from Edwin with a pair of baby socks within. Not a word was in it. I bought myself a pair of slippers in the evening. SEPTEMBER 17 – TUESDAY – Cloudy in the morning and rainy in the PM. We being busy in the shop, I worked as long as I could see and earned $1.50. Gussie is gaining in health as rapidly as we could expect, considering how sick she has been. I carried some cartridges which went through the Battle of Bull Run over too Father Griswold in the evening. SEPTEMBER 18 – WEDNESDAY – Rain in the morning. I worked all day in the shop, earned $1.50. Gussie came out and took tea at the table with us for the first time. I went to market in the evening, but did not finish trading in time to attend class. The 6th and 7th Regiments left New Haven for Washington today. Smith Barnum’s son William died today. SEPTEMBER 19 – THURSDAY - Cloudy in the morning, but pleasant in the PM. Work did not last quite all day. A Mr. Trowbridge, a member of the 38th New York regiment, who died of a fever in the hospital in Washington arrived here today for burial. The returned volunteers turned out for the funeral. I had a severe headache and did not turn out. SEPTEMBER 20 – FRIDAY – No work for the drab finishers today. I had my winter coal put into the cellar, three tons of Griffing. Very warm. Wrote a letter in the evening to Chauncey Dickerman in New Haven. SEPTEMBER 21 – SATURDAY – Warm again. Worked in the shop and went up to Aunt Louise’s in the evening to see Mary who is very sick with Typhoid Fever. I called on the doctor to get some medicine for Gussie. SEPTEMBER 22 – SUNDAY – Rainy last night. I attended church in the morning. Brother Pegg preached from Matthew 26:21-22. After Sunday School, I came home and stayed in the PM for Mary to attend. I did not go in the evening. Father called after tea and Mother came down just before meeting time. I spent the evening in writing to California to Lauren Humphrey. SEPTEMBER 23 – MONDAY – I worked as usual in the shop. Cool in the morning. Mr. Crofut paid me $5.00. SEPTEMBER 24 – TUESDAY – I worked as usual in the shop and earned $1.62 by working as long as I could see. Gussie went over home this afternoon for the first time since her confinement. The 5th Company of volunteers from here elected officers this evening. G. M. Southmayd, Captain; S. G. Bailey, 1st Lieutenant; Charles White, 2nd Lieutenant. I paid my dues to the Hatters’ Association- 60 cents. SEPTEMBER 25 – WEDNESDAY - We had to wait for some hats in the morning. I worked pretty late to finish off my work for the day, earned $1.50. SEPTEMBER 26 – THURSDAY – National Fast day. The shop closed. A sermon preached in our church by Mr. Coe. It was an excellent one, too. Most appropriate and interesting. A Union Prayer Meeting at 12 ½ o’clock. Captain Southmayd’s Company left on the 3 o’clock train to rendezvous at Hartford. I attended our regular Prayer Meeting in the evening. SEPTEMBER 27 – FRIDAY – Cloudy in the morning, a little sunshine in the PM and rain just before night. I have earned only $1.00 in the shop. Alfred Gregory called on me in the evening and wanted some money, but not having it, I, of course, could not accommodate him. Very windy in the evening. SEPTEMBER 28 – SATURDAY – There being no drab hats, the foreman gave me 2 dozen black, 5/ per dozen. Bought a cradle at Andrews & Ives for $2.50. SEPTEMBER 29 – SUNDAY - A little frost in some places for the first time. I attended church in the morning. Brother Pegg preached from Acts 17, middle clause of the 18th verse. Sunday School Missionary Meeting at noon. I came home at its close. I did not attend in the PM, nor in the evening. Mother came down before evening meeting. Gussie wrote a letter to her cousin Eliza in California. SEPTEMBER 30 – MONDAY – George called at the shop in the afternoon to see me and came home with me to tea. We went into the street together in the evening. I received a letter from Harriet.
1861-09-01
Horace Purdy Journal February 1867 Entry
11pgs
FEB 01 FRIDAY - It did not freeze any last night and today has been the first thawing time we have had this winter. Instead of the familiar squeaking of the snow, it is tonight soft and sloppy. Water is running in the streets. I went to work this morning feeling nearly sick with my cold and expected to be obliged to return home before night but stayed the day's work pretty well and stayed as usual as long as I could see. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to the Sewing Society. I sent by her to the Post Office a letter to George, acknowledging the receipt of his letter and the gold bracelet for Harriet. I still hold the bracelet and wait to hear from him and wait to hear from him as I wrote him that I thought that he should sell it and use what it would bring him to help him pay his debts. FEB 02 SATURDAY - A little colder this morning than yesterday. Cloudy in the morning with the appearance of rain, which it began doing about 11 A.M. It was trifling until along towards night when it increased and rained during the evening. We were limited in our work today and I got home from the shop a little earlier. On my way, I bought a pair of rubbers at Benedict's for myself. I saved 25 cents by buying large sized ladies' heeled instead of men's rubbers; they cost me only 10 cents each. Mr. Pond took his hams and mine over to Mr. Olmstead's today to be smoked. Gussie made her first bread today from the new barrel of flour Mr. Pond got for me of Eli Hoyt. We like it very much. After I came from work, I went over to Mr. Pond's and paid him $8.00, the balance of the $18.00 for flour which I owed him. Before retiring, I made out a written statement of Sunday School Centenary Funds forwarded and children's medals ordered. Brother George Starr sent me word to do this and give it to him tomorrow. FEB 03 SUNDAY - Cloudy, foggy and very bad walking. The large body of snow is melting fast. Gussie attended church in the morning and rode home at noon with Mr. and Mrs. Swift. I went to Sunday School at noon and to the prayer meeting in the P.M. There were four forward for prayers George S. Bailey and two other Sunday School boys, W. Ely for one. I carried an account of Sunday School Centenary Funds as forwarded by me to the Book Room, 200 Mulberry Street, New York and gave to Brother Starr to send to William C. Hoyt, the secretary of the Centenary Commission as he had requested Brother Starr to do so. After School, I made out an account of the Children's medal received and sent to Brother Starr in the evening by Fanny also. I wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering another copy of both Sunday School Advocate and the Sunday School Journal and enclosed 65 cents for the same. Before tea, I went over to Mr. Blair's on Stevens Street to see if 'Bird' had been there since last Friday as he had been missing since then. They had not seen him. I had a severe headache in the evening and did not go out. There was lightning and some thunder last evening. FEB 04 MONDAY - It froze a very little last night. The snow has melted very fast again today. I have worked all day in the shop. As I went to work in the morning, I mailed the letter I wrote last evening to Carlton & Porter. The church pews were rented this P.M. at 2 o'clock. Gussie went and secured one for us. We gave up the one we have had for the past six years and took No. 33 directly across the aisle, the old one - No. 31 - having been raised to $20. We now pay the same as last year - $18. It clouded over just before night and in the evening began to rain. Bell was here this P. M. and stayed with Georgie while Gussie was at the church and stayed to tea and then went to meeting and then returned here to stay all night. Before retiring, I finished reading 'Six Months at the White House with Abraham Lincoln' by Carpenter. FEB 05 TUESDAY - It is still thawing - melting snow and mud, clouds and a snow squall just before night. I had work all day in the shop. A small girl going from school this P.M. fell from the timber that spans the stream by the factory as she was attempting to cross. Several of the men rushed to her assistance, but Walter Signor, being in the advance, helped her out of the water. After tea, I went into the street for some salt peter and took with me 200 pennies to exchange for currency. I disposed of 150 of them. While in Mr. Reed's Shoe Store, Arthur showed me where he had charges to me a pair of child's shoes - 75 cents. I disputed the account and after coming home, I referred to my expense book and found that I had paid for them. Before retiring, I poured off the old brine from my beef and made a new one, packed the beef over again and poured on the new. FEB 06 WEDNESDAY - It froze a little last night . The day has been pleasant and the snow has melted fast. I have had work again all day. As I was taking my leave this evening, the same fellow (a stranger to me, Charles Stevens by name) who brought me a letter from George, the bracelet, and a letter and paper for Lottie Keeler on January 29th came again and brought me another note from George in which he states that he has changed his boarding place from 346 Carlton Avenue to Myrtle Avenue, No. 115. I sat down and answered George's letter immediately and sent it to the Office by Gussie who was going to market. Before retiring, I sorted over my apples. Paid Mr. Cypher for spreading lime for Father Griswold. He owed me $1.00, so I let it balance Father Griswold's account and Father Griswold will pay me. FEB 07 THURSDAY - Another beautiful Spring day, although it is still winter. I worked all day in the shop. After tea, I went into the street to see Charles Reed and explain to him the error of charging to me a pair of child's shoes on 6th of last July. I saw his son, Arthur and explained it to him. He made it all right by crossing it off from his book. I bought a pocket comb of O. H. Swift and then went over to the church where a protracted meeting is being held. George Carpenter was converted while at the altar. After meeting, I told Mrs. Bradley of the seat in the church Gussie selected for her and us last Monday - No. 32. She was feeling very badly over some words she had in the shop today with Mrs. Bigelow. FEB 08 FRIDAY - Pleasant this morning, but a little before night it commenced raining and continued through the evening. I have worked hard all day in the shop. I came home by way of the Jeffersonian Office and got my paper. I stopped at the news office and got a bundle of papers for the Sunday School. FEB 09 SATURDAY - Cloudy and foggy through the day. I t commenced raining about 7 P.M. and continued through the evening. I have worked all day in the shop thought I have scarcely felt able to do so on account of rheumatism. 'Bird' (Henry Blair's dog) made his appearance again this morning after an absence of 8 days. He looked as if he had hard treatment somewhere. We gave him some breakfast and then I chained him in his house. After tea, I took my lantern and went through the rain and mud to the Post Office. When I returned, I took for the brine a piece of beef for smoking. FEB 10 SUNDAY - I awoke this morning and found it had cleared off, the wind blowing strong and cold. The mud was scarcely frozen in the morning, but before night it was very hard. Gussie attended church as usual in the morning. I went down to Sunday School prayer meeting at noon and stayed to the communion service in the P.M. Several of the new converts were baptized and William Purdy and William A. Bouton, also Charles H. Stevens were given the right hand of fellowship in full connection with the church. After tea, I made a minute on the Sunday School records of the Festival held January 23rd. I went to church in the evening. Susan Brayman came over and went with me. Brother Peck preached after which there was a prayer meeting. Six or seven were forward for prayers. FEB 11 MONDAY - Pleasant but pretty cold. I worked all day in the shop. Mrs. Stone washed for us. We hired her to do it mostly because we wanted to assist her as she is very poor. Georgie is very sick today; he has a bad cough and a high fever. Gussie went to see the doctor for him this P.M. and got some medicine. Mrs. Stone stayed with us to tea. After tea, I went over to Mr. Olmstead's to see if Mr. Pond's and my hams were yet out of the smokehouse. They were not. From there, I went to the Post Office and O. H. Swift's and walked up with him and Moses Baxter. Before going downtown, I went over to Mr. Pond's and got 2 lbs. of butter. FEB 12 TUESDAY - Gussie sat up until 2 o'clock this morning to give medicine to Georgie. He has a high fever and symptoms of Whooping Cough. As I went to work this morning, I left an order on Dr. Bulkley's slate to come and see Georgie. I worked all day in the shop. Harriet Mills came to tea and spent a portion of the evening. She wants to borrow some money to pay board with. She has left hat trimming and works in the shirt factory. She gets along so slowly that she is discouraged. Georgie not being any better, I went to see the doctor this evening. and he changed the medicine. The Brass Band Festival is being held this evening at Concert Hall. FEB 13 WEDNESDAY - The ground was a little frozen this morning. As I went for milk this morning before breakfast I went over to Mr. Olmstead's to see if Mr. Pond's and my hams were smoked. I found that they were and that he had taken them out from the smoke house. I left them for Mr. Pond or myself to go for when it may be convenient. I worked all day in the shop. Bell was with us to tea; she went to meeting in the evening. I stayed at home in the evening to let Gussie go into the street. Before returning, she went into the Brass Band Festival. She brought me a letter from George; he is now having steady work again and is feeling greatly encouraged. FEB 14 THURSDAY - Warm, foggy, and muddy. Rain in the P.M. and in the evening. I worked (as usual of late) until dark. After tea, I wrote to George in answer to one received yesterday and mailed it as I went to market this evening. I went to Dr. Bulkley's office and got some medicine for Georgie, did a little marketing and walked up West Street as I came home with John Stone. I brought a letter from the Office from Edwin to Father Griswold. I took it up to him when I came home and he paid me the dollar I paid for him to Mr. Cypher on Feb. 6th. I paid it by turning an account of that amount which he owed me for dooryard grass since last summer. Mrs. Stone came and ironed for Gussie this forenoon. FEBRUARY 15 FRIDAY - I went to the shop and finished off the work I had out (there being none today) and then agreed to help Oscar Serine get out the material for two grape arbors. He bought the lumber and had it brought to Mr. Pond's barn and Oscar and me worked all the P. M. to get them made ready to put together. Bell came down and stayed with Georgie to let Gussie go to the Sewing Society in the afternoon. Gussie went to temperance Meeting and I to D. B. Booth's in the evening to see about bounty money for George. Booth had not yet heard from the application sent to Washington. He gave me blank documents to send to George requiring his signature which I mailed to him before coming home. John Bouton received his money of Booth while I was in the Office. I went to the Town Clerk, O. H. Swift, to get the register number of Blair's dog to put on his collar, he having lost the old collar. The number is 161. FEB 16 SATURDAY - It commenced raining about 7 o'clock this morning and froze as it came, making it very slippery. No work in the shop. I went down in the morning and the foreman (Victor W. Benedict) paid me my account and I came home (after waiting at O.H. Swift's store until the arrival of the mail) instead of waiting until noon for my pay. As I came out from the Post Office, I saw Fred Jennings. He spoke in a vexing manner about my failure to collect what he owed me by factorizing, but it did not vex me in the least. I cared nothing whatever about it. I replied that I failed in the attempt but that my intentions were good enough notwithstanding. I went up home about noon and got a music book, entitled 'Musical Leaves' to send to George by request from him. I brought home a basket which we let Bell take home some apples in the morning. She stayed with us last night. I took a nap in the P.M. We had dinner about 3 o'clock and then I went into the street and mailed the music book to George and carried the Sunday School Advocates over to the church to distribute tomorrow. I then went down to the shop and sharpened my scissors, carried the gold bracelet George sent home to S. G. Bailey's Jewelry Store and left it there for sale. I then went over to D. B. Booth's office and sat awhile, went to market and got home again about 6 ## o'clock. Louise came down and spent a part of the evening and then Gussie went up home with her. I commenced a letter to George in the P.M., wrote a little more before retiring, leaving it to complete tomorrow or some other time. FEB 17 SUNDAY - A lovely day overhead, though it has been muddy underfoot. Gussie attended church as usual in the morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon and to prayer meeting in the P.M. After tea, I took Georgie out of doors a short time to breathe the fresh air and feel the sunshine. Mother Griswold came down and stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie and I go to church together, which privilege we seldom have on account of the baby. As we went I mailed the letter I wrote yesterday to George and a Jeffersonian also. Brother Peck preached a powerful sermon from John 3: 14-15. After the sermon, there was a prayer meeting. The house was crowded, but no one came forward for prayers. FEB 18 MONDAY - Pleasant. As I went to work in the morning, I mailed for Gussie a letter to Cousin Eliza in California. I worked all day in the shop. FEB 19 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop as long as I could see. Mr. Pond split out a piece of hickory from his woodpile this morning for me to make a ramrod for my gun. After tea, I killed a turkey for Mother Griswold. I then went into the street. I called At D. B. Booth's Office and he wrote a letter (and I signed it) to Washington for my discharge to be returned to me, William T. Barnum having forwarded it with an application for a pension for me. I called at O.H. Swift's store and walked up with him as far as Deer Hill Street. Bell came this way to church this evening. She came back here to stay all night. I weighed out a half lb. of tea for her to take home tomorrow. FEB 20 WEDNESDAY - I woke this morning and found it snowing. It continued all day and cleared off in the evening. I worked as usual in the shop. When I came home from work I found that Mr. Pond had drawn the snow plow to West Street and up Father Griswold's path to the house and made good paths. After tea, I shoveled out my premises where the snow plow could not be drawn. I then went up to Raymond's and ordered a half bushel of turnips to be brought tomorrow. I went to the Post Office and to Swift's store. I gave him 6 apples from Gussie to his wife. We walked up together. The Brass Band are having another entertainment this evening ' concert and to close with a hop. FEB 21 THURSDAY - The clearing off last evening did not last long as it was storming again this morning. At first it was misty; then it began to snow again and continued all day. It seemed to increase and before night there was a large body of snow on the ground - 8 to 10 inches on a level, I should think. I went into the street in the evening to do an errand for Gussie. When I returned, the stars were shining, so Mr. Pond and I determined to draw the snowplow to West Street and clear the sidewalk. We got Mr. Fenning and son and George Davis out to help. After clearing the walk and making a path to Father Griswold's house, I took my snow shovel and dug out around my house where we could not use the snow plow. I worked as usual in the shop. FEB 22 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I shoveled snow this morning where we did not use the plow last night. Father Griswold made a birthday party for Fanny and Harriet today - George Starr and wife, William Scofield and wife, Mrs. Thomas Barnum and Brother Peck (our preacher). They had the turkey which I killed on Tuesday evening. I was too busy in the shop to be with them. Bell came down in the P.M. and took care of Josie and Georgie at our house so that Gussie could be with them. Gussie went to the Sewing Society in the evening. I stayed with Georgie. Louise came down and helped to take care of Georgie early in the evening to let Gussie go. Bell went to meeting in the evening and returned here to stay all night. FEB 23 SATURDAY - Bell stayed with us last night and until about 5 P.M. to take care of Georgie to let Gussie go to Mrs. Swift's and Anna Hinman's. I came home at noon with a headache. I marked off the Sunday School Journals and took them to the church in the P.M. and brought home one of the Librarian's Books and drew up the classes anew and brought it back again in the evening and went to the Post Office and received a letter from George with a copy of the original 'Sentence of Christ' (ed. note: possibly a print by William C. Robertson, published about 1861). When I went to the church with the papers and for the book, I went to the barber's and had my hair cut and shaved. I also called at William Barnum's office to see if he had heard anything from my soldier's discharge which I had told him to send for. Since telling him to do so, I have written myself for it (or rather D. B. Booth wrote and I signed it). I did not tell him this which I intended to do when I went in. The sun shone this forenoon, but it was cloudy in the P.M. with snow just at night. Mailed last week's Jeffersonian to George this evening. FEB 24 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warm in the forenoon. The snow has melted very fast. Cloudy towards night. Headache through the day, better this evening. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went to Sunday School at noon and prayer meeting in the P.M. Mr. Pond came into our Sunday School just before we closed. He came to look at the school. I went with him upstairs to see the Infant Class. Brother Bartram, in the prayer meeting this P.M., spoke of a remarkable experience as he thought last Friday evening at his home. He received a great blessing from God. With the blessing to himself, he felt a great desire for the salvation of souls. He felt so deeply this P.M. that he could scarcely speak. I commenced writing to George this morning and completed the letter after tea. Susan Brayman came in about dusk. I went to church in the evening. Brother Peck preached, after which there was a prayer meeting. As I went to church, I mailed my letter to George. FEB 25 MONDAY - Pleasant. It froze a little last night but thawed again today. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. I have been troubled with rheumatism in my left ankle and wrist but have worked all day notwithstanding. After tea, I wrote to the Great American Tea Company for a price list and a blank form for making up a club. I also put up two cakes of iron grease for George and mailed it with the letter in the evening. I walked up from the street with Mr. Swift. FEB 26 TUESDAY - I worked as usual in the shop . As I went to work, I left a sample of our black tea Mr. Swift's Store for him to try. The authorities seized liquors this P.M. on the premises of Albert Anderson and reports this evening say that he has been arrested. I received my Soldier's Discharge from Washington today where it was sent by Mr. Barnum with an application for a pension. After tea, I went into the street to the Jeffersonian Office to see about printing the 'Sentence of Christ 'sent to me by George and to D.B. Booth's office to tell him that I had received my discharge. Louise had her birthday party this P.M. and evening. FEB 27 WEDNESDAY - I worked as usual until dark in the shop. The homestead, furniture, etc. of Widow Polly Benedict, deceased, was sold this P. M. at auction. Gussie bought a lounge worth $25.00 for $16.50. Charles Benedict's wife bought the place for $2,575.00. Bell came in while we were at tea to borrow a nutmeg. I gave her a basket of rotten specked apples to carry home. I went into the street this evening on some errands. I talked with O. H. Swift about teas from the Great American Tea Company. Josephine Stevens, who was seduced by James Scantling and is now at his house is this P. M. being confined to child bed. FEB 28 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I had work only until noon in the shop. I came by way of William T. Barnum's to tell him that I had received my discharge from Washington. I had quite a lengthy talk with him about bounties and pensions. I finally concluded to write to Dr. Stearns in Hartford or rather write and see if he still resides there. If he can be found, I contemplate going to see him to see if he recollects enough of my case of hernia incurred in the army to give me a certificate that such is the case to enable me to procure a pension. When I came home, I wrote to him to see if he can be found. Received a blank for getting up a club, also a price list from the Great American Tea Company. I marked off the Sunday School Advocates and carried them to church, and at the same time, mailed the letter to Dr. Stearns and a Jeffersonian to George. Gussie went up home this P.M. She left Georgie with Mother Griswold while she was gone. After tea, Susan Brayman came in and Gussie went with her into the street. I stayed at home and oiled the black walnut woodwork to our new lounge.
1867-02