Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Rare Books
Achsah, the sister of Jairus
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Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Image not available
Manuscripts
Jairus Beal wrote these letters to his wife Hannah while he was away on several voyages on cargo ships. Beal includes some details about the places he is visiting and the activities on shore, but most of the details are about the actual voyage, his shipmates, and his time on the ship at port waiting for cargo to be purchased. Beal sailed between Charleston, New York City, Calcutta, Antwerp, Jakarta, Havana, the Isle of Wight, Singapore, and China. He spends much of each letter telling his wife how much he misses her and how much he wants to go home to see her; he often complains about the lonely life of a sailor and the hard life of a ship captain.
mssHM 63367-63403
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Manuscripts
The journal covers the voyage on the barque Apthorp from New York to Havana, then to Antwerp and then to Boston. Beal talks about the voyage and his crew members, but also reminisces about his youth and childhood days, talks about religion and his religious beliefs. He makes a few comments about his experience in Havana. Parts of the journal are written to Beal's wife; he often talks about their marriage, the prospect of having children and relationships and love in general. The second half of his journal is a daily log of the voyage starting March 31 and ending August 26 after their arrival in Sydney. Beal gives the ship's position, wind conditions, etc.
mssHM 72868