Nisbett, Thomas P.:

$1,500 · Offered by William Reese Company · No longer available

[MANUSCRIPT DIARY OF AN ENGLISH MINISTER'S VOYAGE FROM LONDON TO NEW YORK IN 1861]. A dramatic account of evangelical minister, missionary, and published author Thomas P. Nisbett and his family's Atlantic crossing from London to New York aboard the schooner Plymouth Rock, in June 1861. His entries depict a voyage laden with peril on a nearly daily basis, including squalls, storms, the ever-looming threat of privateers, an unruly crew, and the promise of war to greet them upon their arrival in America. Illness and injury is a particular concern as there was no medical officer on board, or "medicine of any kind." The diary itself is a simple blank journal with lined paper. Nisbett's signature is on a label on the front cover, and on the front pastedown he has written "Day Book 1861 Weekly Expenditure for House Purposes January," although the journal begins with them boarding the Plymouth Rock at noon on June 21. Nisbett's hand is relatively clear but his writing is terse, and he only uses full sentences when discussing spiritual topics.The trip begins well enough, even though the very evening they set sail, there is a "fire in next cabin. Accidentally caused by Mrs. Powell (French woman). Extinguished by the captain. Sat. June 22....Nice weather....Sails set ahead. Pass well known spots." "Sickness" starts spreading on June 23, and by June 25, "Wife, Charles & Mary sick on deck in the sun....This is wife & son John's Birth day, I keep quite free from sickness." By the 27th, man

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.