Horace Purdy Journal, April 1862 Entry
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APRIL 01 – TUESDAY – Pleasant and warm in the morning, but cloudy in the PM. I went over to Alfred Gregory’s before breakfast to pay my interest to him, but as Jarvis Hull is holding my note unbeknown to me, I did not pay it. Mr. Warren moved out and Father Griswold moved into my upper rooms today. I stayed home in the forenoon and helped them. The Griswold’s took dinner with us. I went to the shop in the PM. We were paid off, or nearly so. I received all that was due me - $18.00. I earned 6/ and came home. Father Griswold’s folks took tea with us again tonight as they were not settled upstairs. Father Griswold fooled some of us after he had returned from New York and I to pay him off for it and to pay him for making a fool of me four years ago about Mr. Hurd’s pin factory fooled him at the dinner table by giving him a bottle of turpentine to pour out a glass of cider from. I attended our hatters’ Meeting in the evening at the YMCA room. It was a lengthy session. I was home late. APRIL 02 – WEDNESDAY – Cloudy with the appearance of rain, but did not get any. I have worked all day in the shop. I went to market in the evening and to class. I paid $3.00 to Peter from seat rent. Abel’s baby, Josie, is very sick. Eddie fell out of his chair making his nose bleed and frightening his mother very much but not seriously hurting him. APRIL 03 – THURSDAY - Foggy in the morning, but the day has been very pleasant. I have worked all day in the shop. Mother came in while we were at tea and stayed until meeting time when Gussie went with her to prayer meeting, while I stayed at home to take care of Eddie. Abel and Harriet’s baby, Josie, is better today. APRIL 04 – FRIDAY – I have worked hard all day in the shop. Gussie went up home to tea and I went up when I came from work. We stayed in the evening to George’s surprise party. I paid Quartius Chichester 75 cents, which with 25 cents which he owed me paid for my lightening rod point. APRIL 05 -SATURDAY – Cloudy and cool in the morning. It began to rain about noon. I not feeling well, came home after dinner. I went into the street in the evening. It was starlight and the moon shone brightly before we retired. APRIL 06 – SUNDAY – Eddie has a bad cold and we feel somewhat concerned about him. I attended church in the morning and came home as usual after Sunday School to let Gussie attend. Brother Pegg preached from the latter clause of the 13th verse of the 11th chapter of Hebrews. It is his last Sabbath with us as Conference meets this week. Mother came in after tea and stayed until meeting time. I went. It was a prayer meeting and a good one, too. Charles Stevens was in the church in the PM and in the evening with his bride, which is his third wife. She is Reverend John Crawford’s daughter of Redding. APRIL 07 – MONDAY – I went to the shop in the morning and worked until 2 PM and then went down to the Courthouse to vote. I then came home to the raising of Father Griswold’s house. Ephraim Gregory called on me for the interest on the note of $400.00 to Alfred. I paid it, the money having been ready since the 1st of this month when it was due, but on account of it having been turned out to Jarvis Hull for security, it was not presented before. APRIL 08 – TUESDAY – Cloudy with snow in the PM and evening. I have worked as usual in the shop. After tea, we put up a basket of articles for Mrs. Theodore Brothwell, formerly Elizabeth Clark, an old Amenia classmate of Gussie’s. It was to return her joke of 4 years ago when we began keeping house. She was married about a year ago and has commenced housekeeping this spring. I carried the box over in the evening. We have had a telegraphic dispatch today that the rebels on Island No. 10 on the Mississippi River have surrendered to our forces. APRIL 09 – WEDNESDAY – Cooler and windy. I have worked in the shop. Cloudy in the forenoon, but the sun shone a little before night. Another dreadful battle at Pittsburg Landing in Tennessee. It lasted all day Sunday and Monday when the rebels were completely routed and made good their retreat towards Corinth, Mississippi and at last accounts, our cavalry were pursuing them. Their General-in-Chief, Albert Sidney Johnston was killed and General Beauregard has an arm shot off. Our losses in killed and wounded is reported at between 18,000 and 20,000 thousand. That of the enemy is over 8,000. (Note: actual total casualties were approximately 13,000 for the Union and 11,000 for the Confederacy) The report is likely exaggerated. Thirty-four guns were fired this evening in honor of the victory. APRIL 10 – THURSDAY- Cool and windy. I have worked in the shop as usual, although I have had a severe headache. E.S. Huntington was buried at 2 o’clock this PM. The accounts of the late battle at Pittsburgh Landing today gives the number of killed, wounded and missing as much less than last night’s account. It puts it as low as 5,000. Fanny stayed with Eddie in the evening, so that Gussie and I could attend the Prayer Meeting. APRIL 11 – FRIDAY – I have worked hard all day in the shop. I went into the street with George in the evening to get him a vest on an order of mine from Henry Crofut so that he could pay me the money. We selected one at Charles Stevens’. The price was $4.50. APRIL 12 – SATURDAY – On my way to the shop, I left a 5 gallon can at Benedict & Nichols to be filled with kerosene oil. It was filled and sent up. I got an order on Mr. Crofut for Charles Stevens and Hoyt to pay for George’s vest. Fanny took care of Eddie in the evening to let Gussie and I go into the street to call on Elizabeth Brothwell. She was not at home, so we went to Mr. Rowan’s and their we found her. APRIL 13 – SUNDAY – A beautiful day. It being Conference Sunday, Brother Woodruff was sent to preach for us. His text was Acts 20:35. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I came home after Sunday School and Gussie went in the PM. I went for Dr. Bulkley for Mother Griswold before evening meeting. Father and Mother came down and went to church with us in the evening. Brother Woodruff preached from John 21 and the words, “Simon Peter” in the second verse. It was an excellent sermon. He reviewed the traits and proclivities in the character of Peter and represented him as he was, a Christian hero. The church was crowded. He returns to Conference at Waterbury in the morning. Fanny took care of Eddie this evening so that we could both attend church. APRIL 14 – MONDAY – I worked as usual in the shop. The men were paid $5.00 each. In addition to the $5.00 cash. I also got an order on Benedict & Nichols for $5.00 more. Our Annual Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting for the election of officers was held this evening. I had to go to market which took so much time that I did not attend. This morning before breakfast, I grafted two of my cherry trees. APRIL 15 – TUESDAY – I have not felt very much like work today. I came home early. Mother and Mrs. Cyrus White were here in the PM. Mrs. White took tea upstairs with Mother Griswold and Mother went home before tea. I was last evening elected Secretary and treasurer of our Sunday School Society. I am undecided as yet about accepting. APRIL 16 – WEDNESDAY – I have worked as usual in the shop. Mr. B. Bradley brought the Secretary Treasurer’s books to me at the shop today, I having been elected on Monday to those offices in our Sunday School Society. I was pretty tired when I came home from work. Father Griswold came home from the Conference on the evening train. Gussie went over to Cousin Frank Boughton’s in the evening and stayed very late. I rocked the cradle and drew up a new Sunday School Teachers’ roll. APRIL 17 – THURSDAY – Pleasant and very warm for the time of the year. I worked in the shop as usual. I came home from work a little earlier than usual on account of company. Hannah Gregory and Elizabeth Clark, as it used to be, now Mrs. Theodore Brothwell. We had a pleasant visit with them. They stayed a while in the evening and then Gussie went as far as the Post Office with them. I received another good letter from Cousin David Mills. A part of it was dated at Winchester and a part at Edinburgh, Virginia. APRIL 18 – FRIDAY – Fast Day. The shop has been closed and I have worked around home repairing walks, etc. In the PM, Abel came and took up the two cherry trees north of my house which I gave to him. I helped him transplant them in his yard. After tea, Father Griswold and I drew the line for the stone work to be built on the west of my garden joining him. I took care of Eddie in the evening to let Gussie go to the store to do some trading. APRIL 19 – SATURDAY – Mr. and Mrs. Staples were buried this afternoon at 4 o’clock. William Witherspoon and John Pollett came home with me this afternoon. Witherspoon came for some black currants. APRIL 20 – SUNDAY – Cloudy and a little rain. The sun shone a little just at night. This is the first Sunday of the new conference year, being the only one in the year in which Father Griswold will be home on unless something special happens. He preached for us in the morning from Luke, 2nd chapter on the words, “on Earth peace”, from the 14th verse. He preached for Mr. Stone in the Baptist church in the PM. I acted in my new capacity as secretary of the Sunday School for the first time at noon. Our new minister, Brother Crawford, preached for us in the PM. His text was 1st Peter 1:3. Isabell came home with me at noon to take care of Eddie so that Gussie and I could go to church in the afternoon. Father, Mother and Bell were with us to tea. They stayed until evening meeting time when I went with them, Gussie staying at home to take care of Eddie. APRIL 21 – MONDAY – Stormy. I have worked as usual in the shop. George left $4.50 with Gussie this afternoon to pay me for a vest which I bought for him at Charles Stevens on an order from Henry Crofut. APRIL 22 – TUESDAY – rainy in the morning. I having to wait for a block, just before noon, I took my dinner pail and came home to dinner and then went back again in the PM. Two men (Irish) came just before dark and dug up an apple tree in my yard for John Pollett which I sold him last Saturday. I received a letter from Cousin Charley Mils this PM. He is in the army near Yorktown, Virginia, expecting a battle with the rebels soon. I answered it in the evening. Also wrote another to his brother, David, in General Banks’ division. APRIL 23 – WEDNESDAY – Windy and colder. It has been quite March-like. I left the shop about 3 o’clock to have a ton of coal put in my cellar (Lackawanna). I went to class in the evening. Brother McDonald led in the absence of Peter. APRIL 24 – THURSDAY – A little cool, but pleasant. I came home to my dinner for the first time in a long while. I received 6 ½ dozen Sunday School class books from New York for the school. I got Mr. Crofut’s order for $6.50 and gave it to Sherman Disbrow for a ton of coal which he put in my cellar yesterday. I came home from work very tired. Gussie went to market for me in the evening. APRIL 25 – FRIDAY - I have worked as usual in the shop. I went to market in the evening. George persuaded me to visit an association which Aaron Morehouse, he and others are organizing for the temporal and spiritual benefit of the young men of the town. I found that I had been proposed for membership and was to be initiated which I consented to. APRIL 26 – SATURDAY – We had quite a heavy frost last night although it has been pleasant and quite warm in the middle of the day. I was pretty tired when I stopped work tonight. On my way home, I bought a pair of shoes, price, $2.00. I got them at Elias Sanford’s I called at David Hanford’s and paid him one dollar for a pair of rubbers which I bought one year ago when I went away to the war. I burned up the rubbish on my garden before tea. I went into the street in the evening to get something for our breakfast. APRIL 27 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. Gussie went to Love Feast at 9 o’clock this morning and stayed to hear Elder W. Hoyt preach in the forenoon. I did not get to Sunday School in time to call the roll. Brother Crawford preached in the PM from Isaiah 28:16. Bell came down at 6 o’clock and went to evening meeting with Gussie while I stayed home to take care of Eddie. APRIL 28 – MONDAY – Peter Rowan and his man, Andrew Gould, came this morning to lay up the stonework west of my garden between Father Griswold and me. I paid Moses Baxter to help them. I age my order to Abel for the material to build my woodhouse. I worked until nearly 7 o’clock in the shop. When I came home it was cloudy and misty with a prospect of rain. APRIL 29 – TUESDAY – Cloudy with some rain in the middle of the day and in the PM, but it cleared away just at night. I bought a box of herring from a peddler at the shop. They cost me only 30 cents. I went into the street in the evening to get a loaf of bread. APRIL 30 – WEDNESDAY – On my way to the shop, I carried a gallon jug to Mr. Rowan to have some ale brought up to me. I came home at noon. Mother was with us to dinner. Harriet and Gussie went down to Retton’s this afternoon to get their pictures taken with their babies. I worked in the shop until about 7 o’clock and consequently, it was late before I got my supper. I went down to the Post Office after tea to mail a letter for Father Griswold and one to Cousin Phebe Palmer in Stamford written by bell. It is her first letter. Bailey’s Circus showed here this afternoon and evening.
1862-04
Horace Purdy Journal, May 1862 Entry
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MAY 01 – THURSDAY – Mr. Baxter came this morning to build my woodhouse. It began to rain at noon so that he could do nothing in the PM. I went to market in the evening and brought home a gallon of ale from John Rowan’s. I intend to take a little of it every day and see if I gain a little strength and flesh. MAY 02 – FRIDAY – Stormy. I have worked all day in the shop although I have suffered with the headache. The men in the shop having concluded to take no more orders and that we have our pay in cash hereafter as other journeymen are getting in other establishments, the shop hands were called together at Mr. Crofut’s request to hear his proposition which he would make to the men. He proposed to pay us 3 or 5 dollars as he could on Monday and every two weeks thereafter to pay us off in full. But what he now owed the men he wanted to pay off as he could for a while to come. He thought he could probably pay in a few weeks. The proposition was unanimously accepted by the men. He further said that he would like to have us take orders if we could make it convenient to do so for the amount now due us. Father Griswold settled up with Mr. Edward Warren today and reserved according to agreement when he went to work $12.00 which he owed me towards home rent. I charged Father Griswold the money to go towards what I owe him. I took care of Eddie in the evening to let Gussie go to market and to the milliners. MAY 03 – SATURDAY – After I finished my work at the shop, I went over to Mr. Lynes’ and bought two evergreen trees. His hired man having to go to the cars for Mr. Lynes, he brought me and the trees home. I set them immediately. I paid 25 cents each. I received a letter from Cousin Charles Mills who is in the army near Yorktown under general McClellan. Enclosed was his and his brother’s picture taken on a card. MAY 04 – SUNDAY – Pleasant. I went to church in the morning as usual. Brother Wooley, late chaplain of the 8th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers under General Burnside in North Carolina, preached for us from Romans 11:3. After Sunday School was out, I came home and Gussie attended in the PM. Father and Mother came down after tea and went to hear Mr. Wooley give a lecture in the evening on the war and his experiences as chaplain at the battles of Roanoke Island and New Berne. He is lecturing and taking collections to procure chaplains’ tents and books and good reading matter for soldiers The two Presbyterian and Baptist churches closed their churches and assembled in mass at our church to hear the lecture. The house was filled to overflowing. Mother Griswold took care of the baby so that Gussie and I could attend. It was very interesting. Mr. Gilbert, the carpenter, lost a boy about 5 years old last night with Scarlet Fever. MAY 05 – MONDAY – Showers all day with some very heavy thunder. I had some words with John Pollett about a shilling I owed him when making change for an apple tree I sold him on the 19th of last month. I paid him the shilling twice on account of his forgetting that I had paid him the first time. I paid him the second time Saturday evening just before we left the shop. I told him that I had paid him twice and he called me a liar. I believe that he was honest in thinking that he had not paid me previously, he having forgotten it completely and he being naturally very impulsive and quick tempered, I made allowances accordingly, thinking that he would feel ashamed of it after he got cool and was able to think about calmly. It was hard work for me to submit to such abuse, but I did and thereby avoided a quarrel which I am now very thankful for. After work, I went up to his house for some Dahlia roots. We have had news today that the rebels have evacuated Yorktown and the cannon has been fired in the street during the PM and evening. I mailed a letter to Cousin Charles Mills this evening who is in the army at Yorktown. Moses Baxter has been at work today building my woodhouse. MAY 06 – TUESDAY -Showery again today. The atmosphere s cooler after the thunder. Moses Baxter completed my woodhouse today. His bill was $2.75. I paid him $2.00. MAY 07 – WEDNESDAY –Pleasant, but quite windy, very much like March. Before and after tea, I worked around my woodhouse, finishing it off, etc. MAY 08 – THURSDAY - I stayed at home today and worked in my garden leveling off from the new stone work, picking up stones, etc. I also moved my woodhouse about a foot and a half further front. Gussie went downtown in the forenoon and bought her a new black silk dress pattern. I went to market in the evening and bought a shad and sent it up home by George for Father Griswold as a present. MAY 09 – FRIDAY – It has been warmer today. This is the anniversary of the departure for Washington of the 1st Regiment for the state for three months. We broke camp after 4 PM and marched to Long Wharf in New Haven and went on board off the steamer, “Bienville”. We waited for high water until about 10 o’clock when we sailed. I have not felt like work today. I left off early and came home with harry to graft off two little apple trees. Gussie and I went up home in the evening. I carried another hat to Father. MAY 10 – SATURDAY – Pleasant and warm, but very windy. Father finished planting his potato toes today on Father Griswold’s new plowed ground around hid house. After tea, I set out a new bed of strawberries. Gussie went into the street in the evening. MAY 11 – SUNDAY – Pleasant, but cooler. I went to church as usual in the morning. Gussie went in the PM. It was the Sacrament Service. Brother Crawford preached in the morning from Matthew 13:3-8. I went to church in the evening. Mother came down and went with me. Brother Crawford preached from Mark, 10th chapter, first clause of the 21st verse. MAY 12 – MONDAY – Father has been to work for me today making the garden. I stayed at home and helped. We have had glorious war news. Norfolk was taken by General Wood’s forces. The rebel iron-clad war steamer which has caused us so much anxiety and our navy no little trouble has been blown up by the rebels to prevent it from falling into our hands. The bells have been ruing and the cannon fired as usual on the receipt of good war news. I attended teachers Meeting in the evening. I copied the minutes before retiring. One year ago today, our regiment (the 1st Connecticut for three months) landed at the arsenal yard in the city of Washington. MAY 13 – TUESDAY – Warm, muggy and very smoky. Father has worked for me again today. I went to the shop, but there being a great deal of waiting for work, I came home again and worked in my garden. We went up to John Cosier’s in the evening. Gussie brought home some house plants and I a jug of cider. One year ago today, our regiment marched from the arsenal yard in Washington up through the city to our first camp since we left Connecticut. We named it Camp Buckingham in honor of our Governor. MAY 14 – WEDNESDAY – We were stinted at the shop today on 2 dozen 6/ hats. I came home early and planted potatoes, corn and peas in my garden. Father has worked for me again today spading my garden. Burr Bradley came home with me to get some lettuce to set out. I started pretty late for class. As I was going in the church door, the class members were going out. They said that there was no class because there was no one there to lead it, not a male member being present. MAY 15 – THURSDAY – Father finished spading my garden this noon. On account of being limited on work at the shop, I came home early. I was very much satisfied, since my head ached so much that I was willing to quit. It has been very warm. I planted some more seeds in my garden just before dark. While doing it, Mr. Filly from Ridgefield called with Isaac Smith to see Father Griswold’s folks. Gussie is severely afflicted with a swelling under her arm and besides, she has had a sick headache today. She was not able to get tea, so we took tea upstairs with Mother Griswold. MAY 16 – FRIDAY – We were stinted again in the shop today thought it took me until dark to get it up. I received a letter from Cousin David Mills from the Connecticut 5th Regiment, General Banks’ division, near Harrisburg, Virginia. Old Father Wildman, as we call him, brought me 30 beanpoles which I had previously engaged. MAY 18 – SATURDAY – I have worked as usual in the shop I received 30 No. 2 catechisms from New York through Starr & Smith for the Sunday School. The bill was36 cents. I called and paid it in the evening. I bought a shad from Raymond’s in the evening weighing 4 lbs., 6 ounces and got trusted for it until Monday. After tea, I set may beanpoles but did not plant the beans. MAY 18 – SUNDAY – I went to church as usual in the morning. Brother Crawford gave us a good sermon from the last clause of the 4st verse of the 3rd chapter of Ezra. He particularly exhorted us to the faithful discharge of every duty each day as these duties presented themselves and not to defer them until these duties stand up before us a great mountain of Christian duties neglected. It was applicable to all and I am sure it cannot fail to accomplish some good. I came home after Sunday School and Gussie attended in the PM. At 4 ½ o’clock, I met with the Sunday School at the church and at 5 o’clock, we assembled with the 1st and 2nd Congregational and the Baptist schools at the 1st Congregational church where we had an interesting time. Singing by the children and speeches by the several pastors and superintendents. I stayed at home in the evening and Gussie went to church. MAY 19 – MONDAY – I planted my lima beans and set out my dahlias this morning and I was consequently late in getting to the shop. It rained a little before noon, but the ground being very dry, there was not enough of it to do much good. We are still limited in our work in the shop. After work, I went up to Mr. Witherspoon’s to get some early York cabbage plants and came home and transplanted them. His boy came home with me to get some lettuce plants. I set out some more myself, sowed some more radishes and some red Dutch cabbage seed and some broad leaf cress or some pepper grass. I paid Charles Bell for the hoe I bought of him last week this morning on my way to the shop. I went into the street in the evening and paid Avery Raymond also for a shad which I bought of him last Saturday – 35 cents. I received a letter from Cousin Charles Mills in the army under McClellan pressing on and near to the rebel capital of Richmond, Virginia. Father Griswold came home in the evening. MAY 20 – TUESDAY – I had work to the amount of $2.50 today. On my way home, I stopped at Charles Hull’s and had a piece of glass cut to put over Charles and David Mills’ picture in a frame. I went over to Mrs. McDonald’s and paid my milk bill - $1.40. I answered Cousin Charles Mills’ letter in the evening. Gussie went into the street in the evening and by Mother’s request ordered a bag of flour ($1.08) on my account to be sent up home and to be taken out of what I owe Father for gardening. MAY 21 – WEDNESDAY – Cloudy and just at night misty with a little rain. George Fenner came up with me when I came home from work. We walked around my premises and Father Griswold’s and went up into the cupola of his new house. I wrote a letter to Cousin David mills of the 5th Connecticut Regiment, General Banks’ division near Harrisburg, Virginia and went down in the evening to mail it with one to Charles which I wrote last night and a Danbury Times to each of them. I then went to market after which it was too late to go to class meeting and I came home. Father came down this morning before I went to work and I settled with him for the gardening, etc. MAY 22 – THURSDAY – A thunder shower last night. Cloudy in the morning, but it soon came off pleasant and warm. Gussie went to the store in the evening and I stayed with Eddie and wrote to the Book Room ordering 47 copies of the Teachers’ Journal and enclosing $7.00 to pay for them for one year. MAY 23 – FRIDAY – Pleasant. I have worked in the shop as usual. I hoed out my strawberries after tea. In the evening, I went downtown and mailed the letter which I wrote last night to the Book Room ordering 47 copies of the Teachers’ Journal for the Sunday School and enclosed $7.00 to pay for the subscriptions for one year. MAY 24 SATURDAY – Cool but pleasant. I took off some old boards on the backside of my wood house and nailed some new ones in place of them. Theodore put me on Black work today. I went to market in the evening. I brought home two glass cones for my lamp and some porgies for breakfast. MAY 25 – SUNDAY – Pleasant but cool. Warmer just at night. Frost this morning. I attended church this morning. Brother Crawford preached from 1st Timothy 2:1-2. After Sunday School, I came home and Gussie went in the PM. Bell came down after tea and she and Louisa took care of Eddie while Gussie took a walk up to the cemetery with Cousin Mary Purdy. I did some writing in the Sunday School’s Secretary & Treasurer’s Book as usual and walked around the premises. Thomas Barnum called and we went around Father Griswold’s new house and then I walked up to his house with him. Previous to this, Phineas Lounsbury, while walking out from his house in their back lot next to Father Griswold’s premises came over in my yard where I was and we went into the new house after which he went to the 5 ½ o’clock prayer meeting. I went to prayer meeting in the evening. Mother came in from meeting to my house for Bell who stayed with Gussie in the evening. MAY 26 – MONDAY – Cool but pleasant. The country is pretty well aroused over the retreat of General Banks for Harrisburg, Virginia back to Maryland crossing the Potomac at Williamsport. The rebel Thomas Jackson who pursues him has been strongly reinforced. On my way home from the shop, I went to Robinson’s and brought home my clock which he has been cleaning. When putting on the pendulum when I got home, I broke the pendulum wire and in the evening, I took it back again. MAY 27 – TUESDAY – Stormy. I set out some tomato plants this morning. I worked in the shop all day. I came home by way of Robinson’s Jewelry Store and brought home my clock which he had been cleaning. MAY 28 – WEDNESDAY- I stayed at home in the forenoon and cut through the wall and floor to lay a foundation for a new chimney in our sink room. It has been cloudy with drizzling rain in the forenoon. Brother Crawford made us a pastoral call in the AM. Pleasant in the PM. I went to the shop. I went to class in the evening. Brother John Cosier led it. MAY 29 – THURSDAY – Pretty cold last night. A heavy frost in some places this morning, although my garden escaped injury. Gussie went up home in the PM and I went up to tea. Mother gave us a nice pail of milk to take home with us. After we got home, I went downtown to get something for breakfast. Eddie is nine months old today. MAY 30 – FRIDAY – I have worked all day in the shop. We have had a new block come today, called the “Bomb Shell Block”. Daniel Manly gave me a new and very early variety of potatoes. I brought them home and planted them to get the seed. I made 13 hills of them. I went into the street with Gussie in the evening. We called to see Mr. John Rowan who has been blind for years and has been to New York to have his eyes operated on. His sight is greatly improved. He is going again. We have news today of the evacuation of Corinth by the rebels under Beauregard. MAY 31 – SATURDAY – I have worked in the shop as usual. On my way home, I bought a sheet iron thimble for the sink room chimney which I am to have built. I brought home a bottle of ale from Randell’s to try before purchasing a dozen bottles which I am thinking of doing. It is a benefit to me to drink a little each day if I can get that which is good. This has been highly recommended to me. I have bought a blank book in which to keep an account of all the money I expend. I shall commence tomorrow
1862-05