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The Journal of Charles Rawn
June 1, 1865 to June 30, 1865 (Book 28)
Edited by Jolene Busher and Colin Wilson
In June, 1865, we see Charles Rawn as an aging man, only seven months away from his death in December. Rawn's declining health is evident in his journal entries. The first indicator that Rawn is not in the same condition as he was in the past is in the initial lines of his entries. Typically these told how many miles he walked or rode that particular day. The fact that these notes on mileage are not present in June 1865 suggests that Rawn is not taking his daily walks. Also, Rawn's usual trips to the market are now being accomplished by Mrs. Rawn, who brings back to her husband the list of items purchased and their prices. This suggests Rawn is still healthy enough to be interested in financial affairs, if not capable of going out and doing the purchasing himself. In addition, Rawn's activities seem limited. Other than mention of rent collecting and grocery lists, Rawn's daily routines lack energy, other than a few interactions with tenants and associates. Finally, at the end or beginning of his entries, Rawn makes note of his declining health with phrases such as "condition of health about the same certainly not improving any." Rawn also mentions sleeping in later than usual, and spending his day "chiefly at home." These subtle and unsubtle signs sadly point to the waning health of a once very sociable lawyer.
One of the entries makes reference to the end of the American Civil War. On June 2nd, 1865, Rawn notes that "the soldiers are fast returning from the war - remnants of regiments come to town everyday and several, somedays". By then peace had been settled between the Union and Confederacy for roughly a month and a half, and Rawn's observations show the early release from service for "several" federal troops returning to Harrisburg. It is interesting to see so many troops returning so shortly after Appomattox. In addition to this observation, Rawn continues to handle financial affairs in regards to managing his tenants and collecting rents. He helps draft an agreement for incoming Princeton freshmen, Mr. H. Ely and his son, Mr. Calvin, to board together during their collegiate years.
Rawn reveals in his June 18th entry the necessity of faith in the Lord to relieve him of his suffering. After admitting that he is "growing slightly worse day by day," Rawn asks "Lord give me Faith the kind [?] of Faith that Julie Ana enjoyed to pray his will is an humble trust." Spending most of his days and evenings at home because of his condition, Rawn makes note of more interaction with his wife, referred to as Mrs. Rawn, and his sister Julie Ana. On June 16th, Rawn is delighted at his sister's purchase of material "for a new wrapper a thing I have not had for 12 to 15 years perhaps or ten," a wrapper being an article of clothing used to wrap around one's body, in this case a fashionable cloak. This purchase and the sewing of the wrapper by his wife and his sister must have been special to Rawn - he underlined the entire portion of his entry pertaining to this event.
The latter portion of this month's entries include other routine information such as shopping lists, tax collections, and details about the weather. Rawn's health does improve slightly toward the close of the month. His entry for 23 - 6 includes an unexpected argument between himself and a local pastor regarding the political turmoil gripping the nation at this time. This section also alludes to an "assassination case," which likely refers to John Wilkes Booth. June closes with a detailed account of the Sunday School Picnic held in honor of the late Jacob Haldeman and reveals Rawn's increasing need to find solace with his church brethren.
Our transcription of Charles Rawn's journal entries are exactly as Rawn wrote them, including grammatical errors. Our efforts to discern unclear words, phrases, and names are placed in brackets [ ], and completely indecipherable words, phrases, and names are indicated by [?].
The Journal
Transcriptions for this section of the journal begin June 1, 1865 and end June 30, 1865. Click on a date to begin reading.
List of Names Mentioned
- Adams, William - Employed by Rawn for sundry labors: carpeting, fencing Elder St. lots
- Agleton, Mr. A. - Tenant
- Beattington, Mary P. - Friend of Mrs. Rawn
- Bergner, George - Periodical collector, who Rawn paid for Phil. Public Ledger, and Daily Evening Telegraph
- [Beiser's] wife - Rawn visited her to talk about her oxygen treatments
- Bill, (N.H.) - Correspondence of Mrs. Rawn
- [Bothick], Mr. A. - Involved with tenant tax statements
- Bricker, Abraham - Appears to have paid $25.00 on behalf of Malachi Fisher for 2 months rent
- Brooke Esq., F. M. - Correspondence of Rawn
- Brooks, [Jef.] - Involved with cleaning Fanny Johnson's privy
- Burnett, A. - Member of church's Board of masters
- Calvin, Mr. - Rawn's son and roommate to Mr. H. Ely
- Campbell, Mrs. - Rawn handles financial account [?]
- Charlton - Friend of Rawn, took him to Rockville in his carriage to visit Mr. Halbeck on 27 June
- Charlton, Mrs. - Friend of Mrs. Rawn
- [Cheyney], Aunt Mary - Rawn's Aunt
- Elder, Martha - Rawn meets with her to discuss their Sunday School Picnic
- Ely, Mr. H. - Roommate to Mr. Calvin
- Fanny - Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rawn
- [Feiler, J. J.] - Member of the church that reserved a seat for Rawn at Halderman's picnic
- Fisher, Malachi - Tenant at North St., paid city and water taxes to Rawn
- Fox, William - Merchant tailor from Philadelphia, Rawn wrote him a letter 26 June
- Free, Mrs. - Became "cross" when Rawn inquired about her husband's whereabouts and the lawsuit he lost to Mrs. Priests
- Golder, John J. - Tenant
- Halbach - Sick man Charlton travelled by carriage to Rockville to visit
- Haldeman, Jacob - Deceased member of the church, picnic held in his honor 30 June
- Hamilton, Alex - Member of church's Board of masters
- Hayes, [Mark] - Newly elected member of church's Board of masters
- Holden, J. J. - Tenant at East St., paid city and water taxes to Rawn
- Home, [Mr.] - Tenant
- Howe, William - Tenant at East St., paid city and water taxes to Rawn
- Jackson, Rev. - Had a political exchange with Rawn at Cordin's Stage Office
- Johnson, Fanny (alias Fanny Fyatts) - Tenant
- Kreider - Tenant
- Char. [Looker] - Neighbor [?] of Fanny Johnson
- [Mahons] - Couple that Rawn read a letter aloud to regarding F.M. Brooke
- Miller - Innkeeper from Altoona, PA, Rawn wrote him a letter 26 June
- Millerson, J. J. - Rawn handles financial account [?]
- Mitchell, Mr. - Pastor, received salary payment from Rawn
- Nathan, Mr. - Neighbor [?] of Fanny Johnson
- Porter, Col. - Tenant
- Priests, Mrs. - Winner of the lawsuit, which brought Rawn to Rockville
- Rawn, Mrs. Arch. - Presumably Rawn's sister or sister-in-law
- Rawn, Mrs. - Charles' over shopped wife
- Rawn, Julie Ana - Rawn's sister
- Robinson, Henry - Involved with roommate settlement
- [R.P.J. Ross], Mrs. - Owner of residence where Rev. Mitchell resides
- [Schwark], Theresa - Tenant
- Schmenk, [Mr.] - Tenant
- Snyder, Daniel - Collected water taxes for 1865 from Rawn 28 June
- Warford, [Cauden] - Neighbor of Rawn, also president of church's Board of Masters
- Wieman - Member of the chuch Rawn arrived at the picnic with
- Wilson - Presumably city tax collector, Rawn paid him for July
- Wolf, Mrs. - Tenant
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