1879 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]
Jan 1 – Went over to burg[2] with Edna Allen,[3] she went home. Bot stove pipe 40 cts. Mr Browns folks,[4] Hank and Nancy[5] and Mrs Betts[6] here. Had a jolly old time. [Che Che[7] came. Had a dance.][8] Carried Mrs Betts home at night. Mink Streator died this morning.
Jan 2 – No work to day. Very blustring day. Carried Nancy home at night. Cold as blazes.
Jan 3 – Mercury 10 below zero in morning. No work to day Except chores.
Jan 4 – Shoveled snow so we could get to the woods. Drawed four loads wood. Carried Hannah[9] over to Nancys at night. Lucinda Brown of East Gainesville, Wyoming County, NY died to day AEged 63 years.[10]
Jan 5 – Alvin Lee[11] came here made an axhelve for him. Went over to burg after Hannah.
Jan 6 – Went over to burg in the morning to see Doc Burrows to get county order. Went up in woods after wood. Went over to Bartons. Ethan[12] went over to Hanks to stay with Nancy. Hank gone to Kalamazoo. Mr Philip Goodrich died this morning at seven Oclock.[13] Jim[14] went to school. Bot this Diary 40 cts. Hannah went down to Henry Kings. Ethan repaired Guittar.
Jan 7 – Not much done. Cold day. Ethan came home. Wind south west.
Jan 8 – Went over to burg. Sarah[15] went over to go to Funeral. Mr Goodrich buried to day. Went up in woods got one load wood. Went over to burg after Sarah. Wind west south west.
Jan 9 – Cut out bords for Box. Went over to burg got board for End boards to Dells[16] box. Got nine Dollars of County on county order. Dressed out some box boards. Konk Smith called here. Wind North west in morning North East at night.
Jan 10 – Worked in shop, plained out side and End boards for Dells box. Made moulding board for Sarah. Let Alfleda[17] have one Dollar, Sarah half Dollar. Mercury 2 Abzo.[18] Wind 2 minutes North of west.
Jan 11 – Worked in shop some. Sawed out sash stuf, plained out some boards. Mercury 14 Abz.
Jan 12 – At home. Katharine,[19] Orrin[20] and Jim came up here. Mercury 10 A. Wind west. Caywood brot Hannah home in morning.
Jan 13 – Worked in shop on Skinners box all day. Not very cold. Wind west North west. Mercury 2 Abz in morning.
Jan 14 – Mercury 21 Abz in morn. Wind South west.
Jan 15 – Carried Sarah over to burg. 3 lbs nails 15¢. Claud[21] came home with me. Went down to Mr Caywoods after Hannahs Pleeter.[22] Snowed and blowed like fun.[23] Wind in North East. Mercury 18 Abz.
Jan 16 – Mercury 17 abz in morning. Cut down tre East of house south side road. Sun came out. Wind North west. Went down to Browns got four bushels wheat. Cleaned up four bushels Buckwheat, shelled 2 bushels corn. Jim came home stayed all night. He paid me fifty cents. Lost bag of Buckwheat flour of of the sleigh. Mr Ridler picked it up.
Jan 17 – Went to mill up to Howlands. Alvin, Julia and Orrin at Hanks. Jed Blodget and wife here when I got home.
Jan 18 – Went and cut some wood. Split and drawed some wood. Charley Smith came after Hannah. Orrin went up to Mr Flanders.[24] Walter Austin came over after Guitarr in Evening. Fine day, wind South west. Austin Potts Hulling clover up to Schrams.
Jan 19 – Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Cold and some blustrous. Wind North west in forenoon, South East in Evening.
Jan 20 – Went over to burg in forenoon. Snowed some. Bot salt bottles 10, bot two for Katharine. Went over to Straits got Calipers. Mr Peter Johnson paid me 50¢. Wind South South west.
Jan 21 – Nelson Nickols choped wood for me to day. I drawed wood in afternoon. Very good day. Mercury 11 Abz. Wind south west.
Jan 22 – Nickols choped and sawed wood. Went down to Browns got his saw. Luther Eldred and wife here to dinner. Fine day mercury 43 Abz. Paid Nelt one 1.25 Dollar and 25 cents. Wind South East.
Jan 23 – Filed Browns saw. Made some bix ins for Theodore.[25] Drawed one load wood. Went over to burg at noon. Went down to M O Streators[26] in Evening. Wind South west. First Egg for the season.
Jan 24 – Mercury 24 Abz in morn. Wind South west.
Jan 25 – Went over got Nancy in morning. Worked on patterns some. Carried Hank and Nancy down to Browns in Evening. Wind South west.
Jan 26 – Mercury 19 Abz in morning. Jim came home after his cloths. Rained in night. Wind South East.
Jan 27 – Rainy day mercury 44 very foggy. Worked on Churn cut grove for head, made head. Wind south west. Snow setled very fast.
Jan 28 – Worked on churn. Fine day all day. Wind south. Mike Hess wife died.
Jan 29 – Fine day. Finished churn in fore noon. Alvin, Ida and Julia called here. Alfleda went home with them. Wind south west. Harry Streators girl Born to day. Hellen Randall helped Born it.[27]
Jan 30 – Very pleasant morning no clouds looks like spring. Mercury 37. Wind North west at noon. Shortened up Mrs Betts cupboard.
Jan 31 – Drove up to Mr Ralphs. Went over to burg bot file &c.[28] Theodore came down to gum saw. Worked on Box some. Got out stuf for pulley to Henrys[29] Buz saw. Sarah went up to Mr Taylors. Mrs Jo Flanders[30] called here. Mr Knap came over. Mrs Fancher buried.[31] Wind North west.
Feb 1 – Mercury Abz 16 in morning. Carried Sarah up to Ralphs in morning. D. Stafford came down and helped turn some patterns. Went after Sarah in Evening. 7 Eggs. Wind North in morning.
Feb 2 – At home all day. No one here. Nice day, cold wind. Got 10 Eggs. Wind North west.
Feb 3 – Worked in shop. Went up in woods got load wood. Worked on pully to Buz saw. Mrs D. K. Rogers died this morning.[32] Browns folks here in Evening. Wind south and south East.
Feb 4 – Put cleats on Dells box. Turned out pully for buz saw. Theodore turned the lathe. Made Nancys Ironing board. Not very cold. Bot three brooms of pedler for fifty cents. Wind south East.
Feb 5 – Carried Sarah over to burg to Mrs D. K. Rogers funerall. Dressed out seat for Dells box. Bot paint. Went over after Sarah at night. Bot oil and venecian red 25¢ paint 50¢. Not very cold. Wind North East. Ruth McLary died 6 oclock P.M.[33]
Feb 6 – Worked on box. Alvin and Julia came up brot Alfleda home. Carried Sarah over to Barbers at noon. Went after her just at night. Wind North West.
Feb 7 – Pleasant morning very good sleighing. Jim came home this morning. Painted Dells Box. Ruth McLary buried to day. Wind west mercury 32 Abz.
Feb 8 – Worked in shop some. Painted Dells box. Mrs Streator[34] called here. Nancy came over with Allen Simmons. Hank came over stayed all night. Wind North west.
Feb 9 – Pleasant morning. Not very good sleighing. Went down to Katherines in afternoon found them all well as usual. Orrin went over to Comstock. Wind North west.
Feb 10 – Carried Nancy home this morning. Got some rivet head nails made for wagon box 10¢. Drawed 3 loads wood in afternoon. Ethan went over to burg. Davis Stafford brot load wood for shop in afternoon. Wind South East 7½ minutes.
Feb 11 – Worked on sash all day. Not very cold. Ethan came home. Wind South.
Feb 12 – Finished my sash. Dressed of cross head for Theodore. Mr Taylor came down after meat grinder. Wind west.
Feb 13 – Turned out some patterns. Primed sash. Edwin Flanders[35] brot down 3 bas boards. Theodore came down. T. C. Ford[36] called in to see Theodore. Snowey and blustrous wind North west. Went over to burg in Evening after Hannah, she no come home. T. C. Ford got runaway with, got hurt some.
Feb 14 – Worked on patterns. Cold and blustrous. Dell Skinner called. Mercury 2 below zero. Wind North west.
Feb 15 – Worked in shop some. Painted sash and Mrs Betts cupboard. Dell went home. Wind south south East.
Feb 16 – At home. Jim and Katharine came up, she stayed. Mercury 20 Abz. Wind North west.
Feb 17 – Went over to burg carried over patterns. Went to Staffords. Went down to A. Browns. Hannah went down to see Mrs Brown[37] about going to Kalamazoo.
Feb 18 – Put glass into shop window. Carried Sarah and Katharine over to burg. Drawed one load wood. Not very good sleighing. Mercury at zero. Wind North west. Carried Hannah over to Nancys in Evening took Mrs Betts cupboard over. Sarah and Katharine came home with me.
Feb 19 – Went over to burg in morning. Katharine went over to see Osgood. Snowey bad day. Carried Katharine home in afternoon. Wind North south East.
Feb 20 – Put glass into sash to south window in shop. Tamer Ford[38] called here. Orrin Lee and Miles came stayed all night. Wind south East.
Feb 21 – Orrin and Miles here making candy. Cold. Wind west Mercury 16 Abz. Volney Hascall Died AE. 59 years.[39]
Feb 22 – Orrin and Miles went over to burg. Pleasant day. Dell and Lois[40] came Dell got his Box. Mercury 36 Abz.
Feb 23 – At home. Carried Hank and Nancy down to A. Browns. Cold west wind. South west wind Mercury 20 Abz.
Feb 24 – Snowey day not very cold. Husked some corn split some wood. Lois and Ina[41] here they washed to day. Wind East mercury 20 Abz.
Feb 25 – Carried Lois over to burg. Brot Mrs Betts over. Lucy[42] and Orrin came up went over to Hanks. I carried Mrs Betts home in Evening. Lucy and Orrin stayed the Evening. Che Che came up had a dance. Wind south East.
Feb 26 – Some blustrous this morning. Wind South west in morning. Worked on patterns some. Paw Paw fruit man Claxton came here. Stayed all night. Wind South west. Good sleighing.
Feb 27 – Mercury 6 Below zero. Worked on patterns. Carried Lois and Sarah down to Browns. Claxton left. Wind south west but cold.
Feb 28 – Worked on patterns orin patterns. Snowed some not very cold. Ethan not very well. Lois here. Wind South East mercury 29 Abz.
Mar 1 – Worked in shop on patterns some. Carried Lois over to burg in Evening. Mercury 44 Abz. Wind south East.
Mar 2 – Mercury 24 Abz. Went down to Marts[43] after Jim, he no come home. Cold wind. Very good sleighing. Wind East.
Mar 3 – Pleasant morning. Worked on patterns. Wind East in morning mercury 18 Abz.
Mar 4 – Worked in shop on twister grear. Carried Lois up to Myron Flanders[44] in afternoon. Alfleda went down to Browns. Sarah went down to Mr Randalls to see Ella. Henry came home stayed all night. Wind North west not very cold.
Mar 5 – Worked on patterns. Stafford came down. Peter Hall came down I filed two saws for him. Henry went up to Mr Flanders in morning. Mr Flanders, Edwin and Henry went over to burg in after noon. D. J. Hart went to Mr Flanders after Lois. She went up to Harts spect Mrs Hart is coming in soon. Wind South East.
Mar 6 – Went over to burg carried patterns over to Foundry. Drawed one load wood. Henry came down I turned pick handle for him. Wind South west.
Mar 7 – Worked on patterns. Not very cold. Henry went home. Lois came back.
Mar 8 – Carried patterns over to burg in morning. Drawed two loads wood two loads corn. D. J. Hart called here. Mrs Brown came up. Wind south mercury 68 Abz.
Mar 9 – Quite warm in morning. Lois and Ina here. Killed two Roosters White Jimme. Rained some had some thunder just at night heavy shower of north. Wind South west very strong. Mercury 58 Abz.
Mar 10 – Finished the circle pattern. Got out three spoke for my wagon wheel. D. J. Hart came after Lois in afternoon. Rained in Evening some Thunder and Lightning, quite warm. Mr T. C. Ford Died to day.[45] Wind South west.
Mar 11 – Repaired my thills[46] to wagon. Wind North west, warm.
Mar 12 – Went to funeral T. C. Ford buried. Made boulster to wagon. Jim came home. Wind North west.
Mar 13 – Put boulster on wagon. Nice warm day. Draw twenty stooks corn one load wood. Wind west.
Mar 14 – Husked some corn. Worked round barn some. Went over to burg in Evening to a dance. Cold wind. Nettie Keith Died to day.[47] Wind west.
Mar 15 – Put End board into wagon box in forenoon. Some blustrous. Wind. Mercury 15 Abz.
Mar 16 – At home all day. Mercury 20 Abz wind North west. Dell and Will[48] came here stayed all night. Nettie Keith buried to day.
Mar 17 – Dell and Ina went home. Ethan went to the burg. Jim and Will went down to Katharines. Painted front End of wagon box. Willard Baty[49] Called here left Postal card. Mercury 17 Abz wind North west.
Mar 18 – Drawed in and husked corn some. Cold. Will Clark[50] here. Wind North west.
Mar 19 – Cold but pleasant. Finished drawing in corn husked some. Mr Henry King started for Nebraska. Wind west.
Mar 20 – Finished husking corn. Went over to burg carried my boots got them tapt 50¢. Went down to M. O. Streators got some scions for grafting. Harry came down in Evening. Wind South East.
Mar 21 – Went over to burg in morning got my Boots. Fine morning. Bot pail 10¢. Mr Thomas Brown of Kalamazoo County superintendant of County Poor.
Mar 22 – Worked round barn and house. Drawed two loads wood. Cold wind. Went over to burg in afternoon to Caucus. Wind west.
Mar 23 – Went down to Marts. Mart gathering sap. Saw Mr Dun. Mr Thomas Brownell Died to day.[51] Wind south west mercury 29 Abz.
Mar 24 – Some rainy. Hannah went down to Mr Browns. Claud went. Will Clark came here. Made plate for Orrin Lees cane cut his name. Wind North West.
Mar 25 – Worked round. Drawed some wood. Chored round. Went over to burg in morning. Ethan came over. Wind west.
Mar 26 – Went over to burg in morning. Sarah went over to Nancys. Made cross head for Theodore. Wind West north west.
Mar 27 – Went down to A. Browns carried lime down. Went up to mill got some bark and wood to butcher with. Wind North west.
Mar 28 – Butchered my Hog. A. Brown helped me. Had a Thunder shower in afternoon. Ethan went over to burg. Wind south East.
Mar 29 – Went over to burg in morning with Orrin Lee. Went to the burying ground. He wanted to see where his grand mother[52] was buried. Salted my pork. Made Orrins cane. Warm day. Wind North west.
Mar 30 – Cold wind. Went down to Marts got some warm shugar. Sent letter and two pictures to Mark.[53] Wind North west.
Mar 31 – Pleasant morning. Worked round. Went over to burg to see Burrows. Went down to Browns got clover one bushel. Bot mop stick. Ambroze, Matilda,[54] Marias, Laury and Cyrus Streator[55] here in Evening. Wind North west.
Apr 1 – Some rain in morning. Ethan went over to Foundry. Wind west in morning.
Apr 2 – Ethan went over to Foundry. Very snowey afternoon. D. J. Hart brot Lois C down. Snow four 4 inches. Cow calved this morning be Jabers had a cow calf be gorry. Wind North West.
Apr 3 – Snows. Went over to burg. Ethan went over. Lois went over to see Mrs Wheeler. Wind North west mercury 18 Abz.
Apr 4 – Went over to burg. Sarah went over to get Mrs Betts dress. Ethan commenced lathing. Got 9.75 cts of county. Wind North west.
Apr 5 – Went over to burg at noon. Took Lois over she went home. Brot Nancy and Frank over. Ethan to work over to Foundry. Fine day. Wind West Nouth west.
Apr 6 – At home. Carried Nancy home at night. Will carried Frank home. Mrs Polly Nobles of Pavilion N. Y. Died.[56] Wind south west.
Apr 7 – Went up in woods cut and sawed some wood. Pleasant day. North west wind.
Apr 8 – Went over to burg in morning got ashes of Hank. Went up in woods sawed some wood. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Wind south west.
Apr 9 – Sawed wood in forenoon. Rained in afternoon. Wind south.
Apr 10 – Sawed wood some. Went down to Charles Lees. Rained some. Wind south.
Apr 11 – Drawed 4 loads wood. Not very cold. Went over to burg in Evening. Sold 19 Doz Eggs 8[?] ct pr Doz. Wind North East.
Apr 12 – Carried Ethan over to burg Nancy came over with me. Wind North.
Apr 13 – At home all day. Alvin Lee, George Newton and Ida here. Wind west.
Apr 14 – Took Ethan over to burg. Jim plowing up by the woods. Cut some brush. Wind North west.
Apr 15 – Jim plowing. Moved log, fixed fence. Got Jesse Earls[57] seed sower. Sowed clover seed in afternoon.
Apr 16 – Worked round. Jim plowing. Wind North.
Apr 17 – Working round garden and house. Henry here. Sherman Cummings and Neal Daniels married.[58] Wind North west.
Apr 18 – Got out manure. Henry and Ethan went to burg. Henry went up to Mr Flanders. Let Henry have two Dollars. Mr Brinningstool Died.[59] Wind west.
Apr 19 – Got out manure and plowed gardens. Planted some potatoes in East garden. Went down to A Browns in Evening. Stranger came here in night about twelve oclock stayed all night, was going to Mr Fords. Wind North East.
Apr 20 – Pleasant morning. Went down to Kates in afternoon. Fine day. Mr Brinningstool died buried to day. Wind North East.
Apr 21 – Went over to burg in morning. Got lumber for windmill patterns of E. R. Strait. Went down to Browns got four bushels wheat. Warm day.
Apr 22 – Went to Comstock to mill. Fine day. Worked on patterns some. Mrs Betsey Lee of Salt Lake City Died to day.[60]
Apr 23 – Worked on patterns some. Warm day. Henry and Ethan work on binder. Hank went to Kalamazoo, had bill.[61]
Apr 24 – Worked on patterns some. Henry and Ethan went over to burg in afternoon. Lawton safe pedler stayed here all night. Wind north.
Apr 25 – Worked on patterns. Jim rolled the wheat. Henry went home. Dave Walker left for Tekonsha.[62] He paid 75¢ for keep overnight. Rained in night. Wind North East.
Apr 26 – Worked in shop on patterns. Warm day. Wind south west.
Apr 27 – Fine day, quite warm, rained some towards night. Hank and Nancy came over after church. Wind south west.
Apr 28 – Worked on patterns. Fine day. Went down to Marts in afternoon with Jim. Mr Hiram Woolcot Died to day.[63] Wind North west.
Apr 29 – Worked in shop on patterns. Went over to burg in Evening. Wind south west.
Apr 30 – Worked on patterns most of the day. Wind East.
May 1 – Fine morning. Worked on patterns some. Wind North East.
May 2 – Worked on patterns. Fine day. Jim plowing in south lot. Wind North.
May 3 – Finished Straits patterns. Jim plowing. Rained in afternoon. Put some grafts in apple tree in south lot. Snocked cow turds some. Wind south west.
May 4 – Rainy morning. Hank had Frank and buggy went up to Rass Towns.[64] Wind North west.
May 5 – Pulled corn stalks. Chored around. Henry came home. Ethan Grafting, Jim plowing. Wind North west.
May 6 – Altered over patterns. Davis Stafford came over. Fine day. Wind North.
May 7 – Finished pattern carried it over to burg. Henry went home. Ethan stayed all night. I glued Johney Blakes violin some. Wind North East.
May 8 – Pleasant day. Ethan over to burg. Work on violin. Old Stocking pedler here, bot 4 prs stockings 55 cts. Cleaned out stove. Mercury 34 some frost. Wind North East stout.
May 9 – Worked on patterns. Went over to burg in Evening. Got some mortar to plaster front room. Wind south East.
May 10 – Barber[65] Came over plastered front room. Nancy came over. Went down to Browns at night. Hank came over. Wind south.
May 11 – Warm. At home all day. No one here. Wind south west.
May 12 – Worked on patterns some. Went over to burg in morning. Jim ploted corn ground. Wind south west.
May 13 – Not much done in shop. Hoed potatoes. Found some bugs. Jim Draged corn ground. Had a shower in afternoon. Wind west.
May 14 – Worked on patterns. Went up to Mr Flanders. Got seed corn and some potatoes snowflake and La_ y Rose. Had a fine rain. Wind North East.
May 15 – Worked in shop some. Rained some. Jim helped Mr Brown plant. I went up to sawmill got to 4×4 scantling. Wind North.
May 16 – Marked out Corn ground. Jim and Will Brown[66] plant. Wind North East. Amos Rogers Died this morning.[67] Warm day.
May 17 – Went down to Mr Browns in morning. Got some seed potatoes. Hannah and Adelfa York[68] went down. Mr Brown and Nancy went to Kalamazoo. Finished planting corn. Carried Sarah over Mrs Betts she stayed all night. Tub[?] came of with nine chickens. Wind North.
May 18 – Warm day. At home all day. Alvin and Julia here. Amos Rogers buried to day. Old Mrs Hurd Died. Wind East.
May 19 – Worked in shop on patterns. Fine day. Sam Cressey called here with a petition for postmaster. Wind south East.
May 20 – Went over to burg in morning with patterns. Hannah and Delpha went up to Jim Milhams.[69] Planted potatoes. Old Mrs Hurd buried to day.[70] Wind north.
May 21 – Cool morning. Went to Kalamazoo after some stiel $2.61 for Binder. Delpha went down to Katharines. Mr Evens Died to day.[71] Wind North East.
May 22 – Mr William Plank Died this morning.[72] Worked on cog circle. Went over to burg twice. Wind south East.
May 23 – Went up in woods got sakes for fence. Drawed three loads slabs from mill to make fence.
May 24 – Went over to burg. Mrs Cornell died.[73] Not much done. Ethan and Hannah went down to Marts stayed all night. Rained in night. Wind south East.
May 25 – At home all day. Dell and Lois came here afternoon. Wind south west.
May 26 – Cool morning. Mrs Lemmon buried to day.[74] Mrs Cornell buried to day. Went to Kalamazoo to get iron. Wind North East.
May 27 – Went over to burg. Got lumber to make platform and door step. Jim plowed some ground for potatoes and corn in south lot. Hannah went up to Mr Flanders to sew for Mate. Wind south west.
May 28 – Warm day. Jim to work for I. D. L. Schram[75] plastering corn. Planted potatoes. Wind south East.
May 29 – Went over to burg in morning after Mrs Betts and Nancy. Sowed some corn planted calafornia corn. Had a fine shower rained in night. Pla[?] wind south East
May 30 – Fine morning. Hoed in garden some. Jim plastered corn. Mad bars out by hen yard and Hogpen. Wind west.
May 31 – Hoed potatoes, corn and berry bushes. Ethan cultivated garden. Windy, verry warm. Had a nice rain. Went over to burg just at night. Nancy came over. Went down to Browns. Rained in night. Wind south.
Jun 1 – Rainy morning. At home all day. R. C. Strait and George Yumans came over to see binder. Wind North East.
Jun 2 – Went over to burg in morning brot Binder patterns home. Planted in corn. Rained some just at night. Wind west south west.
Jun 3 – At home all day. Worked in shop some. Wind south East.
Jun 4 – Went over to burg in morning. Worked in shop some. Hoed some. Frank Tomlinson married to night.[76] Wind North west.
Jun 5 – Went over to burg in morning. Carried over boards to have sawed and planed fore door frames to put netting on. Went over at night got boards. Patty[77] came over with me. Wind North.
Jun 6 – Worked in shop some on patterns some on violin. Jim cultivating corn. Wind North East.
Jun 7 – Worked in shop some on violin and patterns.
Jun 8 – At home some. Went down to Katharines. Patty went down stayed. Jim went to Goguac Lake to Spiritualist meeting.
Jun 9 – Worked in shop on violin some. Turned out some pins for O. D. Schram.[78] Jim cultivated corn. Wind North west.
Jun 10 – Worked on violin put it together. Jim finished cultivating corn. Went over to burg got boots mended. Wind west.
Jun 11 – Went down to Caywood in morning carried Hannahs dress. Went over to burg bot strings pegs for Blakes violin 75¢. Very windy.
Jun 12 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg.
Jun 13 – Went over to burg in morning. Quin[79] left for Ohio. Henry took possession of store. Strait came over. Sarah went over to burg. Henry came over stayed all night.
Jun 14 – West over to burg in morning.
Jun 15 – At home. Mart brot Patty and Katharine up. Stafford and Henry came here.
Jun 16 – Carried Hannah to Mr Flanders. Turned twelve pins for Ayres Raymond. Got two bushels corn of M O Streator. Worked on cultivator.
Jun 17 – Finished cultivator. Jim cultivating.
Jun 18 – Carried all hands over to burg to see show come in. I came home. Hoed some plowed out garden. Sarah, Patty, Katharine and Hannah went.
Jun 19 – Hoed gardens. Davis came down got pattern made. Lucy came up. I went over after Patty and Katharine at night. Henry went to Comstock to get rollers cast.
Jun 20 – Worked in garden. Plowed out gardens. Mr Flanders came down took all the folks up to his house. I carried Katharine home at night.
Jun 21 – Hoed garden. Had a good rain. Went over to burg in Evening. George Travis stayed here all night.
Jun 22 – Cloudy morning. At home. Went in swimming. Warm day. Went over after Nancy.
Jun 23 – Nancy went to Kalamazoo. I went to Comstock after castings. Patty went with me. Henry Nobles married to day at Niles Mich.[80]
Jun 24 – Not much done. Not very well. Henry came over worked on binder. Lucy came up after Hannah and Patty. Hot day Mercury 92 in shade.
Jun 25 – Not very well. No work to day. Jim cultivated Buckwheat ground.
Jun 26 – Not very well. Mr Brown sowed Buckwheat for me. Had a shower in night.
Jun 27 – Carried Sarah over to burg in morning. Jim cultivated corn for Brown. Had a fine shower in afternoon. Dell came after his harvester. Rained in Evening.
Jun 28 – Worked round in shop some. Hoed garden some. Repaired cradle for A. Caywood.
Jun 29 – Fine day. Went down to Winslows Island to a meeting. Patty and Lucy went. Charley Towns[81] Bull screwed a calf into the old Cow so says Jim.
Jun 30 – Hoed some and chored around. Jesse Turner and wife[82] came here stayed all night.
Jul 1 – Hoed in garden some. Jess and Sally went home in afternoon. Went over to burg in Evening bot sack flour 65 cts. Charley Town commenced cutting wheat. Harry Rowland commenced cutting his wheat.
Jul 2 – Some cloudy in morning. Ethan went over to burg. Commenced the step to in and out of Buggy. Painted some.
Jul 3 – Worked round. Put two fingers into A Browns cradle. Went down to novelty shops after castings. Lucy Brot Patty and Hannah up. Will Clark and Lois came.
Jul 4 – I went down after Katharine in morning carried her over to burg. Made boxing and three pins for Jesse Earl.
Jul 5 – Went down to Comstock after twister. Fine day.
Jul 6 – At home. Lois and Will went home. Jim went with them. Had a fine rain in Evening.
Jul 7 – Went to Kalamazoo and Comstock to get castings. Warm day. Folks all cutting wheat. Had a heavy thunder shower in night. Got cabbage plants of H. A. Taylor.[83]
Jul 8 – Went to Kalamazoo after segment. Fine hot day.
Jul 9 – At home. Not much done. Work on binder.
Jul 10 – Worked round shop an garden. Carried Patty down to Marts. Mr Brown cutting wheat. Had a heavy shower.
Jul 11 – Mr Brown finished cutting wheat. Had a shower at noon. I went to Comstock in afternoon got twister cast. Cow gone all night. Carried Sarah over to burg in morning.
Jul 12 – Went over to burg Early in morning after cow, no find her. Went before breakfast, went over again after a while, cow came before I got back. Mr Knap came over. Mr Ralph came down, I Extracted three teeth, he paid fifty cents. Hot day. Ida Barber[84] came over.
Jul 13 – Fine day for harvesting. Davis Stafford came down. Put Binder in opperation.[85] Bound the first bundle of wheat quarter to one P.M. Put six bands around one bundle. Mr Flanders and Mate called here.
Jul 14 – Very hot day. Not much work to day. Lucy Came up just at night after Hannah. Ethan went over to burg in Evening. Mercury 94 in shade. Mr Brown drawed in wheat.
Jul 15 – Very hot morning Mercury 90 in shade in the morning. Picked currants. Mr Knap and Henry came over. Mrs Vradenberg came here stayed all night.
Jul 16 – Hot morning 84 in shade. Went down to Browns got muzle. Mrs Vrandenberg left.
Jul 17 – Plowed out corn an potatoes on hill. Went down to Marts in afternoon.
Jul 18 – Plowed potatoes and corn sout of orchard in forenoon. Went over to burg in afternoon to see Mary and Emmet.[86] They came up to get pictures. Bot two shovel plow shares of W. H. Knapp[87] 80 cts. Jim came home from Lois.
Jul 19 – Hoed some corn on hill. Jim plowed corn. Patty and Kate went to Vicksburg.
Jul 20 – At home all day. Ethan and Henry went down to Marts and Comstock. Hot day.
Jul 21 – Chored round. Hoed some in garden. Jim plowing corn. Very warm day. Willis Oatman and Fred Burrows here in afternoon. Mr Brown cutting oats. Turned some pins for Brown. Claud here just at night. Had a nice rain in night. Mart Milham Sarted his new Engine and Thrasher to day at A. Carletons.[88]
Jul 22 – Rainy morning, a nice rain it is, no wind comes, just right to do good. Lots of wheat out in the shocks. Cut steaks for Tomatoes. Rained in night some Thunder towards morning.
Jul 23 – Some lidle rain in morning. Went over to burg in morning after Mrs Betts. Hoed in garden some.
Jul 24 – Sick all day hard head and back ache. Stafford and Theodore Earl called in in afternoon. Ethan went over to burg. Mrs Betts went home. Rained in morning.
Jul 25 – Fine morning. No work to day. Jim cultivating corn.
Jul 26 – Not much better. I no work to day. Jim work in corn.
Jul 27 – Hank, Will and Jim sarted to go to Lansing to camp meeting. Cars loaded so they could not go. Lucy brot Hannah home in afternoon.
Jul 28 – Fine morning cool not so very hot as it has been.
Jul 29 – Went over to burg in morning got oil and Turpentine. Went over in Evening. Hannah went over to Hanks. I got lumber for steps and board for Nancys lambrequin.[89]
Jul 30 – Went over to burg got lumber plained. Worked on steps some. Very hot.
Jul 31 – Made steps. Sarah and Jim went to Kalamazoo. Bot chairs. Very hot day. Patty and Hellen[90] came home with Sarah and Jim. Mr Olin Came over to see the Binder.
Aug 1 – Very hot. Finished the buggy stand. Jim gone to Comstock.
Aug 2 – Went over to burg in morning after Nancy and Mrs Betts. No work to day. Lucy and Katharine came up here. Louese[91] and Jill Murphy[92] Came on the noon train. Went over at night after trunks, got Jills, no got Loueses trunks some.
Aug 3 – Heavy Thunder shower about four this morning. Lois and Patty went over to Nancys stayed all night.
Aug 4 – Went over to burg after Trunks, no get him. Mrs Flanders, aunt Hannah and Mate[93] here in afternoon. I made plow beam for Charley Town.
Aug 5 – Fine Morning. Not very well not much done.
Aug 6 – Went over to burg at noon. Mrs Storms Died about noon.[94] Went down to Katharines in afternoon stayed all night.
Aug 7 – Went over to Mr Maloneys with Mart saw his Engine and Thrasher. Went to Kalamazoo with Patty and Katharine. They started for Perry[95] went on the one forty train. Fare from K. to B. $11.35 cts. Nelson Blass Barns, sheds and stacks burnt in Evening.
Aug 8 – Went over to burg in morning, carried Hannah over, got Lelah.[96] I went to Kalamazoo got casting to Comstock 75 cts. Carried Lelah here at night. Barnums Show in town to day. Hank, Nancy and Hannah went. Louese and Lill went to Shermans Lake in afternoon with Will Brown and Frank Hubbard.[97]
Aug 9 – Chored round. Painted steps and door.
Aug 10 – At home all day. No one here.
Aug 11 – Went down to Marts got some wheat. Got corn of M. O. Streator. Claud went with me. Went over to burg in Evening. Nancy sick.
Aug 12 – Went to Mill. Nancy came over stayed all day.
Aug 13 – Painted some East side house and steps. Rained some. Jim plowed out potatoes. Ethan worked on moddle for Strait.
Aug 14 – Jim and Bill helping I. D. L. Schram Thrash. R. E. Strait[98] came over to get his big pattern change. Rained some in night. Girls went down to Mr Browns. Stranger called here got hammer to fix buggy spring. Pioneer Pickinic at Schoolcraft to day.
Aug 15 – Cloudy rained some in morning. Thrashing Riddlers wheat on Theodores lot. Martha Knapp Died in the night.[99]
Aug 16 – Worked on patterns altered one Straits big pattern. Went over to burg at noon and Evening. Louese and Jill went up to Jim Milhams.
Aug 17 – Working on pattern some.
Aug 18 – Worked on pattern finished patterns. Alva Burgess Died about noon to day.[100] Jim moving stove.
Aug 19 – Finished moving stove. Working on pattern. Boy from Jackson Called here and fed cow. He was going to Vicksburg.
Aug 20 – Jim gone to Picknic to Sherman Lake. Finished pattern. Alva Burgess buried to day.
Aug 21 – Worked in shop some. Turned some washers for Strait. Ethan and girls went down to Marts, had Browns colts Nip and Tuck.
Aug 22 – Not very well. Sis[101] and lill went over to Mrs Betts. I drawed load wood.
Aug 23 – Went over to Vicks burg stayed with Mr York and Hellen.[102] Found them all well. Nice day.
Aug 24 – Went over to Schoolcraft to Spiritualist meeting. Went back to Hellens stayed all night. Found Memorandum book in buggy when I got back to Vicksburg.
Aug 25 – Left Vicksburg about 3 PM for home got home about sun down all right. Went and saw Ives Foundry. Nice Building.
Aug 26 – Worked round house and garden. Lill Murphy went home to night.
Aug 27 – Went up in woods cut some wood. Fixed fence some. Went over to burg at night brot Mrs Betts over. Very dry.
Aug 28 – Working round some. Mrs Betts and Sarah went down to A Browns. Will carried Mrs Betts home.
Aug 29 – Went up in woods got two loads wood. Steamer Thrashing to towns. Mart Thrashing up to Jims. Ethan and Louese went up there just at night. I went over to burg in Evening. Very warm and dry. Jim helping Town Thrash.
Aug 30 – Jim over to Towns. Mercury 84 in shade at nine A.M. 94 at 2 PM. Allerton thrashing. Mart Thrashing up to Nyes. Gefired hot. Sarah went to Dowagiac[103] on the Through freight about 12 oclock in night.
Aug 31 – At home all day. Jesse Earl came down here after some Tanzy.[104] Very hot day. Davis Stafford came here.
Sep 1 – Commenced topping corn. Commenced to rain quater to three PM some Thunder. Mart Thrashing to Jim Spires.[105] Rained most all night. Ethan went to Kalamazoo in afternoon.
Sep 2 – Raining nicely, rained all day. Carried Bags down to A Browns Thrashing. Went over to burg. Expresed Pocketbook to Newton Hutchings, Wakelee Cass Co Mich. Rained all night.
Sep 3 – Raining nicely. No work to day. Went over to burg in rain after Louese. Stopt raining about Eight in Evening 41 hours rain. Thrashers went up to Earls. Henry went up to Whites to tend mill.
Sep 4 – Pleasant morning. Thrashers at Randalls. Went down to Jacksons[106] to see some hogs. Randall had 140 bus wheat. Went down to Browns got my wheat 12 bushels.
Sep 5 – Pleasant day. Went down to Jacksons got sow $6.00. Topt some corn.
Sep 6 – Topping corn. Cloudy some wind. Mr Knap came over in morning.
Sep 7 – At home all day. No one here. Fine day. Hank and Nancy down to Browns. Nancy had toothache all day and night.
Sep 8 – Nice day. Topping corn. Jim over to burg. Ethan went over to burg. Louese went with him. Sow pigged about 4 four PM had Six pigs.
Sep 9 – Topping Corn. Ethan went over to burg in morning. Mr & Mrs Brown went over and got Lelah going to wean her. Nancy sick. Warm day.
Sep 10 – Topping corn. Warm day.
Sep 11 – Topping corn. Ethan went over to burg. I carried Hannah down to Mr Browns. Paid M. O. Streator for Corn 2.33. Turned seven pins for Mr Streator.
Sep 12 – Bound and set up wheat corn stalks I cut yesterday. Commenced raining half past nine AM.
Sep 13 – Cut corn stalks. Claud and Lelah here. Carried them home.
Sep 14 – At home all day. Sis came over just at night. Ethan and Hannah went around the square up by Powlisons Sharpsteens.
Sep 15 – Pleasant some wind. Topping corn some. Mowers stopt at the corners East of house set up their stoves and got dinner. Two wagons, smart looking folks set table, they went south.
Sep 16 – Went over to burg in morning. Carried over 15 day & 5 Eggs 1.80 ct. Went up in woods cut down tree got load wood.
Sep 17 – Topt corn some. Jule Allen[107] came here stayed all night.
Sep 18 – Went over to burg in morning got Nancy and Loese. Finished topping corn. Mr Terry here to dinner. They all went away at night.
Sep 19 – Cutting wood. Fine day. Drawed two loads wood. Mrs Vrandenberg here. Mrs Forbush and Blake here in afternoon.
Sep 20 – Cut wood in forenoon. Went over to burg after Sarah she no come. Old Cow got choaked. Went down got Mr Brown. Ethan & Hannah went over to burg in Evening. Claud came home with them. Nice weather.
Sep 21 – Pleasant morning. At home all day.
Sep 22 – Fine day. Got some wood. Sarah came home on noon train. Mr William Gilmore Died to day AE. 70 years.[108]
Sep 23 – Went over to burg got load lumber of Strait. Went down to Katharines just at night. Rained when we came home. Saw Mr Huntington he had been down to Perry.
Sep 24 – Pleasant Morning. Went over to burg got lumber roof boards & floorboard. The whole amount 6.59. Hannah went down Mr Browns. Nancy & Louese went also too.
Sep 25 – Worked. Worked on sills. Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo to County Fair.
Sep 26 – Put sills together. Chored around. Rained in night. Done Belas chores. Went over to burg in Evening got oil, bot ½ bushel Peaches. The Philothumpers[109] had a show in burg this Evening. Done B. Wrights[110] chores milked two cows fed five pigs pumpd water for five nine head of cattle & one horse.
Sep 27 – Rainy forenoon. Went over to burg after the girls. Made whiffletree[111] for A. Brown. Punched pan for a steamer for Mrs Brown. Sarah went over and stayed with Jane Hoag.[112] Done Belas chores.
Sep 28 – Rained hard in forenoon. Went over to Janes after Sarah. Went down to Katharines. Katharine got home. Ella Randall Died to day.[113] Done Belas chores.
Sep 29 – Cut and drawed my corn and pumpkins in south lot. Cut the fodder and one swath Buckwheat. Done Belas chores.
Sep 30 – Cut Buckwheat in forenoon. Went to Ella Streators funeral in afternoon. Very pleasant day. Done Belas chores.
Oct 1 – Went over to burg in morning. Drawed cornfodder in forenoon. Cut and set up Buckwheat in afternoon. Ethan and carried Jims Bed over to burg this Evening. Mercury 86 in shade noon. Very hot day.
Oct 2 – Cut Buckwheat and chored round.
Oct 3 – Worked in Buckwheat. Cut and put up some. Ethan and Hannah went down to Marts.
Oct 4 – Finished my Buckwheat. Nice day.
Oct 5 – Very warm morning. At home all day. Mercury 100 at the burg.
Oct 6 – Chored around. Carried two bushels wheat to mill. Bot lamp chimney 1.20. Tamer Ford stayed here all night. Mrs Brown here in Evening.
Oct 7 – Nancy came over this morning. Carried Nancy home in Evening. Mrs Barber[114] and Ida came over.
Oct 8 – Carried Sarah down to Browns. She went to Kalamazoo with Browns folks. Rainy day. Ed Childs folks came here stayed all night. Got timber for sills to Sxxx house.
Oct 9 – Fine morning Mercury 82 in morning in shade. Childs folks went to Plainwell.
Oct 10 – Warm day. Fraimed falce sills to shit house. Mercury 93 in afternoon. Mrs Skinner and Sate[115] came stayed all night. Had a heavy shower in night. Mrs Stevenson Died to night.[116] Mrs Stowell buried to day.[117]
Oct 11 – Very warm day. Work on Privy some. Raised my Shithouse. D. J. Harts Baby died to day.[118] Ambrose, Matilda and Jule here in Evening.
Oct 12 – Mrs Skinner, Sarah and Sate went down to A. Browns. Very hot day uncomen warm. Hank and Nancy went down to Browns. Had showers North and East of us in afternoon. Had a thundershower in night. Rained hard in night.
Oct 13 – Carried Hannah down to Katharines. Dell and Lois came here to dinner. Mrs. Harts baby buried to day.
Oct 14 – Went over to burg got money on order. Not very well. Chored round some.
Oct 15 – Sowed clover and Timothy seed on west lot. Hot day Mercury 84 Abz. Alfleda went to Paw Paw.[119] Mrs Betts came over with sis to stay all night in Pig pen. I am 66 years old to day.
Oct 16 – Turned over Buckwheat got load wood husked some corn.
Oct 17 – Worked on backhouse sided it up. Warm day.
Oct 18 – Put roof boards on college. Rainy some, some cooler.
Oct 19 – Went over to burg after Louese. Nancy and Hank came over. Jim and Louese went down to Katharines.
Oct 20 – Fine pleasant morning. Paid James Jackson Seven Dollars this morning for Sow.
Oct 21 – Drawed Buckwheat. Thrashed some. Jim helped Louese in store. Sarah and Nancy went down to M. O. Streators.
Oct 22 – Thrashed Buckwheat got it all in at night. Hannah went to Mr Simmons in morning.
Oct 23 – Cool some rainy. Mrs Skinner, Sate and Sarah went over to Nancys. Rained snowed and blowed and rained. Finished Thrashing Buckwheat had 10 & one ½ bushels. Mrs Skinner and Sate stayed here all night.
Oct 24 – Cool North East wind. Mrs Skinner and Sate went home to day. Dug potatoes in south lot and some in corn field.
Oct 25 – Went up in woods got load wood. Chored round.
Oct 26 – Went down to Katharines stayed all night. Lucy and Katharine out to Hellens. Hellen is very sick with Typhoid fever.
Oct 27 – Came home from Kates in forenoon. Husked corn in afternoon. Nice weather.
Oct 28 – Husked corn to day. E. R. Strait over here to work on patterns. Some windy. Henry came home to day. Hellen some better this morning.
Oct 29 – Husking corn. Very windy. Mart thrashing clover to to J. Flanders. Henry went up to see Stafford.
Oct 30 – Husking corn put in 30 bushels. Fine day. Went to mill 2 Bushels wheat one and half corn.
Oct 31 – No work to day. Mr Stephen Hall and wife here to day carried them over to Hoags at night. Old Mr Nye Died.[120]
Nov 1 – Carried Louese over to burg in forenoon. Nancy, Louese and the children went up to Skinners[?] on the noon train. Went over to burg in Evening after Jims things. Sawed some wood.
Nov 2 – Snows like fun not very cold. Snow fell 8¾ inches. Henry L. and Hank Brown stayed all night. Hannah went up to Mr Ralphs. Nancy and Louese out to Loises. Old Mr Nye Buried to day.
Nov 3 – Pleasant shiny morning. Not much done. Went up in wood got one load wood.
Nov 4 – Put up stove in shop. Theodore called here. Jim went Kalamazoo with Mr Brown.
Nov 5 – Snows some this morning. Drawed one load wood two loads corn. Ethan casting his moddle castings.
Nov 6 – Pleasant day. Went down to Katharines. All at home. Hellen some better. Louese and Ina came home this morning.
Nov 7 – Husking corn. Nice day.
Nov 8 – Husking corn. Lois and Will came. Finished husking in the lot. Rained in night.
Nov 9 – Cloudy morning not very cold. Mr Browns folks here in Evening. Mrs Emeline Davison and Mrs Corkins[121] came with them.
Nov 10 – Jim and Will husked corn in afternoon for Brown. Killed two pigs in forenoon. Lois and Nancy went down to Katharines. Had a thunder shower in night. Thundered and Ligtened right smart.
Nov 11 – Cloudy and warm. Lois went up to Mr Flanders. Carried Hannah down to J. Gibbenys. Jim husking for Mr Brown. Rained some Mercury 69. Worked in stable. Rainy night warm spring weather.
Nov 12 – Mercury 64 in morning. Rainy morning real spring weather. Ethan and Henry working on moddle. Ethan making pattern for J. C. Blake.
Nov 13 – Dug some potatoes in East garden. Lois and Sally[122] went over to Nancys. Ethan carried Blakes patterns over to foundry. Bot Barn door hook of Bidwell. Mercury 70 Abz.
Nov 14 – Some rainy some thunder some Lighting about four Oclock. Went over to burg in morning. Lois went over stayed with Nancy. Went up in woods. Jim and Will Mercury 64 Abz sawed some wood. I cut down tree. Boys all went over to burg in afternoon to the theater Philometheans.[123]
Nov 15 – Jim went down to Katharines. Chored round.
Nov 16 – At home all day. All well.
Nov 17 – Drawed cornfodder and sweet corn out of west garden. Mary Ann Oscar[124] called here.
Nov 18 – Sawed wood up in woods, sawed up the black oak. Mary Ann came down stayed all night.
Nov 19 – Jim and I sawed up tree in forenoon cut 21 logs or lengths of stove wood. Very Windy day. Mary Ann went up to her Fathers.[125] Henry an Ethan went to burg. Mr Brown drawing corn.
Nov 20 – Drawed two loads wood. Chored around. Went down to Browns in afternoon carried crick bed scythe and sage and various things. Cold windy day. Forty years ago to night I played for a Wedding party at Comstock. D. M. Hall and Matila Newman wer married.[126]
Nov 21 – Cold some snow flying this morning. Working around house and barn. Went over to burg carried over 3 bushels Buckwheat. Took Dinner with Mrs Betts also Tea. Had Oysters for Dinner.
Nov 22 – Went over and got Buckwheat flour in morning. Chored round.
Nov 23 – Carried Jim down to Marts. He is going to school down there. Hank & Nancy called here when they went home in Evening. Hannah went down to Mr Browns in Evening. She is sewing for Jule & Mrs Corkins.
Nov 24 – Worked up in woods in forenoon. Henry and Sarah went over to burg at noon. Hank and Nancy went to Kalamazoo, they had Bill and buggy. High wind South west. Wind South West.
Nov 25 – Worked round cut some wood. Went up to the sawmill got plank to make cross head. Went down to Mr Browns in Evening Mrs Corkins.
Nov 26 – Went down to Browns got bedstead. Drawed two loads wood. Rainy afternoon. Mrs Corkins left for home[127] on Evening train.
Nov 27 – Rainy. Not much done but chores. Boys to work in shop.
Nov 28 – Made cross head for Theodore. Ethan and Henry over to burg. Some windy no snow.
Nov 29 – Worked around house in shop some. Went over to burg in Evening. Brot Nancy, Hannah, Louese and Claud and Lelah. Hank came over on foot. Not very cold, some windy, no snow.
Nov 30 – All at home. Jim came up from Marts. Carried Hanks folks in Evening. Claud took sled home to use a while.
Dec 1 – Very pleasant day sun shines no wind. Choring round. Barber brot his wheel over to get it new rimmed.
Dec 2 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg, bot lamp chimneys and tin for stovepipe. Not very cold.
Dec 3 – Sawed out felloes[128] for Barbers wheel. Repaired Hugh Aldrich violin. Filed saw for N. L. Randal.[129]
Dec 4 – Cloudy not very cold. Cattle out to pasture. Drawed two loads wood. Boys to work on Binder.
Dec 5 – Fine day sun shone all day. Rimed Barbers wheel. Carried 3 bushels wheat to mill just at night. Hugh Aldrich got his violin 25¢. Seems like spring.
Dec 6 – Worked round shop and house. Not much done.
Dec 7 – Went down to Marts. All well. No snow not very cold.
Dec 8 – Chored round. Carried Hannah Went over to burg after Hannah. Robert Crawford[130] came on noon train.
Dec 9 – Rainy not very cold. Robert, Sarah and I went over to burg at noon took dinner with Mrs Betts. Had a big shower rained all night.
Dec 10 – Rained this morning not quite warm Mercury 58 Abz. Worked on R. E. Straits violin. Carried Hannah over to burg at night brot Sarah home. Robert went to Battlecreek. Henry went up to the Creek to get some Steel to make needle point. Freezing some tonight no snow.
Dec 11 – Put Straits violin together. Nice day for the time of year.
Dec 12 – At home. Drawed wood. Robert came over. Not much done. Nice weather for winter no snow.
Dec 13 – At home. Went over to burg in Evening after Hannah. Jesse W. Turners 80 Eightieth birthday.
Dec 14 – Robert came over in morning stayed until noon. He went over to burg stayed to Nancys all night. Jim and Katharine came up.
Dec 15 – Snowed and blows some like winter. Jim Came home this morning. Went over to burg. Robert left on the one Oclock run he went to Dowagiac.
Dec 16 – Worked round cut some wood drawed some wood. About four inches snow. Hannah went to Mrs Howlets to sewing or to make a woolen Gown.
Dec 17 – Worked round house and shop. Went over to burg just at night after Ethan. Blake made needle for Binder.
Dec 18 – Some sleighing. Ethan went over to burg after needle. I went up in woods cut one load wood. Hannah Came home She went back to Caywoods. Mr Caywood Came and got sewing machine. He no freeze not much some.
Dec 19 – Cut and drawed one load wood. Carried 7½ bushels Buckwheat to Mill. Not very good sleighing. Paid Katharines tax $18.88 cts. Elmer Latell came down and got some Turning done.
Dec 20 – Chored round in forenoon. Went over to mill in afternoon. Saw Quinn Streator and Solomon Kingsley.
Dec 21 – At home all day. Very windy cold East wind. Rain and sleet in Evening, not much snow.
Dec 22 – Sleigh runs verry nicely this morning. Hannah at Caywoods. Henry going to the creek to get goods. Quincy Streator went back to Ohio to day.
Dec 23 – Shelled some corn took it to mill 4 bushels. Sarah went over to burg stayed all day. Went over at night after her. Henry got back from the creek. Very good sleighing. Hannah came home from Caywoods.
Dec 24 – Not very cold, some ice, river very high. Went over to burg in Evening.
Dec 25 – Went At home. Very blustrous. Went over to burg. Went down to Browns. Carried saw home. Jim and I sawed wood in forenoon.
Dec 26 – Cold and blustrous. Went over to burg. Carried boards over to get plainned for panels. Got grist. Mercury 6 Abz.
Dec 27 – Not very cold Mercury 19 Abz ca.
Dec 28 – At home. Jim came up. Louese at home to day.
Dec 29 – Drawed four loads wood. Went over to burg got my boards at Straits.
Dec 30 – Put in knee to Charley Towns bob, he paid 75 cts. Not very cold, not much snow, rather sandy sleighing.
Dec 31 – Snows some. Ethan gone over to burg. Mercury 29 Abz at nine 30 AM
——-
[1] Known better, and referred to, as Luke
[2] Galesburg, Michigan
[3] Edna Alice (Crawford) Allen, the daughter of his wife’s late brother, Edwin, & Mary (Hamilton) Crawford
[4] Neighbors, Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown, who were the parents of his son-in-law, Henry Brown. Matilda’s sister, Julia Allen, who lived with Ambrose & Matilda, was also there
[5] His son-in-law and daughter, Henry & Nancy (Keith) Brown
[6] His mother-in-law, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts
[7] Both the Brown and Keith families were believers in Spiritualism and participated in seances. Chee Chee was Ambrose Brown’s spirit guide
[8] January 1-5 entries were originally written in the back of his 1878 dairy and then copied into his 1879 diary. This phrase, however, was only in his 1878 diary
[9] His daughter, Hannah Keith
[10] FindAGrave.com shows that Lucinda (Curtis) Brown died January 4, 1879 in Warsaw, Wyoming County, New York, and is buried in Wrights Corner Cemetery, Wyoming, New York
[11] His cousin, the son of Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee
[12] His son, Ethan Keith
[13] FindAGrave.com confirms that Phillip Goodrich died January 6, 1879 in Galesburg, Michigan, and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Comstock, Michigan
[14] His youngest son, James Clinton Keith
[15] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith
[16] His son-in-law, Adelbert Skinner
[17] Alfleda (Starr) Keith, the widow of his brother, Harvey Keith
[18] Above zero
[19] His sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee
[20] His cousin, Orrin Strong Lee, the son of Ezekiel & Elizabeth (Strong) Lee
[21] His grandson, Claude Keith Brown
[22] Hannah was a seamstress so it is thought this was one of the items she used in her sewing
[23] Luke uses this phrase quite often. The Oxford Dictionary gives its meaning as “vigorously or quickly”
[24] Neighbor, Joseph Flanders
[25] His neighbor and “shirttail relative,” Theodore Earl
[26] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator
[27] Mabel Streator was born to Henry “Harry” & Helen (Randall) Streator. Since Helen is the baby’s mother, presume Luke is being funny. Harry Streator was the son of Marius & Laura (Rawson) Streator
[28] Etc.
[29] His son, Henry Lindsey Keith
[30] Neighbor, Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders
[31] FindAGrave.com records show that Almira Fancher, the wife of Jacob Fancher, died January 30, 1879 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[32] FindAGrave.com reveals that Eliza (Beadle) Rogers died February 3, 1879 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[33] Michigan death records confirm that Ruth (Scarborough) McClary died in Charleston, Michigan on February 5 and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[34] Laura (Rawson) Streator, the wife of Marius O. Streator (see footnote to January 23rd entry)
[35] Neighbor, Edwin P. Flanders, the son of Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders
[36] Neighbor, Thomas Clark Ford
[37] Matilda (Allen) Brown (see footnote to January 1st entry)
[38] Mary Tamer Ford, the daughter of neighbors Thomas & Adelia (Tompkins) Ford
[39] FindAGrave.com records show that Volney Hascall died on February 24, 1879 (not the 21st), in Kalamazoo County, Michigan and is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan
[40] His son-in-law and daughter, Adelbert & Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner
[41] His granddaughter, Ina, the daughter of Adelbert & Lois Skinner
[42] Lucy (Lee) Milham, his niece (Catherine’s daughter by her second husband, George Clinton Lee)
[43] Martin Milham, the husband of his niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham
[44] Neighbor
[45] FindAGrave.com records reveal that Thomas C. Clark died on March 10, 1879 in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[46] The long shaft between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon
[47] Jessie “Nettie” Keith was the daughter of his cousin, James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith. FindAGrave.com shows that she died on March 3 (not the 14th) and is buried in Covert Cemetery, Covert, Michigan
[48] Believe he is referring to his grandson (see footnote to March 18th entry)
[49] Willard C. Batey, the brother of Mary Ann (Batey) Keith (see footnote to March 14th entry)
[50] His grandson, William Byron Clark, the son of his daughter Lois by her first husband, Byron Clark
[51] Michigan death records and FindAGrave.com confirm that Thomas C. Brownell died March 29, 1879 and is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan
[52] From Luke’s diary entry of 2-28-1863: Mark & Joseph Lee Brot up Aunt Rhodas remains & buried them side of Clinton. (Note: Marquis deLafayette Lee was the grandson and Joseph Warren Lee was the son of Charles Lee & Rhoda Keith. Believe “Clinton” refers to George Clinton Lee, Charles & Rhoda’s son.) George Clinton Lee was buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[53] “Mark” is referred to quite often in Luke’s earlier diaries and it is believed Luke 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 lived with his aunt, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee, until the Spring of 1870 when he moved to Utah
[54] Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown; see footnote to the January 1st entry)
[55] Neighbors, Marius O. Streator, and his wife, Laura (Rawson) Streator; it is believed Cyrus Streator, who lived in Waverly, Michigan, was Marius’ brother
[56] Mary “Polly” (Sprague) Nobles was the first cousin of Luke’s first wife, Jerusha Crittenden. FindAGrave.com confirms that she died April 6, 1879 in Pavilion, Genesee County, New York and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York
[57] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”
[58] No marriage record was found; however, the 1880 census shows Sherman Comings and his wife, Cornelia Comings, living in Comstock, Michigan
[59] Michigan death records show that Alanson Brininstool died April 17, 1879 in Comstock, Michigan; his burial location is unknown
[60] Elizabeth (Strong) Lee was the wife of Dr. Ezekiel Lee, Luke’s first cousin. She actually died in Peoa, Utah, and was the mother of Orrin Lee (see footnote to January 12th entry)
[61] His horse
[62] Tekonsha is located in Calhoun County, Michigan
[63] Michigan death records show that Hiram Wolcott died April 27, 1879 in Climax, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Boughton Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan
[64] His neighbor, Erasmus Towne
[65] His neighbor, Richard Barber
[66] Ambrose & Matilda Brown’s son, Willis Brown
[67] Michigan death records confirm that Amos Rogers, age 33, died of consumption on May 16, 1879 and FindAGrave.com reveals that he is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan
[68] Marion Adelpha York, the granddaughter of his sister, Katharine (Keith) Bradley Lee
[69] James Milham was the half-brother of Martin Milham (see footnote for March 2nd entry)
[70] FindAGrave.com confirms that Anna Hurd was buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan on May 20, 1879
[71] Michigan death records reveal that Andrus M. Evans died May 21, 1879 in Charleston, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan
[72] FamilySearch.com shows that William Plank died May 2, 1879 [as opposed to May 22] and FindAGrave.com lists his place of burial as Greenwood Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan
[73] Michigan death records reveal that Hepsa Cornell died May 24, 1879 and FindAGrave.com shows that she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan
[74] Michigan death records reveal that Isabel Lemon died May 24, 1879 in Pavilion, Michigan
[75] Neighbor, Isaac D. L. Schram
[76] Michigan marriage records confirm that John F. Tomlinson married Hattie A. Root in Concord, Jackson County, Michigan on June 4, 1879
[77] His sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague
[78] Neighbor, Orrin D. Schram. Orrin was the father of Isaac D. L. Schram (see footnote for May 28th entry)
[79] Neighbor, John Quincy Streator, the son of Marius O. Streator
[80] Michigan marriage records show that Henry Nobles married Katie B. Nickhane on June 23, 1879 in Niles, Michigan
[81] Neighbor, Charles Towne; his daughter Hannah’s future husband
[82] Jesse & Sarah “Sally” (Davis) Turner; Luke and Jesse were maternal first cousins
[83] Neighbor, Hannibal “Hat” A. Taylor
[84] Daughter of neighbors, Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber
[85] For more about the binder see my blog post at https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2018/11/15/ethan-keith-inventor
[86] Mary (Hamilton) Crawford and her son, Emmett Patrick Crawford, the wife and son of the late Edwin Crawford who was the brother of Luke’s wife, Sarah
[87] Neighbor, William H. Knapp
[88] Neighbor, Albert Carlton
[89] A short piece of decorative drapery hung over the top of a door or window or draped from a shelf or mantelpiece
[90] Believe this to be Helen (Bradley) York, the daughter of Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee, and niece of Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague
[91] His daughter, Louese Keith; she had been living in Chicago with her uncle and aunt, Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, while attending school there
[92] Assume she was Louese’s friend from Chicago
[93] Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders; her husband Joseph’s sister, Hannah (Flanders) Wilmarth; uncertain as to Mate Flanders’ identity
[94] Michigan death records show that Alice (Hughes) Storms died at the age of 32 on August 6, 1879 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Prairieville Cemetery in Prairieville, Michigan
[95] Perry, Wyoming County, New York; his sister Patty’s daughter and son-in-law, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson, lived in Perry
[96] His granddaughter, Lela Brown, Nancy & Henry Brown’s daughter who was almost one year old
[97] Neighbor, the son of Albert & Margaret (Jackson) Hubbard
[98] Neighbor, Ransom E. Strait
[99] Michigan death records indicate that Martha (Knapp) Perry, age 24, died of Typhoid Fever on August 15, 1879
[100] Michigan death records, the 1880 Census Mortality Schedule and FindAGrave.com show that Alvah/Elva Burgess, age 23, died of consumption on August 18, 1879 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[101] Nickname for his daughter, Louese Keith
[102] Joseph & Helen (Bradley) York; Helen was the daughter of Luke’s sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee
[103] Dowagiac, Michigan, where the family of Sarah’s late brother, Edwin Crawford, lived
[104] A perennial flowering plant of the aster family. Tansy was used to treat intestinal worms, rheumatism, digestive problems, fevers, sores, and to bring out measles
[105] Neighbor, James Spier
[106] Believe he is referring to his neighbor, James Jackson
[107] Julia Allen, Matilda (Allen) Brown’s sister
[108] The 1880 Federal Census Mortality Schedule confirms that William Gilmore, aged 70, died in New York in September 1879 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York, although it shows the date of death as 1878
[109] Believe he is referring to Bible lovers
[110] Neighbor, Bela Wright
[111] 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
[112] Neighbor, Sarah Jane (Mason) Hoag
[113] The 1880 Federal Census Mortality Schedule confirms that Helen “Ella” (Randall) Streator, age 25, wife of Henry “Harry” Streator (see footnote to January 29th entry), died of consumption on September 28, 1879 and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[114] Mary (Knowles) Barber
[115] Adelbert Skinner’s (see footnote to January 16th entry) mother and sister, Sarah (Knight) Skinner and Sarah “Sate” Skinner
[116] Michigan death records show that Julietta Stephenson, age 37, died in Comstock, Michigan on October 10, 1879; however no other information concerning her was found at this time
[117] Michigan death records show that Mary Stowell, age 58, died of heart disease in Comstock on October 8, 1879; no other information was found
[118] Michigan death records show that Frances Bell Hart, age 7 months, died in Richmond, Michigan, on October 11, 1879, and FindAGrave.com shows that she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Hart and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan
[119] Paw Paw, Michigan, where Alfleda’s (see footnote to January 10th entry) daughter Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee’s family lived
[120] Michigan death records shows that Jonathan Nye died October 31, 1879 in Charleston, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan
[121] Believe this is actually Mary (Allen) Calkins, Matilda (Allen) Brown’s sister. She is also mentioned on November 23, 25 & 26
[122] Assume he is referring to his wife, Sarah. Their marriage license lists her name as Sally
[123] The Philomathean Society was founded in 1813 “for the advancement of learning” and appears to have been a sort of debate society. Perhaps this is what Luke was referring to
[124] His nephew and his wife, James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith
[125] John Batey, who lived in Pavilion, Michigan
[126] Luke made the following entry in his 1839 Ledger/Diary: “November the 20 1839 Attended A party at Cumstock or A wedding rather.” Results from a search of Ancestry.com shows a family tree (Lisa Grace Warren Family Tree) wherein Daniel Mason Hall (1816-1891) married Matilda D. Newman (1820-1908) about 1840
[127] The 1880 census shows she was living in Wysox, Carroll County, Illinois
[128] Felloe or felly – rim, or segment of the rim, of a spoked wheel
[129] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall
[130] His wife’s brother
The Diaries of Charles Luke Keith Jr 