Andrew P. Wendell Diaries, 1872-1922 – MS070
Provenance: Gift of Ruth Lamson Lines in January 1995. Mrs. Lines is Andrew P. Wendell’s granddaughter, and inherited the diaries.
Citation: Andrew P. Wendell Diaries (MS070), Manuscript Collections, Portsmouth Athenaeum
Size: 1 Hollinger Box (6 linear inches)
Access: No restrictions
Scope and Content
The collection consists of seventeen yearly pocket diaries of Andrew P. Wendell (1844-1926), a Portsmouth hardware merchant. Most of the diaries are printed yearly pocket diaries. Wendell always recorded the weather, sometimes adding temperatures and snowfall measurements. He also regularly reported the comings and goings of his household and how business in his store was doing. He rarely recorded national events or self reflection. He noted the events in the city of Portsmouth – fire alarm bells, state election results, evening entertainment, alderman’s meetings, and other local events.
Biographical Note
Andrew Peterson Wendell (1844-1926) was born in Portsmouth, the son of Abraham Quincy Wendell (1813-1882) and Olivia (Simes) Wendell. He graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1859 and began to work in the hardware store on Market Square his father and uncle, Daniel D. Wendell, had started in 1834. Daniel left the business in about 1840. Andrew P. Wendell left the business briefly in 1863 and worked for the hardware firm of C.D. Brooks & Co. and then Joseph West & Co. He returned in 1864 to become a partner in his father’s firm, with his younger brother, Henry (1849-1917) as the second partner. Wendell also served as an alderman for the City of Portsmouth and was very active in city affairs.
Andrew married Ruth A. Osgood (1842-1937) and had four children: Grace Curtis Wendell who married Herbert P. Peterson, Frances Porter Wendell (1875-1962) who married William Lamson, Nellie Parry Wendell (Sept 5 to Sept 23, 1878) and Ruth Clement Wendell (1879-1966).
Folder List
Folder 1 1872 and 1873 Diaries
Folder 2 1877 and 1878 Diaries
Folder 3 1879 and 1880 Diaries
Folder 4 1898 and 1900 Diaries
Folder 5 1903 and 1904 Diaries
Folder 6 1905 and 1906 Diaries
Folder 7 1907 and 1914-15 Diaries
Folder 8 1915-16, 1916-17, and 1917-22 Diaries
Folder 9 1876 and 1892 Receipts [2]