The Journal of Charles Rawn
February 14, 1843 to May 4, 1843 (Book 14)

Edited by Kirk A. Cless

Rawn's journals in general appear to closely correspond to his Receipt Books, as he mentioned them consistently in his journals. His daily activities involved a fair amount of monetary transactions. From buying butter or liquorice to collecting legal fees from clients, Rawn kept tedious notes and tabs regarding his accounts with other Harrisburg citizens. I was surprised to find a large number of attorneys from outside central Pennsylvania mentioned frequently by Rawn. Also, his practice was larger than I had anticipated. Typical of many nineteenth century businessmen, Rawn had debts and debtors which extended back months and even years (e.g. Rawn finishes paying for a coffin for son Joseph 360 days after his death). Interestingly, some of Rawn's business practices consisted of retaining money for distant clients or associates in order to pay their local debts (e.g. Francis R. Shunk).

In terms of specific events during this period, I found that one was particularly noteworthy: the incident with Kitty Jones. Rawn found that Kitty Jones, one of his servant girls, had run away, believed to be headed for Carlisle. Rawn tracked her down (using numerous contacts along the way) and reprimanded her strongly for running away. I can't give a judgment on this event, since I am not sure how servants were treated as a rule in nineteenth century Pennsylvania in general (or by Rawn in particular). However, if it is any indication of the event's importance, Rawn underlined almost the entire journal entry, nearly 3 hand written pages. As mentioned previously, Rawn made mention of his son Joseph's (referred to elsewhere as James C.) death nearly a year before, on April 12, 1842. Obviously, this still had some emotional effect upon the Rawn family. Rawn made note of buying a syringe for his daughter, but does not state anything about her condition. Kellen Lacks, another student of the journals, found a record of an ongoing illness afflicting Charles' daughter, Elizabeth Rawn. This may be the first signs of her illness, described by Charles in those later years as a "condition of the spine."

In political and professional terms, Rawn's career seemed to be booming in this period; his records indicate a steady flow of legal fees being collected from his professional services. While meticulous about his bookkeeping, Rawn does not give the impression that he is concerned about money problems. During the late spring, he paid for the construction of an addition to his home, to be built by Joseph Pilkington, his carpenter, and Roger Sheehy, a mason. But, while he could afford to keep and pay servants, he does not appear to have had a bookkeeper for his business. Surprisingly, I found no evidence of any activity with the Underground Railroad, nor any sign of sympathy with that cause. I found only one reference to African Americans: George Fumer, described by Rawn as "Cold." [colored], was charged with bastardy and fornication; Charles Rawn and Frederick Boas jointly defend him, securing an acquittal on the bastardy charge. However, Rawn made note of having received a fee from George Fumer, $4.25, so he obviously did not defend Fumer on his principles alone.

The Clendenin family is mentioned several times throughout Rawn's words. I discovered the Johnathan Clendenin was Rawn's brother-in-law, after Rawn noted that his wife had received word from her brother. This explains the references to "Mother C." which Rawn made on a few occasions—that would be his mother-in-law. Beyond these notable facts, Rawn's journal reads much like a Receipt Book, noting every expenditure, from parsnips to mortgage payments. I think Charles Rawn can ultimately be described with the word "meticulous," but there will no doubt be more to say about this man as his journal is gradually transcribed.

The Journal

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Transcriptions for this section of the journal begin February 14, 1843 and end May 4, 1843. Click on a date to begin reading.

List of Names Mentioned

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  • Aldinger, Christian
  • Alleman, Michael - Visited Rawn to receive payment of debts owed by David Mumma
  • Blean, David - Hotel owner in Carlisle; Rawn stayed in his hotel during the search for Kitty Jones
  • Boas, Frederick K., Esq. - Attorney
  • Bostwick, Wm. - Split water tax with Rawn on Wister property; possible co-owners ?
  • Boyd, Wm.
  • Bratton, J. B. - Editor of State Capital Gazette
  • Buchanan, Hon. James - Politician supported by Rawn
  • Bucher, Judge - Possibly John Conrad Bucher (1792-1851); appointed Judge in 1839, served 12 years on the bench
  • Branyan, A., Esqr. - Rye Twp. Perry County, PA
  • Brenizer, Elizabeth - retained Charles Rawn as legal counsel to sell her deceased husband's estate
  • Brenizer, Jno. C. - Deceased
  • Briggs, Johnathan H. and Juliann Tod - Couple were married at "Mr. Hannahs," March 16, 1843; possibly John Hannah Briggs (1815-1872), admitted to the Dauphin County Bar 1837
  • Brightbill, Peter - Client of Rawn in Brightbill vs. Wood Case, "No.16 8 Nov. 42"
  • Cameron, Simon - Republican politician
  • Carson, Chas.
  • Carson, Francis
  • Chandler, Joseph R. - Lectured at North Ward School Room
  • Clarke, Matthew - Hauled coal dirt for Rawn; paid for services
  • Clendenin, Johnathan – Lancaster, Rawn's brother-in-law
  • Clendenin, Mary Scott - Loaned money to Rawn; operated a boarding house [possibly the "Mrs. Clendenin" for which Rawn paid pew rent at the Presbyterian Church to Treasurer H. Walters]
  • Coleman, Johnathan
  • Corbit, Wm.
  • Crawford, B. Bordley, Esq. - Rawn wrote to him regarding Bill bonds in the Garland vs. Ms. J. F. Crabb
  • Davis, James M. - Philadelphia
  • Dallade, Geo.
  • Deebold, Wm.
  • Deebold, Elizabeth
  • Doll, Henry - Went sleighing with Charles and his son
  • Dougherty, Johnathan
  • Eldred, Judge
  • Emanuel, David
  • Evans, Edwd. F.
  • Fadeler - Applied for Bankruptcy in a case in which Rawn was involved
  • Faunce, Shff.
  • Fayer, Mr. - The Gate Keeper of the Harrisburg Bridge
  • Fisher, J. W. - Legal client
  • Fleming, Geo. - Carlisle
  • Fry, Conrad J. - Gratz
  • Fumer, Geo. - Defended by Rawn and Frederick K. Boas against charges of fornication & bastardy; convicted of fornication
  • Garlin, George - Chambg.
  • Garman, George
  • Garman, Jacob
  • Ghisson, Geo. Ely
  • Gibson, Francis
  • Gilbert, Jno.
  • Grabb, Mrs. J. F.
  • Greenly, James
  • Grimshaw, Wm., Esq.
  • Haehnlen, C. F. - Kept Rawn's horse (livery stable owner)
  • Halderman, J. M. - The mortgagee for Charles Rawn's mortgage; Rawn paid two year’s interest in full on April 30, 1843
  • Harris, Geo. W., Esqr. - Possibly George W. Harris (1798-1882), of the original Harris family - paid for repairing blinds [possibly Samuel Wallace Hays (1790-1855), member of the Presbyterian Church, elder from 1840 until death]
  • Hays, W. - Rawn paid him to stuff and cover sofas for him [probably same person as above]
  • Henlock, Wm.
  • Hickok, W. O.
  • Hoffman
  • Hoffman, Mrs. - Milk maid (?); Rawn bought fresh milk and cream from her many times
  • Humer, Peter
  • Ingram, S. D. - Possibly Samuel D. Ingram (1811-1894), member of Presbyterian Church, superintendent for Harrisburg City Schools
  • Jauss, Christian
  • Jones, Mrs. A. J. & A. J. Dickey - Buried at the same time, March 27, 1843. Rawn notes the occasion, but does not state that he attended the funeral or how he knew these individuals.
  • Jones, Jim
  • Jones, Kitty - The servant girl who ran away; Rawn caught up with her in Carlisle after following several leads
  • Karns, Saml. - Tenant in Wister property overseen by Rawn
  • Kauffman
  • Kelly, Jno.
  • Kintze, Geo. - Of Portsmouth; bought a lot of land from Charles Rawn
  • Kunkel, Johnathan
  • Louck, George - Blacksmith; Rawn paid him for shoeing his horse
  • Longnecker, Mr. Young
  • Lutz, George - Grocer from whom Rawn bought liquorice
  • McCormick case
  • McCulloh, Thomas, Esqr.
  • McFaden, Johnathan - Legal client
  • McIlhenny & Lingle - Legal clients
  • McIlwain, Hugh - Tenant in Trimble house overseen by Rawn
  • McKeever, Joseph - Rawn's law student
  • McLanahan of Senate
  • Mesen, B. Hale
  • Michael, Phillip
  • Milleisen - Rawn frequently mentions this name as a grocer or merchant from whom he bought most of his butchered meats and other foods. This might be George A. Milleisen, born in Lower Paxton Twp, died 1868.
  • Mitchell, Wm. - Dauphin; Rawn may be referring to William Mitchell, a Harrisburg lawyer who served as Prothonotary for the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, 1855-1861
  • Moore, Johnathan - Carlisle
  • Muench - Visited Rawn to pay debts owed to Dan Smith and Michael Alleman
  • Mumma, David
  • Musgrave, Mrs. Emily - Rawn attended her funeral (March 12, 1843)
  • Nathan, Betsey - Paid by Rawn for baking and washing tasks
  • Nathan, Thomas - Possibly related to Betsey Nathan, above
  • Nichols, Mr. - A schoolteacher
  • Ostter, Martin
  • Parke, B., Esqr.
  • Parthemer - Elderly couple murdered 3 miles from Harrisburg; Rawn called it "shocking"
  • Patterson, R., Co.
  • Peacock, James - Born in 1788, died in Philadelphia 1863, Harrisburg Postmaster for 25 years
  • Peason, Edward P., Esq. - Reading
  • Penrose, Chas. B., Esq. - Washington
  • Peters, G. S. - Printed advertisements for Trimble House for rent. Rawn may have been the probate lawyer for the estate of Trimble. He appears to be handling a number of small details regarding the house.
  • Pilkington, J. - "My Carpenter"; paid for carpentry work performed for Charles Rawn
  • Pilkington, Joseph - West Chester, PA
  • Pipe, A. M. - F. R. Shunk, Pittsburg lawyer, asked Rawn to pay his debt to Pipe with money he had sent to Rawn previously
  • Pollock, Edd. - Edward Pollock was a friend of Charles Rawn's son, Charles
  • Pollock, G. E. M.
  • Price, Eli K., Esq. - Philadelphia; client in Hunt vs. Fisher case
  • Rawn, Elizabeth & D. W.
  • Remick - 110 N 6th Street, Philadelphia
  • Rinehard, Chas. W.
  • Robeson, Moses
  • Rutherford, Dr. W. W. - F. R. Shunk, Pittsburgh lawyer, sent money to Charles Rawn to settle Shunk's debt with Rutherford, who was probably William Wilson
  • Rutherford, M.D. - 1805-1878, who practiced medicine for 40 years in the Harrisburg area
  • Sage, Gusavus A.
  • Sallade, Adam - West Hanover
  • Sayers, Ed. S. - Philadelphia
  • Seiler, Jacob
  • Sheehy, Roger - Mason working on Rawn's addition to his house; possibly related to Roger Sheehy of the old 8th ward
  • Shenk, Catherine - Package sent with her to Smith & Hodgson in Philadelphia
  • Shoemaker, Bechtold & - Dauphin
  • Shunk, Francis R., Esqr. - Pittsburg
  • Shunks, Aaron
  • Smaltzireo, Conrad - Mended shoes for Rawn family
  • Smith, Dan - Visited Rawn to receive payment of debts owed by David Mumma
  • Smith & Hodgson - Druggists, Philadelphia
  • Snyder, Geo. - Paid for weaving for Rawn
  • Spackman, Mr. - Of Senate
  • Trimble, Thomas P. - Client of Rawn regarding Trimble estate
  • Walker, Mr. - "The Music Master" in Carlisle
  • Walters, H. - Treasurer of the Presbyterian Church Rawn attended; Rawn paid pew rent to Walters for himself and for a "Mrs. Clendenin"
  • Ward, Ebenezer - Rawn went to look at his oven
  • Welker, Jacob
  • Wemich, Geo. - Alerted Rawn to a sighting of Kitty Jones, the runaway servant girl
  • Wier, Professor - Client of Charles Rawn
  • Wilson, Johnathan C. - Hazleton
  • Wright, Hon. H. B.
  • Woarishing, Lawrence Levin - Rawn met his son in Carlisle

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PDF Icon Book 14: 1843-02-14 to 1843-05-04