Name/Title
Diary, Volume 7, 1794Entry/Object ID
1874.150.4Scope and Content
Seventh volume of the diary of Benjamin Simpson of Saco, 1781-1849. This volume covers the period July 5, 1794 through December 31, 1794. 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.
Simpson apparently did quite a bit of plastering and at least occasionally, papering (presumably hanging wall paper), for various people in Saco. In August he spent three days papering for Col. Cutts, as well as doing some plastering for Daniel Cleaves. In September he spent four days laying bricks for Col. Cutts, several days "blowing and digging a well" for W. Moody, plastering for Jonathan Cleaves, five days laying bricks for Noah Kendrick, and eleven days doing the same for Capt. Edmund Moody. Also in September, he turned out for militia training. October saw him spending six days laying brick and a chimney foundation for Col. Cutts. In November he said he did some "papering in night for Col. Cutts" (in August he had also mentioned night work, when he was plastering for Cleaves). The weather turned wintry in November and one day Simpson said that he "laid a few bricks then came home, so cold could not work." Also in November, Simpson noted that he was laying brick for Col. Cutts at Baley's.Dimensions
Height
5-5/8 inWidth
3-5/8 in