Name/Title
Diary, Volume 24, 1824-1826Entry/Object ID
1874.150.21Scope and Content
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.