Copyright 1991 (Todd A. Kraft) and subsequent versions (Robert A.
Kraft)
[conversion to HTML, 22je2004; latest modifications and corrections,
22je2004]
Note that this version of the Journals attempt to retain the
original
line divisions, to facilitate
verification; obvious misspellings are corrected, with the
original noted in brackets; capitalization and punctuation have often
been normalized, since CSM's writing style is quite inconsistent on
such matters. Subsequent versions will resolve hyphens and ignore
original formatting.
For relevant genealogical information, see http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/rak/gen/geneal.htm
To Margaret Miller Northrop Hall, my great-grandmother, who taught me that happiness in life is something that must be pursued.
To Robert Alan Kraft, my father, who taught me that life is a question waiting to be answered.
And to Charles Somers Miller, my great-great-grandfather, who through the following journals has taught me that life's beauty is contained in the simple, daily ebb and tide of events that shape the world through which our lives flow.
I gratefully acknowledge the support of my father, Robert Alan Kraft, who orchestrated and financed the collection and creation of these journals in electronic form. From him, as well as Howard Russell Kraft and Marian Northrop Kraft, come many of the notes on the Pierpont Family as well as the Miller Family. In particular, the Pierpont Family Association genealogical records, which were converted to electronic form by Robert Kraft, have been invaluable in identifying many of the individuals mentioned in these journals.
For many years I held my father's interest in family history in mild contempt. This is not rare, as any parent with teenagers can attest. Although I have not yet had the pleasure of experiencing the violent eruption that occurs when one's own child reaches into adulthood, and perhaps am no more prepared for the event, even armed with the knowledge of my particular journey into the majority, I am better prepared to satisfy the hungry void that will cry out into the night "Who Am I?" What I then percieved as sentimentalism on the part of my father, I now recognize as an honest attempt to understand the historical, social, and religious contexts from which he came.
As Charles Miller so aptly states "I have but little to write about, but must write something for practice as it is hard for me to write good, so I write a little every day" (10/09/1899).
Todd Alan Kraft December 19, 1991
---
Work Record Pocket Diaries of Charles
Somers Miller
[these small books, through 1890, contain mostly notes on hours worked
per day, with some sketches and addresses, etc.; we have transcribed
the most significant content. The Journals proper start in 1891, although 1890 provides
somewhat of a transition.]
01\01\1876(Sa) Worked at Benedict & Burnham's 4 1/2 hours.
01\07\1876(Fr) Went to West Haven.
02\04\1876(Fr) First sleighing of the season.
02\07\1876(Mo) Sleighing all gone.
02\14\1876(Mo) Paid for my paper.
02\28\1876(Mo) More sleighing.
02\29\1876(Tu) Good sleighing; snowed about 1 1/2 inches thick.
03\03\1876(Fr) Sleighing all gone.
03\11\1876(Sa) Paid for paper.
03\29\1876(We) Water so high in the river we could not work.
05\10\1876(We) 130 thousand people at the exhibition at Philadelphia.
Centennial opens to day.
05\11\1876(Th) P. T. Barnum's great show here to day.
35 thousand people at the centen{n}ial.
05\13\1876(Sa) Went to Litchfield.
05\14\1876(Su) Returned from Litchfield.
06\10\1876(Sa) Went to Litchfield.
06\11\1876(Su) Came home from Litchfield.
06\25\1876(Su) A storm of hailstones occur{r}ed to day, the stones
about the size of walnuts.
06\27\1876(Tu) Staid home to hay it.
07\04\1876(Tu) [see separate entry]
07\08\1876(Sa) Was home sick.
07\15\1876(Sa) Went to Litchfield.
07\16\1876(Su) Came home.
08\12\1876(Sa) No water. [Other Sat entries often "No work"]
08\26\1876(Sa) No water.
09\02\1876(Sa) No water.
09\18\1876(Mo) Went to the Centen{n}ial.
09\23\1876(Sa) Came home from the Centen{n}ial.
10\15\1876(Su) About three inches of snow fell this morning.
12\04\1876(Mo) Enlisted in Company A, 2nd Reg't C.N.Y.{? C.N.J/G.}
Financial records and summaries at the end.
01\20\1877(Sa) Went to Litchfield.
01\29\1877(Mo) Rev. Jacob L. Clark buried to day, age 70 years.
04\02\1877(Mo) Grand Mother {Miller} died to day. Mrs. Timothy Miller.
Betsy Stannard, Litchfield.
04\03\1877(Tu) Grand Mother {Miller} buried to day. See Oct. 18.
06\17\1877(Su) Went to Litchfield.
06\24\1877(Su) {Why here??}
Frank H. Miller. Age 21 years Oct 21st.
Charles S. Miller. Age 18 years Sept 27th. {b 1858; going on 19}
Mary A. Miller. Age 15 years July 3rd.
Carrie A. Miller. Age 14{?} July 23rd.
Fred D. Miller. Age 13 years Oct 15th.
Ivan A. Miller. Age 3 years Sept 2nd.
07\19\1877(Th) Went to Trinity Church picnic at highrock grove.
08\01\1877(We) Went to coney island.
09\14\1877(Fr) Got Mary's organ to day at Briggs & Smith.
10\12\1877(Fr) Joined the Good Tenplers {sic} in Wolcott.
10\18\1877(Th) Grand Mother Somers died to day.
10\28\1877(Su) Went to Litchfield.
Financial records and summaries at the end.
[some purchase of fife and drum equipment also]
04\28\1878(Su) Went to Litchfield.
12\11\1878(We) The river was so high, we could not word{sic work?}.
The Naugatuck was about 14 feet above low water mark and the
Seymour rail road bridge was taken away.
Financial records and summaries at the end.
02\05\1879(We) Went home sick. Worked 1 hr.
03\01\1879(Sa) Sick.
03\27\1879(Th) Hired out to work for David Porter to day.
03\31\1879(Mo) Worked for David G. Porter to day. In the forenoon
chopp{{i}}ed near the Brass mill pond; in the afternoon
tore paper in the little house on the plank road.
04\01\1879(Tu) Worked this forenoon tairing paper of{f} the walls
of the house on plank road and chopping alond{sic, along?}
the same road in the afternoon. [Then purchases.]
04\02\1879(We) Worked at joiner work this forenoon. Helped Lester
draw wood this afternoon. {*Paid my board}
04\03\1879(Th) Worked at joiner work this forenoon and chopped
after dinner.
04\04\1879(Fr) Worked this forenoon {moving} straw from the east barn
to
the west; in the afternoon moved straw up on the loft and
drew wood from the swamp near the pond untill old De Hoor{?}
broke his hoof.
04\05\1879(Sa) Worked to day chopping wood at the door.{?}
Lester and Mr. Porter went to Mrs. Todd's funeral.
04\07\1879(Mo) Worked this forenoon making a bookkase{?} and
chopped north of the plank road in the afternoon.
04\08\1879(Tu) Worked chopping on the north side of the plank road.
Paid my board. [very large, scrawly hand!]
04\09\1879(We) Drew wood in the forenoon and worked at Joiner work
in the afternoon.
04\10\1879(Th) Worked around the little house on the plank road.
04\11\1879(Fr) F{r}ost.{?} Worked at joiner work, hung a grindstone.
04\12\1879(Sa) Fixed the picket fence in front of the little house
on the plank road and then chopped wood at the door, then
buried a calf, then drew wood, then threw wood into the
wood house.
04\14\1879(Mo) Got out manure and much{muck?}.
04\15\1879(Tu) Carted muck{?} out, built fence nerast{sic} the
brook and fixed hay cutter.
@Not paid my board.
04\16\1879(We) Knocked dung in the meadow{?} back of the barn and
drew wood.
04\17\1879(Th) Cut hay and fixed wagon.
04\18\1879(Fr) Worked fixing a old{?} wagon and cleaning out the
{*a} wagon house.
04\19\1879(Sa) Did not work.
04\22\1879(Tu) Not paid my board.
04\23\1879(We) Made a fire bord {sic} and spread muck and carted muck.
Plea{sa}nt day.
04\24\1879(Th) Drove team for Leter to plow over by Mr. Lakes.
A very ple{a}sant day.
And {erased?} saw Dr. Swift in the afternoon and went up to
the Che{st}nut Hill reserway {sic}.
04\25\1879(Fr) Made flower beds and plained sticks for grape arbors.
Fair day.
04\26\1879(Sa) Carted muck and transplanted rheubarb.
Fair day.
04\28\1879(Mo) Planted potatoes.
A nice shower in the afternoon.
04\29\1879(Tu) Spread muck on the hill m{e}adow and fixed the fence
up to scruboak. |Fair day. |Not paid my board.
04\30\1879(We) Planted potatoes over by Lakes. |Ple{a}sant day.
05\01\1879(Th) Planted potatoes. |A very ple{a}sant day.
Paid my board. |Received 40 dollars. ...|Paid my board up to
next Saturday night.
05\02\1879(Fr) Planted potatoes in the forenoon and plained the stuff
for the grape arbor in the afternoon. |Plesant day.
05\03\1879(Sa) Fixed fence near the dry bridge and plowed Mr. Ashton's
garden. |Plesant day.
05\05\1879(Mo) Set out apple trees and grape vines and sparaaron{?}.
A very plesant day.
05\05\1879(Tu)-05\10\1879(Sa) Worked. {etc. in later passages}
05\12\1879(Mo) Worked in the garden. |P. T. Barnum's show in town
to day.
05\13\1879(Tu) Worked in the garden. |Lester got through to day.
05\16\1879(Fr) Worked in the garden. |Had old home shoes set over
{.75}.
05\17\1879(Sa) Worked plowing on the hill in the forenoon and
harrowing in the afternoon.
05\29\1879(Th) Planted carrots on the hill.
05\30\1879(Fr) Planted carrots on the hill.
05\31\1879(Sa) Worked planting carrots on the hill.
Paid my board up untill to night.
06\12\1879(Th) Worked. |Mr. Porter went to New York.
06\13\1879(Fr) Worked. |Broke the wagon wheel to ...{?}.
06\30\1879(Mo) Worked one half day. |Mary graguated {sic} to day.
Commencde {sic?} loging{sic?} to day.
07\04\1879(Fr) Went to New Haven to day to the celebration.
07\05\1879(Sa) Paid up my board untill to night.
07\15\1879(Tu) Worked. |Received $20.00 to day leaving 2.89 to go
on next month.
07\22\1879(Tu) Worked. |Ledo {sic?} away the white cow.
07\24\1879(Th) Worked 1/2 day. |Went to Trinity picnic.
08\02\1879(Sa) Worked. |Paid my board up to night $20.00 (15.36 more
due).
09\10\1879(We) Weth{sic Went} to Wolcottville {sic} and drum{m}ed
for the dedication of the Souldiers {sic} Monument.
09\16\1879(Tu) Drum{m}ed to day at the fair.
09\17\1879(We) Drum{m}ed at Hartford to day.
10\02\1879(Th) Hued{sic} timber for my shop.
10\07\1879(Tu) Went to Harwington to the fair to drum.
10\15\1879(We) Went to Wolcott to drum to day at the fair.
10\25\1879(Sa) Worked. |Paid my board up to night.
10\27\1879(Mo) Worked on my shop.
10\28\1879(Tu) Worked for Wm Pratt.
11\01\1879(Sa) Shingled my shop.
11\05\1879(We) Werked{sic}. |Finished shingling my shop.
11\20\1879(Th) Went to Litchfield.
11\21\1879(Fr) Went to Goshen.
11\22\1879(Sa) Came home to day. |Paid my board up to night.
11\24\1879(Mo) Worked. Bought a pair of bellows and tyure{sic}
iron for $11.50 of Cha's Allen.
12\09\1879(Tu) Built the chimney to my shop.
12\15\1879(Mo) Set my o....{??} block.
12\22\1879(Mo) {{*Werked}} In my shop.
12\23\1879(Tu) Fixed Ediu {?} Todd's sleigh.
[Omitted various addresses and purchases, references to "worked"]
Some summaries and financial records at end
Work Record Pocket Diary 1887
Time Table for Board or Labor preceding Daily Memoranda
01\01\{1887}(Sa) Amount due Spenser Monroe 29.34
01\15\{1887}(Sa) An account of expenses due/paid to Spenser Monroe
01\16\{1887}(Su) Fred M. Drew
Ansonia{?}
Get{?} 25 1886
(something pretty incomprehensible) then 2.50
01\27\{1887}(Th) Lawn{?} List
Shaf 5.00
lorrigh{?}.10
b S 3.30
____
8.40
02\01\{1887}(Tu)-02\02\{1887}(We) List of lumber ordered with measures
and
prices.
02\16\{1887}(We) Lake 2 strips 3' 7" long
02\18\{1887}(Fr) Paid Harris that 10.00 (or 1000) on weekend.
02\24\{1887}(Th) James Parter gave district note for 2 man the{?}
$250.00
03\05\{1887}(Sa) Fair. Recieved of George Chandler $2.00 on account,
2.00 balance left.
03\07\{1887}(Mo) Huled(hauled?or hued- hewed) 120 ft. of timber for
shop.
03\08\{1887}(Tu) Had Wilson{{s}} Pi{e}rpont team 4 hr. this forenoon
drawing logs from Henry Wedges. Worked
huling(hauling? or huing- hewing) timber for shop
hued (hewed) 132 ft.
03\09\{1887}(We) Pleasant. Hued (hewed) 149 ft. of timber.
03\10\{1887}(Th) Rainy. Hued (hewed) 68 ft.
03\11\{1887}(Fr) Windy. Hued 75 ft. Reci{e}ved of A.E.Chandy{?} 8.50
pay to date. Baught (bought) of JH Gurnesy{?} 2 nail
hammers 1.25.(page ends with calculations)
03\12\{1887}(Sa) Fair. (Figures for Henry Wedge timber and John
Delaney lumber)
03\14\{1887}(Mo) Cool. Wm. Purdy drew 2 loads of lumber for shop.
Reci{e}ved $5.00 on account of Dennis Peck.
Wm. Purdy drew one load of 3 by 4 stuff from Nor{?}
Benhams in Jan. Worked full time.
03\15\{1887}(Tu) Cold. Bought of E.E. Wright 2800 bricks @ 2.00 per
1000 Wilson drew 1 load to Gafney's.
03\16\{1887}(We) Cold. Wm. Purdy drew 5 loads of lumber to day.
Ordered 200 ft. of 1 1/2 spruce plank to day, 10 ft.
Mr. Pryer paid $3.75 for shafts and whiffletree.
03\17\{1887}(Th) Mr. Purdy drew 2 loads of lumber. Ordered of John
Gurnesey (list). Mr. Rockwood lettered Morgan{'}s wagon.
Worked fraining {?} shop.
03\19\{1887}(Sa) Fair. Worked on shop.
03\20\{1887}(Su) Clear,warm. Mary and Gussy were thrown from Frank{'}s
wagon at the chaple and afterwards Frank and Gussy were thrown
out on the plank road near Wilson's.
03\21\{1887}(Mo) Wilson drew wood from south woods.
03\23\{1887}(We) Sold Ed Scott 183 ft. of white oak plank and plank 7
ft. long 10 in wide 3" thick= 15'-2".
03\24\{1887}(Th) Paid Milan {?} Northrope $1000 to pay for Belting.
Bought a watter{water?} Seatt(or Scatt). Paid Farrell Faundry
$10.15 to pay for truck wheels.
03\25\{1887}(Fr) Cold. Paid Nor{?} Morris 250 for Wm Durkee.
03\26\{1887}(Sa) Clear, cold. Recieved of Elias S. Miller $70.00 pay
for services rendered.Eoal{?} Farius School Dist.
Raitharius{?} A. Perkins.Reci{e}ved of DL Sammeris {?} $20.00
Panalils{?}.
03\28\{1887}(Mo) Bought of M. Loannis{?} of Pine Meadow one drum
stuff{?} for $5.00. The town commenced cutting the hill down
to day.
03\29\{1887}(Tu) Very cold. Worked on shop frame.
03\30\{1887}(We) Raised Shop to day.
03\31\{1887}(Th) Bargained of A.B.P. for one horse 12 years, Price
75.00. (Jack? {sic} drowned in Brass Mill Pond- 1898? {sic})
04\01\{1887}(Fr) W. G. Brooks, Bethel. Vt.
04\02\{1887}(Sa) Dick Morgans curshan (or cursham?) 3' 7" by 14 1/2.
Spenser did not work, went to Cogswells.
04\04\{1887}(Mo) Commenced tareing (tearing?) the shop down.
04\05\{1887}(Tu) George Moss brought 230 ft. of oak stripe 5" wide and
8 ft. long. The old high way barrude{?} that my shop has stood on
are in a direct range of the center of James Porter's and the
shear Co chimneye (chimney) the line crossing the tower also in
line at right angles facing the east end of Father's barn and
striking 3 ft. west of a large rock at the south end of the
woods.
04\06\{1887}(We) Worked moving my shop.
04\07\{1887}(Th) Spenser Monroe's brother died to day. A.B. Pierponts
act against Spenser Monroe for Mar 6.92. Spenser did not work
this afternoon.
04\08\{1887}(Fr) David Prichards act $6.05, E.A.Benham $48.88.(the
rest is a list of measures)
04\09\{1887}(Sa) spenser did not work.
04\11\{1887}(Mo) Worked on new shop.
04\12\{1887}(Tu) James Porter and I searched the rec{{k}}ords. At a
special meeting of the School Society of Waterbury at
Gathrie{?} Hall on the 20th day of April 1846 in persuance of
warming{?}. Elias Cook was chosen Moderator and Willard Spenser
Clerk (Pro) {sic}. Voted that the bounds lines of the East
Farms District be altered in the following manner.(Near){?}
(the descriptions continue on the next page 04\13)
04\13\{1887}(We) Wm Shannan died to day at noon. (continuation of
previous description) Beginning at the Cheshire Line in the road
leading from Waterbury to Cheshire thense {?} westerly in the
line of Sch{?} Roads about 60 rods to the north Branch of the
Beaver Pond Brook. Then Northly to Wolcott Line on the west
side of the road leading from Wolcott to Cheshire where it
crosses the Meridian Turnpike Roads, there Easterly in the line
of Wolcott to Cheshire line.(continued on next page 04\14)
04\14\{1887}(Th) Drum Corps{e} met at Fred's to practice. (continuation)
Then in Cheshire line to place of Beginning. Voted that all that
part of the East Farms Dist. lying nirnt{?} in the above described
lines be annexed to the South Distric{sic} in the town of Wolcott.
Voted to d{i}ssolve this meeting.(Attest) William Spenser Clerk
Pro Tem{?}
04\15\{1887}(Fr) The above is a Copy of the Records @ Proceedings of
said meeting as handed to me by Willard Spenser under his hands
as Clerk Pro Tem{?} Alter{?} L. P. Bryan, Clerk. (nothing else
on the page however)
04\16\{1887}(Sa) Reci{e}ved of E.E. Wright $5.00
04\18\{1887}(Mo) Benhams 2 men worked 3 1/2 hr. Spenser worked 3 1/2
Snow fell 6 in deep to day. Very Cold.
04\19\{1887}(Tu) Jim worked. Spenser 8 hr.
04\20\{1887}(We) 2 of Benhams men worked to day.
04\21\{1887}(Th) 2 of Benhams men worked to day.{sic}
04\22\{1887}(Fr) 2 of Benhams men worked. Hotchkiss worked 4 hr.
Soandland{?} worke 2 hr.
04\23\{1887}(Sa) 2 of Benhams men worked. Hotchkiss worked 4 hr.
04\24\{1887}(Su) Feb{?} Mailthrop M.
F{?}hae " " M.
Ha L Tetkins{?}
Michael Donovan
Jerry "
Benjamin Fourclaigh
Harry "
Wm Pritchard
Geo Harrison
Arthur "
Georg{e} Plantsville
Cha's Tuttle
Wm Slatten
" Somers Ordered 200 ft. of 1 1/2 spruce plank to day 10 ft.
H.A. Norton
Cha's Yarclaigh
C.S. Miller
H. Dethuns{?}
04\25\{1887}(Mo) 2 of Benhams men worked. Shingled Shop.
04\26\{1887}(Tu) Spenser worked 1/2 day.
04\27\{1887}(We) 1 of Benhams men worked (Jim).
04\28\{1887}(Th) 2 of Benhams men worked. Spenser did not work.
Hitchkess worked 9 hr.
04\29\{1887}(Fr) 2 of Benhams men worked. Hotchkiss worked 9 hrs.
04\30\{1887}(Sa) 2 of Benhams men worked. Spenser worked 1/2 day.
Reci{e}ved 10.00 of Austin. Hotchkiss worked 5 hr.
05\02\{1887}(Mo) Hotchkiss worked 1 day 10 hr. A.B. Pierponts actt
8.60 Spenser Monroe.
05\03\{1887}(Tu) Jim worked 5 hr. Hotchkiss worked 9 hr.
05\04\{1887}(We) Jim worked 10 hr.
05\05\{1887}(Th) Jim worked 10 hr. Hotchkiss worked 10 hr.
05\06\{1887}(Fr) Jim worked 10 hr. (calculations below) Hotchkiss
worked 10 hr. payable first Monday in June{?}. Meeting called
to Order 90 shad{?} in persuance of wanng{?} James Warner
chosen Moderator C.S. Miller clerk Pro. BOB South piece
of woods 8 a 2 R 35{?}
05\07\{1887}(Sa) Jim worked{{e}} Hotchkiss worked 6 hr. Wolcott Drum
Band meet to night and {?}oponed(postponed?) of Corps property.
05\08\{1887}(Su) on the list of 1886. Voted to pay at tax if 15 1/2 on
a dollar Payable the Sixth day of June 1887. Voted to dissolve
this meeting.
05\09\{1887}(Mo) Jim worked 10 hr.
05\10\{1887}(Tu) Jim worked 10 hr. Morgan paid for wagon $19.00.
05\11\{1887}(We) Jim worked 10 hr.
05\12\{1887}(Th) (page of names and calculations)
05\13\{1887}(Fr) D.C. had a sociable in my shop, about 100 Present.
05\14\{1887}(Sa) Bought 1/2 ton of coal of Miller and trickland, price
$3.65. Ordered of the City Lumber and Coal Co. 700 ft. of
spruce boards, 4 planks 1 1/2 by 12" 12' long. 24=1 1/4 planks
3'long 10" wide. Wm Girlley 2 pieces of pipeline .20 cts.
05\16\{1887}(Mo) Commenced working in new shop to day seeting lines
for M. Bryan 2.00. Ed Holmes .40 ct. Alexander Bloamfield
shot Warren Frost and then shot himself. (gun is in Museum
M Hall- `43).
05\17\{1887}(Tu) Trusks 2' 3" made 2' 3" {?} (calculations)
05\20\{1887}(Fr) Jim worked.
05\21\{1887}(Sa) Jim worked. Recieved of Miles Farrell 12.00 pay for
cartwheels.
05\23\{1887}(Mo) One of Benham's men worked 1/2 day.
05\25\{1887}(We) One of Benhams men worked 9 hr. Wm Grilley br By Pail
and dipper
.35 cts.
05\26\{1887}(Th) 2 of Benhams men worked 1/2 day, one apprentice{?}.
James Parter let me have 500.
05\27\{1887}(Fr) 2 of Benhams men worked 10 hr., one apprentice. Had
shop insured 800.
05\28\{1887}(Sa) 2 of Benhams men, one apprentice.
05\30\{1887}(Mo) Decoration Day. Horse came to day. Jack? -chestnut -
black mane and tail, with a western brand (diagram)
05\31\{1887}(Tu) 2 of Benhams men worked (one apprentice). The Berlin
Iron Bridge Co. (calculations).
06\01\{1887}(We) W.D. Stryker H{?} Co., 201 Grand St., N.Y.
06\02\\{1887}(Th) One of Benhams men worked. O.G. Larchild {?for next
word}
06\03\{1887}(Fr) 2 of Benhams men worked (1 apprentice).
06\06\{1887}(Mo) Spenser did not work. Reci{e}ved of Frank Judd 10.00
on adat{?}.
06\07\{1887}(Tu) (measures) Reci{e}ved of S.L. Munson $5.00 (then a
diagram)
06\09\{1887}(Th) (calculations)
06\11\{1887}(Sa) Oct. 30 Teachers Salery (salary) (calculations
beneath) Wm Purdy drew Engine from Southington.
06\12\{1887}(Su) 1886 Oct. 30 by cash (calculations beneath)
06\13\{1887}(Mo) Recieved of Frank Judd 15.00 on account.
06\15\{1887}(We) Robert Wiltars{?} buy hahe{?} wheels (calculations
beneath)
06\17\{1887}(Fr) Went to New Haven to day to drum for the dedication
of the Sauldiers {soldier's?} Monument. 21 men furnidid{?}
-East Rock-
06\20\{1887}(Mo) (listing of accounts for customers)
06\28\{1887}(Tu) 6 tight truck, 7' long, 24" mid, fist {? for next
word) truck to be done in ten days, 65.00.
06\29\{1887}(We) Had fuhukey{?} same at Mayd{?} Smithe 50 cts. 1/2 hr.
Got 3 pulley of Walter Scott 1-12", 1-16", 1-9 1/2". 1 piece of
shafting 4" long with suplin{?} on an end. (calculations
beneath) Oscar Fairchild came to day. Oscar Fairchild came to
board today.
06\30\{1887}(Th) Wm. E. Hustin Buy Aut{?} Bill $10.00. Greely Aut 70
cts. my due.
07\12\{1887}(Tu) M. Rockwood No. 136 N{?}fainsly.
07\14\{1887}(Th) (listing of order to/from Randolph B. Clows and
measures)
07\18\{1887}(Mo) Mr. Fairchild came to day.
07\23\{1887}(Sa) (calculation) Johnson's bill 3.67. Paid Cha's Clark
196.33 for Engine. 100. bill Waterbury National.
07\25\{1887}(Mo) Baught of Clark Bros Mill Dale a lot of washers for
1.50, paid 1.00.
07\26\{1887}(Tu) John Northrop painted our shop.
07\27\{1887}(We) Clyde taken sick. Doctor came.
07\28\{1887}(Th) Doctor came.
07\29\{1887}(Fr) Doctor came.
07\31\{1887}(Sa) Doctor came.
08\01\{1887}(Mo) Doctor came.
08\02\{1887}(Tu) Doctor came. John Northrop painted on shop.
08\03\{1887}(We) Spenser Monroe act 7.07 for July, for June 7.34, for
May 5.48.
08\04\{1887}(Th) Doctor came.
George Edwards
Fred Miller
Cha's Miller
Robert Spenser
Spruce
Chas Fenton
(calculations below)
08\05\{1887}(Fr) Northrop painted shop, balance due him 10.30.
08\07\{1887}(Su) Doctor came.
08\08\{1887}(Mo) Ed Holmes worked. Bill 8.50.
08\11\{1887}(Th) Buckingham
Fred Miller
Roalik{?}
Lewis
Cross {Crass?}
Somers
Cha's Miller
Buyers
08\12\{1887}(Fr) Bauch{?} of dues. Fed{?} pay on said table for 12.00.
32 ft of 4" leather {?for next word} for $7.00. One 12" saw
2.00.
08\13\{1887}(Sa) Reci{e}ved of D.G. Porter $15.00. J.{?} A. Spenser br
by 1 bag oats, 1 saw{?} $2.70.
08\16\{1887}(Tu) William left to day.
08\18\{1887}(Th) Edward
Spruce
Crass
Boath (Booth?)
Wright
Lenor's
Miller
Smith
Hordoy
Clark
Miernam{?}
08\19\{1887}(Fr) Caris Frost worked laying floor for engine.
08\20\{1887}(Sa) Frost worked. Spenser went to Seaside Park.
08\23\{1887}(Tu) Frost worked
08\22\{1887}(Mo) Frost worked.
09\03\{1887}(Sa) (list of accounts with continuation on next page)
09\04\{1887}(Su) (same list)
09\06\{1887}(Tu) Yardan
Barton
Spinner
Boaths
Lents{?}
Buyers
Lenoir{?}
M. Miller
Cauley{?}
Cross
Miller
Old Mr. Fairchild cam{sic} to board to day @ 4.00.
09\08\{1887}(Th) Fire Parade. Did not work this afternoon. Fire
Parade.
09\13\{1887}(Tu) Clark
Wright
Booth
Spruce
Barton (this is the probably the right list)
Edwards
Buyers
Norton
Somers
Cross
Lewis
09\14\{1887}(We) J. H. Somers Wheels (then measures)
09\15\{1887}(Th) Old man Fairchild worked chopping wood to day.
09\17\{1887}(Sa) Fairchild worked 1/4 day.
09\19\{1887}(Mo) Spenser went to Kent to day.
09\20\{1887}(Tu) Paid Mr. Blakewell{?} 10.00
Farrell Faundrys 29.04
City Lumber and Coal Co. 29.53
10\01\{1887}(Sa) Oscar left boarding to day.
10\02\{1887}(Su) Joe came to see horse.
10\03\{1887}(Mo) William Miller came to work and to board to day at
3.50 per week. Frank moved from Wrights to day. Oscar moved
from Ansonia to day into Wrights house.
10\04\{1887}(Tu) Spenser Monroe bill for Sept. 8.91.
10\07\{1887}(Fr) Mr. Fairchild help dig Patalaes{?} this forenoon.
10\11\{1887}(Tu) Barton
Booth
Fanton
Cross
F. Miller
Smith
Lewis
Somers
Buckingham
Edwards
10\19\{1887}(We) Robert Welton bought axle of Goodmin.
10\24\{1887}(Mo) Mr Payne let me have $10.00 on account.
10\25\{1887}(Tu) James Sutton bought 4 cider barrels.
10\26\{1887}(We) Oscar Fairchild went selling rings to Bristol. Wright
took the white horse away.
10\29\{1887}(Sa) H.W. Lakes bill 8.24. Spenser worked 1/4 day. Paid
Spenser 5.00.
10\31\{1887}(Mo) Visited school to day.
11\01\{1887}(Tu) H.W.Lakes carriage came to day.
11\03\{1887}(Th) Monroes bill $13.28 to A.P.P.
11\04\{1887}(Fr) Gave bar 1.50 change from door.
11\14\{1887}(Mo) Spenser worked 1/2 day. Owe Wm. for 3 weeks.
11\16\{1887}(We) Henry Carter saw me to day about the pay for the
band.
11\18\{1887}(Fr) John Delaney bill $6.36.
11\19\{1887}(Sa) Paid Spenser 7.00.
11\20\{1887}(Su) (Measures and price for a "driver pulley" and saw)
11\21\{1887}(Mo) Spenser Monroe did not work. Went to Bristol to buy
saw this forenoon.
11\23\{1887}(We) Spenser worked this forenoon.
11\26\{1887}(Sa) Spenser did not work.
11\28\{1887}(Mo) Spenser worker{sic} nine hours.
11\30\{1887}(We) (measures and diagram)
12\01\{1887}(Th) Paid M. Welton. Drum Corps Note{?}.
12\02\{1887}(Fr) (listing of accounts) Paid Will 5.00.
12\03\{1887}(Sa) 5 weeks pay due Will to night, less 5.00 due 12.50.
12\10\{1887}(Sa) Mr. Frost worked 8 hr. Turned counter shafts. Paid
Spenser 4.75.
12\12\{1887}(Mo) Spenser worked 4 hr. Mr. Frost worked 7 hr. Bored out
sollars{?} and pulleys.
12\14\{1887}(We) Mr. Frost worked 7 hr.
12\15\{1887}(Th) Paid L.L. Eusworth $70.00. Mr. Frost worked 7 hr.
12\16\{1887}(Fr) Paid Wallace{?} Northrop $5.00. Mr. Frost worked 7
hr.
12\17\{1887}(Sa) Reci{e}ved of H.M. Geake 5.00 on account. Paid
Spenser $5.00. Mr. Frost worked 7 hr. Paid Wm. Miller 12.00.
12\19\{1887}(Mo) Paid Wm. Miller 5.00.
12\21\{1887}(We) (measures and diagram)
12\22\{1887}(Th) (measures and diagram)
12\23\{1887}(Fr) (measures con't)
12\24\{1887}(Sa) Wm. Purdus wood came 5.66.
12\26\{1887}(Mo) Christmas
12\31\{1887}(Sa) Paid Spenser 500{5.00?}
Cash Account in the back with a few names and figures. The
rest (expenses, notes and bills, etc.) is blank.
In the back compartment, there are three IOU notes and a slip
of paper with calculations of accounts on it.
Preceded by an 1888 Calendar and Almanac section. Both the
front and back covers have calculations written in pencil on
them; the front has "Cha's S. Miller, Waterbury, Conn."
written in pencil.
01\15\{1888}(Su) Used 35 gals of oil from 49 1/2 gal tanks.
03\02\{1888}(Fr) Spenser filed D.G. Partners saw for .50.
03\04\{1888}(Su) Spenser came home from Beacon Falls this fore noon.
Worked afternoon.
03\06\{1888}(Tu) Commensed{sic] taking milk of Wilson.
03\08\{1888}(Th) (listing of accounts) Schwegal let S. Monroe have
the Cha's Monroe place for 8.00 per month.
03\07\{1888}(Fr) Paid School Teacher $64.00.
03\12\{1888}(Mo) Snowed all day and night.
03\13\{1888}(Tu) Snowed all day.
03\14\{1888}(We) Snow 3 ft deep an leavel{sic} and drifts as high as
20 feet all rail road trains stoped{sic}.
03\15\{1888}(Th) Spenser worked.
03\16\{1888}(Fr) Spenser worked. (listing of supplies)
03\17\{1888}(Sa) (measures of wagon to be made, with diagram)
03\18\{1888}(Su) (diagram con't) Wm Miller got through working to day.
03\19\{1888}(Mo) (supply list)
03\21\{1888}(We) Reci{e}ved of C.S. Miller $41.56 Payment in full to
date (followed by signature)
03\22\{1888}(Fr) Hattie Pierpont came home from {?}alafornig{?}
04\15\{1888}(Su) (listing of accounts)
04\18\{1888}(We) (listing of accounts)
04\24\{1888}(We) Reci{e}ved of C.S. Miller 14.15 payment in full to
date (signature? by Wm Durkee)
05\10(10-11)\{1888} C.S.Miller, Piman{?} Smith, Ed Smith, Somers,
Clark, Marram{?}, Kilbaum{?}, Boath, Cross, Edwards.
05\22\{1888}(Tu) Ed Johnson buried to day. Spenser worked 4 hr.
05\24\{1888}(Th) Stock holders train run over the Meridan Waterbury
and Com{?} River railroad Run from waterbury{sic} to Meriden in 45
minutes.
05\27\{1888}(Tu) (someone else's handwriting) Charles F. Wayner,
Westfield, Mass.
06\07\{1888}(Th) (listing of accounts)
06\08\{1888}(Fr) Ed Holmes Plowing{?} Rifle (figures)
06\21\{1888}(Th) H.W. Lakes bill 14.49.
06\24\{1888}(Su) Drove to west Haven and oyster river with Clyde and
Mary. Very warm.
06\26\{1888}(Tu) Ben Harrison nominated for President and for vice
President. S. Monroe worked this fore noon.
06\27\{1888}(We) Iron body from Trucks made for Randolf and Caloms
(measures) Mr. F. L. Adams, H.B.O.H.
06\28\{1888}(Th) H.B.O.H. ordered (list)
(One loose page with accounts on it)
07\05\{1888}(Th) (list of supplies)
07\06\{1888}(Fr) Give Mr. Bradley reci{e}pt for booth{?} money and
indu{?for rest of word}
07\09\{1888}(Mo) First trains run on the Meridan Waterbury and Comm
River Rain road.
07\11\{1888}(We) {? for this entry}
07\12\{1888}(Th) Judd and Judsons (measures and diagram )
07\13\{1888}(Fr) (measures con't)
07\20\{1888}(Fr) (measures)
07\21\{1888}(Sa) Father and I went to Cheshire to day on the New rail
road.
07\22\{1888}(Su) (diagram)
07\25\{1888}(We) Spenser worked 1/2 day.
07\26\{1888}(Th) (diagram and measures for wagon)
07\27\{1888}(Fr) (measures con't)
07\31\{1888}(Tu) Tawns discount{?} $9.60.
08\01\{1888}(We) Saw Mr. Fardon this noon at Scovills. Promised to
meet me at PO 7 o'clock next tuesday{sic} evening.
08\09\{1888}(Th) Went to Bridgeport to foresters parade.
08\10\{1888}(Fr) Mathan. Merwin.
08\11\{1888}(Sa) Judd and Judson ordered wagon 1 1/2 axle platform
spring for $150.00.
08\12\{1888}(Su) Wm Durkee came to work this noon @ 3.00. Post man
came to the new mail box to day.
08\18\{1888}(Sa) Mr. Logan ordered farm wagon $65.00.
08\31\{1888}(Fr) (list of orders)
09\01\{1888}(Sa) (another order)
09\03\{1888}(We) Went to Middletown to Drummer's convention.
09\16\{1888}(Su) Spenser came Home from Kent.
09\25\{1888}(Tu) Distance from Waterbury to East Litchfield 18 miles.
10\13\{1888}(Sa) George Sprague bill for 7.00. Sons of veterans and
Mattatuck Drum Corps had clam bake at my shop.
10\14\{1888}(Su) Frank and Gussy stayed at our house.
10\16\{1888}(Tu) {? for this entry}
10\17\{1888}(We) Mr.Wright butchered 8 hogs.
10\22\{1888}(Mo) (listing of orders )
10\25\{1888}(Th) H.B.C.H. ordered 2 mill trucks @ 30.
10\31\{1888}(We) Had Republican Parade in new Britan to night.{sic}
11\01\{1888}(Th) Had Republican parade in Litchfield to night.
11\08\{1888}(Th) Republicans had big parade to night.
11\10\{1888}(Sa) (diagram) Paid Wm up to day.
11\22\{1888}(Th) Painted shop, it took-(list of materials)
11\23\{1888}(Fr) Painted windows in shop.
11\24\{1888}(Sa) Northrop paid .75 cts. on rifle.
11\25\{1888}(Su) Snow fell 4" deep, first snow of the season.
11\28\{1888}(We) Drum Corps owe me $6.16. I owe the Drum Corps $7.84.
11\29\{1888}(Th) Cha's Tues{?} ordered wagon 140.00.
12\03\{1888}(Mo) (accounting)
12\04\{1888}(Tu) Went to South Britan and got 6 yards of cloth for
shirts of .70 cts. per yard, also 12 skiynes of yarn @ .20 per
Sham{?}. (calculations at end)
12\05\{1888}(We) Ordered 1 ton of soft coal.
12\07\{1888}(Fr) (accounts)
12\08\{1888}(Sa) (listing of supplies)
12\17\{1888}(Mo) (diagram)
12\26\{1888}(We) J{?}tohans ordered business wagon $150.00.
In the memoranda section there is the note:
Mr. Fairchild dug potatoes.
Oct. 8th 1 day
Oct. 11th 6 hr.
There is also a keeping of cash accounts in the back section.
On the inside and back covers, there are measures and
calculations in pencil. There is also an almanac section,
addresses and memoranda section, and a timetable for board or
labor in the front. The addresses and memoranda section
contains the addresses of: Mrs. Lidia Chipman, No 51 Central
Av{e}, Eddie Lyons, Sheffeld Mass., and Perre Surprenant, No
323 Bank St. City. The timetable for board or labor is also
filled out with the names of Mike, Durkee, Monroe, and
Munson{?}.
01\06\{1889}(Su) Signed a note for Spenser Monroe for 200. Payable
in
two years. from date.
02\06\{1889}(We) (description of a purchase of a quantity of oak wood)
02\07\{1889}(Th) (same sort of description, purchase by Luther
Bradley)
02\09\{1889}(Sa) Durkee Paid up till to night.
02\18\{1889}(Mo) (measures of ordered rivits, iron, and tire bolts of
L.L. Eusworth)
02\19\{1889}(Tu) (more orders made)
02\20\{1889}(We) (diagram and measures)
02\23\{1889}(Sa) Sessions Sent 27 wheels.
02\24\{1889}(Su) Mary had a girl at 9:30 to night. Margaret M.N.
Hall.
02\25\{1889}(Mo) (another order of L.L. Eusworth)
02\26\{1889}(Tu) (another order of L.L. Eusworth)
02\27\{1889}(We) (another series of measures)
03\02\{1889}(Sa) Mr Rice of Cheshire ordered a new 2 horse wagon
simular to Robert Minors for $100.00 with hay rigging.
03\03\{1889}(Su) Mrs. Nettleton got through to day.
03\15\{1889}(Fr) Paid Durkee 2.50 half cord of wood. Borrowed 35.00
of Jas Parter.
03\16\{1889}(Sa) Mrs. Pratt came to do house work to day.
03\19\{1889}(Tu) Luther Bradley by {sic} 160 ft of oak and ash{?}.
03\20\{1889}(We) (figures) Paid Durkee 6.15 one ton of coal.
03\21\{1889}(Th) Paid Durkee 2.00 for book 10.00 cash.
03\22\{1889}(Fr) (another purchase by Luther Bradley)
03\25\{1889}(Mo) (a purchase by George Alexander)
03\26\{1889}(Tu) (an order by A.R. Pierpont)
03\27\{1889}(We) Paid Durkee 6.00 on books.
04\02\{1889}(Tu) O{?} L. Fairchild commenced paying rent to day 3.00
per month.
04\06\{1889}(Sa) Paid Durkee 50 cash.
04\07\{1889}(Su) Paid Durkee 90 in rake and hoe.
04\09Tu) Paid Durkee 2.00 on G.B. Hitchcock account.
04\13\{1889}(Sa) Owe Wm 13.61.
04\17\{1889}(We) Paid Durkee 1.00 cash.
04\22\{1889}(Mo) Mr. Melbourne came to work to day @ 1.50. (measures)
04\24\{1889}(We) Paid Durkee 5.00 he bought 3.12 worth Gracrues{?} of
Spenser @ Pierpont. George Mass and Wm. Clark Den Peck and Ed
Wallace worked on addition to shop.
04\25\{1889}(Th) Paid Durkee 2.00 to Pay for books. Den Peck and
Edgar Wallace worked to day.
04\26\{1889}(Fr) Charged Durkee 1.00 for Mashiers {?} boxes.
05\04\{1889}(Sa) Paid Durkee 3.00 cash.
05\07\{1889}(Tu) Paid Durkee 2.00 cash.
05\09\{1889}(Th) (measures)
05\10\{1889}(Fr) (list with figures)
05\11\{1889}(Sa) (list with figures) Paid Fred Miller payment 2.00
for drum wheele. Bought of P.S. Wedgr{sic} in 1886. Paid
Durkee 3.00 cash.
05\13\{1889}(Mo) (list of clothing)
05\14\{1889}(Tu) Bought of the Alwater Manufacturing Co. a lot of
hardware for 13.75 and of H.D. Smith a lot for 2.09. Paid Wm.
Durkee 10.00 cash.
05\17\{1889}(Fr) Spenser did not work to day.
05\21\{1889}(Tu) (listing of accounts)
05\22\{1889}(We) (measures)
05\27\{1889}(Mo) Owe Henry munson last week's pay and week before
last, and week before that. Owe Tom last week and 8.00 on week
before that.
06\03\{1889}(Mo) (measures)
06\08\{1889}(Sa) Paid Durkee 1.00 cash, paid Durkee 100 on S.P.
Bronson's account.
06\09\{1889}(Su) Michael Burns ordered wagon 50.
06\10\{1889}(Mo) (measures)
06\19\{1889}(We) (listing of accounts)
07\02\{1889}(Tu) (listing of order from George Alexander)
07\09\{1889}(Tu) Paid Durkee 7.00 on Kellogge account.
07\10\{1889}(We) Shop 23" long
07\15\{1889}(Mo) {?} with {?} 16.25 due fines.
07\16\{1889}(Tu) Paid Durkee 1.00 cash.
07\17\{1889}(We) Paid Durkee.50 cts. cash.
08\02\{1889}(Fr) {? for this entry... for wooden pulleys}
08\21\{1889}(We) Paid Jame{?} Reed $10.00 for Rent an John
Thackerie{'}s
House.
09\12\{1889}(Th) (listing of accounts)
09\19\{1889}(Th) Paid Spenser Monroe 21.00 to pay months wages.
09\21\{1889}(Sa) CW Hall, Bridgeport, Con.
10\11\{1889}(Fr) (listing of measures)
10\12\{1889}(Sa) (listing of orders)
11\30\{1889}(We) Borrowed 22. of Harman Payne to be paid by the 30th
of Nov. (Paid)
11\22\{1889}(Fr) Engaged Led{?} coal of Mr. Wood at 4.75 per ton.
11\24\{1889}(Su) The freight train went out on the Meridian Waterbury
to Conn River RQ {?} this morning with 25 cars the longest train
I ever saw on that road and the longest I think that ever
passed over it drawn by one engine.
11\27\{1889}(We) Tried to settle with Oscar Fairchild to day.
11\28\{1889}(Th) Thanks giving day the water in the streams was higher
than it has been before in 20 years many bridges was washed
away and the water on south main st and exchange place was 2 ft
deep.{sic}
12\16\{1889}(Mo) (listing of orders)
12\25\{1889}(We) A remarkably warm day more like May than Dec. weather
so warm a man would sweat without an overcoat in the evening. I
heard several moskitoes{sic} buzzing about the house.
A full cash account section in the back section, with a
pencilled calculation on the inside of the back cover.
[[Charles Somers Miller 1890 small workbook]]
Front flyleaf, upper right hand corner (price?):
M
69
Chas S Miller
Jan 1 1890
In the section "Addresses and Memoranda" the following
names are listed with addresses:
Suderberg G{?} Pulson
J H Baird
John T Danovan{Donovan?}
John Megher
F D Miller
O. A. Beckwith
Aldin S Wood
Henry A Makepeace
Fred S Kimball
Frank C Bradford
R S Wells
C S Wells
W A Rice
S S Hougton
Milliard{?} Barnes{?}
J A Squires
L B Moore
Fred S Kimball
In the section "Time Table for Board or Labor"
names and figures are listed for each month,
apparently amounts paid to each person:
Melbourn{?}
Welton
Nettleton
Munson
---
Melbarn{Melhorn?}
Welton
Nettleton
---
Melbaurn{?}
Welton
Nettleton
---
[[the last 3 names are repeated in the 3 sets
(April-May-June; July-Aug.-Sept.) on the
next two pages, then again on the following page
but with "Tom" instead of Melbourn/Milbourn/etc.]]
01\06\1890 (Monday)
George E Nettleton
came to work{worke!} for
me to day at 1 00{?} and
board per day
01\14\1890 (Tuesday)
Moved bailer
01\16\1890 (Thursday)
Mr. Charles Kingsbury
died to day
Aged 95 years the
oldest man in town
01\19\1890 (Sunday)
I stayed home all day
Mary took Clyde and
Irving to the Chapel
and then went to see
their Grand mother at
uncle Geanine's{?}
Cha's Belding and
his girl t___d{tiped?} over
in front of the house
at 1 o'clock to night
01\20\1890 (Monday)
Wrote to Barney & Berry
for Georg Nettleton to day
02\06\1890 (Thursday)
Mr. Munson came to
paint Wright's Carriag_{carriage?}
in my shop to day
02\07\1890 (Friday)
A great blizzard predicti__{prediction?}
for to day.
It snowed a little in
the wven ing{,?} and rained
hard all night
02\10\1890 (Monday)
Wrote to Fred at
New Haven
To have potatoes beets and
other vegtables that grow{growe!}
in the ground do well
plant them in the old
of the moon{moan!}.
And beans peas and o c{?}
that grow above ground
do well plant in the
new of the moon
02\14\1890 (Friday)
Mr. Frost harrow
teeth{teith?} 11 1/2" 4" from end
middle and{an!} 10 1/2 to end
from tooth.
Mr. Gunn of Prospect
gave me his Saladee buggy
for 3.00 to be paid in work{workl!}
and .60 an old account.
02\16\1890 (Sunday)
James{Janes?} Suttan{?} ___{?}
1 tank 8'x3'3"x2'6"
02\22\1890 (Saturday)
Ice{?} is about 4" thick an{and? on? at?}
the pond's{ponds!} thickest it
has been this year, there
has not been three day
in succession that one
_ould{could?} not have plowed
since last summer{?}.
02\26\1890 (Wednesday)
{entry difficult to read}
Georgr{George?} Alexander __{br?}
By 171 ft plank{ptank!}
at .023 3/4 {or .03 3/4?} .03
5.13
03\09\1890 (Sunday)
Mary went to the Chapel{Chaple!}
with Clyde and Irvin{Irving?} and
then went up to Uncle{uncle?}
Le__es{Lewis?}.
04\15\1890 (Tuesday)
Uncle Levinuss Warner{?}
was buried to day.
Dr. Rooland{?} officiated
Austin B Pierpont
Chas J Pierpont
Elmer E Pierpont
Wilson L Pierpont
Chas, Branuis{?} and
myself{mysilf!} were pall
bearers{barers!}
Uncle Levinuss{Lvinus!} was
aged 81 year and
8 months.
04\16\1890 (Wednesday)
Ordered of James{Jamis!} Harry
one{oni!} set of wheels
Price $9.00
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
04\22\1890 (Tuesday)
Paur_ton{?} made eaves
for Dr. Benedict's top
$4.05 Paid
05\14\1890 (Wednesday)
Weather, Warm
Worked digging for
my{ny!} Stor_{Store?} _ank_{banke?} to-day
Had, Fred{F'red!} Wetton 1.00
Tom Melborn{Milbaum?} 1.50
George Nettleton{?} 1.75
Mr. Chas Hotchkiss 1 50 (underlined)
____
5 75
05\15\1890 (Thursday)
Weather, Rained 5 hr
Drew stone and laid
wall for store house
Had Chas Hotchkiss 3.00
George Nettleton 1.75
Italian{?} 1.25
team 3.75 (underlined)
____
9.75
05\16\1890 (Friday)
Weather, Rained
Laid cellar wall
Mr. Chas Hotchkiss 3.00
Fred wit_an{?} 1.00
____
4.00
Lime 1.75
Cement{Cewent!} 1.75
____
7.50
My time{?} 6.00
9.75
5.75
____
29.00
Stour{?} 7 00
_____
36 00
05\18\1890 (Sunday)
Weather, Fair
G. W. Connor, Myself
A B Pierpont C J Pierpon_{Pierpont?}
W L Pierpont{?} had
Mark Warner show us
the bounds around
the estate of Levnus{?}
Warner. Land estimat__{estimated?}
to be from 250{or 25.0?} to 300
acres{acors!} app__sed{appraised?} at
$3.200.00 including
buildings
05\22\1890 (Thursday)
Tom and Fred staid
home to hoe potatoes
all day
05\23\1890 (Friday)
Paul Hesphlt{?} planted
my potatoes for $1.75
05\24\1890 (Saturday)
I told John R Platt
that I would put new
wheels on his wagon{wagan!}
for 22.00
New axles 7.00
pole 1.25
Rubber c__stnan{?} 3.75
Paint 10.00
_____
44 00
Mattatuck Drum Corps had
a meeting this{tohis!} evening
I was elected Leader
_.{?} E. Edwards assistant
Leader James Elliot
Sec Henry Buckingham
Treasurer
Present Miles Booth
" Gardner. Hall.
" H d Norton{?}
" Fred Kilbourn{?}
" H Buckingham
C. Miller
J Elliott
J.{?} Hall
Miles Booth{Baoth?}
We are Engaged to play
decoration{decorathan!} day
05\26\1890 (Monday)
Went to see Carley and
Jerry Danovan for
the Crum Corps{Carps!}
let Jerry take L L
Oviatt's{?} book
05\27\1890 (Tuesday)
Had Crum Corps{Carps!}
meeting to night
Present Sinion Cmith
" Myself
" Henry Buckingha_{Buckingham?}
" Miles Booth
" Gardner Hall
" Fred Kilbaum
" Luke Henderson
05\28\1890 (Wednesday)
Wm Austin{?} Ca{?}
By Cash $5.00
05\30\1890 (Friday)
Drum Corps turned out
for Wadhoms{?} Past
G A R{?}
Those who turned out
men
R. Carley{?}.
Luke Hinderson{?}
Simon Smith
A H Norton
Fred Kilbaum{?}.
C.S. Miller.
J Buckingham.
Miles Booth
Gardener Hall
05\31\1890 (Saturday)
Had D.C. Meeting{Meettng!}
I handed in my
resignation{rezag_nation!}
06\01\1890 (Sunday)
Batanere{?} Due
Thomas Melbaurn{Melbourn?} 32.57
Old iron 26.10
_____
$5_ 67 {57.67? or 58.67?}
Corrected
Batance{Balance?} due You{?}
39.26
iron 26.10
_____
65.36
Paid p__{?} 21 ft 32{.?}5.7
06\06\1890 (Friday)
City Lumber & Coal Co
Dimensions of lumber
wagon
Back axle 2 1/4 solid collar
for 10" hub welded 4' 4"{?}
bolster 4' 4" on bottom{botton!} 7" wide
2 1/4" thick projects 2 1/2{?} over{?}
hub face of b stake{?} 4"
fron{front? from?} end of hub stokes 17"
high 2 1/4x3" at bottom 1 1/2 at
top banded with{?} 1 1/2x3/8
iron. 2 clips an{on?} back axle
make from 1 x 5/16 iron
let in at top so a_{ap?} piece
of band iron can be
screwed on{an!}
Reached
2X4 top a__{are? an?} 10' 6" long in to in
bottom are{arie!} 9' 3"
bold 8 1/2" from back end
Sliding{Slideing!} plate and{ard!} pin
close to end of hound
other sliding plate four and{ard!}
1/4" from front end of bottom
reach center of holes plates
of 2 1/2 band iron fastened
with 2-5/16 bolts
06\07\1890 (Saturday)
Hounds/Haunds{?}
3' 1'{1"?} long 2" thick mortised{,?}
in bed 8 1/2" from reach
braces from clips cane{?}
on to hounds of 5/8 iron
side braces from stake clips
take some bo___{bolts?} as holds
the hounds
Front Axle bed
4' 4" long 2 1/4 " thick 4 1/4"
high plates 18" long
Front Axle
2" solid collar for 10" hub
cliped at shackles and
half way from plate to
shackles.
Front{.?} bolster
4' 9"{?} long 5 1/2" wide 2 1/4"
thick stakes same as
back iron L an{and? on?} bolster
3 bolts in stake and 2 in
bolster{.?}
Ring bolts{?}
4 ring bolts inside of
bolster stakes
Plates
18" long 5/8 thick 2 1/4 wide
T 18" long D 1 1/2x5/8. king C{?}
brace 1 1/2X5/8.
06\08\1890 (Sunday)
{Is this entry for 06\08\1890 or a continuation of the entry on
the previous page?}
brace an{on? and?} reach to front
bolster 1 1/2 x 3/8
Shafts
3 1/4 X 1 3/4 bar 18" from butt
7' from front of bar to
end of shaft_{shafts?}
Whfflitree{?}
3' x 1 3/4
tires 1/2" thick
Out side{2 words?} hub bands
2 1/2 x 1/8{?} band iron
____________________________
Drum Corp Mat__{Matin?}
called to{ta!} order at 8.30
Present Miles Boot_{Booth?}
G. Hall
Chas S Miller
Fred Kilbourne{?}.
Henderson{?}
Mas_ier{Mashier?}
06\20\1890 (Friday)
{entry is difficult to read}
Res___d of A M Rver{?}
$20.00{?} Pa_{?} __{?} wa_o_{wagon?}
06\21\1890 (Saturday)
Paid Tomas Melborn{?}
$32.57 pay in full
for work to ju___{?} 1 ft
1890{'1890!}
07\01\1890 (Tuesday)
Had School meeting
Frank Judd elected carmeette_{committee?}
Wm Austin clerk
Luthur Bradley{?} Treasurer
Decided to hav_{have?} flag
__{on?} the school house
07\17\1890 (Thursday)
George Nettleton stayed
home sick
08\09\1890 (Saturday)
Mr. Carter
busin__{business?} wagon
body 7" deep 5' 9"
wood clash{?}
Pampl{?} seat
back 10" above back
pannel of{?} seat
08\22\1890 (Friday)
George Nettleton{?} Went
to East Haven
08\25\1890 (Monday)
Mr. Munson{?} gave me
5.00 on{an!} account 3.50 due
George Nettleton{?} came
home from East Haven
08\27\1890 (Wednesday)
{entry is difficult to read}
stopped Pastur__g{Pasturing?} ho__{?} in
___{the?} Parters{Pasture?} _______{?}
09\09\1890 (Tuesday)
Width of _______{suttons?} shackle_{shackles?}
3' 5" shackles 1 1/4 x 1/2" bots{bolts}
09\19\1890 (Friday)
This page has several numbers added in a mathematical equation
09\20\1890 (Saturday)
I left home to day at
7 o'clock for a pleasure trip
and drove to to{written twice} Bristol 12
miles then to Forest ville
3 miles then to plainville 2
miles, then to Unionville
8 miles then to Collinsville
4 miles then fed horse at
2 P.M. and went to Canton 1 mile {Is "mile" inserted at end of line?}
____{then? Is "then" inserted at the beginning of the line?} Simbsbury
10 m {is "m" inserted after "10"?} then to
Tar_ffni_le{?} 7 miles{,?} then
East Gramby 4 miles
and staid over sunday
with Mr. John La Fluer{?}.
09\21\1890 (Sunday)
Went to Old Newgate
Prison and West Suffield
Feeding horse .25
stamps (20th) .04
Lodging in _____{house?} 1.50
____
Newgate .20
Beef Sept 22"{?} .13
har__{?} .35
_aper{Paper?} .07
Maps .75
___
horse 1 00 {$1.00?}
myself (23) 1 00 {$1.00?}
____
(24) 5.29
Board for horse 75
" " " 75
feed " " 20
" " " 05
(25) R R FAir _____ 2.7_{2.74?}
Sindr__s{Sindrives?} 26
(26) board _____{?} 2.00
____
(2) " 2 00
rep watch 1 00
____
oats 25
____
(3) board{baard?} 75
4) " 1 25
"{?} lunch 10 {.10?}
____
12.1_{12.10?}
09\22\1890 (Monday)
I drove to Copper hill
3 miles then to Feeding
hill 10 miles then to
Springfield .4{4?} miles
then to Chicapll{?} 5 __les{miles?}
then to Chicapee{?} falls
3 miles than to South
Hadley Falls 4 miles
then South Hadley
3 miles and Stayed
with Mr. Joseph Miller
_____
(5) board{baard!} 1.50
_____
6 " 1.25
lunch .14
_____
(6) Board 1 00
(7) " 1 00
_____
(8) " 2 00
_____
(9) " 1 56{?}
lunch .16
_____
10 Board 1.7_{1.75?}
Postage{Pastage!} .02
11 board{baard!} 1 50
12 bard{board?} 1 50
feed 28
lunch 20
13 bard{board?} 1 00
_____
14 80
Mathematical equation is on this page
09\23\1890 (Tuesday)
I left South{Sauth!} Hadley
this morning and drove to
Hadley to North Hadley
to Sunderland to M_ntog__{Mantogen?}
to Mills Falls to
Northfield Farms to
Northfield to winchester
the whole being 37 1/2 miles
09\24\1890 (Wednesday)
I left Winchester at 7 oclock{oclox!}
and drove to Kein{?}
passing through Westport{?}
and{an!} West Swanzey 13 1/2 __les{miles?}
t__n{then?} drove to Marlborough
to Chesham to Harrisville
to E Harnsville to
Hancock 20 miles
33 1/2 miles to day
Stopped at the house
of Mr. Aldin S Wood.
09\25\1890 (Thursday)
Went to day from
Hancock to Concord
by rail and returned
at night to Mr. Woods
09\26\1890 (Friday)
to day I left Hancock
at 10.45 o'clock and we_t{went?}
to Stoddard 9 miles
then to Marlow{?} 8 miles
then to Lemster{?} 7"{?}
2_{24?} miles to day
{mathematical equation on this page}
09\27\1890 (Saturday)
I left Semster and
Passed through Unity
to Newport 13 1/2 miles
from Newport I drove
through Croudon{?} to
_rantham{Grantham?} then to
Endfield NH 27{27.?} miles
and stayed with
Mr. Fred S Kimball
on{an!} shaker hill
09\28\1890 (Sunday)
Stayed at Fred Kimball_{Kimball's?}
09\29\1890 (Monday)
Stayed{Staryed!} at Fred Kimball's
09\30\1890 (Tuesday)
Stayed at Fred Kimball's
10\01\1890 (Wednesday)
Stayed at Fred Kimball's
and dug Potatoes.
10\02\1890 (Thursday)
Oscar Carr is at
Fort Payne Al
Burning lime has 16
Negroes at work.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I drove{draw?} from Endfield
to lebanon{?} to Hanover{?}
to lime to Oxford{Orford!}
32 miles
10\03\1890 (Friday)
Drove from Oxford{Orford!} to
Pierpont then to Bradford
Vt then to Corinth
then to west Topsham{?},
the distance from
Corinth to W{?} Topsham
is eight miles{,?} but
I got lost in the mountain
and drove over
12 miles
The whole distance
being 27 miles
10\04\1890 (Saturday)
Drove from West
Topsham to Orange{Oorange!} then
to Barri then to
Montpelier{Mantpelier!} to Middlesex
then waterbury where
I am stopping with
Mr. Phillips{?} at th__{the?}
Villeage house
The distance traveled
is 32 miles
10\05\1890 (Sunday)
drove from Waterbury
village to Waterbury
center then to Bolton{Baltan?}
th__{the? then?} whole{whol!} being 12
miles.
10\06\1890 (Monday)
drove from Bolton to
Jones ville{Jonesville?} to Richmond{?} to
Williston to Birlington
then to Shilbourn to
Charlotte{Charlotti!}{.?} 38 miles
{mathematical equation on this page}
10\07\1890 (Tuesday)
Am at Crown Pa__t{?}
drove through Shellaine{?}
Ferrisburgh Panton
and Addison to
Chimny Point
distance 28 miles
10\08\1890 (Wednesday)
Visited Crown Point{Paint!}
Fort Frederick and
Fort Amerest{?}
Drove through{through!} Bridport{?}
and Shorhan_{Shorhanx?} to
Garrabees Point{Paint!}
distance 22 miles
10\09\1890 (Thursday)
Drove from Larabees
Point to Orwell then
to Hortonville to
Hubbard ton{Hubbardton?} E Hubbar__{Hubbarth?}
and Castleton.
23 miles
Stopping at the
Boamoseen House
10\10\1890 (Friday)
Drove from Castleton to
Manchester. Passing through
Ruttand Clorendon Wallingford
S Wallingford Mr Tabor{Tabos?}
N Dorset E Dorset
52 miles
Stopping at Thayers Hobl{?}
10\11\1890 (Saturday)
Left Manchester and drove
to South Pawnall Passing
through Sunderland
Arlington Shaftsbury
South Shaftsbury
Bennington Pawned{Powned?}
Distance 41 miles
Saw Bennington
monument 301 ft hight
38 ft square at bace{base?} made
of stone cost $200,000.00{?}
10\12\1890 (Sunday)
Left Pawnal and Drove
to Cheshire Mass
by way of Vermont
Williamston Blackington
North Adans{Adams?} Adams
Maple Grove, Cheshire{Cheshre!}
Harbor. Distance 22 miles
10\13\1890 (Monday)
Drove from Cheshin{?}
to Fryingham{Tryingham?} by way
of Berkshire Pittsfield{?}
New Lenox L__{Lse? hill?}
30 miles
10\14\1890 (Tuesday)
Drove from Truingham{Tryingham?}
and Drove to North Gahen{Goshen?}
by way of Monterey
New Marlborough South-Field{hypen in text. Is name hyphenated? 1 word?}
North Norfolk,
Norfol Soup{South?} Norfolk,
and stayed over night
with Mr. Samueal{Samuel?} Gillett{?}.
distance 25 miles
10\15\1890 (Wednesday)
drove from North
Goshen home
distance 31 miles
10\18\1890 (Thursday)
Fred and Tom{?} worked
10\20\1890 (Monday)
Tom and Fred stayed
home to work an{on?} barn
[[10\22\1890 piece of paper in back pocket of the
workbook, dated "Waterbury Oct 22, 1890:
Due H _ Welton on demand value
received Two Hundred Dollars
[signed] Chas. S. Miller]]
10\23\1890 (Thursday)
Fred Welton{Wilton?} worked
1/2 day
10\30\1890 (Thursday)
My horse broke his leg
to day and had to be
killed.
{The following comment is written in what looks like a different
handwriting
Not Jack,{,?} that was
drowned}
10\31\1890 (Friday)
Wrote to John La Fleur{?}
East Gramby Conn
11\05\1890 (Wednesday)
Got a horse of Chas
Gillette of Cheshire
on trial
11\13\1890 (Thursday)
George and Tom and
Fred and myself worked{woked!}
3 hr on{om!} shed
11\14\1890 (Friday)
Fred Miller and Tom and
Fred and George and
myself worked to day on
the shed
11\15\1890 (Saturday)
Mr. Cass and Tom and
Fred and George worked
on shed and myself{nyself!}
200{2.00?}
11\17\1890 (Monday)
Weather, Rained
Tom and Fred and myself
worked in{in?} shed 7 hr
11\18\1890 (Tuesday)
Mr. Cass, Fred Tom
and George and my____{myself?}
worked on{an!} shed
put up rafters and
roof{roaf!} boards
2 00
11\19\1890 (Wednesday)
Cass Tom Fred George
Munson{?} and myself
worked shingling
shed laid 7000 in
5 hr
2 00
11\20\1890 (Thursday)
Cass Tony Fred George
and myself worked
on shed
2 00
11\21\1890 (Friday)
Cass Tom Fred George
and myself worked
on shed
Cass worked 9 hr
1.80
11\22\1890 (Saturday)
Cass Tom Fred George
and myself worked on shed{.?}
Cass worked 9 hr
1.80
{mathematical equation on this page}
11\26\1890 (Wednesday)
Wm Austin Cr{?}
$10.00
George went to
Hartford this noon
11\27\1890 (Thursday)
The Somers Family
spent thanksgiving at
Uncle Willis there
were 49 present{presant!}
11\28\1890 (Friday)
George Was in
Hartford to day
Edward's child died
to day
11\29\1890 (Saturday)
George was in Hartford
to day
11\30\1890 (Sunday)
Mary and I went to
Oakville to visit
George Edwards
12\01\1890 (Monday)
George came home from
Hartford this noon{noom!}
127.90 due George
Nettleton this date
Dec 28 - 1 hr
{mathematical equation on this page}
12\02\1890 (Tuesday)
Ice on Wedges pond
is 6" thick thicker than
it was any time last
winter
12\03\1890 (Wednesday)
Tom _s{is?} home sick with
the chills
12\04\1890 (Thursday)
Tom is sick
12\05\1890 (Friday)
Tom is sick
12\06\1890 (Saturday)
Tom is sick
12\07\1890 (Sunday)
George Edwards and
family and{an!} Cara Miller
and James Elliot visited
us to day
Went to the chapel to prayer
meeting this evening
12\08\1890 (Monday)
Bought a set of 1 3/4 wheel_{wheels?}
19.00 and 1 hub 1.00
Paid 19.00
12\17\1890 (Wednesday)
Worked to night
12\18\1890 (Thursday)
Worked to night
Stephen Wedge borrowed
my buggy to day for
3 or 4 days
11\19\1890 (Friday)
Worked to night
12\23\1890 (Tuesday)
All have{haus!} worked to
night
12\25\1890 (Thursday)
Manhattan Brass Co
Wessell Mfg Co{?}
No 521 W{?} 24th St
NY
T D Milber_{Miller?}
No 238 W{?} 25 St
__{Al?}
12\31\1890 (Wednesday)
$146.00 due George
Nettleton.
{The following entry is on the page following the page for
12\31\1890:
Began pasturing my
horse in Jomes{Jones?} Part___{Parterp?}
lot at .50 cts per week
June 14th 1890}
There is a list of expenses in the back of the journal. These
pages have the heading "Expense for __________." Dates, items and
amount are listed.
Assorted tags and receipts are in the folder in the back of the journal.
There is a tag from Bradley, Hoyt & Do listing No. and Yds.
There is a card from H. B. Stanley, a dealer in watches, clocks and
jewelry and a watch repairer.
There is a card with a receipt on it, dated 10\22\1890{is date correct?}
and signed Chas S. Miller. A mathematical equation is also on this
card. On the reverse side of the card there is another receipt for
$200.00
and a mathematical equation. There is some writing along the side edge
on the first side, it is difficult to read.
//end of small book//
Cha's S. Miller, Waterbury, Conn. is written on the inside
front cover, followed by an Almanac section (astronomical
calculations, weights and measures, etc.) and an Addresses
and Memoranda section, containing the addresses: Arthur
Hyvan, Goodwins shop City, Blackmills, Alec Mauthey, 110
Kensington St., New Britain Co., and Mauthey and Wife, 110
Kensington St., New Britain, Conn. There is also a Timetable
for Board or Labor with the names Lom, Welton, and Nettleton.
01\02\{1891}(Fr) Back yard of my shop yard was flooded to the depth
of
10". Mr. Fairclough made drain.
01\03\{1891}(Sa) Cold. Cleaned out the shop.
01\04\{1891}(Su) Snowed. Went to the prayer meeting at the chapel
this morning. Mr. Hiram Able had the meeting.
01\05\{1891}(Mo) Snowed. Went to Ed Todds this morning thought I
would freeze before I could get home.
01\06\{1891}(Tu) Worked to night.
01\07\{1891}(We) Fred was home sick{.} Did not work this evening.
Chas Pierpont had a fistula{?} cart out to day {.}
01\08\{1891}(Th) Nice. Good sleighing. Mary and Clyde and Parve{?}
went to town and got Clyde and Parve each an overcoat cost 4.00
each. Mother Pierpont went to grange meeting to night. George
Nettletons Grandfa{ther} Sullivan visited him to day. W.L.
Pierpont brought a pig that weighed 125 lbs.
01\09\{1891}(Fr) Nice sleighing.
01\10\{1891}(Sa) Nice. Mr. Cha's Gillette of Cheshire got his two
horse wagon and traded one bay horse and 10.00 to boot for the
same also ordered an one horse wagon he to pay me 60.00 for it
and the 10.00 makes a total of 70.00 he now owes me. Price of wagon
65.00. {These are the original grammatical errors} Cara
and George Mr. Smith Clyde and me and myself {?} went sliding on
a double ripper this evening.
01\11\{1891}(Su) Rainy. Stayed home all day. Rained very hard the
snow
has most all gone at the rate it is going there will be a big flood.
Harris Frost died this morning of{p}neumonia aged 78 he was a nice man.
01\12\{1891}(Mo) Cleared up. The water in mad river was one boat and
a half deep an{d} the floor of the pump station and the road
east of the shear shop is covered big cakes of ice where the
river has run over.-------------------------------------------
Mr. Shilton and a young lady that called him cousin started
from Southington at 6 o'clock this morning with a sleigh at
Stillmans corners the water was so high that it came in the
sleigh they held their feet as high a{s} possible but it wet
the back of the young ladies stockings how she must have felt
she borrowed an old hat and dress as not to wet her own and had
hers under the seat they got wet at my house they exchanged
their sleigh for my buggy as the sleighing had all gone. {The
last sentence was completed on 01\13\{1891}(Tu)} {sic}
01\14\{1891}(We) Tom went to Cheshire and got a hub for Austins
Pierpont's wagon and a set of wheels for E.E. Wrights wagon.
01\15\{1891}(Th) Clear. George Nettleton took a demit{?] card from
the grange which entitles him to join any grange insid{e} of
six months by paying up his back dues if he fails to do so he is
no longer a member of any grange. Let Mr. Jencks take my
Saladee buggy for a time.{sic}
01\16\{1891}(Fr) Clear. Ed Johnson died to day aged 68 to be buried
{S}aturday afternoon in Wolcott.
01\17\{1891}(Sa) Rain and snow.Fred Welton was going to Seymour
this
afternoon rabiting {sic} {rabbiting?}
01\18\{1891}(Su) Went to prayer meeting this evening. Bessy
Garrigan
led.
01\20\{1891}(Tu) Wright butchered 8 pigs to day. School commenced
to
day Miss Patchen teacher.{sic}
01\21\{1891}(We) {weather} Good. Tom was home sick. Wm. Purdy drew 12
truck to Holmes Booth & Haydens to day for me. Mr. Kellogg of
the Pin{?} Co. ordered 8 or 3 pin {?} tubes to day.{sic}
Wright butchered 11 pigs to day.
01\22\{1891}(Th) Rained hard. Big floods in all the rivers about
here. Tom
Melbourn{,} Fred Welton{,} George Nettleton and Myself{sic} went to
wedges mill to help hurry saw the old mill was no good and we
sawed but little. {sic}
01\25\{1891}(Su) Snowed. Went to the chaple{sic} to prayer
meeting{>}
Miss Annie Frost led the meeting. Uncle Alfred Munson is very
sick.
01\26\{1891}(Mo) Fair. Snow is 15" deep on the level. Cara and I
worked on my books all day.
01\26\{1891}(Tu) Good Sleighing{sic}. Cara and I worked on my books
all day{.} We found that there was $1384.01 owing me and that
last year I did nearly $2,000. worth of work.
01\28\{1891}(We) Nice Sleighing. Mary went to visit Gussy. Got one
set of wheell{sic} of H.C.Hubbell $12.00 was for hub.{sic} Tom
went collecting.
01\29\{1891}(Th) Foggy. Tom and Fred stayed home this afternoon to
lay
stable floor. Uncle Alfred Munson died last night at 12
o'clock aged 91 years.
01\31\{1891}(Sa) Sid Munson's hired man ran away with 2,000 {or
20.00}.
02\01\{1891}(Su) Thawed. Went to the Y.P.S. of C.E. this evening.
Edson Hitchcock led the meeting.
02\02\{1891}(Mo) Warm. Wilson Pierponts wife had a baby to night.
02\03\{1891}(Tu) Rained. Medicine to cure worms in horses.
Gentian 8oz
Sulfite Iron {?} mix 4 "
Dose 1 tablespoon full 3 times per day.
02\04\{1891}(We) Cold. The Cattolves{?} are cutting the wood of the
range{?}
they bought of Mrs. Cass and Mrs. Doolittle and are clearing it up
ready
for their burying ground.{sic}
02\06\{1891}(Fr) Snowed. Went to Holmes Booth & Haydens but Mr.
Adams was
out of town. Got a watch chain for Clyde.
02\07\{1891}(Sa) Snowed. Went to prayer meeting{.} Mr. Squires led the
meeting.
02\09\{1891}(Su) Thomas Melbourne lumber bill 84.73.
02\10\{1891}(Tu) Miss Haddy came to day. Mr. Hawd finished getting
ice to day has one house 60'x 24'x 20 full.{sic}
02\11\{1891}(We) Clear. Sent George after the washing. A.B.
Pierpont
is 42/41 years old today.
02\13\{1891}(Th) An appointment at the Dentist. My wife had a baby
girl this morning at 6:30 o'clock had Barber for doctor and
Miss Haddy (Ruth Brundags) for nurse. I got my emery {sic}
Grinder shaft from the Waterbury machine Co. this morning.
Gave Parter S. Woods some bills to collect.
02\14\{1891}(Fr) Brought Margaret home from Franks because she was
sick with the croup. Clyde and Irving are sick with the croup.
02\15\{1891}(Sa) Had Dr. Benedict to day to attend Margaret.
Mrs. T.B. Egglestone was buried to day she took me to school
the first day I ever attended in 1864. We went to Miss Frost
in the old Acamey {Academy?}.
02\16\{1891}(Mo) Rained. Mrs. B.S. Wedge is 34 years old to day.
Took dinner with Frank on west Liberty street then went to the
bank and to Holmes Booth & Haydens to see about trucks.
02\17\{1891}(Tu) Rained. Mr. C.S. Farclough is 63 years old to day
he
is an ugly man. Clyde is sick with the croup Jane is at A.B.
Pierponts sick with the croup Margaret is sick with the croup
and Mary is sick with a baby.{sic} C.S. Gillette ordered a 2
horse wagon through Cha's Ives 100.00. George took dinner at
Father's.
02\18\{1891}(We) Cleared up. Tom carried Cha's Pierponts sleigh
home. George and I took dinner at Fathers to day.
02\20\{1891}(Th) Mr. Sha's S. Gillitte ordered a 2 horse wagon. Mr.
Munson said he saw Mr. Fairclougs wheels last night.
02\21\{1891}(Sa) I saw a new set of wheels on Mr. Fairclougs wagon.
02\22\{1891}(Su) Clear. Went to the Chapel in the afternoon and to
the prayer meeting in the evening{.} Mr. Squares led the meeting.
02\24\{1891}(Tu) Father and I went to Ramson Halls auction{.} I
bought
2 stoke chaws{?} for 15 cts.
02\24\{1891}(We) Was in town all this afternoon saw Parter L.
Moad{.}
{T}ook dinner at dads.
02\26\{1891}(Th) Snowed They had the darymans{sic} meeting at the
grange hall to day{.} Took dinner at Fathers.
02\27\{1891}(Fr) Snowed. L.L. Ensworths Agent was at my shop to
day.
Took dinner with Father.
02\28\{1891}(Sa) Took dinner at Fathers.{sic}
03\01\{1891}(Su) Cold. Went to the Chaple to Prayer meeting Mr.
Hobert Warner led the meeting.
03\02\{1891}(Mo) Cold. Went to see Ben Ferrell about a planer.
03\03\{1891}(Tu) Snowed. Bought a Plainer{sic} of Benjamin Ferrell
for 10.00{.} Paid 8.00 in work and 2.00 cash. The town
commenced cutting the hill on the Meridan road near Mr. Freys
house{.} They worked a little while and gave it up on account
of frost{.} George Benhan ordered a heavy wagon gear price
65.pp.
03\04\{1891}(We) Snowed. Worked on Mr. Wrights buggy. Took dinner
with Father.
03\05\{1891}(Th) Cold. Good Sleighing. Went to grange hall to
dramatic entertainment. J.J. Bryan ordered his buggy fixed up
price 16.00. City Ice Co. Talked about having ice wagon built
with iron gear Price $150.00. They took my telephone away
because I refused to pay for it till the last of the quarter
after I had had the use of it.
03\06\{1891}(Fr) Good. Good Sleighing. They took away A.B.
Pierponts
2 telephones for the same reasons they did mine. Miss Haddy
went home and we have engaged Emma Nichols to help do the work.
Miss Haddy weighs nearly 300 lbs.
03\07\{1891}(Sa) Warm. Mr. Wright got a letter from Mr. Fred
Kingsbury about the land back of my shop that we think Mr.
Fairclough wrote.----------------------------------------
Tom Melbournes house was surched {searched} this noon for
liquers.--------------------------------------------------
I carried the Old man Harry home to Cheshire to night and
stop{p}ed at Frank Ives and measured a lot of plank.------
City Ice Co. ordered new wagon $160.00 with springs on it.
03\08\{1891}(Su) Warm. Took Mary and mother Perpont and Clyde and
Jane and Margaret up to Austins for a ride. Went to the Chaple
this evening. Wm H. Durkee led the meeting.
03\09\{1891}(Mo) Rained Hard. Cha's Welton is 33 years old today.
----------------------------------------------------------
Went to see Hall & Upson about their account and then to the
City Ice Co. about their new wagon.
03\10\{1891}(Tu) Good. Mr. Whightman commenced working on my shop
worked 9 hr.
03\11\{1891}(We) Good. Mr. Whiteman and Mr. Garrigns worked on the
shop.-------------------------------------------------------
Mother Pierpont went to Nellie Connors to stay a while{.} Erve
went too.------------------------------------------------------
Wm. Artchenson{?} ordered cart fixed for 14.00.
03\12\{1891}(Th) Rained. Wright and I went to see Cha's Cally about
Fairclough. Wright and Fairclough have been fighting all day{.}
Janty{?} fought Fairclough a little while this morning. Mr.
Garrigns worked 9 1/2 hr, Mr. Whiteman worked 7 1/2.
03\13\{1891}(Fr) Rained. EE Wright and myself went to see Mr. Cally
but he is in New Haven.
03\14\{1891}(Sa) Cold. Cha's Cally made Cha's Fairclough turn his
water from his drive way off my land and told him to put in an
6" or 8" drain pipe.
03\15\{1891}(Su) Nice day. Went to see Mr.Byam about iron roofing.
Went to the chaple this evening to the Young Peoples Christian
endevor{endeavor} meeting Edson Hitchcock led the meeting.
They had the largest meeting I ever saw in the chapel.
AB Pierpont called to see Mary and I about the trouble Charlie
Pierpont is making about mothers property.
03\16\{1891}(Mo) Cold. Went to Woodtick to Mr. Cornellis to see
about
some wagons told him I would ask the small one for about 5.00
set no prise{price} on the large one. He is going to bring
some wheels for 18.00 or 20.00. Went to James Wakellee and
bought a window shash for 1.00. Elliott Doolittle called to
see me about a new wagon but I was away. Mr. Whiteman worked 6
hr, Harry Whiteman worked 6 hr.
03\17\{1891}(Tu) Mr. Whiteman worked 6 1/2 hr. in the shop on his
wagon.
03\18\{1891}(We) Mr. Whiteman worked on his wagon 6 1/2 hr.
03\19\{1891}(Th) Mr. Whiteman worked on his wagon 5 1/2 hr. Thomas
Melbourne did not work his wife was sick. I went to
cheshire{sic} this morning to get some spokes and rims for Mr.
Ritters wagon. Mr. Faircloughs wheels came to day.
03\20\{1891}(Fr) Good. Mr. Whiteman worked 8 hr. on his wagon. I
delivered Mr. Faircloughs wheels to him but he would not accept
them and fired them out of the barn for he was mad. Fred
Higgins ordered 2 horse wagon Price $135.00.
03\21\{1891}(Sa) Mr. Whiteman got through on his wagon at noon and
worked for me in the afternoon 4 1/2 hr.
03\22\{1891}(Su) Rained. Rained all day I stayed home.
03\23\{1891}(Mo) Moist. Mr. Whiteman worked for me 8 hr. Stephen
Wedge got a job at the West Brass Mill to day.
03\24\{1891}(Tu) Mr. Whiteman worked 9 hr.
03\25\{1891}(We) Nice. Mr. Whiteman worked 7 1/2 hr., Mr. Garragns
worked 10 hr. I went to Randolphs & Clawes.
03\26\{1891}(Th) James Pater lent me 30.00 to pay Tom Melbourne.
Mr.
Fairclough payed me $11.03 to pay all claims and depts{debts}.
{T}his is what it has cost him for being spunky and mean. Mr.
Whiteman didnt work to day. School closed in the East Farms
district to day. Payed Mr. Rockwood 2.50 for lettering CE Ives
wagon.
03\27\{1891}(Fr) Good. Fred Welton did not work. George and Tom and
I worked on the shop. All my family went over to my fathers.
03\28\{1891}(Sa) Nice. Frank and Old Ed sawed 7 1/2 cords of wood
to
day.
03\29\{1891}(Su) Nice. Went to the chaple this aftermoon and
evening
Rev.{?} Anderson preached this afternoon and Mrs. Harry Garrign
led the meeting in the evening.
03\30\{1891}(Mo) Mr. Whiteman worked 5 hr. Went to Randolphs and
Claws to ask about iron.
03\31\{1891}(Tu) got a load of old iron from R & C.
04\01\{1891}(We) Went to R & C after 2 loads of old iron.
04\02\{1891}(Th) Nice. Went to town this noon and to Mr. Kutters.
Has a talk with George Nettleton about being late in the
morning.
04\03\{1891}(Fr) Snowed 8 inches. Tom was home sick this afternoon.
Old Mr. Parsons came to work this morning at 10 o'clock.
04\04\{1891}(Sa) Mr. Parsons worked 10hr. Attended town meeting to
night. The main object that this meeting was called for was
to appong{appoint} a superintendant of highways and bridges at $1000.00
salery {sic} a year and to repair or build a town house and to
build a cart house and several new streets and to transact any
other business proper to be done. The meeting ajorned{sic} for 3
years without doing any business.
04\05\{1891}(Su) Went to the Chapel this evening. Mr. Squires led
the
meeting.
04\06\{1891}(Mo) Cold. Mr. Parsons worked 10 hr. George and I cut
an
ash tree over to Wilson Pierponts. Mary had a letter from
Nellie stating that her mother was going to divide the Warner
property among the four boys sons.
04\07\{1891}(Tu) Mr. Parsons worked 10 hr.
04\08\{1891}(We) Mr. Parsons worked 10 hr.
04\09\{1891}(Th) Mr. Parsons worked 10 hr.
04\10\{1891}(Fr) Parsons worked 10 hrs. Mr. Garrigns worked 8 hr
painting my store house.
04\11\{1891}(Sa) Mr. Parsons worked 10 hr.
04\12\{1891}(Su) Attended prayer meeting this evening. Miss Flora
Judd led the meeting. My Father is 61/60 years old to day this
is the first time I ever knew how old my Father is.
04\13\{1891}(Mo) Nice. Mr. Parsons worked 10 hrs. Went to Randolphe
and Claws Mr. Demring would not sell the roofing. Clyde came
home from Canors{?}. Walter Garrigns is sick with the mumps
and tyfard fever{typhoid?} and his wife has the mumps to.
Henry Buckinghams wife has gone crazy because she thinks
henry{sic} flirts with the girls at the grange.
04\14\{1891}(Tu) Parsons worked 10 hr. Worked at the saw mill about
3
hr. this morning.
04\15\{1891}(We) Parsons worked 10 hr. Mother is 57/56 years old to
day.
04\16\{1891}(Th) Mr. Parsons worked 10 hr. Garrigns worked 8 hr.
04\17\{1891}(Fr) Mr. Parsons worked 10 hr. Mr. Garrigns worked 8 hr.
04\18\{1891}(Sa) Mr. Rarsons worked 10 hr. Mr. Garrigans worked
painting shed 8 hr.
04\19\{1891}(Su) Went to Cannors and Charlie Pierponts.
04\20\{1891}(Mo) Tom is home sick. Munson is sick.
04\21\{1891}(Tu) Tom and Fred is home sick. DC Mutug {?} called to
order by Miles Booth in chair 8.13. Voted that John Peacock
became a member. Voted that Luke Henderson became a member.
Bus leaves corner of stay and S Main Sts at 5.30 on next
Thursday evening.
04\22\{1891}(We) Tom was home all day plowing. Fred home 1/2 day.
Parsons worked 10 hr.
04\23\{1891}(Th) Tom worked to day. I went to Cheshire with the
drum
corps to drum for the Old{or Odd} Fellows.
04\24\{1891}(Fr) Mr. Wm F Munson died tonight at about 8 o'clock
aged
41 years.
04\25\{1891}(Sa) Ervis Wright and myself spent all day ar{r}ainging
for
Mr. Munsons funeral.
04\26\{1891}(Su) Wm Munson was buried to day. Rev. Mr. Egglestone
officiated. Miles Ovaitt [Oviatt], Cha's Adams, Cha's Kenea and Mr.
Burlingam were pall brers{bearers}.
04\28\{1891}(Tu) Mr. Parsons worked 10 hr. Tom and Fred stayed mone
to day to set out the hedge. Hobert Welton interest comes due
to day.
04\29\{1891}(We) Clyde and I went to Bridgeport. Call on Martelle,
Mrs.
Munson, Faney, Champlin, Pierpont.
05\04\{1891}(Mo) Fred Welton was taken sick this noon. did not work
this afternoon.
05\05\{1891}(Tu) Fred welton sick to day. Ferdannand Martel came to
work in my paint shop to day. rent 3.00 per month.
05\06\{1891}(We) Fred Welton stayed home sick. Ed Canger planted my
potatoes to day.
05\07\{1891}(Th) Fred Welton home sick to day.
05\08\{1891}(Fr) Fred Welton worked to day.
05\10\{1891}(Su) Went to Manville Nortons and Cha's Tuttles.
05\11\{1891}(Mo) Paid H.V. Welton 23.00 on interest, 3.10 due now.
05\12\{1891}(Tu) Paid H.V. Welton $3.10.
05\13\{1891}(We) Went to see Mrs. Munson she said Mr. Peckord is
planting her garden.
05\15\{1891}(Fr) Mr. Parsons worked on City Ice wagon 10 hr. Paid
1.40 for lumber.
05\16\{1891}(Sa) Mr. Parsons worked on the City Ice wagon 10 hr. 20
hr.
05\17\{1891}(Su) We went to Praspect {?} for a ride.
05\18\{1891}(Mo) Mr. Parsons worked 10 hr on City Ice wagon.
{calculations follow}
05\19\{1891}(Tu) Mr. Parsons worked 10 hr on ice wagon.
05\23\{1891}(Sa) Tom Melbourne was home sick this afternoon.
05\24\{1891}(Su) Went to the Chapel with Clyd and Irve and Mrs.
Benham
and Mary. Mr. Garrigns had me place the flags on the souldiers
{soldiers} graves in the East Farmes Burying Ground.
05\26\{1891}(Tu) Drum Corps had a meeting this evening. There
wer{e}
present Luke Henderson,L. Lanaitt, C.S. Miller, Miles Booth,
Mr. Pholen, John Marrow, James Elliot.
05\27\{1891}(We) Went to the Ann{u}al Chapel meeting. Mr. Brsdley
Seneca Munson, David Parter and Cha's Frost were elected Chapel
committee for the ensuing year. Hiram Able was elected
Secretary and Mrs. Theodore Munson Treasurer. Meeting ajourned
to June 27th.
05\28\{1891}(Th) Had Drum Corps meeting this evening there were
present H.A. Norton, Henry Cross, George Edwards, Rufus Carley,
Luk Henderson, Mr. Pholen, James Elliott, Miller Booth, C.S.
Miller
05\29\{1891}(Fr) Fred Welton did not work. P.T. Barnum circus was
in
town to day.
05\30\{1891}(Sa) Went to the Flag Raising on the high sc{h}ool
grounds
had an address by John Milton Mabbott and by Captain
Chamberlain. Had the largest local parade I ever saw in
Waterbury I drummed in the Mattatuck Drum Corps.
05\31\{1891}(Su) Went to Arthur Harrisons and got the sword that
once
belonged to Major Byington of Wolcott. Went to the Chapel and
got the wreathes and flags to lay on the graves of the soldiers
in the East Farms burying ground.
06\04\{1891}(Mo) Wallace Andrews said he would see me week after
next
which would be the 18th.
06\05\{1891}(Tu) Bal due Clark Bros. $13.69. {The rest is unclear}
06\06\{1891}(Sa) Paid F.B. Fields clerk 27.40 for Fred Welton.
06\07\{1891}(Su) Stayed home all day.
06\08\{1891}(Mo) Went to see A.F. Slater of Wolcott.
06\09\{1891}(Tu) Went to see Mr. Byam.
06\10\{1891}(We) {measures}
06\11\{1891}(Th) Paid Mr. Parsons 15.00 all I owe him.
06\13\{1891}(Sa) George went away on the cars. Fred went to
baintom{?}
take fishing.
06\25\{1891}(Th) Went Cheshire.
06\26\{1891}(Fr) Tom and I went to see Wallace Andrews he said
06\27\{1891}(Sa) Tom and I went to Atwoles{?} and bought a 4 year
colt
of Mr. Sterry for 100.00. Pais $50.00.
06\28\{1891}(Su) Attended Chapel this evening Mrs. Anne Munson led
the
meeting.
06\29\{1891}(Mo) Attended school meeting this evening. A.B.
Pierpont
was elected committee, Wm. Austin clerk, Luthur Bradley
treasurer. Voted to have another meeting 2 weeks from to
night.
07\03\{1891}(Fr) Mr. Jencks gave deed of land on corner of Mrs.
Doolittle's road and Cheshire road. Gave Mr. Parsons 25.00.
07\12\{1891}(Su) Mary and Rol Jenner stayed at our house last night
and to day we went for a ride to Cheshire.
07\18\{1891}(Sa) Fred Welton has earned since he worked for me
$470.25
and I have paid him $401.51 leaving 68.74 due and taken out
20.60 for {?} leave 4814 now due him. {calculation at bottom}
07\22\{1891}(We) George sma{c}ked Mr. Parson's hand with a 8 pound
sledge driving spokes in the City Ice Co. wagon.
07\24\{1891}(Fr) Paid Mr. Parsons 10.00.
07\28\{1891}(Tu) Paid Mr. Parsons 13.00. Went to see Porter Le Wood
about Mr. Smith's bill.
07\31\{1891}(Fr) Sheriff Rigney came and took Mr. Smith's buggy away.
08\08\{1891}(Sa) George Nettleton started for Hartford this
afternoon
on his bicicle{sic}. Went duck hunting this morning at Seatts
pond.
08\09\{1891}(Su) Went to the Chapel this afternoon and evening.
08\15\{1891}(Sa) George Nettleton got through working for me to day
I
payed him 140.00 in full to date.
08\16\{1891}(Su) I went to the Chapel this afternoon and evening.
08\17\{1891}(Mo) {measures}
08\23\{1891}(Su) Went to the Chaple and then Father and mother Mary
and myself went to the rattlesnake quarry.
09\01\{1891}(Tu) {calculations}
09\02\{1891}(We) Took Mrs. Wells Carriage home this afternoon.
Ervis
Wright is worse to day. Sam Munson is very sick.
09\26\{1891}(Sa) {accounts}
09\28\{1891}(Mo) Arther Merriman ordered cart price $90.00.
09\29\{1891}(Tu) Lockhart ordered wagon made over for 45.00.
09\30\{1891}(We) Henry Carter ordered 1 set of trees for 11.42.
10\02\{1891}(Fr) Paid Mr. Parsons 4.00.
10\12\{1891}(Mo) Paid Mr. Parsons 12.00. All the Miller family went
to Mary Jenners this evening the same being the 15th
anniversary of her marriage.
10\17\{1891}(Sa) {calculations}
10\19\{1891}(Mo) Alfred Northrop came to work for me to day @1.25.
10\22\{1891}(Th) Bought of Henry Whiteman {list}
10\24\{1891}(Sa) Paid Mr. Parsons $20.00.
10\27\{1891}(Tu) Recieved of Mr. J. Gum 200 leaving a balance of
7.15
now due. Snowed to day first snow I have seen this season.
Wright butchered 8 hogs to day.
10\28\{1891}(We) Recieved of the City Ice Co. $169.10 pay in full to
date. Paid Alfred Northrop 7.00.
11\02\{1891}(Mo) Paid Mr. Martelle $38.28 for all due him. 27.00 for
Fabor, 11.28 for me.
11\03\{1891}(Tu) Paid Mr. Northrop 7.50.
11\04\{1891}(We) Paid Mr. Parsons 10.00. Had shop ishured{insured}.
11\05\{1891}(Th) Tom staid home to work.
11\06\{1891}(Fr) Tom stayed home to work.
11\13\{1891}(Fr) Paid Mr. Northrop 7.50. Paid Perre Supernot 11.25 in
full to date.
11\14\{1891}(Sa) Paid Mr. Parsons 15.00. Paid Tom 6.00. Perre did not
work to day.
11\15\{1891}(Su) Peter Marsh the painter and I went to John Marses and
James Harry's. Mr. Parsons worked 9 hr.
11\16\{1891}(Mo) Paid Hobert W.Welton 26.10 interest. Perre worked 10
hrs.
11\17\{1891}(Tu) Perre worked 9 hr. I took Tom Melbourns horse to keep
a spell.
11\18\{1891}(We) Perre worked 10hr.
11\20\{1891}(Fr) {calculations}
11\21\{1891}(Sa) Paid Mr. Parsons 12.00.
11\22\{1891}(Su) All the family went to Mr. Edwards.
11\25\{1891}(We) Paid Mr. Northrop 6.00.
11\26\{1891}(Th) Thanksgiving.
11\28\{1891}(Sa) Paid Perre 1.00.
12\05\{1891}(Sa) Paid Mr. Parsons 7.00.
12\06\{1891}(Su) {calculations and diagram}
12\07\{1891}(Mo) {measures}
12\08\{1891}(Tu) Recived of Fred 30.00 Pay in full to date and AB
Paccaivt{?} Peter Marsh got through painting Mrs. Pierponts
house and went to work for George Benham. I was home sick all
day.
12\18\{1891}(Fr) Arthur Merriman ordered ax wagon for $100.00.
Walter
Brooks ordered 2 horse wagon for $75.00. Mr. Iseral Coe died
to day aged 97 years.
12\22\{1891}(Tu) Billy White worked 6 hr. digging my cellar.
12\27\{1891}(Su) Went to the Chaple this afternoon and evening.
12\29\{1891}(Tu) Paul Hesphelt worked 4 1/2 hr digging my cellar.
Mr.
Lucus worked 8 hr striping two bobs sleighs.
12\30\{1891}(We) Paul and Billy worked 6 hr digging my cellar.
12\31\{1891}(Th) Paul worked 4 hr., Billy worked 8 hr digging.
There is a note of accounts marked March 2 in the Memoranda
section, and a full Cash Account section. The back cover is
filled with calculations.
An Almanac section in the front, followed by an Addresses and
Memoranda section with the names and addresses: John
Hylander, No 128 Cook St., Bds P. Anderson, Mrs. Krogany, 65
So Elm St., L.J. Richardson, 223 North Elm St.,and Frank
Blodgilt, #117 Demsian St., City. There is also a Time Table
for Board or Labor including the names Tom, Northrop, Fred,
Parsons, Weltran, Cass, Pratt, and Marsh.
Daily Memoranda
01\01\{1892}(Fr) Paul Hesphelt worked digging my cellar 2 hr.
01\02\{1892}(Sa) Miles Farrell was Buried to day at Mill Plain.
01\03\{1892}(Su) Tom Melbourn and I took his colt over to Wm Cooks
in
Wollingford for him to keep.
01\04\{1892}(Mo) Old Mrs. Barnes, Cha's Frosts mother in law was
buried to day at Mill Plain.
01\06\{1892}(We) Tom was sick to day. Mr. Rin and his son painted
Austins meat wagon.
01\10\{1892}(Su) We all went to Ed Todds.
01\13\{1892}(We) Waterbury Brass Co. Mill burned to day loss
$300,000
ishured{insured} $180,000. Cass came to work.
01\15\{1892}(Fr) Wilson Pierpont drew plank from Todds mill. {?} 25
lbs Rys flour .75 cts.
01\17\{1892}(Su) Charles Frost's Horse run away and smashed the
sleigh
to pieces.
01\18\{1892}(Mo) June 16 Setting 1 set t{?} 2.00. All $5.65. W.L.
Pierpont drew plank from Todds saw mill (one load).
01\23\{1892}(Sa) Paul Hesphelt worked on my cellar 16 1/2 hr
White{?} worked 20
----------
36 1/2
Paid Parsons 98.00.
02\12\{1892}(Fr) Went to Bridgeport to the Aluminum Brass and
bronze
Co. to see about trucks.
02\13\{1892}(Sa) I{?} Went to Bridgeport to work on trucks.
02\16\{1892}(Tu) Mother went over to Charlies to stay over Trinity
supper.
02\20\{1892}(Sa) Tom went to Bridgeport to work on trucks.
02\25\{1892}(Th) Went to see Randolphes and Clawes about trucks.
Holmes Boogh and Hardens ordered 6 trucks @ 30.00 each no
wheels.
02\26\{1892}(Fr) Fred Miller came to work for me @150.
02\27\{1892}(Sa) Went to Randolph and Claws to see about making
trucks at 15.00 each they to furnish everything except rivets
and bolts. {calculation at end}
02\29\{1892}(Mo) Mr. Cass came to work for me @ 1.50. Fred Miller
went to work casting for the Manhattan Brass Co. of N.Y. City.
03\05\{1892}(Sa) Ed Holmes worked drawing logs from Wilson
Pierponts
swanp to Wedges mill and to Todds mill in the afternoon.
03\06\{1892}(Su) We called at George Edwards to day.
03\07\{1892}(Mo) Fred R. Welton Died at 6.30 o'clock this morning.
03\06\{1892}(We) Fred Welton was buried to day.
03\10\{1892}(Th) Wm. Pratt hired out to work for me for one year @
2.25 per day.
03\11\{1892}(Fr) Ed Benham Price for house 1800.00.
03\12\{1892}(Sa) {calculation of...} Time Fred Welton worked since
he
came to work after getting through at West Brass mill.
03\17\{1892}(Th) Paid Mr. Parsons 10.00 having 21.70 due.
03\18\{1892}(Fr) Arthur Merriman hired Wm Purdys ax wagon for a
time @
1.00 per week.
03\21\{1892}(Mo) Wm Pratt came to work for me @ 2.25 per day.
03\22\{1892}(Tu) R and I ordered 4 wagons for #95.00.
03\23\{1892}(We) City Ice Co. ordered wagon gear for 75.00.
04\04\{1892}(Mo) Arthur Terrell of Wolcott worked digging my cellar
2.00.
04\05\{1892}(Tu) Sam and Johnson worked stoneing my cellar. Sam
2.75,
Johnson 2.40.
04\06\{1892}(We) Sam and Johnson worked on cellar.
04\07\{1892}(Th) Sam and Johnson worked on cellar.
04\08\{1892}(Fr) Sam and Johnson worked on cellar.
04\09\{1892}(Sa) Sam and Johnson worked on cellar.
04\10\{1892}(Su) Clyde Irving and myself walked to the top of
turkey
hill to day.
04\11\{1892}(Mo) Sam and Johnson Worked on my cellar.
04\12\{1892}(Tu) Sam and Johnson worked on my cellar.
04\13\{1892}(We) Sam and Johnson worked on my cellar.
04\14\{1892}(Th) Sam and Johnson and old Ed worked on my cellar.
W.L.
Pierpont and Benham and Wm Austin and Ed Holmes drew logs to
Todds mill.
04\15\{1892}(Fr) Worked drawing sand and stone and lumber. Benham
and
Wm Austin and W.L. Pierpont drew logs to Todds mill.
04\16\{1892}(Sa) Sam and Johnson worked on cellar.
04\18\{1892}(Mo) Sam and Johnson worked on cellar.
04\19\{1892}(Tu) Iam and Johnson worked on cellar.
04\20\{1892}(We) Iam and Johnson furnished cellar.{calculation}
Rec{i}eved of C.S. Miller $50.00 on account {signature}
04\20\{1892}(Tu) The Ovaitts [Oviatts] and Warners started this
morning for
Portland Uragan {Oregon}. It will take 617 yards plaster and
12.000 lalte{?} for my house.
05\12\{1892}(Th) Ed Benham commenced my house. Worked himself with
2
men. {wages calculation}
From 05\13\{1892}(Fr) to 08\10\{1892}(We) there are account
listings and
various payments made to Mr. Benham and others in reference to
their work on Mr. Miller's house. Apparently, the house was
entirely repainted and possibly whitewashed in places. Mr.
Miller also dug a well with Tom, Cass and Pratt. There are
also the listings of normal hours for the men in the
shop.
08\22\{1892}(Mo) George Whaler worked digging ditches in my lab{?}.
09\03\{1892}(Sa) Borrowed 10.00 of D.G. Paiter.
09\09\{1892}(Fr) Ed Todd sawed 1183 ft of plank last winter for
W.L.
Pierpont.
09\27\{1892}(Tu) George Sprage Or by Cash{?} 5.00.
10\27\{1892}(Th) Fred Woods ordered wagon 75.00.
11\14\{1892}(Mo) Went to Ansonia.
11\16\{1892}(We) Cass did not work.
11\17\{1892}(Th) Paid Damelly 3.70.
From 11\21\{1892}(Mo) to 12\07\{1892}(We) there are account
listings for work done
on Mr. Miller's well by Miller, Cass, Marsh, and Melbourne.
12\14\{1892}(We) Recieved of C.S. Miller 36.00 as interest.{with
the
signature of a Joseph Munger}
12\28\{1892}(We) Miss Haddy came to day.
The Cash Account and Payable and Recievable sections
in the back have partial notation. In the back pocket is a
scrap of paper containing a payment account.
On the inside cover, there is a map of Jackson Park during the
World's Columbian Exposition, 1893. There is also an almanac
section, followed by Addresses and Memoranda, with the
addresses:
John Manteille, Waterbury
Fred D. Miller, 36 Admeral St., New Haven
Wm Morris Jr., No 57 Church St., New Haven, Conn.
J.T. Phalen, 196 Dublin St.
C.H. Tufts, New Haven, Conn., Box 15.93
Wm Morris Jr. 57 Church St., Sec Cau fife and Drum
Assasectry{?}
JB Rogers, Eliot, Maine
JB Rogers, Butte Montana, (Parrot Smelter{?})
LJ Bradley, 39 Park Ave,City
Boylon, (cloth) Grand St., NY
AJ Cammeyer, 6th Ave, (Boot tops) NY
AL Boutillier Brothers, 14th St., NY
James McCreery CC, Broadway & 11 St., NY
JG Hurzmann{?}, Box 438, Waterbury
John W. Fields, ofs{?} Mrs. Lydia Marsh, #86 Penbroke St.,
Bridgeport
Wm Rutter, 186 West 135th Street, New York
JP Howell & Co. 77 Beekman St., NY
JB Haynes, 230 Cherry St.
TC Maulthrop, Bristol, Conn.
Fred D. Miller, 23 Shelton Ave, New Haven, Conn.
There is also a Time Table for Board of Labor with the names
Melbaum, Cass, and Marsh.
There is a listing of accounts from 01\01\{1893}(Su) to
01\06\{1893}(Fr)
concerning feed and payment to workers.
01\10\{1893}(Tu) Baby was born this morning weight 11 lbs. Frank
Pierpont Miller ("Mike")
01\14\{1893}(Sa) 4 below, Cold
01\15\{1893}(Su) 2 below, Cold
01\16\{1893}(Mo) 7 below, Cold
01\17\{1893}(Tu) 17 below, Cold
01\18\{1893}(We) 17 below, Cold
01\24\{1893}(Tu) Had a school meeting this evening to lay a tax to
pay
the district debt of $1000.00 but they voted to borrow $200.oo
more B.F. Haggett. Moderator Mark L. Warner Committee.
01\26\{1893}(Th) Sarah Freeman came to work for us at 1.00 per week.
01\29\{1893}(Su) Miss Haddy went home to day.
01\08\{1893}(We) Gunn Paid $1.00.
01\09\{1893}(Th) City Ice Co. ordered 12'foot ice wagon for $250.
01\15\{1893}(We) Wm Purdy Paid $15.00.
02\24\{1893}(Fr) Elizer Hotchkiss Paid 9.25. Wm Strong Paid 2.00.
02\28\{1893}(Tu) Had school meeting.
03\07\{1893}(Tu) 170' oal{?} of James Parter logs.
03\09\{1893}(Th) Went to Hartford to the meeting before the
Agricultural committee.
03\14\{1893}(Tu) Mr. Fitzgeralds wagon is to cost 53.00.
03\21\{1893}(Tu) Had school meeting. Voted to lay 13 mills tax.
04\04\{1893}(Tu) Had school meeting. Voted to lay tax of 7 mills.
04\13\{1893}(Th) (Listing of accounts.)
04\14\(Fr) Mark L Warner Camithe{?} of Mill Plain School
District. The Subscriber ligol{?} voter: of said school
district hereby request you to call a special meeting of
the legal voters of said District for the purpose of laying a
futher school tax; of six mills on a dollar to become due and
payable the 2nd day of Oct AD 1893 said tax to be laid on the
grand list of 1892 dated April 12 AD 1893. SL Monson, WL
Munson, TD Munson, Wm Atkinson,{this list is continued on
04\15\{1893}(Sa)}
David T Squires, OL Fairchild, C Art Ward, LW Holland, GH Pengrey,
David Shannon, Hiram W
Bates, CH Monroe, HJ Able, BT Haggett, MB Alcott, Gaylord
Alcott Cha's Ives Seat 495 wide. April 14th Mr. Wright had
11 large hogs and 10 small ones.
04\17\{1893}(Mo) Mr Wright told me he would summonds all the
witnesses
he could if he was canaplaned{?complained} of
04\19\{1893}(We) Fred Woods brought 2800 of soft coal.
04\28\(Fr) James Parter, DG Parter, Henson Miller, CS Miller,
Sarah Hine, complained of Wrights Pigs and garbage.
05\01\{1893}(Mo) If I were called to testify I should have to say
that
nearly every time I drove by here last summer I caught the
smell terribly from Jim Parters down to your Fathers. It had
aught to have been stoped years ago.{sic} Ed Welton.
--------------------------------------------------------------
I have smelled something pret{t}y strang{e} when passing but
could not say what it was. But this I am sure of I have met
loads of garbage turning in to Mr Wrights place that would have
made me hold my nose had I not have driven from it as fast as I
could. Geo M Benham.
---------------------------------------------------------------
05\02\{1893}(Tu)
I would have stopped it long ago if I could. I had to hold my
breath very strong last summer while passing to and from work.
HJ Able.
---------------------------------------------------------------
No farmer would ever have such a smell on his place. he would
either plow it under or bury it. A man aught to be put in
prison that is mean enough to make the public smell it.
George Alexander
05\03\{1893}(We)
When the wind is northeast We catch pretty strong sniffs of it.
Fred Frampkin
---------------------------------------------------------------
The smell blew across here so strong most of the time last
summer that we could not stand it without closing the windows.
Bradley
05\06\{1893}(Sa) Went to City hall to the hearing before the board
of
health in regard to Mr Wrights Piggery. They appointed Mr
Pinney and Mayer Webster to investigate. Select man Pinney
and Mayer Webster inspected Wrights Pig pen's.{sic}
05\09\{1893}(Tu) Mr Wright stopped town team's and 11 men and took
the
men in cellar time hindered 12 minutes 2 yoke open and 1 pair
horses.
05\10\{1893}(We) Frank and Gussy Started for Palouse city
Washington star at 8.20 actach{?} A.M. No of Franks Baggage
check 164 Brase 37614 1528 Bros
37615
05\11\{1893}(Th) {list of measures}
05\12\{1893}(Fr) Smelled Wrights pig pens stronger than usual.
05\13\{1893}(Sa) Dr O'Hara inspected Wrights Pig pens and my place
and
Hawds and Barnard Son & Co.
05\15\{1893}(Mo) Wright had a load of garbage come.
05\19\{1893}(Fr) Dr O'Hara inspected my place and ordered privee
and
sink drain changed.
05\20\{1893}(Sa) JA Joel & Co, 88 Nassau St., NY, Price of flag
8x12
$9.00. Made box for water closet.
05\22\{1893}(Mo) Wright had load of garbage come. Making box and
changing privee 6.00.
05\23\{1893}(Tu) Making cispoal{?cesspool} 800.
05\29\{1893}(Mo) Peter worked 9 hr.
05\30\{1893}(Tu) Decoration Day. Drummed for the veterans at the
Sauldiers {soldiers} Monument and at the raising of the flag at
Mill Plain school house.
05\31\{1893}(We) Peter worked 7 hr.
06\01\{1893}(Th) Peter worked 9.
06\02\{1893}(Fr) Peter worked 4 hr.06\03\{1893}(Sa) Thomas
Lillianhad set of
wheels price 15.00. Paid 10.00. Peter worked 6 1/2 hr.
06\05\{1893}(Mo) 10 o'clock Peter got here. Peter worked 5 1/2 hr.
06\06\{1893}(Tu) Peter worked 9 hr.
06\07\{1893}(We) {list of measures}
06\09\{1893}(Fr) {list of measures}
06\12\{1893}(Mo) John Byron ordered coal wagon Price 65.00.
06\14\{1893}(We) {list of measures}
06\16\{1893}(Fr) 9 o'clock.
06\17\{1893}(Sa) {list of measures}
06\29\{1893}(Th) Brown moded {?} all day with machine. Cass moded
{?} all
day. Tom worked 1/2 day. I worked 1/2 day at hay.
07\01\{1893}(Sa) Cass Tom and Myself worked at hay.
07\03\{1893}(Mo) Cass hawed Potatoes.
07\05\{1893}(We) Brown Moved the meadow south of the wood. Cass Tom
and I worked 4 hr till driven in by rain and hail some of the
hail stones were as big round as a silver dollar and the shape
of a summer squash.
07\06\{1893}(Th) Waterbury Seap{?} iron Co Field St. Peter worked
1/2
day.
07\07\{1893}(Fr) Wright had load of garbage come to day.
07\08\{1893}(Sa) Cass did not work.
07\16\{1893}(Su) Clyde Irving and Myself drove to New Haven and to
Fort Hale and the old light house and drove home again in the
evening.
07\30\{1893}(Su) Mary and I drove to New Haven and back again to day.
08\01\{1893}(Tu) {accounts}
08\05\{1893}(Sa) Clyde and I went to New Haven. Drove to Cheshire
and
went the rest of the way in case{?}.
08\06\{1893}(Su) Went to Charles Island on Mr Bakers tug . Mr
Meeker
was pilot.
08\07\{1893}(Mo) Came home from N.H. this morning.
08\19\{1893}(Sa) Paid Mr Muiger $10.00 interest.
10\20\{1893}(Fr) Assessed Property{list}
10\22\{1893}(Su) Franks wife came to our house to stay a while.
11\04\{1893}(Sa) Had Shop inshured{insured} for 720 at rate of
27.00
on the thousand.
11\09\{1893}(Th) Dr O'Hara visited my place to day. Moved water
closet this evening.
11\10\{1893}(Fr) Dr. O'Hara and an American reporter visited my
place
to day. Moving privy and making vault 4.00.
11\11\{1893}(Sa) Went to New Haven to see country health officer
Hoadley.
11\13\{1893}(Mo) Country Health officer and Town health officer
O'Hara
visited my place and ordered cesspool made.
11\15\{1893}(We) Cass worked on cesspool.
11\16\{1893}(Th) Frank and Cass and Tom and myself worked making
cesspool{account}
11\18\{1893}(Sa) Dr O'Hara visited my place . the time he was there
did not exceed 10 minutes.
11\23\{1893}(Th) Paid Hobert W Welton 30.00.
11\27\{1893}(Mo) {listing of accounts}
12\02\{1893}(Sa) Dr O'Hara visited my place was there about 5 minutes.
In the back is a Memoranda section in which there is the note
LD Bauley, By drawing lumber 800. There is also a full Cash
Account section, and the expenses section is empty.
In the back pocket, there is a piece of paper on which there is
a listing of accounts for clothing bought and repaired, etc.
[[no 1894 diary has been found]]
There is an Almanac section, and an Addresses and Memoranda section
in which
there are the addresses: Cd {?} Page, Plymoth{sic}, Conn., John M
Hatch, Danbury,
VE Barnum, Danbury, John W Bacon, Danbury, GM Rundel, Danbury, and SH
Rundel,
Danbury. There is also a full Time Table for Board or Labor with the
names:
Melbourne, Cass, George Cass, Burns, and Tom.
01\01\{1895}(Tu) Have not been able, yet, to find any Diary for
1894. There are shop
Acct. bks. etc.-M. Hall.
01\15\{1895}(Tu) City Ice Co ler{?} By lease or account $10.00.
01\25\{1895}(Fr) M Colloty ordered 1 cart to be done for price{?}
1.11. Price 65.00
Axle 2.11 Body 9" deep from floor.
01\30\{1895}(We) Had a meeting a Mill Plain chapel and it was
decided that the Ladies
Union should pay the Ministers and organists.
02\07\{1895}(Th) Hiram Able called on James Parters folks to seat{?}
the Chapel
Treasurer. Was informed that they should pay no bills And that we need
not
bring any more money there.
03\01\{1895}(Fr) Ladies Union paid Chapel society 14.00 to pay John French to date.
03\18\{1895}(Sa) Paid Mark Pond 20.00.
03\21\{1895}(Tu) Drove to Walnut beach and stayed there over night.
03\25\{1895}(Sa) In memory of forty six American soldiers who
sacrificed their lives
in struggling for the Independance of their country, this Monument was
erected
in 1852 by the joint liberality of of {sic} the general assembly the
People of
Milford and other contributing friends.
Two Hundred American soldiers in a destitute sickly and dying
conditions ,
were brought from a British prison ship , then lying near New York, and
suddenly cast upon our shore from a British cartel ship, on the first
of Jan.
1777.
The inhabitants of Milford made the most share table efforts for the
relief
of these suffering strangers yet notwithstanding all their kind
ministrations, in one month, these forty six died, and were buried in
one
common grave.
Their names and residences are inscriven on this monument.
Who shall say that Republics are ungrateful.
08\11\{1895}(Su) Mr McCracken preached at the Chapel this afternoon,
Clyde and Irving and myself went to Bucks hill to Mr Tylers this
afternoon.
08\14\{1895}(We) My Wife had a child this morning at 2.30 O'clock
weight -11 3/4 lbs.
(Raymond H. Miller)
08\22\{1895}(Th) Told John Pierpont that I would fix up his cart for 17.00.
08\23\{1895}(Fr) Went to Danbury to see about taking decorated wagon to the fair.
08\24\{1895}(Sa) Went to Watertown to see about taking decorated
wagon to the
Watertown fair.
09\02\{1895}(Mo) Mr & Mrs Gillett are married 55 years to night.
09\12\{1895}(Th) JH Brauson, #49 N Willow
Heght of wire 13'-6" {sic}
09\16\{1895}(Mo) 6,000 lbs 6.00 8.40 David Bury 13' from{?} Raid
09\18\{1895}(We) {listing of business accounts}
09\20\{1895}(Fr) Veterans Nelson Hall, John French
Continentalon{?} Arthur Pierpont
Puritans Hery Cass, George Hall
Indians Dwight Canklin, Ed Scott
Plowman
Grinder Cha's Hotchkiss
Blacksmith Thomas Melbourne
Cornshiller
Cider Makers George Cass, Clyde Miller
Lanmill Irving Miller
Chicru{?} Wm Canklin
09\21\{1895}(Sa) Fiddler and Dancing Mr Cass, Dan Squairs
Uncle Sam Dexter Northrop
10\01\{1895}(Tu) Wm Byrnes went to work at Roger Bro's
10\10\{1895}(Th) {diagram}
10\14\{1895}(Mo) Threashiers Cha's Minor, Wm Pritchard
11\11\{1895}(Mo) Fred was arrested to day. I went bans for him in
the
sum of $200.00.
11\12\{1895}(Tu) Fred had his trial this morning appealed to
District
cort{court}. Bands fixed at $200.00, Town band $200.00. Tried
befor{e} Judge Cawell.
D, Mr Burpee
At the time the divorce was granted, would you let the child
go.
Lattie, I suppose I shall have to.
Burpee, I said at the time the divorce was granted.
Lattie
Oh no, I wouldn't let her go at that time under any
considerations.
Mr. webster
Didn't you know that the child was given to you
Fred
Judge Thayer said that either of us could have it and I knew
that she wanted it
Mr Burpee and Webster reads the decree of divorce
Judge Cawell
He aint a fit person to have the costidy{sic} of the child.
Mr Burpee: Why Judge, Look at his past record he didnt pay his
lawers {sic}
Mr Burpee
I wish to beg pardon Mr Hamilton of NH and myself were his
lawyers
Judge Cawell
I was retained on that case myself
11\14\{1895}(Th)
Mr Burpee
Fred Miller is as good a citizen man as there is in Waterbury
as New Haven, if you are going to bring in outside matters, I
shall take an appeal.
Jude Cawell
You and Mr Webster had better settle it between you.
Burpee
We are asking no favors only such as the law provides
Mr Webster
You will find the law on page 36 in the Acts of 93.
Fred
Mr Lawyers, May I speak
Cawell
No, Shut up we have heard enough from you.
11\16\{1895}(Sa) Went to New Haven to see Fred.
11\20\{1895}(We) Went to see the Select men about paying 3.00 a
week
for Amy Millers support.
12\03\{1895}(Tu) Will Gillette and I went to Mr Thompsons after Amy
Miller for Fred. Mrs Lattie Miller objected to us taking her.
12\18\{1895}(We) and Wm Gillette Ive saw Lattie on street to day P,M.
12\23\{1895}(Mo) and Card Ive saw Lattie on street to day about 8
o'clock.
12\31\{1895}(Tu) Amy was in Ive's office, and said that her mother was
on the street waiting for her about 2 P.M.
The end pages contain a Memoranda section in which there is a
List of Fairs: Watertown Sept 11 and 12 George Downe
Wallingford Sept 18 and 19
Bristol Sept 25 and 26 TH Keens Pres, BA. Peck
Sec.
Meriden Oct 2-3-4 LE Coe Pres, GW Fairchild Sec.
Danbury 7-8-9-10-11-12 Oct
Wolcott Oct 16
and a list of familiar names with lines drawn through them.
There is a partially filled Cash Account section, and an empty
Payable and Receivable section.
The back pocket contains a Trade Card for Charles S. Miller, as
a member of the Grange effective until Dec 31, 1895. There is
also an empty account slip.
In the beginning there is an Almanac section for 1896, followed by
an
Addresses and Memoranda section with the addresses: N D Forbes,
Montowese,
Conn., Hattie L. Lyman, Car Round Hill and Wood Sts. City, Artisan S.
Clark,
Middlebury, Conn., S H Cae, B736, City, R S Woodruff, 92 Prospect St.
$8.50,
L D Miller, #26 Warren St. New Haven, Mr. Mahan, Cole St., Thomas
Bulger, North
Orange St., City. There is also a Time Table for Board or Labor with
the
names: Melbourne, George Cass, Burns, C. Tuttle, W. Matthew
01\09\{1896}(Th) Went to New Haven to Fred{'}s Trial. The trial was put
over till
next monday {lower case his}.
01\10\{1896}(Fr) {not his handwriting} How about sending these{?} to Amy.
01\13\{1896}(Mo) Went to New Haven to day to Fred{'}s tryal {sic} to
day{.} He won
his case and had his child Amy granted to him Amy is 9 years old {sic}
01\30\{1896}(Th) Instulation{sic} Beacon Valley furnish Programm,
02\04\{1896}(Tu) Took Caw to ABP
02\06\{1896}(Th) Roalcall{sic} of officers.
George Athunson,
Thomas Fourclaugh
Mrs. French
George Alexander
02\13\{1896}(Th) Starrs Calleage{?} The Agricultural School fund of
Conn. Which
offers the greates{t} advantage (benefit) to the future Farmer, Male or
Storrs
Calleage{?} Pruning Vines Shrubs & Trees
02\14\{1896}(Fr) (Scene) Carting in Conn in the days of our
Grandmother's.
Tom Did not work.
02\20\{1896}(Th) Emmigration Washington{'}s birthday Should the
Farmer combine in
establishing prices of farm products
02\27\{1896}(Th) Cuban Questions
Current Events
Pruning vines and trees
03\05\{1896}(Th) Reading of the Courtship of Miles
Standish-----------------
Miss May Tatern 3
Miss Wirtman
" Lyman (Arthur) 2
A B Pierpont 5
Mrs W L Pierpont 7
Mrs. C S Miller
Miss Richardson 8
Miss Bessie Tyler
Miss Anna Hall 6
Mrs. Todd 4
03\06\{1896}(Fr) Perkins and Jones carriage to cast 1,400{.} New axles
old wheel and
old top.
03\07\{1896}(Sa) Cheshire H E Valentine
New axles 6.00
New tires 7.00
Brake 6.00
Painting 8.00
--------
27.00
03\12\{1896}(Th) {this part has one line drawn through it} Cast of
making a Lofe{?}
of bread Should Emigration {sic} Be restricted
03\19\{1896}(Th) {this part with slashes through it} Reading of the
origin of the War
songs. Open Grange. {Also, stuck between the pages is a folded
rectangle of
paper with the date "November 15th 1886 " and the name "Charlotte Amy
Miller"
followed by the words "This is copied from my copy book. And is
correct. We
were all very glad to see Mama- although did not quite expect her until
tomorrow. We got along fine-Are all well and got along nicely. You
might to
see the washouts. Mama says it was nothing down in N.H. to what it is
here-
Come up when you can. Look to Amy. Grandpa Grandma and Aunt Iva all
send
love. Cara."
03\26\{1896}(Th) Sister Halls Night
03\30\{1896}(Mo) Fred Perkett (followed by measures)
04\01\{1896}(We) Mr. Rudae accaer{?} with Milbam{?} $17.00
Rented my Paint Shop to Wm Byrnes for 10.00 per month.
04\02\{1896}(Th) Cast of a loaf of Bread Why wheat raising was
discontinued in
Conn. rye, and flower {flour}
04\09\{1896}(Th) Why do we cain {?} money except for charge
04\12\{1896}(Su) Stone boat 2'-1" wide {diagram}
05\01\{1896}(Fr) Joseph Saunders Went into partnership today
05\13\{1896}(We) Joe Healeys Pale 4 1/2" wid{e} at evener hole
05\29\{1896}(Fr) \30\{1896}(Sa) \31\{1896}(Su) Listing of names and accounts {owed?}
06\08\{1896}(Mo) Wm Kimball 11.50
John Norton 3.70
06\10\{1896}(We) Distance from center to center of bolts 3 3/16
5/16 bolts {this is unclear} Marvell{?} Norton In Buy 49' wood 4.00
06\18\{1896}(Th) Landlord Barnes
Martin Barnes
Kept tavern near French hill Sothington [Southington]
Waux Spring's
Mr. Aca Barnes kept tavern on sight of Ruben Frasts present house in
Marham{?} The tavern was destroyed by fire. Encamped on French hill
for {continued on 06\19\{1896}(Fr) one week. A spring on the old
mountain
road was opened by them while on their march.
07\01\{1896}(We) Thomas Melbourne Worked in April {followed by accounts}
07\12\{1896}(Su) JJ Byam 9.60
DJ Parter 11.16
07\23\{1896}(Th) Joe Slater{'}s child died this afternoon
07\24\{1896}(Fr) Clyde drew the first load of lumber from Mr. Bawleys steam saw mill
07\26\{1896}(Su) Scalts{?} tank 4'-2 x 6'-6"
Clyde, Irving, Margaret, Ruth, Pierpont, and Myself went to
prospect for a ride, saw lots of huckleberries
07\27\{1896}(Mo) Went to the meeting of select-men and traction
Companys officers to
consider the layout on the old Cheshire road to the Calvary Cemetary
gate.
Selectmen ordered the track placed on the south side of highway
07\28\{1896}(Tu) Went to Bucks-hill Collecting{.} Wm Kimball brought
132' wood.
Balance due LH Frost {calculation}
07\29\{1896}(We) {calculation} Went to Southington to LH Frosts and
to Cheshire to
Mr. Valentine's. Valentine paid $15.00
08\02\{1896}(Su) Brother Fred, Clyde and myself drove to Plainville
Commuting via
Southington. Met Mr and Mrs AB Pierpont and Mr and Mrs Byam with whom
we ate
dinner on the ground. {L}eft home at 9a.m. and got there at 1 P.M.
{sic}. The
meeting was a Sweed{t?} one while we were there and was led by Mr
Garlanderer.
08\04\{1896}(Tu) JJ Byam, Lewis, Garrigus, Wm Atkinson,and myself
being a committee,
met to night to draft a set of bylaws for the Mad River Grange
08\05\{1896}(We) Today has been one of the hot{t}est days that I ever saw or felt
08\06\{1896}(Th) Very hot
08\07\{1896}(Fr) To day was hotter still
Commenced working on the trolley extension from Silver Street to the
City line to day.
08\09\{1896}(Su) Ther. 92 on Lichfield hill
Fred, Margaret, and I drove to Litchfield, and stop{p}ed at Mr Crutches
and
Sarah Bissell's, then we drove to North Goshen, to Sam Gilletts, stayed
over
night with Malachi Gillette. a long and hot drive
08\10\{1896}(Mo) Fred and I drove from N Goshen to Huntsville then
to falls village
{sic}then to Lima Rock then via Lakeville to Millerton N.Y. and back to
N Goshen
08\11\{1896}(Tu) Came home from North Goshen
08\14\{1896}(Fr) Had school meeting tonight- to see about painting
and repairing
school house{.} ajorned till next wednesday {sic} night to get estimate
of
cost.
08\16\{1896}(Su) Went to the Chaple Mr. Kellogg of Wolcott preached
08\18\{1896}(Tu) Worked rep{air} A.B.Pierponts Windmill and pump
08\19\{1896}(We) Had School meeting tonight{.} Mark Warner, Cha's
Frost and myself
were appointed a committee to paint and repair the school and fence
etc, cost
not to exceed $150.00
08\20\{1896}(Th) Went to Grange this evening
08\21\{1896}(Fr){measures}
08\22\{1896}(Sa) {measures}
08\23\{1896}(Su) {measures}
08\28\{1896}(Fr) Charlie Brown's wife had a baby boy this morning
08\31\{1896}(Mo)- 09\01\{1896}(Tu) {Listing of names and accounts}
09\95\{1896}(Sa) {illegible calculations}
09\06\{1896}(Su) Frank Allen 4.08
M. Archer 6.15
09\10\{1896}(Th) Mrs. Nelson Hall died today
Uncle Joe worked on Ned Pritchards Ice houses straitening {sic}
them up
09\12\{1896}(Sa) Mrs Nelson Hall was buried today{.} Mr Eddridge
officiated and the Grange service was used{.} John Gallagher, Mr
Lewis Garrigus, Wm Atkinson, Truman Kilbaurn, John R.S. Todd, and
myself were the Pall barers. Interment {sic} at Pine Grove Cemetary.
1/2 day I worked on Pritchards ice house
09\13\{1896}(Su) Mr Kellogg of Wolcott preached at the Chapel today
09\14\{1896}(Mo) Worked on Ice House 10 hrs
09\15\{1896}(Tu) Worked on Ice House 6 hrs
09\16\{1896}(We) Worked on Ice houses {and calculations for wage at
.25
per hour}
09\26\{1896}(Sa) Mary and I drove to North Goshen to day
09\27\{1896}(Su) Attended Church in the North Goshen meeting house.
Had
a very ple{a}sant service{.} In the afternoon Malachi, Lillie,
Marian, Mary, and myself drove to Ivy mountains and went up the
tower
09\29\{1896}(Tu) {diagram}
10\10\{1896}(Sa) Clyde paid Mr. Munger 5.00 on interest, making in
all
paid $36.00.
10\14\{1896}(We) Edson Hitchcock and Elnor Beckwith were married at
the
Second Church this afternoon
10\16\{1896}(Fr) {measure} Governor{'}s {L?}oat {Coast?} Guard of
New Haven had
a parade in town to day.
10\17\{1896}(Sa) Mrs Murice{?} Doolittle died this morning at 8
o'clock{.} Aged 85 years.
10\19\{1896}(Mo) The old shear shop burned this evening, discovered
about 15 minutes of six o'clock by Julus Mass and Miss Nothrop,
at half past it was all consumed. Loss about $40,000
10\20\{1896}(Tu) Mrs Doolittle was buried this afternoon at
2,30{sic)
o'clock{.} Rev M Davenport officiated
10\23\{1896}(Fr) Robert E Pryor was killed this noon by his bull in
the
stable{.} During the war he was color bearer for the 20th Regt
C.W. and was shot through eleven times.
10\25\{1896}(Su) Went to the Chaple Mr Hallister Preached {sic}
11\03\{1896}(Tu) National lection {sic} day{.} I voted for McKinley
for president of
the United States. and Hobert for vice president. Cook for governor of
Conn{.} and Duell{?} for Lieutenant Governor{.}
11\06\{1896}(Fr) Went to Litchfield this P.M. and evening to take
part in the
election parade with the Mattatuck Drum Corps we had 31 men 6 Bass
drums
12 snare drums and 12 fifers and drum Major. We saw our new governor
Cook.
had {?}2,000 men in line
11\13\{1896}(Fr) Uncle Joe went home from the shop to night and was taken sick
11\18\{1896}(We) Grange Fair opened to night
11\19\{1896}(Th) Aunt Amanda Bronson is 92 years old today
In the back there is a Memoranda section with the notes:
Gold Metal
94 parts Copper
6 parts Autimany
add a little Magnesium carbonate to increase the weight
Tough Brass
10 lbs copper 5 lbs spelter
Cheap Brass for cast locks etc
10 lb spelter to 1 of copper
{a note of measures}
Jessie Frost & Abigail
Van Julus "
Alphons "
Electa "
James "
Abigal "
Jessie B. "
Adam {?for next word} Marie of Duran Joseph Besoh{?} and Cornelus
Johnson 103
acres for 4,80 {?for next word} 1748
Justice Warner went west about 1815 to Ohio
Levi Bronson and wife Sarah Prindle Went to Ohio to (Columbia 1808
about)
{sic}
A Cash Account section follows the Memoranda section. The C.A.
section
contains names and accounts kept for each name. This is followed by an
Expenses section which contains expenses for the refurbishing of the
Mill
Plain School, for which C.S. Miller was commissioned (this is mentioned
in the
diary).
The inside back cover is covered with calculations. The back pocket
contains
a Grange membership card dated Dec. 31st 1896, a receipt dated Feb. 28,
1896
for $15.75 received of C.S. Miller to LL Emmout{?}, another receipt
dated
Nov. 21 1896 for 10 dollars from C.S. Miller to Spencer Pierpont, an
empty
envelope with the name "James J Egan" on the front and calculations for
Oct.
28 and the address " No 26 Linden St" on the back, a square of paper
with the
note: Cheshire Con Oct. 10 1896 Mr C.S. Miller to Edwin A. Todd Dr to
making
180 gals cidar at 1 1/2 cts 270
13 gals cider at 5 65
____
335 and a newspaper clipping from the
Waterbury American about the new "Wide Tire Law."
Miller
This diary begins with an Almanac section.
01\03\{1897}(Su) Jan 2 1898 Mr. Nichols preached at the Chapel to
day. Paid 3.50 Collected 1.00
05\26\{1897}(We) Had Chapel meeting this evening and the following
officers were elected.
Mark L Warner, Committee for the Episcopal denomanation {sic}
Luther Bradley, for Methodist;
Robert Warden, for Baptist and Myself for Congregational
Edson Hitchcock, was elected Secretary
Hiram Able was elected Treasurer,
05\30\{1897}(Su) Dr Anderson preached at the Chaple to day.
Collected 2.18
06\06\{1897}(Su) Mr Nichols preached at the Chaple to day. Collected
1.95
06\13\{1897}(Su) Mr Mayl preached at the Chaple to day, there was
collected 2.18
06\20\{1897}(Su) Mr Howell preached at the Chaple to day Collected
.97 cts
Irving was kicked in the head by the horse the wound was
nearly fatal.
06\27\{1897}(Su) Dr Davenport preached at the Chaple to day
Collected 1.73
Thomas Melbourn, and Mr Cawles, had each a child baptised in
the Chaple.
06\28\{1897}(Mo) Had School meeting to night. for {sic} the
election
of officers, and to instruct the Committee and Treasurer to
borrow money{.}
Mark L Warner was elected Committee he having had 22
votes my-self 9 Wm Atkinson 2 and someone else 1
B.L. Haggett was elected clerk and Warren Hitchock
Treasurer.
Meeting ajourned {sic} till July 12th
07\04\{1897}(Su) Mr Nichols preached at the Chaple to day.
Collected 1.64
07\08\{1897}(Th) Merritt Scott Died to day of heat desease {sic}
and
Dropsey. Aged 66
07\10\{1897}(Sa) Merritt Scott was buried from the Chapel to day
07\11\{1897}(Su) Dr Roland preached at the Chaple to day Collected
1.33
07\12\{1897}(Mo) Had {unreadable word] School meeting elected an
auditor and ajourned 2 weeks.
07\14\{1897}(We) Reports have reached here of great riches of Gold
being found in the Klondike region in Alaska.
07\18\{1897}(Su)Mr Eldridge preached at the Chaple to day Collected
.79 cts
07\22\{1897}(Th) Thomas Milbourns 7 months old child died to day.
07\25\{1897}(Su) Thomas Milbourns child was buried from the Chaple
to day. Mr Hallister officiated. Had no regular service.
07\26\{1897}(Mo) Had ajourned School meeting no business of
importance transacted ajourned without date.
08\01\{1897}(Su)
Amy Welton
Artmeted{?} Welton
Rishy Lerrell
Davis Welton
Trishie{?} Merrill
Lauren Frisbie
The above were Mrs Atkins school teacher in Mill Plain
district.
Mr Nichols Preached at the Chaple to day Collected 1.45
08\03\{1897}(Tu) THe Town set 86 men at work widening the road that
runs from the Mattatuck Co's shop to Grange Hall.
08\07\{1897}(Sa) Had School meeting
Dan Squires was Masen Moderator
Voted to lay a tax of 5 mills on list last completed.
Voted that we invite the members of the Town board of School
Visitors to attend the next meeting which is to be held next
Tuesday evening, ajourned to nex {sic} Tuesday eve.
[[Charles Somers Miller 1898 small workbook]]
The following is written on the inside cover in the upper right
hand corner (price?):
70
The following names are listed in the section "Addresses and Memoranda"
Fred D Miller
Miss Louese Townson{?}
Henry I Pond{?}
Martin Buckmaster
Otir Wisan{?}
Fred D Miller
F E Fuller{Fullen?}
01\01\1898 (Saturday)
[[The following comment is written on this page:
For more details
see "Records"
for 1898.
Record books will
follow - M{argaret Miller Northrop} Hall,
1943]]
01\02\1898 (Sunday)
Mr Nichols
01\09\1898 (Sunday)
Dr. Rolland Preached
at the Chapel
Collected 1.60{?}
01\10\1898 (Monday)
E L Frisbie and Charle_{Charles?}
Frost deeded to Wm
Tabor 20,000 surface
feet April 8 1889
for the sum of 2.00
dollars,.
The above is bound__{bounded?}
Northly{Northby!} an land of
estate of Lydia Sackett
Eastwardly{Eastwardby!} by Meride_{Meriden?}
Road, Southwardly by
land of Edward C{.?}
Monnger{?}, and West
by land of the estate.
01\12\1898 (Wednesday)
Those who are to take
part in Chapel entertainment
Miss Fannie Porter{Parter!}
Mr. Murry Beebee 1
7 Arthur Heaton 3R
6 Jennie Patetun{?} _R{3R?}
Mrs. Byam
5 Hiram Able 4R
Arthur Pierpont
1 Margaret Miller 7R
2 Miss Goldsmith 6R
3 Iva Miller 2 Main
4 Mary Porte{?}
01\16\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Howell Preached
at the Chapel
Collected 2.21
01\19\1898 (Wednesday)
Misses Porter{?} and Bunker{"t" written above name, Bunkert?}
Henry Cass Friends
Famuir{?} Porter,
Mrs. Hitchcock
Murry Beiby{?}
Mrs. Byam,
Arthur Pierpont,
01\23\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Halloster Preached
Collected 127{?}
01\29\1898 (Saturday)
Mrs. Pryor
Arthur Pierpont
Mattie Atkinson
Bertha French
01\30\1898 (Sunday)
Dr. Anderson Preached
Collected {blank space} 227
02\06\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Nichols Preached
Collectio_{Collection?} 2.69
02\08\1898 (Tuesday)
Trinity Quentitte{Quentille?}
02\09\1898 (Wednesday)
Ed Todds{Todd's?} Orchestra
Miss Dickinson
02\13\1898 (Sunday)
Dr. Rooland Preached
Collected 3.__{3.55?}
02\20\1898 (Sunday)
No service, on{an!} account
of storm.
02\22\1898 (Tuesday)
Mr. Ables Picture 15x
20"
02\23\1898 (Wednesday)
1 Hellen Rogers
2 March and Dramatic{Drimatic!}
3 Mary Goldsmith
4 C S Miller
5 Margaret Miller
6 Mrs. Rogers
7 ""
02\24\1898 (Thursday)
Recitation
Sketch entitled
Washingtons birthday
Recitation
Recitation
Recitation
Song
Song
{Does the list given on the page for 02\24\1898 correspond with
the list of names given on the page for 02\23\1898?}
02\27\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Davenport Preached
at the Chapel
Collected
03\06\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Nichol_{Nichols?} Preached
Collected {blank space} 198{?}
Fran Grapaplan{?}
entertained{?} - 6.70
03\09\1898 (Wednesday)
Arthur Heaton
Mr. Sincaster and M
George Byan
Mr. Stotan{?}
Mrs. Burrett
Mrs. Byan
* Mrs. Andrews
* Miss Haywood
* Joe Sherwood __{?}
{*check marks are written before these names}
03\10\1898 (Thursday)
Recitation
Laonard, (Mandolin and
Recitation, Guitar)
Violin
Piano
Recitation,
Piano{?}
R________{Recitation?}
Ben Clotfield{Clatfield?}, Sarge
{Does the list of names given on the page for 03\09\1898 correspond
with the list given on the page for 03\10\1898? If so, please
advise if the entries for these two dates should be input in an
aligned form}
03\11\1898 (Friday)
Gave Hotchkiss &{?}
Templeton a note for
$21.95 due 30 days
after date.
03\13\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Maya
03\14\1898 (Monday)
Nov 15{?} 1897 died
Arthur Byington{?}
at Kenasha{?}.{.?} Wis.
03\20\1898 (Sunday)
Annie Pierpont_{Pierponte!} Fined
at Chapel
03\27\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Davenport{?} Preach__{Preached?}
Collected 3 05{?}
04\02\1898 (Saturday)
Mr. Nichols Preache_{Preaches? Preached?}
Collected{?} 2.00
04\10\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Waters of Wolcott
Preached at Chapel
Collected 2.14
04\17\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Mc Kudly{Mc Keedly?} preached
Collected 2.82
04\24\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Nichols Preached
Collected 1.73
05\01\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Nichols{Nicholi!}
05\15\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Howill{?} Preached
Collected, {blank space} 1.80
05\16\1898 (Monday)
John Bropbey send
Mr. Saults{?} to my
place after a sleigh
and paid me 3.00
05\17\1898 (Tuesday)
Mr. Mr.{?} Kudley{Keedley?} {this line underlined}
Preached Collected {this line underlined}
282{2 82?}
05\22\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Davenport
Preached {-?}
Collected 3.40
05\25\1898 (Wednesday)
Morris Alcott{?} &
C S Miller
Luttun{Luttur?} Bradley
Robert Worden{?}
Arthur Pierpont Sec
J I Able{?} Treas
J. H. Garrigus. S__per{Surper?}
Henry Cass, Libraran{Librarian?}
Bessie Garrigus, Organ {ist written above line, Organist?}
05\29\1898 (Sunday)
Dr. Anderson, (Preached)
05\30\1898 (Monday)
Haratia{Horatio?} Chapman
Chaplain East{Eeast!} Haup___{Haupto_?}
G.A._.{?}
Eugene Nichols
East Haupto_{?}
__{?}
Pax{?} 2.41
Rev. M_{Mr.?} Marshal{?}
Moadry __od{road?}
__{?} Addren{?}
06\05\1898 (Sunday)
{M crossed out} Dr. Buckley Preached
06\12\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Parry Preached
06\19\1898 (Sunday)
Dr. Davenport{Davenpoit?} Preach__{Preached?}
Collected
06\26\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Basselt{Bassett?} Preached{Preahed!}
Collected 1.34
07\03\1898 (Sunday)
Dr. Perry Preached
at the Chapel
Collected 1.01
07\10\1898 (Sunday)
Rev. W S Rofter{?}
Preached
Coll__t__{Collected?} 2 33{?}
07\24\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Water_{Waters?} of Wolcott
Preached at the Chapel
Collected
07\31\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Buckley Preached
at the Chapel
Collected 1.5_{1.51?}
08\07\1898 (Sunday)
{"Mr. Hollock" is crossed out} Preached
Collected 1.90
Dr. Faslet{?} of Newark
N.J.
08\14\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Raflet of Waterville
Preached
Collected 3.0_{3.08?}
08\21\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Howell Preach{Preached?}
Collected 256{2 56?}
09\04\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Perry{?} Preached
Collected 1.04
Approved Dexter
Northrope{?} bill of $10.00
for Janitor{?}
09\14\1898 (Wednesday)
E. S. Pritchard, Grand
list 1100
House{Haus! Hous!} was gone in 1790
but the barn was standing.
Ezekial Welton lived{?}
there and Jacob Tyler
09\16\1898 (Friday)
Star Unio_{Union?} line
Price 59 cts per 100 lbs
Blakesll{?} charges 1.25
per hr about 5.00
09\18\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Bassett Preached
at the Chapel
Collected 1.94
09\25\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Waters of Wolcott
Preached at the Chapel
Collected 2.26
09\27\1898 (Tuesday)
To day is my birth day.
{Insert mark and mathematical equation at the end of the above line}
Drove to day from home
to town 2 miles thence
to Watertown 6 miles, then{them!}
to Bethlehem 6 " "
" Romford 8 " "
" Woodville 3 " "
" Milton{?} 6 " "
" W Goshen 4 " "
" Goshen center{caps?} 1 1/2 " "
" North Goshen 5 " "
__
41 1/2
Where I stayed with my
cousin Malachi Gillette.
09\28\1898 (Wednesday)
Went to Obed Stannard's,
" {'?} Harris [Horace?] Stannard,
and to Norfolk Center
09\29\1898 (Thursday)
Went to the Ivy Mountain
town by way of the Black
lands from thence through
the Ovaitt [Oviatt] district to
Cornwall hollow saw the
Gen Sedgwick{?} mansion
and the polace where he
is buried in the cemetery
at Cornwall hollow{hollaw!}, then
we went to Cornwall
Center a distance of
4 miles, the view from the
North as we came into
the villeage was grand
with Cornwall plains in
front of us, there we turned
East towards W Goshen
_ut{but?} when we got to the
top of the mountain in
sight of Goshen we turned
East and went towards
the N__d{Naid?} of Tyler pong
and then N past some
fine farms thense East
again to the foot of the
hill, then N to the
Miles place on the high
land W {M?} of the Ivy
09\30\1898 (Friday)
{Is the next entry or beginnin of next entry a continuation
of the entry for 09\29\1898?}
mountain{mountan!} tower, then
turned East, and went
____{down?}
Went to tipping
rock
10\01\1898 (Saturday)
Came Home
De Grasse arrive in
the Chesapeak on the 30_{30-?}
of Aug, and landed
3,_00{3,200? 3,000?} under the Marqui's{Marquis?}
De St Simon, these troops
were drawn from the garrison/garrisson{?}
of St Domimgo{?},
On the 2___{23"?} of Aug the bound {is there a mark or superscipt text?}
de
Barras sailed from New Port
R I,{, or .?} with eight ships of the line
amd 14 transporte{transports?} ladened with
heavy artillery and stores{?},
and formed a junction{Junction?} with
de Grasse {accent mark over the a} on the 14__{14th?} of Sept.
10\02\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Perry{Perrey?} Preached
Col 1.75
Rache{?} du Fermay was in
the army that acted against{aganst!}
Burgayne, Baron St
Ovary{?} was in the volunteer
service, De
Cadray, an officer
of rank in the
Franch army, was
drowned in the
Schuyklill a few days
after the battle of the
Brandywine {,?} in his
eagerness to cross
it to joing{Join?} Washington{,?}
The Chevelier Duplesis
Maudit displayed the greatest
bravery at Germantown
and Red Bank, and was
assasinated{assassinated!} at Port-au
Price, The heroid gallantry{gallentery!}
of of{written twice} Lieutenant Flurry
at stony point, can
never be{he!} forgotten
Debuysson{?} was not
____{less?} brave.
10\03\1898 (Monday)
Went to town in
fo__{fore? forse?} noon and
Worked for Warden
in the afternoon.
Marquis De Chastellux
10\05\1898 (Wednesday)
Mr. Barmer was buried
from the Chapel to day.
10\09\1898 (Sunday)
Mr. Holmes{Holme's?} House
burned this morning
at about 10 clock{10 oclock?}
12\11\1898 (Sunday)
Collected 2.21
12\30\1898 (Friday)
H W Warner
Oakvill_{Oakville?}
Co__{Conn?}
{In the section "Memoranda" addresses and locations are listed
for the following names:
Mr. E S Frisbie
Iseral Beldwin, Hannah Chatterton
Mr. Farley
Farnk Farley
Moses, Ovaitt [Oviatt] Goshen
Aaron
Nelson
Herman}
{The following note is in the section "Memoranda"
Ladies Union
Paid 260.90
Due Earnest Robenson{?}
25.00}
{In the section "Cash Account":}
Chapel Expense
Jan 12 5 gals oil .50
Warren Hitchcock
Carrying minister 7.00
//end of small book//
Journal 1898, C.S. Miller [bd 10/17/1990 ,11/27; ml 12/1989]
01\10\1898 {Monday}
First thing this morning Mary, Clyde and
Irving went to work at the wash. I read a
time in Poultry Bigelow's history of German
liberty, had breakfast and went to work.
Mother told me this fore noon that Miss Bradly
and the seven other ladies who furnished the
last supper at the Chapel are talking of giving
a supper and musical entertainment in
the Grange hall to raise money to buy a
carpet for the Chapel.
Mr. Warden called while I was at supper
to see about the entertainment we are
going to give at the chapel Wednesday eve.
After he had gone, I hitched up and started
for town but the roads being very icy
and my horse smooth, I left him at my
shop and went the rest of he way afoot
and by the electric cars. Went to see
Mr. E. L. Firsbie, S. R. about the old journal
of Judah Frisbie's. He said that he had had
it but he thought it had been returned
to Uncle Dwight. Then I went to
the Town Clerk's office and copied parts
of the deed from Charles Frost and E.L.
Frisbie trustees{??} for the estate of Lydia
Sackett to Wm. Fabar trustee for a certain
piece of land on which now stands Grange
Hall, then came home and went to bed.
01\11\{1898} (Tuesday)
This was a dark morning. Looked
like rain, sun has not shown to
day. Clyde and Irving had the
chores done before I went to work.
At seven o'clock I carried the milk
to mother and sent a notice of
the meeting of the Ladies Union
to be held in the Chapel on Wednesday
evening by Iva to be published
in the Evening American. Then
went to the shop to work.
At noon went to see Miss Fatern{??}
about getting three school children
to give recetations {recitations} at the Chapel
Wednesday eve. She thought they
would. From here went to the
Mattatuck Shop and Miss Nellie
Cass{??} about some musicians that Henry
had seen. Nellie said they could not favor
us this time but would some other time.
I sent George Hine to Rogers Bros.
to see Miss Bumbart and find wheather {whether}
she and the Porter girls would play
for us. She said they could not.
I rode home from the shop with Marrie{??}
Reid this evening and he told me that
Edward Mc Manus had bought
a building lot west of my house.
Showed me the place.
Mr. Warden called to see me about
the Chapel entertainment. Also talked
about the sleigh seat. Clyde and
Irving went to Frost's Pond to
scate {skate} but returned at supper time
as the surface of the ice is soft
and skating poor. Had supper at
6.36 and then hitched up and went
to prepair {prepare} the Chapel for tomorrow's
meeting. Called on Hiram Able
on the way and got .75 cts. of him
to pay for 5 gallons of kerosene oil
which I sent to Wilson's store
and got it, cost .50 cts. Stopped
at John French's a little while.
We laid the fires, filled the lamps, etc.
and came home and to bed.
01\12\1898 (Wednesday)
We got up late this morning and I
did not get to the shop till half past
seven. It has been warm and foggy
all day. They have had to stop the
ice cutting. Sent George Hine
up to Wolcott to see Mrs. Adelbert
Hitchcock and find if she would
play on the piano this evening at
the Chapel. She said she would if
she could. This evening we {??????}
Irving, Clyde and myself went
to the Chapel to the supper and
entertainment of the Ladies
Union. The attendence was small
on account of the weather, it
being very dark and foggy.
From the supper the Ladies
netted $6.29. The entertainment
consisted of the following,
1. Recitation by Margaret Miller; 2.
Recitation by Miss Mary Goldsmith;
3. Piano Solo by Iva Miller; 4. Reading
by Mary Porter; 5. Recitations by
Hiram Able; 6. Recitation by
Jennie Patchen; 7. Recitation by
little Arthur Heaton which was
very good and was enjoyed by
all. The meeting was out at 10.30 o'
clock and we came home across the
lots, I having my lantern to light
us on our way. Will go to bed at
about 11 o'clock.
I would like to state here that I payed {paid}
Dr. C. Art Ward two dollars towards
the four that I owe him for doctoring
my lame foot. He says he can cure it
he thinks. I hope he can. It is certainly
better than it has been before in four
years at this season.
Last year I measured the hight {height} of my children
on the first of January and this year
we did the same. Clyde, aged 13 years
and three months is 5 ft. 4 1\2 in. high
and has grown 3 1\4 inches during the
year. Irving, aged 11 years and 8
months is 4 ft. and 8 inches tall and
has grown two inches during the year.
Margaret, aged 8 years and 11 months
is 4 feet and 3 inches tall and has grown
2 1\2 inches during the year. Ruth,
aged 6 years and 11 months is 4 ft.
and 1 inch tall and has grown 2 3\4
inches during the year. Frank{??},
aged 5 years and three months is
3 ft., 6 1\2 inches tall and has grown
three inches during the year. Raymond,
aged 2 year and 6 months is 2 ft.
and 11 inches and has grown 5 inches
during the year.
A Frenchman who lives in Cheshire
whom the call Chip had a team
horse die on the road at East Farms
this afternoon while drawing a
load of wood to town.
My wife Mary measures 5 ft. high
and I, 5 ft., 11 inches. My weight is 172 lbs.
01\13\1898 (Thursday)
This morning I pasted news paper clippings
in my scrap book while the
boys did the chores, and after eating
breakfast went to the shop.
The weather has been warm and plesant {pleasant},
more like early May then January.
Pierpont brought my dinner to me
this noon, and I got through work
at 5 o'clock this evening and came
home and had a fine supper of boiled
long{??} clams. Spent the evening
reading, writing etc. To bed about
9 o'clock.
01\14\{1898} (Friday)
Everything was on time this morning
and we got a good start.
Fireman Kilbourn told me this
morning tthat Arden H. Coe's barn
burned the last of last week.
Mr. Reid, the sealer of weights and
measures, came to my shop to seal
my scales for which he required
a fee I objected on the ground that
I did not use the scales enough so that
it made any difference. He claimed
that it was law and that it should
be done and ordered his assistant to
bring in the weights. I asked in
regard to the law and he said he was
acting under the state law and shoved
me a paper certifying that Perry
Morris and and Mr. Doram, selicitmen {selectmen}??
had appointed him. I told him
that I should not have it done and
would remove the scales or have
them smashed as I had not much
use for them and did not buy or
sell with them, and talked law{??}
where upon he gave up. But while
we were carrying on the controversy
in one room about one pair of scales,
the assistant had tested the other
pair and seated{??} them. They were
correct before and I know they are
now.
Frank came to see me this afternoon,
he not being at work because he
did not feel well. He told me of the
big smashup at Benedict & Burnham's
where he works. He said that the 20 inch
shaft{??} had great flaws in it and was not
solid in the center where it broke.
Had wrecking men from Providence to
take off{??} the 40,000{??} gear and 60 torn{??} fly
wheel. Gussy, Frank's wife, called at
our house and took supper with us
after which she went home and we,
Mary and I, went to the Grange.
Just as we were about to start, Mr.
Warden called and wished us to
go with him to a meeting of the officers
of the Ladies Union at my father's
house. But as we were not officers,
we went to the Grange. Miss Fatern,
the school teacher, came and asked if
I thought it would be proper to use
some of the school money to buy an
intermeade {intermediate??} reader which she needed.
We (Mr. Tucker and myself) advised
her to see Mr. Basset of the school board
and tell him that we though it
was best to do so. Charlie Hotchkiss,
myself and Mary walked home from
the Grange together. Charlie said
that his father saw a great fire off
to the west of us {?????} some large barn
was on fire. To bed at 12 o'clock.
01\15\{1898} (Saturday)
It began snowing at about 5 o'clock
this morning and snowed and rained
all the forenoon till about 4 in
the afternoon when it changed to
fog and wet.
I sent Clyde horse back to Arthur
Merrindus{??} in Southington to
measure his cart body.
In the afternoon Mary, Irving
and Harris Tucker went to town
and got the oysters for tomorrow
breakfast and Mary changed
a pair of under rappers and drawers
for me, went to bed early
as I was not feeling well, about
9 o'clock.
01\16\1898 (Sunday)
This morning is clear but the ground
very muddy. Had breakfast of oysters
at about 9 o'clock after which Clyde,
Pierpont and myself went to the Chapel
to get it ready for the service there{??}
afternoon. After fires were built and
other araingements {arrangements} made, I set Clyde
and Pierpont home afoot and I drove
up around by the red bridges to
Mr. Atkinson's after which I drove
home getting there at noon where I
found Mary getting Clyde, Margaret
and Ruth ready for Sunday School.
They went at about half past one
and Mary and I started for service
about half past two.
There was a fair after service{??}. Mr.
Howell preached. He is from Simonsville.
Bessie Simons played
the organ and Mrs. Mauwaring{??},
Miss Agnes Able and Hiram
Able sung in the choir. After supper,
I went to visit Major Tucker. We spent
the evening reading Peyp's {Pepy's??} diary which
he owns and which was published about
1850. I beleave {believe} it was written in short
hand from 1652 to 1722 about, from thence
home and to bed.
01\17\{1898} (Monday)
This morning we arose earlier than usual
and Clyde and I ran the washing machine
before to go to work.
This forenoon Major Tucker sent me a
letter stating that he wished to hire two
girls to commence work this afternoon
and said he had promised work to Dolly
Marrow and Hattie Kilbourn and
wanted to know if I thought they would
answer. I told him that he knew as
much about the Marrow girl as I did
but judging from what I knew of the
Kilbourn folks, I though Hattie would
do very well. This afternoon George
Hine went to Dentist Brown's to
have his teeth filled. James Porter
sent Dexter Northrop to borrow
my horse and wagon to go to Ned
Pritchards to get a farming mill{??}.
It has been freezing cold all day
and skating is good to night and
Clyde and Irving went to Frost's
Pond skating where most of the young
folks of the neighborhood were having
a good time. Send {Sent??} Clyde to the Chapel
with the team to get the scraps and
garbage left from the last supper and
also to Mr Able's to get Mr. Burr
Blakeslee's (of Watertown) history of
Woodbury. The thermomiter {thermometer} is now
9 degrees below zero, to bed at half
past nine. To day David Down's horse
ran away with Frank Frisbie and
Emma Cornelius. He started by Merritt
Scatt's place and ran to the red bridges
where Frank turned him to the left
to go up the hill toards {towards} Atkinson's instead
of going towards Waterbury Center
and in making the turn both of them
were thrown out. Emma struck on
her back and side and was not injured.
Frank hurt one knee but held to the
horse and reined him into Mr. Haggett's
fence and stoped {stopped} him.
01\18\{1898} (Tuesday)
To day has been cold and clear.
The ice men are at work again. When
Clyde went to school this morning I had
him bring the team to the shop and
sent Harry Kilbourn down town to
Hotchkiss and Templetons to get spokes
to repair David Downs wheels with
so I had the team to drive Carrie{??} to
dinner. After dinner, Pierpont
went to the shop with me. I took
some forgings to the Mattatuck shop
and Pierpont went with me. I
stoped {stopped} at the office and talked with
Mr. Tucker a while. Pierpont did
not like it because I did not show
him the machinery.
After we got back to the shop,
Pierpont went down to David
Porter's and stayed til 4 o'clock.
After school the boys did their
chores soon as possible and went
skating on Frost's Pond.
My foot pained me nost of
the time to day.
01\19\{1898} (Firday)
This morning had for breakfast spare rib
and baked potatoes. The day has been fine
for this time of year. Little Pierpont brought
my dinner to me in his little express wagon.
This afternoon he and I took the trolley cars
and went to Waterville to see Adam
Fabor about some money he owed me for
a wagon. He gave me ten dollars. I had
not been in Waterville before since the
trolley cars began to run nearly a year
ago. New house are being built everywhere.
It seems as if the place was as large again
as it used to be.
We got back to the shop at 10 minutes to
five after which we went home to supper
after which Clyde, Irving, Verniem{???} Able
and Harris Tucker and I went to the
Chapel and took down the green trimmings
which had been up since
Christmas after which the boys went
to Frost's Pond skating and I came home
and spent the rest of the evening reading
Cothane's{???} History of Woodbury.
Went to bed at 11 o'clock.
01\20\1898 (Thursday)
This morning dawned dull and rainy,
a little snow fell before daylight.
My sister Cara came home from Bristol
last night and left her grip at the
New England Rail Road Station and
I sent Harry Kilbourn after it this
forenoon. Mr. Simkins left word
that he wished me to shoe his horse
and I went over to the Mattatuck
shop where he worked afer it when
Mr. Tucker saw me and said he
wanted a joiner for a few hours.
I asked him if it was anyting {anything} that
I could do and he said yes, I want a
tumbling barrell set and counter
shaft-|put up. I went to work at it
and Paul Hesphelt{??} and I had it
running at three o'clock.
To night Mary and I went to
the Grange where the new officers
were installed for the coming
year. Wilson Pierpont was installed
master. I beleave {believe} his election was
not legal. I sent a notice to
be published in the American
that the Mill Plain Chapel would
hold its annual fair Tuesday and
Wednesday evenings, Feb. 8th and
9th.
I would say that Mr. Tucker and I
left the Grange at quarter past ten
and we went to his house where we
looked at the papers and New England
magazines till Mary called for
me when we came home. Got home
at 12 o'clock and then to bed.
01\21\1898 (Friday)
This morning was clear to work at 7 o'clock.
This forenoon Major Tucker sent his horse
to me to be shod. He called for it himself
and showed me a letter for it himself
written Wilson L. Pierpont in which
he signified his intention to decline
serving as one of the finance committes
in the Grange, to office he has been
appointed. Pierpont brought my dinner
to the shop this forenoon.
Heard to day that Mrs. Hattie Austin,
widon of the late William Austin of
East Farms was married to Homer
Twichell of Union City.
I have suffered to day from a bad cold
and tonight I wished to send Irving to
H.W. Lake's store for some medicine
but Mary got very cross and I went
myself after I got home and ate my
supper of biscuit and milk. I listened
to Mary read to the children from
Uncle Tom's Cabin after which I
looked over some New England
magazines and then to bed at
midnight.
Dr. C. Art Ward left two bottles of
medicine with me this morning for
my foot.
01\22\1898 (Saturday)
It has been dull weather this morning and
most of the day. This evening it began snowing
about 7 o'clock.
After a breakfast of pancakes, I went to work.
PIepront went down with me. Went to see
mother about getting her book of Geneology
of our ancesters {ancestors}, the Somers. This forenoon
Fred Upson of Wolcott told me that he desires
to sell his farm of 110 acres as he is getting
to {too} old to work it. George Benham has
taken the agency for selling fertilizers
and asked permission to tack an
advertising bill on my shop which
I gave him and he in turn gave me
a ride home to dinner.
For dinner we had spiced meat and
boiled onions, etc. after which I hitched
up and drove to Mill Plain Chapel and
took out the furnice {furnace} grate and took it
to my shop and repaired it.
This afternoon George Hine and myself
went to the Chapel and put the great {grate}
back in the furnace and cleaned out
the Chapel and put things to rights
after which I came home to supper.
After supper Mary and Irving went
to town after the oysters and crackers for
tomorrow's breakfast and also to get Irving
a pair of shoes and rubbers, and I went
to the Mattatuck shop and numbered their
furniture nail machines.
Clyde and Irving and some of the East
Farms boys went to Shelt Hitchcock's
pond fishing but they did not get
any and came home tonight, tired and
hungry.
It is reported that Hattie Austin is not
married as Mr. Twichell is sick.
After writing the foregoing which I finished
at about 12 o'clock, I picked up a book, the title
of which was Uncle Tom's Cabin and I read
in it till 3 o'clock in the morning.
01\23\{1898} (Sunday)
This morning there was a little snow on
the ground but before noon it rained
which took away most of it.
Sister Iva came up this forenoon and
brought home a little table which she
borrowed to play whist on.
I did not go to the Chapel to day.
This afternoon, Mary and I drove
over to Nellie's to visit her as she
was sick. Ater we got home, had
a supper of boiled chickens after
which I went to visit Major Tucker
and stayed till half past ten
when I came home, the wind blowing
hard.
01\24\1898 (Monday)
Went to work this morning. Mary's wrist
was so bad from the sprain she received at
her sister Nellie Connor's last evening that
she could not wash. The weather this morning
was cold and windy at noon. It was cold
but not so windy in the morning and
to night was cold and clear starlight.
This noon I drove round to Dr. Ward's and
got his Phaeton{??} Carriage and took it to
the shop to repair. I stoped {stopped} at the Mattatuck
shop and left Pierpont to hold the horse while
I went in and left the Examiner News
papper, which Cara gave me to have Mr.
Tucker take to Mrs. Dickenson.
This afternoon Edward McManns called
to see if his carts were done.
Mr. Warden called at 5 o'clock and brought
me home. He had just came from Miss
Bradley and he said he was mad
because she did not know that all
the arrangements for the fair were
make {made} and she had not been consulted.
Found Mary and the boys washing,
ate supper of warmed oysters and
grape sauce, bread and butter etc. after which
I took my turn at the washing machine.
Clyde has gone to Frost's Pond to skate.
Irving and Margaret have gone up to
Hiram Able's place to slide down hill back
of the house, Ruth and Raymond are in
bed and Pierpont is still up and running
about feeling good.
Clyde and Irving have returned and
have been having trouble about the lantern.
Irving took it to Able's to see to slide
down hill and set it at a turn in the
path where they were sliding. They also
had another lantern up the hill. Clyde and
Willie Couklin{??} wanted the lantern to
see to skate with and Clyde came and took
it and went to Frost's Pond with it.
Irving and Vernum{??} Able went to the
pond and watching their chance, jumped
out of the darkness and grabed {grabbed} it and
ran to Able's. Clyde and Willie followed
after a time but Vernum heard them
coming and blew he light out and
hid the lantern in the backhouse. Clyde
got Able's lantern and ran but had to
bring it back. After a time they found
out{???} lantern but it was so late they
had to come home and they were complaining
of each other and both were mad.
01\25\{1898} (Tuesday)
This day has been cold and damp and about
quarter past six o'clock it began to snow.
I sawed wood all the forenoon for George
Alexander and ground bone for A.B. Pierpont.
Mr. Mashier called this afternoon and
told me that they expected to have the
trolley cars running to Mill Plain sometime
this season. I sent Irving to Luther
Bradley's with 16 lbs. of ground bone.
Robbie Hall stayed to supper, had biled {boiled??}
eggs, bread and butter.
Mary had been ill to day with the
sick headache and Cara came and did
the work. Mary is better this evening.
This evening Robert Warden came and
left three of his boys while he and his
wife went to town. The boys went
to Frost's Pond to skate but it snowed so
hard that they had to come home, after
which they cracked some walnuts and
had walnuts and apples and played games
till Mr. Warden came. Went to bed at
ten o'clock.
01\26\{1898} (Wednesday)
This morning it was cold and snowy.
The snow lay on the ground about 5 inches
deep. I hitched up into the horse sled
and drove around by Mill Plain
to help make a path for the children
to go to school. Stopped at Mr. Tucker's
and carried him to the shop. On the
was we saw that Mr. Lewis Beckwith
had the frame of his new house up, had
six men working on it yesterday.
This noon I drove to the chapel and
made the fires and got it ready
for the meeting this evening, then
came home and had dinner of cold
sparerib potatoes and bread and butter.
On my way back to the shop I stopped
at the Mattatuck shop and left a
bill with Mr. Tucker, which he said he
would have paid in two or three days.
This evening we went to the supper
and entertainment at the Chapel. There
was a large attendence considering the
snow. The supper was good, but I did
not have any. The entertainment
consisted of a child's play called lyy{??} lo land
in which Margaret Miller, Jennie Squires
and Flossy{??} Able took part, also music
by Miss Amelia Burnhart on banjo, Miss
Fannie Porter on banjo, Miss Nellie Porter
on banjo and Miss Iva Miller (my sister)
on the piano. The older Miss Fannie
Porter gave a recitation and Miss Baldwin
sang a solo {????} the entertainment was
concluded by music by the Misses
Burnhart, Porters and Miller. The ladies
cleared over nine dollars off from the
supper, now to bed at twelve o'clock.
I might add that Mary took
the horse and pung{??} and went to
East Farms this noon and got
Mother Pierpont and Mrs. Warden and
some cake from Mrs. Milan Northrop
and cake and biscuit from Miss Hattie
Pierpont, Mrs. Warden and Mother Pierpont
brought provisions, in all it was a
large load. She took it to the Chapel,
on the way she took in Mrs. Hiram
Able and more cake and children (all
ready she had her own two two, Pierpont
and Raymond) so that load helped to
fill up the Chapel treasury.
01\27\{1898} (Thursday)
More cold weather this morning. Started
for the shop at 7 o'clock and Pierpont walked
down and had Harry Kilbourn make
a little wagon for him. Burt Frisbie came
this morning to have me fix his ox sled
and told me that Frank C. Chipmous'{??}
father has come home after being away
over 30 years. Pierpont brought my
dinner to me. Clyde got home from school
at about three o'clock on account of the teacher,
Miss Whitean being sick. He had to go to
FredWood's for hay and I rode to the trolley
cars and went to see the Rev. Dr. Anderson
about preaching at the Chapel Sunday. He
sold me the history of the Souldiers {Soldiers} Monument
which he wrote himself. Came home and
after supper, Mary, Mother Pierpont and
myself went to the Grange, Joe Huey
brought a note from Mr. Tucker saying
that he wanted to see me soi a recess I
went over and stayed till quarter to ten.
When I went back again and got the women
and drove home, it was snowing some,
to bed at 11 o'clock.
The piano was taken from the Chapel
to day.
01\28\{1898} (Friday)
The weather this evening was cold. After
breakfast of cold ham, potatoes, bred {bread} etc.
I went to work, rode to the shop with
Dick Morgan who was coming to
town with celery, etc.
Elmer Hitchcock came to the shop and
had two cards{?} of wood sawed{??}.
I put iron shoes on the horse stead for
Frank Lackhart who is drawing ice.
Mr. Emmaus who drives Frank Lackhart's
team said that yesterday he
killed three musk rats on the ice pond.
The spring holes are all frozen over and
the rats have to run from the overflow
to the head of the pond where the brook
comes in and while they are running
he chases them and kills them.
Dr. C. Art Ward had sleigh shaft repaired
this forenoon.
This afternoon I {????} took Mother
Pierpont home. In the evening
Mother and Cara called at our
house. Clyde and Irving cracked
some walnuts. I wrote a letter to
Lizzie Warner asking her to go to Father's
to practice a duet with Cara to play at the
Chapel. It is cold now, 10 o'clock, 2 above
zero. To bed.
01\29\1898 (Saturday)
This morning was cold. The thermometer stodd
at two above zero. Went to work at 7 o'clock.
Clyde and I went to town this forenoon and
I went to the Waterbury National Bank to
get a check cashed and Clyde got the oysters
and crackers for breakfast also one set of
horse shoes. Came to Fred Wood's place
and got a horse sled which he wished
me to make over. Came home to dinner.
Clyde carried me back to the shop
and then he went to Mr. Norman's
shop and got .50 cts. which he owed me
thence to Earnest Robinson's house and
told them that Doctor Anderson was
to preach at the Chapel tomorrow, and
then to Mark Warner's and gave my letter
to Miss Lizzie who said she would come to
my Father's Tuesday evening to practice on the
piano. I left the shop to come home at five
o'clock and met Clyde and Irving coming with
the horse and bob sleigh after me. Clyde and
I came home and Irving went to town
afoot to carry a dressed rooster to Miss
Pickett, the dress maker. To day has been
very cold. The thermometer stood at two
degrees above zero at 6 o'clock to night, now
at nine it is 6 above and looks like storm.
To bed at 9 o'clock.
Wm. Norman moved his machinery out
of the old tannery building, had three or
four od Ralph Blakeslee's teams and moved
it to the cars on the Meriden Rail Road
at Silver Street. Is going to take it to
Thompsonville.
01\30\1898 (Sunday)
To day is Sunday and the weather is very
cold. This morning we lay in bed till after 9 o'clock
not feeling very lively owing to my lame foot
and to a hard cold I have had for several days.
The thermometer has not reached a point above
12 degrees above zero during the day and at
half past six this morning it was 10 below.
We went to the Chapel this morning and
got the fires ready and warmed it up, at
one Mr. Tucker came and took me to ride
in his sleigh which he bought in Montreal.
We went to East Farms and from thence
to Woodtick and back to the Chapel where
we attended service, the Rev. Dr. Anderson
preaching, there was a good attendence considering
the cold weather. It was 2 below
zero at six in the evening.
After supper, I went to Mr. Tuckers and
we read Peyp's {Pepy's} Diary about the coming
restoration of King Charles the Second
in 1660. Towards ten we (him and I)
went to bed, we got up at five in
the morning and I came home.
My wife did not like it because
I stayed all night, because she slept so cold,
said her feet had not been warm since yesterday.
At ten last night when Mary came home from
father's, the thermometer was 13 below zero.
01\31\1898 (Monday)
When I got home from Major Tucker's this
morning the thermometer was at zero and it
had been snowing since five o'clock.
After breakfast went to work.
Came home to dinner, it snowing all the
time. Pierpont went back with me and
staid all the afternoon and came to
supper with me, had boiled cold canned
beef{??} and bread for dinner and a pot roast
and baked potatoes for supper.
It has snowed all day but the snow
is but about five inches deep on the ground
now. Bessie Miles went to work in
the Mattatuck shop to day sticking
safety pins on apers. Each paper holds
twelve pins and they earn one cent for
sticking twelve papers. But small as this
seems, some of the girls earn one dollar and
fifty cent sper day. To bed at 9.30 o'clock.
02\01\1898 (Tuesday)
It snowed all night and the wind blew
a gale and this morning the snow was
about twelve inches deep on the level and
drifted bad. We had breakfast of
pancakes after which Clyde and I
hitched Old Jack into the sled and went
around by Mill Plain to break the roads
out. Stopped at Major Tucker's and he
got on the sled and rode to his shop.
Clyde and I went to Father's where we
found him digging out. Cousin
Mary Goldsmith was there having
stayed all night and was in a
worried state of mind because she
could not get to her school upon
East Mountain. I told her i would
carry her up on the sled if she would ride
that way which she seemed much pleased to do
so after she had had her breakfast and I had
drank a cup of hot coffee, we started. Wm.
Peck came for Father, just as we started with
a team, and carried him to the East Mills
to work, so we had the benefit of his trade
that far after which we had to make our
own path till we struck the Prospect Road.
When we got to the School House it was drifted
in, the drifts being about five feet deep
and she could not get in. It was useless
to dig out as it was still snowing
and blowing and was very cold
and the paths would soon fill up so
she concluded to come back home again
as no scholars could get to school
and she could not teach.
On our way down the mountain
we met some of the fisherman going
to the City reservoir to fish, the Water
Commissioner having granted permits
and this is the first day. One load
passed us going to town which had
stayed on the pond all nigh that they
could have the first chance and began
fishing at midnight. They were a snowy,
frozen looking set, all of them.
At the foot of the mountain we turned
to the right and came across the Harper
Ferry Road at the head of the pond
(Brass Mill). We made the first track
through to Frank D. Casse's{??} house.
I got to the shop at 9 o'clock.
I heard to day that Bessie Miles did
not go to work in the shop yesterday
as her mother would not let her.
Heard to day that Mrs. Thornbury
was going to give up her school in
Mill Plain and going to New
Haven to teach. This will please a
good many of the people as she is
not as good a teacher as we have
been in the habit of having.
Came round by Mill Plain, home
tonight, it was very cold.
To bed at nine.
02\02\{1898} (Wednesday)
Got up at 4.15 this morning, built the
fires and wrote a letter to cousin Clarissa
Curtis of Stratford about the information I
wish to obtain in regard to the Somers family.
After a breakfast of pan cakes and molasses,
I went to work. This fore noon Major
Tucker sent for me to come to his shop as
he wished to see me about the Chapel Fair.
Pierpont brought my dinner to me
but I had to take it home again as I
had to go there after my team to get
freight from the depot. Hear to day
that John Mariaty{??} made and assignment
to Robert Lowe. Had a letter from
brother Fred of Detroit saying that
a large party had left there for the
Klondike region in Alaska to dig
gold.
Clyde, Mary and myself went to
Major Tucker's to rig Clyde and
Harrice out like Indians to see goods
at the Chapel Fair.
To bed at 10.30.
02\03\{1898} (Thursday)
To day has been the coldest day I ever
knew, I think. The thermometer this morning
stood 22 degrees below zero and no time
has it been above 20 above and tonight
it was 18 below. We have fine sleighing.
This morning went to the shop.
The large rubber reclaiming shop in
Nangatuck was burned night before
last. It was a building 400 feet long
and 75 ft. wide and 4 stories high
built of brick three years ago, loss
over 500,000 dollars. To night went
to the Grange. The thermometer was
10 below zero when we started.
I sent a letter to Mrs. Irving Prier
by Mr. Schmit asking her to recite
at the Chapel Fair next Tuesday
evening. To bed at eleven.
02\04\1898 (Friday)
This morning the thermometer registered
four degrees above zero. There is about eighteen
inches of snow on the ground and sleighing
is exellent, has been cold all day. To night
the thermometer was 10 below zero.
After breakfast I went to mother's and
wrote a notice to be published in the
Waterbury American that the Mill
Plain Chapel was to have a Fair next
Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Went to see Mrs. George Hitchcock this
noon. Mr. Tucker carried me there.
Mrs. Hitchcock says that Fannie can
take the part of a squaw at the fair.
This evening went to a meeting at
Mr. Tucker's of those interested in the
Fair. Took in Mr. and Mrs Able on the
way. Went to see Mr. B. Franklin
Haggett about a show case and also
to get him to help make the booths
at the Chapel Monday evening.
Left Mr. Tucker's for home at 10 o'clock.
To bed at 10.30, tied and weary with this
day's toil and chilled with the cold.
02\05\{1898} (Saturday)
This morning was cold but not as cold as yesterday
morning. The thermometer was four above zero.
By noon it was warm and the sun shown
bright. In the afternoon it began to rain
and has rained and thawed ever since.
This morning Mr. Tucker called and carried
me to the shop. I sent Clyde out with a lot
of bills to collect. Clyde brought me home
to dinner. The Warden boys were here to
dinner but did not eat till after I was
through and gone to the shop. This
afternoon Clyde went to Wolcott to
collect bills, had but little success.
The piano arrived at the Chapel this
afternoon. Mr. Porter bought it in New
York (with the Chapel's money). It is an
Estey and they say it is fine.
Mr. Porter and Miss Bradley called on
me and charged me not to let the children
put their fingers on it, and to keep the
cloth cover on it and to remove the cover
so that people may see it tomorrow.
After work Mr. Tucker brought me home
where I found Mr. Warden who had called
to see me about the programme for the
Chapel fair. After supper Clyde and Irving
went to town to get the goods for tomorrow
morning's breakfast and do other errands.
02\06\{1898} (Sunday)
Got up at seven o'clock this morning
and took my bath. The sun rose clear
and warm which melted the snow very
fast. After breakfast Clyde, Irving and
myself went to the Chapel and got it
ready for the service.
The new piano was there. It is a very
nice {???}, "oak case" Estey make.
Came home and went to work on the Indian
wig that Clyde is to wear at the Chapel
Fair, after which I went to the Chapel
service. Got there at about ten minutes
before the meeting closed. Sent Clyde and
Howard Neil over to Southington to
get a lot of Indian relics which Howard had.
After supper I went to Mr. Tucker's and stayed
till eleven o'clock, {?????} home the moon
shining bright.
02\07\{1898} (Monday)
Got to the washing as soon as possible and
to the shop at noon. I sent George Hine to
brother Frank's in Simonsville with Clyde
to get his flint {????} musket to have on
exhibition at the Chapel Fair. Telephoned
to Ed Todd in Mill Dale but could not
get him. Went to the chapel to help get
ready for the fair which begins tomorrow
evening.
02\08\{1898} (Tuesday)
To day the weather is quite warm, every
thing is hurry and bustle in preparation
for the fair. This noon Cara and I went
to the Chapel and it took us till near six
at evening to get my show case ready.
The fair in the evening was a success.
There was a large number of people present
and they nettted about fifty eight dollars.
The supper was well patronized but the
price charged was too low, being
ten cents. The literary programme was in the
charge of Mr. Warden and myself and
was as follows. The first number
was music on the new piano
by Mrs. Bavier{??}, then a violin solo
by Miss Ruth Blair, next a duet by
Miss Fannie Morris and Miss {---------}
Next a short sketch entitled "Coming{??}
to Woo" by Miss Mamy{??} Gearing, Miss
Hattie Murry and Harry L. Merrill
which was very amusing, also a song
by Mrs. W.S. Rogers who was accompanied
by her daughter Miss Sallie
Rogers. During the singing of this
last piece, as Sally was reaching towards
the end of the piano with both hands, the
top of the piano stool toppled over and
she fell to the floor, which caused some
confusion for a few minutes, but I got
the organ stool and she went at it again.
I stayed to night in the Chapel there
being a great value of goods there which
the people though needed protection.
Mr. Tucker stayed with me. We took the
blankets and robes for the fortune tellers
tent and made a bunk on the platform
and went to slleep but the fire went
out and I had to get up { ? ? ?
? ?} rebuild it so I was awoke
most of the night.
02\09\{1898} (Wednesday)
Went to work to day. The weather was
warm and sleighing is fast disappearing.
Went to the Chapel this evening at about
5.30 o'clock. There was a large crowd there,
so large that had many more come they
would have had to been packed so close
that there would not have been breathing room.
Every thing passed off quietly and
all had a good time, except Miss
Bradley who was jealous because she
could not run everything as she wished
and she tried to make all the trouble
she could. In spite of her efforts, the
fair was a success and they netted
a little over one hundred dollars.
The entertainment of which
Mr. Warden and myself had in
charge consisted of, first a piano
solo by Miss Burrett, second a
recitation by Mrs. Irving Prier,
3rd music on mandolin and piano
by Mr. and Mrs {------}, fourth
a recitation by Miss Buchannan,
fifth a tambourine drill by a number
of young ladies of the Waterville
school. I gathered some of my things
and came home and to bed at
two o'clock in the morning.
02\10\{1898} (Thursday)
This day has been a tired and painful
one for me. My foot pained me so
I could not work this afternoon very
much. The weather has been fine
and warm. Went to the Chapel this
noon and again this evening and
removed some of the stuff away.
The ladies have cleaned it out and
put things to rights for which I am
very thankful, to bed at nine.
02\11\1898 (Friday)
This was a very foggy morning and remained
damp and cool most of the day. I drove
to the shop and sent Harry Kilbourn to town
to get some lumber. After he had gone,
Thomas Heaton came with his wagon to
be repaired. Mr. Daniel G. Porter called to
see me about the new piano in the Chapel.
Mr. Tucker called to see if I knew of any
young man in this part of the town
whom he could get to work at press work.
He told me to call and see hime at noon.
I went and gave James Porter his Indian
spear heads, also his Indian gouge{?} and
talked with him some time, after which
I went to dinner, after which Mary
carried me to the Mattatuck shop where I
saw Mr. Tucker, and he said that he had
a job at press work where he could pay
from one to two dollars a per day and
asked me if it was any thing that I
would think of. I told him that it
was but that I would like a little
time to think it over, to which he agreed.
Worked in shop all afternoon, and
walked home at night. Mary sent
Pierpont home with Grandma after
which she drove to town and got home
at about six o'clock. Had supper of
canned lobster. After supper, Clyde,
Irving and myself paired and sliced
half a bushel of apples while Mary
read in "Little Women" to the children.
My foot is very painful.
Mr. William Norman moved away
from the Dolittle place yesterday to
Thompsonville, this state. Fred Woods
told me that he went away and left
unpaid to him a coal bill of one hundred
dollars. I am told he has not
paid his shop rent for two months
and is behind on the house rent.
I am glad he is gone for I think him
a hardened villain. It is my opinion
that he set the shear{??} shop on fire as
suspicion points that way and
Fred Brainard told me that "he
done it by God just as true as I
stand here". He was standing in
front of my shop door at the time
and I noted it in my last year's diary
of that date.
02\12\{1898} (Saturday)
To day has been a damp foggy one.
At breakfast I took a strong drink of
boneset{??} tea to cure my cold. Irving
drove me to the shop.
This forenoon Mr. Tucker came for
me to come to the Mattatuck shop to
move out four safety pin machines
and to bring a boy.
Walked home which was very
hard as the road was slippery and
I was very lame. After dinner, went
to the Mattatuck shop and had George
Hine help me take down the pin
machine which the company has
sold. Mr. Tucker told me that he had
told Mr. Judd that I was coming to
work for them, said that Mr. Judd
was well pleased. Recived {Received} a letter to
day from Mr. D. G. Porter in which he
stated that he had caused the removal
of the seat on the west side of the Chapel.
He has done it against the desires of
the Chapel committee.
Clyde went to town tonight for
oysters for breakfast.
Mr. Warden called to see me about the
Gropaphone{??} entertainment to be held
at the Chapel next Friday evening.
To bed at nine.
02\13\{1898} (Sunday)
This day is the Sabbath and I did not hurry
to get up, started to about seven o'clock and
put my truss{??} on, but my wife played
about me so affectionelly {affectionately} that I went back to
bed with her and lay till nine o'clock
when I got up and got the rest up. I kindled the
fire and cooked the oysters and sat down to
breakfast when Major Tucker called and wished
me to go out to Mother Pierpont's after some
apple with him. When we came back he carried
me to the Chapel (whither the boys had all
ready gone) to get it ready for the service.
After we came home I shaved and got washed
up and wrote a notice to be read in the
Chapel in regards to the Graphaphone{??} entertainment
to be given in the Chapel next
Friday evening. Then Mary and I went
to the Chapel and heard Dr. Rooland read
the Episcopal service and preach a very good
sermon. Came home and had a supper
of chicken and then went to Mr. Tucker's
where I stayed till eleven o'clock when I
came home across lots, found the way very
dark. Mr. Tucker told me that he intended
me to take charge of the upper floor in the
Mattatuck shop and to get ready soon as posible
so good night at 12 o'clock.
Margin between two pages:
We played "Hunt the Thimble" and had ice
cream. Very elegant.
02\14\{1898} (Monday)
Arose a half past five this morning.
The sun came out bright and the day seemed
as if it would be a fair one, but it rew
dull towards noon and soon it rained,
afterwards turned to snow and sleet.
I went to work at the Mattatuck shop
this morning taking out the safety
pin machines. After we had got them
to the lower floor we went to work
packing the pins that were made and
packed about twenty four hundred pounds
in barrels, this together with what
was in the boxes made about thirty six
hundred pounds which we took down
the elevator. Came home to dinner and
had Pierpont drive me back to my own
shop where we repaired M. Simpkin's buggy
after which we (George and I) went again
to the Mattatuck shop and finished packing
pins, wire etc. Then we went back to my
own shop and had not been there long
when Charlie Hotchkiss brought a note
from Mr. Tucker asking for one or two
boys to help load freight. I sent George
Hine over. Arthur Merriman of Southington
called and paid me what he owed
me. Clyde brought me ten dollars
from Adam Faber of Waterville which
I very much needed. I in turn paid it
to Harry Kilbourn as a part of his wages
due. Horice{??} Tucker invited Clyde, Irving,
Margaret and Ruth to his house to
spend the evening, it being his birth
day. He is twelve years old to day.
To bed at 8 o'clock.
02\15\{1898} (Tuesday)
This morning was bright and fair but
during the forenoon the weather grew
dull and rain and snow this afternoon.
Wrote a letter this morning to Mary
Goldsmith asking her to have her scholar's
sell tickets for the Phonograph entertainment
to be given in the Chapel next
Friday evening. And also asking her
to recite a piece on Washington's birthday
night.
This morning Mr. Tucker called and
asked me if Harry Kilbourn would
come to work for him at $1.25 per
day. I asked Harry and he wants
till morning to think it over.
02\16\{1898} (Wednesday)
This morning the snow had fallen to
the depth of three inches by daylight
and the weather was cold and the wind
blew a gale which had continued all
day. Towards night the weather grew
clder till it became one of the owrst
nights known in this section.
Wrote a letter to Charles S. Gillette of
Cheshire about the card that I am building
for him.
This evening Howard Neil called at
our house.
02\17\{1898}
This morning the thermometer registered
4 degrees above zero, and the wind blew
very hard. Traveling is exceedingly bad
on account of the weather and drifts.
I heard this morning that the
new United States Man of War ship
Maine was blown up at 10 o'clock
Tuesday evening in the harbor of
Havanna, Cuba; 233 men lost their
lives. I {???} the Spainards have done it
which I think them mean enough to
do. I hope they will have to suffer.
Col. Phillips of Pittsfield is to give
a grapophone entertainment in the Chapel
tomorrow evening, and Clyde and I
went to night and got the Chapel
ready from thence we went to see
Mr. Warden and found him recovering
from sickness which is the reason
why I have not seen him before.
02\18\{1898} (Friday)
This morning was warm and pleasant
but after noon the weather changed and
it began to rain and snow so that the
evening wet and unpleasant.
Mr. Warden went to the New England
Depot and met Col. Phillips who was
to give the entertainment at the
Chapel this evening. Mother kindly
kept him over night. To bed at 12.
02\19\{1898} (Saturday)
This morning was fair, arose a quarter
to six, had bacon and boiled eggs.
Went to the shop at 7 o'clock. Clyde came
at 10 minutes to eight and took the team
and carried Colonel Phillips to the
New England Rail Road station to
take the train to Cheshire via Plainville
where he is to give an entertainment
this evening.
Came home to dinner of bacon
and potatoes. Found that the boys
had split a good pile of wood so I let
them go to East Farms to play with
the Warden boys. Went to the Chapel
to night in the rain to practice for a
drill to be given next Wednesday evening.
Sent my team with Clyde after
the girls who were to take part in
the drill. They were Lena Hurlbert,
Ida Spender, Fannie Hitchcock, Clara French,
Cara French, Elsie French, Dolly Marrow,
Margaret Miller and Ruth Miller, Olive
Able. Stayed till 10 o'clock, had Clyde
carry the girls home and then we came
home, it raining very hard. To bed at 12.
02\20\{1898} (Sunday)
This has been one of worst days that I
have ever seen, as regards the weather.
Rain, snow, sleet and cold have prevailed
all day and night. There was no service at
the Chapel, only six or seven persons being
there. I in the evening went to Major
Tucker's to spend the evening, but the weather
being bad I stayed all the night and
came home at 6.30 in the morning, it still
raining hard. A curious incident happened
to me last evening. As I was going to bed,
my rupture slipped out and I could not
get it back again. After trying for some
time and failing, Mr. Tucker went for
Dr. Ward but while he was gone it slipped
back again much to my relief and joy.
The disaster which befell the Maine
man of war last Tuesday when she sunk
and 265 perished seems to be uppermost
in the minds of the people and many
think that it will result in war with
Spain.
02\21\1898 (Monday)
Wet and stormy all day and night.
On the ills the trees are ladened with ice
which the oldest inhabitant says he
never saw equaled before. In many
places the roads were impassable on
account of the fallen trees, orchards
are ruined in many instances and
maple, elm and ever hickory are
broken to pieces.
In the valleys near the streams there
is no ice at all, but above a certain
level, it begins and the higher up
one goes the thicker it becomes.
Went to the Chapel to night to
practice for the exercises on Washington's
birthday evening. (I should say
the evening of the 23rd). To bed at 12 o'clock.
02\22\{1898} (Tuesday)
It has rained and snowed all day, mud
very deep. Busy as I can be making
preparations for the Chapel entertainment
to morrow evening.
Rufus Carley called and got a Drum
Corps uniform for Mr. Humphrey, also
Mr. George Thompkins called and borrowed
another. They are to use them at the
old fashioned supper to be given at
the Second Congregational Church
this evening in honor of Washinton's
birth day.
02\23\{1898} (Wednesday)
This morning was wet and more mud
than I have ever seen before in this
locality. There is not a whole tree left
standing in Ed Todd's or the Barnes'
peach orchards owing to the ice storm of
Sunday. Mrs. Rev.{??} Philipps{??} of Prospect
measured the circumference of the
ice on a twig the size of a lead pencil
and it was 18 inches. Great damage
is reported from the hills of Wolcott, Prospect,
Watertown, and Waterbury.
This evening we gave the entertainment
at the Chapel in honor of Washington's
birthday. It was well attended and
a great success, many said the best
entertainment ever given in the Chapel.
The programme consisted of,
1. Song, Red White and Blue, 2. Recitation
by Margaret Miller, Entitled Feb. 22nd,
3. Patriotic Recitation by Mary Goldsmith
4. Song, Star-Spangled Banner, by
Mrs. Rogers, 5. Recitation, Washington,
by Helen Rogers, 5. March and
dramatic sketch, entitled Washington's
Birthday, 6. Recitation by myself
entitled Washington's Birthday,
7. Song, Yankee Doodle.
To bed at 12.30 o'clock.
02\24\{1898} (Thursday)
To day the sun has shown and the
weather had been fair which we appreciate
as it is so long since I have seen
the sun before.
Last night I caught a bad cold which
had made me feel bad to day.
This evening Mary went to the Grange
but I stayed home and went to bed at
8 o'clock.
02\25\{1898} (Friday)
To day I took the signs down from the
front of my shop. Miles Payne called
to see me about buying a lot of stock{??}
that I have on hand. Grandma
Pierpont is with us to day. She told us
that Hattie Pierpont has gone in to
town to board till the first of June.
02\26\{1898} (Saturday)
To day has been damp and cool. Sun shone
some. Mr. Clark's barn burned last night.
Mr. Clark lives on the Woodtick Road above
Ashton's Corner.
02\27\{1898} (Sunday)
Got up at 8 o'clock this morning. Had breakfast
of oysters, after which Clyde and
Irving and myself went to the Chapel
and got it ready for service.
George Somers called to see us. He hopes
that there will be war with Spain.
Many seem anxious for war but I
hope that I may not see it, but
no one know what the result of
the sinking of the Maine man of
war in the harbor of Havanna
may be.
Went to the Chapel this afternoon
and heard the Rev. Dr. Davenport
deliver a discourse on Abraham Lincoln
which seemed very appropriate as the
12th of this month was the anniversary
of his birth. Also he held the executive
office of the Nation previous to the war
of the Rebellion, and as many now think
that we are now on the verge of war. He
(Mr. Davenport) made it seem very interesting.
There was a large attendence at
the Chapel considering that the traveling
was very bad, on account of the
mud.
02\28\{1898} (Monday)
To day the weather has been damp and
raw, most everybody has colds.
The ice has disappeared from most
of the ponds, and the icemen are very
blue as they have gathered only about
half a crop and many of the ice
houses are empty. Mr. Theodore
Patchen moved to town to day from
Mr. Zenas{??} Bowen's place above the
red bridges on the Woodtick road near
the Mad River. Will Blewitt will move
in soon.
03\01\1898 (Tuesday)
The weather to day has been good considering
that it is the first of March.
Went to night and cleaned out the Chapel
cellar and then sent the keys to Dexter
Northrop who is to be the janitor in the
future.
This morning the dwelling houses of
Charles E. Smith and George E. Benedict
situated on Highland Avenue on Town{??}
Plot{??} were burned to the ground. The
fire started in the cellar of Mr. Smith's
house, and the crackling of the flames
awoke the family and they has barely
time to escape in their night clothes.
The flames from the Smith house
set the Benedict house on fire and that
in turn ignited Mrs. Cowen's house
but the firemen saved that with the
chemical engine. The Benedicts saved
most of their furniture, but the
Smith's lost most of all.
Mr. Warden told me that he intends
to resign from the Chapel Committee,
also from the Entertainment Committee
of the Ladies Union. I hope he will
not. It is all on account of the piano
trouble.
03\02\{1898} (Wednesday)
The weather to day has been very good
considering the time of year.
Told Mr. Able of Mr. Warden's intended
resignation. He thinks that every
endeavor should be made to keep him
on till the end of the year.
Mr. Warden called in the evening
and he is a little undecided whether
to resign or not.
03\04{03}\{1898} (Thursday)
The weather to day has been fine and clear
although there was about one inch of snow on
the ground which fell last night, but it had
all gone before noon.
I received two envelopes from brother Fred
who is in Detroit containing newspaper
pictures of the wrecked Maine in Havanna
harbour, also war vessels, guns, arms etc.
In the evening Mary went to the Grange
but I stayed at home as I was very tired
and wished to put in a good day's work
tomorrow. When my wife got home
from the Grange, she was greatly excited
because her brother Wilson L. Pierpont
(who is Master of the Grange) and his wife
Annie (who is Secretary of the Grange)
were in their respective places when
she got there, after a time recess was
declared and she did not see Wilson
or Annie again, but just before the
Grange closed a note was received
by the acting Secretary which stated
that the Master and Secretary had
a new ten pound son.
03\04\{1898} (Friday)
This morning after a breakfast of bread
and milk I went to work, Irving carried
me down to the shop. At noon Pierpont
brought my dinner to me. We have worked
all day on Mr. Gillete's double dump cart.
The weather has been cloudy all day till
about 4 o'clock, it began to snow and now
it is snowing hard and the wind blowing
hard also. Went to bed at 9 o'clock.
03\05\{1898} (Saturday)
Got up this morning a little before six,
had breakfast of boiled beans, got to the
shop before seven and worked as hard as
we could all day on Mr. Gillette's cart
but did not get it finished.
Clyde worked in the shop to day.
Sent Irving down town to Fred Wood's
this forenoon after a bail of hay and
to Hemingway's this afternoon after
a quart of oysters and three pounds
of crackers. Sent Clyde up to Charlie
Moshier's to see about a banjo club that
he had spoken of coming to the chapel to
play next Wednesday evening. Charlie
said that two of the young men would come
and bring their young ladies with them
and wished us to meet them at Haden
Street. I saw by the paper to day that three
men are to start for Klondike Country
from here next Monday to dig for gold.
I would like to note here what is termed
a "good joke" and one of those jokes which
was practices{??}, I remember when I was a small
boy while the war of the Rebellion was in
progress. Billy White lives with his wife
and four children in a shanty like house
in the lots west of the West Wolcott
Road back of the residence of Truman
Kilbourn. They are simple minded
people and do not know of our nation's
present trouble with Spain. Last
Thursday afternoon two young men
of the neighborhood disguised themselves
and went to Billy's house and knocked
at the door. Mrs. White came and they
asked if Mr. White was in. She said
that he was away at work. They then
told her (one of them) them he was Mr. Moor
and was a recruiting officer
for the government from New Haven
and that Billy had been drafted and they
were after him. She swore at them and
said, you can't have him. They said
two of Mr. Kilbourne's sons were going
and that John Gallagher was going
to be Captain. She was frightened and
said, you shan't have my Billy. Just
then her boy, a lad of twelve, came round
the corner of the house and they said
they wanted that boy. She said, you shan't {??} my
boy and she pushed him into the house
and shut the door while she scolded like
a tiger. The boys went away that they
would give her till Monday to get
ready, and then they would come after
them. After they had gone,
she went to see Mr. Gallagher and
found him already gone away. This
{??????} the climax and she went about
the neighborhood bemoaning her faith
and heaping curses upon the head of that
d---{???} Republican President McKindley of
Connecticut who was going to take her
Billy away from her and oblige her to go
out at house work to earn a living.
03\06\{1898} (Sunday)
Got up very tired this morning. After breakfast
of stewed oysters, Clyde went to the Chapel
to show Dexter Northrop about taking
care of it. I spent my time in reading
and cleaned the cellar some, took my bath
and wrote the following note for the Chapel
Committee to sign:
To the Officers and Members of the Ladies
Union of Mill Plain Chapel
We the undersigned Committee
of Mill Plain Chapel Society, having
the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) which
we wished used towards the purchase
of a carpet for the Chapel, respectfully
gequest that you obtain samples and
prices of such carpets as you think
most fitting for the Chapel.
And after the cost has been
obtained, we will endeavor to procure
the balance needed, if it cannot be
raised otherwise.
Signed, Robert K. Warden
Luther Bradley
Mark L. Warner
Charles S. Miller
I took this document together with
my own bill of $10.00 for janitor
service and left them with Mrs.
Annie Munson who is Secretary
of the Ladies Union.
Went to the Chapel at three
o'clock. Mr. Nichols preached. Collected
$1.58, had a fair attendence.
In the evening I went to Mr. Tucker's
where I stayed till 10 o'clock. When I
came home he came with me across
the lots, it being bright as day.
03\07\{1898} (Monday)
Worked hard all day. Nothing worthy
of note happened that I know of.
03\08\{1898} (Tuesday)
To day the weather has been fine. One
every hand we hear war talk and all
are greatly excited because the government
has appropriated $50,000,000 for cost defense.
03\09\1898 (Wednesday)
This morning I was awakened by the
fire whistle blowing three, which met{????}
exchange place. I looked out the window
then looked at the clock and saw that it
was quarter past one o'clock. Soon after, I
heard another alarm which meant a large
fire, and called out the whole fire department.
I awoke Mary and we looked out
of the window and saw a red spot on
the clouds and soon heard an explosion
and immediately the whole heavens
were illuminated as if by magic. I called
the boys to look at it, and Margaret,
Ruth and Pierpont got up. There was
another explosion and up went a shower
of sparks. It looked as if the whole City
was on fire. I was at a loss to know
where the fire was and as Clyde wanted
to go and find out, so I told him and
Irving to take their wheels and ride
in and see where the fire was and
then come and tell us. They were gone
about two hours. They told us that it
was Trott's Bakery on Spring Street, a
three story brick building and that
the explosions were caused by gas
which they used in making soda water.
In the morning I learned that the
{????} was $50,000.00 and that 1,500 barrels
of flour were lost. The firemen had
a hard time to keep the fire from
spreading to other buildings.
The cause of the fire was as follows,
In one of the upper stories near the elevator
shaft was located the kettel {kettle} where they
boiled the doughnuts and they had
had a fire under it and a boy attending.
The boy went away, the grease boiled over,
took fire and ignited the wood work and
thence the fire. I have almost forgotten
whether I had any breakfast, can't tell
of what it consisted. Pierpont brought
my dinner to me at the shop. Worked hard
all day finishing up work and cleaning
out the shop. Had dried boiled peas for
supper, and then went to the Chapel
to the Supper and entertainment given
by the Ladies Union of Mill Plain.
The supper consisted of oysters cooked
in various ways for which a charge
of 20 cts. was charged. Then entertainment
consisted of 1. Recitation by Arthur
Heaton, 2. Violin Solo by Mr. Stoton, Miss
Edith Burnett accompanying him on the piano,
3. Messers Sincaster and Leonard on Mandolin
and Guitar, 5. Recitation by George Byam,
6. Recittion Mrs. J. G. Byam. The musicians
were recalled several times. When we came
home we brought Mrs. Able and Mrs.
Morrow with us in the wagon, it being
very muddy. To bed at 11.30 o'clock.
03\10\{1898} (Thursday)
To day the weather has been fine, got up
at 6 o'clock and wrote the following notice
for publication in this evening's American.
The Supper and Entertainment given
by the Ladies Union of Mill Plain Chapel
last evening was a decided success.
The entertainment program was a{??} very
pleasing and well received. Mr. Staton's
violin solo was som much appreciated that
he was recalled and responded with other
selections. Miss Edith Burrett was his
accompanist. The selections rendered
by Messers Sincaster and leonard on
mandolin and guitar received a warm
encore and they responded with other
fine selections. The recitations by
Master George Byam was warmly
applauded as were the others of Arthur
Heaton and Mrs. Byam.
Mary or{??} I did not go to the Grange.
03\11\{1898} (Friday)
Mr. Phalen of Long and Phalen called
this afternoon to see me about renting my
shop, told him that I would rent it for $25.00
per month and he could make what he could
off from that. We agreed to rent it for
$30.00, he to have $5.00 and I $25.00, he to do all
the business, sell the stock tool etc. at
an inventory price and turn the money
over to me.
03\12\{1898} (Saturday)
This forenoon I sent a note to Mr. Tucker
asking him how his neck was, as he had a
carbuncle, he sent word by Irving to have
me come and {???} care of him for the night.
I went and found that Dr. Axtelle and Anderson
had cut it open in the morning. I waited
on him during the night. He was out of
his head the early part owing to the
ether he had taken but was not rational
the last part. I would note here that
I worked this forenoon in my own shop
and I expect it is the last half day's
work that I will do for customers as
I expect to go to work for the Mattatuck
Company next Monday.
03\13\{1898} (Sunday)
I stayed with Mr. Tucker to day which
is Sunday. Had breakfast with the
family. John and Ed Pierpont called
in the afternoon, as did Mr. Otis Northrop
also at evening. Mr. Tucker is getting
along very good.
03\14\{1898} (Monday)
Had breakfast at Mr. Tucker's this morning,
after which I went to my shop and
hung up Mr. Lawlor's, Mr. Tucker's
Arthur Pierpont's and Dr. Ward's
wagons. At half past twelve I went
to work at the Mattatuck Shop at
setting up machinery and doing other
odd jobs. In the evening I went to
Major Tucker's and dressed his neck.
I would here note that as I was coming
home from Mr. Tucker's I saw the
Northern Lights shine brighter than
I ever saw them before. They were in
the shades of Blue, White and Red.
It is an old saying that they are a
sign of war and certainly they were
bright enough to mean something.
I have heard the Old Folks say that
the year before the Civil War began
they seen{??} frequent and of brighter
hues than they have been seen since.
Whether they are a sign of war or
not, I think that was will soon be upon
us.
03\15\{1898} (Tuesday)
Went to work at the Mattatuck Shop
this morning. This noon Joe Huey called
me out of the shop after dinner and
told me that Mr. Tucker wanted me
to come to his house right away
and fix the bandage on his head and
neck. He had been to Dr. Axtelle just
before noon and had it done up
but it failed to stay.
I put it on and it stayed all right.
I went up again in the evening and
stayed with him all night. In the
morning he seemed much better.
03\16\{1898} (Wednesday)
The weather has been fine today
and the frogs can be heard peeping.
They were first heard Sunday.
Worked to day at the Mattatuck Shop.
03\17\{1898} (Thursday)
The weather has been fine today. This noon
Mr. Tucker asked me if Wilson Pierpont's wife
was dead. He said that Mrs. Dickinson
heard the little French girls ask Ausin{??} B.
Pierpont how she was and he only said a
few words and they {???} oh isn't it too bad, so
she{???} judged that she was dead. I went and
asked Paul Hesphelt and he said that she
was. It seems that she died at about 8 o'clock
this morning. She was 39 years old, the same
age of myself. She leaves an infant child
and six children.
03\18\{1898} (Friday)
The weather has been fine today.
They have appointed the funeral of
Mrs. Wilson L. Pierpont to be held in
the Chapel Sunday afternoon at 3
o'clock.
Irving took Dr. Ward's Phaeton Carriage
home this morning.
03\19\{1898} (Saturday)
The weather this morning was very
dull and foggy and at about 9 o'clock
it began to rain and continued to
rain hard for about two hours and
a half. I have worked about the Mattatuck
shop at odd jobs all day, i.e. making
a belt tighten, took down a countershaft
and tightened a pulley on it, and worked
making a bench in the blacksmith shop.
Went down town this evening and
got a pair of overalls for which I paid .40
cts. and also went to see Mr. Jones about
the Insurance on my shop. Came
home and went to bed at about half
past ten. It soon began to lighten {lightning}
and thunder and there was quite
a shower, the first this year.
03\20\{1898} (Sunday)
Got up at eight o'clock this forenoon and
the boys and myself went to my shop where
we stayed till about ten o'clock when we came
home and had breakfast of stewed oysters
after which I wrote and read till one o'clock
when we got ready and went to the Chapel
to Mrs. Wilson L. Pierpont's funeral.
This I think was the longest funeral
ever held in the Chapel, all the seats being
filled as well as all of the standing room
being taken and a great crowd outside
who could not get in. Rev. Mr.
Buckley of Trinity Church officiated.
The pall bearers were Arden Coe
John Gallagher, Arthur Pierpont,
Thomas Melbourn, Harry Coe and
John Todd. It was a grange funeral
and the grangers came from neighboring
towns. There must have been
over 400 people present.
After supper went to Major
Tucker's. Had been there a short time
and was sitting in his room up stairs
reading, when we heard a loud noise
in Mr. Parsley's room. Mr. Tucker
knocked on the door and hearing
nothing opened the door and looked
in. He called us{??} in alarm and I went
and we found Mr. Parsley (the school
teacher) lying on the floor unconscious,
the blood running from his mouth
and nose. They called Dr. Ward soon
as possible and it proved to be a fit.
After about 15 minutes he recovered
consciousness and we put him to bed. He seemed
much better. I stayed with Mr. Tucker all night.
03\21\{1898} (Monday)
Worked to day at the Mattatuck shop
in the forenoon making a bench in the
blacksmith shop. At noon Mr. Brower{??} came
and we went to work making steel buttons
on his new press, which strikes 116 times
per minute and makes three buttons at every
stroke or 348 buttons of steel per minute.
The weather has been damp and it has snowed.
03\22\{1898} (Tuesday)
The weather to day has been dull and it
snowed very hard at noon.
The old Hobert{?} Austin place at East Farms
burned last night. It is supposed that
it was set on fire. It was owned by Mrs.
Margaret Bonette.
Wrote a notice of the young men's supper
to be given in the Chapel on Wednesday
evening, to be published in the American.
03\23\{1898} (Wednesday)
The weather to day has been better
than yesterday, but still it was dull
some of the time. Went to night to
the Chapel to the supper and entertainment.
There was a large crowd there.
03\24\{1898} (Thursday)
Weather to day has been cool.
Mr. Tucker told me today that Mr.
Parsley is going to give up the school.
He has rented a farm in Washington
and is going farming. He is a fine
teacher. Mary went to the Grange
tonight.
03\25\{1898} (Friday)
The weather to day has been fine and
springlike. Bluebrids and robins have
been singing, the grass is turning green
and it now looks like an early spring.
To night the young folks are having
a dance at John French's and some
of the older ones are having a party
at Ed Todd's. Joe Huey has my
horse and has taken Miss Fatem{??} and
my sister Cara. Hiram Able called
this evening and wanted to know
what I though of Mark Warner and
Miss Fatem{??} taking the money that
Mrs. Phillips raised to buy books with
to buy ice cream for the children the last
day of school. I like to have the children have
a good time, but think the books of more
consequence. Mrs. Andrew Reid of Niagra
Street was burned to death this afternoon,
her dress catching from a bonfire in
her garden.
03\26\{1898} (Saturday)
The weather to day has been fine. The
buds are bursting on my plum trees
and trailing arbutus{??} is blossoming out.
Great excitement prevails to day throughout
the nation on account of the naval
board's{????} report regarding the blowing up
of the Maine Man-|of-|War in the harbor
of Havanna by which 264 men lost
their lives. The report was made public
yesterday, and is to the effect that
the Maine was blown up by a
submarine mine and holds
Spain responsiable {responsible}. Our government
has requested Spain to withhold her
torpedo flotilla now enroute from
the Canary Islands to Cuba. This
she has refused to do and war seems
immediate. The Government is
working night and day fortifying
New York harbor and are going
to erect batteries at New Haven
and Bridgeport. Orders issued
to day directing one old stile {style} moniter{??}
to Portland, Me. and two to Boston.
Mr. James Porter was 80 years old to
day.
03\27\{1898} (Sunday)
The weather to day has been fine and clear.
Went to the Chapel. Dr. Davenport
preached. There was a large attendence.
03\28\{1898} (Monday)
Saw a rainbow in the West this morning
while I was coming home from Mr. Tucker's
where I stayed last night.
03\29\{1898} (Tuesday)
The weather to day has been damp
and rainy. Mr. Fred Parnclee{??}, agent
for L.L. Ensworth called on me to day
and I payed him five dollars on the
account I owe Mr. Ensworth of Hartford.
Mr. Warden and his wife called
on me at my shop, (where I and the
boys were sawing wood this evening)
and told me that Mrs. Warden and my
mother and Mrs. Meatt{??} had been to look at carpets
for the Chapel.
03\30\{1898} (Wednesday)
The weather this forenoon was
wet but a noon it cleared up and
was nice this afternoon. Mrs. Hattie
Austin and Homer Twitchel were
married to day, and have gone
south on their wedding tour. He
is about 74 years of age and she
is 47. Mr. Warden called this evening
and told me that he and his
wife have been to town and bought
the carpet for the Chapel. It cost
67 1\2 cts. a yard.
03\31\1898 (Thursday)
It began snowing this morning at
six o'clock and snowed till noon, when
it cleared up and the sun came out bright.
This evening it is growing colder.
Had breakfast of codfish, then went
to work. Mr. Leach came to work on
the nail machines this morning
in the place of Carlie Dec{??} who has
got through. Dewitt Larahee{??} of
Southington got through to day.
Went to night to the Chapel to let
in some men who were coming to
measure the floor for the carpet. They
were to be there at 8 o'clock , waited till
half-past eight and they did not come.
Then went to Mr. Rodier's with a
petition to have the Traction Company
extend their lines to the Grange Hall
and he signed it, then went to Mr.
Gallagher's, from thence to Mr. Hurlbert's,
thence to Mr. Atkinson's thence to Mr
Spender's, thence to Mr. Jones', thence
home, and to bed at ten o'clock.
04\01\1898 (Friday)
Got up at 5 o'clock. Breakfast of bacon
and eggs. Weather to day has been
clear and cool. Left the shop this afternoon
and went to the factory of the
Waterbury Brass Co. where I got sixteen
names on the petition to have the
trolley line extended, in the evening
went with the petition to Mr. Augustus
Moshier's and from thence to Mr.
Theodore Munson's thence to Mrs.
Charles Frost's and Warren Hitchcock's
thence to John French's thence to
Hiram Able's, thence to Walter Garrigus',
thence Mr. Andrews, thence
to Robert Hotchkiss on the Cheshire
Road, thence to Mr. Lee's, thene to
Robert Barrett's, thence to Mr. Andrew's
at the Wedge Place, and Mr. Blackburn's
thence to Morris Reid's, thence to
Henry Wedge's, then home and
to bed.
04\02\{1898} (Saturday)
To day the weather was clear and cool
this morning but at noon it began to
rain and later it turned to snow.
Clyde and Irving started at a little
before seven this morning with their
bycicles {bicycles} and went to East Farms where
they met Mort Pierpont, Clarence
Warden, Burt Pierpont and then
they all went to Meriden thence
to Chshire thence to Roaring Brook
in Cheshire and from there home,
the whole being 33 miles.
04\03\1898 (Sunday)
To day the weather has been very
cold. Frank and Mr. Lounsbury called
to see me this afternoon.
Had to act the part of janitor at
the Chapel to day, as Dexter Northrop
is sick.
Went and stayed with Mr. Tucker
tonight.
04\04\{1898} (Monday)
The weather has been cold and damp
all day. Went out this evening with
the petition for the extension of the
troley track. Went to George Johnson's
first and thence to Frank Judd's, thence
to Luther Bradley's, thence to John
Reid's, thence to Mr. Rudolph's, thence to
Mr. Hock's, thence to Prime Lyman's{??},
thence to Robin{??} Scott's (widow of Edward),
thence to Wilson Pierpont's, thence to
Charlie Brown's, thence to George Benham's,
thence to Sidney Bronson's, thence to
Robert Warden's, thence to Milan Northrop's,
thence to Ed Wetton's and from thence home
and to bed, having procured in all 206 names.
04\05\{1898} (Tuesday)
It began snowing at about six o'clock this
morning and has kept it up all day with much wind.
04\06\{1898} (Wednesday)
The weather to day has been cold and disagreeable.
It began snowing hard at about 5 o'clock this
afternoon and continued about one hour.
The papers stated to day that the Spaniards
had a ship chase an English merchant vessel
and fire on her, thinking her to be an American
vessel. It happened off the coast of Spain.
To night went to the supper and entertainment
at the Chapel. The supper was in {the} charge
of Bertha French and Fannie Hitchcock, assisted
by Edith Pierpont, Mattie Judd, Nellie Cass,
Olive Able, Lena Hurlbuert, Hattie Kilbourn,
Clara French, Adaline Marrow, Daisy hall,
Ida PSender, Hattie Colkings[??}, and Minne
Judd.
The entertainment program was a very
pleasing one and well received. Miss
Sadie Haywood's piano solo was warmly
applauded. Miss Nellie Andrew's song was
som much appreciated that she was recalled
and responded with other excellent ones.
Miss and Miss Haywood's duet
pleased everyone and won applause, as did
Miss Susie Bronson's and Miss Haywood's
recitations.
04\07\{1898} (Thursday)
The weather to day has been cool but
fairly clear.
Great excitement prevail throughout
the land on account of the war.
To night I took the Traction Petition
and went about Mill Plain, first
to David Shannon's, thence Mr.
Aitchenson's where his wife was
putting a baby to bed, thence to
Mr. Lockhart's who is newly married,
thence to Oscar Farichild's whose
wife is sick with a new baby, thence
to Mr. Price's where Mrs. Price was
putting a baby to bed, then up stairs
to a German's where the woman
had a half dressed baby in her lap, thence
to Frank Welton's where they have a pair
of young twins, thence to Mr. Twiss,
where Mrs. Twiss was undressing a baby,
thence to Mr. Thackeries, an old couple
thence to Daniel Squire's where they
had a baby, thence to Mr. Gillette's where
they would not let me in on account
of Mrs. Gillette being sick with childbirth,
thence to Mr. Dee's, an old couple,
thenc to Mr. Heaton's where I did
not go into the house, thence to Mr.
Strobell's where hey had a young baby,
thence to Ned Pritchard's, they are
to old to have babies, thence to Mr.
Chapman's whose wife will have a
baby soon, thence to Mr. William
Blewitt's whose wife has a baby,
thence to Peter Lund's where I saw
no baby, thence home and to bed
with the thoughts in my mind that
Mill Plain is a very prolific neighborhood.
04\08\{1898} (Friday)
To day is Fast{??} and is a legal holiday.
I worked in the Mattatuck shop cleaning
shafting{??} pullies. The war indications
are more threatening to day.
This evening I went with the Electric
Rail pettion first to Mr. Leache's at
the head of the Brass Mill {????} thence
to Miles Pain's on East Mountain, thence
to Willis Lannsburie's, thence to
Mr. Bailey's, thence to Mr. Johnson's,
thence to Gilbert Hotchkiss's where
I passed a great fire on the way
on the North side of the Polk Hill, thence
to Mr. Frank Thompkin's thence to
Mr. Freeter's{??}, thence to James Cass,
then to Frank Cass', thence to
Earnest Welton's on the Woodtick
Road in Mill Plain where they had
a baby sick with the croup, thence
to F. B. Haggett's where Earnest
Robinson signed it making the
306th name, then home and to bed.
Clyde and Irving went to Wolcott
and got Mr. Gardener's wagon.
04\09\{1898} (Saturday)
The weather to day has been warm
and fine and some of the farmer's
are plowing. This evening Margaret
and I went with the petition first
to Mr. Norton's on the Woodtick
Road. They were not at home, thence to
Miss Welton's, thence to Mr. Durant's,
thence to Widow Merritt Scott's thence,
to Widow John Frisbie's, thence to
Gayland Alcott's, thence to Mark
Warner's, thence to Richard Potchen's,
thence to George Pritchard's, thence
to Mr. Mc Cauley's, the road was
very dark, thence to Mr. Blewitt's,
thence to Mr. Norton's and to
Mr. Barner's who lives by the twin
bridges, thence home and to bed.
04\10\{1898} (Sunday)
Sabbath day, prepared the Chapel for
service for Dexter Northrop who is sick,
then saw Mr. Tucker on the way home
and asked him if he would rent me
a piece of ground on which to
plant potatoes. He said he would
and ageed to let me have a piece
in the Sherman Bronson lot next to
the Doolittle Road, and I understand it
was to be free of charge.
Went to the Chapel this afternoon
and heard Mr. Waltros of Wolcott preach.
He spoke to considerable length of our
nation's trouble with Spain and of
the suffering Cubans, but prayed
that war might be averted. On my
way home, I saw Mr. Tucker and he
hitched his horse and carried me
to Milan Northrop's at East Farms
thence to George Hitchcock's and George
Alexander's on the Meriden Road.
Then we hurried home as it was
thundering and lightening and we
expected rain, but non came till
evening when it rained quite hard at
about 9 o'clock. I stayed with Mr. Tucker all
night.
04\11\{1898} (Monday)
To day the President of the United
States (Mc Kinley) sent forth his
message to Congress, stating that the
blowing up of the Maine in Havanna
harbour showed that Spain was no
longer able to afford safety to the
ships of other nations in her harbours
and that Cuba must be freed and
the war there must be stopped.
04\12\{1898} (Tuesday)
The weather to day has been fine.
Charles Hotchkiss began working
all night on the nail machines at
the Mattatuck shop, expect to run
the machines to the first of June.
To night after work, I went to my
own shop and loaded a load of iron
and had Father come up and I
entertained him while the folks
got a surprise supper ready for
him, at which all his children and
grandchildren (excepting Fred and
his family) sat down, the occasion
being Father's 68th byrthday {birthday}.
Heard sister Iva say to day
that she was engaged to be married
to William Gillette.
The Waterbury Wrench Co. made
an assignment to day. W. H. Brooks
was appointed receiver{??} under a bond
of 20,000 dollars.
04\13\{1898} (Wednesday)
To day the weather has been
fine. Much talk of the war with Spain.
Went to night and helped Hiram Able
fix the side seats in the Chapel so they
could get the new carpet under them.
Received my week's wages of the Mattatuck
Co. to day. Mary and some of the
other women of the neighborhood
cleaned the Chapel to day and got
it ready for the new carpet.
04\14\{1898} (Thursday)
Went to the Grange to night.
B. F. Hoggett was elected Secretary
in the place of Mrs. Wilson L. Pierpont,
deceased. Rained lightly when
we came home.
04\15\{1898} (Friday)
It has rained most of the day.
Mother is sixty four years old
to day. Went to the Brass Mill and
bought one 12 inch brass kettle for
the Mattatuck Co. for 80 cents.
04\16\{1898} (Saturday)
The weather to day has been fine.
Drew a load of tools from my shop
and put them in the cellar.
The new carpet is put down in the Chapel.
04\17\{1898} (Sunday)
The weather to day has been the best
this year. Grass is turning green and
the buds are ready to burst on plum
and pear trees. Cowslips are in blossom.
Did not go to the Chapel, but Mr.
Mc Kinley preached.
04\18\{1898} (Sunday) {Monday}
The weather to day has been fine.
Every body is talking war.
04\19\{1898} (Tuesday)
It has rained most of the time to day.
Congress sent to day its final message
to Spain and if the terms are not complied
with, the Government are to send
a fleet and an army to Cuba to stop
the war there. A call is expected from
the President for 80,00 volunteers.
04\20\{1898} (Wednesday)
The weather cleared this forenoon
and the evening was fine. We all went
to the supper and entertainment at
the Chapel, which was well attended
and about $10.00 were realized{?????}.
The entertainment program was pleasing
to all. Miss Nellie Andrews, Solo. "The
Wreck of the Battle Ship Maine", was
received with a burst of applause.
The duets by Miss Minnie Baker,
Miss Margaret Hunter and the
Misses Haywoods were warmly
encored.
The solos by Miss Sadie Haywood,
Robert Streeter, Jessie Bamatyne{??},
Miss May Reeds, Mr. Arthur Beach,
Miss Elsie Pollack and Lillie Proctor
were very pleasing and warmly
applauded as were the recitations
by Miss Pollack, Miss Susie Price,
and Sadie Haywood.
04\21\{1898} (Thursday)
The weather to day has been cold
but no storm.
Mr. Gillette, a machinest at the
Mattatuck shop has moved into
one of the houses on Southmade Road
to day next to William Dunworth.
Walter Garrigus' wife has been sick
since Sunday.
To day brings the news that
the Spanish Government has not
waited to receive the Ultimatum
sent by this government, but as
soon as they heard that Minister
Polo had received his passport from
this country, considered it as equivalent
to a formal declaration of
war and have sent a powerful
fleet of battle ships to sea. It is not
known whether they expect to proceed
to the West Indies or to operate
against New york or some other
Northern port. I expect to hear tomorrow
that the call is issued for
80,000 volunteers. I think that the
government could raise an army
of 1,000,000 men easy.
My wife has gone to the Grange
and Mrs. Mulvanney{??} called, as she
and I went to school together when
we were young. We had a very
pleasant time recalling events
that happened at that time, when
the Old War was raging.
04\22\{1898} (Friday)
The weather to day has been fine.
Great excitement prevails to day
on account of the war. At 5.45. o'clock
this morning the war fleet left Key
West for the blockade of Havanna
and the North coast of Cuba.
The president has signed a bill
calling for 100,000 volunteers to serve
for one year. Connecticut's number
to be sent is 1,286 men. This morning
the Cruiser Nashville captured a
Spanish lumber ladened vessel bound
from Mississippi to Engalnd and took
her as a prize to Key West.
Manville Norton of Wolcott was buried
to day in the Woodtick burying ground.
He died on the 20th {???} of a cancer in
the stomach. Had school meeting to
night to consider buying a piece of land
adjoining the back side of the school yard
of Henry Hall. I did not attend.
04\23\{1898} (Saturday)
This day is an eventful one. The Waterbury
Evening American's heading was
as follows, A Spanish Freighter Captured
Our speedy cruiser New York saw
her and raced off after her, sailed{??}
{????} across her bows, stops her.
The President Has Issued a Proclamation
for 125,00 Volunteers To Serve
For Two Years
The owners of the Buena Ventura
captured by the Nashville are very indignant
and have entered a protest.
In Madrid they call it an
act of Piracy. Latest news from
Havanna, how the people feel about the
Yankke fleet in the {??????} - General
Blanco active in rushing troops to the
weak points on the coast of Cuba.
Our fleet of Gunboats reached Havanna
at 5 o'clock last evening, and at once
there was great excitement in the
city. General Blanco is rushing troops
to Morrow Castle and to the Batteries
of Santa Clara.
Here In Waterbury 48 men enlisted
in Company A and Company G making
two full companies of 84 men
each. They are expecting marching
orders at any time and are ready
at an hour's notice, the 48 enlisted
last evening.
04\24\{1898} (Sunday)
Weather to day is very rainy, went
this morning to the Mattatuck factory
and telephoned to the Rev. Mr. Davenport
about preaching at the Chapel.
He would come out but had a very
bad throat and did not know whther
he could preach or not. I asked him
if we could not get some one else for
to day and make it easier for him.
He said that he thought that we could
get Mr. Nichols, Baptist Minister
of Simonsville and saw Mr. Nichols
and he said that he would come.
I in the afternoon went to the
Chapel and found that all was well
and Mr. Nichols was preaching,
and a very fine service, the new
carpet was on the floor and looked
very nice. I stayed with Major Tucker
last night.
I would state here that the Rev. Asher
Anderson of Meriden, Chaplain of
the Second Reg., C.N. G.{??} preached
a war sermon to Companies A and
G last evening. The Church was filled
to the extent that no more could
get in. The service was held in
the first Congregational Church
and great enthusiasm prevailed.
The soldier's war cry is to be
Remember the Maine.
04\25\{1898} (Monday)
The first shots of the War were fired
Saturday night from Morow Castle
at the torpedo boat, Foot{??}, and at the
Battleship New York, but failed
to hit anything but the Atlantic
Ocean.
04\26\{1898} (Tuesday)
The light-house tender Mangrove captured
the Spanish Cruiser Panama{??} yesterday
off Key West.
04\27\{1898} (Wednesday)
To day the First Reg. C.N. G. received
orders at 4.45 o'clock to prepare for war.
(this is all that I know)
04\28\{1898} (Thursday)
The weather to day has been cold and
stormy, snow, sleet and rain.
They had a Grange meeting to night
and Edith Pierpont was elected Secretary.
There was but 15 present.
04\29\{1898} (Friday)
Although the weather to day has been
fairly good, I am suffering great pain.
Before dinner Mr. Tucker told me that
we would go over to my shop and blue{??}
some steel buttons. As an experiment
we tried blueing{??} them in powdered charcoal.
The process is as follows, the buttons
are first hardened, then polished and then
drawn to a temper of blue by putting them
in a long cilender {cylinder} with brass chips usually
which is over a charcoal fire while in
motion till the right color comes when it
is dumped on a riddle and the buttons riddled
out of the charcoal. To day we tried the charcoal
instead of the brass and as I was emptying
them out, the charcoal dust exploded like powder
and knocked me backwards, badly burning
my hands and the side of my face.
To day Mr. Judd gave me my insurance
policy on my shop for $1,000 at a rate 1 1\2 cts..
04\30\{1898} (Saturday)
To day the weather has been fine. I not being able
to work in the shop did nothing most of the
forenoon but tend my burnt hands, but a
little before noon I and Clyde and Irving began
drawing out the wood across the road west of
my house and we kept to work at it till near
4 o'clock when Mr. Tucker sent Paul Hesphelt
after me to come to the shop, as a Mr. Simpkins
of Thomaston was there to show me how to "blue
buttons". I went down and staid till five o'clock
when I came home and drove to Bucks Hill to
see the inside of the Chapel there, to see if
we could give the drill there next Wednesday
evening. Thence home and I sent Clyde and
Irving and Margaret and Ruth to the Chapel
to practice the drill.
05\01\1898 (Sunday)
To day the weather has been fine and
clear. Mr. Warden called on me to see me
about the drill at Buck's Hill. Mr. Tucker
called and asked me to go to ride with him
to see Ed Holmes who lives on the Southington
Mountain. I went with Mr. Tucker and
Horace{??} went horse back on his new horse.
This was the first time that he ever rode horse
back very far. After I got home Father, Frank
and Rolland Jenner called, was glad to see
them.
05\02\{1898} (Monday)
Mort Chandler who lives in prsopect
cut his throat open with a razor yesterday
and although he severed the jugular
vein, strange to say he still lives.
Admiral Dewey{?} gave the Spanish
fleet battle yesterday, before Manilla
in the Phillipine Islands. He sunk
several vessels and drove the rest back.
05\03\{1898} (Tuesday)
The young people of Mill Plain went
this evening to Bucks Hill and gave
an entertainment in the Chapel. It
consisted of readings, recitations,
music and a drill and dramatic
sketch entitled America. We had a
fine time and returned home at 12
o'clock.
05\04\{1898} (Wednesday)
Our Chapel had a supper and entertainment
this evening which they
say was fine. I did not go as my
burnt hands were so painful that
I thought I had better stay home and
go to bed.
05\05\{1898} (Thursday)
Weather was very unpleasant. Mary
went to the Grange to night and
Clyde and myself did up my hands
which were very painful, so much so
that it is hard for me to write.
05\06\{1898} (Friday)
Old Mrs. Samuel Munson was
buried from the mill Plain Chapel
to day. I signed her will about
one year ago. She was aged 81 years
and 4 months.
05\07\{1898} (Saturday)
The people are greatly stirred with
enthusiasm over the official
statements that have come to day that
Commander Dewey has won a
great vistory over the Spanish fleet
at Manilla in the Phillipine Islands.
He has sunk eleven vessels and killed
300 Spaniards and wounded 400 more.
His own loss was 8 men wounded.
05\08\{1898} (Sunday)
To day Clyde, Irving and myself drove
over three mile hill to Break-|neck Hill
thence around the north end of Luossapang{??}
Lake in Middlebury and through
the White Deer Rocks to Woodbury,
thence to Southbury, and home
the whole being about 35 miles. It
rained some of the time and this
afternoon it snowed the biggest flakes
I ever saw.
05\09\{1898} (Monday)
The weather to day has been fine.
To night Clyde and Irving and I
finished plowing for potatoes at
the Sherman Bronson lot.
05\10\{1898} (Tuesday)
Fair weather to day. We harrowed
the potato lot to day.
05\11\{1898} (Wednesday)
To day after work in the shop Clyde
and I plowed the drills in the potato
lot.
05\12\{1898} (Thursday)
This morning we planted several rows
of potatoes before I went to work.
To day I fixed the doors and windows
in the house where Mr. Gillette lives
on the Southmaid Road.
News was received to day that the
torpedo boat Winslow was disabled
at Cardenas, Cuba and five
American seamen were killed and
a number wounded.
Worth Bagley, an ensign, was the
first killed and there are the
first killed in the war.
05\13\{1898} (Friday)
The weather to day has been very fair.
Two men came to day from the Eddy
Electric Works of Windsor. Came to
set the new {??????} running in
the Mattatuck shop. I worked with
them.
05\14\{1898} (Saturday)
We finished putting in the {??????}
to day and I am to see to the
running of it. We started it up
to night and it worked very
well.
05\15\{1898} (Sunday)
To day has been very rainy all but
a little while this morning. A great
many bicycle riders rode out of town.
Mrs. Dickinson counted 86 in one
lot going East on the Meriden Road
on their wheel this morning before
it rained, and most of them got
caught by the rain and came walking
back at night all wet and tired.
Went to Mr. Tucker's this evening
and he told me that he was going
to get through at the Mattatuck Shop
to morrow. It was hard news to hear
for he organized the company and
built up the business, and also gave
me my situation there, but some
disagreement between him and Mr.
Wade and Mr. Judd brought it about.
Also his health is very poor owing to
the effects of the carbunckle he has
had on his neck.
05\16\{1898} (Monday)
Mr. Tucker came to the shop to day and
told the people that he had got through. It
seemed to me one of the saddest days I
ever saw, as it made the work of the
rest of us uncertain, besides all liked
Mr. Tucker. Mr. Harry Judd informed
me that they were going to build a
seperate building for me to color the
buttons in and that no one but he
and I were to be allowed in there.
Harry Judd is to take Mr. Tucker's
place. I have also been instructed by
Mr. George Judd to take charge of
the {?????} and run it, no one
else to touch it. This looks as if they
had confidence in my ability.
05\17\{1898} (Tuesday)
To day the weather has been rather cool.
This morning Clyde and I plowed
about two thirds of the East garden
and tonight we finished it and plowed
in the North garden. Clyde and I went
to my shop this morning and Clyde
loaded on to the wagon some rims
and took them to James Harry's in
Cheshire of whom I bought them of
and returned them as I had no use
for them. I worked to day putting
a partition around the {??????}. It
was easy work, but it seemed hard
to me as I had hard headache and
tooth ache. This evening Mr. Tucker
called to see me and I walked home
with him and sat and talked on
the veranda.
He told me that after the buttons
were hardened they roll{??} them for
two weeks in cool ahes and iron
jack stones.
05\18\{1898} (Wednesday)
The weather to day has been cool and clear.
Got up at 5 o'clock and plowed in the North
garden till 6.30 then went to work.
To day the First Regiment Connecticut
National Guard was mustered into the
United States Service and is now
awaiting orders from the government.
To night we finished plowing and
Clyde went down to his Grandma's to
stay over night.
05\19\{1898} (Thursday)
The weather to day has been fine till
about 8 o'clock in the evening when we
had a thunder shower which lasted the
greater part of the night.
Mr. Gladstone, the great English
statesman, died at 5.30 o'clock this morning.
05\20\{1898} (Friday)
To day has been hot. The thermometer
regerstering {registering} 86 in the shade.
05\21\{1898} (Saturday)
The weather to day has not been so
warm as yesterday was. Worked in
the shop all day and would not
have been surprised if I had been
discharged as they have so very little
work for me but very fortunately I
have not been for which I am very greatful.
Paul Hesphelt told me his way
of rooling{??} steel trouser buttons. It
is as follows, first rool{??} them
in coal ashes and water in an iron
barrel for 2 weeks, next in a
wooden barrel while wet with
vienna line, then in wood 8 covered{??}
barrel with cut leather (dry) then
when sorted, rool in bax wood
saw dust a little while, then I
take them and blew them.{???}
05\22\{1898} (Sunday)
To day the weather has been fine and
cool. Went to the Chapel and heard
the Reverend Mr. Davenport preach
a sermon on patriotism. It was
grand. He thinks that the war cry,
"Remember the Maine", is used to much.
He said that the bruised and battered
hulk of the Main, lying so still in
the harbor of Havanna will do more
to bring liberation to the oppressed
Cubans than anything else can.
That God will remember the Maine.
Went to see Mr. Tucker this evening,
came home and to bed at 10 o'clock.
05\22{23}\{1898} (Monday)
A California Regiment left to day
at San Francisco on{??} the City of Pekin{Peking??}
to reinforce Admiral Dewey in
the Phillipine Islands.
05\24\{1898} (Tuesday)
To day Companies K. F. and C.
of the First Conn. Regiment left
Cmap, Haven, at Niantic and
are to proceed to Portland, Maine
via Providence, Boston and Portsmouth,
N.H. To morrow Co. B.
I. and D. will leave for Gul and Plumb
Islands.
05\25\{1898} (Wednesday)
The President has called to day
for 75,000 volunteers to serve two
years or to the end of the war.
Had a meeting at the Chapel
to night and elected officers
for the ensuing year. They were
as follows, Morris Alcott for the
Episcopal denomination, myself
for the Congregational, Luther
Bradley for the Methodist, and
Robert Warden for the Baptist.
Arthur Pierpont was elected Secretary,
Hiram Able, Treasurer,
J. Henry Garrigus, Sunday
School Superintendent and
Henry Cass, Librarian.
05\26\{1898} (Thursday)
The Third Regiment,
Connecticut National Guards
were ordered into camp at
Niantic{??} to day.
Ralph Blakeslee barn and store
house burned this forenoon, it is
located on Meadow Street near the
Nangatuck Raid Road Station.
05\27\{1898} (Friday)
It has rained all day to day. We
have had no clear weather in a
week.
05\28\{1898} (Saturday)
The weather is very damp to day.
Paul Hesphelt's little boy Adolph had
a very narrow escape from drowning
to day. The circumstances are that his
smallest children and my little boy
Pierpont were playing near the upper
dam of the Mattatuck Company's shop
when Adolph said he would go and catch
some foam. He went and sat down over
the gate where the water flows into the
ditch and was catching the foam on his
bare foot when he slipped and fell into
the water. He screamed loud but the
other children were gathering flowers
below the dam and did not hear him,
but his oldest sister was passing from
school on the road above the dam and
knowing the voice hastened to where
he was and found him, floating on
his back round and round. She seized
him and with the aid of some of
the other children, rescued him.
[[05\29\1898 (Sunday) no entry]]
05\30\1898 (Monday)
This morning Clyde and Irving and my
self took the team and starting at about 7o'clock
drove to Meriden 12 miles, thence to Middletown
10 miles, stopping on the way near Black
Pond and eating dinner in the woods.
At Middletown we crossed the Connecticut
River on the new iron bridge, paying 15 cts.
toll, and went to Gildersleeves Landing, 4
miles, thence across the hills to Cobalt,
6 miles, thence to East hampton, 5 miles,
where we stayed over night at the
Village Central Hotel, kept by one
Mr. Malcome. In the evening we went
to the Congregational Church where
they held Decoration Day exercises.
About 20 war veterans marched in
to the church after the rest had been
seated. As they marched, a string band
played "Marching Through Georgia",
after which after which it played the "Star-|Spangled
Banner" and several other national
{????}, the veterans standing during
the playing. The most interesting
part of the service was the reading
of a diary kept {by} Mr. Horatio Chapman
during the war. He was a native of East
Haddam. He is now Chaplain of the
East Hampton Post G. A. R. and is
a fine reader, and read the part taken
by himself from Gettysburg to
Atlanta. I hope that I can hear the
rest sometime. Mrs. Malcome gave
us a room with two beds in it.
Clyde and Irving taking one and
I the other. In the morning we left
at about half past six for Moodus{???}
after paying $1.25, we stopped when about
half way there in a piece of woods
and ate our breakfast, which we carried
with us. We drove right past
Moodus without seeing it. It is
situated in a valley which we went
parallel of on a hill and looking
across seeing no buildings, did not
notice it. After we got a mile past
a man told us of it and we turned
and drove back one mile. They
were having Decoration Day exercises
and the parade was forming. There were
about thirty veterans at the head of
the line, preceeded by a part of the reknowned
Moodus Drum Corps, after which
came about 150 school children carrying
flowers. They marched through the principle
streets of the village and then out to
a cemetery on a high hill near a Methodist
Church where the Rev. Mr. Marshel delivered
an address, and the children decorated the
graves of deceased soldiers. I shook
hands with many of the members
of the Moodus Drum Corps who I
have met in nearly every City in
Connecticut during the past 20 years
of my life as a drummer. Mr. George
Buell, who is a fine fifer, invited us
to Continental Hall to dinner which
was fine and from there to his tin
shop and hardware store, and then
home to his house where we stayed
till nearly three o'clock. He told
us all about the Moodus noises and
described them as sounding
like a person rolling a barrell of
loose{??} iron over an uneven floor
and banging it against the side
of the room. He is fifty years old
and siad that he had heard them many
times. One time the people were in
church and thought that a heavy
team was running away and
that the hub of the wagon scraped
against the side of the church and
banged against the corner board
and tore it off. I would say that
it is 8 miles from East Hampton to
Moodus. On leaving Moodus we
drove to Godspeeds Landing, 4 miles.
(Irving and I, Clyde riding his wheel
most of the entire trip) where we
crossed the rover on a steam ferry,
thence we drove to Shaylerville, thence
to Haddam thence Higgamum, 10
miles from the landing thence to
Durham 10 miles passing through
4 miles of woods without seeing
a building, thence to Wallingford, 9 miles,
thence to Cheshire 6 miles, thence home,
8 miles where arrived at 2 o'clock in the
morning. Mr. Lewis Beckwith moved into
his new house on the Southmaid Road
yesterday.
05\31\{1898} (Tuesday)
To day has been a long one for me
as I have a tired feeling and have had
to work hard.
06\01\1898 (Wednesday)
The weather to day has been nice.
I have been working out of doors
all day moving a coal shed to
make room for a building for
me to color buttons in.
06\02\1898 (Thursday)
To night Mary went to the Grange
and I went to bed at about half
past eight. Mr. Warden called
and wished me to have some tickets
printed for the Strawberry Festival
and entertainment to be given
in the Chapel on June 23.
06\03\{1898} (Friday)
Planted onions in the garden this
morning and plowed out for corn
in the Sherman Bronson lot this
evening.
06\04\{1898} (Saturday)
Planted corn in the Sherman
Bronson lot to day. I call it the
Bronson lot because Sherman
Bronson owned it previous to
1850 and covered it with the refuse
bone from his bone button
factory and cleared the brush and
stones from it. Sherman Bronson
lived where Major Tucker now lives
and his factory stood where the tannery
building now stands. He failed and
Scoville Mfg. Co. took all his real estate
and he went to California but came
back again and died on South Elm
St. about 8 years ago.
06\05\1898 (Sunday)
The weather to day has been fine
and a great number of bicycle riders
were out.
Went to the Chapel this afternoon
and heard Mr. Buckley preach.
Did not get there until the service
was half over.
After service we, the Chapel
Committee, elected Morris Alcott
Chairman.
06\06\{1898} (Monday)
To day nothing worthy of note happened
except that Mr. Harry Judd who
is superintendent of the Mattatuck
Mfg. Co. told me that we would go
over to my shop and color buttons.
We went over and I built a fire
and told him that I was ready to
go to work. He said nothing and
I told him that I supposed he understood
that if I colored the buttons
at all, I should do them alone, and
as I needed no one to help me and
no one to show me, I should do them
alone. he went away and I went to
work.
06\07\{1898} (Tuesday)
This day I got up at 5 o'clock and
Irving and I cleaned the privy out
after which I ate my breakfast and
went to the shop, about 8 o'clock I
took a box of buttons over to my
shop and worked till quarter past
eleven coloring them, after which I
brought them back on a wheelbarrow
and Mr. Judd told me to {do} some job
which took me till noon. The weather
was very hot and I was near melted.
Pierpont brought my dinner
and we ate it together, after which
Mr. Judd told me to go up to the
tannery building and get some
old lumber with which to build
on an addition to the coal sheds.
I got Joe Huey and we went to
my house and got my horse
and wagon and went to the
tannery, carrying Margaret,
Ruth and Pierpont up as we went.
Pierpont went to play with Roy Munson
and Margaret and Ruth to school.
I drove down the East side of the
River to the rear door of the {????} and
loaded on the lumber that was there,
then drove up and across the iron
bridge and down the West side of
the river to the front door when Mr.
Judd came after me to go down to the
shop and show a lot of carpenters about
putting up the shop for blueing buttons.
We set the corners and squared the
frame, the sun being intensely hot, after
which, I went into the shop and worked
the remainder of the day putting up
string pieces on which to hang a
counter shaft, which is to run an energy
grinder. Came home at half past five
o'clock and ate my supper after which I
plowed a piece of ground on which to
plant potatoes for Mr. Mulvaney, after
which I came home and went to bed at
9 o'clock with a pain in my head caused
by the intense heat.
06\08\{1898} (Wednesday)
This morning I did not get up till
6 o'clock, did a little work on the garden
fence, after which I ate my breakfast and
went to the shop, worked till noon putting
up the counter shaft and belts and setting an
energy grinder, and in the afternoon worked
making boxes in which to carry work.
Came home at 5 o'clock and ate my supper
and then plowed drills for Mr. Mulvaney
to plant potatoes in, after which I came
home and planted onions till Mr. Tucker
came. I talked with him a while and went
to his house to look at some business
cards he had received, stayed till half
past 9 o'clock when I came home and
to bed. Received my last week's pay
to day of $10.00.
06\09\{1898} (Thursday)
This morning I got up at 5 o'clock and
planted onions after which we worked
on the garden fence till 6.30 when I
ate my breakfast and went to the shop.
Worked till about 11 o'clock making
boxes after which I went to my home
and got my saws and after filing them
went to building an addition on to the
coal shed. The Waterbury Wrench Co.
finished working to day and are selling
out, came home and finished the garden
fence, and worked till I could not see.
06\10\1898 (Friday)
Got up at 5.30 o'clock this morning, called
Clyde and Irving and we made a path
over to the back lots of Miss Mary
Doolittle's which she has given me
the use of if I will cut the brush on
them by next fall. After we had
the path made we took the horse
over and left him there all day.
Went to work at quarter to seven
and worked all day building an
addition on to the coal shed at
the Mattatuck Drum Shop.
Miss Hine sent me a recipt for $3.00
for money I have paid on George's account.
Mr. Ealcott moved to day into
the second house on the Mattatuck
row.
06\11\{1898} (Saturday)
Got up this morning at 5 o'clock and
got some ground ready to plant
late peas and cucumbers, went to
the shop, worked this forenoon on
coal shed and this afternoon till 4
o'clock when Paul Hesphelt and I
took the governer{??} away from the
waterwheel so that he, Paul, could
pack the gate stem tomorrow.
After work, Clyde and Irving
came with the big wagon and
we went to my shop and got
a load of stuff and a grindstone.
06\12\1898 (Sunday)
Got up this morning at half past six
and set out tomato plants and fenced
about the garden till breakfast time,
after which we went over to the pasture
lot and dug out a new spring near
the path. Near noon Frank called and
brought some tomato plants and we
sat them out. The children, except Pierpont
and Raymond went to Sunday School this
after noon and Mary went to the Chapel
service. I stayed at home and took a bath.
Mr. Garrigus called and asked if I
could not get Mr. Davenport to preach
to the children next Sunday as it
is Children's Sunday. After supper
Mary and I went and saw Mr. Luther
Bradley and he says he is willing
to exchnage Sundays with me so
that they can have Mr. Davenport
next Sunday if we can get him.
Mr. Perrings preached at the Chapel
to day.
06\13\{1898} (Monday)
The weather has been very hot all day.
There has been a land battle between
the U.S. Troops and the Spaniards
on Cuba. This is the first battle of
the war, it was fought and
there were four of our soldiers killed.
06\14\{1898} (Tuesday)
Fourteen thousand troops left Tampa,
Florida at daylight to day for Cuba.
06\15\{1898} (Wednesday)
Got up this morning at four o'clock
and Clyde, Irving and I went to the
Sherman Bronson lot and cultivated
out our potatoes and hoed four
rows, after which I went to the shop
and {am} at work finishing a partition
that I built yesterday for a new
room to put a nail machine in.
Then went over to my shop and
colored buttons till noon. After dinner,
colored buttons till three o'clock then
mad {made??} a door in the new room, then
helped get in the new machine, then
put the lock on door which took till six
o'clock, came home and had supper of
strawberries and bread and butter,
then to hoeing potatoes, then went
to Thomas Heaton's after a bill of
$8.00 he owes me but did not get it.
Mr. Joseph Munger called on me
to day about the interest money
I owe him on my house.
Got my week's pay to day $12.00 at
the Mattatuck Shop. To bed at 9 o'clock.
06\16\{1898} (Thursday)
This morning was very cold, had a little
frost. School meeting was held in the
East Farms district last evening and
Milan Northrop was elected {????????},
Wilson L. Pierpont, Clerk, and
Luther Bradley, Treasurer. Mr.
Freeter's steam laundry on East
Mountain burned this morning at
about eight o'clock. Hiram Able's
people saw it very plain from their
house. Had my house reinsured
for $2,000.00 in the Orient Company
of Hartford, John G. Jones, agent
for three years, expires June 20, 1901.
06\17\{1898} (Friday)
Very hot and dry to day. Old Mrs.
Johnson is very sick, fell off
from a chair and got hurt, she is
now in her 93rd year.
06\18\{1898} (Saturday)
Very dry and hot. It is published
to day that a fleet of 20 ships have
saied from Cadez, Spain and are
headed for the New England
coast. The Third Conn. Regiment
have been ordered to the National
Camp at Ninatic to be mustered
into the Government service. The
first of next week, two companies
of the Fourth Regiment, the Danbury
and Stamford companies
are ordered to Fort Knox at
Bucksport, Maine to fill up
the First Reg. to 12 companies.
06\19\{1898} (Sunday)
The first rain fell to day in the form
of a shower that has fallen in a long
time. I have stayed home all day
till evening when I went to Hiram
Able's then to John French's and
to Mr. Tucker's.
Dr. Davenport preached at the
Chapel because it was Children's
Day. Mr. Frank Cass is very
sick with dropsy, not expected
to live. He worked for me about
three years as a blacksmith's helper.
06\20\{1898} (Monday)
Got up early this morning and
worked in the garden, till shop time.
Worked at the shop putting in a blow
pipe from the boiler shop to the button
hardening shop. Bertha French got
through working Saturday. The girls
that work at the Mattatuck shop now
are Nellie Cass, Mrs. Marrow,
Mary Lyman, and Clara French.
The men are Harry Judd, Foreman,
Mr. Ealcott, George Blanchard,
Joe Huey, Mr. Holden, Charles
Hotchkiss, Mr. Leach, Frank DeBissop,
Paul Hesphelt and myself
and a watchman.
06\21\1898 (Tuesday)
I did not get up this morning until
quarter of six, ate my breakfast of
radishes, bread and butter and canned
salmon and went to the shop, worked
cutting out stones in the pipe trench
to the button coloring shop, and
put the stone underpriming under
the button coloring shop, and laid
a brick floor in a part of it. PIerpont
brought my dinner of fired meat and
potatoes and bread and butter, came
home at 5.30 o'clock and put a sole on
one shoe, and Irving, Margaret, Ruth and
myself pulled weeds in the onions.
Mr. Warden called to see me about the
entertainment for the Strawberry
Festival to be given at the Chapel next
Thursday evening. Mr. Lines and his
orchestra came out to the Chapel this
evening to rehearse but could not
as the piano was pitched to low.
06\22\1898 (Wednesday)
Mr. Francis D. Cass died this forenoon
of the dropsy.
I received my week's pay of the
Mattatuck Mfg. Co., $12.50.
06\23\1898 (Thursday)
Warm and dry, people are beginning
haying. Yesterday a freight train
of 50 cars parted East of the Stratford
draw bridge and as the front section
was crossing the bridge, the
back part ran into it and piled
up three cars high, at the same
time striking the bridge and throwing
it eighteen inches out of
plumb, and making it unsafe
for travel as no trains have
passed over it since. It is expected
that it will take several days to
repair it. This cuts off all rail
road traffic and is a great cause
for inconvenience.
This noon George Cass called at
the shop to see if I would be pall
bearer at his Father's funeral.
Had a grand strawberry festival
at the Chapel to night. The building
was crowded full and the
supper was fine. The entertainment
program was fine and
included recitations by
Miss Deitrish, duets by Mrs.
Lines and Orsgood, solos by
Mrs. Lines and Mr. Alden and
Mr. Orsgood and several selections
by Jack Lines, Orchestra, which
could not be beaten.
Mr. Tucker sent me word that
he wants to see me about the school
meeting, has heard that Mark
Warner has fired Bessie Tyler of
Bucks Hill to teach next year.
Paid Mr. Hine 2.00 for which
she sent me a receipt.
06\24\{1898} (Friday)
To day has been hot and dry.
Mr. Francis D. Cass was buried to
day, at half past two this afternoon
the Rev. Dr. Davenport officiated.
The pall bearers were Thomas Melbourn,
Wilson L. Pierpont, Robert Warden,
Thomas Mills, George Alexander
and myself. He was buried at
the Pine Grove Cemetery.
Yesterday being the last day of school,
they had a school picnic to day which
was held in th grove back of the
school house. After the funeral we drove
up there. They had a large attendence.
Went to Union City to see an English
man who used to live on East Main
St. to see if I could get the recipt for
making lacquer cover steel pens,
buttons etc. Could not find him
but found one Mr. Pratt who was
in business with him and who
claims to have lost a lot of money
by his management, who told me
how the lacquer was made, as
follows, dissolve gum sheel-lack in
alchohol and add naptha, apply in
a dipper's basket and when the
pens are well shook off, turn out
into a riddle on a warm stove
and shake it till dry. Drove home
by way of Platts Mills.
We cleared at the Strawberry Festival
at the Chapel last evening about $50.00.
06\25\{1898} (Saturday)
To day is very hot and dry. Everything
is drying up.
06\26\{1898} (Sunday)
Got up at half past five and watered
plants in the garden, then went
up to Mr. Tucker's and we went and
looked at the old tannery building
with a view to see what kind of
a place it would be to make steel
buttons in, then came home and
had breakfast at ten o;clock of
baked beans, after which, Howard
Neil called to get his Indian relics
which I had. Then Father called
and we drove to John Wakelee's to see
him about cutting his hay, came home
and found Agnes Able here resting after
walking from Mr. Stephen Harrison's on
Walnut street where she works.
Went to the Chapel and heard Mr. Bassett
preach. Came home and had supper
of strawberry shortcake.
06\27\{1898} (Monday)
News has reached us of a battle which
was fought near Santiago de Cuba
at a place called Lo Luasina
last Friday between 1000 troopers
and 2000 troopers Spanish soldiers and
troops fought on foot and lost
17 men killed, 29 wounded and 7
missing.
06\28\{1898} (Tuesday)
Dry and dusty.
06\29\{1898} (Wednesday)
Had school meeting last night
and mark L. Warner was elected
Committe, B. F. Hoggett, clerk
and Warren Hitchcock, treasurer.
It was voed to lay a tax of .05 mills
on the dollar on list of 1897.
The Committee assisted by Mark
Pond were to lay tax.
06\30\{1898} (Thursday)
Parisgreened{??} my potatoes this evening.
Went to the Grange to night.
The weather very hot and dry.
07\01\1898 (Friday)
Weather dry and hot.
I received a tax bill to day for
military tax due May 1, 1897
from Constable Ronnette with
a copy of the law that unless
it was paid by the 6{???????}
he should {????} on my body and
so forth and unless paid. I was
to be delivered to the keeper of the county
jail, there to remain until I had worked
out said tax, together with costs and other
expenses, also a letter from Constable
Ronnette saying that if paid before the
sixth, that there would be no further costs
than the tax of $2.00 and interest and writ
which was $2.00 making $4.00 in all.
News as published to day that Gen.
Shafter{???} has his army of 14,000 men including
5,000 Cubans before Santiago and
intends to attack the town to day.
Aunt Amanda Bronson died in Bridgeport
yesterday, aged 93 years. She is sister
to my wife's mother.
07\02\1898 (Saturday)
Got up this morning at half past five
and worked hoeing in the garden
till 6.30. Ate breakfast of boiled hard
clams and went to the shop. Worked
first whitewashing the forge in the
button blueing shop, also the windows.
Next made a rack in the main shop
for those who ride wheels to keep
bicycles in. Next made some long
shallow boxes, then stopped for 1/2 hour
at noon and ate dinner of corned
beef and biscuit, and worked most
of the afternoon making a cubbard{?}
in the button blueing shop.
Came home and had supper of
boiled beans, after which I hitched up the
horse and Clyde and I went to town. Went
first to the Selectmen's office in the City
Hall to see about the military tax but
they were away. Saw the janitor James
Loughland and asked him who the
past examining surgeon is. He said that
it was Dr. Graves and that he was
over to the armory where they are
enlisting recruits for the Conn. National
Guards. Went thither and saw
Postmaster Fitzpatrick and Captain
Geddes and they told me that Dr.
Graves was at his office in the
Daniels Block on North Main Street.
Went thither and saw him, but he
could do nothing for me as the law
provided that he could examine only
in the month of January. From thence,
I went to see Constable Ronnette and showed
him his bill and letter and told him
that I was exempt of military tax
on account of disability having a
lame foot and two ruptures. He,
seeing my cane, believed me and tore
up the bill and letter, which ended the
matter. I thanked him and told him
if I could help him out some time to
let me know, at which he seemed very
much pleased, for I secured a number
of votes for him at his last election.
Went from thence to Charlie Russell's
store where Clyde bought .50 cts worth
of fire works for the children to help
celebrate the Fourth of July. Came
home and to bed at 10.30.
There was a great battle fought
before Santiago yesterday in which
it is reported that we lost 1000 men
and troops now occupy a position
within two miles of the city.
07\03\{1898} (Sunday)
This has I think been the hottest day
I ever saw. My thermometer has stood
at 102 in the shade most of the afternoon.
The gardens are all wilting, the leaves
on the trees have withered since morning
and a vapor can be seen arising from
the watercarses{??}. There has been a stiff
breeze blowing from the South West
some of the time, but it felt hot as
if coming from the burning sands
of a desert.
On the Fourth of July in 1882 I drummed
in the Mattatuck Drum Corps at
the dedication of the Soldiers
Monument in Birmingham. That
day the thermometer stood 106 in
the shade in Shelton where we
marched, but it was only 98 here
so to day must be the hottest.
Went to the Chapel this afternoon.
Mr. Perry, Baptist, preached.
After supper went to Mother Pierpont's
at East Farms.
07\04\1898 (Monday)
To day is the one hundred and twenty
second anniversary of our nation's
independence, and the words which
John Adams spoke in 1776 are fulfilled
when on July 2nd he said, "We will
make this an immortal, a glorious day
when we are in our graves, our children
will honor it. They will celebrate it
with thanksgivings, with festivities,
with bonfires and with illumination.
On its annual return, they will
shed tears not of subjection and
slavery, not of agony and distress,
but of gratitude, of exultation and
of joy." While the people of to day have
nearly forgotten in a measure the
burdens and distress which burdened
the people in 1776, Fourth of July is
very appropriately observed.
For myself I worked this forenoon
(a thing I never did before) lining up
the main shafts in the Mattatuck
Shop. In the afternoon, Paul Hesphelt
and his boys and I and my boys
went to Scott's Pond fishing and
as the water was low, we caught over
60 fish. Mr. Gilbert Duryee died
yesterday.
There has been alarms of
fire in town to day.
This evening we went up on the
large rock on red oak hill back
of the Doolittle place and watched
the fireworks which were sent up
in every direction. There was lots
of thunder and lightening which
served to make the occasion the
more sublime and it rained a
few drops.
07\05\{1898} (Tuesday)
This day has been one that I shall
long remember. At 10 o'clock, as I had
occasion to leave the shop, I was surprised
to hear most of the whistles and
gongs blowing, and the ringing of
bells and firing of cannon.
This told the people of the victory
of Admiral Sampson over the Spanish
Admiral Cervia near Santiago.
I immediately sent Clyde to notify
the members of the Mattatuck Drum
Corps that there would be a parade
in the evening and that we would
turn out. I stopped work at noon
and came home and got my five
drums in shape and then went to City
Hall and reported to Mayor Spenser
that we would turn out, from thence to
see George Edwards thence to
see Simon Smith on the Middlebury
Road and then home and
loaded seven snare drums and two
bass into my two seated wagon
and took them to Gardener Hall's
store on Cherry Street where we
formed, {????} for fifers, Luke
Henderson, Charles Cass, Simon
Smith and George Edwards. Bass drummers,
Henry Buckingham and Elsie
Bronson. Snare drummers, Mr. Miles
Booth, Hubert Downs, Arthur Harrison
(of Wolcott), George Atkinson, Levi
Grilley and myself. We marched to
City Hall and reported for duty
and were assigned to head Randolph
& Claw's Company, nearly all
of the military and civil organizations
in the city turned out.
The factory whistles blew and
there was a continual display
of fireworks while a cannon on
the top of Abrigador{??} Hill kept
up a constant firing. The center
was thronged with people.
07\06\{1898} (Wednesday)
This morning as I was about to get up
at about quarter to five, as I arose and
turned in bed, my hernia slipped out.
It became rigid and I could not get
it back again. After trying everything
that I could think of, we called Clyde
and sent him after Mr. Roberts who
lives no South Main Street and makes
a specialty of caring for ruptures.
He came a little after seven o'clock
and tried to force it in which pained
me very much, after which he took
a battle of liquid from his satchel
and poured a little on and then with
a slight pressure it went back.
The liquid relaxed the muscles and
let it slip back. He staid and ate
breakfast with me, and I did not
go to work till noon.
Mr. Durce was buried
this afternoon in the Pine Grove
Cemetery. He was aged 76 years.
Cousin Jennie Phillips called this
evening and told me that she was
not going to teach at Mill Plain.
7/07/{1898} (Thursday)
To day is cool and very dry. This
week makes the sixth since we have
had any rain except a slight shower.
Mr. Anderson is building a house
on the Southmaid Road near Lewy
Beckwith's. I worked to day blueing
buttons in the new shop.
Went to the Grange tonight.
The Hawaiian Islands were annexed
to the United States yesterday.
07\08\{1898} (Friday)
The weather to day has been hot and
dry. Worked this forenoon blueing buttons.
Lieutenant Hobson and the
men under his command who
sunk the Merrimack at the
entrance of Santiago harbor
were exchanged yesterday.
07\09\{1898} (Saturday)
We had a thunder shower this morning
that did a lot of good, but it only
rained a little, and the evening is
quite cool.
07\10\1898 (Sunday)
Got up this morning at 7.30 and pulled
weeds in the garden till 9 o'clock
when we went into the house and
as Mary had not got breakfast
ready, we put a pan of baked beans
on the table and ate what we wanted
and cut a watermelon. After breakfast,
we finished pulling the weeds from
the rows that we were working on
before breakfast, after which we got
a joiners bench into the cellar and
repaired a bucksaw frame, then lay
down for a nap but could not sleep
as one fly would fly into my ear
then into my nose and pestered
me other wise so that I was
obliged to get up and fight him,
but as I could not catch him I was
tired of trying to sleep and got ready
and went to the Chapel and heard
Mr. Rafter preach a good sermon.
Mr. Rafter is of the Waterville Church.
After service, Major Tucker called me
into his place where I stayed for some
time and then went to Hiram
Able's and left the $2.33 that was
collected at the Chapel. Mr. Able has
had his house painted. Came home
at six and had supper of baked beans
and salmon and lettuce salad, after which
I got out my old fife books and showed
them to the boys who are learning to
fife. Went to see Mr. Tucker at 8
o'clock and stayed till 11. Came home
round the road{??} and went to bed
at midnight.
07\11\{1898} (Monday)
Nothing worthy of record has happened
to day tht I know of except that
there was a slight frost this morning
and Frank De Bissop got through at the
Mattatuck shop Saturday night.
07\12\1898 (Tuesday)
Mowed this morning from 5 to 6.30
and then went to work in the shop.
This afternoon a constable from
New Haven, one Mr. Kirk, came to
the shop and read a warrAnt for
Mr. Mc Elliott, Mr. Lang and
myself to appear before the Judge
of the Court of Common PLeas
at New Haven tomorrow morning
at 10 o'clock as we have been
drawn as jurymen.
This evening Mary and I
went to see Mr. Harry Garrigus
as I wished to find out about the
duties of a juror. Saw Mr. Tucker
on the road. He told me that he
did not think that the Mattatuck
Co. could live throughout the
summer as the price of furniture
nails has been put down from 55 per
cent discount to 75 per cent.
We stoped {stopped} at Walter Garrigus' and
carried his mother home and brought
her back again when we came home.
07\13\{1898} (Wednesday)
Arose this morning at five o'clock.
It was raining quite hard. Ate my
breakfast and as I was obliged to go
to New Haven to serve on the jury
and had not money enough to go
with, drove to the Brass Mill and
borrowed ten dollars of father.
Then I took the trolley car at the
end of the Plank Road and paid
them five cents for a ride to
the Nangatuck Rail Road depot,
where I paid .80 cents and bought a
ticket to New Haven, the train leaving
at 8.26. Met on the train Mr. Mc
Eliott whom I did not know, but who
used to be third selectman. At New
Haven we took the trolley car to the
cart house, it raining very hard,
fare 5 cents. Arrived there at quarter to
ten. Mr. Edgar Wallace of Prospect
was there with whom I was acquainted
and he told me many things in
connection with the duties of a
juryman. The court was called at
about 10.30 and twenty one jurymen
responded, three being absent, two
on account of sickness and one
being away, and Judge Hubbard
of Middletown dismissed us to
report again tomorrow morning
at ten o'clock. I then went to the
office of the county commisioners
to see a directory as I wanted to
go to the Historical Society's rooms,
found that they were located at
144 Grove Street. I went there, it
was raining very hard, and
saw their fine collection of
relics and ancient documents, fire
arms etc. but did not have much time
as it closed at 12 o'clock. From there
I walked to the depot in the rain
and found that my train would not
leave till two thirty nine so I took
a walk up to the old Derby Rail Road
station. It is now used as a hardware
store house. I then went to
the car shops, bought on the way
five cents worth of peanuts, looked
about there a little while and then
went to the depot and waited for
my train. Bought a ticket to
Nangatuck for 65 cents and there
took the trolley car to Silver Street,
Waterbury to father's where I found Mary
who had been there making over a
pair of pants which Mr. Tucker gave
me. Then went to the Mattatuck
shop and got my pay, 9 dollarsm and
came home, had supper of fired
onions and canned{??} corn after
which I went to Mr. Tucker's, came home
and to bed at 10 o'clock.
Sent my horse to Miles Paynes to day and
had him shod. He charged 1.25. And also
one buggy wheel.
07\14\{1898} (Thursday)
Got up this morning at five o'clock,
had breakfast of pancakes and started
for West Cheshire depot at quarter
past six o'clock. Clyde went with me
to bring the team back and we took
Raymond too. It was a fine morning.
At West Cheshire, I took the 8.26 train
for New Haven and got to the County
Courthouse at a little after nine. We,
the jury men, were called before the judge,
nineteen of us, and seven were
challenged off, the other twelve were
ordered to their seats, and a case
of Mr. and Mrs. John Mc Carthy against
William Nott, all of Ansonia, was called.
The case was two counts against
said Nott, one for selling liquor
to a habitual drunkard and
for selling to a husband after being
forbidden not to by the wife. After
we had heard all the evidence, and the
lwayers arguments, we received
our charge from Judge Hubbard
and were then ordered to retire to
our room. It was then 12.30 and a
recess was declared till two o'clock.
We went and got dinner at a restaurant,
paid 25 cts. for it, after which we
took a short walk and returned to
the Courthouse at quarter before two.
At 2 o'clock we were called to our
seats and the roll called after which
we retired to our room. The first
ballot was 10 guilty and 2 not guilty.
The second, all guilty. Edgar Wallace
was appointed foreman and we
were admitted to our seats in the
court room where we were ordered
to stand while the clerk read the
charge to us and asked if we
found him guilty or not where upon
the foreman answered guilty.
We were then immediately dismissed
to report again tomorrow morning
at ten o'clock.
I went into the criminal side of the
Superior Court where a colored man was
being tried for assualt with intent to
kill a white man, and staid there till
a little after three when I went to the
depot and took the train for Cheshire
at four, paying twenty cents. Clyde
and Margaret were at Cheshire to
meet me and we drove home where
we arrived a little before six.
Went to the Grange in the evening but
did not stay, only till recess when
I came home.
Santiago de Cuba was captured yesterday.
07\15\{1898} (Friday)
Got up this morning at 5 o'clock and
sent Clyde up to Mr. Tucker's and got
his Concord buggy and then we ate
breakfast as soon as we could, and
Irving, Clyde and myself started
for New Haven, leaving at six o'clock.
We went byway of the Notch-|in-|
the-|rock, followed the road
that runs at the foot of the West
Mountain in Cheshire. Came on
to the main New Haven road
at Mount Carmel where, fearing
that I might be late, took the
trolley cars, after waiting a long
while, and reached the court house
at five minutes to ten. Meanwhile,
Clyde and Irving had driven
to the Tantene{??} livery stable and
put the horse out and came to
the Courthouse a little while after
I got there. Soon after ten we, the
jury, were called into the courtroom
and after being impaneled,
six of the 18 present being
excused, the case of the State against
Paul Beetz of Grand Avenue, New
Haven, for selling spiritous and
intoxicating liquors on Sunday and
also keeping a place open Sunday for
the purpose of selling the same, was
called. Gunn of Milford was attorney
for the State and Goodheart for
the defence, he is of New Haven.
Both were expert lawyers and made
good pleas. The jury was sent out
at a little after three o'clock and
after being out over {???}, returned and
reported that we could not agree.
We were sent out again, but after
being out over half an hour were
recalled and the Court adjourned till
a week from next Tuesday at 10 o'clock.
The nearest that the jury came to
agreeing, 4 ballots for guilty and
8 not guilty. This was a case where
I believe that the accused was guilty
but the evidence given (from which
we had to judge) was not sufficent
to make it clear that he was guilty,
therefore my vote was not guilty.
We got out of Court a little after five
and took the trolley cars to Lighthouse
Point to see the new battery which
hs been erected there. We paid ten
cents a piece car fare. The ride was
fine, the view of the water grand.
There were many girls in bathing
which I took much pleasure in watching.
The Battery consists of two
old cast iron smooth bare ten inch
guns, mounted on friction carriage
back of a defense made of rail
road ties and two thicknesses of
rail road iron laid on top length
ways of thw works. It did not look
very substantial.
We came back to New Haven Center
which we reached at 6.50 and got
the horse, paying .50 cts. for its keep
and feed, and started home. Came
through Beteny{??} and Prospect, reached
home at 12 o'clock.
07\16\{1898} (Saturday)
Went to work to day in the Mattatuck
Shop, found that Mrs. Marrow, Clara
French and Mary Lyman had been sent
home on account of not having work
and all of the rest of the hands are very
uneasy and fearful lest they shall be
sent home. Found a letter there from
Dr. G. Porter notifying me to return
to him a mowing machine that I
borrowed of him three or four years
ago. The machine in question I borrowed
and broke. Some time after I went to
Miss Bradley, his house keeper and agent{??},
he being in London at the time, to
get the address of the parties so I could
send and get a casting to repair it
with. She wished me to keep the machine
in payment for service I had rendered
in protecting the trees and bank in
front of Mr. Porter's residence against
being {????????} by the Trolley Company
which it was expected was coming at
that time. I considered it very poor
pay as the machine was almost worthless
and I spent a great deal of time in
looking the matter up enough, had
I received fair pay to have bought
several new mowing machines.
This evening Clyde and I drove to Mr.
Townsend's at Breakneck in Middlebury
to find from Mr. Townsend where
Rachambeam{??} and his army encamped
in 1781 on its march to {????}
Washington on{??} the Hudson.
I had a very nice visit, reached home
at about 10 o'clock.
07\17\{1898} (Sunday)
Got up this morning, had breakfast
of roast clams and baked beans, after
which Pierpont and myself drove to
Southington to see Mr. Bennett
Upson to get information regarding
the visit of General Lafayette at his
grandfather's house in Revolutionary
times and also to Luman{?} Lewis
who is 94 years old to get information
regarding the passage of the French
army through here in 1781 and 1782.
He told me a great deal about it
which people had told him who saw
the. Came home and had dinner
at noon and towards evening
went up on East Mountain to
see Mrs. Gilbert Hotchkiss about
the Richardsons who kept a great
many American soldiers over
night at Breakneck in the
Revolution.
In the evening went to see Mr.
Tucker.
The Rev. Mr. Hanna preached at the
Mill Plain Chapel this afternoon.
07\18\1898 (Monday)
Worked to day most of the time
building a watercloset at the Mattatuck
shop. Walter Garrigus' wife
gave birth to a little girl tonight.
07\19\{1898} (Tuesday)
To day has been very warm. Worked
at the Mattatuck shop. This evening went
to see the Rev. Dr. Davenport at Major
Tucker's to give him information about
the French army which passed through
here under Count Rachambeam in 1781.
Dr. Davenport is to write a paper to
be read before the Order of Patriots and
Founders in Milford (Woodmont) a
week from next Saturday.
07\20\{1898} (Wednesday)
This day has been a hot one. Mr. Tucker
called this evening and told that
he and Dr. Davenport are going
to take a drive to Otis Mass{??} the last
of this week.
07\21\{1898} (Thursday)
To day has been very warm.
George Benham's wife's mother Mrs.
Seinor died this evening at his home
in East Farms of old age. She was
aged 77 years. Mary went ot the
Grange to night. I stayed home and
set a tire on my buggy wheel and
then went to see Father and Mother.
Stayed till ten o'clock then home
and to bed.
07\22\{1898} (Friday)
Got up this morning before five
o'clock and mowed in the swamp
till breakfast. Went to work at
the Mattatuck Shop and helped
Paul Helspelt get a revolving
dryer running, then Mr. Judd
sent us up to the old tannery
building to get the waterwheel
running, I found that the
bulkhead had settled towards
the wheel and that two of the
braces had worked loose and came
out and had caught in the partition
and tore off some of the
boards and these had run into
the cogs{??} and this had moved
the wheel towards the bulkhead
an inch{??} so that it rubbed
so hard that it could not run.
We moved the bulkhead back
and braced it and then moved
the wheel to line, which was no
small job, it being a breast wheel
16 ft. in diamter and 16 ft. long.
Came home at 5.30.
Mary and the smaller children
went to Mr. Garrigus this afternoon
and picked a lot of hillberries
and Clyde and Irving rode
to Campounce{??} this afternoon
and saw the man dive from
a height of 80 ft. into the lake.
07\23\{1898}
Worked all day in the waterwheel
at the tannery building.
07\24\1898 (Sunday)
Got up this morning very early,
had breakfast at 9.30. Mr. Robert
Hotchkiss came and borrowed my
buggy for his wife and daughter,
Flora, to go to Prospect with.
Cousin Charles Phillips came
for me to go down to Father's and
fix his wife's bicycle which I did.
This evening George Edwards
and his wife and son Elton
called.
They had a clambake out{??} to Morris
Reid's to day.
The Rev. Mr. Waters preached at
the Chapel this afternoon.
07\25\{1898} (Monday)
Went to work this { } at the Mattatuck shop
and from thence to the Rutter tannery
and to work in the waterwheel till noon
then back again to the Mattatcuk shop.
Mr. Morris Alcott called and told me that
he would get the Rev. Mr. Buckley to preach
at the Chapel next Sunday.
07\26\{1898} (Tuesday)
To day Irving carried me to the
Nangatuck Rail Road depot where I
took the 8.12 train to New Haven
and went to the Court House where
I arrived in good time.
A case was called against a man
who lives on Putnam Street for selling
liquor on Sunday and without a
license. Gunn of Milfrod was for
the State and C. S. Hamilton of
New Haven for the defense. The case
was not finished at one o'clock and
court adjourned till tomorrow to allow
its members to attend the funeral of
a former clerk who had died.
I went and had dinner and then
went to West Haven and staid
a while, came back and went out an
old long wharf and staid and talked
with an old sailor till train time.
Took the 5.57 train on the Northampton
Road home. Expense - RR fare down .80 cts,
dinner 25 cts, postage stamps 10 cts, trolley
fare to West Haven 10 cts, peanuts .05 cts,
Trolley fare to New Haven 10 cts, RR fare
to Cheshire .40 cts.
07\27\{1898} (Wednesday)
Went to New Haven via Canal Rail
Road. Mr. Bradley of Woodbridge
was sick abed and as he is one of the
jurors on the case which was being
tried yesterday, that case could not
be finished. The clerk dismissed us
for the rest of the term.
After receiving my pay which amounted
to 20.66, I got dinner and waited 4 o'clock
and took train home. Expense - RR fare .80, dinner
25 cts.
07\28\1898 (Thursday)
Went to the Mattatuck Co. shop to
wrok but they had nothing for me
to do as their business is getting
less and less all the time so I came
home and worked most of the day
when it did not rain in the garden.
Mr. Joseph Munger died this
morning early at the New Haven
Hospital where they took him
from the sea shore where he went
last week for his health. He lived
on the Waterville Street and was
aged 60 years.
Mr. Munger has a mortgage
on my house of $1,200 and I owed
him one year's interest whcih
was due June 17. I payed him
10.00 the early part of July and sent
Mary to day with 10.00 more whcih
she payed to Mrs. Munger leaving
52.00 more due.
07\29\{1898} (Friday)
Went to work at the Mattatuck Shop to
day but Harry Judd told me that
they were hung up for something for me
to do so I came home. I think that this
means a final finish of my working
for them and the beginning of the end
of the Mattatuck Mfg. Co.
for I do not believe it possible for
them to run much longer under the
management of the Judds as they
have no mechanical knowledge.
07\30\{1898} (Saturday)
Worked to day cutting brush in the
pasture lot most of the time, had to
stop this forenoon on account of the
heat. The thermometer stood at 97 degrees
in the shade and this afternoon it
rained. Mr. Newell Moulthrop
called this afternoon to see if I
could get 14 drummers and fifers
to play at Compounce some day
in the future. Went and stayed
with Mr. Tucker to night.
07\31\{1898}
Stayed with Mr. George W. Tucker last
night, got up at 7 o'clock and Mr. Tucker
got breakfast as the women and Horace
had gone to Walnut Beach after which
he, Joe Huey and myself ate frankfurts,
cucumbers, rolls, coffee, etc.
after which I read a book (Lord
Chesterfield's Manners) for about
two hours, when I came home and
got ready for Chapel where I went
at three o'clock and heard Mr. Buckley
preach, there was collected $1.51.
After service there was a funeral
service in the Chapel, a son
of Mrs. Fannie Hill, aged 5 years.
James Porter's horse died yesterday.
08\01\1898 (Monday)
Went to the Mattatuck shop this
morning to see Mr. Judd and find
out whether they wanted me to work
any more or not. He said that
they did want me sure, but that
they had nothing for me to do
then, so as I had some work to home I
came and helped Mary wash, then pulled
weed. After dinner, Pierpont, Clyde and
myself went to town and bought some
pine lumber of Tracy Brothers for which
I paid 1.00 for 20 ft. then to Bonner & Preston
and bought 2 gals. of linseed oil for which
I payed .92 cts. thence to Hotchkiss and
Templeton where I got 2 doz 1 1/2 round
head steel screws for which I payed
10 cts, then up to the Old City Mills on
North Main Street to see William Brooks.
I found him painting the inside of the
shop with a paint mixed as folows:
cateine{?} plaster and whiting equal parts
with a little glue thinned with water.
Then we went by Lakewood
and home, after supper I went to
see Mr. Tucker.
08\02\{1898} (Tuesday)
This morning dawned clear and warm.
Went to my own shop with Clyde and
Irving and there met the scrap
iron man from the Waterbury
Scrap Iron Co. and we loaded up
a load of old iron, then we loaded
up a load of tools and a drilling machine
which we brought home.
We worked the rest of the day cutting
brush in the pasture lot.
08\03\{1898} (Wednesday)
This morning I made a tool chest for
Mr. Ealcott{??}, after which I cut brush
all day. The weather was very warm.
08\04\{1898} (Thursday)
Cut brush in the pasture lot all day.
Went to see Cousin Clarissa Curtis of Stratford
and her husband Melville, at Father's
this evening. The Government expects
to bring General Shafter's army north
to Montank Pont on Long Island to
stay through the hot weather. The cause
of it is the numerous cases of yellow
fever which now exist in the army.
It is feared that fully half of the
troops will perish if they remain
in Santiago through the summer.
08\05\{1898} (Friday)
Worked to day mowing grass in the upper
pasture lot.
Went to night to visit Cousin Clarissa
and Melville. Took along several histories
and old books which interested Clarissa
very much as she is a great geneologist.
08\06\1898 (Saturday)
Worked to day mowning and raking
and carting hay from the upper pasture
lot. Had 110 heaps. I could not work
as fast as I liked to on account of a
severe pain in my back and sides.
08\07\1898 (Sunday)
My back pained me so much that I
could not lie in bed this morning as
long as I wished, so got up and stored
away some hay in the barn. During
the forenoon, brother Rolland Jenner
called as he was out with his new bicycle
for a ride. In the afternoon went to
the Chapel with Mary at 3 o'clock, all
of the children except Raymond going
to Sunday school at 2 o'clock. The Rev.
Mr. Faster preached. He is of Newark,
N.J. In the evening Mary and I
went to visit Mr. Tucker. Came home
and went to bed at 10.
08\08\1898 (Monday)
Run {Ran} the washing machine first
thing and got through at about
half past 8 and then went and opened
out the hay and got in two loads
before noon, and got in the remainder
this afternoon.
08\09\{1898} (Tuesday)
Painted the ceiling of the kitchen
and dining room and my room
this forenoon with a water paint
made of calcined{??} plaster and glue
water. This afternoon went over
to Mr. Anderson's new house
to see the Artezan{?} drilling
machine work, then went in
bathing, after which I came
home and painted on the East
end of the house.
08\10\{1898} (Wednesday)
It rained all day to day and I cleaned
the woodhouse, repaired the washing
machine. Harry Kilbourn came
and wanted a plank, which he got
down to the shop. It measured 10 ft.
at .03 cts., 30 cts. I went to the Mattatuck
shop this afternoon and Mr. Judd
told me to come to work tomorrow.
Received a check to day from the
Waterbury Scrap Iron Co. for eleven
dollars and one cent for payment
for 4,405 lbs old iron of 1/4 ct. per
pound.
08\11\{1898} (Thursday)
Went to work at the Mattatuck
shop to day, finished some stoking{???}
boards which were to count out
buttons on.
Mary and I went to the Grange to
night and I read a paper on wide
tires and the wide tire law.
08\12\{1898} (Friday)
Worked to day in the Mattatuck
Co's shop tinkering on various
things. This evening I went to
see Mrs. Able to get a description
of an old Italian woman who
is stealing my potatoes in the
Sherman Bronson lot. She gets
the potatoes by digging into the
hills with her hands and taking
a few with each hand.
08\13\{1898} (Saturday)
Sister Mary stayed to day with
her children. I worked at the Mattatuck
shop all day.
Peace was declared between the
United States of America and
the Government of Spain yesterday.
The President igned the
bill at 4 o'clock and has ordered
the blockade raised and most of
the troops ordered home.
No Connecticut troops have taken an active part
in this war. The first Reg. were
stationed for a time at Fort Knox
at Bucksport, Maine and some
of them were at Gull Island a
short time. They were ordered back
to Niantic and from thence to
Camp Alger in Mo. from thence
to New Port{??} News{??} where
they were about to embark on
board the transports for Cuba
last Thursday when the order
was countermanded and now
they are about to return home.
This evening I went to visit
George Edwards.
08\14\{1898}
Got up at 8 o'clock. Had breakfast
of baked beans after which I wrote
several letters and read some. Brother
Rolland Jenner came about midnight
and stayed with us. About noon
Sister Mary and her two children Louise
and Effel and Pierpont, Raymond, Clyde,
Irving {????????} and myself went
for a ride. Roll could not go as he had
to play his coronet at Boulder Grove with
the American Band. We went through
Prospect to the lower part of Cheshire
and down the mountain to the Cook
places, then up to Roaring Brook, where we
climbed up the gorge, the boys going to
the top of the mountain, but as Mary
got tired, we came back after going to
the foot of the falls. We drove home
over the old Cheshire road and had supper of
ham, potaotes, string beans, etc.
David B. Hamilton died this
morning after a long illness. He
was President of Rogers Brass Mfg.
Co. of this city and Rogers Brass of
Meriden.
08\15\{1898} (Monday)
To day my boy Raymond is three
years old. The children celebrated the
occasion by a little birthday party.
Went this evening to see Father about
getting a job of work at the Waterbury
Brass Co.
08\16\{1898} (Tuesday)
Worked at the Mattatuck shop to day.
08\17\{1898} (Wednesday)
Worked at the Mattatuck shop
till noon. Mr. Judd ordered
me to blue some buttons. Told
him that I must have .40 cts
an hour while I worked at that
work. But it being very hot,
I came home and intend to
blue the buttons in the morning.
This afternoon we had a severe
shower accompanined with much
thunder and lightning.
It hailed quite hard for about
10 minutes. The stones were as large
as walnuts, but it did little or no {damage}
as far as I could learn.
Miss Alice Pickett came out to go whortleberrying
out to Austin B. Pierpont's
and they sent Irving over to the lot
after the horse. After he had caught him,
he led him up to a rock to get on
his back when he began to strike
with his fore feet and dance up and
down and finally broke and ran
across the lot and lay down and
rolled over and over. Irving was
so surprised that he stood still and
looked till he felt several stings.
When he ran, the horse had stepped
on a yellow jacket nest and
stirred them up.
08\18\{1898} (Thursday)
Worked at the Mattatuck shop to
day. Went to the Grange this
evening. The lightning struck Joe
Laurence's house yesterday and did
a great deal of damage. The bolt passed
within a short distance of Mrs. Laurence's
head as she stood holding clothes but did not hurt her.
08\19\{1898} (Friday)
Arose this morning at 6.30. Had
breakfast of boiled round clams
and then Clyde and I went to
painting the house. We would
paint a spell and then wait for
it to rain and then paint again
and worked this way till about 3
o'clock when it cleared up so we got
in something more than half time{??}.
In the afternoon, Hattie Edwards
came to visit the girls and intends
to stay several days.
Major Tucker called this afternoon
to show me some buttons he had
been experimenting with to remove
the color.
The troops are arriving at their new
camp an Manataunk Point from
Santiago de Cuba on the 15inst{??}
Roosevelts Rough Riders{????} landed.
This Regiment was raised in Arizona,
New Mexico, Indian Territory and
Oklahoma, and have seen more
service than any other troops.
The President ordered yesterday
the mustering{??} out of service
from 75,000 to 100,000 volunteers.
08\20\{1898} (Saturday)
Got up this morning at half past
five and went to painting on my
house. Mary and the children got
ready and went to the Sunday
School picnic at Mr. Garrigus',
started at eleven o'clock.
Bertha and Clara French called
after they had gone to have their
bicycle tire "blown up". So I filled
them with wind. Then I got
ready and went to Mr. Tucker's
and we drove to Thomas Fairclough's
in Wolcott thence to Wolcott Center
then up Pudding Street to Charles
Minar's then over to Plumb Street
and over Pike Hill and stopped at
the old burying ground. Then
we went to the Wird{??} Burying
Ground where we met one Mr.
Henry Pond of Bristol who told
me that his wife was sister to
Mr. Luman Lewis of Southington
and that his son and my mother were
second cousins. He, Mr. Pond, is 84 years
old and she 82 years. Came home through
Woodtick and found the folks home
from the picnic. They had had a nice
time.
08\21\{1898} (Sunday)
Mr. Howell preached this afternoon
at Mill Plain Chapel. There was
a large attendence. My wife and
I walked across the lots with Mr.
and Mrs. Able and Agnes, Olive
and the children. Heard that Mr.
Joseph Rodier was very sick. Someone
killed a rattlesnake on the Meriden Road
near the South Schoolhouse in Wolcott.
Joseph Huey was discharged from
the Mattatuck shop yesterday, they
not having business enough to keep
him.
08\22\{1898} (Monday)
Margin note: We paddled in a brook that
had big flat stones
After breakfast this morning, Mary, Clyde
Irving, Margaret, Ruth, Pierpont, Raymond,
Hattie Edwards and myself took old Jack
and the business wagon, (except Clyde
and Irving who went on their wheels)
and drove to Pike Hill in the North
Eastern part of Wolcott, whortleberrying{?}
where we picked about 8 quarts
of berries. There is an ancient burying
ground on this hill where we picked
the berries, several stones of which are
standing. They mark the graves of
Blakeslees, Bracketts, Meax{?} and others.
Mr. Henry A. Pond of Bristol told me
that his grandfather and grandmother
were buried here. I counted 24 graves
on a former visit when the leaves
were off the trees and bushes. It has
ever since my remembrance ben
grown up in common woods. On
one of the stones is the following
inscription, Mrs. Rachel Brackett,
who died Oct. 12th 1776 in the 22nd
year of her age.
When you are blooming young and spry,
Perhaps you think you nere shall die,
But here' s a witness of the truth,
That you may die when in your youth.
I hope that sometime I shall be one
of the number to clean up and restore
that sacred ground.
From Pike Hill we went East down
the hill to the Wird{??} Burying Ground
then South about a quarter of a mile
to a lot on the East side of the road
where we found a fine spring of water
and where we picked 12 quarts of blackberries,
after which we we drove over
Pike's Hill again then North to
the Cedar Swamp Road which we
took, and went down past the old
schoolhouse (still in use) and across
the dam and over the North end
of Spindle Hill to home where we
arrived at 8 o'clock.
After we had been home a short time,
sister Cara came with Miss Amelia
Burnhart in Mr. Edward Todd's carriage
and said that she had broken Father's
carriage out{?} to Mr. Todd's and wished
we would go out with her and get it.
I told her I would go.
Just then Irving told me that Mrs.
Gallivan who lives in the next house
was in the front yard drunk and was
going to stay all night. I went and
managed to get her home by holding
her from falling and found her husband
and left them jawing{?}.
When I came back I found Mr. Fred
Woods with a bill of an old account
that shows according to his figures
that I owe him over $100.00 dollars.
After eating a few mouthfuls, Cara
and I drove to Mr. Todd's and Southington
Mountain and I found that two
of the carriage axles were sprung and
set them back and we drove home,
it being very dark and hot.
08\23\{1898} (Tuesday)
Worked about home all day, saw Mr.
Sidney Bronson and he wants me to
build an ice house for him.
Bought a barrell of flower {flour} of Mr. Thomas
Kelly (Baker) to day for $5.25.
08\24\{1898} (Wednesday)
Welded a set of steel tires for John
French this forenoon and cleaned out
the chicken coop and privy. Painted
on the house till 4 o'clock when Clyde,
Pierpont and myself got ready and
drove to town, went first to the
Mattatuck shop where I got what
was due me, $7.00 but Mr. Judd had
my pay made out 5.00. After some
argument he admitted that I had
worked three and one half days
and there was due me $7.00
Then I went to Mr. Davenport's
to see about getting someone to
preach at the Chapel next Sunday.
He expects to be in Northfield
and all of the Congregational
ministers are having their vacation.
He told me of a Mr. Hendsey at
No. 53 Spenser Avenue that I
might get. I went thither but
found that he was away on
his vavcation too. I then went
to see Mr. Haldenat{??}, his store
on North Main Street, but it
threatened rain so I started over
long hill as fast as we could
drive to Morris Alcott's where
I saw his father and asked him if
he would ask Morris if he would get
the Waterville minister. Then we
started for home. It was thundering
and lightning North and
West of us and when we reached
the Schoolhouse, it began lightning
south of us. The rain was
coming from all directions
except East and there was no
escaping getting wet, and we
sped fast as possible and {???}
the rain at the Grange Hall.
We got soaked before we reached home.
The thunder was terrific and the
lightning sharp.
08\25\{1898} (Thursday)
Worked this forenoon about home.
Mr. Sidney P. Bronson called and
wanted me to go to his farm in East
Farms and build an ice house.
I went there to work at noon and
worked till six o'clock.
08\26\{1898} (Friday)
Worked at Sid Bronson's all day.
A party of young men came to
night to have me learn them to drum.
08\27\{1898} (Saturday)
Worked to day for Sid Bronson.
He paid me amount due, 5.00.
08\28\{1898} (Sunday)
Staid about home all day except in
the eveningc went to see Father.
Mr. Rafter{??} preached at the Chapel.
08\29\{1898} (Monday)
To day I worked at S. P. Bronson's on
his ice house.
08\30\{1898} (Tuesday)
Worked on S.P. Bronson's ice house
till noon, and then went to work in
his silo packing corn. He had 16 men
and 5 double teams getting in the
corn. Clyde and Mort Pierpont went
to New Haven to day on their wheels.
08\31\{1898} (Wednesday)
Worked to day at S.P. Bronson's getting
in the silo corn. He had 20 men and
7 double teams.
09\01\{1898} (Thursday)
Worked at S.P. Bronson's packing his
silo corn in his ice house.
Mary and I went to the Grange
this evening. Joseph Rodier died this
afternoon of a cancer in the rectum.
09\02\{1898} (Friday)
Arose this morning at 5.30. Went to
Sid Bronson's and finished putting
the roof on the silo, got through at
half past eleven. Then went to
A. B. Pierpont's and got a scythe
and snath{????}. Came home and had dinner
at noon, after which Clyde and I painted
on the house till night. In the evening
Charlie Hotchkiss, George Cass, Burt
Haskins, Arthur Pierpont, Mort Pierpont,
Howard Neil, Burt Pierpont, Clarence
Warden, Art Warden and Irving
came to learn to drum and Clyde
and Robert Hotchkiss and Charlie
Cass were practicing fifing.
The drummers were in the new
carriage house and the fifers were
in my room, Charlie Cass sitting
where I am now. While we were
practicing, a thunder shower came
up and the lightning struck
the chimney and scattered the bricks
about the yard and street. One bolt
went down the Southeast valley{??}
and followed the corner{?} past down
to the veranda roof, stripping
off the plaster on the inside
and the clappards{?} on the out.
Another ran down the NE corner
{Margin note: Ruth and I were upstairs in " new building " - M. H.}
conductor pipe tearing off some of
the cornace{??} on its way and made
a hole in the ground about the size
of a waterpail, another followed two
rafters from the chimney to the eve{?}
trough and then along the conductor
pipe to the ground at the N. W. corner.
This bolt tore up splinters on the
floor where I am no sitting in
front of my desk. Charlie Cass
was sitting here at the time, and
Clyde was sitting at his left and
Rob Hotchkiss at his right.
I doubled Charlie Cass up like a jackknife
and shacked{?} all three. There were two
distinct marks on Clyde's left
leg like {????} + +, one above the
other and both above the knees. We
thought that the house was on
fire and the drummers rushed
in and we found the garret
full of smoke but there was no
fire. Mary at the time was
in the front chamber upstairs.
Joe Huey was sitting at the
table in the sitting room, holding Raymond
in his lap. Pierpont was in bed in his
room in the N. E. chamber. Charlie
Cass, Rob Hotchkiss and Clyde were
in the N. E. room down stairs. It seems
a miracle that none were hurt
more than they were.
Irving had just taken the cushion and
blankets out of the bugger{??} by the chicken
coop and he was knocked down
flat, when we were coming to the house.
Charlie Hotchkiss picked up a brick
and it burned the inside of his hand.
09\03\{1898} (Saturday)
After breakfast this morning we cleaned
up about the house and got ready to
repair the chimney which was knocked
all to pieces by the lightning last
night at a little before 9 o'clock.
Then wrote a letter to Fred in Detroit
about his furniture. Then went to
see Mr. Jones the insurance agent
who insured my house in the Oriental
Co. of Hartford about getting the
insurance and pyut in a claim of fifty
dollars which he said he would report
at the companie's headquarters and told
me to call next Tuesday or Wednesday, told
me to repair the chimney but to leave the
rest till after it is settled.
Came home and ate dinner of boiled
beans and then went to work at the
chimney and worked the rest of the
afternoon. The Mattatuck shop did not
run to day.
Mr. Sidney P. Bronson paid me this
afternoon for the labor I had done him
to date, $8.00.
09\04\{1898} (Sunday)
This day has been one of the hottest
ever known. The thermometer stood
100 degrees in the shade and 128 in the
sun. I stayed home most of the day
till 3 o'clock when we went to the Chapel
and heard the Rev. Mr. Perry preach.
There were but few people there owing
to the heat. In the evening went to see
Mr. Tucker, came home and to bed at 11.30.
09\05\{1898} (Monday)
To day is Labor Day and is a legal holiday.
The young people of the vicinity wanted
me to take them to the Memeriden Mountain.
There were about 50 people and Arthur
Pierpont's bus and 8 other teams carried
them besided several of the boys who
went on their bicycles.
We started at 9 o'clock from the corner of
the Meriden Road above Austin Pierpont's
and arrived at the mountain at about
4.30 o'clock. Had a picnic, setting the
tings out on the ground, and the
people sitting on horse blankets, cushions.
After all had eaten, we climbed to the top of
West Peak but the atmosphere was heavy and
we could not see the sound nor the
capitol at Hartford, but the view from
there was grand. I found the spring on
the West side of the mountain of which
I had heard. It is in a cave on the West
side of the mountain about 1/8 of a
mile North of the West peak and to
reach it one must climb down a
steep ravine. We started for home
about 4 o'clock and went first
to Meriden then turned North
this side of the crossing of the
West Main Street by the Meriden,
Waterbury and Connecticut River
Rail Road (not in use) and went
up through Cat* Hole Pass to
{Margin notes: }
1) Mr. Warden was sick - M. Hall
2)We children went to sleep on the floor of the "bus" (Arthur
Pierpont's
peach wagon)
3) * Is the "Cat" still there? It was a rock formation high above the
road that
looked like a big {???} cat ready to pounce on us.
Southington. Through this pass
we saw some of the most interesting
work of nature that I
ever saw. The pass is only wide
ebough for the road in some
places and mountains tower on
each side, while farther on the country
becomes open, but is enclosed
by mountains on all sides.
In going to Southington, we got lost
and came out at Mill Dale and
got home at about 11.00 o'clock, that is
some of us did. Mr. Byan's team,
Chas Casses' team and Mr. Warden's
team turned back in Meriden and
they got home sooner.
09\06\{1898} (Tuesday)
Worked about home all day.
09\07\{1898} (Wednesday)
Worked about home all day.
09\08\{1898} (Thursday)
Went to day to Platt's Mills to
see Mr. Osbourn{?} about the lay{law??}
that provides for the education
of scholars in towns where there is
no high school. Saw Mr. Ben Bristol.
He seemed rather anxious that
I should help them out about
steel buttons.
Mr. Jones and William Chatfield
called to see about the amount
of damage the lightning done to
my house.
09\09\{1898} (Friday)
Worked for Wilson L. Pierpont
in his Springfield lot in Mill
Plain this forenoon, and at his
farm in East Farms this afternoon
cutting corn.
09\10\1898 (Saturday)
Worked all day to day up in
Wilson pierpont's Springfield meadow
cutting and loading fodder corn.
Found two Indian arrow points
there.
09\11\1898 (Sunday)
Got up at 7 o'clock, wrote letters to
F. A. Hulls Co., Danbury, L L
Enswort{?} & Son, Hartford, and
Fred D. Miller, Detroit, Mich.
Had breakfast of boiled beel{??}
after which I cleaned the backyard.
Rolland Jenner came and tole
me of a Mr. Buckmaster{??} who could
pack Fred's furniture which he
wants me to send to him.
Went to the Chapel this afternoon
and heard Mr. Buckley preach
a sermon on the last war.
In the evening went to see Mr. Tucker.
He told me that in hardening steel
butttons, they wanted to be left in
the furnace at a cherry{?} heat from 14
to 16 hours.
09\12\{1898} (Monday)
The weather wasvery cold this morning.
After a breakfast of boiled eggs, I went to
W. L. Pierpont's and tended silo cutter all day.
Went to town this evening to see Mr.
Buckmaster but did not see him as his
house was all dark when I got there.
09\13\{1898} (Tuesday)
Went to Wilson Pierpont's and tended
cutter for cutting up silo corn.
Clyde is fourteen years old to day.
09\14\{1898} (Wednesday)
after a breakfast of fried ham and eggs, I
went to W. L. Pierpont's and worked cutting
corn till eleven o'clock. Came home
and had dinner of succotash after which
I went to see Mr. Buckmaster and found
that he is coming to llok at Fred's
furniture tomorrow. Then went to
see Mr. Jones but he was not in.
Then to the Town Clerk's office to
look up the records, then to Platts
Mills to see Mr. Benjamin Bristol
about making steel buttons for
the Platt Brass. Got home at 6 o'clock
and went to bed at 8 o'clock.
09\15\1898 (Thursday)
After a hurried breakfast I went to
Arthur Pierpont's to help him fill his
silo this morning. His two silos hold
120 tons of corn. Staid there all day.
In the evening went to Grange Hall
to Miss Girtrude Bradley's entertainment,
she being {?????} of the
Grange. The flowers were fine and
were furnished mostly by Maj.
Tucker. There was a little fruit, the
entertainment program was very
good. One James Martain of
the City to day jumped from the
high bridge that crosses the
Meriden Waterbury and Conn.
River R.R. at the point where the
Od Prospect Road crossed it, near
Henry Wedge's, with intent to
commit suicide. He broke one
leg but was not otherwise
injured. He told his wife with
whom he was riding that he
wanted to get out and walk a little
ways and then jumped.
09\16\{1898} (Friday)
Was at Arthur Pierpont's all day filling
his silo. Roll Jenner was brought
home to day sick.
09\17\{1898} (Saturday)
Worked lining up an old silo, the
first ever made in this section
built in 1893 for A. B. Pierpont.
Mr. Buckmaster and two assistants
came and packed some of Fred's goods.
09\18\{1898} (Sunday)
Staid home all day.
09\19\{1898} (Monday)
Went to Arthur Pierpont's and helped
him fill his silo.
09\20\{1898} (Tuesday)
Was at Arthur Pierpont's all day.
09\21\{1898} (Wednesday)
Went to the Nangatuck Rail Road
depot and found that the "star union
line" was the best freight route to
ship Fred's furniture to Detroit
and that it would cast .59 cts per
hundred lbs, then went and
saw Mr. John Jones about
the insurance on my house. We
agreed that the damage caused
by lightning could be settled
and repaired for thirty dollars.
He is going to have Wm. Chatfield
do the plastering and give him
ten dollars and pay me twenty
dollars cash. Then went to
see Mr. Lewis Platt about
making steel buttons but found
that he was out of town, from
Platt's office on Brown St., I went
to the barber shop over Lake and
Strobell's Jewelry Store meeting
on the way sister Iva and told
her to wait a little while and I
would bring her home, after having
my hair cut for which I paid 20 cts.
I went to the butter store on South
Main St. and bou 1 lb. of butter
for which I paid 20 cts. then got
my team and came home.
Found Arthur Pierpont in front of
my house on his team wagon and made
an agreement to have him carry
Fred's furniture to the depot.
He paid me $10.00 for the 5 days
work I did for him.
Had dinner after which I went
to Mr. Tucker's and worked 3 1/2 hours
banking{??} celery.
{Note: I remember him doing it. - M.H.}
09\22\1898 (Thursday)
This morning I repaired the roof to the
old shed to some extent. About 16 o'clock
Arthur Pierpont's team came and we loaded
brother Fred's furniture on to the
wagon and I took the remainder on
my one horse wagon and we took
it to the Nangatuck Rail Road depot.
It weighed 3080 lbs and cost $18.17
to send it. I paid Arthur Pierpont
$4.00 for carrying the furniture to
the depot, after unloading and
settling for the furniture, I went
to Mr. Buckmaster's upholstering
shop on Abbott Avenue to get his
bill for packing the furniture but
he was not in, after which I drove
through Spenser Ave. to Kingsbury
St. to North Elm to Maple Ave.
to Cherry to Camp then across
High Rock to Walnut St. then over
Long Hill on the summit of
which I met William Todd and he
told me that last night the
Republican's nominated Charlie Horn
of Linden Street for first selectman
and Mr. Schmidt second. Came home
via the Stetson Road.
I in the evening went to the Grange
with Mary. Today is Mary's
birthday, she is 38 years old. To me
she seems as young as she did
when I married her when she was 23
although we have now a family of
six children.
09\23\{1898} (Friday)
Staid about home all day, repaired
the roof on the old shed.
09\24\{1898} (Saturday)
Clyde and I mowed the swamp
back of Mrs. Larman Johnson's
house. We got very wet and chilled
with the rain. In the afternoon,
I went to see Gilbert Hotchkiss
about selling my shop but he
was not at home, from thence
went to Miles Payne's and got
my horse shod, came home,
and Irving went to Hemingway's
fish market and got the oysters
for tomorrow's breakfast.
This afternoon I received Mr.
Buckmaster's bill for packing
Fred's furniture. It amounted
to $27.28. Wrote him a letter and
mailed it to him.
09\25\{1898} (Sunday)
Staid about home most of the
day. Went to the Chapel. Mr.
Waters preached.
09\26\{1898} (Monday)
Ran the washing machine for Mary this
morning, then went to Johnson's swamp
and tedded{??} out my hay, came home and
made a hay rigging. Then went out and raked
the hay up and carted it home which took
the rest of the day.
09\27\{1898} (Tuesday)
This day is the fortieth anniversary
of my birth, having as my mother
told me been born on Sept 27th, 1858.
My son Pierpont, 5 yrs., and I drove today from
home to Cousin Malachi Gillette's in
North Goshen.
We left home at about 8 o'clock and
drove to town, where I bought a pair of
pants for Pierpont at Jones & Morgan's
Clothing Store for which I paid 48 cts,
took the old pants to Miss Pickett's
and left them and the change from
a $10.00 bill except $2.00 which I kept. We
left Waterbury Center at 9.15 and
drove to Watertown, a distance of 6
miles, from thence to Bethlehem,
6 miles, thence to Romford station on the
Shepanhg River 8 miles, then to Woodville
3 miles, thence through a rough country
near a little river to Milton 6 miles,
then to West Goshen over a rough road
but through a very interesting country,
a distance of 4 1/2 miles, then over a
fine road to Goshen Center 1 1/2 miles,
where I stopped and put the horse under
the Congregational Church sheds
and went to a Harness Shop and
enquired for Mr. and Mrs. Martain
where Agnes Able was visiting as
I supposed. We called there but she
was not there and was not coming
till next Sunday Mrs. Martain
said. We then went to the Post
Office and I mailed a letter to brother
Fred in Detroit. We left for North
Goshen at 6 o'clock via North Street and
the road that runs over Ivy Mountain
and came out at Luddington's
Corner on East Street and then to
cousin Malachi's, the road through
would have been dark and dangerous,
had it not been for the bright moon.
We found them all well and gald to
see us. Cousin Lillie got supper for
us. The distance from Goshen to North
Goshen was 5 miles, and the distance
from home to Waterbury Center 2
miles makes a distance of forty-two
miles that we traveled.
09\28\{1898} (Wednesday)
This forenoon at about 11 o'clock, Cousin
Malachi and I after eating a lunch
drove over to Obed Stannard's in
South Norfolk, who is a first cousin
to my father. We got there a little
after twelve as they were preparing
dinner. We sat down and dined with
them, after which we visited a while.
They have a fine farm, keep about 25
cows, everything seems to be up
in good repair and thrifty{?}. The family
consists of himself and wife, a son
whom I did not see, and a daughter
Blanche aged 17. The house is situated on a
hill where a fine view of parts of Goshen
and Ivy Mountain and the Tower may
be seen in the West and S.W. To the
S.E. Winchester Center is in full view
and a tower for observation van be
seen on Platt Hill beyond.
From Obed Stannard's we drove to
Horrace [Horace?] Stannard's at Norfolk Center
stopping on the way at a little cemetery
on the right hand side of the road
where many of the Stanards are
buried. Mr. Horace Stannard has
a fine place a little East of Norfolk
and his business is keeping teams
and carrying the New York boarders
around sightseeing for which
they pay well. He had to go away
and we only saw him a few minutes.
His wife seemed like a very nice
woman, after a short stay we
went to a grist on the West Side
of the town and got a bag of meal
and then drove home to Malachi
Gillette's.
09\29\1898 (Thursday)
To day Cousin Mal went to work
for Owen Hallock getting out manure.
Mr. Hallock owns over 1200 acres of
land and 150 head of cattle.
Pierpont and I took Old Jack, the horse
and drove to Ivy Mountain, by
way of the "black land". We went up the
tower where we had a grand view
of the country for miles around
could see the Catskill Mountains
on the West and way up in Mass. on
the North and great distances in other
directions, but the atmosphere was a
little hazy otherwise we could see more.
From the mountain we went N.W.
through the Ovaitt [Oviatt] District to Cornwall
Hollow, passing a house on the way
near the school house in the Ovaitt [Oviatt]
District, with a bank wall in front, some
of the cap stones of which were over
30 feet in length I should judge.
At Cornwall Hollow I saw the General
Sedgewick Mansion and also the Cemetery
where he is buried. Mr. Samuel Gillette
of North Goshen told me the following history
of the Gen. Sedgewick place. The father of the
General when a Colonel in the Revolutionary
War was stationed at Dutch Bridge in
Massachusetts and while there the Tories
burned his house, which was a log one.
He brought his regiment to Cornwall
Hollow and built a large new house
where the old log house had stood.
With the great number of men and by
pressing all the sawmills in service
that were in that section, he completed
the new house with the exception
of a few miunor details in the
remarkably short time of three days.
He dug the cellar after the war was
over. Mr. Gillette and a friend were
passing over a mountain over looking
Cornwall Hollow in 1857 when they
chanced to see smoke issuing from
the garrett window of this Sedwick
House. They watched it a few minutes
and saw that the house was on fire.
They hastened there as soon as
possible and by the time they
arrive d there the whole thing had
got beyond control and burned
to the ground.
The General at the time was in the
West fighting the Indians and
soon he came home and built
the present mansion. Mr. Gillette
built the cellar and did all of the
stone work. It was there that his
remains were brought from the
fatal field of Spottsylvania Court House
after the Rebel sharpshooter's bullet had
doen its work. The incident of his death
was as follows, On Monday May 9th,
1865 as he was directing the placing
of some pieces of Artillery, some Rebel
sharp-shooters stationed in some trees
about a mile off were firing at them.
Some of the Staff officers were annoyed
and spoke words of caution to the
General his reply was "Poo, they couldn't
hit an elephant at that distance." He
had scarcely uttered the words when
he fell dead; pierced through the head with
a blullet. Brigadier John Sedgwick was
respected by all the Northern Nation; His
soldiers loved him and were ready to follow
"Uncle John" wherever he might lead.
(The above was told me by a veteran
who was with the General and witnessed
his death). The people from the
country for miles round turned out
to do honour to his name at the funeral
as well as many of the Nation's officials
both Civil and Military.
From Cornwall Hollow we went
to North Cornwall and thence to
Cornwall Center, thence over the mountains
north of West Goshen, around
West and North of Tyler Pond over some
finefarming country, then North up
past the West side of "West Side Pond"
where I got bewildered but I found
two school boys going home, who I took
into the wagon and they showed me
the way to Ivy Mountain, their
names were Howe{??}. I followed their
{??} and got to North Goshen at dark.
09\30\{1898} (Friday)
This is the last day of the month, how
fast time travels.
I stayed at Cousin Mall's this forenoon
and read the "Life of Gen Lafyette".
After dinner PIerpont and I went
to the North Pond and took a boat
and rowed to the North end and then
walked through some brush and
swamp to the "Tipping Rock". It is
a great boulder which I measured
and figured that it would weigh
32 tons, which sits on top of an
elevated bed rock or ledge, and by
pushing on the East or West side it
will rock back and forth, so well balanced
is it, that after it has been set
in motion, it will continue to rock
some time, it is about 9 ft high
and the top moved about six inches.
Cousin Marion did not go as she
expected as she intends to go home
with us tomorrow.
10\01\{1898} (Saturday)
This morning dawned clear and fine, we
have had nice weather now for two weeks.
We, Cousin Marion, Pierpont and I,
got ready and started for Waterbury a
little after seven o'clock, drove through
Goshen East Street to Litchfield, thence
through West Morris to Waertown, the
country through which we passed was pleasing
to the eye and everything was interesting.
From Watertown we came through
the center of Waterbury home where
we arrived about 2 o'clock. The weather
during the last part of the trip was
very hot and we ad to drive slow.
In the evening we went to town
and took Marion to see the fire horses
come from their stables and take their
places in the harness when the alarm
rings at 9 o'clock. She also went round
the center with Clyde and saw the
crowds of people which surprised
her, as she had never been in the
City before in the evening. After we
got home, I went to see Mr. Tucker but
could not wake him up, so came home
to bed at 11.45.
//new journal starts here; October 1898 - October 1899//
//[encoded by Mary LaRue, December 1989]
//{marginal and interlinear comments apparently by Margaret Miller
//Northrop Hall, at some point when reading journals}
10\02\1898 (Sunday)
After doing the chores and eating break-
fast. [[Ch]] Irving, Margaret, Ruth, and
myself went to St. Johns Church
to let Cousin Marion hear the boy
Choir, and see the Church.
We went to the Chapel in the after-
noon and heard Mr. Perry preach
an excellent sermon. The amount
collected at this service was $1.75.
In the evening Clyde, Mary,
Marion, and Myself went to
the Second Congregational church
and Mr. Davenport preached.
They had a large nice Choir.
After service we came to father's
and the girls played and we sang
for a long time, after which we
came home, and went to stay with
Mr. Tucker, but he had gone to bed
and I came home and went to bed at 11.30.
10\03\1898 (Monday)
Today is town election and I
went and voted for Charles Horne (?)
for first Select man, and the
straight Republican ticket right
through, also No Licence."
Went to Platt Bros and saw Mr.
L.A. Platt about making steel
buttons, He seemed very nice,
took my address and said that
he would send for me to come
and see them in a few days when
he was not so busy.
From there went to see Mr.
Jones about the insurance money
for damage done my house by
lightening. He was mad as he
had been twice to see Mrs. Munger
about signing the certificate {cirtificate} (which
was necessary as she holds the
mortgage {morgage} on the house) and
she would not, Came home and
went to Robert Warden's at
East farms, and dug potatoes
all the afternoon;
Cousin Marion Gillette went home
to North Goshen this afternoon
left on the train that leaves here at
3.58. In the evening went to
see Mr Wallace Camp in answer
to a letter to call and see about the
insurance, Found that he is Mrs
Mungers advisor, and a man
that is more particular than
he is wise, we went to see Mrs
Munger, she says that she does
not know much about insurance
and leaves it with Mr Camp,
He pretends to know all about it
and more too, But it was left
that I see Mr Jones and try to do
something I do not know what,
10\04\1898 (Tuesday)
Worked at Robert Wardens all
day digging potatoes, finished
late to night, he paid me 2.50
for what I had done
10\05\1898 (Wednesday)
It has rained most of the time to
day, spent the forenoon in writing up
this journal and in reading,
Mr Barmer was buried from the
Chapel this afternoon,
This afternnon I went to see Mr Jones
about the insurance money, Mrs Munger
was there yesterday, and said that
she would sign the cirtificates if I
would bring them to her, I carried
them to her and she signed them
as I did after which I brought them
to Mr Jones and he drew a check in
my favor for twenty dollars and
kept ten dollars to give to Wm
Chatfield to pay him for plaster-
ing. I took the check of $20.00 to
Mrs Munger and she gave me a
receipt, I then went to Weaters
store on East Main Street and bought
18 lbs of sugar for one dollar, then came
home.
Mr Nelson Hall was found dead in his
bed this morning.
10\06{written over 5}\1898 (Thursday)
Worked all day digging potatoes in
the Sherman Bronson lot, dug 14 1/2 bu
Went to the Grange with Mary
this evening, Learned that Mr
Nelson Hall is to be buried
from the Chapel next sunday
afternoon at 3 o'clock.
10\07{written over 6}\1898 (Friday)
Dug 22 1/2 bushels of potatoes to-
day, The drum Corps boys came
this evening and practiced.
Mr. Tucker sent a note by Mrs
Marrow to have me come and see
him after I got throught with the
Drummers. Ed Holden got
through working at the Mattatu-
ck shop yesterday.
Willdon Bros
No 31 Auburn St
Boston Mass
Dealers in button steel, so
Tucker told me
10\08\1898 (Saturday)
We built a shed this forenoon,
to keep the horse sled in and wheel
barrows in. This afternoon about
5 o'clock, I went to town and paid
Mr Buckmaster a Post Office Order
of $27.28 which brother Fred sent me
from Detroit, to pay for packing his
furniture.
10\09\1898 (Sunday)
We, that is Sister Mary Jenner,
and her two children, Pierpont, and
myself, in my two seated wagon
Father and Mother, in their carriage
and Rolland Jenner with his
Bycicle went to the top of the Meriden
mountain, where we had a fine view
of a great portion of the state, including
a little of long island sound.
Mr Nelson Hall was buried from
the Chapel this afternoon. Mr Maya
officiated, The Grange service was also
used.
10\10\1898 (Monday)
Worked at Mr Tuckers from 9 oclock
till six banking Celery.
10\11\1898 (Tuesday)
Was at Mr Tuckers from 6 till 12 work-
ing in the garden, This afternnon we
went to the Wolcott Fair Ground
to arrange the Grance exibit for the
Fair tomorrow, but there was not
enough to arrange, so we came home
and I went to Platts Mills, to see
if I could get a job.
10\12\1898 (Wednesday)
Went up to Mr Tuckers this mor-
ning, and he took me to the Wolcott
Fair ground where he was to arran-
ge the Grange exibit, we found
Clyde there he had walked and
got there ahead of us, there was but
a few pumpkins, and squashes and
some other vegitibles there and Mr
Tucker thought that there was not
enough to pay to bother with so
as it was raining, we started home,
and went to Waterbury center by
way of Lakewood, as we were coming
down North Main St we saw the
flag on City hall at half mast
and on enquiry found that Mr
Gurnesey Parsons, the Banker,
and he who had also been Mayor
of the City was dead,
Then we came home, and I went
to digging potatoes and dug and
put into the cellar 5 bushels.
this makes a total of 42 bushels
I have now in the Cellar.
When the Boys got home from the
Wolcott Fair they said that it was the
largest Fair that they have ever held.
10\13\1898 (Thursday)
Worked for Mr Tucker all day,
Mary and I went to the Grange
this evening
10\14\1898 (Friday)
Worked for Mr Tucker from 8 o clock.
It commenced to rain as I was
coming home, from work, We have
had fine weather till now.
10\15\1898 (Saturday)
Today the weather has been variable.
Cool, windy, rainy, and fair,
Agness Cohle came, at about quarter
to six to see if we were going to
Roaringbrook in Cheshire we were
not up when she came, but got up
as soon as possible, and told
her, that we would go. We then
got ready, and sent Pierpont and
Raymond to Mothers to stay, and
Clyde, Irving, Charlie Hotchkiss
and I went to Mother Pierponts
and cut firewood, till Mary
came with my team and then
we went to the East Farms School
house where we were to meet at
10 o'clock. In due time all of the
teams arrived except George Cass
and we started at the appointed
time in the following order. First
Arthur Pierpont with his vegtable
wagon and a pair of horses, he had
with him Mrs Levelette Upson,(2)
Miss Bessie Garrigus (3), Mr Lewis
Garrigus (4) Annie and Minnie Garrigus (6)
(twins) and Jessie Garrigus (7), and Willie
Garrigus (8), Jessie Monroe (9) Flora (10) and
Lewis Hitchcock (11), Charlie Hotchkiss (12),
Mort (13) and Fred Pierpont (14), Edith
Pierpont (15) Clyde (16) and Irving [[Pierpont]]
Miller (17), Arthur Warden (18), Flossy
Upson (19), and Henry Cass (20). Next
came my team with Ruth, Margaret,
my Wife and Myself, next Mr Mun-
sons team with Mrs Thedore Munson,
Agness Able, and Earl Munson, and
George Cass met us there with Miss
Ida Spender, We went there by way
of the Plank Road to Gilletts Corner
then by Matherns Street to Rag. Hallay
Road to Lights Pond then down
the mountain to Cooks Corner
on the New Haven Road and then
to the Brook and Gorge, After
eating our refreshments at the
foot of the Gorge we started for
the summit which was over 400
feet above us, Many of the ladies
were struck with the beauty of
the gorge, especially the 60 ft falls,
the Eave trough, and deep pool.
At the top of the Mountain we had
a fine view of a portion of the
sound, and East Rock with
the Souldiers Monument on
it, Meriden, Wallingford,
Cheshire etc. We started home
{marginal note: I remember about the watch--
different handwriting}
at about 4 o'clock, where we arrived
after dark, All having a good
time, but Mort Pierpont lost
a fine silver watch which his
Father gave him for Christmas,
Coming home, we, Clyde, Chas
Hotchkiss and myself, agreed
to start at three o'clock in the
morning and go over the ground
where Mort had been and see if
we could find it, After I had
eaten my supper and done my
chores Mrs Marrow called and
told me that Mr Tucker was
very sick, and wanted me to come
up immediately, I went and found
him in bed with his clothes on.
He had been taken with a dullness
and dizzyness at about 6 o'clock
and fell at the foot of the stairs,
They got him up in bed, and
called Dr Ward, his pults were
42 and and he appeared very
sick, I was to give medicine every
15 minutes, got his clothes off and
put him in bed with a water bottle at
his feet and plenty of bed clothes on
and warmed him up, and at eleven
o'clock he was much better and went
to sleep, I lay on the back side of
the bed, but did not wake him to
give medicine, and at 1.30 I fell a sleep
{margin: 10\16\1898 (Sunday)}
but awoke at three, he seemed much
better, and said that he would be
all right if I wanted to go away.
So I started home as fast as I could
had a lantern to see the way across
the lots, got Clyde up, and hitched
up the horse as soon as I could and
we went to Charlie Hotchkisses
and Clyde drummed on the
front door, and I on the back,
till we finally awoke him up,
then we started and reached the
top of the mountain at day break.
we looked the ground over with
great care but did not find the
watch, we then explored a dry
gorge, North of Roaring brook.
We followed the brook up to
the old mill, and saw some trout
10 inches long, We then went to
the top of the mountain and
followed it South to the road, we
then got the team and went
south through the Woods to
the South mountain road but
had difficulty in getting through
and had almost reached the
road when, in trying to cross
a little bog hole the horse went
in almost out of sight and we
had a great time getting him
unhitched and out, the harness
was broke some but we tied it
up, and started home via Prospect
center, we reached home at three
and after getting cleaned up and
eating supper (we having eaten no
meal since supper last night) I went
to see Mr Tucker, found him very
blue but much better, I stayed with
him all night.
The Rev Mr Hanna of the First
Methodist Church preached at the
Chapel this afternoon.
10\17\1898 (Monday)
Helped Mary at the washing this
morning by running the washing
machine, After which I went to work
for Mr Tucker at banking celery
and moving hay in the barn got
there at 9 o'clock and got through
at 4 o'clock. Mr Fanias Hahn a
tool maker at Steel and Johnsons is
building a house on the Meriden
turnpike near the watering trough
this side of Amanda Griswolds
place.
10\18\1898 (Tuesday)
Worked from eight to four o'clock for
Hiram Able mowing in his swamps
Mafor Tucker paid me 3.00
Levelette Upson of the Meriden Road got kick-
ed by his horse, and it broke his nose, and knocked one eye out
10\19\1898 (Wednesday)
Rained hard all day.
10\20\1898 (Thursday)
Worked for Hiram Able 8 hours
10\21\1898 (Friday)
George Case called this morning
and wanted me to go to his house
and lay up a bank wall.
I then went and got my wagon up
to the swamp on the Dolittle place
where I have been working at hay
for Hiram Able, and took one front
wheel, to Miles Paynes on East
Mountain to have it repaired,
I then went to work for George Cass
and laid wall from 8 till 5 o'clock.
A Mrs Roase of Naugatuck
murdered by Mrs Mariana
Pompania last night. They were
both Italians and were fighting.
10\22\1898 (Saturday)
Rained all day. They boys and I
put a plank floor in the horse stable
10\23\1898 (Sunday)
Read and wrote, on a paper about the march
of Count De Rachambeaus army through
Connecticut, in 1781, till it was time to
go to the Chapel, the Rev Mr Davenport
preached a good sermon, as he always
does, but I cannot now recall a single
word of it.
10\24\1898 (Monday)
This morning went to Gilbert Hotchkiss
on East Mountain, to see him about
selling my shop to some friend of his.
Found outnothing as he had not heard
from his friend, Then went to Miles
Paynes, and got a wheel that he had
repaired for me, for which he charged
one dollar, He gave me a check on Holmes
& Parsons Bank for Nine dollars
and Seventy two cents, which amount
he owed me,
Then came home and had breakfast,
and went to Hiram Ables and opened
out his hay, then to George Casse's
at 9 o'clock and laid wall till noon
then with George Cass and Charlie Hotchkiss
after dinner and got Hiram Ables hay
into a stack, which took till four o'clock
then to George Cass and laid wall till
dark, a little after five o'clock.
Hiram Able called in the evening to
asertain how much I charged for getting
in his hay I told him $5.00
10\25\1898 (Tuesday)
This morning went to George Casse's
and laid wall, about 10 o'clock Wm
Purdy of Prospect came to see me
about doing some joiner work
up to the Pratt place on East Moun-
tain, Went up with him and found
that he had lately become posessor
of the farm and wanted new sills
put under the barn, and 15 ft
built on the South end. I told
him that I would start on it next
thursday morning, am to get
$2.50 per day.
10\26\1898 (Wednesday)
Worked repairing the harness
till ten o'clock, then hitched up
and went to town, it raining.
Stopped at the Mattatuck Mfg
Co on my way, Went first to
Holmes & Parsons bank, and got the
check that Miles Paynes gave me
cashed 9.72, then went to Tracy
Bros to see about trading some
hard wood lumber for some shealk-
ing, then to the Chas Flacker Co
and bought some elboes, and nipples
for 1/2 iron pipe to rep Mother
Pierponts watering trough with .25
thence to Jones & Morgans and
bought two pairs of overalls and
jumpers for which I paid 1.90. thence
to Miller & Pecks and bought
1 yd of elastic for .05 from thence
to D. L. Dickinson's and got a bag
of oats for 1.15 then home where I arrived
at 12.30 o'clock, worked about home in
the afternoon cleaning and repairing
my harness.
10\27\1898 (Thursday) [[Wednesday]]
Went to work today for William
Purdy at the Pratt place on East
Mountain, Worked 9 hours, chopping
down trees and drawing the logs
down to the barn for the sills etc.
Received a letter to day from Mr
D. G. Porter, asking me to return
a old mowing machine that I
borrowed of him in 18 but which
Miss Girtrude Bradley who acted
as his agent while he was in
Europe wished me to take for
pay for services I did in saving
the shade trees in front of Mr
Porters house from being cut
by the Waterbury Traction
Co, who were agitating extend-
ing their line past his house,
The trees are in the highway.
We recived news today that
Clarance Gaylord Davenport son of
the Rev Dr John G Davenport of the
Second Congregational Church in
this City, died of typhoid fever yesterday at Porto
Rico, near Panci, [[yesterday]]. He was
a member of Co.C. First United
States VOlunteer engineers.
He was 30 years old the 21st day of
last April, He joined the Second
church in 1884 {written over 3}, the same day that
my wife and I did.
10\28\1898 (Friday)
Yesterday and today the weather
has been clear and fine.
Worked hueing timber for
Wm Purdy nine hours, this
is the first hueing that I have
done in years.
{writing large--hands sore!}
10\29\1898 (Saturday)
Cloudy all day, hued nine
hours, Wm Purdy paid me
$6.75 for the last 3 days work.
Earnest Robinson had a daughter born
to day, their second child.
10\30\1898 (Sunday)
Stayed with Major Tucker last
night, Read in Barbers History
of Conn all the forenoon, and went
to the Chapel this afternoon,
Dr Anderson was to have preach-
ed, but Earnest Robinson who
went after him could not find
him, so Hiram Able lead the
meeting which was one of
praise and song, and was very
interesting.
In the evening Agness Able took
my horse and two seated wagon and
carried Mrs Bryan (who lives in
Watertown) to the City.
10\31\1898 (Monday)
Worked hueing timber for Wm
Purdy 9 hours to day
11\01\1898 (Tuesday)
Went to East Mountain and
hued timber for Wm Purdy
Mr Frank Thompkins moved
from the Pratt place on East Moun-
tain to the tenement over Spenser
Pierponts store on East Main St.
Milan Northrop called today to
get me to build a ice house for
him.
11\02\1898 (Wednesday)
Worked for Wm Purdy 9 hours to
day. Went to the Chapel this
evening to the first supper of
the season given by the ladies
Union, they made about $9.00
Wm Clark began working for Purdy
11\03\1898 (Thursday)
Worked for Wm Purdy 9 hours
Went to the Grange this evening
11\04\1898 (Friday)
This day I worked framing
timber for Wm Purdy.
11\05\1898 (Saturday)
Worked for Wm Purdy.
Todays paper said that they would
have trains running on the
Middletown Meriden and Water-
bury Rail Road by Thanksgiving
probably. the road has laid idle
for the two or three years.
11\06\1898 (Sunday) [[Oct]]
This morning was very rainy, had
breakfast at 8.30 o'clock of bacon and fried
oysters, after which I read the papers
awhile, when Morris Alcott came
to see if I would get a minister for
the Chapel next Sunday,
Then I put a lock and hinges on
an old tool chest that used to
belong to Grandfather Somers
which Uncle Joe gave me, and
which I intend to use,
Called on Hiram Able this even-
ing to see about letting him
take my horse to draw sand
with Tuesday.
Went to see Mr Tucker in the
evening, He returned from New
York last Friday afternoon,
While there he saw Mr ----- agent
for the Judd Co. who purchases the
nails made by the Mattatuck Co.
He says that the Mattatuck Co has
got to bust before long, and I hope
it will,
The Rev Mr Parry preached at the
Chapel this afternoon.
11\07\1898 (Monday) [[Oct]]
Worked for Wm Purdy 9 hours.
Went to Charles Cass this evening to
see if he would be Grandpa in
the entertainment to be given
at Grange Hall the evening
after Thanksgiving.
{margin: 2.25} "He Said he would."
11\08\1898 (Tuesday) [[Oct]]
This morning after breakfat
I went to the Armory and voted
for the candidates who were nom-
inated on the Republican tacket,
George E Lounsbury for Govern-
or, also voted for Lieutenant Governor,
Congressman, State Senetor, Representitaves
Justices of the Peace, County Sheriff etc,
Then went to work for Wm Purdy at
{margin: 1.75} the Pratt place. Worked from 9 to 5 o'clock
Went up to Mr Garrigus this evening.
11\09\1898 (Wednesday) [[Oct]]
Worked at Purdys this day 9 hours,
We learned that Lounsbury was
elected Governor of Connecticut at
yesterday election, Durant and
Brett were elected Representatives
over Cowell and O'Niel, Warren
Hall was defeated, and Kennedy
of Naugatuck was elected State
{2.25} Senetor, It snowed a little this
forenoon, the first of the season.
11\10\1898 (Thursday)
This morning it looked like rain
and I did not go to work.
I hitched into the big wagon and went
down to my shop and drew up
three loads of wood when it rained
so hard that I had to stop, after getting
wet through, spent the rest of the
day in putting things to rights
{00} about home.
11\11\1898 (Friday)
It has been very cold and windy
today. Worked for William Purdy
9 hours. Charlie Hotchkiss and George
{2.25} Cass, with Irving and myself practiced
drumming this evening.
11\12\1898 (Saturday)
The weather has been fine today.
Worked for Wm Purdy nine hours;
He paid me $13.50 which paid me
{2.25} up to last Saturday night the 5th.
Charlie Hotchkiss and George Cass
{10.75} came this evening and we worked
repairing drums.
11\13\1898 (Sunday)
Did not sleep much last night owing
to a hard cold, and to Pierpont who
had the croup, after a breakfast
of stewed oysters, I set a number
of window glass and did other odd
jobs, in the afternoon went to the Chapel
and heard the Rev Joseph Anderson preach
a notice of a meeting of the Ladies Union
was read, to be held next Wednesday
afternoon from 1.30 to 5 o'clock for work,
supper is to be omitted.
After supper went to see Mr Tucker,
staid till nine o'clock and came home
in the rain. The weather had been
fine up to this time.
11\14\1898 (Monday)
This morning at about 5 o'clock
Margaret told us to look out
of the West windows and see the
fire, the sky in the direction of
the City beyond Abrigador
hill was all aglow and at times
a blaze could be seen leaping up.
It proved to be the barn of Mr Hot-
chkiss on West Side hill.
I worked for Mr Purdy 9 hours today.
11\15\1898 (Tuesday)
Worked on East Mountain for Mr Purdy
today putting up the fraim for the
{2.25} new barn addittion and began cover-
ing it, was there from 7 to 5.
This morning Marice Reid awoke
and thought that it was daylight
on looking at the clock he saw that
it was two o'clock, and on looking
out the door saw that his barn was
on fire, it burned to the ground,
and two horses and two young
cattle were also burned, the cause
of the fire was unknown.
Clarance Davenport, son of
Rev John Davenport, of the Second
Congregational Church, was buried
this afternoon, with military
honors, the body arived from
Portorico where he died of the
typhoid fever, last friday.
Rev Joseph Anderson ^of this City and Rev Mr
Foster of Boston preached the funeral
sermons, in the Second Congregation-
al Church, which was filled to over-
flowing. Clarance was a member of
the 1st U.S. Regt, of engineers, and
is the second souldier who went
from Waterbury and died in this
war with Spain.
11\16\1898 (Wednesday)
Worked on East Mountain for Wm
Purdy 9 hours putting on covering.
The Grange Fair opened tonight
{2.25} the attendence was rather small consider-
ing the number of tickets sold.
11\17\1898 (Thursday)
Arose this morning at 5.30 o'clock,
fed the horse 2 quarts of cracked corn
and 2 of oats and a forkful of hay.
Ate breakfast of Codfish balls after
which I did odd jobs till 9 o'clock (it
raining quite hard,) when I got
ready and started for town
stoped at my shop and shut down a
window which the boys left open last
saturday when they took the stoves out,
carried the milk to Fathers, and stoped
there a while, then went to take the
trolley car at Silver Street, road
to the center, for which Mr Tucker
paid 5 cts. We got on at Silver street
and paid both of our fares,
First I went to George Minors
Shoe Store and bought a pair of
articks for which I paid $1.50 thence
to Miller & Pecks dry good store
and bought one skein of carpet
thread for .05 cts, thence 5to Mr
Roberts the truss maker and had
him repair my truss so it
would hold my rputure better,
which took till noon, Paid 1.50, thence to
Hotchkiss and Templetons hard
ware store and bought a steel
nail hammer for which I paid .60
cts thence to Dr Barbers office
and ordered him to come to
our house in the afternoon to
see little Raymond who is sick
with the croup.
{margin, other handwriting: I remember how
strange Ray looked in his white dress.}
Rode out on the trolley car and got
home at 12.30 had dinner of boiled
long clams, after which I choped
wood for a spell when the Doctor
came, He found that Raymond
was very sick with the Laringetis
and thought that he must have
the best of care.
He wrote out a prescription and
I wrode to town with him to
have it put up, Went to H. W.
Lakes, and got the medicine, while
it was being put up I went to
Currens drygood store and got
two Shaker nightgowns for
which I paid .50 cts, called at
Lakes and got the medicine for
which I paid .30 cts, rode home
with Charlie Brown, on Pierponts
Brothers heavy two horse team,
Charlie Hotchkiss and George
Cass came in the afternoon and we
made arrangements for the enter-
tainment at Grange Hall the evening
after Thanksgiving, after they went
Irving and I did the chores and
we ate supper of Bread, cake, cold
clams etc, after which I gave my
attention to Raymond till 11 o'clock
when I went to bed. Mary was to
call me when she got tired, but
did not and I slept till morning.
11\18\1898 (Friday)
It rained very hard this morning
and I did not go to work. Irving and
I went to the shop and got a load
of tools lumber etc, and brought home.
The doctor called at about 10 o'clock,
and found Raymond about the
same as he was yesterday. Went
to work at noon and worked till
{1.00} 5 o'clock, at Purdys, Wm Purdy
paid me off for last weeks work
10.75 came down to the Brass Mill
and brought Father home when I came.
When I got home I found Ramond
very sick it began raining at about
$6.30 and rained hard all the night
I stayed up all night and attended
to Raymond.
11\19\1898 (Saturday)
It has rained hard all day, Worked
about home, there is a slight improve-
ment in Raymonds health,
In the evening we went to Grange
Hall to a rehersal for the entertainment
next Friday evening. Those who are
to take part in it are Charlie Cass {diff. hand: Grampa},
Mrs Adelbert Hitchcock, George
Cass, Henry Cass, Charles Hotchkiss,
Willie Garrigus, Arthur Pierpont, Harry
Kilbourn, Joe Hucy, Bessie Garrigus,
Annie Garrigus, Minnie Garrigus,
Margaret Miller, Clara French,
Bertha French, and Ida Spender.
{other hand: I was the little girl who gave "Grandpa" his fife}
The entertainment was and old
Fashioned Thanksgiving supper,
We got home at about 10.30 went to bed at 11 o'clock.
Mary stayed up with Raymond.
11\20\1898 (Sunday)
Today the weather has been fine.
Went to the Chapel this afternoon and
listened to a sermon by Rev Mr Howell
of Simonsville, Called on Mr Tucker
this evening, stayed till nine o'clock.
He gave me some old shoes for the
children and some illustrated papers
of the Nations war ships, and heavy
guns. He intends to start in the
morning for New Boston Mass
where he intends to stay during
the winter.
((Monday)) 11\21\1898 (Monday)
Worked to day for Wm Purdy, 9
hours, The weather has been fair.
{2.25}
11\22\1898 (Tuesday) {2.25}
The weather has been fine today,
Worked for Wm Purdy 9 hours.
Had a rehersal at the Grange Hall this
evening.
Fifteen years ago this morning at 9 o'clock
I and my wife were married,
Bought a key of cider of Mr Bayley of East Moun-
tain for .60 cts 5 galls.
11\23\1898 (Wednesday) {2.25}
The weather has been nice to day
Worked for Purdy 9 hours.
11\24\1898 (Thursday)
This day is Thanksgiving. We got up a little
before 7 o'clock, and Irving did the chores
and Clyde and I went to drawing wood
from the shop. After drawing two loads
we had breakfast of stewed oysters,
after which we drew wood till 10 o'clock
after which we got ready and went
to Uncle Dwight Somers in Simons-
ville to the Somers family reunion.
Clyde and I walked, and Mary,
Irving, Margaret, Ruth, Pierpont,
and Raymond, wrode in the two
seated wagon. They set the table in the
Chapel, (Methodist) and 45 people sat down at
about two o'clock. There were nine absent.
The family consists of Uncle Dwight Somers
and Aunt Emogene, and cousins Robert
and Mary his wife, Joe and Lewis,
Father and Mother, and brother Frank and
wife Myself and wife, and children Clyde
Irving, Margaret, Ruth, Pierpont, and Raymond.
Uncle Joe Somers, and aunt Fan,
and Children, LIzzie, David and wife
Etta, Josie, Myra, (George not there) and
May,
Uncle Goldsmith and aunt Christine
and children, Jennie and husband
Charles Phillips, (Willie not there)
and Mary.
Uncle Ben and (wife not here)
Uncle Will and Aunt Ellen, and
(Fred not there)
Cousin Daivd Frisbie and wife
And cousin Frank and Burt,
Sister Mary and Roland Jenner, her
husband, and children, Louise and
[[Effel]] Ethol
and Sisters Cara and Iva,
There are Fifty four persons in all
but nine were absent. Uncle Dwight
was the older person aged 66 years and
my Raymond was the youngest, aged 3
years, after supper they had singing
and Recitations, after which Ice cream
was served, after which we retired to
Uncle Dwights house, and listened to
some fine singing by three young people
who were strangers to me, after which
we came home in the same manner
that we went. The snow lay on
the ground to the depths of two
inches, it having snowed all the
afternoon
11\25\1898 (Friday) {2.25}
Worked at Purdys 9 hours
11\26\1898 (Saturday) [[F]]
The weather this morning was rather
cold, but a little after noon it began
to snow and continued snowing
till night at six o'clock there lay
on the ground about three inches.
Went to work at Purdyes this morn-
ing we put the weather boards on the
barn, and shingled till the snow drove
us off at about 4 o'clock worked about
{2.12 1/2} 8 1/2 hours.
11\27\1898 (Sunday)
Awoke this morning to find the wind
blowing hard and the air full of snow
with great drifts on the ground.
We got up at about 8 o'clock and after
digging out the out bildings and
eating breakfast doing the chores etc,
Clyde Irving and I hitched the horse
into the old sled and went down to
Fathers with the milk, we found great
drifts but drove through them in
going there. From Fathers we went
to Ashtons corner and up the Meriden
road where we had to dig through
many of the drifts before we got
to the Chapel. We stoped at Charlie
Casses, and I told him that he
might take my bob sleigh to
peddle milk with, and he said
that he would come down with
me and get it. So we started home.
Steve Pardee* {diff hand: *milk peddler} accompying us and
Charlie was to come on with his
horse we reached John Frenches
and waited some time for Charlie.
When he came we started on
digging some of the time in the
drifts till we reached Mr Ables
when we left the road and went
through his yard and through
the fields to Mrs Doolittles
lower barn where we again
entered the road, and had a hard
time getting to my house, some
of the drifts being ten feet deep/
We went to my shop and got
the sleigh after which we came
home, the wind and snow still
blowing. This has been the
worst storm ever known in this
vicinity within the rememberence of
the older persons living, that has
occured in November, the snow has fallen
to the depth of two feet on the level.
We have heard a great deal of whistling
from factory whistles this forenoon the
cause of which we do not know.
Randolph and Clowes great roof of
their Rooling mill fell in at one o'clock
this morning from the weight of snow
on it. I have heard some of the old
people say that this roof was the first
iron truss and iron covered roof put
on in the United States, it was designed
for a four pitch roof, but was subsiquent-
ly changed for a gable roof, some had
fears years ago that it would not stand,
it was put on I think about 1860.
At the time that the roof was put on
Mr Thomas Payne who lived on
East Mountain was killed, His death
happened as follows,
His son Martain Payne had the
job of putting the roof on, and was
there at work, Mr Thomas wishing
to see him went to the building
and had just stepped inside the
door when a portion of the roof
gave way and let fall a lot of
lumber and iron which struck
Mr Payne killing him.
He and his wife had quarreled
that morning, and when he
started away she said she hoped
he might be brought home dead,
A few hours later as he was
brought into the house, she remark-
ed that, She was dam glad of it,
{diff hand: shame!!}
//temp end//
11\28\1898 (Monday)
This morning the snow is piled in
great drifts and the roads are everywhere
blacked, It reminds me of
the great storm of Mar 1888 when
it snowed from four o,clock{o,clack!} Sunday
night till the next Wednesday
forenoon, the snow lying at an
average depth of three and one
half feet and drifts were piled in
many places 12 and 14 fet high.
Out near Shelton Hitchcock
on the Meriden road there was
a drift higher thatn the tops of
the telegraph poles.
I thought that I would try and
make a pth through the Doolittle
road and was getting ready
when Hiram Able came and asked
me if I would help dig out the
road, I told him of my intentions{intentons!}
at which he seemed pleased.
We drove to the foot of the hill
by the book and began to dig,
and from thence it was continuous -
to the lower barn a distance
of nearly 1/4 of a mile and at one
place through a drift ten feet
deep. There was a clear place in
front of the Doolittle house but
at the upper barn a great drift
began and it was digging most
of the way to the brook near
John Frenches house, it took
till after four o'clock to get to Frenches
Clyde, Irving, Walter Garrigus,
Hiram Able, and myself in the
forenoon, and all but Walter
Garrigus in the afternoon.
After we were dug through I
gave Cla___{Clares?} and Bertha French,
a ride on the horse sled through
the drif_s{drifts?} to my house and my
wife go_{got?} on the sled and road back
to Mrs. Munsons, when we got home
it was quit_{quite?} _ark{dark?}.
{Notes in margin of text:
I remember this day -
We{he?} wore boy's pants - RMB
There was
no school
M.H.}
11\29\1898 (Tuesday)
This morning I started for work at
East Mountain on the horse sled,
But when I had crossed the long bridge
at the head of the Brass Mill pond I
found deep drifts all the way to
the Prospect road, and no track
beyond the Cass place.
Irving who was with me, went ahead
and picked out the best part of
the road and wallered{wallowed?} through the
drifts and I followed, we managed
to get through without digging,
and I got to work at 8 o'clock and
worked till five.
{Note in the margin at this line:
2.00}
Clyde and Irving came after _e{me?}
at five and we came home much
easier than we went over.
{Note in margin of text:
School this day.}
11\30\{1898} (Wednesday)
After breakfast this morning I
started for East Mountain on the
horse sled{slead!}, it was snowing very
hard, had quite a time getting{gettin!} through
the road that runs across the foot
of East Mountain, there was no one
there to help me and I did not work.
Came home{,?} and carried irving to school
going through the Doolittle road which
I have driven through six times to day
to keep it open, about 10 inches of
snow fell last night ant today.
Worked cutting wood most of the
time to day.
Wm Purdy paid me 6.00 this day.
12\01\1898 (Thursday)
Went to work for Mr. purdy this
morning, did not get there till 8.30
had a hard time getting through
the mountain road. Worked puttin_{putting?}
in the sleepers for the main floor.
Wm Clark did not come as he
had to open roads about the
town of Prospect, He being
first __lect man{Eelect man?}. This afternoon
a trin with two locomotived{lolomotives!} and
a snowplow pushed through the
Meriden Waterbury and Corm{?} River
Rail Road. They expect to start
regular trains running next monday.
Note in margin of text:
2.12 1/2 - crossed out
1.87 1/2
12\02\{1898} (Friday)
The weather today has been fine
for this time of year, Worked for
Purdy 8 1/2 hours laying barn floor
{Mathematical equation in margin of text}
12\03\{1898} (Saturday)
Went to work for Purdy this day.
Worked{Wokked!} 8 1/2 hr. On my way there I
met Willie Strong near the watering
trought and he asked me, Who anyon_{anyone?}
should see to buy a lot of in the Pine Grove
Cemetery and their cost etc, I afterwards
learnes{learned?} that Mr. Barnes little{liftle!} child died
this morning at 4 o clock this mornin_{morning?} of membrainous
{membrainaus!}
croup.
Mr. Barnes is Mr. Strong's
hired man, M
Mr. Hart worked with me to day
cutting and hauling{hawling1} sleepers for
the horse __rn{barn?} floor, we also hired{?}
eight of them.
When Clyde and I were coming
home tonight, as we were turning
the cor_er{corner?} by Mr. Casse_{Casses?} we
saw where _ome{some?} one{ane!} had been
tiped out of a sleigh. We learned
from George Cass who stoped the
horse{shorse!} that it was a Mrs. leonard
who lives on North Main Street
who was going to Hiram Able's
to see if she could hire a girl.
The horse ran all the way from
where Mr. _ass{Cass?} lives at the
corner of the Prospect road to
George Casses near the long bridge
at Ha___{Harpers?} ferry, and Mrs. Leonard
and her little girl ran after the horse
till she say{saw?} George Cass putting
the blanket on the horse through
the deep drifts most of{af!} the way
Miss Jennie Welton died
last night at about 8 o clock, the
particulars are as follows. She had been
to James Porter's to see about some sewing
to James Porter's to see about some sewing
and had started home with a bundle
of work. When just below my Father's
house Gus Painter who was going to
town with a horse and sleigh overtook
her as she was staggering about he
was trying to pass her When Will
Gillette came along and saw her and
told Painter that something was
the matter with her, she told them
her name and the number of the
hose she lived in on{an!} East Main
Street, they then took her in the
sleight and carried her home but she
died before they reached there
Charlie Hotchkiss is working for D. G. Porter
Arthur Blewitt having gone home on account
of his father's death. Purdy Paid me $10.00
Note in margin of text:
$10.00
12\04\1898 (Sunday)
The weather to day has been fair and
warm snow settled very much, it
began raining at about 3.30 and rained
hard when i went to bed.
Went to the Chapel this afternoon
{Next line difficult to read}
Mr. Parry Preached
The Chapel Committee approved the
bill of M_ss{Miss?} Bessie Garrigus of 15.00 as
organist{?} from May 1 to Dec 1, W also{We also?}
approved the bill of Dexter Northrop
for services as Janitor/janitor{?} of $10.00
When we came home we, mary, Irving
Margaret, Ruth Pierpont, Vernon{Vernom!}
Able, Florence{Fforence!} ABle and myself,
rode home on the horse sled.
12\05\{1898} (Monday)
It has been cloudy but has not stormed
to day, Worked for Purdy 9 hr.
Mr. Hart and Wm Clark worked
there, Hart and I hueing{?} and fitting
sleepers, and Clark making the cow
stables.
I suppose that the first trains run
on the Meriden, Middletown, and Waterbury
rail road to carry regular passengers.
Note in margin of text:
225
12\06\{1898} (Tuesday) {December is crossed out}
The weather to day has been fine for{fore!}
this time of year.
The first train that came in yesterday
morning __{on?} the new Meriden
Middletown and Waterbury Rail
Road brought three passengers, they
were Mort Pierpont, Howard and
Clerence{Clarance?} Worden, three school boys
who got on at East Farms.
Worked for Purdy 9 hr
Note in margin of text:
2.25
12\07\{1898} (Wednesday)
Weather to day has been fine.
Hiram Able had a son born to
him and his wife this morning
early.
Worked for William Purdy 9 hours.
Notes in margin of text:
2.25
Wilbur
12\08\{1898} (Thursday)
The weather to day ha been clear and
cool{coal!}. Worked for Purdy nine hours
Mother Pierpont is 70 years old to day.
Notes in margin of text:
2.25
Mathematical equation in margin of text
12\09\{1898} (Friday)
The weather to day has been Cool,
but clear most of the time.
Worked for Purdy 9 hours
Mary and I went to the Grange
this evening.
Note in margin of text:
2.25
12\10\{1898} (Saturday)
Worked for Wm Purdy 9 hours to day
Note in margin of text:
2.25
12\11\1898 (Sunday)
Went to ___{the?} Chapel and heard Mr.
Rafter of the Waterville Episcopal{Episcapal!} Church
preach. There was collected 2.21 which
I gave to Mr. Able.
12\12\{1898} (Monday)
It began snowing a little after
dinner and snowed all the afternoon
Worked for Wm Purdy 9 hours
He paid me today 11.00{?} which squares{squairs!}
us up to a w__k{week?} ago last Saturday night
12\13\1898 (Tuesday)
Got up at half past five, the weather was very
cool, built the two fires called Irving, fed
horse, and coon breakfast was ready
had pancakes, started for work at half
past six, drove to Purdy's on the horse{harse!}
cled, about one and one half inches
of snow fell during the night.
Wm Clark and I worked finishing
the horse stables.
Pierpont came at 11.38 with a letter
delivered by special delivery by the
post boy{bay!} from Mr. Tucker who is in
New Boston, Wanting me to see Fred
Brainard in Southington and have
him meet him in Winsted next
Thursday evening about the insurance{inshurance!}
on{an!} the old shear shop, I stoped work
at noon, drove home and after getting
[[Note in margin, presumably recording hours of work??
1.25 {Is this 1.00 crossed out and 1.25 written on top of it?}]]
warm, and eating dinner, started
for Soughington in my spindle buggy.
Went through east Farms and over
the mountains at Hitchcocks Pond_{Ponds?},
the riding was cold and rough some
of{af!} the way the old drifts were five
feet deep, went through marion, to
Mill dale{,?} _here{where?} I stoped at the brick
shop{shap!} at D_ckermans{Dickermans?} corner and inquired
for Brainard.
They d rected{directed?} me East across{acass!} the Quinnapiac{?}
River to Stillmans corner then
thru, North till I reach an abandoned
paper mill _hen{then?} go a little way and
turn to the right and go through the
lots to a little shop{,?} and I would find
him, I went as directed and found
him as directed, polishing bicicle{bycicle!}
wrenches, _{I?} told hime what I had come{came!}
for, and he said he would go.
I drove home as soon as possible reaching
there a li____{little?} after six very cold, the
themometer regirstng{in the 1935-38 manuscripts, usually
spelled regerstering} zero, at Nine
it was six below
The treaty of Peace between this
Country and Spain were signed at
Paris last Saturday evening at
8:45 o clock. The american signers
were, Judge William, R Day, Senator{Senetor!}
Crishman K{?} DAvis, Senator{Senetor!} Fry,
Mr. Reid{Reed?} and Senator{Senetor!} George Grey.
The Spanish signers were, Senor
Mortero, Rias, Senor. Abarzuza{Alarzuza?}, Senor
G__nica{Gurnica?}, Senor Vallauruti{?} and
General Cerero Saens.
[[There is a note in the margin of the text that indicates
the paragraph that begins with "The Spanish signers ..."
The note is the following:
Red ink in
Original
LLD 5/17/89 {probably 1989, when xeroxed]]
Each commissioner signed his
opponents{oponents!} treaty. Both were tied
with the Spanish and American
Colars
The treaty provides that Cuba is
to be relinquished from Spain,
and that Puerto Rico{Porto Rico!} and the Phillipine
Islands are to be ceded to
the United States. The U.S. are to
pay for the repatriation of the
Spanish troop_{troops?} from all the Colonies{Calanies?}.
The Spanish are to return
all prisoners held by them.
They are to retain all military stores
and munition of war in the Phillipines
and such ships as have not
been captured.
I think that in the long run
it would be better to have settled
some other way than by annexing
the Phillipines, The Nations of
the East are jealous of us, and
this act, wll{will?} add fuel to the
smouldering fire that is burning
which will some time break out
and cause more trouble than it
would if we had accepted a war
indemnity, or even forced them
to pay it.
12\14\1898 (Wednesday)
This morning the thermometer{themometer!} stood at
14 degrees below zero.
I got ready and went to town on the
trolley went first to the Waterbury
bank and had a twon order cashed
for 5.60 after which I went to the
central telephone station and telephones{teleplane_!}
Mr. Tucker at New Boston Mass that
Mr. Brainard and I would meet
him{?} at the Winchester hotel in
Winsted tomorrow afternoon for
which I paid 25{?} cts. went thence{?}
to the Select mans office and had my
Military tax ab__ted{?} on account of
disability{dishability!}, then came home, and ate
dinner and went to work at Purdys{?}
3 1/2 hr.
{Note in margin of text:
.88}
After supper went to th Chapel and
had another{?} supper for which I paid
10 cts, went over to the Grange Hall to
a poultry show, there were but few there
paid 15 cts admissions, came back to
the Chapel where the Entertainment
was going on Mr. Rolph Blakeslce{?}
was giving a Grapaphone Enterta_nueul{?}
which was the best I ever heard.
{New paragraph?}
They also had some fine singing.
Came home and arranged{arrainged!} a short
discourse which I intend to give at
the grange, and wrote this matter
which took till midnight.
12\15\{1898} (Thursday)
This morning after doing the
barn chores, and some other regular
work, I did up the horse's leg, which he
calked in going to Southington. Then
I had to hustle to get rady to go to
Winsted, to see Mr. Tucker and a lawyer
from Hartford, about the insurance
on the Old Shear Shop{?} which burned
Oct 19th 1896.
I took the trolley car at East Main
Street near Silver, and went to Waterville
where I arrived at 11 O'clock, paid
05 ct fare. At 11.10 took steam cars for{far!}
Tarrington, got there at 12. Went{Wen!} and got
shaved for which I paid 10 cts, at One
Oclock took th trolley cars for Winsted
where I arrived at about two
Oclock, got off at the Winchester
Hotel, met Mr. Tucker at the door,
Went across{acrass!} the street and met
Fred Brainard in __{?} restaurant{restaurent!},
waited there, while M_{Mr.?} Tucker went
to the Depot to meet his son Horace{Harace!}
who was coming from the Cheshire
Military Acadamy{Acadeniey!}. on a three weeks
vacation. Went to mr. Tuckers
room in the Winchester and waiter for
Mr. Fullter{?} to come from Hartford. He arrived
at a little after four, and Mr. Branard{?} told
him all about the machinery{machnery!} in the old
shop which took till six when we went
to supper, in a spacious dining hall with
a fine tile floor, a big Nigger sat the chair
under me to sit down in and gave me lots
of attention, as he did the rest, I hardly
thought this necessary on my part, for
I am only too glad to sit down without
help if I can{cam!} get what is good to eat.
First they brought on beefsteak and browned
potatoes and onions, biscuits{buiscuits!} and butter
coffee, next eggs and{an!} toast after cleaning
most of the dishes o__{off?}, brought on other
courses{carses!}, the most of which I have now
forgotten, the last was, clear glass
bowls{bowles!} _ith{with?} a little water in the
bottom, served on china plates, for
each of us. I wondered what these
were, but soon saw Mr. Tullere{?} dip
his fingers in his bowl and wipe
them on his napkin{knapkin!}, I did not follow
his example as I had not practiced
and feared I might be awkward.
After supper we went to Mr. Tuckers
room and and{written twice} talked awhile{a whill!}, after
which Mr. Tuller{?} and Tucker went
to find a typewriter{typewritter!} to copy{coppy!} off
his short hand, and Fred Brainard{?}
and I took a walk out to
West Winsted.
After we returned, mr. Brainard
and Fuller{?} went to their rooms, and
Mr. Tucker and I staid together{to gather!}.
{new paragraph?}
We took a bath and went to bed.
12\16\1898 (Friday)
Got up about Seven, Mr. Fuller
Mr. Tucker and I had breakfast, Horace{Harace!}
also, together{togather!}. Mr. Brainard had
ate before us and had taken an
early train for home, after breakfast
I read over the testimony which I
had given Mr. Fuller the evening before
and which he had written out, after which
Mr. Tucker and Fuller went to the barroom{?}
and got a drink, as I have never tasted{taisted!}
any drink stronger than cider I did
not go, Mr. Fuller, Horace{Harice!}, and I, drove
up to the Solders{Souldiers!} monument, where
we had a fine view of Winsted and
the adjoining country. The monument
is a fine one, and the location grand.
After we returned to the Hotel it was
nearly time for my train, so I left
the rest of the party and went to the
Naugatuck depot where I bought my
ticket for Waterbury for which I paid
75 cts, took the cars and in due time
reached Waterbury, where I took the
trolley and arrived{arived!} home at noon.
AFter dinner drew wood from
the shop which was portions{partions?} of
the ld burned shear factory.
{New paragraph?}
In the evening went to the Grang
Mrs. Weeks died Wednesday in
Wolcott, aged 78, she lived on{one?} mile
South of the Center, at the foot of
the hill near the Fair grounds.
Julinia Hall of Woodtick fell from
a haymow in her barn yesterday
and fever{feaver!} has set in and now{nou!} she
is very sick.
12\17\1898 (Saturday)
Went to work this morning
for wm Purdy, worked 9 hours.
Mr. Larmon Johnson{?} died this
morning in the 93rd year of her age,
She lived the third house East of here
on the south side of the road.
{Note in margin of text:
2.25}
This evening went to see Hiram
Able and paid _im{him?} $1.60 which I
received{recived!} from the Town for his pay
for helping to dig out the Doolittle
road, after the Great storm, Agness{?}
wished me to clean and repair her
melodian, and I went at it and
did not get through till after 11,o'clock
12\18\{1898} (Sunday)
The weather to day has been fine.
Went to Chapel this afternoon, Mr.
Bassett of the Farm Street Methodist
Church preached. Collected 2.21 which
I carried and gave to Agness to give
t_{to!} her father Hiram Able.
{Note in the margin of text:
Chapel}
12\19\{1898} (Monday)
Worked for Wm Purcy this day,
9 hours, the Weather has been fine
but it looks{tooks!} like storm tonight.
Mrs. Johnson was buried this
afternoon from Mill Plain Chapel
The Rev M {blank space in text} officiated and Edward
Welton{?}, Wilson{Wilsan!} Pierpont, John French,
and Charles Monroe{?} were Pall bearers.
{Notes in margin of text:
2.25
Chapel}
12\20\{1898} (Tuesday)
It was very stormy this day, did not
go to work till 8 O,clock.
{Note in margin of text:
2.00}
12\21\{1898} (Wednesday)
Wormed for Wm Purdy on his barns
8 1/2 hours to day.
{Note in margin of text:
2.12 1/2}
There was an entertainment given
in the Grange Hall at Prospect this
evening, entitled "the Comrades"
{new paragraph?}
This morning when I went to work
this morning I saw George Cass and
he wanted to go and have all go
that could, so when I got home
this evening I fixed two seats
on the old _ring{pring?} and sent Clyde{Clyd!}
to see if Agness Able{?} would go
with us, She would, Mary,
Clyde, Agness and Myself went
on the pring, Charlie Hotchkiss
took Bertha French, Arthur
Pierpont took Bessie Garrigus
and George Cass did not go,
He had to work getting ice for the
Mill Plain Ice Co.
We had a good time and the
play was nice, the attendance{attendence!}
filled the hall.
About Prospect Center the trees
were heavily{heavly!} ladened with ice, got home
and went to bed at one Oclock.
12\22\{1898} (Thursday)
Spent this forenoon in cutting pices
of printed matter from a pile of news
papers I have saved and pasting{paisting!} them
in my scrap book
Went to work a_{at?} Purdys at noon
and worked four hours
{Note in margin of text:
1.00}
Went to the Grange this evening,
had election of Officer.
{New paragraph?}
The following were elected
Master Arden H Coe,
Overseer John Gallagher,
Lecturer Arthur Pierpont
Treasurer John R S Tood{?},
Chaplain David G Porter{?},
Steward Harry Coe,
Assistant Steward Adelbert Hitchcock
Secretary Anna Hale
Cerics Girtrude Bradley
{next line is difficult to read}
Pomana{?} Mr. John Gallagher{?}
Flora, Mrs. Thomas Fairclough.
Outside Gatekeeper Joe Huey
Lady assistant Steward Edith
Pierpont
Executive Committe John Gallagher{?}
It rained very hard when we came home
at midnight
12\23\{1898} (Friday)
Did not get up this morning
till Seven Oclock, and went to
work at 9 worked throught the
noon hour till 5 O'clock, came
home and ate dinner and Supper
together{togather!}. Charlie Hotchkiss came
over druymming and Irving{?} and
I took our drums and we marched
to John Frenches it being very
hard marching over the snow
drifts and rough road.
Came{word difficult to read} home at eleven.
{Note in margin of text:
2.25}
12\24\{1898} (Saturday)
Worked about home all day, began
digging for the foundation of my new
blacksmith shop down near the brook
{New paragraph?}
In the evening George Cass came
and we set his drum head.
12\25\{1898} (Sunday)
This is Christmas day the Children
were up early and had a happy time
taking the presents from their stockings{?}
Went to the Chapel this afternoon
the REv Mr{?} Davenport preached
{new paragraph?}
Brother Fred was there with his
wife having come{came!} from Detroit
yesterday, he was noticed quite a
little on{an!} account of his fine bass
singing.
12\26\{1898} (Monday)
This day hs been observed as
Christmas. All of the Miller FAmily
met at Fathers there were 22 who sat
down to dinner.
In the evening we had a tree which
was much enjoyed by the children
12\27\1898 (Tuesday)
The weather has been fair to day
but rather cold. This evening Mary
Irving{Iirving!} Agness Able and Myself went
to Woodtick to an entertainment
which was given in the Chapel there
{new paragraph?}
Had a fine time, reached house
and went to bed at 11 Oclock.
Wm Purdy Paid Clyde 2.50 on account{accout!}
{next line difficult to read}
for me.
{Note in margin of text, difficult to read:
2.50{?}}
12\28\1898 (Wednesday)
The weather to day has been very
cold, worked most of the day digging
for the foundation of my Blacksmith
shop. This evening went to the Chapel
to the supper given by the Ladies{Laidies!}
Union, mary and all of the children
attended, and had supper there.
12\29\{1898} (Thursday)
Worked to day 7 hours on the watertrough{watertraugh?}
at east farms repairing the pipes.
12\30\1898 (Friday)
To day Clyde, Irving and I worked 7
hours on the watering trough at East
Farms. 14 hours @{?} .25=3.50 Material .50=4.00
12\31\1898 (Saturday)
Arose this morning at SEven O'clock
it being cloudy was quite dark, did
the barn chores before breakfast, ate
breakfast of boiled beef and potatoes
at eight the{then?} cut fire wood till about
10.30 when we set about making a
forge to shoe the horse with in the new
building, we took a barrel and sowed
off the top end down about 6 inches
then filled it with sand to within
6 inches of the top and set in a ducks
nest tuyer{tire?} iron with the pipe
projecting through the bunghole
of the barrell, then attached a
Roots Rotery{Rotary?} blower, had it nearly
completed at dinner time, at dinner
at 12 of. Beef pie and clam chowder,
and rice pudding{,? text hard to read} after dinner finished
the forge and sharpened the horse
by which time it was hailing and
snowing quite hard. Clyde, F Pierpan_{Pierpont?}
and I went to town to get some groceries
First went to my shop after a maple plank
but had to move so much lumber to get
it that we could wait no longer, So we
went to the Waterbury Lumber Co
to see if I could sell them a lot of plank
thence to the City Lumber & Coal Co
but could not sell an_{any?},{?} so we went to
the City Fish Market where we bought
a pint of opened oysters for 15 cts and some
crackers for .08{08?} cts per pound, thence to
Heaters Grocery store where we bought
several bundles of groceries, thence
to Spencer & Pierponts feed store and
bought a bag of meal for .95 cts and then
home, Irving and I did the chores, then
had supper of stewed oysters, after which
I picked the feathers off a duck, and then
read in 4th vol, of Washington Irvings life
of Washington. This is the last day
of the year, on looking back twelve
months I recall many reverses, but
hope the next year will prove more prosperous.
01\01\1899 (Sunday)
New years day
Commenced the year by getting up
at half past eight, the weather being
very cold and snow still falling.
Built the two fires and then, Clyde,
Irving, and myself dug out the
paths and did the chores, after which
we ate breakfast of baked beans,
after which we hitched the horse in
the sled{slead!} and the Boys and I drove to
Munsons corner and back to make
a path, after that I set a steel trap in
a shallow box of bran in the cellar under
the potato bin for rats, and in a little
while caught{cought!} one. Then got ready and
Ruth, Pierpont, and Margaret went
to Sunday school{written as 1 word}, and Mary and I
went to the service. Mr. Parry
preached, there were but thirty
four present, there are settings{sittings?} for
about One Hundred and forty in
the Chapel. Mary rode home with
Mr. Worden{?}, and I walked home, by
way of the Doolittle road, gave Agness
Able $1.00 which was collected to give
to her father, as we came by
her house she looked at the thermometer{thermameter!}
and it stood 8 degrees above zero
when I got home mine{myne!} was at zero
it is now 7 below at half past eight.
01\02\1899 (Monday)
At seven o'clock the thermometer{thermameter!} stood at
20 degrees below zero. After breakfast of
baked duck, we run the washing machine
after which I measured the height{hight!} of all
the children, Raymand{?} was 3 ft 3 1/2 in
tall Frank Pierpont, 3' 9", Ruth 4' 3"
Margaret 4' 6", Irving 4' 9", and Clyde
5' 7" inches, they have all grown over
two inches since last new years.
Went down to the shop and got out some
plank to have some sled runners{?} sawed
out of, and brought home a load of
fire wood, Mary and Clyde went
to town this afternoon to get some
clothes for Clyde to wear to school
tomorrow, Irving and I dug a ditch
down in the swamp, after{aftere!} which we did
the chores Clyde and mary coming in
the meantime, and had supper of hasty{?}
pudding and molasses, after{aftere!} which I
made some molasses candy.
At twelve o'clock yesterday{yester day?} the United
States flag was unfurled over Cuba
It now floats over the wreck of the
Battle ship Maines.
01\03\1899 (Tuesday)
Went to East Mountain this forenoon
to see Miles Payne{text difficult to read} about some
work he wanted me to do. In the afternoon
repaired a wolf roab{?}, Wilson Pierpont
called and wanted me to put a draw{drow?}
bar in his horse sled, I went to work
at it and had it finished before work {???}
night, for which I charged 90 cts
01\04\{1899} (Wednesday)
Went to work in the dark this morning{?}
for Thomas M Paynes{?}
Worked _ll{till?} noon when I had to stop
on account of the rain.
{note in margin of text:
5 hr}
01\05\{1899} (Thursday)
This day the ground has been very
wet, worked about home all day.
{New paragraph?}
Figured up and found that I
had done Eighty nine dollars and
ninety eight cents worth of work
for William Purdy on his ba_n{barn?} of
which he owed me 27.24 now.
Mary and Irving went to
town this afternoon in the spindle
buckboard. Mary and I went
to the Grange{Grandge?} this evening, there
were but few there about 18
{New paragraph?}
Chas Cass is very sick with
appendicitis{a pendicitas!} his wife is also sick
as is Arthur Pierpont and many
others, with the Grip.
01\06\1899 (Friday)
It has rained most of the day
and at the present is raining hard.
I have staid a{at?} home, and worked
at odd jobs. The whole family is
sick more or less with the grip.
01\07\{1899} (Saturday)
Everything was frozen up this morning
the weather having grown cold during
the night.
After doing the chores Clyde and I went
to town I to the Barbers shop and had my
hair cut and was shaved for which I
paid 30 cts.{.?} Clyde bought oysters and
crackers, also went to the Apothacaries
hall and bought a little vaseline{vasalene!} bottle
full of shellack{?} for which he paid 20 cts,
came home and hitched into the
horse sled, and carried Mrs. Hesplelts{?}
sewing machine home which I had
repaired. Went by way of the Meriden
road and stoped and saw Charlie
Cass. He is a little better, his wife
Tracy is also sick with a complication
of diseases{deseases!} in the same bed
with him, she is better also.
After leaving the sewingmachine{1 word?}
went to my old shop and drew
a sled load of bolts home, got stuck
at the foot of the hill and had to
unload part of them, and go back
and get them. Drew another load
this afternoon. Fred and Addie lef_{left?}
for Detroit this forenoon at 10.50 expect
to reach there at noon tomorrow.
Mary is sick with the Grip and it is
hard for her to get around.
01\08\{1899} (Sunday)
Staid home all day, except that I
went to he Chapel and heard Rev
Mr Rafter preach.
{new paragraph?}
There was collected $1.20
Wrote a letter to Mr. Tucker at
New Boston Mass.
01\09\{1899} (Monday)
Worked to day 9 hours for Miles
Paynew on East Mountain, at
making new doors{doars!}, and rep{?} doors
for his blacksmith shop.
{note in margin of text:
1.80}
Wm Purdy Paid me 7.50
{new paragraph?}
The Hall Upson Co began cutting
ice with 20 men and 9 horses on the Brass
Mill pond this morning. When I came
home tonight they had cut over an
acre of ice and got it in. The stearn{? word difficult to read}
incline draws the ice into the houses
very fast.
01\10\1899 (Tuesday) {1898 was written as the year}
Got up this morning at 5 o'clock.
The weather being quite cool,
went to work for Thomas Miles Payne
on East Mountain repairing his
Blacksmith shop. Went to painting
it at 3 O'clock, but the weather was
so cold that I stoped at 4, working
8 1/2 hr. I helped{helpt!} build the shop 19 years
ago, and I remember that William
Pratt{?} the ownder said quite a little
about painting it right away. Little
did I think than that I would be
painting it for the first time now.
{note in margin of text:
1.70}
When I got home the Thermometer{Themometer!}
was at zero. I was very cold and
glad to get by the fire. By
appointment Robert Worden
Morris Alcott and myself
were to go to see <_{Mr.?} Parry of
the First Baptist{Baptis!} church on Grand
Street, about giving a lecture
at the Chapel. I did not think
that they would come on account
of the cold. But at 6.30 Mr. Worden
came from the East and Mr.
Alcott from the North. I was
just changing{chainging!} my clothes, as
the Committee of the Ladies{Lades!}
Union were to meet here tonight.
Was ready in a few minutes
and we drove to town in Mr.
Wordens{wordens!} carriage; the horse traveled
very fast, and I got very cold.
Put the horse in Nortons.{.?} Livery
stable, and we went to Dr. Parrys
house on North Willow street.
Found him in and he very pleantly{pleasantly?}
arranged to give a lecture and
stereoptican entertainment{entertainmint!} at
the Chapel some future time. The
State Grange are holding their meeting
now in Waterbury in the City Hall
it opens todya and continues till
Thursday{?} afternoon.
Came home and found Mrs. Worden
Mrs. Alcott, Mrs. Thoedore Munson,
and Agness Able making arrangements
to give the Chapel Fair the
8th{8the!} and 9th of next month.
They staid till 10 o'clock when
they started fo_{for? home? word is smudged}, Clyde carried
Mr. and Mrs. Alcott home in the
buggy, it being very cold 4 below
zero.
01\11\{1899} (Wednesday)
Staid home all day, and in the house
most of the time as it was too{to!} cold for
me, the thermometer{thernometer!} has been below{blow!}
the freezing point all day.
Dr. Axtelle called to see James Porter
who had the barn door fall on him
and hurt his side. Mary, Clyde, and
Irving have gone to the Chapel to the supper{scupper!}
01\12\{1899} (Thursday)
This morning it was very cold and I
did not go to work for Miles Payne till
10.30 worked painting his shop, 5 1/2 hr
{Note in margin of text:
1.10}
Drove home and found a letter from
Father wanting me to come down and
see him before he went down town to night
{new paragraph?}
Went and saw him.
He told me that he thought he knew
that I could get work at Rogers Bro's
at Blacksmith and carpenter work
Mary and I went to the Grange{Grang!} and saw
___{the? word difficult to read} installation of Officers, came home
at 12.30 and went to bed.
01\13\{1899} (Friday)
Did not go to work this morning as
it rained and froze, worked about
home all day.
01\14\{1899} (Saturday)
Did not get up till seven o'clock this
morning as I did not expect{?} to go
to work as it was raining hard.
{new paragraph?}
Soon after I was up, T{F?} Miles Payne drove
into the yard and wanted me to help
him today. I told him that I would
and he went{wen!} to town, and I ate my
breakfast, then Clyde carried me
up the mountain, I went to work
on a buggy that ws{was?} there pretty well
smashed.
It seem that Henry Pullen who
lives at Prospect center and works
at the Mattatuck shop, started for
work this morning{mornind!} with his two
daughters{doughters!}, but when they got to the
top of the hill by the City Reservoir
the front axle broke and started the
colt which he was driving on a dead
run, In going down the hill the
girls were thrown out and soon
after mr. Pullen let go the horse
and was thrown to one side of the
road, one{ane!} of the girls had her legs
skinned some and all{?} were bruised{?}{,?}
the horse had a bad cut on the hind
leg, The horse continued on down
the mountain and ran into Mr.
Micacks{?} team and threw him
and a man that was with him out
hurting the man that was with
Mr. Mycack, in the shoulder{shouldier!},
The horse ran to the watering trough
down the mountain where he ran
into a barbed wire fence and got
entangeled and they caught him there.
Mr. Payne and I repaired the
two buggys{buggyes!} which were pretty{prety!} well
smashed.
Yesterday William Gillette
went to Prospect to investigate the
case of Mattie Woods a colored girl.
It seems that a neighbor of Grant
Wheeler, who lives at Gilletts Corner{?}
whill{while?} passing his house, day before
yesterday, was attracted by a colored{colosed!}
girl waving{waiving!} her hand at the garrett
window. She informed him that
she was locked in the garrett and
was very cold, that the Wheelers were
in the habit of locking her up
there every time they went away.
{new paragraph?}
The neighbor came to town and notified
Constable William Gillette who is also a
humane officer, and yesterday he went
out to investigate. In the mean time the
girl had escaped from the attic and found
shelter at a neighbors{neighbars?} that night and
the next morning he took her to David
B. Hotchkiss'who is a justice-of-the-peace.
There{Ther!} Constable{Constible!} Gillette and Sheriff
Rigney{?} found her. Mr. Hotchkiss asked
them if they wanted to see her as she
was then, or as she was when she came
there. They wanted to s_e{see?} her as she came,
So the Women fixed her up in the same
duds he had on{an!}, an old wornout mans
shirt with{witte!} only sleve{?}, a dress made{maid!}
of two old oat bags sewn{sewned!} together{togather!},
a pair of stockings without any feet
and a pair of worn mens shoes with
out laisings/lassings{lacings?}, she had no underclothing,
{new paragraph?}
Mattie Woods is 19 years old, and has
been with the Wheelers three years.
{new paragraph?}
Her parents are dead and she was
obtained{abtained!} through a New York agency{ggency!}
from the south.
For the last three weeks she has been
obliged{obiged!} to sleep in the garrett without
bed or clothin of any account, and on
New Years night when the thermometer{themometer!}
was 20 degrees below zero she froze{frove!} her
hands. She has not been{ben!} allowed to go
out of doors except to do errands about the
farm.
Mr. Gillette notifed State agent Thrall{?}
of the Connecticut Humane society
and he came here this morning and
and{written twice} warrants{warrents!} were sworn out for the
arrest of the Wheelers, charging them
with assault and cruelty{creuelty!}.
{new paragraph?}
Worked 7 1/2 hr Payne paid me 7.00
{note in margin of text:
1.50}
01\15\1899 (Sunday)
Went to th Chapel to day the Rev
Mr. Hannon{?} of the first M.E. Church
preached.
01\16\{1899} (Monday)
This day worked for _iles{Miles!} Payne on the
mountain painting his shop. 6 hr
{note in margin of text:
1.20}
01\17\{1899} (Tuesday)
Fine weather today.
Worked for Miles Payne painting his shop
7 1/2 hr
{note in margin of text}
1.50}
01\18\{1899} (Wednesday)
This morning the weather was clear and
old, most of the ground is bare, but in
some places ___{the?} remnants of old drifts
remain.
After doing the chores, (did not get up
till 7 o'clock) hitched up and started
for prospect to attend the trial of
Mr. Grant Wheeler and wife
defendant{defendent!}, and Mattie Wood
a colored girl 19 years of age Plaintiff
It was tried in the Town hall under
the Church, court{cort!} was called at 10.30.
Justice Anderson, of this city presided
and Judge Cowell _as{was?} for Mattie
and Judge Lowe for the defendant{defendent!}.
The charge was Cruelty and assault,
The case was brought by William Gillette
agent for the Connecticut humane society.
The witnesses for the state were, Mr.
and Mrs. John Marss{?}, Mr. George
Talmage Mr. Minor Blackman, Mr.
and Mrs. David B. Hotchkiss, Mr.
George Mass, Mr. Moses{Mases!} Chandler, Mr.
William Gillette.
Most of the witnesses tried to evade
the direct facts as they knew them,
on account of neighborly relations,
but all testified facts showing that
Mattie Woods was cruelly treated
by Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler.
When Mattie Wood took the stand
she recited a tale{tail!} the most harrowing
of anything I could imagine for
a country like this.
She had worked for the Wheelers
three years coming there April 1st{?}
1896{?}, came from 8 miles west of
Lynchburgh Va, worked 3 months
to pay for her car fare here and
then made an arrangement{arraingment!} with
Mrs. Wheeler by which she was to receive{recive!}
6 dollars a month after,
{new paragraph?}
The next spring as sh_{she!} water some little
chickens in a pan ___{one?} got in and was
drowned, for which she was horsewhippe_{horsewhipped?}
by Mr. Wheeler, afterward one{ane!} duck was
drowned in the same manner for which
she received{recived!} another horsewhipping.
The next Christmas day she was put
to digging a path from the house to
the road, and her hands getting very
cold she went into the house to war_{warm?}
them, for which she was struck with
a stick of wood and kiced{kicked?} out doors
again by Mr. Wheeler.
At another time she was bringing
in wood from the pile and putting
it into the barrel back of the stove
where she happened to upset a pa_{pan?}
of dough that was on a swing
shelf back of the stove, for which
she was struck with a stick of wood
by Mrs. Wheeler and cut upon the
head, which made her scream, and
Mr. Wheeler tied a towel over her
mouth for a gag.
Several times when she was left
alone in the house, Mrs. Wheeler locked{?}
her in the kitchen, tied the outside door
on the outside with a rope and locked
the door leading to the diningroom
with a key, nailed the windows down
and sprinkled flour{flower!} on the window
sills and tops to see if she disturbed
them{theme?}.
She ran away and went to town
but Mr. Wheeler came after her and
promised to pay her what was due
and a few days after gave her $8.00
but before night borrowed{barrowed!} it back
again, and in fact has never given
her any money since.
{new paragraph?}
Since she has been there she has had
$6.00{$16.00?} cash 1 dress which cost 1.00 one{ane!}
that cost 1.16 and Mrs. Wheeler{wheeler!} charged
1.00 each for making one pair of shoes
which cost{cast!} 1.00 one{ane!} pair which cost
1.50, one pair of stockings which cost
12 cts, one pair mittens which cost .25
two rappers{?}, and t__{two?} hats, the price of
which I have forgotten, and day before
yesterday Mr. Wheeler went to
Mr. Hotchkiss and force_{forced?} her to take
$15.50 and give him a rec_pt{receipt? recipt?} in full for
all wages due her.
At one time Mrs. Wheeler went to
Waterbury and l___{word is smudged} Mattie ironing and
when she returned said that she had
not{note!} done the ironing good and took
the teakettle{teakittle!} of boiling water from the
stove and poured{pored!} some of it _pon{upon?} her
bare feet.
At another time when she had been
up to George Talmages house and returned
Mr. Wheeler s_apped{snapped?} a revolver in
her fact to frighten her.
At another time she was sent up stairs
and Mr. Wheeler wne tup with the oxwhip
and whipped her till the blood flowed
freely.
As she was paring{pairing!} potatoes Mrs.
Wheeler said she was not paring{pairing!}
them thin enough and taking the
butcher knife from the table struck
at her, she raised her hand in
defense{defence!} and her finger met the
knife which cut a piece out of her
little finger, which was still sore
{new paragraph?}
Mrs. Wheeler even denied{denighed!} her the
privilege of winding a rag about
it.
She said that she had been whipped
5 times with the horse whip and three times
ith an ox whip.
She was allowed the food from
he same table that the family ate
for a spell at first after her food
was of a courser{corser!} kind and after
a time she was given course{corse!} meal
wetted{?} up in a little pail with water
and sent out into the back entry
to eat it.
At one time she asked for salt
and Mrs. Wheeler told her that they
only salted their cattle once a week
{new paragraph?}
Another, she was eating and Mrs.
Wheeler called her little girl and told her to see
the animal eat.
_ast{Last?} Christman The Wheelers has company
to dinner and had a bountiful supply of
vituals, and they gave her a little pail
full of oat meal wet up with water and
sent her up stairs __{to?} eat it. The meal
had been kept a long time and the rats
had nested in it, and it was so full of
rat leavings that she could only eat
about two spoonfuls{stoonfulls!}.
As she was washing a pan of turnip par____{parings?}
stood on{an!} a shelf in reach,{,?} and she reached
to get some to eat when Mr. Wheeler who
was coming in with an armful{armfull!} of
wood beat her over the head with a
stick of appletree.
She has been s_ut{shut?} _n{in?} the garrett
8 times all night since Christmas
{new paragraph?}
Mr. Wheeler taking her clothes from
her and giving her a_{an?} old lettered{lettered?} blue
skirt, there was _{a?} coff__{coffin?} in the garrett
but no bed an_{and?} ___{word smudged} old army overco_t
{overcost? overcoat?}
that was ther_{there? word smudged} which she used
Was taken from her, several nights
the thermometer{themometer!} was below zero,
and she froze her feet and fingers
in consciquence{consequence?}, which{whch!} are now
swollen and peeling{pealing!}.
For over an hour she told her story
on{an!} the direct examination,
and for an hour and one half
she withstood the most rigid cross
examination that I ever heard
and Judge Loure{?} failed to s_ake{shake?}
her testimony in the l_ast{least?}
It corresponded{carrosponded!} with the testimony{testomy!}
of the witnesses exactly.
The Wheelers live at Gilletts
Corner and ar_{are?} I should judge{Judg!judg!} about
30 years of age, they have one child
a little girl
They were bou_d{bound?} over to the
next turn of the Superior cort{court?}
under b_nds{bonds? bands?} of $1400.00 each, which
as furnished by, Byran Mass.
and Mr. Hunter of Naugatuck.
01\19\{1899} (Thursday)
Worked to day for Miles Payne pa__ting{painting? paniting!}
his shop and putting supports under the
floors. 5 1/2 hr
Mary and I went to the Grange
tonight.
{Note in margin on text:
1.10
_ll{all?} 10.90
_er{?} 7 00
________
3 90}
{the above note is difficult to read}
01\20\{1899} (Friday)
Worked 5 hr to day for Miles Payne
and finished painting his shop.
{new paragraph?}
The balance due was $4.90 he paid me
3.00 which left a balance of 1.90 now
due me. Wm Purdy paid me 5.00
{Note in margin of text:
1.00}
01\21\{1899} (Saturday)
Worked about home all day, the weather
fine. Drew 6 loads of wood from the
shop.
01\22\{1899} (Sunday)
Weather warm and nice, went to the
Chapel this afternoon, Dr. Davenport
preached.
01\23\{1899} (Monday)
The weather to day has been warm and
nice, worked about home. This morning_{morning? mornings?}
run the washing machine and then
blasted out rocks.
Went this evening and saw{sow!} Henry
Buckingham about getting work
at Rogers Bros factory.
{new paragraph?}
Then to Mr. Tuckers place and put
two{tuo?} bolts on doors, visited with Chas
Cass and family, and then came home.
01\24\{1899} (Tuesday)
The weather has been warm and
fair this forenoon, but it rained
this afternoon and harder in the
evening. Worked blasting rocks
this forenoon and putting an{?}
automatic feed on my drilling machin_{machine?}
this afternoon.
{new paragraph?}
Miss Minnie Norton the school
teacher, who is daughter to the late
Rufus Norton of Wolcott{Woolcott!} came and
staid here tonight.
01\25\{1899} (Wednesday) {Date written as 01\24\{1899} (Wednesday)}
During the Night there was a severe thunder{thruder!}
shower. The Lightning{Lightening!} was very sharp
and the thunder very loud and continued
a long{lang!} time
The Church in Prospect was struck and
all shattered so that it is not safe to go
into, some{same!} say that __{text smudged} might just as well
have been burned.
Worked about home blasting rocks most
of the day.
Went to Rogere Bros a little after six
o closk{o ctock!} to see Henry Buckingham about a
job.
Went to the Chapel to the Entertainment
which was furnished by the young ladies
They realized $6.00
01\26\{1899} (Thursday)
Fine day, split{splite?} rocks{word smudged} most of the time
Went to the Grange this evening.
{new paragrapoh?}
Mary paid our yearly dues $4.00
{new paragraph?}
They had a debate, the question was,
Resolved{"!}, that {"!} animals are of more use
to mankind than metal, John Todd,
and Willie Garrigus were on the
affirmative{affermative!} side and Joe Hughey{Hugbey?}
and myself on the negative,
The negative beat by 5 point to two.
01\27\{1899} (Friday)
This morning the weather was fine
but before night it came off cold
Went to Mr. Harry Garrigus and
welded a set of inch and one eight{eighth?}
axles{axlis!} on his carriage.
01\28\{1899} (Saturday)
Went to Mr. Garrigus and worked
till afternoon, then worked on _{a?} pattern
for my drilling machine till six
o clock, when Mr. Worden came and I
went to town with him to see about
getting entertainers fo_{for? faf!} the Chapel{?}
Fair. Went first to Mr. John Lines
to see if we could ges{?} his orchestra{archestra?},
He seemed very willing himself{himsilf!} and
thought that the others would
come, Went next to see Dr. Parry and he told
us of a Mandolin{Mandilin!} club composed of young
la_ies{ladies?} that belonged to his church, that he
would see for us, from thence we went to
Dr. Davdenports, and he told us of the
Lourelli_{Lourellie? Lourellis?} Banjoe{Banjo?} club of young ladies
hich he thought we might get, Then
Went back to Field Street to see Mrs.
Orsgood{?} to see if we could get her
to help get a quartet{quartette!}, but she was
out, so we went to see Dr. Graves who
is Post{?} Surgeon here{word smudged},{,?} to get exempted
from Military tax, but he was not
i_{in?}. So we went to P.B. Nortons
livery stable, were Mr. Worden left
he team and drove home very fast
the horse being a_{an? word smudged} extra fast one.
01\29\{1899} (Sunday)
Went to the Chapel this afternoon
Rev. Dr. Anderson of the first Congregational{?}
Church preach__{preached? word smudged} Weather to day
has been very c___{cold? word smudged},{,?} did not thaw any.
01\30\1899 (Monday)
Very Cold this morning got up at
seven, Went and carried Clyde to
school at the Crosby Grammer
school, and then went to Dr. F.G.
Graves and had him examine me in
regard to Military disability, which
he did, and gave a certificate which
was as follows
Waterbury Conn Jan 30th{?} 1899
To the Selectmen of the Town of Waterbury,
I certify that I have examined
Charles S. Miller. of Waterbury and do hereby{here-by?}
exempt him from Military duty
under standard of disability prescribed
by the Surgeon{Surgean!} General. His disability
is double inguine hernia & deformed
an_le{ankle?} and is permanent.
F G Graves
Post Surgeon New Haven County.
{new paragraph?}
Irving, Margaret, or Ruth, did not go
to school, owing to their teachers going
visiting schools, and Irving and I
ran the washing machine, after which
we repaired George Cass's bugg_{buggy?}, and
then went to my s___{shop?} and brought home a
load of truck from out of the garrett.
{new paragraph?}
After supper Clyde, Irving, Margaret and
Ruth{?} went skating __{on? word smudged} Frosts pont{?}, staid
till 9.30 oclock, Clyde went down to
Fathers to stay tonight.
01\31\{1899} (Tuesday)
Very Cold all day did not thaw, snowed
a little this morning about an inch fell.
{new paragraph?}
Went to see Miles payne this afternoon
and we went and looked over the Thomas
Payne place which they are going to have
fixed up. Saw Wm Purdy about his barn
which he is thinking of having painted.
Very cold this evening.
Miles Paynes paid me 2.00 which pays me
up in full to date
02\01\{1899} (Wednesday)
Weather cold did not thaw about an
inch of snow fell during the night.
{new paragraph?}
Wo_ked{Worked?} about home and drew stuff from
the shop all day. Mary went soliciting
about East Farms for the Chapel Fair.
02\02\{1899} (Thursday) {recprded as 02\03\{1899} (Thursday)!}
Weather to day a little warmer.
Staid about home all the forenoon.
Drew a load of shafting, pulleys, and
iron, from my shop and stored them in
the garrett{garrelt!} and wood house this afternoon
02\03\{1899} (Friday) {recorded as 02\04\{1899} (Friday)!}
Got up at 5.30 Weather warmer so
that it thawed the forenoon, turned
into rain and sleet about noon, this
evening it is a genuine{genuwine!} ice storm as
very slipery{slippery?}.
Went to Henry Buckinghams this
morning got there at 6.30 waited till near
seven and went to Rogers Bros shopo{shops?} to
see James Taben{?} the foreman{formean!} about getting
work, He is to let me know in a few
days whether{wheather!} they want me or not.
Came{Caure!} home, had breakfast after
which Pierpont, Ray and myself went
to my sho_{shop?} and brought home a
load of various articles, this forenoon
{new paragraph?}
Went again this afternoon and swept
out the lower floor, and brought another
load home.
02\04\{1899} (Saturday)
This morning everything was coated with
ice, and it was very slipery{slippery?} so it was
hard to get about, it being not very cold
it thawed so a team that was not very
shar_{sharp?} could be driven about 11 oclock/o'clock{?},
about 9.30{?} Robert Hotchkiss came and
we butchere our cow, which took till
one o clock. He stayed{slayed!} to dinner, which
as boiled cabbage{cabbaeg!}, potatoes, and
cottage pudding, Agnes Able came
while we were at dinn_r{dinner? word smudged}, to have
Irving drive her about the neighborhood{nighborhood/nighbarhood!}
in the bu__y{buggy? word smudged} to solicit{slicit!} for
the coming Chape__{Chapel? word smudged} Fair.
{Note in margin of text:
Ruth & I remember
this.
He told Civil War
stories.}
During the afternoon Clyde and
I went to my shop and finished
sweeping it out __cept{except? word smudged} the Basement{Basment!}
floor{floar!}.
After which I went to visit James
Porter who has not been out for
a month {mark in text or punctuation?} or since his shoulder was
hurt, then went down to see
Father and mother, staid till seven
then home.
Wm Purdy paid me six dollars to day.
02\05\1899 (Sunday)
Snowed quite hard till about 5 o'clock.
Went to the Chapel, M_{Mr.?} Parry preached
there was collected 1.24
From the Chapel Mary and I went
to Mrs. Thaedore Munsons{?} to get information
to have published in the
Waterbury American tomorrow.
Then we stoped at John Franches
to see where I could find Murry
Beeby, as I wanted to get word to him
about the Chapel fair, then to Hiran{?}
Able to see about getting the crash{cash?} to
cover the Chapel carpet, then home.
02\06\{1899} (Monday)
This day the weather has been cloudy{clowdy!} but
rather warm, about 8 o clock to night it began{bgan!}
snowing.
Ran the washing{wahng!} machine for Mary till
9 o clock. Then hitched up old jack into
the business wagon and drove to
the American Office and had
an Advertisement put in the paper
and left a notice to be printed about the{"about the" is smudged}
Chapel fair. From thence went to the
Selectmens Office{?} at the City hall and
had Mr. Perry Morris file a certificat{cirtificate!}
which the Post{Past?} Examining Surgeon had
given me exempting me from Military
tax on{an!} account of disability{disibility!}. Thence
to Chancy Ceeleys{?} Office on South
Willow Street to see about getten{getting?} the
carpet cover for the Chapel, he was not
in but I ws told to go to his house No
85{?} Bishop Street at noon and I would
find him, walked to my team which
was hitched on{an!} South Elm Street, and
then drove through North Elm Street
and up North Main to Ed Holdens{?}
store where I waited to see him when
he came at noon, after 12 o clock h_{he?}
came, and then I drove to Mr. Ceeleys
house, he told me to meet him in
front of D B{?} Wilsons, store on East
Main STreet at quarter past one{ane!},
I was there and he came driving
past very fast, di_{did?} not see me.
I pursued{purseweed!} on foot and caught{cought!}
him at Cannon and Websters{?}
drug store on Bank STreet where he
had stoped, he said that he had
forgotten me, but would be back
to Wilsons store in six minutes,
he was there, and we went up in
Mechanics hall and got the crash
carpet cover, and I brought it home.
After dinner went to Mrs. Munson_{Munsons?}
to get the key to the Chapel, but
she was away, then went{wen!} to Mr.
Harry Garrigus to see about having
Wilkie{Willie?} decorate the Chapel tomorrow{tomarrays!}
evening with his bunting{?} and flags.
{new paragraph?}
Then went to see George Cass at
the Mill Plain Ice Co.{. or ,?} and home
and to supper Mr. Worden called
and told me{?} that another banjo{banjoe!}
club was coming to play at the
Chapel. Mr. Newman is
coming I told him, and he told me
to have him be at 185{?} Grand Street
at 7 o clock Thursday evening to
ride out on the bus.
Went to the Chapel adn Hiran Able{?}
Maruce{Maurice?} Alcott clyde and irving and
Wernon Able put the crash down.
Mr. La Stone and Mr. Maton
rented{?} my wagon shop today{to day?} for
15 dollars per month, to date from
the 15 of Feb.
{Note in margin of text:
Rented
Shope.{. or -?}}
There was a severe battle fought{-?}
at the Phillipines{Phillipenes!} Island Sunday_{?}
it is reported in which {next few words are smudged} our lo__{loss?} is
put at _75{175?} men.
The Government has{hs!} given to the town of
Cornwall one 8 in howitzer and 140 shells to
be placed on or near the grave of Maj Gen
John Sedgwick at Cornwall Hollow{?}.
{new paragraph?}
The Hon T.S. Gold{?}. M H Sedgwick and C L
Gold of Cornwall and Mr. Stoeckel{?} of Norfolk
have charge of the Memorial matter
{Note in margin of text:
Gen
Sedgwicks
Memorial}
02\07\{1899} (Tuesday)
Snowed all day, was up to Chapel
most of the day, also in the evening,
putting up booths etc. for the fair.
Began taking milk of Wilson Pierpont.
{Note in margin of text;
Milk}
02\08\{1899} (Wednesday)
Snowed till about _{5?} O'clock this
afternoon when it cleared off cold.
Went to the Chapel this afternoon
and helped sister Caro, Bertha French
and Agniss{Agnes?} Able put up and trim
their booths for the fair.
Rob Hotchkiss came and cut up
our beef.
02\09\{1899} (Thursday)
The weather to day{to days!} was very Cold
{new paragraph?}
Choped wood{wodd!} this forenoon, and
sent to the Chapel after dinner
and started the fires up, after which
I put _p{up?} the trimmings{trimings!?}, flags,
bunting, evergreens etc.
The fair in the evening was a
success, the attendance{attendence!} large, considering
the weather, had to stay and lock up
aft__{after? text smudged} the rest had gone home and
it was twelve o'clock before I got home.
_{I?} froze one ear in going home,
The{Then?} the thermometer{themometer!} was 12 degrees
below zero when I went to bed.
{new paragraph?}
The Conecticut F______{Farmers? word smudged} Board of
Agriculture
held an Institute meeting at Grange
Hall this day, the attendance was small.
02\10\{1899} (Friday)
The thermometer{themometer!} stood at 12 below zero
this morning at 7 o'clock when I got up
I immediately wrote{:?} the following
notice to be sent to the daily American
to be published this evening
There was a good attendance at the
fair at Mill Plain Chapel last evening,
notwithstanding the cold weather.
{new paragraph?}
The Chapel was handsomely{handsomly!} decorated{decarated!}
with flags bunting and evergreens.
{new paragraph?}
The various booths for the sale of
aprons, fancy work, ice cream, cake,
and other articles were tastefully
arranged and well patronized
The supper was an excellent one,
including chicken, cold meats, cake
etc. The entertainment was a very
pleasing one, of a musical nature,
and the program was as follows,
Selection by Young Ladies Uterpe
club of the first Baptist Church; Piano
solo Miss Conin; mandolin solo, Mr.
Burrett accompanied by Miss Burrett;
song Mr. Newman; mandolin
selection Misses Crnonin, accompanied
by Miss Garrity, and Mr. Derwin{?},
Uterpe Club, "Uncle Sams patrol," all
were warmly applauded and responded
to encores. A good time is promised
to all tonight. Free busses will run
to chapel.
After breakfast of Porterhouse{Parterhouse!} steak
choped fire wood, till noon; after dinner
went to the Chapel and started the fires,
and poped corn till evening ate supper
in the Chapel, there was a goot attendance{word smudged}
although the weather was very cold.
{new paragraph?}
Altogether{Altogather!} the Chapel realised about $105.00
from the fair.
Came home at 12 o'clock the thermometer{themometer!}
standing 10 degrees below zero.
Earnest{Ernest?} Robinson notified the Chapel
committee that he should not carry{cary!}
the ministers from town to the Chapel
after next Sunday.
02\11\1899 (Saturday)
Got up at seven o'clock the weather very
cold 10 below zero, at many places it was
much lower, at Mr. Spen_ers{Spencers? word smudged} it was 18
below{bllow!}
at 8.30 went to the Chapel and at work taking
down the booths and bu-ting{bunting? word smudged} etc,
after{apter!} _{a?, can't read word, is word crossed out?}
little time Cara came, Miss Tatem the school
teacher came a little --ter{later? word smudged}, then Mrs. Munson
and Bertha Franch, _da{Ida?} Spender{?} and
Agness Able came later, Clyde and Wernam
Able carried the goods home with the team,
and we had the Chapel cleaned and things
in place at three oclock.
While I was there yesterday Young Mr.
Kenworthy from Benedict & Burnhams
came to see if I would go there monday to
work forging, in the place of Wallace
Burgess who is sick.
It snowed all day.
02\12\1899 (Sunday)
Very cold all day thermometer{themometer!} was 1 below
this morning, snowed most of the day
this evening it is 4 below,
{new paragraph?}
Went to the Chapel there were 18 person{persons?}
there, Mr. Rafter{?} of Waterville preached.
02\13\1899 (Monday)
When I got up this morning ot quarter
past five it was still snowing and
the thermometer{themometer!} stood at 4 above zero.
Ate breakfast of stewed beef potatoes etc
and Clyde and I started for Benedict
and Burnhams shop, via silver street
and Washington street, got there at 25
minutes to seven, waited till Mr. Kenworthy
came, and he took{tooke!} me to the
machine shop and introduced to a
Mr. Byers who took me to the blacksmith
shop and introduced me to
Mr. Kelly who set{sit?} me at work
first making a lot of scratching
machine tools then{thin?} at various
other repair jobs, at noon went
to Uncle Goldsmiths on Clay Street and
had dinenr of boiled ham, potatoes, turnips,
pie, crullers{?}, and coffee, at six o'clock
found Clyde and Irving waiting for me
at the corner of Washington Street with
the horse sled.{;!} It had snowed hard all day
and when we came to start home it
snowed so hard and the wind blew se{so?}
that we could not see, owing to the snow
plastering ou{on?} our faces so that we
could not see through it.
{Note in margin of text:
Went to
Work at
Benedict
& Burnhams{Birnhams!}
We could not drive anythere{anywhere?} only
in the car tracks as the snow was so
deep on the sides of the road.
{new paragraph?}
On the who-le{whole? word smudged} it was the
worst storm I have seen since the
great storm of 1888.
02\14\{1899} (Tuesday)
This morning the snow lay on the
ground about two and one half feet deep.
Temperature{Tempature!} 6 above zero.
Expected to go to work on the trolley
cars and drove to the end of the
at Silver Street, having to break
our own path as it had drifted much
during the night, but the cars were
not running nor did they get ru__ing{running? word difficult to read}
till about 4 O clock P.M.
Returned home and went ot work
breaking out the Doblitte{Doolittle?} road with
the help of Mr. Andrews who helped
4 hr Mr. Able who worked 4 hr, Mr. Garrigus
2{?}, Clyd{Clyde?} 5 hr and Myself 5 hr some of it
we had{?} to dig out 5 times as the high
win_{wind?} filled it up.
at noon, went to the trolley line to go to
the shop, but the cars were not running{word hard to read}
02\15\{1899} (Wednesday)
I never kew of but one morning
that was as cold as this, the thermometer{themometer!}
went down to 24 degrees
below zero, but the weather has
been warmer during the day
than it has been before for
several days. Expected to take
the cars at Silver STreet to go to the
shop but they were not running so
I walked.
Sm Purdy Paid Clyde 4.00 which he
Clyde went after, he also got my tool
chest at Miles Paynes.
02\16\1899 (Thursday)
Got up a little after 5 o'clock, went to
the end of the Trolley track on the
pung{?} with Clyde but the car had
just left so I stayed on the sled to
Spensers store where Clyde was
going after fe_d{feed?}, then walked ___{the?}
rest of the way.
Worked at forging all day, ate my
dinner in the shop.
Came home on the trolley cars
there was a great crowd on the cars
and the conductor did not collect
my fare. Came ____{ucor?} getting stuck
several times on account of the
snow and ice on the track.
Sister Iva got on at the corner of
Mill Street, when we got to the
end of the line at Silver street we
found Clyde waiting with the
sleigh and we rode home.
Mary went tot eh Grange, this
evening. Wrote to Hon T S Gold{?} about attending
the dedication of Gen Sedgwicks memorial dedication at Cornwall{?}.
02\17\1899 (Friday)
Drove to work this morning via Silver
street and Washington.
Weather a little foggy. Worked forging
all day. Clyde met me on Washington
Street and we drove home, it
being very bad traveling{troveling!} on account
of the snow drifts.
02\18\{1899} (Satruday)
Weather this morning{,?} was warm
and nice, Clyd{Clyde?} drove the horse to
carry{cary!} me to work. Mr. Kenworthy
told me to day that they would give
me three dollars a day as that was
what I asked, I think it very good pay
for a new beginner in a new place.
The factory closed at 5.30 and I started
up Washington street to meet Clyde
I was obliged to walk very slow on account
of being very lame, met Clyde at
the corner of Baldwing{Boldwin!} street, and we
went to Irving black on East main street
and left the crash which we had to cover
the carpet at the Chapel fair.
{new paragraph?}
Then went to Hemingways fish market
and Clyde bought 1 quart of oysters
and three pounds of oyster crackers,
From thence to heaters adn bought
4 lbs soda cracks at 8 cts per pound,
then home, and very wet, it raining
hard all of the time.
02\19\{1899} (Sunday)
Got up this morning at 8 o'clock put two
spokes in my buggy wheel, at_{ate?} breakfast
of stewed oysters, after which I went
to East Farms{Farmes!} to see Mr. Warden about
meeting the minsiter at the end of the
trolley line, from thence I went to mr.
Burgers at Gilletts corner in Prospect, but
he had gone to Cheshire to see Dr. meyers
so came home. Got ready and went to
the Chapel and heard Mr. Howell preach
there was collected 1.41
The weather to day has been very warm
the snow has melted and softened.
02\20\{1899} (Monday)
The weather this day has been fine.
Went to the shop and worked very hard all day
This evening went to see mr. Edwin Welton who
holds a mortgage{morgage!} of 870.00{?} dollars with{winth!}
interest{-?}
that amounts to over 1000.00 altogether{altogather?}, agreed
to pay him the rent money, then went to
see Mr. J. G. Janes{Jmaes?} about insuring it, He will
insure{inshure?} it got 1000.00 for a premuim of 27.50{?}
Came home very hungry and tired.
02\21\{1899} (Tuesday)
Got up at 20 minutes past five, the boys and
I got the barn chores before six, had breakfast
and got started for the shop at 6.15 went
down the old Cheshire road to Silver Street
through Silver Street to Dublin, out Dublin
to Washington through Washington to
South Mains{?} where I go_{got?} out of the sleigh
and irving drove home, _nd{and?} I went into
the shop after leaving my check at the
gate my check is __mber{number? word smudged} 830
The first work I did was to dress over
some scratchers, for the overalling{?} machines,
then dress over 36 hand scratchers
Then temper 60 machine scratchers,
then make and temper a number of
machinists{machinests!} tools, then repair two
punch bars for the casting,
then hardened some hand scratchersand up a muffle rod for the
Seamless{?}
tube shop.
Came home at six, had supper and
went to see Robert Hotchkiss about salting{solting!}
down our beef, then ____{home?} and wrote.
02\22\{1899} (Wednesday)
Weather fine and warm snow softened
to the bottom and troveling{?} very hard.
Went tot eh shop worked all day
after six went to Mr. Edwin Welton
on L__iden{Leriden?} Street about Insuring my
shop over and about paying the interest
{new paragraph?}
Carried him the Incurance policies{pollicies!}
One of 500.00 on the New Hampshire Company
and one of 500.00 on the _____ _____
Co.
Came hgome and Clyde and I ate supper
together{togather!} a_{as?} the rest of the folks have{word hard to
read}
gone the the {written twice} Chaptel supper.
This is Washingtons birthday, is has
been observed by the schools closing, and
the flying of flags about the City and
many of the public business places
closed.
02\23\{1899} (Thursday)
The weather to day has been very
warm, Worked at Benedict and
Buyrnhams, ten hours, went to
the grange this evening.
02\24\{1899} (Friday)
The weather to day has been a little
cooler, Worked at Benedict _{&?} Burnhams.
02\25\{1899} (Saturday)
The weather to day has been cold the
mercury was 2 above zero, at 6.30 this
morning.
Worked till{tuill!} 5.30 at Benedict and Burnhams.
02\26\{1899} (Sunday)
Got up this morning at 8 o'clock went
to my shop at 9 to meet Mr. Larocque{?}
and Mr. Edide Maston{?} but they
were not there, so went down to
Fathers and had breakfast after which
Mr. Peter R. Larocque{?} came after me
and we went up to the shop and they
bought a lot of plank which came to
11.60 a lot of Wheels 12.00 and a wagon for
4.00, all came to 27.60 also 8 sets of tires
at 1 1/4 cts, they are to pay for it later,
Came home and got ready and went
to Fathers adn got his horse and
carriage and went to the trolley,
and met the Rev. Dr. Davenport{?} and carried
him to the Chapel, where he preached to an
audience of 47 persons it being very stormy
with sleet and rain.
Took the team home and staid at Fathers
till supper was over, and came home, getting
very wet.
02\27\{1899} (Monday)
Got up a little past five o'clock had
breakfast at six and started for work
at twenty minutes past, got to the
shop at at {written twice} 10 minutes to seven, it
rained all of the way.
The water in the Naugatuck river
has been quite high to day and lots of
ice has come{came!} down.
Pierpont took the horse down to
the shop and had it shod,
Clyde came after me tonight.
02\28\{1899} (Tuesday)
This morning the weather was clear
and cool. Went to the shop at the usual
time and worked all day
Received{Recived!} my pay for last weeks
work which amounted to eighteen
dollars, Clyde came after met at
six and we went to see mr. J G Janes{James?}
and paid him the b_lance{balance?} on the
insurance on my shop except fifty
cents which I am to send to him
tomorrow by Clyde, then __{we?} went
to M.J Loggs{?} store and bought a
bag of flower{flour!}, for which we paid
60 cts, then started home.
While coming down Cherry street
we heard the fire alarm bell strike
after which the alarm whistle blew
soon a hack came along the horses
__{on?} a dead run, then _ame{same?} a hose
wagon and we __pt{kept?} along with it
till we came to Tracys black{block?} which
was on fire, we drove up Williams street
and hitched the horse,{or;?} and went through
the back yards __{to?} the rear of the
block, where we had a fine view of
the fire, they had two streams of
water on the East side of it and
two inside, there was one Steamer,
two hose wagons, one hose cart,{or .?} and
a large hook and ladder truck, soon
they had the fire under control, and
we came home.
This is the last day of the month, and
it bids{?} fair to storm tomorrow.
03\01\1899 (Wednesday)
This first day of march has been very
pleasant{plesant!} and warm. Worked all day at
Benedict and Burnhams, Clyd{Clyde?} came
after me this evening with the team,
and we drove home.
George Alexander brought a load of
wood to day
This evening Clyde, Irving, Margaret
and Ruth went to the Chapel
to rehearse{reharse!} for an entertainment
which the young Ladies are to give
03\02\{1899} (Thursday)
The weather to day has been warm
and the snow disappeared very much.
{new paragraph?}
Worked at Benedict _{&?} Burnhams.
{new paragraph?}
This evening Mary and I went to
see Hiram Able to make arrangements
for Young mens Night
at the Chapel, and also to tell him
of his appointment{apointment!} as janitor of
the Chapel.
The Rev. Mr. Holden gave a Stereopitan{?}
entertainment at the Grange
this evening, for which they charged
an admission of 10cts.{. or ,?} The Lecture
was entitled Hawaii.
03\03\{1899} (Friday)
Went to the shop as usual to day
{new paragraph?}
Spent the evening at home and
went to bed at 10 o'clock.
{03\04\1899} (Saturday) {Only "Saturday" was written in the margin
to label the entry}
The weather{wather!} to day has been wet
and the traveling very muddy
{new paragraph}
Charlie Cass went to New York
to St. Lukes hospital{hastital/hostital!} to have a
surgical{sergical!} operation performed{preformed!} in the
shape of removing apendicitis{a pendicitas!}.
His wife Trace accompanied him
We the children and the Ables,
Frenches, Beckwith's, Spenders, and
several others went to the Chapel
to rehearse{reherse!} for an entertainment to
be{he!} given some future time.
03\05\1899 (Sunday)
Did not get up till 9 o'clock, as it was raining
very hard. Spent most of the forenoon read___{reading? ready?}
writing etc. Went this afternoon and saw{sow!}
Morris{Marris!} Burger at Gillettes corners, found
him very sick with inflamation{inflanation!} of the bladder,
He thought that he would be able to
go to work in two or three weeks.
{new paragraph?}
Dr. Parry{?} preached at the Chapel to day
03\06\{1899} (Monday)
Worked at Benedict and Burnhams, 10
hours
03\07\{1899} (Tuesday)
The weather to day has been very
stormy, showed{showered?} hard.
Clyd{Clyde?} Irving, Margaret, and Ruth,
went to the Chapel to rehearse{reherse!} to{lo!}
night but there was no one there.
03\08\{1899} (Wednesday)
Weather to day was cold and
fair. The Ladies Union had a
supper and Entertainment at
the Chapel this evening at which
they cleared something over $7.00
03\09\{1899} (Thursday)
The weather overhead has been
fine to day, but I have not been
up there, on the ground it was
spashy{splashy? slushy?}. Mary has gone to the
Grange. Clyde told me that Thomas
Melbourn has moved to Beacon Falls
and left his place, which is now for sale.
03\10\1899 (Friday)
Worked to day at Benedict and Burnhams,
blacksmithing.
Bought a barrel{barrell!} of flour{flower!} off{of!} Thomas
Kelley for 4.50 to day.
Have worked very hard to day and
as I am not accustomed{accostomed!} to tool-making
and factory blacksmithing, and the
others who I work with take care not
to give me much information in
regard to the work and my health is
not very good, I am weary and tired
tonight.
03\11\{1899} (Saturday)
This evening I went to the Chapel
at the request of Bertha French who
has charge of the entertainment
which is to be given next Tuesday
evening,{,?} (but who is now very sick
in bed), to help preserve order.
03\12\{1899} (Sunday)
Did not get up very early this morning{norning!}.
The weather has been warm
and it has thawed, but very little
snow is left, sent Irving to have
George Cass and Charlie Hotchkiss come
and get ready for the part they were
to take in the Entertainment at the
Chapel Tuesday evening
{new paragraph?}
Charlie Cass had an operation performed{preformed!}
in the shape of his appendicitis{appendicitas!} being
taken out, at St. Lukes Hospital at
New York City.
Went to the Chapel{Chapl!} this afternoon,{or . ?}
But there was no service as the miniter
was not met at the Trolley car.
After Chapel went and saw John
FRench about the Chapel supper which
is to be given next week.
03\13\{1899} (Monday)
The weather to day has been fine, the
pleasantest{plesantest!} this year,{,?} so far. Went to
the shop and worked all day.
{new paragraph?}
Received{Recived!} a letter this evening from
Mr. Tucker who is in New Boston{?}
Mass, which was sent to him from
Gross, Hyde & Shipman, attorneys
at law of hartford, which stated
that they were going to have the
Iinsurance{insurance?} case of the old shear
shop assigned in the Waterbury
Superior Court{Cort!} on the week of the
22nd of this month.
There was a bad smash on the
Highland division of the Consolidated
Rail Road this side of
Towantic{?} station yesterday{ysterday!} morning
in which two men were
killed and several injured,{, or .?} Two
freight trains ran into each
other head on on {written twice? an?} the top of a
80 ft embankment, and many
of the cars rolled __wn{down?} to th_{the?}
foot, and scattered the fr__gh{freight?} about.
The Rail Road{Roaod!} Co hired all
of the Farmers about there to hall{haul!}
the greight back a distance of tow{two?}
miles to a place where it could be
loaded on the cars again.
03\14\{1899} (Tuesday)
The weather today has been very nice
but the mud is deep in some{?} places.
At the factory yesterday we were
told that Maurice Burger was coming
to work next week, it was understood
that I was {text is smudged?} to get through
when he came; ___{text smudged} yesterday I was
told that they wanted me to stay
longer, and they were going to
have three Blacksmiths, i.e.
Charlie Kellie, Maurice Burger, and
myself.
Received{Recived!} my pay at the shop to
day which amounted to $18.00 for last
week
Went to the Chapel this evening
to the Entertainment which was
given by the young ladies, it
was a success every was although
the attendance was not large.
{Note in margin of text:
Chapel}
03\15\1899 (Wednesday)
The weather to day has been stormy
most of the time, rain, hail, and sleet.
{new paragraph?}
Miss Minnie Norton the school teacher
came here{hear? word smudged} and staid over night.
03\16\1899 (Thursday)
The weather to day has been rather
cool, and the traveling muddy.
Went to the Grange this evening, but
was so sleepy that I did not enjoy it
very much.
03\17\{1899} (Friday)
The weather to day has been cold
and the roads very rought.
A school meeting is called in this
Saw Mill Plain district for to
night to take some action against
consolidating all of the school
districts in the town.
I did not attend as I am very
tired and am in need of sleep
To day is St. Patricks day and
is ovserved by the Irish many
of whom work at the factory where
I do, they each wear a sprig of gre__{green?}
or some other green emblem, but they
do not know who St. Patrick{Patric!} was only
that he was a great man who drove
all the reptiles from Ireland.
03\18\1899 (Saturday)
The weather has been very stormy,
Sleet, and rain.
This evening Clyde, Irving, Charlie
Hotchkiss and myself{-?} went to Mr.
Thoedor Munsons{?} and got a cook
stove and put it in the cellar of
the Chapel to __{be?} used at the supper
to be given next{?} Wednesday evening,
{new paragraph?}
It rained very h___{hard?} and we did not
get home till 9.30 o clock.
03\19\{1899} (Sunday)
Mr. Bassett preached at Mill
plain Chapel this afternoon.
03\20\{1899} (Monday)
Worked to day at Benedict and
Burnhams.
This evening Charlie Hotchkiss, Clyde
and I went to mrs. Munsons and
got her stove and put it up in the
Chapel cellar{cellear!}, to be used next
Wednesday evening.
03\21\1899 (Tuesday)
When I cam home from the shope
this evening, we Clyde and I; went
round by Mill Plain and finished{f_nisshed!}
setting up the stove in teh Chapel.
After which we came home __d{and?}
after supper, Charlie Hotchkiss and
George Cass came and we choped
hask{?} for the supper at the Chapel
tomorrow evening.
A Letter came tonight from
Gross Hyde and Shipman{?}, Attorneys
in hartford notifying me to
appear at the Superior court{cort!} to
morrow{tommorrow?} morning at 10' o'clock{o clock?} as
a witness at the trial of the{thi?}
Orient Insurance Co against
Barnard _{&?} Saw.
03\22\{1899} (Wednesday)
This morning I went to the shop
and shou_d{showed?} Mr. Byers{.?} the letter
which I received{recived!} from _ross{Gross?}, Hyde
and Shipman, and he told me
that I could stay out, I came home
and got ready and Irving drove
the horse{.?} and carried C_yde{Clyde?} and
I _own{down?} to Fathers and from there
we walked in e rain to the trolley
car and went{wen!} to the center, I went
an{and?} bought{baught!} a pair of rubbers for
which I paid 60 cts then went and
had my _air{hair?} cut and shaved for
which I paid .35 cts then to the
Court{Cort!} house and the trial{tryal!} commenced{comenced!}
I staid all day, and as they
did not hear from Mr. Brainard,
Mr. Hyde wanted me to go to
Southington{Southingston?} and find him, Mr.
Friller{?} gave me $10.00 and told me
get him, I found Will Gillette and he
said that he would go with me. We
came out on the trolley car, and I went
to the Chapel and got my supper, and
Will went to Father's and got his, he
then called for me at the Chapel and
we started for Southington with Father{Father's?}
horse. First we went to Henry Newell{Newells?}
in Marion and he told us that
Wall Dickerman could tell us where
we could find Mr. Brainard, we
stopped at Wall Dickermans and
he told u_{us?} that we would find him
at South end. We then went there and
found that he is living with a
Family named Ruande{?} on Elm{Elim?}
Stree{Street?} in Meriden We then drove
to to {written twice} Stillmans corner and Will
took the trolley there and I kept
on towards Meriden with the
team,{,/} with the horse on a walk,
Will reached Meriden and found
Mr. Brainard and summonds
him to appear in court{cort!} in the
morning, he then started back on
the trolley and met me on West
Main Stree{Street!} in Meriden, we then
started for home w_ich{which?} we reached
at 2 o'clock A.M. wet and cold
it having rain__{rained?} most of the
way. The ground was covered
with three inches of ice snow
and at the to_{top?} of the Southington
Mountain the trees{treees!} were laying,
across the road broken and bent
down with the weight of ice on
them.
03\23\{1899} (Thursday)
Did not get up this morning till
eight o'clock,{, or ;} took the measurements
of many of the timbers and lumber
that was in the Old Shear Shop
which was destroyed by fire on
the evening of Oct _9{19?} 1896, and
which timbers{?} and burnt stuff
are now in my possession.
Had breakfast adn started for town
at quarter to nine, stopped at my
shop and left a lease of the premises
to Mr. Laroque and Mayton for
five years, the Lease was
dated
Feb 15th 1899 and expires Feb 15
1904. Then went and took the trolley
car at Wilver Street, after reaching
town went to Jones and Morgan{?}
and bought an umbrella of cousin
Charlie Phillips for which I paid
$1.18 then went to the Court{Cort!} House
on Lenenworth Street which I
reached at 10 O'clock, at which time
the court{cort!} opened Mr. George E Judd
was the first witness. He was
followed I think by Mr. Henry. C.{?}
Robinson of New York, who in
turn gave his place to Han{Hon?} Frederick
Kingsbury, then Mr. Thomas Porter
of New York was called, then
Mr. Robinson was recalled{recolled!}, after
which it was dinner time and
Mr. Tucker, Mr. Brainard, and myself
went to the Franklin House and had
dinner, after which we returned to
the court and during the afternoon
the testimony of Mr. Tracy and
Mr. Robinson was taken, after which
the court{cort!} adjourned{ajourned!} at 5 o'clock till next
Thursday at 10 o'clock.
Mr. Shipman gave me the plans and
elevations of the old shear shop and I took
them to Mr. Watson Hurlburt and ___t{left?}
them there for him to figure an estimate
of whate a building like the old one
would cost.
03\24\{1899} (Friday)
This morning went to work at Benedict
and Burnhams. Mr. Burger
whose{whoes!} place I am filling called to day
and said that he __{is?} coming to work
next monday.
03\25\{1899} (Saturday)
The weather this morning was very
nice, but it soone clouded{clowded!} in and{,?}
tonight it began snowing.
Charlie Hotchkiss, Clyde, Irving,
Frank, and myself went to the Chape{Chapel?}
and took down Mrs. Munsons stove
and carried it home and set it up.
{new paragraph?}
Came home and ate supper after
which Mary and I went to see
Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, about the
children, whom they say are troubeling
their children, and who mr.
Andrews has complained to the humane
society.
03\26\{1899} (Sunday)
Went to the Chapel this afternoon.
{new paragraph?}
Mr. Davenport preached, I took Fathers
team and met him at the trolley car
and carried him to the Chapell{Chapll!} and
after service home.
Mr. Frederick Upson{?} of Woodtick, died
to day.
03\27\{1899} (Monday)
Weather to day has been cool and
traveling very muddy.
Worked at Benedicts _(&?} Burnhams on
an other fire, as Mr. Burger came
back to work.
This evening Mr. Hoggett{?} called
and left a petition a_ainst{against?} consolidating{consolodating!}
all of the school districts
in the town, for me to sign and
deliver to Wilson Pierpont to be
given to Milan Northrop.
Mr. Andrews borrowed my horse
sled this evening.
Mr. Coleman called on me to
night with a friend and hinted
that he would _ike{like?} to stay over
night, but it was not very convenient
to kee{keep?} him, he at one
time lived on the Old Prospect
road, but now lives in Northborupton{?}
Mass.
03\28\1899 (Tuesday)
It has rained almost all day and to
night the wind blows hard. Received{Recived!} my
Pay at Benedict & Burnhams $12.00 for 4 days
03\29\{1899} (Wednesday)
Rained very hard last night. The
Naugatuck river has been rising all day.
{new paragraph?}
Worked at Benedict and Burnhams,
Mr. Byers told me that they would like
me to stay and work next week.
03\30\{1899} (Thursday)
This morning I took the trolley car
and went to see Mr. Hurlburt at
Mattatuck Street, aabout the estimate
of the cost of the "Old Shear Shop." {. or ,?}
he said that it would cost 10,500{?}
dollars without the foundations,
Mr. Tracy said it would cost $13,000
with foundation, Mr. Green Daolittle{Doolittle?}
told me that he drew the check that
paid for it, and it was {.?}$12,000 in
1873.
Went to the Courthouse{Cort-house! 1 word?} at 10 o'clock
and the case of Barnard Son & Co,
via{nia?} Orient Insurance Co was called
{new paragraph?}
The first witness was George W
Tucker, next myself, and then
Fred Brainard of Meriden,
the case was adjourned{ajourned!} at 2.30 to meet
again at Winsted nest week Monday
to hear the arguments and to finish.
I ws{was?} then asked to go to the Scoville
House with Mr. Shipman and Hyde
will they settled{settlede!} with me, they gave
me $10.00, with the $5.00 they gave me
for going to Meriden, and the $10.00 they
gave me in Winsted makes $25.00 in
all they paid me.
03\31\1899 (Friday)
This day is Fast day, nearly all of
the factories are closed.
Got up at seven o'clock and worked
about home{house?} all day.
The weather has been fine.
Two of the Worden boys came and
they an my children played hide and
seek and yards-off.
Brother Frank called this afternoon.
This evening the woods on{an?} long hill
and the Abrigador, were on fire.
04\01\1899 (Saturday)
This is all fools day, and the children
have{.?} enjoyed it in fooling every-body
that they could.
Worked at Benedict and Burnhams
Mr. Kenworthy told me that they would
like me to stay on eweek longer.
04\02\{1899} (Sunday)
Rev. Mr. Parry preached at the
Chapel to day.
04\03\{1899} (Monday)
Worked all day at Benedict &
Burnhams. Am not feeling
well
04\04\{1899} (Tuesday)
Mr. Andrews moved from
the Jessie Doolittle place to
Tom Melbourns place.
04\05\{1899 (Wednesday)
Am Feeling somewhat better.
The ladies Union had a supper
at the Chapel this evening, Mary
went, but I stayed home.
04\06\{1899} (Thursday)
Mary and several of the Children
went to the Grange hall this evening
to an stereptean{?} exhibition on birds given by
the Grange Lecturer.
04\07\{1899} (Friday)
Worked at Benedict & Burnhams,
Maurice Burger; did not feel well
It is raining very hard this evening.
04\08\{1899} (Saturday)
The Naugatuck River was midling
high to day owing{awing!} to last nights
rain. Large quantities of drift
wood has{have?} floated down, besides
many barrels{barrells!}, boxes, etc.
04\09\{1899} (Sunday)
To day went to Fathers and got his
team and went to the trolley car
and met Dr. Anderson and carried
him to the Chapel where he preached
This evening George Edwards
and wife and hatty called.
Wrote a letter to major Tucker New
Boston Mass, One to Malachi
Gillette, South Norfolk, Conn{Carm.!}
and one to Fred J Woods.
04\10\{1899} (Monday)
This day I worked at Benedict & Burnhams
{new paragraph?}
Irving carried me down, and came
after me at night
Benedict and Burnhams require four
large engines to drive its machinery
{new paragraph?}
They also have eight small engines
located in different parts of the
concern{?} to use when the large engines
are not running.
They keep fourteen horses in the
barn, six of which they use on
double teams, the rest{next? word hard to read} single,
also they have a locomotive{lacomotive! lacomative!} which
is in constant use.
The different departments are.
The Office department
" Mill "
" Seamless Tube "
" Braised "
" City
" Heat Steam & Light "
" Wire Mill
" Shipping "
" Yard "
" Barn "
04\11\{1899} (Tuesday)
The weather to day has been fine,
the grass is turning green, and
robins are singing in the trees
04\12\{1899} (Wednesday)
This evening our family met
at Fathers{Fatheres?} it being his 69 birthday
we were all there except Clyde who
was in Ansonia{?}, and Fred and wife
04\13\1899 (Thursday)
This has been the finest day of the
season so far, but I have been inside
of the Blacksmith shop all day
from seven this morning till six
tonight, except about 10 minutes this
noon,{, or .?} Clyde returned home from
Ansonia where he went yesterday
morning on a visit to Cousin Emma
Drews{?}.
Two months ago to day I went to work
at Benedict and Burnhams, but ex
pect{expect?} that they will not want me after
next Saturday night.
04\14\{1899} (Friday)
The weather to day has been nice
and spring-like.
This evening Miles Panne{Paune? Payne?} called
and wanted me to go to work
for him next week, if Benedicts, Charlie Hotchkiss and
Howard Neil called to practice{practise!}
drumming soon George Cass
came and, we marched to Charlie
Cass at M rjor Tuckers place, going
up by way of the Mattatuck shop, and
coming back by Hyrams Ables.
04\15\1899 (Saturday)
The weather to day has been fine.
Mr. Byers came to me at the
shop and said that they would
like me to stay another week
and work for them, I said that
I would stay.
Last night Thomas Miles
Payne wished that I could
come{came!} to work for him.
Mr. Lo Rogue{?} paid me 15.00 one
months rent Which was due on my shop.
I called to night to see Mr.
Fred Woods about settling{settleing!} an old
account, but he was not in.{"?}
I told the bookkeeper that {-?} I
would call again next monday evening
04\16\{1899} (Sunday)
I got up at about seven o'clock
and worked about the yard for
a while this morning. It commenced{?}
to rain at about 7.45 and rained
harder and harder till afternoon
when it began snowing, and
continued till night.
Clyde has been in bed sick
all day.
Some of the children went to
the Chapel this afternoon to
_undayschool{Sundayschool? Text is smudged}.
Mr. Hannan preached ruing
the service.
In the Evening Mrs. Thoedore{Thoedare!}
Munson and Agness Able{?} called
to see Mary about the next
supper.
{04\17\1899} (Monday) {Only "Monday" is written to label this
entry}
Worked to day at Benedict & Burnhams.
The weather to day has been
fine. It is reported that Charlie
Monroe{?} and Mrs. Stark are married
04\18\{1899} (Tuesday)
The weather to day has{word smudged?} been warm{warn!} and
spring-like.
Maurice Berger has been sick and did
not work yesterday or today{1 word?}.
04\19\{1899} (Wednesday)
The weather to day has been clear and
warm although it looks like storm
this evening{evenining!}.
There was a dwelling house burned
in South Brooklyn this afternoon
{new paragraph?}
I saw from the shop the Steamer
and hose wagon also the Hook and
Ladder truck as they crossed the
Bank Street bridge.
This evening I went to the Chapel
toe the Supper and Entertainment
given by the ladies Union, which
is the last supper to be giv_{given?} this
_eason{season?}.
04\20\{1899} (Thursday)
Worked at B and B to day. Went to
the Grange this evening.
04\21\{1899} (Friday)
This morning I got up at 20 minutes
past 5,o'clock, went to work at seven,
{new paragraph?}
Worked till twelve, ate my dinner in
the shop, and at one went to work,
and worked till six.
The weather was wet this forenoon, but
it cleared up this afternoon.
This evening George Cass, Charlie
Hotchkiss, Howard Neil, Henry
Buyckinghan{?}, and a man that I
did not know came to d_____{dinner?}.
04\22\{1899} (Saturday)
Elmer Pierponts wife died this
afternoon, aged 38 years.
The weather to day has been
nice and warm.
04\23{24!}\{1899} (Sunday)
The weather to day has been warm
and nice. Mr. Davenport preached
at the Chapel,{, or .?} I carried him home
with Fathers horse.
04\24{25!}\{1899} (Monday)
The weather has been clear but
rather cool to day.
Maurice Berger has been to work
to day.
04\25{26!}\{1899} (Tuesday)
To day the weather has been warm
and the roads very dusty.
Went to the shop and worked till
noon, Irving met me at the corner
of Washington STreet at 12 o clock and
brought me home, I ate dinner and
got ready soon as possible, and
Wilson Pierpont came and hitched
into my two seated wagon{wagan!} and we
went to Elmer Pierpotns house on
Hospital{Haspital!} avenue to attend the
funeral of his wife Lizzie who
died last Saturday afternoon
Mr. Hannah, Methodist minsiter
attended, and the Pall bearers were
Wilson Pierpont, __stin{Austin?}, and
Charlie Pierpont and myself.
{new paragraph?}
They buried her in the Pine
Grove Cemetery at Mill Plain
In the evening Clyde and
I went to the town clerks office
to look the records in regard
to Capt Phinias/Phileas{?} Castle who
was an early settler at Hagpound{?}{,?}
(East Farms)
04\26\{1899} (Wednesday)
Worked at Benedict and Burnhams
to day.
Saw some boys in swimming
in the Naugatuck River.
04\27\{1899} (Thursday)
Worked at B and B, William
Shanahan was out sick, he helped
Maurice Burger, and helped me
when Burger was out sick.
04\28\{1899} (Friday)
There was a severe frost this
morning and it was cold, worked
at Benedict and Burnhams, Mr.
Byers told me that the work is
caught up and that they would
not need me after tomorrow night
{new paragraph?}
But would like to have me
come again when they are busy.
Charlie Cass and his wife Tracy has{have?} move{moved?}
from Mr. Tuckers, __{to? is this word crossed out?} the Doolittle place
04\29\1899 (Saturday)
Got through working at Benedict
and Burnhams to night.
04\30\1899 (Sunday)
I went to day to Dr. Andersons{?} at
No 144 Prospect Street _t{at?} half past two
and carriee him to the{?} Mill Plain
Chapel where he preached.
{new paragraph?}
The attendance{attendence!} was rather small.
I heard tonight that William B{?}
Pratt whose{whoes!} home was formly{formerly?} on
East Mountain was drowned in
Plymoth{?} last night while fishing
He worked for me in 1892 at wagon
woodworking.
05\01\{1899} (Monday)
Went to work to day for Thomas
M Payne on East Mountain.
Made a heavy cart wheel with
2 1/2 spoke.
This Evening Clydye and I plowed
the East{Eeast!} garden
There has{have?} been two alarms{arlarms!} of
fire to day, one a little{two words?} before Seven
this morning from the corner
of Washington and South Main
Streets, and one from the corner
of Meadow and Bank Streets
a little after 12 this noon.
It is noining{raining?} now quite a little
and thundering and lightening a
good deal 9 o'clock P.M.
Margarett{Margaret?}, Ruth and Irving
went about the neightborhood this
evening hanging May baskets{basketts! baskett! test difficult to read}
an/on{?}
the doors, but it came an{on?} to blow
and rain so hard that they lost{last?}
many of the flowers out of the
baskets and then they came home{hoine?}
05\02\{1899} (Tuesday)
This morning I went to work for
Thomas Mils Payne, on East
Mountain. This forenoon William{?}
Purdy, and his wife, who was Jemie{? text difficult to read}
Pratt, and Miss Libie Pratt,
and Miles Payne and wife went
Thomaston to attend the funeral
of William{Willian!} Pratt who was drowned
last Saturday night.
I was left alone in the shop the
rest of the day.
05\03\{1899} (Wednesday)
Worked for Miles Payne to day.
Plowed the North garden this morning
and tonight.
Bought of an agent, one Niagra,
one Vergeunes{?} and one Warden
grape vine for which I paid .50 cts
05\04\{1899} (Thursday)
Worked for Miles Payne to day.
Had Blyde go to Benedict &{?} Burnhams
and get my pay $16.50
Went to the Grange tonight{1 word? text smudged?}.
05\05\1899{Friday)
Worked to day for T Miles Payne{?},
on East Mountain, Repairing wagons
{new paragraph?}
Maurice Burgher{?} left word that
they wanted me to come and work
at Benedict and Burnhams, to
morrow.
05\06\{1899} (Saturday)
Worked for{fa!} Mr. Payne to day he
paid me what he owed me 13.25
This evening Mary and I went
to George Canners{Conners?} on West Side hild{hill?}
to the celebration of their silver
wedding.
05\07\{1899} (Sunday)
Mr. Parry preached at the Chapel
this afternoon.
Went to Cheshire this afternoon
with Mr. Tucker{?}.
05\08\{1899} (Monday)
Went to work at Benedict & Burnhams
to day.
Mr. Burger was out sick.
05\09\{1899} (Tuesday)
Worked at Benedict and Burnhams
05\10\1899 (Wednesday)
Worked at Benedict and Burnhams
This evening Clyde, Irving, Mary
and Myself went out to East Farms
to Arthur Pierponts to a dance
in an addit__n{addition?} which he has
built on to his South cow barn
30 x 40 ft There were about 75
present and all had a nice time.
05\11\{1899} (Thursday)
Worked as usual to day, This
evening Mary and I attended
the Grange.
05\12\1899 (Friday)
I worked to day at Benedict & Burnham_{Burnhams?}
Brother Frank and Grissy his wife,
William Gillette, and sister Iva started
for North Goshen this morning to visit
Cousin Malchi Gillette.
The weather has been fine and clear.
05\13\{1899} (Saturday)
The weather to day has been cloudy{?}
in the forenoon and rained this
afternoon, I worked at B. & B.
05\14\{1899} (Sunday)
Clyde, Irving, Pierpont, Raymond,
and myself went this morning out on
the Southington mountain
{new paragraph?}
Staid home the rest of the day.
Mr. Rafter of Waterville preached at
the Chapel.
05\15\{1899} (Monday)
The weather to day has been very
cool.{.?} I worked at Benedict & Burnhams{?}.
05\16\1899 (Tuesday)
Got up this morning at 2_{20?} minutes past
5 had breakfast and Irving drove the horse
and we rode to the trolley car, which I
took and went to Benedict and Burnhams,{,?}
where I worked all day. Rode{Wrode!} home to
night with maurice Burgher{?}.
There has{have?} been two poliecemen!} appointed
(Hickey and Brinkel) to ride on
Bicycles{Bicicles!} to arrest scorchers{?} or fast
riders who violate the law, which
says that they must ride faster than
ten miles an hour, within the City
limits. They have arrested seven
to day, but let then{them?} out on a bail of $50.00
05\17\{1899} (Wednesday)
Worked at Benedict & Burnhams to
ay. Last{Least?} night at about 8.30 I
heard a noise that sounded like
thunder under ground, I did not
think much of it at the time, but
I learn__{learned? word smudged} to day that it was an
earthquake and was heard and felt
in all of the towns about here, and
along the Connecticut River, I{It?} was felt{?}
in Hartford, Middletown, East Hampton,
and as far South as Saybrook.
The shock was so severe that it
caused the dishes to rattle on the shelves
in some houses, in Bristol it shook
the plaster off from the ceilings of some
of the houses.
I{It?} was not as severe as the earth quake{2 words?}
of 1884.
{05\18\1899} (Thursday) {Only "Thursday" is written next to the entry}
Went to work to day as usual.
{new paragraph?}
This evening Mary and I went to
the Grange.
05\19\1899 (Friday)
The weat_er{weather? text smudged} this morning was quite
ool, at noon it rained some,
bu cleared up before night.
This forenoon we welded a large
head of steel auto a{on?} steel arbor for
the seamless tube department which{whhich!}
was a herd{hard?} Job it weighed about 700
pounds and was bad steel to weld.
This evening I went to see Miss
Tatem the school teacher about the school
but she was sick with the intermittint/intermittent{?}
fever, came{?} home and drummed a
while, then went to bed very tired
as I got up a{at?} four this morning and
had worked all of the time since.
05\20\1899 (Saturday)
Worked at Benedict and Burnhams today
{new paragraph?}
This evening Clyde and I went to
the Town clerks office to look up the
records{reckords!} in regard to the place once{ance!}
owned by Capt Phineas Castle, now
he REsident of Mr. A.B. Pierpont.
05\21\{1899} (Sunday)
This morning Judge Boughton and
I went to the old Pryor place out
on the Middlebury road and mr.
Irving Prior{?} and I traced{traiced!} the old
Continental road through the Continental{Cantinental!}
lot and past{?} the old
Capt Nichols place and on past
the place where the last Indians
lived in Waterbury, which place
is about 100{?} rods North of the house
where Mr. Arden H Coe lives.
{new paragraph?}
The Indians who lived there were
he last remnant{remenenet!} of the Mel_eleck{Melmeleck?}
tribe and they remained{remaned!} till about
Fifty years ago. Mr. Hannah preached
at the Chapel.
05\22\{1899} (Monday)
Worked as usual. This evening
Mary Clyde and I went to Mr.
Garrigus to an entertainment
given by the University extension
class of Storrs College{Colleage!}
05\23\{1899} (Tuesday)
Worked till 4 o'clock, When I left the
shop and went to the City hall and
met Clyde, and we went into the
vault{valt!} in the Town Clerks office and searched
the records{reckards!}
05\24\{1899} (Wednesday)
Worked; This evening Mary and
I went to the Chapel meeing and they
elected new officers, for the Episcopal{Episcapal!}
denomination Morris Alcott, Congregational{Cangrigational!}
Warren Hitchcock, Methodist{Metoodst!}
Willie Garrigus, Baptist Robert Warden,
Sec Arthur Pierpont, Treasurer Hiram
Able, Sunday School Superintendent{Superintindent!}
J Henry Garrigus, Librarian{Libraran!} Henry
Cass; Organist Inez Beckwith{?}.
05\25\{1899} (Thursday) {This entry is labelled 05\24\{1899} (Thursday)}
Worked at Benedict & Burnhams
to day.
This evening Mary and I went to
the Grange.
05\26\1899 (Friday)
While working at Benedict and
Burnhams this morning Mr.
Byars{?} came and told me that
they would have to "lay me off"
for a while, as they did not have
work enough to keep{keepe!} me, am
to get through Saturday night.
This evening{,?} Charlie Hotchkiss{?}
and George Cass, came and practiced
drumming. We decided to go
to Cheshire and drum for the
"Old Soldiers{Souldiers!}" on decoration
day.
05\27\{1899} (Saturday)
I got through working at Benedict
& Burnhams to night, and
Mr. Musse{?} paid me what was
d__{due?}, 17.40.
I wrote a letter to the Rev. Mr.
Nichols of Cheshire telling him
that a number of the boys would
go over and drum, for the Old
Veterans on Memorial day, Clyde
carried the letter over, and Mr. Nichols
told him that they were to have no
parade in Cheshire, but that they
were to have a march, speaking
etc in Prospect, and told Clyde
to go there and see Mr. Beers who
lives near Prospect center, He
rode there on his wheel and found
Mr. Beers who seemed very much
pleased to think that a drum
Corps was coming.
05\28\1899 (Sunday)
Got up at 7 o'clock, washed my harness
and did other chores, had breakfast
at 9 George Cass came to see aboutt
going to Prospect to drum tuesday
at 10, Irving and I hitched up and
drove to Maruce Bergers{?} at Gilletts
corners to see him about some
carpenter work taht he spoke of
having done yesterday, but he
had decided not to do it, visited
with him a while and then went
to Prospect center and down the
Rag Hollow Road to Mr. Beers
but he had gone to Cheshire so
I did not see him, left word there
that we (the drummers would be
on hand at 11.30 tuesday.
{new paragraph?}
Then drove East to Matthews{?}
street and then turned North
up said street till{tell!} we came to
an old road that kept straight{strait!} ahead
at the turn Southeast of Agustus
Mass house, we went through
the old road which was very
rough and steep in some places
and it brought us out at prospect
station{statian!} on the Meriden Rail
Road, we continued still north
after crossing{crassing!} the tract and came
out at the lower end of Rag
hollow near the Old Gate
house on the Plank road, we then
drove home, and found Henry
Buckingham{?} and Charlie Hotchkiss
there to see me about going{gaing!} to
Prospect to drum. I sent Henry
Buckingham to Wolcott to notify
Luke Henderson and Adelbert
Norton, and I and Clyde went
to Pine Grove Cemetery to
place a flag on the grave of Mr.
E L Pond{Pand?}, a veteran who died
about two month ago, a committee{committiee!}
of veterans{veteras!}, (Capt Bangs,
Chancy Seeley Wm Melton
and one whom I did not know)
gave me the flag, we could
not find the grave that we
were sure was Mr. Ponds, so I
stuck the flag in a newly made
grave and, will find out tomorrow,
which is his.
Came home and found Aunt
Tan Somers{?} and Cousin David
there, who staid till it was quite
dark, when we sat down to
supper, after which George Cass
Came, and staid a little while
he said that Luke Henderson
was going to Prospect, when he
started home it was raining quite
hard.
Mr. Davenport preached at the
Chapel this afternoon.
{new paragraph?}
To bed at 9 o'clock.
{No entry is labelled for 05\29\1899}
05\29{30!}\{1899} (Monday)
The weather to day has been cloudy{clowdy!} and
a little wet. I worked about home till
4 o clock. When Irving and I went
to the Town Clerks office in the City
Hall, and looked the records{reckoids!} in
regard to the history of East Farms,
and the vicinity{vacinity!}.
{new paragraph?}
Came home at 7.30 and Charlie
Cass, George Cass, Charlie Hotchkiss,
irving and myself practiced drumming,
and dirges{durges!}, for the memorial{memoral!}
exercises tomorrow.
05\30{31!}\{1899} (Tuesday)
This morning I got up at 5.30 got out the
team and got ready to go to Prospect,
Margaret, Ruth, Charlie Hotchkiss,
Irving, and myself started in the
two seated canopy top wagon and
went to George Casses, and waited
for him and nellie to get ready.
{new paragraph?}
We then drove to Prospect center, and
put our teams out under the church
sheds{sheads!}, and what there was of us
"fell in," and marched to Mr. Beers
house East of the Center, and reported
for duty. We were told to wait till
noon and then occassionally{accasionly!} marched
round the green. The veterans arrived{arived!}
to the number of about 15, and
several others came from Cheshire,
and we went into the Church
and listened to an address by
Judge George H Cowell of Waterbury
and also by the Rev. Mr. Nichols,
of Cheshire, late of Waterbury, also
some fine singing by several young
ladies of Prospect, and recitations.
{new paragraph?}
Out of a population of less than 500
men, women, and children, Prospect sent
to the war 75 able bodied{bodyed!} soldiers{souldiers!},
this was more than any other town
in the state sent, in proportion to its
inhabitants.
_fter{After?} the service in the Church we
formed in the green in front,
The Drum Band first, the{then?} the Veterans
to the number{nunber!} of about 30 than about
20 sons of Veterans, the{then?} the School
children from all parts of the town,
each carrying bouquets and wreaths
of flowers, and marched to the Cemetery
to a Funeral dirge, there we marched
from grave to grave of the dead
soldiers{souldiers!} and placed flowers on
each, the band playing "Safe in the
arms of Jesus" after which we marched
to the hall under the church were there
was a bountiful colation served.
A vote of thanks was given to the
Drum Corps also to judge Cowell and
Rev. Mr. Nichols, after supper we played
out side, "Marching through Georgia"
and "Old Dan Tucker"{?} after which we
started for home. On the way we
stopped at the Reservoir on east
mountain and went to the boiling
spring, which was of great interest
to the others who had not seen it.
We then came home, and to bed
before 9 o'clock.
05{06!}\31{01!}\1899 (Wednesday)
Remained at home all day, put
up a vice in the carriage house and
repaired George Cass_s{Casses?} buggy.
In the evening Mary and I went
to the Chapel to a meeting of the
Sundayschool{1 word?} Officers and teachers.
I also called on mr. Tucker.
It was decided to hold a prayer{prgyer!} meeting
in the Chapel next Sunday evening.
06\01\1899 (Thursday)
Worked building a chicken yard
to day. The weather was very
warm.
This evening Mary and I
went to the Grange.
06\02\1899 (Friday)
Finished the chicken yard to
day. The afternoon went and
visited the Mill Plain School
{new paragraph?}
Miss F May Tatem{?} teaches the
primary room, my Pierpont
and Ruth were there. The school
was very orderly and the recitations
good.
Miss Minnie Norton teaches
the hiher{higher?} grade, where Margaret
and Irving attend, the lessons
were well recited and the order
very good.
A little past 5 o'clock the Fire
alarm{alarn!} gong sounded Number
14, which is corner of the Wolcott
street and East main. The fire proved
to be Fred Woods oil storage{storgge!} shed, at
he Meriden Railroad Station I{It?} was
Kerocene{Karocine!}, and gasoline and it
soon all burned.
06\03\1899 (Saturday)
This forenoon Clyde, Irving, and
myself worked drawing{drowing!} stones from
he North East corner of my lot to
the foundation of the Blacksmith
shop I am going to build by the
brook on he Doolittle road.
This afternoon I went to Robert
Wordens{?} at East Farms and packed
a pump{word hard to read} for him and repaired
two gates, For which he paid me
$1.00 which was the only dollar I have
earned this week.
06\04\{1899} (Sunday)
Went to the Chapel this afternoon
Mr. Buckley preached.
{new paragraph?}
Mary and Clyde went to Trinity
Church this evening, and saw
Bishop Brewster confirm a class of
sixteen members into the Episcopal
faith among whom was Arthur
and Mort Pierpont.
06\05\1899 (Monday)
To day has been one of the hottest
Helped Mary run the washing-machine{1 word or hyphenated?},
anc spent the rest of
the day in writing
Mrs. Hiram Able is 40 years
old, and this evening, the
neighbots to the number of about{alout!}
20 met at their house and congratulated
them.
06\06\{1899} (Tuesday)
Hot weather to day everi_____{everiry__y?}
is suffering for want of rain.
Painted the wagon house and
port{part?} of the Barn.
06\07\1899 (Wednesday)
The weather has been hotter than any
day yet, till about 4 o'clock this afternoon,
when a thunder shower went
around North of us and it cooled
the air very much.
{new paragraph?}
I worked painting all day, on my
out buildings.
This evening Mary and i went
over to John Gallaghers to see him
about the Flag raising exercises{excrcises!}
that are to take place at the Grange.
06\08\1899 (Thursday)
Got up at 5.30 this morning and
after breakfast went to town to hear
the case tried, "The City against
John F Gallagher for violating the
City ordinance{ordinence!} which requires milkmen
to have a license. The court{courst!}
was to be held in the new court
house, but is put over till next
Saturday.
From thence I went to the
Naugatuck Railroad Dep@ot and saw
35 new recruites{recrutes!} who had enlisted for
three years, board the train, it was
a sad sight, for some of the Mothers
and sisters and sweethearts{sweethars!} were there
and cried like children.
{new paragraph?}
There are to be hurried through to San-
francisco and there take ship for
Manilla. They are going in response{responce!}
to the Presidents call for 35.000 men.
{new paragraph?}
After the train had left
I got my team and drove to Bradley
ville{1 word?}, To see Frank Howland, but he
had gone to Oakville,{or .?} I drove there
and found that he was surveying
for Mr. Loren/Laren{?} Carter in the old
deer Park, drove to Mr. Carters
house and found that he was in
the Center, Came to Mr. Carters
office and found him.
This evening Mary and I went
to the Grange.
06\09\1899 (Friday)
Weather very dry. Worked painting
most of the day.
06\10{09!}\{1899} (Saturday)
The Boys and I worked about home
till about 5 o'clock, When I went to
see Mr. James Porter about shingling
the large barn at the Jessy Doolittle
place, where Charlie Cass now lives
Fifteen new recruites{recrutes!} left here this morning
_________ ________ {word is underlined}
for the Phillipines{Philipine!} Islands{Iislands!}, to serve 3 years.
06\11{10!}\{1899} (Sunday)
Clyde and I with Irving went
to the East Farms Cemetery
and Started to make a map of
it and a Record{Reckord!} of the persons
who were buried there.
Came home in time to go to
the Chapel to the service, Mr.
Parry of the Grand Street
Baptist Church preached.
06\12\{1899} (Monday)
This morning I hitched up the horse and
went to James Porters at 9 o'clock and
we went to A.L. Pecks, lumber yard
on Meadow street to look at shingles.
{new paragraph?}
The cheapest they had were 3.25 per 1000
{new paragraph?}
We also went to Tracy Brothers yard, and
to The Waterbury Lumber Co's yard.
{new paragraph?}
The price was the same everywhere.
{new paragraph?}
So we came back and mr. Porter
bought 6.500 hemlock{hemlack!} Shingles, from
there we went Ladds grocery store
on Grand Street, where Mr. Porter
bought some groceries. We then went
to a saloon{sbloon!} on Harrison alley and
I sat in the wagon while he went
into the "watercloset" he said, but he
was gone a long time, and when he
came out he felt good, I guess{gess!} he had
had something good to drink.
{new paragraph?}
We then went to D.B. Wilsons store
on East main STreet, and Mr. Porter
bought some nails, then came home,
I stoped at Mr. Porters and got his
ladder, and took it to the Doolittle
barn, and then ate my dinner.
In the afternoon, I striped the roof
of the old shingles and got some of
the new ones.
{Note in margin of text:
1/2 day.}
06\13\{1899} (Tuesday)
Worked to day shingling Charlie{Chartie!} Casses
arn. He helped me.
{Note in margin of text:
10 hr{?}}
06\14\{1899} (Wednesday)
Worked to day on Charlie Casse's
barn. He helped me.
{new paragraph?}
Dexter Northrop died tonight at
about 7.30 o clock. Went to town tonight
to see Mr. Camp{?} about the mortgage{morgage!} on my
house.
06\15\{1899} (Thursday)
It was so hot that I only worked
6 hours, this was on Charlie Casses
barn. Sent Mr. Camp my bill
from Mr. Joseph Munder{?} deceased{deceised!}
for last years Interest and my receipts{recipts!}
for the same.
06\16\1899 (Friday)
Yesterday was one of the hottest
days ever known at this time
of year.
I worked shingling on Charlie
Cass barn 8 hours.
{Note in margin of text:
7 hr}
This barn was built by Mr. Jessy
Doolittle 60 years ago. Bur Chatfield{?}
did the kewing{?} and joiner work and
George Prichard{?} was his apprentice{apprintice!}
it is a large barn 36 x 40 ft with
16 ft posts{pasts?}.
I attended Dexter northrops
funeral, he was 58 years of age
{new paragraph?}
He served three{th_ee!} years in the
war in the 2nd Carm{?} Heavy
__ {underlining from previous line}
Artillery, was at the battle of
Winchester, and at Appomottax{?}
Court House when General{Genaral!} Lee
Surrendered, he was also in many
other battles.
06\17\{1899} (Saturday)
Worked on the barn at Charlie Casses
till noon.
After dinnr went and saw Charlie
Cass about repairing his barn pump
and milk tank, after which I went to
town, and took Pierpont with me.
{new paragraph?}
Went first to Hotchkiss & Templetons{?}
hardware store and traded{traided!} a 1 5/8
shell reamer for a new scythe and
.3{3?} lbs of 8d wire nails, also bought
one foot of 4 1/2 inch leather belt
for which I paid .35 cts, then went
to Hemingways fish market and
bough 1/2 peck of hard clams{?} for
which I paid .30 cts, then to the
Waterbury drug store and bought
2 sponges for which I paid .40 cts
and 10 cts worth of saltpeter{saltpetre!}, from
thence to Spencer and Pierpons
and bought 1 bag of oats for which
I paid 1.25 then to James Porters
and reckoned the labor of shingling
he barn, which amounted{announted!} to
10.75 and one bunch of shingles 1.15
which made 11.90 due me
{Notes in margin of text:
Next to "After dinner ..." 5 hr
Next to "hardware store ..." 1899}
06\18\1899 (Sunday)
This morning we got up at 7.30 o clock
I roasted the 1/2 ___{lbs?} of clams in the
fireplace in th cellar, and we had
them for breakfast.
{new paragraph?}
About 10.30 Charlie Hotchkiss and
and{written twice} got Rob Hotchkiss and went in
search{serch!} of a _ailing{bailing?} spring, near the
Meriden Road South of the house
of mr. Griswold, we could not find
it, so we went to Mr. Griswould{?}
and visited a spell and _te{ate?} cherrys
after which we came home, stopped
on the way at John French, and Bertha
gave us what chocolate{chockolate!} layer cake
we could eat and had some nice
water from their well.
{new paragraph?}
After supper of strawberry shortcake
Mary and I went to East farms
Cemetery and I finished making a
map of the same, came home and to bed at 9.30
06\19\1899 (Monday)
Helped Mary wash this{ihis!} morning, then set
a tire on the buggy, and did odd jobs the
est of the day.
Received a check to dy from James
Porter for 12.00 pay for work on Charles
Casses barn. They had their School meeting
at Eeast{?} Farm's last night, elected George Ben___{Benham?}
Committee, Wilson Pierpont, Clerk.<
