Benjamin Sayre'S Account Book, 1848-49 Montrose, Susquehanna County

BENJAMIN SAYRE’S ACCOUNT BOOK, 1848-49 MONTROSE, SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY contributed by Ionise It. Shafer II eniamin Sayre was born 8 November 1791 in Southampton, Long JL3Island, New York, son of Daniel and Joyce (Huntting) Sayre. In 1794 the family moved to Shingle Kill (now Cairo), Greene County, New York. Benjamin married 12 September 1816 Priscilla Chapman, whose family had moved to Greene County from Saybrook, Connecticut. Soon after, the couple moved to Montrose, Susquehanna County, where they had eight children: Anne Maria, Catharine Cochran, Samuel Hunting, Benjamin Chapman, Lydia Jones, Priscilla, Daniel Durclle, and Mary Priscilla.1 Prom 1848 to 1 856 Sayre kept an account book in which he recorded the daily activities of his farming business. The transcript below covers the first twelve months of Benjamin's eight-year account. 1 1 is terse notes contain little genealogical data or reference to family members. The account’s primary value to researchers is in the description of the sea¬ sonal cycles of weather, work, and workmen in nineteenth-century, rural Pennsylvania. Many of our ancestors spent their days and years doing many of the same things under very similar conditions. ACCOUN T HOOK2 November 13th/48 Monday: Little more snow fell yesterday, ground well covered, some sleigh niooving. wether moderate. Dorcey works about 2/3 day. Henry commenced again to day. Reardon 2/3 day. Gilmer & Parker chops (found Parker din¬ ner). Brooks works & Warner, all hands have cutting & getting out Logs on the Brewster Lot. Morris dont work. Lame he says. Tucsdy 14: Good weather. Snow wasted away some, mostly gone in the roads. Morris gone to Bing'n. carryed the Girls. Taylor came last night. Dorcy, Taylor, Rear’n, Henry & my self all day in woods. Warner works 1/2 day (sore hand). Brooks been after load of hay for B. Bentley, got of Van|hornes?) Louise II. Shafer (sliafcr860@vcrixon.net) is a descendant of Benjamin Sayre and a member of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. She has donated the account book to the Susquehanna County Historical Society, 2 Monument Square, Montrose, l’A 19073. l Theodore M. llama. Lineage of Thomas Sayre, a Founder of Southampton (New York: De Vinne Press, 1901), 181 -82, 4.38-39. F. W. Chapman, The Chapman Family, or the Descendants of Robert Chapman, One of the First Settlers of Say-Brook, Conn. ( Hart¬ ford: Case, Tiffany and Company, printers, 1 85*1), 94, 1 .30-3 1. 2 Punctuation has been added for clarity. Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 47 (20 1 1 ) 47 iK Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 47 |November I8i8| Wecly IS: Good weather, some snow fell last night. mostly gone to day. Dorcy, Dan ’I, Taylor N John getting logs. If rooks draws soap, wood &c. also Henry in AM. this I’M at woods. Morris returns, went creek road. Thursdy 16: Good weather. Morris goes to Bing, (over the hill). Hands all at Logs &c. Friday 17: Good weather excepting a snow squall. All hands at logs, road &c. except Dorcey. he has not been here. Sam i been to S.L. [Silver l.ake|. I spend most of my time in the woods. Sat IS: Some colder. Dorcey N Henry have been drawing manure. Bark &c. Morris not done much of any tiling. Reardon & Taylor Choping logs &c. Warner drawing |.s7c|. Brooks been to Oakley after lumber. Monday 20: quite cold, ground froze hard. George gets here about 9 OCIock. Dan’l at It) OC.Iock. both chop wood. Warner draws logs out of the woods. Brooks & Henry about, draw some wood &c. Morris gone to Bing’n over the hills. Dorcey dont work. Wares commences in ashery & boards himself. Tuesdy 21: Weather moderate. Warner Chopping. Taylor goes with Cattle to McKebby &C. Brooks. Reardon, N Henry about home. SanTI gone to Bing'n over the hills. Wednesday Nov. 22nd/ 48: the weather mild. George, Reardon, Henry and Warner at logs. Brooks about. Wares in ashery. Morris goes to Bing'n over the Dills. Thursday Thanksgiving: Weather mild. Men at the Logs as yesterday. Brooks about. Fridy: Little rain. Chapman, Win, Henry, & Morris each with a Team gone to Bing'n over the hills. Brooks draws some wood, other hands at logs. Sal 2S: Pleasant most of the day. George and Reardon at Logs. Warner plouging. I lenry about. Wares dont work to day. Brooks unwell. Team returns. Mondy: some cooler. Brook & Morris each go to Bing'n with Teams (over hill). Henry & Reardon slid corn &c. Wares in ashery. Tuesy 28: good weather. Reardon & Warner & Henry in Woods. Dorcey 1/2 day. Henry Wares at ashery. Wcdy 29: good weather, south wind thaws some snow, all, or about all, gone. Dorcey works 1/2 day (attend Funreal). Reardon, Warner & Henry & Wares all day. Brooks goes to Bing’n after I). Pians, goes the Creek Road. Chapman and Morris goes to Carbondalc. Hay Sikles, bought them Sat. gave about $60 in horse & Harness. Thursday 30: good weather. Dorcey lays wall. Reardon & Warner cut logs, draws stones &c. Henry works 1/2 day. Brooks returns. Wares at ashery. [December 1 848] Fridy 1st: Dorcey lays wall. John draws stone. Reardon chops. Henry goes to Oakley after lumber. Brooks helps Bullard about Stable &c. Sat. 2 Dec.: rained last nitc & this morning, warm & pleasant this P.M. Dorcey, Reardon, Brooks, Henry at work about yard. Bullard 1/2 day about shed. Mondy 4: Warm & Cloudy, some rain this even g. Brooks gone to Binglfn by the Bend. Morris goes to bend also for ( Luck? |. Henry N Dan’l goes to McKebby with Colts &c. Dorcey at wall. John ploughing. Wares dont work. Benjamin Sayre ’s Account Book, 1848-49 201 I 49 |December 18-i8| Tuesday Dec. 5111 1818: rains a little, cloudy & warm. Dorcey, Henry & Wm work in the yard drawing manure &c. Wares, 1 believe, in asliery. Brooks returns. John, 1 suppose, ploughing. Wedy: drilling rain most of the day. Dorcey & Wm work in yard AM & go to the farm diging stones &c in the PM. Brooks & Henry work about yard all day. Church conference to day, pleasant meeting. Daniel leaves this even'g in the Stage for Ox[for|d. Thursdy: warm day. some rain in the morning. Dorcey, Wm Dig stones. Jones works at sellar door at farm house. Warner plougs & draws stone. Brooks dont work. (Morris draws 1 load manure only). Henry draws manure, Ashes &c. Fridy: very warm day. John & Parker been Ploughing all day with both yoke, & Morris with his horse before them, have tryed to plough with all my horses but had to quit it & go to drawing stone. So Brooks & Henry with each a team have drawn stone most of the day. John finishes the sellar and lays stone in the P.M. Dorcey laying wall. Sat 9th: good weather (cloudy). Warner & Morris Brake up with 2 Yoke & a pare of horses. Brooks Plougs on hill lots. Wm & Parker dig stone. John laying wall. Dorcey nor Henry work. Mondy I I: good weather. Brooks, Morris, John & Henry Ploughing &c. Dorcey lays wall &e. Wares dont work for me. Tuesdy: Little snow falls. Chap’n goes to Honesdale with Butter. Dorcey lays sum wall &c. Henry, Brooks, & Wares ploughing &c. also John'n Morris dont work. Dorcey has stoped work. Wedy: moderate weather. Brooks draws stone from Fuller & |illegible). Henry & Warmer Ploughing. Morris painting rail. Thursdy I t: Cloudy & warm. John & Henry ploughing. Brooks draws 2 loads straw & 10 bushel to Bentley. Morris dont work, nor Wares. Torrey, ONeal & —commenced on my barn sellar by the cord. Friday Dec. I S 1818: Wind has got into the North with colder, cloudy & some rain in A.M. Dorcey has worked about 2/3 day. Henry draws some wood &c. Brooks works 1/2 day (draws ashes). N. Canfield commenced to day for one Moth @ $10.00. Morris gone to B|inghamton) over the hills. Warner Ploughs. Sat.: Warner & Canfield plouging. Brooks & Henry work at wood shed & yard. Wares in Ashery. Dorcey not here. Chapman returns, ground froze a little last night, but has thawed again to day. roads very muddy. Morris returns from Bing'n. Monday 18: Warm & pleasant. Chapman & Morris start for Honesdale with Butter, Crain & potatoes. Brook collects ashes. Henry and Morris Ploughing &c. Jones at wall. Wares dont work— unwell. Tuesday 19: Warm (4 pleasant like a summer day. Pettis Ploughs for me. John & Brooks draws stone. Henry draws rails. Wedy 20: Snows part of the day, mostly melted. Brooks and Henry draws Stone &c.. John Plouging. Wares commenced in ashery to day but stoped directly on the act of Kettle being cracked. so Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 47 I December 1848| Tliursdy: Snowed most of the day a little. Warner & Henry Ploughing, brooks about, no other hands at work here. Fridy 22d: Snow a II day. it has fallen 12 or I t Ins. Chapman & Morris return. Brooks and Henry about. Sat: quite pleasant. Sleigs more |illegible |. Morris done little or nothing yester except coming from Brooklen. not worked to day. neither Brooks except some chores for their board. Henry has pretended to work. Wares for himself sum Wedy. Warner, I believe, thrashing. Mondy 2S: rains most of the day. snow wasting away fast. Brooks, Henry, nor Warner work. Morris 1/3 day. Wares dont work, begins to fre/.e this even'g. Tuesdy: Cold, rough getting about, some spots on the roads bare, still a good deal of snow & Ice. Brooks, Henry, Morris and Wares doing a little mooving hay, &c. Wedy: Snows most of the day. Henry Chops some wood & Morris draws wood. Brooks & Warner mooves bay &c. Tliursdy: pleasant day. Chapman & Morris start for Honesdale with grain &c. John H. start for Wilkesbarre, with 3 bll. ashes & two of soap. Warner, I expect, at work thrashing. Brooks nor Henry work. Fridy 29: some more snow falls. I have discharged Henry, Dorcey, Brooks about doing Chores not very well. Sat. 30th: good weather. Sleighing is very good. Chap n & Morris return from Honesdale. no hand at home at work. IJanuary 1849| Mondy: pleasant day & warm. Brooks dont work, nor Morris. Wares returns from Wilkesbarre. Warner drawing logs. Tuesdy: Hxtremely cold, no hands at work except Warner who draws logs. Wedy 3: Clear & Cold. Brooks draws stocks, &c. Morris goes to B.|inghamton], Creek road. Cilery, Maple plank & [scantley?). Warner, 1 expect, at work. Tliursdy 4: Clear & Cold. Brooks collects ashes. Morris returns with Salt &c. War¬ ner draws logs. Fridy: Cold & blustery day. Brooks works some about house, the only man 1 have at work unless Warner is at work. Sat: No hands hands |.s7r| about except Brooks, weather cold & delightfull sleighing except some drifts. Mon’ 8: Clear &. cold. Wares lias commenced work to day, been collecting ashes. Brooks about. Dorcey Commences tomory at $9.00 per month. John drawing log. 9: Mild weather. Dorcey sets out with a load of grain for Honesdale. Wares not here. Brooks about. S. Torry & Kirtland with their Wives came this evening. 10: Very Cold. Brooks about. 1 1 : do do Friday: More moderate. Honesdale friends returned with my Wife. Brooks about. Benjamin Sayre's Account Book, 1848-49 201 1 SI [January 1849] Sat Jan’y 13th/49: Wether moderate, some rain this evening. Dorcey got hack last even'g, drawed some straw to day. Brooks about. Warner, 1 expect, has been drawing logs all of the week. M. IS: Moderate weather. Dorcey goes with Butter &c. to the rail Road to bring back salt from Evans. Wares goes to Bing’n with Coal. Brooks dont work. Warner drawing logs. John H. commenced last week— worked one day— at $9.00 per month. Tuesday 16: pleasant day. Wares & Dorcey return from Bing’n. Brooks about. Sam’l set out this morning for NY. Wcdy 17: weather quite warm, sleiging geting some what poor in spots. Dorcey gone to G[reat] Bend with butter &c. brings back salt from Evans. Wares been to B. Canfields after grain. Brooks about. Thursdy: Both Teams return with Salt, very cold day. Brooks about. Fridy: Dorcey & Wares start for Bing’n, one with Iron & the other coal. Brooks about, quite cold day. Sat. 20: Teams return with planks. McKeeby takes one team home with him. Brooks about. Warner, I suppose, has drawn logs all this [blank], Mondy 22: Cold day. Dorcey goes with boards to Bing'n. Brooks helps Warner thrash (Wares not here, gone away with his soap). Lydia starts for Ox|for|d . Tucsdy: Brooks about half. John part of day. Wedy: quite warm, rains this even’g. sleiging geting poor in spots. Dorcey got back from Bing’n this morn’g. broke his sleigh, the cause of his not getting back last night, drawed a load wood &c. Brooks about. McKebhy brought a load of Oats from my farm, took back the brindle oxen. Wm Boyd com¬ menced work in my shop to day. Christian Rented my house about tile 1st Jan’y. moving into it to day at 16/month. Thursday Jan’y 25111 1849: Rained most of the day. Brooks draws some ashes from — south neighborhood. Dorcey about yard. Fridy: good weather most of the day. some rain, quite warm day. the snow has mostly gone, the roads are quite Icey. Wares commenced work, boards himself at [h?]/per day. he with Brooks & Dorcey been setting Potash kettle most of the day. Warner drawing logs & wood all of the week. My Wife at Honcsdale. Sam’l dont get back from N.Y. Lydia at Oxford and Hanah at Joseph. Carolin & my self alone with Ester. Lonesome enough. Sat.: Wares finishes sitting Kettle. Dorcey & Brooks been about doing something. [February 18491 Thursday 1st Feb’y: Wares has not worked for me since last week. Makes soap for himself this week. Blustery morning, more moderate now. little snow fell hist night. I went last Saturday to Honcsdale after My Wife &c. found pretty good sleighing most of the way. returned yesterday, roads very icey. neither good sleighing nor safe wheeling. Fridy: Dorcey goes to G[reat[. Bend, gets a hogshead sugar, gets drunk, looses his Buffalo & whip. Brooks about, dont do much. Sat: quite good sleighing. I have discharged Dorcey this morning. Brooks draws some wood. Warner, I suppose, has worked all the week thrashing, drawing logs &c. 52 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 47 |February 1849] Mondy 5: a little more snow. Sam'l starts for Gilbertsville. Brooks about. Wm McKebby commenced work for me. I month for $ 1 1.00. Tuesdy 6: Snows some, McKchley about, brooks (loot work. Wares commences in ashery to day. W. 7th: quite cold day. Brooks & Wm Chops at the door. Wares commenced this morning but quit work on the act of wood & cold. Thursdy: Brooks & Wm at Woods. Wares not here. Warner with with |s/r| team yester with a load boards to Bing’n. Friday: quite cold. McKebby goes to G|reat]. Bend for goods. Brooks about. Sat. Feb'y 10th 1849: Pleasant day. Wm gone to the Bend after goods. Brooks about. Warner, I suppose, Choping. Monday 1 2: Snow most of the day. Sol. McK. comes in place of Wm, cuts wood. I Ie and Brooks at the door &c. Tuesdy 13: Pleasant. Sam’l & Lydia return from Oxford. Brooks draws wood. McKebby about yard. Wares in ashery Yesterday & today. Wedy 14: pleasant part of the day. Sol. Returns and Wm comes up with oats. Wares in ash’y. Brooks about. Thursday 15: good weather, quite cold. McKebby goes to Bing’n with Lumber. Brooks about. Wares at work in yard. Friday 16: clear & cold. Wares about, and Brooks about. Wm returns with planks. Sat.: Pleasant day. McKebby only at work. Warner and Brooks gone. Wares for himself. Warner says he has lost 2 1 days to last cven’g. Mondy: good weather, but cold. McKebby goes to Bing’n with lumber. Brooks not here. Tuesdy 20: cold & snows most of the day. Chapman goes to Monesdale. McKebby returns. Brooks about, works say 2/3 day. Wedy 21: weather moderate. McKebley goes to Bing’n with board, sleiging good. Brooks helps Warner some &c. Thursdy 22: quite cold, some snow. Brooks about. McKebby brings 30 B. Lime for Williams. Fridy 23: quite warm & pleasant. McKebby draws straw and Wood. Brooks about. Chapman returns from Monesdale. Sat 24: Brooks and McKebby about. M 26: quite warm day. snows goe off fast. Brooks draws hay from Fuller. McKebby not here. Tuesdy: I went to G|reat|. Bend & returned on Wedy. McKebby nor Warner have worked this week. Wedy Feby 28th 1849: Warner went yesterday with a load of bis furniture, returned to day. Wares has been in ashery, I suppose, he went to the G| real |. Bend Monday for me. Brooks about. |March 18491 Thursdy M. 1st: some rain. McKebby & Brooks work about home (B. draws ashes). Mulnix has mooved to day into my farm house. Warner dont work. 201 I Benjamin Sayre s Account Book, / 848-49 5.3 [March 18491 2d: Snows most of the day a little. Brooks draws some ashes. Wm chops wood by the door. Wares, 1 expect, in ashery. Warner nor Mulnix work to day. Sal 3d: quite pleasant. Pretty good sleighing. Brooks goes to Springville with hides & gets some ashes. McKehby works at wood &c. Wares all of the week in ashery. Warner & Mulnix both commenced to day (been choping). Mulnix commenced today for 1 Year for $200.00. Mondy: good weather. Wm & Joseph Shipman, Mulnix & Wm been getting out Timber for a shed &c. Brooks also. Wares in ashery. Chapman goes to Binghamton. Tuesdy: Storms most of the day, frozen rain. Mulnix, Warner, Wm & Brooks commenced at the timber but broke off on the account of the storm. John about 1/4 day. Wcdy 7: some rain. Mulnix, Wm & Warner Choping &c. Put 14 geese & 2 Ducks on farm. Thursdy 8th: quite cold and Blustery. Brooks goes Ploughs & skins to Springville & brings back ashes. M„ Wm and Warner at Timber &c. Sam’l has gone to Bradford Co. Fridy: good weather. Mulnix, Wm & John at Timber &c. John goes with oxen to help Dunmorc this PM. Brooks been with Lumber to Jessup farm. Sat 10: good weather, but quite cold, sleighing about spoild. Wm has worked about house 1/2 day, his month out last night. Brooks work but 1/2 day. Mulnix & Warner at farm &c. Wares been all of the week in ashery. Mondy March 18 (9 12th: good weather. Mulnix Choping. Brooks & John start with Oats, soap & ashes for Honesdalc. 1 have been to Jessup farm. Tuesdy 13: Pleasant day. both Shipman Mulnix & Warner at frame. Meckler Came to day about II Clock to commence work for the season at $12.00 per Month, went this PM to Mulnix. Wcdy 14: Snows some, roads getting pretty bad. fields are mostly covered with snow. Shimpan, Mulnix, & Meckler at frame. John not there to day. Calf is about one week old to day. Thurs'y 1 3: Some froze rain. Teams returned. Mulnix & Meckler at work only at farm. Fridy: good weather. Brooks draws some wood, &c. Mulnix, Meckler, and Warner at work. A. Johnson about. Sat 17: Brooks goes with siding to McKehby. Mulnix & Meckler at work. Wares all the week at ashery. Ab’mJ. about. Mondy 19: good weather. Brooks goes to Bing'n over the hills. Shipman at frame. R. Harrow commenced to day at $9.00 per month. Abe about. Tuesdy: Windy, appears of rain. Abe has been drawing Leached ashes <K wood. Brooks returns with Lime, 20 B. hands as yesterdy at the frames &c. Wcdy 21: some rain this P.M. Brooks & Johnson about. B. has drawn a load of frame. Mttl'x. 22d: quite cool, a little snow fell last night, but about all gone. Brooks dont work. Ab’m about. Friday 23d: good weather. Shipmans at frame. Mulnix & his man at wood &c. Brooks & Ab’m draw some wood &c. 54 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 47 |March 1849| Sat: good weather. Wares at ashery all of the week. Ab’m not worked to day. Brooks mooving wood &c. Shipman at frame, also Mulnix & the others. Monday March 26th 1849: Monday cold anti blustery, raised my shed & Poultry house at farm. Shipman & my 3 men at farm at work. Brooks & Ab'm draws wood &c. Wares not at work (half rain). Ab’m draws wood &e. 27: cold day. hands at farm Choping. Brooks draws manure. Ab’m draws lumber for Torrey. 28: Cold rain all day. Meekler & Russel, Brooks & Ab'm about here shelling corn &c. &c. 29 Thursday: Cloudy, hands at farm Choping &c. Brooks about. Ab'm about yard. Fridy: Cloudy, a little rain. Brooks draws manure, no others at work except farm hands. Sat: Pleasant day. Mulnix, Wares, Boyd, man, & both Shipmans at my frames (Win say 2/3 day). Harrow & Meekler drawing stone AM. this AM Meekler has gone to my farm with cattle. |April 1849] Monday April 2d: “I have agreed to work for Benj’n Sayre six months commencing this day for Eleven dollars per Month & what ever balance their should be due me at the expiration of the time I agree to take in good obligation against other persons that are due & collectable such as 1 will garantee. James Slocum.” Brooks has drawn manure, wood &c. J. Shipman, Wares, Mulnix, & Slocum been at frame. (Mulnix absent say 1/2 day. went to F.[orest| Lake.) Tuesdy: very pleasant. Mulnix, |. Shipman, Boyed 1/2 day, his man, & Slocum on frame, also Wares. Harrow & Meekler drawing manure & Ploughing. Joe cuts wood. Brooks draws manure. Wedy 4: good weather. Chap'n start for Luzerne with 3 Bll. ashes, hands at frame as yesterday except Wares, he works for himself, other hands the same as yesterday. Thursdy: good weather. I have been to Jessup farm. Carpenter & man at work as yesterday. Brooks been draging. Friday April 6th 1849: good weather. Mulnix, Slocum, Harrow & Brooks Plowing, sowing Wheat &c. &c. Meekler AM at farm, PM here at yard. J. Shipman at frame, got through for the Present. Chapman returns from Wyoming. Sat.: good weather, hands at farm puting in wheat. Brooks about, not done much this PM. Cushman team Been to Bing'n after lime for me. Mondy: good weather. Meekler drove up my young Cattle from farm. Slocum drags AM, this PM draws hay from Fuller. Russel spreds manure tve in orchard. Brooks goes with lime &c to Jessup farm. Mulnix laying wall. Wares at ashery. Tuesdy 10: cold Easterly wind, some rain. Slocum & Russel been Ploughing Orchard. Brooks about, draws some manure. Mulnix and Meekler at farm. Wares at ashery. Benjamin Sayre’s Account Book, IS iB- i'J 2011 55 |April 18491 Sat 14: Weily 1 went to Honesdale. good weather till last even’g when I returned when it rained, to day we have had heavy wind & snow squals & quite cold and frezing. Wares all of the week in ashery. hands at the farm all of the week. Brooks has not worked to day. Mondy 16: very cold, ground frozen, hands at farm. Brooks about. Wares draws wood & boards himself for me from his wood. Tuesdy: pleasant & more moderate. Brooks about. Chapman starts for Wyoming. Wares works for himself to day. hands at farm. Wedy 18: Snows hard all day. Brooks and Meckler about barn yard &c. Wares in ashery to day. Thursdy: The snow has fallen about one foot, has wasted away considrable to day. Meckler and Brooks about yard. Chapman returns. Fridy: Snow remains on the ground, hands choping. Brooks about. Sat. 21st April: good weather, the snow has wasted quite fast. Brooks has drawn hay from Pullers farm. Wares has worked 2 days this week, hands at farm. Tuesdy: good weather. Brooks goes after Cart to Cradles, &c. Chapman sets out for Honesdale with [illegible] &c. Wares in ashery yesterday & to day. Brooks dont do much this P.M. Wedy 25th: good weather. Brooks sets out some trees &c. Wares at ashery. hands at farm. Thursdy: good weather. Chapman returns. Brooks sets some trees <S:c. Slocum came this PM from farm, heen ploughing garden. Friday 27: Slocum plouging garden. Brooks spliting wood at ashery &c. hands at farm are at work at the wall near the house. Wares all this week in ashery. Boyd & man most of the week at work in my house, at Bentley rooms, &c. Bentley got my horse Thursday noon. 28: Little rain, hands at farm at wall. Brooks about. Wares at ashery. Mondy 30: good weather. I have been to Jessup farm, took a hog there. Men at farm as usual. Brooks about. [May 1849] Tuesdy: good weather. Russel from farm at noon, draws some manure in garden &c. Brooks & Joe Smith transplant Currant bushes &c in PM. ). H. Wares dont work this week for me. 2d May: Pleas’t, cold night last night. Sam’l started this morning for N.Y. Russel has d raged my orchard & Ploughed Turrells garden. Brooks has drawn some ashes &c. farm hands burning fallow by the mill. Joe for Wares has worked about 3 hours. Thursdy: Mulnix, Meckler & Slocum at the fallow Lot by the mill. Joe here to day. Russel draging and Ploughing Orch’d. Brooks plant some Potatoes &c. Joe helps him. Friday: good weather, some clouday. two hands from the farm here to plant corn. Brooks burning. Sat 5: rains all day. Brooks, Russel & Slocum worked about house. George dont work. 56 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 47 |May 18491 Monday May 7th 1849: Pretty good weather. Mulnix & George at farm. James & Russel dont work. Circus Kxibition. Brooks dont do much. Tucsdy 8: some rain. James & Russel about house. Brooks draws a load of hay from Fishers place. Wedy 9: good weather. James draws wood. Brooks draws some wood &c AM. goes to Binghamton in I’M over hills. Mulnix & R & G at Lake Lot. Thursday: good weather. James draws wood, the other hands at the Fallow. Brooks returns with lime &c. Fridy: pleasant but cool, hands all drawing wood off & burning brush, ploughing &c the fallow by the lake. Sat: good weather. Monday: good weather most of the day. Brooks goes to Great bend, farm hands all at work. Tuesday: good weather. Brooks goes to G|reat|. Bend. Mulnix dont work, goes to F.|orest] L.|ake|. The other hands at the Lake Lot. Chapman returns from Honesdale. Wedy: C. starts for Wilkesbury with ashes. Mulnix |down?| AM after a leave. The rest of the hands at work. Thursdy: good weather, all hands railing fence. Brooks in ashery. Fridy: good weather, hands on the new lot by the Mill. George here with oxen at ashery lot, has not worked this I’M nor all the AM quite, got dirt in his Kye. Michael [blank| has work about 2/3 day. Brooks in ashery. Sat.: good weather. Russel dont work. George about house. Joe & James Draged. Chapman returns. Brooks ashery. Mondy: hands at farm. Brooks about. Tucsdy: good weather, hands as yesterday. Wedy: Hands at farm except Brooks. Thursdy: Brooks and James [illegible] &c. Plant corn at Lot. Friday 25th: some rain. James & George & Brooks about house cleaning up yard &c. &c. Sat.: good weather. Mulnix dont work today, the other 3 hands at farm. Brooks about, draws a load of ashes from Barber. Wares for himself. Mondy 28: Yesterday some rain. Hands all at farm. Brooks about, weather good but cold. 29: rained last night, some cloudy to day. Sam'l goes to Honesdale. George & Brooks geting the wood off the lake lot. W .3(1: Cloudy and showery. George & Brooks clearing the wood off the Lake Lot. Mulnix and boys yesterday washed shcap. to day laying wall <S:c. Thursdy 31: cloudy most of the day. shower this even g. Mulnix laying wall. Boys clearing fallow. George & Brooks finish lake Lot, this PM work in yard. Wm Cornell commenced work on Monday last @ 8/. [June 1849| Sat: George & Brooks have been at work in yard & garden. 201 I lion jam in Sayre’s Account Hook, /848-49 57 |June 18191 Mondy: George came about 10 Clock, lie & Brooks been planting seed till broken off by rain this P.M. Mulnix & 2 Boys at farm. Tuesdy: good weather. Brooks and George been planting Beets & Carrots. Russel not at work Yesterday, nor to day. Mulnix & James at farm. Wedy: George works for Boyd. Brooks about. Thursdy: d’o, d o, d'o. Brooks draws stone for Boyd. Fridy 8: George about Yard. Brooks dont work, some rain last night & this morning. Russel back Wedy. lost, I believe— only two days. Sat 9: good weather, but elouday. Brooks & George clearing out Yard &c. Mondy I 1: good weather. Dea. Gilbert, Wife and Children came Sat’y. also Dan'l and Mr. C. Porter & Wife came to day. George & Brooks about, have help Boyed this PM. Wares has commenced in ashery to day. weather quite cold. Sat June 16 1849: 1 went last Tuesday with Dea. Gilbert to Honesdale, returned last evening. My hands, I believe, have been at work till to day except James who lias worked but 3 days. Wares 5 days. Brooks 5 & George 5 1/2. Monday 18: good weather. Brooks & George at Sellar garden &e. have planted a few potatoes. Farm hands Ploughing &c. Tuesday: George goes to work for Drenker. Wedy: George returns at noon from Drenkers farm, goes to the Barn Sellar. Brooks & James work on the road. Thursdy: very warm. Brooks & James on the road. Mulnix & George at Sellar. Russel Ploughing. Fridy: very warm, thermometer at 92 Degrees in shade. 90 yesterday. Mulnix leaves off work at 10 Clock unwell, the rest of the hands at corn &c. Sat. 23d: had a good shower hist night, some cooler to day. Mulnix dont work. other hands at corn, Ploughing &c. Monday: I went to Jessup farm. Brooks & George Sellar &c. farm hands at work, 1 believe. Tuesdy: good weather. John Mahonny commences at the rate of $14,00. he & George hoeing in AM, & PM goes to the Barn Sellar. Brooks Ploughs corn. Wedy: hands here all at corn, planted a few hills of Potatoes in the corn. Brooks draws ashes from Barber &c. Wares at ashery this week, commenced Monday & now stops. Friday: the weather good yesterday & to day. hands all at work. Wares sets out for Wyoming with Potash for me & soap for self, time his own time. Sat: Mulnix works but 1/2 day. goes to Harford, the rest of the hands at work. |July 1849| Mondy: good weather. John & George at the Barn Sellar. Mulnix & Janies at Buckwheat Ground. Brooks goes to McK. Tuesday 3 July 1849: good weather, hands at [sv'c] yesterday. Brooks draws Lumber from Mill &c. Wares returned, dont work any more this week for me. Wedy 4th: good weather. Brooks dont work. Mulnix & James at work I suppose John & George at Sellar. 38 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 47 IJuly 18491 Tlmrsdy: good weather. Mulnix & James at Buckwheat. John & George at Barn Sellar. Brooks dont work, gone to Bing’n. Fridy: good weather. John & George at Sellar & Corn. Mulnix & James at Buckwheat & Corn. Brooks not here. Sat 7: a little rain. Mulnix half day. James, I believe, worked all of the week, also John & George. Mondy 9: good weather. Mulnix, James & Russel at farm & John at Sellar. Tuesdy: good weather & dry. hands as yesterday. Mulnix (lame back) works but part of tbe time. Dutchman works for Ann, Maria. Brooks at Sellar. Wedy: Warm & Dr)'. Dutchman nor Brooks work, farm hands commenced moving this PM. Thursdy: good weather, very warm, hands at hay. Fridy: very warm, hands at hay, garden &c. Sat 14: elouday most of the day. little rain in AM. quite cool this evening. John has quit last even’g, work 3 days this week. Mulnix & Boys at Sellar. Brooks at garden AM, this PM at Sellar. Sent on [blank] of this week 12 Yearlins to Canfield to pasture— bought one of him, which makes 13. 1 6th July: very dry. hands all at haying on B. Lot. 1 7: weather & work as yesterday. 18: warm, hands at haying. Jos Smith helps me. Very dry. 19: good weather, hands at haying. 20: hands at hay. some rain. Saty 21: Mulnix, Brooks & boys at Sellar, showers of rain again to day, which is much wanted. Lydia & Joseph return last even’g. Monday July 23d 1849: I have been to my Jessup farm with J. N. Sayre, cloudy for part of the day. Russel dont work today. Mulnix, James & Brooks at hay. Tuesdy: good weather. Mulnix works about 1/3 day (goes to Forest Lake). James, Russel, & Brooks at hay & have finished to day. Chapman, Dan’l and myself halve help some at haying. Wedy 23: good weather. Mulnix & Brooks all day at Barn Seller. Russel 1/2 day at it, helps Kirbey in the PM. James not here. Chapman & I have drawn some rails. Sat 28th: Weather good, hands have all been at work at Barn Sellar for several days, diging stone &c. Mulnix lays wall & James, Russel, Brooks & myself at stone. Joseph’s horses were put into my stable last week. Friday have drawn two loads boards from DeP[ews?] mill with them. |August 1849] Sat. Aug’t 4: The weather has been dry all of the week, hands have been at work at Barn & getting logs to tbe Mill &c. Yester was a national fast, our stables and shops were all closed. Russel went home, not returned to day. Wares helped about 3/4 days on Thursday at Barn, bossed himself. James Dean worked part of Wednesday at Tin shop. Thursday he & Charles Fessenden, & to day have worked at Barn. Christian Kru/.er worked 1/2 day at Sellar. I. Barker came last Tuesday to work at $8.30 per month. 201 1 Benjamin Sayre's Account Book., 1848-49 59 |August 1849] Thursday 9th: The weather has been remarkably [ink blot] till this PM. we have had several fine showers. Parker work 1/2 day. we got a wheat all in before the rains, hands have been at work at that this |«'c| cS: at Barn, geting logs at mill, burning, &c. Friday Aug’t 10th 1849: the weather continues showery. Mulnix, 1 believe, has not worked but 1/2 day. the other hands geting out l.ogs &c. Sat. I I : pretty good weather, hands all at logs. Brooks draws wood &e. Sat. 18th: We have had a dry week. Russel did not work Monday nor Tuesday. Isaac has lost one day (unwell), the rest of my hands have all worked, get logs at the mill, fixing barn &c &c. I have spent the week mostly at the farm. Wares has worked 4 days in ashery. Mondy: dry day. hands at farm all at work burning fallow &c. Isaac 1/2 day & brooks dont work. Wares making soap. Tuesdy 21: had some rain last night & a good shower this morning, hands all at farm. Wares making soap, finishes off. Wedy 22: hands at work. James & Chap'll goes with Team to Binghamton. Thursdy 23: some rain. Teams return with Salt & Lime, also Cushman Team. Mulnix dont work, goes to FJorest] Lake. Brooks works hut 1/2 day. Russel at farm. Isaac here & at farm. Fridy 24: good weather. Dan'l & Hannah goes lo Honesdalc. hands all at farm at fallow. Sat: pleasant, hands as yesterday. Thursdy: good weather & has been all of the week, my men at the farm, also Isaac & Brooks, have all worked this week Till to day. to day none of them work (except Mulnix) except a little w hile in the morning, all attend the Circus. Frida y: rains the forepart of the day. Brooks works 1/2 day. the rest at work. Luke Jackson commences work to day by the month on trial. [September 18491 Sat.: quite pleasant, hands all at farm. Mondy: good weather. Mulnix for himself 1/2 day. hands at fallow. P. Kane commenced about noon. Tuesday Sept 4th 1849: good weather, hands all making fence &c. Sant’l & Babcock commenced Yesterday buying Cattle. Wedy: good weather, hands loging &c. Thursday 6th: good weather, d’o d'o. Friday: had considerable rain fall last night, good weather to day. Luke goes to Binghamton with Team. Mulnix cuts Oats, the other hands loging, drawing stone &c. Sat: good weather, hands all at fallows &c. Monday: good weather. Russel not here. Mulnix works but 1/2 day. Luke, James & Brooks Loging. Pat. draws stone. Isaac draws wood. 1 have been to Jessup. Sam'l & Babcock after Cattle. Tuesday: Good weather. Mulnix 1/2 day. James dont work. Brooks, Luke, Russel & Patrick at work Loging &c. 60 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 47 I September 1849] Wctly: nil hands Inn James at work, Mulnix hut 1/2 day. Thursdy: d o all hands (James 1/2 day). Friday: all hands at work exeept Mulnix (he Butchering Me). Issue went yesterday to Bing’n. returned to day with Lime Me. Sat: good, no rain this week, warm & very dry. all hands at work clearing land Me. Joe Smith & Alby Smith have help me geting my Corn off the Orchard. Smith has husked i days, Joe part of 3. Sam’l M Babcock got about through picking up Cattle, collect them Monday. Mondy 17: some rain. Collected our drove of Cattle to day. shall have about 174 head. I.uke has quit work, gone with the drove. Mulnix, Patrick M James at farm. Russel, Brooks M Isaac help about the Cattle gone to [Waterons?]. Tuesdy 18: Good weather. Sam’l & Daniel go with the drove. James Ploughing Orchard. Russel helps start the Cattle AM, been drawing wood this PM. Mulnix & Patrick at on [s/c] Chapman Me line. Isaac about. Brooks gone to Bing’n. Sat 22: The weather has been good all of the week till to day. appears of rain M a little has fallen, hands have been cutting B. wheat, Corn M burning logs Me. Uncle John came last Tuesday (M Wife), had several drawing dirt to meeting house on Thursday. Monday: have a pretty good rain, has now cleared off. Isaac draws up |Bedd?] M others |illegible ] . Mulnix, Jim, M Patrick at B. wheat M Wall. Parker choping wood. Brooks goes to B| inghamton |. Butcher hog, M Russel R. draws some manure Me. Joe Smith work last week most of a day cutting corn. Tuesdy: good weather. Mulnix M Pat. at wall. Jim, Isaac, M Parker at B| tick |W| heat |. Russel Me. Brooks returns from B| inghamton ]. Wedy: good weather, some cloudy. Joe M Isaac rake II. wheat. Mulnix M Pat. finish Wall at Lake Lot in AM. Mulnix M James commence ploughing in PM. Brooks, Pat., Russel, Parker clearing M burning stumps Me. Thursdy: good weather. Chapman M Isaac both go to Binghamton, the rest at work at farm. Fridy: as yesterday. Sat: weather remains dry. all at hands at farm. Mulnix work but part of the day, Unwell. Parker all of the week. Joe Smith helped to Day. 1’ Kn here all of the week. |October 1849] Mondy: rains all day. Mulnix dont work. Patrick nor Russel here. Isaac, Jim M Brooks Butcher M work about house. Tuesdy: Clouday. Jim M Isaac Plougs Me. Brooks M Patrick draw stone. M. at Barn Yard wall. W.: I lands work as yesterday. Thursday Oct. 4th 49: good weather most of the day. Clouday. J. Deans work 1/2 day yesterday at barn flour. Jim M Issac Ploughing. Brooks draws stone Me. to the meeting house yard. Joe has work 3/4 day at Meeting house. Crossman all day. he has worked one day or more before. Mulnix M Patrick at Meeting house this P.M. Benjamin Sayre 's Account Book, 1848-4) 201 I 61 [October 1849| Friday: ( Monday most of the day. .1 & 1 ploughing. Mulnix & Pat set up Buckwheat, dig stone itc. Joe Smith at meeting house all day. Parker 3/4 day. Brooks with Teams at m. house, both Teams in I’.M. Flint! came this PM, worked 1 or 2 hours, he commenced at $12.00. Sat 6: lias rained all day. Mulnix & James 1/2 day (Lawsuit). Flinn, Patrick, is Isaac been diging in sellar itc. Brooks dont work. Monday: Pretty good weather. Flinn & Patrick at barn Sellar itc. Mulnix lays some stone &e. Jim & Isaac Plouging. also P. McKcbb. Brooks draws some wood itc. Pat. McKcbb commenced work about 1 1 OClock. Tuesday 9: good weather here & Mulnix at wall. Flinn at Sellar. McKcbb drawing stone. Jim & Isaac Plouging. Brooks draws off Corn &c. Wedy 10: has rained most of the day. hands here all worked husking Corn &c. Thursdy 1 1: Rains all day. hands husk &c. Friday 12: Pretty good weather, cloudy, hands at farm drawing stone, Ploug'g itc. Brooks about home, draws a load of Lumber for the farm. Sat.: Brooks goes to Springvillc with hides. Parker 1/2 day (cuts wood). 3 Irish & Mulnix at Stone it |illegible]. Jim it Isaac draw load of bay AM. PM at farm. thrashed a little, draw stones itc. Mondy: good weather, hands all here, thrash buckwheat itc. Jim goes to (11 real| Bend after Minister. Tuesday: good weather. Agreeable meeting itc. Synod meet here to day. hands, I believe, all pretend to work. Wedy: rain most of the day. hands about. Thursdy: good weather. Brooks dont work. Jim 1/2 day. Mulnix dont work. Irishmen at work. Synod brake up. Wc have had 12 |illegible] boarders: Dr Stiles, Dr Cartmel, Doct Skinner, Rev’d Knox, Norris, Free, Wood, Britton. Friday: good weather. Mulnix dont work. (3 Irishmen at work). Jim dont work, unwell. Isaac digs potatoes. Brooks goes to Bing’n. Sat.: good weather, hands all at Buckwheat except Brooks, lie return with 9 Bll Salt. Mondy: some rain. Mulnix dont work. Kane not here. Jim is Isaac about. Tucsdy: some rain in the PM. I have been to Fricndsville. Mulnix & Jim at wall. Brooks goes to Bing’n. Isaac about stone. McKeh draws stone. Wedy 24: showers, weather cloudy it rain. Mulnix 1/2 day. Kane diging out drain here. Jim it Isaac about home A.M., in the I’.M. at farm. Flinn at farm sellar all the week. 2S: good weather. Mulnix, McKcbb, Flin & Jim at Buckwheat, also Brooks it Isaac P.M. Brooks draws a load of Lumber from Foster Mill. Frost— the 1st hard frost we have had was about the 14th of this month. Fridy 26: good weather, warm it pleasant, finished our Buckwheat to day. Keane diging out my drain at Kitchen sellar. Brooks some lumber, all hands at work. Sat: pleasant, hands all at work Plouging, stacking straw, it at drain. Brooks it Isaac go to the G[reat]. Bend after goods. 62 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 47 |October 18491 Monday Oct 29th/ 49: Stormy most of the day. Hands all here & at the farm but not done much. Mulnix & Pat. Ploughed some this PM. 1 believe been thrashing. also Flinn, Jim, Isaac & Brooks &c. Kane about home most of the day. Tuesdy: some stormy. Mulnix & Pat a plowing. Jim chops some. Isaac draws some wood. Brooks goes to Bing'n. Kane at home drane. Flinn thrashing, home settlers with him this evening Sam i <SL Babcock after Cattle. Wedy 3 1: cold frezeing day. some snow squals. Pat'k Kane, Jim & Isaac ahoout the yard AM. in the PM they go to the farm. Brooks returns from B(inghamton], with stones. Mulnix & Pat. Plouging. [November 1849] Thursdy Nov. 1st: weather clouday. Brooks, Jim and Isaac been to Canfields after Oats, Cattle & Colts. Pat Kane, Mulnix it McKebb at farm. Jim commences work at $9.00, all trade. Friday 2: good weather. M. it P Plouging. Brooks it Jim go to Bing’n. Isaac it Kane diging Beets. Sat.: good weather it quite warm. Teams return with Stones. Kane it Isaac gathering roots. Monday: some rain. Isaac goes afer Colts. Brooks to Bing'n. M. it P. Plouging in A.M. Jim and P Kane at garden it about house AM. P.M. Jim it Kane go to farm. Mulnix here this PM underpining, Butting &c. Fairchild worked here last week about 5 1/4 days it has worked to day 1/2 day. Tuesdy: good weather, gather our Cattle to day. all hands at work. Chapman starts for Honesdale. Wedy 7th 1849 Nov: good weather, quite warm. Dorcey commences, he it Mulnix at wall. Pat. it Pat. draws stone. Jim with Cattle. Brooks work 1/2 day (goes after West Cattle). Isaac quit this morning. Thursday: very heavy rain PM it even'g. hands about. Brooks 1/2 day only. Fridy: showery all day. hands work some at getting Timber for shed at Barn. Sat.: Jim returns. Kane left off at noon, showery all day. Mulnix it Pat. about. Mondy 12: some cloudy. Mulnix at Timber itc. Brooks it Pat about home AM. in PM with Mulnix. Tuesdy: good weather. Dorcey at wall. Mulnix, Jim it Pal at Timber. Brooks at stone itc. Wedy: Kane came back, he it all hands at stone it Wall about the barn, very pleasant. Sam'l it his Mother go to the C| real | Bend, she goes to I lonesdalc. Sat. 17: The weather has been good all of the week, hardly any frost. G. Henry came Thursday to work about 10 OClock, has worked the remainder of the week on Barn shed. Mulnix with him. Dorcey left off last night. Jim quits this night. Brooks it Patrick McKebb worked all of the (s/cl. Kane quit to day at noon. Sayre’s account book continues through 12 March 1856.