A Guide to the Diaries of Samuel B. T. Caldwell, 1811-1820 Diaries of Samuel B. T. Caldwell SC 0004

A Guide to the Diaries of Samuel B. T. Caldwell, 1811-1820

A Collection in the
Thomas Balch Library
Collection Number SC 0004


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Thomas Balch Library

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© 2006 By Thomas Balch Library. All rights reserved.

Processed by: Rebecca K. Ottinger

Repository
Thomas Balch Library
Collection number
SC 0004
Title
Diaries of Samuel B. T. Caldwell, 1811-1820
Size
5 items
Creator
Caldwell, Samuel B.T.
Language
English
Abstract
Diary of Samuel B.T. Caldwell, Aug 1811-Dec 1820

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

No physical characteristics affect use of this material.

Preferred Citation

Diaries of Samuel B.T. Caldwell (SC 0004), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA

Provenance

Unknown

Alternative Form Available

Transcription, "Diary of Samuel B. T. Caldwell, Aug 1811-Dec 1820," Nancy L. Minogue, VREF 929.2 Caldwell.

Accruals

1995.0008X, 1995.0009X

Processing Information

Processed by Rebecca K. Ottinger, 1 May 2006

Biographical Information

Samuel Brooks Tobie Caldwell was born on 8 Jan 1792 and lived in Newburyport, MA until he was about twenty-four years old. In 1816 he wrote in his diary that he was in Leesburg, VA where he began publishing a newspaper called The Genius of Liberty . The first issue of his paper was published on 10 Jan 1817. Finding the printing business very difficult, he sold it on 13 Oct 1819 to B.W. Sower. He continued to sell books and stationery supplies for several years, but found this business very dull and unprofitable. He wrote in 24 Jul 1820 that he tried to, "...settle up my business and go to the western country. The times are so hard that it is impossible to close to any advantage at this time." His diary does not say how long he continued in that business.

From 1831-1832, Caldwell represented Loudoun County in the Virginia House of Delegates. While serving in this office, Caldwell met with other prominent citizens of Virginia to found the Virginia Historical and Philosophical Society on 29 Dec 1831. In 1848 he bought a grist mill at Wheatland which he traded in 1859 for the Catoctin Mill on the south fork of Catoctin Creek. In the Census of 1850 he is listed as a merchant; in 1860, a miller. Samuel B.T. Caldwell died on 29 Mar 1866 and is buried in the Leesburg Presbyterian Churchyard.

Scope and Content

Caldwell kept his diary regularly from 20 Aug 1811 through 21 Jul 1812 (Folders 1 and 2). Entries were often very brief. Book 3 began on 24 Oct 1813 with no explanation concerning the break in his writing.

Again there was a long gap from 17 Apr 1814 until 28 Dec 1816 when, in Book 4, he wrote about setting up his office in Leesburg. There are several lapses in Book 4, one of about two weeks; another of two and a half years (28 Feb 1817 until 20 Jul 1820). He explained that this long lapse was due to the frustrations of operating his printing business. When he began keeping his diary again, the entries were much longer than those of his early writings. Book 5 ended on 13 Dec 1820 with no mention of discontinuing this daily account.

The collection also includes the 1992 issue no. 7 of The Northern Virginia Review , a publication of the faculty, staff, and alumni of Northern Virginia Community College, which contains an article by Nancy Minogue about the Caldwell diaries.

Related Material

Vertical File: "Caldwell, Samuel B.T."

Adjunct Descriptive Data

Bibliography

Diaries of Samuel B.T. Caldwell (SC 0004), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA
Loudoun Times Mirror , February 12, 1959.
Minogue, Nancy L. "Diary of Samuel B.T. Caldwell, Aug 1811-Dec 1820," (transcription of manuscript original), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

Other Finding Aid

None


Other Finding Aid

None


Bibliography

Diaries of Samuel B.T. Caldwell (SC 0004), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA
Loudoun Times Mirror , February 12, 1959.
Minogue, Nancy L. "Diary of Samuel B.T. Caldwell, Aug 1811-Dec 1820," (transcription of manuscript original), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

Contents List

Folder 1: The Northern Virginia Review , issue no. 7 1992
Folder 2: Diary of 20 Aug 1811- 7 Jan 1812
Folder 3: Diary of 8 Jan 1812- 21 Jul 1812
Folder 4: Diary of 24 Oct 1813- 17 Apr 1814
Folder 5: Diary of 28 Dec 1816- 13 Aug 1820
Folder 6: Diary of 16 Aug 1820- 13 Dec 1820