Name/Title
Diary, Volume 25, 1826-1828Entry/Object ID
1874.150.22Scope and Content
Twenty-fifth volume of the diary of Benjamin Simpson of Saco, 1781-1849. This volume covers the period May 18, 1826 through June 25, 1828. 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.
By this time, Simpson was spending more time at home; many entries begin "at home tending hogs." In August 1826 Simpson helped James Lord haul his house from Buxton into Saco. That same month Isaac Lord had his leg and thigh broken when he was caught under a skid; he died during an operation to amputate his leg. On February 8, 1827 Simpson went "to falls with my wife to meeting to see a Church organized in the Baptist order, Mr. Clark to be the preacher." He noted in late April that the bridges were gone in many places, presumably because of the spring freshet. In early July his wife was ill for several weeks and Dr. Bacon had to be called. She was unwell again for weeks at a time in October. Over the course of this volume, Simpson mentions many trips made by his sons, sometimes with extra help, to retrieve hay from his salt marsh. In May 1828 Simpson recorded that "a parish meeting at the Line agreed to hire Elder Lumbers to preach half the Sabbaths for six months, the money to pay him to be raised by subscription. Those present subscribed $13." In late May, Simpson went out collecting money or produce to pay Elder Lumbers to preach.