James Dobbins HILLHOUSE Diary, part 4

James Dobbins HILLHOUSE Diary, part 4 APRIL 1850
1. I went to the funeral of John Pharis's
2. I stocked a plow for Oliver Woods.
3. I hunted my steer yearling.
4. I stocked a plow for Hammer.
5-6. I went to Stangers for leather for Father Gibson.
7. I went to Springers to prayer meeting.
8. I went to Mt. Vernon.
9. I got my saw. Set work on plow.
10. Nailed on shingles for Eli Gibson. I finished a plow. We went over there.
12. I went to Mill.
13. Went to church.
14. We went to Zion to church.
15. I am half done breaking corn ground. We received a letter from Tennessee giving account of Mother's death on March 4, 1850. Aged 69 years, 7 m. 18 d.
16. I hauled wood.
17-20. I laid foundation of my porch. Worked on Barnett Williams carriage. I finished his carriage and commenced his harness.
21. I wrote a letter for Father Gibson.
22. I worked on harness.
23. I worked on harness.
24. I finished Williams harness. Nice rig.
25. I stocked a plow for David Medlin.
26. I stocked a Cary plow for David Medlin.
27. I stocked a Cary plow for Zack Dunning.
28. I went to Sunday school.
29-30. I made corn rows and commenced planting corn in the stubble land. So this ends April.
MAY 1850
1. I went to Wilkses.
2. We all went to the wedding to Springers. Lemuel W. Allen to Saray Anne Springer was married.
3. We went to the infare to Allens.
4. I worked on farm.
5. Went to S. School.
6-7. I worked on farm plowing harrowing corn.
JUNE 1850
1. I went to Mt. Vernon to a speaking and there for first time in life declared my self a candidate for the office of assessor for Lawrence Co.
2. I went to school.
3. I went to mill and bought me a gun also $10.00.
4. I went to Allen's mill.
5. I went to hunt my yearling steer.
6. Hunted calf.
7. We went to Father Gibson's.
8. We went to Zion to church.
9. Went to church.
10. We went to Father Gibson's.
11. We came home after a pleasant day.
12. I started on electioneering tour around the county. To Kimmonses the first day.
13. To Colleys.
14. To Fishers.
15. To Woodses and home I think on earth.
16. We went to S. School.
17. I planted corn in cotton patch.
18. I worked out our cotton.
19. I went out to Turnback.
20. I came home.
21. I went to shop. Got a mare shoed.
22. I went down to Penningtons to speaking and home.
23. I went to Sunday school. Fine weather.
24. I went to Father Gibson's for a cowhide.
25. I worked on a cupboard for E.B. Hillhouse.
26. I finished the cupboard and made a book case.
27. I made a wagon bed.
28. I am getting hands to cut wheat.
29. I cut wheat. Fine weather.
AUGUST 1850

1. The election is past and a few. There was seven of us run for the office of county assessor as follows: Aaron Winters, Samuel S. Williams, Carrel Pennington, James Mahan, Jacob LeMaster, James D. Hillhouse, James C. Jennings. But Crate Jennings flew the track after the first round. Us other six ran through. I came out in the lead without treating to a drop of whiskey which appeared to be a very unpopular position. As I said in my first speach on the stump, "Gentlemen, if one glass would insure my election, it cannot come. But if you elect me you are sure of a sober officer." The result I received at the polls when counted 25 more votes than they all got. Twenty five votes more than a majority of the county.

[Evidently Dob did not keep up his diary while assessor except for these entries, some time after resuming his diary.]

In 1854 I run against four that time as follows; W.C. Smith, anti-Benton Democrat regular democrat nominee; L. Jones, independent; Hilary Garner, independent; Tom Benton, democrat. This time I received 15 votes more than they all, fifteen more than a majority of the county. Then in 1860 I was elected having no opponent.

[No more entries until May 1858] MAY 1858
[No entries until mid-month.] 16. Rain and sunshine. Pleasant at home. The children went to Williams and to church.
17. I hunted stock. Big rain.
18. We went to Brother John. He is gone to Springfield.
19. I hunted stock and went to Mt. Vernon.
20. I went to Jas. A. Gibsons.
21. I stocked a plow for Cogswell.
22. I went Brashears got a table. Cost $10.00.
23. I stuck a thorn in my knee last night. It hurts me.(1)
24. I stocked a plow for Patterson. Rain big.
25. I went to the shop, got plow and stocked it.
26. Nancy had a quilting today and sewing. Had 33 ladies, 6 gents. Got a fine chance of work done.
27. We are plowing corn for the first time.
28. We went to see Mrs. Inman. She is bad sick.
29. I finished Colliers wheel and axletree in the shop.
30. We are at home all day. E.C. and Ann and Mr Cogswell is here. Rebecca is sick.
31. I worked a wagon wheel for Burrow.
JUNE 1858
1. I finished Burrows wagon. We are plowing corn now.
2. Old Mrs. Inman died last night.(2) I went to Mables to see about my groceries.
3. I got out fingers and sneades for cradles.
4. I went to mill to Mundays. Rain plenty.
5. I made tongis hounds for Young.
6. I am at home all day. Nancy is at Brother Johns. They have a fine daughter come to their home today.
7. I worked on Wilks' wagons.
8. I made a wheel and made a sun bolster for E.B.
9. I made another axletree for E.B. and went to see Billy Burrow. He is sick.
10. I worked on Wilks' wheels. Fine weather.
No more entries until July JULY 1858
1. Shumakes, Mother Gibson and Aunt Polly Lea is here.
2. I went to town. Oats is much damaged by rain.
3. We went to Zion to the temperance meeting at Zion. The next is to be at the brick schoolhouse.
4. We all went to Irbys to church. Fine growing weather.
5. I stocked a plow for John Lea. The boys is plowing.
6. I made plow handles and some combs. Very warm.
7. I stocked a plow for Patterson and repaired one for Young.
8. I commenced cutting oats. They are sorry.
9. We finished plowing corn for the year.
10. We worked out sugar cane. I worked on a wagon wheel for Bird. I finished his wheel, put on tire and sent him off.
11. We all went to the funeral of Father Wilson to Wades.
12. I worked on a wagon for Bob Collier.
13. Collier's child was lost today and found.
14. I worked on Collier's wagon.
15. I worked on Collier's wagon.
16. I stocked a plow for A.G. Davidson.
17. I went to Mt. Vernon. Got a pair boots and overalls.
18. I stocked a plow for Lea. Nancy and I went to John to see that girl. Rain again.
19. I stocked a sythe for Tom Brown.
20. A.G. Davidson and wife is here tonight. Big rain.
21. I stocked a sythe for A.G. Davidson.
22. I stocked a sythe for Cogswell. Rain, rain.
23. I stocked a sythe for S.H. Moore.
24. I stocked a sythe for myself. I had five swarms of bees today. Nancy is making a cloth coat for Harvy. Rain, rain.
25. I commensed cutting wheat. It is very good.
26. The creek is swimming. Hot weather to finish the month.
AUGUST 1858
1. We went to Curtises to see Ann. She is sick.
2. I went to the election to Wilkses.
3. I went to Mt. Vernon to hear the results.
4. I commensed Cline's wagon. Looks like rain.
5. I finished one wheel and hunted sheep.
6. I hunted sheep. Commensed Maxwell's wagon.
7. I worked on Maxwell's wagon. It is getting very dry.
8. We are at home all day. Warm and very dry.
9. I went to Mt. Vernon and swapped a horse for a buggy. Give $10.00 to boot.
10. I worked on Cline's wagon.
11. We went to Father.(3) Stayed all night.
12. We went to see Ann White. She is bad sick.
13. I worked on Cline's wagon. Dry. Corn most ruined.
14. I finished Cline's wagon.
15. We went to Cogswells. Dry. Very dusty and warm.
16. I fitted a wheel for Berry. Three more to do, one hub to make. Corn tasels very white.
17. I made my hub today. Warm.
18. I went to town to get Rebecca some shoes and a dress.
19. We went to see Ann White. She is very low.
20. I am sick with cold. Dry and hot.
21. We went to the funeral of Ann White.
22. We went to Cumons. He is dead.
23. It is raining a little. I fear will quit too soon.
24. I walked over my crop. Rain would help tho it is badly fired. It is bound to be too late.
25. Jim Price is on trial for killing Cimmons. I worked on Berry's wagon. Finished his work.
26. I worked on a wagon for Adams. I sold my mules.
28. Sunday we all sent to Woods.
30. Corn is lite. Worked on Tom Adams wagon.
SEPTEMBER 1858
1. I took mules off to White Oak. Sold for $50.00 apiece. I had two. $100.00.
2. I finished Adams Wagon.
3. I went to Sisley Woodses.
4. I worked on a wagon for McNatt.
5. We all went to the funeral of G.W. Hillhouse to Zion church.
6. We commenced cutting tops off. All the low blades is dead.
7. I finished McNatt's wagon.
8. I went to camp ground to prepare for meeting.
9. I went to Mt. Vernon for some groceries for the camp.
10. This is my birthday. 43 years old. We are all moving to the camp grounds this morning.
11. We are all here at the camp grounds and a general turn out. All the camps is occupied. This is a good sine that the Lord will be in our midst.
12. The word broke out all over the congregation and such a revival all around as was in 1800 hundred. It was not confined to the church alone but found its way to the sinners heart in such power that they were thrown prostrate crying for mercy but God sent the enlitening influence of his Holy Spirit to there deplorable condition and it made them new cretures in Christ. Many was wonderfully converted many britened up.
15. We moved home today. Found every thing all rite. There was 26 professions and 33 joined the church.

There is a break in the diary. Second half of September missing. Between September 1858 and January 1877 nearly twenty years is missing or never written, which is unfortunate since it covered the period immediately before, during and after the Civil War. It is known he fought in the Union Army with the Second Regiment or the Second Regiment Light Artillery, perhaps both.

The break also covers the period in which Aurora was founded.

Incidentally his farm was located on the north side of Honey Creek north of Aurora and is now owned by the Elliott Brothers Jersy farm.

FEBRUARY

I am transcribing and find my old book more than half missing! So I drop in as I find it. It can't be as interesting.
Notes: 1. This thorn stayed in his knee and bothered him, cripplingly at times, the rest of his life.
2. Was this Andrew Inman's wife Margaret Peery? She died that year in Missouri.
3. This would be Nancy's father. Dob's father died in 1834.

Introduction and Obituary ** Diary Years 1844 through 1848 **
Diary Years 1877** Diary Years 1880 and 1886**
Diary Years 1888 and 1889

Return to Lawrence County Biographies