Manuscripts
Journal of a Balloon Ascent by J. C. Sharpe, 1st Book, Chiswick
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J. C. L. Sismondi letter
Manuscripts
This letter was written by J.-C.-L. Sismondi in French from Geneva. It was written to his friend the Marquise de Bossi.
mssHM 81231
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Sea journal of Captain Moses J. Mulliken
Manuscripts
This sea journal records the travels of Captain Moses J. Mulliken in New England, to California, and to Singapore. The journal begins with tracking local voyages to and from Boston, New York, Wilmington (South Carolina), Newburyport (Massachusetts), Bath (Maine), Havana, and Charleston (South Carolina). Most of these records revolve around bookkeeping for costs and tracking of cargo (mainly box shooks and lumber). The majority of the journal itself consists of more detailed accounts of several long voyages, including those from Boston to San Francisco on board the "Mary Wilder" from January to August 1849 (with stops on Quiriquina Island and in Conception, Chile); from Boston to Sacramento City on board the "Rachel Stevens" (out of Pitston, Maine) from March to August 1850; from New York to San Francisco on board the "Mary and Jane" from May to December 1852 (including a stop in Valparasio, Chile); and a journey from San Francisco to Singapore via the North Pacific and from Penang back to New York from February to November 1853, also on board the "Mary and Jane." While many of Mulliken's entries focus on recording the ship's headings and weather conditions, there are also a number of personal passages. Most of these revolve around Mulliken's perceived failings as a ship's captain and reflections on his life's regrets and hopes to do his "duty to God." Also included in the journal is a newspaper clipping with a poem written "upon arriving at the Island of San Fernandes, May 4, 1849;" a copy of shipping instructions from Daniel Deshon to Mulliken, dated November 5, 1847; a description of a rule for finding time by the setting sun; and several sketches of ports, including an annotated sketch of San Francisco towards Humbolt Bay.
mssHM 72342
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Mollie J. Jones journal
Manuscripts
The journal opens on Jan. 1861, when Mollie, a vivacious and well read young woman who thoroughly enjoyed her life as a local society belle, set out to "endeavor to keep a record of passing events, and jot down thoughts as they occur." She vividly describes her friends and beaux, in particular an exciting month she spent in New Orleans in February and March of 1861, going on "shopping excursions," and attending dances, theaters, (she was smitten with a Varieties Theater production of Jeannie Deans, starring Charlotte Thompson (1843-1898) and Fanny Brown (1837- after 1870) and opera performances with Adeline Patti (1843-1919), parties, parades, and other diversions, including a visit to the studio of Alenson G. Powers (ca. 1817 - ca. 1867), the renown New Orleans portraitist. The diary follows Mollie's tortuous romance with Richard J. Hancock, 3rd Lieutenant of Co. D of the 9th Louisiana Infantry, her feelings about the war and growing anxiety in the wake of the taking of New Orleans, and devastating family news. The diary breaks off in October 1863, on the last night Mollie Jones spent in Sunny Dell. An entry, in another hand, records her death, along with deaths of friends and family members.
mssHM 62472
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Letter book of Cleophas J. Moross
Manuscripts
The letter book contains typescripts of Cleophas' letters to his parents from 1904 to 1907 (the letters are bound out of order). He writes from Denver, Colorado; Spokane, and Rosalia, Washington; Post Falls, Idaho; Ogden, Utah; Portland and Pendleton, Oregon; San Francisco (after the earthquake), San Jose, Los Angeles and Fullerton, California; Hot Springs, Arkansas; Fort Worth, and San Antonio, Texas; and Monterrey, Mexico. In his letters he talks about the activities he does in each city; the work he does to earn money (he spends some time working with the Coeur D'Alene and Spokane Railroad and at a grocery store in Fullerton); relatives he visits; and the weather and geography of each location. He also talks more specifically about the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City; the Sidney Sloane murder case in Spokane as well as Indians he sees in Washington; the conditions of San Francisco since the 1906 earthquake; and his visit to the Alamo. In a letter dated 1906, August 18, Cleophas writes "I have fallen in love with the West since I have been here and I think it is the only place." He urges his parents to sell their property in Michigan and come West as well. With the letter book is a letter written by his brother Harry to their parents, Christmas 1896, and newspaper clippings about the drowning of both Harry and Cleophas.
mssHM 75102
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J. J. Abbott letter to J. P. Carpenter
Manuscripts
Letter, written by J. J. Abbott to his friend and fellow teacher in Alabama, J. P. Carpenter. Abbott describes his journey to Mississippi, the city of Hudsonville, the school at which he is working, some school clubs that he founded, and his intent to attend Andover Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. Abbott also gives opinions about the South, slavery, and abolitionists.
mssHM 84005
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Alec J. Wilson journal of the H.M.S. Renown
Manuscripts
Confidential journal kept by a "sub-lieutenant" on the H.M.S. Renown during the voyage to India of the future George V and Queen Mary. Breaks off at Port Said, April 5, 1906. With many photographs of India, Suez, etc.
mssHM 31190