John Hodges Wadhams

The compilation of these genealogies are combined to a single pedigree

It is maintained in Family Echo – once the link is open, the family tree will branch vertically and horizontally depending on the ancestor selected.

John Marsh Wadhams II: (5/7/1811 – 10/10/1896) [See Hibbard, The History of the Town of Goshen, 1897:245-247]

m. 1837 Eunice Willard Hodges (1/19/1817 – 8/7/1855)

m. 1857 Myrantha B Drake (1819 – 1895)

Children by Eunice:

1. Sarah Jane: (6/5/1839 – 6/9/1842)
2. John Hodges: (11/30/1840 – 10/21/02)

m. 1865 Mary Georgiana Pelton (12/11/1846 – 4/8/1932)

3. Sarah Jane: (5/24/1842-1/18/1843)

4. Sarah Jane: (7/12/1846 – 3/30/09) [see Fred and Jennie: A Civil War Love Story]

m. 1867 Frederick Allen Lucas [see Fred Lucas and the Civil War]

5. Julia Hinkley: (10/16/1852 – 12/21/1931)

m. 1874 Wilbur Henry Wadhams (11/6/1847 – 8/7/1925)

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John Hodges Wadhams: (11/30/1840 – 10/21/1902)

m. 9/11/1865 – Mary Georgiana Pelton (12/11/1846 – 4/8/1932)

            Children:

1.  Julia Wadhams: (7/6/1867 – 7/3/1939)

2. John Marsh: (9/14/1870 – 9/17/1941) – John Marsh Wadhams II was nominated for Governor of Connecticut in 1924 by the “reform” element of the Republican Party contrary to the wishes of “Boss Roraback” whose political machine killed the possibility at the convention.

m. 1896 Annie M Tenney (4/11/1869 – 9/6/1933) Their son John Marsh marries Sela – the parents of John Marsh IV, my father’s “cousin” Johnny who lived on the “Big Farm”

3. Lucy Burr: (4/8/1872 – 2/03/71) (my great-grandmother)

m. 1902 Abram James Barker (1/2/1868 – 10/2/1944). My Uncle Tony preserved the family’s contradictions with a certain affectionate irony. His reflections on the photographs and local lore illuminate the dissonance between the public record and private temperament that runs through the Wadhams line. He knew his grandfather Dr. Barker and recounted the following story: He was born in Lisbon Falls, Maine but lived a part of his early life in England, near Manchester, where his father worked as a textile mill foreman. They returned to Patterson, NJ where he took a job tending to the local doctor’s horse, which lead to assisting the doctor, which became an apprenticeship that allowed him to take the admissions examination to medical school at Bellevue Hospital (later New York University) all without having graduated grammar school. He was a dispensing physician who carried a satchel full of nostrums along on house calls. He had terrible allergies, which impacted how actively he could practice, and a mild case of tuberculosis which he contracted while working at a ‘settlement’ (a charitable facility for immigrants) in NYC. In 1941 or 1942 he and his wife went to Miami “on the cars” (i.e., by Pullman train) and stopped in Atlantic City on the way home. They brought me some saltwater taffy in a box shaped like a tank which broke as he held it over my head and I was showered with taffy – the best part of being four years old. He made house calls by carriage pulled by his horse Topsy until later buying a 1939 Plymouth sedan.

4. Mary Harriet: (2/21/1876 – 1957)

5. Robert Pelton: (1/10/1879 – 12/16/1940)

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The house I knew as my Grandmother’s had been in the family since 1810 – reportedly built by Norman Wadhams (and labeled thus on the 1852 map) who left it to John Marsh Wadhams. This house was usually the “second” or “summer” house for the Wadhams. John Hodges records that his father gave him the house March 19, 1885 – likely the first person to use it as a primary residence. [After John Hodges died, his wife Mary inherited the house, who then left it to her son Robert P. Wadhams, and being a bachelor, he left it to his sister Lucy Wadhams, and then to her son Haworth Wadhams Barker (my grandfather).]

John Hodges – my GG Grandfather – was born in 1840 and likely was raised in the “other” house (what I knew as Johnny Wadham’s house – and shown as John M. Wadham’s residence on the 1852 map) along with his two younger sisters, Sarah Jane and Julia. His mother died when he was 15. His father, John Marsh Wadhams, was demanding and a prominent figure in Goshen. This diary opens in 1862 with John Hodges looking for suitable land “out west” to make his fortune when he was 21 and has managed to avoid service in the Civil War. It is unclear whether it was his idea, or his father’s – but it clearly was a point of contention among some in the community.

I do not know if John Hodges neglected to record the birth of his children, or if my father decided not to transcribe those sections. I find it odd that John would comment on his own birthdays and memorializes the day his father was born, meticulously records financial transactions, but neglect to mention his own children.

He appears to have been a depressive personality, beleaguered by the expectations of his father. John Hodges’s later successes and financial stability did not prevent his ultimate suicide – hanging himself in the state capitol.

My uncle Tony had summarized his memories in a post I managed to copy before he erased them from the web:

One of the curiosities of photographs is how they impose themselves on memory. Here is a picture of my great-great-grandfather, John Marsh Wadhams, taken in the mid 1840’s. I first saw it the autumn I lived with my grandmother at her old farmhouse (see “Notes on the Malleability of Memory”.) I can almost hear her explain, “And this one is my grandfather. It’s a Daguerreotype. Don’t touch the surface, dear.

I thought he was scary. He still seems rather intense. Without knowing more, we might guess he was a merchant, or a Congregational Minister. A serious guy certainly and some sort of ‘leading citizen’.

Partly right. He was a Yankee farmer and a small-town politician. In his History of the Town of Goshen, Connecticut [1897] the Reverend Mr. A. H. Hibbard reports that Wadhams: “…was a man of excellent judgment, shrewd but honest in his business transactions, a man of strong convictions and the courage to state and maintain them. Such a man would, in the very nature of things, find a place at the front, and that was the position to which he was constantly being called by his fellow citizens.”

The photograph shows him in his mid-thirties, let’s say 1844, the first year he was elected to the General Assembly. He also served several terms as Selectman, was often elected to the legislature and once to the State Senate [1858] was head of the local draft board during the Civil War and district collector of internal revenue.

In the 1880’s he once again returned to the legislature. Here he is that year, same haircut, same grim expression. He had his reasons. He’d been orphaned as a child, spent his early life farming in New England, two of his five children died as infants, his wife died in her early forties, his son (who lost his mother at 14) became a prickly melancholic, belligerent enough to pull a gun on a neighbor, but not quite enough to fight in the Civil War. A seriously embarrassing young man, he was excommunicated for punching a fellow Congregationalist, became a Methodist [Yikes!] and a Democrat [arghh!!!] and later committed suicide [well… what would you expect?]

To top it off the Senator might not have been overly fond of his son-in-law, a Civil War hero, and afterward a “Fly the Bloody Flag” politician and ‘professional veteran’.

But wait, here is what the New Haven Register said of Wadhams in its edition of February 29, 1880:

“It is hard work to properly estimate Mr. Wadhams, of Goshen, there being in him a large amount of dry humor with a strong tendency to inoffensive sarcasm. He can hardly talk without the fun oozing out of him at every pore, and his remarks on any subject are always listened to eagerly, as were those of P. T. Barnum, of the last session. Mr. Wadhams is the funnier man of the two inasmuch as natural humor is always better than boisterous fun. He is one of the most popular men in the House and has a host of friends.”

What? Funnier than P. T. Barnum? A Republican politician? With a host of friends? Hard to believe–but we also have Reverend Hibbard’s testimony regarding his last days:

“… he was in possession of his mental powers, and often would enliven the visit of some friend by a quaint witticism or a gentle sarcasm, the familiar sparkle of his eyes telling that he was the same man as in the days of active life.”

I do not think it detracts from Hibbard’s evaluation that, in the Forward to his book, he acknowledges:

“It is proper to state that the Hon. John M. Wadhams, recently deceased, made a bequest towards the payment of the expense of this publication.”

Still, it never hurts to cultivate historians.

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Diaries of John Hodges Wadhams, Edited by Ernie Barker

1862

Monday April 14th

Left my New England home for “Prarie Land.” Was sorry to go but felt as if I had ought to try to do something for myself, left Wolcottsville [Wolcottville was the name given to Torrington’s downtown area after the Connecticut Wolcott family, which produced four governors between 1813 and 1881. The first school, church, store, and tavern were built on the hills west of the Naugatuck River by its early occupants] at 1:30 P M saw Captain Dewell of the 11th C V. [Connecticut Volunteers] and Mr. Edward Lawrence of Norfolk on the train; arrived in New York at 8 P. M. visited with Geo. L Hart of Cornwall & Geo. Canfield (formally of New Haven) at Powers Hotel, am at Lovejoys myself.

Tuesday, April 15th

Left New York at 7 A. M. for Philadelphia per New Jersey Central R. R. was disappointed in regard to the looks of that portion of N. J. which I saw, the buildings both in villages and country are going to decay, and the soil does not look as productive as that of old Litchfield County, a little snow by the fences, but not much and people were gardening, arrived in Phila. at 11 A. M. and have been looking around; was to late in the day to visit the U, S. Mint, so had to content myself with an outside view. Saw many fine buildings among which was the “Continental Hotel.” Stayed myself at the Washington Hotel on Chestnut Street and consider it a first rate place; am going to take the 10 ½ o’clock express for Pittsburg, am thinking about old Goshen tonight but I believe I ought to make “a strike” if I can and then go back to live and die among my own kindred.

“Land of my father if my name

now humble and unwed to fame

Hearafter burn upon the lip

Linked in eternal fellowship high

With visions strong & pure and now

of bright dreams that quicken

The throbing pulse of heart and brow

Hereafter take a real form

Like specters changed to beings warm

And over temples wan and gray

The star like crown of glory shine

Thine be the bands undying lay

The murmur of His praise be thine.”

[Moll Pitcher: A Poem, by John Greenleaf Whittier]

Wednesday April 16th; & Thursday April 17th

Left Philadelphia, corner of 11th & Market Sts. at 10:30 P.M. Took a berth in the sleeping car so I did not have an opportunity to see the country for the first 200 miles, got up just before the train reached Altona and from thence to the summit of the Alleganies it is a miserable looking land. The Penn. R.R. runs along the bank of the “Blue Junieta” for some distance but the thaw of snow in the mountains had made the “blue” a muddy yellow, as you go down the Western slope of the mountains the quality of the land improves and just before you reach Pittsburg there are some fine farms. Arrived in Pittsburg at 1 ¼ o’clock P. M., took dinner and got aboard the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne, & Chicago R. R. train. That part of Ohio that lies near the P., Ft. W & C R.R. is a splendid country. Going through Penna. in the vicinity of the Alleganies the grade is over three hundred feet to the mile and two engines to pull and one to push were required. Noticed Johnstown in Penna. as a place of smelting works. Pittsburg is a terrible smoky place, Salem, Ohio is the hansomest place I have seen along the line between P-g & C-o. There are quantities of sheep. Saw Horace Norton & M. M. Gray today, wrote father and to E.L.T of W. G.(??) am stopping at the “City Hotel” cor. of Lake & State Sts. Chicago.

Friday, April 18th

Got up this morning refreshed by a few hours sleep in a bed after napping two nights on the cars. Went up to Camp Douglas to see the secesh prisoners from Fort Donelson & Island No. 10. They are well built men but do not look intellectual and are not clad in uniform (except a few) there is said to be 8,000 of them; Col Mulligan of Lexington fame is in command of the post.

On the lake shore is the grave of Stephen A. Douglas, just out of the din of the unquiet city; he is laid to rest but the record of his deathless name will go down to the ages as one of the greatest men of this continent. I could hardly realize that the remains of he “who swayed senates with a statesmen’s will” was lying underneath that turf. One thing in connection grated harshly on my ears and that was the shrich(sic) of the steam whistel(sic) on the I.C.R.R which runs within a stones throw of the grave.

“Poor wanderers of a stormy day

From eave to eave were driven

And fancy’s flash & reasons ray

Serve but to light the troubled way

There’s nothing sure but heaven.”

[Thomas Moore?]

This evening visited McVickers Theater: Gottschalk & Carolotti Patti. Have invested the last half dollar I shall in operatic matters. “Can’t see it”. There seemed to be a marked difference of opinion between ‘em and they made it manifest by certain awful sounds called music and physical contortions which reminds you of a person with the stomach ache.

Saturday 19th: Went up to “cottage grove” again this morning and looked around the “Chicago University founded by Senator Douglas. It is a large stone building and requires an ell to complete it….

Saw Col. Mulligan of Lexington notoriety; he is in command of the post here. He is alight built dark complexioned man about my weight and has the look of an intelligent Irishman, has a decidedly Celtic look. Has had greatness thrust upon him as he never could have achieved it.

Sunday April 20th: Left Chicago at 6 P.M. yesterday and came down to Monee on the C. R. R. 34 miles below Chicago. Went to the Monee Hotel kept by L. D. Miles and was put into a room for the night with a “big Paddy”, put my money and revolver under by pillow and went to sleep; slept the “refreshing sleep of youth”… [A Bottomless Grave, by Ambrose Bierce]

Monee is a very pretty little town to look at but is a mighty hard place, at the hotel is a billiard table and today a crowd of fellows are drinking, playing and swearing to a tune that don’t please a New England man. May God give me strength to resist any and all temptations, to do things that my home friends would be sorry to hear of, I begin to see some of the privations a Western terry will entail on me but thinking as I do that next to trying for the “kingdom of God & his righteousness” the duty of a man is to make an “honest endeavor to secure a competence”. I am going to try and if successful go back to the dear old town among the hills “Where my thoughtless childhood stray’d”. … [Byron]

I should hate to have one of my sisters permanently transplanted to this country if what I have seen is a fair sample of it. If I stay west I must make up my mind to speak and consider myself an Eastern man temporarily absent and not allow myself to be affected by my associations. …The contrast between last Sunday night and this is not pleasant to think of, but perhaps if I am industrious etc. so I can go back and “cut a bigger swell” than those that don’t rough it a little while they are young.

He traveled south and then north of Chicago looking at farm land.

25th April: …about two miles north of Galva… This is the richest farming country I have ever seen, but corn at 10 cents a bushel & eggs 4 cents a doz, don’t grow into dollars fast.

Monday 28th April:… the papers say New Orleans is in our hands – so the stars & strips go on- and the potent logic of the bayonet will convince the southerns we are bound to be a united people. …

Tuesday 29th: Remained all day in Chicago. Went up and saw the “Aztec Children” formally at Barnum’s Museum New York. They well pay the trouble of going to see. …

He went up to Racine Wis.:

Racine is a dirty stragling lake town….

Then up to Elkhorn, Wis.

Saturday May 3rd: The part of Wisconsin I have seen I don’t like as well as Illinois. The prairie is not large neither is the timber, and the soil is not as rich as that of the lower state. In fact to a superficial observer it has all the undesirable traits of old Connecticut without the various privileges that make Conn. a desirable place to live in.

Wednesday 7th May: Looked over section No. 9 below Monee and lounged around the rest of the day until 8:00 P. M., came up to Chicago and made up my mind to go back to old New England and stand or fall among my own people, was strengthened in this resolve by a letter from my father which I found on my arrival at the City. He wants to have me contented and happy and I have no doubt is willing to have me seek a home where ever I choose but I know it would please him to have his children around him and I don’t feel like assuming the responsibilities of life without a father’s advice and counsel and besides although I think the result of ten years labor here would produce more dollars and cents than in old New England yet when I came back if God should be pleased to spare my life for that length of time, many of my old associates would be under the sod and I should find I was among comparative strangers; and besides money is not the only prize of ambition…. observation has convinced me that I can not live here and be contented and I think now I can go home and let the praries take care of themselves.

Home “where hearts are fondly beating to welcome me the while

and sisters waiting to claim a brothers smile.” So in the course of a day or two “hurrah for the blue hills of my native land”.

This experience has cost me some money but I am of the opinion that it was well invested.

9th of May: Have bought my tickets for Albany via Michigan Central R. R….

Home is the place after all. “Of all the lands of brightness

There are none so bright as home.”…

I may be joked a little when I get home, but to tell the truth I had rather live almost any way in Goshen than to be “king of the cannibal islands” out here.

Evening train for Detroit: …concluded not to take a sleeping car. In the car were a drunken Irishman and his wife. He was returning from New Orleans and was dead drunk more then half the night, also a sick soldier from Pittsburg Landing. ….crossed the Detroit River into the dominions of “John Bull”…took the train on the Great Western of Canada for Suspension Bridge. The track runs along by Lake St. Clair for say ten miles and then we dash into the “forest primeval”. Down in the neighborhood of Chatam there are numbers of clearings with log hovels, occupied by the fugitives from the “vulture of thirty states” protected by the “Lion of England” the time is coming fast when the negro will not have to come so near the North Star to secure the rights of humanity. … [The Emancipation Proclamation is not made until September 22, 1862 – several months in the future]

Arrived at Suspension Bridge at 5 p. m. and went up to see the falls. They are “As God poured them from his outstreched hand”. The Indians Deified them of old, and the fairest daughter of the tribe was garlanded with flowers, placed in a canoe, and allowed to drift over, as a sacrifice to the spirit of the place, each year, “We see thee in thy works oh God.”

Wednesday May 14th: Rode all night on the New York Central getting to Albany at day break, and left immediately on the Albany & Boston for the “State-line” thence by Housatonic to West Cornwall and in the old stage home. “Thus endeth the first trip” West. … The air of the dear old town smells sweet even after so short an absence and all my friends seem glad to see me.

Thursday May 15th: Have been at Milton today changing cattle….

(back into farming changing cattle lots, planting potatoes, “ploughing” fields.

Tuesday May 27th :…A call out yesterday from the President to the Governors of loyal states for Militia, as Gen Banks has been defeated at Front Royal and the enemy are marching on the Potomac and Washington- went over to see Frannie White….

have concluded that the friendly intercourse between Miss Mary Lyman and myself must cease as long as she receives such marked attention from Fred Cook. She of course has the privilege of choosing her friends, and has exercised it- he is an individual I despise and his friends cannot be mine. There ends, perhaps forever, an intercourse of over ten years, which has made many an hour pass pleasantly to me.

“Thy spirit Independence let me share

Lord of the lion heart and eagle eye.”  [Tobias Smollett]

May 28th: … Went to Litchfield and got Squire Hubbard to draw a writ factorizing Jaspher P. Brewster, Nathan Hart Jr. and Moses Lyman Trustee and summoning them to appear before the Superior Court and disclose their connection with L. W. Scovill, on the 2nd Tuesday of September next. Father told me if I would allow him the dividend on his claims I might have what I could make out of it. Moses Lyman takes an even chance in expenses & profits with me. Sheriff Wessells came up and served the papers. …

May 30th Friday: … had 18 head of fat steers bought in Albany. …

May 31st: … washed sheep in Dog Pond brook.

Sunday June 3rd: Mrs. Horace Bancroft died at 5 P.M. thus one after another of my school mates or rather companions “go down the dark valley” and my turn may come next, but “everything is destiny” and much as I love the beautiful world I hope I shall meet my fate like a man.

June 23d: Fixed up the fence near the stone bridge and sent on to the Treasury department for some federal 5’s & 20’s, mailed at Litchfield. Hived a swarm of bees.

June 26th: The intimacy between one of my former friends and Mr. F.A.C. grows more & more so. And I presume that from now hence forth forever, we shall meet very seldom. I am sorry to “close up” the days of good fellowship but am going to do it- or rather- continue to do as I have done for the last month- I acknowledge none of the rights and ask none of the immunities of Society, but shall try to do what will conduce(?) to my happiness without trenching on the rights of others, and so I think I am justified in regarding this liason (sic) as a cause of war against friendship, without calling in question, in the least, her right to take up either temporarily or permanently with whomever she chooses to.

July 4th Friday: …in view of the reverses to McClellen concluded I wouldn’t celebrate.

Wed. 9th: …raining and went up town and got horse shod. Bought a box of cigars (cost $3.20)- I can’t afford em but must have them….

Thursday 24th July: Over to see Willard Barber in the morning and up Hart Hollow and East St. in the afternoon; asked Andrew Palmer about his family- who are military subjects- and his reply was “God damn you, you are where you have got three or four hundred to back you”; [reference to Conscription Act – fee to avoid service] started up my horse a rod or two, looked back and he was getting over the fence into the road- took my pistol out of my pocket and talked a minute and drove down to town; he calling to his son to stop me as I started- shall protect myself when it is necessary for me to do so.

Thursday July 31st: A good hay day.

A special town meeting at which $100.00 bounty was voted to volunteers and a tax of 3 mils laid to raise money to pay it.

August 5th: A good hay day… [General Order 94 of the Militia Act] Order came out from the President of the U.S. for a draft for 300,000 men to serve for nine months to crush out rebellion. If I am hit in the conscription, I shall feel it my duty to go and do what I can to uphold the honor of the old flag- hoping to come back but not really expecting to, but individuals must die that the nation may live and my life can be spared as well as that of any man in community.

Thursday: The 19th Regiment C.V. went into camp on Chestnut Hill East of Litchfield. About fifty from Goshen. Went down to see them.

Friday 22nd: Father started for Hartford with 8 head of fat cattle.

Monday 25th: Father returned from Hartford

Tuesday, August 26th: John’s (Brooks) little boy died this morning. For the sake of the parents I am very sorry, as it was a splendid child but our future don’t look as if we ought to mourn its death on its own account.

Monday 8th Sept.: Drove down to New Haven- pleasant. Left my horse at Upson’s and stayed at Langers myself.

Tuesday 9th: Still in New Haven. Looked around to see if I could find a store for rent. One vacant in State St. opposite Mechanics Bank for $250; one in Sanford’s Block at $150 perhaps; Sanford agreed to write me.

Thursday 11th September: Drove home today; six hours driving and two rests.

Friday 12th Sept.: Father paying the orders to the volunteers at Camp Dutton & Mr. Lyman cashing them; disbursements $4,600.

Up town and got my new pants from Mrs. Beardsley.

Saturday September 13th: Took 23 sheep and 10 yearlings to the Griswold lot.

Monday September 15th: At work road making south of the house. The 19th C.V. left via Naugatuck RR for the seat of war.

Friday, 19th Sept.: carried Aunt Elizabeth to Bethlehem ostensibly to see Mrs. Ambler but in fact to see John C. Ambler; dried up old devil as he is.

Monday 22nd: Took 10 cows & 2 steers over beyond W-ville (Torrington) and met Merriman’s man (cattle dealer from Avon)

Saturday Oct. 11th: Up town in the morning to look evidence in the case of Wadhams vs. Scovill.

(files at Torrington Lib go back to 1864, don’t know anything about case)

Monday Oct 13th: Uptown in the morning and got Isaac Brooks and summoned David Lucas, Daniel Lucas, Sheldon Barber, Calvin Tuttle, & Wolcott Birnell to Litchfield as evidence in our case, got down myself about two o’clock. Brewster & Hart were examined at length and the showing was that the business was at very loose ends but the decision of Judge Seymour was that they did not owe anything to Scovill.

Not one of my witnesses were examined and the case was continued to the next term to examine whether the trustees had any of Lims(?) property in his hands (aside from the trust funds)

My expenses have been, silver used to summon witnesses $2.84 at 20 percent: ???= $3.43; paid dinners $1.75 total $5.18; besides at least  $1.00 to be paid to Isaac Brooks….

January 1863:

Wednesday Jan 21st: Cold & stormy, snow blew tremendously; went to Litchfield in the afternoon and paid to H. Hubbard $21.52. Cost recovered by Brewster & Hart in case of Wadhams vs. Scovill.

Wednesday 25th February: Went up to Seth Wadhams and W. Lymans and got a cow at each place. Johnathan Wadhams died today. Went to Litchfield and got a pair of boots for Eddy ($2.00) telegraphed to Capt. Rice to let Willard come home ($1.10). Pd. J. H. Hubbard $14.00 counsel fees in Brewster & Hart case. Hubbard nominated for Congress today….

Tuesday March 3rd 1863: Bought a heifer of B. T. Howe for $16.00.

Monday March 9th: Pleasant; breaking out paths with oxen; snow 2 feet deep on level.

Tuesday: Very pleasant; carried Miss North (school teacher) home and collected some Government Taxes in Wollcottville.

Thursday 26th March: Auction of Jon Wadhams estate; cows averaged $37.50 each.

April 6th 1863: Election day: Buckingham Republican had 158 votes Seymour Democrat 91. As town Committee I have rec’d $50.00 & disbursed $20.0 paying $9.00 for one vote & less for some others….

April 28th Tuesday: …got a letter from Hon. J.H. Hubbard recommending me for the position of Assistant Clerk of the House of Rep. & I went down to get permission to print and circulate it. I don’t expect much to make any show at all in the caucus to nominate but they got the matter started without consulting me and so I will let it go on.

Tuesday May 3rd: Started for Hartford along with Isaac Brooks; left Goshen at 6 A.M. and got to Hartford about 1 P.M. an unpleasant drive. Republican Caucus in the evening.

Thursday June 19th: Pleasant Finished putting roof on to the south side of the barn. At Litchfield in evening with Miss P and heard E. T. Gould read the tragedy of “Othello”

Washington to Phila. $4.95

Phila. to Pittsburg     $11.00

Phila Hotel                $2.00

Breakfast                    $0.35

Pittsburg Hotel          $1.25

RR Fare                    $2.30

Salem Hotel              $1.75

Expenses                    $1.35

1865

Much of this is typical Goshen farming; weather reports etc.

Tuesday January 3: Pleasant- Mr Stodard of Litchfield came to look at a pair of oxen.

I carried Jane over to Wolcottville to take the cars for New Britain; Took Miss P(elton). out on a sleigh ride and stayed and sparked her till about 11 P.M. and arrived at home about 2 A.M. Wed. morning.

Saturday Jan 7th: Warm & rainy in the morning but a terrible hurricane set in about 2 o’clock P.M. with snow. The worst storm of the season. Up town in the afternoon.

(nothing seemed to stop him from going “up town” every evening)

Monday Jan. 16: Very cold (-13); sawing logs in the morning and at Goshen to a meeting of the Board of Relief in the afternoon. A special town meeting in relation to the bank stock owned by the town.

Tuesday Jan. 17: Pleasant in the morning but a snow storm in the afternoon; drawing logs to mill. (mill was in W. Goshen  Center) Sold the Red oxen for $240.

Sunday Jan. 22: Quite pleasant & warmer. Not at church. Over to see Miss Pelton in the evening and stayed till 11:30; got home about 2 o’clock.

Thursday Jan 26: Cold! Walked over to Wolcottville and took the afternoon train for New York.

Friday Jan. 27: Pleasant at the “International”. Not at any place of amusement in the evening.

Saturday Jan. 28: Pleasant but very cold. Took the 3 P.M. express; came to Litchfield and from there home.

Saturday February 4: Warm & pleasant: father and Ed Burke at Milton for hay. Republican caucus to appoint delegates. Almost the only one present that did not receive an appointment – Didn’t consider it quite fair play and will bear it in mind next election if I am here to vote.

Sunday Feb 5: Cold and windy: Over to Wolcottville in evening to see Miss Pelton. Nearly froze coming home.

(Spends time doing farm chores, cutting wood, hauling logs, and sparking Miss Pelton)

Tuesday, April 4: From Wolcottville to New York.

Wednesday April 5: Started West by Erie R.R.

Friday April 7: Arrived at Cleavland in the morning and started for Toledo thence for Springfield by the Toledo & Wabash R.R. arriving at Springfield in the morning.

Monday April 10: Pleasant shot some ducks.

Tuesday April 11: News came of the surrender of Robert E Lee and his whole army to Gen. Grant. [The Battle of Appomattox Court House was April 9]

Saturday April 15: Pleasant; received the terrible news of the murder of President Lincoln and the attempted murder of Sec. Seward. In at Lincoln in the evening.

Monday April 17: Pleasant; Came down to Springfield and put up at the Chenery House.

Tuesday April 18: Pleasant; At the Chenery House. Went out and took a look at the residence of President Abram Lincoln murdered at Washington. A Democratic house and the proper place of abode of a Republican president.

Sometime he must have invested in sheep out here but failed to note his investment. He spend a great deal of time washing and shearing sheep and tying up wool. Back & forth to Lincoln in the evenings.

Thursday May 4: Pleasant; Abram Lincoln buried at Springfield.

Saturday June 24: Pleasant; Shipped my wool and started for Chicago.

Sunday June 25: Pleasant in the morning but a heavy shower in the afternoon.

Left for the East via Cleavland and Buffalo.

Tuesday June 27: Pleasant; Reached home all right.

(and back to regular farm entries and visiting Miss P)

Wednesday 28: Pleasant: Up town and over to see Miss Pelton.

Tuesday July 4: pleasant; National anniversary; went to New Haven by afternoon train to look after my wool; fine display of fireworks in the evening.

Friday August 4: Pleasant; Finished haying in West meadow. Drew on Ives Blanchard & Co for $100.00 on account of wool. Mailed draft for $1.00 to Allyn.

Saturday August 12: Very pleasant; At Litchfield and got $393.56 on account of Wool; previously $100. in all to date $493.56.

Monday August 21: Pleasant till 2 P.M. a heavy shower; At work haying at the Norman place (across the road from the old homestead) Father and Julia started for Cape Cod.

September 11, Monday: Pleasant; John H Wadhams of Goshen & Mary G Pelton of Torrington were married by Rev. L. W. Abbott and left Wolcottville for Illinois.

Tuesday Sept. 12: Pleasant; At the International Hotel; at Barnum New Museum in evening. Left for Chicago via Allentown at 9 this A.M.

Thursday Sept 14: Pleasant; Delayed at Valpariso Ind. so we did not reach Chicago till 10 A.M. At the Garden City House. Left for Bloomington at 7 ½ P.M.

Thursday Nov. 16: Pleasant; At the Garden City House in Chicago.

Flint Thompson & Co              657

“”          “”                                668

“”         “”                                 671

Sturges Buckingham & Co      3462

Armour Dole & Co.                 12,458

“”         “”                                 12,529

(these were investments and speculations he was making; what it was is a mystery; most likely grains)

Friday Nov. 17: Pleasant; Bought 4,700 bushels of Oats through T.H Seymour & Co. @ 27 ¾ a bushel & 1 c com. buying & selling.

Thursday Nov 30: Not very pleasant; rainy in the morning.

Flint Thompson & Co  no. 711

‘’          ‘’                            704

Armour Dole               12,576 (B)

‘’          ‘’                      12,605 “”

I this day complete my 25th year.

Friday Dec. 1: Dark and unpleasant; recieved from Chicago grain reciepts: C.L Hutching & Co 1,065.20; Wm. Little & Co 492.26; Gilbert & Updike 681.18; Higgins Prescott & Co. 780.10            total 3,010.10 @ 26

Dec 7 Thursday: Thanksgiving Day over the U.S. under the proclamation of the President. (Andrew Johnson kept up the precedent of his predecessor in making a Thanksgiving Proclamation.  However for some reason he set the date on December 7, the only time Thanksgiving has been celebrated on that date.  His other Thanksgiving Proclamations were for the last Thursday in November and the tradition held until the Great Depression when FDR altered it to the fourth Thursday in November.)

            note at back of book: Shipped 24th June 10 sacks Wool       2,100 lbs to New Haven

1870

Back home in Goshen.

(note inside cover for Dec. 24 1869: E.M. Stanton, Sec. of War under President Lincoln & Johnson and recently appointed one of the assoc. judges of the U.S. Supreme court died at Washington aged 54 years)

Saturday Jan. 1 1870: Pleasant with a light fall of snow towards evening which soon changed to rain. Falan commenced cutting some cord wood for me on brush hill. Up to Goshen in the afternoon. At Father’s in the evening and about seven o’clock father returned from Torrington bringing a trust deed of the property of Alphens Hodges and reporting the arrest of Mary C. Hodges on a grand jury process charged with larceny.

Wednesday Jan 5: Pleasant and colder: At Litchfield and bought a sow of Frank Hart price $22.00. Father returned from Wolcottville and reported that the action against Mrs. Hodges was not sustained and she was discharged.

Thursday Jan 6: cold with light fall of snow. Went to Litchfield with Father. He deposited with the First Nat’l Bank $3600. in 5-20’s; 500 in 10- 40 (?not such that that adds up) and removed $4,050 of funds belonging to the estate of A. Hodges; leaving one $1000 bond UPRR as trustee. Drove up my sow. On return found Mr Drake and collector Tyler here who made a demand for Torrington taxes which I refused to pay.

Saturday Jan. 8: Snowing quite fast and hard. At home (fathers) in morning. He settled with me for pig of George’s after paying for use of cow last fall there was $10.00 due me which I had him retain against money I owed him. There is now $17 due him from me.

Wednesday Jan. 12: Warm and the snow nearly all gone. Rode up to Goshen with Dickerson. Saw Capt. Gaylord; he was up to the meeting of the Iron Bank and reports a surplus on hand of $40,001.60.

Thursday Jan 13: Rainy and quite mild. Sold a pig to Albert Wadhams for $4.50. Up to Goshen. Gold 122 ½ to 1 ¾.

Fri. Jan. 14: Cold froze up hard: Sent butter to Gidding & Lucas

52 ½- 8= 44 ½              for father 46-8=38

26 ½- 61/2=20

            64 ½

carried a pig to Pratt at West Goshen and collected $19.62 for JMW Trustee of NR Hart

Bought 113 lbs. bran of Pratt

Tuesday Feb 1st: very high winds and snow flying: Fred Hurlbut & Fred Lucas down to consult with father about buying out Harts store. Drove the Benedict cow up to Pratts.

Wednesday Feb 2: pleasant: Got 100 lbs. meal & 100 lbs. Bran of Pratt $2.60 & 2.40 respectively. Up town and got Dr. for Uncle George who is very feeble.

Saturday Feb. 12: Pleasant and warm. E B. Pratt & J P Vail appraised uncle Geo. Wadhams estate: in all $2,838.55; real estate $1,500.

Saturday Feb 20: Cold sledding. I have got up this week 16 loads of wood cut sled length.

Wednesday March 2: high wind continues: Killed two calves and shipped them to L Hoopers & Co, 94 Warren St. N.Y.

Monday April 11: Pleasant in the morning and we got out a little manure but commenced raining about noon. Father at Wolcottville. Up to Mr. Pratts and got 200 lbs C. meal $2.60; 100 Lbs Cotton Seed meal: 107 lbs. Wheat Bran; 80 lbs Rye; in all cost $12.50.

Tuesday April 12: Pleasant; Went up town and over to W.G. at Jane’s a few minutes. Paid Father as administrator on Geo.’s estate $160. towards cows leaving $90.00 due.

Monday April 25: Not very pleasant; Killed two calves and shipped to NY by express.

Tuesday April 26: Pleasant: At Litchfield with Father consueled with Andrews about Mr. Hodges matters. First Nat’l Bank Litchfield; Draft on Importers & Traders, N.B., N.Y. $300.00- my order endorsed over to John W Brooks.

Wednesday April 27: Pleasant; Over to Auction of E. Wings estate. Bought a horse blanket and two washing machines.

Thursday April 28: Pleasant Over to D. W. Howes and led home a cow bought of him for $67.00. Paid $50.00.

Friday April 29: Pleasant; Paid Pratt for 100 lbs. meal for Angeline $2.70 and brought it down. My Hale sow had 12 pigs; run 115 days.

Tuesday May 3: Pleasant; Thomas, son of Tim Mayers and grandson of Ed Burke was run over by a loaded cart driven by Willie Benjamin, son of ??? Benjamin and his neck broken. He lived but a few minutes. I drove down to Litchfield for his father and Mother.

Butter: 53-7 ¾=45 ¼ by Pratt. Got 100 meal of Pratt= $2.70

Wednesday May 4: Pleasant; Worked hard all day harrowing with horses at fathers. Very tired at night. Received a letter from V. C. Beers that I had re’d the democratic nomination for Assistant Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Wednesday June 1: Pleasant; At work getting out manure on sowed corn. John W Brooks Assistant U.S. Marshal called on me for the purpose of taking the Census.

Friday June 4: Pleasant; Plowed on swamp in the morning; very warm; paid Albert Wadhams atty $20.00 in full settlement of Anton T Tuttle’s claim against me.(what that was I don’t know) Cow bot. of Bentley calved.

Friday June 10: Foggy with some rain; At W. Goshen and got feathers for a bed 21 lbs. cost $21.00.

Tuesday June 28: Elle Brigham came down about 10 o’clock and got 605 lbs. of cheese for Brooks Bros.

Friday July 15: not pleasant in the morning. Mowed with the machine for E Wadhams & Powers in Noah’s lot and had a narrow escape from getting hurt with the machine as the horses got away from me- no damage done. At W. Goshen in the PM.

(most of the entries were of haying on the various farm lots; sometimes with as many as eight men)

Tuesday August 16: Pleasant: Took a calf up to Lamphines and he carried it over to Pratt & Fosters at 9 cents a lb. Weighed 169. Up to trial before father as a magistrate of Eliza Conalin & Michael Conalin jr. Moses Wadhams went away.

Thursday August 18: Pleasant and exceptional hot: Carried grandma to Northfield. Up to Goshen in the evening and rec’d. a knitting machine by express. (to knit nets for pineapple cheese; next day trying to set it up and study it out)

Wednesday August 24: Not quite as warm but no rain: Father, Mother & Mr/ Mrs Griswold went to Saratoga. (New York vacation spot)

Thursday September 8: Pleasant; Father started for Wisconsin to attend to some business for the Hodges estate.

Tuesday September 13: Pleasant with a heavy frost; Got up very early and took a calf to West Cornwall weight 144 lbs. 9 cents= $12.96 Came back to N. R, Hart’s auction

Wednesday September 14: Pleasant; A 9 ½ lb boy made his appearance at our house at about 9 A. M.

Wednesday September 28: pleasant; Mick dug a few potatoes on the swamp; sow had nine pigs. Father and Mother came home from Wis.

Monday October 10: Pleasant; Went up town and got some boards of Oviate and built a pig pen in P.M. Giddings & Co 71-24=47; 76-25=51; 66 ½-24 ½ = 42. total 140 (butter or cheese sales?)

Saturday Oct. 22: Pleasant; carried off my cheese 62wt.= 843; 54wt 762 at 17 cents and more if they can afford it- sold to Lucas, Hurlbut & Allyn.

Friday Oct. 28: Pleasant; sent my first can of milk

Monday November 28: Quite windy; carried over to L.H. &A 11 cheese wt 163 lbs. got them to send $39. to Milton for me to pay for meal to date. Ordered some more meal.

Wednesday November 30: Pleasant; I this day am 30 years of age. At dinner at Father’s. He made me a present of cloth for a pair of pants.

1871

Saturday January 7: A pleasant winter day, very cold at night; Up town to Dem. Caucus in the evening; appointed a delegate to the Senatorial Convention.

Monday January 9: Very Cold; Father went to Hartford on business about the Hodges estate.

Monday January 23: snowing some and very cold in morn –10. The bringing of cattle into town forbidden on account of disease.

Saturday March 11: Not very pleasant: Up town perfecting the Registry list. A. S. Wadhams insinuated that I was fake friend, a knave & a fool and I returned on him for which I am sorry. His ceasing to be a gentleman was no excuse for my doing so.

(spring planting turnips, tobacco, corn and grass; summer mowing, moving cattle, making hay etc.)

Thursday August 31: pleasant: at horse show at Wolcottville. A fine show. Paid out: lunch $1.00; admission .45; cigars .40; oysters .60; beer .10; paper & candy .30; total $2,85

Friday September 22: Pleasant; At Litchfield as a witness in the divorce case of Curtis vs Curtis; he paid me $1.00; paid out about .50.

Tuesday October 10: Not very pleasant. News came in the paper of a fire in Chicago that destroyed about ½ the city; leaving 150 people homeless; a terrible calamity.

Tuesday Oct. 17: Pleasant; up town and at Canada (West Goshen) Helped pack some things for Chicago.

Wednesday Oct. 18: not very pleasant but no rain; Took 285 lbs. of beef to Wolcottville and sold it at 7 ½; spent about .30. Paid John W. Brooks for Brooks Bros. $30.00 on acct.

Friday Nov. 17: Pleasant; At West Goshen in P.M. Paid for butchering $1.50. Took down to Angeline’s 80 lbs. pork & 120 of beef; Aunt Elizabeth 80 lbs. Pork; Burk 118 lbs. beef at 6 ½ cents; 117 lbs. beef at Brennan’s at 8 cents.

Tuesday Nov. 21: not very pleasant; commencement of case at Litchfield of Hodges vs. Wadhams. Down with father to Litchfield.

Friday December 1: Still very cold; Went over to W.G. and carried six pairs woolen socks; sold for 55 cents/= $3.30; paid for stationary 50 cents; mending boots 25 cents; file 15 cents.

Monday December 4: Cold but not unpleasant. Commenced keeping school at south end.

Tuesday Dec. 5: cold and very windy; Case of Hodges vs. Wadhams on trial again at Litchfield. At Goshen in evening.

Tuesday Dec. 12: At Mrs. Daniel Bentley’s in evening to be shown about cigar making.

Thursday Dec. 21: Cold Cold; Thermometer down 12 below zero; Up to Mr Pratts and down home both. Father got news that the suit of Hodges vs. Wadhams was decided against him.

1873

Monday January 13: Cold and very slippey; Henry A Lucas came for a License for his daughter to be married. Rode up town with him thence to Litchfield with Fred Hurlbut.

Tuesday May 6: Pleasant; At Litchfield commenced trial of appeal from probate before Judge Minor; employed Andrews, Welsh, & Warner. (Appeal of Hodges case from 1871).

Friday May 9: Not pleasant; H trial ended; will confirmed and I defeated; paid Andrews $80.00; Warner $50.00; Hotel bill $27.50.

Monday May 19: pleasant; Took a calf up to Goshen for Sanford; 158 lbs. 71/2=$11.85.

Spent about $1.00 for various. Bot. calf of Angelines paid her $3.00.

Thursday May 22: Rainy; Over at W G. investigating case of whipping in school; decided not to prosecute though the beating was extreme. Paid for goods $4.16

Friday May 30: Very pleasant; Decoration Day; a general attendance and fine address by F. A. Lucas; one of the best I ever heard.

Wednesday June 18: warm & pleasant; cool evening; Up to Goshen looking into case of State vs. J. Conlon. Bought shoes $2.50; wagon tires $1.00.

(as usual the summer month spent farming, tobacco still big crop, turnips too0

Monday Sept. 8: Pleasant; Over to S.W. part of town to see about a shooting case. Got in some tobacco.

Friday Sept. 12: Pleasant; Carried father and Aunt E. over to West Cornwall for Saratoga. Bran 1.15; sack .60; sweet potatoes .75; cigars .20.

Thursday Sept. 18: Pleasant; finished buckwheat; Julia Ives died aged 22 yrs. Went to Wolcottville for coffin; paid out about $50.00.

Thursday Sept. 25: pleasant; At home work at wood & getting out dung. Duncan & Sam had a fight and I telegraphed to David. Up town in eve.

Friday Sept. 26: Pleasant; Up town with D.W. Ives and Uncle Sam & had Duncan arrested for striking the old man Ives. Carried D.W I to Litchfield in the afternoon.

Saturday 27: A pleasant day: helping D. W. Ives and Uncle Sam; Duncan agreed to leave. Over to W. G. pd. express charges $1.20.

Sunday Sept 28: Pleasant; our folks at church; Carrie here; very warm; I have been busy some days helping the Ives as against Duncan and have acted conscientiously in the matter but am sorry for the trouble it brings to Duncan’s small children, but believe that this was one of the responsibilities of life that I couldn’t escape and hope that he will be a better man.

Monday October 20: A very rainy day but not cold, making cigars all day. Paid for Oysters 50 cents.

Tuesday Nov. 18: Pleasant cold; over to W. G. took over 100 cigars. Got things costing 1.35

Monday Nov. 24: A very rainy day; Up at Oviates & got some beef that he had killed for me. Sent two hind qut. wt. 210 to Litchfield by milk team to Waterbury.

Saturday Nov. 29: Pleasant & cold; Got up 3 loads of wood for self & one for Ives making 30 loads in all- paid James Brennan $3.00 for chopping. Up town in even. paid Martin 60 cents.

Sunday Nov. 30: Pleasant; This day I am 33 years old and happy. Paid Alexander $2.00 for chopping for me.

Thursday Dec. 25: Christmas Day; Fishing on Dog Pond with Charlie; caught 27 fish, one big one.

Wednesday Dec. 31: Pleasant but cold. Fishing at Dog Pond. The close of a very good year.

(He spent a good deal of time this winter making cigars; usually to sell as he often bought them one or two at a time; .10 @)

1874

[He is appointed as Director of Prisons for the state of Connecticut. There are no transcribed entries for 1874 an 1875, which may reflect his being absorbed in the commission for that two year period, which -as he records – ended June 30, 1876.]

1876

January 1 Saturday: A memorable day for the 1st of the centennial year. Went to Wolcottville and tooth extracted by use of laughing gas. Down to Mrs. Brooks to dinner. At 1 P.M. 70 degrees in shade, horribly muddy, came home by Goshen center.

Jan. 4, Tuesday: pleasant but windy; walked over to Wolcottville and went to Hartford by Winsted to attend a meeting of the State Prison directors at Wethersfield. Found everything in good order.

Jan. 9, Sunday: pleasant; At church; sent Inventory of Tobacco to Allyn, collector; 200 lbs produced; 20 lbs bought, less cigars on hand.

Jan. 23 Sunday: Not very pleasant thawing some but not at Church; Down to fathers in evening. Looked over with him in relation to Angeline farm matters. Settled up to grazing time 1875; he charging me $65.00 for use of land and allowing me $35.00 for keep of his cow; balance due him of $7.37.

February 21, Monday: Pleasant; By assistance of Dr. North & Mrs Johnson & Mrs Palmer, my wife presented me a fine 12 ½ lb girl. Lewis here hacking ice. Charlie & self drawing- terribly poor sledding; got 42 cakes. Milo Bartholomew & Agustus Tuttle died.

April 3, Monday: Not very pleasant; Annual election Resulting in the election of F. E. Hurlbut 127; O. J. Hallock 117; John M. Wadhams 79; J. D. Ludington 73; Austin Allyn 4; I have been much censured for advocating the nomination of Hurlbut and a move was made to defeat him by running Ludington, a disappointed Democrat , and my function against him- I found that efforts which I make to secure the success of the party are making me enemies among men who think all that’s necessary is a nomination to secure an election and that it is none for me to draw out.

April 4, Tuesday: Rainy in the morning and a heavy snow in the afternoon; Up town. Paid Sanford $8.11 balance of account and think I will have no more to do with him ‘till he makes some acknowledgement to me for saying I packed the caucus- I respect him as a good man, tho’ by ambition far misled.

April 6, Thursday: Pleasant. Walked over to Wolcottville and went to Hartford. Paid W-ville register for printing last falls tickets $6.50- in presence of H J Allen and Tayler.

April 7, Friday: At Wethersfield in morn. Returned by way of Winsted & walked home; a hard walk.

April 23, Sunday: pleasant but cold. Attended the funeral of S. B. Tuttle. Too much of a crowd to get in the house. Tuttle was a man that treated me well and I regret his death. He loved money more then a man ought but we all have some faults.

May 14, Wednesday: Pleasant; busy setting out maple trees put out 2 down at father’s and seven here. Those here north and south of the gate here. All my four children helped about or were present. Wife & Hattie at Litchfield.

May 17, Wednesday: Pleasant; Went from Hartford in morning, returning to Winsted to dinner in eve; returned home along tiresome drive.

Drew my salary as Director in the Prison- am satisfied that I shall not be nominated and that my political life will close for the present.

June 5, Monday: Not very pleasant; Went to W. Goshen; Paid Lucas Hurlbut & Allyn Thimblers check for $47.78 (believe that was for calves sold in N.Y.) on acct. Left for Willie Wadhams Martins check for $5.19 on acct. (that would be cheese money)

June 30, Friday: Pleasant & warm; Howing carrots. This day terminates my relations with the State Prison as one of the Directors.

July 18, Tuesday; Not pleasant in the morning; Started to mow but the old horse ran away to Litchfield and I had to get him. At work at carrots balance of the day.

August 30, Wednesday: Pleasant; Ross here getting out manure on Angeline’s lot. Fred James summons for Seduction; bound him over to Superior court in $300.

September 11, Monday: Pleasant; The eleventh anniversary of my marriage which was and has been a happy one. At Wolcottville and got a load of boards for Angelines house. Ross here half day.

October 17, Tuesday: Pleasant; went to Wolcottville, took milk train to Winsted, left Winsted to Ore Hill (?) return to Salisbury to see Harris thence to Lime Rock and Falls Village to see Richardson home by Housatonic and walked from North Cornwall

October 18, Wednesday: pleasant; Making cider or rather hauling apples. Got 90 gallons of cider for myself.

October 23, Monday: Not pleasant; Rainy part of the time. Up to Goshen perfecting Registry List. Gave Charlie Powers $4.00. Bet $10.00 with Cook on elections.

October 28, Saturday: Not very pleasant in morning. Holding court in case of John Linkington (?) vs. Edmond Dwyer. In afternoon at meeting of school visitors.

November 7, Tuesday: Not pleasant: Presidential & State elections: President: Hayes 118; Tilden 117; State Dem. 115; Rep. 115.

November 8, Wednesday: Pleasant; Over to W. G. News of the election of Tilden as President.

November 9, Thursday: Not pleasant in the morn. At Litchfield in the P.M. Doubt of Tilden’s election.

November 17, Friday: A pleasant day: Lew, Ross, John, (??) & self at work at cellar wall. (Aunt Eliz building ??) In afternoon at Mary Bunells with Mr Brooks at request of Martin Ives to take Samuel Ives acknowledgement of transfer of his farm. He declined to sign the deed. Don’t think he has mind enough to understand what he is doing.

November 27, Monday: pleasant in the morning; Wife and self went to Wolcottville got some things. Bot. overcoat to be paid for Feb 1st- $7.50- at Baldwins.

November 30, Thursday: Thanksgiving day at church in the morn. Paid father $5.00 for wood that the school house had some years ago. In P.M. all down to father’s to dinner. I this day completed my 36th year. Up to Goshen in the evening.

December 5, Tuesday: Pleasant but still cool; Down home in the morning and settled up Angelines farm matters, paid rent up to April 1st 1876. By what I had furnished her and work I had done also paid $18.00 to him as guardian for Ed, & in rent of land. At Litchfield in the afternoon.

December 7, Thursday: Pleasant and not quite so cold. Zopher Beach here fixing up. Up town in P.M. and postponed case of Starr vs. Hicks to Feb 10.

December 12, Tuesday: Pleasant; Took cow up town to have butchered. Wrote letter this eve enclosing $4.00 to E. B. Hewis for 30 lbs. tobacco bot. a year ago.

December 13. Wednesday: Quite Pleasant: Sledded a little but the snow is not solid enough. (Wood hauling) Colby whitewashing for Aunt E and also the school house. Paid A. Sanford $20.00= cash $5.00 and town order $15.00- for 5 sheep ($17) & meal $3.00.

December 14, Thursday: Not good sledding but hauled 4 logs to the mill. Colby helping. In P.M. went up to Oviates and got my cow; sold him hide $3.00 and paid him $1.50.

December 27, Wednesday: Quite pleasant in the morning but colder in the afternoon. Went over to Wolcottville: paid Life Insurance in Mauelens $1000. Brooks paid me balance due on butter which paid insur. $19 and 35 cents over.

December 28, Thursday: Quite pleasant: At Litchfield and got 1080 lbs. coal at $7.00 a ton on acct. of carrots. (he had sold 30 bushels of carrots earlier) Up town in the evening.

December 31, Sunday: Not quite as unpleasant; The last day of the year and at its close I may be thankful as my troubles have been light and my blessings bountiful. I start this year with the idea of being more farmer and less politician as I find my influence waning to some extent.

Finished the year and days in between entries fixing the road that fronts his properties, moving and selling hay, butter, root crops etc.

1882

January 3, Tuesday: Cold but not as cold; At Torrington and sent E & Allyn, W. H 467 lbs. beef & hides 72 lbs. Got overcoat $6.75 & Swifts digest $8.50

January 5, Thursday: Pleasant but very cold; Rode up to Goshen with Uncle Watts. Bot. corn, flour, B wheat flour Ax & helve, all=$8.00

January 13, Friday: Pleasant; At Goshen acting a atty. p.t. only in case of Mrs. Mana Robinson.

January 19, Thursday: pleasant and good traveling; Wife & self took ride to Litch. and Torrington. Got certificate from Bank in Robinson case. Bot. coat & vest $18.00 gave check for same.

January 20, Friday: At Litchfield and consulted Gov. Andrews about Robinson case. Doctor paid me $7.85 on acct. sheep.

February 7, Tuesday: Cold; Ripley came up and told me father was sick and that Sam Liddle was dead. Drove and got Dr. Gates.

February 8, Wednesday: pleasant; Father terribly sick Typhoid pmumonia (sic). Gates gave little hope of recovery. Bunel and Gates both in evening.

February 9, Thursday: Pleasant; devoting all our attention to father. Some slight hopes, all his children there.

February 12, Sunday: Pleasant; Some hopes of father’s recovery at morning; temp 98.7 pulse 74.

February 18, Saturday: Pleasant but cold; Father mending, Martin and self at wood pile. Martin here 4 days, paid him $3.00 on account.

February 21, Tuesday: Not pleasant heavy storm of snow and sleet; Up town in the P.M. Wife and self took care of father last night.

(lots of wood pile work and sledding logs to mill)

March 6, Monday: Rainy not doing much. Up town in the afternoon. Paid Martin $7.00 in full to date. Paid Cook (shoes) $2.60 in full to date.

March 11, Saturday: Quite pleasant; Aunt Angeline Wadhams died this day at one P.M. aged 76 years. Up to Goshen to make arrangements for her funeral.

March 14, Tuesday: A very cold windy day. Walked to Litchfield and applied for letters of administration on estate of Angeline.

March 18, Saturday: Pleasant; Appraising down to Angeline’s T(homas) W Griswold & W. H Wadhams; amt. $90.00

March 26, Sunday: Raw and cold; Delievered Isaac Taylor 45 sheep on Pratts (Seth’s) order. He to pay me $200.00. Up town in evening after Hattie to temperance meeting.

March 28, Tuesday: More pleasant; Down to see Mr. Brooks in the morning and also up to Pratts place and bot. pair of cattle $175.00 to apply on Taylor order acct.

April 6, Thursday: Took Hattie (house keeper) & Clara to W’ville. Sent sheep skins to Boston.

April 12, Wednesday: Very cold and unpleasant; Up looking after Mrs. Richmond’s pension matters. Left check with Lucas $59.25 to pay T(homas). W. Griswold.

April 27, Thursday Snowy; Walked up to Goshen Center and looked up evidence in pension case.

April 28, Friday: At Litchfield looking up estate matters with Father.

May 5, Friday: Pleasant; At Litchfield and over to Deacon Smith’s after truck (a heavily built logging wagon?). Deacon Palmer had my team to plow.

July 19, Wednesday: Not very pleasant; Father and Johnnie off and got a “Hood Mower” (a new mowing Machine). Got in three loads.

July 31, Monday: Pleasant; Jim, Morory, & Ike haying; 5 loads, three across road. Sold two calves to Peck 7 ½ = $35.00. Up town in eve.

(they would get in well over 200 loads of hay to various barns, over 400 bundles of oats, more then 60 bushels of potatoes, about the same for carrots, and b-wheat; over 80 gallons of cider for himself and that much more to sell.)

October 5, Thursday: Not very pleasant in Morn. Wife & self over to Torrington an Litch. Bot chamber set of F & T on time= $36.00

September 14, Thursday: Not pleasant; My son John 12 years old today. John, John Lucas & self at Litchfield; sold 25 lbs. chickens at 15 cents per lb.

November 14, Tuesday: Pleasant; Finished cleaning up b. wheat about 85 bushels in all. Gave Mr. Brooks 2 bushels in pay for work about a year ago.

November 15, Wednesday: Rather pleasant: Martin & self setting grave stone for Angeline; Paid Baldwin $62.50.

November 30, Thursday: Snowed & blew some about 6-10 inches on a level. All at my father’s to Thanksgiving. We are all growing old & some will soon drop out in the natural course of events. Up town in eve.

December 5, Tuesday: Pleasant & much milder; People at Litch. Paid Hattie $32.20. Bot. ax & meal $3.00.

December 25, Monday: Pleasant; Christmas all the people here to a tree and dinner but Aunt Jane, who has a lame back.

December 31, Sunday: Pleasant but cold; Last day of the year. Have had good health and contentment and that at least equals wealth.

1883

January 8, Monday: Pleasant; Martin & self took 2446 lbs hay to Geo. ??? Litchfield at $18. a ton= $22.

January 23, Tuesday: Pleasant but cold –14 degrees: In morn packed ice. In P.M. at W. G. and sold 29 ½ butter= $8.85; bot. barrel flour $9.00

January 29, Monday: Not pleasant; Martin not here. Over to Davis’s, Miss Harriet executed her will with members of Edward Norton’s family as witnesses and I deposited it by her direction with Brooks Bros.

February 23, Friday: Pleasant but cold; Up to center trying case Beach vs. Cook.

(much of the winter spent cutting fire wood and hauling logs to the mill in West Goshen, some to sell, others for the lumber)

March 31, Saturday: pleasant; quite a fall of snow which thawed during the day. Up to Goshen in the morning. Got a load of wood at L. in afternoon. Paid Ransom 50 cents he to get me appointed Commissioner of the Superior Court on Thursday next.

April 10, Tuesday: Pleasant; Hauled out manure in morning. Down to Marin’s Mill and got some lumber in the P.M. Paid him for sawing in full $4,70; 907 B Ft $3.17; 380 Hickory $1.52= $4.69. At Goshen in the eve.

June 6, Wednesday: Pleasant & terribly warm; Plowed in the morning and in afternoon attended funeral of Mr. Jos. Palmer. Rev. Mr. Barber fainted away at end of service on account of extreme heat. The employees of the telephone Co. dug holes for the posts past my house today.

June 8, Friday: Pleasant after rain. Plowing; New Singer sewing machine came today.

June 29, Friday: Pleasant; At work on road in flat N of house. Paid Mr. C. Miller for sewing machine $40.05.

July 28, Saturday: Not pleasant; Father & mother started for Saratoga. Got in one load in the morn from Ives meadow (making 13 loads in all).

August 15, Wednesday: Very pleasant; John (son) & self at Winsted to circus.

September 13, Thursday; Rainy; not doing much. Up to Cornwall Hollow hunting burglars. Paid Ives $65. rent farm.

September 14, Friday: Pleasant; cutting B-wheat. Our people went to Milton. Traded out tub of butter- $12,65 at .26 cents/.

October 1, Monday: Exceedingly pleasant; Annual town meeting: Self moderator, Democratic ticket elected by about 10 majority. Geo Cook commenced work for me for two weeks.

October 10, Wednesday: Pleasant; Finished out potatoes about 314 bushels.

October 13, Saturday: Paid Geo. Cook $3.00.

November 7, Wednesday: Pleasant; Martin & self still at fence. Porter took 4 gallon jar butter @ lb. 30 cents.

November 29, Thursday: Very Pleasant & cool; Over to W. G. in morn with load logs. In P.M. all the family at father’s at annual Thanksgiving. We, as a family, have been greatly favored, no vacant chairs for many years. Up town in P.M.

December 13, Thursday: Pleasant; Over to W. G. & got horse shod, traded lumber 339 ft. & 40 cents with Dwight Allyn for pig- bot flour jar etc $4.00 check.

December 22, Saturday: Very Cold; John & self went over to W.G. and exchanged tub butter for two pairs Rubber Boots $7.00 other things in all 11.70.

1884

January 3, Thursday: Colder; Isaac Liddle here cutting wood on brush hill. Took 39 ½ lbs, butter over to W. G. & traded it out $11.85 including flour $8.50.

January 14, Monday: Pleasant & cold; Ike, Martin & self at ice, cutting, hauling & packing

January 23, Wednesday: Pleasant; took a load logs over to mill also 187 lbs. butter to E E Allyn to (30 c./) pay old store bill about $36.00. Martin here.

March 28, Friday: Pleasant; Martin & self chopping. Mailed Mrs. R her pension money $2,046,93.

April 8, Tuesday: pleasant; Martin chopping at Ives. Self commenced service as jury man.

April 17, Thursday: Pleasant; Finished up at the Superior Court. Probably the last time I ever shall serve in that capacity. Drive from L over to Torrington. Martin here

April 25, Friday: pleasant; M not here. Had telephone put in. Plowing.

June 9, Monday: Pleasant; planting potatoes. John & Martin shearing sheep at grandpa. At Litchfield in afternoon paid for telephone $4.00.

June 11, Wednesday: pleasant; At W G in morn, Martin getting out manure in P.M. plowing. Man over to take Geo. Starr to poor house.

July 8, Tuesday: Pleasant; Plowing in A.M. then took 9 2/3 bu. potatoes to G & E Litchfield at 60 cents; got 2 lbs. coffee & fancy crackers.

July 10, Thursday: Pleasant; Finished in plowing. Martin & self & John- Then commenced harrowing. Took 12 bu. potatoes to G & E. Bot flour $7.50; Sugar 2.00; tea 1.80.

August 10, Sunday: Pleasant day; All at church but Robt. & self. Slight shock of earthquake at about 2-8 P.M.

August 25, Monday: Very pleasant: Ike & Con helping Johnnie & self to get in oats. Got in about 950 bundles- 450 previous= 1400. Geo Starr died today.

August 26, Tuesday: Not pleasant. Not doing much. Attended to getting Star to be buried by town.

August 27, Wednesday: quite pleasant: John & self sawing in woods in morning; attended Starr funeral in P.M. “Buds of Promise” meeting in evening. Arthur Burr here over night.

September 10, Wednesday: Warm Warm; Martin digging potatoes. Self over & got load of shingles. Paid there $10.00 gold.

(the fall and winter of this year were passed in quiet farming work, wood piled, road repair, fence lines checked, vegetables dug, stored and some sold, pigs and cattle butchered some saved rest sold.)

December 31, Wednesday: Pleasant but foggy and very mild; John, Ike, & self went fishing. Last day of the year- Good bye 1884.

1885

January 17, Saturday: Pleasant and fair sledding; Wife and self went to L & up town in the evening. Henry H Ives (CivilWar:Co.C, 2nd Regt.,C.V.H.A.) committed suicide by hanging yesterday.

January 27, Tuesday: pleasant & cold; John & self drawing ice- got 180 cakes 22x22x11 to 13 125 in his house & 55 in mine. Paid 2.75 to John Doyle for cutting.

February 2, Monday: Pleasant; Went up town about 12 N and got school order for $75.00 over to W. G. and got it cashed. Paid Hattie $60.00

March 19, Thursday: pleasant but cold; Father gave me farm where I now live. Got 2,079 lbs. meal of Kenney.

May 29, Friday: Pleasant but not at work much. Went to Litch. and up town in evening. Paid telephone $7.80 and paid taxes $12.00.

June 25, Thursday: Very warm; Plowing on b-wheat ground and turnip ground S. of school house. This day died old “uncle” James Brennan. An upright old man in character. I have worked many days with him and always found him good.

June 27, Saturday: Pleasant and very warm; Went to Litchfield got my suit of blue flannel; cost $12.00. Hoed a little in P.M. Old Jim Brennan buried.

June 29, Monday: Pleasant; Plowed out potatoes in morn. At 10 A.M. went up to Goshen in Liquor Cases- 30 in all. (suppose this was temperance thing)

July 7, Tuesday: Not very pleasant; Julia & wife to Litch. to attend meeting for examination for  admittance to Normal School. John & self at corn.

July 13, Monday: pleasant all day; trying Brennans Liquor cases.

July 14, Tuesday: very rainy; Still trying Brennen’s liquor cases & Alexander Brignet- all cleared.

August 1, Saturday: Pleasant in morn and till about 4 P.M. Then a very heavy shower. Finished haying about 30 loads. Paid Brown 7 days @ $1.75= $12.25; Morey $20.00; Eben $7.00; Ike $3.00= $42.25.

August 6, Thursday: Pleasant; Craddled oats in morn. In P.M. took two calves down to Peck Wt. 440 @ 6= 26.00; He paid me $20.00=due 6.00.

August 9, Sunday: Pleasant; not at church. Paid Porter $2.50 for schooling of Lucy.

August 21, Friday: Pleasant; worked a little in the morning on the road then trying James Fanning (?) for breaking into Francis Wadhams house; found him guilty; bonds sent to Litch. in default of $500.

September 1, Tuesday: Pleasant; Drove to Terryville and took Julia to the Normal School at New Britain. Got home about 12 o’clock at night. The first one to leave the paternal home.

October 3, Saturday: Pleasant; Not feeling first rate. Nominated for 1st selectman; knew nothing about it. Think they will press me hard.

October 5, Monday: Very pleasant: Town elections; elected 1st Selectman; 95 to 63 for P Oviatt. Mr Lord and his friends opposed me because of my dession in the Brennen Cases and some Democr. voted against me.

October 20, Tuesday: Not very pleasant: Isaac & self making cider; made 113 gallons.

November 3, Tuesday: pleasant; At work at various jobs till noon then up to center till about 2 ½ P.M. election results: F.A. Lucas 112; T.W. Griswold 78; O. Hallock 76; F. Hurlbut 75.

November 16, Monday: Finished plowing. Wife & John over to Torrington and traded butter for suit of clothes & so forth.

November 30, Monday: Pleasant; Took Julia to train A.M. 45 years old today. Low prices & hay crop failure mark this a doleful birthday.

December 5, Saturday: Not very pleasant; Went to L. in morn with Lucy to Dentist. In P.M. took 111 lbs butter to E.E.Allyn @.2= $29.97 credited in pay for meal.

December 23, Wednesday: Pleasant & warm; John & self fishing, caught 33.

December 25, Friday: Pleasant; Christmas. At father’s in the morn. Cut a few alders in the P.M. Our folks at the tree in the evening.

December 31, Thursday: Not pleasant; John had to go to Torrington for fish bait. Chopped a little. Last day of the year- financially not prosperous but as to health & happiness- nothing to complain of. Up to the center in eve.

In Memoranda: Sept 11: Twenty years ago today I was married. How short the time seems and tho my life seems to be a failure in many respects I can see compensating advantages as against wealth; among them a healthy family, no actual or imagined disease, perhaps the next generation will develop more capacity and a philosophic mind that adjust itself to circumstances. Not but what I should like to be a “Count Lara (?) cold to the pround (?) contempt ion to the high, the humble —- not his — eye.” (maybe you can figure that quote out from your vast studies of classical stuff) but as my eyes begin to grow a little dim with age the chances of  any of the dreams of life diminish and all I can do is to face the inevitable with “courage, self control, and perseverance. (remember he is the one that hanged himself 17 years from this entry.)

1893

January 1, Sunday: Not pleasant, warmer with a light fall of snow; After the lapse of one year I again start on a daily record. I am better in mind and body than on the corresponding day of 1892. went down to Litch. and got papers.

January 2, Monday: not very pleasant but not stormy. Up town to meeting of B’d. of relief and to settle up with the town for lumber.

January 3, Tuesday: Pleasant; Alson and self rode over to Torrington and went to Hartford. The legislature of 1891 (?) closed its session today. Nothing done owing to an irreconcilable difference between Senate and House as to who were entitled to the offices.

January 4, Wednesday: Pleasant; Stayed over to see the inauguration of Gov. Morris and the election of my cousin Isaac Brooks as speaker. Came home by way of C.NE & W RR and walked up from Torrington.

January 7, Saturday: Pleasant but cold; Took Lucy to L. on her way to New Britain. Ellen Jackson went also.

January 17, Tuesday: pleasant but very cold; Commenced work in the Insurance Department Hartford at $5.00 per day.

(no entries between 2/12 and 5/26 as he was living in Hartford and home only some weekends)

May 27, Saturday: I this day returned home having been employed in the Insurance Department, Hartford, since the 16th of Jan. I am under lasting obligations to Mr Tyler for the appointment.

June 1, Thursday: Pleasant; Rob and self cut down a hemlock and I took it to W.G. Today a resolution appointing me to revise the insurance laws was defeated in the Senate. Senators Holden, Pierce, & Fix voting and speaking against it. Look out for them.

June 2, Friday: Pleasant and very warm; John went to Litchfield and bot. me a horse from Barber Bros. $160.00, an extreme price, but what I wanted. Self & Rob on road.

June 4, Sunday: Pleasant; Over to Smith. 71 or 2 sheep & 55 lambs.

July 4, Tuesday: Pleasant; Went over to Smith farm and helped the darkeys hoe potatoes.

July 5, Wednesday: Pleasant; Drove over to W. G. and got my mowing machine. Paid for parts $2.30; fixing etc. $2.25; meal at Porters $1.60; Horse shoeing at L. $1.50; groceries at L. $3.50. Had all my teeth extracted, took nitrous oxide gas, no ill effects.

( Self, son Rob, and various other men haying all over town)

August 9, Wednesday: Helped old Mr. Morris in the morning then went to look up my ox team, found them up near the Reed place in Torrington where the darkies had taken them.

August 11, Friday: Pleasant and awful hot; Rob and self over to Smith and got in 3 loads hay neglected by the africans.

September 8, Friday: Pleasant. Over to W Goshen with logs. Aunt Jane & Uncle Fred called for the first time in about three years.

September 15, Friday: Not pleasant; Went to New York to see Lucy off for Florida at the Grand Union.

September 16, Saturday: Not pleasant: Saw my daughter on board the Senimole for Florida. Then came up to New Haven and home- a “brave lady” is my “gray eyed girl”.

Expense: RR down $3.25; Supper !.25; theater 1.00; breakfast 1.15; Hotel 2.50; carriage 2.00 RR for home .70= 11.85. Bunel Lambs 71 & 85 ½ chickens 34 ½.

October 18, Wednesday: Pleasant; Trying Eugene Cassavant for stealing Wylis horse; guilty of taking without leave; fine $1.00.

November 10, Friday; Pleasant but cold; Over and brot home lumber; the last of Mrs Striker’s; Paid for sawing 821 ft. $2.50; Paid for making cider $1.46; for meal and kerosene $3.00.

November 17, Friday: Pleasant; At l. and had impression for teeth taken. Paid for pants $2.00; various >72. Rec. from Bunell $19.62.

November 21, Tuesday: Pleasant; Went down to L. and sent ducks to E. E. Allyn in N. H. paid fright .50; clothes washed .40; went in to trial of Mrs. Manering for murder.

November 30, Thursday: Annual Thanksgiving; all my family but Lucy at father’s. Also my 53 birthday. Am well and in good spirits and thro kindness of Mr Tyler in  giving me insurance work am better off.

December 19, Tuesday: At L. Two lambs to Bunell 76 & 61= 137. Got teeth paid $15.00 on them.

December 31, Sunday: Snowed some last night; Last day of the year. This has been a good year to me. Good health, good spirits, & good friends, Thank God and I start on the new one with a determination to do my duty both to God & man and he shows me the light.

1894

January 17, Wednesday: Not pleasant; Over at T. Ordered petroleum sold at 80 cents. Sent $40.00 to E. P. Dunham Agt. to buy 1000 bushels May wheat at 64 ¼. Horse shod 1.25; ham 18 lbs. 2.50.

January 27, Saturday: Quite a fall of snow last night; At T in a sleigh. Sent $10.00 by check to Dunham for wheat margin; various about $1.00.

March 26, Monday: Pleasant but frozen up; Took Mary over and brot. back Lucy all the way from Florida. Trunk charge .35.

April 6, Friday: Cold; Robert and self went over for load hay. In P.M. went to L. Sold my May wheat at 64 ¾- no profit or loss. Sugar $1.00; various .50.

April 12, Thursday: The snow storm abated this morn after blowing hard thro the night; Walked up to the center in the P.M.; the drifts are 10 ft. deep in some places. No mail today.

May 9, Wednesday: pleasant; Plowing. Paid for teeth bal. $9.00.

June 19, Tuesday: Pleasant and warmer; At Winsted case of Ives vs. Town of Goshen and others.

June 21, Thursday: Pleasant and warm; Came home from Winsted. Expenses say $3.00.

June 30, Saturday: Warm; At work hoeing out corn. News came that suit of Ives vs. Goshen had been decided in favor of town.

July 18, Wednesday: Pleasant in morn. Trying state vs, Geo Porter; discharged him. Over to Smith place= 2 loads.

July 24, Tuesday: A heavy rain last night the first in weeks; Not haying; at Torrington. Paid Welch (John M’s money) $84.50 services in Ives case. Sent $50.00 to Dunham.

August 12, Sunday: Pleasant; Over to the Gardner place to arrest Mrs. Hardy for keeping a disorderly house. Rained a little.

August 23, Thursday: pleasant warm and dry; Wife and self drove up to Canaan to camp meeting; a fine meeting. Cost say .75. While we were away a small tenant house W of mine, owned by my father and occupied by Ben. Powers & family was destroyed by fire with all its contents.

October 1, Monday: Annual Town Elections; Republicans won by a decided majority. The men who work by the day voted Republican. Paid out say .75.

October 23, Tuesday: Pleasant; Dedication of Congregational Church, Goshen. Alexander Broqueh (?) arrested for pounding his cattle.

October 24, Wednesday: Rainy; Registering and trying Theodore Jones for pounding Horace Prince.

October 26, Friday:  Not very pleasant; Trying Alex. Broqueh for cruelty to animals; $5.00 fine & cost. then to Litchfield with lamb to Burel 92 & 95.

December 30, Sunday: Pleasant. Masonic $3.00; Went to Torrington to see Mr. Taylor. It looks as tho I was to obtain a clerkship at Hartford. Took dinner with Isaac.

December 31, Monday: not quite so cold; Not doing much. Up town in P.M. Medicine .75; Groceries .53; Robert 1.00. Last day of the year which has been a hard one for most of the people- but hurrah for ’95.

1897

( Working as clerk in Hartford with Legislature)

January 1, Friday: a very pleasant day; At Hartford, not doing much. First day of the year. My good old father is not with us. I must try to be a good and true man, for this world and in preparation for the next.

Jan 2, Saturday: Spring like and pleasant; Very busy paying off. Did not go home. No RR papers. As I write this at 10:40 P.M. I am lonesome; what a nice thing home is.

January 6, Wednesday: Snowy and unpleasant in morn but cleared off nice. Gov. Cook inaugurated for Governor; a good man. Mr Mead’s whole family here. (Mr. Mead is his boss.)

( John H is spending the week in Hartford coming home usually at 12:30 Fri.)

January 25 Monday: Cold –4; Rob. brt. me part way came by Waterbury. What a pleasant home, good wife, & good children I have.

March 12, Friday: Turned more pleasant; Urie Wadhams in here with crazy darky for the Asylum.

March 13, Saturday: Very pleasant; Went home walked up. John accidentally cut off Mr. Clark’s finger- no blame.

March 19, Friday: Warm & foggy; Not very busy. Frank Griswold’s wife here a few minutes. Gov. Cook told me he could not secure the appointment of my son as an agent of the State B’d. of Ed. I didn’t blame him much, but Mr. Hine is wrong in keeping this so close. Perhaps I may have my time later.

May 4, Tuesday: Pleasant. Mr. Mead here; fairly busy.

Self and Isaac transferred Grandpa’s government bonds to Julia and grand children & NYC to Grand children except Robert. It made me a trifle sad to do it. He was a good man and provided for us wisely.

May 7, Friday: Pleasant and cool; Anniversary of the birth of my dear father. How good he was to me. I cannot regret he has passed away, he was so weary but his life was a good one and the world was better because he lived in it. I can’t be as good to my children as he was to me but will do my best. (Depression is building?)

May 11, Tuesday: Pleasant in morning; Hard at work on a Fairfield Co. Jail bill. Gov. Coffin & others here to see Mr. Mead on what they call irregularities. Mr. Hibbard to see me.

May 13, Thursday: A terribly rainy day; Mr. Mead here not feeling very well. At Baptist meeting in evening. No one spoke to me- not that I care- but it is not quite the way.

May 14, Friday: Turned very pleasant; A letter from Daughter Mary. She feels cash down about money; poor girl, but I sent her $10.00 and a cheering letter. How glad I am that I can help them. In evening went down to see the Reformatory property- a nice piece of land. Called to see Mary Mahoney.

May 18, Tuesday: pleasant; Gov. Coffin up here to get some thing legalized. What a fool he is!

May 19, Wednesday: Pleasant; Good roads bill in Senate did not concur in the house. Up to Alliance meeting in evening. Crazy as bed bugs.

May 27, Thursday: pleasant till near evening then rainy; At Baptist meeting at eve. Then heard a lecture on the “bycicle” at Unity Hall.

May 28, Friday: Pleasant but cool; Leg. adjourned over to Tuesday. Went out to N.B. on steam & came back on Electric; a wonderful thing.

May 29, Saturday: Pleasant this A.M, but not very warm; Went home at 12:30. Rode up by Goshen with Isaac. He gave me certificates 10 shares Conn Fire; 10 Morris & Essex; 4 New Milford Bank; 13 Iron; being the $5000.00 willed to me by my father.

June 11, Friday: Pleasant; Legislature frolicsome over prospect of adjournment. Mr. Moore here a little while.

June 13, Sunday: Pleasant; At about 2 this A.M. Annie, wife of my son, gave birth to a fair son. How thankful I am, I hope God will spare his life and make him a comfort to us all. Over to see Lucas.

July 15, Thursday: Pleasant; At work at Grand List. Bot. 3 shares Phoenix Bank with Rob’s money; 121.50= $364.50. At Baptist meeting in evening.

July 19, Monday: pleasant; Came back Williard Sopie, my wife, grandnephew brot me over. Busy at papers but not much big business. Deposited my dividend money- as near as I can make out my income from investments will be about $800 a year.

July 21, Wednesday: Pleasant in morn but rained at noon; Mr. Mead here. Mr. McLean and he looked up the law and posted me as to duties about pay of State employees. Sent $350.00 to H Clews and Co to buy oats 10,000 at 17.

July 30, Friday: Pleasant for a wonder, not busy; Got notice from Henry Clews & Co. that they had bought me at 55, 2,000. A T & SL T adjustment bonds (?) I think they will pay int. on them in Nov. Sent $500.00 of Robs money to Winsted Saving Bank & $40.50 to Torrington, this takes it  all.

August 1, Sunday: A pleasant day; Resting up- Down to Amanda’s in P.M. I am getting a little tired. How pretty my daughter Annie is tending her boy. What a pleasant home they have.

September 16, Thursday: Pleasant; Mr. Moore in this A.M. gave me $100.00 for extra service. I think I have earned it. He is very feeble. Mr. Bill up again, fixed up his accts.

September 25, Saturday: Pleasant; Went home at noon, wife met me at Palmers. Up town a few minutes. Gave Mrs. Cornish $2.00. John sold cows to Sam Miles; 7 cows & two calves @$175.00. It seems low but is all they were worth. Shingles=$16.00; Seat at Church= $24.00.

October 3, Sunday: A lovely fall day; At church but came to H. wife brot. me over to Palmers. Gave her $50.00 more. I want her to have a good time, she has been so good to me.

October 8, Friday: Quite pleasant; Busy as usual but cleared up quite a good deal. Burglars broke into the house at home tonight but got nothing.

October 10, Sunday: Pleasant; Over to Smith place in morn. One year ago today my good father died. I have endeavored to be a good man for the year and keep his place good. We have one more little John M.

October 11, Monday: Not very pleasant; My Dear wife started for Illinois & Julia for Waterbury. How thankful I am that I can give them a little enjoyment.

October 14, Thursday: Pleasant; Working at books. Got our balance all right, John appointed an agent of the B[oar]d. of Ed[ucation]. at $5.00 per day when he is employed. Out to Waterbury in evening to see Julia.

October 21, Thursday: Chilly & sour; Mr. Mead here; allowed me $50.00 for services as clerk to reformatory commission. At theater in eve to see Jo Jefferson in Cricket on the Hearth; was disappointed.

(family living in Torrington most of the time)

October 23, Saturday: Went home, walked up and got in brook. Remained at the old home over night. John came up to see me.

October 25, Monday: Not pleasant; John came in with me and got his instructions as special agent of B[oar]d of Education. Julia also is here as my guest. How happy I am.

November 14, Sunday: Pleasant but cold; Went to meeting then to L. and back by Winsted. Played with type writer in eve.

November 28, Sunday: Pleasant; Left home about 12 and walked over leisurely. Went down to looks at the old saw mill. Very few people are alive that saw it running. At Salvation Army meeting in eve.

November 30, Tuesday: Cleared off crisp & nice: 57 years old today. How thankful I am for good health, a pleasant family & an honorable position.

December 29, Friday: Pleasant; Quite busy and disgusted with the office seekers and letters of the same sort. Mr. Mead left me to fight it out with them, not coming himself. If I am advanced, all right. I was employed as assistant and have done my duty, and expect to do it in any capacity.

1899

(The year started with his family suffering from Scarlet Fever and quarantined, he is still spending a good deal of time in Hartford while the Legislature is active, working as an asst. clerk of that body and for other boards.)

January 22, Thursday: pleasant but cold; John & self rode up to G[oshen] south way and came back by Town. The old home looked a little desolate.

March 6, Thursday: Very pleasant; Went home to Goshen for the first time in months. Auction at the Jon. Wadhams place. No body seemed very glad to see me. Walked back by Geo. Johnson’s and came to H.

April 2, Sunday: cold & raw; Down to see cousin Amanda. Saw Dr. Jameswill. John has bought a house in T[orrington].

February 7, Thursday: Pleasant till night then rainy; Panic in stock market. My Standard R & T sold= profit $1,000

April 15, Saturday: Pleasant & warmer; Not feeling very well. Attended auction of the Wetmore property, ready to bid $8,000. It sold for $9,500. No more holidays for me.

April 24, Thursday: Pleasant & warm; Came back by W. Paid taxes by check to Vail $89.85. It seemed high.

April 29, Saturday: Pleasant & warm; Rob & self drove up to Smith’s and went around the fence. Sheep all out, many have died but I think I shall come out all right on lambs. Went over to see Lucas, up to see Scoville, and down to the old home and John’s. It looks desolate. Had a good day of it.

May 4, Thursday: Pleasant; Not very busy. Took ride on wheel from instructor from Popes. Played a few games in evening.

May 5, Friday: very pleasant but a trifle colder; Bought 5,000 May wheat 72 ½ & sold 5,000 Sept. at 71 ½; think I will make on the spread widening.

May 6, Saturday: Very pleasant this morning; Took my second lesson last night and find I am gaining on the bycycle(sic). Went home at 12:40. Lucy gave me some lessons and I gained on it.

May 9, Tuesday: Pleasant: Up before Appro. Commission. Bycycle lesson at night.

May 13, Saturday: Pleasant; Went up to East St. with John. Have about 96 or 7 sheep and about 56 or 7 lambs. Practiced a little on wheel.

May 28, Sunday: Pleasant and very warm. Not at church. Rode around a little but I have much to learn.

June 10, Saturday: Pleasant; The boys, Austin and man, sheared sheep- 94 sheep, 64 lambs. A hard days work for them.

June 14, Wednesday: Pleasant & warm; Busy as usual. Got $25.00 yesterday as gratuity. Home at 3.

June 20, Tuesday: Pleasant but showered in eve, Legislature finished up. Gave me 25 & $50 extra.

June 21, Wednesday: Pleasant; My bycycle was stolen from the rack in the capitol today. Bad luck all around. Market against me.

June 22, Thursday: Pleasant & cool; Went home at 3 P.M. and attended the graduation exc. of the T. High School. My son Robert was one and acquitted himself with honors.

June 25, Sunday: Pleasant; Rode up home with John and drove his horse back, he then took his wife and boy and went up for the summer. I shall be lonesome not to see the little fellow.

June 26, Monday: Pleasant; Came back to H. I have some return of my old trouble; despondency and insomnia, why? I have an abundance of this worlds goods, a good position, and a nice family. Cheer up old man.

June 27, Tuesday: Pleasant; Got my wheel back yesterday. Busy on Savings Bank accts.

June 28, Wednesday: Raining at noon; Feel much better today- Thank God. I am going am going to pull through all right. Everything is working right.

(And how many generations does this skip before raising its ugly head again?)

July 6, Thursday: Pleasant; Mary came in at 10 and I went with her to Springfield and saw her start for Chicago. I feel a little bad over it but thank God I am able to help my good daughter to be in the way of getting her health.

July 8, Saturday: Fair in the morning; At 12:30 I started up the hills with my wheel and got caught in the worst shower I ever saw. Julia & self at old home, Mama at John’s.

July 11, Tuesday: Pleasant; Settling up with courts. B’d Control fixed my sal. at $400.00 a year which makes me even with the first class clerks.

August 16, Wednesday: Pleasant; Mr. Grant here. Registering bonds for Shelton U R-way, Allen Page. Gained me $10.00 to take the bonds to N.Y. left at 3:30 train late got home at 11:30.

September 11, Monday: Pleasant; Came over in morn and got to H at noon. This is the 34th anniversary of my marriage. How fortunate I was in getting such a good companion.

September 25, Monday; Not pleasant, rained briskly part of day. Came in on early train. This day my good son Robert starts for New Haven to begin his college course at Yale. I am glad I can send him- he is a good boy- thank God for good children.

October 7, Saturday: Pleasant; Went home at 12:40. Bot house on Forrest St. $3,500.00. Rebate from Mallette $41.50. Think there will be no loss in it.

October 11, Wednesday: Pleasant; Went home at 3:00P M. Finished made for place on Forrest St., Torrington of Mr. Albert Green (haeph)?; paid $3,500.00 gave mort. back to Julia for $1,500- got rebate from R.E. agent of $43.50 and some other rebates meaning cash a little over $3,400.

November 4, Saturday: Pleasant; Took John’s team and drove up to G. the back way. Settled up with Austin- Paid him $12.50. Went to W.G. then over to Johnson’s to look up sheep. Nothing but disappointment- but I don’t need them.

November 19, Sunday: Pleasant; John & self went to Goshen and worked to get sheep together. I am going to sell them.

October 30, Thursday: very pleasant & warm; Thanksgiving dinner at John’s, an enjoyable time. The year on the whole had been good to me and I thank God for it.

November 1, Friday: Pleasant; Came in early by Winsted. A very busy day. Drew my pay $150.00 and sent it to Robert.

December 31, Sunday: Cleared; John & Annie went up to G. I took care of my little grandson. We had a good day. At Baptist church in P.M. Now at the close of the year, it has been a good one for me, Thank God.

            (End of John H. books; Story is carried on by his wife for a few years.)

Excerpts from the diaries of Mary Pelton Wadhams. These have even fewer interesting notes then the John H, but then she was a 64 year old widow at this time. Her son Robert was ending his tour around the world, son John M and Annie are living in Torrington & have a baby boy John Marsh III, her daughter, Lucy has her three boys, Robert E. being the baby; Haworth being about 7, and John younger(?). Julia and Mary H. are around and about.

1910

Wednesday, April 6: Pleasant and warm; quite warm; John had the new car out for the first time.

Thursday, April 7: …John took us to Burrville in the auto. ….

Sunday April 17: Cooler, rainy at night; John and family went to Goshen and took Lucy and Robert over to West Goshen. I went down and took charge of the house. They had a good time, and Robert liked to ride in the auto. John set out a Golden Sweet, a Peck’s Pleasant, and a crab apple tree at Goshen. He has set out some fruit trees for himself.

Sunday July 10: warm; John and family were here for dinner. At night John took his family and I to Bantam. Coming home by Morris, Mr. Denegan(?) and John collided and bent the steering rod. We staid at Mary Clarks while it was repaired.

            (Robert Pelton Wadhams home from Europe and up to Goshen Aug. 26)

Sunday, September 4: Rained during the night but cleared; We all went down to John’s to dinner and after diner we al trimmed the auto with ever-lasting, golden rod, ferns, running pine, and laurel, had a good time. We had a good dinner.

Monday, Sept 5: A bad shower during the night & foggy but it didn’t rain during the day; It was the great day of the Goshen Fair and we all went. John and family went in the auto, but didn’t get the prize, but John got prizes on the cattle.

Friday, Sept 9: Robert left us this morning for N.Y. May the blessings of God rest upon and go with him.

Thursday, Oct 6: Pleasant and warm; Mr. Peck took our goods to Torrington in the forenoon, and John and Annie came up at night in the auto and brought us down. It was very warm down here. Found things in fairly good shape. Left Torrington June 18 & returned Oct 6.

Friday, Oct. 7: Not extra pleasant but cooler; Unpacking; the bourgh is paving Forrest St.

Monday, Oct. 24: Pleasant, slightly warmer; … Geo[rge]. Decker and family and our auto were run into by another auto and damaged considerably. …

Sunday, Dec. 25: A very beautiful Christmas day; …was over to John’s to see the reflectascope cast the pictures.

1911

Tuesday, Feb. 21; Cold but pleasant; Went down to Lucy’s in afternoon. Dr. [Abram John] Barker had an operation on his eye but it wasn’t successful.

(Abram reportedly blinded himself by turning quickly and carelessly in the Goshen house attic and impaled his eye on a nail. As a very young boy I remember finding a box of his glass eyes in the very same attic.)

Saturday, Feb 25: Very Pleasant and warm; Baked bread, cake and Julia made a pie. Gave Lucy some bread and cake. Dr. [Abram] came home but when I went down this evening he had gone to bed. I am sorry his eye is not all right.

Saturday, April 8: Fairly pleasant; Dr. Barker was in to see us this morning. He has been in Phila. having his eye treated. John had his auto out for this first time today. Lucy’s thirty ninth birthday. (Lucy Burr = wife of Dr. Abram Barker)

Thursday, August 10: Quite warm; Went up town in auto. Cousin Fannie told us about the suffragette meeting and was quite enthusiastic over it.

Monday, Sept. 4: Very Pleasant indeed; Labor Day and the “Goshen Fair”. We all went. I exhibited my lace pieces and a plate of “Norman Wadhams” apples. Saw a great many old friends. Got 1st prize on my lace piece.

Tuesday, Sept 5: a pleasant day, but not quite so fine as yesterday; Walked up to the fair in afternoon. Visited, looked at the cattle & chickens etc. Got my “things” and came home with the Pecks. Saw the man go up in the balloon and come down in a parachute. Haworth and John came up in evening.

(Typhoid fever hits Torrington; over 150 cases; 45 are quarantined in the Trinity Church Parish Hall.)

Wednesday, Oct. 25: pleasant; we were ironing some curtains when Mrs. Peck came up and said Mother Barker had died at 1 o’clock that morning and that John would be up to get us. Julia and I both went over. I went down in afternoon and helped.

Thursday, October 26: Also pleasant; went down early and cleaned and swept etc. Dr. Barker went to Phila. on the early train. Boys stayed with us.

Saturday, October 28: Was quite pleasant; We dressed the boys in their new suits. John took us down in the auto. The boys were quite  interested in seeing their grandmother resting in the casket surrounded by lovely flowers.

Thursday, November 30: A most beautiful Thanksgiving day; We were disappointed that Robert couldn’t come up. It was John Barker’s birthday- 7 years old- weighs 61 ¾ lbs. I made him a cake. He had a few little presents. Gave a check for $17.10 for Borough taxes.

1912

Monday, April 15: Chilly in the morning but cleared warm; Heard that the “Titanic” had collided with an iceberg and had sunk. There were about 1300 passengers and over 800 of the crew.

Wednesday, April 17: Pleasant in morning; shower in afternoon; … The Carpathia picked up a good many of the lifeboats.

Friday, April 19: Evidently a rainy night, cleared at evening. … The Carpathia has arrived at New York with over seven hundred survivors of the Titanic. Mrs. John Jacob Astor was saved but he was lost; a so many more. It has been a dreadful calamity.

Monday, April 22: Rainy; … Letter from Robert. (He is a Dr. in NYC and 1st Lieut. in Nat’l. Guard Medical Corp.) He went down to help the third class passengers off the Carpathia. There were plenty of cloths for them and the stock exchange had a man with a roll of bills to give to the needy. Paid taxes: $25.00.

Saturday, April 27: Rather pleasant but showery; … A great number of bodies have been rescued from the Titanic disaster. The Johns’ took their first auto ride to Goshen.

Monday, June 24: (They are in Goshen for summer) …Dr. Barker and Clayton Rowe called in the new Flanders car. Annie came up and got me to come down and speak with Sarah Norton over the “phone”.

Wednesday, September 11: Pleasant in morning but followed by very hard thunder showers in afternoon. My 47th anniv. of my marriage. A “marker” or monument was unveiled at Camp Dutton a little south of Litchfield today to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the departure of the 19th Regiment for the Civil War – afterwards the 2nd Heavy Artillery. ….

(Back in Torrington)

Tuesday, October 15: Pleasant; Theodore Roosevelt was shot at Milw. in the chest but not seriously.

Wednesday, October 23: The first real rainy day we have had in a long time; Lucy brought up Robert this morning and he spent the day with us and Haworth and John came up in the afternoon. Dr Barker has gone to Bridgeport to see about his eye. John has telephoned to Robert to have him come up and go with the doctor to have his eye taken out. It is a serious matter.

Friday, October 25: Still chilly with showers; Robert and Dr. Barker took the 7:15 train to Bridgeport. Annie and Priscilla took the 9 o’clock train for Hartford. John Jr. and Carlton took the 7:15 train for New Haven for a C. E. Conference, and I saw Mrs. Merrino and the children leaving in a hack. …

Saturday, October 26: Clearing; Robert has telephoned that Dr. Barker had had his operation during Friday. He telephoned this morning that he had a fairly good night. Robert staid with him. ….

Wednesday, October 30: Pleasant and warm; Went down to Lucy’s in the morning while she went to Bridgeport to see the doctor. Julia came down in the afternoon and we staid until about 9 o’clock. She found the doctor cheerful and gaining a little.

Tuesday, November 5: A very pleasant day; Election Day. John and Annie went up to Goshen for the day. Coming home about 7 o’clock. Annie and Julia went out to see the election returns and I went over to sit with Pricilla. John was elected Senator.

Sunday, November 17:  Julia and I went to church and Miss Beard spoke to the Sunday School about her work among the colored children of Montgomery Ala. … Dr. Barker and the three boys were up. Dr. is looking better and feeling better.

Tuesday, November 19: pleasant & cool; at John’s tonight. They have a new “Victrola”.

1 ton of coal $8.00 from Ernest Prince.

1913

Wednesday, January 1: A most Beautiful day; The New Year has come in with a burst of sunshine. I am still in bad but am better. Lucy was up to see me this afternoon. Dr Barker is staying in for a few days, and I am very much afraid his lung is affected.

Tuesday, January 7: Dr. Barker went to New York to consult Robert etc. Robert has an appointment in Bellevue Hospital, which seems to please him.

Thursday, January 16: Damp and chilly; Dr. Barker was in to see us. He is going to start for Southern Pines tomorrow. Going by boat to Wilmington and then to Southern Pines.

Wednesday, March 12: A beautiful spring day; I have done nothing in particular. Had letters from Robert and Dr. Barker. Robert has had a new appointment on the examination Board of the first Brigade= $5.50 an examination. Dr. Barker is thinking of starting for home before a great while.

Sunday, March 23: A most beautiful Easter Sunday; Dr. Barker came home last night and was up to see us.

Tuesday, May 27: cloudy with a slight rain; We al started for Hartford in auto. John, Annie, Ina, and Julia and myself. Had a lovely ride going by Thomaston, Plymouth, Bristol, Farmington and the country was beautiful. Visited the new Library, saw the Mitchelson collection of coins, the old portraits etc. The table on which Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation document, then visited the Senate, then had dinner ay Hublines and went to the stores a few minutes. Came home by way of Unionville, Farmington, Collinsville, New Hartford, and Winsted.

Thursday, October 16: pleasant- not very cold but a good deal of wind; Annie told me this morning that Dr. Forbes had been very badly injured in an automobile accident. A very, very sad thing. It will make all Torrington sad. We are packing the best we can. John telephoned that Mary Brooks had died during the evening.

Monday, October 20: Rainy and dark; Dr. Forbes is better in some respects; but still far from being very well or like himself.

1914

Monday, January 19: Went to the moving pictures with Lucy and little Robert in afternoon. There were pictures of Artic scenery- the “Neptune”- seals, white bears etc.

Wednesday, April 1: Rainy in afternoon and evening; Robert went to Boston with Dr. Lusk to see Dr. [Harvey] Cushing perform some brain surgery.

Friday, July 31: … The whole European continent seems on the verge of war. …

Wednesday, August 12: … The war in Europe is quite alarming and the end seems far away. It is a dreadful thing.

(sugar was $1.92 for a 5 lb. sack)

Saturday, August 29: foggy all day. The war is going on abroad and France is in a serious condition.

Tuesday, September 8: Canned 16 pints of plums. … Paris is being besieged.

Friday, September 25: There has been dreadful fighting in Europe for more then ten days. The beautiful cathedral at Lorraine has been destroyed.

Monday, September 28: We heard the sad news this morning that Mr. & Mrs. Lamb had been hurt in an automobile accident, and Mr. Lamb died. She is badly hurt. some beautiful blue birds have been here sitting on the fence and drinking water from the stone basin.

(Much of the rest is too water damaged to read)

(Through out the war years they continued to move to Goshen, which took almost a week to pack everything and ship it up – one year they even brought up the piano, plant their veg. and flower gardens, pick berries and can the mess before leaving in the fall. Trucking everything back down to Torrington home.)

1917

Sunday, Jan. 7: A very nice sunshiny day; & Italians joined the church. John Jr., John & Annie went to Goshen in a sleigh and drawn by 2 white horses. …

Saturday, February 3: Cold, quite so; The Germans have issued a note of warning to American ships.

Sunday, February 4: There is a great deal of trouble over the Germans note of submarines and great trouble is expected. Dr. B has read in the paper that Robert’s field Artillery has been ordered to mobilize. Everything is very uncertain and perplexing.

Monday, February 5: Had a letter from Squire’s wife. She speaks as if cousins in Canada have gone to war. We are all talking about war conditions. President Wilson has broken relations with Germany. Letter from Robert; he feels quite uncertain as to what they may be called to do.

Tuesday, Feb 6: Still cold and a quantity of new snow; The papers are full of war and preparations. Everyone seems to be ready to do all they can to help in any war and the President is upheld.

Saturday, Feb. 10: cold; The conditions in the world are very complicated.

Wednesday, Feb 14: Quite comfortably warm; There is great trouble over the war situation. Things look unpleasant whichever way you look. It is quite depressing.

Friday, Feb 25: we are talking these days a great deal of war and war troubles. The high price of food and all over the world there is trouble= trouble.

Monday, Feb 26: Very rainy; Great trouble because the Germans are sinking ships= war is imminent. $1.00 to join the “Red Cross”.

Saturday, March 17: Snowy and rainy; The Czar of Russia has been obliged to abdicate. His son also has either died or been killed. The railroad strike has been put off for 48 hours.

Monday, March 19: cold; the railroad strike is settled. The R.R. giving in to an 8 hr. law. Great trouble with ships being sunk etc. Letter from Robert. Dr. & Haworth both improving a little.

Wednesday, March 28: Pleasant; Julia and I called on Mrs. Travis. We saw her dish washer and her washing machine run by a motor. …

Friday, Mar 30: a nice spring day; John joined the “Home Guards” tonight. Our motto is: “Be Cheerful.”

Tuesday, April 3: Fair and bright; War is virtually declared against Germany. …

Wednesday, April 4: A beautiful day; Co. M is at Bridgeport guarding the Remington Works and troops from Hartford are here. …

Friday, April 6: snow etc. a wet mean day; Fast Day; Finished an apron. John Barker was up and made a bird house & dinner. Haworth was up for the first time (since being sick) Is looking well. John Jr. has been over and is looking well. Letter from Robert. He is examining the regiment. War has been declared against Germany.

Saturday, April 7: Windy; John Jr. and Priscilla and I think the rest of the family have gone to Goshen to a dance. There is so much that could be written about the war conditions that I can’t write anything.

Monday, April 30: Dark and rainy; Robert left us this morning on the early train; looking well and in good spirits. A good son- a good citizen- a good worker- a simple minded earnest man of the world. May the Good Lord keep him and help him to help others.

Friday, May 4: Pleasant but rained at night; … The war news is quite disquieting and no doubt a harder time is before us than we can realize. But if we trust, we will not be afraid.

Monday, May 8: clearing; We have put up a few clothes and furs- worked a little out of doors, regulating. Dr. Barker brought up to us for Goshen their old victrola as they have a new one, and no doubt we will enjoy it when we get used to it. Letter from Robert, he is still in N.Y.

Thursday, June 21: Foggy and cleared to a beautiful day; …Quite recently as Ernest Vail and a young lady were coming up from Watertown at 1 o’clock at night they run up onto the side walk and killed a girl who was walking up Robt. Patchill (?).

Saturday, June 23: John Jr. drove up in his “new Ford” and gave me a ride.

Friday, Aug. 24: Thunder showers in night warm & sultry; … John brought me 20 lbs of sugar at 8 cents per pound= $1.60

Sunday, Sept. 16: Pleasant; … John had a bad accident though he wasn’t seriously hurt. He started in the Ford car but when he struck the sand at the bottom of the hill he lost control and run off the west side and the car turned over and he was thrown out. He has a hurt on his leg and was shaken up a good deal.

Monday, Sept. 17: Also pleasant; … we cannot see the end but we will hope for the best, and trust the Lord.

Wednesday, Oct. 3: Foggy cleared and was pleasant; The fog was so thick that Henry Green & James Wadhams run into each other near Sam Oviatts’ and both cars were broken and both men quite seriously hurt.

Monday, Oct. 22: pleasant; … Robert wrote us from Spartenburg. In a few days he expects to be transferred to the Sanitary train as director of Field Hospitals= Major R. P. W[adhams] (Proceedings of the Connecticut State Medical Society

Thursday, Nov. 22: Rainy; … A great victory over the Germans by the British troops. (Likely the Battle of Passchendaele)

Thursday, Dec. 6: There has been a great disaster at Halifax where a ship loaded with munitions collided with another ship and was blown up and a great number were killed and the city is flames.

Friday, Dec. 7: Pleasant, colder; The disaster at Halifax was very dreadful- 5000 persons est. dead and a great deal of property destroyed.

1918

Tuesday, Jan. 1: cold 14 below; The new year has come in cold but bright and clear. We will have great need this year of courage, endurance and patience and sacrifice, but if we can only gain the righteous cause that we are striving for it will not be in vain. We must be obedient to the demands laid upon us by our government and try to help in every way that we can think of or plan for, and may our God bless us and keep our soldier boys.

Tuesday, Jan. 8: Icy & cloudy; President Wilson presented to Congress his message of the conditions of peace. (Wilson’s 14 Points declaration)

Thursday, Jan. 17: Food Administrator Garfield issued an order today that all factories etc. should be shut down for five days commencing tomorrow and every Monday for 10 weeks will be a holiday. It is a very serious condition We are asked to eat more potatoes in the place of flour.

Wednesday, Jan 30: cloudy and chilly; I went to the Economy store and got oat meal, crackers and a pound of sugar. we are trying to observe meatless, wheatless days and coal is getting so scarce I am afraid we must try heatless days, and still keep well and happy. We must have great courage.

Thursday, Jan. 31: still cold; … the first bombs of the war fell on Paris today. We must pray that somehow this war will stop but still we must try to win for the right.

Wednesday, Feb 6: warmer and snowing; … the coal situation is as bad as it can be with no relief in sight. We are trying corn breads and rye flour cake. we have had a plenty of our own vegetables and still have some squashes, carrots and cabbages, and a few apples.

Friday, February 8: the transport Tuscania was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland and sunk. I think the first that had American soldiers on it. It is a little uncertain just how many Americans were lost- not so many as we feared in the first place, but still more then we hoped.

Monday, Feb. 18: Some warmer; … John brought me a half doz. eggs laid by his own hens. Eggs are said to be $1.00 a doz. at the stores.

Monday, Feb. 25: warm and thawing; …The war goes on all the time and some of the Conn. boys have been badly wounded.

Tuesday, March 5: snowed in the night; finished my black and purple ribbon bag. Julia was down town to the “movies.” It was scenes in Italian war doings.

Thursday, March 21: quite warm; …We think there is great fighting “over there.”

Friday, March 22: Warm; … There is great fighting on the Western Front.

Tuesday, April 9: Rainy; We had a letter from Robert saying he had been made a Lieut. Col. and is now in command of the whole of the 102nd Sanitary Train, while before the war only over the Field Hospital Section. Now the train will be run as a Regiment.

Thursday, April 11: cloudy with sleet; …there is dreadful fighting in Northern France. It makes one’s heart sad and fearful and yet we must be courageous and pray and trust.

Monday, April 29: Warm and beautiful; Julia went up to Goshen with the Barkers to an auction at the Sperrs (?). She heard that Mr. Bartholomew had bought the house of Mrs. Julia Cook. I am glad that a good American family of Goshen will enjoy it.

Wednesday, May 29: cloudy and cooler; The Germans are making a hard drive for Paris

Sunday, June 2: A beautiful day & cooler; John Jr. [John Marsh III] has enlisted and passed the examination. It is in connection with Radio stations. He won’t go until the 23rd or when he is called.

Tuesday, June 4: A very nice day to work out of doors; John came up and brought a few things. He is going to N.Y. tomorrow as a delegate to a “War Economies” meeting from many states.

Monday, June 24: quite a nice day; Marion Blake telephoned. She says about a dozen teachers are working in the shop inspecting needles for the Needle-shop. They get $2.50 a day and can advance to $4.00.

Saturday, June 29: fairly warm and pleasant; The war news in the paper sounds encouraging.

Monday, July 1: cloudy and rain; Robert has written on June 27th that he thinks they may go in two or three days “Over Seas”. He wants to go- he has spent a year in training and his country needs him. I mustn’t ever wish that he could stay here. But it’s a very dreadful war.

Saturday, July 6: John Jr. left this morning for College Park, near Washington, and I am sure he will uphold the name for goodness and courage and ability that his “forebears” have always held. May every blessing go with him.

Friday, July 19: warm & showery; The news from “over seas” is quite encouraging.

Saturday: The war news seems to be encouraging but the fighting is severe. We don’t hear from Robert but John Jr. seems to be all right.

Thursday, July 25: There is great fighting across the seas around Chateau Thierry etc. We hear that the Germans are being surrounded etc.

Saturday, July 28: warm day; The N.Y. Times says the 102nd Sanitary Train is with the 27th Div. and is at the front.

Friday, Aug. 9: quite warm but cooler at night; The war news is very encouraging. The Germans being pushed back, prisoners taken and everything seems to be going our way.

Thursday, Aug. 15: cooler; I have read in the paper that there is no more wool for knitting and I feel very sorry for many reasons; besides I like to knit.

Friday: Lucy says that last night’s paper says there is to be no more sugar for canning before Oct. We are told not to drive autos on Sundays.

Wednesday, Oct. 30: cloudy & warm; Robert is doing surgery near the front. We think he is at or near Chalons on the Marne.

Monday, Nov. 11: Pleasant; This is the day never to be forgotten. Germany signed the armistice submitted to the German delegates dictated by Marshal Foch. The news reached T. about 3 o’clock in the morning, and as promised the whistles blew at all the factories. There was a celebration in Center Sq. where the Kaiser was burned in effigy etc. and a very great racket. Then there was a parade. There was another parade at 10 o’clock and one tonight at 8 o’clock. Everybody is happy thinking the War is ended.

Tuesday: We can’t talk much except about the armistice and all connected with it and our soldier boys and everything. I trust great wisdom will be given to our rulers and men in authority to bring about the conditions that we have been fighting for, that the world may be better and Gods name be glorified.

Wednesday: The whole world is in a changing condition. Gov. [Marcus] Holcomb was asked to state in ten words what should be done to the Kaiser. In eight words he said= “Catch him- try him- convict him- Hang him.”

Friday, Nov. 15: sun shinning; We still discus the conditions of the world all the time. We must still save and economize and plan, and sew and knit for the Red Cross as we have done.

Monday, Dec. 2: I suppose the President starts tomorrow for “over seas” and the Peace Conference. The Republicans don’t like it very much.

Tuesday, Dec 17: Letter from Robert written after the armistice. He expects to rejoin his Div.- the 27th- as soon as he could locate it.

(She ends 1918 with a note of how momentous the year was and notes that she knit, from 1917 –1918, 22 pair of socks, 1 muffler, and made up 1 doz. “comfort bags” for the soldiers. Further she and Julia sent 40 books through the Red Cross.)

1919

Monday, March 24: Pleasant; washed a little etc. Called on Clara Sherlock. John and Dr. Barker rec’d their tickets and have gone to New York to see the parade of the 27th Div. I hope they will be able to see Lt. Col. Robert P Wadhams.

Tuesday, March 25: A very beautiful day; this was the day of the great parade of the 27th Div. John and Dr. Barker went. They saw Robert on horse back at the head of the 102nd Sanitary Train.

Friday, April 4; Rained at night, cleared; Robert was discharged today. Means to come up soon.

Sunday, April 13: Pleasant; Robert came at noon and is looking fine and seems well. He will stay a few days but is anxious to get to work. His address is 11 East 48th St.

Sunday, July 6: Cooler Showers all day; The Dr. & Lucy came up and were going to Tyler where John & Haworth are camping. John has had an offer for our back yards which I think we will accept.

Friday, July 18: John brought up the deeds for the sale of our back lots at Torrington. Annie owns 40’ and I own 60’ in width. I shall own about 102’.

Friday, July 18: rained during the day; John brought up the deeds for our back lots at Torrington for Annie and I to sign.

Thursday, Nov. 6; We came over with John in the morning. Found the electrician’s here working and a great many things in disorder. We did what we could to be comfortable.

Friday, Nov. 7 Fairly pleasant; The electricians’ are putting up fixtures etc. but as there are no meters we haven’t any lights. Everything is in disorder in attic and cellar and every where.

Friday, Nov. 14: cool and pleasant; The electric lights were put on today and I hope they will be of great use and comfort to us.

Friday, Nov. 21: Pleasant; We hung pictures etc. We are all trying to get a pound of sugar at different places and I have got two bags of flour.

Wednesday, Dec. 3: Very cold, pleasant; John and Annie went to Hartford in the new car and Lucy went with them. They will stay all night. The new car is a Buick.

Monday, Dec. 8: Made check for Heminger Bros. for $4206.45 for installing Electric Lights in 88 Forest St.

Tuesday, Dec. 16: Cold & Pleasant; Dr. Barker has broken a little bone in his ancle and will be laid up. He commenced at the Brass Mill again. John was appointed President of the Savings Bank Association today. The money is not all raised for the YMCA.

Wednesday, Dec. 17: windy & clear; Last night was the end of the YMCA drive; going “over the top” thanks to John Alvord and Mrs. Migeon adding large sums and others too. $253,000.00

Saturday, Dec. 20: still cold; Got a pound of sugar at the A & P. …

Wednesday, Dec. 31: Clear; This is the last of the year 1919. “Tomorrow there is a new foot on the floor and a new face at the door.” 1919 has been a very important year in the world’s history. I trust that as a nation we haven’t wasted our opportunities but have helped in the reconstruction of the world for better things.

1921

Friday, June 10: The memorial fountain- given by the D.A.R.- was dedicated at Torrington. John was the orator of the occasion.

1922

Tuesday, Jan 3: Still quite cold and a little snow; Geo. Striker came over with Mr. Sherlock to take the train to N.Y. and the auto skidded and threw him out on our corner. He came in and took dinner with us and then started.