Horace Purdy Journal January 1868 Entry
19pgs
JANUARY 01 WEDNESDAY - I went to the Savings Bank in the morning and paid $48.00 interest for six months ending July 1, 1868 on $1,200. From there I went to the shop and took out some work. Then left it and borrowed Parmalee & Sherman's horse and went up home for Mother, Bell and Georgie, who went up home yesterday and brought them down to our house to eat turkey and stay overnight, Father being away on a visit to Ridgefield. Fanny and Louise were with us also as they were alone, Father and Mother Griswold being in New Haven on a visit to Harriet. It has been stormy, snow in the morning, rain later in the day. I went to church in the evening to attend a Special Teachers' Meeting, but there being but few present, no business was done. I mailed this evening a few circulars advertising the preservation of flowers with a few of my cards to James L. Maynard. JANUARY 02 THURSDAY - Pleasant; it has seemed like a spring day. I have worked in the shop. Mother and Bell stayed with us last night. As I came from work this P.M., I hired Mr. Beatty to take Mother home. I paid him 25 cents. I have been rather low spirited today in view of the hard times and my liabilities. I called at Benedict Brothers' Shoe Store and told them that I must have a little more time on what I owe them which was satisfactory. After tea, I went into the street and bought a diary of Mr. Swift, 50 cents. I talked to Mr. Potter about hiring George to drive his team and sell musical instruments for him. I mailed a letter to him about it, requesting him to meet me at the store on Saturday. JANUARY 03 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop today. I came home from work by way of the Jeffersonian Office to get my paper. William Hurd cashed my account for me before I left the shop - $10.00. I marked off the Sunday School Advocates in the evening. I stayed at home to let Gussie go with Louise up to George Davis'. JANUARY 04 SATURDAY - When we rose this morning, I found it snowing hard and two or more inches of it on the ground. I have been to New York. I had Josephine Dare's company from Bethel to the city. Her brother, Samuel, met her at 27th Street. Willie Hurd, Jr. was on the train with his sister and another lady friend on his way home from Danbury to Patterson. They took the 6th Avenue cars down with me. It has been misty most of the day here, while in New York, there has been no snow and a part of the day the sun shone. Soon after leaving Norwalk on my way home this evening, it began to snow again. As I left the cars on arriving home, it was snowing very fast. Gussie and Louise met me at the depot. George came down to the store to see me today about a position with J. M. Potter to drive a team on the road and sell melodeons, pianos, etc. He thinks of taking the situation if he and Mr. Potter can make a bargain. Before we retired, it cleared off finally and the stars shone brightly. JANUARY 05 SUNDAY - Good sleighing. Pleasant but cold. Gussie attended church in the morning and I went down to Sunday School when she returned from morning service. I stayed to Prayer Meeting in the P.M. Mrs. Holmes, our female superintendent, gave over to me $6.14 which she had collected to pay the expenses of our Christmas Exhibition. Bell was with us to tea. About 6 o'clock P.M., a fire broke out uptown. It was the dwelling in Franklin Street next to what was the old finishing shop on the corner of Main and Franklin Streets, owned by a Mr. Sturgis. Aunt Sally Hoyt and daughter Sarah Smith were living there. Sam Main and wife also boarded there. The house was not entirely burned down. Most of the things were got safely out except the clothing belonging to Mrs. Smith and her three children. It was about evening meeting time when I returned from the fire, but we stayed at home. JANUARY 06 MONDAY - Pleasant but cool. I went to the shop and finished off five hats which I had left over since last Friday. There being no more work, I came home before dinner. After dinner, I went into the street and went before the Board of Relief to swear off $1,100 which I owe Father Griswold. I then went to Brother Burch's and collected 75 cents which his boy Charlie took for tickets sold to the Christmas Exhibition. I then paid him $12.75 for candy which he bought for the cornucopias on that occasion. On my way home to dinner, I stopped at Foster's Carpenter Shop and collected $3.75 from Tim Foster for pictures and frames which I sold him ' Washington, Lincoln and Grant families. I took the train at 4:30 o'clock and went to Norwalk to see two undertakers there and arranged for flower preserving. I returned by the evening train. Paid printer for School printing - $6.50. JANUARY 07 THURSDAY - S. C. Holley's wool hat factory was burned this morning between 1 and 2 o'clock. I went to the fire. I have worked in the shop today. After work, I went up to see Father as he has worked for Holley and now will be out of work. Gussie having gone up before me, she got some pictures of Nellie Freeland for me to frame. I rode down home with Charles Starr. I went to a Hatters' Meeting at No. 2 Hose Company's room. I got excused early in the meeting and came home stopping at Flieg's Clothing Store to see if Theo Bradley wanted to go to New York with me in the morning; he thinks he will. When I came home, I went over to Mr. Pond's and he weighed out for me 26 lbs. of sugar at 15 cents per lb. with 2 percent added for expense of getting it here from New York. It came to $4.04. I paid him the 4 cents, leaving my indebtedness just four dollars. JANUARY 08 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy with a little snow early in the morning as I was going to the depot. I have been to New York. Theo Bradley has been down with me. I spent a good part of the day going around with him. We took dinner at the 'Savory Dining Room' in Fulton Street just out of Broadway. I framed three pictures (two of them in one frame) for Nellie Freeland and two very small ones for Gussie ' 'Christ Crowned With Thorns' and 'The Virgin Mary' colored in oil. Nellie's were Deacon Benjamin Ambler and wife in one frame and Hattie Gregory (as it were) and her husband, Mr. Craig both on one card in another. Theo and myself were about tired out when we got home. Daniel Starr had a son born to him last night at about 12 o'clock and died at birth. Mrs. Bradley and Gussie went up this evening to see Mrs. Starr and also to call in Stevens Street and see the remains of John Stone who died yesterday morning at 6 o'clock. Mr. Pond came in the evening to see if I had a new hat for him as he intends going to Boston tomorrow. I have not yet made the hat for him. Gussie went sleigh riding with 10 others with George Starr's team by invitation from him. He sent William A. Bouton, his hired man to drive. The load was made up of old maids and widows ' Emily Anderson, Paulina Pepper, Fanny Griswold, Mrs. Noah K. Barnum, Widow Hiram Cole, Mrs. Starr and others. JANUARY 09 THURSDAY - Sunshine; snow squalls and high wind in the P.M. with increasing cold. I have worked in the shop. I have worked as long as I could see, having yesterday's work and today's too to get off. Bell was with us to tea. I gave her Nellie Freeland's pictures which I framed for her. She took them with her to church in the evening and will take them with her up home after meeting. John Stone was buried this P.M. I went to market in the evening and found it to be very cold. JANUARY 10 FRIDAY - Very cold last night and today. I have worked in the shop. I stayed at home in the evening to let Gussie go into the street to market, etc. JANUARY 11 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warmer, though it is yet very cold. I have been to New York today. I saw Mr. Wing on the train this morning with a new washing machine. I brought one of them home to try. I tried today to find out which of my tenants over the store in New York it is that makes such a nuisance of the water closet but could not. Each denied it and charged the other with it. I threatened to turn out of doors the one who did it, if I could find out the guilty one provided it was not stopped. I brought 1 and a half yards of tracing cloth for drafting purposes to Morgan Chittenden from Burton's in 6th Avenue, between 4th and 5th Streets. Before retiring, I arranged a wash tub for the new washing machine preparatory to washing on Monday. JANUARY 12 SUNDAY - Pleasant but cold. Gussie went to church in the morning and came home at noon to let me go to Sunday School. I stayed to the Sacrament in the P.M. We stayed at home in the evening and retired early. JANUARY 13 MONDAY - Pleasant but very cold. The mercury stood at zero this morning. I have worked in the shop all day. Gussie tried her new washing machine, but before she had tried it long, a handkerchief got caught around one of the rollers and she, not being able to get it out again, abandoned it and did not on that account, give it a fair trial. A Sunday School Teachers' Meeting in the evening. I attended as usual, I being the Secretary. The voted to expend one hundred dollars for the new library books and appointed the preacher, Brother Burch and myself a committee to purchase them. They also voted to get up an oyster supper, the proceeds from which to be used in fitting up and furnishing the Librarian's Room. JANUARY 14 TUESDAY - Cold during the morning, but the weather moderated somewhat during the day. Cloudy in the after part of the day with strong indications of snow. I have worked in the shop. About 11 o'clock, Brother Burch and George Starr called at the shop to get the catalogue to the Sunday School Library. I gave Brother Burch the keys to the church and library and directions where he would find the catalogue. He went to New York this P.M. and I am to meet him at Tibbel's on Park Row about the middle of the day tomorrow to assist in spending $100 for library books. As I came home from work this evening, I called at the Parsonage for any keys which he left there for me. Father completed splitting Mr. Pond's wood today. He took dinner with Gussie. Bell came in as we were drinking tea and stayed until meeting time and went down with Gussie who went to market and I stayed at home. Bell came after meeting to stay overnight. About 8 in the evening, it began to snow. JANUARY 15 WEDNESDAY - Snow last night and this morning. It cleared off about noon. I have been to New York and with Brother Burch, bought Sunday School books at Tibbel's. I was busy until time to come home and then left Brother Burch to finish the job. I brought home an old door mat from the store. Bought 'Bullion's Latin Reader' for Charles Hodge. JANUARY 16 THURSDAY - Pleasant, excepting a short snow squall after dinner. I have worked in the shop. I took the Latin Reader to Charles Hodge at the shop and got 75 cents for it. Gussie washed some clothes for George today which I brought for New York yesterday. She took the up home and ironed them while Mother mended. She used the new washer and liked it better today. After tea, I went to market. Gussie went with me as far as the street and then went down Liberty Street to see Mrs. Bradley about going out to Mr. Reynold's tomorrow evening with the Sewing Society on a sleighing party to have a gathering there. JANUARY 17 FRIDAY - Pleasant but very cold in the morning. I have worked in the shop. I brought home a new hat for Mr. Pond. Brother Burch came home today. The Library books came also. He had them unpacked and his boys carried them into the Librarian's Room in the church. The Ladies' Aid Society meets this evening over to Brother Reynold's in Miry Brook. Brother Starr and Isaac Smith each furnished a double team. Avery Raymond supplies one single and Augustus Hoyt, two single teams. They were well filled and all hands started over there on a sleigh ride about 6 o'clock this evening. Gussie went with them. Georgie being sick with a head cold, I stayed with him at home. I went down, however, to the church (Louise at the time staying with Georgie) where they started from to see them off. I then called at D. B. Booth's office to see if the $100 bounty for George had come and found the check there waiting for him, it having come last Monday. I took it and am to take tomorrow to the city for his endorsement. JANUARY 18 SATURDAY - I have been to New York today. I took George's clean clothes down to him, but he not having made his appearance before I left to come home, I left the bounty check with William to have George endorse it when he did come. I cut down William's wages from $10 to $8 per week. Phillip Phillips had his new singing books that I have been waiting for so long, but I was at his place so late that I had no time to wait for them to be put up for me, so I came very reluctantly without them. I was sick with headache when I came home. Nelson Nickerson was on the train this evening on his way home from a coasting trip on the Southern Coast. He arrived in New York today by steamer from Charleston, South Carolina. JANUARY 19 SUNDAY 19 - Pleasant. Georgie being sick with a sore throat and a heavy cold and we both rose rather late. Gussie did not go to church at all today. I went down at noon to Sunday School and in the P.M., William Taylor, the Librarian and Fred Vintz, assisted by myself, put numbers on the backs of the old books and put them in the Library. In the evening, we met in the basement again and took a list of the new books and put into them what labels we had. JANUARY 20 MONDAY - Georgie, who yesterday and the day before was quite sick, is better today. He had no fever last night and today he was more like himself. I have worked in the shop until about 2 o'clock. Then, before coming home, went up to see Harriet at Mr. Townsend's to get a picture she wants framed, but Bell had been there for it and had taken it to my house. I fitted up a family group of Washington and gave to Robert. Bell came back from the street and took tea with us. Before and after tea, I worked at arranging the list of new Sunday School books in alphabetical order ready for entering them on the catalogue. When I completed it, I took the list down to the church and did some marketing. I received a letter from William, my man at the store, saying that H. D. Clark wanted a certain looking glass marked $35 for $27 and the same to remain on my $125 note due him next March. I replied before coming home. (I wrote in Swift's store and immediately mailed it) that $27 was too cheap on account, but that he could have it towards the note for $30. JANUARY 21 TUESDAY - A hard snowstorm. I was trouble so with headache last night and this morning, that I did not get up until breakfast was ready and did not go to the shop until after dinner. As I went, I mailed a letter to the store, directing William to send by return mail the $100 Bounty Check of George's which I left there on Saturday for George to endorse. As I came from work, I went to the Jeffersonian Office for 150 labels for Sunday School books which I ordered printed. When I got home, Father was at the house waiting for me to get the new washing machine for him. He wants to try it at Nellie Freeland's. After tea, I went down to the church per agreement with the Librarian to assist at putting labels on the books, etc. It cleared off so that the stars shone in the evening and grew colder. Georgie has evidently got the measles. JANUARY 22 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. In the evening, William H. Taylor, the Librarian, and I put numbers on the backs of the new Sunday School books. We worked until after 10 o'clock. JANUARY 23 THURSDAY - I have worked in the shop today. It commenced raining about 9 o'clock this A.M. and continued all day. As I came home from work, I took from the Office a letter from William with George's bounty check enclosed which I wrote for on Wednesday. I left it at the store last Saturday for George to endorse when he came down from Yonkers. I went down to the church in the evening and copied the numbers of the new Library books into the catalogue. I gave the bounty check to D. B. Booth to draw the money tomorrow. I wrote to George telling him that J. M. Potter would see him about selling instruments for him. I also wrote to Phillip Phillips to have him save me 35 of the Singing Pilgrim and Musical Leaves Combined and I will call for them Saturday. JANUARY 24 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warm. I worked in the shop. I went to D. B., Booth's office in the evening and got George's $100 bounty money, leaving $5.00 of it with Booth as a fee for collecting the same. Gussie then went with me to see the new Library books at the church. Before retiring, I completed copying in alphabetical order the new Sunday School books into the catalogue. Bell was with us to tea. JANUARY 25 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I have been to New York. I sent William out from the store with $90.00 with which to pay some bills and to buy some tea and coffee for me at the Great American Tea Company. He also bought a large slate and some small books which are calculated as helps to teachers for Mr. Pond. I brought home 35 of Phillips' singing books for the Sunday School. I had William come to the depot with me to help carry some of the packages and Mr. Pond met me here at the depot and assisted me. I also brought home for Harriet a pencil drawing which I framed for her. Gussie today took a letter from the Office for me from George. JANUARY 26 SUNDAY - Cloudy most of the day, although not unpleasant. I went down to the church between 9 and 10 o'clock with the Sunday School papers. I returned and let Gussie attend in the forenoon. I went down to Sunday School. The Librarian's Room is not yet fully furnished and completed though the center table chairs and carpet are there. The new Library books were given out today for the first time. I went to church in the evening. Brother Burch preached us a good sermon. JANUARY 27 MONDAY - Stormy. It has snowed more or less all day. I have worked in the shop. I went to Teachers' Meeting in the evening, it being a special one to make arrangements for an Oyster Super on February 5th. Before I retired, I copied the minutes of the meeting and drew up a notice of the supper for publication in the paper. January 28 TUESDAY - Cloudy. It has snowed more or less during the day. As I went to work in the morning, I left a notice of our proposed Oyster Supper at the Times Office for publication. I went over to Dr. Brown's to see Lizzie Hill and got some pictures of our church and parsonage and again this evening and got some more which I am to frame and offer for sale at the Oyster Supper next week. After tea, I went over to see George Starr about the money with which to pay for our new Sunday School books. I then went up to Mr. Townsend's and took Harriet's picture which I framed to her. From there, I went over home and got the washing machine as Gussie wants to use it tomorrow. JANUARY 29 WEDNESDAY - Stormy ' snow. As I went to the shop this morning, I left a notice of our proposed Oyster Supper next Wednesday evening at the Jeffersonian Office for publication. There being no work at the shop, I spent the forenoon in trying to get George W. Raymond to go to our church and cut a pipe hole in the chimney in the Librarian's Room, but did not get him. I saw Andrew Knox about doing a little graining the same room in a few days. Mr. Norris, the pianist who played for us at the Christmas Exhibition, came here with his bill which I paid. - $12.00. I dropped a note to George Starr with the bill enclosed requesting him to make up the $7.00 which it was more than we expected as it will ben needed to pay for our new library books. I also wrote to George, notifying him that J. M. Potter would call on him in Yonkers on Friday with the view of employing him to sell musical instruments. After tea, I went up to Mr. Rundle's to see George Mortimer, his son, and get $1.00 for exhibition tickets which he sold. I then went over and carried a Singing Pilgrim to Harriet Phillips. JANUARY 30 THURSDAY - Pleasant and mild after the snowstorm. I have worked in the shop. I came home feeling nearly sick. The German who disappeared last Monday was found in Turner Street. He was crazy. He seemed not to know where he had been or how long he had been gone. He is a hat maker and works for Henry Crofut. His name is Steiner. His wife, before he married her, lived with Father Griswold, a servant when they first came to Danbury when they resided in the old Parsonage. After tea, I shoveled the snow off the walk in front of my house and to Mr. Pond's gate. I then went into the street and to the church and opened the Infant Class money box and took from it $5.26 and put it into the Sunday School Treasury. I went into Prayer Meeting a few minutes before its close. JANUARY 31 FRIDAY - Pleasant but very cold last night and this morning. I have worked in the shop. Gussie went to the Sewing Society in the evening at Dr. Brown's. Louise stayed with Georgie while I went to the Society to get my key which I lent to Mrs. Holmes to clean the Librarian's Room. From there, I went over to the church and made a fire in the new stove in the Library to see if it would draw. Brother George Starr left a draft of $90.00 at the house for me today to take with me to New York tomorrow and put with other money from the treasury and pay N. Tibbels , 37 Park Row for the new Library books - $158.68.
1868-01
Horace Purdy Journal December 1865 Entry
7pgs
12/01 FRIDAY - Rain last night and this morning, thought the day has been pleasant. After tea, I went to market. David Bradley came in when I returned and we wrote up his Librarian's book. Gussie went to the Sewing Society at Mrs. Staples. Louise came down and stayed with Georgie in the evening to let her go. Father Griswold had 77 lbs. of butter come from Ohio today. 12/02 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. As I came home from work I left a roll of salve at the News Office for Eugene Conkling and got my new sack coat at Mr. Harris' store and paid for it $20.00. Gussie went up to Joel Sanford's this morning and stayed all day to visit with Mary Mourre as it used to be but now Mrs. Murphy. After tea, I went into the street and got the ramrod to my gun repaired. Got my vest at Gillette's where I took it to have a pocket put in and bought two sets of underclothes for $16.00. After Singing School, George and Bell came this way to get a piece of meat which I gave our folks. He brought a sifter from Parmalee & Bradley's Store to have the handle tightened. We fixed it before he went home. 12/03 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm for the season. Gussie went to church as usual in the morning and I to Sunday School and the afternoon service. Mr. Hill preached to the children in the P.M. Cousin John Brayman, John Bouton and Hart Purdy called after supper. Before evening meeting time, I wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering two more copies of Sunday School Advocates and one dozen lesson books. I mailed it with money enclosed as I went to evening meeting. Brother Hill preached. I was introduced to Mr. And Mrs. Murphy by J. D. Stevens after meeting. 12/04 Cloudy and foggy all day. We finished up what work there was to do at the shop today for the remainder of the week, as Mr. Crofut is to take an inventory and also thanksgiving days coming on Thursday. A Hatters' Meeting in the evening to elect delegates to a special session of the National Hat Finishers' Association to be held in New York On Wednesday. I attended the meeting. As I came home from work tonight, I made some arrangements with Ed Dunning to go hunting tomorrow, should the day be pleasant. Before I retired, I salted sown my beef. 12/05 TUESDAY - Pleasant but colder. Ed Dunning and myself went hunting; was gone all day; game scarce. He got one partridge only and I got nothing. We went to Middle, Thomas and Moses Mountains, to Sugar Hollow, Wolfe's Pond, Mill Plain Swamp and Pond, then across on this farm north of Terry's and home. George went to Newton with sifters. I went to market in the evening. I called at Judd's and got my money where I told George Benjamin (who drew it for me) to leave it. I paid Mr. Judd $9.92 for soap which I bought October 23rd. 12/06 WEDNESDAY - A lovely day. After breakfast I walked over to Mr. Lynes' place to see Mr. Cocking about going hinting on Friday. In the P.M. Mrs. Stevens and Murphy came and Jesse and Mr. Murphy came to tea. They all stayed in the evening. Fanny, Harriet and Mother Griswold came down in the evening to visit with us. George took in some walnuts for a sifter today and I shall buy some of them. I cracked a few of them in the evening, which with some apples served up very nicely. 12/07 THURSDAY - Thanksgiving Day proclaimed by both Governor Buckingham and President Johnson. Ad I woke it was snowing hard; it turned to a fine mist about 10 o'clock. There were about 3 or 4 inches of snow fall. I tried both barrels of my gun this morning with No.5 and 6 shot by shooting at a mark on Father Griswold's barn. I was much pleased with way it threw the shot. George came down and harnessed his horse and went into the street to do a little trading before meeting time. The sermon was preached by Brother Hill in the 1st church. I went to church while Gussie did some ironing. As I went I mailed a letter to Carlton & Porter with the balance of the bill enclosed for Lesson Books. I wrote the letter yesterday, but company prevented mailing it. Between 1 and 2 o'clock George came with the horse and carried us all up home to eat dinner. After dinner at about 4 o'clock, I rode over to Mr. Lyne's to see Robert Cocking about hunting tomorrow. We concluded that it would be too wet with so much snow on the ground and gave up going. I went down to Ed Sanford's and got Bell where she was by invitation from Minnie Sanford to eat dinner. She left me at home and drove up to her house alone. I prepared the feed for the horse and George drove down with Georgie and Gussie. It snowed hard again in the P.M.; it cleared off in the evening. There have been a number of sleighs out today, the first of the season. 12/08 FRIDAY - A beautiful day; the sun has shone warm and there has been no wind. The merry sleigh bells have been jingling quite lively today. Immediately after dinner George came down and he took Mother Griswold and Gussie with the baby over to spend the afternoon with Mrs. Cocking. I walked over and from there George and I went over to Mill Plain to get his boots which he ordered to be made a while ago at a Mr. _____, but he had not made them so we returned a and he bought a pair at Charles H. Reed's. As we went over I called at Charles Fowler's and paid him the small amount due him for my last summer's butter. After George prepared the feed for his horse, he went home and I drove over to Robert Cocking's from Mother Griswold and Gussie. I took my gun over and we tried his with mine at a mark, after which he shot a pigeon and told me to shoot another; he gave them to me. We stayed to tea and then came home. I stabled the horse and went to market in the evening. 12/09 SATURDAY - Pleasant in the morning. Mother came over after dinner and spent the P.M. over to John Brayman's and stayed to tea. Gussie being over there, John came over for me when tea was ready. After tea, Mother came home with Gussie intending to spend the evening with us, but it commenced snowing, so I harnessed old Jim and took her home. John came over and went to market with me. I sold him my heavy grained leather boots and bought a pair of rubber boots at O.M. Benedict's. In the P.M., I put a hook and staple on the stable door and repaired my inside cellar door to make it shut tight. 12/10 SUNDAY - Pleasant; the additional snow which fell last evening about all melted away today. Gussie went to church in the morning and I to Sunday School and in the P.M. and in the evening; sacrament in the P.M. After tea, John Brayman harnessed the horse and drove to the cemetery with his wife and Gussie. Before retiring I wrote to Carlton & Porter ordering another copy of the Sunday School Advocate. 12/11 MONDAY - Pleasant. As I went to the shop in the morning, I mailed the letter I wrote last evening to Carlton & Porter with 30 cents enclosed for another copy of the Sunday School Advocate. George did Mother's washing today. He received by evening mail a letter from E.C. Andrews of New Haven about selling sifters in Fairfield County as he had a chance to sell some. He asked for directions about selling them if George would allow him to sell them at all. John Brayman came over and went downtown with me in the evening. 12/12 TUESDAY - Warm; cloudy in the morning; it began to rain in the P.M. I worked in the shop until I could see no longer. Fanny came in while we were at tea from a trip of collecting sinking fund money and as her folks were through tea, she too tea with us. It being stormy, I did not go into the street in the evening. 12/13 WEDNESDAY - There was scarcely any snow to be seen this morning the day has been pleasant. Warm in the morning but grew colder towards night. I left my rubbers at O.M. Benedict's Shoe Store to be mended as I went to work in the morning. I got them as I came home at night. Louise came down and took tea with us, Father Griswold's folks being all up at Bartram's to tea. 12/14 THURSDAY - Pleasant but cooler. I worked as usual in the shop. A special Hatters' Meeting this evening to hear the report of the delegates to the special session of the National Convention. I being very tired, besides having a lame knee (the rheumatism, I think), also having to scald my beef brine, I did not attend. I stayed at home and let Gussie go to market as she wanted to go to the dry goods store. 12/13 FRIDAY - Pleasant and cold. I rose this morning with the headache which increased so that I was compelled to leave the shop and come home in the afternoon. I could eat no supper and retired about 7 o'clock leaving Louise Vintz to stay with Georgie while Gussie went to the Sewing Society at Mrs. Nickerson's. 12/16 SATURDAY - Very Cold this morning, the coldest thus far this winter. Not feeling very strong, I went late to the shop. George called at the shop to see me in the forenoon. He borrowed Mr. Judd's hay cutter and cut up a lot of hay for the horse. We were paid off in the P.M. Before leaving the factory, I bought a Black Brim Spring Hat for George -price $1.25. It was a $3.00 hat but was slightly damaged which I repaired making it almost perfect. I stayed with Georgie in the evening and let Gussie got to the store. There has been good skating and has been for several days on the pond. 12/17 SUNDAY - A little sunshine in the morning, but it soon became cloudy with the appearance of snow in the after part of the day and in the evening. I felt about sick during the day, a bad state of the stomach and head. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School and came home after the session feeling too sick to stay in the P.M. Both my assistants, Ed Barnum and James Parmalee were absent from Sunday School. I got George and William Warren to distribute books in their places. I could eat no supper. After tea, I went with Gussie and the baby over to John Brayman's for a few minutes. Mother Griswold stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie and I to go together to church. As we went I mailed a letter to Carlton & Porter ordering two copies more of the Sunday School Advocate and included 60 cents for them. Georgie walked alone for the first time today. 12/18 MONDAY - Cloudy all day and commenced snowing about 10 o'clock in the evening. Before breakfast I had John Brayman take the horse over to McDonald's to be shod. George not having shown himself or brought any feed for the horse today, I went into the street in the evening and bought enough for his supper and breakfast and ordered 100 lbs. to be brought tomorrow. I put some coal clinker and slate in the stable in the evening and then went into Mr. Pond's barn and mended my coal riddle. I retired at 11 12 o'clock. Gussie did her washing today for the first in a long time. 12/19 TUESDAY - Snow enough to whiten the ground this morning. Cloudy with more or less rain during the day. Before I went to work this morning the feed for the horse which I engaged last evening came. I worked as usual all day in the shop. I went into the street in the evening and bought a ring and staple to put on the horse's manger in which to fasten the halter. I also paid for rubber boots at O.M. Benedict's which I bought about a week ago. I put the ring on the manger before retiring. 12/20 WEDNESDAY - Clear sky in the morning but it soon clouded over and remained so all day. It commenced snowing about 8 o'clock. Gussie and George rode down to Bethel to see Mr. Davis' folks after dinner and stayed to tea. After I came home from the shop at night and while waiting for Gussie to get home, I mended the horse's manger. Mrs. Daniel Starr and little girl called in the evening. I went to market and brought home a new burner for my lantern. 12/21 THURSDAY - Snow and rain last night which made the snow wet and heavy. There as about 2 inches of snow fell last night. I t came off clear and pleasant about 7 o'clock this morning. The wind rose in a short time and blew furiously all day and grew cold. The snow was frozen hard before night. George called at the shop to see me for a few minutes in the forenoon. George came in after tea and before going to meeting, wrote at my secretary a letter to a merchant, Johnson by name, in Newtown about sifters; also to E.C. Andrews about the new pattern of sifters. I went to market and directly home again in the evening. 12/22 FRIDAY - Pleasant with the exception of a snow squall before dinner; very cold last night and today. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea Georgie burned his hand with a hot poker. Gussie went into the street in the evening and bought some Christmas toys for the baby lettered blocks and lamb of rubber and a bell. 12/23 SATURDAY - Very cold last night; pleasant today and warmer than yesterday. As I went to work this morning, I ordered 3 bushels of oats at Crofut's Feed Store. The men made a purse of $6.25 and gave to Elijah Foot as a Christmas present. He is an old man just able to get around with a basket on his arm and sells pie and cake at the shop. The old man in his gratitude shed tears and said 'God bless you all.' Willie Hurd being in Danbury on a visit called at the shop to see me this P.M. George went to Stapleburg's foul shop to work this morning learning to finish hats. He made a commencement yesterday afternoon. He went to Brewster's Station this evening to a party with Sarah Purdy. 12/24 SUNDAY - we rose about 7 o'clock and it was snowing; it continued until about 11 o'clock when it turned to rain and stormed hard all day. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went to Sunday School and to meeting (which was a prayer meeting) in the P.M. Benedict Starr was there and spent some time in talking and singing with the School. He also took an active part in the prayer meeting in the P.M. we did not go out in the evening. The moon and stars shone before we retired. George got home from Brewster about 2 o'clock this morning. 12/25 MONDAY - Christmas - Rode over to Theo Lyon's and bought 6 sheaves of straw and paid him $11.25 for 15 bushels of potatoes he brought to me last fall. Shot Mother Griswold's cat; fired at target with Willie Hurd at Mr. Hurd's barn with pistols; paid Alden G. Crosby $24.50 balance of bill for coal. Mother, Gussie and I rode up to the cemetery to see new stone for John. David Mills called in the P.M. Gussie went over to John Brayman's in the evening. John came home with her. George lent his horse after dinner to Mr. Squire's to go to bethel; he returned prior to our going to the cemetery. 12/26 TUESDAY - Cloudy, foggy and misty with a little rain in the evening. Father Griswold's folks had their Christmas dinner today. We had an invitation. Gussie and the baby went. I stayed at work in the shop and took tea with them in the evening. Gussie bought two barrels of charcoal today. I went to market in the evening. While in the street, saw Mr. Witherspoon and paid him 5 months Hatters' dues up to January 10th, 1866. 12/27 WEDNESDAY - Stormy until just at night when it cleared off. Sunday School festival in the P.M. and sinking fund gathering in the evening. The Annual Sinking Fund Meeting. Gussie and I attended in the evening though I had a headache. Bell and Louise stayed with the baby. I gave the 25 cents each. Father Griswold sick. 12/28 THURSDAY - Stormy until in the evening when it broke. Gussie is sick with a cold and rheumatism. Father Griswold is also sick. I went for the doctor before breakfast for him. Gussie not feeling able to get breakfast, I ate up to Father Griswold's. I had the headache again this P.M but got over it after tea. I went to market and home early. I made two lure (?) covers before retiring. 12/29 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Father went to Newtown for George to fill an order for sifters. Read a letter from Edwin written on Christmas day. We had roasted oysters for supper. I went to market in the evening. 12/30 SATURDAY - Snow all day; cleared off in the evening. Went to market in the evening. Bought a record book for a journal. Swept paths before retiring. 12/31 SUNDAY - Pleasant; good sleighing. Baby sick. Went for the doctor after tea. Gussie did not attend church. I went in the A.M. and to Sunday School; came home in the P.M.; both home in the evening.
1865-12
Western Connecticut State University