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GEORGE CRAWFORD MURRAY, LAVINIA MURRAY, JAMES M. HOAGLAND et al : 1830s - 1870s ORIGINAL MASSIVE ARCHIVE OF MANUSCRIPT DIARIES [50] AND HANDWRITTEN LETTERS [65+] DETAILING THE LIFE AND LOVES AND RELIGIOUS DEVOTIONS OF NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK CITY COUSINS

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. On offer is a fascinating, massive archive of letters, notes, diaries, and some ephemera of particular interest to researchers, historians and collectors of mid 19th century New York City and New Jersey and religion of the day. The archive is made up of two [2] main components: 1) approximately 50 diaries and notebooks and 2) approximately 69 letters of inter-family correspondence, dated from the 1830s through to the late 1870s, they are mostly by and between three people; James Hoagland of Jersey City, New Jersey; Lavinia Murray of NYC and her brother George C. Murray of Middletowne, New Jersey. Lavinia is the main recipient receiving letters, though some are in her hand, from her brother George, her cousin and one day husband James Hoagland, her mother and father and some cousins and friends. The diaries are unusual and unique as the author George Crawford [the books are unsigned but the handwriting is assuredly the same as George's letters to Lavinia] kept 'double' books; one set of books are diary like entries describing his life and times, travel and business dealings but also a real picture of New York City of the era as George was in love with the city and he seemed to have a number of real estate holdings, perhaps he moved a lot, that he wrote from many different addresses. He would delight in describing the color of the sun as it came up over a particular street or intersection. George also must have had a touch of obsessive compulsive behaviour as is evident in his writings. He is incredibly detailed and a keen observer. The other side of the diaries is his obsession with religion. He keeps a diary of his devotions, the many different Churches he goes to, the sermons and lectures heard, the speakers ++++. He expostulates in essay form and writes detailed descriptions of the sermons and sometimes point form notes. We have never seen anything quite like the breadth and depth of this man's writings. The books themselves are mostly coverless or perhaps handmade, mostly 8 x 5.5 inches with a few smaller and a couple larger. Some are about 25 - 27 pages, some a few pages and the odd one or two are triple thick but there are approximately 1000+ pages from 1851 to 1881. Historians and researchers will find a treasure trove of Christian activity, thought and devotion regarding New York City in this group. This archive was once held by Milton Wyatt of NYC, a long time ephemera dealer in Greenwich Village NYC and was purchased from his estate. HISTORICAL NOTES from several online sources: 1) Murray, George Crawford, Ideal Citizen, Legislator. The late George Crawford Murray, of Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey, was one of those men whose lives and characters are of inestimable value as exemplars of what worthy lives should be. His ambition was ever along the worthiest lines and his whole life was devoted to the highest and best ideals. His nature was of singular sweetness, openness and sincerity. He had a profound knowledge of human nature, and was ever thoughtful for the welfare of his fellow beings. His family, which was of Scotch descent, was resident in New Jersey from about the middle of the eighteenth century. 2) Lavinia Murray, born December 17th, 1818, died 1876, married August 26th, 1847, James M. Hoagland, a merchant of New York City, whom she survived; resided in Jersey City and New York City; no issue. 3) James M. Hoagland Birth 13 Sep 1818 Father Nathan Hoagland (1778-1848) Mother Elizabeth Bird (1782-1847) Spouses 1 Lavinia Murray Birth about 1820. Overall G+.. Book Condition: Good+

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