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1872 Diary of Luman Putnam of Granville
Transcribed by Betsy Shirk - bshirk2002@yahoo.com Formatted and Published by Joyce M. Tice Transcription copyright 2010 Betsy Shirk and Joyce M. Tice 1854 Diary and Introduction. Also access to many more LumanPutnam Diaries |
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| Luman Putnam | Jerusha Bailey, his first wife |
L. Putnam
Granville Centre, Penn.
Bot of Newman and Parsons
Troy Pa. November 13th 1871
Part Three
September
Sunday, 1
Eighth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 5-28. Set at 6-1, & agrees with true time. Moon rises at 3-46.
Cleared off n the night but the morning was fair and cool and calm. At the time of sunrise the mercury had come down to 48 degrees. The principal part of the forenoon was fair but most of the afternoon was considerably cloudy. The weather continued cool through the day. The evening ???? off fair and bright.
Spent most of the time during the morning hours reading. At the time appointed for worship went up to the Centre and attended meeting as usual. The audience was small and the meeting was conducted by Br. Levi Taylor, there being no preacher in attendence. Returned home at the close of the exercises and found Amanda there, and Harvey and Lizzie and the children absent. Soon after tea Luman called, and being on his way from Barclay to Troy I concluded to ride with him. Went to Benjamin’s and got my coat then came on to Azor’s.
Monday, 2
New moon at 7-52 even. sun rose at 5-29. Set at 6-30, & agrees with true time. Moon rises 4-48.
The morning was again considerably cloudy, the weather continuing cool. The forenoon was mostly cloudy and was also a little windy, a pretty fair beginning of autumnal weather. The afternoon was more fair but there was a cloudy spell and a little rain. The evening is quite fair and pretty cool.
Spent the morning and the forenoon at Azor’s and devoted the time almost exclusively to reading. After dinner walked over to the village and spent some time at Delos’ office reading the Elmira Advertiser and after this called at Grant’s Jewelry store and had my watch regulated. Called at several other places about town, & finding Luman about to start for Springfield, rode with him down to the mill & then went back to Azors\’s, intending to ride to Granville with Luman tomorrow.
Tuesday, 3
Second day of New Moon. Sun rises at 5-30, Set at 6-28, & is 1 fast. Moon begins to sett.
There was a partial frost in the morning, with the weather correspondingly cool and also fair. The weather continued fair and calm through the day but it did not become very warm. At the time of sunsetting the temperature, according to the mercury, was only 48 degrees. The evening continues quite fair.
Very soon after breakfast started away from Azor’s and walked over to the village with Fremont calling at the Troy House for Luman, and soon after started with him for home. We came by the way of the Summit and drove from Fitch’s pasture eleven head of young cattle which he had bought of him. We called a few minutes at Valentine’s, but he had gone away to Towanda. Arrived home about noon. Luman drove his cattle down to Vroman’s pasture and then returning went off up the road. Valentine, having returned from Towanda by way of Barclay, called here on his way to see Luman in the afternoon. Spent the afternoon about the house, and most of the time reading.
Wednesday, 4
Third day of New Moon. Sun rises at 5-31, set at 6-27, & is 1 fast. Moon sets at 7-35.
The night was quite cold but was some warmer in the morning which was fair and a little frosty. At the time of sunrise the mercury had risen to 34 degrees. The morning became cloudy but after a little it cleared off again and the day was mostly fair. At the time of sunset the mercury stood at the mark for 54 degrees. The evening is cloudy.
Arose early and spent some time reading before breakfast. Concluding to go a fishing I started out about nine o’clock and rode with Alburn Morse down to the bridge near McKeel’s and then fished down to the mill pond, and then along back up the creek to Frank Taylor’s meadow. Caught a pretty good mess, but they were generally pretty small. Being pretty tired spent the remainder of the day in the house reading a considerable portion of the time and sleeping some. Luman departed after breakfast for Barclay with some cattle. Fremont called in the evening.
Thursday, 5
Fourth day of New Moon. Sun rose at 5-32, Set at 6-25, & is 2 fast. Moon set at 7-58.
The night was rainy and the rain continued moderately in the morning. At the time of sunrise the mercury was resting at 50 degrees. The rain did not continue long but the forenoon remained quite cloudy. The afternoon was mostly fair and weather growing warmer. At sunset the temperature was about 63 degrees, and the evening is considerably cloudy.
Devoted a considerable portion of the morning to reading, both before and after breakfast, and then finished up the forenoon with cutting articles out of newspapers for insertion into Scrap Books. Went up to the Centre in the middle of the day and stopped with Lydia some time waiting for the mail. When it arrived went into the post office and got the Tribune and the Chronicle, and coming home spent some time reading and looking them over. After this went to work at Scrap Books again, inserting several pages of matter. Towards night went with Albert to the barn a little while, to see the threshing machine operate.
Friday, 6
Fifth day of New Moon. Sun rose at 5-33, Set at 6-21? & is 2 fast. Moon set at 8-23.
The morning at dawn was partially cloudy and some warmer again. At the time of sunrise the temperature was 59 degrees. The day has been partially cloudy all the way through but has passed off without any rain. The weather has become considerably warmer, the mercury, at the time of sunset, being up to 70 degrees.
Arose in the morning early and got ready for an early breakfast. After this I went back to the library and spent some time examining an old file of Harper’s Weekly that Eliza gave me, and cutting out from it articles for a Scrap Book. Towards noon went down to the barn to see how they got along threshing & then went on up to the Centre, waited at Lydia’s till the mail came in, then went into the post office & got the Reporter & the Argus, brought them home & read them, & then went to work at filling a Scrap Book with selections from Harper’s Weekly.
Saturday, 7
Sixth day of New Moon. Sun rose at 5-34, Set at 6-22, & is 2 fast. Moon sets at 8-50.
The night was very warm, and the morning too was warm and was mostly fair. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at 69 degrees. The day continued fair, with the exception of a few clouds only, and was also extremely warm, the mercury being up to 98 degrees at one o’clock. At the time of sunset the temperature was 78 degrees and the evening is clear.
Had a restless time through a part of the night, being troubled with derangement of the stomach and pain in the head. Arose early and attended to my bathing as usual. After breakfast, spent a part of the forenoon at filling my Harper’s Weekly Scrap Book. In the middle of the day went into the garden and picked a bushel of cucumbers and brought them in, and then went back and gathered a like quantity of tomatoes. Early in the afternoon went up to the post office and got the Courier, brought it home, and spent some time reading it. At night did a little more at my Scrap Book.
Sunday, 8
Seventh day of New Moon. Sun rose at 5-35, Set at 6-20, & is 3 fast. Moon sets at 9-22.
The morning was a little smoky but was otherwise quite fair, and the weather was very warm. At the time of sunrising the mercury indicated the temperature to be up to 66 degrees. The day continued fair and the weather extremely warm and is getting to be quite dry again. At sunset the mercury stood at 79 degrees. The evening is fair except that it is a little hazy around the horizon.
Arose early in the morning being somewhat unwell with diarhea. Attended to my morning bath, and after breakfast spent sometime reading. At the proper time got ready and went up to the Centre to meeting, riding up with some young men that came along. Br. Greenlaw, being in attendence, conducted the meeting and delivered a discourse. Came home before the final conclusion of the meeting, not feeling able to stay. Devoted a part of the afternoon to reading & a part to the bed.
Monday, 9
Eighth day of New Moon. Sun rose at 5-36, Set at 6-19, & is 3 fast. Moon Sets at 10-1.
The morning is fair with slight exceptions and a little cooler. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at 61 degrees. The day remained fair until some time in the afternoon, and then became considerably cloudy but there has not been any rain. Warm weather continues, the mercury standing at 74 degrees at sunset. The evening is cloudy.
Feeling some better in the morning, concluded to go out a fishing again. Got ready after breakfast and started off up the creek as far as the head of Taylor’s race, where I commenced and fished down the creek to the tannery, then came home, arriving a little before noon, with a tolerably fair mess of fish, and being pretty well tired out. Lay down on the bed and rested a spell sleeping some, and then arose and went to work at my Scrap Book again and completed the filling. Mr. Gilman brot me the Tribune, & a letter from A. M. Bailey of Conn. Spent some time reading.
Tuesday, 10
First Quarter at 9-2 Morn. Sun rose at 5-36, set at 6-17 & is 3 fast. Moon set at 10-49.
At the dawn of morning the sky was overcast with clouds, and wind from the south, and without any abatement of the warm weather. At sunrise, the temperature was 68 degrees. The forenoon remained quite cloudy and near the middle of the day there was thunder and a little rain. There was a little sunshine in the afternoon, and the weather grew cooler. At sunset the mercury stood at 65 degrees. Evening cloudy.
Read a spell in the morning and after breakfast went to work again at my Scrap Books, inserting such articles as have lately been selected from my newspapers. Spent a portion of my time during the forenoon at several other matters, among which I brought up water from the well for Lizzie to wash with. In the afternoon gathered the cucumbers from the garden again, spent some time reading at different intervals, and worked a little more at my Scrap Books.
Wednesday, 11
Second day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 5-37, set at 6-16, & is 4 slow. Moon sets at 11-46.
The morning was quite cloudy at the dawn and at sunrise the temperature was only up to 61 degrees. The day has been cloudy all the way through and without any rain, and the weather has been only moderately warm. At the time of sunsetting the mercury indicated a temperature of 67 degrees only. The evening is quite cloudy.
Spent the morning and the early part of the forenoon in the library, reading. & putting things in order there. After this found some more old newspapers about the house, out of which I selected and took several articles, which afforded me more business in the Scrap Book line. After disposing of this, spent the remainder of the forenoon reading and with the family. After dinner lay down and slept a little while and after this went out in the orchard & picked my Douse apples & brot them in, & towards night worked a little while in the garden, digging weeds from among asparagus.
Thursday, 12
Third day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 5-38, Set at 6-14, & is 4 fast. Moon sets tomorrow.
The morning was quite cloudy with wind from the south and the temperature remained the same as it was last night, the mercury standing at 67 degrees. The day has been cloudy all the way through, and there have been several little sprinklings of rain. The temperature has been quite uniform, the mercury standing at 67 degrees at sunset, same as last night & this morning. Evening cloudy & rainy.
Arose pretty early in the morning and after bathing, dressing, &c., spent some time reading both before and after breakfast. Commenced to write a letter to Mr. Atkins, but did not make much progress, and about mail time went up to the post office, and after waiting a little for the mail, got the Tribune, brought it home and spent some time looking it over. Luman came along with some cattle and made a short call, and later in the afternoon Samuel called and stopped with us to supper.
Friday, 13
Fourth day of First Quarter. Moon set at 0-53 morn. Sun rises at 5-39, sets at 6-10, & is 4 fast.
The night was rainy and wet, the morning was cloudy, and the weather a little cooler. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at 59 degrees. Soon after this the clouds broke away and the remainder of the day was partially fair, alternating between clouds and sunshine. The weather has become decidedly cooler, at the time of sunset the mercury being down to 62 degrees. The evening is fair and bright.
Devoted some time in the morning to reading according to my common custom, and then resumed my pen to finish my letter to Mr. Atkins. Worked at it by spells until the middle of the day, making some progress, but then laid it aside on account of having company. Luther and Sally and Lydia having come for a visit, devoted the remainder of the day to that purpose. After supper went up to the post office and got the Argus only, the other papers not having made their appearance yet. After visitors departed I spent some time reading the Argus.
Saturday, 14
Fifth day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 5-40, Set at 6-10, & is 5 slow. Moon set at 2-8.
It was considerably cloudy in the morning at the dawn, and the weather growing cooler. At the time of sunrise the temperature was only 49 degrees. After a little the clouds broke away and the day became mostly fair, especially the latter part. The weather appears to be growing cooler, the mercury at sunset being down to 53 degrees. The evening is quite fair.
After reading some time in the morning I took my letter in hand again and worked at it by spells till the middle of the day, and then went up to the post office and got the Courier and two numbers of the Rochester Republican, one of them for last week. Came home with them and devoted most of the afternoon, when not asleep, to reading them. Towards night went into the garden and picked a couple baskets of tomatoes and brought them into the house.
Sunday, 15
Sixth day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 5-41, Set at 6-9, & is 5 fast. Moon set at 3-25.
The morning opened very cloudy and the temperature, contrary to expectation, was considerably above the freezing point. At the time of sunrise mercury stood at 46 degrees. As the sun advanced the clouds dispersed and the day became fair and continued so, but did not become very warm. There were some clouds at the time of sunset, and the mercury stood at 55 degrees. The evening has come off very fair.
Arose and spent the morning in my usual manner. Continued my reading some time after breakfast and then resumed my seat at the writing table and I finished the copy of my letter to Mr. Atkins. The Annual Meeting being in session at Alba there was none held at the meeting house at the Centre. Remained at home with wife. Harvey and Lizzie and the children went away. Amanda and Lelia came over, and towards night Fremont came. Gave him my letter to Mr. Atkins to be mailed at Troy tomorrow morning. At night began a letter to A. M. Bailey of Middlefield, Conn.
Monday, 16
Seventh day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 5-42, set at 6-7, & is 5 fast. Moon set at 4-42.
Morning was fair with exception of a cloud in eastern horizon and a little fog. At the time of sunrise the mercury stood at 36 degrees. The day has been quite fair, with only a few slight exceptions, and the weather has continued moderately cool. At the time of sunsetting, the temperature, according to the thermometer, was about 52 degrees. the evening is quite fair and pleasant.
Spent the early morning according to my common custom, read a little while after breakfast and then took my seat at the writing table and finished my letter to Mr. Bailey and copied it, and after dinner carried it up to the post office and delivered it; got the Tribune and and, coming directly home with it devoted the remainder of the afternoon or the principal portion of it to reading it, but sleeping some as usual. Did nothing besides except to split a little wood for my fire this evening.
Tuesday, 17
Full Moon 0-3, Morn. Sun rose at 5-43, set at 6-5, & is 6 fast. Moon commences rising.
The morning was a little foggy but was otherwise fair. The temperature had gone down considerable but there was no frost hereabout. At sunrise the mercury stood at 34 degrees. The forenoon was clear and cloudy by spells, alternately, and the afternoon was considerably cloudy with a little rain. The temperature has been a little higher than for the last few days. At sunset the mercury stood at 58 degrees. The evening is cloudy and rainy.
After attending to the preliminary morning matters, devoted an hour or two to reading and then took my place at the table and wrote a letter to Lillie which I finished and copied and enclosed before noon, and then went into the garden and pulled weeds a spell, after which went up to the post office with my letter, going into Bruce’s & waiting some time for mail to arrive, and for Taylor to eat his dinner. Brought some postage stamps and came home and spent two or three hours reading, and then devoted the remainder of the day at selecting and cutting out articles and inserting them in Scrap Books.
Wednesday, 18
Second day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 5-44, Set at 6-3, & is 6 fast. Moon rises at 7-11.
The night cleared off and was fair, the morning was partially cloudy again. At sunrise the mercury was standing at 38 degrees. The forenoon was mostly fair after a little while in the morning, and the afternoon was quite fair. The temperature has been pretty uniform for several days past, and the mercury at sunset was standing at 55 degrees. The evening fair.
Spent the morning in the usual manner, and devoted a considerable portion to reading, and with the family. Towards noon started out a fishing but did not go far, beginning on our flat and only going down into Frank Taylor’s meadow, and catching only a very small mess of fish, of course. Devoted the afternoon to reading and to rest, sitting a part of the time with the women, and working a little at Scrap Books. Burton and Mary came down in the morning, Harvey went back with him & she staid the night.
Thursday, 19
Third day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 5-45, Set at 6-0, & is 7 fast. Moon rose at 7-39.
Clouds came on and commenced raining soon after bedtime, and continued through the night. The morning was cloudy and warmer. At sunrise the mercury stood at 58 degrees. The forenoon was clear and cloudy by turns, and about 11 o’clock a shower cloud came over which yielded some rain. The afternoon was mostly fair until towards night and was then more cloudy. At sunset the temperature was 53 degrees. The evening is mostly fair.
Worked a little at inserting some Courier articles into a Scrap Book in the morning and spent some time in the library reading, and in the garden hoing and pulling up weeds in the course of the forenoon. After twelve o’clock went up to the Centre but the mail having not arrived went into Bruce’s and waited for it. When it came went into the post office and got the Tribune and came home and devoted much of the afternoon to its perusal, besides tending baby some and dozing in my chair.
Friday, 20
Fourth day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 5-46, Set at 6-0, & is 7 fast. Moon rose at 8-8.
The morning at sunrise was quite cloudy and it was beginning to rain a little. The mercury was standing at 50 degrees. The rain ceased directly but the clouds remained all the morning. There has been a cool wind from the northwest, and the afternoon has been mostly fair. At sunset the mercury was down to 48 degrees. Evening is fair & calm, & affords a fine prospect for frost.
After attending to my early morning matters, sat down and read till the call to breakfast, and after breakfast spent a considerable portion of the forenoon reading. In the middle of the day hoed as spell among the asparagus. After this went up to the post office and had to wait till half past two o’clock for the mail, & then got the Reporter and the Argus, & a letter from Miss Mary K. Wells of Mass. Spent some time reading the newspapers, and towards night went into the garden and picked the tomatoes.
Saturday, 21
Fifth day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 5-47, set at 5-59, & is 7 fast. Moon rose at 8-40.
No frost to be seen around the house in the morning but the atmosphere was very clear. At the time of sunrise the temperature was down to 35 degrees. The day continued fair all the way through and the weather was considerably warmer than it has been for several days past. At the time of sunset the mercury was standing at 59 degrees. The evening is remarkably clear and calm.
In the morning attended to my bathing &c., read a spell and then took my breakfast. After this continued my reading a spell longer and then went into the garden to work a while longer a hoing and pulling the weeds out of the asparagus beds and the alleys. Quit a little before noon and came into the library and commenced writing a letter to cousin Lydia Caywood. Went up to the post office and got the Courier and a bundle of electioneering trash. Read a spell and then finished writing my letter. In the afternoon Elon called and paid me thirty cents for some tomatoes he had carried for me to Barclay today.
Sunday, 22
Sixth day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 5-48, & set at 5-57, & is 8 fast. Moon rises at 9-16.
The night was pretty warm and the morning was a little cloudy. At the time of sunrising the mercury stood at about 58 degrees. The morning became fair and continued so until afternoon and then a shower cloud came up attended with thunder and with very little rain. Cleared off again and the evening was fair and warm.
This is the seventy first anniversary of my birth. Spent
some time in the morning reading and copying letter to Mrs. Caywood, then
got ready for meeting, took the post office letter to
the post office, attended at the meeting house and heard Br. Mitchell preach,
Br. Greenlaw also being in attendence. After meeting Br. Mitchell came
home with me and after tea I returned with him to the Centre, stopping
at Br. L. D. Taylor’s till evening meeting, heard Br. Mitchell again, returning
saw fire flies in Taylor’s meadow. On reaching home found Luman at the
house who had just arrived. He remained for the night.
Monday, 23
Seventh day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 5-41, set at 5-57, & is 8 fast. Moon rises at 9-58.
Another pretty warm night with some heavy thunder. The morning was a little cloudy and the temperature at sunrise was 57 degrees. Morning cleared off, but before nine o’clock a cloud with heavy thunder passed over, south of us, with some rain here but raining copiously in other places not far off. The afternoon has been fair and very warm. At sunset the temperature was 60 degrees. Evening is fair.
Spent a portion of the morning reading as is my custom, and pretty soon after the shower took a walk out and went down to the Corners, calling a spell at Elon’s on the way. Went in to see Julius but found they were absent from home, and then going into Robert’s, found that Julius & Sally had gone to visit Letty at Mansfield. Found Robert at Ben’s shop, and after chatting with him a spell returned home. Remained about the house till after dinner, and then went up to the post office and got the Courier & a Philadelphia paper. Read a part of the afternoon, & wrote some. Luman went away directly after breakfast for Barclay. Rec’d. from him $10.
Tuesday, 24
Last Quarter at 6-20, morn. Sun rose at 5-50, set at 5-54, & is 8 fast. Moon rises at 10-54.
The night was warm. The morning was fair, with a dense line of fog stretching along the vally, and at sunrise the mercury standing at 54 degrees. The day was quite warm, and was fair all the way through. The evening too is quite fair and pleasant, and the weather is remarkably mild.
Got ready in the morning to go to Troy today and started away on foot immediately after breakfast. Was overtaken a little this side of East Troy by Br. Streetor and rode with him yp to Long’s mill, and then with Philander’s wife and boy up to Azor’s. After a short time went over to the village and bought at Grant’s a sett of silver tea spoons for a present to Lurenda at the 49th anniversary of her birth, price $9.30. Left them to be marked, & went Delos’ office, & with him to dinner. Afternoon got at Gustin’s a picture of Selenda in frame, & the spoons from Grant’s & leaving them at Sam’s, attended political meeting & heard Senator Tipton of Nebraska, & then got my things & went back to Azor’s and staid over.
Wednesday, 25
Second day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 5-31, Set at 5-52, & is 9 fast. Moon rises at 11-39.
The night was warm, the morning was considerably cloudy with the wind from the south indicating rain. The wind, after a little, came on pretty strong & it partially cleared off, but in the afternoon they came on again and there was a copious rain. At the time of sundown the mercury was up to 63 degrees, and the evening is quite cloudy again.
Pretty soon after breakfast made preparation and started from Azor’s on my way home. Walked all the way, stopping only at Burton’s a short time to rest, and at Taylor’s store to get an umbrella I left there on Sunday, and arrived home before noon. Remained in and about the house during the remainder of the day, and employed the time in various ways. Having brought with me that picture of Selenda, I went to work in the first place and made a loop of wire and fixed to the frame, and hunt it up. I also spent some time in reading, some time in sleeping, & worked a little at Scrap Books. Harvey brot from the post office the Rochester Republican.
Thursday, 26
Third day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 5-52, Set at 5-50 and is 9 fast. Moon rises tomorrow morning.
There were some clouds in the horizon and some clouds
fog in the valley in the morning, otherwise it was fair. At sunrise the
mercury was standing at 53 degrees. The day has been mostly fair, and the
weather continues to be moderately warm and very agreeable. At the time
of sunsetting the mercury stood at 55 degrees, and the evening is considerably
cloudy again.
Spent the greater portion of the day in and about the house and did not undertake to do anything of much consequence. Read a spell in the morning, and then examined the newspapers on my table, cut out some of the articles and inserted them in the proper Scrap Books, and laid the papers away. After dinner went up to the post office and got the Tribune, brought it home, and spent a large share of the afternoon reading & sleeping. Towards night went into the garden and worked a spell at hoing up weeds.
Friday, 27
Fourth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 5-53, set at 5-49, & is 9 fast. Moon rose at 0-36, M. & Set 8-18, m.
There were some clouds in the horizon in the morning, but otherwise it was fair. At the time of sunrise the temperature was 53 degrees, according to the thermometer. There were some clouds in the course of the day but in general the day was fair. The weather was quite warm about noon and in the afternoon also, but at sundown the mercury was down to 55 degrees again, same as last night. The early evening is cloudy.
Spent the time today, much the same as yesterday. Remained indoors through the forenoon, dividing the time between reading in the library, and whatever else I happened to find to engage my attention. After dinner went up to the post office and got the Reporter, brought it home and read it a spell, & then lay down and rested a spell, sleeping some, after which went into the garden and worked some time at pulling up and carrying off the peabrush, hoing the asparagus, and digging up weeds in the allies and among the turnips. After this devoted another spell to reading.
Saturday, 28
Fifth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 5-59, set at 5-47, & is 10 fast. Moon rises at 1-36, & S. at 9-4.
The morning at the opening was considerably cloudy, and at the time of sunrise the temperature was represented by the mercury at 45 degrees. Before eight o’clock the clouds had all disappeared and the atmosphere was very clear. Clouds soon appeared again, but the day was mostly fair. At sunset the mercury was down to 47(?) degrees. The evening is
Spent the morning and the principal part of the forenoon in the library and about the house, most of the time engaged with newspapers or books. In the middle of the day took my fishing tackle and went down to the creek, but caught only a few fish and then gave it up and went to hunting mushrooms. Found a few of them and then came up to the house. Soon after this went up to the post office and got the Courier, and the Reporter and the Republican, and a letter from Lettie Lane. Brot them home and spent the remainder of the day reading.
Sunday, 29
Sixth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 5-55. Set at 5-45, & is 10 fast. Moon rises at 2-37, & S. at 9-49.
There was considerable wind in the latter part of the night and the morning was quite cloudy. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at the mark for 53 degrees. There has been a brisk wind from the south through the day. The weather remained cloudy until some time in the afternoon and then there were short intervals of sunshine. At the setting of the sun the temperature was 63 degrees. The evening continues cloudy.
Devoted my leisure time during the morning hours mostly to reading, and at the proper time made preparation and went up to the meeting at the Centre. There being no preacher in attendence from abroad, Br. Levi Taylor delivered a discourse and was assisted in carrying on the meeting by Br. Charles Ross, who announced the death of Br. Geo. Brigham in Illinois. Br. Brigham was buried on Saturday the 21st inst. Returned home as soon as the meeting was concluded and spent the remainder of the day about the house with the family & reading some.
Monday, 30
Seventh day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 5-56, set at 5-44, & is 10 fast. Moon rises at 3-40, & S. at 10-32.
Cleared off in the night and the morning opened very fair and pleasant. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at the mark for 38 degrees. The forenoon continued fair, but some portions of the afternoon were considerably cloudy, especially the latter part. At the time of sunset the mercury was down to 53 degrees. The evening is fair.
This being the day appointed for a Birth Day party to meet at Lurenda’s – her birth being on the 29th, & that being Sunday this year – we made preparation in the morning and started off at 9 o’clock, but Luman could not go. Amanda went with all her family, Abe. & Cynthia, Amanda Harman, Burton & Mary and Azor & Eliza were there. We presented her with a set of silver teaspoons, and had a pleasant, except that one of Harvey’s horses was taken sick, & we had some trouble getting home. He continues sick this evening. Mr. Gilman brought the Tribune from the office today.
October
Tuesday, 1
Eighth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 5-37, set at 5-52, & is 10 fast. Moon rises at 4-42, & S. 11-10.
The morning was considerably cloudy, and had a heavy dew but no frost hereabouts. At the time of sunrising the temperature had come down to 35 degrees. The clouds soon became broken so that there were short intervals of sunshine during the forenoon, and there were several rainy spells in the course of the afternoon. At the time of sunset the mercury was standing at 47 degrees. The evening is cloudy & rainy.
Devoted a considerable portion of the morning to reading, and then went into the garden and picked and brought in a basket of tomatoes. Between nine and ten o’clock made preparation and went out a fishing again, beginning in Elon’s meadow and going down the creek as far as Tom Pratt’s. Did not succeed very well, bringing home but few fishes. Spent the remainder of the afternoon in and about the house, reading some and tending baby part of the time. Isaac called towards night for the purpose of getting some oats. Harvey lent him some.
Wednesday, 2
New Moon at 10-29, M. sun rose at 5-58, set at 5-40, & is 11 fast. Moon rose 5-43, & S. 11-50.
The morning was fair and pretty cool but there was not any frost here. At the time of sunrise the temperature according to the thermometer was 36 degrees. The forenoon continued fair, and the afternoon was considerably cloudy, with a little dash of rain and the weather has been moderately cool. At sunset the mercury was standing at 46 degrees. The evening is mostly fair.
Read a spell after breakfast in the morning, and then went out into the garden and worked at hoeing and pulling up weeds from the alleys and wherever they were found, – mostly mallows and purslain, – and after this picked and brought in some cucumbers. After dinner Harvey took his ma, and Lizzie and the children down to Norman’s for a visit. After reading a spell I got ready and went down there and spent the afternoon with the women, Norman being gone.
Thursday, 3
Second day of New Moon. Sun rose at 5-59, set at 5-38, & is 11 fast. Moon rises after sun. S. at 0-42.
The morning was very cloudy with a continuation of mild weather. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at 47 degrees. The day has continued cloudy all the way through but the clouds were a little broken towards night. There have been some slight sprinklings of rain. At the time of sunset the mercury was standing at 57 degrees. The evening is considerably cloudy, & it began to rain before bedtime.
Devoted a portion of the morning, both before and after breakfast, to reading. After this examined the newspapers that had accumulated on my table, and after cutting out such articles as are suitable for the Scrap Book, laid them away among the waste paper, & then went into the and worked till noon at hoing up the weeds from among the turnips and elsewhere. After dinner went up to the post office and got the Tribune and returning spent the afternoon reading it and tending the baby. At night went out and hoed in the garden again a short time.
Wednesday, 4
Third day of New Moon. Sun rose at 6-0, set at 5-37, & is 11 fast. Moon Set at 6-54, & S. at 1-28.
There was a partial frost in the morning, & it was quite clear at the dawn but became partially cloudy very soon afterward. At the time of sunrise the mercury stood at 31 degrees and was rising. The weather continued fair and pleasant through the day, but was only moderately warm. At sunset the mercury was up to 47 degrees, same as last night, but the evening being clear, there is a very good prospect for a hard frost.
Luman and Melville Barnes were here this morning, they having come late last evening. They went away immediately after breakfast. Having read a spell after breakfast went into the garden and hoed up weeds from among the turnips until nearly noon, and after dinner went up to the Centre, called on Annette while waiting for the mail, and then went in to the post office and got the Reporter and the Argus. Brot them home and spent the afternoon reading.
Thursday, 5
Fourth day of New Moon. Sun rose at 6-1, set at 5-35, & is 12 fast. Moon set at 7-5, & S. at 2-16.
The morning was very clear and pleasant but the expected frost did not appear. At the time of sunrise the mercury was up to 49 degrees. Some clouds came up with the sun but they soon dispersed and the day was quite fair and considerably warm. At the time of sunset the mercury was up to 59 degrees. The evening is partially cloudy.
Read a spell in the morning, both before and after breakfast, then sat down to the table and having commenced a letter to Mrs. Rhoda A. Cook, wrote till I got tired of it, and then went into the garden and hoed up weeds until afternoon. After this went up to the Center, and having to wait for the mail, went in and chatted with Lydia a spell until its arrival. Went into the Post Office and got the Courier and the Republican and came home. Sat down after dinner and read the papers a spell, and finished the letter and commenced the copy. Harry came in this afternoon and got some apples.
Friday, 6
Fifth day of New Moon. Sun rose at 6-2, set at 5-34, & is 12 fast. Moon sets at 8-0, & S. at 3-9.
The morning was considerably cloudy and the wind was southerly. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at 56 degrees. The day has been partially fair and considerably warm, the wind remaining in the south. At the time of sunset the temperature according to the thermometer, was 66 degrees. The evening is a little cloudy.
In the morning finished copying my letter to Rhoda before breakfast, after which most of the time until the meeting hour was devoted to reading. At the proper time got ready and went up to the Centre to meeting taking the letter along and put it into the letter box at the post office. Br. Greenlaw was in attendence and delivered a discourse. Returned home immediately after the meeting was concluded, and spent much of the time during the afternoon reading. Ben and Anna were here in the afternoon and towards night Amanda called on us a little while. Luman came in evening.
Saturday, 7
Sixth day of New Moon. Sun rose at 6-3, set at 5-32, & is 12 fast. Moon sets at 8-43, & S. at 4-5.
The night was quite warm and the morning was very cloudy, the wind remaining in the south. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at 63 degrees. At eight o’clock rain began to fall and continued with but little intermission through the day. At the time of sunset the mercury was standing at 54 degrees. The evening continues cloudy & rainy.
Devoted the early morning to reading according to my usual habit, and after breakfast returned to the library and read a spell longer. After this, concluding to write a letter to Mary Wells of Mittineague, Mass., sat down to the table and commenced one. Wrote a considerable portion of the time until the middle of the day, and then leaving it went up to the post office and got the Tribune, came home immediately and spent some time reading it, and then, giving it up to Mr. Gilman, resumed my writing & finished a long letter. Luman & Harvey went to Troy. Luman went back to Barclay in the evening.
Tuesday, 8
Seventh day of New Moon. Sun rose at 6-4, set at 5-31, & is 13 fast. Moon sets at 9-37, & S. at 5-4.
The morning was cloudy and wet, and the weather some cooler again. At sunrise the mercury was standing at 49 degrees. The clouds partially dispersed early in the forenoon and the day has been clear and cloudy by turns. The weather has become considerably cooler. At sunset the mercury was down to 44 degrees. The evening is quite fair.
Commenced copying my long letter to Mary Wells in the morning and continued at it with only slight intermissions until the middle of the day, and then carried the letter up to the election, delivering it at the post office and having delivered my votes at the polls, came home again. Found wife alone, Lizzie and the children having gone up to Annie’s. Went upon the hill and filled my pockets with hickory nuts and chesnuts, which I brought down to the house and then took tea with wife alone. Spent the remainder of the day in the library reading.
Wednesday, 9
First Quarter at 4-2 E. Sun rose at 6-5, Set 5-20, & is 13 fast. Moon sets at 10-40, & S. at 6-5.
A general, heavy frost, and first of the season. The morning was quite fair and very calm. At sunrise the mercury was down to 27 degrees. The day continued fair all the way through and the weather has become some warmer again. At the time of sunset the mercury stood at 53 degrees. The evening is remarkably fair – not a cloud in sight – and the moon is shining brightly.
Read a spell before breakfast, and soon after went to work at gathering apples. Picked about a bushel and a half of Baldwins and brought them into the chamber and little more than two bushels of seeknofurthers. In the afternoon went up on the hill with Albert, after resting and reading a spell, and gathered a few more chesnuts. Spent the remainder of the day in the house with the family, and tended baby part of the time. Luman came in the afternoon and got some dinner, & then hurried away, having to buy some cattle to drive to Barclay.
Thursday, 10
Second day of First Quarter. Sun rose 6-6, Set at 5-28, & is 13 fast. Moon sets at 11-50, & S. 7-5.
The morning at the dawn was very fair, with a long line of fog lying low in the valley. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at the mark for 40 degrees. Clouds began to appear soon after this, and before noon it was quite cloudy and began to rain. The rain continued through the remaining part of the day. At sunset the mercury stood at 43 degrees. The evening continues rainy.
Read a little in the early morning, and after breakfast went to work again at picking winter apples, and brought into the chamber about four bushels of gillie flowers, quitting when it began to rain. Between one and two o’clock went up to the post office and found in my box the Tribune, and also a letter from A. M. Bailey, and also a letter from his son M. A. Bailey. Besides these I found on the counter an express package from A. M. B., containing specimens of the Horse shoe fish, and the Fidler. Spent remainder of the day about the house.
Friday, 11
Third day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 6-7, set at 5-27, & is 13 fast. Moon rises tomorrow, & is S. at 8-4.
Cleared off in the night and was pretty cold. At the dawn of morning it began to be a little cloudy again, and sunrising the temperature was shown by the mercury to be 31 degrees and there was considerable frost. Clouds continued to increase, and before noon a storm of rain and sleet commenced, and continued moderately several hours, the clouds remaining thro the day. At sunset the mercury stood at 38 degrees. The evening is quite cloudy.
Did some reading in the morning before breakfast, and some immediately after it. After this went to gathering apples again. Picked and brot into the chamber enough more gilliflowers to make up seven and a half bushels with those I gathered yesterday. Harvey brought me a letter from the post office, from R. J. Hynes & Geo. F. Ketchum, nurserymen, of Geneva, N. Y., notifying me to be at Troy on the 28th of this month to receive two European Larch trees that I had subscribed for on the first day of last May. Spent the remainder of the afternoon about the house with the family, and reading part of the time. Fremont was here a spell in the afternoon.
Saturday, 12
Fourth day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 6-8, set at 5-25, and is 14 fast. Moon set at 1-5, & S. at 8-59.
The morning was considerably cloudy at the opening and there was also another frost. At the time of sunrising the temperature appeared by the mercury to be 31 degrees. As the sun advanced the clouds dispersed and before nine o’clock it was quite fair. There were cloudy intervals but the day was mostly fair, and the weather not very warm. At the time of sunset the mercury was down to 39 degrees. Evening is partially cloudy.
Devoted a considerable portion of the morning to reading, and about nine o’clock went up on the hill and picke up about a couple of quarts of chestnuts and about the same quantity of hickory nuts returning a little afternoon. Ate my dinner and then went up to the postoffice and found in my box the The Tribune, and the Reporter, and the Courier, and the Argus. Paid Taylor 50 cts for a basket and came home and spent the remainder of the afternoon about the house. Saw Mr. Bunyan at the store.
Sunday, 13
Fifth day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 6-9, set at 5-23, & is 14 fast. Moon set at 2-20, & is South at 9-51.
The morning was cloudy and rainy at the opening with the wind southerly. At the time of the sunrising the temperature according to the mercury was 42 degrees. The day remained cloudy all the way through, but the rain ceased in the morning and commenced falling again towards night. At sunset the mercury stood at 44 degrees. The evening is cloudy and rainy.
Arose at my usual early hour and after attending to my morning bath &c., sat down and read till breakfast. On leaving the table sat down to reading again, devoting the time in that way until the time for the meeting, and then made preparation and attended at the Meeting House for that purpose. The audience was not very large, there being no appointment for a preacher today. The meeting was conducted by Br. Levi Taylor who spoke about half an hour, and was then succeeded by E. F. Larcom. Spent the remainder of the day at home with the family.
Monday, 14
Sixth day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 6-10, Set at 5-22, & is 14 fast. Moon set at 3-33, & is south at 10-41.
The rain storm continued through the night and was still in progress when the morning dawned. At sunrise the temperature was 37 degrees, and it was still raining. Before 8 o’clock the rain had changed to snow which whitened the hills and then subsided. after a little the rain commenced again and continued till after noon. There was a very little sunshine in the course of the afternoon, but most of the time was cloudy. At sunset the mercury was at 41 degrees. The evening continued cloudy.
Spent the morning and the forenoon in and about the house, engaged in reading a considerable portion of the time. In the afternoon went up to the Centre stopped a spell at Mr. Bruce’s and then went into the post office and got a letter I had sent to Rhoda, which had been returned from Vernon, Conn. Came home and repaired a pair of spectacles, & worked a spell at filling a scrapbook. Luman was here to dinner & came again at night.
Tuesday, 15
Seventh day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 6-11, Set at 5-0, & is 14 fast. Moon set at 4-46, & is south at 11-29.
The morning was considerably cloudy, wind from the north west, and, at sunrise, the mercury standing at 37 degrees. There was a little sunshine in the early part of the forenoon but the remainder of the day has been quite cloudy with considerable wind from the north west. At the time of sunset the mercury marked the temperature at 39 degrees. The evening remains cloudy and is also considerably windy.
Spent the morning in the usual manner and having read a spell after breakfast concluded I would try to do something with the letter I had sent to Rhoda, which came back to me yesterday. I therefore wrote another explaining the circumstances of the case so far as they are known to me, and nearly finished the copy in the course of the day, besides attending to various other trifling matters that are not worthy of particular mention here. Luman remained here to breakfast and soon after started away with John Vroman on a cattle buying trip.
Wednesday, 16
Full Moon at 10-33 M. Sun rose at 6-13, set at 5-19, & is 15 fast. Moon sets after sunrise. S. tomorrow M.
The night was quite windy and the weather grew a little warmer. The morning was quite cloudy at the first, and the temperature was 42 degrees at sunrise. The day was mostly cloudy until towards night, and then became quite fair, and pretty cool. At the time of sunset the temperature according to the mercury was 40 degrees. The evening is remarkably clear and calm, with the full moon shining brightly.
Finished copying my letter to Rhoda in the morning, and placing it with the other in a new envelope, directed it to the care of A. M. Bailey at Middlefield Conn., and then commenced writing one to Mr. Bailey. Left it in the early afternoon to go up to the post office, carrying up the other letter but finding nothing to bring back. Harvey drove some cattle to Barclay for Luman, and wife, and Lizzie, and the children walked over to Amanda’s farm for a visit. Samuel came in the afternoon and staid till nearly night. Finished and copied my letter in the evening by sitting up pretty late.
Thursday, 17
Second day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 6-14, set at 5-17, & is 15 fast. Moon rises at 6-5, & is south at 0-17, Morn.
A cold night left a very heavy frost behind it. The morning was also partially cloudy as well as cold. At sunrise the mercury was down to 22 degrees. The clouds dispersed so that the forenoon and middle of the day were pleasant. Afternoon there was a brisk south wind, and towards night it became quite cloudy and rained some. Evening is cloudy with the reflection of lightning seen, but does not rain.
Carried my letter to the post office before breakfast in the morning, Samuel being here at the time, who staid till my return and took breakfast with us. After this devoted some time to reading and then went up on the hill and picked up about four quarts of chestnuts and about two quarts of hickory nuts. On my return went up to the post office again but found my box empty. Samuel came again in the afternoon and got Harvey to help him pick some apples. Having to be in Troy tomorrow to receive from the nurseryman two ornamental trees I had subscribed for, Rode up at night, to Long’s mill, with Sam., & staid at Azor’s.
Friday, 18
Third day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 6-15, Set at 5-16, & is 15 fast. Moon rises at 6-36, & is south at 1-6 morn.
The night was quite rainy. The morning was very cloudy and wet and the temperature was moderately cool. The clouds broke away in the course of the forenoon, so as to admit a little sunshine occasionally. In the afternoon there was thunder and lightning, and a pretty heavy shower of rain, attended with hail in some places. The evening was partially cloudy, clearing off at last.
Directly after breakfast left Azor’s and walked over to town, went to Grant’s and left my gold spectacles to be repaired & borrowed pair silver ones to use, called at Troy House & barn for nursery man but he had not come, waited through the day, calling at various places, and taking dinner at Samuel’s. Dudley Long was buried in the afternoon, with Mason’s ceremonies. Nursery man came about 3 o’clock, but his trees were behind at Elmira, to come on tomorrow morning. Called to see Sara; and concluding to return home, started after 5 o’clock and rode down in the evening with Robert.
Saturday, 19
Fourth day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 6-16, set at 5-14, & is 15 fast. Moon rises at 7-10, & was south at 1-56 morn.
The morning at the opening was tolerably fair and the temperature at sunrise was 38 degrees, according to the mercury. Soon after this it became partially cloudy, and completely so before noon. After this a little interval of sunshine succeeded, and then the afternoon became permanently cloudy, and part of the time rainy. At sunset the temperature was shown by the mercury to be 37 degrees only. The evening continues quite cloudy.
Spent the early morning according to common custom. After breakfast devoted an hour or two to reading, and then about as much more time to writing and with the family. A little after twelve o’clock went up to the post office and got the Tribune and the Courier, and then went in and chatted with Lydia and Annette a spell, and after this came home and spent a considerable portion of the remaining afternoon in the library reading the newspapers, and devoted a small portion of it to the indulgence of my propensity to sleep, when so employed.
Sunday, 20
Fifth day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 6-17, Set at 5-? & is 15 fast. Moon rose at 7-50, & Sl at 2-47.
A little rain in the fore part of the night, then cleared off and the weather was colder, freezing some. The morning opened quite fair and at the time of sunrise the mercury was down to 25 degrees. Fair weather has continued through the day, but it has been moderately cool, and there is another very good prospect for a freezing night. At the time of sunset the was standing at 38 degrees. The evening is fair and pleasant.
Spent the morning both before and after breakfast according to custom and at the proper time made preparation and went up to the Centre to meeting. Br. Greenlaw had an appointment there today, but failing to attend the meeting was conducted by Brs. Levi Taylor and C. D. Ross, Br. Taylor being the chief speaker. Returned immediately home after the conclusion, and spent the remainder of the afternoon in and about the house, a portion of the time in the library reading, and the remainder with the family in the kitchen.
Monday, 21
Sixth day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 6-18, set at 5-11, & is 15 fast. Moon rises at 8-36, & S. at 3-38.
Weather continued clear through the night, and the morning at the dawn, was fair and frosty. At the time of sunrise the temperature was shown by the mercury to be 26 degrees. The day continued fair all the way through except that, in the latter part, it was somewhat hazy around the horizon. The weather has grown considerably warmer. At the time of sunset the mercury was standing at 55 degrees. Evening fair.
Luman and Theodore came late last evening and went to bed. John Vroman came before daylight to go away with Luman, and on account of this company postponed my morning bath. After breakfast examined the newspapers and cut out such articles as were suitable for my scrap books and laid the papers away. Towards noon went up on the hill with Albert to gather some nuts. Picked up about six quarts of chestnuts and about a quart of hickorynuts. After dinner went up to the post office and got the Tribune that was due last Thursday, and also got a letter from Miss Ellen F. Buell. Spent the remainder of the afternoon about the house chatting, and reading, and dozing.
Tuesday, 22
Seventh day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 6-19, set 5-? & is 16 fast. Moon rises at 9-27, & is South at 4-30.
The morning was a little cloudy after a clear, pleasant night. At the time of sunrise the temperature was shown by the mercury to be 42 degrees. The forenoon until near the middle of the day was considerably cloudy, the afternoon has been quite fair and moderately warm. At the time of sunsit the temperature as indicated by the thermometer was about 54 degrees. The evening is considerably cloudy.
Arose early in the morning & after kindling a fire in the library, attended to my bathing and other matters before breakfast as usual besides reading a spell. Spent the forenoon about the house, doing nothing in particular except to read a little occasionally and tend the baby some. In the middle of the day went into the garden and pulled up a few weeds, and then went up to the Centre, calling on Lydia a spell, and then at the post office but found nothing to bring home. Towards night tried fishing but in vain.
Wednesday, 23
Eighth day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 6-20, set at 5-9, & is 16 fast. Moon rises at 10-23; and is south at 5-21.
The morning at the opening was quite cloudy with wind from the south. At the time of sunrising the temperature, according to the mercury, was 48 degrees. Soon after this, rain commenced falling moderately and continued the forenoon through. The afternoon remained cloudy, raining some. At the time of sunset the mercury stood at 44 degrees. The evening is cloudy and dark.
After attending to the affairs of the morning read a spell before breakfast, and after that – having nothing in particular to engage my attention today, – remained about the house through the day attending partially to various matters and things, but nothing of very much importance. I have read some and wrote some at intervals, spent a portion of my time in the kitchen with the women and children and tended baby some. In the forenoon Charley and a Loomis boy called on their way from Franklin where they went to drive some calves. They staid to dinner. Mr. Bunyan came in afternoon & invited us to wedding.
Thursday, 24
Last Quarter at 3-52 M. Sun rose at 6-21, set at 5-7, & is 16 fast. Moon rises at 11-23, & S. at 6-11.
The morning was only partially cloudy at the dawn and at the time of sunrising the mercury was standing at 32 degrees and consequently there was a little frost. The clouds broke away and a part of the forenoon was fair, but coming on before noon the remainder of the day was quite cloudy. At the time of sunset the mercury stood at 46 degrees. The evening is cloudy.
Arose early and had time to read a spell before breakfast. Remained about the house till 9 o’clock and then took the axe and went up on the hill with Lizzie and Albert to help them get some chestnuts. Cut down two small trees and trimmed them out, piling the brush, and remaining on the hill till after eleven. They succeeded in getting about eight quarts of chestnuts, and I picked up about three and brought them down in my pockets. After dinner went up to the post office and got the Tribune, brought it home and spent the remainder of the day with it.
Friday, 25
Second day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 6-22, set at 5-6, & is 16 fast. Moon rises tomorrow, & is S. 6-58.
The morning was quite cloudy at the dawn, and was also a little rainy. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at 42 degrees. The rain that commenced last night has proved to be a genuine north east storm, and has continued through the day with hardly any abatement. At the time of sunset the mercury was standing at 48 degrees. The evening continues rainy.
After attending to the morning matters spent some time in the kitchen with the women and children, and after breakfast went over to Amanda’s to see how the boys got along with the survey of the farm, they having Mr. Case there from Troy for that purpose. They worked a little while early in the morning, completing the survey of the home farm, and then held up on account of the rain. On my return stopped a spell with Robert and did not get home until nearly noon. Soon after noon went up to the Centre and called at Mr. Bruce’s until the mail arrived, then went into the post office and got the Reporter and the Argus, brought them home & spent the afternoon reading.
Saturday, 26
Third day Last Quarter. Sun rose at 6-23, set at 5-4, & is 16 fast. Moon rises 0-24, & is south 7-43, M
There was a heavy rain during the night & a great flood in the morning. At the dawn of day the storm was still in progress and at the time of sunrise the temperature was 48 degrees, the same as last night. Rained heavily all the forenoon, and more moderately through the afternoon. At sunset the Mercury was standing at 54 degrees. The evening is cloudy and dark, and rainy; and the creek is roaring.
Arose early and attended to my bath and other morning matters before breakfast, according to my constant practice. After breakfast spent my time about the house during the forenoon, reading some and attending to some trifling matters, but doing nothing most of the time. In the afternoon went up to the Centre, and meeting Harvey there who had just come out of the post office, he gave me the Courier, and the Republican, and a letter from Mr. Atkins and also one from Rhoda. Brought them home & spent remainder of day reading.
Sunday, 27
Fourth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 6-24, set at 5-3, & is 16 fast. Moon rose at 1-25, & was south at 8-27, Mor.
The night was rainy and the morning when it opened was quite cloudy and a little rainy, but the wind had changed into the west. At sunrising the mercury stood at 49 degrees. The day continued cloudy all the way through, and rained a little at intervals, especially in the afternoon. The weather continues quite mild, the temperature at sunset being 49 degrees. the evening cloudy & wet.
Arose early and spent the morning in the usual manner. After breakfast sat down in the library and read some time, and as the hour for meeting approached, got ready and went up to the Centre and attended at the Meetinghouse. The audience, which was not large, was addressed by Br. Levi Taylor, who conducted the exercises, there being no public preacher in attendence. As soon as the meeting was closed, came home and found Azor and Eliza, and Amanda, and Sara, and some children here. Amanda and her little girl staid overnight and Azor and his company departed a little before sundown.
Monday, 28
Fifth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 6-24, set at 5-2, & is 15 fast. Moon rose at 2-27, & was south at 9-?
Rained through the night again and the morning too was quite rainy. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at the mark for 46 degrees. Rain fell most of the time during the fore part of the day, but ceased a little before noon, and then the clouds broke away & the sun appeared. The afternoon was fair and quite pleasant. At the time of sunset the mercury was down to the mark for 44 degrees. The evening is clear and cool.
Read a little while in the morning after putting the library in order, and after breakfast concluding to send a letter to M. A. Bailey, went at it after breakfast and made it the principal business of the day, writing at intervals and frequently stopping to rest. After two o’clock in the afternoon went up to the post office and got the Tribune, brought it home and spent some time looking it over, and then resumed my writing again, made out a letter of ten pages and copying it in the evening. Sat up till after midnight.
Tuesday, 29
Sixth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 6-26, set at 5-2, & is 16 fast. Moon rose at 3-29, & was south at 9-53, mor.
There was a heavy white frost this morning and at the early dawn there was a light covering of clouds came over the sky. At the time of sunrise the mercury was down to 30 degrees. After a little the clouds dispersed and the day was fair, continuing so, with slight exceptions, till the close. The evening too was fair and the weather considerably cool, indicating frost.
In the morning made preparation to attend the wedding of Effie Bunyan to Mr. Dewart?, at her father’s house. After breakfast and just before we were ready to start away Mrs. Woodin came in and wanted to buy some apples. She paid me twenty shillings for twenty bushels, and they were to gather them. Harvey went with his team & carried us up to Mr. Bunyan’s, and returned. Left my letter at the post office on the way. Met a pretty large company at the wedding, had a very civil, pleasant time, and towards night went over to see if John Bush was at home, and finding him, he sent his team over to Bunyan’s and brought wife, and we remained with them.
Wednesday, 30
Seventh day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 6-28, set at 4-59, & is 16f Moon rose at 4-32, & was South at 10-36 morn.
There was a very heavy frost in the morning and the weather was fair. The weather continued fair through the day, and it was also moderately cool, especially in the afternoon. At the time of sunset the temperature, according to the mercury was only 40 degrees. The evening is remarkably clear and the stars are shining brightly.
Arose as soon as it was light in the morning and looked around John’s premises a little before breakfast. After this remained about the house a spell and visited with his family, and then we went with Emily and made a call on Jay’s(?) wife, Melissa, he being away to work at Leroy. After this wife went back with Emily and I went out to John’s new cellar where he was making preparations to commence building the wall, and from thence went in with him to dinner. After this we remained about the house with the family, visiting and reading until towards night, and then John sent his hired man and team to bring us home where we arrived before sundown.
Thursday, 31
Eighth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose at 6-29, Set at 4-58, & is 16 f. Moon rises at 5-38, & is south at 11-22 morn.
The morning was quite fair at the dawn, and there was another very heavy frost. At the time of sunrising the mercury was standing at the mark for 17 degrees only. The day continued fair until the close and was also not very warm. At the time of sunset the mercury was only up to the mark for 38 degrees. The evening also continues quite fair, and the stars are shining brightly.
Arose early and on going into the kitchen before breakfast found a letter from J. K. Pelton, and also the Tribune which had come one day in advance of the usual time, Harvey Having brought them from the post office last evening after I had gone to bed. Read the letter, and after breakfast looked over the newspapers a spell and then went up on the hill and pockets full of chestnuts and brought them down, making about three quarts. Spent the remainder of the afternoon about the house reading part of the time, and towards night split & brought some wood into the wood closet, and prepared some kindling wood.
November
Friday, 1
New Moon at 0-27. Sun rose at 6-30, set 4-57, & is 16 fast. Moon begins to set, & is south 0-10.
The night was fair but as the morning dawned it became quite cloudy. There was another heavy frost. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at the mark for 28 degrees. After a little the clouds broke away and let the sun appear, and clouds and sunshine at alternate intervals, became the order of the day. The day has been rather cool and and quite windy. At sunset the temperature was about 42 degrees. The evening is partially fair.
Spent the morning about the house reading a part of the time, and attending to various little matters. After dinner went up to the post office and got the Reporter and the Argus, and coming immediately home with them, spent a considerable portion of the afternoon reading them and dozing by turns. After this spent some time in the preparation of some matter for scrap books, and then prepared some wood for the library.
Saturday, 2
Second day of New Moon. Sun rose at 6-31, Set at 4-56, & is 16 fast. Moon set at 5-58, & is south at 1-2 afternoon.
The morning was fair at the dawning, or nearly so, and was also quite frosty. At the time of sunrise the temperature, according to the mercury was 26 degrees. The day has been fair most of the time until towards night, and then in a short time it became considerably cloudy. The weather has been moderately cool. At the time of sunset the mercury was standing at the mark for 42 degrees. The evening is quite cloudy and dark.
Arose early in the morning according to my custom and after attending to the first business of the morning sat down and read till breakfast was ready. After this continued my reading a little while, and then went up on the hill with Albert to see if we could find a few more chestnuts. We found they were not plenty but picked up about a couple of quarts. After dinner read a little and then went up to the post office and and found in my box the Tribune and the Courier. Brought them home and devoted a considerable portion of the remaining afternoon to reading them. Chopped a little wood at night.
Sunday, 3
Third day of New Moon. Sun rose at 6-32, Set at 4-55, & is 16 fast. Moon set at 6-40, & is South at 1-59.
Another rain storm commenced last night and was in moderate progress at the dawn of the morning. The temperature at the time of sunrise was 37 degrees. The rain continued to fall moderately through the day, or until late in the afternoon, when the clouds broke away a little in the west and let the sun shine out a few moments, and then obscured it again. At the time of sunsetting the mercury stood at 38 degrees. The evening is cloudy and dark.
Spent the principal part of the time during the morning and forepart of the day in the library reading, and making preparation for attending meeting. At the proper time went up to the Meeting House, and after waiting some time for the audience to come in the exercises were commenced and carried on by Br. Greenlaw, who was present. After the conclusion came immediately home as is my practice, and spent the remainder of the afternoon with the family and in the library.
Monday, 4
Fourth day of New Moon. Sun rose at 6-34, set at 4-53, & is 16 fast. Moon set at 7-31, ans was S. at 2-58.
The night continued cloudy and the morning opened in the same condition. At the time of sunrise, the mercury was standing at the mark for 36 degrees. Clouds continued, most of the time through the day. There has been a little sprinkling of rain, and short intervals of sunshine along in the middle of the day. At the time of sunset the temperature according to the mercury was 43 degrees. The evening is considerably cloudy.
In the morning devoted an hour or two after breakfast to reading and then went out into the orchard and took care of some apples that Samuel had picked and left there, and tried to gather a few more but did not find many, Wooden having taken all that were of much account. Went up to the Centre a little before noon and calling on Annette waited until the mail came in then went into the office but finding none for me, came home & spent the afternoon reading and working at scrap books.
Tuesday, 5
Fifth day of New Moon. Sun rose at 6-35, set at 4-52, & is 16 fast. Moon sets at 8-32, & was south at 3-59.
Cleared off in the night and the morning at the dawning was fair, and at the time of the sunrising the mercury was standing at 25 degrees, and there was a heavy frost of course. A fog came on, soon after the sun was up, which was succeeded by clouds, so that the principal portion of the day was cloudy. At the time of sunset the mercury stood at 43 degrees. The evening continues cloudy.
Spent the early morning as usual. After breakfast devoted an hour or two to reading and then went to work at a Reporter scrap book, inserting several pages of matter; and then was called off by company. Laythan and Urania came with their mother Brigham. to make us a visit. Layt. after a little went back to the election, and I went up soon after and put in a vote for Greeley. Layt came back to supper & soon after they departed. Amanda, Lucella, Linc. & wife. Mr & Mrs Robison, & Louisa Palmer were here in eve.
Wednesday, 6
Sixth day of New Moon. Sun rose at 6-36, Set at 4-51, & is 16 fast. Moon sets at 9-41, & is south at 5-0, morn.
The morning at the dawn was considerably cloudy with the wind from a southern quarter. The temperature was quite mild and was shown by the mercury to be 43 degrees at the time of sunrising, the same as last night. The day continued cloudy all the way through, with only one little gleam of sunshine, and without any rain. At the time of sunset the mercury stood at 48 degrees, and the evening remains cloudy.
After attending to the morning matters took my breakfast and then took my seat in the library according to my custom and spent an hour or more reading. After this I went to work at my scrap books again, inserting the articles I had prepared from the Courier, and from miscellaneous papers. After this spent some time with the family, until afternoon, and then went up to the Centre, stopping at Mr. Bruce’s some time and going into the post office got the last week’s Republican but nothing more. Brought it home & looked it over.
Thursday, 7
First Quarter at 10-50, Morn. Sun rose at 6-37, set at 4-50, & is 16 fast. Moon sets at 10-55, & is south at 5-59.
The night was considerably rainy and and the morning opened wet and lowery. At the time of sunrise the mercury was up to the mark for 40 degrees. The clouds cleared away as the morning advanced and the middle of the day was quite fair and warm. As the day declined the clouds came on, and there was considerable wind from the west towards night. At sunset the mercury was at 43 degrees. The evening is fair and bright.
Spent the early morning according to my rule, and after breakfast sat down and devoted another hour to reading. The remainder of the forenoon was spent about the house, a part of the time in the kitchen with the family, & a part of it in the library reading or writing. At noon went up to the Centre, waited at Bruce’s till the mail came in, then went to the office but got none, came home & tended baby part of the time, & picked up a few apples.
Friday, 8
Second day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 6-38, Set at 4-49, & is 16 fast. Moon does not set today. Was south at 6-54.
The morning at the dawn was partially cloudy, with a pretty brisk southerly wind. The temperature at the time of sunrise was shown by the mercury to be 37 degrees. the wind soon changed to the west and the weather was moderately cool. The day was clear and cloudy by turns and in the afternoon the wind was pretty strong. At sunset the mercury stood at 39 degrees. The evening is considerably clear.
Followed up my custom of reading until breakfast after attending to my early morning matters. After breakfast devoted an hour or two to reading, and then concluding to write a letter to Ellen Buell made a commencement, and wrote most of the time until towards night, and then was broken off by Lurenda, who with Amanda had come to make us a visit. In the middle of the day went up to the Centre, and calling at the post office got the Tribune and the Reporter, and going home, spent some time reading. The girls remained over night.
Saturday, 9
Third day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 6-40, set at 4-49, & is 16 fast. Moon set at 0-8 mor., & was south at 7-46.
The morning at the dawn exhibited a few clouds only, and the temperature, at the time of sunrise was shown by the mercury to be 39? degrees. There was quite a cloudy spell after this, and then the clouds broke away and the middle of the day and the afternoon were partially fair. At the time of sundown the mercury was down to 37 degrees. The evening was quite fair.
Arose early, and after the first business of the morning had been attended to, went to work at my letter again until breakfast. After this wrote and visited alternately until afternoon, and then went up to the store and postoffice where I made a small purchase for Lurenda, and found in my box the Tribune and the Courier. Came home looked over the papers, and then went to writing again and finished Ellen’s letter of two sheets, and copied it. Amanda went home after breakfast, and Lurenda remaining, staid over.
Sunday, 10
Fourth day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 6-41, Set at 4-48, & is 16 fast. Moon set at 1021, & was south at 8-35.
The night was very clear, and the morning at at the opening was quite fair and frosty. At the time of sunrise the mercury was down to the mark for 18 degrees. The day continued fair all the way through, and was quite pleasant though it has been moderately cool. The evening is considerably cloudy, with the wind in the south east, indicating more rain.
Attended to my morning matters and after breakfast read a spell, and visited with Lurenda until meeting time and then went up to the Centre and gave my attendence at the Meeting house. Brother Levi Taylor was the principal speaker and was assisted in the management of the meeting by Br. Charles Ross. At the conclusion, spoke to Burton to go down after Lurenda who wished to go up to his house, and sent word by him to my folks that I had concluded to go on from the meeting up to Azor’s. Started off and taking it moderately, arrived there between 3 and 4 o’clock and put up for the night.
Monday, 11
Fifth day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 6-42, set at 4-47, & is 16 fast. Moon set at 2-32, & was south at 9-22.
The morning was partially fair at the opening and was also considerably frosty. The day has been mostly cloudy until some time after noon and then it became entirely so, continuing till night. At sunset the temperature according to the thermometer was 45 degrees. The evening continues to be quite cloudy.
Arose early in the morning and had breakfast by candlelight. Sat down and read until after eight o’clock, and walked over the hill to the village, went went to Grant’s shop and got my spectacles and had my penholder marked, and bought a small clock ($4.00) and made a short call on Delos at his office, and then started, by way of the North Woods for home. Stopped at Luther’s a spell and got a late dinner, at the post office, and got the Argus, & then came home and started my clock. Luman came in the evening and staid.
Tuesday, 12
Sixth day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 6-43, set at 4-46, & is 16 fast. Moon set at 3-41, and is south at 10-9.
Rained some in the night, the morning was quite cloudy and wet. Neglected to look at the thermometer at sunrise but the weather has been moderately cool through the day. Rained a little in the course of the morning and the middle of the day, and the afternoon were very rainy. At sunsetting the temperature was down to 35 degrees, and the evening is quite rainy & a little snow.
After attending to the other morning matters, read a little while and chatted some with Luman until breakfast. After this Luman left $200, with me for Burton, and a note for him to sign. He then started off to drive some cattle to Barclay. Wife being very lame with rheumatism, went to work and fixed a chair for her accommodation, and then made a crutch to enable her to walk a little. Besides being lame, she suffers a great deal of pain. After this kindled a fire in the library and spent the remainder of the afternoon reading and dozing and chatting with the family.
Wednesday, 13
Seventh day of First Quarter. sun rose at 6-44, set at 4-45, & is 15 fast. Moon set at 4-50, & was south at 10-57, m
Cleared of in the fore part of the night, and the morning at the dawn was fair but clouds came on again immediately afterward. at the time of sunrise the temperature was 26 degrees. The clouds broke away again before noon, & the remainder of the day has been mostly fair. The weather has been moderately cool. At the time of sunset the mercury was standing at 39 degrees. The evening is quite fair and the moon is shining brightly.
Spent the morning in my usual manner reading a spell after breakfast, and then went to work at cutting out matter for scrapbooks from newspapers that had accumulated on my table and putting the papers out of the way. Towards noon took the money that Luman had left with me for Burton and started to carry it up to him, calling at Mr. Bruce’s on the way. Paid Burton the money for which he signed a note, staid there till after dinner, stopped at the postoffice on my way back & got the Tribune & the Republican, & spent the remainder of the day reading.
Thursday, 14
Eighth day of First Quarter. Sun rose at 6-46, set at 4-44, & is 15 fast. Moon set at 5-59, & was south at 11-45, evening
The morning at the dawn was quite cloudy and wet, and with a brisk southerly wind. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at the mark for 38 degrees. Clouds cleared away after the sun was up, and the day, with the exception of some cloudy intervals, was mostly fair. There was a little rain in the morning before the clouds cleared away. At the time of sunset, the mercury was standing at 37 degrees. The evening is quite fair.
Wife did not complain of pain so much today, but otherwise appears to be about the same. Spent some time in the morning, after break breakfast, reading the long account, in the Tribune, of the great fire in Boston that happened last Sunday. After this spent a considerable portion of the forenoon cutting and preparing matter for my scrap Books, and in the afternoon worked a portion of the time filling them. Towards night I split some wood for the library and brought it in. Luman came at night and staid over. Valentine called.
Friday, 15
Full Moon at 0-7, morn. Sun rose at 6-47, set? at 4-43, & is 15 fast. Moon rises tomorrow, & is S. tomorrow.
The morning was fair and frosty, and at the time of sunrise the temperature according to the thermometer was down to 20 degrees. The day was mostly fair, but was a little cloudy at intervals. The weather has been quite cold through the day, freezing all the time when the sun did not shine, and there was a cold westerly wind. At the time of sunset the mercury was down to the mark for 26 degrees. The evening continues fair.
Read a spell in the morning both before and after breakfast, after which took the old oleander to the waterspout and soaked and washed off the earth, and then separated the roots into several parts carried them into the cellar for present preservation. Spent the remainder of the forenoon in the library and with the family. A little afternoon went up to the Centre, calling first a spell on Lydia and then went into the post office and got the Reporter and the Argus, and spent the remainder of the day with them. Luman went back to Barclay.
Saturday, 16
Second day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 6-48, set at 4-42, & is 15 fast. Moon rose at 5-44, & was south at 0-36, m.
The morning was a little cloudy at the and the wind was southerly. At the time of sunrise the mercury stood at 16 degrees, which is the coldest morning of the season. The forenoon was partially fair, and the afternoon was mostly cloudy and somewhat squally too. There was but little thawing today. At sundown the mercury was down to the mark for 24 degrees. The evening is fair.
After attending to the first business of the morning, and reading a spell after breakfast, undertook to prepare a fishtub to plant an oleander in. Wishing to have iron hoops on it, found one that came off a washtub which I fitted and put on for the upper one. Afternoon went up to the post office and got the Tribune and the Courier and stopped at Larcom’s and got some iron to make another hoop. Brought it home & made & set the hoop, then filled the tub with earth and set into it the oleander & placed it in the sitting room.
Sunday, 17
Third day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 6-49, set at 4-41, & is 15 fast. Moon rises at 6-28, & is south at 1-27.
The morning was fair at the dawn, and was very frosty. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at the mark for 14 degrees. The fair weather did not long continue and the sky soon became overcast with clouds. The day has been quite cold as well as cloudy especially the latter part. At the time of sunset the temperature was down to 29 degrees. The evening is mostly fair.
According to custom arose early and after attending to bathing &c., sat down and read a spell. After breakfast continued my reading for some time longer. At the proper time got ready and went up to the Centre and attended meeting there. Br. Greenlaw was present and delivered a discourse on the duties of the Christian. Came as soon as the meeting came to a conclusion, and spent the remainder of the afternoon in the library reading, and with the family.
Monday, 18
Fourth day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 6-50, Set 4-40, & 15 fast. Moon rises 7-17, & south 2-20, morn.
The morning was partially cloudy at the dawn, after a clear cold night, and at the time of sunrise the temperature according to the mercury was 18 degrees. The day has been fair except a cloudy interval in the latter part of the afternoon, and and the weather has been pretty cold thawing none except a little where the sun shone. At the time of sunset the mercury was down to 31 degrees. The evening is clear and bright.
After some time in the morning spent reading, devoted the remainder of the forenoon to the work of preparing and fitting up some more scrap books, and attending to various other little matters in and about the house. After dinner read a spell and then went in to the chamber to see to my apples I had temporarily deposited there and found some of them frozen. Went to work at them and moved a small portion of them into a chamber closet and the remainder into the cellar. Luman came down from Barclay after cattle, and at night came here to stay over.
Tuesday, 19
Fifth day of Full Moon. Sun rose 6-51, set 4-40, & is 14 fast. Moon rises 8-12, & was south 3-12 morn.
The morning at the dawn was considerably cloudy and considerably cold. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at the mark for 17 degrees. the day has been partially fair and quite smoky and a little windy. The weather has been a little more mild but it has not thawed much. At sunset the mercury was standing at 32 degrees. The evening is
Devoted a considerable portion of the morning to reading both before and after breakfast, and then went to work at preparing and inserting matter into my scrap books, putting in about thirty pages. Spent the remainder of the forenoon and a part of the afternoon in this way and with the family, and at reading and then did up my housework, (wife being very lame), and split and brought in a quantity of wood, and dug up and brought to the house some turnips. Luman went back to Barclay.
Wednesday, 20
Sixth day of Full Moon. Sun rose 6-52, set 4-40, & is 14 fast. Moon rises 9-11, & was south 4-2, morn.
The morning was some smoky and considerably cloudy with brisk wind from the west. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at 26 degrees. Soon after this there was a flurry of snow and then the cloud breaking away, there was an interval of sunshine. Near the middle of the day, the clouds coming on again, there was another flurry of snow, & there were several more in the course of the afternoon, with considerable wind.
After attending to the first business of the morning sat down and read a spell, and the remainder of the forenoon was occupied with reading, and with writing, and with intervals spent with the family. Afternoon went into the cellar and placing the oleander shrubs, that had been separated, together, covered the roots with earth to preserve them for the present. After this went up to the postoffice and got the Tribune, and brought it home, and spent the remainder of the afternoon reading it.
Thursday, 21
Seventh day of Full Moon. Sun rose at 6-53, set 4-39, & is 14 fast. Moon rises 10-11, & south 4-51, morn.
The night was quite cold and clear, and the morning at the dawn was also of the same character. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at 7 degrees only above zero. Fair weather continued until near the middle of the day, then it became cloudy and remained so through the afternoon. At the time of sunset the temperature was 25 degrees. The eveing is fair with a brisk breeze from the west.
Arose before daylight according to my common practice and after attending to the preliminary matters, sat down and read till I was called to the breakfast table. After this went back to the library and resumed my reading for some time, and then went into the woodhouse and split up a quantity of wood for the kitchen and also some for the library which I brought in to the closet. Afternoon tended baby some, and did my housework, and devoted a considerable portion of the time to reading. Amanda here in the morning.
Friday, 22
Eighth day of Full Moon. Sun rose 6-54, Set 4-38, & is 13 fast. Moon rises 11-11, & south 5-37. morn.
The morning at the dawn was considerably more moderate as to the temperature, and was also quite cloudy. At the time of sunrising the mercury was standing at 23 degrees. The day continued cloudy all the way through but thawed a little notwithstanding, and snowed moderately during the afternoon. At the time of sunset the mercury was resting at 30 degrees. The evening remains quite cloudy.
Arose early and spent the morning in my usual manner. After breakfast sat down in the library and engaged in reading, spending most of the time during the forenoon in that way, not engaging in any other employment except to cut Albert’s hair. After noon went up to the post office and got the Reporter, and the Argus, and the Republican. Returned immediately home and spent the remainder of the afternoon with Burton and Mary who had come here for a visit, and in looking over and reading the newspapers.
Saturday, 23
Last Quarter 0-44, morn. Sun rose 6-55, set 4-?? & is 13 fast. Moon rises tomorrow. Was south 6-21. morn.
The morning was very cloudy at the dawn, with the weather materially moderate. At the time of sunrising the temperature was up to 31 degrees. The forenoon continued cloudy and was somewhat smoky, the afternoon was fair except that it was very smoky, and there was some wind. At the time of sunset the mercury was up to 34 degrees. The evening also continues fair.
After attending to my morning matters tended baby until the breakfast was ready and on leaving the table took my place in the library again and spent some time reading. After this went into the garret and brought out my chestnuts that I had left there to dry, and putting them into a bag laid them away in a closet. After noon went up to the post office and got the Tribune, and the annual Report from the Agricultural Department, sent by Mr. Mercur. Spent remainder of the afternoon mostly with the Tribune, & my housework.
Sunday, 24
Second day of Last Quarter. Sun rose 6-57, Set 4-37, & 13 fast. Moon rose 0-11, & south 7-4, morn.
The morning at the dawn was both smoky and cloudy and not very cold. At the time of sunrise the temperature, according to the mercury was 23 degrees. The forenoon continued cloudy until near the middle of the day and then clearing off the afternoon was fair until towards night, & then it became partially cloudy. The air through the day has been considerably smoky. At sunset the mercury was standing at 43 degrees. The evening is fair with a brisk wind from the west.
In the morning on leaving my room I took the baby which I tended until called to breakfast. After this went back to the library and spent the principal portion of the time there reading, until the hour for meeting and then got ready and went up to the Centre and attended at the meeting house as usual. Br. Levi Taylor was the principal speaker, but was assisted in the conduct of the meeting by Br. C. D. Ross. The audience was not large. Spent the remainder of day at home in the usual way, that is, in my room & with the family.
Monday, 25
Third day of Last Quarter. Sun rose 6-58, set 4-3?? & 13 fast. Moon rose 1-13, & south 7-46,morn.
The morning was partially cloudy at the dawn and the weather quite moderate, the mercury at sunrise being being up to 30 degrees. The morning became quite cloudy and continued so until towards noon, and then it cleared off and the remainder of the day was fair except being quite smoky. At sunset the mercury was up to 39 degrees, and the evening is mostly fair.
Spent the morning in the usual way. Read some time in the morning after breakfast and then worked a spell at selecting and cutting out articles for scrap books from newspapers. In the middle of the day went up to the Centre, stopped a spell with Annette, and then went into the post office, and finding no mail matter got a Vinegar? Bitters Almanac & came home. Pulled a few turnips in the garden, but there being too much frost in the ground yet, left them went to cutting off the asparagus tops, & then worked another little spell at scrap books. Luman came towards night and put up.
Tuesday, 26
Fourth day of Last Quarter. sun rose 6-59, set 4-36, & 12 fast. Moon rose 2-15, & south 8-28, morn.
At the morning dawn the sky was overcast with light clouds and at the time of sunrising the temperature was 25 degrees according to the mercury. The forenoon was quite cloudy and smoky, and towards noon it began to snow and continued, at a moderate rate through the afternoon, thoroughly covering the ground. At the time of sunset the temperature was 28 degrees, and the evening continues cloudy, with a little snow falling.
The morning was spent in the usual manner, and after breakfast sat down in the library and devoted an hour or two to reading, and then worked a spell at inserting articles into the Reporter scrapbook. Before noon went to work in the garden at pulling the turnips, having to use the crowbar to get them out of the ground on account of the frost. Afternoon worked at the turnips in the storm until got them all in the cellar. Spent the remainder of the afternoon in the house reading, tending baby, and doing my housework.
Wednesday, 27
Fifth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose 7-0, set 4-36, & 12 fast. Moon rose 3-18, & south 9-12, morn.
Cleared off in the night and became colder again. The morning at the dawn was clear and was quite cold and winterlike. At the time of sunrise the mercury was only 6 degrees above zero. When the sun came up the weather grew warmer and the forenoon was quite pleasant. The afternoon was partially cloudy. At sunset the mercury stood at 26 degrees. The evening was mostly fair.
Attended to morning matters, and also read an hour or two after breakfast, and then spent some time repairing a small wooden box, after which I resumed my reading until the middle of the day. After noon went up to the post office and got the Tribune and the Courier of last week, and returned without making any other call. Spent a considerable portion of the afternoon reading them and looking them over, and towards night split up and brought in some wood for the library, and attended to making bed &c.
Thursday, 28
Sixth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose 7-1, set 4-36, & 12 fast. Moon rose 4-25, & south 9-59, morn.
The night was clear and cold, and very much like winter. The morning too was fair and at the time of sunrise the temperature was 10 degrees. The day continued fair, or nearly so, all the way through, but at the close there appeared to be some clouds gathering in the eastern horizon. The weather has been pretty cold, it having thawed but very little in the sunshine. At the time of sunset the mercury was down to 18 degrees. The evening is quite fair.
Spent the morning according to my common custom and after breakfast returned to the library and engaged in reading and continued some time and was finally broken off by Benjamin and Azor coming in and soon after Lurenda and Eliza. They were on their way to Thomas Smiley’s to keep Thanksgiving. After this did a little tinkering, and made my reading the principal business in the afternoon too. Towards night prepared some wood and attended to housework. Wife is getting some better. Mr. Gilman brought me the Republican from P.O.
Friday, 29
Seventh day of Last Quarter. Sun rose 7-2, set 4-35, & 11 fast. Moon rose 5-35, & south 10-50, morn.
At the dawn of morning the sky was clear except a few clouds around the horizon, but at the time of sunrising it had become overcast with clouds generally, and the mercury was standing at 15 degrees. The day has been cold with a brisk wintry wind from the northwest and with clouds and sunshine alternately. At the time of sunset the mercury was down to 11 degrees.
The business of the morning same as usual, after breakfast reading was again in order. Employed the greatest portion of the forenoon in that way, and in doing up the work in our part of the house. Some time before noon Amanda – Harry Bailey’s wife – came here for a visit. A little after noon went up to the post office and got the Argus, and the Republican; came home with them directly and spent the remainder of the afternoon reading them, and visiting with our company, Harry also being here a spell in the afternoon. Azor called a moment towards night.
Saturday, 30
New Moon 1-33 even. Sun rose 7-3, set 4-35, & 11 fast. Moon rose 6-49, & south 11-45 morn.
The morning at the dawn was quite cold, and it was also cloudy and snowy and windy, and on the whole it was quite blustering. At sunrise the mercury was down to 7 degrees. The weather thro the day continued cold with flurries of snow & considerable wind. The mercury was not observed at sunset, but the evening is quite cold and windy. The clouds have cleared away and the stars are quite bright.
Remained in the house all the morning, engaged most of the time reading and attending to indoor matters. Fremont called in the course of the forenoon and requested me to call at his mother’s towards night for the transaction of some business relating to the sale of the farm. After noon went up to the P.O. & got the Tribune, & the Reporter, & the Courier, and heard that Mr. Greely died yesterday. Mr. Bunyan called in the course of the afternoon, and towards night went with me over to Amanda’s. We remained there till some time in the evening.
December
Sunday, 1
Second day of New Moon. Sun rose 7-4, set 4-35, & 11 fast. Moon set 5-22, & south 0-45 even.
The morning at the dawn was quite fair and calm with the temperature a little more moderate. At the time of sunrise the mercury stood at 14 degrees. As the sun came up the sky became overcast with clouds, and in the middle of the day a snowstorm began, & continued moderately through the afternoon, dressing the fields in white. At sunset the mercury was standing at the mark for 19 degrees. The evening continues cloudy snowing a little.
After bathing and putting the library in order in the morning, read a spell after breakfast and at the time for meeting, got ready and went up to the Centre and gave my attendence at the meetinghouse there. In place of Br. Greenlaw, Br. Delmott came, and delivered a very good discourse. Returned home immediately after the conclusion of the exercises and spent the remainder of the day in the library most of the time, and doing my housework.
Monday, 2
Third day of New Moon. Sun rose 7-5, set 4-35, & 10 fast. Moon set 6-21, & south 1-48 even.
The morning at the dawn was quite cloudy, but it was calm and the cold weather was considerably moderated. At the time of sunrise the mercury was up to the mark for 28 degrees. The day continued cloudy all the way through, and the wind being southerly a thaw commenced pretty early which has taken away all the snow. At the time of sunset the mercury was up to 38 degrees. The evening is quite rainy and windy too.
Had some time to read this morning after attending to the regular order. After breakfast read a spell and then went out and cleared the ice out of the water conducter and caused the water to run again at the spout, so that Lizzy could get water to wash with. After this went to work at scrap books, cutting and preparing the matter for the pages of the book, and inserted seventeen pages in the Reporter book No. 2. Besides this spent some time with the family, and attended to my housework.
Tuesday, 3
Fourth day of New Moon. Sun rose 7-6, set 4-3?? & 10 fast. Moon set 7-30, & south 2-51 even.
The morning at the dawn was cloudy and there was a sprinkling of snow on the ground. At the time of sunrise the clouds had nearly gone the wind having changed to the northwest, and the temperature was 29 degrees. The day was only partially fair and towards night was quite cloudy. There has been considerable wind in the course of the day and several flurries of snow which melted however soon after it fell. At the time of sunset the mercury was resting at 33 degrees. The evening is quite cloudy and there is a brisk wind.
Read some in the early morning and after breakfast went to work at my scrap books again, and inserted forty five pages of matter in the course of the forenoon. Spent the greatest portion of the afternoon in the kitchen with the women and children, chatting some, and reading some, and tending baby the remainder of the time. Luman came in the evening and staid.
Wednesday, 4
Fifth day of New Moon. Sun rose 7-7, set 4-34, & 9 fast. Moon set 8-43, & south 3-53 even.
At the dawn the morning was partially cloudy, and at sunrise it was mostly clear with the temperature according to the mercury at 22 degrees. Soon after this the clouds came on again, and alternate clouds and sunshine became the order of the day until towards night when cloudy weather prevailed. The temperature has been pretty cool, having thawed but very little. At sunsetting the mercury was standing at the mark for 27 degrees. The evening continues quite cloudy and unpleasant.
Devoted the early morning to reading after attending to the bath, and the order of the room. After breakfast read a spell and then, bringing forward a box filled with old correspondence, proceeded to examine the old letters for my amusement. Afternoon went to the post office & got the Tribune. After this read over my correspondence with uncle Luman. Lou Luman went to Troy in the morning.
Thursday, 5
Sixth day of New Moon. Sun rose 7-8, set 4-34, & 9 fast. Moon sets 9-59, & south 4-50 even.
The morning at the dawn was considerably cloudy, and was somewhat frosty, but not very cold. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at 33 degrees. The clouds broke away occasionally a little while, in the course of the day so that there were some short intervals of sunshine but the day was mostly cloudy, snowing a little and thawing some. At the time of sunset the temperature, by the mercury appeared to be 30 degrees. The evening continues cloudy and not very cold.
After the first business of the morning took my breakfast, the sat down in the library and took another spell at reading, after which commenced the job of copying my correspondence with my uncle Luman Andrus, into a book. Worked at it the remainder of the forenoon, and part of the afternoon. After mail time went up to the post office but there was no mail for me. Attended to my housework, and tended baby some. Luman came towards night and staid over.
Friday, 6
Seventh day of New Moon. Sun rose 7-9, set 4-34, & 8 fast. Moon sets 11-13, & south 5-43 even.
The morning at the dawn was quite fair and calm, and the weather moderate. At the time of sunrise the mercury stood at the mark for 23 degrees. The fair morning soon changed to a cloudy day, and continued so till night. The weather too was pretty cool, not thawing any to be observed. A the time of sunsetting the mercury was standing at 31 degrees. The evening is quite calm and considerably cloudy, but the clouds are a little broken.
Spent the morning according to the established order, and after breakfast went back into the library and resumed the work of recording my old correspondence with my uncle in a book. Spent the forenoon and part of the afternoon in this way. At mail time went up to the post office and got the Reporter and the Argus, brought them home, and read them a spell and then laid them aside. Spent some time with the family in the kitchen, and tended the baby some. Towards the close of the day attended to my wood for the library and other chores. Luman departed for Barclay soon after breakfast.
Saturday, 7
First Quarter 6-35 morn. Sun rose 7-10, Set 4-34, & 8 fast. Moon sets tomorrow. South 6-33 even.
The morning at the dawn was mostly fair and at the time of sunrise was considerably cloudy with the mercury standing at 21 degrees. The clouds soon passed away when the sun made its appearance and the forenoon was very fair and pleasant. The afternoon was a little cloudy and a little colder. At sunset the temperature, according to the mercury was 26 degrees. The evening is quite fair and bright with some wind stirring.
The first business of the morning ???? same as usual, after making fire, bathing, putting room in order, and reading till breakfast. After this read a spell, and then resuming the business of recording my old correspondence with my uncle, worked at it till afternoon, and then went up to the postoffice and got the Tribune which brought home and spent some time reading it. After this spent some more time writing, and towards night attended to my chores about the house.
Sunday, 8
Second day of First Quarter. Sun rose 7-11, set 4-34, & 8 fast. Moon set 0-24 morn. & south 7-20 even.
At the dawn the morning was quite cloudy again, with a pretty brisk wind from the south, and the weather considerably moderated. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at the mark for 32 degrees. Soon after this there was snow flying in the air a spell but there was not much that lodged on the ground. The day was only partially cloudy, the sun shining out a little ocasionally. At sunset the mercury was standing at 30 degrees. The evening is quite fair.
After attending to morning matters sat down & read till breakfast, and after this returned and continued my reading until meeting time, and and then made preparation, and going up to the Centre attended at the meeting house as usual. The audience was not large today, there being no public preacher in attendence. The meeting was conducted by Br. Levi Taylor. Came directly after the close and found wife alone. Spent the remainder of the afternoon with her and read a portion of the time.
Monday, 9
Third day of First Quarter. Sun set 7-11, Set 4-34, & 7 fast. Moon set 1-32 morn, & south 8-6 even.
The morning was cloudy at the dawn and the ground was
covered with snow of about an inch in depth, which had fallen some time
in the night. The weather was mild, the mercury standing at 20 degrees
when the sun rose. The day all the day all the way through
was partially cloudy, the sun shining out a little occasionally only and
was cold and blustering, growing rapidly colder towards night. At the time
of sunset the mercury was down to 9 degrees and the evening is like the
afternoon.
After reading some in the morning went to work again at copying [my old correspondence with my uncle, into a book. Wrote most of the time till towards the close of the day, then went to work, preparing some wood for the library. Amanda and Lucella were here in the afternoon, and Amanda staid over night to finish her washing tomorrow. Elon came in and spent the evening and Mr. Gilman likewise.
Tuesday, 10
Fourth day of First Quarter. Sun rose 7-12, set 4-34, & 7 fast. Moon set 2-39 morn, & South 8-53 even.
The past night was quite windy, and was the coldest of the season. The morning at the dawn was mostly fair but continued windy. At the time of sunrise the mercury was down to 6 degrees above zero, and the forenoon continued cold but was considerably fair. The afternoon is more blustering and there are more clouds. At the time of sunsetting the sky is overcast with clouds and the temperature appears to be improving a little, the mercury resting at 15 degrees. The evening is partially fair but there is considerable wind.
Spent the early morning as usual, and after breakfast resumed the business of copying my old correspondence. Worked at it by spells through the day and most of the evening making considerable progress with it. In the mean time being out of wood, had to provide my own, in part, by chopping pine roots &c. Spent some time with the family, tending baby a part of the time and attending to such other matters and things about the house as I have undertaken to perform. Amanda remained through the forenoon and finished her washing that she came here to do.
Wednesday, 11
Fifth day of First Quarter. Sun rose 7-13, Set 4-34, & 6 fast. Moon set 3-46 morn, & South 9-40 even.
At the dawn of morning the weather was quite cloudy but had become calm, and the temperature was more moderate. At sunrise the mercury stood at 16 degrees. The day through its entire length has been mostly cloudy, the clouds partially breaking away occasionally, admitting short intervals of sunshine. The weather has been more calm and more mild than yesterday. At sunset the mercury stood at the mark for 22 degrees. The evening is a little cloudy but the moon shines brightly.
Spent the morning in the usual way and immediately after breakfast went back to the library and resuming my place at the writing, made the business of yesterday the order again today. Worked through the forenoon with only slight intermissions, but in the afternoon, Mary and her mother being here for a visiting, spent more of my time with the family. Went up to the post office and got the Tribune and the Courier and, after attending to my wood, and other matters, devoted the evening to them.
Thursday, 12
Sixth day of First Quarter. Sun rose 7-14, Set 4-34, & 6 fast. Moon set 4-54 morn, & south 10-28 even.
The morning at the dawn was partially fair but became considerably cloudy immediately afterward, and it was also pretty cold. At the time of sunrise the mercury indicated 10 degrees. There were some clouds, but considerable sunshine in the course of the forenoon and the middle of the day. The afternoon was more? cloudy and a good deal colder. At the time of sunset the mercury was down to 8 degrees. The evening is partially fair.
Arose at my usual early hour, and after bathing and putting the library in order sat down and read a spell before breakfast. After this returned to the library & resumed the work of copying that old correspondence again and made it the principal business of the day, leaving off occasionally however, to have intervals of relaxation, and to attend to various other matters. Spent a portion of the time with the women and children?, tending baby some, and in the course of the afternoon split up and prepared some wood for the use of the kitchen and the library. Harvey brot from the post office the Republican towards night. Spent some time reading that.
Friday, 13
Seventh day of First Quarter. Sun rose 7-15, set 4-35, & 5 fast. Moon set 5-59 morn, & south 11-09 even.
The morning was cloudy at the dawn, and was also calm, and the weather was decidedly more moderate. At the time of sunrise the mercury was up to 20 degrees. The day continued cloudy most of the time, the sun appearing for short periods only occasionally. The weather grew colder from the first, but especially in the latter part of the day, there being considerable wind then. At sunset the mercury stood at 23 degrees. The evening is cloudy & windy.
In the morning got ready to go up to Azor’s with the family but there being more of us than could ride in the wagon, Amanda being along, I concluded to stay. Spent my time here alone being employed at copying my correspondence same as the last few days, most of the time and at intervals reading a spell. In the afternoon went up to the post office and got the Reporter, and the Argus, and the Republican and spent most of the time after that reading them. Harvey and the family did not get home till in the evening.
Saturday, 14
Full moon 4-43 eve. Sun rose 7-15, set 4-35, & 5 fast. Moon set 7-4 morn, & south tomorrow morning.
At the dawn the morning was quite cloudy and was also calm, with the temperature very much improved. At the time of sunrise the mercury had gained the mark for 28 degrees. The clouds dispersed in the course of the forenoon and the afternoon was fair. The day has been also and the weather not very cold. At the time of sunset the temperature was the same as the morning, the mercury standing at 28 degrees. The evening continues fair, but is somewhat hazy around the horizon.
After bathing put the library in order in the early morning, and then went into the kitchen and tended the baby until the breakfast was ready. After this went back into the library and after reading a few? took the pen and went to work at my job of copying the old correspondence again. Continued to work at it most of the time during the forenoon, leaving off occasionally to rest, occupying the time at reading or at tending baby meanwhile. Read a considerable part of the time in the afternoon, wrote some and prepared some wood for the library. Towards night went up to the post office and got the Tribune.
Sunday, 15
Second day of Full Moon. Sun rose 7-16, Set 4-36, & 4 fast. Moon rises tomorrow. South 0-11 morn.
The morning at the dawn was quite cloudy and calm, and the weather had continued to grow more moderate. At the time of sunrising the mercury was standing at 36 degrees, and at 9 o’clock it had cleared off so much that the sun was shining. After this the remainder of the day day was fair most of the time, and the weather has been quite mild, thawing some in the shade. At sunset the mercury had gone down to 21 degrees. The evening is fair and bright.
Spent the early morning in the customary way. After breakfast read some and then went to writing. There being a Quarterly meeting in progress at Locke’s mills, there was none held by the church here today, and not being able to attend up there consistently, remained here at home through the day. Spent the forenoon reading and writing alternately, and finished copying my old correspondence with my uncle Luman Andrus into a book for better preservation. Afternoon read much of the time, and spent a portion of it with the family. Luman came at night, & staid over.
Monday, 16
Third day of Full Moon. Sun rose 7-17, set 4-36, & 4 fast. Moon rose 6-2 even, & south 1-3 morn.
The morning at the first was quite fair, with a low temperature and a white frost. At the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at only 9 degrees above the cypher. Soon after this clouds began to gather and in a short time became general, and at about 9 o’clock snow began to fall moderately, continuing so till night but not accumulating more than an inch in depth. At the time of sunset the mercury stood at the mark for 26 degrees. The evening continues quite and calm, and there is a little snow falling.
Read a spell after attending to the morning matters, and another spell after breakfast. After this opened a small trunk filled with old letters, and for amusement commenced the examination of them and by this means revived the recollection of events
Tuesday, 17
Fourth day of Full Moon. Sun rose 7-17, set 4-36, & 3 fast. Moon rose 7-0 eve, & south 1-55 morn.
The morning at the opening was cloudy and calm and the weather appeared to be quite moderate for the time of year. At the time of sunrising the mercury indicated the temperature to be of 19 degrees. Clouds continued until about nine o’clock and then clearing away the remainder of the day was very fair and pleasant. At the time of sunsetting the temperature, as is indicated by the mercury, was about 20 degrees. The evening continues quite fair.
Arose at half past five in the morning as usual, attended to the first things in order, and then, having read a spell, went out into the kitchen with the family a while before our breakfast was ready. On leaving the table returned to the library and after spending another hour or so at reading, went to work at the pile of newspapers that had accumulated on my table, and selecting such articles I thought worth saving, cut them out for insertion in scrapbooks and put the remainder out of the way. Afternoon made some letters on small squares of pasteboard for Albert to spell his name with.
Wednesday, 18
Fifth day of Full Moon. Sun rose 7-18, set 4-37, & 3 fast. Moon rose 8-0 eve, & south 2-44 morn.
The morning at the dawn was quite cloudy and was also quite calm and with a lower temperature. At the time of sunrise the mercury was down to 13 degrees. Snow commenced falling at about nine o’clock and continued, moderately, with slight intermissions through the day. There was a spell in the afternoon when there was considerable wind. At the time of sunset the mercury was standing at the mark for 26 degrees. The evening is calm, but quite cloudy.
Left the bed in the morning at half past five, and after bathing and putting the library in order went into the kitchen and was very soon called to the breakfast table, and ate by candlelight. On leaving the table went back to the library and after reading a spell, looked over my correspondence matters and then took my pen and commenced a letter to Mr. Atkins. Wrote a spell in the forenoon and then leaving it spent some time with the family. At mail time went up to the post office and got the Tribune and the last weeks Courier. Spent some time dozing over them and reading some, and then attended to my wood and housework.
Thursday, 19
Sixth day of Full Moon. Sun rose 7-18, Set 4-37, & 2 fast. Moon rises 9-0, eve., & south 3-31 morn.
The morning was a little cloudy at the opening but they disappeared soon afterward, and moderate, winter weather seemed to be the order of the day. At sunrise the mercury stood at 14 degrees. The forenoon was quite fair and pleasant. The afternoon became somewhat cloudy and towards night considerably so. At the time of sunset the mercury was standing at the mark for 23 degrees and the evening at times quite cloudy.
Arose in the morning at about half past five, and after attending to the bath and other matters in the library went into the kitchen with the family, remaining there till breakfast was ready. After this returned to the library, and after reading a spell resumed the letter which I commenced yesterday for Mr. Atkins. Spent the entire day at home and about the house, much of the time with the women and children, writing some at intervals and reading some at others, and failing to finish my letter, left it over for another day.
Friday, 20
Seventh day of Full Moon. Sun rose 7-19, set 4-38, & 2 fast. Moon rises 10-0 eve., & south 4-16 morn.
Snow fell in the course of the night to the depth of about four inches. Morning at the opening was cloudy, a little windy and temperature quite mild. At the time of sunrise the mercury indicated 33 degrees. Thawing commenced in the morning early, and continued through the day. The weather remained cloudy, and there has been some wind in the course of the day. At sunset the mercury was up to 35 degrees. The evening remains cloudy and the thaw continues.
Arose in the morning soon after five o’clock and having kindled a fire attended to my bath and after having put things in order in the library went out into the kitchen and tended the baby a spell before breakfast. After leaving the table spent some time in the library reading, and then went to work at that long letter to Mr. Atkins again. Wrote at intervals of an hour or two at a time and in the course of the day I finished the letter and most of the copy. Finished the copy in the course of the evening and enclosed the letter. Spent most of my leisure with the women and children. At night attended to my wood and other matters.
Saturday, 21
Eighth day of Full Moon. Sun rose 7-19, Set 4-38 & 1 fast. Moon rises 10-59 even., & south 4-59 morn.
The morning at the dawning was quite fair and the temperature had gone down considerably. At the time of sunrise the mercury appeared at the mark for 5 degrees above zero only. Weather grew warmer as the sun advanced, and continued fair through the day, or until towards night, and then began to be a little cloudy and grew colder again. At the time of sunset the mercury was standing at 13 degrees. The evening is quite cloudy & there is some wind.
Arose between five and six o’clock in the morning, attended to the usual order and then went into the kitchen and tended baby until our breakfast was ready. Soon after leaving the table took the letter for Mr. Atkins and carrying it to the post office, delivered it there, and received the Reporter, and the Argus, and the Republican calling at Isaac’s on the way up. Came home & spent some time reading the newspapers, and then went to work at writing a letter to Lettie Lane which, with the copy I finished in the evening. Besides this attended to my wood and other matters.
Sunday, 22
Last Quarter 9-10 eve. Sun rose 7-19, Set 4-39, & 1 fast. Moon rises tomorrow morn. South -40 morn.
Snowed a little some time in the night, and then cleared off. The morning at dawn was clear and calm but very cold. At the time of sunrise the mercury was down to the mark for 10 degrees below zero. The day continued fair all the way through, and also very cold with scarcely any wind. Towards night there were a few floating clouds to be seen, and they seemed to be increasing at the close. At the time of sunset the mercury was below the cypher 5 degrees. The evening has come off pretty fair again, and there is a prospect of another very cold night.
Arose at the usual time in the morning, and after kindling a fire in the library, proceeded to take my cold water bath according to custom and after dressing and putting things in order sat down and read until called to breakfast. After this employed the time reading mostly until near the hour for meeting, and then getting ready proceeded up to the Centre, carrying the letter for Letty to the post office, and then gave my attendence at the meetinghouse. Br. Levi Taylor carried on the meeting, or conducted the exercises, there being no public preacher present. Came home directly after the close, and spent a portion of the afternoon reading & attending my matters.
Monday, 23
Second day of Last Quarter. Sun rose 7-20, set 4-39. Moon rises at midnight, & south 6-21 morn.
The morning was a little cloudy at the opening, with wind from the south west. At the time of the rising of the sun the mercury had gone up to 14 degrees above zero. The clouds disappeared and the forenoon and middle of the day were fair, but the wind having gone back to the west and being pretty strong made the weather quite cold. The closeing of the day was cloudy, and very blustering. At the time of sunset the temperature by the thermometer appeared to be at 4 degrees above zero, but seemed to be much colder on account of the wind. Evening partially fair.
Arose at half past four o’clock in the morning and after kindling a fire in the library proceeded with my bath, and after dressing and putting things in order, and taking a look in the kitchen, came back, and having concluded to write a letter to Mrs. Cook commenced and wrote till breakfast. Soon after breakfast went at it again, and in the course of the day concluded and copied it. Luman came in the forenoon from Barclay, and rode to Troy with Harvey, and not returning until late in the evening, after we had retired for the night.
Tuesday, 24
Third day of Last Quarter. Sun rose 7-0, Set 4-40, & is true. Moon rose 1-1 morn., & south 7-3 morn.
The night was cold and blustering, and the morning at the opening as quite cold and partially fair only. At the time of sunrise the mercury was resting at 3 degrees below zero. The day has been partially cloudy, with sunshine occasionally, and some flurries of snow, and cold weather continuing. At the time of sundown the mercury was standing about zero, and was on its downward passage. The evening is clear and calm, and very cold.
Arose in the morning at half past six o’clock, & having kindled a fire proceeded with my cold water bath, and then having dressed and put the library in order , went into the kitchen with the family a spell, Luman being with us. After breakfast went up to the post office and delivered the letter for Rhoda, bot a few stamps, got the Tribune and the Courier for last week, and came home and spent most of the forenoon reading them. Afternoon spent part of the time with the family, read some, and spent some time chopping some wood for the library attended to such other matters as I have undertaken to perform. Luman departed for Barclay after breakfast.
Wednesday, 25
Fourth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose 7-21, set 4-40 & 1 slow. Moon rose at 2-5, & South 7-48, morn.
Another very cold and freezing night, but it grew a little more moderate towards morning. At the dawn the morning was cloudy, and at the time of sunrise the mercury was standing at 4 degrees below zero. The forenoon continued cloudy and cold, with a slight breeze from the west. The afternoon was partially fair, affording a little sunshine, but was quite cloudy again before the close. At sunset the temperature according to the mercury was only 5 degrees above zero and was growing colder. The evening continues quite cloudy.
Arose in the morning at a quarter past six o’clock, kindled my library fire, to my cold water bath, then dressed and put my room in order, and made my morning call in the kitchen to see the children with their Christmas presents. After breakfast went out and helped Harvey put a prop under a corner of the woodhouse and then returned to the library and to my reading. Read most of the time during the forenoon, wrote a little in the middle of the day, and after this went up to the post office and got the Tribune which I brought home and spent the remaining part of the day reading and attending to my chores about the house.
Thursday, 26
Fifth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose 7-21, set 4-41, & 1 slow. Moon rose 3-12, & south 8-35 morn.
Snowed a little in the night and was quite cloudy when the morning dawned. At the time of sunrise the temperature was 4 degrees above zero, and continued at about that gauge through the day. Snow commenced falling again in the morning about nine o’clock and continued unremittingly through the day. At the time of sunset the mercury stood at 3 degrees above zero, having gone down a little. The snowstorm continues in the evening. In the morning it came from an easterly direction but now seems to have changed to the north or north west. It is now several inches in depth.
Arose in the morning at half past five o’clock; proceeded to kindle the library fire and then to bathe according to my custom; and then after putting the room in order went into the kitchen and spent my time with the family, tending the baby, until breakfast was ready. After breakfast went back to the library and spent the principal portion of the forenoon there reading most of the time, and sleeping some. For want of wood to burn in the library staid in the sitting room most of the afternoon. Harvey brot some wood at night and then kindled fire again in the library.
Friday, 27
Sixth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose 7-21, Set 4-42, & 2 slow. Moon rose 4-23, & South 9-28 morn.
The morning was cloudy at the opening, but the storm had ceased, the snow being about one foot in depth. The weather continued cold, and there was some wind. At sunrise the mercury was standing at only 2 degrees above zero. Clouds broke away before noon and the sun shone very pleasantly. At 12 o’clock there were no clouds in sight, and the mercury stood at 6 degrees above zero. There were some clouds in the afternoon and the weather continued quite cold, the mercury being at zero at the time of sunset. The evening is partially cloudy and very cold.
Arose at my usual early hour in the morning and having attended to the regular order of proceedings, went into the kitchen and remained with the family until the breakfast was ready. After this returned to the library, and spent a considerable portion of the forenoon reading the principal part of the time, and writing some. In the afternoon went up to the post office, but the running of the cars being obstructed by by the snow got no mail. Came home, did a little tinkering, and attended to my house hold duties.
Saturday, 28
Seventh day of Last Quarter. Sun rose 7-22, set 4-42, & 2 slow. Moon rose 5-36, & south 10-25 morn.
The morning at the dawn was considerably cloudy and there was a pretty brisk southerly wind. The temperature had become much more moderate, it being, at the time of sunrise up to 17 degrees. As the sun advanced the clouds dispersed and the forenoon became pretty fair. The day continued fair and pleasant till near the close, but the wind having shifted back to the west the temperature did not improve any more, for at the time of sunset the mercury had gone down to 15 degrees. The evening was considerably cloudy and was quite calm.
Arose in the morning between the hours of four and five, attended to the preliminary matters, then went into the kitchen and tended baby until summoned to the table. After the breakfast returned to the library where I spent an occasional interval at reading, but the principal business of the day was writing a long letter to my friend Joseph K. Pelton of my native town. Finished the letter and copied it in the course of the day and towards night went up to the Centre, called on Annette, and at the post office where I got the Reporter, & a letter from Mrs. Mary Andrus of Huron, N. Y. inclosing picture of her baby. Borrowed $5, of Mr. Gilman.
Sunday, 29
Eighth day of Last Quarter. Sun rose 7-22, set 4-43, & 3 slow. Moon rose 6-48, & south 11-28 morn.
The morning at the time of the opening was considerably cloudy and was quite calm. At the time of sunrise the temperature according to the thermometer, was 10 degrees above the cypher. The clouds broke away before ten o’clock and the sun appeared and continued to shine through the day untill towards night and then it became obscured by clouds again. At the time of sunset the mercury indicated the the temperature to be 17 degrees above zero. The evening is quite cloudy.
Arose before six o’clock in the morning and after bathing, dressing, and putting my room in order spent my time with the family until the breakfast was over, and then returning to the library, spent the time reading and getting ready for meeting until the proper hour, and then taking my letter for Mr. Pelton proceeded up to the Centre and gave attendence at the meeting. Br. Greenlaw was present and preached. After meeting called at the P.O. & left the letter, inclosing $3. to be paid for the Courier. Came home & began a letter to Mrs. Mary Andrus of Huron, N. Y.
Monday, 30
New Moon 1-35 morn. sun rose 7-23, set 4-43, & 3 slow. Moon begins to set. South 0-33 eve.
The past night was calm, and not excessively cold, and the morning at the opening was fair. At the time of sunrise the temperature appeared to be 10 degrees above zero. The forenoon and the middle of the day continued fair. Clouds appeared in the afternoon and became quite cloudy towards night. The temperature was pretty well down at the close of the day and in the evening also.
Arose in the morning about five o’clock and after kindling my fire in the library, took my cold water bath, and then dressing and putting my room in order, went into the kitchen and tended the baby until breakfast was ready, and after leaving the breakfast table went back into the library and taking a seat at the writing table, finished my letter to Hiram Andrus’ wife & having copied it, inclosed it and got it ready for mailing. Concluding to go to Troy got ready and started off on foot. Called at the post office at the Centre and got the Tribune, & the Courier, & the Argus, & the Republican, and putting them in my pockets, went on my way stopping at Benjamin’s, staid over night.
Tuesday, 31
Second day of New Moon. Sun rose 7-23, set 4-44, & 4 slow. Moon set 6-23, & south 1-37 evening.
The morning opened quite cloudy and there was a snow storm in progress. The temperature was quite mild and continued so till towards night and then grew a little colder. The snow fell moderately and at intervals and it thawed some in the course of the day. At sunset the mercury stood at 28 degrees. The evening was considerably cloudy.
Remained at Benjamin’s until after breakfast, and then
started out and walked up to Azor’s, and stopped with them until after
dinner and then rode with Azor and Eliza over to the village. Called first
a Grant’s and paid to Cobb one dollar that I owed towards the clock I bought
of Grant the last time I was in town before. Called at Newman’s & bot
a diary & a blank book for letters, & some pounce of Tedington.
Called at Peck & Newberry’s & got a little broom that Harvey had
bot for Eliza; rode down to the mill with Uriah, & from there with
Br. Streetor. Got home at night, & Luman came soon after, & went
on to Troy.
Memoranda
Jan. 1, 1972. Paid L.D. Taylor P.M., on Saturday the 30th of Dec last, in full for postage one year in advance, or until the end of the present year, for the Semi Weekly Tribune, the Berkshire Courier, and the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.
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