Search

Edward D. Allen compiled this volume roughly between 1831-1839, during his time in seminary and as a Presbyterian minister. It consists of Allen's writings on temperance, copies of inscriptions written in other persons' books, resolves on the avoidance of sins (adultery, "licentiousness," and others unspecified), a list of books read in Greek and Latin, copies of letters, and his own poetry and prose compositions.

Examples of Allen's poetical and prose compositions include "Lines written on seeing some wood floating in the Hudson" and "Lines written to a sister on her birthday." He wrote about spirituality and decried the "crime of licentiousness," which he saw as becoming more severe throughout society. Also included are several letters Allen wrote to others, including one written to "Mary" on June 7, 1837.

The Kate Pierce papers consist of letters sent to Pierce by several writers, including her brother, Franklin, a soldier in the 15th New York Engineers; Edward Brady, of the 13th U.S. Infantry; and several female friends. Also included are several school exercises.

The Kate Pierce papers consist of 36 letters written to Kate, 4 school exercises, and 3 photographs, spanning 1859-1873. Kate Pierce's brother, Franklin, wrote 14 letters in the collection, describing his experiences with the 15th New York Engineers in 1864-1865. In several of these, he described his duties: on October 12, 1864, he wrote, "…our folks tore down brick houses belonging to the rebels in side of the works that we are building. You can see the avenues leading up to the cellars still remaining[.] Shrubs and bushes graveled walks all denoting that wealthy planters owned them…". He also noted his gratitude for the U.S. Christian Commission (December 24, 1864), and described a prolonged stay in the hospital, which was "warm" and a "good place to sleep" (January 12, 1865). In many letters, he requested family news and expressed pride in having a number of female penpals.

The collection also includes eight letters to Kate from Edward Brady, a musician in Company F, 13th U.S. Infantry, stationed at Fort Bridger, Wyoming. Shortly after Brady placed an advertisement requesting a penpal in a newspaper, they began corresponding. In his first letter to her (March 5, 1871), he thanked her for her "kindness in noticing my poor Advertisement (and especially from a soldier).” In his letters, Brady discussed the difficulty of educating oneself while in the army (March 5, 1871: "if one's Comrades see one improving his time by study…they would never leave off plaguing him and playing him tricks until he should quit in disgust…"). He also discussed his motivations for joining the military (March 25, 1871), described the country surrounding Fort Bridger (April 15, 1871), and recounted desertions (May 29, 1871). In his letter of July 29, 1871, Brady included two carte-de-visite photographs of himself and described a confrontation with "an Organization formed, among the Mormons for the avowed purpose of fighting against the United States in case the Law against some of there [sic] so called privileges was enforced." Correspondence from Brady ended abruptly after he asked Kate if he could write to her "as though to a sister" (December 15, 1871).

Also present in the collection are four brief compositions written by Kate Pierce: "Order of Exercise," "Imagination," "Sleigh Ride," and an untitled piece beginning "There are 'dark hours' in everyones [sic] lifetime mingled with pain and despair." All appear to date from the 1860s.

Nelson W. Winton kept this diary between 1843 and 1847, at the ages of 14 to 17, while living with his aunt and uncle (a physician) in Havana, Chemung County, New York. Winton wrote about his attendance at district and select schools at Havana, taught by Rufus Burr and James H. Gage, and at the Owego Academy. He attended Episcopal, Methodist, and Presbyterian religious meetings, as well as temperance gatherings. Winton wrote regularly about helping with labor, such as killing and butchering cows and pigs, and chopping wood. He documented leisure activities, such as sleighing, skating, sledding, attending picnics and concerts, spending time in nature with his friends, interacting with young women, and other activities. On multiple occasions, he traveled to Geneva, Oswego, Syracuse, Binghamton, and other areas in New York State. Winton regularly recorded information about events that took place on holidays, including George Washington's Birthday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. At the end of the diary (pages 106-108, 118-157), Nelson Winton copied his compositions and speeches on subjects such as a dream, Greek and Roman history, pin making, the deleterious effect of reading novels, slavery, and other topics.

Nelson W. Winton kept this diary between 1843 and 1847, at the ages of 14 to 17, while living with his aunt and uncle (a physician) in Havana, Chemung County, New York. Winton wrote about his attendance at district and select schools at Havana, taught by Rufus Burr and James H. Gage, and at the Owego Academy. He attended Episcopal, Methodist, and Presbyterian religious meetings, as well as temperance gatherings. Winton wrote regularly about helping with labor, such as killing and butchering cows and pigs, and chopping wood. He documented leisure activities, such as sleighing, skating, sledding, attending picnics and concerts, spending time in nature with his friends, interacting with young women, and other activities. On multiple occasions, he traveled to Geneva, Oswego, Syracuse, Binghamton, and other areas in New York State. Winton regularly recorded information about events that took place on holidays, including George Washington's Birthday, July 4th (Independence Day), Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year.

At the end of the diary (pages 106-108, 118-157), Nelson Winton copied his compositions and speeches on subjects such as a dream, Greek and Roman history, pin making, the deleterious effect of reading novels, slavery, and other topics.

A selection of entries include:

• 1843 November 20: Gathered a group of boys together to whip his cousin Henry on his birthday.
• 1843 November 28: Attendance at the Youth's Washington Temperance Society.
• 1843 December 2: Went to see Tom Thumb (paid 6 pence to see him).
• 1844 March 10: Heard Samuel Parker (1779-1866) preach on his missionary work in the West.
• 1844 July 8: Did not attend the circus as he "does not approve of them."
• 1844 August 22: Attended a caravan at Jefferson; description of the animals he saw (elephants, tigers, panthers, wolves, monkeys, leopards, camels, etc. etc.).
• 1844 August 30: Fire at Mr. Down's Woolen Factory.
• 1844 September 6-23: Traveled by boat and railroad to Syracuse and Oswego, and returned to Havana (description of Oswego, Oswego River, and Fort Oswego).
• 1844 October 2-3: Chemung County Agricultural Fair.
• 1844 October 18: Mass meeting of Jefferson Whigs.
• 1844 December 12: "Gov [William C.] Bouck appointed to day Thanksgiving"; description of the day.
• 1845 January 24: Temperance Exhibition at the "Brick House"; presentation of George Lovell and his decline into drinking, gambling, murder, and prison.
• 1845 March 4: Village boys organized a "Franklin Association" for speaking and debating. Winton is a member.
• 1845 March 15: Tapping trees for maple sap/sugar.
• 1845 March 27: Edward Hazen visited the school to instruct on grammar.
• 1845 April 10: District School House sold at public auction; trustees and voters allocated $2,500 to build a new schoolhouse and playground.
• 1845 July 17-21: Travel to Owego and Binghamton.
• 1846 May 12: Attended a concert comprised of a mixed race cast, with one Native American woman; visited Mr. Holden who let them use his telescope.
• 1846 May 19: Opening of new schoolhouse, with speeches.
• 1846 June 3: Co-edited a newspaper devoted to Literature, Science and the Fine Arts, titled "The Pioneer."
• 1846 June 17: Lengthy description of examinations, orations, and acting.
• 1846 August 24ff.: Lengthy description of travel by steamboat to Geneva, New York, by railroad and packet to Oswego, then Syracuse. The packet was delayed because the crew got into a physical fight with the crew of another packet. Entertained on the packet by a black singer.
• 1846 December 24: Examinations, orations, and acting.
• 1847 February 1: Attendance at Emily Walker's party, comments on the women present.
• 1847 March 18, 25: Debating and topics of debate.
• 1847 July 3-4: Travel to Geneva, New York, to celebrate Independence Day.
• 1847 August 3: Elaborate picnic event, marching in procession from the "Temple of Science" to a glen, with a brass band, exhibition of paintings of sacred history, and lectures.
• 1847 August 29: Fourth time shaving; cut himself, preventing him from attending meeting.
• 1843-1845 (Pages 106-108, 118-157): Compositions and speeches for the school, the Owego Academy, the Owego Young Men's Lyceum, and the Havana Juvenile Washington Temperance Society.
• 1846 September 18 (Pages 141-142): Nelson Winton's reflections on his future prospects as a clerk and on his apprehensions about leaving the home of his uncle, aunt, and cousins.