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

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Luke Keith’s 1857 Diary

1857 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

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

Jan 2 – Finished W. W. Earls car.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan 10 – Worked in the shop.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan 21 – Worked in the shop on sleigh.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

[4] Hannah (Willcutt) Keith

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

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

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

[8] Helen (Bradley) & Joseph York

[9] Charles R. Cridland

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

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

[12] James S. King, his first cousin

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

[14] Ethan, Nancy and Hannah Keith

[15] His first cousin

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

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

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

[19] James Oscar Keith

[20] Jessie J. Keith

[21] His horse

[22] Omro, Wisconsin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[33] Ambrose Brown, Ballou Brown’s son

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

[35] Warren Wolcott

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

[37] Above zero

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

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

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

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

[42] His daughter, not quite five years old

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

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

[45] “Mark” is referred to quite often in Luke’s diaries and it is believed that he is referring to his cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, the oldest son of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee. The Lees were Mormons and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. Mark stayed behind with the Keith family to run his father’s farm. (Thanks to Margaret Williams, Ezekiel Lee’s three times great-granddaughter, for this information)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[53] Joseph Cory

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

[55] His first cousin

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

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

[58] Edward G. Wolcott, his first cousin

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

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

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

[62] An artificial channel or bed of a stream leading water to or from a point where its energy is utilized, such as a mill or a  mining claim

[63] His sister Catherine’s first husband