Diary Farmer, Signed (27 results)

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Signed By The Author On The Title Page. Cover Has A Lightened Area That Was Probably Caused By A Book Resting On The Cover And Exposed To The Sun. Signed by Author(s).

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good+. 1st Edition. College Station, TX: University Press, 1991. 1st edition, inscribed by Neugebauer on half-title, NF/VG+. Book has some wear to upper corners and spine ends, 2 small spots on fore-edge pages. DJ has wear to upper corners, light wear to lower corners, some light wear to upper spine & upper edges, wear and a small closed tear of bottom pages edges on rear panel. Illustrated throughout with b & a drawings. Includes list of illustrations, names, bibliography and index. A year-by-year account of life on the plains in north central Texas, including during the Great Depression. Nice copy. Inscribed by Author(s).

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No jacket. Macmillan, 1992. Paperback, 8vo, xiii,205pp, illust. Inscribed/signed by author, slightly bumped. A good copy. 0333524098/0.4uk . (Please note that our condition gradings are stricter than those of Abebooks and many other sellers. There may therefore be a discrepancy between this description and its listed condition grading).

Hardback. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition, First Printing. Fine/Fine. First edition, first printing in d/w not price clipped. SIGNED BY AUTHOR, PAUL HEINEY, without dedication or inscription on title-page. TOGETHER WITH THREE PRESS CUTTINGS AND A PRIVATE PHOTOGRAPH OF PAUL HEINEY USING HORSES FOR PLOUGHING, similar to one used in one of the cuttings. Illustrated with line-drawings by Joe Wright. In 1990 Paul Heiney decided to turn the clock back and realise a dream - to become a small farmer working a traditional mixed farm, using horses in place of tractors. A fine copy, in a fine d/w, of a SCARCE first edition, first printing SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR. Signed by Author, Paul Heiney.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Signed by the author on the title page without dedication. Owner's name on inside front cover. Signed by Author(s).

Soft cover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. In good clean condition. Authors signed inside of front cover. Signed by Author(s).

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. First Edition. 8vo. With jacket. 175 pp. Signed by the author (signed publisher's bookplate at front pastedown). Near as-new. NEAR FINE / NEAR FINE.

Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. Evelyn Kotai (illustrator). 1st Edition. First edition, first impression 1993 SIGNED dedication by Elizabeth Jolley fine hardback in a fine dust wrapper. No inscription. 95 pages. Illustrations by Evelyn Kotai. Signed by Author(s).

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. Astri J. Robinson (illustrator). 1st Edition. 2004, 1st edition. Signed by the editor. Paperback. Octavo. 16cm x 23cm approx. 111pp. Illustrated. Card covers. Light general wear. A 'Very Good' copy. Signed by Author(s).

Hard Cover. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Signed by the author on the title page. Fine copy in fine dw. Signed by The Author.

1st edition softback with stiff wrappers Nice copy octavo 221pp., b/w pls., maps, bibliog., index, Account of the young 23 year old farmer's mini grand tour through England. Signed by Martin Davis (the author's great, great grandfather) on the title-page. Loosely inserted a signed postcard depicting a bull bred by Peter Davis with an inscription by him.

5 volumes, complete. 206pp; 207pp; 221pp; 221pp; 338pp. Illustrations by Turnbull. Decorative boards. VG. Volumes 4 & 5 are complete with dustwrappers. Volumes 1, 2 & 3 are without dustwrapper (as issued). Volume 1 is a presentation copy signed by the author. [a complete compilation of Charlie Allan's contributions to a weekly column in the Glasgow Herald published between October 1989 and February 1998. Humorous in style, they give an account of many of his experiences of farming at Little Ardo, Methlick, Aberdeenshire].

Softcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. First Edition. 387 pages (complete). Inscribed by Vida van Niekerk (dated January 2009) on the frontispage. A gentle book. The covers have some light wear and user creases about the seams. There is also scuffing. Within, the contents are smart and confident, clean and clear, affectionate and assured. fk. Our orders are shipped using tracked courier delivery services. Signed.

Softcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. First Edition. 388 pages (complete). Signed by Vida van Niekerk on the frontispage. A genial copy. The covers have handling wear to the edges and spine seams. There is scuffing and some very light marking. Inside, the frontispage has mild user wear and marking. Beyond this the pages are very clean, very clear, comfortable, friendly and generous. fk. Our orders are shipped using tracked courier delivery services. Signed.

8vo. 23.3cm x 16cm . Signed by the author: Dedication to front free-endpaper reads; " With best wishes to Mrs Alington & Hester From Edw. Pyne 15 Feb 1940 " . pp.56. Clean text throughout with 5 black & white full-page photos (including frontis). Chapter headings include: Youthul days; My First Ride With Hounds; A Fatal Accident; Cast Army Horses; Point-To-Points And Stag Hunting; Letters (first published in "The Field" ). Blue-grey boards with dulled gilt titles, edges rubbed. G+ . Very Scarce!

Cloth. Condition: Very Good. Not Stated (illustrator). A signed copy of Pyne's very scarce memoirs of his hunting experiences. In the original cloth binding. Signed by the author to the front free end paper. Frontispiece depicts the author and his family, and 4 further plates. Pyne's anecdotes of his hunting experiences from the age of 17, with some descriptions of point-to-point races, many descriptions of horses, and a list of injuries that he endured. Two letters to the rear that were published in The Field Magazine. In the original cloth binding. Externally very smart, with some sunning, wear to the head of the spine, and a small stain to the front board. Internally, binding is generally firm except for some strain at pages 16/17. Pages bright and clean, with some spotting to the first and last pages. Very Good. signed by author. book.

Cloth. Condition: Very Good. None (illustrator). First edition. A scarce first edition of this amateur farmer"s practical and anecdotal record of small-scale farming, a presentation copy inscribed by the author. In the publisher's original green cloth binding.First edition.A presentation copy inscribed by the author to the front free endpaper: "F. Morshead, With the Author"s love & thanks, Dec. 5. 1861."A practical and anecdotal record of small-scale farming by the Rev. William Holt Beever, illustrated with a prize essay on agricultural tenancy reprinted from the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, with observations on livestock management, fieldwork, and rural improvement. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Slight rubbing and bumping to extremities. The odd small peroration mark to cloth of rear board. One or two very minor handling marks to boards. Author's inscription to front free endpaper. Slight cockling to fore edge of endpapers. Internally, firmly bound. Hinges cracked in places, with binding materials partially exposed, but firm. Pages bright and clean with one or two spots and slight handling marks to fore edge. Slight cockling to pages, more so to rear. Very Good. signed by author. book.

First Edition. Fair to good copy in the original vellum-covered boards. Age-toned and worn, with some surface loss. Farmer's name on spine and front cover. Pages dust-toned with some scattered spots of foxing. Remains quite well-preserved. Further scans, images etc. and additional bibliographical material available on request. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 1 pages; A rare and original 19th century farmer's account book and diary. Unpaginated, 16 x 10 cm. Contents include handwritten entries regarding farm management and accounts. The dates range from 1846-1856. About 1/3 of the book is filled with entries. Some pages are loose. Includes one page that looks like the end of a letter and signed "Fred Robert Wootten, Comberton, Cambridgeshire." One entry reads "My dear sister Hannah Wootten died aged 18 years . buried in Comberton Churchyard, February 5th 1847." Subjects: Farming -- Agriculture -- 19th century -- History -- Local history -- Comberton, Cambridgeshire -- Sources -- Diaries -- Wootten family history -- Genealogy -- Ancestry. 3 Kg.

Softcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. On offer is a diary that describes life in rural North Carolina in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the years immediately preceding WWII. The diary was written by Mary Annie Elizabeth (Estes) Shearer (1862-1955). Shearer was born in Lenoir, Caldwell County, North Carolina to parents Rebecca Elmira Moore and David Jesse Estes. Mary would spend her entire life in Lenoir. In 1884, Mary married Milton Gordon Shearer (1855-1951) who worked as a Magistrate after a varied career as a merchant, farmer and textile plant official in Lenoir, NC. When Milton died, he was the oldest Master Mason in North Carolina. And she was also an amateur genealogist. They had three children: David, Annie and Mary. Mary Shearer was 76 when she began this diary. The diary consists of brief daily entries that describe her life in this small community of Lenoir. It is replete with references to friends and family members, including her adult children who visit frequently. Mary keeps her diary daily except during a few weeks over the summer and in early autumn, with only three entires between August 1 and Sept 22nd, when she is coping with a hospitalization and health issues. This selection of entries will give a flavour of her diary: "Thursday Cousin Lula Moore came & told me all about the last hours of Aunt Mary Moorse's life and other things I was anxious to know" [Jan 26]. "Lou washed and I was invited to a War Mothers meeting and Birthday at Mrs. Green's in the valley. Ellie took Flossie, Courtney, myself and Mrs. Gelson" [May 23]. "Milton not feeling so well. Rained all day. Sadie came home went over to speak to her. She brought me a lovely bag from Washington" [July 4]. "Went to see Dr. McCraing. M took me. She wanted me to go to hospital, so the Moores and Milton took me to Blackwelder Hospital" [Aug 1]. "Stayed in bed two weeks and 1 day, brought home in ambulance. Cousin Lula Moore came to stay with me" [Aug 16]. "Our 55th anniversary. Mrs. McCall, Mrs. Criss and Mrs. McGowan of my circle came, each brought me a present. Then later Dinty and Marguerite came in, Julia left" [Sept 25]. "Friday Lillian came for a very good visit. Dr. Caroline came and took blood pressure 190. Had my bottle refilled" [Oct 13]. "Lots of presents, 8 lbs candy, pillow slips and lots of other things. Sorry to see them leave in the afternoon" [Dec 25]. For a social historian, this small diary paints a good picture of the quiet life an elderly, ill woman who was living in rural North Carolina pre-WWII. Of particular note is how the community comes together to care for Mrs. Shearer after her hospital discharge in late September. This small diary measures 4.25 inches by 3.25 inches and is in very good condition. The diary is bound with a metal spine and the pages are in good condition as well. It contains approximately 61 pages and is 80% complete. The handwriting is legible. Overall G. ; Manuscripts; 32mo 4" - 5" tall; 61 pages; Signed by Author.

Softcover. Condition: Poor. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. On offer is the manuscript diary of James Herbert Valentine (1849-1928) , wherein he records his life as a rural New York farmer both at age 18 and again one year after he marries Maryette Dickinson, at age 22. James and Maryette would go on to have three children [SEE BIO NOTES AT THE END OF THE LISTING] and a special feature of this diary is the charming addition of handwritten notes on some of the diary pages by Emily Valentine, James' eldest daughter. Emily has also drawn a cute picture and tipped in an essay she wrote titled "Talent Plus Work". Also tipped into the diary is a photograph of a farmstead and it is annotated on the reverse, reading "a view from near the stable showing about 1/3 of my poultry building and the house and hay stacker in front the poles". The journal covers three periods: Apr 24, 1867 to July 24, 1867, March, 1869, and Jan 22, 1871 to July 10, 1871. Entries are not necessarily made each day. His journal describes life on the family farm. In 1867, at age 18, he is still living with his parents: "I dragged our corn around today. The girls went a fishing but did not get any fish" [June 5, 1867]. "I cultivated corn today. Aunt Amanda was sick yet she is some better. Theodore came up to spend the [ ]. We have got the corn cultivated over 3 times. It looks nice" [July 3, 1867]. "We began to cut hay today. I got part of a field cut" [June 8, 1867]. In 1869, James makes two entries, both poems he wrote. The first is titled Hunting and the second is titled Closing of School. Hunting is a six stanzas and one stanza follows: "Looking toward the ledge/Mid bramble and the hedge/To spy out some shy bird/That we have chirping heard". James' poem about school is faded and difficult to read but legible with a magnifying glass and good light source. In 1870, James gets married, and he resumes his entries in 1871. Some excerpts follow: "I went over to the railroad meeting. There were a great many people there. The hall was crowded full. [ ] spoke on the occasion he don very well. Dwight was down so I went home with him and staid all night. We got our [ ] wheat all cleaned up we had 40 bu of it" [Jan 28, 1871]. "Father and mother went down to Penn Yan with Aunt Amanda. They went to Canandaigua. Maryette and Frank went [ ] to town old Mr. Curtis funeral was today the stores were all closed got pay for our see" [Feb 21, 1871]. "Aunt Amanda went to Canandaigua. Maryette and I got our likeness taken. Alonzo got his Father took the wool down 246 pounds got 52 1/2 cts for it got 53 sheep I brought our scythe and some other tools" [June 27, 1871]. For a historian, this journal depicts in its simple eloquence, the daily life on a farm in upstate New York. It gives a picture of the daily and seasonal routines and the photograph brings home the hard work involved in building a successful life. The inclusion of his daughter's essay adds a very human touch to this man's experiences. BIO NOTES: The author of this journal is James Herbert Valentine (1849-1928). Born in Himrod, Yates County, to parents Emily Carll and Alfred Valentine. James was the eighth child born to Emily and Alfred, yet he only grew up with one sibling, an older brother named Alonzo (1847-1900). Tragically, all of James' other siblings died in childhood, before James was born. James married Maryette Louise Dickinson (1849-1918) in 1870. They had three children: Emily (1872-1922) , Florence (1874-1938) and Herbert Linus (1878-1961). They were a farming family and raised their children on a farm in Jerusalem, Yates County. None of the Valentine children married or had children of their own. Measuring 7x6 inches, it contains 38 pages and is 100% complete. Considering its age, it is in reasonable condition. It is a soft-covered notebook and there are wear marks on the corners. The pages have some wear marks and discolouration. There is evidence of some pages having been cut out, possibly by Emily, who seems to have taken the diary as her own in her childhood based on her many markings. The handwriting is a mix of ink and pencil. In a number of places the ink has faded making about 15 percent of the diary difficult to read and will require a strong light source and possibly a magnifying glass to make out the faded words. Overall Poor to Fair. ; Manuscripts; 12mo 7" - 7½" tall; 38 pages; Signed by Author.

Softcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. On offer is an outstanding chronicle of a year in the difficult life of a hardworking husband and father, coping with a debilitating lung illness while trying to keep things going for his family. The author of the diary is Newell Moulton Varney (1831-1888). Varney was born in Tamworth, New Hampshire and later moved to Sumner, Maine. He was the son of Rueben H. Varney and Sophia F (Moulton) Varney In 1856, he was married to Lydia Cushman Bonney (1831-1922) and they raised a family of nine children, though only eight survived infancy. Varney was a farmer, a farrier and a carpenter. He worked his farm, shod many many oxen and worked at constructing buildings and repairing equipment. Through it all, his health was failing. He suffered from lung disease terribly and that is likely what caused his early demise in 1888. Varney was active in his community and often attended town meetings and was a member of the Grange a national farmers organization and secret society structured along the lines of the Masonic Order. Varney kept his diary every day from February 6, 1885 to December 31, 1885. Tipped into the diary is a letter dated May 1883 and some newspaper cut outs. Varney has noted his financial transactions from Feb to Dec of 1885 in detail at the back of the diary. There is also a funeral home receipt for one of Varney's children, Lydia Jennie Heald, who died in 1965, indicating that this diary likely came from her estate. Varney's diary depicts his lived experience in well-written detail: "Clarra Bonney died this morning. Lydia is over there staid all day the travelling is bad. I worked in the shop a little today" [Feb 12]. "I have felt nearly sick all day my lungs are feeling very bad hard work to breath the weather cleared off some time in the night and blew a gale froze up hard blew all day. I have tried to boil sap today but it is a slow job on account of the wind. I have got all of the sap into the pails tonight at ten o'clock. Cora and Jennie have been gone all day and have not got home yet the clock gone struck ten P. M. While I am writing W [ ] Robinson was here and took dinner today stoped two or three hours" [Apr 9]. "I sold my oxen today for one hundred and forty seven dollars to some men by the name of B{ ] went up to Bassetts and done 3/4 of a days work it is quite warm today two men [ ] here last night and their horse also the same men that bought the oxen I set one shoe on the oxen for them. I saw Asia Riokes up to Bassetts today" [Sept 4]. "Mat and wife were here today. I am nearly used up today. Been spitting blood all day. My lungs are very sore." [Nov 11]. "I carried the children to school and then went over to Ed Boukers and got 60 bricks that belonged to [ ] Ford built up the back of the sitting room chimney shod Charles Bonney's horse and mended his wagon spring, Dr. Reid took dinner with us today" [Nov 25]. By December, his health had failed to the extent that he decided to travel south to see if the warmer climate would help him. His entries during the trip are detailed and paint a very vivid picture of his journey. He was not happy with what he found in the South. Some excerpts: "I am waiting for Mat to come and take me to the depot to take the 9 o'clock train to bear me away from home and friends and all that I hold dear on this earth, for the purpose of gaining my health in Florida, if it is God's will. My heart is sad & can't help the tears from streaming down my cheeks. Got started and got to Portland at eight. Went over to boat and got state room. Went to bed, but did not sleep. We started for Boston at night. Got soup and coffee and went up on Fulton St. And I was sick on the boat. Bisbee [who went with him] vomited some" [Dec 23]. "I am not well today. My lungs are feeling bad. Cough nearly as bad as when at home. My boarding place is a dirty place for a northern man. It will do for the southern element. The food is poor and half cooked at that. The tea and coffee muddy & the milk so thin that you could see through it is it was clean. I have travelled the city. Went all over to find a decent place within my means. Have found a room but have got to go out for my meals. I took my supper in a negro restaurant. It appears to be neat but the food is so different from home that it is hard work to eat it" [Dec 30]. He returned home. Three years later, Varney passed away of what was possibly tuberculosis. For a historian, especially one researching rural life in America in the late 19th century, this diary is an excellent window into that world. It is detailed and well-written. For a genealogist, it offers many references to local people in this small, closely-knit communityMeasuring 6x3.5 inches, this diary contains 365 pages. It is about 87% complete. The cover shows some wear but is in otherwise good condition as is the binding and spine. The pages are in good condition as well and the handwriting is quite legible. Overall G. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 365 pages; Signed by Author.

Softcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. On offer is a superb diary of a 27-year-old farmer from Nebraska, serving in Europe during WWI as the war came to its end. The author of the diary is Walter John Smith (1891-1950) of Holdrege, Nebraska. He worked his entire adult life at his own farm, where he died at age 58. Smith married Judith Anderson in June of 1920. Together they had two children, Marilyn and Martha. Smith was registered for the army draft in August of 1917 and called up in October, 1917. During the First World War, Corporal Walter John Smith was attached to the 314th Supply Train, 89th Division. The 89th Infantry Division was formed in Aug 1917. After training at Camp Funston, it was shipped overseas where the Division saw action at St. Mihiel and participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Following WWI, it was reconstituted as a Reserve army unit until being reactivated in WWII. In WWII, the Division, nicknamed "the Rolling W", served in north west Europe, taking part in the drive into Germany. The 89th liberated Ohrdruf, a sub-camp of the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp. Following WWII, the 89th was reactivated as a reserve unit, a role it continues to fill today. Smith's diary covers the period June, 1918 to June, 1919. He begins writing on June 4, 1918. He is leaving his training camp to head to Europe, and he writes, "Camp Funston. Left at 11: 30 A. M. ". On June 28th, he shipped out, writing, "Aboard the Lapland. Left port at 9: 30 17 ships left at same time. Everything gone lovely so far" [June 28, 1918]. Prior to being requisitioned as a troopship, SS Lapland was a passenger liner. She was the ship that brought the surviving members of the Titanic's crew back to England after the U. S. Investigations into the sinking were completed. Once in France, his entries describe his daily work and movements: "Got our cars ready in morning. Started out 1 o'clock. Traveled 65 miles. Roads are real dusty. Landed at Navgon" [July 22, 1918]. "Started from Navgon 6. Drove 200 miles. Landed at Ville France 7: 30. Stayed all nite" [July 23, 1918]. "Started from Ville France 7: 30. Arrived Dijon 3: 30. Stationed at camp all nite" [July 24, 1918]. "Fixed a place for our pup tents in the morning. Fixed my truck in afternoon. Ready to go out at 7 o'clock. Brought Bat from 355 back ten miles from trenches" [Aug 23, 1918]. "The big drive started at 1 A. M. . Reported to 355 Hospital Got a load of flour and oats and moved to the front. Drove all night" [Sept 12/13, 1918]. [Note: This entry refers to the Battle of St. Miheil]"Left for [ ] 7 A. M. Got a load of soldiers brought to Bouillonville Seen Oscar Swanson Back at railhead to Bouillonville with load of blankets" [Sept 23, 1918]. "Didn't do anything all day. Had my truck fixed. Peace signed 11 o'clock" [Nov 11, 1918]. On May 21, 1919, he shipped out for home. His last entry reads: "Got my discharge one o'clock. On the train leaving for home. Finish" [June 12, 1919]. Interestingly, at the back of the diary, there are an additional four pages of diary content, two of which cover December 12 and 15 of 1918. Two are undated. These pages are very long entries that must have needed the extra space. There are also a few pages of names and addresses that he kept from his time overseas. For a historian, this is an excellent first-hand account of day-to-day life in a unit supporting troops in the trenches. It is rich in detail, mentioning other soldiers by name, places where he was posted or stayed and work that he was doing. It paints a very clear picture of life behind the lines. The diary measures 5.5 inches by 3.25 inches and contains 95 pages. It is 95% complete. The cloth cover is in good condition. The spine is undamaged but the binding had cracked along the inside cover. The pages and binding are in good condition and the handwriting is legible. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 95 pages; Signed by Author.

Softcover. Condition: Good+. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. On offer is a diary that delves deeply into a year in the life of a multitalented, bright and community-minded man, the Hon. Mark Saunders [sometimes Sanders] Stiles Jr. (1845-1926) , a prominent figure in the history of Waldo County, Maine. SEE BIO NOTES AT END OF LISTING FOR MORE ON STILES JR. From his first entry, Stiles is an exceptional diarist, which is incredible given the amount of multi-tasking each of his days required - where did he get the energy to write it all down so completely? He is detailed, often noting his friends and colleagues' full names (a treat for those interested in genealogy in the Brooks region! ) , and provides great insight into his work and social life - a very thorough picture, rare for a male diarist of this time. He is also a meticulous financial record keeper, with 12 months of his income and expenditures recorded in the back of the diary. Since Stiles was such a busy man with hands in so many pots, his diary provides great insight into the work of an elected official, farmer, surveyor and family man. A real treat. Excerpts give the flavour of this impressive diary: "No snow on the ground, very nice wagoning and a beautiful day. I am in Belfast today. The Dec turn of the C. C. Court closed yesterday and the Dec. Adj. Turn begins today. The new member of the board is with us - Mr. C. D. Wilson. A new organization is made up today. I was elected as Chairman of the board for the ensuing year. Accepted an invitation to a turkey dinner with Mr. O. G. White the retiring Co. Treasurer. Mr. Payson went also. Mr Payson, Mr. T[ileston] Waldin (Clerk of Courts) and myself bought a couple trimmed rocking chairs for Mr. Thompson the retiring C. C. " [Jan 1, 1889]. "We met this A. M. Have had Osborn's man up to see about taking up the carpet on the Court room, and cleaning and replacing it but decided not to do it at present. Visited the jail P. M. Decided to go to Augusta and consult with the C. C. 's of Kennebec Co. In regard to tramps etc. Wrote letter to them & also wrote invitations to the boards of several other counties to meet us there" [Feb 13]. "Went to Brooks this A. M. And carried a smoked ham and 8 doz eggs. Got 10 cents for ham and 12 cents for eggs. Got some medicine for father at the Dr. 's. Called at Mrs. Edwards and made a bargain to build her part of our line fence for $5.00. This PM I sharpened posts enough and selected the top poles for the above fence and then bored some (planks? ). Went up to school meeting at 4 o'clock and they chose L. Rich moderator, M. S. Stiles for Clerk, G. W. Harty, school agent. Voted to have summer school begin the 1st Monday in May and the third Monday in Aug. Voted to build a wire fence around the schoolhouse" [Mar 23]. "Lizzie and Lula went to Belfast with me today, they to witness the dedication ceremonies of the Odd Fellows building, and I to attend to some county matters. We the C. Comis - went to see about the painting the Court House and repairing the gutters on same. A. E. Nickerson came to us and wished to consult about State Constable Partridge's bill for services being cut down by us. We heard Partridge and Nickerson early in the afternoon. Lula sat for some pictures to day. We stopped at this city this eve to a concert by the band of Boston (open air) and then went up to Frank Clark's at City Point for the night" [Oct 31, 1889]. "L. D. Moore came here about noon and engaged me to go down & do some surveying for him tomorrow. I went up to Spragues and got my deed of his place and paid him a bond for a deed. The payments are to be made to me $100 per year and int annually til the 5th year which will be $50 & int. Got Frank Fogg to let his boy come to help me tomorrow" [Sept 22, 1889]. "Mr. Sprague helped Isaih [sic] plow for me, over in "Texas" yesterday and today - breaking up. I had several letters to write and I went to Brooks to mail them A. M. This P. M. I went up to J. W. Wallace's and notified him to appraise the Estate of Mrs. Ann Ricker. They are to do it next Tuesday. Called at Mary Reickeis and made out some Guardian papers. I also loaned her $45.00 and took her note on demand and intrust" [Oct 31, 1889]. This diary would appeal to anyone interested in the inner workings of a local county commission, a legacy farming family, and New England in the 19th century. This diary is also interesting to those who focus on male diarists of the 19th century, as the nature of Stiles' clean cursive and his commitment to long, descriptive entries is quite unique. BIO NOTES: Mark S. Stiles Jr. Was born in the town of Jackson, Maine, to parents Lydia Kingsbury and Hon. Mark S. Stiles. Mark Jr. Followed in his father's footsteps, with the elder Stiles serving as a well-loved county commissioner and a selectman of Jackson. When Stiles Sr. Died in 1889, he was the oldest living person in Jackson. Stiles Jr. Married Elizabeth Jane (Lizzie) Hanson in 1885. Together they lived near Brooks, Maine. They had a daughter, Lula and a son, Robert. Stiles Jr. Worked in land surveying and also ran a farm. He was elected to the Waldo County Commission, becoming Chairman in 1889. This diary measures 6.0 inches by 3.5 inches and contains 365 pages plus Memoranda and Bookkeeping pages. It is 95% complete, only missing about three entries. The cover, spine and binding are all in good condition, though the pages are loosening, they are intact. The handwriting is in black ink and highly legible. ; Manuscripts; 16mo 6" - 7" tall; 365 pages; Signed by Author.

First Edition. Fair to good copy in the original vellum-covered boards. Age-toned and worn, with some surface loss. Farmer's name on spine and front cover. Pages dust-toned with some scattered spots of foxing. Remains quite well-preserved. Further scans, images etc. and additional bibliographical material available on request. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 1 pages; A rare and original 19th century farmer's account book and diary. Unpaginated, 16 x 10 cm. Contents include handwritten entries regarding farm management and accounts. The dates range from 1846-1856. About 1/3 of the book is filled with entries. Some pages are loose. Includes one page that looks like the end of a letter and signed "Fred Robert Wootten, Comberton, Cambridgeshire." One entry reads "My dear sister Hannah Wootten died aged 18 years . buried in Comberton Churchyard, February 5th 1847." Subjects: Farming -- Agriculture -- 19th century -- History -- Local history -- Comberton, Cambridgeshire -- Sources -- Diaries -- Wootten family history -- Genealogy -- Ancestry. 1 Kg.

Condition: Very Good. On off is the 1887 handwritten personal diary of ERNEST MARTIN, [a gift from Cora Christmas 1886], living in the Grafton/Enfield/Canaan New Hampshire area. Most entries tell of farm work done, working for Charlie Kilton or Kelton, haying, planting, chopping wood, building fences and general 'choreing'. Other names mentioned also. VG. Size: 48mo - over 3" - 4" tall. Autograph.

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. On offer is a fascinating little journal that is absolutely packed with insight into the lived experience of a mid-19th century New Hampshire everyman. The diarist is Samuel Dresser (1796-1868). He was born in Chester, New Hampshire to the senior Samuel Dresser (1763-1859) and Sarah Story (1774-1869). In 1835, Samuel married Sarah Eaton (1800-1878) in Sutton, New Hampshire, where they would settle and farm for the remainder of their lives. They had three children, Lucretia (1836-1858) , Franklin (1840-1845) and Leonard (1838-1930). Sadly, when he kept this diary, only Leonard was still alive. Lucretia had died of consumption only five months before he began this diary, and Franklin died in childhood. Samuel is a fascinating individual. He is a successful and hardworking farmer, a devoted husband and father, and an extremely engaged member of this community. In his diary, he discusses political engagement and advocacy, and historical data supports this, with many petitions to the government of New Hampshire that Dresser was involved with available to view. His elderly parents are still alive at the time Dresser kept this diary (his father would die a few months after the diary concludes) and he is working diligently to find them secure housing in their later years, including petitioning the government for support. He farms his own land and also the land of his wife s family, the Eatons. It seems their fields are very close together. He also keeps close tabs on his community, regularly noting citizens who have passed on or come to visit. He is also very involved in his Church and it seems he helps coordinate Sunday School programs. Some excerpts give the flavour of Dresser s writing; "Capt William Kendrick dies at the age of 75 yrs 4 mos 10 days of a long and painful illness supposed to originate from a cancer in the bowels" [May 4]. "Commenced the pasturing of 1 two yr old heifer and 3 yearlings for Mr. John L. Chadwick. And also 1 yearling steer for Mr. F. Rogers. A fine rain commenced rained most of the afternoon and the night following" [May 9]. "Started an a petition for a town meeting to be on the application of Samuel Dresser Sen. The said town meeting will probably take place June 18th, 1859" [May 28]. "Raining. Nathan Eaton came here into the place about the 13th of this month to his fathers. He has been over the country much and even to California for Gold and has been prosperous" [June 17]. "Still somewhat raining. [Argued? ] with Bro. Luther for the support of Father and Mother through their natural lives. I am to pay him $75 per year while they both may live after the decease of one of them one half of the above sum" [June 21, the next day his parents would move in with the Luthers]. "Mr. Cummings of Franklin came with Grave Stones for Lucretia AnnePaid Mr. C. $10.00 and 12.00 more will be due, to be paid to Mr. Watson of Warner. Rain in the afternoon" [June 8]. "Cool and windy. Carried wool to S. Shepherd ofLondon 40 lbs. Came at 42 per lb. 16.80. Carried father down to Luthers. He is more feeble on the whole than ever. Got in two small loads of hay just at nightMrs. David Morgan and a little boy came here and returned" [July 23]. Dresser is an eloquent writer who is able to communicate a lot of information in few words. While his diary is brief, his daily activities are so varied and interesting that his words provide a lot of insight into everything from community organizing to familial relationships within New Hampshire, the tragedies of early deaths and the experience of professional farming. For a social historian, this journal offers an excellent look into life in rural America immediately prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. For a genealogist, this journal contains numerous family references that reach as far away as Ohio. This small journal measures 6.25x 4.0 inches and contains 24 pages. The booklet is not a diary per se but rather a [Abe word limit reached, contact seller for full listing]. Signed by Author(s).

Soft cover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. On offer is a fine diary written at the turn of the 20th century in rural, upstate New York. This 1908 diary belonged to Jerome Josephus Schoonover (1849-1926) , a farmer in upstate New York. Specifically, he was born and lived his entire life in Tiogo County, New York. In 1890, Jerome married Lydia Van Norstran (1858-1951). Lydia worked as a school teacher in the Barton and Tiogo areas. It does not appear that Jerome and Lydia had any children. Schoonover was 59 years old when he wrote this diary. While his entries are primarily related to his farming business, they are surprisingly long and newsy for a man s diary. His entries include information about his and Lydia s social life, community happenings and he keeps a very thorough financial ledger and list of contacts at the back of the diary. Some excerpts follow: "Mellissa Wright dies. Williams wife. Charl to Dan Wiggins draw some ties from the [ ] to put them on the flats. To Charls and Dan draw load of stalks & load of oat straw from lower barn for me to bed with at home barn. Nice day for time of year. Sent a letter to J. P. Fragl today an answer to his" [Jan 5]. "Some cloudy this morning. Lydia took 3 doz eggs to Stonarts 22˘ trade them out. Report is John Holt went to California on 11 o clock train yesterday left a note for his wife that she could come if she wants 2. She was to Owego come back 12 1/2 [ ] the same day don t know what is the matter or the trouble with them. Charles draw manure and draw up some ties 10 for me" [Mar 11]. "Hitched fan to platform and Lydia & I went up to Dr. Post. He fix something for my eye and we stay to dinner up there. Charley helped Clarke stook oats we went down to lower garden to get some cucumbers. Pearl Coleman s sick so Dr. Post went down with his mobile to see her" [Aug 18]. "Charley drew load of corn for me & DA Wiggins husk is 29 good and 6 poor. Cloudy & colder he draw 6 2 for himself and got me a load of corn fodder I pick up some chestnuts" [Oct 9]. "Lydia & her mother went to the funeral of Mrs. Dan Daily at Barton on morn train. Gibbs finish the price back of the hill. Ground was froze quite hard in morn cloudy all day and cold. Charls Tribe sold his farm to Charles Coleman 1,500 dollars, Art V went to Smithboro to take an inventory of Bailys store goods" [Nov 14]. "Sold Fred Martin 5 doz eggs at 86 cents Rode up to store with Dr. Post in his cutter. Really good sleighing cold wind don t feel very good today" [Dec 21]. This simple, plainly-written diary gives an excellent look at and sense of what life was like in those early years of the 20th century. They paint a picture of a hard but successful life in upstate New York in the years just before the beginning of some of the most momentous changes in life in the United States. Measuring 6.0 inches by 3.0 inches and contains 365 pages. The diary is approximately 80% complete. The cover and binding are in good condition, as is the spine. The pages are in good condition and the handwriting is legible. Overall Good. ; Manuscripts; 16mo 6" - 7" tall; 365 pages; Signed by Author. Signed by Author(s).