1845 ALABAMA DIARY OF REV. WING - Black and White Parishoners

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

1845 manuscript diary, [Rev. Conway Phelps Wing (1809-1889), Huntsville, AL], ink, 4” x 6”, 31pp., Jan. 1-Mar. 27, 1845; plus 2 1/2pp., 1847-48. Stewart’s Diary, pub. Philadelphia. Maroon leather. In this excellent content diary, Rev. Wing, a Presbyterian clergyman of Ohio and New York origins, writes of both black and white parishioners; temperance; Mesmerism; Mr. Tibbats Geography by Singing School; and local Huntsville citizens including the Clay family. In March he describes a two week trip to Florence and Tuscumbia. Approximately half the entries mention blacks or slaves. Although the diary is incomplete, Wing writes in a neat, small hand and there is a surprising amount of content. The diary is unsigned, however it has been positively identified based on data supplied in a Feb. 12 birthday entry, in addition to other notations. His Appleton’s biography states that he participated in the anti-slavery agitation in western New York and, “was zealous in his opposition to slavery in Tennessee and Alabama.” Entries in brief: Jan. 1 - “Gave a note to Judge Hopkins for $400 on interest payable Jan. 1, 1846 for a lot of land in Huntsville. Hired a boy of Dr. Watkins for $30 per year. Took also a girl of Dr. Erskine for her clothing &c…Preached night before on New Years Eve for blacks &c.”; Jan. 6 - “Saw a negro of Col. McClung in relation to his religious feelings. Corporation put a stop to negroes hiring out for themselves. Makes much difficulty.”; Jan. 15 - “Wrote sermon - the third in a series of Directions. Read Arabella Stuart & visited in the P.M. at Capt. Mastin’s in the country. Received an appointment for the Blue Springs for next Sabbath. Saw Charles Steele a negro of Geo. Steele who professes conversion last Sab. Night. Saw paintings of Calhoun’s last Monday.”; Jan. 28 - “Much crime appears in the papers of this state about this time. Excitement about Texas & the difficulties between the North & South are alarming. Mrs. Bode’s loss ascribed to our servant. Held a meeting for blacks - very solemn & formed a class of inquirers and converts after meeting.”; Feb. 12 - “My Birthday. This day 36 years old. I have spent the first 12 yrs at fathers house - 2 at Geneva Academy, 3 at Ham[ilton] Coll, 3 at Theol. Sem.….18 months at Pulaski & Columbia, Ten., one at the North & now nearly one years here. How soon has the first half of common life gone.”; Feb. 15 - “Spent the evening at Mrs. Lewis’. Interview with Mr. & Mrs. C.C. Clay. Miss M. Lewis’ singing & acting. On the whole a strange way of entertaining their pastor. Mr. Lewis about to go to Florida. Conversation with him about the unprofitableness of the slave system. Talk with Colvart about the American Board.”; Feb. 18 - “Preached to the colored people - ‘Are the consolations of God small with thee’. Held a meeting after sermon for conversation with inquirers.”; Feb. 25 - “Attended meeting at night with the blacks in the Basement of the Meth. Chch. Interview with Mr. McDowell. Preached on the same text - ‘What doth the Lord require of thee?’ Address of Cassius M. Clay to the people of Kentucky read. Bill to admit Texas passed Ho. of Representatives. Danger of its passage in the Senate.”; Mar. 3 - “Talk with Mr. Mastin about a loan of money with which to build a house…Catechism introduced into the Sab. School. Large assembly of people on public square & sale of ‘fancy negroes’.”; Mar. 5 - “Learned that there was no wine or ardent sp[irits] to be obtained at either of the public houses here. More than half the voters &…two thirds of them petition for the total prohibition of the traffic in them…Set out for Florence in the Stage & Rail Cars by way of Tuscumbia. Passage free.”; Mar. 6 - “Stopt in the Stage on Limestone Creek. Stay from midnight till morning in negro hut belonging to Judge Lane. Room full. Hideous looks. Lie on foot of the bed. Cruelty of old woman to her children. Complain of want of food…Arrive at Decatur. McCartney’s Inn…Detained all day.”; Mar. 7 - “Start from Decatur in cars. Affectionate leave. Interview with a Methodist physician at table, Dr. Scruggs. Meeting with a Pole at Courtland, & with Dr. Keller & wife & child on the cars…Arrive at Tuscumbia…Preach at night on Conscience…”; Mar. 9 - “Preach in the morning on the Divinity, Humanity &c of X[ion] from Phil…In the P.M. it rained hard but Br. Stebbings & myself preached to the blacks & administered the sacrament to them. ‘Lovest thou me’ being one text. Sab. School for colored people, John Raburn, a free colored man. Rained so hard there was no meeting held in the Church.”; Mar. 25 - “The Lecturer on Mesmerism had no meeting last night according to appointment the night before. Visit to Visa - find her sick with pleurisy - in an open house. Send some comforts for her…Saw Mr. Laird, talk about exhorting in the street.”; Aug. 1, 1847 - “Great Excitement in the Methodist Church. Preach in the morning on the rest of X. Take a list of Black Pupils in the School School. Singing in the school. Preach at night on Soul Murder. Aug. 2, 1847 - “This is the day for the General Election in the State for Governor, Congressman, Senator, &c. Voted for Davis, Acklin, McClung, Betts King, Fleming, Otey &c. In the P.M. went with Frye & Dake to Calhoun’s & the Daguerreotype office of Mr. Cook.” [Note: A 1 1/2pp. entry from Jan. 1848 describes a railroad and boat journey to Philadelphia.] Tear in leather flap and light wear. Otherwise VG-EX.

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