Voice of the People: Daily Life in the Antebellum Rural Delaware County New York area

Business/Labor

Business/Labor Home page | Excerpts from the diary of Nathanial Arbuckle, Delhi farmer, 1852-1861 Table of Contents

Note: For serious researchers only: may be hard to read, as is the original
Background:  Nathanial Arbuckle was a native of Scotland and came to Delhi when he was 17. His usually terse diary entries give some idea of the daily life of a farm family in the Antebellum rural Delaware County area.  Weather was vitally important to the success of his farming business, so he frequently comments on it. He also makes occasional comments on local and national events.

1855  December 31:  "This is the last Day of the Old Year and a Beautyful Day it is Clear and Bright but the air is quite [froty] and keen   the Past year has Been one of uncomon fruitfulness   the Crops of Every thing was Bountyful   we had a wet and warm Sumer yet the Prices of Provisions is Exceedingly high   flour $12 the Barrel Pork 9 dollars per C[]  Butter 25cts the Pound  Corn $1.00  Rye the Same   Oats 371/2 the Bushell   we are will Provided our Selves with food and Plenty for our Cattle   our winter has been Mild So far  there has not been three Days Sleighing this Season yet nor no Apearance of any but Good roads for the waggon    tomorrow Comences the New Year"

.

Courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association Archives, 46549 State Hwy 10, Delhi, NY, 13753. 

All materials on this website are for non-profit, educational use. 

College at Oneonta | Milne Library | Voice of the People Home page | Contact Us  | Printing