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CLARENCE H. WILLIAMS : 1896 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A HARD WORKING ENTREPRENEURIAL LE ROY NEW YORK MAN

48mo - over 3" - 4" tall. On offer is an interesting little diary from 1896 that details the efforts of a young man to start his own business. The volume measures 4 inches by 2 1/2 inches and contains 92 diary pages, several memoranda pages and a number of information pages. It is in good condition and all pages are intact. The diary is about 60% complete and the handwriting is legible. The author is Clarence H Williams and he lives in LeRoy, NY, about half way between Buffalo and Rochester. There is little biographical information but context suggests that he is a young man who is now living on his own. Right from the outset, we learn that he is trying to establish a viable small printing business: "I sent 26 boxes of goods away today" [Jan 7], "I went down and run 1,000 books tonight... I earned about $1.30 today. So today aint bad" [Jan 11]. However, he doesn't rely only on his small business. He purchases chickens to run a poultry business [Jan 11] and engages in other activities such as cutting wood with his father. He bought a Simplex Typewriter to help in his printing business, noting: "... I have got 814 words of my (advertising) piece written" [Jan 19]. It is slow going and despite some thoughts of quitting, he persists. In April, he notes: "I drew a check for $3.10 from the firm."[May 1]. The diary is blank between May 29 and Aug 10. During that time, it seems he was working to build a circular saw and he notes on Aug 11: "... My circular saw works tip top... " [Aug 11]. Keeping in line with his continual searching out information for new ideas and businesses, he refers to another 'how to' book he has received: "... I bought a book called Picture Making in the Studio last Monday and I just received it today." [Aug 15]. He comments about looking for work but when he gets an offer, its not a lot: "Mr. Hooker wants me to do his chores this winter but I don't know about it. There is only 50 ¢ a week in it." [Oct 10]. The year ends much as it started - with Williams struggling along with his small printing business, some chickens and work that he finds around the area. For a historian looking at life in turn-of-the-century rural America, this little diary is an excellent resource. Not only does it detail Williams daily efforts but if mentions a number of other local and regional business as well as many individuals - each of whom can be followed up on to build an even more detailed picture of life in rural up-state New York.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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