CIRCA 1855 HANDWRITTEN TRAVEL DIARY AMERICAN BY HORSE & STEAMSHIP HOLY LAND RARE
Item History & Price
Up for auction is a fascinating and quite rare travel diary written between 1852-1857. The diary documents a journey by an American to Palestine, Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Paris. Our author is unknown there is no name associated with the diary. Nevertheless many clues throughout the text, as well as diligent research may revel his identity. Reading his entries I surmised he is American, quite wealthy, and traveled with his wife.
He arrives at Jaffa March 7th on the steamship G...ermania. He mentions other passengers onboard such as a missionary heading to Jerusalem and Rev. M V.D. Once he arrives he meets with J.S. Murad, the U.S. Vice Consul at Jaffa, and Jerusalem. This entry is how I determined the age of the diary. J.S. Murad was American vice consul between 1852- to around 1857 when he passed away ( see photo # 2 in the description details for more info.) The diary is full of detailed entries with spectacular adventures across the Holy Land, and the Mediterranean. For example our author travels by horseback, foot, and steamer through Jaffa, Ramalah, various locations in Palestine, plains of Jordan, Jericho Jerusalem etc.
In addition he visits famous religious sites referenced in the bible. He brought along a translator, and a Turkish guard ( janissary ) was assigned to him by the Vice Consul. During the journey he meets the consul of, Prussia, Britain, military leaders, an officer of the British East India Co, missionaries, Americans, even the Armenian patriarch.
On another occasion he crawls through a network of caves by candlelight visits ancient cities guarded by Turkish soldiers, armed Bedouins crossing through the desert, leper hospitals, other foreigners, and crowded bazars. He then boards a steamer for Alexandria followed by a ship in the Mediterranean to France. Enroute he stops at Malta Sardinia off the coast of Corsica. Near Italy the ship hits a massive storm and is almost dashed to pieces.
This is just a fraction of the content there is much more to discover. The diary is complete, and contains 51 double sided sheets( 102 pages of entries.) The entries are very lengthy and quite detailed. In addition is two notes written on lose sheets Diary measures 5 x 9 inches. The front cover board is detached along with 18 sheets. The spine is splitting and the remaining sheets are coming lose but still bound in sections and detached from the spine.
Diary entries: My transcriptions are in many cases just excerpts from much longer entries. Any questions feel free to ask.
Wednesday March 7, Jaffa 1st page of the diary ( arrives by steamship Germaina)
Twas like the memorable morning when my feet first trood the soil of India !On going on the deck of the Germania this ancient city appeared beautifully resting upon the - point commanding a fine view of the - and of the Mediterranean. Some five of the passengers including a missionary ( LM Brown going to Medina) were early on their way to Jerusalem. A ludicrous scene occurred on the gangway. The Rev. Mr. V.D. was hauling the forward stairs down he came down the stairs and was closing it up against him for not paying for meals which he had not taken which he was not obliged to pay for having notified the agent that he should not.
At an early hour we left the boat early passed our luggage at the custom house and proceeded at once to a magnificent hotel The Cornet being in a state of cleaning for the reception of Prussian Minister the town presented a rather inviting appearance after seeing Egypt for sometime and the inhabitants were remarkably whiter. While breakfast was preparing we all started for the America consul to whom I had a letter through the kindness of Hon. Mr. Cam he had returned from boarding the Austrian steamer but came in a few minutes after we seated. He is am Armenian of rather dark completion - good aired and of rather courteous. The Eng, Cosul or his brother was with him and spoke English as dis all his brother in law the American Consul J.S. Murad.
Leaving Jaffa by horseback -
The road was most delightful and the valley of Jaffa was carpeted with the brightest green wheat. A little on our left and far ahead was the small town of Lydda from which Peter was called to cure a Dorcas from death. It now contains about 400 inhabitants Zespheran has about the same population which was on our left after passing the former. Much to our surprise the janisanry of Mr. Murad rode up to us with two splendid pistols sticking in his girdle and a long sword at his side. He was sent with a letter to see is safely arrived at Ramallah. This was further poof of Mr. Murad’s kindness & I must say I felt a little more at ease under such a strong escort.
Near the town of R. Is a fine old town reminding one of C. Saw of that |? We visited it riding though a field of wheat and found it had one its cloisters has fallen prey to Moslems that one the pashas had here as throughout Palestine written an Arab inscription over the old door that it had now belonged to Mohammad !.
Thursday March 8, Ramallah
Our first night in a convent was passed and we were called to an Eng breakfast. The preceding monk was easily found as we were leaving to secure some offerings. He would not get as much as he would have received had we not agreed with our Drogman to take is per so much per day.
March 9, Jericho
We paid the sheik a part of the stipulated price of 100 pilasters each to pass into his territory. He was an old man & remains for the most part in Jerusalem and should any people be molested & robbed he is ? For redress. As we did not expect to precede beyond Jericho today we did not start till about noon.Our party consists of Mr. V. Dorn Cuites, Tiffany, and myself & Mrs Stranton and the Bedouin two engineers residents some years in Egypt.These two took their own Drogman and one Abdullah.
Our ride was full of interest & we implored the guide at every stop to keep his eye and mouth in active exercise, He points out Alesons tomb the pool of Sildon hill of evil council valley of Ishesphat, field of Acldana, mountain of ? Valley of Hinrron all of which came into view shorty after leaving the city.It became quite dark before we reached the large square in town near the ? Some of the so called apples of sodom which we were to pitch out tent by the advice of the guards.
On the opposite mountains beyond the Jordan we saw at mile intervals two or three thatch fires of the Bedouins. Around our path the ? Were ascending to the Piterons notes of the forest. I must say it was not altogether agreeable to beg riding at that time through the ? And back for miles and miles. Occasionally the guides would relate how the Lion and Leopard were often met on the other side of the valley and we readily imagined how the lion would rush from his thicket at the ? of Jordan.
At length we came in sight of a mosque said to be the machinations to be the place where Moses was burned ! Not far from it is another mosque where a servant of Moses is regarded as beige buried. This has been at one time a splendid mosque or the ? Burial place of Moses ! And surrounded by a high wall. The wall is now partly in ruins. So also is the inner wall more immediately around the mosque. This we were not allowed to enter.
Nothing can be more wild or barren than the mountains in this section. Every Bedouin you meet is armed to the teeth.
March 11, Jerusalem
Shortly down to the new house built upon the S.W. side of the hill saw in the garden several tombs following the boundary of a fence a little way I than turned towards the tomb of David. A little Bedouin boy seemed anxious to have me see the tomb. I was a little surprised at this, but doubted he esteemed it an opportunity of getting a little baksheesh. While talking with him a man appeared from inside who also was willing I enter. There is a considerable settlement here about the mosque guarded by the turks of which is built on the tomb of David. I was led into the mosque and at the furthest end I was pointed to a little window which was said to look into the tomb.
After breakfast visited with Mr. Graham some of the industrial barracks connected with the jewish mission It is considered a great gain to induce Hebrew women and men to engage in various mechanical exercises. Here we found elderly women knitting. Miss Copper as interpreter the lady met us here and went with us on the ? In a room we found a large number of younger women occupied at sewing.
The work is attended for them for those favorable to the mission and the employers receive certain ? As well as the process of manufacturing them again in another room we found a large number of old fashioned spinning wheels made by a Mr. Dwight - an American we met in Jerusalem.
March 13, Hebron
After a walk of about 2 hours returned to breakfast. Shortly after Rev. M. Donaldson called upon us. Then the American and Prussian ( his little son acted as interpreter )Consul called also the English Consul of Ramallah. We made sudden arrangements & Mr. V.D. and Tiffany & myself started for Hebron at about 12a.m.
March 14, Hebron enters cave complex -
Rose early after a restless night - the fleas having made sad havoc with us. After an early breakfast started for the fields of Manre. The town of Hebron wears a very antique aspect is much better built than we had anticipated. Some of the females especially the children are fine looking. Nothing can be more beautiful than the surrounding country.
We went up hill and down vale sometimes obliged to get down from our horses. At length walking some distance we pass on to a shelf of a rock and walk for some two hundred yards to an immense block of stone which you mount and warm yourself across for some fifteen feet there being just room enough between rock above to admit your body. Descending from this you continue on another shelf for several yards then mounting another huge block and stop find an entrance into the cave about five feet high and three broad.
Here stationing our guide with one end of the line in his hand and having lighted our candles we uncoiled the line and penetrated into this curious and awful excursions or natural recess.One of us stood here with a candle & the other went in so far as he could see the stratified light. We than went out and brought the guide and made another stand point so as to proceed still father within. Everywhere we found small chambers & one of them appeared in grandeur like a noble cathedral.
He arrives at Jaffa March 7th on the steamship G...ermania. He mentions other passengers onboard such as a missionary heading to Jerusalem and Rev. M V.D. Once he arrives he meets with J.S. Murad, the U.S. Vice Consul at Jaffa, and Jerusalem. This entry is how I determined the age of the diary. J.S. Murad was American vice consul between 1852- to around 1857 when he passed away ( see photo # 2 in the description details for more info.) The diary is full of detailed entries with spectacular adventures across the Holy Land, and the Mediterranean. For example our author travels by horseback, foot, and steamer through Jaffa, Ramalah, various locations in Palestine, plains of Jordan, Jericho Jerusalem etc.
In addition he visits famous religious sites referenced in the bible. He brought along a translator, and a Turkish guard ( janissary ) was assigned to him by the Vice Consul. During the journey he meets the consul of, Prussia, Britain, military leaders, an officer of the British East India Co, missionaries, Americans, even the Armenian patriarch.
On another occasion he crawls through a network of caves by candlelight visits ancient cities guarded by Turkish soldiers, armed Bedouins crossing through the desert, leper hospitals, other foreigners, and crowded bazars. He then boards a steamer for Alexandria followed by a ship in the Mediterranean to France. Enroute he stops at Malta Sardinia off the coast of Corsica. Near Italy the ship hits a massive storm and is almost dashed to pieces.
This is just a fraction of the content there is much more to discover. The diary is complete, and contains 51 double sided sheets( 102 pages of entries.) The entries are very lengthy and quite detailed. In addition is two notes written on lose sheets Diary measures 5 x 9 inches. The front cover board is detached along with 18 sheets. The spine is splitting and the remaining sheets are coming lose but still bound in sections and detached from the spine.
Diary entries: My transcriptions are in many cases just excerpts from much longer entries. Any questions feel free to ask.
Wednesday March 7, Jaffa 1st page of the diary ( arrives by steamship Germaina)
Twas like the memorable morning when my feet first trood the soil of India !On going on the deck of the Germania this ancient city appeared beautifully resting upon the - point commanding a fine view of the - and of the Mediterranean. Some five of the passengers including a missionary ( LM Brown going to Medina) were early on their way to Jerusalem. A ludicrous scene occurred on the gangway. The Rev. Mr. V.D. was hauling the forward stairs down he came down the stairs and was closing it up against him for not paying for meals which he had not taken which he was not obliged to pay for having notified the agent that he should not.
At an early hour we left the boat early passed our luggage at the custom house and proceeded at once to a magnificent hotel The Cornet being in a state of cleaning for the reception of Prussian Minister the town presented a rather inviting appearance after seeing Egypt for sometime and the inhabitants were remarkably whiter. While breakfast was preparing we all started for the America consul to whom I had a letter through the kindness of Hon. Mr. Cam he had returned from boarding the Austrian steamer but came in a few minutes after we seated. He is am Armenian of rather dark completion - good aired and of rather courteous. The Eng, Cosul or his brother was with him and spoke English as dis all his brother in law the American Consul J.S. Murad.
Leaving Jaffa by horseback -
The road was most delightful and the valley of Jaffa was carpeted with the brightest green wheat. A little on our left and far ahead was the small town of Lydda from which Peter was called to cure a Dorcas from death. It now contains about 400 inhabitants Zespheran has about the same population which was on our left after passing the former. Much to our surprise the janisanry of Mr. Murad rode up to us with two splendid pistols sticking in his girdle and a long sword at his side. He was sent with a letter to see is safely arrived at Ramallah. This was further poof of Mr. Murad’s kindness & I must say I felt a little more at ease under such a strong escort.
Near the town of R. Is a fine old town reminding one of C. Saw of that |? We visited it riding though a field of wheat and found it had one its cloisters has fallen prey to Moslems that one the pashas had here as throughout Palestine written an Arab inscription over the old door that it had now belonged to Mohammad !.
Thursday March 8, Ramallah
Our first night in a convent was passed and we were called to an Eng breakfast. The preceding monk was easily found as we were leaving to secure some offerings. He would not get as much as he would have received had we not agreed with our Drogman to take is per so much per day.
March 9, Jericho
We paid the sheik a part of the stipulated price of 100 pilasters each to pass into his territory. He was an old man & remains for the most part in Jerusalem and should any people be molested & robbed he is ? For redress. As we did not expect to precede beyond Jericho today we did not start till about noon.Our party consists of Mr. V. Dorn Cuites, Tiffany, and myself & Mrs Stranton and the Bedouin two engineers residents some years in Egypt.These two took their own Drogman and one Abdullah.
Our ride was full of interest & we implored the guide at every stop to keep his eye and mouth in active exercise, He points out Alesons tomb the pool of Sildon hill of evil council valley of Ishesphat, field of Acldana, mountain of ? Valley of Hinrron all of which came into view shorty after leaving the city.It became quite dark before we reached the large square in town near the ? Some of the so called apples of sodom which we were to pitch out tent by the advice of the guards.
On the opposite mountains beyond the Jordan we saw at mile intervals two or three thatch fires of the Bedouins. Around our path the ? Were ascending to the Piterons notes of the forest. I must say it was not altogether agreeable to beg riding at that time through the ? And back for miles and miles. Occasionally the guides would relate how the Lion and Leopard were often met on the other side of the valley and we readily imagined how the lion would rush from his thicket at the ? of Jordan.
At length we came in sight of a mosque said to be the machinations to be the place where Moses was burned ! Not far from it is another mosque where a servant of Moses is regarded as beige buried. This has been at one time a splendid mosque or the ? Burial place of Moses ! And surrounded by a high wall. The wall is now partly in ruins. So also is the inner wall more immediately around the mosque. This we were not allowed to enter.
Nothing can be more wild or barren than the mountains in this section. Every Bedouin you meet is armed to the teeth.
March 11, Jerusalem
Shortly down to the new house built upon the S.W. side of the hill saw in the garden several tombs following the boundary of a fence a little way I than turned towards the tomb of David. A little Bedouin boy seemed anxious to have me see the tomb. I was a little surprised at this, but doubted he esteemed it an opportunity of getting a little baksheesh. While talking with him a man appeared from inside who also was willing I enter. There is a considerable settlement here about the mosque guarded by the turks of which is built on the tomb of David. I was led into the mosque and at the furthest end I was pointed to a little window which was said to look into the tomb.
After breakfast visited with Mr. Graham some of the industrial barracks connected with the jewish mission It is considered a great gain to induce Hebrew women and men to engage in various mechanical exercises. Here we found elderly women knitting. Miss Copper as interpreter the lady met us here and went with us on the ? In a room we found a large number of younger women occupied at sewing.
The work is attended for them for those favorable to the mission and the employers receive certain ? As well as the process of manufacturing them again in another room we found a large number of old fashioned spinning wheels made by a Mr. Dwight - an American we met in Jerusalem.
March 13, Hebron
After a walk of about 2 hours returned to breakfast. Shortly after Rev. M. Donaldson called upon us. Then the American and Prussian ( his little son acted as interpreter )Consul called also the English Consul of Ramallah. We made sudden arrangements & Mr. V.D. and Tiffany & myself started for Hebron at about 12a.m.
March 14, Hebron enters cave complex -
Rose early after a restless night - the fleas having made sad havoc with us. After an early breakfast started for the fields of Manre. The town of Hebron wears a very antique aspect is much better built than we had anticipated. Some of the females especially the children are fine looking. Nothing can be more beautiful than the surrounding country.
We went up hill and down vale sometimes obliged to get down from our horses. At length walking some distance we pass on to a shelf of a rock and walk for some two hundred yards to an immense block of stone which you mount and warm yourself across for some fifteen feet there being just room enough between rock above to admit your body. Descending from this you continue on another shelf for several yards then mounting another huge block and stop find an entrance into the cave about five feet high and three broad.
Here stationing our guide with one end of the line in his hand and having lighted our candles we uncoiled the line and penetrated into this curious and awful excursions or natural recess.One of us stood here with a candle & the other went in so far as he could see the stratified light. We than went out and brought the guide and made another stand point so as to proceed still father within. Everywhere we found small chambers & one of them appeared in grandeur like a noble cathedral.
