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Silas H. Wentz and Catherine Wentz diary and transcript, 1849-1854.
Amount:
.25 cubic ft. (2 folders)
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Terms Governing Use:
Due to the fragile condition of the diary, the transcript is first use.
Biographical/Historical:
Silas Hough Wentz (1823-1854) was a druggist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He married Catherine "Kate" Anne Emerick (1827-1924), also of Philadelphia, and they had two children: Kate Gilbert Wentz (b. 1849) and Howard Emerick Wentz (b. 1852). Silas worked for the wholesale drug business of John Gilbert and Co. In the winter of 1849-1850, Silas traveled through North Florida and along the east coast. He returned in the winter of 1853-1854 with Kate, their children, and the children's nanny. During this trip, Silas became increasingly sick and he died six days after the family returned to Philadelphia.
Summary:
This collection consists of a diary of Silas H. Wentz and Catherine "Kate" Wentz documenting their travels from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to north Florida. Although the purpose of their travel is unclear, they recount their experiences in surprising detail, commenting on the local flora and fauna, weather, food, town structures, people, and roads. Notable in their narratives are their descriptions of Black people, free and enslaved, remarking on their dress, behavior, and homes. The collection also includes a transcript of the diary, provided by the donor, complete with footnotes and an appendix of the family of Isaac Nathans, a notable figure in Quincy history.
The first part of the diary is Silas's solo trip from Philadelphia to Quincy, Florida from December 20, 1849 to March 11, 1850. He describes his methods of travel and the places in which he stops: Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah and Macon, Georgia; and Quincy. While staying at the home of Major Isaac Nathan, Wentz partook in such activities as bird hunting, reading, walking the town, billiards, and cards. He socialized often and mentions many people by name, including Judge John Henry Gee; Colonel William A. Stockton; Dr. James L. Shields and Dr. John M. W. Davidson; and merchants Tilton Eugene, Jacob Gibson, and Isaac Harris. From February to March 1850, Silas traveled from Quincy to Jacksonville, and then took a steamship from Saint Augustine to Cape Canaveral and back. Along the way, he continued documenting the weather and the native plants that he saw. He then describes his travel experiences all the way back to Philadelphia.
The second part of the diary is from Kate's point of view as she describes the family's trip from Philadelphia to Quincy on November 5, 1853 to February 24, 1854. On this trip, Silas and Kate brought their two young children and their nanny. They take a slightly different route, landing in Jacksonville, Florida before taking a multi-day stagecoach to Quincy with stops in Madison, Monticello, and Tallahassee. Kate recounts the journey with more detail to daily life and the effect of travel on each of the family.
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Folder listing available. 0
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Subject Access Fields:
Tourism Florida. Travel Florida.
Florida Description and travel Jacksonville (Fla.) Madison (Fla.) Quincy (Fla.) Saint Augustine (Fla.) Tallahassee (Fla.)
for detailed listing.