THE 1882 MANUSCRIPT HANDWRITTEN DIARY OF GEORGE W. BENNETT WHITEHALL NEW YORK

Some diaries we read are so sad that your heart really goes out to them; well this is one of those diaries. Our author, George W. Bennett at the time this diary is written, 1882, lives in Whitehall, New York and is a very sick young man. He's 29 and has moved there from Wentworth, New Hampshire and has a job selling "machines". What kind of machines, one is not quite sure, but they are big but small enough to load several in a wagon for his selling trips. He also has a very sick mother back in New Hampshire and at one point makes it back just in time to tend to her right before she dies. In his diary he's constantly saying how low he is and how he wishes to go home, but alas he has to work just to survive. He also takes a break from selling his "machines" and heads off to work at Lake George taking care of the boats for the tourists to use. It is a very interesting piece of Americana, full of densely written entries. Here are some snippets: "I am most sick. It snows hard. I've got no sleigh so I stay at home. My kidney's are bothering me badly. My heart aches, wish I was in Wentworth with L…..Consulted Dr. Liston, says my spine is injured, but can cure me…..Burleigh Corps had a grand dress ball this eve. Got in at 10 am. Very tired, lots of silks out tonight…..Went out towards Fair Haven Vt. Went to state line and round by J. Millers. Home at dark. Roads are bad, nobody wants machines, wish I were in N. H. Am almost sick, God help me…..I wish I were somewhere else. I hope I shall be pretty soon. Don't know why I'm so unfortunate, perhaps I deserve it, don't know ..Man taken out of lake, dead….Don't know why I have had bad luck, tis enough to madden a man…..Took cars and came to Chubb's Dock, then stage to Lake George….Got boats all ready for the people and they used them too for tis a nice day…..went on over to Vicker's Island, party to Harbor Isle. Got in at 10:15. Bottle of champagne for me and a bottle of R. W. and C…..Ice house and meat house burned up at 7. Got trunks to dock, got boats ready and rowed 2 ladies out to Deers____.....The day was ushered in by firing cannon. Great day, big time. I don't take part. Eve big dance. I go in at 12:30 saw all I wanted and left. #35 had a racket. Miss Sophie Privouskey…..Everybody getting over their big drunk but me, I ain't well. Will Norton fooled me, big ass…..At home again (New Hampshire, Oct. 21st) up all night with mother and very sick. Looks very dreary here. You'll help us God…..Mother I am most played out. God help me to stand it and may she get up soon, is my earnest prayer. God help us all I pray…..Up all night. Mother is very low. My mother died at 8:30 am (Nov. 4th). God accept her weary soul. Oh tis hard to loose all I have in the world…." Well, there you have it and there is so much more. He also mentions many many names, some of which are; Goodrich, Nettie Wilson, Doty, Henry Douglas, Rich, William Collins, John Bogart, Titus, Comstock, F. Perry, James Whalen, Will Brown, Tillson, Peterson, Capt. Hyatt, Judge Potter, Butterfield and more. Places mentioned are; Tug Hill, Halls Hotel, Hatch Hill, Granville, Opera Hotel, South Bay, French Town, Yule House, Goodright's Pool Parlor, Hulett's Landing, Glen Falls, Ft. Edward, and more. ; Manuscript; 48mo - over 3" - 4" tall; Americana, Religion, Genealogy, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, DIARY, JOURNAL, LOG, KEEPSAKE, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, DIARIES, JOURNALS, LOGS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, AMERICANA, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT,