1925 Diary of Charles L. Merrick, Whose Family Farming Legacy Dates Back to 1714

On offer is a fine diary of successful farmer Charles L. Merrick of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, in the early years of the twentieth century. Merrick was born in 1902 and lived his life in Massachusetts. He passed away in 1995 at the age of 93. Merrick is part of a multi-generational family that has owned Merrick Farm in Wilbraham since the original land grant in 1714. The farm business continues to this day in the hands of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. At the time the diary was written, Merrick was 23 years of age. The diary tells us he had graduated from college and was a member of a fraternity, most likely Theta Delta Chi. At the time of writing, he was working for a company (possibly family-owned) that produced, among other products, sashes. This diary gives an excellent look at the life of a young man just beginning his career. "Very hot. Pa, Dick & I went to Amherst after some business in Amherst. Saw Whitcomb, Daly & Olds about the young books. Got some stuff at the house, left Dick and went to [...] to see the Starkweathers. Thunder showers. Home about 8: 30. Took a look at the strawberry festival. Multigraphed 400 copies of Frat. Letter to Alumni" (June 1). "Quite hot. To office. Some late. Finished warehouse records. At 2 went to see John Murray & Geo Cassidy about Friskdale proposition. Cassidy offers $12,000 & about $1,500 cash and $3,000 in good 2nd mtgs. Looks ok to me" (August 18). "To office. Shipped quite a lot of heavy sash. My back nearly broken" (August 20). "Cloudy. Not too much stirring. Paid off mortgage of $5,000 & then settled payments etc with Mr. Cassidy, finishing all papers; thru with Fiskdale except $6.36 on Taxes" (September 14). This small diary measures 6 inches by 3 inches and contains 122 pages. It is approximately 70 percent complete. The cover, binding, and pages are all in good condition. Several pages have either had a portion cut out or been completely removed from the diary. The handwriting is legible. The notebook contains an extensive list of contacts and, in many cases, individuals' location details. It offers an outstanding look into the early life of a man who would build on the legacy of his forefathers in central Massachusetts. It is also an excellent source of personal data for people living in this historic part of New England.