1799-1888
Guide to the Collection
Restrictions on Access
This collection is available as color digital facsimiles (see links below). Use of the originals is restricted.
Abstract
This collection consists of seven volumes containing a mixture of diary and account book entries kept by Daniel Adams, carpenter and farmer of Beverly, Mass. and Ellsworth, Me.
Biographical Sketch
Daniel Adams was born in Beverly, Mass. on 5 October 1776, the son of master mariner Daniel (1742-1820) and Hepzibah (Batchelder) Adams (1752-1840). He worked as a ship's carpenter in Beverly until 1811, when he moved to Ellsworth, Me. and settled on a farm on Surry Road. In Ellsworth, he worked as a farmer and a carpenter and served as clerk of the First Congregational Church and captain in the militia.
Daniel Adams married Elizabeth Jordan (1779-1862), with whom he had several children, including Josiah Batchelder Adams (1807-1888). Daniel Adams died in Ellsworth on 1 March 1852.
Collection Description
This collection consists of seven volumes containing a mixture of diary and account book entries kept by Daniel Adams of Beverly, Mass. and Ellsworth, Me. Included are five volumes used by Adams as both diaries and account books, 1799-1888; two daybooks, 1802-1845; and a few loose manuscripts. Diary entries describe Adams's daily activities, the weather, his work as a ship's carpenter, ships arriving and departing, visits with family members, births and deaths, planting crops and other farm work in Ellsworth, attendance at the First Congregational Church there, and local events. Entries in vol. 5 beginning in 1852 were written by Adams's son Josiah Batchelder Adams.
Account books contain entries for items bought and sold and work done. All seven volumes include miscellaneous memoranda.
Among the many names that appear in the collection are Rev. Peter Nourse, Col. John Black, and the schooner Fame.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Suzanne K. Adams, July 2022.
Restrictions on Access
This collection is available as color digital facsimiles (see links below). Use of the originals is restricted.
Other Formats
This collection is available as color digital facsimiles.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Diary and account book, 1799-1825
This volume contains accounts of items bought and sold and work done, 1799-1803; miscellaneous memoranda; and short diary entries kept at Beverly, 12 Apr. 1802-30 July 1810, and Ellsworth, 11 June 1811-13 Apr. 1825, describing Adams's daily activities, the weather, his work as a ship's carpenter, ships arriving and departing, visits with family members, births and deaths, planting crops and other farm work in Ellsworth, attendance at the First Congregational Church there, and local events.
Diary and account book, 1825-1832
This volume contains miscellaneous memoranda and short diary entries, 1 Apr. 1825-31 Mar. 1832, continued from vol. 1. Subjects include farm work, the weather, family matters, church attendance, and local events. Incorporated within diary entries are accounts for work done.
Diary, 1832-1844
This volume contains miscellaneous memoranda and short diary entries, 1 Apr. 1832-4 Feb. 1844, continued from vol. 2. Subjects include farm work, the weather, family matters, church attendance, and local events. Some entries refer to trips to Calais, Me. for work.
Diary, 1844-1848
This volume contains miscellaneous memoranda and short diary entries, 5 Feb. 1844-31 Aug. 1848, continued from vol. 3. Subjects include farm work, the weather, family matters, church attendance, and local events. Entries in 1846 describe his grief over the deaths of multiple children and grandchildren.
Items removed from vol. 4
Diary and account book, 1848-1888
This volume contains miscellaneous memoranda and short diary entries, 1 Sep. 1848-31 Oct. 1851, continued from vol. 4, followed by entries written by Adams's son Josiah Batchelder Adams beginning in 1852. Subjects include farm work, the weather, family matters, church attendance, and local events. Incorporated within Josiah Adams's diary entries are miscellaneous accounts.
Daybook, 1802-1822
This volume contains accounts of items bought and sold and work done in Beverly and Ellsworth for various individuals, listed chronologically.
Items removed from vol. 6
Daybook, 1822-1845
This volume contains accounts, continued from vol. 6, of items bought and sold and work done in Ellsworth for various individuals, listed chronologically.
Loose manuscripts, 1823-1851
Included is an agreement related to a house in Ellsworth and two personal letters to Daniel Adams.
Preferred Citation
Daniel Adams diaries and account books, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.
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Materials Removed from the Collection
Photographs from this collection have been removed to the MHS Photo Archives.