April 6th 1847

At this time April 6th 1847 there commences a new era in my history. As above stated, I was employed in Main St. District.

On Tuesday I opened my school in said place with the clouds pouring down rain in torrents and a severe headache. I began with fearful foreboding of the future. Young and in my own town I could succeed. But I ? thought of this and fail, and with my motto: Whatever thy hands find to do do it with thy might" and my watchword: Excel, I pushed on.

I found the school in a very disorderly backward state. I first tried to make them love the schoolroom and spent the first six weeks in establishing my system. No inducements would make me quit the schoolroom. Thus the summer passed on amidst arduous tasks and feeble health.

My pen must here record the death of a lovely sister, dear to me as the apple of my eye. But she has gone to her rest. I must journey on. The summer of 1847 will long be remembered as one frought with scenes of lively interest. At this time I caught the first glimpse of future ?. People began to visit my school and before I was aware convers about my new system. This slated my boyish pride and made me more arduous. My heavy duties led me to neglect my diary and I have only recorded the general facts. But now I commence annus.

My labors have increased my wages $10 per month and I now have $25, another token of this approbation.

Winter of 1846 + 47

The weather of each day of this winter can be found in my small diary. I will not spend the time to copy it into this. This long dreary winter the first that  ? staid away from my friends was spent in endeavoring to perform my duty towards my patrons and scholars, and in devising something new for governing a school.

Many, many an hour have I sat in my old chair after the echo of the last tiny footstep was hear in this old shanty thinking of my own loved home and devising schemes for future usefulness. In boarding around I had my share of the troubles attendant upon this ridiculous practice.

Thanksgiving day especially was a day of trial. Prevented by a storm from joining my friends I was compelled to remain in a miserable old shanty listening to the noise of 7 children -- the oldest 8 years of age. I went home once and spent a week when I ? the death of my little brother. My father came up for me. He also visited me once with my mother.

As a token of this approbation of my ? they hired me another month which they had not done before in 10 years. The inhabitants of ? District will ever be remembered by me with gratitude for the many favors which I have received at their hands. Through the increasing exertions of the ? of Norwalk the Main Street district have hired me to teach their school for the ensuing term for $10 [$15?] per month. I have written that I would take it on those terms. On the 31st day of March AD 1847 I closed my labors in Brookfield. This day I make to my Uncle's in a sleigh. Saturday ? found me in Norwalk.