Name/Title
Diary, Volume 15, 1809-1810Entry/Object ID
1874.150.12Scope and Content
Fifteenth volume of the diary of Benjamin Simpson of Saco, 1781-1849. This volume covers the period July 13, 1809 through March 31, 1810. It is handwritten in ink on rag paper with a handsewn binding; it is now housed in a modern paper cover. Most of the entries are a single line. The date is listed at the top of each page, with individual entries (without dates) listed below. Simpson noted his major task of the day and the weather. His entries reflect the seasonal nature of the work of a man who owned a farm but also was a skilled mason.
In July 1809 Simpson went to the falls to “meeting to hear Elder Converse preach.” In early August he “fixed the school house;” he noted that school started on Thursday, August 3. Simpson continued to attend many religious meetings. On Tuesday, August 15, he “got in wheat after going to the Grove to hear E. Smith preach. Went to A. McKenney’s to hear E. Smith preach.” At the end of September he was working with George Simpson again, noting that he slaked lime and made mortar for John Cleaves with George. He then whitewashed for Cleaves while George was plastering. On Sunday, October 22, Simpson heard Elder Converse preach twice. At that time, he was working for Foxwell Cutts laying bricks. November saw him back at work for Col. Cutts plastering, before returning to work for Foxwell. On Wednesday, December 13, Simpson made a long entry about settling with Joseph Atkinson and paying off his note of $4.00. On December 20 he “skinned a sheep killed by wild cats.”
In January 1810 Simpson was dressing a skin for an apron and also
“fixd leather aprons.” He also hauled spars on two pair of wheels, “much better than sled.” On Wednesday, February 15, he “wrote two Indentures for Wm Sawyer and Robert McKinney to bind Wm McKinney.” On Friday, February 17, he went to E. Bradbury at Phillipsborough: “Fair pleasant open ground much clear of snow. Wheels used in lieu of sleds on the lands, sleds and sleighs on the river.” In March he was back to hewing timber and hauling logs to the mill.