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JOHN JAY VIETS : 1863 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT JOURNAL HANDWRITTEN BY A PROSPEROUS EAST GRANBY CONNECTICUT BUSINESSMAN WITH THE AWFUL BACKDROP OF THE HORRIBLE CIVIL WAR

12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. On offer is a superb diary from the Civil War era of the United States. Written in 1863, it details the daily life of a prosperous merchant in eastern Connecticut. The author does not identify himself but clues abound to his identity. Research suggests that this is the diary of John Jay Viets, a Connecticut businessman who lived in East Granby, Connecticut. There are a number of entries in the Memoranda section that bear the signature of J.J. Viets or John J Viets. There are a number of entries that reference town in and around East Granby including Hartford, Copper Hill, Simsbury and Farmington. He refers to his wife, "Jane". The Boston Public Library has avolume entitled Viets Genealogy 1902 that offers persuasive evidence that the writer and J.J. Viets are one and the same person (see Viets Genealogy, p113, 114), including the notation that J.J. Viets was married to Jane Wadsworth. The diary is chock full of personal details, observations and business information. Here are some snippets: Not frozen much during the night. Seth did the chores and struck for Windsor. I have been in the store all day - Ed went to Rainbow and we drove down to Aldriches to see his stock. Muddy and wet but will dry up [ ] as the rain blows hard and it grows cold faster. Mr. Chenny has a boil on his face and Burt is sick {Feb 10} ... Snowed during the night. 4" and continues this morning. A.B. staid at Rollins and is about this mor. - we rode over to Brads to get the new [ ] to Rollins { } sleigh. Paid Brad cash for it 60 cents. Teams are out breaking roads and the snow is deep - weighed cattle part of time, A.B bot over [ ] Weighed 3740 3830 ... [Mar 9] Started for Springfield. [ ] with me - took Gains Bot Books and settled Recd 21,108 Paid CE (at the funeral of Aunt Rosanna which we attended on the return home) twenty dollars and the Bal to myself and his father Bot a Box Wahoo Bitters from Jas. O Allen on commission Staid at home after the exorcism [May 19} He was active in his communities politics and notes in the Memoranda section: at a meeting of the republicans at the town of E Granbyheld at Pains Hotel Jan 19th. Jeremy Holbank Chairman JJ Viets Scribe ... The record is signed John J. Viets. The Accounts section provides extensive details of sums earned and paid, creditors and debtors and accounts settled. All of his events take place against the backdrop of the American Civil War and the diary makes some oblique references to it: ... news from the army is bad this eve - Hooker is reported this side of the river... [May 7] He is referring to General Joseph Hooker who had just suffered a stunning defeat at the Hands of General Robert E. Lee at Chancellorsville on May1-3. It was in fact one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War. The river refers to the Rappahannock River in VA where the battle was fought. On June 29th, he notes 22nd regiment arrived in Hartford from the seat of war. Ought to staid there for the present to put down with raid of rebels in This is a reference to the 22nd Connecticut Infantry which was raised in Hartford CT earlier in the war. After serving nearly a year, it was returned to Hartford in late June, 1863 and mustered out of service July 7th. For a historian, this is a goldmine. The writer is a well-educated, successful business man who is able to carefully record important happening in his family, business and community. It is an excellent window into life in a small Union community midway through the American Civil War. The diary measures 7 1/2 inches by 3 inches. The cover is leather and shows some wear. The 158+ pages within are in good condition. The diary is 100% complete and includes a wealth of additional information in the entries in the Memoranda section.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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