October 1831

Saturday October l, 1831 This is the first day of another month, the time of the falling of leaves and the decay of vegitable nature. The time which strongly reminds of death who is destroying his thousands daily. Poor George fell like a plant nipped by autumnal frosts; just as he began to prepare for long life, he died, a solemn example to others of what they may be. O may the wicked lay it to heart and take a saving warning.

Sunday October 2, 1831 Oh how wearisome time wears away! No meetings. I would not live here for the best farm in town. I cannot live content nor will not and I think I ought not in such a deplorable place.

Monday October 3, 1831 My health, I think, is much improved, having little pain and being a little stronger. It is certainly gratifying to me to [be] so well as I am permitted to be. I hope by care to regain my health entirely.

Tuesday October 4, 1831 The Messrs. Plumers have advertised this property for sale on the ninth of Nov. at auction if not sold before.

Wednesday October 5, 1831 Rainy all day. Muster at Concord, but rather bad day.

Thursday October 6, 1831 Fine day for muster at Loudon. I rode up with Green. All things went on in fine order.

Friday October 7, 1831 Very fine day. Rode down to Epsom with Dea[con] Tilton to muster. They made a fine appearance. More spectators than soldiers. Saw a great many wonders and sights as is always seen at a muster.

Saturday October 8, 1831 Cool and windy. Winter is coming very fast.

Sunday October 9, 1831 Very rainy and windy. No meeting.

Monday October 10, 1831 Very rainy and windy. Chilly. Nothing remarkable nowadays.

Tuesday October 11, 1831 Rainy still and cool. The "Pine Ground" looks very desolate. Not much business doing. I would'nt live here long for the whole [world?].

Wednesday October 12, 1831 It is very cold, raw weather now; think it will freeze a little tonight. Cattle Show to Pembroke today and tomorrow. Think of going to Hopkinton tomorrow if can get a horse on business.

Hopkinton Thursday October 13, 1831 A very fine pleasant day. Hired William Bickford's horse and F & F's waggon and went to Hopkinton. Saw Mr. Evan of N[ew] H[ampton] at Concord, told me the school never was so pleasant and large before, there being above two hundred students. What was most interesting was that a revival of religion was now in the Institution and town. About thirty have become hopefully pious. Dined at Southwick's. Find all the rivers much swollen by reason of the recent rains. From Hopkinton Village I went towards Warner five miles to see Mr. Folsom, but after all my trouble didnt find him at home. Vexation! Turned about to the village again and staid at Perkins' tavern. Very accomadating folks, I think. That's the beauty of an Inn. Fine evening, such as beaux and belles like to saunter in and talk nonsense. Fine Episcopal Chapel here built of unhammered stone from the quar[r]y, with long Gothic windows and doors. Such mode of building has a fine effect, especially in churches. Very becoming, I think. Sickly with the typhus fever now. Dr. Lernerd died a few days ago.

Chichester Friday October 14, 1831 Went to Deacon Baileys and paid him $5.30 and took what things we left with him. Money goes very hard from me when it comes so hard, must spend some though. Coming home, my old harness broke riding down hill very fast but I stopped the horse at the foot and set about mending it. I dislike very much such old rigging. If there had been a storm, must have been shipwrecked. I think I was in imminent danger of being stove. Tarryed in C[oncord] a few hours and visited my friends. Terrible windy day and cool withal.

Saturday October 15, 1831 Very pleasant day. Fisk started for Boston this morning. Burnet Libbey had had all his property attached by his creditor and [at] last he went away for Mass. to get work. His wife is going to Pittsfield. She is to be pitied, having three children to support. Being an very ingenious and experienced workman, able to earn forty dollars a month, he is rather unsteady and a spendthrift. It is a hard thing to get money but a greater to keep and spend it prudently. Crane came over and settled with David M. Carpenter for an account of Father's, being cash, by giving his note of fifty dollars and for damage and costs, thereby stopping a scire facias which was got out against him. Carpenter agreed to wait a year and make some reduction on the face of the note. The original debt was forty-four dollars. Mr. Stephen Rand's wife died today of the consumption.

Sunday October 16, 1831 Very pleasant day and withal quite warm in middle of the day. No public worship in town. vexation of spirit and weariness of the flesh. This must be a town devoted to the severe displeasure of God ere long if reform in morals and religion takes not place by the great exertions of his followers. Degraded must be the minds that can grovel in contentment when vice and irreligion stalks in state among us.

Monday October 17, 1831 Moderate weather. Making a diary interesting in such a dreary place as this is impossible unless the mind is better with subjects of the sentimental than mine. Discontent naturally de[p]presses and incapacitates the mind for expansion into noble and comprehensive views of things which contentment would otherwise aid. Not unfrequently I sit a quarter of an hour or more in deep thought after a subject of remark but almost invariably my mind. Is so dull that, after ransacking every nook and corner of my brain, I am still empty. I long to be studying -- to be where Science and Literature dwell and to climb the rugged path with others. God grant me health.

Tuesday October 18, 1831 Were awakened last night by Uncle Salter who came to tell us that Father had come to his house and wanted to see us. Was much supprised, not very well, because I had rather he would [have] kept out. of the way. After half a day's walk round town I found a horse and waggon. Father is well and has been since he went away. Fixed his place of residence at Schenectady where there is an exellent college. My greatest care is for his safety, which I fear is endangered. Rapacious creditors are now ready to jail him and deprive him alike of liberty and the means of payment. With health and liberty in five years he could pay them.

Epsom Wednesday October 19, 1831 Today Father went home afoot before we started, to prevent suspicion that we had seen him.

Thursday October 20, 1831 The "Pine Ground" remains very uninteresting yet. Fisk went to Boston Saturday. Our neighbors geese and turkeys plague us so that I often wish them dead. Unmerciful men! They must think our patience as exemplary as Job's.

Friday October 21, 1831 Mother has gone to Pittsfield on a visit and Father to "Loudon mills" on business. Reading Scott's Napoleon. He is undoubtedly one of the best authors living both in chast[e]ness and perspicuity of style. His writings strongly remind me [of] those of Cicero who "spins out" such lengthy and eloquent sentences as if his mind was an inex[h]austible fountain of noble ideas. One page of such authors as Scott, Milton and Shakespeare and some others are held in higher estimation by me than volumes of that vile common place Stuff which we find in most of our every day writings. nine-tenths of our periodicals serve in no other way to effect the rise of literature and perfection of our language than to lower and depress them, materially -- by the too frequent use of local phrases, and witticisms which flow from the empty brains of vain and unlettered editors. Such was the origin of the decline [of] learning in both Greece and Rome -- when, instead of following the old track of classic language which Homer and other eminent authors used, they introduced strange and useless inovations through vain and ignorant abasers.

Saturday October22, 1831 Sky overcast all day.

Sunday October 23, 1831 Very pleasant fine day. We have had something new today --preaching by Mr. Longley, which is very acceptable even if it is not the best. He appears not to be a very gifted man but rather below the mediocrity in talents and spirit, of which the last mentioned virtue general[l]y decides one's claim to a powerful and effectual preacher. "They say" and I hope, with some truth, that Capt. Emery had made prof[f]essions of a "change of heart." I cannot vouch for the veracity of the assertion although his looks and conversation seem to manifest a real difference in his disposition.

Monday October 24, 1831 Very cloudy threatening rain in the A.M. but in the P.M. the threat was put in force by a pouring rain. Father has gone to Loudon to do a little job there for Mr. Clough. Crane came over in a great bluster today and rather petulant because father is not at home. What trouble we are in! Hope we shall live to get a peaceable habitation. Fisk got home today from Boston where he had his horse stolen from the stable. Cleared away this evening with bright stars and moonlight. I never before formed any true conception of the horrors of the French Revolution, when the base multitude and their still baser leaders, held by neither laws nor by the dictates of reason, were hurried to the most infamous crimes in the sacred name of liberty by enthusiastic patriotism! It is a subject to which the pen of Scott only can do justice and in truth he does handle it with a masterly hand. Well would it be for the honor of France if those scenes could be obliter[e]ated and an impenetrable cloud rest on that space of her national existence. One of the most atrocious deeds of that dark period was the execution of the unfortunate Louis and and his family. Generous and lenient almost to a fault, he lived only for his people under the most cruel treatment; being more able to withstand the tide of misfortune setting against him with magnanimity, than to establish his own power by counter-revolutionary movements. But it seemed as though his fortune was wholly turned against him, for while he endeavoured to fulfil the demands of the people and conciliate their favour, his best measures were unsatisfactory. In fact, he was as deficient in judgement and spirit as he was eminent for levity and good intentions, which two failings cost him his life.

Tuesday October 25, 1831 Comfortable day.

Wednesday October 26, 1831 Moderate weather. Very little busied today about anything. Time moves slowly and wearisomely along. I am well aware of the sin of unreconciliation to the lot and pluck [plight?] Providence has assigned me and that contentment is the essence of life, but my mind is so fully set against Chichester that no consideration can conquer my dislike. I would like it if I could, I would be content if I could. I would revere and love the place of my birth if I could, but then the injuries and misfortunes of my father rise up before me and forbid it, not that I think him wholly free from censure but that others are more blam[e]able. George Porter came from C[oncord] to get me to stay in his store when he goes to Boston. Conclude to go tomorrow.

Concord Thursday October 27, 1831 Driving rain all day. Rode to Concord with Mr. Wm. Lake. G. Porter is going tomorrow.

Friday October 28, 1831 Moderate but some cool. George started in the stage this morning for Boston. Good day to ride. Very little else to do than to sit in store.

Saturday October 29, 1831 Pretty cool day. Sleep at Col. Kents store with Harrison Rolfe. Board at Mr. Breed's, like [it] pretty well.

Sunday October 30, 1831 Very cool day. Went to the Unitarian meeting. A stranger preached in the forenoon from Charleston. Fine orator but still the essence of true religion seemed to be wanting when his sermon was. attentively heard.

Monday October 31, 1831 Crockery business is very poor, I think, but it may be better sometime hence. Col. Kent's folks are pretty well except John.