1872 + 1911 Original, Unique Cross Century Pair [2] of Manuscript Diaries Handwritten by the Wife of a New York City Publisher and Author

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On offer is a super pair [2] of original manuscript diaries handwritten by Sarah Hart Phelps Jewett who was the wife of Civil War veteran, author [sometimes under the nom de plume Hannah Warner] and publisher, John Howard Jewett. The first diary was written in 1872 when John and his wife lived in Holyoke and he was the editor of the Holyoke Transcript. Approximately 60% full, having 90 blank pages, there is still a wealth of narrative in this "page a day" diary and her entries often fill an entire page. [Remarkably the second diary is nearly 40 years later from 1911 as identified in her own hand: "Sarah Hart Phelps Jewett Swannanoa Apartments, 105 East 15th Street New York City." This second diary is 95% with only 27 blank days and is also a page a day diary. Her handwriting is quite small and the diary is well filled with many fascinating entries. There are lots of trips to Staten Island, trips to other areas of New England, sailing excursions, Times Square activities, street cleaners strike leaving a mess in New York, murders, and all the latest news having to do with the lite of New York City including the marriage of John Jacob Astor and more. Howard is also involved with activities concerning his past life as a Civil War veteran such as conventions and exercises for the veterans. She also says in this 1911 diary that Howard has become deaf and it is very difficult for both him and her. There were other noteworthy entries include her accounts of the awful Triangle Shirt Waist Fire where well over 100 women lost their lives. Historians and collectors of New York City history will be hard pressed to find a more diligent 'reporter' and diarist. Here are some snippets: 1872 "January 15th, Howard bought me this new diary this noon and I am very glad of it. I shall try and write about something besides the weather. Howard and pa got their own breakfast and dinner today. I don't think they would care to wait on themselves the year round. Julia came back from Springfield this afternoon. She had a pleasant visit with Em. Everything seems to be all lovely down there now, that interesting son-in-law was perfectly serene. Mr. Chase called this evening. He and Howard have gone down on the flat. I don't know but it's just as well to commence this diary today as it would have been January 1st for I've done nothing but grunt and groan since then." "February 7th, Howard has some new thing in his head and has bone over to Ranlett's. Mr. Case, that horrible man who is in favor of bloomers, strong minded women, secret marriage &c. has been here this evening. Staid more than an hour. I did my best to entertain him but he is so very candid that it is painful to be in the room with him. I'm glad he has gone." "February 16th, (Just arrived in Providence) This is a beautiful morning. I rested nicely last night and think I feel as well if not better than I shall at home. Howard has gone to school with May this morning. I am here for my comfort however I think I shall get through it all right. This afternoon we had a Hack and drove all over the city. Visited the Old Ladies Home and the Reform School. I think P is a very pretty city. I think I should like living here." "February 27th, Well! One night is over. I didn't freeze for I had two soap stones and wool blankets but I didn't have Howard. I think the Piles are coming on again. Oh dear, I am about discouraged. I have been in dreadful pain all this afternoon. I couldn't get easy anyway. The folks are real kind to me but they don't know how to care for these disagreeable things. I received a dear good letter from Howard this afternoon. I was very thankful for it. I wish I was home with him." "March 16th, Oh dear. How my bile does ache. I wish I could buy a cheap man to tell my petty troubles to for Howard is sick of my grunting and I make such a fuss over every little thing. I'm no sort of a woman. I'm just sick of myself." "April 25th, This day would have been our dear little baby's birthday if he had lived. It has been a long year and a hard one for me but I know everything is for the good. I am thankful for a dear kind husband and ought never to complain. I went to Springfield with Howard today, called on Emma and spent the rest of the day with Mrs. Salisbury. Came home on the last train. Howard bought me a beautiful silk dress and I'm afraid I ought not to have it." "June 5th, It is rainy and cold this morning. Our bedstead came over this morning so we should not be obliged to sleep on the floor. I think Howard's smoking chair is a beauty and I am very much pleased with my little rocking chair, it's just what I've wanted for sometime, "To rock my baby in." "July 23rd, At home as usual. Sewed some. Had quite an entertainment this forenoon for a trained monkey and trainer of birds this afternoon which was wonderful. Mr. Amsden of Providence came this noon. Heard H. had gone to the boat races. There was no race after all, the water is rough. Howard came home on the last train.." "August 15th, We arrived in Portland off the boat Montreal about six this morning. After a fearful nights ride we were unable to obtain a stateroom. So I shared one with a Miss Lucas of Springfield, a young lady who is in _______. We had a terrific shower in the night. I never heard it rain so. Howard slept on a sofa and I laid awake in my little (sky high) bed. I was glad to land this morning. We have taken a room at the St. Julius. Had just had breakfast and now Howard is going out to look up Mr. Porter, a rebel clerk of his in the army. I have enjoyed my time so far ever so much. Glad we didn't go to Quebec." "September 14th, Mr. and Mrs. Barker have gone to Lawrence to spend the night. I feel some better then I did yesterday. I was sick and had the doctor. We had quite a Demon-stration this afternoon. The Republicans got together and raised two Grant and Wilson flags one on the hill when Mr. Ewing delivered an address and one in front of the Holyoke House while S. Hopkins and W. B. C. Pearson's spoke. The best part of it was the music furnished by the Springfield Armory Band." 1911 "January 24th, This morning Times has a full account of the shooting of Graham Phillips the author yesterday noon by a museum, violinist named Goldsborough. As Mr. Phillips was on his way to the Princeton Club he overtook him and fired five or six shots into his body and put the last shot though his own head dying instantly. He was rooming at the Rand School on 19th St. No reason is found. He belonged to a good family in Washington. Was a Harvard student of music, also had studied this year in Berlin. It seems there is still hope of Mr. Phillips recovery. One bullet pierced a lung, which may cause pneumonia. I have had quite a busy day. I intended lining my furs but the afternoon was gone.." "February 15th, Cold day and the light snow frozen to the sidewalks. I went out this afternoon on some errands. I gave papa a meal of corn beef and hash and poached eggs for supper tonight which he appeared to relish. Nothing is yet heard of Miss Arnold. It is such a mysterious case. The mother is quite prostrated over it all. I fear the girl has taken her own life. Peter is sleeping now in my lap while I am writing." "March 25th, .We have just heard of the terrible fire at Washington and Green St. Shirt Waist Factory. Suits, Furs &c. Over one hundred and sixty lives lost. So many jumped from the windows, from the 10th story. Oh, it is horrible." "March 27th, At home all day. Quite busy cleaning up the rooms. Lizzie Flint is over in Brooklyn. Bert called this noon to tell me she was coming. He has bought some land between Fort Lee and Englewood and in time hopes to build a Bungalow..It is just dreadful to read about Saturday's fire at the Triangle Shirt Factory. So many girls jumped out of the windows and others were burned beyond recognition. The city is responding to the call for money to keep the poor broken hearted families. The Mayor headed the list with one hundred, Carnegie $5,000 &c." "April 5th, Rainy gloomy day. The various women workers, Waist and Makers, all associating, joined in one great mourning procession this afternoon. There were thousands, all wearing mourning badges and carrying banners of mourning. It was a sad sight. All in memory of the 143 who lest there lives a week ago in the fire of the Asch Building. I was surprised by a call from Elsie. I did not know that she had arrived from Nassau. So glad to see her this gloomy day. They are at the King Hotel. Will sail next week Wednesday on the Majestic. They will be glad to see Albert" "May 11th, Letter from Shelia this morning. I went to Staten Island with Mr. and Mrs. Bailey this forenoon. To the Bronx this afternoon. After H. had given us a good dinner at Union Square Hotel this evening. We took surface cars so Mr. B. could see something of the country. We all enjoyed the zoo. We saw one of the keepers pose with six of the larger monkeys or chimpanzees for photos. It was interesting to see them out of doors, never before have I seen them out of the cages.." "May 23rd, Howard received a Worcester Gazette today with the Buffalo Bill advertisement and his poem to Mr. Cody. Mr. Strong sent it. We enjoyed looking over the old Gazette.." "May 30th, Decoration Day Beautiful day but quite hot. GH. Decided not to attend the exercises for the soldiers but insisted we put some luncheon into my bag and started thinking to go to the Bronx but it was so hot we decided a sail to Staten Island and it was fine upon the water. Then the pleasant trolley ride to South Beach. When we were there enjoyed ourselves. Our luncheon went well and we found a good place in which to eat it. We calculated about and took in about everything. We had fun seeing others enjoy themselves, especially the children on the Merry-go-Round. We invested in a snap shot of ourselves as a souvenir. H. thinks they are at least worth ten cents.." "June 21st, Fine day for Howard's Reunion. Ed called with his auto and took us down to meet Shelia and Hattie and then to Hotel Kimball. When we watched the veterans from the balcony and listened to the speaking, music and Howard's poem we had such a happy time looking down upon them all. Mr. Maxam read the poem quite well, although not as much of a voice as I experienced. Howard's remarks were brief and natural. After the show we went back to the Bailey's and had a pleasant evening." "July 16th, Pleasant bright day for our visit with the Atwood's. We got an early start this morning and arrived there by ten. After awhile Mr. A came with his auto and the lunch baskets were all packed and we soon loaded into the machine and off to call on some friends of the Atwood's who were going along in their machine in company with us. It was one long ride with pretty villages. Everything fresh and lovely. Some of the roads were poor and gave us some jolting. At last the Momek (?) Road was reached which was fine all the way to Long Beach. We found an interesting place, quite nice and defined by New York's Atlantic City. We had our nice luncheon and all enjoyed it very much. We found many auto arties ahead of us so the place was lined with machines. The Nassau is a fine new Hotel and seemed to be thronged with stylish people. We sat off the balcony until we were rested and then another long ride back taking in Prospect Park which is beautiful." "July 29th, Busy this morning. Went out as usual Saturday. Think we have food enough for over Sunday. Howard seemed tired and rotten this afternoon. Thought he would go out somewhere! I thought I would stay home and rest my leg but back he came after awhile and I decided to go with him. Somewhere, anywhere. I knew he would not go alone. Well we found ourselves on a Street car and some hobbling upon a Coney Island Steamer. The sail was perfectly delightful and I was glad I had made the effort. We landed at "Steeple Chase Pier" where I had never been, as we always were to "Dreamland" now burned down. Still we had our money's worth of fun just watching the crowd. We had our frankfurters and lager. Then sailed home in the moonlight" "August 9th, Very hot day. H. came home for a short rest and light luncheon. We are both feeling the heat. No letter from our girlie today. Mayor Gaynor was presented with a large Loving Cup today. It being a year to day the he was shot by a discharged deck hand. It was a mark of appreciation for what the Mayor had done since he has been in office and congratulating over the fact that he has so fully recovered from the shooting. This evening H. and I sailed to Staten Island for a cooler. The moon was full and beautiful and we enjoyed every minute. I shall be glad to get into my nightie and rest. See Newport Society is startled just now over the elopement of Miss French and young Geraghty, a chauffeur and son of a Newport stable keeper." "September 9th, I was out for supplies as usual. When H. came home this noon he brought a hat. Now I am sorry for him to go out hunting so but he has really found a sweet and stylish tailored hat of black velvet rum faced with white. A pretty shape which I think I can wear. Shall put the ostrich plums upon it. This P.M. he took me out the length of 14th St. and then to 6th Ave where he selected a black suit which I think we shall like but aren't civilized clothes a nuisance? At last, John Jacob Astor and Madeleine Force were married this morning at his villa in Newport R.I. then stared off upon his yacht, the Norma for N.Y. City. His son Vincent, twenty years old, was his best man." "October 31st, The last day of the month. Oh how the days do get away from us...I am interested in the Rev. Richeson, the Baptist minister of Cambridge who has been arrested for murdering Miss Avis Linnell, a young lady of Hyannis. She died sadly for poison Cyanide of Potassium and it really looks as though he was the real villain. He was engaged to a Miss Edmond's of Brookline and to have been married today I believe." Her last entry in this diary as it is so profound: "Sorry to lay aside this diary, it's one more record of my life. Just a small slice, poorly kept form day to day. Sometimes I think I will never try to keep another but I think I might feel lost without as I have made just a little note of our lives from day to day and in a way depend upon it for reference. As I write this I am holding sleepy Peter Cat in my lap. Some how there seems to be more to him then any cat's we've ever had. He is real and clean, also affectionate and is fond of Howard. The covers of this book are the worst ever and I am way more than ashamed." The first diary measures about 3" x 5" and although the cover's front flap is accounted for, it has torn off of the binding. The rest of the cover is also very torn but the pages and binding look good. The 1911 diary measures about 3 " x 6" and as Sarah was saying, the cover is very worn and falling away from the diary itself. In fact the cover has pulled away front and back boards of the diary. The pages and binding look good though. Overall G+. BIO NOTES: Mr. Jewett, had quite the distinguished career and these diaries have a wealth of historical and significant contents. The following was taken from a book called "The History and Genealogy of the Jewett's of America; Volume 2.": "John Howard Jewett was born in Hadley Mass., January 19th, 1843. He married in Northampton Mass., October 1st, 1867, Sarah Hart Phelps, who was born in Northampton January 31st, 1844, daughter of Louis and Emma (Hart) Phelps. Mr. Jewett graduated from Hopkins Academy in Hadley in 1861. He entered the army April 26th, 1861, in Co. C, 10th Mass. Vol. Inft., and resigned August 1864 with the rank of Assistant Quartermaster and Ordnance Officer. He became editor and business manager of the Holyoke (Mass) Transcript and served in that position from 1867 to 1873, and was business manager from 1873-1896. He published the Worcester Gazette from 1896 until 1899, when he sold this paper, and has since been at the head of the John H. Jewett Publishing Co., of New York. He has written popular verse over his own name and under the nom de plume of "Hannah Warner." Is the author of "The Bunny Stories," "More Bunny Stories, 1900," and also numerous other juvenile tales in St. Nicholas, Youth's Companion, etc. Songs, (patriotic verse), "Missing None" (Civil War), "Triflers All" (Spanish War), and other articles of note." One child, Sheila Mackensie, born in Worcester, Mass., June 9th, 1882. Sheila Jewett Bailey attended the Dalzell School in Worcester. On June 15, 1905, she married William Bacon Bailey (1873-1952), son of William Leonard Bailey and Ellen Henrietta Bacon; he was a sociologist, Yale University economist, and later supervisor of the U.S. Census. They had one daughter, Dorothy Bailey, born October 26, 1909. Sheila Jewett Bailey died on April 20, 1923, at her home in Hartford, Connecticut." ; Manuscript; 32mo - over 4" - 5" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, SARAH HART PHELPS JEWETT, JOHN HOWARD JEWETT, HANNAH WARNER, NEW YORK CITY, TRIANGLE SHIRT WAIST FIRE, CIVIL WAR VETERANS, PUBLISHERS, AUTHORS, HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW YORK HIGH SOCIETY, TURN OF THE CENTURY, HOLYOKE TRANSCRIPT, TRANSGENDER STUDIES, WOMEN'S STUDIES, SOCIAL STUDIES, 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, ANTIQUIT, CONTRAT, VLIN, DOCUMENT, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MANUSKRIPT, PAPIER OGGETTO D'ANTIQUARIATO, ATTO, VELINA, DOCUMENTO, MANOSCRITTO, CARTA ANTIGEDAD, HECHO, VITELA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITO, PAPEL, AMERICANA, Show more