Glass fLiii Book_ ,13 6 84- From the Commission on Parchment, now in the Possession of Roe Hendrick, Elmira, Xew York, (treat-Great- Grandson of Captain Daniel Roe. Cut somewhat reduced from the original. Th e D ia ry OF Captain Daniel Roe An Officer of the French and Indian War and of the Revolution Brookhaven, Long Island, during Portions of 1806-7-8 With Introduction and Notes by ALFRED SEELYE ROE A Great-Grandson Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield. Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe hath broke; How jocund did they drive their team afield! How bowed the woods beneath their sturdv stroke!" Pr hat fly printed by the An not . k ^^^^. To the Reader I Presumably, you are a descendant of Captain Daniel Roe. As such you are interested in his ancestry and story, and in those of Deborah Brewster, his wife. Tog'ether they furnish authority for your admission to several hereditary, patriotic societies, viz.: — Througfh Daniel Roe's service in the F'rench and Indian War and in the Revolution, you are eligible to membership in the General Society of Colonial Wars, in the Sons of the Revolution and of the American Revolution, in the Daughters of the Revolution and of the American Revolution. Through the ancestry of Del)orali Brewster you may enter the Society of Mayflower Descendants and that of Descendants of Colonial Governors. Through the early coming to America of the ancestors of both Daniel Roe and his wife, and their reputable lives, you are. if of the gentler sex. entitled to enrollment in the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. Should your ancestry include Daniel Roe (3) you are eligible to the Cien- eral Society of the War of 1812 and to the United States Daughters of 1812. The foregoing ought to satisfy any man or woman of even the most ultra "jiner" proclivities. The praiseworthy actions of our forbears, their sacrifices and triumphs, in no way affect us of today except as they may prompt us to nobler living. Mere pride of ancestry is puerile, but admiration for what the fathers were and what they did may be encouraged with no danger of falling into ( Oriental Shintoism. " There is a moral and philosophical respect for our ancestors which elevates the character and improves the heart." '^ Daniel Webster. To the score and more cousins of greater or less remoteness who by their co-operation have rendered the printing of this ancestral tribute possible, many thanks are due. and they are hereby rendered with the hope that my labors have not been barren of information and pleasure to the descendants of Captain Daniel Roe. ALFRED SEELYE ROE. Worcester. Mass., June. 1904. (Note.— The somewhat peculiar size or shape of this book is necessitated by the dimensions of the Commission and Pay-roll, which are as essential to the volume as Hamlet is to the play bearing his name.) Introduction Daniel Roe, of l>rookhcnen. Lent;- Island, was the third in descent from John Roe or Rowe who settled in Drowned Meadow, now Port Jefferson, in 1^)67. Of this first settler, it is claimed that he was born in' Ireland in 1628, that he came to America in 1^)55, and to Southampton, L. 1., five years later. He was a shoemaker bv trade and ag-reed to be of service in this capa'city to his fellow settlers. In his will, drawn in 171 1, he mentions himself as "Cord- wainer." To him were assigned the acres Iving along the head of Brookhaven harbor, and to this day, the streets of Port Jefferson are largely parallel to the winding shores of that Ix-autiful body of water. For more than a hun- dred years, the settlement had few accessions; as late as 1797 there were but five dwelling houses, one, that of the first John Roe (the spelling of his name was indift'erent to him. It is Rowe on his tombstone) ; a second was that of Phillips Roe, and a third was erected by John Roe, father of the Captain. In 1812 there were only nineteen houses, a veritable Sleepy Hollow, till the introduction and growth of shi])-building made the bustling village, and brought, in 1836, the name, "Port Jeff'erson." In tliis quiet place, and in its vicinity, the Roes abode for at least three generations, and their graves were made and preserved in a famil}- Inu-ial- ground till, in the march of events, a new street must needs go through the same, hence what was left of their bones found final burial in the new ceme- tery, finely placed, Imt not where the fathers chose to sleep. To jolin Roe and his wife, Hannah, were born sons, John and Nathaniel. Nathaniel Roe married Hannah Reeve, of Southold, of the family which later gave to Connecticut her fauKTUs jurist. Judge Tappan Reeve, him of the Litchfield Law School. To this Nathaniel and his wife, Hannah, came also sons, Nathaniel and John; the reversed order willbeobserved. From this third Nathaniel descended the Hudson River Roes, including E. P. Roe, the novelist, also the Roes of Cortland and Tompkins counties. John Roe, of the thirtl generation, married widow Joanna (Miller) Helme, of Miller's Place, of the town of Brook'haVen. It is claimed that her ancestor was John Miller, son of Rev. John and Lydia Miller, of Massachusetts, who married, Dec. 24, 1659, Margaret, daughter of Josiah Winslow, a brother of Edward Winslow, Governor of Plymouth Colony. However pleasant such descent might be, it is more reasonable to believe that our John Miller is the one found at Easthampton in 1649 and wlio married a sister of Abraham Pierson, afterwards the first President of Yale College. Jolin's son, Andrew, later Ijecame the first settler in Miller's place, a ha'mlet of Brookhaven. The Miller descent was John,^ Andrew,^ 6 CAPT. DANIEL ROE Andrew,^ Joanna.'' She married, first, Thomas Hehne. who was killed while felling- a tree, leaving an infant son, Thomas, Jr. The family name was one of the best on eastern Long Island. Like his half-brother. Captain Roe, he bore his part in the Revolutionary struggle. The Rev. A. M. Roe. of Fulton, says, "I often heard my father (Austin Roe) speak of L^ncle Helme." In 1775' Thomas Helme was one of the heaviest taxpayers in the town. John Roe and his wife, Joanna, ha'd sons Jolm, Justus, xA.zel, Daniel and Austin ; daug^hters, Joanna, Amy and Hannah. John Roe of the fourth gen- eration retained the homestead erected by his father, and in it a direct descendant, Charles F.. is living now. Justus lived chiefly in Setaiiket ; Azel, a graduate of Princeton College, 1756, for more than fifty years was pastor of the Presb\terian Church in Woodbridge, X. f. He, too, did valiant service "he Original Kok [Iomestead. 1'ort Jefferson. L Erected Before i-oo. in the Revolution, sufifering imprisonment in the Sugar House, of Xew York. Several interesting letters from him to his brothers are still extant; a grandson wa's A. S. Roe, the novelist ; Austin lived on the south shore near Patchogue ; Joanna married James Davis: Amy, Woodhull ; Hannah, Isaac Davis. Of Austin, above, it sho'uld be stated that he bore the title "Captain" from ser- vice in the militia, and that, during the earlier part of his life, he kept a tavern in Setauket, where his umnarried brother. Justus, made his home with him. Later he moved to the south shore. When in April, 1790, General Wash- ington made his tour of Long Island, he has for the 22d. in part, the following entry : "From Hart's we struck across the Island for the No. side, passing the East end of the Brushey Plains — Koram 8 miles — thence to Setaket 7 miles to the House of Capt. Roe, which is tolerably dect. (decent) with O'bliging people in it." He left Roe's at 8 the next morning. Had the President cared to HIS DIARY 7 record all the happenini^s of that 22(1. he inioht have added that Capt. Roe had the misfortune to break his leg- while hurrying home to receive His Excellency and, as a consequence, was lame for the rest of his life. Daniel Roe, the fourth son of John and Joanna, was born. Jan. 20, 1740, in the house built by his father, and still standing-, in Port Jefferson; he died, Ian. Ti, 1820. at his long-time residence in U'esttields. now Selden. near the middle of Long- Island; the post-offtce was Coram. He was married, April 22, 1762, to Deborah, daughter of Joseph Brewster, of Setauket. in the town- ship of Brookhaven. The Brewster line on Long- Island is from Xathaniel. the first regular pastor of the church in said township. He was a graduate of the first class in Harvard College. 1642. and is claimed to be the first native American gradu- ate. While the statement is disputed by Savage and others. Thompson in his History of Long Island, and Prime in his Ecclesiastical Story of the Island, say he was the grandson of Elder \\'illiam Brewster of the AIavflowkr, his father having been Jonathan, the Elder's oldest son. Xathaniel Brewster married Lucretia, daughter of Roger Ludlow, Deputv Govkkxok of ^Jassa- chusetts in 1634; later was Deputy Go\'ERNor of Connecticut, dying in \'ir- ginia in 1665. Brewster preached for a number of years in England, com- ing to Setauket in 1655 and continuing till his death in 1690. His sons be- came prominent citizens of the new town, and of them Timothy married Mary Hawkins, probably daug-hter of Zachary, another of the founders. Their son. Jos'^ph, married Ruth Biscoe, of a Milford, Conn., family. To Joseph arid Ruth came a numerous famil}-. of whom a second Joseph was an infiuential citizen; a dau.. Alary, was married to John Roe. Daniel's elder brother: and Deborah, born Sept. 10. 1741. became the joint progenitor of the extended famil}- which looks to Daniel and Deborah Roe for ancestral authority. She died Jan. 2. 1832. and with her Captain sleeps in the family burial-ground, across the road from the homestead. Of that low-studded house, it might be stated that the Wayne County Roes ha\'e said that they had from its chambers looked out througii bullet holes, marks of Tory hate, made when the patriot mother held the fort, while her husband was away and before the fiight. One migiit remark that it was all too small a building for so many inmates, but its heyday was before later usages made such imperative demands for space, and Elisha 0\'erton was wont to remark: 'Tt was a happy place when the children were all at home." During the early Revolutionary days, she had the help of Tom Ryant, who had been reared in the family, and Ruth Dayton, who had been hired for this purpose. During the family absence, the place was occupied by a Tory neighbor, who made the most of his opportunity, and from whom, we are told, damages were later obtained. It is said that a particular grievance to him was the fa'ct that Captain Roe came back in time to harvest a crop of corn which the Tor}- had planted and expected to gather. The Long Islanders, in those days, were a prolific people, and to our ancestors came twelve children, of whom all but two lived to maturity and nearly all to advanced ages. Unfortunately the photographer did not then exist, and their station in life could not command the painter's brush, but of. 8 CAPT. DANIEL ROE their personal appearance we have the description of those who saw them. Sheldon R. Overton, a grandson, born in 1800, said of the Captain: "He was^ rather under the average stature, dark of eyes and complexion, quick and active in his bearing, not unlike his youngest son. Austin." Of his wife, Deborah, the Rev. Austin M. Roe says: "She wa.s a small woman with flashing, bla'ck eyes, an object of tenderest affection to all her children, and was seventy-two years old when I was born, hence quite past the period of activity. I can remember, however, that she always had, on her face, something said to be of a cancerous nature which she was able to keep in abeyance by an application made from poke-berries: dying, tinally. at a great age from other causes." A\''hen, in the early eighties, Mr. Roe visited his birthplace in Selden. now and then the residence of Mr. Samuel Dare, as he stood in the living-room, on the left side of the main entrance, and faced the great fire-place, he said: "There is where (jrandmother used to sit, right up in the chimney-corner." Never till that moment did at least one of the party know just what "chimney-corner" meant. Another grandson, the second Joseph B. Roe, said of Deborah Brewster: "She possessed great fortitude, patience and e(juanimity of mind, although s'he was slender and delicate in person. The children of this wortliv couple, in order, were Daniel, Joseph Brew- ster, Deborah, John, Joanna. Charlotte, Ruth, Mary, Hannah, Rebecca and Huldah (twins), and Austin, of wdiich list the last four were born wdiile the famil}' was in exile, i. e., while living in Connecticut during the Revolution. While the temptation to dwell on the merits of each respective member of this family is great, the limits of the article forbid more than the barest detail, though this must be said, that each one was a I'uritan of the strictest type, worthy descendants of people who had left their IJritish homes for conscience sake. The regularity of the advent of children to this household from the first in 1762 to the last in 1782, with an interval of tW(T vears in every case, is worthy the stud}- of sociologists ; evidently. Xature had her own way to the letter. (i) Daniel, b. Nov. 29. 1762: m. Feb. 15. 1787, in Oxford, Conn., Xabby, dau. of Daniel and Hannah Tucker of Derby, Conn., but coming straight from", the Long Island descendants of Captain John Tucker, who was one of the first settlers in Brookha\'en. This marriage was. without doubt, one of the direct results of the Roe liA'ing in Connecticut during the Revolution. The young people began their married life in Derbv, where Daniel was verv prom- inent in the INI. E. Church. Later they lived in Litchfield, but in 1812 they made the "Westward Ho" experiment, locating in what is now Butler, Wayne- County, N. Y., near the village of Wolcott. Here, too, Daniel Roe was active in religious work, and was instrumental in planting Methodism in the town and county. To this Daniel and his wife was born a numerous i^rogeny. There were thirteen children, who followed each other almost as regularly as did their uncles and aunts a generation Ijefore. for from Sanmel in 1788 to Orrene. 181 1, there was no break of the two y tars' interval save midway in the list. 1796 is followed by 1797, thus changing from the even to odd \ears. Samuel and HIS DIARY g- William died in childhood, the former born in Brookhaven and the next in Derbv, where the little ones continned to appear till 1803. when Austin was born. Thence the birthplace was tran>ferred to Litchfield. Deborah Hannah, b. in 1805, died in earh- womanhood in Ikitler. The Christian names of her grandmothers should be noted. All the other children attained maturity and lives of usefulness: they were Daniel, John, Polly, Xabby. Rebecca, Sophronia, Austin, Willis \\'.. lose[)h Brewster and ( )rrene. The pioneer mother of this family died in 1840 at the age of 70 years, while Daniel, the father, lived till 1852. llie third Daniel in this series m.. first, Alice Wright; second. Lydia Fitch, and had three children : he died in 1884, aged 92 years, a pensioner of the War of 1812; John m. Huldah Seym >ur of a disting-uished Connecticut family, and had six children; he died, 1876. aged 82 years; I^olly m. Daniel Wood, and had no children; .\al)b\' m. Cornelius \'anderoef, and was childless; Rebecca The Second Roe Homeste.^d. Erected Early in the Eighteenth Century by John Roe (3). Port Jefferson. I^. T. m. William Wood, and had four children; Sophronia m. Benjamin Howland, and had six children ; Austin m. Sarah Wisner, and was the father of eight children; he died at ^3 in 1866; Willis W. m. Mora Spencer, and had four sons; he also died at 63 in 1871 ; Jose;;)h Brewster m. Charlotte Wisner. sister of Sarah. Austin's wife, and had four children ; ( )rrene. the wife of Jotham Post, was the mother of four children. (2) Joseph I'rewster, b. Sept. 8, 17^)4; m., first, Polly Haiumond of a Long- Island family, whose earliest representative there was the Rev. Xoah, who died in Coram. 1774, he being the fourth in descent from Thomas, who settled in Hingham, Mass., in the seventeenth centurv. l''rt)iu many sources come statements of the saintly character of Ca])tain Roe's second son; his admirable traits seemed to so impress his relatives that the combination Josei)h and lo CAPT. DANIEL ROE Brewster still persists among- descendants and xlistant relatives more than seventy years since his death. It would seem that he was an early convert to the Methodist faith, and his home, near that of his father, was long a i)lace tor preaching and social meetings. Joseph and Polly were paj-ents of Joseph Brewster, Polly, Amy, John Wesley, Siamuel, Fanny, Huldah and Nelson Hammond, eight in number ; he married for his second wife Dorinda Howell, also of one of the oldest Long Island families, particularly in the town of Southampton; to them were born Hester Ann, Francis Asbury and Sarah Elizabeth, making eleven children in all. This family has remained largely on Long Island, Isaac Brewster Roe of Port Jefiferson, a son of John Wesley Roe, being the principal custodian of information concerning it. Joseph Brewster Roe, 2d, b. in 1790, was a man of wide experience, and frequently visited his Wayne County relatives ; he married ( Jrrene Selleck of Connecticut, and had three children, of whom Elijah W'oolsey lived long in Xew York city, dying at the age of 82 years in 1896; the latter left a family of eight daughters and one son, Joseph Brewster, now a lawyer in New York. The first Jose])h Brewster died in 1831 on his 67th Ijirthday; his son, the second Joseph !'>., died in Patchogue, L. I., in 1871. (3) Deborah, b. July 31, 1766, was m. Oct. 12, 1782, in W'oodljury, Ci mn., to Truman Porter, of the family which gave Pres.Xoah Porter to Yale College, and distinguished men to all the professions. As will be seen, Deborah at the early age of sixteen was wedded to a man considerably her senior, he having been a soldier during the Revolution. He was born in Woodburv in 1756, and when Captain Roe and family came back to Long Island he accompanied theiu, and lived to be nearly or Cjuite go years old. His wife, Deborah, died in her 85th year. Their children were many, and for their names we are indebted to the second Joseph B. Roe. They were Daniel, Sarah, Clarissa, Charlotte, Polly, Ruth, Catherine Garretson, Jesse Johnson, Nabby, and five others whom their cousin did not name. It is a matter of regret that so little is known of these fourteen children ; Sarah became the wife of Amos Soper of a Smithtown family, and the mother of five sons and at least one daughter, all of whom lived a longer or shorter time in \Wiyue County. They were Daniel, Egbert, Joseph Brewster, Piatt, I'ryor, and Mrs. Isaac Curtis. Ilic latter two returned to Long Island. (4) John, b. Oct. 9, 1768, m. Elizabeth Foster of Quogue, town of South- ampton, another long-established family. Slie was fifth in descent from Christopher Foster, who came to the Island among the very first. She was born Nov. 22, 1778, and died in Honesdale, l*enn., March 16, 185 1. In the earlier days it was customar\ to select one of the sons for a profession, and Jt)hn was tlie chosen one in this group, \'^^x some time he studied with his tmcle, Azel, the New Jersey clergyman, but his health failing he chose a mercantile life, locating in New York city, where he died Nov. 16, 1807, leaving an infant son, John Foster, b. Aug. 25, 1806, who was reared in the old Foster home. Long Island, and was educated for the profession of a civil engineer, but his mother, thinking that hardly stable enough, he went in early life to Honesdale, Penn., and there spent his life, following chiefiy the career of a HIS DIARY II merchant. He was twice married: first. Rutlv Sayre ; second, Anna R. rniller, and was the fatlier of seven chihh'en, of whom four survive. (5) Joanna, 1). Jan. 24, T770, became the wife of Laban Worth, whose progenitors had lono- l:)een on the Island. He was a farmer and lived near the old home of his wife. He died in iSiC), l)ut his wife survived till i860. Their children were Coleman, Abbie, Sylvester, Seth, Huldah, Phoebe, John, and Anna. Coleman, who had learned the trade of ship-carpenter, followed his uncles, Daniel and .\ustin, to Wayne County, and located on Port Rav in the t(3wn of \W:)lcott : his wife was Xancy IJunce, and to them were l)orn Xancv B., Justice ().. Edward (i., Samuel Al., William H.,and Sarah Alice ; Xanc\- became Mrs. Havens Smith. J. O. was a Methodist minister of the Xew \'ork East Conference. \Wlliam H. died as a surgeon during the Rebellii n, Edward was a \\'olcott farmer, Sarah Alice married Edwin J. T'oster of Red Creek, N. Y., and all now are in the other world. Sylvester Worth married Hannah Mott. and left no children. Seth Worth married Kate Smith, and had two children. Huldah Worth became the wife of Daniel Mott, who represented another long-settled family on the Island, and finally both moved to Missouri, where they died; their children were Joseph Brewster. Daniel Roe, Anne, Hannah, and John V ., of whom the first named is still living in Easterville, Iowa; Anne married, first, a Johnson; second, Baldwin ; Hannah married Hiram Nowlin of Pulaski. Mich. To Daniel Roe Mott and his wife, Sallv M. Miller, were born nine children, six of whom are now living in Michigan. Phoebe ^^^orth married Loren Doolittle, and had four children, one of whom, Silas, now living in D'owagiac, Mich., was a soldier in the 75th X. Y. Infantr}-. John AX'orth, who was a sea captain, was robbed and killed, leaving two children to be reared by their (irandma Worth, as their mother soon followed the father; Abbie and Anna died unmarried, the latter at seventeen years. (6) Charlotte, b. May 15, 1772; m. Daniel, son of Joseph and Mehitable (\"ail) Ilrown, another old Long Island name; Daniel was one of eighteen children. To Charlotte and Daniel Ijrown came eleven children, all of whom, save the last two, were born on Long Island ; Hetta, the second, and Charlotte, the ninth child, died in infancy; Harriet, the first born, m. Daniel Moore; Emma m. Joseph M. Smith; Joseph, S(Jphia Sweazey ; Fanny, John Allen; Hannah, Deacon Sage; James, third wife, Cordelia Peas; Daniel Roe, Sarah W^ood ; Alfred X'^athaniel, Mary Smith; Penjamin Ijrewster, Emily Hotchkiss. The family in 1812 mo\'ed to Windsor, Broome County, and taking up new land were prosperous farmers and worthv citizens ; their numerous descend- ants are found largely in the western portions of X^ew York State. Mrs. Charlotte Brown died in her 68th year. (7) Ruth, b. May 19, 1774; d. May 12, 1847. ^^i*? ^^'^^ married to Elisha Overton, of a family identified with Southold and P>rookhaven from their respective beginnings; through Palmer, David and Isaac he was fourth from Isaac the first, a race of farmers. To Ruth and Elisha were born Charlotte, Sheldon and Lewis (twins), Coleman, Brewster, and Harriet; Sheldon m. Catherine Roe of Rose, N. Y., and settled in Wayne County, dying in Wolcott when past the age of 80 years ; Lewis remained on the Island, as did Charlotte, the latter dying unmarried many }'ears ago. It was in her keeping ^that 12 CAPT. DANIEL ROE Captain Roe's journal was had for a long period. Lewis's son, W^ebster, now resides near the old home of Elisha, post-office Coram. (8) Mary, b. June 2^^, ^77^^^ came just a little before the Declaration of Independence, and was a babe in arms when the flight to Connecticut took place, and was an interesting bit of a girl when the family returned, Ijut to her was denied that length of da}S so characteristic of her brothers and sisters, for she was nearing the sweet period of sixteen when, May 3, 1792, she broke the family ranks bv her death, and was the first to be buried in the plot south of the earthly home, where, later, father, mother, brother and sister were to lie. (9) Hannah, b. in Connecticut April cS. 1778; d. March 16, 1854. She was the wife of Zophar Hallock, a scion of another IcMig-settled Island family ; through Daniel,'^ Jonathan,^ John,-' AA'illiam,- his lineage went back to Peter Hallock, one of the yery first to settle in Southold. Their home was in what was once called New \ illage, now Lake (iroN-e, a few miles west of the Captain's home, and here they reared their famil}- of nine children, viz., Nancy, who m. jason Hammond: Laura m. Mowbray S. Hammond; John The FiRsi Rdk 1 Idmestead, Divided and Separated, with a\ fi'KK.iii l^uii i i.n I'.i iween the Ends. Now the Townsend House, Port Jefferson, L. I. (Rear view.) Foster m. Elvina Overton: Almira : ^lary Eliza m. I. A. L'Homedieu : Daniel Roe m. Marv H. Rogers: Charlotte Roe m. 1. Tilotson : Samuel Merret m. Sarah Snedecar : Harriet Newel. The two older sisters married l^-others descended from the same Thomas Hammond mentioned in connection with Joseph Brewster's wife. Tolly, who was an aunt of these two. The latter reared a large family of eight children : two sons were Methodist preachers, two were teachers and one a physician : their homes were scattered from Connecticut to \'irginia. Daniel Roe Hallock remained on the paternal acres: of his six children one is lienjamin Franklin, who resides near the old Hallock home, and his hand rescued from the mass of old i)apers on their way to the paper-mill, the precious manuscript written by Capt. Daniel Roe, which forms the burden of this bocjk. HIS DIARY 13 ( 10 and it) Rel)ecca and Huldah, twins, b. Se])t. 13. 1780. in Connecticut. Relx'cca died Oct. 7. 1785, very soon after the return of the family to Long Island ; Huldah remained at home, saw her father and mother laid in the grave, and accompanied her brother. .Austin, when, in 1833, '""^ removed to Wayne County. Idiere she later married Le\'i Smith of \A^olcott. and with him remo\ed to Indiana, where in Aiiohigan City she died in 1840. (12) Austin, b. (let. 18, 1782, in Woodbury, Conn. To him fell the lot of staving at home and lieing the chief help of his parents in their age. He is mentioned in nearly e\'ery entry in the journal. He married. May 19, 1810, his first cousin. Sail}', dan. of Austin Roe of I'atchogue: to them were born eight children, two of whom, Sylvester and Ebenezer. died in infancy; the others were Daniel Jones, who m. Mar}- Ann Tillow. and removed to }^Iichigan ; Catherine m. S. R. ( )verton (yid. Ruth Overton) ; Eliza m. George Stafford and died in ( )hio ; John Brewster m., first, Roxana Sours; second, Eunice Li\ermore ; following his father on the Rose. Wayne Count}-, farm. Rev. Au.stin Marinus m. I'oll}- C. Seelye, and resides in b\dton. N^. Y. ; Fanny M. m. Timothv R. Smith, and lixes in Cl}-de, New York. The list is ended. Any one caring to enumerate them will find eighty- one names included among Captain Daniel's grandchildren, an a\ erage of nine for each child who was the father or mother of children. Reckoning from the standard of Rresident Roosevelt, the record is a protul one. Had the same average continued to this time, wdien Captain Roe's great-great-grandchildren are themselves parents, making the same allowance for death and barreiiness as in his immediate family, viz., one-fourth, we should find more than 3r)00 descendants in the fourth generation, but the century and more intervening between this date and that of the coming of his first grandchild have de^-eloped obstacles to an extent which eliminates averages, and those parents consider themselves fortunate wdio are al)le to perpetuate just the producing number, viz., two. Of the total eighty-one grandchildren, only the Rev. Austin M. Roe and his sister, Mrs. Fanny M. Smith. sur\'ive. aged respectively 80 and 75 years, they being the youngest children of Austin, Captain Daniel's youngest child. A brief and partial resume of the descendants discloses representatives of all the learned professions, inventors and skilled mechanics, bankers, merchants of all sorts of goods ; in fine, it shows every form of securing an honest livelihood, but by far the largest number has kept ""Near to Nature's Heart ;" in other words, the Roes and their affiliated branches have been tillers of the soil. There have been and are clergymen, lawyers, physicians and teachers of "credit and renown," but of the great majority it must be said that the farm is their principal theatre. An ancestor was a graduate in Har- vard's first class, and in the latest classes of the said mother of American colleges have been found descendants of the Captain in the fifth generation. Yale gave a Doctorate of Divinity to Azel Roe, Captain Daniel's militant, ministerial brother, and in the eighties she graduated in full course a great- great-grandson of the officer. The Methodist antecedents of the family may largelv account for the fact that from Wesleyan University no less than nine descendants have been graduated, and five more were pupils there, while from 14 CAPr. DANIEL ROE Smith, Mount Holyoke, and other institutions for the gentler sex his grand- daughters of more or less remove have secured the educational advantages desired. Items from Printed and Written Sources Concerning Capt. Daniel Rowe. French and Indian War. The i)apers of Captain Roe contain very little bearing on his ser\ice in this earlier struggle. Of course, we have the commission issued to him bv Governor Colden, and his great-granddaughter, Mrs. Henrv T. Lee of Clyde, N. Y., has a valuable souvenir in the shape of a powder-horn, profusely ornamented, always claimed to ha\-e been lirought back from this exi)edition. but a diligent examination of all written records reveals only the following, viz., an effort to obtain recognition from the Government of the work done bv certain soldiers before the Revolution. What would we not gi\'e if the names of those interested in the move had b >en signed? In most excellent |)enman- ship, and in ink which defies the erasive power of time, we read : "Whereas it is published in the public newspapers of the State of New York that a meeting in the Scipio will be held on the second Tuesday of September next for the purpose of dcAising means for obtaining the lands allowed to the soldiers, or their heirs, who actually served in the Old French \\'ar, in pursuance of said Notice a Meeting was held in Smithtown, Suff-th witli its necessary trials and inconveniences. I^'kom Uxi)1-:ki)()Xk's Rexolitionaky Incidents of Suffolk County. No. 542. — "At a meeting- of freeholders and other inhabitants of Brook- haven June 8, 1775: By a large majority were chosen 16 persons as a Com- mittee of Observation to represent said town and deliberate on other matters reljltive to oiu" present political welfare." * * * Said committee met }\\nQ 2y, Tuesday, and among the fifteen present were Daniel and Nathaniel Roe. cousins; Joseph Brown, whose son, Daniel, was to marry subsetpiently our Captain's daughter, Charlotte; and Thomas Helme, the half brother of Daniel Roe. The committee ])assed. unanim(^usly. seven resolutions. While the first declared unfaltering loyalty to King Cieorge the others as forcibly take to task the course of the King and Parliament in oppressive acts, apologize for the lateness of the resolutions, and declare a fixed determination that no ]irovisions be transported from the bounds of their constituents for the aid and comfort of their enemies. No. 552. — "At a meeting held in Smithtown, Sept. 6, 1775, for nominating Field Officers for the \\estern reg. of Suffolk Co., there were present among others, Daniel and Nathaniel Roe and Joseph Brown." No. 555. — "At the same place and for regimental i)urposes, Brookhaven sent several representatives, among them, Daniel and Nathaniel Roe." No. 560. — "Aianor St. George, December 15, '75. (ientlemen. There have enlisted as Minute men 70 able-bodied men within the bounds of Brook Haven, Smithtown, Manor St. George, and the Paten tship of Moriches who have chosen Dan'l Roe, Capt. ; Hugh Smith, ist Lt. ; Caleb Brew^ster, 2d Lt. ; Eben'r Phillips, Ensign." " * * * ■'' [Nath'l Roe was Captain of the 3d Com- pany from Brookhaven.] No. 576. — "]May 9, "76. 2d N. Y. Reg. i. Dan'l Roe, Capt. ; Jona. Titus, ist Lt. ; Geo. Smith, 2d Lt. ; I'enj. Titus, En." No. 610. — "Saybrook, Sep. 24, "76. Last Fridav (Sept. 20) a party from Lt. Col. Livingston's detachment was put under command of Capt. Dan'l Roe, to go from Saybrook to W. Haven, for the ]nn-pose of bringing oft' Roe's family, and a No. of others. On Friday night 12 o'clock, the Capt. left the sloop at Brook H. taking 14 men with him to assist in bringing down the family, leaving 14 under Lt. Geo. Smith on board, to guard the vessel. He pressed teams as he went to bring down the goods, not being able to procure them by other means. At 9 a.m., just as he was ready to return, he was informed by one of the guards that Richard Miller of B. Haven, a young gentleman of family and fortune, but a notorious enemy to his country (who had arms concealed at his house), was passing his house: upon which R. ordered his men to hail him, and if he refused to stop, to fire on him. He was hailed 3 times, upon which he stopped and 5 men wdth their pieces presented told him they would instantly kill him if he attempted to stir. He stood and view^ed them half a minute, then discharged a pistol at them, and rode off with the utmost expedition, on which he was several times ordered to stop, but he i6 CAPT. DANIEL ROE refusing five guns were separately fired at him. from the last of which a ball was shot through his body, upon which he dismounted and was carried into Capt. Roe's house, and left in the care of a no. of the inhabitants. Capt. R. being mformed that one Jacob Smith, who was in conjunction with Miller, and not far distant when he was taken, had collected a party of several, and were endeavoring to surround and take him, thought it prudent to retreat on board his vessel, where he had but just time to arrive with his wife and family, being obliged to leave all his effects behind. "Miller and Smith had recei\e(l commissions under the King of G. Britain, and had been raising men, pressing horses and wagons, together with persons to dri\e them, to assist Howe in removing his baggage. They had likewise taken fat cattle from the inhabitants, and obliged them to drive them to the Ministerial Armw" — Conn. Courant, Sept. 30, '76. Capt. Daniel Roe's Residence, Westfields. now Selden, L. I.. Erected Before the Revolutionary War. Rev. A. M. Roe. Fl'lton. X. V.. I. eft; (".. M. Roe. Cincinnati. ()., Right. No. 621. — "Oct. 28, "76. Gov. Trumbull directs 6 R. I. whale-boats, with 36 men under Cols. Li\ingston and Richmond, with Lt. (ieo. Smith, Caleb Brewster and D. Roe (best acquainted with the situation of places) to take three transports and make the best of their wav to Southold Bay, to Canoe Place: thence across into South r>ay up as far as Mastic, and bring off the effects of Col. Floyd and others of our friends, and return as soon as possible. Instead of this they captured 2 sloops (Princess Mary and Lily), loading with wood by order of Capt. Smith, for Gen. Howe and lying at the dock, head of Brookhaven Harbor. Thev also surprised Capt. Smith and part of his company, but tleclined marching to Smithtown to attack the rest of Delancey's Brigade, stationed there." Xo. 639. — "Jan. 4, '"jj. Ensign lienj. Titus is recommended for a 2d Lieutenancy by Capt. Dan'l Roe and others." [All refugees from Suffolk.] Xo. 707. — "Petitions of Suft'olk Co. Refugees in Conn. Ap. ij. "80, Joshua Smith and Capt. D. Roe of B. Haven, at Aliddletown, Conn. ; Capt. D. Roe at Woodbury, '80: Lt. Caleb lirewster of Continental and others." [Just what they Avanted does not appear.] HIS DIARY \y Pao-e 258, Ai)i)en(lix. Xote to Xo 555. — "Field and staff officers of ist Reo-. of Suffolk Co., Win. Moyd, Col.; (iilbert Potter, Lt. Col.; Jeft'rey Sniitli and Jesse IJrush, Majors; Phillip Roe, Adjt. ; John Roe, Q. M." [As the 13th and last Ca])tain in the list a])pears "Dan'l Roe's Minute Conip."" (numbering 76 men in all). I'hilli]) should doubtless be "Phillips" Roe, a cousin of our Captain, while John Roe was an older brother.] An old account-book, very much torn and abused, now in the possession of Airs. Ste])hen W. Soule of Rose, N. Y., a threat g-randdaut^hter, has a series of accounts between Capt. Daniel Roe and the several members of his company. The accounts run as thoujs^h kept in New Haven. Conn., and contain hft_\-six names, while torn lea\cs indicate seven others. A compari- son with the roll of May ist shows that all the names on this later one are found there, exce])t those of Jonathan King, John Dicher, Selah P>rush, Peter Toman and William IJassett. Wages are computed to (let. 31, 1776. Just one surviving page of stubs would indicate that the book once contained the l)ay-roll for the quarter ending July ist, '76. The final two and one-half pages of the book are given to entries as a justice of the peace. As manv leaves at the end are missing, it is impossible to tell how many cases are lost, but those given covering April 1-6, 1784, and March 2i-\\)r\\ 26, 1785. include no less than twenty-fi\-e cases. W'e might infer that the C(5mmunitv was litigious, not to say quarrelsome. Judging from contemporary sources, our ancestor was more often called Escjuire than Captain Roe, ci\'il office being preferred to military. For many years he held some form of town office; from April 3, 1798. to March 31, 1800, he was President of the Board of Trustees, the highest office in the town, and from April 7, 1807, to April 5, 1808, was again a member. Concerning the family flight from the Island it might be said that the incident has been told among the descendants with variations during the century and a quarter intervening. As the Rev. A. M. Roe of Fulton, X. Y., tells the tale told to him bv his father. Austin. "Cncle Daniel was standing in the doorway, a lad in his early teens, and saw Miller approaching. He w^as a second cousin of Grandfather, and had been to see his affianced, who lived some distance to the west, and had staged very late. On seeing him. Uncle exclaimed, 'Here comes that Torv Miller. "Avhereupon the men rushed out with the result as told. Among the embellishments of the narrati\e it was said that Miller, as he turned from the soldiers after halting, derisively slapped his hand ujxin that jjart of his person nearest the saddle and put spurs to his steed. The Rev. Andrew Roe of Marcellus. X. Y.. on seeing the Courant story, says. "This agrees exactly with the story as (Grandfather used to tell it, the latter saying that he was fourteen years (ild. and that he walked all the way to the landing and carried a gun."" (July one letter recei\ed by Captain Roe in war times is preserved, and it, addressed to Shelter Island, is as follows: Coram. August lyth, 1776. Sir, After mv kind love to you I have nothing remarkable to write to you at present I am well and my family and I believe that your wife and children is well for your wife was at Isaac Davis last week. Saturday. (Said Davis was 2 i8 CAPT. DANIEL ROE a brother-in-law of the Captain) and I hope that these lines will find you well in health and Reselut in the Cause for I believe that matters is just at hand for I Reseeved a letter from Newyork Last Friday and by that they expect the atax (attack) every day and our (hour), all they wate for is a southwest weand (wind) the letter says, the Tores begin to hold up their heads and he that is not for us is against us therefore it stands us in hand to keep a brite lookout. I should be exceeding glad to come and see you mv will is good but my bisness will not admit of it. I desire that you would give my love to my 2 brothers Nathaniel and Justice and tell them that all frinds is well I desire that you should send me a letter back by the Bearer hereof and I desire you should (send) £ 2-0-0 in the letter for I am going to Xewyork next week. So no more at present but I remain vour humble Servant. Isaac Overton. Among Ca])tain Roe's relics is an itemized account of the expenses incident to the death and l)urial of Private Israel Smith at Fort Montgomery, Feb. 7, 1777, also a very full inventory of the latter's personal effects. He is given as a member of Captain Roe's Company of the Second Regiment of New York troops, commanded by Col. James Clinton, Escp In an ancient account-book, nearly or quite as old as the French and Indian War, this record is found: "Abinday. the 17th of ^larch, 1777. Got to my family at Darby from Fort Montgomery." Subsequent entries indicate his presence in Derby or near-by towns for several years. Was this the end of his military service? There does not seem to be a definite answer, though it has always been held in the family that he was with General Sullivan's expedition against the Indians in 1779. In the extended publication by the State of New York on this famous campaign against the Indians, it would appear that the Captain's Company was there, under command of Captain Jonathan Titus, and this fact may have given rise to family traditions which frequently become considerably warped. Without date, these items are found, evidently belonging to the opening days of the War : Aly expense going Easter'd after powder was 0-13-9 My expense in numbering the people was 1-18-5 My thime, i.e. (time), 2-10-0 £5- 2-2 Why a pension for Captain Roe's services was so long delayed we can not, at this late date, tell, but among his letters, this from his kinsman, a prominent man in his day, tells that after long waiting it came at last, though not soon enough to be of any particular use to him : Brookhaven, June the 26, 1819. Dear Sir: I have the satisfaction to inform you that Government has allowed you a pension of twenty dollars per month during your life, to commence the 6th day of June, 1818, so that you now have more than $250 dollars due, payable the fourth day of September next at the city of New York, the certificate is now in my hands ready when you call. (The writer discusses at some length the case of Goldsmith Davis, and closes thus :) With sentiments of respect, I remain. Your Friend J Daniel Roe, Esq. Thos. S. Strong. HIS DIARY ig Captain Roe's third son, John, is not often mentioned in the diary, l)ecanse of his ahsence in Xew York, and it will he ohserved that the Captain was concerned chiefly with matters close at home, hence it is fitting- that a letter from this son should be inserted. New York, 2^ Jan.. 1803. Hon'd Father: Yours of the iith inst. arrived yesterday by Cap't Tyrrel with the Hominy. We got it from on board this morning & have all feasted upon it to-day at dinner. I have heard of j-our ill health ; l)ut am now happy to hear of your recovery and of the safe arrival of the girls. I have nothing material to relate. Mr. & Mrs. Dieterich & family are well and return you their most friendly respects. I have not seen Mr. Sell to-day ; but understand that they are all well — his late contract is very pleasing- to his mother as well as to himself. My best respects to Mv mother and the family all including yourself, likewise to all the relative families. A\^ith filial afifection. Sir, yours. Daniel Roe. hsq. N. B. — The number of your ticket is 18220. The number of mine is 21669. I tho"t it proper to mention this (as we made a little agreement respecting them which you will recollect) before the drawing commences which is a week from to-day. — so that if either of us has any other concern in the lottery, it may not be affected by our bargain which respects only those two tickets. As a reading of the diary will show, John Roe, the Captain's son. died early in 1808. His wife. Elizabeth, a Foster of Southampton, came back to that town and later m. Deacon Chas. Wooley, and there reared her son, the "Jonny" referred to in her brother Josiah's letter. On the death of her second husband, she went to Honesdale, Penn., where she died March 16, 1851. Those of the family who attended the second Roe picnic, held at Port Pjay in the early seventies, had the pleasure of meeting this John Roe, then an admirably preserved gentlen-ian of sixty and past, who, with son and daughter, had come from his Pennsylvania home to greet his kindred. He and his well sustained the reputation so long accorded to the familv. Southampton, i6th May, 1808. Dear Sir : By this you will l)e informed that after I left your house I arrived home the next morning before 9 o'clock and by the Benefiicence of Providence found all well. Aly goods and efifects arrived soon after, all safe. I innnediately consulted Mrs. Roe (his sister) and we concurred in the propriety of advertising as you will see in the Suffolk Gazette — I shall expect Sir — you will attend vendue and as many of our Connections as can make it convenient. I have nothing special further to conmiunicate at present. }klrs. Roe is with us here : enjoys good health & Fittle Jonny is very well — Mrs. Roe, myself & Family join in sending our best respects. Sir to you. your family and all inquiring friends — Yours in sentiments of Esteem. Daniel Roe, Esq.'r John Foster, Jun'r. The intervening century has not dimmed a line or word of this letter, nor in any way obscured the elegant penmanship which, with the unrivaled signature, is worthy of a writing master in the days when calligraphy was a fine art. 20 CAPT. DANIEL ROE The name of Daniel, the Captain's first born and namesake, does not appear anvwhere in the diary, a fact to l)e accounted for as with that of John. The sons were awav and carins^' for themselves. Had they, like their sisters, happened in frecjuently, they would be on record. In the days of the journal- keeping" Daniel was living in Connecticut, and, if he wrote letters to his father, they were not preserved, nor is there mention of the receipt of any. However, when he moved to Wayne Count}-, he corresponded with his Brook- haven kindred, and many of his missives are extant at this time. His youngest brother, Austin, seemed to be a favorite, and among the latter's papers are found several long and interesting communications. The following is a good example of Daniel's style : Hudson, November 3(1, 1823, Monda}- afternoon. Mr. x\ustin Roe. Dear Brother: I arri\ed in this city about 12 o'clock this daw I called on a friend who persuaded me to stay with them until to morrow morning, after 1 concluded to stay, I went to the ri\er and there found a sloop loaded with clams from Islip — master or owner of the vessel, saw his name was Ruland who expected to return home in three or four days and could send a letter to Cousin Justus Roe almost any da}-. — The day I left you I arri\-ed to ^^'i(^w Polly Roe's, Huntington. Xext day cross'd the ferry and went to Bridgeport put up at Mr. Lockwood". ( Probably Lambert L., son-in-law of Azel Roe, Captain Daniel's preacher brother.) next morning to Derby and in 7 or 8 days accomplished my business and started for home, if I meet with no extraordinary hindrance on the way I expect I may get home by Satterday night — I have great reason to be thankful for the good measure of health which I have enjoyd since I left you. yesterday, 1 got to agremont ( Egre- mont, Mass.), where I met Eld'r Cole, who came out from Hudson to ]:>reach in th ■ forenoon from there 1 went on with him to his next appointment at Hillsdale where he preached again & 1 there put up at a Broth'r Foster 17 miles from this ]dace I am now 200 miles from home, you may believe I feel somewhat anctious to know how my family are at home. Dear Brother, my Hart glows with warm affection for you, your dear companion & famil}- tell my dear and aft'ectionate Mother 1 have some hoi)es of seeing her again in this world — Rememl)er me to Brother Joseph and all my Sisters and Cousins — If 1 live to get home, I purpose to write again — farewell may the i)eace of (iOD rest ui)on vou and vours — }()ur afl:'ectionate brothere, Daniel Roe. School-house near Home of Capt. Daniel Roe. Near the Tree, at the Right, Tradition Says the Tory Captain ^Iiller Fell from his Horse in 1776. HIS DIARY 21 ^Vwv. Small LLATm-:K-c()\i':Ki-:i) Tiuxk. W'Ik'ii the late John W. Roe of Rose, X. Y., in 18(85. passed to liis reward, there was found amon^" his possessions a small rece])tacle for letters and special papers. As his home had been that of his father. Austin, in the latter's old age, this l)ox had come to him, with its contents, from such ])aternal source. Austin, who had held the ])osition of mainstay for his father and mother, \\7,.. Ca])tain Daniel and Deborah IJrewster, received the trunk from the latter. h\u-ther than this, authentic history does not go, but we may conjecture indefinitely. \'ery likely hundreds of similar repositories might be found, but we should search far before finding one just like this, covered as it is with dark brown leather, on which, to]:» and front, are emblazoned, in the midst of elegant gilt tooling, no less than t\vel\e gilded figures of the roebuck, which, in all the annals of heraldry, has ever been the typical figtire of the Roe familv. It is lined with j^roof-sheets of some book of travel, themselves printed on the plain side of wall i^aper. All efforts thus far made to identify the book, and thus ascertain the probable age of the trunk, have failed, but time is long and it may yet be done. The handle, lock and key evidently antedate machine-made articles of the sort, for the}' are clearly hand-made. Did it come across the sea with our "cordwainer" ancestor, or was it ac([uired in some more prosaic manner? \\ ho can tell? The fact remains that the trunk is. The widow of John 1>. Roe graciously presented trunk and contents to Alfred S. Roe. knowing his fondness for ancestral facts. .V full catalogue of what it contains can not be gi\en now. but suffice it to state that there are letters many from the Rev. Azel Roe, D.D.. and from others : account-books, begun before the Revolution: deeds of the man^• i)l()ts of land belonging to Capt. Daniel Rcje and his son. Austin : the ])apers incident to the settlement of the estates of I^aban Worth and Joseph W. Roe; an interleaved and well- noted pocket almanac of 1773: an assessors' rating of IJrookhaven tax-payers, made for 1775, by Richard A\'oodhull and Joseph Iirewster, containing 368 town names; bills and recei])ts bearing the signatures of scores of Brook- haven people of the long ago; a large package of letters addressed by relatives to Austin Roe, and many other interesting and entertaining items. It is evident, from their well-preserved condition, that the Elder Roes carried the key. and that to these precious papers there was no access to the younger members of the famil}-. to the destructive powers of whose fingers the tooth of time is as nothing. 22 CAPT. DANIEL ROE As TO THE DrARV. It is apparent that what we have is only a fragment. The previous and later portions have been lost. A\> sigh for the missing leaves, yet are grateful that so much remains, and every descendant, in mind at least, breathes a thank offering to his kinsman. B. F. Hallock of Lake Grove. Long Lsland. through whose quick eye and ready hand the manuscri])t was rescued, as already stated. Written in an old-fashioned hand, with unfading ink, there are sixty-six crowded pages, 8 x 6^ in size. The edges are somewhat frayed, especially those of the outer sheets, and several pages are badly stained. Paper, in those days, was scarce and none was wasted. There is a system evidenced in its keeping; lines drawn between successive days are sometimes doubled and crisscrossed to draw attention ; special event and incident are indicated b}- marginal characters or words ; almost e^•ery reference to son-in-law, Laban Worth, has a large L. in the border; the month, as a rule, appears only at the top of the left page, thus saving space. AAdien the Ca])tain was writing his journal, Xoah Webster was onlv beginning his dictionary, not to be published f(_)r twent}- vears. hence we do not wonder that his orthography is "free and easy," yet its peculiarity attords a clue to pronunciation that must have obtained upon Long Island a century since; for instance, with him wet is always w-e-e-t ; creature is"c-r-o-e-t-u-r-e," never that horrible word "crittei" so common in the ^^'est and South; just what pronunciation was given to his invariable "hogh"" can not Ije shown now, but there must have been a final aspiration, suggested by the favorite snuff of the porker himself; severe is always s-u-f-v-e-r. and wdiy not if si^elled phonetically as he pronounced it ; his "oft"' is regularly "of" and "their" does double duty as pronoun and adverb (there). He i)unctuates \-er}- little, occasionally a colon and sometimes a dash ; he is erratic in the use of caipitals ; his \ he wrote \ ; other peculiarities the reader may detect. As to subject matter, like all insular people, he notes first the weather as of prime importance; his record is for his con\enience, and covers things done and matters coming directly under his observation ; he is no sentiment- alist, and has no word of comment when relatives die, however near the tie, and of his wife, so long by his side, his companion in trials sore, there are very few entries; we must not think for this reason he ]o\ed her less. John Stuart Mill in his biogra])hy does not once name his mother. ( )ur Captain managed his farm ; his wife her house, and thev never clashed, for he stayed closely within his own domain. P^rom a careful reading of the diary we mav learn the times of planting and reaping, the manner of threshing grain, the im])ortance of cider making, the value of many connnodities. the amoimt of grain necessary for the maintenance of a small family for a year, that thatch had not entirely yielded to shingles, that family tailoring and shoemaking were then in vogue, that flax had not given ])lace to cotton, and that the loom still entered into woman's work, that clams were an important article of food, that rum had a part in household economy, and. finally, that honest living on Long Island meant hard work early and late, and eonstantlw Also, so long ago, it appears HIS DIARY 23 that one nicml)cr of the family was miirc hkcly to be ill on Sunday than other (lavs, hence Sunday sickness is not a modern trouble. Austin and Huldah, still unmarried, s-emed to be untlaj4sino- in church-i;()in,y- zeal. The foregoing gives onl-v- the salient features of what may be observed from studying the (liar\- ; the others are too numerous for recital. L ■ -: r ■ ^^;^- ..«. 1 5 < ■ • ■ ■ '■^ "k • -Sr- ■ ■! ■ ,.• ',- vl - '^.'vr ,,.^ , ~^. -J, ■ -ii' %« ••--■ ^■f 4V j-^m^^ •• .. ., i> ■^ ' ^^Bu^i' ' ■ - ^^F ^sS^Sm i ^^^BjBB^^Ra^lf*?' 'W^ v,>** I^H' -' :^n: S^. ■■ 1 .^^^^. ^ ..' m^^^^Bm 1 •«r >• ^^RHRl The Graves of Capt. Daniel Roe and Deborah Brewster, His Wife, Selden, L. I.; the Captain's Grave at Right. Also Sleep Here in the .Same Inclosure .Several Children and Grandchildren. /,.., » ;^/ "^ y^ /■// < Y/Z/^/rL £ CC^V^*, 3 ?. "m """V°' 'l'^"-'"^'- °^ Capt. Daniel Roe. now in Possession of Alfred S. Roe. U .,kce.- TER, Mass. The Cut is Just One-quarter the .Size of the Roll Itself, thus Reducing the Letters and Numerals One-half Each Wav. The Indistinct Names in the Middle Crease are. left, .Sam l Corwin White; right. Thos. Hrevoort. The Diary of Captain Daniel Roe of Brook- haven, Long Island [Explanatory. — All suggestions and explanations are given in parenthesis. The writer's efforts to emphasize and to specially note, as by marginal words and characters, are indicated by figures in the entry itself, thus Wed., Feb. 26, the parenthetical stars indicate the criss- cross work in the border for that day. The coming of infant stock is shown by hieroglyphs, as may be seen in the half-tone cut, where the sow and five pigs appear. L. for Laban Worth, always in the margin in the manuscript, appears here in the print, i.e., at the end of the entry. As a rule where Christian names are used, they refer to the Captain's children or grandchildren. Finally, e\'erv word of the text is in jirint save two very i)rief references to stock.] 1806. (i) Munday the 24 ( l'\'bruar}- ) wind S W : & warm I have been with 2 Loads of wood i from home & i from the Hill l)roii!;ht home a load of firewood Austin has l^een Luting & Sphting Cordwood (Wood was drawn to the North Shore, Setauket, or Drowned ATeadow, and produced his chief revenue.) Tusday the 25. wind X. W : Clear & Cold. T have l:)een over with 2 Loads of wood I from home c^ i from the Hill. Austin has been Ctiting firewood in the Hills Wednesday the 26 wind W : & pleasent I ha\'e been over with i load of wood Austin acuting Cordwood. Daniel lirown came to see us this Evening. I bought 30 (lbs.) of flax of Azcl Roe brought home 11^ (lbs.) (* * " '■' *) Thursday the 27. wind W (S: warm. I ha^■e been o\'er with i Load of wood & got Sum Soft Clams. Austin has been Crackling flax. friday the 28 Avind X \\ . with Snow Septals. I have been Dresing flax. Austin has been o\'er with 2 Loads of wood. Lrother Justus Roe cal'd in on his wa}' home Saterday the. i. Day of March, wind X \V & very Cold. 1 have been over with i Load of \vood. .\ustin has been Crackling tlax. Sunday the 2. wind X W : C lear iS: Cold. I ha\'e l)een at home. Spent the Day in Reading. Sum of the family have been to meting at Josephs. Mr Newey Cal'd on his wav home. Munday the 3. wind X \\ : Clear & ])leasent. I have been I3resing tfax Austin a Crackling. Mr. Hallock & Mr. Wheelor Cal'd to see us this Evening. Tusday the 4. wind S E: with Snow; the Storm began in the fore part of the Day & the Storm continues ; this forenoon we got 2 Loads of firewood out of the Hills ; this afternor)n I have been to trustee meting. 26 CAPT. DANIEL ROE (2) Wednesday the 5. Day of March wind X. \\\ Clear & Cold. Jabez Norton & I have been to Blew point in the Slay. Austin at home taking care of the Creturs. Thursday the 6, wind N AA^ : Clear & pleasent. T have been Dresing flax. Austin & Hiildah is gon of upon a Slay Ride. friday the 7 wind S W : with Snow all Dav. I ha^'e been Dresing flax & taking" care of the Creturs. Austin is not got home from his Slay Ride. Saterday the 8, wind X \\ : with Snow Squals ; this afternoon it Cleared of Cold 1 have been Imployed as above. Austin is not got home yet. Sunday the 9 wind X'^ A\' & Clear & pleasent. I have been at home. Spent the Dav in Reading; the children have not got home. Munday the 10. wind AA' (S: Clear, we have been Sleading the wood out to the Road that we bought of Youriah Smith this forenoon ; this afternoon Austin has l^een Crackling flax. Tusday the 11. wind \A' & Signs of a Storm. I have been Imployed as above. Austin crackling flax & finnished. I Carried the Crackel to Yarring- ton. Austin is gon to Isaac Homons to git an ax Layd (i. e., to renew its edge or cutting i)art. X^ow seldom done because of the cheapness of the tool.) Wednesday the 12 wind N AA^ : & Signs of a storm. I have been over \\\\\\ \ Load of wood. Sold it to John Taylor for o- 13-6. got a gallon of Rum 5 papers of tobaco & ^ of peper. Austin is gon of I Know not whare Amos Soper put up here to night. (He married granddaughter, Sarah Porter.) Thursday the 13. wind X W : with Snow Squals. Amos Soper went from here this forenoon. 1 have got a load of firewood this afternoon. Richard Norton brought his wife home this Evening. (X'orton nearest neighbor to the east.) (A leaf missing from the manuscript, C()vcring March 14-30. 1806.) (3) Monday the 31 : & Last Day of March wind S AA^ & warm, this forenoon we have been Cuting Cordwood in our X'. Land. Brought home a load of firewood ; this afternoon we have been in the Hills giting out wood that we had of I'riah Smith & Brought home a load from their. Tuesday the i : Day of April wind X \\' : this Morning we had Sum Rain but it cleard of pleasent. I have attended Townmeting. Wednesday the 2: wind X AA'. Clear and Cool T have attended the Vandue of Daniel Bisop. Austin and Colman has been to Blew point & bought 1000 clams & come home. Thursday the 3: wind S \A'. Clear and pleasent. I have been over with a Load of wood & after 1 came Back I went to Hallocks to see Zopher I found him very week and Low, but they seem to think, that he is Sum Better. Austin has been Cuting Cordwood. friday the 4 : wind S AA' & warm I have been over with i Load of wood. Bought 3 Bushels of Horsfeed & after I got home I went to Daniel Tookers & cleend my flaxseed for soing. Austin acuting cordwood. we had a Lam come today. (Hierogl\])h in the border.) HIS DIARY 27 Saterday the 5: wiiul \ E. & cool. 1 ha\c l)ecn over with i Load of wood. Carry ed Cap" \\'olscv one Ihishel of flaxseed to See. Had of him i gallon of Rum & 2\ lbs. of lUicwheet flower with the wait of the bagg. Austin choping on the Ditch N. (* '■' " * *) Sunday the 6: wind S E & Signs of a storm, the family at home except Austin ; he is gon to see Zofer Hallock as he is very sick. Munday the 7: wind X E Sum weet & grait Signs of a Storm. T have been over with i Load of wood. Austin has been at home Doing Sum trifles. Ruth come here this e\ening to make a pare of geers (A. AL Roe says the word refers to ])arts of a loom.) (4) Tusday the 8: Day of April Avind X E with a suf\ er (i. e., severe) Storm of Rain ; the storm began Last night and Continued the Most of the Day. no bisness Done. Wednesday the 9: wind X W Clear & cold. I have been over with i Load of wood. Austin has been cuting & spliting Rails. 1 brought home a load of the Rails. Thursday the 10: wind W & cool. I have been over with i Load of wood 15rought home Sum Rails & sum avoocI. Austin has been cuting cordwood & Rails Ave had Sum snoAV septals this CA'cning. Huldah has gon to Elishas. friday the 11: Avind X \\' & bloAvs Heavy Avith Snow Squals & A'ery Cold, this afternoon I haAC been spliting cordAvood & Rails Brotight home Sum Rails had a considerable Rain Last night. 1 have been Loping on the fence on the W Side of the House I^ot. Austin has taken a load of Rails to Coram for Mr. XcAvey. (Lopping, i. e.. cutting the young oaks half through, so that they could be lopped OAcr and j^artly coA'ered with earth to make a "Ha'C oak" fence.) Thursday the 17: wind X W Clear & pleasent. Ave have plowd & soed the flax, carryed 2 loads of ashes on the ground. Zopher & his wife cal"'^ here on their Avav to L'oram. 28 CAPT. DANIEL ROE friday the i8: wind X W in the morning' & S \\' this Evening. I have been Mending fence. Austin has been to Blew j^oint to take the Sorrel Mar on the beech, but the boot was gon befor he got there so he Took the ^lar home again Saterday the 19. wind N W Clear & pleasent. I have been to Elishas. paid him 5 & 4 Dollers, then went to Goldsmith Davis' got \ Bushel of oats Came home & soed them. Austin aplowing in the liarn Lot for Corn. (* "^ * * *) Sunday the 20: wind S Fl & Signs of a storm. 1 have been at home, spent the Day in Reading, the Children have been to Meting at Josephs. Munday the 21: wind E with Rain the most of the Dav. I have l)een to the X Side this afternoon. Austin at home. Much Complaining with l-.oil on his face. Tusday the 22: wind E with Rain all tlu- fore ])art of the Daw this afternoon I have attended a vandue for John I'iler. Austin has plowd Sum. Wednesday the 23: wind S W & warm. 1 have been over with 1 Load of wood, sold it to John Taylor, then went to Esq"' Jayns, got a load of Hav, 300 & \ of Inglish & the other thatch (coarse feed hay) cost £1715-6. Austin astubing lUishes. (6) Thursday the 24: Day of April wind X W cX ])leasent. I liaAC l)een plowing in the IJarn Lot for Corn. Austin astubing up Scruboaks in our \\ Land, where we mean to plant. friday the 25: wind W. Clear & pleasent. I have been plowing in the Barn Lot X hnished & got a load of fire-wood out of the Hills. Austin Liiployd as al)ove. Saterday the 26: wind S E. T Began to plow in our AA^ land for Cc^rn. Austin a clearing Ijefore tlu' ])low. it came on to Rain about ten oclock which ])ut us of & continued to Rain all Day. Sunday 27: wind .X X Signs of Rain. 1 have been at home; the Children .Sum of them ha\'e been to meting Munday the 28: wind S W , Cloude}' & Signs of Rain. I hav.^ been jjlowing Austin X Porter aclearing before the Plow. Tuesday the 29: wind X W X Showery. I ha\e been plowing this forenoon, this afternoon 1 haxe l)een to Drown madow (since 183O Port Jefferson) to fetch a barrel of pork X a barrel of tlow.'r for Laben. 1 took over a small turn of wcxxl Austin is gon to IJlew point to take the Sorrel Mar on the Beech. (Great South Beach extends along a large part of Long Island's sr)uthern coast. Itself an island, it affords i)asturage and hav to farmers who own rights u])on it.) 'Wednesday the 30: & Last Day of April, wind X \\ & Cool. I have been plowing. Austin got home from the Beech this forenoon : this afternoon he has been cleering l)efore the ])low. Colman Put the glas in the locr part of the Bedroom window. (7) Thursday the i: Day of May. wind X \\ X Cool 1 have been stubing up scrub oaks .Austin jdowing. HIS DIARY 29 friday the 2: wind X W 6c it continues Coal. We liave l)een Ini])l()ycl as aliovc. I tinislied Cleerin^- the ground Ijcfore the i)lo\v. Saterday the 3: wind X W Clear & Coal. 1 have attended a vandiie of John Tilers Austin tinnished plowing for Corn. Sunday the 4: wind S W" & warm. 1 have l:)een to metin^- this Evening at Josephs to here AJr Ridstone. the ehildren ]ia\-e heen to metin"-. \\'e lost a Sheej) to Day. ( * * " ■■' " ) Munday the 5: wind S W & warm. We have been Setint^- a fence from the g-arait (great ?) Lot Down to the llarn Lot. Tusday the 6 wind W & Warm. I have been to carry My Hids to the tanners. I went by the way of Elishas. Took a hide for him. Austin began to plant Corn with the hel]) of Colman. (* * * *) Wednesday the 7: wind W S W'. Warm & Sum weet this Morning, we ha\e been ])lanting corn in the W Lot. Colman has been helping. Thursday the 8: wind S E Cloudey Dulweather with Sum w-eet. T have been to Judge Strongs & got a load of Liglish hay. Austin finished ])lanting Cc^rn. friday the 9: wind S \\' & Blows very heavey with Showers of Rain, this forenoon we have been Reparing the fence around the W Lot until the Rain put us of. this afternoon we have put up Sum fence the E side of the Cow yard Saterday the 10: wind W: Clear &: Coal, we have planted our potatos both Sweet & Common tK: also our other garden affares. (8) Sunday the 11 Day of May: wind N W & Warm. I have been at home, the Children have been to meting. Zopher &; his wife &: Children John Hallocks wdfe & polly Eoot cal'd here on the w-ay home from Meting. Munday the 12: wind X" W in the morning &: S W in the afternoon, we have been giting Posts & Rails this forenoon, this afternoon we have wash'd our Sheep. Tusday the 13 wind S E & Coal, we have l)een tc^ the Beech a claming. Brought up 2000 Clams Wednesday the 14 wind X E & Signs of a storm. 1 have been i)uting up things in the Corn to Keep the Croes of. Austin has been plowing for John Hulls (Hulse). Thursday the 15: wind X E: in the forenoon & S AV this evening & Coal. this forenoon 1 have been Cuting Sum Rail timber. Austin has been ])lowing for John Hulls, this afternoon we have sheard the Sheep friday the 16. wind S W & Warm to Day but Coal this Evening: this forenoon 1 have been Spliting Rails. Austin took a load of Rails to Mr Neweys that he brought from his old ]:)lace. this afternoon 1 have been over with a load of wood. Sold it to Taylor. Austin has been boiling (mortising) posts. Saterday the 17: wind S W »fc warm Days & Coal XTghts & Drie. we have been mending the oven & puting up post & Rail fence around the Back Door yard Daniel Brown & his Daughter come to see us to Day. 30 CAPT. DANIEL ROE (9) Sunday the 18: wind S W &: Warm. I have been at home. Spent the Day in Reading the I5il)le. the Chiklren have been to Meting. Austin is gon to Branch to meting. (Smithtown Branch, in town of that name, a few miles westward.) Daniel Brown & his wife come here & want to meting at Coram to hear Mr Overton. Munday the 19: wind S W & Warm & \ery Drie. we ha\'e been giting Posts & Rails & puting up Sum Lenths (lengths). Tusday the 20 wind S E & Sum Signs of Rain which is very much "wanted, we have finnished the fence around the Back Dore vard. Daniel Brown cal'd here on his way to the Riverhead. 1 sent the Alonev bv him to pay my Interest at the Lone ofifis. Wednesday the 21. wind X E Coal & Signs of a stc^rm. I have been fixing to go to Mill & Doing Sum triHes al)out home. Austin has been ^looveing Sum cordwood. Thursday the 22: wind E & Coal, no Rain yet. I have been to ]^Iill at Patchog. carryed 6 Bushels of Rie & i| of wheet dt i of Corn. Austin Laben & Colman went with me to go to the Beech aguning. friday the 23. wind X E & the storm began a little past the middle of the Day. Brothers Justus & Austin col'd to See us this forenoon on their way home, they went from here just as the Storm began. I have been at home adoing but Little Bisness. Saterday the 24: wind N E with Rain the most of the Day. 1 have cut & got home a load of wood in the Rain. Joel Davis cal'd here on his way home & staid the night. Sunday the 25: wind S W this afternoon & warm. Huldah & I have been to patchog to meting, cal'd at Elishas took Ruth with us. I Expected our Children of the Beech but they had not (come). (10) Munday the 26: Day of May wind X E: & warm. I have been giting Harrow teeth & fiting the Corn harrow. & planting Sum Warter Millins. Mr Xewey cal'd here. I turned our horses to pasture this mc^rning &; took them up this evening. Tusday the 27 wind S E in the morning & S \V this Evening. I have been to S. to fetch up our peo])le that have been to the Beech, they got Sum Horsfish & that was prety much all. Wednesday the 28 wind S W & warm, we have been Ditching along by the N Lot Rie. Huldah & Austin is gon to Hallocks this Evening. Thursday the 29: wind S \V & Warm, we have been Imploy as above, this is the first night our Horses Has Laid out in Pastur. friday the 30: wind S E & Signs of Rain, we finnished our Ditch to Day. Brother Justus Roe cal'd to see us this evening & put up with us for the night. Saterday the 31 : & Last Day of May wind S W^ we had a considerable Rain Last night & it Continued to Rain all the fore part of the Day. this afternoon we have been Mending Sum fence the X End of our Corn Brother Justus went from here this afternoon. Austin is gon W ward this afternoon Sunday the i : Day of June wind S W & Warm, this afternoon their Came HIS DIARY 31 lip a heavev Sqiial of wind & Rain out of the \ W . 1 have Ijeen to meting' to Dav at Jose])hs to here Mr. Finnegin (11) Munday the 2 wind S W tS: Warm, this forenoon 1 l)eg'an to Harrow Corn in the I'arn lot ahout 11 of the Clock Austin came home rought u]) a load of Seeweed. Thursday the 7 wind S W & Signs of a storm. I have been to Xathanel Smiths & got Sum felley stuf to Rim my wheels, then I went to Coram l)y Request of Elisha Overton. friday the 8. wind S W (S: warm, this ^Morning I got Laben to jnit 2 felles & I spok in my wagon wdieel & Xewey to ]nit 3 stri])s of tire on them, then we went to pine neck & winred (winrow^ed ?) all our hay that we had their cv staid all night at L.rother Austins. Saterday the g: wind .S W : we had a little Das (h) of Rain this morning but it Soon Cleard of we maid up oiu' hay «& Isrought a load home Sunday the 10. wind X W : Clear & pleasent. I have been at home, the Children been to Meting. Austin is gon to the old mans (on the north shore). Munday the 11. wind X A\' : Clear & Warm. 1 have been Sprouting Jlushes in the new ground Stidd)le : Austin & Colman is gon to pine neck to git our hay of the meadow & put it in sack (stack ?) &: bring up a load — we Lost our Largest hogh to day. (" * * * *) f ^%^ ^^L j^V^f^-f^x^ y i^»^ aCA. r^- — \/ r' ]i 'T^ '^' C^-t"*^ -— —-.-fc, ' » " "/i' ji ^y^ — " ~ ^m A Reproduction of Page ii of the MS., Page 31 of this P.ook. 34 CAPT. DANIEL ROE Tusday the 12. wind S A\" & Signs of a storm. I have been Sprouting Bushes, Austin come up with a load of hay this morning & then he went to work with me. we Kild a lam this Evening. (15) Wednesday the 13. wind S E with a heavey Rain, the Storm began Last night & Continued the Alost of the Day. but Little Bisness Done to Day Thursday the 14 wind S E & warm this forenoon, we finnished Sprouting Bushes in the new ground Stubble this afternoon. I have been picking up apples. Austin & B : billey ha^'e been thrashing, they thrashd & Cleand up 4 Bushels & 3 peacks of Rie. ( B. billey = lUack Billy, a negro long in D. R.'s employ.) friday the 15. wind S: with Rain the Most of the Day. we have been picking up apples &; makeing Sider. Laben Made with us. we got out 2 Barrels & Laben \\ Barrels. l)iit Did not Cut Down the press. (* * * * *) Saterday the 16 wind S E with Rain. I have been to Mill at the Middle of the Island. Carryed 4 Bushels & 3 peacks of Rie: got 15 (feet ?) Bord their. Austin has been Spining Sum Rope yarn Sunday the 17. wind S W: Clear & warm. 1 have l:)een at home. Spent the Day in reading, the Children have loeen to meting at Coram. Munday the 18. wind X. W : Clear «&: pleasent. we began to plow our new ground Stul)lde to Day. Austin & Laben Set out to go to the beech this afternoon. I ha\'e been plowing a little. Tusday the ig. wind S A\' : 1 have been plowing. Austin is not got home from the beech. Mr. Hulls & Xath'el Smith has l)een to See us. (16) Wednesday August the 20: wind X & pleasent. I have been plowing. Austin got home from the Beech Last night & is not very well. Brother Justus cal'd to see us on his way home. Thursday the 21. wind S E: & warm, I have been to pineneck & fetchd up a Load of hay. Austin & Joseph has been thatching the Barn. Colman Has been helping. friday the 22. wind S W & warm, this forenoon we have been thatching the Barn, this afternoon I have been to Blew point on Sum Bisness. Saterday the 23. wind: S \V with a sufver (severe) Storm of Rain with heavev thunder «!\: Sharp Litning. the storm continued all Day & (is ?) Like to Continue, no Bisness Done. 1 have been to Coram on Sum Bisness. Phebe Wood was Buried to day. Sunday the 24. the wind has Shifted into the X E : & Blows very Heavey & the storm continues very sufver: the family all at home. Munday the 25: wind AA' : Clear & pleasent. I have been Cuting wood, Austin a plowing. Tusday the 26: wind S. E: Clear & warm 1 have been to pineneck for the Last of Aly hay [oseph went Down to Carry Austin & porter to go on the Beech to Moe for him & he Brought up a load for Me. Wednesday the 27. wind X AA' Clear & pleasent. I have been plowing. Austin is not got home from the Beech HIS DIARY 35 (17) Thursday the 28. Aviml : A\' & warm, this forenoon I have been picking up a])ples & Austin ajtlowing. this afternoon I liave been to Blew- point & Austin has been jMcking up apples & took a load to the Mill. friday the 29. wind S W : this forenoon we have been giting apples to the Mill. Austin agrinding & making Sider. this afternoon T have had a trial with Isaac Smith about his bringing My man of the Beech. Austin got out 6i Barrels of Sider & got it home. Saterday the 30. wind S W & warm. I have been over with a load of wood & sold it to Esq'' (Phillips Roe ?) Roe for the grass on a rite of madow that he Clames on the S Beech Austin & B : Billey a thrashing Rie to soe Sunday the 31. wind S AV : & warm. I have been at home. Austin has Rode of I Know not whare. Huldah went home with Daniel Brown Last frida\' Exouing & is not g<^t home. Munday the i : Day of September wind S E &: it Came on to Rain this afternoon. I have been unwell. Austin has been plowing this forenoon : Daniel lirown brought Huldah home Last night. (* * * '^ '■') Tusday the 2. wind S E : with astedey Rain all Day. we had Heavey thunder & Sharp Litning Last night, no bisness Done to Day. Wednesday the 3: wind S E with Rain until Sum time this afternoon. I have helpd Xathanel Smith Make a Rope. Austin has plowed Sum this afternoon. (18) Thursday the 4 Day of September wind N W : Clear & pleasent. this forenoon we have taken Sum Clover Heads to Josephs Barn & put them asttning in order for thrashing, this afternoon we have Soe'd our N Corn & Harrowed it over once, we went with 4 harrows. I followed one, Joseph Brewster & Colman followed the others & Austin Soe'd the Rie & after we had Done harrowing He & Colman Soe'd the gras seed & got a load of fire wood. friday the 5. wind variable from the N W to the S E : & Signs of a storm. I have been harrowing in Rie among the Corn. Austin is gon to the Beech with Joseph to help him git up his hay. (Evidently, rye was sowed before the corn was cut. ) Saterday the 6 wind X A\^ : & pleasent. this forenoon we finnished Harrowing in Rie among the Corn, this afternoon I have been Beeting of the bushes Austin & Billey has been at work at the Clover seed. Sunday the 7. wind E : Cloudy & Sum Rain. I have been at home. Daniel Brown come here & took Huldah home with him as his wife was Put to Bead Last night with a son. (James.) (''^ '^ ''' * *) Munday the 8. wind S E : Cloudey Dul weather, this forenoon I have Harrowed the new ground Stubble once over, this afternoon Austin has been Seeing & I have harrowed Sum. in the forenoon We thrashed 4 Bushels of seed Rie Tusday the g. wind S A\\ I have been harrowing in Rie this forenoon. Austin finnished Soeing the Rie & Soed the gras Seed this afternoon. I have been to Hallocks & got a rum Hogset. Austin & porter has been picking up apples. 36 CAPT. DANIEL ROE (19) Wednesday the 10 wind X W: we have been making Sider, made 3^ Barrels fil'd 2 Hogsits in the Barn. Thursday the 11 Avind X E Clear & pleasent. this morning I have l)een to carry Austin & porter to go on the Beech, this afternoon I have l)een harrow- ing in Rie in the new ground Stubble. friday the 12: wind S E: Cloudy & it come on to Rain this Evening I finnished Harrowing the new ground Stubble & got a load of firewood, then My wife & I went to Brother Isaac Davis's to see their sick Sun & found him to all appearance near the Close of Life. Saterday the 13 wind S E: with showery Rain this morning with Sum thunder, this afternoon it Clear'd of with the wind X A\\ I went to Patchog to fetch up Austin & Porter but they had not got of the Beech so that I came back without them. Sunday the 14: wind W Clear & warm. Huldah &: I have been to the funeral of Azel Da^•is (nephew) who Departed this Life yesterday morning. Munday the 15. wind S W : Clear & warm, we have been toping Corn. Porter has been helping Tusday the 16. wind S AV : Clear & pleasent. this forenoon we have been toping Corn in the XT Lot. this afternoon I have been to Blewpoint brought up 600 Clams & 2 Hogsets, 1 for mySelf & i for LTriah Smith Austin has been binding «& stacking Stalks. Wednesday the 17. wind AV : Clear & very warm. I have been Binding Stalks. Austin has been Soeing & Harrowing in Rie for Mr. Newey Thursday the 18. wind S A\'. this forenoon I have been Stacking Stalks in the XT Lot. this afternoon I have been to Coram to assist Elisha in a trial with John Da}'ton. Austin Imployed as above. (20) friday the 19. Day of September wind S W. I have been to Blew- point to Carrv Austin & Porter to go to the Beech to fetch of hay I Brought up a hoghset for Jabez Xort. (X^orton ?) Saterday the 20 wind S E: Cloudey & Signs of Rain, this forenoon I have been in Search of our Sheep but Could not find them, this afternoon I have been giting firewood. (Sheep ran at large.) Sunday the 21 wind S W : with Cloudey Dul weather. I have l)een at home, the Children have been to meting. Daniel Brown Came here with 2 of his Children & Huldah went to meting with him at Coram Austin is not got home from the Beech Munday the 22. wind X E : with Rain the most of the Day but Little Bisness Done. I have Moved Sum hay in the Barn. Austin is not got home yet. I put the hogs up (last words obscure, but probably "for fatting"). Tusday the 23: wind X^ E : & Coal. I have been to S. & INIet our Peopl Just got of the Beech with a load of Hay. I took a load out & came home Willard Ruland was ahelping them & they went Back for another Load. Wednesday the 24. wind X' E: Cloudey Mistey weather. I have been to meet our People that ar gon on the Beech, but they had not got of So that I took a load & Come home. HIS DIARY 37 Thursday the 25. wind X E: with Sum weet. T have been again to meet Austin & Porter from the Reeeh but they had not got of. 1 got Wm Wicks to take his Boot & go in persute of them we found them agrounded on the flats & not Loaded So I Left them Sum Supplys & Returned. friday the 26 wind X E with Rain, all Day no Bisness Done. Austin is not got home yet (21 ) Saterday the 27 wind N W : & it has Clear'd of. I have Cut & Carted 2 Loads of firewood i for my Self & I for B: Billey. Austin & porter got home this forenoon Sunday the 28: wind X ^^' : Clear & pleasent I have (been) at home, the children have been to meting. Ruth & Huldah came Back from Daniel Browns this Evening Munday the 29. wind S E. tbis forenoon I have been Cuting up Corn in the Barn Lot. Austin & Billey thrashing Rie. thev Cleared up 6 Bushels & I Set out to go to Mill. Just as I got in the Hills their Came on a very heavy Rain so that I turn'd & went to Elishas & put up for the night Tusday the 30. & Last Day of September w ind from the S E : to the N W wath Rain the Most of the Day. I Set out Early this Morning from Elishas & went to Mill. Carryed 6 Bushels of Rie Austin has been picking up Sum apples. Wednesday the i. Day of October wind X^ W Clear & pleasent. we have been picking up apples & making Sider Brought home 4 Barrels & fil'd a hoghet (hogshead). Porter helped us. ('■' '■' * '''^ '^) Thursday the 2. wdnd X W & Clear weather, this forenoon we got home the Last of our Sider. w^e had 9 Barrels of Sider & i Barrel of water Sider. Brother Austin cal'd here on his way home & informed us that brother Justus was very sick so that I went over to see him : afer I set out I found 9: of our sheep Austin took them home & I went on. (Water cider=:the result of running water through the press after the first pressing.) friday the 3. wind S AA' : I staid with Brother Justus Last night, to Day I came home, he appeared Sum Better when I came away. Austin has been Cuting Stalks. {22) Saterday the 4. Day of October wind S W : & warm, this forenoon I have been Cuting up Corn in the N Lot. Austin abinding topstalks. this afternoon I have been Stacking Stalks & Corn. Austin has been Binding the Corn that I Cut in the forenoon, this Evening he is gon over to See his unkel Justus Roe Sunday the 5 wind X^ W : Clear & pleasent. I have been at home. Daniel Brown came to meting at Josephs, Brought his wife & Zophers wife & Left them. Munday the 6 wind S W : & pleasent. I have finnished Binding & Stacking up our Corn in the X Lot this forenoon : this afternoon I have put a tung in my wagon: Austin & Stphen (nephew) Roe Came, Came from Setalket & Say that 15rother Justus is more complaining. Tusday the 7, wind X : & more Coal. I have been Diging up Potatos. 38 CAPT. DAN/EL ROE Austin is gon to S. to Take care of our hay as it is Like to take hurt in the Stack as it was put up Damj). there came a messeng-er to inform us that Brother Justus Departed this Life this Mornino- & the funeral is to (be) attended tomorow at 2 of the Clock. Ruth came to see us this Evening-. Wednesday the 8. this Day we have attended the funeral of My Dises'd Brother — Zopher fetch'd his wife horn this Evening (* * =■•' * *) Thursday the g. wind S W : & warm, we have been giting our Corn together in a stack in the Barn Lot : Stephen Roe & his ]\Iother & Sister cal'd to see us on their way home. Daniel Brown fetch'd his wife home to Day. Ruth went home (Stephen, etc., family of Austin, the younger brother). (23) friday the 10. wind X E: & Coal. I have been Diging potatos & other work. Austin & porter has been giting out Dung & they have got the Stalk in out of the Barn Lot where they are Carting the Dung. (This is the field opposite the dwelling, where the barn used to be.) Saterday the 11: wind S E: Cloudey & Signs of Rain we have all l)een Iniploy'd as above. Elisha came here this Evining he took ]\Iy mar & is gon to AA^illiam Swazeys on Sum Bisness. Sunday the 12 wind S: Cloudey & warm, the family at home no meting to Day. Elisha went home from here this forenoon. Munday the 13. we had a heavey Rain Last night it Cleared of to Day with the wind at \\' : I have been at work about home. Austin has been plowing in the Barn Lot for wheet. Porter has been Spreading Dung before him. Tusday the 14 wind N AA' : Clear & pleasent. we began to Soe our wheet: Brother Austin come home to Day & brought our Brother Justus's Chest of Riting (was this the little brown trunk?) for me to Carry to Setalket to be Inspected by the Executors of his will. Elisha ( )verton & Joshua Tarey (Terry) came here this Evening. Elisha got 6 lbs. of clover Seed &: 3 ])oints of timoth}- Seed Tarey had a bushel of seed wheet for which he paid me 2 Dollars. Wednesday the 15. wind N \\^ : Clear & Coal. I have been to Setalket to IMet the Executors of Brother Justus Roe, Deces'd, to take an Inventory of his affects. Austin has finnished Soing our wheet. Thursday the 16 wind \A' : & Clear, we have been Soing grass Seed & B)ushing it in. we have got in our potatos. Austin has carted Sum timber for Porter to fix his Seller (i. e.. cellar). (24) friday the 17 Day of October wind X W : Clear & Cold \\> have finnished Soing our grass Seed in the liarn Lot & Bushed it in. we have shaken Down our apples in the E: orched & got the winter apples in. Colman help'd this afternoon, we kil'd a vearling bul this afternoon. I have been to Coram this Evening & paid Escjr Hulls 7 Dollars & 36 cents to ])ay a judgment & cost that Isaac Smith Recovered of Me. Saterday the 18: wind S A\' & Signs of Rain, this morning we Kil'd a fat Sow & then Austin went & Cut wood with Colman. I have been Cuting up & Salting the Beef that we Kil'd Last night, this afternoon x\ustin has been gathering the apples in the orched. I went to i)ineneck on Sum Bisness & HIS DIARY 39 Staid all night, we had Sum Rain in the Evening, we had a hard frost Last night. Sunday the 19. wind N W : it has cleared of pleasent. I came home this forenoon from S. Zopher came here in the chas & went to meting at Coram. Huldah went with him. Munday the 20. wind N W : Clear & pleasent. I have been Carting wood, got 2 Loads for Laben out of his \\' Land & i Load for B : Billey. then I got a load out of our N. wood for my Self: Austin & Billey has been thrashing wheet. (* * * " *) Daniel Roe, Hutler. Wayne Co.. X. \'.. I-^ldest So\ of Capt. Daniel Roe. Tusday the 21. wind N: & Sum Signs of a storm, this forenoon I have been giting firewood, this afternoon I have finnished gathering our apples. Austin & B : Billey has been thrashing wheet. they finnished all the wheet. Austin has a number of hands ahelping Husk Corn this E\-ening. Wednesday the 22. wind X E &: grait Signs of a Storm, we have got in the Corn we had Husk'd Last night & cleand up the Last of our wheet their was 14^ Bushels. Richard Norton Mov'd His wife home to Day. Had my Mar & wagon. (25) Thursday the 23d wind X E: Cloudey & coal, we have been Making Sider we I)r()ught hd. Brought home a load of firewood. Austin has l^een Cuting up & Salting Down our Beef & pork. Sunday the 23. wind S E & Sum Signs of a storm. I have been at home, spent the Day in Reading, the Children have been to meting at Coram. Munday the 24 wind X E & Coal. 1 have been to Daniel Browns. Carryed him Sum pork that I Borrowed of him. I Sold the gray Mar to William Swazey for 45 Dollars : Austin ahusking Corn in the Barn. Tusday the 25. wind X E : & Chilley weather. I have been to Setalket. Took the sorrel Alar home- Austin is gon to help lUisha Kill his hoghs. Wednesday the 26 wind X E : & it come on to Rain this afternoon : I have been Husking Corn in the Barn : Joseph has been with Austin & they have Each of them brought iii) a load of our hav from S. Thursday the 27 wind X E: with Rain the most of the Day. we have been husking Corn in the Barn (30) friday the 28 . Day of Xoveml^er wind X E : & Sum weet. this fore- noon we have got 2 Loads of firewood : this afternoon I have been to hallocks. Austin husking Corn in the Barn. Saterday the 29. wind S \A' : Cloude}' Dul weather, we have been Husking Corn in the Barn & finnished Husking all our Corn & got it in the Crib. Sunday the 30 & Last Day of November wind S A\' : we had a Sufver Storm of Rain Last night but it has Cleared of ])leasent to Day. I have been at home, the Children have been to meting at Josephs. Munday the i. Day of December wind X^ W : Clear & pleasent: I have been to See John Overton & found him \'ery loe & I have been Doing Sum trifels about hoihe. Austin & Joseph has Each of them been to S & brought up a load of hay for me. (* * * -f) Tusday the 2. wind X" W : Clear & ])leasent. this forenoon I have turn'd my flax & mov'd Sum Stalks in the Barn to make Rum (room) to put hay. Austin & Joseph has been after hay. Joseph Took a load home : this afternoon Austin & L ha\e been to Coram on Sum Bisness. the Shewmakers Came here to work to Day. (In the margin:) Paid Elisha 5 dollars to Day. Wednesday the 3 wind X E : with a sufver Snow Storm, we got a load of firewood this INiorning before the Storm began. Thursday the 4 wind S W : it Came on to Rain Last Last night which Carryetl of the snow, we have hac' Snow Squals the Most of the Day. I have been to the vendue of the effects of Capt'n Overton Deces't Bought a cook pot 13s. HIS DIARY 43 (31) friday the 5 wind S W & Signs of a storm, we have l)een Down in the pines &: got a load of pitch nots. Saterday the 6 wind \\' : & warm, this forenoon we got a load of firewood, this afternoon 1 have been to Hallocks. we taped a hoghset of Sider to Day. Sunday the 7. wind X W : Clear & Cold, the family at home. Austin & Huldah has gon to Hallocks in the wagon to Carry Deborah (Porter) to go to see Her Daughter, they took a peace of Cloath to Send to the Clothers. Munday the 8. wind S W : Cold & Signs of a storm. I have been over with a load. Sold it to Zacariah Hokins for which he is to pay me £0-10-0 Austin is gon to Pine neck to thatch a cart hous for Capt'n Roe. (Austin Roe, 1)rother of Captain Daniel, often referred to.) Tusday the 9 wind W : Cloudey & cold. I have been to S for a load of hay. Austin is not got home yet. Wednesday the 10 wind X \\' : Cloudey & weet, but Little bisness Done. 1 have mended Sum fence. Austin got home Las night. Thursday the 11 wind X' E with Snow all the Later part of the Day: we have been giting firewood. friday the 12 wind X E: & the storm Continues, no Bisness Done to Day Except taking care of the Creturs Saterday the 13 wind AV S W : & Cold I have been Imployed at Cuting wood at the Door & takeing care of the Creturs. Austin has been to Barnebees to See about our Lather (i. e.. leather), he went in the Slay. Sunday the 14 wind X' A\' & very cold, the family at home Munday the 15 wind X \\' Clear & Cold I have got a load for Laben. Austin has been to Coram in the Slay this forenoon, this afternoon he & Colman has been thrashing. Mager Foster cal'd here on his way home. (32) Tusday the 16 Day of December wind S W Clear & pleasent. I got 2 Slead loads of Logs out of the Hills, then I went u]) to B : Billeys & got him a load of wood: Austin & Colman has been thrashing this forenoon, this after- noon Austin is gon in the slay with Richard Xorton after his Cloath at the hoppogs (Hauppauge, a hamlet on the Smithtown and Islip line). Wednesday the 17 wind X W : Clear & warm We have been giting fire- wood & clean'd u]) 7 Bushels of Rie ('■' * * *) Thursday the 18. wind X E: & Signs of a storm. I have been to Droun- madow & Settled with W'olsey. Cal'd at Taylors got \ lb of green & I 11) Bohe tee. Cal'd at Azel Roe's, paid him his Demands for flax that that I had of him Cal'd at Zaceriah Hokins. Bought of him 50 lbs of Buckwheet flower, all the above paid for. Austin has l)een Sleading Logs out of the Hills. (=^ "^ * *) friday the 19. wind X & warm. I have been to Pineneck to nottefie Stephen Roe to Alet the Executors of Justus Roe. Deces'd, to morrow at the House of Jesse Roe to Settle the Legeseys- Austin has been Spliting Sum Cordwood. 44 CAPr. DANIEL ROE Saterday the 20 wind X W : Brother Austin & his Sun Stephen & his wife came here & they & Austin & I went to Setalket together to meet the Executors of Brotlier Justus: Estate Deces'd, to Settle tlie Estate. Sunday the 21 wind N W. Ihave been at home, the Children have been to meting- at Josephs this Evening. I have been to Carry Austin over to the N Side to go to New york. he went on Bord of the Arora (33) Munday the 22 wind X : we had a considerable Snow fel Last night & it Continued to Snow until Sumtime in the Morning. Brother Austin & his Sun Stephen cal'd here to Day. Tusday the 23 wdnd S E : with Rain all the Later part of the Day. this forenoon I have been Cuting of Logs at the Door, this afternoon I have been to Coram, got Austins Alars Shuse sat. Wednesday the 24 wind A\' : Clear & warm. I have been to mill at patchog. Carryed 6 Bushels of Rie i^ of wheet & i^ of Corn & 2 Bushels of Corn for Laben. Thursday the 25: wind X \\' : I have been taking away the old hovel (shed) that fel Last night. friday the 26: wind X W: with Rain the Most of the Day. but Little bisness Done, Except taking Care of the Creturs. Saterday the 27 wind X W : Clear & pleasent. I have been to S. for my Last Load of hay. I went wdth the Bay horse & Sorrel Mar. Huldah Rode Austins Mar to Elishas. Ruth came home with Her. Sunday the 28. wind S E : with Rain. I have been at home not very well. John F Hallock Came here & went to meting at Josephs. Austin got home from XFew york this Evening. Munday the 29 wind \V : & Cold. I have been to Hallocks for ]\Iy Cloath. Austin has been to the X'^ Side for his Chist & things. W^illiam Garard Put up with us this Evening. (34) Tusday the 30 Day of December wind X W & Cold we have been Cuting Cordwood & firewood, brought home a load of firewood. W^illiam Garard went from here this morning to go to New york. Wednesday the 31 & Last Day of December wind X : & Cold I have been to Elisha overtons on Sum Bisness. Austin has got a load of wood for us & a load for P> : Billey. 1807. Thursday the i. Day of January in the year of our Lord 1807: wind X^ : Clear & very Cold I have been at home Cuting of wood at the Door & taking Care of the Creturs. this forenoon Austin & Billey has been thrashing, this afternoon Austin is gon for a ride. Billey has pounded me a mes of samp. friday the 2. wind X W. Clear & Cold. I have been Citing firewood for B : Billey. got him 5 Loads, he has been thrashing with Austin. Saterday the 3 wind X W & very cold, this forenoon we have Clean 'd up what Rie we had thrash'd their was 10 : Bushels, this afternoon I have been to Barnebees for our Lather but it was not Done, we took Austins Slay to Neweys to git Sum Iron work D( n to it H/S DIARY 45 Sunday the 4 wind W S W & more Modaret. no meting- to Dav. the family all at liome. Tusday the 5. wind S A\' &: Signs of Rain, we have heen Cuting- Sum Cordwood lK: lirought home a load of firewood Benjamin Moor ])ut up here Last Saterday night & Staid imtil this Morning, he is a ])edlar. Tusday the 6. wind S A\' : pleasent. 1 have been to trustee ?\leting. .Vustin has put a handle in my ax tS: then went to Cuting C(Trdwood. (35) Wednesday the 7. wind X W Clear t^ pleasent. we have been Carting & g'iting' out Cordwood. I got out 4 Loads of Cordwood & i Load of Boat timber. ]^)rought home a load of firewood. Thursday the 8 wind AA' & Cold this forenoon I have got out 4 Loads of Cordwood «S: l>roug'ht home a load of firewood. Austin a Cuting Cordwood. this afternoon I have been to Daniel Browns. Joanna (Mrs. Worth) & Huldah went with me. Joanna 1 Left at Daniel Browns. friday the g wind A\' S \\ Clear & pleasent. 1 have been giting out & Spliting Cordwood. got 2 Loads of Cordwood. Brought home a load of fire- wood. Austin a Cuting. Saterday the 10. wind AA' : Cloudey & Signs of a Storm, this forenoon we have been Luployed as above. I got out 2 Loads of CordwMiod. Brought a load of firewood this afternoon. I have been to Barnebees. got all my Lather but one Side. I pade him 3 Dollars: Daniel Brown & wife Came here this Evening. Brought Joanna Home. Sunday the 11. wind W : Clear & pleasent. I ha\e been to Meting at Coram. Munday the 12. wind X \\ : Clear & Cold. I have been Spliting & giting otit Cordwood got out 2 Loads & Brought home a load of firewood. Austin is doing Sum trifels about home, got X'ewton to make a Basket. ('•' '■' '•' * *) Tusday the 13 wind X A\' : Clear & xery Cold. I have been to the vandue of the afects of Isaac Ketcham Deces'd. Austin has been thrashing with the help of Glover. Wednesday the 14 w ind S AA' : & Signs of a storm. I have l)een to Corem. got a shue Sat on Austins Mar. Austin & Glover has been thrashing. Thursday the 15. wind S AA' & more moderate, w^e have Clean'd up w^hat Grain we had thrash'd. their was 17 Bushels Austin & Huldah attending the weding of Samuel Doon & Ruth. {^G) friday the 16. Day of January wind X \A' : & pleasent. we have been Cuting & Spliting Cordwood. I Carryed out i Load of Cordwood. Brought home a load of wood. Mr. Elisha Hamond Had his wagon wheel Run over him yesterday & Expired in a short time. Saterday the 17. wind S E: & signs of a storm, we have attended the funeral of Mr. Elisha Hamond. Mr. Corwdn Preach'd from these words, to Live is Christ & to Die is gain. Sunday the 18. wind X with Snow all the fore part of the Day. the family all at home. 46 CAPT. DANIEL ROE Munday the 19. wind X W : Clear & Cold. 1 am unwell to Dav with a heavey cold, no Bisness Done to Day Except taking care of the Cretnrs Austin & Huldah are gon to Hallocks, they Rode the Sorel Mar. Tusday the 20 wind AV S W : Clear & Cold I have attended a vendue at John Day tons. Austin got home from Hallocks & came to the van due Mrs. Hill came here to Make Sum Cloths for my Boys. (Refers, possibly, to Aus- tin, his son, and Coleman AVorth, his grandson, who lived with him much.) Wednesday the 21. wind X A\' Clear & Cold. I have Done but Little Bisness, not very well. I have been to Goldsmith Davises got Sum Lather that Barnebee Dres'd for me, then came Back by John Daytons. Brought home Sum things that I bought at the vendue. Austin has been thrashing Thursday the 22 wind X \A^ & it continues Cold. I have Done Imt Little Except taking care of the Creturs. Austin finnishecl thrashing to Day. Brother Austin cal'd to see us on his way to Setalket. Zopher cal'd to see us on his way home. (37) friday the 23. wind S AA' & Signs of a storm, we have been giting firewood, got 2 Loads. John Roe (3d son) came here this morning, took Austins Mar & went to Drownmadow & when he Came Back, He & Austin went to Elishas. Saterday the 24. wind S AA^ : & pleasent. we have Cleaned up the Last of our Rie their was 9 Bushels, then Austin went to the shore with a load of w^ood. Cal'd at Hawkins got 25 lbs. of liuckwheet flower. Sunday the 25. wind X AA' : Clear & Cold. I have been to Meting at Josephs to here Mr B)ull. Daniel Brown & his wife & John Roe, Hiddah came with them, they come here after meting & Huldah went Back with them. Munday the 26. wind X AA^ : & very Cold, no Bisness Done to Day Except takeing care of the Creturs & makeing fires. Tusday the 27. winil S E : & it has Snow'd Sum to Day but the weather has modarated & Signs of Rain. 1 have been Lnployed as above. Austin Crackled our Crop of flax to Day. Wednesday the 28 wind S W : with Rain, the storm began Last night & Continued all Day. no Bisness Done to Day. Thursday the 29. wind X \\ : Clear & pleasent. I have been to Patchog after a Shewmaker but Did not see him : Austin has been Cuting Cordwood Brought home a load of firewood. friday the 30. wind X W : & Clear, we have been Cuting Cordwood in our N Land. Brought home a load of firewood. (38) Saterday the 31 & Last Day of January wind S E with a Sufver Storm of Rain. 1 ha\e Ijeen to Elisha ( )\ertons in assist in taking an Inventory of his fathers Personal Estate. Austin has got a load of wood for Laben. L. Sunday the i. Day of february the wind Shifted the Later part of the night into the X W & it came on to Snow & Continued until Sumtime in the Morning. Austin & James X^orton have been to S in the Slay. Munday the 2. wind S AV & warm for the seson. I have been to Mastick with Joseph B : Roe to be Bondsman for him in takeing out Letters of Admin- HIS DIARY 47 nistratitm of the Estate of Elisha Hammond Deces'd. Austin has been to Hal- locks with his Slay, the Snow went of, he Left his Slay & he came home with Zopher & Huldah came home with them. Tusday the 3 wind \\\ this Alornint^- we went to our north Land with the wagon. I Brought home a load of firewood. Austin Staid & Cut Cordwood. this afternoon T have lieen to d>ustee meting. Wednesday the 4. wind X W : (Jvr we had a small flite of Snow toward night. 1 have lieen oxer with a li)ad of Hoot timber. Austin a Cuting Cord- wood. Thursday the 5 wind S E : & Signs of a Storm. I have been at home, not very well. My Horses are all gon. Austin Rode one, James Norton & Colman Austin Roe, Rose, Wayne Co., X. Y.. Youngest Son of Capt. Daniel Roe. Worth the een o\er with 2 Loads of Cordwood. friday the 23. wind X W Clear & pleasent. I have l)een moveing Sum grain in the Barn to make way for our Top stalks & husking Sum Corn. Austin has been over with 2 Loads & got in a load of topstalks. Saterday the 24 wind X W : Clear & Coal, we have been Lnployed as above. (63) Sunday the 25, wind S W : warm & Drie wether. I have been at home, not well, the Children at meting. Munday the 26. wind X A\ & Coal. I have been mending fence. Austin has been over \vith 2 Loads. Tusday the 27. wind X E & Signs of a storm, we have got in the Last of our top stalks this forenoon, this afternoon I have been Husking Corn in the W Lot. Austin has been over with a load of Cordwood. Wednesday the 28. wind W Clear & warm. I have been Husking Sum Corn in the liarn. 1 not well. Austin went of to pineneck this Morning. Thursday the 29: wind S A\ : &: warm. 1 have been gathering Corn in the W Lot. Brother Austin cal'd here on his way to Setalket. Austin got home from pineneck with a load of hay. friday the 30. wind S E with Rain all the Latter part of the Day. we got in a load of Corn before the Rain came on. I have been to Coram got our 62 CAPT. DANIEL ROE Horses Shod all Round & 2 Tires put on the wagon & I Bought a set of trases of Goldsmith Davis cost £0-15-4. not ]:)aid. Saterday the 31 & Last Day of October wind: we liave got in a load of Corn cK: Cut u]) the stalks & got 2 Loads of hrewood. Sunday the i. Day of November wind X A\ with Sum Scjuais of Snow & Rain. I have l^een at home not well, the Children at meting at Josephs. Munday the 2. wind N AV & pleasent. I have been gathering Corn. Atistin has been over with 2 loads. Tusday the 3. wiufl W & pleasent. I have gathered Sum Corn & have been to Trustee Meting. Austin Imployed as above. Wednesday the 4 Little and no wind Smokey thick Rain. I have been at home ver\- unwell with a cough Austin has been over with 2 loads of wood. (64) Thursday the 5. Day of November, wind W Cloudey Dul weather. I am unwell. Porter has been hel])ing Austin & the}- have hnnished giting in our Corn & Stalks. friday the 6. wind X E: with a sufver storm of Rain the storm l)egan Last night & Continued all Day. Saterday the 7. wind W Clear & pleasent. we have Kil'd 2 of our fat Cattle with help of Porter. Joseph had a hine quarter & Laben a hine quarter. Each waid 39 lbs. L Sunday the 8. wind A\' S W : & Signs of a storm. I have been at home not well, the Children have been to meting. Elisha & his wife came here after meting. Munday the 9. wind W & pleasent. I continue unwell. Austin has been mending fence by our wheet this forenoon, this afternoon he has been to Carry Huldah to Daniel Prowns to go to York with him to See her Brother as we here he Lyeth at the point of Death. Tusday the 10. wind X^ E & it came on to Rain this afternoon. I have taken a little care of the Creturs. Austin & Colman is gon to Load Sloop. Wednesday the 11. wind S \\ : tS: warm. I have put away My Sweet potatos. Austin has fetch "d up a load of hay. Thursday the 12. wind W : & Blows Heavey. I have been at home Doing a little, n(jt very well. Austui has been over with a load of his wood & i of (i. e., off) the hill for me. friday the 13. wind \V & pleasent I have been at home Doing but Little not well. Austin has been over with 2 Loads. Saterday the 14. wind S W & Cold, we have been Imployed as above. Sunday the 15. wind X & Cold. I have been at home, not well. Austin has been to meting at Josephs. Munday the 16. wind S A\' Clear & Cold we have been giting firewood, got 4 Loads. (One leaf missing from manuscript, Xov. 17 — Dec. g, 1807.) (65) Thursday the 10 (Dec.) wind S AA^ with Rain the (most) of the Day. I got a load of firewood Austin & Porter athrashing. HIS DIARY 63 friday the 11. wind N : Cleai & Coal. 1 have betMi gitiii"; firewood, got 2 Loads for my Self & i Load for Laben. had his Mar .\ustin & Porter athrashing Saterday the 12. wind \\^ : & Signs of a storm, we have Clean'd up what Rie we had thrashetl. their Avas 20 lUishels. Sunday the 13 wintl S E: with Rain the ]\Iost of the Day. the family at Home all but Huldah. She is not got home. . Munday the 14. wind X W : Clear & pleasent. 1 have been mending Sum fence & sheling Corn. Austin has been over witli 1 Load, I'.rought home a load of firew(i(Kl for Laben. Huldah got home this b^vening from Newyork. Rev. Austin W. Roe, Fulton, X. V., L.\st Surviving Grandson of Capt. Daniel Roe. (As John Roe died Nov. 17. it seems strange that no mention is made. The lost page may have had it.) Tusday the 15 wind: E: with Rain the Most of the Day. I have Done but Little Bisness i have got in our Cabage. Austin is gon to Pat'chog to mill Carryed 19 Bushels Rie i^ of wheet i^ of Corn Wednesday the 16: wind S W : with Rain this forenoon, this afternoon we have been giting firewood. Thursday the 17 wind S E & warm, we have got a load of Pitch nots to Day. friday the 18 wind W : & Blows Heavy. I have been Doing Sum trifels 64 CAPT. DANIEL ROE about home, Austin Cuting Corchvoocl. he is gon to see Zopher Hallock this Evening as he is unwell Saterday the 19 wind X \\ & cold. I have been at home Doing but Little except taking care of the Creturs Austin is gon to the N side to git a passage to Newyork. (* * * ='^') Sunday the 20. wind S E : Clear & pleasent. I have been at home. Austin is gon to the X side again to now if the vesel is Ready to Sail. Munday the 21. wind S W : & Signs of a storm we have been gitine tire- do o Tusday the 22 wind S \\" & warm. I have been to See Zopher & found him ver}- low but we are in hopes is Sum better. Austin Sailed for Xewyork this morning. (66) Wednesday the 23 Day of December wind S \V : &. warm. I have been Cuting tirew.u.d in Austins W : Land. Huldah is to Hallocks. Thursday the 24 wind S \V : & Coal. I have been giting wood. Huldah •came home from Hallocks this morning & is gon to Elishas this afternoon. friday the 25 wind X : Clear & Coal. I have been Cuting & giting fire- wood, got I Load then wcut to Coram on Sum Bisness. Saterday the 26. wind X E : & Coal. 1 have been Cuting & giting firewood got 2 Loads, Jesse. Had a pare of shuse Come to Day. Daniel Brown & wife cal'd here on their way home. Sunday the 27. wind S \\' & warm. 1 have been at home. Austin got home this evening from Xewyork. John Hallock Come here. Brought one of Zophcrs Daughters to stay with us as he is verv Loe. Munday the 28. wind X E : Clear & pleasent. 1 have been over with a load of Cordwood. Austin has been helping Joseph Kill his Beef. Tusday the 29 wind E: & it Came on to Rain with thunder this afternoon, but Little Bisness Done to Day. Wednesday the 30 wind X W : Clear lS: pleasent. 1 have been over with a load got Sum Board & Shingles for to Cover a well House. Laben & Austin lias been giting the timber. Thursday the 31. & Last Day of December wind X \\^ Clear & Coal, this forenoon we have been giting up Cordwood for Austin, got out 4 Loads, this afternoon I have been to Danill Hammonds for my Lather but it was not Done friday the i. Day of January (1808) wind X W : Cold I have been at home Doing but little. I have been to Coram to git Sum nails for my well House as Laben is at work at it. (* * * *) Saterday the 2 wind X W & Cold, we have finnished the well House & got It over the well. Austin got home from pine neck brought a load of hay. .UG 25 1904