, and took possession of Edgewater as his residence
on December 4, 1813. It is not difficult to understand the feeling of
satisfaction, on being established in this beautiful home, which
prompted Isaac Cooper, at the age of thirty-two years, to record the
event in his diary thus:

Moved--where I hope to end my Days--and I pray Heaven to allow
this House and this Lot--whereon I this day brought my Family,
to descend to my children and to my children's children, and
may they increase in virtue and respectability, and become
worthy of the blessings of Heaven.

This diary is hardly more than a record of weather, with a single line
of "general observations," under which head, from day to day, he makes
brief mention of his doings, social engagements; births, marriages, and
deaths among his friends; his own frequent illnesses: occasionally he
moralizes, or indulges in a bit of self-criticism. A few entries
selected from Isaac Cooper's diary will show its general character. It
will be noticed that he refers to himself in the third person as "Mr.
C." or "Mr. Cooper."

August 20, 1814--New waggon paraded, to the admiration of the
villagers.

August 30--Quilting party at Mrs. Pomeroy's--very pleasant.

January 4, 1815--Cate, Mr. Prentiss married.

February 7--Time passes heavily! Good reason why!

August 8--Laid corner brick of Morrell's & Prentiss' House.

July 30, 1816--Tea Party at Mrs. Poms. Also a party on the
Lake. Major Prevost fell overboard.

October 5--Done quilting, thank fortune.

October 25--Mr. C. set out plum trees in back yard.

October 28--Mr. C. fell down stairs last night. Don't feel so
well for it.

November 13--Took in some pork.

November 16--Mr. Phinney played backgammon with Mrs. Cooper
this evening.

November 27--A Milliner arrived with an assortment of elegant
cheap hats. (Sold a twelve dollar one! I wonder who to?)

November 28--A mystery dissolved. Mrs. Starkweather was the
purchaser of the hat.

December 4--Mrs. Cooper's neck washed--good!

December 5--A dinner party at Mr. J. Cooper's.

December 13--Dipped 700 candles.

December 16--Wine and Brandy tap't. Head combed.

February 7, 1817--Tea Party--30 besides us, viz; Mr. and Mrs.
Campbell, the Miss Starrs, Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Pomeroys, Mr. and
Mrs. George Pomeroy, Mr. and Mrs.