1876 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]
Jan 1 – Paid Clarrie E. Austin[2] order $11.00. Rained some in morning, mercury 60 fifteen minutes to nine, sun shone out warm. Went down to Browns[3] in afternoon stayed in evening. Hank[4] came home. Barbers folks came over. High wind all night.
Jan 2 – Pleasant morning, 39 Abz.[5] At home all day.
Jan 3 – Cut some wood in forenoon. Went to mill in afternoon. Got my Buckwheat flour. Cold, froze some. Henry[6] came down stayed all night. Hank and Nancy[7] here.
Jan 4 – Cold morning 18 Abz at nine oclock. Sarah,[8] Nancy and Hannah[9] went over to Barbers. I went up to Mr. Benjamins. Lois[10] came home with me stayed all night.
Jan 5 – Rained some in morning. Went up in woods cut one tree down. Drawed two loads wood. Browns folks came up here in Evening. Lois went home.
Jan 6 – Cool to snow ground, not froze any. Went over to burg[11] got paint for Katie. Went down to Kates[12] stayed all night.
Jan 7 – Went to work on closset. Worked all day. Fine day.
Jan 8 – Worked on closset. Work all day. Warm day. Old Mr Nelson died.
Jan 9 – Worked on closset. Rainy. Worked all day. Blowed and snowed all night, high wind. Mr Nelson buried.
Jan 10 – Wind blows yet. Put shelves in cellerway. Painted closset and door below. Came home. Very cold. Mart[13] took sawing machine in woods. Darling helped him saw.
Jan 11 – At home. Cold morning. Hannah gone up to Mr Taylors[14] to work on dress. Went over to burg, bot some dings.[15] Cold, snowed some. Had headache.
Jan 12 – Cold morning. Cut some wood. Hat, Libby[16] and their aunt Mrs Taylor here in afternoon. A. Brown and family here in Evening. Mr J Allen and girls here, Cora and Ida.[17] Mr Hu___ died at L. Barbers.
Jan 13 – Cold morning. Worked round choring mosof the day. Commenced lap board for girls.
Jan 14 – Not very well. Nancy and Hannah went to Lawton[18] on the one thirty seven run. Sarah went over to burg.
Jan 15 – Not very cold. Put gudgeons in Schrams machine rollers. Not very well, headache, hard cold. Old Mrs Sherwood[19] brot in and buried to day.
Jan 16 – At home. Not well, hard cold. No snow on ground, rained some.
Jan 17 – Damp day. No work to day. Mercury 49 Abz. Hard cold.
Jan 18 – Rainy morning, 51 Abz, rained all day. Husked some corn. Went over to burg in afternoon. Very muddy.
Jan 19 – Some colder, no snow. Mr Flanders[20] brot his wagon down to be mended.
Jan 20 – Pleasant day. No work. Not very well. Carried Sarah over to burg she stayed all night.
Jan 21 – Carried Sarah over to burg she stayed all night with Jane.[21]
Jan 22 – I went over to burg after Sarah. Rained. Not very well yet, cold hangs on yet. Not very cold, no snow.
Jan 23 – At home. All well but I.
Jan 24 – Went up in woods, sawed some wood. Went over to burg, bot Barrel salt $1.75 cts. Not very cold, ground froze. Rather rough wheeling.
Jan 25 – Pleasant but cool, no snow. Went down to Katharines[22] stayed all night.
Jan 26 – Painted closset in forenoon. Went to Kalamazoo in afternoon to see B. M. Austin. Fine day.
Jan 27 – Painted front room up stairs in fore noon. Came home in afternoon. Rained in night some. Went over to burg in Evening, got oil and Sellers cough syrup. Ancil Lee[23] came to Jos.[24]
Jan 28 – Some rainy in morning. Made cross head block for Theodore.
Jan 29 – Split and drawed wood some.
Jan 30 – At home all day. Went down to Browns in Evening.
Jan 31 – Fine pleasant day. Worked in shop. Put in reach in Flanders wagon. John Kirkwood and wife came here.
Feb 1 – Pleasant morning, mercury 36 Abz in morning. Went down to Katharines. Snowed and blowed when we came home. Saw Ancil Lee.
Feb 2 – Cold 3 Abz in morning. Alfleda[25] went down to M. O. Streators.[26] Frank called and got her. I finished Flanders reach.
Feb 3 – Worked on Earnests box all day. Browns folks here in Evening.
Feb 4 – Sick, no work to day. Snowed some.
Feb 5 – Pleasant day. Sawed and drawed some wood on sleigh.
Feb 6 – At home all day. Henry Rogers[27] here a while. Not very cold.
Feb 7 – Fine day. Went to Kalamazoo with Engine. Saw B. M. Austin and Gipson their fore man.
Feb 8 – Worked on Whitings box all right. Not very cold.
Feb 9 – Rainy day, some thunder, warm for the season.
Feb 10 – Worked on box some. Carried Sarah over to burg. Went over after her in Evening. Rainy, some thunder, mercury 60 Abz, some very sharp lightning.
Feb 11 – Sold cow to Earnest Whiting for $33.00 and if she weighs over 550 lbs he pays me 6¢ pr pound for what is over that weight. Mercury 44 Abz. Jo & Ancil Lee came up here. Jim Krom called here.
Feb 12 – Jo and Ancil here. Worked in shop some. Made churn cover for A. Brown. Put heads on Joes crutches. Browns folks here in Evening. Fine day.
Feb 13 – Pleasant, no snow, mercury 45 Abz in morning. Ancil and Jo went home. Mercury 63 2 oclock P.M.
Feb 14 – Finished Whitings box. The cow weighed 568 pounds.
Feb 15 – Cut one tree, drawed two loads wood. Snowed some, cold day, froze some.
Feb 16 – Snowed some. Went down to Fords to see cow. Went down to Browns in Evening.
Feb 17 – Worked round house some and shop some. At home all day.
Feb 18 – Went up in woods, cut some wood in forenoon. Nice day. Ernest brot some lard down in Evening 11½ eleven and half pounds.
Feb 19 – Pleasant morning, mercury 36 Abz. Went over to burg. Received of Township Treasurer $80.50.
Feb 20 – Went down to Katharines, Alfleda stayed. Warm day.
Feb 21 – Went over to burg. Came back with Charly and Em Spire. Paid Emma Spire one hundred and twelve Dollars 112.00.
Feb 22 – Went up to Skinners to see cow, made bargain for her. Cold night.
Feb 23 – Went up to Skinners, got cow, paid $35.00. Pleasant but cold wind.
Feb 24 – Went out to Taylors and Earls in morning. Carried Sarah went up to Earls. I went up to Mr Earls in Evening. Pleasant day. Drawed some wood.
Feb 25 – Fine morning. Paid Z. C. Durkee twenty 24.50 four Dollars and fifty cts.
Feb 26 – Warm and pleasant. Husked and drawed corn, drawed four loads. George Barber came over here. Jim[28] and Will Brown[29] went fishing up to East Lake. Rained in night.
Feb 27 – Stormy morning. Trees and fences covered with sleet and ice. A hard storm for cattle that have to be out, for Marts any way.
Feb 28 – Husked corn. Snowey day, not very cold. Wm Ralphs folks[30] here in Evening.
Feb 29 – Husked corn in morning. Finished what was in the barn. Snows some, not very cold, the most snow we have had any one time this winter. Went over to burg. Went down to Browns in Evening with sleigh.
Mar 1 – Snowes like fun.[31] Carried Sarah over to Burg.
Mar 2 – Shelled corn and put up grist 4 bushels wheat. Went over to Henry Rogers in Evening with Browns folks. Had a circle.[32]
Mar 3 – Went to mill in morning. Carried 4 bushels wheat, 4 Buckwheat, 2 corn. Nice sleighing. Carried Louese[33] up to Mr Ralphs.
Mar 4 – Fine day, snow most gone. Went down to Browns in Evening.
Mar 5 – At home. Lois and Will[34] came down here. Rained some.
Mar 6 – Snow about gone, rained some in morning.
Mar 7 – Not much done to day. Alfleda sick. Went down to Browns in Evening. No snow, all gone, freezing some bot[?].
Mar 8 – Got meat of Ernest 77¢. Worked round.
Mar 9 – Ancil and Jo came up. Went over to burg to buring ground.[35] Jim went home with them.
Mar 10 – Fine warm day. Drawed in and husked corn. Warm as summer, rained in night, some thunder.
Mar 11 – Ancil and Lucy[36] came up here stayed all night. Lois came down. Browns folks came up in Evening.
Mar 12 – Ancil went back. Snowed and blowed some.
Mar 13 – Carried Lucy up to Skinners. Cold wind. Got 8½ lbs Beef of Whiting 9¢ pr pound.
Mar 14 – Ernest had my wagon to go to Kalamazoo.
Mar 15 – Carried Lucy home. Very windy day. All right.
Mar 16 – At home, rainy day, hard storm, very icy.
Mar 17 – Not very cold, snowed. Went over to burg, got strap for Sis,[37] trunk patterns for Hannah. Louese left for Chicago,[38] stopt to Lawton.
Mar 18 – Pleasant day. Carried corn up in cornhouse, drawed some wood. Went down to Browns in Evening. Frank Tomlinson[39] came in Evening.
Mar 19 – I went up to Lois with Frank. Cold wind. Ethan[40] and Frank went down to Marts stayed all night.
Mar 20 – Ethan and Frank came home. Snowey day, cold.
Mar 21 – Frank left for Allegan. Went up to Lois, Ethan went with him. Pleasant day. Jim and I sawed some wood.
Mar 22 – Drawed some wood on sleigh.
Mar 23 – Finished drawing in corn. Fine day. Jim went up to Sherman Lake with Brown after Ice, got none.
Mar 24 – Finished husking corn. Snowed in afternoon and Evening, very damp snow.
Mar 25 – Carried corn in cornhouse. Some 4 inches snow.
Mar 26 – At home all day. Not very cold.
Mar 27 – Cleared out cornhouse. Theodore came down wanted crosshead made.
Mar 28 – Made crosshead for Theodore. Very stormy day, snowed all day, very blustring.
Mar 29 – Snows like fun. At home.
Mar 30 – Drawed one load wood. Not much work. Shelled 12 bushels corn. Skinner got two bags corn.
Mar 31 – Went over to Comstock to mill. Sarah went down to Katharines.
Apr 1 – Went over to burg in morning. Drawed one load wood. Browns and Streators[41] folks here in Evening.
Apr 2 – Pleasant and cold, lots snow.
Apr 3 – Went to townmeting. Very good day, some snow and very muddy.
Apr 4 – Cut and drawed some wood. Warm day.
Apr 5 – Fine day, very high wind.
Apr 6 – At home all day. Working round house and barn.
Apr 7 – Worked in shop some, chored round.
Apr 8 – Went to Comstock to mill. Pleasant day. Hannah and Nancy came home. Mr Rogers, Forbushs and Browns folks here in Evening.
Apr 9 – Ethan and Hannah, Jim went down to Katharines. Pleasant day.
Apr 10 – At home all day. Solomon Youngs and wife[42] here to Tea.
Apr 11 – Went down to Marts. Fine day, warm. Got some new shugar. Barton[43] got out manure.
Apr 12 – Sarah and Nancy, Ethan went up to Skinners. Rained in morning. Paid John Schroder 3 Dollars. Rained in night, some thunder. Mr Barton got out manure.
Apr 13 – Pleasant and hot. At home, all right.
Apr 14 – Hannah and Nancy here.
Apr 15 – Hank came up on 6 oclock freight.
Apr 16 – At home to day, not very well. Sarah and all went down to Browns. Ethan and Hannah went up to Skinners.
Apr 17 – Hank and girls went back on Evening freight. Went down to see Jo Lee. Cate came home with me.
Apr 18 – Went up to Skinners. Moved machine down to Foundry.
Apr 19 – Went down to Katharines to see about money of Jo Lee. Jo York[44] came here, stayed all night.
Apr 20 – Jo went home. Went up to Foundry and burg. Jo got malodion. Went over to burg with Eggs and after Ethan. Fine day.
Apr 21 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Fine day. Mr Barton commenced sowing oats.
Apr 22 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Jim and I sawed some wood. Pleasant day.
Apr 23 – At home all day. Pleasant.
Apr 24 – Worked round house and shop.
Apr 25 – Sorted over potatoes. Sold Mr Barton 3 three bushels corn.
Apr 26 – Went to Kalamazoo got $300 Dollars of Jo Lee. Pleasant day. Bot suit cloths $8.00, one Hat $2.00.
Apr 27 – Went over to burg after Mrs Betts[45] goods. Mr Barton bot them over. Went up to Skinners after Mrs Skinner[46] and Lois.
Apr 28 – Cut and drawed some wood. Went down to Lawton on Evening Freight got there about Eleven P.M.
Apr 29 – Went over to Paw Paw in morning. Paid C. P. Galligan[47] 285.84 to apply on mortgage. Went down to furnace in afternoon.
Apr 30 – At Hanks all day or most of the day. Went up to the Coal bins saw them Coal one Engine.
May 1 – At Lawton. Went up to Iron Works and run around town.
May 2 – Left Lawton on the 10.10 train got off at Kalamazoo. Went to Registers office got mortgage and note. Got home about 6 P.M. all right.
May 3 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Sarah went over to burg.
May 4 – At home. Worked in shop some. Filed saw for N. L. Randal,[48] one for Whiting & Smith. Browns folks here in afternoon. Rainy night.
May 5 – Rainy day. No work out side.
May 6 – Went over to burg after mortar. Barber came over, plastered bed room. Went over to train after Mrs Betts. She came on the 11.12 train. Let Mr Barton have 4 bushels corn.
May 7 – Cloudy and warm. At home all day.
May 8 – Rainy. plowed croca ground rained some. Mr Barton plowed in afternoon. At home. Cut some wood. Put cow in Browns lot[49] to day.
May 9 – Cloudy. Took boxes to pecies. Plowed croquet ground. Rained some. Mr Barton plowed in afternoon.
May 10 – Cloudy morning, rain. Worked round in shop some.
May 11 – Made bedstead for Jim, turned lathe some. Pleasant.
May 12 – Fine day. Plowed garden, had Bill Brown.
May 13 – Worked in shop. Killed Jenny.
May 14 – Lois and Mrs Skinner here.
May 15 – Worked in shop some on patterns. All well.
May 16 – Barton planting. Warm day.
May 17 – Barton planting. Worked on patterns. Had a heavy shower.
May 18 – Warm and cloudy. Worked in shop some on patterns.
May 19 – Worked on patterns some. Warm day. Shelled some corn.
May 20 – Worked on patterns. Carried Sarah and Mrs Betts over to burg. Let Barton have two bushels corn.
May 21 – Very hot day. Barton planting. Barton had seed corn, one bushel and half.
May 22 – Went to mill carried 4 wheat, 3 corn. Sarah went down to Katharines.
May 23 – Warm day. Made cover to flour barrel. Planted Early Vermont potatoes.
May 24 – Worked in shop on patterns. Fine day.
May 25 – Finished up patterns this morning. Warm. Barton commenced plowing for Hungarian grass.
May 26 – Worked on crosshead. Went up to Foundry.
May 27 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Cut some wood. Received $40.00 Forty dollars of township treasurer. Paid Sate Beckwith $25.00 twenty five Dollars.
May 28 – At home. Del[50] and Lois here.
May 29 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Warned folks out on road. George Ives tried his new plow.
May 30 – Worked on road.[51] Sarah and Mrs Betts went to Mr Ralphs.
May 31 – Worked on road. Had a fine shower.
Jun 1 – Worked on road some, picked out stone and leveled same, 4 hours. Went down to Katharines after Bedstead. Rained some.
Jun 2 – Cloudy morning. Worked round shop and garden.
Jun 3 – At home. Worked round house and shop. Hank came in Evening. Draged my potatoe ground.
Jun 4 – At home all day. Hank left for Birmingham.
Jun 5 – Dragged my corn and potatoe ground. Bushed my ground.
Jun 6 – Planted potatoes. Very hot day.
Jun 7 – Went up to foundry. Mrs Betts went over to burg got her teeth repaired.
Jun 8 – Went up to foundry in morning. Mrs Betts came home. She gave me one Dollar. Worked on patterns. Rained all night.
Jun 9 – Cloudy morning, cool wind. Worked round garden and in shop some. Mr Austin Wolcott[52] died this morning. Mrs Betts went to Lawton.
Jun 10 – Went up to Foundry. Varnished some patterns. They run of a heat.
Jun 11 – Went down to Katharines. Mr Wolcott buried to day. Very hot day.
Jun 12 – Sowed my corn. Hot day. Jim commenced work for ARS.[53] Jo Lee came up here after his pants. Sowed my corn.
Jun 13 – Cultivated and marked out my bean ground. Hoed garden. Had a heavy Shower in afternoon.
Jun 14 – Planted beans and pop corn and sow forth and some.
Jun 15 – Went down to Marts. Got some timber for slats for Binder. Went up to Foundry. Sawed out slats. Had a heavy shower, got wet.
Jun 16 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Some rainy. Not very well. Got letter from Hank Nancy.
Jun 17 – Went up to Foundry. Had a heavy shower. Del came here in rain.
Jun 18 – At home all day. Not very well.
Jun 19 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Ethan at work on Binder.
Jun 20 – Worke on binder. Ethan up to Foundry.
Jun 21 – Went up to Foundry. Not very well.
Jun 22 – Bent slats for Binder. Tried to make soap. Jo Lee came up here.
Jun 23 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Went over to Burg at noon after Mrs Betts, she no come. Had a wind and rain storm.
Jun 24 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Carried Mrs Betts over to burg. Saw Rufus Clapp. Mrs Betts went over to burg.
Jun 25 – At home. Mrs Semer came here. She paid me 50 cts. Browns folks came up in Evening.
Jun 26 – Carried Mrs Semer over to burg in morning. Worked in garden, plowed out potatoes, plastered corn in west garden. Had a shower. Went over to burg in Evening. Had a thunder shower, rainy night.
Jun 27 – Worked round garden some. Went over to burg after Hannah. Cars run of track at Comstock. No one hurt.
Jun 28 – Hung East door. Worked on Hills violin. Went over after Hannah, no come.
Jun 29 – Went up to Foundry in morning with Ethan. Not much work. Worked on Hills violin. Hannah came home.
Jun 30 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Put violin together to day. Hoed in garden.
Jul 1 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Not much work. Not well. Some rainy. Charley Town[54] bored his hubbs. Mrs Betts went over to burg.
Jul 2 – At home all day. Had a heavy shower. Lewis Barber and wife[55] here just at night.
Jul 3 – Fine morning, cool wind, sun came out, had a heavy shower in afternoon. Mr Rogers sowed Buckwheat. Cut down tree, drawed one load wood. Charley Town commenced cutting wheat.
Jul 4 – Rainy morning. Carried Sarah and Alfleda over to burg in morning, went over after them in afternoon. Carried Hannah over just at night.
Jul 5 – Put up leach. Carried Ethan up to Foundry in morning, went around by burg got Hannah. Hank and Nancy came home. High wind, no rain to day. Mrs Hank Potts[56] Buried to day.
Jul 6 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Cut out Gloves for D. D. Harris.[57] Very hot day. Nancy went down to Browns. Mr Brown commenced cutting wheat. Stafford cuting wheat.
Jul 7 – D. D. got his Gloves. At home. Went up to Foundry in morning. Hot 98 in shade.
Jul 8 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Very hot 98 in Shade. Went up to Foundry at night, took machine home. Lois came down, stayed all night. Hannah, Nancy and all at home.
Jul 9 – Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Hot 95 in Shade. Del came down after Lois. Jim went down to Jacksons to work.
Jul 10 – Very warm. Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Nancy here. Went after him at night. Claud[58] went with me. Jim to work for Jackson.
Jul 11 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Claud went up with me. Carried Sarah, Mrs Betts, Nancy and Hannah down to A. Browns in forenoon. Mrs Barton[59] came over, picked currants. Hot, had a shower.
Jul 12 – Very hot. Went up to Foundry. Very hot all day.
Jul 13 – Round home. Went up to Foundry. Worked in shop some on cart.
Jul 14 – Went up to Foundry. Plowed potatoes, beans and pop corn. Mrs Barber, Ida,[60] Mrs Brown and Jule[61] here. Brown finished his wheat.
Jul 15 – Plowed out, Sowed corn and some potatoes. Carried Sarah, Nancy and Mrs Betts over to burg. Went down to Browns in Evening. Hot day.
Jul 16 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went up to Skinners. Hank and Nancy went down to Katharines.
Jul 17 – Hank went home. Drove cow. I went up to mill to find timber to repair bridge and up to Schrams. Went over to burg in morning after Mrs Betts. Got Boiler.
Jul 18 – Went down to Mitchels. Alfleda went down to Katharines. Nancy went home.
Jul 19 – Went up to foundry in afternoon. Built fence around bridge. H. A. Taylor helped me.
Jul 20 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry in morning. Hoed some in garden, put up grist, shelled 3½ bushels corn. Paid Stella Milham five Dollars $5.00.
Jul 21 – Went to mill to Comstock. Carried 3 & ¼ bushels wheat, 3-2/4 corn. Ida Barber came over in Evening with Will Brown.
Jul 22 – Ethan went to Foundry. Hannah went home to Lawton. Mrs Betts went over to burg. Louese Crawfords girl Born to day.[62]
Jul 23 – At home all day. Jesse Earl[63] and R. S. Clapp here.
Jul 24 – Took Ethan to Foundry. Mr Barton cutting _____ oats.
Jul 25 – Went up to Foundry. Worked in garden some. Went over to burg and up to Foundry. Got new Boiler.
Jul 26 – Put flange on pattern. Went up to Foundry in morning. Mr Barton finished cutting oats. Went to Foundry, went to burg. Got five Dollars on postal order from Henry Crawford.[64]
Jul 27 – Went down to Katharines. Paid Jo Lee three hundred and seven Dollars and fifty cts $307.50. Had a fine shower.
Jul 28 – Went up to Foundry in morning and Evening.
Jul 29 – Carried Ethan to shop. They put Binder on machine. Mr Ives brot wheel to be repaired. Worked on road some, finished bridge.
Jul 30 – At home all day. Lois down here.
Jul 31 – Worked on Mr Ives wheel. Got out spokes and drove them.
Aug 1 – Went up to Foundry. Finished Mr Ives wheel. Mrs Clinton here. Carried her up when I went after Ethan.
Aug 2 – Went up to Foundry. The Boys cider press came. John Ives got his wheel, he paid 1.50. Paid Osgood 20 cts for repairing glasses.
Aug 3 – Went to Foundry in morning. Put in Plow handle for Caywood. Went after Ethan. Henry came down with us. He went up home. Mr Hobbs called here. Sawed out Marts runners.
Aug 4 – Went up to Foundry in morning.
Aug 5 – Went up to Skinners in Morning. Head ache all day. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over to burg, stayed all night.
Aug 6 – Let Bill[65] out in lot this morning. Went over to burg after the Whimmin[66] after noon.
Aug 7 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry in morning. Chored round. Went down to Browns. Made Claude Ball & Mallet. Sent them with carpet. Hot day.
Aug 8 – Went to Foundry. Chored round some. Mr Allen cutting grass. Hot day.
Aug 9 – Ethan worked on pattern. Allen finished cutting grass. I no do mutch. Hot day.
Aug 10 – Went up to Foundry and Skinners. Carried some apples. The Boys clearing out old press. Barton and Rogers put up hay. Had a fine shower in Evening.
Aug 11 – Rainy morning. Worked round shop and garden. Went up to Foundry.
Aug 12 – Went up to Foundry. Barton drawed hay. Mrs Betts went over to Mr Johnsons _____.
Aug 13 – At home all day. Lois went down to Katharines. Jim came home. Mr Terry came here, stayed all night.
Aug 14 – Went up to Foundry, came back. Carried Terry down to Mr Browns. Had a fine Shower. Mr Barton Seated two Chairs 75 cts. Ed Flanders[67] girl born.[68]
Aug 15 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Terry went up to Nathan Lamkins.
Aug 16 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Carried Osgood ½ bushel apples.
Aug 17 – 54.39. Carried Ethan to Foundry. Hot day. Paid Sate Beckwith $45 Dollars. Received of township Treasurer fifty four Dollars and thirty nine cts. Got some ash plank of Earl.
Aug 18 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Pulled black beans.
Aug 19 – Worked round repaired Miss Jones &c[69] Henry c
Aug 20 – At home all day. Lois came down.
Aug 21 – Worked on Skinners buggy. No go to Foundry to day.
Aug 22 – Worked on Ives violin some. Repaired Skinners buggy Boddy.
Aug 23 – Finished Skinners buggy, painted it some. Worked on violin. B. Hartwell called here. Hot day.
Aug 24 – Went over to Burg. Saw George Browns cancer.[70] Worked on Ives violin. Very hot.
Aug 25 – Duglass thrashed Bartons oats had 85 bushels. Very comfortable day. Finished Browns wheat. Charly Town paid 25 cts.
Aug 26 – Worked round shop and house. David Barton[71] drawed straw home.
Aug 27 – Went to Winslows Island to a Spiritual Meeting. Fine day.
Aug 28 – Chored round. Mr Ives brot violin to be repaired. Dave Barton got out manure. Jim and George Barber cut some corn fodder. Fine day. Douglass took his machine away. Had a good rain in night.
Aug 29 – Worked on violin some and had a good rain in night.
Aug 30 – Went up to Foundry. Carried some boards for apple gatherer. Mrs Hawver here to day. Turned wheel for Clauds wheelbarrow.
Aug 31 – Ethan went up to Foundry. Bot fingerboard for Ives violin. Got Bathric violin to Repair. Mrs Betts left for Chicago.[72]
Sep 1 – Worked on violin some. Ethan went up to Foundry. Had a heavy shower.
Sep 2 – Got five bushels wheat of M. O. Streator. Went to mill. Cleaned out Jo Lees stove &c. Jimmie Milham[73] stayed here all night.
Sep 3 – Rainy morning. At home all day.
Sep 4 – Worked round house and shop on violin.
Sep 5 – Went down to Marts. Got one bushel grass seed 1.75¢. Went up to foundry. Ethan stayed all night.
Sep 6 – Sawed out Herbert Earls oars. Put finger board on Mr Ives violin. Had a big rain.
Sep 7 – Went up to Foundry and Skinners. Got some crabbapples. Del gave me five Dollars.
Sep 8 – Went to Foundry with Ethan. Worked round. Dave finished sowing wheat.
Sep 9 – Went up to Foundry and down to A. Browns. Repaired buggy wheel for M. O. Streator. Browns folks went to Lawton on Evening freight. Some rain.
Sep 10 – Cloudy damp morning. At home all day.
Sep 11 – Worked round shop and house. Worked on violin. Ethan went up to Foundry.
Sep 12 – Worked on violin some. Mr Ives called here. Ethan went to Foundry. Sarah, Alfleda and Bill went to Skinners.
Sep 13 – Worked on guitar and Bathrics violin. Ethan up to shop. Rainy night.
Sep 14 – Carried Ethan up to shop. Rainy. Worked on violin.
Sep 15 – Went up to Foundry in morning.
Sep 16 – Went up to shop. Went over to burg at noon after Mary and Carry Plank.[74] Frank Bird Died to day.
Sep 17 – Went to Foundry. Mary and Carry here. At home all day.
Sep 18 – Ethan went to Foundry. Carry and Mary went to Allertons.[75]
Sep 19 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Worked in shop some.
Sep 20 – Worked on Bartons box. Went up to Foundry.
Sep 21 – Went up to Foundry. Made Henry scraper they commenced making Cider. Layed up the first cheese. Finished Bartons box $2.00.
Sep 22 – Went to Foundry. Worked on Box, finished.
Sep 23 – Went up to Foundry. Got Strawberry plants of Charly Macomb.
Sep 24 – Went down to Marts. Mart and Lucy came up here. Lois here.
Sep 25 – Went to Foundry. Dave Barton made cider. Bot shingles for house 3.45 ct. Carry and Mary came back in Evening. Bot 5 lbs nails 5 cts. pr pound.
Sep 26 – Went up to sawmill got load slabs. Put on some shingles. Had a shower just at night.
Sep 27 – Shingling House. Had a shower at night. Girls went down to Browns. Finished Shingling.
Sep 28 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo to fair. Went up to Skinners in morning. Put on ridge boards and done some patching. Will Plank[76] came.
Sep 29 – Rainy morning. Ernest brot cider down. Got Whitings buggy.
Sep 30 – Went over to Vicksburg. Rainy day. Got there about sundown.
Oct 1 – At Jo Yorks. Went over to Old Mr Yorks[77] in Evening. Heard Oscar and Frank play the violin. Cow had a calf. Spect so.
Oct 2 – Came home. Fine day. Got home before night. Will, Mary and Carry Plank went home.
Oct 3 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Henry came home with us at night. Sarah went over to burg.
Oct 4 – At home. Chored round. Went up to Foundry. Sawed out stuf for steps to cornhouse. Put shingles on Barn and hogpen.
Oct 5 – Went up to shop. Drawed lot slabs from mill. Sent things to Hank.
Oct 6 – Went to shop in morning. Rainy day. No work to day. Patty[78] came at noon. I went over got her trunk. Went after Ethan at night.
Oct 7 – Cleaned out corn house and chored round some. Ethan not well.
Oct 8 – Went down to Katharines. Found Jo Lee sick.
Oct 9 – Made axhelves for Mart. Henry Seymore here.
Oct 10 – Went up to shop in morning. Joseph W. Lee Died this morning about Six. Hannah went up to Mr Taylors to work. Went down to Katharines stayed all night.
Oct 11 – Came home this morning in day. Went up after Ethan. Went down to Browns in Evening.
Oct 12 – Pleasant morning. Went down to Katharines. Jo Lee buried[79] to day. Ansel Lee came.
Oct 13 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Worked in shop some.
Oct 14 – Went up to Shop. Worked round house and barn. Chored.
Oct 15 – At home all day. Skinners folks called here. They went down to Browns. I am 63 years old to day.
Oct 16 – Barton got load apples for cider. Skinner sent load _____ down. Fine day.
Oct 17 – Went down to Charles Lees.[80] Catharine and Patty went down. Patty came home with us. Very fine day.
Oct 18 – Put up Stairs to corn house. Fine day. Ethan gathered apples. Pleasant.
Oct 19 – Not much done to day. At home.
Oct 20 – Worked round house and barn. In shop some.
Oct 21 – Worked in shop some and round barn. Lois brot Ina[81] here. She stayed all night.
Oct 22 – Lois and Dell went up to Flanders stayed all night.
Oct 23 – Worked in shop on cutter.
Oct 24 – Worked on cutter got out runners.
Oct 25 – Mortised runners. Ansel and Lucy came up. Went over to burg.
Oct 26 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg. Lucy had teeth Extracted six. Lois came down stayed all night.
Oct 27 – Worked in shop on cutter. Lucy went home. Ansel came after her.
Oct 28 – Worked on cutter. Skinner Brot load hay. Lois went home. Mrs. Betts came home to day. Mercury 62 Abz.
Oct 29 – Cloudy morning. At home all day. Not well.
Oct 30 – Worked on cutter some. Went down to Marts. Patty came home with me.
Oct 31 – Worked on cutter. Mrs Betts went to Kalamazoo with Browns folks. Very fine day 78 Abz. Rained in the night.
Nov 1 – Cloudy morning. Worked in shop all day.
Nov 2 – Rainy forenoon. Ansel and Lucy came up to get her _______ _______ filled. Sarah went to burg with them.
Nov 3 – Worked in shop all day on cutter. Fine day. Repaired Jo Keenes violin.
Nov 4 – Went over to burg in morning. Carried new corn over to mill. Carried Jo Keenes violin over he paid me 75 cts. Osgood paid for Bathrics violin. Mrs Betts went over to burg.
Nov 5 – At home. Nancy went up to Rass Towns.[82]
Nov 6 – Worked in shop. Rainy day.
Nov 7 – Cool morning. Went over to burg to Election.[83] Got 4 four bushels wheat of Taylor 1.20¢ pr. Carried it to mill.
Nov 8 – No work in shop to day. Dr McKinneys[84] folks came up here. Fine day, cool.
Nov 9 – Fine morning. Sun came out nice and warm.
Nov 10 – Worked on cutter worked on road. Mrs McKinney[85] went home.
Nov 11 – Worked in shop all day. Mrs Betts went over to burg to stay over the Sabbath and go and hear the gospel preached. Fine day.
Nov 12 – Pleasant morning. Went down to Marts.
Nov 13 – Worked in shop on cutter.
Nov 14 – Worked in shop. Good weather.
Nov 15 – Worked in shop some.
Nov 16 – Worked in shop. Patty and Lucy came up here.
Nov 17 – Worked in shop all day. Charly Clark[86] _____ up to Skinners.
Nov 18 – Worked in shop on cutter.
Nov 19 – Finished Marts Cutter. Dell, Lois and Charley came down here. Rainy.
Nov 20 – At home all day. Dave and Walt[87] cut some wood. Cut the big maple in south part of the woods.
Nov 21 – Started for Perry.[88] Left Kalamazoo 2.40 PM, left Detroit 7 PM. Rainy night. Battlecreek 3 P.M., Marshall quater to four 4, Jackson quater past “[89] 4.
Nov 22 – Arrived in Buffalo ½ 5 AM. Rains. Left Buffalo 7.25 AM arrived in Perry ½ past 11 AM. Rained some, some flakes snow. Frank and George[90] working at cider mill.
Nov 23 – At Perry. Went down to Scrantons office in morning. Cool. Sent Postal home to day. Sarah Chaddock[91] Died This Evening about Eleven P.M.
Nov 24 – At Perry. Went up to Cidermill. Helped Frank screen some Beans. Mr Crane and wife came in in Evening.
Nov 25 – Snows some, quite cold. Went out through the country with Frank buying Apples. Snowey day Snowd hard in afternoon.
Nov 26 – Snows some, snow about 3 inches deep. Folks gone to church. Sarah Chaddock Buried to day.
Nov 27 – Churned in forenoon. Helped Frank Screen Beans in afternoon. Snowed some, not very cold.
Nov 28 – Nice morning, not very cold. At the Tomlinson House. Cut anchor for Nellie T.[92] Had oysters for dinner.
Nov 29 – At Perry. All well. Helped Frank Screen beans in afternoon. Rather cool.
Nov 30 – Mercury 18 Abz in morning. All well. Eight oclock Engine fireing up for the usual trip to Gainesville, leave nine fifteen A.M. arrive Eleven thirty 11.30 AM.
Dec 1 – Helped Scren Beans. Very cold, mercury 4 Abz in morning. Sent letter home to day.
Dec 2 – Screened Beans in forenoon. Went Down to Wykof & Olins Reaper Shops. Pleasant but cold. Washed in morning.
Dec 3 – At the Tomlinson House. Folks all gone to church. Hat Holbrook here. Mercury 17 Abz in morning.
Dec 4 – Frank and I went to Portage Bridge. Eat our lunch at lower falls at 12 noon. Went to middle fall. Saw Letchworths residence. Went up to Bridge across it, under it and all around. Went down onto the piers. From piers to deck 200 steps. Length of middle pier 200 feet.
Dec 5 – Cool morning. Went down to the High Banks with George in afternoon. Not well. George and Marion[93] went down to Leroy[94] just at night. Susan S[95] was faling fast.
Dec 6 – Went up to Been House helped Frank load car and Screen some beans. Hiram May[96] Died to day Aged 79 years.
Dec 7 – Helped Frank some at been house. Snowed some. George and marion dont get home.
Dec 8 – Snowed quite hard in morning. Mercury 20 Abz. Went up to beanhouse and cidermill. Had the last cheese on the press. Cold rainy night.
Dec 9 – Washing to day. Snows and blows, mercury 4 Abz. No cars[97] out this morning. Got a dispatch from George Sprague[98] Susan is gone.
Dec 10 – At Tomlinson House. Cold wintry day. George and Marion at Leroy.
Dec 11 – Pleasant morning Mercury 3 below zero. Got a dispatch from George that Willie[99] was dead.
Dec 12 – Susan and Willie buried to day.[100] George and Marion came home _____.
Dec 13 – Went over to warsaw saw Robers snow. Went to Pearlcrrk[101] saw T. Miller, Chancy Pond, then went on, saw Frank Clow. Went down to George Starrs[102] stayed all night. Went down past the Cruttenden home.
Dec 14 – Went over to Jasper Starrs saw aunt Polly. Went and see Mrs Crosman then went and saw Wm Crosman. Took dinner with him then went over to the old home then to Pavilion. Went to Mr Nobles found them all right then went over to Perry, got there 7 PM all right.
Dec 15 – Cool morning. Not very well hard headache in forenoon. Helped Screen Beans in afternoon. Quite cold. Man building stairs in bean House.
Dec 16 – Washed in forenoon. Very blustrous mercury 4 Abz in morning, very bad day. Cars no run, 4 below in afternoon and Evening.
Dec 17 – At Tomlinson House. At zero in morning. Folks all gone to church. Fine snow falling, are full frost.
Dec 18 – Screened Beans. Very blustrous. All at home. Mercury at zero in morning. Cold night. Cars could not get through. Mail went through on sleigh.
Dec 19 – Very blustring, mercury 12 Abz in morning, snow flying. At home all day. Made cloths stick. George Brown died to day.
Dec 20 – Not so cold. Went into mill. Repaired Mrs Jones door. Mr Rice came here. Went to Pavilion in afternoon. Stayed to Mr Nobles all night. Found them all well. George Brown buried.
Dec 21 – Went down to Crosmans shop. Saw sam. Called on Clarrissa Starr. Went into Burying ground. Went down to Mr Snows stayed all night. Saw Mary, Mr and Mrs Snow and Mrs How &c. Saw Dr Sprague.[103]
Dec 22 – Went down to Emeline Bradleys, saw her family, found them well. Called on Wm Bradley. Saw Esther Hill, called on Mr Gillmore, Mrs Syntha Sprague.[104] Left Mr Nobles about three P.M. for Perry, got there half past five P.M. Saw the Engine.
Dec 23 – Washing day. All well. Not as cold as some other Satur.[105] At home all day not much going on. Frank and Nell at church fixing for concert.
Dec 24 – Got present handkerchief. At home all day. Cold day. Went to Christmas Eve in Perry. Had a nice time. Concert went of firstrate. Heard the big Organ.
Dec 25 – Fine day, cloudy, not very cold. Nell gone to Rochester to see her chap.[106] George went to Leroy. Mrs Crack and Lizzy here to dinner spent the Evening.
Dec 26 – Very fine day. Frank and I Screened beans in forenoon.
Dec 27 – At home. Went up to bean house worked some. Went to see Mrs Cady and Mrs Scranton and Louisa in Evening, Mr Lewis. All well.
Dec 28 – Helped put the new Safe in the mill in fore noon. Nice one, weight 4000, cost $230 less than half price. Marion and I went over to Gainesville to Charles Browns, saw Lucinda. Found them well as usual.
Dec 29 – At Tomlinson house. Very blustrous. Worked in bean house Screened beans. Went to see the Wabinoes in Evening. Had a good show. A very stormy night, worse than they often see, snow just piled up.
Dec 30 – Washing. Very rough day. No getting out. As rough a storm as they see on the mountains of the west. At home all day, to stormy to be out.
Dec 31 – Very blustrous. No church to day. Mr Crane came in in the forenoon.
Memoranda
Occidental = western quarter of the hemisphere
Oriental = Eastern part of hemisphere
Hesperian
Western home
Farm Ballads
Farm Legends
By
Will Carleton[107]
Whittiers Poems
Macleans
Manual of the
Antiquity of man
Tomlinson made 4700 bbls cider 3000 on hand December 1st 1876. 40 cts pr Barrel for making. Sold 1700 bbls vinegar since January 76 ¢7 pr cask
One tank 16 feet high x 16 feet Bottom 600 bbls 3 thousand bushels apples made into cider
Hercules 325 feett long 97 feet circumference
Cars leave Perry 9.15 AM Leve 2.45 PM
Arrive 11.30 AM
Arrive 5.30 PM
Holloways Pills for Kidney Diseased ointment rubed on
Esther Allen[108] Died
August 3rd 1834 Ae 90 yrs
Abiah Sprague[109] Died
April 13 1841 Ae 77 yrs
James Sprague[110] Died
Oct 9th 1849 Ae 82 yrs
Dan Sprague[111] Died
March 31 1859 Ae 58 yrs
Elsie Smith[112] Died
April 7th 1841 Ae 27 yrs
Eunice Cruttenden[113] Died
July 1 1847 Ae 74
Jairus Cruttenden[114] Died
June 22d 1843 Ae 69 yrs
A. E. Cruttenden[115] Died
January 28th 1845 Ae
James Sprague Jr[116] Died
March 30th 1857
Ae 58 yrs
Ben Vail[117] Died
Sept 16 1834 Ae 29 yrs
——-
[1] Known better, and referred to, as Luke
[2] Neighbor, Clara Austin
[3] Neighbors, and daughter Nancy’s in-laws, Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown
[4] His son-in-law, Henry Brown
[5] Above zero
[6] Henry Keith, his son by his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith
[7] His daughter, and Hank’s wife, Nancy (Keith) Brown
[8] His third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith
[9] His daughter, Hannah Keith
[10] Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner, his daughter by his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith
[11] Galesburg, Michigan
[12] His sister, Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee
[13] Martin Milham, husband of Lucy (Lee) Milham. Lucy was the daughter of his sister Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee
[14] Neighbor, Hannibal A. Taylor
[15] Things
[16] Hannibal Taylor’s daughters, Harriett and Flora Elizabeth Taylor
[17] The daughters of neighbors, John S. & Amanda Louise (Worden) Allen
[18] Lawton, Michigan, where Nancy & Hank lived
[19] FindAGrave.com reveals that Clarissa (Wilcox) Sherwood died January 10, 1876 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[20] Neighbor, Joseph Flanders
[21] Neighbor, Sarah Jane (Mason) Hoag
[22] In all his previous diaries up until 1875, Luke has spelled his sister’s name as Catharine. It now appears that he is sometimes spelling it starting with a K
[23] His paternal first cousin, Ansel Lee (son of Rhoda (Keith) and Charles Lee)
[24] His paternal first cousin, Joseph Lee (son of Rhoda (Keith) and Charles Lee)
[25] Alfleda (Starr) Keith, the widow of his brother Harvey Keith
[26] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator
[27] Neighbor, Henry D. Rogers
[28] His youngest son, James Clinton Keith
[29] Willis Brown, the son of Ambrose & Matilda Brown
[30] Neighbors, William & Emaline (Stone) Ralph
[31] Luke uses this phrase quite often. The Oxford Dictionary gives its meaning as “vigorously or quickly”
[32] Both the Brown and Keith families were believers in Spiritualism and participated in seances, or “circles”
[33] His youngest daughter, Louese Keith
[34] His daughter, Lois, and her son, William Byron Clark
[35] Believe this is referring to the Galesburg City Cemetery where Ansel and Joe Lee’s mother, Rhoda (Keith) Lee, and their brother and his son, George Clinton Lee and James Sprague Lee, are buried
[36] His niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham, the daughter of his sister Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee
[37] Nickname of his daughter Louese
[38] Louese lived with her uncle and aunt, Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, while attending school in Chicago
[39] Frank John Tomlinson, the grandson of Luke’s sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague
[40] His son, Ethan Keith
[41] Marius & Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator
[42] Solomon & Theresa (Pond) Young
[43] Neighbor, Samuel Barton
[44] Joseph York was married to Luke’s niece, Helen (Bradley) York
[45] His mother-in-law, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts
[46] His daughter Lois’ mother-in-law, Sarah (Knight) Skinner
[47] Neighbor, Charles P. Galligan
[48] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall
[49] Ambrose Brown owned a lot basically across the road from Luke’s home
[50] His son-in-law, Adelbert Skinner, who was married to his daughter Lois
[51] The men were required to work on the roads a certain number of days based on how many acres they owned. For more information, see https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2018/06/16/luke-keiths-road-tax
[52] Michigan Death Records reveal that Austin W. Wolcott, aged 49, died of “softening of the brain” on June 9, 1876, and FindAGrave.com indicates he was buried in the Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland, Michigan. Many diseases were labeled as softening of the brain including stroke, dementia, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s
[53] Adelbert Reuben Skinner
[54] Neighbor, Charles Towne. In 1891 Charles married Luke’s daughter Hannah
[55] Neighbors, Lewis J. & Lydia (McClary) Barber
[56] Michigan Death Records show that Eliza Potts, wife of Henry Potts, died July 3, 1876; FindAGrave.com reveals that she is buried in Roof Cemetery, Climax, Michigan
[57] Neighbor, Daniel D. Harris, who married Luke’s youngest daughter, Louese, in 1882
[58] His grandson, Claude Keith Brown, the son of Nancy & Hank Brown
[59] Presume this is Samuel Barton’s wife, Catherine (Knecht) Barton
[60] Mary (Knowles) Barber and her daughter, Ida Barber
[61] Matilda (Allen) Brown and her sister, Julia Allen
[62] Lulu Crawford was born to Luke’s brother-in-law Robert & Louisa (McCann) Crawford
[63] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”
[64] His brother-in-law
[65] His horse
[66] Women
[67] Neighbor, Edwin Flanders
[68] Mabel Ellena Flanders
[69] Etc.
[70] George Brown’s death record shows that he died of consumption
[71] The son of Samuel & Catherine (Knecht) Barton
[72] According to the October 1, 1876 letter from Robert Crawford, Nancy was living with Hiram & Kate Crawford in Chicago
[73] Believe this is referring to James Edgar Milham, the son of neighbors James & Ellen (Adams) Milham. James was the brother of Martin Milham
[74] The Planks had been Luke’s neighbors, but moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1873
[75] Neighbors, John & Caroline (Rapelje) Allerton
[76] William Plank; Mary and Carrie’s brother (see September 18 entry)
[77] Believe he is referring to Joseph York’s father, Samuel York, who had lived in Comstock until 1870 when he moved to Vicksburg, Michigan
[78] His sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague
[79] FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Indian Fields Cemetery, Portage, Michigan
[80] His cousin, the son of Charles & Rhoda (Keith) Lee
[81] His granddaughter, Ina Mary Skinner, the daughter of Lois & Del Skinner
[82] Erasmus Towne, the brother of Charles Towne
[83] Rutherford B. Hayes ran against Samuel Tilden and became the 19th President of the United States
[84] Hank & Nancy’s neighbors from Lawton, Michigan, Martin VanBuren McKinney and his wife and son, Mary (Stephenson) and Don Clyde McKinney
[85] Mary (Stephenson) McKinney
[86] His grandson, Charles Ira Clark
[87] The sons of neighbors Samuel & Catherine (Knecht) Barton
[88] Perry, New York, where his sister Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague and her daughter and son-in-law, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson, lived
[89] He used ditto mark to reference the word “four” from the line above
[90] Frank John Tomlinson and his father, George Tomlinson
[91] Sarah (Crittenden) Chaddock was the niece of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith. Michigan death records confirm that she died November 23, 1876 in Allegan, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com reveals that she is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Allegan, Michigan
[92] George & Marion Tomlinson’s daughter, Nellie
[93] His niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson
[94] LeRoy, New York
[95] George Tomlinson’s sister, Susan (Tomlinson) Sprague
[96] Michigan Death Records reveal that Reverend Hiram May died December 7, 1876 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York, and is buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Pavilion, Genesee County, New York. Since Luke was originally from New York, it is assumed that he knew Rev. May
[97] Trains
[98] George Finley Sprague, Susan’s husband
[99] William Tomlinson Sprague, the two-year-old son of George & Susan (Tomlinson) Sprague
[100] FindAGrave.com shows that both Susan and Willie are buried in Pearl Creek Cemetery, Pearl Creek, New York
[101] Pearl Creek, New York
[102] George Noah Starr was the half-brother of Alfleda (Starr) Keith (see February 2nd entry). George lived in Pavilion, Genesee County, New York
[103] Believe he is referring to Dr. William Bishop Sprague, a cousin of his second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith
[104] Believe his is referring to Cynthia (Bishop) Sprague, a cousin of his second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith, and the mother of Dr. William Bishop Sprague
[105] Saturday
[106] Nellie Tomlinson married Walter Gillett on April 10, 1878 so assume this is who Luke is referring to
[107] According to Wikipedia.com, William McKendree Carleton (October 21, 1845 – December 18, 1912) was an American poet from Michigan. Carleton’s poems were most often about his rural life. It also noted that with the Public Act 51 of 1919, the Michigan legislature required teachers to teach at least one of his poems to their students, and October 21 was officially named as Will Carleton Day in Michigan. Schools in Michigan named for him include Will Carleton Academy in Hillsdale, and Will Carleton Middle School in Sterling Heights. A section of the M-99 in Hillsdale is dubbed Will Carleton Road. The village of Carleton in Monroe County, Michigan, is named for him, and the road on Carleton’s northern border, separating Monroe and Wayne counties, is Will Carleton Road
[108] FindAGrave.com confirms that Esther (Hutchinson) Sprague Allen died August 3, 1834 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Esther was the wife of William Sprague
[109] FindAGrave.com confirms that Abiah (Carpenter) Sprague, the wife of “Capt” James Sprague, died and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York
[110] FindAGrave.com confirms that “Capt” James Sprague died October 9, 1849 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. James was the son of William & Esther (Hutchinson) Sprague
[111] FindAGrave.com confirms that Dan Sprague died March 31, 1859 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Dan was the son of Capt. James & Abiah (Carpenter) Sprague, and the husband of Mary (Collins) Sprague
[112] FindAGrave.com confirms that Elsie (Crittenden) Smith died April 7, 1841 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Elsie was the daughter of Jairus & Eunice (Sprague) Cruttenden, and the wife of Homer B. Smith
[113] FindAGrave.com confirms that Eunice (Sprague) Cruttenden died July 1, 1847 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Eunice was the daughter of William & Esther (Hutchinson) Sprague and the mother of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith
[114] FindAGrave.com confirms that Jairus Cruttenden died June 22, 1843 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Jairus was the husband of Eunice, and the father of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha
[115] Unable to find any information on this person
[116] FindAGrave.com confirms that James Sprague Jr. died March 30, 1857 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. James was the son of Capt. James & Abiah (Carpenter) Sprague, and the husband of Luke’s sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague
[117] FindAGrave.com confirms that Benjamin Vail died September 16, 1834 at the age of 29 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. He was the husband of Mary (Derby) Vail, but any relationship to Luke is unknown at this time
The Diaries of Charles Luke Keith Jr 