Luke Keith’s 1868 Diary

1868 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.^[1]

Jan 1[2] – Snows some about 3 in 24 Abz.[3] Went over to Burg[4] Bot Ethan[5] suit cloths 23 Dollars. Paid taxes 31.65 stamps 10¢. Party at Jesse Earls.

Jan 2 – Put in wagon ex for Jesse Earl. Pleasant day

Jan 3 –  Put in ____ for Jo Lee[6] he paid ____ 50¢. _____________. Wes[7] Boy[8] Born.

Jan 4 – Lamkins called here. Made spoke _____. Wes got ____ foot boards whitewood inch.

Jan 5 – At home all day.

Jan 6 – Made spoke. Went to burg got braces for Dick Lamkins. Bot _____ and _____ 13¢. Went over in Evening Bot shoes for girls 4.50 oil 35. _____ came to board.

Jan 7 – Helped York[9] butcher two pigs. Good day.

Jan 8 – Took Sis and Jim[10] up to Yorks. Lamkins got his _____. Ethan and girls went to Simmons to a party.

Jan 9 – Worked in shop made seat for sleigh. Very cold and blustering 1 Abz.

Jan 10 – 4 Abz blustering. Went up to Yorks after Sis. Worked in shop some on small slead.

Jan 11 – Cut and drawed some wood. Ethan went down to Catharines.[11] Let Ethan have 25¢ Nancy[12] 5¢. Put slead together. Went up to Schrams after some potatoes got none. Mr Schrams sister started for home. _____ my sleigh. Ethan went down to Catharines.

Jan 12 – At home all day. Went over to burg just at night after girls.

Jan 13 – Cold 4 Abz. Good sleighing. Went over to burg got bar soap salearatas[13] 40¢ candy 6¢. Got Ethans Boots tapt 1.00. Filed saw for Ridler.

Jan 14 – Cold. Finished Jims slead. Cold.

Jan 15 – At home. Tinkered run bot balls &c.[14] Andrew Aldrich[15] died.

Jan 16 – Shelled some corn and chored round. Went up to Yorks in morning.

Jan 17 – Went down to Catharines. Lucy[16] sick. Andrew Aldrich buried.

Jan 18 – Cold Abz. Good sleighing. Went over to burg. Got tub at Blackburns.

Jan 19 – At home all day. Ethan and girls went down to Catharines. Wing got the last of his corn.

Jan 20 – Went to Comstock to mill 4 bushels wheat 4 corn. Got sack buckwheat flour. Went to the new mill Browns.

Jan 21 – Worked on tub for Stranger to burg

Jan 22 – Finished tub. Got seven bushels potatoes of Mr Schram. Dicks Taylor came over to see about his job. Went over to burg in Evening. He paid 30__.

Jan 23 – Round home all day.

Jan 24 – Cut and drawed some wood. Shaved out axhelve for Ridler.

Jan 25 – Shot pig. Shelled some corn. Mrs Courtney here. Ethan and girls go a sleighing to Kalamazoo.

Jan 26 – Went down to Catharines.

Jan 27 – 16 Blz.[17] Cut down wood. Went over to burg. Sent 3 Dollars by Mrs Barber.

Jan 28 – Hung ax for O. D. Schram. Mr Courtny came over to see what I asked for my farm. Mended Jim Thorntons mittens.

Jan 29 – Cut one load wood. D. Lamkins got his violin. Very cold and blustrous.

Jan 30 – At home. Cut some wood. Very cold day.

Jan 31 – Carried Lois[18] down to Catharines. Toot[19] considerable better. Went up to Marks[20] got a few turnips.

Feb 1 – 3 below zero. Drawed two loads wood. Went up to schrams went over to Burg.

Feb 2 – 24 Abz. At home all day.

Feb 3 – Cold 26 Below zero. Worked on car coupler.

Feb 4 – 20 Abz. Went up to Wes after pickles. Left Lousea. Went over to burg bot spool thread 10.

Feb 5 – Took Dicks violin apart and glued top. Mark & Lasher came up here with Alvans[21] Colts.

Feb 6 – 20 Abz. Put Dicks violin together. Uncle Tommy came here. Wiseman brot sewing machine here.

Feb 7 – At home all day. Flanders here.

Feb 8 – Cut one tree drawed one load wood. Went over to burg. T Flanders[22] left. Snowey afternoon.

Feb 9 – Lots snow not very cold 24 Abz.

Feb 10 – Cold 21 Below zero. Worked on machine for Blackburns man. Some on bob Tung.

Feb 11 – Finished Browns bob Tung. Dick got his violin George Rogers with him.

Feb 12 – Worked on machine for Blackburns man. Rade down to A Browns.[23] Went over to Burg got albums and shawl of Mrs Barber.

Feb 13 – Hung ax for Ethan. Finished machine for Young. Went over to burg carried machine over bot vest 3.00. Got 4 for making machine.

Feb 14 – Went up to Wesleys to get him to go to burg. Sarah[24] went up to Yorks.

Feb 15 – Went over to burg with Hogs sold six weighed 720 lbs 4 cts 28.80 cts. Carried Sarah over to D. K.s. Harry Streator stayed all night.

Feb 16 – Pleasant 20 Abz. Went over to burg after Sarah.

Feb 17 – Worked on machine for Dicks man. Went over after some brads & tacks[?].

Feb 18 – 4 Abz pleasant. Went to Kalamazoo bot copper plate 1.25. Sarah went down to Marks.

Feb 19 – Finished machine carried it over in Evening. Young paid 2.00. Bot pants cloth 6.00.

Feb 20 – Worked in shop on moddle some. Cleaned up wheat 4 bushels 1½ corn.

Feb 21 – Went to Comstock to mill carried 4 bushels wheat 1½ corn.

Feb 22 – Worked in shop. Hued some whiffletrees[25] and sawed of spokes. Mr Williams here made bargain for farm. Cold.

Feb 23 – Cool 8 Abz snows some wind blows hard blustering day.

Feb 24 – 24 Abz. Went over to burg. Sarah went to Barbers. Mark got his glass. Went over in Evening after Sarah. Mr Schram here.

Feb 25 – Worked in shop on car cuplers made plates hued some spokes.

Feb 26 – Went up to B Hartwels. Snow. Went up to Wesleys. Mr Schram and Issac down here to file saw. Toot Lee SKrewd to night I guess so.[26]

Feb 27 – Killed captain pig Mr Courtny helped. Stormy day.

Feb 28 – Snowey day. Went over to Burg. Oscar[27] came up. Frank Clark buried to day.

Feb 29 – Went over to burg got irons forged. Caty[28] came. Alfleda[29] went to the creek with Oscar. Mr Griffin buried to day.

Mar 1 – Went down to Catharines with Caty Chaffee. Very Blustering the hardest storm we have had.

Mar 2 – ___ Abz very Blustrous hard storm lots snow. Went over to burg after Oscar he no come.

Mar 3 – M O. Streator came to see if I had sold. Went over to burg. Oscar came back. Had a rade in Evening. Cold night.

Mar 4 – Cold 11 below zero. Went over to burg made some irons. Caty went over to Manda Clarks. George Rogers brot machine.

Mar 5 – Went over to burg got my irons finished[?]. Alfleda came on mail train. Oscar went home. Rainy Evening.

Mar 6 – Rainy day snow went of. Mr Schram made whiffletree. Worked on my cupler.

Mar 7 – Rainy morning. Worked on cupler some. Lois went down with Mart Millham.[30]

Mar 8 – Pleasant day. Very high water upper bridge went off.

Mar 9 – Worked on cupler some. Catharine came up. Alfleda here. Mr Streator called.

Mar 10 – Sent letter to Patty.[31] Worked on cupler.

Mar 11 – At home. Worked on cupler some. Sarah went up to Milfords. Mr Burgess called here to take some land.

Mar 12 – Worked on cupler some. Catharine here. Recd letter from Henry Crawford an from H. Keith.

Mar 13 – Worked on cupler most of the day.

Mar 14 – Sarah went up to Wesleys. Finished one cupler. George Tomlinson[32] came here from Kalamazoo.

Mar 15 – Went down to Catharines with George and York.

Mar 16 – Extracted one tooth for and filled one for George Rogers he paid 50¢. Went up to John Ralphs to see his Colts.

Mar 17 – Mr Schram shelled some corn.

Mar 18 – At home. George here. Wes went over to Barry after McAlister.

Mar 19 – Setled up the matters here. Bot 35 acres of the old farm. April pleasant snowed in fore part of day.

Mar 20 – George started for home. May pleasant fore part of the month stormy latter part first part cool. Got letter from Battlecreek.

Mar 21 – Pleasant and cool June sun came out in the morning snowed some. Mr Thayer called in morning got money.

Mar 22 – Sarah went to burg. Ida Barber here. Pleasant.

Mar 23 – Went up to Yorks got saw. Lucy here. Mart came over and stayed all night.

Mar 24 – Mr Burgess came over let him have East lot to plant. ____ Matthews here in afternoon.

Mar 25 – Rainy morning. Sarah went down to Catharines. I made saw buck. Mr Burgess drawed some manure. Sarah went down to Catharines.

Mar 26 – Worked on cupler. Put ax together. Went over to burg got my belt 1.50 bot violin string 30¢.

Mar 27 – Made long handle to chisel to trim appletrees. Went down to Catharines.

Mar 28 – Came home. Stoped to Jo Lees got dinner. Pleasant day. Shugar party to Mr Randalls over to Jesse Earls.

Mar 29 – Pleasant moring. Found Wills boots. Went up to Wes and Yorks. Pleasant.

Mar 30 – Worked around yard. Carried Cate up to Wesleys. Tried to make soap. Warm day.

Mar 31 – Pleasant and warm. Worked up to corners some. Drawed some rails.

Apr 1 – Went down to Marks and Charles Lees to see Alvans colt. Recd letter from C R Cridland.[33] Pleasant day.

Apr 2 – Worked round home. Lois came home.

Apr 3 – Put rockers on Mrs Courtneys chair. Made wheels for carts. Sent 2 bushls wheat to mill one of corn.

Apr 4 – At home. Worked in shop some.

Apr 5 – At home all day.

Apr 6 – Went to burg to town meeting.

Apr 7 – Went to Kalamazoo to look after a team. Him sold. No see um.

Apr 8 – Worked in shop on carts for Courtney. Cool.

Apr 9 – Worked on carts finished them. Bot stencil plate for Sarah 20. Mrs Courtney bot one of Roberts Gale by Herd[?].

Apr 10 – Went up to Milfords helped load two loads goods. Mr Courtney moved. Pleasant day.

Apr 11 – Went down to Marks to see about colts. Rained hard.

Apr 12 – At home all day. Harry Streator here all day.

Apr 13 – Cut down one locust tree trimed some. Went up to Wesleys. Carra and Ella Wiseman here. Milford & Lu Ward left.

Apr 14 – Worked in shop some.

Apr 15 – Started to go down to Marks met Mark & Alvin. Came back and tried the colts on plow. Rainy.

Apr 16 – Stormy afternoon. Went to burg to see harness. Made whiffletrees for Mr Schram.

Apr 17 – Rainy morning. Went down to Charles Lees. Bot span colts of Alvan Lee paid 2.50.

Apr 18 – Run out my land. M O Streator and Wes helped. Babcock had a sale I bot harness of Carmer 45 dollars. Sarah went over to Burg stayed all night.

Apr 19 – All well. Went over to burg just at night after Sarah.

Apr 20 – Ethan got out manure. I made me some whiffletrees for my sef ____ warm day.

Apr 21 – Pleasant morning. Miss Brown came here stayed all night.

Apr 22 – Worked round home. Went up to B. Hartwells. Got neck yoke turned.

Apr 23 – Cut some wood and fence blocks. Got Nancys box.

Apr 24 – Went down west with Nancy to distribute her things.

Apr 25 – Cut and burnt up some old logs on the hill south of barn. Ancil Birge[34] died.

Apr 26 – Cam & Zett came up after Lois. Warm day. Andrew & Sally Turner[35] came here.

Apr 27 – Went over to burg got my neck yoke & whiffletrees. Made part of boat.

Apr 28 – Finished my boat. Drawed brush out of orchard. Rained all night made grass & wheat look well.

Apr 29 – Luke Whitcomb[36] buried. Went down to Catharines with colts. Let Birg have 5 bushls wheat. Shaved out wagon neap.[37] Some rainy.

Apr 30 – Cloudy morning. Worked on fence on side hill East side of farm on the road.

May 1 – Went over to burg in morning. Drawed some brush.

May 2 – Drawed some brush. Went up to Wesleys. Drawed some rails. Jim cut up some.

May 3 – At home. Set some stakes on line in woods. Very warm.

May 4 – At home all day working round home. Got Cate home.

May 5 – Laid up fence on the west line and north.

May 6 – Mark and Ann came up here. Drawed some rails.

May 7 – Thursday plowed garden drawed some rails.

May 8 – Ethan helped Birge plant potatoes. Carried Mark home. Plowed som west of orchard. Got 8 bushels corn.

May 9 – Drawed some rails. Plowed some. Ethan went to Niles.[38] Done Yorks chores.

May 10 – Done Yorks chores. Lois and Sam came up went over to burg with Sam. T Flanders came.

May 11 – Planted corn for Birge in forenoon he plowed for me. Laid up fence in afternoon. T Flanders left.

May 12 – Cloudy morning. Laid up some fence. Ethan came home. Rained all night.

May 13 – Rainy day. Carried 2 bushels wheat to mill one of corn. No work to day. Rainy night.

May 14 – Rainy. Laid up some fence on hill.

May 15 – Drawed some rails and finished my fence on hill south of orchard. Rainy and warm. Took Tea to R. Barbers.

May 16 – Went up to Phill Martins to see about patent agency &c. Had a heavy shower. Lucy here. Nancy went over to Burg.

May 17 – At home all day. Went up in woods. Had a heavy shower. Ira Joy brot Brown over in rain.

May 18 – At home to work. Moved west fence to lane south barn.

May 19 – A. Brown had Jim plowed him all day. Cultivated garden with Bill.[39]

May 20 – Plowed all day west of orchard. Colts went first rate. Warm day.

May 21 – Warm day. Plowed west of orchard finished plowing.

May 22 – Dragged corn ground in forenoon. Rained. Mrs Ash cleaned kitchen. John took my strawcutter to Kalamazoo.

May 23 – Worked some on corn marker.

May 24 – Carried Lois down to Marks. Brot up Julias[40] churn.

May 25 – Finished corn Mark marked corn ground. Got some seed corn of Wes planted some. Old Mrs Brown[41] Died in night.

May 26 – Finished planting. Rained some. Sarah went down to Mr Streators.

May 27 – Moved fence East lane fence. Rainy day. Old Mrs Brown buiried to day.

May 28 – Planted corn for York finished planting the field.

May 29 – Moved stumps and stuf where fence stood.

May 30 – York plowed the old lane south of barn. Sent 2 bushels wheat to mill. Pleasant day.

May 31 – At home all day. Hannah[42] came home from burg sick.

Jun 1 – Went over to burg got Wightman over to see hannah. Dragged lane. Catharine came down.

Jun 2 – Planted potatoes in old lane south of barn.

Jun 3 – Planted beans and chored round.

Jun 4 – Mark came up and helped fix well. Went down to Ed Hoges old place got sulky.

Jun 5 – Rainy day. Put pump in well and fixed for the platform.

Jun 6 – Rainy in morning. Mr Birge came over to look at farm. Plastered corn. Fixed Eve troughs for H. A. Taylor.

Jun 7 – At home most of the day. Went down to A Browns with old cow no find Bull.

Jun 8 – Went over to Burg got boots tapt. Let Bill Chroder have six dollars worth pennies. Sarah stayed with Adeline.[43]

Jun 9 – Mrs Schram died.[44] Schram[45] started for Ohio.[46] Went over to burg got boots 1.00. Got some slats of Blackburn. Put springs into Adelines bed. She died. Commenced cultivating corn.

Jun 10 – Finished cultivating one way. Mrs Ash drove her hogs down this morning. Went over to Burg got gin. Cut figures for W. A. Blake. Lois here in Evening.

Jun 11 – Pleasant morning. At home choring round.

Jun 12 – Hoed garden. Went up to E M Clapps to rasing. Raised old barn a gain.

Jun 13 – Hoed some in garden. Jo Lee and wife[47] here awhile. Birge planted corn in garden.

Jun 14 – Warm 83 in shade morning 104 in sun. Carried Lois down to Marks.

Jun 15 – Went up to H Clintons. Had a shower in morning. 31 years to day I landed in Comstock. Went to burg bot Dress for Sarah and hoops hat 10.

Jun 16 – Had a shower in morning. Went up to Dick Lamkins. Mowed yard and some in orchard.

Jun 17 – Mowed orchard. Very warm day.

Jun 18 – Raked up hay did not get it in got some wet.

Jun 19 – Worked on road. Had a heavy shower in fore noon. Pleasant afternoon some rain middle of July.

Jun 20 – Worked on road in forenoon. Very warm. Went over to burg got Nancys box goods from Boston. Cloudy and cool some rain latter part of Aug.

Jun 21 – At home. Cool and wet fore part of day. Joy brot Brown home.

Jun 22 – Went up to Dick Lamkins in morning. Cut some grass up to Wes in afternoon side road.

Jun 23 – Mowed round my grass in forenoon. Mr Butler called here. Ethan worked for Plank in afternoon.

Jun 24 – Drawed load of hay down from Wesleys.

Jun 25 – Raked up some hay out north on Browns. Ethan cultivated corn.

Jun 26 – Set brush heap on fire. Drawed two loads wood. Ethan cultivated corn. Plank getting up his hay.

Jun 27 – Cut some grass for Bill. Ethan finished cultivating. Mr Thayer called here. Sarah went in to burg stayed all night.

Jun 28 – Went up to Yorks milked his cows. Doc Lambern called here. Very hot.

Jun 29 – Mowed grass in lot north.

Jun 30 – Mowed all day. Warm.

Jul 1 – Cutting grass. Very hot.

Jul 2 – Finished mowing on Browns. Had a heavy shower.

Jul 3 – Raked up hay. T. Flanders came here.

Jul 4 – Went over to burg in Evening. Went down to A Browns got pail of peas. Ethan gone to Kalamazoo. Hot 100 in shade.

Jul 5 – T. Flanders left. Stowel girl called here with Isaac Wings hired man french or dutch dont know which.

Jul 6 – Drawed in my hay from Browns lot one load for York. Had Yorks wagon gefired hot day.

Jul 7 – Hoed potatoes south of barn.

Jul 8 – Went up to Wesleys to see about hay. Went over in Milhams wheat field. Cut some grass in south lot.

Jul 9 – Went over to burg. Caravan & circus there.

Jul 10 – Hoed potatoes and beans south of barn.

Jul 11 – About sick. Drawed hay from south lot. Ethan cultivated corn. Very hot 98 in shade.

Jul 12 – Went in swimming. 100 in shade. Very hot. Catharine went home.

Jul 13 – Cut grass up to Wesleys. Very hot day. Mr Schram cut wheat.

Jul 14 – Worked up to Wes cutting hay. Very hot.

Jul 15 – Mr Thayer and Oscar here to Breakfast. Very hot. Not well. Had a shower. Ethan to work for Jo in wheat.

Jul 16 – Very hot no work to day. A Miss Johnson took dinner from Maumee Ohio going to Paw Paw. Ethan up to Yorks. Repaired violin for Charley ____.

Jul 17 – Very hot. Sarah gone up to Mr Swaddles. Had first cucumbers to day. Nancy and Hannah went down to Marks.

Jul 18 – Very hot 101 in shade. Took Old Cow down to A. Browns this morning. Ethan worked for York.

Jul 19 – Warm and dry 84 in shade in morning. Oscar here all day.

Jul 20 – Went to mill. Mart and Lucy stayed here all night. Jo finished cutting wheat.

Jul 21 – Cate had 14 pigs to day. Rained a little. Ethan to work for Brown drawing wheat in to barn.

Jul 22 – Cleared out old cornhouse. Ethan helped York draw wheat.

Jul 23 – Went up to Wes in morning. York drawing wheat. Bill kicked me.

Jul 24 – Ethan helping Mr Randal draw wheat. I finished mowing up to Wesleys. My cattle got into Mr Planks corn.

Jul 25 – Put up my hay up to Wesleys. John Cruttenden[48] killed by a stroke of lightning.

Jul 26 – Oscar here went up to Yorks went down to Catharines in afternoon.

Jul 27 – Drawed two loads hay from Wesleys. Jim had two cotilions[?].

Jul 28 – Working in corn some. Brown came home this morning.

Jul 29 – Went to Kalamazoo. Got Bounty money. My tax 14.51 Fathers 43.17.

Jul 30 – Went to burg made out papers for my place. Oscar went home. Rained some.

Jul 31 – Went over to burg. Sent of Nancys tickets. Sent Patty 10 Dollars 75 cents. Heavy shower. Mr Evers and girl called here.

Aug 1 – Not much done to day. Jo Lee and Lois called here.

Aug 2 – Went down to Catharines with Yorks folks.

Aug 3 – Hoed out Potatoes Beans &c. Ethan drawed Jim in sulky the first time he was Ever down a lane.

Aug 4 – Cleared out shop. Ethan cut ________ in pasture. Harnessed up Jim put him forward of sulky the first time.

Aug 5 – Went up to W^m Johnsons got two shovel plow on Lois account $7.00. Plowed corn with Jim first time.

Aug 6 – Plowing corn. Mr White got Beans & grindstone for Oscar. Lydia Barber and Mrs Quick here.

Aug 7 – Worked in corn some. Rained some. Lois and Nancy went over to burg.

Aug 8 – Worked in corn some. Made poke[49] for Bill. T Harden came here. Went down to Catharines.

Aug 9 – T Flanders went up to H. Clintons. We came home.

Aug 10 – Worked in corn in fore noon. Finished Bills poke. Rainy afternoon. Got some poles for Tomatoes.

Aug 11 – Rainy morning. Worked on corn some.

Aug 12 – Filed and set saw & put auger handle on for W^m Cook. He pd 50¢. Hoed corn.

Aug 13 – No work. Ethan finished plowing out corn. I made set whiffletrees for Jim & Will. Gaffing here.

Aug 14 – Made whiffletrees. Pleasant day. Dance up to Yorks last Evening. Went over to burg in Evening. Bot sundries 6.00.

Aug 15 – Lois went down to Jeffs.[50] Not much work to day.

Aug 16 – At home all day. Cool.

Aug 17 – Work round home.

Aug 18 – Carried two bushels wheat to mill.

Aug 19 – Went over to mill. Bot grindstone hangings 1.50. Made frame. Sarah went down to Streators. Bot Barrel salt 3.00.

Aug 20 – Hoed some corn. Finished grindstone frame. Horse show at burg.

Aug 21 – Worked in corn. Finished hoing.

Aug 22 – Went to Kalamazoo in afternoon with A. Brown. Bot Buggy pole and irons 2.45 shackles 1.50 hooks and ferrels 20¢.

Aug 23 – At home all day. Sarah went to church. Mr & Mrs Seaman here.

Aug 24 – Round home. A. Brown brot his churn.

Aug 25 – Worked on churn frame. Jim[51] sick all night.

Aug 26 – Warm and dry. Dr Wightman came over to see Jim. Finished Browns churn frame. Went over to burg in Evening. Ethan bot Boots.

Aug 27 – Mrs Betts[52] came to day. Ethan helped Mr Plank thrash. I done noting. Very hot.

Aug 28 – Hot and dry. Mr Comfort[53] came here stayed all night. Rained some. Ethan helped Mr Plank & A Brown.

Aug 29 – Comfort left this morning. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over to burg.

Aug 30 – Comfort came back. Wiseman came over. I cut his hair.

Aug 31 – Carried two bushels corn to mill. Comfort started for home. Rainy day. No work to day sick.

Sep 1 – Cloudy. At home sick no work.

Sep 2 – Sick no work.

Sep 3 – Sick no work. Commenced plowing south lot.

Sep 4 – Sick. Finished plowing.

Sep 5 – Sick.

Sep 6 – Sick.

Sep 7 – Sick.

Sep 8 – Sick.

Sep 9 – Sick.

Sep 10 – Sick.

Sep 11 – Sick.

Sep 12 – Sick.

Sep 13 – Sick.

Sep 14 – Sick.

Sep 15 – Old cow in. Ethan drawed some manure.

Sep 16 – Mr Birge cut up corn. Cool. Ethan drawed manure.

Sep 17 – Ethan drawing manure. Some frost this morning. Hannah came home. E Flanders got 3 pigs $3.00.

Sep 18 – Ethan cut some corn.

Sep 19 – Ethan cutting corn some.

Sep 20 – Mrs Betts went over to Burg with Mrs Ralph. Louesa[54] came home.

Sep 21 – Ethan cutting corn. Charley McCausy had my wagon to get his _____ with.

Sep 22 – Sarah went over to burg after Mrs Betts and some other traps.

Sep 23 – Nailed Ethans boots. T Flanders called here. Ethan finished cutting corn.

Sep 24 – Ethan drawed of corn. Bust__ and Alvan Lee called here.

Sep 25 – Lois came here. Ethan drawed corn.

Sep 26 – Finished drawing corn.

Sep 27 – At home all day. Jesse Earl came down brot his pants.

Sep 28 – Ethan drawed of pumpkin vine.

Sep 29 – Drawing manure. Sarah & Mrs Betts over to Planks. Lois up to Wes.

Sep 30 – Catharine and Hellen[55] here. Catharine went home. Rainy day.

Oct 1 – At home all day.

Oct 2 – Ethan work on wheat ground.

Oct 3 – To work on wheat ground. Pleasant.

Oct 4 – Pleasant day. Mrs Ash came up got her sow and pigs she paid 9 dollars.

Oct 5 – Pleasant day. Bot nine bushels wheat of A. Brown 22 dollars and 32 cents. Brown sowed the wheat.

Oct 6 – Ethan dragged all day. Nice day. Alfred Signor husked corn for Mr Birge.

Oct 7 – Rainy. Ethan finished dragging wheat. Lois came home from Streators.

Oct 8 – Cool day. Louesa and Mrs Betts gone to fair at Galesburg.

Oct 9 – Birge pulled his beans. Ethan went to the fair.

Oct 10 – I drawed one load wood carried sorgum barrels down to Fords. Went into the new schoolhouse. Ethan husked corn. Went down to Catharines.

Oct 11 – Sarah went to church.

Oct 12 – Ethan and the girls went over to Turners Island[?] Wakeshma.

Oct 13 – Ethan and girls came back. Rainy day.

Oct 14 – Worked round some. Went down to Catharines.

Oct 15 – Husked corn all day. Birge drawed one load corn.

Oct 16 – Husked corn all day. Birge drawed one load corn.

Oct 17 – Husked corn all day. Mrs Betts went over to burg with Mr Ralph.

Oct 18 – Cool and cloudy. At home all day.

Oct 19 – Husked corn.

Oct 20 – Husked corn. T. Flanders came over he husked.

Oct 21 – Husked corn. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over to burg. T Flanders left.

Oct 22 – Husked some corn. Got sorgum 39 galons. Ethan to work for Mr Birge digging pots drawing some.

Oct 23 – Husking som. Ethan digging potatoes for Birge.

Oct 24 – Dug scotch gray potatoes.

Oct 25 – Carried Mrs Betts over to Burg. Very fine day.

Oct 26 – Pleasant day. Finished husking corn. Ethan digging potatoes.

Oct 27 – Went over to Burg after Mrs Betts. Carried Bushel corn to mill. Sarah and Betts went up to Yorks.

Oct 28 – Mrs Earl Lib Hat Mrs Plank and Mrs Randal here. Made yard for pigs.

Oct 29 – Went down to Catharines had Birges team. Lois came up.

Oct 30 – Went to Kalamazoo to Mass Meeting with A. Brown. Horses got frightened run and broke buggy pole.

Oct 31 – Picked up some apples. Birge put his corn in barn.

Nov 1 – Sarah and Mrs Betts went to church. Picked up some apples.

Nov 2 – Mrs Betts left for Dowagiac.[56] Worked some on Browns Buggy pole.

Nov 3 – Went to Election.[57] Pleasant day. Worked on pole some.

Nov 4 – Carried 2 bushels wheat to mill. Birge finished digging potatoes.

Nov 5 – Made room for the hens in hog pen.

Nov 6 – All hands went down to Marks hunting an so forth.

Nov 7 – Dug some potatoes. Ethan went down to Catharines.

Nov 8 – Warm and rainy ten oclock morning stands at fifty Eight 58.

Nov 9 – Rainy. Worked on cupler.

Nov 10 – I finished digging potatoes. Birge finished husking corn.

Nov 11 – Snowey. Got cabbage into cellar. Birge came over and got his corn.

Nov 12 – Worked on cupler. Fine day.

Nov 13 – Worked on cupler in fore noon. Went down to Charles Lee[58] in afternoon. Went up to Jo Lees stayed all night.

Nov 14 – Went to Kalamazoo with Jo Lee bot leather for mittens. Pleasant day got

Nov 15 – Came home to day. Warm and pleasant. Got letter from L. L. King.[59]

Nov 16 – Worked on cupler some. Anna Stiles[60] died this morning.

Nov 17 – Anna was buried to day. Worked on cupler some.

Nov 18 – Worked on cupler. Charly Lee[61] here. Ethan and Charley choped wood some.

Nov 19 – Snowey. Worked on cuplers. Ethan and Charley choped wood. Sent 2 bushels wheat one of corn to mill.

Nov 20 – Worked on cuplers. Charley went home.

Nov 21 – Set cupler to Washington. Got Eight sheep of A. Brown let him have charley.

Nov 22 – Made cupler for Charley to take to Chicago.

Nov 23 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo with cupler. I went up to Robert Matthews to see cow.

Nov 24 – Put the cows in browns lot. Drawed two loads dirt from top of the big hill.

Nov 25 – At home to work in shop some on buggy pole.

Nov 26 – Worked on buggy pole some.

Nov 27 – Went down to Marks and Catharines. Pleasant day.

Nov 28 – Went to Kalamazoo with Jo and Mark. Rainy and snowey.

Nov 29 – Came home. Catharine came up with me. York brot up the blinds.

Nov 30 – Worked on well some fixed pump. Ethan drawed some wood. Went over to burg. Bristol gone.

Dec 1 – Went over to burg. Sent letter to Washington.

Dec 2 – Went over to burg. Sent letter to Washing ton.

Dec 3 – Made mittens. Thrashed my Beens. Not very cold.

Dec 4 – Windy morning snowey. Thrashed Birges Beans.

Dec 5 – Warm thaws some. Worked round House and Barn.

Dec 6 – At home all day.

Dec 7 – Worked round house some. School commenced. Went over to Burg.

Dec 8 – Went up to Mr Shermans put up his doors. Cold and Blustering. Carried girls to shool. Got Book.

Dec 9 – Blusterous. Went to mill 3 bushels wheat 1½ corn. Filed saw for Ridler. Carried girls to school.

Dec 10 – Cold went over to wmill got my grist. Carried girls to school.

Dec 11 – Cold 2 Below zero. Made frame for Mr Simmons slate. Sold my lever water to Charles Lee for slead. Sold my Revolver to Alvin Lee $25.

Dec 12 – Cold 2 Degrees below zero. Went down to Charles Lee after slead. Good sleigh.

Dec 13 – Snowes some. Killed two chickens.

Dec 14 – At home work in shop some painting. Emily Kendall died to day.

Dec 15 – Tinkering round home.

Dec 16 – Painting Blinds for Catharine.

Dec 17 – Painting blinds. Lucy came up here.

Dec 18 – Sarah went up to Wesleys. I painted Blinds. Went over to burg in Evening heard Bungay lecture on the coming ______.

Dec 19 – Sarah went over to Wisemans. Got Neckyoke mended. Bot paint Brush 75¢. Drawed load wood.

Dec 20 – Snow gone some in road windy morning.

Dec 21 – Painting blinds. Cold.

Dec 22 – Painting blinds.

Dec 23 – Painting blinds. Cold.

Dec 24 – Finished painting second coat. Lois came home. Very cold. Nancy sick. Mart got turkey.

Dec 25 – Cold 14 Abz in morning. Painting.

Dec 26 – Painted some. Cut down tree south of Barn. Jo and Lois Lee here. Cold. Nancy sick.

Dec 27 – Sarah went down to Catharines. Toot had a gal.[62] Doc Finch Brot Sarah home. Mr & Mrs Barber here in Evening.

Dec 28 – Nancy sick. Went up to Jim Ralphs no one at home. Decatur Susie Brown came over.

Dec 29 – Went up to Ralphs in morning got some cranberries. Went over to burg got Wightman[63] over to see Nancy. Wightman came over.

Dec 30 – At home no work. Cold winter weather. Wightman came over.

Dec 31 – Pleasant. Mark came up here. Doc came over.

Jan 1^st 69 – Cold and Brustring. Ethan went down to Charles Lees.

Note in back of diary: Hiram Crawford[64] 430 North Clark St Chicago

——-

[1] Known better, and referred to, as Luke

[2] The entries for January 1 through 26 were in the back of his 1867 diary

[3] Above zero

[4] Galesburg, Michigan

[5] His son, Ethan Keith

[6] Joseph W. Lee, his paternal first cousin

[7] His brother, John Wesley Keith, who, according to the family Bible, was adopted

[8] Grant Wesley Keith

[9] Joseph York, the husband of his niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[10] His two youngest children, Louesa and James Clinton Keith

[11] His sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[12] His daughter, Nancy Keith

[13] Saleratus; sodium or potassium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent; baking soda

[14] Etc.

[15] A search at FindAGrave.com shows that Andrew C. Aldrich died January 15, 1868 and is buried at Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[16] His niece, and Catherine’s daughter, Lucy Irene Lee

[17] Below zero

[18] His daughter by his first wife, Minerva Payson

[19] Lucy Lee’s nickname

[20] “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 to run his father’s farm and was living with his aunt, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[21] His cousin, Alvan Lee

[22] Thomas Flanders, a neighbor

[23] Neighbor, Ambrose Brown, the father of Henry Brown, who would marry Luke’s daughter, Nancy

[24] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[25] 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

[26] Apparently his reference to the marriage of Lucy Lee to Martin Milham

[27] His nephew, James Oscar Keith

[28] His niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee

[29] His brother Harvey’s wife, Alfleda (Starr) Keith

[30] His niece Lucy (Lee) Milham’s husband

[31] His sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[32] George was married to Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[33] Charles R. Cridland

[34] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Ansel H. Birge died April 26, 1868 and is buried in McKain Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan

[35] His cousins, Andrew J. Turner, and Sarah “Sally” (Davis) Turner (Andrew’s mother)

[36] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Luke Whitcomb died April 27, 1868 and is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan

[37] The pole, or tongue, of a cart

[38] Niles, Michigan

[39] Believe Jim and Bill were his horses

[40] Mark’s wife, Julia Ann Lee

[41] Ambrose Brown’s mother (and Henry Brown’s grandmother), Rhoba (Mason) Brown

[42] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[43] Adeline L. (Ferguson) Schram

[44] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Adeline L. (Ferguson) Schram died June 9, 1868 and is buried in S. O. M. Road Cemetery (previously Willoughby Center Cemetery), Willoughby, Ohio

[45] Adeline’s husband, Isaac Schram

[46] Since Adeline is buried in Ohio, he apparently was taking her remains there

[47] Lois (French) Lee

[48] The brother of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith. From an unknown newspaper: Mr. John Cruttenden, a prominent and much respected citizen of Concord, was instantly killed on Saturday last by a stroke of lightning. Mr. C. was in the harvest field at the time of the sad occurrence, and was standing about ten feet from his reaper when the bolt descended. One of his horses was killed, and the driver, sitting upon the reaper between Mr. C. and the team, was stricken insensible and did not recover for several hours. Mr. Cruttenden’s skull was broken and his left side, arm and leg badly mutilated. He was sixty-eight years old

[49] A poke consisted of a leather strap which went around the horse’s neck and was attached to a hinged wooden bar which hung down in front of the horse. The hinge allowed the horse to graze, but kept the horse from getting through a fence

[50] Thomas Jefferson Chaffee Jr., the husband of Luke’s niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee

[51] His son, James Clinton Keith

[52] His mother-in-law, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts

[53] Most likely Nancy Betts’ brother, either Francis or Stephen Comfort

[54] His youngest daughter, Louese Keith

[55] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[56] Dowagiac, Michigan

[57] Ulysses S. Grant, who ran against Horatio Seymour, became the 18^th President of the United States

[58] Most likely his paternal first cousin, the son of Charles and Rhoda (Keith) Lee, and the brother of Joseph W. Lee

[59] His cousin, Levi Lincoln King

[60] Michigan, Deaths & Burials Index shows Anna Maria Styles, daughter of Nathan Styles, died November 16, 1868 at the age of 24

[61] Most likely Charles Jedediah Lee, the son of Charles Lee (see November 13 footnote). He and Ethan were very close in age

[62] Clara Almyra Milham, the daughter of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham

[63] Dr. George Wightman

[64] His wife Sarah’s brother

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Luke Keith’s 1867 Diary

1867 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.^[1]

Jan 1 – Went over to burg got some lumber for cutter beams. Got two bushels wheat ground. Drawed some wood down for school.

Jan 2 – Went up to Yorks[2] and Wesleys[3] carried Lois[4] to Wesleys. Went up to J C Blakes. Sarah[5] went to burg. Mr Ames Wilson[6] Died this morning.

Jan 3 – Split school wood. Went to Mr Wilsons funeral in afternoon. Went up to Yorks in Evening. Sarah went up to Mr Scrams.[7]

Jan 4 – Sarah up to [S]crams this morning they had a girl born.[8] I went up to Wesleys with Scram after Lois. Ida Barber and Angela Mason here. Nancy[9] went home with them.

Jan 5 – Drawed wood most of the day. Catharine[10] came down found calf this morning in the stable. Mr Taylor carried 5 bushels wheat for Oscar.[11]

Jan 6 – At home all day all well. Lois at Scrams to work.

Jan 7 – Went over to burg. Bot cloth for Jims[12] pants 1.50¢. Bot calf skin 50¢. Wesley came down to see old cow. Sent for Tribune 1.50¢.

Jan 8 – Went down to M F. Lees. Brot Mark[13] up to see old cow. Went up to Mr Scrams. Got 5 bushels Buckwheat 5.00.

Jan 9 – Went over to mill. Bot calfskin of George Jenkins 50. Went over in Evening bot medicine for old cow 75¢. Old George the old station Horse died to day Age 44/yrs.

Jan 10 – Worked in shop some. Went up to Mr Scrams and Yorks.

Jan 11 – Worked in shop put cutter to gether. Went up to Scrams and Yorks in Evening after the girls.

Jan 12 – Cut out mittens for Mr Johnson and my self. Went over to mill. Ethan[14] Nancy and Hannah[15] went to show 50. 11 Degrees below zero at six this morning.

Jan 13 – At home all day.

Jan 14 – Went over to burg. Bot Barrel Salt 3.50. Worked in shop some.

Jan 15 – Went over to burg. Carried Ethans boot paid 25¢. Mrs Barber came over. Worked in shop some on cutter. Bot pork 1.00.

Jan 16 – Jane Hoag here. Went and carried her home in Evening. Very cold. Got Ethans boot. Bot candy 5¢.

Jan 17 – Worked in shop finished cutter for J. C. Blake.

Jan 18 – Went over to burg. Bot oil 38. Bot plasterparis -5. Finished my mittens. Spencer Thomas came here bot Oxen.

Jan 19 – Drove Tom and Jerry over to burg. They weighed 2740 lbs at 6¢ per pound. J. C. Blake paid for cutter bottoms 12.00.

Jan 20 – Went up to Yorks and Wesleys.

Jan 21 – Butchered my hogs. Mark and Wes helped me.

Jan 22 – Went over to burg. Blake paid 176.40. I paid Mrs McLellen 10. Dollars. P. T. Lane paid five Dollars $5.00. Bot thread 25¢.

Jan 23 – Went up to past Mr Ralphs and Mr Pincheons. Saw Mr Brenson told him not to go to Kalamazoo.

Jan 24 – Got out wheelbarrow arms. Mrs Beech and Selia Newsman here. I went over to burg with them.

Jan 25 – Went to Kalamazoo to court for Hartwell. Bot salearatas[16] 15. Went down with D. Bronson. Very stormy day cold lots snow.

Jan 26 – Repaired cornsheller for Mr Allerton. Cold day not many trains out to day.

Jan 27 – Winter in earnest now a days.

Jan 28 – Went up to Yorks drawed two loads wood. Went over to burg in Evening. Bot hoops 1.25 candy 5¢ other traps 5.00.

Jan 29 – Went to Kalamazoo Dinner 40¢ horses to hay 25¢.

Jan 30 – Went to Kalamazoo Dinner 15.

Jan 31 – Went to Kalamazoo Dinner 5. Stranger Stayed here all night. Ethan went of with Dodge.

Feb 1 – Went to Kalamazoo dinner 10¢. Gave in my Evidence on the Hartwell case. Stranger left Ethan came back.

Feb 2 – At home drawed one load wood. The McLary and Hartwell case decided to day in favor of Hartwell. Dodges team here.

Feb 3 – At home. Charles Lees folks here. Dodges team here. Catharine and Hellen[17] and Mrs Darling here. Ethan went down to Mark.

Feb 4 – Allerton paid 1.25 (violin) Cary got. Went over to burg with Dodges team. Ethan went of with Dodge. Bot oil 38¢. Paid Dr Wightman Fathers[18] Doctor bill 4.0 four Dollars. Let him have 15 (6) dollars.

Feb 5 – Paid Lois 20 Dollars. Sarah and Lois went up to Yorks. I drawed two loads wood. Jef Chaffee[19] called here. I let him have five Dollars.

Feb 6 – Went up to the Pavilion mill carried 3 bushels wheat 4 bushels corn.

Feb 7 – At home. Catharine here all day. Shelled Catharines corn. York got home.

Feb 8 – Went over to burg got Nancys shoes 30¢. Paid Bullock and Shefflers Note 102 one Hundred and two Dollars. Bot candy 5¢.

Feb 9 – Made clothesbars. Not very well.

Feb 10 – At home all day. Oscar came over here after some fur to make a hat for Glen Keith their new boy.[20]

Feb 11 – Let Mr Scram have my sleigh to go to Kalamazoo. Went over and got Mary Ann.[21] Albert Brown died.

Feb 12 – Carried 5 bushels corn to mill to day. Wesley got cornsheller. Bot file 25¢. Albert Brown buried. Rainy day. Mary Ann went up to Yorks.

Feb 13 – Worked in shop. Made cart tung sawed out thills[22] for wagon.

Feb 14 – Wes brot sheller home. Worked on thills. Went over to burg. Nancy and Hannah went over to Mr Barbers. Got iron mended. York got wheat. Made soap.

Feb 15 – Cold freezing morning no sleighing. Went up and got my syrup to Fords 4.75. Dance up to Yorks this Evening. Rainy day.

Feb 16 – Very windy this morning some ice in the roads. Finished thills made cart tung.

Feb 17 – Went down to Catharines place. Isaac Wing there. Pleasant day. Uncle Jim King[23] died to day 20 minutes to Four P.M.

Feb 18 – Pleasant day. Cut tree for fence posts. Went up to Yorks drawed 3 loads wood.

Feb 19 – Went over to mill got one bag meal. Bot salearatas 15¢ Buttons for dress 15. Cold wind no snow.

Feb 20 – Worked in shop some on wheelbarrow.

Feb 21 – Made violin neck. Went over to burg after cate. Bot cloves and cinnamon 35¢. Cate and Zeak Davison here in Evening.

Feb 22 – Oscar here this morning. Cate Chaffee[24] here. Worked on violin neck some.

Feb 23 – Went over to burg. Sarah went over to stay all night. Got harness mended 25¢.

Feb 24 – Went over after Sarah. Went to Oscars. Got letter from J. S. King.[25]

Feb 25 – Carried Lois over to burg. Bot one but for Catharines chest 5¢ Bot thread 20¢. Went up on hill and split some wood.

Feb 26 – Split some wood in forenoon. Carried Lois and Sarah down to the A. Browns.[26] Man called here to by Jason. Very pleasant. Oscar left.

Feb 27 – Worked round house. Went over to mill got two bags meal. Caty went up to Yorks.

Feb 28 – Made clothes bars for Caty Chaffee.

Mar 1 – Millford moved to day. Choped some in forenoon up in woods. Went up to Yorks. Sarah and Lois went up to Mr Scrams. Ethan came home. Put neck on violin.

Mar 2 – Went up to Yorks in morning. Set sound post in Charley Bronsons violin. Sarah and Lois went up to Yorks.

Mar 3 – At home all day. Put finger board on violin.

Mar 4 – Drawed wood. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Caty Chaffee here. Wesley brot saw down to get filed.

Mar 5 – Cut tree for fence posts. Ethan bot oil 30.

Mar 6 – Went down to Jo Lees.[27] Jeff came out after Cate.

Mar 7 – At home all day. Catharine down here. Edith here stayed all night. Louesa[28] went up to Yorks.

Mar 8 – Jo York went and carried Jefs folks home. Cut down three trees for wood. T Flanders[29] came here. Bot Tea 75. Blind peddler stayed here all night.

Mar 9 – T. Flanders left. Not much done headache. Went up to Yorks after Louesa.

Mar 10 – At home all day rainy. Wes came down drawed tooth for him. Headache all day.

Mar 11 – Went over to mill carried 32 bushels wheat 3 of my corn.

Mar 12 – Went over to Burg got grist sold eggs 8 doz & 9 1.09. Bot callicoe 80 one lb shugar 15 salratas 15 needles 10¢ shoe strings 5¢ camphor 20¢ pens 15¢ Hannahs shoes 1.00.

Mar 13 – Not much work to day.

Mar 14 – Worked in shop some made axhelves for Chub got out spokes for wheel barrow &c.[30] Put rivet in T Flanders Knife. Very cold 9 Above zero.

Mar 15 – Worked in shop got out stuf for wheelbarrow put bottom in well bucket the job of the Kind I ever done.

Mar 16 – 10 Abzero.[31] Worked in shop some. Drawed some wood. Went up to Yorks after saw. Harry Streator stayed the night.

Mar 17 – At home all day. Wes here in Evening. Got Chubs axhelve. Cold day blustering 10 Abz.[32]

Mar 18 – Went up to Yorks got saw. 10 Abzero in morning. Sawed three logs for fence posts. Mrs Eaton shot herself.

Mar 19 – Very pleasant all day no signs of a storm. Went up to Earls mill. School out to day. Carried vinegar keg down to Fords.

Mar 20 – Mark here windy day. Went and carried stove up to Marts place for Mr Seaman. Sarah went to burg. Mrs Eaton buried. Catharine stayed all night.

Mar 21 – Moved Sam Seaman. Snows some this morning some wind cloudy windy all day some stormy. June will be a wet month. A good deal cloudy weather in June not a good hay month.

Mar 22 – Loid Higgins stayed all night. Taped some trees carried Kettle in to the woods. Mr Samuel Swaddle and wife here. Dick Lamkins and girl here. Dick brot rake.

Mar 23 – Tapt some trees to day. Wesley brot cornsheller home. T. Flanders called here went home with James got his knife. Caucas at the burg.

Mar 24 – Snowed and rained. Gathered sap in morning.

Mar 25 – Boiled sap in forenoon. Tapt 4 trees in afternoon. Mended some pans.

Mar 26 – Boiled sap in the forenoon. Snowed all afternoon. Went up to Seaman House and got two loads wood in cart.

Mar 27 – Choped wood in the forenoon by the boiling place made molasses in afternoon. Went up to Wesleys in Evening.

Mar 28 – Went up to Yorks. Ground ax in forenoon. Choped in afternoon. Set up buckels and pans sap run some. David Tomkins here. Lucy[33] came down.

Mar 29 – Pleasant. Sarah went up to Yorks. I cut some small trees for spokes. Ella Randall Elva Earl here. Dick Lamkins brot his slead down to get a runner put in.

Mar 30 – Pleasant morning. Boiled sap all day. Mart Millhams wife[34] buried to day. Fine day. Wesley got load straw.

Mar 31 – Nice morning. Boiled sap all day. Mr Bristol here. Pleasant day.

Apr 1 – Sent letter to Pavilion bot stamps 9¢. Bot shoes for Louesa 1.25. Went to townmeeting. Extracted tooth for Milford Matthews 25¢. Fine day.

Apr 2 – Boiled sap most all day. Mr Scram came down to the boiling place. Snow the peddler stayed here all night. Pleasant day.

Apr 3 – Pleasant day. Boiled sap in forenoon. Shugared of in afternoon. Sarah went up to H. A Taylors. Fathers cow calved to day. Made some shugar. Ida Barber here.

Apr 4 – Carried 3 bushels corn 2 of wheat to mill. Bot callico 20¢ ½ lb ginger 20¢. Sold C. P. Galligan 4 doz eggs 51.

Apr 5 – Made box for Mr Shermans washing machine 1.00. Went over to burg got grist. Bot oil and tape needle 31¢ got Ethans Boots 1.00.

Apr 6 – Pleasant day. Cut some logs and put around Kettle to Boil sap. Made mop handle.

Apr 7 – Boiled sap all day. Dick Blackburn here.

Apr 8 – Went over to the burg in morning. Bot 18 yds cloth for girls dresses 18 cts for yard 3.97¢.

Apr 9 – Gathered in my sap buckets and spouts. Put up some fence. Repaired seat in back house. Cut some bushes up to Crid house. Scram got 60 feet board.

Apr 10 – Rainy day. Dick came down went up to mill. Got plank for rave[35] stick for rake head. Sawed out runner for Dicks slead. Lucy stayed all night.

Apr 11 – Put in runner and rave to Dicks slead. Catharine came down. Addy and Ella Swaddle came over. Mrs Allerton here. Filled up Crids well.

Apr 12 – Went up to Wesleys. Worked on slead some. T. Flanders came here. Oscar came.

Apr 13 – Went up to Scrams. Sarah went to burg. Oscar went home. Mr Scram shelled corn. I went over to mill got corn ground. Mr Flanders and Ethan husked corn.

Apr 14 – Mark came up we went over to the burg got door. Sarah came home with me. It rained some. Gave Mark door and window. Recd letter from Geo Tomlinson.[36]

Apr 15 – Husked corn all day. Rained all day. Ethan gone down to Marks.

Apr 16 – Husked corn in forenoon. Went down to Marks in afternoon. Stayed all night.

Apr 17 – Helped Mark in forenoon got home about 2 P.M. Finished husking corn. Sarah went up to Mr Ralphs Yorks.

Apr 18 – Went up to Wesleys got his team commenced plowing west of orchard. Sarah came home. Sarah went to Mr Ralphs. Trimmed some trees.

Apr 19 – Got out some manuer. Ethan plowing.

Apr 20 – Plowed in afternoon. Ethan went to Kalam[37] with Henry Brown.[38] Finished plowing the west lot.

Apr 21 – At home all day.

Apr 22 – Went over to burg. Carried Mr Scramlin some potatoes. Left Nancys shoes. P. T Lane paid 5.00.

Apr 23 – Went over after shoes 65¢ salearatas 15 shoestrings 5¢.

Apr 24 – Left for Oscars went on cars to Lawton foot & walkers line to Paw Paw from there to Coloma by stage. Got to Oscars about 4 P.M.

Apr 25 – At Oscars in Deerfield Township Mich. Set out cherry tree on Oscars place. Went and saw some land north of schoolhouse. Rained some. Milford got 5 bushels corn.

Apr 26 – Went down to the Lake went up on groaning Knob. Rained some. Went to Mr Judsons Winchels Teachouts &c. Oscar bot molasses. We had some shugar.

Apr 27 – Left Oscars about seven morning walked up to waters ___t stage to Paw Paw 2.00. Walked from “ “ [Paw Paw] to Lawton. Came up on cars got home about half past ten Evening.

Apr 28 – Pleasant day at home. Ed York brot Catharine up. Ethan got sheat music & Dasy Deane S Bristol here let him take spy glass home.

Apr 29 – Carried corn from Barn to cornhouse 88 bushels. T. Flanders came over he picked up some corn.

Apr 30 – Went up to Wesleys in morning. T Flanders went up to Yorks. Mrs Dick & Mrs Luis Barber here. Filled up cellar on corner.

May 1 – Worked up to corner in forenoon. Shoveled dirt in cellar. Quite cool wind.

May 2 – Took A A. Dodge team home. Went over to burg. Nancy & Hannah went up to Mr Swaddles. Saw Mr Dodge. Bot Broom. Sold eggs 7 doz 10¢ pr Doz. Bot Nails 8¢.

May 3 – Went over to burg with Dodges team. Henry[39] & Hiram[40] came. Went over after girls. Bot Tea & coffee 1.10¢.

May 4 – At home. Henry & Hiram here. Rainy day. Went up to Yorks.

May 5 – At home. Dick called here. Jo Lee and Lois came up here. Henry and Hiram left for home. A A Dodge called here.

May 6 – Ethan goes of with Dodge to day. Went over to burg. Sold Butter to Mrs Morton 8¾ 1.75. Measured lot with Bristol. Julia Lee[41] here to get work done.

May 7 – Cold 32 Abz in morning. Went over to burg. P. T. Lane paid 5.00¢ Dr Wightman paid note $16.00. Went down to Marks with Catharine in afternoon.

May 8 – Burnt bush in orchard. Mr Bristol came over and made out papers for house and lot at Galesburg he paid 52.00.

May 9 – Bot Hat 2.50¢. Went over to burg in morning. Carried hubbs to get banded. Went over in Evening. Bot oil sold Egs.

May 10 – Mark came up an cut 3 Boars 3 bulls. Got two chairs. Harriet and Edith[42] here in afternoon. A A Dodge and Ethan came. Dodge paid .75¢ for Lamkins.

May 11 – Drawed some wood. Went up to Wesleys. Went over to burg in Evening. Saw A A Dodge.

May 12 – At home all day. Cut Wisemans hair. Dick Lamkins called here got his organ board that holds his book.

May 13 – Some rainy. School commenced to day. Ethan went down to Catharines place with Jo to drive a cow. I let Jo York have 3 bushels corn. No work to day.

May 14 – Went over to burg. Got some traps from shop. Bot orrange for Jim 5¢. Catharine here.

May 15 – Went up to Houlands burg saw Mr A. Pond. He is going to cut me out one set felloes[43] for a two horse wagon. Rained some pleasant afternoon.

May 16 – John Ash plowed garden in forenoon. Went down to Marks in afternoon. Got some seed corn.

May 17 – Went over to burg. B[ot] 6 photographs 1.00 Bot Bottle Kenedays Medicine 1__0¢. Moved stove in to Kitchen.

May 18 – Went over to burg in morning. Bot one pr shoes paid for one. Bot one tick 5.00. Got Jims boots tapt 40. Went over in Evening bot book for Louesa 20. Heard from Crid.

May 19 – Some rainy. Catharine here &c. C. Lee here.

May 20 – Ethan went up to Battlecreek. Went over to burg bot fish and dogwood 85¢. Went and got Wesleys team. Rainy night. Got old wagon.

May 21 – Rainy and cool. Got old wagon up to H. A. Taylors. Ethan came home.

May 22 – Rained some. Went to mill. Got photographs 1.50 paid school bill 3.47¢. Took Wesleys team home. David Henyons wife Died this Evening.

May 23 – Over to burg got load stuff from shop. Bot salearatas and thread 25¢. Mr Rowe Buried to day. Got morter of Isaac Scram. Pleasant day.

May 24 – Drgged and cultivated corn ground. Rained some. Went over to burg. Sold 4 doz Eggs 8.13 oz butter 20¢ pr ___.

May 25 – Went over to burg. Sold 4 doz Eggs 8 lbs and 13 oz butter 20¢ per lb.

May 26 – Lamkins Brot violin. Went up to Wesleys took level of his ground from old well to lane North from his house found 2 feet & 6 inches fall.

May 27 – At home not much done.

May 28 – Charley Lee came up to see violin. Rained.

May 29 – Put Affecks violin together. Sarah went up to Yorks.

May 30 – Snow stayed all night. Went over to burg in morning. Went up to Yorks and got chairs. Carried them over to burg. Saw Jewit Holden. Libby Taylor came over.

May 31 – Got team to drag finished draging marked out one way almost.

Jun 1 – Marked some. Ethan planted a few rows corn. Sarah sick. Went after the Doctor. He came over twice. Went up to Yorks after vinegar. Rained in the night.

Jun 2 – Pleasant and warm in forenoon. Mrs Barber came over.

Jun 3 – Went over to mill carried 3 bushels wheat 2 corn. Carried Afflecks violin. Bot 10 lbs shugar 1.50. Planted some corn. Harriet stayed all night.

Jun 4 – Went to Kalamazoo in afternoon with Wesley. Left my watch. Let Wes have $2.00.

Jun 5 – Planted corn. Lois came home. Very hot. Marked out some ground. 88 in shade.

Jun 6 – Finished planting corn. Planted potatoes. Mrs Ash here to Tea.

Jun 7 – Planted some in garden corn peas onions.

Jun 8 – Went over to burg. Sold 5 Doz Eggs 62¢ 7 lbs butter 18¢ pr pound. Callicoe 36¢ silk 85¢.

Jun 9 – Very hot day. Went down to Catharines place saw Wings folks. Marks folks came up.

Jun 10 – Went over to burg. Bot Dresses for girls 5.55. Planted some corn in East garden some cucumbers.

Jun 11 – Planted potatoes in West garden. Charles Lee and Mr Smith here. Mrs Sumner called here.

Jun 12 – Mark got Bureau and bedstead. Cultivated some corn in west lot. Went to burg in Evening got Hats for girls bot shoes for Hannah & Nancy 4.00.

Jun 13 – Cultivating corn. Hannah gone to picknick to burg. Lucy here. Mowed some grass for Nance.

Jun 14 – Cultivated and hoed corn.

Jun 15 – Rainy. Mr John Clark and wife came here this morning. No work to day. Ethan went to burg.

Jun 16 – Went down to Mr Browns. Got wool box.

Jun 17 – Went over to the burg. Bot sythe and swath 3.00. Worked on wool box some. T. Flanders came.

Jun 18 – Finished wool box. Jesse Earl came down. T. Flanders went up to Yorks. Mowed yard and some in Orchard.

Jun 19 – Worked on road. Cut bushes up south by Durkees.

Jun 20 – Ethan cultivated corn some. I took Lamkins rake to peaces.

Jun 21 – Worked on road on town line up near Mr Ridlers.

Jun 22 – Mr Scram shelled some corn. I commenced wagon box. Drawed in hay from orchard. Jo Lee and Ann[44] came up here. Very hot.

Jun 23 – Hot morning. Mr Byington here.

Jun 24 – Hoed in garden. Drawed load wood. Worked on violin some.

Jun 25 – Put violin together the Boston fiddle. Went over to burg got chairs 1.50 & photographs for Catharine 1.00. Sold Mrs Morton 7. Lbs Butter 1.10 lb.

Jun 26 – Mowed on the hill south of orchard lot. Ethan cultivated corn.

Jun 27 – Went over to mill 2 bus wheat. Went up to Hartwells got wheelbarrow hub turned. Z. Butterfield turned it. Bot salearatas 15¢. S. Bristol gave me a hattan and crusible. Got some traps from shop.

Jun 28 – Made wagon for Henry Rogers called here. I sgned for book. Plowed out corn and potatoes in garden. Wallace Earl got home.

Jun 29 – Sick to day. Mr and Mrs Streator called here. Jo Flanders called here he paid me 10.50¢. Went over to burg just at night. Drawed in some hay from hill south orchard.

Jun 30 – At home all day not well.

Jul 1 – Sick to day. Went down to Marks in afternoon. Charles Lees folks here. Sarah Sumner came here to board. Byington cut some hay.

Jul 2 – Paid Morton for fish 30 bot fish 30¢ paid 25¢. Went over to burg. Bot coat for Ethan 2.00 cap 1.75¢ cloth for pants 1.50¢ one violin string 40¢.

Jul 3 – Went over to mill in morning. Went over in Evening. Bot coat 3.00 vest 1.00 cloth for Jim 60¢. Mr Byington took home load hay. Got some straw to fill Beds. Jo Lee brot Catharine home.

Jul 4 – Went over to burg in Evening. Bot two set h___ 1.00. Let Ethan have 1.00 Nancy 10¢ Hannah 10¢. Rainy day.

Jul 5 – Went up to Hartwells bored Horse rake head. Came round by burg got trowell of Mr Stevenson. Rained some.

Jul 6 – Finished Lamkins Horse rake he got it made him a dividing board for mower. Sarah made my linnen pants. Lois went up to Yorks. Hannah went.

Jul 7 – Pleasant morning. At home all day.

Jul 8 – Catharine moved down to her old home. Mowed in forenoon. Drawed in some hay in afternoon.

Jul 9 – Went over to mill carried 2 bushels wheat for Catharine one corn. Sarah & Lois went over to Mr Scramlins. Bot stamps 6¢.

Jul 10 – Drawed hay mowed some. Nance sick. Good weather.

Jul 11 – Went down to Catharines. Carried some flour meal clock etc.

Jul 12 – Went over to burg. Bot one package Sloans condition pouders 25¢.

Jul 13 – Went over to mill. Carried 2 bushels wheat. Bot shugar 1.00. Commenced cutting wheat. Cradled around the lot. Saw Wallace Earl.

Jul 14 – Warm day at home all day. Wes came down. Mark came up brot some potatoes. Lois went home with him.

Jul 15 – Went up to Dick Lamkins fixed his organ. Recd letter from A A Dodge. Sent letter to G. T.[45] Mrs Courtney picked currants. Bot rake 35¢.

Jul 16 – Drawed two loads hay. Mrs Wiseman and girls here. Catharine and Lucy came up. Got some things. Put in cradlefinger for Doc Babcock 38¢.

Jul 17 – Went up to Dick Lamkins saw his reaper go. Went up horsback.

Jul 18 – Lamkins came down and cut my wheat. Mr Byington bound Rufus Taylor Bou__t a while. Lonzo Ash set up wheat all day. Recd letter from A. L. Keith.[46]

Jul 19 – Got Wesleys team drawed in my wheat had 8 loads.

Jul 20 – No work to day about used up. Went over to burg in Evening. Sarah went over stayed all night. Lois came home. Aunt Sinda Percival[47] died. Recd letter from C. R. Cridland.[48] Ethan went down to Catharines.

Jul 21 – Went up to Mr Scrams saw Mr __urgis. Went in swimming.

Jul 22 – Mr Scram put his wheat in Barn. Isaac patched barn roof put on morter in front room. Went to the burg. Bot shoes 4.00 bot Bot door Knob and lock 75¢ nails 16¢.

Jul 23 – Helped Wesley draw wheat. Very hot day.

Jul 24 – Hung front door. Mrs Aash cleaned house. Ethan helped Wesley draw wheat. Ella Randall stayed here all night. Louesa went to Allertons. Sam Seaman died to day.

Jul 25 – Rainy morning. Went up to Mrs Ash to see calf. Rainy day. Mr Bristol came over.

Jul 26 – Went over to burg. Got clock. Bot oil and salearatas 45¢. Saw A. J. Bradford. Went down to Catharines.

Jul 27 – Went to Kalamazoo got my watch 2.00. Bot two tumblers 30¢ rusks and cheese 10¢ muzzle 25¢. Wes paid 2.00. Bot needles. Emeretta Cory and Dr Wightmans girls here.

Jul 28 – Had a fine shower this morning.

Jul 29 – Ethan cultivated corn. Had Mrs Ashes horse. I hoed some.

Jul 30 – Had Ashes horse. I went over to burg. Took dinner to Wisemans. Ethan cultivated corn. Got ring mended. Carried 3 bushels wheat to mill.

Jul 31 – Rained this morning. Went up to Yorks. Harriet came down after some wheat let them have 1½ bushels. No work sick or lazy. John got his horses a way.

Aug 1 – Ethan and Nancy gone after berries with Mrs Courtney. I cultivated corn some.

Aug 2 – No work to day. Jo Lee and Lois came up in afternoon. Ethan cultivated corn.

Aug 3 – Ethan cultivated corn. I done nothing sick. Milow Bostwick[49] died. Mr Ransom got 2 loads hay.

Aug 4 – At home all day. No one here. Not very well.

Aug 5 – Not very well. Ethan to work in corn. Paid Byington 3.00¢ for days work binding wheat. Very hot.

Aug 6 – Went down to Catharines and Marks. Ethan worked for Mr Courtney thrashing his wheat. Very hot.

Aug 7 – Went over to burg saw A. J. Bradford. Carried some butter to Mrs Morton 4.3/6 lbs. Bot shirt bosom 30¢ thread 10¢. Marks girl[50] Born to day.

Aug 8 – Went over to burg after Brad he no come. Bot 6 lbs shugar of P. T. Law 16¢ 9 lb. Mrs Ralph here. Mark came up after Nancy. Went up to the Seamans got our Bead.

Aug 9 – Went over to burg after Brad he no come. Bot ½ lb tea 70¢. Went up to Mr Shurmans to get him to draw log up to stump pile.

Aug 10 – Round home no work to day.

Aug 11 – At home all day. Mrs Ash took old horse down.

Aug 12 – Got calf of Mrs Ash. Helped Wesley thrash in afternoon. Mr Sheffield and Warren left.

Aug 13 – Helped Wesley thrash in fore noon. Thrashed Jo Yorks in afternoon.

Aug 14 – Wesley brot wheat down. Jo Lee came up with Nancy. Mr Scram thrashed some wheat. Went over to burg in Evening. Carried 12 doz eggs 13¢ doz.

Aug 15 – Went over to mill. Bot Sarahs dress. Mr Bristol came over with Mr Streator.

Aug 16 – Thrashed my wheat had 94 bushels. Paid Judson 5.00¢. Helped Courtney some in the afternoon.

Aug 17 – Went down to Marks. Net Gafnee came here. Ethan helped Mr Randal thrash. Net Gaf.

Aug 18 – Ethan and Nancy went to campmeeting over in Wakeshma went with Hank Brown.[51] Jo Lee came up with Lois.

Aug 19 – Went over to burg. Let Brad have my moddle. Bot nails 15¢. Rained some in the afternoon.

Aug 20 – Round home no work sick. Nothing going on of any account.

Aug 21 – Sarah Harriet and Volina went down to Catharines. Went over to burg.

Aug 22 – At home no work to day. Mr Scram thrashing. Mrs Gafing here. T Flanders came over here.

Aug 23 – No work to day. Jim went up to ____. T Flanders left.

Aug 24 – Made seat to day for Dick Lamkins. I sold Mr Scram sow and pigs $.6.00¢.

Aug 25 – Mr Scram got sow and six pigs. Mark brot Lois home. Very warm and dry. Dick Barber and wife called here.

Aug 26 – Altered Dicks seat and painted it. Mr Scram took his straw away. Jo Lee brot pig up got one of mine. Very hot day.

Aug 27 – Went over to burg with Lois and Sarah. Went to Barbers to Dinner. Bot bot co____ 5 Bot elm bark 15¢. Went up to Yorks. Sold 7 doz eggs 7/- 4 lbs butter 25¢ pr pound.

Aug 28 – Pigsley and Grassins at burg. Went over to burg in Evening saw man perform on tight rope. Got some things out of shop. H. A. Taylors cows in corn all night.

Aug 29 – Went and cut some steaks and fixed fence west of garden. Catharine and Hellen here in afternoon.

Aug 30 – Painted Dicks sulky in forenoon. No work in afternoon.

Aug 31 – Rainy day. Chased pigs most of the day. Made squair and rule for Dick Blackburn.

Sep 1 – At home all day. R. Blackburn came over. Mr & Mrs Seaman here.

Sep 2 – Went over to burg bot shoestrings thread pins needles robbie ____ &c 78¢. Paid Mart Millham 1.50. Nancy went to pick hops.

Sep 3 – Rainy day. Carried sow and pigs up to Seamans $6.00. Extract tooth for Wiseman.

Sep 4 – Went over to mill carried 2 bushels wheat one of corn. Pedler show here to dinner. Hannah went down to pick hops.

Sep 5 – Went over to burg.

Sep 6 – Helped Wesley draw manre. Got out 20 loads.

Sep 7 – Wesley drawed rails in fore noon. I laid up fence across the pasture south.

Sep 8 – Went down to Catharines after Lousea. Mr Scram finished plowing corn lot.

Sep 9 – Cleaned up and burnt stuff where fence stood. Finished laying up fence. T. Flanders came over.

Sep 10 – T. Flanders left. Went up to Wesleys. The two Mrs Scrams here in afternoon.

Sep 11 – Made corncutter and cut corn in garden. Went over to burg got Bed Bottoms.

Sep 12 – Went over to Mr Tuttles auction bot fork and iron bar 1.85 one Dollar Eighty five cts.

Sep 13 – At home all day. Jo Lee and Lois here. Went up to brady with Lois Clark. Ben Ha___ called here. Rained some. Shaved out whiffletrees[52] for Milford. Wes bot box matches 10¢.

Sep 14 – Pleasant morning. Went up to Benjamin Hartwells to raising.

Sep 15 – Went down to Catharines with Jo York. Hannah and May starling came home with us. Rained some.

Sep 16 – Went up to Hartwells in afternoon to help raise his shop put up one ______ ______ ______. Went to school meeting in Evening. Hop pickers had a dance in Evening at Bennet house Galesburg.

Sep 17 – Went down to Jo Lees gone all day. Went to Catharines.

Sep 18 – Cut up corn. Sarah went up to Wes. Jo Lee called here. Mrs Barber and Ida came over. Ethan went fishing in Evening.

Sep 19 – Went over to B. Hartwells finished raising his building. Cont with corn.

Sep 20 – Cut corn in forenoon ____ made a horse to set up corn by. Went over to burg Bot Boots 5.00. Sold 7 doz eggs.

Sep 21 – A. Brown picking up apples to make cider. Went over to burg after Patty[53] and Henry. No come. John Wilcut and wife[54] came.

Sep 22 – At home Jesse Turner[55] and family called here. Went over to burg in morning after Patty. No come.

Sep 23 – John and ______ went up to D. Bristols place got corn peaches and grapes. Ethan & Hank Brown made cider. To Comstock made

Sep 24 – John and Clem went up to Yorks. Patty came.

Sep 25 – Went down to Catharines with John and Clem. Henry came. Mr Scram commenced sowing wheat in south lot. Carried up 5 bushels.

Sep 26 – Carried 4½ bushels wheat up in lot this morning. Cut corn. Larry Griffin came over. Henry stayed all night. Sarah went down to Catharines with Jo and Hellen.

Sep 27 – Cutting corn. Henry whent up to Mr Flanders. Ethan went down to Charles Lees after a mast for their boat.

Sep 28 – Finished cutting my corn. Went over to mill carried 2 bushels wheat. Let R. Blackburn have 44. galens cider.

Sep 29 – At home all day. Pleasant cool wind.

Sep 30 – Drawed in some corn. Went over to burg got one load lumber out of shop. Went up to Wesleys. John and Clem came back.

Oct 1 – Pleasant morning cool wind. Had Wesley team dawed 4 loads from shop. John and Clem went home.

Oct 2 – Finished drawing my lumber from burg. Charly came on the noon train from Jackson.

Oct 3 – Went down to Catharines after Patty. She no come home with me. Sarah went down to Mr Browns and Allertons _____ children here. Went up to Riddlers after a _____.

Oct 4 – Went over to burg after some things in barn. Lois brick machine. Bot box pills 25¢. Mrs Courtney got quilt frames.

Oct 5 – Went up to S. Bristols got 2 bushels peaches 1.30¢. Laid floor in hog pen.

Oct 6 – At home all day.

Oct 7 – At home worked in hogpen. Shut up old sow.

Oct 8 – Husked corn south of orchard. Went to burg Bot Boots for Ethan 5.00.

Oct 9 – Rainy morning. Killed pig over to Courtney. Went up to Wesleys got some pumpkin. Patty came up from Catharines.

Oct 10 – Drawed in some corn fodder. Rainy afternoon.

Oct 11 – Went up to Wesleys. Carried two pigs. Cloudy and cold. Catharine and Hellen came down.

Oct 12 – Carried Sarah and Patty up to Wesleys. Catharine and Lois went. Bot violin string 40¢ Bot Potatoe hook of A. O. D. Schram 1.50. Mrs Tim Mills buried. Ada Bennet[56] died this morning.

Oct 13 – Catharine went home took sorgum barrel. Wes came down. Fine day Patty here Henry here.

Oct 14 – Went over to burg got Cider Barrel to Blackburn. Cleaned up some wheat for Wesley husked some.

Oct 15 – Husked some cleaned up wheat. Wes took one load to burg 2.50 pr bush. Sarah Patty and Lois went up to Yorks.

Oct 16 – Went down to David Simonds in morning. Finished claning up Wes wheat. Wes sold load wheat 2.50 pr bushel.

Oct 17 – Went down to david Simonds. Husked corn. _______ Cook called here. Hannah Nancy and Louesa went down to Allertons. I signed a petition.

Oct 18 – Drawed some corn fodder. Went over to mill. Bot shugar 1.00 coffee 30 shirt bosoms 30 thread 20¢. Killed 2 hens.

Oct 19 – All hands went down to Catharines Wes & Harriet Jo & Hellen Sarah Patty and Lois. Very warm and dry.

Oct 20 – Mercury 80 in shade hot and dry.

Oct 21 – At home no work to speak of.

Oct 22 – Went over to burg. Carried over cider to Beckswith seven galons 7/-.[57]

Oct 23 – Made 72. galons cider. Let Whitford have two galons 25¢. Let Mrs Rogers have 28. galons 3.50¢.

Oct 24 – Dug some potatoes. Ethan went down to Catharines after Patty. Wesley went to Kalamazoo. Lois went.

Oct 25 – Carried Sarah Patty and Catharine over to Celia Newmans. Bot Brown 35¢ tea _______ & 82¢. Got Books from Chicago 4.50.

Oct 26 – Boiled cider all day. Got kettle to Allertons. Carried sail down to Randalls. Rainy day.

Oct 27 – At home all day. Catharine went home.

Oct 28 – Went over to burg got thing to make Evetrogh one of Ed Gillis to fix. Went up to S. Bristols with Patty. Bristol came over and made out Deed for Patty. Mrs Hart died.

Oct 29 – Carried Gillis machine home. A Chipman called here. Carried Mrs Allertons kettle home. Pleasant day. Recd letter from Breece of Kalamazoo.

Oct 30 – At home. Made pully to draw up corn fodder. Snowey day. ____ gone to Kalamazoo.

Oct 31 – At home not much done. Patty here. Made Brace to Wes wagon.

Nov 1 – Went over to mill got 2 bushels wheat g____ing. Got brace mended on wagon 20¢. W. B. Spalding paid 45.77¢. Went down to Catharines with Patty.

Nov 2 – Went up to Bristols. He paid up interest on mortgage up to Aug 11^th 1868.

Nov 3 – At home. Issac Wing called here. Nancy went down to Catharines with Yorks folks. Rainy.

Nov 4 – Sarah and I Patty and Catharine went up to Jesse Turners in Wakeshma.

Nov 5 – We came home. Had Earls Buggy Wesleys horses.

Nov 6 – Went to Deerfield with Jo York. Got to Oscars about 8 PM.

Nov 7 – At Deerfield went round the squaire with Mr York[58] and Jo. Oscar came home.

Nov 8 – At the Lake about noon high wind no sail in sight. Very smokey high wind rained towards night.

Nov 9 – Left Oscars about 8 AM got to Paw Paw about noon. Dinner 50¢. Pleasant day. Got home about 8 Evening. All well.

Nov 10 – At home. Went up to Yorks in morning. Jesse Earls Charly horse died to day. Mr M. O. Streator called here. Extracted tooth for H. _____.

Nov 11 – Drawed some cornfodder. Wes came down. Killed a pig. Went to a School Meeting in Evening.

Nov 12 – Some cloudy in morning. Went over to burg. Bot (illegible).

Nov 13 – Went over to burg in morning. Went over to burg in Evening. Husked corn afternoon. Dud Imus paid up his note.

Nov 14 – Husked corn all day. Wallace Earl died about 12 oclock in Evening.

Nov 15 – Finished husking corn in lot. Pleasant day.

Nov 16 – Went to Kalamazoo with Jo and Mark Lee. Wallace Earl buried to day.

Nov 17 – Went up to Wesleys and Yorks. Patty and Catharine came up with Jo. Pleasant day.

Nov 18 – Killed a pig. Patty Catharine Harriet and Hellen Lucy & Henry all here.

Nov 19 – Patty & Henry started for hom on the 11.20 Train.

Nov 20 – Went over to burg carried 2 bushels wheat ½ corn for ______. Brot Jane Hoag over with me. Pleasant day. Bot books 3.00.

Nov 21 – Took the old cow down to Fords in morning. Drawed cornfodder in afternoon. Very fine weather.

Nov 22 – Got Wes team took apples up to Cider ___. Made 104 114 galons cider 1.75¢. Let Mr Schram have 48 gals cider 1/- per galon.

Nov 23 – Put up cornfodder in forenoon. Carried Sarah over to burg in Evening. Rained in the night some thunder.

Nov 24 – At home. Mark & Ann came up. Mark cut frank calf. Warm day.

Nov 25 – Made platform for Catharine. Painted thills to wagon.

Nov 26 – Put top on my machine. Sarah went up to Jesse Earls. I went up in Evening. Saw R. S. Clapp.

Nov 27 – Took Fathers cow down to Fords bull. Cloudy not very cold. Charles Lee and wife[59] here to Dinner.

Nov 28 – At home all day not much work done to day.

Nov 29 – Moved stove into front room. Went up to Wesleys and Yorks.

Nov 30 – Snowey cold first winter day. Drawed some wood. Went over to burg in Evening. Carried pants over to A. Hoags. Bot vitrol and gum 5¢.

Dec 1 – Cold morning 13. Abz at home.

Dec 2 – At home all day. Jo Lasher came here stayed all night. Went up to Milfords in Evening. B. F. Orcut shot this Evening.

Dec 3 – Lasher went up to J. Smiths. Andrew Turner and mother[60] here to dinner. Some snow on the ground.

Dec 4 – Went down to Catharines. Carried her platform down.

Dec 5 – Went to Kalamazoo to see Mr Giddings. Bot cotton 6.20¢ gloves for Ethan 1.25 candy 10. Lasher came back.

Dec 6 – Chopped some wood chored round.

Dec 7 – Went over to burg. Cut and split some wood. Lasher came up from Catharines.

Dec 8 – Made axhelve for Lasher. He went down to Catharines.

Dec 9 – Went to mill carried one bushel corn two of wheat.

Dec 10 – Went over to burg. Carried over old iron. Bot file. Issac Wing here. Shelled some corn. Jo Lee called here.

Dec 11 – At home. Sarah and Lois went down to Mr Randalls. I went down and took Tea. Jim Courtney here in Evening. Mark called here.

Dec 12 – Cold morning 14 Abz. Went over to burg with Lois. She went out to Jackson. Brot Wanda Clark and children over to Mr Taylors. B. F. Orcut died.[61]

Dec 13 – Cold morning 5 below zero. Cut some wood.

Dec 14 – Went down to Catharines with sleigh. Made mittens for Lasher in Evening. R. S. Clapp left for home.

Dec. 15 – At home all day. 7 below zero in morning. Edith came Down. Lasher stayed all night.

Dec 16 – Lasher commenced chopping for Allerton. Went over to Burg with Mr Howlet. Bot brush 10¢ Thread 10¢. B. F. Orcut buried to day.

Dec 17 – Chopped and drawed wood. Not very cold.

Dec 18 – Drawed one load wood. Filed cross cut saw for Riddler and Wes. Wesley got lumber out by barn.

Dec 19 – Made boulster for Allerton he paid 50¢.

Dec 20 – Cut some wood. Put my lumber in old shop.

Dec 21 – Extracted tooth for C ____. At home all day. Shelled some corn got some spokes out of hogpen. Charles Lee and wife called here. Tried to drive hogs over to burg. Rainy afternoon and Evening.

Dec 22 – Cold at home all day. Lasher came up here in Evening.

Dec 23 – Cleaned out shop. Choped some in afternoon. Chub came down to get me to go and help butcher.

Dec 24 – Went over to burg. Carried 2. bushels wheat 2 of corn. Bot pop gun for Jim.

Dec 25 – Helped Wesley kill hogs. Rainy afternoon. Dick Lamkins here in Evening.

Dec 26 – Went down to Charles Lees. Got one bushel potatoes and sausage cutter.

Dec 27 – Went up to Blakes to see about hogs.

Dec 28 – Cut tree in south lot for wood to butcher with.

Dec 29 – Went up to Wesleys to see about butchering.

Dec 30 – Wes and Jo helped butcher. Killed 3 hogs. Cut up and salted pork. Jesse Earl brot his wagon down.

Dec 31 – Worked in shop some. Dick Lamkins here. Worked on dash some. Snowed in night.

——-

[1] Known better, and referred to, as Luke

[2] Joseph & Helen (Bradley) York; Helen was his niece

[3] His brother, John Wesley Keith, who, according to the family Bible, was adopted

[4] His daughter by his first wife, Minerva Payson

[5] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[6] A search at FindAGrave.com shows that Amos Willson died January 2, 1867 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[7] Neighbor, Isaac Schram

[8] The 1880 census lists Olive Schram as being born in 1867

[9] His daughter, Nancy Keith

[10] His sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[11] His nephew, James Oscar Keith

[12] His son, James Clinton Keith

[13] “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 to run his father’s farm and was living with his aunt, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[14] His son, Ethan Keith

[15] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[16] Saleratus; sodium or potassium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent; baking soda

[17] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[18] Charles Luke Keith Sr.

[19] Thomas Jefferson Chaffee Jr., the husband of Luke’s niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee

[20] Glenn Noah Keith, the son of James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith, who was born on December 2, 1866

[21] Mary Ann (Batey) Keith

[22] The long shafts between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon

[23] James Hunt King

[24] His niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee

[25] James S. King, his maternal first cousin, and son of James Hunt King

[26] Neighbor, Ambrose Brown, the father of Henry Brown, who would marry Luke’s daughter, Nancy

[27] Joseph W. Lee, his paternal first cousin

[28] His daughter, Louesa Keith

[29] Neighbor, Thomas Flanders

[30] Etc.

[31] Above zero

[32] Above zero

[33] His niece, Lucy Irene Lee

[34] Clarinda (Goodrich) Milham

[35] The vertical side pieces to a wagon body

[36] George Tomlinson, who was married to Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[37] Kalamazoo, Michigan

[38] His future son-in-law

[39] Assume this was his wife Sarah’s brother, Henry Crawford; however, it could have been his son, Henry Keith

[40] His wife Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford

[41] Mark’s (footnote #13) wife, Julia Ann Lee

[42] Believe this was his brother Wesley’s wife and daughter, Harriet (Blakslee) Keith and Edith (Keith) Kellum

[43] A felloe, or felly, is the rim of a wheel supported by spokes

[44] I believe he is referring to Ansell Lee, the son of Joseph W. Lee, his paternal first cousin

[45] George Tomlinson

[46] Aylmer Lot Keith, his paternal first cousin

[47] A search at FindAGrave.com shows that Lucinda Percival died July 20, 1867 and is buried at Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[48] Charles R. Cridland

[49] A search at FindAGrave.com shows that Milo Bostwick died May 6, 1880; however, his son, Elizur Bostwick, died August 9, 1867. Both men are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan. Either way, this entry appears to be inaccurate

[50] Mary Jane Lee

[51] Henry Brown

[52] 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

[53] His sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[54] His cousin, John & Juliet Clementine (Clover) Willcutt

[55] His maternal first cousin

[56] Oak Grove Cemetery (Galesburg, Michigan) records show that Ada Bennett, the daughter of H. L. & Levina Bennett, born in 1862, died October 11, 1867

[57] /- is the symbol used for shilling which varied between 12¢ and 16¢

[58] Believe he is referring to Joseph York’s father, Samuel York

[59] Believe he is referring to his cousin, Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee

[60] His cousins, Andrew J. Turner and Sarah “Sally” (Davis) Turner

[61] The December 2^nd entry mentions that B. F. Orcut was shot