Collection number: MC 155
Size: 1 box
(0.33 cu.ft.)
About Martin Tewkesbury
Martin V. B. Tewkesbury (1834-1900) of Danville, New Hampshire was the son of Enos Tewksbury and Mary Bartlett. He attended morning school in 1855-56, and on October 8, 1857 his diary notes that he "married Martha C. Ladd by Rev. Mr. Parker of Haverhill Mass." From the diary entry for the following day we can only assume that a honeymoon was a luxury the couple could not afford. October 9, 1857 was spent "threshing oats. E.D. Ladd helped." In fact, the diaries record little in the way of personal information, instead documenting the world of work. From the daily entries a picture emerges of a very resourceful young man willing to make his living in any useful way possible.
Tewkesbury was primarily a farmer who grew potatoes, corn, and wheat, and also raised sheep and pigs. He supplemented his income by means of a saw and cider mill which were constantly in use depending on the season. He hauled huge quantities of wood and cider to neighboring villages and towns by horse-drawn wagon. He also owned a shingle machine for the production of wood shingles, and made wooden boxes during the winter months. For additional income he sold and delivered coal. His travels frequently took him to Haverhill, Massachusetts and to other nearby towns such as Plaistow, Exeter, Newton, Hampstead, Newburyport, Derry, and Sandown.
About the Martin Tewkesbury Diaries
The Martin Tewkesbury Diaries contain an uninterrupted 15 year run of diaries spanning the years 1855-1869, portraying the life, chores, and activities of a New Hampshire farmer. Also included are personal and household accounts at the rear of the volumes together with some inlaid related items.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
This collection is open.
Copyright Notice
Contents of this collection are governed by U.S. copyright law. For questions about publication or reproduction rights, contact Special Collections staff.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Martin Tewkesbury Diaries, 1855-1868, MC 155, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.
Acquisitions Information
Purchased: Carmen Valentino, Philadelphia, PA, 57, 1996 (Accession number: 96.018)
Collection Contents
| Box 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Box 1, Folder 1 | 1855-1856 | |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | 1857-1858 | |
| Box 1, Folder 3 | 1859-1860 | |
| Box 1, Folder 4 | 1861-1862 | |
| Box 1, Folder 5 | 1863-1864 | |
| Box 1, Folder 6 | 1865-1866 | |
| Box 1, Folder 7 | 1867-1868 | |
| Box 1, Folder 8 | 1869 | |
