July 1831
Friday July 1, 1831 Mr. Chesley's house (John) of Epsom was burnt the other night while the family were in bed, the work of an incendiary. His barn had been set on fire twice before within a few weeks. This is a melancholy proof of a malicious and vill[ai]nous disposition on the part of some enemy. He has many, I am told, in Epsom, but no one in particular is charged with it because many are suspected and without truth or sufficient grounds, I think, in many cases. Two or three of the family came nigh being burnt with the house. The gallows ought to be the punishment of such a man who, in the dead of night, will fire the house of a sleeping family. He must be a hardened wretch since he knows that by that very act he may become a murderer. I say by the deed, '"Twill out."
Saturday July 2, 1831 Comfortable weather.
Sunday July 3, 1831 Mr. Peabody preached.
Monday July 4, 1831 Fine warm day. Legislature adjourned last Saturday after a session of thirty two days. This is the 55th annaversary since our forefathers boldly declared these "States" free and independent, whose lives and fortunes were staked for its fulfilment and who resolved "to live free, or die." Many have gone to their "long home" and but an honored few remains, to tell their glorious deeds, to partake their country's happiness and to be their son's bright example. One signer of the Declaration of Independ[e]nce only lives, Charles Carroll; only one Major General, Lafayette; and a remnant of his brave soldiers. How must their hearts approve their former deeds! With what pleasure must they recount their services for their country when they behold the mighty fabric they have reared! Their posterity honor them and generations yet unborn will sing their valourous deeds and imitate "their bright examples."
Tuesday July 5, 1831 Last week a fellow was shot at by those watching Cesley's premises. He fell but, instead of going to see their "game," they run the other way thinking they had killed somebody. When search was made nobody could be found but there was his track through the grass. Brave fellows they must be!! No one can be found wounded yet. There has been another great disturbance at Washington lately by Eaton and Ingham, respecting Eaton's wife. E. challenged I., but he did not except [accept].
Wednesday July 6, 1831 I talk of going to Somersworth next week on a visit.
Thursday July 7, 1831 Lowering all day but did not rain.
Friday July 8, 1831 Folks are now much engaged in huckleberrying.
Saturday July 9, 1831 Mary Ann and a doz. more went over on Loudon Plains huckl[l]eberrying. Very heavy shower this A.M.
Sunday July 10, 1831 Weather very cool, windy. No meeting. Dull work not to have any meeting nor religious services.
Monday July 11, 1831 Exellent weather now for hay-makers. Went to Pittsfield this morn. to get my books which I left there. All busy making hay. Fisk and I went to Epsom to see the ruins of Chesley's house. The premises look desolate. Saw Dickey and had a good talk with him.
Tuesday July 12, 1831 Fine day. Expect to go to Somersworth tomorrow with Capt. Rowell. Fisk has gone to Portsmouth. Davis and Chase are doing our haying. James Monroe, the venerable Ex-President of the U. S., died on the 4th of July 1831 A more singular coincidence can hardly be found in history, the death of the three Presidents of the U.S. --Adams, Jefferson and Monroe.
Wednesday July 13, 1831 Very warm day. When the shades of night are past and morn salutes the eye, Arise my sluggish soul, make haste, In bed no longer lie. Dissappointed in going to Somersworth today, hope I shall go tomorrow.
Somersworth. Thursday July 14, 1831 Started for Somersworth this morning with Capt. Rowell. Have a very hard seat to ride on, being a hard board with no spring. I was very fortunate in bringing a cloak and umbrella for it began to rain before we got into Durham and continued all day. I think vegitation looks no better here than in Chichester. Found Uncle's folks well.
Friday July 15, 1831 Kept very snug at home. I bore riding much better than I expected, considering the violence of the exercise. The waggon was an old go-cart of a thing without springs or seat, rickety and dirty. The day was very rainy and uncomfortable. Upon the whole I had a pretty comical time. Somersworth has wonderfully improved since I was last here. It is very wonderfull when we think that a few years ago it [had] only one house and now two thousand inhabitants or more gaining their livelihood wholly from manufacturing and trade.
Saturday July 16, 1831 Pride is a reigning principle in the heart from the beggar to the purse-proud capitalist; and there are as many kinds as sources from which it rises. It can hardly be said with truth, I think, that all pride is reprehensible, for that which prompts to a virtuous action is good, but that of dress or superiority inherent in dandies and other vermin is above all to be contemned. Little pam-papered, insipid pup[p]ies only fit for a pup[p]et show, destitute of all mal[?] or mental exellences, and filled with frivolity and vice! Almost every village of our country is cursed with some of them.
Sunday July 17, 1831 Two churches are established in this place, Methodist and Congregationalist. I attend[ed] the latter and was highly interested both with the preacher and music. Mr. Twining is a very fine man and a clear preacher, a graduate of Yale College. The society has procured a very pretty organ but have not yet a good performer. The revival has somewhat subsided now, which before has been very promising.
Monday July 18, 1831 Went to Doct. Martin's. He is going to cure me if he can and has began giving pills. Manufacturing is the life of this place without which its flourishing appearance would disappear. Seventy-five yds of cloth is manufactured a week. Trade is good and many houses are building in different parts.
Tuesday July 19, 1831 Rain comes now almost as often as every third day. Crops are good. 'Tis very amusing to see the girls and men pour from the factories at bell time; like bees from the hive they swarm forth to their boarding houses.
Wednesday July 20, 1831 Early rising is nature's restorative and gives health and pleasure. I do not as an[y] sensible [person?] arise as early as I should and as my health requires.
Thursday July 21, 1831 Went to Mr. Howard's in Bridge St. A fine bridge was erected a year or two ago which the water swept away where the present bridge now stands. It is constructed on an improved plan and can support itself without the aid of peers [piers].
Friday July 22, 1831 Visited Capt. James Martin's [wife?] in Orange St. this afternoon. She has had a young son since I was last down and appears to be very proud of her little reinforcement. Capt is now a Depy. Sheriff.
Saturday July 23, 1831 Doct. is now at work in earnest upon me giving pills and drawing blisters. I can bear any opperation better than the pain.
Sunday July 24, 1831 Went to hear Mr. Twining, fine preacher, is liked better and better.
Monday July 25, 1831 Go to the Dr's every day to get advice.
Tuesday July 26, 1831 My side, being blistered, is very sore and troublesome but I hope it will be beneficial in removing the pain.
Wednesday July 27, 1831 James Cowan still studies with the Doct. Thinks he will make a skilful physician.
Thursday July 28, 1831 Aunts Davis and Sanborn were down on a visit this week.
Friday July 29, 1831 Shall not go home till next week, I think. To occupy time I have been reading some. Mr. Stevens has a small Circulating Library from which I selected a book. I just finish[ed] Scott's Waverly, which is the first of his writings I ever read. He is an admirable writer. His style is not that dull, insipid stuff which characterizes the writings of most of our novelists, but it seems to be native and that which will not suffer by twice reading. He shows the manners of the antient Scots and transports the reader back two hundred years.
Saturday July 30, 1831 Abigail Garland has been here from Pittsfield visiting so that, take us all together, Uncle has had as much visiting as he would like for the present.
Sunday July 31, 1831 Mr. Twining sprinkled eight and baptised three persons today.