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ALBERT M. MEAD : 1859 - 1860 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT JOURNAL WITH DETAILED ENTRIES ON THE LOCAL HISTORY, POLITICS - INCLUDING THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE'S PRO SLAVERY STANCE - AND PRE CIVIL WAR BACKGROUND OF A SAD, FAILED, UNHAPPY MAN WHO WANTS SO MUCH MORE

4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. On offer is a super relic of pre Civil War Americana that collector and historians will appreciate on a number of levels: a mere six years after incorporation of Lawrence he writes detailed descriptions of local events, names recorded of visitors and then his own life experience: a young, deeply introspective man whose life is one of failure and illness, injury and desire. The 188 hand-numbered pages are handwritten by Albert M Mead of Lawrence Massachusetts a 20 year old whose large 10.25 x 7.5 inch journal is densely written and covers the period of January 1859 through 1860. Albert starts retrospectively, recounting his early life: father from Canandaigua New York who was killed by his brother when Albert was two; moved to Norwidgewock Maine to his 'mother's people' who were from Vermont. He was run over by a carriage "and was injured somewhere about my head -which I think has its effects to this day, with other thrumps." As a testament to his sincerity he signs the 'forward' at the bottom of page seven. We learn he went to Provincetown to work in Uncle's jewelry store and studied to be a dentist but was unsuccessful at both. He worries that he is too cautious to succeed. Had three phrenologists check his head and they all said his caution bump is predominant. "This is one grand reason of my not succeeding in becoming a good dentist a good printer or of learning any trade or becoming a public speaker…". Albert worked as a printer and early on in the narrative he is told he is no longer needed but he's still working far into the journal. [for a Mr Hayes?]. Each work day page lists what he worked on i.e.: "working the fast & card presses, helping with the printing of the Sentinel paper, striking bill heads, circulars for fire co, Pemberton [Mill] labels, any entertainment that came to town needed tickets/circulars, etc. His pay was given erratically by his boss. Life for him and of the times: he lives in a rooming house, has a fire in his room, goes to meetings on Spiritualism, Mesmerism, Universalism, Skepticism, the "Davenport Boys give manifestations of Spirit Power" with a long paragraph of how they work. City going to try and close all rum & beer houses, Circus with "Steam Caliope" comes to town, sold his ticket to the circus in order to see the 7ft 8 in French giant, large block of buildings burned down killing an Irishman he worked with, several other fires including at one of the mills, runaway horses etc. He's taking a "Liver Invigorator" for his digestive health, meets girls [especially Annie] from the mills but is not very successful in dating - says he is lonesome. Takes the train to Boston & catches a boat to Provincetown [which took 5 hours], trip into Boston - saw Boston Light Infantry in full uniform & Aquarial Garden [described fully], buildings at Harvard etc, temperance lectures, bank embezzlement, Daniel Sickles trial, 1.5 page description of types of celebrations on 4th of July, Mr. Martin "colored preacher" who escaped slavery gives several lectures which Albert attends, "Ben Butler Democratic nominee for Gov. made a speech in Charlestown .. opened the campaign. It was a spicy and witty effort. Ben is shrewd on the stump as at the bar. He says pigs are just the same and as much property as Negroes are, under the Constitution. Why should they not be represented in Congress then? 5 pigs ought to be able to cast 5 votes if they are the equal of Black men. I think Northern mens property should be represented if Southern property is thus privileged. What is the Democratic Party coming to with such a creed before a civilized nation like America. It will …. its own condemnation in time." "Insurrection in Harpers Ferry Virginia with Negroes and some white men." "Tonight the Pemberton Mill fell down burying many hundreds in it's fall. …..in general it surpasses all former scenes recorded in the annals of present archives" and he goes on for a whole page of description. A super period piece of the times and the era. The marble covered boards are slightly bowed but the contents are in very good condition. Book Condition: Good+. Binding: Hard Cover

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