Editor’s note: Please forgive this editor and typist of this handwritten journal, it seems like something is missing here at the beginning. I noticed that I got the last two pages out of order as far as chronological order of dates, but I typed it as it came to me. Not having seen the original journal but just the JPEG files of it, I imagine that some of the pages may have gotten out of order. John may also have written them out of order in the little book as was apparent with a few other pages in the Spring issue. When Pam sent the JPEG files of all seventy-three pages of the diary, she also sent an overview, listing the names that were mentioned on each page. Her explanation for page 22 lists the same names that I have transcribed from page 22 . Her explanation of names seen on page 22 is as follows: May 29 to July 6, 1836. Mildred Jane Hurt (in code), John D. Arnold, Peter Finney, Silas Minter preached. Wrote a letter to William H. Tate, received on from him and one from Alexander Kasey, Jr.
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Will become of the righteous. He gave a discourse of one $ a half hours. Rote a short letter to Wm.H. T. By D.B. Hunts this week. Moorman leased his store house. I consider myself D3SClod2d by 837d=-02d J193 H50t since the 17th instant so I have to look out another G17. (Pam Kasey interprets these encoded names to denote Mildred Jane Hurt-ats) Wednesday July 6th Well nothing new since the 11th of June. At home generally. 4th Sunday in June went to see John D. Arnold, spent the evening agreeably. Rained in the evening while there. Tolerably busy that week. Sunday the 3rd July went to meeting at Snow Creek meeting house. Severall persons there, but the congregation was not as large as the Bedford congregations. The ladies was scarce and tolerable ugly. In the evening took dinner with Peter Finney well entertained. Silas Minter preached and of all sermons that I ever have heard this beat any for I could not gather any information from him nor could I connect his discourse so that I could make out what he aimed at. Last Saturday recd. a letter from Alex. Kasey, Jr. All were well and nothing strange . Last Saturday was a week Rec’d. a letter from William H. Tate and started one yesterday to him in answer to his letter. Hope to put
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shingles yesterday on dwelling house. B.G. Hendrick staid with us last night. Rote a letter to R. G. Shoan Tuesday, 12th July At home since the last date except last Saturday went to Thoms. S. Keens to get an attachment vs. Elias Botner who decamped with the most of his effects on Friday night. No person knew what was the cause of his running away. He had borrowed David Paces horse and Green R. Tench’s carriall and left taking with him Benjamin Marshall’s cloth for coat pantaloons vest trimming and gun and coat for sackfull Fewer (?) and for John Seyall and for Wm. Galloway $ l pr. panttaloons for John Pinkard Galloway, some small debts unpaid in the neighbourhood. Tench, Percefull, and Galoway followed him and got nearly all the cloths that he had with him and brought them back but let Botner go on. Nothing of importance more but weather warm and has the appearance of being fair for some days. William S. Stockton left today intending to go to the Springs for the benefit of his health but I think has the hipps (?) desperately.
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Tuesday, July 19
nothing of much importance since 12th except the death of Ann Parberry who decd 15th instant & interred Saturday. I gave evidence there A.H. Moormans s/d V.S. Botner was just before Thos. S. Keen. the 16 and was invited to a marriage at Thos. Erles the same evening to be the 20th Sunday last sent a letter to I N. Preston in answer to 1 recd 16th with a request that he would assertain [sic] whether 83L _ 027 I $50t had received a letter from me. Went to meeting to Pleasant Grove. Mr. Miller preached from the First in Isaiah 55 Chapter and 6 verse. A very pretty sermon and some considerable excitement and the members received. In the Evening went home with Richard W. Steagall and took dinner and walked through his plantation and by Jane Birds and home. Nothing else of importance except bought a pair shoes 1 pr. socks and a hatt. Paid my subscription to meeting house & the Revd. J. Pedigo. The 15th and 16th instants August 5th nothing of great importance since the 19th July. Was at _____meeting Sunday before last several person there. Returned in the evening . This week nothing new. Sunday 30. Recd. 4 letters from Lynchburg, 1 from Tate, 2 from Peters, 1 from A. Rucker all say they are all
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well and thriving on tolerable well. Sunday 30 July reced a letter from John G. Wingfield He says he is well. Monday, 1st August went to Franklin Court business of A. H. M’s and it is a very rough road from here to the court house. Poor land and mountainous Rock mount & shaly looking. Village good. C. H. ((I believe whenever he writes C.H. he means courthouse) and some other building tolerable good. Saw several of my acquaintance. Sent a letter to A. Kasey, Jr. This week bough(t) a pair Martin gales. cost $1.25 nothing more of note at this time. Mrs. Colland and daughter to see us. August 15th Monday nothing new since the 30th. Business dull past week. Had a conversation with A. H. M. respecting living with him another year told him I did not intend to stay with him and tryed to give him to understand that Sunday business was the objection. He stated to me that I have given him satisfaction so far believing that i did all I could for the best. We had but fiew words about it. Saturday he and all his family went to a show at Henry C.H. which was the 13th instant. The 14th he disinterred a child that had been buried about 12 months and removed it to Mrs. Collands where several of his children are
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interred. His family and Miss Elvira Colland left the same day. William S. Stockton returned Thursday last from the springs the day Thursday I went to Danl. W. William’s on business and to Page Whites and others. Friday went to Preston Bennetts on businsess. Sunday staid at home. Clear and warm. There has been rain or snow every week since the 25th of November last if I recollect properly things. I believe there has been rain every week. This I know it has been the wetest season that I ever have seen. Received a letter from William H. Tate 13th which states he was well. Nothing new past week. John & Benjamin Bernard left for good. The store house finished this past week and one coat of paint put on the shelves. Left home the 20th for Bedford. Got to Fathers and about 2 hours by sun and found all well. To Boards and saw several of my acquaintance and all well and no news afloat. Received $5. of William Ray to have at coat and for hat of the smooth caster order. Sunday Sept 4th (at home nothing new about
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here since I took notes. I went Monday to Bedford Court and got my suit of clothes which cost me $40.29C thence went to Christopher Cundiffs thence to Capt S.P.R. Moormans awhile & found all well, thence to Fathers then on to Mrs. Peteres Wenesday [sic] and to A. Ruckers then on Thursday to Brother Jas. and A. Turners and to John Boards then Friday to Cundiffs. Saturday to meeting and to Father’s and A. Ruckers then Sunday to meeting, Tomas, to Ruckers Fathers & to Mrs. Peters. Monday home. Spent while out spent 84 cts. Paid Reuben Thacker 3 Od. September 25th [sic] for mending shoes. A. H. Moorman left for Richmond the 1st instant and left a long memorandum for me. Raised kitchen and smoke house for him yesterday 3 inst. Rote to him today by male. Received a letter from A. H. Moorman and load of salt and iron. Tonight well as common as to health. Sunday 11 Sept. Nothing interesting with me. John G. Wingfield assisting in the store since Wm. S. Stockton left about the last of Aug. Received a letter from Wm. S. Stockton Tuesday last. Put glass in some windows yesterday (crossed out) last week. Mrs. Moorman complaining being sick.
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nothing cerious to be hoped. Rote a letter today to Peregin Echols nothing more.
Sept 28th Tuesday, nothing of importance since 11th instant. Business dull past week. Went to Henry C.H. (Henry Court House) last week to see Doctr. Hereford about some lime but did not see him. Cuntry poor & broken between here and there. A nice situation for a country village a good C. H. and new jail. Several houses bit scattered. Past week Moormans brick burned and commenced laying. Last Saturday bricks considerably by being to weit when kiled (??) Last Sunday rote a letter to A. Kasey Jr. about matters and things in general. Went to meeting Sunday last. The Reved. J. Pedigo preached from 5th chapter 39 verse,serch the scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are theyt that testify of me. His discourse was lengthy and not interesting to me. Came home and a crowd as usual at the store. Nothing more of note. Saturday last Wm. Copeland sent me a roll of tobacco for which I am his obed. servt. October 7th Friday. Since my last notes in the first place Moorman returned from Richmond then moved to the new store and about the time we got moved
received a load of goods. On Friday and Saturday we had a press of business and has continued to be a press for 7 days and in that time we sold about $ 1500 worth of goods while Arnold & Barrow sold but little- say perhaps $50 or perhaps not that much. We have had several drunken fellows which was disagreeable to me. Been well except Friday last when I was full of pain and could hardly get about but it wore off in the evening and at this time am well as common.October 23, 1836 Well as common & Edwin Moorman to see us. Nothing new since I last took notes. At home generally selling goods which has been press. Since my last notes I went to a sale last week and bought some leather of Michael Scott. Arnold & Barrow selling tolerably well past week John G. Wingfield talks of leaving the place tomorrow for good. William S. Stockton living with Arnold & Barrow. Nothing more but I have not known Sunday in 5 or 6 weeks.
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October 30th-blowing and rainy nothing new. Well as common past week. Busy writing and selling goods. Received a letter from A. Kasey, Jr. Says all well and not news of importance in Bedford. Today went to Colo. C. Wingfields on a visit, found all well and spent the day agreeably at his house. In the evening returned . This is the first visit I have made since about the first of September. I have been at home continually except 2 Sundays spent of which I went to preaching. One month more and my year is out. Bought a bridle paid 4/6 nothing more. Dec 8 well as common. The bridle I purchased the 30 October I returned and afterwards bought a pair of shoes and paid $2 for them. Nothing of much importance took place since my last notes taken at the Shady Grove more than I was verry busy and succeeded in getting the books up and examined to a day before I left which was the 27th of November. My father came after me the 26th and A. H. Moorman paid me for my services for one year $7.50 and I had received some
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before and he paid me in cash $128. 18 c. which I charged myself with on his books which I consider as a receipt to him. After he paid me what he owed me he made me a present of a pattern for pantaloons which cost him $7.75 and 1 pr. bridle leathers worth $1.00. I left Moorman in friendship on Sunday 27th of Novr. and came by Thos. S. Keen’s and Keen accompanyed us on to Gabriel Matocks. He then stopped and myself and father got to Father’s after dark. Found all well and Brother Singleton is there. Spent the next day there and at Boards Store. The day following went to James and to Mrs. Peteres. Staid all night went to Court and staid all night at Wm. Hurts. Thence home and staid at A. Ruckers with Wm. Tate. Spent the balance of the week in the neighbourhood of fathers. Sunday the 4th (December) went to meeting at Morgans and as I came home got cut out by Wm. Morgan. Monday started to in Lynchburg saw the Canal and cotton machine. Had my watch repaired $1.25 bought a watche chain . I got home and engaged to live
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with Board & McCabe 12 months at $175 per year. Sold goods the 8th at night nothing of note took place till Sunday, then went to Christopher Cundiff’s house. All well and nothing new. Sandy told me he was to be married.Thursday 22nd. Sunday in the evening got home and James C. Kasey then Paschal Meador and Cuthbert McGuese came in the evening. Finished first of the week placing goods, corded bedstead wrote some in books oc well at the time15th Decr. Decr. 26th, Since my last notes been in common health and nothing new of importsance exept being at the marriage of Alexander Kasey Jr. which took place the 22nd instant. A large company there and some tolerable pretty girls and I spent my time very pleasantly especially the day after the marriage. Left that evening and came home in company with C.C. Peters, Sunday. Staid at home Christmas Day , and in the evening several persons came to Boards and had a tolerable time. T he Miss Morgans with us. Made some grasts (appears so, what is this word? Possibly gifts-ats) to the ladies the Miss Boards.Edward Hancock visiting this evening, paid Ruckers bill and this day
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1837 Jany 4. Nothing new since the 24, well as common and was at Seur’s Wingfields. 29 th Decr. A great dining dancing & c. a heep of people, sang, rang & Susan kit there. Recd a letter from John Cook. On the whole spent a verry agreeable Christmas. Nothing more of note cold weather about this time, selling goods slowly & c., Jany 14, times about like common well as is with health. Nothing new. People passing since my last notes and I busy writing and got up to day with the books to 1st Jany. Last Sunday (the 8th Instant) Sandy and lady to see Father & Mary Jane Cundiff in company Jan & Susan Board went to Fathers and all took dinner with them. (Pam Kasey interprets that Sandy is John’s nickname for his brother, Alexander Kasey, Jr.) S. T. Harrison and ___Board came in to fathers about 12. Came home and nothing took place of note that evening. Past week I saw writing between Griffin Nicholas & Thos. Nichols for the rent of his place adjoining Mrs Peters except a fresh field and Thos. Nicholas given 4th of grain tobacco & blade fodder. Nothing more than past week. Rote to Moorman & Williams S. Stockton . Father received a letter from
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Singleton yesterday stating all well and no news. He got home safe. Febr. 18th, nothing of interest since 14th of Jany. Been generally at home and spent some Sundays agreeable in company of the ladies. Been to church a fiew times and had some fun plaguing the boys & been generally well. Francis Board and family has been verry sick for about 2 weeks past this night week. Edward Jones came to store with his jugs of whiskey and I was plagued with him exceeding for 6 days. He drunk a good part of the time but am clear of him at this time. Received letters some time since from Wm. S. Stockton and Edwin A. Moorman in which gave me the news of Shady Grove. I rote to each first and allso wrote to John Cook, Sr. and I received a letter from Clifton C. Peters a fiew weeks ago and I rote in ansr. Nothing more at this time but Sandy and wife to see Father’s. Today paid off my A/c with Cundiff & Moorman which was ten dollars and ten cents pr. A/c receipted.
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The whole volume in one day Sunday following went to meeting but no minister. In the evening went to Boards. Saw W.Peters, Jackson Ayers, E.C. Jones & Joe Board nothing transpired of much note. They joked me about B7434a59a28 which I did not regard much. Staid all night and l left before brakefast. I am continually harrassed with my thoughts about a w3f7 and my situation to make a living. I will not attd. but wait to see the issue of time, trust me to the wise creator for employment and for a support. April 7th 1838 health as good as common and have just got home from attending to take deppositions at the Meadors of Goose Creek and was abused by John & George Kasey for the part I take in a lawsuit between Kaseys V.S. Shaon and others . Since my last notes have went to Amherst Cour on the business fo the suit. I have been ploughing at Fathers since I last made notes and James S. Kasey started to move to the west, the 14th of March, but have nocked about amongst the girls but doing nothing for them. We received o letter from Bro. James the 6 and he was getting on verry well.
July 20I got through harvest and hauling
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grain yesterday. Weather very dry and crops indifferent since I last made notes. We have sued John Thos. & George Kasey for the slaves but we must dismiss them. Since I last made notes I have been generally well and have considereable pleasure in waiting on the girls and had a might heap of talk and scolding and talk with M.S. R. & S.G. B. about 07434a-59928 who has kicked up. Nothing of note else have transpired of note. I am invited to wait on David Dickinson who marries the 26th Inst. to a Miss MCClain. My mind generally tolerable easy. Bought some shirts and 1 pr. pantaloons today, nothing more. Novr 3rd. Since making notes last been generally week. Father got ready and started to Kentucky, the 3rd of October and stayed at Alexr. Kasey’s Jr. till the 5th and then made a start. I went with him and family to the Big Lick Bottetourt Co., VA. He left his business with me to settle and made myself and A. Kasey, , Jr. power of attorneys and deeded his land to me in fee simple for which I extended an obligation for $400 & with condition that
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when I see and pay to him or his heirs whatever his land brings after paying all necessary expenses than that obligation to be null . He also left all his bonds and A/c. with me for collection which ___list may be seen on the back part of this book. Heard from Father near Rogersville he was getting on well. Since Father left (I have) boarded with Alexander Kasey, Jr. and have made a school at the corner school house and commenced the 22nd of Oct. but had but 4 schollars as yet. A. Kasey wife of A. Kasey, Jr. was delivered of a boy the 16th of October, of 2 children a son and a daughter. Are all as well as could be expected. This fall have fixed tents to mookie with to the west for Father [this is how the sentence appears, do not know if it is a peculiar expression/?-ats]. Jas. H. Echols, Jubal Dundiff, Wm. Morgan (miller) & Thos. Cain had the pleasure of being at a marriage at Wilson Meador’s which took place the 31st of Octr. between Francis Worley and Eliza Medor. James Leftwick, the parson, but fiew persons and a civil company attended. Crops of Coran very sorry this fall. Has sold in
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This County Bedrord from $4-$5 from the stock. A. Kasey Jr. going to move to Buckhamnon this fall in Bottetourt Co. for the purpose of going in to the business of manufacturing hemp with Cundiff V. Moorman. well as usual this evening.
Decr. 9th well as usual at Mr. Jones since I last made notes. I received a letter from William Kasey wich informed me that Father Mother and Meadors landed safe at their journeys end in 24 days after they started from Va. Since received a letter from Father and William informing me they were all well and well satisfied. And Father had agreed to take a piece of land about 99 acres for $600 . James had bought 402 acres of land for $600c. He paid $150 down and $150 to be paid annually till paid for. Been to two marriages since last made notes- first to Henry Huddleston, James M. Ramsey and Martha Huddleston, which took place the 12 of Decr. I was a tender on the occasion. The week following attended on Levi West who married a Miss Barnard of Campbill
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Co. A goodly number of persons at the weding and a heep of pretty ladies which I was well pleased with. (With) Leftwich was parson for L West. Benjamin Meador for Ramsey. The 24th Dcer went to Bedford Court and saw the decree (for) Kasey Vs. Shaoan and all which gives to John & George Kasey the land devised to them by the will of their father and acquits the suit by giving John Kasey the negro Kessiah and increase with the future increase of the females if any forever. I paid our lawyer the balance of their fees and took theirs receipt for the same and handed in Father’s deed to me for 148 ½ (acres) land. Saw Edward C. Jones get his lices (license) sent entered his security. I commenced boarding with Edward Jones at the rate of $55.00 per year the 3rd of December 1838, my school small from 12-18 . Generally. Christmas day at Edward Jones and nothing strange. Well as usual . C.C. Peters sold out his grocery in Lynchburg this last fall or winter. Sandy finished moving
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to Buckhammon about the 17th of Decr. 29th (December) returned home. Been to J. Boards, A. Ruckers, & Mr. Peters in company with the Mrs. Rucker, Board & Peters. Nothing new or strange. Well and in good health. January 27th, 1839. Nothing strange took place since my last notes. Been teaching school. School small from 12-18 till the 15th inst. when Edward C. Jones and Sophia Board married. They had a tremendous wedding. Heep of people and an elegant supper. Cakes piled up one on an other for 3 or 4 hig at Boards and elegant supper and company at Jones’s and a dance. Wrote last week to father and George in Hampton and brother Sandy. Received a letter from Sandy the 26th, all well (The letter I think had been broke before it came to hands) yesterday the 26th waiting for Cundiff & Moorman. Saw Clifton at the school house the 25th. At home today it is verry windy and tolerable cold. Nothing more. In good health as usual. Sunday Febr. 23rd at home Mary Jane Cundiff ___tolerable talkative but
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nothing strange or new. Been generally at home since my last notes. Enjoyed good health and my school small, averages about 15 scholars per day. I am very tired teaching school and almost feel disposed to wish that time might fly more swiftly so that I might get into a new sphere of action. Spirits low and almost on the honows (??) But in good health. Was last night two weeks was at Ruckers all well. Saw W. Peters and others this day. Week ago was at preaching at Bethlehem sermon by the Revd. John Ayers. Joined celebrating society last week at McClains. Schoolhouse meet next Saturday. At Sunset yesterday went squirrel hunting with R. T. Jones & Uncle Thomas Kasey. We killed seven squirrels. Uncle Thoms Killed 3 of the number. Warm and clowdy and ___inclined to be smoky. About this time past week wrote a letter to Sandy sent by S.P. R. Moorman. Mrs. McCaba, John & wife visiting to day at Mr. Jones.
Editor’s note: John Kasey used almost no punctuation such as periods at the end of or capital letters at the beginnings of sentences. I have added these when I felt it would make the reading easier. Also he was not consistent in his spelling. I wonder if he made good spellers of his scholars, but this is a journal and I suppose we must put it all down to a kind of short hand.
(To be continued- John Kasey himself follows his father’s lead to Kentucky, leaving in November of 1839 to come to Breckinridge County)