Between the Covers

Softcover. Commercially published Pocket Diary (by Denton & Wood), for the year 1863. Contains over 365 daily full-page manuscript entries written in ink and pencil. Bound in original black leather over flexible card covers with fore edge flap, with an expanding pocket on the back cover. Modest wear and a few small tears to the edges of the leather binding, very good.

A year-long personal diary documenting the life of an itinerate preacher and public lecturer traveling among several villages and hamlets of rough prairie land west of Springfield, Ohio: an area of about 50 miles lying between Saint Paris to the north and Carlisle to the south. He begins his account at Carlisle on Christmas day, 1862 (written on the front endleaves): “Took Christmas dinner here, had a turkey. Good dinner – in afternoon went to Carlisle – Delivered Temperance lecture, church full … Spoke 1 ¼ hour … I go with the weight of souls upon my mind. I believe that we can do some good …”

The daily entries are notable for revealing the many places and names of people he met and boarded with while on the road, preaching on Sundays and several other days of the week, and also giving public lectures on various topics. He clearly knew a great many people in the area, and was often entertained with turkey and oyster dinners. The daily entries reveal how he practices his oratory and stays abreast of the important issues of the day. For example, in an entry written on February 18, 1863, he comments on the Conscript Act (enacted on March 3, 1863): “… recited logic, declaimed my speech, had an exciting sentimental discussion on the conscript act …” On June 16 he expresses concern about the war: “… Bad news from the west, Rebels are gaining. War meeting to night …” and on August 14 he describes a prisoner exchange involving “2 Rebell prisoners …” that took place on a train he was traveling in.

A compelling diary account, illuminating a year in the life of a popular itinerant preacher and lecturer in Ohio.

Item #410663