Transcription
Lorette Shepard & John Hamilton writings
Linda J Shepard
January 1856
Following is the set of footnotes associated with research of the transcription of the January 1856 diary entries by Lorette Shepard & John Hamilton. Footnotes are also interspersed and embedded within transcriptions.
- uncle Bradners ♢ John Bradner 69 was married to Grandmother Elizabeth Powell Powers Showerman’s sister Lydia Powell 63.
- oysters ♢ Oysters were readily available in western New York, being transported from NYC and coastal towns via railroad.
- down to Albion ♢ Although John says “down to Albion”, Albion is north of Batavia, near Lake Ontario. This, as mentioned in 1855, is in reference to using the term “up south” when heading in a northerly direction, and “down north” when heading south.
- spelling school ♢ In the evening, Lorette and John often went to a spelling school. The class possibly used a book similar to Cobb's New Spelling Book. As the diary years progressed, their grammar and spelling did improve.
- Elizabeth Q ♢ Elizabeth 28, married to Israel Quance 35, lived on land he bought from Calvin Strong in 1855, on the corner of East and Putnam Roads, Batavia.
- Mr Gettens ♢ Henry was born in England and arrived in Genesee County around 1846, the year he married Mary Elizabeth Churchill. She was born in Alexander in 1828, and a daughter of early pioneers, Ara Churchill and Sarah Hyde. Henry and Mary had two children by 1856, Oscar 7 and Helen 6.
- Mrs. N. Hawley ♢ Mrs. Sarah Shepard Hawley 38, was visiting with her stepmother, Catherine Shaw Shepard 58, who lived on Putnam Settlement Rd.
- Mr. Thompson & sister ♢ Charles 24 was probably one of John Hamilton’s best friends at the time. He lived on Francis Road across from the Hamilton house and may have been with one of his unmarried sisters, like Harriet 26 or Mary 18.
- Mr & Mrs Wm Stewart ♢ William 32 was married to John Hamilton’s sister, Adeline 29.
- Mr. Showerman ♢ Henry 23, son of Peter and Roxanny Showerman, married another of Lorette’s cousins on her father’s side, Helen Shepard in 1854, a daughter of Asahel Shepard. The couple may have been living with one of their parents.
- Israel Quance ♢ Israel 35 married Lorette’s mother’s half-sister Elizabeth Showerman in February 1855, the same year he bought the Calvin Strong house at the corner of Putnam and East roads in 1855. This is the property that Lorette and John would purchase in 1864.
- Leonard and his wife ♢ Lorette's cousin Maria Shepard 25 had just married Ira Leonard a month earlier, Christmas Day 1855. They were all up south to the West Bethany Baptist Church.
- delain dress ♢ A delaine dress is usually made of fine, worsted wool from Merino sheep, which Lorette’s family raised.
- search for John Franklin ♢ He was an English rear admiral who led an expedition in search of a northwest passage through Canada to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He and his crew mysteriously disappeared from their ship in 1848.
- Presidential Message ♢ Franklin Pierce was the fourteenth President of the United States, elected in 1853. His weekly message was related to the British government not assuming any sovereignty in Central America.
- Grandfather Shepards ♢ John, age 79 lived on Putnam Road across from Francis road with his second wife Catherine Shaw 71. Her first marriage was to Daniel Shaw who died in 1823 and their son Horace Shaw 44 lived across from them on the southwest corner of Francis and Putnam Settlement Roads.
- Frank Hamilton ♢ Frank 19 was five years younger than John Hamilton. He lived on the Hamilton homestead on Francis Rd in Bethany.
- James Quance’s ♢ James 32 lived with his wife Lucy Barney and their 4-year-old daughter Roselle in his mother’s house (Mehitable Powers Quance) on East road.
- Father ♢ John and Lorette lived with her parents on Shepard Road, Batavia.
- Mr. Lymans ♢ Samuel 44 his wife Charlotte Williamson lived at the corner of Shepard and Ellicott Roads. Oldest children Ellen and Franklin were about the same age as John and Lorette.
- Mr. Thorn’s ♢ There was a 35-year-old John L. Thorne who lived at Tinsdale’s Hotel in Batavia about this time.
- Grandfather & wife & Olive ♢ John 76 and Grandmother Elizabeth Powell Powers 67, were both widowed when they married in 1825, then had children, Webster, Elizabeth (Mrs Israel Quance), Olive (Mrs Milton Powers), and Lorinda (Mrs James Bride) . Between John and Elizabeth, they had 23 children.
- Miss Hurty ♢ Mary was one of ten children born to John Hurty and Elizabeth Bartels. of Allegany County, NY. In 1844 a Josiah Hurty was the Principal of the Bethany Academy.
- Mrs. Mary Putnam ♢ Mary 31 was the young widow of Seymour Putnam who died in 1854. He was son of Peter Putnam and Prudence Johnson of Putnam Settlement. In 1850 the couple lived in Alden, Erie County, NY.
- here in the evening ♢ This group was made up of John and Lorette’s family and friends who lived in the Shepard Putnam Roads area.
- Henry ♢ Henry Showerman 23 and wife Helen lived with his parents Peter and Roxanny Showerman on Batavia-Bethany Townline Road, Bethany.
- Wm Stewarts ♢ William Stewart and John Hamilton’s sister Adeline, lived next to another sister, Harriet Hamilton who was married to David Knowlton. They lived on Bethany Center Road, across from widow Amanda Thompson.
- Thompsons ♢ Amanda 58 the widow of Joseph Thompson who died in 1853, lived with many of her nine children on Bethany Center road: Harriet, Charles, Leonard, Mary and Daniel.
- Methodist Church ♢ The Methodist Episcopal church was built in 1841 on land donated by John Lowbar on the east side of Jackson Street, Batavia.
See the Next set of footnotes.
Read the January 1856 transcription.
December 1857
12/2/1857 Wednesday. I called to Israels she is quite sick. John & I went out to Wm Hamiltons. Ma & Grandma visited to Peters. John & I went to Israels in the evening.
JCH: Went over to Wm Hamiltons. Lorette went with me. We took a buck of Wm to keep through the winter for the use of him.
12/3/1857 Thursday. Grandma here all day, she & Ma called on Elizebeth she is better. I commenced a pair of striped mittens for John.
JCH: Chopped wood all day, 2 cords is about all I can chop & do my chores.
12/4/1857 Friday. Ma & Grandma visited to aunt Julias. I went over to see Elizebeth a while. She is better. Mr. Holden called here. John sold the chickens at 7 cents. We picked them this evening.
JCH: Was chopping all day. I cut 2 cords. Thawing some to day. Mr. Holden called here. I sold him some chickens.
12/5/1857 Saturday. We carried the chickens down. John got a pair of pants. We pared apples this afternoon.
JCH: Went down to Batavia carried some 17 chickens. We received 7 cents per pound for them. Bought me a pair of pants for $3.87 1/2. Cool and cloudy.
12/6/1857 Sunday. Windy & rainy. At home all day. John & I went up to see Franklin Shepard heard he was sick.
JCH: Went up to James Shepard to day Frank Shepard is there with the rheumatism.
12/7/1857 Monday. Warm & pleasant. John & I visited to Warren Putnams in the evening.
JCH: Was chopping all day. Warm & pleasant.
12/8/1857 Tuesday. It rained hard last night and this morning. We killed hogs to day.
JCH: Killed our hogs to day. They weighed about 290 pounds a piece. We killed 2. James Quance helped us. It rained hard last night and this morning.
12/9/1857 Wednesday. It rained this morning. We took care of the lard this morning & other things. John chopping up south in the woods.
JCH: Went up south in the woods chopping, came back by James Shepard to see Frank. He is about well. It rained again this morning. Asahel Shepard took his 20 bush of corn.
12/10/1857 Thursday. Cool & cloudy. At work on my black collar.
JCH: Went up in the south woods, chopping, chopped about a half cord, did not feel very well & quit.
12/11/1857 Friday. It snowed a little last night. At work on a black collar for Ma. Delora took lesson.
JCH: Drew up 2 or 3 loads of wood, I went down to Batavia to get some boards for a sheep rack, brought them home & worked some at it.
12/12/1857 Saturday. Our folks went to the village, left Charlie with Ma, I went over to Elizebeths.
JCH: Worked at the rack in the forenoon. Drove our sows off in the afternoon. One to Walter Cole’s, the other to Orrin Putnams. Walter’s is the full blooded Berkshire.
12/13/1857 Sunday. I alone all day, John went away. Pa & I went to meeting up to the schoolhouse.
JCH: Was about sick to day. Lorette went up to meeting in the evening. Elder Fister preached.
12/14/1857 Monday. Pleasant but warm day. I put some new trimming on my broadcloth cape. Rather downhearted.
JCH: Finished our sheep racks & drew them down to the barn. They work first rate.
12/15/1857 Tuesday. Pleasant. Our folks went up to Grandma Showermans. John chopping. Mary Brainard called Finished my cape. Delora took her lesson.
JCH: I chopped all day, 2 cords.
12/16/1857 Wednesday. Pa & John went to the village to pay taxes. It was $13.74 I believe. I am at work on some flowers for the Christmas tree.
JCH: We went down to Batavia & paid our taxes $13 & 50 cents. We came around by Mr. Sprague’s to trade horses. Went up to Frank Shepard’s school.
12/17/1857 Thursday. Aunt Quance came here. I made a pair of pants for John. Mary Brainard & Olive Powers, Lucy & Sally & aunt Roxanny visited here. John & I went to a spelling school up to Franks school.
JCH: I went up in the south woods chopping. I broke my axe & came home. Father Shepard went to mill up south. We paid our taxes on the wood lot 74 cents. We had company all day. Went up to Frank Shepards spelling school. A very good one.
12/18/1857 Aunt Quance finished the pants about two oclock. I mad e may mince pies, also finished Ma’s black collar. It snowed a very little last night.
JCH: Father Shepard traded horses with Gilbert Smith this morning. I chopped some in the afternoon. It rained this morning. I chopped some in the afternoon. It blew very hard most all day. It snowed some some to night & froze up again.
12/19/1857 Saturday. Aunt Roxanny sewing for Ma. Delora took her lesson. John went to the village. I made flowers this afternoon. Paid aunt 44 for making the pants.
JCH: I chopped wood in the forenoon. I went down to Batavia with James Shepard. Daniel Shepard bought a 2 year old colt.
12/20/57 Sunday. At home all day. John & I went to the south school house to evening meeting. Ben Moore Preached.
JCH: Did not attend church to day.
12/21/1857 Monday. John chopping in the south woods. I finished making my flowers & made a night dress in the evening.
JCH: Went up in the south woods chopping. George Shepard changed with me, we chopped 4 cords. Very pleasant but cloudy towards night.
12/22/1857 Tuesday. Storming, snowed all day. Jannett took her last lesson to day the term is closed. Delora did not come. Most sick all day. Aunt Quance sewing for Ma.
JCH: Went up in the south woods chopping for George Shepard. We chopped 4 cords.
12/23/1857 Wednesday. More pleasant to day. I bought a head dress, Ma broadcloth to day. Ma & aunt Sarah Shepard visited & they talk of going to Wethersfield to morrow. Sewing.
JCH: I was choring around the house & went down to Mr. Charles to see about shoeing my horses. Pleasant but cold.
12/24/1857 Thursday. Our folks started for Wethersfield but came back roads too rough. Mrs. & Miss. Sails, Grandpa Showerman’s sister & niece visited here after noon & evening. Also Israel & Elizebeth.
JCH: Went down to the black smith shop & had my horses shod all around. Mr. John Showerman’s sister & daughter were here from Victor in the afternoon & evening. Cool & pleasant.
12/25/1857 Friday. Pleasant, rough sleighing. We held Christmas at Wm. Hamiltons. All the brothers & sisters there. Had a Christmas tree in evening. Had a pleasant time. We staid to David Knowlton's all night.
JCH: Went up to Wm. Hamiltons. All of our folks were there. We had a Christmas Tree in the evening. We had a pleasant time. Went over to Mr. Knowltons & staid all night.
12/26/1857 Saturday. Snowed some to day. Came home this forenoon. Our folks visited to uncle Asahels yesterday.
JCH: Came home this morning. It is snowy some to day. I sorted some potatoes. Father Shepard drove a bay yesterday up to Peter Showermans. Orlando Marsh brought up my Peoples News from Kansas.
12/27/1857 Sunday. At home all day. Our folks went up south to meeting to day. Left Charlie with me. We all went to evening, Elder Fister preached. Frank Hamilton came home with us.
JCH: Went up to the school house to hear Elder Fister preach. The house was full. Frank Hamilton here all night, he is about sick.
12/28/1857 Monday. Frank & I went to the village he went to see Northrup got some medicine. I traded a little, Pa & John thrashing for uncle Asahel.
JCH: I helped Asahel Shepard thrash all day. A nasty job, Frank & Lorette went down to see Mr Northrup, Frank got some medicine.”
12/29/1857 Tuesday. Delora took her lesson to day. At work on my waist. John & I went up to Josiah Putnams in the evening. The sleighing what there was is nearly gone.
JCH: Pleasant. I drew up some wood & split & corded some. Went up to Josiah Putnam’s in the evening.
12/30/1857 Wednesday. Rained most all day. I finished my waist, commenced a pair of undershorts.
JCH: I split some wood & sorted potatoes. It rained most all day.
12/31/1857 Thursday. Our folks started for Wethersfield. John went to Batavia. Had an invitation to visit to Israels tomorrow, New Years. The End of 1857. Lorette F. Hamilton
End of 1857. (signed) Lorette F. Hamilton.
Tid Bits of 1857 - Horehound leaves fried in lard are good for a broken breast. Sold 8 lbs butter for $1.80. 3 dozen eggs for $.56. 1/2 lb tea for $.25. 25 lbs cheese at $.08. 1 dozen eggs $.15. 1 lb raisins $.18.
JCH: Went down to Batavia with James Quance. Mrs. Gardner paid me for apples. Our folks started a trip south in a buggy. Very pleasant & good wheeling. The End. This closes this book..
Recipe to keep cider sweet: Put two pails of cider in barrel. Fill barrel with sulphur smoke. Bring up tight for two hours. Then fill with cider. It will keep sweet.
Read the Previous diary transcription.
See the December 1857 footnotes.
November 1857
11/1/1857 Sunday. John & I went up south to meeting. Elder Madden preached. Pa & John attend an evening meeting at schoolhouse.
JCH: Went up south to meeting. Elder Madden preached. Still Cool & cloudy. Went up south to the school house to meeting.
11/2/1857 Monday. Snowed a little. Mr. George Huntington & his wife visited here afternoon. Ma fell and hurt her back. Quite sick all night. I finished Johns course shirts.
JCH:
11/3/1857 Tuesday. Pa and John went to village to Election & John went up to the Center to collect the interest on his note. I staid with Ma, she is some better.
JCH: Election day. Went to Batavia & voted then went up to Bethany. Received the interest on a note of 450 dollars that Father gave me. Paid it to Father Shepard & took my note. Cool and cloudy.
11/4/1857 Wednesday. Raining. Ironing. I cut out some chemise for myself.
JCH: Was husking corn all day. Rather more pleasant to day.
11/5/1857 Thursday. Mrs. Marsh visited here all day. I was doing house work most all day. We expected Mrs. Hawley & Benton, I made a calico apron in the evening.
JCH: Was husking corn all day. Pleasant in the forenoon.
11/6/1857 Friday. Pleasant. Deloa & Janett took their lessons. Wm Stewart & Frank Hamilton came here. John & I visited to Peters in the evening
JCH: Was husking corn in the forenoon, drew in corn stalks in the afternoon. Wm Stewart called to see my sheep, offered 12 shilling for the old sheep & 1.00 dollar for the lambs, did not trade.
11/7/1857 Saturday. Rainy with a thunder shower. Pa & John went to the village. Hellen called here. We sold 2 ½ bushel of dried apples.
JCH: Finished drawing in stalks & corn. Went down to Batavia. Took down our dried apples. Received 10 shillings for them. Brought home my boots. It rained very hard this afternoon.
11/8/1857 Sunday. At home all day. Uncle Nelson & Sally Hawley here to see Ma. She does not get along very well.
JCH: Did not attend church to day. Was over to Mr Showermans to day. It rained some to day.
11/9/1857 Monday. Raining. I commenced making a calico wait for myself. Rained very hard.
JCH: It rained hard all day. Was husking corn in the barn. Went down to Mr. Charles & got a cider barrel.
11/10/1857 Tuesday. Snowed a little. Peter Showerman & Henry moved back on the old place.
JCH: We put up a shed between the barns for the sheep. I went up in the afternoon to appraise the damage on Myron Putnam’s corn. Cool & cloudy.
11/11/1857 Wednesday. Pleasant. Spinning.
JCH: Put up a shed on the east side of the cow shed. Moved the old back house off to the hay pen & set another on its place. Went to Batavia in the afternoon, carried back my boots they were to small going to have another pair.
11/12/1857 Thursday. John & I went up to Father Hamiltons. I called to Mr. Marsh, gave Delora a lesson.
JCH: Worked on the back house & board fence. Went up to Fathers in the forenoon with Lorette.
11/13/1857 Friday. Cool & cloudy. Jannett took her lesson to day. Spinning some.
JCH: Finished husking corn in the barn. Buried my roots in the garden & put in 10 bush of turnips in the cow stable. Cool & cloudy.
11/14/1857 Saturday. John & Pa went up to the schoolhouse to attend a lawsuit between Myron Putnam & Frederick Skinner a Dutchman. Pa was one of the arbitrators. It snowed a little last night.
JCH: Attended a law suit between Myron Putnam & Frederick Skinner at the school house. Fred beat. He had Woodard, & Myron plead his own case.
11/15/1857 Sunday. There was a mistake last night in the decision. John & Pa went out to Mr. Bentons this morning to see about it. John & I went up to meeting. Elder Fister at the schoolhouse.
JCH: A meeting at the school house. Father Shepard & I went up to Mr. Bentons to see about a mistake that was made in the decision they being with Mr. Perry the arbitrators in this case. Their decision was that Fred should pay Myron Putnam ten dollars & the costs. Quite cold.
11/16/1857 Monday. Rained said for this afternoon. Pa & Ma went to the village afternoon. Charlie staid with Me. Ma carried back a new brown straw bonnet. Spinning.
JCH: Mr. Town said we agreed to give him a lamb for use of his buck but it is not so. He said he would sue us. Having no witness we thought it best to take him a lamb. We take James Quance as a witness. I pulled 30 bushels of turnips.
11/17/1857 Tuesday. Had my scholars to day. Ma & I visited to Elizebeths. I finished a pair of Chemises for myself. Pa & John sold their hogs for 4 cents per pound. Weighted 1250 1/2, came to $50. They left 30 dollars with Holden to pay taxes.
JCH: We sold our hogs to day at four cents per pound, they weighed 1250 pd & on half $50 dollars. I went up to the school house & paid James Hamilton $5. We left 30 dollars with Holden to pay our taxes. It rained some to day.
11/18/1857 Wednesday. I finished spinning, I had about 80 knots in all.
JCH: We went down in the woods & got a boxwood stick to make stencils. Myron Putnam came down there to see about the decision. We worked in the shed the rest of the day.
11/19/1857 Thursday. It rained & snowed all the afternoon. John & I pared apples 3 bu this afternoon.
JCH; Finished the stencils in the forenoon, I pared apples in the afternoon. I broke the paring machine knife & made a new one. It rained & snowed all afternoon.
11/20/1857 Friday. I finished twisting yarn and twisted some thread. Pa & John ground their axes up to Osgood Putnams. Snows again to night.
JCH: Worked at the barn in the forenoon. Went up to Osgood Putnams & ground our axes. I saw a two legged rat in Osgood's cistern. It snowed again tonight.
11/21/1857 Saturday. Snow about 2 inches deep and still coming. Doing housework all day. Pa went to the village. John settled up with Daniel Shepard accepting 25 in his favor.
JCH: Was at work around the barn all day. Snow. 2 inches deep this morning. Paid Daniel Shepard for thrashing.
11/22/1857 Sunday. Snow about 4 in deep and still coming. Harsh weather for November. At home all day.
JCH: Snow 4 inches deep & still a falling a prospect of sleighing.
11/23/1857 Monday. Jannett took a lesson. I finished twisting thread to day.
JCH: Drew some wood. Sorted over some corn in the barn. We picked over. Fixed a place for the sheep. It commenced thawing, but snowed before night.
11/24/1857 Tuesday. Delora took her lesson to day. Pa & John went to the village. I cleaned my buttery. We finished paring apples at night.
JCH: Chopped wood in forenoon. Went to Batavia and bought a barrel of salt for 15 shillings. Cold & stormy. A barrel of cider came home to day.
11/25/1857 Wednesday. Israel helped Pa draw wood, Elizebeth here at work on Ma’s dress. I cleaned my kitchen.
JCH: Drew wood all day for father Shepard. James Quance helped him.
11/26/1857 Thursday. Thanksgiving. Cold pleasant & good sleighing. John & I went up to his Fathers. All of the children were there. Had a chicken pie.
JCH: Thanksgiving to day. Went up to fathers. All of our folks but Frank were there.
11/27/1857 Friday. Pleasant. Delora took her lesson. Mr. & Mrs. Benton, Mr & Mrs. Hawley, uncle James & Asahel Shepard & wives visited here in the evening. Very pleasant evening.
JCH: More moderate. Father Shepard & father went to Batavia to the house that John Moore mortgage transferred to. Father Shepard took up his note that he had against him & endorsed 36 dollars on my note.
11/28/1857 Saturday. Beautiful day. We all went to the village to day. In the evening John & I went to an Exhibition at schoolhouse or Panorama. Grandma Showerman staid with Ma.
JCH: Went down to Batavia. Was there most all day. Sold some apples for 3 shillings per bushel. Went up to the school house in the evening to a panorama.
11/29/1857 Sunday. John & I went up south to meeting. An Advent man preached at the schoolhouse to day, the show man.
JCH: Went up south to meeting. The snow is going off fast. An advent man preached at the school house to day, the show man.
11/30/1857 Monday. Called on Elizebeth. She was taken sick this morning. Grandmother Showerman is there. Sleighing all gone.
JCH: Chopped a cord & one half this forenoon. Pulled & buried 20 bushels of turnips. Sold 2 cows to Asahel Shepard for $50. He gives us a note of $55, he takes the rest in corn.
Read the Next or Previous diary transcription.
See the November 1857 footnotes.
October 1857
10/1/1857 Thursday. A rainy day. We all went to the fair to day. It rained hard all day. Mr. Walker came back here. Helen Hamilton staid all night.
JCH: Went up to James Shepards & got some boards to fix the bottom of my wagon. Went down to the fair. It rained most all day. Bought a infinity ticket but a very unpleasant time.
10/2/1857 Friday. It rained all day, Hellen here yet, she visited Ma this afternoon, I sewed on my dress, no scholars.
JCH: It rained most all day and night. The fair adjourned until the 20th. We fixed the wagon & framed some timber.
10/3/1857 Saturday. We carried Helen home to day. Father Hamilton gave John five hundred dollars in notes. John feels pretty well to night. Mr. Marsh paid me 8 dollars for Deloras music. I gave her a lesson to day. That finished up this term.
JCH: It was cloudy & rained some to day. Lorette & I went up home. Father gave us five hundred dollars in notes against Mr. Wilkinson & Mr. Ashley. We can now get along very well.
10/4/1857 Sunday. Pleasant. At home all day. Sarah Showerman called. She is going to morrow morning to learn the Milliners trade of Mrs. Holton.
JCH: Did not go to meeting to day. Cleared off very pleasant & warm. John C Hamilton, Batavia N.Y.
10/5/1857 Monday. Pleasant, cool. John went with Daniel thrashing to day. I staid to Peters all night. Most sick with a cold.
JCH: Went down to Daniel Putnams to thrash for Dan Shepard. We thrashed in the afternoon for Mr. Weed.
10/6/1857 Tuesday. Lorette is sick to day. Thrashed for Mr. Weed until about nine o clock. When Henry Showerman came there & came home. Husked corn & drew in pumpkins.
JCH: Lorette is sick to day. Thrashed for Mr Weed until about nine oclock, when Henry Showerman came there & came home. Husked corn & drew in pumpkins.
10/7/1856 Wednesday. Pleasant. Not very well to day, Hellen called here. John digging potatoes.
JCH: Heard this morning that Nancy Denton died yesterday. She had the consumption. Was digging potatoes all day. They yield very well.
10/8/1857 Thursday. John & I attended Nancy Dentons funeral at the Center. Uncle Ira here all night.
JCH: Attended the funeral of Nancy Denton at Bethany Center. I dug some potatoes to day.
10/9/1857 Friday. Pleasant. Delora and Amelia took lessons to day. Helen & I visited to uncle James. Maria is not going west at present. To day is the last day of their school. John Moore & wife, Vet & Claire visited here in the evening.
JCH: Dug potatoes all day. John Moore here in the evening. Also Mr. Calkins & their wives. Mr. Moore talks of buying Mr. Showermans land, take a piece of James Quance’s back & our orchard.
10/10/1857 Saturday. Doing housework all day. Mary Knowlton came over here to day on horseback, staid all day. John Moore took Peters farm back, also Israel.
JCH: Was digging potatoes all day. John Moore made a trade for us. He sold it to Showerman. Mr. Showerman sells it for 20 dollars less than he gave Ira Shepard. Talks of buying our sheep.
10/11/1857 Sunday. Heard that Franklin Shepard was married to day. At home all day. Our folks went up south to meeting. Pa made some different arrangements about the singing.
JCH: Did not attend meeting to day. Was over to Mr. Showermans a little while. They are going back on the old place to live. Frank Shepard was married this morning to Miss Houghton of Alexander. Good Luck.
10/12/1857 Monday. Pa and Ma went to the village to acknowledge the deed. Pa has sold some land to John Moore.
JCH: They all went down to Batavia to day to make out their deeds. I finished digging potatoes. Pleasant and warm with the appearance of rain to night.
10/13/1857 Tuesday. Raining. Had no scholars to day. We pared apples this afternoon.
JCH: It rained all day. We pared some apples to day & went a visiting. A tremendous time with the banks presently.
10/14/1857 Wednesday. Pleasant. I called to Peters. John went up to uncle James Shepard, Frank is married, has not returned yet.
JCH: 10/14/1857 Wednesday. Picked about 2 bushels of winter apples. We carried 15 bushels to Batavia and got 50 cents per bushel for them. Heard that every bank in New York City had gone broke or suspended.
10/15/1857 Thursday. I made twelve pounds of pickled peaches. I finished my gingham dress.
JCH: I went up to James Shepards. He said the Legislature were a going to meet to pass a law to stop payment for six months. Very hard times.
10/16/1857 Friday. Delora took her lesson tod ay & that was all. I cut out some shirts for John. Ma & I went to Israels afternoon.
JCH: We raised the cow shed & worked on it all day. It was rain & mist all day.
10/17/1857 Saturday. Ma and all the rest went down to Julia Pattersons. Helen & I visited to uncle Asahels. I gave Jannett a lesson. John went to an evening meeting.
JCH: Worked at the shed in the forenoon. In the afternoon cut up corn. Went up to the Advent meeting in the evening.
10/18/1857 Sunday. Pleasant. Pa & John went to the schoolhouse to meeting. John & I went in the evening.
JCH: Went up to the Advent meeting at the school house. Pleasant part of the day.
10/19/1857 Monday. Raining. Washing. We pared apples and peaches this afternoon.
JCH: Husked corn in the forenoon, was peeling apples in the afternoon. It rained hard all the afternoon.
10/20/1857 Tuesday. It froze quite hard last night. Delora & Emaline took lessons. John went to the Village & I saw Frank Shepard & wife. Phebe & Maria visited this evening. Ma commenced spinning.
JCH: Picked apples in the fore noon. Went down to the fair in the afternoon. It was so cold it was a failure. Frank Shepard was here in the evening with his wife.
10/21/1857 Wednesday. Cold. It snowed quite hard this morning. The fair yesterday did not amount to much. Dr. Northrup’s daughter called here.
JCH: It snowed some to day. Was at work at the shed all day.
10/22/1857 Thursday. Clear & pleasant. I made peach pickles afternoon. I went to Israels, making shirts for John.
JCH: Finished putting on the roof on the corn shed. Afternoon was pulling beans.
10/23/1857 Friday. Delora & Jannett took lessons to day. We had a slight shock of an earthquake.
JCH: Picked apples all day. Cloudy all day.
10/24/1857 Saturday. Pa & John went to Mr. Benton’s auction. Ma & I visited to Grandma Showerman’s. Heard that Marinda Norton was married last Monday to Mr. Wales.
JCH: Pulled and drew in beans in the forenoon. Went up to Mr. Benton's to his auction did not amount to anything, it is too hard times. Pleasant but cloudy.
10/25/1857 Sunday. Cloudy but pleasant. We started to go to meeting up south heard there was none. Went to Wm. Stewarts. They have got a daughter two weeks old to day.
JCH: Started to go up south to meeting, heard there was none & we went up to Wm Stewarts to see the new heir. Heard that Miranda Norton was married.
10/26/1857 Monday. Rainy & cold.
JCH: Was at work on the cow shed, It rained most all day.
10/27/1857 Tuesday. Delora, Amelia & Jannett took lessons to day. It is Amelia’s last lesson. She paid me for one term. Aunt Sarah Shepard, Mrs. Farnham & Hellen visited here. They staid the evening. I commenced spinning to day.
JCH: Helped James Shepard thrash most all day. Cool & cloudy.
10/28/1857 Wednesday. Spinning a little. Joh thrashed for Horace Shaw.
JCH: Helped Horace Shaw thrash in the forenoon. Afternoon was husking corn. Cool & cloudy.
10/29/1857 Thursday. Pa, Ma, & I went to the village this afternoon. Ma got her a bonnet, I got mine trimmed.
JCH: I husked corn all day. Father Shepard helped me in the forenoon. Our folks went down to Batavia & was gone all the afternoon. Still cold & cloudy.
10/30/1857 Friday Cold. Delora took her lesson this morning. Ma visited to Elizebeths making a shirt for John.
JCH: Father Shepard & I was husking corn all day. Not very good but yields very well. Cool & cloudy.
10/31/1857 Saturday. Ma & I visited to Peter’s afternoon. George Huntington & wife came there.
JCH: Father Shepard helped me husk to day. Cold with some rain.
Read the Next or Previous diary transcription.
See the October 1857 footnotes.
September 1857
9/1/1857 Tuesday. Pleasant. John helped uncle James sowing wheat forenoon. Afternoon, Harlan helped him draw in oats. Amelia & Delora took lessons to day. Mending all day.
JCH: Went up to help James Shepard drag in his wheat. Afternoon Harlan came down & helped me draw in oats. Pleasant.
9/2/1857 Wednesday. Very warm to day. Ransom Shepard helped. John drew in oats this afternoon. They finished about supper time.
JCH: Cut spring wheat in the forenoon. Ransom Shepard helped me draw in oats. We finished them about supper time. Very warm to day.
9/3/1857 Thursday. I visited to aunt Quances, Elizebeth also. We expected our folks home but they did not come.
JCH: Helped Osgood Putnam all day. We thrashed in the forenoon. He paid me one dollar. Pleasant and very warm for the season.
9/4/1857 Friday. We heard this morning that old Mr. Moore died last night very suddenly. It is supposed of a fit. John worked for Uncle James. Emeline & Amelia took lessons today. Our folks do not get home yet.
JCH: Heard this morning that old Mr Moore was dead. He died last night very suddenly, it was supposed of a fit. Helped James Shepard all day. Pleasant & warmer.
9/5/1857 Saturday. John worked for Daniel Shepard this fore noon. Afternoon we attended Mr. Moores funeral. Read a letter from Ma that they intend to stay a few days. Webster is better.
JCH: Helped Daniel Shepard pull beans in the forenoon. In the afternoon went to Mr. Moore funeral at the house. Elder Fillmore preached. Some cooler with a prospect of rain.
9/6/1857 Sunday. Pleasant & cool. At home all day.
JCH: At home all day.
9/7/1857 Monday. John plowing for rye. I washed. John went up to the school meeting I staid with Elizebeth. Quite cold almost a frost.
JCH: Was plowing all day in the back lot for rye, cool & windy.
9/8/1857 Tuesday. Mother Hamilton visited here to day. Our folks came home this forenoon from Wethersfield. I had no scholars to day. Elizebeth & Israel called at night.
JCH: Was plowing this forenoon. Mother was here to day. The fair at Batavia commences to day, pulled beans for Dan Shepard in the afternoon. Cool.
9/9/1857 Wednesday. Israel & Elizebeth, John & I went a blackberrying, about four miles north of village. I got about four quarts, had a good time. Came back stopped to Lyman Quances & the fair.
JCH: Went down to Daws corners to get some blackberries, but they were most all gone. Came back to the fair in the afternoon. It will not amount to much. Warmer to day. Gambling in Batavia.
9/10/1857 Thursday. We all went to the fair to day. It did not amount to much. The ladies rode on horseback. The balloon did not go up. Came home tired.
JCH: Went down to the fair in the afternoon. The balloon did not go up as advertised, the whole fair a failure, fighting, gambling going on.
9/11/1857 Friday. I made some preparations for the Picnic tomorrow. Looks like rain to night. Delora Marsh has now got the fever.
JCH: Was plowing all day. Very warm with the appearance of rain.
9/12/1857 Saturday. Very warm, appearance of rain but it all blew over. We went to a picnic this afternoon in the neighborhood, very good time.
JCH: Plowing in the forenoon. Went to the picnic. Had a good time & plenty to eat. Mr. Woodard & Mr. Leonard addressed the children.
9/13/1857 Sunday. Very warm. We attended Carlos West's wife funeral at 5 o clock at schoolhouse. The house was full.
JCH: Attended the funeral of Carlos West wife who died very suddenly & was brought here for burial.
9/14/1857 Monday. Ma & I washed separately. We tried a new kind of fluid, liked it very well. We cleaned the cellar afterwards.
JCH: Finished plowing for rye & commenced sowing. Pleasant.
9/15/1857 Tuesday. Amelia & Emeline here to day. John helped Israel thrash. I helped Elizebeth some about getting dinner.
JCH: Was thrashing for J Quance, Father Shepard finished some rye for me. Cool & pleasant.
9/16/1857 Wednesday. Doing housework all day. I prepared some corn to day. Pa & John got some elderberries this afternoon. They got about 14 quarts apiece.
JCH: Pulled beans for Dan Shepard in the forenoon. Afternoon went down on the Plato farm to pick some elderberries. It rained a little to day.
9/17/1857 Thursday. A rainy day. Mrs. Julia Patterson visited Ma. She staid all night, uncle Nelson & aunt Sally Hawley also visited her.
JCH: Pulled beans in the forenoon for Dan Shepard. Afternoon we cleaned some grass see. I did not feel very well, was sick all night. It rained some today.
9/18/1857 Friday. John not well all day. Pa carried Julia home. Afternoon Pa & Ma visited to uncle Asahels. Their baby is sick. I commenced making a chemise for my self. No scholars but Emeline.
JCH: I did not do anything to day but felt some better. It rained most all day.
9/19/1857 Saturday. Pa & John went to work for uncle Asahel moving his barn. The rain broke them off. Sewing. This is our Equinoxial. Storm & gusts.
JCH: Helped Asahel Shepard in the forenoon. He is moving his horse barn near the school house. It rained most all this afternoon.
9/20/1857 Sunday. A rainy day. At home all day. Reading a story titled "Arkansas Ranger or Dingle the Backwoodsman". We had some of this year's chicken for supper.
JCH: Was at home all day. Wet and rainy.
9/21/1857 Monday. Cloudy & cold. Pa & John helped Asahel move his barn to day. Elizebeth visited here. I finished my chemise.
JCH: Was at work for Asahel Shepard. We got the barn on the spot, moved it around the road. His little girl is very sick.
9/22/1857 Tuesday. I had no scholars to day. Helen Showerman here. Heard that George Shepard got home last night from Kansas.
JCH: Drew some stone this morning. It commenced raining & we went in to the barn to clean up our wheat. We had fifty bushels. A little over 3 bushels per acre.
9/23/1857 Ma & I visited to Walter Coles, had a very good visit. I made some new pumpkin pies this morning. John & Pa commenced cutting up corn.
JCH: Drew some timber from Billy Green’s in the fore noon. We cut up corn in the afternoon. Not very ripe. Quite cool & cloudy.
9/24/1857 Thursday. John & I went to the village this morning. I got me a dress, cotton gloves, washtub & board &c. Afternoon John helped his father thrash. I went too.
JCH: Went down to Batavia in the morning. Went up to fathers in the afternoon to help him thrash. Pleasant.
9/25/1857 Friday. All the girls were here to day. I made my watermelon preserves to day.
JCH: Made a stone boat this morning & drew stone the rest of the day.
9/26/1857 Saturday. Doing housework most all day. Helen Showerman visited afternoon. Also Ordelia Shepard.
JCH: Drew stone all day. Asahel Shepard & George Shepard was here in the afternoon. George has just come back from Kansas.
9/27/1857 Sunday. John & I attended church up south. Elders Perry & Oliver Johnson preached. Israel & Lib & Sarah called at night.
JCH: Went up south to meeting Elder Johnson & Elder Perry preached. Very pleasant & warm.
9/28/1857 Monday. Uncle Asahel & George worked for Pa. I commenced making my gingham dress. We pared apples at night.
JCH: Drew stone all day. Asahel & George Shepard were here all day. They finished underpinning the barn.
9/29/1857 Tuesday. Delora & Janett took lessons. Uncle Webster Showerman called. Ma went up to Grandma’s with him.
JCH: Was cutting up corn all day. Webster Showerman came here to day. Pleasant & cool.
9/30/1857 Wednesday. The Fair commenced to day at Batavia. Grandma & Elisabeth visited Ma. Mr. Horace Walker here all night.
JCH: Father Shepard & I were cutting up corn. The fair commenced this morning at Batavia. Mr. Horace Walker was here all night.
Read the Next or Previous diary transcription.
See the September 1857 footnotes.
August 1857
8/1/1857 Saturday. Nothing of importance. Ma went to the village just night.
JCH: Cut & drew in some grass on J Quance lot. Threatened rain today. Father Shepard went down to Batavia to night. Carried down a tub of butter for us.
8/2/1857 Sunday. At home all day. Our folks went up south to meeting. I wrote a letter to Lorinda.
JCH; Cool & pleasant. Father & mother Shepard up south to meeting.
8/3/1857 Monday. Warm. John had uncle James Shepards boys and the reaper, they finished cutting wheat (tired).
JCH: James Shepard, reaper & the boys helping me cut my wheat. We cut about 13 acres with six hands & a boy. Quite warm to day.
8/4/1857 Tuesday. The girls all here but Jannett. Ma had company, the Quance women. Pa & John worked for uncle James.
JCH: Helped James Shepard drew in wheat. We drew in about 25 acres with three teams.
8/5/1857 Wednesday. Pa worked for Israel. John for uncle Nelson. Helen Hamilton here this morning. Ma & I visited to David Knowltons, afternoon to Wm Hamiltons.
JCH: Helped Mr. Hawley cut wheat. Mr. Hawley about discouraged by the failure in his crops.
8/6/1857 Thursday. I picked a few currants to day. Ma & I called to Peters. Making a skirt. Making cheese yet, we have got 8.
JCH: Cut some patches of wheat, cut some grass & plowed some. Warm & pleasant.
8/7/1857 Friday. John drew in his wheat. Pa & Harlan Shepard helped him. The girls all took their lessons but Jannett.
JCH: Helped Daniel Shepard thrash his barley. He had 70 bushels on Walter Cole farm. Went down to the village, sold three cheeses at nine cents per pound.
8/8/1857 Saturday. Pleasant. John helped Daniel Shepard thrashing forenoon, just night John, Ma & I went to the village, sold 3 cheese at 9 cents per pound.
JCH: Helped Daniel Shepard thrash his barley, he had 70 bushels on Walter Cole farm. It rained some to day. Went down to the village. Sold three cheeses at nine cents per pound.
8/9/1857 Sunday. John & I went up south to meeting.
JCH: Went up south to meeting. Had some new potatoes for supper, they were quite large.
8/10/1857 Monday. Cloudy, rained some. I cut out a pair of pants for John & began making them.
JCH: Mowing in the meadow. It looked like rain all day, but I guess it will break away for a drought.
8/11/1857 Tuesday. John is not very well. We heard that Laura Hamilton is sick with the Erysipelas. The girls all here.
JCH: 8/11/1857 Cut some grass. Went up to fathers to see about cutting some grass. Heard that Laura Hamilton was sick with erysipelas. Came home & drew in four loads of hay.
8/12/1857 Wednesday. Some signs of rain every day but I guess it will head south. Pa & John went to cut some grass on his fathers. Ma & I visited there. Eliza & I went over to see Laura, she is very sick.
JCH: I & father Shepard went up to fathers & mowed all day. Laura was worse. Nancy & Lorette went over to see her.
8/13/1857 Thursday. Looked some like rain. Pa & John worked up there again to day, at home all day. Eunice Lyons visited me.
JCH: Mowing up to fathers in the forenoon. Drew two loads of hay in the afternoon. The wind blew very yard all day. Laura is still worse to day. She is very sick.
8/14/1857 Friday. Cool. The girls all here to day quite a shower at night. Elizebeth called. We heard that Laura Hamilton was very sick yesterday, hardly thought she would live.
JCH: Laura is better today. Drew four loads of hay. The wind blew very hard all day most impossibility to get hay. We finished up to fathers to day. It rained just at night. Quite hard.
8/15/1857 Saturday. Cool. John and I went over to see Laura found her a good deal better afternoon. After noon I went over to Harriets.
JCH: Went up to Wm Hamilton to day. Laura is considerable better to day, her face has gone down & is out of danger. Went out hunting with Charles Thompson. We killed two pigeons.
8/16/1857 Sunday. Our folks went to meeting up south. Ma took Chasky.
JCH: At home all day. Our folks went up south to meeting. Pleasant.
8/17/1857 Monday. A rainy day. I finished the first pair of pants I ever made. John went to the village to get his boots taped.
JCH: 8/17/1857 Monday. It rained most all day. Went down to the village & had my boots fixed. Rode home with Mr. Wm Nott. He had a bill with him.
8/18/1857 Tuesday. Cool. The girls all her to day.
JCH: We mowed in the orchard in the forenoon. I cut oats until supper time then cut some grass in the wheat, stubble, very heavy grass. Some cloudy with a little rain.
8/19/1857 Wednesday. Mrs. Cornwell was buried to day. John & I called to Israels. Elizebeth is not very well.
JCH We finished mowing in the stubble in the fore noon. This finishes our grass for this year. Mrs. Cornwell was buried to day. The funeral at the house where Town formerly lived.
8/20/1857 Thursday. Ma & I visited to Mr. Farnhams, very good visit. Heard that Harriet & Laura are sick with the Bilious fever.
JCH: Was cutting oats & spread my grass to day, oats are down very bad. Father Shepard plowing some to day. Cool.
8/21/1857 Friday. The girls all here but Jannett. I gave Delora and Emaline a piece. I heard that Hiram Showerman’s wife died the fore part of month with consumption.
JCH: We finished up haying to day. We drew in 6 loads, three of them were grass seed. Warm to pleasant but has the appearance of a storm to night.
8/22/186 Saturday. Our folks went to Quarterly meeting this afternoon. Helen S visited here, baking all day. Charlie staid with me.
JCH: Showery to day. Cut some oats & plowed some to day. Father Shepard went up to the quarterly meeting in the afternoon.
8/23/1857 Sunday. A rainy day. Pa, Ma, & I attended the Quarterly meeting up south. John took care of Charlie. Elder Rolland preached one discourse.
JCH: Our folks all attended the quarterly meeting but Charles & me. It was showery all day & to night it has the appearance of a storm.
8/24/1857: Monday. Pleasant.
JCH: Was cutting oats to day. I went up to Daniel Shepards about thrashing. He is coming here Thursday. Cool.
8/25/1857 Tuesday. Delora & Emeline took lessons to day. Elizebeth & Grandma Showerman visited Ma, also aunt Roxanny. John helped Peter thrash.
JCH: Helped Mr Showerman thrash all day. Pleasant. His wheat turned out about 2 & a half bushels per acre.
8/26/1857 Wednesday. Pa went down to Corfu after some rye. Ma & I visited to Clarissa Calkins. John drew in oats alone. Pa found Harriet & Laura some better.
JCH: Father Shepard went down west of Batavia & bought 10 bushels of rye to sow this fall. Went up to have Asahel Shepard help me. Jannett is sick.
8/27/1857 Thursday. Expected the thrashers did not come till night. James Hamilton worked here. Aunt Ruby Shepard & Joseph visited here. They thrashed a little just night. Frank Shepard & James Hamilton here all night.
JCH: James Hamilton came here this morning to thrash. He helped me get in some oats. I went up to James Shepards in the afternoon to help him thrash, they came here & thrashed a little.
8/28/1857 Friday. Delora was the only one that came to day. They finished thrashing about 5 oclock. They had about 67 bu of wheat such as it is.
JCH: We finished thrashing about 5 o clock. We had about 70 bushels of wheat from 14 acres of ground discouraging enough. Am to pay six dollars for thrashing. Showery.
8/29/1857 Saturday. John went to the village. Ma & I visited to Elizebeth’s, Mrs. Johnson was there. Louis not very well. Pa received a letter that uncle Webster Showerman is very sick with the Typhoid fever & wants help.
JCH: We sowed about four acres and a half of wheat. We shall not sow any more on account of the weevil. I went down to the village just at night. Cool with showers.
8/30/1857 Sunday. John & I went up south to meeting, a Mr. Stevens preached. Pa & Ma went up to let Grandpa Showerman know that Webster is sick.
JCH: Cool & pleasant. Went up south to meeting. Elder Stevens preached. Father & mother Shepard went up to Mr Showermans to see about helping Webster Showerman
8/31/1857 Monday. Our folks started in morning for Uncle Websters. I washed alone.
JCH: 8/31/1857 Was cutting oats half day. Father Shepard went up to Freedom to see Webster Showerman who is sick with the Typhoid fever & is poor. Peter Showerman would not help him a cent. I cut wheat in the afternoon.
Read the Next or Previous diary transcription.
See the August 1857 footnotes.
July 1857
7/1/1857 Wednesday. It rained to day. John & I watched with Philinda last night. Aaron Webster & Emily Bryan also. I attended the funeral.
JCH: Sat up with Philinda Putnam last night. She was buried to day. I was plowing to day when it did not rain. I have a hard job of it.
7/2/1857 Thursday. It did not rain much to day. Uncle Marvin Shepard here. Malvina went home with him. He paid us 22 dollars for her board & music. We did not like to have her go. I visited Maria Gardner had a good visit. Frank Hamilton called.
JCH: It did not rain but a little to day. I was plowing all day. Frank Hamilton called here & we planned a visit to Mr. Preston, Avon.
7/3/1857 Friday. John & Helen, Eliza & Frank went out to Avon to Mr. Prestons on a visit. We arrived there about noon. Pheba, Maria Leonard & Helen Showerman visited Ma.
JCH: Started this morning for Avon with Frank, Helen, Eliza & Lorette. We arrived there about noon. Frank & I went over with Mr. Preston to see some cattle, there were very nice.
7/4/1857 Saturday. We all went down to Avon Springs. I could not like the water. We started for home about 2 oclock. We got home about 8 we had a good time.
JCH: We all went down to Avon Springs this morning. Mr. Preston & I went to see more cattle. They were nice. A bull & cow valued at over one thousand dollars. Came home. I liked the Avon water very much. We had a good visit. Crops very poor.
7/5/1857 Sunday. Pa & Ma went up south to meeting. John & I went up to uncle James to see Ira Leonard & Maria. They have got quite a pretty baby.
JCH: Father & mother Shepard went up sought to meeting. Lorette & I went up to James Shepard just at night to see Mr. Leonard & wife. I went up to fathers & got a wool box.
7/6/1857 Monday. We sheared sheep to day. Frank Hamilton here helping. Rained this afternoon.
JCH: Sheared sheep today 58 of them. Frank Hamilton here plowing. A shower in the afternoon. Henry Showerman helped me sheer sheep.
7/7/1857 Tuesday. Warm & pleasant. The girls came & took their lessons. Pa & John went to the village with the wool, they got 43 ½ cts per pound for it. Frank Hamilton here hoeing.
JCH: Frank Hamilton plowing our potatoes & hoeing. Went down to Batavia & sold our wool. Averaged 4 pounds and a quarter per head, at forty three cents & a half. Warm and pleasant. Hoeing in the afternoon.
7/8/1857 Wednesday. Frank & James Hamilton & Wm Benedict here hoeing for John. Ma visited to James Quances. I commenced making me a Darwin dress. Miss Stevens & her sister called here.
JCH: Frank & James Hamilton & Wm Benedict were here at work hoeing corn & potatoes. Warm & pleasant.
7/9/1857 Thursday. Warm day. Elizebeth fitted a dress for me today. I paid her 25cents. John is plowing.
JCH: Thermometer 100 in the shade. Plowing to day in the back lot. A shower in the afternoon. Went down to the black smith shop & had a shoe set & the drag fixed.
7/10/1857 Friday. Very warm, The girls here again to day. Elizebeth helped me a while afternoon.
JCH: Plowing in the back lot, warm & sultry.
7/11/1857 Saturday. A very warm day. Pa, Ma, John & I went up to Dennis Chaddocks visiting. Henry & Helen came there too. We had a good visit.
JCH: Thermometer 95, shade. Went up to Ira Shepard & Dennis Chaddocks to buy some sheep, did not get any. Sheep are pretty high. They had a tremendous rain in Attica yesterday.
7/12/1857 Sunday. Another very warm day. John & I went up south to church to day. John & I took a look in the wheat there are a good many weevil in it.
JCH: Went up south to meeting to day. A good many out. Elder Madden preached.
7/13/1857 Monday. Nothing of importance. Mr. Phelps called.
JCH: I was plowing when it was not to hot. O. Putnam called here & we settled up with him.
7/14/1857 Tuesday. Very warm. The girls had their lesson to day. We had some green peas for dinner, they came from uncle James. Mr Shepard called the melodeon man. I called to Peters, John went to Mr. Levings auction.
JCH: Commenced dragging to day in the back lot. Went over with Osgood Putnam to an auction at Mr. Levings. They had a mower there which they tried. Very warm.
7/15/1857 Wednesday. Very warm in the forenoon. Afternoon we had a very heavy thunder shower. I never heard such heavy thunder in my life. Aunt Roxanny Showerman & Sarah Quance were here.
JCH: Dragging most all day. The hardest thunder storm I ever witnessed to night. The lightning struck a good many times. Will Stewart was shocked at home.
7/16/1857 Thursday. Another thunder shower but not as hard as yesterday. John & I went to the village just night. I settled up at Holdens, it was not as much as I expected. The lightning started a number of fires in the village.
JCH: We drew gravel to fix the bridge in front of the barn. It rained most all the afternoon. Lorette & I went down to the village just at night. Settled up at Mr. Holdens.
7/17/1857 Friday. Very warm. We commenced making cheese. Ma went up to her Mothers. Heard that Lorinda is better. The girls had their lessons to day. I called to Peters.
JCH: Finished hauling gravel & then went to dragging. Father & mother Shepard went up to Mr. Showermans this afternoon. Heard that father was quite unwell. Cool & pleasant.
7/18/1857 Saturday. Very warm. We put a cheese in the press for the first one. I made a neck handkerchief for John. Aunt Sarah Shepard visited Ma. Helen Showerman called.
JCH: Was plowing most all day. Went down to the black smith shop & had a shoe set on the black horse. Settled up with Mr. Charles & paid the blacksmith 5 dollars.
7/19/1857 Sunday. The coolest day we have had this week. John & I went up to see his father, he was quite sick yesterday. The Dr. called , an overflow of the gall, the children were all there (I was rather suspicious of Adaline).
JCH: Went up to see father. He was very sick yesterday. The doctor said that his gall over flowed. All of our folks were all at home.
7/20/1857 Monday. Pa commenced helping John with haying. Ma & I picked our wool to day.
JCH: Commenced mowing this morning. Bought a piece of grass of J. Quance for three dollars and a half. It looks rainy tonight.
7/22/1857 Wednesday We had a shower after noon. Ma & I visited to Mr. Bentons, first rate visit. Mrs. Marsh also there.
JCH: We drew in the hay on Israel Quances. Mowing the rest of the day. It rained again to day. It seems to rain most all the time.
7/23/1857 Thursday. Ma & I Visited to Warren Putnams. I gave Emaline her lesson.
JCH: Father Shepard & Henry Showerman went up to Wyoming to see a flock of sheep. They did not buy them & came home in the rain. I mowed one swath & cut some thistles. A very heavy shower.
7/24/1857 Rained some. Pa & John bought some sheep of Mr. Lawrence, 28 I believe. John & Pa went to the village at night.
JCH: Father Shepard & I went up to Sumner Lawrences to see some sheep. We bought 28 at ten shillings per head.
7/25/1857 Saturday. Pleasant. Mr. & Mrs. Read here to dinner.
JCH: Pleasant. Mr & Mrs Reed here to dinner.
7/26/1857 Sunday. John & I attended to Quarterly meeting at stone school house. Harriet, Laura Shepard & Miss Burt here all night.
JCH: Went down to a quarterly meeting at the stone school house. Elder Emmons preached, also at five oclock.
7/27/1857 Monday. Ma & I visited to Mr. Marshes, I gave Delora a lesson. We got some cherries. Grandmother Showerman & Olive there. Pa & John dragging.
JCH: I was mowing most all day. Father Shepard went up to help Asahel Shepard moved his barn.
7/28/1857 Tuesday. The girls all here but Amelia.
JCH: I drew in a couple of jags of hay & cocked up some in the forenoon. It rained to day again. Father Shepard at work for Asahel. I mowed some in the orchard.
7/29/1857 Wednesday. Ma & I went up to Grandma Showermans to get some berries. Elizebeth went up there. I called to father Hamilton. He is getting better.
JCH: Father Shepard helped me to day haying. Finished up on ours until after harvest. Lorette went up to John Showermans to get rose berries.
7/30/1857 Thursday. I visited to Mr. Green’s, Clair Calkins went with me, very good visit. Heard that Nancy Denton is no better. Got the consumption.
JCH: Commenced cutting wheat this morning. Cut part of the the day & gave it up, it was so green. Wheat a hard crop. Went up to James Shepards to work after supper.
7/31/1857 Friday.
JCH: Father Shepard & I went to James Shepard to work harvesting. They nearly finished to day. They cut it with a reaper. Their wheat very rudy & not much of it.
Read the Next or Previous diary transcription.
See the July 1857 footnotes.
June 1857
6/1/1857 Monday. A large wash, John washed sheep to day his brother James helped him. Sarah & Eunice called at night.
JCH: Washed sheep with Mr. Showerman at Canada. James Hamilton helped me. Had quite a time with the sheep.
6/2/1857 Tuesday. Tuesday. Malvina took another lesson. I commenced binding my Compass bed quilt. I made a green currant pie for the first.
JCH: Drew stone for the bridge for the old barn.
6/3/1857 Wednesday. Pleasant with a fine shower at night. I sent off a firkin of butter. This is John's birthday. Malvina & I called to aunt Julia Brainerd.
JCH: Drew stone all day. Quite a heavy shower just at night. Sold a pig to Mr. Benedict for one dollar.
6/4/1857 Thursday. I scalded over the lard., Ma’s & mine. Elizebeth visited here. She & I called to Mr. Lyman’s at night. John at work on the road.
JCH: Worked on the road all day. Worked out three days worth. Fixed the road between here & Osgood Putnams. Cool & cloudy.
6/5/1857 Friday. Pleasant but cool. Hellen, Malvina & I visited to aunt Sally Hawley’s. Good visit. Mr Lyman is putting up a new home.
JCH: Drew stone in the afternoon. Lorette went up to Mr. Hawleys & drove the horse. I pulled tair in the afternoon.
6/6/12857 Saturday. Doing housework most all day. We called to Israels in the evening. Our folks do not get home yet.
JCH: Drew stone all day. Cool with a prospect of rain. Went over to J. Quance in the evening.
6/7/1857 Sunday. A fine shower this morning. We attended the 5 oclock meeting. Ben Moore preached. (uneasy).
JCH: Rain last night & this morning, a fine shower. Went down to hear Mr Moore preach at five o clock. The little grunter dug up some corn to day, I’ll fix them.
6/8/1857 Monday. I washed two bed quilts. Willard Quance helped John a little while afternoon.
JCH: Drawing stone. Willard Quance helped me in the afternoon. It rained some to day.
6/9/1857 Tuesday. Malvina & I & Hellen visited to uncle Asahel Shepard afternoon. Uncle Nelson brought us home. Henry Smith called again. The foolish fellow.
JCH: Planted over my corn this morning where the old barn stood. The hens & pigs got in all day over. Finished the ground in the meadow.
6/10/1857 Wednesday. Elizebeth here we had a baked pig for dinner. Josiah Putnam came after me to go to his house. He has got a melodeon double reeded. His girl is coming to take lessons.
JCH: Drew stone in the forenoon in the back lot. Afternoon finished pulling tair out of my wheat. It looks very well.
6/11/1857 Thursday. Rained hard all day. John helped Henry shear sheep. Mr. Shepard here afternoon. He says that Mr. Marsh & uncle Asahel had bought melodeons. He let me have a book.
JCH: Mr. Shepard melodeon man here. Sheared sheep for Henry Showerman. It rained hard all day. We turned the sheep out into clover lot. They filled themselves so full & the rain coming on to them, 3 of them died.
6/12/1857 Friday. John went to the village, got him a hat & a pair of pants. I am fixing my green Berage dress for Malvina.
JCH: Went down to Batavia with James Quance. After noon drew stone until it rained. Wet & showery.
6/13/1857 Saturday. John went to Peter Putnams auction. Considerable housework. I heard that Jerome Putnam was married last Tuesday.
JCH: Went through part of my corn to day to out the cut worm & plant over. Went up to the Putnam sale. Had a good ball play in the afternoon. Over fifty played. Showery.
6/14/1857 Sunday. At home all day. Frank Shepard here to dinner. John, Malvina & I called to Warren Putnams. They have got a melodeon, they think of having their girl or girls take lessons.
JCH: Did not attend meeting to day. Went down to Warren Putnams to see his new melodeon. Seventy five dollars a very good one. Cool & cloudy.
6/15/1857 Monday. Malvina & I called to Peters. They have been to Somerset. Our folks do not get home yet. It is strange.
JCH: Drew stone in the forenoon on the back lot. Very stormy. After noon cultivating, our corn rather small. The cut worm destroyed considerable & pigeons.
6/16/1857 Tuesday. I worked on Vina’s dress. Amelia Putnam took another lesson. Delora Marsh came down & took a lesson.
JCH: It rained most all day, getting very wet. Delora Marsh & Amelia Putnam came here to take music lessons of Lorette. James Shepard got a bushel & a half of buck wheat.
6/17/1857 Wednesday. Olive Powers & Helen Showerman visited here this forenoon. Wm Hamilton & Laura & Jannett Shepard visited here afternoon. Jannett took her first lesson.
JCH: 6/17/1857 Drew stone most all day. Wm Hamilton here in the afternoon. The ground very wet.
6/18/1857 Thursday. A rainy day. Lydia Ann Loomis & Helen Showerman, aunt Sarah Shepard visited here. That crazy Smith called here.
JCH: Drew stone all day when it did not rain. Broke my stone boat. Mr Loomis called here.
6/19/1857 Friday. Delora Marsh here again. Aunt Sally Hawley here all day. Amelia took a lesson. Our folks came home to night. Charlie has grown a great deal.
JCH: Drew stone in the forenoon. After noon pulled tair in the lot north of the barn. It rained some to day. Father & mother Shepard came home tonight.
6/20/1857 Saturday. John helped his father shear sheep. I finished fixing Malvina’s green dress. Olive called here with a letter from Lorinda. She is no better.
JCH: Sheared sheep for father. Went over to Mr. Cummings to a raising. A very large shed 100 feet long.
6/21/1857 Sunday. John & I started to go to meeting up south there was not any. We went in the swamp at night.
JCH: Started to go up south to meeting, met Calvin Loomis who heard there was none to day. Went around on the Creek Road home.
6/22/1857 Monday. We washed together. Heard that Philinda Putnam is worse.
JCH: Commenced plowing the summer fallow this morning. Scattered some manure that was piled in heaps, not much rotten. A heavy shower very wet.
6/23/1857 Tuesday. Emaline & I took a lesson. Delora & her mother came here this morning. They paid me for the instruction books. Amelia, Jannett came. Sarah & Miss Boylan the school teacher called.
JCH: Plowing & drawing manure all day. It did not rain to day.
6/24/1857 Wednesday. Mother Hamilton came back from Hamilton. John carried her home. Ma & I went to the village. I got me a lawn dress pattern paid 4$. I got some books for the girls.
JCH: Plowing this forenoon. Mother came back from Hamilton & I carried her up home. Wm Benedict came down to work for me. We drew out manure. Some appearance of rain.
6/25/1857 Thursday. Grandmother Showerman here all day. Wm Benedict & James Hamilton worked here hoeing corn. I commenced making a waist for Malvina. Sarah West is married to day.
JCH: Wm Benedict & James Hamilton worked for me to day in the corn. I was plowing Father Shepard helped me in the afternoon.
6/26/1857 Friday. Pleasant quite warm. Gave the girls all a lesson, but Amelia Putnam, she did not come on account of Philinda. She is very miserable. I had workman to day.
JCH: I was plowing, Wm & James at work & father Shepard. Quite warm & pleasant.
6/27/1857 Saturday. Martha Green & Maria Gardner called. Very warm, had workmen till afternoon. Vina & I went over to Peter’s. I fixed my cape some. Ma went to see aunt Sally Hawley, she is sick. Emily Bryan called.
JCH: I plowed in the forenoon. Wm & James , father Shepard & Mr. Osborn at work for me they finished about two oclock. Father Shepard went to mill in the afternoon up south.
6/28/1857 Sunday. Very warm. We attended the 5 oclock meeting at stone schoolhouse.
JCH: Quite warm & pleasant which will make the corn grow which is needed.
6/29/1857 Monday. A heavy shower this afternoon. Sewing on Malvina’s waist.
JCH: Finished plowing east of the barn & ganged over the place where the old barn stood. Worked some in the garden. Very wet & a heavy shower in the afternoon.
6/30/1857 Tuesday. Philinda Putnam died last night of consumption. The girls all came & took their lesson but Amelia Putnam.
JCH: Philinda Putnam died last night of consumption. Commenced plowing in the back lot rather too wet but it is getting so late that I had to commence. Cool & cloudy.
Read the Next or Previous diary transcription.
See the June 1857 footnotes.
May 1857
5/1/1857 Friday. Rainy afternoon. John sick this afternoon. We heard that Lorinda is sick.
JCH: Was dragging in the forenoon in the meadow rather wet. Raining in the afternoon. Was sick most all day. One lamb this morning. Frank H & Norman Putnam called here.
5/2/1857 Saturday. Rainy day. We went to the village. Malvina went with us.
JCH: Went down to Batavia. Took a bushel of wheat to the mill & had it ground. It rained hard most all the forenoon.
5/3/1857 Sunday. We attended Presbyterian Church. Heard Peter Putnam died at 1 oclock afternoon.
JCH: Attended meeting at the Presbyterian church. Heard coming home that Peter Putnam was not expected to live. He (died) at two o clock. Very sudden death.
5/4/1857 Monday. Rained hard all day, Malvina’s commenced making some lamp mats. John cooped up a hen & ten chickens to day.
JCH: Went down to Warren Putnams & brought home 12 bushels of potatoes at six shillings per bushel. It rained very hard most all day. Lambs dying, lost three.
5/5/1857 Tuesday. A rainy day. We all attended Peter Putnam’s funeral. It was held at the house. Good many there. Elder Fuller from Batavia preached a good sermon.
JCH: Attended Peter Putnams funeral at the house. Elder Fuller preached the sermon. Showery all day. Laid up some fence. The creeks all overflowed, one bridge at my homes gone.
5/6/1857 Wednesday. Malvina had another lesson to day. Spring is very backward. I sent my bonnet by Ma down to Mrs. Holtons to be dressed over.
JCH: 5/6/1857 Built some fence to day. Wet & cloudy. Prospect dull for plowing. It seems as if it never clears off. I believe the comet effects the weather.
5/7/1857 Thursday. Pleasant. Aunt Sally Hawley here forenoon. Making John a new frock.
JCH: Tagged the sheep this forenoon. Drew out manure in the afternoon. It cleared off this morning. Mr. Hawley called here.
5/8/1857 Friday. Warm & pleasant. We made soap to day. Commenced making up a garden set out at fore noon & sowed some lettuce.
JCH: Plowing in the orchard, warm & pleasant. Plowed the garden & set out a few onions & some lettuce.
5/9/1857 Saturday. I washed to day. John went up to Mr. Marsh’s to a raising. Ma went with him to Grandfather Showermans.
JCH: Dragging in oats in the meadow in the forenoon. So wet we gave it up. Went up to J. Marsh’s to help raise his barn. Had a good ball play. Warm & cloudy.
5/10/1857 Sunday. Pleasant but cool. We all went up to the school house to meeting at 4 ½ oclock. Ben Moore preached, Elder Short will preach next Sabbath at 4 ½.
JCH: Had a rain storm last night, one clap of thunder very loud & long. Went up to the school house to meeting, Elder Moore preached.
5/11/1857 Monday. I cleaned the chamber this forenoon, afternoon I helped Ma sew. They think of going to Wethersfield tomorrow.
JCH: Was plowing in the orchard, very nearly finished it. Was pleasant all day.
5/12/1857 Tuesday. I helped Ma this forenoon. They started about noon for Wethersfield. I cleaned the front room afterwards.
JCH: Was dragging in the oats east of the house in the meadow. Father & mother Shepard started to day for Mr. Marvin Shepards to help him on his house. Pleasant and some warmer.
5/13/1857 Wednesday. Helen Showerman & I went up to see Lydia Ann Loomis, she has got a bouncing boy, weighs 10 lbs & 1 oz. She is quite smart, it was 2 days old.
JCH: Was dragging in wheat & oats, rather wet. Finished the wheat. Pleasant. Lorette went up to Lydia Ann Loomis. She has a boy 2 days old, weights 10 lbs, 1 ounce.
5/14/1857 Thursday. A rainy day. I cleaned the buttery. Israel bought 2 pigs of John, awful tired.
JCH: Finished in the meadow & stocked it all down & commenced raining about nine oclock.
5/15/1857 Friday. Rainy. I cleaned the kitchen. John cleaned the wood shed.
JCH: Plowing where old barn stood. Finished in the orchard west of the house. James Quance came over and bought two pigs at one dollar apiece. Rained all day.
5/16/1857 Saturday. Doing housework all day. Ira Leonard called. He says they have got a daughter one week old to day. Israel came over & bought 2 pigs at one dollar apiece. It rained most all day.
JCH: Went up to fathers this morning got 2 sticks for some pokes. Manured in the hill & planted about a quarter of an acre. It rained some to day.
5/17/1857 Sunday. It snowed a little this morning, cold & backward. At home all day. Ransom Shepard & Wallace Hawley here. John attended a meeting at the north school house.
JCH: Went down to the stone school house to meeting. Elder Davis preached. Turned out my horses to day. It snowed some to day. It cleared off at night. It froze last night.
5/18/1857 Monday. Pleasant. Washing after that Malvina & I scoured the floor. We called to Peters.
JCH: Drew out manure to manure in the hill. Finished hauling out in the old barn yard. Made a couple of polks. Quite cool. Sold father Shepard calf for 3 dollars.
5/19/1857 Tuesday. Cool, pleasant.
JCH: Finished planting potatoes. Plowed some in the barn yard. Quite cool with a prospect of snow or rain. Very discouraging.
5/20/1857 Wednesday. John, Malvina & I went to the village. I brought my bonnet home. It cost me 18 shillings. Malvina left hers to be dressed over. Alva Smiths ? called here this morning. Butter 18cts.
JCH: Went down to Batavia to mill. Lorette & Malvina Shepard with me. Lorette took some butter but we got it all dirty & had to bring it back. A circus at Batavia. Cool rain.
5/21/1857 Thursday. Mr. Shepard called this morning. I bought one song & Malvina an instruction book. I cut out some collars for John.
JCH: Dragging in the west orchard for corn. Finished plowing where the old barn stood. Quite warm & pleasant.
5/22/1857 Friday. Hellen Showerman here this afternoon. Eliza Hamilton came here. Also a peddler ate dinner & gave me a course comb.
JCH: Finished dragging in the orchard, & marked it out in the forenoon. Commenced planting in the afternoon. Warm & pleasant. Nancy Hamilton was here.
5/23/1857 Saturday. Eliza & I called to Peters had considerable housework. I churned twice bad luck with Ma’s. Eliza went home afterward.
JCH: Planted over three acres of corn to day. Pleasant. Warm a growing time.
5/24/1857 Sunday. Beautiful day. I think it is the warmest day we have had this spring. At home all day. We went down in the swamp.
JCH: Did not attend meeting to day. Went down in the swamp. Quite warm. Leaves are budding out very fast & things look more encouraging.
5/25/1857 Monday. Very warm, John finished planting corn to day. Malvina had another lesson.
JCH: Very warm. Finished dragging where the old barn stood also finished planting corn. Sold a bushel of corn for one dollar cut down some thistle.
5/26/1857 Tuesday. Very warm. John & I cleaned the cellar this morning along the wood shed.
JCH: Went down to the blacksmith shop & had four shoes set & the crow bar sharpened. Afternoon drew stone. Warm & pleasant, things are coming forward fast.
5/27/1857 Wednesday. Mr. Charles Thompson here afternoon. Cooked some for John to carry a fishing.
JCH: Drew a few stones. Charles Thompson called here. He killed two chipmunks one red squirrel that was around the house. We had a fine shower. Mr. Hawley & Dan Shepard called. Agreed to go fishing with them.
5/28/1857 Thursday. Vina & I making flowers all day. John started for Silver lake a fishing. Helen staid here all night. Ransom Shepard done the chores.
JCH: Cool with some rain. Mr. Hawley, Henry Showerman, Daniel Shepard & myself started for Silver Lake. Arrived there about noon. Hired a seine of Mr. J. Keaton & commenced about four oclock. Caught 300 by nine.
5/29/1857 Friday. Pleasant but cold. Twisting some cotton yarn for socks. Mrs. P. Showerman & I went to the village. I got Vinas bonnet, it cost her 17 ½ shillings.
JCH: Caught three hundred this morning & started for home. Sick of hauling in the rope. But had a good time. Cool & cloudy.
5/30/1857 Saturday. Pleasant. Malvina & I went up to uncle Nelson Hawley’s, but did not stay. Visited to uncle James Shepard.
JCH: Drew stone this for noon. Went up to a ball play at James Shepards. Had a good one Mr. Andrews just alive. Warmer to day with a prospect of rain.
5/31/1857 Sunday. We went down to the north schoolhouse to meeting at 5 oclock.
JCH: Had a fine shower last night. Warm but cloudy. Went down to the stone school house to meeting. Elder Kingsley preached.
Read the Next or Previous diary transcription.
See the May 1857 footnotes.
April 1857
4/1/1857 Wednesday. Cold and snowed all day. Ma & I quilted all day.
JCH: Bought half a ton of hay of Osgood Putnam for four dollars. Drew it home. Went up in the south woods to cut a sill for the barn. It snowed fast in the afternoon.
4/2/1857 Thursday. Warmer. Ma & I quilted all day. Elizebeth helped us in the afternoon. John went to the Village, had his foot measured for a pair of boots.
JCH: Went down to Batavia to look at some plows thought I should get a new one. Exchanged my drag for a new one, by paying 10 dollars & a quarter.
4/3/1857 Friday. Beautiful day. Helen, Sarah & Elizebeth helped me quilt to day.
JCH: Went up in the woods and hewed out a sill and drew it home. A red elm. Went up to the school house to hear the boys practice pieces.
4/4/1857 Saturday. Mary Brainard visited here all day. Ma & I got the quilt off at night. John & I went up to an exhibition to schoolhouse. It was good.
JCH: Tilled out the grass in the orchard. Went up to the school house to an exhibition. A very good one. The house crowded. A yankee piece was very good.
4/5/1857 Sunday. Cloudy & rainy. At home all day. Daniel Shepard here to supper.
JCH: Some rain to day did not attend church. Went over on the Richmond place where Osgood Putnam & A. Webster were making sugar.
4/6/1857 Monday. A stormy day, snowed & blowed. We washed together.
JCH: Went down to the barn.
4/7/1857 Tuesday. Lorettes cow had a calf. John & I went down to Warren Putnams afternoon. They were sugaring off, have made now 1588 lbs of sugar.
JCH: Went up to Osgood Putnams to engage 15 bushels of corn at 6 shilings per bushel. Went down to Warren Putnams with Lorette. Had some more sugar.
4/8/1857 Wednesday. David Knowlton called, he & John went to Batavia. John got a new pair of boots, I put on my spread, Ma & I worked on it to day.
JCH: David Knowlton called here went down to Batavia with him. He had some bills printed for an exhibition at Bethany Center. Bought a new pair of boots. Rainy. Cool.
4/9/1857 Thursday. Ma & I at work on the spread. I expect some help tomorrow on it. Hellen Showerman called at night. I suppose that Grandmother Shepard & the girls are going to move to Corfu & set up a Milliner Shop.
JCH: Put up some leaches, sifted some grass seed. Heard that hay is over 17 dollars per ton in Batavia.
4/10/1857 Friday. Aunt Quance, Lucy, Sally, Elizebeth, Hellen, Sarah & aunt Roxanny helped me today on the spread.
JCH: Went up to Osgood Putnams to get the corn, did not get it. Picked out some seed corn, burned some brush in the orchard, bought 12 bushels of potatoes of Warren Putnam.
4/11/1857 Saturday. John went to an auction on the Center Road. Our folks went to the village. Ma got some oil carpeting for her bedroom. Elizebeth helped me a little while afternoon.
JCH: Went up to Osgood Putnams & brought home 16 bushels of corn, 6 shilling per bushel. Went over to Charles Lathrops to an auction on the Center Road. Wet & cool. 10 more pigs last night.
4/12/1857 Sunday. Cold & stormy. We all went up south to meeting. It was Charles Putnam’s farewell sermon. They are going to Phoenix. I saw the two brides Mrs. Clark Newton & Theodore Smith. It is very bad going. Mariah Judd married to day.
JCH: Went up south to meeting. Elder Putnam preached his farewell sermon. House full. Very muddy for the time of year. Had Henry Showermans buggy. Snowing some to day.
4/13/1857 Monday. A cold east wind. We washed together. Doing housework afternoon. Pa had help to put under some cross sills to the old barn.
JCH: Ten or a dozen in helping us put the sills under the barn. Pleasant most all day. Appearance of a snow storm to night. Harriet & Laura Shepard & their mother moved to Corfu today.
4/14/1857 Tuesday. Aunt Quance & Lucy, Sally & Elizebeth helped me on my spread. Pa & John are clearing away the rubbish around the old barn. We had another calf to day.
JCH: Clearing away rubbish around the old barn. Father Shepard went to the village this morning to see Mr. Thayer.
4/15/1857 Wednesday. Pleasant this forenoon, after it snowed & blowed very hard. Grandmother Shepard & Caroline Shaw visited here. Caroline helped me on my spread. A very tedious day.
JCH: Drew out manure in the forenoon. Snow in the forenoon. It blew & snowed hard all the afternoon.
4/16/1857 Thursday. John & I went up to his fathers with a gutter. Found Benjamin Lord there. He came home with us. Olive is sick, is a little better. We brought home the sugar making about 120 lbs.
JCH: Went up home to day. Found cousin Benjamin Lord there. He came home with us. Olive Powers quite sick. Brought home my sugar. Let J. Quance have 10 quarts of grass seed.
4/17/1857 Friday. Mr. Thayer came out to day to move the barn. I worked on my spread. Mr. Lord went away this morning. Israel & Lib called at night.
JCH: Mr. Thayer came here this morning to move the barn. The machine came at noon. Raised the barn & moved it off from the spot.
4/18/1857 Saturday. They got the barn on the spot about noon. Had good luck. I finished my spread today.
JCH: Moved the barn on to the spot & under pinned it. Had good luck with it. Five or six men helping us.
4/19/1857 Sunday. A stormy day of snow & rain. Our folks went up to see Olive, found her better. John & I went over to Israels to eat sugar.
JCH: Our folks went up to Mr. Showermans to see Olive. Lorette & I went over to J. Quance & had some warm sugar. Snowing to day.
4/20/1857 Monday. We put on Ma’s spread, John went to the village, also up to his fathers & got a load of straw. (Heard that James Watts is dead).
JCH: Drew down the machine to move barn with. Went up home & got a load of straw. Very muddy & snowing fast. Bought a new plow 8 ½, new drag 70 ¼.
4/21/1857 Tuesday. Ma & I helped Elizebeth on her spread. We went over in a cutter about 6 in afternoon. Heard that Mrs. Parmer is married to John Plato.
JCH: Snow fell since Sunday if it had not melted to make 16 inches, it stopped this afternoon. Was over to Mr. Showermans. Heard that a license law on liquor had been passed in this State.
4/22/1857 Wednesday. I helped Ma on her spread this forenoon & Elizebeth on hers afternoon.
JCH: Drew out manure all day. Snowing very fast. It looks like snow again to night. A man came up from the village to buy hay or straw, did not get any.
4/23/1857 Thursday. Elizebeth helped me on her spread. We received a letter from uncle Marvin that his little boy is dead. They feel very bad. His name was Martin.
JCH: Worked some in the barn. Went up to Osgood Putnams to get some corn. He asked 20 dollars per ton for hay. Hay is very scarce hardly any to be found. Some cattle dining up south.
4/24/1857 Friday. Pleasant. Ma had help on her spread. John’s cousin Ben Lord here all night.
JCH: Went up to Osgood Putnams & bought 5 bush of corn at six shillings per bushel. Drew stone & underpinned the sleepers & drew some for the bridge. Pulled down the old shed.
4/25/1857 Saturday. Pleasant. Ma had more help on the spread, we finished it.
JCH: Finished clearing up where the old barn stood. Drew some rails & burned brush in the orchard. Took a long pole fastened a chain about 6 feet from the end & raked them up.
4/26/1857 Sunday. Pleasant but cold. This is a backward spring. Uncle Martin & Malvina came here at night. She has come for the purpose of taking Music lessons.
JCH: It rained all the afternoon. Martin Shepard came here just at night with Melvina to stay with us all summer and take music lessons.
4/27/1857 Monday. Windy, stormy. Washing. Uncle Martin went home to day. Malvina took her first lesson to day, she likes it very well.
JCH: Martin Shepard went home left Melvina. She took one lesson to day. Drew out some manure. Rain & snow all day. Worked some in the barn.
4/28/1857 Tuesday. Sewing, making a pair of fine sheets. We all called to Peters at night.
JCH: Drew out manure all day. Father Shepard helped me in the afternoon. Pleasant.
4/29/1857 Wednesday. Malvina took another lesson to day. She gets along first rate. We visited to Elizebeths afternoon. Ma cleaning house.
JCH: Commenced plowing this morning for the first this spring, very late. Not very dry. Plowing in the west orchard. My new plow goes well. Not very warm.
4/30/1857 Thursday. Mother Hamilton & Helen visited here forenoon. Afternoon we all went over to Peter Showermans, very good visit. John sold our 2 calves yesterday for $7. they were 2 & 3 weeks old.
JCH: Plowing to day. Mother and Helen & more here to day. Pleasant with a prospect of rain. Cool.
Read the Next or Previous diary transcription.
See the April 1857 footnotes.
1857 Diary Summary
1857 Surnames Mentioned
Life as Lorette
World Events of 1857
- An earthquake hit Tokyo and about 107,000 died
- Frederick Laggenheim took the first photo of a solar eclipse
- H. Sichel & Sohne, the producers of the popular Blue Nun white wine, was founded in Germany
- The SS Central America sinks to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, cargo includes 43 bars of gold
National Events of 1857
- In Dred Scott decision, the Supreme Court rules that a slave is not a citizen
- James Gibbs of Virginia patented a chain-stitch single-thread sewing machine
- The California gold rush town of Columbia burned down in a fire that was blamed on a Chinese cook; the miners soon evicted all Chinese from the town
- Mormon leader Brigham Young called out the Nauvoo Legion to fight the U.S. Troops if they enter Utah Territory
- Lithographers Nathaniel Currier and Charles Ives become partners
- Count Agoston Haraszthy founded the Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma, California
- Paul Broca discovered that particular regions of the brain are specialized for particular functions
- The first US coin to be called a nickel was the copper and nickel one-cent piece
New York State Events in 1857
- The first passenger elevator is installed in a New York City store
- Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead and architect Calvert Vaux won the competition to develop New York City's Central Park
- New York City's Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company branch fails, precipitating a financial panic; 4,932 U. S. firms fail
- John Alsop King takes office as the first Republican governor
- The American Chess Association organized. The first major US chess tournament was held in NYC
Local Events in 1857
- Treaty with the Seneca Tonawanda Band was signed restoring about 8,000 acres of land to the Seneca Nation
- The Genesee River floods carrying away buildings on Rochester's Main Street Bridge
- Susan B. Anthony and William Lloyd Garrison speak at an Abolition meeting in Corinthian Hall, Rochester
- Le Roy's Ingham Collegiate Institute is chartered as Ingham University
- Belva Lockwood graduates from Genesee Wesleyan Seminary in Lima, NY; she later runs for U.S. President in 1884 and 1888
- Polly Hoag Frisch's second husband, Otto Frisch, deserts her in the same year that two more of her children die in the Town of Alabama. Relatives, neighbors, and friends are suspicious