Hello lovers of 19th Century America and Massachusetts history!
For sale are the 1867 & 1868 diaries of 17 year old Edward Preston Usher, a very smart and opinionated high school student from Lynn, Massachusetts, writing about his daily activities and his quest to become a good student scholar and citizen amid the rough and tumble politics of post Civil War America. In addition to recording his daily school routines, Edward’s diary entries contain strong personal commentary on political events and people both locally and nationally. Edward is a young man who strongly desires to excel in education and live a productive and fruitful life in the footsteps of his father, who is the Mayor of Lynn.
Edward actively participates in the local debating club and writes articles for publication in local Lynn newspapers.
He goes to school six days each week and studies Greek and Latin for hours. In his diary, he comments on the Impeachment Trial of President Andrew Johnson, the upcoming presidential campaign and election of Ulysses S. Grant, and the Congressional campaign and election of General Benjamin Butler, a personal friend of the family. He attends large campaign rallies held in Lynn for the support of Butler. He travels to Boston to attend the theater, see the circus, and visit the bookstores. Edward even works Saturday nights as a clerk in a clothing store. And, he dreams of being accepted to attend Harvard University to become a minister or a lawyer.
Here are some excerpts.
Wednesday, January 1, 1868
A Happy New Year is heard from all sides but the weather is anything but happy. First snow to the depth of 3 or 4 inches then rain and an article denominated “slush” the rest of the day. Went to school. It now numbers about 165 scholars and has a very efficient head in the person of Nathaniel Hills.
Thursday, January 2, 1868
A pleasant day. Went to school. Studied this afternoon. Am studying now at school Caesar and Cicero and various things at home. I like the languages very much and am confident that they are good cultivators of the mind. Went down to Frank’s this evening. He has got the lung fever.
Friday, January 3, 1868
A pleasant day. Went to school. Studied as usual this afternoon. I have induced 15 boys to belong to a Debating Society and the Athenian Club will rent us their hall once a week. The name decided on by the members is the Webster Debating Club. I was elected President, G.W. Barry Secretary, W.H. Gore Treasurer, D.H. Woodbury Vice-President, and G.F. Withey, Editor. Went to the first meeting this evening. 11 members were present. The subject was whether there was more to approve of then condemn in the military career of Benedict Arnold. I was appointed to maintain that there was, on which I stood solitary and alone. I am in hope that this will succeed and it looks at present as if it would.
Saturday, January 4, 1868
This morning there were a few straggling snowflakes falling through the air and they developed into quite a vigorous storm in the course of the forenoon. Went to school where the customary exercises of Declamations, Readings, and Compositions took place. Received my card for the last month as follows. All studies are marked on a scale of 10. I got Cicero 10, Caesar 10, Greek 10, Deportment 10. I am resolved that if God gives me life, strength, and health, I’ll be somebody for why should not I strive for the prize. I may not obtain it but it can make me better than I had not tried. This has been my aim for some three years now, and I intend to try and carry it out.
Sunday, January 5, 1868
A splendid day, fine weather and clear and cold and sidewalks are very slippery which makes it rather difficult to maintain a perpendicular position. Went to church. Mr. Barns the pastor preached a New Years sermon this afternoon. Everything seems to go along about the same around home as it ever does but from across the waters comes ”rumors of wars” and dire discontents. The great question now agitating this country is that of Finance and it is one that is not to be settled for some time to come, and one of great importance.
Monday, January 6, 1868
A pleasant day. Went to school. Father was inaugurated today as Mayor of Lynn. This will make his third year in that office. Studied all afternoon. I have been trying the dieting system for at least 4 months and find it is a true system. I try to eat lightly and moderately and be temperate in eating. I have not drank tea nor coffee for several months and think myself better for so doing. I have not had any sickness for some time except slight colds every once in a while. I am not so radical as perhaps some but I am sufficiently so and I find that I can study better and enjoy better health by the diet system than without.
Tuesday, January 7, 1868
A pleasant day. Went to school. The sleigh-bells are to be heard tinkling continually and sound quite merry. Studied all the afternoon. General Grant seems to be the choice of the people for the next President. Although he is not in my estimation the best man, he is undoubtedly the most available one and unless things change a good deal he will be elected. The Office of President should have a Statesman.
Edward’s two diaries are in good condition for being over 155 years old. Tight bindings and clean pages. No foxing on the pages or moisture damage. Marbled end papers. Leather covers have wear and rubbing with worn spines. The 1867 diary has a chipped spine. Measures 3” x 5 and 3” x 6”. Edward’s name on the inside. His handwriting in ink is very legible. Edward’s 1867 diary is about 3/4 filled with entries. His 1868 diary is filled everyday with entries.
And, there is a bonus antique diary that comes with Edward’s diaries! The third historic diary is written by Edward’s future wife, Adela Louise Payson in 1900! Edward and Adela were married in 1879. In 1900, they have four children, Roland, Abbot, Edward, Jr. and Albert. Adela’s writes everyday in her diary about her family and running a Victorian era household. They lived in Grafton, MA.
Her diary is in good condition for being 126 years old. Tight binding. Worn leather cover and spine. Gilt page ends. Discoloration on inside cover. No foxing or moisture damage. Measures 3” x 6”.
So, here is is a rare and fascinating husband and wife diaries although written at different times in their lives. There is also a memorial booklet on the life Adela Louise Usher (1852 - 1922). Privately printed in 1923 after her death in 1922. With family history and remembrances from her children. 39 pages illustrated. Measures 6 1’2” x 9”. Booklet is in good condition for being 102 years old. Tight binding and clean pages. Light cover wear and discoloration. (Edward died on December 26, 1923.)
Some housekeeping notes:
1. I ship only to addresses in the United States. No P.O. or APO
2. No international shipping.
3. Handling time is (3) business days. (Please note that eBay considers the first day following purchase to be day one of the potential five, and does not include either weekends or federal holidays).
4. I try my best to describe each item, though please bear in mind that I am not a professional appraiser. Please view the photos and ask any condition questions you still might have.
Thank you for your interest in this cool one of a kind handwritten diary. It has been in my personal collection for many years and it's time to find another owner. Why not you? :)