The Diary Entries of John Geddes of Washtenaw County, MI - 1851

1851

Jan 11^th – Bought a Gold Pen & Pencil for myself.  it cost $2.50

Feb 24^th – I was attacked by the Erysepilas  it kept at me about six weeks when it was subdued and Dr. Downer who was the physician left me but I gained but little the third week.  The Doctor commenced again the Fourth week I gained some and still kept regularly gaining in strength.  For four weeks and one day I was not out of the house.  I then commenced going out a little.  In four weeks and five days went to the Sawmill on the first day of the sixth week.  I was weighed with my big coat on.  No boots on.  India Rubber shoes on my feet I weighed 130 lbs having lost about thirty lbs.  2^nd week I was weighed agin and weighed 132 lbs.  On the final day of the eighth week I weighed 135 lbs.  On the first day of the ninth week I weighed 135½ lbs  On the first day of the tenth week I weighed 146 lbs.  The next week I gained one lb  I attended Sawmill in the forenoon in the eleventh week.

April 11^th – The water broke under the Culvert at the Sawmill.

April 17^th – Ann Arbor commenced as a City.  George Sedgwick first Mayor with about 3670 inhabitants.

May 1^st – Thermometer 33 degrees at two O’clock P.M.  May 2^nd – 22 degrees in the morning 32 degrees

May 22^nd – The water finished out the Bulkhead opposite the Master Mill.

June 20^th – Mrs. Caroline Foster (Rash) died at Jackson (Disease congestive failure)  at 3 O’clock P.M. leaves four children

July 5^th – Dixboro Gristmill burnt down.  It was dissolved about 10 O’clock P.M. It is supposed it was set on fire.

July 4^th – A very fine day.  I went to Mr. Terry’s and took Debra along

July 11^th – Joseph Bell paid $200 rent for Gristmill -- -- pay $600 pr year for Three years on the first days of July, November & March of each year.

July 14^th -  Rainy weather for making hay and harvesting.  Botsford commenced harvesting July 11^th & De Ganno July 10^th,  July 12^th a great deal of Rain fell.

13^th – Alvah Ervers of Detroit died 15 minutes before three O’clock A.M. of the Hip Complaint.  he was confined to bed Nine Months.  The disease was very painfull.  Mr. Alvah Ervers was 52 years old.

July 26^th – Robert Geddes finished cutting & binding Wheat.  Wheat crop very heavy.  Wages 1.50 per day. I raked & bound in Harvest 4 ¾ days for Robert

Aug 2^nd – First new Wheat Brought to Geddes Mill.  wheat is .65

21^st – Norman Geddes of Adrian’s wife died aged 30

Jul 29^th – Went to Ann Arbor with wife and three Children and had our Daguerreotype taken it cost nine dollars

Sept 10^th – Knickerbocker finished building.  Pr--t Garden Orchard fence at 1.12½ per day.  It took 8½ days to build the front fence from Poudden to yard gate.  It took three days to paint it.  1½ gallon of linseed oil & about 35 lbs White Lead Ground in oil.  The oil cost 1.12½ per gallon and the lead $2.25 for 25 lbs.

Oct 3 – Elnathan Botsford & Mifs Eliza Copeland were married by Judge Fletcher a Justice of the Peace

Nov 18^th – Dug a ditch between Mullet Creek & Whitmore brook.  40 rods lond at .50 per Rod by William Savage.  Savage Boarded himself. But .37½ per Rod would have been plenty

18^th – Wheat is .54 at Ann Arbor & .56 at Ypsilanti

Nov 5^th – Joseph Bells wife & two children left Geddesburg in the Rail Road Cars for Jackson.  They left at night.

Dec 2^nd – Elnathan Botsford & Eliza Copeland his wife moved to Ann Arbor City

5^th – George Hicks arrived at home from California

6^th – Wheat is .60 corn .37½ Pork 4.50

Dec – Built a Kitchen.  Woodhouse & cistern and cost $100.00  Carpenter work at 1.121/2 per day 52.00  I boarded the Carpenter built the Cistern & Chimney.

Dec 25^th – Christmas Day.  Thermometer 20 degrees morning.  32 degrees at noon & 26 degrees at nine O’clock P.M.  First rate Sleighing Family all at home but Sarah.  She went to Mr. Terry the day before.  I attended Sawmill.

27^th – My son is eight years old to day (John)  Weighs 40 lbs gained two lbs the last year  His health had been but middling.  height 3-7½  Sarah weighs 64lbs gained 5 lbs in a year  Health pretty good.  Height 4 feet 5 ½ inches  Rachel weighs ----- height 3 feet 3 inches  health middling  My own weight 158 lbs Health middling.  Rachel Eliza Terry weighs -----  Height 5 feet 4 ½ in  Delia Alexander weighs ------- Height 5 feet 3 ½ in.