1909 - 1927 ORIGINAL GROUP OF FOUR [4] MANUSCRIPT DIARIES HANDWRITTEN BY AN ENGLISHMAN RECENTLY SETTLED WITH HIS FAMILY IN SAN DIEGO DETAILING A LIFE THROUGH THE EYES OF THOSE NEWLY ARRIVED

On offer is a super group of four [4] original manuscript diaries with entries dated 1909 - 1927 handwritten by a recent British immigrant to San Diego California. While the first three books are lesser and sporadically written they along with the full 4th book covering 1918 - 1927 make for an excellent detailed account of life San Diego in the early 20th Century. From references to community happenings such as a new post office opening to prices for various goods and services to one of the many earth tremors that afflict this area, it offers a social historian a valuable window into the city's early life. Chock full of details of the writer's daily life casual research suggests that the writer is John Shippam, who along with some family members, emigrated from England in 1904 or 1905. This is supported by entries that refer to 'Cecil', his brother and 'Delia' his sister who accompanied him to The United States. There is also a reference to sending pictures back to England. Death records in San Diego, CA record the burial of John E. Shippam born 1851 and deceased 1927 Included in the 1914 diary is a typed note to "Mr. Shippam". Three diaries are by North British Mercantile Insurance Company of the type printed for use by their sales people. The 4th diary is a generic diary with blank pages. The 1909 diary has only a few entries. The longest is a cash account entry detailing the seeding and planting of potatoes and beans. The diary measures 5 1/2 in by 3 in. It is in very good condition. It contains only 3 or 4 entries - some in a form of shorthand. The 1913 diary contains many more entries. Most revolve around daily work - farming in some cases and general labour in others. His June 1st entry possibly situates his brother: Cecil and I walk to San Miquel. Total of 8 miles ... [June 1, 1914]. Sold Cockerels as fryers June 3, 2014. P, 1914}planted 4 rows of Kentucky Wonder beans ... [June 4]. Mending fences at [ ] [June 5, 1914]. An interesting entry is Aug 7th where he notes ... Posted photos to England [Aug 7, 1914] A curious entry describes an altercation with police: Myself and Delia taken to the Detective's office by [ ] Detective Burwell. Delia snatched from me in the room taking me unawares into another room and cross-questioned most illegally and cruelly (room being locked by a little mite of an apology for a 'woman' unfit for any other post .... All because of complaint that our children draw a handcart [Oct 1st, 1914]. The 1914 diary is about 50% completed. Entries continue around farming and general labour with entries also noting other pertinent events - Paid County Tax 2nd instalment $6.30 [Mar 12, 1914] It is in this volume we first encounter Jane Shippam who research shows is John Shippam's wife. Jane at Farnhams [local dentist] to have cast of palate taken Teeth to be made for $14.50 [Apr 10] Included in the diary are 21 clipping from death notices in the local paper. They are variously dated in the early 1920's. Many of these people emigrated from the United Kingdom and once could surmise that they were known to each other. The 4th diary is 100% complete. It spans the years 1918 until 1927. The pages are bland and entries are dated as they are made. The book measures 4 1/2 in by 3 in and is in reasonable condition all pages are intact. Although densely packed with entries, there is not necessarily an entry for each day. Much more detail about day-to-day life is included Delia took car out for first time. She toured the neighbourhood running 4 miles. I was in car with her. She managed well [June 26, 1921] This morning took [our] goat Goldie up to Mr. Fevros buck and paid $1.00 leaving her there.... Took her away - no effect .... Goldie crying so took her up to Fevros again - she mated [Sept 26 - Oct 3, 1921] Jane and Delia visited Dr. Wilship in consultation of Jane's illness. Diagnosis - neuritis. Bottle of [ ] and advice to keep quiet [Mar 22, 1922] New directory for 1923 just out. Gives estimated population of San Diego as 116,876 being 8, 124 short of a quarter million [Aug 30, 1923] A couple of minutes before 11pm was awakened by quite a heavy lurch of the house by earthquake tremor [Sept 29, 1924] ; Manuscript; 32mo - over 4" - 5" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, JOHN ELLIS SHIPPAM, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHWESTERN USA, WEST COAST, BRITISH IMMIGRANTS WHO SETTLED IN SAN DIEGO, ENGLISH IMMIGRANTS, WWI, WW1, WORLD WAR ONE ERA, AMERICANA, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, DIARY, DIARIES, JOURNALS, PERSONAL HISTORY, SOCIAL HISTORY, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, DOCUMENT, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MANUSKRIPT, PAPIER OGGETTO D'ANTIQUARIATO, ATTO, VELINA, DOCUMENTO, MANOSCRITTO, CARTA ANTIGÜEDAD, HECHO, VITELA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITO, PAPEL