The Diary of Joel Coburn Annis
1833-1898
Background and Biography
Joel Coburn Annis was born June 16, 1833 at Londonderry, NH, the seventh child and fourth son of John and Delilah Coburn. Joel married on December 25, 1856 at Londonderry to Cornelia H. Smith and there are no records that would indicate that he had any children.
It is always fascinating to read the words, and the thoughts that they represent, that are handed down by past generations. The following diary entries were made while Joel Coburn Annis was in the employ of a railroad called the Manchester and Sawa(?). They begin on April 1, 1854 when Joel was close to his 21st birthday and continue until after September 1855.
It is always very exciting to find documents that were written by family members, and especially so when they contain the personal feelings, poetry and recollections of that family member. I believe that the poetry that is included in the Diary is of an original nature. I have searched for authors and have found none, and so will attribute the poems to Joel until I find out otherwise or I am corrected by someone familiar with them. The poems are typically Victorian in mood and color and as such they may seem rather dark and even depressing to us. But the subject of death, whether heroic or premature, was a common subject matter in 19th century poetry. It is not surprising when you consider that early death was common and infant mortality was high.
Joel Annis died March 8, 1898 at Londonderry at the age of 64. His life and thoughts may have been forgotten if we did not have the good fortune of his written words. We can see that in these words represent a man that was in touch with his feelings of sorrow, his appreciation of beauty and nature and his hopes for a brighter tommorrow.
Joel's lineage is: John Annis {1790-1877}, Isaac Annis {1759-1836}, Rolfe Annis {1734-?}, John Annis {1700-c.1771}, Abraham Annis {1668-1738}, Cormac Annis {1638-1717}
It should be noted that Joel's younger brother, Daniel Gage Annis was the compiler of "Vital Records of Londonderry, New Hampshire 1719-1910.
AFA member, Robert C. Annis of Merrimack, NH, a family researcher for many years and a member of the Annis Fmily Association, was kind enough to pass along the following information about the diary entries that are found below:
"This Diary was found by George Cella of La Fox, Illinois. He contacted my son, Keith Annis of Manchester, NH. From any people that may have an interest in this document our heartfelt thanks go to Mr. Cella for his thoughtfulness. The document came to Keith in January 1998 and to mine in April 1998."
Robert Annis continues:
"The upper right hand corner of most of the pages has been cut off. If I am able to make a reasonable guess as to the missing words I will place them in brackets { }.
The first page is a title page:"My comments and observations will be in red text.
Joel C Annis
Londonderry, N.H.
April 1 year 1854
Page 1
Londonderry April 1 1854 - I work on the Manchester & Sawa { } railroad with D. Poor and W C B{arker} section number two board with Mr. {Poor} The weather rather rainy today I {went} down to George Boyce in the eving (sic) to have a game of whist. The George Boyce referred to here is probably Joel's brother-in-law, the husband of his older sister, Martha C. Annis (1827-1906).
Apr 2 - Sunday fair weather rather cold I went home to my farther (father's) house Cald (called) at Martha and Sampson and return to Mr Poor in the eving.
Apr 3 - work as common on the roard (road) fair weather some thawy (sic) today look more like spring of year than any time before I spent the evening in reading at home.
Apr 4 - pleasant weather to day work as common on the roard I spent the eving in to Mr White played cards along with bill before going to bed
Apr 5 pleasant weather to day work as common on roard spent (sic) the eving in reading and over to Mr White
Apr 6 - fair weather today work as common on the roard spent the eving at Mr Webster to a party in Manchester (NH)
Page 2
Apr 7 - fair weather rather cold work {as} common feal rather stupid after party spent the eving over to {M}r White and at home
Apr 8 - fair weather to day work as common on the roard went down to my brother Parker at night. "Parker" Annis is Joel's older brother, Matthew Parker Annis (1828-1865)
Apr 10 - rather stormy day work as common on the roard W S Barker left of work to day on the roard spent the eving at home
Apr 11 - fair weather to day work as common C C Dicky came on to work to day with us went down to the depot in the eving. "C.C. Dicky" was probably related (brother?) to Joel's sister-in-law, Nancy M. Dickey, wife of Sampson Annis (1826-1861)
Apr 12 fair weather work as common spent the eving at Mr Young
Apr 13 fair weather work as common (l,f,p? probably fast) day move down to George Boyce to board
Page 3
Apr 14 - fair weather work as com{mon} spent the eving at home
Apr 15 - stormy to day snow storm{} snow most all day went to Manch{ester} in the forenoon spent the eving { } at Mr White and over to Derry
Apr 16 - Sunday to day fair weather went home spent the eveing Mr W
Apr 17 - stormy day snow fell to the ? (probably depth) of ten incs (sic) work as common spent the eveing at the depot
Apr 18 - pleasant weather to day work as common spent the eving at home
Apr 19 - pleasant weather to day work as common spent at Mr. White and at home
Apr 20 - pleasant weathe (sic) to day work as common spent the eving at Mr Boyce to a party
Apr 21 - pleasant weather to day work as common spent at home
Apr 22 - fair weather work as common spent the eving at Mr Poor
Page 4
Apr 23 Sunday went to curch (sic) fair {wea}ther i went home
Apr 24 fair weather went up to Mr {W}hite in the eving
Apr 25 fair weather spent the eving at home
Apr 26 dull weather little rainy spent the eving at home
Apr 27 dull weather in the afternoon quite rainy spent the eving at home
Apr 28 rainy day spent the eving at home
Apr 29 rather rainy today went up to the school house to a school meeting in the eving
Apr 30 sunday rather rainy i went down home today this is the last day of april
Page 5
May 1 fair weather cleared of afte{rnoon} long storm work on the {roard} down by Jack health very good n{o}news in particular
May 2 fair weather pritty worme weather look a little like a storme spent my eving at home
May 3 stormy weather today work out till we got pritty weat I was at home in the eving my sister was there from manchester
May 4 rany weather rain all day got pritty wet going over the roard in the mornig i had a pritty sick time in the night
May 5 Clared of in the night fine day felt rather dull to day after being up in the night went up to Mr White in the eving
May 6 verry cold weather snow squal spent the eving at Mr Poor
May 7 rather cold weather for season Sunday went down to Parker in the morning went to meeting in the after non
Page 6
May 8 fair weather pritty warm {} day spent the eving at home
May 9 fair weather verry warm. I was paid of to day for my last month wages twenty five dollars I paid Mr Boyce five and forty cents spent the eving in runing (sic) round
May 10 fair weather pritty warm to day nothing new went down to Sampson in the eving
May 11 little rainy in the fore noon fair in the after noon no news to day.
May 12 fair weather no new (sic)in particular
May 13 fair weather went up to manchester in the eving
May 14 rainy weather to day Sunday went home
May 15 fair weather most of the day very warm Mr Poor left us to day
May 16 fair weather very warm me all alone no news in particular
May 17 fair weather Samuel came on to day
Page 7
The following pages contain poetry that cannot be identified by me as published work. I have searched for records on all of these poems and cannot find reference to them. I will assume, until otherwise corrected, that they are the creations of Joel Annis. The peoms represent sentiments that were quite common during the period.
The Dying Mariner's Request
O let me go down to the lone deep sea
Where the ocean spirits dwell
And above me shall revel the blue waters { }
While their low spirit moanings my death shall be
Their deep tones my funeral knell
The wild winds shall blow and the tempests sing
And the billows sweep oer me
But o when the tempests shall wildly sing
And the maddening waves thiere foam wreaths fling
Then sweet shall my slumbers be
I love the wild ocean for there is alone
In its tempests and waves to me
That haunts like a spirit my thought when alone
And memory echoes the low sad moan
That thrills from the wave of the sea
And o when the moonlight sleeps on the deep main
In its beauty so pure and bright
What exquisite emotions thrill through every vein
And my rapt spirit wanders again and again
From ocean to stars bathed in light
Then bury me low in the depths of the sea
Let me slumber unmarked and alone
My dirge the wild music of ocean shall be
The song of the waves in thire ringing glee
While I slumber unmarked and aloneLondonderry August the 13 1854
Page 8
Sept 1, 1854 Rainy weather to day we w{anted} to see it after so dry time I {live} in the same old place I feal { } and rugged I here bad news to {day} my sister is very sick
Spt 2 rainy today I went to Manchester to day to sea my sister who is verry sick and dont think she will live and coming I went to Lawernce and came home at two clock left of rainy in the after noon
Sept 3 sabbath day cleard of finely sun shine verry warm I went to manchester to sea my sister who was sick and i found her verry sick indeed return home in the after noon
Spt 4 fair weather work as common to day I here that my sister is dead she gone where she will never will never will never will return
Sept 5 went to Manchester to {my} sister Olive furnel ) {sh}e is dead her face we no {m}ore shall sea here voice we no more shall hear
Page 9
The one that I could love
Wouldst know the one that I could love
to thee ill impart
{dre}ams and hopes long; long so cherish,
{c}oncealed within mine heart
Nought do I care for gold or lands
Not glorys name do prize deem
From something more than these
Doth happiness arise
Beautys charms may the eye enchant'
Awhile may win the heart
Such love can never lasting be
It lives but to depart
The noble mind I only prize'
Without it what were all
Wealth and beauty a time might please.
Such dreams too soon would fall
So now thou knowst the one Id love
She with a noble mind
Beauty and gold were nought indeed
If such a one Id find
Page 10
Oh think not less I love thee
Oh think not less I love thee,
That our paths are parted now
For the stars that burn above thee
Are not truer than my vow
Its the fragrance to the blossom
Its the moon unto the night&
Our love is to my bosom
Its sweetness and its light
Oh think not less I love thee
That thy hand I thus resign
In the heaven that bend above thee,
I will claim thee yet as mine
Though the vision of life morning
Ever fitted one like thee
And thou life lacks adorning
Shall hence that vision be
Page 11
Can love Forget
Forget thee. if to dream at night
or muse on thee by day
For all the worship deep and wild
poets hearts can fray
Page 12
Burial of the beautiful
Where shall we place the beautiful dead
Where place the pure of heart
gently place them in a bed
with} noise and mirth apart
Bury them there
Where shall the cherished one be laid
Where shall the lovely rest
Lay her down where placid shade
May fall upon her breast
Bury them there
Where shall our honored dead ones sleep
Let them sleep gently
Where wild flowers bloom in the valley deep
And fragrant scent the air
Bury them there
Where willows droop and cypress weep
Deep in the valley shades
And sols last rays so sadly creep
Away from lovely glades
Bury them there
Where wandering spirits love to rest
And silence reigns around
Where sleep in silent dust the blest
So calm beneath the ground
Bury them there
Page 13
September 6th 1855
An Eving ThoughtHow beautiful it is to look out on the world when all is still. The golend sun has sunk in the far of west and eving shades apear and cover the earth with her dark mantle. How beautiful it is to look at the stars that shine so bright in the heaven above our heads. It is then that our thoughts will wander back to our child hood home. Tis then we will think of the past but the past is a mournful picture. When we think of our school days they are gone never to return again and with them our mates are gone to. Some of them are seaking there fortune in west. Some are gone to the south. They are scattered all over the world were ever there fancy lead them. Others have left this world with its troble and gone were weary people rest. And me think I hear {just} how vain this world is above and below and they tell us to prepare our sels for a better home in heav{en} and as we come along back to manhood our friend leave us and travel our way back as it were all alone but we soon arive to man hood and look to the future. We feel discourage at the thought of riches as that is about the first of the young man at present, but riches take to them its wing and fly away. Second thought is to choes a pardner for life but that is no easy thing to do. Our third thought should be to prepare our soul for heaven. But thoes three are enough for the presant.
(signed): J. C. Annis
LondonderryRewritten with corrections:
September 6th 1855
An Evening ThoughtHow beautiful it is to look out on the world when all is still. The golden sun has sunk in the far off west and evening shades appear and cover the earth with their dark mantle. How beautiful it is to look at the stars that shine so bright in the heaven above our heads. It is then that our thoughts will wander back to our childhood home. Tis then we will think of the past, but the past is a mournful picture. When we think of school days they are gone never to return again and with them our mates are gone too. Some of them are seeking their fortune in the west. Some are gone to the south. They are scattered all over the world wherever their fancy leads them. Others have left this world with it's troubles and gone where weary people rest. And I think I hear just how vain this world is above and below and they tell us to prepare ourselves for a better home in heaven and as we come along back to manhood our friends leave us and we travel our way back, as it were, all alone but we soon arrive at manhood and look to the future. We feel discouraged at the thought of riches as that is about the first thought of the young man at present, but riches take to themselves their wings and fly away. The second thought is to choose a partner for life but that is no easy thing to do. Our third thought should be to prepare our soul for heaven. But those three are enough for the present.
(signed): J. C. Annis
Londonderry
Page 14
Death of a Child
{Bare}ly in the earth cold bosom
{slu}mbers now the little child
{Lik}e an opening rosebud fading
{As} its full blown beauty smild
{W}as it not a bud transplanted
Early to that garden fair
Where unfading beauties ever
Breathe rich fragrance on the air
Yet for those who mourn such loved ones
Words of comfort are engraved
Shining forth in golden letters.
Early lost and early saved
Then why grieved that angel (precious)
With a shadowy brightness came
Quenching light in earthly darkness
To relight a heavenly flame
Pale white hands are only folded
For a little little while
And feel soon a form will greet thee
Radiant with an angel smile
When so live that heaven sees
When each hastening day is ore
And its pearly gates shall open
To you in that better shore
Page 15
Hatties Death
{Where thou} hast gone no more we meet thee
While the path of life we tread
Thou hast left us little Hattie3
Thou art numbered with the dead
But last week thou wert here with us
By thy teachers side to learn
But no more wilt thou here meet us
Thou hast gone nere to return
Years will follow one another
And we cannot cease to weep
As we look and see thee resting
In thy long and dreamless sleep
Yes thou'rt gone and sadly slowly
They will (they) bear thee to the tomb
We must bid thee farewell Hattie
Now immortal thou dost bloom
Page 16
Partially legiable
Love
The human heart it is a fearful { }
And we must touch it tenderly. If {you}
Have friends who are true and tried and y{ }
Page 17
Why Thus Sad
Why thus sad to night my love
{Am} I not by thy side
{A}nd do I not for thee along
Stem life tempestuous tideDoes not thy every smile love
Awaken in my breast
A pride to know thou art my own
And I am ever blest
O why thus sad when all around
Are joyous wild and gay
The zephyrs sport among thy locks
And with thy tresses play
Sweet perfume from scented bowers
Are wafted on the breeze
Yet thou art sad to night my love
And seeming ill at ease
O why sad can sorrow find
Its dwelling place in thee
Or does some memory of the past
Bespeak thy misery
The stars their silent vigils {keep}
The silent moon gleams bright
All all is mirth and gladness {sweet}
Still thou art sad to night
O yes I'm sad tonight my love
For joys can't always last
And though I'm thoughtful now tis not
From memory of the past
These zephyrs sporting with the leaves
Whisper a tale of woe
Of death wich (sic) bids me to prepair
Far hence from thee to go
Page 19
A Poetic Gem
{ } had thought thou couldst have diedUnfinished ?
Page 20
Single and Married
Single
O happiness a single
Life so void of care
No teasing plaguing scolding wife
Tis a blessing rare
The club the ball room or the play
You go there when you please
No wife with questions the next day
Your very soul to tease
No certain lectures greet your ears
You slumber sweet and light
You have no little crying dear
To bre(a)k your rest at night
Married
O what a joy a married life
So happy bright and gay
A pretty little loving wife
To chase dull care away
And when the toil of day is oer
Ah then is home a bliss
She fondly meets you at the door
And greets you with a kiss
Then who would ever single be
And lead a dreary life
Old bachelor just list (en) to me
Go get yourself a wife
Annis Family Association
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