IMH 75:2 189-190

"Chronicles of Upper Burnet" (1)

1881

Sunday, April 3rd.

"Still Winter lingers in the lap of Spring."(81) for the snow
fell in greater or smaller quantity most of the time to-day. Most
of it disappeared when it struck Mother Earth however. For
lack of anything better to do or go to I went over to the creek
church where there was to be a reorganization of the "Lord's
Day School" as the brethren insist upon calling it. About thirty
were present all youngsters but two. Adjourned for two weeks
more. Nothing religious done except taking up a collection
which was small. Foster and Kivett boiled down their two
barrels of sap and got three more this evening. Dan Bain and
Say Kivett boiled a good part of their syrup down into sugar
having brought the kettle from Foster's. Mr Wm Warthen was
here about noon getting Father to write petition for the build­
ing of a new school-house this district. I went down to Wat's a
horseback about four oclock and got my pay for serving a[s]
clerk of election last March 14th. It amounted to a check for
$2.00 and exemption from two days work on the road. I got
home a little after dark after having a long gas with Os. Alvin
was up at the camp a short time in the evening and Father a
short time in the forenoon which was about the extent of their
journeyings. The first chickens for 1881 are hatching

 

Teaching Note: Wat, his uncle, was evidently a Jefferson Township official, perhaps
even a trustee. You might consider having the students find out who their township
trustee is today and what his or her responsibilities are. (they are primarily charged with
providing fire protection, poor relief and maintaining the abandoned cemeteries.)
The journal entry that says he received an "exemption from two days work on the
road" would seem to indicate that there was a requirement of property owners
to work on the roads.