Description:

Civil War
Terre Hill, PA, ca. 1865
Civil War-Dated Pocket Diary With Several Mentions of Lincoln's Assassination: "Lincoln shot at the theatre tonight...the Murderers of President Lincoln hung"
Diary/Journal

An 1865 pocket diary kept by Isaac Foltz of Pennsylvania, with his ownership signature at first free endpaper reading: "Isaac Foltz / Terre Hill / Lancaster Co / PA / January 1, 1865". Entries in both ink and pencil, complete from January 1 through December 31, 1865. William G. Perry Manufacturing Stationer, Philadelphia. Red and black printed pages at front include calendars, eclipses, stamp duties, and postage rates. At back, pages for cash account entries and memoranda. 3" x 4.75" x .75". Bound in a dark leather cover with "Diary 1865" stamped in gilt at flap. Expandable inner pocket at back. Expected wear consistent with daily use includes scuffing and chipping to the cover, with toning and soiling to inner pages. In very good condition.

1865 was a pivotal year in American history, marking the end of the Civil War, the assassination of President Lincoln, and the beginning of Reconstruction, fundamentally reshaping the nation's political and social landscape. Foltz begins each entry with the day's weather, then usually adds his plans for the day, a family member's health, or a noteworthy event. Excerpts shown below:

- January 23: "helped to dig a grave for Mrs. Fliehinger hung a door and put on locks on chest for Samuel Fliehinger"
- January 27: "The state quota this draft 49761"
- February 11-12: "Revolutionary soldiers living yet at this time Lemuel Cook...aged 98 years, Samuel Downey...aged 98 years, Wm Hutchins...aged 100 years...Alexander Maroney Drummer Boy Yates NY aged 94 years...James Kearthan living in Missouri aged 101 years the last man being a substitute for a drafted man"
- April 3: "Richmond and Petersburg taken by the Union army"
- April 7: "came to fathers tonight and stayed all night father very poorly"
- April 9: "Rebel General Lee surrenders his army to General Grant"
- April 10: "rejoicing tonight over the news that Lee and Army surrendered"
- April 14: "Lincoln shot at the theatre tonight at 10.o.clock Secretary Seward stabbed to death tonight at 10.o.clock Both at the city of Washington, D.C."
- April 15: "This evening, the sad news of the deaths of President Lincoln and Wm H Seward came which spread a gloom after the town. President Lincoln died this morning at 7.o.clock and 22 minutes"
- April 17: "Secretary Seward and son still living"
- April 19: "President Lincoln funeral today at Washington also a funeral sermon Preached here at Fairville"
- April 29: "went to father to stay with him all night. He is getting worse"
- May 3: "yeah, came to fathers tonight. Father very bad"
- May 12: "Father died at 15 minutes after 4.o.clock P.M. age 73 y & 24 days"
- May 14: "Father‘s funeral this afternoon"
- July 4: "fourth of July celebration out Fairville tonight"
- July 7: "the Murderers of President Lincoln hung"
- July 13: "Barnum's Museum burnt in New York"
- September 17: "a great tremor of the earth this afternoon"
- December 18: "honorable Thomas Corwin died in the city of Washington he was U.S. senator of the state of Ohio"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 3" x 4.75" x .75"
  • Medium: Diary/Journal

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