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PETER H. EMLEY : 1878 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A YOUNG NEW JERSEY MAN SUFFERING IN AN UNHAPPY MARRIAGE

32mo - over 4" - 5" tall. On offer is an original 1878 manuscript diary handwritten by Peter H. Emley who lived in Prospertown Ocean County New Jersey. The diary starts on June 16th and there are only 137 days that have entries but in this short period Peter details an atypical life given the problems of his marriage that he hints at as it seems that Peter and his wife have marital problems. He frequently mentions being angry and "sleeping alone." Further research shows that Peter may have had some degree of success as a "Peter H. Emley" of Lakehurst, N.J. filed for a patent number on June 22nd, 1905 for a Cherry Picker. We are not sure if this is the same Peter but local historians or researcher should be able to flesh this out. Here are some snippets: 1878 "June 19th, Clear and pleasant. At home the entire day. Edward W. Boins (?) moved out of my house today. Gustis Johnson and Richard Parker moved him. I met at the schoolhouse with Charles Miller, John Atkinson, George W. Ivins and Isaac Stewart were present for the purpose of consulting about the new schoolhouse. Miller and G. Ivins were drunk so they were nothing done…..July 7th, Clear and pleasant. Started for Manchester 5 ½ o'clock A.M. Got there 9 1/3 A.M. Saw William Shinn the first one and then doctor the next and then Ornie I. Shinn and then went to church. Had a good time, come back and found Susie and children there. They had been to take care of the drunken men or wife. Spent a pleasant day and night. July 18th, Exceedingly warm. Commenced the yard fence. Mr. G. W. Ivins sent for me to come up to the schoolhouse. I went and signed on order of $5.00 for clearing building. We hired Susie E. Emely to teach 1 term for the sum of $100…..July 23rd, Clear, cool and pleasant. Susie opened school with 7 scholars in A.M. Working on the shed mother kept Willie and Marnie during school hours. Engaged Hannah Parker to work for me at 50 cents per week. Delia is homesick. Bought 1 qt. of milk of Mrs. Brady…..August 14th, Clear and pleasant. Made a bedstead for Willie. Hired Lottie Atkinson to work for me at 50 cents per week. Presented Mrs. Atkinson with 12 ears of corn….August 30th, took Willie, Sarah and Susie to Toms River. Sarah and Susie attended the teacher's examination. I took care of May. The road are fearful….September 15th, Clear and pleasant. Took Dr. to Manchester. I was in one of my spells and wouldn't take Sue and the children. Susie, Willie and Marnie called at Anthony Vankise's. Mrs. V. treated them to water melon. They drank tea with Sallie A. Emley….September 30th, Dr. and Mrs. Shinn left about a quarter of 9 o'clock. Sister Annie made apple dumplings. I took her through the house and showed the house and furniture to her. Susie brought 3 letter stamps and the knowledge of it made me so angry that I slept by myself. November 1st, Cool and blustery. At work on my coal pit until late in the P.M. when I went gunning and killed a quail. Gunning season opens today. November 8th, Clear and cold. Tice Measure assisted me awhile in A.M. dressing my coal pit. Repaired Howard Wilbur's pump in P.M. Went gunning and shot a woodcock. Had a bed made purposely for myself and slept alone…." The 3½" x 6" diary and it's in fair to poor condition because the cover is torn up especially where the pocket is in the back. The pages are a bit foxed and the very first page is loose. Otherwise the binding looks good. Overall Fair+.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Fair+

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