File contributed for use on USGenWeb/MOGenWeb Lincoln County Heritage Page by Thomas J. Mudd, 10 March 2002. Link change or update: 16 Mar 2002
Diary of Judge Henry Thomas Mudd, written 1875-1890
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Orphans
About seven years ago I got out of St. Anns Asylum of Sister Aloysia, Superior, two little orphans girls, both name Mary Jane O’Brien, the eldest thirteen years of age was for our daughter Mrs. (Kate) Lee and the youngest now seventeen are still with us. Sister Aloysia being well pleased with the account from these two little girls under my care, proposed to me that if I could find good homes with good Catholic people at Millwood for a number of these little girls, She would entrust them with me, or under my management and location, and an arrangement was made for eight more at homes among our best people of my selection, of whom Elizabeth Carr was taken by us. And both of whom Molly and Lizzy as we call them are still with us, of whom mention has already been made as singers in our choir. We have sent Molly to a boarding school for six months, where she took lesson’s on the piano, and with what instruction she has gotten from Mary at home, she is now able to perform right well. We are expecting to do as well for Lizzy, both of whom have had a tolerable good education at the school at Millwood.
Mary Jane who lives with Kate (Lee) was married a year ago to Thomas Jackman who was also an orphan boy raised by
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us, and had done business in the store and on the farm for me for the preceding ten years before he was married. He owns a small farm and good stock, and him and Mary Jane are much beloved and respected by the people, and they as well as Molly and Lizzy are very much attached to our family.
I think the most of these, perhaps all, who are raising these little girls located here by myself, as well as a few others that have been brought out, are in a right good degree carrying out their promise in taking care of them. And they in turn are more than compensating for their raising in the families where they are situated, and are promising; I hope to become a respectable and useful portion of our community.
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Miscellaneous matters, Hog cholera etc.
I propose to write a few little miscellaneous matters at this point. And amongst others, a copy of a letter just written to my brother, Doct. Geo. D. Mudd of Charles County Md., as it relates to family matters that might not be without interest
Millwood Mo
June 25th 1875
Dear George
Yours of the 9 inst. is to hand. I am glad to hear from you that our people are somewhat encouraged in their farm prospects around you.
I hope Sylvester will get on well with his ____ fixings about his tobacco crop. I am inclined to think he will. And hope you will all get on.
I wrote to Sister Ann at Rimoushi a few days back, and suggested to her to adopt our dear Sister Marys plan of sending our letters too and from between us, and that she might send mine to you and Sylvester, and I suppose you will get it by way of Rimoushi.
"You say" You see from the Herald, that Alexander is again driving some fine cattle and to know how ours are. I am getting on with my hogs etc. and if there is a little exaggeration about it you wont mind that much. Alexander’s pasture did not give out until his cattle reached Buffalo, New York (as we say here, when one wont take a good price at home) and sold there at $6.80 or $100.00 per head,
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netting at home $93.00. The 29 head would have brought him a hundred or two dollars more at Millwood or St. Louis, but he happened to strike a downward market, and the further he went the worse he made it, as he has several times done before. In regard to the Poland Chinas, I have 65 head now on clover with four ears of corn per day for market in August or 1st September, if I can get them in under the degree of heat we may expect at that time. I think will average very nearly 300 lb. at that time, and will be about 15 ½ or 16 months old. Hogs have declined but the best are still worth $7.25 live weight, which is a good price and pays well.
These figures and prospects you may take without allowance for exaggeration, or even throwing off any thing for surplus age. And if I have good luck with the hogs, I may put it in print and (as you know) you are bound to believe it then.
I mentioned something to Sister Ann of preparing a rite nice little diary of near 300 pages. If I live long enough, I may fill a good portion of it. I am now through with the history and genealogy of our family on both sides as best I know it. Am also all I will say of myself and family with incidents, progress of the Church here etc. etc. up to the present time, all in ten chapters with index, in the best short way I can, to make it both interesting and
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instructive to my children in after years, so far I have filled some thirty pages.
As you well see from my letter to Sister Ann, I am desirous to copy the old homestead patent to the land made to our G.G.G. Grandfather
Henry, two hundred years ago. I can hardly ask it sent here, though if carefully registered here and back, I would have perhaps a childhood curiosity to see it here, and might show it my associates in the County Court clerks etc. as well as my own family and some friends at Millwood, but a carefully prepared copy by yourself or Sylvester will do. Wont you make a little diary too. You can give a right good account of yourself, and also of the Turner family (his wife) as I have of the O’Briens, who like your own is a good old family that will do to talk about or even write about, at least that our children may know in after times something of whom and whence they came.Sometimes or another I may perchance show you mine. I am sure you may see it if you come here, especially if you bring your Kate with you. O I might indeed send it to you, if you be
right sure to send it back very promptly, that is after a while, when it is farther advanced.I enclose you the $25.00 that poor Alton owed Mr. Montgomery, there is a loss of interest of course that I cannot help. Alton got a very good practice in Texas for the first two years, and I believe
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he understood his profession in a rite good degree, but broke down in health and energy, and left a debt after him both there and here, that has given me some trouble to satisfactorily arrange. But he died at home, with every attention and comfort that could have been bestowed, and to his great comfort and satisfaction under the immediate sound of the Angelus bell, and good old Father Cleary at all times at hand. And we have him resting under his tombstone in our graveyard, and well forgave his faults, knowing they were rite well
balanced by a good kind heart that meditated no wrong, in the well founded hope and belief, that our kind Father in Heaven has forgiven whatever his wrongs may have been here.With Kind regard to all
I remain yours
Henry T. Mudd
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Below will be found the complimentary appointment of Gov. Hardin as an honorary member of the Mo. Board of the great Centennial Celebration of the 100th anniversary of our American independence at Philadelphia. Inaugurated by act of Congress three years ago and Philadelphia selected as the most suitable place, as it was the birth place of the Republic on the 4th of July 1775
This exhibition is expected to be the grandest event of this kind in the history of the Civilization. 500 acres of ground has been allotted, and many hundreds of laborers employed in the building and preparation. Each State is expected to secure its necessary plot of ground and erect suitable offices, buildings etc. for the exhibition of its leading agricultural and mineral productions, fine arts etc. etc.
I may be able to do some little show of work in behalf of our State, but with cares and attention absolutely needed at home and no money to spare, will have to leave to others in a measure who have more time and ability to take care of the interest of our State in the great Centennial than myself.
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The State of Missouri.
To all who shall see these Present Greetings;
Know Ye that reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity and ability of Henry T. Mudd of the County of Lincoln, I, Charles H. Harding, Governor of the State of Missouri on behalf and in the name thereof, do hereby appoint and commission him an Honorary Member of the Board of State Centennial Managers, to give such aid and perform such part as may be authorized by the rules and regulations of said Board in matters relating to the representation of the State of Missouri at the Centennial Exposition at the City of Philadelphia in the year Eighteen Hundred and Seventy Six.
In testimony Whereof, I Charles H Hardin have hereto set my hand, and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri.
Done at the City of Jefferson this twelfth day of June in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Five. And of Independence of the United States the Ninety Ninth, and of the State of Missouri the Fifty Fifth.
By the GovernorMichael McGrath
Secretary of State
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Great Rain
On the 13th this month (June 1875) there was a fall of rain in this vicinity that raised the water courses higher than has been known to the oldest inhabitants. The damage to our neighbors on the bottom land of Lead Creek, as well as all the water courses South of Millwood in this County has been very heavy in their crops, fencing & injury to their lands.
Hog Cholera
There is at this time an epidemic in a considerable degree in the hogs of our County. Some few have lost about all they had, others, a smaller portion. And perhaps one half our farmers are suffering smaller losses. In many cases it assumes a type of real hog Cholera, and with some it seems to be, and is called thumps.
Some hogs cough and wheeze a good deal, while others lie down most of the time, wont eat, and dwindle away until they die.
The loss has been quite heavy with some and is likely to be seriously felt in general, as it is our staple upon which most our people depend to meet their payments and expenses.
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December 3rd, 1875Hog Cholera
I have written nothing herein for the last three months. Since that time, the same disease in our hogs (called Cholera) has continued its ravages, destroying over half our hogs that would have been ready for market by this time, and about all our young hogs intended for the next year. I believe the loss in Millwood Township (six miles square) up to this time is not less than, forty to fifty thousand dollars, which will, most seriously affect our collections in the close of this years business.
Church blown down
On the 10th March 1876, our little town of Millwood was visited by a storm that blew down our Church destroying also our organ that cost us $1,000.00 and doing much damage to our houses and fencing, and also the loss of some young stock.
The same storm proved very destructive to several villages and other localities in Missouri and also in some portions of the State of Iowa.
We have Mass celebrated for the present time and until a new Church can be built, in the town school house at Millwood
April the 1st 1876
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Contract for building Church
Article of Agreement and Contract made and entered into this fifth day of July 1876 by and between William S. Henry and Henry T. Mudd builders of the first part and W.B. Womack, B.S. Mudd, James Lyons, Lawrence Flynn, and Patrick Murphy, a committee appointed by the Catholic Congregation of Millwood, Mo. Of the second part are as follows, to wit, the said parties of the first part bind and obligate themselves to build a Catholic Church at Millwood, Mo. and to finish and complete the same according finish and complete the same according to according to the plans and specifications presented by the said William S. Henry and adopted by the said Committee. All providential hindrances accepted, by the 25th day of December next, for the sum of Five thousand and twenty five dollars ($5025.00).
And we the said Committee promise to pay the said builders two thousand dollars on or by the time the frame is up and covered in. And when the Church is finished or by the 25th day of December next we promise to pay at least twenty one hundred dollars ($2100.00) and as much more by due years in part
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of said Committee can be made up from parties not yet having subscribed, and such part if any, as may remain due and unpaid on the 25th day of December next, or when the Church is done, is to be held by mechanics lien by the builders, and if any portion should go over unpaid after due to bear interest at the rate of 10 per cent per annum until paid.
And the said parties of the first part also agree to remove the old Church and level and clean up the lot for the use of horses and vehicles, and remove the debris for _______ purposes at such places as the Committee may desire for the material that is in said Church on or before the Church is finished, and also to take down and place the Bell in its proper place in the new Belfry, and any part of the old material used in this construction of the new Church, to be equal in quality to that in specifications.
Signed W. B. Womack
Patrick Murphy
B. S. Mudd
Committee
Lawrence Flynn
James Lyons
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Remark about Church size etc.
Mr. William Henry, whom I have taken, as a partner in building the Church, is a first class mechanic and was the builder of my storehouse, dwelling house, and barn, costing in all upwards of ten thousand dollars. He thou a very poor man, is well qualified to make it a first class building. And I have undertaken it more with the view and necessity of managing the financial part of it that otherwise, although the contract price is only $5025 it will cost when fully finished, fenced, graded etc. about $5,500, besides an organ that I have hopes we will be able to get when the Church is done. At this writing we have the foundation and sill down and most of the frame ready to go up. The Church is 36 feet wide by 76 long, 20 feet story with belfry and spire and to the tip of the cross is 78 feet high, with double staircase and side galleries, with 13 pews on each side. Making in all eighty-six pews in the Church. It will no doubt be when finished, one of the most substantial frame buildings of our County as also the best in style and elegance. We consider it a far better and more substantial that one could make of brick.
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We have most of the materials on the ground and from seven to eight carpenters now at work on it.
August 20th 1876 Henry T. Mudd
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Copy of Patent to old homestead
Maryland, St. Frederick Absolute Lord and Proprietary of the Provinces of Maryland and Avelon Lord Baron of Baltimore It, to all persons to whom these presents shall come Greeting
Now Lord God Everlasting, Know Ye that whereas Henry Mudd of Charles County had hereto fore by his humble petition to his Lordships Agents for Management of Land affairs within this Province did set forth that he was seized in fee simple of and in a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of aforesaid called Boarmans Reserve originally granted unto Major William Boarman late of the said County deceased the tenth day of October, sixteen hundred and eighty six for the quantity of five hundred and eighty eight acres who conveyed the same to Thomas Mudd, the petitioners Father, which said Thomas Mudd by his last Will and Testament in writing devised the same unto the
petitioner who upon inspecting the bounds of the said Tract found that the previous survey thereof was in great measure defective, and also that within the bounds there was contained some surplus land, therefore he prayed a special warrant to resurvey the tract aforesaid in order to rectify, amend and correct any errors therein be found as toDiary Page 53
include all such said surplus, and that upon return of a certificate of such resurvey, he might have his Lordship Letters Patent of Confirmation for the whole upon the usual terms in such cases which was granted him accordingly on the thirteenth day of May Anus Dom. Seventeen hundred and fourteen a warrant unto him for that purpose did issue but the said Warrant not being executed in due time the same thereby became vacant. He therefore by his humble petition this day to his Lordship Agents prayer the said Warrant might be renewed him to the same purpose and effect as his former, and further prayed that if upon such resurvey there should be a deficiency in the quantity of the said original tract and vacant land contiguous there unto he might be at liberty to add the same so as he might have the full complement before expressed, that upon a return of a certificate of such resurvey compounding for the surplus if any and making good right to such quantity of vacant land as should be over and above supplying the deficiency aforesaid if any he might have, his Lordships Letters Patent of confirmation issue unto him for the whole which was granted him and accordingly a warrant on the fourteenth day of February seventeen hundred and twenty unto him
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for that purpose, and issue in pursuance where of it is certified into our Land Office that the aforesaid tract or parcel of land is resurveyed by which it appears the same contains the quantity of seven hundred and eight acres of Land two hundred acres where therefore hereby grant and confirm unto him the said Henry Mudd all that the aforesaid tract or parcel
of land now resurveyed with the vacancy added reduced into one entire tract, and still called Boarmans Reserve, lying and being in Charles County aforesaid on the East side of Zakiah Swamp. Beginning at a bounded of is vacant land added to which he has paid and satisfied unto Edward Lord Esqr. Our present Agent and Receiver General for our use the sum of four pound sterling in consideration for the same according to Charles, Lord Baron of Baltimore our Great Grand Father of Noble memory his instruction to Charles Carroll Esqr. His then agent bearing date at London the twelfth day of September seventeen hundred and twelve and registered in our Secretaries office of said Province. We do white oak standing in a small branch, the beginning tree of Boarmans Reserve aforesaid. Running thence North, East and by North, three hundred and sixty eight perches. Hence SouthDiary Page 55
East and by East sixty perches, Whence South six degrees East, three hundred and fifty perches, Whence South forty nine degrees West two hundred and ten perches, Whence West and by south one hundred and sixteen perches, Whence North one hundred perches, Whence North West and by West, one hundred and forty eight perches, Whence South North East one hundred perches, Whence to the beginning and now laid out for seven hundred and eighty eight acres of land, more or less according to the certificate of Resurvey thereof taken and returned unto our Land Office bearing date the twenty first day of June, seventeen hundred and twenty one and there remaining together with all Rights, Profits, Benefits and Privileges thereunto belonging, Royal Mines excepted. I have and to hold the same unto him the said Henry Mudd his heirs and assigns forever to be holden of us and our heirs as our manor of Calverton in fee and common Socage by Fealty only for all manner of services, Yielding and paying therefore yearly unto us and our heirs at our receipt at our City of St. Marys at the most usual Feasts in the year vis. The feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed
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Virgin Mary and Saint Michael the Arch Angel by even and equal portions, the rent of one pound, eleven shillings and six pence, half penny sterling in silver or gold, and for a fine upon every alienation of the said land or any part or parcel thereof one hole year rent in silver or gold or the full value thereof in such commodities as we and our heirs or such officer or officers as shall be appointed by us and our heirs from time to time to collect and receive the same shall accept in discharge thereof at the choice of us and our heirs or such officer and officers aforesaid provided that if the said sum for a fine for alienation shall not be paid unto us and our heirs or such officer or officers aforesaid before such alienation and the said alienation entered upon record either in the provincial court or county court where the same parcel of land lieth within one month next after such alienation then the said alienation shall be void and of no effect.
Given under our Great Seal of our said Province of Maryland this third day of July, seventeen hundred and fifty five. Witness our Trusty and well beloved Horatio Sharpe, Esqr. Lieutenant General and Chief Governor
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of our said Province of Maryland and Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal thereof.
Inscription on back of Patent
Charles County
Mr. Henry Mudds
Pat. 788 Acres
Boarmans Reserve
Recorded in Lifi G. No 2 folio 393
Edward S. Thomas Jennings Clrk.
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Copy of my Great Grand Fathers Will
Copy of the last Will of Henry Mudd of Thomas
In the name of God Amen, I Henry Mudd1 of Thomas of Charles County in the State of Maryland being sick and weak of body but of sound mind and memory and of disposing judgment, thanks be to God for the same, do make, publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. My soul I recommend to Almighty God who gave it me, hoping for mercy through the merits of my dear redeemer Jesus Christ, and my body to the earth to be decently entered at the discretion of my Executor. And what worldly goods it hath leased God to bless me with I dispose of as follows: Imprimis after my just debts are paid which are to be done out of my estate.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Henry T, Mudd my tract of land called Mudds Confusion, lying and being in Charles thirty two acres more or less, to him and his male heir carefully begotten of his body for ever. And in case of want of such male heir, I give and devise the said land to the next male heir of the Mudds as is
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appointed by law in such cases made and provided.
Item. I give and devise unto my son Henry T. Mudd all the remaining of my land where I now dwell called Boarmans Reserve surveyed adjoining each other, Lying in the County aforesaid, Beginning on the North side of the swamp or low ground call the Devils Nest to him and him and male heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever. And in case of want of such male heir, I give and devise the said land to the next male heirs of the Mudds as appointed by law in this State in such cases made and provided, and Whereas, to prevent all manner of dispute between my son Henry T. Mudd, and the heirs of my son Alexious Mudd deceased respecting the line of division between them. Should be explained by me and where as some few years ago, I executed a deed to my said son Alexious Mudd in his life time for all the land I possessed on the South side of the said swamp called the Devils Nest. Meaning, that my said son Alexious shall hold and bind under the law ground of the said swamp on the South side of the
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said swamp runeth and no further, and that my said son, Henry T. Mudd shall be bound by the said lines as described peaceably, and quietly. And now it is to be noticed that although I have entailed Mudds Confusion and the resurvey of Boarmans Reserve unto my son Henry t. Mudd and his male heirs. Yet it is my will and desire that in case he should die before his young son Alexious Mudd arrives at the age of eighteen years the said land shall lay under the encumbrance of some support and schooling and maintaining the four youngest children of my son Henry T. Mudd until his youngest son arrives at the age of eighteen years.
Item. I will and bequeath unto my son Henry T. Mudd the three following negros, Ralph and Agnes and their child Jarard to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I will and bequeath unto my grandson Hanson Mudd Negro woman Jane and her youngest child, Gusty, also two tables and desk to him and to his heirs forever.
Item. I will and bequeath unto my grand daughter Mary Ann Mudd, Harriet, Ritty and Matilda Mudd two Negro boys, Allen and Sam, to them and to their heirs forever.
Item. I will and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Simms her second choice of one bed
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and furniture to her and to her heirs forever.
Item. I will and bequeath unto the three youngest sons of my daughter Mary Simms viz. Aloysius, Joseph and Alexious Simms, the two following negros, a boy Ralph and a woman Hannah to them and to their heirs forever to be equally divided between them when the youngest arrives at the age of twenty one years and upon their receiving the above mentioned negros with their increase each of the above sons are to pay unto my daughter Mary Simms five pounds current money of Maryland annually during her natural life in consideration of the above legacy.
Item. I will and bequeath unto my grand daughter Cesily Spaulding one Negro boy named John to her and to her heirs forever.
Item. I will and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Eleanor Elder one Negro woman named Sophia and her child named Permelia.
Item. I will and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Eleanor Elder all my Church stuff and chalice to her and to her heirs forever to take possession o
f them four years after the death of my son Henry T. Mudd. Meantime that his children shall have the use of therefore that space of time.Item. I will and bequeath unto my grand
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daughter Elizabeth Elder on Negro girl Charity and in case she my grand daughter Elizabeth Elder should die without issue my will and desire is that the said Negro girl with her increase shall be equally divided between her brothers.
Item. I will and bequeath unto my grand daughter Elizabeth Elder all the remaining part of my household furniture not heretofore willed to her and to her heirs forever.
Item. I will and bequeath unto the poor of the Roman Catholic Church the sum of twenty dollars to be paid by my executor to such of the poor as he may judge stands in most need of charity.
Item. I will and bequeath unto the Revnd. Mr. Henry, fifteen dollars to be paid him out of my estate by my executor.
Item. I will and bequeath unto the Monastery of Charles County ten dollars hoping that the good Sisters ladies the Nuns will pray for me after my death.
Item. I will and bequeath unto my grand daughter Dorothy Mudd one pair of brass candle sticks to her and to her heirs forever.
Item. I will and bequeath unto my grand daughter Elizabeth Elder her first choice of one bed and furniture and the remaining
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part of my household furniture not yet willed to her and her heirs forever.
Item. I will and bequeath that the residue of my estate personal shall be sold at public sale on nine months credit to the highest bidder and the money arising from the sale thereof to be applied in the payment of my debts and those money legacies that I have already given by this my last will and testament.
Item. I will and bequeath unto my grand daughter Elizabeth Elder whatever balance may remain after my just debts and legacies are paid and lastly I do hereby
……..
I have unexpectedly `come in possession of the above copy or original unfinished will of my great grand father Henry Mudd, which had been left among other old papers, I had supposed and so written in this diary that my great grand father was Henry Thomas and my grand father Henry, but find I have reversed the two names, I am sorry for it as I had wished to be correct in what I might write.
August 23rd 1876 Henry T. Mudd
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Copy of my Grand Fathers Will
Copy of the last will and Testament of Henry T. Mudd1 Dec.
Imprimis.
After my just debts are paid, which are to be done out of my estate, I give and revise unto my son Theodore Mudd, my tract of Land called Mudds Confusion, lying and being in Charles County containing thirty two acres more or less to him and to his heirs forever.Item. I give and devise all the remaining part of my Land willed to me by my Father, Henry Mudd (of Thomas) called Boarmans Reserve, and likewise Boarmans Reserve resurveyed adjoining each other, to him and to his heirs forever, to take quiet and easy possession at the time my youngest son Alexious Mudd shall arrive at the age of eighteen years.
Item. I will a tract of land lying above Beantown deeded to me by Ann Mahony to be sold by my Executors to pay the debts of Basil Mahony Dec. and the balance of the remaining money, if any, to be applied to the use of my Estate, and whereas their grand Mother Ann Mahony wishes to have a little pocket money for own private use, it my will that my Executors shall supply her out of this money a reasonable amount.
Item. It is my will that my mother in law Ann Mahony shall have a decent support
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in my family during her natural life and that at any time it can be made reasonably appear that she is illy treated in the family, she may choose a reasonable Board and my Executors shall pay it out of my Estate and look after her welfare. It is also my will that if when the said Ann Mahony is not comfortable and satisfied and chooses to return, My Executors receive her back in the family and take good care of her.
Item. I will and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Dorothy Mudd one Negro woman named Teresa and one Negro boy her son named Lewis, also one bed and furniture and one cow and calf, to her and to her heirs forever.
Item. I will and bequeath to my son Ignatius Mudd one Negro boy named Ned, which came to me from the Estate of Basil Mahony to him and to his heirs forever.
Item. I will and bequeath unto my two youngest daughters, Jane Frances Mudd and Elizabeth Mudd the three following negros viz. Frank, Mary and Juliet to them and to their heirs forever to be equally divided between them when the eldest comes of age.
Item. I will unto my above mentioned daughters each one be and furniture and one cow and calf.
1
Henry Thomas Mudd, ABAAA, 1756-1810
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Item. I give and bequeath unto my six following sons viz. Theodore Mudd, Thomas Masom Mudd, Aloysius Mudd, Stanislus Mudd, Francis R. Mudd, and Alexious Mudd all the residue of my estate personal with the increase to them and their heirs forever to be equally divided between them when my youngest son arrives at the age of eighteen years.
Item. It is my earnest desire that my Executors pay particular attention to my two youngest daughters and not withstanding I have will the residue of my Estate, it is still my will and desire that my executors furnish my daughter Hetty Mudd with a suite of mourning at a reasonable expense, and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my sons Theodore Mudd, Massom Mudd joint Executors of this my last will and Testament.
In witness my hand and seal, it is twenty eight day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten.
SignedWitnessed by
Ign. F. Gardiner
Charles Mudd
Thomas A. Gardiner
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Church finished
March 21st 1877
Having written nothing in my diary this year, I was about to frame, or make some excuse of other pressing business matters, such as want of time, too many other pressing engagements etc. etc.
But men will find excuses and apologies for not doing things, are very easily made if they would answer as good a purpose, when a want of industry, and purpose to go on is all that is necessary to accomplish good results.
Since I last wrote anything here, the Church has been finished except fencing and grading, and the congregation well please with it, and the pews nearly all rented at six to sixteen dollars, aggregating fully seven hundred dollars, which is considered a fair salary for old Father Clary, who is still with us, now about fourteen years.
My son Edwin who has been with me in the store for the last eight years, now being married to the daughter of Mr. Benjamin S. Mudd1 has left the store and gone to farming, and my son, Daniel Henry now 20 years of age who has been more or less in the store for the last year, has at his own choice gone back on the farm to take charge of its management, and I have with me at this time as clerks in the store Thomas N. Mudd2, a near relative and Daniel L. Mudd3, my nephew.
1
Benjamin Smith Mudd, AAAACD, 1824-1895File contributed for use on USGenWeb/MOGenWeb Lincoln County Heritage Page by Thomas J. Mudd, 10 March 2002. Link change or update: 16 Mar 2002
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