1859 Manuscript Diary of a New Hampshire Farmer Engaged in Community Advocacy, His Church and Supporting His Aging Parents While Running a Bustling Business

On offer is a fascinating little journal that is absolutely packed with insight into the lived experience of a mid-19th century New Hampshire everyman.

The diarist is Samuel Dresser (1796-1868). He was born in Chester, New Hampshire to the senior Samuel Dresser (1763-1859) and Sarah Story (1774-1869). In 1835, Samuel married Sarah Eaton (1800-1878) in Sutton, New Hampshire, where they would settle and farm for the remainder of their lives. They had three children, Lucretia (1836-1858), Franklin (1840-1845) and Leonard (1838-1930). Sadly, when he kept this diary, only Leonard was still alive. Lucretia had died of consumption only five months before he began this diary, and Franklin died in childhood. 

Samuel is a fascinating individual. He is a successful and hardworking farmer, a devoted husband and father, and an extremely engaged member of this community. In his diary, he discusses political engagement and advocacy, and historical data supports this, with many petitions to the government of New Hampshire that Dresser was involved with available to view. 

His elderly parents are still alive at the time Dresser kept this diary (his father would die a few months after the diary concludes) and he is working diligently to find them secure housing in their later years, including petitioning the government for support. He farms his own land and also the land of his wife’s family, the Eatons. It seems their fields are very close together. He also keeps close tabs on his community, regularly noting citizens who have passed on or come to visit. He is also very involved in his Church and it seems he helps coordinate Sunday School programs. Some excerpts give the flavour of Dresser’s writing; 

“Capt William Kendrick dies at the age of 75 yrs 4 mos 10 days of a long and painful illness supposed to originate from a cancer in the bowels” [May 4]. 

“Commenced the pasturing of 1 two yr old heifer and 3 yearlings for Mr. John L. Chadwick. And also 1 yearling steer for Mr. F. Rogers. A fine rain commenced – rained most of the afternoon and the night following” [May 9].

“Started an a petition for a town meeting to be on the application of Samuel Dresser Sen. The said town meeting will probably take place June 18th, 1859” [May 28]. 

“Raining. Nathan Eaton came here into the place about the 13th of this month to his fathers. He has been over the country much and even to California for Gold and has been prosperous” [June 17].

“Still somewhat raining. [Argued?] with Bro. Luther for the support of Father and Mother through their natural lives. I am to pay him $75 per year while they both may live after the decease of one of them one half of the above sum” [June 21, the next day his parents would move in with the Luthers]. 

“Mr. Cummings of Franklin came with Grave Stones for Lucretia Anne…Paid Mr. C. $10.00 and 12.00 more will be due, to be paid to Mr. Watson of Warner. Rain in the afternoon” [June 8]. 

“Cool and windy. Carried wool to S. Shepherd of…London 40 lbs. Came at 42 per lb. 16.80. Carried father down to Luthers. He is more feeble on the whole than ever….Got in two small loads of hay just at night…Mrs. David Morgan and a little boy came here and returned” [July 23].

Dresser is an eloquent writer who is able to communicate a lot of information in few words. While his diary is brief, his daily activities are so varied and interesting that his words provide a lot of insight into everything from community organizing to familial relationships within New Hampshire, the tragedies of early deaths and the experience of professional farming. For a social historian, this journal offers an excellent look into life in rural America immediately prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. For a genealogist, this journal contains numerous family references that reach as far away as Ohio.

This small journal measures 6.25x 4.0 inches and contains 24 pages. The booklet is not a diary per se but rather a “Counting House Almanac”. The booklet was meant to be used as an account book for individuals who had accounts with L.S. Learned in Cambridgeport MA. The cover  is a heavier brown paper and is in good condition. The booklet is bound with thread and it is in excellent condition as well.