Luke Keith’s 1888 Diary

                                    1888 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH, JR.[1]

Jan 1 – Very Blustrous a regular Dacota Blizzard. H. A. Brown,[2] Ethan, Hannah,[3] Claud & Bess,[4] went up to Tip Towns.[5]

Jan 2 – Took Nancy[6] and girls down to Mrs Browns.[7] I went up to Mrs Fords got Mates[8] wrap.

Jan 3 – Went down to Mrs Browns after Nancy and girls took them over to Burg. They went home. Took the Hams down to Mrs Brown in afternoon.

Jan 4 – Took Hannah down to Mr Mitchels in afternoon. Jim[9] and Arthur Arms[10] cut and drawed wood.

Jan 5 – Took Ina home in morning. Worked on cross head in afternoon. Theodore[11] came down and Babited[12] one side. Fred Franklin got his axhelve.

Jan 6 – Worked in shop on cross head. Theodore and Ethan Babited the other side.

Jan 7 – Went down to Katharines[13] in morning. Ethan and Theodore finished the cross Head. Snowed like fun[14] when we came home.

Jan 8 – About one inch and half snow this morning. Sun came out bright in morning. Will Brown[15] hunting for Hog.

Jan 9 – Cold. Not much done. Drawed one load wood. Took some cobs down to Mrs Brown in morning.

Jan 10 – Very cold and blustrous. Nothing done but chores.

Jan 11 – Went over to burg in morning got calendar. Brot Mr Hawks Bass viol over for repairs. Took the Belly of in afternoon. George Blake and wife[16] called here.

Jan 12 – Cold blustrous day. Worked on bull fiddle. A. Armes called here for Jim. Rained in night.

Jan 13 – 5 abz[17] cold blustring day. Worked on Big fiddle. Young Ogden came after Hannah. Put top on Jims violin. Mr David Freer Died to day.[18]

Jan 14 – Worked on Big fiddle. Cold day. Went over to burg in afternoon got bag bran for cow 30¢. Snowed in night.

Jan 15 – At home all day. Mr Freer Buried to day. Dell, Lois and Ina[19] here in Evening.

Jan 16 – 9 Mercury 9 Below zero this morning. Judson Howlet came after Hannah. Worked on Double Bass viol.

Jan 17 – Worked in shop some on Big Fiddle. Cold day.

Jan 18 – Worked in shop some on Bass viol. Went over got clamps to put Bass viol to gether with.

Jan 19 – Good sleighing. Worked in shop on viol.

 Jan 20 – Cold day. Went over took Mr Buralls clamps home. Glued upper End of top on Bass fiddle.

Jan 21 – Mercury 15 below zero this morning. Hannah and I went to Kalamazoo. Bot suit clothes $12.00. Very much cold day.

Jan 22 – At home. Clara and George[20] came up here. Very nice pleasant day.

Jan 23 – Worked in Kitchen took of plaster and lath leveled up the joists.

Jan 24 – Mercury 9 below. Put back the floor in Kitchen. Cold day. Jim went to Kalamazoo.

Jan 25 – Worked in shop some on Big fiddle. Put top on Bass Viol in part.

Jan 26 – Finished putting the top on Bass viol. Went over to Burg in afternoon. Sarah[21] went down to Mrs Browns. Old Mrs Russell Buried to day.[22]

Jan 27 – Mercury at zero. Worked on Bass Viol. Very nice day. First rate sleighing. Jim worked for Vansickler and Stilson.

Jan 28 – Went over to Burg Bot flooring and ceiling for Kitchen $5.00. Took Bass Viol over Mr Hawks paid $4.00. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Nice day good sleighing. Charley Town[23] brot lumber over.

Jan 29 – Went over to George Blakes to a Spiritual meeting.[24] Had a good time.

Jan 30 – Mercury 28 Abz in morning. Ethan got home at noon. Commenced putting down floor.

Jan 31 – Laying floor in Kitchen put down about half. Fine winter weather first rate sleighing.

Feb 1 – Went over to burg got ceiling of John Allen 160 feet $1.40. Laid floor in afternoon. Ella Chadwick married to night.[25] Very nice day.

Feb 2 – Ethan and Lizzy Brown[26] went to Kalamazoo. I finished laying the floor in Kitchen.

Feb 3 – Hung Kitchen door. Not very well. Ethan putting on ceiling. Henry Webster got the cutter to go to the Dance.

Feb 4 – Worked in Kitchen some not much. Not very well.

Feb 5 – Not very well. At home. Sarah went went over to Forbush Blakes.

Feb 6 – Not much work to day. Ethan putting on ceiling. I put the last tutch on floor. Not well any way.

Feb 7 – Lois came over helped Hannah. Cold bluster, snowed and blowed like fun at night.

Feb 8 – Cold blustring day. Took 4 bushels wheat to mill. Bot paint and oil. Jim and Charley Griffith chopping for H. D. Streator.[27]

Feb 9 – 15, cold blustring. Went over to burg bot paper. Went down to Katharines took her dress down. Cold, mercury 15 below zero 9 oclock in Evening.

Feb 10 – 3 below. Went over after Lois in morning. Bot oil cloth.

Feb 11 – 6 below. Went over to Burg in morning after Lois. Bot tamper for stove in middle room. Changed the stove[?]. Put the carpets down. Ethan finished painting.

Feb 12 – 4 below. At home. Not very well. Sarah went over to Blake. Jesse Earl[28] came down here made a short visit. Nice day. Woods folks no come down.

Feb 13 – At home. Not very well. Chored round some.

Feb 14 – Went over to burg. Got letter from Nell Gillett.[29]

Feb 15 – D. and Lou[30] came home to day. Not very cold.

Feb 16 – D and Lou went to W^m Ralphs.[31] D and Lou here. Jim went up to Augusta after oats. I bot 5 bushels $1.90¢. I mended chair and small table for Mrs Brown. Filed saw for C. Town.

Feb 17 – Lou and D. here. Not much work to day. Cleared out shop.

Feb 18 – Ethan and Jim went to Kalamazoo to sign papers for nut lock.[32] Ethan stayed Jim came home. D and Lou went over to Burg.

Feb 19 – Rained some. D. and Lou here all day. Em and Cora[33] came down. Rained quite hard.

Feb 20 – D. and Lou went home on 11.55 run. Some what blustrous.

Feb 21 – Went over to Burg at noon. No mail from Walter and Nell. They came on Nine Oclock Accommodation Evening. Theodore and Allice[34] here in afternoon and Evening.

Feb 22 – Went over to Burg. No mail from Walter and Nell.[35] They came on 9 oclock train in Evening.

Feb 23 – Ethan Jim went after Katharine. She came stayed all night. Nice day.

Feb 24 – Lee[36] came up after Katharine in afternoon. Ethan went over got Lois and Ina. They stayed all night. Rainy night.

Feb 25 – Ethan took Lois and Ina home in morning. Rained and snowed and Blowed, some Blustrous day. Ethan, Jim, Hannah, Walter and Nell went over to Lois. Stayed all day.

Feb 26 – At home. Walter and Nell here. Cold blustring day.

Feb 27 – Ethan, Hannah, Jim, Walter and Nell went to Kalamazoo. Cold blustring day. They had Cap Rowlands team.

Feb 28 – Ethan stayed all night. Hannah went down to Mr Randals. Cull Towns Boy Born this morning.[37]

Feb 29 – Took Hannah over to Burg. Bot half Bushel Potatoes 55 cts. Rained in night.

Mar 1 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo. I turned D. Ball club. Very muddy, snow most gone.

Mar 2 – At home. Not very well. Charley Town and Fanny[38] here in Evening. Had a circle.[39]

Mar 3 – Went to mill took two bushels wheat. Bot 30 lbs Bran 30 cts. Herb and wife and boy,[40] Theodore and wife here in Evening and a Mr Far. Nancy and girls[41] came up on 6 oclock run.

Mar 4 – Nancy & girls went down to Mrs Browns.

Mar 5 – Nancy and girls went home on 11.55 train. I not very mooch well some not mooch.

Mar 6 – Jim and Charley Grifeth drawed wood. Cold windy day.

Mar 7 – I put top on Calvin Streators[42] violin. Pleasant day. Sarah went up to Hat and Lib Taylors.[43] Jim chopping for Fred Franklin. Mr Russel Died to night Ae. 93 years.[44]

Mar 8 – Not much work to day. Worked in shop some. Done the chores. Charley and Fanny Town here in Evening.

Mar 9 – Chored round. Put finger Board on violin. Henry Winters stayed here all night. Rainy night. Mr Russel buried to day.

Mar 10 – Rainy day. Jim worked for H. D. Streator. I Bot 4 bushels corn of C. Town 55¢ pr Bushel $2.20 cts.

Mar 11 – At home all day. Sate[45] came over and sewed for Hannah.

Mar 12 – Ethan took Sate home. I am not very well. Choring some. Hannah went up to Tip Towns this Evening.

Mar 13 – Worked in shop some. Sawed out finger board for my violin.

Mar 14 – Put finger board on to the violin. Cold windy day.

Mar 15 – Not very well. Took Fan[46] up to Flanders[47] to get Jersey calf. Nice day. Eunice Town brot Hannah home afternoon.

Mar 16 – Worked round in shop some. Nice day. T. B. Lord died to day Ae. 74 years & 5 months and one day.[48]

Mar 17 – Went over to burg in morning got some things, new bacin. Went up to Herbs got some cucumber pickles.

Mar 18 – Went over to Geo Blakes had a first rate time. Lois, Hannah and Sate went. Mr T. B. Lord buried to day.

Mar 19 – Mended the girls clothes bars. Jim & Hannah went to Kalamazoo. Some rainy in afternoon.

Mar 20 – Hannah went down to Mrs Streators.[49] Very much rainy day.

Mar 21 – Made wash Bench for Hat & Lib Taylor. Cold wind.

Mar 22 – 6 Abz in morning, cold blustring day, snow flies Lively. Filed saw for Taylor girls. Lee got the wash Bench.

Mar 23 – Mercury 3 below zero. Went over to burg. Took Ethans Binder castings over to Foundry. They are fitting them up. Bot half Bushell potatoes of Turney 55 cts.

Mar 24 – Cold blustring day very cold. Wing got the Alphadelphia Association[50] Books from Taylors. The girls moved over to the Burg to day. Mr Brower moved to day into the girls House.

Mar 25 – 16 Abz cold wind all day, fine snow some rain. Mrs Josh Wheaton Died to day.[51]

Mar 26 – Hannah went up to W^m Ralphs to work. Ethan over to Foundry.

Mar 27 – Mended frame to Hat and Libbies hanghing[?] Lamp. Some cool day.

Mar 28 – Went over to foundry after Ethans castings. Took the girls Lamp frame over. They let Lockhart have the Horse & carriage to day. Mrs Wheaton Buried.

Mar 29 – Made some whiffletrees[52] for Charley Town.

Mar 30 – Made small pan for Will Brown. Clara Millham came up to day.

Mar 31 – Hannah went to Kalamazoo to work in shop for Mrs William. Jim went to Shelbyville[53] to work for D Harris. I went over to burg 3 times.

Apr 1 – At home all day. No one here.

Apr 2 – Nice day for town meeting. Went over in afternoon. Evva Blake here a while in afternoon. Set Wiandot Hen on 13 Eggs this afternoon. Mrs Julia Johnson found dead to day.[54]

Apr 3 – Chored round not much work. Had a chase after Fan and Jim. They went up to Culls wheat.

Apr 4 – Went down to Katharines. Nice day. Got some warm shugar. Mrs Johnson buried to day.

Apr 5 – At home doing chores and helping Sally[55] what I can.

Apr 6 – Tinkering in shop some. Filed saw for Mr Caywood one for Dod Sumner. Lois came over stayed all night.

Apr 7 – Ethan and Lois went down to Katharines. I went up to Jesse Earls to see Herbs Buggy wheels. De boxes am brake.[56]

Apr 8 – Went down to Mrs Browns held the meeting there. Woods, Chichesters, Wilsons, Keiths, Streators, Blakes, Cyrus Streator.[57] M. O. Streator, Ambrose Brown, T. Ford & Susan Giddings all there and talked some.[58]

Apr 9 – Went down to Mr Streators to see if I could get some hay. Rainy afternoon. Got two galons cyrup of Will Brown.

Apr 10 – Went over to Burg after medicine and boxes for Herbs wheels no got some. Cold windy day rain some not much.

Apr 11 – Lizzie and Ray[59] here all day. She paid ten Dollars. I went up to E O Umphrys farm bot Hay. Nice day some wind.

Apr 12 – Mr Laurence Brot one tun Hay $10.00. Went up to Laurences fore noon Bot ½ tun Hay. Laurence brot it down in afternoon pd $15.79 cts.

Apr 13 – Worked in shop cut out stuff for Hannahs square.

Apr 14 – Went to burg took over two bushels wheat and 9½ Doz Eggs bot Bran 35 cts. Hannah came home worked on squair marked it of.

Apr 15 – Went over to Harry Wilsons to a Spiritual meeting.

Apr 16 – Took Hannah over to burg. She went to Kalamazoo on the 11.15 train.

Apr 17 – Charley Tousley got the Jack varnished W. H. Knaps pattern. Harry Crawford[60] here all day. He left on the nine oclock train for Chicago. Cullen Town commenced cultivating the south lot for oats.

Apr 18 – Went over to burg bot one bushel and 3 pecks clover seed $7.81 cts paid $2.00. Cul Town cultivating the ground for oats.

Apr 19 – Went over got Lois. Took over 3.¾ lbs Butter 20 cts per lb. Snowed some. Cull commenced sowing oats. Bot clover seed one Bushel and 3 pecks 4.50 pr B. 7.88 cts paid $2.00.

Apr 20 – Went over to burg after Lois. Cullen Town commenced sowing oats. Snowed some.

Apr 21 – Cull finished sowing oats. Nice day. He sowed fourteen acres.

Apr 22 – At home. No one here. Turned Bill[61] out in East lot.

Apr 23 – Set Boxes in Herbs wheels. Fine day. The Potatoes came to night to the Burg. Fire in Burg this morning Gus Osgoods store Burned out the inside left the shell standing.

Apr 24 – Went over to burg got 2 bbls Potatoes. They came from Perry N.Y. Frank and Walter[62] sent them. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Sarah went down to Mrs Streator.

Apr 25 – Herb got his wheels this morning. R. E. Strait here this morning. I cleaned yard some. Nice day quite warm in afternoon.

Apr 26 – Cleaned out yard chored round wheeled out some dirt.

Apr 27 – Will Brown plowed potato ground and garden. Ethan and Charley Town went to Kalamazoo. Set Major at night on 15 Eggs.

Apr 28 – 94 Mercury 94 four Abz. I sick to day. Will dragged the tatoe ground and garden. Drew two loads polls. Very hot and dry.

Apr 29 – At home. Nice day. No one here. I not much well some.

Apr 30 – Very cold wet rain all day. Not much work out, to wet.

May 1 – Sent Mrs Streator some potatoes. Charley Town got ashes. I plowed garden and potatoe ground planted my Dacota taters. Ethan planted potatoes, corn, onions, peas, parsnips and varius things.

May 2 – Fine day not very warm. Planted potatoes south of Barn. Dexa and Bell[63] at the Burg on their way to York State to west Oneonta.

May 3 – Went over to burg in morning. Bot shoes for Sarah $1.00. Cleaned yard some. Ethan took the old Binder to peaces to get the bolts for the new one.

May 4 – Worked round house and yard. Hannah and Vern[64] came home.

May 5 – Went over to Burg. Nancy and Lelah and Bes[65] came up on noon train. I went over got Bes.

May 6 – Very nice warm day. Mr James Powers and wife, George Blake and wife, Mrs. Brown and Charley Town here. Had a good time. Mr James Lawler Buried to day.[66]

May 7 – Rainy. I took Hannah down to Mrs Streators. Hannah, Nancy and the girls went home on noon train. Charley Town commenced plowing the East lot.

May 8 – Went over to Burg got boards for the Binder apron. Filed two saws for G. P. Oatman. Had a heavy shower some thunder. Went up to Herbs after cabbage plants no got him.

May 9 – Nice warm morning looks rainy. Not very well. Chored round as usual.

May 10 – Mrs Frank Hodgman Died this morning.[67] Mrs Will Johnson Died.[68] Went over to burg got cabbage plants.

May 11 – Dug some Sassafras grubs in forenoon. Ethan and Charley making corn planter. Had big rain all night.

May 12 – Cool strong wind in forenoon. Mrs Flora Hodgman Buried to day. Mrs Will Johnson Buried to day. Grant Oatman got his saws he paid 40 cts.

May 13 – Cool and windy all day. Mr McLewis and Lady called to see Hannah.

May 14 – Mercury 39 cool, snowed some in morning.

May 15 – Grubbed out the Blackberry bushes in west garden. Mrs Leonard Evvins Buried to day.[69] Ethan and Charley working on corn planter.

May 16 – Sarah went over to Lois. Mrs Brockway there. Hannah there making a Dress for Mrs B.

May 17 – Worked in garden. Went over to burg bot cabbage and tomato plants.

May 18 – Worked some in garden. Not very well.

May 19 – Charley finished planting East lot.

May 20 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo.

May 21 – Plowed out strawberries and cabbage, peas and onions and oder dings.[70] Charley Clark[71] came here stayed all night.

May 22 – Warm morning. Charley left for home on seven twenty seven run A M.

May 23 – Went to mill took 2 bushels wheat. Bot 2 bushels corn of Schroder and Olin 65 cts pr bushel. Took the girls a few potatoes. Bot violin string of Dick Lamkin 10 cts. Bot one Bottle medicine of W. A. Burdick.

May 24 – Nice warm day. Hoed some in garden. Dick called here. Charley and Ethan working on planter.

May 25 – Choring not much work. Hoed some in garden. Went over to burg.

May 26 – Went over to burg after Mary and Claud they came up with Will Brown. Mary Ozlumm.[72]

May 27 – Some rainy in morning. Ethan, Hannah and Mary went down to Mrs Browns after Dinner. Hannah went up to Cull Towns. Rained in night.

May 28 – Took Mary over to the 9 oclock train. Rainy day. Claud went on noon train.

May 29 – Went over to Mr Ralphs in forenoon got some tomato plants and some cabbage plants.

May 30 – Went to Kalamazoo. Lou and children[73] came down to Nancys. Got home just at dark. Rainy night. Mr Elwood planting in corn and lots of others.

May 31 – Cool cloudy in forenoon. Schram planting corn where the water washed it out.

Jun 1 – Went over to burg in morning after Sate. Went up to Herbs got some cabbage plants. Cora Harris[74] here all day.

Jun 2 – Not very well. Not much work to day. Went over to burg in afternoon. Got wire screen for south door. Took over some Butter to Mrs Barber 5 lbs. Sate here.

Jun 3 – Very nice morning. Went over to Geo Blake to meeting. Had a very good time.

Jun 4 – Fine day. Took Hannah over to the train she went to Kalamazoo. I hoed some potatoes. Went up to Herbs got some cabbage plants, sweet corn and Beet seed.

Jun 5 – Put up Screen doors. Warm day. Kate, Jesse and Blanch[75] came on the Bobtail train.

Jun 6 – Not very well. Not much work to day. Went over to burg in the morning after Kates trunk. Bill run and broke the wagon. I started for Mich 51 years to day.[76]

Jun 7 – I started Plowed out the East part of the garden in afternoon. Cool wind. Jesse went back to school.

Jun 8 – Not very well. No work. Kate and Blanch here.

Jun 9 – Kate and Hannah sewing for Jesse all the times.

Jun 10 – At home. No one here Excep Kate and Blanch.

Jun 11 – Worked some, hoed potatoes part of the day. Some warm day.

Jun 12 – Finished hoing potatoes and garden. Mr John Sager buried to day. Went over to burg after Jesse.

Jun 13 – Rainy morning some thunder rained hard. George Newton stopt through the shower. Went over to burg.

Jun 14 – Took Jesse over to the train in morning. Not very well. Very warm.

Jun 15 – 98 in shade. Not much work to day. Took package over to send to Jesse. 51 years to night I landed here on this place.

Jun 16 – 98 in shade very hot, no work. Sent package to Jesse.

Jun 17 – 94 hot day. At home. Ethan and Hannah went down to Caywoods.

Jun 18 – 90 and upwards very hot. Went over to Express office no package. Henry Crawford[77] came stayed all night.

Jun 19 – 98 in shade. Took Kate over to train she went to Kalamazoo. The package came. I went to Blakes while she was gone to town. Took Henry over to train. Hank Brown called here.

Jun 20 – 100 in shade 2 PM. Kate and Blanch started for home. Went to Kalamazoo to stay there until Saturday then take the afternoon train for Chicago.

Jun 21 – Hannah went to Caywoods. Took Sarah over to Lois. Kate and Jesse went home.

Jun 22 – Not very well. Hoed some cut some grass. Very hot. Sate and Hannah sewing.

Jun 23 – Cut some grass chored round. Went over to burg. Sate here.

Jun 24 – At home. The girls sewing some. Tip was coming down but no came. Sate went home.

Jun 25 – Worked some in orchard. Put up some hay. Sprinkled some bugs.

Jun 26 – Went over to burg in morning. Sprinkled Bugs most all day. Ina came over.

Jun 27 – Drew in some hay. Rany day some and cool. Not much work.

Jun 28 – Not very well. Hoed some in garden. Lou and children came home.

Jun 29 – Not much work to day. Turned 4 pins for Harry. Charley brot the trucks over.

Jun 30 – Made reach and hounds for trucks. Hot day.

Jul 1 – At home all day. Lou and children here. Nice day.

Jul 2 – Ground knife and turned six pins for N. L. Randal,[78] went over to Burg after Lois at noon. George Youmans came over in afternoon.

Jul 3 – 94 in morning, hot morning.

Jul 4 – Took 3 bushels wheat to mill. Lou and children went over to Lois.

Jul 5 – Went over to Foundry. Got some work done for Binder. Jim came home to day. Cory Meridith[79] came with him.

Jul 6 – Hoed some in garden. Not very well. Very hot.

Jul 7 – Hoed in garden. Very hot. D came on B T[80] train. Nancy and girls come home. Lou and Stell and Mary went up to Em Schuylers.

Jul 8 – Put Binder in Barn. Jesse Earl came down. Eliza Ridler started for Rochester to day.

Jul 9 – D. Went home on 8.48 train. Claude went on same train. Hannah went to Caywoods. Some sprinklum.

Jul 10 – Worked in garden some. Cut some grass.

Jul 11 – Not much done. Charley Town came over and tried the Binder.

Jul 12 – Raked up grass in orchard hoed some sprinkled potatoes.

Jul 13 – Worked in garden some. Went over to Burg.

Jul 14 – Took Hannah over to Lois in morning. Hoed some. Went down to Mrs Browns after Nancy and girls. Effie Frazer came with them.

Jul 15 – I went down to Marts.[81] Nancy and girls went home. Will took them.

Jul 16 – 88 in shade ½ past 3 PM. Cut grass around the cornfield. Charley Town drawing wheat.

Jul 17 – Worked in garden and chored round as usual. Hannah at Caywoods.

Jul 18 – Hannah at home. I cut some grass hoed some set around some. Hannah went up to Mr Fishers in Evening. Had a shower just at dark.

Jul 19 – Nice day cloudy not very hot. Choring round.

Jul 20 – Hoed garden and chored around. Ethan working on Binder.

Jul 21 – Took Fan up to Mr Flanders to get Jersey calf.[82] Took Sarah over to Lois in afternoon.

Jul 22 – At home. Some cloudy rain some very ledle mite not much. Andrew Krom Died to day.[83]

Jul 23 – Worked in garden some. Some cooler very dry.

Jul 24 – Not much work to day. Very hot and dry. Charleys sow and pigs in garden in night.

Jul 25 – 97 in shade. Ayers Raymond Died this morning.[84] Got up between two and three oclock AM drove sow an pigs out of garden. They tore down lot of corn. Took Sarah up to Theodores in forenoon. 41 years to day I attended a wedding.[85]

Jul 26 – Chored around hoed some cut weeds in west garden and road. Hot day. Hannah came home from _____.

Jul 27 – Took Hannah up to Gates. Ayres Raymond buried to day. Very warm day getting very dry. Went over to Burg in Evening to hear the Whitney Band.

Jul 28 – Went over to Burg. Got some irons made for Binder. Got cold chisel sharpened.

Jul 29 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Hot day. Mary Flanders[86] and Ed Harmon called in Evening. I repaired cradle in Evening for J. Vandercook 25¢.

Jul 30 – 104 in shade. Took Hannah over to Lois in morning. Very dry. Cullin cutting the oats.

Jul 31 – Had a thunder shower in morning. Cul cutting oats some.   Had a big rain and thunder storm just at night.

Aug 1 – 94 in shade. Took Jim up to Mr Flanders in morning to get Jersey calf. Left her up there. Went over to burg took Eight Doz eggs 13¢ pr doz.

Aug 2 – Thunder shower in morning. Not much work to day. Chored round hoed some in garden.

Aug 3 – Ethan working on Binder. I saw some wood do some chores.

Aug 4 – Went down to Mrs Browns got some apples. Went over to Foundry got wheel bored for Binder. Took stranger down to Caywoods. Mrs John Powers[87] here all day from Scotts. Lizzie Brown here in Evening.

Aug 5 – At home all day.

Aug 6 – Hannah went to Mate Fords to day.

Aug 7 – Hannah went to Mary Flanders to day. Lois went up to Shelbyville. Lou sick. Made Tail Piece for D. Lamkins violin.

Aug 8 – Hannah went to Neal Commings this morning. I went over to post office at noon. Dick got violin Bow.

Aug 9 – At home. Tried the Binder this morning. Ed Galusha called to see the Binder work. He not work first rate.

Aug 10 – Worked in garden and shop some. Warm for this time of the year. Went to Kalamazoo to Nancys. Mrs Gaffing sick.

Aug 11 – At home. Worked in garden and shop some. Nice day had a nice shower in Evening. I went over to post office in the rain.

Aug 12 – At home all day. No one here but Bess.

Aug 13 – Looked over the wire fence found some staples gone put in new ones. Alvin and Charley Lee and wife and wives sister here to day.[88]

Aug 14 – At home. Worked in shop. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Finished Dicks tail piece.

Aug 15 – Working round some in garden. Hannah came home from W^m Blakes. She went to Gull Corners to sew for Mrs Read.

Aug 16 – Went over to Burg in morning after mail. Went to mill in afternoon. Went and saw Celia Cooley roof she had just got painted.

Aug 17 – Ethan went over and got Lois, Sate and Ina. The men came over and painted the west lean to roof in afternoon. Paid 2$ two Dollars. Cyrus and Mrs Streator called here.

Aug 18 – At home. Choring around as usual. Warm and very dry. Hannah came home from Gull.

Aug 19 – Ethan and Hannah went down to Alvin Lees. Mercury runs high.

Aug 20 – Hannah went over to Commings. Hoed some in garden and in shop some. Very dry. Mercury run high 93.

Aug 21 – Went over to Burg in morning. Got some apples to Lois. Warm. Hannah at S. Kinsleys. Mrs. S. J. Gallegan Died to day.[89]

Aug 22 – Went over to Burg in morning after mail. Neal Commings brot Hannah home about noon. I went down to Katharines in afternoon. Ethan took Hannah over to Lois in Evening. Brot Bes Back.

Aug 23 – At home getting ready to go up to Shelbyville. Old Mrs Powlison Died to day Ae. 99 years and 23 days. Catharine Van Arsdale was Born in Pluckemin Somerset Co New Jersey July 26^th 1789.[90]

Aug 24 – West up to Shelby to D. Harris. Found them all well. Very hot and dry.

Aug 25 – At Lous. William and Em Ralph came in afternoon.

Aug 26 – At Lous.

Aug 27 – At Lous.

Aug 28 – At Lous.

Aug 29 – At Lous.

Aug 30 – Came home from Shelby Ville. D and Lou went to Gun Lake to a Masonic picknick. Brot $200 Dollars to Schroder & Olin for D D Harris.

Aug 31 – At home. Ethan took Nancy and children home.

Sep 1 – At home. Not doing some ding not much. Very hot and dry. Randal Rumry carried of Ethans rule.

Sep 2 – Very hot. No one here to day only tramp called in for a drink of water. Theodore and Allice called here in Evening.

Sep 3 – I went over to burg in morning. Paid Schroder and Olin five Dollars and Eighty Eight cents for clover seed bot 19^lb of April.

Sep 4 – Took up platform to well put down sill. Ethan throwed out the sawdust. Hannah went up to Mr Flanders in Evening.

Sep 5 – Drew oats from Cull 44 bushels. Worked some on platform.

Sep 6 – Worked some in shop some on platform. Chored around generaly. Very warm and dry. Went down to Katharines. Very dusty.

Sep 7 – Went over to mill carried 4½ bushels wheat. Turned leggs for Verns table. Mrs Blake and Mrs Harry Wilson came over. Rained in night.

Sep 8 – Finished platform. Hannah at home all day. Lizzie Allerton[91] called here in afternoon.

Sep 9 – Mercury 85 in shade very dry. Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo.

Sep 10 – Ethan and Hannah came home. Eugene Crawford and family[92] came this Evening. H. A. Brown came up with them.

Sep 11 – Very warm and dry. Went down to Mrs Browns. Hank took a view of the place one of Tom. I drew Eight Thousand Shingles from Schroder and Olins paid Eighteen Dollars $18.00 for them. I went to Burg 4 times to day.

Sep 12 – Ethan & Jim went to Jackson to state fair. Eugene and family left for home on the twelve 35 train. I went over to Burg three times today.

Sep 13 – Rec^d 5 Dollars of Levy Wilson. Took Hannah over to Mr Olmsteads in morning. Dressed out four slats for Charls Towns machine. Made table for Laverne. So much dry some ding dont grow some.

Sep 14 – Went over to Burg in morning Bot tickets for Perry $16.70 cts. Went up to Mr Flanders in afternoon to see about Jim took Hannah down to Mrs Streators. Ethan worked on corn cutter for C. A. Town.[93]

Sep 15 – Jim gone to Kalamazoo after Cora she no come. Stell came with him. Rained all night heavies rain since June.

Sep 16 – Rainy all the forenoon rained hard.

Sep 17 – Started for Perry N Y. Went to Richland took cars for Perry 1 oclock. Rained hard when we started rained in afternoon. Arrived Toledo about P.M.

Sep 18 – I arrived in Perry at four P.M. all right. Found the folks all well.

Sep 19 – At Tomlinson House[94] and around town all day. Called on Charles Nobles.

Sep 20 – Frank[95] and I went to Rochester. Went up to Mt Hope and over the city. Went through the Powers Art Gallary, water works, New York Central Depo and down to the falls.

Sep 21 – Went into the Royes Reaper shops and up to the Salt Block and Ice House. Saw Mr Need Ham at the Ice House.

Sep 22 – Frank and I went out in the country after Butter got some to Mr Hathaways. Nice day looked very much like rain but he no come some.

Sep 23 – At Tomlinson House. Went to church in Morning. Went down the outlet in the afternoon to the Devils Den a very wild looking place.

Sep 24 – Sick with headache. Nice warm day. Lots teams to the mill to day.

Sep 25 – At Tomlinson House. Nothing done of any account.

Sep 26 – Went to Fowlerville, Moscow, Greggs ville and Pifford. Saw the salt shaft a big institute[?] One 900 Horse Power Engine. Some letle rain. The shaft is 16×20 feet 1000 feet deep. They take out Eight hundred tons pr day.

Sep 27 – The Town Fair commences to day, a cold cloudy day some rain.

Sep 28 – Pleasant day. Lots out to the Fair to day. Saw Mr Henry Olmsted and Mr Morgan of Leroy.

Sep 29 – Pleasant day. Frank, Nell,[96] Hannah, Grace, Carl and Ruth went to Pavilion[97] to day. They got home just at night. Rained and snowed some rather cool wind. Recd letter from Nancy.

Sep 30 – Pleasant but cool. Went to church in morning. Rained all night.

Oct 1 – Rainy morning. Patty[98] and I looked over Elder Berries in fore noon.

Oct 2 – Rainy morning. George and I went through the Knitting Mill. Cold lousy day. Took dinner with Walter and Nell. Snowed some. Bot rubbers 75 cts.

Oct 3 – The Engine came to day. Cool morning no rain. George and I went up to the Log cabbin drove around among the cotages and through the Tabernacle. Went into the ice House saw them load ice. George sold the calf $9.60 6 cts pr lb.

Oct 4 – Cool damp morning some sprinkle not much. Put the Engine in its place this AM.

Oct 5 – Marion[99] and I went to Pavilion stayed to Mary and Fanny. Snows all night rained all night. Had a good visit.

Oct 6 – Rainy day. Went up to the vilage in morning. Called on Mrs Buckingham then on Mary Nobles,[100] Mrs Cyntha Sprague,[101] went over to S. Youngs took dinner then went and saw Clarissa and Almyra Starr, then went back to Perry in the rain, called on Chancy Pond.

Oct 7 – Pleasant morning. At home. Not go to church some. Frank and Hannah went up to the spring and got the Belt.

Oct 8 – George started the engine to day. George Sprague[102] came up to day. Cold rainy afternoon.

Oct 9 – Cold day. Engine no work first rate, pump no go. Had to take it of and go to the machine shop got him fix so he run nice.

Oct 10 – Went down to Mr Gilletts and Gipsonville also to the mouth of the outlet and old paper mill. Crossed the stream five times. Walter, Nell, Hannah, Carl & Grace[103] went to the salt shaft. Mrs Polly Earl Died this Evening.[104]

Oct 11 – At Tomlinson House. Some rainy. Mrs Julia An Tomlinson came to day. Frank went to Fowlerville. Rained in night.

Oct 12 – Karl and Grace left on 6.55 A M train for home. Rainy day. Engine run all day. Frank bot some wheat paid One Dollar Ten.

Oct 13 – Rainy morning. Cut Georges Hair. Went up to the falls and bridge. Was on Bridge at four PM. Got home about 8 PM. Two trains went over one under on the valley road. Rained. Stayed with Nell.

Oct 14 – Went to church. Mr Randolph preach^d of Bloomfield. Went to church in Evening.

Oct 15 – At Tomlinson House. Jo Tomlinson and daughter there. Started for home on four thirty PM train went Buffalo and cars for salamancacds[?] cars for Toledo. From Toledo to Augusta got home about six PM

Oct 16 – At home all day Got to Toledo about half past ten A.M. Ca__ded cars for Augusta. Got home about 7 PM. Trunk carried by.

Oct 17 – At home all day. Nice pleasant day. Harry Streator Brot 12 bushels Potatoes. Charley Lee called here in Evening. Nancy came home to day.

Oct 18 – Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Mart went to town. George and Lee[105] digging potatoes. Guy Nichols was there. Took Hannah over to Lois in morning. Bot Boots of Trabert $3.45 cts.

Oct 19 – Took Hannah over to Lois in morning. Bot Boots of Trabert $3.45 cts. Some windy day. Ras and Tip[106] called here to see Hannah.

Oct 20 – At home. Not very well. Went down to Hanks in afternoon stayed all night.

Oct 21 – At Hanks. Went to the Galery had a negative taken. Came home in Evening.

Oct 22 – Took Hannah over to Nells. Got some shoes for Sarah $2.00. Rained in afternoon. Mr Isaac Poulison Died to day in his sixty seventh year.[107]

Oct 23 – Cloudy day not very cold. Done a short job for Will Caywood. Theodore and Mr Crossfield[108] called in a while. Charley took Hannah up to Ras Towns in Evening. Dark as tar.

Oct 24 – At home. Choring around. Nice day some Indian summer. Put up stagen on west side house.

Oct 25 – Fine warm weather. Choring around the house and garden. Went over to burg.

Oct 26 – Went over to burg in At home. Dig some potatoes. Nice day warm.

Oct 27 – Went over to burg in morning. Jim went to Kalamazoo to Republican doings. Went over at noon with Ethan. He went to Kalamazoo. Paid Schroder $2.00 for shoes. Bot 15 lbs nails 60 cts.

Oct 28 – Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Nice day.

Oct 29 – Commenced shingling the south part of the house. Theodore helped in afternoon. Fine weather. Filed saw for C. Town.

Oct 30 – Shingling. Theodore and Barber worked in afternoon. Warm nice day. Hannah went to C Fords in morning.

Oct 31 – Jim and I shingled alone. Fine day warm some Indian summer. Charles Lee called here. Albert Allen was killed to day by the cars on GR&J Road.

Nov 1 – Theodore came down in morning finished at noon. Charley Clark came stayed all night.

Nov 2 – Mercury 64 had a nice rain in morning. Charley went home.

Nov 3 – Not much done. Chored around.

Nov 4 – At home all day. Charley Lees folks not come up.

Nov 5 – Worked on roof some put on one roof board. Rained some in afternoon. Jim worked for Ford. Charley Lee called here a while in forenoon.

Nov 6 – Went over to Burg to Election.[109] Alvin and Charley Lee called here. Alvins Horse pulled the Horse Block down, no damage done.

Nov 7 – Worked on Quins gun some. Filed one saw for Mr T. Hill two for Allen Simmons. Not very cold. Charley Lee started for Australia to day.

Nov 8 – Repaired Quins gun. Rainy day. Ethan working on Yeomans patterns.

Nov 9 – Finished Quins gun. He and Harry went hunting. He paid me one Dollar. Worked on Stells cane. Mr Hill got his saw. Jim went to Shelbyville.

Nov 10 – Worked on Finished Stells cane. Rainy day. Not much work to day. Hannah came home this Evening.

Nov 11 – At home all day. No one here.

Nov 12 – Took Sarah over to Lois in afternoon. Nice day. Publicans had a Blowout at Battle Creek.

Nov 13 – Fine day. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Mart making Cider. Publicans had a Blowout to Kalamazoo.

Nov 14 – Very nice pleasant day. Went down to Mrs Browns in afternoon. Mr & Mrs Wood, Mrs Streator & Quin there. Had a good time. Publicans had a Blowout at the Burg.

Nov 15 – Filed Buck saw for C. Town. Shingled up around the shop chimney. Jim went up to scots. We went and got Jersey. Jim home in afternoon. Mr Flanders very sick.

Nov 16 – Worked round fixed well. Jim got load sawdust to put in well.

Nov 17 – Spect C. F. Lee and family sailed to day. Theodore came down helped shingle. We shingled west leanto. Sold Jersey Jim to Mr Aaron Car he paid $20 Dollars for her.

Nov 18 – Mercury 36. Ethan took Jim to Kalamazoo he started for Chicago. Snowed like fun.

Nov 19 – Mercury 33. Mr Car got Jersey Jim. George Yeoman came over.

Nov 20 – West to Kalamazoo to see Lou. She was at Nancys.

Nov 21 – Repaired two violins for D. Lamkins. Nice pleasant weather.

Nov 22 – Went down to Marts got some corn ground. Hannah came home from Scots.

Nov 23 – Put boards on roof under the frieze. Took Sarah up to Herbs. Hannah came home this Evening. Nice day.

Nov 24 – Went over to Burg after Nancy and girls. I not very well.

Nov 25 – Ida, Emma and Nina Allen[110] here to day. Clara Milham came in afternoon. Cool wind shiny day all the same.

Nov 26 – Nancy and girls went home on noon train. Nice day.

Nov 27 – Mr Joseph Flanders Died this morning.[111] I went down to Marts got six bushels apples 10 cts pr bushel.

Nov 28 – Took 4 bushels wheat to mill. Bot sieve 25¢. Claude came over with me. Put some shingles on cornhouse.

Nov 29 – Went up to Mr Flanders in morning. Mr Flanders Buried to day. Funral one oclock PM. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Nice day. Not cold but cloudy.

Nov 30 – At home. Not very well. Picked up apples out west of house.

Dec 1 – Put up the Eave trough on wes leanto. Charley Town finished drawing the corn from East lot.

Dec 2 – Mercury 32 Abz in morn. Mabel brot Hannah down about dark. She went back to Mr Flanders.

Dec 3 – Went up to Theodores. Load sawdust put it in Both wells. Hannah came down from Mr Flanders.

Dec 4 – At home choring. Ollie Walt chopping. Nice day cool wind.

Dec 5 – Walt chopt a while in morning. Rained and snowed in forenoon. Walt went over to burg at noon. He no chop in afternoon.

Dec 6 – Went over to burg after Sate in morning. Saw Dick Lamkins. He came over and drew wood in afternoon he draw 4 loads. Pleasant day.

Dec 7 – Worked in shop hewed out and shaved two axhelves for A Caywood. Dr Homer O Hitchcock died to day.[112]

Dec 8 – Worked on road. Went over to burg in morning after Lois and Ina. Mercury 45.

Dec 9 – 36 Mercury. Went down to Katharines. Fine day fair roads some mud. Hannah went to H. Gilsons.

Dec 10 – Went over to burg at noon took some mail over to the office. Went and saw Charley Davis about chopping.

Dec 11 – Davis and Tenbroke came over and cut wood. Paid them One Dollar Each. Very nice day not cold no snow.

Dec 12 – Went down to Alvin Lees. Nice day. One of Rhodas girls there. Julia very comfortable.

Dec 13 – Worked round house fixed up cellar window. Some cold wind.

Dec 14 – Mercury 14 Abz. Went over to Burg in morning carried some mail matter over one letter to Sanfrancisco Cal. Fan got out. I went all over the woods no find her. She came home. Bot Buck saw 40¢.

Dec 15 – Fixed up the cellar windows. Took Sarah over to Geo Blakes at noon. Rained had quite a shower. Will Brown brot some fish in Evening. Rainy night.

Dec 16 – Mercury 46. At home all day. Not very well. Rainy day. No one here to day. Rained some night.

Dec 17 – Mercury 34 in morning. Finished Caywoods axhelve. Carried shingles down cellar. Rain some ledle some fine snow.

Dec 18 – Chored around house. Cut appletree out near Barn cut it up piled the brush.

Dec 19 – Mercury 18 Abz. Picked up and burnt brush in orchard. Went down to Mrs Browns just at night. Some cold wind little snow in the air. Geo Yeoman came over in morning.

Dec 20 – Mercury 36 Abz cold wind but sunshine no snow. Very good wheeling. Hannah up to Ed Childs. Mr Amos D. Allen Died to day.[113]

Dec 21 – Mercury 24 Abz. Fixed up well room. Chored round house and shop. Cold north west wind.

Dec 22 – Mercury 14 Abz pleasant stout south wind. Stranger chopping wood. Will Clark[114] got home from Colorado.

Dec 23 – Very nice pleasant day. Went down to Katharines. Mart gone to attend Mr Amos D. Allens funral.

Dec 24 – Went over to Burg saw Will.  Mr Caywood got axhelve he paid 50 cts. Sold Skinner 3 doz eggs 60 cts. Mr Daniels called to see Hannah about go to Gull. Hannah went to Shelby.[115]

Dec 25 – Mercury 47. Christmas all over to day. Took top of Albert Chases violin. Went over to burg in afternoon got postal from G Tomlinson one from Clara Milham.

Dec 26 – Mercury 52 Abz. Worked on violin some. Nice day wen Rainy day cold wind.

Dec 27 – Mercury 37 cool wind north west. Worked in shop some. Chicken Died. Mercury 24 at night.

Dec 28 – Mercury. Went down to Marts to mill. Katharine some better. Shiny day cold west wind. Will Clark came over. Orny Schram called here. Will Brown drawed some wood.

Dec 29 – Nice day. At home. Worked in shop some. Will drawed some wood in afternoon. Lou and children came home.

Dec 30 – At home. Ethan and Lou went down to Katharines. Rained in night. Allice Williams Died to night.[116]

Dec 31 – Mercury 34. Went over to Burg after Nancy she came up on the 10:30 train AM. Ethan went to Kalamazoo in afternoon. Not very cold.

——-

[1] Charles Luke Keith Jr., known better, and referred to, as Luke

[2] His son-in-law, Henry “Hank” Brown

[3] His son and daughter, Ethan and Hannah Keith

[4] His grandchildren, Claude and Bess Brown

[5] Neighbor, Eunice (Wood) Towne

[6] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[7] Matilda (Allen) Brown, his neighbor, and the mother of his son-in-law Henry Brown

[8] Believe he is referring to his neighbors, Adelia (Tompkins) Ford and her daughter-in-law, Mary Ann “Mate” (Thompson) Ford

[9] His son, James Clinton Keith

[10] Hank Brown’s paternal first cousin

[11] Theodore Earl, his neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[12] To add an alloy of tin with some copper and antimony (a brittle silvery-white metalloid) making a lining for bearings that reduces friction

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

[14] Luke uses this phrase quite often. The Oxford Dictionary gives its meaning as “vigorously or quickly”

[15] Hank Brown’s brother, Willis Brown

[16] Believe he is referring to his neighbors, George & Mary Evelyn “Eva” (Forbush) Blake

[17] Above zero

[18] Michigan death records show that David Freer, age 80, died at Pavilion, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Cook Cemetery in Pavilion

[19] His son-in-law, daughter and granddaughter, Adelbert, Lois (Keith) Clark, and Ina Skinner

[20] Believe he is referring to Clara and George Milham, the two oldest children of his late niece, Lucy (Lee) & Martin Milham

[21] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[22] Michigan death records reveal that Lorenda (Vanguilder) Lewis Russell died in Comstock, Michigan on January 24, 1888; however, no burial information has been found at this time

[23] Neighbor, Charles Towne

[24] Both the Brown and Keith families, as well as several of their neighbors, were believers in Spiritualism and participated in seances

[25] Michigan marriage records show that Ella Chadwick married Adrian Annes on February 1, 1888 in Galesburg, Michigan. Sadly, she passed away a little over a year later on March 15, 1889 at the age of 31

[26] Will Brown’s wife, Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown

[27] Neighbor, Henry “Harry” D. Streator

[28] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[29] Nellie (Tomlinson) Gillett. Nell was the granddaughter of Luke’s sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[30] His son-in-law and daughter, Daniel “D” & Louese (Keith) Harris

[31] Neighbor and uncle of D Harris

[32] One of Ethan’s inventions

[33] Most likely Emaline (Stone) Ralph (D’s aunt; wife of William Ralph) and Cora Belle Harris (D’s sister)

[34] Neighbors and “shirttail relatives,” Theodore & Alice (Vandercook) Earl

[35] Walter Gillett, Nell’s husband (see footnote to February 14^th entry)

[36] Ansel “Lee” Milham, the son of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham

[37] Harold Towne, the son of Cullen & Sarah Antoinette “Nettie” (Adams) Towne. Cullen was the brother of Charley and Fanny Towne

[38] Frances Towne, neighbor and Charley Towne’s sister

[39] A seance

[40] Herbert, Luella (Farr) and Royal Earl. Herbert and Theodore were brothers

[41] Nancy’s daughters, Lela and Bess Brown

[42] Calvin Streator was the son of Marius & Laura (Rawson) Streator, and the brother of Harry Streator; however, he died October 16, 1863 at the age of 25. Perhaps this violin had once belonged to Calvin

[43] Harriet Taylor and her sister, Flora Elizabeth “Libby” (Taylor) Schram. Libby had been married to Isaac Schram, however by 1880 they were divorced and Hattie and Libby were living together

[44] Michigan death records show that Almon Russell died in Galesburg, Michigan on March 8, 1888 and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was the husband of Lorenda (Vanguilder) Lewis Russell who died January 24, 1888 (see footnote to January 26^th entry)

[45] Sarah Skinner, the sister of Adelbert Skinner, Luke’s son-in-law

[46] His cow

[47] His neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[48] Michigan death records show that Bishop Lord died in Comstock in March of 1888. FindAGrave.com confirms that Thomas Bishop Lord died March 16, 1888 and is buried in the Comstock Cemetery

[49] Neighbor, Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator

[50] The Alphadelphia Association was an experiment in socialism which Luke, and many of his neighbors, participated in. More about the Alphadelphia Association can be seen at https://oldfamilyletters.wordpress.com/?s=alphadelphia and http://evermore.imagedjinn.com/blg/alphadelphia-association/

[51] Michigan death records confirm that Cordelia (Murray) Wheaton died on March 25, 1888 and FindAGrave.com reveals she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[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] Shelbyville, Michigan, where D Harris owned and ran the general store

[54] FindAGrave.com confirms that Julia (Chichester) Johnson died April 2, 1888 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[55] Nickname for his wife Sarah

[56] Luke often uses silly words in his diaries; in this case, the boxes are broke

[57] These were the neighbors who attended the seance

[58] These were the departed souls who apparently were contacted

[59] Will Brown’s wife and son, Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown and Ray Brown

[60] The son of Hiram & Kate (Atcheson) Crawford; Hiram was Sarah’s brother

[61] His horse

[62] John Frank Tomlinson and Walter Gillett, the grandson and grandson-in-law of Luke’s sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[63] Dexa (Strait) Harris and her daughter, Isabelle Harris, who were the wife and child of D Harris’ brother, Jay Harris

[64] His granddaughter, LaVerne Harris, the daughter of Louese & D Harris

[65] His granddaughters, Lela and Bess Brown, the daughters of Nancy & Hank Brown

[66] Michigan death records show that James Lawler died May 4, 1888 and FindAGrave.com, although it shows a date of death as May 1, 1888, shows that he is buried in the Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[67] FindAGrave.com reveals that Florence (Comings) Hodgman died May 10, 1888 in Comstock and she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[68] Ida Mae (Ralph) Johnson. Michigan death records confirm that she died on May 10, 1888 in Comstock and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Cook Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan

[69] Athaline (Hunt) Evans. According to FindAGrave.com, she died May 12, 1888 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[70] Other things

[71] His grandson, Charles Clark

[72] Apparently this was the name of Claude’s friend

[73] LaVerne and Floyd Harris

[74] D Harris’ sister

[75] Katherine (Atcheson), Jessie and Blanche Crawford, the wife and daughters of Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[76] From Covington, New York

[77] His wife Sarah’s brother

[78] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[79] Jim’s girlfriend. They married June 10, 1891

[80] Bobtail train? (see June 5^th entry)

[81] Martin Milham, who was the husband of Luke’s late niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham

[82] In other words he took his cow to the bull

[83] Michigan death records confirm that Andrew Krom died June 22, 1888 in Kalamazoo, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[84] According to FindAGrave.com, Ayres B. Raymond died July 25, 1888 in Comstock, Michigan and is buried in Ford Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[85] July 25, 1847, Luke married Jerusha Crittenden. He had been engaged to her, 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. In the evenings Luke would go to the cemetery and play his violin at the graves of his first two wives

[86] Believe he is referring to his neighbor, Mary (Smith) Flanders, the wife of Edwin Flanders

[87] Margaret “Maggie” (Kirchbaum) Powers

[88] Alvin and Charles Jedediah Lee were the sons of Luke’s first cousin, Charles Lee & Juliana Davis. Charles Jedediah Lee (C. J. Lee) was married to Mary Webb and her sister was Ada Webb. Charles, Mary and Ada lived in Australia and were visiting family. There are many letters written by C. J. Lee to Ethan in 1889 regarding the binder

[89] FindAGrave.com shows that Sarah Jane Galligan, wife of Charles P. Galligan, died August 21, 1888 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[90] Former neighbor, Catherine (Van Arsdale) Powlison, who by 1885 was living with her son Isaac Powlison’s family in Cass County, Dakota Territory. FindAGrave.com confirms that she died August 23, 1888 and is buried in Wheatland Cemetery, Wheatland, Cass County, North Dakota

[91] Neighbor, Elizabeth Caroline Allerton. She would marry Luke’s grandson, William Clark, on December 24, 1896

[92] His wife Sarah’s nephew Eugene & Minnie (Crooks) Crawford and their children, Eugene and Grace

[93] Cullen Albert Towne, Charles Towne’s brother

[94] His niece and her family, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson

[95] John Frank Tomlinson, George & Marion’s son

[96] Nellie (Tomlinson) Gillett, George & Marion’s daughter

[97] Pavilion, New York

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

[99] His niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[100] Believe this to be Mary C. Nobles, a cousin of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha Crittenden

[101] Believe this to be Cynthia (Bishop) Sprague, the wife of William Sprague who was a cousin of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha Crittenden

[102] Cousin of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha Crittenden

[103] Karl & E. Grace (Tomlinson) Jewett; Grace was George Tomlinson’s niece

[104] Polly was a nickname for Mary (Clapp) Earl. Michigan death records show that she died in Comstock on October 20 (not the 10^th), 1888, which could be a typo. FindAGrave shows that she is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[105] George and Ansel “Lee” Milham

[106] Neighbors, Erasmus & Eunice (Wood) Towne

[107] Former neighbor, Isaac Powlison, who by 1885 was living in Cass County, Dakota Territory. FindAGrave.com confirms that he died October 22, 1888 and is buried in Wheatland Cemetery, Wheatland, Cass County, North Dakota

[108] Believe this to be Frank Crossfield, the husband of Theodore Earl’s sister, Alva (Earl) Crossfield

[109] Grover Cleveland won a plurality of the popular vote, but Republican Benjamin Harrison won the election with a majority in the Electoral College, becoming the 23^rd President of the United States. Harrison swept almost the entire North and Midwest

[110] Believe these to be neighbors, daughters of the late John & Amanda (Worden) Allen

[111] Michigan death records confirm that he died November 27, 1888 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan. After Luke’s first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith died, Joseph and Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders cared for his son, Henry, for a period of time. The Flanders raised Henry even after Luke married his third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith. They wanted to adopt Henry but Luke said no; however, it looks like Henry lived with them throughout his youth. This seems to be corroborated by the 1860 census showing “Henry L Flanders,” age 16, (who it is actually believed to be Henry L. Keith), living with Joseph & Amanda

[112] Michigan death records confirm that Dr. Homer Hitchcock died December 7, 1888 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo

[113] Michigan death records confirm that Amos Allen died in Kalamazoo on December 20, 1888 and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan

[114] His grandson, William Clark

[115] Shelbyville, Michigan

[116] Michigan death records confirm that Alice Williams, age 22, died in Pavilion, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan and an accompanying obituary states she died of Typhoid Fever

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Luke Keith’s 1882 Diary

 1882 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1] 

Jan 1 – Aron Vandusen called here. We all went over to Hanks.

Jan 2 – Shelled corn and carried it to mill.

Jan 3 – Choped and drawed wood. About two inches snow. Jim[2] & Will Brown[3] went to Kalamazoo. Bot this Diary 35 cts.

Jan 4 – Pleasant day Mercury 5 Abz[4] in morning. Jim commenced choping for Hank.[5] Went over to burg[6] got potatoes $1.00. Sarah[7] found five Dollars. Cold windy day.

Jan 5 – Husked corn. Cold day. Jim chopping. No sleighing but very little snow on ground.

Jan 6 – Went down to Mrs Browns[8] got three bushels wheat carried it to mill paid $2.50. Not much work to day. Herb Earl[9] brot down a piece of Elm for hoop to his billiard board.

Jan 7 – Went over to burg after grist. Hanks folks[10] came over stayed all night. Rainy night. Solomon Youngs Died to day.[11]

Jan 8 – Rainy day. Hank & Nancy went up to Scots[12] to see Mrs Powers. I carried Hannah[13] down to Katharines.[14] Very windy day.

Jan 9 – Chored round. Husked some cut some wood.

Jan 10 – Worked on Herbs biliard table worked 4¼ Hours. Jim went down and got his Books. Snowed like fun[15] in afternoon. Jim went over to the Lyceum[16] in Evening.

Jan 11 – Cut and drawed three Loads wood. Worked in shop some. The slides came for Earls Table.

Jan 12 – Worked in shop on Billiards Table. Turned some for Theodore.[17] Turned two boxes split one. Jim and Charley Camp chopping down to Browns. Some sleighing. About 3 inches snow on ground.

Jan 13 – Went up to sawmill got huing block. Went over to burg to carry Nancys dress. Worked 6½ hours on Herbs Biliard Board. Rained some.

Jan 14 – Husked some chored round worked some on Earls board 1 Hour. Harry and Nell[18] here in Evening.

Jan 15 – Not very cold mercury 40 Abz in morning. Ethan[19] and Hannah went down to Katharines.

Jan 16 – Painted Herbs Board. Chored round. Not work much. Jim chopping with Rial French up to Win Fords. Clarrissa Turner Died this Evening.[20]

Jan 17 – Cold day. Painted Board over again finished turning the cues. Fanny Town[21] came over this afternoon a while.

Jan 18 – Worked in shop. Took table to pieces. Jesse Earl[22] came down a while. Boardman Chipman called here with one of Cate Isherwoods girls. James Ralph Died to night.[23]

Jan 19 – Went to Kalamazoo to Attend Clarrissa Turners Funeral. Fine day. Saw Jane Robinson, Silva Johnson and her two children. Charles and Rheoba got cutter (shoe $1.14 cts.

Jan 20 – Worked in shop. Made machine for striking an Elipsis. Very nice day not much snow on ground. Theodore brot Blackwalnut rail to repair table with.

Jan 21 – Made Axhelves[24] for Jim. Not very cold. Ethan and Jim got down some wood.

Jan 22 – At home all day. Very cold and blustring considerable like winter.

Jan 23 – Went over to burg in morning. Mrs Betts[25] went over. Painted Herbs board over. Went over to Burg in Evening. Took cutter over to get shoes put on.

Jan 24 – Worked on table 6½ Hours. Went over to burg in Evening got Bottle ink. Sent papers to George Tomlinson.[26] Mercury 2 Abz in morning. Sent papers to George.

Jan 25 – Worked in shop on Table 7½ Hours. Rained most all day. Hannah went up to Mr Earls to sewing.

Jan 26 – Worked in shop on table. Rainy day Mercury 53 Abz no snow. Mr Holmes Buried to day.[27] Austin Odell Buried to day.[28] Very muddy High wind this Evening.

Jan 27 – Went over to burg in morning bot oil and cake soap. Very nice day. Worked two Hours on Table. Herb came down. Mr Knapp came over here. Ethan went over to burg in afternoon. Harry called here.

Jan 28 – Worked on Table. Painted Herbs Board. Went down to Katharines. Cold wind. I got hurt. Wind blowed Barn Door against me hurt me good deal some.

Jan 29 – Came home at night. Broke Buggy spring. Cold west wind. Lucy[29] came up after Hannah.

Jan 30 – No work to day. Very lame. Pleasant day no snow on ground. Jim chopping for Hank. Jim joined the Templers this Evening.

Jan 31 – Pleasant day this morning. Worked on Board 1½. Herb brot some Turnips and carrots. No snow.

Feb 1 – Mercury 40 Abz. No work to day. Nice sunny day no snow nice october weather. Jim helping Harry Hall clover to day. Fine day for February first.

Feb 2 – No work to day lame as ever. Fine pleasant day no signs of snow nice fall weather. Ethan and Jim gone over to burg this Evening to Strait and Barber about patenting his machine.[30]

Feb 3 – Very Pleasant day. Worked on Table 6½ Hours. Jim went to mill got 1½ of wire Brown one bushel and half. Ethan went over to burg carried 2½ bushels wheat to mill.

Feb 4 – Worked some on Table. Very fine day. I am quite lame yet.

Feb 5 – At home all day. Pleasant as June.

Feb 6 – Went to Kalamazoo to get moddle. Roads nice and dusty. Very warm for February.

Feb 7 – Mrs Betts went to Chicago. Nice day. Sarah went over to Nancys stayed all day. Ethan went over after her in Evening show to Winslow Opera House. Hank went to Three Rivers. Worked on Table 5½ Hours.

Feb 8 – Worked in shop on Table. Mr Taylor got our Sausage Grinder.

Feb 9 – Worked on Sub Treasury Box. Finished the cues to the Trivoli Board. Sarah went down to M. O. Streators[31] in the afternoon. Very pleasant nice day.

Feb 10 – Put pictures on board for Herb. Sarah went over to Fanny Towns. Very fine day good October weather. Jim chopping to Taylors. Harry here in Evening.

Feb 11 – Not much work to day. Went over to burg in morning got some violin Timber. Saw Mr Signor, Mate Ford[32] and Mary ___ter here in afternoon. Nice day Mercury 56 Abz.

Feb 12 – Warm Mercury 53 Abz. Went up to Mr Hardy. Very fine day. Had a Thunder shower in night.

Feb 13 – Worked on Table 5 Hours. Nice day. Herb got his Trivoli Board.

Feb 14 – Worked on Herbs Box. Very fine day. Sarah went over to burg stayed all night.

Feb 15 – Worked on Herbs Box. Mercury 57 Abz. Worked in shop with door open very comfortable. Ida Barber Married to day to C Ugene How Editor of Galesburg Express.[33]

Feb 16 – Worked some on Box. Very fine day Mercury 52. Sarah came home this Evening. Smoky some like Indian Summer. El Cary Died to day.[34]

Feb 17 – Turned two table legs. A little cooler no snow. Last Club Dance in the night. Mrs Dr Upjohn Died to day.[35]

Feb 18 – Finished Herbs Box. Some colder cold East wind. Nancy came over. Mr George Sumner Died this Evening.[36]

Feb 19 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines.

Feb 20 – Chored round not much done. Rained some not very cold. Mrs Youngs called here.

Feb 21 – Worked on Table 6½ Hours just on the legs. Very blustrous snowed most all day very wintery. Mr Summer Buried to day. Mrs Youngs came here Stayed all night.

Feb 22 – Rough stormy day. Hank, Nancy, Jim and Lou went up to Scotts [Michigan] to a dance stayed all night.

Feb 23 – Young ones came home this morning. Not very cold snowed some. Nancy went down to Mrs Browns. Went over to Mill in afternoon.

Feb 24 – Went over to burg in morning got cutter fixed. Pleasant day not much sleighing. Carried Sarah, Mrs Brown and Nancy up to Mate Fords.

Feb 25 – Theodore came down in forenoon. Cleaned out shop in afternoon. Will Brown brot ash log for wiffletrees.[37] No sleighing snow most all gone.

Feb 26 – Not very cold no snow plenty wind. Lucy and Hellen[38] came up here.

Feb 27 – Worked on table some. Not very well some lame. Made rack for table leaves. Frank Tomlinsons Boy Born to day no live long.[39]

Feb 28 – Finished Table. Rainy day. Mrs Willard Mills Died at 12 Oclock to day.[40]

Mar 1 – Pleasant day mercury 60 Abz. Herb got Table. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns in afternoon. Mr Flanders[41] got croper tools.

Mar 2 – Jesse Earl paid me $9.00. Went to Kalamazoo to get Spring Mended. Jesse Earl went with me. Mrs Betts came home went over to Burg after Mrs Betts. Rial and Jim Chopping. Mrs Mills Buried.

Mar 3 – Chored round. Rial French choped with Jim.

Mar 4 – Theodore came down. Cut some washers for buggy. Rainy day.

Mar 5 – At home all day. Jim and Nancy went down to Marts.[42] Not very cold.

Mar 6 – Worked in shop made wiffletrees for Will Brown. Cool wind. Jim worked for Will Brown.

Mar 7 – Some cooler this morning no Snow.

Mar 8 – Worked in shop some glued dumb Bell together. Went over to burg bot pants 1.25. Ethan Turned heads for Charley Towns[43] Filter.

Mar 9 – Turned Dum bells. Rainy day rather cool. Dr Spinney Lecturing in Burg.

Mar 10 – Went down to Marts after Hannah. Took her over to burg. Mrs Betts went over with Mrs Brown.

Mar 11 – Went over to burg in afternoon girls all went to Lecture. Carried Jay Harris[44] pattern over. He paid 75 cts. Snowed in night.

Mar 12 – About two inches snow this morning. Went over to burg just at night. Took Hannah over brot Mrs Betts home. Very much muddy some.

Mar 13 – At home chored round worked in shop some. Sarah went over to Spinneys Lecture. Made stain.

Mar 14 – Made some stain to stain violin with. No good.

Mar 15 – About two inches snow. Went over to burg got some cochineal. Tried my luck a gain no get it right some no how. Jim went to work for Ed Flanders.[45]

Mar 16 – About two inches snow this morning Worked on violin some. Turned roller for Theodore $_____.

Mar 17 – Carried Sarah down to Mrs Browns to quilting. Nancy, Mrs Betts, Hannah and Lou went. Theodore and Jim Bartlett came down. Turned Brass pipe.

Mar 18 – Carried Sarah down to Mrs Browns to get quilt of. Mrs Siniska Tuttle Warren calld here.

Mar 19 – Ethan carried Hannah down to Katharines.

Mar 20 – Rainy day some. Swap Eggs with Patty[?] Earl. Saw Ciniska there.

Mar 21 – Hen commenced Sittin on the Earl Eggs. Snows and Blows quite hard.

Mar 22 – Around home choring some not much done. Went over to burg some.

Mar 23 – Worked round house and shop some. Not very well.

Mar 24 – Grubed out west garden along the road fence. Went over to burg in Evening to hear the Hurtt children sing.

Mar 25 – Went over to burg after Hannah Comfort.[46] Cold and snowey.

Mar 26 – At home all day. Hank and Nancy here. Rainy day. They stayed all night.

Mar 27 – Carried Nancy and children home in morning went over twice. Went down to Mrs Browns. No work some not much.

Mar 28 – Carried Katharine home in afternoon. Pleasant day. Smith Carleton and John Darling[47] making shugar sap run like fun.

Mar 29 – Carried Hannah over to Burg in morning. Chored round. Not very well hard cold.

Mar 30 – Rial French helped me draw wood. Cold wind.

Mar 31 – Made mallet for Allan Simmons.

Apr 1 – Chored round in forenoon. Grubed out Sassafras along the road West of garden. Ayres Raymond paid me 1.25 cts.

Apr 2 – Very warm day mercury 76 in shade at one o clock P.M.

Apr 3 – Went to Kalamazoo on Biz Niz. Fine Day. Jesse James the Train and Bank Robber Killed to day by Robert and Charles Ford[48] at St Joseph Missouri.

Apr 4 – Went over to burg to see D. Lamkin. Hen commenced setting on the Taylor Eggs. Will Brown commenced plowing for Oats. Rained all the afternoon and night.

Apr 5 – Rainy morning. Hannah Comfort went over to Nancys stayed all night. Dee Harris[49] came to day.

Apr 6 – Hannah Comfort started for home[50] this morning.

Apr 7 – Worked on box some. Ethan went over to burg. Charles P. Galligan Brot up to Galesburg and Buried.[51]

Apr 8 – Worked on Box put some Irons on side boards. Rainy.

Apr 9 – Jim went over brot Emma Allen[52] over. I went down to Mrs Browns. Mrs Albert Chase buried to day.[53]

Apr 10 – Worked in west garden raked up weeds and leaves burnt up the weeds and leaves.

Apr 11 – Worked in garden cleaned out sage roots.

Apr 12 – Worked in shop some on Box. Louese Married to day.[54] Fine day. Mr Van Blake came over in Evening. Carried Sarah over to Law Suit.

Apr 13 – Went over to Burg in morning. Worked in shop on Box. Will Brown plowing south lot for Oats.

Apr 14 – Worked on wagon Box some. Very nice day.

Apr 15 – Finished Box. Will Sowed the Oats. Lois and Ina[55] came on the noon train.

Apr 16 – Lois came over this morning. Fine day.

Apr 17 – Went down to Caywoods with Lois. Went up to Mr Flanders got some potatoes. Jim came home in Evening to see Lou and D.D.

Apr 18 – Went over to burg in morning with Trunk. D.D. and Lou started for Phoenix Northern Michigan in the copper mines.[56]

Apr 19 – Worked round some in shop in garden. Rainy and very windy.

Apr 20 – Some cold rainy and very windy some not much. Painted wagon box.

Apr 21 – Finished Wills Box. Fine pleasant day. Will plowed some. Lois went over to Nancys. Found calf in Barn this morning.

Apr 22 – Went over to Burg in morning carried Mrs Betts over. Will plowing. Very windy. Will got his Box. Cold bad day to be out. Lois went home[57] to day.

Apr 23 – At home all day. Went over to burg at night after Mrs Betts. Got 4 four bushels clover Seed of Mr Flanders.

Apr 24 – Dick Lamkins came over. Got out manure. Went over at noon with Hannah. She went to Vicksburg. Mrs Mary Crawford Died to day.[58] Dick had one bag corn.

Apr 25 – Dick and Boy drawing manure. Let Dick have one bag corn and fifty cents cash.

Apr 26 – Went down to M O Streators got some Turnips. Went over to burg in afternoon. Rained some.

Apr 27 – Sowed Clover seed on wheat lot south west. Mary Crawford Buried to day. Pleasant day. H. M. Shafter Died This Evening.[59]

Apr 28 – Finished Sowing clover Seed. Cold wind.

Apr 29 – Not much work to day. H. M. Shafter Buried to day. Cold wind in afternoon.

Apr 30 – At home all day. Nancy came over. Dick got bag corn.

May 1 – Worked round. Cold wind. Made some stove Boat[?]. Got some Rasberry roots of H. A. Taylor.

May 2 – Worked on Oats violin 2 Hours. Carried 1½ Bu corn to Mill.

May 3 – Pleasant day. Worked on violin. Let Dick have one Bag Corn. Went over to burg with Ed Flanders. See _____. Oscars Katey Died this Morning.[60] Rainy night.

May 4 – Rainy day. Went down to Mrs Browns in morning. Went over to burg in afternoon. Rainy got some wet. Planted potatoes in East garden.

May 5 – Nancy and Matilda Brown here. Cold wind. Planted some corn in west garden. Charley Town commenced planting to day.

May 6 – Went up to Scots after Hannah. Rained and hailed some.

May 7 – Went down to Katharines. All well. No rain.

May 8 – Went up to Mr Jo Flanders got 2½ bushels potatoes. Harry and Jo Darling plated and Harrowed corn ground. Charley Atkins Rolled East lot. Had a heavy rain.

May 9 – Went up to Mr Flanders got ½ bushel climax potatoes. Harry Draged and marked corn ground.

May 10 – Chored round. Some rainy day.

May 11 – Not much done. Cold rainy day. Wind North East.

May 12 – No work. Cold rainy day. Wind North East. Went over to burg in afternoon.

May 13 – Went over to Burg in morning to carry Hannahs cloak and Rubbers[?] over. Cold and rainy. North wind. Charley Camp Planting corn.

May 14 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Cold north East wind.

May 15 – Planted corn in west Lot. Harry, Oscar Darling, Ethan and meselfe soing Be Jabbers.[61] Will Brown sold Caty here in my yard for $90 Dollars. Swap Eggs with Fanny Town. Set hen.

May 16 – Put in back _____ Handle for Theodore. Got 12 bolts of Theodore. Pleasant day. Ethan and Hannah papering. Planted some potatoes. Thysa Youngs stayed here all night.

May 17 – Finished planting potatoes. Warm nice day.

May 18 – Hoed some in garden. Chored round generally.

May 19 – Worked round garden some. Went over to burg. Sarah went over to burg stayed all night.

May 20 – Went over to burg in morning after Sarah. Went over at noon to help Hank. He had got floor laid.

May 21 – Carried Mrs Betts over to Burg in morning to church to hear the gospel preached.

May 22 – Went over to burg in forenoon. Put in shelves in pantry. Hanks folks moving. Patty[62] came to day on noon train.

May 23 – Went over to burg got Pattys Trunk. Cold wind. No corn up yet not much.

May 24 – Frost this morning and some ice. Went over to burg. Mrs Browns Horses gone. Will had Bill[63] to find them. Carried Patty down to Katharines. Cold west wind. Had Jesse Earls ______ seat.

May 25 – Pleasant morning. Worked on violin some.

May 26 – Went over to burg in forenoon. Put up shelf for Nancy. Finished Oats violin. Rainy night.

May 27 – Rainy day. No work to day out side.

May 28 – Went down to Katharines to see Patty and all the rest. Fine day.

May 29 – Warm day. Put the cow into Theodores Pasture. Planted cranberry Beans in west garden. Hoed some corn in East garden.

May 30 – Hoed potatoes. Fine day. Edwin Flanders brot some lumber for his rack. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns. Mrs Betts went over to Burg.

May 31 – Rained some in forenoon. Went down to Katharines in forenoon to carry letter and paper to Patty. Went over to Hanks fixed Screen doors. Mr Josiah Loveland Buried to day.[64]

Jun 1 – Went over to burg. Finished Hanks doors in forenoon. Harry cultivated corn. I hoed some in garden.

Jun 2 – Rainy day some. Cut out some stuf for Eds Rack 3 Hours. Rained all night.

Jun 3 – Rainy day. Not much work to day. Ethan carried Mrs Betts over to Burg to conveniest meeting.

Jun 4 – Rainy and cold wind.

Jun 5 – Cut out stuf for Eds Rack. Hoed some.

Jun 6 – 45 Years to day Started for Michigan.[65] Bot gold ring of __. Clark Batai___ worked on road north of corners. Fine day.

Jun 7 – Worked on road. Warm day west wind all day. Ethan went down to Katharines to carry Pattys mail.

Jun 8 – Worked on road in forenoon. Cut weeds. Hoed some in garden.

Jun 9 – Worked round garden some. Nells Baby Died to day noon[?].[66]

Jun 10 – Hoed garden and chored round.

Jun 11 – At home. Alvin and his Mother[67] came up. Patty and Katharine came up here.

Jun 12 – Went over to burg in morning. Hoed garden and chored round.

Jun 13 – Went over to burg in morning after Nancy. Went back got mail.

Jun 14 – Worked on Rack and Box some. Old cow out. Went to Burg.

Jun 15 – Went up to Mr Ralphs to see rack. Carried Patty over to burg. Went over to burg in Evening. Sold lot Iron to Dick Lamkin. I came to Comstock Forty Five Years to day.

Jun 16 – Went over to burg in morning after Patty. Hatty and Frank[68] came to day. Katharine came up with them.

Jun 17 – Frank and Hat left for home. Not much _____ work to day.

Jun 18 – Patty and I went down to Katharines. Sarah Sick. Mr Hoover Died in night.[69]

Jun 19 – Carried Pattys Trunk over to Burg in morning. Went over at noon with Patty. She left for home on 12.30 train.

Jun 20 – Worked in shop some. Hoed some.

Jun 21 – Hoed East garden. Worked in shop some not much. Mr Hoover buried. Hot day.

Jun 22 – Went up to Mr Flanders in morning put cleats on box. Went over to burg in afternoon got some bolts and screws. Drayton Smith called here in afternoon. Very Hot 96 Abz.

Jun 23 – Cloudy and warm after the rain. Worked in shop on Rack.

Jun 24 – Worked in shop on Eds Stock Rack. Some rain in afternoon had a thunder shower in night.

Jun 25 – At home all day. Jim carried Mrs Betts over to Burg in morning. Jim and Charley Camp went up to York ville to see Gull Lake.

Jun 26 – Went over to Burg in morning after Box irons no get him. Went over at noon got some. Bot violin string of Wilson 25¢. Worked on box some.

Jun 27 – Warm morning. Went over to Burg Sarah went over. Ethan carried Mrs Betts down to Mrs Browns. Ida Barber How moved to Lansing.

Jun 28 – Worked in shop on Rack. Hot day.

Jun 29 – Will Brown commenced cutting clover in East Lot. Ethan and Mrs Betts Crawford Comfort went down to Katharines. Rained in night.

Jun 30 – Guiteaus a____ Rainy morning. Put Rack together. Mr Fisher Brot Hannah home. Big Necktye[?] Social at Washington.

Jul 1 – Worked in shop on Rack. Ethan took Mrs Betts over to Burg.

Jul 2 – At home all day. No one here.

Jul 3 – Worked on Rack. Mr Flanders came down. Had a shower in afternoon. Commenced painting Rack.

Jul 4 – Finished Rack put it on wagon. A. Hoag, Mary Mason and Mrs Hale called here. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Frank Austins Boy died to day.[70]

Jul 5 – Worked round shop and garden. Mr Flanders got the Rack.

Jul 6 – Went over to Burg in morning Brot Nancy over. Marion and Nell Bristol[71] came over here. Fred Austin Buried to day. Will Drawed in hay. Old cow out found her at ______ Barn.

Jul 7 – Will cutting and drawing hay. Had a shower in afternoon. Will Wightman Buried to day.[72]

Jul 8 – Rainy Day. Went up to Marshall to see Lois and the rest of the folks found them all well. Dell and I went to Ceresco in afternoon. Saw Mr Cole.

Jul 9 – At Skinners. Went over to Mrs Halls. Very Hot. Jimmy Goodrich Buried to day.[73]

Jul 10 – Went and saw Mr Coles folks in forenoon. Started for home ¼ past one P.M. go home about seven P.M. all right.

Jul 11 – Ethan took Hannah up to Em Ralphs.[74] He went to the burg. Will finished drawing hay in forenoon.

Jul 12 – Some rainy. Got 110 plants of Herb Earl. Turned 8 pins for Ayres Raymond 15 for Harry Streator.

Jul 13 – Chored round. Hoed some in garden &c.[75] Show in burg in Evening.

Jul 14 – Show went up the Hill[?]. Chored round. Hoed some in garden.

Jul 15 – Turned 35 pins for Jim Milham,[76] Orrin Knapp and John Culver. Cut wheat on hill south of corn.

Jul 16 – Mrs Abraham Lincoln Died to day. Carried Mrs Betts over to burg to hear and see the gospel preached. Went after her at noon. Charly Town commenced cutting wheat cross the road. Turned Fan and Bill in East Lot.

Jul 17 – Made soap in forenoon. Made fence East side of the Barn. Charly finished cutting this afternoon. Nice harvest weather dry not very hot.

Jul 18 – Hoed strawberries in the forenoon. Jim Milham got his pins. Put in cradle hinges[?] for Mr Flanders. Got Boards for door step.

Jul 19 – Hoed in garden some. Chored round. Mrs Abraham Lincoln Buried to day.

Jul 20 – Worked on door step some in afternoon. Will Brown drawed in the wheat.

Jul 21 – Finished Door step. Not very hot. Ethan went over to burg. Lelah[77] came home with him.

Jul 22 – Worked on Door frame some.

Jul 23 – At home all day. Ethan carried Hannah down to Katharines.

Jul 24 – Work on Door frame. Barber came over.

Jul 25 – Finished door frame put wire on. Went over to burg in Evening. Marion Bristol started for Massachusetts on one oclock train. Pet Beckwith married to night.[78]

Jul 26 – Very hot and dry. N. L. Randel[79] thrashing.

Jul 27 – Cut grass in orchard. Put paper on Mrs Betts room over head. Had a nice shower rained most of the night Thunder and Lightning.

Jul 28 – Put up Screen Door this morning. Chored round. Cow got out. Finished papering Mrs Betts room. Old cow went to Bull about 4 oclock P.M. sharp.

Jul 29 – Repaired cow poke. Old cow got out. Had a Divle of a time to get her. Found her up by Davis Staffords in Evening. Grange Meeting at Bert Staffords. Jesse Crawford[80] came.

Jul 30 – At home all day. Kept Fan in Barn all day. Ethan went down to Marts after Hannah.

Jul 31 – Cut hole into west Leanto attic. Rainy some rained some in night. Hannah went Down to Streators in Evening to make Dress for Mrs Streator.[81]

Aug 1 – Put frame into the Partition. Rainy afternoon warm. Ban Jacobs hors in pasture.

Aug 2 – Worked round shop and house. Sawed out violin tops. Rained in night.

Aug 3 – Put violin top together. Rainy day some. Not feeling very well.

Aug 4 – Cloudy some sprinkle not much. Cats came back this morning.

Aug 5 – Worked on violin top some. Nancy and children came over. Nel Bristol came over with them.

Aug 6 – Ed Flanders paid me $5.00. Rainy afternoon. Jim carried Mrs Betts over to Burg. Jim went up to Jo Smiths in afternoon.

Aug 7 – Worked in shop some. Chored round. Some rainy.

Aug 8 – Went down to Mrs Browns got Horse and wagon. Went over to Burg got lumber to seel the west bedroom over head. Mr Kent commenced cutting the oats. Charley Town cutting Oats.

Aug 9 – Went over to Burg in morning got paint and paper for Bedroom. Mr Kent cutting oats. Some rain.

Aug 10 – Put on seeling. Kent finished cutting oats. Old Mr Patterson Died.[82] Cool wind cloudy.

Aug 11 – Repaired Bills Poke in morning.

Aug 12 – Finished putting on seeling. Worked in shop some. Florence and Boy called here in Evening.

Aug 13 – At home all day. Hank here to Breakfast. Carried Mrs Betts over to Burg. Ethan and Hannah went down to Mrs Browns.

Aug 14 – Went over to burg in morning after mortar no got some. Whittled some on violin neck. Charley Town thrashed his wheat. Austin Potts was de man.

Aug 15 – Went over to burg after mortar got him. Very hot. Got Barbers trowel.

Aug 16 – Put on mortar. Mary Flanders[83] and Florance came here. Mr Flanders here to tea.

Aug 17 – Painted some in west bedroom &c.

Aug 18 – Went over got oil. Painted seeling in west bedroom &c. Thysa Youngs and Daughter Elsie called here.

Aug 19 – Painted sash &c. Rained in afternoon. Went down to Katharines stayed all night.

Aug 20 – Went over to Mr Elwoods in fore noon with Mart came home at night.

Aug 21 – Painted seeling in west Bedroom. Whittled some on violin. Theodore and Orrin Schram drawed away the stone pile out by the Buggy House.

Aug 22 – Went over to burg got my new trowziz [trousers?]. Nell Bristol came over and helped paper the west Bedroom. Rained in the Evening warm rain.

Aug 23 – Cloudy 73 Abz in morning. Chored round. Worked in shop some. Florence came down just at night.

Aug 24 – Florence here. Ethan went to Kalamazoo to see Dr. Spinney. Florence went over to Nancys just at night. Bessy sick.

Aug 25 – Worked in shop some. Chored around some.

Aug 26 – Went over to burg in morning. No work to day. Hiram and family[84] came to day. Hite[85] sick.

Aug 27 – Hite some sick. Ethan gone after Nancy. Bessy sick she no come. Jim and Florence went up to Gull Lake. Edwin and Mary and children[86] went also.

Aug 28 – Hites folks started for home left here about ten A.M.

Aug 29 – At home. Chored round. Went down to Katharines in afternoon with Hannah. She went down to fit Clarras[87] dress.

Aug 30 – Choring around. Paint some.

Aug 31 – Went up to Mr Flanders carried some cucumber. Got some apples. Ed & Mary and Mabel went to Vicksburg to Pioneer Picknic. Nell Stanford[88] here.

Sep 1 – Carried Mrs Betts over to burg she went up to Augusta. Carried Sarah over in Evening she stayed all night. Paint some. Mrs Jones killed two Cats.

Sep 2 – Cut corn in garden. Painted seat to Mrs Jones.

Sep 3 – At home all day. Rained in afternoon.

Sep 4 – Hannah went to Mr Franklins. Mrs Betts came home from Augusta. I went over to burg after her.

Sep 5 – Chored around. Worked on Blackboard some. Fine weather. Edwin Flanders called here in Evening.

Sep 6 – Worked round shop some. Went over to burg. Worked on Green board some.

Sep 7 – Put cleats on Green board. Turned out box for Town pump at Galesburg.

Sep 8 – Ethan, Mrs Brown, Nancy, Hannah and Nell Bristol went over to Schoolcraft to Spiritualist Meeting.[89]

Sep 9 – Foggy. Worked round house. Painted Kitchen and some oder dings.[90]

Sep 10 – Foggy morning. At home all day. Ethan took Mrs Betts over to burg to hear the Gospel talked about.

Sep 11 – Commenced Topping corn. Fine warm day.

Sep 12 – Topping corn some. Fine day.

Sep 13 – Topping corn and choring round. Florence and her mother came here stayed all night. Edwin and Mary came down.

Sep 14 – Topping corn. Florence and mother went home over to burg in afternoon.

Sep 15 – Toped corn. Warm day very dry.

Sep 16 – Toped corn. Hot and dry. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns. Mrs Betts went over to Burg with Mr Bronson.

Sep 17 – Hank and Ethan went up to Edmon Chase[91] after crab Apples. They went with Bill. Very hot and dry.

Sep 18 – Worked in corn some. Fine day.

Sep 19 – Went over to burg. Got Hook made for stone boat.[92] Mr Taylor sick.

Sep 20 – Topt some corn. Chored round.

Sep 21 – Topt corn put in stack[?]. A. R.[93] and Lois came stayed all night. Will Brown thrashed wheat and oats had 48 Bushels wheat 60 bushels oats.

Sep 22 – A. R. went to _____. Ethan went down and got Nancy and Hannah. Took up the Milham Note $26.32 cent. Got the money of Hank Brown.

Sep 23 – Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo to see Florence. Cut some corn. Nell came over. Nancy went home. Mrs Ira Clark Died this Morning.[94]

Sep 24 – At home all day. Edwin and Mary Flanders called here just at night.

Sep 25 – Topt corn. Warm day. _____ paid Hank $___.00 cash.

Sep 26 – Finished my corn. Cut up sweet corn. Quite warm.

Sep 27 – Made cross Head for Theodore. Dick Lamkins brot his organ over had it cleaned and new knees well made. He and his wife here to dinner. They went after Elder berries.

Sep 28 – Pickd beans. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Florence left for California. Louese and D. came on Evening freight.

Sep 29 – Went over to Burg in morning to mill. Got slating for Black board. Went over to burg after Louese. Not much rain.

Sep 30 – Some cloudy. Went over to burg in morning got glass and putty. Set glass in windows at School House. Lois and Ina came in Evening.

Oct 1 – At home all day. Lois and Ina here, D. and Lou, Hank and Nancy.

Oct 2 – At home. Put slating on Black Board. Cow got out went after her at night.

Oct 3 – Lou and I went to find cow went up to Nelt Blasses in forenoon up to Oatmans in afternoon no find her.

Oct 4 – I went up East in forenoon found her at Marhops. Dug some potatoes in afternoon.

Oct 5 – Dug some potatoes. Very warm and dry. Erve Stilwell thrashed his Buckwheat on Wrights place had 126 Bushels. Jim came home sick some. No work.

Oct 6 – Dug potatoes. Warm and dry very much. Lou up to Mr Ralphs. Mr Wm Blass Died to day[95] been out of health some time some _____. Not much done.

Oct 7 – Dug some potatoes husked some corn. Ethan and Nell went to Kalamazoo. Mrs Betts went over to burg Stayed all night to Hanks.

Oct 8 – Hank and Nancy, D. and Lou, Hannah and Jim went up to Scotts. Nell and Lelah & Bessy stayed here. Mr Wm Blass Buried to day.

Oct 9 – Made Box for stone Boat. Ethan dug potatoes in afternoon.

Oct 10 – Finished Box. Mr Knapp came over. Drawed down the potatoes. Ethan dug some in forenoon. Barber here to dinner. Had a good rain in afternoon.

Oct 11 – Dug potatoes drawed some down put them in cellar.

Oct 12 – Drawed down some potatoes. Dug in afternoon. Ethan took Sarah over to burg. Lelah came back with him. Cora Harris[96] came stayed all night. Mr John Allen Died.[97]

Oct 13 – Dug potatoes and drawed down some. Had a heavy shower. Dug some in afternoon.

Oct 14 – Finished digging potatoes got them in the cellar. Ethan went over after Sally[98] in Evening. Mr John Allen buried to day.

Oct 15 – Went over to burg in morning after Hoops for Mary Fisher. D.D.[?] came home this morning. I got a nice present This morning from the children a nice Nicle plated clock as a Birth day Present. I am 69 years old this fifteenth day of October 1882.

Oct 16 – Worked round barn and house. Shelled sunflower seeds.

Oct 17 – Ethan went to Chicago. Put some batten[99] on corn house. Went over to burg in morning.

Oct 18 – Went over to burg in morning. Worked on corn house put on battens patched roof some. Smith Carleton came up after Sarah in night for Lucy.

Oct 19 – Went over to burg. Took Hannah over to Erve Blakes. Toots[100] girl Born This morning.[101] Husked some corn.

Oct 20 – Husked corn. Fine day. Went down after Sarah.

Oct 21 – Husked corn part of the day. Went to mill. Took Lou over to burg in Evening and Hannah down to Mrs Browns. Ethan got home from Chicago.

Oct 22 – At home all day. Newton McLarry buried to day.[102]

Oct 23 – Husking corn. Warm and dry.

Oct 24 – Husking corn. Warm.

Oct 25 – Sick no Husk to day. Warm nice day.

Oct 26 – Husking corn. Edna Allen came here to day. Nice pleasant weather.

Oct 27 – Husked corn. Fine day.

Oct 28 – Husking corn. Edna here.

Oct 29 – At home all day. Edna here.

Oct 30 – Husked corn picked some. Rainy night.

Oct 31 – Warm mercury 66. Finished picking corn. Took Lous things over to burg. Lou moved to Shelbyville[103] to day.

Nov 1 – Husked corn some & cut some wood.

Nov 2 – Drawed some wood. Fine day. Ethan carried Mrs Betts down to Mrs Browns to see Lois.

Nov 3 – Finished Husking corn. Very pleasant weather. Plained out step for Nancys plant stand in Evening.

Nov 4 – Chored round. Not much work done. Went over to burg.

Nov 5 – Went down to Katharines. Some cold. Went over to Burg after I got home after Mrs Betts.

Nov 6 – Worked in shop made mallet for Mr Chester[?]. Cold rainy day some.

Nov 7 – No work to day. Went over to Election. Broke Buggy thill.[104] Ethan went over in Evening carried Tools over to do some work for Hank.

Nov 8 – Shelled some corn. Picked out some spokes for my wheels. Mr Jacob Fancher buried to day in Galesburg cemetry. He died in dacota.

Nov 9 – Drawed some lidle wood. Got my hickory stick out East side of East lot. Theodore went out with me. Turned some for Theodore. Mr Flanders brot ____ rack. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns to see Lois.

Nov 10 – Went over to burg in morning. Got thill for buggy. Sick all day and all night. Mr Streator (illegible). Jim husked corn. Warm day.

Nov 11 – Harry got home they all came down. Husked in forenoon. Harry finished in afternoon. Not very well. Went and put stops in windows at schoolhouse. Ethan and Sarah went over to burg in afternoon.

Nov 12 – Jim took Mrs Betts over to church in morning. He went up to Scotts.

Nov 13 – Not very well no work to day only chores.

Nov 14 – Went over to burg to mill carried wheat and corn. Mrs Brown got home.

Nov 15 – Stephen Withey[?] Died to day. Choring. Hannah came home from Gibsons. Ethan took her down to Caywoods. Not cold. David Powlison Died This morning.[105]

Nov 16 – Went over to burg after meal. Broke thill iron again. Mr Flanders brot wagon down. Rainy night.

Nov 17 – Carried Sarah over to burg got flour. Not much work to day. David Powlison buried to day.

Nov 18 – Mr Flanders brot Lois and Ina down. Chored round.

Nov 19 – Lois, Jim and Will here today. Pleasant day no snow no frost in ground.

Nov 20 – Worked in shop some. Put thill in buggy.

Nov 21 – Worked in shop some. Chored round. Ethan made some castings.

Nov 22 – Carried Lois over to burg in morning. Turned out some pump stops for Theodore.

Nov 23 – Some rainy. Ethan, Sarah, Lois and Hannah gone to Kalamazoo. I filed buck saw.

Nov 24 – Worked in shop some (illegible). Broke _____ on auger. Elva Crossfields here. Herb came down in Evening.

Nov 25 – Drawed some wood in sleigh. Abrose Milham and wife,[106] Zeak and Kate Davison called here awhile.

Nov 26 – At home all day. Lois and Ina here. About 4 inches snow.

Nov 27 – Lois and Ina went home. Hank & Nancy Home. Ethan, ____, ____ and Jim went to Kalamazoo to theater in Evening. Bessie stayed here all night Lelah went to Shelbyville. James Nobles died to day.[107]

Nov 28 – Ethan took Hannah down to Mate Fords.[108] Took ____ over to Burg in forenoon.

Nov 29 – Not very well not much work but chores. James Nobles buried to day.

Nov 30 – Worked round barn cleared out so as to put fodder in.

Dec 1 – Jim and Will got in corn fodder. Warm day. Mr Charles Dibble Buried to day.[109]

Dec 2 – Went over to burg in morning got auger mended. No sleighing. Jim sawing wood for Bill Ralph. Will to work for Harry Streator cleaning wheat.

Dec 3 – At home all day. Clarra, George and Lee came up here to day. Not very cold no snow of any account.

Dec 4 – Shelled some corn carried it to mill. Jim and Will went hunting.

Dec 5 – Went over to mill in fore noon. Took the old wagon wheels to pieces. Mrs Clinton here in afternoon. Bot Diary for 1883 45 cts.

Dec 6 – At Home. Some cold. Carried some potatoes over to Hanks. Snowed in night.

Dec 7 – Mercury 6 Abz. Finished boring standards for rack. Snows about 4 inches deep.

Dec 8 – Mercury 5 below zero in morning.

Dec 9 – Worked in shop some chored round.

Dec 10 – At home all day no one here. Mrs Betts went to Burg to church.

Dec 11 – Worked in shop some ledle unto. Cold some sleighing. Mended Clauds skate.

Dec 12 – Went over to burg in morning with cutter. Sarah went over stayed to Nancys. Went over after her in Evening.

Dec 13 – Cold and blustrous. Carried Hannah down to M. O. Streators in afternoon. Hat Allen left for Niles.

Dec 14 – Went over to Burg after Nancy. Chored round worked in shop some.

Dec 15 – Carried Hannah down to Katharines. Cold snowed some. Jim and Will chopping. Very good sleighing.

Dec 16 – Shelled corn in forenoon carried corn and oats to mill. Repaired violin for Young Fay. Paid my Tax $5.82.

Dec 17 – At home all day. Jim went over to Burg. Took Nancy and Bessey out riding.

Dec 18 – Mercury 9 Below zero. Jim and Will drawed wood. Ethan casting.

Dec 19 – Mercury 20 Above zero. Went over to Burg after grist. Bot Mittens 50 cts. Rained some in Evening.

Dec 20 – Mercury 30 Ab zero. Jim and Will chopping. Rainy day some.

Dec 21 – Not much work but chores. Snow all gone.

Dec 22 – Not very well. Worked some in shop not much.

Dec 23 – Went over to Burg carried over my Receipt for High way work. Lou & Cory came on the noon Train. Ethan went to Kalamazoo.

Dec 24 – Carried Mrs Betts over to Burg to Bap Church. Brot Lelah and Bessy over took them Back at night. Jim took Charley Camp up to Scotts.

Dec 25 – Went over to Hanks to dinner. Very much wet snow. Had a Lottery sold two Bibles. Oat Hill got the Large one $.12 Burt Warren the other.

Dec 26 – Good sleighing this morning. Went over to burg in morning got Bessey. Bot Boots paid 4.00.

Dec 27 – Went over to burg took Bessey home. Old Mrs Ralph came here. Dell & Mr Smith here to Dinner. Mr Ralph took dinner. Sarah & I went up to Mr Flanders in Evening.

Dec 28 – Worked in shop some on Jims Violin Trunk. Hannah sewing to Mr Towns.

Dec 29 – Worked on Trunk all day. Not very cold. Hannah came home to night.

Dec 30 – Worked round some in shop some on corn shelter[?]. Not very good sleighing. Took Lou up to Mr Ralphs in Evening.

Dec 31 – At home all day. D. came this morning. He went after Lou in Evening. Stella Milham[110] and Emma Allen called here to see Lou in afternoon.

Memoranda

Cure for Small Pox
Sulphate of Zinc 1 Grain
Fox Glove 1 Grain
Half Teaspoon Sugar mix with two Tablespoonful water
when thoroughly mixed ad four ounces water
Take a Spoonfull every Hour. For a child – smaller dos according to age

To Kill Cabbage Worms Persian Insect Powder

325 Bushels Oats from 3 & ¼ acres of ground the Oats was of the Blu___ or Poland variety

——-

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

[2] His youngest son, James Clinton Keith

[3] Willis Brown, the son of Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown and the brother-in-law of Luke’s daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[4] Above zero

[5] Henry Brown, his daughter Nancy’s husband

[6] Galesburg, Michigan

[7] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith; the 2019 equivalent of $5.00 is just under $125.00

[8] Neighbor, Matilda (Allen) Brown (see footnote to January 3^rd entry)

[9] Neighbor and “shirttail” relative

[10] Henry & Nancy (Keith) Brown and their three children: Claude, Lela and Bess

[11] No records confirming his death or burial were found

[12] Scotts, Michigan

[13] His daughter, Hannah Keith

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

[15] Luke uses this phrase quite often. The Oxford Dictionary gives its meaning as “vigorously or quickly”

[16] Lyceums flourished in the U.S. before and after the Civil War. During this period hundreds of informal associations were established for the purpose of improving the social, intellectual, and moral fabric of society. The lyceum movement featured lectures, dramatic performances, class instructions, and debates, by noted lecturers, entertainers and readers. They would travel the “lyceum circuit,” going from town to town or state to state to entertain, speak, or debate in a variety of locations, never staying in one place for too long. Their appearances were open to the public, which caused them to contribute significantly to the education of the adult American in the 19th century

[17] His neighbor and “shirttail relative,” Theodore Earl, and brother of Herb Earl (see entry of January 6^th)

[18] Neighbors, Harry Streator (son of Marius & Laura [Rawson] Streator), and his first cousin, Nellie (Underwood) Stanford

[19] His son, Ethan Keith

[20] No death record was found for Clarissa (Whitcomb) Turner, however FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan

[21] Neighbor, Frances Towne, the sister of Charles Towne who would become Hannah Keith’s husband

[22] Neighbor and “shirttail” relative; father of Herbert and Theodore Earl mentioned earlier

[23] Michigan death records list James Ralph’s date of death as January 9, 1882 (not January 18) in Pavilion, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Cook Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan, showing his date of death as “Jun” 9, 1882

[24] Ax handles

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

[26] The husband of Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[27] Michigan death records show that Hamlin Holmes died in Comstock, Michigan on January 24, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[28] Michigan death records show that Austin Odell died in Comstock, Michigan on January 24, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[29] His niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham

[30] For more about the binder machine see my blog post at https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2018/11/15/ethan-keith-inventor

[31] His neighbor, Marius O. Streator

[32] Neighbor, Mary Ann (Thompson) Ford

[33] Michigan marriage records show that C. Eugene Howe and Ida Barber were married in Galesburg, Michigan on February 15, 1882

[34] FindAGrave.com shows that Ananias E Caray (A. Ell Caray in the 1880 census) died February 16, 1882 and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[35] Michigan death records show that Maria (Mills) Upjohn died February 17, 1882 in Richland, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan

[36] Michigan death records confirm that he died on February 18, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[37] 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

[38] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York. Lucy and Helen were half-sisters, both daughters of Luke’s sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[39] Frank was Luke’s grand-nephew, the son of George & Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson. No records confirming the birth/death or name of the baby were found

[40] Maria (Root) Mills. FindAGrave.com confirms her date of death as February 28, 1882; she is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[41] Most likely his neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[42] Martin Milham, the husband of his niece, Lucy Lee

[43] Neighbor Charles Towne, who would marry his daughter Hannah

[44] Neighbor Jay Ralph Harris

[45] Edwin Flanders, son of Joseph Flanders (see footnote to March 1^st entry)

[46] Nancy Betts’ niece, Hannah Marie Comfort

[47] Neighbors, Smith Carlton and John Darling

[48] Jesse James was shot to death by Robert Ford, a member of his gang who hoped to collect the bounty on Jesse’s head. Charley was Robert’s younger brother and also a member of the James Gang

[49] Neighbor, Daniel D. Harris Jr. He was referred to as D.D. or D.

[50] Ontario, Canada

[51] Michigan death records show that he died in Waverly, Michigan on September 13, 1880; FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[52] Neighbor Emeretta Allen

[53] Possibly Louisa (Stewart) Chase, the widow of Albert Chase; research continues

[54] His daughter, Louese, married Daniel D. Harris Jr. (see footnote to April 5^th entry)

[55] His granddaughter (Lois’ daughter), Ina Skinner

[56] D.D.’s family had a general store in Phoenix and he and Louese were moving there to work the store

[57] Ceresco, Michigan which was about 25 miles from Comstock/Galesburg

[58] Mary was the widow of Edwin Crawford who was the brother of Luke’s wife Sarah. FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac, Michigan

[59] Michigan death records confirm that Hugh M. Shafter died on April 27, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Shafter Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[60] Catherine (Keith) Randall, the daughter of Luke’s nephew, James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith. Michigan death records reveal that she died at the age of 20 of consumption on May 3, 1882 in Bloomingdale, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows that she is buried in Covert Cemetery, Covert, Michigan

[61] Bejabbers is a euphemistic alteration of bejesus (or by Jesus), and was used as a mild oath expressing astonishment, dismay, disbelief, or the like

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

[63] His horse

[64] Michigan death records show that Josiah Loveland died in Comstock, Michigan on May 29, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Comstock Cemetery, Comstock, Michigan

[65] From Covington, Genesee County, New York

[66] Unknown at this time; research continues

[67] His cousins, Alvin Lee and Juliana (Davis) Lee

[68] Frank & Harriet (Root) Tomlinson

[69] Oak Grove Cemetery records show that John J. Hoover died June 18, 1882

[70] Michigan death records reveal that Fred Austin, age 17, the son of Franklin & Gertrude (Quick) Austin, died on July 4, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[71] Sisters, Marian and Helen “Nellie” Bristol, were cousins of Henry Brown

[72] Michigan death records reveal that William Wightman died July 6, 1883, however FindAGrave.com gives his year of death as 1882, which agrees with Luke’s diary entry, and shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[73] Michigan death records show that James Goodrich, age 33, died in the asylum in Kalamazoo County, Michigan on July 8, 1883; however, FindAGrave.com gives his year of death as 1882, which agrees with Luke’s diary entry, and shows he is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Comstock, Michigan

[74] Neighbor, Emaline (Stone) Ralph

[75] Etc.

[76] Neighbor, and half-brother of Martin Milham (see footnote for March 5^th entry)

[77] His granddaughter, Lela Brown

[78] Michigan marriage records show that Alice Bell Beckwith married Richard Wesley Wells in Galesburg, Michigan on July 25, 1882; Alice was the daughter of neighbors Ezra & Amelia (Anderson) Beckwith

[79] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[80] Jessie Crawford, the daughter of Luke’s brother-in-law, Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford

[81] Neighbor, Laura (Rawson) Streator, the wife of Marius O. Streator (see footnote to February 9^th entry)

[82] Michigan death records reveal that Orrin Patterson, 70, died of pneumonia in Comstock on August 10, 1882. FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[83] Mary (Smith) Flanders, wife of Edwin Flanders

[84] His brother-in-law and family: Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, and their children, Harry, Jessie and Blanche

[85] Nickname for Hiram

[86] Edwin, Mary, Mabel and Wilbur Flanders

[87] Possibly Catherine’s granddaughter, Clara Milham, the daughter of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham

[88] Nellie (Underwood) Stanford

[89] Both the Brown and Keith families, as well as several of their neighbors, were believers in Spiritualism and participated in seances

[90] Other things

[91] Edmund Chase, Henry Brown’s uncle

[92] A type of sled for moving heavy objects such as stones or hay bales

[93] Adelbert R. Skinner

[94] Angeline Clark, the mother of Luke’s daughter Lois’s first husband, Byron Clark. Unable to confirm date or place of death

[95] Michigan death records confirm that William Blass died in Comstock on October 6, 1882. His cause of death was listed as softening of the brain. FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[96] D.D. Harris’ sister

[97] Michigan death records confirm that John S. Allen died in Comstock on October 12, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[98] Nickname for his wife Sarah

[99] A long, flat strip of squared wood or metal used to hold something in place or as a fastening against a wall

[100] Lucy (Lee) Milham’s nickname

[101] Gertrude Irene Milham

[102] Michigan death records confirm that John N. McClary died in Detroit, Michigan on October 20, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[103] Shelbyville, Michigan

[104] The long shaft between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon

[105] Michigan death records confirm that David Powlison died in Comstock, Michigan on November 15, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[106] Ambrose & Lydia (Turner) Milham. Ambrose and James Milham (see footnote to July 15^th entry) were brothers and they were half-brothers to Martin Milham

[107] FindAGrave.com shows that James Nobles died in Pavilion, Genesee County, New York on November 27, 1882 and is buried in Maplewood Cemetery, also in Pavilion. James was a cousin of Luke’s wife Sarah

[108] Neighbor, Mary Ann “Mate” (Thompson) Ford

[109] FindAGrave.com reveals that Charles Dibble died November 28, 1882 and is buried in Cook Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan

[110] The daughter of James Milham (see footnote to July 15^th entry) & Ellen Adams

Luke Keith’S 1876 Diary

 1876 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

Jan 1 – Paid Clarrie E. Austin[2] order $11.00. Rained some in morning, mercury 60 fifteen minutes to nine, sun shone out warm. Went down to Browns[3] in afternoon stayed in evening. Hank[4] came home. Barbers folks came over. High wind all night.

Jan 2 – Pleasant morning, 39 Abz.[5] At home all day.

Jan 3 – Cut some wood in forenoon. Went to mill in afternoon. Got my Buckwheat flour. Cold, froze some. Henry[6] came down stayed all night. Hank and Nancy[7] here.

Jan 4 – Cold morning 18 Abz at nine oclock. Sarah,[8] Nancy and Hannah[9] went over to Barbers. I went up to Mr. Benjamins. Lois[10] came home with me stayed all night.

Jan 5 – Rained some in morning. Went up in woods cut one tree down. Drawed two loads wood. Browns folks came up here in Evening. Lois went home.

Jan 6 – Cool to snow ground, not froze any. Went over to burg[11] got paint for Katie. Went down to Kates[12] stayed all night.

Jan 7 – Went to work on closset. Worked all day. Fine day.

Jan 8 – Worked on closset. Work all day. Warm day. Old Mr Nelson died.

Jan 9 – Worked on closset. Rainy. Worked all day. Blowed and snowed all night, high wind. Mr Nelson buried.

Jan 10 – Wind blows yet. Put shelves in cellerway. Painted closset and door below. Came home. Very cold. Mart[13] took sawing machine in woods. Darling helped him saw.

Jan 11 – At home. Cold morning. Hannah gone up to Mr Taylors[14] to work on dress. Went over to burg, bot some dings.[15] Cold, snowed some. Had headache.

Jan 12 – Cold morning. Cut some wood. Hat, Libby[16] and their aunt Mrs Taylor here in afternoon. A. Brown and family here in Evening. Mr J Allen and girls here, Cora and Ida.[17] Mr Hu___ died at L. Barbers.

Jan 13 – Cold morning. Worked round choring mosof the day. Commenced lap board for girls.

Jan 14 – Not very well. Nancy and Hannah went to Lawton[18] on the one thirty seven run. Sarah went over to burg.

Jan 15 – Not very cold. Put gudgeons in Schrams machine rollers. Not very well, headache, hard cold. Old Mrs Sherwood[19] brot in and buried to day.

Jan 16 – At home. Not well, hard cold. No snow on ground, rained some.

Jan 17 – Damp day. No work to day. Mercury 49 Abz. Hard cold.

Jan 18 – Rainy morning, 51 Abz, rained all day. Husked some corn. Went over to burg in afternoon. Very muddy.

Jan 19 – Some colder, no snow. Mr Flanders[20] brot his wagon down to be mended.

Jan 20 – Pleasant day. No work. Not very well. Carried Sarah over to burg she stayed all night.

Jan 21 – Carried Sarah over to burg she stayed all night with Jane.[21]

Jan 22 – I went over to burg after Sarah. Rained. Not very well yet, cold hangs on yet. Not very cold, no snow.

Jan 23 – At home. All well but I.

Jan 24 – Went up in woods, sawed some wood. Went over to burg, bot Barrel salt $1.75 cts. Not very cold, ground froze. Rather rough wheeling.

Jan 25 – Pleasant but cool, no snow. Went down to Katharines[22] stayed all night.

Jan 26 – Painted closset in forenoon. Went to Kalamazoo in afternoon to see B. M. Austin. Fine day.

Jan 27 – Painted front room up stairs in fore noon. Came home in afternoon. Rained in night some. Went over to burg in Evening, got oil and Sellers cough syrup. Ancil Lee[23] came to Jos.[24]

Jan 28 – Some rainy in morning. Made cross head block for Theodore.

Jan 29 – Split and drawed wood some.

Jan 30 – At home all day. Went down to Browns in Evening.

Jan 31 – Fine pleasant day. Worked in shop. Put in reach in Flanders wagon. John Kirkwood and wife came here.

Feb 1 – Pleasant morning, mercury 36 Abz in morning. Went down to Katharines. Snowed and blowed when we came home. Saw Ancil Lee.

Feb 2 – Cold 3 Abz in morning. Alfleda[25] went down to M. O. Streators.[26] Frank called and got her. I finished Flanders reach.

Feb 3 – Worked on Earnests box all day. Browns folks here in Evening.

Feb 4 – Sick, no work to day. Snowed some.

Feb 5 – Pleasant day. Sawed and drawed some wood on sleigh.

Feb 6 – At home all day. Henry Rogers[27] here a while. Not very cold.

Feb 7 – Fine day. Went to Kalamazoo with Engine. Saw B. M. Austin and Gipson their fore man.

Feb 8 – Worked on Whitings box all right. Not very cold.

Feb 9 – Rainy day, some thunder, warm for the season.

Feb 10 – Worked on box some. Carried Sarah over to burg. Went over after her in Evening. Rainy, some thunder, mercury 60 Abz, some very sharp lightning.

Feb 11 – Sold cow to Earnest Whiting for $33.00 and if she weighs over 550 lbs he pays me 6¢ pr pound for what is over that weight. Mercury 44 Abz. Jo & Ancil Lee came up here. Jim Krom called here.

Feb 12 – Jo and Ancil here. Worked in shop some. Made churn cover for A. Brown. Put heads on Joes crutches. Browns folks here in Evening. Fine day.

Feb 13 – Pleasant, no snow, mercury 45 Abz in morning. Ancil and Jo went home. Mercury 63 2 oclock P.M.

Feb 14 – Finished Whitings box. The cow weighed 568 pounds.

Feb 15 – Cut one tree, drawed two loads wood. Snowed some, cold day, froze some.

Feb 16 – Snowed some. Went down to Fords to see cow. Went down to Browns in Evening.

Feb 17 – Worked round house some and shop some. At home all day.

Feb 18 – Went up in woods, cut some wood in forenoon. Nice day. Ernest brot some lard down in Evening 11½ eleven and half pounds.

Feb 19 – Pleasant morning, mercury 36 Abz. Went over to burg. Received of Township Treasurer $80.50.

Feb 20 – Went down to Katharines, Alfleda stayed. Warm day.

Feb 21 – Went over to burg. Came back with Charly and Em Spire. Paid Emma Spire one hundred and twelve Dollars 112.00.

Feb 22 – Went up to Skinners to see cow, made bargain for her. Cold night.

Feb 23 – Went up to Skinners, got cow, paid $35.00. Pleasant but cold wind.

Feb 24 – Went out to Taylors and Earls in morning. Carried Sarah went up to Earls. I went up to Mr Earls in Evening. Pleasant day. Drawed some wood.

Feb 25 – Fine morning. Paid Z. C. Durkee twenty 24.50 four Dollars and fifty cts.

Feb 26 – Warm and pleasant. Husked and drawed corn, drawed four loads. George Barber came over here. Jim[28] and Will Brown[29] went fishing up to East Lake. Rained in night.

Feb 27 – Stormy morning. Trees and fences covered with sleet and ice. A hard storm for cattle that have to be out, for Marts any way.

Feb 28 – Husked corn. Snowey day, not very cold. Wm Ralphs folks[30] here in Evening.

Feb 29 – Husked corn in morning. Finished what was in the barn. Snows some, not very cold, the most snow we have had any one time this winter. Went over to burg. Went down to Browns in Evening with sleigh.

Mar 1 – Snowes like fun.[31] Carried Sarah over to Burg.

Mar 2 – Shelled corn and put up grist 4 bushels wheat. Went over to Henry Rogers in Evening with Browns folks. Had a circle.[32]

Mar 3 – Went to mill in morning. Carried 4 bushels wheat, 4 Buckwheat, 2 corn. Nice sleighing. Carried Louese[33] up to Mr Ralphs.

Mar 4 – Fine day, snow most gone. Went down to Browns in Evening.

Mar 5 – At home. Lois and Will[34] came down here. Rained some.

Mar 6 – Snow about gone, rained some in morning.

Mar 7 – Not much done to day. Alfleda sick. Went down to Browns in Evening. No snow, all gone, freezing some bot[?].

Mar 8 – Got meat of Ernest 77¢. Worked round.

Mar 9 – Ancil and Jo came up. Went over to burg to buring ground.[35] Jim went home with them.

Mar 10 – Fine warm day. Drawed in and husked corn. Warm as summer, rained in night, some thunder.

Mar 11 – Ancil and Lucy[36] came up here stayed all night. Lois came down. Browns folks came up in Evening.

Mar 12 – Ancil went back. Snowed and blowed some.

Mar 13 – Carried Lucy up to Skinners. Cold wind. Got 8½ lbs Beef of Whiting 9¢ pr pound.

Mar 14 – Ernest had my wagon to go to Kalamazoo.

Mar 15 – Carried Lucy home. Very windy day. All right.

Mar 16 – At home, rainy day, hard storm, very icy.

Mar 17 – Not very cold, snowed. Went over to burg, got strap for Sis,[37] trunk patterns for Hannah. Louese left for Chicago,[38] stopt to Lawton.

Mar 18 – Pleasant day. Carried corn up in cornhouse, drawed some wood. Went down to Browns in Evening. Frank Tomlinson[39] came in Evening.

Mar 19 – I went up to Lois with Frank. Cold wind. Ethan[40] and Frank went down to Marts stayed all night.

Mar 20 – Ethan and Frank came home. Snowey day, cold.

Mar 21 – Frank left for Allegan. Went up to Lois, Ethan went with him. Pleasant day. Jim and I sawed some wood.

Mar 22 – Drawed some wood on sleigh.

Mar 23 – Finished drawing in corn. Fine day. Jim went up to Sherman Lake with Brown after Ice, got none.

Mar 24 – Finished husking corn. Snowed in afternoon and Evening, very damp snow.

Mar 25 – Carried corn in cornhouse. Some 4 inches snow.

Mar 26 – At home all day. Not very cold.

Mar 27 – Cleared out cornhouse. Theodore came down wanted crosshead made.

Mar 28 – Made crosshead for Theodore. Very stormy day, snowed all day, very blustring.

Mar 29 – Snows like fun. At home.

Mar 30 – Drawed one load wood. Not much work. Shelled 12 bushels corn. Skinner got two bags corn.

Mar 31 – Went over to Comstock to mill. Sarah went down to Katharines.

Apr 1 – Went over to burg in morning. Drawed one load wood. Browns and Streators[41] folks here in Evening.

Apr 2 – Pleasant and cold, lots snow.

Apr 3 – Went to townmeting. Very good day, some snow and very muddy.

Apr 4 – Cut and drawed some wood. Warm day.

Apr 5 – Fine day, very high wind.

Apr 6 – At home all day. Working round house and barn.

Apr 7 – Worked in shop some, chored round.

Apr 8 – Went to Comstock to mill. Pleasant day. Hannah and Nancy came home. Mr Rogers, Forbushs and Browns folks here in Evening.

Apr 9 – Ethan and Hannah, Jim went down to Katharines. Pleasant day.

Apr 10 – At home all day. Solomon Youngs and wife[42] here to Tea.

Apr 11 – Went down to Marts. Fine day, warm. Got some new shugar. Barton[43] got out manure.

Apr 12 – Sarah and Nancy, Ethan went up to Skinners. Rained in morning. Paid John Schroder 3 Dollars. Rained in night, some thunder. Mr Barton got out manure.

Apr 13 – Pleasant and hot. At home, all right.

Apr 14 – Hannah and Nancy here.

Apr 15 – Hank came up on 6 oclock freight.

Apr 16 – At home to day, not very well. Sarah and all went down to Browns. Ethan and Hannah went up to Skinners.

Apr 17 – Hank and girls went back on Evening freight. Went down to see Jo Lee. Cate came home with me.

Apr 18 – Went up to Skinners. Moved machine down to Foundry.

Apr 19 – Went down to Katharines to see about money of Jo Lee. Jo York[44] came here, stayed all night.

Apr 20 – Jo went home. Went up to Foundry and burg. Jo got malodion. Went over to burg with Eggs and after Ethan. Fine day.

Apr 21 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Fine day. Mr Barton commenced sowing oats.

Apr 22 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Jim and I sawed some wood. Pleasant day.

Apr 23 – At home all day. Pleasant.

Apr 24 – Worked round house and shop.

Apr 25 – Sorted over potatoes. Sold Mr Barton 3 three bushels corn.

Apr 26 – Went to Kalamazoo got $300 Dollars of Jo Lee. Pleasant day. Bot suit cloths $8.00, one Hat $2.00.

Apr 27 – Went over to burg after Mrs Betts[45] goods. Mr Barton bot them over. Went up to Skinners after Mrs Skinner[46] and Lois.

Apr 28 – Cut and drawed some wood. Went down to Lawton on Evening Freight got there about Eleven P.M.

Apr 29 – Went over to Paw Paw in morning. Paid C. P. Galligan[47] 285.84 to apply on mortgage. Went down to furnace in afternoon.

Apr 30 – At Hanks all day or most of the day. Went up to the Coal bins saw them Coal one Engine.

May 1 – At Lawton. Went up to Iron Works and run around town.

May 2 – Left Lawton on the 10.10 train got off at Kalamazoo. Went to Registers office got mortgage and note. Got home about 6 P.M. all right.

May 3 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Sarah went over to burg.

May 4 – At home. Worked in shop some. Filed saw for N. L. Randal,[48] one for Whiting & Smith. Browns folks here in afternoon. Rainy night.

May 5 – Rainy day. No work out side.

May 6 – Went over to burg after mortar. Barber came over, plastered bed room. Went over to train after Mrs Betts. She came on the 11.12 train. Let Mr Barton have 4 bushels corn.

May 7 – Cloudy and warm. At home all day.

May 8 – Rainy. plowed croca ground rained some. Mr Barton plowed in afternoon. At home. Cut some wood. Put cow in Browns lot[49] to day.

May 9 – Cloudy. Took boxes to pecies. Plowed croquet ground. Rained some. Mr Barton plowed in afternoon.

May 10 – Cloudy morning, rain. Worked round in shop some.

May 11 – Made bedstead for Jim, turned lathe some. Pleasant.

May 12 – Fine day. Plowed garden, had Bill Brown.

May 13 – Worked in shop. Killed Jenny.

May 14 – Lois and Mrs Skinner here.

May 15 – Worked in shop some on patterns. All well.

May 16 – Barton planting. Warm day.

May 17 – Barton planting. Worked on patterns. Had a heavy shower.

May 18 – Warm and cloudy. Worked in shop some on patterns.

May 19 – Worked on patterns some. Warm day. Shelled some corn.

May 20 – Worked on patterns. Carried Sarah and Mrs Betts over to burg. Let Barton have two bushels corn.

May 21 – Very hot day. Barton planting. Barton had seed corn, one bushel and half.

May 22 – Went to mill carried 4 wheat, 3 corn. Sarah went down to Katharines.

May 23 – Warm day. Made cover to flour barrel. Planted Early Vermont potatoes.

May 24 – Worked in shop on patterns. Fine day.

May 25 – Finished up patterns this morning. Warm. Barton commenced plowing for Hungarian grass.

May 26 – Worked on crosshead. Went up to Foundry.

May 27 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Cut some wood. Received $40.00 Forty dollars of township treasurer. Paid Sate Beckwith $25.00 twenty five Dollars.

May 28 – At home. Del[50] and Lois here.

May 29 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Warned folks out on road. George Ives tried his new plow.

May 30 – Worked on road.[51] Sarah and Mrs Betts went to Mr Ralphs.

May 31 – Worked on road. Had a fine shower.

Jun 1 – Worked on road some, picked out stone and leveled same, 4 hours. Went down to Katharines after Bedstead. Rained some.

Jun 2 – Cloudy morning. Worked round shop and garden.

Jun 3 – At home. Worked round house and shop. Hank came in Evening. Draged my potatoe ground.

Jun 4 – At home all day. Hank left for Birmingham.

Jun 5 – Dragged my corn and potatoe ground. Bushed my ground.

Jun 6 – Planted potatoes. Very hot day.

Jun 7 – Went up to foundry. Mrs Betts went over to burg got her teeth repaired.

Jun 8 – Went up to foundry in morning. Mrs Betts came home. She gave me one Dollar. Worked on patterns. Rained all night.

Jun 9 – Cloudy morning, cool wind. Worked round garden and in shop some. Mr Austin Wolcott[52] died this morning. Mrs Betts went to Lawton.

Jun 10 – Went up to Foundry. Varnished some patterns. They run of a heat.

Jun 11 – Went down to Katharines. Mr Wolcott buried to day. Very hot day.

Jun 12 – Sowed my corn. Hot day. Jim commenced work for ARS.[53] Jo Lee came up here after his pants. Sowed my corn.

Jun 13 – Cultivated and marked out my bean ground. Hoed garden. Had a heavy Shower in afternoon.

Jun 14 – Planted beans and pop corn and sow forth and some.

Jun 15 – Went down to Marts. Got some timber for slats for Binder. Went up to Foundry. Sawed out slats. Had a heavy shower, got wet.

Jun 16 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Some rainy. Not very well. Got letter from Hank Nancy.

Jun 17 – Went up to Foundry. Had a heavy shower. Del came here in rain.

Jun 18 – At home all day. Not very well.

Jun 19 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Ethan at work on Binder.

Jun 20 – Worke on binder. Ethan up to Foundry.

Jun 21 – Went up to Foundry. Not very well.

Jun 22 – Bent slats for Binder. Tried to make soap. Jo Lee came up here.

Jun 23 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Went over to Burg at noon after Mrs Betts, she no come. Had a wind and rain storm.

Jun 24 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Carried Mrs Betts over to burg. Saw Rufus Clapp. Mrs Betts went over to burg.

Jun 25 – At home. Mrs Semer came here. She paid me 50 cts. Browns folks came up in Evening.

Jun 26 – Carried Mrs Semer over to burg in morning. Worked in garden, plowed out potatoes, plastered corn in west garden. Had a shower. Went over to burg in Evening. Had a thunder shower, rainy night.

Jun 27 – Worked round garden some. Went over to burg after Hannah. Cars run of track at Comstock. No one hurt.

Jun 28 – Hung East door. Worked on Hills violin. Went over after Hannah, no come.

Jun 29 – Went up to Foundry in morning with Ethan. Not much work. Worked on Hills violin. Hannah came home.

Jun 30 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Put violin together to day. Hoed in garden.

Jul 1 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Not much work. Not well. Some rainy. Charley Town[54] bored his hubbs. Mrs Betts went over to burg.

Jul 2 – At home all day. Had a heavy shower. Lewis Barber and wife[55] here just at night.

Jul 3 – Fine morning, cool wind, sun came out, had a heavy shower in afternoon. Mr Rogers sowed Buckwheat. Cut down tree, drawed one load wood. Charley Town commenced cutting wheat.

Jul 4 – Rainy morning. Carried Sarah and Alfleda over to burg in morning, went over after them in afternoon. Carried Hannah over just at night.

Jul 5 – Put up leach. Carried Ethan up to Foundry in morning, went around by burg got Hannah. Hank and Nancy came home. High wind, no rain to day. Mrs Hank Potts[56] Buried to day.

Jul 6 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Cut out Gloves for D. D. Harris.[57] Very hot day. Nancy went down to Browns. Mr Brown commenced cutting wheat. Stafford cuting wheat.

Jul 7 – D. D. got his Gloves. At home. Went up to Foundry in morning. Hot 98 in shade.

Jul 8 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry.  Very hot 98 in Shade. Went up to Foundry at night, took machine home. Lois came down, stayed all night. Hannah, Nancy and all at home.

Jul 9 – Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Hot 95 in Shade. Del came down after Lois. Jim went down to Jacksons to work.

Jul 10 – Very warm. Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Nancy here. Went after him at night. Claud[58] went with me. Jim to work for Jackson.

Jul 11 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Claud went up with me. Carried Sarah, Mrs Betts, Nancy and Hannah down to A. Browns in forenoon. Mrs Barton[59] came over, picked currants. Hot, had a shower.

Jul 12 – Very hot. Went up to Foundry. Very hot all day.

Jul 13 – Round home. Went up to Foundry. Worked in shop some on cart.

Jul 14 – Went up to Foundry. Plowed potatoes, beans and pop corn. Mrs Barber, Ida,[60] Mrs Brown and Jule[61] here. Brown finished his wheat.

Jul 15 – Plowed out, Sowed corn and some potatoes. Carried Sarah, Nancy and Mrs Betts over to burg. Went down to Browns in Evening. Hot day.

Jul 16 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went up to Skinners. Hank and Nancy went down to Katharines.

Jul 17 – Hank went home. Drove cow. I went up to mill to find timber to repair bridge and up to Schrams. Went over to burg in morning after Mrs Betts. Got Boiler.

Jul 18 – Went down to Mitchels. Alfleda went down to Katharines. Nancy went home.

Jul 19 – Went up to foundry in afternoon. Built fence around bridge. H. A. Taylor helped me.

Jul 20 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry in morning. Hoed some in garden, put up grist, shelled 3½ bushels corn. Paid Stella Milham five Dollars $5.00.

Jul 21 – Went to mill to Comstock. Carried 3 & ¼ bushels wheat, 3-2/4 corn. Ida Barber came over in Evening with Will Brown.

Jul 22 – Ethan went to Foundry. Hannah went home to Lawton. Mrs Betts went over to burg. Louese Crawfords girl Born to day.[62]

Jul 23 – At home all day. Jesse Earl[63] and R. S. Clapp here.

Jul 24 – Took Ethan to Foundry. Mr Barton cutting _____ oats.

Jul 25 – Went up to Foundry. Worked in garden some. Went over to burg and up to Foundry. Got new Boiler.

Jul 26 – Put flange on pattern. Went up to Foundry in morning. Mr Barton finished cutting oats. Went to Foundry, went to burg. Got five Dollars on postal order from Henry Crawford.[64]

Jul 27 – Went down to Katharines. Paid Jo Lee three hundred and seven Dollars and fifty cts $307.50. Had a fine shower.

Jul 28 – Went up to Foundry in morning and Evening.

Jul 29 – Carried Ethan to shop. They put Binder on machine. Mr Ives brot wheel to be repaired. Worked on road some, finished bridge.

Jul 30 – At home all day. Lois down here.

Jul 31 – Worked on Mr Ives wheel. Got out spokes and drove them.

Aug 1 – Went up to Foundry. Finished Mr Ives wheel. Mrs Clinton here. Carried her up when I went after Ethan.

Aug 2 – Went up to Foundry. The Boys cider press came. John Ives got his wheel, he paid 1.50. Paid Osgood 20 cts for repairing glasses.

Aug 3 – Went to Foundry in morning. Put in Plow handle for Caywood. Went after Ethan. Henry came down with us. He went up home. Mr Hobbs called here. Sawed out Marts runners.

Aug 4 – Went up to Foundry in morning.

Aug 5 – Went up to Skinners in Morning. Head ache all day. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over to burg, stayed all night.

Aug 6 – Let Bill[65] out in lot this morning. Went over to burg after the Whimmin[66] after noon.

Aug 7 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry in morning. Chored round. Went down to Browns. Made Claude Ball & Mallet. Sent them with carpet. Hot day.

Aug 8 – Went to Foundry. Chored round some. Mr Allen cutting grass. Hot day.

Aug 9 – Ethan worked on pattern. Allen finished cutting grass. I no do mutch. Hot day.

Aug 10 – Went up to Foundry and Skinners. Carried some apples. The Boys clearing out old press. Barton and Rogers put up hay. Had a fine shower in Evening.

Aug 11 – Rainy morning. Worked round shop and garden. Went up to Foundry.

Aug 12 – Went up to Foundry. Barton drawed hay. Mrs Betts went over to Mr Johnsons _____.

Aug 13 – At home all day. Lois went down to Katharines. Jim came home. Mr Terry came here, stayed all night.

Aug 14 – Went up to Foundry, came back. Carried Terry down to Mr Browns. Had a fine Shower. Mr Barton Seated two Chairs 75 cts. Ed Flanders[67] girl born.[68]

Aug 15 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Terry went up to Nathan Lamkins.

Aug 16 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Carried Osgood ½ bushel apples.

Aug 17 – 54.39. Carried Ethan to Foundry. Hot day. Paid Sate Beckwith $45 Dollars. Received of township Treasurer fifty four Dollars and thirty nine cts. Got some ash plank of Earl.

Aug 18 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Pulled black beans.

Aug 19 – Worked round repaired Miss Jones &c[69] Henry c

Aug 20 – At home all day. Lois came down.

Aug 21 – Worked on Skinners buggy. No go to Foundry to day.

Aug 22 – Worked on Ives violin some. Repaired Skinners buggy Boddy.

Aug 23 – Finished Skinners buggy, painted it some. Worked on violin. B. Hartwell called here. Hot day.

Aug 24 – Went over to Burg. Saw George Browns cancer.[70] Worked on Ives violin. Very hot.

Aug 25 – Duglass thrashed Bartons oats had 85 bushels. Very comfortable day. Finished Browns wheat. Charly Town paid 25 cts.

Aug 26 – Worked round shop and house. David Barton[71] drawed straw home.

Aug 27 – Went to Winslows Island to a Spiritual Meeting. Fine day.

Aug 28 – Chored round. Mr Ives brot violin to be repaired. Dave Barton got out manure. Jim and George Barber cut some corn fodder. Fine day. Douglass took his machine away. Had a good rain in night.

Aug 29 – Worked on violin some and had a good rain in night.

Aug 30 – Went up to Foundry. Carried some boards for apple gatherer. Mrs Hawver here to day. Turned wheel for Clauds wheelbarrow.

Aug 31 – Ethan went up to Foundry. Bot fingerboard for Ives violin. Got Bathric violin to Repair. Mrs Betts left for Chicago.[72]

Sep 1 – Worked on violin some. Ethan went up to Foundry. Had a heavy shower.

Sep 2 – Got five bushels wheat of M. O. Streator. Went to mill. Cleaned out Jo Lees stove &c. Jimmie Milham[73] stayed here all night.

Sep 3 – Rainy morning. At home all day.

Sep 4 – Worked round house and shop on violin.

Sep 5 – Went down to Marts. Got one bushel grass seed 1.75¢. Went up to foundry. Ethan stayed all night.

Sep 6 – Sawed out Herbert Earls oars. Put finger board on Mr Ives violin. Had a big rain.

Sep 7 – Went up to Foundry and Skinners. Got some crabbapples. Del gave me five Dollars.

Sep 8 – Went to Foundry with Ethan. Worked round. Dave finished sowing wheat.

Sep 9 – Went up to Foundry and down to A. Browns.  Repaired buggy wheel for M. O. Streator. Browns folks went to Lawton on Evening freight. Some rain.

Sep 10 – Cloudy damp morning. At home all day.

Sep 11 – Worked round shop and house. Worked on violin. Ethan went up to Foundry.

Sep 12 – Worked on violin some. Mr Ives called here. Ethan went to Foundry. Sarah, Alfleda and Bill went to Skinners.

Sep 13 – Worked on guitar and Bathrics violin. Ethan up to shop. Rainy night.

Sep 14 – Carried Ethan up to shop. Rainy. Worked on violin.

Sep 15 – Went up to Foundry in morning.

Sep 16 – Went up to shop. Went over to burg at noon after Mary and Carry Plank.[74] Frank Bird Died to day.

Sep 17 – Went to Foundry. Mary and Carry here. At home all day.

Sep 18 – Ethan went to Foundry. Carry and Mary went to Allertons.[75]

Sep 19 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Worked in shop some.

Sep 20 – Worked on Bartons box. Went up to Foundry.

Sep 21 – Went up to Foundry. Made Henry scraper they commenced making Cider. Layed up the first cheese. Finished Bartons box $2.00.

Sep 22 – Went to Foundry. Worked on Box, finished.

Sep 23 – Went up to Foundry. Got Strawberry plants of Charly Macomb.

Sep 24 – Went down to Marts. Mart and Lucy came up here. Lois here.

Sep 25 – Went to Foundry. Dave Barton made cider. Bot shingles for house 3.45 ct. Carry and Mary came back in Evening. Bot 5 lbs nails 5 cts. pr pound.

Sep 26 – Went up to sawmill got load slabs. Put on some shingles. Had a shower just at night.

Sep 27 – Shingling House. Had a shower at night. Girls went down to Browns. Finished Shingling.

Sep 28 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo to fair. Went up to Skinners in morning. Put on ridge boards and done some patching. Will Plank[76] came.

Sep 29 – Rainy morning. Ernest brot cider down. Got Whitings buggy.

Sep 30 – Went over to Vicksburg. Rainy day. Got there about sundown.

Oct 1 – At Jo Yorks. Went over to Old Mr Yorks[77] in Evening. Heard Oscar and Frank play the violin. Cow had a calf. Spect so.

Oct 2 – Came home. Fine day. Got home before night. Will, Mary and Carry Plank went home.

Oct 3 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Henry came home with us at night. Sarah went over to burg.

Oct 4 – At home. Chored round. Went up to Foundry. Sawed out stuf for steps to cornhouse. Put shingles on Barn and hogpen.

Oct 5 – Went up to shop. Drawed lot slabs from mill. Sent things to Hank.

Oct 6 – Went to shop in morning. Rainy day. No work to day. Patty[78] came at noon. I went over got her trunk. Went after Ethan at night.

Oct 7 – Cleaned out corn house and chored round some. Ethan not well.

Oct 8 – Went down to Katharines. Found Jo Lee sick.

Oct 9 – Made axhelves for Mart. Henry Seymore here.

Oct 10 – Went up to shop in morning. Joseph W. Lee Died this morning about Six. Hannah went up to Mr Taylors to work. Went down to Katharines stayed all night.

Oct 11 – Came home this morning in day. Went up after Ethan. Went down to Browns in Evening.

Oct 12 – Pleasant morning. Went down to Katharines. Jo Lee buried[79] to day. Ansel Lee came.

Oct 13 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Worked in shop some.

Oct 14 – Went up to Shop. Worked round house and barn. Chored.

Oct 15 – At home all day. Skinners folks called here. They went down to Browns. I am 63 years old to day.

Oct 16 – Barton got load apples for cider. Skinner sent load _____ down. Fine day.

Oct 17 – Went down to Charles Lees.[80] Catharine and Patty went down. Patty came home with us. Very fine day.

Oct 18 – Put up Stairs to corn house. Fine day. Ethan gathered apples. Pleasant.

Oct 19 – Not much done to day. At home.

Oct 20 – Worked round house and barn. In shop some.

Oct 21 – Worked in shop some and round barn. Lois brot Ina[81] here. She stayed all night.

Oct 22 – Lois and Dell went up to Flanders stayed all night.

Oct 23 – Worked in shop on cutter.

Oct 24 – Worked on cutter got out runners.

Oct 25 – Mortised runners. Ansel and Lucy came up. Went over to burg.

Oct 26 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg. Lucy had teeth Extracted six. Lois came down stayed all night.

Oct 27 – Worked in shop on cutter. Lucy went home. Ansel came after her.

Oct 28 – Worked on cutter. Skinner Brot load hay. Lois went home. Mrs. Betts came home to day. Mercury 62 Abz.

Oct 29 – Cloudy morning. At home all day. Not well.

Oct 30 – Worked on cutter some. Went down to Marts. Patty came home with me.

Oct 31 – Worked on cutter. Mrs Betts went to Kalamazoo with Browns folks. Very fine day 78 Abz. Rained in the night.

Nov 1 – Cloudy morning. Worked in shop all day.

Nov 2 – Rainy forenoon. Ansel and Lucy came up to get her _______ _______ filled. Sarah went to burg with them.

Nov 3 – Worked in shop all day on cutter. Fine day. Repaired Jo Keenes violin.

Nov 4 – Went over to burg in morning. Carried new corn over to mill. Carried Jo Keenes violin over he paid me 75 cts. Osgood paid for Bathrics violin. Mrs Betts went over to burg.

Nov 5 – At home. Nancy went up to Rass Towns.[82]

Nov 6 – Worked in shop. Rainy day.

Nov 7 – Cool morning. Went over to burg to Election.[83] Got 4 four bushels wheat of Taylor 1.20¢ pr. Carried it to mill.

Nov 8 – No work in shop to day. Dr McKinneys[84] folks came up here. Fine day, cool.

Nov 9 – Fine morning. Sun came out nice and warm.

Nov 10 – Worked on cutter worked on road. Mrs McKinney[85] went home.

Nov 11 – Worked in shop all day. Mrs Betts went over to burg to stay over the Sabbath and go and hear the gospel preached. Fine day.

Nov 12 – Pleasant morning. Went down to Marts.

Nov 13 – Worked in shop on cutter.

Nov 14 – Worked in shop. Good weather.

Nov 15 – Worked in shop some.

Nov 16 – Worked in shop. Patty and Lucy came up here.

Nov 17 – Worked in shop all day. Charly Clark[86] _____ up to Skinners.

Nov 18 – Worked in shop on cutter.

Nov 19 – Finished Marts Cutter. Dell, Lois and Charley came down here. Rainy.

Nov 20 – At home all day. Dave and Walt[87] cut some wood. Cut the big maple in south part of the woods.

Nov 21 – Started for Perry.[88] Left Kalamazoo 2.40 PM, left Detroit 7 PM. Rainy night. Battlecreek 3 P.M., Marshall quater to four 4, Jackson quater past “[89] 4.

Nov 22 – Arrived in Buffalo ½ 5 AM. Rains. Left Buffalo 7.25 AM arrived in Perry ½ past 11 AM. Rained some, some flakes snow. Frank and George[90] working at cider mill.

Nov 23 – At Perry. Went down to Scrantons office in morning. Cool. Sent Postal home to day. Sarah Chaddock[91] Died This Evening about Eleven P.M.

Nov 24 – At Perry. Went up to Cidermill. Helped Frank screen some Beans. Mr Crane and wife came in in Evening.

Nov 25 – Snows some, quite cold. Went out through the country with Frank buying Apples. Snowey day Snowd hard in afternoon.

Nov 26 – Snows some, snow about 3 inches deep. Folks gone to church. Sarah Chaddock Buried to day.

Nov 27 – Churned in forenoon. Helped Frank Screen Beans in afternoon. Snowed some, not very cold.

Nov 28 – Nice morning, not very cold. At the Tomlinson House. Cut anchor for Nellie T.[92] Had oysters for dinner.

Nov 29 – At Perry. All well. Helped Frank Screen beans in afternoon. Rather cool.

Nov 30 – Mercury 18 Abz in morning. All well. Eight oclock Engine fireing up for the usual trip to Gainesville, leave nine fifteen A.M. arrive Eleven thirty 11.30 AM.

Dec 1 – Helped Scren Beans. Very cold, mercury 4 Abz in morning. Sent letter home to day.

Dec 2 – Screened Beans in forenoon. Went Down to Wykof & Olins Reaper Shops. Pleasant but cold. Washed in morning.

Dec 3 – At the Tomlinson House. Folks all gone to church. Hat Holbrook here. Mercury 17 Abz in morning.

Dec 4 – Frank and I went to Portage Bridge. Eat our lunch at lower falls at 12 noon. Went to middle fall. Saw Letchworths residence. Went up to Bridge across it, under it and all around. Went down onto the piers. From piers to deck 200 steps. Length of middle pier 200 feet.

Dec 5 – Cool morning. Went down to the High Banks with George in afternoon. Not well. George and Marion[93] went down to Leroy[94] just at night. Susan S[95] was faling fast.

Dec 6 – Went up to Been House helped Frank load car and Screen some beans. Hiram May[96] Died to day Aged 79 years.

Dec 7 – Helped Frank some at been house. Snowed some. George and marion dont get home.

Dec 8 – Snowed quite hard in morning. Mercury 20 Abz. Went up to beanhouse and cidermill. Had the last cheese on the press. Cold rainy night.

Dec 9 – Washing to day. Snows and blows, mercury 4 Abz. No cars[97] out this morning. Got a dispatch from George Sprague[98] Susan is gone.

Dec 10 – At Tomlinson House. Cold wintry day. George and Marion at Leroy.

Dec 11 – Pleasant morning Mercury 3 below zero. Got a dispatch from George that Willie[99] was dead.

Dec 12 – Susan and Willie buried to day.[100] George and Marion came home _____.

Dec 13 – Went over to warsaw saw Robers snow. Went to Pearlcrrk[101] saw T. Miller, Chancy Pond, then went on, saw Frank Clow. Went down to George Starrs[102] stayed all night. Went down past the Cruttenden home.

Dec 14 – Went over to Jasper Starrs saw aunt Polly. Went and see Mrs Crosman then went and saw W^m Crosman. Took dinner with him then went over to the old home then to Pavilion. Went to Mr Nobles found them all right then went over to Perry, got there 7 PM all right.

Dec 15 – Cool morning. Not very well hard headache in forenoon. Helped Screen Beans in afternoon. Quite cold. Man building stairs in bean House.

Dec 16 – Washed in forenoon. Very blustrous mercury 4 Abz in morning, very bad day. Cars no run, 4 below in afternoon and Evening.

Dec 17 – At Tomlinson House. At zero in morning. Folks all gone to church. Fine snow falling, are full frost.

Dec 18 – Screened Beans. Very blustrous. All at home. Mercury at zero in morning. Cold night. Cars could not get through. Mail went through on sleigh.

Dec 19 – Very blustring, mercury 12 Abz in morning, snow flying. At home all day. Made cloths stick. George Brown died to day.

Dec 20 – Not so cold. Went into mill. Repaired Mrs Jones door. Mr Rice came here. Went to Pavilion in afternoon. Stayed to Mr Nobles all night. Found them all well. George Brown buried.

Dec 21 – Went down to Crosmans shop. Saw sam. Called on Clarrissa Starr. Went into Burying ground. Went down to Mr Snows stayed all night. Saw Mary, Mr and Mrs Snow and Mrs How &c. Saw Dr Sprague.[103]

Dec 22 – Went down to Emeline Bradleys, saw her family, found them well. Called on W^m Bradley. Saw Esther Hill, called on Mr Gillmore, Mrs Syntha Sprague.[104] Left Mr Nobles about three P.M. for Perry, got there half past five P.M. Saw the Engine.

Dec 23 – Washing day. All well. Not as cold as some other Satur.[105] At home all day not much going on. Frank and Nell at church fixing for concert.

Dec 24 – Got present handkerchief. At home all day. Cold day. Went to Christmas Eve in Perry. Had a nice time. Concert went of firstrate. Heard the big Organ.

Dec 25 – Fine day, cloudy, not very cold. Nell gone to Rochester to see her chap.[106] George went to Leroy. Mrs Crack and Lizzy here to dinner spent the Evening.

Dec 26 – Very fine day. Frank and I Screened beans in forenoon.

Dec 27 – At home. Went up to bean house worked some. Went to see Mrs Cady and Mrs Scranton and Louisa in Evening, Mr Lewis. All well.

Dec 28 – Helped put the new Safe in the mill in fore noon. Nice one, weight 4000, cost $230 less than half price. Marion and I went over to Gainesville to Charles Browns, saw Lucinda. Found them well as usual.

Dec 29 – At Tomlinson house. Very blustrous. Worked in bean house Screened beans. Went to see the Wabinoes in Evening. Had a good show. A very stormy night, worse than they often see, snow just piled up.

Dec 30 – Washing. Very rough day. No getting out. As rough a storm as they see on the mountains of the west. At home all day, to stormy to be out.

Dec 31 – Very blustrous. No church to day. Mr Crane came in in the forenoon.

 

Memoranda
Occidental = western quarter of the hemisphere
Oriental = Eastern part of hemisphere

Hesperian
Western home

Farm Ballads
Farm Legends
By
Will Carleton[107]

Whittiers Poems

Macleans
Manual of the
Antiquity of man

Tomlinson made 4700 bbls cider 3000 on hand December 1st 1876. 40 cts pr Barrel for making. Sold 1700 bbls vinegar since January 76 ¢7 pr cask

One tank 16 feet high x 16 feet Bottom 600 bbls 3 thousand bushels apples made into cider

Hercules 325 feett long 97 feet circumference

Cars leave Perry 9.15 AM Leve 2.45 PM

Arrive 11.30 AM
Arrive 5.30 PM

Holloways Pills for Kidney Diseased ointment rubed on

Esther Allen[108] Died
August 3rd 1834 Ae 90 yrs

Abiah Sprague[109] Died
April 13 1841 Ae 77 yrs

James Sprague[110] Died
Oct 9th 1849 Ae 82 yrs

Dan Sprague[111] Died
March 31 1859 Ae 58 yrs

Elsie Smith[112] Died
April 7th 1841 Ae 27 yrs

Eunice Cruttenden[113] Died
July 1 1847 Ae 74

Jairus Cruttenden[114] Died
June 22d 1843 Ae 69 yrs

A. E. Cruttenden[115] Died
January 28th 1845 Ae

James Sprague Jr[116] Died
March 30th 1857
Ae 58 yrs

Ben Vail[117] Died
Sept 16 1834 Ae 29 yrs

——-

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

[2] Neighbor, Clara Austin

[3] Neighbors, and daughter Nancy’s in-laws, Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown

[4] His son-in-law, Henry Brown

[5] Above zero

[6] Henry Keith, his son by his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith

[7] His daughter, and Hank’s wife, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[8] His third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[9] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[10] Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner, his daughter by his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith

[11] Galesburg, Michigan

[12] His sister, Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[13] Martin Milham, husband of Lucy (Lee) Milham. Lucy was the daughter of his sister Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[14] Neighbor, Hannibal A. Taylor

[15] Things

[16] Hannibal Taylor’s daughters, Harriett and Flora Elizabeth Taylor

[17] The daughters of neighbors, John S. & Amanda Louise (Worden) Allen

[18] Lawton, Michigan, where Nancy & Hank lived

[19] FindAGrave.com reveals that Clarissa (Wilcox) Sherwood died January 10, 1876 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[20] Neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[21] Neighbor, Sarah Jane (Mason) Hoag

[22] In all his previous diaries up until 1875, Luke has spelled his sister’s name as Catharine. It now appears that he is sometimes spelling it starting with a K

[23] His paternal first cousin, Ansel Lee (son of Rhoda (Keith) and Charles Lee)

[24] His paternal first cousin, Joseph Lee (son of Rhoda (Keith) and Charles Lee)

[25] Alfleda (Starr) Keith, the widow of his brother Harvey Keith

[26] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator

[27] Neighbor, Henry D. Rogers

[28] His youngest son, James Clinton Keith

[29] Willis Brown, the son of Ambrose & Matilda Brown

[30] Neighbors, William & Emaline (Stone) Ralph

[31] Luke uses this phrase quite often. The Oxford Dictionary gives its meaning as “vigorously or quickly”

[32] Both the Brown and Keith families were believers in Spiritualism and participated in seances, or “circles”

[33] His youngest daughter, Louese Keith

[34] His daughter, Lois, and her son, William Byron Clark

[35] Believe this is referring to the Galesburg City Cemetery where Ansel and Joe Lee’s mother, Rhoda (Keith) Lee, and their brother and his son, George Clinton Lee and James Sprague Lee, are buried

[36] His niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham, the daughter of his sister Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[37] Nickname of his daughter Louese

[38] Louese lived with her uncle and aunt, Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, while attending school in Chicago

[39] Frank John Tomlinson, the grandson of Luke’s sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[40] His son, Ethan Keith

[41] Marius & Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator

[42] Solomon & Theresa (Pond) Young

[43] Neighbor, Samuel Barton

[44] Joseph York was married to Luke’s niece, Helen (Bradley) York

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

[46] His daughter Lois’ mother-in-law, Sarah (Knight) Skinner

[47] Neighbor, Charles P. Galligan

[48] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[49] Ambrose Brown owned a lot basically across the road from Luke’s home

[50] His son-in-law, Adelbert Skinner, who was married to his daughter Lois

[51] The men were required to work on the roads a certain number of days based on how many acres they owned. For more information, see https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2018/06/16/luke-keiths-road-tax

[52] Michigan Death Records reveal that Austin W. Wolcott, aged 49, died of “softening of the brain” on June 9, 1876, and FindAGrave.com indicates he was buried in the Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland, Michigan. Many diseases were labeled as softening of the brain including stroke, dementia, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s

[53] Adelbert Reuben Skinner

[54] Neighbor, Charles Towne. In 1891 Charles married Luke’s daughter Hannah

[55] Neighbors, Lewis J. & Lydia (McClary) Barber

[56] Michigan Death Records show that Eliza Potts, wife of Henry Potts, died July 3, 1876; FindAGrave.com reveals that she is buried in Roof Cemetery, Climax, Michigan

[57] Neighbor, Daniel D. Harris, who married Luke’s youngest daughter, Louese, in 1882

[58] His grandson, Claude Keith Brown, the son of Nancy & Hank Brown

[59] Presume this is Samuel Barton’s wife, Catherine (Knecht) Barton

[60] Mary (Knowles) Barber and her daughter, Ida Barber

[61] Matilda (Allen) Brown and her sister, Julia Allen

[62] Lulu Crawford was born to Luke’s brother-in-law Robert & Louisa (McCann) Crawford

[63] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[64] His brother-in-law

[65] His horse

[66] Women

[67] Neighbor, Edwin Flanders

[68] Mabel Ellena Flanders

[69] Etc.

[70] George Brown’s death record shows that he died of consumption

[71] The son of Samuel & Catherine (Knecht) Barton

[72] According to the October 1, 1876 letter from Robert Crawford, Nancy was living with Hiram & Kate Crawford in Chicago

[73] Believe this is referring to James Edgar Milham, the son of neighbors James & Ellen (Adams) Milham. James was the brother of Martin Milham

[74] The Planks had been Luke’s neighbors, but moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1873

[75] Neighbors, John & Caroline (Rapelje) Allerton

[76] William Plank; Mary and Carrie’s brother (see September 18 entry)

[77] Believe he is referring to Joseph York’s father, Samuel York, who had lived in Comstock until 1870 when he moved to Vicksburg, Michigan

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

[79] FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Indian Fields Cemetery, Portage, Michigan

[80] His cousin, the son of Charles & Rhoda (Keith) Lee

[81] His granddaughter, Ina Mary Skinner, the daughter of Lois & Del Skinner

[82] Erasmus Towne, the brother of Charles Towne

[83] Rutherford B. Hayes ran against Samuel Tilden and became the 19^th President of the United States

[84] Hank & Nancy’s neighbors from Lawton, Michigan, Martin VanBuren McKinney and his wife and son, Mary (Stephenson) and Don Clyde McKinney

[85] Mary (Stephenson) McKinney

[86] His grandson, Charles Ira Clark

[87] The sons of neighbors Samuel & Catherine (Knecht) Barton

[88] Perry, New York, where his sister Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague and her daughter and son-in-law, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson, lived

[89] He used ditto mark to reference the word “four” from the line above

[90] Frank John Tomlinson and his father, George Tomlinson

[91] Sarah (Crittenden) Chaddock was the niece of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith. Michigan death records confirm that she died November 23, 1876 in Allegan, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com reveals that she is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Allegan, Michigan

[92] George & Marion Tomlinson’s daughter, Nellie

[93] His niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[94] LeRoy, New York

[95] George Tomlinson’s sister, Susan (Tomlinson) Sprague

[96] Michigan Death Records reveal that Reverend Hiram May died December 7, 1876 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York, and is buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Pavilion, Genesee County, New York. Since Luke was originally from New York, it is assumed that he knew Rev. May

[97] Trains

[98] George Finley Sprague, Susan’s husband

[99] William Tomlinson Sprague, the two-year-old son of George & Susan (Tomlinson) Sprague

[100] FindAGrave.com shows that both Susan and Willie are buried in Pearl Creek Cemetery, Pearl Creek, New York

[101] Pearl Creek, New York

[102] George Noah Starr was the half-brother of Alfleda (Starr) Keith (see February 2^nd entry). George lived in Pavilion, Genesee County, New York

[103] Believe he is referring to Dr. William Bishop Sprague, a cousin of his second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith

[104] Believe his is referring to Cynthia (Bishop) Sprague, a cousin of his second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith, and the mother of Dr. William Bishop Sprague

[105] Saturday

[106] Nellie Tomlinson married Walter Gillett on April 10, 1878 so assume this is who Luke is referring to

[107] According to Wikipedia.com, William McKendree Carleton (October 21, 1845 – December 18, 1912) was an American poet from Michigan. Carleton’s poems were most often about his rural life. It also noted that with the Public Act 51 of 1919, the Michigan legislature required teachers to teach at least one of his poems to their students, and October 21 was officially named as Will Carleton Day in Michigan. Schools in Michigan named for him include Will Carleton Academy in Hillsdale, and Will Carleton Middle School in Sterling Heights. A section of the M-99 in Hillsdale is dubbed Will Carleton Road. The village of Carleton in Monroe County, Michigan, is named for him, and the road on Carleton’s northern border, separating Monroe and Wayne counties, is Will Carleton Road

[108] FindAGrave.com confirms that Esther (Hutchinson) Sprague Allen died August 3, 1834 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Esther was the wife of William Sprague

[109] FindAGrave.com confirms that Abiah (Carpenter) Sprague, the wife of “Capt” James Sprague, died and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York

[110] FindAGrave.com confirms that “Capt” James Sprague died October 9, 1849 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. James was the son of William & Esther (Hutchinson) Sprague

[111] FindAGrave.com confirms that Dan Sprague died March 31, 1859 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Dan was the son of Capt. James & Abiah (Carpenter) Sprague, and the husband of Mary (Collins) Sprague

[112] FindAGrave.com confirms that Elsie (Crittenden) Smith died April 7, 1841 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Elsie was the daughter of Jairus & Eunice (Sprague) Cruttenden, and the wife of Homer B. Smith

[113] FindAGrave.com confirms that Eunice (Sprague) Cruttenden died July 1, 1847 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Eunice was the daughter of William & Esther (Hutchinson) Sprague and the mother of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith

[114] FindAGrave.com confirms that Jairus Cruttenden died June 22, 1843 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Jairus was the husband of Eunice, and the father of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha

[115] Unable to find any information on this person

[116] FindAGrave.com confirms that James Sprague Jr. died March 30, 1857 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. James was the son of Capt. James & Abiah (Carpenter) Sprague, and the husband of Luke’s sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[117] FindAGrave.com confirms that Benjamin Vail died September 16, 1834 at the age of 29 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. He was the husband of Mary (Derby) Vail, but any relationship to Luke is unknown at this time

Luke Keith’s 1862 Diary

1862 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.^[1]

The entries from January 1 through January 16 were first written in the back of his 1861 diary and are basically identical to what he then wrote in his 1862 diary. Anything from 1861 that clarifies the 1862 entries is noted in brackets.

Jan 1 – Filed saw for Bachelder 10¢. Father[2] called here. Bot 5 lbs shugar 55¢ ½ lb Tea 40¢.

Jan 2 – Henry[3] & family left. One lb candles 14¢. Put on some seeling. Apple 1¢.

Jan 3 – Hung ax for Wightman 10¢. Sawed out stuf for cutter box.

Jan 4 – Filed saw for A. Austin 10. Lois[4] went home.

Jan 5 – At home all day.

Jan 6 – Filed saw for Williams [received 15¢] paid 15¢. Worked on cutter. Filed saw for Mead 10¢.

Jan 7 – Worked on cutter. Put on fenders. Received letter from Robert.[5]

Jan 8 – Snowes like fun. Made thills[6] to [Milfords] cutter.

Jan 9 – Moved lumber in to the barn. Sarah[7] went over to Fathers.

Jan 10 – [Work on boddy.] Worked on frame to cutter box.

Jan 11 – Went to Kalamazoo. Bot Hubbs 1.30 one broom 20¢ shoes for Sarah 1.25.

Jan 12 – At home all day.

Jan 13 – [Running around the burg.] Nothing done to day. Bot clothes pins 5¢. Got Hannah[8] shoe tapt 15. Warner moved his things over here.

Jan 14 – Bot file 16¢ paid Tax 4.84. C. R. [Richardson] Brot 1 & 2/4 cords wood. Filed saw for B. Clark.[9] Filed saw for Warren 10¢. Nancy[10] & Hannah went up to Wesleys.[11]

Jan 15 – Worked on [boddy] cutter box. Wightman paid 10¢. Put handle on fork for Peter Johnson 5. Ethen[12] went down to Catharines.[13]

Jan 16 – Worked on cutter box. Bot screws 10. Bot [Diary] this Book price 38 cts. Sarah went home with Byron.

Jan 17 – Worked on cutter box. Put guards on Richardsons bobs 25¢. Ed Childs making slead.

Jan 18 – Worked on Box some. Ed to work on slead. Filed saw for Mr Smith 10¢. Let Mr Rauson have stick for whiffletree[14] 4¢. Plenty snow.

Jan 19 – Went up to Yorks[15] & Fathers. Called to Milfords.

Jan 20 – Worked on cutter put on dash. Bot nails & screws 9¢. Milford called here in Evening. Let Wesley have $4 & 50 cents.

Jan 21 – Worked on cutter. Finished Milfords cutter. Made pattern for shoes.

Jan 22 – Worked on bobs. Let pond have plank 2.25 cts. Father Brot Beef. Charley got cutter. B. Moore got wheel. Bot two candles 5¢.

Jan 23 – Worked on bobs. Extracted tooth for Elder Austin. Mr Maffit here. Made sausage pessle for D. Lamkin.

Jan 24 – Worked on bobs. Made neap[16] for Charles Richardson 75 cts. Bot one apple 1¢.

Jan 25 – Filed saw for Bachelder 10¢. Worked on bob neap. Bot paper 3¢.

Jan 26 – Went over to Fathers. Mother[17] went down to Catharines.

Jan 27 – Worked on bobs some. James Millham here. Alvan[18] called. Bot one galon oil 60¢.

Jan 28 – Worked on bobs. Sent letter to Hite[19] 3¢.

Jan 29 – Worked on bobs &c. Good sleighing.

Jan 30 – Put one bob together. Lyman brot his shoes for bobs.

Jan 31 – Sis[20] got hand burnt. Bot salve 25¢. Bot iron & screws 9¢. Made slead for Mrs Hodges. Filed saw for Hoag 10¢.

Feb 1 – Worked on bobs. Received 10.

Feb 2 – Went over to Fathers & up to Milfords.

Feb 3 – Worked on bobs. Sent letter to G. T.[21] 3. Bot ½ lb Tea 40¢. Carried one bob to shop. Richardson Brot one & ¾ stove wood.

Feb 4 – Worked on bob some. Mrs Butterfield buried to day. Lois came home in Evening.

Feb 5 – Finished Earls bobs. Sarah & Lois went over to Mr Halls. Bot salrates[22] 10¢.

Feb 6 – Worked on slead for Mrs Gyle. Got Ethens Boots tapt 37¢ Bot iron & screws 10¢. Richardson Brot one & one Eighth wood.

Feb 7 – Finished Mrs Gyles slead. She paid one Dollar. Bot Lozenges 25¢. Filed saw for Kingsley (25¢).

Feb 8 – Worked in shop some. Chored round. Nancy came down with measles. Hatty Signor died.

Feb 9 – At home all day. Sarah went to church. Lois Ethen and Hannah went in Evening.

Feb 10 – Took down lathe &c. Sawed of some spokes. N. Galt paid one Dollar. Hung ax for Vet Mead 10¢.

Feb 11 – Hung ax for Meads Brotherinlaw 10¢. Set saw for Dutch Smith 10. Went up to Andrew Mc.Clarys. Extracted tooth for his wife 25¢. Garvas Muncil called here.

Feb 12 – Went over to Fathers. Matilda Munsil here in Evening. Stuarts Regiment left Kalamazoo.

Feb 13 – Worked on seat rail. Bot crackers 5¢. Left my boots to Johns to be tapt. Paid 75¢. Received a letter from Hiram.[23]

Feb 14 – Worked in shop some. Bored seat rail. Bot screws 4¢. Henry[24] went home. Ethen & Hannah got the measles.

Feb 15 – Ethen & Hannah got measles. Vet Mead paid 10¢. A. Knight paid 6¢. Bot 5 lbs shugar 63¢.

Feb 16 – At home all day. Benj Hartwell called here. Verry pleasant.

Feb 17 – Pleasant morning. Put seat together for Hartwells buggy. Uncle Jason Wilcut[25] came on the four oclock train went over to Fathers.

Feb 18 – Finished seat put it on to boddy smoothed of boddy. Bot paper 5 one pr comes 1¢.

Feb 19 – Went over to Fathers. Uncle Jason came over & stayed all night.

Feb 20 – Bot salt 25 lbs 31¢. Uncle Jason went over River. Candy 1¢. Worked in shop some finished Hartwells boddy. Richardson Brot 2 & 1/8 stove wood.

Feb 21 – Worked in shop. Mark[26] Catharine & Lucy[27] came up to the Dance in Evening. Got magazine for March.

Feb 22 – Hued some spokes altered over mallet. Eugene Cory paid 10¢. Mrs Hodges paid one Dollar.

Feb 23 – At home all day. Out little young one[28] got the measles.

Feb 24 – Hewed spokes. Filed saw for Bachelder 10¢. Uncle Jason & T. Flanders[29] here.

Feb 25 – Set saw for A. Austin 5. Jason & Flanders left. Hued spokes. Marshal Austin paid 6¢. Extracted tooth for Earls sawyer 25¢.

Feb 26 – Filed saw for Ely Wightman (10¢). Filed saw for Mr. Minor 20¢. Sawed out gearing for Flanders wagon.

Feb 27 – Sawed out some felloes.[30] Bot paper 5¢. Uncle Jason came over. Got Mrs Wisemans machine.

Feb 28 – Sawed out some felloes. Mended pitman for B. Clark. Bot hive cyrup 5¢.

Mar 1 – Sawed felloes. Bot Book for Hannah 12¢. Filed saw for A. Hoag 20¢. Bot file 10¢.

Mar 2 – Went over to Fathers & up to Yorks. Saw Milfords cutter.

Mar 3 – Filed saw for F. Mead he paid 20¢. Filed saw for Hoag 10¢. Minor paid 20¢. Nick Galt paid 1.50¢.

Mar 4 – Got out some gearing. Went to corporation Election. Bot rice 10¢ Bot shoes 25¢ Paid postage 26¢. Passenger car broke down.

Mar 5 – Hard cold no work to day. A. McLary paid 25¢. Received letter from Stephen Wilcutt.[31]

Mar 6 – Worked on gearing. Sent letter to uncle Jason postage 3¢. Vacinated Ethen Nancy & Hannah.

Mar 7 – John Kirkwood came this morning. Went after uncle Jason. Came up on the 10.30 train in Evening. Babcock paid $12.25. Filed saw for B. Clark

Mar 8 – No work to day. Got cold. Lois at home.

Mar 9 – At home all day. Byron Emma & Rilly Lee here. Lois went home.

Mar 10 – Rainy. Heard Robbin sing. Mended Fathers wagon put in reach & half crotch. Bot syrup 44¢.

Mar 11 – Bot ½ lb Tea 40¢ Bot oil 25 Bot thread 5¢. Worked on gearing. Filed saw for Mr Smith 10. Henry Crawfords Baby[32] died.

Mar 12 – Worked on gearing. Sarah went to Wisemans. Mr Parker called here. Aunt lib called.

Mar 13 – Worked on gearing & spokes. Father called. J. York brot some spokes. Received letter from Stephen Wolcott.

Mar 14 – Worked on spokes. Cyrus Wheaton brot violin trunk postage 4¢ nitric ascid 5¢.

Mar 15 – Painted B. Hartwells buggy. Bot turpentine 10¢ Bot half galon oil 25¢.

Mar 16 – Ground covered with snow.

Mar 17 – Worked on spokes. Bot gum shelac 14¢ tallow 8¢.

Mar 18 – Made neap to Flanders wagon. Sold P. H. Whitford violin trunk 75¢.

Mar 19 – Made sign for C. P. Galligan 38¢. Bot paint brush 13¢ Bot shugar 13. Got Hannahs shoe tapt 12. Ethen and Hannah went of [sentence incomplete]

Mar 20 – Bot alcohol 3¢ Bot one spool thread 5¢. Flanders brot hay & some straw. Dutch Smith paid 10¢.

Mar 21 – Went over to Fathers. Ground knives for Andrew McLary Recd 19¢. Got some butter.

Mar 22 – Set saw for James Hold__. C. Richardson Brot one & 1/8 stove wood. Bot hoop iron 8¢. James Milham got plank 30¢. Carried two bushels wheat to mill.

Mar 23 – At home. Sarah went to church.

Mar 24 – Worked in shop on gearing. All well. Made block for Wightman spring.

Mar 25 – Filed saw for Joy 20¢. Rounded gearing. John Mooney here. Sarah went to Mrs Stevens.

Mar 26 – Worked on gearing. Filed saw for Jim Eleck 10. Sarah went up to Hoags & Seles. Calvin Streator Left for Ohio.

Mar 27 – Finished gearing. Filed saw for W^m Batt. Got vitrol 1¢.

Mar 28 – Extracted tooth for Albert Johnson. Put in reach for Jesse Earl paid 50¢ Bot paid 10¢. Wesly paid 4.50¢. Went to lecture in Evening.

Mar 29 – Worked in shop on spokes &c. Jim Eleck paid 10¢. Sent letter to Hite 3¢.

Mar 30 – Went down to Catharines. Catharine came up with York.

Mar 31 – Hung ax for D. Lamkin. Hued some spokes. Filed saw for C. Clark. Bot paper _____ 6¢. Paid B. Hartwell 72 cts for J. W. Keith Recd 4¢. Mrs. Tom Kenyon here.

Apr 1 – Went up to J. Yorks. Hannah went over to Fathers rode with James Perry came back with York. Sarah over to Mrs Hodges[Hoages?].

Apr 2 – Rainy morning. Worked in shop some on seeling. Bot chocklate 15¢.

Apr 3 – Mr Noah Starr[33] came this morning went over to Fathers started to go up to A. Chipmans. Flanders brot his hubbs.

Apr 4 – Bot one lb sugar 13¢ Bot licorice 3¢. Worked in shop. Filed saw for Bachelder 10¢. Bachelder paid 10¢ back charge. Mr. Starr Left For Paw Paw.

Apr 5 – Worked in shop some on banjo. Bot Eggs 16¢ Bot one indelable pencil 25¢.

Apr 6 – At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Apr 7 – No work to day. Went to town meeting. Bot ½ lb crackers 5¢. Richardson brot ¾ cord stove wood. Babcock paid 81.13. Lady Norman Born today.

Apr 8 – Worked in shop. Shaved spokes &c.

Apr 9 – Shaved spokes all day. Bot cloth for capes to shakers 25 Bot spool thread 5¢.

Apr 10 – Finished shaving spokes. Bot lamp wick 1¢. Theadore Earl paid 25¢. Alvan here. Put in reach for Doc Wightman 50¢.

Apr 11 – Worked on hubs. Bot ½ lb Tea 40 Bot on ham 1.94¢ Bot sugar 68¢ thread 2¢. Put Box in trumes cart 5¢. Sutton got his Bangolin.

Apr 12 – Finished mortising hubbs. Extracted tooth for Charles Earl.

Apr 13 – Went over to Fathers found them sick.

Apr 14 – Worked on hubbs some. Put rockers on chair for Sol Kingsley. Flanders brot load straw. Richardson Brot two loads wood. Sarah & Nancy went over to Fathers. Bot oil 3. Got shoe tapt 15¢.

Apr 15 – Put Boxes in Flanders hubbs. Worked on Raymonds wheel. Sarah gone over the river. Ed Drury Brot five loads wood.

Apr 16 – Went to Kalamazoo. Bot violin pegs 50¢ strings 80¢ tail piece 50¢ postage 3 Beer 10¢ fare 25¢. Drury Brot two loads wood. Bot Draft for G. T. 94˚93_“29 cts.

Apr 17 – Sent Draft to G. T. 3¢. Drove spokes in raymonds wheel. Joy paid 20¢. Drury Brot two loads wood. Put strings on my new violin. Sarah came home.

Apr 18 – Finished Raymonds wheel. He brot two bushels & 8 lbs wheat 1.70¢ 12½ lbs shugar 125.

Apr 19 – Worked in garden trimed trees cleared out the yard. Filed saw for Wesley. Set out quince trees. Bot oil 25¢.

Apr 20 – Went over to Fathers found them some better. Ethen down to Clarks. Mr. Galligans child[34] buried.

Apr 21 – Rainy morning. Wedged boxes in hubbs. W^m Whitcomb in shop in afternoon.

Apr 22 – Drove spokes in Flanders wheels & commenced rimming. Bot ½ bushel potatoes 12¢. Sent letter to Omro[35] 3.

Apr 23 – Riming wheels. Went down to Lockharts shop. Bored yoke for A. Chipman.

Apr 24 – Worked in shop on wheels putting on rims. A. McLary paid 6¢.

Apr 25 – Worked in shop. Finished Flanders wheels. Flanders paid 25¢ for filing saw.

Apr 26 – Painted Flanders wagon. Extracted tooth for A. Moffit 25.

Apr 27 – Pleasant. Sarah gone to church.

Apr 28 – Worked in garden. Piled up my lumber. Lyman Earl brot five Bushels potatoes.

Apr 29 – Worked in yard. Shelled coffee & Beans. Burnt brush. Bot one dozen Eggs 7¢.

Apr 30 – Worked round garden. Went over & got some early potatoes. L. T. Earl brot 17 fence posts.

May 1 – Went down to Catharines with Mother. Lucy sick.

May 2 – Made bed piece for Ex one boulster for Yorks wagon. Bot saleratas 10. Painted Flanders wagon. Mr Bronson got his gearing.

May 3 – L. T. Earl brot four posts 180 pickets 20 rails. D. Lamkin plowed garden. Plowed garden.

May 4 – Went up to Wesleys. John Wilcut went up to Yorks. Almon Pond[36] married.

May 5 – Worked in garden some. John Wilcut here. Left on the 2 oclock train. Earl brot 250 pickets. Bot dog Eggs 7.

May 6 – Made boulster for hamilton 50 spring bar for Race 39¢. T. Cory paid one Dollar. Lamkins draged garden.

May 7 – Planted onions peas & Radishes potatoes &c.

May 8 – Bot beet seed 5 Lettuce 5. Went over to Fathers. Got some me__ican potatoes. Wesley brot some June potatoes shugar 7.

May 9 – Planted potatoes. Filed saw for Marshal Austin 10.

May 10 – Made yard for pigs & cow &c. D. Hamilton paid 24¢. Paid school bill 1.04.

May 11 – Went up to York ville. Went up the lake.

May 12 – Planted Beans. Not much done to day. Sent letter to Hiram 3¢ one to Henry 3¢ Bot ½ lb Tea 40. Cow out to night.

May 13 – Planted corn and coffee. Filed saw for Mr Hoag 15¢. Rainy.

May 14 – Moved my stringers. Planted cucumbers & mellons. Ethen came home. Hoag paid 15¢. Bot chimney for lamp 10¢. Oatman shot Mrs Stevensons Dog.

May 15 – Worked on A Chipmans wagon. Beach brot his wheelbarrow.

May 16 – Worked on Beaches wheelbarrow. Went down to Circus ground. Bot orrange 5¢ Nancy 2 cents. Hamilton paid 25¢. Circus in Town.

May 17 – Worked on wheelbarrow. Went down to Lockharts. Got four rivets made.

May 18 – Went over to Fathers. Catharine & Mark there. Lois went home. Verry cool day.

May 19 – Snows some cold. Flanders got his wagon. Saw Barny Vosburg. Worked on spokes. Bot one ball wicking 8¢.

May 20 – Heavy frost 3 degrees below freezing point. Worked on spokes. Bot cotton 36 candy 1¢.

May 21 – Shaved spokes for Chipmans wagon. Bot one spool thread 5¢. James Wilber here in Evening.

May 22 – Bot two maple sticks of Pond 15¢. Worked on Exes &c.

May 23 – Worked on Box put box together. Bot screws & nails 18¢. The old man Signor buried to day.

May 24 – Worked on box. Sarah went to Kalamazoo. Bot sundries &c $9.74 Bot Lamp chimney 10¢.

May 25 – At home all day. Sarah & girls went to church.

May 26 – Worked on box &c. Helped T Cory lay his stringers for bridge.

May 27 – Bot fish 18¢. Barny Cory left. Drove spokes in forward wheels put on rim.

May 28 – Finished forward wheels set skeins &c.

May 29 – Worked on hind Ex drove spokes in hind wheels. James S King[37] came on the noon train.

May 30 – Finished Chipmans wheels. Went over to Fathers with King.

May 31 – Let Vanmeter have 154 feet bas boards. Hank paid me 35 cts for scantling. Blanchard paid 25¢. Bot Eggs 6 starch 6.

Jun 1 – Bot 2 & ¼ beef 16 cts. At home all day. King here.

Jun 2 – Painted Chipmans wagon. Baty Brot cultivator. Worked on it some.

Jun 3 – Mended cultivator for Baty 50. Filed saw for Mead 11¢. Bot Eggs 9¢ Bot two combs 15 Drazing 9. Carried wheels down to shop.

Jun 4 – Set skeins & run back and forth to Lockharts. Got wheels & grist brot up 12¢. Beach paid two Dollars.

Jun 5 – Finished Chipmans wagon. James Billings here to dinner.

Jun 6 – Chipman got his wagon paid 8.25. Extracted tooth for Geo Moffit 26¢. Bot cheese 18 Bot Ethens shoes 1.25 one Dollar of his money. Built my Bridge.

Jun 7 – Painted old cradle. Paid Billings for paper 1.00. Went down to Catharines with King. Babcock paid 86.38.

Jun 8 – Came back. Went up by Flanders Wheelers Clapps & Blakes.

Jun 9 – Worked in shop some. Went over to Fathers got some potatoes.

Jun 10 – Shaved spokes. Got boots tapt 37¢ Bot beef 15¢. Father Mother Catharine Lucy & Mark here.

Jun 11 – Went Kalamazoo. Got Draft 88.57/100. Bot _____ shoes 1.25 Tea 38¢. Fare down and back 55¢. King stayed.

Jun 12 – Drove spokes in sulky. Bot paper Envelopes &c 25¢ Bot rice postage 8¢.

Jun 13 – Finished Wightmans wheels. Commenced Austins Ex & thill.

Jun 14 – Put in Ex to austins wagon. Henry came home. Lois & Emma here. Extracted tooth for Austin Chipman 25.

Jun 15 – At home all day. King came back.

Jun 16 – Put in thill & dash in austins wagon.

Jun 17 – Put dash on Als wagon. Bot screws 5¢ Bot saleratas 10 Bot hat 10. Sarah went up to henry Rogers.

Jun 18 – Plowed & hoed my patatoes King went home with Father. Bot Ale 10 Bot Fish 25¢. Sent Catharine some strawberries.

Jun 19 – Dan Rices show in town. Went in in Evening 75¢. Bot cheese & candy 33¢.

Jun 20 – Bot linnen 31 Bot walnut Board for seats 15¢. Worked some on seats.

Jun 21 – Worked on seat. King went over to Fathers. Sold E. Hopkins wheel.

Jun 22 – Went down to Catharines with King. Got Cals violin. Went in swimming.

Jun 23 – Made seat for A. Austin. Bot thread 5¢. Father & King came over. Brot my flour up from the mill.

Jun 24 – Piled lumber in barn. King went over to Kingsleys. Kingsley paid 50¢. Filled tooth for Emmett Cory 25. Went over to Earls took tea.

Jun 25 – Went to Kalamazoo. Got money for Catharine. Bot dinner 15¢ Bot hat for Ethen 32. Went in swimming.

Jun 26 – Cut grass in yard. Bot thread 5 Bot shugar 13¢ Bot Eggs 20¢. Jesse Earl Paid ten dollars.

Jun 27 – Hoed beans &c. Bot stockings & Elastic for girls 50 postage 6¢. Raked up my hay.

Jun 28 – Edwin Childs pd 5.00 A Chipman pd 9.00. Bot beer 5¢. King came back.

Jun 29 – Went over to Fathers. He let me have 25.00.

Jun 30 – Bot coats pants & vest collars & Satchel 15.15¢. Bot beer & candy 14¢. Received 35.10¢.

Jul 1 – Left Galesburg ½ past one AM for Springfield Mass. Fare from G to S 19.70. Bot oysters 25¢ Bot apples 10¢ Cakes 5¢.

Jul 2 – Arrived in Springfield half past 10 AM. Bot cakes 6¢. Went round the Armory ground. Could see the green mountains.

Jul 3 – In Springfield. Went around the City some. Saw their new steam fire Engine work. James & myself got wet some.

Jul 4 – The armory bands formed a procession marched down to City Hall went up to the Armory went on to the tower. Could see Mount tom & green mountains. Fire works in Evening.

Jul 5 – Went down to the car shops up on the fair grounds. Bot oraculum 10¢. Very hot day.

Jul 6 – At George Carletons in East Springfield Mass. Very hot. Went up to the cemetry. Saw some nice yards and monuments &c.

Jul 7 – Very hot. Went on the Arcenal tower 133 steps.

Jul 8 – Went up to Chicopee. Went all through the gun & sword factorys cotton mills &c. Fare up & down 20¢.

Jul 9 – Went up to the water shops. Made out Board bills for G. W. Carleton. Bot mouth glass 25¢.

Jul 10 – Left Springfield. Far to North Hampton 60¢ Hampton to Williams burgh 50¢ Williams burgh to Babylon 30¢. Got to Jesse Wilcutts[38] six P.M. Crackers 5.

Jul 11 – Went up to uncle Joels[39] found them haying. Went down to the Jewel place. Sat down on the rock in front of the old house or where it used to stand. Saw W^m Pinchen.

Jul 12 – Cut my name on tree on town line between Chesterfield & Goshen on uncle Joels farm East of Barn. Went over to the lilly pond on to the old farm where Mother was born. Very smoky.

Jul 13 – Went on to the Corker place & on to the old perry place & the old John Stevens farm south of the Jewell place.

Jul 14 – At uncle Joels. They are Haying. Stayed there all day. Had a shower. Uncl Joel is mowing _____ of putting in most dark.

Jul 15 – Went down to Patrick Bryants Chesterfield hollow went past old uncle ned Keiths[40] place. Got some cider brandy.

Jul 16 – Went down to Jesses Wilcutts and took dinner. Went into Grandfather Keiths[41] house.

Jul 17 – Raked hay for uncle Joel. Went over to Chesterfield hill in Evening to a war meeting. Saw David Beals. Jim shit his Breeches.

Jul 18 – Around the house all day. James & Jason[42] sick. Went over to the old Naremore place.

Jul 19 – Went over to Cole Rain[43] with Jason. Went through Shelburn falls vilage. Got to Cole Rain about 2 PM.

Jul 20 – Went to Leroy Bates and Aunt Catys.[44] Found them well. Rained hard. Went through Greenfield. Bates lives on Deerfield Meadows.

Jul 21 – Went back to uncle Joels. Came through Shelburn. Went into the old Burying ground where Grandfather & Grandmother[45] was buried.

Jul 22 – Went over to Aunt Rhodas[46] & Warren Balls. Found them well.

Jul 23 – At Joels. All his children at home Except three girls. All well.

Jul 24 – Left Joels at seven. Got to Chester ½ past twelve. Martin[47] came with me. Called on Aunt Suzy.[48] Called on old Mrs Dewey.

Jul 25 – Left Chester about 9 Am. Fare to Albany 2.15 cts. Got to Albany at 12 noon. Fare to Rochester 4.58. Got to Rochester ½ 7 Evening.

Jul 26 – At Rochester. Lodging & Breakfast 1.00 Bus fare 20¢ fare to Leroy 70. Arrived ½ past nine Am. Got to Pavilion[49] ½ past twelve noon.

Jul 27 – Went up to uncle Jesse Spragues[50] Orrin Scrantons. Saw Mortimer Maryette & Louisa.

Jul 28 – Went down to Em Kendals. Called on Mr Snows folks. Saw Mary & Julias girl. Heard her play on the malodion.

Jul 29 – At home. Helped George transfer Bees. Went up to Mr Crossmans & uncle Noah Slars.[51]

Jul 30 – Went up to pearl creek.[52] Saw Pond Thomas Miller & Capt Parks John Miller.

Jul 31 – Went up to uncle Sam Curtises[53] & Wyoming. Saw old Mrs Peterson. She was almost 99 yrs of age.

Aug 1 – Left Pavilion half past five got lft Batavia 8.50 Am got to Buffalo 10 Am. Street car & ferry 10 cts fare from Batavia to Detroit $7.70 cts left Buffalo 5 Am or Black Rock rather.

Aug 2 – Left Detroit ½ past 8 Am. Fare to Galesburg 395 py & cheese at Marshal 15¢. Got home 2 PM. All gone from home.

Aug 3 – Went over to Fathers. Found them all well as usual.

Aug 4 – Went over to Fathers. Hannah Nancy went over. Had a terrible hurricane. It blowed down six houses some Barns. Mr Bachelders wife & child[54] was killed.

Aug 5 – Bot steak 12¢. Worked on fence. J M York & Hellen here.

Aug 6 – Worked on fence. Bot pants 1.25 nails 20 candy 1¢. Mr Bachelders child buried.

Aug 7 – Went up to Dilenbecks. Made some fence. Ford got the moddle. Bot four Apples 2¢.

Aug 8 – Made wagon neap for A. Caywood. Paid corporation tax 1.14¢.

Aug 9 – No work to day sick. Bot berries 25¢. Bot 9 lbs shugar 1.00.

Aug 10 – At home all day some sick.

Aug 11 – Went over to Fathers. Mark & Caty Chaffee[55] came home with me. Bot crackers 5¢.

Aug 12 – Bot beef 11¢ Bot Beer 10. Got tug mended 10. Got Nance. Went down to Catharines. Caywood paid 75 cts.

Aug 13 – Went down to Kalamazoo. Bot medicine 50¢.

Aug 14 – Bot goldenseal alum & Borax 5¢ Bot book for Ethen 20¢.

Aug 15 – Piled some wood. Bot codfish 24¢ Bot ½ lb Tea 62 Apples 5¢.

Aug 16 – Bot slate 12¢. Babcock paid 100 & 10.50 cts. Bot shugar 7¢ Bot Geography 25 Bot Extract Blackberry 22¢.

Aug 17 – Went up to Yorks. Got Evensroot. Jo & Hellen came home with me.

Aug 18 – Sent two letters 6. Sent Georges money. Filed saw for James Holden 16¢. Bot tannin 3 Bot Beef 15¢.

Aug 19 – Bot salt 10 Bot panacea 50. Hoed in garden & made door steps.

Aug 20 – Bot glass & putty 24¢. Made jack for D. Lamkins 95. Extracted tooth for Mr Struble 25.

Aug 21 – No work to day. Jo Flanders brot two bushels wheat 2.10¢. Louisa Kingsley here. Alvan called here. Rainy. Mary Townsend Died.

Aug 22 – No work to day. Bot Broom 20¢. Mary Townsend buried. Mr Baty got cultivator. Paid 50¢.

Aug 23 – Hoed in garden some. Miss Toby died. Bot oil 25¢ two Apples 2¢.

Aug 24 – Bot Beef steak 18. At home all day.

Aug 25 – Set up leach. Put up plank for P. Johnson chimney. Bot buts screws & hooks for fish pole box 12¢.

Aug 26 – Worked round. Put water on leach. Got out stuf for box.

Aug 27 – Worked in shop some. Made box for pole. Made lye &c. Bot apple 1¢.

Aug 28 – Made soap. Mowed some weeds. Bot beef 25¢.

Aug 29 – Mowed some weeds. Bot half lb rice 5¢. Repaired fence some.

Aug 30 – Worked round house. Scalded bedsteads &c.

Aug 31 – At home all day. Had a hail storm & rain.

Sep 1 – Went over to Fathers. Bot apples 25 Bot Eggs 24 bot cord 17¢ & lock 17¢.

Sep 2 – Went over to Fathers. He thrashed wheat. Had 107 bushels.

Sep 3 – Worked in shop. Sawed out stuff for Flanders & Bronsons boxes. Bot box matches 5¢ of C. P. Galigan.

Sep 4 – Worked on Flanders Box. Went to hear Huchison Boys sing in Evening. Took Tea down to Beaches.

Sep 5 – Nothing done to day sick not much work to day.

Sep 6 – Went over to Fathers. Bot History for Ethen 50 Bot buttons 9¢.

Sep 7 – At home all day sick. No one here.

Sep 8 – Went after cow in morning. Wesley called here got one Dollar. Went after cow at night.

Sep 9 – Worked on violin some.

Sep 10 – Worked on violin. Dont work much any how.

Sep 11 – Worked on violin put it together.

Sep 12 – Finished violin put on strings. Jo & Hellen here. Had a trotting match in town.

Sep 13 – At home no work. Bot mutton 20¢.

Sep 14 – At home. Went after the cow found her in Sharpsteens lot.

Sep 15 – Sent letter to uncle Joel 3¢ candy & peach 2¢.

Sep 16 – At home round town. Carried most 3 bushels & half wheat to mill.

Sep 17 – Went over to Fathers. Got some veal. Mrs Bachelder[56] died. Mrs Lamb died. Heavy shower in Evening.

Sep 18 – Cloudy & rainy morning. Sent letter to Bob[57] 3¢. Flanders Brot his wagon down. Mrs Bachelder Mrs Lamb & Miss Avery Buried to day.

Sep 19 – Worked on Flanders box.

Sep 20 – Worked on box. Bot thread 3¢. Let Charles Richardson have five Dollars. Sarah went over the river.

Sep 21 – Went over to Fathers. Sarah came home.

Sep 22 – Finished Flanders Box. Bot indigo 6. Filed saw for A Hoag 15¢.

Sep 23 – Mended parasol for Mrs Steel. Sent letter to Jonas Leroy[58] 3. A Hoag paid 15¢.

Sep 24 – Went over to Fathers. Received letter from J. S. King. Went over to Kingsleys. Bot shugar 52¢.

Sep 25 – Worked on Bronsons box. Extracted tooth for Ruth Ann York[59] 25. Mrs Steel paid 25¢. Sent letter to J. S King 3¢. Bot Envelopes 10¢ gum 1¢.

Sep 26 – Bot ½ lb Tea 40¢. Filed saw for Morton 10 filed saw for Morton 10. Bot peaches 25. Cavalry went through. Saw Eugene Ed Drury Chase & Spence Thomas.

Sep 27 – Went over to Fathers in morning. Bronson brot his wagon got 75 lbs bran. Went over to Fathers in Eveing. Evy Clark here. Ethen came home.

Sep 28 – Went over to Fathers. Sarah went to church.

Sep 29 – Worked in shop some on seat and Bronsons Box. Bot meat 15¢ of Morton.

Sep 30 – Went over to Fathers. Went down after Catharine. Mother very sick. Saw Oscar Miles & Harly Seeley.

Oct 1 – Bot file 10 Bot cabbage 10¢. Joseph Lee[60] paid 25. Filed saw for Truax 10¢. Bronson brot runners. Mended clamps & filed saw for Schroder 38¢.

Oct 2 – Schroder paid 38¢. Filed saw for Stranger 10. Filed Joseph Lees saw. Went over and see mother. Put irons on Flanders Box. Recd letter from Hiram.

Oct 3 – Bot 2 lbs steak 14. Patty came this morning. Worked on Bronsons box.

Oct 4 – Worked on Bronsons Box some. Stranger paid 10¢. Oscar called here.

Oct 5 – Went over to Fathers. Mother very sick. I set up with her all night.

Oct 6 – Went over to Fathers with Dr Wightman. Sent letter to G. T. one to uncle Jason 3¢.

Oct 7 – Mother Died half past ten to day. Pattys[61] Trunk came in Evening. Bot chimney for lamp 10¢ salt peter 8¢.

Oct 8 – Old cow in _____. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢ gum 1¢. Mother Buried[62] to day. Had a heavy shower. George Hoges came home.

Oct 9 – Went over to Fathers. Came back with Flanders. B combs 1¢.

Oct 10 – Worked in shop some. Put finger board on violin.

Oct 11 – Worked in shop on box &c. Uncle Jason came. Went over to Fathers.

Oct 12 – Went up to Wesleys with uncle Jason. He went down to Catharines.

Oct 13 – Working on box. Nancy Bot crackers 3¢.

Oct 14 – Put box together. Bot lime 6. Sent letter to Hiram 3. Filed saw for Morton 10 one for Mead 15.

Oct 15 – Bot steak 17¢. Finished Bronsons Box. A. Moffit paid 25¢. Uncle Jason came back.

Oct 16 – Uncle Jason left. Went over to Fathers. Paid Mr Ralph 25¢. Mrs Betts[63] goods came.

Oct 17 – Worked on Flanders seat. Flanders Brot 19 galons cider. Paid Barber 13¢ for draying.

Oct 18 – Finished Flanders seat. Bot chicken 15¢ Bot ribbon for girls hats 62¢ Bot violin string 15.

Oct 19 – Went up to Wesleys got squaw weed. Extracted tooth for Mrs Oatman 25.

Oct 20 – Made pole and roll for D. Lamkins 1.50¢. Sawed out cutter runners in Evening.

Oct 21 – Bristol Brot his wagon. Cut some runners out. Got Bran I guess 150 lbs dont know.

Oct 22 – Worked on Bristols buggy. Made bed peace &c. Bot 43 Eggs of Sol Kingsley 26¢.

Oct 23 – Bot 5 lbs shugar 65¢. Work on Bristols buggy. Made reach.

Oct 24 – Repaired shafts. Hued some spokes. Bot buttons & thread 56¢. Filed saw 10¢. Mrs Guile paid 38¢.

Oct 25 – Went over to Butterfields with hubs. Worked on spokes. Commenced neap for Walter Chipman.

Oct 26 – Went over to Fathers. Went up on hill with Patty & Lucy. Bot 7 lbs pork 42.

Oct 27 – Worked on buggy. Commenced Wightmans wheel. Filed saw for Marshal Austin 10.

Oct 28 – Worked on Wightmans wheel -/17. Filed saw for Hoag 10¢. Bot colt of S. Kingsley.

Oct 29 – Bot 70 lbs Flour 2.00. Repaired wheel for [blank]. Mrs Betts came.

Oct 30 – Worked on Bristols wheel. Flanders Brot 12 Bushels potatoes.

Oct 31 – Repairing cupboard for Mrs Betts.

Nov 1 – Bot spoon butts & screws for table 55¢. Filander Mead paid 14¢. Bot Bran 36 Bot soup boon 15¢. Ethan went up to Yorks got 2 chicks.

Nov 2 – Shaved some spokes. Lois & Mrs Betts went to church.

Nov 3 – Filed saw for Hoag 5¢ filed saw for Morton 10¢. Took colt up to Flanders. Bot oil 25¢.

Nov 4 – Bot ½ lb Tea 50¢ Bot shugar 25¢. Went to Election.

Nov 5 – Patty & Lucy came over. Bot ginger spice & nutmegs 35¢. Hoag paid 5¢.

Nov 6 – Bot Beef 21¢. Morton paid 10¢. (J. S. King came.) Patty went Back. Bot bran 145 lbs.

Nov 7 – Got pictures made. Went over to Fathers in Evening with Hannah & Nancy.

Nov 8 – Worked round House. King went over to Fathers. Filed saw for Hoag 10.

Nov 9 – Went over to Jesse Earls. Extracted tooth for Mrs Earl 25¢. Went down to Fathers. Patty & Catharine went home with Mark.

Nov 10 – Alvan & Jerome here Kingsley & King. Let King have 20 in gold for 23 pr cent. Let Detroit man have 20 in gold for 28 pct. Bot Beef shank 10. King Left for Home.

Nov 11 – Went over to Fathers. Cut hole through chimney. Dwight Taylor brot load wood for Mrs Betts.

Nov 12 – Worked on Bristols box. Paid school bill 64¢. Boys commenced sawing Mrs Betts wood. Extracted tooth in the night for E. P. Oatman.

Nov 13 – Worked on Bristols Box. Filed saw for Barbers boy one for fry 20. Boys finished sawing wood.

Nov 14 – Worked on box. Patty & Catharine went to Battle Creek.

Nov 15 – Bushed hub for A. Chipman 50¢. Filed saw for Morton 10¢. Bot thread 7¢. Chipman paid 50¢. Stillwell brot corn. Filed saw for A. Hoag 10¢. Bronson Brot wheat.

Nov 16 – Went up to Yorks. Went and got Beechnuts. John Darling and wife there.

Nov 17 – Bot two prs Boots $5.62¢ Bot Bran 45. Oatman paid 50¢. Bot screws 55¢. A. Hoag paid seven cents. Filed saw for A. Lamkins 15¢ one for Earl & Barber 15¢. Bot thread 5¢.

Nov 18 – Worked on Bristols Box. Father Catharine & Patty here. Went up to grave yard.[64] Bot butter 34¢. Wightman got lead pipe. Lois came home.

Nov 19 – Worked on Box put it together put on dash. Went and fixed P. Johnsons stair rail. He got his mittins paid me 75¢.

Nov 20 – Fixed Johnsons Bowl 25. Filed saw for Hoag 10. Made rack for Eugene Cory in Evening 38¢. Shelled corn. Bronson brot shoes for sleigh.

Nov 21 – Filed saw for Mr. Gilbert 15¢ he paid 15¢. Eugene Cory paid 25¢. Went to lecture in Evening. Saw them dance. Bot one lb nails 7¢. Elder Gilbert died.[65]

Nov 22 – Bot brimstone 6¢. Work on Bristols box. Truman Johnson Brot two lbs Butter. Drove spokes.

Nov 23 – At home al day sick. Elder Gilbert buried.

Nov 24 – Went up to Milfords & to Fathers. Hoag paid 10¢. Eugene Cory paid 10¢.

Nov 25 – Got insurance transferred. Worked on box finished wheels[?]. Sold violin timber to George Turner[66] 50¢.

Nov 26 – Filed 3 saws for B. Clark 40¢. Filed one saw for Mrs Geo Stevenson 20¢. Worked on slead. Sarah bot sundries callico &c 4.55¢.

Nov 27 – Bot pork 15¢. Filed saw for Hoag 10¢. Finished H. Barkers slead. Sawed out some runners. Went over to Austins. Got oyesters in Evening.

Nov 28 – Snows some. Bot file 10¢ Bot thread 4¢. Filed saw for Austin Odell 20¢. Filed saw for A. Austin 15¢. Bot salt 25 Bot beef 15.

Nov 29 – Got out runners. Milford called here. Paid Butterfield 11¢. Charles Richardson Brot one load stalks. Bot chicken 20¢ Bo violin string 15.

Nov 30 – Went over to Fathers. Had roast turkey. Darwin York & Julia Dunning[67] there.

Dec 1 – S. Bristol & Brother Called Ben Hartwell called. Hung ax for P. Johnson 10¢. Getting out Knees & Beams for Bronsons Sleigh.

Dec 2 – Went to Kalamazoo for B. Hartwell. He paid one Dollar 1.00. Bot dinner 10¢. Stephen D. Hall Left.

Dec 3 – Hung ax for P. Johnson 7¢. Bab. paid 23.35¢. Bot shugar 62¢ Bot flannel 28¢ for F. Hawver. Hung Ax for Dea. Cory. Filed and hung new saw for Cory. Patty & Catharine here. Ex^td tooth for Adelphaia York.

Dec 4 – Cut out mittens for Hawer. Filed saw for Hoag 10¢. Worked on Bronsons sleigh.

Dec 5 – Filed saw for Fry 10 one for Barber 15¢ one for Smith 10 one for Lausen[?] Odel 15. Smoothed up knees and beams runners &c. Patty left for home on the 11.48 train.

Dec 6 – Put Sleigh together hung Ax for Stranger 10¢. Sold him stone 10¢. Barbers boy paid 15¢. Made Adze handle for Austin Odel 25¢. Went over to Fathers in Evening. Got Apples.

Dec 7 – Bot 3-2/4 lbs steak 21¢. At home all day.

Dec 8 – Peter Johnson paid 10¢. Went up to Wesleys Yorks & Fathers. Filed saw for Morton 10¢ filed saw for A. Lamkins 20. Odel paid 50¢. Bot 10 lbs pork 50¢ of Morton.

Dec 9 – Worked in shop. Put seat together. Went up to Wesleys in Evening. Lucy paid 10¢.

Dec 10 – Went up to Wesleys. Got Eight bushels of Ears corn. Worked a little in shop. Alvan cut holes in seat.

Dec 11 – Finished Bristols seat. Worked on bob runners. Bot ½ galon oil 40¢.

Dec 12 – Made springbar for Mr [blank] buggy 50. Barber brot up boards from B. Moores 10¢. Put raves on sleigh.

Dec 13 – Finished Bronsons sleigh. Alvan & Bristol here. Bot ½ lb Tea 40¢ Bot candles 15 Bot sausage 15¢. Nancy & Hannah went up to Wesleys.

Dec 14 – Went over to Fathers. Ethan stayed. Boy Born[68] 9 oclock Evening.

Dec 15 – Warm no snow but muddy. Hoag paid 20¢ Fry paid 6¢. Paid Mrs Ralph 1.00. Bronson brot 71 lbs pork.

Dec 16 – Set shoes on Bronsons sleigh. Bronson brot boards for box. Sawed out stuf for Bronsons box. Filed saw for Walace fry 10¢.

Dec 17 – Worked on Bronsons sleigh box. Bristol got his buggy away. Alvan here. Filed saw for Lauson Odel 15¢.

Dec 18 – Filed saw for John Schroder 15. Worked on sleigh. Bot blewing 5¢.

Dec 19 – Alvan here to dinner. Finished Bronsons sleigh. Commenced whiffletrees.

Dec 20 – Mended Frank Austins slead 10¢. Fry paid 11¢. Finished Bronsons whiffletrees. Paid Sarah Beedle 35¢. Bronson got his sleigh.

Dec 21 – Went over to Fathers. Rather warm thawed some.

Dec 22 – Bot salratas starch & alcohol 23¢. Dick Whiting paid 50¢. Worked on Ned Stevensons slead.

Dec 23 – Finished Ned Stevensons slead. David Bronson Brot four bushels & 20 lbs wheat.

Dec 24 – Piled some spokes. Bot comforter 25 B two pr shoes $2.00. Scudder got bas board 20¢. Bot candy 2¢. One bbl flour found in James Deyoes yard put there by some damd scoundrel or presbyterian Devils to ruin him.

Dec 25 – Sawed out beams & raves for Milfords bobs. Bot matches one Apple 6¢.

Dec 26 – Sawed out two raves for Milfords bobs. Made slead for Ed Gillis 1.25¢. Lois came home. Let James Deyoe have one dollar.

Dec 27 – Worked on bob runners. James Deyoe paid one Dollar. James Flanders brot 8¼ lbs butter.

Dec 28 – Went over to Fathers. Mark brot ten bushels wheat to Catharine. Went up to Yorks. Brot Lucys malodion down.

Dec 29 – Made scate wood. Worked on bobs. Hung ax for Ely Wightman 10¢. Bot lamp 50¢ Bot malassis 60¢ Bot sulphur 6¢ Bot candles 15 candy 1¢.

Dec 30 – Worked in shop some. Could not do much.

Dec 31 – No work to day. Got a great boil on my face. Extracted toth for ruth An York. Ed paid 50¢. Ground Ax for P. Johnson. He paid 10. Postage 3¢.

 

Notes from the back of Luke’s diary:

Petingill McOmber Luke Thayer. I saw their places from the Corker place.

Tell uncle Warren the horse track is plane as Ever in the rock near the corker bars and those little studs at the bottom of the rock in the field. William Wilcutt lives near uncle Joels on the old Zebulon Wilcutt[69] place he preaches.

[July] 15 went past the place that Father & John Wilcutt laid wall and never got their pay.

[July] 21 went & saw the _____ in Goshen it is near the burying ground.

Warren Ball lives on the old Williams or Lyons place.

Aunt Rhoda was up to the old Adam Beals place picking berries.

Joel Wilcutt Chesterfield Hampshire Co. Mass.

Uncl Joel has twenty Grand Children.[70]

Malinda Ebenezar Shaw[71]

Mary William Wells[72]

Rhoda Russel B Packard[73]

Lydia Elexas Wells[74]

Lucretia Henry M Dyer[75]

Clarrissa Alvan Daman[76]

Jesse ” Mary[77]

Alvin ” Mary ann[78]

Martin ” Malury[79]

Aman Lichfield
Miah Luce
Owns the Corker place
Eustice Wilcutt
Chester Mass
Joel Wilcutt
Cummington Hampshire County Mass

Ogden Tomlinson is in the 10th [or 16th] Wisconsin Volunteers

Mail Trains May 5/62
Going East 12.55
” ” West 2.05

Bliss family setted in the town of Springfield 1645
Jothom Damon
Goshen Mass

——-

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

[2] Charles Luke Keith Sr., who was also referred to as Luke

[3] His brother-in-law, Henry Crawford

[4] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark, by his first wife, Minerva Payson

[5] His brother-in-law, Robert Crawford

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

[7] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[8] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[9] His son-in-law, Byron Clark

[10] His daughter, Nancy Keith

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

[12] His son, Ethan Keith

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

[14] 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

[15] Joseph and Helen (Bradley) York; Helen was Luke’s niece

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

[17] Hannah (Willcutt) Keith

[18] Believe this to be his cousin, Alvin Lee, the son of Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee

[19] Nickname for his brother-in-law, Hiram Crawford Jr

[20] Nickname for his baby daughter, Louese Keith

[21] George Tomlinson, who was married to his niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

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

[23] His brother-in-law, Hiram Crawford Jr

[24] This could be his brother-in-law, Henry Crawford, or his son, Henry Keith

[25] His mother’s brother, Jason Beal Wolcott; many of the Willcutts used the alternate spelling Wolcott

[26] “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

[27] His sister Catherine’s daughter by her second husband, George Clinton Lee

[28] Louese Keith

[29] His neighbor, Thomas Flanders

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

[31] His cousin, the son of Jason Wolcott

[32] A letter dated 10-11-1861 from Rev. Platt and Nancy Betts stated they had received a letter from Henry and that they had another boy 9 weeks old when he (Henry) wrote

[33] Noah Starr was the father-in-law of Emma (Sprague) Starr, who was the niece of Luke’s sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) & James Sprague Jr.

[34] FindAGrave.com shows that Rose Galligan, daughter of Charles & Sarah Galligan, died April 19, 1862 and was buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery

[35] His mother-in-law, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts, as well as his brother-in-law, Robert Crawford, lived in Omro, Wisconsin

[36] Ancestry.com shows that Almon Pond married Aleena Griswold in Kalamazoo County on May 4, 1862

[37] His maternal first cousin

[38] His maternal first cousin

[39] Joel Willcutt, Jesse Willcutt’s father

[40] Uncertain as to who this is

[41] Luke Keith

[42] His maternal first cousin, Jason Willcutt King, brother of James S. King

[43] Coleraine, Massachusetts

[44] Catherine (Willcutt) Bates; she was married to Levi Bates so don’t know if Luke was referring to him or some other relative by the name of Leroy

[45] Jesse & Katherine (Beal) Willcutt Jr; they are buried in Center Cemetery in Chesterfield, Massachusetts

[46] Rhoda (Willcutt) Hawks

[47] Most likely Joel’s son, Martin Willcutt

[48] Perhaps his great-aunt, Susannah (Willcutt) Stephenson

[49] Pavilion, New York

[50] The uncle of his first wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith

[51] Noah Starr; see April 3^rd entry

[52] Pearl Creek, New York

[53] The father-in-law of Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith’s brother, Henry Crittenden

[54] Anna L. Batchelder, age 8, daughter of John D & Lucretia (Woodruff) Batchelder, is buried in Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan. Only Anna died, Mrs. Batchelder died September 17, 1862

[55] His niece, Frances Catherine “Katy” (Keith) Chaffee; believe “Mark” is referring to his cousin (see footnote for February 21^st entry)

[56] Lucretia (Woodruff) Batchelder; see footnote for August 4^th entry

[57] Believe he is referring to his brother-in-law, Robert Crawford

[58] The husband of Luke’s maternal first cousin, Edith (King) LeRoy

[59] Ruth Ann (Fletcher) York, the wife of Joseph York’s brother Edwin

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

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

[62] She is buried in the Galesburg Old Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

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

[64] Family story is that Luke would often play his violin at the graves of his first two wives

[65] A search of FindAGrave.com shows Newton Gilbert died on November 21, 1862 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[66] His first cousin Jesse Turner’s son

[67] Charles Darwin York and Julia Dunning would marry on June 11, 1863. Charles Darwin York and Joseph York were brothers

[68] His son, James Clinton Keith

[69] His great uncle

[70] The following names are Joel’s children and their spouses

[71] Melinda Willcutt married Ebenezer Shaw on November 27, 1845

[72] Mary Willcutt married William Wells; date unknown

[73] Rhoda Willcutt married Russell Packard on September 16, 1848

[74] Lydia Willcutt married Alexis Wells on December 23, 1851

[75] Lucretia Willcutt married Henry Dyer on January 12, 1855

[76] Clarissa Willcutt married Abner (Alvan) Damon on October 28, 1858

[77] Jesse Willcutt married Mary Dyer on November 10, 1844

[78] Alvin Willcutt married Mary Ann Crosby on January 9, 1850

[79] Martin Willcutt married Millury Shaw on February 9, 1851