Pastor's Diary,
Scope and Content
The Pastor's Diary documents the life of a Methodist circuit pastor, salesman, and farmer from Washington, Ohio, from 1878 to 1881. The collection includes one handwritten, leather-bound diary. Salient topics cover the weather, milling of corn, raising livestock, church activities, local festivals, funerals, marriages, yellow fever outbreaks, local and national elections, and a hanging. The author also mentions twice attending a sermon at the "colored peoples camp meeting." Mentioned geographic locations are Cincinnati, Groveport, Rees Station, Yankeetown, Lockburn, Lancaster, Darbyville, and Circleville, among others.
Dates
- Creation: 1878 - 1881
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the Pastor's Diary must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Biographical Information
Although no information exists on the author's identity, much biographical data can be gleaned from diary entries. The author lived in Washington, Ohio, was married to a woman named Alice, and had more than one daughter. As a Methodist pastor of the Groveport Circuit and as a salesman, the author often traveled to Groveport, Cincinnati, Columbus, Circleville, Logan, and Yankeetown. The author also practiced a degree of farming and husbandry. After getting involved in a buggy-selling scheme, the author filed for bankruptcy, but later attempted financial gain by selling padlocks. The author was often self-professedly gloomy.
Full Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Diary documenting the life of a Methodist circuit pastor, salesman, and farmer from Washington, Ohio, from 1878 to 1881, including comments on religious practices, death and disease, farming, business, and elections.
Acquisition Information
The Pastor's Diary was purchased by Special Collections.
General Physical Description note
1 container; 0.1 cu. ft.
Processing Information
The processing and description of the Pastor's Diary occurred in August, 2008.
- Title
- A Guide to the Pastor's Diary, 1878-1881
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Emily Cook
- Date
- © 2008 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. All rights reserved.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu