Luke Keith’s 1875 Diary

1875 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1] 

The entries from January 1 through June 28 were written in the back of his 1874 diary. There were no entries for June 29 until July 22 when he bought his 1875 diary.

Jan 1 – Jointed box boards. Ethan and Hannah[2] went down to Catharines.[3] Lois[4] came down in afternoon. Del[5] went to burg.[6]

Jan 2 – Worked in shop. Not very cold but blustrous.

Jan 3 – At home. Catharine and Jim Payne came up here.

Jan 4 – Cut some wood. Ethan drawed three loads. Cold, snowed some.

Jan 5 – Cold, mercury 7 below zero. Worked on box.

Jan 6 – Put cleets on box. Cold day.

Jan 7 – Cold. Not very well. Hard cold.

Jan 8 – Worked some in shop on chest.

Jan 9 – Worked on chest some. Mercury 10 Abz below in morning.

Jan 10 – Mercury 13 below zero, very cold. Found Jimme dead in the coop this morning. No sleighing, very little snow.

Jan 11 – Worked on chest. Very cold. Cut some wood.

Jan 12 – Worked in shop. Cut dovetails on chest. Cold day, snowed some. Went up to Flanders. Got plank of Streator,[7] one of Brown.[8]

Jan 13 – Snowy. Put chest together. Went over to burg in Evening, got oil 20¢

Jan 14 – Mercury at zero in morning. Worked on chest. Cold day.

Jan 15 – Made base and upper band for chest.

Jan 16 – Worked on chest some. Henry[9] came down. Filed saw. Went up in woods, sawed wood, drawed two loads.

Jan 17 – Mercury 13 Abz.[10] Very good sleighing.

Jan 18 – Worked in shop. Put base and band on chest. Henry and Ethan sawed wood. I drawed two loads.

Jan 19 – Worked in shop.

Jan 20 – Went over to burg. Got rabbit plane of Robinson. Made panels for chest lid. Staring paid 4 Dollars.

Jan 21 – Put lid together. Put Rave on bob for A. Caywood.

Jan 22 – Mercury 15 Abz. Went over to burg. Paid my Tax $12.46¢. Theodore Earl paid $5.00.

Jan 23 – Filed two Saws for A. Brown and finished his wringer. He paid me 12/-. Young Pomeroy Brown born this morning.[11] Sarah[12] went to Lawton[13] on night Express.

Jan 24 – Mercury 29 Abz. Snowing some in morning. Ethan and Louesa[14] went down to Catharines.

Jan 25 – Worked in shop some on chest. Ethan went to Lawton on Evening Express.

Jan 26 – Carried two bushels corn to mill. Hung chest lid on. Ida Lee[15] came up here. Louesa went driging[?] with her. Went down to Marts.[16] Alfleda[17] went down to A. Browns.

Jan 27 – Snows like fun.[18] Ethan came home in Evening.

Jan 28 – Snows this morning. Went down to A. Browns, carried hams down. Went over to burg, got meal. Went up to J. Flanders,[19] got 5 five bushels wheat. Good sleighing.

Jan 29 – Cold, 3 below zero. Went to Comstock to mill.

Jan 30 – Went over to burg. Got band bent for chest lid. Sarah came home from Lawton.

Jan 31 – Cold, 10 Abz.

Feb 1 – Finished Eds Chest.

Feb 2 – Went down to Katharines,[20] hung door. Rained when we came home.

Feb 3 – Not much done. Very windy day, very blustering night, snow blowed Everywhere.

Feb 4 – Cold, 10 below zero, very blustring. Mr. Seaman Bristol died to day in Marys Ville Kansas.[21]

Feb 5 – Took out butry and put up lathe. Traded my cutter to Henry for his watch and chair.

Feb 6 – Cleaned turning lathe, turned some.

Feb 7 – 13 below zero. At home. Sis[22] and Stella[23] went down to Katharines. Very still and cold. David Simonds Died.[24]

Feb 8 – Shoveled snow to get to woods. Spli____ sleigh neap to Flanders sleigh. Filed saw for Erve Hall.[25]

Feb 9 – 31 below zero in morning. Drawed some wood. Not very well. David Simonds buried to day.

Feb 10 – Henry brot seat down. Snows some, 2 below zero.

Feb 11 – Finished seat. Henry went over to burg with it. Ed got his chest. Very blustring. Mrs Ralph and Em[26] here.

Feb 12 – 14 below zero. Shoveled snow some. Drawed two loads wood.

Feb 13 – Very cold, 10 below zero. Worked in shop some. Ed Childs and wife came down, stayed all night.

Feb 14 – Very cold. At home all day. Went down to Browns in Evening.

Feb 15 – 14 below zero in morning. Drawed some wood.

Feb 16 – Very cold, 13 below. Worked in shop. Finished henrys seat. Took it over to burg.

Feb 17 – 2 Abz. Worked on my wagon wheels.

Feb 18 – 22 below zero in morning. Worked on wheels some. Sarah went down to Fords.

Feb 19 – Worked in shop some. Henry came down.

Feb 20 – M. O. Streator paid me ten Dollars for bobs. Put rave on A. Browns bob sleigh.

Feb 21 – 21 below. At home. Hannah came home from Lawton with Mr Browns folks. Lois and Dell called here in Evening.

Feb 22 – 24 Abz in morning, rained some. Sarah went down to Dells in Eve.

Feb 23 – Rained some. Sawed some wood in Evening afternoon. Dell called here in Evening. Some thunder in Evening.

Feb 24 – Sarah came home. Barbers folks[27] here to day. Finished my old wheels. Lots of water. Mrs A. L. Mason buried to day.[28]

Feb 25 – Not much done in shop. Sawed out thill[29] for wagon.

Feb 26 – Drawed three loads wood. Broke sleigh shoe. Went over to burg, got it mended. Got cutter from paint shop.

Feb 27 – Carried Hannah down to Katharines. Cold day. Will Starr came up here.

Feb 28 – At home all day. Cold day.

Mar 1 – Made crutch for Jo Lee.[30] Will Starr went home.

Mar 2 – Sawed and drawed some wood.

Mar 3 – Very blustring day. Went over to burg after money for Teacher, no get him. Brot violin home to repair.

Mar 4 – Went down to Katharines after Hannah. Carried Jo his crutch. Went over to burg. Received 100 Dollars of Treasurer. Paid Carrie E. Austin[31] 80 Dollars. Paid Dr Finch $15 Dollars.

Mar 5 – Snowes some, lots snow on ground.

Mar 6 – At home all day. Cut some wood in road.

Mar 7 – At home. Katharine and Jim Payne here.

Mar 8 – Cut some wood in road.

Mar 9 – At home. Went down to A. Browns in Evening. Carley and Tamer Ford[32] here in Evening.

Mar 10 – Hannah went to Battlecreek. Made finger board for my violin.

Mar 11 – Not much done. Put strings on violin. Charly stayed all night. Rainy day.

Mar 12 – Pleasant in morning. Browns[33] and Streators folks[34] here in Evening.

Mar 13 – Worked in shop some. Ethan went down to Catharines. Stayed all night.

Mar 14 – Pleasant mornng, snow running of fast. Jim[35] and Sis came up, she went back.

Mar 15 – Chored round some. Water running all round, lots water.

Mar 16 – Very blustring day. Snowd and blowed like fun. Rough time. Mr S Wood Died.[36]

Mar 17 – Very blustring, no teams of any account out to day. Looked over apples.

Mar 18 – Quite comfortable, no wind but lots of ice. Gus Giddings Died to day.[37]

Mar 19 – Drawed some wood. Edwin Flanders,[38] George Ives[?] and Henry came here. Mrs S Wood Died.[39]

Mar 20 – Snows and blows this morning. Gus Giddings buried to day. Edna Crawford[40] came here. Hank[41] came in Evening.

Mar 21 – Pleasant, mercury 4 below zero. Went down to Catharines after Louesa. Mr and Mrs Wood buried to day. Sarah and Edna went with Mrs Ford.[42]

Mar 22 – Worked in shop some. Edna went home.

Mar 23 – Worked in shop some. Carried Sarah over to burg in Evening. Snowed and blowed.

Mar 24 – Went over to burg, got stuf for washing machine.

Mar 25 – At home all day. Worked in shop some. Went up to Flanders. Got 5 bushels wheat, 3 bushels potatoes.

Mar 26 – Worked on machine all day.

Mar 27 – Worked in shop. Went up in wood cut some wood. Stella and Jimmy here.

Mar 28 – Pleasant morning. At home all day.

Mar 29 – Went over to burg, bot dress and odder dings[43] for Hannah. Turned out rollers for Caywoods machine. Skinner traded faring with Franklin.

Mar 30 – Pleasant morning. Worked on machine.

Mar 31 – Cut down two trees one leaning tree in south part of woods. Finished machine. Rainy day.

Apr 1 – Rained some in morning. Washed with Caywoods machine. Windy.

Apr 2 – At home all day.

Apr 3 – Worked round some, not much done. Skinner moving.

Apr 4 – Lois came down. All at home.

Apr 5 – Went to town meeting. Fine day. Charley[44] came.

Apr 6 – Went to Comstock to mill. Pleasant day. Erve Hall plowing.

Apr 7 – Pleasant morning. Not very well.

Apr 8 – Carried machine down to Browns. Went up to Skinners in Evening with Henry.

Apr 9 – Went up to Flanders. Got some warm shugar.

Apr 10 – At home. Worked round some. Got out some whiffletrees[45] for A. Brown.

Apr 11 – At home. Ethan, Hannah and Charley and Sis went down to Katharines.

Apr 12 – Finished Browns whiffletrees. Hannah went to the Creek. Barber[46] came over and took corn ground.

Apr 13 – Cool. At home.

Apr 14 – Worked in shop some. Not very well.

Apr 15 – Cut out some felloes[47] for Mr Taylors wheel.

Apr 16 – Cold and blustrous. Sarah and Nancy[48] went over to Barbers in afternoon. Snowed like fun. Browns folks went over in Evening.

Apr 17 – Snow about 2 inches, mercury 18 Abz in morning.

Apr 18 – At home. Ethan and Nancy went down to Catharines Browns.

Apr 19 – Hank and Nancy went home.

Apr 20 – Worked on wheel some. Ruel Starr died to day.[49]

Apr 21 – Finished Taylors wheel. Ethan and Lois went down to Catharines.

Apr 22 – Cool and pleasant. Put stove out of shop.

Apr 23 – Went over to burg in forenoon. Dan Harris Died this Evening.[50]

Apr 24 – Went up to Skinners in Evening. Mr Smith Died to day.

Apr 25 – Went down to Katharines. Saw Zeak and Kate Davison.

Apr 26 – Went up to Skinners and burg. Set hen. Got Duck Eggs up to Skinners.

Apr 27 – Put hen on Duck Eggs. Pleasant. Moved fence.

Apr 28 – Moved fence on road. Zeak and Kate here and Mrs Brown and Jule.[51]

Apr 29 – Rainy day. No work to day.

Apr 30 – Pleasant. Went up in woods, sawed some logs. Henry came up there. Ethan went home with him.

May 1 – Rainy day. No work. Edwin and Henry have turned some balls for Ed Flanders. Henry stayed all night.

May 2 – Ground covered with snow. Henry and Charley went up to Skinners.

May 3 – Went up in wood, split and drawed wood out of woods. Barber came and got plow to get it repaired.

May 4 – Got tire set on wheels.

May 5 – Went over to burg, got thill iron mended 15¢, setting tire 2.00. Rainy afternoon.

May 6 – Barber brot wheels over. I painted gearing over. Sarah went up to Mr Ralphs.[52] Rained in night.

May 7 – Rainy morning. Made Bracket for Comb. Painted wagon.

May 8 – Painted wagon wheels over in afternoon. Got out manure in forenoon. Heard first whipporwill.

May 9 – At home. Jim went up to Skinners. Rainy day.

May 10 – At home. Work round garden and

May 11 – Barber plowing some. Cold wind. Repaired washer for W^m Ralph.[53]

May 12 – Barber plowing. Mrs Barber[54] came over.

May 13 – Burnt Brush up at the corner. Went down to Kates, stayed all night. Rainy.

May 14 – Came home in morning. Sarah stayed there.

May 15 – At home. Barber plowing.

May 16 – Went down to Katharines. Sarah came home.

May 17 – Mr Barton commenced plowing.

May 18 – Barton and Barber plowing.

May 19 – Finished plowing. Brown Draging, Ethan planted some for him. Sawed some wood. Pleasant.

May 20 – At home. Work in garden some.

May 21 – Work in garden and shop some. Eugene Beckwith Died in night.[55]

May 22 – Barber planted corn. Went over to Barbers. He plowed his garden.

May 23 – Went down to Katharines. Kate some better. Eugene Beckwith buried.

May 24 – Planted hog yard to potatoes.

May 25 – Went down to Browns. Got Ethans wheat, some sweet corn to plant. Barber planting.

May 26 – Finished Taylors Table. Went over to burg twice, bot pail.

May 27 – Pleasant morning, cool. Work round, repaired A. Browns table.

May 28 – Hannah came home. Barber sowed corn. Had a big rain.

May 29 – Put up Door to Barnyard. Barber finished planting.

May 30 – Went down to Katharines. Carried Jo Lees pants and books. Ethan & Hannah went up to Skinners.

May 31 – Worked round garden some. Went over to burg. Mrs Streator[56] here.

Jun 1 – Paid W^m Hodges 3.50. Had a fine shower. Painted wagon. Sarah went over to Hoags.[57]

Jun 2 – Laid up fence on hill. Had a nice shower.

Jun 3 – Worked round garden some. Went up to Flanders, got 5 bushels wheat, 77 feet Bas Board.

Jun 4 – Went to Comstock to mill. Catharine came home with me.

Jun 5 – Sawed out boards for wagon box. Browns folks came up in Evening.

Jun 6 – At home. Jo Lee came up here.

Jun 7 – Went up to Skinners. Got here. Rained some.

Jun 8 – Worked in shop some and garden.

Jun 9 – Carried Catharine home. Jo came up with me.

Jun 10 – Worked on fence East side. Oscar[58] came here.

Jun 11 – Worked on fence and pulled grubs East of house. Jo here. Oscar went home.

Jun 12 – Finished fence and grubs.

Jun 13 – Carried Jo home.

Jun 14 – Worked on road.

Jun 15 – Worked on road.

Jun 16 – Burnt Brush East of house.

Jun 17 – Planted potatoes and drawed some old rails. Joh Chandler buried to day.[59]

Jun 18 – At home. Some work round garden.

Jun 19 – Went up to Skinners.

Jun 20 – At home all day.

Jun 21 – At home. Will Plank and wife[60] here.

Jun 22 – Will Plank left.

Jun 23 – Filed saw for Ernest Whiting.[61] Turned 4 pins for Jesse Earl.[62]

Jun 24 – Went up to Jo Flanders. Got one & ½ bushels potatoes. Had a heavy shower. Got pig of Streator.

Jun 25 – Worked round garden and house.

Jun 26 – Made pig pen. Ethan and Henry went to Kalamazoo, had Bill.[63]

Jun 27 – Went down to Kates. Rained some.

Jun 28 – Cultivated, sowed corn and gardens. Went down to Browns. Got stick for Ex to horse Rake.

[No entries for June 29 through July 21]

Jul 22 – Went over to burg to mill. Got drill for Ethan. Got sand band mended. Bot this Diary, paid 40 cents for it. Sarah went down to A. Browns.

Jul 23 – Not very well. Mrs Barber came over, picked some currants. Nancy came up just at night. Not very hot. Bell Tolled for some one, Old Mrs Wheeler.[64]

Jul 24 – Went to Streators. Got Browns Rake. Raked wheat stubble. Hannah came home. Lois came down stayed all night. Went over after Hannahs trunk in Evening.

Jul 25 – At home. All here. Toot[65] and Charlie came up here. Lois came down. Old Mrs Wheeler buried to day.

Jul 26 – Went over to burg in morning. Went over at noon with Hanks Trunk. Hank and Nancy went home on the twelve oclock run in night.

Jul 27 – Went up to mill. Put in cross head. Put in finger to cradle for A. Caywood. Filed saw for Whiting. Had a good shower. Got in some Rakings.

Jul 28 – Drawed Worked round garden some and in shop some and some no where.

Jul 29 – Made handle for O. D. Schrams[66] grub hoe. Finished drawing in the rakings. Went over to burg in Evening got Almond Oil. Mercury 88 in shade.

Jul 30 – Pleasant morning. Sick all day. No work. Ethan drawed wood. Hannah and I went up to Skinners in Evening. Cool night.

Jul 31 – Cool, East wind in morning. Ethan drawed wood in fore noon. I went up to Schrams got some Onions. Went up to Mill, got some Baswood boards 100 feet. Rained in night.

Aug 1 – Rainy morning. At home. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Charley came home with them.

Aug 2 – Worked round some in shop and made box for Ernest Whiting.

Aug 3 – Worked in shop on wagon box, put in bottom, made dash. Charly here. Henry called here. Had green corn for dinner.

Aug 4 – Worked in shop some and round barn. Repaired barn floor.

Aug 5 – Repaired Ernests meat Box in morning. Thrashed rakings. Hannah went to H a Taylors[67] in afternoon. Rained some in night. Heard the first fall cricket this Evening.

Aug 6 – Cloudy in morning. Cleaned up wheat. Went to mill. Rainy day, some snow in the air. Charly went up to Dels. Carried 2 bushels.

Aug 7 – Cloudy, some mist in morning, cool. Went up to Skinners after Lois. Ethan, Lois and Charly went to Kalamazoo to Charlys cloths. Charley went to Lawton. Lois stayed all night here.

Aug 8 – Carried Lois home. Fine day.

Aug 9 – Cleaned out Barn. Ethan helped Randal[68] thrash in forenoon. Machine went to Towns.[69] Henry Rogers here in afternoon. Worked in shop some.

Aug 10 – Worked in barn and shop some. Mrs Brown and Jule here. Rained some. Made cradle for Lucy.[70] Rained hard in forenoon. Mr Brown came up in morning to plow. Rained and blowed like the mischief. Mr Brown no get went, not a bit of it. He came in as dry as he could be.[71]

Aug 11 – Worked in shop, made corner blocks to wagon box. Mr Schram got bill, went to Wakeshma.

Aug 12 – Put dash on box. Thrashed wheat, had 87 bushels. Charley came back from Lawton. Pioneer Picknic at Vicksburg.

Aug 13 – Pleasant morning. Cleaned up wheat. Carried Sarah over to burg. Went over after her in Evening.

Aug 14 – Painted wagon box and cradles. All went down to Browns in Evening Cheche and John Defoe. Had a shower in afternoon. Ed Flanders called here in shower.

Aug 15 – Fine pleasant morning. Went down to Catharines. Mart came up in Evening after Louise. Carried cradle home.

Aug 16 – Painted wagon box. Went up to Skinners with Hannah. Carried my boots over to burg in Evening, paid $1.15¢ for mending them.

Aug 17 – Repaired cribb for Lois. Went down to A. Browns and up to Skinners after Hannah. Got my Boots.

Aug 18 – Cloudy. Ethan gone to Kalamazoo with Brown. Erve Hall got load Straw. Went down to Browns, got Hannahs trunk. Put rub irons on wagon box. Henry here. Charly went home with him. They are going to brady.

Aug 19 – Worked around some in shop and garden.

Aug 20 – Erve Hall got one Load Straw. Chored round. Cut some cornfodder some in shop. Fine day.

Aug 21 – Worked round house and shop some. Went over to burg. Ed Childs stayed here all night.

Aug 22 – Went over to burg with Ed. Came back, tok hannah over. Carried Sarah down to Browns. She went to Kalamazoo to Spiritual grove meeting on Winslows Island. Went over after hannah. Went down to Browns after Sarah just at night. Lois and Sate[72] came down.

Aug 23 – Painted Sleigh over and lumber wheels. Went over to burg with Ed Flanders. Got $51.91 of Treasurer. Paid Carrie E. Austin fifty one Dollars.

Aug 24 – Put in reach for Edwin flanders. Carried Hannah and Sarah over to burg. Hannah went to Lawton. Went up to Lois in Evening. Ina[73] sick.

Aug 25 – Went to mill, carried 4 four bushels wheat. Sarah went down to Katharines. Susan Ford rode home with me. Jo Lee went over with me.

Aug 26 – Jo came up. I put seat on his buggy and spring bars, fixed thill. Went over to burg with him. Fine day.

Aug 27 – Cut up the _____ corn. Very hot and dry, mercury 96 in shade.

Aug 28 – Hot day, 92 in shade. Bound up corn. Went down to Katies after Louese just at night, stopt to Browns. Rained in night some.

Aug 29 – At home all day. Hot day. Ethan carried Louese down to Katies.

Aug 30 – Made ridge boards for House. Went over to burg, bot 6 lbs nails 30¢.

Aug 31 – Went over to burg, got Hind spring mended, one Dollar. Hot and dry. Want rain very much some.

Sep 1 – At home. Chored some. Not very well. Ethan went up to Lois. Cleaned sewingmachine.

Sep 2 – Went down to Charles Lees.[74] Hot day. He is building a barn.

Sep 3 – Sawed out rizers for stairs to cornhouse. Rained some.

Sep 4 – Chored round some. Took the Clark seat to pieces. Charly and Warren birge came here in afternoon. They went down to Caywood, stayed all night.

Sep 5 – Windy morning. Chimney burnt out this morning. Went down to Katharines.

Sep 6 – Buckwheat cut to day. Hot day. Made seat to waggon. Henry and Ethan went up to Skinners to try Drill. Went schoolmeting. Edwin Flanders Elected moderator, C. L. Keith[75] Assessor. Voted to raise 100.00.

Sep 7 – Worked round. Lois came down to pack Charleys trunk.

Sep 8 – Worked in shop some. Sarah and Lois went down to Browns. I went down in Evening. Lois Lee came and said Jo would move yet to Salt Lake.[76]

Sep 9 – Rainy day. Charley started for Ohio.[77] Lois went home. Rained in night.

Sep 10 – Worked for Edwin Flanders putting down floor on back stoop over cistern. Fine day. Barber cut some corn south of orchard.

Sep 11 – Worked for Flanders. Ethan went down to Marts stayed all night. Mrs Flanders taken sick. Mrs Johnson came down to see her.

Sep 12 – Fine day. Not very hot. Mr Dunnings Nephew called here, took Breakfast. Jim went up to Skinners.

Sep 13 – Worked for Flanders, made rinck and dressed out stuff for trough &c.[78] Jim went to Jacksons to work.

Sep 14 – Went up to Flanders. Went back home then went down to Katharines. Caroline, Marion and Kate were all there. Had a big time.

Sep 15 – Worked for Flanders, finished up. Fine day. Ed paid me $5.00.

Sep 16 – Rainy morning. Cut corn some.

Sep 17 – Cut corn in East lot. Jo Lee came up here. Cold night, had big frost.

Sep 18 – Cut corn in East lot. Browns folks here in Evening.

Sep 19 – At home. Rainy day. No one here.

Sep 20 – Cut corn, finished it. Went down to Katharines just at night.

Sep 21 – Worked in shop some. Hung two axes for Ernest Whiting 20¢. Jo Lee came up here. Went over to burg in Evening. Went up to Flanders, got some flooring.

Sep 22 – At home. Worked in shop, turned hubs for Inas wagon &c. Put floor down by East door.

Sep 23 – Worked round shop some and turned hubs.

Sep 24 – Went over to burg. Bot hoop Iron hoop pork barrel. Jason Durkee got some hoop poles. Bot springs for wagon seat 2.00. Nell Tomlinson[79] came here in afternoon.

Sep 25 – Rained some in morning. Round home all day.

Sep 26 – At home. No one here, nothing going on.

Sep 27 – Worked in shop and house _____ wagon for Ina.

Sep 28 – Working round house and shop.

Sep 29 – Worked on wagon. Went down to Kates just at night with Patty Sprague.[80] Ethan and Mr Miner drawed in Buckwheat. E. P. Flanders and Mary E. Smith married this day I spec so.

Sep 30 – Ethan, Hannah and Nellie Tomlinson went to Comstock. Had H. A. Taylors buggy. Rained some. Miner and Powers thrashed Buckwheat.

Oct 1 – At home. Finished Buckwheat. Had 46½ bushels.

Oct 2 – Miner and Rogers dug potatoes. They had 43 bushels.

Oct 3 – At home. Patty here. Nell went to Kalamazoo to church with Henry. Mart came up after Patty and Katharine. Lois and Dell came down. Ethan went up to Harve Warrens with Dell.

Oct 4 – Went over to burg after Nancy. Got strap iron for wagon box. Bot 7½ lbs beef of Whiting 75¢.

Oct 5 – Put iron on wagon box. Rainy. Ethan, Hannah and Nell gone to Vicksburg. Rained all night.

Oct 6 – Rainy day. Worked in shop. Made board to put seat on. Husked black corn. _____ _____ _____ here from Mr Flanders. Henry gone to Battlecreek. Ethan and girls got home at night.

Oct 7 – Went over to burg. Bot boots for seat, oil and so on.

Oct 8 – Went down to Katharines. Sarah went and Jim went to Kalamazoo. Got Jim suit cloths. Stayed there all night.

Oct 9 – Helped Mart set horsepower and fix cider mill. Came home in Evening. Rained like fun.

Oct 10 – Rainy morning some. Henry came down. Nan[81] came back. Hiram Loveland married to night.[82]

Oct 11 – Went to mill, carried 4 four bushels wheat. Snowed some. Patty came home with me.

Oct 12 – Dug potatoes in East lot under the hill.

Oct 13 – Finished diging in East lot. Carried Patty down to Kates.

Oct 14 – Put potatoes in cellar. Carried the girls and their mam down to A. Browns. Dug some potatoes. Rained. Went down to Browns after um. It rained.

Oct 15 – Some rainy in morning. Dug some potatoes and chored roung.

Oct 16 – Dug potatoes. Finished the south lot. Sarah went over to burg. Nancy went down to Browns.

Oct 17 – Pleasant morning. At home all day.

Oct 18 – Worked round home. Chored round barn.

Oct 19 – Cleaned out cornhouse and chored round some. Went down to Katharines. Brot Patty and Hellen York[83] up.

Oct 20 – All hands went up to Lois, Patty, Katharine, Sarah, Alfleda[84] and Hellen &c. Fine day. Del and Henry drawing corn. Barber and Barton husking.

Oct 21 – Pleasant morning. James Hoxie called here. Went over to burg after mail. Drawed one load corn 12 baskets.

Oct 22 – At home. Worked round house and yard. Drawed some corn.

Oct 23 – Went down to Catharines. All hands had a family visit. Kate and Harry[85] came out on Eleven oclock run. Pleasant day.

Oct 24 – Fine morning. At home all day.

Oct 25 – Drawed some corn and worked round shop.

Oct 26 – Took out closset in shop. Mr Hobbs came here to see about getting some bobs made. Went down to Katharines to see patty. She gave me ten Dollars. Rainy and cold.

Oct 27 – Patty and Nell started for home. Made neap for M. O. Streators wagon. Put stove up in shop.

Oct 28 – Husked some corn. Put corn in cornhouse. Went over to burg. Got letter from Dr. A. S. Finch. Saw Mr Benjamin about my place. M. O. Streat got his wagon pole. Rained in night.

Oct 29 – Warm morning, 60 Abz, rained in morning. Ethan made cider. Sarah and Kate went up to Skinners. Had a heavy thunder shower. Sent Dr. Finch $10 ten Dollars. Filed saw for Erve Hall.

Oct 30 – At home. Working round shop.

Oct 31 – At home all day. All well.

Nov 1 – Worked in shop some ___.

Nov 2 – Worked in shop on wheel. Mr Hobbs came up here. Sarah and Kate went to Lawton.

Nov 3 – Finished wheel. Went up to Flanders after some lumber for bobbs. Got none.

Nov 4 – Put corn up in corn house. Went over to burg at noon after gals. No come. They came on the 6 oclock freight.

Nov 5 – Worked in shop some. Sawed out bob knees.

Nov 6 – Went to Kalamazoo after bob runners and and lumber for Coburns box.

Nov 7 – Went down to Kates after Hannah.

Nov 8 – Worked in shop some. Del brot lumber and runners down. Jo Lee came up got his saw filed.

Nov 9 – Sorted corn in corn house.

Nov 10 – Worked in shop on bobs.

Nov 11 – Worked on bobs all day.

Nov 12 – Went to mill carried 4 bushels wheat 4 bushels Buckwheat 1 corn. Fine day.

Nov 13 – Snows this morning. Worked. Went to Comstock to mill. Cold, stormy.

Nov 14 – At home all day.

Nov 15 – Worked in shop on bobs

Nov 16 – Worked in shop and round house.

Nov 17 – Worked in shop on bobs &c.

Nov 18 – Worked in shop on bobs and [nothing further]

Nov 19 – Worked on bobs. Not very cold.

Nov 20 – Went over to burg. Got piece plank for bobs. Hiram Crawf[ord][86] came in on Evening Express. Fine day, mercury about 60. Gave me an ulster over coat.

Nov 21 – Cooler this morning. Hite[87] here. Lois came down. Mart brot Hannah home.

Nov 22 – Worked in shop on bobs. Hiram here. He went over to burg. Hiram left on night Express. Fine day.

Nov 23 – Worked in shop. Pleasant day but cold.

Nov 24 – Worked in shop. Kate and Harry left for South bend.[88] Ethan carried them over to Scots Station. Nice day. Jo Lee brot Hannah home. Alfleda went home with Jo.

Nov 25 – Went over to burg to see about getting some timber for frame to bobs. Hannah went to Battle Creek on the Eleven twelve run. A very pleasant day. Jim husked corn for A. Brown.

Nov 26 – Went over to burg. Got timber for bob frame.

Nov 27 – Went up to Mr Flanders to get length of bob frame. Sarah went down to A. Browns.

Nov 28 – At home. Dell and Lois came down. Loues went home with them.

Nov 29 – Finished bobs. Worked round shop some. Gefired cold day.

Nov 30 – Worked on Coburns box. Carried Hannah down to Katharines. Alfleda came back with me.

Dec 1 – Very pleasant morning, mercury 28 Abz in morning.

Dec 2 – Worked on box. Riley and Horace Hobbs came and got Bobs. He paid me Seventeen Dollars and 17.50 fifty cents.

Dec 3 – Worked on box not much cut and sawed wood. Very pleasant day.

Dec 4 – Worked on box. Fine warm day, some misty. Went over to burg. Paid George Brown for timber 20 cts. Mercury about 50, rained all night.

Dec 5 – Cloudy and warm, mercury 43 Abz. At home all day.

Dec 6 – Finished and painted over Coburns box. Rained in night, very foggy.

Dec 7 – Foggy morning, not very cold. Worked in shop some. Carried Sarah over to Janes.[89] Went over in Evening to see R. G. S.

Dec 8 – Dressed out boards for Ernests Whiting. Went over to burg after Sarah. Browns folks came up in Evening.

Dec 9 – Pleasant morning, not very cold. Worked in shop.

Dec 10 – Worked on Whitings box some. Went over to burg with Engine. Ethan drawed load wood. Broke whiffletree.

Dec 11 – Snowey day. Went down to Kates, stayed all day. Stoped to Browns when we came home. Wopeo[?] came the first time.

Dec 12 – At home all day. Edwin Flanders and wife and Henry went up to Skinners. Rather cool day. Herb Clark[90] came here in morning.

Dec 13 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg in afternoon. Paid my Tax $9.50 nine Dollars and fifty cents.

Dec 14 – Worked in shop on box for Ernest. Not very cold.

Dec 15 – Worked in shop some. Not very well. Hannah went down to Browns.

Dec 16 – Snowey day. Worked on Ernests box. Put one partition in and base and pilaster. Stellie Milham here to night.

Dec 17 – Carried machine down to Browns. Snows and blows. Went over to burg got oil. Brown butchered his hogs. Went down to E. Whitings Slaughter house. Got two lbs Tallow 16¢/4 8 pr pound so said Whitland. Del and Coburn got Box.

Dec 18 – Worked in shop some. Cold day.

Dec 19 – At home. Will brot Hannah up in sleigh. Lois came down.

Dec 20 – Went down to Browns. Got pig weighed 70[91] lbs. Mr Flanders got wagon. Went over to burg in afternoon. Ethan got 14 Dollars at Bank for making Box. Not very cold.

Dec 21 – Not very cold, no snow.

Dec 22 – Made cross head for Theodore. Went over to burg. Bot diary 25¢, one violin string 25. Drawed two loads cornfodder. Very pleasant day.

Dec 23 – Went up to mill. Put in crosshead. Warm day, mercury 54 Abz at noon. Drawed in cornfodder in afternoon.

Dec 24 – Rainy. Carried peter down to Browns. Went up to mill got 58 feet 3×3 scantling of Theodore Earl.

Dec 25 – Very pleasant day. Browns folks here. Charles and Julia came up. Julia stayed all night. Browns folks stayed in Evening.

Dec 26 – Rainy day, not very cold, very little snow. At home all day. Ida came up after Julia.

Dec 27 – Went up in woods cut some wood. Went over to burg in afternoon. Received of Town ship Treasurer seventy five Dollars. Very pleasant day.

Dec 28 – Went to mill in afternoon. Carried 4 bushels wheat 4 of Buckwheat. Pleasant day. Cut some wood. Katharine came home with me.

Dec 29 – Fine pleasant morning. Filed one saw for Whitting. Worked in shop some.

Dec 30 – Drawed two loads wood. Worked on box some. Went over to burg just at night. Kate and Sarah went. Browns folks here in Evening. Warm day.

Dec 31 – Fine morning, 61 Abz in morning at sunrise. Went over to burg after Nancy. Jo Lee and Mr Elwood called here. Filed saw for Jo. Warm day.

——-

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

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

[3] His sister, Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[4] Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner, his daughter by his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith

[5] His son-in-law, Adelbert Skinner, who was married to his daughter Lois

[6] Galesburg, Michigan

[7] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator

[8] Ambrose Brown, his neighbor and father-in-law of his daughter Nancy

[9] Henry Keith, his son by his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith

[10] Above zero

[11] His grandson, Claude Keith Brown, the son of Nancy & Hank Brown. There is a birth announcement for “Pomeroy” Brown, however, that is the only time the name of Pomeroy is used

[12] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[13] Lawton, Michigan, where Nancy & Henry Brown lived

[14] His youngest daughter, Louese Keith

[15] His cousin, Ida Mae Lee, the daughter of Joseph Warren Lee and Nancy E. Taylor

[16] Martin Milham, husband of Lucy (Lee) Milham. Lucy was the daughter of his sister Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[17] Alfleda (Starr) Keith, the widow of his brother Harvey Keith

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

[19] Neighbor. 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

[20] In all his previous diaries, Luke has spelled his sister’s name as Catharine. It now appears that he is sometimes spelling it starting with a K, or it is possible he is referring to somebody else

[21] Seaman S. Bristol Sr. and his wife, Abigail “Nabby” Harris, were the uncle and aunt of Daniel D. Harris who would marry Luke’s daughter, Louese, in 1882

[22] Nickname for his daughter Louese

[23] Believe he is referring to neighbors, Stella Milham who was the daughter of James & Ellen (Adams) Milham

[24] Neighbor. A search at FindAGrave.com confirms that he died February 7, 1875 and is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Comstock, Michigan

[25] His neighbor, Irwin Hall

[26] Presumably neighbors, Hetta (Burgess) Ralph and her daughter-in-law, Emeline (Stone) Ralph

[27] Neighbors, Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[28] A search at FindAGrave.com reveals that Jannette Mason died February 21, 1875 and is buried at Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan

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

[30] His first cousin, Joseph Lee (son of Rhoda (Keith) and Charles Lee)

[31] Neighbor, the daughter of Franklin Benjamin & Gertrude (Quick) Austin. Perhaps she was the teacher that Luke referred to in his March 3^rd entry

[32] Neighbors, Charles and Mary Tamer Ford, the children of Thomas & Adelia (Tompkins) Ford

[33] Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown

[34] Neighbors, Marius O. & Laura (Rawson) Streator

[35] His youngest son, James Clinton Keith

[36] Simeon Wood Jr.; from the Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph, Monday evening, March 22, 1875 – Mr. Simon Wood, a farmer living some four miles east of Galesburg in Charleston, died on Wednesday evening, the 17th inst. bilious pneumonia, and his wife died the next day. They were worthy people and were somewhat advanced in years at the time of their death

[37] The Michigan Deaths and Burials Index confirms that Agustus Giddings, age 34, died on March 18, 1875 in Comstock, Michigan. FindAGrave.com records show that he is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[38] Neighbor, the son of Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders

[39] Reliance E. (Brown) Wood. See footnote for March 16^th entry. Reliance was the sister of Ambrose Brown

[40] It is uncertain as to whether this was Edna Irene Crawford, the daughter of Sarah’s brother Robert & Louesa (McCann) Crawford, of Edna Alice Crawford, the daughter of Sarah’s late brother, Edwin & Mary (Hamilton) Crawford

[41] His son-in-law Henry Brown’s nickname

[42] Neighbor, Adelia (Tompkins) Ford

[43] Other things

[44] Most likely his grandson, Charles Ira Clark, the son of Lois and her first husband, Byron Clark

[45] 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

[46] Richard Barber

[47] Felloe or felly – rim, or segment of the rim, of a spoked wheel

[48] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[49] FindAGrave.com indicates that Ruel Starr died April 19, 1875 and is buried in Old City Cemetery, Valparaiso, Indiana. Ruel was Alfleda (Starr) Keith’s brother

[50] The Michigan Deaths and Burials Record indicates that Daniel D. Harris Sr. died April 23, 1875 in Comstock, Michigan at the age of 49 and FindAGrave records show that he is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan. He was the father of Daniel D. Harris Jr. who would marry Luke’s daughter Louese

[51] Matilda (Allen) Brown’s sister, Julia Allen, who lived with Ambrose & Matilda

[52] Most likely his neighbor, George Ralph

[53] His neighbor, the son of George & Hetta (Burgess) Ralph, and husband of Emeline (Stone) Ralph

[54] Mary (Knowles) Barber

[55] Michigan Death Records reveal that Arthur Beckwith, age 21, died May 20, 1875 in Comstock, Michigan. FindAGrave records show he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[56] Marius Streator’s wife, Laura (Rawson) Streator

[57] Neighbors, Abel & Sarah Jane (Mason) Hoag

[58] His nephew, James “Oscar” Keith, son of Harvey & Alfleda (Starr) Keith

[59] The Michigan Deaths and Burials Index shows that John F. Chandler died June 15, 1875 in Comstock, Michigan at the age of 45

[60] Believe he is referring to William H. and Martha (Marvin) Plank. William H. was the son of William & Harriet (Groat) Plank. The Plank family had been neighbors, but on April 3, 1873, Luke noted in his diary that they had left for Grand Rapids, Michigan

[61] Neighbor, the son of George & Jane Whiting

[62] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[63] His horse

[64] The Michigan Deaths and Burials Index reveals that Nancy Wheeler, aged 86, died in Comstock, Michigan on July 22, 1875

[65] Nickname for Lucy (Lee) Milham, daughter of his sister, Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[66] Neighbor, Orrin D. Schram

[67] Neighbor, Hanibal A. Taylor

[68] Believe this to be his neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[69] Neighbors, Albert & Pamelia (Hosley) Towne; their son Charles would later marry Luke’s daughter Hannah

[70] His niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham

[71] Both the Brown and Keith families were believers in Spiritualism and participated in seances. The story that has been passed down is that Ambrose’s Indian spirit guide, Chee Chee, held a blanket over him so that he could complete his plowing

[72] His daughter Lois’ sister-in-law, Sarah Skinner

[73] His granddaughter, Ina Mary Skinner

[74] His paternal first cousin. Charles Lee (1797-1878) was the son of Charles & Rhoda (Keith) Lee

[75] Himself

[76] Since Joseph Lee’s wife, Lois (French) had died October 17, 1871, it would seem that this is referring to a seance that the Browns and Keiths had where they called on Lois who told them that Jo would follow the rest of the Lee families, who were Mormons, and had moved to Salt Lake City

[77] Charley’s other grandparents were living in Dover, Ohio in the 1870’s so perhaps he was going for a visit

[78] Etc.

[79] The daughter of his niece, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson

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

[81] His daughter, Nancy

[82] Michigan County Marriage Records show that Hiram Loveland married Emeline Crowell on October 10, 1875

[83] This could be his niece, Helen (Bradley) York, or Helen’s daughter, Helen Lavinia York

[84] Alfleda (Starr) Keith, the widow of his brother Harvey Keith

[85] Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, the wife of Luke’s brother-in-law, Hiram Crawford Jr., and their son, Harry Crawford (see November 17, 1875 letter)

[86] His wife Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[87] Hiram’s nickname

[88] Sarah’s other brother, Henry Clay Crawford, and his family lived in South Bend, so it is possible Kate and Harry were going to make them a visit

[89] Neighbor, Sarah Jane (Mason) Hoag

[90] Herbert Clark was the nephew of Lois’ first husband, Byron Clark

[91] Hard to tell if this was 70 or 90 pounds

Advertisement

Luke Keith’s 1867 Diary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan 13 – At home all day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan 20 – Went up to Yorks and Wesleys.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan 27 – Winter in earnest now a days.

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

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

Jan 30 – Went to Kalamazoo Dinner 15.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb 9 – Made clothesbars. Not very well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb 20 – Worked in shop some on wheelbarrow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb 28 – Made clothes bars for Caty Chaffee.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mar 13 – Not much work to day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apr 19 – Got out some manuer. Ethan plowing.

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

Apr 21 – At home all day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 27 – At home not much done.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jun 7 – Planted some in garden corn peas onions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jun 14 – Cultivated and hoed corn.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jun 23 – Hot morning. Mr Byington here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jun 30 – At home all day not well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jul 7 – Pleasant morning. At home all day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jul 28 – Had a fine shower this morning.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aug 10 – Round home no work to day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sep 5 – Went over to burg.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct 6 – At home all day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct 20 – Mercury 80 in shade hot and dry.

Oct 21 – At home no work to speak of.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dec 1 – Cold morning 13. Abz at home.

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

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

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

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

Dec 6 – Chopped some wood chored round.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

——-

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

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

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

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

[5] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

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

[7] Neighbor, Isaac Schram

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

[9] His daughter, Nancy Keith

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

[11] His nephew, James Oscar Keith

[12] His son, James Clinton Keith

[13] “Mark” is referred to quite often in Luke’s diaries and it is believed that he is referring to his cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, the oldest son of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee. The Lees were Mormons and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. Mark stayed behind to run his father’s farm and was living with his aunt, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[14] His son, Ethan Keith

[15] His daughter, Hannah Keith

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

[17] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[18] Charles Luke Keith Sr.

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

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

[21] Mary Ann (Batey) Keith

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

[23] James Hunt King

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

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

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

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

[28] His daughter, Louesa Keith

[29] Neighbor, Thomas Flanders

[30] Etc.

[31] Above zero

[32] Above zero

[33] His niece, Lucy Irene Lee

[34] Clarinda (Goodrich) Milham

[35] The vertical side pieces to a wagon body

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

[37] Kalamazoo, Michigan

[38] His future son-in-law

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

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

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

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

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

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

[45] George Tomlinson

[46] Aylmer Lot Keith, his paternal first cousin

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

[48] Charles R. Cridland

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

[50] Mary Jane Lee

[51] Henry Brown

[52] The pivoted horizontal crossbar to which the harness traces of a draft animal are attached and which is in turn attached to a vehicle or an implement

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

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

[55] His maternal first cousin

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

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

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

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

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

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

Luke Keith’s 1859 Diary

1859 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.

Jan 1 – Cold 28 Abz[1] Rainy. Went over to Fathers.[2] No snow.

Jan 2 – Cloudy 30 Abz. At home all day.

Jan 3 – Cloudy 29 Abz. Jo Sherman here. Father Brot Nancy[3] home. Lasher[4] drawed load wood. Bot this Book 38¢.[5]

Jan 4 – Cold 25 Abz. Worked in shop on violin. Barlow got his violin. Bot ½ lb yarn 44¢.

Jan 5 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Worked in shop. Paid Tax 4.29 Georges tax 10.66. Bot 30 lbs flour 82¢.

Jan 6 – Cloudy 22 Abz. Went over to Taylors to the mill. Bot ½ lb yarn 50¢ one lb ratas[6] 10¢. Elder Sills here & prayed for Two Sarahs.

Jan 7 – Snow 20 Abz. Worked in shop on sleigh. Cold snowey day. Bot screws 30¢ one lb candles 14. Sent letter to N. B. Betts[7] 3¢.

Jan 8 – Cold 3 Blz[8] 4 or 5 inches snow. Finished fathers sleigh. Bot darning needle.

Jan 9 – Cold 4 Blz. At home all day. Cold.

Jan 10 – Pleasant 10 Blz. Painted Fathers sleigh. A. Sumner at the shop. Flanders here with his bobs.

Jan 11 – Cloudy 21 Abz. Painted Fathers sleigh. Jesse Earl here. Bot 54 lbs bran 32¢ one box matches 6¢.

Jan 12 – Cloudy 36 Abz. Lasher came over and killed my pig weighed 252 lbs.

Jan 13 – Cloudy 37 Abz. Repaired wheel for Wightman. Rainy night. Nationals in town to night.

Jan 14 – Cloudy 37 Abz very muddy. Mrs Bennet here & Bennet to dinner. Rainy afternoon snowed in the night. Anna Fries[9] died to night Ae 16 years.

Jan 15 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Covered cistern. Bot salt candles. Got stove hearth mended.

Jan 16 – Pleasant 26 Abz some snow snowed some. Anna Fries buried to day.

Jan 17 – Cloudy 22 Abz. Went up to Yorks. Father got his sleigh.

Jan 18 – Pleasant 17 Abz. Went over to Lashers got pig. Sent letter to Abiah Sprague.[10] Sarah[11] went to Watts.

Jan 19 – Pleasant 29 Abz. Went over to Byingtons. Oatman moved his house. Took tea to Deyoes.

Jan 20 – Cloudy 42 Abz. Went over to Fathers took hannah.[12] Rained some.

Jan 21 – Cloudy 25 Abz. Sawed wood. Sarah came home. Filed saw for Mr Smith.

Jan 22 – Snows 3 Abz. Went over to Fathers after hannah. Mrs Frary here. Wesley[13] here in Evening.

Jan 23 – Pleasant 1 Abz. At home. Wrote letter to King[14] & D Crawford.[15]

Jan 24 – Pleasant 17 Abz. Worked in shop some. Bot 26½ lbs flour 77¢ ½ lb Tea 31¢. Wesley got corn 6 bushels 56¢ pr bushel. Sent letter to King one to D Crawford.

Jan 25 – Cloudy 31 Abz not much snow. Rimmed wheel for A. McLary. Calvin Streator here to day.

Jan 26 – Pleasant 22 Abz. Sawed out one pair bob runners. Flanders here. Ralph got his gloves. Calvin here.

Jan 27 – Snows like fun 32 Abz rained & snowed all day. Worked on McLarys Ex.

Jan 28 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Finished McLarys Ex. Bot G. string. Received letter from Mrs M. Keith one from N. B. Betts two for Lois.[16]

Jan 29 – Cloudy 24 Abz. Went up to Yorks Jo[17] brot me home. Father & Mother[18] here. Got Buck Wheat & meal from the mill. Bot 50 lbs bran 30¢. Cal Streator got his violin 50¢. Lasher paid me 50¢.

Jan 30 – Pleasant but cloudy 23 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church. All well as usual.

Jan 31 – Sun shines no snow 13 Abz. Worked round house & Barn. D. Lamkins here Wesley here in evening. Bent hoops for violin. Race[19] run over. Mr Gero very sick.

Feb 1 – Sun shines Pleasant 30 Abz. Went over the river after my Heifer could not get her. Made axhelve[20] for C. C. Johnson. Mrs Watts here. Barlow gave me an E. string. Went to Barlows.

Feb 2 – Snows some 31 Abz. Made axhelve for Wesley. Mary an Keith[21] came here. Johnson got helve.

Feb 3 – 24 Abz. Filed saw for Joseph Lee.[22] T. Ford brot some flour. W^m McLary brot sleigh.

Feb 4 – Snows 16 Abz. Worked in shop sawed out bob knees. Blocked out foot for T. Sherman. Recd letter from Canada. Some sleighing. Bot one lb candles 16¢ letter 10¢.

Feb 5 – Snows some 12 Abz snowey day. Worked in shop some sawed out gearing and neaps[23] one for Byington.

Feb 6 – Pleasant 11 Abz. Sun shines. At home all day. Sarah went to church. Ed & Mary Childs here to Tea. Snow most gone.

Feb 7 – Cloudy 10 Abz. Went over to Byingtons. Calvin Streator here. Bot one lb saleratas 10.

Feb 8 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Worked on Byingtons wagon. Mr Spaulding here. Deyeo got maple of Mr Warner.

Feb 9 – Cloudy 24 Abz no snow hardley no sleighing. Worked on gearing. Lasher here. Father Brot Mary An here. Recd letter from G. T.[24] one from Momence from W^m Peters.

Feb 10 – Pleasant 8 Abz. Worked on gearing. Mrs Bevere here. Mary An went up to her Fathers.[25] My Kettle came home. Mary & Ed Bennet here. Bot cloth & floss 10¢. Mrs Lane died.

Feb 11 – Cloudy 11 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Bot cloth for pants 1.41. Snowed some in the night.

Feb 12 – Cloudy 10 Abz. Went over and measured the fractions for Geo Tomlinson. Lasher led my heifer over. Bot ½ lb Tea 25¢. Durgy Brot load wood.

Feb 13 – Cloudy 18 Abz. Put on my new pants hard times Sarah gone to church. Took the top of Yorks violin. Mr Kingsley[26] died to day.

Feb 14 – Pleasant at zero. Durgy Brot his violin saw A. Hoag. Swaddle called here in Evening. Sent letter to G. T. one one to N. B. Betts. Paper 10¢ candles 15¢ letters 6¢.

Feb 15 – Cloudy 41 Abz. Worked in shop some. Mr. Kingsley buried to day.

Feb 16 – Cloudy 27 Abz. Went up to Flanders. Hellen[27] here. Jerome Turner here. Bot Jug 25¢ Bot ½ galon molassess 28¢ 4 sheets sand paper 4¢. Ed York took Tea here.

Feb 17 – Cloudy 38 Abz. Worked in shop. Swaddle Brot his spokes. Harvey here. Flanders Brot load hay.

Feb 18 – Cloudy 28 Abz no snow. Worked in shop on neap. Had door open all day pleasant as Spring.

Feb 19 – Cloudy 48 Abz. Repaired Yorks violin. Durgy got his violin. Bot 50 lbs Bran 35¢. D. Henyon here in Evening. Some thunder & lightning in Evening some hail & rain snowed in the night.

Feb 20 – Windy cold snow flies 28 Abz. At home. Sarah gone to church. Blustrous.

Feb 21 – Pleasant 23 Abz. Drove spokes in Swaddles hubbs. A Hoag called here. No snow on the ground.

Feb 22 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Finished Swaddles wheels. A Hoag & Wesley here. Lois came home. Pleasant & Warm.

Feb 23 – Cloudy 31 Abz no snow. Worked in shop on L T Earls neap. Rained in evening. Lois at home.

Feb 24 – Pleasant no snow 28 Abz. Worked in shop. Shaved some spokes. Went fishing in Evening with Mix. Snowed in the night. John Wheeler here.

Feb 25 – Snowey 25 Abz. Shaved spokes. John Wheeler here. Received a letter from D. Crawford La Cross Wis. No sleighing.

Feb 26 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Shaved spokes put some hoops on my violin. Bot ½ lb Tea 31¢. John Wheeler here.

Feb 27 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Went over to Fathers after noon. Wheeler here.

Feb 28 – Cloudy 27 Abz. Finished shaving _____ spokes. D. Hamilton Brot his wheel. Wheeler here.

Mar 1 – Pleasant 20 Abz sun shines no snow. Got out Hamiltons spokes. Jarvis Muncil here. Stranger here to dinner. Bot one lb candles 15¢ one pint whiskey 10.

Mar 2 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Got out spokes for Hamiltons wheel. Went and saw Mills. Rained in the night. Wheeler here.

Mar 3 – Rainy 40 Abz. Wheeler here worked in shop. Sarah went down to Slips. Bot 10 lbs Potash 1.00. Deyo moved his bench from Stevensons.

Mar 4 – Snows some 33 Abz. Drove spokes in Hamiltons wheel. Snowed some. Wheeler here.

Mar 5 – Cloudy 31 Abz some snow. Wheeler here finished Hamiltons wheel. Put the neck in my violin. Henry[28] came home.

Mar 6 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Wheeler here. At home. Sarah went to church. Put the top on violin.

Mar 7 – Rainy 37 Abz. Wheeler here Jo York here. Worked on my violin. Rainy day. Bot one lb saleratas 10¢.

Mar 8 – Rains some 38 Abz. Wheeler here. Hamilton got his wheel. Bot one bushel & half of wheat 15/-[29] Bot thread 15¢.

Mar 9 – Pleasant 27 Abz. Wheeler here. Made soap. Calvin here. Lois came home. Got some Flour of Streator. Father here. Wheler left. Lamkins brot flour 20¢.

Mar 10 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Plained out Buggy spokes. Recd a letter from P. Betts[30] Omro.[31]

Mar 11 – Rainy 54 Abz. Went down to Catharines[32] had Yorks team.

Mar 12 – Cold snowed some 32 Abz. Came home. Bot butter 25¢. Wheler stayed in my shop all night.

Mar 13 – Pleasant 27 Abz. Sarah went to church. Uncle Chi[33] here.

Mar 14 – Cloudy 44 Abz. Commenced Mills moddles. Bot shugar 25¢ one lb candles 16¢.

Mar 15 – Cold snows some 31 Abz. Worked on Mills picker. Filed two saws for E. M. Clap 30¢. Bot one file 10¢.

Mar 16 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Worked on Mills picker. Thomas Whiting went to Kalamazoo with Fox.

Mar 17 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Worked on picker got wheel turned. Charles Lee[34] here. Father got his straw cutter. Sarah went to Beveres & to church in evening.

Mar 18 – Rainy 44 Abz. Worked on picker. Lasher Brot load wood. Rainy.

Mar 19 – Cold 31 Abz some snow in the air. Worked on picker. First April stormy middle pleasant & rainy.

Mar 20 – Pleasant 29 Abz May pleasant. At home. Sarah went to church. Hat Ella & Cordelia here. Sarah went to hear the She Temperance lecture in evening.

Mar 21 – Cloudy 41 Abz. Worked on picker. J Clark here. Bot bitters 6¢. Not very well. Old Hen commenced setting.

Mar 22 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Worked on picker. Not very well.

Mar 23 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Worked on picker filed saw for S. Earl. Bot Beef steak 4¢.

Mar 24 – Cloudy 50 Abz. Worked on pickers. Snowed some in the night.

Mar 25 – Cloudy & cool 30 Abz. Worked on picker. Eugene Bronson here.

Mar 26 – Pleasant 23 Abz. Worked on pickers. Flanders Brot 80 lbs Flour. Bot oil to put in my ear 10¢. Lasher Brot ¾ cord wood.

Mar 27 – Pleasant 33 Abz. At home all day. Went up to the burying ground.[35] Emma Clark & cousin here in evening.

Mar 28 – Rainy 36 Abz. Finished pickers. Bot veal 15¢ Bot oil 7¢ Bot turpentine 5¢ got spy glass mended 3¢. Recd letter from C. R. C.[36] Pulled tooth for Freer.

Mar 29 – Rainy & some snow 32 Abz. At home not very well. Filed saw for C. Lee. Elias Sherman here in evening. Got bit to put in Dulcimer keys.

Mar 30 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Lois came home. Lois & Ethen[37] went over to Fathers. Mills got his pickers paid me ten Dollars. Recd letter from G. Tomlinson. Bot thread 5¢ one paper 7¢ one pair Boots 3.75¢.

Mar 31 – Snowey 28 Abz. All went over to river. Sarah bot dress.

Apr 1 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Went up to Wesleys got warm sugar Bot ½ lb Tea 3¢. Fletcher started the old Freight house.

Apr 2 – Cloudy 38 Abz. Bot 5 lbs sugar 10¢ per lb 50¢. Bot one pint whiskey 10¢ one lb candles 15¢. Went over to Byingtons got set hubbs for L. T. Earls waggon.

Apr 3 – Cloudy & cool 29 Abz. At home. Sarah went to church.

Apr 4 – Snows like fun 27 Abz. Went to town meeting. Caty Chaffe & Toot here. Mark[38] left his bugy. Charles Lee Brot 7 lbs sugar 10¢. Ethen went down to Catharines. Windy.

Apr 5 – Cloudy 26 Abz snow some 3½ inches deep. At home. Bot 2 lights glass 12¢. Flanders Brot load hay. Cold wind.

Apr 6 – Cold 31 Abz. Went over to Taylors got some roots for Cridland. Set some glass. Wheeler here. Bot glass 16¢ Bot allum 3¢. Cold wind.

Apr 7 – Pleasant 35 Abz cold wind. Shelled some corn. Wheeler left. Bot one plane bit 25¢.

Apr 8 – Some snow 28 Abz. Worked round garden. Oscar Keith[39] here. Deyoes folks here to Tea. Fraser Brot his wagon got Ex stick of Cross. Got corn growing. Lasher Brot almost cord of wood.

Apr 9 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Oscar left this morning. Took Frasers wagon peaces. Commenced smoking Hams. The Burdick Marganized Signor.

Apr 10 – Cloudy 40 Abz. At home. Rainy day. Finished smoking Hams.

Apr 11 – Cloudy 61 Abz warm. Worked on Frasers Ex. Bot Bitters 10¢ one glass Beer 5¢. Let Pond have 25¢.

Apr 12 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Finished Frasiers Ex commenced Marks. Bot paper Envelopes & pens 25¢. Hen came of with two chickens.

Apr 13 – Cloudy & some rain 48 Abz. Worked on Marks Ex Mark came up. Ethen came home Sarah went down to Barbers. Rainy night.

Apr 14 – Cloudy 51 Abz. Finished Marks Ex rimed out hubs. Sarah went to church meeting. Gave Alvan Burdic his final discharge. High wind all day & most of the night. Austin moved.

Apr 15 – Snow on the ground 28 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Frasier got his wagon.

Apr 16 – Pleasant ground covered with snow 31 Abz. Bot 4 lbs nails 20¢. Put Battens on the barn. Adelbert Earl & Addis here. Dell brot violin to be repaired paid me one Dollar.

Apr 17 – Snows like fun 33 Abz. At home. Sarah went to church.

Apr 18 – Pleasant 28 Abz no snow. Lasher Brot ¾ cord wood. Got my Deed. Sent Crids seeds. Mark got his buggy. C. Lee here. Bot ½ lb Tea 31¢ one lb Sals 10¢ Beer 5¢. Burdicks had their trial 70 Dollars fine.

Apr 19 – Pleasant 37 Abz. Mended Streators seat & Blind for Mix. Sarah went to Wisemans.

Apr 20 – Rainy 44 Abz. Made ax helves. Put top on violin. Medicine pedler here. Streator took the assessment got his seat.

Apr 21 – Cloudy 39 Abz. Put some Battens on Barn. Lumis Robinson here.

Apr 22 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Worked on Byingtons Exes. Lois at home. Bot one paper tacks 5¢.

Apr 23 – Pleasant 29 Abz. Worked round the house. Mended Sam Lanes violin. E. Flanders brot some Hickory for helves. Bot one lb candles 17.

Apr 24 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Went over to Fathers Jo & Hellen there. Old Mrs Wheaton[40] died this morning.

Apr 25 – Cloudy 41 Abz. Cleared of garden & measured Moses lot. Bot deed 5¢. Rained in the night.

Apr 26 – Cloudy 44 Abz. Went over to Fathers after Team. Rainy. Old Mrs Wheaton Buried. York Brot me four Hens.

Apr 27 – Cloudy cool 40 Abz. Plowed my garden. Lois here. Wheeler came here.

Apr 28 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Worked round garden. Wheeler here raked of the front yard. Let Johnson have Balsam 13¢. Goods stolen of the cars up at Johnsons curve on the night train.

Apr 29 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Cleaned out cellar. Sarah went over to Halls. Wheeler left. Got Bedstead of Byington 4.25.

Apr 30 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Bot one lb _____ 5¢. Went over to Fathers. Lasher brot load of limbs. Flanders 95 lbs Flour. Mr. F. Lee Brot two bushels wheat.

May 1 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Wheeler here to Breakfast. Went over to Fathers saw Mark & Catharine. Went up to the swamp got gum.

May 2 – Pleasant 51 Abz. Made small thills[41] for Mills. Hiram Potts & Dan Earl left for California.

May 3 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Lamkins digid garden. Bot Bag salt 6¢^. Rained some in the night.

May 4 – Cloudy 55 Abz. Worked on Chipmans wagon.

May 5 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Wallace McLolen here. Put in Ex for Chipman. Sarah went down to Adelines. Harrises[42] had a Boy.[43]

May 6 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Wheeler went to the County House. Bot seeds & nails some screws 22¢. Two organs along this morning.

May 7 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Worked in shop some. Lamkins plowed out my currant bushes. Chipman got his wagon. Poulison Buried. Benjamin Moore paid me fifty Dollars. Batten 23¢.

May 8 – Cloudy 53 Abz. At home. Went up north after the cow. Rained. Lois at home. Mr Clark[44] stayed all night.

May 9 – Rainy 50 Abz. Planted potatoes onions cucumbers melons Beans &c.

May 10 – Cloudy & cool 46 Abz. Sowed parsnips & Radish peas cabbage tomatoes & lettauce &c.

May 11 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Went over to fathers got some potatoes sorgum seed &c. Bot cake soap 4¢.

May 12 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Planted corn for feed. Put in spoke for Ford. Bot things for the children $1.95. Rained in the afternoon.

May 13 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Planted potatoes over to Fathers. Sent letter to Bob one to Dade 6¢.

May 14 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Finished planting potatoes. Lasher worked some two hours came home planted sorgum. _____ 3¢ ½ lb Tea 31¢ ½ lb string 6¢ one lb candles 16¢.

May 15 – Pleasant 52 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church.

May 16 – Cloudy 55 Abz. Worked on hubbs. Bot Shugar 60¢ wall paper 38¢ auger 45¢ fish 3¢. Rained some.

May 17 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Morticed hubbs. Made out deed for Moore 40¢. Sent letter to G T 3¢. Heifer calved.

May 18 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Sold heifer. Got mortgage made. Got pay of P. S. Carmer 2.50. Bot door trimmings & tools 2.69¢^. Bot pail 25¢ mogage 5¢.

May 19 – Pleasant & cool wind 46 Abz. Worked on gearing. Bot two lbs venitian red 13¢.

May 20 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Sarah went over to Fathers. I went to Kalamazoo on small car. Bot shoes for Nancy 75¢ Beer 5¢. Letter to Oscar 3¢. Rained in the night.

May 21 – Cloudy 59 Abz. Made mall. Went over to Fathers. Bot two lbs Butter 25¢.

May 22 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Went up north got a Rabbit. Wightman smoked him out.

May 23 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Worked on trackway[?]. Bot lime 25¢ Bot fish 37¢ Bot oil 2.25¢.

May 24 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Sarah went down to Eds. Ed laid up my wall 1.00. Recd letter from G. T.

May 25 – Pleasant 68 Abz. Hoed corn in garden Bot books 50¢. Recd letter from G. T.

May 26 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Worked on Richardsons Bugy. Rained afternoon & evening. Sarah papered the Bedroom Bot 2 rolls paper 25¢. Old cow calved to day.

May 27 – Cloudy 51 Abz. Lasher load wood. Got Locus of Streator plank of Brown. Went after cow. Rainy. Bot 50 lbs lead 4.00 2 lbs butter 25¢. Sarah went to Thorndikes. Sent letter to G. Tomlinson.

May 28 – Some cloudy 42 Abz. Worked on Richardsons Buggy. Bot 3 bolts 7¢ Bot pair shoes for Ethen 1.00. Found the old cow & calf. Rained in the night.

May 29 – Cloudy 59 Abz. At home. Had a shower afternoon & evening.

May 30 – Misty 54 Abz. Worked on Richardsons Buggy. Bot doors 4.00 Bot brushes 45 Brimstone 4¢ Bolts 4¢ draying 10¢.

May 31 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Painted the Bedroom and front room up stairs and Charleys Buggy. Bot one pound Tea 5/-.

Jun 1 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Painted the bedroom. Went up to Yorks. Rained in the night.

Jun 2 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Bot cabage plants 20¢. Varnished Bugy. Recd letter from G. T. Rained in the night.

Jun 3 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Set out some baga plants. Finished Richardsons buggy. Bot pint cup 10¢ Bot oil 3¢. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢.

Jun 4 – Pleasant cool 33 Abz. Charles got his buggy. Planted melons seeds set out tomatoes.

Jun 5 – Pleasant 39 Abz. At home. Sarah gone to church. Sarah Sell babtised.

Jun 6 – Cloudy 48 Abz. 22 years to day started for Michigan 1837. Sawed out gearing for L. T. Earls wagon. Went over to Fathers one glass beer 5¢.

Jun 7 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo. Saw Banister go up in his Balloon. Bot wall paper and other traps $2.3¢.

Jun 8 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Hoed potatoes over to Fathers Catharine there. Ed Watts[45] died.

Jun 9 – Pleasant 51 Abz. Finished hoing potatoes hoed some in garden. Bored hubs. Paid 1.50¢ for coat.

Jun 10 – Cloudy cool wind 51 Abz. Hoed in garden. Lois came home. Bot one lb candles 16¢.

Jun 11 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Hoed in garden some. Went over to Hartwells raising. Got set Hubbs turned. Bot 5 lb shugar 50¢ strawberries 6¢.

Jun 12 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Went in swimming. Went up to Yorks & Wesleys.

Jun 13 – Rainy 70 Abz. Worked on Deyoes wheel. Alvan & Jerome Turner[46] here. Rained in the night.

Jun 14 – Cloudy 63 Abz. Worked on Deyoes wheel. Alvan came up. Bot two lbs shelack 50¢.

Jun 15 – Rainy 76 Abz. Alvan commenced painting. Bot v. red s. white oil[47] _____ hatband saleratas crackers &c.

Jun 16 – Cool 50 Abz. Went down to J. O. Keiths after spokes got 500 spokes pair 2.25¢. Pay Wightman 1.75.

Jun 17 – About 40 Abz. Left Oscars at seven AM got home about nine evening. Left load down by Nights horse got tire out. Bot crackers & cheese 15¢.

Jun 18 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Finished wheelbarrow wheel. Spokes came afternoon. Bot 6 lbs Spanish white 24¢ Bot gaiters 87½¢. Alvan went over to Kingsleys.

Jun 19 – Pleasant 62 Abz. At home all day.

Jun 20 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Tinkered round house hoed some fixed doors & windows. Alvan painting. Bot oil & venetian red one violin string.

Jun 21 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Planted corn & cucumbers hoed some. Bot 5 lbs S. white 20¢.

Jun 22 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Worked round the house piled up spokes.

Jun 23 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Put dash on Races bugy two spokes in Bixbys wheel tightened one box in Richardsons wheel. Lois left.

Jun 24 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Repaired wheel for C. Risin[?]. Bot oil Spanish white _____. Deyoes folks turned out doors. A Chipman paid me four Dollars.

Jun 25 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Put in Ex for A. Chipman 2.00. Charley got his wheels. Bot 6 lbs shugar 60¢ one lb coffee 16¢. Alvan came back.

Jun 26 – Rainy 62 Abz. Alvan & I went over to Fathers saw Miss Hoxie.

Jun 27 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Rainy afternoon. Mended horse rake for A. McLary. Bot one _____ 2.00 ½ galon oil 56¢.

Jun 28 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Finished McLarys rake. Mended parasol for Mrs E. Mills. Bot 2 violin strings 25¢.

Jun 29 – Heavy shower in morning 72 Abz. Worked on doors. Bot 6 lbs nails 30¢ Bot Whiting 20¢. Old cow out to night. Got load wood.

Jun 30 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Put in the front doors in shop. Bot beer 5¢. Sarah went over to Fathers. Alvan grained the doors.

Jul 1 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Hoed potatoes. Had a shower.

Jul 2 – Cloudy 79 Abz. Put lock and bolt on shop doors. Made fork handle for E M. Clapp. Bot Bolt 25¢ Roll wicking 5¢ turpentine 6¢ cradle finger 15¢.

Jul 3 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Alvan went to Kalamazoo Saw vandusen.

Jul 4 – Pleasant 46 Abz. At home Caty Chaffee[48] here. Bot saleratas 10¢ Bot shugar 33¢.

Jul 5 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Hoed potatoes over the river.

Jul 6 – 43 Abz Pleasant. Put cape on doors to shop. Bot oil 1.00 Bot 3½ lbs Butter 44¢.

Jul 7 – Plesant 63 Abz. Bot turpentine 6¢. Made door frame. Bot matches 6.

Jul 8 – Pleasant 75 Abz. Mended cradle for Wheland. Hoed some in garden. Alvan painted shop. Bot brush 75¢ carpet yarn 2.80.

Jul 9 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Went over to hoe potatoes. Alvan went to Kalamazoo. Bot ½ lb Tea 25¢. Painted stoop floor.

Jul 10 – Pleasant 64 Abz at 3. 96 in the shade at 3. 122 in the sun. Mr. underwood preached at Shafters.

Jul 11 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Cased door frame. Put in cradle finger for J. Wheaten 20¢. Killed my calf.

Jul 12 – Pleasant 70 Abz. Worked in shop some put in cradle finger for Luke Chase 18¢. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢. Beer 5.

Jul 13 – Pleasant 67 Abz. Worked in shop made frame for window. Sarah went to Kalamazoo. Had a shower afternoon.

Jul 14 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Worked in shop on Yorks violin. Mrs Flint Frank Beach & Mrs Rogers & Mrs B­____ here. Alvan came Back.

Jul 15 – Pleasant 76 Abz. Worked round house. Alvan here painted diningroom. Bot Shugar 31 Bot crome Yellow 11¢ one spool thread 5¢ Bot candles 17¢.

Jul 16 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Worked round the house. Bot cag lead 2.00 Bot Logwood 5¢ Bot Whiting 8¢ Bot shoes 69¢. Flanders Brot 50 lbs Flour.

Jul 17 – Pleasant 76 Abz. At home. Very hot day thermometer stood at 2 oclock P.M. 102 in shade.

Jul 18 – Pleasant & hot 76 Abz. Hoed corn. Repaired old Vermount. Had a shower in the afternoon.

Jul 19 – Cloudy 75 Abz. Alvan commenced graining the diningroom. Varnished new violin. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢.

Jul 20 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Worked round house. Alvan finished graining. Bot alcohol 5.

Jul 21 – Cloudy 65 Abz. Headache all day. Alvan painted Blanks for young Norman. Bot 2 ½ lbs mutton 17¢. Jo York got Eds violin.

Jul 22 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Worked on Crosses violin some. Bot _____ 4¢. Alvan left.

Jul 23 – Pleasant 51 Abz. Made fork handle for Bronson 25¢. Bot Ethen hat 41¢ Nancy & Hannah gloves 20¢ one round spoke sham 50¢ sheet sand paper 11¢. Jo & Hellen here.

Jul 24 – Cloudy 64 Abz. At home all day. Negro buried to the county house. Barlow & Tam went north afternoon.

Jul 25 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in shop on gearing. Alvan came here dry.

Jul 26 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Worked in shop. Sarah went to Mrs Beeches. Alvan here put Cross violin together. S. Bristol here.

Jul 27 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Lasher Brot wood. Went up to McLellen after lumber. Bot 15 yds cotton spool thread 1.70 bar soap 10¢ one violin string 10 one hogs head 38¢. Put hair in violin bow.

Jul 28 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Put in _____ for Chas Youngs 50¢. Bot two bushels lime 50¢. Sarah and children went over to Fathers. Very dry.

Jul 29 – Cloudy 49 Abz. Worked in shop some. Alvan here. Sarah went to Mrs. Potts. Very dry.

Jul 30 – Pleasant 58 Abz very dry. Went over to Fathers got lead pipe to water my garden sodering pipe 10¢. Bot ½ lb Tea 25. Started the water in my garden.

Jul 31 – Rainy 67 Abz. At home. Lois & Henry here. Rained very little.

Aug 1 – Cloudy 58 Abz. Headache all day. Jo Flanders & Thomas Flanders here to dinner.

Aug 2 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Worked in shop Mrs. Alberton here. Bot shugar 45¢ Bot Beef 15¢.

Aug 3 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Worked on gearing. Rainy day had a good rain.

Aug 4 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Carried corn to mill Bushel & half. Bot 50 lbs Flour 1.38¢.

Aug 5 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Made mortar. Went to Shaflers after wheat for Mrs Wiseman. Sarah went to S. Newmans.

Aug 6 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Plastered diningroom. Got Boots tapt 44¢ Bot Spice 10¢ paper pins 10¢.

Aug 7 – Pleasant 64 Abz. Cleaned out stove & oven. Went up north underhill preached at H. _____ Shafters grove.

Aug 8 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in shop. Riley Bennet called here.

Aug 9 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in shop some. Went over to fathers. Lasher Brot load wood. Came home with T. Ford paid me 25 cts.

Aug 10 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Made pole for Race. Bot 3 quarts berries 25¢ Bot screws 6¢. James Burnet[49] died about five. Mr. Simonds[50] died about 9 AM.

Aug 11 – Rainy 70 Abz. Stock train left here. Finished Races whiffletrees.[51] J. Flanders & Wesley here. Burnet & Simonds buried. Bot one lb candles 22.

Aug 12 – Misty 68 Abz. Got rifle smoothed out 25¢. Made Blocks for brick moulds. Mrs Hall & Matilda here. Streator Brot some apples.

Aug 13 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Made blocks for Brick moulds. Race got his pole & whiffletrees. Bot nuts 2¢. C. Richardson paid me five Dollars & 25¢.

Aug 14 – Pleasant 65 Abz. At home all day. Very hot.

Aug 15 – Pleasant 68 Abz. Sick nothing done. Richardson Brot his buggy. Bot one lb S. white 5¢ one spool thread 5¢.

Aug 16 – Pleasant 64 Abz. Set boxes in Charlies wheels. Sarah went to Langfords. Bot 18 lbs salt 18¢ B S. white 5¢ one stick candy 1¢ two stamps 6¢.

Aug 17 – Pleasant 60 Abz. At home not much work to day. Paid Mix one Dollar. Sent letter to G. T. Nicholas Galt paid me seven Dollars.

Aug 18 – Cloudy 67 Abz. Rimed wheel for A McLary 1.50¢ Bot one lb Tea 50¢ B Clark[52] paid me 75¢. Rained some.

Aug 19 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Bot paper 92¢. Paid for braid 18 Bot 2½ lbs steak ___.

Aug 20 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Varnished the dining room. Bot varnish & turpentine 62¢ paid for carpet 3.25. Bot pocket comb 1¢.

Aug 21 – Cloudy 58 Abz. At home had the ague.[53] Buskirk here.

Aug 22 – Pleasant 60 Abz. No work in shop. Got hammer hardened 5¢. Bot 5 lbs shugar 45¢ one stick candy 1¢ Bushe & half wheat 1.50¢. Rained some.

Aug 23 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Mrs Ferris Mrs Thorndyke & Mrs Wiseman here. Put the carpet down in diningroom. Bot paper carpet tacks 5¢.

Aug 24 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked on Galts buggy. Had some ague. Bot one lb saleratas 10¢. Received letter from W^m Tomlinson.

Aug 25 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Worked on Galts wagon. Hat & Nell here to Tea. Recd letter from G. Tomlinson.

Aug 26 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Went over to Byingtons. Sent letter to G. T.

Aug 27 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in shop some. Bot beer 10¢. Put finger board on Barlows violin.

Aug 28 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Went over to fathers T. Flanders there. Mother went to Catharines.

Aug 29 – Pleasant 40 Abz. (2.00 put in Ex for L. T. Earl. Bot 3 sheets sand paper 3¢.

Aug 30 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Made hicks spring bars. Commenced Clarks wheel.

Aug 31 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Finished Clarks wheel. Saw Dr De Normandy. Bot package medicine __7__. Bot hive syrup.

Sep 1 – Pleasant 43 Abz. Bot alcohol & shugar 25¢ Bot Broom 25¢ Bot Beef 20¢. Sent letter to Ed 3¢. T. Flanders here. Catharine & Mark here.

Sep 2 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Clarks folks here. Mrs Cory & Cory girls here.

Sep 3 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Ague nothing done today. Bot Taps of Cory for Hannah shoes 12¢.

Sep 4 – Pleasant 40 Abz. At home all day.

Sep 5 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Bot pint Alcohol 12¢. Set & filed saw for T. Flanders 25¢.

Sep 6 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Worked in shop on gearing.

Sep 7 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Got watch repaired 75. Paid for alcohol 12¢. Bot taps for Nancys shoes 12. Flanders Brot 93 lbs Flour. Up all night with Ethen.

Sep 8 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Show in town. Bot Hyve syrup 5¢. Bot pears 5¢. Bot taps for Nancys shoes 12¢. Set telegraph poles. Sold my Draft to Flint $30.00.

Sep 9 – Pleasant 62 Abz very dry. Bot 9¼ lbs shugar 92¢. Bored hubs for Parkers cart. Rainy night. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢.

Sep 10 – Rainy 72 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Paid Parker 20 Dollars _____ in part pay for Engine. Rained in the night.

Sep 11 – Pleasant 68 Abz. At home all day.

Sep 12 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Moved my spokes. Sent letter to Robert.

Sep 13 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Went over to byingtons got wheel of B. Hartwell 2. George Tomlinson came in the night.

Sep 14 – Pleasant 47 Abz. Bot 2½ B steak 22¢ one lb Coffee 10¢ one lb candles 16¢. Went over Fathers & Yorks with G. Tomlinson.

Sep 15 – Pleasant 44 Abz. George & I went down to Catharines. Called to Clarks.

Sep 16 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Bot Bottle Balsam 1.00 Bot cheese & crackers 10 Bot _______ 15. 5 cents to music violin & ________. George left for home traded watches with him 65 Dollars to Boot.

Sep 17 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Bot alcohol 12 one spool thread 5¢. Lois & Henry came home.

Sep 18 – Pleasant & dry 50 Abz. At home. Rainy had a good shower. Lois & Henry at home.

Sep 19 – Cloudy 70 Abz. At home. Show in town ole lull and transfer. Lasher Brot load wood ¾ stove wood.

Sep 20 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Went to the show in the Evening 25¢. Rained like fun. Bot Beef shank 10¢. J. York Brot ¾ cord wood.

Sep 21 – Rainy 51 Abz. Bot ½ lb Tea 25¢. Rainy day.

Sep 22 – Cloudy 55 Abz. Rainy. Bot ½ Bushel Peaches 25¢. Mrs Scranlin here in Evening.

Sep 23 – Rains 59 Abz. Bot shoes for Sarah 1.38. Bot cotton 15.

Sep 24 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Hung doors to shop. Wesley here. Mark Caty here. Bot one _____ 12 _____.

Sep 25 – Pleasant 55 Abz. At home. Sarah went to church. Lois came home. Sarah went to church in Evening.

Sep 26 – Rainy 61 Abz. No work now days. Rainy night. Went down to parkers saw him turn piston rod.

Sep 27 – Rainy 63 Abz. Sold old iron. Bot lock for shop & turned cup & oil can ___5. Bot ½ Bushel Peaches 25. Gave 3¢ to Reaper.

Sep 28 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Bot cloth for coat pants for Ethen 192. Bot one lb candles 16¢ one paper 1¢.

Sep 29 – Cloudy 53 Abz. Bot buttons for Ethens coat & thread 13¢.

Sep 30 – Some rain 66 Abz. Edwin Flanders went toYpsilanti. Went up to Flanders got some timber.

Oct 1 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Bot pork 53 of W____ Blake.

Oct 2 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Went up north over _____ Aldidges hill saw _____ cutting up corn. Mrs Cross Babtised.

Oct 3 – Pleasant 42 Abz. Made Blocks for B. Clark. Bot Receipts 10¢.

Oct 4 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Saw a steam Plow on the Freight train going east.

Oct 5 – Cloudy 61 Abz. Cleared out the barn. Bot dye stuff for coloring 15.

Oct 6 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Bot thread & silk 8. Car burnt[?] on the 2 oclock train.

Oct 7 – Cloudy 42 Abz. At home. Race broke out run into my cellar & well in the night.

Oct 8 – Rainy 42 Abz. Issac Wing & Brother called here. Bot 4¾ lbs salt pork 46¢.

Oct 9 – Pleasant 28 Abz heavy frost. At home all day. Three trains through to day.

Oct 10 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Filed saw for E. M. Clapp one for Earl. Lasher brot sixteen bushels corn & ¾ cord wood.

Oct 11 – Rainy 45 Abz. Worked on road. Harvey came here. Bot Shugar 50¢ Bot Beef 10¢.

Oct 12 – Rainy 49 Abz. Harvey here. Harvey left Ethen went with him. Worked on the road afternoon. Bot one lb candles 16¢.

Oct 13 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Cleaned out the cellar. Rainy day. Matilda called here.

Oct 14 – Pleasant 46 Abz. W^m Tomlinson called here. Bot cambric. Went over to Fathers.

Oct 15 – Pleasant 38 Abz. At home. Saw Dr De Normandy. Bot _____ Beef 37½¢. Horse show at Kalamazoo. Flora Temple _____ her best time 2 m 17¾ sec.

Oct 16 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Bot cake soap 10¢ five turnips 5¢. Went up to Yorks. Alfleda[54] came here. Caty & Mark.

Oct 17 – Rainy 56 Abz. Alfleda left. Bot soap & Sal Soda 1.50.

Oct 18 – Cloudy & cool 41 Abz. Went up to Mr Flanders after Ethen. Letter from G. T.

Oct 19 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Made saw B____ & filed saws.

Oct 20 – Cloudy snowed some 33 Abz. Bot ½ lb Tea 30. Went down to Marks.

Oct 21 – Cold snow some 30 Abz. At Catharines came home. Brot two bushels wheat one bag apples.

Oct 22 – Cloudy one inch snow 33 Abz. Sorted corn. Went down to Babcocks. Brot two bushels wheat.

Oct 23 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Went over to Fathers with Uncle Chi.

Oct 24 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Dug potatoes. Pleasant.

Oct 25 – Foggy morning 36 Abz. Dug potatoes. Bot dresses for Hannah & Nancy 1.25.

Oct 26 – Cloudy 46 Abz. Dug potatoes. Bot one lb candles 16¢. Bot medicine of De Normandy 3.00.

Oct 27 – Pleasant 28 Abz. At home. Got medicine for Ethen 6.00. Dug my potatoes in garden buried cabage.

Oct 28 – Cloudy 29 Abz. Dug potatoes. Snowed. Got my Engine in the Evening.

Oct 29 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Finished gigging potatoes. Had some 20 bushels. Recd letter from G. T. Lasher worke half day.

Oct 30 – Snows 30 Abz. At home. Lois came home was sick. De Normandy here.

Oct 31 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Worked on Engine some. Wesley & Wallace Earl came to the shop. Bot Nancy shoes 75 needles __¢.

Nov 1 – Cloudy 30 Abz. York Brot one cord wood. Lasher Brot cord stove wood. Father & mother here. Lois at home. Bot Beef Shank 10¢.

Nov 2 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Worked on Engine. Four Engines went East. De Normandy went home.

Nov 3 – Cloudy 36 Abz. Worked on Engine some. Lois at home.

Nov 4 – Smoky 59 Abz. Worked in on Engine. Made pump pipe for Father. Bot 59 lbs Bran 28¢. Dry & warm. Lasher Brot 16 Bushels _____.

Nov 5 – Smoky 55 Abz dry & warm. Went over to Fathers put in pump. Deed came for Dr Babcock.

Nov 6 – Pleasant 32 Abz. At home. Got one lb salratas 10.

Nov 7 – Cloudy 38 Abz. Worked in shop some. Wesleys folks came in Evening. Smoky and dry.

Nov 8 – Smoky 56 Abz. Bot 3 lbs Pork 26¢. Went down to Catharines got load turnips. Rained in the night.

Nov 9 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Worked in shop. Rainy day. Bot 2 lbs candles 22¢.

Nov 10 – Rainy 32 Abz. Put up stove in shop. Lasher here carried bushel corn to mill. Bot one pt alcohol & one lb shugar 25.

Nov 11 – Cloudy 29 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Carried Butter to Miss Hoxie.

Nov 12 – Rainy 42 Abz. Bot 1/2 lb Tea 30¢. Went down town. Lasher Brot some stalks. Stormy day. Net Oatman buried to day.

Nov 13 – Snows 18 Abz cold. At home all day. Sell held fort in the Methodist Church. Pulled tooth for Mrs Galt.

Nov 14 – Cloudy & cold 22 Abz snow on the ground some 2 inches. Worked round some. Went down to Babcocks & parkers. Saw parkers Engine run.

Nov 15 – Pleasant 12 Abz. Went over to Fathers.

Nov 16 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Osker Keith here this morning Bot _____ 10¢. Old Mrs Pond died. Sent letter to Mrs Betts.

Nov 17 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Worked in shop some. Bot pork 4 lbs 28¢.

Nov 18 – Misty 45 Abz. Made saw frame for Bachelder. Sarah & N & H[55] went down to Lois.

Nov 19 – Rainy 38 Abz. Worked in shop some. Sarah came home. Bot sulpher & shugar 17. Ida Potts[56] died.

Nov 20 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Went over to Fathers.

Nov 21 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Rimed one of Marks wheels. Bot medicine for children 8¢.

Nov 22 – Rainy 40 Abz. Worked on Marks wheel. Father Brot 102 lbs Beef.

Nov 23 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Went down and got Likenesses taken paid one Dollar. Lasher Brot 16 Bush corn.

Nov 24 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Mark Brot over 355 feet lumber Bass Boards. Sent Deed Back to Pavilion 6¢.

Nov 25 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Worked in shop. Thunder storm in Evening. Mrs Cory here Eunice.

Nov 26 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Worked in shop. Filled tooth for C. Johnson one for Lib Ransom. Bot 20 lb salt 25.

Nov 27 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Father Alvan & J Flanders here.

Nov 28 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Sawed out Berms for Richardsons Bobs. Bot some Belladonna[57] for children 5¢. Extracted tooth for Mrs Milham.

Nov 29 – Pleasant 27 Abz. Went over to Fathers saw Volina. Sawed out Berms. John H Fraser paid me two Dollars.

Nov 30 – Pleasant 35 Abz. Worked in shop some. Jo York Brot cord wood. Rainy night.

Dec 1 – Rainy 62 Abz. Worked on Yorks wheel. Went over to Fathers at night. Got Deed from G. T. Bot Beer 10 postage 3.

Dec 2 – Snowy 26 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Recd letter from G. T.

Dec 3 – Pleasant 13 Abz. Bot 50 lbs flour 11/-. Sent letter 3. Got shoes tapt 30 Bot ½ lb tea 31. Sold set runners to Freeman 2.25. Lasher Brot Corn 6 Bushels 54 Bushels in all.

Dec 4 – Snows some 19 Abz. At home all day. No trade yet with Bob.

Dec 5 – Smoky 32 Abz. Recd money From Babcock. Paid Lasher 15 Dollars. Bot Box matches 6.

Dec 6 – Rainy 32 Abz. Bot Draft of A. L. Mason 555.17. Went over to school house & saw Henry. Got boots tapt 44.

Dec 7 – Cold & snowy 6 Abz. Paid Mary 75 cts. Flanders Brot load Straw. Bot one qt vinegar 5.

Dec 8 – Pleasant 2 Abz. Worked on bobs. Bot incirsion 17.

Dec 9 – Pleasant 23 Abz. Repaired wheel for Race 1.00.

Dec 10 – Pleasant 14 Abz. Went over to Fathers got straw cutter. Mary Childs here. Bot spool thread 5. Richardson Brot load wood.

Dec 11 – Cloudy 36 Abz. At home all day. Alvan here T Flanders here.

Dec 12 – Pleasant 14 Abz. Childs paid 3.00. Paid school tax 4.00. Lois came home. Sent Draft to George $555.17.

Dec 13 – Cloudy 17 Abz. Sick with ralgia. Deyoes folks here to tea. Bot pants 2.49.

Dec 14 – Pleasant 10 Abz. Bot cloth for coat and vest. Went over to Fathers. Mary Stevens left for York State. Jesse W Turner[58] here.

Dec 15 – Pleasant 16 Abz. Lasher got back Brot Dr Bakers trunks. Lumis Robinson called here. Sarah went over to Clarks. Sent one Dollar to get Book.

Dec 16 – Pleasant 13 Abz. Went over to Lashers. Sarah gone to Clarks. Bot Beer 5. E setled with Lasher took Note 16.84 cts.

Dec 17 – Cloudy 28 Abz. Ethen & Nancy gone over to Fathers. Went over to Fathers. Sarah came home. Bot shoes 1.25 Bot oil 28¢ Pop corn 3¢ Knife blade 85.

Dec 18 – Snows some 32 Abz some 3 inches snow. Sarah went to Church in the new church. Lasher left.

Dec 19 – Snowey 30 Abz. Worked in shop. Snowey day. Charles & J. Millham here. Cut mittens for Lynch.

Dec 20 – Cloudy 20 Abz. Worked on bobs. Lent E. W. Gale nineteen Dollars. Got letter from G. T. Bot 5/8 auger 35¢ Bot Bale wicking 5.

Dec 21 – Good sleighing 4 Abz. Charly Brot one & ¾ cord stove wood. Bot Saleratas 10. Gave Ethen 10¢. Worked on Bobs.

Dec 22 – Cold 7 Below z. Worked on bobs. Wesley here in Evening.

Dec 23 – Cold 2 Abz. Finished Chales Bobs. He took them away.

Dec 24 – Cold 10 Abz. Bot Flour 11/- Bran 29¢ Boots tapt 30 apple book 25¢ comforter 18¢ mittens 25¢ candy 5¢ combs 38¢ comforters 25¢.

Dec 25 – Pleasant 14 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Dec 26 – Cloudy 27 Abz. Went over the river. Father & mother here. Ed Gale paid me 19 Dollars. Went & saw the Bell Ringers 25¢.

Dec 27 – Cloudy 19 Abz. Worked in shop T. Flanders here. Pulled tooth for Kit Matthews 25¢. Alvan here.

Dec 28 – Snowy & blustrous 14 Abz. Worked in shop. Sarah Bot dress &c 1.53. Oscar came with load spokes.

Dec 29 – Cloudy 13 Abz. Bot ½ lb Tea 31. Horses to Bennets 25¢. Repaired Flanders Bobs. Paid De Normandy 7150. Sarah went to Clarks.

Dec 30 – Pleasant 16 Abz. Worked in shop. Let Charles Richardson have $15 fifteen Dollars.

Dec 31 – Cold 16 Below zero. Repaired cutter thills A. Blakesley. Bot candy 21¢ Bot salt 25.

[1] Above zero

[2] Charles Luke Keith Sr.

[3] His daughter, Nancy Keith

[4] While “Lasher” is referenced repeatedly in Luke’s diaries and also in letters to Luke from Charles Cridland, the only evidence found regarding his first name, Joseph, was a receipt in the back of Luke’s 1858 diary dated December 6, 1858 for the payment of Comstock real estate taxes

[5] This appears to be Luke’s symbol for “cents.” It was actually written as a quarter of a round circle slanting upwards to the right (see scan of diary entry)

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

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

[8] Below zero

[9] A search of FindAGrave.com reveals that Anna H. Freese died January 15, 1859 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[10] Abiah was the cousin of Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith, Luke’s second wife

[11] His third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[12] His daughter, Hannah Keith

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

[14] Most likely James S. King, his maternal first cousin

[15] His brother-in-law, David “D.C.” Crawford

[16] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark, by his first wife, Minerva Payson. Lois married Byron Clark on March 17, 1859; it is curious that Luke didn’t enter that in his diary

[17] Joseph York, the husband of Luke’s niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[18] Hannah (Willcutt) Keith

[19] An artificial channel or bed of a stream leading water to or from a point where its energy is utilized, such as a mill or a mining claim

[20] An axe handle

[21] Mary Ann (Batey) Keith, the wife of his nephew, James “Oscar” Keith

[22] His nephew

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

[24] George Tomlinson, husband of Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[25] John Batey

[26] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Salmon Kingsley died February 13, 1859 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[27] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[28] His son by his first wife, Minerva Payson

[29] /- is the symbol used for shilling. A shilling was a coin of Colonial America and varied between 12¢ and 16

[30] Platt Betts, his father-in-law

[31] Omro, Wisconsin

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

[33] Luke sometimes referred to the parents of family members, or older neighbors, as “Aunt” or “Uncle.” The relationship here is unknown

[34] Most likely his paternal first cousin

[35] Luke was engaged to Jerusha Crittenden, but then Minerva Payson came to town and Luke broke his engagement to Jerusha and married Minerva. Minerva died just four years after they were married. He then married his first love, Jerusha, who died just a little over a year later. Luke then married Sarah Crawford. Family story is that in the evenings Luke would go to the cemetery and play his violin at the graves of his first two wives

[36] Charles R. Cridland. There are many letters from Charles to Luke, however it is unknown what their relationship was

[37] His son

[38] “Mark” is referred to quite often in Luke’s diaries and it is believed that he is referring to his cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, the oldest son of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee. The Lees were Mormons and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. Mark stayed behind with the Keith family to run his father’s farm. (Thanks to Margaret Williams, Ezekiel Lee’s three times great-granddaughter, for this information)

[39] His nephew, James “Oscar” Keith

[40] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Susan Wheaton died April 24, 1859 and is buried in the Wheaton Cemetery in Comstock, Michigan

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

[42] Daniel and Adaline (Ralph) Harris

[43] Daniel D. Harris Jr.; Daniel would grow up to be the husband of Luke & Sarah’s as yet unborn daughter, Louese

[44] Believe he is referring to Lois’ husband, Byron Clark

[45] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Edwin Watts died June 8, 1859 and is buried in the Lawler Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan

[46] Alvin Turner was his maternal first cousin; not sure who Jerome Turner is

[47] Venetian red and Spanish white

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

[49] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that James Burnett died in 1859 and is buried in the Augusta Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan

[50] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that David Simonds died August 9, 1859 and is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Comstock, Michigan

[51] A whiffletree is the pivoted horizontal crossbar to which the harness traces of a draft animal are attached and which is in turn attached to a vehicle or an implement

[52] Lois’ husband, Byron Clark

[53] A form of malaria characterized by stages of chills, fever, and sweating

[54] His sister-in-law, Alfleda (Starr) Keith

[55] His daughters, Nancy and Hannah

[56] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Ida Potts died November 19, 1859 and is buried in the Roof Cemetery in Climax, Michigan

[57] Belladonna was used in the 19^th century to prevent scarlet fever

[58] His maternal first cousin; Jesse was Alvin Turner’s brother