Manuscripts

Francis Asbury Conwell diary

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Description: These three items include a diary by Conwell and two related items regarding his service to the United States military. The diary (1874-1884) includes reminiscences by Conwell regarding his time with the First Minnesota Regiment Volunteers and his life post-war. It also includes poetry written by Conwell and various essays, etc. The other two items are: typed copy of "An act for the relief of Francis A. Conwell" by the 41st Congress, 2nd session, dated 1870, July; and letter by James Simpson Conwell (Francis' son) to the War Department regarding his fathers' military record and Loyal Legion membership, dated 1917, October 16 - attached to this is the War Department's response.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1874-1917.
Call number: mssHM 79800-79802
Creator: Conwell, Francis Asbury (1812-1885)

Elias S. Ketcham diary

Manuscripts

Diary kept by Elias S. Ketcham of Rondout (Kingston), New York and covers the first half of 1851. Most entries are summaries of his daily activities such as work, church meetings and visits with friends in and around Rondout. Ketcham was a very religious man and the majority of his diary is about what he needs to do to become a better Christian. There is some discussion regarding his decision to leave New York and join his brothers in California. In his last entry, June 12, Ketcham writes about the preparations he has made for his trip, and his feelings of uncertainty regarding leaving his friends and family to head West to search for gold. There are several entries dated 1861, 1862 and 1868 regarding Ketcham's boarding situation

mssHM 59423

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David S. Maynard diary of an overland journey from Ohio to Puget Sound

Manuscripts

In this journal, David Maynard relates details of his journey such as supplies purchased, medical treatment sought, as well as brief details regarding progress in his travels. Pre-printed diary filled in by hand; many blank pages. Diary bound in black limp leather, and dated 1850, January 1 - December 30. Also included is printed receipt for a $200 loan from the Banking House of Ben E. Snipes & Co., Ellensburgh, Washington, signed by Maynard.

mssHM 997

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Charles Rowe diaries

Manuscripts

Three diaries kept by Charles Rowe when he was living and working in California, Nevada, and Missouri from 1852-1864. The first diary covers 1852-1853 and begins when Rowe had just arrived in San Francisco from New York. It primarily recalls his experiences at Mission San Jose, where he worked as a farmer for $60 a month. He also describes some events at the Mission, such as a "bullfight ...at which two Indians were killed" (May 2, 1852). The second diary, dated 1854-1855, continues with Rowe's work at Mission San Jose, as well as his farm work on Captain Beard's Ranch and the E.M. Knowles Ranch (both apparently near Santa Clara, California), and his mining at Dutch Flat, California, and in Nevada. The final diary, dated 1861-1864, was kept while he was living near Springfield and Sharon, Missouri, during the Civil War. Rowe writes about troops coming to town, but most of the entries focus on his daily activities. The diary was kept from 1861-1862, but also includes account notes from 1864.

mssHM 50575-50577

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Daniel C. White diaries

Manuscripts

Three diaries kept by Daniel C. White between 1854 and 1864. The first diary, dated 1854-1858, traces White's overland journey from Indiana to California with his friend William V. Rinehart. It includes descriptions of Pawnee and Sioux Indians, crossing the Platte River, and passing by Chimney Rock, Laramie Peak, Devils Gate, and Salt Lake City. It also records White's time mining in and around Sacramento and Marysville, California, and includes some accounting notes, various poetry or song lyrics, and a description of a "hell of a flogging" that White gave to a "Chinaman" who he caught stealing. The second diary is dated 1858-1859, and records White's travels and mining experiences between Sucker Creek, Oregon, and Crescent City, California, as well as some poems and notes. The final diary, dated August-October, 1864, was kept while White was serving with the Union Army in Georgia during the Civil War. It begins while he was near the Chattahoochee River , and he also spends a great deal of time near Owl Rock Church. The diary describes various military engagements and movements, including those near Atlanta. The diary ends when White had apparently been discharged and was near Louisville.

mssHM 50564-50566

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Samuel Breck diary

Manuscripts

This diary, kept by Samuel Breck from 1841 to 1846, includes almost daily entries by Breck. In it, he talks about his personal life and family, businesses, philanthropy, the financial conditions in Pennsylvania and the United States, and bank closures, as well as local and federal politics. He talks about the government of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. He makes several comments regarding President John Tyler and his policies, Washington D.C., and Congress; he also talks about the funeral of President William Henry Harrison shortly after he was elected. The majority of the diary, however, is filled with writing regarding various miscellaneous topics such as astronomy, science, geology, religion, music, history, etc. He also talks about Daniel Webster, a friend of Breck's, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. There are also several hand-drawn sketches by Breck in the diary. One sketch entitled "A Gerrymander," shows an animal and a map of several counties in Ohio; on the same page, Breck talks about gerrymandering going on in Ohio at the time. The volume has newspaper clippings and various other items glued into it.

mssHM 75113

Diaries and account books of James Stephens Brown [microform]: 1849-1900

Manuscripts

Microfilm of assorted diaries, account books, and notes kept by James Stephen Brown. The microfilm includes fragments of diaries dated Ogden City 1860, Calhoun, Iowa, 1849, and Salt Lake 1859; a diary identified as Nottingham, England, which opens in 1857, when Brown delayed his mission work to participate in the Utah War, and traces his travels through Utah, his overland journey to New York, and his mission in England from 1860-1861; a second diary covering Brown's mission in England; an 1872 diary tracing his mission work in New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts; an 1875-1876 diary describing his travels through Utah and mission to Navajos in Arizona; assorted family notes dated 1900; a typescript of Brown's 1875-1876 Navajo diary; an 1875-1876 Utah diary; a diary dated 1892 tracing a mission to the Society Islands; an account book dated 1863-1866; and a diary dated 1870, which mainly contains account notes from 1866-1870.

MSS MFilm 00623

Francis Asbury Conwell diary

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You might also be interested in

Elias S. Ketcham diary

David S. Maynard diary of an overland journey from Ohio to Puget Sound

Charles Rowe diaries

Daniel C. White diaries

Samuel Breck diary

Diaries and account books of James Stephens Brown [microform]: 1849-1900