1859 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.
Jan 1 – Cold 28 Abz[1] Rainy. Went over to Fathers.[2] No snow.
Jan 2 – Cloudy 30 Abz. At home all day.
Jan 3 – Cloudy 29 Abz. Jo Sherman here. Father Brot Nancy[3] home. Lasher[4] drawed load wood. Bot this Book 38¢.[5]
Jan 4 – Cold 25 Abz. Worked in shop on violin. Barlow got his violin. Bot ½ lb yarn 44¢.
Jan 5 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Worked in shop. Paid Tax 4.29 Georges tax 10.66. Bot 30 lbs flour 82¢.
Jan 6 – Cloudy 22 Abz. Went over to Taylors to the mill. Bot ½ lb yarn 50¢ one lb ratas[6] 10¢. Elder Sills here & prayed for Two Sarahs.
Jan 7 – Snow 20 Abz. Worked in shop on sleigh. Cold snowey day. Bot screws 30¢ one lb candles 14. Sent letter to N. B. Betts[7] 3¢.
Jan 8 – Cold 3 Blz[8] 4 or 5 inches snow. Finished fathers sleigh. Bot darning needle.
Jan 9 – Cold 4 Blz. At home all day. Cold.
Jan 10 – Pleasant 10 Blz. Painted Fathers sleigh. A. Sumner at the shop. Flanders here with his bobs.
Jan 11 – Cloudy 21 Abz. Painted Fathers sleigh. Jesse Earl here. Bot 54 lbs bran 32¢ one box matches 6¢.
Jan 12 – Cloudy 36 Abz. Lasher came over and killed my pig weighed 252 lbs.
Jan 13 – Cloudy 37 Abz. Repaired wheel for Wightman. Rainy night. Nationals in town to night.
Jan 14 – Cloudy 37 Abz very muddy. Mrs Bennet here & Bennet to dinner. Rainy afternoon snowed in the night. Anna Fries[9] died to night Ae 16 years.
Jan 15 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Covered cistern. Bot salt candles. Got stove hearth mended.
Jan 16 – Pleasant 26 Abz some snow snowed some. Anna Fries buried to day.
Jan 17 – Cloudy 22 Abz. Went up to Yorks. Father got his sleigh.
Jan 18 – Pleasant 17 Abz. Went over to Lashers got pig. Sent letter to Abiah Sprague.[10] Sarah[11] went to Watts.
Jan 19 – Pleasant 29 Abz. Went over to Byingtons. Oatman moved his house. Took tea to Deyoes.
Jan 20 – Cloudy 42 Abz. Went over to Fathers took hannah.[12] Rained some.
Jan 21 – Cloudy 25 Abz. Sawed wood. Sarah came home. Filed saw for Mr Smith.
Jan 22 – Snows 3 Abz. Went over to Fathers after hannah. Mrs Frary here. Wesley[13] here in Evening.
Jan 23 – Pleasant 1 Abz. At home. Wrote letter to King[14] & D Crawford.[15]
Jan 24 – Pleasant 17 Abz. Worked in shop some. Bot 26½ lbs flour 77¢ ½ lb Tea 31¢. Wesley got corn 6 bushels 56¢ pr bushel. Sent letter to King one to D Crawford.
Jan 25 – Cloudy 31 Abz not much snow. Rimmed wheel for A. McLary. Calvin Streator here to day.
Jan 26 – Pleasant 22 Abz. Sawed out one pair bob runners. Flanders here. Ralph got his gloves. Calvin here.
Jan 27 – Snows like fun 32 Abz rained & snowed all day. Worked on McLarys Ex.
Jan 28 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Finished McLarys Ex. Bot G. string. Received letter from Mrs M. Keith one from N. B. Betts two for Lois.[16]
Jan 29 – Cloudy 24 Abz. Went up to Yorks Jo[17] brot me home. Father & Mother[18] here. Got Buck Wheat & meal from the mill. Bot 50 lbs bran 30¢. Cal Streator got his violin 50¢. Lasher paid me 50¢.
Jan 30 – Pleasant but cloudy 23 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church. All well as usual.
Jan 31 – Sun shines no snow 13 Abz. Worked round house & Barn. D. Lamkins here Wesley here in evening. Bent hoops for violin. Race[19] run over. Mr Gero very sick.
Feb 1 – Sun shines Pleasant 30 Abz. Went over the river after my Heifer could not get her. Made axhelve[20] for C. C. Johnson. Mrs Watts here. Barlow gave me an E. string. Went to Barlows.
Feb 2 – Snows some 31 Abz. Made axhelve for Wesley. Mary an Keith[21] came here. Johnson got helve.
Feb 3 – 24 Abz. Filed saw for Joseph Lee.[22] T. Ford brot some flour. Wm McLary brot sleigh.
Feb 4 – Snows 16 Abz. Worked in shop sawed out bob knees. Blocked out foot for T. Sherman. Recd letter from Canada. Some sleighing. Bot one lb candles 16¢ letter 10¢.
Feb 5 – Snows some 12 Abz snowey day. Worked in shop some sawed out gearing and neaps[23] one for Byington.
Feb 6 – Pleasant 11 Abz. Sun shines. At home all day. Sarah went to church. Ed & Mary Childs here to Tea. Snow most gone.
Feb 7 – Cloudy 10 Abz. Went over to Byingtons. Calvin Streator here. Bot one lb saleratas 10.
Feb 8 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Worked on Byingtons wagon. Mr Spaulding here. Deyeo got maple of Mr Warner.
Feb 9 – Cloudy 24 Abz no snow hardley no sleighing. Worked on gearing. Lasher here. Father Brot Mary An here. Recd letter from G. T.[24] one from Momence from Wm Peters.
Feb 10 – Pleasant 8 Abz. Worked on gearing. Mrs Bevere here. Mary An went up to her Fathers.[25] My Kettle came home. Mary & Ed Bennet here. Bot cloth & floss 10¢. Mrs Lane died.
Feb 11 – Cloudy 11 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Bot cloth for pants 1.41. Snowed some in the night.
Feb 12 – Cloudy 10 Abz. Went over and measured the fractions for Geo Tomlinson. Lasher led my heifer over. Bot ½ lb Tea 25¢. Durgy Brot load wood.
Feb 13 – Cloudy 18 Abz. Put on my new pants hard times Sarah gone to church. Took the top of Yorks violin. Mr Kingsley[26] died to day.
Feb 14 – Pleasant at zero. Durgy Brot his violin saw A. Hoag. Swaddle called here in Evening. Sent letter to G. T. one one to N. B. Betts. Paper 10¢ candles 15¢ letters 6¢.
Feb 15 – Cloudy 41 Abz. Worked in shop some. Mr. Kingsley buried to day.
Feb 16 – Cloudy 27 Abz. Went up to Flanders. Hellen[27] here. Jerome Turner here. Bot Jug 25¢ Bot ½ galon molassess 28¢ 4 sheets sand paper 4¢. Ed York took Tea here.
Feb 17 – Cloudy 38 Abz. Worked in shop. Swaddle Brot his spokes. Harvey here. Flanders Brot load hay.
Feb 18 – Cloudy 28 Abz no snow. Worked in shop on neap. Had door open all day pleasant as Spring.
Feb 19 – Cloudy 48 Abz. Repaired Yorks violin. Durgy got his violin. Bot 50 lbs Bran 35¢. D. Henyon here in Evening. Some thunder & lightning in Evening some hail & rain snowed in the night.
Feb 20 – Windy cold snow flies 28 Abz. At home. Sarah gone to church. Blustrous.
Feb 21 – Pleasant 23 Abz. Drove spokes in Swaddles hubbs. A Hoag called here. No snow on the ground.
Feb 22 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Finished Swaddles wheels. A Hoag & Wesley here. Lois came home. Pleasant & Warm.
Feb 23 – Cloudy 31 Abz no snow. Worked in shop on L T Earls neap. Rained in evening. Lois at home.
Feb 24 – Pleasant no snow 28 Abz. Worked in shop. Shaved some spokes. Went fishing in Evening with Mix. Snowed in the night. John Wheeler here.
Feb 25 – Snowey 25 Abz. Shaved spokes. John Wheeler here. Received a letter from D. Crawford La Cross Wis. No sleighing.
Feb 26 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Shaved spokes put some hoops on my violin. Bot ½ lb Tea 31¢. John Wheeler here.
Feb 27 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Went over to Fathers after noon. Wheeler here.
Feb 28 – Cloudy 27 Abz. Finished shaving _____ spokes. D. Hamilton Brot his wheel. Wheeler here.
Mar 1 – Pleasant 20 Abz sun shines no snow. Got out Hamiltons spokes. Jarvis Muncil here. Stranger here to dinner. Bot one lb candles 15¢ one pint whiskey 10.
Mar 2 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Got out spokes for Hamiltons wheel. Went and saw Mills. Rained in the night. Wheeler here.
Mar 3 – Rainy 40 Abz. Wheeler here worked in shop. Sarah went down to Slips. Bot 10 lbs Potash 1.00. Deyo moved his bench from Stevensons.
Mar 4 – Snows some 33 Abz. Drove spokes in Hamiltons wheel. Snowed some. Wheeler here.
Mar 5 – Cloudy 31 Abz some snow. Wheeler here finished Hamiltons wheel. Put the neck in my violin. Henry[28] came home.
Mar 6 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Wheeler here. At home. Sarah went to church. Put the top on violin.
Mar 7 – Rainy 37 Abz. Wheeler here Jo York here. Worked on my violin. Rainy day. Bot one lb saleratas 10¢.
Mar 8 – Rains some 38 Abz. Wheeler here. Hamilton got his wheel. Bot one bushel & half of wheat 15/-[29] Bot thread 15¢.
Mar 9 – Pleasant 27 Abz. Wheeler here. Made soap. Calvin here. Lois came home. Got some Flour of Streator. Father here. Wheler left. Lamkins brot flour 20¢.
Mar 10 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Plained out Buggy spokes. Recd a letter from P. Betts[30] Omro.[31]
Mar 11 – Rainy 54 Abz. Went down to Catharines[32] had Yorks team.
Mar 12 – Cold snowed some 32 Abz. Came home. Bot butter 25¢. Wheler stayed in my shop all night.
Mar 13 – Pleasant 27 Abz. Sarah went to church. Uncle Chi[33] here.
Mar 14 – Cloudy 44 Abz. Commenced Mills moddles. Bot shugar 25¢ one lb candles 16¢.
Mar 15 – Cold snows some 31 Abz. Worked on Mills picker. Filed two saws for E. M. Clap 30¢. Bot one file 10¢.
Mar 16 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Worked on Mills picker. Thomas Whiting went to Kalamazoo with Fox.
Mar 17 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Worked on picker got wheel turned. Charles Lee[34] here. Father got his straw cutter. Sarah went to Beveres & to church in evening.
Mar 18 – Rainy 44 Abz. Worked on picker. Lasher Brot load wood. Rainy.
Mar 19 – Cold 31 Abz some snow in the air. Worked on picker. First April stormy middle pleasant & rainy.
Mar 20 – Pleasant 29 Abz May pleasant. At home. Sarah went to church. Hat Ella & Cordelia here. Sarah went to hear the She Temperance lecture in evening.
Mar 21 – Cloudy 41 Abz. Worked on picker. J Clark here. Bot bitters 6¢. Not very well. Old Hen commenced setting.
Mar 22 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Worked on picker. Not very well.
Mar 23 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Worked on picker filed saw for S. Earl. Bot Beef steak 4¢.
Mar 24 – Cloudy 50 Abz. Worked on pickers. Snowed some in the night.
Mar 25 – Cloudy & cool 30 Abz. Worked on picker. Eugene Bronson here.
Mar 26 – Pleasant 23 Abz. Worked on pickers. Flanders Brot 80 lbs Flour. Bot oil to put in my ear 10¢. Lasher Brot ¾ cord wood.
Mar 27 – Pleasant 33 Abz. At home all day. Went up to the burying ground.[35] Emma Clark & cousin here in evening.
Mar 28 – Rainy 36 Abz. Finished pickers. Bot veal 15¢ Bot oil 7¢ Bot turpentine 5¢ got spy glass mended 3¢. Recd letter from C. R. C.[36] Pulled tooth for Freer.
Mar 29 – Rainy & some snow 32 Abz. At home not very well. Filed saw for C. Lee. Elias Sherman here in evening. Got bit to put in Dulcimer keys.
Mar 30 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Lois came home. Lois & Ethen[37] went over to Fathers. Mills got his pickers paid me ten Dollars. Recd letter from G. Tomlinson. Bot thread 5¢ one paper 7¢ one pair Boots 3.75¢.
Mar 31 – Snowey 28 Abz. All went over to river. Sarah bot dress.
Apr 1 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Went up to Wesleys got warm sugar Bot ½ lb Tea 3¢. Fletcher started the old Freight house.
Apr 2 – Cloudy 38 Abz. Bot 5 lbs sugar 10¢ per lb 50¢. Bot one pint whiskey 10¢ one lb candles 15¢. Went over to Byingtons got set hubbs for L. T. Earls waggon.
Apr 3 – Cloudy & cool 29 Abz. At home. Sarah went to church.
Apr 4 – Snows like fun 27 Abz. Went to town meeting. Caty Chaffe & Toot here. Mark[38] left his bugy. Charles Lee Brot 7 lbs sugar 10¢. Ethen went down to Catharines. Windy.
Apr 5 – Cloudy 26 Abz snow some 3½ inches deep. At home. Bot 2 lights glass 12¢. Flanders Brot load hay. Cold wind.
Apr 6 – Cold 31 Abz. Went over to Taylors got some roots for Cridland. Set some glass. Wheeler here. Bot glass 16¢ Bot allum 3¢. Cold wind.
Apr 7 – Pleasant 35 Abz cold wind. Shelled some corn. Wheeler left. Bot one plane bit 25¢.
Apr 8 – Some snow 28 Abz. Worked round garden. Oscar Keith[39] here. Deyoes folks here to Tea. Fraser Brot his wagon got Ex stick of Cross. Got corn growing. Lasher Brot almost cord of wood.
Apr 9 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Oscar left this morning. Took Frasers wagon peaces. Commenced smoking Hams. The Burdick Marganized Signor.
Apr 10 – Cloudy 40 Abz. At home. Rainy day. Finished smoking Hams.
Apr 11 – Cloudy 61 Abz warm. Worked on Frasers Ex. Bot Bitters 10¢ one glass Beer 5¢. Let Pond have 25¢.
Apr 12 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Finished Frasiers Ex commenced Marks. Bot paper Envelopes & pens 25¢. Hen came of with two chickens.
Apr 13 – Cloudy & some rain 48 Abz. Worked on Marks Ex Mark came up. Ethen came home Sarah went down to Barbers. Rainy night.
Apr 14 – Cloudy 51 Abz. Finished Marks Ex rimed out hubs. Sarah went to church meeting. Gave Alvan Burdic his final discharge. High wind all day & most of the night. Austin moved.
Apr 15 – Snow on the ground 28 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Frasier got his wagon.
Apr 16 – Pleasant ground covered with snow 31 Abz. Bot 4 lbs nails 20¢. Put Battens on the barn. Adelbert Earl & Addis here. Dell brot violin to be repaired paid me one Dollar.
Apr 17 – Snows like fun 33 Abz. At home. Sarah went to church.
Apr 18 – Pleasant 28 Abz no snow. Lasher Brot ¾ cord wood. Got my Deed. Sent Crids seeds. Mark got his buggy. C. Lee here. Bot ½ lb Tea 31¢ one lb Sals 10¢ Beer 5¢. Burdicks had their trial 70 Dollars fine.
Apr 19 – Pleasant 37 Abz. Mended Streators seat & Blind for Mix. Sarah went to Wisemans.
Apr 20 – Rainy 44 Abz. Made ax helves. Put top on violin. Medicine pedler here. Streator took the assessment got his seat.
Apr 21 – Cloudy 39 Abz. Put some Battens on Barn. Lumis Robinson here.
Apr 22 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Worked on Byingtons Exes. Lois at home. Bot one paper tacks 5¢.
Apr 23 – Pleasant 29 Abz. Worked round the house. Mended Sam Lanes violin. E. Flanders brot some Hickory for helves. Bot one lb candles 17.
Apr 24 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Went over to Fathers Jo & Hellen there. Old Mrs Wheaton[40] died this morning.
Apr 25 – Cloudy 41 Abz. Cleared of garden & measured Moses lot. Bot deed 5¢. Rained in the night.
Apr 26 – Cloudy 44 Abz. Went over to Fathers after Team. Rainy. Old Mrs Wheaton Buried. York Brot me four Hens.
Apr 27 – Cloudy cool 40 Abz. Plowed my garden. Lois here. Wheeler came here.
Apr 28 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Worked round garden. Wheeler here raked of the front yard. Let Johnson have Balsam 13¢. Goods stolen of the cars up at Johnsons curve on the night train.
Apr 29 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Cleaned out cellar. Sarah went over to Halls. Wheeler left. Got Bedstead of Byington 4.25.
Apr 30 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Bot one lb _____ 5¢. Went over to Fathers. Lasher brot load of limbs. Flanders 95 lbs Flour. Mr. F. Lee Brot two bushels wheat.
May 1 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Wheeler here to Breakfast. Went over to Fathers saw Mark & Catharine. Went up to the swamp got gum.
May 2 – Pleasant 51 Abz. Made small thills[41] for Mills. Hiram Potts & Dan Earl left for California.
May 3 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Lamkins digid garden. Bot Bag salt 6¢. Rained some in the night.
May 4 – Cloudy 55 Abz. Worked on Chipmans wagon.
May 5 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Wallace McLolen here. Put in Ex for Chipman. Sarah went down to Adelines. Harrises[42] had a Boy.[43]
May 6 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Wheeler went to the County House. Bot seeds & nails some screws 22¢. Two organs along this morning.
May 7 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Worked in shop some. Lamkins plowed out my currant bushes. Chipman got his wagon. Poulison Buried. Benjamin Moore paid me fifty Dollars. Batten 23¢.
May 8 – Cloudy 53 Abz. At home. Went up north after the cow. Rained. Lois at home. Mr Clark[44] stayed all night.
May 9 – Rainy 50 Abz. Planted potatoes onions cucumbers melons Beans &c.
May 10 – Cloudy & cool 46 Abz. Sowed parsnips & Radish peas cabbage tomatoes & lettauce &c.
May 11 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Went over to fathers got some potatoes sorgum seed &c. Bot cake soap 4¢.
May 12 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Planted corn for feed. Put in spoke for Ford. Bot things for the children $1.95. Rained in the afternoon.
May 13 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Planted potatoes over to Fathers. Sent letter to Bob one to Dade 6¢.
May 14 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Finished planting potatoes. Lasher worked some two hours came home planted sorgum. _____ 3¢ ½ lb Tea 31¢ ½ lb string 6¢ one lb candles 16¢.
May 15 – Pleasant 52 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church.
May 16 – Cloudy 55 Abz. Worked on hubbs. Bot Shugar 60¢ wall paper 38¢ auger 45¢ fish 3¢. Rained some.
May 17 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Morticed hubbs. Made out deed for Moore 40¢. Sent letter to G T 3¢. Heifer calved.
May 18 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Sold heifer. Got mortgage made. Got pay of P. S. Carmer 2.50. Bot door trimmings & tools 2.69¢. Bot pail 25¢ mogage 5¢.
May 19 – Pleasant & cool wind 46 Abz. Worked on gearing. Bot two lbs venitian red 13¢.
May 20 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Sarah went over to Fathers. I went to Kalamazoo on small car. Bot shoes for Nancy 75¢ Beer 5¢. Letter to Oscar 3¢. Rained in the night.
May 21 – Cloudy 59 Abz. Made mall. Went over to Fathers. Bot two lbs Butter 25¢.
May 22 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Went up north got a Rabbit. Wightman smoked him out.
May 23 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Worked on trackway[?]. Bot lime 25¢ Bot fish 37¢ Bot oil 2.25¢.
May 24 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Sarah went down to Eds. Ed laid up my wall 1.00. Recd letter from G. T.
May 25 – Pleasant 68 Abz. Hoed corn in garden Bot books 50¢. Recd letter from G. T.
May 26 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Worked on Richardsons Bugy. Rained afternoon & evening. Sarah papered the Bedroom Bot 2 rolls paper 25¢. Old cow calved to day.
May 27 – Cloudy 51 Abz. Lasher load wood. Got Locus of Streator plank of Brown. Went after cow. Rainy. Bot 50 lbs lead 4.00 2 lbs butter 25¢. Sarah went to Thorndikes. Sent letter to G. Tomlinson.
May 28 – Some cloudy 42 Abz. Worked on Richardsons Buggy. Bot 3 bolts 7¢ Bot pair shoes for Ethen 1.00. Found the old cow & calf. Rained in the night.
May 29 – Cloudy 59 Abz. At home. Had a shower afternoon & evening.
May 30 – Misty 54 Abz. Worked on Richardsons Buggy. Bot doors 4.00 Bot brushes 45 Brimstone 4¢ Bolts 4¢ draying 10¢.
May 31 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Painted the Bedroom and front room up stairs and Charleys Buggy. Bot one pound Tea 5/-.
Jun 1 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Painted the bedroom. Went up to Yorks. Rained in the night.
Jun 2 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Bot cabage plants 20¢. Varnished Bugy. Recd letter from G. T. Rained in the night.
Jun 3 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Set out some baga plants. Finished Richardsons buggy. Bot pint cup 10¢ Bot oil 3¢. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢.
Jun 4 – Pleasant cool 33 Abz. Charles got his buggy. Planted melons seeds set out tomatoes.
Jun 5 – Pleasant 39 Abz. At home. Sarah gone to church. Sarah Sell babtised.
Jun 6 – Cloudy 48 Abz. 22 years to day started for Michigan 1837. Sawed out gearing for L. T. Earls wagon. Went over to Fathers one glass beer 5¢.
Jun 7 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo. Saw Banister go up in his Balloon. Bot wall paper and other traps $2.3¢.
Jun 8 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Hoed potatoes over to Fathers Catharine there. Ed Watts[45] died.
Jun 9 – Pleasant 51 Abz. Finished hoing potatoes hoed some in garden. Bored hubs. Paid 1.50¢ for coat.
Jun 10 – Cloudy cool wind 51 Abz. Hoed in garden. Lois came home. Bot one lb candles 16¢.
Jun 11 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Hoed in garden some. Went over to Hartwells raising. Got set Hubbs turned. Bot 5 lb shugar 50¢ strawberries 6¢.
Jun 12 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Went in swimming. Went up to Yorks & Wesleys.
Jun 13 – Rainy 70 Abz. Worked on Deyoes wheel. Alvan & Jerome Turner[46] here. Rained in the night.
Jun 14 – Cloudy 63 Abz. Worked on Deyoes wheel. Alvan came up. Bot two lbs shelack 50¢.
Jun 15 – Rainy 76 Abz. Alvan commenced painting. Bot v. red s. white oil[47] _____ hatband saleratas crackers &c.
Jun 16 – Cool 50 Abz. Went down to J. O. Keiths after spokes got 500 spokes pair 2.25¢. Pay Wightman 1.75.
Jun 17 – About 40 Abz. Left Oscars at seven AM got home about nine evening. Left load down by Nights horse got tire out. Bot crackers & cheese 15¢.
Jun 18 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Finished wheelbarrow wheel. Spokes came afternoon. Bot 6 lbs Spanish white 24¢ Bot gaiters 87½¢. Alvan went over to Kingsleys.
Jun 19 – Pleasant 62 Abz. At home all day.
Jun 20 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Tinkered round house hoed some fixed doors & windows. Alvan painting. Bot oil & venetian red one violin string.
Jun 21 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Planted corn & cucumbers hoed some. Bot 5 lbs S. white 20¢.
Jun 22 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Worked round the house piled up spokes.
Jun 23 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Put dash on Races bugy two spokes in Bixbys wheel tightened one box in Richardsons wheel. Lois left.
Jun 24 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Repaired wheel for C. Risin[?]. Bot oil Spanish white _____. Deyoes folks turned out doors. A Chipman paid me four Dollars.
Jun 25 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Put in Ex for A. Chipman 2.00. Charley got his wheels. Bot 6 lbs shugar 60¢ one lb coffee 16¢. Alvan came back.
Jun 26 – Rainy 62 Abz. Alvan & I went over to Fathers saw Miss Hoxie.
Jun 27 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Rainy afternoon. Mended horse rake for A. McLary. Bot one _____ 2.00 ½ galon oil 56¢.
Jun 28 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Finished McLarys rake. Mended parasol for Mrs E. Mills. Bot 2 violin strings 25¢.
Jun 29 – Heavy shower in morning 72 Abz. Worked on doors. Bot 6 lbs nails 30¢ Bot Whiting 20¢. Old cow out to night. Got load wood.
Jun 30 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Put in the front doors in shop. Bot beer 5¢. Sarah went over to Fathers. Alvan grained the doors.
Jul 1 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Hoed potatoes. Had a shower.
Jul 2 – Cloudy 79 Abz. Put lock and bolt on shop doors. Made fork handle for E M. Clapp. Bot Bolt 25¢ Roll wicking 5¢ turpentine 6¢ cradle finger 15¢.
Jul 3 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Alvan went to Kalamazoo Saw vandusen.
Jul 4 – Pleasant 46 Abz. At home Caty Chaffee[48] here. Bot saleratas 10¢ Bot shugar 33¢.
Jul 5 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Hoed potatoes over the river.
Jul 6 – 43 Abz Pleasant. Put cape on doors to shop. Bot oil 1.00 Bot 3½ lbs Butter 44¢.
Jul 7 – Plesant 63 Abz. Bot turpentine 6¢. Made door frame. Bot matches 6.
Jul 8 – Pleasant 75 Abz. Mended cradle for Wheland. Hoed some in garden. Alvan painted shop. Bot brush 75¢ carpet yarn 2.80.
Jul 9 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Went over to hoe potatoes. Alvan went to Kalamazoo. Bot ½ lb Tea 25¢. Painted stoop floor.
Jul 10 – Pleasant 64 Abz at 3. 96 in the shade at 3. 122 in the sun. Mr. underwood preached at Shafters.
Jul 11 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Cased door frame. Put in cradle finger for J. Wheaten 20¢. Killed my calf.
Jul 12 – Pleasant 70 Abz. Worked in shop some put in cradle finger for Luke Chase 18¢. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢. Beer 5.
Jul 13 – Pleasant 67 Abz. Worked in shop made frame for window. Sarah went to Kalamazoo. Had a shower afternoon.
Jul 14 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Worked in shop on Yorks violin. Mrs Flint Frank Beach & Mrs Rogers & Mrs B____ here. Alvan came Back.
Jul 15 – Pleasant 76 Abz. Worked round house. Alvan here painted diningroom. Bot Shugar 31 Bot crome Yellow 11¢ one spool thread 5¢ Bot candles 17¢.
Jul 16 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Worked round the house. Bot cag lead 2.00 Bot Logwood 5¢ Bot Whiting 8¢ Bot shoes 69¢. Flanders Brot 50 lbs Flour.
Jul 17 – Pleasant 76 Abz. At home. Very hot day thermometer stood at 2 oclock P.M. 102 in shade.
Jul 18 – Pleasant & hot 76 Abz. Hoed corn. Repaired old Vermount. Had a shower in the afternoon.
Jul 19 – Cloudy 75 Abz. Alvan commenced graining the diningroom. Varnished new violin. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢.
Jul 20 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Worked round house. Alvan finished graining. Bot alcohol 5.
Jul 21 – Cloudy 65 Abz. Headache all day. Alvan painted Blanks for young Norman. Bot 2 ½ lbs mutton 17¢. Jo York got Eds violin.
Jul 22 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Worked on Crosses violin some. Bot _____ 4¢. Alvan left.
Jul 23 – Pleasant 51 Abz. Made fork handle for Bronson 25¢. Bot Ethen hat 41¢ Nancy & Hannah gloves 20¢ one round spoke sham 50¢ sheet sand paper 11¢. Jo & Hellen here.
Jul 24 – Cloudy 64 Abz. At home all day. Negro buried to the county house. Barlow & Tam went north afternoon.
Jul 25 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in shop on gearing. Alvan came here dry.
Jul 26 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Worked in shop. Sarah went to Mrs Beeches. Alvan here put Cross violin together. S. Bristol here.
Jul 27 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Lasher Brot wood. Went up to McLellen after lumber. Bot 15 yds cotton spool thread 1.70 bar soap 10¢ one violin string 10 one hogs head 38¢. Put hair in violin bow.
Jul 28 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Put in _____ for Chas Youngs 50¢. Bot two bushels lime 50¢. Sarah and children went over to Fathers. Very dry.
Jul 29 – Cloudy 49 Abz. Worked in shop some. Alvan here. Sarah went to Mrs. Potts. Very dry.
Jul 30 – Pleasant 58 Abz very dry. Went over to Fathers got lead pipe to water my garden sodering pipe 10¢. Bot ½ lb Tea 25. Started the water in my garden.
Jul 31 – Rainy 67 Abz. At home. Lois & Henry here. Rained very little.
Aug 1 – Cloudy 58 Abz. Headache all day. Jo Flanders & Thomas Flanders here to dinner.
Aug 2 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Worked in shop Mrs. Alberton here. Bot shugar 45¢ Bot Beef 15¢.
Aug 3 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Worked on gearing. Rainy day had a good rain.
Aug 4 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Carried corn to mill Bushel & half. Bot 50 lbs Flour 1.38¢.
Aug 5 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Made mortar. Went to Shaflers after wheat for Mrs Wiseman. Sarah went to S. Newmans.
Aug 6 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Plastered diningroom. Got Boots tapt 44¢ Bot Spice 10¢ paper pins 10¢.
Aug 7 – Pleasant 64 Abz. Cleaned out stove & oven. Went up north underhill preached at H. _____ Shafters grove.
Aug 8 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in shop. Riley Bennet called here.
Aug 9 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in shop some. Went over to fathers. Lasher Brot load wood. Came home with T. Ford paid me 25 cts.
Aug 10 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Made pole for Race. Bot 3 quarts berries 25¢ Bot screws 6¢. James Burnet[49] died about five. Mr. Simonds[50] died about 9 AM.
Aug 11 – Rainy 70 Abz. Stock train left here. Finished Races whiffletrees.[51] J. Flanders & Wesley here. Burnet & Simonds buried. Bot one lb candles 22.
Aug 12 – Misty 68 Abz. Got rifle smoothed out 25¢. Made Blocks for brick moulds. Mrs Hall & Matilda here. Streator Brot some apples.
Aug 13 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Made blocks for Brick moulds. Race got his pole & whiffletrees. Bot nuts 2¢. C. Richardson paid me five Dollars & 25¢.
Aug 14 – Pleasant 65 Abz. At home all day. Very hot.
Aug 15 – Pleasant 68 Abz. Sick nothing done. Richardson Brot his buggy. Bot one lb S. white 5¢ one spool thread 5¢.
Aug 16 – Pleasant 64 Abz. Set boxes in Charlies wheels. Sarah went to Langfords. Bot 18 lbs salt 18¢ B S. white 5¢ one stick candy 1¢ two stamps 6¢.
Aug 17 – Pleasant 60 Abz. At home not much work to day. Paid Mix one Dollar. Sent letter to G. T. Nicholas Galt paid me seven Dollars.
Aug 18 – Cloudy 67 Abz. Rimed wheel for A McLary 1.50¢ Bot one lb Tea 50¢ B Clark[52] paid me 75¢. Rained some.
Aug 19 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Bot paper 92¢. Paid for braid 18 Bot 2½ lbs steak ___.
Aug 20 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Varnished the dining room. Bot varnish & turpentine 62¢ paid for carpet 3.25. Bot pocket comb 1¢.
Aug 21 – Cloudy 58 Abz. At home had the ague.[53] Buskirk here.
Aug 22 – Pleasant 60 Abz. No work in shop. Got hammer hardened 5¢. Bot 5 lbs shugar 45¢ one stick candy 1¢ Bushe & half wheat 1.50¢. Rained some.
Aug 23 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Mrs Ferris Mrs Thorndyke & Mrs Wiseman here. Put the carpet down in diningroom. Bot paper carpet tacks 5¢.
Aug 24 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked on Galts buggy. Had some ague. Bot one lb saleratas 10¢. Received letter from Wm Tomlinson.
Aug 25 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Worked on Galts wagon. Hat & Nell here to Tea. Recd letter from G. Tomlinson.
Aug 26 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Went over to Byingtons. Sent letter to G. T.
Aug 27 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in shop some. Bot beer 10¢. Put finger board on Barlows violin.
Aug 28 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Went over to fathers T. Flanders there. Mother went to Catharines.
Aug 29 – Pleasant 40 Abz. (2.00 put in Ex for L. T. Earl. Bot 3 sheets sand paper 3¢.
Aug 30 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Made hicks spring bars. Commenced Clarks wheel.
Aug 31 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Finished Clarks wheel. Saw Dr De Normandy. Bot package medicine __7__. Bot hive syrup.
Sep 1 – Pleasant 43 Abz. Bot alcohol & shugar 25¢ Bot Broom 25¢ Bot Beef 20¢. Sent letter to Ed 3¢. T. Flanders here. Catharine & Mark here.
Sep 2 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Clarks folks here. Mrs Cory & Cory girls here.
Sep 3 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Ague nothing done today. Bot Taps of Cory for Hannah shoes 12¢.
Sep 4 – Pleasant 40 Abz. At home all day.
Sep 5 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Bot pint Alcohol 12¢. Set & filed saw for T. Flanders 25¢.
Sep 6 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Worked in shop on gearing.
Sep 7 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Got watch repaired 75. Paid for alcohol 12¢. Bot taps for Nancys shoes 12. Flanders Brot 93 lbs Flour. Up all night with Ethen.
Sep 8 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Show in town. Bot Hyve syrup 5¢. Bot pears 5¢. Bot taps for Nancys shoes 12¢. Set telegraph poles. Sold my Draft to Flint $30.00.
Sep 9 – Pleasant 62 Abz very dry. Bot 9¼ lbs shugar 92¢. Bored hubs for Parkers cart. Rainy night. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢.
Sep 10 – Rainy 72 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Paid Parker 20 Dollars _____ in part pay for Engine. Rained in the night.
Sep 11 – Pleasant 68 Abz. At home all day.
Sep 12 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Moved my spokes. Sent letter to Robert.
Sep 13 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Went over to byingtons got wheel of B. Hartwell 2. George Tomlinson came in the night.
Sep 14 – Pleasant 47 Abz. Bot 2½ B steak 22¢ one lb Coffee 10¢ one lb candles 16¢. Went over Fathers & Yorks with G. Tomlinson.
Sep 15 – Pleasant 44 Abz. George & I went down to Catharines. Called to Clarks.
Sep 16 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Bot Bottle Balsam 1.00 Bot cheese & crackers 10 Bot _______ 15. 5 cents to music violin & ________. George left for home traded watches with him 65 Dollars to Boot.
Sep 17 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Bot alcohol 12 one spool thread 5¢. Lois & Henry came home.
Sep 18 – Pleasant & dry 50 Abz. At home. Rainy had a good shower. Lois & Henry at home.
Sep 19 – Cloudy 70 Abz. At home. Show in town ole lull and transfer. Lasher Brot load wood ¾ stove wood.
Sep 20 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Went to the show in the Evening 25¢. Rained like fun. Bot Beef shank 10¢. J. York Brot ¾ cord wood.
Sep 21 – Rainy 51 Abz. Bot ½ lb Tea 25¢. Rainy day.
Sep 22 – Cloudy 55 Abz. Rainy. Bot ½ Bushel Peaches 25¢. Mrs Scranlin here in Evening.
Sep 23 – Rains 59 Abz. Bot shoes for Sarah 1.38. Bot cotton 15.
Sep 24 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Hung doors to shop. Wesley here. Mark Caty here. Bot one _____ 12 _____.
Sep 25 – Pleasant 55 Abz. At home. Sarah went to church. Lois came home. Sarah went to church in Evening.
Sep 26 – Rainy 61 Abz. No work now days. Rainy night. Went down to parkers saw him turn piston rod.
Sep 27 – Rainy 63 Abz. Sold old iron. Bot lock for shop & turned cup & oil can ___5. Bot ½ Bushel Peaches 25. Gave 3¢ to Reaper.
Sep 28 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Bot cloth for coat pants for Ethen 192. Bot one lb candles 16¢ one paper 1¢.
Sep 29 – Cloudy 53 Abz. Bot buttons for Ethens coat & thread 13¢.
Sep 30 – Some rain 66 Abz. Edwin Flanders went toYpsilanti. Went up to Flanders got some timber.
Oct 1 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Bot pork 53 of W____ Blake.
Oct 2 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Went up north over _____ Aldidges hill saw _____ cutting up corn. Mrs Cross Babtised.
Oct 3 – Pleasant 42 Abz. Made Blocks for B. Clark. Bot Receipts 10¢.
Oct 4 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Saw a steam Plow on the Freight train going east.
Oct 5 – Cloudy 61 Abz. Cleared out the barn. Bot dye stuff for coloring 15.
Oct 6 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Bot thread & silk 8. Car burnt[?] on the 2 oclock train.
Oct 7 – Cloudy 42 Abz. At home. Race broke out run into my cellar & well in the night.
Oct 8 – Rainy 42 Abz. Issac Wing & Brother called here. Bot 4¾ lbs salt pork 46¢.
Oct 9 – Pleasant 28 Abz heavy frost. At home all day. Three trains through to day.
Oct 10 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Filed saw for E. M. Clapp one for Earl. Lasher brot sixteen bushels corn & ¾ cord wood.
Oct 11 – Rainy 45 Abz. Worked on road. Harvey came here. Bot Shugar 50¢ Bot Beef 10¢.
Oct 12 – Rainy 49 Abz. Harvey here. Harvey left Ethen went with him. Worked on the road afternoon. Bot one lb candles 16¢.
Oct 13 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Cleaned out the cellar. Rainy day. Matilda called here.
Oct 14 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Wm Tomlinson called here. Bot cambric. Went over to Fathers.
Oct 15 – Pleasant 38 Abz. At home. Saw Dr De Normandy. Bot _____ Beef 37½¢. Horse show at Kalamazoo. Flora Temple _____ her best time 2 m 17¾ sec.
Oct 16 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Bot cake soap 10¢ five turnips 5¢. Went up to Yorks. Alfleda[54] came here. Caty & Mark.
Oct 17 – Rainy 56 Abz. Alfleda left. Bot soap & Sal Soda 1.50.
Oct 18 – Cloudy & cool 41 Abz. Went up to Mr Flanders after Ethen. Letter from G. T.
Oct 19 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Made saw B____ & filed saws.
Oct 20 – Cloudy snowed some 33 Abz. Bot ½ lb Tea 30. Went down to Marks.
Oct 21 – Cold snow some 30 Abz. At Catharines came home. Brot two bushels wheat one bag apples.
Oct 22 – Cloudy one inch snow 33 Abz. Sorted corn. Went down to Babcocks. Brot two bushels wheat.
Oct 23 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Went over to Fathers with Uncle Chi.
Oct 24 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Dug potatoes. Pleasant.
Oct 25 – Foggy morning 36 Abz. Dug potatoes. Bot dresses for Hannah & Nancy 1.25.
Oct 26 – Cloudy 46 Abz. Dug potatoes. Bot one lb candles 16¢. Bot medicine of De Normandy 3.00.
Oct 27 – Pleasant 28 Abz. At home. Got medicine for Ethen 6.00. Dug my potatoes in garden buried cabage.
Oct 28 – Cloudy 29 Abz. Dug potatoes. Snowed. Got my Engine in the Evening.
Oct 29 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Finished gigging potatoes. Had some 20 bushels. Recd letter from G. T. Lasher worke half day.
Oct 30 – Snows 30 Abz. At home. Lois came home was sick. De Normandy here.
Oct 31 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Worked on Engine some. Wesley & Wallace Earl came to the shop. Bot Nancy shoes 75 needles __¢.
Nov 1 – Cloudy 30 Abz. York Brot one cord wood. Lasher Brot cord stove wood. Father & mother here. Lois at home. Bot Beef Shank 10¢.
Nov 2 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Worked on Engine. Four Engines went East. De Normandy went home.
Nov 3 – Cloudy 36 Abz. Worked on Engine some. Lois at home.
Nov 4 – Smoky 59 Abz. Worked in on Engine. Made pump pipe for Father. Bot 59 lbs Bran 28¢. Dry & warm. Lasher Brot 16 Bushels _____.
Nov 5 – Smoky 55 Abz dry & warm. Went over to Fathers put in pump. Deed came for Dr Babcock.
Nov 6 – Pleasant 32 Abz. At home. Got one lb salratas 10.
Nov 7 – Cloudy 38 Abz. Worked in shop some. Wesleys folks came in Evening. Smoky and dry.
Nov 8 – Smoky 56 Abz. Bot 3 lbs Pork 26¢. Went down to Catharines got load turnips. Rained in the night.
Nov 9 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Worked in shop. Rainy day. Bot 2 lbs candles 22¢.
Nov 10 – Rainy 32 Abz. Put up stove in shop. Lasher here carried bushel corn to mill. Bot one pt alcohol & one lb shugar 25.
Nov 11 – Cloudy 29 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Carried Butter to Miss Hoxie.
Nov 12 – Rainy 42 Abz. Bot 1/2 lb Tea 30¢. Went down town. Lasher Brot some stalks. Stormy day. Net Oatman buried to day.
Nov 13 – Snows 18 Abz cold. At home all day. Sell held fort in the Methodist Church. Pulled tooth for Mrs Galt.
Nov 14 – Cloudy & cold 22 Abz snow on the ground some 2 inches. Worked round some. Went down to Babcocks & parkers. Saw parkers Engine run.
Nov 15 – Pleasant 12 Abz. Went over to Fathers.
Nov 16 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Osker Keith here this morning Bot _____ 10¢. Old Mrs Pond died. Sent letter to Mrs Betts.
Nov 17 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Worked in shop some. Bot pork 4 lbs 28¢.
Nov 18 – Misty 45 Abz. Made saw frame for Bachelder. Sarah & N & H[55] went down to Lois.
Nov 19 – Rainy 38 Abz. Worked in shop some. Sarah came home. Bot sulpher & shugar 17. Ida Potts[56] died.
Nov 20 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Went over to Fathers.
Nov 21 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Rimed one of Marks wheels. Bot medicine for children 8¢.
Nov 22 – Rainy 40 Abz. Worked on Marks wheel. Father Brot 102 lbs Beef.
Nov 23 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Went down and got Likenesses taken paid one Dollar. Lasher Brot 16 Bush corn.
Nov 24 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Mark Brot over 355 feet lumber Bass Boards. Sent Deed Back to Pavilion 6¢.
Nov 25 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Worked in shop. Thunder storm in Evening. Mrs Cory here Eunice.
Nov 26 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Worked in shop. Filled tooth for C. Johnson one for Lib Ransom. Bot 20 lb salt 25.
Nov 27 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Father Alvan & J Flanders here.
Nov 28 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Sawed out Berms for Richardsons Bobs. Bot some Belladonna[57] for children 5¢. Extracted tooth for Mrs Milham.
Nov 29 – Pleasant 27 Abz. Went over to Fathers saw Volina. Sawed out Berms. John H Fraser paid me two Dollars.
Nov 30 – Pleasant 35 Abz. Worked in shop some. Jo York Brot cord wood. Rainy night.
Dec 1 – Rainy 62 Abz. Worked on Yorks wheel. Went over to Fathers at night. Got Deed from G. T. Bot Beer 10 postage 3.
Dec 2 – Snowy 26 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Recd letter from G. T.
Dec 3 – Pleasant 13 Abz. Bot 50 lbs flour 11/-. Sent letter 3. Got shoes tapt 30 Bot ½ lb tea 31. Sold set runners to Freeman 2.25. Lasher Brot Corn 6 Bushels 54 Bushels in all.
Dec 4 – Snows some 19 Abz. At home all day. No trade yet with Bob.
Dec 5 – Smoky 32 Abz. Recd money From Babcock. Paid Lasher 15 Dollars. Bot Box matches 6.
Dec 6 – Rainy 32 Abz. Bot Draft of A. L. Mason 555.17. Went over to school house & saw Henry. Got boots tapt 44.
Dec 7 – Cold & snowy 6 Abz. Paid Mary 75 cts. Flanders Brot load Straw. Bot one qt vinegar 5.
Dec 8 – Pleasant 2 Abz. Worked on bobs. Bot incirsion 17.
Dec 9 – Pleasant 23 Abz. Repaired wheel for Race 1.00.
Dec 10 – Pleasant 14 Abz. Went over to Fathers got straw cutter. Mary Childs here. Bot spool thread 5. Richardson Brot load wood.
Dec 11 – Cloudy 36 Abz. At home all day. Alvan here T Flanders here.
Dec 12 – Pleasant 14 Abz. Childs paid 3.00. Paid school tax 4.00. Lois came home. Sent Draft to George $555.17.
Dec 13 – Cloudy 17 Abz. Sick with ralgia. Deyoes folks here to tea. Bot pants 2.49.
Dec 14 – Pleasant 10 Abz. Bot cloth for coat and vest. Went over to Fathers. Mary Stevens left for York State. Jesse W Turner[58] here.
Dec 15 – Pleasant 16 Abz. Lasher got back Brot Dr Bakers trunks. Lumis Robinson called here. Sarah went over to Clarks. Sent one Dollar to get Book.
Dec 16 – Pleasant 13 Abz. Went over to Lashers. Sarah gone to Clarks. Bot Beer 5. E setled with Lasher took Note 16.84 cts.
Dec 17 – Cloudy 28 Abz. Ethen & Nancy gone over to Fathers. Went over to Fathers. Sarah came home. Bot shoes 1.25 Bot oil 28¢ Pop corn 3¢ Knife blade 85.
Dec 18 – Snows some 32 Abz some 3 inches snow. Sarah went to Church in the new church. Lasher left.
Dec 19 – Snowey 30 Abz. Worked in shop. Snowey day. Charles & J. Millham here. Cut mittens for Lynch.
Dec 20 – Cloudy 20 Abz. Worked on bobs. Lent E. W. Gale nineteen Dollars. Got letter from G. T. Bot 5/8 auger 35¢ Bot Bale wicking 5.
Dec 21 – Good sleighing 4 Abz. Charly Brot one & ¾ cord stove wood. Bot Saleratas 10. Gave Ethen 10¢. Worked on Bobs.
Dec 22 – Cold 7 Below z. Worked on bobs. Wesley here in Evening.
Dec 23 – Cold 2 Abz. Finished Chales Bobs. He took them away.
Dec 24 – Cold 10 Abz. Bot Flour 11/- Bran 29¢ Boots tapt 30 apple book 25¢ comforter 18¢ mittens 25¢ candy 5¢ combs 38¢ comforters 25¢.
Dec 25 – Pleasant 14 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church.
Dec 26 – Cloudy 27 Abz. Went over the river. Father & mother here. Ed Gale paid me 19 Dollars. Went & saw the Bell Ringers 25¢.
Dec 27 – Cloudy 19 Abz. Worked in shop T. Flanders here. Pulled tooth for Kit Matthews 25¢. Alvan here.
Dec 28 – Snowy & blustrous 14 Abz. Worked in shop. Sarah Bot dress &c 1.53. Oscar came with load spokes.
Dec 29 – Cloudy 13 Abz. Bot ½ lb Tea 31. Horses to Bennets 25¢. Repaired Flanders Bobs. Paid De Normandy 7150. Sarah went to Clarks.
Dec 30 – Pleasant 16 Abz. Worked in shop. Let Charles Richardson have $15 fifteen Dollars.
Dec 31 – Cold 16 Below zero. Repaired cutter thills A. Blakesley. Bot candy 21¢ Bot salt 25.
[1] Above zero
[2] Charles Luke Keith Sr.
[3] His daughter, Nancy Keith
[4] While “Lasher” is referenced repeatedly in Luke’s diaries and also in letters to Luke from Charles Cridland, the only evidence found regarding his first name, Joseph, was a receipt in the back of Luke’s 1858 diary dated December 6, 1858 for the payment of Comstock real estate taxes
[5] This appears to be Luke’s symbol for “cents.” It was actually written as a quarter of a round circle slanting upwards to the right (see scan of diary entry)
[6] Saleratus; sodium or potassium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent; baking soda
[7] His mother-in-law, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts
[8] Below zero
[9] A search of FindAGrave.com reveals that Anna H. Freese died January 15, 1859 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[10] Abiah was the cousin of Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith, Luke’s second wife
[11] His third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith
[12] His daughter, Hannah Keith
[13] His brother, John Wesley Keith who, according to the family Bible, was adopted
[14] Most likely James S. King, his maternal first cousin
[15] His brother-in-law, David “D.C.” Crawford
[16] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark, by his first wife, Minerva Payson. Lois married Byron Clark on March 17, 1859; it is curious that Luke didn’t enter that in his diary
[17] Joseph York, the husband of Luke’s niece, Helen (Bradley) York
[18] Hannah (Willcutt) Keith
[19] 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
[20] An axe handle
[21] Mary Ann (Batey) Keith, the wife of his nephew, James “Oscar” Keith
[22] His nephew
[23] The pole, or tongue, of a cart
[24] George Tomlinson, husband of Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson
[25] John Batey
[26] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Salmon Kingsley died February 13, 1859 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan
[27] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York
[28] His son by his first wife, Minerva Payson
[29] /- is the symbol used for shilling. A shilling was a coin of Colonial America and varied between 12¢ and 16
[30] Platt Betts, his father-in-law
[31] Omro, Wisconsin
[32] His sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee
[33] Luke sometimes referred to the parents of family members, or older neighbors, as “Aunt” or “Uncle.” The relationship here is unknown
[34] Most likely his paternal first cousin
[35] Luke was engaged to Jerusha Crittenden, but then Minerva Payson came to town and Luke broke his engagement to Jerusha and married Minerva. Minerva died just four years after they were married. He then married his first love, Jerusha, who died just a little over a year later. Luke then married Sarah Crawford. Family story is that in the evenings Luke would go to the cemetery and play his violin at the graves of his first two wives
[36] Charles R. Cridland. There are many letters from Charles to Luke, however it is unknown what their relationship was
[37] His son
[38] “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. (Thanks to Margaret Williams, Ezekiel Lee’s three times great-granddaughter, for this information)
[39] His nephew, James “Oscar” Keith
[40] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Susan Wheaton died April 24, 1859 and is buried in the Wheaton Cemetery in Comstock, Michigan
[41] The long shafts between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon
[42] Daniel and Adaline (Ralph) Harris
[43] Daniel D. Harris Jr.; Daniel would grow up to be the husband of Luke & Sarah’s as yet unborn daughter, Louese
[44] Believe he is referring to Lois’ husband, Byron Clark
[45] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Edwin Watts died June 8, 1859 and is buried in the Lawler Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan
[46] Alvin Turner was his maternal first cousin; not sure who Jerome Turner is
[47] Venetian red and Spanish white
[48] His niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee
[49] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that James Burnett died in 1859 and is buried in the Augusta Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan
[50] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that David Simonds died August 9, 1859 and is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Comstock, Michigan
[51] A whiffletree is 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
[52] Lois’ husband, Byron Clark
[53] A form of malaria characterized by stages of chills, fever, and sweating
[54] His sister-in-law, Alfleda (Starr) Keith
[55] His daughters, Nancy and Hannah
[56] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Ida Potts died November 19, 1859 and is buried in the Roof Cemetery in Climax, Michigan
[57] Belladonna was used in the 19th century to prevent scarlet fever
[58] His maternal first cousin; Jesse was Alvin Turner’s brother
The Diaries of Charles Luke Keith Jr 