On offer is the 1877 diary of a noted lawyer, newspaper editor and politician. William Uhler Hensel was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1851. Upon graduation, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1873. A year later, he purchased a half interest in the local newspaper, becoming its editor. His dual career prospered and along with it his involvement in local politics. He became very active in state politics and served four consecutive terms as state Democratic Party Chairman. He was also active in national politics, writing campaign material and biographies for Democratic cand... View More...
On offer is a handwritten diary/journal - "The American Diary for 1853 and Reference Book for Business and Professional Business Men, Housekeepers, Travelers, and All Others" New York: Published by A. Morrell, 1853". As evidenced on the fep the author states: "August 28, 1854 - William Wakeley's book Homer Cortland Co., NY." The book was used by William primarily for financial purposes but is littered with notes of local historical events, personal observations as late as 1874 and many, many companies and addresses: "Homer, December 28th 1871, William B. Coggshall, Dr. ... View More...
On offer is a superb, original diary and journal of Rufus B. Cowing, a famed Judge in New York City who presided over a number of notorious criminal cases in the years following the American Civil War. He was born in 1840 and received this journal from his uncle in 1854, at the age of 14. At that time, he was enrolled in the 'Bash-Bish Institute', a private school in the area of Bash-bish Falls, MA. The time period covered extends from 1854 to 1862 with sporadic entries for years in that time span. The first 20 pages detail his day-to-day activities as a student: I was successful in all my les... View More...
On offer is an 1846 letter, containing 4 pages of writing, detailing the incredible account of a journey the unnamed author took up to Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. It is addressed to a ‘Miss S. R. Cragin’ of ‘Westminster East Vt.’ In addition to this account, the author of the letter talks about the “Willey House” or cottage which was (and still is) standing at the time. The tragedy that befell the house and the family inside it in 1826 was an flood and landslide that killed the family of 9 and destroyed everything around it but the cottage itself. The letter begins, “Bethlehem Aug. 7, 1... View More...
