TRAVELING PREACHER HANDWRITTEN DIARIES - Temperance - Prohibition - Alcoholism - 1886 - NY
Item History & Price
TWO FANTASTIC, ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN DIARIES KEPT BY A TRAVELING PREACHER WHO SERVED IN SEVERAL COUNTIES IN NORTHERN NEW YORK STATE. PREACHED TEMPERANCE; PROHIBITION; MEMBER OF THE GOOD TEMPLARS ORGANIZATION; HOME IN ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. DIARY DATES ARE 1866 AND 1899. Each of these 19th century diaries are full as our diarist Rev. Randolph Worthington, was a Reverend of many words, and would fill up the pages on a daily basis. There was so much going on in this man's life it was in...credible. He and his wife Rue lived in the parsonage in Hermon, NY, and literally dozens of people would come and go on a daily basis; often staying overnight. They also kept boarders to supplement the meager income of a preacher in rural NY in that day and age. He often writes about the dust being unbearable, the muddy roads impassable, flooding, &c, yet he went out to serve his parishioners under the worst conditions ever relying on his horse "Bones." He would promote Temperance meetings; was a member of the Good Templars Organization (The International Organisation of Good Templars, founded as the Independent Order of Good Templars, is a fraternal organization describing itself as "the premier global interlocutor for evidence-based policy measures and community-based interventions to prevent and reduce harm caused by alcohol and other drugs".) Also attended prohibition meetings, and represented his church in a totally committed manner.
He would travel taking the stage, the train, or his trusty horse and carriage with "Bones" at the helm, and he would preach in Kents Corners; DeKalb; Trout Lake; Shurtleff Corner; Hamilton; Canton; Irving; Antwerp; North Russell; Watertown; Marshville; Ogdensburgh; Fulton; Richland; Oswego; Sandy Creek; Richville Station; Theresa; &c. In 1899, when he had moved and became a preacher in Alexandria Bay, he would travel to Sackett Harbor, Vincent Harbor, &c. Worthington writes about parishioners dying from dipthereia in 1886, and from the grippe in 1899. He himself almost dies from the grippe. He is fundamentally against the drinking of alcohol no matter how small the amount. It appears that alcoholism was a huge problem in these rural areas.
"Sept. 24th, Had a dance at the Hotel tonight - fine illumination - of course will have a big drunk. Sept. 25, In study considerable part of the day. But some of the time at the dentist office trying to get my plate fixed for my front tooth that broke off. But the dentist "Com" was so drunk that the whole thing was a failure. After he got it fixed he could no more get it in my mouth or fit it in the palm of my hand. It is a shame that he makes such a fool of himself. Oct. 25, Mr. Mott's house burned early this morning - too bad. He is quite badly burned about the face and one hand." Besides all his other duties he is always helping his wife Rue as they have so much company. He helps her with the washing, the house work, and everything else she might need help with. He feels badly that they have to have boarders to supplement his income as Rue has so much work to do. He is a kind, generous, and very devoted husband and preacher.
On Feb. 14, 1886, it is Rue's 50th birthday, and on July 11, 1886 it is his birthday, and he is 57 years old. Rue (Ruvina Elizabeth Freeland, was his second wife. His first wife was Julia and she died 21 Dec 1871 (31 years old). She is buried in Rushford, NY. He married his first wife, Julia Thompson about 1860, and he was listed as a harness maker at that time. In all the following census records he is listed as a preacher. He died in Nov., 1901, and Rue died in Dec., 1917. The census also showed that they moved around and traveled quite a bit.
Article from The Olean Democrat Newspaer, Olean, New York, 10 Oct 1882, The Prohibitionists of Chautauqua and Caltaraugua counties held a convention on Tuesday, Dr. E. H. Danforth of Jamestown presided and the Rev. E. G. and Ben Dean were secretaries. The T. J. Bissell made an address. Walter A. Sellew of Dunkirk was nominated a for member of Congress for the district. Dr. B J. Servis was appointed chairman of The District Committee. Cattaraugua county Prohibition convention. They also met at Olean Tuesday. The ticket was nominated: For Sheriff George Chamberlain of Glean; for County; A. A, Pixley of Salamanca; Coroners, J.H. Brooks of Olean, and Verias of Salamanca, Ratblwme Follett of was nominated for Member of Assembly, 1st dis., and Randolph Worthington of Randolph for 2nd district."
December, 1901; Buffalo Courier, Buffalo, New York; Obituary;Rev. Randolph Worthington, retired Free Methodist minister, died suddenly at his home in this city Wednesday ; aged 67 years. He was in his usual health when he retired.
Condition: Both diaries are in good condition. The red one is leather bound and the green one is hard bound. They are both full of a superb chronicle of the life of a traveling preacher in up state New York in the late nineteenth century. Measure approx. 3 12 x 6 inches and 4 x 7 inches. The larger diary is from 1899 and that shows some soiling on front cover as seen in images. Both diaries are internally fresh and tight and are a very worthy acquisition indeed.
Payment and Shipping: Please see our feedback and bid with confidence. Never a reserve and very low opening bid as always bidders with no established feedback must contact us before bidding. Payment must be received within 3 days after close of auction. Thank you.
He would travel taking the stage, the train, or his trusty horse and carriage with "Bones" at the helm, and he would preach in Kents Corners; DeKalb; Trout Lake; Shurtleff Corner; Hamilton; Canton; Irving; Antwerp; North Russell; Watertown; Marshville; Ogdensburgh; Fulton; Richland; Oswego; Sandy Creek; Richville Station; Theresa; &c. In 1899, when he had moved and became a preacher in Alexandria Bay, he would travel to Sackett Harbor, Vincent Harbor, &c. Worthington writes about parishioners dying from dipthereia in 1886, and from the grippe in 1899. He himself almost dies from the grippe. He is fundamentally against the drinking of alcohol no matter how small the amount. It appears that alcoholism was a huge problem in these rural areas.
"Sept. 24th, Had a dance at the Hotel tonight - fine illumination - of course will have a big drunk. Sept. 25, In study considerable part of the day. But some of the time at the dentist office trying to get my plate fixed for my front tooth that broke off. But the dentist "Com" was so drunk that the whole thing was a failure. After he got it fixed he could no more get it in my mouth or fit it in the palm of my hand. It is a shame that he makes such a fool of himself. Oct. 25, Mr. Mott's house burned early this morning - too bad. He is quite badly burned about the face and one hand." Besides all his other duties he is always helping his wife Rue as they have so much company. He helps her with the washing, the house work, and everything else she might need help with. He feels badly that they have to have boarders to supplement his income as Rue has so much work to do. He is a kind, generous, and very devoted husband and preacher.
On Feb. 14, 1886, it is Rue's 50th birthday, and on July 11, 1886 it is his birthday, and he is 57 years old. Rue (Ruvina Elizabeth Freeland, was his second wife. His first wife was Julia and she died 21 Dec 1871 (31 years old). She is buried in Rushford, NY. He married his first wife, Julia Thompson about 1860, and he was listed as a harness maker at that time. In all the following census records he is listed as a preacher. He died in Nov., 1901, and Rue died in Dec., 1917. The census also showed that they moved around and traveled quite a bit.
Article from The Olean Democrat Newspaer, Olean, New York, 10 Oct 1882, The Prohibitionists of Chautauqua and Caltaraugua counties held a convention on Tuesday, Dr. E. H. Danforth of Jamestown presided and the Rev. E. G. and Ben Dean were secretaries. The T. J. Bissell made an address. Walter A. Sellew of Dunkirk was nominated a for member of Congress for the district. Dr. B J. Servis was appointed chairman of The District Committee. Cattaraugua county Prohibition convention. They also met at Olean Tuesday. The ticket was nominated: For Sheriff George Chamberlain of Glean; for County; A. A, Pixley of Salamanca; Coroners, J.H. Brooks of Olean, and Verias of Salamanca, Ratblwme Follett of was nominated for Member of Assembly, 1st dis., and Randolph Worthington of Randolph for 2nd district."
December, 1901; Buffalo Courier, Buffalo, New York; Obituary;Rev. Randolph Worthington, retired Free Methodist minister, died suddenly at his home in this city Wednesday ; aged 67 years. He was in his usual health when he retired.
Condition: Both diaries are in good condition. The red one is leather bound and the green one is hard bound. They are both full of a superb chronicle of the life of a traveling preacher in up state New York in the late nineteenth century. Measure approx. 3 12 x 6 inches and 4 x 7 inches. The larger diary is from 1899 and that shows some soiling on front cover as seen in images. Both diaries are internally fresh and tight and are a very worthy acquisition indeed.
Payment and Shipping: Please see our feedback and bid with confidence. Never a reserve and very low opening bid as always bidders with no established feedback must contact us before bidding. Payment must be received within 3 days after close of auction. Thank you.
