On This Page
The Journal of Charles Rawn
July 16, 1856 to September 2, 1856 (Book 25)
Edited by Jeffrey Slater
When Charles Rawn was writing this portion of his journal, Harrisburg was growing by the proverbial "leaps and bounds," due in large measure to its position as a "crossroads of the East." By the time it was incorporated as a city (1860) the population had increased from 1472 in 1800 to well over 16,000. Records from 1858 Harrisburg City Directory show 22 dry-goods stores, 44 grocery stores, 104 other mercantile establishments, 5 breweries, and at least 52 eating houses and taverns. Large scale employers included: Bay and Jennings iron foundries, Harrisburg Car Factory, Keystone Iron Works, the rolling mills of Pratt & Son and Baily and Brother, the Porter and McCormick furnaces, and Pelegram & Meyer Cotton Mills.
In addition to the typical material about walking, riding, and his law practice, this portion of the journal shows Rawn increasingly active in politics. He discusses issues of the day with a former associate, and Rawn writes that he spoke up for "Freedom and Free Kansas." He also writes of attending "Kansas meetings" at the court house, as well as meetings of "Fremont Clubs." As for his family, Rawn mentions when he writes to his son Charles, who is apparently attending the Edgehill School at Princeton, New Jersey. He sends him local newspapers to keep him informed. With his increasing prosperity, Rawn has acquired more rental properties, apparently, and he writes of repairs they need. Finally, he closes this portion his journal by noting that Simon Green, an Irishman, is to be hanged for murder.
As much as possible, the entries have been copied verbatim. This transcription follows the original format as it was written by Charles C. Rawn. Throughout the transcription, some editorial changes to the original text have been made to enhance the readability and clarity of the journal.
In order to compartmentalize each day, I have skipped spaces between each entry. The original journal text did not skip any lines and made maximum use of all writing space on each page, front and back. The pagination of Rawn's journal and the transcription differ. To remedy any possible confusion, the actual journal page is identified in bracketed large type centered in the middle of the page with additional lines being skipped between pages. Example: [Journal Page 1]
Rawn's spelling/capitalization/punctuation errors and tendencies have been preserved. Rawn made limited use of commas and period in his daily entries. Dashes were his symbol of choice when writing. In order to make the flow of the text smoother and more readable, some commas and periods have been inserted. These editorial corrections and denoted by brackets. Examples: [.] and [,].
When absolutely necessary, interpretation and correction of misspelled words in the journal's text have been made. In some cases, misspelled words in the journal's text are followed by bracketed corrections. Words and text that were faded, smeared beyond recognition, or were completely illegible were placed into brackets. The words in doubt were followed with a question mark ?.
All underlined words, names, and monetary sums have been duplicated from the original text.
The Journal
Transcriptions for this section of the journal begin July 16, 1856 and end September 2, 1856. Click on a date to begin reading.
List of Names Mentioned
- Aeusluge, Mr.
- Alricks, Herman - Attorney at law, 2nd above Chestnut
- Arirth, Jas.
- Aurd, Moth Jones
- Ave, Chas.
- Aver, Chas.
- Binder, Henry, Esyr.
- Bishop, W. F. - Attorney at law, corner Pine & Rasberry alley
- Black, Judge
- Bloss, W. B.
- Boas, F. K., Eyr.
- Boas, J. D. - Jeweller, 2nd above Mulberry
- Bomgardner, Geo.
- Borgner, Geo.
- Boruen of Ches. Coy.
- Bostuts, Wm.
- Bowman, Geo W. - Adjt Gen. of PA 11
- Bretretis, Philip
- Brinzev, J. C.
- Buffinton, Benj., Eys. - Wood and coal merchant, corner 6th 7 Strawberry Alley
- Buffington, Bery of
- Burling, Hon. Anesin
- Buttz, Mo.
- Calvin, Mrs.
- Calvin, Mrs. James
- Calvin, Jno.
- Carey, Jno.
- Carson, Mo., Esgr.
- Cary, Jno.
- Casey, Jno. - Butcher, State near 4th
- Cassov, Mo., Esyr.
- Cavevly, Mn. [Coverly, Wells?] - Hotel Keeper, corner 2nd & Market Square
- Churg, Wm. W.
- Clendenin, Hon. Jno. J.
- Connell, Mrs. Cathl. A.
- Cronilish, Andrew
- Dayton, Freemont
- Deltmer, Abraham
- Deltmer, Henry
- Derr, Lyn, Esgs.
- Dramond, Henry
- Eijster, A. S.
- Ensminger, Philip - Auctioneer, corner 2nd and Chestnut
- Eyster, Mrs.
- Falbert, Jno.
- Fanders, Mrs. Wm. T.
- Fetterman, Jacob - Stone mason, State near 4th
- Flanders, Mrs. William
- Fiess, Henry
- Fis[?], Jacob
- Ford, Gov.
- Frances, Ey
- Fread, P. N.
- Fuest, Mrs. Eyster
- Funk, Jno. - Engineer, Paxton near Front
- Gafihill, Charles, Sen.
- Gastrock, John - Carter, Walnut near 4th
- Gelf, Boas
- Gelf, Jno. Calvin
- Gelferyayer, M. Hopple
- Gilbert, Henry - Hardware merchant, Market near 3rd
- Green, Simon
- Griffith, James W., Esy.
- Griffiths, Eyr.
- Hamman, Chas.
- Haner, Esgr.
- Harris, G. W. - Attorney at law, corner Harris' Alley and 2nd
- Hatfield, Samuel
- Heisley, Jno. - Druggist, corner 2nd & Chestnut (pg. 20)
- Higgins, James
- Hobt, Bunhan
- Hoffman, Ros. G.
- Holmes, Silas M.
- Hoke, Gake
- Hoke, Gall
- Hoke, Jon.
- Homer, Expr.
- Hummel, Albert - Sadler, Walnut near Front
- Hyler, Fredek
- James, Capt.
- Kanies, Hollidar C.
- Kelley, Wm. - Carpenter, Spruce below North
- Kern, Hon. Jno. C.
- Kervart, Mdy.
- Kiruzer, Franer J. - Miller Eys
- Kreider, Mr. - Carpenter, Market near 3rd
- Kunkel, Hon. Jno. C.
- LaFishes, Bishop
- Lart, Irene
- Laur, Thomas
- Lonnes, A. W.
- Looker, Chas. - Shop, State near Spruce
- Looker, Edward
- Lorrel, James
- Mand, Phillis
- Manuis, K.
- Martin, A.
- Mayess, Fager
- McCasey
- McKeen & wife
- Meily, W. W.
- Miller, Sam
- Miller, William - Coachmaker, South near 2nd, or Miller, Wm. G. - Cotton mill, Barbara Alley
- Mitchell, Protho
- Mitchell, Wm. - Prothonotary, Third above State
- Mitchell, Wm., Sr.
- Montgomery, Kirk
- Moore, Anthony - Cotton mill, Liberty alley near 3rd
- Moore, Jno. - Confectioner, Pine near 3rd (pg. 24)
- Moore, Patrick
- Mueuh/Muerreh, Chas. F. [Muench, Chas?] - Brick manufacturer, Market near 4th
- Munsday, Eys.
- Myder, C. A. Eng.
- Mydess, Dry
- Natfield, Samuel
- Noyal, J.
- Obernnell, Cathe
- Ohnslafer, Mr.
- OOms, Chas.
- Pbrufr, Geo.
- Peacock, James, Esyr.
- Peck, Kerdu
- Phil, Mrs. Ann Wm. Neeley
- Phil, V. H. Ron Whworth
- Pomemi, Gen.
- Quines, Patrick
- Randalls, Solomin Elijah
- Raper, Geo., Eys.
- Rawn, Charles
- Rawn, Fanny/Fannie
- Rawn, Jno. Calvin
- Riegle, Mr. & Mrs.
- Roberts, Gov.
- Roberts, Lieut ov.
- Roberts, Liut. Gen.
- Royal, Joshiah - State agent, Locust near 2nd
- Rudop's daughter, Eyr.
- Ruver, Jacob F.
- Sanders, ron
- Sanders, aon
- Sedgwick, T. C.
- Shaub, Peter
- Shunk, Mrs. Wm.
- Smler, Mat
- Sooker, Chas.
- Sooker, Edward
- Sorrels, James
- Sozrel, Jas.
- Southworth, J. H.
- Southworth, V. A.
- Syrther, Eyr.
- Urich, Jas.
- Wafner, Jos.
- Waldon, Wm.
- Walker, Jno. F.
- Wallace, Mrs. Eliza
- Wallace, Theo.
- Wallace, William - Clerk, Walnut near 2nd
- Welf, Jno. Hopple
- Wenan, Pat
- Wettsmes, Alslih
- Whitehill, Wm.
- Widson, Jas.
- Widson, Thomas
- Wier, Jas. W. [Weir, J. W.] - Cashier, Harrisburg Bank Market Square
- Wilson, Mr. [Thos. H.?] - Clerk, 2nd above Street
- Wilson, Henry - U.S. Senator
- Wilson, Stephen
- Wiruk, Wm. F. R.
- Woodward, John
- Wysth, Geo. Mr. & Mrs.
- Young, Andrew - Constable, Cherry alley near 2nd
- Zeflers, Jacob
- Zothing, Warren
Download in PDF Format
PDF files contain the author's original formatting for the content appearing on this page and on the journal pages. They require a PDF viewer such as the free Adobe® Reader®.
