1867 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT POST CIVIL WAR DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A WELL TO DO BUILDER LIVING IN THE WINTER HILL AREA OF SOMERVILLE MASSACHUSETTS

On offer is a very interesting post-Civil-War-era manuscript diary handwritten by Orsment Woodberry in Somerville, Massachusetts, just outside Boston. Woodberry was a carpenter/builder who wrote daily in this diary starting on May 1, 1867, and ending on May 11th, 1869. At the time of writing, he lived on Central Street, in the Somerville neighborhood of Winter Hill. Woodberry was married to Miriam (Johnson) Woodberry, daughter of Philip Johnson of Newburyport, MA. They celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary on September 20th, 1867, and his diary entry that day includes the names of many of the people who were there to celebrate. Included are his sister Charlotte and his Aunt Sally M. Sargent, for whom he ends up building a house. The diary mentions two homes owned by Woodberrys family on Federal Street in Newberryport. The address recorded is 24th Federal Street. Here are some snippets: 1867 "May 9th & 10th, Pleasant. Got the deed from Currier and all signed. Saw Gallagher and settled about the house he is to go in on 15th. Paid for fixing pump. Afternoon made rounds with Mr. Pierce and freelanced to see about selling houses and took a look at the city. Got all ready to go home to SomervillePleasant. At 9 left with Charlotte for Boston 10 A. M train in E. RR. Home at Winter Hill. To dinner 1 P. M. Found Merriam no better. Potatoes planted. Looked around things." "September 20th, Pleasant. Digging potatoes. The family getting ready to celebrate our 25th anniversary or Silver Wedding. Eliza Agnes came up from N. Port. Eve all the following were present. Mrs. Philip Johnson, Sally M. Sargent, Charlotte W. Symons, Philip Johnson and wife, Fred W. Johnson and wife and son Walter. Charlotte E. Johnson, C. Woodberry, M. Woodberry, P. O. Woodberry and wife, N. Y. Woodberry, Eliza A. Woodberry, Charles A. Davis and William H. Woodberry. 18 in all. Had a pleasant time and valuable presents. We were remembered by all that were here and some that could not be present. We left before 12 M." "December 6th, Pleasant but cold. Miss Crosby came up to pass the day. Went up to the auction of Miss A. Tuft's old house and contents. Then went and saw the new chapel building by Oakman. Found Mrs. Reid here to see sister Agnes from the city. Some little snow and rain fell in the afternoon. Mr. Crosby and wife called and took Alice down to East Somerville with them. Eve some rain with high wind from south. Boys have a fine time. Two of the Hanson boys here and E. Mainard came over." 1868: "February 4th & 5th, Pleasant and more mild. About the house all day. Deed came for Charlotte to sign of the two houses on Federal Street. Sold to Dr. Gale for 4500 dollars. This is all the real estate of M. Symons. Sale is law. Pleasant and milder but still cold. About the house. Bill of Administration came for the signature of C. W. Symons. Signed and returned. Eve tea party at Mr. Stickney's and Agnes went. Paid Brook's bill of lumber. 8 P. M. Snowing." "February 16th, Pleasant, rather cool. Barker came. Brown bread and beans for breakfast. Folks off to Sunday school. E. Agnes and Alice to church. Afternoon Nick, Alice and E. Agnes went over to Phillip's and spent the afternoon. Eve folks off to lecture. Heard a crazy ridicule on Woman's rights and kindred themes." "April 11th, Pleasant after the snow storm. Boys shoveling off and making paths. Nick left for the city. Charley at work. Have to keep house. Eve snow has gone. Much today. Gov. Chamberlain gave lecture at the hall tonight. Bad walking but the folks attended in good numbers." "May 16th, Cloudy and dull. Had Dennis day to put down sods. Sturgis went into the city. Sarah came out to see us. Went in at 1 by horse cars. Sturgis out home at 1 P. M. Sort of pleasant. Bad east wind. Mr. Wood came out, said the impeachers had failed to depart the President." "August 6th, [Building his Aunt Sally's house] Cloudy. Dennis Martin and Mike Downy on the cellar. John Downey taking away dirt all day. Meserve putting down frames together. Charley sick. At noon Meserve went to Framing. Charley and Sturgis helping Pollard. Brought 4 loads of stones today. Miriam and sister Charlotte went into the city to shop and made calls, out by 5 train. Sister Agnes came up from her visit to Salem. Sturgis primed window and door frames. Fred painting house. 2nd coat. Light sprinkle of rain." This diary offers a wealth of information by way of names listed in so many of the entries. Numerous names are mentioned, including Hunt, Gray, Johnson, Gilman, Thomas Gallagher, Currier, E. L. Weeks, Esq. Pierce, C. Hubbs, Kitty Eldridge, Alice Crosby, E. Haskell, Sampson, Sawyer, Bowen, Austin, Dr. Hemingway, Cudworth, Captain Adams, John Richison, Sarah Woodberry and so many more. Orsment Woodberrys name does not appear in the diary, but it is possible to deduce his identity thanks to the large number of relatives discussed in the diary. The full-leather diary measures about 4 inches by 6.5 inches. Although the cover is worn and a bit stained, the pages and binding look great. Overall G+. ; Manuscript; 4" x 6.5"; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, POST CIVIL WAR, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, RECONSTRUCTION ERA, CARPENTER, BUILDER, FEDERAL ST., WINTER HILL, SOMERVILLE, SYMONDS, SALLY M. 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