Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Bureau of Archives and History
Pennsylvania State Archives
MG-6
DIARIES AND JOURNALS COLLECTION
Series Description
DIARIES AND JOURNALS
1763-1938.
(9 boxes)
{series #6m.1} [Holdings]
Arranged semi-alphabetically by author, with new additions added chronologically
by date of accession.
Featured are the following items:
- J. H. Bassler, Pine Grove Notebook, 1868. Notes on iron working,
irregular diary entries and accounts concerning Pine Grove Furnace. (1 folder)
- Joseph Boyd, "A Journal kept by Jos. Boyd on a Journey to the Westward,
in the Year 1808." A day-by-day account of a journey through Pennsylvania,
Ohio and Virginia, May 2 - June 30, 1808. (1 folder)
- W. P. Brobson, Diary and Journal, 1825-1826. The diary and
journal of W.P. Brobson of Wilmington, Delaware, a Second Lieutenant in the
War of 1812 and later a member of the House of Representatives. Contains personal
observations made in Washington, D. C., Philadelphia, and Wilmington concerning
such topics as the panic of 1819, slavery, industrial development along the
Brandywine, the Monroe Doctrine, quotations of Commodore Barron concerning
his advocacy of building large-tonnage naval ships, and comments on such prominent
contemporary political figures as James Buchanan, John C. Calhoun, Edward
Everett, Edward Randolph, Daniel Webster, and Governor Bell of New Hampshire.
( 1 folder) MICROFILMED - Roll 2256.
- Francis F. Brubaker, Diary-Account Book, [ca. 1847-1863].
Small book kept by Francis Brubaker of Strasburg Borough, Lancaster County,
containing diary entries of of Civil War service in 97th Regiment, Pennsylvania
Volunteers, April 8 - September 16, 1862 in Florida and South Carolina; a
ledger (apparently by members of a military company_, ca. 1847-1853; a letter
written in German dated January 12, 1879; and a list of orders for rings,
apparently for members of a military organization, [undated]. (1 folder) MICROFILMED
- Roll 1144.
- Hardie Disney, Journal, 1884-1938. The journal of Hardie Disney
(b. 1875) of West Fairview, Cumberland County, contains his record of approximately
15,000 wild fowl bagged over the Susquehanna River, chiefly in Dauphin and
Cumberland counties, together with dates and species. Information on ducks
shot prior to 1898 is summarized in the introduction. Included ia a typed
tabulation by Dr. Harold B. Wood listing the scientific names and numbers
of each species killed. Also present are 21 photographs of various species
of wild fowl, 1901-1917, newspaper clippings of interest to sportsmen and
also pertaining to weather conditions, information pertaining to river stages,
and some of merely local interest. (1 folder)
- William Henry Egle Journal, July 14, 1863 - July 15, 1865.
William Egle was a Harrisburg surgeon who served in the 47th Regiment, Pennsylvania
Militia. Includes clippings of a poem entitled "The Marching Song of
Uncle Sam's Black Boys." (1 folder) MICROFILMED - Roll 2231.
- Dr. John Ewing Memorandum Book, May 31 - August 27, 1874. Survey
Notes and narrative account kept by Dr. John ewing (b. 1732, d. 1802) during
a journey in connection with the settlement of the southern boundary line
of Pennsylvania, with brief descriptions of the physical aspects of the territory
traversed. (1 folder)
- John Fairchilds Diary, January 20-July 4, 1863. John Fairchilds was
a private, Company D., 61st Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Army of the
Potomac. The diary commences with Burnside's Mud March and also covers the
battle of Gettysburg. It is unbound, contains 10 pp., and also contains a
printed tract and a photograph of Private Fairchilds. (1 folder)
- Dr. J. Heisley Meteorological Journal, 1843-1850. Contains daily
meteorological observations in Harrisburg, including rainfall, wind velocity,
temperature, and relative humidity. (1 folder).
- D. S. Hopkins Reminiscence, February 26, 1864 - July 11, 1865. D.S.
Hopkins of Hopkins Mills, Green County, here provides a detailed account of
the experiences of a member of Company A, 140th Pennsylvania Regiment, 1st
Division, 1st Brigade, 2nd Army Corps, commanded by General Winfield S. Hancock.
Described are troop maneuvers and the battles of the Wilderness, Spotssylvania
Court House, Milfred Bridge, Ann River, Polapotomy River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg,
Deep Run, and Haches Run. Also present is a badge of the 1st Division, 2nd
Corps and an undated newspaper article entitled "The Deadliest Battleground
on Earth" describing the area around Fredericksburg, Virginia. (1 folder.)
- Templeton B. Hurst, Diary, 1864-1865. Templeton Hurst (1838-1911)
was a lieutenant in the 7th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, who presents
a vivid description of his ten months incarceration in Confederate prisons
with details of daily activities, descriptions of the living quarters, food,
and clothing prices. He was captured at the Wilderness on May 5, 1864 and
sent to a camp near Macon, Georgia. (1 folder)
- Lydia J. Hunn, Diary, 1875. A Quakeress, Lydia Hunn was married to
a retired Philadelphia merchant Ezekiel Hunn for 39 years and her children
included the prominent Philadelphia attorney Ezekiel Hunn, Jr. She often attended
Qualer Meetings that involved travel to Easton, West Chester, and Camden and
socialized with such prominent Philadelphia families as the Townsends, Shipleys,
Bancrofts, Jenkins, Whartons, Sharplesses, and Brintons. She comments on a
wide variety of social issues such as the passage of the Civil Rights Bill,
local and national politics, and the upcoming 1876 Centennial. She also provides
a glimpse of "E. Cargill's colored settlement" near Easton. (1 volume)
- Jonathan W. Kerr, Diaries, 1864-1865, 2 volumes. Jonathan Kerr of
York County depicts army life in the 200th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers,
where he was attached to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 9th Corps, Army of
the Potomac. (1 folder)
- John F. Koerper, Diaries, 1862-1864, 1871, 4 volumes. John
Koerper of Harrisburg enlisted in the 127th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers,
for nine months and served his time around the Washington, D.C. fortifications
in 1862-1863, Also present is a brief account of a trip he took to California
in 1871, (1 folder)
- James R. Lambdin, Journals, 1807-1889, and Autobioography to 1841.
James Lambdin (b. 1807, d. 1889), here provides a narrative of his childhood,
education, and subsequent life as a painter in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Ohio,
Kentucky, and Mississippi. Included is mention of such figures as Thomas Sully,
Henry Clay, and Martin van Buren [typewritten typescripts]. (1 folder)
- William T. Langdon, Diaries, 1855, 1872-1873, 1880-1884, 4 volumes.
William Langdon was apparently born in Clearfield County ca. 1828 and worked
as a rafter, carpenter, lumberman, and in the oil fields. The diaries contain
extensive references to the weather. (1 folder)
- Legal memorandum book, Anonymous, 1842-43. A memorandum book kept
by an unidentified Harrisburg lawyer containing his notes on various legal
cases and including some personal financial accounts, home remedies, list
of travel equipment, and notes on travels to the west. (1 folder)
- W. S. B. McCaleb, Notebook, 1882-1895. W.S.B. McCaleb of Altoona
created these notes pertaining to the cost of Pennsylvania Railroad engineering
work and the pay of employees. (1 folder)
- John McCullough, Manuscript, [ca. 1806]. An account written in 1806
of a boy who lived in captivity among the Delaware Indians from July 26, 1756
- December 1764. (1 original copy and 1 typed copy and photostats of pages
1 and 5). MICROFILMED - Roll 2230
- Memorandum book, anonymous, 1763-1764. Private memorandom
and pocket book record of two transactions "at this tavern" with
owner's stepfather, Ludwig (Diyer). Written in German with attached translation.
(1 folder)
- Memorandum book, anonymous, 1832-1833. Contains religious and moral
observations, attendance at sermons, lectures, etc. Includes notes on expenses.
- Jacob Miller, Diary, [ca. September 10, 1812 - January 22, 1913].
A diary Lieutenant Jacob Miller of the Huntingdon Volunteers about his march
from Huntingdon to Buffalo, New York during the War of 1812. Included are
copies of general regimental and company orders and correspondence of Miller.
(1 folder) MICROFILMED - Roll 1136
- Samuel A. Murray, Diary, August 30, 1861 - September 18, 1862. Diary
kept by Samuel Murray of Philadelphia who served as a musician in the band
of the 28th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the Shenandoah Valley. (1
folder) MICROFILMED - Roll 2231.
- Painter's Diary, 1867. Diary of an anonymous sign painter who lived
at Leesport, Berks County, and worked in Reading. He was married and had a
daughter named Gertrude who was born on March 11, 1867. Includes an account
of his brief residence and work in Indianapolis, Indiana and the trip to and
from that city.
- Personal Accounts, Anonymous, 1860-1878. Accounts of an unidentified
son of Benjamin Miller (1771-1824) and his wife Elizabeth (1768-1840) of Donegal
Township, Lancaster County. (1 folder)
- John A. Porter, Diary, 1863-1864. John Porter of Clintonville, Venango
County, was a private in Company F, 102nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers,
6th Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was captured on May 4, 1863 and paroled,
sent north on the 15th for Camp Parole in Annapolis, Maryland. Contains information
about furlough and further service until January 23, 1864. (1 folder)
- Postmaster's record of Newspaper Postage, 1870-1875. Book devised
by postmsster of Annville, possibly kept at Lebanon. (1 folder)
- Stacy Potts, Jr., Diary, 1798-1799. A colorful narrative of a journey
by stage coach across Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh and from there by boat to
New Orleans. The diary begins with an entry for October 9, 1798 and concludes
with his journey to Providence on August 20, 1799.
- John R. Schultz, Journal, December 9, 1846 - January 8, 1848.
John Schultz was a private in Company C., 1st Pennsylvania Regiment, Mexican
War. He served under General Winfield Scottand writes in depth about his service
and personal observations. (1 folder)
- Nellie Findley Shunk, Diary, "My Trip Abroad," May 10 - July
4, 1899. Diary of Nellie Shunk of Harrisburg containing an account of
her trip to Europe. (1 folder)
- A.N. Squires, Diaries, 1864-1896. A.N Squires lived in Pompey, New
York and writes about his personal life there in 1864, as well as about his
experiences on the railroad in Tennessee during the summer of 1864. The entries
for the years 1885, 1887, 1889, 1892, 1893, 1895, and 1896 were written while
he was living in Eldred in McKean County, Pennsylvania. Also present are three
undated photographs depicting gas wells west of Kane, the Tidioute and Economy
Bridge, and an unidentified scene. (4 folders, 2 of which are in box 4.)
- William Strickland, Note and Receipt Book. 1814. William Strickland
(b. 1788, d. 1854) a noted Philadelphia architect and engineer. Includes a
copy of an 1814 report prepared by Strickland, William Kneass, and Robert
Brooke for a Committee of Safety under the direction of General Joseph Bloomfield
to General Jonathan Williams concerning the defenses forthe city of Philadelphia
during the War of 1812. MICROFILMED
- Edward Taylor, Diary, September 29, 1817 - December 4, 1817. The
diary of the travels of Edward Taylor from Upper Freehold, New Jerseythrough
Pennsylvania and into Ohio, and then returning to Upper Freehold. ( 1 folder)
- Travel Journal Anonymous, [William Davy], 1794. Travel account of
an unknown Englishman traveling from Philadelphia starting on June 27, 1794
and including a description of the fork of the Loyalsock Creek. (1 folder)
MICROFILMED - Roll 3880
- Stephen A. Wallace, Diary, September 18, 1862 - July 13, 1863. Wallace
was a private in Company G, 153rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, sworn
into service in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania on September 18, 1862He served
with the Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg. There is a note in the front cover
of the diary by Ethan A. Weaver of Philadelphia, September 27, 1903. The Bates
History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, Volume 4, p. 789 identifies this soldier
as Stephen A. Wallace. MICROFILMED Roll 4028.
- Weather diaries, 1882-1927, 6 volumes. Diaries containing information
on weather conditions, crops, and flowers pertaining to the Chambersburg area.
- January 1882 - May 12, 1889 (1 folder)
- May 13, 1889 - August 30, 1897 (1 folder)
- August 24, 1897 - March 19, 1907 (1 folder)
- April 19, 1907 - May 30, 1919 (1 folder)
- October 1, 1919 - May 5, 1923 (1 folder)
- May 1, 1923 - December 31, 1937 (1 folder)
- Josiah B. Weaver, Diary, January 1 - December 31, 1863. Entries made
by a Millersburg area school teacher concerning teaching, religion, and local
weather conditions.
- R. Went, Diary, 1863. A narrative account of R. Went's train trip
from New York City to a convention held in Philadelphia. On his return trip
he visited Harrisburg and traveled through the coal regions. His descriptions
include a coal mine and the Mauch Chunk inclined plane. He also records that
"Rebels are marching on Harrisburg." (1 original volume and typed
transcripts.)
- Elizabeth Werst, Diary, 1854, 1858, 1865-1880. Descriptions
of various trips and personal observations by Elizabeth Werst of Mechanicsburg.
(1 folder)
- Henry H. White, Diaries, 1863, 1865, 1882. Henry White of Mountrock,
Cumberland County, served as a private in Company F., 162nd Regiment, Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 17th Cavalry. (2 volumes)
- Aaron B. Wissler Diaries Collection, 1872, 1875, 1878, 1881-1894, 1896,
1899-1902. (22 volumes) Aaron Wissler was an inventor and a native of
Lancaster County. The diaries provide commentaries on conditions and events
in his locality. Each volume also contains several pages of cash accounts
and other types of memoranda. The booklet entitled Wissler Family Report
that is located in the accessions folder provides additional genealogical
background information.
- January 1 - March 9, 1872 (1 volume)
- January 3 - December 31, 1875 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1878 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1881 (1 volume)
- January 29; February 25-26; March 23, 28; April 13; May 21, 23-25; August
17, 24; Sept. 7; Oct. 11-15, 18; Nov. 28-29; Dec. 8, 1881 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1882 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1883 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1884 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1885 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1886 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1887 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1888 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1889 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1890 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1891 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1892 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1893 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1894 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1896 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1899 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1900 (1 volume)
- January 1 - December 31, 1902 (1 volume)
- January 1; March 22, 24-25, 31; April 3, 14, 17, 26-27, 29; May 2, 28;
June 30; July 3, 7, 12, 1902 (1 volume)
- John Witherow, Journal, March 1 - September 6, 1814. John Witherow
of Fannetsburg, Franklin County, served as a private in Captain Dunn's Rifle
Company, 2nd Brigade, 64th Regiment. The journal provides a description of
the route of his march to Eries from Fannetsburg, and his further march to
Buffalo and into Canada, the results of the battle, and his march home. (1
folder)
- "Thos. Yates Chart of the Susquehanna," October 29 - November
3, 1850. A log of a rafting journey from Shephard's Landing on the North
Branch of the Susquehanna River to Wrights' Ferry (Chiques Creek). Includes
a detailed chart showing river currents, safe landings, and obstructions to
be avoided in the river. 1850.
- Aaron D. Hein, Diary and Genealogical Notes, 1881. Aaron Hein resided
in Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, and recorded daily activities of his life
including family births, marriages, and deaths. Also present are clippings
and notes concerning the Hein and Sattazohn families, ca. 1872-1896. (1 folder)
- Harry S. Hopper, Diary, January 1, 1878 - December 31, 1878. Hopper
(1858-?) was a Philadelphia-born attorney active in educational and legal
reform. Entries record his final year of law school, graduation, and apprenticeship
as a law clerk. Also present are his observations and opinions concerning
social and political events in Philadelphia and the nation. A series of debit
accounts appear at the end of the journal. (1 folder)
- Jacob Darr, Diary, 1864-1865. Jacob Darr was a private in Company
I, 209th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. The diary contains scattered reports
connected with army service in the 9th Army Corps, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division.
(1 folder)
- John W. Snyder, Diary, 1863-1864. John Snyder was a private in Company
F, 67th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers who enlisted on August 11, 1862
at Remersburg. He was taken prisoner at Winchester, Virginia on March 15,
1863, paroled July 18, 1863, and discharged in March 1865 on a Surgeon's Certificate
of Disability. There is a short biography of John Snyder on the flyleaf. The
diary contains descriptions of various health problems in camp and in hospital.
(1 folder, Xerox copy)
- Bertha Wold, Diaries, November 1918 - February 1919. "Impressions
of France from Hospital Train 56, 1918-1919." Describes the experiences
of a Red Cross nurse during a train trip collecting wounded soldiers for return
to the United States. (1 folder)
- Calvin Moyer, Diary, 1862-1865, 1869. Calvin Moyer taught school
in Snyder and Dauphin counties and provides insights into social problems,
personal thoughts, recipes, information about his teaching career, his pupils,
and his salary. The 1869 volume contains entries of a philosophical nature.
(2 volumes) MICROFILMED - Roll 4290
- A. A. Youngman, Diary, 1889-1905. Contains primarily weather observations.
(1 volume)
- Joseph F. Quay, Travel Diary, 1857. Diary kept on a trip from Quay's
home in Clinton County to Marion, Ohio and back. Also present is a list of
travel expenses. (1 folder)
- Abraham Beyer, Diary and Pay Book, 1872-1880. Diary and cash book
of Abraham Beyer, a farmer of Tyrone, Pennsylvania. He reports on the weather,
farming activities, personal health, neighborhood news, cash payments, and
receipts. A family Bible is filed in Manuscript Group 8. (1 folder)
- David Gates, Diary, May 20 - August 14, 1795. David Gates was a surveyor
who traveled from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and thence to Presque Isle as
a member of a surveying party responsible for locating a fort as well as surveying
land in the Presque Isle area. Included is a description of travel conditions,
individuals connected with civil and military parties, incidents with Indians,
and reports of Indian troubles. (1 folder)
- Leroy Harris, Diary, January 1, 1902 - February 28, 1903. A student
at Central High School in Philadelphia, Harris's entries reflect the interests
of a school-age boy and include photographs and news clippings, especially
of Theodore Roosevelt who spoke at the dedication of the new school on November
22, 1902 (1 folder)
- Wolff Diary, January 1, 1865 - December 31, 1865. A record of daily
events. (1 folder)
- Thomas L. Hatton, Diary, January 1 - June 30, 1862. Sergeant Hatton
served in Company D. 82nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. The diary contains
descriptionsof the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimack and also of
the battle of Seven Pines. He was wounded on July 1, 1862 at the battle of
Malvern Hill and died the next day. (1 folder)
- Anna Mellinger Diary, 1864-1866. Contains descriptions of Reformed
Mennonite life, daily events, the 1864 Confederate invasion of Franklin County
and the burning of Chambersburg. (1 folder)
- John Gardiner, Jr., Journals, 1794-1795. John Gardiner represented
the Philadelphia Committee of Merchants whose ships were being stopped and
confiscated by both British and French navies. Gardiner was sent to investigate
these occurances in the Caribbean and to report his findings back to the committee
in Philadelphia. These journals relate to shipping from and to Pennsylvania
during the Early Republic when other nations were testing the young United
States and causing financial havoc with its merchants. Includes complete transcriptions
of the journals done by family members in the 1930s and two pages of Gardiner
geneaology. A silver service that accompanied the donation is held by the
State Museum of Pennsylvania.VAULT
- Uriah W. Rogers, Diaries, 1861-1865. Uriah Rogers was from Brandy
Camp, Elk County, and enlisted in Company K, 111th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers
on November 20, 1861. He served as a corporal until discharged under a surgeon's
certificate of disability on November 6, 1862. He was drafted into Company
G, 48th Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers on January 11, 1865 and served
until his discharge on July 17, 1865. The first diary covers his service in
Company K, 111th Regiment from December 19, 1861 to December 31, 1862. The
second diary is from his service in Company G, 48th PAVV from January 1, 1865
and continues through December 31, 1865. The diaries also contain cash accounts,
bills payable and receivable, and cost of military clothing and equipment.
Rogers was in military hospitals twice during his first term of service. One
was the Union Hotel Hospital in Winchester, Virginia where he served as a
nurse while recuperating slowly at that hospital. While there he saw hundreds
of Confederate prisoners from the Battle of Antietam. The other hospital was
in Baltimore, Maryland where he also served for a time as a nurse. In both
diaries he notes the daily weather and his daily health, as well as military
duties of the day. Among other duties, Rogers cut hair or "barbered"
for many of the men in his regiment in order to make extra money. As a member
of the 48th PARR, he was present at the seige of Petersburg, Virginia and
followed Lee's Army of Northern Virginia as it retreated from Petersburg toward
its final surrender at Appomattox Court House. Also included are numerous
photocopies of Uriah W. Rogers' Civil War military and pension records from
the National Archives and three photographs one of which depicts his widowed
wife Sarah M. (Taylor) Rogers.
- John A. Magee, Diaries, 1861-1864. John A. Magee enrolled for service
on August 17, 1861 and was mustered in as a corporal in Company E, 100th Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry on August 31, 1861 at Camp Wilkins, Pennsylvania. He was
a 23-year-old Lawrence County farmer at the time. He re-enlisted on December
28, 1863 at Blains Cross Roads, Virginia and was transferred to the Veterans
Reserve Corps. Wounded in the foot at Cold Harbor on June 2, 1864, after the
war he returned home where he farmed, taught school, and wrote insurance policies.
His brother, George Magee, was also a member of Company E, 100th Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry who was wounded at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run on August
28, 1862 and died in a Washington, D.C. hospital on September 6, 1862. These
two Civil War diaries are written in pencil. The first diary covers the periods
August 24 to October 20, 1861 and January 4, 1862 to July 17, 1862 and the
second diary covers the period September 1, 1863 to August 31, 1864. A transcription
diary written in ink covers the period from August 27, 1861 to September 4,
1863. It is not known who created the transcription diary.