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George R. Biddle diaries
Diaries recorded by George R. Biddle, a farm laborer who lived in Bellefonte, Patton Township, Center County, Pennsylvania. In addition to diary entries, included are burial, death, and marriage lists.
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
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| Collection: | George R. Biddle Diaries |
| Collection Number: | 3660 |
| Format: | Manuscript |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to finding aid |
| Physical Description: |
0.2 Linear feet ; 2 volumes |
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| Access: |
This collection is open for research. |
| Summary: |
Diaries recorded by George R. Biddle, a farm laborer who lived in Bellefonte, Patton Township, Center County, Pennsylvania. In addition to diary entries, included are burial, death, and marriage lists. The collection contains two volumes. George's daily entries begin in 1876 and end in 1894; however, the last entry is dated 1919. The volumes contain thick descriptions of his daily tasks, other events that occurred about the town, and various persons with which he and the family were acquainted. George was primarily concerned with the proper care and management of the family farm. Each entry in the books begins with a note on weather conditions and other environmental factors which may have had an impact on his work. He mentions various tasks such as plowing the fields, “chopping some wood on the wood pile,” and “picking cider apples in the orcherd [sic].” The majority of his time was spent in the care of the animals and crops. He mention on several occasions the negotiations for the sale of cows and the harvesting of oats, corn, and potatoes. Other entries in the volumes concern religious activities, funerals, the operations of a nearby cemetary, and a number of local events that occured in Centre County. |