Saturday. March 16, 1839: On Thursday this week Mr. James Chapman moved into my house for one year, rent thirty dollars, one month in haying, two months to do it in, that is every other week or 20 dollars cash down the first of July[private] to have his choice to work or pay the cash and he is to pay five dollars in putting in window sash and glass and other repairs if needed. He is to fodder and take care and stable my ten cows next winter as long as my hay lasts and to pay him for doing my work is to keep his cow with mine and further more said James Chapman is to occupy the barn when I do not want to occupy it and when it comes next winter if it is convenient and room to put his horses on the south end of the barn floor without disturbing or injuring my cows he can do so and he does agree that I shall have all the manure that he makes on the farm to pay me for use of the barn and I do further agree that after I finish my haying on that farm he might pitch all my hay from the scaffolds on to my bay and have that room if it will hold it for his hay and I do agree to select a piece of ground where I see fit to plow and to let him have to make his garden as large as it was when his father rented the house and said Chapman is not to take in a family in to the house.
Sunday: This forenoon I went with my two horse team to Hancock and carried my wife and daughter Angeline to meeting at the Baptist meeting house. Mr. Wilcox preached, he is a Universalist, and this afternoon I walked over to Select School house and heard said Wilcox preach again.Last night an Irishman froze to death in the street near the Shaker village, coming down the mountain from Stanton’s Tavern. The inquest was that he was intoxicated.
Monday: This forenoon I worked on the highway, I cut Elders on side of the road against my land, which finished last year’s assessment. Tonight I took my double wagon and carried my two oldest daughters and Almyra Fares and Freelove and Melinda Pierce to Lebanon to Singing School near the Springs. I called to Squ Bull’s and spent the evening.
Wednesday: Today I drew wood from the meadow. Today I walked up to Mr. Zach Chapman and witnessed a deed that he gave his grandson Aaron B. Chapman and I witnessed a life lease that said Aaron B. Chapman gave his grandfather Zach Chapman.[/private]