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The Journal of Charles Rawn
September 3, 1856 to October 3, 1856 (Book 25)
Edited by Felicia Lehr
This section of Charles Rawn’s journal is consistent with the others. He generally talks about groceries and supplies he has bought that day and how much they cost him. He mentions certain merchants he comes in contact with on a regular basis that may have also been friends to him, such as John Casey, the butcher. Rawn will frequently go into detail about his attorney’s fees and/or money owed to him by his tenants. He will also mention what he did in the day, such as walking somewhere with a friend or one of his sons. Sometimes Rawn will mention the specifics of his work day and being in court. He will also mention his new clients, on occasion, and a bit about their case.
Charles Rawn frequently writes about the Fremont Meetings. He also mentions some of the others attending and those who make speeches. Rawn is very involved in the shipping of what seems to be very important documents, such as the Fremont documents and the Platform documents. He continually mentions many political meetings, one of which took place at a schoolhouse in York County, Pennsylvania. He also mentions other political meetings, especially one that he attends in a neighboring county. The meeting ends late, and he and others head back to Harrisburg in the dark during a storm. Rawn goes on to recount the treachery of the unsafe journey back in the storm coming over the mountain. He mentions that this is the closest he has ever come to death.
In another part of the journal Rawn goes into detail about the funeral of a close woman friend. He describes her character and physical appearance. She is the sister of two of his male friends. He also mentions those who help to carry the casket.
Rawn writes about his two sons in reference to their schooling and spending time with him. He mentions his daughter once in a while (he bought her a McGuffey’s spelling book), his sister on occasion, and his wife rarely. He recounts walking with his sons all over town and going on hunting trips. I deduce that he spent most of his family time with them.
He also notes a letter he writes to an attorney friend in Wisconsin. The letter was printed in a newspaper in Wisconsin. I believe, because of the political nature of the letter, copies of the newspaper were sent to others involved in Fremont meetings.
Rawn closes each entry by writing about the evening’s activities, if any, and what time he goes to bed.
| 60 lbs | White Falling to a [?] | 12 - | $7.20 |
| 25 " | hard soap | 5 | 1.25 |
| 4 ¼ " | Black Tea | 44 | 1.70 |
| 1 " | Imperial " | .75 | |
| 4 " | Starch | 10 40 | |
| 1 " | Pepper | 10 | 16 |
| $11.46 |
The Journal
Transcriptions for this section of the journal begin September 3, 1856 and end October 3, 1856. Click on a date to begin reading.
List of Names Mentioned
- Aaron, Samuel - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Alrick, Hamilton - Colleague and relative (9/15/56); brother of Herman and Muyant (?) Alrick, (9/21/56)
- Alrick, Herman - Brother of Muyant(?) Alrick and Hamilton (9/21/56)
- Alrick, Miss Muyant (?) - Sister of Herman and Hamilton Alrick/friend; Charles Rawn attended her funeral (9/21/56)
- Baldwin, Robert - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Baldwin, Charles - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Balch, Moses, Esq. - Attorney from Philadelphia involved with Freemont Documents (9/26/56, 9/30/56)
- Balek, John, Esq. - Attorney from Philadelphia, PA (9/20/56)
- Bergner, George - Public Ledger/Telegraph Office (9/6/56, 9/11/56)
- Bishop, W. V., Esq. - Rawn in court with on this date (10/2/56)
- Blair, William - Edgehill scholar, friend of son Charles (9/26/56)
- Blesley, John - From Fishing Creek, Perry County, PA, (9/27/56)
- Boer, W. V. - (9/12/56)
- Bomberger, Mr. - Cashier of Mechanics Savings Bank (9/16/56)
- Bouit (?), Noyden - Attorney (?), Charles Rawn just met (9/13/56)
- Brannen, (?) - (10/1/56)
- Brant, John H. - Coal dealer (9/10/56)
- Bredin, James, Esq. - Attorney, received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Brehm, John - From Hanover (9/23/56)
- Brennen (?) - (9/19/56)
- Brinton, Henry - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Buser, Henry - New client (9/23/56, 9/24/56)
- Casey, John - Butcher, friend (?) (9/10/56, 9/17/56, 9/27/56)
- Cheyney, (?) - Sent copies of a newspaper with a letter from Charles Rawn to Silas Holmes (9/11/56)
- Cheyney, Captain John H. - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Cheyney, Chris - Son of William, received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Cheyney, D. N. - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Cheyney, George S. - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Cheyney, Joseph - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Cheyney, William - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Children - Charles Rawn’s children (9/28/56)
- Clyde, V. J. - Freemont Meeting (9/4/56)
- Colfax - Makes speech in Congress (9/22/56); makes speech on Republican Platforms, (9/29/56)
- Cunkle, John L. - Keymaker, handyman(?) (9/16/56)
- Dinsmore, J. L. P. - From Maine, Rawn helps find suitable living quarters (10/2/56)
- Dork, Judge (?) - Dauphin County judge
- Enright, R. C. - Clerk from Oneida County, Utica, New York (9/22/56, 9/23/56, 10/1/56)
- Erlinger, Joseph - Plaintiff in trespassing case for William Moore (9/13/56)
- Eyster, Das.(?) - (9/12/56)
- Eyster, Mrs. - (9/12/56)
- Feass, Henry - Tenant (10/2/56)
- Fisher, J. W. - Freemont Meeting (9/4/56, 9/6/56)
- Fleming, D. - Freemont Meeting (9/4/56)
- Ford, General - Addressed meeting (9/12/56)
- Freeman, James A. - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Geiger, William Christian - (9/26/56)
- Gibbons, Jorhue (?) V. - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Graham, James - Philadelphia tea and spice dealer (9/27/56)
- Green, Evan - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Griffith, Jason(?) W., Esq. - Dauphin County attorney (9/17/56, 9/19/56)
- Haddleson, Dr. John - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Hagan, Richard - Tillary owner (9/13/56)
- Hagelaw (?) - Attorney (9/11/56)
- Hammon or Harman (?) - Freemont Meeting (9/4/56)
- Harris, George W., Esq. - Attorney, walking partner, friend (?) (9/18/56, 9/21/56, 9/23/56, 9/26/56, 10/2/56)
- Harris, W. - Friend, walking partner (9/20/56)
- Hatfield, Samuel - Client (9/23/56)
- Hogan - Friend (?) (9/13/56)
- Holmes, Silas M., Esq. - Attorney from Detroit, MI (9/8/56); received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Hopple - Neighbor, friend (9/24/56)
- Hughes, Helen - Teacher at Edgehill School (9/22/56, 9/23/56, 9/26/56)
- Hume, Esq. (?) - An attorney Charles Rawn just met (9/13/56)
- James, Charles, Esq. - From Wisconsin, Rawn helps him find suitable living quarters (10/2/56)
- John, Miss - Sister of Muyant Alrick (?)
- Johnson, John - Delivered coal to Charles Rawn (9/18/56)
- Johnson, Mr. - Rawn in court with on this date (10/2/56)
- Jordan, J. - Carried casket of Muyant Alrick (?)
- Juliana - Charles Rawn’s sister (9/8/56, 9/15/56, 9/26/56)
- Kinney, M. W.(?) - (9/6/56); carried casket of Muyant Alrick (9/21/56)
- Kunkel - Freighter, grocer (9/27/56)
- Lawrence - Freemont Meeting (9/4/56)
- Lewthworth (?), J. H. - From Philadelphia, received Freemont Documents; from John Balch, Esq. (9/30/56)
- Looker, Charles - Tenant (10/2/56)
- Maloney, Hanora - Hired woman (9/3/56, 9/26/56)
- Matz, William - From Skuylkill (9/13/56)
- McCormick - Attorney (9/10/56, 9/20/56)
- Mendehall, Robert - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Miley, Ian - Client (9/10/56)
- Miley, Samuel - New client (9/8/56)
- Mitchele, Prothy. - Dauphin County Prothonotary (9/15/56)
- Mitchell, William - Witness of one of Charles Rawn’s clients
- Moore, William - Irishman, client (defendant) (9/13/56)
- Murray, John - Client (9/26/56, 9/27/56)
- Mumma, David, Esq. - Attorney from Philadelphia, wants to attend Freemont Meeting (9/27/56)
- Nace, Iassac Nace - Dauphin County carpenter (9/3/56)
- Nunan, Patrick - Tenant (9/15/56, 9/20/56)
- Palmer, Samuel - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Peters, James - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Rahn, William George - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Rawn, Charles C. - Son, received copy of newspaper (9/11/56, 9/29/56)
- Rawn, Fanny – Daughter (9/8/56, 9/19/56)
- Rawn, John Calvin – Son (9/3/56, 9/4/56, 9/6/56, 9/8/56, 9/9/56, 9/16/56, 9/17/56, 9/19/56, 9/26/56, 9/29/56)
- Read, John W., Esq. - Attorney to make speech at Dauphin County Courthouse (10/2/56)
- Reighe(?), Mrs. - Overnight guest (9/12/56, 9/13/56)
- Rigler, Samuel - New client (9/23/56)
- Riley, John - Milkman, farmer (?) (9/3/56)
- Rop, Robert J. - (9/22/56)
- Royal, J. - Nouthurnth County (?) (9/9/56)
- Rutter - Lives close to school house where meeting is to take place; in York County, PA (9/29/56)
- Sanders, William T. - (9/12/56)
- Sanderson - Speaker from New Jersey in New Bloomfield, PA (9/26/56)
- Simms, Honorable Charles - Senator from MA (9/6/56)
- Snyder, C.A. (?) - (10/2/56)
- Sorret, James - Client (9/4/56, 9/18/56)
- Southworth, J. H. - From Philadelphia (10/2/56)
- Strohm, Esq. - Attorney from Linglestown (9/23/56)
- Townsend, Ebeneezer (?) - Received copy of newspaper (9/11/56)
- Trimmer, N. W. (?) - (9/6/56)
- Wallower, J. - Freemont Meeting/Owner of Tillary (9/4/56, 9/6/56); makes his first public political speech (9/29/56)
- Woodward, John - Defendant (9/3/56)
- Wife - Charles Rawn’s wife (9/12/56, 9/28/56)
- Zimmerman, Elias - Son of Samuel Zimmerman, Wheat Flour dealer (9/26/56); Rawn gave Freemont Documents to him (9/27/56)
- Zimmerman, Samuel - Father of Elias Zimmerman, Wheat Flour dealer (9/26/56)
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