January 1, 1906.
Photo by Duane Bristow from
Duane and Eva's Farm PageHad a family reunion. 114 of relatives and friends came and spent the day with us. The day was a mild one clear and warm. The immediate cause of the reunion was that Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Frank Baker are with us. Came on the 24th day of December, 1905, it being the first time Aunt Lizzie had been here since she went to Texas 26 years ago. The table at which we ate dinner today was in the yard and was forty feet long and three feet wide and well-filled. The occasion was an enjoyable one. Had some good music with voice and instruments.
Those listed as present were: John Collins (Grandpaw) J.D. Collins, S.L. Collins, Lottie Collins, Nada Collins, Edgar Collins, Abram Collins, Annie Collins, Emma Collins, W. Lee Collins, F.R. Collins, Angie E. Collins, P.H. Collins, Wilmeth Collins , John A. Collins , Earnest H. Collins, Katie May Collins, Florida E. Collins, Evie Bell Collins, Conway V. Collins, Homer J. Collins, G. Ruben Collins, G.C. Putnam, B. Levada Putnam (Collins), J.H. Bailey, Ether O. Bailey, Elmore Bailey, Orin Bailey, Eugene Bailey, J.C. Collins, Espie Collins, Bissie Collins, Lizzie Ervin Collins, Frank Collins, Hester Collins, Will Collins, Bessie Collins, Nay Collins, J.P. Collins, Susan Collins, A.L. Collins, J.D.Collins, Jr., F.C. Collins, Lure Collins, Carrie, Collins, Alfred Sherrill, Epsie Sherrill (Collins) Jetter Sherrill, Charley Sherrill, Ibo Sherrill, John Clontz, Kate Clontz, James L. Clontz, Wade H. Clontz, Edd Clontz, Bertie M. Clontz, John H. Clontz, George F. Clontz, James Ervin, Susie Ervin (Collins), Hettie Harwell (Ervin), May Sherrill (Ervin) Tom Ervin, Leide Ervin (here spelled "Lidie" -ed.), Oscar Ervin, Cara Ervin, Olin Ervin, Albert Ervin, Carl Ervin, Iva Ervin, Horace Ervin, Czar Harwell, Fred Harwell, Mary Harwell, O.O. Harwell, J.F. Sherrill, Harry Sherrill, Jetter Sherrill, Gaither Sherrill, Lille Ervin, Loice Ervin, Beatrice Ervin, Everett Ervin, Fannie Ervin, Gracey Ervin, Loucinda Mills (Collins), Pinkney Mills, Henry Thompson, Lizzie Thompson (Collins), Ralph Thompson, Infant Thompson, Frank C. Baker, Elizabeth Baker, John Huneycutt, Phronsie Huneycutt, Avery S. Alley, Cascy Alley (Collins), S. Alley, Ralph Alley, Rev. J.W. Wyatt, Mrs. J.W.Wyatt, Polly Nesbitt, J.T. Ervin, T.O. Ervin, V.C. Parker, Sallie Overcash, J.F. Nesbitt, Inez Kennedy, Frank Davidson, (Cal), Aunt Lizzie (Cal).
Jan 2. Worked at the mill. Ernest and myself, until noon, stacked lumber, cut and hauled wood, fired the dry kiln. Whit and Frank cut logs by the log all day, 27 in all. Papa and Uncle Frank went to Uncle Alfs this morning and going from there to Charlotte to visit Uncle Franks people. Aunt Lizzie went down to Uncle Jims. I went down to Lander Harwells tonight to look after a list of names, which are on the preceding page of this book.
Jan 3. Worked at the house and made six pair of ox bows and after noon made a fire under the dry kiln. Went from there to Jim Mills to get what he owed us, but did not get to see him, and then went on to Mr. Lipe's and made a settlement with him. He was due us $3.29 but did not pay it and then came home.
Jan6. I hauled 532 feet of lumber to C.A. Johnson, and Ernest stacked lumber ½ day. Whitt McNeely and Buster Young cut logs, and Whitt got 60 cents, and Buster got 25 cents. Lottie and Nada are here tonight.
Jan 7. Went to Vanderburg to preaching. Mr. Wineberger preached and then I went home with Cousin John Collins for dinner. Went back to church for prayer meeting and then came home. Papa and Uncle Frank Baker came home.
Jan 9. Worked at the mill and hauled a load of wood to the schoolhouse this morning, and then worked at the mill. Ernest put in 3 hours, Frank Young put in 8 hours, and Frank Davidson put in seven hours firing boiler. Mr. Pet Brown had his cow over here today. Frank Young got five pounds of flour, and I paid Frank Davidson 50 cents in cash.
Jan 13. This morning it was cloudy and drizzling. Afternoon I worked at the mill. Ernest hauled logs, made 4 hours. I fired, made 4 hours, Lee and Frank Young made 4 hours. Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Frank came home today. John Sherrill and Aunt Epsie are here tonight. The Bass Brothers are here tonight making music.
Jan 14. Sunday. We all went to preaching at Rocky Mount. The Cline girls were over here and spent the day. Will Bass and H. Cline were also here. We all came home and spent the evening here. Papa and Uncle Frank went over the river and Aunt Lizzy and Aunt Epsie went down to J.D. Collins to spend the night.
Jan 20. Before noon Ernest and John Sherrill and myself hauled logs. Made four hours. After noon John and Florida and I went home with Johnny Sherrill to get his clothing. That night we went to a dance. Had a good time. Papa went to town to look after the Ann Bass land and it was knocked down to W. Nesbitt at $375. I paid Frank Davidson $1 in cash, and paid Ernest $1.
Jan.21 Sunday. Was at Uncle Alf Sherrills. Florida was with me. Johnny Sherrill came back with us to work for us. We stayed at Uncles until two oclock and started home. Edner (?) came a piece with us and then turned back. We got home at 5 oclock.
Jan 23. Hauled pine leaves and stacked lumber. Ernest and John Sherrill and I. Papa and myself hauled two loads of leaves. Afternoon, John Sherrill and I stacked lumber. Ernest fixed roads and Papa went down to the schoolhouse to help get up a months worth of school.
Jan 25. I and Mother and Papa went to Mooresville to mill and to get some goods and oxen feed. Ernest and John Sherrill and George P. and Frank Young, they all made 8 hours. It has been a cloudy and cold day and spit sleet. We went in a two-horse wagon. Papa paid W.C. Johnson $27 balance due on buggy. Jim Brawley cashed my check for school wood. It was for $5.
Jan28. Sunday. Went down to Uncle Davis and stayed all day. I rode horseback. Papa and Mother went to John Clontzs and spent the day.
Jan 29. Working at the mill, as usual. Grandpaw came over to the mill.
Jan 31. Davis Ervin went to Texas.
February 4, 1906. Sunday. Went to Vanderburg to preaching and John Freeze went with me. Came back to Lum Freezes and ate dinner. Stayed there until four oclock and then came home. I rode Old Dan and John Freeze rode Floyd Gudger here. Got home at 6 oclock.
Feb 10. Went to Statesville. Papa and I went in a four-horse wagon and taken a load of cottonseed to exchange for meal and hulls and to see about our sawmill, but it has not come. We did not buy anything but a gallon of oil. Papa paid for it. I cost 50 cents. We got home about 8 oclock.
Feb 11. Went to Rocky Mount. to preaching. Got home and went to Walter Clodfelters. Milas and I went up to Cha. Overcashs. His little girl is dead, and we went back to Walts and then came home.
Feb 14. Ernest and Frank Young cut logs, cut ten. John Sherrill and myself plowed. Grandpaw went over to his place, and went down to Uncle Jims and taken dinner.
Feb 17. Ploughing. John Sherrill and myself ploughed. Papa and Ernest hauled ashes from the sawmill up on the cotton.
Feb 19. Papa and I went to J.T. Ervins to get 10 bushels of oats, and Ernest went up to Mr. Lipes to get his drill. We got back about nine oclock and tried to drill, but the drill would not sow oats, and I went up and got J.D.C. and drilled three and half acres. John Sherrill harrowed the ground with the oxen. He and I sowed some and harrowed the rest.
Feb 25. Sunday. Milas Clodfelter and I went to Troutman to preaching and then went home with Will. We sure had a good time.
Feb 27. This morning it rained, and about noon it cleared up and we stacked lumber. John Sherrill, Ernest, Frank Young and myself all made 5 hours stacking lumber. Late this evening we loaded our wagon to go to Statesville after our sawmill. We got a letter stating that our mill had come.
Feb 28. Went to Statesville after our sawmill. Went and taken three two-horse wagons. George went and taken his wagon. The team backed on our big wagon, and broke the front wheel, and we could not bring all of the mill. We will have to go back tomorrow after the rest. Papa received $14.18 for some lumber sold to Statesville Furniture Company and paid out for $11.25, and for sawmill, $300. We got home about five oclock.
March 1, 1906 I went to Statesville after the rest of our sawmill. Papa, Ernest, John Sherrill, and Frank Young sawed up a few logs and tore up the old mill.
Mar 2. Put down our new sawmill. Mr. Will Ross put it down for us. We got the mill down and sawed some on it. It done fine. We paid Will Ross $10.50 and Papa paid him $.50.
Mar 5. Sawed until noon and broke the pins on the saw mandle. Papa and I taken it to Statesville, to the Foundry. Ernest and John Sherrill and Frank Young hauled logs. We got to Statesville about dark, put our horses in Mills Stable, and we went over and spent the night with Phillip Robbins.
Mar 6. Papa and myself was in Statesville to get our mandle fixed about noon. Got home about 3 o'clock and sawed until night. Ernest, John, and Frank Young hauled logs.
Mar 7. Worked at the mill and sawed. Our feed got so it would not work, and I went after Mr. George Ross. He came and helped us fix it. He charged us $.25.
Mar 11. Sunday. Milas Clodfelter and I went to Troutman to preaching. Mother went with me to Mr. John ....... and stayed all day.
Mar 15. This morning we thrashed peas, and this afternoon put up a stack of hay. John, Frank and myself. Papa went over the river after our wagon wheel, and Ernest helped George haul hay.
Mar 16. Went to the School at our schoolhouse. Mr. Barnes was the teacher and two men made a speech. There was a large crowd and a beautiful day. We had a beautiful dinner. The table was about 60 feet long and well-filled with good things and everybody enjoyed themselves.
Mar 17. Sawed at the mill. Papa went to Statesville to take Mr. Barnes and to finish paying for our sawmill. The amount due was $45.90. I paid Papa $20.00 in cash and he paid the balance due which was $25.90. Papa also paid for 5 gallons of oil, $2.50, and got a set of saw points, $4.10.
Mar 18. Sunday. I stayed home all day. Harv Sherrill and Jan Caldwell were here and John Sherrill went home. I settled with him, and all owed him was $17.30, and we paid him $5.00, and $10.00-- and the balance due him was $2.30, but did not pay him-- didn't have the change.
Mar 19. Thrashed some peas.
Mar 20. Killed some of Grandpaw's hogs before noon and hauled a load of wood. After noon, Ernest and I went over to the old sawmill place and brought the shingle pinch over and worked on the sawmill.
Mar 23. Hauling lumber, and Ernest and Frank worked the public roads. George and myself hauled lumber to Troutman.
Mar 25. Sunday. I stayed home all day. Will Bass and Earl came over and spent the evening with me. I was not well.
April 4. Went to the sawmill. Commenced sawing. Mother sent Conway after Papa to come to Grandpaws. Before he could get there Grandpaw had died, and Conway came after us. We went home as soon as we could, and let all his kin and connection know.
Apr 5. Grandpaw Collins was buried today. The funeral was conducted by Mr. Burris and J.W. Wyatt. There was a large crowd.
Apr 7. Stacked lumber until noon, and after noon Ernest went to Mooresville, and I didn't do anything.Papa went to Mooresville and sold his cotton and got $11.38. Frank Young fixed his garden.
Apr 8. I taken the girls and went to Rocky Mount. to preaching, and after noon Ernest and I went to Bludoor (ARP Church). Went home with cousin John Collins. Stayed until dark.
Apr 9. Set out cabbage plants.
Apr 10. Received a check from Piedmont Wagon for $101.60
Apr 12. Plowing on the Gilleland place. Ernest and the children worked on their place. Papa went to Statesville and paid .....Thompson for a carload of lumber. Sold Piedmont Wagon Co. 7917 feet. Paid cash $15.83.
Apr 13. Plowed at the Gillieland place. Ernest and Conway plowed on Grandpaws place. We planted our Irish potatoes and bedded our sweet potatoes.
Apr 14. Papa and all of the rest met at Grandpaw's old place to decide what was best to do about the things they divide to sell.
Apr 17. Ernest and Frank Young planted cotton seed for Ernest, and I plowed out cotton stalks in Grandpaw's place, and Conway harrowed corn ground.
Apr 21. Frank Young and myself planted corn for me. Ernest scattered some ashes on the 6 acre tract of land and Papa went to Mooresville after fertilizer. Mother and ........went to Hamps and the Cline girls are here spending the night.
Apr 22. Sunday. I went to Sunday School and Ernest and Will Bass went to Doolie to preaching, and Will Bass and the Cline girls spent the day here.
Apr 27. Finished planting cotton this morning and planted a piece of corn over at the molasses mill at Grandpaws house, and I plowed in the pink bottoms with a two-horse. Mr. Lipe come down and paid us $4.50 and owes us yet $.60. This is for sawing.
Apr 28. Ernest plowed with the two-horse plow until dinner, and after noon done nothing. I went to Mooresville and bought me a suit of clothing and also loaned D.R. Nesbitt $10.00 to get him a suit. He is to pay me this fall $11.00 for it. I sold Will Davidson an old suit for $8.00 and George Putnam is to get it paid.
May 1, 1906. Went to Mooresville to take the butter. Didnt get back until 1 oclock.
May 5. Papa went to Troutman after some fish, and after noon I went to the schoolhouse to register. We are going to have an election about taxation. And then I went with Tom Kennedy and some of the other boys fishing.
May 6. Sunday. Ernest and myself went to Vanderburg to preaching, and this evening I went down to Uncle Jim Ervin's and got home at dusk.
May 8. I went to Mooresville and swapped buggies with Mr. Johnson. I got $32.50 for my old one, and paid $25.00 for a new one and $12.50 for a set of hames.
May 10. I finished up the Log Spring Branch and went to Grandpaw's Branch bottoms, and plowed for corn. It has been a cold day. A big frost killed all of the early cotton. Papa went to Statesville and Walter Mills went with him, and got lost, and didn't come back with him.
May 13. Sunday. I taken the girls to preaching at Rocky Mount and went to Troutman to preaching, and went home with my best girl.
May 19. Ernest and myself harrowed cotton until noon and after noon we didnt do anything. We went up to the ball ground and played ball. Papa went to see Aunt Kate Clontz this morning and after dinner went to the election. Tonight I went to an ice-cream supper.
May 20. Sunday. I taken Florida and went to Perth to preaching and after preaching came home, and John Sherrill and Aubrey were up here when we came home.
May 22. Ernest and I harrowed cotton and the girls hoed. We all had an election today for local tax, and it carried 21 to 11 in favor for school.
May 24. I harrowed cotton over at Grandpaw's place. Ernest is sick and went to see the doctor. The girls hoed cotton. We all went to an ice cream supper over at A.S. Alley's.
May 27. Sunday. Went to Sunday School and stayed a while, and then went to Berea to preaching, and after preaching, come to Walter Clodfelter's and ate dinner, and Milas and myself went over to Uncle Davis'. Got home about dark.
May 29. Ernest and I went to plow corn and Baron Smith came and arrested Ernest, and he and I went to Troutman before Worth Williamson for trial. He fined them $.50 each and costs. We got home and plowed the rest of the day. Papa and Mother went to Mooresville after some flour and to take the butter.
June 2, 1906. Papa and Ernest went to Mooresville, after a wheat drill and a ton of fertilizer, and they taken B.P. Troutman a load of flooring. I hoed the watermelon vines, and after dinner played ball.
Jun 3. Sunday. Went to Vanderburg to preaching, but the preacher did not come. We had a singing here this evening. We had a large crowd and a fine time.
Jun 5. We hoed cotton all day and George and Levada helped us, and Papa and Ernest sowed some peas. Did a lot of plowing, planting, and hoeing at Grandpaw's place. Got up the hay.
Jun 10. Sunday. I taken the girls to preaching at Rocky Mount. It was Communion Day, and there was a large crowd, and after preaching Pink Mills came home with us and stayed all evening.
Jun 11. This morning it was too wet to plow in the crop, and I helped George and Ernest cut wheat and plow up the stubble, and Papa went to O.O. Harwell's after some cotton seed, and to see Uncle Jim about cutting some wheat.
Jun 12. George Putnam, Frank Young, Ernest, Conway and myself were plowing at the river bottoms. Papa went to Mooresville to take the butter. He brought us our dinner.
Jun 15. It is still raining. The wheat is ready to cut, but the sun has not shined in three days. About 1 o'clock p.m., we helped George Putnam cut wheat a while. Mr. Slade Gilleland is here tonight.
Jun 17. I stayed at home until dinner. Milas Clodfelter came up here and stayed here until after noon, and he and I went up the country to see our best friends. He came back home with me and stayed all night. We got home about 1 o'clock.
Jun 18. This morning I went after Uncle Jim Ervin's reaper. We commenced cutting about 9 o'clock, and got done a while before night. Cut 6 acres with the reaper. George Putnam, Frank Young, and Whitt McNelly and the girls cut and tied some.
Jun 24. Florida and I went to Uncle Davis' and stayed all day. We all went to preaching at Doolie and intended going to Rocky Mount. to hear Osborne Ervin preach, but it rained. Will Bass stayed all night with us.
