If you’re having a “Gray” day, consider this …
Back in 1767, a Kingston farmer named John Gray eeked out a living during the grim winter. He kept a diary with brief entries about those raw January days.
Gray operated a large farm in today’s Rocky Nook, spent some early years at sea, and later served as a colonel in the Revolution. Here are some daily excerpts over two weeks in January 1767:
9 Fryday (sic) – Cut and carted one load of wood.
10 Saturday – Butchered 1 swine and it begins to snow. Mended my hog sty.
11 Sabbath – Heard Mr. Rand preach from Matthew 17.5. Pleasant weather.
12 Monday – Winnowed out the wheat and began to thresh my rye.
12 Tuesday – Threshed rye. Etc. Rainy.
14 Wednesday – Ditto and winnowed 5 bushels.
…20 Tuesday – The ice begins to thaw. I am in hopes of striving with a team soon. Carted 1 load of wood for S.G.
21 Wednesday – Cut and carted 1 load of wood. Removed the widow Robbins household goods and carted her 1 load of wood. It begins to be very cold.
22 Thursday – The ways are rough and icy. This morning small showers of snow and cold. Went to mill. Bad traveling.
When we tire of grinding it out, it can be fun to look back!
Help us spread the word about Kingston 300, a volunteer project compiling a new illustrated history of Kingston for its 300th anniversary in 2026. We invite contributors of family histories and anecdotes, less known bits of local history, photos, other art, and much more! Contact Ken Brack at kenbrack5@gmail.com or the other directors listed on our website, http://www.kingston300book.com.
Courtesy of Tom Vendetti, “The Diaries of Colonel John Gray – Kingston Farmer, Revolutionary War Patriot, Town Officer.” River House Publishing, Kingston. 2020.