Journal of prospecting experiences in Colorado

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  H. N. Rose travel journal

  Manuscripts

  The majority of H. N. Rose's journal covers his work as a cook on his journey from upstate New York to Texas. Rose left upstate New York on June 12, 1860 and traveled to Texas through Missouri and Indian Territory with his father, friends, and a herd of sheep. On July 2, 1862, Rose wrote that he was back in upstate Elmira, New York. Starting on page 335 is a travelogue based on the diary entitled "Camp Life in Western Texas," which reverts to Rose's expedition and informs others of necessary preparations. The spine of the journal reads "Private Journal" and "H.N. Rose Detroit."

  mssHM 83110

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  Mormon Battalion diary of Henry Standage

  Manuscripts

  Typescript of Henry Standage's diary, kept while he was serving in the Mormon Battalion from 1846-1847. The diary opens with his departure from Council Bluffs, Iowa, with the Mormon Battalion in July 1846. It traces their travels across the plains, including stopping at Fort Leavenworth, arriving in Santa Fe (where he recalls General Kearney's bloodless encounter with Mexican troops, and concludes "the Lord is...opening the way before us"), trading with Alpacha Indians, the taking of "Spanish prisoners," and the difficulties of marching and moving supplies. Once the Battalion had arrived in California, Standage records stopping in San Diego only to be ordered to march to San Luis Rey ("It does seem as though we should never have rest in the service of the United States," Standage complained), drilling in San Luis Rey before preparing to march to Los Angeles, derogatory remarks about the "Spaniards" in Los Angeles, a description of the city, and his interest in Roman Catholic ceremonies. The diary ends on July 19, 1847, while Standage was still in Los Angeles.

  mssHM 16998

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  Thomas W. Thompson journal

  Manuscripts

  The diary that Thompson began upon his graduation from Harvard in July 1786 and kept throughout the year. Detailed, candid entries record the busy social life of the young Harvard graduate in Byfield and Franklin. Included are records of frequent trips to Newburyport, Wrentham, Boston, and Providence, R.I. The latter accompanied by a sketch of Brown University. In his diary Thompson recaps sermons and public lectures by Nathanael Emmons, David Sanford, Samuel Spring, and others, including Noah Webster's lectures on the English language and education; a "Lafayette evening," and other social and political events. The journal contains lively records of his encounters and conversations with Theophilus Bradbury, Theophilus Parsons, Nathanael Emmons, Samuel Spring, and other notables; many entries contain snippets of dialogue such as lively exchange on the "the manners of Virginians" including George Washington. The diary also reflects Thompson's thoughts on his reading and studies, his religious views, reflections on the nature of religion, Deism, and "natural philosophy," political opinions, and his considerable anxiety about his future.

  mssHM 39721

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  Harvey W. Brown journal

  Manuscripts

  Diary kept by Harvey W. Brown while he traveled from Boston to San Francisco, and back again, in 1868. Brown left Boston on March 9, 1868, traveled to New York, and departed on board the Henry Chauncey on March 11. During the voyage Brown described his seasickness and the death and sea burial of a man from steerage, as well as making regular notes on weather conditions and distances traveled. On March 19 Brown arrived in Aspinwall (now Colón, Panama), traveled across the Isthmus by rail, and boarded the steamer Sacramento. On March 25 he described seeing "a volcano...on the mountain...it look[ed] like a grate of live coals." Writing on his 22nd birthday, April 1, 1868, Brown grew introspective, noting, "Little did I think last year at this time I should be here or that Aunty would be sleeping in the silent grave...How the things will change in a year." But his merriment returned when he got a piece of paper pinned to his jacket as an April Fool's joke. After a stop in Acapulco, the Sacramento arrived in San Francisco on April 2. Brown worked sporadically while in California as a painter (he worked briefly on the Mercantile Library) and applied for a job in cabinet making, but on April 17 he instead "hired a store" with his friend Ned at the cost of $25 a month. They attempted to sell corn, and while Ned did reasonably well Brown failed to sell anything. On May 6 Brown and Ned moved to new rooms when Brown got an unspecified job, but he "could not stand it...It made my arm so lame I could not work" (although he was well enough to go to the theatre that night). Brown seems to have been much more interested in amusement than work, and found the time to frequent the theatre, pay $20 in gold to join the Olympic Club, take multiple day trips, play nine pins and shooting, attend an Independent Order of Odd Fellows picnic, and carouse with his friends at places like the Bella Union, where he describes one of them as being "pretty drunk." By May 21 Brown had grown tired of San Francisco and bought tickets home for himself and a friend named Frank. They departed on the Sacramento on May 22, and had an uneventful voyage back across Panama and home, although Brown did not like their ship, the Rising Star. By June 16 they were back in Boston. Brown apparently worked as a carpenter, although the last entry in the diary, made August 31, 1868, notes that he "bought out A.Polson fish market [ in Fields Corners, Dorchester]." The front pages of the diary contain various sketches, including one of a ship. The back of the diary contains some accounting notes.

  mssHM 78060

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  Franklin Pierce Mexican-American War journal, Mexico :

  Manuscripts

  Journal contains Pierce's accounts as a brigadier general during the Mexican-American War while marching from Veracruz to Perote, Mexico. He discusses the health of the troops, fears of yellow fever, camps, mules and transport, travel challenges, engagements with and attacks by Mexican fighters, the weather, and the current situation in Jalapa. The journal also contains Pierce's musings on war and includes the detailed orders issued by him on July 13. The first page appears to have been written in retrospect and describes the sea journey to Veracruz onboard the transport Kepler, which departed on May 27 and arrived in Mexico on June 27. Journal has been bound with the title "Franklin Pierce His Diary of the Mexican War 1847 Original Autograph Ms."

  mssHM 61

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  Autobiography and journal of James Holt

  Manuscripts

  The first part of the manuscript is an autobiography recorded by James Holt which covers the years from approximately 1824 until the late 1840s. It recounts his childhood experiences in England, including his time as a printer's apprentice, his religious background, his introduction to Mormonism through one of his printing masters, his disappointment that his family did not share his zeal for the new faith, his receiving word of the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith ("massacred by a mob in Carthage Jail...although many false reports had...been circulated, this we felt to be true," he wrote), a copy of his patriarchal blessing, a blessing for Sarah Rostron, parody song lyrics (I am Brave Old Oak), some family genealogy, and an extract from a work on "Apostolical [sic] succession." The second, brief part of the manuscript is a diary kept by Holt while he was living in Salt Lake City in 1853. He writes of training with the Nauvoo Legion (although he was probably already in Utah at the time) and of "suspicious appearances among the Indians" leading a group of mounted men going south to arrest all "strolling Mexicans, Spaniards and other strangers" who may have been supplying the Indians with guns "in exchange for Indian children." The final paragraph of the diary was written in an unknown hand and recounts Holt's death in 1856. Included with the manuscript are notes on the Holt family, a sketch, and two maps.

  mssHM 35255