Travel Diaries and Journals

William Gravell diary, 1863-1867.

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UPenn Ms. Coll. 723

This leather-bound, ruled diary was kept from 14 July 1863 to 31 August 1867 by William Gravell during his four-year stay in London, England to escape the draft of the Civil War. Gravell traveled from Upper Darby Township, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to New York where after being swindled; he eventually boarded a cargo ship named Plymouth Rock bound for London. Gravell writes daily about his life on board the ship, including his sea sickness, storms, other passengers, amusements, rations, and his acquaintance with a sailor from Philadelphia. Shortly after celebrating his twenty-third birthday on 13 August, William arrives in London, England. He meets his Uncle Thomas, a gilder and framer, and then meets his Uncle William, a watchmaker. Uncle William provides William with "the document which made me a soldier in the U.S. service for the space of three years." William lives with his cousin Thomas, acquires a job at Causton & Sons Printers in a warehouse where he works from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. William's entries in the diary appear weekly, recording events, excursions, holidays, and family gatherings. William describes the yearly tours of the Crystal Palace at Easter time, Guy Fawkes's Day, Christmas, and Boxing Day. He records the passing of his birthdays. William describes going to lectures, museums, plays, pantomimes, recording the titles and theatres. William writes about attending service on Sundays at St. Paul's Cathedral, dinners with his extended family, and games they play, such as Whist. He writes of the walks he takes with his cousin Thomas or Mr. Jewell to Black Heath, Greenwich, and London Bridge Park. At times William becomes depressed and writes of his dislike of London weather and his search for friends. In the summer of 1866, after the death of his Uncle William, Elizabeth, William's sister arrives unexpectedly. William and his sister spend much time together during the year she is there. In May of 1867 William's parents send tickets for his and Elizabeth's passage from Liverpool to Philadelphia. The pair leave in July, arriving in Philadelphia on 31 August 1867, the last entry in the diary. There are two inscriptions on the first leaf: "Minnie presented Aug. 22nd 1878" and "Watch Jacque Roulet Locle No. 28483." Some lines regarding William's departure for London to avoid the draft have been crossed out in pencil. After the last entry the rest of the diary is blank.

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me was caused by a rocket which was fired as a signal that we were in want of a pilot; and also the place near which we were lying was called Dunge Ness from which place pilots are generally taken. We had to wait about two hours, during which time I dressed and had my breakfast before our pilots came aboard, when we again got under way, and as the fog had cleared away, and as it was now a beautiful bright morning we had an opportunity of seeing some of the coast very near to which we were sailing. Shortly after six o'clock we came in sight of the celebrated cliffs of Dover, with the castle on the summit. The Cliffs presented a splendid appearance in the morning sun, the faces of which were as white as snow varied by dark spots or patches caused I suppose by deep indentations in their face. The summit of the Cliffs and the country lying contiguous was covered with fields of grain and

Last edit almost 4 years ago by kishman

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clover, which had not yet been harvested and from which I inferred that the Harvest was much later in England than at home. We passed within two miles of the town of Dover, which stretches along the beach for a considerable distance and appears to be a town of considerable size. Just back of the town on the highest hill stands the Castle, a great irregular gloomy looking pile of buildings of dark looking stone. As the Captain was kind enough to lend me a glass I had an opportunity of inspecting it much closer. Along the Cliff at the edge of the sea there runs a sailway, which in several places is carried through tunnels cut through the chalky face of the Cliffs. Soon after leaving Dover in the distance we rounded the South Foreland a bold primentory. It was from about here that we could trace the faint outline of the coast of France, which owing to the clearness of the air we were enabled to do. After rounding the point we came in view of Walmar [Walmer?] Castle

Last edit almost 4 years ago by kishman

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the county seat of Lord Palmerston, who is now residing there as the flag is floating over it. A sign that it is occupied. Then we passed the Goodwin Sands leaving them on our right. These were marked by several Light Ships to warn navigators off their dangerous grounds. Shortly after the town of Ramsgate came in view; is a good sized town and very prettily situated. The Cliffs along here present a most strange appearance their white face being varigated with dark spots which are caused I suppose by deep indentations or caves in their face. Then we rounded the North Foreland and passed a large town called "The King's Downs" where a great number of vessels were riding at anchor. About two o'clock, finding we could not make much progress by tacking, as we had been doing first one way and then another ever since we left Dover. We came to a stand and the anchor was dropped

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in the North Sea about eight miles from Margate and in close and in the event of a storm in dangerous contiguity to the Margate Sands, in a very narrow channel between which it seems we are lying. The rest of the day was spent by us passengers in sitting about deck and looking out over the waters of the German Ocean, which had to me a very barren and desolate look, caused I suppose by the reddish appearance of its waters and by the almost entire absence of shipping as compared with the lively channel from which we had just emerged. The Sailors were very busy all afternoon in getting up an additional anchor and in casting it, as a precaution against a storm or gale in the night which in these shallow waters would go very hard with us. if our anchors could not be depended upon. The wind is very strong this evening and appears to be increasing but the air is clear and we can see the lights of Margate eight miles away.

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Monday Aug. 17th

At nine o'clock this morning we heard the archon, and taken in tow by a small but powerful tug boat we started off for London. It has been a beautiful day and almost rivals yesterday. Although the wind got very high in the night our anchors proved to be worthy of the confidence we reposed in them and held us securely. About twelve, after passing through some large fishing grounds in which a great number of small vessels were pursuing their avocation, and passing several large vessels going out one of which was a Man of War. we reached the Nore, which is the broad open mouth of the Thames. Leaving Sheerness with its Dockyards and Fortifications on our left and Southend which I understand is a favorite watering place with the London people on our right we passed several other small places one of which a very picturesque little town.

Last edit almost 4 years ago by kishman

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