Luke Keith’s 1861 Diary

1861 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

The entries from January 1 through January 13 were first written in the back of his 1860 diary and are basically identical to what he then wrote in his 1861 diary. Anything from 1860 that clarifies the 1861 entries is noted in brackets.

Jan 1 – Went down to Catharines[2].

Jan 2 – Went to the burg[3]. Bot ten lbs shugar 1.00.

Jan 3 – [Cloudy.] Worked in shop on [sleigh & bobs]. Cut out sleigh runners for C[harles] Richard[son].

Jan 4 – Snows. Worked on Wes[4] bob.

Jan 5 – Worked on R[ichardson]s sleigh. Wesly set shoes. Went to the Burg in evening. Bot starch 10¢ salratas[5] 10¢.

Jan 6 – [Went over to the burg.] Carried Sarah[6] to church.

Jan 7 – Went over to Burg. Bot salt & tallow 2.21¢. [Went up to Jesse Earls.] Fixed pully for Jesse. Richardson Brot ¾ wood. Mary Johnson came to Board.

Jan 8 – Worked in shop. Bot 4 lbs tallow of Wesly 50¢.

Jan 9 – Worked in shop. Jef [Jesse Chaffee] here. Harvey went home.

Jan 10 – [Pleasant.] Worked on [Richardsons] sleigh. [Got out runners.] Ground sausage meat in the evening.

Jan 11 – Snowey & cold. Worked on sleigh. [Charley & Azro called here.] Went to the burg evening got runners. Bot one lb Tea 62 this Book 25 wicking 6 licorice 1.

Jan 12 –Worked on sleigh. Richardson Brot load wood. Austins Boys over here. Lois[7] at home.

Jan 13 – [Pleasant.] At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Jan 14 – Worked on sleigh. Cut out slead runners in evening.

Jan 15 – Worked on sleigh got it ready to set shoes. Went over to the burg in evening. Rained like fun.

Jan 16 – Set shoes on sleigh commenced Box. Went over to the burg in evening. Got Ehens[8] Boots tapt 30¢ Bot iron & screws 29¢ Paper & thread 2¢ flour of Johnson 60 cts.

Jan 17 – Worked on sleigh box. Sarah & Patty[9] went down to Mr Clarks. S. Newman came over. Subscribed for Map of the united States price $.7.00.

Jan 18 – Worked in shop on sleigh box and on land slead. Catharine here. Mr Deyo[10] here in evening. Frank Whitcomb Died[11].

Jan 19 – Worked in shop some on box. Went over to the burg in evening. Got my boot mended.

Jan 20 – Pleasant. Sarah went to church.

Jan 21 – Went to Kalamazoo to court[12]. Bot Deyoes cow 10.00 Bot shoes 1.62 Bot Dolls 20. Frank Whitcomb Died.

Jan 22 – Pleasant 10 Abz[13]. Went to the Burg stayed all day to go to court. Bot beer 5¢ shoe strings 1¢.

Jan 23 – Pleasant morning 18 Abz. Went to Frank Whitcombs funeral. Martin Turner & wife[14] stayed here all night.

Jan 24 – Snows like fun. Martin went home. James L. Earl & wife[15] here. Carried Patty & Catharine up to Yorks[16].

Jan 25 – Cold 8 Abz. Worked in shop some. Finished my slead. Mary came back.

Jan 26 – Cold 8 Blz[17]. Worked in shop. Sarah went to church. Bot Dishes & window papers & cotton $.1.11¢.

Jan 27 – Cold 23 Abz. Sarah gone to church.

Jan 28 – Worked in shop some. Went over to the burg in evening. Bot yarn 50¢ Bot violin string 20¢.

Jan 29 – Cold & blustering. George and Marion[18] came went over to the burg. Bot yarn 31¢ Bot shugar 50¢. George left for Wisconsin.

Jan 30 – Went up to Yorks in evening. Patty & Marion stayed all night.

Jan 31 – Cold morning 6 Abz. Worked in shop some. Went over to burg in evening. Bot coffee 20¢.

Feb 1 – Carring my slead up to Milfords. Went over & got my cow. Rained hard. Patty Marion & Lois here.

Feb 2 – Went over to the burg twice. Patty Catharine & Marion went to Battle Creek. Paid 15.75¢ to Kelly on _____ _____.

Feb 3 – Pleasant 7 Abz. At home. Sarah went to church. Jo & Lois Lee[19] here. B. Hartwell called here.

Feb 4 – Pleasant. York got two loads straw. Mr Marther & wife came down with P. C. & M.[20]

Feb 5 – Cloudy. Mr Marther went home. Patty & Marion went down to Catharines. I went to mill at Pavilion. Made the shoes for my slead up to Milfords[?] shop.

Feb 6 – Cloudy. Worked in shop some. Put shoes on slead. Lois at home. Babcock paid 82.44.

Feb 7 – Cold 4 Abz blustering. Work on gearing. 18 Below zero in evening.

Feb 8 – Cold 5 Blz. Patty & Marion came home. Bot tea 63¢ 5 lbs shugar 55¢.

Feb 9 – Cold Pleasant 10 Abz. Chored round house. Went over to Burg in evening. Bot thread 5¢ Bot candle sticks ___. Thawed fast.

Feb 10 – Warm 50 Abz. Carried Marion up to Mr Yorks. Sarah went to church. Snow went like fun rain in evening.

Feb 11 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Helped wash. Took my engine a part.

Feb 12 – Windy 29 Abz. Worked in shop some. Went over to the burg in evening. Bot Broom 25¢ Bot emery paper 8¢ Hive syrup 5.

Feb 13 – Cloudy snow all gone. Worked in shop. Oscar Mary an[21] & Mrs Baty[22] here.

Feb 14 – Windy morning rained & snowed. Went over to the burg. George came. S. Kingsley paid me 75¢.

Feb 15 – Snows like fun. Went up to Flanders. George went to Colon. Henry[23] carried them. Went up to Yorks after patty. Went to school meeting.

Feb 16 – Cold some snow. Catharine Mark[24] Lucy[25] & Harvey[26] came up.

Feb 17 – Cold snows some. At home. George & Marion came back from Colon.

Feb 18 – Pleasant. George & Marion Patty left for home. C. R. 7/8 wood. Paid George 254.00 16 cents back at this date. Mark & Harvey & Lucy here.

Feb 19 – Alfleda[27] & Catharine here. Went to mill up to Pavilion. Carried two bushels of wheat.

Feb 20 – Cloudy. Alfleda & Catharine here. Worked in shop. Catherine went down to Mr Clarks.

Feb 21 – Cold. Went down to Catharines. Got some hickory timber. Saw Browns calf.

Feb 22 – Storms some thunder. Split some wood. Worked in shop. Richardson Brot 7/8 wood.

Feb 23 – Rainy. Worked in shop. Made cradles for Hannah & Nancy[28]. Cold & windy night.

Feb 24 – Pleasant & cold. Sarah gone to church.

Feb 25 – Worked in shop. Went over to the burg in evening Bot salratas 10¢ Bot shugar 50¢ wick 4¢. Trimbeck Here.

Feb 26 – Worked in shop on gearing. Mr Snow stayed all night.

Feb 27 – Worked on wheel for Richardson 1.75.

Feb 28 – Cloudy. Put up leach & chored round House. Stilwell got his wheel 1.75.

Mar 1 – Cloudy & smoky. Made soap. Pleasant.

Mar 2 – Pleasant. Sarah went to the burg. Carried Deyo some potatoes. Paid Deyo 2 Dollars on cow. Bot one lb Tea 62¢.

Mar 3 – Cloudy. Sarah at home. I went up to Yorks. Took dinner. Went & found some timber.

Mar 4 – Pleasant & cool. Built smoke house. Put my hams to smoking.

Mar 5 – Snows like fun 2½ inches deep. Went over to the burg to election. Got my Key. Bot plank $2.10 Bot matches 5 letter 3.

Mar 6 – Pleasant. Went up to Yorks. Got out some stringers for the race[29] bridge.

Mar 7 – Pleasant. Worked in shop. Put violin together. Eugene there. Cow calved about 2 oclock P.M.

Mar 8 – Cloudy & rainy. Hewed spokes for Fathers[30] wagon. Wesley & D. Taylor here.

Mar 9 – Cloudy. Went up to Yorks. Got some S. elm bark for cow. Worked on spokes some.

Mar 10 – Cloudy. At home all day.

Mar 11 – Pleasant. Put in two boulsters for C. Richardson.

Mar 12 – Pleasant. Worked in shop on spokes. School closed.

Mar 13 – Cloudy rather cool. Ben Mose got Boulster. Sarah went up to Wesleys. Ben Jackson got into the river in Evening. Shaved spokes.

Mar 14 – Pleasant. Shaved spokes for Fathers wagon. Bot thread 10¢.

Mar 15 – Pleasant. Put rim on Fathers wheel. Filled 4 teeth for Lois.

Mar 16 – Cloudy. Worked in shop on gearing. Eugene Bronson brot his violin.

Mar 17 – Pleasant & cold. Put hair in violin bow for Eugene Bronson.

Mar 18 – Pleasant 4½ Abz cold. Went over to the burg. Bot cotton 13.

Mar 19 – Pleasant. Pedler here. Bot plaster & solution 1.25. Got out spokes for Jesse Earls wheel. Pleasant C. R. brot one cord wood. May April

Mar 20 – Snows in morning May. Rimmed Earls wheel. Cold snowey day.

Mar 21 – Pleasant morning June. Worked in shop drove spokes in Fathers wheel.

Mar 22 – Worked in shop rimmed Fathers wheels. Ethen got boot tapt 10.

Mar 23 – Cloudy morning. Painted wheels. Mother[31] went down to Catharines. Ethen went.

Mar 24 – At home all day. B. Clark[32] here after Golden Seal[33].

Mar 25 – Pleasant. Carried wheels up to Milfords. T. Flanders[34] came. Rainy night. Put in half crotch for Jesse Earl.

Mar 26 – Rainy day. Painted wheels over again. Flanders here.

Mar 27 – Snows some. Stranger called took breakfast. Flanders left. Worked on gearing.

Mar 28 – Pleasant. Work on box. Wallace Earl left for California. Lois home. Got my magazine.

Mar 29 – Rainy day. Worked on box. Wesley made saw frames. Mother sick.

Mar 30 – Snow on ground. Worked in shop on ax helves[35]. Catharine came up.

Mar 31 – At home. Jo & Helen Wes & Harriet[36] here.

Apr 1 – Snowey. Went to town meeting. Bot Tea 25¢ Bot salratas 10¢ School Bill 38¢.

Apr 2 – Worked in shop on box. Made helve for A Chipman. Doc Bab here in Evening.

Apr 3 – Pleasant. Went over to burg. Got order of Babcock 89.00. Bot screws 15¢. Ricardson Brot 7/8 wood.

Apr 4 – Pleasant. Painted wagon box. Worked up to Milfords afternoon. Halls Auction. Father bot chair.

Apr 5 – Cloudy. Worked up to Milfords fore noon. Painted box.

Apr 6 – Cloudy. Painted gearing. Made ax helves. Rainy night.

Apr 7 – Rainy morning or misty. Put wagon together. Father went & got Mrs Bundy.

Apr 8 – Rainy. Went over to the burg & up to Wesleys. Killed calf. Rainy afternoon.

Apr 9 – Worked in shop. Made ____ for C. Richardson. Father brot his wagon down. Nelson Nichols ___ to 21.½ lbs veal $1.07.

Apr 10 – Pleasant. Put in wagon neap[37] for Father. Went over to burg. Bot shoes for Nancy 74¢ one paper 5¢.

Apr 11 – Pleasant. Went over to burg. Bot powder 10. Uncle Warren[38] came here. Father got his oxen.

Apr 12 – Cloudy. Went down to Catharines. Husked corn.

Apr 13 – Mark & Catharine & Sarah went to Kalamazoo. Uncle Warren went home. Sarah bot calico & dishes 6.25¢. Mark bot harness.

Apr 14 – Snowed some cold. Came home afternoon.

Apr 15 – Cloudy. Went over to burg. Bot wicking 5¢. Tightened boxes in bugy.

Apr 16 – Commenced moveing. Carried six loads. York & ____ helped.

Apr 17 – Pleasant. Finished moveing. Brot five loads. Bot wheat 3 bushels.

Apr 18 – Cloudy morning. Fixed barn. Rainy day.

Apr 19 – Went over. Got my pig. Got trees grafted. Bot ½ lb tea 25¢. Got my cow home.

Apr 20 – Trimming currant Bush. C. Richardson Brot 1 & 1/16^th cord wood.

Apr 21 – Went over to Fathers. Got the old cat.

Apr 22 – Trimmed trees. They raised a pole in town a number inlisted. Thunder shower in the night. Flanders brot ½ ton hay.

Apr 23 – Pleasant. Fastened my bench & moved things round shop.

Apr 24 – Put in reach[39] for C. Richardson 50¢.

Apr 25 – Pleasant. Cleared out shop. Bot glass 44¢ violin string 15¢. Tenant got stove.

Apr 26 – Pleasant. Worked in yard. Mrs Rexford called here. Extracted tooth for Del Pond (25¢.

Apr 27 – Rainy morning. Scraped my trunk. Bot carpet hook 15¢ & put down carpet.

Apr 28 – Pleasant. At home all day.

Apr 29 – Pleasant. Worked in yard. Bot paper 5¢.

Apr 30 – Pleasant. Went over the river up to Jesses & round by hartwells.

May 1 – Cloudy & cold. Got out manure. Bot window bolts 30¢ Bot mortar 10 postage 4¢ soap 13 Bot tree 20.

May 2 – Pleasant. Plowed garden & planted some potatoes.

May 3 – Worked in garden some. Made ax helve for E. Flanders.[40]

May 4 – Pleasant. Bot lime 3¢ Bot two files 18¢ cts. Filed saw for Oatman.

May 5 – At home. Rained in afternoon & evening. Had headache.

May 6 – Pleasant. Lois came ____ went over to Fathers. Got 3 bushels corn 93¢. Bot curtain paper 30 Boots tapt 50.

May 7 – Bot roll paper 38 Beef 38 Sulpher 6 Molasses 28. Worked on pole & whiffle.

May 8 – Pleasant. Finished pole & whiffletree. Bot shugar 55¢. Mrs Johnson & Mrs Stevenson here.

May 9 – Pleasant morning. Bot pants for Ethen & bonnets for girls shoes for Hannah 2.26¢. Lois Ethen went up to Wesleys.

May 10 – Rained in morning. Got out my timber. Guile sold stove to Tim Mills $.9.00. Wesley Brot 6. bushels potatoes.

May 11 – Cleaned out cellar. Bot apples 19¢. Lois went home.

May 12 – Pleasant. At home. Old Mr Warren[41] died. Van Swaddle died.

May 13 – Rainy. Lois came back. Sent letter to Mr Cridland[42] & one to E. M. Stratta 3.48. Percivals Horses Killed on the Rail Road. Bot matches 5.

May 14 – Cloudy & cool. Drove some spokes. Sent letter to P. Betts[43] 3¢. Richardson brot one cord wood.

May 15 – Cloudy. Finished driving Earls spokes.

May 16 – Cold. Got strawberry vines. Bot ½ lb Tea 35¢. Mrs Pond[44] died. Set out strawberries. Planted onions peas & lettuce.

May 17 – Pleasant. Planted beets pop corn coffee &c. Mrs Pond buried. Bot ribbon 9¢.

May 18 – Pleasant. Planted beens cucumbers & potatoes. Cold backward wether. Some corn planted none up yet.

May 19 – Cloudy. At home all day. Henry came down.

May 20 – Rainy morning cool. Worked in shop on hubbs & spokes. Bot sandpaper 3¢.

May 21 – Pleasant. Planted melons & potatoes. Old Mrs Taylor & lib here. The boys left for Detroit. Bot salratas 10¢.

May 22 – Finished spokes sawed out some felloes[45]. Sarah Beedle here to dinner. Mrs Deyoe[46] here to tea.

May 23 – Cloudy. Went to show afternoon went saw woman 25 saw aztec children 15¢ picture 15 candy 2. Cow out. Wiseman & family here to tea.

May 24 – Pleasant. Worked in shop on wheels. Made ax helve for Wesley 38¢. Bot cotton & thread 40¢.

May 25 – Pleasant. Worked on wheels. Bot grindstone and hangings 3.25 cod fish 25¢. Lois went home. Battle at sands point.

May 26 – Rains. At home all day. Pleasant apart of the day rained in Evening.

May 27 – Cloudy morning. Worked on wheels. Got my magazine & chart. Bot cabbage plants 10¢.

May 28 – Pleasant. Fitted exes to Earls waggon.

May 29 – Pleasant. Harrison Sprague called here. Father & Mother here. Bot nails 8¢ Bot chair painted 38.

May 30 – Pleasant. Finished my fence. Bot 2 lbs nails ___.

May 31 – Pleasant. Went over to Fathers. Got 3 bushels potatoes. Bronson brot [sentence unfinished].

Jun 1 – Rainy morning. Austin raised his barn. Got Sarahs shoe mended 13¢. Got 5 bushels & 40 lbs wheat of Bronson.

Jun 2 – Rainy. Working at home all day.

Jun 3 – Pleasant morning. Set box for D. Bronson. Set boxes in Bronsons Hubbs. Bot Broom 20¢.

Jun 4 – Cloudy. Made grind stone frame. Babcock paid 8.8.13.

Jun 5 – Pleasant. Planted corn for fodder.

Jun 6 – Pleasant. Worked in shop on Bronsons Exes. Truax & A. R. Brown at shop. Post Office moved to J. F. Warrens.

Jun 7 – Foggy morning. Worked on gearing.

Jun 8 – Pleasant. Rimming wheels. Made thill for D. Lamkins. Bot one lb Tea 75¢ Bot reeds 4¢.

Jun 9 – Pleasant and warm. At home all day.

Jun 10 – Hot. Finished Earls wheels. Peck got part of the gearing.

Jun 11 – Warm. G. Signor brot his cart. Painted wheels & gearing. Mark & Catharine here. Tenant paid 10¢. Rained very little.

Jun 12 – Pleasant. Repaired G. Signors cart. Got out spokes for Streators wheel. Sarah & Lois went over to Wisemans.

Jun 13 – Pleasant. Drove spokes. Mrs Watts here most all day. Bot ½ lb glue 14¢. Richardson Brot almost one cord wood. Jef. Chaffee[47] started for the War.

Jun 14 – Pleasant. Finished streators wheel. Bot oil 25¢ Bot sundries for Sarah $4.00. Some thunder & some rain.

Jun 15 – Pleasant. Put the rims on Bronsons wheels. Windy day blew a perfect gale.

Jun 16 – Cloudy & cool. At home all day. Went up to the grave yard[48] just at night.

Jun 17 – Pleasant. Went over to Fathers. Got my plank from Truax. Barber drawed it on dray 12¢.

Jun 18 – Pleasant. Went over to Fathers. Got 5 bushels corn.

Jun 19 – Repaired wheel for A. Chipman 17/-[49] wheel for T. Aldrich 38¢ Bot County Map 5.00.

Jun 20 – Went up to Wesleys to look at some timber. Had a fine shower. Bot Envelope 2¢. Sent letter to G. T.[50] 3¢. Alph Beals & wife came in Evening.

Jun 21 – Went over to Fathers with Beals. Ransom took County Map. Paid me $5.00. Sent 88. Dollars to G. T. by Express.

Jun 22 – Pleasant. Worked on road. Alph Beals called. Cut James Flanders hair.

Jun 23 – Warm. Henry Brot Lois home. Cut Henrys Hair.

Jun 24 – Worked on road. Paid grafter 1.50¢. Verry hot.

Jun 25 – Worked on Chips box. Bot saleratas 10¢. Went up by Swaddles after cow. Rained in the night.

Jun 26 – Worked on Box and repaired wheel for Tay Aldrich 75¢.

Jun 27 – Worked in shop and hoed some. Agent here from New York Act. 145.

Jun 28 – Put in steak for A. Chipman. Worked on box some wood Sawyers left Emma Clark here.

Jun 29 – Worked on box. Truman Dewey here.

Jun 30 – Pleasant. Went over to Fathers. Nancy & Hannah went up to Wesleys. Heavy shower in the night.

Jul 1 – Pleasant. J. York called. Worked on Bronsons wheels. B. Vosburg brot cradle to repair.

Jul 2 – Pleasant. Worked in shop some. Got out seat rails. Bot pants for Ethen 40¢ Bot camphor 10¢ pins 6. Went after Mrs Ralph in Evening.

Jul 3 – Very hot. Took nance home. Girl[51] Born at sun down.

Jul 4 – Pleasant. Great celebration in town. Bot shoes for Ethen 1.00 two pennies to the girls. Hellen & Jo here to dinner. Harvey[52] buiried to day.

Jul 5 – Hot. Helped wash. Mary Childs here. Hoed some. Paid D. Harris[53] one Dollar.

Jul 6 – Received letter from G. T. Repaired cleadle[cradle?] for B. Vosburg. Hoed potatoes.

Jul 7 – Hot. At home. Had a shower in the afternoon.

Jul 8 – Rainy morning. Worked on wheels some & on Box. Vosburg got cradle. Paid 38¢. Sent letter to G. T. Mrs Ralph 1.50.

Jul 9 – Parker here to Breakfast. Mended squair for Dutch tailor. Mark & Catharine & Mr Strong here.

Jul 10 – Pleasant. Filed two saws for barber. Mended cradle for Azro Blakeslee 38¢. Bot Box matches 5. Tailor paid 50¢.

Jul 11 – Pleasant. Bainbridge & frind Smith called. Mended cradle for D. Taylor 15¢. C. Richadson Brot one cord wood. Cow gone.

Jul 12 – Rainy. Cow gone. Mended cradle for Williams 10¢. Set skeins to Earls wagon. Bot candles 10¢.

Jul 13 – Pleasant. Repaired two cradles for J. C. Blake 50¢. Bot Washington map 7.00. Smith paid 10¢.

Jul 14 – Went over to fathers. Alvan[54] there.

Jul 15 – Cloudy. Repaired cradle for W^m Blake 10¢. Hoed potatoes & corn. Bot 5 lbs shugar 45¢. Cow gone. One nipple 10¢.

Jul 16 – Put in two fingers for Williams 20¢. Rimed one wheel. Bot ½ lb Tea 31¢ Beef 16.

Jul 17 – Pleasant. Rimed wheels. Made rake for B. Clark.

Jul 18 – Pleasant. Painted Bronsons wheels. Beckwith paid $5.00.

Jul 19 – Pleasant. Mended rake & cradle for D. Lamkins 50¢. Mr. Mc.Govern here. Got his razor sharpened. Mrs David & Caty Wing here to Tea.

Jul 20 – Pleasant. Worked in shop some. Went down to movies. Bent seat rail &c[55]. Lois went home. Smith paid 10¢ saw.

Jul 21 – Pleasant & dry at home. Del Pond paid 2.5 cts.

Jul 22 – Pleasant cool. Bot pail 25¢. Made patterns for union buggy.

Jul 23 – Pleasant & dry. Worked in shop some on gearing and box.

Jul 24 – Cool & dry. Bot Beef 25¢. Worked on gearing & dash &c.

Jul 25 – Pleasant. Worked on bugy gearing some. Yankee Robinsons show here. Went in Evening 15. Got Baswood board of A. Pond 20 feet.

Jul 26 – Rains this morning had a fine shower. Bent dash & split it. Had head ache after noon. Bot candles 20¢.

Jul 27 – Pleasant. Worked in shop some. Glued dash. Bot 5 lbs salt 5¢. Gyle paid five Dollars. Blackburn 25¢. Rainy night. Isaac Wing called here.

Jul 28 – Rainy morning. At home all day.

Jul 29 – Put up lathe & filled one tooth & extracted one for D. Taylor 50. Dwight paid me 15¢ for fixing cradle. Indian stayed all night. Bot _____ oil 5¢.

Jul 30 – Had a shower morning. Worked in shop some. Bot cloth for apron 25¢ Bot one doz eggs 8¢ crackers 2¢. Very hot 95 _____. By Clark paid 50¢.

Jul 31 – Cloudy. Worked in shop on lathe & dash. Very hot night.

Aug 1 – Hot 80 Abz morning. Put dash on cutter. Put in seat &c. Very hot.

Aug 2 – Hot 80 Abz. Worked on lathe some on cutter thills[56] &c. Very hot.

Aug 3 – Hot 76 Abz. Worked on thills &c. Mark brot Ethen home.

Aug 4 – Hot 85 Abz. At home. At four P.M. in sun 110. In shade 98 & 90 in evening.

Aug 5 – Cloudy. Worked on thills & fender. Dr James Harris[57] called. Bot ½ lb pepper 8¢.

Aug 6 – Pleasant. Corporation tax 24¢. One pr shoestrings 1¢. Went up to J. Flanders. All hands. Had a shower in night.

Aug 7 – Cloudy. Worked on cutter. Put Box on Chipmans wagon. Heavy shower all night.

Aug 8 – Hot morning. Finished Tuttles cutter. Mended Barbers Knife &c.

Aug 9 – Cloudy. Bot screws & Bots 22¢. Worked on table some. Mrs Rogers Sarah & An Eliza old Mrs Austin & Chloe. Guile moved his things.

Aug 10 – Foggy. Finished table. Carried corn to mill. Bot beer 10. Richardson Brot ¼ cord wood.

Aug 11 – Cooler & cloudy. Bot Beef 18¢ Bot ½ lb Tea 38. At home all day. Commenced raining in the night had a heavy rain.

Aug 12 – Rainy morning, Rain Rain. No work to day. Circus here. No meal to day.

Aug 13 – Pleasant. Lois came. Bot Beef 30¢ apple 2¢. Mended Ed Flanders pen. Richardson Brot one cord & 1/8 wood.

Aug 14 – Pleasant. Worked in shop made boulster for J. Flanders. Flanders brot over lumber. Bot saleratas 10. A Chipman brot 4 bushels wheat.

Aug 15 – Made whiffletrees[58] for A Chipman. Had the first green corn. A Chip- Brot 4½ Butter. Bot candles 15. Richardson Brot 1 & ¼ wood. Recd 15 of Night.

Aug 16 – Pleasant. 4 Envelopes 2¢ postage 3¢. Sawed out springs for Earls wagon. Sarah went over river Mrs Deyo & Lois.

Aug 17 – Put irons on Earls Box & John B. White called here. Babcock paid $.18 & 48/100 Dollars. Paid Father $.78 Dollars.

Aug 18 – At home all day. Mended fan for An Eliza Rogers.

Aug 19 – Pleasant. Went up to J. Flanders & Mrs Wheatons. Flanders got three Kittens.

Aug 20 – Cloudy. Put in Ex for C. Richardson 2.00. Sarah & Lois went to A. Hoags.

Aug 21 – Worked in shop on Earls Box. Put finger board on John Fishers violin 10¢. Extracted tooth for J. York. Had a devil of a shower got wet.

Aug 22 – Rainy morning. Went over to Fathers. Sent letter to Omro[59] 3¢. Bot violin string 15¢. Gillis & Oatman here.

Aug 23 – Nice day. Worked in shop on buggy gearing. B. Hartwell called. Went over to Fathers. Bot map of D. K. Rogers 10¢.

Aug 24 – Sawed out buggy gearing. Went down to Catharines. Pleasant day.

Aug 25 – At Catharines. Saw toots[60] melodian. Came home. Lois left.

Aug 26 – Fine morning. Bot 6 lbs salt 6¢. Worked on Earls Box. Earl brot wheel. Riley Bennet & wife here & Mart Fisk. Georges store burnt.

Aug 27 – Worked L. T. Earls wheel. Sarah went over to Wisemans. Received letter from H. Crawford.[61]

Aug 28 – Pleasant. Finished Earls wheel. Great picknick at Kalamazoo.

Aug 29 – Pleasant. Earl got his wheel. Made seats for Earls wagon. Bot paper 10¢. Got magazine.

Aug 30 – Pleasant. Finished Earls wagon. Kalamazoo Rigament left to day. Bot nails 4¢.

Aug 31 – Sick. Not much work done. Sent letter to H. Crawford 3¢.

Sep 1 – At home all day. Bad cold.

Sep 2 – Rainy. Worked on Strubles gun. Bot eggs 5. Recd paper from G. T. Store burnt.

Sep 3 – Went over to Fathers. Finished Strubles gun 2.50. Bot bird seed 3¢. Went to show in evening 50¢.

Sep 4 – Put my lumber in the barn. Sarah went over to Deyoes. Peter Johnson left for the East. Let him have $.50.

Sep 5 – Pleasant. Work in shop. Enos Smith here. Bot candles 7¢. Alvan here all day.

Sep 6 – Pleasant. Worked on buggy gearing some. Alvan made reel. John Fisher got violin is to pay me Eight Dollars.

Sep 7 – Worked on gearing. Bot one fourth pound Tea 25¢ of A. L. Mason.

Sep 8 – Cloudy. Went over to Fathers.

Sep 9 – Earls waggon went to the paint shop. Lois came home. Worked on gearing some.

Sep 10 – Work on Bug gearing. Rains some 10 min to Eleven.

Sep 11 – Cloudy. Pol___ Bronson called A. Powers Brot violin. Bot thread 5. Flanders Brot ½ Bushel apples. Tenanted spokes. Sarah & Lois went to Renfords Coreys.

Sep 12 – Made Box to my cart. Sarah & Lois went to James Coreys Renfords Renfords. Bot candles 14¢.

Sep 13 – Worked on Hartwells Buggy Boddy. Sarah went to T. Whitings.

Sep 14 – Rainy. Worked on Hartwells B. Boddy. Bill Brown called. Lois went home.

Sep 15 – At home all day. Made hog trough in the morning.

Sep 16 – Cloudy. Worked on Boddy. Bot Beef Steak 20¢. Rainy night.

Sep 17 – Cloudy some rain. Worked on Boddy. Bot paper 5¢. Struble paid one Dollar.

Sep 18 – Pleasant. Worked on boddy. Filled tooth for Jake Hill 38¢. Bot screws 6¢.

Sep 19 – Pleasant. Bot salt 11¢ Bot mill _____ & meal 57¢. Put the skeleton Boddy together. Heavy shower in night.

Sep 20 – Cloudy. Worked in shop. Went up to Howlands. Had a _____. Bot pumpkin 4¢.

Sep 21 – Worked on Boddy some. Made penny Box. Bot paper 5¢ one apple 1.

Sep 22 – At home all day.

Sep 23 – Worked in shop on violin. Bot screws & nails 36¢. Gave nancy & Hannah one cent.

Sep 24 – Work on violin. T. Flanders here to dinner. Bot paper 5. Jesse W. Turner[62] called. Bot ¼ lb Tea 25¢.

Sep 25 – Worked on Boddy some and on violins. Bot paper 5¢ Nigger Brot violin.

Sep 26 – Worked on Boddy and violins. A. Powers called. Put L. T. Earls wagon together.

Sep 27 – Went over to Fathers. Got two bushels corn. Sarah & children went over got her shoes. Got Sarahs shoes 50¢. Got wheels painted 50. Schroder paid 20¢. Aldrich paid 1.10.

Sep 28 – Worked in shop some. Put up stove. Bot eggs 8 Bot cap 75¢ Bot thread 5¢.

Sep 29 – Cloudy and cool. Henry came home. Went over to Fathers. Rainy. Ethen went down to Catharines.

Sep 30 – Cloudy & cool. One package Envelopes 10¢. Mr Tuttle paid five Dollars. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢.

Oct 1 – Cut hay in G. Hoges yard. Tinkered in shop some. Bot syrup for sis[63] 25¢.

Oct 2 – Some cloudy. Went over to Fathers.

Oct 3 – Went to Kalamazoo fare 20¢ four peaches 2 ride up to fair ground 5 ticket 25¢. Bot cotton & calcoe 5.45¢. Rainy. E. Beckwith paid 15.00.

Oct 4 – Cloudy. Worked in shop some. N. M. Tuttle left. Saw Jonathan Smith & Richmond Perry. Wesley went to Kalamazoo.

Oct 5 – Some rainy. Bot comb for Hannah 10¢ Bot Bran 22¢. Lois & Mrs Clark[64] here.

Oct 6 – Rainy. Bot seed 3¢. Went up to Yorks. Lois went home.

Oct 7 – Dug my Green Bay potatoes &c. Got meal from the mill. Pleasant. Bot candles & salrates 25¢.

Oct 8 – Pleasant. Got my hay over. Bot pork 16¢. Husked corn.

Oct 9 – Pleasant. Put top on Powers violin. Went up to Milfords. Saw Charleys spy glass.

Oct 10 – Pleasant. Worked in shop some. Henry & Lois at home. Bot calico 108. Sarah went to Geo. Whitings. Richardson Brot ¼ wood. Bot ½ lb Tea 50¢.

Oct 11 – Worked round house in shop some. Killed my hog. James Holden helped me.

Oct 12 – Cut up and salted my hog. Weighed 322. Powers got violin. Paid 2.00. Filed saw for Warren 10. Filed saw for Earl 10¢.

Oct 13 – Went over to Fathers. Had sick hedache.

Oct 14 – Went down to Catharines after apples. John Fisher paid one Dollar. Warm day.

Oct 15 – Pleasant. Got wheat of Bronson. Struble paid 50¢.

Oct 16 – Went to Kalamazoo. Bot clamps hubs & rims & one file & crackers one violin string. Beckwith pd 5 ___ Struble one Dollar. Bot two pairs shoes 1.50¢.

Oct 17 – Cloudy morning. Bot cloves & cinnamon & shugar 72¢. P. Johnson paid 51.00. B. Hartwell paid 10.00.

Oct 18 – Cloudy. Made rack to dry apples on. Bot candles 16. Jane Whiting & Addeline Harris[65] here.

Oct 19 – Pleasant. Jane Hoag & Mrs Scramlin here. Dug few potatoes.

Oct 20 – Pleasant. Ethen came home. At home all day.

Oct 21 – Pleasant. Finished digging potatoes. Sent letter to H. Crawford 3¢. Lois & girls came home.

Oct 22 – Bot drilling & thread 18¢ braid 8¢ Book 15¢ Bot hoop iron 4¢. Filed saw for S. Earl 8¢.

Oct 23 – Went to Kalamazoo. Bot Shugar 1.00 Bot paper 1.00 Bot hubs 150. Braid 2¢. Showed like fun when we started for home.

Oct 24 – Pleasant. B. Hartwell paid $10.00 Dollars. Richardson brot ½ cd wood. J. C. Blake paid 1.00. W. A. Blake paid 10¢. John Fisher paid 10¢. Mr & Mrs Isaac Corey here to tea.

Oct 25 – Went to Kalamazoo. Bot yarn 1.00 bot two pr socks for Ethen 40¢. Went down with Dr. Wightman.

Oct 26 – Put in two spokes & tightened two boxes in Dr Wightmans sulky. Bot one 3/8 socket chisel 44¢. Paid Bachelder two Dollars to apply on S. A. Millards &co Act.

Oct 27 – At home all day.

Oct 28 – Made saw buck for Mr Bachelder 50¢. Bot candles 16¢ Bot bran 20. Mrs Austins Boy[66] Born.

Oct 29 – Pleasant. Worked on thills some & on violin. Mrs Cross children got hurt run over by a team.

Oct 30 – Rainy. Bot delane[?] 11¢. Worked on thills & violin.

Oct 31 – Worked in shop some on thills. Bot one Brace one smooth plane and one Hundred Spindles 3.50¢.

Nov 1 – Bot Book 15¢ one bar soap 10¢. Worked on thills some on violin &c. Rainy

Nov 2 – Rainy. Got Boots tapt 50¢. Let Riley Coe have 25¢. Worked in shop some. Mark here. Henry at home stayed all night.

Nov 3 – At home all day. Lois & By came home.

Nov 4 – Worked in shop on spokes. Paid school bill 2.68¢.

Nov 5 – Shaved spokes. T. Flanders here to dinner. Bot candles & ½ lb Tea 54.

Nov 6 – Worked in shop shaved spokes. Put the filling in violin top for J. Fisher.

Nov 7 – Shaved spokes & put base bar in violin put top on. Bot sand paper & file 22¢ Bot bran 18¢. A. R. Turner painted telegraph pole. C. Richardson wood ¾ cord. Henry Crawford[67] here in Evening.

Nov 8 – Pleasant. Shaved spokes. Went to hear spiritual lecture 6¢.

Nov 9 – Bot broom 13¢. Finished Hartwels spokes. Bot broom 13. Caty Chaffee[68] here.

Nov 10 – Pleasant & smoky. Went over to Fathers. Saw old Mrs Chaffee. Rode home with Ed Hoges.

Nov 11 – Pleasant day. Worked round Barn & cistern. Signor paid one Dollar.

Nov 12 – Sent up to Wesleys & Yorks Fathers & Jesse Earls. Ethen went to show 5.

Nov 13 – Bot glass & nails & putty 39¢. Cleared out for my pig pen. J. Flanders got my cider Barrel. Bot one lb candles 14. Earl Brot lumber.

Nov 14 – Built pig pen. Bot one paper salearatas 10¢. Flanders brot cider 30 gal. Snowed in Evening.

Nov 15 – Grandrapids Cavalry passed half past six. Horses passed at noon. Worked on pig pen & house. Mary Nichols here.

Nov 16 – Worked on house & pen. Extracted tooth for Job Aldrich 25¢. Mr Streator got Cals violin. James Stilwell paid 50¢. Went over to Fathers.

Nov 17 – At home. James Hoxie & A. Caywood called here.

Nov 18 – Bot nails slate logwood and cudbar[?] 27¢. Made bin in barn.

Nov 19 – Went over to Fathers. Brot over my smoke box. Went up to Charles Richardson. Alfleda here. Bot turnips 20¢.

Nov 20 – Put up smoke box. Nailed ridge boards on barn. Bot cope____ 3¢. Alfleda left. Got buck skin of Austin. Austin had 5 gals cider.

Nov 21 – Cut out gloves. Worked on gearing. Bot nails 4¢. C. R. brot 1&¼ wood. Flanders Brot two pigs 2.00. S. Harris called. Bot candles one apple 15.

Nov 22 – Went over to Fathers. Bot thread 5¢. Worked in shop. Let Sarah Beedle[?] have 7¢. Caty Chaffe came over.

Nov 23 – Snows cold. Smoothed up Hartwells gearing & thills.

Nov 24 – Went over to Fathers. Cold & snowey.

Nov 25 – Went over to Hartwells. Bot 13 bushels wheat $11.00. Bot boots for Ethen 2.00.

Nov 26 – Worked on bobs. Got bas board of H. Vanmeter. Cut of Beadstead[?] for C. P. Galligan. Finished my gloves.

Nov 27 – Sold Steve to D. K. Rogers 3.00¢. Worked on bobs saw. Bot lock & whiffletree irons & postage 28¢.

Nov 28 – Filed saw for Austin 10. Repaired pump for Warren 25¢. Put in thill for Wightman 25. Filed saw for Mead 10. Mark Lee here.

Nov 29 – Filed saw for Smith 10¢. Put in crotch for A. Austin 10.00. Bot one lb candles 14.

Nov 30 – Filed saw for Bachelder 10. Sold helve to Tenant. Worked on bobs some. Put top on my new violin.

Dec 1 – Snows. Sarah gone to church. I went over to Fathers in Evening.

Dec 2 – Bot soap 10¢ Bot Tea 40. Henry Scramblin here. Lauriston Cruttenden[69] here left on 7 oclock train.

Dec 3 – Let Scudder have Elm plank 26 feet. Worked in shop rimed out hubbs. Ethen went down to Lois. Got Accordion.

Dec 4 – Drove some spokes. Trimed out hubbs. Bot saffron 19¢ postage 3.

Dec 5 – Pleasant no snow. Drove spokes in B. Hartwells wheels. Bot matches 5 postage 3.

Dec 6 – Put rims on wheels. Spliced Elecks bow. Made tobacco pouch for P. Johnson 15¢.

Dec 7 – Rainy morning. Banked up round shop. Bot thread 5¢ Bot bran 15¢.

Dec 8 – Went up to Wesleys Yorks & Fathers. Bot candles 14¢. Warm & smoky.

Dec 9 – Smoky & warm. Worked on wheels puting on rims. Augusts team got stuck in sand.

Dec 10 – Cloudy & warm. Finished Hartwells wheels. Rainy.

Dec 11 – Cold & pleasant. Worked on boddy. Split back pannel. Eleck paid 51¢. Alvan called here.

Dec 12 – Bent pannel for buggy. W^m Whitcomb here glued for him. Byington here. Bot calico thread & gun _______ 37¢.

Dec 13 – Worked in shop some. Wesley drawed dirt. Babcock paid 24.50.

Dec 14 – Work on ball. Bronson brot 10[?] Bushels corn paid $2 cash. Bot lamp & candles 1.62.

Dec 15 – Pleasant. Went over to Fathers. Catharine & Mark there.

Dec 16 – Worked on Mr Turners thing. Bot canvas 12¢ Brads 12¢ sulpher 12¢ Postage 6. Sent letter to G. T. one to J. S. K.[70] Richardson most 1 cord wood.

Dec 17 – Pleasant. Worked on Buggy box. Put on back pannel. Paid corporation tax 1.67.

Dec 18 – Worked on buggy seat. Bot salearatas 10¢. Wightman paid 5¢.

Dec 19 – Pleasant. Wightman paid 5¢. Worked on bugy Boddy some.

Dec 20 – Went up to Milfords. Matthews made churn dash for C. P. Galligan. Bot violin string 15¢.

Dec 21 – Worked on bobs. Filed saw for Wesley 10¢. D. Lamkin Brot Hay. C. P. Galligan paid 50.

Dec 22 – Went up to Yorks & Fathers. Cold & snowy.

Dec 23 – Went over to Jesse Earls. Got 1376 lbs bran of D. Affleck. Bot oil can 50¢ & oil 39¢.

Dec 24 – Worked in shop on Stove platform &c.

Dec 25 – Bot stove & pipe nails Tacks candy & eggs 9.___. Put up stove. Bronson Brot lumber.

Dec 26 – Worked on runners for York. Sawed out bob runners for B. Clark. Bot hat 1.50¢. Smith paid 10¢.

Dec 27 – Put log on the way. Put on spring bar for Baty 37. Richardson Brot 1&¾ cord wood.

Dec 28 – Got out & bent runners felloes seat rails & fenders. H. Crawford[71] & family came out here.

Dec 29 – Went over to Fathers. Mother sick. Rev. Platt Betts Died this morning.

Dec 30 – Sick no work to day. Bot camphor 10¢. Henry went up to Yorkville.

Dec 31 – Filed saw for Mr Williams 5¢. L. T. Earl & Drayton Smith called.

——-

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

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

[3] Galesburg, Michigan

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

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

[6] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

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

[8] His son, Ethan Keith

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

[10] James Deyoe

[11] This same entry is also shown on January 21. No information has been found to date regarding Frank Whitcomb, but it would appear that he was related to Clarissa (Whitcomb) Turner (see January 23 entry)

[12] Perhaps this is in regards to Mr. Deyo being accused of burning the church (see June 21, 1860 and subsequent entries in Luke’s 1860 diary)

[13] Above zero

[14] Martin and Clarissa (Whitcomb) Turner; Martin and Luke were first cousins

[15] James and Caroline (Wolcott) Earl; Caroline and Luke were first cousins

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

[17] Below zero

[18] George and Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson; Marion was Luke’s niece

[19] Joseph and Lois (French) Lee; Joseph and Luke were first cousins

[20] Patty, Catherine and Marion

[21] James “Oscar” and Mary Ann (Batey) Keith; Oscar was Luke’s nephew

[22] Mary Ann’s mother, Betsy (Olds) Batey

[23] His son, Henry Keith, by his first wife, Minerva Payson

[24] “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

[25] Catherine’s daughter, Lucy Irene Lee

[26] His brother, Harvey Keith

[27] Harvey’s wife, Alfleda (Starr) Keith

[28] His daughters

[29] 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

[30] Charles Luke Keith Sr., who was also referred to as Luke

[31] Hannah (Willcutt) Keith

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

[33] Goldenseal, a wild harvested root in high demand in the 1860s used for coughs, digestive upset and pneumonia

[34] Thomas Flanders

[35] An axe handle

[36] Harriet (Blakslee) Keith

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

[38] His mother’s brother, Warren Wolcott (Willcutt)

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

[40] Edwin Flanders

[41] Joseph Warren

[42] Charles R. Cridland

[43] Platt Betts, his step father-in-law

[44] Nancy Pond

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

[46] Paulina (Benson) Deyoe

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

[48] Family story is that Luke would often play his violin at the graves of his first and second wives

[49] /- is the symbol for shilling

[50] George Tomlinson

[51] His daughter, Louese Jerusha Keith

[52] Believe this is his nephew, Harvey G. Keith

[53] Daniel D. Harris. Luke’s baby daughter, Louese, would grow up and marry Daniel’s son, Daniel Jr.

[54] Believe this is his cousin, Alvin Lee, the son of Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee

[55] Etc.

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

[57] Daniel D. Harris’ father

[58] 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

[59] Omro, Wisconsin, where his wife Sarah’s mother and stepfather lived

[60] “Toots” is mentioned in many of Luke’s diary entries but so far have not been able to figure out who he is referring to

[61] Most likely Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford Jr., who was serving in the Civil War

[62] His maternal first cousin

[63] His daughter, Louese Keith

[64] Lois’ mother-in-law, Angeline Clark

[65] Adaline (Ralph) Harris, the wife of Daniel D. Harris

[66] Walter V. Austin, the son of Almon & Chloe (Wilbur) Austin

[67] His wife Sarah’s brother

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

[69] The nephew of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith. Lauriston was killed in action during the Civil War on August 11, 1864 in Newtown, Virginia

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

[71] Sarah’s brother, Henry Crawford

Luke Keith’s 1860 Diary

1860 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

Jan 1 – Cold 11 Below zero. At home all day.

Jan 2 – Cold 7 Below zero. Bot this Book 62¢ Bot Soap 15¢. Put in Boulster for __. Kingsley.

Jan 3 – Pleasant 11 Abz. Bot iron for slead 61¢. Book came. Screws 20. Paid E. Beckwith 50.

Jan 4 – Cold 12 Abz. Express _____ 14¢. Went over to Fathers[2] Bot Beef 14 got tea Kettle repaired 15¢ Bot one lb candles 16¢. Deyoes[3] moved.

Jan 5 – Snows a little 13 Abz. Got my sled. Sarah[4] went to donation party. Bot ½ lb tea 31¢ one Dollar for work on sled.

Jan 6 – Cloudy 20 Abz. Worked in shop made axhelve for Byington. Rainy day.

Jan 7 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Henry[5] came home. Put the irons on my slead. Bot 3 lbs pork 22¢ Bot screws 7¢.

Jan 8 – Cloudy 36 Abz. At home all day. Henry & Lois[6] at home. Sleighing most gone.

Jan 9 – Cloudy 29 Abz. Killed my pig. Paid Earl 50¢. Bot 50 lbs Flour 11/-.[7]

Jan 10 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Went over to Fathers got pig. Hat Taylor stayed here all night. Bot one lb candles 1__. Snowed in the night.

Jan 11 – Snowey 16 Abz. Made axhelve for Eben Flanders. Bot one old Red Lead 11¢. Bot 15 lbs salt 20.

Jan 12 – Pleasant 7 Abz. Worked in shop some painted sled hued some spokes. Bot stuff for pain Killer 73.

Jan 13 – Pleasant 11 Abz. Worked in shop some. Wesley called here _____ drawed 3 cords wood.

Jan 14 – Cloudy 7 Abz. Worked in shop some Wesley[8] called here.

Jan 15 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Ed York paid me two Dollars. Lois went home.

Jan 16 – Snows some 34 Abz. Sorted my corn. Miss Hoxie & Mrs Bevere here Mrs Earl & Mary Ett here.

Jan 17 – Snows some 23 Abz. Went up to Yorks. Mr & Mrs Carleton to Fathers. Bot five comb 10¢. J. Flanders here.

Jan 18 – Snows some 26 Abz. Hued spokes. Paid my tax 23.70¢. Flanders got his ax.

Jan 19 – Pleasant 20 Abz. Shelled corn. Race[9] broke away down at the old ashry.

Jan 20 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Father & mother[10] Catharine[11] & Mark[12] here. Denormandy[13] here opened Lois Breast.

Jan 21 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Hued spokes for Jesse Earls buggy. Isaac Smith paid 10¢. Bot Envelope to send to George Tomlinson[14].

Jan 22 – Pleasant 31 Abz. At home all day. Hat Taylor & Mary Childs here & S. Newman.

Jan 23 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Worked in shop. Sent G. T.[15] one hundred & 45 Dollars. Lois went home. Sent letter 3¢.

Jan 24 – Cloudy 48 Abz. Worked on Richardsons Wheels. Miles got my violin.

Jan 25 – Cold ground froze 30 Abz. Worked in shop sawed out felloes[16] for Charleys wheels. Lois came home. Flanders Brot load hay. Sent slead up to Henry.

Jan 26 – Cold 24 Abz snowey day. Worked in shop. Got meal from mill. Water over garden race over flows.

Jan 27 – Snows 19 Abz. Worked in shop got out spokes. Race over flowed my yard.

Jan 28 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Water all over my yard. Shaved spokes & put on sand board. Bot one lb candles 22¢.

Jan 29 – Pleasant 20 Abz. At home all day. Mrs Warner buried to day.

Jan 30 – Pleasant 22 Abz. Drove spokes in Charleys wheels.

Jan 31 – Snows 10 Abz. Finished Charleys wheels. Sarah went down to Mr Mansfields. Water higher than ever almost up to cellar window.

Feb 1 – Cold 2 Abz. Went over to Fathers & down to Clarks yard ful of ice good skating.

Feb 2 – Cold & pleasant 9 Abz. Worked in shop & cut some mittens. Wesley here.

Feb 3 – Snowes some 15 Abz. Worked in shop some. Sent letter to Mrs. Betts[17]. Wesley & J. C. Blake here.

Feb 4 – Cloudy 24 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Jo & Hellen[18] there. Came home with Father. Alvan[19] here. Worked in shop some. Bot shoes for hannah[20] 75¢. One pound saleratas 10¢.

Feb 5 – Snows some 30 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Feb 6 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Lois came home. Bot 10 lbs shugar 1.00 one lb Tea __2¢ 2 lbs candles 42. Mark got his Buggy. Hannah went over to Fathers. Lois came home.

Feb 7 – Storms some 24 Abz. Worked in shop some. Sarah went over to Fathers. Lois went home. Bronson & Streator here. Bot cloth for shirt 40¢.

Feb 8 – Pleasant 21 Abz. Tinkered round house carried corn to mill. Bot 50 lbs Flour 1.38¢ one apple 1¢. Bohaim Clark Buried to day.

Feb 9 – Cloudy 36 Abz. Charley Brot Load wood. Bot cloth for drawers 31¢ one violin string 25¢ pop corn 1¢.

Feb 10 – Pleasant 4 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Bot coat & Hat and ribbon & Broom 1502.

Feb 11 – Snowed some 19 Abz. No work in shop to day excep sawed of spokes. Bot Sarah shoes 1.13¢.

Feb 12 – Pleasant 17 Abz. Went up to Wesleys Yorks & Fathers.

Feb 13 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Mark here. Bronson Brot 4__ wheat. Bot Boots 5 shoes 75.

Feb 14 – Pleasant. Bot one light glass 7¢. Left home 12 at noon got to Johns[21] 4 PM. Fair from G. to C.[22] 1.30.

Feb 15 – Cold & stormy. Went over to uncle Jasons[23] got there at one P.M. Found them well.

Feb 16 – Very cold. Some head ache. Went over to John Bissels saw Catharine[24].

Feb 17 – Cold. Went over to Lashers[25] from there to Mr Kirkwoods saw Irene[26]. Snowed all night.

Feb 18 – Cold snows. Stayed at Jasons all day. Went down to John Bissels in the Evening.

Feb 19 – Went and saw Lasher.

Feb 20 – Left uncle Jasons half past nine got to uncle Ozens[27] quater past three. Fare from Jonesville[?] to Hudson 65 cts.

Feb 21 – Left uncle Ozens 12. at noon. Got to Adrian[28] half past two. Found aunt Whitmore[29]. Saw Fred Partrige.

Feb 22 – Pleasant. Saw Emmet Crittenden. Bot gloves 25¢. Left Adrian half past 2. Fare from Adrian to Buffalo 9.00.

Feb 23 – Left Buffalo 6 AM arrived in Pavilion[30] quarter past one. Fare from B. to __. 1.00. Breakfast 25. Mending ring 10.

Feb 24 – Cold. Sent letter to Sarah 7¢. Saw uncle Noah[31] and many others donation at the tavern.

Feb 25 – Cold. At home[32] all day. George Sprague & wife[33] here. Saw Mr Gilmore.

Feb 26 – Cold & snows some. Mr Baly Preached. Sylvenas Young called on me.

Feb 27 – Cloudy. Went over the farm & up to the Burying ground[34].

Feb 28 – Rainy. At home. Nelly[35] sick. Saw W^m Sprague. Sarah Crittenden[36] came down.

Feb 29 – Some rainy. Went down to Chaddocks[37]. Carried Sarah. Mrs Kendall visited _____.

Mar 1 – Rainy. Mended stove. Went up to shop with Dr Sprague[38]. Nelly very sick with scarlet fever.

Mar 2 – Pleasant & windy. Horse Excitement at the village. Saw a number of old friends.

Mar 3 – Rainy morning. Nelly no better. Sent letter to Sarah one Dollar in it. Received a letter from Sarah.

Mar 4 – Pleasant. Dr Sprague & Mr Nobles[39] came down.

Mar 5 – Went up to P. Creek[40]. Saw W^m Miller & many other friends. Stayed to O. Scrantons. Went up to the burying ground[41].

Mar 6 – Pleasant. Went Back to Pavilion. Mrs Nobles here.

Mar 7 – Cloudy & cool. At home. Claressa Starr here in the Evening. Nelly not much Better.

Mar 8 – Pleasant. Nelly a bout as usual. Cut down some Locus trees. Received letter from Sarah. Mr Belden[?] & wife here.

Mar 9 – Cold & windy. Mr Belden[?] left. Cut some more trees. Finished Nellys _____.

Mar 10 – Snows cold as greeland. Nelly some better. Patty[42] sick all night.

Mar 11 – Pleasant. At home all day. George & Susan[43] here.

Mar 12 – Snow 3 inches & snows like fun snowed all day.

Mar 13 – Snowey. Sleighs run. Mr Beldon & wife came down went up to the store & got some silk. Susan came down.

Mar 14 – Pleasant. Went down to Emilys. Received letter from home.

Mar 15 – Pleasant. Went to uncle Jesses[44] & Wyoming. Saw old Mrs Peterson she will be 97 in Aug next. Heard Elder H Earls[?] lecture in the Evening.

Mar 16 – Pleasant. Went up to uncle Samuel Curtis[45]. All well.

Mar 17 – Pleasant. Bot Bosom for shirt 44¢. Went up to Mr Starrs after noon.

Mar 18 – Pleasant. Dr Sprague & S. Youngs here in the morning. George & susan here.

Mar 19 – Bot silk for dress and trunk 13.75. Went over to Clarissa Stars. Rained some.

Mar 20 – At home went up to the store. George had a sick turn. Priest here. Hugh Brooks here.

Mar 21 – Very stormy cold & snows like fun. George sick.

Mar 22 – Left Pavilion 6 am got to Leroy[46]. Took the cars went up to ______ came back to Leroy. Left Leroy half past seven Evening. Fare to Buffalo one Dollar 1.00. Arrived in Buffalo 11.20 Bus ticket.

Mar 23 – Leave Buffalo at 9 Am. Fare to Detroit[?] 7.00[?] cost 1.50. Breakfast lodging costing[?] 1.50. Book and plates 35. Got home 4 oclock am.

Mar 24 – Pleasant. At home. Went over to Fathers.

Mar 25 – Snows some. Henry came home. Jo Sherman here.

Mar 26 – Pleasant. At home. At home all day. Alvan here.

Mar 27 – Pleasant morning. Worked in shop some. Byington Brot his Exes. Lois came home. Azeo here. Sent letter to George 3¢.

Mar 28 – Pleasant. Worked on gearing for Byington. Lois at home.

Mar 29 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Worked in shop. Sarah went over the river. Very dry. Sarah had fifty cents.

Mar 30 – Pleasant. Worked in shop on Byingtons gearing. Driest time I ever new in March. Went over to Fathers. Bot ½ lb Tea 30¢. Charley Brot one & 2/4 cords wood. Received _____ J. M. York[47] one gold ring $.10.00.

Mar 31 – Smoky. Worked in shop. Finished hewing Bronsons spokes. Bronson here. Bot on lb candles 22¢.

Apr 1 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Sarah went to church. Painter Smiths wife babtised. Lois at home. 31 cents for Sarah Beedle[?].

Apr 2 – Pleasant 22 Abz. Went to town meeting. Went over to Fathers. Bot 10 lbs shugar 1.00. Watts paid his note 45.45. Paid Cory 59 cents.

Apr 3 – Pleasant 42 Abz. Finished Byingtons gearing. Sarah went over to Wisemans.

Apr 4 – Rainy 52 Abz. Paid school Bill 1.08. Bronson Brot plank. Jake Hill here in Evening.

Apr 5 – Smoky 42 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo. Bot one set Hubbs 1.95 one set rims 1.50. Mrs Tubbs here Evening.

Apr 6 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Went over to H Browns. Made a Deed for Blass. Gave up Masons Deed & mortgage. Received pay 5.50.

Apr 7 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Worked in shop on Dr Wightmans wagon. Bot Beads for Sarah 10 cm stick candy. Galt paid 1.20.

Apr 8 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Mark there. Rainy night.

Apr 9 – Rainy 44 Abz. Worked in shop. Got out pipe for Mr Warren. Mr Stimpson Brot here & buried. Thunder & hail in the night.

Apr 10 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Finished Warrens pipe. Race Brot his Buggy. Mrs Butterfield here. Lois came home. Bot one box matches 6¢. Paid one Dollar for plats[?].

Apr 11 – Some cloudy 38 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo got Deeds Recorded. Bass Deed 7/- Tomlinsons 7/- C. L. Keiths 6/-. Fare on cars 25 Bot Dress for Sarah 11/- 5 yds pink 5/- 4.25.

Apr 12 – Pleasant 47 Abz. Went over to Fathers to make bargain for farms. Paid Catharine 25¢ bot cord 2¢.

Apr 13 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Finished Races Buggy. Bot one lb nails 5 3 sheets sand paper 3.

Apr 14 – Snowed some 34 Abz. Race got his Buggy 2.00. Cleaned out shop some mended fence. Lent C Richardson 5.00.

Apr 15 – Pleasant cool air 30 Abz. At home Edwin Henry & Dwight stayed here. Sarah went to church.

Apr 16 – Cloudy 50 Abz. Worked in shop put in two spokes for D. Lamkins.

Apr 17 – Pleasant 43 Abz. Worked in shop on spokes. Bot one yard _________ 12½ two lbs candles 44¢ candy 3.

Apr 18 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Worked on spokes. Bot vial of silver plating 25.

Apr 19 – Pleasant 36 Abz. Worked on felloes. Got my Boots Tapt 75¢. Bot one Dearing Knife 75¢ Beer 10¢. Rained in the Evening.

Apr 20 – Cloudy 62 Abz. Shaved felloes. Bot file 62¢ whetstone 14¢ Buttons 5¢.

Apr 21 – Rains 65 Abz. Shaved spokes. Bot spool thread 5¢. Moses Scranlin here. C. Richardson paid 5.00.

Apr 22 – Cloudy 40 Abz. At home all day. Wrote letter to J S King[48] one to E. M. Stratton NY.

Apr 23 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Repaired wheelbarrow wheel for B. Clark[49]. Bot one lb Tea 50 one geography 50 one lb _________ 12 two letters 6 one _____ thread 5.

Apr 24 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Worked in garden. Bot two lbs nails 9¢.

Apr 25 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Worked round garden picked up brush raked up front yard.

Apr 26 – Cloudy 37 Abz. Shaved spokes. Got Ethens Boot mended 25¢.

Apr 27 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Finished shaving spokes for Jesses Buggy. Bot cloth for Ethens apron 25¢ Bot of a ___ Galt _________ &c $3.75 cts.

Apr 28 – Pleasant 32 Abz. D. Lamkins plowed garden. Mr & Mrs Hall here. Aurilly Lee[50] here. Bot vial of stick tile of Mrs Deyoe 25¢. Recd letter from N.Y. E. M. Stratton.

Apr 29 – Pleasant 44 Abz. At home. Henry came home. Lois at home. By got his wheel. Swaddles Boy died.[51]

Apr 30 – Cloudy 58 Abz. Moved Hogpen. Got one number of the coach makers magazine. Bot 3 lbs nails 15¢.

May 1 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Planted some peas & potatoes. Mark Lee & Ed Wilcut[52] & Eugene Bronson[?] here. Let John Flint have 75. Dollars.

May 2 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Worked in garden some. Went over to Fathers. Bot 6 lbs & 6 oz Shugar of E. W. Gale 57¢ ½ lb sulphur[?] 6¢ five apples 5¢ Bot Bible of Mills 1.40¢.

May 3 – Pleasant 41 Abz. Worked in well. Bot one spool thread 5¢ ½ lb crackers 5¢ one paper 5¢. Ethen sick.

May 4 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Planted Lettuce onions & potatoes. Paid Mr Deyoe 25¢.

May 5 – Cloudy 58 Abz. Got some mortar of Stevenson 5¢. Planted potatoes. E. W. Gale paid one hundred & six Dollars & fifty cents.

May 6 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Went up to Wesleys & Yorks.

May 7 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Wesley came and worked on well. Mr Flanders Brot 1 & ½ Bush _____. D. Lamkin Brot 1 & ½ Doz Eggs. Rained some. Some Thunder Evening.

May 8 – Cloudy 68 Abz. Finished bricking up my well. Got 195 brick of T. Cory. Extracted tooth for Mrs Johnson 25 cts. Rained in the night. Flanders Brot over half bush potatoes & some onion sets.

May 9 – Cloudy looks like rain 57 Abz. Planted potatoes onions &c[53]. Mrs Wiseman & children here to Tea. Pulled tooth for Mrs Johnson 25¢.

May 10 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Fixed pump pipes. Sowed some peas. Went over to Fathers got some potatoes.

May 11 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Sowed Raddish & Pepper grass. Planted potatoes. Made platform to well. Bot two lbs nails 10¢. Sarah went to A Hoags.

May 12 – Cloudy 57 Abz. Finished my well. Planted some Beans. Bot fish 40¢. Wesley Brot his rake fingers[?].

May 13 – Cloudy 59 Abz. Sarah went to church. I went down to the river just at night caught 4 fish and got a lecturing for so doing.

May 14 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Made Bedsted for Ethen. Calvin Streator left. Richardson Brot some wood 7/8 of a cord. Sent letter to E. M. Straton 3¢. Lois at home in Evening.

May 15 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Moved beds up stairs. Bot two bushels wheat of Bronson 2.38 two spools thread 10. Alvan called here.

May 16 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Worked in shop. Bot 4 yds cotton 28¢ One paper cucumber seed 5¢.

May 17 – Pleasant & some like rain 60 Abz. Dressed out spokes for Bronsons wheels. Bot one stick candy. Deyoe & children here to supper.

May 18 – Cloudy 55 Abz. Filed saw for Mead 10¢. Sawed out gearing for Bronsons wagon. Deyoe moved into the Tubbs House his wife gone. Bot file 12.

May 19 – Rains some 49 Abz. Worked in shop fixing _______ 2.00. Whiting Hat 25¢ half lb starch 6¢ one Dollar for sundries. Beckwith Died.[54]

May 20 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Went up north with children. Mr Beckwith Buried. Rained after noon & night. Mrs Deyo came home.

May 21 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Bot 50 cabbage plants 10¢. Let Parker have 10¢. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢. Put in Boulster for H. Chipman 50¢.

May 22 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Worked in shop some. Wrote letter for Parker lent him ten Dollars.

May 23 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Worked in shop some on Jesses gearing. Went to Fathers. Rained in night.

May 24 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Worked in shop Bot one lb tea 50¢ ½ lb pepper 5¢ 2½ lbs veal steak 15¢.

May 25 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Worked in shop. George Hopkins Died. Sarah & Lois went to Adelines.

May 26 – Pleasant 70 Abz. Bot one lb coffee 18¢ two thimbles 5¢ _____ Parker _____ one bushel corn. Mended N. Galts waggon Box 25¢. Ely Wightman Paid 25¢.

May 27 – Pleasant 51 Abz. At home went down to the river. George Hopkins Buried.

May 28 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Made violin neck for Parker. Bot 10 lbs Butter of A. Chipman. Sent letter to J. S. King 3.

May 29 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked on seat for A. Chipman. Mrs S___tin here to tea. Rained just at night.

May 30 – Some cloudy 62 Abz. Worked on seat. Sawed out thill. Bot 5 posts 60¢ 5 lbs nails 20¢. Bot one lb nails 5¢.

May 31 – Cloudy 49 Abz. Uncle Amos got his seat. Made some fence. Paid Father $.3.50. Lois came home.

Jun 1 – Pleasant 47 Abz. Finished my cross fence. Bot 2 lbs nails 10¢ one stick braid 6¢. Bot two bushels wheat of J. Flanders 2.50.

Jun 2 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Hoed potatoes. Harvey came here went over to Fathers saw Alfleda[55]. Rained in the Evening.

Jun 3 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Went in swimming. Harvey got grind stove. Rained in the night.

Jun 4 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Repaired wheel for M. O. Streator[56] 1.00.

Jun 5 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Catharine & Mark here. Pulled two teeth for Sarah. Bot 2 lbs candles 44¢ one lb salratas[57] 10 one paper cucumbers 5¢. Two bushels wheat of M. O. Stre[ator].

Jun 6 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Made form to bend wheel rims for Buggy _______. Rained some. Volina here to tea. Sundries of Gale 50¢.

Jun 7 – Cloudy 58 Abz. __________ for Wightman boys. Bot 10 lbs shugar _____ cloth for Ethen 80¢ file _____. Went down to Catharines. Put thill in Fathers wagon.

Jun 8 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo. Bot cotten cloth 5 prs shoes. Bonnets for girls dress lining &c 15.56 one pair spectacles.

Jun 9 – Pleasant & cloudy 48 Abz. Hoed garden. Sarah went over to Mr Halls. Bot strawberries 10¢ one button 2¢. Myron S. Coe[58] buried. Bot cloth of Galt 1.50 Hdkf 25¢ belts 38¢.

Jun 10 – Pleasant 48 Abz. At home. Went up north. Sarah & children went.

Jun 11 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Drove spokes in hubs for rake got out some of the gearing. Chipman brot one & half bushels potatoes 56¢.

Jun 12 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Worked on rake. Bot fringe Hooks & Eyes thread &c.

Jun 13 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Got plank of Cross sawed out stuf for boddy to Earls buggy. Lois came home. Celia Newman & Mary Durham here.

Jun 14 – Cloudy 64 Abz. Worked on boddy. Took tea over to Rogers. Bot watch of Parker .3.56 cents. Bot half lb shugar 8¢.

Jun 15 – Cloudy 62 Abz. Worked in shop some. Went to the school celebration. Jo Lees folks[59] here to tea. Bot violin string 13¢.

Jun 16 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in shop. Sent letter to Hank 3¢.

Jun 17 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Went down to Catharines. Lois went with me.

Jun 18 – Rainy 64 Abz. Worked in shop on Jesses buggy Box. Wesley here paid 3 Dollars.

Jun 19 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Worked in shop on Earls bugy Boddy. Mrs Kenyon & Mrs Chapman here to dinner. Babtist association. Wesley paid 3 Dollars.

Jun 20 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Br Jones church Burned this morning 3 oclock. Sarah & children went over to Fathers. Worked on rake some.

Jun 21 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Worked in shop some. Sarah came home. Deyo taken up on charge of Burning church.

Jun 22 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Worked on road. Mrs Deyo & children here to tea.

Jun 23 – Foggy 52 Abz. Worked on the road. Mrs Deyoe went to Kalamazoo to see James. Ethen bot some nuts 1¢.

Jun 24 – Cloudy 66 Abz. At home all day. Sarah & children went to church.

Jun 25 – Pleasant 68 Abz. Worked in shop. Bot half lb Tea one lb crackers one lb & 6 oz chees 55¢. Shed Seeley[60] & Mr Struble arrested for burning church. Mrs Hoges lost two shirts.

Jun 26 – Rains some 73 Abz. Worked in shop on rake. Jo Flanders here to dinner.

Jun 27 – Rains some 68 Abz. Worked in shop. Climax constable after L. Beach run for the woods. Bot spool Thread 5¢. Sarah went over to Wisemans.

Jun 28 – Cloudy 70 Abz. Worked on Boddy. Watered my garden for the first time. Paid postage on magazine 12¢. Rained hard in the night.

Jun 29 – Rainy 72 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo to court adjourned. Saw David Smith. Mark & Jo here. _____ 50¢ beer 5¢. Got bag bran of Affleck.

Jun 30 – Cloudy 70 Abz. Got _____ set on rake wheels. Vandusen here to Austins. Bronson brot his Boxes.

Jul 1 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Sarah & children went to church. I went over to Fathers.

Jul 2 – Rainy 72 Abz. Picked some cherries. Started to go to Kalamazoo. Jo York came & got cheries. Shed Seeley came home. Rainy night.

Jul 3 – Rains 70 Abz. Worked in shop some. Mended cradle for J. C. Blake. Henry Crawford[61] came. Bot 5 lbs shugar ½ lb ginger 60.

Jul 4 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Mended cradle for J C B. Henry Crawford went to Battle creek. Bot cradle finger 12¢ bunch fire crackers 8 two lemons 10¢ two violin strings 28¢.

Jul 5 – Pleasant 68 Abz. Mended Kingsleys wheels 75¢. Hellen York came down Jo here to tea. Henry went to Battle creek.

Jul 6 – Rains some 65 Abz. Worked in shop fixed Clarks wheel. Henry went home. Bot Beef shank 10¢. Hellen went home.

Jul 7 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Worked in shop some hoed some. Harriet Perry & Celia Newman here. George Hoges child buried.

Jul 8 – Rainy 69 Abz. All stayed at home. Had diarhea. Had string Beans for supper. Nancy[62] came home from Clarks.

Jul 9 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Diarhea not much work. Backed of Bronsons spokes.

Jul 10 – Cloudy 65 Abz. Not very well. Lockhart got axletree for Earls bugy. Bot seat spindles 75¢ Bot crystal for my watch 25¢ Bot ½ yd cotten 5¢ Bot spool thread 5¢.

Jul 11 – Pleasant cool wind 59 Abz. Set boxes in Earls Hubs. Sent letter to Omro[63] to Mrs Betts 3¢.

Jul 12 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Drove spokes in to Earls hubs. Alvan here. Got Parkers violin.

Jul 13 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Worked on wheels. Mrs Gaffery here. Sarah went down to Barbers.

Jul 14 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Put felloes on to Earls wheels. Bot 3 bands for whipstalk. Edith came down here.

Jul 15 – Cloudy 64 Abz. At home. Alvan here. Mr Deyo came to have tooth pulled. Edith went home.

Jul 16 – Pleasant 68 Abz. Finished Earls wheels. Bot one lb Tea 63¢ five sheets sand paper 5.

Jul 17 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Painted Earls wheels & gearing.

Jul 18 – Pleasant 76 Abz. Worked in shop got circle for pole. Lois came over. Had a heavy shower.

Jul 19 – Pleasant 73 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo to court. Bot one pr shoes 1.50 one pr 75¢ fare 30¢ dinner 23. Sarah bot sundries 42.

Jul 20 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo. Bot hat 1.00 dinner 25 got ring mended 11 thread & gum 3 fare to Kalamazoo 25.

Jul 21 – Cloudy 74 Abz. Worked in shop some. Charly Brot load wood. Bot 5 lbs shugar 50¢.

Jul 22 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Sarah & girls went to church. Ethen & I went over to Fathers just at night.

Jul 23 – Cloudy 65 Abz. Made wagon neap[64] for C. Richardson 200¢ Bot silk thread 5¢.

Jul 24 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Worked in shop on Earls buggy seats & pole. Bot seven quarts __________ berries 35¢.

Jul 25 – Pleasant. Made pole & whiffletrees[65]. Bot broom 25¢. Sarah went down to Ed Childs.

Jul 26 – Some cloudy 65 Abz. Worked in shop some. Worked on wiffletrees. Went over to Fathers let him have 1.25¢. Saw Mr Moffet.

Jul 27 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Worked on seats. Sarah went to Hoags.

Jul 28 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Worked in shop. Sarah stayed to Rogers with Sarah Beedle. Had a very violent thunder storm in the night. Set the telegraph office on fire. Bot Bottle of medicine and _____ sleeve buttons.

Jul 29 – Cloudy 73 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Saw Mark & Catharine. Lois there.

Jul 30 – Very foggy 64 Abz. Put Earls box to gether. Flanders brot his Bob shoes down. Parker went to Niles[66].

Jul 31 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked on Earls Boddy & seats. Bot shawl 8.75. Bot screws & beads 38¢.

Aug 1 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Worked in shop some. went over to Fathers. Got some corn & Apples. Bot pair pants of Blackburn 4.50.

Aug 2 – Cloudy 65 Abz. Worked at _____. Bot alcohol 5¢ licorice 1¢. Heavy shower in the night.

Aug 3 – Cloudy 71 Abz. Filed saws & worked on spokes. Bot lat[h]e of Parker let him have violin & 4 Dollars. Bot silk & buttons 6¢.

Aug 4 – Pleasant 70 Abz. Bot Ethen pants 1.62. Barber brot my lathe 12. Sarah went down to Lois with Mrs Earl. Lois came home. Charly sick in the night.

Aug 5 – Pleasant 64 Abz. At home all day. Lois went home.

Aug 6 – Pleasant 69 Abz. Put Bottom on Earls box. Bot spool Thread 5¢. Very hot 95 in shade at noon.

Aug 7 – Pleasant 74 Abz. Worked in shop made boulster for Eugene Bronson.

Aug 8 – Pleasant 70 Abz. Made neap for D. B. wagon. Mr. Parkers folks moved to Battle Creek. Circus teams passed this morning.

Aug 9 – Pleasant 64 Abz. Worked in shop on Bronson gearing. Sarah went over to Fathers to help thrash.

Aug 10 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Went over to Fathers. They thrashed his wheat 307 bushels. Sarah came home. Bot one lb candles 22¢.

Aug 11 – Pleasant 47 Abz. Schuyler Harris & wife here to dinner. Went over to Fathers. Bot Beef 20¢ Bot salt 20¢ Bot shugar 55¢ Bot Butter 25¢ Bot violin string 15¢ cloth for under sleves 25¢.

Aug 12 – Rainy 60 Abz. At home all day. Wrote letter to G. Tomlinson.

Aug 13 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Worked on gearing. Sent letter to G. Tomlinson.

Aug 14 – Pleasant 42 Abz. Worked in shop some. Deyoe came home from Kalamazoo. Bot sundries for the girls 1.13.

Aug 15 – Pleasant 47 Abz. Shaved spokes. Bot coat for Ethen 2.50¢ Bot trimming for the girls raglins 25¢. Wes Boy Born[67] in the night.

Aug 16 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Shaved spokes. Went over to Ben Hartwells to raise cider press.

Aug 17 – Pleasant 64 Abz. Shaved spokes. Went over to Fathers. Stayed all night.

Aug 18 – Went down to Catharines. Sarah went to Kalamazoo. Bot sundries 7.24¢. Henry came home at night. Ethen stayed with Catharine.

Aug 19 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Henry here. Henry went home. Went over the river with James. Alvan went up to Flanders to painting.

Aug 20 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in the shop some. Bronson got boulster. Hand organ at station 5.

Aug 21 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Worked in shop. T. Flanders called in. D. K. Rogers & family left for G. T. City. Bot ½ lb tea 31¢. Bronson Brot 68 lbs Flour.

Aug 22 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Worked in shop on seat risers. Bot 2 lbs mutton beef 13¢ beer 5. Sarah stayed with Mrs Hoag.

Aug 23 – Cloudy rainbow 67 Abz. Put seat together and put straps on bottom of boddy. Bot hoop iron and screws 25. Alvan[?] called here. Mary Childs here. Bot one lb Butter of Mrs Austen 12¢.

Aug 24 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Worked on seats. Bot paper tacks 5¢. Sarah sick. Lois came home in the Evening.

Aug 25 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Finished seat & painted boddy. Mark here to dinner. went over to Fathers. Sarah sick. J____ Sherman got a bit to put in his Dulcimer _____. Bot one lb nails 7¢.

Aug 26 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Sarah sick at home. Sarah sick. Painted Earls Box over.

Aug 27 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Finished Jesse Earls seats. Wesley here. Sarah had the ague.

Aug 28 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Pulled my onions. Bot half gallon whiskey 20¢. Mark & Catharine here. Bot cherries 6¢.

Aug 29 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Painted engine frame & fly wheel. Sent letter to Niles 3¢. Sarah sick as fury. Got tight on onions & whiskey.

Aug 30 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Tinkered round home. Uncle Ozens folks came. Bot half lb crackers 5¢.

Aug 31 – Pleasant 54 Abz. At home. Sarah took quinine. Sick all night. Bot cloth for pants 1.00 Bot quinine 25¢ Butter 11¢ Pears 3.

Sep 1 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Father & mother here got their pictures taken 1.00. Lois came home. 3 candles 6¢ cloth for Ethen Apron 25¢.

Sep 2 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Went over to Fathers got a chicken. Wrote letter to G. Tomlinson.

Sep 3 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Bot sal soda 2¢. Worked round house helped wash. Paid Mrs Earl for making pants 35. Sent letter to G. T. one to E. W. C.[68] 6¢.

Sep 4 – Cloudy 70 Abz. Took my hog over to Fathers 25¢. Bot 4 lbs shugar 44 salratas & Blacking 15¢.

Sep 5 – Cloudy 66 Abz. Left for Dowagiac[69] 2 oclock P.M. Fare to Dowagiac 3.12. Bot _____ & suspenders 2.00. Paid _____ 125 Mrs Austin for B_____. Got Eds[70] about 4 P.M. Bob suspenders 50¢ Bot _____ 3¢. Engine Westwind.

Sep 6 – Cloudy. Helped _____ draw wheat. Bot comb 15. Read wheat 103 pr bushel.

Sep 7 – Had a fine shower. Ed sick with ague. Went over to town with Ed at night. Carried Sarahs pin & left it to be mended.

Sep 8 – Rainy morning. Left Eds 2 oclock P.M. Fare 1.00. Got pin mended 10¢. Got to Henrys[71] about 5 PM. Engine Racer.

Sep 9 – Pleasant. At Niles. Went over the town saw some nice locations. Went up to the school House.

Sep 10 – Pleasant. Sarah not very well. Bot stick gum 1¢ 5 Apples 5¢. Sent letter to Robert[72] 4¢ Whipple 1¢. At Niles.

Sep 11 – Pleasant. At Niles. Moved up by the church[?]. Bot cheese crackers cookies and pop corn 48¢.

Sep 12 – Pleasant. At Niles. Went over the city of Niles. Went up to Burg. Bot soap 10¢.

Sep 13 – Left Henry 3 oclock. Went to station. Fare to Chicago 6.75 one Book 25¢ apples 3¢ _____. Fare to Oshkosh 15.50 crackers ___ _____ 20¢. Got to Oshkosh 7 P.M. Hannah sick.

Sep 14 – Cloudy. _____ at Hotell 2.50 _____ 75¢ crackers _____ 20. Fare to Omro _____ _____. Got to Roberts about seven in Evening. Hannah sick.

Sep 15 – Rainy. At Roberts. Hannah some better. Went over to Omro in Evening. Bot tooth brush 25¢ candy 5.

Sep 16 – Cloudy rains some. Prosper[73] came to Roberts. Elder Betts & lady[74] came. All well.

Sep 17 – Pleasant. All well. Sent letter home. Bot stamps 13¢. Elder Betts & Lady went home. Ethen went with them.

Sep 18 – Pleasant. Went over North west saw them thrash. Rained like fun. Went in to a house waited until it held up. Got wet.

Sep 19 – Pleasant. Went over to Mr Betts. He sold his farm. I went home with Roberts folks. Had a shower. Called at Bunkers. Sarah & children stayed.

Sep 20 – Pleasant. Went to Oshkosh to the County fair. Saw old Mr. Bath. Bot dinner and gum & ticket 38¢. Went to Mr Betts. Had a shower.

Sep 21 – Pleasant day. At Mr Betts. No rain to day. Sarah made satchel for Mrs Betts.

Sep 22 – Pleasant. Went over to Mr Blackmers with Mr Betts. Saw some nice land. Prosper came home. Sarah had the ague.

Sep 23 – Pleasant morning had a thunder shower very hard shower sharp lightning heavy thunder. Pros went home.

Sep 24 – Cloudy cool. Ethen sick. Sarah sick. Stayed at Mr Betts.

Sep 25 – Pleasant. Sarah some Better. Ethen & I went over to Roberts. Got there at noon. Bob of thrashing.

Sep 26 – Pleasant. Ethen has the ague. Steam Boat Enterprise just passed. Went over to Mr McCans[75] took tea. Robert came home at night.

Sep 27 – Pleasant morning. Stayed to Bobs til noon. Mr Betts came over went home with him. Bot 20 grains quinine 20¢.

Sep 28 – Pleasant morning. Well as could be expected. Sarah sick all night. Mrs Wait here. Shot near the vilage of Omro between 9 & 10 oclock P.M. John Sullivan some Eighty rods west of the Bridge in said village.

Sep 29 – Cloudy morn. Went over to Roberts. Bot apples & shoe strings 6. Pros came to Roberts. Went and Examined mills. Saw some good Engines. Got Lois letter.

Sep 30 – Cloudy & cool. Let Robert Crawford have 26 Dollars. Went over to Mr Betts found Sarah some better. Ethen stayed to Roberts.

Oct 1 – Cloudy. At Mr Betts. Nothing new going on. Sent letter to King.

Oct 2 – Cloudy. All well as usual. Went over to Roberts. All well. Bob came home in the Evening.

Oct 3 – Rains some. Went over to Mr Betts after Sarah. Nancy sick. Had a shower _____. Stayed all night.

Oct 4 – Went Back to Roberts. Some rainy. Nancy sick. Bot medicine for Nancy vermifuge[76] & camphor 35¢.

Oct 5 – Cloudy. Nancy better. Mr Betts came over & got Mrs. Betts. Left half past two P.M. Due from Babcock $83.92.

Oct 6 – Pleasant morning. Bot cloth for Ethens pants 1.15 paper & Envelopes 24¢. Pros came over to Roberts.

Oct 7 – Pleasant. Went over to Coffees & Stuarts. Aunt Mary[77] came up.

Oct 8 – Cloudy morning. Went over to Blackburns. Mr Stuarts folks over to Roberts.

Oct 9 – Left Bobs half past 4 AM. Left Oshkosh 7 AM fare from O. to Depere[78] 4.40¢ Apples 10¢ Apples & cider 10¢ Apples 10¢. Got to Kings half past Eight Evening.

Oct 10 – Pleasant. Went over to Credens. Rainy day. Went to Leroys[79] took tea.

Oct 11 – Pleasant. Went to Leroys took dinner & tea. All well as usual.

Oct 12 – Cool & cloudy. At Kings. At Kings. Went & saw the small falls.

Oct 13 – Pleasant. Went down to Depere. Bot boots 1.75 Comb & needles 15¢ Candy 10¢.

Oct 14 – Pleasant. Nancy sick. Went out to the big falls with Mr Leroy. Saw some good country. Saw where a Bear scratched a tree.

Oct 15 – Nancy some better. Worked on the house some. Sarah washed.

Oct 16 – Pleasant. Put in door frame. Took dinner & supper with Leroy.

Oct 17 – Pleasant. At Leroys most of the day. Husked corn.

Oct 18 – Pleasant. Went over to Mr Newtons.

Oct 19 – Pleasant. Went to the Bay. Bot rubbers 1.00 Candy 10¢ Apples 5¢. Took tea at Mr Newtons[?] farm. Stayed all night. Map making at the Bay in Evening. Govonor Randal[80] there.

Oct 20 – Cloudy. At Kings all day. Had headache. Sarah had a touch of the ague. Governor Randal at Depere.

Oct 21 – Cloudy. Nancy went to Depere to church. Stayed with Leroy. Sarah & Ethen down sick.

Oct 22 – Cloudy rained some. Sarah & Ethen had the ague. Stormy. Stayed at Kings all day.

Oct 23 – Rainy. Left Kings half past four got to Depere in AM take the Boat. Fare from Depere to Oshkosh 3.50 cts. Got to Oshkosh at six left ½ past 7. Fare to Chicago 15.00.

Oct 24 – Lft Chicago 7 AM. Fare to Niles 6.75. Omnibus 70¢. Got to Niles 10 A.M.

Oct 25 – Pleasant. At Niles. Milk 5. Left Niles ½ past 11 AM. Got to Eds one oclock. Fare from Niles to Dowagiac 1.00. Sarah sick. Engine 5¢.

Oct 26 – Pleasant. Sarah sick.[81] Left Dowagiac ½ past 11. Fare to Galesburg 3.15. Shugar 5 lbs 47 tea 31. Lois came home. Wesley there. Patty came over.

Oct 27 – Cloudy. At home. Went over to Fathers. Ethen sick. School Bill 1.96¢ milk 5¢.

Oct 28 – Rainy. Called Wightman. Ethen very sick. Patty came over stayed all night.

Oct 29 – Pleasant. Father came over. Bot Butter 25¢ Bot candy 32¢ crackers 5¢. Went up to Yorks & Wesleys.

Oct 30 – Pleasant. Ethen sick. Henry came down. Mr[s?] Flanders here to dinner. Left some cider. Dug potatoes. Richardson brot ½ cord wood.

Oct 31 – Rainy Morning. Thrashed my Beans. Henry went home. Mrs Brainard Brot some cider. Bot Envelopes 8¢ postage 3¢.

Nov 1 – Rainy Morning. Cleaned Beans. Patty came over. Bot Beef 25¢ Violin strings 11. Hiram Beach[82] Died.

Nov 2 – Rainy. Lois came home. Bot rice 21¢ Postage 3. Cut out mittens for B Clark.

Nov 3 – Rainy. Patty went over to Fathers. Picked apples.

Nov 4 – Pleasant. Milk 2¢. Lois went home. I went over to Fathers. Uncle Thomas Flanders there.

Nov 5 – Cloudy & Cool. Postage 3¢. Snowed. Bot gloves for Sarah. Dug some potatoes.

Nov 6 – Snow on the ground. Went over to Fathers stayed all night.

Nov 7 – Pleasant. Over to Fathers. Sarah came home. Richardson Brot ½ cord wood. Bot spool thread 5¢.

Nov 8 – Cloudy morning. York helped me dig potatoes.

Nov 9 – Rainy day. Went to Kalamazoo fare 50 one violin string 10. Alvan called here. Bronson Brot Load wood.

Nov 10 – Cloudy. Went over to Fathers & Yorks. Chored round. Bot candy 3¢.

Nov 11 – Pleasant. At home all day. Henry came down cut his hair. Cut Wisemans hair. Sarah went to church.

Nov 12 – Cloudy looks like rain. Oil up stove in shop. Went over to Hartwells. Made cider 39¢.

Nov 13 – Pleasant morning. Went over to Fathers got milk B ½ lb. spice 8¢ one lb candles 22¢.

Nov 14 – Pleasant. Worked in shop on Flanders Bobs. Amos Chipman at the shop.

Nov 15 – Pleasant morning. Worked on Bobs. Sarah went over to Fathers. I went over at night.

Nov 16 – Pleasant morning. Worked on bobs. Bot stuf for Hoods & cap[?] border &c 1.60¢.

Nov 17 – Pleasant morning. Put in spoke for A Chipman. Bot 6½ lbs Butter of Chipman. Patty & Catharine Hellen Mother & Mrs York[83] here. Bot Beef 32¢ Tea 30¢ Matches 6¢ gum 1¢.

Nov 18 – Pleasant. Sarah went to church. I went over to Fathers. Rained hard.

Nov 19 – Went to Kalamazoo. Bot Book 1.25. Fare to K. & Back 50 Cloth 62¢. Paid on judgement 216/16.__.

Nov 20 – Snows like fun. Worked on Bobs. Bot album & postage 5¢.

Nov 21 – Snows fast. Went up to Flanders. Bot 2½ lbs pork 25¢.

Nov 22 – Pleasant. Went over to Fathers. Worked in shop some.

Nov 23 – Went to Kalamazoo Fare 50. Bot cloth 31 Bot Shugar 1.00 apples 4 2 lbs candles 92. Interest on judgement ___34¢.

Nov 24 – Snows 8 Abz. Nothing dun of any account. Bot 50 lbs flour 1.38¢. Babcock paid 88.85¢.

Nov 25 – Cloudy 8 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Cold stormy day.

Nov 26 – Cold snows 19 Abz. Worked on bobs. Flanders Brot timber for racks. Richardson Brot load wood.

Nov 27 – Cloudy 25 Abz. Worked on bobs. Went over to Brainards took tea. Bot Bank note Reporter 1.00.

Nov 28 – Pleasant. Worked on bobs. Bronson Brot ½ cord wood. Bot bottle _______ Bronson 1.00[?] Boots 3.75.

Nov 29 – Pleasant. Alvan here. Lois home. Mrs Birge & Mrs Clark here. Mark called. Alvan stayed all night.

Nov 30 – Cloudy. Worked on bobs. Bot thread 5¢.

Dec 1 – Pleasant. Worked on bobs. Filed two saws Smiths & Schroeder[?] 20. Attended a meeting for the purpose of getting Galesburg incorporated. Bot violin of A. R. Turner.

Dec 2 – Snows some. Went over to Fathers.

Dec 3 – Some stormy. Bot one pr gloves of John D_____ 1.25 crackers 20. Father & Mother & Patty here.

Dec 4 – Cloudy worked on bobs. Flanders here. Sarah went over to Wisemans took tea. Paid Mrs Sprague 10[?].

Dec 5 – Cold. Worked on bobs finished bobs. Alvan left for York state. Bot tea candles 22¢ _______ 10.

Dec 6 – Cloudy cold. Went up to Yorks moved over one load of goods. Sent letter to GT 3.

Dec 7 – Left Galesburg. Moved all things out of the house. Richardson Brot wood. Bot golden seal 3¢.

Dec 8 – Round home. Went over to the burg. Brot the old cat over & forks hoes & rakes.

Dec 9 – Pleasant. At home all day.

Dec 10 – Went over & painted bobs all right. Beckwith moved one load in to the house. Snowey day. Got plank of Eugene Bronson.

Dec 11 – Changed stoves. Put ours in the Kitchen. Went over & got one load brot my Boyler over.

Dec 12 – Cold & snowey. Split up my wood. Stayed at home. One Dollar for butter of mother.

Dec 13 – Cold good sleighing. Choped wood some. Went over and took my bench down.

Dec 14 – Chopped wood. Father & mother went down to Catharines. Patty & Catharine came up with them.

Dec 15 – Pleasant. Patty & Catharine went up to Hellens. Brot my tool chest over & some other traps. Bot Book for Ethen 12¢.

Dec 16 – At home. Carried Sarah over to church. Went up to Yorks & got Patty. M. O. Streator & wife[84] here in Evening.

Dec 17 – Pleasant. Helped wash. Harvey came up with Mark. Went over to the burg. Flanders got his bobs.

Dec 18 – Rains some. Sarah went to the Burg to Benajah Aldrich funeral. Rainy day & night. Whiting moved.

Dec 19 – Rainy. Cleared the Cridland House. Went up to Yorks in the Evening. Lois came home. Sent letter to G. T.

Dec 20 – Cloudy Rained some. Went over to the Burg got my Bench over. Richardson drawed it over.

Dec 21 – Snows like fun. Worked up to the shop. Stormy day snowed & blowed all day.

Dec 22 – Moved my stuff out of the shop. York helped me. Carried Patty & Mother up to Hellens.

Dec 23 – Pleasant. At home all day. Wesley came down & cut my hair.

Dec 24 – Very cold. York came down went & drawed my lumber over.

Dec 25 – Snows. Went over and got my potatoes. B two prs shoes 1.50 and skein thread 5.

Dec 26 – Pleasant. Worked in shop. Put up bench. Bot book 25 paper 10. Sent letter to Omro 3 licorice 1.

Dec 27 – Worked in shop commenced Charleys sleigh.

Dec 28 – Cold. Killed nine hens. Bot chisel 50 clasp for door 12 Bill for attending _______ 25 one chamber 35 half lb tea 25. 1.50. Carried Miss Hoxie down to Raywoods.

Dec 29 – Stormy. Richardson Brot load wood. Worked in shop some. Sarah & Patty went over to Celia Newmans.

Dec 30 – Cold day. At home all day.

Dec 31 – Pleasant and cold. Killed my pig. Wesley helped me.

——-

Notes in back of diary:

Henry Cruttenden[85] Died Sept 15 1854 Ae 52 years

Composition tooth filling
2 parts silver
5 parts tin

Francis Mulvy
Bridget Cooney
Wm Matthews
Rachelle or Gag___ wagon

Magazin
E. M. Stratton
No. 106 Elizabeth Street
New York
Smith & Bosworth
Linden Geenesee Co. N.Y.

Dr Harris called at Chatham Columba county N.Y. stayed with Mr Betts & preached on the sabbath

David Crawfords[86] post office address
Mountain City or
Dunivan City
Denver City R.T.

Bank of Southern Illinois Bolton

The diary also contains ledger entries for the year and diary entries for January 1-13, 1861 (see the 1861 diary transcription).

——-

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

[2] Charles Luke Keith Sr., who was also better known and referred to as Luke

[3] James & Paulina Deyoe

[4] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

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

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

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

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

[9] 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

[10] Hannah (Willcutt) Keith

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

[12] “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.

[13] Luke refers to a Dr. DeNormandy several times in his 1859 diary

[14] George Tomlinson, husband of Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[15] George Tomlinson

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

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

[18] His niece and her husband, Helen (Bradley) and Joseph York

[19] His maternal first cousin, Alvin Turner

[20] His daughter

[21] Believe this to be John Crittenden, the brother of his second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith.

[22] Concord, Michigan, which is where John Crittenden lived

[23] Jason Wolcott

[24] The granddaughter of Luke’s Uncle Jason Wolcott; Catherine was the daughter of John and Waity Catherine (Wolcott) Bissell

[25] While “Lasher” is referenced repeatedly in Luke’s diaries and also in letters to Luke from Charles Cridland, the only evidence found regarding his first name, Joseph, was a receipt in the back of Luke’s 1858 diary dated December 6, 1858 for the payment of Comstock real estate taxes

[26] John and Irena (Wolcott) Kirkwood. Irena was Luke’s maternal first cousin

[27] Ozen Keith

[28] Adrian, Michigan

[29] Martha (Keith) Whitmore

[30] Pavilion, New York

[31] Noah Starr, the father-in-law of Luke’s brother, Harvey Keith

[32] From future entries it appears that he was staying with George Tomlinson

[33] George and Susan (Tomlinson) Sprague. George was the maternal first cousin of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith

[34] Most likely Pavilion Cemetery where several members of the Crittenden and Sprague families were buried

[35] Nelly Tomlinson, the daughter of George and Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson. Nelly was about five years old at the time

[36] Sarah (Curtis) Crittenden. Sarah was the widow of Luke’s second wife Jerusha’s brother, Henry Crittenden

[37] Joseph and Sarah (Crittenden) Chaddock

[38] William M. Sprague, who was a cousin of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith

[39] John Nobles, who was married to Mary “Polly” Sprague, another cousin of Jerusha’s

[40] Pearl Creek, New York

[41] Most likely Pearl Creek Cemetery where many Sprague family members were buried

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

[43] George and Susan (Tomlinson) Sprague; George was another of Jerusha’s cousins

[44] Jesse Sprague, George Sprague’s father and Jerusha’s uncle

[45] Father-in-law of Jerusha’s brother, Henry Crittenden

[46] LeRoy, New York

[47] Joseph M. York, who was married to Luke’s niece, Helen (Bradley) York

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

[49] His daughter Lois’ husband, Byron Clark

[50] Aurilla Lee, the granddaughter of his aunt and uncle, Rhoda (Keith) and Charles Lee

[51] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Freddie Swaddle died April 30, 1860. He is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan, and the inscription reads: Little Freddie Fell Asleep, 8y

[52] Edward G. Wolcott, his maternal first cousin, the son of Warren and Electa (Damon) Willcutt

[53] Et cetera

[54] A search of FindAGrave.com shows a William Beckwith died in 1860 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

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

[56] Marius O. Streator

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

[58] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Myron Coe died June 7, 1860 and is buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, Climax, Michigan

[59] Joseph and Lois (French) Lee and their son, Ansel Lee

[60] Shedrick Seeley

[61] His wife Sarah’s brother

[62] His daughter, Nancy Keith

[63] Omro, Wisconsin

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

[65] 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

[66] Niles, Michigan

[67] James Harvey Keith

[68] His wife Sarah’s brother, Edwin W. Crawford

[69] Dowagiac, Michigan

[70] The family apparently was staying with Edwin

[71] Sarah’s brother, Henry Clay Crawford

[72] Sarah’s brother, Robert Crawford

[73] Sarah’s brother, Lucius Prosper “Pros” Crawford

[74] Sarah’s mother, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts, and her second husband, Platt Betts

[75] Robert Crawford’s father-in-law, John McCann

[76] Medicine used to destroy or expel intestinal worms

[77] Possibly Nancy Betts’ sister, Mary (Comfort) Wickersham

[78] De Pere, Wisconsin

[79] Jonas & Edith Ann (King) LeRoy

[80] Alexander Randall was the sixth governor of Wisconsin, serving from 1858 – 1861

[81] The family was visiting relatives from September 5^th through October 26^th and Luke mentions quite often that Sarah was sick. Since their daughter, Louese, was born July 3, 1861, it is quite possible that at least some of Sarah’s sick times were due to morning sickness

[82] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Hiram Beach is buried in Roof Cemetery, Climax, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He was born in 1841 to David and Sarah (Bassett) Beach.

[83] Presume he is referring to Joseph York’s mother, Dorothy (Boardman) York

[84] Neighbors, Marius & Laura (Rawson) Streator

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

[86] His brother-in-law, also known as D. C. Crawford