1861 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]
The entries from January 1 through January 13 were first written in the back of his 1860 diary and are basically identical to what he then wrote in his 1861 diary. Anything from 1860 that clarifies the 1861 entries is noted in brackets.
Jan 1 – Went down to Catharines[2].
Jan 2 – Went to the burg[3]. Bot ten lbs shugar 1.00.
Jan 3 – [Cloudy.] Worked in shop on [sleigh & bobs]. Cut out sleigh runners for C[harles] Richard[son].
Jan 4 – Snows. Worked on Wes[4] bob.
Jan 5 – Worked on R[ichardson]s sleigh. Wesly set shoes. Went to the Burg in evening. Bot starch 10¢ salratas[5] 10¢.
Jan 6 – [Went over to the burg.] Carried Sarah[6] to church.
Jan 7 – Went over to Burg. Bot salt & tallow 2.21¢. [Went up to Jesse Earls.] Fixed pully for Jesse. Richardson Brot ¾ wood. Mary Johnson came to Board.
Jan 8 – Worked in shop. Bot 4 lbs tallow of Wesly 50¢.
Jan 9 – Worked in shop. Jef [Jesse Chaffee] here. Harvey went home.
Jan 10 – [Pleasant.] Worked on [Richardsons] sleigh. [Got out runners.] Ground sausage meat in the evening.
Jan 11 – Snowey & cold. Worked on sleigh. [Charley & Azro called here.] Went to the burg evening got runners. Bot one lb Tea 62 this Book 25 wicking 6 licorice 1.
Jan 12 –Worked on sleigh. Richardson Brot load wood. Austins Boys over here. Lois[7] at home.
Jan 13 – [Pleasant.] At home all day. Sarah went to church.
Jan 14 – Worked on sleigh. Cut out slead runners in evening.
Jan 15 – Worked on sleigh got it ready to set shoes. Went over to the burg in evening. Rained like fun.
Jan 16 – Set shoes on sleigh commenced Box. Went over to the burg in evening. Got Ehens[8] Boots tapt 30¢ Bot iron & screws 29¢ Paper & thread 2¢ flour of Johnson 60 cts.
Jan 17 – Worked on sleigh box. Sarah & Patty[9] went down to Mr Clarks. S. Newman came over. Subscribed for Map of the united States price $.7.00.
Jan 18 – Worked in shop on sleigh box and on land slead. Catharine here. Mr Deyo[10] here in evening. Frank Whitcomb Died[11].
Jan 19 – Worked in shop some on box. Went over to the burg in evening. Got my boot mended.
Jan 20 – Pleasant. Sarah went to church.
Jan 21 – Went to Kalamazoo to court[12]. Bot Deyoes cow 10.00 Bot shoes 1.62 Bot Dolls 20. Frank Whitcomb Died.
Jan 22 – Pleasant 10 Abz[13]. Went to the Burg stayed all day to go to court. Bot beer 5¢ shoe strings 1¢.
Jan 23 – Pleasant morning 18 Abz. Went to Frank Whitcombs funeral. Martin Turner & wife[14] stayed here all night.
Jan 24 – Snows like fun. Martin went home. James L. Earl & wife[15] here. Carried Patty & Catharine up to Yorks[16].
Jan 25 – Cold 8 Abz. Worked in shop some. Finished my slead. Mary came back.
Jan 26 – Cold 8 Blz[17]. Worked in shop. Sarah went to church. Bot Dishes & window papers & cotton $.1.11¢.
Jan 27 – Cold 23 Abz. Sarah gone to church.
Jan 28 – Worked in shop some. Went over to the burg in evening. Bot yarn 50¢ Bot violin string 20¢.
Jan 29 – Cold & blustering. George and Marion[18] came went over to the burg. Bot yarn 31¢ Bot shugar 50¢. George left for Wisconsin.
Jan 30 – Went up to Yorks in evening. Patty & Marion stayed all night.
Jan 31 – Cold morning 6 Abz. Worked in shop some. Went over to burg in evening. Bot coffee 20¢.
Feb 1 – Carring my slead up to Milfords. Went over & got my cow. Rained hard. Patty Marion & Lois here.
Feb 2 – Went over to the burg twice. Patty Catharine & Marion went to Battle Creek. Paid 15.75¢ to Kelly on _____ _____.
Feb 3 – Pleasant 7 Abz. At home. Sarah went to church. Jo & Lois Lee[19] here. B. Hartwell called here.
Feb 4 – Pleasant. York got two loads straw. Mr Marther & wife came down with P. C. & M.[20]
Feb 5 – Cloudy. Mr Marther went home. Patty & Marion went down to Catharines. I went to mill at Pavilion. Made the shoes for my slead up to Milfords[?] shop.
Feb 6 – Cloudy. Worked in shop some. Put shoes on slead. Lois at home. Babcock paid 82.44.
Feb 7 – Cold 4 Abz blustering. Work on gearing. 18 Below zero in evening.
Feb 8 – Cold 5 Blz. Patty & Marion came home. Bot tea 63¢ 5 lbs shugar 55¢.
Feb 9 – Cold Pleasant 10 Abz. Chored round house. Went over to Burg in evening. Bot thread 5¢ Bot candle sticks ___. Thawed fast.
Feb 10 – Warm 50 Abz. Carried Marion up to Mr Yorks. Sarah went to church. Snow went like fun rain in evening.
Feb 11 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Helped wash. Took my engine a part.
Feb 12 – Windy 29 Abz. Worked in shop some. Went over to the burg in evening. Bot Broom 25¢ Bot emery paper 8¢ Hive syrup 5.
Feb 13 – Cloudy snow all gone. Worked in shop. Oscar Mary an[21] & Mrs Baty[22] here.
Feb 14 – Windy morning rained & snowed. Went over to the burg. George came. S. Kingsley paid me 75¢.
Feb 15 – Snows like fun. Went up to Flanders. George went to Colon. Henry[23] carried them. Went up to Yorks after patty. Went to school meeting.
Feb 16 – Cold some snow. Catharine Mark[24] Lucy[25] & Harvey[26] came up.
Feb 17 – Cold snows some. At home. George & Marion came back from Colon.
Feb 18 – Pleasant. George & Marion Patty left for home. C. R. 7/8 wood. Paid George 254.00 16 cents back at this date. Mark & Harvey & Lucy here.
Feb 19 – Alfleda[27] & Catharine here. Went to mill up to Pavilion. Carried two bushels of wheat.
Feb 20 – Cloudy. Alfleda & Catharine here. Worked in shop. Catherine went down to Mr Clarks.
Feb 21 – Cold. Went down to Catharines. Got some hickory timber. Saw Browns calf.
Feb 22 – Storms some thunder. Split some wood. Worked in shop. Richardson Brot 7/8 wood.
Feb 23 – Rainy. Worked in shop. Made cradles for Hannah & Nancy[28]. Cold & windy night.
Feb 24 – Pleasant & cold. Sarah gone to church.
Feb 25 – Worked in shop. Went over to the burg in evening Bot salratas 10¢ Bot shugar 50¢ wick 4¢. Trimbeck Here.
Feb 26 – Worked in shop on gearing. Mr Snow stayed all night.
Feb 27 – Worked on wheel for Richardson 1.75.
Feb 28 – Cloudy. Put up leach & chored round House. Stilwell got his wheel 1.75.
Mar 1 – Cloudy & smoky. Made soap. Pleasant.
Mar 2 – Pleasant. Sarah went to the burg. Carried Deyo some potatoes. Paid Deyo 2 Dollars on cow. Bot one lb Tea 62¢.
Mar 3 – Cloudy. Sarah at home. I went up to Yorks. Took dinner. Went & found some timber.
Mar 4 – Pleasant & cool. Built smoke house. Put my hams to smoking.
Mar 5 – Snows like fun 2½ inches deep. Went over to the burg to election. Got my Key. Bot plank $2.10 Bot matches 5 letter 3.
Mar 6 – Pleasant. Went up to Yorks. Got out some stringers for the race[29] bridge.
Mar 7 – Pleasant. Worked in shop. Put violin together. Eugene there. Cow calved about 2 oclock P.M.
Mar 8 – Cloudy & rainy. Hewed spokes for Fathers[30] wagon. Wesley & D. Taylor here.
Mar 9 – Cloudy. Went up to Yorks. Got some S. elm bark for cow. Worked on spokes some.
Mar 10 – Cloudy. At home all day.
Mar 11 – Pleasant. Put in two boulsters for C. Richardson.
Mar 12 – Pleasant. Worked in shop on spokes. School closed.
Mar 13 – Cloudy rather cool. Ben Mose got Boulster. Sarah went up to Wesleys. Ben Jackson got into the river in Evening. Shaved spokes.
Mar 14 – Pleasant. Shaved spokes for Fathers wagon. Bot thread 10¢.
Mar 15 – Pleasant. Put rim on Fathers wheel. Filled 4 teeth for Lois.
Mar 16 – Cloudy. Worked in shop on gearing. Eugene Bronson brot his violin.
Mar 17 – Pleasant & cold. Put hair in violin bow for Eugene Bronson.
Mar 18 – Pleasant 4½ Abz cold. Went over to the burg. Bot cotton 13.
Mar 19 – Pleasant. Pedler here. Bot plaster & solution 1.25. Got out spokes for Jesse Earls wheel. Pleasant C. R. brot one cord wood. May April
Mar 20 – Snows in morning May. Rimmed Earls wheel. Cold snowey day.
Mar 21 – Pleasant morning June. Worked in shop drove spokes in Fathers wheel.
Mar 22 – Worked in shop rimmed Fathers wheels. Ethen got boot tapt 10.
Mar 23 – Cloudy morning. Painted wheels. Mother[31] went down to Catharines. Ethen went.
Mar 24 – At home all day. B. Clark[32] here after Golden Seal[33].
Mar 25 – Pleasant. Carried wheels up to Milfords. T. Flanders[34] came. Rainy night. Put in half crotch for Jesse Earl.
Mar 26 – Rainy day. Painted wheels over again. Flanders here.
Mar 27 – Snows some. Stranger called took breakfast. Flanders left. Worked on gearing.
Mar 28 – Pleasant. Work on box. Wallace Earl left for California. Lois home. Got my magazine.
Mar 29 – Rainy day. Worked on box. Wesley made saw frames. Mother sick.
Mar 30 – Snow on ground. Worked in shop on ax helves[35]. Catharine came up.
Mar 31 – At home. Jo & Helen Wes & Harriet[36] here.
Apr 1 – Snowey. Went to town meeting. Bot Tea 25¢ Bot salratas 10¢ School Bill 38¢.
Apr 2 – Worked in shop on box. Made helve for A Chipman. Doc Bab here in Evening.
Apr 3 – Pleasant. Went over to burg. Got order of Babcock 89.00. Bot screws 15¢. Ricardson Brot 7/8 wood.
Apr 4 – Pleasant. Painted wagon box. Worked up to Milfords afternoon. Halls Auction. Father bot chair.
Apr 5 – Cloudy. Worked up to Milfords fore noon. Painted box.
Apr 6 – Cloudy. Painted gearing. Made ax helves. Rainy night.
Apr 7 – Rainy morning or misty. Put wagon together. Father went & got Mrs Bundy.
Apr 8 – Rainy. Went over to the burg & up to Wesleys. Killed calf. Rainy afternoon.
Apr 9 – Worked in shop. Made ____ for C. Richardson. Father brot his wagon down. Nelson Nichols ___ to 21.½ lbs veal $1.07.
Apr 10 – Pleasant. Put in wagon neap[37] for Father. Went over to burg. Bot shoes for Nancy 74¢ one paper 5¢.
Apr 11 – Pleasant. Went over to burg. Bot powder 10. Uncle Warren[38] came here. Father got his oxen.
Apr 12 – Cloudy. Went down to Catharines. Husked corn.
Apr 13 – Mark & Catharine & Sarah went to Kalamazoo. Uncle Warren went home. Sarah bot calico & dishes 6.25¢. Mark bot harness.
Apr 14 – Snowed some cold. Came home afternoon.
Apr 15 – Cloudy. Went over to burg. Bot wicking 5¢. Tightened boxes in bugy.
Apr 16 – Commenced moveing. Carried six loads. York & ____ helped.
Apr 17 – Pleasant. Finished moveing. Brot five loads. Bot wheat 3 bushels.
Apr 18 – Cloudy morning. Fixed barn. Rainy day.
Apr 19 – Went over. Got my pig. Got trees grafted. Bot ½ lb tea 25¢. Got my cow home.
Apr 20 – Trimming currant Bush. C. Richardson Brot 1 & 1/16th cord wood.
Apr 21 – Went over to Fathers. Got the old cat.
Apr 22 – Trimmed trees. They raised a pole in town a number inlisted. Thunder shower in the night. Flanders brot ½ ton hay.
Apr 23 – Pleasant. Fastened my bench & moved things round shop.
Apr 24 – Put in reach[39] for C. Richardson 50¢.
Apr 25 – Pleasant. Cleared out shop. Bot glass 44¢ violin string 15¢. Tenant got stove.
Apr 26 – Pleasant. Worked in yard. Mrs Rexford called here. Extracted tooth for Del Pond (25¢.
Apr 27 – Rainy morning. Scraped my trunk. Bot carpet hook 15¢ & put down carpet.
Apr 28 – Pleasant. At home all day.
Apr 29 – Pleasant. Worked in yard. Bot paper 5¢.
Apr 30 – Pleasant. Went over the river up to Jesses & round by hartwells.
May 1 – Cloudy & cold. Got out manure. Bot window bolts 30¢ Bot mortar 10 postage 4¢ soap 13 Bot tree 20.
May 2 – Pleasant. Plowed garden & planted some potatoes.
May 3 – Worked in garden some. Made ax helve for E. Flanders.[40]
May 4 – Pleasant. Bot lime 3¢ Bot two files 18¢ cts. Filed saw for Oatman.
May 5 – At home. Rained in afternoon & evening. Had headache.
May 6 – Pleasant. Lois came ____ went over to Fathers. Got 3 bushels corn 93¢. Bot curtain paper 30 Boots tapt 50.
May 7 – Bot roll paper 38 Beef 38 Sulpher 6 Molasses 28. Worked on pole & whiffle.
May 8 – Pleasant. Finished pole & whiffletree. Bot shugar 55¢. Mrs Johnson & Mrs Stevenson here.
May 9 – Pleasant morning. Bot pants for Ethen & bonnets for girls shoes for Hannah 2.26¢. Lois Ethen went up to Wesleys.
May 10 – Rained in morning. Got out my timber. Guile sold stove to Tim Mills $.9.00. Wesley Brot 6. bushels potatoes.
May 11 – Cleaned out cellar. Bot apples 19¢. Lois went home.
May 12 – Pleasant. At home. Old Mr Warren[41] died. Van Swaddle died.
May 13 – Rainy. Lois came back. Sent letter to Mr Cridland[42] & one to E. M. Stratta 3.48. Percivals Horses Killed on the Rail Road. Bot matches 5.
May 14 – Cloudy & cool. Drove some spokes. Sent letter to P. Betts[43] 3¢. Richardson brot one cord wood.
May 15 – Cloudy. Finished driving Earls spokes.
May 16 – Cold. Got strawberry vines. Bot ½ lb Tea 35¢. Mrs Pond[44] died. Set out strawberries. Planted onions peas & lettuce.
May 17 – Pleasant. Planted beets pop corn coffee &c. Mrs Pond buried. Bot ribbon 9¢.
May 18 – Pleasant. Planted beens cucumbers & potatoes. Cold backward wether. Some corn planted none up yet.
May 19 – Cloudy. At home all day. Henry came down.
May 20 – Rainy morning cool. Worked in shop on hubbs & spokes. Bot sandpaper 3¢.
May 21 – Pleasant. Planted melons & potatoes. Old Mrs Taylor & lib here. The boys left for Detroit. Bot salratas 10¢.
May 22 – Finished spokes sawed out some felloes[45]. Sarah Beedle here to dinner. Mrs Deyoe[46] here to tea.
May 23 – Cloudy. Went to show afternoon went saw woman 25 saw aztec children 15¢ picture 15 candy 2. Cow out. Wiseman & family here to tea.
May 24 – Pleasant. Worked in shop on wheels. Made ax helve for Wesley 38¢. Bot cotton & thread 40¢.
May 25 – Pleasant. Worked on wheels. Bot grindstone and hangings 3.25 cod fish 25¢. Lois went home. Battle at sands point.
May 26 – Rains. At home all day. Pleasant apart of the day rained in Evening.
May 27 – Cloudy morning. Worked on wheels. Got my magazine & chart. Bot cabbage plants 10¢.
May 28 – Pleasant. Fitted exes to Earls waggon.
May 29 – Pleasant. Harrison Sprague called here. Father & Mother here. Bot nails 8¢ Bot chair painted 38.
May 30 – Pleasant. Finished my fence. Bot 2 lbs nails ___.
May 31 – Pleasant. Went over to Fathers. Got 3 bushels potatoes. Bronson brot [sentence unfinished].
Jun 1 – Rainy morning. Austin raised his barn. Got Sarahs shoe mended 13¢. Got 5 bushels & 40 lbs wheat of Bronson.
Jun 2 – Rainy. Working at home all day.
Jun 3 – Pleasant morning. Set box for D. Bronson. Set boxes in Bronsons Hubbs. Bot Broom 20¢.
Jun 4 – Cloudy. Made grind stone frame. Babcock paid 8.8.13.
Jun 5 – Pleasant. Planted corn for fodder.
Jun 6 – Pleasant. Worked in shop on Bronsons Exes. Truax & A. R. Brown at shop. Post Office moved to J. F. Warrens.
Jun 7 – Foggy morning. Worked on gearing.
Jun 8 – Pleasant. Rimming wheels. Made thill for D. Lamkins. Bot one lb Tea 75¢ Bot reeds 4¢.
Jun 9 – Pleasant and warm. At home all day.
Jun 10 – Hot. Finished Earls wheels. Peck got part of the gearing.
Jun 11 – Warm. G. Signor brot his cart. Painted wheels & gearing. Mark & Catharine here. Tenant paid 10¢. Rained very little.
Jun 12 – Pleasant. Repaired G. Signors cart. Got out spokes for Streators wheel. Sarah & Lois went over to Wisemans.
Jun 13 – Pleasant. Drove spokes. Mrs Watts here most all day. Bot ½ lb glue 14¢. Richardson Brot almost one cord wood. Jef. Chaffee[47] started for the War.
Jun 14 – Pleasant. Finished streators wheel. Bot oil 25¢ Bot sundries for Sarah $4.00. Some thunder & some rain.
Jun 15 – Pleasant. Put the rims on Bronsons wheels. Windy day blew a perfect gale.
Jun 16 – Cloudy & cool. At home all day. Went up to the grave yard[48] just at night.
Jun 17 – Pleasant. Went over to Fathers. Got my plank from Truax. Barber drawed it on dray 12¢.
Jun 18 – Pleasant. Went over to Fathers. Got 5 bushels corn.
Jun 19 – Repaired wheel for A. Chipman 17/-[49] wheel for T. Aldrich 38¢ Bot County Map 5.00.
Jun 20 – Went up to Wesleys to look at some timber. Had a fine shower. Bot Envelope 2¢. Sent letter to G. T.[50] 3¢. Alph Beals & wife came in Evening.
Jun 21 – Went over to Fathers with Beals. Ransom took County Map. Paid me $5.00. Sent 88. Dollars to G. T. by Express.
Jun 22 – Pleasant. Worked on road. Alph Beals called. Cut James Flanders hair.
Jun 23 – Warm. Henry Brot Lois home. Cut Henrys Hair.
Jun 24 – Worked on road. Paid grafter 1.50¢. Verry hot.
Jun 25 – Worked on Chips box. Bot saleratas 10¢. Went up by Swaddles after cow. Rained in the night.
Jun 26 – Worked on Box and repaired wheel for Tay Aldrich 75¢.
Jun 27 – Worked in shop and hoed some. Agent here from New York Act. 145.
Jun 28 – Put in steak for A. Chipman. Worked on box some wood Sawyers left Emma Clark here.
Jun 29 – Worked on box. Truman Dewey here.
Jun 30 – Pleasant. Went over to Fathers. Nancy & Hannah went up to Wesleys. Heavy shower in the night.
Jul 1 – Pleasant. J. York called. Worked on Bronsons wheels. B. Vosburg brot cradle to repair.
Jul 2 – Pleasant. Worked in shop some. Got out seat rails. Bot pants for Ethen 40¢ Bot camphor 10¢ pins 6. Went after Mrs Ralph in Evening.
Jul 3 – Very hot. Took nance home. Girl[51] Born at sun down.
Jul 4 – Pleasant. Great celebration in town. Bot shoes for Ethen 1.00 two pennies to the girls. Hellen & Jo here to dinner. Harvey[52] buiried to day.
Jul 5 – Hot. Helped wash. Mary Childs here. Hoed some. Paid D. Harris[53] one Dollar.
Jul 6 – Received letter from G. T. Repaired cleadle[cradle?] for B. Vosburg. Hoed potatoes.
Jul 7 – Hot. At home. Had a shower in the afternoon.
Jul 8 – Rainy morning. Worked on wheels some & on Box. Vosburg got cradle. Paid 38¢. Sent letter to G. T. Mrs Ralph 1.50.
Jul 9 – Parker here to Breakfast. Mended squair for Dutch tailor. Mark & Catharine & Mr Strong here.
Jul 10 – Pleasant. Filed two saws for barber. Mended cradle for Azro Blakeslee 38¢. Bot Box matches 5. Tailor paid 50¢.
Jul 11 – Pleasant. Bainbridge & frind Smith called. Mended cradle for D. Taylor 15¢. C. Richadson Brot one cord wood. Cow gone.
Jul 12 – Rainy. Cow gone. Mended cradle for Williams 10¢. Set skeins to Earls wagon. Bot candles 10¢.
Jul 13 – Pleasant. Repaired two cradles for J. C. Blake 50¢. Bot Washington map 7.00. Smith paid 10¢.
Jul 14 – Went over to fathers. Alvan[54] there.
Jul 15 – Cloudy. Repaired cradle for Wm Blake 10¢. Hoed potatoes & corn. Bot 5 lbs shugar 45¢. Cow gone. One nipple 10¢.
Jul 16 – Put in two fingers for Williams 20¢. Rimed one wheel. Bot ½ lb Tea 31¢ Beef 16.
Jul 17 – Pleasant. Rimed wheels. Made rake for B. Clark.
Jul 18 – Pleasant. Painted Bronsons wheels. Beckwith paid $5.00.
Jul 19 – Pleasant. Mended rake & cradle for D. Lamkins 50¢. Mr. Mc.Govern here. Got his razor sharpened. Mrs David & Caty Wing here to Tea.
Jul 20 – Pleasant. Worked in shop some. Went down to movies. Bent seat rail &c[55]. Lois went home. Smith paid 10¢ saw.
Jul 21 – Pleasant & dry at home. Del Pond paid 2.5 cts.
Jul 22 – Pleasant cool. Bot pail 25¢. Made patterns for union buggy.
Jul 23 – Pleasant & dry. Worked in shop some on gearing and box.
Jul 24 – Cool & dry. Bot Beef 25¢. Worked on gearing & dash &c.
Jul 25 – Pleasant. Worked on bugy gearing some. Yankee Robinsons show here. Went in Evening 15. Got Baswood board of A. Pond 20 feet.
Jul 26 – Rains this morning had a fine shower. Bent dash & split it. Had head ache after noon. Bot candles 20¢.
Jul 27 – Pleasant. Worked in shop some. Glued dash. Bot 5 lbs salt 5¢. Gyle paid five Dollars. Blackburn 25¢. Rainy night. Isaac Wing called here.
Jul 28 – Rainy morning. At home all day.
Jul 29 – Put up lathe & filled one tooth & extracted one for D. Taylor 50. Dwight paid me 15¢ for fixing cradle. Indian stayed all night. Bot _____ oil 5¢.
Jul 30 – Had a shower morning. Worked in shop some. Bot cloth for apron 25¢ Bot one doz eggs 8¢ crackers 2¢. Very hot 95 _____. By Clark paid 50¢.
Jul 31 – Cloudy. Worked in shop on lathe & dash. Very hot night.
Aug 1 – Hot 80 Abz morning. Put dash on cutter. Put in seat &c. Very hot.
Aug 2 – Hot 80 Abz. Worked on lathe some on cutter thills[56] &c. Very hot.
Aug 3 – Hot 76 Abz. Worked on thills &c. Mark brot Ethen home.
Aug 4 – Hot 85 Abz. At home. At four P.M. in sun 110. In shade 98 & 90 in evening.
Aug 5 – Cloudy. Worked on thills & fender. Dr James Harris[57] called. Bot ½ lb pepper 8¢.
Aug 6 – Pleasant. Corporation tax 24¢. One pr shoestrings 1¢. Went up to J. Flanders. All hands. Had a shower in night.
Aug 7 – Cloudy. Worked on cutter. Put Box on Chipmans wagon. Heavy shower all night.
Aug 8 – Hot morning. Finished Tuttles cutter. Mended Barbers Knife &c.
Aug 9 – Cloudy. Bot screws & Bots 22¢. Worked on table some. Mrs Rogers Sarah & An Eliza old Mrs Austin & Chloe. Guile moved his things.
Aug 10 – Foggy. Finished table. Carried corn to mill. Bot beer 10. Richardson Brot ¼ cord wood.
Aug 11 – Cooler & cloudy. Bot Beef 18¢ Bot ½ lb Tea 38. At home all day. Commenced raining in the night had a heavy rain.
Aug 12 – Rainy morning, Rain Rain. No work to day. Circus here. No meal to day.
Aug 13 – Pleasant. Lois came. Bot Beef 30¢ apple 2¢. Mended Ed Flanders pen. Richardson Brot one cord & 1/8 wood.
Aug 14 – Pleasant. Worked in shop made boulster for J. Flanders. Flanders brot over lumber. Bot saleratas 10. A Chipman brot 4 bushels wheat.
Aug 15 – Made whiffletrees[58] for A Chipman. Had the first green corn. A Chip- Brot 4½ Butter. Bot candles 15. Richardson Brot 1 & ¼ wood. Recd 15 of Night.
Aug 16 – Pleasant. 4 Envelopes 2¢ postage 3¢. Sawed out springs for Earls wagon. Sarah went over river Mrs Deyo & Lois.
Aug 17 – Put irons on Earls Box & John B. White called here. Babcock paid $.18 & 48/100 Dollars. Paid Father $.78 Dollars.
Aug 18 – At home all day. Mended fan for An Eliza Rogers.
Aug 19 – Pleasant. Went up to J. Flanders & Mrs Wheatons. Flanders got three Kittens.
Aug 20 – Cloudy. Put in Ex for C. Richardson 2.00. Sarah & Lois went to A. Hoags.
Aug 21 – Worked in shop on Earls Box. Put finger board on John Fishers violin 10¢. Extracted tooth for J. York. Had a devil of a shower got wet.
Aug 22 – Rainy morning. Went over to Fathers. Sent letter to Omro[59] 3¢. Bot violin string 15¢. Gillis & Oatman here.
Aug 23 – Nice day. Worked in shop on buggy gearing. B. Hartwell called. Went over to Fathers. Bot map of D. K. Rogers 10¢.
Aug 24 – Sawed out buggy gearing. Went down to Catharines. Pleasant day.
Aug 25 – At Catharines. Saw toots[60] melodian. Came home. Lois left.
Aug 26 – Fine morning. Bot 6 lbs salt 6¢. Worked on Earls Box. Earl brot wheel. Riley Bennet & wife here & Mart Fisk. Georges store burnt.
Aug 27 – Worked L. T. Earls wheel. Sarah went over to Wisemans. Received letter from H. Crawford.[61]
Aug 28 – Pleasant. Finished Earls wheel. Great picknick at Kalamazoo.
Aug 29 – Pleasant. Earl got his wheel. Made seats for Earls wagon. Bot paper 10¢. Got magazine.
Aug 30 – Pleasant. Finished Earls wagon. Kalamazoo Rigament left to day. Bot nails 4¢.
Aug 31 – Sick. Not much work done. Sent letter to H. Crawford 3¢.
Sep 1 – At home all day. Bad cold.
Sep 2 – Rainy. Worked on Strubles gun. Bot eggs 5. Recd paper from G. T. Store burnt.
Sep 3 – Went over to Fathers. Finished Strubles gun 2.50. Bot bird seed 3¢. Went to show in evening 50¢.
Sep 4 – Put my lumber in the barn. Sarah went over to Deyoes. Peter Johnson left for the East. Let him have $.50.
Sep 5 – Pleasant. Work in shop. Enos Smith here. Bot candles 7¢. Alvan here all day.
Sep 6 – Pleasant. Worked on buggy gearing some. Alvan made reel. John Fisher got violin is to pay me Eight Dollars.
Sep 7 – Worked on gearing. Bot one fourth pound Tea 25¢ of A. L. Mason.
Sep 8 – Cloudy. Went over to Fathers.
Sep 9 – Earls waggon went to the paint shop. Lois came home. Worked on gearing some.
Sep 10 – Work on Bug gearing. Rains some 10 min to Eleven.
Sep 11 – Cloudy. Pol___ Bronson called A. Powers Brot violin. Bot thread 5. Flanders Brot ½ Bushel apples. Tenanted spokes. Sarah & Lois went to Renfords Coreys.
Sep 12 – Made Box to my cart. Sarah & Lois went to James Coreys Renfords Renfords. Bot candles 14¢.
Sep 13 – Worked on Hartwells Buggy Boddy. Sarah went to T. Whitings.
Sep 14 – Rainy. Worked on Hartwells B. Boddy. Bill Brown called. Lois went home.
Sep 15 – At home all day. Made hog trough in the morning.
Sep 16 – Cloudy. Worked on Boddy. Bot Beef Steak 20¢. Rainy night.
Sep 17 – Cloudy some rain. Worked on Boddy. Bot paper 5¢. Struble paid one Dollar.
Sep 18 – Pleasant. Worked on boddy. Filled tooth for Jake Hill 38¢. Bot screws 6¢.
Sep 19 – Pleasant. Bot salt 11¢ Bot mill _____ & meal 57¢. Put the skeleton Boddy together. Heavy shower in night.
Sep 20 – Cloudy. Worked in shop. Went up to Howlands. Had a _____. Bot pumpkin 4¢.
Sep 21 – Worked on Boddy some. Made penny Box. Bot paper 5¢ one apple 1.
Sep 22 – At home all day.
Sep 23 – Worked in shop on violin. Bot screws & nails 36¢. Gave nancy & Hannah one cent.
Sep 24 – Work on violin. T. Flanders here to dinner. Bot paper 5. Jesse W. Turner[62] called. Bot ¼ lb Tea 25¢.
Sep 25 – Worked on Boddy some and on violins. Bot paper 5¢ Nigger Brot violin.
Sep 26 – Worked on Boddy and violins. A. Powers called. Put L. T. Earls wagon together.
Sep 27 – Went over to Fathers. Got two bushels corn. Sarah & children went over got her shoes. Got Sarahs shoes 50¢. Got wheels painted 50. Schroder paid 20¢. Aldrich paid 1.10.
Sep 28 – Worked in shop some. Put up stove. Bot eggs 8 Bot cap 75¢ Bot thread 5¢.
Sep 29 – Cloudy and cool. Henry came home. Went over to Fathers. Rainy. Ethen went down to Catharines.
Sep 30 – Cloudy & cool. One package Envelopes 10¢. Mr Tuttle paid five Dollars. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢.
Oct 1 – Cut hay in G. Hoges yard. Tinkered in shop some. Bot syrup for sis[63] 25¢.
Oct 2 – Some cloudy. Went over to Fathers.
Oct 3 – Went to Kalamazoo fare 20¢ four peaches 2 ride up to fair ground 5 ticket 25¢. Bot cotton & calcoe 5.45¢. Rainy. E. Beckwith paid 15.00.
Oct 4 – Cloudy. Worked in shop some. N. M. Tuttle left. Saw Jonathan Smith & Richmond Perry. Wesley went to Kalamazoo.
Oct 5 – Some rainy. Bot comb for Hannah 10¢ Bot Bran 22¢. Lois & Mrs Clark[64] here.
Oct 6 – Rainy. Bot seed 3¢. Went up to Yorks. Lois went home.
Oct 7 – Dug my Green Bay potatoes &c. Got meal from the mill. Pleasant. Bot candles & salrates 25¢.
Oct 8 – Pleasant. Got my hay over. Bot pork 16¢. Husked corn.
Oct 9 – Pleasant. Put top on Powers violin. Went up to Milfords. Saw Charleys spy glass.
Oct 10 – Pleasant. Worked in shop some. Henry & Lois at home. Bot calico 108. Sarah went to Geo. Whitings. Richardson Brot ¼ wood. Bot ½ lb Tea 50¢.
Oct 11 – Worked round house in shop some. Killed my hog. James Holden helped me.
Oct 12 – Cut up and salted my hog. Weighed 322. Powers got violin. Paid 2.00. Filed saw for Warren 10. Filed saw for Earl 10¢.
Oct 13 – Went over to Fathers. Had sick hedache.
Oct 14 – Went down to Catharines after apples. John Fisher paid one Dollar. Warm day.
Oct 15 – Pleasant. Got wheat of Bronson. Struble paid 50¢.
Oct 16 – Went to Kalamazoo. Bot clamps hubs & rims & one file & crackers one violin string. Beckwith pd 5 ___ Struble one Dollar. Bot two pairs shoes 1.50¢.
Oct 17 – Cloudy morning. Bot cloves & cinnamon & shugar 72¢. P. Johnson paid 51.00. B. Hartwell paid 10.00.
Oct 18 – Cloudy. Made rack to dry apples on. Bot candles 16. Jane Whiting & Addeline Harris[65] here.
Oct 19 – Pleasant. Jane Hoag & Mrs Scramlin here. Dug few potatoes.
Oct 20 – Pleasant. Ethen came home. At home all day.
Oct 21 – Pleasant. Finished digging potatoes. Sent letter to H. Crawford 3¢. Lois & girls came home.
Oct 22 – Bot drilling & thread 18¢ braid 8¢ Book 15¢ Bot hoop iron 4¢. Filed saw for S. Earl 8¢.
Oct 23 – Went to Kalamazoo. Bot Shugar 1.00 Bot paper 1.00 Bot hubs 150. Braid 2¢. Showed like fun when we started for home.
Oct 24 – Pleasant. B. Hartwell paid $10.00 Dollars. Richardson brot ½ cd wood. J. C. Blake paid 1.00. W. A. Blake paid 10¢. John Fisher paid 10¢. Mr & Mrs Isaac Corey here to tea.
Oct 25 – Went to Kalamazoo. Bot yarn 1.00 bot two pr socks for Ethen 40¢. Went down with Dr. Wightman.
Oct 26 – Put in two spokes & tightened two boxes in Dr Wightmans sulky. Bot one 3/8 socket chisel 44¢. Paid Bachelder two Dollars to apply on S. A. Millards &co Act.
Oct 27 – At home all day.
Oct 28 – Made saw buck for Mr Bachelder 50¢. Bot candles 16¢ Bot bran 20. Mrs Austins Boy[66] Born.
Oct 29 – Pleasant. Worked on thills some & on violin. Mrs Cross children got hurt run over by a team.
Oct 30 – Rainy. Bot delane[?] 11¢. Worked on thills & violin.
Oct 31 – Worked in shop some on thills. Bot one Brace one smooth plane and one Hundred Spindles 3.50¢.
Nov 1 – Bot Book 15¢ one bar soap 10¢. Worked on thills some on violin &c. Rainy
Nov 2 – Rainy. Got Boots tapt 50¢. Let Riley Coe have 25¢. Worked in shop some. Mark here. Henry at home stayed all night.
Nov 3 – At home all day. Lois & By came home.
Nov 4 – Worked in shop on spokes. Paid school bill 2.68¢.
Nov 5 – Shaved spokes. T. Flanders here to dinner. Bot candles & ½ lb Tea 54.
Nov 6 – Worked in shop shaved spokes. Put the filling in violin top for J. Fisher.
Nov 7 – Shaved spokes & put base bar in violin put top on. Bot sand paper & file 22¢ Bot bran 18¢. A. R. Turner painted telegraph pole. C. Richardson wood ¾ cord. Henry Crawford[67] here in Evening.
Nov 8 – Pleasant. Shaved spokes. Went to hear spiritual lecture 6¢.
Nov 9 – Bot broom 13¢. Finished Hartwels spokes. Bot broom 13. Caty Chaffee[68] here.
Nov 10 – Pleasant & smoky. Went over to Fathers. Saw old Mrs Chaffee. Rode home with Ed Hoges.
Nov 11 – Pleasant day. Worked round Barn & cistern. Signor paid one Dollar.
Nov 12 – Sent up to Wesleys & Yorks Fathers & Jesse Earls. Ethen went to show 5.
Nov 13 – Bot glass & nails & putty 39¢. Cleared out for my pig pen. J. Flanders got my cider Barrel. Bot one lb candles 14. Earl Brot lumber.
Nov 14 – Built pig pen. Bot one paper salearatas 10¢. Flanders brot cider 30 gal. Snowed in Evening.
Nov 15 – Grandrapids Cavalry passed half past six. Horses passed at noon. Worked on pig pen & house. Mary Nichols here.
Nov 16 – Worked on house & pen. Extracted tooth for Job Aldrich 25¢. Mr Streator got Cals violin. James Stilwell paid 50¢. Went over to Fathers.
Nov 17 – At home. James Hoxie & A. Caywood called here.
Nov 18 – Bot nails slate logwood and cudbar[?] 27¢. Made bin in barn.
Nov 19 – Went over to Fathers. Brot over my smoke box. Went up to Charles Richardson. Alfleda here. Bot turnips 20¢.
Nov 20 – Put up smoke box. Nailed ridge boards on barn. Bot cope____ 3¢. Alfleda left. Got buck skin of Austin. Austin had 5 gals cider.
Nov 21 – Cut out gloves. Worked on gearing. Bot nails 4¢. C. R. brot 1&¼ wood. Flanders Brot two pigs 2.00. S. Harris called. Bot candles one apple 15.
Nov 22 – Went over to Fathers. Bot thread 5¢. Worked in shop. Let Sarah Beedle[?] have 7¢. Caty Chaffe came over.
Nov 23 – Snows cold. Smoothed up Hartwells gearing & thills.
Nov 24 – Went over to Fathers. Cold & snowey.
Nov 25 – Went over to Hartwells. Bot 13 bushels wheat $11.00. Bot boots for Ethen 2.00.
Nov 26 – Worked on bobs. Got bas board of H. Vanmeter. Cut of Beadstead[?] for C. P. Galligan. Finished my gloves.
Nov 27 – Sold Steve to D. K. Rogers 3.00¢. Worked on bobs saw. Bot lock & whiffletree irons & postage 28¢.
Nov 28 – Filed saw for Austin 10. Repaired pump for Warren 25¢. Put in thill for Wightman 25. Filed saw for Mead 10. Mark Lee here.
Nov 29 – Filed saw for Smith 10¢. Put in crotch for A. Austin 10.00. Bot one lb candles 14.
Nov 30 – Filed saw for Bachelder 10. Sold helve to Tenant. Worked on bobs some. Put top on my new violin.
Dec 1 – Snows. Sarah gone to church. I went over to Fathers in Evening.
Dec 2 – Bot soap 10¢ Bot Tea 40. Henry Scramblin here. Lauriston Cruttenden[69] here left on 7 oclock train.
Dec 3 – Let Scudder have Elm plank 26 feet. Worked in shop rimed out hubbs. Ethen went down to Lois. Got Accordion.
Dec 4 – Drove some spokes. Trimed out hubbs. Bot saffron 19¢ postage 3.
Dec 5 – Pleasant no snow. Drove spokes in B. Hartwells wheels. Bot matches 5 postage 3.
Dec 6 – Put rims on wheels. Spliced Elecks bow. Made tobacco pouch for P. Johnson 15¢.
Dec 7 – Rainy morning. Banked up round shop. Bot thread 5¢ Bot bran 15¢.
Dec 8 – Went up to Wesleys Yorks & Fathers. Bot candles 14¢. Warm & smoky.
Dec 9 – Smoky & warm. Worked on wheels puting on rims. Augusts team got stuck in sand.
Dec 10 – Cloudy & warm. Finished Hartwells wheels. Rainy.
Dec 11 – Cold & pleasant. Worked on boddy. Split back pannel. Eleck paid 51¢. Alvan called here.
Dec 12 – Bent pannel for buggy. Wm Whitcomb here glued for him. Byington here. Bot calico thread & gun _______ 37¢.
Dec 13 – Worked in shop some. Wesley drawed dirt. Babcock paid 24.50.
Dec 14 – Work on ball. Bronson brot 10[?] Bushels corn paid $2 cash. Bot lamp & candles 1.62.
Dec 15 – Pleasant. Went over to Fathers. Catharine & Mark there.
Dec 16 – Worked on Mr Turners thing. Bot canvas 12¢ Brads 12¢ sulpher 12¢ Postage 6. Sent letter to G. T. one to J. S. K.[70] Richardson most 1 cord wood.
Dec 17 – Pleasant. Worked on Buggy box. Put on back pannel. Paid corporation tax 1.67.
Dec 18 – Worked on buggy seat. Bot salearatas 10¢. Wightman paid 5¢.
Dec 19 – Pleasant. Wightman paid 5¢. Worked on bugy Boddy some.
Dec 20 – Went up to Milfords. Matthews made churn dash for C. P. Galligan. Bot violin string 15¢.
Dec 21 – Worked on bobs. Filed saw for Wesley 10¢. D. Lamkin Brot Hay. C. P. Galligan paid 50.
Dec 22 – Went up to Yorks & Fathers. Cold & snowy.
Dec 23 – Went over to Jesse Earls. Got 1376 lbs bran of D. Affleck. Bot oil can 50¢ & oil 39¢.
Dec 24 – Worked in shop on Stove platform &c.
Dec 25 – Bot stove & pipe nails Tacks candy & eggs 9.___. Put up stove. Bronson Brot lumber.
Dec 26 – Worked on runners for York. Sawed out bob runners for B. Clark. Bot hat 1.50¢. Smith paid 10¢.
Dec 27 – Put log on the way. Put on spring bar for Baty 37. Richardson Brot 1&¾ cord wood.
Dec 28 – Got out & bent runners felloes seat rails & fenders. H. Crawford[71] & family came out here.
Dec 29 – Went over to Fathers. Mother sick. Rev. Platt Betts Died this morning.
Dec 30 – Sick no work to day. Bot camphor 10¢. Henry went up to Yorkville.
Dec 31 – Filed saw for Mr Williams 5¢. L. T. Earl & Drayton Smith called.
——-
[1] Known better, and referred to, as Luke
[2] His sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee
[3] Galesburg, Michigan
[4] His brother, John Wesley Keith, who, according to the family Bible, was adopted
[5] Saleratus; sodium or potassium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent; baking soda
[6] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith
[7] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark, by his first wife, Minerva Payson
[8] His son, Ethan Keith
[9] His sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague
[10] James Deyoe
[11] This same entry is also shown on January 21. No information has been found to date regarding Frank Whitcomb, but it would appear that he was related to Clarissa (Whitcomb) Turner (see January 23 entry)
[12] Perhaps this is in regards to Mr. Deyo being accused of burning the church (see June 21, 1860 and subsequent entries in Luke’s 1860 diary)
[13] Above zero
[14] Martin and Clarissa (Whitcomb) Turner; Martin and Luke were first cousins
[15] James and Caroline (Wolcott) Earl; Caroline and Luke were first cousins
[16] Joseph and Helen (Bradley) York; Helen was Luke’s niece
[17] Below zero
[18] George and Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson; Marion was Luke’s niece
[19] Joseph and Lois (French) Lee; Joseph and Luke were first cousins
[20] Patty, Catherine and Marion
[21] James “Oscar” and Mary Ann (Batey) Keith; Oscar was Luke’s nephew
[22] Mary Ann’s mother, Betsy (Olds) Batey
[23] His son, Henry Keith, by his first wife, Minerva Payson
[24] “Mark” is referred to quite often in Luke’s diaries and it is believed that he is referring to his cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, the oldest son of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee. The Lees were Mormons and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. Mark stayed behind with the Keith family to run his father’s farm
[25] Catherine’s daughter, Lucy Irene Lee
[26] His brother, Harvey Keith
[27] Harvey’s wife, Alfleda (Starr) Keith
[28] His daughters
[29] An artificial channel or bed of a stream leading water to or from a point where its energy is utilized, such as a mill or a mining claim
[30] Charles Luke Keith Sr., who was also referred to as Luke
[31] Hannah (Willcutt) Keith
[32] His son-in-law, Byron Clark
[33] Goldenseal, a wild harvested root in high demand in the 1860s used for coughs, digestive upset and pneumonia
[34] Thomas Flanders
[35] An axe handle
[36] Harriet (Blakslee) Keith
[37] The pole, or tongue, of a cart
[38] His mother’s brother, Warren Wolcott (Willcutt)
[39] A pole which was usually a 2-by-4-inch piece of white oak with a hole at the front for connecting the wagon to a hitch
[40] Edwin Flanders
[41] Joseph Warren
[42] Charles R. Cridland
[43] Platt Betts, his step father-in-law
[44] Nancy Pond
[45] A felloe, or felly, is the rim of a wheel supported by spokes
[46] Paulina (Benson) Deyoe
[47] Believe this is Thomas Jefferson Chaffee, the husband of Luke’s niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee
[48] Family story is that Luke would often play his violin at the graves of his first and second wives
[49] /- is the symbol for shilling
[50] George Tomlinson
[51] His daughter, Louese Jerusha Keith
[52] Believe this is his nephew, Harvey G. Keith
[53] Daniel D. Harris. Luke’s baby daughter, Louese, would grow up and marry Daniel’s son, Daniel Jr.
[54] Believe this is his cousin, Alvin Lee, the son of Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee
[55] Etc.
[56] The long shafts between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon
[57] Daniel D. Harris’ father
[58] The pivoted horizontal crossbar to which the harness traces of a draft animal are attached and which is in turn attached to a vehicle or an implement
[59] Omro, Wisconsin, where his wife Sarah’s mother and stepfather lived
[60] “Toots” is mentioned in many of Luke’s diary entries but so far have not been able to figure out who he is referring to
[61] Most likely Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford Jr., who was serving in the Civil War
[62] His maternal first cousin
[63] His daughter, Louese Keith
[64] Lois’ mother-in-law, Angeline Clark
[65] Adaline (Ralph) Harris, the wife of Daniel D. Harris
[66] Walter V. Austin, the son of Almon & Chloe (Wilbur) Austin
[67] His wife Sarah’s brother
[68] His niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee
[69] The nephew of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith. Lauriston was killed in action during the Civil War on August 11, 1864 in Newtown, Virginia
[70] James S. King, his maternal first cousin
[71] Sarah’s brother, Henry Crawford
The Diaries of Charles Luke Keith Jr 