“The only thing I noticed, which had undergone no change since I was familiar with it in 1836 and ’37 was Cutler’s grave. It was enclosed with a stone wall, and stood about half a mile from the river—George Y. Cutler was one of the earliest settlers in Hancock County and one of its first County commissioners—dying he was buried at this spot.” _Extracts from the Journal of One Mr. Scratch’m_ Corrected Revised & Illustrated with Notes by his numerous Friends & Acquaintance. Commenced at New Haven, July 4^{th} 1820. Finished at sweet Watertown Christmas Eve of the same year. To Miss Betsy Bellamy this Book is dedicated with the most profound respect, esteem & consideration. LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT May 1820. You that are not willing to excuse the follies contained in the following pages are uncharitable & ungenerous, illiberal & unwise—more than that you are beneath my notice and farther still, you cannot help yourselves. * * * * * _July 8^{th}_ Miss M.[51] I fear you will expect me to go to Miss Tottens with you to day—you must excuse me and endeavor to amuse yourself with Mr. Peck or some other of your numerous satellites—for my part, I intend to run off to what they call a Beach party—if one can be made out—we will go to see Mr. Pinkney and arrange matters. * * * * * The youngest Miss Lovejoy looked very pretty. Her sister’s prayerbook full of poetry, among the rest “I never loved a tree or flower But t’was the first to fade away.” The same motto came to Caroline Lord at Mrs. Lord’s party last winter—I should like to hear from Caroline. People of Fairfield County have thin lips, small mouths & small chins. (This remark is merely hazarded) _July 10^{th}._ 11 P. M. Messrs. Lovejoy & Nichols, Misses Elliot, Judson & Tomlinson & Booth 8 ladies, Pinkney & myself, a fine time. Stratford is justly celebrated for ladies, it is equal to Litchfield & superior in this respect: that awkward ceremony which is there thought to constitute gentility is here despised—I have been very politely treated here. This party was one of the greatest frolics I ever engaged in with girls. Saw the handsomest clouds I ever beheld (They make very fine clouds in Stratford as Miss —— said of the moonshine in Litchfield.) * * * * * _July 12._ The Ball was very pleasant.... Miss Tomlinson does not dance but sat diffidently by and shrewdly said as she saw the heels fly this way & that, “This is solemn business.” I suppose she thought it making a “toil of pleasure as the old man said when he buried his wife.”