CIRCA 1849-1854 HANDWRITTEN DIARY 32 SHEETS OLD INDIAN BATTLE GROUND WORLDS FAIR

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Up for auction is an incredible diary that begins inAugust, 1849 with a final tragic entry in April ,1854.The diary belonged to a gentleman who was a surveyor in parts of Indiana ,Ohio and Illinois. Although his name is not mentioned in the diary I found a scrap of poetry from 1840 with the name of Jeremiah Gould written at the bottom of the sheet. There is possibility that this is the author of the diary. I believe there is enough information contained in the diary to find out who he was.The diary is written in a folio sized journal with 32 two sheets of handwritten entries filled in both sides of the sheets. The diary is quite fascinating in that the author describes many details of of his personal life. Some examples: At the end of each year he writes a summery of what happened and his thoughts about the families future.This gives the reader a more intimate picture of what his life was like.His family suffered many attacks of fever and disease during the1850's. On the other hand not all of the writing is depressing. The family also prospered at times and this is evident in the entries. The author travels to the East and does a magnificent job describing his trip to The Worlds Fair. This was the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations a World's Fair held in 1853 in what is now Bryant Park in New York City, in the wake of the highly successful 1851 Great Exhibition in London.The New York fair also had a Crystal Palace.Yet another entry is also quite fascinating when he and fellow surveyors find a old Indian Battle ground while on a survey.There is also political commentary about the Whig Party, Daniel Webster. He also mentions his own ambitions in local politics as he is elected to office. His children he writes about many times - Vernon, Marietta,and Robert. For example one of his sons Vernon leaves to study medicine.The town of Rochester is a focus of commentary often along with Mishawaka, Wolf Creek and Marshall County, and the Yellow River. In fact there is a great entry about crossing the river by horse.He writes about surveying his own land under an act of Congress of Sept 25 th . The author was a part time teacher rancher, and elected county surveyor in August 1851,surveying for a Solomon Pontius. He mentions in great detail his cattle, sheep and trying to raise crops. He also describes the political climate of the day and his own philosophical thoughts.The tragedy contained in this diary is dramatic and saddening to read. Shorty after the author attends the Worlds Fair his wife suddenly gets ill and than dies of this illness. Within a year the Author perishes as well from "Typhus" . This final entry is written by one of the family members possibly one of his children in 1854. There is So much information. Here are some brief examples of the entries again its impossible to summarize all of the content.I n the Winter of 1851 I wrote to M.D. Smith of Ohio for a flock of sheep June 1 st 1851Vernon left home to study medicine under the instruction of Dr. BrokettJuly 5 th I purchased 500 sheep of Smith. In the fall Vernon took a school over the river for three months.In December I commenced surveying my lands for Culua under an Act of Congress of Sept 25 th . In Jan I was appointed Deputy county surveyor with the understating that I should have all the business of the county.I continued to to the County surveying until the August election.My sheep became diseased and we had a great deal of trouble with them and of the 500. I had little but 100 at shearing, and all the wool was insufficient to pay the first installment of the purchase money a great disappointment.Wednesday 25 th 1852Finished the road and went across the woods to Montgomery's and thence to Barnes on the way there we passed by the remains of some shanties erected on the Indian Payment ground on the North side of Chippewa rock erected in 1836. In the afternoon surveyed a road from Barnes's to Warsaw Road. After the survey was finished as we were sitting upon a log near the Chippewa rock south of Martins Mr Montgomery picked out a bullet from a log about 4 inches from the outside of the log whits had overgrown by 37layers of wood. This circumstance gave rise from which I learned that about 50 years ago the Chippewa's and Pottawatomie had a battle at this place. Previous to that time the Chippewa occupied this county and had a town on the creek.The old town of Aubbunaublu township was also a Chippewa town. Fri April 23 Went to Richland to attend court for MotherI never saw so many ignorant a set of men nor so disorderly a court as I saw today the justice was entirely incompetent to fill his office. I am satisfied that magistrates ought not to be elected to office.For in a great majority of cases incompetent persons will be elected over worthy and competent men, while there is no one responsible for this impromptu choice. Today I had conversations with A.F. Smith related to political affairs we concluded to call a meeting of the Whig's of the county on the 22 nd of March.This close's the year 1852- a year in which I have had many bright prospects and as many disappointments but on the whole out situation is somewhat improved I have paid off some debts , made some valuable improvements upon my family and in the year to come we have all been blest with health. Sept 21 I left home for the east. Arrived in South Bend in the evening took carriage 40 minutes past 11aarrived Monroe in the morning. Took passage on board steamboat about 10 min and arrived in Cleveland about 4 pm and in the morning of the 23 rd arrived in Buffalo.The World's FairThe Crystal Palace is a beautiful building but my attention was principally drawn tot hose things which were within it- On the magnificent entrance I passed through the Austrian, and German Departments were there were an enormous variety of Knick Knacks, and manufactured goods. The brussels lace, English carpets and cloth were very superior. The statues of Italy, the innumerable toys of China and Japan, the natural Productions of America , the beasts and birds were exciting but interesting - the machinery and manufactures of the United States were excellent. ( side note there are three and a half pages relating to the fair)Oct 24 th My wife was taken sickTuesday 25 th Continues very sick I went for VernonThursday 27 th Wife apparently much better and supposed not dangerously sick. I left home and went to Union surveying for Jackson and others and continued there until Saturday evening. It being late when we came in the morning. I was aroused at night by the terrible news by a messenger who announced the terrible news that my wife was dead. Returned home immediately my feelings during that lonely ride in the night and the meeting with my family no one can describe.January 1st, 1854Eighteen hundred fifty three is passed away and what has it left me?I have been totally successful in temporal affairs. Have diminished my debts have extended my acquaintances have visited the home of my youth and have been flattered with visions of future success. but I have lost my nearest friend my family is broken up my plans for the future have been frustrated and sorrow has sent an arrow into my heart deeper that before.April 17 th, 1854Our father died this morning at quoter past tow 'o'clock of "Typhus Pneumonia" after an illness of eight days- this he give us our fondest hope and change everything around us. L.G. read more

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