Ebenezer Graves peddling journal, 1853-1855

Description

Bound journal containing Ebenezer Graves's "memorandum" of several peddling trips throughout New England and New York between 1853 and 1855. The first trip documented in the journal begins on March 21, 1853, with Ebenezer and his brother Addison both peddling silk. Ebenezer (sometimes with his brother, sometimes alone) travels from Ashfield, Mass. into southern New Hampshire, working his way through Keene, Concord, Durham, and Dover, before passing into southern Maine. He travels onward through Maine, peddling in Kennebunkport, Niddeford, Saco, Cape Elizabeth, Portland, Norway, Lewiston, Augusta, Hallowell, Livermore Falls, Waterville, Norridgewock, Bangor, Belfast, Castine, Sedgwick, Deer Island, Ellsworth, Franklin, Hancock, Steuben, Columbia, Jonesport, Machias, Eastport, and Calais. Ebenezer and his brother then take a steamer boat from Eastport back to Boston, travelling by train and on foot from Boston back to Ashfield. They return home at the end of August 1853.

The second part of the journal details the month of May 1854, detailing Ebenezer's life at home on the Graves family farm in Ashfield, Mass. Included in this journal are records of farm chores, social events, and daily life. The journal also includes a short paragraph describing the route of a peddling trip undertaken during the month of September 1854; travelling around western Massachusetts, Ebenezer peddled butcher knives and table cutlery.

The fourth and final section of the journal is a record of a peddling trip Ebenezer undertook from November 26 to December 26, 1855. He does not state what type of product or goods his is peddling on this trip. Beginning at his future in-law's home in North Adams, Mass. on Thanksgiving Day, Ebenezer peddles his way northward through western Mass. to Pownal, Vermont before turning west into New York. He passes through Hoosick Falls, Pittstown, Schagticoke, Troy, Albany, and through Rensselaer county back to Pittsfield, Mass. Ebenezer describes his Christmas celebrations, closing out the journal with an entry detailing his December 31, 1855 wedding to Persis Whittiam.

The journal provides insight into Graves's everyday life, with the peddler documenting economic details of the places he visits, social norms, entertainments and events in various towns, the landscapes he travels through, and even the weather.