1850: April 30th to May 19th

      A blog devoted to the Diary of James P. McPherson, written between May 20, 1850 and August 11, 1890. These pages detail the lives and times of the James P. McPherson family in Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, as well as their neighbors, family and friends.

      My heartfelt thanks are extended to a small group of descendants of James P.McPherson and his wife, Mary Burns McPherson, who on a cold windy Waunakee, Wisconsin, weekend in November, 1910, got together to share photographs, letters, and the J.P.'s diary. Lois Burmeister Doyle and her family brought the diary and several boxes of pictures and letters; Bill Mansur brought family photos and most welcomed of all his photography and computer skills; and me, Joan Hill, the owner of this blog, traveled from the Pacific Northwest with my stash of  historical documents, maps and family photographs. My Wisconsin cousins and I spent 2 1/2 days photographing the diary and scanning photos and letters, then Bill Mansur turned our work into a wonderful family CD which he distributed to our Waunakee tribe. A wonderful weekend that warms my heart even now. JGH

1850 (p.1)			I James P. McPherson left New York City on April 30, 1850 for the west Per Steamer Buffalo from Albany. Fare for wife and Self, 30 cents for berth & Children $1.12. Left Albany for Buffalo, Thursday, May 2nd, per canal boat “T.J. Dudley”, fare $3 each, children reckoned as one – luggage allowed each person 50 lbs., extra luggage 70 cents per 100 lbs. = expenses. The Canal boat was overcrowded, and having cold wet weather the passage was very uncomfortable Arrived in Buffalo early in the morning of Saturday, May 11th. Left Buffalo for Milwaukee, Sunday, May 12th at 10 o'clock morning, Per Steamer “Globe,” steerage cabin fare $3 each, children ireckoned 1½ – paid for luggage $11.50 Total. Called in at Grand River, Cleveland, Detroit (lay in Detroit from 9 o'clock evening till 2 o'clock morning), Mackinaw and Sheboygan and arrived in Milwaukee on Thursday May 16 between 1 and 3 o”clock afternoon. Was accompanied by Mr & Mrs. H from New York to Milwaukee where we parted – Mr H going to his Father-in-laws in Washinton County. Left Milwaukee for Madison, Friday May 17th per waggon – Fare $16.50 to be paid equally by Mr. Benton & self but Mr. B ran short of funds on the way and I advanced him $2.50 which made my expenses for waggon hire amount to S10.75. Arrived in Madison in the evening of Sunday, May 19th. Left Madison for Verona Monday May 20th. Wagon Hire ------- -------- ------- (JP's dashes) Reckoned fare from New York to Verona inclusive $36.00. Other expenses – for cart hire, Back dues and Food & lodging by the night amounted to ------ from New York to Albany. (The bottom of the page is very faded and tattered, to the point of being undecipherable.)
1850 (p.2)
May	21st	Tuesday	Moved into Mr. John Stewarts log house beside the new frame store. Wednesday and Thursday fixing about the house – gathering rails and fencing garden.
“	23rd	Thursday	Mr. John Beat ploughed up my garden
“	24th	Friday	Commenced to plant potatoes and continued at Plant & working about the house on the 25th, 27th, 28th, 29th , 30th, and 31st Making pants and vests for John Stewart.
June	1st	Saturday	Making pants for John Beat
“	3rd	Monday	Working about the house and garden.
“	4th	Tuesday	At raising of Alex Brown's house. Commenced to make John Gows pants.
May	31st		Posted letter to Jabez Burns.
June	3rd		Posted letter to James Westwood and Ann Adamson.
“	4th	Tuesday	The weather up to this point has been very dry causing fears for the oat and corn crop. This afternoon a thunder storm came up from the North W and heavy rain fell for a short time which has raised the hopes of the farmers.
“	5th	Wednesday	Finished John Gows pants and took them home. Got another two pair to make. This afternoon had another slight thunder shower.
“	6th	Thursday	Cut and commenced to sew Meyers, Stewart and Gows pants.
“	7th	Friday	Worked at Tailoring.
“	8th	Saturday	DO Took home Meyers, Stewart and Gows pants.
“	9th	Sunday	Called at Mr. Mitchells. Went to Springdale with Myers (Misters) Rutherford, Brown and Mitchell. Had tea in Rutherfords.
“	10th	Monday	Took splinter out of Isabella McDonald's foot. Measured John & D McDonald for pants. Went to the mill for flour.
“	11th	Tuesday	Made a vest for John Beat.
“	12th	Wednesday	Worked at Tailoring.
“	13th	Thursday	Out land hunting with Messers Beat & Urlich. Mr. Beat showed me two 40s beside Mr. Miles which I think of settling on.
“	14th	Friday	Cut Pants for D. Gardner. Worked at Tailoring. Posted letter.
1850 (p.3)
June	15th	Saturday	Working at tailoring. Took home McDonald's pants.
“	16th	Sunday	Went with Msters Mitchell & Brown to land beside Mr Miles.
“	17th	Monday	Working about the house & garden.
“	18th	Tuesday	Made a vest for Mr. Dunlop. Sowed onions.
“	19th	Wednesday	Out with the County Surveyor on Mr Miles and Leslie's land.