Luke Keith’s 1871 Diary

1871 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.^[1]

 Jan 1 – 29 Abz.[2] Went down to Catharines[3] with Wesleys[4] folks.

Jan 2 – Cold, snowed and blowed in forenoon. Worked in shop on sleigh.

Jan 3 – Blustring forenoon. Worked on sleigh.

Jan 4 – 10 Abz. Worked on sleigh. Mart and Lucy[5] went to burg.[6] Got Claras[7] picture taken. Drawed some wood.

Jan 5 – Went over to burg. Some warmer, south west wind. Bot this Book 40 cents. Rode over with Jo Boardman. Snow 1 inch. Went over to burg in Evening. Got galen oil. Sent letter to Suky Brown.[8] Received paper of David.[9]

Jan 6 – About one inch snow, 20 Abz. Sis[10] and Will had a fight on snow bank East side house. Went over to burg. Got thills[11] mended 50. Sold boiler. Got Elbow and cornpopper. Snowed ½ inch.

Jan 7 – Worked on Marts whiffletree[12] and put bottom on sleigh. Mr and Mrs Chapin here to get the Bristol House. 12 Abz in morning. Snowed all night.

Jan 8 – Snows like fun[13] this morning. Snowed 5 inches.

Jan 9 – Put sleigh box together. Went over to burg. School in the new schoolhouse at the burg to day for the first. Snow fell about ½ inch.

Jan 10 – Carried Lois[14] up to John Ralphs. Good sleighing. 40 Abz. Mrs Hawkins here.

Jan 11 – Went over to mill and to see Mr Chapins about selling the Bristol place.[15] Snow going of fast. Chapin moved to day. Went down to A. Browns[16] in Evening to see Zeak & W^m Davison, Streator, Ford & Jackson ___.

Jan 12 – Snow about gone, 53 Abz. Sent letter to S Bristol and a $2.00 Greenback and two stamps. Noon mercury 60 Abz, sun shine, warm. Sarah[17] went down to Cates with Mart.

Jan 13 – Pleasant morning 50 Abz. Went down to Catharines. Made 60 galens cider. Rainy day, bad time to get home. Sarah down to Catharines. Snowed and rained all night. Got Cates & Zeaks pictures.

Jan 14 – Some colder 26 Abz, sleet and snow &c[18] in morning. Hank Brown[19] here. Snow and rain all day. Made shead for sheep. Snow fell 3 inches.

Jan 15 – Snow and sleat, 28 Abz in morning. Snowed all day. Snow fell 4 inches.

Jan 16 – Not very cold 18 Abz, quite pleasant, sun shown most of the day.

Jan 17 – 20 Abz. Cut some wood. Went down to Jo Lees[20] after Sarah. Had a big run after bill.[21]

Jan 18 – 16 Abz. Worked round house. Carried some cider over to Planks.[22]

Jan 19 – Mart came up and killed a pig. Good sleighing.

Jan 20 – Cut and drawed wood. 28 Abz morning, thawed some.

Jan 21 – Went over to burg. Saw those men about Bristols accounts. Sent letter to S. S. Bristol. Battlecreek Band came down to day. Ida and Libby Allen[23] here to day.

Jan 22 – Ethan,[24] Lois and Hannah[25] went down to Catharines. Snowed some. Made feed box for Bill. Snowed all day.

Jan 23 – 10 Abz, snow 4 inches. Went Kalamazoo to get mortgage recorded 75 cts. Sarah stayed with Lois Lee[26] all night.

Jan 24 – Went down to Joes after Sarah. Went and got Catharine to stay with Lois while Jo went after Finch. Ethan went down to see the Doctor. He no come. Sarah Skinner[27] stayed all night.

Jan 25 – Ethan went down to Jo Lees to see Finch, he saw him. Lois and Sate[28] went home with him. Cold and good sleighing. Bot broom 25 cts of pedler.

Jan 26 – 10 Abz in morning. Went over to burg. Carried corn 3 bushels. Snow fell 1½, 20 Abz at 2 oclock.

Jan 27 – Work round house and shop. Went down to Jo Lees in Evening. Some cold. Lois some better.

Jan 28 – Cold. Good sleighing. Put shelves in butry.

Jan 29 – Went down to Catharines. Osgood and wife there. Good sleighing.

Jan 30 – Finished up butry. Moved into the middle room. Thawed some, rainy night.

Jan 31 – Rainy morning. Worked in shop some. Carried Sarah over to burg. Some blustering.

Feb 1 – Worked in shop on cutter. Snow ½ inch. Went over to burg after Sarah in morning. Tamer Ford here.

Feb 2 – Worked in shop some on cutter bottom. Snow fell ½ inch.

Feb 3 – Drawed some wood. Worked in shop some.

Feb 4 – Made stool for Jule Lees girl. Went over to burg. Mrs Skinner and Sate here. _____ _____ up here to tea. Mr Burrels Boy hurt on cars. Went down to Catharines in Evening. Burrels Boy Died in the night. Went down to Jo Lees in Evening.

Feb 5 – At home all day. Cold and windy, mercury at 12 Abz. Depo at Galesburg Burnt this Evening.

Feb 6 – Pleasant day. Filed cross cut saw for A. Brown and Repaired violin for W^m Wheeler of Climax.

Feb 7 – Wheeler sent for his violin paid 50¢. Carried Sarah over to Oyster supper. Galesburg Band Boys gave _____ supper.

Feb 8 – Not very cold. Worked in shop some. Cleaned out stable. Mrs Hawkins here. Sarah _____ _____ dress. Nancy[29] went down to A. Browns. Neck tye party at Mr Hu___ this Evening.

Feb 9 – New snow this morning, three inches 3 in. Went over to Mr Planks in Evening. Browns and Skinners there.

Feb 10 – Went over to Burg after Sarah and George,[30] they no come. Got rods for old stove. New schoolhouse dedication at Galesburg. Cold and blustring.

Feb 11 – 13 Abz, good sleighing. Moved old stove to the middle room. Ethan went to Kalamazoo to get some medicin of Dr Finch. Snowed some in night.

Feb 12 – Snowing. Snow fell 3 inches 19 Abz. Mrs Plank came over here this morning full of trouble.

Feb 13 – Went down to Catharines. Catharine and Lucy sick. Sarah stayed there. Good sleighing.

Feb 14 – Went up to Kirbys and Chapins. Cut some wood.

Feb 15 – Went down to Kalamazoo after Sarah an Georgie.[31] Thawed some. Brown and Skinners folks here in Evening. George came over. Catharine and Lucy sick.

Feb 16 – Not very cold 28 Abz. Went over to burg in morning. Cut some wood. X Mr and Mrs Schram X here in Evening. George came over and stayed all night. Edith came down and stayed all night.

Feb 17 – Stormy, snow and rain, not very cold, 36 Abz. Worked in shop some. Mr Plank and wife here in Evening.

Feb 18 – Worked in shop some on cutter bottom. Snow fell 2½ inches. Turner came over stayed all night.

Feb 19 – Pleasant morning, sun came out. Went down to Catharines, some better. Had oysters for supper. George Turner brot them over.

Feb 20 – Went up in woods, cut down _____.

Feb 21 – 18 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo with Sarah and George. Pleasant day. Snow fell 1¼.

Feb 22 – 12 Abz, pleasant morning. Went over to burg. Got table to P. Schrams. Willie Hoges[32] Died to night. Went up to Schrams in Evening.

Feb 23 – Cut some wood. Went down to school house to put on lock. Went up to McCains Corners with Mart. Hoges Boy buried to day. Lyda Barber came over here.

Feb 24 – Worked on cutter some. Bent the raves[33] back. Party at Skinners in Evening. Snow about gone.

Feb 25 – Pleasant morning. _____ put lock on school house. Prepared table for P. Johnson. Snow all gone in road.

Feb 26 – Snows like fun. Snow fell 6½ inches. Blackburns child buried.

Feb 27 – Cut maple tree out drawed down. Jesse Lee[34] called here after Hannah. Snowed very little. Lois came home.

Feb 28 – Went down to Catharines and Jo Lees. Lois and Will[35] went. Snow all went of. June Hoag here. Barber finished drawing Planks corn. Heavy wind all night.

Mar 1 – Windy and pleasant, 33 Abz. Went up in woods. Got pole to hang Cate[36] on. James Crom called here.

Mar 2 – Thunder shower this morning. Calculated to Kill Cate. Killed Cate. Had a big rain and heavy thunder.

Mar 3 – Cut and salted Cate. She weighed 475 lbs. Pleasant day. Party to A. Browns in Evening.

Mar 4 – Pleasant morning. Went down to Catherines. Drawed sap buckets into bush set kettle on. Pleasant. Saw bright sun day.

Mar 5 – Pleasant morning. No snow on ground.

Mar 6 – Moved bench out into old shop.

Mar 7 – Went down to Catharines. Worked on spouts burned out 240.

Mar 8 – Trimed spouts cut of End of stone trough. Mart went to town. I came home. Rained.

Mar 9 – Rainy morning. Went over to mill. Cold.

Mar 10 – Went down and tapt bush. Sap run some. Rained and snowed in the night. Party at Keiths.

Mar 11 – Ella Taylor[37] Died to day. Gathered sap. Commenced boiling. Came home. Mrs Chapin Died. Snow fell one inch.

Mar 12 – Pleasant morning. Went down to Catharines. Gathered sap, had 7 barrels. Sarah went down to Jo Lees. Snowed when we came home.

Mar 13 – Snow 2½ inches. Went down to Marts. Worked in bush. Ella Adams[38] buried. Mrs Chapin Buried.

Mar 14 – Shugered of for the first time. Rainy night. Boiled sap in Evening. Syruped down.

Mar 15 – Shugared of to day. Went over to Comstock. Saw Mr Burlingham. Got $100 Dollars and check on first National Bank for $50.00.

Mar 16 – Rainy morning. Went down to shuger bush. Gathered Eleven barrels sap. Boiled in Evening. Some rain. Paid N. L. Randal $30.00. Ike and Libby busted to night.

Mar 17 – Cool, some fine snow this morning. Syrupt down. I came home. Axach Howard at Catharines.

Mar 18 – Not very well. At home all day. Sarah went up to Mr Taylors in afternoon. Pleasant day. Repaired violin for Mr Grover. Let Mary Plank[39] lot popcorn.

Mar 19 – At home all day. Cold. Not very well.

Mar 20 – Went down to Catharines. Gathered sap and boiled in Evening. Syruped down.

Mar 21 – Shugered of this morning. Ed Yorks boys[40] there. Had two pans full. Came home. Dell, Sate, Nell and Eberle here in Evening. Hank Brown also.

Mar 22 – Cold wind. Choped some. Went over to Mr Chapins in afternoon. Winter term of school closed. Paid A. R. Lovel $55.00.

Mar 23 – Went down to Marts. Gathered and boiled sap. Boiled in Evening.

Mar 24 – Boiled sap all day. Gathered the bush twice. X Band boys came down in Evening. Shugered off for them.

Mar 25 – Boiled sap, shugered off this morning.

Mar 26 – Repaired arch. Boiled sap, syruped down and shugered off. I came home. No snow on ground.

Mar 27 – Went down to woods. Boiled sap, syruped down, shugered off just at night. Pleasant day, cold.

Mar 28 – Fine day. No sap on hand. Cut down elm stub in morning. Gound axes. Mart went to town. I came home. Mr Hawkins moved. Galesburg Band[41] had a shugar party in Evening.

Mar 29 – Went down to bush. Sarah went down to Catharines. Boiled sap.

Mar 30 – Father Labell[42] died this morning. Shugered off. Jo and Lois Lee was there. I came home. Gathered some sap.

Mar 31 – Pleasant morning. Went down to bush. Had some moleses. Came home. Brot 2 cakes shugar and some lases.

Apr 1 – Pleasant day. Sowed clover seed. Mr Hawkins got four bushels corn. Extracted two teeth for Old Mr Hawkins.

Apr 2 – Not very well. At home most of the day. Went down to Catharines. Got 6 lbs cloverseed. Saw Ambrose and Lydia Milham.[43] Young Spires[44] died this morning.

Apr 3 – Rainy. Finished sowing clover seed this morning. Went to town meeting. Mr Stevenson Died this morning. Paid James Jackson one dollar of my money.

Apr 4 – Went to Kalamazoo. Went to Martin Turners.[45] Took Dinner. Went back to bush, gathered sap, boiled in sap. Mr Phelps[46] Died to day.

Apr 5 – Gathered buckets and made molasses. Mart went to Mr Kings Auction. Scalded out buckets. Had a shower in Evening. Old Mrs McLary[47] died to day.

Apr 6 – Came home. Mart came after Hannah. Brot home shugar. Warm day. Raked of garden. Made 550 lbs shugar.

Apr 7 – Warm morning. Worked round house and garden. Trimed some appletrees.

Apr 8 – Trimed some trees. Cows got on Allens wheat. Dry weather. Amos Rogers wife[48] died to night.

Apr 9 – Pleasant and dry. Went down to Catharines after sis.

Apr 10 – Rainy morning, cool, rained all day. No work. School commenced.

Apr 11 – Cold and windy. Put poke on fan. Snowed some, cold night.

Apr 12 – Pleasant morning. Snow ¼ inch. Trimed some trees. Eberly and Nellie left for Iowa.

Apr 13 – Cloudy and cool. Drawed brush out of orchard. Trimed currant bushes. Mrs A. Brown[49] here. Mart here to dinner and supper.

Apr 14 – Sick, not much done. Tool old wagon to pieces. Extracted tooth for Harvey. Sarah, Ethan and Nancy went over to Wisemans.[50] Stranger bot bushel corn of Will Plank.[51] Pleasant and cool. Drawed chip manure.

Apr 15 – Drawed chip manure. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Carried Nancy and Ida up to Allens. Lois and Hannah came home. Young sleeper[?] called here to see Mr Plank.

Apr 16 – Turned out set mallets and balls for Ethan and Will Plank. At home all day. W^m and Alvin Lee[52] here.

Apr 17 – Turned Balls and mallets. Gerome Chadwick[53] Died in night.

Apr 18 – Chored round. Hat Taylor and Maud Adams here. Mart and Lucy called here.

Apr 19 – Went to Kalamazoo with Lois. She went to Ohio.[54] Had a heavy shower. Wind blowed John Mills Barn roof of. Mr Chadwick Buried to day.

Apr 20 – Not much work to day round home. Cows bothered some.

Apr 21 – Finished turning balls. The boys painted them. Rainy.

Apr 22 – Went over to burg after tacks and screws for shades. Put up 3 shades in schoolhouse. Cold wind. Sate Skinner stayed here all night. R. Blackburn packed up to day.

Apr 23 – Pleasant morning, some frost. Went down to Charles Lees[55] to pay W^m paid $31.84. Sate went home with us. Went to Jo Lees.

Apr 24 – Fine day. Sowed plaster on clover south and west of house. Drawed out some manure. Went over to Blackburns in Evening.

Apr 25 – Got out manure. Ethan drawed some wood and chips. Cloudy and warm. Heard the first Whipporwill this Evening.

Apr 26 – Cloudy morning, looks like rain. Gotout some manure.

Apr 27 – Rainy. Took manger and sleepers out of stable. Ethan painted Balls and Mallets.

Apr 28 – Ethan went over to mill. _____ called here. Mary Plank went down to Jo Lees to see Hannah.

Apr 29 – Worked in stable. Made manger for Bill. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Hannah came home with him. Mary Plank came with them. Mrs Henry Clinton came home.

Apr 30 – Pleasant morning. Ethan went down to Charles Lees. R. Blackburn came over.

May 1 – Went up to Ed Corys and Mr Rights. Saw S Bristol. He paid 2.00. Went over to burg. Got shoes for Hannah. Went down to Jo Lees in Evening.

May 2 – Got out manure. Cory Allen[56] and Ida Barber[57] here. Perkins had a Horse stolen.

May 3 – Rainy day. Sick, no work. Traded cows with A. Brown.

May 4 – Some rain. W^m Plank plowed garden and commenced plowing corn ground. I got out some manure. Burnt brush in East lot and old Hubs. Stella Millham[58] here this week.

May 5 – Cloudy and some rain in morning. Not very well. Will Plank plowing.

May 6 – Not well, lame, cant work. Pleasant day. Mr Taylor planting his corner lot.

May 7 – Fine day. At home all day. Ethan, Nancy and Ida Barber went down to Jo Lees to see Hannah.

May 8 – Went over to Burg after Oil Hemlock for Hannah. Went to Doc Wightmans.[59] Got my Early potatoes. Pleasant day, cold East wind. Frost this morning.

May 9 – Cold East wind, some frost. Went down to Cataharines. Carried Bedstead and corn to Mart. Mart carried Bedstead down to Kalamazoo. Hard frost.

May 10 – Planted corn for Plank. Warm day. Jim droped for me. Tin pedler from Wakeshma called here Layton by name. Pedler from Leonidas[60] stayed all night.

May 11 – Planted corn for Plank. Warm day. Finished west lot. No frost.

May 12 – No frost this morning. Repaired sulky spring. Mrs Wiseman, Carry and Ella[61] here. Hot day.

May 13 – Planted corn for Plank. Will[62] plowed in afternoon. Warm and dry. Mrs P. T. Lane died to day.

May 14 – Cloudy and cool this morning. At home all day. Ethan went down to Jo Lees.

May 15 – Sick, no work. Miss Lovel came here to board. Mrs P. T. Lane buried.

May 16 – Planted corn and sorgum for Plank. Dry and warm.

May 17 – Cool morning, North East wind. Sowed corn in East garden. Went down to A. Browns. Got some eggs to set hen. _{1 day} Will finished plowing to day and draged some.

May 18 – Set the Ginny Eggs. _½ Will draged corn ground in forenoon. I marked it one way in afternoon.

May 19 – Paid Miss Lovel twenty 25.00 five Dollars. Warm day, very dry. Planted some potatoes.

May 20 – Planted sorgum and some corn in East Lot. Hot day, 102 in sun. Hank Childs and Will Plank went up to Yorkville. Hannah and Cory Allen went. Jo & Lois Lee came up here.

May 21 – Pleasant morning. Carried Hannah down to Jo Lees. Rained some.

May 22 – Pleasant morning. Planted corn. Fine day. Jo Lee came up and helped me in afternoon. Finished before night.

May 23 – Some frost this morning. Planted potatoes &c, some squash seeds.

May 24 – Warm day. Went up in woods. Cut log for garden roller.

May 25 – Warm forenoon. Sarah went down to A. Browns. Jo Lee brot Hannah home. I dressed out pillows for Cutter Boddy. Had a thunder shower in afternoon, rained hard. Went down to Catharines. Rained hard in night.

May 26 – Pleasant day. Came home at night. Called to Jo Lees. Mart went to town to mill.

May 27 – Went down to A browns. Got bedstead. Put up curtains in schoolhouse in forenoon. Altered over bedstead in afternoon. Youngones had a picnic up in Fords woods in afternoon. Planted some cucumbers.

May 28 – At home all day. Wes folks went down to Catharines. Very hot.

May 29 – Went up to Wesleys. Got some bittersweet. Got my bed springs of Schram. Had a nice shower just at night. Rained in night.

May 30 – Not much work done. Not very well. Hot day.

May 31 – Sarah went over to burg. Made form, bent pillows for Cutter Box. Hot day. W^m Ralphs little girl[63] died to day.

Jun 1 – Hot day, 108 in sun. Put knees in runners. Mart and Lucy came up to day. Carry Ralph Buried to day.

Jun 2 – Went over to burg. Bot 200 lbs plaster 70¢. Plastered some corn. Warm day.

Jun 3 – Hot day. Finished plastering corn. Horse fair at burg. Stella and Mary Milham[64] here. Rained some. Frank Goodrich called here in rain.

Jun 4 – Warm morning. Carried Sarah and hannah down to Jo Lees. Went down to Catharines, got Nancy. Mr and Mrs Gates was Drownded in Gull Lake to day.[65]

Jun 5 – Chored round some. Went down to Joes after Sarah. John Darling came along here. Sent some seed corn down to Mart. Planted Beans.

Jun 6 – Ethan cultivated corn. I hoed some in garden. Planted some corn over.

Jun 7 – Went up and saw John Sherman to get him to wash my sheep. Went down to river and repaired sheep yard.

Jun 8 – Fine day. Washed my sheep. Lois came home. Mr Plank bargained his place to Mr Town. Went down to Catharines. Got some beans. Old Mrs Haws buried died to day.

Jun 9 – Cold morning, no frost. Cultivated some corn and chored round. Planted specled beans.

Jun 10 – Put raves on Cutter, made sky brace for Cutter. Had a shower. Stranger called here from Yorkville. Mrs Haws buried to day. Wesley paid for buckwheat 3.50.

Jun 11 – Cold morning. At home all day.

Jun 12 – Worked on Cutter. Made sky brace. Mrs Lamkin called and got violin bow. Turned stick for Jim Milham.[66] He paid 75 cents.

Jun 13 – Worked on road up by Earls bridge. Very windy. Freight House and Methodist Church burned down in Galesburg to day.

Jun 14 – Worked on road. Took Tea with Jesse Earl.[67] Windy and dry. Mr Schram got runaway with while gone to Kalamazoo.

Jun 15 – Worked on road in forenoon. Finished road and hoed sorgum. Sarah went down to Skinners.

Jun 16 – Worked on cutter some. Willard mills cut some grass. Ethan went up to Fields for Mr Plank.

Jun 17 – Finished cutting grass. Rainy. Put up some hay for A Brown. Catharine and Lucy came up here. Turned some pins for Hank Brown.

Jun 18 – Went down to Jo Lees and Catharines. All well.

Jun 19 – Put up hay in west part of lot. Warm day.

Jun 20 – Had a shower in morning. Ethan went to mill. Worked on cutter some. Rebecca Plank stayed here all night, had a fit.

Jun 21 – Pleasant morning. Got in hay of west part of lot. Got very tired.

Jun 22 – Finished drawing hay. Warm day. Had a nice lot of hay.

Jun 23 – Rainy morning. Got sheep down to shear. Brown heifer had a white calf. Miner sheared my sheep. Had 62 lbs. Fine day.

Jun 24 – Sold my wool to W^m Blass for 52½ cents pr pound. Had 62½ lbs $32.81 cts. Mrs Flanders here. Lois came home. Del Skinner here to tea.

Jun 25 – Cloudy morning. At home all day.

Jun 26 – Put cutter together and chored round. Took up floor in old shop and put my staple down to hold wheels. George Clinton Lee Milham[68] Born this morning 3½ minitz to seven zacly.[69]

Jun 27 – Mr Plank finished plowing Buckwheat ground. A. Brown and Mr Plank helped me kill two hogs. Went over to burg in Evening.

Jun 28 – Cut up my Hogs this morning. Went over to burg. Bot one bbl salt 2.50 one Hat 25¢. Went down to Catharines.

Jun 29 – Cool morning. Worked round shop and garden.

Jun 30 – Worked on sulky wheels for Jim Milham. Went down to A. Browns. Got 3 pecks buckwheat. Mr Plank sowed Buckwheat. Cool and windy.

Jul 1 – Finished Milhams Wheels. Went up to Jo Flanders[70] in afternoon. Got some berries. They finished haying.

Jul 2 – Went down to Catharines and Jo Lees after hannah. Went in swimming. Warm day.

Jul 3 – Warm day. Went over to burg. Bot Calf Boots 4.50, one piece cotton and six cans &c 6.61. Worked on cutter dash. Went over to see Miner in Evening. Had a shower, rained hard in night.

Jul 4 – Worked on cutter dash frame some. Not much done. Hannah went over and got pictures taken.

Jul 5 – Went over to burg to see show come in, nice show. Ethan helped Skinner get in wheat in afternoon.

Jul 6 – Had a nice shower in morning. Worked on cutter some.

Jul 7 – Commenced cutting wheat. Hot day. Nancy & Hannah went down to Fords & Skinners. Thysa Pond here to tea.

Jul 8 – Cut wheat on hill. Hot day.

Jul 9 – Sick. Hot day. Ethan and Sarah went down to Catharines.

Jul 10 – Cut wheat on hill. Warm day.

Jul 11 – Finished cutting wheat and drawed it in in afternoon. Will and Ida Barber[71] here.

Jul 12 – Very hot day. Glued front dash to cutter. Mart Milham called here. One Hundred and twenty five in sun mercury 125 in sun.

Jul 13 – Hot day. Went down to A Browns. Got his rake. Made whiffletree. Mercury 100 in shade about noon. Mr Eastman Died. He was found dead in his bed.

Jul 14 – Ethan raked wheat stubble. Drawed in rakins. Mrs Dick Barber here. Mr Eastman buried.

Jul 15 – Repaired cradle for Jesse Earl. Turned some pins for Mr Allen.

Jul 16 – Carried Hannah down to Jo Lees. Went down to Catharines.

Jul 17 – Ethan plowed corn. I hoed in garden some. Went up to John Shermans to have my account allowed.

Jul 18 – Warm morning. Mr Plank and I went up to the Bristol place in afternoon. Saw Chapin.

Jul 19 – Put in boulster for John Sherman in forenoon. Had a fine rain. Thrashed some rakings in afternoon. Ethan cultivated corn.

Jul 20 – Thrashed some in morning. Went to mill. Hoed some.

Jul 21 – Worked round, hoed some. Fine day. Mr and Mrs Plank here to tea.

Jul 22 – Hoed some beans in forenoon. Jo and Hellen came here. Warm day. Went down to Jo Lees. Stayed all night.

Jul 23 – Went down to Catharines. Jim Milhams folks came down. Charley Bronson called there. Came home in Evening.

Jul 24 – Hoed Beans in forenoon. Quite warm. Cows got into Mr Schrams corn. Hoed some potatoes.

Jul 25 – Hoed Potatoes all day. Eugene and Edna[72] came here to day. Warm day.

Jul 26 – Fine morning, some thunder in the distance. Finished hoing potatoes. Had a shower. Went over to burg in Evening.

Jul 27 – Fine morning. Hoed round cornfield. Catharine, Lucy and Mart came up. Nice day. Had green corn for dinner.

Jul 28 – Fine day. Ethan, Eugene, Nancy, Hannah and Edna went to Kalamazoo. I wheeled wood down to road in woods. Sarah washed.

Jul 29 – Dr John King of Chicago here to dinner. Mrs Wiseman, Carry and Ella here.

Jul 30 – At home all day. Warm day.

Jul 31 – Went down to Charles Lees. A Brown drawed some oats.

Aug 1 – Rainy forenoon. Brown drawed one load oats. Ethan, Eugene and the girls went down to A Browns in afternoon.

Aug 2 – Warm morning. Not much work to day. Brown got in all his oats. Had Ethan, Eugene and girls. Went down to Mr Randals. Very hot, mercury 112 in sun.

Aug 3 – Worked round ____ very hot. Ethan, Eugene, Hannah and Nancy, Edna went over to Mr Planks. S. A. Brown[73] came here in Evening. Had a nice shower.

Aug 4 – No work to day. All well as usual. Mary and Carry Plank,[74] Ella Randal here. Had a heavy shower.

Aug 5 – Warm day. Edna went home. Ethan and Eugene went to Kalamazoo.

Aug 6 – At home all day. Ed Childs called here. S. A. Brown here.

Aug 7 – Eugene and I went up to Chapins.

Aug 8 – At home all day. Mist[?] Went down to Mr Streators, took dinner. Went Skinners. Carried a letter to Lois.

Aug 9 – Warm morning. Went up to Hartwells. Ethan [and Eugene?] went to Kalamazoo. Sarah, Mrs Plank and Suky went down to Mr Randals. Put neck on Mr Wheelers violin.

Aug 10 – Eugene started for Grand Rapids. Worked on cutter some puting on dash. Sarah, Mrs Plank and Suky went down to Mr Randals. Wheeler got his violin.

Aug 11 – Put top of dash on cutter. Henry[75] came home. Mr Flanders Brot his cultivator to be repaired.

Aug 12 – Mrs Betts[76] came on the noon train. I went down to Catharines just at night. Suky Brown here. Mr Yates[77] found to day, had been dround some ten weeks.

Aug 13 – Fine morning, warm. Mrs Yates[78] found to day, had been drund some ten weeks.

Aug 14 – Worked on cutter some. Very warm day. Repaired Mr Flanders cultivator.

Aug 15 – Worked on cutter front some. Oscar[79] came here. We went up to Chapins in afternoon. Henry came here, stayed all night.

Aug 16 – Went up to Mr Taylors. Got some timber to make balls and mallet. Oscar and I went up to Chapins. Oscar went down to Streators.

Aug 17 – Turned some balls and mallets for Mrs Randal. Oscar and I went up to see Mr Kirby. Oscar went up to Mr Balys.

Aug 18 – Mr Streator brot some elm boards. I turned some mallets. Ethan and Nancy went down to Catharines. Hannah and Lois came home with them. Oscar started for home.[80]

Aug 19 – Turned some mallets. Lois, Henry and all at home. Bent some fenders. Mrs Betts went over to Mr L. Burdicks.

Aug 20 – Went up to Mr Flanders and down to Catharines and Jo Lees. Jo very lame.

Aug 21 – Went to Kalamazoo. Saw ____ge. Henry started for home.[81]

Aug 22 – Went over to Jo Yorks and over to Finleys. Saw Oscar York. Champlin Harris[82] Died in night.

Aug 23 – Went over to Ed Yorks. Heard Oscar and Ed play the violin. Left Joes about Eleven. Got home about four. Ed Childs came down after Suky Brown.

Aug 24 – Finished up dash on cutter. Tamer ford came here. Turned two balls for Mrs Randals Croka set. Warm day. Mr Harris Buried to day.

Aug 25 – Thrashed some wheat.

Aug 26 – Put fender on Cutter. Bent one. Mrs plank here. Brown came back from Ed Childs. Warm and dry.

Aug 27 – Warm morning. I went up to Schrams. Old Mr Sherwood[83] Died to day. Mrs Betts went to church with Mr Planks folks.

Aug 28 – Eugene and Charley Hall came here. Old Mr Sherwood buried to day. Went over to Mr R_____. Had a nice shower.

Aug 29 – Went over to burg. Got my grist. Rainy day. Charley Hall went over to Hoags, stayed all night. Heifer went to Bull.

Aug 30 – Round home most of the day. Tinkered in shop some. Nancy sick. Cut a little wood.

Aug 31 – Choped some wood. Not very well.

Sep 1 – Went down to Catharines. Carried ciderbarrel. Got some peaches and tomatoes to Jo Lees. Eugene went to Dowagiac.[84] Mrs A. Brown, Miss S. A. Brown and Mrs Plank here.

Sep 2 – Got some peaches of Del Skinner. Went over to burg. Bot 2 galen jug. Got some water at Warrens well. Taken sick to night.

(No entries for September 3 through October 11)

Oct 11 – Mr Schram got old cow. Mr Wiseman and wife left.

Oct 12 – (no entry)

Oct 13 – Sold stove to Fidelya Brown. He paid four Dollars, he pays 10 for stove.

Oct 14 – Rainy morning. Frank[85] came up to get money of carmen[?]. A very windy night, some rain.

Oct 15 – Ethan and Frank went down to Catharines.

Oct 16 – I went down to Catharines. Mrs Betts went with us.

Oct 17 – Rained some in forenoon. Came home at night. Called to Jo Lees.

Oct 18 – Ethan and Frank Husking Corn.

Oct 19 – Frank Tomlinson left. Went down to Catharines. Lois Lee[86] died about ten AM. Patty[87] sent $5.00 ___ five Dollars.

Oct 20 – Went over to burg. Bot pants six Dollars. Sarah and Mrs Betts went up to Mr Ralphs. Jim Perry[88] Died this morning.

Oct 21 – Went to Lois Lees funeral. Went down to Catharines. Mrs Betts left for home. Buildings on the corner set on fire in night. _____ had two chickens 4½ lbs.

Oct 22 – Pleasant day, some wind. Jim Perry buried. Eat Breakfast alone this morning. Patty and Catharine started for home. Aunt Electa[89] died about seven P.M.

Oct 23 – No one here. Not as well to day. Thieves around in the night, stole cider.

Oct 24 – Cool morning. Oscar and Alfleda[90] came to day.

Oct 25 – Oscar and Sarah went up to Chapins.

Oct 26 – Oscar and Sarah went up to Gull to see Mr Right.

Oct 27 – Sarah and Alfleda went down to Jo Lees. Cold wind.

Oct 28 – Ethan husking corn

Oct 29 – Ethan went down to Marts. Sarah went, came home. Mrs Sherman died.

Oct 30 – Ethan cut some wood.

Oct 31 – Rainy day. Mrs Sherman buried to day.

Nov 1 – Pleasant day. Rebecca Plank came over here. Darias Austin stayed here all night. He was moving some things, had a cow.

Nov 2 – Austin left. Pleasant morning. Nancy & Hannah went down to Jo Lees. Ethan got Sorgum, had 14 Galens.

Nov 3 – Ethan husking corn. Fine day.

Nov 4 – Pleasant day, warm. I went over to burg to Mr Planks. Merideth came up here.

Nov 5 – Pleasant day. Old Mr & Mrs Ralph called here. Alvin Lee brot Alfleda here.

Nov 6 – Cool wind. Went down to Catharines with Meridith. Called to Jo Lees took dinner. Snowed in night ¼ inch.

Nov 7 – Fine day, plasant, had a little snow. Ethan and Meridith husking corn. Ida Lewis[91] buried to day.

Nov 8 – Finished husking corn about ten AM. Cloudy, not very cold.

Nov 9 – Went down to Jo Lees. Rainy afternoon. Mr Howlet Died about Eight AM. Jo Lee went to Kalamazoo after Coffin.

Nov 10 – Came home. Got some walnuts.

Nov 11 – Mr Howlet buried to day. Very pleasant day.

Nov 12 – Fine day. George Turner[92] came up here got his boring machine. Ethan went down to Jo Lees.

Nov 13 – Cloudy morning, rainy afternoon and night. Ethan working on moddle cupler. Mrs Keith here. Mr Boin[93] Died. Lived near Mr Swaddles.

Nov 14 – Rainy.

Nov 15 – Pleasant, cool. Ethan making cupler.

Nov 16 – Pleasant day. Went over to burg. Got some wine. Hard frost.

Nov 17 – Pleasant, hard frost this morning. Nancy and Hannah came home.

Nov 18 – Ethan cut some wood and went over to burg. Eb, Harry and Nell here in Evening. Rained in night. Skinner & Clark[94] maried to day.

Nov 19 – Nancy went down to Jo Lees. Louesa[95] came home. Alfleda here.

Nov 20 – Ethan working on cupler. Cold day.

Nov 21 – Ethan boiling cider. Snows some. Ethan finished cupler.

Nov 22 – Snowy day, snow fell 2 inches, cold and windy.

Nov 23 – Ethan, Sarah and Alfleda went down to Catharines. Pleasant day. Mr Plank thrashing Buckwheat. Dick Lamkins here in Evening. Snowed like fun, snow fell 3 inches. Sarah Borrowed six Dollars of Alvin Lee.

Nov 24 – Mr Plank finished the Buckwheat, had 22 bushels.

Nov 25 – Ethan cut some wood. Mr Schram called, paid for cider $3.20¢.

Nov 26 – Some misty and foggy. Ethan went down after Hannah.

Nov 27 – Cold and windy. Ethan made reach[96] for Theodore Earl.[97] Hannah commenced going to school. Ethan put Buckwheat straw in barn.

Nov 28 – Snowed some about ½ in. Ethan and girls went down to Streators in Evening. Cold.

Nov 29 – Cold morning 3 Abz. Mince called here to sell some grave stones. Sarah and Nancy went over to Mr Planks. Hawkins got stove. Doctor Burner lectured at burg.

Nov 30 – Mince got Birges bobs. Snows some. Quin brot his cutter. Eb, Harry and Nell here in Evening.

Dec 1 – Paid Mr Sherwood $10.00 ten Dollars. Went down to Jesse Lees. Went down to Catharines, stayed all night.

Dec 2 – Went to Jo Lees, stayed all night.

Dec 3 – Came home. Snowed like fun. Saw Mrs Skinner.

Dec 4 – Snows and blows like fury, snowed 3½ inches. Harry Streator[98] came here.

Dec 5 – Cold and blustering, good sleighing.

Dec 6 – Cold and blutering, 3 Abz. Quin got his cutter. Not so well, rather lame. Orrin Scranton[99] Died this Evening.

Dec 7 – Thawing some this morning. Lame, cant hardly get around.

Dec 8 – Cold and blustring. Mrs Plank here. Alfleda came up from Jacksons. A. A. Dodge called here.

Dec 9 – Went over to burg. Drawed one Hundred Dollars $100. of Town Treasurer. Eb and Nell and Harry came here. Eb and Nell stayed all night. Mart, Cate and Meridith came up here. Lois, Sate & Mrs Skinner. Extracted tooth for Mrs Skinner. Orrin Scranton buried to day.

Dec 10 – Mart, Cate and Meridith came up here. Lois, Sate & Mrs Skinner called. Extracted tooth for Mrs Skinner.

Dec 11 – Criss chopping some wood. Ethan commenced going to school. Sis sick.

Dec 12 – Paid Isaac Schram six Dollars and twenty five cents. Sis sick. Cate and Meridith here. Catharine got home.

Dec 13 – Meridith went down to Catharines. Snow fell ½ inch.

Dec 14 – Catharine, Lucy and Mart came up to day. Mrs Jackson called here. Alfleda went down to Jacksons with Marts folks when they went home. Hank Brown working in shop this Evening.

Dec 15 – Pleasant day. Mr Brown and Hank drawed one load straw. Mr Brown got hurt. Hank and Nancy went over to burg. Nancy went down to Browns stayed all night.

Dec 16 – Ethan, Hank, Nancy and Hannah went over to Vicksburg to Yorks. I done the chores for the first time since last summer.

Dec 17 – Cloudy, not much snow on ground. Ethan and girls came home from Yorks. All well.

Dec 18 – Snows some. Brown drawed one load straw.

Dec 19 – Swept out corn house. Cold, snow 1½ one inch and half. Ethan Eye sore.

Dec 20 – Cold and windy, 2 below zero, in Evening Eigh oclock 15 below zero. Paid school teacher fifty Dollars 50.00

Dec 21 – Cold morning, 6 below zero this morning.

Dec 22 – Carried sleigh over to burg. Cold and snowey, snow fell one inch 1 inch, rained all night.

Dec 23 – Rainy. Let A. Brown have $30 thirty dollars. Heavy wind. Wesley got home this morning.

Dec 24 – Pleasant day. A. Brown called here. Carried Wills pants home.

Dec 25 – No one here to day. Ethan went down to M O Streators.[100] George Sutherland[101] Died to night.

Dec 26 – Went over to burg. Carried 50 lbs Buckwheat flour to Dr Merril. Nice wheeling, no snow on ground or not much. Bot bottle of medicine of Mr VanBuren $1.00. Ethan & girls went down to Skinners.

Dec 27 – Cold and snowey, blustring. Worked on sleigh shoe pattern. About one inch of snow. Will Plank stayed all night.

Dec 28 – Went over to burg. Carried over pattern for sleigh shoes. Mart and Meridith came up. Ethan repaired Ely Wightmans melodion.

Dec 29 – Went over to burg with Jo Lee. Bot Diary 45 cts. Pleasant day. Went down to Jo Lees, stayed all night.

Dec 30 – Went down to Catharines, stayed all night. Mart thrashed his clover. Had Elevn bushels.

Dec 31 – Came home. Alfleda came up from M. O. Streators. Hank Brown and Alice Byington came up here in Evening.

——-

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

[2] Above zero

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

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

[5] His niece and her husband, Martin & Lucy Irene (Lee) Milham

[6] Galesburg, Michigan

[7] Mart & Lucy’s daughter, Clara Almyra Milham, who was two years old

[8] Susie A. Brown, sometimes referred to as Suky Brown and/or Decatur Susie Brown

[9] Believe he is referring to his brother-in-law, David “D.C.” Crawford, who lived in Golden, Colorado

[10] His youngest daughter, Louese Keith

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

[12] 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

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

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

[15] See January 8, 1871 letter from Seaman Bristol Jr. to Luke

[16] His neighbor, Ambrose Brown

[17] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[18] Et cetera

[19] Ambrose Brown’s son, Henry Brown; Hank would marry Luke’s daughter, Nancy, in 1872

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

[21] His horse

[22] Believed to be his neighbors, William & Harriet (Groat) Plank

[23] Neighbor children, the daughters of John Allen

[24] His son

[25] His daughters

[26] Lois (French) Lee, the wife of his cousin, Joseph Lee

[27] A neighbor, Sarah (Knight) Skinner

[28] Sarah Skinner, the daughter of Sylvester & Sarah (Knight) Skinner

[29] His daughter, Nancy Catherine Keith

[30] His cousin, George & Sarah (Roberts) Turner

[31] Believe this is George & Sarah Turner’s baby son

[32] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Willie Hodges, the son of Edward & Adeline Hodges, died February 22, 1871, at the age of 4, and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[33] The vertical side pieces to a wagon body

[34] His cousin, Jesse Earl Lee

[35] His grandson, and Lois’ son, William Byron Clark

[36] One of his pigs

[37] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Ella (Taylor) Adams, age 22, wife of Milo Adams, died March 11, 1871 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[38] See March 11^th entry

[39] The daughter of William & Harriet (Groat) Plank

[40] Edwin & Ruth Ann (Fletcher) York had four boys: Frank (b: about 1856), Arthur (b: 1858), Fred (b: 1862), and George (b: about 1871; Edwin was Joseph York’s brother

[41] According to the History of Kalamazoo County, Michigan (1880), the Galesburg Cornet Band was organized August 4, 1870. Charles Harris was the leader and he played the E-flat cornet. Ethan Keith played the 2^d E-flat cornet

[42] The Michigan Death Records at Ancestry.com show that Anthony Labell, a priest, died in Kalamazoo at the age of 55

[43] Ambrose & Lydia (Taylor) Milham; it is believed that Ambrose was a half-brother of Martin Milham

[44] Oak Grove Cemetery records show that Frank C. Spier was born February 21, 1848 and died April 2, 1871

[45] His maternal first cousin

[46] Avery Martin Phelps, age 49, died in Charleston, Michigan, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[47] A search of the Michigan Death Records at Ancestry.com shows that Gertrude McLary, age 82, died April 4, 1871 in Charleston, Michigan

[48] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Julia Ann (McFarland) Rogers, age 27, died April 18, 1871 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[49] Ambrose Brown’s wife, Matilda (Allen) Brown

[50] Neighbors, Joseph & Caroline (Williams) Wiseman

[51] Believe he is referring to William H. Plank, the son of his neighbors, William & Harriet (Groat) Plank

[52] His paternal first cousins, William and Alvan Lee, the sons of Charles Lee (see April 23^rd entry)

[53] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Jerome C. Chadwick died April 17, 1871 and is buried in Indian Fields Cemetery, Portage, Michigan

[54] Lois had lived in Spring Hill (now Tedrow), Ohio, with her first husband, Byron Clark; however, after he died, she returned to Michigan. Apparently her in-laws convinced her to leave her son Charley with them (see the May 13, 1866 letter), so she was probably going back to visit

[55] His paternal first cousin. Charles Lee (1797-1878) was the son of Charles & Rhoda (Keith) Lee, the brother of Joseph W. Lee and the father of Charles Jedediah Lee

[56] Daughter of John Allen and sister of Ida and Libby Allen (see January 21^st entry)

[57] Neighbor, daughter of Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[58] Daughter of James Milham, Martin Milham’s half brother

[59] George Ransom Wightman

[60] Leonidas, St. Joseph County, Michigan

[61] Carrie and Sarah Ella Wiseman, daughters of Joseph & Caroline (Williams) Wiseman (see April 14^th entry)

[62] Believe he is referring to his grandson, Will Clark

[63] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Caroline B. Ralph, age 3, the daughter of William and & Emaline (Stone) Ralph, died May 31, 1871, and is buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[64] Daughter of James Milham, Martin Milham’s half brother

[65] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Robert D. & Jane Eliza (Caldwell) Gates died in Gull Lake, Michigan, and are buried in Cressey Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan

[66] Martin Milham’s half brother

[67] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[68] Son of Martin & Lucy Irene (Lee) Milham

[69] Exactly

[70] Neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[71] Neighbors, children of Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[72] Eugene and Edna Crawford, the children of his wife Sarah’s late brother, Edwin Crawford

[73] Susie A. Brown, sometimes referred to as Suky Brown, Decatur Susie Brown and S. A. Brown

[74] The daughters of William & Harriet (Groat) Plank

[75] His son by his first wife, Minerva Payson.

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

[77] Robert D. Gates drowned in Gull Lake, Michigan; see June 4^th entry

[78] Jane Eliza (Caldwell) Gates drowned in Gull Lake, Michigan; see June 4^th entry

[79] Believe he is referring to his nephew, James “Oscar” Keith

[80] Oscar lived in Deerfield, Michigan

[81] After Luke’s first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith, died, Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders took in their children, Henry and Lois Keith. From letters from that time, it would appear that Lois was then sent to Minerva’s parents while Henry lived with the Flanders family. 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 he lived with them throughout his youth. This seems to be corroborated by the 1860 census showing “Henry L Flanders” (believed to actually be Henry L. Keith), age 16, living with Joseph & Amanda

[82] A search at FindAGrave.com shows that Champlin Harris died August 23, 1871 and is buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[83] A search of Ancestry.com shows that Stephen B. Sherwood died August 28, 1871 in Comstock, Michigan, and Oak Grove Cemetery records show he is buried there

[84] Dowagiac, Michigan

[85] His grandnephew, Frank John Tomlinson, the son of George and Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[86] Jo Lee’s wife, Lois (French) Lee; she is buried in Indian Fields Cemetery, Portage, Michigan

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

[88] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that James Perry died October 20, 1871 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[89] His aunt, Electa (Damon) Wolcott, the widow of his Uncle Warren Wolcott

[90] His sister-in-law, Alfleda (Starr) Keith, the widow of his brother, Harvey Keith, and the mother of James “Oscar” Keith

[91] Ida May Lewis, the daughter of Maxon & Mary Lewis, died of croup at the age of 4, on November 4, 1871

[92] His cousin; the son of Jesse & Sally (Davis) Turner

[93] A search of the 1870 census shows L. & Lucinda Bowen listed immediately after S[amuel] Swaddle; FindAGrave.com shows Lucius Bowen, the husband of Lucinda Congdon, died in 1871 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[94] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark, married Adelbert Skinner

[95] His youngest daughter, Louese Keith, usually referred to as Sis

[96] A pole that connected the front axle and the rear axle of a wagon

[97] The son of Jesse & Mary (Clapp) Earl; see June 14^th entry

[98] A neighbor

[99] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Orrin Scranton, died December 6, 1871 in Perry, New York, and is buried in Pearl Creek Cemetery, Pearl Creek, New York. The 1850 census shows Orrin living in Covington, New York, which is where Luke lived before coming to Michigan

[100] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator; the father of Harry Streator (see December 4^th entry)

[101] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that George Sutherland died December 25 and is buried in Newbre Cemetery, Battle Creek, Michigan

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Luke Keith’s 1857 Diary

1857 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

Jan 1[2] – Went over to Alfledas.[3] Drawed one load wood.

Jan 2 – Finished W. W. Earls car.

Jan 3 – Snows like fun. Carried Earls car over.

Jan 4 – Thomas Flanders here. Carried him over to H. Clintons.

Jan 5 – Cut one pr gloves for Caray. Went down to Alfledas and appraised her farm.

Jan 6 – Went over [the river] and got one board [of W. W. Earl]. Stimpsons House burned down in the Evening.

Jan 7 – Worked in the shop. Made a door. Cold as greenland.

Jan 8 – Went over [the river] and cut some straw. Got my plank. Isaac Cory and wife here this Evening.

Jan 9 – Mother here.[4] Got a rib of A. K. [Alfleda]. Father[5] came after mother.

Jan 10 – Worked in the shop.

Jan 11 – At home. Lois[6] came home in the Evening. Tyson and Toots came with her.

Jan 12 – Got 17 Hundred hay of Bennet 40 cts per hundred $6.80 cts. Got some sleigh crooks of D. B. [Bronson].

Jan 13 – Went over and got one load of hubs and other traps. Let J. York[7] have fifty Dollars. Alfleda here.

Jan 14 – Worked in the shop on my sleigh. Lasher traded horses with Bennet. Gave fifty Dollars to Bob.

Jan 15 – Pleasant and cold, 15 Degrees Below zero. Worked in the shop. Jo and Hellen[8] here to supper.

Jan 16 – Worked in the shop [on my sleigh]. Rogers, Warren and Stimpson there.

Jan 17 – Went over the river. Crid[9] came home with me. Got two Brooms. Made a Bale starter. Sold my gun to Solmon Stevens.

Jan 18 – Cold morning 27 Below zero. Got a watch of D[ick] Lamkins.

Jan 19 – Pleasant 4 Below zero. Drawed one load wood. Killed a pig.

Jan 20 – 12 Above zero. Worked in the shop. L____ Clark drawed load wood.

Jan 21 – Worked in the shop on sleigh.

Jan 22 – 6 Below zero. In the shop to day.

Jan 23 – Drawed one load wood. [Broke my thill.][10] Lasher drawed wood out of the bottom land. Bot this Book. 4 Below zero 9 Evening.

Jan 24 – Worked in the shop finished my sleigh bottom. Cold and blustrous.

Jan 25 – At home. Rather pleasant. Sarah[11] went to church to the method E. P.

Jan 26 – Carried my sleigh to the shop. Sent a letter to J. S. King.[12] Received a letter from G. T.[13] Ten Dollars in it. Quite warm. Stimpsons Ben[efit].

Jan 27 – Went over to Fathers. Sarah and children[14] went. They they Killed Hogs. Thawed some in the road. Stimpsons Benefit.

Jan 28 – Very pleasant. Worked in the shop. Alvan Turner[15] cam over in the Evening and operated on me with his battry.

Jan 29 – Pleasant morning 4 Above zero at Eight. Worked in the shop made a beam for R Tuttles slead and _____. Evening 24 Above zero.

Jan 30 – Pleasant 19 Above zero. Went over to Lashers. Sarah & children. Drawed load wood. Went over after them took tea with them.

Jan 31 – Worked in Blacksmith shop. Fitted the Braces on my sleigh. Bot one pound candles 18 cts. Groing cold fast.

Feb 1 – Cold wind 2 Above zero cloudy snows some. Stayed at home.

Feb 2 – Worked in the shop made an adze handle for E. Childs 25 cts. Made a sleigh neap[16] for Simmons. He paid me one Dollar. R. Tuttle paid me seventy five cents. Pleasant not very cold.

Feb 3 – Received a letter from E. ____. Not very cold 22 Above zero. Sarah went over to Oscars.[17] I worked in the shop. Got my Boards for my box. Bot half lb Tea 25 cts. H. N. Tulls[?] 2 whiffletrees[18] 50 cts.

Feb 4 – Quite warm. Worked in the shop. Goot my sleigh from the shop. Crid was in the shop. 34 Above zero Evening.

Feb 5 – Quite warm 36 Above zero heavy rain some thunder. Worked on my sleigh box. Got my screws and corner irons 30 cents.

Feb 6 – Worked in the shop made my sleigh box. Got 6 lbs shugar ½ lb Tea 8/- ____ 2 lbs nails 10 ___. 57 Above zero Evening. Sarahs gone over to J.O.K.[19] Oscars gal[20] Born.

Feb 7 – Rainy quite warm 57 Above zero snow all gone. Bridge gone some part of the plank. Sarah came home. Lois at home.

Feb 8 – Very cold 14 Above zero. At home. Some snow. Mr. Roulands child buried to day. Very cold Evening.

Feb 9 – Went over the river and got some potatoes. Left dol[21] at the Bridge. Very cold.

Feb 10 – Cold 2 Below zero. Made my sleigh seat. Bot 2 lbs candles. Alvan came here in the night. Received a letter from Omro[22] Mrs. N. B. C.[23]

Feb 11 – Cold 1 Below zero morning. Went over to fathers with my [s]leigh. Scoured[?] the shoes first rate.

Feb 12 – Not very cold 20 Above zero cloudy. Went over the river got two bushels Buck wheat. Sent it to mill. Let Stimpson have my siding.

Feb 13 – Cloudy 28 Above zero. Worked in the shop some. Lashers folks here. Drawed ice for D Beach. Deyos violin here.

Feb 14 – 41 Above zero cloudy some rain. Went up to Hellens. Got 2 lbs butter 20 pr lb 40 cents. Made a finger board for J Deyos _______ bridge.

Feb 15 – Warm 54 Above zero rainy day. My hogs got out of the pen got them back again.

Feb 16 – Rainy 57 Above z not very cold. Worked in the shop on Tuttles wheelbarrow. Bot one comb hairpins 15 cts.

Feb 17 – Warm 59 Above zero. Worked in the shop made H. Keith one ax helve, worked on R Tuttles wheelbarrow. Some rain in the morning.

Feb 18 – Cloudy 48 Above zero some misty. Worked in the shop. Commenced my violin top. Oscar & Drayton here.

Feb 19 – 27 Above zero snows some. In the shop. Deyo & wife here in the Evening. Ed Childs here.

Feb 20 – Stormy 30 Above zero some snow. Made axhelves. B. Brown[24] here.

Feb 21 – 30 Above zero cloudy. Worked in the shop painted my sleigh box & seat. Killed a pig.

Feb 22 – 31 Aove zero cloudy. Cloudy no rain to day. Athome all day no one here.

Feb 23 – Pleasant 36 Above z clear and Shiny. Painted my sleigh. Attended a lecture on physiology. A letter from J. S. King.

Feb 24 – Rainy 58 Above zero. Worked in the shop some. Went overt Fathers. Got some potatoes. Attend a lecture 50.00.

Feb 25 – Pleasant 50 Above ze. Painted my Sleigh. Bot 3¼ lbs Butter 20 cts. Harvey got the planer[?]. Attende a lecture.

Feb 26 – Colder cloudy 26 Ab zero. Worked in the shop. Attended lecture in the Evening.

Feb 27 – 28 Above zero. Worked in the shop. Harvey[25] & Oscar there. Attended lecture in the Evening. Snowed smartly.

Feb 28 – At home. Worked in the shop some. Harvey got the hatchet or hand ax. 26 Above zero. Mended the mop iron.

Mar 1 – Morning 26 Above zero cold and snowey. At home. Cold night.

Mar 2 – Pleasant 2 below zero some snow. Finished ax helves. Jef drawed one load wood. Received a letter from J. Sprague.[26]

Mar 3 – Cold some snow 22 Ab zero. Went over the river. Byington turned my hub for wheel barrow. Meeting here to in the evening.

Mar 4 – Not very cold. Worked in the shop afternoon. Drove the spokes in wheel barrow wheel. Mrs wisemans child Born.

Mar 5 – 29 Above zero cool wind. Worked in shop. Bot curry comb 25 cts. Lois came home. Evening party up to D. Bronsons. Flanders in the shop.

Mar 6 – 16 Above zero cool. Went over and got 2 bushels wheat of Fathers. Lois at home.

Mar 7 – Cold 16 Above zero. Worked in the shop. D. Smith here. Finished tuttles wheel.

Mar 8 – Rather cool 20 Above z. D. Smith here. Took the glass away with him.

Mar 9 – Some snow not very cold 22 Above z. Lois here she went home. Ethen[27] went with her. Mr Ludington Buried to day. Cars run together Below Lumston.

Mar 10 – 4 Above zero some sleighing. Killed my sow. Bot 19 lbs salt 23 cts of W. March.

Mar 11 – Pleasant 20 Above zero. Elias Sherman one ax helve one ax helve to W. S. March. Sold my Pigs to March 99 lbs 4.00. Mrs Cridlands cousin came.

Mar 12 – Pleasant 3 Above zero. Went up to Farmers ville to see Wm Browns[28] timber.

Mar 13 – Pleasant 14 Above z. Went up to J. Yorks. Sarah & children stays to Fathers. Cars of the track evening.

Mar 14 – Received a line from G. T. Cloudy 27 Above zero. Sarah came home. James Howard had my Buggy. Carried my watch to Sternes for Repairs.

Mar 15 – Pleasant 24 Above zero. At home. Buggy came home.

Mar 16 – Pleasant 20 Above zero. Worked in the shop. Cut my thumb in the Evening. Rogers commenced his frame.

Mar 17 – 36 Above zero cloudy. Sowed my Lettauce seed. Stimpson Brot back my siding. Sold G. B. 500.04 feet $12 pe thousand.

Mar 18 – 24 Above zero. Worked in the shop. Finished R. Tuttles wheelbarrow. Received 6 Dollars of G. Brown.

Mar 19 – 26 Aove zero snow on the ground cloudy morning cool at noon. Dresed Spokes. Warmer at night. Tuttle got his wheelbarrow.

Mar 20 – Pleasant 32 Above zero Sun Shine no Storm pleasant middle comfortable at night. Filled 2 teeth for Clara Johnson 38 cts 2 for Dan Earl 50 cts.

Mar 21 – Pleasant 34 Above zero snowy. Went Down to Catharines.[29] Quite warm.

Mar 22 – Rainy morning snow and hail afternoon. Hellen and jo ______ shugared of twice Boiled sap some.

Mar 23 – Warm. Came home. Flanders fetched down some runners and Axhelve _____ Rogers folks here. Father traded wagons.

Mar 24 – Rainy morning 44 Above zero Cloudy. Went over to Fathers. Bot 11¼ lbs Lard of March 1.38 cts Bot one pr Shoes $1.25. Filled teeth for Reading girl 75 cts.

Mar 25 – Cool 28 Above zero. D. Smith here. Worked in the shop.

Mar 26 – 22 Above zero. D. Smith left. Bot 4 lbs shugar 50 cts. Sent letter to __ H. Crawford.[30] Pleasant. Extracted 2 teeth for Mr Watts 25 cts. Cleared of Hog pen.

Mar 27 – 26 Above zero Pleasant. Dug stumps some. Made trunk cover for Cridland. Received a letter from Pavilion. York brot his violin Down.

Mar 28 – Pleasant 26 Above zero. Went and got my pump and some potatoes one lb Tea 44 cts. Lightning train run of the track above Augusta.

Mar 29 – Pleasant 35 Above zero some frost on the ground. Went over to Fathers twice. Went over to Lashers.

Mar 30 – Pleasant 51 Above zero at noon. Worked in the Shop. Post Office moved over to Hydes again. Prust Bennet here.

Mar 31 – Cloudy 32 Above zero. Bot 24 Doz Buttons 10 cts. Worked in the shop some. Went up to Shermans. James Sprague Died to Day[31] About sun down.

Apr 1 – 39 Above zero windy some snow. George Simmons[32] Died this morning About seven oclock. Bot a lot of traps for the children cost most 3 Dollars.

Apr 2 – Pleasant 16 Above zero quite cold. Simmons Buried to day. Frederick Partrige came here to day. Luddingtons son Died to day. Lois came home.

Apr 3 – 30 Above zero cloudy. F. Partrige left to day. Received a letter from G. T. told of J. Spragues Death. Mr Ludingtons son Buried to day.

Apr 4 – Cool 6 Above zero. Transplanted my rose bushes and other things. Stranger eat supper here. Shower in the Evening. E. M. Clap Buggy to day.

Apr 5 – 34 Above zero cloudy. Went over to Fathers. Snowed some. ______ Caray there.

Apr 6 – 19 Above zero snows in the morning. Went down to Comstock with S. Bristol. Cold and snowed like fun. Came back on Hand car 3 Oclock P.M. 21 Above zero. Fred came this Evening.

Apr 7 – Pleasant 19 Above zero. Fred here. Snowey. Went over to Fathers. Got some potatoes. Tom Camel married this Evening.

Apr 8 – 36 Above zero. Fred gon to work for chair company. Worked in shop.

Apr 9 – 30 Above zero Pleasant. Went and got my Potatoes over. Toot was here.

Apr 10 – Pleasant 26 Above zero. Worked in the shop. Bot pr shoes for Lois 93 cts thread 10 cts. Let C. Baker have 10 cents.

Apr 11 – Snows 36 Above zero snowed all day. Put Yorks violin together.

Apr 12 – 29 Above zero thaws some. Fred here. Went up to the Bridge with Fred. By____ here in the evening to see our darter.

Apr 13 – 34 Above zero snows some. Fred Left to day. Lois went over to Lashers. Fred paid me 2 Dollars. Mended my gloves. Snowey very muddy.

Apr 14 – 35 Above zero snows. Mended my mittens. Very bad weather. Lasher traded horses with Eldred gave 15 Dollars.

Apr 15 – 22 Above zero snows about three inches on the ground ice in the watter pail. Bot wood 2.94 cts 5 lbs butter of Flanders one sack Flour of Babcock $1.75 cts.

Apr 16 – 30 Above zero snows cold. Got some nitric acid. Flanders pulled stumps. Brot me some hay. Two chains mended at Bennets. G. Matthews left.

Apr 17 – 26 Above zero. Lamkins drawed my wood. Mended wagon for bush 75 cts paid 25 cts. Got link in large chain hook on small chain.

Apr 18 – 29 Above zero snows like fun about 2 inches deep morning stormy day.

Apr 19 – 37 Above zero snow on the ground cleared of pleasant after noon good sap weather.

Apr 20 – Got shingles of Rogers. Pleasant 31 Above zero froze quite hard. Worked in shop made reach for A. Brown[33] 50 cts. Sent a letter to G. Tomlinson. 5 candles 25.

Apr 21 – Pleasant 30 Above zero. Made Axletree for A. Lamkins wagon $2.00. Snowed some in the Evening.

Apr 22 – Pleasant 33 Above. Went up to Yorks and down to Oscars loaded load of goods Oscar moved Mary[34] come over to our house.

Apr 23 – Pleasant 30 A. Mary An here. Made H. Potts dash. Mary An left for Paw Paw.

Apr 24 – 31 Above Pleasant. Pots paid me 18 cts. Worked in the shop. Flanders Paid me 20 Dollars.

Apr 25 – 40 Above zero cloudy. Went over the river and got some eggs. Catharine Harriet and Uncle Warren[35] came over. 60 Above at noon.

Apr 26 – Rainy 41 Above. Toot and Lois here.

Apr 27 – 33 A. snows very little Pleasant after noon. Uncle Warren here to dinner. Worked in the shop on Claps bugy boddy.

Apr 28 – 30 A Pleasant. Worked on Claps boddy. Harvey & Oscar here. Got a letter from Pros Crawford.[36] Calope in town.

Apr 29 – Pleasant 38 A. Harvey here this morning. Went over the river with Sarah and children. Circus at Kalamazoo.

Apr 30 – 56 Above Pleasant. Went over to cooks and __unyons to look at some cows. Got Fathers wagon ___ moved his things.

May 1 – 56 Rainy. Mary Brown here. Went over to Cridlands got some sedar an Lilack trees. Bot a lot of sedars.

May 2 – Pleasant 34 Above. Got my sedars and pines and set them out. Lois came home from Lashers. Got half lb Tea 25 cts.

May 3 – Pleasant 32 Ab morning. Sarah gone to church. Marked Stetsins Box of Shugar. White tailed hen commenced setting on 13 Eggs. Went up to Gull with Cridland.

May 4 – 50 Above cloudy. Went over to Cridlands got some Lilack and Siberian crab. Carried Lois and young ones over. Made a reach for Mr. Watts 50 cts. Rainy day.

May 5 – 36 Abz[37] some rain some snow. Put in one felly[38] for Dea White 38 cts. Commenced corn plants. Watts paid 50 cts.

May 6 – 37 Abz Pleasant. Went over to Byingtons got 22 feet white wood boards. Got two Hubs turned. Mended wagon for D. Beach 38 cts.

May 7 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Worked in shop on Claps buggy boddy. Got cotage Beadstead of Pond on Byingtons Ate $5.00.

May 8 – Pleasant 37 Abz at 4 afternoon 86. Fired my stumps. Commenced putting on my hubs[?] on my violin. Warm night.

May 9 – Pleasant 70 Abz morning About 2 oclock we had a terrible Hail storm brok lots of glass round town blowed over some fence for me. Got my watch.

May 10 – Cloudy rather cool 40 Abz. Dol 23 years old to Day. Went over to Fathers. Got two Pine trees on Harveys old place. Went over and got Mrs Cridland.

May 11 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Mrs Crid left this morning. Went over and got Early potatoes & two bushels wheat of Father 10/- Flanders Brot two bushels wheat 10/- six lbs Butter. Got Journal of Alphadelphia.[39] Sold Cory som potatoes 1/-.

May 12 – Pleasant 36 Abz. Made a reach for poopy Watts tightened a box for H. Potts. Cridland left in the evening. Gave me a basket. Let Wiseman have some Early potatoes.

May 13 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Worked in shop on Claps seats. Pots paid 50 cts. Bot Hannah[40] 1 pr shoes 4/- 9 cts. Rainy afternoon. Extracted tooth for Wightmans boy.

May 14 – Rainy 44 Abz rather dark. Worked in shop some. Went over to Fathers. Got wheel barrow wheel of Cridland. Moses Mix came in town. Brainard & V. M. Tuttle came.

May 15 – Rainy 46 Abz. Finished Clapps seats. 50 Abz at night. Sold D. Johnson some potatoes 25 cts. Got flour of A Lamkins $2.00 56 lbs.

May 16 – Pleasant 32 Abz morning. Made my Wheelbarrow. Got 4 bushels Flour Bot 6 & ¼ lbs Fish 44 cts Bot 1 lb nails 5 cts. Lois & Henry[41] at home.

May 17 – Pleasant 34 Abz. At home. Sarah went to church. Nancy[42] went over to Fathers with Lois. East wind.

May 18 – Pleasant 40 Abz East wind. Wheeled ashes on my garden. Took Clapps Buggy down to the shop.

May 19 – Pleasant 45 Abz East wind. Wheeled ashes & chip manure on the garden. Fathers heifer came in.

May 20 – Pleasant 34 Abz some wind. Went over the river. Left dol in pasture. Commenced taking down my stable.

May 21 – Pleasant 35 Abz. Moved my stable and corn. Let Father have _____ bushels. 72 Abz after noon. Mrs. Wiseman here. Harriet and Edith here.

May 22 – Pleasant 42 Abz. Wesley[43] & Lasher plowed my garden. Some folks are planting corn.

May 23 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Worked in shop on cornplanter. Bot hoe 62½ cts. E. M. clap Paid me eight Dollars cash three Dollars yet due to be paid in Shugar 1/- per lb.

May 24 – Pleasant 68 Abz some wind. Went over to Fathers and saw my cow & calf.

May 25 – Pleasant 60 Abz morning. Finished cornplanter. John Crittenden[44] came. Had a fine shower evening.

May 26 – Cloudy some rain 58 Abz morning. Went over and got Dol. She started for concord this morning half past nine. Got one thill of ____. Got my cow home. Bot pail 75 cts.

May 27 – Couldy some rain 54 Abz. Sheled some corn. Bot half lb. Tea 50 cts. Rany after noon heavy shower in evening.

May 28 – Cloudy 53 Abz. Mrs Flanders sister came this morning. Some rain. Mad a cross bar for Freers bugy pole 50 cts. T. Flanders came. Planted some early potatoes.

May 29 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Planted Mexican potatoes. Bot garden line 15 cts Brass hooks 38 cts. Flanders here one paper Beet seed 5 cts.

May 30 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Flanders here sowed my Beets parsnips Radish onions pop corn & mellon seeds. T. Flanders here. Had a fine shower.

May 31 – Some cloudy 63 Abz. Stayed at home. Put the lining into my violin. Lois came home. John Tyson came after her.

Jun 1 – Cloudy 60 Abz some lite rain. Went over to Lashers raised the Barn. Bot Ethens hat (15 cts). Paid Father 22 Dollars. Rcd ten Dollars for Cridland. Freer paid me 50 cts. Bot _____ 25 cts.

Jun 2 – Pleasant & cool 50 Abz. Sold Bennet ½ bushel potatoes (50 cts). Bennets Friends came from Stafford[?]. Had a fine shower in the afternoon. Killed my Rooster. Flanders took Tea here. Sent G. T. a letter 24 lb _________

Jun 3 – Cloudy 48 Abz. Finished planting potatoes. Worked in garden. Mark[45] came here. T. Flanders here stayed all night. Sent 2 papers to J. O. Keith 2 cts.

Jun 4 – Cloudy 46 Abz. Bot cloth for Ethens pants 86. Father cam over and Sarah and young ones went over with him. Flanders here. Brot my pump pipe over.

Jun 5 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Worked round the house. Put in my pump. T. Flanders here. Mortised my small hubs. Got a letter from David.[46]

Jun 6 – Pleasant 38 Abz Pleasant. Pon and J. Built fence. Flanders here. Pulled 2 teeth one for Mrs Bennet one for Mrs. fisk. Received a letter from Cridland. Flanders left.

Jun 7 – Pleasant 60 Abz. At home all day. Went down to the river and went in swiming. Put my violin together. Young Clark[47] was buried to day. Had a fine shower in the night. Fisk left.

Jun 8 – Cloudy 70 Abz. Commenced building my Bridge. Flanders folks here to dinner. 30 lbs shugar of Flanders.

Jun 9 – Pleasant 69 Abz very hot day. Worked on the road. Let A. Lamkins have one bushel corn $1.00. Chicken commenced sitting.

Jun 10 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Worked on road. Mason Book came to day. Had a find shower in the evening.

Jun 11 – Some cloudy 58 Abz. Let A. Lamkins have bushel corn. Worked on road in the foornoon. Hoed corn in the afternoon. Bot one lb candles 18 cts. Had a shower in the night.

Jun 12 – Rainy 58 Abz. Circus teams along this morning. Worked round the house. Lois & Ethen went over to Fathers. Henry Clinton at the shop.

Jun 13 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Built my Bridge. Got some corn ground. Bot Nancys shoes 81 cts. Got my Hubbs land___ 62 cts.

Jun 14 – Cloudy 55 Abz. At home. Ethen over to Fathers. Sharpsteens child dead. Rainy day rained all night.

Jun 15 – Rainy morning 60 Abz. Worked in shop. Filed up bands on small hubbs. Rainy afternoon some thunder Rainy Night. Sent a letter to Jenkins Cridland. Jenkins old buggy came.

Jun 16 – Cloudy 70 Abz looks like rain. Mended fathers wheel. Went over to Byingtons. Hung a door for Rogers. Had a heavy shower.

Jun 17 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Went over to Fathers after Ethen. Rogers paid me 50 cts. Had a shower afternoon. Got strings for my violin 50 cts.

Jun 18 – Rains some 54 Abz. Hoed in garden. Rainy. Bennets folks got home ____ ____ my hand screws march paid me fifty cts. Boston Boys here. Sent letters to Ed & Pros.[48]

Jun 19 – Cloudy 55 Abz some mist in morning. Hoed in garden. Had a shower at night. Wind blowed quite hard 60 Abz. Fisk here. Warm July.

Jun 20 – Rainy 55 Abz. Went over to Fathers put up one _____. Some rain. Bot hat 2.50 cts. W. A. Blake paid me $1.25 cts. Shower in evening. Frank Fisk left. Wet August some hot weather about middle of ______

Jun 21 – Cloudy 58 Abz cool air for September. At home all day. Boston Mason Preached at the Methodist church. Had a shower in the evening.

Jun 22 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Work in shop. Boston Mason left. Bot ½ lb Tea 25 cts. Commenced Jenkins seats.

Jun 23 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Got plank of Sutherland. Worked in shop. Negro here. Lois at home. Lasher was here.

Jun 24 – Cloudy 64 Abz morning. Worked on Jenkins Buggy Boddy. Pleasant day. Bot one lb nails 5 cts.

Jun 25 – Cloudy 71 Abz morning. Worked in shop. 90 Abz at noon. Went over and got my banisters of Byington got fifty 18 cts pr Doz.

Jun 26 – Pleasant 61 Abz at six morning. Worked in shop on seats. 90 at noon. Bennets folks gone to Lansing.

Jun 27 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Worked in shop. Sarah & children went over to Fathers. Jenkins Brot some fence boards. Had a fine shower in the evening some Thunder 103. Abz 3 P.M.

Jun 28 – Cloudy 72 Abz. White Bear and Grampas in White Eagle in. Broke down. Had a heavy shower. Went over after Sarah. Flanders came and Brot us home.

Jun 29 – Pleasant 59 Abz at six. Worked in shop. Comfortable day. J. Sherman there. Received a letter from Mrs. Cridland. F Sherman & the Lion had a Brush.

Jun 30 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Worked in shop. Went over Jesse Earls and pulled tooth for Polly Received 25 cts.

Jul 1 – Cloudy 53 Abz. In shop mended cultivator for Lefever 50 cts. Jenkins Brot load fence Boards. Rainy afternoon. Henry came home stayed all night.

Jul 2 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Finished Jenkins Buggy. Filed saw and _____ _____ for __ Jackson 25 cts. __________________ to day. Sent letter to Mrs Cridland. Railroad company commenced the foundation of Freight House.

Jul 3 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Hoed potatoes. Filed a saw for Mr Joy 50 cts. Had a shower. Got some strawberries of S. Bristol.

Jul 4 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Hoed corn & potatoes. Mr Bennet Moved to day. Great Day in Kalamazoo.

Jul 5 – Pleasant 63 Abz. Went over to Fathers with J Deyo to see cow.

Jul 6 – Rainy 63 Abz cleared of. Went over to byingtons. Got wheelbarrow hub turned. H. Clinton Brot som spokes (for Deyo) 25 cts and stuf for cultivator. H. Stevens had a Brush. Heavy shower in the night.

Jul 7 – Cloudy 66 Abz. Worked in shop some. Got feet oak plank of T. Clark. Deyo paid 40 cts.

Jul 8 – Pleasant 64 Abz. In shop some. Deyo paid 30 cts. A Lamkins paid 1.00. I paid Mason Balance on Hat one Dollar. Bot 3 lbs Sal. Soda 30 cts.

Jul 9 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Hoed some. Worked in shop on spokes for my small wheels.

Jul 10 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Worked round some. Cleaned out sellar. 93 Abz 2 oclock. Verry hot. Mrs Bennet here in morning.

Jul 11 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Shaved spokes for my cart wheels. Bot one lb candles of Poopy Reading 17 cts.

Jul 12 – Pleasant 73 Abz. At home. Went down to the river to swim. Deyo went with me. Hurt my foot.

Jul 13 – Pleasant 70 Abz. Took the calf of to day. Deyo got cow to day. Received a letter of G. T. Had a shower after noon. Maude mot[her?] here in evening. Left for Wisconsin.

Jul 14 – Rainy 7__ Abz. Worked on cultivator some. Shower afternoon.

Jul 15 – Cloudy & misty 70 Abz. Worked on cultivator.

Jul 16 – Cloudy 65 Abz. Went up to J. Yorks. Bot violin string 10 cts.

Jul 17 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Worked in shop some. Had a shower afternoon.

Jul 18 – Pleasant 72 Abz. New Engine Pequon Milwaukee & Superior R.R. West wind. Brother Father was here. Had a heavy thunder storm in the evening.

Jul 19 – Pleasant 70 Abz. At Home. Had headache all day.

Jul 20 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Circus at Kalamazoo. Mended Clarks cradle. Horse tamer in town. Bot ½ lb Tea 31 cts. Shower in the night. Clinton got cultivator 2.50 cts.

Jul 21 – Cloudy cool 69 Abz. Sick. Mose brot his skeins. Clark got his cradle 38 cts. Got my shoe mended 5 cts. Lamkins and Flint had a brush.

Jul 22 – Cloudy cool 62 Abz. Sick. Father & mother here. Bot Bottle Bitters 75. Silk & _____ 14 cts. Had a heavy shower.

Jul 23 – Cloudy 68 Abz. Catharine & folks here. Henry Lee[49] left here. Lois at home. Had a shower at night. Folks haying & harvesting.

Jul 24 – Pleasant 64 ABZ. Mended cradle for ___ White. Lois went home. Wesley here in evening.

Jul 25 – Pleasant 64 Abz. Set skeins for Mix. Father came over. Carried corn to mill. Got one Bag 30 cts. _____ paid 3.45 cts. Finished the wall to the ware house in Galesburg.

Jul 26 – Pleasant 72 Abz. At home 96 at 4 oclock P.M. Thrashing machine here for B. B. Fox.

Jul 27 – Looks like rain 74 Abz. Drove spokes in my cart wheels. Had a shower in the afternoon. Oscar called here. Commenced on _____ sills ____________.

Jul 28 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Got flour of Flanders one Dollar cash. Got leather & awl for making Hannahs shoes. Bot one small auger one shilling.

Jul 29 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Finished my wheels. Henry Lee here. Left on the 9.45 train. I raised the under ____ to the ware house.

Jul 30 – P. 67 Abz. Worked in shop seting skeins for Mix. Bot Bottle bitters 75 cts.  Received a letter from C. R. Cridland. Raising the ware house.

Jul 31 – P. 71 Abz. A dash of rain. Set the tire on my cart wheels. Caty Chaffee[50] here. Bot beef and cucumbers 35. Bot cocoa 10 cts. Nancy has the whoping cough.

Aug 1 – P. 65 Abz. Painted my cart wheels. Bot brush 10 cts. Repaired Caywoods cradle 25 cts.

Aug 2 – P. 63 Abz. At home. Sarah went to church. Went swiming. Cut ring of Mrs. L. Burdicks finger. Walter hunting down here.

Aug 3 – P. 64 Abz. Repaired Beehive for S. Newman 95 cts. Hat & shoes 14/-. Father & mother here. They went to the show. Sarah went with them. I went in the evening. Saw Barnes the cripple.

Aug 4 – Rainy 74 Abz. Sick. Bot one lb Tea 62 cts. Hive syrup 5 cts turpentine. Rained afternoon. Oscar over here. George Wheeler died 11 oclock to day.

Aug 5 – P. 64 Abz. Father Brot some flour. George Wheeler Buried to day. Received a letter from C. R. Cridland. Received 20 Dollars of J. York.

Aug 6 – P. 59 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Horace Clark[51] Died this morning.

Aug 7 – P. 67 Abz. At home doing nothing. Sent Cridland map. Horace Clark Buried to day. Henry at home.

Aug 8 – Cloudy 74 Abz. Doing nothing. Bot one lb coffee 18 cts one hat 11 cts. Finished raising the Freight House.

Aug 9 – P. 64 Abz. At home all day. Wrote two letters one to G. T. and J. S. K.

Aug 10 – Cloudy 69 Abz. Mended Parasol for E Childs 10. Extracted tooth for Wights girl 25 cts. Oscar paid postage on papers. Sent letter to G. T. on[e] to J. S. King on[e] to Heath NY city. Bot one lb candles 18 cts.

Aug 11 – Foggy 64 Abz. Lasher came over. Carried my calf over to Fathers. Let Lasher have Earls note.

Aug 12 – Cloudy 78 Abz. Went over to byingtons and turned my Box patterns one bottle Hive syrup 5 cts.

Aug 13 – Pleasant 78 Abz. Half yard silk 56 cts. Repaired wheel for Brown 75 cts. Went over to Byington.

Aug 14 – Cloudy 78 Abz. Went Down to Catharines. All well. Rained in the night.

Aug 15 – Rainy 60 Abz. Mark went to town. We started for home 2 oclock. Went up to flanders. Bot Bottle Bitters 75 cts. Henry came home from pawpaw. James McNinch buried.

Aug 16 – Rainy 59 Abz. At home all day. Wrote a letter to Bob. Thunder shower in the evening.

Aug 17 – Misty 64 Abz. Went over to Fathers and carried Lois. Some stormy. A Lamkins paid me one Dollar. Sent a letter to R. Crawford.[52] Recd one from Dr Heath NY city.

Aug 18 – Cloudy 64 Abz. Mended Car___s R_____ 25 cts. Bot 24 penny stamps.

Aug 19 – Pleasant 64 Abz. Filed saw for H Cook 12½ cts. Mended parasol for C Beckwith 12 cts. Put hoop on Johnsons pail. Varnished my violin. Bot some medicine for Hannah 15 cts.

Aug 20 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Sent letter to Heath NY city 2 Dollars. Received a letter & likeness from Pavilion. Bot 3 lbs mutton 15 cts. Went over to Fathers with them.

Aug 21 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Having new potatoes. Sawed out some Bob runners. Got some pine plank for boddy. Had a heavy shower in the night. Bennet moved.

Aug 22 – Cloudy 65 Abz. Made a box for D. K. Rogers 12 cts. Extracted one tooth for Mrs Frost 25 cts. Bot 11½ lbs beef 25 cts. Showrey through the day.

Aug 23 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Indian there. Went over to Lashers.

Aug 24 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Sent a letter to C. R. C. Bot file (10). Rains a very little noon. Cal Streator here. Made spring for my cart. Bot 2 botts 4 cts.

Aug 25 – Pleasant 54 Abz. At home. Worked in shop some on my spring. Sarah went down to Bennets. Young Stevens Born.

Aug 26 – Cloudy 61 Abz. Came of plesant. Went to Kalamazoo on the cars. Cost 55 cts. Took my patterns down to get my Boxes cast.

Aug 27 – Rainy 71 Abz. Went over the river and got some green corn. Received a letter from Omro. Traded Lamkins watch for a violin with Flint. Had a shower.

Aug 28 – Pleasant 63 Abz. Mended Fathers seat. Got my cart Boxes from Kalamaz eight 20 cts. T. Flanders here. D. K. Rogers open shop to day. Medicine from N York.

Aug 29 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Set Boxes in my wheels. Done small bob for Lamkins. Setled with R. Bennet. Bal over Due $37.23. T. Flanders left celia. Paid 75 cts.

Aug 30 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Went and got some _____ _____ for hannah. Pulled two teeth for T. Whitings child 2 years old.

Aug 31 – Pleasant 51 Abz. Mose made the skeins for my cart. Put them in. Got the shoulder bands.

Sep 1 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Worked in shop. Set my skeins. Hot and dry.

Sep 2 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Hot now. Deacon Corys[53] wife[54] died this morning. Sarah & children went up to Yorks. Jo took my violin. I went up in the Evening.

Sep 3 – Pleasant 63 Abz. All up to Yorks. Charley Richardson Brot us home. Mrs Cory Buried to day. Hot and dry.

Sep 4 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked on cart Boddy. Bot screws & Bolts 10 cts. Henry came home. Father got wagon seat. Very hot 90 afternoon. S. W. Beason here from Niles.

Sep 5 – Pleasant 71 Abz morning. Made whiffletree for B. Clark 38 cts. Bot Cake shaving soap 6 cts. Bot Braces for my cart 5 cts. Rainy afternoon.

Sep 6 – Pleasant and cool 52 Abz. At home. Deyo & I Ethen went round the squair after the cows.

Sep 7 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Worked in shop some. D. Smith here all night.

Sep 8 – Pleasant 47 Abz. Worked in shop some. Worked on Roulands Drill. B. Clark paid me 38 cts. Bot 2 lbs Beef $15. Jo Rivenburg sold out.

Sep 9 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Worked in shop. Finished Roulands Drill. Worked on cart Box. Received a letter from C. R. Cridland.

Sep 10 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Sarah went over to Fathers. Worked on my Box. Extracted two teeth for Clark 50 cts. Rouland 1.50.  Received a letter from J. S. King.

Sep 11 – Pleasant 74 Abz. Finished my cart Boddy. Sarah came home. Sold milk to Dutch 20 cts.

Sep 12 – Pleasant 64 Abz. Pulled my Beans. Painted my cart. Bot flour 93 cts. Bot mellon 15 cts. Bot Peaches 20 cts. Charles ____ paid 50 cts. The Engine Grampus Blowed up in the night just went of Marshall.

Sep 13 – Cloudy 70 Abz. Used my cart. At home. Very hot 87 at noon shade 99 in the sun. Mr Flanders and Henry here. Paid me ___5 cts for mormon book.

Sep 14 – Cloudy 70 Abz. Henry here. Worked round the house. Bot 61 lbs Bran 45 cts. Went over to Fathers House. Went in the cart. Sarah went down to Bennets.

Sep 15 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Worked in shop some on Yorks wheel. Bot 2 quarts oil 62 cts.

Sep 16 – Cloudy 57 Abz. Worked on spokes. Painted my cart Box. Martin Turner[55] at the shop. Clap got my level. Had a shower night.

Sep 17 – Cloudy & misty 73 Abz. Worked in shop. Clara Johnson here. Bot one lb candles 18 cts. Had a shower in the Evening. York at the shop.

Sep 18 – Cloudy and some rainy 59 Abz. One tooth for Stranger 25 cts. Going to _____. One tooth for Ed Baty 25 cts. Rainy. Got 2 bushels wheat of J. York.

Sep 19 – Rainy 50 Abz. Rainy day. Mr Ferris[56] died last Evening. Flints cow killed to day. Bot ½ lb Tea 25 cts. Made boulster for H. M. Shafter 75 cts. Ha_____ here to day. Bot mutton 25 cts.

Sep 20 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Mr Ferris buried to day. Mark & Lucy here. Went over to Fathers. Got some Lard. Saw __terner church.

Sep 21 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Levi J. Norths circus in town. Saw the Lady walk the wire. Rained some in the evening. Bot Hogs head 38 cts. Mended Fathers wagon thills.

Sep 22 – Pleasant 52 Abz some rainy. Went over to Lashers. Laid Barn floor. E. Crawford and wife[57] came to day. Lent George York $3 Three Dollars. Michigan Insurance B.K.

Sep 23 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Went over and got Crids broom press. Sarah Ed & Mary went over to Mr. Halls. 72 at _____.

Sep 24 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Ed & Mary Went home. John Hasey here. Received letters from David & Robert. D. K. Rogers Paid me $5.00. Bot cider 10 cts.

Sep 25 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Bot wallet 62 cts cups 25. Mrs Gleason started for Morganville. Hasey left. Ed Wilcut[58] here.

Sep 26 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Did not work much had headache. Recd a letter from H. Crawford. Lasher Brot 20 Bushel wheat 90 cts.

Sep 27 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Lois at home. B. Clark[59] here.

Sep 28 – Pleasant 51 Abz. Made John Chroders Box. Set Box for _____ 25 cts. Bot six yds cotton 80 cts, one lb candles 19 cts.

Sep 29 – Cloudy 44 Abz some rain. Made wagon neap for D. Lamkins $1.25. Lamkins paid 1.25.

Sep 30 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Worked in shop on Beaches wagon. Bennets folks here all night. Rainy.

Oct 1 – Rainy 58 Abz. Bennets folks left. Rainy day. Worked on D. Beach wagon. Oatman Discharged from M.C.R.R.

Oct 2 – Rainy 51 Abz. D. Beach Paid me 4 Dollars. Setting Boxes for Mix. Got gouge mended. Got note of Luther Eldred. T. Flanders here.

Oct 3 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Lots of Dutch this morning. Got Bottoms for Nancys shoes 12½ cts. Schroder paid me one Dollar & 25 cts. Alfleda came here.

Oct 4 – Cloudy 53 Abz. Alfleda left. Sarah & children went over to Fathers. Bot 3 lbs ___ steak 25 cts. Got my hair cut.

Oct 5 – Cloudy 55 Abz. Worked in shop on Mix skeins. Calvin Streator Brot some spokes. Got smooth plain of Deyo. Sarah went to Allertons.

Oct 6 – Pleasant 43 Abz. Set Boxes for mix. Bot smooth plane of J. Deyo. Bot Butts Lock & Handle for Schroders trunk. Warm Day.

Oct 7 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Made Schroders Box. Set Boxes. Cross now some spokes. Sarah went down to S. Newman.

Oct 8 – Pleasant 38 Abz. Set skeins. Moved some things. Bot peck peaches 1__ cts. Mrs Sumner here.

Oct 9 – Pleasant 42 Abz. Finished Mix Skeins and Boxes sand board. Bot one lb candles of Wilkeson. Bot mutton of E. Parsons 14 cts.

Oct 10 – Cloudy 43 Abz. Streators wheel came to day. Bot 4¼ lbs tallow of E. Parsons. Bot 50 lbs Bran 30 cts. No cow to night.

Oct 11 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Cow this morning. Went over to Fathers. Deyo & Hannah went. Mrs Carpenter left in the night.

Oct 12 – Some Rain 62 Abz. Worked on Streators wheel. Ethen went home with Father. Sent Letter to G. T. one to C. R. Crid.

Oct 13 – Pleasant 36 Abz. Finished Streators wheel 3.50. Made whiffletree for Chapin 25 cts. 7 lbs tallow of E. Parsons. Cross moved his _____.

Oct 14 – Pleasant 36 Abz. Moved my traps out of the shop. Sold Box to D. K. Rogers. Bot ½ Bushel Peaches 25 one Bushel apples 50 & Half Bushel 62 cts.

Oct 15 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Streator Brot me 2 Bushels wheat, 2 bushels apples. Sarah gone up to Swaddles. Went over to Hartwels. Father made cider. Lois went to Clarks to a _____.

Oct 16 – Cloudy 49 Abz. Commenced digging potatoes. Sarah came home. Went over to Hartwells. Got Crids Barrel for Broom machine.

Oct 17 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Dug potatoes. Bot bag salt 25 cts one lb saleratus[60] 10 cts.

Oct 18 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Went over to Fathers & J. Yorks. Some rainy in the Evening.

Oct 19 – Misty morning 42 Abz. Dug some potatoes. Some snow after noon quite a snow storm in the Evening. Sold my fiddle to J. York 25.00. 30 lbs nails 1.50.

Oct 20 – Cloudy 26 Abz snow went of. Moved my weels[?]. Dug some potatoes after noon Sarah went to a bee up to Elder shepherd. Bot 30 lbs nails 12/-.

Oct 21 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Dug potatoes. Mrs Deyo here to dinner James also.

Oct 22 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Bot 25 lbs Bran of D. K. Rogers 12 cts. Dug potatoes 14 bushels. Boy lost. Rained some Evening. Show in town.

Oct 23 – Cloudy 43 Abz. Mrs Chapins came here. Finished diging potatoes. J. York brot some lumber. Sent letter to N. B. C. Made candles. Saw John Hasey on cars.

Oct 24 – Sprinkles prospects of _____ _____. Went over to Byingtons. Got Broom Roll turner. Carried over Bench screw. Rained in the Evening.

Oct 25 – Cloudy 43 Abz rainy about noon. Went over after Nancy. Saw __terner church sick at Lashers.

Oct 26 – Cloudy 36 Abz. Made Crids Bearings for Broom machine. Recd a letter from G. T.  T. Flanders came here.

Oct 27 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Lasher drawed sills for barn. Got my screw of Byington. Got 41 lbs Bran of Lyon. D. K. Rogers paid me $10.00.

Oct 28 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Finished Crids traps & put them on the cars. Wes Brot load pumpkins. Bot one pound Tea __5/-.

Oct 29 – Cloudy 36 Abz. Worked Deyo dressed fence pickets for Barber fence. Bot one lb crackers [?] of D. K. Rogers 10. Mrs Bennet here. Ethen sick.

Oct 30 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Bennet went. Finished the fence pickets at noon went down to Barbers afternoon. Bot half hogs head 12 cts. Lasher got wheat for __terner church.

Oct 31 – Cloudy 31 Abz. Worked down to Barbers. James Flanders Brot some shingles.

Nov 1 – Cloudy 38 Abz. At home. Cal got his violin. Father came over with Lois.

Nov 2 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Worked down to Barbers. Got a letter from C. R. C. Got Barrel cider of B. Hartwell. Sarah had 11/- got dress. Ext one tooth for Mrs Rogers.

Nov 3 – Cloudy 37 Abz. Finished Barbers fence. Sarah went to Robers to a sewing bee.

Nov 4 – Some cloudy 44 Abz. Commenced framing my Barn. Got shingles of Byington. Clarks folks here to dinner. E. B. Seeley here. Lasher went after lumber.

Nov 5 – Rainy 55 Abz. Finished framing my sills. Showrey. Dance at Potts.

Nov 6 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Got one load studing of Powers. Went over to Lashers an cut sleepers. Paid D. Johnson 30 cts. Rainy night. Took tea at ___ Wiseman.

Nov 7 – Rainy 42 Abz. Set glass. Bot oil 7⁽. Bot Spanish white 4⁽. Taylor Brot load stone.

Nov 8 – Cloudy and warm 62 Abz. Stayed at home. Put lock on Johnsons Box.

Nov 9 – Cloudy 33 Abz. Lasher Brot over the sleepers. Got load lumber of A. Powers. Sent Ed a letter & one to David. Bot 10 yds _______________.

Nov 10 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Raised the boddy of my barn. Chapin paid me 25 cts. Johnson paid me 10 cts. Put locks on box.

Nov 11 – Pleasant 29 Abz. Worked on my barn. Father came over. Sarah went to D Harris. Got Bran of Lyon 23 lbs. Raining in the Night.

Nov 12 – Cloudy 38 Abz. Put Roof boards and rafters on my barn. Rainy some snow. Moved locker in front room.

Nov 13 – Cloudy 31 Abz. Put in the sleepers to the barn & laid some floor.

Nov 14 – Pleasant 20 Abz. Banked house. Tailors girls moved. B 2 lbs box 13 cts. Killed cat.

Nov 15 – Pleasant 18 Abz. At home all day. My Barn ready to side.

Nov 16 – Snows 32 Abz. Set glass. Lasher Brot my siding 962 feet. Bot one lb whiting 6 cts.

Nov 17 – Cloudy 33 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Henry Stevens took Dinner here. Bot bushel turnips of E. flanders.[61] Bot 6 lbs pork of Earl 47 cts.

Nov 18 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Put some siding on the Barn. Commenced snowing at night. Father came over. Joseph York making pint cups[?].

Nov 19 – Cold and snowey 22 Abz some two or three inches deep. Snowed and blowed all day. Bot Boots 4.00. Recd letter from Ed one from Cridland.

Nov 20 – Snows 18 Abz. Race[62] Brok. Water all over. Duce of a time. Snowed & blowed all day. Stayed at home. Moved down stairs to night.

Nov 21 – Snows 19 Abz Blows cold snow flies. Lasher drawed one load stalks. Flanders one load. Got my plank. Bot saleratas 10 cts.

Nov 22 – Cold 17 Abz dont snow this morning. Stayed at home.

Nov 23 – Pleasant 13 Abz. Went over to the mill. Went up to Yorks. Got windows at Crids place. Bot shoes for Sarah 11/-.

Nov 24 – Cold 6 Abz. Snows some. Put on some siding. Worked over to Cross shop some on steel runners.

Nov 25 – Cold & pleasant 18 Bel zero. Tinkered round home. Got the snow of my Barn. Bot 7 lbs Beef 28 cts. Lois came home.

Nov 26 – Cold 7 Below zero pleasant. Mark & Henry here. Sarah went up to Hellens. Commenced shingling my Barn. Got a letter from G. Tomlinson.

Nov 27 – Pleasant zero. Shingling. Quite warm and comfortable. Went over to Lashers in the Evening. Started the mill.

Nov 28 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Finished shingling my Barn. Laid floor. Lasher worked half day. Carried 2 bushels wheat to mill. Shafter brot me some wheat. 3 lbs nails. Warm.

Nov 29 – Pleasant 46 Abz. At home. Rainy afternoon and Evening.

Nov 30 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Worked on Barn finished siding. Made one door. Jesse Earl Brot some ax helve timber. Bot 2 lbs nails 25. Mark Lee here at noon.

Dec 1 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Lasher Brot 50 Bushels corn. Made bin. Rained in Evening warm. Bot 2 lbs rot[?] nails 25 cts one pr hinges 66 cts 13 cts screws[?].

Dec 2 – Cloudy 42 Abz. Made my doors for Barn. Got hasp for door 25 cts. Bot thread 10 cts.

Dec 3 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Went over to Father. Catharine came up. Put up stones to Clintons & James graves. Mark & Henry helped.

Dec 4 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Drawed corn fodder 2 loads for York 2 for my self. Took dinner with Jo.

Dec 5 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Went over and drawed corn fodder. Brot one load home. Rained in the Evening.

Dec 6 – Rainy 42 Abz. Ella Taylor here. D. Lamkins here in the Evening. Old Mrs Earl died.

Dec 7 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Worked round the Barn put in window. Sarah & children went over to Fathers. Stuck steaks for my shop.

Dec 8 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Mrs Munsel here. Smoky in the morning. Made manger made small door. George York pd me $3.25 ct. Sarah & children gone. Mrs Earl buried to day. Rainy night.

Dec 9 – Misty morning 43 Abz. All alone. Sarah went to Fathers. Sarah came home. Mark Brot them home. Cordelia Earl here. Got the old freight House moved. Pluto came on the new side track.

Dec 10 – Some snow & Blowes 28 Abz. Matilda Munsel here. Went home on the cars. Bot ½ lb Tea 25 cts. D. K. Rogers Bot file 13 cts. Recd letter from R. Crawford.

Dec 11 – Snows very little 28 Abz. Worked round got ready to work on my shop sills. Killed rooster.

Dec 12 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Commenced my sills. Got them partly fraimed. Deyo & wife here to supper. York here in morning.

Dec 13 – Pleasant 26 Abz no snow yet. Went over to Fathers. Ground bear. Mr Taylor and wife here in Evening. Sarah went to church.

Dec 14 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Went over and moved Ethen Bradleys[63] Bonens. Took them to Galesburg. Mark & Henry Lees & Jo York. Warm & Pleasant as Summer.

Dec 15 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Finished framing my shop sills. Gave Powers his order on Mrs H. Clark.

Dec 16 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Went up to Yorks. He was gone.

Dec 17 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Went up to Yorks. Got out my sleepers and blocks. Ed Crawford came out. Rained in the night.

Dec 18 – Rainy 36 Abz. Ed went over to Lashers. Looked at the Farm. Ed left at six 15 Evening. Set foundation to shop.

Dec 19 – Cool 26 Abz. Framed sleepers for shop. Put on the sills. Received a letter from Sherwoods folks.

Dec 20 – Pleasant 16 Abz no snow nice fall weather. Stayed at at home. Extracted one tooth for Emma Clark 25 cts.

Dec 21 – Cloudy 24 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Commenced snowing. Lasher gone to Kalamazoo. Girls moved their Bed up stairs. Sent letter to G. T.

Dec 22 – Cloudy 30 Abz snow 2 or 3 inches deep round here to day. Sent letter to C. R. Cridland one to J. S. King.

Dec 23 – Pleasant 24 Abz some snow. Went over to Byingtons. Jesse & Polly Earl here to tea party. Over to W^m Aldrich in the Evening.

Dec 24 – Pleasant 22 Abz. Went over to Lashers. Not much sleighing.

Dec 25 – Pleasant 3 Abz. Went over to Jos Wisemans to supper.

Dec 26 – Pleasant 20 Abz. Bot hair dye 20 cts. Made pattern for J. C. Blake. Gals took tea had goose.

Dec 27 – Pleasant 22 Abz. Sarah gone to church. Cordelia Earl here. At home all day. D. Lamkins here in Evening.

Dec 28 – Pleasant 33 Abz. Set & filed saw for H. Cook. Some snow thaws 42 Abz at noon. Went over to Fathers. Got Barlows violin.

Dec 29 – Pleasant 18 Abz nice morning. Flanders Brot load straw. Got some lumber from the mill. Lasher Brot _________ 162½ lbs. Stimpson folks here.

Dec 30 – Cloudy 36 Abz. Framed my studs. Raised my shop. Went over to Deyos. Took tea.

Dec 31 – Snows 29 Abz. Worked on shop frame. Put in the girts[?]. Henry came home.

 

Entries for January 1 – 16, 1858 which were entered in the back of this diary are listed with the 1858 diary entries.

 

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

[2] The entries from January 1 through January 24 were first written in the back of his 1856 diary and are basically identical to what he wrote in his 1857 diary. Anything from 1856 that clarifies the 1857 entries are noted in brackets

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

[4] Hannah (Willcutt) Keith

[5] Charles Luke Keith Sr., who was also known as Luke

[6] His daughter, Lois Keith, by his first wife, Minerva Payson

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

[8] Helen (Bradley) & Joseph York

[9] Charles R. Cridland

[10] One of the long shafts between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon

[11] His third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[12] James S. King, his first cousin

[13] George Tomlinson, husband of his niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[14] Ethan, Nancy and Hannah Keith

[15] His first cousin

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

[17] James Oscar Keith, son of his brother Harvey and Alfleda (Starr) Keith, who went by the name of Oscar

[18] 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

[19] James Oscar Keith

[20] Jessie J. Keith

[21] His horse

[22] Omro, Wisconsin

[23] His mother-in-law, Nancy B. (Comfort) Crawford

[24] Believe he is referring to Ballou Brown, whose grandson (Henry Brown) would eventually be married to Luke’s daughter Nancy

[25] Presume this to be Oscar’s brother, Harvey Keith

[26] Believe he is referring to James Sprague Jr., who was married to his sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[27] His son, Ethan Keith, who was six years old

[28] Believe he is referring to Ballou Brown’s son

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

[30] His brother-in-law, Hiram Crawford

[31] James Sprague Jr. actually died March 30, 1857

[32] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that George Simmons died at the age of 42 years 10 months and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery. It is unknown if there is any relationship between Luke and George

[33] Ambrose Brown, Ballou Brown’s son

[34] Oscar’s wife, Mary Ann (Batey) Keith

[35] Warren Wolcott

[36] His brother-in-law, Lucius Prosper Crawford

[37] Above zero

[38] Felly or felloe is the rim of a wheel supported by spokes

[39] The Alphadelphia Association; more More information on the Alphadelphia Association can be seen here.

[40] His daughter, who was not quite two years old

[41] His son by his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith

[42] His daughter, not quite five years old

[43] Believe he is referring to his adopted brother, Wesley Keith

[44] The brother of his second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith

[45] “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)

[46] Believe he is referring to his brother-in-law, David “D.C.” Crawford

[47] A search of FindAGrave.com shows S. G. Clark died at the age of 23 years 2 months 1 day, and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery. It is unknown if there is any relationship between Luke and S. G. Clark

[48] His brothers-in-law, Edwin and Pros Crawford

[49] Luke’s cousin, William Henry Lee; see also footnote #45. Henry and Mark were brothers

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

[51] A search of FindAGrave.com shows Horace Clark died at the age of 39 years 1 month 19 days, and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery. It is unknown if there is any relationship between Luke and Horace

[52] His brother-in-law, Robert Crawford

[53] Joseph Cory

[54] A search of FindAGrave.com shows Gratia (Whitney) Cory died at the age of 54 years 2 months 5 days, and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Galesburg. It is unknown if there is any relationship between Luke and Gratia

[55] His first cousin

[56] A search of FindAGrave.com shows Allen Ferris was born in 1803, and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery. It is unknown if there is any relationship between Luke and Allen

[57] His brother-in-law and wife, Edwin and Mary (Hamilton) Crawford

[58] Edward G. Wolcott, his first cousin

[59] Believe he is referring to Byron Clark, his daughter Lois’ future husband

[60] Sodium or potassium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent; baking soda

[61] Edwin and Mary Flanders took in Luke’s son, Henry, and possibly his daughter, Lois, after the death of his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith, for a period of time

[62] 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

[63] His sister Catherine’s first husband