January 13 - January 23, 1854

Transcribed by Jon Skvarka, '07

Back to the Journal

The Glossary

  Letter Sent
Friday January the 13th 1854"
Rather cloudy today - arose at 6:20. was at Prof Johnson’s room-
Letter Sent To William S. Allen - gave Rhuern $50.00 - to take to Harrisburg - Attended a lecture on _________. was at prayers for the 1st time this session- after editing my recitations-retired- 8 oclock- I bought 1/4 coal $1.32
Saturday January 14th 1854
I arose this morning at ½ past 6- And Oh! Oh! How cold it is out of doors - to recitation to Prof. Johnson - After dinner I put on some clean clothes - Bought some more sigars as I cannot refrain from the great pleasure of smoking- Effinger and I was to see Miss Anne -Mollie and Maggie- from 4 to 5- As I came home I met Miss McClelan & Nealie. I walked home with them - I then came back with Miss Hester and also went in and spent a half hour. After 6a I came to David’s room - Cousin Anne sent him a letter I was able to pay Effinger - The Wild Boys- are firing squibs
 
  Sunday January 15th 1854
Was at class - my chum annoys me - David and I took a short walk- I spent my time in my room until 11- was at the Methodist Church- Professor Johnson preached - After dinner I was at Allen’s a short time- I then went out to see Miss Nealie- Stayed until ½ past 5 after ten was at Alen's a short time I then came to room and after trying to write and retired. I have expected soon letters for the last four days and am sadly disappointed each time I was at the Post Office-
Monday January the 16th 1854
I have spent this day in trying to study, although I have done but little. Attended Prof Johnson’s Lecture on humans rights - Bought 5 segars 12 ½- I have found it an utter impossibility to discontinue smoking, as I enjoy so much pleasure from it. But it draws the dollars out of my pocket rather rapidly. This has been rather a damp day. Mr. Hilman’s wife died this evening about a quarter of 6 oclock - My throat pains me some little this evening- I was sadly disappointed in not receiving a letter- Boon and myself had a long talk. - I wish I had a few thousands dollars- I would pay his board and tuition for the next two years-
 
  Tuesday January 17th 1854
This morning it is snowing and during the night it rained exceedingly fast- the ground is covered with water- Very disagreeable- sore throat still continues to hurt me. The walking is miserable to day and will continue so until a change in the air- I purchased 5 more segars $12- I say they shall be my last- I sold 3 gold pens for $34 ½ - Paid to ____ 25 cents- for ____ _____ the 17 of April to 31- Ch. W. Shreve is a haliver- Got all my things from E- I have spent the most of the day in my room- duties are suspend until Thursday morn-
Letters
“Where absent far from those we love,
Is there a charm the heart care fetter;
When years roll on and still we rove,
Is there no cure? Oh, yes! - a letter!” Snow
They live, they speak, they breathe what love inspires,
Warm from the soul and faithful to its fires,
Speed the dear intercourse from soul to soul
And waft a sigh from Indus to the Pole. Pole
At 9, I went down to Mr. Sturgeons- serving _____-Took Nealie home- spent a few hours- came to my room and commenced writing- my throat hurts me much-About 1 oclock I retired
 
  Wednesday January the 18th 1854-
My throat is worse to day. Pains me a great deal- especially where I swallow. The day has been very disagreeable out of doors- snow and rain. I was at Dunarans- They gave me some ___ ____ & _____. I did not get out of my room. Left when I went to the boarding house-I paid William Hallan// 2.00 ______ I commenced reading the Private Life of Daniel Webster- I am delighted with it and it is very interesting and well written- by Charles Lauman. “He that hath the vantage ground to do good is an honest man.” Bacon
Daniel Webster was born January 18th 1782 in the town of Salisbury, Merrimack county then Hillsbourough, New Hampshire. Ezekiel was Dan’s brother- sons of ------ Webster (Ebenezer). Helping Zeke sin Dan was put to mining once and hung his scythe on a tree.
I wrote a letter to Dr. Martin- Bern and I had a nice chat. Prof. W invited us today. Prof Marshal at 8 oclock night. I have been rubbing my throat with all kinds of grease. I smoked one sigar to-day. They irritate my throat Gave Boon books for the _____ a present - Took dinner today at the new house on Main Ave.
 
 

Received Letter
Thursday January the 19th 1854 Letter Sent
Clear over head, but damp underneath- Letter sent Mailed a letter to Dr. L. L Martin- Took my boots to Whistler for the purpose of having a thicker soul put on - Received Letter from William S. Allen acknowledging the reception of $50 and returned- any note- I have censured much time in pursuing the writings of Lauman.
“While yet the spring is spring, while earth unbinds
The frozen boson to the western winds
While mountainous snows dissolve against the sun
And streams, yet new, from precipitates run
E’en in this early dawning of the year
Produce the plow and yoke the sturdy steer:
And oval ____ till he smoke beneath his toil
And then bright share is buried in the soil.

But when cold weather, heavy snows, and rain
The laboring farmer in his house restrain
Let him forecast in his work with tenderly care
Which else is huddled when the skier are fain
Then let him mark the sheep and whet the shining shave
Or hollow trees for boats or vessels oe’r,
His saeks, or measure his increasing stone

 
 

Or sharpen stakes and mend each rake and fork
So to be read in good time to work–
Visit his crowded farms at early morn
Look to his granary and shell his corn
Give a good breakfast to his numerous Line.
His shivering poultry and his gathering swine.
Mr. Virgil says some other things
In chilling winter swains enjoy their store,
Forget their hardships and recruit for more.
The farmer to full feasts invites his friends
And what he got with pain, with pleasure spends.
Farmers chains around the fire, and talk, once more
Stories which often have been told before;
Spreads a clean table with things good to eat
And adds some moistening to his fruit and meat.
They praise his hospitality and feel
They shall sleep better after such a meal:

I am happy to say that my throat is something better this evening I smoke my last segar.

 
 

Friday January the 20th 1854
This has been quite a damp day-
Crocked Collar
Oh! I’m just come before you, Then four long with the centre;
To sing a little song, 3 Six chain, you’ll then repeat
About a crocked collar– With simple crocked down the loops,
To describe it won’t take long. To make the sides complete
So take your hook Miss Lucy,
And be sure your cotton’s strong;
There’s nothing like a broken thread
To make your work go wrong.
A chain, the length required
You’ll first be pleased to make
And their four tong; make three, chain one
L.C. mind – make no mistake

Spent the most of it in reading- Paid Whistler for mending boots– ____ _____ 50 cents- My throat this evening does not hurt me- I feel quite cheerful- My mind at this period is rather alive

If I was a married man
Sure had a little baby
I would make a little wagon cart
And haul it around some maybe

 
 

Saturday January 21st 1854 Received Letter
Sent Letter
Windy, cold, and damp- horrible walking-mudy beyond the extreem. My throat was much better this morning than it has been for some time-no pain whatever. Did not speak to day although prepared- Mailed a letter to Father-enclosed a note to Ma. Letter Sent. I feel quite in the human for study- yet a little troubled- for the reason that I have been sadly disappointed in not getting a letter from some of my new correspondents- cold great change in the weather- exceedingly cold to night- Spent my time doing but little- Received Letter from R.G. Hickerson. Wrote one of 10 pages in ____- Stone and Redden were drunk to night in Effringers room- sorry to see it- Bought 12 cent segars- I donot feel as well as I would deem to night- I returned at 12oclock
“Select Poetry”
Annie! There’s naught on earth more dear,
Than thy friendship is to me;
And while this beating heart is here,
I will be true to thee.

If storms of sorrow round thee fall,
And life’s last hopes do flee;
While we are in the world of thrall,
I’ll still be true to thee,
on the other side

 
 

Sunday, January the 22nd 1854
A beautiful day - but very cold- Letter sent- to R.G. Hickinson. I was not at class to day. I do not know that I have shall go to church— Continuation of Poetry:
Though sickness should thy path o’erspread,
With pain and misery.
And every mundane you be bled.
I still will think of thee.

And when cold death shall lay they low, low
And then from pain and free.
If I am left on earth below.
I still will think of thee.
Thats all
I have spent the day in reading- was at prayer meeting- read a great deal in the Bible- I have staid in my room all day, save the time consumed in giving to my meals-
Paid W.F. Wartman’s 25 cents- He told me about the trouble I caused with my cane and C — Great affair –

 
  January 1st In 1776 Norfolk, Virginia, burned by the English under Lord Dunmore
1811- Hamburg annexed to Napoleon’s empire
January the 2nd 1727- General James Wolfe, the conqueror of _____, an accomplished gentleman and a polished scholar, born in Kent County, England.
January 3rd 1774 – The Sandwich Islands discovered by the celebrated circumnavigator, Captain Cook
“ “ 1777 – Battle of Princeton in which Washington after several ineffective attempts to rally his harassed troops, rode before their divided lines, and reined without his horse, facing the approaching enemy
This mute appeal roused the Americans!
With a shout they advanced and were victorious.
“ ” 1837 – Ship Messied wrecked on Long Island- 108 lives lost
January 4, 1642 – Sir Isaac Newton the “greatest of philosophers” born in Lincolnshire, England
“ ” 1835 – Very cold along the Atlantic coast- the mercury congealed in Maine while in Georgia is was ten degrees below zero
January 5, 1837 – Pres Van Buren’s neutrality proclamation, during the gather on Navy Island
“ ” 1852 – Kosuth visited the United States Senate
January 6th 1759 – Marriage of George Washington, at St. Peter’s church New Kent County, VA to the widow Curtis by Rev Dr. Mossom
 
  Daily Record of the Past by ___: Perley Porre
January 15th 1746 – Samuel Parr, D.D., a learned English divine and physiologist born
“ ” 1795 – The Dutch declared in favor of the invading French Republicans and the standtholder fled
“ ” 1844 – Daniel O’Connell brought to trial
“ ” 1850 – Hungarian exiles called upon President Taylor
January 16th 1598 – Edmund Spenser, a distinguished English poet died aged 45
“ ” 1794 – Edward Gibbon, the English historian of Rome died aged 57
“ ” 1809 – Battle of Corunna, the English lost Sir John Moore.
January 17th 1685 – Boston’s harbor frozen over down to the castle
“ ” 1706 – Benjamin Franklin born, opposite the Old South church- His Father soon afterwards moved to the corner of Unionand Hanover Streets. Benjamin Franklin died April the 17 1890, Phila
“ ” 1793 – Louis XVI condemned to death, the Father of the “Citizen King” voting for the measure.
January 18th 1782 – Daniel Webster born in Salisbury, N.H., a township nearly granted to his Father and other veterans of the “Old French” and Revolutionary Wars He died October the 24, 1852- Mansfield
“ ” 1843 – Sir Charles Metcalf appointed Gov-General of Canada
 
  January 19 1840 – Antarctic continent discovered by the American exploring expedition, Com. Wilkes
January 20th 1790 – John Howard of the philanthropic prison reformer died, age 64
“ ” 1807 – The “Grand Sanhedrim” convened by order of Napoleon, met at Paris
January 21st 1793 – Louis XVI beheaded at Paris. He was crowned in 1774 and was so loved by the American Federal party, that many of its prominent mem were mourning after his execution
“ ” 1799 – Vaccine inoculation for the small pox first introduced into England by Dr. Fenner, who received a reward of 10,000 pounds
“ ” 1831 – Col. R.M. Troupe died at New York aged 74.
But the lovers cared little for what was passing around them, so they sat together, chary of words but prodigal in glances. John had not declared his passions, yet, Annie felt conscious that she was his heart’s idol- Annie had not acknowledged her concealed affections, yet John, knew that he had empire over her every thought.
 
 

January 24, 1837 – Mrs. Eleanor Jefferson died, Boston aged 101
“ ” 1838 – Battle of La-chee-ha-bee, in which Gen. Jessup defeated the Seminoles
“ ” 1842 – Henry Clay’s speech in the Senate on the veto _____


January 26 1663 – Great earthquake in New England the chock lasting half an hour
“ ” 1679 – La Salle laid the keel of the first vessel built on the great lakes, six miles above Niagra Falls
“ ” 1830 – Daniel Webster’s celebrated reply to Hayne in the U.S. Senate
“ ” 1849 – Postal convention ratified at London

January 27th 1736 – Mozart the musician composer born at Saltzburg
“ ” 1773 – Duke of Sussex afterwards grand Master of England pre-Masons, born
“ ” 1785 – Rev Dr. Samuel Mather died at Charlestown aged 79
“ ” 1847 – George Young of New York, pardoned 18 anti-renters
“ ” 1814 – Battle of Saint Dizerio between Napoleon and the allied powers

January 28 1668 – Celebrated treaty signed between Holland, England, and Sweden against France
“ ” 1725 – Peter the Great died aged 52
“ ” 1788 – Lord George Gordon sentenced to England to fine and imprisonment for libelling the Queen of France
“ ” 1814 – Battle of Brievue in which Napoleon conquered the allied powers
“ ” 1818 – Gov. George S. Boutwell born at Groton, Mass
“ ” 1848 – The King of Naples forced to sign constitution

 
 

Monday, January the 23 1854 Received Letter
Sent Letter
I think this has been the coldest day I have seen this winter – S.L. to Cousin Anne. -----. R.L. from N. Flanagan– was chewing tobacco today– read 3 pages Latin– I have been studying all day- I will commence duties tomorrow- My throat is not entirely well- still I think if I am careful I will soon be well -- The weather is so cold that I suffer in walking to the Post Office-
Transcribed on board

“Oh, Woman! most beautious of the human race,
Table Rock Niagara Be careful of a dangerous place.
Miss Martha Rugg at the age of 23,
Was launched into eternity.”

A correspondent of the New York Evening Post claims that there is much beauty in sentiment in there lines, and that they only lack the knack of expression – He gives the following improved
version
“Foolish and tact creation of the skies,
Oh woman tread with care where danger lies!
Young Martha Rugg forgot that caution here,
And perished in her three-and-twentieth year.”
I have studied my recitation so good night.

 

Previous Entry

Back to Top

Next Entry