Erastus Smith was born on Oct 17, 1833 and died on March 11, 1926. The house where he was born and died at age 92 is still on the corner of Plain St and Bay Road near the Dry Pond Cemetery. We have a few of the journals that he kept. When these entries were written, the Dry Pond Schoolhouse was on the southeast corner of Plain and West Streets. Erastus is eleven, going on twelve as the journal begins. We have a few of the journals that he kept for at least the next fifteen years. He has an older brother, James, and an older sister, Melissa. Once young Erastus begins his entry, he rarely uses any punctuation to separate his sentences.
In July of 1845, Henry David Thoreau has just commenced living at Walden Pond.
July 1845
20 wind fair southwest I went to meeting of/and? Mr Barnes of Boston
21-Wind southwest, fair I had the toothache…..not go to school
22Wind northwest a she wet in the morning? I went to school
23wind of south west oval? Pleasant father cut? To the fowl meadow I did not go to school in the afternoon I had the toothache. (There were Fowl Meadows in Canton along the Neponset River five miles away. It is not clear if Erastus refers to these meadows or some other such meadows, closer to home.)
24wind northwest pleasant. I went to church father went to the meadow
25wind northwest very cool dog days began I went to school and went to the meadows.
26Wind southwest, warm I went to the meadows and there was a shower and I was out in it all…ans oon? Brought home a load for father.
27wind of the east stormy I did not go to meeting
28-wind southwest..Miss Atherton left the school Friday. We went to the ,Meadows
29-wind northwest. We went to the meadows Aunt H Gay came here.
30-Wind south stormy we got two loads of hay from the clay meadows (The location of these meadows is not known, but there was land between West Street and the upper reaches of Ames Pond where Fuller’s Earth, a clay-like deposit was mined more than fifty years later.)
31-Wind southwest a picnic in Stoughton today and grandfather and grandmothers and aunt Betsy came here
August 1845
1wind North West I went a huckleberrying in the afternoon
2wind southwest I went to Weymouth
3-wind south east cloudy. I did not go to meeting. Any heard today that Mr Cobett broke his leg.
4-Wind North and southwest pleasant. I went down to Uncle Isaac’s and spent the day and have went to Canton to get some tools and meal and went over to the meeting house and the folks worked in the shop.
5-Wind North West Mr J Pierce and Mrs Pierce and Sarah came here and spent the afternoon and the folks worked in the shop the forenoon father hoed the garden Col Pierce and Henesseys went to Maine. (Mr J Pierce is likely John Pierce and Col Pierce is Colonel Jesse Pierce, who lived on Highland Street, a half mile away. He had run a private school at that location and was father to the Hon. Henry Pierce, who became a successful manager of the Baker Chocolate Company in Dorchester, accumulating many millions of dollars, later becoming becoming Mayor of Boston and a member of the House of Representatives. Jesse Pierce’s younger son Edward wrote the definitive memoirs of Senator William Sumner and delivered the main oration at the dedication of the Stoughton Town Hall in 1881. Col. Pierce also started a school in Milton and had a residence there as well during some of his life.)
6-Wind South West Father went to Mr Mosses Withington’s to carry some window frames. Melissa and myself went a huckleberrying. I picked three quarts the folks worked in the shop Sybil brought us over some peas.
7-Wind S E hot father and I pitched owes the cowyard Mrs Cobett and Melissa went a huckleberrying
8-Wind south west fair. I sawed some Mr White 1 load of boards and shingles for father the folks worked in the shop
9-wind changeable there was a shower in the afternoon Mrs Cobett went to Dedham cooler at night the folks worked in the shop
10-wind S. SE I went to meeting half a day there was an Englishman preached there was a shower in the afternoon
11-wind I N’est storm in the forenoon I went to Ms Albert Southworth in the afternoon Mr Weld’s child was buried. Lorena did not come till night Mr Goodridge called
12wind North West father sawed in the barn the folks worked in the shop
13-wind South Learenza and Angus went to Mr Gilbert Lathrop’s to put in a new sill and James and William worked in the shop and father sawed in the barn I had the tooth ache and Mrs Cobett came home fr of Dedham
14-wind South West father and I went down to Canton. William staid at home to make a cuboard
15-Wind North East cool father sawed in the barn and Mr John Pierce called, and Mrs Cobett, and Melissa, and myself went a huckleberrying. and I picked three quarts and the folks worked down to Canton
16-Wind North East father sawed in the barn..Father went after the folks down to Canton
17-Wind North East father and mother went to meeting in the afternoon and I could not go I had a sore foot. Melissa stayed at home too.
18-wind South East father went over to the meeting house and Martin called and in the afternoon father went to Sharon and carried some nails?
19-I had the tooth ache father went over to the meeting house and in the afternoon father and I went down to Doctor Abbot and I had a tooth drawn
20-Wind South East father went to Canton Mra A Drake and Syld called
21-Wind South East it rained the folks finished down to Canton
22-Wind South West cloudy in the morning but father and mother and myself went down to grandfathers and I went to stay till Monday
23-Wind south it thundered in the morning and in the afternoon there was a thundates…shower and I braided me a whiplash and a handle
24-Wind North West I did not go to meeting I staid with grandmother and aunt Betsy and in the evening I went to a temperance meeting.
25-Wind north east the folks began to Sharon to work and I came home with the farm waggon and Aunt Betsy came home with father
26-Wind North East Mr Col Pierce and Mr John Pierce called
27- Wind North East. I made me a wagon and in the afternoon Mr Col. Pierce and Mrs Pierce came and made a visit.
28- wind North East pleasant. Father mowed some weeds
29- wind South East father mowed some weeds
30- wind North West father mowed a little and Aunt Polly and Mrs Smith and children came here and father went after the folks. Aunt Betsy went home and Melissa went
September 1845
2 wind South. Melissa was down to grandfathers and she went to a tye? Me? At East Walpole and father went down to Canton
3 wind North West father and I went to grandfathers and Melissa come home with us and in the afternoon father went down to Canton after the tool chest.
4 pleasant we went cut a few jeaks rocks?
5 wind North West father and mother went to Weymouth and I cut 26 rows of stenels? Stones?? And Mrs A Drake and father went to Canton and Alfred Hardees” and his wife called
(five month gap)
On Oct 17 ES turns 12_
February 1846
11th wind East, snowed some, James and William worked to Randolph. Father made hoops. I went to school.
12th wind North West It snowed in the morning hard. Father made hoops in the forenoon and in the afternoon cut some wood I went to school. James and William came home from Randolph. (“Erastus” written vertically in the left hand margin beside this entry.)
13th wind North West, cool, but pleasant the milkman came here father cut wood the boys worked in the shop I went to school
14th wind North West pleasant, aunt Hanah and Esther Smith were here father brought home some wood and cut some James and William worked in the shop and school did not keep
15th wind North East snowed all day hard there was not any that went to meeting from here it banked up so that we could not hardly get out
16th wind North we shoveled school most all day there was no school today
17th wind South West warm father drawed wood out to the road by Seth Morton. In the forenoon James worked up to Col. Pierce’s and shod a sled and William went a hunting and he got a rabbit and feret? I went to school. The milkman came here.
18th wind North West father drawed out wood. I went to school. I went to the singing school there was not but 9
19th wind North and N East father drawed out wood. James and William worked in the shop. I went to school.
20th wind North East hard snowstorm in the afternoon. Father drawed out wood in the forenoon the milkman and Dea Crane staid all night I went to school
21st wind West pleasant we shoveled snow Lewis Gay called. I went to school
22th wind North West James and I went to meeting in the afternoon Mr Townshend preached.
23th wind North West Father drawed out wood James and William worked in the shop I went to school and in the evening I went to singing school
24th West Father drawed out wood. I went to school
the 25th wind North West Father went to Weymouth. James split wood up where father drawed out. William worked in the shop I went to school
26th wind N W James worked up in the wood. Father drawed out wood. I went to school
27th wind N James and William cut? wood up to Will’s? hill and father drawed it out. I went to school.
28th wind North snowed some school did not keep father drawed out wood
March 1846
1 wind North I went to meeting half a day a converted. Iew? Preached
2-Wind N. E. snowed a little father sledded out wood. I went to school I went to the singing school.
3-Wind N. E. pleasant father drawed up wood out of the woods. The boys worked in the shop. I went to school.
4-Wind West father sledded wood. I went to school. I went to the singing Sleighing begins to thaw up.
5-Wind N West father made hoops. I went to school.
6-Wind South West low? Father made hoops. I went to school and the singing school wound up.
7-Wind North West Father made hoops. School did not keep. I cut wood.
8-Wind S. E. snowed a little. I did not to meeting from here.
9-Wind North West pleasant. I went to school. James and William worked in shop. The milkman came here. Mr Pierces.
10-Wind N West. I went to school. James and William worked over to Mr Pierces. Father made hoops.
11-Wind changeable, very pleasant. Father has gone to Boston. Father and William worked for Mr John Pierce. I went to school.
12-Wind South west, pleasant. Wesley came and staied all night & father came home from Boston I went to school. James and William worked Mr John Pierce.
13-Wind South, cloudy. Father made hoops. I went to school. J & W worked for Mr john Pierce.
14-Wind S. E. warm, rain. James and William worked in the shop. I went to school. There was but 8. Father did not make hoops.
15-Wind South. West an W. I went to meeting half a day. Mr Goodridge preached.
16-Wind N. E. cloudy. It rained and snowed some in the afternoon. Father made hoops. James and William worked for Mr Pierce. I went to school. I hear of Mrs Plimletan? Death.
17-Wind N. E. clear in the forenoon, cloudy in the afternoon. Father made hoops. James and Wiilliam worked for mr Pierce I went to school.
18-Wind N West, pleasant. Father went over to Randolph. James and William worked in the shop . I went to school. Mr Howland came here after some blinds
19-Wind N West Father made hoops. James and William worked for Mr Pierce. I went to school. Dr Park was in school. Aunt Lois called.
20-Wind N. E. pleasant, Father made hoops. James and William worked for Mr Pierce. I went to school. There was an oil cloth man staid all night.
21-Wind West Father swapt horses with Mr Pullin. Mother and aunt Polly went down to Uncle Isac’s . School did not keep. James and William worked for MPierce.
22-Wind N west. James and Melissa went to meeting but I did not go.
23-Wind NE and SE. Father made hoops. James and William worked for Mr Pierce. I went to school. MaryA Lyons and Catherine Drake were in school. The milkman came here.
24-Wind SE cloudy Father cut wood at the door? Mr Burnham came to build the chimney over to Mr Pierces James and William worked for Mr Pierce. I went to school.
25-Wind S East, rainy, the masons were here. I did not go to school in the afternoon. James and William were in the shop.
26-Wind NE rained? Aff/ a day. The masons were not here. There was a thunder shower in the morning. James and William worked in the shop. I went to school. It was the first thunder.
27-Wind changeable, pleasant. Aunt Polly went home for good and all. I went to school. James and William worked in the shop.
28-Wind West, pleasant. The masons came to tap out the chimney. Father went mill. James and William worked for Mr Pierce. I went to school.
29-Wind N West I went to meeting in the forenoon. Mr Goodridge preached. The bell tolled for Mrs. Holmes
30-Wind NW wind NW Father went to grandfathers and to Walpole. James and William worked for mr pierce. The mason was here half a day. I went to school.
31-Wind N West father shingled an Mr Pierce house. I went to school.
April 1846
1 wind NW father went to Dea Howards, school finished. James and William worked for Mr Pierce
2-wind NNW it is fast father and mother and myself went to grandfather’s and stayed all night. Isaac went led asto & c? I went to a temperance meeting in the evening.
3-Wind NE we came home from grandfather’s. James and William worked for Mr Pierce. Mr Pullen stayed all night.
4-wind NE father and myself ful che a over manure. James and William worked for Mr Pierce
5- wind South warm. I went to meeting all day. Mr Goodridge preached his farewell sermon.
6-Wind NW. Father went to Weymouth with Mace Hixon. Mother bought a baker of Mrs Drake
7-Wind south, pleasant and warm father worked over to Mr Pierce’s in the forenoon and in the afternoon ploughed the garden.
8-I made a square of fratch work for Rachel James and William worked for Mr Pierce.
9-Wind changeable, father and myself went over to the meetinghouse in the morning. In the afternoon father painted Col Pierce’s. James and William worked for Mr Pierce. Mrs Alger called here.
10-Wind S, father and myself went up into the woods. I faced out hoof (for) holes.? Mr H framed Mr P house.
11-Wind s Father made hoops. I cut up some small wood. James and William worked for Mr P.
12-Wind changed to storm. There was no meeting to the Methodist
13-Wind NW Father went to Boston with a load of hoops. Newland Howard came here mowed a little in the evening
14-Wind W James went to Boston, father came home from Boston
15-Wind Nw father made hoops in the afternoon Charles Richards and Mrs Mason came. They staid all night. James, William, and Newland went to an Odd Fellow meeting. (This is the last time William is mentioned by name before he clears out July 27)
16-Wind changeable. Father made hoops
17-Wind S, Father went to Boston with a load of hoops in the afternoon. I went down to Uncle Isaac’s
18-Wind South. Father came home from Boston very warm
19-Wind changeable, pleasant. I went to meeting all day Mr Goodridge preached.
20- Wind S West, I rode the once w horse to plough. The masons were here plastering
21-wind South. I rode the new horse to plough. the masons worked for worked or Mr Pierce.
22-Wind South Charles Bouchards was here. I rode horse to plough. We have pumpkins up
23-Wind changeablefather and myself planted (something) Charles went back,
24-Wind North, very warm, we planted potatoes
25-Wind NE, cool. We finished planting potatoes. Mrs A Drake called.
26-Wind NW, pleasant James and Newland went to Sharon. I did not go to meeting myself.
27-Wind changeable, pleasant in the afternoon. I rode horse to plough for the corn. Mrs I Morse spent the afternoon here.
28-Wind NE, pleasant I rode horse to plough in the forenoon. In the afternoon Father and mother went to the funeral of Dea Drake.
29-Wind South East, father made two bunches of hoops in the forenoon. In the afternoon he made his beds in the garden I worked for Phillip Drake in the afternoon. The painters were to Mr Pierce’s
30-Wind NE rainy. Father and myself shelled corn.
May 1846
1 wind SE. In the forenoon I went in the woods. In the afternoon hard rain with thunder
2- Wind North, cloudy. Drawed railles
3-wind NE, cloudy. I went to meeting in the afternoon. Mr Goodridge preached in the evening. I went to meeting to Uncle Isaac
4-wind S, pleasant, planted some corn
5wind N west planted corn. Phillip D finished planting.
6Wind NE, cloudy, finished planting. the painters painted the inside of Mr Pierce’s house (how does he know the continual details about the P place??)
7-Wind NE, pleasant. We firt/fixt? Pr of old fence.
8-Wind NE, planted the garden
9-Wind NE, cloudy. Father went down to Mrs A Southworth I cut up small wood. Finished Mr Pierce’s house.
10-Wind S, rainy, thunder in the morning. I did not go to meeting. I went to the funeral of Mrs Whelds.
11Wind North W cool, The boys(which may or may not include William) worked on our house.
12Wind North W. cool the boys worked on our house. Father and myself worked up in the woods
13Wind South, cool…same…A Hodges and wife called
14Wind North & pleasnt. I went to Sharon
15Wind S pleasant. Father went to Boston. I cut wood.
16Wind S. I cut wood in the forenoon. Father came home from Boston I went a fishingoffrogs? In Sa?
17Wind South, cloudy. I did not go to meeting
18Wind S warm. The folks went to Sharon to work. There was a shase? Shower?
19Wind S, warm, the folks are to Sharon to work
20Wind NW cold father worked las Sharon on at nighty. I went after father. There was a thundershower
21Wind N West, pleasant
22Father worked to Sharon. I went after him. Wind N West. Father worked to Sharon at night I went after him
23Wind South E, cloudy father and myself worked up in the woods till it began to rain, rained all the afternoon. At night there was a thunder shower.
24Wind N East I went to meeting in the afternoon. Mr Goodridge preached
25Wind NE, pleasant,father went to Sharon and to the meeting house
26Wind N E, hot, worked in the garden
27Wind North East stormy, worked up in the woods.
28Wind North East stormy
29Wind North East stormy worked up in the woods
30Wind North East, stormy
31Wind North East stormy, did not go to meeting
June 1846
1 wind NE, school began Miss Polly Bartlett preps. I went to grandfathers and grandmothers and Aunt Betsey came here.
2wind NE, I went to school at noon I went to the meeting house and bought a grammar and a key?
3-wind N West hot, I went down to grandfathers, spent the day
4-wind South, warm, I went to school Father went to Boston in the cars
5-wind S warm I went to school father went to the meeting house and in the afternoon father
and mother went up to Dr Randolphs it is so hot I can’t wright any more.
6-Wind South. I went to school. Father worked over to Sharon
7-Wind N West James and Newland went to Sharon to meeting.
8-Wind N East hoed potatoes, Mr Pierce mowed. I did not go to school.
9-Wind South hoed Edw and worked here. Mr Loring bra father a new harness.
10-Wind S West, warm, worked on the road.
11-Wind N, cool Mr Garber Richards was buried, worked on the road.
12-Wind NE, cool I went to Sharon with some lumber, finished weeding corn.
13-Wind NE fathers worked on the road. I worked in the garden some
14-Wind changeable, warm. I did not go to meeting. James went to Easton to meeting.
15-Wind South, warm I went to school. Father went to Sharon to carry the boys. There was a thundershower in the afternoon.
16-Wind NE, cool I went to school Father, mother, and Mrs J Pierce went over to the meeting house
17-Wind changeable. Warm. I went to school
June 18, 1846 -Wind South. I went to school. Lusias Clapp was in school. Father went over to the meeting house and up to Col. Jesse Pierces.
19-Wind South. I started at home to hoe potatoes. Edward worked here. There was a shower at night.
20-Wind NE , Depo burnt last night. I rode horse to plow for Mrs J Britton in the morning (His handwritng has been getting larger and sprawlier since around the time he went back to school) I went to school.
21-Wind NE, stormy did not go to meeting.
22-Wind NE, the folks did not go away to work because it was storming. I went to school.
23-Wind NE, cloudy, The folks went to Feaxbury? (Foxboro) To work. I went to school.
24-Wind North East. I went to school. Father, mother, and Melissa went up to Col Tisdale’s and spent the afternoon. Grandfather and grandmother came here when they were gone.
25-Wnd North east, mowed white weed on the plain
26-Wind N E stormy I went to school
27-Wind NE, school did not keep I went down to Uncle Isaac’s in the afternoon. Father went after the folks at Foxboro.
28-Wind S West, Father and mother went up to Sharon to meeting times. Newland and myself went to Stoughton to meeting. Mr(s?) Prapp preached.
29-Wind SouthWest Father carried the folks to work..I went to school in the forenoon, in the afternoon oven? howed corn.
30-Wind N West father mowed some in the some in the morning, finished hoeing corn
July 1846
1 wind North East, rainy, I went to school
2.Father went to Foxboro to the raising of Alford Store. I took care of father’s hay, did not go to school
3wind SE, father mowed some, got in some hay
4-wind South I went to the picnic at Canton with Uncle Isaac. Father in mowed some got in some hay went after the folks at mtg ht.
5-Wind South, foggy in the morning. I died not go to meeting Father and mother went to Easton to meeting. James and Newland went to Sharon
6-Wind, SouthWest very warm father carried the folks to work I did not go to school. Father mowed the square piece next to the orchard
7-Wind South Father went to Dedham. The painters were here. I did not go to school, got in a little hay.
8 Wind North West, cool, I did not go to school. Father mowed in the forenoon, got in a little hay
9 wind west, warm, worked at haying
10 wind West, very warm, Father mowed up in the orchard, got in some hay.
11wind West, very warm again, did not do much at haying, I went with after the folks. Newland went haying? There was a shower.after we got home.
12, wind North West, James and myself went to meeting in the forenoon. Mr Pratt preached. There was a shower James went to the meeting at night to Mr Holmes
13 wind North West, cool, I carried the folks up as far as Mr Doolittle’s. Father finished mowing the orchard and mowed Mrs E? Smith’s farm. He went to Uncle Isaac’s.
14 wind South, stormy in the forenoon, I did not go to school in the afternoon. I went to Uncle Isaac’s as father went to Canton.
15 wind SW finished getting hay at home
16 wind NE, Father bought some grass of A Drake
17 wind NE, cloudy, We brought the hay home from Mr Baker’s
18 wind North East, Stormy at night. I went after the folks.
19 wind N East, Did not go to meeting any. Father is most sick.
20 wind Es larny?? In the morning.
21 wind NW, finished mowing down to Mr Baker’s
22 wind S, stormy. Father and Calvin.? went to the hay meadows
23 wind, South, rained hard in the forenoon, In the afternoon father spread his hay at home.
24 father and Calvin and myself went to the clay meadows. After I got home I went ahuckleberrying. I picked some over a quart.
25wind North East, rained all day.
26we did not go to meeting.
27, Went to the Clay Meadows after the hay. William packed up and cleared out (He had turned 20 0n May 20th)
28 wind South West went and got the rest of the hay, got home about 4 oclock. Grandmother and grandfather came and staid about an hour or two. (writing turns smaller and neater)
29pleasant, made some of the Clay Meadow hay a little more.
30wind South West, Col Pierce’s hands and father and Calvin went to the Draper Meadow
31wind North, Charles, Mr J Pierce and father and Calvin and myself went and brought it home. After we got home there was a thundershower.
August 1846
1wind North East, cloudy in the forenoon, pleasant in the afternoon. Father spread some of his hay.
2 wind North west, pleasant, James went to Easton in the afternoon. I went to Sharon to meeting at night. James went to Hollises.
3 wind South East, hot. Father carried James up to Foxboro. After father got home he mowed his marsh. I went to school.
4-wind South West Father finished mowing his marsh, the painters came, I went to school.
5-wind SW, hot, Father is sick. The painters did not come. I went to school.
6-wind North W the painters came, father was better
7 wind North west I went to school.
8-wind South West hot. I went to school. There was a shower in the afternoon. Father went after James.
9-wind changeable, hot, we did not go to meeting.
4 month gap
On Oct 17, 1846 ES turns 13
December 6, 1846 commenced again
6-wind North West, Father, mother, and Melissa went to Easton to meeting. Webley came here in the afternoon.
7-wind South East I went to school. Mr…? Teaches. James and Angus and Newland worked in the shop.
8-wind changeable, stormy I went to school. The folks worked in the shop. In the afternoon James went over to Sharon.
9wind NE snowed in the morning, pleasant, in the afternoon the folks worked in the shop. I went to school.
10 wind South East I went to school. The folks worked in the shop. Father went to Mr Albert Southworth’s
11wind NE snowstorm in the night and in the morning, pleasant in the afternoon. I went toschool. The folks worked in the shop.
12 wind North West cold. There was no school. The folks worked in the shop. The master called James and Newland went up to the Singing school/
13wind North West cold, did not go to meeting
14 wind North West I went to school. Dr Park was in school. The folks worked in the shop. Father cut wood in the woods.
15wind North West cold, I did not go to school. Staid to leav out wood. The folks worked in the shop.
16 West I went to school. Father drawed out wood. The folks worked in the shop.
17 wind North West, snowed in the afternoon I went to school. Father drawed out wood. Newland and Angus went to the ? James put in a pair of shafts for Mr Cobett.
18-wind North East, rainy, very bad going. I went to school. Father cut wood at the door. The folks worked in the shop.
19 wind South West, pleasant. I went to school. Father cut wood in the woods. The folks worked in the shop. James and Newland have gone to the singing school.
20wind West, Did not go to meeting. C W Belcher came here in the afternoon. He and James went to the singing school.
Dec 21, 1846 wind North West I went to school. I went over to the village at noon. Father went up to Amses. The folks worked in the shop
22 wind West, I went to school. Father cut wood up in the woods. The folks worked in the shop.
23 wind North West I went to school. Father went to Weymouth The folks worked in theshop. Quite a time at school
24 I went to school. Father cut wood. The folks worked in the shop. Father had a load of lumber.
25-wind South I did not go to school in the afternoon. Grandfather and Grandmother were here. Rained in the evening James and Newland and Angus went to the sing? At Stoughton.
26wind North West, cold, There was no school, cut small wood at the door. The folks worked in the shop. Philip Drake put his eye. Father went after the doctor and Leonard Drake.
27 wind South West, cloudy, father and mother and Melissa went to Easton. James went to the post office to get his paper warm.
28wind SW, I went to school. James and Angus went to Sharon. There is a school meting this evening
29wind North West I went to school. James and Angus…? Over to Sharon
30 wind East rain. I went to school. James and Angus worked in the shop.
31wind West I went to school. Father cut wood in the woods. James and ANGUS WORKED IN THE SHOP. ALL PEACEABLE AT SCHOOL.
Jan 1847
1 wind South, warm. I went to school. Uncle? Lewis Gay was here/. Ismael? Susan Clapp and Sarah were here in the evening.
2-wind North, stormy, I went to school. The folks worked in the shop
3-wind North, James and Newland to Easton to meeting. That is all that went from here.
4-wind East, cloudy.Father carried Uncle Lewis wife to Uncles. Seruels. Mother stoped to Uncle John Randells rained in the night. I did not go to school. I had a sore throat.
5-wind South West wind blows hard. I did not go to school on account of sore throat. RioDe? Park died.
.
15-wind South East, warm, cloudy. I went to school. Father went in the woods. The folks worked in the shop. Newland went up to the Orchard fire(d?).at a fratride? (partridge?)
Wind-SE and NE, rained in the morning, fair in the afternoon. Father went to Boston in the cars. I went to school. CW Belcher called. Newland went home in the evening.
17wind North West, Father and mother went to Easton to meeting. Bestory? was here. They went to the sing in the evening.
18wind South East, I went to school. Father worked in the woods. The folks worked in the shop.
19wind North West –do above
20wind North West. I went to school. Father carted lumber from the meeting house. The folks worked in the shop.
21wind North west I went to school. Father carted wood out of the woods. The folks worked in the shop. In the evening they went up to Mr William Kings.
22wind North West, cold. I went to school, Father drawed out wood, Mother went to Uncle Isaac’s, the folks worked in the shop.
23wind South Father, Mother, and myself went to Grandfathers. I was not very well.
24wind South West I was not very well. Father Melissa went to Easton. Newland went to Sharon.
25wind North West I did not go to school, was not very well. Father drawed out wood.
26wind Wout East, cloudy DO above …father draed wood up to Mr Leahah? And toLorenzo Smith. The folks worked in the shop.
27wind North West I did not go to school, was not well. Father cut wood on We(i)lls Hill,the folks worked in the shop.
28wind North West, I did not go to school, was not well. Father Drawed out wood. We had news that Grandmother was very sick.
29wind South East, The windows were broke out of the schoolhouse. We did not hear from grandmother. Father worked in the woods.
30wind North West, repairing the schoolhouse. Father and mother went to grandmothers to see grandmother.
31wind North West did not go to meeting, did not hear from Grandmother. In the evening, James and Newland went up to the sing.
February 1847
1st wind North East, looks like snow. I went to school. Father cut wood at the door did not hear from grandmother , snowed in the morning.
2nd wind South East went to school, father made hoops did not hear from grandmother. Folks worked in the shop.
3rd wind South East, blowed very hard. I went to school, father made hoops, did not hear from grandmother rained in the evening , hard.
4th wind, North West, cold did not hear from, Went to school, father made hoops, the folks worked in the shop[
5th same
6thn wind North West school finished then same…did not hear…
7thwind North West, pleasant,Father and mother went to Easton to meeting. Aunt Polly came home with them
8th wind North West, pleasant in the morning, father went up to Mace Rendd? After a barrel of flour, loaded a load of hoops for Boston, the folks worked in the shop.
9th wind South West, pleasant, Father went to Boston with a load of hoops. I did the chores. The folks worked in the shop.
10th wind North East snowed. Father came home from Boston. I did the chores, cut up some wood. Folks worked in the shop.
Feb 11th 1847 wind North West, pleasant. Father made hoops in the forenoon and in the afternoon Colonel Tisdale and his wife and Hannah Tisdale.
12th wind North West father made hoops. I split 3 bunches of hoops. The folks worked in the shop.
13th wind North West, cold. Father made hoops. I split 2 bunches of hoops. Mrs John Pierce called. James and Angus went to the meeting house in the evening.
14 wind North West pleasant, did not go to meeting. Wesley Belcher called and went up to the singing.
15 wind North West snow storm in the morning. Pleasant in the afternoon. Father and mother and myself went to uncle John’s in the afternoon. Father went to Mr Isaak Johnson’s.
16 wind North East, cloudy, looked like snow. Father made hoops. In the evening James and Angus and Newland went up to Bravo Dunbar’s to a temperance meeting. EdwinManley was here in the evening.
17wind North West, pleasant, Father made hoops. In the forenoon. In the afternoon he went to get the horse shod and the folks worked in the shop.
18wind North West, pleasant. Father made hoops Mr Dunbar of Sharon called. The folks worked in the shop
19 wind North East, snowed a little. Father went to Boston. I did the chores. The folks worked in the shop. Charles Dickerman came to see me in the afternoon.
20 wind North East cloudy, did the chores. Uncle Isaac called Father came home from Boston. The folks worked in the shop.
21 wind North East, snowstorm, did not go to meeting
22 wind North East, continues to snow
23 wind North West, pleasant, Father drawed out wood.
24 wind North West. Father drawed out wood Aunt Hannah, Esther, and Mary were here. Aunt Polly went home(there for 2 weeks?) with them. The folks worked in the shop.
25 wind North west, pleasant. William Smith drawed out wood for father. James, Angus, and Newland went into the woods.
26 wind South West. William Smith worked for father. James. Angus, and Newland and myself went into the woods.
27 wind South East Father and William Smith and James and Angus Newland drawed out wood. Rained in the night hard but did not spoil the sleighing.
28 wind North West, cold. Did not go to meeting.
March 1847
1 wind North West, blustering. Father and James went to town meeting after they got home. James went to Grandfather’s.
2wind North West. James was going to Boston and got belated and did not go. Father drawed out wood.
3 wind North west Father drawed out wood. James went to Boston in the evening. James and Melissa spent the evening to Col Pierce’s.
4 wind changeable, Father went to mill and to Sharon or to Mr Amess. John Thayer called. The folks worked in the shop.
5 wind North East. Father cut wood; I cut wood up back of the pond. In the evening Mr John Perce and his wife and Evgeline and Sarah were here in the evening. Aunt Polly came from Uncle Brass? Isaac’s?
6 wind North East and North West. Father brought home some hoop poles. I cut wood back of the pond. Snow went bye? Pretty fast today. The folks worked in the shop.
7 wind South East, did not go to meeting, rained towards night. Edwin Dunbar and his brother Charles were here. James went to the sing. Newland went home
8 wind Father got out hoops. I cut small wood at the door. The folks worked in the shop
10 wind changeable rained in the forenoon, pleasant in the afternoon. Father got out hoops. Mary? Clapp called in the evening. The folks worked in the shop.
11 wind North West, blustery. Father made hoops. In the Evening James, Melissa, and Newland went down to Uncle Isaac’s. (uses a series without an and between every word for the first time?)
12 wind North West, blustery. Father made hoops. Aunt Polly went to Col Pierce’s in the afternoon. James and Melissa and Newland went up to Wesley’s examination. (Oops)
13 wind NW father made hoops
14 wind NW cool. Father and mother went to Easton to meeting and carried Aunt Polly home.
15 wind NW, pleasant. Father made hoops. Mary and Susan Clapp were here in the afternoon.
16 wind NW Father went to Boston. I did the chores. The folks worked finishing the parlor.
17 wind NW cold Father came home from Boston. I did the chores. The folks worked in the house. Mr John Pierce was sick. Wesley Belcher was here a little while in the afternoon.
18 wind SW, pleasant. Uncle William and Aunt Olive spent the day here. Father went in the woods.
19 wind NW In the forenoon father went and got a load of hoop poles. In the afternoon, father and mother went up to Col Pierce’s and Uncle Moses came about? A grindstone. The folks worked on the house.
20 wind South Father went into the woods after a load of wood in the forenoon and in the afternoon he got out hoops. The carpenters work on the house.
21 wind S# & NE, rained all day. Did not go to meeting, warm.
22 wind NE, cold, rained all day. Father and James went to town meeting. Mr Pierce went with father. Angus made a chopping box for mother.
23wind NE rained, father made hoops, the folks worked on the house met for a school meeting but it was not legal.
24 wind NW in the forenoon it snowed in the afternoon pleasant. Father made hoops. The folks worked in the shop. In the evening James and Angus went over to the meetinghouse. Sarah spent the afternoon.
25 wind South, pleasant. Father made hoops. The folks worked clapboarding the house. I went after the library In the evening James and Angus went over to the meeting house.
26 wind SE In the forenoon went to Mr Joseph Smith’s after some hoop poles. Heard of Mr John Belcher’s death, rained in the afternoon. The folks worked in the shop.
27 wind SE & NW rained in the forenoon, snowed in the afternoon. Father got out some hoops. Newland went home.
28 wind NW cold did not go to meeting. James went up to the sing
29 wind South Newland and myself carried the tools to frog Island. James and Angus cut wood, snowed a little.
30 wind NW The folks worked down to frog island. Aunt Bethia Holmes spent the day here.
31wind NE snow storm. The folks came home from frog island. Father went to the funeral of Mrs John Drake
April 1847
1 wind NW Father sledded out wood. The folks did not go to frog island.
2 wind NE Snowed all day. The folks did not go to frog island. Nothing particular was done.
3 wind NW, pleasant The folks worked in the woods. Mr Russel Drake’s child died this morning. Snow melted very fast.
4 wind changeable, cloudy. Did not go to meeting. Stormy towards night.
5 wind NW pleasnt. The folks went to Frog Island. Father made hoops. Mr R Drake’s child was buried. It was town meeting but father did not go.
6 wind SE cloudy. The folks worked to frog island father made hoops Melissa walked with Mrs King’s child
7 wind NW pleasant the folks worked to frog island father made hoops
8 wind NW fast Father, mother, and myself went to grandfather’s Newland went home James went over to the sing to the meeting house first frogs peeped.
9 wind NW pleasant father made hoops
10 wind SW blustering the folks worked down to frog island father made hoops Sarah Pierce called.
11 wind NW cool James and Newland went to Easton to meeting and in the evening up to the sing.
12 wind NW father went to Mr C Hixon’s the folks worked to frog island
13 wind changeable father went to Boston Melissa went to Mr Clapps a quilting the folks worked to frog island.
14 wind South father came home from Boston the folks finished to frog island
15 wind SW the folks worked in the shop picked over manure
April 16 1847 wind NW cool the folks took down the piazza in the afternoon father drawed wood to Amseses Mary Smith was here.
17 wind South cloudy & windy The folks worked on the house in the afternoon Newland went after the tools down to frog island
18 wind NW did not go to meeting in the evening James went up to the sing.
19 wind NW & SW pleasant. Father drawed wood up to Amses Newland and Angus went to Boston father James and Angus and Newland and myself went to the schoolmeeting
20 wind SW pleasant Elijah Gay was here and plowed..the folks worked on the house.
21 wind South rained in the morning Mr King’s child died James worked on the road in the afternoon spread some manure on the garden and grass
22 wind South very warm father went to Taunton Grandfather and Grandmother spent the day here Grandfather and myself went to Mrs Jabez Richardses.
23 wind NE very cold and stormy Mother is not well Mr King’s child was buryed father went to Mr Albert Southworth’s the folks worked in the shop
24 wind North East cool father made hoops the folks worked on the piazza Sarah Pierce called mother is better.
25 wind South pleasant Father and myself went to Easton to meeting all day. Mr Hall preached.
26 wind South father made some hoops and he went to Mr Albert Southwort and father and myself went to the meetinghouse to get the horse shod the folks worked on the piazza it rained a little in the evening
27 wind changeable pleasant James worked up to Col Tisdale’s we ploughed the garden and planted some potatoes and peas father bought him a pig.
28 wind NW cool ploughed back of the shop for sowing tows (oats?) the folks worked in the shop
29 wind SW rained in the afternoon Father mother and myself went down to grandfathers brought home Aunt Olive home with us the folks worked on the house.
30 wind changeable rained in the afternoon father sowed his oats
May 1847
1 wind North West cool. We bushed and rolled the oats..The folks worked on the house.
2 wind South East rained did not go to meeting
3wind North West Father went to Boston. James and Angus and Newland worked for Mr Hixon hewind timber.
4 Wind North West Father came home from Boston. The folks worked to Mr Hixons hewing timber. Aunt Olive,Melissa and myself went up to beyond the Jacob Jack?Thompson place
5 wind North East split corn hills in the forenoon in the afternoon I rode horse to plough. The folks finished hewing timber for Mr Hixon.
6 wind East pleasant planted some potatoes Mr Benjamnin Everett repaired our chimney. James tended mason. Grandfather came after Aunt Olive.
7 wind North East finished planting potatoes rained in the evening Melissa went to Uncle Isaac staid all night the foks worked in the shop.
8 wind North East rainy Father went to r Hixons and brought Melissa home father worked in the woods in the afternoon the folks worked in the shop
9 wind South pleasant father mother and Melissa went to Easton meeting James went to Stoughton meeting.
10 wind South East pleasant school began I did not go I went to Weymouth with Father he bought me a pair of thin boots. Miss Mckendery leads school the folks worked in the house and shop.
11wind South foggy in the morning but pleasant and hot in the afternoon ploughed for the corn and furrow(?) out.
12 wind North East planted some corn Mother went down to Uncle Isaac’s a little while Uncle John called the folks worked in the shop.
13 wind wind South East pleasant planted corn, the folks worked in the shop did not go to school.
14 wind North East cloudy finished planting in the morning father brought home some hoop poles. I bathed some. The folks worked in the shop.
15 wind North East James and Newland went to Mount Auburn. Father carried a cord of wood to Mr George Ames. Angus and myself bathed all day. Mr Dean was killed on the railroad.
16 wind North East pleasant James and myself went to Stoughton to meeting. Mr Mac Reading preached mother had the headache In the evening James went up to the sing.
17 wind North East The folks went up to Col Tisdales to work worked in the garden most of
the time father bought a little hay of Mr Otis Smith
18 wind North East I went to schoiol. The folks went up to Col Tisdale’s father made hoops there was no school in the afternoon. Mr Joshua Britton had our horse and wagon to go to the funeral of Mr William Dean.
19 wind North East I went to school father made hoops the folks worked up to Col Tisdale
20 wind South father made hoops I went to school the folks worked up to Col Tisdales. Father loaded a load of hoops to go to Boston
21 wind North West father went to Boston the folks worked up to Col Tisdales I went to school
May 22 1847 North East school did not keep did the chores and went along to Uncle Isaacs a little while until father came home from Boston the folks worked to Col Tisdale’s father bought me a fiddle.
23 wind South warm father and mother went to Easton to meeting James went to Stoughton Mr Mac Reading preached I played on my fiddle some
24 wind East cloudy I went to school the folks went to Col Tisdales in the afternoon. Sarah had a vacation this week
25 wind North West pleasant I went to school the folks worked up to Col Tisdale’s
26 wind South pleasant I went to school the folks finished up to Col Tisdale’s father drawed sand to make mortar
27 wind changeable the folks worked around the house I went to school Sarah called
28 wind North West pleasant Angus and Newland bathed. I went to school.
29 wind South pleasant the mason was here making mortar the folks worked in the house father was not well I went to school in the evening we had a shower very high wind for a few minutes
30 wind East stormy in the forenoon father turned the cows into Capt Waters pasture did not go to meeting.
31 Wind East pleasant I carried the folks up to the Warren Talberts to work I went to school in the afternoon the masons were here plastering
June 1847
1 wind East stormy the masons were here the folks worked up to Mr Warren Talberts father worked around the house I went to school rained hard in the night father carried Mr Everet and the tender home
2 wind North West the mason was here I went to school
3 wind North West father went to Boston in the cars the mason was here I went to school
4 wind South East rained hard in the forenoon the masons finished I went to school
5 wind North West school did not keep hoed potatoes Grandfather and Grandmother staid a little while in the afternoon I went and got the horse shod and went up to Mr WarrenTalbert’s after the folks
6 wind North West pleasant in the forenoon James and Melissa went to Stoughton to meeting and in the afternoon father and mother went to Easton in the evening James and Newland went to Mr R Drakes to meeting
7 wind changeable pleasant I did not go to school hoed potatoes the folks worked in the shop
8 wind South I went to school father went to Weymouth the folks worked in the shop Melissa went over to the meeting house
9 wind South cloudy I did not go to school finished hoeing potatoes the folks worked in the shop.
10 wind West Father and James went down to Grandfathers hewing timber Angus and Newland worked in the barn I went to school
11 wind high wind I went to school father and James worked hewing timber Angus and Newland worked in the barn I went to school
12 wind South pleasant finished hewing timber about noon and came home school did not keep after father got home hoed some corn
13 wind South pleasant James went to Stoughton to meeting Father and mother I and Melissa went to Easton at night went to a meeting to Col Pierce
14 wind South West I did not go to school finished hoeing corn the first time the folks worked in the barn rained in the evening
15 wind North west cold father went to Taunton brought E Heany? Home with him the folks worked in the barn I went to school
16 wind South West I went to school the folks worked in the barn father made hoops
June 17, 1847 wind North West father went over to the meeting house in the morning I went to school in the afternoon
18 wind North East I went to school father made hoops James worked over to Lucius Clapp’s in the forenoon
Erastus Smith will turn 14 on Oct 17, 1847 His next diary begins in 1855: