JAMES
P. McPHERSON FAMILY
AS
SEEN IN THE DIARY ENTRIES
FROM JULY 1 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1855
In
1855, the family of James P. McPherson and family increased by one,
with the birth on 27 January, of Mary Jane McPherson. The family was
still living in the small log cabin he built in 1850. James P.
McPherson was 38 years of age and would turned 39 late in the year,
on 14 November. Mary turned 33, on 3 January, just three days after the birth of
baby Mary Jane. The new baby then made a family of eight; the
parents, and six children, William, age 12; James, age 10; Jabez, age
8; Anne, age 5; and Elizabeth, age 3, and newborn Mary Jane.
As
you may remember the boys all had their mother's maiden name of Burns
as their middle name. Anne's middle name was Adamson, the last name of
her aunt and uncle, Anne and Thomas Adamson. Elizabeth Spink McPherson
was named afte her maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Spink of Arbroath,
Scotland. Elizabeth's first name was also that of her maternal
grandmother (Elizabeth Horrok (later changed to "Herrick") Burns.) Baby Mary Jane carried the name
of her mother, as well as her maternal great grandmother, Mary Burn(s)
who had lived in Lancashire, England.
HOME AND FAMILY LIFE
The McPherson family arrived in Springdale, Wisconsin, in May, of 1850. After being in New York City for eight years, they were used to the patriotic 4th of July celebrations of the big city. That first 4th of July in Springdale, left James P. McPherson disappointed in the Independence Day celebration, or lack thereof, in his new home. He vowed that they would do better "next year." However, 4th of July came and went during 1851 and 1852. By 1853, the Scots emigre attended the celebration in Mt. Vernon, and at Paton's Grove in 1854. On 4 July 1855, they spent the day at the "Celebration at Miles," their nearest Springdale neighbor.
As usual, summer in Springdale in 1855 was a time of putting up hay, hoeing corn, and cutting oats and wheat. He also cracked oats, cleaned wheat and stacked hay.
During the last few years, James P.'s circumstances had changed and he now had other jobs in addition to working the farm, he hired or bartered for others to help with the work, such as James Morrison and the Cairncross men who helped him with the farm work, such as cutting and hauling hay, binding wheat. It appeared that he also might have had Alex Cairncross work in his stead for some of the other neighbors, such as the McGregors (after the death of Mrs. McGregor in late August).
He also spent several days in July making a ladder. He had no power drill, electric powered saws, and even his "nails" and hammers were not as we know today. So on 28 July, it was understandable that his notation, "Finished ladder" had a ring of accomplishment to it.
James P. was "at Beards for hog" on 13 August, but the hog broke loose the next day and returned to Beards. James P. fixed the fence and evidently reclaimed his hog. He also was busy fixing or building a cellar wall and building a stable. He did not have a horse in 1855, but the family had a few cows, some sheep and a a few hogs. Speaking of the sheep, his diary noted on 31 August that "sheep missing." Two days later, Bryon Beard "brot. home sheep."
On 22 September, McPherson had a stable raising and was assisted by Furman Housel, James Morrison, Thomas McGregor, Weise, Blake, Samuel Lamont, James and/or John Edi, Andrew Henderson, and Stephen Cairncross. He also reciprocated by attending Lamonts "raising" on 21 September. The last two weeks of September, James P. worked on the cellar, putting up braces for the stable, cutting thatch, and thatching the roof of the house and barn. On 29 September, he was ready for the heavy rain that occurred.
He did have a problem with his neighbor Thomas Miles. On 18 August, the diary notation states "Spoke to Miles about driving cattle into my crops and got nothing but impudence in return." This seemed to be odd, as previously Miles and McPherson seemed to have been quite friendly.
His tailoring trade had dropped off considerably during these summer months, but he did have time to cut a vest and pants for Mr. Kay.
As usual, McPherson did not work on Sundays, but spent Sundays at home or visiting friends and neighbors. However, on the second Sunday in July, he rode home from Shullsburgh to Mineral Point and then home on Monday, 9 July.
Mary spent all day and night tending to Mrs. Cairncross who became ill on 2 September. Also a Cairncross family member, Stephen Cairncross, spent the same night with James P. and family. Another neighbor, Mrs. McGregor passed away on 21 August. McPherson and other neighbors, not only attended the funeral, but also helped the McGregors with the summer farm work.
The McPhersons visited and were visited by Samuel Lamont, John and James Edi, Axium Malone, James P. Beard, Mulhain, J. Maloney, James Morrison, Mr. & Mrs. Craig, J and D. Bartell, Thomas Urdall, John Hogg, William and Stephen Cairncross, E. Richardson, Andrew Henderson, Thomas McGregor, Evor Thorson, John Knudson, Furman Housel, and Ben Kay. On the 24 July, James P. was visited by "Mr. T. C. Thomson of Leith, who stopt all night with us." (Thomson appeared to be a visitor from Leith, Scotland.) Then on 24 August, B. F. Denson visited McPherson and also "stopt" all night."
CORRESPONDENCE
During this quarter of 1855, James P. McPherson's correspondence appeared to be primarily related to his community and political positions. His letters from and to Ann Adamson were the only personal correspondence. It is worthy to note that Ann and Thomas Adamson arrived in Springdale on the evening of 28 September 1855. The diary indicated that there was a close familiar relationship between McPherson and the Adamsons.
11 July Received letter from Frank H. Firman
25 June Received letter from H. E Frink
27 July Posted letter to H.E. Fink
25 July Received letter from L. P. Higbee (re: E. Thorson case)
27 July Posted letter to L. P. Higbee
3 August Posted letter to L.P. Higbee
27 July Posted letter to Seymour
31 August Received letter from John Ludington
5 September Received letter from Ann (Adamson)
7 September Posted letter to Ann Adamson, enclosing $5
7 September Posted letter to Argus
7 September Posted letter to Democrat
7 September Posted letter to G. Bjorenson
12 September Received letter from G. Bjorenson
The McPherson family arrived in Springdale, Wisconsin, in May, of 1850. After being in New York City for eight years, they were used to the patriotic 4th of July celebrations of the big city. That first 4th of July in Springdale, left James P. McPherson disappointed in the Independence Day celebration, or lack thereof, in his new home. He vowed that they would do better "next year." However, 4th of July came and went during 1851 and 1852. By 1853, the Scots emigre attended the celebration in Mt. Vernon, and at Paton's Grove in 1854. On 4 July 1855, they spent the day at the "Celebration at Miles," their nearest Springdale neighbor.
As usual, summer in Springdale in 1855 was a time of putting up hay, hoeing corn, and cutting oats and wheat. He also cracked oats, cleaned wheat and stacked hay.
During the last few years, James P.'s circumstances had changed and he now had other jobs in addition to working the farm, he hired or bartered for others to help with the work, such as James Morrison and the Cairncross men who helped him with the farm work, such as cutting and hauling hay, binding wheat. It appeared that he also might have had Alex Cairncross work in his stead for some of the other neighbors, such as the McGregors (after the death of Mrs. McGregor in late August).
He also spent several days in July making a ladder. He had no power drill, electric powered saws, and even his "nails" and hammers were not as we know today. So on 28 July, it was understandable that his notation, "Finished ladder" had a ring of accomplishment to it.
James P. was "at Beards for hog" on 13 August, but the hog broke loose the next day and returned to Beards. James P. fixed the fence and evidently reclaimed his hog. He also was busy fixing or building a cellar wall and building a stable. He did not have a horse in 1855, but the family had a few cows, some sheep and a a few hogs. Speaking of the sheep, his diary noted on 31 August that "sheep missing." Two days later, Bryon Beard "brot. home sheep."
On 22 September, McPherson had a stable raising and was assisted by Furman Housel, James Morrison, Thomas McGregor, Weise, Blake, Samuel Lamont, James and/or John Edi, Andrew Henderson, and Stephen Cairncross. He also reciprocated by attending Lamonts "raising" on 21 September. The last two weeks of September, James P. worked on the cellar, putting up braces for the stable, cutting thatch, and thatching the roof of the house and barn. On 29 September, he was ready for the heavy rain that occurred.
He did have a problem with his neighbor Thomas Miles. On 18 August, the diary notation states "Spoke to Miles about driving cattle into my crops and got nothing but impudence in return." This seemed to be odd, as previously Miles and McPherson seemed to have been quite friendly.
His tailoring trade had dropped off considerably during these summer months, but he did have time to cut a vest and pants for Mr. Kay.
As usual, McPherson did not work on Sundays, but spent Sundays at home or visiting friends and neighbors. However, on the second Sunday in July, he rode home from Shullsburgh to Mineral Point and then home on Monday, 9 July.
Mary spent all day and night tending to Mrs. Cairncross who became ill on 2 September. Also a Cairncross family member, Stephen Cairncross, spent the same night with James P. and family. Another neighbor, Mrs. McGregor passed away on 21 August. McPherson and other neighbors, not only attended the funeral, but also helped the McGregors with the summer farm work.
The McPhersons visited and were visited by Samuel Lamont, John and James Edi, Axium Malone, James P. Beard, Mulhain, J. Maloney, James Morrison, Mr. & Mrs. Craig, J and D. Bartell, Thomas Urdall, John Hogg, William and Stephen Cairncross, E. Richardson, Andrew Henderson, Thomas McGregor, Evor Thorson, John Knudson, Furman Housel, and Ben Kay. On the 24 July, James P. was visited by "Mr. T. C. Thomson of Leith, who stopt all night with us." (Thomson appeared to be a visitor from Leith, Scotland.) Then on 24 August, B. F. Denson visited McPherson and also "stopt" all night."
CORRESPONDENCE
During this quarter of 1855, James P. McPherson's correspondence appeared to be primarily related to his community and political positions. His letters from and to Ann Adamson were the only personal correspondence. It is worthy to note that Ann and Thomas Adamson arrived in Springdale on the evening of 28 September 1855. The diary indicated that there was a close familiar relationship between McPherson and the Adamsons.
11 July Received letter from Frank H. Firman
25 June Received letter from H. E Frink
27 July Posted letter to H.E. Fink
25 July Received letter from L. P. Higbee (re: E. Thorson case)
27 July Posted letter to L. P. Higbee
3 August Posted letter to L.P. Higbee
27 July Posted letter to Seymour
31 August Received letter from John Ludington
5 September Received letter from Ann (Adamson)
7 September Posted letter to Ann Adamson, enclosing $5
7 September Posted letter to Argus
7 September Posted letter to Democrat
7 September Posted letter to G. Bjorenson
12 September Received letter from G. Bjorenson
COMMUNITY AND POLITICAL LIFE
McPherson's involvment in the case of Evor Thorson who was trying to get his boy back from Ole Anderson. It appears that the boy was bound out to Anderson as an "apprentice" and Anderson refused to release the boy unless he had monetary reward for doing so. On Thursday, 5 July, McPherson headed to Shullsburgh with Evor Thorson. Shullsburgh, on the map as Shullsburg, was located south, southeast of Springdale, fairly near the Wisconsin border - a far piece for the gentlemen. They were at Shullsburgh on Friday, and on Saturday, 7 July, the Habeas Corpus case was decided against Evor Thorson. On Sunday, they rode back to Mineral Point and on Monday, rode from Mineral Point back home to Springdale.
Evor Thorson visited McPherson on 1 August. Then on 9 August, James P. and Evor Thorson were in Madison. On 16 August, McPherson made out contract for Sale of land by Evor Thorston to Andrew Henderson. Then on 20 August, McPherson and E. Thorson were again in Madison. Although James P. wasn't specific about the details it appeared that Evor Thorson did not want to leave his boy with Ole Anderson after the decision of the Habeas Corpus ruling for Anderson. So, it appeared that McPherson and Thorson put together a land sale so that Thorson could get his son back from Ole Anderson. However, this was not the end of the Evor Thorson saga. On 10 September McPherson was in Mt. Vernon in the afternoon and evening, "defending E. Thorson & H. Johnson, arrested for killing dogs." There was no indication as how this arrest turned out.
In regard to the Poor House, McPherson had his sons, Billy and Jim take Jim Blower to the Poor House in mid-July. He was also at the Poor Farm with W.R. Taylor on 17 July, and with W. R. Taylor in Madison on 18 July, which was probably related to Poor Farm business.
McPherson position as Justice of the Peace appeared to be somewhat dicey in that he was called on to resolve issues between his friends and neighbors. On 10 August, he issued a summons in a trespass case, Cairncross vs. Morich. Later he made out notices for Sale of hogs for Cairncross, though the diary did not indicate whether the notices related to the trespass case or not.
As was mentioned earlier, in mid August, McPherson had words with his neighbor Thomas Miles because of driving cattle across McPherson's crops. On 27 August, McPherson "made out writ of Replevin White vs. Miles". According to Google, a Writ of Replevin is "a prejudgement process ordering the seizure or attachment of alleged illegally taken or wrongfully withheld property to be held in the U.S.Marshall's custody or that of another designated official, under order and supervision of the court, until the court determines otherwise. The case was tried on 30 August, in favor of White, the plaintiff. It's not clear whether McPherson's payment on 16 September are related to this case, buton that date, he paid White in the amount of $14.29. The source of the payment was not specified, nor were the specifics of the case, but it appeared so.
James P. McPherson also attended the Senatorial Convention in Madison, as well as the Convention at Bears Tavern in Cross Plains.
FOLKS MENTIONED IN JULY-SEPTEMBER 1855 DIARY ENTRIES
Anne
Adamson
Thomas
Adamson
Ole
Anderson
H.
Barnes
D.
Bartells
J.
Bartell
James
P. Beard
David
Beat
T.
Blackburnn
Thomas
Bently
G.
Bjorenson
Jim
Blowers
Mr.
Brown & wife
John
Bunnell
William
Cairncross & wife
Stephen
Cairncross
J.
Connor
Robert
Craig & wife
M.
L. Curtis
James
Edi
John
Edi
Frank
H. Firman
H. E. Frink
Moses
Fry
Andrew
Henderson
William
Henderson
L.
P. Higge, Esq. (attorney)
John
Hogg
Furman
Housel &wife
H.
Johnson
Ben
Kay
John
Knudson
Samuel
Lamount
James
Ludington
T.
McGregor
Mrs.
T. McGregor (deceased)
Billy
McPherson
James
B. McPherson (Jim)
Axium
Malone
J.
Maloney
Wilhelm
Menzie
Thomas
B. Miles & wife
James Morrison
& wife
William
Morich
Mulhain
North
M.
Quigley
E.
Richardson
Seymour
S.
Shumway
G.B.
Smith
W.
R. Taylor
T.C.
Thomas (from Lieth, Scotland)
Evor
Thorson
Thomas
Urdall
Mrs.
Wallace (Mrs. Craig)
Weise
White
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©
Joan G. Hill, Roots'n'Leaves
Publications
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