Creator

Purdy, Horace, 1835-1909

Title

Horace Purdy Journal, June 1862 Entry

Date

1862-06

Description

7pgs

Subject

Danbury (Conn.) -- History.

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal Narratives.

Bennetts Store

Bethel (Conn.)

Bloomfield CT

Boughton Family

Brother Crawford

Burr Bradley

Canton (Conn.)

Captain James Moore

Charles Hull

Charles Mason

Charles Mills

Danbury Times

David Manley

David Mills

Elyria OH

Father Griswold

Frank Boughton

George Bradley

George Purdy

George Starr

Harriet Mills

Hartford (Conn.)

Hatters' Association

John Bouton

John Brush

John Crosier

John Pollett

John Rowan

Maria Mills

Mary Purdy

Mother Griswold

Mr. Hurd

Randall and Bradley's Store

Stevens and Hoyt

Theodore Flagler

William Bradley

Publisher

Western Connecticut State University

Abstract

JUNE 01 – SUNDAY – Stormy. I went to church in the morning. Brother Crawford preached from the 4th of Acts, the last clause of the 33rd verse, “And a great grace was upon them all.” I came home at noon and Gussie went, as usual, in the PM. Louisa stayed with Eddie in the evening and we both went to Prayer Meeting. JUNE 02 – MONDAY – Very warm and sultry. A subscription fund was started to assist Henry Ledger to go to England for his health. I gave $1.00. Another also to help Josiah Broas. I gave 25 cents for that. It has been pay day at the shop. I drew $25.00. John Brush and Theodore Flagler went off after dinner and returned to the shop to get their pay. Both were very intoxicated. John, as usual when drunk, was ugly. Burr Bradley came home with me for some tomato plants. I hoed garden as long as I could see and then went to market. A hard thunder shower just as I got home. Aunt Harriet and cousins Mina and Harriet came up on the morning train and stayed to dinner with Gussie. Before taking the train in the PM for Bethel, they came to the shop to see me. Bell went down with them for a ride and returned again by the evening train. News today of two fights near Richmond. The rebels attacked us each time (Saturday and Sunday) and were repulsed by the bayonet with terrible losses. Our losses were also heavy. JUNE 03 – TUESDAY - Sunshine and showers. I worked in the shop until after 7 o’clock. I was consequently late to tea. Charles Mason brought me a bottle of ale as I ordered from Randell’s. I went to market in the evening and bought a shad and divided it with Father Griswold. JUNE 04 – WEDNESDAY – It rained hard and steady all day. A. Hodinott, taken by the rebels at Bull Run on the 21st of July last, arrived home on the morning train and Isaac Jennings in the evening. Another letter by this evening’s mail from Charles Mills near Richmond under McClellan. JUNE 05 – THURSDAY – Cloudy and misty in the morning, but it came off clear and pleasant before night. We had a telegraphic dispatch at the shop in the forenoon of the continued retreat by the rebels from Corinth, Tennessee. The complete demoralization and breaking up of their army. General Beauregard told them to think for themselves. Ten thousand have been taken prisoner by our army under Halleck; also 15,000 stands of arms. Cousin Mary Taylor, who died yesterday, was buried today. We did not learn of the time of the funeral in time to attend and that, we found out through others. They did not send us word, not even that Mary was dead until it was too late to get ready to go. JUNE 06 – FRIDAY – Parsons sent George Bradley to build my chimney. I stayed home from the shop to tend to masonry. Gussie, Fanny and Mother started for Hartford in the PM. Cousin Hart Purdy helped me by helping the masons, etc. I paid him 25 cents for what he did. I mowed my door yard. JUNE 07 – SATURDAY – I got up this morning old bachelor-like and got my own breakfast. I went to the shop and finished off the work I had out and then came home, there being no more work to do. In the PM, I got the grass off my yard and flailed it off for manure. After I had got my lonely tea again. I took some clothes up home for Mother to wash next week. I took a pail with me and brought home some milk. I went to the Post Office and to Singing School for a while. George came home under my umbrella with me so that he could borrow it to go home with as it has rained since the shower which came up about 7 o’clock. JUNE 08 – SUNDAY – A cold rain. Wife and baby being absent; I have been able to attend church all day. Brother Crawford preached in the morning. I sat in the choir. Sunday School Prayer Meeting at noon and sacrament service in the PM, at which Mr. Crawford gave us what he called a family talk about supporting the Singing Society and keeping up the finances of the church, etc. I went up home for tea. I wrote a letter to Cousin Charley Mills in the army. I sent him a Danbury Times also. I attended church in the evening. Brother Crawford preached from Matthew 12:30. Brother Bradley being absent, I passed the basket for collections. JUNE 09 – MONDAY – Pleasant, but cool for the season. I have worked in the shop. I picked our first mess of strawberries for tea. I ate them alone in my glory, there being no one home but Prince, the cat. I went to Teachers’ meeting in the evening. JUNE 10 – TUESDAY – I overslept this morning. I got my breakfast and after eating it, I went to the shop without stopping to wash my dishes for the first time since Gussie went away. After I came from my work in the shop, I hoed in my garden while the tea kettle was boiling. Harriet sent over some stewed currants for my tea. While I was eating, Able came over and partially fixed the tin around my new chimney. He could not complete it as it required a tinner to do some soldering. I hoed in my garden as long as I could see and then went into the street to the Post Office and to get something for my breakfast. I came home and washed up the dirty dishes, trimmed the lamps, etc., which kept me busy until about 10 o’clock. JUNE 11 - WEDNESDAY – I cooked potatoes, ham and eggs and coffee for my breakfast. On my way to the shop, I stopped at Charles Hull’s and sent a tinner up to solder some tin around my new chimney. I left word with Abel to give directions about the work. I took down my fluid can and ordered a ½ gallon of fluid. On my way from the shop at night, I stopped at Hull’s and paid my bill for the work done in the morning around my chimney – 55cents. I got my tea over to Abel’s. A shower in the evening. I attended class in the evening. JUNE 12 – THURSDAY – A total eclipse of the moon at midnight last night. It has been pleasant and warmer, more like summer. We had but one dozen hats to do today. I got mine done just after dinner and came home. I paid Abel Parsons $1.50 for one day’s work done by his apprentice, George Bradley, in building my sink room chimney. I hoed in my garden, picked some strawberries and carried them up home where I took my tea and brought home a pail of milk. I brought home my washing which Mother has been doing for me. George came down with me and we went to prayer meeting in the evening. I called at Smith’s news office and paid a bill for the Sunday School for $4.38 for 2 dozen copies of the ”Theological Compendium” for the Bible Society. JUNE 13 - FRIDAY - Warm. I came home about 3 o’clock, having done my stint -$1.50. I put the first coat of paint around the tin on my new chimney. I hoed a little in the garden and then went into the street. I received a letter from Gussie, bought some meat for my breakfast and then came home. JUNE 14 – SATURDAY – Warm and pleasant. I finished my work at the shop about 3 o’clock. I brought home a hat which I had been getting up for George, also a china pink for Gussie from John Pollett’s. Mary Purdy came over while I was hoeing the garden just at night to borrow $1.25 until Monday to buy a pair of shoes. I let her have $2.00 as I could give her no less and give her the amount she wanted. I went into the street in the evening and balanced my account with Stevens & Hoyt. I bought a pair of suspenders for 38 cents. I came home and added to my letter to Gussie which I am to mail tomorrow to Canton Center. I also wrote to Father Griswold who is at Elyria in Lorain County, Ohio. It was 12 o’clock before I retired. JUNE 15 – SUNDAY – Rain early in the morning, but pleasant by meeting time. Brother Crawford preached a sermon to the Sunday School in the AM. In the PM, he preached from James 1:2. I went up home after meeting to tea. Mother gave me a pie and some cookies to take home. I finished my letter to Gussie and mailed it with one to Father Griswold who is in Elyria, Ohio. I took a walk over to William B. Bradley’s, but they were not home, so I walked back home again. I found Mother waiting for me. I unlocked the door and she stayed a short time. After she went away, I took a short nap on the lounge and then started for church. On the way, I met Captain Southmayd and lady. I had not seen home before since he came home. He is on a 30-day furlough. JUNE 16 – MONDAY – No work in the shop. I worked in my garden and on the woodhouse, putting on a ridge board. Captain Moore plastered my chimney in my sink room. I took dinner over to Abel’s. It being pay day; I went to the shop to get my money. I drew $17.00. I walked downtown in the evening and ordered ½ dozen Sunday School class books for the school and brought home some meat for Prince. JUNE 17 – TUESDAY – On my way to the shop this morning, I stopped at the jeweler’s and had one of the hands to my watch put in again. It had fallen off. He put it on in a few minutes and charged me nothing. I had but one dozen Nutrias – 12/. I finished them and came home about 4 o’clock. I picked some strawberries for my tea. Cousin Mary Purdy came over and helped me pick them and I gave her some to take home for tea. I went over to Abel’s to tea. I went to market in the evening and brought home a beefsteak for my breakfast tomorrow morning. JUNE 18 – WEDNESDAY – I rose rather late this morning, not expecting any work in the shop. I talked awhile on the walk in front of the house with Mr. Valentine while Edward Hull and his men were working the road and scraping dirt on top of the stones Father Griswold put on the road. I then went to the shop, but contrary to my expectations, I had a dozen hats weighed out to me amounting to 87 cents. After finishing them, I hoed in my garden until supper time when it began to rain. After supper, I wrote a letter to Cousin David Mills, 5th Connecticut Regiment, General Banks division, now in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. I sent him three sheets of letter paper and three envelopes with stamps upon them so that he could write to me. I did it because he and the whole regiment lost their knapsacks in the recent fight with the rebel General Jackson. I also wrote one to Gussie in Canton. I then went to the Office to mail them and found one from her to me. Mine was sealed, therefore I could not acknowledge the receipt of hers. It rained hard when I retired. JUNE 19 – THURSDAY – I have had work nearly all day in the shop. On my way home, I bought a bottle of porter to take home. I pulled out weeds in Gussie’s borders of plants and killed Prince. A hard thundershower in the evening at 7 ½ o’clock. JUNE 20 – FRIDAY – Pleasant in the morning after the thundershower of last evening. I have worked all day in the shop. I finished my letter to Gussie and mailed it in the evening. Old Mother Seymour died this morning at 2 o’clock. JUNE 21 – SATURDAY – I went to the shop and finished off some work which I had out. It lasted until 11 o’clock. I then went up to Comstock’s gun repairing shop with the chambers to my revolver to extract the point of a darning needle which I had broken off in one of the tubes. After accomplishing it, I started for home, stopping at Bennett’s store and walking up with Brother Barry. Old Mother Seymour was buried at 1 o’clock, but I did not get home in time to get ready and attend. Father came down in the afternoon to look at his potatoes. He helped me pick about 3 quarts of strawberries which I carried up home and stayed to tea. I brought home a pail of milk which I gave to Aunt Louisa. I went to the Post Office in the evening, walked up with John Cosier, left him at his house and called at Cousin John Boughton’s. John being downtown, I stayed awhile with Frank and then came home. JUNE 22 – SUNDAY – I went up home to breakfast. I attended church all day. Brother Crawford preached in the morning from Ecclesiastes 9, last clause of the 18th verse. In the PM from Ephesians 5, last clause of the 11th verse. George being gone to Bethel today, I had to take his place as librarian which together with my duties as secretary, kept me very busy at the Sunday School session. Brother Crawford preached boldly against the prevailing evils and sins of the community without fear or favor. He preaches the gospel in the spirit of it and I think is destined to do much good and build up the church. I went up home to tea. When I returned home, I took a nap and overslept so much that I did not go to meeting in the evening. JUNE 23 – MONDAY – I went to shop in the morning, but there being only one day’s work for today and tomorrow and as I had some work to do at home, I came home again. On the way, I stopped at John Cosier’s paint shop to get some blue paint for my sink room. I painted the woodwork around the bottom of my chimney and then got my tools and mowed the grass in front of my house and trimmed the edge of the walk. Mr. Hurd came over and looked at my strawberries and went into the new house. I went over to his garden and looked at his berries. They were the finest that I ever saw. He promised me some plants in August. I hoed in my garden just at night. I had some bread and milk for supper after which I went downtown and bought a pound of butter and a bag of table salt at Bennett’s store. This is the first trade that I have made there. Just before dinner, the agent for Soule’s Pills came along for the pay or the box which he left here two years ago. I gave him the pills, not thinking that I needed them. JUNE 24 – TUESDAY – Stormy. I set out my Red Dutch cabbage plants and my Feegee Island Tomatoes and a few pepper plants after breakfast. I have had work in the shop to the amount of a dollar. Came home about the middle of the afternoon. On my way, I left my silver pencil and pen holder at Robinson’s to be mended. I went into the street in the evening and got a letter from Cousin Charles Mills in General McClellan’s army. I came home and answered it before I retired. JUNE 25 -WEDNESDAY – It partly cleared off and the sun shone a little in the forenoon, but the wind still being in the wrong quarter for clear weather, it rained again in the evening. I have unexpectedly had work in the shop all day. I received a letter from Father Griswold. It gives us the news of the birth of another son at Edwin’s where he is now visiting. Also the arrival of Lieut. Charles Parsons of the regular army with his bride at Elyria. I mailed the letter of Charles Mills in the evening in answer to his, also a Danbury Times. I went to the church, but our class did not meet on account of the storm, I presume. So, I went over to the 1st Congregational Church to hear the contraband lecture. He is lecturing and taking collections to educate the Negroes who are within our army lines. JUNE 26 – THURSDAY – Stormy in the morning, but it cleared off in the afternoon. I have had part of a day’s work in the shop. I pulled some radishes and carried them over to Abel’s and had tea with them. After which, I went up home for my clothes and brought home a pail of milk. I went to market to get something for my breakfast, stopped at the Post Office and took out a letter for Father Griswold, came home and carried the letter over to Harriet for her to keep until next Sunday when we expect that he will be home. JUNE 27 – FRIDAY – Very warm. I, as usual since my wife has been away, cooked my breakfast and washed up the dishes, etc. before going to the shop. I had work which lasted me until a little after two o’clock. I came home and worked the remainder of the day in my garden and around the premises. I picked a fine dish of strawberries for my tea. I went down to the Post Office in the evening and brought home a letter for Edwin E. Griswold, but it proved to be for another person of that name in the town. By letters received by individuals, I learn that Thomas Horton, 1st Lieutenant in Captain Skinner’s company in the 7th Regiment was killed in the late battle on James Island near Charleston, South Carolina. Also, John Holmes is wounded and a prisoner. JUNE 28 – SATURDAY – No work in the shop. Very warm again today. I came home and ordered some strips at George Starr’s to batten by the wood house. It cost me $1.25. At noon, before they came, I had one of the masons who are plastering Father Griswold’s house lay over the top of my house’s chimney. I worked pretty late to finish the work on my wood house. The sun shone so hot that I was very much exhausted when I finished. I bought some meat in the evening and sent up by George as I intend to go up to breakfast tomorrow morning. I received a letter from Gussie this morning. She and her mother are coming home Monday night. JUNE 29 – SUNDAY – I went up home to breakfast this morning. Brother Crawford preached as usual this morning. I attended church all day. After the session of the Sunday School, I came home and changed some of my clothing and got an umbrella as it looked very much like a shower and the returned to the church. His text in the PM was Hebrews 11:24. After his sermon, he read a letter from Washington printed in a religious paper giving an account of the unusual interest manifested in the Sunday School of that city. It spoke of the lively interest taken by the congressmen. It was a very interesting letter. After the reading, he read a list of the young men of the church who do not take an active part in the public prayer meeting and who ought to be working. He wished us to remain after the congregation had been dispersed. We knew not what he wanted of us, but when the assembly had retired, he talked it over with us. He seemed much interested in us and proposed that we establish a prayer meeting on Sunday mornings at 9 o’clock for our special benefit that we may improve our talents and grow in grace and become spiritually strong and thereby become more fitted for the public responsibilities of the church so that as the older members pass away, there will be those to fill their places. I have long seen the want of such a meeting. Brother Crawford sees it also and he is now trying to help us and afford us all the facilities that are necessary. I went up home to tea. I carried up some radishes and some sugar as Mother was out. It was very warm this forenoon and in fact has been all day, but this afternoon, the sun has not shone so bright and now at 6 o’clock PM, it is all over cloudy and looks very much like a storm. I went to prayer meeting in the evening and gave Henry Smith an order for two dozen catechisms for the Sunday School. As I returned from the meeting, the wind was east and it began to be misty with every prospect of a storm. The day has been a profitable one for me. The preaching was good and I feel that I have been profited in hearing. JUNE 30 – MONDAY – Stormy until noon and at noon, quite a hard rain for a short time and then it cleared off. I have worked all day in the shop. Paid 3 months’ dues to the Hatters’ Society – 30 cents. Father Griswold arrived from the west on the morning train. News of a fight near Richmond, but no particulars. Mother Griswold, Gussie and the baby came home from Bloomfield on the evening train. Harriet prepared tea for us over to her house. We had, as might be expected, a considerable talking to do and consequently, it was quite late before we retired. Mother and Bell came over to see Gussie and Eddie and Mother and Father Griswold. I paid Mother $1.00 for my washing while Gussie has been away.