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PORTER JUDSON SMITH : 1912 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY SADLY HANDWRITTEN BY A VERY SICK MAN IN THE FINAL MONTHS OF HIS LIFE

16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall. On offer is a sad, original manuscript diary that serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the daily misery of infirmity. Of 130 handwritten pages only 51 of those pages have to do with personal entries and one cannot help but notice the handwriting becomes shaky and weakens as the illness progresses. Authored by Porter Judson Smith [born Sept. 22, 1848 in N. Chelmsford, Massachusetts] of Springfield, Massachusetts Smith perhaps knowing the end is coming uses a financial ledger to begin his a diary from June 23rd, 1912 through October 7th, 1912. Casual research finds that he died December 9, 1912 from Phthisis Pulmonalis [Tuberculosis of the Lungs] accompanied by wasting away of the body. Here are some snippets: 1912 "June 24th, Fair and very hot. I sat on porch awhile. Went to bed at nine. Had light dinner. Not as much of a chill but a good deal fever. Mother with Mrs. Doubleday. Visited a sick woman at hospital (Springfield Hospital). Maude took children to see Barnum parade." "July 2nd, Fair and cool but nice morning and A.M. Warm after 9 o'clock. Fred started for shore this morning. It was hard to say good bye. He didn't want to go a bit and we all had to wipe the tears away. Bro Seaman called. Just escaped chill but took a high fever." "July 12th, Some cooler and great relief. I got on better today as Lizzie bathed my feet and legs. Mrs. Gates came in with two chapel sisters; Brown and Weaver. Miss Brown laid hands on me and prayed for my recovery." "July 24th, Fair and cold. Much warmer through day. Had poor day all through. Lizzie has given up going to campground on my account." "July 28th, Fair and ideal day for opening of camp meeting. Fred returned from Blandford Mountain this P.M. Lizzie went up to campground this P.M. Bro. Sherman of Worcester called. A good visit. Ray and Edith called this A.M. on their way to camp meeting." "August 5th, Fair and cold. I sat up about two hours. Am feeling much better. My faith that I shall be restored to health is stronger and it seems to me the Lord will raise me up. Fred was going to Blandford but his family, he claimed, could not go." "August 19th, Fair. Maude washed for Mrs. Scott. Lizzie all discouraged. Things have a dark look for us. I am very poorly." "August 27th, Fair and cool. A delightful day. Sat up 1 ½ hours. Am improving a little but very slow. The great ancient order of Hibernians are holding a convention in town. A hard looking crowd. A lot of rum ____ bound under oat to protect the Pope. Mrs. Gates called this P.M." "August 30th, Weather was very cold in morning but fair and breezy all day. We needed a fire all day. I had a bad spell after being up yesterday and had a chill and followed by a fever attack. Dr. Weston arrived from his vacation to see me tomorrow. I am feeling better tonight." "September 22nd, This is my birthday. Fair, nice day. Lizzie attended morning service. I have passed a good day. Bro and Sr. Nott, Bro and Sr. Pike came here to sing and what a feast I had. Such a beautiful sing. Such harmony. A glorious day to me. Also Bro. Underwood came with them. A shower of postal cards yesterday. Entirely unexpected." The rest of the pages, 79 of them, have to do with expenses and miscellaneous notes and they date from 1909 - 1911. Many names are mentioned: Dr. Weston, Bates, Seaman, Nichols, Underwood, Florence Jenson, Doubleday, Agnes Jenson, Hewlett, Brown, Weaver, Curry, Lewis, Fleming, Scott, Fuller, Ellen Smith, Bailey, Anderson, Hayes, Lockwood, H. Berwick, Kendall and more. The 4 x 6¾ inch diary is overall G+.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good+

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