Misc.: Diary of John Joseph Kelly (1868); Charles Co. Maryland File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Shannon Kennedy. =============================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. =============================================================== Diary of John Joseph Kelly 1868 Charles County, Maryland January 1 Wednesday Snowing and hailing in the morning; afternoon moderate.Johnny had a chill and very sick; took down Mrs. Sinclair's stove pipe, cleaned it, regulated her stove, put up the pipe again. She treated to wine and cake, had a smile at Capt. Perry's. Spent 6 cents in cakes and bought an Almanac for Mrs. Sinclair. 10 cents. January 2 Thursday Fair, travelling very muddy. Went from Mrs. Sinclair to Allen Fresh. Done no business. Went to Mr. Lloyd's and took night G. After we got to Lloyd's we had supper - I eating very hearty and in consequence did not sleep well all night. Tom Higdon and Ben Lauson was at Lloyd's that night. January 3 Friday Give Irwin a/c to collect from I.D. Alvey. Fair. Went from Mr. Lloyd's to Jno. B. ****'s, where I took dinner and from there to Mrs. Sinclair getting home about 7 o'clock. Give Notley Dutton a/c collect from George Dent Jr. Also give M. Baily a/c to collect from P.W. Robey. Dent's 4.87, Robey's 2.00. Irwin promised to pay for medicine. January 4 Fair. Remained at Mrs. Sinclair's all day cut wood and stripped tobacco for the first time, promised to go to Hanson Colbert's house on Monday next to get a mess of oysters. January 5 Fair. Sun shone all day. Mr. Edward Bailey came to see the Widow and took dinner. I said my Mass prayers. After dinner I had game puss in corner with Mrs. Sinclair's children and Mr. Perry's Josey. January 6 Morning cloudy. Commenced hailing and snowing about 9 o'clock a.m. and kept snowing all day. Tom Herbert came to Widow's took dinner and left before supper. Went to the lot to try to get some turkeys raffled but no go, received from Henry Woodland one Bbl. Corn. He now owes me 12 1.38 cts. January 7 Morning cloudy. Went to Tom Posey's and returned his book Home Influence, also made him a present of Large lamp shade, went to Perry's store and played away Mrs. Sinclair's 4 gobblers. Perry's winnings 3 and Ned Bailey winnings 1. January 8 Morning cloudy, rained some night before, remained cloudy all day, made a pair steps for Mrs. Sinclair's front door and put them up. Mrs. Sinclair's Cook Boy Joe made an attempt to beat sp*** hominy but failed, fortunately. Uncle George came to the rescue and pick things all right - so we live in hopes of having a mess of hominy. January 9 Morning cloudy, turned very cold and freezing - coldest night this winter so far, so it is thought. Mended the wheel of Johnny's carriage, cut wood and done other jobs about the house, went to the lot and got 25 cents worth oil. January 10 Morning cold and clear, land frozen, finished the novel which I got from R. Perry last evening, put a wooden bolt to Widow's door leading from kitchen to passage, received ten dollars, which my wife sent to me to Washington. January 11 Morning clear and pleasant - rode Mrs. Sinclair home as far as Burch's Store and from there sent Posey's Jim to Sam Herbert's. He returned bringing me 2 dollars, spent at Burch's 5 cents in crackers, gave 10 cents to Jim, spent 5 do for cakes at Perry's - became very cold towards evening. January 12 Morning very cold and remained so all day, the coldest day this winter so far, went to Perry's and had a shave with Rufus razor, and Mass prayers, and remained home all day, borrowed two novels from Rufus Perry. January 13 Morning clear and cold, made bird cage for Johnny Sinclair's redbird, returned the two novels I borrowed from Rufus Perry yesterday, played games for 4 pair socks, winning one pair and losing 40 cents, spent 3 cents in cakes and 5 cents in cakes and one dollar and twelve cents paid to Mrs. Sinclair for chance lost in her gobblers. Played with Capt. Perry and Bailey for Turkey hens but we all came out even. The evening became pleasant and moderate. January 14 Morning clear, commenced snowing about 8 o'clock, went to Geo. Jordon's to have my shoes mended. Spent 8 cents in crackers and cheese and 10 cents in medicine. Received on the turkey business 1.79, raffled off two turkeys for the Widow. Perry winning one, Bailey bought one. Came home and picked cotton. It is still snowing and hailing. It is now 6:30. January 15 Morning clear and pleasant. Snow on the land about 3 inches deep. Went to Perry's store and remained all day. I spent 15 cents on crackers and cheese. Sun shone all day. January 16 Morning clear and misty, cleared off very beautiful about 9 o'clock. Paid Geo. Jordon's wife 15 cents for Jordon mending my shoes. Made bolt for Widow's pantry door. Squeezed John Sinclair's thumb in the door jam. Spent 18 cents in crackers and cakes and cheese. January 17 Morning clear and cold and remained so all day. Went to Perry's and remained all day. Played with Capt. Perry, Henry Dutton and Gardiner for cakes and cheese. I losing 3 cents. Came home, got dinner. Johnny walked more to night that I ever saw of his own free will. Heard today that Sam Brown was froze out. January 18 Morning clear and cold, went to Perry's Store and give a letter to Rufus to send to P.O. Spent 5 cents on crackers, came home in due time and had dinner. Remained home until sundown, then went to the Lot, there remained a few hours and returned home. 4 negroes played for beef at the Lot. Jno. Cooper winning. Spent 5 cts on cakes. Spent 60 cts in medicine. January 19 Morning clear and delightful overhead. Snow still on the ground from 14th snow. Escorted Mary Sinclair Jr. as far as the Lot. She intending to go to see Mrs. Joe Perry, but when we got to the Lot, we were informed that Mr. Perry's family was not at home. We returned home. I said my Mass prayers, had turkey for dinner, after dinner took nap, got up, eat some walnuts, said prayers and retired. January 20 Morning cloudy and raining. Took down the Widow's stove pipe, cleaned it - put it up again, spent 13 cents in crackers and cheese, came home, had dinner, split some wood, carried wood in the house and remained home all the evening. Sent Boy Dact (sp?) Lancaster for 1 oz. Cream tartar costing 6 cents. January 21 Morning cloudy and moderate, rained very hard night before, snow disappearing very fast. Rode in buggy to W.H. Higgs and bought 5 yds white flannel, 30 cts yd= 1.50, bought pair boots paid $6.00. Paid Sam Hughes 5 cts for plates for boots. Came home, went to Perry's bought coal oil .10, letter paper 3 cts, cakes 2 cts. January 22 Morning clear, sun shining bright and thawing. Mend Widow's tray, went to Geo. Jordon's and put tips on my boots. Came to Lot, saw Sam Herbert came home and had dinner, then went as far as the Lot with Mary Sinclair, spent 5 cents in cakes. Gave Joe Ward order on Thos. F. Darnell, for taxes, spent 10 cents in ink. Came home wrote letter to Brother Joseph and one to P. Kearney. January 23 Morning cloudy and raining, went to the Lot and gave Mr. Perry two letters and six cents, bought cheese and crackers paying 11 cents, bought crackers to eat beefsteak with. Saw John Ward and Tom Cough, they ate steak with me. Came home had hominy for dinner, rained all day, mended Widow's bedstead heads. January 24 Morning clear and beautiful. Mended Widow's coffee mill, came to the Lot, gave Joe Ward's, Thos. F. Darnell Constable receipt against M.W. Barnes for $21.78 cents with ins't from 4th Dec., 1865. Went to Lancaster's Wharf for oysters, but failed. Spent 2 cts in pipe, took dinner with Mr. Hayden. January 25 Morning clear and beautiful, went to Lancaster's Wharf. Spent 5 cents in crackers at Burches, got 2 Bu's Oysters paying 1.00, came towards home carry Capt. Shierburn's oysters, got 5 cts worth crackers at Haydens. Horse gave out about Mexico but by long drag got home as the sun was setting. Had a mess of oysters when I came home. January 26 Morning clear and beautiful, after breakfast, walked down to church, heard Mass and walked back. Edward Baily came by with me and took dinner with us, remained till night. Darling sang my favorite for us. Widow treated us to wine. January 27 Cloudy, had rained some night before, came to the Lot got log from Wash Norriss to make a Grindstone frame, came back to the Lot, bought spool cotton, 10 cents and 5 cent cakes. Dug out the log and opened mess oysters for dinner. Sent letter to Larmour and Co and W.W. Franks paying 6 cents. January 28 Morning snowing, then cleared off and commenced snowing again about 10 o'clock. Took down the Widow's stovepipe and cleaned it and put it up again. Remained cloudy all day but did not snow, went to the Lot, spent 9 cts in crackers and cheese, borrowed novel from Rufus, came home and read it. January 29 Morning snowing and hailing, commenced sometime in the night, continued snowing, raining and hailing all day, went to the Lot and sported with Jno Willett, Capt Perry for socks, crackers and cheeses and medicine, losing 50 cents. Returned home and remained there balance of the day. Spent 1 cent in crackers, picked more cotton this evening than I ever picked. January 30 Morning clear and cold, snow about 4 inches deep, remained cold all day, did not get up till 10 o'clock. Cut wood and picked cotton. Day very cold. January 31 Morning cold, frost fell until 10 o'clock, remained home all day. Aunt Nancy made a mistake and cooked all the peas for dinner. Packed away Widow's potatoes in a box. I paid the Widow one dollar and half out of my money. Notice the a/c of the 13th and 7th, if Jno Irwin paid Chirspin one dollar and fifty cents. I owe him a ******* to that amount. February 1 Saturday Morning bright and clear, frost falling till about 8 1/2 o'clock. Cut some wood, went to the Lot, paid Capt. Perry 25 cents for crackers and cheese, paid Willett for chances in socks 25 cts, came home, eat dinner, cut wood, picked cotton, received 50 cents from my wife. February 2 Morning clear and beautiful overhead when saying Mass prayers. Mr. and Mrs. Hayden rode in, they remained all day, had dinner, went home before supper. February 3 Morning clear and cold wind blowing very hard during the night, walked to the Lot, coldest morning I felt, played for crackers and cheese, losing, returned home, picked cotton, coldest day this winter, freezing all day. February 4 Morning clear and cold. Widow killed her chicken, killing Sow. I helped to scald and clean. Remained home all day, picked cotton and done other jobs. Very cold all day, had hog liver lights and heart for dinner. February 5 Morning snowing, went over to Mr. Posey's, borrowed Wikoff's Courtship. Cleaned out the Widow's stovepipe, went to see Mr. Posey about his gander, discovered it was his, not Mrs. Sinclair's. Returned and read part of the novel. Picked cotton, very cold, moderate in the first part of the night, but turned cold, some of the night. Sold Vincent Hayden * Staple for 25 cts. February 6 Morning cold and clear, found my horse lying down, give him 2 drenches. Went to the Lot, paid Capt Perry 25 cts for crackers and cheese, lost on the 3rd cut, had 2 drinks with Dutton, Brown and Perry. Returned home, read part of Wikoff's Courtship. February 7 Morning clear and freezing, went to the Lot, Rufus let me have his Blacking and brush. I blacked my boots, played Capt. Perry's hand for socks and whiskey, winning. Felt my oats more today than I have this year, returned home found Miss Bailey and Lydia there, they came after Mary Sinclair to go to the Party, tolerable cold all day. February 8 Morning clear. Sun shining strong but very cold. Went to the Lot, returned had dinner, went to the Lot, heard trial, remained until night. February 9 Morning raining and freezing, woke up early, sent for Aunt Linda to wait upon my wife. With God's will a girl was born about 7 1/4 o'clock a.m. doing very well. Said Mass prayers, sent order to Capt. Perry for 10 lbs. Flour and 1 lb. Crackers. February 10 Morning cloudy and cold, remained home all day, cut wood, remained cold all day. February 11 Morning clear and cold, went to the Lot, bought one pint of coal oil and ten cents worth soap. Paid Perry 10 cents in silver. John went to the mill. I helped to cut his cart out of the ice at the road gate, remained cold all day. Moderated some in the night. February 12 Morning clear and moderate, snow still frozen on the land. Walked over to Lot with Capt. Sam, sold to Capt Sam drawing knife 25 cts., bought pipe 2 cts. Played for medicine, losing 12 cents, spent 1 cent in cake. Capt got right smart tight. Capt came and took supper and left when the moon rose. February 13 Morning clear, ground hard frozen, went to Sam Herbert's. He and I walked to Hayden's, had something to drink, I spent 10 cents, came back to Sam's, eat dinner, came home with Mary. February 14 Morning clear. Ground frozen. Remained home all day doing little jobs, fixed trundle bed. February 15 Bought 6 cts crackers and cheese from Higdon. Morning clear and ----------, borrowed Azar-- ----------rode to the -------- received from Notley money-----$4.87. Received ----- February 16 Morning clear and cold, remained home all day, said Mass prayers. February 17 Morning cloudy, rained some about 10 o'clock, walked to Lot, played for -and medicine. Lost 10 cents, won 20 cents, drank pretty freely, spent 5 cts writing paper, received a letter from Larmour and Co. February 18 Morning clear and moderate, went to the Lot, bought 8 cts worth soap and 10 cents cracker and cheese; gave Aunt Linda $2.50, Granny fee. After dinner went to the Lot, played for medicine with Willetts, Capt. Perry winning. Found on return home a wagon door lying in the road. February 19 Morning clear and moderate. Mrs. Sinclair went to Sarah's funeral. I went to Lancaster's Wharf, bought paper collar, 5 cts from Burch, bought 12 cts candy from Hayden, bought 25 cts worth oysters from Edward Hayden, borrowed a bucket from Col'man to carry oysters home, had a fine mess of oysters. February 20 Morning clear and beautiful, remained home until after dinner, went to the Lot. Bought 5 cakes, returned home, found Johnny sick, borrowed a novel from Rufus, read it tonight. Mrs. Sinclair returned this evening. February 21 Morning cloudy, Johnny much better, went to the Lot and remained till evening, spent 65 cents in cheese, crackers, cakes and medicine and chances in gloves, Loaned John Jenkins 35 cents at the Lot. February 22 Morning little cloudy and cold wind coming out N.W. during the night before Father McAtee came and christened Mary C. Kelly. I gave him 55 cents, after dinner went to the Lot, spent 10 cts oil & 25 cts in medicine. February 23 Clear and cold, went to church, heard Mass, returned. It turned colder than I ever knew it in a short time. February 24 Morning cloudy, after breakfast I went to the Lot, spent cts in cheese, cake and medicine and ***** in the afternoon commenced hailing, raining and freezing. February 25 Morning clear and cold, a sleet on the land, remained at Lot. April 19 Took Columbia, landed at Wahington about 4 1/2 o'clock, took board st Mrs. Atwill's. April 30 Nelly Harris May 7 Get 6 yards blk dress silk for Mrs. C.R. Johnson for price 1.25, limited June 3 Give R*** to James Lyons for one dollar. June 15 See Mr. Murry and say to him, send Mr. Sheirburn Bully Puppy, write what day you will send him before you call. One box Costars Exterminator 25 cts One bottle Batchelor Hair Dye. Written in back of diary Buck Eye Tree - White cone formed blossom. Wardrobe, on Bureau, one Bedstead, One washstand, 2 beds, 2 mattresses, one small box chins, Washtub, baby carriage. CASH ACCOUNT - January DATE REC'D PAID 1 6 cakes and almanac .16 2 Cheese cake and medicine (for medicine, Irwin to pay) 1.75 3 Cakes .05 4 do .04 5 6 7 4 chances in gobblers outside chances 2.26 ____ 8 4.26 9 10 Received from my wife 10.00 11 crackers cakes to Posey's Jim 2.00 paid Willet .62 cts S. Herbert .82 12 (4 socks) sometime ago paid Mrs. Sinclair 13 cakes & crackers & chances lost in Turkeys 1.60 14 Received for turkey (cheese, crackers,&medicine) 1.81 .18 15 Paid for crackers and cheese .15 16 crackers, cheese and cakes .18 17 do do do .13 18 do & cakes & medicine .70 19 20 Crackers, cheese, & cream tarter .19 21 Flannel, boots, tips, oil, paper, cakes 7.79 22 Cakes, ink, medicine, cakes .37 23 Postage, cheese, & crackers .27 24 Pipe .02 25 Oysters 1.00 crackers .10 1.10 26 Spool cotton .10, cake .05, postage .06 .21 27 28 Cheese and crackers .09 29 30 31 _____________________________________ $13.81 $13.81 John Herbert Kelly born at Allens Fresh, Chas Co. Md August 13th 1866. Christened August 23rd by Revd Father Figinza (sp?) Godfather B.P. Donnelly Godmother I. Kate Higdon John Kelly and Martha Ann Herbert were married February 2nd 1865 in St. Peter's Church, Baltimore, Md by Revd John Foley. John Kelly born townland of Carahata Scotstown County Monughan, Ireland May 10th, 1839. Mary Caroline Kelly born at Holmes, Charles County Md February 9, 1868. Christened February 22nd, 1868 by Revd Father McAtee Godmother Mary C. Sinclair. Martha A. Kelly born at Charles Co Md February 14th 1832. P. Kearney 347 Virginia Avenue bet 3 &4 St Washington, DC Joseph Kelly 903 Howard St San Francisco California Atwill 580 11th Street Island Washington DC Briscoe @ Barnes & M**** Marketspace near 9th St Jno. Posey 95 or 96 F Street Island Higdon 279 4th Street J & K John Kelly 580 11th Street Island Washington DC Transcribed and contributed by Shannon Kennedy, WeRkennedy@aol.com If anyone knows of these people I (Shannon Kelly) would be like to know about them, especially Capt. Rufus Perry and Jno Posey.