Name/Title
Diary, Volume 5, 1790-1791Entry/Object ID
1874.150.2Scope and Content
Fifth volume of the diary of Benjamin Simpson of Saco, 1781-1849. This volume covers the period November 4, 1790 through October 27, 1791. 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 November of 1790, Simpson did quite bit of masonry work for Col. Thomas Cutts, laying bricks, pointing a cellar, and finishing chimneys, one for the Cutts' schooner "Sally." In January 1791, Simpson noted that he was hauling wood and staves at the falls. In April of that year he "settled with Col. Cutts." The next month he was again working for Cutts, this time making mortar for the Townsend dairy. That same month he spent a week working on the highway. On Friday, May 22, Simpson said "E. Simpson born," son Ebenezer Simpson (1791-1873). In September, Simpson noted that he laid rock and brick for Rev. John Fairfield. In early October, Simpson came home with "grime in eyes," which left him almost blind in on eye the next day; the following day, his eyes were improving.Dimensions
Height
5-1/2 inWidth
3-1/2 in