Friday, February 7, 1868 – “Thare was a Dance at the Hook to night.”

This is a very cold day. If I may so term it. I was not doing much to day. Jim Gowanlock is here today. I was down to Brushland to day. Jim S? and some of the rest of the folks were along. I got some firkins today. Thare is singing school in Brushland to night. Thare is a Donation at the Hook to night. [code] Mr. Andrews. Thare was a Dance at the Hook to night. Music by Liddles Band. S. White was down to the Hook to night. Thare was a corcus [caucus] meeting in Brushland to night. One year ago to day A. Liddle was married to Mary Gill.*

*Alexander Liddle (1839-1918), son of John and Isabella Liddle, married Mary Gill (1842-1917), daughter of James and Mary Gill.

Thursday, February 6, 1868 – “Thare has been nothing going on of any importance to day.”

It has been cold and Stormy to day. I was drawing Manure to day. Thare has been nothing going on of any importance to day. Thid Dickson and Jim Gowanlock* came here to night. Thare is Spelling School to night. We went down to S.S. to night.
Net Rutherford and Miss Dennis were at the S.S.
Thid Dickson and Jim Gowanlock stayed here all night.

High color – Sky blue.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder” – of some one else.
Follow – To imagine that every hour taken from Sleep is an hour gained.
Population of Rome. 215.573.

*Jim Gowanlock was the son of William and Ann Gowanlock

Wednesday, February 5, 1868 – “…not a very pleasent job.”

This is a fine day. South wind blowing to day. It is snowing to night. I have been drawing dung to day which is not a very pleasent job. Bill is not at home to day. Miss Dennis was in here to night. Thare is a Donation in Andes to night for Mr. Bruce. Thare was a pedler here today. One year ago to day I was in the Town of Hamden. One year to night I am at R. Scotts in Hamden. One year ago I saw [my dear Nettie at home]. Two years ago to day I was in the Town of Andes.
Brushland. [W.J.C.]

Tuesday, February 4, 1868 – “This is my Birth day.”

This is a cold day. This is my Birth day. I am 25 year-old to day. John Forrest, Henry Liddle and Net Rutherford are here this morning. I was down to Brushland this forenoon. Bill went down to T. Forrests with me. Net Rutherford rode down to D. Blacks* with me. I was drawing manure this afternoon. Lill and Ann & Henry Liddle went up to A. Liddle to day. 

Knowledge is power – to accomplish, to enjoy – and these are the only ends for which man was created. All knowledge confers this power.

*This is probably David Black (1824-1883) who had a farm on Coulter Brook Road.

Monday, February 3, 1868 – “…the coldest day…”

This is a very cold day. Murcury down to 20 [degrees] below zero. This is the coldest day we have had this winter. I did not do much to day. Thare is a Donation in New Kingston to night for Mr. Sirria(?). Night. I was at the Donation to I took over a load to night. Lousia Dennis*, Net Rutherford, Henry Liddle** and our girls went along with me. I saw Mary Gowanlock***, Alice Russel, Ann Gladstone, Barbary Archibald, Sarah Gowanlock***, Liby Miller & Lib Russell at the Donation to night. Mr. Sirrice(?) got $136.50 as Donation to night.

*Louisa Dennis (b 1846) was the daughter of Thomas and Louisa Dennis.
**Henry Liddle (1845-1921) was the son of Alex and Bina Liddle
***Mary and Sarah Gowanlock likely are the daughters of William and Ann Gowanlock.

Sunday, February 2, 1868 – “The Blue Coats, and how they Dined, Fought and Died for the Union”

This is a very fine day. W.W. Forrest and Net Rutherford were here this morning. Some of the folks were to church to day 1868. Jim came home to day and went away again. Nancy Boyd was here this morning. Bovina. Bill cut Jims hair to day. 
Woman – Bonnie lassies of our land. May we ever remember that thou art Heavens choicests best gift to man. 
“The Blue Coats, and how they Dined, Fought and Died for the Union; with Scenes and Incidents in the Great Rebellion.”* 1868.

*This references a book written by John Truesdale in 1867

Saturday, February 1, 1868 – “We had a joly old time.”

This has been a fine day. This is the first day of February 1868. The winter is half through for 1868. I was not doing much today. Some of the folks were down to Brushland to day. W.W. Forrest came up here this afternoon, he stayed all night. Bill & him went up to A. Liddles to night. Net Rutherford and Nancy Boyd* came here to night. They stayed all night. We had a joly old time.  [Illegible]
One year ago to day I bought a new watch. One year to day it was raining. O. Dickson was here one year ago.

*Probably this was the daughter of Andrew and Ellen Boyd.