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William P. Davie journals, diary, and other material

 Collection — Box: 1, Folder: 1-4
Identifier: Am-Mss-Davie

Scope and Contents

The William P. Davie journals, diary, and other materials consist of items documenting Davie's journey and time as a surveyor and map cartographer in the United States with additional material from his life in New Zealand, where he would later permanently settle.

'Journal of a Voyage from Liverpool to Boston...' is a handwritten journal with daily summaries of Davie's time on the ship, "Star of Empire," from October to November 1853. The diary also includes entries after his arrival in Boston and records Davie's introduction to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Most entries are a couple of paragraphs long though they vary in length at times.

'Diary, 1854' is a handwritten diary by Davie during his time in the United States with early entries about his time in Massachusetts and his later travels to Chicago. Inscriptions are often short with quick descriptions or summaries of days e.g., "At St. James' church morning and evening; "Reading in office," "At Bethel Church morning."

"W. P. Davie..." is an account journal maintained by Davie from 1864 to 1970 on his transactions with the Union Bank of Australia in Christchurch, New Zealand. There are also four letters from family members, a copy of Prudence J. Davie's will (Davie's sister) with an accompanying newspaper clipping about her death.

Dates

  • Creation: 1853-1881, undated

Conditions Governing Access

The William P. Davie journals, diary, and other materials is open for research. Researchers are encouraged to contact Special Collections staff prior to a visit.

Conditions Governing Use

In consultation with Special Collections staff, reproductions may be made upon request. Material in this collection is in the public domain.

William Peterson Davie (1828-1913)

William Peterson Davie, a surveyor and map draughtsman, was born in Lyme Regis in Dorset, England, in 1828. He emigrated to the United States in 1853 and briefly visited other areas of the U.S. before heading to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked on early surveys of the city. His obituary states "it was [he] who laid down the first survey of the city of Chicago..."

Davie left the United States for England soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, which he soon left for New Zealand. His brother, Cyrus Davie, was the Chief Surveyor of the Provincial District of Canterbury. He died in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1913.

Sources: "Personal." Marlborough Express, Vol. XLVII. No. 189, August 12, 1913, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MEX19130812.2.22.

Extent

.417 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Note the fragile condition of these items. The 1853 journal's cover has completely detached. The 'Diary, 1854' also has a nearly completely detached cover. Use appropriate support stands.

Physical Location

L2 Storage.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from James Arsenault &emph; Company on the Mary L. Hurt Richmond fund, June 2021.

Related Materials

A journal from Davie's journey to Melbourne, Australia, is available at the National Library of New Zealand.

Title
William P. Davie journals, diary, and other materials
Author
Irene Lule
Date
February 2024
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Chapin Library Repository

Contact:
26 Hopkins Hall Drive
Williamstown Massachusetts 01267
413-597-4200