DIARY OF SHELTON
SMITH
Smith’s
diary is covered with brown paper and is inscribed “Shelton
Smith/Oxford/Connecticut/New Haven County. The interior flyleaves are
old newspaper, indicated in an article as being from late 1853 or early
1854. The Oxford Historical Society received the diary, along with an
account book, as part of a gift from Miss Emily Adams in 2010. Miss Adams
and her father, Ernest Adams, did extensive genealogical research of the Riggs
family, and Shelton Smith was one of their ancestors.
According
to Oxford Past, Sheldon Smith was born about 1817 and died on April 22,
1872. He is buried in the Oxford United Church of Christ Congregational
Cemetery. He married Caroline Sherman in Woodbury on April 14,
1841. They had 3 children: Susan J. (1843), Caroline Lucy (March 27,
1850), and George (about 1854). The U. S. Census lists him as a joiner in
1850; he is noted as a farmer in 1860 and 1870. The 1868 map of Oxford
shows a S. Smith is living on Oxford Road at the foot of what is now Hogsback
Road. Given the names of the people he mentions, it is likely that this
was the home and the workshop of Shelton Smith. He mentions both his parents,
and it is possible that he is living with them.
Like
most men of his time, Smith apparently had little formal education. His
diary was not intended to be read and transcribed 170 years later, but, as he
says, but, as he writes, “as a reccord of evry days transactions”.
Sentences are not begun with capital letters, spelling is often phoenetic and
there is almost no punctuation. For ease in reading, I have added periods
where one thought ended and another began, but otherwise copied exactly what
was written.
Nancy Farnum
Transcriber
Oxford
March 23rd 1840 Munday
This
day I went to the city of New Haven. it was a pleasant day. the sun
shown most all day, then cloudy towards night . the wind began to blow
March like, the travelling faster _____nor any frost in the ground. the
times are very hard—on account of the Loco (?) Administration. I bought
one grose of screws size inch No 11 price 57 cts. Also five pounds of lath
nales 9 cts pur lb. 45 cts & one ream &a half of paper at $.400 pur
ream--$.600 & one pound of lamb black 21 cts pur lb. Jacin Morris is
very sick & has been two or three Weak I cauled to see him. I cauled
to see John B Datin about my court martial affair nothing has been done yet a
bout it.
Tuesday,
March 24th 1840
This
day I was at home in my shop at work turning ______ tales & lathed sum in
my shop chamber together with putting the moulding on a seat for my
sleigh. th weather has been stormy ______ & bad wind south
east. It snowd hald (hard?) and reined all day. the snow at night
was about two inches in debth. the trees wor coated with ice
Oxford Sheldon Smith
I
will mention the death of Jobe Candees wife, who died on Saterday,
March 21st
& was beried on sunday 22nd. died very sudden. a large
number attended the funeral. their was a surmon on the occasion from
Zephaniah Swift.
Saturday
March 20
Mrs. Hatch was buried funeral sermin by Parson Smith. it was a pleaseant
day & the sun shown—
Wednesday,
March 25th 1840
this
day I sawd a lot of logs to be sawd at Jeremiah Twitchel saw mill consisting in
walnut & chesnut. I rived out some spokes out of hickory, bought one
butnut log of John Candee 24 feet long payd him $1.25 cts for it, the ground is
yecht covered with snow.
Thursday,
26th 1840
This
day I sledded logs to Twitchells mill from James McEwens & boards from the
mill to my shop on a horse slead. I worked the remainder of the day in my
shop.
Friday
27th
this
day I worked in my shop all day. the sun shown and it was a pleasant
day. it is very much the snow that covered the ground this morning has
all disappeared. We received a leter from James this evening also two
paper from ______ Wm Hariss____ life.
Saturday
March 28 1840
this
day I worked in my shop lathing the chamber .&.c. Jerrymiah Twitchel
finished sawin a lot of timber consisting in parts of white oak butnut chesnut
& ash & walnut meahureing in all 16..17..feet. I have got a bad
cold. it is cloudy & raind in the afternoon_____
Sunday
March 29..
this
day it raind in the fournoon. I went meting. In the afternoon &
it was pleasean. Zepaniah Swift preatcht his last Farewell. Jasin
Morris on Saturday 28 in New Haven – the funeral is to bee attended on Monday
March 30th 1840 – this Evening I went down to David Candees to hear
the people Lectionnear on the coming lection. the Whigs fo Oxford will
probaly carry the day here this spring—
March
30!!
this
day I worked in th shop it reigned all day very hard. Jasin Morris was
beried & I went up there to sleap that night. Hariet Blackman staed
ther als. it thundered and lightened all the evening the wind blue a gale
all night.
March
31…
this
day the winds blew march like the sun shown pleasant all day. I worked at
turning Windsor pillers & getting stuff to my Shop from Twitchels
mill. my health is good. Orrine Sherwood dropt down dead while he
was sawing wood. he was apparently in good healt. He was 29 years
old.
this
day I turned some chare back poasts & lathed in my shop chamber. the
weather was all sorts it reined snowd haled & the sun Shown some of the
time. At night the ground was covered with snow—
Thursday
April 2d
this
day I worked in my Shop in the fournoon . in the afternoon I attended the
funeral of Orrin Sherwood. there was a greate collection of people surmon
by the Z. Swift. it was a pleaseant day
Friday
April 3
this
day I bilt a fence in front of my shop. it was a real pleaseant
day. my health is good. There was a Whig Meeting this eavening at
the house of David Candee. their was a greate collection of both Parties
their & the subject was ably discourst by James Brewster & L.PS (?)
Robertson from the city of New Haven. J Brewster led the argument by
statin his practicle knowledge of the county and was followed by Robertson on
the subtreasuery Bill. the debate contined until about 11 O clock
Saturday
April 4..
this
day I went to make chois of officers at 9 O clock in the morning they made
choise of Hegh Booth for Lieutenant & Isaac Davis for ensign and appointed
3 surjents, it was a pleaseant day one shower of rain. the traning it
occupied all day. the return of my court Martial was red to the Company
stating that I was find 10 $ & the cost making in all over 80 $ -- Mr.
Topliff the new minester came to our house this day. my health is good
Sunday
April 5th
this
day I attended meeting at the pesbyterian meeting house all day. Mr.
Topiff preacht to a large congregation that assembled on the occasion. It was a
very pleaseant day. the societies committee met at our house in the
evening for the purpose of making arrangements to employ him. in the
evening I went down to the center
Munday
April 6 --
this
day I attended lection in Oxford. it was a pleaseant day. the locs
foes (?) caried the day by a majority of .. 8 . voats for representative.
Sheldon Church was their candidate & Harvey H Upson was the whig do…for
state John M Niles majority was 5. Over Wm W Elsworth for Govenor. in the
evening L. A. Morris was at our house. I beaughd her home she told me of
one Jane E Clark in Nh
Tuesday,
April 7th 1840
this
day I got erly in the morning & went to New haven city with a load of
barrels for A. Eaton. I went to sea one English a Carriage maker.
he ordered a lot of timber to be sawed it was ash. Then went to sea Miss
Jane E. Clark in whiting St—from there went to sea sheirif Curtiss he was
away. I then went to sea Wm W Storer June (?) office, next I cauled on
George Dikraman. he gave me a lot of carriage parts to saw out for him
ash plank. I went to sea Mary H M at Mrs Conbstocks school. She had
left & was in Wilton. it was a pleaseant day though the wind blew a
gale all most of the day rather cold.
Thursday
April 9..
this
day I worked at drawing stone to under pin the fence betwean my shop &
cildry (?). I have a very sore nose, otherways my health is good.
in the afternoon I worked in the shop as usial. it was a very pleaseant
day very dry & dusy good travling
Friday,
April 10.
this
day it was a fine pleaseant day. I worked in the shop a sawing all day
& getting stuff redy to go to New haven. I cut my leaft hand with a
burring gouge that was sticking edge upwards in the rock without any handle on
it
Saturday
April 11.
this
day I went to New haven. It was a pleaseant day the sun shown & it
was very warm the warmest day we have had this year. business is lively
there this spring. I beaught a pare of liptict springs payed one shilling
a pound they was 44 pounds. I wen to sea Sherif Curtiss – he was willing
that I should have the appointment of deputy Sherrif
Sunday,
April 12
this
day I went to meeting in the fournoon & in the afternoon I weant up to gun
town & carried the minester with me to attend a furnral of Mrs Scott.
It rained all day I got very considerabley wet in the evening it thundered
& lightened. The rain fell in abundance. my health is very good
Monday,
April 13th 1840
this
day I worked in the shop all at sawing carriage stuff. It was a very
pleaseant day the wind blew a fresh brease all day. my health is very
good. in the evening I went to Wm Morris & to Sherman Buckingham—
Tuesday,
April 14-
this
day I work in the in the afternoon & in the fournoon I went down to Shelden
Churches saw mill to get some maple plank it was not sawed & my journey was
los. it was a warm pleaseant day the is first rate. my health is
good
Wednesday
April 15
This
day I worked in the shop as usual at dressing out asceltries a part of the day
& the remainder turning & finishing large chairs—George Pery 2d brought
me 375 feet of maple plank. it is the finest pleaseantest day we have had
this spring and in the eavening I went up to Mr Morrison (?)
Thursday
April 16
this
day it was a very warm day. I worked in the shop in the fournoon & in
the afternoon up weant up to deacon . Lem. Beerdslees to get a strap for my
waggean. I payed him 18. Cts. For it from there I took the horse &
waggean & weant way up to the camp place after some bedding. I cawled
on the old Back Hor Calles. & ordred a pare of shues. their was three ladies
there &c. in the evening I went down to the center not much a going
on there. There wer a Bal at Humphries Vill this Evening
Friday,
April 17.
this
day it was Fast..& I weant Woodbury & caried Miss Lucretia of
Morris. we went sea Caroline Sherman. it was a fine pleaseant
day. I went up to John Baens (?) in the afternoon & then I went up
town to meting with him. from there I walked sloly a long back & took
I view of Country. There was a large number down under the hill
opisite the masonic hall there at playing ball. I weant upon the peassce
(?) of the hall. it is a very high & slghtly place – from their I
weant back to Miss Caroline, where I spent the remainder of the day in the
enjoyment of a good visit. We started sun set for home & had
pleaseant Journey. We arrived in Oxford about 7 oclock. I then went
down to the meting house to sea an exibition consisting of crist in the temple
healing the sick painting on canvass 13 by 17 ½ feet square. It was
painted by West the celibrated the clibrated painter & then I returned home
about 10 Ock..
Saturday
April 18..
this
day I wen to work in my shop as usual. I put in one waggeon Sharft &
sawd out stuff to make out Dickamans Order. it was a pleaseant day &
very warm. there was a general turn out to ceatch some foxes up in
James Buckinghams lots. They caught twelve young wones a live by digging
for them - - the stag ran one hoss off the bank down to ses
den (Seth’s Den?) and wer pendred there about one hour - - -
Sunday
April 19…
I
went to the Congregationist meeting in the fournoon & in the afternoon I
wen to the Episcopel church. it was cloudy & reind a little in the
morning in the afternoon it was pleaseant & the sun shown. there was
a greate many people at both placies – in the Evening I went up to sea L A
Morris & hear a little about her Dear Edward up their in Vermont as
she has just got a letter from him,
Monday
April 20 ..
this
day I wen to New Haven it was a very pleaseant day. I bought the iron for
a waggeon of 30 Read (?) & one grose of screws & six pounds of 8 penny
nales. the screws wer 62 ½ cts the nailes was6 ¼ cts a pound
Tuesday
April 21
this
day I worked in the shop & made a pare of sharvs sawd out two esels for D
Gillet. it was a pleaseant day. my health is good. I went
down to the center in the evening & Bought me one apron of H Donham payd
him 25 cts for it
this
day Wednesday 22st
I
commenst work in the shop in the morning a while & the I went up to
Middlebury. from their I came down round by Ben Curtiss stopt
their to sea him. from their I went down thru the Vilage home or
Southford. It was pleaseant in the fournoon it come on to rain in the
afternoon very cold. I got home about 4 I clock & the I went to work
again & mage a pair of sharps (?)
Thursday,
April 23d –
this
day I went to work in the shop at a variety of werk – at fiting boxes in wheals
& turning wheal barrer (barrow) sharvs (shaves?) & mixing paint.
it was a very hot day. in the evening I bowd L. a Morris home
Friday
April 24 ..
this
day I worked at clearing the stone off from my garden & getting it redy to
plow. Next I set out six quins bushes their and then I repaired an old
plow for farther .. & then I worked a little on my waggeon – it
sprinkled a little in the morning & then the son shown pleasant & it
was very warm – I then made preperations to gow to New Haven at night. I
went down to Daniel Gelllet shop to get a waggeon seat it was a panel
seat. I came home & painted it. Ms. L A Morris wated for me so
that I should have an opportunity to beaugh her home & C …
Saturday
April 25 ..
this
morning I got up about 3 O clock & started for New haven with 13 molascies
barrels. I arrived their about 12 Oclock safe at Abraham Eatons on the
wharf. He gave me a check on the Mechanics Bank for 60..75 cts which I
got. from their I went to sea Miss June E Clark to get some parsley &
some garden beans for L A Morris. I stayd their about one hour & was
entertained very pleaseantly by her Company. she showed me her fancy
boxes. they wor the most splendid that I ever saw in all my life. I
was shown in to the frount parlor. it was furnished in an expensive
manner…in which plase the Young Lady gave me a history of her life &
travels which was very Interresting. she told me of the arrestoeracy
which existed in Philadelphia in comparison to that in the City of New York in
the former that of pleasure & happiness & of the latter speculation
& Wealth. from their I started for broad Way whare I Bought a barrel
of flour & some tea shougar Coffee & a paper of loaf shougar. I
Bought some Iron of T D Read. then I started for home. the minister
rode up with me Mr Topliff. we arrived here about 8 o clock in the
evening {End of Page}
as
the other page did not afford room I will insert it here the weather was very
warm the sun shown very hote the rodes are dry & dusty very unpleasant
travling. We arrived here about 8 oclock.
Sunday,
April 26
the
weather continues very warm their was a fiew april showers this morning the sun
shown all day also during the reign. I attended meeting all day at the
Congregationalist Meeting house in Oxford. the house was filed to
overforind (overflowing?) in the afternoon. I have a coald my eyes are
rather weak. peach trees are all in the blem and some others – rye never
looked better in the world than it does now. grass looks very green very
forward for this time of the year. Farther received two paper from
congress one was the Madisonian a whig paper the other a speech dilivered four
Congress by Edward Smith a Roxbury man. He is a reprasentative their from
Connecticut. the wind is blowing a fresh breas from the south and it
begins to look rather cloudy & threatening. About 5 O Clock in the
afternoon their was a thick dense cloud arose in the west which threatens bouth
wind & rain it was as dark as the darkest ____? I ever saw in my life but
15 minnets lefur the sun was shining it commenst raining a half past 5 and
continued until about 7 o clock during which time the rain pord down in torants
it then stoped and I went up to sea Lucreatia A Morris.
Munday
April 26.
this
morning I was a woke by the roaring of the wind which blew a gale from the
North West and it was cold I sppose on account of the rain thunder and lightning
which we had last night – the sun arose clear. I worked in my shop at
cutting a set of boxes for a waggeon. In the afternoon I worked on the
body. the wind fell towards night and it became warm. Miss L A
Morris came down and made us a visit this afternoon & the minister Mr
Toplif went home with her – M Arad Sceals (Skeels) (s)toped to sea me.
tha shing-gles cut in Ramends tatant was good for any thing becauscs they would
all warp up
Tuesday
April 27 1840
this
day I worked in the shop all day at putting the panels in a waggeon boddy &
painting it . it was a very cold day the sun shown & usinally &
then pasing under the clouds. In the evening I went up to sea Loucreatia
A Morris and spent the evening. my health is very good –
Wednesday,
April 28.
this
morning when I a woke it was raining very hard and continued to about two hours
then it slacked awhile and continued to rain by Showrs all day and it cept me
and Mr. Topliff at home as we was calculating to gew to Middlebury at a
dedication of a new meting house built their the past year. I worked in
my Shop at puting in reach & head block to my wageon and painting the same
and then I went to sawing out some rifle timber. my back and teath
ache. The brook is very high. It has been a very long & dul
sort of a day. I saw one appletree almost in full bloom this day for the
first wone I have sean this year in our ourched
Thursday,
April 29
this
day I worked in my shop at a variety of cinds of work such as dressing off
tops, painting sharves and seat & sawing up stuff. L A Morris came
down to sea me this fournoon about haring her to New haven on Saturday.
she wants to get her Bonnet for the Wedding I suppose & so I told her I
would gew if nothing occured to prevent. it was a very pleaseant day the
sun shown all day. in the evening I went sea L A Morris –
this
I sawd some stuff & dressed off some tops on the face then I the ends of a
pind esc and then I made preperations to gew to New haven. it was showry
all day.
Some of the time it would rain as hard as it could pore down then the sun would
come out pleaseant. Mr Porter cauled to sea Mr Toplif at our house and
took dinner. he is a minister over in prospect. He was on foot ___?
Saturday,
May 2th 1840 ..
this
moring got up early & started and went up after L A Morris a fiew moment
after we war on the for New haven. it was a butifull morning in
spring. The sun arise clear & butiful & all nachure appeared as
thing the god of nachure was telling the wonders of his werks to sea the grean
field and the buds puting fourth speaks in a laguag plain & in telliageble
that there is an over ruling creator which we ought love and obey. Passed
a long pleaseantly & arrived in WesVille about 9 Oclock. stoped their
at the house of Deacon Dickramans a short time. I was their introduced to
his two daughters Emaly & Susan. we told then call when we returnd.
we then started for the city and arived a Miss Manvills Millerners shop in
Orange St about 10 Oclock. I left Loucreatia their. from their I
dewn (?) to Stillmans and left my lode which concisted of 4 ½
dozen of top 50 cts pur dozen and 100 Windser legs 26 six inch slats I got 5
dozen of top slats to dress off for them at 80 cts a dozen. I bought of
them one gal of turpentine 50 cts and some rose pink 25 cts a pount & some
red and yellow and then I came up town. I bought me the cloth &
(t)rimings for a coat which I payd $8 dolars for. It was invisible green
. it was invisible green. I bought the clots for Samuel on credit
(?) at the same time of L B Chittensen. From their I went dwon to sea
Miss Jane E Clark in Whiting St. I stayed their a while and then I went
down to sea Mr Eaton on the Wharf to tell him that H Smith Wyllis Smith
50 barrels by next October. from their I came back again to said
Clarks. on my way back I stoped to sea the splended school house recently
rercted in Whiting St. after the Lancasterian plan it is a very neat
building. from their I stept in to Miss Clarks and then Loucreatia and
myself started for Miss Manvills where stopd a short time then we started for
West Vill. we stoped at Deacon Dicramans & tuck tea with his
Daughters one hour. hey fed my horse & @
we
started at 4 O Clock f home and arived here about 8 O clock in the Evening.
nothing occurred on our way home worthy of a place here. the traveling is
very good now dust
Sunday
May 3rd 1840 - - - -
this
day it is very warm and pleaseant – I went meting all day. their was a
meting appointed for this Evening in the meting house. The sun shown all
the fournon. in the afternon it was cloudy.
in
the evening it began to rain a little. Their was a meeting in the meting
house in the evening. I went down to the center intending to gew but Mr
Conner invited me over to se Geo. Gunns things which he was adminestrater on
the estate of said Gunn. I Bought one fashionable collar I payd 12 ½ cts
for it so all the variety of thing I ever saw in all my life jewelrn &
clothing of all sorts
Munday
May 4th
this
day it was training. It raind hard by spells all day. Capt Pug Tary
marched his Company over to yr Farms in the rain. I worked in my
shop all day at my waggeon litting on the seames & irens about the dash and
peacies to set the seat on.
Tuesday
May 5.
this
morning it was cold and windy. the brook is very high. the sun
shown about 9 o clock – I caried the last of my waggeon down to Mr Hulels shop
to be ironed this morning & then I went about glewing on scrolls. I
turned a fiddle screw for Lewis Thompson & tho had cart hub for Charles
Tomlinson. Lois peat sent word that she would come and make my coat this
weak
Wednesday
May 6th
this
morning clear & cold. Gov Wm W Elsworth takes his seat in New haven
in the capacity of governer of the year ensuing their will be a greate display
of military on the occasion. I caried the cloth for my coat down to Mr
Chs Scott to get him to cut it out. it is for a dress coat. I payd
him 50 cts – I rote & sent a letter to Miss S E Cark. I glewd up tops
turned two hubs for Chs Tomlinson & in the evening I went up to sea
Loucreatia. she payd me a 2 two dollar & a half gold piece for the
payment of ___?
Thursday,
May 7th : 1840
this
day I worked in my shop at a variety of work such as my glewing on scrolls
sawing paint &c. the sun shown the wind blew and has for the last 3
days continually from the North West. it does not seas to blow when the
sun gows down as is morecommonly the case this time of the year. I went
up to Mr Morrises & varnished their stove over for them this four
noon. they payd me 12 cts for the Oblige. my health is very
good. at night I went down to the post office nothing their for me &
my friend Loucreatia . I came a long back and spent the evening at Trimri
(?) D Fannings. the wind fell in the evening rather cold
Friday
May 8th 1840..
this
morning the sun arose clear it was calm and pleaseant. I went to work at
dressing cut tops of curl maple and dressed one dozen then I filled my racks
with tops & slats. I built a gate close to my shop and finished the
fence along their. it clouded up thick in the afternoon and was cold
Saturday
May 9..
this
morning it haild raind & snowd the wind blew from the North East rather of
a cold storm for this time of the year. I wente work in the shop at
dressind out curl maple tops for Stillman and I dressed out 3 dozen. I
solde a mohogony box to David M Stone for one dollar. he told me that he
was in the pedling business & owned a span of horses worth 325$ or he told
me he payd that for them. he said he had 3 thousand..$. worth of goods
down at his farthers house 8 hundread worth of raser straps.&c, though he
told me that he should goon to Boston after more goods in a fiew days he is
calculated to do a heavy business. their was a new minester came to our
house in the stage a Mr. Hobart from New haven to preach for Mr Topliff
Sunday
May 10th..
This
morning it was very cold & cloudy it sprincled a fiew drops. I went a
meting all day. in the afternoon the sun shown & was pleaseant.
To wards night the wether became more modified. I wente down as far as M
Tuckers. The Borders had shot a hawk the largest one I ever saw.
Dunham wanted that I should sea the mvements of his horse & sew he broat me
almost up home. I then went up to sea Loucreatia a fiew minnets. he
was rather disappointed not to receive a letter from Sutton
Munday
May 11 - -
this
morning the sun arose clear and pleaseant. I went to work in my shop as
usual at dressing tops turning &c. I got my waggeon home this
afternoon. H Donham got throwd out of this waggeon in front of my Shop. I
went to town meting at 4 o clock this afternoon to oppose a pattion to the Hon
General Assembly now in session in New haven said patition was for the north
West corner of Derby so cauled punemps (Punkups?) they wished to belong to
Oxford a the town did not want that ragged rocky corner. they opposed
them. their was another patition for an new bridge wheir Zoer bridge was
to be. Oxford was in favour of it. this puncups is unanimusely loco
foco –
Tuesday
May 12
this
morning it was fine and pleaseant the sun Shown all day. I painted my
waggeon this fournoon. in the afternoon I worked in the shop at sawing
carriage stuff to carry to new haven. my health is good. in the
evening I went down to the post Office to se if their was a letter for
Loucreatia. she told me to caul to Mrs Farchilds & let her now.
I did and then went home with her
Wednesday
May 13th
this
day I helpt farther saw down on Deacon McEwen land. the sun shown &
it was a very hot day. I then got reddy to gow t new haven. I sawd
some in my shop. Shad are worth from 23 to 30 cents a peace this day that
is for those caught in the Connecticut river
Thursday
May 14th 1840
this
morning I started about sun rise for New haven. I arived their at 9
Oclock. I carried my load to Mr English which concisted in carriage stuff
the rest of my load I carried to Stillmay. I bought one pare of springs –
it was a pleaseant day. I went to see Jane Lines. When I got home I
hurd that Mr Edward Sutton had arived hear from Vurmont wit a span of horses
& a lumber box waggeon –
Friday
May 15.th
this
the sun arose clear. I went over to uncle Mcewen to help Farther saw all
the four noon. in the afternoon I wenant down to Gillets shop to grind
some patent black & then I came home and painted my waggeon besides doing
some work in the shop. I weant up to Mr Morrises to see Edward Suton
&c. it cloded up thick & rained. in the afternoon it
thundered some & was very dark.
Saturday
May 16
this
morning the sun rose clear and pleaseant and bid fair for a warm day. I
went to work in my shop at painting chairs & waggeon. Mr Topliff came
to our house and went back to Middlebury calculating to preach their on - - - -
Sunday May 17th 1840 (Smith incorporates his normal date heading for
the following day in his entry.)
Sunday,
May 17.th
this
morning the sun rose clear & very warm the hottest day that their has been
this year. we had Mr Atwater from Middlebury to preach here to day. he
put up with our folks. I went to meting all day & in the evening I
weant up to sea Loucreatia & Sutton. Harvey Olsbourn came their and
spent the evening - - -
Munday
May 18.
this
morning I got up at 5 Oclock and varnished my waggeon over and then I went to
work in my shop at dressing out curl maple tops. the sun shown very hot
al day their was a societies meting at wone O clock. the slips sold for 2
hundread & 29 $. Mr. Topliff arived hear a bout 3 O clock this
afternoon
Tuesday
May 19th 1840.
this
morning I rose about the time the sun did. it was a very pleaseant
day. I werked in my shop all day at sawing rifles. I trimed one of
my bear skins to use with my new waggeon. Mr D B Lane came to our house
this eavening with a load of rifles.
Wednesday
May 20
this
day it was cloudy. I bought 25 dozen of topay (?) rifles of him. he
was not able to pay me the money which he owd me & so he turnd out his
Carriage for 100 & 10 dollars. I am well suppled veicals
(vehicles). it pleaseant he payd me 15$ in cash for which I gave him a
Receipt in full for the sum of 100 &37 (?) $ 10 cts of all demands.
this afternoon I started on hors back for Monroe. I arrived their about 4
OClock in the afternoon. I stayed at Mr Lanes. their was a company
of young maried ladies their to tea. after tea they rode home in a cart.
Thursday
May 21.
this
morning I tuck my carriage & started. it raind a little. Marier
Lane went with me down to Elishers Beerdslee. We arived their a bout 10
Oclock. it come on to rain very hard & continued until
midnight. it was a very cold storm. I cauled at David Booths he was
gone to new York. the reste of the cousins I did not sea
Friday
May 22
this
morning I started for home very early, it raind a little. I came by
the way of Burmingham arived in Oxford about 10 Oclock. after dinner I
[went to] Woodbury with Mr Topliffs horse & my carriage. I arived
their about 2 O. c. safe & started with my Lady Caroline at 5 Oc for
Oxford. the sun shown a little. we arived at uncle bills (?) at 7 –
in the evening. I went down as far as H Dunhams store & tried to
barter with him a little but could not make it out
Saturday
May 23
this
morning clear & pleaseant. I worked in my Shop at sawing and other
work. In the afternoon I went over to pines bridge & sold 3 dozen
rifles. I got half a grose of matches 5 boxes of blacking & a calvs
skin pocket book for the pay. I then came back. the sun shown very
hot. In the evening I weant up to sea L at Morris. She sent her
publishment by me to Mr Topliff. Ambrose Osbourn died last night
perfectly well the day befour & worked at planting all day
Sunday
May 24
this
morning fine & pleaseant. I weant to meting in the fournoon. in
the afternoon I attended the funiral of Ambrose Osbourn. The prossesion
reach from his house up to Isaac Towner the most I ever saw at a funiral in my
life. L A Morris was published to Edward J Sutton of St George (?)
Vurmont and was married a bout 8 oclock in the evening. their wer 9
beasides my self preaseant at the time.
Munday
May 25
this
morning I went to work in the shop as usual at sawing. in the afternoon I
went over to Clark Botchford to get a bill changed which was not garl
(?). I then came acrost in to riggs St on the old rode just above Uncle
Sam Wheelers. I then went down to the old Batchelors to get my boot
repaired. from their I came home. Mr Sutten & his Wife spent
the evening at our house. Mr. Johnson boy came to live with my farther
this day. it was very warm & pleaseant
Tuesday
May 26.
this
day I worke in the shop at plaining slats & repairing furniture. in
the evening I went to carry over one doz of rifles & sratches (?) to the
old batchelor. it was a pleaseant Hazy
Wednesday
May 27 ..
this
morning the sun arose clear. my health is good. I varnished my
Carriage over and the continued my plaining. it was very warm. Mr
Miner & Wife from Woodbury on their way down to visit Mr Crosby broke their
waggeon in front of my shop. they stayed at our house until Mr Hubbell
could mend it. I was in the blacks smith shop at the time. Mother
went down to Mrs Fairchilds a visiting this after noon – I waited on Caroline
Shurman down to the evening meeting
Thursday
May 28 .
this
morning the sun arose clear & pleaseant. I worked in the shop at
repairing the minester carriage. in the afternoon I went up to Mr Abbots
to get some sand ground. I sold him two doz of rifles. In the
evening I Weant down to the senter
Friday
May 29 . –
this
day I worked at coating rifles. it was a very warm day & the roads
are dusty. in the afternoon I went down to Elyas Scotts. in the
evening I went up to Mr Morrises to Caroline Shurman
Saturday
May 30 ..
this
morning the sun arose clear & pleaseant. I worked in the shop all the
fournoon at coating rifles. In the afternoon I caried Caroline up to
Woodbury very dry & dusty. I arived in Oxford about 9 o clock
Sunday
June 1st 1840
this
day I attended meting all day. the sun shown and it was pleaseant.
in the evening I went with Mr Topliff in his carriage up to A E Smiths &
attended a meting their. from their he went over to Jack Woosters to mary
Lydia Linebernear. I came back a fot (foot).
Monday
June 2.
this
day it was pleaseant. I worked in the shop all day. it clouded up
in the afternoon. my health is good –
Sunday
June 8
for
the past fiew days I have been at work a building a carriage house. It
rained two dayslast weak very hard. nothing very spetial ocured. I
got a new pare of shues last saturday over to Horris Cables. This morning
it raind & the it cleard off about 9 Oclock and the sun shown. about
12 it began to rain again & continued to do so until night and was very
cold. Mr Fancis preached here. I wente to meting all day. in
the evening I weant up to Mr Wm Morris
Munday
June 9
this
morning it was very cold & cloudy. I work in the shop all day.
my health is very good
Tuesday
June 10
[no
entry]
I
wones more resume the practice of this book although it has been long
neglected, the duty of which I feel the necessity of its importance as the
reccord of evry days transactions so that in the after years I may be able to
rekolect more acurately the occurancies of my life. hence I find it expedient
that it must be attended to fourth with
Smith
apparently became a constable at this time, and two official notices are
inserted in his diary.
State
of Connecticut for New Haven County this may Certify that the Town of
Oxford or a major part of her legal Voters are good Whigs that is 75 loco foco.
and ____? 2 whig January 4th AD 1840
Attest Shelton Smith
Constable
The
Electors of the Town of oxford are warned to meet in Electors Meeting on the
first Monday of April at the Town Hall. at nine O’clock in the fournoon of
S____day to Ballot for a person to represent Sd. Town in the next
General Assembly of the State of Connecticut_______________
&
for a State Senator in the 5th Senatorial Destrict…also for State
officers for the year enseuing – The Electors will also be Cauled upon on Said
day to Ballot for a person to represent the 2nd Congressional
District of the State of Connecticut in the 27th Congress of the
United States
David J. McEwen
Dated
Oxford
Shelton Smith
March
25th
AD
1841
Edwin Tyler Constables
Theodore Wheeler
Eli B Camp
Oxford
January 5th 1845 Munday of Jan first
this
day the sun shown warm & pleaseant. in the fournoon I made a hockset
____? [possibly shovel}. in the afternoon I went down to the
Center. the board of releaf was in session and three slips in the Meeting
house was sold by assessment. I went down to invite N G Willoxson of the
time
Tuesday
Jan
my
health is very good. this fournoon i was in the shop. last night
was a very snowy night. I joind with Joseph O Hubbell to grind his ax and
I my Shaving knives. I red some in Antient history
Friday
September 26th 1841
Thursday
it raind
[Two
additional legal notices are written here]
Greeting
To
either of the Constables of the Town of Oxford
By atuthority of the State of Connecticut, you are hereby commanded to summon
three able and judicious men of lawful age of said Town, to appear befour the
County Court to be held at New Haven in and for New Haven Count - at the
March term ____ 1841.
And
you are to notify them that they appear befour said Court on Wednesday the 17th
day of March ___ 1841 __ a 10 O clock in the fournoon then and there to attend
to the duty of jurors and that they fail not on penalty of the
Law Hereof fail not, but due return and service make..
Dated
at New Haven, this 8 day of March.. AD 1841 By order of Court
John Beech Clerk..
Officers
Return
..
New
Haven County fs
Oxford
10th day of March AD 1841 __________
I
then repaired to the Office of the Town Clerk of said Town and in presence of
Nathan J Willcoxson who is Clerk of said Town
I
then drew out of the .. Box provided by said Town in which to keep the names of
the Jurymen (and without seeing the names befour drawn ..
The names of the following persons____
and
I then and
there
wit..
Nathan L Buckingham
sumened
said persons
to
Willys Smith
attend
as jurymen at
the
Jeremy H Twitchell
time
and place above
directed
Attest
Shelton Smith Constable
Fees
– travel to same 25 miles 125
Reading .27
New
Haven AD
1841
$1.52 Received of …
one
dollar and fifty two sents being in full the fees for the service of the above
warrant
Received payment Shelton Smith
March
18th 1841
In
the name and by the Autherity of the State of Connecticut I command and beceach
aoo persons assembled to disperce themselves immediately to their habitations
and to their Lawfull business upon the pains and the penalties of the Law - - -
Shelton Smith
Constable
March
18th 1841
this
day the wind and snow blew and it was cold. the snow is 20 inchies deep
on a level though it is very much drifted. The sleighing is very good –
the wind became warm towards the middle of the day. the clouds wer thick
and had the appearance of rain. I worked in the shop all day a plaining
rifles Giles Tucker took his things a way over to RaissDell Purkins ___?
This day
[Here
Smith inserts a list of Weights and Fluid measures and “A receipt for Making
Opodildoc” A line separates the two measurements.]
Weights
______.. Measure of Fluids
The
pound [symbol] contains 12
ounces
the gallon contains 8 pints
____
ounce [symbol] _______
drachems
one ounce mark this [symbol]
____
drachm [symbol]__ three
scruples
fluid
drachm [symbol]
____
scruple [symbol] ___ twenty
grains
minim or drop [symbol]_____
A
receipt for Making Opodildoc
Take
of the best hard soap two ounces; camphor one ounce; very strong spirit, one
pint: mix the soap with the spirit, and let them stand in a moderate heat,
until the soap is dissolved, occasionally shaking the vial; then add the
camphor, and continue to shake the vessel freequently until the whole is
dissolved. Useful in sprains bruises and in reumatic pains. Good to
disperse swellings ---- tumors an the like . Oxford March 26th
1841
She
Monday,
April 12th AD 1841.
this
day it was very cold and Snowd all day and through the night. the Snow
fell about four inches deep on a bevil. I worked in my shop all day a
creating riflees - - my health is very good & @
Tuesday
April 13th
this
day I worked at coating rifles all day. it was very cold. the sun
shewn in the afternoon and slays wer passing – in the evening I went down to
the center to get my new Coat which was made by Chr Scott – I also got my balells
(?)which wor brout up by the Stage _______ it was very muddy
Wednesday
April 14th AD 1841
this
day I cumensed working in the shop a coating rifles in the fournoon ____ the
sun shown and it was warm and pleaseant but muddy. In the afternoon I
started and went to Woodbury for the purpose of getting Maried. And had
all sorts of weather while on the rode. It raind & haild snowd and
the son shown and withstanding the many obsticles I arived their in season and
was Maried in the Evening to Caroline Sherman___ it was clear at the
time..Wednesday April 14th 1841
Thursday
April 15th 1841
this
morning the sun arose clear and pleaseant. I remaind in Woodbury until
after dinner then I started with my Wife for Oxford. theire was now mud
on the rode. The sun shown and it was warm & pleaseant. we
arived in oxford about four Oclock___________________
Shelton Smith
Caroline Smith
State of Connecticut
In
the year of our lord one thousand 8 hundread & forty one ____April 14th
May
18 AD 1841 Shelton Smith
Oxford
to me Dr for sumning one witness to attend the assembly at Hartford – on the
case of the Housatonac River Turnpike Company in behalf of Derby__
_____
Fees travel 8 miles Reading & @ 49 cts__
May
the 18th AD 1841
This
day Bot of various persons
3
tin cups 2 bacins and one grater
_____
.48
_____2
Boxes of Herring ..1.00 each
2.00
__
4 pounds of Dates 10. Cts
pr
..
.40
__
1 Box of rasins ___
___
80.
1
rug or mat
__________
62
half
pound of
figs
.. 7..
3
and a half feat of round
Iron
__
.. 7..
42
papers of Hemnings & some
needles
2.10..
1
half ream letter paper J..Donaghes
best
2 12
Received
in
cash
.12
$8.78
The
above is the a______? Of 20 Dozen of Rifles &@
By
cash received of persons due me
___
$575..
Oxford
May 19 AD 1841 Shelton Smith Then and There
[The
above is marked Paid.]
A
Record of Constable business Oxford
Levi
Candee
May 1st
AD 1841
vs
Charles
Tomlinson
to the County Court at New Haven
On
the fourth Tuesday of June next _______________________
Fees
– to 20 Miles travel to serve and
return
$1.00
The
copy
..12
For
endorsement
..24
$1.36
Writ,
Mosses
Russell Oxford May 12th
AD 1841 –
vs
Harmen
A Perry to appear befour H W
Upson
On
the 22nd day of May____________________________________
..35
Fees two 7 miles travel
Two copy 12 (Received
on this
110
cts)
..24
Cash paid Town Clerk the correct
amount
.. 6..
to three Indorsements of copys 25..
..
75
Judgement &
Execution
$..1.40
Connecticut Js Greting (?)
“A
List of the personal and real estate of Harvey Smith of Oxford CT” is appended
on the final pages, possibly a probate list for Shelton Smith’s father’s
possessions.