Joshua Hempstead Blog
wee Run the Line & marked Trees
[1738 February] Tuesd 6 fair. I went with Josh to Mr Wm Wheelers & he went with us & wee Run the Line & marked Trees & put heaps of Stones in Every 20 Rod from the Wallnut Tree by Stantons fence the N E Cornner of Fannings 100 Acres & a Side Line of… »
a publick Thanksgiving in this Colony
[1756 November] Thursd 18 “fair. a publick Thanksgiving in this Colony. I Set out in the morning with Joshua in order to go to Stonington purpusing to meeting att Groton but the ferry boat was gone over & Stayed there a great while and a small wind & Right against us that wee were Late… »
Helpt mend ye highway
[October 1743] Saturd 8 fair & warm. I was at home all day. I finished Trimming Cask 5. hhds 1 Pipe 1 Terse 1. bb & wee gathred the Last Ld of apples in the orchard behind ye House. I helpt mend ye highway in Stephens Room in the foren. Brother Hartshorn gone to ……. »
Harvest Time
[Sept. 1724] Mond .7. fair. I fetched a turn of aples fro Holmes’s Lot Ab & Moley. . .Saturd 12 fair. I was picking apples. wee Carted 1 Load to ye mill. . . .Tuesd 15 fair. I was at home all day. I finisht Riming my wheell. Jo Bent[Bennett] & Jno Mowed Rowin &… »
A Hurrycane
[August 1713] Wedensd 19 Rainy. I workt on bord Capt Hutton all day. itt Rained a Little in ye day & att night a violent Storm of Rain & wind. Robt Millers wife died Last night. was buried to day. Thursd 20. A Storm or Hurrycane. I was about home & in town all day…. »
a Tomb Stone for R. Christophers
[August 1731] Tuesd 13. I was at home most of the day & Cutting Some letters in a Tomb Stone for R. Christophers Esqr. Adm Mowed al d. Wednsd 14 fair. a Shower aftern. I was at home al day. I made 2 pr letters & Mended fence &c. Ad hilled Corn. Thursd 15fair. David… »
Tuesd the 4th
[July 1738] Tuesd the 4th fair. this morning about 6. Clock my Daughter in Law Stephens wife was DD of a Son in a hopefull way to do well. I was at home foren mending the Cart. aftern in Town Executing Deeds of Conveyance for ye ministry Land to Divers persons. Adam began to Mow before… »
Mr ad pr al day
[May 1730] Sund 31. Sacramt Day. Mr ad pr al day. Joseph Southmayd of Midle town & Abiah Douglass John Brooks & Sarah Lester pbullisht. Samll Leech & wife ownd ye Covnt & had their Child Baptizd Abigail.
Mr Adams probably didn’t preach ALL day. This was Joshua’s shorthand to record that Mr Adams preached at… »
Stones – The Labors of Hercules
[May 1739] Mond 14 fair. I was at home all Day plowing & helping plant & drawing Some Stones. Tuesd 15th fair. I was at home al Day writing &c. Wednsd 16thfair. I was at home al Day Diging & drawing Stones. Thursd . 17. fair & hot. I was at home foren Diging &… »
The Joshua Hempstead Diary
In the early part of the eighteenth century, in New London, Connecticut, Joshua Hempstead kept a diary. He recorded, on a daily basis, the weather, his business activities, baptisms, notices of marriage intentions, military trainings and wars, divisions of the Commons, court sessions, ship traffic, town meetings, New Light controversies, thanksgivings, fasts, deaths, his travels,… »