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33) 1840 13th 7 mo Those who have hay to get in are now very busily employed in doing it. I think from the last information I have had, there is raised the greatest quantity of hay this season there ever has been since the Island was inhabited. And all other vegetation look very prosperous. 14th 7 mo A very acceptable rain. It began 3 or 4 o'clock A.M. and continued without cessation to nearly noon & at times the rain fell in torrents, light wind at S.W. It is now as seasonable for most kinds of vegetation as we have had it within 20 years. The hay is mostly got in, it proved some damaged by wet weather. Cherrys [CHERRIES] at 14 cts. per quart, Blackberries at 25 cts, huckleberries at 14 cts are brought to sell & they do sell very quick. Apples from Virginia at 75 cts Bushel. The weather is very warm and very growing. 19th 7 mo Muggy, damp, moist and foggy and very warm for a number of days back. Vegetation grows wonderful. Those who depend upon getting peat are quite disappointed at present, the swamps are full of water. 24th The weather of late has warm and dry, but heavy dews in the morning. This morning small wind at SE & began to rain, which after the morning increased to a rain storm accompanied with a smart gale. 1st 8mo A fine soaking rain this morning, small wind at SE. The season holds out very favourable to all the branches of agriculture. 3rd I road [RODE] out to the South Shore to the further lot & to the Marchant lot which gave a full opportunity to view the land, the lots, Meadows and Commons. I thought I never at this time in the year saw everywhere look so flourishing and pleasant. The Lots looked with a beautiful green, & promising for a good growth second crop. The Sheep looked very well.
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(From Page 31) 34 1840 17th 7 mo A case of small pox occurred on board the ship Jefferson at the Bar (outward bound). The man was carried to Peter Macy's Hinsdale farm. 23rd 7 mo The Small Pox broke out on Job Swain, he was carried out to Hinsdale Hospital. He was employ as a milkman at Susan Sylvia's and inprudently exposed himself to danger. 2d 8mo Job Swain died at Hinsdale. 24th 7 mo Eunice Harding at Quaise got well Elisabeth Sylvia got well 22nd Jarvis Robbinson's wife got well 25. 7 Lucretia Cuff Coloured 2d 8 Lucretia Cuff died 31. 7 John Davis at Quaise Colored 2d 8 John Davis died. Colored stranger at Hinsdale got well. 3rd 8mo It is said this morning that no person has got the small pox on the Island. 10th 8 mo Betty Bowens broke out with the small pox at the Asylum 10 mo The Small Pox is again among us & 3 Kannakers [KANAKAS] have died. Several more are now under its operation of that people. 18th 10 mo Two Kanakers [KANAKAS] died of Small Pox 12 mo Two cases of Small Pox
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36 1840 7th 8 mo In the preceding night considerable rain the wind SE. I think there is sufficient rain for every thing that grows out of the earth. The swamps are full of water as in winter. Many people make dependence on peat for fires. I am doubtful wheter much will be dug this season. 23rd 8 mo I believe there has been no rain of much consequence since the above date. The prospect is now changed very materially . The whole vegetable kingdom is now drying up very fast. A great change in the aspect of things. The gardens, the lots, the hills all look with a yellowish brown. It also now appears that those who depend on peat for fuel will have found opportunity to dig it without much difficulty. The weather has not only been dry, but very warm. The thermometer has ranged from 76-80 for some time back, and very muggy & uncomfortable. Not one cold easterly wind since this month came in. The wind generally has been light and all round the compass. This morning it appears as likely for a long droughty spell as it did a week ago, or at any time since the dry weather set in.
25th The weather continues dry & warm. An uncommon number or quantity of large white headed clouds hove up from the Northward. At night thunder and lightning but in the evening it all passed away to the eastward.
2nd 9 mo No rains every kind of vegetation is drying up. This morning the weather appears somewhat likely to produce rain. There has been no great storm this year. the circumstances may have occurred before but I do not remember an instance of the kind.
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1840 37 2nd 9 mo Great exertions are making throughout every part of the United States to change the Administration of the general Government. The President Martin Van Buren's time of service will expire . A large portion of the people are striving to reelecting him another term, considering him the most suitable of any other person in the U. States to fill that station. While very many others consider him the most unsuitable of any person that has been talked of to fill that office. The Whigs so called are striving to elect William Henry Harrison of Ohio for President. Meetings and conventions are held in every part of the United States to promote the views of the party. No expense is regarded. Both parties are confident of success.
The most of the members of the Society of Friends no doubt have a choice in the two candidates, but still, in my opinion it is best to have little or nothing to do with it, believing it is not a subject that will tend to promote the principles of the society of Friends. To be active in the political affairs of the Government, or State, leads the mind in to disquietude, striving to carry points, excitement and often confusion. All which is liable to lessen one's concern for the promotion of truth according to the profession made by the Society.
3rd 9 mo A little rain fell last night more than has fallen since the 4th 8mo which although not sufficient to wet the ground through, yet it was very acceptable and of material advantage in many respects. It lay the dust, it had a tendency to invigorate the spirits, and to assist nature in the growth of vegetation.
5th 9mo a moderate rain set in this morning, the wind at NE and appears likely to be a soaking rain, which is much wanted. The ground is quite dry a considerable distance below the surface of the earth.
Summer apples very plenty, sold at auction at 22 1/2 cts per bushel.
