John Hamlin diaries

Collection

Identifier: M137

Staff Only
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Scope and Content

These diaries, dating from 1846 to 1871, chronicle the life of a farming family in the Raymond, Sweden, and Harrison, Maine area. They detail local agricultural practices, listing the types of crops planted; personal finances; daily chores; and the family's social life. There are also accounts of weather conditions, trips to town, and the medical history of the family. Attendance at Sabbath day services, weekly prayer meetings, and funerals are listed faithfully. The collection also includes diaries and school papers written in 1856 by an unidentified family member at the Kents Hill Preparatory School, and some miscellaneous notes.

Dates

Creation: 1846 - 1871

Creator

Hamlin, John (Person)

Biographical/Historical Note

John Hamlin, son of Eleazer and Sally (Bancroft) Hamlin, was born in Waterford, Maine, on March 15, 1800, and spent most of his life farming around Raymond and Sweden, Maine. He was married three times, first to Mary Evans (1800-1839), then to Mary's sister, Caroline Evans (1813-1850), and finally to Mary Rich (1810-18??), and had nine children, most of whom died in childhood. Hamlin died on September 30, 1875, shortly after settling on land that had once been owned by his father. Additional information on the Hamlin family is available in the Cyrus Hamlin Collection and the Cyrus Hamlin and Hannibal Hamlin series in the Abbott Memorial Collection.