Daybook No. 1 Continuing, 1795-1806
Item 2
Scope and Contents
This volume contains fewer pages than the other daybooks, and is labeled "Daybook 1 Continued." The first page notes that it contains, "Work done on land belonging to D[aniel] and E[lijah] Boardman. No persons credited in this for days work but in common daybook." The volume documents quite a few laborers, and a wide variety of tasks that speak to Boardman's involvement in trade and agriculture. They also document work on his houses, noting painting and plastering. The volume includes names for various parcels of land, including Nobel Meadow and Hubbell Meadow and Chestnut Land.
The names of many laborers are the same as those that appear in other accounts. Names include Asa Baldwin, Joel Blakeley, Tilley Blakeley “Uncle Tilley,” P. Blakeslee, Robert Brown, Jonathan Camp, Peter Canfield, Daniel Copley, Isaac Ensign, Harmon Fairchild, Solomon Fenton, Stephen Ferniss, Ebenezer Folker, Gideon Green, Abel Hayes, Daniel Hayes, Abel Hurd, Jabez Hurd, Thaddeus Jack, Samuel Jackson, Daniel Lines, John and Nehemiah Lockwood, Stephen Lockwood, Ezra Merchant, Duncan McIntyre, Jethro Negro, Curtis Noble, Joel Noble, Anne Orton, E. Peet, Joel Peters, Reuben Phillips, Martin Prindle, William Russel, Jr., William Russel, Sr., Harry Seymour, Daniel Sherwood, Elisha Smith, Thomas Smith, Caleb Terril, Augustin Thayer, William Thayer, and Joseph Wells. Notes are made to indicate when someone leaves work early, for instance “Samuel went to Jubes funeral” or “Sam set off for New town Negro frolick.”
In addition to agricultural jobs like mowing and raking hay, spreading dung, planting, plowing, shaking apple trees, constructing pig pens, and mending fences, the laborers melted potash, made soap, pounded plaster, and manufactured salt peter. They also cut lumber and grafted apple trees. A detailed listing describes the items planted in the garden including beans, peas, cabbage, pepper, radish, and cucumber.
The volume also notes Boardman's travels to Vermont, New York, and Ohio. Several entries document parties preparing to depart for "New Connecticut." The parities include Boardman, Uriel Holmes, and Judson Canfield. There are also mentions of items of interest locally, such as the bridge falling and a rattle snake being killed.
Several African Americans are mentioned in this volume including Sam (possibly Samuel Jackson), Cato Negro, Nehemiah Negro, and Jethro Negro.
Dates
- Creation: 1795-1806
Creator
- From the Collection: Boardman, Elijah, 1760-1823 (Person)
Extent
1 Volumes
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the Litchfield Historical Society Repository
7 South Street
P.O. Box 385
Litchfield CT 06759
860-567-4501
860-567-3565 (Fax)
archivist@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org