1872 Diary
Thursday
June 6

Was up at 7:30. Ella went down to have ..?.. cut and Clayton went to Titusville to races A.M. I cleaned the engine up & pumped the wells at ..?.. for Clayton. ..?.. & Clara & Mrs. Smallshaw came over & we had a game of croquet.

1872 Diary
June 5
Wednesday

Ella stayed with Mrs. Smallshaw. Came home at 6:30.I gave Ella $40. Clayton went to Titusville to races. I pumped for him amd put benzine in both wells. Ella & Mrs. Smallshaw went down town Nellie & ..?.. came down & we all played croquet until 10:20.

1872 Diary
Tuesday
June 4

Well I worked around the wells A.M. & P.M. I went down town & sold oil at 4.02, net 3.77, 126 Bbls . Sent $66.65 to S. & S.R.by draft. Came home. Ella & Mrs. Smallshaw went downtown. Gave Ella $1.50. Clayton & I went to ..?.. ..?.. came home at 10. Ella & ..?.. went to Benton's & played eucher.

1872 Diary
Monday
June 3

Pumped as usual. Clayton went downtown. I pumped pole tool once. Run oil P.M. after 3, $32.51 net. I went to grocery. Paid ..?.. benzine $6. Mrs. Smallshaw came over and played croquet some. Mr. Smallshaw went to Pleasantville to work.

1872 Diary
Sunday
June 2

Oh hum well I am some tired tonight. Clayton & I walked to McOmber's from there to McBride farm to ..?.. thence home in P.M. Played Croquet some and read some.

1872 Diary
Saturday
June 1

I went down town P.M. and up to grocery & around. Came home at 3 planted some corn & hoed some in garden. In eve Nellie & Clara B. & Mr. & Mrs. Smallshaw came over & played croquet until 11:30. Pleasant.

1872 Diary
Friday
May 31

Well I was up at 3 and 7 and pumped as usual. Clayton went down town & I drawed some wood and I signed a paper for P.R.R. Clayton & I built a veranda over the front door to the house. Ella & Mrs. Smallshaw went over to ..?..

1872 Diary
Thursday
May 30

It rained some this morn so I helped Ella clean ..?.. Clayton went down town. Mr. Smallshaw paid me $10. for rent on house. Read letters from Clark. We all went down to a Colored concert to Good Templers Hall in eve. Came home around 10:30.

1872 Diary
Wednesday
May 29

I pumped the wells & helped Ella clean bedroom in A.M. then Arthur & I went to Pine Creek afternoon ..?.. slips got a lot. Came around Pleasant & got some house plants $3.00. Paid ..?.. Seavy for meat $3.87 & Bob ..?.. for groceries $3.15. We came home at 6. Warm day.

1872 Diary
Tuesday
May 28


I pumped the wells & then brought water for Ella to clean windows. Clayton went downtown brought me letter from Salma ..?.. I helped Ella clean front room P.M. Paid Mrs. Lovell for milk including today, $1.20. Went down town in eve Good Templers.

1872 Diary
Monday
May 27

Well it rained some this morn but Ella run engine & we pulled rods out of No 2 A.M. Ella went over to Mrs. Smallshaw & then they came over & played eucher until 10. Some cold.

1872 Diary
Sunday
May 26

Oh um, well I dressed up this P.M. & Ella & Mrs. Smallshaw went to church & Arthur & Clayton & I played croquet & chess. Noman Allen came over we all played croquet. Mr. Grey & Mr. Smallshaw too until 10:30.

1872 Diary
Saturday
May 25

I pumped the wells as usual & Clayton went to Titusville to horse races & Stiltings came & run oil. I cut wood & picked up wood & until 4 pumped at 3 for C. Mr. Smallshaw worked around the house all day. Clayton came home at 9.

1872 Diary
Friday
May 24

Ella washed colored clothes today. Clayton went down town. I cut wood A.M. & he cut wood P.M. Johny Smallshaw took some pipe & nipples & unions from engine house this P.M. Played croquet some this eve. Clara & Arthur came over & Mrs. Smallshaw too. Wrote letter to A. Clark today.

1872 Diary
Thursday
May 23

Well it rained some today but Ella washed some white clothes & I brought water. Cut wood Clayton & I P.M.

1872 Diary
Thursday
May 22

I went down and over to see Irwin & Bob Sherman. Bought shoes $4.75, boot jack $1.50. Came home in rain about 6. Clayton went down town A.M. & in eve.

1872 Diary
Tuesday
May 21

I pumped the wells at 11 & put 2 Bbls. benzine in wells and then walked to Miller and went to Titusville got pants $9, hose $135. and supper for 2, $1.50. Came home at 6 with Pierce & then went down town & Clayton & I bought ice cream for the whole lodge of Good Templers $3. Came with Ella & Mrs. Smallshaw at 11:20. Sold oil 155.65 @ $3.75, net $583.68.

1872 Diary
Monday
May 20

I worked around picking up wood and cutting some. I went up town to grocery. Rained some today and has been rather cool.

1872 Diary
Sunday
May 19

Well it rained some last night. We did not get up until 8:20. Clayton & Arthur went out in woods. After 12:30 Arthur & Clara & Clayton & I played croquet. Ella and I went over to Johny Dingman's came home at dark. Pleasant.

1872 Diary
Saturday
May 18

Pumped the wells & then cut some wood & packed the stuffing box. Then at 2 went up town to grocery came home at 3. Arthur came over & we played eucher. Mr. & Mrs. Smallshaw came home at 9. Warm & pleasant.

1872 Diary
Friday
May 17

After 8, Stittings came up & we run oil 30.96 Bbls & then Clayton & I fixed No 1 tank. Drove hoops down & also No 2 & ..?.. tank. I milked Mrs. Lovell's cows for the milk this morn & eve. Ella went down town & C. too. Paid ice man $1.27 bal. for ice.

1872 Diary
Thursday
May 16

I fussed around the wells all day most, went up to the grocery then came home and in evening Nellie & ..?.. Benton came down & we played croquet until 10:20. Awful warm all day & cool in eve.

1872 Diary
Wednesday
May 15

Oh hum well I pumped the wells and then at 8 we blowed the boiler off & then at 3 I went down town & rode over to Titusville with Russ & Davidson team. Ordered pants $14 paid $5 & bought Ella a silk dress, black $19.50. Came home at 9 walked up bought drum, $3,000. Mrs. Smallshaw went to Titusville.

1872 Diary
Tuesday
May 14

I worked around the wells & house A.M. & then I went down town & Clayton too. Ella & Mrs. Smallshaw went to the Lodge. I came home at 10. Awful warm.

1872 Diary
Monday
May 13

I was up at 3 & pumped as usual. Clayton went down town & I worked around the wells all day most & fixed gas light for croquet ground. Clara B. & Mrs. Smallshaw & Arthur came over & played croquet. Awful chilly this eve.

1872 Diary
Sunday
May 12

Did not get up until about 4:30 to pump. I planted some potatoes this morn. Dora Dingman came down P.M. a little while. Some cool all day. Things won't grow today. Mr. & Mrs. Smallshaw & Ella & I went down to church this eve. Mrs. Smallshaw fell off side today.

1872 Diary
Saturday
May 11

Oh hum well I was our at the usual hour & I went up & had stage come for Ella to go to Titusville at 3. I bought 800 cups for ..?.. then I went down town & in eve C.S. & I bought some linen pants. Ella came home at 10. Some warm.

1872 Diary
Friday
May 10

I was up at 3 & pumped the wells until 5:30. No 2 pumped fresh water. C. L. & I drew rods from pump today. In eve C. L. Arthur & I went down town & Ella & Mrs. Smallshaw went too. I wrote letter to ..?.. Hawely. Very warm We made ice cream today.

1872 Diary
Thursday
May 9

Benton brought our freezer home this morn. Went down town came home at 3:30. Awful warm. Ella & Mrs. Smallshaw went down town & C. L. & Arthur & I went out too.

1872 Diary
Wednesday
May 8

Oh hum I pumped & then went down town & read letter from Lush recd. for money.(..?..) Came home at 4 supper at 6. We all went down to see a ..?.. comic actor. Came home at 10:30. $1.00.

1872 Diary
Tuesday
May 7
Oh hum, I am tired today. I pumped the wells & then went down town and walked to Miller& went to Titusville on train & stayed until 6 & then rode home with M. Grey. Ella went to Good Templers. Awful hot. Run oil today.

1872 Diary
Monday
May 6

I stayed around the wells A.M. & then P.M. I down & sent S. & S. R. Blackney $66.65 & drew $13.. Came home at 5 & played croquet some with Arthur. Awful warm most all day. Clayton went down town.

1872 Diary
Sunday
May 5

I pumped the wells & then C. & I went & got 3 pine trees & set them out by house. Ella went over to Smallshaw's. P.M. & eve. they went a walking. I retired at 8:15.

1872 Diary
Saturday
May 4

I was up and pumped the wells as usual. Some cold this morn. Then at 2 I walked down to Miller farm & took train & went to Titusville & got clothes $26 & plug hat $8. Met Grey & took supper with him & came home at 9:15. Rained some A.M. Paid CHS. $5 in full.

1872 Diary
Friday
May 3

Clayton & Arthur went up to Pleasantville to a circus and then was none. I worked on Bbls on No. 1. Rained some. In eve I went down town to Oil Mens League. Ella & C. went over to Smallshaws & played eucher. I came home at 9 and went to bed.

1872 Diary
Thursday
May 2

I pumped the wells & then & then went up to Oil Exchange & got hair cut & paid $6 to D. ..?.. $20.25 & drew for ..?.. Rained some today.

1872 Diary
Wednesday
May 1

Rained some last night. I run the wells as usual. Rained all A.M. & P.M. I went down town, came home at 5 & then at 6:30 Clayton & I played croquet. I paid T. Thorn for coal. $6.

1872 Diary
Tuesday
April 30

I pumped the wells as usual & then after 12 I got ready and went down town & drew $50 & then walked to Mitter  then went up to Titusville & got Ella a dress, $11, a corset, $2.25. Left measure for suit clothes & gave them $20 balance to pay $26. Came home at 9. Ella went down to Good Templars.

1872 Diary
Monday
April 29

I was up at 2 & pumped & at 6 we drew rods out of No. 2 & then at 3 ..?.. came & we run oil 33.19 Bbls. Clayton & I worked on croquet ground some. Very pleasant.

1872 Diary
Sunday
April 28

I was up at 3 & 6 & after 9 C. & I went over & I dug up a pine tree & brought it home & set it out. P.M. Norman came up & Ella went a walking. We played croquet some. Pleasant.

1872 Diary
Saturday
April 27

I was up at 3 & at 6 I pumped the wells. I worked in garden put onions & peas in & finished spading too. Then we worked on croquet ground & played 3 or 4 games. Ella & Mrs. Smallshaw went down town. Mr. Grey came down a little while. Gave Ella $5.00. Pleasant.

1872 Diary
Friday
April 26

I fussed around the wells some A.M. & then went down to bank. Rec'd paper L.R. B..?... Came home at 5. Oh it has been awful warm all day. Mr. & Mrs. Smallshaw & A. Dykens came over & played eucher & chess.

1872 Diary
Thursday
April 25

I was up at 3 & pumped the wells. Warm today. Bronson's Men set fire & they had to fight it all day. Clayton & I worked covering tank P.M. I worked in garden some. Clayton went down town then we fixed the tank at No. 1.

1872 Diary
Wednesday
April 24

Stayed with Roberts last night & we sent for ..?.. to come over. He ate breakfast with us, he is alright on the lease. I started for home at 9:15, reached home at 5. Folks are all well.

1872 Diary
Tuesday
April 23

I stayed at Junction House, ate breakfast & then walked up to Limestone, 6 miles. Clark had started for home so I hired a horse & went to Carlton & caught him & we talked until about 4 & he went home & I went up to A. Robert's at 5. Awful tired, they are all well.

1872 Diary
Monday
April 22

Well I pumped the wells at 7 & then got ready & went to Miltes on foot & then took train & went to ..?.. & then back to Carlton. Bought pair of shoes $2.20.

1872 Diary
Sunday
April 21

After I pumped the wells at 12 I changed my clothes & Ella & I went down town to Midletown. There was 18 buildings burnt. Taylor Tifft brought us up home with horses he & Lime was there with.

1872
Saturday
April 20

Well I worked in garden & Clayton worked on croquet ground until 3 then pipe co run oil & then we got ..?.. horse & Ella & Clayton went to Titusville. Came home at 8:45. Midletown burnt down at 9.

1872
Friday
April 19

Clayton went down town & I worked in garden & around the wells. Smallshaw came over & paid me $10.00 on rent for house. I bought a spade today. Pleasant all day. Worked in garden some.

1872
Thursday
April 18

Well I fussed around the engine after 12 until 3:30 & then Clayton & I went down town & came back at 5. Ella washed today but it rained so she could not hang them out.

1872
Wednesday
April 17

I went up own to ..?.. & benzine came down at 11:30 & after 2 I went out & put in the wells. Buffalo Railroad will be built. Wrote letter to A. Roberts & S.&S.R. Blackney and Clayton took them down this eve.

1872
Tuesday
April 16

Oh hum, after I pumped the wells at 12 I went down town & bought a shirt & some things for Ella. Came home at 5 & then in the eve we all went over to ..?.. & played eucher until 10:30.

1872
Monday
April 15

I pumped the wells at 7:30 & then blew the boiler off & cleaned her out and got ready to pump at 11:10 & then I went down to E. Lockwoods to withdraw my offer on track & then went down & sold 75 Bbls oil at $3.25 net & rec'd letters from A. Roberts. Clark will be there the 20th.

1872
Sunday
April 14

I pumped the wells as usual then Clayton & I looked around in the woods and came to the house & shot at a mark. Then I went over to ..?.. & around, came home at 3. Norman came up here & stayed until 9.

1872
Saturday
April 13

Oh how the wind has blowed today. I tell you it has blown down a good ..?.. we stayed. We run oil today, 33.46 Bbls in P.M. I  did not go down town but Ella & I went over and paid Mrs. Dykens $2.75 for washing.

1872
Friday
April 12

Well it rained about 8:30 so did not do much out. Clayton did not go down town A.M. something will happen I am afraid. I went up to ..?.. and after milk.

1872
Wednesday
April 10

I was lazy this morn. Ella got up & built a fire & got breakfast before I pumped the wells. Ella washed today. I went down town P.M. Nellie wanted us to come up this eve but Mr. & Mrs. Smallshaw came over & we played chess & dominoes until 10:30.

1872
Tuesday
April 9

Rained some this morn. I sent draft to S. & S. R. B. for A. Clark $50. on royalty & $66.65 rent on wells by Clayton to bank total $116.65. Well we cut the stub down by the house this eve. & broke my axe. Some tired this eve.

1872
Monday
April 8

I pumped the wells today as usual & moved the stove out of the engine house. Sold Royalty on M. Dowell well for with back royalty, $120 to Hugh (McGillivary?). I went down to post office at 4:30 , bargained for race course on the farm.

1872
Sunday
April 7

Oh hum well it has been very pleasant all day, only a slight rain. The rods parted in No. 2 but we hitched them up & she pumped all night. I wrote a letter to L. R. Blockney & Pa & Ma.

1872
Saturday
April 6

Well I pumped as usual & Clayton went down town. Ella went down town & I stayed around the house all day & in the eve Ella & I went down town & I bought perfumery, $1.00. Came home at 8.

1872
Friday
April 5

 Pumped the wells & then went up at 1 & got Rig & Ella & went up to Titusville to change her shoes. Express up $3.50 then came back at 6. Very pleasant all day. Clayton went down town P.M. & got me 2 letters, one from S. R. Blackney order from Clark to pay all money of his to S. & S. R. B. The other from Sam Hawley.

1872
Thursday
April 4

I got ready after 8 & went down to Miller Farm & at 1 went up to Titusville. Paid 10% on RR stock. $10. first assessment. Bought Ella shoes & slippers $8.50. Came home on stage from Miller. Stopped at O.M.S. Came home at 10:30 and ate supper with Taylor ..?.. at American. Clayton run oil today. Total run 31.98. Sold 50 Bbls to ..?.. at $3.22 1/3. $161.

1872
Wednesday
April 3

The bird woke me up this morn. Mr Grey came down to see if Frankie was going home & she is. Clayton & I went down town sold F. E. Hammond 50 Bbls oil at 3.22 1/3, $161.28. We came home at 11. Stage came for Frankie at 12. Paid ..?.. bill $2.25 & meat bill $7.83. Rec'd box of butter & eggs from Ma & Pa also letter. We all went over & played chess & eucher to (Small Shaws?)

1872
Tuesday
April 2

I went down town & bought a bird cage of A. W. Merrick, $7.50. Came home at 2. Clayton went down town A.M. at 11:30. I benzined Bbls in No 1 & No 2. Pleasant all day.

1872
Monday
April 1

We all got April fooled this morn by the whistle blowing for fire but was none.
Clayton went down A.M. Rec'd letter from A. Roberts. Mr. Grey came down & so did Mr. Smallshaw & we played eucher and chess until 10:30.

1872
Sunday
March 31

Well it rained most all night last night and some today.Norman came up today & so did Mr. Grey. Snowed some this P.M. ..?.. froze up this eve. But got it to work all night before dark. Wind blowed  awlful hard.

1872
Saturday
March 30

No. 2 did not act very nice today so this P.M. Clayton & I & Ella drawed rods in P.M. Clayton went down town this morn. Very pleasant and nice all day. Ella and Frank started to go down town but rained.

1872
Friday
March 29

Well I pumped the wells as usual then after 2 I went down town & bought dress for Ella. Pleasant all day.

1872
Thursday
March 28

I got up this morn at 7:20 & and pumped the wells then after breakfast Clayton went down town & came back at 1. I sent letter to Austin Roberts, played dominoes and eucher some. Frankie went to sleep on the lounge. I went down to Oil Men's League. Came home at 11.

1872
Wednesday
March 27

Oh how pleasant today. Clayton went down town and so did Ella & ..?.. I went down town drawed $20 from bank, went down bought pair of overalls. Pleasant all day. I went up & got Mr. Gray and he came down & played eucher all evening. Run oil this A.M. 31 Bbls.

1872
Tuesday
March 26

Well I went up town this morning after some meal & Clayton went down town & I went down town after 1 oclock. Recd. letter from Austin Roberts. I came home about 4. Mandville want to hire me today to keep books. Offers me $100. per month. Ella went down town.

1872
Sunday
March 24

I was on time today to pump the wells and after 12 I went up to Bronson's Boiler House. Came home at 4 and played checkers with Clayton. Pleasant all day.

1872
Saturday
March 23

Did not get up until after 8 this morn and about noon it blowed & snowed awful. Clayton went up & got Cap. Denny & he came down at 1 & we changed the valves in no. 2.

Snowed some & blowed. Clayton went down town.

1872
Friday
March 22

Well we did not get home until about 1 this morning & I sat up until 2 & then pumped the wells & came & went to bed. Clayton went down town this morn & I went up to see Cap. Denny. Came home & oil was running on the ground at no.1. Ella went over to Dingmans. I went down to oil men's ..?.. & Ella went to a temperance lecture.

(The Temperance Movement was a movement to reduce or restrict the use of alcohol.)

1872
Thursday
March 21

After I pumped the well at 12, Wood came up & I settled with him. Paid him $21 to ..?.. for drawing coal for January, February & March. Then I went down town & subscribed for 2 shares in Producers  R. R. $100 also 2 shares for Clayton & then Ella & I went to Donation at Hall. $2.25.

1872
Wednesday
March 20

Clayton & I blowed the boiler off after breakfast. Got to pumping the wells about 11:15 & then I went down town & then up to Sanders & paid him for groceries $4.15. Came home at 3.

1872
Tuesday
March 19

I went down town and got check cashed $54.16 & then went down & bought a C dress for Ella & paid Hammond for scales $3.00. Camr home at 4.

1872
Monday
March 18

Well I have been some lazy & I went down town & around & then came home after I went up to Sanders after groceries.

1872
Sunday
March 17

Oh hum, was up at the usual time & I pumped the wells as usual and then I played checkers with Arthur Dickens about one hour. Then I washed up & stayed around the house until about 7 & then Ella & I went down town came back at 8. I wrote letter to Ma.

1872
Saturday
March 16

Clayton went down town this morn & he and I went up town and got ..?.. after 12. I stopped and got check of Mrs. Benton for $54.16 for on house up to Feb. 27, 1872. Ella and I went up to Benton's and I played chess with ..?.. until 8:30 & then went down and joined the Oil Mens League. $5.00. Came home at 11. Stopped to Benton's and got Ella.

1872
Friday
March 15

Well I went down town today and voted for town officers. I was down to A. J. Salsbury after groceries. I came home at about 5. Snowed some today.

1872
Thursday
March 14

Pumped the wells at 7 as usual & then came to house & fussed with the chess and Clayton went down town with Ella came back at 8:30. I gave Clayton a check to balance our ..?.. to March 1st. $27.00.

1872
Wednesday
March 13

After I pumped the wells I got ready and then played eucher with Clayton until 2:30 & then went down to the producers meeting at ..?.. Hall. Elected Mr. Brouson & Garfield Hammond & Shamburg & Lehandler to sell our oil to or through. Rec'd letter from L. O. Alman & Son. Pleasant all day. I bought some chess. Gave $3.50. Came home at 6:30.

1872
Tuesday
March 12

I pumped the wells & took a sleep until 7 & pumped the wells at 12. Then went down town and came back to Benton's about 2:30 & played one game of chess. Ella & Clayton came back at about 3. I came home at about 3:15.

1872
Sunday
March 10

I was very lazy this morning getting up. Did not get until about quarter to 8. Well Taylor came over & so did Norman & Dora Dingman all to dinner. Thawed some today.

1872
Monday
March 11

We were all up at 9. Clayton and Ella went to ..?.. Started about 10:30. I gave C.D.S. $7.00. I went down town & sent ..?.. & Son draft for $36.68 & sold T. E. Hammon 25 Bbls. oil at 3.82 1/2 28 off. Total 89.34 & drew $25.00. Producer had a meeting this A.M. Mr. Merrick & I went up to Titusville to an oil meeting. Came home at 12:30.

1872
Saturday
March 9

Well Clayton went downtown this morning and Stilling came to run oil. Total run net, 27.79 Bbls. I went down town this P.M. Rec'd letter from Ma. They are well.

Everything is alright.

1872
Friday
March 8

I did not get up at 3 to pump the wells. I took a good sweat last night and I feel better today. I went down town to bank and around. Paid Nash and Mauderville $11.64 for coal last month. I ..?.. some casing in one of his wells. Snowed some this eve.

1872
Thursday
March 7
Oh well I layed around the house all day after I pumped the wells. Did not feel very well.
Have an awful cold. Ella went down town & Clayton too. Rec'd a letter from A. Roberts & I sent him 3 papers. Clayton saw Norman Allen down town today or this eve.

1872
Wednesday
March 6

After I pumped the wells at 12 I played a few games with Clayton & then I went down town. Saw Norman for the first time since he came back. Came home at 4. Very cold.

1872
Tuesday
March 5

Oh hum, it was very cold last night and snowed some too. Clayton went down town A.M. & I went down after 1. I got a set of dominoes & checkers, $1.15. Came home at 3 after getting meat & milk & Clayton and I played checkers. He went down town in eve.

1872
Monday
March 4

After breakfast Clayton went down town. I stayed around the house until about 5 then went up & got slipper mended & paid ..?.. Bill $17.85. Gave Clayton $111. Now I owe him $40 for the month of February. We made some molasses candy for colds. Norman Allen came to work for Lockhart & Russell in ..?.. store today at $6.11 dollars & ..?.. himself.

(It's so frustrating not being able to make out some of Avery's handwriting. Also in the very beginning I thought that Clayton was Avery's son possibly. However he could also be live-in help. I don't know what the norm would be in this situation back then. I wonder if molasses candy actually does anything for colds.)

1872
Sunday
March 3

Oh Hum, it has been awful lonesome today. I have layed around the house all day & played checkers & read some & went after some milk. Not very cold today.

1872
Saturday
March 2

Pumped the wells as usual and about 9:30 Stillings came and run oil for me. Amount run 29.36 Bbls. net. I went down town paid insurance due 7th of March. $11.18 dividend recd. .95 cents balance paid. Paid $10.23. Paid A. P. Booth $25.00 for building derrick.

1872
Friday
March 1

Well I fixed the balance on no. 2 and emptied the Bbl of oil into no. 1 tank. Then at 2 Wood's team drawed 30.50 # of coal. Clayton & I built fence around the house. Another load of coal at 5.29 " " # coal. Very nice and warm all day. Ella went up to grocery this eve.

(I have no idea what he means when he uses " " and # referring to the coal.)

1872
Wednesday
February 28

Well Norman stayed with us all night. Had breakfast at 8:30 and then at about 1:30 Norman and I went down town. Think we found a job for him. So we came back home around 4 & played checkers. Recd. letter from A. Clark, says he will pay for 1/2 of the derrick.

1872
Thursday
February 29

Norman Allen stayed here last night and he and Clayton went down town. Norman hired out to Lockhart and Russell & then went home on 10:54 train.
   Some cool. Ella went down town, put on more style than a country stud horse.

1872
Tuesday
February 27

Run four as usual and fixed the no. 1. Put on long ..?.. Norman Allen came here from ..?.. Nellie & Mrs. Benton came down. Nellie stayed to supper, we played eucher & checkers. I beat her some.
   Had a Mass meeting in Titusville.

1872
Monday
February 26

Clayton and I brought some water for Ella to wash with then we played eucher and checkers for a while.
   Very pleasant all day. Cap. Denney & Smiley came down here to look at a gas pumps.

1872
Sunday
February 25

Rained some last night but turned around cold about noon. At 1:30 I went up to see Suel and Grey. Had a very good visit came home at 4. Had supper at 5. Clayton and I played a few games of checkers.

1872
Saturday
February 24

Oh well it has been some cloudy today. Clayton and I played cards checkers some today then about 6:30 Ella & I took a walk down to the post office. I recd. letter from A. Roberts from Limestone. Prospects are fair. I bought a book of American games. $2.00. Came home at 8:15.

1872
Friday
February 23

Stillings came up and run oil about 10:30. We got through about 11:15. Run about 35.53 Bbls net. Clayton & I played eucher and checkers P.M. It has been awful pleasant all day.

1872
Thursday
February 22

Clayton went down town today. I pumped the wells as usual today. Can step on my foot or on the heel some.
   Thawed and was very warm and nice. They had about 60 couples to the dance last night.

1872
Wednesday
February 21

Oh hum my foot is sore today so I can't walk on it any so guess I can't go to the dance tonight. Ella went up to Benton's today. Ella was rather cross today because I stuck the nail in my foot just as though I done it a purpose.

1872
Tuesday
February 20

It was rather hard for me to get around to pup the wells today but I made out. Clayton went down town this morn and this P.M. at 5 too.
   Ella went up to Benton's today.

!872
Monday
February 19

After pumping the well I went up town and got Cap. Denny to come down and draw rods out of old well. He came down at 1:30. I stuck a nail into my foot about 10. Pained me very bad this eve.
   Been very pleasant all day. Ella washed today.

1872
Sunday
February 18

Oh hum, well we were up at the usual time and pumped the wells and then shaved and dressed up some and then Clayton & I played dominoes until about quarter to 3.
   Mrs. Lovell came down here, has been rather lonesome all day. I wrote letter to ma and A. Clark. I brought some water from spring this eve to wash with.

1872
Saturday
February 17

I stayed around the wells until about 3 then Ella & I went down to ..?.. Nichols and stayed some time and then we done some trading at the stores. I recd. letter from Excelsior Insurance Co. We came home about 4:30. Booth finished derrick today.

1872
Friday
February 16

Oh well we blowed the boiler off and cleaned it all one clean.
   Booth came down and commenced on the derrick. Sam came over today. He has quit over on the Porter farm. Bronson payed some today. Not very cold. Sam paid me $5. borrowed.

1872
Thursday
February 15

Pumped as usual then P.M. went down town and around. Came back to T. Tayton and bought me a pair of boots gave $17.00. Paid Mrs. Lovell for Milk to date including $1.50.

1872
Wednesday
February 14

Well I pumped the wells as of old and then at 12 Clayton & I set valves to old engine. Had an awful time. Awful cold all day and snowed & blowed some too.

1872
Tuesday
February 13

After I pumped the wells at 12 I got ready and went down town & drew $20.00. Then I went up to Titusville & got Ella 2 Calico dresses for the 22nd and got colored T. cloth. Came home at 9. Clayton run oil this P.M. Total at station with the other run is 64.64 Bbls. I Recd. letter from A. Roberts with lease and note signed by Dills ..?.. ..?.. and one from Dilia Waterman asking for $10.00.

1872
Monday
February 12

I went down town today and sent another letter to A. Roberts. Clayton came on 1 oclock train. I did not do much today. Mrs. ..?eoffman came down here this eve. about 6 to arrange about the dance 22nd. I did not come home from down town until about 5.

1872
Sunday
February 11

I pumped the wells at 4 & then came to house & and went to bed and slept until most 8. Had a good sleep too. We had breakfast about 9:15. Wrote another letter to A. Roberts. Have not heard from the last one yet.

1872
Saturday
February 10

I have got along very well so far after I pumped the wells at 12.Went down town and got papers & then came up to grocery then came home at 3. Clayton did not come as he expected. Very pleasant all day. Thawed some too.

1872
Friday
February 9

I pumped the wells regular today. I went down town to P. office and around. Recd. letter from L. Oatman & Son.
   Ella went down town. Mrs. Benton and Georgie came down a few minutes. Thawed some today.

1872
February
Thursday 8

I pumped the wells at 6 & 7 & then got ready & Ella and I pulled the snow pump out & ..?.. Dykens came over and helped me put it in . It works nice. Gains on the water some now.

1872
Wednesday
February 7

I woke Clayton up at 2 and he got up and started for ..?.. about 6. I pumped the wells and put in some snow pump & then it would not pump any. So I had to draw 2 Bbls from the pole ..?.. Wells worked until 9 in eve.

1872
Monday
February 5
Pumped the wells as usual and at abou 10 Clayton went up to Titusville. ..?.. came and run oil at 10:30. Amount run from both wells net is 33.29 Bbls. Clayton got a suit-clothes. Came home at 2. I worked all P.M. on well benzineing & gave Clayton check for $40.00. Recd. of Clayton $111.00. So he ..?.. 1/2 interest in note ..?.. to me by ..?.. of $100.00.

1872
Tuesday
February 6
Oh hum, it rained a little last night and then this morn it snowed hard. I paid Vandergrift for benzine $11.25. M.W. for coal $21.93. Sent draft to L. A. & Son for $66.65. Lent Clayton $10.00. Gave Ella $5.00. Paid for going to dance $2.00 Neilburg. 

1872
Sunday
February 4

Oh hum, you bet I slept some but came around on time every time. While I was a changing clothes my & ..?.. & ..?.. ..?.. came we had supper about 3:30 or so and then went down to C. Nichols then to livery & got horses. I paid for them $1.00 & they went home. Gave Clayton $1.00.

1872
Saturday
February 3

Oh hum P.M. I went up to ..?.. and then down town then back to ..?.. & Recd check on ..?.. in Titusville for 90 Bbls oil @ $2.60 of ..?.. ..?.. then borrowed $5.00 of ..?.. to go to the dance to Neilburg. So team came over and 2 loads went to G. Thompsons ..?.. Took oysters & had a good time. Ate supper at Thompsons.
(This date's entry and the previous one are confusing, sorry about that. Avery ran out of room and wrote on top of this entry perpendicular to the horizontal lines. It is extremely difficult to read.)

1872
Friday
February 2

Cap. Denny came down and we pulled rods at No. 2 & I went to hardware A.M. & then P.M. I went down town and around. Recd. check of Johnson & Co. $324. for 90 BBls oil sold yesterday and then went and borrowed $5.00 of to go to dance to Neilburg. So team came & we went 2 loads of us. Took oysters & had a big time. Danced until 3:45 then came home at 5:15 and went to bed and slept until 9 then pumped wells at 11. Then went down to law suit between Dale Bros. & Clark but Dale Bros. had to take a non suit and pay cost. I paid T. Morrison hi fees $10. Paid ..?.. money. Borrowed $5.00. Paid bill $3.22. Paid Denny for drawing rods. $1.00 eve. I went down to post office and got a premium for home ..?..

1872
Thursday
February 1
After I pumped the wells at 8 I went up and engaged a horse at about 1. They sent one down and Ela and I went down to Titusville to engage a lawyer but Guthrie was not at home. So I drove to Pleasantville and got T. A. Morrison. Came home at about 7:30. Paid for horse $3.00 and toll .30. Horse in barn .25.
(Avery actually has the horse fee and toll written like this, 25. and 30. I am guessing he means cents as he usually uses dollar signs. I can't imagine housing a horse costing $25 dollars at that time. But hey, this is just my very uneducated guess.)

Here is a 1971 D dime that I bought over twenty five years ago for $5.00 I think. I think it is one of the more unusual mint errors. It's a fold-over strike. One day I might sell it.

I really liked this one. It was one of the first sculptures I had done and was based on one of my sketches. I sold it a long time ago now but remember the process of making it well. This was a very fun project and I really like working with clay although I have not done so in a long time. In the first photo the two round pieces are styrofoam to reduce weight. I should have used more. Live and learn. I used an acrylic blue to paint it and then crushed a bit of pastel blue chalk to apply shadowing. Oh, of course around the eyes I used a dark blue or maybe black.

 Here is a design I thought I would make into a t-shirt but never did. I used to dabble in silk screen printing. Most or all of the artwork you will see here on this blog was made when I lived in Japan. Although I tried to sell some designs I have to say that it was difficult since there are so many talented and better designers than me there. It seemed like everyone was printing their own stuff. It was fun to try though. Good experience.

1872
Wednesday
January 31

Pumped the wells as usual and after 12 I went down town and saw Justice Poor and then went up to oil exchange but could not get a horse to go to Titusville. ..?.. had none. So came home. Splendid sleighing.

My Art

 These are some old concept sketches I drew for someone. Nothing became of the project but they were fun to do. Nothing special and you can see that I'm not good at drawing human figures. The human figure has always been my weak point which is why I prefer fantasy and sci-fi as I can get away with a lot of imagination and take license with the human form. I have more sketches that I did for this project that I'll post. It's been along time since I sketched anything and seeing these again makes me want to do it again.

York, PA 2013

I happened to look up and noticed the light coming in through the window and the plastic bottle and thought it was really cool.

1870's Diaries

1872
Tuesday
January 30

It was rather cold last night now I tell you but nothing froze up with us though. Clayton went down town and carried a letter down for Clark. Then about 1 I went over to ..?.. and he came and I had a long talk with him. Then I went down town and came home about 5:30.

1870's Diaries

1872
Monday
January 29
Oh hum, I came near freezing up last night. It was awful cold. I went down town about 1 & to Bank and to C. Nichols and around. Came home around 4. T. Carlin served a summons on me for Clark in Dala Suit. Clayton and Dykens played eucher  about 24 games. Even.

1870's Diaries

1872
Sunday
January 28
I pumped the wells as usual despite the Sunday talk. I stayed in house most all day, only when I went up after milk.
   Did not storm much but has been awful cold.
   Splendid sleighing.

1870's Diaries

1872
Saturday
January 27
Well I went down to post office this morn and about 11, Stillings came up & we run oil, total oil run net was 46.26 Bbls. Ella went down town and up to Lovell and carried a pie and a cake.

(In the early 1860's, when oil production began, there was no standard container for oil, so oil and petroleum products were stored and transported in barrels of all different shapes and sizes (beer barrels, fish barrels, molasses barrels, turpentine barrels, etc.). By the early 1870's, the 42-gallon barrel had been adopted as the standard for oil trade. This was 2 gallons per barrel more than the 40-gallon standard used by many other industries at the time. The extra 2 gallons was to allow for evaporation and leaking during transport (most barrels were made of wood). Standard Oil began manufacturing 42 gallon barrels that were blue to be used for transporting petroleum. The use of a blue barrel, abbreviated "bbl," guaranteed a buyer that this was a 42-gallon barrel.)
source: http://seekingalpha.com/article/18636-where-does-that-2nd-b-in-the-abbreviation-for-crude-barrels-bbl-come-from

1870's Diaries

Friday
January 26
After I pumped the wells I drew up a lease and wrote letter to A. Roberts then P.M. Ella went over to Johny Dungman and I went up to grocery and Clayton took letter down for Roberts.
   Nice sleighing here now.

1870's Diaries

1872
Thursday
January 25
It was awful last night and this morn but did not freeze anything for us. After 1 I went down town saw ..?.. & others. Came home at 4:30. Blowed some today.

1870's Diaries

   Well it's January 2014 and a long time since my last post. I didn't have anything really interesting to write about. However while in an antique shop I found four diaries from the same man from 1872, 1874, 1876 and 1878. I never bought such things at any antique shop before but for some reason I immediately picked them up and bought them. I suppose part of me just wants to protect and share this history. I couldn't just let them sit on the shelf and perhaps be thrown away eventually. This was a person who lived and worked and had at least a wife and perhaps a child. I haven't read that much yet. I thought his entries would make good blog posts. He lived in Shamburg, PA in Venango County and was in the oil business. I can not read all of the handwriting so please do not get upset if there are gaps. In that case it will be marked like this, ..?.. In the case where I make a guess I'll put a question mark after it, (?). 
   I only know him as L. E. Avery which is written on the inside cover of one of the diaries. I guess his wife's name is Ella and that Clayton is his son. As far as I know it is fine to share these entries since the family or someone sold the books to get rid of them. For time he uses things like 2 1/2 for 2:30. I'm just changing that to 2:30. I don't think doing so will diminish the entries at all. I might ad a comma now and then and not capitalize everything that he did but nothing more major than that kind of thing.

Enjoy

1872

Monday
January 1
Clayton pumped the wells last eve. Happy New Year.
   Not so happy for me, I was rather sick last eve and so had Dr. Read come down, oh dark it was too. Ella went down town today and got Clayton a pair of boots. I gave them to him for a New Year's Eve present. $4.50. I stayed in house most all day. Run oil today P.M. $48.65 Barrels net.


Tuesday
January 2
I felt a little bit better this morning so I went up and saw Cap Denny and he came down at 2:30 and we pulled rods out of No. 2. I did not do much more, tired me all out.

Wednesday
January 3
I went down town this P.M. I went over to ..?.. and down to McDowell, (Will?) Dunes, Mc somebody and J. Lanig too. Came home about 4 oclock.
   Snowed some today & rained a little too. I paid State and County tax today of $114.32 for Clark and $4.70 for me.

Thursday
January 4
Oh hum I pumped the wells all night. Today & ..?.. No. one then at 2 I went down town got some Medicine of Dr. Read, $1.00 paid ..?.. $7.29 in all. ..?.. coal $16.70.

Friday
January 5
Run town as usual I paid Wood $25.62 in full for Deer and paid Clayton $55.00 for labor for deer. Wood drawed load coal $33.50.

Saturday
January 6
I was down town today. Sam came over today and I went down town with him. Lanig came over & paid $13.00 for B.S. I was awful sick for a little while as smoking Clayton went down town & got check cashed. $50.00.

Sunday
January 7
Sour as usual all night. Some fire in Titusville P office. ..?.. Reports say James Fisk died by a shot ..?.. yesterday from E. S. Stokes.
   Pleasant all day.
   Mrs. Dingman came over and stayed a little while.
(info - Seems like James Fisk was big news then. He was a financier involved in quite a bit of illegal activity as well as affairs. He and a partner challanged Cornelius Vanderbilt for control of the Erie Railroad and won. He was killed in New York.)

Monday
January 8
Oh dear me I pumped the wells as usual and went down town to bank. Sold F. E..?..s 92.74 barrels oil at 3.62  1/2  & I ..?.. $25.00. Got full particulars of the fire in Titusville.
   Also the death of J. Fisk jr.

Tuesday
January 9
I did not do much today more than to pump the wells. Ella went downtown and Clayton and I went to ..?.. after 3 oclock. In ..?.. Ella and Clayton went to Titusville. Started at 9:30 came home at 2. I washed dishes A.M. Sam was over today and he went to Titusville.

Wednesday
January 10
I run oil from No. 1 to No. 2 and Ella went down town to Mrs. McDonells.
   Book agent came and I subscribed for a history of the Chicago Fire and went over to C. Swiss(?) and he paid me for ..?.. ..?.. for rent for one year $18.00 to July(?) 1st 1872.
(The Great Chicago Fire happened in October of 1871 burning 3.3 square miles of Chicago. It lasted three days. Just three months prior to this entry.)

Thursday
January 11
I pumped the wells at 3 and then got ready for Limestone run down to Miller on Stage stayed in ..?.. until after . Took dinner at Downer House reached Limestone at about 6:30. Austin was at the post office. Went home with him. They are all well.

 Friday
January 12
I stayed to Austin Roberts last night & after breakfast we went down to the Moses(?) Well and then we got a horse and drove up to Foster Wells. Then we went over ..?.. Farm & picked the lease(?) I want & then we went to Clark's Farm. And in evening ..?.. came to Roberts and we made a bargain for 25 ..?.. at an 1/8 royalty.

Saturday
January 13
I got up about 8 this morning and after breakfast Austin and I went to Depot and at 9:30 the train came along and I reached home about 5 oclock came from Miller a foot. Rained some. Read a letter from A. Clark and one from Sherman and ..?..

Sunday
January 14
I got up this morn about 3 and went out and pumped the wells then came to the house and went to bed & then up again at 7 as of old. After 12 I washed and dressed up as usual. Some pleasant.
   Gave Mrs. Lovell $2.00 for milk.

Monday
January 15
I was up at 3 and pumped wells as usual. I went up and had stage come for Ella. She went to Titusville. She came home at 8:45.Run oil P.M.
   I went down town got stove pipe and joints for $1.00 fixed stove in eve.
   Ella has an awful tooth ache.

Tuesday
January 16
It was very little sleep that I got last night. Ella had a tooth ache all night so I went up this morn and got Dr. Read and he pulled it. $1.00.
3 ..?.. Benzine came today. I sent A. Roberts $400. for ..?.. note. Recd. $40 of Clayton for 1/2 of above note. Then I went down town. Ella recd. letter from Matie Springer.

Wednesday
January 17
Got up at 3 and pumped the wells & then got ready and went up to oil exchange and took the Stage for Franklin. Miller 50., oil ..?.. 45., Franklin 25., D..?.. 1.00. Back home again at 5 then at 6:30 went down to see Robert Sherman. Came home at 11:15. Clayton pumped wells. Exp. to Franklin $3.60. ..?.. to ..?.. $3.00 = $6.60

Thursday
January 18
After I pumped the wells at 7 I went down and supoenied Drum(?) for Suit for Clark with ..?.. B..?.. then got horse & went to Suit. Took dinner with Taylor at American. Black did not come to Suit. Sherman & I came home at 5:30. Drum went up at 5. Ex up there $5.55. Clayton to ..?.. $3.00.
   Supoenied Black at Franklin and Sherman Here.

Friday
January 19
I was a little late this morn about getting up at 7. About 7:20. After I pumped the wells at 11 we flowed the boiler off and washed it once(?) & then filled it again got it all ready to pump the wells at 3. Snowed and rained some today.

Saturday
January 20
Pumped the wells as usual and fooled around. Then P.M. Ella & I went down town got a pair of slippers and picture frame for Miss Roses(?). Cap Denny came down here today.
   Clayton pumped the wells for me today at 11.

Sunday
January 21
Well after I pumped the wells at 7 I got ready & Cap Denny came down here with a horse. ..?.. & we went over to ..?.. I got a note of James Denny for $25. for royalty on 68. Will call on D. H. Bouton.
Came home at 5 &paid $2.00 for horse.

Monday
January 22
I got tired of sitting in the house so I went down town and around came home about 4. Snowed some today.

Tuesday
January 23
Pumped the wells as of old. Clayton went down to Titusville after his big ..?.. went on the cars. His ..?.. weighs 20 penny. Weights cost $31.00. Solid ..?... He came back at about 2.

Wednesday
January 24
Well it has been so cold today I have not been around much. I and Clayton fixed the engine at No 2 this P.M. and after 8 he went down & got a letter for me from A. Roberts with ..?..