Manuscripts

William Smith Benchley diary

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Description: This diary from hotel keeper William Smith Benchley of Newport, New York, provides a detailed record of the many services he provided his patrons including food, drink, and accommodations for the patrons and their animals. The diary also includes local news; state and national politics; meetings and fundraising for the Democratic Party; hotel, railroad, and other local businesses; the local economy; and personal and family news. Also included is information on the early life and the move to California by William Benchley's oldest son Leonidas Brown Benchley, who later owned Helena Ranch and founded the Golden Belt Fruit Company in Fullerton, California.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1839-1845.
Call number: mssHM 84538
Creator: Benchley, William Smith (1795-1886)

Diary and autobiography of William Huntington

Manuscripts

Typescript of William Huntington's autobiography and diary. The autobiography focuses on his conversion to Mormonism in the 1830s, and also traces his family's movements through Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa. The diary entries commence around May 1841, although they may have been written after that time as part of the autobiography, and conclude on June 1, 1845. Some topics mentioned by Huntington include the Nauvoo Legion, the arrival of Sidney Rigdon in Nauvoo, the departure of troops from Nauvoo to "arrest the murder[er]s of Joseph and Hyrum Smith," his work on the Nauvoo Temple, and family news.

mssHM 27969

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William M. Miskimins diary

Manuscripts

Miskimins' diary starts in Bridgeville, Guernsey County, Ohio and ends in Cambridge, Henry County, Illinois. In his diary, Miskimins, talks about daily farm life, chores, bartering for land, livestock and food, the local court system, legal problems and social events. Miskimins also talks a lot about attending his Baptist church, Bible class as well as raising money for his church.

mssHM 70755

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William T. McGlothlin diary

Manuscripts

Diary kept by William T. McGlothlin from Apr. 29, 1863 through Aug. 6, 1863, during the operations in Port Hudson, La., and Jackson, Grand Gulf, Canton, Yazoo City, Miss., and Big Black River, Miss. Brief daily entries discuss military operations, camp life, war news, etc.

mssNI 562

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Jacob Medtart Smith diary

Manuscripts

Smith's diary, which begins in August 1846, gives brief descriptions of the towns in Mexico in which his regiment passed and in which they camped, such as Monclova and Saltillo, Mexico. He gives detailed information regarding his regiment's marches and the miles they covered and the death of several of his fellow soldiers. Smith mentions Major Solon Borland, Major General Zachary Taylor, Brigadier General John Wool, Colonel Archibald Yell, and General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Smith gives a brief description of his experience in the Battle of Buena Vista and ends his diary with his regiment's march back to the United States to be mustered out of the army in July 1847

mssHM 63639

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William T. Cook diary

Manuscripts

Cook's diary starts on March 12 when he leaves San Francisco for Alaska and ends September 23 after arriving back home in Lodi, California. Cook talks about traveling on ship, his arrival, his daily tasks, mining camps, etc. The diary also contains lists of supplies with prices and some accounting. With note found in diary.

mssHM 83409

Diary of William Nelson [microform] : 1877-1900

Manuscripts

Microfilm of the diary of William Nelson, kept in St. George from 1877-1900. The first several frames contain a family record for William's grandparents, James Nelson and Sarah Alcock, and a biography of his father Aaron Nelson (1823-1908) and his second wife Selina Palfreyman Nelson (1843-1930). The biography describes Aaron and William's journey to the United States, their work in Salt Lake City, and Aaron's involvement in the Black Hawk Indian War in Sanpete County. William Nelson's diary includes very brief daily entries made from February 1877 to October 1900. He writes of his work shoemaking and of traveling around Cedar Ridge and Parowan playing music, often with his father. Most of the entries focus on his daily activities such as digging ditches and attending choir practice at the St. George Temple, the weather, and news about various family members and acquaintances. The final page of the diary includes notes on William's children.

MSS MFilm 00086

William Smith Benchley diary

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Diary and autobiography of William Huntington

William M. Miskimins diary

William T. McGlothlin diary

Jacob Medtart Smith diary

William T. Cook diary

Diary of William Nelson [microform] : 1877-1900