Description:

DIARY OF JOSHUA HEMPSTEAD
One of the more significant colonial diaries to come to market in some time, two volumes of the famous diary kept by Judge JOSHUA HEMPSTEAD (1678 - 1758) of New London, Connecticut, 240pp. approx, legal folio, [New London], [Sept. 2], 1732 - Jan. 23, 1739/40; [Jan. 1], 1741 - Apr. 9, 1749. The diary, kept faithfully each day, offers a superb chronicle of daily life in colonial New London. During Hempstead's long life, he worked as a farmer, carpenter, gravestone carver, trader, attorney, judge, and deputy to the General Assembly. The diary records events both great and small, including births, deaths, marriages, baptisms, illnesses and other important events including elections and the Great Awakening, among other matters. The diary reads, in extremely small part, [Period spellings retained]: [New London] "...ursd[ay] 11 [Jan 1732/3]... I was holding Court at P. Pritchards 2 Indians of Mrs Mannfords broke open G. Deuisons Warehouse & Stole out 2 or 3 qrts. & left the hold op[en] so that 28 gallons was Lost...they were Whipt 15 Stripes Each...Sund 15 [July]...Last night Arrived titus Hurlbutt in a Lowly Sloop from Barbados...& his Mate Ezekiel Buttlor hath been visited with the Small Pox but hath had it modestly I ordreed them to Ly at Powder island unitll further order...Sund 2 [May, 1734] go to Groton to Impanel a Jury of Inquiry to Enquire into the Death of Jonathan an Indian Child about 3 yers or more who was Murdered the Last night beat to death by his own father... Fryd. 23d [Aug.]...wee kiled my old Wild Cow yt hurt me, 5 year ago Last may, with her head Run att me & hitt me on the mouth & beat down 5 or 6 of my Teeth & other enormities then & there did against the Peace 7c & to the great disgustude of the Neighbourhood; for which She was Sentenced to be Shot to death the first time She was fatt...Wednsd 11 [Aug.] I was in Town Most of the day hold a Court at the Prison house to Judge 10 Negro men Slaves taken & Secured [in?][ Priosn Las Night for being out unreasonably in a frolic...[Thurs 28 [Nov.]...I was at Madm Winthrops assisting to get Something from a wise man & an Indian taken in killing Deer at fishers Island... Sund 13 [June, 1735]...one Lewis of farmington a young man under Malancholly Circumstances Cut his own Throat at John Harris's in this Town. he belonged to a sloop bound to Boston Lay Wnd Bound at the harbours mouth. he had a Dull knife and by that means it proved not fatall...Sund. 31 [Aug.] ...Cluided over Thick & Raind Smartly & when Mr Adams Stood up & began prayer a Terable Clap of thunder & Lightining Came Strickg meeting house in Divers places & struck Divers persons pleased God to Spare al[l] our Lives But Edwd. burk a young man...he was struck more fattaly & died...one burned a Stranger in the Gallory by stairs...Wedsnd 3d [Oct., 1736]...Joshua as he was standing on the...Tree what was fallen down Cutting off some small limbs...Mist his stroke & Cutt Right a Cross his Show through it Cutt off his Great Toe...and also Cutt off the next Toe by the Same Joynt... Wednd 4 ... " Some of the more interesting subjects including the First Great Awakening which threatened the established religious order in New England: "...Satrud 10 [July 1742]...aftern I was at Mr Millers with the Rest of the Authroity to Speak with Mr Allin a Suspended minister who is Come here from N. Haven West Side & Sets up to preach at private houses...". Judging from what was offered at the New London meeting house, one could understand Mr Allin's appeal: " Sunday the 27th [Feb. 1742/3]...I went to Town to Meeting to hear Mr Davenport, but it was Scarcely worth the hearing. they praying was without form or Comelyness. it was dificult to distinguish between his praying & preaching for it was all Meer Confused medly. he had no Text nor bible visable, no Doctrine, uses, nor Improvement nor anything Else that was Regular...he Calld the people to Sing a New Song &c forevermore 30 or 40 times Imediately folowing as fast as one word cold follow after another 30 or 40 times or more & yn Something Else & then over with it again. I cant Relate the Inconsistance of it...". The balance of the diary, covering the years 1711 - 1732 and 1749 to 1758 are in the collections of the New London Historical Society. Collectively they make the most complete and lengthy colonial diary known in Connecticut. These two volumes were part of the historical society's collection until early in the twentieth century when a member of Hempstead's family requested these two volumes returned to the family. Later in the century they came into the possession of the present owner. The entire text of the diary was originally published in 1901. Reprinted in 2009, the revised volume (titled, A Useful Friend. Pages bear extensive marginal wear and chips, overall very good condition.

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July 22, 2011 11:30 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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