Twenty-fourth volume of the diary of Benjamin Simpson of Saco, 1781-1849. This volume covers the period June 13, 1824 through May 17, 1826. 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.
Simpson began the volume with complaints of being lame from rheumatism in the latter half of June. He attempted to treat himself by making a medicine from lignum vitae dust and cider. He remained lame and largely at home through the summer. His sons occasionally came to help with farm work. In March 1825 Simpson spent several days hauling prodigious amounts of dung with his neighbor John Berry. He said one load required 36 oxen to do the hauling. On April 7, 1825, Simpson reported that the "Cochrane House burnt this evening, set on fire by somebody unknown." Simpson was fortunate to see General Lafayette when he traveled through Maine in 1825; he went to the falls to see the General on June 23.
Dimensions
Height
6-1/4 in
Width
4 in
Interpretative Labels
Label Type
Cultural/Historical Context
Label
On June 23, 1825, Benjamin Simpson noted that he traveled to the falls in Saco to see General Lafayette. During his tour, Lafayette made a point of using his status as an elite officer to highlight the contributions of ordinary soldiers and he made sure to spend time with his fellow revolutionary veterans. By this time, most of the officers of the war (since they were older on average) had died, leaving the younger ordinary soldiers as the last remaining living relics of the war. Lafayette’s tour helped to arouse public interest in the Revolution and its veterans and helped set the stage for the anniversary celebrations in 1826.
