Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1868

Saturday July 4^th Independance day - and the day of the assembling of the National Democratic Convention in New York where I sincerely hope they may settle upon a candidate who we can elect by such an overwhelming majority next November as to make the miserable fanatical scoundrels in Congress tremble lest they recieve the hempen cravat which their treasonable abuse of the constitution and their perjury so Richly merit. Chas Pusey came in the morning and mow'd until supper time, he finished the "hollow field" by noon and commenced after dinner in the "clearing field". J Boyd and Jno: Bishop hauled in four loads of hay; David horse-Raked in the after noon. Hotter even than yesterday; Mercury 92 in the shade at 3. 1/2 p.m.

Sunday July 5^th

Went to Chestnut Level Church but it was so excessively hot I did not stay to hear the sermon. On my Return found Jas: Retzer who Remained with us until after dinner. -Cooper (who lives at Jno McPhersons) came over to talk about Montgomery Co Md: and staid until after supper. We were blessed with a fine shower of Rain about supper time which will do much good to the corn oats and potatoes- We should be very thankful that that notwithstanding there was sufficient Rain fell it was not accompanied with a violent storm, which was to be feared from the intensely hot weather we have had for a few days past. Mercury stood at 95 in the shade at 3 o'clock p.m. Some heavy thunder without any electric discharges very near us.

Monday July 6^th

Chas: Pusey came about 8. o'clock and finished mowing at supper time Jno Bishop worked all day. Hauled in two loads of hay from the "hollow field which finished it: and two from the "clearing field. I went over to Chestnut Level to see John Johson, spent some time at M^r Rutters, Horse-Raked after dinner and built one load of hay on the wagon- Willie & Freddie Paxson came up and spent the afternoon here-

Tuesday July 7^th Benj: Bishop & John Bishop came and worked all day. Hauled in six loads of hay from "clearing field" Heavy rain and thunder gust from about five o'clock until after dark, but fortunately very little wind. I horse-raked and helped David "bunch up the haythe weather not being quite so hot I stood it pretty well. Early in the morning it was very warm. but it seemed to moderate towards noon.

Wednesday July 8^th Went out to the Grove in the morning J Boyd finished mowing the strip next to the corn and ground the brier scythe fixed fence between Hess and the wheat field. after dinner he and I dug a ditch and opened a spring under the maple trees between here and the tenant house, I hope we can make a spring-house there that will enable us to keep milk and butter rather better than in the cellar.

Thursday June 9^th J. Boyd dug out foundation for spring house and hauled down the house from where M^rs Brennen used to live. Jno McPherson's two sons and J Coopper came with their oxen and helped us until dark. Two showers in the afternoon. Finished hauling in the hay from the clearing field.

Friday July 10^th J.B. went over to Jos: Retzers to help haul in hay but the day being overcast it did not dry sufficiently and he came home again before noon and cut alders, briers, etc. in the afternoon. I went to Centreville to see Chas: Pusey about Reaping my wheat, he will come on Monday if the weather is fit. I drove from there to the Grove and Received a letter from Bro: Charles and having dropped my umberella on the Road drove back over the same Road hoping to find it but some one had doubtless picked it up. Sent David to Mill and bought 50 lbs of flour (paid $3.00 for it.) cash)