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THOMAS FLORIAN CURRIER : 1860s - 1870s PAIR (2) OF ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN BOOKS FROM THE LIFE OF A VIRULENT ABOLITIONIST AND LOYAL MEMBER OF LINCOLN’S REPUBLICAN PARTY INCLUDING A DIARY OF ESSAYS, ARTICLES AND PERSONAL TRAVEL THAT SHOW AN ASTUTE UNDERSTANDING OF POST WAR ERA

Folio - over 12" - 15" tall. On offer are two fascinating and historically significant items, one a handwritten journal and the other a cash account book, both belonging to Thomas Florian Currier (1833-1906), a staunch abolitionist and advocate of the Republican Party. Currier was from Amesbury, Massachusetts and was a neighbor and friend of John Greenleaf Whittier, the famous poet and abolitionist. Being well educated, Currier spent time as a teacher, and later in life became a lawyer – being admitted to the bar in the early 1860s. He was married to Lucinda F. Reed in 1862 and they had three daughters (Mary Whittier, Susan, Martha) as well as a son Thomas Franklin Currier. What makes Currier’s documents so interesting is that he covers a fantastic amount in American history and politics. Currier was a writer for various newspapers, the "Amesbury Villager ", and traveler of sorts. His prose is excellent and enjoyable to read. In this diary he writes often about the Civil War, efforts towards the abolition of slavery, a song in honor of the notorious abolitionist John Brown, president Abraham Lincoln, the death of Charles Sumner, and then the administration of President Grant. In addition to this politically significant writing, there are diary entries scattered about a particularly noteworthy section contains a wonderful 14 page double sided account of an extended trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He and his fellow travelers head to the mountains “Victorian style" and it makes for rather enjoyable reading. During the time that Thomas F. Currier kept his journal, he lived in Boston, worked in the legal profession, wrote articles for newspapers, gave speeches, and would travel back to visit his parents (Thomas and Betsey) and friends in Amesbury. His journal appears to have been used to house some drafts of his newspaper articles and essays. In the beginning of his journal (late 1860s-1870s), there are commentaries written by Currier extolling the virtues of the GOP – as he praises Lincoln and Grant. One of his early entries, dated March 4, 1869, discusses the new President, Ulysses S. Grant, and feels that he will do a fine job in “prosecuting the laws.” Another article discusses his disappointment with Charles Sumner, the Senator from Massachusetts and an early abolitionist and proponent of equal rights, for leaving the Republican Party. Currier notes at the end of this essay that it was sent to his hometown newspaper, the Amesbury Villager, for issue August 8, 1872. Currier later writes another article on Charles Sumner when the Senator died in 1874. Currier also seems to be an early champion for women’s rights, as one of his essays discusses the need for women to be given an equal place in society. In addition to politics, Currier also discusses historical events, composing a lengthy discourse for the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1875. He also writes a piece on the 100th Anniversary of the British army’s evacuation of Boston (March 1876) – and includes the actual newspaper article (which contains his initials T.F.C. at the bottom) with the manuscript in the journal. He also inserts three other newspaper articles that he has written into his journal as well, including an essay on his high hopes for the Republican President Rutherford B. Hayes (1877). There are also pages in the journal that are used as a diary in which Currier talks about his family and the daily events in his life. His children are a great source of joy, and he includes some of their adventures in his daily notations. Currier’s journal is an 8” by 10” folio sized with marbled boards of approximately 250-300 pages, of which about 70 have been written by Currier. The pages are clean, and the ink is dark and readable. The book is both structurally and aesthetically in very good condition. The second item is Currier’s handwritten Cash Account Book. Currier kept great details of his spending in this book, and notes the towns he lived in during this period which include Bath, East Randolph, and Boston. Currier’s love of family can be readily seen as he purchases numerous gifts for family members – including his parents, his children and his brother Horace. Currier is also well read, as he acquires books on the poetry of Whittier and others, plus he subscribes to various newspapers and magazines - including the still-published ‘Harper’s’. Currier also does a considerable amount of traveling, Given that the account book provides ten years of information, it presents considerable insight into Currier’s life and character. The book measures 4 ¼” by 6 ¼” with full-leather covers and has the notation “Cash Account 1856-1866” written on the front. Inside the front cover Currier has signed his name with the date (August 11, 1856). The book has roughly 90 handwritten pages – being completely filled as there are no blank pages. The covers show moderate wear, and the pages are very lightly toned. The binding is tight, as all the pages are attached. Currier has neatly removed the top third of the last page in the book. The book is written mostly in pen - and in a neat hand which is easy to read. OVERALL: VG+. Manuscript. Book Condition: Very Good +

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