Happy 2020! Here is a look at what is happening at the MHS this week:
On Tuesday, 7 January, at5:15 PM:Supplying Slavery: Jamaica & British Imperial Trade, 1752-1769with Peter Pellizzari, Harvard University and comment by Richard Dunn, American Philosophical Society. Historians have long understood the economic importance of Jamaica to the eighteenth-century British empire, but the vast profits that the island’s sugar-slave complexes produced could only have existed with the supplies and provisions provided by mainland colonists in North America. Newly collected data from nearly 10,000 British naval office shipping lists for Kingston, Jamaica provide a re-assessment of the size, nature, and value of this trade. The shipping lists reveal not only how deeply committed the mainland was to supplying Jamaican slavery, but also suggests that we reconsider the island as a powerful regional hub within the larger British Atlantic economy, one in which North America figured as an important hinterland. This is part of the Pauline Maier Early American History Seminar series. Seminars are free and open to the public.
On Wednesday, 8 January, at 12:00 PM:“Thus Much for Politicks”: American Women, Diplomacy, & the Aftermath of the American Revolution with Miriam Liebman, City University of New York. This talk looks at the ways women used non-republican methods of politicking on behalf of the United States while abroad in Europe, focusing on Abigail Adams’s time abroad in London and Paris. Situating Adams in an international and diplomatic context highlights the ways she influenced American foreign and domestic policy while abroad. Using five different themes— letters, politics and political intrigue, money and economic diplomacy, social networks, and republicanism and aristocracy abroad— this work analyzes her politicking in Europe. This is part of the Brown-bag lunch program. Brown-bags are free and open to the public.
On Friday, 10 January, at 2:00 PM:FIRE! Voices of the Boston Massacre gallery talk with Peter Drummey, MHS. Walk through the exhibition with Peter Drummey. He will highlight some of the archival material found in the MHS collection.
On Saturday, 11 January, at 10:00 AM: The History & Collections of the MHS. This is a 90-minute docent-led walk through of our public rooms. The tour is free and open to the public. If you would like to bring a larger party (8 or more), please contact Curator of Art Anne Bentley at 617-646-0508 or abentley@masshist.org.
Abigail Adams: Life & Legacy Pop-Up Display Abigail Adams urged her husband to “Remember the Ladies” and made herself impossible to forget. But Abigail is memorable for more than her famous 1776 admonition. This final Remember Abigail display uses documents and artifacts through the ages to consider the way Abigail viewed her own legacy and to explore how and why we continue to Remember Abigail.
Fire! Voices from the Boston Massacre On the evening of March 5, 1770, soldiers occupying the town of Boston shot into a crowd, killing or fatally wounding five civilians. In the aftermath of what soon became known as the Boston Massacre, questions about the command to “Fire!” became crucial. Who yelled it? When and why? Because the answers would determine the guilt or innocence of the soldiers, defense counsel John Adams insisted that “Facts are stubborn things.” But what are the facts? The evidence, often contradictory, drew upon testimony from dozens of witnesses. Through a selection of artifacts, eyewitness accounts, and trial testimony—the voices of ordinary men and women—Fire! Voice from the Boston Massacre explores how this flashpoint changed American history. The exhibition is on display at the MHS through 30 June 2020, Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Several years ago, I launched an annual blog series transcribing a diary from exactly 100 years ago, month by month, for the Beehive. It’s been a fun way to get to know the everyday voices in our collection; since I began we’ve followed a year in the life of Boston matron Margaret Russell (1916), architect Lady Gertrude Codman Carter (1917), high school student Barbara Hillard Smith (1918), and George Hyland, a casual laborer living in southeastern Massachusetts (1919). This year, we are returning to the type of diary that inspired this project — the travel diary. In 2015, I published a series of posts featuring the travels of anonymous woman’s pleasure cruise down the Nile. As none of the diaries in our collection from the year 1920 stood out as particular candidates for a full year’s worth of transcription, I am going to offer up a bouquet of excerpts instead … one month for each diary, and each diary a different journey.
For the month of January, I have selected the diary of A.C. Woodworth, a businessman who was based in Chicopee, Mass. at the turn of the 20th century. The MHS holds two of his daily diaries covering the years 1894 and 1905 in which he kept records related to his travels and business dealings, expenses, family, and personal matters. The entries transcribed below recount his regional travels for work during the month of January 1894. At the beginning of January 1894 Woodworth accepted a position as traveling sales agent for the Field Life Guard Co., which sold “life guards,” or fenders, to be installed on the front of streetcars to prevent pedestrian fatalities. The below entries document his first few weeks in his new position.
* * *
Friday, January 5, 1894
Boston.
I had a long talk with Lawyer Nash, 19 Congress St. yesterday, and he told me he had brought Suit against Sam’l May to collect the notes amounting to $15,000 — which I hold against him. The suit is brought in Springfield though Mr. McClough may want to […] Nash and said he wanted a personal interview with me, and Nash made an appointment for me to meet May today at 11 o’clock but May did not turn up — Mr. Nash will push the suit to judgement but I hope May will offer to settle on some […] before that time. Had an interview with Lawyer Fowle — 53 State St. — about the […] Elevated R.R. Stock (yesterday) the stock is simply worthless. Fowle asked me to try to get Chicago people interested.
Saturday, January 6, 1894
Boston. Prov’c
I came to Providence this a.m. and took room 34 at the Hotel […]
I find Mr. Harris has not yet returned from Brooklyn where he went to have a trial […] but he is expected home today. Mr. Makepeace is sick in bed and […] me until tomorrow.
Met Mr. Wheeler on the […] went to the theater in the evening.
Sunday, January 7, 1894
Providence
I had a long talk with Mr. M […] today, at his home, where I took tea. M […] says he has cancelled […] $100-note I sent him, and will give me […] $200-note he holds on which I paid him $100 — I think he thought to do this because I have put as much money in working up […]
M […] told me all about […] in the Fender business & Harris Connection — also the chalk business.
Monday, January 8, 1894
Providence.
Harris has gone to Portland today to hold the annual stockholders meeting […] Field Life Guard Co. tomorrow (Wednesday) there will be a meeting after directors of that company held here in Providence when, if what Harris and Makepeace says comes true, an arrangement will be made with me to become their Western Agent on a salary of $2,500 per year and a commission of 10% on my sales — they to pay all my expenses.
Tuesday, January 9, 1894
Providence.
I had a long interview with Mr. Geo. H. Corliss and Miss. Corliss. I went to their house, cor. Angel & Prospect Sts. abt. 12 o’clock, by appointment made by Mr. Weeden (nephew) The interview was a very satisfactory one — but I am obliged to wait until the 20” of this month, before they will put a price on their property — at that time they will give me a price for the Geo. H. Corliss Engine Co. — Complete as it now stands, if the partners who are now negotiating for it have not closed the bargain.
I have this day engaged with the Field Life Guard Co. of this city, for six months at $200 per month salary and all my expenses — I am also to have 10% com on all the new business I bring the co. Salary to begin January 1/94.
Ames […] came to Chicopee this p.m. I have started my work for the Field Life Guard Co. Am going to Holyoke tomorrow morning & to Rochester in the afternoon.
Life Guard act.
R.R. to Chicopee $2.44
Genl exp. act.
Hotel bill $8.96
Meals $1.70
R.R. $2.44 $13.10
Friday, January 12, 1894
Chicopee, Holyoke & En Route.
Went to Holyoke this a.m. Saw Mayor Whitcomb & City Clerk. They have taken no action on the Fender business. Perkins out of city. Callahan dead. Am going to call Perkins Monday.
Life Guard act.
R.R. to Holyoke & return .24 c
Shirt […] .10
Dinner .75
Ink stand .50
Copy book 1.30
To Springfield .10 $2.99
R.R. to Rochester $6.94
Sleeper to “ 2.00
Supper on cars 1.00 9.94
Hotel .15
Cab to Hotel .50 65 13.58
Saturday, January 13, 1894
See […] in other book.
En Route, Rochester & Syracuse.
Arrived here this a.m. 3.20.
Went to Powers Hotel.
Lodging, Bkfst & Dinner 3.50
Other Exps. .45
Bus to depot .25
Telegram to Harris .35 .46 .81
Ticket to Syracuse 1.68
“ “ Sprg 5.30
Sleeper “ “ 1.50 13.49
Saw Prest & Secy of Rochester Railway Co. and arranged for trial of fender in about 10 days. Took measurements of car — gave price at $40 per car job at Worcester […] furnish man to supt putting fenders on cars — they have 150 cars to be fitted up. […] has been given the authority to fit up tr. cars — they have one very fine car that is to be fitted with nickel plated fender — they are going to have the Pittsburgh fender. […] $5,000,000–
John H. Beckley, Prest. F. P. Allen, Treas. C.A. Williams, Secy.
[gap in record]
Tuesday, January 16, 1894
M[…] Providence
Stayed at the Bay State House all night — Mr. F[…] came this AM and we went to the […] Co. together.
Telephone to Prov. .45
Car fares .20
Cigars .25
Bill at hotel 3.00
R.R. to Providence 1.10 5.00
Supper 45
F.L.G. Co. settled for Exp.
Chiropodist $5.00
Theatre 1.50
________________________
F. Co. Exp. to date $40.14
Wednesday, January 17, 1894
Providence & Brockton.
Field Life Guard Co. act.
Breakfast .65
Hotel 1.50
Dinner .50
R.R. to Taunton .60
Supper .35
R.R. to Brockton .80
Expenses .25 $4.65 4.82 9.47
Thursday, January 18, 1894
Worcester, Brockton & Providence.
I reached last [night] arriving at 9pm. Stopped at the B […] Hotel. Mr. C.B. Ragans Supt of this City .. will not put on fenders until he is obliged to.
Hotel 1.20
R.R. to Prov. 1.22
Papers .05
Dinner .60
R.R. to […] 1.10
Cigars .30
[…] .05
Telephoning .29 4.82
Received from the F.L.G. Co. p/c of Expenses $150
Friday, January 19, 1894
Mashpee & Boston.
Spent the day at Ames Plow Co. Field did not come as promised. Went to Boston at 4.22pm. Hotel 4– R.R. to Boston 1–
R[…] .35 Street Car .10
Messenger .28 Supper .90
_____________
F.L.G. Exps $6.60
Personal $5–
Mr. Field met me at Reynolds hotel this morning.
Saturday, January 20, 1894
Boston, Worcester, and Chicopee.
Took 7am train for Worcester, Field with me.
Hotel 2–
Breakfast […]
R.R. to Worcester 1–
Papers .10
R.R. to […] 1.24
R.R. to Chicopee .10 $2.89
[additional calculations]
Sunday, January 21, 1894
Chicopee & New York.
R.R. to New York 2.75
Street Car .05
Supper .75
Cigars .25 $3.80
I came to New York this evening and am stopping at the New Amsterdam Hotel cor. 21” and 4” Ave. Mr. Harris met me here at 11 o’clock.
Spent most of the day at the DeKalb […] shops with Harris and Field getting […] ready for […] Fender tomorrow. Saw […] a few moments.
Page from diary of A.C. Woodworth, 23 January 1894
Tuesday, January 23, 1894
New York – Brooklyn – En Route.
Breakfast (2) 1.65
Cab fares .15
Lunch (2) .80
Papers .05
Supper .75
Hotel Bill 3.00
Cigars .50
R.R. to Binghampton 8.00
5.00
3.00
Gave Field 20.00
Porter .75 35.65
Had live [demonstration] of our fender today. Chauncy, Linton, and Supt. of DeKalb Short Railway being present. The test went off fairly well. I leave for Binghampton tonight at 8-30pm.
Wednesday, January 24, 1894
Binghampton & Rochester.
Arrived here this AM at 3-55 went to the […] Hotel. Saw Mr. G. Linny Pagus Prest. of the Binghampton Rd. Co.
Hotel Bill 1.25
R.R. to Rochester 3.65
Papers .05
Telegram .35
H[…] .50
Cigars .25 $6.05
Thursday, January 25, 1894
Rochester.
[illegible list of supplies and prices]
At work getting fenders on cars for trial.
[…] H. Moffett tonight that fender that would come off […].
Rec’d telegraph from Harris.
[gap in records]
Sunday, January 28, 1894
Rochester.
Sunday papers .75
Monday, January 29, 1894
Rochester – En Route.
Briefly went to New York yesterday — Had talk with Williams & Rasborough — Am to make a new fender & put on a car here. Packed up the 2 fenders and sent home by Express.
Helpers 1.25
Cigars .75
Car Fares .20
Papers .05 – 2.25
Hotel Bill (5 days) 17.50
Telegram from Moffitt .50
Buss [sic] .25
Supper .95
R.R. to Sp […] 6.92
Porter .25
Waiter .25
Sleeper to Sp […] 4.00
Cigars .25 Porter .50 33.12
Tuesday, January 30, 1894
En Route & Chicopee.
Porter .50
Breakfast .75
Dinner .50
Car fare .10 $1.45
Wednesday, January 31, 1894
Mashpee & […] & Prov.
R.R. to Prov. $2.44
“ “ .10
Exps .35
R.R. to […] 1.10
Papers .05
Dinner .65
Cigars .25
Telegram to Harris .55
Car Fares .10 5.59
Came back from Providence to Worcester this morning.
* * *
Please note that the diary transcription is a rough-and-ready version, not an authoritative transcript. Researchers wishing to use the diary in the course of their own work should verify the version found here with the manuscript original. The A.C. Woodworth diaries are unrestricted and may be consulted in our reading room. If you have questions about the collection, or about planning a visit to the library, please contact a member of the library staff for further assistance.
by Susan Martin, Processing Archivist & EAD Coordinator
Page from the diary of Harriet Otis, 1811-1814
Wedy Jany 1st – The new year commenced in bustle and hurry – All was preparation for the grand event of waiting on the Queen – the room smoked so while we were dressing, that our eyes looked as tearful and red as if we were going to a funeral instead of a frolic.
Thus began New Year’s Day 1812 for 24-year-old Harriet Otis. The day was full of activity and interesting people, and fortunately for us, she described it all in her diary.
The Otis family lived in Washington, D.C., and the first item on the day’s agenda was the New Year’s reception at the White House. Harriet’s father, Samuel Allyne Otis, was secretary of the Senate, and like many other well-to-do Washingtonians, the Otises made an appearance at this important social occasion. (“The Queen” was Harriet’s somewhat snarky nickname for First Lady Dolley Madison.)
Harriet rode to the White House in the carriage of Hannah (Hooper) Reed, the wife of a Congressman from Massachusetts. It was a busy day in the city.
After a little hurry scurry our carriages set of[f] on full tilt – the whole city was alive – everybody in motion. [At the White House] we were jostled […] about two hours, diverted with strange figures and smiling and bowing and recieving [sic] good wishes untill [sic] it was time to go to Mrs Lloyd’s to dine.
The Otises’ next stop was the home of James Lloyd, senator of Massachusetts, and his wife Hannah (née Breck). It’s obvious from her diary that Harriet knew some of the most eminent men and women of the time, not just through her father, but also her brother Harrison Gray Otis and her uncle and aunt, James and Mercy (Otis) Warren.
I could identify some, but not all, of the people who dined at the Lloyds’ that day. Even so, Harriet’s uncensored opinions on the members of her exclusive social circle—and her gossipy, breezy writing style—make the diary very fun to read. We’ll start with Mrs. Lloyd.
A very sweet lovely woman but not always a very entertaining companion, having [a] trick of looking dreadfully wearied with everything.
Someone named Dr. Mitchell made a distinct impression, and I particularly like how Harriet described him.
As curious an Animal as any menagerie can furnish – very harmless though and accommodating too, for let him talk (and it is difficult to prevent him) he little regards whether you are listening or not – pompous, vain but goodnatured – his brain filled with all sort of knowledge ill digested and worse assorted.
And then, unexpectedly, a name I recognized.
Fulton the grand inventor of all manner of schemes – torpedos steamboats &c &c – just obtained a patent for building steamboats on the western waters for twenty eight years – His exterior quite prepossessing.
When Harriet met him, the accomplished Robert Fulton had embarked on a venture to establish exclusive rights to steamboat passage down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. Just days after she wrote this entry in her diary, in fact, his steamboat New Orleans would complete its maiden voyage.
But while he was much renowned for his inventions, Fulton was also unfortunately (according to Harriet) a Democratic-Republican, and the Lloyds, Otises, and Reeds were all Federalists. Outnumbered, Fulton used a time-honored tactic for navigating political conversations during the holidays: avoidance.
Certainly a politic man for he wa[i]ved a political discussion (being a high Demo in company with feds) by saying “Dont ask me about politics, I have nothing in my head but wheels and pivots.”
A very happy and healthy New Year from the MHS to all of you and yours.
