Early
Memories of
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company;
WILLIAM B.
SMALLEY
William Barnes Smalley
was born in Sullivan, Madison County, N. Y., in 1818, and was married to Miss
Chloe Ann Olcott in 1848 and to them were born six
children, twins, who died in infancy, Burdette, who still resides at Sauga-tuck at the age of 82; Jennie, who lives in Chicago;
Samuel and Hattie of Saugatuck, and the latter has in her possession several
diaries from which she has taken the following items written by her father in a
clear, distinct fine penmanship:—
Jan. 27, 1865—"My
wife and I went to the Flats and did some trading at
Feb.
6, 1865—"Started for the woods at 8 A. M. to scale logs for Johnson &
Stockbridge. Just saw a deer."
Mar. 8, 1865—"Went
over to Dunning's Shingle Mill, then climbed Baldhead
and went to
July 26, 1871—"Went
to work today at Wallin's Tannery at Dingleville, on repair work."
July 29,
1872—"Began work today on Grist Mill at Dingleville
for George P. Heath.
July 3, 1872—"The
Ira Chaffee is leaving tonight with an excursion for
June
27, 1872—"Very warm. Six men here for dinner
that are peeling hemlock bark for the tannery."
Aug. 19, 1872—"Went
over to Shackhuddle to a political meeting, F. B. Wallin spoke."
Aug. 19, 1872—"Saw
him after and he gave me an order to make a hair-press for his tannery. He paid
me ten dollars for same.'"
Oct. 29, 1872—"Took
an order today for a cutter for Henry Bird. He bought me the material."
March 29, 1865—"The
Helen Mar made her first trip from Allegan here today."
April 16,
1865—"Went to Dutcherville today for flour. Just heard the rumor that President Lincoln had been assassinated."
July 4,
1865—"Attended the celebration. F. B. Wallin and
Judge Williams of Allegan addressed the people."
Jan. 13,
1873—"Worked on schoolhouse all day. Went to H. D. Moore's store and
bought some groceries—15 lbs. sugar $2.75, 9 1/2 pounds butter $1.75, 33 ˝ lbs.
ham $3.68, 1 Gallon Kerosene 40c, 2 lbs. coffee 59c, 5 dozen eggs 80c.
April 15—"Worked
all day repairing Bird's mill. Went up to Mr. Newnhams
in evening and hired his daughter, Lizzie, to teach our school.
Mr. Smalley died in 1881
and Mrs. Smalley in 1902.