The Maryland Bridge Committee

Today was great: had a big win in the Elijah Boardman papers. Basically, I found him hiring a few guys to do some masonry, then a fairly large lumber purchase, and finally, at the end of today, ten minutes before we had to leave, I found him paying John Couch -- a joiner in the area -- for "raising part of the house."

I WIN.

There was definitely some whooping and cheering. I may have done a victory dance. Cathy & I are going to take pictures of it tomorrow so we can send it to Darrin, for whom I am doing all this searching. I can't wait. I am gloating.

In between these, there were lots of delightful little entries. Probably not as amusing to most everyone, but as (a) a nerd, (b) someone whose been reading those papers for a day and a half, and (c) an only child used to amusing herself at odd things, it was delightful. For example, I found several instances of Elijah buying strawberries -- and then not selling them. Someone in the Boardman family likes strawberries. A bit later, he bought whortleberries. I have no idea what they are, in fact I'll look now. Ah. They are berries. Look like blueberries but are, I guess?, different.

He also is something of a clotheshorse. Actually, he's a big one. He's bought quite a lot of new clothes for himself and the wife. Mostly from a man named Samuel Garlick, who also has a relation named Reed Garlick. The names kill me. Every time. The best name so far, though, has been Lazarus Ruggles. I can't decide whether or not it's a dog's name or someone out of Harry Potter, but either way, it's great. Somewhere towards the end of the day, he got made a Captain (Elijah notes all military titles, church titles, and any widows, which is interesting). I was excited for him. Captain Ruggles, to the rescue! I may name a dog that.

Meanwhile, I found an entry in which the "Maryland Bridge Committee" purchased rum. I was confused. The next day, they did the same thing. In fact, for five days in a row, they purchased rum. On the last day, they also purchased powder (as in, gunpowder). At this point, I was laughing so hard that I had to share with Cathy (aunt) and another woman named Cathy who was there researching and an intern and a couple of other people who were hanging around the library. We all laughed. On the sixth day, the Committee hired half a dozen day laborers for unknown work. What?! At the end of the day, Cathy did some research. Turns out: Elijah Boardman owned an island in the middle of a river nearby that was called Maryland (he owned a slave from Maryland who named the island after his home, or so said the history of New Milford book). We figure that he was thinking of building a bridge out to it -- although Cathy (aunt version) & I decided it was probably just an excuse for the men to sit around and drink. We're thinking of re-forming it. Any takers??

What else? I know there was a lot, mostly relating to Litchfield/New Milford history. Boardman family stuff that helps us understand them, so that's good.

Anyway, I'm going to read my book & pass out because I'm back to Elijah tomorrow and I want to look my best for him!!