Papers, 1795-1871.

ArchivalResource

Prentiss, John, 1778-1873. Papers, 1795-1871.

Papers, 1795-1871.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/207165552

This collection contains two octavo volumes, one of which includes Prentiss' autobiography and miscellaneous writings, 1860-1871, and the other a Mellen and Prentiss family genealogy in addition to Prentiss' journal, 1847-1871. Prentiss' 197-page "Autobiographical and Historical Recollections of Eighty-Eight Years" includes much information concerning his father, Caleb Prentiss (1746-1803), his own family life, education and start in the newspaper business, Keene's church history, and many comments on all important historic events of the era, such as the Constitutional Convention, presidential elections, Federalism vs. Republicanism, and the French Revolution. The volume also contains photographs of Prentiss, newsclippings from the Portsmouth Journal, mainly concerning the Civil War, and several miscellaneous memoranda, speeches, and papers, including Prentiss' "Past Times, Customs, and Manners." The second volume contains a detailed genealogical history and recording of the reunions of the family of Rev. John Mellen (1722/3-1807) of Lancaster, Mass., which was begun in 1795 and taken up by Prentiss in 1825. He added a genealogy of the Prentiss family, a map of Keene in 1799, and a section entitled "Memoranda, Reminiscences, and Journal." The latter contains entries made every few months recording the important events in his own life and in the country, including the Secession Crisis, battles and commanders during the Civil War, troop strength and numbers of prisoners taken, the New York draft riots, the war's end and Lincoln's assassination, and noteworthy events during Reconstruction.

2 v. ; octavo.

American Antiquarian Society