8 manuscript diaries, 1903-1919, WWI service, Nineveh, NY, + ephemera, C. Davey

Description: [Diary] Collection of 8 manuscript diaries of Charles H. Davey (b. 1888-d.1968, Nineveh, NY), 1903-1919 including WWI service as a topographical engineer in the 29th Engineers in Langres, France, plus a small amount of related ephemera including photographs] These diaries provide a fascinating first hand account of the life of Charles Davey, starting as a teenager in Nineveh, NY. His days were filled with physical labor as he performed daily chores for his family and others. In addition, he was a dedicated student, eventually attending Syracuse University. In 1918 he serves the US Expeditionary Forces as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 29th Engineers, Langres, France. It is interesting to see how Davey grows and matures throughout these diaries from the age of 15 to 31. The 29th Engineers was a topographical unit, and the oldest of the US topographical units, organized in November of 2018. Contemporary leather (Standard brand) diaries in VG condition with minor rubbing and a few tiny chips to spines on some diaries. Size of diaries range from 3.5 x 5 inches to 3 x 6 inches 1903 Diary is approx 70 percent full of entries, most consist of going to school, chores (“hoed potatoes”), fishing, chorus, reading, etc...Includes 2 sheets of schoolwork, laid in. One is vocabulary, the other is a sort of technical drawing Includes 5 pages of Book titles with x marks next to some of the titles. Presumably these were the books in his household. 1904 This Diary is full to the point of overflowing with additional writing in back. Quality of writing and attention to detail is a lot higher than 1903 diary....Still lots of chores, hunting, ice cutting, socializing, schoolwork, reading. In back of book Davey has made a list of the family’s calves. Another list of books, this one numbered 1-166 1906 In school, days filled with chores, schoolwork, reading, relying on “17” train which is frequently late.... Started attending church, chorus, doing work for other families for money. Many of the families are named. Cutting ice mentioned frequently. Getting interested in photography, in back of book is a descriptive list of some negatives, numbered 1-50. Diary is full, longer entries, more detail to things like weather. 2 brief notes in back of book in code 1907 Taking train to school most days, chores every morning. Working some at a cemetery. Helping father more, lots of detailed weather reports...dating Ina Chamberlain.... Includes a detailed list of all letters and correspondence, almost all of it is from Ina. Diary is full plus a few newspaper clippings, receipts, and other items laid in back pocket. 1911 This (full) diary starts out with details about Davey himself– residence, hat size, emergency contact etc....Most entries are school related, there are some activities mentioned such as baseball, and basketball. Attending Syracuse. Detailed entries about school work. Spent the summer taking care of horses, helping neighbors, and reading. Includes a list of RR fares, and itemized cash expenses. Between jobs and expenses, he operates on a balance that starts at $57.70 and closes out at $14.95. Includes a Syracuse University class schedule in back pocket. 1915 Diary Full...Living with Ina...going to school...Getting more into photography, lots of entries about driving taking photographs, seems some was for work and some was for fun......Working for an engineering firm, “Sketching” roads, topography...... Lots of place names mentioned and people by name. Brasher Falls, NY, Lawrenceville, North Lawrence NY...lots of work in Sidney, NY, Barnett Hollow, NY..... Includes a monthly cash report in back, appeared to end the year with $193.00 Lots of class work and field work, playing ball...lots of mention of working on maps, in last quarter of diary. Includes a dated list of all letters mailed and received throughout the year, likely most of these were Ina. 1919 “continued work on the German maps..” Lot of entries start with “drafting room work” Travelled to Rhine, Coblentz, Luxembourg, Paris Travelled by to US via Marseille, Tangier, Hoboken. Discharge from military, reported to Eugenics office Travelled south for survey / map work, Orangeburg, Holly Hill, Buzzards Bay, Powell Bay, Summerville (South Carolina) plus numerous locales in NC Back north working, in locales such as Cranberry Lake, Afton, Moorefield Plantation (NY) Enclosed in back pocket are some bread tickets (in French) and 2 addresses on slips of paper. Some laid in ephemera in back pocket, train tickets, and an insurance policy receipt. 1918 Diary is full. First page updates his Identification as 2nd Lieutenant 29th Engineers, USA”...weight listed as 165 as of Jan 6, 1918... Got to camp on New Years Day...married to Ina......went to NYC for first time...[on the way to Europe, WWI] Sailing from NY to France (Brest) to Langres … Taking a gas defense course...other classes...target practice “didn’t break any records today”....”air raid alarm but all was quiet”.....”got letter #9 from Ina” Map work....”Today is our 1st Anniversary” (Ina)

Price: 1500 USD

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

End Time: 2025-01-18T00:27:28.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD