Jeremiah Cunningham
Diary
1866
Transcribed by Sylvia Hasenkopf from a copy of the original diary.
This project was made possible by the support of Barbara Coughlin
Monday January 1, 1866
This morning finds me in Rhine beck to C.W. Northrops. Myself & family have our
photographs taken. We are enjoying good health.
Tuesday January 2, 1866
The weather is fine. I travel around the village untill 1 oclock then Huldie and
I go and deliver a message to P.C. Mathews (Staatsburgh) have a fine ride get
home at six oclock
Wednesday January 3, 1866
Very fine weather. I go with Charles Northrop and deliver three messages. Chas.,
Katie, Huldie and myself go to the Cemetery, Paper Mill & Foundry then have safe
and sound, in the evening to a Nigger Ball. Big thing.
Thursday, January 4, 1866
In good health all but Kate, she has the sick head-ach, at ten (10) oclock I get
a message from ??? At 20 minutes of 1 oclock we take the Hack for Rhinecliff, at
2 the cars, at 4 the N. Ferry boat, then meet Wesley, get home at 8 oclock.
Friday, January 5, 1866
Very pleasant but chilly winds. I spend the day at Wesley’s.
Saturday, January 6, 1866
Pleasant. We go up home on the mountain get home at three oclock to Geo. Blac.,
Esq.
Sunday, January 7, 1866
Very pleasant I go down Fathers then up to Uncle George’s again.
Monday, January 8, 1866
I go to Windham this evening Huldie go 2 watch the sick all night. Very cold
weather.
Tuesday, January 9, 1866
Cold but pleasant. Huldie goes to make her first visit to the Esq.
Wednesday, January 10, 1866
At home all day.
Thursday, January 11, 1866
Quite warm today. I go to Durham buy ??? sacks
Friday, January 12, 1866
I go to Geo. L. Rogers to look at some wood, chop for Father in the afternoon.
Saturday, January 13, 1866
Today Huldie is 22 years of age. I help Geo. Blackeslee clean up oats 132 bus.
then Huldie & I go up to W. Finches. Milo is teamster – big thing.
Sunday, January 14, 1866
Very blustering all day. Huldie & I keep very quiet at Mr. Finches.
Monday, January 15, 1866
Very pleasant but cold. I go to Durham see the Deacon Baldwin Esq. then home
over to Mr. Finches home again.
Tuesday, January 16, 1866
It snows a little. I go to Durham to see Deacon Baldwin and make a bargin with
him for one year then up to Grandmother Blackeslee some
Wednesday, January 17, 1866
I spend the day at my Grandmother and this evening to Mr. Doolittle stay there
all night
Thursday, January 18, 1866
Came home and commenced to chop wood for Geo. L. Rogers Esq. 1½ cords Very warm
and pleasant.
Friday, January 19, 1866
Chop wood for Geo. L. Rogers, Esq 1½ cords Very warm.
Saturday, January 20, 1866
Sold my watch A. Black. Chop wood 1½ Warm it storms in the afternoon in the
evening I go after Huldie meet her on the way
Sunday, January 21, 1866
Cold but pleasant Huldie is at Uncle George, I stay up there all night
Monday, January 22, 1866
Very blustering I make two ax files in the fournoon in the afternoon I go & chop
for Capt. Bump Esq.
Tuesday, January 23, 1866
Cold but pleasant I chop for Capt. Bump
Wednesday, January 24, 1866
Pleasant but cold chop wood for Capt.
Thursday, January 25, 1866
Chop wood for Capt. Stormy today it storms by jnks(?). Pray meeting to Geo.
Blackslee Preaching by Rev. Piper Luall Text Hosea 10 Chapt. For it is time to
serve the Lord.
Friday, January 26, 1866
Quite blustering all. – day I make ax ??lves and stay home most all day. Snow is
6 inches deep.
Saturday, January 27, 1866
Weather is fine. I draw two loads of wood then to Wm. Conngler (?) chopping in
the evening to Van Wormons to pray ??? very pleasant
Sunday, January 28, 1866
Very fine uncommon – pleasant. Huldie & I go up to Uncle Geo. and stay all night
???
Monday, January 29, 1866
Pleasant I chop wood for Geo. L. Rogers Esq. 1¾ cords
Tuesday, January 30, 1866
Warm Huldie, Kate & I go over to Uncle Freds in the evening to Aunt Susans then
home safe and sound big thing
Wednesday, January 31, 1866
Chop wood for Geo. L. Rogers in the fournoon. In the afternoon help A.
Bartholomew Esq. then taken with a cat fit in the evening. Stay at Uncle Geo.
Thursday, February 1, 1866
Mend Katremo’s shoe. Go home then sit in the house all day. In the Afternoon
Huldie to her mother come down
Friday, February 2, 1866
This Canalsmas day. Old Bruin came out of his den. We saw his shadow got
frightened went back in his den he did not get over his fright for six weeks I
den up in the house all day
Saturday, February 3, 1866
Cold & blustering I chop some wood at the house Huldie go up home to Uncle Geo,
in the eve
Sunday, February 4, 1866
Blustering in the morn, go home, Afternoon pleasant go up to Uncle Geo.
Blakeslee in evening to Mitchels Hollow to meeting Pred(?) by Williams Esq.
Monday, February 5, 1866
Cold to fine Huldie & I went to Greeneville to Timmy Jones Esq.
Tuesday, February 6, 1866
Warm Afternoon Huldie, Libbie & I go to Uncle Lemes (?) Blakeslee in the
evening We go to a one horse Donation rear (?) things at Lanigans Ball.
Wednesday, February 7, 1866
Pleasant. We go to Durham to Aunt Pheby Sitzer. Afternoon we Huldie & I go and
buy a bureau $12. Se Deacon Baldwin then home. Safe and sound.
Thursday, February 8, 1866
Foggy this morning in forenoon I chop wood afternoon it snows quite hard Evening
to Pray ??? to John Parkes.
Friday, February 9, 1866
It snows the snow is 12 inches deep afternoon I chop wood We have a sort of
shindig up to Uncle Leos that is all
Saturday, February 10, 1866
Warm I go to Windham home again make an ax helve make slipper, evening to
meeting to Wm. then home with Huldie.
Sunday, February 11, 1866
It thaws very fast. I am up to Uncle George Blacks all day I shoot a skunk.
Monday, February 12, 1866
It is thawing this morn at home I mak two pare of slippers for Father & Mother
In the evening I take Huldie over to Wm. Finches.
Tuesday, February 13, 1866
Colder a little I chop for Geo. Blackslee on the mountain I stall all night to
Mr. Finches
Wednesday, February 14, 1866
Quite cool. I chop wood for Joel Austin In the evening we have a teare down I
get my nose scratched.
Thursday, February 15, 1866
Very blustering chop wood for Joel Austin In the evening a party of Mountaineers
go up to James Stitts Esq.
Friday, February 16, 1866
The air is very sharp I start for home I go & see Geo. Leo Rogers he pays me for
chopping wood 6.12 get home I go to see L. Baldwin
Saturday, February 17, 1866
I chop wood in the fournoon Afternoon I not a box for my tools in the evening
to Mr. Finch
Sunday, February 18, 1866
Pleasant this ??? afternoon ??? I go home
Monday, February 19, 1866
Rainy morning. To day Huldie & I commence our labour for one year. We get
to our new home at 11 oclock. I get my dinner ???. trash ryes.
Tuesday, February 20, 1866
Warm & pleasant I thrash ry
Wednesday, February 21, 1866
Pleasant. Clean up rye den chop oak & hickory timber
Thursday, February 22, 1866
Warm I chop sap wood Frank, Katie, Abby & Elizur, Kesha, Mary came to spend
awhile with us
Friday, February 23, 1866
Very pleasan Lew & I go up on the mountain chop wood
Saturday, February 24, 1866
In good health. Warm it has the appearance of rain Afternoon it rains. I trash
flaxseed.
Sunday, February 25, 1866
Very fine this morning but it soon crowds up and snow squalls stay at home
Monday, February 26, 1866
Pleasant but cold. Winds is west & cool Observation Chop wood, sapwood.
Tuesday, February 27, 1866
It is snowing with winds east strong, mild in the afternoon Observation I
thresh flax forenoon Afternoon I chop wood I Evening to meeting
Wednesday, February 28, 1866
Pleasant winds East mild Chop wood in the south woods Yes Mom
Thursday, March 1, 1866
Warm. Chop wood and draw out of the woods I ?? in the evening we go to meeting
Preaching by O. Parker
Friday, March 2, 1866
Very warm. Brade a whip lash load up logs for Lewis , then draw out wood
Saturday, March 3, 1866
Rainy, sort potatoes and draw wood out of the woods
Sunday, March 4, 1866
We go to meeting. Preaching by O. Parker. Cold & windy
Monday, March 5, 1866
Cold & windy - snow squalls. I chop flax or broke it just as you pleas
Tuesday, March 6, 1866
Chop flax. Cold – and windy
Wednesday, March 7, 1866
Very cold & windy, chop flax
Thursday, March 8, 1866
Extremely cold & windy Chopped flax
Friday, March 9, 1866
Very pleasant in the morning but it gets cold. Finish the Deacon flax in the
fournoon Afternoon I commence O. Finches flax
Saturday, March 10, 1866
Morning very pleasant Afternoon stormy, cloudy, brake flax Kate & little Abby is
here
Sunday, March 11, 1866
Pleasant & stormy no meeting Theaching by Lee Roy Lockwoods
Monday, March 12, 1866
Rainy in the morning wash harness in the fournoon Afternoon Lewis & I go of
??? ??? post timber swim the creek get home at dark
Tuesday, March 13, 1866
Warm We draw sap wood qtrnoon I work all alon ???? foggy Asa Holibert
buried
Wednesday, March 14, 1866
Lewis & I draw wood out of the woods clean up Warm & foggy
Thursday, March 15, 1866
Very warm Lew & I go up on the mountain & split rails get home late that is
All
Friday, March 16, 1866
Lewis & I go on the mountain & split rails quite warm
Saturday, March 17, 1866
Today I finish chopping flax. Then we clean up the flax about 4 bus. gets very
cold Pomfrey goes after Lilly his gal
Sunday, March 18, 1866
Huldie is unwell so we stay at home
Monday, March 19, 1866
We get the sap pans in the woods then draw wood chop follow for a squirrel
eat diner at half past 2 oclock get another load of wood Frank comes Huldie
goes to Proff Newells even. Meeting
Tuesday, March 20, 1866
Pleasant in the morning then it clouds up & storms I make sap riggin etc
(Circus day) Orliff, Horance, Edward, Jim, Newman, Jule, Deal, Bob
Wednesday, March 21, 1866
First clap of thunder this morning AT 5 Oclock, rainy make fan port then get the
sap pans in the sap bush and draw wood
Thursday, March 22, 1866
Warm. We commence to tap the sap wood 90 trees We go over to ???? John Hull
Friday, March 23, 1866
Finish tapping the sap bush 160 trees Stormy at 4 Oclock
Saturday, March 24, 1866
Cold I draw manure 8 loads gather 40 pails of sap Let Rob have 50 dollars
Sunday, March 25, 1866
Cold & stormy We go to meeting preaching by Leroy Lockwood text Isaiah 6.22
Monday, March 26, 1866
Stormy I make barn posts all day Evening I get up to West Durham and up to
Uncle Geo. Blecholn (?)
Tuesday, March 27, 1866
Boil sap Kate, Cole, Katie, Kenolds (?), Frank, Henry, evryone comes here
Wednesday, March 28, 1866
Draw manure Mary B. Connes up here even. we go to the Village Huldie gets a new
dress Pop goes the wesel It snows towards evening
Thursday, March 29, 1866
Warm I gather sap then boil 60 pails
Friday, March 30, 1866
Cold & blustering I draw manure I go to the village & spend two hours then home
at work Evening to exibition moon ???
Saturday, March 31, 1866
Cool I draw manure at 4 Oclock I gather sap 50 pails Mother Cole is here.
Sunday, April 1, 1866
Pleasant to meeting Preaching by V.L. Roy Lookwood text Prov. 27.8.
Monday April 2, 1866
Warm, I boil sap all day except Deacon and I doctor eight lambs I let the
Deacon have $380,00
Tuesday, April 3, 1866
Town meeting day Good sap day I boil sap all day. Minnie Hull visiting Huldie
goes to Durham in the evening.
Wednesday, April 4, 1866
Warm I boil sap Mistress Mary Baldwin comes us to sugar off , she stays all
night, I go to Durham to get 3 notes.
Thursday, April 5, 1866
I boil sap Mistress Mary sugars off goes home.
Friday, April 6, 1866
Pleasant, I boil sap, finish up. Mary Baldwin, Anna Hays, Hellen Peck, James
E?????, Luther spencer, came here to day fired off several guns.
Saturday, April 7, 1866
Storms to day I draw manure Mary Mistress sugars off Huldie to D. comes home.
It begins to snow.
Sunday, April 8, 1866
It snows this morn ½ inch deep. To Prayr meeting to Uncle Geo. home in evening.
Mrs. Hendrixson died at 6 oclock morn.
Monday April 9, 1866
Great sap day. Busy at sap. 180 pails Frank is here to Little Abby.
Tuesday, April 10, 1866
Pleasant. Work at sugar business. Kate comes up her this evening I take her
home.
Wednesday, April 11, 1866
Sap business. Mary, our mistress is here making sugar. She stays all night.
Orloff Austin is here to dinner.
Thursday, April 12, 1866
Sap. Weather is failing. Cross-hatch. Mary goes home. Peace go with her. I draw
manure from the house. Tooth aches.
Friday, April 13, 1866
Tag sheep, gather sap. Boil it to syrup even to the village.
Saturday, April 14, 1866
Draw and pile up wood for the machine. We have a new milk cow.
Sunday, April 15, 1866
Pleasant, Huldie & I go to meeting alone Home again, and over to the falls.
Monday, April 16, 1866
I draw wood for the machine.
Tuesday, April 17, 1866
I go and have a tooth broke off then home. Gather sap pans, afternoon plough
with the steers young team.
Wednesday, April 18, 1866
Pleasant we plough with two teams drive business
Thursday, April 19, 1866
Plow and sow 6 bus. of oats. New milk cow. Aunt Phebe Sitzer to James Morris
married. Huldie & I attend the wedding.
Friday, April 20, 1866
Plough in the south meadow & little orchard.
Saturday, April 21, 1866
Finish the little orchard then north of the barn. Lewis gets a new cow.
Sunday, April 22, 1866
Very pleasant. Fanny has a fine colt. I go up home a little while.
Monday, April 23, 1866
Rainy, mark sheep then make hog trough (Deacon is boss)
Tuesday, April 24, 1866
Very blustery. Lewis & I drive 49 sheep in the fallow & 80 sheep on the
mountain. Afternoon fix gate, Uncle Geo. Blackeslee house is burned to ashes,
Huldie & I go up on the mountain.
Wednesday, April 25, 1866
Cool make fence. I go up home in the evening. Huldie to Durham . Sylvia
Newmans.
Thursday, April 26, 1866
Chisley. Few ???? lay wall around the little orchard.
Friday, April 27. 1866
We commence to plough north of the barn. Afternoon at the barn. Deacon is up
here Libbie come to see us. Henry in the eve.
Saturday, April 28, 1866
We sow wheat that is all. In the evening up to St. Nicols.
Sunday, April 29, 1866
Very windy. We go to Church. Preaching by A. Benedic, Esq.
Monday, April 30, 1866
Pleasant. We sow 10 bus. of oats North of the barn. Mother comes to see us to
day.
Tuesday, May 1, 1866
Warm, plough about ¾ of an acre then sow 7 bus. of oats south of the creek.
Storms towards night.
Wednesday, May 2, 1866
Stormy, the mts. is white with snow goes off soon Lew & I go up on the mts.
with 45 sheep home at one oclock Evening Lewis & Huldie goes sky larking.
Thursday, May 3, 1866
I make fence south of the big meddow Very cold winds Mr. Finch brings Huldie
sheep.
Friday, May 4, 1866
Cool. Lew & I make fence East of the big meddow in the fournoon Afternoon
plough Frank & Andie is here.
Saturday, May 5, 1866
Cool Plough East of the sheep barn. In the evening I go up home. Mother Cole is
here stay night.
Sunday, May 6, 1866
Very pleasant. We go to meeting. Mother Cole went home today.
Monday, May 7, 1866
Very pleasant. We sow 11 bus. of oats, 33 bus. in all. Deacon is up here.
Tuesday, May 8, 1866
We draw and lay wall on the mountain Lew, Geo. Stanly, Geo. Baker, O. Fields
and myself.
Wednesday, May 9, 1866
Very windy. We lay wall on the mount. fournoon, Afternoon fix fence Pompey goes
up to pick sheep ???? come in.
Thursday, May 10, 1866
Very pleasant. I fix fence on the ??? in the fournoon. Afternoon fix fence at
home. Miss Laura Whiteley married.
Friday, May 11, 1866
Pleasant. We turn out our cows for the first I plough for potatoes. Lewis &
Huldie goes off this evening on their wedding trip. Big thing.
Saturday, May 12, 1866
Pleasant. We commence to plough for corn. In the afternoon we have a thunder
shower, hail storm ?????
Sunday, May 13, 1866
Pleasant Huldie & I stay at home.
Monday, May 14, 1866
Pleasant. I draw manure, Hallock come up to see the colt. Commence to fat calf.
Tuesday, May 15, 1866
Commence to ?? corn grown south of the sap house then drop manure, yes.
Wednesday, May 16, 1866
Finish dropping manure south of the sap house to draw manure, commence to plough
the east Orchard.
Thursday, May 17, 1866
Wet, draw manure in the fournoon, afternoon finish ploughing the East little
orchard Libbie Hall is here
Friday, May 18, 1866
It has the appearance of a storm draw stone in the little Orchard in the
fournoon fit the little Orchard for planting Deacon begins to plant.
Saturday, May 19, 1866
Pleasant I manure some in the hill Geo. Blakeslee is here for Dinner
Sunday, May 20, 1866
Very pleasant. We go to meeting
Monday, May 21, 1866
Cool. I finish manure corn in the hill then draw manure on corn ground Deacon
??? came
Tuesday, May 22, 1866
Very windy & cool . Finish ploughing for corn Milo Sid Hallenbeck & Allis Warner
is here in the eve.
Wednesday, May 23, 1866
Cold. Lew & I make fence south of the pasture in forenoon Afternoon I drag corn
& potatoes ???? Huldie & Lew is on another scouring trip.
Thursday, May 24, 1866
Pleasant. I finish dragging ???ground then plant potatoes work all alone
Squire Pecks vend?? Huldie goes ???
Friday, May 25, 1866
Pleasant. Lew & I finish planting potatoes then I commence to drag corn ground
in the afternoon . I go to the village with Milo
Saturday, May 26, 1866
Quite warm I finish draging corn ground then then plant corn in the little
orchard Amasa, Kate, Lib, Milo, Edd, Allice is here
Sunday, May 27, 1866
Stormy, stay at home. We get up at eight o’clock Breakfast at half past 9
o’clock.
Monday, May 28, 1866
Rainy, I fix waggon then make fence around the Orchard. Afternoon draw wood for
the machine.
Tuesday, May 29, 1866
Cool. Elizur Newel comes with machine and saw wood.
Wednesday, May 30, 1866
Cool. Finish sawing wood and fetch machine home.
Thursday, May 31, 1866
Pleasant I plant corn in the little orchard.
Friday, June 1, 1866
I plant my potatoes and draw wood Willis & Albert is here they go home today
Saturday, June 2, 1866
I draw stone for town all day I drive one horses (?) upper place 9 sheep & 9
lambs
Sunday, June 3, 1866
Dank, stormy. Tim & Sarah is up. Huldie & I go up home. Tim brings Huldie
home.
Monday, June 4, 1866
Rainy wet. We burn out the chimneys, the fournoon, Afternoon I make fence around
the oats. Lewis works half day.
Tuesday, June 5, 1866
Warm. Lew & I go on the mount after sheep and fix fence. Lewis helps me half
day.
Wednesday, June 6, 1866
Work on the road very muddy Lewis works
Thursday, June 7, 1866
Work roads very muddy Lewis works
Friday, June 8, 1866
Cool. Wash sheep in fournoon Afternoon I commence to lay wall. Lew works half
day.
Saturday, June 9, 1866
Foggy lay wall in fournoon. Afternoon draw and split wood. Uncle Morris Aunt
Phebe (?) Leib (?) is here half ?? Lewis ????
Sunday, June 10, 1866
Cloudy stay at home Orvil & Christinton (?) is here.
Monday, June 11, 1866
Warm. Lew & I go up on the mount to make fence in the fournoon find hawks nest.
Afternoon wash Gilbert’s sheep finish planting corn . Lew works half day.
Tuesday, June 12, 1866
Commence to plant potatoes. Billy Bascom & Ed Hallenbeck helps us in afternoon.
Lew works all day.
Wednesday, June 13, 1866
Wet. We wash sheep on the mount. Ed Hollenbeck helps us. Afternoon finifh
planting potatoes. Lew works all day.
Thursday, June 14, 1866
Stormy. Make ??? mend plough. Set far post fix fence and split wood, Huldie goes
up home her mother is sick. Lew gone all day.
Friday, June 15, 1866
Warm & showery, I split wood and make garden.
Saturday, June 16, 1866
Plant beans and plough. Warm. Lew gon all day Lewis take the heifer to Durham,
she comes back.
Sunday, June 17, 1866
Clowdy to meeting. And up John Vomomen (?) to see Huldie ???
Monday, June 18, 1866
Wet. I hoe manure and split wood. Kate is here. Lew is gon all day.
Tuesday, June 19, 1866
Warm, I lay wall. Kate is here. Lew is gon off
Wednesday, June 20, 1866
Warm, I lay wall Draw stone & manure. A letter from Lucy. Lewis shears sheep.
Thursday, June 21, 1866
Very warm. I draw manure on buckwheat. Lew is shearing sheep for A. Hal
Friday, June 22, 1866
Very warm, draw manure ??? lambs shear sheep heavy shower. Lew is at home.
Saturday, June 23, 1866
Very warm & wet. I shear sheep in fournoon. Afternoon Huldie & I go to Windham
last half day pulling teeth Up to Mr. Finches. Lew is at home half day.
Sunday, June 24, 1866
Very pleasant, at Mr. Finches, to meeting in the Hollow, to Durham, then home.
Very warm.
Monday, June 25, 1866
Warm, I wash wool, sow buckwheat & flax, plow corn, that is all. Another cow.
Lew is shearing sheep for Don Peck.
Tuesday, June 26, 1866
Hot. I plough corn, get sheep off the mt. Lew is shearing shee A. Hal.
Wednesday, June 27, 1866
Quite warm. I shear sheep
Thursday, June 28, 1866
Shear a 4 sheep drive sheep on the mt. Set out cabbage plant. Shear bucks.
Huldie is to Durham. Lew at home.
Friday, June 29, 1866
Cool I plough and hoe corn. Lew is shearing sheep for O. Fields.
Saturday, June 30, 1866
Plough & hoe corn. Billy helps me Frank is here. Lew is shearing for Hal.
Sunday, July 1, 1866
Stay at home all day. Get up very late
Monday July 2, 1866
Very hot I hoe some and commence to plough for buckwheat. Lew gone away shearing
sheep for Pratt.
Tuesday, July 3, 1866
We shear sheep. Dorlon Peck helps us. Lew at home shear sheep.
Wednesday, June 4, 1866
Hot. I finish shearing sheep today. 22 sheep. Lew gone away. Huldie goes up home
half day.
Thursday, July 5, 1866
I plough for buckwheat. Lew gone away.
Friday, July 6, 1866
Warm I plough for buckwheat and draw manure. Lew gone away.
Saturday, July 7, 1866
I sow buckwheat and grass sead. Lew gone away.
Sunday, July 8, 1866
Very warm and pleasant. The meeting. Thunder shower in the evening.
Monday, July 9, 1866
Hot. Lew & I plough corn west of the old house. Afternoon I hoe corn.
Tuesday, July 10, 1866
Quite warm, I hoe corn Billy Basannt helps us. Lew work. Capt. Bill Finch and
Lady to tea.
Wednesday, July 11, 1866
Fix fence around the sheep lot in the fournoon. Afternoon hoe potatoes. Lew work
¾ day sleep ¼
Thursday, July, 1866
Hot & dry. I finish hoeing the potatoes and plough corn in the Little Orchard.
Lew goen away.
Friday, July 13, 1866
How corn in the west little orchard. Very heavy thunder shower in the even. Lew
gone away.
Saturday, July 14, 1866
I plough and hoe corn south of the sap house. In the even to Durham. Lew gone
away
Sunday, July 15, 1866
Hot. To meeting. Amasa Blackslee came home with us I go up home.
Monday, July 16, 1866
In the fournoon I ??? Afternoon I hoe potatoes. Lew gone away.
Tuesday, July 17, 1866
Very warm weather about these days. I hoe potatoes and corn in the little
orchard. East one. Lew gone away.
Wednesday, July 18, 1866
I hoe corn west of the old house. Edd & Nickels help me about 3 hrs. A very fine
shower. Huldie to Mrs. Gilberts. Lew gone away.
Thursday, July 19, 1866
Cloudy. I make fence in fournoon & get a load of wood. Afternoon I hoe corn.
Nickels & Edd help me. Huldie goes to the village after ??? Lew gone away.
Friday, July 20, 1866
Cool. I finish hoeing corn in the fournoon. Afternoon plough potatoes. Lew gone
away.
Saturday, July 21, 1866
Lewis & I go up on the mount with 28 sheep and fix fence. Lew work all day on th???
Sunday, July 22, 1866
Clowdy in the morn. but it clears off very pleasant stay at home.
Monday, July 23, 1866
We commence haying now in the south meadow. Showery
Tuesday, July 24, 1866
I finish mowing the south meadow. Huldie is sick.
Wednesday, July 25, 1866
I mow in the orchard. Lew west. Draw in two loads of hay A shower about 3 oclock
commence to make hay riggin
Thursday, July 26, 1866
I finish the hay riggin in the fournoon 3 loads of hay
Friday, July 27, 1866
I mow all over and evrywhere else finish orchard. I get in one load of hay.
Saturday, July 28, 1866
Warm, I rake hay by hand. Get in one load of hay it rains about 2 o’clock I
fix barn dore fix fence, Frand & Abby is here
Sunday, July 29, 1866
Very pleasant Huldie goes to meeting with Lewis Bill & Milo is here.
Monday, July 30, 1866
I mow & rake hay by bend. I mow in the afternoon.
Tuesday, July 31, 1866
We draw in 3 loads of hay and shoot a wesel.
Wednesday, August 1, 1866
We cross over into the east meddow north of the road get in 3 loads of hey
Thursday, August 2, 1866
I cradle oats in the fournoon Afternoon draw in 2 loads of hay. It rains a
little.
Friday, August 3, 1866
I mow all day. Huldie gets a pair of spectacles. Old gal
Saturday, August 4, 1866
Cradle oats until 10 oclock then dray in 3 loads of hay it rains a little I go
up home in ???? Katie & Libbie is here.
Sunday, August 5, 1866
Cool. Lewis, Katie, Libbie, Huldie & I went up to West Durham to meeting.
Monday, August 6, 1866
Very windy. I cradle oats in the south meddow in the afternoon we dray in 2
loads of oats.
Tuesday, August 7, 1866
Very windy draw in 4 loads of hay.
Wednesday, August 8, 1866
A little windy. Lew & I cradle oats. Afternoon we draw in 2 loads of oats & one
load of hay.
Thursday, August 9, 1866
Rainy all day tinker, mend shovel handle. Fix whip grind knive scythes and evry
thing else.
Friday, August 10, 1866
Pleasant, I cradle oats and break pitch fork handle Huldie & I goes up to Emory
Newmans.
Saturday, August 11, 1866
Cradle oats Milo Payne helps ??? I dray in 4 loads of hay
Sunday, August 12, 1866
Very pleasant. I go up home. Quarterly meeting to Cornwallville.
Monday, August 13, 1866
Rainy I mend waggon & plough potatoes.
Tuesday, August 14, 1866
Fix fence all day.
Wednesday, August 15, 1866
Finish making fence west of the Orchard then mow and cradle wheat.
Thursday, August 16, 1866
Split wood fix fence finish cradling wheat then rake & draw in 2 loads of
oats.
Friday, August 17, 1866
Pleasant We get in 3 loads of oats & commence to find wheat
Saturday, August 18, 1866
I finish binding wheat then draw in 2 load of oats I load of hay One load of
wheat
Sunday, August 19, 1866
To meeting it rains when we come home
Monday, August 20, 1866
Cool. We mow all day. I tell Deacon some news.
Tuesday, August 21, 1866
It looks like rain. We get 3 loads of wheat & six loads of hay.
Wednesday, August 22, 1866
Mow & rake hay. Get in one load of hay.
Thursday, August 23, 1866
Rainy but we get in 3 loads of hay. Finish haying saw shingle log get load of
wood to Village
Friday, August 24, 1866
We commence to doctor sheep at home. I go to village in even.
Saturday, August 25, 1866
We go up on to mount and doctor sheep all day.
Sunday, August 26, 1866
Very cool. To meeting Orloff Austin goes with us. The house is plundered.
Monday, August 27, 1866
Warm. I commence to dig & draw stone east of the sheep farm.
Tuesday, August 28, 1866
Warm dig & draw stone
Wednesday, August 29, 1866
Cloudy, doctor sheep in the fournoon. Afternoon draw stone & fire shown
Thursday, August 30, 1866
Cool. Dig & draw stone
Friday, August 31, 1866
Faivorable dig & draw stone I put a blast in the rock . Huldie gone to
village
Saturday, September 1, 1866
Very warm I dig stone all day & I put in one blast. Even. I take Mrs. Baldwin
home.
Sunday, September 2, 1866
Clowdy, Mother Cole comes there in the morning goes away in the afternoon
Monday, September 3, 1866
I draw stone all day
Tuesday, September 4, 1866
Wet in the morning I split & draw wood. Afternoon dig and draw stone.
Wednesday, September 5, 1866
Hot I dig & draw stone
Thursday, September 6, 1866
Cool. Lew & I split one load of wood then I commence to lay wall.
Friday, September 7, 1866
Cool. I lay wall until 3 oclock then it rains then I go after sheep up to E.P.
Smith
Saturday, September 8, 1866
Up on the mountain after sheep in the fournoon. Afternoon I go to Maduca Tamage
Doolittle
Sunday, September 9, 1866
Cool I shoot 9 oclock squirrel go up home.
Monday, September 10, 1866
Cool. I lay wall & work with sheep.
Tuesday, September 11, 1866Cradle buckwheat and rak it up and mind Pompeys shoes
Wednesday, September 12, 1866
I finish seting up buckwheat then tinker a while then commence build a sluce in
the wall west of the old house.
Thursday, September 13, 1866
I fix barn flore then lay wall. Evening up to E.P. Smith.
Friday, September 14, 1866
We commence to threash wheat. Huldie goes down to Mr. Mungers it rains in the
afternoon.
Saturday, September 15, 1866
Clean up wheat . 46½ bus. Very cool Huldie goes over to Robert Cunningham.
Sunday, September 16, 1866
Jack frost this morn. over to Roberts but is very pleasant We get home at
seven oclock. C. Dickinson boy buried.
Monday, September 17, 1866
Threash oats till 4 oclock the commence to clean up
Tuesday, September 18, 1866
Clean up oats 200 bus. then commence to threash oats at 3 oclock
Wednesday, September 19, 1866
Rainy. Finish threashing oats in the forenoon I fix old fence in afternoon mak
???
Thursday, September 20, 1866
Rainy. I fix fence in the fournoon. Afternoon split wood
Friday, September 21, 1866
Rainy in the morning. I make dore sill draw a load of wood then pull flax a
little while Frank is here Huldie starts for Lyman Hulls.
Saturday, September 22, 1866
Pleasant. I pull flax all day.
Sunday, September 23, 1866
Pleasant Jack frost. We go to meeting. Mary Bladwin
Monday, September 24, 1866
I mend fence along Mrs. Garrets rye then cradle buckwheat. Dacon goes to
Poughkeepsie.
Tuesday, September 25, 1866
Foggy I sort sheep make fence between the corn & A. Halls meddow and set up
buckwheat.
Wednesday, September 26, 1866
Foggy. Pull flax in the fournoon. It rains in afternoon mak a flail and split
wood
Thursday, September 27, 1866
I finish the flax the cart corn . I go to the village with Nickols.
Friday, September 28, 1866
I cut corn in the little orchard. Anne Eliza Smith & Mary: More is here.
Saturday, September 29, 1866
I cut corn west of the old house. Uncle Fred Sitzer, Lida & Libbie is here a
little while.
Sunday, September 30, 1866
Very pleasant. We go to meeting. Preeching by the Rev. V.L. Lockwood Text Prov.
22 chapt. 1 verse
Monday, October 1, 1866
I cut corn and run after sheep.
Tuesday, October 2, 1866
Mr. Lewis Baldwin and myself (Jerry) cleaned up oats 146 bus. 346 bushels in
all
Wednesday, October 3, 1866
Wind north west. I mend a little fence & commence to threash buckwheat.
Thursday, October 4, 1866
I cuts corn a little then I thrash buckwheat. In evening I go up to Cordelia. It
is very cold.
Friday, October 5, 1866
Lewis I go on the mount and sort sheep & thresh buckwheat in the afternoon
Deacon is boss Lewis work well
Saturday, October 6, 1866
We finish cuting corn and finish threashing buckwheat.
Sunday, October 7, 1866
Pleasant. We go up home to meeting.
Monday, October 8, 1866
I sort sheep & dig potatoes.
Tuesday, October 9, 1866
It look like rain. I draw flax and corn & dig potatoes. In the evening a great
circus performance here.
Wednesday, October 10, 1866
Dig potatoes. Lew helps a little.
Thursday, October 11, 1866
I sort & doctor sheep dig potatoes in the afternoon.
Friday, October 12, 1866
Raining a little but I dig potatoes & clean up buckwheat 66½ bus. Robert
Cunningham is here to exchange notes. Huldie is to Durham ¾ day.
Saturday, October 13, 1866
We sort & sell 109 sheep then go to Bill Baldwin & threash rye 8½ bus.
Sunday, October 14, 1866
Pleasant. We go to meeting. Preaching by Mr. Lockwood Second Corrinthians 12th
chapt. 1 & 4 verses. Cool.
Monday, October 15, 1866
I finish diging Potatoes along the road in the fournoon Afternoon I commence
south of the sap house.
Tuesday, October 16, 1866
I dig potatoes. Lew helps me half day. Temperance Blakeslee is here.
Wednesday, October 17, 1866
I dig Potatoes Lew helps one half day. Huldie is gone to Durham with Lew they
will be married before they get back.
Thursday, October 18, 1866
Fournoon dig potatoes Afternoon @ circus up home so I have to lose half day to
attend. John is the clown Bob is showman H. Soop prin. I am spectator.
Friday, October 19, 1866
Very pleasant. I pick apples in forenoon. Afternoon dig potatoes in the south
meadow.
Saturday, October 20, 1866
Very pleasant. Dig potatoes. Sarah & Mina Fullington is here. Huldie & I go up
home to meeting.
Sunday, October 21, 1866
Pleasant. Up home. We go home about midday.
Monday, October 22, 1866
I dig potatoes finish in the field. In the evening ??? to the valley.
Tuesday, October 23, 1866
I dig potatoes in the garden 25 bus In the even. up to John Parkes.
Wednesday, October 24, 1866
I draw pumkings and corn in the even. we have a husking ???
Thursday, October 25, 1866
Very cool I draw corn get the corn all in.
Friday, October 26, 1866
We get the pumkings in and then look for lambs. It snows a little but it is very
cold.
Saturday, October 27, 1866
Cool, I sort lambs & husk corn then Huldie & I go to Capt. Finches. We start at
5 oclock get there at 6.
Sunday, October 28, 1866
Very pleasant. We start for home at 4 oclock.
Monday, October 29, 1866
Tamage Doolittle. Cool. We go up on the mountain and draw wood we break down
then I commence to make a new ???
Tuesday, October 30, 1866
Rainy. I mend Lews boots and husk corn. In evening I go up to Preston Hollow.
Wedensday, October 31, 1866
Cool. I finish the axel tree then drive wood off the mount.
Thursday, November 1, 1866
pleasant. I draw wood off the mount. Huldie is up to Wm. Bascomb’s. Pompey
leaves for Hudson.
Friday, November 2, 1866
Pleasant, I finish drawing off the mountain. Huldie goes to Durham.
Saturday, November 3, 1866
Pleasant. I look for lambs, draw wood and husk corn and got to the village with
Nick.
Sunday, November 4, 1866
Cool. We stay at home.
Monday, November 5, 1866
I hunt after sheep a(n)d I boil potatoes and husk corn. Kate comes here.
Tuesday, November 6, 1866
I go on the mountain after sheep then come h(ome) to lay wall and go to election
lost to Theron Katie is here.
Wednesday, November 7, 1866
Lay wall. Katie is here.
Thursday, November 8, 1866
Pleasant. I boil hog fead. Lay wall invite hands to husking ?? and help at
Newman’s draw dist.
Friday, November 9, 1866
Pleasant. I sort corn and put it in the house and lay wall.
Saturday, November 10, 1866
Very pleasant I boil hog feed and lay wall.
Sunday, November 11, 1866
Clowdy and cold. We go to meeting.
Monday, November 12, 1866
Pleasant. I lay wall and butcher turkeys in the evening to Village
Tuesday, November 13, 1866
I lay wall and do chores Lewis goes to New York & Huldie goes to Windham
visiting evening I go to villag(e) Kate is house keeper
Wednesday, November 14, 1866
I boil potatoes and lay wall.
Thursday, November 15, 1866
I lay wall. Afternoon is rains I husk corn Tooth ach In the evening I
go to Windham have tooth pull
Friday, November 16, 1866
Husk corn and draw stone and lay wall Evening go to the Village Huldie is gone
away.
Saturday, November 17, 1866
I boil swill bark house gather cabbage and turnips Evening I go up after Huldie
Recd $10.50 from Joel A.
Sunday, November 18, 1866
We go to Methodist meeting preached by Rev, Wm. Kerr.
Monday, November 19, 1866
I boil swill and draw stone and lay wall. Weather is fine.
Tuesday, November 20, 1866
Rather wet. I husk corn Deacon is up and help a little.
Wednesday, November 21, 1866
Cold I draw stone and husk corn.
Thursday, November 22, 1866
It snows I draw stone south of the sap house. Lewis gets home from N. York
Garwood, Rosaline & Amos Elye.
Friday, November 23, 1866
I draw a load of stone husk a little corn and commence plough at ten o’clock
it snows a little.
Saturday, November 24, 1866
It is quite cold but I plough
Sunday, November 25, 1866
The ground is froze quite hard. We stay at home all day.
Monday, November 26, 1866
Cool. We butcher 22 turkeys 42 hens & 4 pigs. Kate is here.
Tuesday, November 27, 1866
We catch an owl. I draw wood and do chores. In the even I go Mr. Batterslee ???
I get 16 dols Kate is here.
Wednesday, November 28, 1866
Rather stormy I move chaff husk corn ??? In the even I go to village
Thursday, November 29, 1866
Thanksgiving day We plough it is very warm
Friday, November 30, 1866
It is very stormy all day I sort potatoes A great trial to the village
Fathers ???
Saturday, December 1, 1866
Quite cold. We plough. on the even I go over to ??? Abes to Gen Bleekers Kate
comes here. I get my boots.
Sunday, December 2, 1866
Cool We go to meeting but I go to Maude (?) Morris In the evening we go up to
Fathers to meeting.
Monday, December 3, 1866
We finish husking corn and plough a little
Tuesday, December 4, 1866
Rainy I split wood and tinker
Wednesday, December 5, 1866
Very pleasant I plough in the forenoon Afternoon Huldie & I go to Maduca and
take Tangee Doolittle ??? to work in ???
Thursday, December 6, 1866
I plough all day
Friday, December 7, 1866
Pleasant I fix fence in the sheep pasture finish ploughing draw stone & cut
pump log Lew goes to Windham
Saturday, December 8, 1866
We commence to fix fence line fence between us & Nickols Afternoon it rains so
we quit the fence evening I go up home make ax helve
Sunday, December 9, 1866
A little cooler Stay at home all day
Monday, December 10, 1866
It is frooze quite hard but we fix fence and sort sheep
Tuesday, December 11, 1866
Freezes harder all the while We commence the water works
Wednesday, December 12, 1866
Cold We work at water works and butcher a beef cow Baker the ??? is here
Thursday, December 13, 1866
Very cold I finish the water works and run after sheep
Friday, December 14, 1866
Cold I make the sheep yard fence and sort sheep Robert Cunningham is here he
and I have a ??? Huldie
Saturday, December 15, 1866
I go to the village with 25 lambs and exchange cows Wm. Newman elected
president
Sunday, December 16, 1866
Huldie goes up to Fathers I go up after her it snows very fast
Monday, December 17, 1866
The snow is about one foot deep We get the waggons in & sleighs out and tinker
around all day
Tuesday, December 18, 1866
Very blustering I chop a load of wood for Decon and tear up stable floor
Wednesday, December 19, 1866
Quite warm I do the chores then help Emory Newmans butcher hogs and beef seven
hours work sign of a thaw
Thursday, December 20, 1866
Very cold We draw a load of hay from Wm Baldwins to the Deacons This day I
have been a married man one year
Friday, December 21, 1866
I do chors churn cut up beef get a stray lamb draw stalks and buy a hog 39
lbs
Saturday, December 22, 1866
I draw Bark and chop wood Katie come here
Sunday, December 23, 1866
??? foggy Evening I take Kate part way home
Monday, December 24, 1866
Warm I chop wood out where we ploughed
Tuesday, December 25, 1866
A. Hull married Christmas I chop and split rails D.B. Hull comes to see me
Evening I go up home after my pork barrel
Wednesday, December 26, 1866
We saw 8 logs then I draw them out of the grouds (?) Evening I salt my pork
and pack some in snow Huldi to village help
Thursday, December 27, 1866
It snows and blows all day I draw one load of wood then chop it up
Friday, December 28, 1866
It blows terribley all day I make a pair of whifeltrees
Saturday, December 29, 1866
Quite pleasant We break out the roads and shovel snow Yoke up the steers
Monday, December 30, 1866
Pleasant stay at home
Monday, December 31, 1866
We get a load of for the Deacon then I cut a large maple tree & bee tree
Memoranda
April 19 – Lewis gets a new cow
May 3rd – deacon sends up his spare bed
May 5 – Lewis gets some shirts for Huldie to make for Pompey
May 9 – spotted heifer comes in today
May 14 – begin to feed fat calf
June 18 – Lewis takes the heifer to the village
June 25 – Deacon sends up his farrow cow
July 20 – stop milking the farrow cow
Huldie gets her sheep from Mr. Finches May 3/66
Wm. C takes the sheep about the 7 or 9 of Dec.
Nov 13th – Mother Cole is married to Daddy Van Warmer
Nov 30th – George Blakeslee is appointed committie but won’t except, Wm. Newman is then appointed Dec 15
Grease for cow hide boots
One pint linseed oil
Two ounces tallow
One once beeswax
Three table spoonfull of lampblack