Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 2
1829-08-12
Morning to town. Having reformed my practice, I got to town quite in reasonable time today. At the Office. Nothing worthy of particular notice. At the house, after having purchased a Carpet for my Study. Discouraged about my books, as I find other cases must be made. The expense frightens me. Found Mrs. P. Chardon Brooks, Miss 417Phillips, Julia Gorham and afterwards Abby. But they did not please me this morning so that I returned to the Office in bad humour. Mr. Orcutt, tenant of tenement No. 3 in Common Street, called to tell me he could not pay any more rent at present.1 This is the general cry. And in the mean time, we must live. The prospect is not agreeable. I did not remain in town long being out of spirits, and returned to Quincy to dine. Found there Dr. Waterhouse of Cambridge who dined with us but was dry. Afternoon, I read a little of Burnet, which I must go over again connectedly, and finished the first Volume of Lady Montague. Mr. Bussy, his grandson in law Francis C. Head,2 and four strangers, citizens of South Carolina, called in the course of the afternoon. Not much conversation in the evening.
David Orcutt, a cabinetmaker, rented a house owned by JQA on Tremont (or Common) Street for $150 a year (CFA, Accounts as Manager of John Quincy Adams’ Finances, 1828–1846, p. 16, M/CFA/3, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 297).
Appletons’ Cyclo. Amer. Biog.
; Bacon’s Dict. of Boston, p. 74–75). Francis C. Head, who married Eleanor Bussey Davis, was a member of the Boston auctioneering firm of Coolidge, Poor, & Head (Columbian Centinel, 14 May 1825;
Boston Directory, 1825).
1829-08-13
Morning to town. Engaged as usual in a diversity of pursuits connected with my father’s business and my own. Called upon Mr. Tarbell about sundry Writs he has intrusted to me and had some conversation with him which induced him to ask me to dinner. After having spent an hour looking at some of poor George’s old Journals, I went and dined with them. Found Mr. Fletcher there, and they were quite comfortable. In the afternoon, went up to the house and completed putting up my books as far as I was able but the bookcases are manifestly insufficient. I must have others made and after all, I must return many to Quincy. It became late before I had finished this business, and after going to the Office to shut up, though I had a boy who was a wretched country gawk. And gave me more trouble than good. I rode to Medford, stopped at the Tavern and walked to Mrs. Ward’s, where there was a Medford party. Stupid enough. She is old and infirm beyond belief. Her daughter was the person giving the entertainment. I felt a little low spirited and not very good company. After an hour and a half of ennui, we were dismissed and I returned to the Tavern, took my horse and rode to Mr. Brooks’.