Luke Keith’s diary entries from September 6 – December 31, 1859

To read the entire diary and/or to see the scans of the diary, previous footnotes, tags of people mentioned, click here.

Sep 6 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Worked in shop on gearing.

Sep 7 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Got watch repaired 75. Paid for alcohol 12¢. Bot taps for Nancys shoes 12. Flanders Brot 93 lbs Flour. Up all night with Ethen.

Sep 8 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Show in town. Bot Hyve syrup 5¢. Bot pears 5¢. Bot taps for Nancys shoes 12¢. Set telegraph poles. Sold my Draft to Flint $30.00.

Sep 9 – Pleasant 62 Abz very dry. Bot 9¼ lbs shugar 92¢. Bored hubs for Parkers cart. Rainy night. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢.

Sep 10 – Rainy 72 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Paid Parker 20 Dollars _____ in part pay for Engine. Rained in the night.

Sep 11 – Pleasant 68 Abz. At home all day.

Sep 12 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Moved my spokes. Sent letter to Robert.

Sep 13 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Went over to byingtons got wheel of B. Hartwell 2. George Tomlinson came in the night.

Sep 14 – Pleasant 47 Abz. Bot 2½ B steak 22¢ one lb Coffee 10¢ one lb candles 16¢. Went over Fathers & Yorks with G. Tomlinson.

Sep 15 – Pleasant 44 Abz. George & I went down to Catharines. Called to Clarks.

Sep 16 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Bot Bottle Balsam 1.00 Bot cheese & crackers 10 Bot _______ 15. 5 cents to music violin & ________. George left for home traded watches with him 65 Dollars to Boot.

Sep 17 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Bot alcohol 12 one spool thread 5¢. Lois & Henry came home.

Sep 18 – Pleasant & dry 50 Abz. At home. Rainy had a good shower. Lois & Henry at home.

Sep 19 – Cloudy 70 Abz. At home. Show in town ole lull and transfer. Lasher Brot load wood ¾ stove wood.

Sep 20 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Went to the show in the Evening 25¢. Rained like fun. Bot Beef shank 10¢. J. York Brot ¾ cord wood.

Sep 21 – Rainy 51 Abz. Bot ½ lb Tea 25¢. Rainy day.

Sep 22 – Cloudy 55 Abz. Rainy. Bot ½ Bushel Peaches 25¢. Mrs Scranlin here in Evening.

Sep 23 – Rains 59 Abz. Bot shoes for Sarah 1.38. Bot cotton 15.

Sep 24 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Hung doors to shop. Wesley here. Mark Caty here. Bot one _____ 12 _____.

Sep 25 – Pleasant 55 Abz. At home. Sarah went to church. Lois came home. Sarah went to church in Evening.

Sep 26 – Rainy 61 Abz. No work now days. Rainy night. Went down to parkers saw him turn piston rod.

Sep 27 – Rainy 63 Abz. Sold old iron. Bot lock for shop & turned cup & oil can ___5. Bot ½ Bushel Peaches 25. Gave 3¢ to Reaper.

Sep 28 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Bot cloth for coat pants for Ethen 192. Bot one lb candles 16¢ one paper 1¢.

Sep 29 – Cloudy 53 Abz. Bot buttons for Ethens coat & thread 13¢.

Sep 30 – Some rain 66 Abz. Edwin Flanders went toYpsilanti. Went up to Flanders got some timber.

Oct 1 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Bot pork 53 of W____ Blake.

Oct 2 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Went up north over _____ Aldidges hill saw _____ cutting up corn. Mrs Cross Babtised.

Oct 3 – Pleasant 42 Abz. Made Blocks for B. Clark. Bot Receipts 10¢.

Oct 4 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Saw a steam Plow on the Freight train going east.

Oct 5 – Cloudy 61 Abz. Cleared out the barn. Bot dye stuff for coloring 15.

Oct 6 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Bot thread & silk 8. Car burnt[?] on the 2 oclock train.

Oct 7 – Cloudy 42 Abz. At home. Race broke out run into my cellar & well in the night.

Oct 8 – Rainy 42 Abz. Issac Wing & Brother called here. Bot 4¾ lbs salt pork 46¢.

Oct 9 – Pleasant 28 Abz heavy frost. At home all day. Three trains through to day.

Oct 10 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Filed saw for E. M. Clapp one for Earl. Lasher brot sixteen bushels corn & ¾ cord wood.

Oct 11 – Rainy 45 Abz. Worked on road. Harvey came here. Bot Shugar 50¢ Bot Beef 10¢.

Oct 12 – Rainy 49 Abz. Harvey here. Harvey left Ethen went with him. Worked on the road afternoon. Bot one lb candles 16¢.

Oct 13 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Cleaned out the cellar. Rainy day. Matilda called here.

Oct 14 – Pleasant 46 Abz. W^m Tomlinson called here. Bot cambric. Went over to Fathers.

Oct 15 – Pleasant 38 Abz. At home. Saw Dr De Normandy. Bot _____ Beef 37½¢. Horse show at Kalamazoo. Flora Temple _____ her best time 2 m 17¾ sec.

Oct 16 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Bot cake soap 10¢ five turnips 5¢. Went up to Yorks. Alfleda[54] came here. Caty & Mark.

Oct 17 – Rainy 56 Abz. Alfleda left. Bot soap & Sal Soda 1.50.

Oct 18 – Cloudy & cool 41 Abz. Went up to Mr Flanders after Ethen. Letter from G. T.

Oct 19 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Made saw B____ & filed saws.

Oct 20 – Cloudy snowed some 33 Abz. Bot ½ lb Tea 30. Went down to Marks.

Oct 21 – Cold snow some 30 Abz. At Catharines came home. Brot two bushels wheat one bag apples.

Oct 22 – Cloudy one inch snow 33 Abz. Sorted corn. Went down to Babcocks. Brot two bushels wheat.

Oct 23 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Went over to Fathers with Uncle Chi.

Oct 24 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Dug potatoes. Pleasant.

Oct 25 – Foggy morning 36 Abz. Dug potatoes. Bot dresses for Hannah & Nancy 1.25.

Oct 26 – Cloudy 46 Abz. Dug potatoes. Bot one lb candles 16¢. Bot medicine of De Normandy 3.00.

Oct 27 – Pleasant 28 Abz. At home. Got medicine for Ethen 6.00. Dug my potatoes in garden buried cabage.

Oct 28 – Cloudy 29 Abz. Dug potatoes. Snowed. Got my Engine in the Evening.

Oct 29 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Finished gigging potatoes. Had some 20 bushels. Recd letter from G. T. Lasher worke half day.

Oct 30 – Snows 30 Abz. At home. Lois came home was sick. De Normandy here.

Oct 31 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Worked on Engine some. Wesley & Wallace Earl came to the shop. Bot Nancy shoes 75 needles __¢.

Nov 1 – Cloudy 30 Abz. York Brot one cord wood. Lasher Brot cord stove wood. Father & mother here. Lois at home. Bot Beef Shank 10¢.

Nov 2 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Worked on Engine. Four Engines went East. De Normandy went home.

Nov 3 – Cloudy 36 Abz. Worked on Engine some. Lois at home.

Nov 4 – Smoky 59 Abz. Worked in on Engine. Made pump pipe for Father. Bot 59 lbs Bran 28¢. Dry & warm. Lasher Brot 16 Bushels _____.

Nov 5 – Smoky 55 Abz dry & warm. Went over to Fathers put in pump. Deed came for Dr Babcock.

Nov 6 – Pleasant 32 Abz. At home. Got one lb salratas 10.

Nov 7 – Cloudy 38 Abz. Worked in shop some. Wesleys folks came in Evening. Smoky and dry.

Nov 8 – Smoky 56 Abz. Bot 3 lbs Pork 26¢. Went down to Catharines got load turnips. Rained in the night.

Nov 9 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Worked in shop. Rainy day. Bot 2 lbs candles 22¢.

Nov 10 – Rainy 32 Abz. Put up stove in shop. Lasher here carried bushel corn to mill. Bot one pt alcohol & one lb shugar 25.

Nov 11 – Cloudy 29 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Carried Butter to Miss Hoxie.

Nov 12 – Rainy 42 Abz. Bot 1/2 lb Tea 30¢. Went down town. Lasher Brot some stalks. Stormy day. Net Oatman buried to day.

Nov 13 – Snows 18 Abz cold. At home all day. Sell held fort in the Methodist Church. Pulled tooth for Mrs Galt.

Nov 14 – Cloudy & cold 22 Abz snow on the ground some 2 inches. Worked round some. Went down to Babcocks & parkers. Saw parkers Engine run.

Nov 15 – Pleasant 12 Abz. Went over to Fathers.

Nov 16 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Osker Keith here this morning Bot _____ 10¢. Old Mrs Pond died. Sent letter to Mrs Betts.

Nov 17 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Worked in shop some. Bot pork 4 lbs 28¢.

Nov 18 – Misty 45 Abz. Made saw frame for Bachelder. Sarah & N & H[55] went down to Lois.

Nov 19 – Rainy 38 Abz. Worked in shop some. Sarah came home. Bot sulpher & shugar 17. Ida Potts[56] died.

Nov 20 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Went over to Fathers.

Nov 21 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Rimed one of Marks wheels. Bot medicine for children 8¢.

Nov 22 – Rainy 40 Abz. Worked on Marks wheel. Father Brot 102 lbs Beef.

Nov 23 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Went down and got Likenesses taken paid one Dollar. Lasher Brot 16 Bush corn.

Nov 24 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Mark Brot over 355 feet lumber Bass Boards. Sent Deed Back to Pavilion 6¢.

Nov 25 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Worked in shop. Thunder storm in Evening. Mrs Cory here Eunice.

Nov 26 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Worked in shop. Filled tooth for C. Johnson one for Lib Ransom. Bot 20 lb salt 25.

Nov 27 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Father Alvan & J Flanders here.

Nov 28 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Sawed out Berms for Richardsons Bobs. Bot some Belladonna[57] for children 5¢. Extracted tooth for Mrs Milham.

Nov 29 – Pleasant 27 Abz. Went over to Fathers saw Volina. Sawed out Berms. John H Fraser paid me two Dollars.

Nov 30 – Pleasant 35 Abz. Worked in shop some. Jo York Brot cord wood. Rainy night.

Dec 1 – Rainy 62 Abz. Worked on Yorks wheel. Went over to Fathers at night. Got Deed from G. T. Bot Beer 10 postage 3.

Dec 2 – Snowy 26 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Recd letter from G. T.

Dec 3 – Pleasant 13 Abz. Bot 50 lbs flour 11/-. Sent letter 3. Got shoes tapt 30 Bot ½ lb tea 31. Sold set runners to Freeman 2.25. Lasher Brot Corn 6 Bushels 54 Bushels in all.

Dec 4 – Snows some 19 Abz. At home all day. No trade yet with Bob.

Dec 5 – Smoky 32 Abz. Recd money From Babcock. Paid Lasher 15 Dollars. Bot Box matches 6.

Dec 6 – Rainy 32 Abz. Bot Draft of A. L. Mason 555.17. Went over to school house & saw Henry. Got boots tapt 44.

Dec 7 – Cold & snowy 6 Abz. Paid Mary 75 cts. Flanders Brot load Straw. Bot one qt vinegar 5.

Dec 8 – Pleasant 2 Abz. Worked on bobs. Bot incirsion 17.

Dec 9 – Pleasant 23 Abz. Repaired wheel for Race 1.00.

Dec 10 – Pleasant 14 Abz. Went over to Fathers got straw cutter. Mary Childs here. Bot spool thread 5. Richardson Brot load wood.

Dec 11 – Cloudy 36 Abz. At home all day. Alvan here T Flanders here.

Dec 12 – Pleasant 14 Abz. Childs paid 3.00. Paid school tax 4.00. Lois came home. Sent Draft to George $555.17.

Dec 13 – Cloudy 17 Abz. Sick with ralgia. Deyoes folks here to tea. Bot pants 2.49.

Dec 14 – Pleasant 10 Abz. Bot cloth for coat and vest. Went over to Fathers. Mary Stevens left for York State. Jesse W Turner[58] here.

Dec 15 – Pleasant 16 Abz. Lasher got back Brot Dr Bakers trunks. Lumis Robinson called here. Sarah went over to Clarks. Sent one Dollar to get Book.

Dec 16 – Pleasant 13 Abz. Went over to Lashers. Sarah gone to Clarks. Bot Beer 5. E setled with Lasher took Note 16.84 cts.

Dec 17 – Cloudy 28 Abz. Ethen & Nancy gone over to Fathers. Went over to Fathers. Sarah came home. Bot shoes 1.25 Bot oil 28¢ Pop corn 3¢ Knife blade 85.

Dec 18 – Snows some 32 Abz some 3 inches snow. Sarah went to Church in the new church. Lasher left.

Dec 19 – Snowey 30 Abz. Worked in shop. Snowey day. Charles & J. Millham here. Cut mittens for Lynch.

Dec 20 – Cloudy 20 Abz. Worked on bobs. Lent E. W. Gale nineteen Dollars. Got letter from G. T. Bot 5/8 auger 35¢ Bot Bale wicking 5.

Dec 21 – Good sleighing 4 Abz. Charly Brot one & ¾ cord stove wood. Bot Saleratas 10. Gave Ethen 10¢. Worked on Bobs.

Dec 22 – Cold 7 Below z. Worked on bobs. Wesley here in Evening.

Dec 23 – Cold 2 Abz. Finished Chales Bobs. He took them away.

Dec 24 – Cold 10 Abz. Bot Flour 11/- Bran 29¢ Boots tapt 30 apple book 25¢ comforter 18¢ mittens 25¢ candy 5¢ combs 38¢ comforters 25¢.

Dec 25 – Pleasant 14 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Dec 26 – Cloudy 27 Abz. Went over the river. Father & mother here. Ed Gale paid me 19 Dollars. Went & saw the Bell Ringers 25¢.

Dec 27 – Cloudy 19 Abz. Worked in shop T. Flanders here. Pulled tooth for Kit Matthews 25¢. Alvan here.

Dec 28 – Snowy & blustrous 14 Abz. Worked in shop. Sarah Bot dress &c 1.53. Oscar came with load spokes.

Dec 29 – Cloudy 13 Abz. Bot ½ lb Tea 31. Horses to Bennets 25¢. Repaired Flanders Bobs. Paid De Normandy 7150. Sarah went to Clarks.

Dec 30 – Pleasant 16 Abz. Worked in shop. Let Charles Richardson have $15 fifteen Dollars.

Dec 31 – Cold 16 Below zero. Repaired cutter thills A. Blakesley. Bot candy 21¢ Bot salt 25.

[54] His sister-in-law, Alfleda (Starr) Keith

[55] His daughters, Nancy and Hannah

[56] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Ida Potts died November 19, 1859 and is buried in the Roof Cemetery in Climax, Michigan

[57] Belladonna was used in the 19^th century to prevent scarlet fever

[58] His maternal first cousin; Jesse was Alvin Turner’s brother

 

Luke Keith’s diary entries from August 24 – September 5, 1859

To read the entire diary and/or to see the scans of the diary, previous footnotes, tags of people mentioned, click here.

Aug 24 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked on Galts buggy. Had some ague. Bot one lb saleratas 10¢. Received letter from W^m Tomlinson.

Aug 25 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Worked on Galts wagon. Hat & Nell here to Tea. Recd letter from G. Tomlinson.

Aug 26 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Went over to Byingtons. Sent letter to G. T.

Aug 27 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in shop some. Bot beer 10¢. Put finger board on Barlows violin.

Aug 28 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Went over to fathers T. Flanders there. Mother went to Catharines.

Aug 29 – Pleasant 40 Abz. (2.00 put in Ex for L. T. Earl. Bot 3 sheets sand paper 3¢.

Aug 30 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Made hicks spring bars. Commenced Clarks wheel.

Aug 31 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Finished Clarks wheel. Saw Dr De Normandy. Bot package medicine __7__. Bot hive syrup.

Sep 1 – Pleasant 43 Abz. Bot alcohol & shugar 25¢ Bot Broom 25¢ Bot Beef 20¢. Sent letter to Ed 3¢. T. Flanders here. Catharine & Mark here.

Sep 2 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Clarks folks here. Mrs Cory & Cory girls here.

Sep 3 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Ague nothing done today. Bot Taps of Cory for Hannah shoes 12¢.

Sep 4 – Pleasant 40 Abz. At home all day.

Sep 5 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Bot pint Alcohol 12¢. Set & filed saw for T. Flanders 25¢.

 

Luke Keith’s diary entries from March 25 – August 23, 1859

To read the entire diary and/or to see the scans of the diary, previous footnotes, tags of people mentioned, click here.

Mar 25 – Cloudy & cool 30 Abz. Worked on picker. Eugene Bronson here.

Mar 26 – Pleasant 23 Abz. Worked on pickers. Flanders Brot 80 lbs Flour. Bot oil to put in my ear 10¢. Lasher Brot ¾ cord wood.

Mar 27 – Pleasant 33 Abz. At home all day. Went up to the burying ground.[35] Emma Clark & cousin here in evening.

Mar 28 – Rainy 36 Abz. Finished pickers. Bot veal 15¢ Bot oil 7¢ Bot turpentine 5¢ got spy glass mended 3¢. Recd letter from C. R. C.[36] Pulled tooth for Freer.

Mar 29 – Rainy & some snow 32 Abz. At home not very well. Filed saw for C. Lee. Elias Sherman here in evening. Got bit to put in Dulcimer keys.

Mar 30 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Lois came home. Lois & Ethen[37] went over to Fathers. Mills got his pickers paid me ten Dollars. Recd letter from G. Tomlinson. Bot thread 5¢ one paper 7¢ one pair Boots 3.75¢.

Mar 31 – Snowey 28 Abz. All went over to river. Sarah bot dress.

Apr 1 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Went up to Wesleys got warm sugar Bot ½ lb Tea 3¢. Fletcher started the old Freight house.

Apr 2 – Cloudy 38 Abz. Bot 5 lbs sugar 10¢ per lb 50¢. Bot one pint whiskey 10¢ one lb candles 15¢. Went over to Byingtons got set hubbs for L. T. Earls waggon.

Apr 3 – Cloudy & cool 29 Abz. At home. Sarah went to church.

Apr 4 – Snows like fun 27 Abz. Went to town meeting. Caty Chaffe & Toot here. Mark[38] left his bugy. Charles Lee Brot 7 lbs sugar 10¢. Ethen went down to Catharines. Windy.

Apr 5 – Cloudy 26 Abz snow some 3½ inches deep. At home. Bot 2 lights glass 12¢. Flanders Brot load hay. Cold wind.

Apr 6 – Cold 31 Abz. Went over to Taylors got some roots for Cridland. Set some glass. Wheeler here. Bot glass 16¢ Bot allum 3¢. Cold wind.

Apr 7 – Pleasant 35 Abz cold wind. Shelled some corn. Wheeler left. Bot one plane bit 25¢.

Apr 8 – Some snow 28 Abz. Worked round garden. Oscar Keith[39] here. Deyoes folks here to Tea. Fraser Brot his wagon got Ex stick of Cross. Got corn growing. Lasher Brot almost cord of wood.

Apr 9 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Oscar left this morning. Took Frasers wagon peaces. Commenced smoking Hams. The Burdick Marganized Signor.

Apr 10 – Cloudy 40 Abz. At home. Rainy day. Finished smoking Hams.

Apr 11 – Cloudy 61 Abz warm. Worked on Frasers Ex. Bot Bitters 10¢ one glass Beer 5¢. Let Pond have 25¢.

Apr 12 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Finished Frasiers Ex commenced Marks. Bot paper Envelopes & pens 25¢. Hen came of with two chickens.

Apr 13 – Cloudy & some rain 48 Abz. Worked on Marks Ex Mark came up. Ethen came home Sarah went down to Barbers. Rainy night.

Apr 14 – Cloudy 51 Abz. Finished Marks Ex rimed out hubs. Sarah went to church meeting. Gave Alvan Burdic his final discharge. High wind all day & most of the night. Austin moved.

Apr 15 – Snow on the ground 28 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Frasier got his wagon.

Apr 16 – Pleasant ground covered with snow 31 Abz. Bot 4 lbs nails 20¢. Put Battens on the barn. Adelbert Earl & Addis here. Dell brot violin to be repaired paid me one Dollar.

Apr 17 – Snows like fun 33 Abz. At home. Sarah went to church.

Apr 18 – Pleasant 28 Abz no snow. Lasher Brot ¾ cord wood. Got my Deed. Sent Crids seeds. Mark got his buggy. C. Lee here. Bot ½ lb Tea 31¢ one lb Sals 10¢ Beer 5¢. Burdicks had their trial 70 Dollars fine.

Apr 19 – Pleasant 37 Abz. Mended Streators seat & Blind for Mix. Sarah went to Wisemans.

Apr 20 – Rainy 44 Abz. Made ax helves. Put top on violin. Medicine pedler here. Streator took the assessment got his seat.

Apr 21 – Cloudy 39 Abz. Put some Battens on Barn. Lumis Robinson here.

Apr 22 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Worked on Byingtons Exes. Lois at home. Bot one paper tacks 5¢.

Apr 23 – Pleasant 29 Abz. Worked round the house. Mended Sam Lanes violin. E. Flanders brot some Hickory for helves. Bot one lb candles 17.

Apr 24 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Went over to Fathers Jo & Hellen there. Old Mrs Wheaton[40] died this morning.

Apr 25 – Cloudy 41 Abz. Cleared of garden & measured Moses lot. Bot deed 5¢. Rained in the night.

Apr 26 – Cloudy 44 Abz. Went over to Fathers after Team. Rainy. Old Mrs Wheaton Buried. York Brot me four Hens.

Apr 27 – Cloudy cool 40 Abz. Plowed my garden. Lois here. Wheeler came here.

Apr 28 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Worked round garden. Wheeler here raked of the front yard. Let Johnson have Balsam 13¢. Goods stolen of the cars up at Johnsons curve on the night train.

Apr 29 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Cleaned out cellar. Sarah went over to Halls. Wheeler left. Got Bedstead of Byington 4.25.

Apr 30 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Bot one lb _____ 5¢. Went over to Fathers. Lasher brot load of limbs. Flanders 95 lbs Flour. Mr. F. Lee Brot two bushels wheat.

May 1 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Wheeler here to Breakfast. Went over to Fathers saw Mark & Catharine. Went up to the swamp got gum.

May 2 – Pleasant 51 Abz. Made small thills[41] for Mills. Hiram Potts & Dan Earl left for California.

May 3 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Lamkins digid garden. Bot Bag salt 6¢^. Rained some in the night.

May 4 – Cloudy 55 Abz. Worked on Chipmans wagon.

May 5 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Wallace McLolen here. Put in Ex for Chipman. Sarah went down to Adelines. Harrises[42] had a Boy.[43]

May 6 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Wheeler went to the County House. Bot seeds & nails some screws 22¢. Two organs along this morning.

May 7 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Worked in shop some. Lamkins plowed out my currant bushes. Chipman got his wagon. Poulison Buried. Benjamin Moore paid me fifty Dollars. Batten 23¢.

May 8 – Cloudy 53 Abz. At home. Went up north after the cow. Rained. Lois at home. Mr Clark[44] stayed all night.

May 9 – Rainy 50 Abz. Planted potatoes onions cucumbers melons Beans &c.

May 10 – Cloudy & cool 46 Abz. Sowed parsnips & Radish peas cabbage tomatoes & lettauce &c.

May 11 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Went over to fathers got some potatoes sorgum seed &c. Bot cake soap 4¢.

May 12 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Planted corn for feed. Put in spoke for Ford. Bot things for the children $1.95. Rained in the afternoon.

May 13 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Planted potatoes over to Fathers. Sent letter to Bob one to Dade 6¢.

May 14 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Finished planting potatoes. Lasher worked some two hours came home planted sorgum. _____ 3¢ ½ lb Tea 31¢ ½ lb string 6¢ one lb candles 16¢.

May 15 – Pleasant 52 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church.

May 16 – Cloudy 55 Abz. Worked on hubbs. Bot Shugar 60¢ wall paper 38¢ auger 45¢ fish 3¢. Rained some.

May 17 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Morticed hubbs. Made out deed for Moore 40¢. Sent letter to G T 3¢. Heifer calved.

May 18 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Sold heifer. Got mortgage made. Got pay of P. S. Carmer 2.50. Bot door trimmings & tools 2.69¢^. Bot pail 25¢ mogage 5¢.

May 19 – Pleasant & cool wind 46 Abz. Worked on gearing. Bot two lbs venitian red 13¢.

May 20 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Sarah went over to Fathers. I went to Kalamazoo on small car. Bot shoes for Nancy 75¢ Beer 5¢. Letter to Oscar 3¢. Rained in the night.

May 21 – Cloudy 59 Abz. Made mall. Went over to Fathers. Bot two lbs Butter 25¢.

May 22 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Went up north got a Rabbit. Wightman smoked him out.

May 23 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Worked on trackway[?]. Bot lime 25¢ Bot fish 37¢ Bot oil 2.25¢.

May 24 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Sarah went down to Eds. Ed laid up my wall 1.00. Recd letter from G. T.

May 25 – Pleasant 68 Abz. Hoed corn in garden Bot books 50¢. Recd letter from G. T.

May 26 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Worked on Richardsons Bugy. Rained afternoon & evening. Sarah papered the Bedroom Bot 2 rolls paper 25¢. Old cow calved to day.

May 27 – Cloudy 51 Abz. Lasher load wood. Got Locus of Streator plank of Brown. Went after cow. Rainy. Bot 50 lbs lead 4.00 2 lbs butter 25¢. Sarah went to Thorndikes. Sent letter to G. Tomlinson.

May 28 – Some cloudy 42 Abz. Worked on Richardsons Buggy. Bot 3 bolts 7¢ Bot pair shoes for Ethen 1.00. Found the old cow & calf. Rained in the night.

May 29 – Cloudy 59 Abz. At home. Had a shower afternoon & evening.

May 30 – Misty 54 Abz. Worked on Richardsons Buggy. Bot doors 4.00 Bot brushes 45 Brimstone 4¢ Bolts 4¢ draying 10¢.

May 31 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Painted the Bedroom and front room up stairs and Charleys Buggy. Bot one pound Tea 5/-.

Jun 1 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Painted the bedroom. Went up to Yorks. Rained in the night.

Jun 2 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Bot cabage plants 20¢. Varnished Bugy. Recd letter from G. T. Rained in the night.

Jun 3 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Set out some baga plants. Finished Richardsons buggy. Bot pint cup 10¢ Bot oil 3¢. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢.

Jun 4 – Pleasant cool 33 Abz. Charles got his buggy. Planted melons seeds set out tomatoes.

Jun 5 – Pleasant 39 Abz. At home. Sarah gone to church. Sarah Sell babtised.

Jun 6 – Cloudy 48 Abz. 22 years to day started for Michigan 1837. Sawed out gearing for L. T. Earls wagon. Went over to Fathers one glass beer 5¢.

Jun 7 – Pleasant 48 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo. Saw Banister go up in his Balloon. Bot wall paper and other traps $2.3¢.

Jun 8 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Hoed potatoes over to Fathers Catharine there. Ed Watts[45] died.

Jun 9 – Pleasant 51 Abz. Finished hoing potatoes hoed some in garden. Bored hubs. Paid 1.50¢ for coat.

Jun 10 – Cloudy cool wind 51 Abz. Hoed in garden. Lois came home. Bot one lb candles 16¢.

Jun 11 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Hoed in garden some. Went over to Hartwells raising. Got set Hubbs turned. Bot 5 lb shugar 50¢ strawberries 6¢.

Jun 12 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Went in swimming. Went up to Yorks & Wesleys.

Jun 13 – Rainy 70 Abz. Worked on Deyoes wheel. Alvan & Jerome Turner[46] here. Rained in the night.

Jun 14 – Cloudy 63 Abz. Worked on Deyoes wheel. Alvan came up. Bot two lbs shelack 50¢.

Jun 15 – Rainy 76 Abz. Alvan commenced painting. Bot v. red s. white oil[47] _____ hatband saleratas crackers &c.

Jun 16 – Cool 50 Abz. Went down to J. O. Keiths after spokes got 500 spokes pair 2.25¢. Pay Wightman 1.75.

Jun 17 – About 40 Abz. Left Oscars at seven AM got home about nine evening. Left load down by Nights horse got tire out. Bot crackers & cheese 15¢.

Jun 18 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Finished wheelbarrow wheel. Spokes came afternoon. Bot 6 lbs Spanish white 24¢ Bot gaiters 87½¢. Alvan went over to Kingsleys.

Jun 19 – Pleasant 62 Abz. At home all day.

Jun 20 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Tinkered round house hoed some fixed doors & windows. Alvan painting. Bot oil & venetian red one violin string.

Jun 21 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Planted corn & cucumbers hoed some. Bot 5 lbs S. white 20¢.

Jun 22 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Worked round the house piled up spokes.

Jun 23 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Put dash on Races bugy two spokes in Bixbys wheel tightened one box in Richardsons wheel. Lois left.

Jun 24 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Repaired wheel for C. Risin[?]. Bot oil Spanish white _____. Deyoes folks turned out doors. A Chipman paid me four Dollars.

Jun 25 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Put in Ex for A. Chipman 2.00. Charley got his wheels. Bot 6 lbs shugar 60¢ one lb coffee 16¢. Alvan came back.

Jun 26 – Rainy 62 Abz. Alvan & I went over to Fathers saw Miss Hoxie.

Jun 27 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Rainy afternoon. Mended horse rake for A. McLary. Bot one _____ 2.00 ½ galon oil 56¢.

Jun 28 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Finished McLarys rake. Mended parasol for Mrs E. Mills. Bot 2 violin strings 25¢.

Jun 29 – Heavy shower in morning 72 Abz. Worked on doors. Bot 6 lbs nails 30¢ Bot Whiting 20¢. Old cow out to night. Got load wood.

Jun 30 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Put in the front doors in shop. Bot beer 5¢. Sarah went over to Fathers. Alvan grained the doors.

Jul 1 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Hoed potatoes. Had a shower.

Jul 2 – Cloudy 79 Abz. Put lock and bolt on shop doors. Made fork handle for E M. Clapp. Bot Bolt 25¢ Roll wicking 5¢ turpentine 6¢ cradle finger 15¢.

Jul 3 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Alvan went to Kalamazoo Saw vandusen.

Jul 4 – Pleasant 46 Abz. At home Caty Chaffee[48] here. Bot saleratas 10¢ Bot shugar 33¢.

Jul 5 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Hoed potatoes over the river.

Jul 6 – 43 Abz Pleasant. Put cape on doors to shop. Bot oil 1.00 Bot 3½ lbs Butter 44¢.

Jul 7 – Plesant 63 Abz. Bot turpentine 6¢. Made door frame. Bot matches 6.

Jul 8 – Pleasant 75 Abz. Mended cradle for Wheland. Hoed some in garden. Alvan painted shop. Bot brush 75¢ carpet yarn 2.80.

Jul 9 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Went over to hoe potatoes. Alvan went to Kalamazoo. Bot ½ lb Tea 25¢. Painted stoop floor.

Jul 10 – Pleasant 64 Abz at 3. 96 in the shade at 3. 122 in the sun. Mr. underwood preached at Shafters.

Jul 11 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Cased door frame. Put in cradle finger for J. Wheaten 20¢. Killed my calf.

Jul 12 – Pleasant 70 Abz. Worked in shop some put in cradle finger for Luke Chase 18¢. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢. Beer 5.

Jul 13 – Pleasant 67 Abz. Worked in shop made frame for window. Sarah went to Kalamazoo. Had a shower afternoon.

Jul 14 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Worked in shop on Yorks violin. Mrs Flint Frank Beach & Mrs Rogers & Mrs B­____ here. Alvan came Back.

Jul 15 – Pleasant 76 Abz. Worked round house. Alvan here painted diningroom. Bot Shugar 31 Bot crome Yellow 11¢ one spool thread 5¢ Bot candles 17¢.

Jul 16 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Worked round the house. Bot cag lead 2.00 Bot Logwood 5¢ Bot Whiting 8¢ Bot shoes 69¢. Flanders Brot 50 lbs Flour.

Jul 17 – Pleasant 76 Abz. At home. Very hot day thermometer stood at 2 oclock P.M. 102 in shade.

Jul 18 – Pleasant & hot 76 Abz. Hoed corn. Repaired old Vermount. Had a shower in the afternoon.

Jul 19 – Cloudy 75 Abz. Alvan commenced graining the diningroom. Varnished new violin. Sent letter to G. T. 3¢.

Jul 20 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Worked round house. Alvan finished graining. Bot alcohol 5.

Jul 21 – Cloudy 65 Abz. Headache all day. Alvan painted Blanks for young Norman. Bot 2 ½ lbs mutton 17¢. Jo York got Eds violin.

Jul 22 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Worked on Crosses violin some. Bot _____ 4¢. Alvan left.

Jul 23 – Pleasant 51 Abz. Made fork handle for Bronson 25¢. Bot Ethen hat 41¢ Nancy & Hannah gloves 20¢ one round spoke sham 50¢ sheet sand paper 11¢. Jo & Hellen here.

Jul 24 – Cloudy 64 Abz. At home all day. Negro buried to the county house. Barlow & Tam went north afternoon.

Jul 25 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in shop on gearing. Alvan came here dry.

Jul 26 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Worked in shop. Sarah went to Mrs Beeches. Alvan here put Cross violin together. S. Bristol here.

Jul 27 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Lasher Brot wood. Went up to McLellen after lumber. Bot 15 yds cotton spool thread 1.70 bar soap 10¢ one violin string 10 one hogs head 38¢. Put hair in violin bow.

Jul 28 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Put in _____ for Chas Youngs 50¢. Bot two bushels lime 50¢. Sarah and children went over to Fathers. Very dry.

Jul 29 – Cloudy 49 Abz. Worked in shop some. Alvan here. Sarah went to Mrs. Potts. Very dry.

Jul 30 – Pleasant 58 Abz very dry. Went over to Fathers got lead pipe to water my garden sodering pipe 10¢. Bot ½ lb Tea 25. Started the water in my garden.

Jul 31 – Rainy 67 Abz. At home. Lois & Henry here. Rained very little.

Aug 1 – Cloudy 58 Abz. Headache all day. Jo Flanders & Thomas Flanders here to dinner.

Aug 2 – Pleasant 55 Abz. Worked in shop Mrs. Alberton here. Bot shugar 45¢ Bot Beef 15¢.

Aug 3 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Worked on gearing. Rainy day had a good rain.

Aug 4 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Carried corn to mill Bushel & half. Bot 50 lbs Flour 1.38¢.

Aug 5 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Made mortar. Went to Shaflers after wheat for Mrs Wiseman. Sarah went to S. Newmans.

Aug 6 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Plastered diningroom. Got Boots tapt 44¢ Bot Spice 10¢ paper pins 10¢.

Aug 7 – Pleasant 64 Abz. Cleaned out stove & oven. Went up north underhill preached at H. _____ Shafters grove.

Aug 8 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in shop. Riley Bennet called here.

Aug 9 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Worked in shop some. Went over to fathers. Lasher Brot load wood. Came home with T. Ford paid me 25 cts.

Aug 10 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Made pole for Race. Bot 3 quarts berries 25¢ Bot screws 6¢. James Burnet[49] died about five. Mr. Simonds[50] died about 9 AM.

Aug 11 – Rainy 70 Abz. Stock train left here. Finished Races whiffletrees.[51] J. Flanders & Wesley here. Burnet & Simonds buried. Bot one lb candles 22.

Aug 12 – Misty 68 Abz. Got rifle smoothed out 25¢. Made Blocks for brick moulds. Mrs Hall & Matilda here. Streator Brot some apples.

Aug 13 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Made blocks for Brick moulds. Race got his pole & whiffletrees. Bot nuts 2¢. C. Richardson paid me five Dollars & 25¢.

Aug 14 – Pleasant 65 Abz. At home all day. Very hot.

Aug 15 – Pleasant 68 Abz. Sick nothing done. Richardson Brot his buggy. Bot one lb S. white 5¢ one spool thread 5¢.

Aug 16 – Pleasant 64 Abz. Set boxes in Charlies wheels. Sarah went to Langfords. Bot 18 lbs salt 18¢ B S. white 5¢ one stick candy 1¢ two stamps 6¢.

Aug 17 – Pleasant 60 Abz. At home not much work to day. Paid Mix one Dollar. Sent letter to G. T. Nicholas Galt paid me seven Dollars.

Aug 18 – Cloudy 67 Abz. Rimed wheel for A McLary 1.50¢ Bot one lb Tea 50¢ B Clark[52] paid me 75¢. Rained some.

Aug 19 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Bot paper 92¢. Paid for braid 18 Bot 2½ lbs steak ___.

Aug 20 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Varnished the dining room. Bot varnish & turpentine 62¢ paid for carpet 3.25. Bot pocket comb 1¢.

Aug 21 – Cloudy 58 Abz. At home had the ague.[53] Buskirk here.

Aug 22 – Pleasant 60 Abz. No work in shop. Got hammer hardened 5¢. Bot 5 lbs shugar 45¢ one stick candy 1¢ Bushe & half wheat 1.50¢. Rained some.

Aug 23 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Mrs Ferris Mrs Thorndyke & Mrs Wiseman here. Put the carpet down in diningroom. Bot paper carpet tacks 5¢.

[35] Luke was engaged to Jerusha Crittenden, but then Minerva Payson came to town and Luke broke his engagement to Jerusha and married Minerva. Minerva died just four years after they were married. He then married his first love, Jerusha, who died just a little over a year later. Luke then married Sarah Crawford. Family story is that in the evenings Luke would go to the cemetery and play his violin at the graves of his first two wives

[36] Charles R. Cridland. There are many letters from Charles to Luke, however it is unknown what their relationship was

[37] His son

[38] “Mark” is referred to quite often in Luke’s diaries and it is believed that he is referring to his cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, the oldest son of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee. The Lees were Mormons and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. Mark stayed behind with the Keith family to run his father’s farm. (Thanks to Margaret Williams, Ezekiel Lee’s three times great-granddaughter, for this information)

[39] His nephew, James “Oscar” Keith

[40] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Susan Wheaton died April 24, 1859 and is buried in the Wheaton Cemetery in Comstock, Michigan

[41] The long shafts between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon

[42] Daniel and Adaline (Ralph) Harris

[43] Daniel D. Harris Jr.; Daniel would grow up to be the husband of Luke & Sarah’s as yet unborn daughter, Louese

[44] Believe he is referring to Lois’ husband, Byron Clark

[45] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Edwin Watts died June 8, 1859 and is buried in the Lawler Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan

[46] Alvin Turner was his maternal first cousin; not sure who Jerome Turner is

[47] Venetian red and Spanish white

[48] His niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee

[49] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that James Burnett died in 1859 and is buried in the Augusta Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan

[50] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that David Simonds died August 9, 1859 and is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Comstock, Michigan

[51] A whiffletree is the pivoted horizontal crossbar to which the harness traces of a draft animal are attached and which is in turn attached to a vehicle or an implement

[52] Lois’ husband, Byron Clark

[53] A form of malaria characterized by stages of chills, fever, and sweating

 

Luke Keith’s diary entries from February 23 – March 24, 1859

To read the entire diary and/or to see the scans of the diary, previous footnotes, tags of people mentioned, click here.

Feb 23 – Cloudy 31 Abz no snow. Worked in shop on L T Earls neap. Rained in evening. Lois at home.

Feb 24 – Pleasant no snow 28 Abz. Worked in shop. Shaved some spokes. Went fishing in Evening with Mix. Snowed in the night. John Wheeler here.

Feb 25 – Snowey 25 Abz. Shaved spokes. John Wheeler here. Received a letter from D. Crawford La Cross Wis. No sleighing.

Feb 26 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Shaved spokes put some hoops on my violin. Bot ½ lb Tea 31¢. John Wheeler here.

Feb 27 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Went over to Fathers after noon. Wheeler here.

Feb 28 – Cloudy 27 Abz. Finished shaving _____ spokes. D. Hamilton Brot his wheel. Wheeler here.

Mar 1 – Pleasant 20 Abz sun shines no snow. Got out Hamiltons spokes. Jarvis Muncil here. Stranger here to dinner. Bot one lb candles 15¢ one pint whiskey 10.

Mar 2 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Got out spokes for Hamiltons wheel. Went and saw Mills. Rained in the night. Wheeler here.

Mar 3 – Rainy 40 Abz. Wheeler here worked in shop. Sarah went down to Slips. Bot 10 lbs Potash 1.00. Deyo moved his bench from Stevensons.

Mar 4 – Snows some 33 Abz. Drove spokes in Hamiltons wheel. Snowed some. Wheeler here.

Mar 5 – Cloudy 31 Abz some snow. Wheeler here finished Hamiltons wheel. Put the neck in my violin. Henry[28] came home.

Mar 6 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Wheeler here. At home. Sarah went to church. Put the top on violin.

Mar 7 – Rainy 37 Abz. Wheeler here Jo York here. Worked on my violin. Rainy day. Bot one lb saleratas 10¢.

Mar 8 – Rains some 38 Abz. Wheeler here. Hamilton got his wheel. Bot one bushel & half of wheat 15/-[29] Bot thread 15¢.

Mar 9 – Pleasant 27 Abz. Wheeler here. Made soap. Calvin here. Lois came home. Got some Flour of Streator. Father here. Wheler left. Lamkins brot flour 20¢.

Mar 10 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Plained out Buggy spokes. Recd a letter from P. Betts[30] Omro.[31]

Mar 11 – Rainy 54 Abz. Went down to Catharines[32] had Yorks team.

Mar 12 – Cold snowed some 32 Abz. Came home. Bot butter 25¢. Wheler stayed in my shop all night.

Mar 13 – Pleasant 27 Abz. Sarah went to church. Uncle Chi[33] here.

Mar 14 – Cloudy 44 Abz. Commenced Mills moddles. Bot shugar 25¢ one lb candles 16¢.

Mar 15 – Cold snows some 31 Abz. Worked on Mills picker. Filed two saws for E. M. Clap 30¢. Bot one file 10¢.

Mar 16 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Worked on Mills picker. Thomas Whiting went to Kalamazoo with Fox.

Mar 17 – Pleasant 46 Abz. Worked on picker got wheel turned. Charles Lee[34] here. Father got his straw cutter. Sarah went to Beveres & to church in evening.

Mar 18 – Rainy 44 Abz. Worked on picker. Lasher Brot load wood. Rainy.

Mar 19 – Cold 31 Abz some snow in the air. Worked on picker. First April stormy middle pleasant & rainy.

Mar 20 – Pleasant 29 Abz May pleasant. At home. Sarah went to church. Hat Ella & Cordelia here. Sarah went to hear the She Temperance lecture in evening.

Mar 21 – Cloudy 41 Abz. Worked on picker. J Clark here. Bot bitters 6¢. Not very well. Old Hen commenced setting.

Mar 22 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Worked on picker. Not very well.

Mar 23 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Worked on picker filed saw for S. Earl. Bot Beef steak 4¢.

Mar 24 – Cloudy 50 Abz. Worked on pickers. Snowed some in the night.

 

[28] His son by his first wife, Minerva Payson

[29] /- is the symbol used for shilling. A shilling was a coin of Colonial America and varied between 12¢ and 16

[30] Platt Betts, his father-in-law

[31] Omro, Wisconsin

[32] His sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[33] Luke sometimes referred to the parents of family members, or older neighbors, as “Aunt” or “Uncle.” The relationship here is unknown

[34] Most likely his paternal first cousin

Luke Keith’s diary entries from February 7 – 22, 1859

To read the entire diary and/or to see the scans of the diary, previous footnotes, tags of people mentioned, click here.

Feb 7 – Cloudy 10 Abz. Went over to Byingtons. Calvin Streator here. Bot one lb saleratas 10.

Feb 8 – Pleasant 24 Abz. Worked on Byingtons wagon. Mr Spaulding here. Deyeo got maple of Mr Warner.

Feb 9 – Cloudy 24 Abz no snow hardley no sleighing. Worked on gearing. Lasher here. Father Brot Mary An here. Recd letter from G. T.[24] one from Momence from W^m Peters.

Feb 10 – Pleasant 8 Abz. Worked on gearing. Mrs Bevere here. Mary An went up to her Fathers.[25] My Kettle came home. Mary & Ed Bennet here. Bot cloth & floss 10¢. Mrs Lane died.

Feb 11 – Cloudy 11 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Bot cloth for pants 1.41. Snowed some in the night.

Feb 12 – Cloudy 10 Abz. Went over and measured the fractions for Geo Tomlinson. Lasher led my heifer over. Bot ½ lb Tea 25¢. Durgy Brot load wood.

Feb 13 – Cloudy 18 Abz. Put on my new pants hard times Sarah gone to church. Took the top of Yorks violin. Mr Kingsley[26] died to day.

Feb 14 – Pleasant at zero. Durgy Brot his violin saw A. Hoag. Swaddle called here in Evening. Sent letter to G. T. one one to N. B. Betts. Paper 10¢ candles 15¢ letters 6¢.

Feb 15 – Cloudy 41 Abz. Worked in shop some. Mr. Kingsley buried to day.

Feb 16 – Cloudy 27 Abz. Went up to Flanders. Hellen[27] here. Jerome Turner here. Bot Jug 25¢ Bot ½ galon molassess 28¢ 4 sheets sand paper 4¢. Ed York took Tea here.

Feb 17 – Cloudy 38 Abz. Worked in shop. Swaddle Brot his spokes. Harvey here. Flanders Brot load hay.

Feb 18 – Cloudy 28 Abz no snow. Worked in shop on neap. Had door open all day pleasant as Spring.

Feb 19 – Cloudy 48 Abz. Repaired Yorks violin. Durgy got his violin. Bot 50 lbs Bran 35¢. D. Henyon here in Evening. Some thunder & lightning in Evening some hail & rain snowed in the night.

Feb 20 – Windy cold snow flies 28 Abz. At home. Sarah gone to church. Blustrous.

Feb 21 – Pleasant 23 Abz. Drove spokes in Swaddles hubbs. A Hoag called here. No snow on the ground.

Feb 22 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Finished Swaddles wheels. A Hoag & Wesley here. Lois came home. Pleasant & Warm.

 

[24] George Tomlinson, husband of Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[25] John Batey

[26] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Salmon Kingsley died February 13, 1859 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[27] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

Luke Keith’s diary entries from January 1 – February 6, 1859

To read the entire diary and/or to see the scans of the diary, previous footnotes, tags of people mentioned, click here.

Jan 1 – Cold 28 Abz[1] Rainy. Went over to Fathers.[2] No snow.

Jan 2 – Cloudy 30 Abz. At home all day.

Jan 3 – Cloudy 29 Abz. Jo Sherman here. Father Brot Nancy[3] home. Lasher[4] drawed load wood. Bot this Book 38¢.[5]

Jan 4 – Cold 25 Abz. Worked in shop on violin. Barlow got his violin. Bot ½ lb yarn 44¢.

Jan 5 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Worked in shop. Paid Tax 4.29 Georges tax 10.66. Bot 30 lbs flour 82¢.

Jan 6 – Cloudy 22 Abz. Went over to Taylors to the mill. Bot ½ lb yarn 50¢ one lb ratas[6] 10¢. Elder Sills here & prayed for Two Sarahs.

Jan 7 – Snow 20 Abz. Worked in shop on sleigh. Cold snowey day. Bot screws 30¢ one lb candles 14. Sent letter to N. B. Betts[7] 3¢.

Jan 8 – Cold 3 Blz[8] 4 or 5 inches snow. Finished fathers sleigh. Bot darning needle.

Jan 9 – Cold 4 Blz. At home all day. Cold.

Jan 10 – Pleasant 10 Blz. Painted Fathers sleigh. A. Sumner at the shop. Flanders here with his bobs.

Jan 11 – Cloudy 21 Abz. Painted Fathers sleigh. Jesse Earl here. Bot 54 lbs bran 32¢ one box matches 6¢.

Jan 12 – Cloudy 36 Abz. Lasher came over and killed my pig weighed 252 lbs.

Jan 13 – Cloudy 37 Abz. Repaired wheel for Wightman. Rainy night. Nationals in town to night.

Jan 14 – Cloudy 37 Abz very muddy. Mrs Bennet here & Bennet to dinner. Rainy afternoon snowed in the night. Anna Fries[9] died to night Ae 16 years.

Jan 15 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Covered cistern. Bot salt candles. Got stove hearth mended.

Jan 16 – Pleasant 26 Abz some snow snowed some. Anna Fries buried to day.

Jan 17 – Cloudy 22 Abz. Went up to Yorks. Father got his sleigh.

Jan 18 – Pleasant 17 Abz. Went over to Lashers got pig. Sent letter to Abiah Sprague.[10] Sarah[11] went to Watts.

Jan 19 – Pleasant 29 Abz. Went over to Byingtons. Oatman moved his house. Took tea to Deyoes.

Jan 20 – Cloudy 42 Abz. Went over to Fathers took hannah.[12] Rained some.

Jan 21 – Cloudy 25 Abz. Sawed wood. Sarah came home. Filed saw for Mr Smith.

Jan 22 – Snows 3 Abz. Went over to Fathers after hannah. Mrs Frary here. Wesley[13] here in Evening.

Jan 23 – Pleasant 1 Abz. At home. Wrote letter to King[14] & D Crawford.[15]

Jan 24 – Pleasant 17 Abz. Worked in shop some. Bot 26½ lbs flour 77¢ ½ lb Tea 31¢. Wesley got corn 6 bushels 56¢ pr bushel. Sent letter to King one to D Crawford.

Jan 25 – Cloudy 31 Abz not much snow. Rimmed wheel for A. McLary. Calvin Streator here to day.

Jan 26 – Pleasant 22 Abz. Sawed out one pair bob runners. Flanders here. Ralph got his gloves. Calvin here.

Jan 27 – Snows like fun 32 Abz rained & snowed all day. Worked on McLarys Ex.

Jan 28 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Finished McLarys Ex. Bot G. string. Received letter from Mrs M. Keith one from N. B. Betts two for Lois.[16]

Jan 29 – Cloudy 24 Abz. Went up to Yorks Jo[17] brot me home. Father & Mother[18] here. Got Buck Wheat & meal from the mill. Bot 50 lbs bran 30¢. Cal Streator got his violin 50¢. Lasher paid me 50¢.

Jan 30 – Pleasant but cloudy 23 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church. All well as usual.

Jan 31 – Sun shines no snow 13 Abz. Worked round house & Barn. D. Lamkins here Wesley here in evening. Bent hoops for violin. Race[19] run over. Mr Gero very sick.

Feb 1 – Sun shines Pleasant 30 Abz. Went over the river after my Heifer could not get her. Made axhelve[20] for C. C. Johnson. Mrs Watts here. Barlow gave me an E. string. Went to Barlows.

Feb 2 – Snows some 31 Abz. Made axhelve for Wesley. Mary an Keith[21] came here. Johnson got helve.

Feb 3 – 24 Abz. Filed saw for Joseph Lee.[22] T. Ford brot some flour. W^m McLary brot sleigh.

Feb 4 – Snows 16 Abz. Worked in shop sawed out bob knees. Blocked out foot for T. Sherman. Recd letter from Canada. Some sleighing. Bot one lb candles 16¢ letter 10¢.

Feb 5 – Snows some 12 Abz snowey day. Worked in shop some sawed out gearing and neaps[23] one for Byington.

Feb 6 – Pleasant 11 Abz. Sun shines. At home all day. Sarah went to church. Ed & Mary Childs here to Tea. Snow most gone.

[1] Above zero

[2] Charles Luke Keith Sr.

[3] His daughter, Nancy Keith

[4] While “Lasher” is referenced repeatedly in Luke’s diaries and also in letters to Luke from Charles Cridland, the only evidence found regarding his first name, Joseph, was a receipt in the back of Luke’s 1858 diary dated December 6, 1858 for the payment of Comstock real estate taxes

[5] This appears to be Luke’s symbol for “cents.” It was actually written as a quarter of a round circle slanting upwards to the right (see scan of diary entry)

[6] Saleratus; sodium or potassium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent; baking soda

[7] His mother-in-law, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts

[8] Below zero

[9] A search of FindAGrave.com reveals that Anna H. Freese died January 15, 1859 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[10] Abiah was the cousin of Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith, Luke’s second wife

[11] His third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[12] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[13] His brother, John Wesley Keith who, according to the family Bible, was adopted

[14] Most likely James S. King, his maternal first cousin

[15] His brother-in-law, David “D.C.” Crawford

[16] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark, by his first wife, Minerva Payson. Lois married Byron Clark on March 17, 1859; it is curious that Luke didn’t enter that in his diary

[17] Joseph York, the husband of Luke’s niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[18] Hannah (Willcutt) Keith

[19] An artificial channel or bed of a stream leading water to or from a point where its energy is utilized, such as a mill or a mining claim

[20] An axe handle

[21] Mary Ann (Batey) Keith, the wife of his nephew, James “Oscar” Keith

[22] His nephew

[23] The pole, or tongue, of a cart

Luke Keith’s diary entries from November 1 – December 31, 1858

To read the entire diary and/or to see the scans of the diary, previous footnotes, tags of people mentioned, click here.

Nov 1 – Cloudy warm 45 Abz. Worked in shop some. Sent 3 letters G.T. C.R.C. M.K. Bronson. Sherman & J. Flanders here in Evening. P. Johnson & wife here. Rainy night. Lasher Brot Eleven bushels corn.

Nov 2 – Rainy 50 Abz. Worked in shop some. Went to Election. Very Rainy day mid day. Edwin Flanders got home.

Nov 3 – Cloudy 45 Abz. Worked in shop on Fathers sleigh. Patty came over & Henry came home. Rained some.

Nov 4 – Cloudy 45 Abz. Worked in shop. Killed chicken. Patty went down to Catharines. Henry here. Rained some. Mark came after Patty.

Nov 5 – Cloudy 42 Abz. Went over the river. Lasher Brot 14 bushels corn and ½ cord wood from Yorks. Rainy. A. Blakeslee Brot my stove home one lb & half candles 25^~.

Nov 6 – Cloudy 42 Abz. Worked in shop. Rained some. Hunter Walker Buried to day.

Nov 7 – Cloudy 41 Abz. At home all day. Rainy. Sarah went to church.

Nov 8 – Cloudy 37 Abz. Tinkered round Barn. Hawver Brot his Buckskin. Made glove for Frank Cle_____. Rained some & snowed. Father got his lime.

Nov 9 – Cloudy 31 Abz. Went over to Fathers and set up corn fodder. Got teapot mended. Snowed some in the Evening. Porpoise of the track.

Nov 10 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Dug some potatoes. Toot & Lois came over. Mr Wiseman here. Bot canton flannel 1/- Bot steak 1/-.

Nov 11 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Lasher came and dug potatoes. Father got stove.

Nov 12 – Cloudy 33 Abz. Lasher drawed two loads corn fodder. Rained towards night snowed in the Evening.

Nov 13 – Cloudy 31 Abz snow on the ground. Bot ½ lb Tea 31^~. Bot ½ Bushel salt 28^~. Bot Ethen Boots 1.50^~. Father Brot ½ Ransom pig 65 lbs.

Nov 14 – Snows 27 Abz. Stayed at home. Sarah went to church.

Nov 15 – Pleasant sun came out 21 Abz 2 inches snow. Worked in Barn moved corn. Put up the cow the first time.

Nov 16 – Cloudy 23 Abz. Cut gloves & mittens for Hawver McLary & Baxter. Bot pr taps for my Boots 25^~.

Nov 17 – Pleasant 22 Abz. Went over and got my last load stalks. Mr Lasher drawed them. Patty came over. Snowed in the Evening.

Nov 18 – Snowey & misty 24 Abz. Worked in shop cut out battens[61] for Barn. Patty here.

Nov 19 – Cloudy 23 Abz. Went over to Lashers got him to draw ½ cord wood from Yorks. Patty & Lois went home with him. Flanders called here.

Nov 20 – Cloudy 12 Abz. Set shoes on one bob. Bot Flanders paint. Snowed some. Got corn ground.

Nov 21 – Cloudy 28 Abz snow 2 inches deep. Mark & Lois here. Sarah went to church.

Nov 22 – Cloudy 29 Abz. Mark & Toot & Catharine here. Sarah went home with them. Going to Kalamazoo. Flanders Brot me two bushels flour. Patty left to night 12.40.

Nov 23 – Cloudy 33 Abz. Sarah gone. Tapt my Boots. Had Loucks up for sealing. Sarah Bot Shawl & Dress &c.

Nov 24 – Pleasant 27 Abz. Painted Bobs. Sarah got home. Uncle Chichester here.

Nov 25 – Snows Some 32 Abz. Worked in shop on Ex for Beach. Stanley here in the Evening from Lacrosse.

Nov 26 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Finished Beaches Ex. Old cow out to night. Bot one lb candles 15^~.

Nov 27 – Snows some 32 Abz. Worked in shop some. Put fenders on Fathers Sleigh. Snowed all day and all night. Enos Smith came here stayed all night.

Nov 28 – Snows 31 Abz snow some six inches deep. Enos left for home. Went over to Fathers. Very snowey.

Nov 29 – Cold 10 Abz snow some eight inches deep. Cleared out the shop. Deyo moved his tools. Bot 10 lbs shugar one lb saleratas two books.

Nov 30 – Pleasant 19 Abz. Worked in shop. Flanders Brot his timber for rack to his bobs.

Dec 1 – Cloudy 25 Abz. Worked on Flanders bob rack. Father got his Sash. Deyoes here to supper.

Dec 2 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Finished Flanders bobs. Flanders got his mittens. Sarah went down to Barbers. Snowed in the night.

Dec 3 – Snows 24 Abz. Put battens on East side of shop. Snowed and blowed _____ Mrs Corys here & Mrs Rogers. Lasher Brot load wood.

Dec 4 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Painted Flanders bobs. D. Smith here. Sawed out bob runners for Mose. Bot 50 lbs bran 25^~. Rainy night. Father Brot Boards for bottom.

Dec 5 – Cloudy & windy 32 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Dec 6 – Cloudy 22 Abz. Stoped the cracks in shop floor. Put up stove.

Dec 7 – Cloudy 24 Abz. Worked in shop some. Put on some battens. Very little snow.

Dec 8 – Blustering 12 Abz. Went over to Fathers got the old deed[?]. Put _____ under the doors. Howell here to night concert. Very cold.

Dec 9 – Cloudy 12 Abz. Lasher drawed ½ cord green wood. Put on battens East west side shop. Got letter from J. S. King.

Dec 10 – Pleasant 20 Abz. Flanders got his Bobs. McLary brot load wood. Bot Eye water two bushels Buckwheat of Lasher at Flanders Brot Rooster.

Dec 11 – Cloudy 24 Abz. Put battens on Ends of Shop. Bot gloves for Sarah. Wes brot Rooster. J. York got home.

Dec 12 – Cloudy 29 Abz some Rainy. Lois at home in Evening. By paid me. Rainy night.

Dec 13 – Cloudy & misty 48 Abz. Commenced smoothing my slead put on some battens. Got out all of them.

Dec 14 – Cloudy 28]?] Abz. Worked on _____ slead. Wesley brot Henrys coat. Snowed in the Evening. Bot one lb _____ of Mead 12^~.

Dec 15 – Cloudy 30 Abz. Worked in shop on slead violin accordion. Flanders here Mrs Wiseman & family here to tea. James H. Crawford[62] Died to day.

Dec 16 – Pleasant 25 Abz. Put thills together then painted slead & thills. No snow _____ ground froze hard.

Dec 17 – Cloudy 22 Abz. Mended accordion & violin. Martin Turner here. Oscar Keith here.

Dec 18 – Cloudy 26 Abz. Ethen & I went down to Catharines. Caty & Jef came over.

Dec 19 – Cloudy 30 Abz. All came up to Fathers. Brot the rifle home.

Dec 20 – Smoky 32 Abz. Sawed out bob runners. Snowed in the night. Mr Deyo here. Barlow first violin school.

Dec 21 – Snows some 33 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Saw J. York. Sold Milham 12½ bushels corn 4/- pr bushel. Bot violin string 18^~.

Dec 22 – Pleasant 25 Abz. Worked in shop mended violin bow. Barbers folks here to tea. Very _____. Sawed out knees for bobs.

Dec 23 – Cloudy 32 Abz. Worked in shop some. Lasher drawed load wood. York brot stove. Bot one lb candles 17^~.

Dec 24 – Cloudy 24 Abz. Worked on shop floor. Got Fathers sleigh from shop. Bot broom.

Dec 25 – Pleasant 18 Abz. Tinkered round shop. Mr Huchison here to look at farm. Bot 50 lbs bran 25^~.

Dec 26 – Rainy 33 Abz. At home. Sarah went to teacher meeting.

Dec 27 – Cloudy & muddy 35 Abz. Went up to Yorks & Wesleys.

Dec 28 – Cloudy 39 Abz. Wes came & helped me fix the well. Rained in the night.

Dec 29 – Cloudy 34 Abz. Finished the well. Moved my currant bushes. Snowed some. Ed Wilcut[63] here.

Dec 30 – Rains some 33 Abz. Sawed out two sets Bob runners for Milford Matthews.

Dec 31 – Cold 28 Abz froze some. Worked on Barbers violin.

[61] Roofing lathes, used to provide the fixing point for roofing materials such as shingles or tiles

[62] His wife’s brother; see February 22, 1859 letter

[63] Edward G. Wolcott, his maternal first cousin, the son of Warren and Electa (Damon) Willcutt

Luke Keith’s diary entries of July 27 – October 31, 1858

July 27 – Pleasant 67 Abz. Worked on Buggy. Bot one lb candles 15^~ One violin string 10^~. Had cucumbers for the first time.

July 28 – Cloudy & Rainy 68 Abz. Had a shower about 4 AM. Sarah went and got some Berries. Worked on Buggy Box put on dash.

July 29 – Cloudy 75 Abz. Worked on buggy Box. Sprinkled some. McAlister got his violin 40^~.

July 30 – Cloudy 72 Abz. New engines from Kassons Express N. J. No. 28. M & C. Received a letter from C. R. C. Repaired B. Clarks wheels. Rained a very little in the night.

July 31 – Pleasant 68 Abz. Finished Streators Buggy. Henry came home. Chase Brot his Buggy. B. Spalding Brot his wagon.

Aug 1 – Cloudy 70 Abz. Emigrant Car 108 went west. Rainy day. Henry at home.

Aug 2 – Cloudy 70 Abz. Painted Streators Box put felly for Mark Lee. Rained some had a shower in the evening. Bot cotton 11 yds 2 lbs bran __00. Boardman here in the Evening got a _____ out Boys _____.

Aug 3 – Cloudy 68 Abz. Made an Ex for B. Spalding. Streator got his Box and traps. Killed my Rooster.

Aug 4 – Pleasant 69 Abz. Made thills for A. Lamkins. Clarrissa Starr & __. Neuman here. Killed my Rooster.

Aug 5 – Cloudy 68 Abz. Worked on Chases Ex. Bot Buttons 28^~. Recd A letter from G. T. one from D.C.[44] Rather dry.

Aug 6 – Pleasant 73 Abz. Finished Chases Buggy. Stilwell Brot his wheel. Toots school closed. Dug a few new potatoes.

Aug 7 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Went to the Caravan. Mark & Catharine went. Toot went home. Mended End Board for Caravan wagon 25^~. Cow gone to night.

Aug 8 – Pleasant 75 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Rained some afternoon. Had the first ripe apples & green corn. Eliphants Hannibal passed here going East.

Aug 9 – Foggy 66 Abz. Worked on Stillwells wheel. Truman Cory & family left for York State.

Aug 10 – Pleasant 71 Abz. Finished Stillwells wheel. Carried my wheelbarrow hub down to the shop. Stilwell Brot two Bushels wheat. Rained some.

Aug 11 – Pleasant 76 Abz. Went up to Mr Claps to level his ditch. Extracted tooth for W^m Whitcomb 25^~.

Aug 12 – Pleasant 68 Abz. The old cow went to Bull this morning. Sarah gone over to Halls.

Aug 13 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Worked in shop some on bobs.

Aug 14 – Pleasant 63 Abz. Made neap for Fay Aldrich. Went over to Fathers. Rained in the night.

Aug 15 – Pleasant 70 Abz. All went over to Fathers. I went up to the swamp & up to Wesleys place. Uncle Sam McLellen died to day.

Aug 16 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Made spring to my chest lock mended chair for Swartout. Filed saw for Clap. Cow gone to night. D. K. Rogers & A. Chipman started for G. T. Bay. Lashers Boy Born.

Aug 17 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Cleaned out cellar pulled my onions. Went over to B. Hartwells. Had a fine shower in the night. Sarah went over to Fathers.

Aug 18 – Cloudy 69 Abz. Worked in shop made violin top for Bilington. Chase got his buggy paid $1.75. Hogs in the garden. Deyoes folks here to Tea. Ethen swallowed a pin.

Aug 19 – Cool and Pleasant 58 Abz. Bot veal 47^~. John Wilcut here. Mended Lamkins wagon 50^~. Stevenson Raised his house.

Aug 20 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Made cross bar for W. McLelleon 40^~. Bilington got his violin paid one Dollar. Rained some. Cordelia Earl & Miss Brown called here.

Aug 21 – Cloudy and fogy 58 Abz some misty. Went down to Catharines. Mark & I went a hunting. Cow gone to night.

Aug 22 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Came home all right. Mark carried Sarah & children over home. Cow gone to night.

Aug 23 – Pleasant 42 Abz. Edward Romans got his violin. Went up to Swaddles after my cow. Cut up my corn. Worked in shop some.

Aug 24 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Made plow Beam for T. Ford. Tightened Box for Wightman. Sarah went to Watts. Bot Thread & needles carried Miller home got hurt on Band car.

Aug 25 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Went up to Flanders and made pump pipe. Ford got his plow. Flanders brot two Bushels wheat.

Aug 26 – Rainy 60 Abz Rained all day and all night. Made spout for Brown & Vosburgs machine. Worked on sleigh _____.

Aug 27 – Cloudy & some Rain 64 Abz. Worked in shop. Martin Turner[45] here. Rainy. Filed saw for Joy. Bot shugar & saleratas.[46]

Aug 28 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Got my Boots Tapt 75. Bot one lb beef. Mortised Bob runners & Beams. Rained some. Extracted tooth for Aldrich girl 25^~.

Aug 29 – Cloudy and cool 56 Abz. Stayed at home. Mark and Catharine here. Rained some. Sarah Beedle came home.

Aug 30 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Sent letter to Mrs. M. Keith Kansas. Worked in shop got out spokes for wheel Barrow. Lois came home.

Aug 31 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Went over to Fathers Sarah & Hannah stayed. Put the spokes into my wheelbarrow hub.

Sep 1 – Pleasant 53 Abz. Worked over to Lashers laid grainery floor. Sent letter to G. T. Sarah came home.

Sep 2 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Rimed my wheelbarrow wheel. Bot half lb tea. Oscar Hall died in the night.

Sep 3 – Pleasant 54 Abz. No work to day. Alvan Turner[47] came here. Bot mutton cranberries 26^~. D. K. Rogers and A. Chipman got home from G. T. Bay.

Sep 4 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Put Bobs together. Oscar Hall buried today.

Sep 5 – Pleasant 59 Abz. Went over to Fathers and up to Yorks Wesleys place and to Lashers. Mary Earl died in the night.

Sep 6 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Went up to Yorks got load wood Bot 2¾ lbs butter. Jesse W. Turner[48] and Alvan here. Recd a letter from C. R. Cridland.

Sep 7 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Jesse Turner went home. Sent letter to C.R.C. Mary Earl buried to day. Paid S. Bristol 50^~ costs on Whitings matter.

Sep 8 – Pleasant and warm 72 Abz. Some ague.[49] Went over to Byingtons got oak plank. Rainy afternoon. Nel Canfield here. Luther Eldred paid his note 5.8%. Bot 15 lbs salt 15^~. Rained all night.

Sep 9 – Rainy 72 Abz. Nel Canfield here. Went over to Lashers got Deyoes cow. Sawed some fellows.[50] Henry Scramlin here Mr Wilkinson here from Pavilion. Heavy shower in the night. Recd a letter from G.T.

Sep 10 – Rainy 72 Abz. Went over to Lashers here with Wilkinson to see the farm. Recd a Letter from G.T.

Sep 11 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Worked in shop sawed some fellys. Extracted tooth for Mrs B Spalding.

Sep 12 – Pleasant 45 Abz. At home all day. Sarah went to church. Deyoes folks went to gull.[51]

Sep 13 – Pleasant 47 Abz. Cleaned up wheat 19.7 bushels. Sold 10 to Tenant 7½ to Father. Harriet & Edith here. Father raised his hog pen. Bot two Bushels wheat 2.00.

Sep 14 – Pleasant 51 Abz. Tightened box for Beach. Sharpened rasor for Clap.

Sep 15 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Worked in shop some. Sent Hoags note to Illinois. Rained some. May Childs here. Henry Childs left in the night for Ill. Bot box pills 25. Paid school bill 48. Rained in the night.

Sep 16 – Pleasant 50 Abz. Sabath celebrating. Henry came home. Sick no work to day. Cool rained.

Sep 17 – Pleasant 47 Abz. At home sick no work to day. Daniel sweet here in the Evening with his guitar. Cool wind. Sent letter to J. S. King.[52]

Sep 18 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Packed up Cridlands things and took them to the Frieght house.

Sep 19 – Pleasant 56 Abz. At home. Cut Wisemans hair in the morning. Cut James Flanders hair just at night.

Sep 20 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Went over and cut corn. Lasher worked afternoon. Very hot. Wesleys folks moved.

Sep 21 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Cut corn. Henry Sheldon came to Fathers. Bot ¼ lb Tea of D. K. Rogers.

Sep 22 – Pleasant – 42 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Henry Sheldon came over. Boxed up Beach timber. Truman Cory and family came home. Bot one lb candles 1.15. Old man Whitfer buried. Pulled tooth for lady 125.

Sep 23 – Pleasant 38 Abz. Cut corn. Went up to Yorks. Commenced raining 2 oclock in morning. County Fair at Kalamazoo. Sent letter to Mrs Betts.

Sep 24 – Rainy 62 Abz. Worked in shop some on floor. Bot ½ lb Tea of D. K. Rogers 31^~.

Sep 25 – Pleasant 38 Abz. At home. Cory raised his Barn. Flanders Brot my window. Recd 3 letters one from G.T. one Peters one from Mrs Whiting. Bot 52 lbs bran.

Sep 26 – Pleasant 38 Abz. Went over to Fathers & up to Yorks.

Sep 27 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Worked round home. Cut out gloves for Hopkins. _____ up lumber. Sent letter to Mr Peters of Momence Ill.

Sep 28 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Worked in shop put in Ex for Dick Lamkins 2 Doler. Got stick of Cross. Sent letter to G. Tomlinson.

Sep 29 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Cut corn. Jesse W. Turner here to night.

Sep 30 – Pleasant 56 Abz Rained some. A. McLary Brot half cord wood. Bot shoes hdkf[53] stockings dishes.

Oct 1 – Cloudy 52 Abz cleared of pleasant. Started for Waverly Vanburen County. Got to Oscars about 5 oclock P.M. Stayed with Alfleda.[54] Got pair suspenders for Ethen 12½ cts.

Oct 2 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Went all over the woods. Saw all their farms. Warm day. Went to Katies[55] stayed all night.

Oct 3 – Pleasant warm 72 Abz considerable wind. Went over to Bennets had a good visit. Mary & Ed gone out to Chapins.

Oct 4 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Left Oscars this morning went to Uncle Warrens took dinner. Got home about seven Evening. Had a shower. Got my watch repaired 2.75 cts.

Oct 5 – Pleasant 38 Abz. Father came and got Toot. Made bed and set some strawberries.

Oct 6 – Pleasant 42 Abz. Worked in shop some. Rained afternoon some had a shower in the night.

Oct 7 – Cloudy 48 Abz wind blows high snowed some. The hickory pole fell at galesburg killed a horse. Got my wheelbarrow tyre made.

Oct 8 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Went over to Fathers got some pumpkins. Lois went over saw Alvan Turner. Got Tea Kettle mended 6^~.

Oct 9 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Charles Lees folks[56] here. Patty[57] came on the 2.28 train. Lasher Brot some corn. Bot Sarah shoes 88^~. Bot 5 lbs Shugar 55^~.

Oct 10 – Pleasant 29 Abz. Went over the river. Patty Catharine Hellen and Lucy there. Rained in the night some.

Oct 11 – Cloudy 46 Abz. Dug potatoes filed saw for mix. Sent letter to Marion.[58] Post Office moved to Flints Store.

Oct 12 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Rainy. Put up the joists in wood shead.

Oct 13 – Cloudy 47 Abz. Cut out stuf for my window frames to shop. Wind blew hard all day.

Oct 14 – Cloudy 44 Abz. Worked in shop. Father mother & Patty came over. B shoes for Nancy & Hannah $1.17.

Oct 15 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Worked on window frames. Patty here. Had soup and milk for dinner. She went over to Fathers at night. Bot candles 15^~. Shower night.

Oct 16 – Cloudy 52 Abz. Worked on window frames. Put in one window. Bot 10 lbs nails 50^~.

Oct 17 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Jos Flanders here.

Oct 18 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Put in windows in shop. Put hoop on wash-tub. Rained in the night. Bot ½ lb Tea 31^~.

Oct 19 – Cloudy 48 Abz. Finished my shop windows. Rainy afternoon. James Burnet married. Bot saleratas.

Oct 20 – Cloudy 45 Abz cool bad day. Got likeness for Patty. Lasher brot load pumpkins. Went over to Fathers with Mark Lee.

Oct 21 – Pleasant 42 Abz. Put Bobs together. The Readings all here went over and got Elbow. Bot rasp of Pond.

Oct 22 – Pleasant 45 Abz. Worked in shop put up stove. ___ Chandler lectured here. Jos Flanders left one Dollar.

Oct 23 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Worked on bobs. Patty & Catharine came up stayed all night.

Oct 24 – Cloudy 47 Abz. Patty & Catharine went to Fathers.

Oct 25 – Cloudy & windy 50 Abz. Worked on bobs some put in cross bar to Wightmans thills. Rained som in the night. Deyo & Johnson went to Kalamazoo.

Oct 26 – Cloudy cool 44 Abz. Went over to Fathers and Taylors. Saw his house. Rainy. Pulled tooth for woman at Ponds. McLelan brot his violin.

Oct 27 – Cloudy 45 Abz. Worked on bobs. Sarah went over the river. Bot receipt Book. Rained in the night.

Oct 28 – Rains 48 Abz. Worked in shop made Box for Crid.[59] Bot Books for children. Mark came just at night after a x girl.

Oct 29 – Cloudy warm 56 Abz. Went up to S. Bristols and put up trees & plants for Cridland. Rainy day. Brot them down to the burg.

Oct 30 – Cloudy 48 Abz. Worked in shop got out runners & knees & beams for Fathers sleigh. Bot violin string 10^~.

Oct 31 – Rainy 46 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Carried letter to Patty. Mr Gays girl buried.[60]

——-

[44] Believe he is referring to his wife’s brother, David C. “D.C.” Crawford

[45] His maternal first cousin, son of Asa & Lydia (Willcutt) Turner

[46] Saleratus; sodium or potassium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent; baking soda

[47] His maternal first cousin, son of Asa & Lydia (Willcutt) Turner

[48] His maternal first cousin, son of Asa & Lydia (Willcutt) Turner

[49] A form of malaria characterized by stages of chills, fever, and sweating

[50] A felloe, or felly, is the rim of a wheel supported by spokes

[51] Gull Lake, Michigan

[52] His maternal first cousin; son of James Hunt & Lilly (Willcutt) King

[53] Handkerchief

[54] His brother Harvey’s wife, Alfleda (Starr) Keith

[55] Believe he is referring to his niece, Frances “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee, the daughter of Harvey & Alfleda Keith

[56] Believe he is referring to his paternal first cousin’s family, Charles and Juliana (Davis) Lee; Charles was the son of Charles & Rhoda (Keith) Lee

[57] His sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[58] His niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[59] Charles R. Cridland

[60] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Adelia Gay died October 30, 1858 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery. She was 18 years old, the daughter of William and Sarah Gay

Luke Keith’s diary entries from June 1 – July 26, 1858

To read the entire diary and/or to see the scans of the diary, previous footnotes, tags of people mentioned, click here.

June 1 – Pleasant 54 Abz warm. Planted potatoes. Lucy[38] came to go to school. Brot two bushels wheat 80 cts pr bushel. Sowed my corn.

June 2 – Cloudy 56 Abz. Sarah went down to Barbers. Finished planting garden.

June 3 – Cloudy 57 Abz. 2 new Engines went west Shelby & _____ H. & St. Jo RR. Rainy day cow out. Repaired wheel for York. Sarah went to Mansfields.

June 4 – Pleasant 70 Abz. Lots dutch this morning worked on road. Rainy fore noon. Dance in the evening.

June 5 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Worked on road. Lois came home. Coes Horse fell through race[39] Bridge.

June 6 – Cloudy 60 Abz. At home. Catharine & Mark here. Lois went up to Flanders.

June 7 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Saw Fire Eugene _____ for LaCross. Wes worked on road. Received six Dollars of W^m Whitcomb.

June 8 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Worked in shop some on seat. Shower in the night.

June 9 – Cloudy 64 Abz. Rained after noon. Put in reach[40] for A. Chipman 50 cts. Shower in the night.

June 10 – Rains 68 Abz. Killed 3 Kittens. Made seat for D. Lamkins. Rainy day. Bot cloth for pants Bed cord. Recd a letter from C. R. C.

June 11 – Rainy 50 Abz. Lucy went home. Carried corn to mill. Repaired wheel for Mark. Extracted 3 teeth for Powlison boy.

June 12 – Cloudy & cool 49 Abz. Hoed corn worked in shop some Rained afternoon. Show in the Evening Mad Dunbar.

June 13 – Pleasant 49 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Ethen & Toot came home.

June 14 – Pleasant 44 Abz. Worked on Chipmans wagon. Hen & Mary here. Rained in the night.

June 15 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Worked in shop on Chips wagon. Rained in the night.

June 16 – Cloudy 62 Abz. 12 cars of Dutch. Worked on Chips wagon. Warm day.

June 17 – Pleasant 69 Abz. Worked in shop on Chips wagon. Mary Earl here.

June 18 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Finished Chips wagon. Sarah & children went over to Fathers. Very hot. Deyoe repairing P. S. Carmers buggy.

June 19 – Cloudy 70 Abz Rains south of us very little heavy shower in forenoon. T. Flanders came here. Sarah & children came home. Heavy shower in the night.

June 20 – Pleasant 63 Abz. Lois came home. Carried T Flanders to County house.

June 21 – Pleasant 65 Abz. Carried Chips wagon to Mix shop at 4.95. Put spoke in Hopkins wheel 56. Mrs Beckwith brot Parasol 40. Mrs Flanders parasol.

June 22 – Pleasant 68 Abz. Bennets folks here. 100 in the shade 126 in sun at 15 minutes past 3. Lots of musketoes. Made Carmers stock.

June 23 – Hot 69 Abz. Worked in shop some finished _____ _____ cts. Had a _____ shower at four. Bronson Brot cradle.

June 24 – Hot 77 Abz. Worked in shop some. Very hot day 98 in the shade at 3 oclock. A Chipman down got an ex put in at cross.

June 25 – Hot 76 Abz. Hoed potatoes. Filed saw for B Clark. Put Chipmans wagon up. Bot five lbs shugar 10~ 50 cts. One string 10~. Shower in the night.

June 26 – Pleasant 74 Abz. Put in cradle finger for D Bronson mended parasol for Mrs L. Burdick. Shower in the night.

June 27 – Hot 74 Abz. At home. Went in swimming. Rogers called in. Catharine and Lucy came at night. Libby West buried today.

June 28 – Hot 72 Abz. Catharine here. Hoed potatoes made whiffletree[41] for Watts 25 cts. 94 at 3 oclock.

June 29 – Hot 75 Abz. Catharine here. Made wagon neap[42] for Andrew McLarey. Catharine went home. Hellen here.

June 30 – Hot 75 Abz. Hoed potatoes. Very hot 99 in shade at 3 PM. Filed saw for Wesley. Wes went to Kalamazoo. Had a heavy thunder shower just at night.

July 1 – Some cloudy 70 Abz. Hoed some in garden. 97 at 3 PM. Stranger here from Utah. Bot ½ lb tea 31~. Jo Flanders here in the morning.

July 2 – Hot 78 Abz. Worked in the shop put hair in violin bow for Yankee. Bot cloth for pants 61 cts spice & nutmegs 20~ violin strings 30~.

July 3 – Cloudy 80 Abz. Great day in Galesburg large crowd. Catharine Mark Jo & Hellen Father & Wesley here too. Two Balloons went up in the Evening.

July 4 – Pleasant 69 Abz. Went over the river saw my calf. Went over to Lashers.

July 5 – Pleasant 63 Abz. Hoed corn. Cordelia Earl here. Flanders Brot cradle here. Cool nights.

July 6 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Made cradle fingers for J. Flanders.

July 7 – Pleasant 63. Finished Flanders cradle & Bob neap. Hoed some.

July 8 – Pleasant 68. Rimed a wheel for Wightman 10/-. D. Lampkins plowed my potatoes. Small dash rain in the night.

July 9 – Cloudy 76 Abz. Worked in shop some hoed some. Catharine came up. Lucy & Lois went home with her. Sarah over to Turners[?].

July 10 – Pleasant 74 Abz. Hoed potatoes. Put in cradle finger for Mr Baty 10^~. Some rain in the night. Henry stayed all night. 17 coaches on the train.

July 11 – Rainy 68 Abz Rainy day. Flanders got his cradle. Mark got Caper Deyo.

July 12 – Cloudy 60 Abz. Put in ex for Hawver got ex stick of cross.

July 13 – Cloudy 63 Abz. Hawver 2.00. Streator brot his buggy. Sarah went over the river. Bot 3 bottles bitters 2.00. S. Bristol at the shop. Millards agent called on me.

July 14 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Worked in shop on Streators buggy. Put in cradle finger for Ed Flanders 10^~.

July 15 – Pleasant 66 Abz. Worked in shop on Streators buggy. Made barometer. Bot 5 lbs shugar. Had a shower afternoon. Mrs Barber & Mrs Child here.

July 16 – Pleasant 68 Abz. In the shop cut out stuff for Streators Box & seat. J. Deyoes Boy Born.[43] Some showers. Lucy went up to Yorks.

July 17 – Pleasant 72 Abz. Worked on buggy. Wheat mostly cut. Father came over just at night. Father here just at night.

July 18 – Pleasant 64 Abz. At home all day. Pleasant fine day.

July 19 – Pleasant 61 Abz. Went over to Fathers and repaired his pump one tooth for Sta____ 25^~.

July 20 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Repaired violin for Clark. One tooth for E. Watts 25^~ for McLary 25~ Clarrissa Starr here.

July 21 – Pleasant 60 Abz. Bot Beef 4½ lbs 36 cts. Circus here. Made tail peas for _____. Clarrissa Starr went home with A. Chipman. Father brot some potatoes.

July 22 – Pleasant 57 Abz. Bot ½ lb Tea 31^~. Worked in shop on seat. Harriet & Mary Nickols here.

July 23 – Pleasant 62 Abz. Worked on seat. Mrs Bennet here. Put in one _____ for ___. White 25^~.

July 24 – Pleasant 54 Abz. Worked in shop on Streators box & seat. Bot violin string 15^~.

July 25 – Pleasant 59 Abz. At home all day. Deyoe gone up to gull. Curly Buck died.

July 26 – Cloudy 71 Abz. Worked in shop fore noon. Went up to Bristols after noon.

——-

[38] Most likely Luke’s niece, Lucy Irene Lee, the daughter of Luke’s sister Catherine by her second husband

[39] An artificial channel or bed of a stream leading water to or from a point where its energy is utilized, such as a mill or a mining claim

[40] A pole, called a reach, was usually a 2-by-4-inch piece of white oak with a hole at the front for connecting the wagon to a hitch

[41] The pivoted horizontal crossbar to which the harness traces of a draft animal are attached and which is in turn attached to a vehicle or an implement

[42] The pole, or tongue, of a cart

[43] A search of census records shows that Horace Deyoe was born to James and Polina Deyoe in July 1858

Luke Keith’s diary entries from March 1 – May 31, 1858

To read the entire diary and/or to see the scans of the diary, previous footnotes, tags of people mentioned, click here.

Mar 1 – Pleasant 11 Abz. T. Flanders here. Finished shingling my shop. T. Flanders left.

Mar 2 – Snowed some 9 Abz. Libby Taylor here this morning. Cleaned out stove. Sarah went over to Deyos took tea there. Mike coe here to get a plate for coffin.

Mar 3 – Snows 11 Abz cold some sleighing. Went up to Yorks got four sticks timber for platform.

Mar 4 – Pleasant 6 Abz. Worked on vice. Mrs Wiseman here.

Mar 5 – Pleasant 8 Below zero. Flanders drawed load straw. Sarah & children went over to Fathers. Deyoe got load hay 1320 lbs.

Mar 6 – Pleasant snowed 9 Abz. Worked on vice some. Sarah & children gone yet. Recd a letter from E. W. Craw[ford?]. Wesley over here to see shop. Got 150 lbs bran of D. K. Rogers.

Mar 7 – Snows some 18 Abz comfortable sleighing. Sarah came home.

Mar 8 – Cloudy 16 Abz. Worked on my vice. Mended Sarahs shoes in the Evening. Stranger here clock tinker & musician.

Mar 9 – Pleasant 4 Abz. Worked on my Bench. Ground almost bear. Sarah gone to Church this Evening.

Mar 10 – Pleasant 20 Abz. Worked on my bench and floor. Got my Boots tapt. Snow most gone.

Mar 11 – Cloudy 37 Abz. Worked on my Bench. Snow most gone.

Mar 12 – Pleasant 18 Abz. Went up to Yorks. Got Bench hook made. Henry Stevens & wife here.

Mar 13 – Pleasant 28 Abz. York brot over brick. Got plank of hank Bennet 40 feet 40 cts. Bot 10 lbs Shugar ¼ lb cinnamon.

Mar 14 – Rainy 48 Abz. Stayed at home. Snow mostly gone.

Mar 15 – Rainy 56 Abz. Worked in shop some. Sent letter to G. T.[20] Rainy night. Robbins out.

Mar 16 – Rainy 57 Abz. Worked in shop. Frogs sing in the Evening. Estella Wightman[21] died this morning.

Mar 17 – Rainy day 57 Abz. Ben dug hole at the old backhouse. Frogs singing. Lois came home.

Mar 18 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Worked in shop some. Took down the old shit house. Got my Likeness taken 50 cts.

Mar 19 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Ben commenced dig my stumps. Lois at home. Mrs McCracken died in the night.

Mar 20 – Some rain 46 Abz. Ben here diging stumps. Recd a letter from Hite.[22] Hued out some axhelves. Mrs Whiting Brot one load goods.

Mar 21 – Cloudy & windy 40 Abz. Stayed at home. Snowed very little.

Mar 22 – Pleasant 30 Abz. Mrs Whiting came to day. Worked in shop some.

Mar 23 – Pleasant 26 Abz cool. Worked in shop some stoped up windows. Hale Whiting came to see his wife. Men came back to work in track again. Lois went home.

Mar 24 – Pleasant 36 Abz. Went over to Fathers got Nance.[23] Went up to Yorks got some lime. Deyoe got home. Shower in the night.

Mar 25 – Pleasant 38 Abz. Trimed my currants and Apple trees. Hellen[24] came down Mary Earl.

Mar 26 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Sawed out boards for my Backhouse. Moved some traps into the shop.

Mar 27 – Pleasant 39 Abz. Made sills & plates to back house. Father and mother got their likeness taken. Recd a letter from G. Tomlinson.

Mar 28 – Cloudy 36 Abz. At home. Read Robinson Crusoe.

Mar 29 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Ethen[25] went over stayed. Got Rooster of Wesley.

Mar 30 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Worked on Backhouse. Bot broom of White. Polly Lyons here to tea. Indian preacher at Methodist church.

Mar 31 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Worked on backhouse. Abby Simmons married this Evening.

Apr 1 – Rainy 42 Abz warm. Sold my wheelbarrow to P. S. Carmen[?] 2.50. Put the siding on my backhouse.

Apr 2 – Pleasant 31 Abz. Put cornice on the privy and shingled it. Lois and Edith came here. Taylor carried the old bureau to Byingtons.

Apr 3 – Pleas 42 Abz. Got Bureau fronts & wheelbarrow hubs. Got pine board of G. H. Lockhart 20 feet.

Apr 4 – Cloudy 49 Abz. At home all day. Hat Taylor & Cordelia Earl here.

Apr 5 – Cold snow some 37 Abz. Went to town meeting. Mrs Whiting packed her goods _____ took the Rifle home.

Apr 6 – Pleasant 28 Abz. Carried her goods over to station marked them 396 letters. Went down to Comstock on hand car. Mrs Whiting left today. Got Load hay.

Apr 7 – Pleasant 26 Abz. Made door to State house. Ben dug hole for state house. Filed saw for ben & paid him ten cents. Rained in Evening.

Apr 8 – Rainy 42 Abz. Made the covers to seat in State house. Rainy fore noon. Mrs Mansfield here.

Apr 9 – Cloudy 48 Abz. Moved my State house. Got 71 lbs bran of D. K. Rogers. Six o clock train run on the new main track south side.

Apr 10 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Made place to put up my lumber. Rained in the afternoon & evening.

Apr 11 – Cloudy 40 Abz. At home all day. Cold & windy.

Apr 12 – Cloudy 38 Abz cool. Worked on Yorks Ex. Had a heavy shower in the afternoon misty bad day raw wind. Boys to work on track.

Apr 13 – Cloudy 42 Abz. Made ex for Yorks sulky. Rained some cool. Hannah sick.

Apr 14 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Worked in shop. York got his sulky.

Apr 15 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Worked in shop mended Flanders thills.[26] Ab gave me an anvil T Rail.

Apr 16 – Pleasant 34 Abz. Picked up stove. Mended swifs for T. Bronson. Bot violin string.

Apr 17 – Pleasant 32 Abz. Worked in shop some. Deyoe mended Wightmans thills. Made coffin for Smiths Boy. Set hen. Henry came home.

Apr 18 – Cloudy 44 Abz. At home. Sarah gone to church. Shower in the night.

Apr 19 – Rainy 40 Abz. Went over to Fathers. Cut out Bottom to violin. Bot ½ lb Tea. Rained in the night.

Apr 20 – Pleasant 48 Abz heavy shower. Commenced flanders bobs. A. Lamkins had half bushel corn. Eugene Bronson got his violin.

Apr 21 – Pleasant 40 Abz. All went over the river saw uncle Warren.[27] W. W. Earl started for Kansas. Bot Sarah & Ethens shoes.

Apr 22 – Pleasant 56 Abz. Sarah & children over the river. High wind. Cleared away the old shanty. Shower in the afternoon snow in the night. Flanders Brot some timber.

Apr 23 – Cloudy and cool 32 Abz snows. Mark[28] brot Sarah and children home. Bored rolls for bobs. Mr. Beach very sick. Bullard came with his saw to saw wood.

Apr 24 – Cold 29 Abz. Lois and Ethen came home. Snows some. Went over to Fathers got the buggy. Received a letter from G. Tomlinson.

Apr 25 – Pleasant 24 Abz. At home. Filled two teeth for B. Clark 50 cts. Uncle Chichester[29] here Mr Beach very low.

Apr 26 – Pleasant 29 Abz. Lasher drawed manure. Moved my back house. S. Bristol here. Paid Mrs M. Keiths School bill 72 cts. David Beach Died.[30]

Apr 27 – Cloudy 37 Abz. Worked in garden some painted spear handle for Mix. Lois & Nancy went over to Fathers.

Apr 28 – Cloudy 37 Abz. Went over to Fathers with Deyos calf. Went over to county farm with cow. Filed Barlows saw.

Apr 29 – Pleasant 58 Abz. Went over and helped Wesley raise his house. Had a shower in the night 74 Abz. Evening.

Apr 30 – Rains some 64 Abz. Built hogpen. Painted Moses spear handle.

May 1 – Storms some snow 45 Abz or hail. Went over to Fathers got some fresh meat of Wesleys folks. Finished my hog pen.

May 2 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Went over to fathers Catharine there. Deyo went.

May 3 – Cloudy rains 42 Abz. Went over to Fathers trimed appletrees. Showery. Ethen & Nancy commenced going to school. Rainy night. Bot pt. whiskey 10 cts.

May 4 – Rains 51 Abz. Went over the river got two boxes. Saw Hiram Mose James Earl Bot 13 lbs lard 10~.[31] Sent letter to E. W. Crawford.[32]

May 5 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Built chiminy in shop. Got 22 brick of Cory. Mrs Hale & Charley here.

May 6 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Worked round the garden put corn in boxes.

May 7 – Pleasant 40 Abz. Hued my stringers for bridge. Warm sun came out hot.

May 8 – Pleasant 52 Abz. Worked round house and garden. Rained some afternoon. J. York got hogs _____ to catch rain water in. Wesley got _____.

May 9 – Cloudy cool 46 Abz. Went over the river with Hannah.

May 10 – Cloudy 46 Abz. Dug at the old stump out by the shop split it with powder. Dick Lamkins plowed part of the garden.

May 11 – Rainy 40 Abz. Mended my gloves. Bot thread 5 Bot shugar 5~. Rainy day.

May 12 – Pleasant 38 Abz. Got timber for my Bridge. W^m Matthews got 3 pecks seed corn. Plastered up the citchen. Got mortar of Warren.

May 13 – Rains 52 Abz. Spaded some in the garden. Mrs Kingsley died.[33] Joseph Lee[34] & family here & Rhoda Lee.[35] Rained in the night. 5 lbs Shugar 10~. H. Cook & McAlister got seed corn.

May 14 – Cloudy 54 Abz. Worked in garden spading. Bot ½ lb tea 31 cts. Went up stairs to sleep.

May 15 – Cloudy 49 Abz. Worked round garden made some fence. Lois Hat & Lib here to tea. Bot 50 lbs Bran 25 cts.

May 16 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Bot six lbs Cod fish 35~. Rained at night.

May 17 – Rainy 48 Abz. Went over the river. Sent letter to C. R. C. Put the timbers in for my bridge. Alf Howard here heard him play.

May 18 – Cloudy 40 Abz. Bot peck Barley 10~. Repaired knife 25. Traded violin trunk with Alf Howard.

May 19 – Cloudy 48 Abz. Went over to Fathers Henry came home. Rainy. Bot two lights glass 12. Old Mrs Weed died.[36] Heavy shower in the night.

May 20 – Cloudy 46 Abz. Moved stove. Went over and got Lasher to plow garden. Put stringers over the race. Rained a very little.

May 21 – Pleasant 34 Abz very little frost. Worked in garden spading.

May 22 – Pleasant 36 Abz. Work on garden. Bot Book for Nancy 12½ cts one cake soap 12½ cts. Rained in the night. Not much corn up.

May 23 – Cloudy some melting 54 Abz. At home rainy day heavy shower in the night.

May 24 – Cloudy 61 Abz. Went over to Fathers Catharine here. Flanders fetched down hog and it died. Rained at night. Some corn planted.

May 25 – Rainy 60 Abz cloudy Bad weather rained all day. Had the headache. Bot file 12½ cts. Shelled some corn.

May 26 – Rainy 50 Abz cool wind. No work sick. Thompson & hands left.

May 27 – Cloudy & cool 48 Abz. Got corn ground. Mrs Rogers got Sarahs _____ mended 12½. Cal Streator left for Ohio.

May 28 – Cloudy 56 Abz Rained some. Planted corn potatoes and peas. Old cow out to night.

May 29 – Rains like from 55 Abz. Went over to Fathers. River very high. Bot bottoms for Hannahs shoes 12. Recd a letter from Mrs M. Keith of Kansas.

May 30 – Pleasant 56 Abz. At home. Rained some had a heavy shower in the night.

May 31 – Cloudy 70 Abz very fair day rained very little. Planted corn onions beets cucumbers lettuce & pumpkins melons &c.[37]

[20] George Tomlinson

[21] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Sarah Estelle Wightman is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[22] His wife’s brother, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[23] His daughter, Nancy, who was about 5½ years old

[24] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[25] His son, Ethan, who was 7 years old

[26] The long shafts between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon

[27] His mother’s brother, Warren Wolcott

[28] “Mark” is referred to quite often in Luke’s diaries and it is believed that he is referring to his cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, the oldest son of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee. The Lees were Mormons and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. Mark stayed behind with the Keith family to run his father’s farm. (Thanks to Margaret Williams, Ezekiel Lee’s three times great-granddaughter, for this information)

[29] Luke sometimes referred to the parents of family members, or older neighbors, as “Aunt” or “Uncle.” The relationship here is unknown

[30] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that David Beach is buried in Roof Cemetery in Climax, Michigan

[31] Not sure what this symbol meant. It was actually written as a quarter of a round circle slanting upwards to the right (see scan of diary entry)

[32] Edwin W. Crawford, his wife’s brother

[33] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Nancy (Anderson) Kingsley, the wife of Salmon Kingsley, is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery

[34] His nephew

[35] His father’s sister, Rhoda (Keith) Lee (Joseph Lee’s mother)

[36] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Mary “Polly” (St. John) Weed, the wife of Elijah Weed, is buried in Lawler Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan

[37] Etcetera