Area History: Dairy of Joseph B. Oviatt 1847/48: Smethport, McKean County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Beverly Schonewolf. 4bevswolf@MAIL2.LCIA.COM USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ >From the dairy kept by Joseph B. Oviatt the winter of 1847-48: Diary of Joseph Beaman Oviatt ____________________________________________________________ GLOSSARY/INDEX Numbers at end of each entry refer to diary entry number. Diary of Joseph Beaman Oviatt 1847-1848 Residents of Keating Township, McKean County, PA unless noted otherwise Acre, could be Daniel or William Acre, 48, 56 Allegany, river in McKean County, 62 Arnold, 40 Arnold, A.G., a blacksmith, 43 Arthur, card-playing friend p. 3, 8,10, 15, 18, 19, 22, 24, 25, 26, 41, 45, 46, 54, 74 Aryeville, might be neighbor Morris Angerville, farmer, age 34, born in Ireland, wife Mary and 6 children, 4 Azro, Azro Cory, age 23, farmer, wife, 3 children, born in PA, 4, 6, 9, 12, 17, 23, 25, 26, 32. Baker, Mr., Nicholas Baker, carpenter, age 49, large family, 72 Bap. Reg. Baptist Register, 20. Bard, tailor, 40, Barnaby, Mr., 49 Bart, 6 Belfonte, Bellefonte, a town in Center County, PA, 27, 28 Belinda, sister-in-law, Belinda Hall Oviatt, neighbor, wife of Wm. S. Oviatt, age 35, born in NY, 4, 6, 21, 27, 34, 50, 56. Benj., nephew Benjamin Oviatt, son of Wm. S. Oviatt, 2, 23 Benjamin, nephew Benjamin Oviatt, son of Wm.S. Oviatt, age 13, born in PA, indicating family was in PA by 1835, 17, 38 Bennett, possibly Lin Bennett, 23 yr. old laborer, black man born in VA, who lived in the hotel of William Smith or more probably Levi Bennett age 61, farmer, 72 Bennett, A.R, 74 Bennett, D.R., David R. Bennett, merchant, large famil, 37 Betsy, Betsy Baker, 72, 73 Bishop, Joel,whose wife died Jan 17th, 1848, 57 Blakleys, stopover en route to Buffalo, NY, 61 Brad, 15 bro S, brother-in-law John L. Smith, 6, 20, 28, 29, 49, 53, 55 Brown, Mrs., perhaps Mrs. Daniel Brown, farmer, 22, 24 Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 62, 63, 64, 76. Buffalo Hotel, hotel in Buffalo, NY, 63 Bush, Mr., mail carrier, possibly Hiram Bush or Elisha Bush, farmers, 19 Chad, Jno, 79 Chadwick, could be Jeremiah Chadwick age 31, Justice of the Peace, or Richard Chadwick, 38, 40 Chadwick, John farmer, age 25, 2 children, 38 Chadwick, R., Richard Chadwick, age 58, prothonotary, four children, 20 Chapin, George, of Norwich, took photographs in 1847-48, 1 Chapin, Lew, perhaps Thaddeus L, age 25 farmer, born in NY, 9 Chapin's, 19 Comstock's, a stopover enroute from Buffalo, NY, 65, Cook, Mr., could be Elisha or Elias Cook in Keating Twp., 71 Cornelius, Dave, farmer, age 41 with 3 children or 42 year old lumberman, 5 Corwin, G, Ghordis Corwin, farmer, age 46, wife Armenia, b. in CT and NY, 53 Cory, probably Azro Cory, 57 Cory, Asa, neighbor,landlord, age 33, wife Lucy, one child, in household of Geo. B. Backus with 14 others, 37, 79 Cory, Dr., Dr. Benjamin Cory, age 28, physician, born in PA , wife Susannah, two children, 67 Court House, Smethport, county seat of McKean County, PA, 55 Curtis, probably Ira, possibly Stephen Curtis, farmer, age 39, 2 children, neighbor, 39 Curtis, Ira, 57 year old clerk, born in NY, wife Clara, 37, 39 Curtis, Mr., probably Ira, 40 Darling, possibly Orin Darling, gunsmith, age 33, born in NY, wife Angeline, three children. or Jedediah Darling, age 34, physician, lives in household of Paul E. Scull, 39 Darling, Jane, lived in household of Dr. W.Y. McCoy, age twenty five., 14, 36, 46, 52 Dr.,probably Dr. McCoy, neighbor, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 25, 26, 44, 45, 46, 75, Dunbar, N., 53 Eastey, McKean County Commissioner, 36, 76 Eastey, Henry, 76 Evans, Elder, 70 F., sister Frances Smith, 6, 28 Frances, sister Frances Smith, 67 Frank, oldest son, Franklin, age 2 years, 18 Franklinville, town on way to Buffalo, in NY, 61, 63, 65 Freeman, possibly Brewster Freeman, 44 Freeman, B, Brewster Freeman, 52 yr.old farmer, born in MA, wife Amanda, nine in household, 57 G. Henry, 29 G., Mr., Mr. Gifford, 29 Garey, Mr., a Revolutionary soldier who died in 1848, 70 George, George Stickles, brother-in-law, age 21, born in NY, 50, 51, 52 George, M., 61 Gifford, Alex, son of Job Gifford, lives in father's household, farmer, born in PA, age twenty one, 17 Gifford, Job, neighbor, farmer, age 52, born in NY, wife, 5 children, 29 Gifford, Wm, William Gifford, farmer, neighbor, age 27, wife and two children, born in PA, 32, 46 Godey's Lady's Book, magazine with current fashions, 27 Grey's Blacksmith Shop, 43 Hall, Mr., William Hall, farmer, 53 Halls, Minard Hall, landlord of hotel, age 38, 5 Hamlin, A.D., Asa D. Hamlin, farmer, age 26, born in PA, wife and 3 children, 18 Hamlin's Store, 37 Hartscott, Ed, 79 Hawkins, Lewis Hawkins, age 43, born in CT, no occupation, wife Mary, 5 children, 39 Hinsdale, town en route to Buffalo, in NY, 59, 60, 65 Hiram, Hiram Stickles, brother-in-law, age 15, born in NY, 4, 22, 23, 34, 52 Holcomb, correspondent, 20, 23, 27, 33, 44, 47 Holland, 63 Holmes, Ormond A., who died of consumption, 7, 8 Howard, Wm., a 47 year old farmer, 10, 16 Hull, Cornelius, 45 year old farmer, 48 Jackson's, stopover en route to Buffalo, NY, a former pilot on the Allegany River, 61, 63 Jacob, Jacob Stickles, brother-in-law, 17 Jacox, Dr. McCoy's mare, 75 Jane, Jane Darling who worked for or lived with Dr. McCoy, age twenty five, 71, 74 John, a blacksmith, John B. Taylor, age 34, wife, 6 children, born in NY, or John Chamberlain, blacksmith, in household with John Taylor, 15 Jordan, 32 Judges, 5 Kate, a horse, 71 King, H.B., Horace B. King, neighbor, farmer, age 40, born in RI, estate $100. wife and one child, 43 King, Horace, neighbor, farmer, age 40, born in RI, estate $1000., wife and one child, 18 King, Joel, Joel King lives in household of Joshua King. Joel is a laborer, age 23, born in PA , 48, 72, 79 Lane, Mr., 55 Lillibridge, 40 Lindorf, neighbor, 9 Lydia, Lydia Stickles, sister-in-law, age 13, born in NY, 34, 53, 73 Lynch, P., 51 Lynch, Patrick, 4 M., Mrs., Mrs. Moon, 45 Machias, stopover en route to Buffalo, NY, 61, 62, 64, 65 Maria, wife Maria Stickles Oviatt, 3, 7, 9, 18, 19, 21, 24, 27, 28, 31, 33, 34, 36, 50, 54, 71 Maria's father, Stephen Stickles, 49 Martin, Mr.,new McKean County Commisioner, possibly John, a farmer, 36, 37 Mattison, T., 53 Mauts, Mr., 1, 4 McCoy, Dr. William Y. McCoy, 39 year old physician, born in NJ, wife and 7 children, a neighbor, 17, 59, 71, 73 McCoy, W.Y., Dr. McCoy, 67 Medberry, N, Nelson Medbury was a clothier, age 33, wife Louisa, four children, born in RI., 79 Methodist Church, 8 Miller, Miller Stickles,brother-in law, age 17, born in NY, 4, 27, 34, 52 Miller, Jas., 79 Millgrove, stop en route to Buffalo, NY 60, 66, 75, 76, Millport, 60 Minard,. Brewster F. Minard, laborer working for Richard Chadwick, born in PA, 50, 52, 56, 58 Moon, Mrs., Elizabeth age 22 wife of William Moon, farmer, 45 Morey's, 64 Ned, 29 O. Benj., boarder at Rev. Smith's. Father Benjamin Oviatt? or nephew Benj? 29 O.R.B., 53 Olean, town in NY enroute from Buffalo, NY, 65, 66 Ormsby, W.F, William F. Ormsby, 28 yr old blacksmith, wife Esther and 2 children, 17 Otis, A. J., 37 Owens, Mrs., 45 Pay, H, probably Hiram Payne, 28 Payne, Fred, 22 Payne, H., probably Hiram, 16, 17, 44, 59 Payne, Hiram, attorney age 42 born in CT, wife Mary, five children, 10 Payne, Mr., probably Hiram, 17, 28, 67 Pelton, Jane, 20 year old daughter of George Pelton, who had 11 children, 50 Philadelphia, city in PA, 44 Philadelphia Sat. Cour., 20 Pres. Message Protection, stopover en route to Buffalo, NY, 62 Ree, M., stopover en route to Buffalo, NY, 60, 65 Reservation, town en route to Buffalo, NY, 63. 64 Reynolds, a blacksmith who worked for A.G. Arnold and then Grey's Blacksmith Shop, 43 Rich, a man of Franklinville who lost his horse., 63 Rider, G.L., 40 Rockwell, Abner Rockwell, age 59, Keating Twp., b. in MA, a farmer, wife Nancy , 51 S., Mr., Rev J. L. Smith, brother-in-law, married to sister Frances, 23, 29, 52, 70 Sister F., Sister Frances, 6, 41 Smethport, Smethport, PA Smith, 33 Smith, Dr., 72. Smith, G.N., George M. Smith, 23 yr old carpenter in household of Geo. B. Backus, landlord, took photographs in winter of 1847-1848, 1 Smith, G. Benj., 20 Smith, George, 58 yr old farmer, 53 Smith, Mr., Rev Smith, brother-in-law, 13, 33, 53, 67, 68, 69 Smith, Mrs., could be sister Frances Smith, 38 Smith, Rev. J. L., John L. Smith, brother-in-law, Baptist minister, married to sister Frances, age 43, born in MA, 3 children, 3 Smith's, probably be Samuel Smith, tailor age 43, born in PA estate $1500., wife Catherine, 6 children, 28, 79 Smith & Bards, tailor shop, 29 Smith & Carpenter, 63 Spencer, Dave works for blacksmith, 15 Starks, Joseph age 33, farmer, or Truman age 32, carpenter, 2 State Road, 10 Steele's Store, Charles Steele, merchant age forty three, 15, 28 Stickles, Mr., Father-in-law Stephen Stickles, age 50, farmer, born in NY, 50, 79 Sylvester, nephew Sylvester Oviatt, son of Wm. Sweet Oviatt, age eleven, 13, 30 T., Dea., 79 Taylor, A. N., possibly Ambrose N. Taylor, merchant age twenty five, 53 Taylor, Dea. 29, 77 Taylor, Jas., 61 year old farmer, 36 Taylor's Shop, blacksmith, John Taylor, 15, 43 Taylor's Store, 28 Thomas, Thomas Holmes, age 19, born in NY. Thomas Tracy age 15, born in IN, or Thomas King, age 27 farmer, born in IN, wife and 4 children, 9 Thomp., 33 Thompson, Jas., 47 Tracy, Mr.,Edward Tracy, neighbor, farmer, age 44, born in IN, wife Bridget and 5 children, 18 Tubbs, G. Charles Tubbs, farmer Z. Tubbs carpenter, 5 Universalists, 8 Vansickle, G., James VanSickle age 26, farmer, 53 Walcott, Mr., 71 Washing., Washington, DC, 49 Webster, Mr., Stephen P., a neighbor, 53 Wellsboro, a town in PA, 20 West, N, 40 White, Andrew, a carpenter age 23, Wm, a farmer age thirty four, 73 White, Ichabod, 5 Williams, farmer age 55 or attorney WA, 51, 58 Williams, W. A., attorney age 30, married with family, neighbor in Keating Twp., 35, 39, 79 Wilson & Co., 16 Winsor, Mr., a James Windsor lives in household of Solomon Sartwell, 20 yr. old laborer, 78 Wm., brother William Sweet Oviatt, age 40, farmer, real estate $2000, born in NY, wife Belinda, six children, Keating Twp. neighbor, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 38, 39, 40, 42, 44, 45, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 53, 56, 57, 59, 67, 69, 70, 71, 73, 76, 77, 78. York, Sarah, 14 ____________________________________________________________ DIARY Winter of 1847-1848, Keating Township, McKean County, PA 1 Smethport, 11th mo. 23d 1847 Tuesday.-Rained this morning. Cut some wood. Mr. Mauts brot some corn, which was very poor. Told him I would not give him but $.50 per bushel. He took it over to the mill and promised to give him up his note ($2) for 2 1/4 bushels by weight & $.38 in cash. Two bushels and 3 pecks only weighed 2 1/4 bushels. Took my saw over to have George Chapin file it for me. Took a file from home and lost it. Went back & found it. George and G.N. Smith have bot an instrument for taking pictures & intend to spend the winter in that business. Came home by the creek and waded. Rained all day. 2 Smethport, Nov.24th Wednesday.- Rained all night. Wm was in & got some bags & went with the Dr. up to Starks after oats. After breakfast I went down to the mill (illegible) to see if there were any slabs there, found some in the creek. The water is high again over the road this side of the bridge. After I came back from the mill I got Benj to help me grind my axe, after which I made a new shaft to the grindstone. Rained all day pretty hard. The water will doubtless be very high again. It is raining now 10 o'clock p.m. 3 Smethport, 11 mo. 25th 1847 Thursday.- Rained all night. The water is high this morning, but not as high as before. Maria found the Dr's. pigs in the office & was driving them out when one got his head fast in a gate & could not get out & made a dreadful noise until I got dressed & Arthur came over when we got him out. I thought the Dr. was offended at it. Chopped some wood after breakfast & went up to the Court House to hear a Thanksgiving discourse by Rev. J.L. Smith which was very appropriate. Took dinner at Geo. S. Came home & chopped wood for (illegible). He talks as tho he would not like to (illegible) back in the event of my getting an office. Snowed this evening. 4 Smethport Nov. 26th Friday.- Cold & snowing this morning. Chopped some wood & then went over & got the corn from the mill that I got of Mauts. Miller & Hiram were here. Cleaned out the hog pen & put in new straw. Helped Wm dip candles this afternoon & evening. Brot over 13 candles. Eat supper at at Wms. Patrick Lynch & (Aryesvelle?) were at Wms. Patrick says that Azro's wife is going home again to leave Azro. Belinda was very good, but could not refrain from backbiting & making insulting remarks. 5 Smethport, 11th mo. 27th 1847 Saturday. -Cold this morning. Chopped some wood after breakfast. The Dr. killed his beef today. About 9 o'clock Harnessed Wms horse with one of the Dr's & went down the other side of the creek & got some planks at Halls where Ichabod White used to live for sleighs. I got 3 planks which I thought would make a pair of bobs. I got them of I. White for $1. per pair for Dr. I drew them around by the Judges, the Bridge being gone by the old (illegible) mill. The bridge is gone the other side of Dave Corneliuse's & I had to drive thro. the lot - I got some slabs there & came up and left the (illegible) at G. Tubbs & came home. It snowed a little all day 6 Smethport, Nov. 28th Sunday.- Snowed this morning. Had breakfast late. Did not go to church Read some. Was over to Wms a little while. Got some wood into the office and chopped it. Wm got his cow & horses down from the lot Azro said I must divide the hay so that he could feed some. Sister F. was at Wms yesterday & staid all night, but did not come in here. She said the other day that she did not come as often as she wod because Belinda was watching her etc. Snowed a part of the time today the sun shone a few minutes. Was up to the P.O. in the ev. got a Sat (illegible) & Lady's Book & the mags that Bart borrowed. Called in at bro. S. F. gave some butter to bring home. 7 Smethport - 11th mo. 29th 1847 Monday.- Cold and clear. Froze pretty hard last night. Brot water for Maria to wash. Worked on the hog pen putting a new roof on it & chopped wood above the house. Ormond A. Holmes died last evening of consumption aged 3 years & 7 months. Tuesday. Nov 30th Clear & cold. It was a very cold night last. froze very hard - as cold as we usually have in Feb. The Dr. killed his hog today. I helped him dress him.. Mr. Howard was chief butcher. It weighed just 300 lbs. 8 Smethport Nov. 30th Tuesday. Attended the funeral at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Did not get there in season to go to the grave. Mr Smith preached the Sermon & was pretty severe I thought. Ormond's connexions & friends are all Universalists. He said that the deceased met with a change of heart before he died. There were a great many at the funeral. The Methodist church was nearly full. Came home & Arthur took the Dr's team & went with me & got a load of wood off of the hill. 9 Smethport, 12th mo. 1st 1847 Wednesday - Clear & cold this morning. Went up to the lot. Azro was not at home. He had went away without leaving his wife any wood & Lew. Chapin was drawing some of that he cut for Wm. Offered his wife the money for that butter I got a short time since. The neighbors say that Azro has done nothing but get his wood & they have been without half of the time. Stopped at Linderf's when I came down. Wm came up & got some apples of Thomas. He gave 38cts. per bushel. Linderf sent some down to Maria. (Illegible) was in this ev. to buy my mare. Took supper (illegible). He offers what I ask ($50.) & the only thing is to agree about the pay. He proposes to pay in notes & stock. It is warmer & has rained all the ev. 10 Smethport, Dec. 2d 1847 Thursday.- Rainy this morning. Went up on the old State Road with Wm Howard & cut Hoop poles Hickory &c. In the afternoon made an axe helve. Howard put on eight Hoops on the the Dr's meat barrel for which he charged $1. Arthur came up with the horses & drew our timber down. Hiram Payne loaned a bushel of oats of me - said I should have them when I called for them &c. 11 Smethport - 12 mo. 3d 1847 Friday._ Cold & snowed - Chopped wood after breakfast was going up to the lot after some hay, but Wm was gone after his mare & colts with one of the horses. Made two more axe helves & two whip (illegible) was about home all day. It was a disagreeable day to be out. Snowed, blew. 12 Smethport Dec 4th 1847 Saturday.- Cold & cloudy. Chopped wood & then harnessed the horses & went up to the lot after a load of hay. Was up to Azro's. He was not at home had to load my hay alone. Found the boards that lay on the barn floor were gone. When I was driving down into the lot above the house I fell off of the load & hurt my wrist a trifle. Kept both horses in my stable. After I had unloaded my hay I drew a load of wood & chopped for Sunday. 13 Smethport, 12th mo. 5th 1847 Sunday.- Snowed this morning. Washed & shaved before breakfast. Went to meeting at the Court House. Mr. Smith preached. Was in at the P.O. but the mail had not got in. Met it when I was coming down. The Roads are very bad the mails are all delayed on that account. Sylvester while holding the lamp for me broke it. accidentally. Gave the mare some boiled oats, but she did not eat them very well. 14 Smethport Dec. 6th 1847 Monday.- Clear & cold. Worked on the stable. Made a door & manger. Chopped some wood & helped Wm make a hound for his sleigh. Got a pound of tobacco at Dr's & had it charged; While over there a crazy man came along. Jane Darling was here today & Sarah York came in to see (illegible). This is the first time she has been in the house. She was quite familiar before I was married; but since then she has been cool. Jane was here to dinner. She is a good girl. 15 Smethport - 12th mo. 7th 1847 Tuesday. - Clear & cold in morning. The boys harnessed the horses & carried some oats to the mill for Wm to feed cows. I put on the rest of my corn and went up to the Taylor's shop. Dave Spencer has come back & is at work for John. He says he has no iron suitable for horse shoes. He expects some Friday. Went from there up st. Had a talk with Brad about the pr. business. He says if he was a candidate for office again and they charged him so much for tickets he wud send off and get them done. It is rather mean of him to talk so as he has the best office in the county; but it shows the breed.. Went from there to Steele's store & bot a pound of tea at $1. & a (illegible) shovel for $1.25. Came home & Arthur helped me get a load of wood with the Dr's horses off the hill. Made a window for my stable, done my chores &c. It has been very warm & pleasant today. 16 Smethport - Dec 8th Wednesday. - Cold thro the night. built fire & prepared to kill my hog went up with the buggy to Howards & got Wm's barrell to scald in. Got ready to kill him about noon. I eat dinner at Wm's. Had a good scald. He weighed, when dressed, 284 lb. Wm intends to butcher tomorrow if the weather is suitable. Wrote a letter to Wilson & Co. N.Y. ordering 10 copies of the double Jonathan & sent $1. for Jacob Stickles. The Dr. loaned one of my (illegible) to H. Payne & when sent for today it was not got. It has been very warm & pleasant today & is raining a little this ev. 17 Smethport, 12th mo., 9th 1847 Thursday. - Rained during the night-. H. Payne, Dr. McCoy & Wm were in here this morning. Mr. Payne took an axe helve, but did not pay for it. I cut up my pork & weighed one half of it which weighed 149 1/4 lb. When weighed last night he was not clear. He probably weighed as near 300 lbs as may be. It rained nearly all day & I done nothing but make a feed box for the mare. Benjamin took the letter I wrote yesterday for Jacob & money to pay the postage. Azro was here this ev. he says he has bot Alex Gifford's share of the hay in the Bay. I was in the Dr's office this ev. W. F. Ormsby settled with the Dr. who owed him $1.67. It is growing colder & the wind is blowing. Eat dinner at Wm's. 18 Smethport, Dec. 10th, 1847 Friday - Rainy thro' the night - Helped Wm Butcher hogs today. Horace King & Mr. Tracy helped. Got thro. about noon. A.D. Hamlin shot one of them twice before he killed it. The heaviest weighed 320 lbs - the next 272. Got 25 lbs of salt of dr. & Wm salted my meat for me. Did not use it all. Maria was whipping Frank all the time they were here. to make him mind. Did not whip him very hard & could not make him give up. I set out 5 apple trees on my (illegible). The trees were brot from Dr's nursery by Wm. Eat dinner at Wm's. He was over before we were up & got some meat - for breakfast. Arth. was over here & took supper. It has been clear all day & warm; but is raining now. The ground has all broke up & is very muddy. 19 Smethport, 12th mo. 11th 1847 Saturday. - Clear this morning & rather colder. Maria cleaned house today. I did not do much, helped about the house - shaved out a single tree put a few boards overhead in the house, nailed some boards on the barn &c. Arthur was in this evening & played cards with me. The sun shone almost as warm as summer at times. It did not rain any of consequence today. The water is over the road & the little bridge by Chapin's is out. 20 Smethport, Dec. 12th Sunday.. Rainy this morning. Saw Mr. Bush go up with the Wellsboro mail this morning & rode the mare up to the P.O. expecting a letter from Holcomb. but was disappointed. I got the Col. Mag. The (illegible) Journal & G. Benj. Smith's Herald from N.Y. & the Philad. Sat Cour. from Philad. Stopped in at bro. S. & left their Bap. Reg. & brot. down Wm's Reg. & a shop letter from R. Chadwick for him. Read thro. the day & did not go to church. It has been a cold rainy day. The roads are nearly impassable. 21 Smethport, 12th mo., 13th 1847 Monday. - Rained nearly all night. Chopped wood & then found the head to the Pork barrell & put it in & put on some new hoops but it still leaks. Got a chopping knife & bowl from Belinda & Maria chopped her sausage meat. Had some sage of Belinda. Rained nearly all day. The water is high again. The water has been high enough in the river for six weeks, nearly all the time to run rafts. It is said by some one who has been to the trouble to acertain that more rain has fallen within 3 months than is normal for 12 mos. 22 Smethport - Dec 14th Tuesday.- Rained, hailed & snowed during the night. Went at work on my meat barrell again put on 11 new hoops, but it still leaked. Went up in the woods & chopped some. Fred. Payne was after me to draw some hay could not go Hiram brot up Mrs. Brown's sausage gun & some sage & we made up our meat. I rode the mare up to the P. O. but got nothing. Arth. was over & played cards this ev. also Sat ev. The water is still over the road. Hiram had supper & stayed all night with us. Did not rain much today. 23 Smethport, 12th mo. 15th 1847 Wednesday.- Cold & rainy- drizzling. Chopped down a large soft maple tree above the road & chopped up the top for wood. Hiram was here for breakfast. Rode the mare up to Mr. S. to see if Benj. had been to the P.O. No letter yet from Holcomb. Wm was shoemaking. was over there a short time. It has been a cold rainy day. I understood that Azro has taken the school in that neighborhood & is to commence next Monday, at $14. per month & board himself. Got 15 lbs salt of dr. & a barrell & packed my pork over & put brine on it. 24 Smethport, Dec. 16th 1847. Thursday.- Cold last night & clear - froze up the roads but there was so much water on the ground that it is not solid. Maria washed today, & I helped bring water &c. Put a latch on the stable door & worked at whipple trees. Was over at Wm's. They got Mrs. Brown's sausage gun from her & were making their sausages this ev. Arthur was over here & played a few hands of cards. It has been a cold day & clear except a few flurries of snow, coarse (illegible) 25 Smethport, 12th mo. 17th 1847 Friday.- Snowed during the night. The snow was about 4 inches deep & now it is about 18 inches. Arthur got up the Dr's horses & helped me draw a load of wood & then we went up to the barn & drew a load of hay. Azro broke the pitchfork when we had got on about 200 & we came off with that. The cream horse balked when we started. Old brownie came home this eve. & Azro's cow with her & I put her in Wms cow yard & fed them. It has snowed nearly all day pretty fast. After I came home I bot 1 lb of salratus at Dr's. & paid 10 cts for it. 26 Smethport, - Dec 18th 1847 Saturday. Clear & cool. After breakfast I took my mare & one of Wms & went with up to the barn after a load of hay. The Dr. & Arthur also went up for a load. Azro is to let the Dr. have 2 tons & 2 (illegible) of hay to pay up his old Dr. bill. We loaded up his load first & he started out with it, when his horse balked. I then hitch on ours, & they could not draw it. Azro came down with a yoke of oxen & drew it out & broke off the end of the tongue. We came home without any further adverse time. After I came home I chopped my Sunday wood. 27 Smethport - 12th mo., 19th 1847 Sunday.- Did not go to ch. Read some & shovelled roads through the snow. Miller Stickles brot a Godey's Lady's book for January today. After I had washed & shaved I went over to Wms borrowed some meal, & Belinda urged me to take some flour, which I did - a part of a panful, & Maria made some fried cakes. In the ev. I went up to the P.O. - no letter yet from Holcomb. The Belfonte mail has not got in yet. My Sat. Cour. has got mislaid. 28 Smethport, Dec. 20th, 1847 Monday.- Mr. Payne was in before breakfast & wanted to rig a team to chain wood &c. he said he had an old harness that could be fixed. He afterwards got Wm to draw a load of hay for him. I went up to the P. O. this morning & up to Taylor's Store. I am back & got 3 yds broad cloth at $4. per yard at Dis. & took it up to Smith's (12) & then went to Steels' & got 3 yds of fall cloth at $1.5 3/4 sheeting at 1/ - 1 1/2 (illegible). 1/6 B silk at 5 & 4 lb sugar at 1/ - 4.50 $16.50 Stopped at bro. S. as I came down. F. gave me a piece of cheese. came home & helped Maria cut my pants. Bel - mail not in. H. Pay has got my Cour. 29 Smethport - 12th mo. 21st 1847 Tuesday. - Clear & cold . After breakfast, rigged up Wm's cutter & went, with the mare, up to Dea. Taylor's & got a double harness & Whipple trees. Stopped a Smith & Bards' & got my overcoat, which was cut out. D/off Ned at bro. S.'s & took dinner. Benj. O. boards there. He brot down Mr. S's mare, & I took Wms harness & sleigh & drew a load of wood for M S. from Job Gifford's, with them. Mr. G was not at home when I went there & I told Heny G. my errand. He said his "father had no wood & perhaps he intended to take some of his but he'd be damd if he took any of it for a minister who was as well able to cut it as he." After I came back I got some corn from Wm & shelled. Went up to the P.O. & got, B. R. Moth's Jour & two letters for Wm & a (illegible) of the life of (illegible) & a Pres. message from (illegible) J U.A. for myself. 30 Smethport - Dec. 22d 1847 Wednesday.- Cold & clear this morning. In the afternoon went up with Wm after a load of wood. Stayed & chopped a load of wood & drew for myself. Sylvester brot the team up to me. After I came back I chopped some wood & then shelled corn. Snowed pretty hard this afternoon. 31 Smethport, 12 mo. 23d 1847 Thursday.- Snowed some to-day & towards ev. pretty brisk. Maria washed today brot. water for her & shovelled the snow off of the roof, which leaks pretty bad half after 12 took the horses & took my corn to mill & drew two loads of wood & went to mill after. Used my mare to draw the last load, because Wm's black mare is not fit to work. cut some wood had some bread & milk at Wm's. Brot over a pan of meal. can have my grist in the morning - 32 Smethport, Dec 24th 1847 Friday. Got up pretty early had breakfast by candle light - And started after a load of wood. By the time I got to Wm. Gifford's it snowed very fast, & the wind blew so that I could scarsely see. I asked W. Gifford for the bushel of B. W. which Azro said he had bot. of him & he said he wod not let me have it. I drew 4 loads of wood, making 3 cords. Jordan does not make honest cords. 33 Smethport 12th mo. 25th, 1847 Saturday. Got up very early had the horses harnessed 7 was ready to start after wood before daylight. I drew Three cords today. Eat dinner at Wms. Mr. Smith was down & brot Christmas presents to Maria he brot a baby dress. To me a pin cushion. Eat supper at Wms. had a pot pie. In the ev. braided a cracker on the whip used a skein of silk of Wms & one of our own. Went up to the P.O. Smith had sent the papers &c. by Benj. I called at Smith's & got there, a Cour. for me a (illegible) paper a Pres. Message from Thomp. for W. No letter yet from Holcomb. 34 Smethport. Dec 26th 1847 Sunday.- Did not go to church Miller & Hiram were up town. Lydia came with them & stayed here nearly all day. Chopped some wood, & read. Borrowed Belinda's sieve this afternoon. Yesterday Belinda got up a Christmas dinner & invited in her neighbors, except Maria, to eat it although she was over, while it was on the table, after a pail of water; and Belinda saw her. It reminds me that poor folks, when they arrive at a competency, except thro. their own industry, are generally very aristocratic without the good sense or tact to appear even respectable, which at least is the case in this instance. 35 Smethport, 12th mo, 27th, 1847 Monday.- cold & clear. Good sleighing. Court this week. Chopped &c. in the forenoon & went up street in the afternoon. The Pres. Judge has not yet come. The side judges had the G Jury sworn & charged & sent them out engaged with W. A. Williams to fill his place in the Commissioner's as clerk, this week. Wm drew wood. 36 Smethport, Dec. 28, 1847 Tuesday. Went up to the Commissioner's office. Harnessed up the mare & Maria & Jane Darling went up to Jas. Taylor's. I rode with them as far as the turn. Was in the Comm. office all day. The Pres. Judge came in this afternoon. Several orders were drawn the new com. Mr. Martin was there - he is a pretty Shrewd fellow &, I doubt-not will make a much better Com. than Eastey, whose successor he is. 37 Smethport, 12 mo. 29th 1847 Wednesday. Went up to the Comm. office. was there all day. The snow begins to fall it rains some & the roads are getting soft. The Court tried that boy for (illegible) a house & acquitted him, after we had shut up this evening I went up with Mr. Martin & took a drink of Liquor at D.R. Bennett's. Asa Cory made an oyster supper & invited the board of Comm's & clerk & myself. His object is to the clerkship to himself the coming year, but Ira H. Curtis will probably be the successful applicant. Bot a (illegible) of flour at Hamlin's Store & paid $7.50. A. J. Otis & myself had some oysters at (illegible) I paid for them. 38 Smethport, Dec 30, 1847 Thursday. Was in the Com. office all day. Snow pretty near gone. Chadwick's suit for seduction came off today. The Jury found him guilty. Darling, John Chadwick & myself had some very good brandy this afternoon. After supper I went up & got a bu of flour. Wm had half of it. Benjamin came home from Mrs. Smith's to stay all night. 39 Smethport. 12 mo. 31st 1847 Friday. - In the commissioner's office all day. Have been making an effort yesterday & today to get the appointment of clerk for the ensuing year have but little hopes this ev. Darling said that Curtis had got the promise of it from each of them & would commence tomorrow. I would rather see someone else there; but to the victor belong the spoils. Darling, Williams & Hawkins & myself had some good brandy & afterwards Williams & myself went behind the door & took another swig. Went up in the Court House. Williams began to feel queer & thought he had better go home. I went & took him home in a cutter & went back & got William. 40 Smethport, Jan. 1st 1848 Saturday. Sleighing all gone. Mr. Curtis started down after the key to the commissioner's office. Paid my postage, & also paid Bard for cutting my overcoat. Paid Wms postage & gave him money enough to make $4. borrow $10. in orders of him Wednesday. drew $1.25 for repairing (illegible) G. L. Rider paid $1. N. West $1.84. those are all the collections I have made. Lillibridge was beaten in his suit with (illegible) & Arnold. The sentence against Chadwick was to pay $70. & costs 41 Smethport, 1st mo., 2d, 1848 Sunday.- Did not go to church. Read the pictorial Bro Jonathan & last Sat. Cour. The water was very high this morning over the road this side the bridge. It has rained some today. Saturday I got some butter of Sister F. & some buttermilk. Arthur was in this evening. It has rained almost every day the past week & has been pretty warm. The snow is all off the south side of the hills & the ground & weather seems like spring. 42 Smethport, Jan'y 3d 1848 Monday. - Clear & pretty warm chopped wood above the house & cut a pole for Wm & helped him make his cow shed over which fell down from the weight of Snow. It has been a warm pleasant day. There is no snow on the ground & it looks, & the air feels more like spring than the winter month of January. 43 Smethport, 1st mo., 4th 1848 Tuesday.- After breakfast took my mare up to J. Taylor's shop to get her shod. They shod H. B. King's oxen before they could get at her. Reynolds was in the shop, the one that formerly worked for A. G. Arnold. He says he is at work in Grey's Blacksmith Shop & he was over after coal. They shod the mare new all round & I paid him $0.50 cash. Came home & chopped wood &c. It has been rather cool today. 44 Smethport, Jan'y 5th 1848 Wednesday. - Clear & cold. Went up to the lot & got a load of hay. Wm went with me, had the Dr's waggon. After we came back I went up to Freeman's barn with H. Payne & drew a load of hay for him & then drew two loads of wood off the hill above the house. It rained & snowed some after noon. Called at the P.O. & got a Sat. Cour. dated Jan 1st. It came into the office on Tuesday - only 3 days from Philadelphia. No letter from Holcomb yet. 45 Smethport. 1st mo. 6th 1848 Thursday. Chopped wood &c. It has been a cold day. Wm Mrs. Owens & Mrs. Moon were over here this afternoon. Mrs. M wants to rent the old office for a dwelling house. Arthur was over here this evening & played a few games of chequers with me. Got 1 zo. of Twist of Dr. & paid for it. There has been some flurries of snow today; but not enough to be of any account in making the roads any better. 46 Smethport, Jan. 7th 1848 Friday. - Pretty cold last night.- After breakfast helped the Dr. & Arthur draw a load of hay. Coming down & before we got to W. Gifford's Arthur fell from the load on to the frozen ground & hurt his shoulder pretty badly; but we thot. there were no bones broken. - I put on the Timothy seed, that W. G. cut on shares, & brot. down to the house. We had on about half a ton of hay making a ton that the Dr. has got. Cut wood after I came back. Jane Darling was over this evening. 47 Smethport - 1st mo. 8th 1848 Saturday. Chopped some wood. Was over to Wms. Wm wrote a dunning letter to Jas. Thompson for the amt due for pr. Tickets &c. in 1846. In the evening went up to the Post Office. Got a Col. Magazine. No letter yet from Holcomb, which is rather strange I think. Commenced snowing before bedtime. 48 Smethport - Jan 9th 1848 Sunday. - Snow about 3 inches deep this morning. The wind blew pretty hard thro' the day & drifted the snow. snowed some thro' the day. Promised Joel King, several days since, to let him use my mare today, on condition he should never ask me for her again; but he has not been after her - probably because it has been so cold & stormy. Wm thinks I had better trade my mare for Acres gray colt - & take her with me if I go with Hull. 49 Smethport - 1st mo. 10th 1848 Monday. - Cold & windey. Went up street in the forenoon was in the Comm. office, Mr. Barnaby had not come over yet. Maria's father was here to get me to write to Washing an application for some mail routes. Found the proposals had not come on yet Stopped at bro. S. on my way down. It has been a cold day - did not do any out of door work 50 Smethport - Jan'y 11th 1848 Tuesday. _ Harnessed up the horse & went down to Mr. Stickles. Maria went with me. George helped me chop a load of wood & I drew it up & then took some hay down & stayed all night & then was over at Wms & got a skein of silk of Belinda I heard, yesterday, that Minard was not going to start till next week & that his wife & Jane Pelton were going with him. 51 Smethport - 1st mo. 12th 1848 Wednesday. - After breakfast George & me chopped a load of wood & I drew it up & George came this side of Rockwell's & chopped. I drew two loads of wood sled length. P. Lynch has bot the bob, of Williams, that I had, for $1. he says that - W. wants me to bring home the Shoes & pay for the use of them. He had Wms mare 5 days which I have paid for. & I also have an acct against him, which I supposed would nearly pay the shoes. 52 Smethport - January 13th 1848 Thursday.- George, Miller & Hiram staid here all night - & George went over the creek to chop wood. Wm went up with me after a load of hay. After dinner we drew a load of hay for him. Mr. Smith has a wood (illegible) tomorrow. It is raining this ev. Minard was up today. He does not know when he will start, for his wife is sick, & he wants to take her with him. Jane Darling was in this ev. 53 Smethport - 1st mo. 14th 1848 Friday.- Helped Wm get one load of wood above the house, for Mr. S. After breakfast went up to bro. S. & eat dinner. did not go into the woods till afternoon. Mr. Hall, T. Mattison N. Dunbar G. Vansickle, from O.R.B., an Irishman from G. Corwin's. Mr. Webster. Mr. Williams A. N. Taylor George Smith Wm & myself were there. Got up about 7 cords of wood (sled length.) Rained in the morning & in the evening. Lydia came up today. 54 Smethport - January 15th 1848 Saturday. - Pretty warm & rainy. Maria washed today. I brot water & chopped wood in the office. Arthur came up today. He says he has broke the evener & one whippletree. He was over in the evening & played cards. Rained nearly all day. 55 Smethport - 1st mo. 16th 1848 Sunday. - Washed & shaved & went & heard bro. S. preach at the Court House. Came home & went up again & heard Mr. Lane. heard bro. S. again this evening. It has been a warm, pleasant day & seemed like a May day. Sunday, Jan 16th 1848 56 Smethport - Jan 17th 1848 Monday.- Clear & pleasant this morning. Chopped wood in the office. Minard was up in the forenoon & says he wants to start Wednesday. He & Wm went up to see Acre's colt, but did not trade for it. Wm says he will not let me have any land. Says that Belinda said he sho'd not &c. 57 Smethport Jan 18th 1848 Tuesday.- Cold & Winday. I did not work much. Wm bro't over his account book & we settled our matters up to this date. except the hay my horses had last winter & he only accounted for twenty-five of the fifty dollars which the Cory's paid him for me on the old pr. office. He made me the offer of $50. for my mare. Went up st. to see B. Freeman but he was not at home. Joel Bishop's wife died yesterday. 58 Smethport, Jan'y 19th 1848 Wednesday. - Cold in morning Went over in the morning & took up my notes for fifty-dollars & gave him my mare. He came over afterwards & proposed to let me have a deed for 1200 acres of land &c. Minard was up again today & after talking with him I concluded not to at present. 59 Smethport, 1st mo. 20th 1848 Thursday. - Chopped wood a part of the day & made arrangements to start for Hinsdale for oats & flour loaded up 22 bushels of stone coal to take along. Dr. M'Coy gave me $18. Wm $10. & H. Payne $7.25. I saw more of Payne's character this evening than ever in my life before. 60 Smethport, Jan 21st, 1848. Friday - Was on the road as soon as it was light. Fed at Millgrove. A. Millport sp W. flour was worth $6.50 in bus. & $6. in bags. Went up to Hinsdale. Oats were worth 31 cts pr bushel. Staid all night at M. Ree's had supper. There was a ball at this house tonight & I did not retire till late. 61 Hinsdale, N.Y. Jan 22d 1848 Saturady. - Was up a little after four o'clock, had my horses fed & harnessed & my breakfast eat & ready to start as soon as day. Went up to Franklinville & (illegible) M. George's oats were worth 28 in the village & none for sale. Sold my coal for 25cts per bu & got the money for it. It fell short 2 1/2 bushels. Went on a mile to a farmer's & got 3 bushels of oats & left my bags till I returned from Buffalo. Went to Machias & staid all night. 62 Machias N. Y. Jan 23d, 1848 Sunday. Had breakfast &c & was on the road before light. went as far as Blakley's at Protection & fed. Went from there to Jackson's, 10 miles short of Buffalo. Jackson used to live in our county & pilot down the Allegany. Had supper &c. 63 Reservation near Buffalo Jan 24th 1848 Monday. - was on the road before day went in to Buffalo put up at the Buffalo Hotel. Bot 4 bus flour at $5. & 2 at $4. 1 bu salt $1.50 7 1 bu whiskey $8.24 of Smith & Carpenter, & paid $32. & gave my note for the balance - $5.80 Came back as far as Jackson's that ev. Did not pay my bill at the Hotel in Buffalo. A man by the name of Rich of Franklinville lost his horses this ev. 64 Reservation 10 miles from Buffalo Jan 25 1848 Tuesday - Was on the road again, before day. went as far as Holland fed at Morey's had dinner. In the room where we eat was a sick child which they thought wod live but a short time. It had the Scarlet fever. Came to Machias & staid all night. Got in late at night. Sold my whiskey. Got 3 bushels of oats & the rest in cash. 65 Machias Jan. 26 1848 Wednesday. - Came off early without breakfast or feeding. Came where I left my bags & fed & got breakfast Got 15 bushels of oats at 25 cts per bushel. Came to Franklinville & got some blacksmith work done & traded to the amt. of $2.95 cts. Com raining about ten o'clock & kept on nearly all day Came as far as Hinsdale & fed & got dinner with M'. Ree. Came on from there to Olean. The roads were getting pretty bad. Today was the first rain or unpleasant weather I had since I started. I put up at Comstock's in Olean. 66 Olean Jan 27th 1848 Thursday.- Was on the road about daylight.- It had rained some during the night & the roads were very bad. Got to Millgrove about half past 11 o'clock Threw off 3 bus of flour & 1 of salt. Fed & had dinner. Came from there home. Got home about eleven o'clock in the evening & unloaded in the office. 67 Smethport Jan 28th Friday.- Rained some during the night. Did not do much thr'o the day. Mr. Payne got a bu of flour & W. Y. M'Coy another. Dr. Cory was in today & paid Wm $40.85 on account of land. Mr. Smith & Frances was over to Wms this afternoon, did not come in today. 68 Smethport, Jan 29 Saturday - Snowed some today. Mr. Smith was in today & got a part of the bu of flour that was left. Did not anything today except clean out the stable &c. 69 Smethport, - Jan 30, 1848 Sunday - Did not go to church Read &c. It rained some towards evening Wm harnessed the horses & his whole family went to church he was in this evening and brot a book on chemistry from the P. O. 70 Smethport, - Jan 31st 1848 Monday. - Rained & snowed some. Filed my saw &c. Elder Evans was over at Wms today. - was over there a short time the Elder is a sound old man has read a good deal & thinks more. Yesterday Mr. S. preached the funeral sermon of old Mr. Garey - an old Revolutionary soldier who died from the effects of Liquor; it is thought - having drank near a pint & started for home He was found dead in the road lying on his face 71 Smethport - 2d mo. 1st 1848 Tuesday. - Clear & pleasant but rather cold - Did not do much today. Harnessed up Kate & Maria & Jane went up to Mr. Cook's to see if she could get a girl; but got none. Was over to Wms several times. Wm has a new milk's cow. Mr. Walcott was down to trade a colt, three years old next spring, for Kate but I think they will not be able to agree. Dr. M'Coy took 10 bushels of oats & left 4 for Wm. 72 Smethport - Feb 2d 1848 Wednesday.- Clear & pleasant. Rode up to the pr. office & ordered my name to be (illegible) & tickets pr. for court. They have enlarged their press. Came home & got dinner & went up to Mr. Bakers & got Betsy to come & work here. Joel King told me that my bridle was in town went up to Bennett's barn & found it. Dr. Smith brot it in. I let him take it home on his promise to be responsible for it. 73 Smethport Feb 3d 1848 Thursday. Clear & pleasant. The ground not froze hard enough to hold a waggon. In the morning carried the chain to (illegible) out the old White lot on the hill joining Wm. Brot water to wash. Had a talk with Wm about taking the mare back told him how his wife & children acted because I used the mare to go after a girl. He said it was not his disposition but he could not control her &c. bot of Dr. M'Coy 5 yds of sheeting 12 1/2 3 yds bleach 1/6 & 4lb of coffee & 1/2 (illegible). Betsy & Lydia $1.81 25cts each to attend the shows. 74 Smethport. 2d mo. 4th 1848 Friday. - Snowed & blew & rained. Went with Arthur to the Blacksmith's shop. got a new strap made for the reach & paid 25 cts for it Bot a ball of wicking at A.R. Bennett's & paid 10 cts for it came home & dipped candles Jane was over in the ev. 75 Smethport.- Snowed some during the night. After breakfast it commenced snowing harder & looked likely to continue cold thro the day & I got the Dr's Jacox mare put with Kate & took his fore bob & went to Millgrove after the balance of my load. I started about 10 in the ev. Opened a bu of the (illegible) flour & found it rather dark 76 Smethport Feb. 6th 1848 Sunday. - Did not go to church. read some was over to Wms a while I heard while I was at Millgrove that Henry Easty son of (illegible) Easty had run away. It snowed thro the day & is now pretty good slipping. Wm thinks of starting for Buffalo tomorrow or next day. 77 Smethport 2d mo. 7th 1848 Monday. - Cold this morning looks as tho we might have a run of sleighing. Brot water to wash, drew a load of wood & went with William to Dea. Taylor's after a load of coal. My cow went away this morning & I cannot find her yet 78 Smethport Feb. 8th 1848 Tuesday. - Cold this morning found my cow over near Wms lot in the woods. She had a calf. Brot them up. Mr. Smith & wife were here for a visit. After they went away put the (illegible) on Wms cutter & then went to Mr. Winsor's wood (illegible) got up a fine lot of wood 79 Smethport, 2d mo. 9th 1848 Wednesday.- Cold in the morn went up street with the (illegible) & Mr. Smith mended it for me went up to the Post office got a paper containing the advertisements for the mail lettings &c. Feb. 10 Thursday. - drew up proposals for 5 routes for Mr. Stickles & carried them to the office. " 11 Friday Town meeting. I received a maj over the next highest (Jas Miller) of 2 votes. Asa H. Cory was elected Road Comm Dea. T whose term expired Ed. Hartscott ass. Jno Chad T. Clerk, W. A. Williams T. Treas. &c. (Illegible) Joel King, N. Medberry & Jas Miller were candidates against me for const ----------