May 1831

Sunday May 1, 1831 A fine pleasant May-day. No meeting. Mr. Moutton came over last night with another load of Fathers goods. It is very wearisome to sit still all day Sunday and have no meeting nor anything of the kind. Mary Ann is going to Hopkinton tomorrow in the afternoon.

Monday May 2, 1831 I went to H[opkinton] this afternoon with Mary Ann. I think 'tis a fine town by the looks. There seem to be many fine farms and [the] general aspect of the town shows that the inhabitants are enterprizing and industrious. The village is situated very handsomely, it being in a valley.

Tuesday May 3, 1831 Started for home this morning at seven and went by the way of Epsom. All my aunts there are well. Arrived at home at 3 o'clock and went up to "training." The companies looked and performed very well.

Wednesday May 4, 1831 Pleasant day, did nothing of any consequence.

Thursday May 5, 1831 Worked all day upon a box to put my flute in. Felt very tired tonight. Mr. Chase's folks have moved over and taken the mill.

Friday May 6, 1831 Worked all day upon my box and finished it, all but lock. Very tired again.

Saturday May 7, 1831 Worked upon a screw to Fathers hand vice which I broke yesterday! Finished it. Neat one.

Sunday May 8, 1831 Rainy therefore did not go to meeting. Feel very uneasy and have since I came home, cannot tell the cause nor an attendant of the particular disease withwhich I am afflicted. Sometimes I have not a friend in the world, then again the hope of some future good buoys me up and raises my fainting expectations. I have had but little comfort in any place since I left Waterville. I seem to be out of my sphere. Nothing to do. Irksome in the extreme, try this thing, then that, change places, turn this side, then that, but its only but its only wearing away time as cheap as possible. Time lies heavily on my hands. I hate to kill time, 'tis too precious and full too short, but what can I do? I cannot do what I would, cannot work.

Monday May 9, 1831 For my part I hardly know what I am writing this diary for, a mere scratch of unimportant events as they are passing. Who'll ever be the wiser for it? Perhaps some mischevous urchin will find it and be highly entertained with making fun of its contents, but no matter for that.

Tuesday May 10, 1831 A stud horse and baggage waggon put up here tonight. O Dear! I dont know what to say les see c--c-- the traders dont have much custom and folks begin to wash sheep and apple trees begin to bloom and I dont know what else.

Wednesday May 11, 1831 Last evening Uncle Smart came very unexpectedly to us. I was preparing to go down today. Not a great abundance of news. There is a revival in Somersworth now. Uncle has shared in its happy effects.

Thursday May 12, 1831 A very warm, sultry day but considerable south wind in the latter part of the day. Rode over to Uncle Crane's with Uncle Smart. All well, four and twenty relations visiting here this afternoon. Went over the factory. 'Tis a fine built establishment and is nearly in complete opperation.

Friday May 13, 1831 Fine weather. Came back this forenoon.

Saturday May 14, 1831 Uncle Smart started for Somersworth this morning. Fine day.

Sunday May 15, 1831 Fisk, Fellows and I walked over to Centre School House with the design of going to meeting but when we came there we found there was none. Then off we went, through the woods to the North Meeting House to see if we could find a meeting and when we came there met with the same luck. After resting us a short time we went home very tired and dissatisfied with our 10 miles walk, under a very hot sun through bushes and briers.

Monday May 16, 1831 I hardly know what to do about going to College next fall. Sometimes I think I shant till a year from that time, then again I think I shall. Sent a letter to Waterville.

Tuesday May 17, 1831 Rainy all day. We have had an abundance of rain this spring, everything looks flourishing.

Wednesday May 18, 1831 Rainy.

Thursday May 19, 1831 Rainy.

Friday May 20, 1831 Rainy.

Saturday May 21, 1831 Rainy.

Sunday May 22, 1831 Went to Bear Hill to meeting. Mr. Stickney preached his farewell sermon "nothing binding." Shower in the P.M.

Monday May 23, 1831 Fine pleasant day.

Tuesday May 24, 1831 Rainy.

Wednesday May 25, 1831 Fine day. F[isk] and Fellows had some New Rum today from Portsmouth and so tonight we had a tremendous fight caused by "Steam," otherwise N[ew] R[um]. Seven or eight drunken fellows pounded each other like "good ones" for about half an hour then went off home with broken heads and banged eyes, bloody as butchers, each swore revenge, brag[g]ed and boasted like Sampsons.

Thursday May 26, 1831 A terrible breeze this morning about the fight last night. John Lake has prosecuted Wallace, Lane and Daniel for assault and battery, and by the decision of the court Lane was fined $2.00 and cost of court, Sweat 4 dollars and cost etc. It was pretty clearly proved that Sweat struck Lake with a weight. Lane, I think, was innocent.

Friday May 27, 1831 Not much a doing. I sent a letter to E. Hutchin--son on the 16th with 10 dollars in it.

Saturday-May 28, 1831 I think of going to Pittsfield Academy soon.

Sunday !vlay 29, 1831 A remarkable warm day. Went to the North Meeting House. Mr. Swain preached and very loud too. Very fatigued.

Monday May 30, 1831 Going to Pittsfield next week. I sent to Concord last week for a Sallust but there were none in town.

Tuesday May 31, 1831 Fisk went to Concord this forenoon and I tended store, Fellows being at Deerfield. He bought me a Sallust for a dollar and Father paid him.