1856 ENIGMATIC PRE-CIVIL WAR HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT DIARY OF A PIONEER, LABORER, PREACHER AND TRAVELING BOOKSELLER

On offer is a very unique, fascinating and enigmatic pre-Civil War handwritten manuscript diary by George M. Burnett. At first glance Mr. Burnett appears to be an itinerant farm laborer but a closer reading reveals that Mr. Burnett is an important man in the community as a preacher and a bookseller. Based near Canandaigua New York he travels frequently to Shortsville, Naples, Manchester, etc. and discusses the sale of his books to other booksellers. Not easily read in spots and the book is fragile, but oddly someone has hand stitched some pages together. One such area has split open but one cannot find anything that would lead one to understand the reason for stitching the pages together. Perhaps a closer reading will reveal the reason. George mentions many dozens of people he works for and with and to whom he sells. Very interesting local events and occurrences from 'had our fish stole Vansisa drunk'; met the children of George Washington; heard that Bufus [?] wife was dangerous sick plus many, many dozens more. Preachers and sermons are also mentioned for the most part. The diary ends on November 19th as the rest of the pages are absent. Inscribed on the fep "George M. Burnett from His Sister." Also we believe the name Ida M. Burnett who is perhaps said sister or his wife. Local historians and collectors will find this diary a treasure trove of local events and genealogy given the many hundreds of names fully mentioned. Poor.; Manuscript; 64mo - up to 3" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, BOOKSELLER, TRAVEL, RELIGION, PREACHERS, AMERICANA, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, KEEPSAKE, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, AMERICANA, ARCHIVE, NEW YORK, DIARY, DIARIES, ECONOMICS, NEW YORK, CANADICE, WESTERN NEW YORK, FINGER LAKES, BOOKSELLER, BOOKS, BOOKS DEALER, RELIGION, PREACHER, PRE CIVIL WAR, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT,