Name/Title
Diary, Volume 22, 1819-1823Entry/Object ID
1874.150.19Scope and Content
Twenty-second volume of the diary of Benjamin Simpson of Saco, 1781-1849. This volume covers the period October 30, 1819 through April 27, 1823. 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 December 1819 Simpson noted that he was reading the Constitution of the state of Maine. On Monday, December 6, he went to town meeting to vote for the constitution. In April 1820 the town meeting choose a governor, senators, and a representative. In March 1820 Simpson was trying to settle a land controversy among himself, John Berry, and William Sawyer; they settled things the next month. Later in the year and in early 1821 he worked on a fence between his land and Berry's. Simpson seems to be doing less masonry work as he grows older. He did do some work on his own house, laying a new floor. He did lay some brick for Deacon Scammon. In August 1822 Simpson noted that he say a steam boat from Kennebeck and that he went on board of her twice. Many times in the volume Simpson mentioned taking his wife Mercy to the home of an ill person so that she could tend to them.Dimensions
Height
6-3/8 inWidth
4-1/2 in