Name/Title
Diary, Volume 8, 1795-1796Entry/Object ID
1874.150.5Scope and Content
Eighth volume of the diary of Benjamin Simpson of Saco, 1781-1849. This volume covers the period January 1, 1795 through May 18, 1796. It is handwritten in ink on rag paper with a handsewn binding; it is now housed in a modern paper cover. This volume consists of two original volumes, January-August 1795 and August-May 1796 in the same modern enclosure. 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 did his first masonry work of 1795 in April of that year when he was building a chimney for Col. Cutts' schooner "Fox." In May he was ill for an extended period of time. On May 19, Simpson was "taken sick all day & night." He stayed sick in bed through Sunday, May 24. The following day he sat up some, the same for Tuesday, and on Wednesday was "sick or in pain." Thursday he rode to the falls looking for a doctor but "saw none." The following Monday, he rode to the falls again, "very weak." After that, he returned to various household chores and planting. In August Simpson did some papering for G. Cleaves and spent at least seven days paving for Col. Cutts. (he continued paving for Cutts in September). From September into October, he laid bricks for T. Jordan. In December, death struck the family. On Wednesday, December 9, "Mrs. Simpson got to bed with her fifth son;" this was their son Benjamin Junior. The following Tuesday, December 15, Simpson "went to the falls. Child died before my return." They buried him on Thursday.Dimensions
Height
5-5/8 inWidth
3-5/8 in