Chapter XIII - Diary of James B. Hamilton

"New Year" - What recollections come crowding through the mind as these words fall upon the ear - of times misspent, promises broken, evil done, good neglected, and them comes perhaps the thought that as the past year has gone, the present will also go and add one more year to the number already spent.

Time is fast bringing us to eternity and we should seize the moments as they fly and improve them as best we may so that we can render a good account of them at last, and as I think that a diary faithfully kept is one of the best means of attaining that end, as it enables us to review the manner in which we have spent the days that are past, thus profiting by same, and it will also enable us to spend each succeeding day more to our honor and profit, therefore I have determined to profit by the time I have spent and wasted, and see if I can do a little better in the future as I have now arrived at the meridian of life.

January 1st, 1858

This day I commence this Diary and its record will show with what success I have carried out the good resolutions with which I have commenced this year, that is, providing I may live to see another New Year.

1st RESOLUTION - Esteeming in the habit of using tobacco a useless and disagreeable habit, and that the money consumed in this manner may be far more wisely used, I hereby renounce the use of tobacco in any and all of its forms.

2nd RESOLUTION - Seeing that I have now been serving the Devil for 28 years - and a good servant I have been - I think it is time that I should change masters, and with this thought, I hereby re-

solve, or rather renew the resolution that I made some time ago, that God being my helper, I will more truly and faithfully serve "Him that hath made me."

3rd RESOLUTION - That in the future I will more diligently try the rule "Do as you would be done by" and not let my passion and my tongue run off with my wits.

4th RESOLUTION - That as Dr. Franklin says: "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise" is sound wisdom. As for health I have a good supply of that, and as for wealth I am not anxious about that, but as for wisdom since I have only a small stock of that article and while I am afraid that I am getting to old to learn yet nevertheless Franklin's advice is good, therefore I will endeavor to profit by the same, and resolve to rise at five o'clock every morning.

Jan. 2nd	Attended Division at New Haven at four o'clock p. m.
Jan. 3rd	Sabbath. No preaching in neighborhood so I staid home and read most of the time.
Jan. 5th	Worked on quilting frames. Bought grind stone from Eli Wood's. Hauled some fuel.
Jan. 6th	Commenced breaking up sod for corn.
Jan. 7th	Commenced locating road Turnpike to Meadow River. Got as far as William Deitz's to-day.
Jan. 8th	Locating road all day. Got as far as H. Crist's to-day.
Jan. 9th	Located road as far as Dogwood Ridge. Turned back, and reviewed a late review to H. McGraw's. Attended Division.
Jan. 10	Sabbath Day - No preaching in the neighborhood, so I staid at home and read.
Jan. 11	Returned to Meadow River, some rain to-day. Beat up and down Gauley Cliffs trying to find a place for a road but had poor success.
Jan. 12	Staid last night at Wm. Reynolds'. Finished locating road this morning and then cut out for home as it was hard business and poor fun.
Jan. 13	Finished review of Meadow River road.
Jan. 14	Went to court to-day, nothing of importance done. Handed in report and returned home.
Jan. 15	Went to mill. Finished reading 1st volume of Spurgeon through for second time. Sermons have to be very interesting tat get me to read them the second time. Also finished II Corinthians to-day, without much profit I am afraid
Jan. 16	Attended church meeting. No sermon. Attended Division and Public Meeting in the evening.

Jan. 19	Hauled plank from the mill and got timber to repair the wagon.
Jan. 21	Made sandboard, and fixed running gear of the wagon. Finished breaking up ground for corn.
Jan. 24	Sabbath - Rev. Cooks preached at Wesley's Chapel. Attended singing in the evening at Woodville.
Jan. 25	Cut sawlogs to-day.
Jan. 27	Finished reading the New Testament to-night. I like to read it better than I used to.
Jan. 28	Cut and hauled logs. Mary Wood and Claypool were married this evening. Commenced to read the Bible through.
Jan. 29	Surveyed for McVey. Very disagreeable work. Made $1.50.
Jan. 30	Attended Division in evening, also public meeting
Jan. 31	Sunday - Went to prayer meeting, attendance small.

Feb. 1st	Morning rainy and windy. Roads muddy.
Feb. 3rd	Made picture frames and handled my chisels.
Feb. 5th	Went to turkey Creek this evening.
Feb. 6th	Bought a horse. Attended Division.
Feb. 8th	Went to mill. Helped haul straw and wheat.
Feb. 11	Cold wind all day. Butted off sawlogs at the mill.
Feb. 12	Went to Turkey Creek in the morning and up to Woodville in the evening. Bought volumes No. 2 and 3 of Spurgeon.
Feb. 13	Went to Division. Cold trip. Tried my mare to see if she would work very well.
Feb. 15	Staid at store in the evening for Eli Wood.
Feb. 20	Went to church meeting, nearly froze. Listened to the trial of W. P. Taylor for threatening to shoot A. W. Tyree. Attended Public Meeting. Debate on the subject of War and Intemperance. I was leader on the side of War and won the debate.
Feb. 21	Sabbath - Went to singing in the evening at Woodville. Some of the boys not satisfied with their defeat and want to try it again. I am willing.
Feb. 24	Hauled a load of slabs from the school house.
Feb. 25	Went to sawmill.
Feb. 27	Went to Dogwood Ridge at night to a Temperance Meeting. Had a debate after meeting on War and Intemperance. War carried.
Feb. 28	Sunday - Went to prayer meeting. Not many out

Mar. 7th	Finished reading 2nd volume of Spurgeon. Like it very well.
Mar. 10	River closed with much ice. McVey sold his place to-day to F. A. Wood for $1600.
Mar. 11	River closed with ice. Can't get to court. Went to mill. Wrote deed for Likens.
Mar. 12	Went to top of Gauley Mountain and cut cherry saw stock.
Mar. 14	Went up on the mountain with Felix. Up to Woodville in the evening. Vandals moved there to-day.
Mar. 15	Went to Viney's sale to-day.
Mar. 16	Went to Turkey Creek this morning. I got some shrubs for the yard.
Mar. 17	Bought a load of plank from mill. Sold 18 bushels of wheat to Cooper.
Mar. 18	Hauled logs into mill yard in the morning. Hauled some posts in the evening.
Mar. 19	Worked on the road.
Mar. 23	Planted some fruit trees in the yard.
Mar. 24	Surveyed for Dews. Made $1.50 to-day.
Mar. 26	Finished hewing posts for spring house.
Mar. 27	Surveyed for Potter. Made $1.00. Attended Division.
Mar. 28	Sunday - Staid at home. In evening at singing at Woodville.
Mar. 30	Went to Will's in morning. Got posts for plank fence.

Apr. 1st	Went to Eli's after meat. Put up fence.
Apr. 2nd	Killed a couple of squirrels this morning. Went fishing and set my hooks.
Apr. 3rd	Caught two fish this morning. Put up plank fence. Went to Division.
Apr. 4th	Went up to Woodville to a singing meeting.
Apr. 6th	Kept store for Eli to-day while he bossed his rolling.
Apr. 8th	Wheeled dirt to make paths.
Apr. 9th	Made a gate for Meadows.
Apr. 10	Went up to New Haven. Very good meeting at Division.
Apr. 11	Went in the evening to see Caroline McVey.
Apr. 12	made hot bed for sweet potatoes and hauled manure to garden.
Apr. 17	Went to church. Very good sermon by Amos Wood.
Apr. 19	Surveyed for Col. Tompkins. Route very rough especially along the river.
Apr. 20	Plotted Tompkin's land to-day.
Apr. 21	Margaret Alderson married to-day.
Apr. 22	Worked on road. S. Fox ran off with Ann Campbell tonight.
Apr. 25	Went over the river with Eunice Hill.
Apr. 27	Hauled a load of boards. Worked on spring house.
Apr. 28	Putting roof on spring house. Got wood and worked on walk in evening.

May 1st	Fixed the spring and spaded up garden. Went to division.
May 3rd	Dropped corn for Davis.
May 6th	Rigged up two new trot lines.
May 7th	Went to shop and made a set of rake teeth. Went fishing in evening.
May 8th	Made garden rake. Spaded up garden and planted potatoes.
May 12	Went to muster at Mountain Cove for the first time for several years.
May 17	Hunted cedar for churn. Went fishing in evening.
May 19	Went to Court House for training. All tolerably green.
May 21	At training at Court House. Appointed Adjutant.
May 22	General muster to-day. Great many at town. Had hard work forming the regiment. No mustering done.
May 24	Planted patch of corn. Went to mill.
May 25	Hauled wood and rails. Went fishing in evening.
May 26	Caught five fish. Kept store in evening for Eli.
May 27	To-day is "the Day of Days" - Election Day. Conducted the election at New Haven. Made $1.50.
May 28	Went to Court House with poll books. Tyrees got an awful defeat yesterday.
May 29	Made sweet potato hills and hoed corn.
May 31	Throwed down 75 or 100 panels of fence. Worked in well.

June 1st	Pulled up gate this morning. Went fishing in evening.
June 2nd	Aleck's birthday. Worked in well to-day.
June 14	Fixing fence and cutting brush.
June 15	Worked on Rippetoe's buggy.
June 16	Hoed corn. This is my birthday. I am 28 years old.
June 17	Went fishing and took my skiff below the shoals.
June 20	Went to Church. Allen preached a very good sermon.
June 30	Painted buggy bed.

July 1st	Cutting my wheat to-day.
July 3rd	Went to Gauley Bridge to S. of T. celebration. Had a fine time, excellent dinner, and heard good speaking by K, Cassidy, M. Bibb, and Otis Caldwell.
July 8th	Mowed some and went to mill. Sty Wood married to-day.
July 20	Bound oats in forenoon. Made and hung gate to yard.

Aug. 1st	Sunday. No preaching in the neighborhood. Staid at home.
Aug. 3rd	Helped raise Rippetoe's stable.
Aug. 7th	Surveyed a clearing for Wm. P. Taylor. Attended Division
Aug. 12	Went to Court on Grand Jury. Sworn in as Deputy Surveyor.
Aug. 14	Went to church. Heard Sullivan preach a good sermon.
Aug. 15	Went to meeting at Wesley's Chapel.
Aug. 16	Went To church. Elder preached an excellent sermon.
Aug. 17	Dried ginseng. Made 54 cents. Went to church. Rev. Crooks preached.
Aug. 20	Cleaned and sold my oats. Went after ginseng.
Aug. 30	Digging ginseng. made 75 cents.

Sept. 1st	Helped raise Tyree's barn.
Sept. 2nd	went after ginseng to-day. Made $1.37. Paid very well.
Sept. 5th	Sunday - Went to Hendrick's to preaching. Rev. Warner preached a tolerably fair sermon from Numbers 23:19.
Sept. 6th	Went after ginseng. Made 60 cents.
Sept. 9th	Digging ginseng. Made 79 cents.
Sept. 13	Finished my work bench. Went to mill.
Sept. 15	Digging ginseng. Did very well. Dug five pounds. I saw the comet this morning.
Sept. 17	Went to the Falls and returned home to-day. Saw Sis Wetzel. This is the day of Turley's execution. Only to see what a person may come to. And think of his awful fate when he knows he has to bid farewell and try the unknown realities of another world to appear before his Judge stained with the blood of his wife. It is enough to make one shudder.
Sept. 19	Attended church. Rev. Allen Wood preached a good sermon.
Sept. 23	Helped get puncheons for stable.
Sept. 30	Went to Gauley Bridge with Virginia and Matilda.

Oct. 1st	Went to Falls to see the Circus.
Oct. 10	Saw a curiosity this morning. Oxen working in shafts like horses. Was up as far as Woodville.
Oct. 15	Went up to see Eli Wood. Making up a school. Very good luck.
Oct. 16	Went to church. Good sermon by Rev. Allen Wood.

Oct. 18	Went to Circus at Vaughan's. Very moderate performance. Attended church at night. No sermon. Rippetoe tried to preach one though.
Oct. 19	Attended to some surveying. Helped to saw board timber. Went to church at night.
Oct. 20	Went to church to-day. Rev. Allen Wood delivered the best sermon that I ever heard him preach. Nancy Wood baptized to-day.
Oct. 21	Getting out timber for school house. Went to church. Rev. Crooks preached a very good sermon. Splendid meeting.
Oct. 22	Went to preaching. Four baptized, S. J. and G. A. Fox, Virginia Skaggs and Miletus Wood. McVey sold his place for $1500.
Oct. 23	Getting out timber. Went to Division. Tolerably good time. Went to church at night.
Oct. 25	Bought lot for school house from Major Likens. Getting out timber. Cut my foot.
Oct. 26	Got out sills for school house.
Oct. 27	Framed the sills for house to-day.
Oct. 28	Hauled all the frame to the lot and getting along fine.
Oct. 29	Worked on road.
Oct. 30	Went to Vaughan's. Attended Division meeting.

Nov. 1st	Went to review road. Got as far as Wm., McGraw's.
Nov. 2nd	Got to McCutchen's by noon. Raining today.
Nov. 4th	Finished framing. Hauled plank, rafters and boards.
Nov. 6th	Went to Court House. Made a dollar by doing so.
Nov. 7th	At church. Allen preached a good sermon. Six baptized.
Nov. 8th	Worked at window frames till noon. Cut rafters afternoon. Finished writing surveyor's report.
Nov. 9th	Worked at school house. Got the rafters up.
Nov. 11	Went to Court. Made one dollar.
Nov. 12	Worked at house, hauling plank.
Nov. 13	Attended trials at Vaughan's.
Nov. 16	Putting roof on house.
Nov. 20	Finished roof and put up sleepers.
Nov. 22	Finished weatherboarding school house.
Nov. 25	Finished laying floor. Commenced ceiling.
Nov. 30	Finished ceiling. Worked at windows.

Dec. 1st	Making door and hanging it.
Dec. 2nd	Fitting in window sash and righting up.
Dec. 3rd	Building flue for stove.
Dec. 4th	Finished flue and righted up things generally. Put up stove.
Dec. 6th	Commenced school today at Independence School House.

Dec. 10	Free till Monday. Teaching school in warm house does very well. Made $4.50 this week.
Dec. 11	Put up writing desks till noon. Attended Division.
Dec. 13	Monday, at school. At preaching at night at school house. Rev. Claughton christened my new house with the first sermon.
Dec. 17	School worth $6.45 this week. Have been married just five years to-day and am about the same "seven and six."
Dec. 18	Saturday. Went to church. Heard an excellent sermon by Uncle Allen. Good meeting of Division. At Public Temperance Meeting at Division Room at Candle Light. Excellent meeting.
Dec. 20	Attended school. Received my stove.
Dec. 23	Put up new stove to-day. It acts fine.
Dec. 24	made $5.35 this week. Went after school to see Uncle Nick Parrish.
Dec. 25	Christmas. Clear and cold. Put knob lock on school house door and put in one window. Attended Division, fine meeting.
Dec. 27	Put up the last window in the school house.
Dec. 28	Had 29 scholars to-day.
Dec. 30	School full. Attended debate last night at school house.
Dec. 31	Made $6.65 this week. This is the last day of the year and how has it been spent? Of all good resolutions formed last New Year, how many have I lived up to? One only, that of not using tobacco. But the most important I have left undone.

January 1st	NEW YEAR - At that word what reflections come floating over my mind, of how the past year was misspent, and how will this be spent, if I should be spared to see another year. There will come up many sad reflections, if we but reflect upon the mutations time brings about. I have almost resolved never to make another resolution to reform any of my evil ways, but I believe I will make one more endeavor and now I write it down once more: "I resolve that by the grace of God helping me, for without I can do nothing, I will endeavor to lead a better life in the future, and may the Spirit of Grace assist me is my sincere prayer."
Jan. 2nd	Sunday - No preaching. Went up to Independence School to singing. Tolerably good time.
Jan. 7th	Rev. Dountain preached at school house. Good sermon. Text: Jeremiah 16:28. "This year thou shalt die."
Jan. 14	James Wood, Sr. died last night. Made $4.55 this week.
Jan. 15	Saturday. Was at church meeting. They had Brother Rippetoe up for lying. Was at Division, good meeting.
Jan. 16	Sunday. At Church. Tolerably good sermon. Text: Hebrews 11:26. Subject, "Faith."
Jan. 17	Had 19 scholars to-day. They turned Rippetoe out of Church to-day.

Jan. 20	Received a letter from Henry and one from Cooper, wanting me to go up and survey. Kept school till noon. Turned out till Monday. Went to Cooper's in evening.
Jan. 21	Rode to top of Suel (Sewell). Rained till 3 p. m. and then turned to snow. Poor prospect for surveying.
Jan. 22	Cold and snowy. Wrong corners and every thing else wrong. Had to quit, rode to Cooper's and nearly froze.
Jan. 28	Jim Parrish and Margaret started this morning for Missouri. Received my stove pipe from Lewisburg. Made $5.10 this week.
Jan. 29	Went with Robson to survey mountain. Went up to Division, fine meeting.

Feb. 1st	One-twelfth of the year past and gone and how many of our friends and acquaintances are gone too. Many will go in the next eleven months?
Feb. 4th	Brought up wagon load of coal from Turkey Creek. Made $5.15 this week.
Feb. 5th	Went to mill also went up to Vaughan's to hear the trials.
Feb. 6th	Sunday. Went up as far as Westlake's in the evening.
Feb. 10	Snow 2 inches deep. Court to-day. Sent report of road review on the Meadow River road.
Feb. 11	Made $5.15 this week.
Feb. 12	At Public Temperance meeting. Sat up all night with Uncle Nick Parrish.
Feb. 18	Made $5.00 this week. Rev. Robertson preached at Independence School house. Text: Psalms 139:7.
Feb. 19	Rev. Allen Wood preached on Matthew 18th. Very good turn out at Temperance meeting.
Feb. 21	Harvey Alderson raised his tobacco house to-day, but I did not go. Kept school.
Feb. 25	Last day of school. Very good turn out. Free once more. School brought me upwards of $63.00.
Feb. 28	Went to Dr. Cooper's in evening.

Mar. 1st	Surveyed on top of Suel for Cooper.
Mar. 2nd	Surveyed all day on Suel.
Mar. 3rd	Finished surveying and got to Cooper's in evening.
Mar. 4th	Went to preaching at school house. Rev. Dountain preached an excellent sermon on I Kings 7:44.
Mar. 8th	Went to mill and brought work bench and tools home from school house.
Mar. 10	Went to Court to-day on Grand Jury. Also on Court-martial.
Mar. 11	Made mixing trough for Vandever. Went to meeting. Martin Bibb preached from Rev. 1:18. Tremendous thunder storm just as

	we got home.
Mar. 13	Went to Dr. Cooper's on stage at night.
Mar. 14	Surveying for Lane.
Mar. 15	Finished surveying for Lane.
Mar. 16	Came home on stage coach.
Mar. 20	Went to Dr, Cooper's for James E. Likens.
Mar. 21	Went up to Wm. Gilkerson's to survey.
Mar. 22	Surveyed for Gilkerson. Jane Coleman died to-day.
Mar. 25	Commenced at Sam Tyree's surveying for Randall.
Mar. 26	Got back to Hughart's by wading Mann's Creek.
Mar. 28	Surveying. Johnson Wood and Marian Vandal married to-day.
Mar. 31	Went to Robinson's, thence to town and over to Hughart's with papers.

Apr. 1st	Plotting and surveying.
Apr. 2nd	Came back to Dr. Cooper's.
Apr. 7th	Finished surveying
Apr. 8th	At arbitration at Frank Tyree's.
Apr. 16	At church meeting. Allen Wood preached a good sermon from Matt. 21-28 to 31. Heard Bean preach at school house on Heb. 12:24.
Apr. 17	At church. Heard Allen Wood on Hebrew 12:10.
Apr. 21	Went to Hopping's in morning.
Apr. 23	Went to Vaughn's with Montgomery. Snow 6 to 8 inches deep.
Apr. 26	Went to Uncle Josh's after potatoes.
Apr. 28	Eli Wood mad a cap for my compass.

May 1st	Went over to see Uncle Nick and Uncle Joshua.
May 2nd	Helped Rippetoe roll logs.
May 4th	Went to Fayetteville to training.
May 5th	At training. Very warm. My mare has a fine colt.
May 7th	At general muster. Regiment did very well.
May 8th	Went up to Dr. Wills' in the morning. In the evening went to the organization of Sunday School.
May 15	Went to church to-day. Heard Thos. Hawkins preach from Psalms 119:59 and 60. At Sunday school this afternoon. Heard Hawkins as night from John 14:1-3.
May 19	Went squirrel hunting.
May 22	Went to Sabbath school.
May 24	Went to mill.
May 26	Went to election.

June 1st	Very warm. At home to-day.
June 4th	Worked on the road. Attended Division.
June 7th	Went to Fayetteville to attend Court.
June 10	Went to preaching at school house. Rev. Bibb preached from Isaiah 43:21.
June 11	Went to church at Wesley's Chapel. Heard Rev. Hargess preach from Matthew.
June 18	Heard Eli Wood preach. Attended Division. Was at preaching at night and went home with John Walker.
June 19	Was at church to-day and at night.
June 20	Went to church. Meeting broke to-night. Twelve joined the church.
June 21

Mar. 1st	Cold and Snowy. Very disagreeable to-day.
Mar. 4th	Went to Horseshoe to survey. Surveyed all evening for Bennett.
Mar. 5th	Came from Bennett's to McGraw's. Was at a debate at Alderson's school house.

Apr. 29	Hauled manure for corn. Carried calf half way up the cliffs.
Apr. 30	Finished roof on milk house. Went to mill.

July 22	Went up as far as Vaughan's. James E. Likens and Caroline Skaggs married to-day.
July 25	First Sunday for a long time without rain.
July 31	Attended Division. Good meeting.

May 30	I have this day the melancholy duty of recording the death of my Father who departed this life at half past on in the triumph of a Christian hope.
May 31	Attended my father's funeral. A large crowd of about 300 present.

January 1st, 1858

Feb. 13