TRAVEL DIARY - EDWARD SHARPLESS - Pennsylvania Quaker - Friends - England - Ireland - 1879
Item History & Price
FANTASTIC 19TH CENTURY TRAVEL DIARY OF A TRIP TO GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND MADE BY NOTED PENNSYLVANIA QUAKER, EDWARD SHARPLESS. DATED 1879. Fabulous original period typescript of a journey taken by Quaker Edward Sharpless in 1879. Across the top of this travel log is written "Some notes of a trip to Great Britain & Ireland & on the Continent of Europe, made by Edward Sharpless in the year 1879." Based on our extensive research we surmise this is the only surviving copy of this ...trip taken by Edward Sharpless. Swarthmore College has an extensive archive of material from the Sharpless family. Upon Edward's arrival in England he attends meetings at the Friends Institute; Describes the Queen's birthday (turning 60); Rides the underground railroad, the world's first established in 1863; Watches 15 men ride by on bicycles, "a species of velocipede, with one large wheel upon which the rider balances himself and rides along quite swiftly, a curious and novel sight." Edward Sharpless was a member of The Religious Society Of Friends, also known as Quakers, or simply Friends. This rare chronicle is quite a worthy acquisition indeed.
Edward Sharpless (1831-1899), was the son of Blakey Sharpless (1787-1853) and Mary (Offley) Sharpless (1793-1865) He had attended the Quaker West Town Boarding School in Chester County, Pennsylvania. His father Blakey Sharpless was an Orthodox Quaker and a printer in Philadelphia. Three of Edward’s sisters — Anna N. Sharpless (b. 1825), Martha Powell Sharpless, (b. 1827), (she married Edward Bettle (1827-1894) in October 1850. They lived on a farm near Haddonfield. Edward took an active part in political affairs and was elected to the New Jersey Senate, of which he became the presiding officer.), And Mary Sharpless (b. 1837), were all three married at Haddonfield Friends Meeting in Haddonfield, New Jersey. Edward Sharpless was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died there also. He is listed as living in West Chester, PA, as late as 1877, two years before this voyage.
His travel diary commences: "On 4th day, 5 mo., 7, 1879, I embarked in the steamship Illinois, arriving in Liverpool after a very favorable passage on 1st day morning the 18th inst. On board the steamship Illinois, 5th day, 5 mo., 8, 1879. I have had no seasickness as yet, a good appetite, no dyspepsia, kind shipmates and all going on as desirable and satisfactory as I could wish, enjoying the voyage much, for which I desire to cherish a feeling of gratitude to a kind Providence."
"We left the wharf at Philadelphia about 11;03, being a little behind time owing to the tide not suiting until then. William Warrington the 1st mate is very kind. I am writing at his desk, in his room and he shows me every kindness consistent with his duties. We had a very pleasant trip down the river, the sea chair, kindly loaned to me by S. E I find of great service. The weather is quite cool so that my thick overcoat and shawl are of great use. Dear sister Mary and William Bettle (brother) kindly came aboard and went over the ship; saw my stateroom and remained some little time with me, which was very gratifying to me. Had a stateroom all to myself, the passenger list not being so full but what I could be accommodated. K. C. Chambers was our pilot. At 11, 41 passed League Island, 12, 35 Chester, 2, 01 New Castle, 2, 21 Fort Delaware, 2, 47 Reedy Island, 3, 47 Bombay Hook, 4, 40 Cross Ledge Light House, 5, 40 Brandywine Light House, 5, 59 stopped to discharge pilot, 6, 46 proceeded at full speed, 6, 59 passed Cape Henlopen. Saw Cape May Light House and new city, Sea Grove I think, bore S.W." etc.
"Several of the passengers are quite sick. The sea not at all rough though there is considerable motion in the vessel. There are a number of steerage passengers with whom we have no intercourse as they are not allowed to come aft. Please forward my letters to Edward and William Bettle, when thee has read them, and I shall hope to hear from you all soon after I reach London." Sharpless continues with his narration of the weather while on board ship, condition of the ship, mileage, fog, seeing porpoises and whales, and "I seem to be remarkably well; I think better than on land, while most of the passengers are so sick, they cannot enjoy anything. The sea considerable wrought up but our vessel rides beautifully over the waves and I enjoy the rocking motion very much. At 12 o'clock noon, 307 miles since same time yesterday."
"6th day. Very wet but the ocean not much stirred up. We are nearing Queenstown, so I must draw my letter to a close. As I expect to be some time in London, you had better direct my next letter there. I do hope you will write frequently and that thee will do as I have done thus far and keep a journal or a diary of passing events sent to me. Love to all as if named." His entries here address arriving at Queenstown, then continuing up the channel and finally came to anchor at night at Liverpool. "About 7 o'clock the tug arrived to take us on shore and upon arrival the officers made a very cursory examination of our luggage as they call it. I then went to the Friends Institute where there was a good fire and staid till meeting time. The meeting was (I understood) smaller than common owing to the wet weather. An unusual quiet overspread the meeting. I dined at the Institute and proceeded to London by the 4 o'clock train. The ride along was interesting. The farms appear to be well cultivated, the fields quite green and the vegetation about as forward as ours was when I left home, the houses old and of peculiar construction, hedges instead of fences. As it was half past nine when I reached London, I went to the nearest hotel called West Wing Hotel, Euston." The following morning he proceeded by the underground railway to Jos. Armfield's, South Place Hotel, not far from Friends Institute, where I expect to make my home."
"The underground railroad is a passenger railway built in a tunnel under the street and run by steam engines, and at every little distance there are outlets for the passengers. I came via the London & N. Western Railroad from Liverpool; thy will see the route on the map. The hotel I put up is the one advertised on the first page of the "British Friend", (A Religious Society Of Friends Publication), as the Institute is likely to be full. Well, here I am in the great city of London, it is hard to realize where I am. I find the yearly meeting commences on the 4th day next and I shall probably attend at least some of the sittings." He goes on to talk about the meetings; a visit to Croydon; the London Bridge; Bank of England; a piece of the old Roman wall, &c., and comments; "It seems hard to realize the age of London as compared with our American cities."
"My short stay at Liverpool did not allow of my seeing much of the place. The tide is said to rise and fall about 40 feet, and there are high walls built enclosing spaces called docks with gates and when the tide is up the gates are thrown open for vessels to enter and then closed so as to keep the ships from sinking into the mud. Difference of time 5 hours faster at Liverpool than Philadelphia. On 2nd day morning proceeded to Armfield's No. 1 South Place and I took up my abode for the present. He keeps a temperance hotel in company with his son and seems concerned to uphold primitive Quakers. On 5th day, 23rd, I also met with a sister and brother of our late friend Joel Cadbury of Philadelphia, (of the Cadbury chocolate family &c). The 24th day of the month was the Queens birthday, 60 years old."
Description: Travel diary dated 1879 typed diary covers 6 pages, that each measure approx 8 1/2 x 11 inches and they are all in good condition, with a couple of fold lines as seen in images. The back side of page 6 displays some light browning with age, and there are a couple of tan spots, also seen in the images.
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.On Apr-30-19 at 19:50:44 PDT, seller added the following information:
Edward Sharpless (1831-1899), was the son of Blakey Sharpless (1787-1853) and Mary (Offley) Sharpless (1793-1865) He had attended the Quaker West Town Boarding School in Chester County, Pennsylvania. His father Blakey Sharpless was an Orthodox Quaker and a printer in Philadelphia. Three of Edward’s sisters — Anna N. Sharpless (b. 1825), Martha Powell Sharpless, (b. 1827), (she married Edward Bettle (1827-1894) in October 1850. They lived on a farm near Haddonfield. Edward took an active part in political affairs and was elected to the New Jersey Senate, of which he became the presiding officer.), And Mary Sharpless (b. 1837), were all three married at Haddonfield Friends Meeting in Haddonfield, New Jersey. Edward Sharpless was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died there also. He is listed as living in West Chester, PA, as late as 1877, two years before this voyage.
His travel diary commences: "On 4th day, 5 mo., 7, 1879, I embarked in the steamship Illinois, arriving in Liverpool after a very favorable passage on 1st day morning the 18th inst. On board the steamship Illinois, 5th day, 5 mo., 8, 1879. I have had no seasickness as yet, a good appetite, no dyspepsia, kind shipmates and all going on as desirable and satisfactory as I could wish, enjoying the voyage much, for which I desire to cherish a feeling of gratitude to a kind Providence."
"We left the wharf at Philadelphia about 11;03, being a little behind time owing to the tide not suiting until then. William Warrington the 1st mate is very kind. I am writing at his desk, in his room and he shows me every kindness consistent with his duties. We had a very pleasant trip down the river, the sea chair, kindly loaned to me by S. E I find of great service. The weather is quite cool so that my thick overcoat and shawl are of great use. Dear sister Mary and William Bettle (brother) kindly came aboard and went over the ship; saw my stateroom and remained some little time with me, which was very gratifying to me. Had a stateroom all to myself, the passenger list not being so full but what I could be accommodated. K. C. Chambers was our pilot. At 11, 41 passed League Island, 12, 35 Chester, 2, 01 New Castle, 2, 21 Fort Delaware, 2, 47 Reedy Island, 3, 47 Bombay Hook, 4, 40 Cross Ledge Light House, 5, 40 Brandywine Light House, 5, 59 stopped to discharge pilot, 6, 46 proceeded at full speed, 6, 59 passed Cape Henlopen. Saw Cape May Light House and new city, Sea Grove I think, bore S.W." etc.
"Several of the passengers are quite sick. The sea not at all rough though there is considerable motion in the vessel. There are a number of steerage passengers with whom we have no intercourse as they are not allowed to come aft. Please forward my letters to Edward and William Bettle, when thee has read them, and I shall hope to hear from you all soon after I reach London." Sharpless continues with his narration of the weather while on board ship, condition of the ship, mileage, fog, seeing porpoises and whales, and "I seem to be remarkably well; I think better than on land, while most of the passengers are so sick, they cannot enjoy anything. The sea considerable wrought up but our vessel rides beautifully over the waves and I enjoy the rocking motion very much. At 12 o'clock noon, 307 miles since same time yesterday."
"6th day. Very wet but the ocean not much stirred up. We are nearing Queenstown, so I must draw my letter to a close. As I expect to be some time in London, you had better direct my next letter there. I do hope you will write frequently and that thee will do as I have done thus far and keep a journal or a diary of passing events sent to me. Love to all as if named." His entries here address arriving at Queenstown, then continuing up the channel and finally came to anchor at night at Liverpool. "About 7 o'clock the tug arrived to take us on shore and upon arrival the officers made a very cursory examination of our luggage as they call it. I then went to the Friends Institute where there was a good fire and staid till meeting time. The meeting was (I understood) smaller than common owing to the wet weather. An unusual quiet overspread the meeting. I dined at the Institute and proceeded to London by the 4 o'clock train. The ride along was interesting. The farms appear to be well cultivated, the fields quite green and the vegetation about as forward as ours was when I left home, the houses old and of peculiar construction, hedges instead of fences. As it was half past nine when I reached London, I went to the nearest hotel called West Wing Hotel, Euston." The following morning he proceeded by the underground railway to Jos. Armfield's, South Place Hotel, not far from Friends Institute, where I expect to make my home."
"The underground railroad is a passenger railway built in a tunnel under the street and run by steam engines, and at every little distance there are outlets for the passengers. I came via the London & N. Western Railroad from Liverpool; thy will see the route on the map. The hotel I put up is the one advertised on the first page of the "British Friend", (A Religious Society Of Friends Publication), as the Institute is likely to be full. Well, here I am in the great city of London, it is hard to realize where I am. I find the yearly meeting commences on the 4th day next and I shall probably attend at least some of the sittings." He goes on to talk about the meetings; a visit to Croydon; the London Bridge; Bank of England; a piece of the old Roman wall, &c., and comments; "It seems hard to realize the age of London as compared with our American cities."
"My short stay at Liverpool did not allow of my seeing much of the place. The tide is said to rise and fall about 40 feet, and there are high walls built enclosing spaces called docks with gates and when the tide is up the gates are thrown open for vessels to enter and then closed so as to keep the ships from sinking into the mud. Difference of time 5 hours faster at Liverpool than Philadelphia. On 2nd day morning proceeded to Armfield's No. 1 South Place and I took up my abode for the present. He keeps a temperance hotel in company with his son and seems concerned to uphold primitive Quakers. On 5th day, 23rd, I also met with a sister and brother of our late friend Joel Cadbury of Philadelphia, (of the Cadbury chocolate family &c). The 24th day of the month was the Queens birthday, 60 years old."
Description: Travel diary dated 1879 typed diary covers 6 pages, that each measure approx 8 1/2 x 11 inches and they are all in good condition, with a couple of fold lines as seen in images. The back side of page 6 displays some light browning with age, and there are a couple of tan spots, also seen in the images.
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.On Apr-30-19 at 19:50:44 PDT, seller added the following information:
