This is the vestry where church functions were held.  Later in the 30’s when the town lost much of it’s population church services were held here.  This is where we kids all came to swim.  It was deep enough to dive off of the rocks into the water.  We also walked around the cement base of the vestry and dove in from there.  Down near the bridge it was clear enough on the bottom to see the coins people would throw in to watch the kids dive for them.   Up  where we dove it was all rocks and lake weed on the bottom so you had to know how to swim to go in here.

This is the view from the Upstairs of the Store, later Harrisville Design.  You can see the Vestry on the left and the Congregational Church on the right.  At one time that church was full on Sundays but by the time I came there was not enough people to fill the Vestry.  Harrisville and Chesham shared a pastor.  Harrisville was Congregationalist and Chesham was Baptist so the pastor had to be Congregationalist  one Sunday and Baptist the next.

This is the Baptist Church in Chesham.  When Sunday services were held here when it was built it was full but by the time I came along we had the Sunday services in the choir loft and it was not too crowded even then.  My favorite minister was Mr. Kazer who always started his sermon with a joke on which ever denomination he was not that Sunday.  Of course I only remember the jokes that were told on the Baptists.  That was like the little boy who had baby kittens born that week so when he went to church he ask the paster to come to the house the baptize this  Baptist kittens.  The minister was busy that week so forgot to go.  The following week when he saw the little boy he remembered so after the service he said to the boy, I will come over and baptize you Baptist kittens this after noon.  “Oh, no said the boy my kittens are Congregationalists.”  I thought they were Baptist!”  said the surprized minister.  “Oh,” said the boy,  “that was before they got their eyes open.”    I have told that story for 70 years and it sounds it, Right?

This is the store.  The town hall “Eagle Hall”  was in the back and an apartment over the store.  The library was next to it later when I was young.  The road from Chesham to Dublin that went right through Harrisville, split here into Mill Hill and Church Hill.  We used to slid down Church Hill in the winter but had to be very carefull when we got to the bottom as the two roads joined at the bottom and the cars were coming down Mill Hill at the same time.

Sun   July 1  Hot  did not go to church  had Carl so couldn’t.  Guy did not go was away all day with a grange        Carl weighed 14 lb.  Guy away tonight.

Mon.  July 2   fair & hot   Did my house work & took care of Carl.   Guy away tonight.

Tues.  July 3  Fair & hot   Did house work and took care of Carl  he has been good all time.  Buy took us to Keene  had my hair cut , got him some new bands.  Guy away all night.

Wed   July 4   Fair & hot   did my work & took care of Carl  S.P. went with the Tuttles.

Thur.  July 5  Fair & hot   Did my work and went to station to meet Angie with Carl.  He was glad to see her.

Fri.  July 6  Fair & cool   worked in mill    Guy went away today for several days.

Sat  July 7  Fair & hot  did my work.  clarence & John came today.  Carl rather fussy.

Sun  July 8  Fair   Went to church the boys went home this P.M.  Carl mesured 26 in  14 lb.

Mon. July 9    Fair  Washed & painted the toilet.  S.P. went to Keene.  (This was an outhouse toilet)

Tue.  July 10  Fair with shower   did my house work and ironed.  Guy away.  S.P. went to work to day.

Wed.  July 11  Fair  did house work and papered the toilet.   Guy away  Mrs. Brooks went up home for the day.

Thur.  July 12  Fair & hot   did house work    took Angie & Carl with Guy & I to Wilton.  Saw the Wheeler’s.  Called at mr Chatman  also Aunt Lucy Wright.  S.P.  worked to-day.

Dora did not write anything from July 13  – July 19.  I must go make breakfast.  Will finish when I can.  Have a great day.