[MANUSCRIPT DIARY OF AN ENGLISH MINISTER'S VOYAGE FROM LONDON TO NEW YORK IN 1861].
Nisbett, Thomas P.:
Sold by William Reese Company, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Association Member:
AbeBooks Seller since 13 July 2006
Sold by William Reese Company, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Association Member:
AbeBooks Seller since 13 July 2006
A dramatic account of evangelical minister, missionary, and published author Thomas P. Nisbett and his family's Atlantic crossing from London to New York aboard the schooner Plymouth Rock, in June 1861. His entries depict a voyage laden with peril on a nearly daily basis, including squalls, storms, the ever-looming threat of privateers, an unruly crew, and the promise of war to greet them upon their arrival in America. Illness and injury is a particular concern as there was no medical officer on board, or "medicine of any kind." The diary itself is a simple blank journal with lined paper. Nisbett's signature is on a label on the front cover, and on the front pastedown he has written "Day Book 1861 Weekly Expenditure for House Purposes January," although the journal begins with them boarding the Plymouth Rock at noon on June 21. Nisbett's hand is relatively clear but his writing is terse, and he only uses full sentences when discussing spiritual topics. The trip begins well enough, even though the very evening they set sail, there is a "fire in next cabin. Accidentally caused by Mrs. Powell (French woman). Extinguished by the captain. Sat. June 22.Nice weather.Sails set ahead. Pass well known spots." "Sickness" starts spreading on June 23, and by June 25, "Wife, Charles & Mary sick on deck in the sun.This is wife & son John's Birth day, I keep quite free from sickness." By the 27th, many are still sick, but Nisbett's attention is directed elsewhere: "Youth discovered last night stowed away in the hold. Set to work." The second Sunday of the trip (June 30) is a "beautiful day.[as] becoming the Lord's day.," and Nisbett begins his shipboard ministry: "Service on deck by me at 3 o'clock. Attendance and attention good." Nisbett frequently discusses his faith and intersperses prayers for his family and fellow passengers throughout his diary. He notes that his "profession gains some respect for us, even from the most dissolute. May God make me useful on board and give me words to speak that will go to the hearts & consciences of the people." The next morning he notices a comet - the Great Comet of 1861 (discovered by John Tebbutt) - which he tracks for the rest of the voyage. Mid-morning on July 3, the weather took a turn: "Strong wind is increasing. Lashed all things fast. 12 to 2 o'clock blowing great guns. By 4 P.M. strengthened to a gale. A sail taken in every half hour. One sail (fore Royal). Split main sail.plunging along 10 knots. Several persons sick." Nevertheless, "passengers generally in good spirits." The weather clears that evening and he can see the comet again. The next day is the "4th, Anniversary American Independence. Heavy winds all through the previous night. Squalls & danger of capsizing the ship. Squalls all day long." Once again, the weather doesn't seem to dampen the celebrations: "All passengers sign the Declaration of Independence. 3 guns fire. Sailors treated. Fire works at night." The storms continue for several days, and he is not calmed as an "equal number of passengers are apportioned to each one of four boats.Go to bed in fear, yet our hope is in God." Yet again, the voyage continues, suggesting that Nisbett's anxieties about the storms may be out of proportion with the severity of the storms themselves. Nisbett continues to hold Sunday services, with more or less attendance from the passengers and crew. His July 14 service had good attendance and "good attention. Some sailors present who appear much interested." He reports sightings of whales, as well as "Dolphins & Schools of Porpoises." He also describes repairing his boots as well as the children's shoes. In the meantime, his wife's health is very poor. On the morning on July 18, she is better, "but very very weak. Fear she may be ill. We pray to God to avert, as there is no medical man on board, medicines, nor hardly any article of comfort beyond ship rations." Over the next few days Nisbett writes about an American packet ship that appears to har.
Seller Inventory # 56585
Terms of Trade
All initial queries concerning items listed on ABEBooks.com by William Reese Company must be made via e-mail.
All material offered herein is offered subject to prior sale and is shipped subject to approval, but notification of return must be made within thirty days and returns made in a prompt and conscientious fashion. New customers are asked to prepay, or supply ABAA/ILAB references. Payment may be made by check, wire transfer or bank draft, and we also accept Visa and MasterCar...
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to William Reese Company, New York, New York, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
Orders usually ship within 3 business days. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.
| Order quantity | 7 to 21 business days | 3 to 10 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 10.60 | £ 15.91 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.