Luke Keith’s 1863 Diary

1863 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.^[1]

Jan 1 – Father[2] & Catharine[3] here. Mrs Wiseman & children here to dinner. Thysa Pond had a youngone. Warm and pleasant no snow the same at Green bay.

Jan 2 – Rainy. Bot cloth for Ethan[4] & myself pants 4.35¢. Paid Tax 6.38¢.

Jan 3 – Made heel spikes for Ethans scates 5¢ gin 5¢.

Jan 4 – Rainy morning no snow. At home all day. Mrs Betts[5] took dinner with Mrs Austin.

Jan 5 – Put braces on neap[6] for A. Austin 75¢. Bot this Book 38¢ Bot oil 40¢. Filed saw for Father.

Jan 6 – Tenonded bob knees. Filed saw for B. Clark[7] 25¢. Ed Gilles got slead paid 1.25. Bot camphor 5.

Jan 7 – Went over to Fathers up to Milfords & Wesleys.[8] Milford went up to Tom Durkees after corn got none.

Jan 8 – Wesley helped me kill Hogs. E. Hopkins sent some corn. Isaac Smith paid 25¢. Hawver paid 15¢ lent money.

Jan 9 – Filed saw for Isaac Smith 12. Cut up my pork. Sold Mr Vansielar some timber for slead pins 10.

Jan 10 – Bot one file 13¢. Filed saw for Mead 20¢ filed saw for Troutwine 25¢ filed two for A. R. Turner one for A. Austin 15. Bot ½ lb Tea 40¢ Apples 5¢.

Jan 11 – Went over to Fathers with Ethan. He went over to stay and go to school.

Jan 12 – Bot book for Hannah[9] 18 Bot salt 40¢. Worked in shop some on black board. Extracted tooth for Dea Cory 25.

Jan 13 – Worked on black board some. Cut up beef. Wiseman had 52¼ lbs. Flanders Brot one load hay.

Jan 14 – Finished black Board. Mended saw frame & filed saw for Mrs T. J. Whitting 38¢. Worked on violin some. Milford Brot one load wood.

Jan 15 – Put helve in Wesleys ax. Varnished violin. Frank Whiting paid 35¢.

Jan 16 – Went over to Fathers with Oscar.[10] Worked on bobs some. Put up Deyoes tools. Dick Lamkins brot some hay.

Jan 17 – Filed saw for Richard Barber 20¢ filed saw for Wesley 18¢. Romans paid 90¢ for repairing violin. Barber paid 20¢. Bot one pair mittens 1.00.

Jan 18 – At home most of the day. Went up to Andrew McLarys Extracted tooth for his wife 25¢.

Jan 19 – Went up to Milfords. Charles Richardsons Horses Harness wagon & bobs sold. Horses 175.00 Harness 14.03 Wagon 20.25 Bobs 22.00. Corn 37¢ pr bushel.

Jan 20 – Worked on bobs. Milford called here. Mrs Rogers Sarah Mrs Oatman & Mrs Austin here.

Jan 21 – Worked on bobs. Starling made stool. Father went to Augusty. Made stool for sis.[11] Mead paid 10¢. Bot cabbage 10¢.

Jan 22 – Bot shoes 35¢. Scudder got 100 feet half inch bas boards. Bot 2½ yds cotton 3/- 94¢. Extracted tooth for Nelson Mills 25¢. Worked on pump.

Jan 23 – Finished pump for C. P. Galligan 75. Glued violin for Mr Thomas 25. Bot candles 15. Levy King[12] in on the one oclock Express Evening.

Jan 24 – Put in thill[13] for Peet 75¢. Got Ethens boots tapt 50¢. Mr Thomas paid 16. Deacon Cory paid 20¢.

Jan 25 – Went over to Fathers with Levy King. Wesley cut my hair.

Jan 26 – Very foggy no sleighing yet. Mr Peet paid 80¢. Filed cross cut saw for Elias Sherman 50. Made spring bar for D. Lamkins 25.

Jan 27 – Levy left 7 oclock this morning. Filed saw for D. K. Rogers 20¢. Rounded up bob. Stephen D. Hall in town.

Jan 28 – Filed saw for B. Clark 25¢. Made saw handles for shermans saw 13¢. Bot shoes for Sarah[14] $1.00. Sent letter to J. S. King[15] 3¢. Bot oil 38.

Jan 29 – Worked on bobs some. Repaired saw buck for P. Johnson 20¢. Bot glue & candy 15¢. Snowed in the night.

Jan 30 – Snows like fun some 4 or 5 inches. Put forward bob together. Bot thread 10¢.

Jan 31 – Pleasant. Worked on bobs put hind bob together. Made short tung & roll. P. Flanders called here. Sarah went over to Fathers with him.

Feb 1 – At home all day. Mrs Betts & girls went to church. Cold night.

Feb 2 – Cold & blustering 12 Abz.[16] Filed saw for James Holden 16. Filed one for Dray Barber. Flanders brot roll butter.

Feb 3 – 2 Abz cold. Made boulster and steak for John Pilgrim 75¢. He paid 60¢.

Feb 4 – Worked on bobs put block on boulster for John Pilgrim. Bot scarfs for Nancy[17] & Hannah 40¢. Sarah came home.

Feb 5 – Snows like fun some riding rount. Worked on bobs finished them. Mr Withey called here.

Feb 6 – Fitted shoes on bobs. Traded quaker fiddle for picture frames & pictures with Withey. Bot buttons & filed saw for Troutwine 20¢ one for morton 18.

Feb 7 – No work in shop to day. Payed for medicine 2.10¢ apples 5¢ candy 1 lost one 1. Let Lucy[18] have 3¢. Got Jerushas[19] likeness[20] taken. Filed saw for Mr Seman 15. Dray barber paid 15.

Feb 8 – Went over to fathers. Lucy paid 3¢. Snowed quite hard.

Feb 9 – Rainy day. Worked on bronsons bob some. P. Johnson Brot ash Knott. Went up to grave yard with Mr Tuttle. Cut Joel Wheatons name on paper for a bag mark. Got stick salve 25.

Feb 10 – Bot 7 oz Tea of C. P. Galligan 38¢. Put shoes on slead. Mrs Stevenson took slead. Dea Cory paid 5¢.

Feb 11 – Bot corn popper 25¢. Filed saw for A Austin 15¢. Urigan Tuttle came in on the four oclock Express. Bot filly 3.

Feb 12 – Cut out molls out of ash Knott. Extracted tooth for Lucy. Filed saw for Father. Nancy & Hannah had 10¢. Went to Gales Donation.

Feb 13 – Work on Bronsons bob some. Mr Thomas paid 10¢. Went down to Hank Bennets in evening to a dance.

Feb 14 – Worked on bob. Ayres Raymond called here. Filed saw for Hoag. Rained snow all went off.

Feb 15 – Went over to Fathers. Jo came down. Catharine went home with him.

Feb 16 – Bot 5 lbs shugar 65¢. Mills paid 30¢. Worked on Bronsons bob, let Dean have boulster stick for Moore.

Feb 17 – Repaired wood box. Alvan here. Got Ex stick of Moore. Bristol brot melodeon. Bot salve of Bab 25¢. Sis burnt her hand.

Feb 18 – Made buggy Ex for Mr Peet. Milford got his bobs. D Lamkins brot 4 bushels & 14 lbs wheat. Flanders brot 400 feet bas boards ½ inch. Mr Coots came after Anty.

Feb 19 – Mr Peet paid 2.00. Worked on Milfords Ex. Ed Gale called here. Mrs Betts lost her vail in Evening.

Feb 20 – Worked on Ex some and some on bob. Filed saw for Lankford Burdick 15. Sold ashes.

Feb 21 – Went over to Fathers. Put up Catharines clock. Ethen came over home. Filed saw for Isaac Smith 15¢. Burdick paid 12¢.

Feb 22 – At home all day. All well as usual. No snow but cold. Mrs Swaddle called when she went to Evening meeting. Mrs Betts stayed with Mrs Tom Whiting.

Feb 23 – Pleasant morning. Went to Kalamazoo to get money for Deyoe. Bot cotton 8 yds 2.00 Callico 12 yds 3.00 candy 1¢. Catharine let me have 1.00. Fare to Kal[21] & back 55¢.

Feb 24 – Filed saw for Lance Odell 15. Barber brot grist 13¢. Worked on McLarys Ex some. Lois[22] came home. Mark[23] & Jo Lee[24] here.

Feb 25 – Finished McLarys Ex 2.00. Bot salearatas[25] 13 creamtartar 15¢. S. A. Millards agent called on me.

Feb 26 – Mary Childs paid $11.00. A. McLary paid 2.00. Put three spokes in Bigsbys wheel 50¢. Lois went home. Candy 1¢.

Feb 27 – Finished Bixbys wheel. Cleaned out shop. Mr Bristol paid $15.00 Melodeon. Mrs Stevenson Mrs Whiting Mrs Cross & Mrs Gillis here. Pleasant.

Feb 28 – Worked on Galligans wheelbarrow. Mark & Joseph Lee Brot up Aunt Rhodas[26] remains & buried them side of Clinton.[27]

Mar 1 – Some snow in the morning went of before noon. Went over to Fathers cattle got out.

Mar 2 – Snows like fun. Bot Box matches 13¢. Lent Lankford Burdick 2¢ Burdick paid 5¢. Worked on wheelbarrow. Thysa Pond & Sol Youngs married.[28]

Mar 3 – Pleasant one inch snow. Mrs Stevenson paid 1.70¢. Worked on wheelbarrow. James Flanders here. Vergin Signor here.

Mar 4 – Worked on wheelbarrow. Filed saw for Dray Barber 15¢ filed saw for stranger 15¢. Jo Flanders here. Hank Bennets Father died to day.

Mar 5 – Finished Galligans wheelbarrow. Made boulster for David Hambleton 50¢. He paid 50¢.

Mar 6 – Finished Milfords Ex. Bixby got his wheel. John Pilgrim paid 15. Beer 10¢. Worked on bob. Glued Frank Austins violin.

Mar 7 – Dressed out some fence rails. Father sold the oxen 3150 lbs. Filed saw for A. Austin 15. Bot hoops for girls 1.00. Bot ½ bushel apples 25¢.

Mar 8 – Went over to Fathers. Mark came up. Mrs Voce with them.

Mar 9 – Cold day. A. Austin paid 25¢ for tailpiece. Lent Blackburn 4.20. Bot ½ galen oil 35. Went over to Kingsleys to see Alvan.

Mar 10 – Varnished violin for Withey 75¢. Dressed out fence rails. Got my boots tapt 62¢. Blackburn paid 20. Flanders brot potatoes Hay straw & Butter.

Mar 11 – Put dash on Deyoes cart. Spliced neap for Pilgrim 25¢. Mrs Barber here. Cut down my long pointer. Bot syrup & cinnamon 50¢.

Mar 12 – Dressed some pickets. Put tung in Deyoes cart. Mrs Betts gone up to Mr Ralphs. Calvin Streator came home.

Mar 13 – Made reach for Bixbys wagon. Dressed some pickets. Filed saw for Mrs Lamkins 15¢. Took Tea with D. K. Rogers.

Mar 14 – Jef Chaffe[29] came this morning went over to Fathers with him. Went up to Yorks.[30] Dressed some pickets. Bot of A. Austin & co. 5 lbs shugar 70¢ half lb Tea 62¢.

Mar 15 – At Home all day. Deyoes folks here in evening.

Mar 16 – Made sideboard to C. P. G. wheelbarrow Brown & Aldidge (25. Filed saw for A. Hoag 25¢. Filed Fathers saw. Jesse Turner[31] here to dinner. Withey paid 40¢. A Hoag paid 25¢. Nancy came home.

Mar 17 – Bot screws for table 17. Sent letter to G. T.[32] 3¢. Put spokes in Bixbys wheels.

Mar 18 – Rimmed two wheels for Bixby. B Moore got two boulster sticks. Ethen at home.

Mar 19 – Dressed out pickets finished. Caty Eunice & Jennette Coreys here. Jane Hamilton came home. Bot Apples 5¢.

Mar 20 – Heavy wind. Made fence to my cow yard. Bot wicking 15. Made half crotch for James Ralph and cut up Ex 50¢.

Mar 21 – C. P. Galligan paid 4.00. Weged box for D. Lamkins 25¢. Made half crotch for James Ralph 38¢. J. W. Deyoe Left for Ohio.

Mar 22 – Went over to Fathers he got his foot hurt. Old Mrs Spaulding died. Alvan Turner[33] died half past Eleven Evening.

Mar 23 – Rainy Extracted tooth for Dea Cory 25¢. Put up my smoke house. Went over to Fathers with Mr Streator. Saw Hiram Beals at C. P. Galligan.

Mar 24 – Rainy morning. Got girls shoes tapt 70¢. Alvan Turner Buried to day.

Mar 25 – Got out spokes intended for Jo Flanders buggy. Filed saw for Mrs Whiting 20¢.

Mar 26 – Frank Whiting paid 15. Worked on D. K. Rogers wheelbarrow. Bot ½ inch auger two bolts one pound nails 40.

Mar 27 – Bot cloth for Ethens pants 1.55¢. Bigsby got his wagon he paid 1.00. Filed saw for stranger 25. Worked on D. K.s wheelbarrow.

Mar 28 – Finished D. K. Rogers wheelbarrow. Sawed out thill for F Aldrich wagon. Filed saw for W^m McLary 25¢. Hannah & Nancy went to see panorama 20¢. D. K. Rogers paid 12¢.

Mar 29 – Sarah sick. Went over to Fathers in Evening got stool. Cow calved while I was gone.

Mar 30 – Went over to Fathers. Cut some poles to put up currant bushes. Finished Aldrichs thill 75¢. Filed Fathers saw.

Mar 31 – Snowed like fun very cold. Went up to Flanders saw my colt. Jay Aldrich got his thills he bot seve Dozen Eggs 70¢. Filed saw for Stevenson 20¢.

Apr 1 – Filed two saws for G. F. Warren 35¢. Bot file 13¢. Oiled over table. Got my rimmer from red shop.

Apr 2 – Went to Flanders from there to Kalamazoo. Bot spokes rims & Hubbs for Flanders buggy 8.00. Came home on cars (30¢. Mrs Dea Cory Elizabeth Smith Lucinda Burdick & Catharine here.

Apr 3 – Let Lois have one Dollar. Filed saw for Isaac Smith he paid 30¢. Flanders brot Hubbs spokes & rims. B Clark brot load wood. Lois went home.

Apr 4 – J. F. Warren paid 60¢. Bot 2 & 2/4 lbs shugar 38¢. Cleaned out yard some piled up some wood. Enos Hopkins came down to get tooth extracted.

Apr 5 – At home all day. Pleasant snowed some in the night.

Apr 6 – Snows verry little morning. Bot writing Book 15¢. J. S. K. leter 3. Clock Repaired 50. D. K. Rogers paid 2.00.

Apr 7 – Picked up some lumber. Filed saw for Milford Matthews 25¢. Filled tooth for Mrs Clark 25. Took Clarks buggy to pieces. Worked on Ex some. Milford took his wagon home.

Apr 8 – Filed saw for Austin Odell. Made new cross bar 20¢. Bristol took spy glass home. Thomas Durkee brot maple. Filed saw for Dray Barber 15¢. Fay Aldrich paid 19¢ Eggs. Aunty Sprague & Gusty Lunt married.[34]

Apr 9 – Made cover to Barrel for Peet 12. Filed saw for B. Clark 20. Worked on Races wheel drove the spokes. Mrs Youngs called here. Got Ethens Boots tapt 40. Bot sack salt 25.

Apr 10 – Finished Mr Races wheel. Commenced boulster for Mr Bigsby. Mr A. A. Dodge called here.

Apr 11 – Finished Bixbys boulster 75. Race got his wheel. Worked on Flanders spokes. James Flanders called here. Some rainy. Filed saw for A Austin 15. Uncle Jason[35] came.

Apr 12 – Went over to Fathers with uncle Jason. Henry[36] came down to go to Chicago.

Apr 13 – Worked on spokes some. Henry left for Chicago on the 2.30. Bot one galon molasses 75 paid 20¢.

Apr 14 – Sahaving spokes. Ground Uncle chichesters[37] knife. Mike Tousley buried to day. Filed saw for Mr Stevenson 15 Stevenson paid 25¢. Uncle Jason went to Kalamazoo. E. Hopkins brot ½ galon molasses 38¢.

Apr 15 – Sarah had Wisemans Horse went over to Fathers. Mr Stephen Earl[38] Died 3 P.M. Bot one Doz Apples 10¢. Alfleda[39] came in on the 4. oclock Express.

Apr 16 – Troutwine paid 45¢. Drove spokes in Flanders wheels. Bot ½ lb Tea 50 ½ galon oil 30.

Apr 17 – Made rake handle for A. Odell 15 he paid 15¢. Sarah came home. Put rims on wheels. Stephen Earl buried. Henry came home on night Express.

Apr 18 – Worked on wheels some. Henry went up to Flanders. Blake Carred cattle. Lois called. She paid back one Dollar. Alfleda here she is sick.

Apr 19 – Some rainy. Went over to Fathers. Got some things for Alfleda. Change of cars to day.

Apr 20 – Made one pair thills for Wightman 1.00. Alfleda went home. Fare to Lawton 70 cts.

Apr 21 – Rainy. Bot Book for Hannah 38. Mr Delano paid 5¢. Extracted tooth for Mr Stanards boy 25¢. Hued some spokes. Ben Moore got two magazines. Bot Sulphur 7¢ candy 1¢.

Apr 22 – Got out some manure. Went up to Wesleys. Rainy. Hellens[40] girl[41] Born.

Apr 23 – Moved lumber in Barn. Filed saw for the Old man Stevenson 15¢ filed saw for Dray Barber 15. Mrs John Scramlin & Mrs Jane Hoag here. Moved some spokes.

Apr 24 – Muncil got 296 feet Bas boards. Finished moveing spokes. Lots soldiers went through. Bot two hubbs of Muncil 50.

Apr 25 – Paid school bill 2.21¢. Carried wood into the yard. B. Clark brot load wood for Mrs Betts. Put up leach.

Apr 26 – At home all day. Mrs Scramlin here.

Apr 27 – Withey paid 25¢. Wesley came down and drawed out manure.

Apr 28 – Spread some manure. Made some soap. Raked up front yard. L. T. Earl brot 10. fence posts.

Apr 29 – Wesley came and plowed garden. Jo Flanders brot hay corn & potatoes. Filed saw for B. Clark 25¢.

Apr 30 – Planted some peas put poles under currant bushes. Mended spear for Marshal Austin 2¢. Mr Clark called here.

May 1 – Bot one paper onion seed 30. Sowed some peas & onions. Sawed out thills for B. Clarks lumber wagon.

May 2 – Bot hats for girls 2.00¢. Made pair thills for Byron Clark 2.00¢.

May 3 – At home all day not verry well. Nancy & Hannah over to Fathers.

May 4 – Got boots repaired 15 brimstone 4¢ salearatas 13¢ candy 1¢. Went up to Yorks. Got some potatoes of Father. Bot syrup 75¢.

May 5 – Sent letter to J. S. King 3¢. Let Brown have one Dollar. Wesley came over and cut my hair.

May 6 – Painted Ethens board & made the blocks. Mr Clark got his skeins. Mr Hammon & Stranger called here.

May 7 – Bot ½ oz bluing 5¢. Mrs Betts got 20 Dollars. Set boxes in Clarks wheels worked on Ex. B. Moore called here left 4.00 Dollars for magazine.

May 8 – Bot brimstone 13¢. Sent letter to E. M. Stratton 8¢. Finished Clarks Buggy. Odell paid 15¢.

May 9 – Got some more poles & crotches for currant bushes. Planted Early potatoes. Mrs Squairs got back. Bronson brot some wheat to the mill 4 bushels & 5 lbs.

May 10 – Pleasant morning. All well. Went over to Fathers. Aldrich girl died.

May 11 – Planted corn beans & some potatoes. J. Flanders brot 42 & 3/4 lbs sugar 5.34¢.

May 12 – Butchered calf. Wiseman paid 35¢. H. L. Bennet paid 1.10¢. Barber brot up grist 13¢. Went over to Fathers. Mrs Lankford Burdick here. Huntly paid 17¢.

May 13 – Trimed Celia Newmans trees. Got Stewarts Boy out of the race. Celia paid 50¢. Filed two saws for Henry Scramlin 70¢. Schroder paid 95¢.

May 14 – Henry Scramlin paid 70¢. Planted some beans & potatoes. Made sticks for Mrs Austin. Went over to Fathers. Shelled seed corn. Magazines came.

May 15 – Marked out my corn ground planted some. H. D. Smith paid 25¢.

May 16 – Planted my corn & potatoes over on farm. Bot ribbon for girls hats 75¢.

May 17 – At home all day. Lois here Ethen came over.

May 18 – Filed saw for Hoag 15 Hoag paid 35¢. Wightman brot piles 25¢. Made churn dash for Henry Scramlin 50.

May 19 – Working on Flanders gearing sawed out some. Made patterns for Exes &c.[42]

May 20 – Made two screens for B Johnsons cellar windows. Made covers for chimneys he paid 60¢. Bot Apples 5¢. Mrs Wiseman stayed all night.

May 21 – Worked on Flanders gearing made head block & reaches. Mrs Betts left for Canada on the 1.15 Express Evening.

May 22 – Working on gearing. Flanders brot some Bas Boards for box. Bot one lb Tea 80 one watch chain 25¢ of A. Austin. Lois went home. Bot of Austin 1 & ½ lb _______ 38.

May 23 – Worked on gearing. Made churn dash for Mr Hunting & filed saw 70¢. He sawed wood 50¢. Pros[43] came up on 11.15 train went and saw Yankee Stimson.

May 24 – Bot three doz. Eggs 25¢. Went up to Flanders stopt to Clarks.

May 25 – Planted melons cumbers corn & pyplant lettauce &c. Went a fishing in afternoon with Pros. Rainy had a fine shower in the night.

May 26 – Sawed out sills & box boards for Flanders buggy. Mended saw frame for Frank Warren 15¢. Pros went home on the 11.40 train. Went over to Fathers shelled corn.

May 27 – Bot alum 5¢. Worked on gearing made springbar. Weeks paid 25¢. James Flanders called here.

May 28 – Worked on the road all day worked up the town line north of my place.

May 29 – Filed saw for Hoag 20¢. Worked on road all day. Celia Aurinda & Mrs Crane called in Evening.

May 30 – Put up looking glass for P. Johnson put up curtain hooks & repaired bell. Regulated Mrs. Rogers glass. Went over to Fathers. Walter Chipman paid 1.00. P. Johnson p^d 50¢.

May 31 – At home all day. Took my melodeon all to pieces & cleaned it. Ethen at home.

Jun 1 – Cool & rainy morning. Put in 2 felloes for Mr Se___en 50. Filed Fathers saw. Set & filed Scramlins saw. Sent 3 letters 9¢. Sarah found ripe strawberry.

Jun 2 – Finished Flanders wheels. Mr Ralph called here to get wheel made. Sarah gone dow to A. Hoags.

Jun 3 – Made wheelbarrow wheel for Mr Ralph 1.75¢. Mr Streator brot wheels to be rimed. Babcock paid $56.00. Catharine & Caty called. We moved bed upstairs.

Jun 4 – Carried Ralphs wheel down to shop. Got some plank of Muncil. Sawed out felloes for Streators wheels put in two spokes put on one rim.

Jun 5 – Rimmed one wheel put in two spokes sawed out some felloes for lumber wheels. Streator called. Bristol brot two bottles wine. Henry took colt down to Catharines.

Jun 6 – Cold morning no frost yet. Bot cloth for Ethen 79¢. Mr Ralph paid 1.50¢. Put rims on two wheels. Ralph got his wheel.

Jun 7 – Went over to Fathers & up to Milfords. Looked through their glass. Mark was up.

Jun 8 – Painted Streators wheels. Put hair in violin bow for D. Lamkins 25¢. Benj Moore called in shop. Bot some cabbage plants 15¢.

Jun 9 – Mr Streator got his wheels he paid 5. Dollars. Went over to the saw mill to see some logs. Caty[44] came over. Set out cabbage plants. One galon syrup 75¢.

Jun 10 – Sent letter to G. T. 3¢. Put down carpet. Got bent pole of Ben Moore. Got pole circle of Muncil.

Jun 11 – Made buggy pole. Caty Chaffee left for home. Went over to Fathers. Made drum stick for Ned Stevenson 5¢.

Jun 12 – Mr Flanders called here. Worked on thills. Steve ___edison paid 5¢.

Jun 13 – Worked on whiffletrees.[45] Bot salratas & ale 25¢. Truax called Stewart showed drafts. Ext tooth for Eva Clark.[46] Ground ax & scythe for Father. Kingsley pd 5.30¢.

Jun 14 – At home all day. Verry hot and dry. Picked strawberries.

Jun 15 – Went over to fathers to work in my corn. Nance was gone came back. Hoed beans. Got letter from Hiram.[47] $X Green Back.

Jun 16 – Sent letter to Hiram 3. Dressed out stuf for Flanders Box and seats. Very hot 94. in shade at 4 PM.

Jun 17 – Cultivaled my corn. Very smoky & some wind.

Jun 18 – Bot cloth for pants 2.00. Extracted tooth for John Schroeder 25¢. Glued Gillis violin & Catys Book. Cut letters for D. Bronson 10¢. Mended Bronsons Box. Sarah went down to (Clarks.

Jun 19 – Put spring in Parasol for Adeline Harris[48] 10¢. Worked on Buggy box. Bronson paid 75¢. Bronson brot 4. bushels and 10. lbs wheat.

Jun 20 – Worked on Flanders Buggy Box. Bot wintergreens 3¢. Put screw in shears for Luther Aldrich 10¢. Sarah came home with Flanders. Adeline Harris paid 5¢.

Jun 21 – At home all day. Rather cool. Oatman put Tom Troutwine in the caboose for running Horses.

Jun 22 – Repaired D Lamkins Horse rake 1.00. Gave Stranger 5¢. Sarah went to Kalamazoo with wiseman.

Jun 23 – Bot 18. eggs 15¢. Worked on Flanders Box. Old Mrs Morton came here.

Jun 24 – Bot cloth for Ethen 1.00. Bot nails & screws .52. Bot one dozen screws 5. Put Flanders Box together.

Jun 25 – Cut letters for C. P. Galligan to put on churn. Put bottom in to Flanders box.

Jun 26 – Bot fish 22¢. Let Hannah have 3¢. Worked on seats.

Jun 27 – Worked on seats & boddy got out side mouldings for Boddy. Henry called in Evening.

Jun 28 – Went over to Fathers & up to Jo. Yorks. Wesley was putting up hay. Hellen and Delpha[49] sick.

Jun 29 – Postage and candy 4¢. Extracted tooth for John Schroeder 25¢.

Jun 30 – Put mouldings on to Box made seat rizers. Glued weeks violin 10¢. Extracted tooth for Laury Lamkins 25¢.

Jul 1 – Filed saw for Frank Warren 25¢. Worked on seats and rizers.

Jul 2 – Finished seats. Mrs S. D. Hall here. Henry called in Evening.

Jul 3 – Worked on whiffletrees some. Went in to show 25¢ candy 15 screws 14¢.

Jul 4 – Made whiffletrees. Flanders carried his Buggy to Kalamazoo. P. Johnson had one pint milk 5. Put in finger for T. Cory 15¢. Bot beef shank 20¢. H. Smith called here.

Jul 5 – At home all day very warm. T. Cory paid 15¢.

Jul 6 – Put three fingers and one standard in Batys cradle 60¢. Put two fingers in Flanders cradle 30¢. Worked some on Batys pole.

Jul 7 – Finished Mr Batys Buggy pole. Filled one tooth for Jo. Sherman 40. Made head to Wesleys Buggy rake 50¢.

Jul 8 – Worked in corn. Bot beer 5¢ Bot watch 10¢. Verry hot day.

Jul 9 – Worked in corn. Very warm & smoky. Mr Withey & wife to Fathers.

Jul 10 – Worked in corn. Henry came down let him have 25¢. Hoed and cultivated. Mr Semen commenced cutting wheat.

Jul 11 – Hoed corn. Henry helped us hoe finished hoeing. Ethen came over with Nance & plowed out my potatoes & corn. Filled Jo Shermans tooth over. Bot beef 33.

Jul 12 – At home all day. Lois went home. Bot violin string 30¢.

Jul 13 – Put in two cradle fingers for Jo. Baty 25. Bot poison 3¢. Repaired wheel for Allerton 25¢. Mr Stevenson plastered kitchen.

Jul 14 – Hoed corn beans & potatoes. Worked some on Allertons wheel.

Jul 15 – Finished allertons wheel 1.00. Hoed some potatoes. Cleaned out cellar. Filled tooth for Mr. Johnson. Picked lot cherries.

Jul 16 – Bot beef 25¢ Bot Beeswax & paper 15¢ one paper 5¢. Filed saw for A. Austin 15. Filed my own saw. Put up stove. Picked some cherries.

Jul 17 – Went over to Fathers. Sawed out felloes for Ralphs wheel. Mended Mr Semans cradle.

Jul 18 – Finished J. Ralphs wheel 1.50¢. Bot salt & starch 30¢. Put handles into Mr Batys plow. Bot shoes for the girls 3.15¢.

Jul 19 – Went down to Catharines place to see my colt. Ethen went with me. Went up to Jo Lees.

Jul 20 – A good shower this morning. Repaired Wheatons violin 25¢. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢. Made boulster for Allerton 62¢. Mended umbrella for D Lamkins 5¢.

Jul 21 – Put in swaybar for A. Austin 50¢. Repaired wheel for D. Lamkins 75¢. Mr Baty got his plow and pole he paid 2.50¢.

Jul 22 – Bot indigo & thread 10¢. Filed saw for Frank Whiting 15. Planed some fence posts. Sarah went up to Isaac Corys.

Jul 23 – Finished plaining my fence posts in forenoon. Glued some lining in H. M. Smiths violin.

Jul 24 – Went up to Fay Aldrich got his post auger. Put in plow handle for T. C. Cory 25¢. Allerton paid 1.61¢. Staked out my fence. Mr Warner paid 3.00¢. Filled teeth for Mrs Austin. Bot fish 36¢

Jul 25 – Extracted 2 teeth for A. Sumner 25¢. Wheaton paid 25¢. Made door for H. Scramlin 75¢. Extracted one tooth for Spalding 25¢. Shoes 2.00. J. Ralph paid 1.25. Sarah went over to Fathers.

Jul 26 – At home all day. Shaved of cheese foldover. Sarah came home.

Jul 27 – Put in cradle finger for Ab Lamkins 15¢. Filed saw for Mr Weeks 25¢. Set twelve fence posts. Mrs. Austin left on night train for Canada.

Jul 28 – Put in head block to Dick Lamkins buggy 1.00. file Mr Weeks paid 25¢. Dug holes for fence.

Jul 29 – Worked on fence finished setting posts put on two rails. Sarah bot sundries 1.00. George Brown moved his front door.

Jul 30 – One lb Tea of A. Austin 80¢. Bot 10 lbs nails 70¢. Worked on fence.

Jul 31 – Worked on fence finished putting on the rails. Had a heavy thunder storm just at night.

Aug 1 – Lowered my Bridge. Set kitchen post by the shop. Flanders brot some apples. Henry came down. Mrs Orcut and boys called here.

Aug 2 – Went over the river took sis over in her buggy. Hannah & Nancy went over after meeting. Mr Semen buried five of his hogs they were killed by lightning.

Aug 3 – Nothing done to day. Run round town. Bot one paper 3¢.

Aug 4 – Let Eleck have 14 spoks. Sawed some picketts. Filed saw for Sumner 20¢. Mr Bixby paid 3.50¢. Milford Mathews brot 7/8^ths cords wood. Had green corn.

Aug 5 – Piled my wood. Sawed some picketts. Filed my saw filed Mr Scramlins saw 15¢. Cut Bachelders hair 25¢.

Aug 6 – Finished sawing pickets put on pickets up to gate. Sarah went over to Trumes I went over and took tea.

Aug 7 – Extracted tooth for A. McLarys Boy 25¢. Bot 4 lbs nails 28. Finished putting on my pickets. Heavy shower.

Aug 8 – Went over the river in fore noon. Mended comb for Edith. Sarah went down to Genets Coreys. They laid the tile in ditch. Ground Fathers scythe. Bot beef 25¢.

Aug 9 – At home all day. Sarah went to church. Had a heavy thunder shower.

Aug 10 – Got 300 pickets of C. P. Galligan. Set steaks for fence set two posts. They laid tile under race. Went and see pictures 10¢. Had a heavy shower. They commenced the shead.

Aug 11 – Set my fence posts worked some on gate. Sarah went down to L. J. Barbers.

Aug 12 – Helped Austin set posts. Cleaned out back of Barn. Bot paper and Envelopes 25¢. Sarah gone all day to Beveres & Wheelers.

Aug 13 – Put gate frame together fenced up by the shop. Cut up corn fodder. Sarah went to lib Wheeler Smiths.

Aug 14 – Went over the river in fore noon. Bot oil 30¢. Catharine & Lucy came over.

Aug 15 – Got my hair cut 15¢. Got Jims[50] likeness 50. A. Lamkins paid 15¢. Saw George Earl. Cut up my sweet corn.

Aug 16 – Went down to Catharines saw my colt got some apples. Took dinner with Joseph Lee.

Aug 17 – Dug some potatoes chored round house. Piled Mrs Betts wood. Sent letter to Pavilion to notify them of company.[51]

Aug 18 – Took cow over the river. Fastened up my bars gate ways &c. All went over to Fathers to stay. Mrs Stevenson paid 1.00.

Aug 19 – Put straw in Barn picked up some apples fixed some fence.

Aug 20 – Drove hogs over to burg. Brot over trunk & chairs &c. Father Catharine & Lucy left for York State on the night Express one oclock fifteen minutes.

Aug 21 – All right this morning. Went over to burg got my trunk. Bot violin string 35. Sarah bot sundries 75¢.

Aug 22 – Worked round house and barn hoed some corn. Went over to the burg. Made cheese.

Aug 23 – Went round the squair with B. Clark. Lois went home. Had a heavy shower about noon.

Aug 24 – Went over to the burg got apple rack sweet corn &c. Bot apple pearer 1.00. Mr Seaman cleaned up wheat.

Aug 25 – Filed saw for Mr Seaman. Picked up some apples. Rained some. Made cheese.

Aug 26 – Mowed the grass in the orchard and raked it up. Ida Moore died.

Aug 27 – Drawed hay picked up some apples made cheese. Ida Moore buried.

Aug 28 – Took the cow down to Browns. Had the ague no work to day.

Aug 29 – Made cheese. Sick with ague no work to day. Sarah and Ethen went over to the burg.

Aug 30 – Not verry well. Went up to Yorks. Hellen some better.

Aug 31 – Went over to the burg. Got cider barrel. Picked up some apples went to cider mill made 105. galons 40 for Father I pay for 20. Wesley 20 paid 5.

Sep 1 – At home all day sore face no work to day only chores. Made cheese. John Ralphs child[52] buried.

Sep 2 – Pulled beans and chored round the house & barn.

Sep 3 – Cut up corn stacked beans set up the corn. Went over to the burg got chair 34¢ sold 16 doz & 4 eggs 98¢. Sent four letters 19¢. Eugene[53] Came.

Sep 4 – Cut up corn and put it up put up the beans pulled the coffee &c. Ethen & Eugene went up to Flanders.

Sep 5 – Worked round house. T Flanders came over carried two bushels wheat to mill. Ethen and Eugene went over to County house.

Sep 6 – Eugene went up to Climax with vet Mead. At home all day. T. Flanders here. Lois came down.

Sep 7 – Went over to the burg. Bot Bottle Ague balsam[54] 1.00. Cut onion seed &c. Bot shoe strings 2¢ gum 1¢.

Sep 8 – Pulled onions set out seed onions. Mrs Wiseman & Mrs Thorndyke here. Net Whitaker called in a few minutes. Alvin Burdick[55] Died in the night some time.

Sep 9 – Went over home & cut my corn pulled my beans. Bot rheubarb 10¢. Pulled beans here in garden. Had the ague in the night.

Sep 10 – No work to day not very well foot very sore. Alvin Burdick buried to day.

Sep 11 – Went over to the burg. Bot sent 50 ctz to New York for paper &c postage 6¢. Went up to Mr Flanders. Got some salve & ointment.

Sep 12 – Mr Seaman finished sowing the south lot. Eugene went home. My face very sore. Lois went home in the Evening. Whig Spalding[56] buried to day.

Sep 13 – At home all day. My face some better got a bad sore on my hand. Mr Seaman draged in wheat.

Sep 14 – Mr Seaman commenced topping the corn. Went over to the burg. Bot Bottle ague Balsam one Dollar 1.00. Postage on a return letter 10¢.

Sep 15 – Mr Seaman sowed the west lot. James Billings here to dinner. Paid him one Dollar for magazine 1.00.

Sep 16 – Picked up some apples. Went up to J. Yorks. Went over to the burg.

Sep 17 – Mowed hay repaired pump shelled corn.

Sep 18 – Carried three bushels corn to mill. Bot thread and twist 10¢ got boots tapt 60¢. Sold 8 dozen Eggs 50¢. Bachelder paid 10.

Sep 19 – Went over to the burg got grist. Mrs Betts came. Picked up some apples. Went up to Wesleys got some peaches.

Sep 20 – Mr Seaman had Nance to go to Climax. At home all day.

Sep 21 – Repaired yoke for the old ox. Picked up apples. Mr. C. C. Johnson[57] buried to day. Sarah went to the burg Bot buttons 8¢. I went over to the one 15. train.

Sep 22 – Commenced topping my corn. Went over to the burg. Bot lamp wicks 4¢. Father got home.

Sep 23 – Worked in my corn. Lots folks going the fare. Not verry well. Sarah sick in the night.

Sep 24 – Sarah sick. Cutting my corn finished cutting corn. Henry & Mr Murray came & stayed all night.

Sep 25 – Went over to the burg. Hank went home. Got letter from Ormsby. Lois up here. Picked up some apples.

Sep 26 – Ethen gone to the fare only he did not go. Went up to Wesleys got some peaches.

Sep 27 – Father and myself went down to Catharines place got some peaches. Went to Jo Lees and took dinner. Nancy went down to Mr Clark.

Sep 28 – Went over to the burg and put down Mrs Betts carpet and things &c.

Sep 29 – Dug my potatoes. Cory and Oatman was over here. Paid school bill 97¢.

Sep 30 – Went over to the burg with one load potatoes. Bot suspenders 55¢. Went over in afternoon carried cheese picked up Warners things. Ralph brot 3 bush peaches __1.92.

Oct 1 – Rainy. Went over to the burg in afternoon. Bot Oil and shugar 98¢.

Oct 2 – Put up eve trough and put on some shingles. Dug some potatoes cut some wood. Went over to the burg after Lucy.

Oct 3 – Drawed one load wood. Went up to David Bronsons. By Clark paid 3 Dollars. Went up to J. C. Blakes got four bushels wheat carried it to mill.

Oct 4 – At home all day. Rained some. Catharine went up to Wesleys. Got some peaches.

Oct 5 – Went over to the burg carried some apples. Made fire[?] board &c. Rained some.

Oct 6 – Went up to B. Hartwells. Made 201 galens cider. Paid 2.25¢ received 30¢.

Oct 7 – Moved back to the burg. Dug some potatos. Took old Cow over in the Evening.

Oct 8 – Went over to Fathers picked up apples brot over some winter apples. Bot crib of Mrs Burroughs paid 1.50¢.

Oct 9 – Went over to Fathers picked up apples. Brot over load pumpkins to crib.

Oct 10 – Finished diging potatoes fixed the well picked apples carried in the pumpkins. Spalding paid 25¢.

Oct 11 – At home all day. All well as usual.

Oct 12 – Made cider paid 25¢ carried 52 bushels apples had 198 galons. Let D. K. Rogers have 33 galons.

Oct 13 – Thrashed beans. Carried apples up stairs. Filled straw ticks. Boiled cider &c. D. K. Rogers paid one Dollar fifty 1.50¢.

Oct 14 – Went over to Fathers picked up apples helped him clean up wheat. Brot home load winter apples.

Oct 15 – Mrs. Wiseman had one box pills 25¢. Husked some corn. Filed J. B. Holdens saw 15¢. Bot shank 15¢. Got Ethens boots repaird 20¢. Filed Fathers saw. Bot lamp chimney 10.

Oct 16 – Went over the river. Picked corn. Took buggy home. Calvin Streator[58] died to day.

Oct 17 – Went over and cut corn drawed over two loads. J. M. York drawed one. Bot paper Salearatas 12¢.

Oct 18 – At home all day all well. Mrs Betts and girls went to church.

Oct 19 – Picked and drawed two loads corn. J. B. Holden paid 15¢.

Oct 20 – Got last load corn over. Went to Calvin Streators Funeral. Bot beef shank 20¢. Rainy afternoon.

Oct 21 – Went up to J. M. Yorks. Picked lot apples. Got York to draw load cornfodder.

Oct 22 – Went and helped J. M. York husk corn and dig potatoes. Let Hannah have 5¢. Bot strycknine 5. Race paid 3 Dollars.

Oct 23 – About two inches snow on the ground this morning. Rimed one wheel for James Ralph 1.50¢.

Oct 24 – Went over to Fathers got 3 pigs. Filed one saw for Hunting 15¢. James Ralph got his wheel. Mr Hunting paid 30¢.

Oct 25 – At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Oct 26 – Went over and picked up apples. Finished had 45 bush. Went to Yorks got wagon loaded up the apples.

Oct 27 – Made one Hundred & Eighty Eight galons cider 188. Let Benj Moore have sixty four 64 44 myself Father had 80. James Ralph brot one bushel potatoes 40¢.

Oct 28 – Helped J M York set appletrees we set 31.

Oct 29 – Helped J. M York set appletrees we set 44.

Oct 30 – Filed saw for Mr Hunting 15. Husked corn. Rained all day.

Oct 31 – Took lumber out of the barn. Uncle Ozen[59] came on the Express train. Bot pork 20¢. Went over to Fathers with Ozen. Mr Souls called in Evening told me that uncle Jason was very sick.

Nov 1 – At home all day. Ethen came home.

Nov 2 – Husked corn. Babcock & Barber called. Harmon Smith here to dinner. Uncle Ozen left for home on mail train. Went down to averys in Evening.

Nov 3 – Husked some corn. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢. Bot cudber 10¢ Bot oil 44¢. Went up to Milfords.

Nov 4 – Bot 2^d reader for Hannah 25. Husked corn. Milford brot one cord wood. Old cow sick.

Nov 5 – Went down to Catharines got my colt took it up to Flanders. Bot logwood & cream tartar 8¢. Hiram came in on the night train.

Nov 6 – Got livery team. Went down to Mr Clarks with Hiram. Went down to Mary Childs in Evening. Got new lenses in my spectacles 1.25¢.

Nov 7 – Bot beef 20¢ Bot books 75 Bot spectcle case 50¢. Buried my cabbage. Henry & Ethen & Mrs Watts here to dinner. Hiram left on the one Oclock Express. Hiram gave me 3.00¢.

Nov 8 – At home all day. Mrs Betts & girls went to church.

Nov 9 – Lois at home. Byron brot Mrs Betts 7/8 cord wood. I sorted over corn. Put cow in barn for the first night. Snowed some. Curtis & wife here in Evening.

Nov 10 – Husked corn. Cold. Mrs. Catharine Davison called here. Bot one lb candles 15¢.

Nov 11 – Husked corn all day. Bot broom 25¢. Old Mrs Morton & Mrs Morton & Elder Harris called on Mrs Betts in Evening.

Nov 12 – Husked corn. Filed saw for Hunting 15 Hunting paid 30¢. Bot beef shank 15¢ Bot chicken 23¢. Frank Beech visiting Mrs Betts. Milford brot cord wood.

Nov 13 – Finished husking my corn sorted out some. Went down to Hanks to a dance in Evening. Mrs Betts called on Elder Harris after noon. Went down to stave factory.

Nov 14 – Went down to Truaxes. Put lumber in barn. Filed saw for Wesley 15¢. Mrs Betts went down to Adeline Harris stayed all night.

Nov 15 – At home all day. Lois came home. Hannah went home with them. Sarah went to church in Evening.

Nov 16 – Ethen came over and drawed some listings. Broke whiffletree. Bot books 2.00. Mr Flanders brot knot for P. Johnson.

Nov 17 – Went down to doc Suttons barn. Sold draft to Lynch 50.00¢. Made mawl for P. Johnson. Moved rizers on A. McLarys seats 20¢.

Nov 18 – Went & got one load lists. Stephen Withey called here. Filed three saws. A. Lamkin paid 5¢ Ethen 5.

Nov 19 – Got Truax screw. Raised barn & stoop. H. Scramlin paid 25. Sylvester Mills[60] buried to day. Mrs Betts went to Dowagiac.[61]

Nov 20 – Sold Tom Clemens stick for plane 25¢. Took stove out from under shop. Helped Truman Cory draw wood he drawed some timber to put in race.

Nov 21 – Timbered up race bank cut off stringers and put them down. Bot beef 20¢. Jesse Earl sent 4 bushels Buck wheat 3.00.

Nov 22 – Went over to Fathers in afternoon.

Nov 23 – Moved shop and leveled it up. Mr Clark got umbrella 25. Paid Truax 2.00 P. Johnson paid 25.

Nov 24 – Some rainy. Dug out under shop to get dirt to bank up with.

Nov 25 – Dug under shop & banked up shop. Hung ax for Tom Elliot he paid 10¢.

Nov 26 – Ethen came over and got Sarah & children. Ethen bot cap 1.00 I paid 25¢. Got my hair cut 10. Went over to Fathers.

Nov 27 – Smith got his mittens 50¢. Bot madder and candy 14¢ Bot thread 5¢ Bot file 15.

Nov 28 – Bot violin strings & tail piece 103¢. Filed saw for Ned[?] Nicols 25. Charley Ralph got his mittens 25¢. Made two hammer Handles for G. A. Lockhart 25¢. Filed saw for Hunting 15¢. Got salratas 12¢.

Nov 29 – At home all day. Sarah went to church. I had sick headache.

Nov 30 – Straightened round shop put up lumber. Benjamin Moore Paid 3 Dollars.

Dec 1 – Hunting paid 30¢. Plained out seeling for shop. Bot paper needles 5¢.

Dec 2 – Bot thread 5. Truax got his screws. Moved bench & sealed up same. Bot some pork 19¢.

Dec 3 – Worked in shop put on seeling. Sarah went over to Rogers. I went over took tea.

Dec 4 – Put on seeling. Bot spool thread 10¢. Sent letter to D. C. Crawford[62] 3. Filed saw for W. M. Eldred ____. Mended C. P. Galligans wheelbarrow. Eldred paid 30¢. Extracted tooth for Dutch girl 25.

Dec 5 – Filed saw for Frank Warren 20. Put seeling on the south eng of shop. Paid Father one Dollar.

Dec 6 – Went over to Fathers with Henry. Paid Father one Dollar.

Dec 7 – Made saw buck for D. K. Rogers 50. Repaired wagon for Allerton 25. Extracted tooth for Bell Galligan 30¢. Bot oil 35¢.

Dec 8 – Worked at seeling some. Benj Moore paid 20¢. Put in Ex for L. T. Earl 2.00 he paid two Dollars. Delphene Whitcomb left in the night with stranger.

Dec 9 – Cleared out barn put up corn. Cleared out shop &c. Lois at home. Put pickets and small stuff in barn.

Dec 10 – Put some seeling move some things in shop. Filed saw for Mr Addams 30¢. Shelled corn in Evening.

Dec 11 – Hued out two axhelves. Filed saw for Hunting 15¢. James Dupuy made crank. Move some traps in shop. Put on some seeling. Dwight Taylor called.

Dec 12 – Made axhelve for Father ground Fathers knives to Straw Cutter. Put on some sheeting. Addams paid 30¢.

Dec 13 – At home all day. Sarah went to church. Ethen came home and stayed all night.

Dec 14 – Bot Ethen boots 250¢. Filed saw for Isaac Cory 20 filed saw for Hunting 15¢. Put on some sheeting. Got two bushels meal.

Dec 15 – Work in shop seeling. Some snow on ground rather cool. Commenced on the two cords wood.

Dec 16 – Finished seeling shop. L. T. Earl sent some timber for bob. D. Lamkins called here. Sent letter to Niles 3¢ one stamp 3 indigo 4¢.

Dec 17 – Worked on Earls bob some. Father called got his paper. Extracted tooth for Ann Rogers 25. Henry Scramlin here.

Dec 18 – Made axhelve for Father ground Fathers Knives to Straw Cutter. Put on some sheeting. Worked on L. T. Earls bob. Odell got my violin. Snowed in night.

Dec 19 – Some 5 inches snow. Hunting paid 30. Bot cambric for Ethens vest & silk 17¢. Put handles on 3 augers for L. T. Earl. Earl got his bob. Charley Cory paid 20¢. Worked on E. Hoges thills.

Dec 20 – Went over to Fathers picked out some boards for window casings.

Dec 21 – Put in knee to one of Fay Aldrich bob. Made set cutter thills for Ed Hodges 2.00. Bot beef and Diary 65.

Dec 22 – Filed Fathers saw. Fixed uncle Chis canes. Set one set bob shoes for Mr. Avery 1.00. By Clark brot load coarse wood.

Dec 23 – Made bar & end piece to saw frame for Hunting. Filed saw for Hunting 40. Set one set shoes for A Chipman 50. Sarah went to Kalamazoo. Set chairs & sundry articles 23.90¢.

Dec 24 – Went over to Celia Newm[ans] saw Mrs peterson and Am[os] Chipman. Went over to Fath[ers]. Extracted tooth for Hellen Blakes girl. A. Chipman pa[id] 50¢. Pros came on the 12.15 train. Bot shugar Tea & cinnamon 1.4__.

Dec 25 – Worked in shop some. Fath[er] Catharine Hellen Harriet[63] Lucy Lois Bryon Jo Ethen Hannah Pros &c was here to Christmas. I went to two dances in Evening.

Dec 26 – Cut out one pr mittens for P. Johnson. Tightened one box for Taylor 25 hung ax for T. Cory 10¢ made axhelve for D. Lamkin 50 made mittens for P. Johnson 50¢.

Dec 27 – At home all day. Henry came home. Pros here. P. Johnson paid 50¢.

Dec 28 – Rainy. Cut out mittens for Pros. Bot glue 15¢. Put bob together. Truax here. Snowed & rained.

Dec 29 – Put raves on bob. Sarah made Pros mittens. Oscar came here. Pros left on the 4.10 train. T. Flanders came here. Pros paid 50¢. Bot oil 35¢.

Dec 30 – Finished Bronsons bob. Oscar & Mr Chipman left. Got Sarahs shoes mended 40¢. Sarah went over to Fathers. Sent letter to Hiram 3.

Dec 31 – Lining & blocking Smiths violin. Filed Huntings saw 15¢.

Memoranda – Cash on hand January first 1863 $40.05.

——-

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

[2] Charles Luke Keith Sr., also known as Luke

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

[4] His son, Ethan Keith

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

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

[7] His son-in-law, Byron Clark

[8] His adopted brother, John Wesley Keith

[9] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[10] His nephew, James Oscar Keith

[11] His daughter, Louese Keith

[12] Levi Lincoln King, his maternal first cousin once removed

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

[14] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[15] James S. King, his maternal first cousin

[16] Above zero

[17] His daughter, Nancy Keith

[18] Lucy Irene Lee, his sister Catherine’s daughter

[19] His daughter Louese; her middle name was Jerusha

[20] Photograph

[21] Kalamazoo, Michigan

[22] Lois (Keith) Clark, his daughter by his first wife

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

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

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

[26] His aunt, and Joseph Lee’s mother, Rhoda (Keith) Lee

[27] Perhaps he is referring to Rhoda’s son, George Clinton Lee, who died in 1854 and was buried in the Old Galesburg Cemetery

[28] A search of Ancestry.com shows that Solomon Young of Pavilion and Terressa Pond of Galesburg were married on March 2, 1863 at “the home of the bride’s father.” Witnesses were Chas Bailey and S. J. Galagan

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

[30] Joseph and Helen (Bradley) York; Helen was Luke’s niece

[31] His maternal first cousin

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

[33] Alvin R. Turner, his maternal first cousin

[34] The relationship to Luke is unknown at this time

[35] His mother’s brother, Jason Beal Wolcott; many of the Willcutts used the alternate spelling Wolcott

[36] His son, Henry Keith

[37] The relationship to Luke is unknown at this time

[38] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Stephen Earl died April 16, 1863 and is buried in Ford Cemetery, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[39] His brother Harvey’s wife, Alfleda (Starr) Keith

[40] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[41] Helen Lavinia York

[42] Etc.

[43] His wife Sarah’s brother, Lucius Prosper Crawford

[44] His niece, Frances Catherine (Keith) Chaffee

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

[46] His son-in-law Byron Clark’s sister

[47] His brother-in-law, Hiram Crawford Jr.; see letter dated June 7, 1863

[48] Adaline (Ralph) Harris; her son, Daniel “D.D.” Harris, would grow up to marry Luke’s daughter, Louese

[49] Marion Adelphia York, the daughter of Joseph & Helen (Bradley) York

[50] His baby son, James Clinton Keith

[51] See July 28, 1863 letter from George and Marion Tomlinson where Marion writes that they ” are glad to hear our folks think of coming down here. Hope they wont disappoint us.”

[52] Records of Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan, show Hubert Ralph, born in 1861, died in 1863 and is buried in the same section and lot as John Ralph

[53] Believe he is referring to Eugene Crawford, his wife Sarah’s nephew

[54] An internet search showed Dr. Christie’s Ague Balsam (ca. 1856) was a “sure remedy for ague, fever and all bilious diseases”

[55] A search of FindAGrave.com showed Alvin Burdick died September 8, 1863 and is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[56] A search of FindAGrave.com showed Warren Spalding died September 11, 1863 and is buried in Roof Cemetery, Climax, Michigan

[57] A search of FindAGrave.com showed Charles C. Johnson died September 19, 1863 and is buried in Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[58] A search of FindAGrave.com showed J. Calvin Streator died in 1863 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[59] Ozen Keith

[60] A search of FindAGrave.com shows Sylvester Mills died November 17, 1863 and is buried in Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[61] Dowagiac, Michigan, where her son Edwin Crawford and his family lived

[62] His wife Sarah’s brother, David Caleb Crawford

[63] Believe he is referring to Wesley’s wife, Harriet (Blakslee) Keith

Advertisement

Luke Keith’s 1858 Diary

1858 Diary of Charles Luke Keith Jr.

The entries from January 1 through January 16 were first written in the back of his 1857 diary and are basically identical to what he wrote in his 1858 diary. Anything from 1857 that clarifies the 1858 entries are noted in brackets

Jan 1 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Went down to Catharines.[1] Killed the old hen.

Jan 2 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Came home. Cut out some sleigh runners for Frazer. Recd a letter from G. Tomlinson.[2]

Jan 3 – Pleasant 27 Abz. At home. Henry and lois[3] here.

Jan 4 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Went over to Earls & Yorks got 17 lbs tallow.

Jan 5 – Pleasant out 22 Abz. Worked on frame some. Father & mother[4] here.

Jan 6 – Cloudy 36 Abz. At home. Got bags.

Jan 7 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Cleaned up wheat.

Jan 8 – Pleasant 9 Abz. Sold the wheat [to Mason] 16 bush 75 cts pr bushel $11.79 cts. [Carried wheat to mill. York load wood.]

Jan 9 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Worked on frame.

Jan 10 – Rainy 22 Abz. Went over to fathers.

Jan 11 – Rainy 44 Abz. Got some flooring. [Put some down. Tooth ache.]

Jan 12 – Pleasant 33 Abz. Went over to fathers. Built calf shead.

Jan 13 – Pleasant 34 Abz. At home. Recd letter from C. R. C.[5]

Jan 14 – Pleasant 23 Abz. Got steel spring made. Steel cost 27 cts.

Jan 15 – Cloudy 34 Abz. At home. T. Flanders[6] here. Sarah[7] went to Donation party Evening. Sent letter to C. R. Cridland.

Jan 16 – Cloudy 33 Abz. Got some lumber framed rafters got 11 peices one plank. Bot this Diary. Paid G. T. Tax $11.20. D. Lamkins here got his violin.

Jan 17 – Pleasant 29 Abz. At home. Put strings on my old violin. Matilda Baxter here.

Jan 18 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Went over to fathers saw Lyman Earl.

Jan 19 – Pleasant 22 Abz. Got flooring put it down 4 bunches Shingles & one load siding of Earl.

Jan 20 – Pleasant 18 Abz. Worked on shop frame.

Jan 21 – Pleasant 29 Abz. Father came over Sarah & children[8] went over. Commenced my bench. S. A. Muldgent here. Warm. Put in felly[9] for Wightman.

Jan 22 – Cloudy cool wind 30 Abz. At home a lone. Put up my rafters on shop. Cool wind all day.

Jan 23 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Nice fall morning. White out this morning. Talk of _____ side walk. Worked on my bench. Sarah & children came home.

Jan 24 – Cloudy 46 Abz. Sprinkles some. Carried in my _____. Sarah & children gone to church.

Jan 25 – Rainy 52 Abz. Spring weather. Bot 42 lbs nails 30___ lbs 8___ 12.60 lbs. Lath sorted corn. E. M. Clapp here to get set Bobs[10] made. Rainy afternoon & evening.

Jan 26 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Put on some siding. Lois came home. Set saw for Jack clubs.

Jan 27 – Rainy 38 Abz. Went over to Fathers up to the sawmill. T. Flanders came here. D. Smith here in the night.

Jan 28 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Lasher came over moved fence. D. Smith here. Celia Newman here to day. Mr & Mrs Wightman here evening.

Jan 29 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Put the sides on the shop.

Jan 30 – Cloudy and cool 23 Abz. Got load siding roof boards 94 feet boards of Jesse Earl. Thomas Flanders went home.

Jan 31 – Pleasant 18 Abz. At home. Mary Flint Died this morning. Billy Lee here.

Feb 1 – Cloudy & cool 18 Abz. Worked on shop put on siding. Bennet & wife here. Snowed after noon.

Feb 2 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Worked on shop finished siding. Snowed in Evening.

Feb 3 – Pleasant and cool 16 Abz cold. At home. Not much done to day. T. Flanders came back.

Feb 4 – Cloudy 14 Abz. Went over to Fathers & Yorks.

Feb 5 – Cloudy 14 Abz. Got plank for bench. Recd letter from G. Tomlinson.

Feb 6 – Cloudy 14 Abz snowed in the morning. Carried some corn to mill. Mrs Flint here in the Evening. T. Flanders went home paid me 50 cts.

Feb 7 – Cloudy 27 Abz some 3 inches snow on the ground. Lois came home in the Evening.

Feb 8 – Cloudy 22 Abz. Got out cornice. Snowey.

Feb 9 – Cloudy 26 Abz. snow some 6 inches deep looks like winter snowy & cold. Cut out gloves. Sent letter to C. R. Cridland $4 dollars in it.

Feb 10 – Cold & Blustrous 7 Abz. Went over to Fathers Jesse Turner[11] there. Very cold & blustering 6 Below zero in Evening.

Feb 11 – Blustrous 6 Below zero. Round home. Cleared snow out of the shop. Cut some gloves.

Feb 12 – Clear day 8 Abz. Went up to J. Yorks.[12] Billy Lee came here. Lois came over. Bot pr shoes 12/-[13]

Feb 13 – Cloudy 15 Abz. windy very cold and blustering snowed and blowed like fun all day. Repaired Whitings violin.

Feb 14 – Cold 20 Abz. At home all day. Good winter day. Hannah[14] sick.

Feb 15 – Cloudy 22 Abz. Worked on cornice. Snowed in the Evening.

Feb 16 – Snowey 18 Abz. At home. Sawed wood. Flanders brot 4 bushels wheat 9 lbs sausage.

Feb 17 – Cloudy 2 Abz. Got one bunch shingles. Whiting paid me 50 cts. Went over to Fathers. Oscar and Mary ann[15] here. Mother came with them. T. Flanders came here.

Feb 18 – Cloudy 2 Abz. Carried 4 bushels wheat to mill. T. Flanders went home. Lasher drawed ice for Beach.

Feb 19 – Snowey 13 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Wes[16] Boy[17] Born this morning. Snows & blows like fun. Azro Brot stove over.

Feb 20 – Cold 2 Below zero. Swep out shop sawed some wood. T. Flanders here in evening.

Feb 21 – Pleasant 23 Abz. Good sleighing. At home all day.

Feb 22 – Cold 17 Below zero. Lasher Brot brick. Sawed out some cornice. Uncle Ozen[18] here.

Feb 23 – Pleasant 3 Abz. Worked on cornice. Father came over here.

Feb 24 – Pleasant 15 Abz. Finished cornice. B. Whitcomb Bot A. T. Jones violin $6.00. The girls left. Letter from N. B. Betts.[19]

Feb 25 – Cloudy 24 Abz. Worked on shop put on some cornice. Mary Powlison here to day. Pleasant & warm.

Feb 26 – Pleasant 5 Abz. Put on cornice and some roof boards. Thawed considerable.

Feb 27 – Cloudy and warm 36 Abz. Not much sleighing. T. Flanders came here. Shingled some. Snowed in the night 6 inches deep.

Feb 28 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Thawes some. Mr Stebbens buried to day. Averil preached. T. Flanders here all day.

Mar 1 – Pleasant 11 Abz. T. Flanders here. Finished shingling my shop. T. Flanders left.

Mar 2 – Snowed some 9 Abz. Libby Taylor here this morning. Cleaned out stove. Sarah went over to Deyos took tea there. Mike coe here to get a plate for coffin.

Mar 3 – Snows 11 Abz cold some sleighing. Went up to Yorks got four sticks timber for platform.

Mar 4 – Pleasant 6 Abz. Worked on vice. Mrs Wiseman here.

Mar 5 – Pleasant 8 Below zero. Flanders drawed load straw. Sarah & children went over to Fathers. Deyoe got load hay 1320 lbs.

Mar 6 – Pleasant snowed 9 Abz. Worked on vice some. Sarah & children gone yet. Recd a letter from E. W. Craw[ford?]. Wesley over here to see shop. Got 150 lbs bran of D. K. Rogers.

Mar 7 – Snows some 18 Abz comfortable sleighing. Sarah came home.

Mar 8 – Cloudy 16 Abz. Worked on my vice. Mended Sarahs shoes in the Evening. Stranger here clock tinker & musician.

Mar 9 – Pleasant 4 Abz. Worked on my Bench. Ground almost bear. Sarah gone to Church this Evening.

Mar 10 – Pleasant 20 Abz. Worked on my bench and floor. Got my Boots tapt. Snow most gone.

Mar 11 – Cloudy 37 Abz. Worked on my Bench. Snow most gone.

Mar 12 – Pleasant 18 Abz. Went up to Yorks. Got Bench hook made. Henry Stevens & wife here.

Mar 13 – Pleasant 28 Abz. York brot over brick. Got plank of hank Bennet 40 feet 40 cts. Bot 10 lbs Shugar ¼ lb cinnamon.

Mar 14 – Rainy 48 Abz. Stayed at home. Snow mostly gone.

Mar 15 – Rainy 56 Abz. Worked in shop some. Sent letter to G. T.[20] Rainy night. Robbins out.

Mar 16 – Rainy 57 Abz. Worked in shop. Frogs sing in the Evening. Estella Wightman[21] died this morning.

Mar 17 – Rainy day 57 Abz. Ben dug hole at the old backhouse. Frogs singing. Lois came home.

Mar 18 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Worked in shop some. Took down the old shit house. Got my Likeness taken 50 cts.

Mar 19 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Ben commenced dig my stumps. Lois at home. Mrs McCracken died in the night.

Mar 20 – Some rain 46 Abz. Ben here diging stumps. Recd a letter from Hite.[22] Hued out some axhelves. Mrs Whiting Brot one load goods.

Mar 21 – Cloudy & windy 40 Abz. Stayed at home. Snowed very little.

Mar 22 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Mrs Whiting came to day. Worked in shop some.

Mar 23 – Pleasant 26 Abz cool. Worked in shop some stoped up windows. Hale Whiting came to see his wife. Men came back to work in track again. Lois went home.

Mar 24 – Pleasant 36 Abz. Went over to Fathers got Nance.[23] Went up to Yorks got some lime. Deyoe got home. Shower in the night.

Mar 25 – Pleasant 38 Abz. Trimed my currants and Apple trees. Hellen[24] came down Mary Earl.

Mar 26 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Sawed out boards for my Backhouse. Moved some traps into the shop.

Mar 27 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Made sills & plates to back house. Father and mother got their likeness taken. Recd a letter from G. Tomlinson.

Mar 28 – Cloudy 36 Abz. At home. Read Robinson Crusoe.

Mar 29 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Ethen[25] went over stayed. Got Rooster of Wesley.

Mar 30 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Worked on Backhouse. Bot broom of White. Polly Lyons here to tea. Indian preacher at Methodist church.

Mar 31 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Worked on backhouse. Abby Simmons married this Evening.

Apr 1 – Rainy 42 Abz warm. Sold my wheelbarrow to P. S. Carmen[?] 2.50. Put the siding on my backhouse.

Apr 2 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Put cornice on the privy and shingled it. Lois and Edith came here. Taylor carried the old bureau to Byingtons.

Apr 3 – Pleas 42 Abz. Got Bureau fronts & wheelbarrow hubs. Got pine board of G. H. Lockhart 20 feet.

Apr 4 – Cloudy 49 Abz. At home all day. Hat Taylor & Cordelia Earl here.

Apr 5 – Cold snow some 37 Abz. Went to town meeting. Mrs Whiting packed her goods _____ took the Rifle home.

Apr 6 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Carried her goods over to station marked them 396 letters. Went down to Comstock on hand car. Mrs Whiting left today. Got Load hay.

Apr 7 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Made door to State house. Ben dug hole for state house. Filed saw for ben & paid him ten cents. Rained in Evening.

Apr 8 – Rainy 42 Abz. Made the covers to seat in State house. Rainy fore noon. Mrs Mansfield here.

Apr 9 – Cloudy 48 Abz. Moved my State house. Got 71 lbs bran of D. K. Rogers. Six o clock train run on the new main track south side.

Apr 10 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Made place to put up my lumber. Rained in the afternoon & evening.

Apr 11 – Cloudy 40 Abz. At home all day. Cold & windy.

Apr 12 – Cloudy 38 Abz cool. Worked on Yorks Ex. Had a heavy shower in the afternoon misty bad day raw wind. Boys to work on track.

Apr 13 – Cloudy 42 Abz. Made ex for Yorks sulky. Rained some cool. Hannah sick.

Apr 14 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Worked in shop. York got his sulky.

Apr 15 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Worked in shop mended Flanders thills.[26] Ab gave me an anvil T Rail.

Apr 16 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Picked up stove. Mended swifs for T. Bronson. Bot violin string.

Apr 17 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Worked in shop some. Deyoe mended Wightmans thills. Made coffin for Smiths Boy. Set hen. Henry came home.

Apr 18 – Cloudy 44 Abz. At home. Sarah gone to church. Shower in the night.

Apr 19 – Rainy 40 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Cut out Bottom to violin. Bot ½ lb Tea. Rained in the night.

Apr 20 – Pleasant 48 Abz heavy shower. Commenced flanders bobs. A. Lamkins had half bushel corn. Eugene Bronson got his violin.

Apr 21 – Pleasant 40 Abz. All went over the river saw uncle Warren.[27] W. W. Earl started for Kansas. Bot Sarah & Ethens shoes.

Apr 22 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Sarah & children over the river. High wind. Cleared away the old shanty. Shower in the afternoon snow in the night. Flanders Brot some timber.

Apr 23 – Cloudy and cool 32 Abz snows. Mark[28] brot Sarah and children home. Bored rolls for bobs. Mr. Beach very sick. Bullard came with his saw to saw wood.

Apr 24 – Cold 29 Abz. Lois and Ethen came home. Snows some. Went over to Fathers got the buggy. Received a letter from G. Tomlinson.

Apr 25 – Pleasant 24 Abz. At home. Filled two teeth for B. Clark 50 cts. Uncle Chichester[29] here Mr Beach very low.

Apr 26 – Pleasant 29 Abz. Lasher drawed manure. Moved my back house. S. Bristol here. Paid Mrs M. Keiths School bill 72 cts. David Beach Died.[30]

Apr 27 – Cloudy 37 Abz. Worked in garden some painted spear handle for Mix. Lois & Nancy went over to Fathers.

Apr 28 – Cloudy 37 Abz. Went over to Fathers with Deyos calf. Went over to county farm with cow. Filed Barlows saw.

Apr 29 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Went over and helped Wesley raise his house. Had a shower in the night 74 Abz. Evening.

Apr 30 – Rains some 64 Abz. Built hogpen. Painted Moses spear handle.

May 1 – Storms some snow 45 Abz or hail. Went over to Fathers got some fresh meat of Wesleys folks. Finished my hog pen.

May 2 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Went over to fathers Catharine there. Deyo went.

May 3 – Cloudy rains 42 Abz. Went over to Fathers trimed appletrees. Showery. Ethen & Nancy commenced going to school. Rainy night. Bot pt. whiskey 10 cts.

May 4 – Rains 51 Abz. Went over the river got two boxes. Saw Hiram Mose James Earl Bot 13 lbs lard 10~.[31] Sent letter to E. W. Crawford.[32]

May 5 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Built chiminy in shop. Got 22 brick of Cory. Mrs Hale & Charley here.

May 6 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Worked round the garden put corn in boxes.

May 7 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Hued my stringers for bridge. Warm sun came out hot.

May 8 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Worked round house and garden. Rained some afternoon. J. York got hogs _____ to catch rain water in. Wesley got _____.

May 9 – Cloudy cool 46 Abz. Went over the river with Hannah.

May 10 – Cloudy 46 Abz. Dug at the old stump out by the shop split it with powder. Dick Lamkins plowed part of the garden.

May 11 – Rainy 40 Abz. Mended my gloves. Bot thread 5 Bot shugar 5~. Rainy day.

May 12 – Pleasant 38 Abz. Got timber for my Bridge. W^m Matthews got 3 pecks seed corn. Plastered up the citchen. Got mortar of Warren.

May 13 – Rains 52 Abz. Spaded some in the garden. Mrs Kingsley died.[33] Joseph Lee[34] & family here & Rhoda Lee.[35] Rained in the night. 5 lbs Shugar 10~. H. Cook & McAlister got seed corn.

May 14 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Worked in garden spading. Bot ½ lb tea 31 cts. Went up stairs to sleep.

May 15 – Cloudy 49 Abz. Worked round garden made some fence. Lois Hat & Lib here to tea. Bot 50 lbs Bran 25 cts.

May 16 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Bot six lbs Cod fish 35~. Rained at night.

May 17 – Rainy 48 Abz. Went over the river. Sent letter to C. R. C. Put the timbers in for my bridge. Alf Howard here heard him play.

May 18 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Bot peck Barley 10~. Repaired knife 25. Traded violin trunk with Alf Howard.

May 19 – Cloudy 48 Abz. Went over to Fathers Henry came home. Rainy. Bot two lights glass 12. Old Mrs Weed died.[36] Heavy shower in the night.

May 20 – Cloudy 46 Abz. Moved stove. Went over and got Lasher to plow garden. Put stringers over the race. Rained a very little.

May 21 – Pleasant 34 Abz very little frost. Worked in garden spading.

May 22 – Pleasant 36 Abz. Work on garden. Bot Book for Nancy 12½ cts one cake soap 12½ cts. Rained in the night. Not much corn up.

May 23 – Cloudy some melting 54 Abz. At home rainy day heavy shower in the night.

May 24 – Cloudy 61 Abz. Went over to Fathers Catharine here. Flanders fetched down hog and it died. Rained at night. Some corn planted.

May 25 – Rainy 60 Abz cloudy Bad weather rained all day. Had the headache. Bot file 12½ cts. Shelled some corn.

May 26 – Rainy 50 Abz cool wind. No work sick. Thompson & hands left.

May 27 – Cloudy & cool 48 Abz. Got corn ground. Mrs Rogers got Sarahs _____ mended 12½. Cal Streator left for Ohio.

May 28 – Cloudy 56 Abz Rained some. Planted corn potatoes and peas. Old cow out to night.

May 29 – Rains like from 55 Abz. Went over to Fathers. River very high. Bot bottoms for Hannahs shoes 12. Recd a letter from Mrs M. Keith of Kansas.

May 30 – Pleasant 56 Abz. At home. Rained some had a heavy shower in the night.

May 31 – Cloudy 70 Abz very fair day rained very little. Planted corn onions beets cucumbers lettuce & pumpkins melons &c.[37]

June 1 – Pleasant 54 Abz warm. Planted potatoes. Lucy[38] came to go to school. Brot two bushels wheat 80 cts pr bushel. Sowed my corn.

June 2 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Sarah went down to Barbers. Finished planting garden.

June 3 – Cloudy 57 Abz. 2 new Engines went west Shelby & _____ H. & St. Jo RR. Rainy day cow out. Repaired wheel for York. Sarah went to Mansfields.

June 4 – Pleasant 70 Abz. Lots dutch this morning worked on road. Rainy fore noon. Dance in the evening.

June 5 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Worked on road. Lois came home. Coes Horse fell through race[39] Bridge.

June 6 – Cloudy 60 Abz. At home. Catharine & Mark here. Lois went up to Flanders.

June 7 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Saw Fire Eugene _____ for LaCross. Wes worked on road. Received six Dollars of W^m Whitcomb.

June 8 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Worked in shop some on seat. Shower in the night.

June 9 – Cloudy 64 Abz. Rained after noon. Put in reach[40] for A. Chipman 50 cts. Shower in the night.

June 10 – Rains 68 Abz. Killed 3 Kittens. Made seat for D. Lamkins. Rainy day. Bot cloth for pants Bed cord. Recd a letter from C. R. C.

June 11 – Rainy 50 Abz. Lucy went home. Carried corn to mill. Repaired wheel for Mark. Extracted 3 teeth for Powlison boy.

June 12 – Cloudy & cool 49 Abz. Hoed corn worked in shop some Rained afternoon. Show in the Evening Mad Dunbar.

June 13 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Ethen & Toot came home.

June 14 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Worked on Chipmans wagon. Hen & Mary here. Rained in the night.

June 15 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Worked in shop on Chips wagon. Rained in the night.

June 16 – Cloudy 62 Abz. 12 cars of Dutch. Worked on Chips wagon. Warm day.

June 17 – Pleasant 69 Abz. Worked in shop on Chips wagon. Mary Earl here.

June 18 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Finished Chips wagon. Sarah & children went over to Fathers. Very hot. Deyoe repairing P. S. Carmers buggy.

June 19 – Cloudy 70 Abz Rains south of us very little heavy shower in forenoon. T. Flanders came here. Sarah & children came home. Heavy shower in the night.

June 20 – Pleasant 63 Abz. Lois came home. Carried T Flanders to County house.

June 21 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Carried Chips wagon to Mix shop at 4.95. Put spoke in Hopkins wheel 56. Mrs Beckwith brot Parasol 40. Mrs Flanders parasol.

June 22 – Pleasant 68 Abz. Bennets folks here. 100 in the shade 126 in sun at 15 minutes past 3. Lots of musketoes. Made Carmers stock.

June 23 – Hot 69 Abz. Worked in shop some finished _____ _____ cts. Had a _____ shower at four. Bronson Brot cradle.

June 24 – Hot 77 Abz. Worked in shop some. Very hot day 98 in the shade at 3 oclock. A Chipman down got an ex put in at cross.

June 25 – Hot 76 Abz. Hoed potatoes. Filed saw for B Clark. Put Chipmans wagon up. Bot five lbs shugar 10~ 50 cts. One string 10~. Shower in the night.

June 26 – Pleasant 74 Abz. Put in cradle finger for D Bronson mended parasol for Mrs L. Burdick. Shower in the night.

June 27 – Hot 74 Abz. At home. Went in swimming. Rogers called in. Catharine and Lucy came at night. Libby West buried today.

June 28 – Hot 72 Abz. Catharine here. Hoed potatoes made whiffletree[41] for Watts 25 cts. 94 at 3 oclock.

June 29 – Hot 75 Abz. Catharine here. Made wagon neap[42] for Andrew McLarey. Catharine went home. Hellen here.

June 30 – Hot 75 Abz. Hoed potatoes. Very hot 99 in shade at 3 PM. Filed saw for Wesley. Wes went to Kalamazoo. Had a heavy thunder shower just at night.

July 1 – Some cloudy 70 Abz. Hoed some in garden. 97 at 3 PM. Stranger here from Utah. Bot ½ lb tea 31~. Jo Flanders here in the morning.

July 2 – Hot 78 Abz. Worked in the shop put hair in violin bow for Yankee. Bot cloth for pants 61 cts spice & nutmegs 20~ violin strings 30~.

July 3 – Cloudy 80 Abz. Great day in Galesburg large crowd. Catharine Mark Jo & Hellen Father & Wesley here too. Two Balloons went up in the Evening.

July 4 – Pleasant 69 Abz. Went over the river saw my calf. Went over to Lashers.

July 5 – Pleasant 63 Abz. Hoed corn. Cordelia Earl here. Flanders Brot cradle here. Cool nights.

July 6 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Made cradle fingers for J. Flanders.

July 7 – Pleasant 63. Finished Flanders cradle & Bob neap. Hoed some.

July 8 – Pleasant 68. Rimed a wheel for Wightman 10/-. D. Lampkins plowed my potatoes. Small dash rain in the night.

July 9 – Cloudy 76 Abz. Worked in shop some hoed some. Catharine came up. Lucy & Lois went home with her. Sarah over to Turners[?].

July 10 – Pleasant 74 Abz. Hoed potatoes. Put in cradle finger for Mr Baty 10^~. Some rain in the night. Henry stayed all night. 17 coaches on the train.

July 11 – Rainy 68 Abz Rainy day. Flanders got his cradle. Mark got Caper Deyo.

July 12 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Put in ex for Hawver got ex stick of cross.

July 13 – Cloudy 63 Abz. Hawver 2.00. Streator brot his buggy. Sarah went over the river. Bot 3 bottles bitters 2.00. S. Bristol at the shop. Millards agent called on me.

July 14 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Worked in shop on Streators buggy. Put in cradle finger for Ed Flanders 10^~.

July 15 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Worked in shop on Streators buggy. Made barometer. Bot 5 lbs shugar. Had a shower afternoon. Mrs Barber & Mrs Child here.

July 16 – Pleasant 68 Abz. In the shop cut out stuff for Streators Box & seat. J. Deyoes Boy Born.[43] Some showers. Lucy went up to Yorks.

July 17 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Worked on buggy. Wheat mostly cut. Father came over just at night. Father here just at night.

July 18 – Pleasant 64 Abz. At home all day. Pleasant fine day.

July 19 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Went over to Fathers and repaired his pump one tooth for Sta____ 25^~.

July 20 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Repaired violin for Clark. One tooth for E. Watts 25^~ for McLary 25~ Clarrissa Starr here.

July 21 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Bot Beef 4½ lbs 36 cts. Circus here. Made tail peas for _____. Clarrissa Starr went home with A. Chipman. Father brot some potatoes.

July 22 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Bot ½ lb Tea 31^~. Worked in shop on seat. Harriet & Mary Nickols here.

July 23 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Worked on seat. Mrs Bennet here. Put in one _____ for ___. White 25^~.

July 24 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Worked in shop on Streators box & seat. Bot violin string 15^~.

July 25 – Pleasant 59 Abz. At home all day. Deyoe gone up to gull. Curly Buck died.

July 26 – Cloudy 71 Abz. Worked in shop fore noon. Went up to Bristols after noon.

July 27 – Pleasant 67 Abz. Worked on Buggy. Bot one lb candles 15^~ One violin string 10^~. Had cucumbers for the first time.

July 28 – Cloudy & Rainy 68 Abz. Had a shower about 4 AM. Sarah went and got some Berries. Worked on Buggy Box put on dash.

July 29 – Cloudy 75 Abz. Worked on buggy Box. Sprinkled some. McAlister got his violin 40^~.

July 30 – Cloudy 72 Abz. New engines from Kassons Express N. J. No. 28. M & C. Received a letter from C. R. C. Repaired B. Clarks wheels. Rained a very little in the night.

July 31 – Pleasant 68 Abz. Finished Streators Buggy. Henry came home. Chase Brot his Buggy. B. Spalding Brot his wagon.

Aug 1 – Cloudy 70 Abz. Emigrant Car 108 went west. Rainy day. Henry at home.

Aug 2 – Cloudy 70 Abz. Painted Streators Box put felly for Mark Lee. Rained some had a shower in the evening. Bot cotton 11 yds 2 lbs bran __00. Boardman here in the Evening got a _____ out Boys _____.

Aug 3 – Cloudy 68 Abz. Made an Ex for B. Spalding. Streator got his Box and traps. Killed my Rooster.

Aug 4 – Pleasant 69 Abz. Made thills for A. Lamkins. Clarrissa Starr & __. Neuman here. Killed my Rooster.

Aug 5 – Cloudy 68 Abz. Worked on Chases Ex. Bot Buttons 28^~. Recd A letter from G. T. one from D.C.[44] Rather dry.

Aug 6 – Pleasant 73 Abz. Finished Chases Buggy. Stilwell Brot his wheel. Toots school closed. Dug a few new potatoes.

Aug 7 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Went to the Caravan. Mark & Catharine went. Toot went home. Mended End Board for Caravan wagon 25^~. Cow gone to night.

Aug 8 – Pleasant 75 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Rained some afternoon. Had the first ripe apples & green corn. Eliphants Hannibal passed here going East.

Aug 9 – Foggy 66 Abz. Worked on Stillwells wheel. Truman Cory & family left for York State.

Aug 10 – Pleasant 71 Abz. Finished Stillwells wheel. Carried my wheelbarrow hub down to the shop. Stilwell Brot two Bushels wheat. Rained some.

Aug 11 – Pleasant 76 Abz. Went up to Mr Claps to level his ditch. Extracted tooth for W^m Whitcomb 25^~.

Aug 12 – Pleasant 68 Abz. The old cow went to Bull this morning. Sarah gone over to Halls.

Aug 13 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Worked in shop some on bobs.

Aug 14 – Pleasant 63 Abz. Made neap for Fay Aldrich. Went over to Fathers. Rained in the night.

Aug 15 – Pleasant 70 Abz. All went over to Fathers. I went up to the swamp & up to Wesleys place. Uncle Sam McLellen died to day.

Aug 16 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Made spring to my chest lock mended chair for Swartout. Filed saw for Clap. Cow gone to night. D. K. Rogers & A. Chipman started for G. T. Bay. Lashers Boy Born.

Aug 17 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Cleaned out cellar pulled my onions. Went over to B. Hartwells. Had a fine shower in the night. Sarah went over to Fathers.

Aug 18 – Cloudy 69 Abz. Worked in shop made violin top for Bilington. Chase got his buggy paid $1.75. Hogs in the garden. Deyoes folks here to Tea. Ethen swallowed a pin.

Aug 19 – Cool and Pleasant 58 Abz. Bot veal 47^~. John Wilcut here. Mended Lamkins wagon 50^~. Stevenson Raised his house.

Aug 20 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Made cross bar for W. McLelleon 40^~. Bilington got his violin paid one Dollar. Rained some. Cordelia Earl & Miss Brown called here.

Aug 21 – Cloudy and fogy 58 Abz some misty. Went down to Catharines. Mark & I went a hunting. Cow gone to night.

Aug 22 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Came home all right. Mark carried Sarah & children over home. Cow gone to night.

Aug 23 – Pleasant 42 Abz. Edward Romans got his violin. Went up to Swaddles after my cow. Cut up my corn. Worked in shop some.

Aug 24 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Made plow Beam for T. Ford. Tightened Box for Wightman. Sarah went to Watts. Bot Thread & needles carried Miller home got hurt on Band car.

Aug 25 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Went up to Flanders and made pump pipe. Ford got his plow. Flanders brot two Bushels wheat.

Aug 26 – Rainy 60 Abz Rained all day and all night. Made spout for Brown & Vosburgs machine. Worked on sleigh _____.

Aug 27 – Cloudy & some Rain 64 Abz. Worked in shop. Martin Turner[45] here. Rainy. Filed saw for Joy. Bot shugar & saleratas.[46]

Aug 28 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Got my Boots Tapt 75. Bot one lb beef. Mortised Bob runners & Beams. Rained some. Extracted tooth for Aldrich girl 25^~.

Aug 29 – Cloudy and cool 56 Abz. Stayed at home. Mark and Catharine here. Rained some. Sarah Beedle came home.

Aug 30 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Sent letter to Mrs. M. Keith Kansas. Worked in shop got out spokes for wheel Barrow. Lois came home.

Aug 31 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Went over to Fathers Sarah & Hannah stayed. Put the spokes into my wheelbarrow hub.

Sep 1 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Worked over to Lashers laid grainery floor. Sent letter to G. T. Sarah came home.

Sep 2 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Rimed my wheelbarrow wheel. Bot half lb tea. Oscar Hall died in the night.

Sep 3 – Pleasant 54 Abz. No work to day. Alvan Turner[47] came here. Bot mutton cranberries 26^~. D. K. Rogers and A. Chipman got home from G. T. Bay.

Sep 4 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Put Bobs together. Oscar Hall buried today.

Sep 5 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Went over to Fathers and up to Yorks Wesleys place and to Lashers. Mary Earl died in the night.

Sep 6 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Went up to Yorks got load wood Bot 2¾ lbs butter. Jesse W. Turner[48] and Alvan here. Recd a letter from C. R. Cridland.

Sep 7 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Jesse Turner went home. Sent letter to C.R.C. Mary Earl buried to day. Paid S. Bristol 50^~ costs on Whitings matter.

Sep 8 – Pleasant and warm 72 Abz. Some ague.[49] Went over to Byingtons got oak plank. Rainy afternoon. Nel Canfield here. Luther Eldred paid his note 5.8%. Bot 15 lbs salt 15^~. Rained all night.

Sep 9 – Rainy 72 Abz. Nel Canfield here. Went over to Lashers got Deyoes cow. Sawed some fellows.[50] Henry Scramlin here Mr Wilkinson here from Pavilion. Heavy shower in the night. Recd a letter from G.T.

Sep 10 – Rainy 72 Abz. Went over to Lashers here with Wilkinson to see the farm. Recd a Letter from G.T.

Sep 11 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Worked in shop sawed some fellys. Extracted tooth for Mrs B Spalding.

Sep 12 – Pleasant 45 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church. Deyoes folks went to gull.[51]

Sep 13 – Pleasant 47 Abz. Cleaned up wheat 19.7 bushels. Sold 10 to Tenant 7½ to Father. Harriet & Edith here. Father raised his hog pen. Bot two Bushels wheat 2.00.

Sep 14 – Pleasant 51 Abz. Tightened box for Beach. Sharpened rasor for Clap.

Sep 15 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Worked in shop some. Sent Hoags note to Illinois. Rained some. May Childs here. Henry Childs left in the night for Ill. Bot box pills 25. Paid school bill 48. Rained in the night.

Sep 16 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Sabath celebrating. Henry came home. Sick no work to day. Cool rained.

Sep 17 – Pleasant 47 Abz. At home sick no work to day. Daniel sweet here in the Evening with his guitar. Cool wind. Sent letter to J. S. King.[52]

Sep 18 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Packed up Cridlands things and took them to the Frieght house.

Sep 19 – Pleasant 56 Abz. At home. Cut Wisemans hair in the morning. Cut James Flanders hair just at night.

Sep 20 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Went over and cut corn. Lasher worked afternoon. Very hot. Wesleys folks moved.

Sep 21 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Cut corn. Henry Sheldon came to Fathers. Bot ¼ lb Tea of D. K. Rogers.

Sep 22 – Pleasant – 42 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Henry Sheldon came over. Boxed up Beach timber. Truman Cory and family came home. Bot one lb candles 1.15. Old man Whitfer buried. Pulled tooth for lady 125.

Sep 23 – Pleasant 38 Abz. Cut corn. Went up to Yorks. Commenced raining 2 oclock in morning. County Fair at Kalamazoo. Sent letter to Mrs Betts.

Sep 24 – Rainy 62 Abz. Worked in shop some on floor. Bot ½ lb Tea of D. K. Rogers 31^~.

Sep 25 – Pleasant 38 Abz. At home. Cory raised his Barn. Flanders Brot my window. Recd 3 letters one from G.T. one Peters one from Mrs Whiting. Bot 52 lbs bran.

Sep 26 – Pleasant 38 Abz. Went over to Fathers & up to Yorks.

Sep 27 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Worked round home. Cut out gloves for Hopkins. _____ up lumber. Sent letter to Mr Peters of Momence Ill.

Sep 28 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Worked in shop put in Ex for Dick Lamkins 2 Doler. Got stick of Cross. Sent letter to G. Tomlinson.

Sep 29 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Cut corn. Jesse W. Turner here to night.

Sep 30 – Pleasant 56 Abz Rained some. A. McLary Brot half cord wood. Bot shoes hdkf[53] stockings dishes.

Oct 1 – Cloudy 52 Abz cleared of pleasant. Started for Waverly Vanburen County. Got to Oscars about 5 oclock P.M. Stayed with Alfleda.[54] Got pair suspenders for Ethen 12½ cts.

Oct 2 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Went all over the woods. Saw all their farms. Warm day. Went to Katies[55] stayed all night.

Oct 3 – Pleasant warm 72 Abz considerable wind. Went over to Bennets had a good visit. Mary & Ed gone out to Chapins.

Oct 4 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Left Oscars this morning went to Uncle Warrens took dinner. Got home about seven Evening. Had a shower. Got my watch repaired 2.75 cts.

Oct 5 – Pleasant 38 Abz. Father came and got Toot. Made bed and set some strawberries.

Oct 6 – Pleasant 42 Abz. Worked in shop some. Rained afternoon some had a shower in the night.

Oct 7 – Cloudy 48 Abz wind blows high snowed some. The hickory pole fell at galesburg killed a horse. Got my wheelbarrow tyre made.

Oct 8 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Went over to Fathers got some pumpkins. Lois went over saw Alvan Turner. Got Tea Kettle mended 6^~.

Oct 9 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Charles Lees folks[56] here. Patty[57] came on the 2.28 train. Lasher Brot some corn. Bot Sarah shoes 88^~. Bot 5 lbs Shugar 55^~.

Oct 10 – Pleasant 29 Abz. Went over the river. Patty Catharine Hellen and Lucy there. Rained in the night some.

Oct 11 – Cloudy 46 Abz. Dug potatoes filed saw for mix. Sent letter to Marion.[58] Post Office moved to Flints Store.

Oct 12 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Rainy. Put up the joists in wood shead.

Oct 13 – Cloudy 47 Abz. Cut out stuf for my window frames to shop. Wind blew hard all day.

Oct 14 – Cloudy 44 Abz. Worked in shop. Father mother & Patty came over. B shoes for Nancy & Hannah $1.17.

Oct 15 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Worked on window frames. Patty here. Had soup and milk for dinner. She went over to Fathers at night. Bot candles 15^~. Shower night.

Oct 16 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Worked on window frames. Put in one window. Bot 10 lbs nails 50^~.

Oct 17 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Jos Flanders here.

Oct 18 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Put in windows in shop. Put hoop on wash-tub. Rained in the night. Bot ½ lb Tea 31^~.

Oct 19 – Cloudy 48 Abz. Finished my shop windows. Rainy afternoon. James Burnet married. Bot saleratas.

Oct 20 – Cloudy 45 Abz cool bad day. Got likeness for Patty. Lasher brot load pumpkins. Went over to Fathers with Mark Lee.

Oct 21 – Pleasant 42 Abz. Put Bobs together. The Readings all here went over and got Elbow. Bot rasp of Pond.

Oct 22 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Worked in shop put up stove. ___ Chandler lectured here. Jos Flanders left one Dollar.

Oct 23 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Worked on bobs. Patty & Catharine came up stayed all night.

Oct 24 – Cloudy 47 Abz. Patty & Catharine went to Fathers.

Oct 25 – Cloudy & windy 50 Abz. Worked on bobs some put in cross bar to Wightmans thills. Rained som in the night. Deyo & Johnson went to Kalamazoo.

Oct 26 – Cloudy cool 44 Abz. Went over to Fathers and Taylors. Saw his house. Rainy. Pulled tooth for woman at Ponds. McLelan brot his violin.

Oct 27 – Cloudy 45 Abz. Worked on bobs. Sarah went over the river. Bot receipt Book. Rained in the night.

Oct 28 – Rains 48 Abz. Worked in shop made Box for Crid.[59] Bot Books for children. Mark came just at night after a x girl.

Oct 29 – Cloudy warm 56 Abz. Went up to S. Bristols and put up trees & plants for Cridland. Rainy day. Brot them down to the burg.

Oct 30 – Cloudy 48 Abz. Worked in shop got out runners & knees & beams for Fathers sleigh. Bot violin string 10^~.

Oct 31 – Rainy 46 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Carried letter to Patty. Mr Gays girl buried.[60]

Nov 1 – Cloudy warm 45 Abz. Worked in shop some. Sent 3 letters G.T. C.R.C. M.K. Bronson. Sherman & J. Flanders here in Evening. P. Johnson & wife here. Rainy night. Lasher Brot Eleven bushels corn.

Nov 2 – Rainy 50 Abz. Worked in shop some. Went to Election. Very Rainy day mid day. Edwin Flanders got home.

Nov 3 – Cloudy 45 Abz. Worked in shop on Fathers sleigh. Patty came over & Henry came home. Rained some.

Nov 4 – Cloudy 45 Abz. Worked in shop. Killed chicken. Patty went down to Catharines. Henry here. Rained some. Mark came after Patty.

Nov 5 – Cloudy 42 Abz. Went over the river. Lasher Brot 14 bushels corn and ½ cord wood from Yorks. Rainy. A. Blakeslee Brot my stove home one lb & half candles 25^~.

Nov 6 – Cloudy 42 Abz. Worked in shop. Rained some. Hunter Walker Buried to day.

Nov 7 – Cloudy 41 Abz. At home all day. Rainy. Sarah went to church.

Nov 8 – Cloudy 37 Abz. Tinkered round Barn. Hawver Brot his Buckskin. Made glove for Frank Cle_____. Rained some & snowed. Father got his lime.

Nov 9 – Cloudy 31 Abz. Went over to Fathers and set up corn fodder. Got teapot mended. Snowed some in the Evening. Porpoise of the track.

Nov 10 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Dug some potatoes. Toot & Lois came over. Mr Wiseman here. Bot canton flannel 1/- Bot steak 1/-.

Nov 11 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Lasher came and dug potatoes. Father got stove.

Nov 12 – Cloudy 33 Abz. Lasher drawed two loads corn fodder. Rained towards night snowed in the Evening.

Nov 13 – Cloudy 31 Abz snow on the ground. Bot ½ lb Tea 31^~. Bot ½ Bushel salt 28^~. Bot Ethen Boots 1.50^~. Father Brot ½ Ransom pig 65 lbs.

Nov 14 – Snows 27 Abz. Stayed at home. Sarah went to church.

Nov 15 – Pleasant sun came out 21 Abz 2 inches snow. Worked in Barn moved corn. Put up the cow the first time.

Nov 16 – Cloudy 23 Abz. Cut gloves & mittens for Hawver McLary & Baxter. Bot pr taps for my Boots 25^~.

Nov 17 – Pleasant 22 Abz. Went over and got my last load stalks. Mr Lasher drawed them. Patty came over. Snowed in the Evening.

Nov 18 – Snowey & misty 24 Abz. Worked in shop cut out battens[61] for Barn. Patty here.

Nov 19 – Cloudy 23 Abz. Went over to Lashers got him to draw ½ cord wood from Yorks. Patty & Lois went home with him. Flanders called here.

Nov 20 – Cloudy 12 Abz. Set shoes on one bob. Bot Flanders paint. Snowed some. Got corn ground.

Nov 21 – Cloudy 28 Abz snow 2 inches deep. Mark & Lois here. Sarah went to church.

Nov 22 – Cloudy 29 Abz. Mark & Toot & Catharine here. Sarah went home with them. Going to Kalamazoo. Flanders Brot me two bushels flour. Patty left to night 12.40.

Nov 23 – Cloudy 33 Abz. Sarah gone. Tapt my Boots. Had Loucks up for sealing. Sarah Bot Shawl & Dress &c.

Nov 24 – Pleasant 27 Abz. Painted Bobs. Sarah got home. Uncle Chichester here.

Nov 25 – Snows Some 32 Abz. Worked in shop on Ex for Beach. Stanley here in the Evening from Lacrosse.

Nov 26 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Finished Beaches Ex. Old cow out to night. Bot one lb candles 15^~.

Nov 27 – Snows some 32 Abz. Worked in shop some. Put fenders on Fathers Sleigh. Snowed all day and all night. Enos Smith came here stayed all night.

Nov 28 – Snows 31 Abz snow some six inches deep. Enos left for home. Went over to Fathers. Very snowey.

Nov 29 – Cold 10 Abz snow some eight inches deep. Cleared out the shop. Deyo moved his tools. Bot 10 lbs shugar one lb saleratas two books.

Nov 30 – Pleasant 19 Abz. Worked in shop. Flanders Brot his timber for rack to his bobs.

Dec 1 – Cloudy 25 Abz. Worked on Flanders bob rack. Father got his Sash. Deyoes here to supper.

Dec 2 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Finished Flanders bobs. Flanders got his mittens. Sarah went down to Barbers. Snowed in the night.

Dec 3 – Snows 24 Abz. Put battens on East side of shop. Snowed and blowed _____ Mrs Corys here & Mrs Rogers. Lasher Brot load wood.

Dec 4 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Painted Flanders bobs. D. Smith here. Sawed out bob runners for Mose. Bot 50 lbs bran 25^~. Rainy night. Father Brot Boards for bottom.

Dec 5 – Cloudy & windy 32 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Dec 6 – Cloudy 22 Abz. Stoped the cracks in shop floor. Put up stove.

Dec 7 – Cloudy 24 Abz. Worked in shop some. Put on some battens. Very little snow.

Dec 8 – Blustering 12 Abz. Went over to Fathers got the old deed[?]. Put _____ under the doors. Howell here to night concert. Very cold.

Dec 9 – Cloudy 12 Abz. Lasher drawed ½ cord green wood. Put on battens East west side shop. Got letter from J. S. King.

Dec 10 – Pleasant 20 Abz. Flanders got his Bobs. McLary brot load wood. Bot Eye water two bushels Buckwheat of Lasher at Flanders Brot Rooster.

Dec 11 – Cloudy 24 Abz. Put battens on Ends of Shop. Bot gloves for Sarah. Wes brot Rooster. J. York got home.

Dec 12 – Cloudy 29 Abz some Rainy. Lois at home in Evening. By paid me. Rainy night.

Dec 13 – Cloudy & misty 48 Abz. Commenced smoothing my slead put on some battens. Got out all of them.

Dec 14 – Cloudy 28]?] Abz. Worked on _____ slead. Wesley brot Henrys coat. Snowed in the Evening. Bot one lb _____ of Mead 12^~.

Dec 15 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Worked in shop on slead violin accordion. Flanders here Mrs Wiseman & family here to tea. James H. Crawford[62] Died to day.

Dec 16 – Pleasant 25 Abz. Put thills together then painted slead & thills. No snow _____ ground froze hard.

Dec 17 – Cloudy 22 Abz. Mended accordion & violin. Martin Turner here. Oscar Keith here.

Dec 18 – Cloudy 26 Abz. Ethen & I went down to Catharines. Caty & Jef came over.

Dec 19 – Cloudy 30 Abz. All came up to Fathers. Brot the rifle home.

Dec 20 – Smoky 32 Abz. Sawed out bob runners. Snowed in the night. Mr Deyo here. Barlow first violin school.

Dec 21 – Snows some 33 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Saw J. York. Sold Milham 12½ bushels corn 4/- pr bushel. Bot violin string 18^~.

Dec 22 – Pleasant 25 Abz. Worked in shop mended violin bow. Barbers folks here to tea. Very _____. Sawed out knees for bobs.

Dec 23 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Worked in shop some. Lasher drawed load wood. York brot stove. Bot one lb candles 17^~.

Dec 24 – Cloudy 24 Abz. Worked on shop floor. Got Fathers sleigh from shop. Bot broom.

Dec 25 – Pleasant 18 Abz. Tinkered round shop. Mr Huchison here to look at farm. Bot 50 lbs bran 25^~.

Dec 26 – Rainy 33 Abz. At home. Sarah went to teacher meeting.

Dec 27 – Cloudy & muddy 35 Abz. Went up to Yorks & Wesleys.

Dec 28 – Cloudy 39 Abz. Wes came & helped me fix the well. Rained in the night.

Dec 29 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Finished the well. Moved my currant bushes. Snowed some. Ed Wilcut[63] here.

Dec 30 – Rains some 33 Abz. Sawed out two sets Bob runners for Milford Matthews.

Dec 31 – Cold 28 Abz froze some. Worked on Barbers violin.

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

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

[3] His children by his first wife, Minerva Payson

[4] Charles Luke Keith Sr. and Hannah (Willcutt)

[5] Charles R. Cridland

[6] Thomas Flanders

[7] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[8] Ethan, Nancy and Hannah

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

[10] The wooden runners of a sleigh

[11] His first cousin

[12] Joseph York, husband of Luke’s niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[13] /- is the symbol used for shilling. A shilling was a coin of Colonial America and varied between 12¢ and 16¢

[14] His daughter who was about 2½ years old

[15] His nephew and wife, James Oscar and Mary Ann (Batey) Keith

[16] John Wesley Keith who, according to the family Bible, was adopted

[17] Ellis A. Keith

[18] Ozen Keith, his father’s brother

[19] His mother-in-law, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts, who had recently remarried (see February 16, 1858 letter)

[20] George Tomlinson

[21] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Sarah Estelle Wightman is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

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

[23] His daughter, Nancy, who was about 5½ years old

[24] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[25] His son, Ethan, who was 7 years old

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

[27] His mother’s brother, Warren Wolcott

[28] “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)

[29] Luke sometimes referred to the parents of family members, or older neighbors, as “Aunt” or “Uncle.” The relationship here is unknown

[30] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that David Beach is buried in Roof Cemetery in Climax, Michigan

[31] Not sure what this symbol meant. It was actually written as a quarter of a round circle slanting upwards to the right (see scan of diary entry)

[32] Edwin W. Crawford, his wife’s brother

[33] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Nancy (Anderson) Kingsley, the wife of Salmon Kingsley, is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery

[34] His nephew

[35] His father’s sister, Rhoda (Keith) Lee (Joseph Lee’s mother)

[36] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Mary “Polly” (St. John) Weed, the wife of Elijah Weed, is buried in Lawler Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan

[37] Etcetera

[38] Most likely Luke’s niece, Lucy Irene Lee, the daughter of Luke’s sister Catherine by her second husband

[39] 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

[40] A pole, called a reach, was usually a 2-by-4-inch piece of white oak with a hole at the front for connecting the wagon to a hitch

[41] 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

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

[43] A search of census records shows that Horace Deyoe was born to James and Polina Deyoe in July 1858

[44] Believe he is referring to his wife’s brother, David C. “D.C.” Crawford

[45] His maternal first cousin, son of Asa & Lydia (Willcutt) Turner

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

[47] His maternal first cousin, son of Asa & Lydia (Willcutt) Turner

[48] His maternal first cousin, son of Asa & Lydia (Willcutt) Turner

[49] A form of malaria characterized by stages of chills, fever, and sweating

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

[51] Gull Lake, Michigan

[52] His maternal first cousin; son of James Hunt & Lilly (Willcutt) King

[53] Handkerchief

[54] His brother Harvey’s wife, Alfleda (Starr) Keith

[55] Believe he is referring to his niece, Frances “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee, the daughter of Harvey & Alfleda Keith

[56] Believe he is referring to his paternal first cousin’s family, Charles and Juliana (Davis) Lee; Charles was the son of Charles & Rhoda (Keith) Lee

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

[58] His niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[59] Charles R. Cridland

[60] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Adelia Gay died October 30, 1858 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery. She was 18 years old, the daughter of William and Sarah Gay

[61] Roofing lathes, used to provide the fixing point for roofing materials such as shingles or tiles

[62] His wife’s brother; see February 22, 1859 letter

[63] Edward G. Wolcott, his maternal first cousin, the son of Warren and Electa (Damon) Willcutt