(MAINE) [Storer Elizabeth] Diary of a young Portland woman

Sale 2287 - Lot 290

Price Realized: $ 960

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 400 - $ 600

(MAINE.) [Storer, Elizabeth?] Diary of a young Portland woman. [49] manuscript pages. 4to, original plain wrappers, stitched or loose gatherings; entries are irregular and sheets vary somewhat in size, with minor edge wear to the larger sheets; writing is clear and legible. Portland, ME, 1 January 1816 to 23 August 1818

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The author was born into a distinguished family circa 1794; she was a niece of Washington's secretary Tobias Lear, and younger sister of George Washington Storer, later a commodore in the United States Navy (see lot 438). She mentions a visit from Commodores William Bainbridge and Oliver Hazard Perry on 23 July 1817. Storer begins the diary as an Episcopalian, making several references to Bishop Alexander Griswold. On 26 October 1817 she gains her mother's permission to begin attending the Second Congregational Church of Portland led by Edward Payson; the following year she helps launch a Sunday School there. Upon visiting friends in the countryside at Buxton, ME, Storer writes: "At the time the British threatened to invade this town (Sept. 1814) we found shelter under the peaceful roof of this worthy old couple" (31 July 1817).