Purchase.
Accessioned and processed in June 2009 by Ute Schechter.
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Diary and Accounts (Lisbon Falls, Me.), Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Diary, 1881, of a Singer Sewing Machines salesman from Lisbon Falls, Maine. Describes daily activities, work-related and private. Accounts are kept in back of diary.
For a more detailed description and excerpts, provided by the seller, see item description below.
The following was provided by the seller and has not been verified for accuracy: "In the beginning of the diary, he worked for the Augusta office and traveled around selling machines. Later, he opened a new office in Farmington. He notes the names of people that he sells machines to, talks of collecting money and repossessing machines from those who do not pay, showing people how the machines work, repairing machines, etc. He often talks of his family, including his mother and siblings." " Some examples of his entries include: " January 1 - Finds me at Richmond, Maine selling Singer Sewing Machines for the Singer Manf'g Co. 23 degrees below zero at 8 am and 10 am. ....... Sold machine to Mrs. E. Glass, Gardiner. Drove to Augusta in the evening. January 30 - This is the first Sunday that I have been at home since September 1880. Seemed lonesome without Abbie today. Wished many times that she was here. Snowed part of the day. March 9 - Sold a machine to A. P. Cotton near the RR, north end of Richmond. This machine was the last machine that I had from the Office and I am satisfied it was a second hand one. Warm and pleasant. March 28 - Opened an Office for The Singer Manufacturing Co. at Farmington Maine i M. F. Davis Brick Block opposite The Stoddard House. Pasham (?) still, but at $65 per year. I went to Farmington Falls and returned this pm. Very cold and windy. April 23 - Stopped over night with J. D. Nye. Had some talk with Mr. Moon about a Button Hole Machine . Drove two miles below the village and returned to Farmington at 9 pm. November 19 - Dear sister Jennie died at 3 pm. It is hard to part with her, but she has gone to meet Father in that better world. What is our loss is Jennie's gain. In a short time we shall follow."