Daniel felt somewhat slighted because there was
no party given him, as there had been for James when he completed his apprenticeship. No
doubt James was more popular because he had spent his evenings and spare time in studying
dramatic reading, becoming a skilled actor in Shakespearean plays, and he greatly
entertained and amused his audiences.
In Daniel's daily diary dated 30 Jun 1841, he
records," Commenced boarding with Mr. Hyrum Parker at $2.75 per week, and 27 July
1841, worked for Mr. Thayer at $8.10 per day"
Daniel Becomes Homesick to See His Folks,
Returns Home
Having been away from home four years and four
months, Daniel's diary says he took passage on the steamship North America, 18 September
1841, for Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada. He arrived at Eastport at 12 PM September 20,
1841, and at St John, New Brunswick, (the hometown of his first wife) shortly after
midnight, arrived at Port 4:30 PM September 22, 1841. "After waiting a long time for
my tool box to be turned over to me I paid $3.50 Duty charges, I went to my old home in
Windsor, where I was very warmly greeted with love and kindness by his father, mother and
brothers and sisters. "
They all had many experiences to talk about and
made his homecoming a happy and enjoyable one. Daniel enjoyed the lovely home cooked
dinners prepared by his wonderful mother, with fresh vegetables from the garden, and fresh
milk from their fat cows.
Daniel, now a graduated Carpenter, showed his
skill in repairing the roof and gutters on the home, and the farm buildings and fence
about the place. While on this visit his heart was made sad when his sister Mary Eliza who
had married Isaac Carver, gave birth to a boy March 10, 1842, and five days later she
died, and was buried in Windsor.