1861 Handwritten Civil War Era Diary Journal -stanley-attleboro Ma 7th Regiment For Sale

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The author of this diary was a young woman who waseither 17 or 22 years old, depending on which census record you look at.Her name is not written in the book, but I am quite sure her first name was Sylvia. On one page someone wrote "Sylvia, you did not write in your diary today". On another page, she wrote at the bottom a fewtimesthe name "Sylvia Stanley". What is confusing is that the young man shewas interested in and eventually married was named Stephen Stanley, but census recordsshow that his parentage wasdifferentthen that of Sylvia.To make matters even more confusing, there is the name Artemas Stanley, CampOld Coloney, (?) Company, Taunton Mawritten on the last page of the diary.According to earlyMass census records, this young man had different parentage than either Stephen or Sylvia. All three are listed as living in Attleboro, Ma. Artemas Stanley volunteered in 1861, was in the Mass 7th Regiment, and died of illness in 1862.

I amquite sure that the 19 yr old Stephenthe author wrote aboutwas the Steven Stanley who belonged to the 7th Regiment from Massachusetts. This regiment was stationed at Camp Brightwood at Washington DC in 1861. Sylvia wrote ofStephen beingsent toWashington DC and of sending him letters there. She July 12, 1861...Attleboro Volunteers left for Washington. Hope they will all arrive safe!

On one page in the diary, there is a drawing of the flag, and written The Star Spangled In triumph shall Ore the land of the And the home of the When this you your soger SteveSylvia mentionedhaving discussions about the war with her friends.She also wrote ofSteven and other men going to Taunton, which is where they went to volunteer.Shewrote of the Attleboro Volunteers in their uniforms and of bands playing in town. Very early in the war she April 25....A great Battle fought - two lives lost- Northerners carried the day.....May 17.....Very pleasant but cold. Worked all day.(?) Company marched to Attleboro by the A.B.B. A great time at W Robinson.Went up to Bardins with Mr Bailey and Etta caught peeking in the (?) door....The author often wrote of being blue, or disappointed, or frightened.She worked in other peoples homes, doing housework and taking care of the children. She also wroteof working in the shop.Sylvia hadmany friends and a very active social life.The author liked to use abreviations and initials in her entries.She would oftenfollow a complete thought with just a word or two about another activity. It takes some getting used to.Excerpts from longer Jan 10.....Got up very early. Worked in the shop. Not very pleasant. Acall from Suter. A great row at home in the eve...Frightened and blue. Retired early. Fire out 3 29.....Very pleasant and cold. Worked all day. Went up to Whitings Shop to a dance in the evening with Horace, Steven and Sarah. Had a very pleasant time. M Johnson drunk.Came home unharnest and retired.Apr 20.....Very pleasant. Worked and cleaned the shop. Invitation. Walked home with SS (Steven Stanley)around the Dungeons. Band playing on the street. Had a letter from Callie 3......Cold and pleasant. Worked very steady. Town meeting and G Davenport and N Emerson drunk and fell out the wagon. Played Whist in the evening with M.E.S. Headache. Backstairs work. May 30.....A splendid day. Worked all day. R gone home. Played Front Door Convention. Call from N Holmes.
Recruiting officers. The Home Guards appeared out escorted by the Attleboro B.B (Attleboro Band)...... June 2......Got up rather early. Done up my work and went to Baptist in the morning....Volunteers appeared in uniform. Went to the Hall in the afternoon with Arty. Did not like the sta__ (?). Went to the Falls after tea. Called at G Gaffon. Went to the cemetary with M. Pleasant walk. Called at M Jacksons. K (?) Company gone to E Attleboro. ABB played (Attleboro Band).....

July 1.......Did not get up very early. Almost sick. Washed until3oclock. Got supper, worked in the garden. Very tired. Had a call from Stephen for the last time. Sat in the frontdoor. Had a pleasant time but hard to part..... July 3......Cleaned house in the forenoon. Called at Aunt Louisa's, had a long talk about the war. Called at Barden's store. Sam worried. A call from R. Took a walk withAnna Smith, a long talk. Downhearted. Her mother and Mr Bedelt drunk. Run all the way home. Aug 1.....Got up over the foot board. Ratherlonely all day. Downhearted. A call from Horace and R,
Lizzie's children. Did not go to church (very hot). Wrote a letter to Callie but did not send. Wrote to S.
Annie Moss buried. Lonesome and homesick as a chick.

Sep 18....A stormy day. Did not get up very early. Done my work and went up to Hortons Grove to a
clambake. A very pleasant time. Feltrather blue all day. Called at Aunt Louise in the evening. Mary and
Aunt Emily had a long talk. All felt pretty bad. Stephen starts back for 1.....Worked all day. Lizzie and R at home. Workeduntil nine. Lamp went out and awfully frightened. Hid behind the s---(?) Dec 20....I came after one to work in the shop. Uncle O came after me, Mary sick. Went up there, staid all day. Wash myself. Slept with Mary all night. Frightened in the night (a knock on the door).Did not sleep much all night.......

The diary measures 4" x 2 1/2". For some reason, the author did not write in the diary for about 2 months - from Feb 11 to April 15. The rest is full with many full page entries. Written in pencil and ink and in very good condition, considering its' age.This is not a diary one can read quickly.I had to read most of ittwiceto better understand the author's style of writing and the odd phrases which must have been popular at the time, such as - "got up over the foot board", or "hung on the gait(or gate).
What is readily apparent however, is the feeling of patriotismthat was present in that area after the start of the war, with bands playing,young men going off to volunteer and celebrations to honor the volunteers. Sylvia and Stephen Stanley were married on Sept 28, 1864. Buyer pays 4.00 S&H via First Class Mail.

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