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HARD, LEVI : 1880 ORIGINAL DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY LEVI HARD, A FARMER FROM KENDALL, ORLEANS COUNTY, NY, DOCUMENTING FARMING ACTIVITIES AND SOCIAL LIFE

16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall. On offer is an original diary of Levi Hard from Orleans County showing the life of a well-off farmer in a small New York town in 1880s, detailing his day-to-day activities including routine farming operations, fighting field blaze, and his social life. The diary covers the whole year, all pages are densely filled. At the time when the diary was written Levi Hard, was about 70 years of age and lived with his wife, their daughter and son-in-law lived nearby. They were growing crops, fruit and vegetables, and kept cows and sheep. Hard continued working himself and was often helped by his son-in-law Hiram, and other relatives and neighbors, and they often hired help. As many farmers' diaries this one includes records of weather and lists farming activities: "I got up at five or six, milked 3 cows, strained milk, built a fire, picked some corn to boil. Took care of Tom [a horse] and fed the pig. My wife has written a letter to thrashers in Albion", "Hartwell came and we went out to cutting Briers and Brush, and weeds." However, Levi also writes much about his contacts with local residents, and thoroughly describes his correspondence with different people. The family had a piano and family members came to practice and to play. Here is one of the typical entries: "Webster stayed here last night, Mart and Emma and wife were here last night. Hiram played on the viol, Mart on the piano. Mart drew two loads of barley. I picked some grapes. Took a basket full over to Emma, and half bush. peaches". The diary gives an insight to the local farming trends at the time, crops production, prices and volume of work at the farm, and also refers to different local events. Many of the names he mentions can be found in the book "Landmarks of Orleans County, New York" by Isaac Signor published in 1894. The diary is a book with brown cover with flap closure. The title page reads: "The Empire State Diary 1880". First 30 pages contain regular almanac matter - calendar, interest table, number of pounds per bushel, currencies etc. Condition: Very good, reasonable age-related wear, no missing pages, ink has substantially faded on many pages, but the text is readable.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Very Good

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