Travel Diary Of Honorable Artillery Co To Boston With Royalty And Famous Clergy
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:371588 |
The HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY in Britain wasincorporated by Royal Charter in 1537 by King Henry VIII. Today, it is aRegistered Charity with the purpose to attend to the “better defence of therealm, ” a purpose primarily achieved by the support of the HAC Regiment and adetachment of Special Constabulary to the City of London Police. Regiments ofbatteries fought with distinction in both world wars. The Ancientand Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts is the o...ldestchartered military organization in North America and the third oldest chartered militaryorganization in the world. Its charter was granted in March1638 by the Great and General Court of Massachusetts Bay and signed by GovernorJohn Winthrop as a volunteer militia company to train officers enrolled inlocal militia companies across Massachusetts. In 1903, the British Honorable ArtilleryCompany visited the Massachusetts Honorable Artillery Company and their journeyis recorded in the 9 x 10 ¾, 21 pp diary offered here, which is written as aletter to the writer’s wife of the writer. The original pencil is present. In addition tothe 21 original pages, our unknown diarist has used carbon paper to duplicatesome of the pages. The diarist is clearly a member of the Honorable ArtilleryCompany of Britain. The narrative extends from September 23 to October 23, 1903, the entire length and stay of his company’s trip to and from Boston, which begins on board the Dominion Liner “Mayflower.” He provides intricatedetails of his activities aboard the ship, the condition of the sea, theweather, activities on the ship, the number of miles traveled each day. Hementions several notable people on board, including the controversial AmericanEpiscopal clergyman Leighton Parks, who officiated at a service, which drewhigh praise from the passengers. Parkswas an uncompromising liberal preacher at Boston’s Emanuel Church (stillpresent today), one of the wealthiest congregations in the country. He militantlydefended theological modernism which denied the virgin birth. The diarist also mentions Richard Young, Bishop of Athabasca, who was aboard the ship. Lady and Lord Denbigh from England were also aboard and participated inmany activities. In very small part, “My darling Wife…Our marchthrough London was a memorable one at the Mansion House and the Sheriffs intheir Robes of Office with a large party of ladies & gentlemen…andtremendous crowds cheered & again & again wished us ‘God Speed’ whichcontinued right away to Euston Station…Our journey on the train to Liverpoolwas happily passed. The L & N W Railing Co. making most perfectarrangements for our comfort…The train was stopped at Rugsby to pick up LadyDenbigh who is…going out to Mexico…We arrived here at 4:15 pm when the LordMayor of that city…received us at Lame Stretch Station & accompanied us on the march through thecity to the town hall, being played there by the bands of local volunteers, thestreets being lined with the members of those corps & greeted by enormouscrowds…We were accorded a hearty & warm reception, all the principalfamilies…being represented with a greatmany naval & military officers in their bright uniforms &dresses…Speeches…were made…[marched to the ship] This is an enormous ship, being 601 feet long & 13, 507 tons & is well equipped…After a few milesrun down the Mersey, we anchored as there was not sufficient water for us tocross the Bar, during which time dinner was served…I fear there were many whowere unable to sleep…A small paddle wheel steamer is in view, which we learn isfrom the harbor with mails & about 100 immigrants for our ship. She hasbeen tossed about for several hours waiting our coming…& glad in deed arethese poor people to be…on board this huge vessel…Several Irish peasants are offeringsouvenirs of Old Ireland to the passengers in the shape of Shillelaghs, greensilk kerchiefs…oak pipes. Our boys are having a bit of fun…The steamer castsoff & up anchor & away. We go in good weather all along the Irish Coast…Folksare generally getting their sea legs, the usual ship amusement all day long…Theship’s company generally are very nice from the Captain downwards…Arthur &I have a most comfortable & roomy three birth state room…The run today is330 miles, moderate winds & clear… “We have on board the Rev. Leighton Parks, D.D., Rector of Emanuel Church of Boston & also a past Chaplain of the Ancient& Honorable Artillery Co. of Boston, who conducted the service. He has beenvisiting England for 4 months & returning home. On the center table in thesaloon, 3 or 4 cushions were placed with 2 Flags – The Stars & Stripes& Union Jack, which was very effective & from which the service wasdelivered. He (Parks) is a splendid fellow & most eloquent, an American, the service was most impressively rendered, after which he gave an addresswhich was listened to with breathless silence & marked attention. A fineroration I have never heard…It was quite a sight to see the hand shaking individuallyby the most of our fellows in thanking him for it…All this time, the wind wasblowing with hurricane force & the ship rolling tremendously…All the forepart of the ship was continuously under water…When the men changed duty, theywere nearly washed off the ladders…The gale lasted till past midnight &…upseta great many on board…Lord & Lady Denbigh [took] part in many of thecompetitions…We had…excellent Bohemian concerts & the presentation ofprizes by Lady Denbigh to the successful competitors of the sports…We are todayon the great banks of Newfoundland…The sea varies from 2040 to 24 Fathoms deep…Itwas intended to have a fancy dress ball…but it had to be postponed on accountof the weather…there being a rather nasty sea & the captain said he fearedthere might be some accidents…” On October 15, 1903, the Honorable ArtilleryCompany begins its trip back from Boston. “We left Boston…send off has possibly never been experienced…It was butthe culminating point of the hearty & spontaneous expression of fond willthat had been accorded us from the moment we set foot on American Soil, which hadcontinued uninterruptedly during our stay…Our progress through the city to thewharf at Charlestown was marked by cheers of thousands of people of theheartiest possible character… “This is a big ship, much larger than theMayflower & it is her maiden voyage. She is beautifully fitted…She is 600feet long x 68 feet beam & is 15378 tons and we have on board thefollowing: 158 1st Class, 25 2nd Class, 94 3rdClass, 235 Crew—512 Souls…She has a very heavy cargo, the largest, I hear, evertaken by any ship out of Boston…cotton, fruit, meat, flour butter, hams &bacon…approximately 5, 000 tons…Divine Service was held in the saloon, The Rev.R. Young, Bishop of Athabasca & two other clergyman, the offertory, whichwas made on behalf of seamen’s orphanages of Boston & Liverpool amountingto L 9.10.2…fairly good considering the reduced number of passengers…Hope tomake the coast of Ireland tomorrow night. The ship has rolled a great deal allday…Everybody…cleaning & packing up preparatory to landing…toasts wereproposed to the captain of the Goodship Columbus…” The diary is in pencil, but very readable, and generally in excellent condition. The first page isheavily toned and has a margin tear. Afine example of two sister organizations meeting with a complete description ofthe journey to and from America. Everything we sell is guaranteedauthentic forever to the original buyer. We also offer a 30-day return policy.If you discover a problem or are dissatisfied with an item, please contact usimmediately. Our goal is to please every customer. We are pleased to be members of TheManuscript Society, Universal Autograph Collectors Club and The EphemeraSociety. [M108]
