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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sociable, and whom at the time I set down as mechanics or other well disposed persons [The following text has been crossed out but is still legible] Entering into conversation with them upon various topics and particularly of the war they very soon made themselves acquainted with the object I had in view. Quickening my apprehension with the information that as the draft was to take place the following day in New York, and that then all means of exit would be closed, [Cross out ends] they agreed that if possible it would be much better if I could get my ticket this evening, and get aboard the vessel the Christiana, then lying at a pier in the East river a service which they very kindly offered to do for me. Accompanying one of them he conducted me to an office in Albany St. where I purchased a ticket for $30 which included my bed and a few cooking utensils, I was then informed for some reason or other I would bot be able to get aboard that night, but that I should be placed aboard the first thing in the

Last edit over 3 years ago by Mick

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morning. Resting satisfied with this assurance I returned to my hotel, after taking a very short stroll through two or three of the neighboring streets, which seemed all alive with music, and pleasure. For this, as it afterward appeared to me as I inspected it by daylight, was the sailors quarter, and was principally occupied by their lodging houses, and places of resort. Returning to the tavern I sat down and wrote a short letter home delivering my experiences so far; and then feeling rather hungry and tired, I requested some supper and a bed. In the mean- time however I was accosted by one or tow others, who, taking me for a green- horn which I really was, endeavored to operate upon me, but being perfect- ly alive now as to the character of the company in which I found my- self I turned a deaf ear to their soft persuasions and thus escaped being robbed. Having eaten a supper

Last edit over 3 years ago by Mick

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which I did not enjoy. I was shown to my bed in a very small room which should more properly be called a closet, as it was of extremely small dimensions, and but a trifle larger than the single bed with which it was occupied and which seemed to me to be situated in a sort of outhouse at the back of the main premises as we were obliged to reach it by going through the kitchen and a sort of back yard. I at length got to bed, but it was a long time before I got to sleep; for now having an opportunity to collect my thoughts I began to be troubled with a horrible suspicion that the ticket I had bought and paid $30 for might be worthless. This thought kept me awake for a long time, but tired nature at length triumphed over horrid thoughts, bed- bugs with which the bed seemed to be swarming, and rats which kept running over the ceiling and under the floor and which at times I fancied

Last edit over 3 years ago by Mick

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ran across the bed upon which I was sleeping. Having passed a very wretched and disturbed night, I was not sorry when morning arrived; although bring fresh trials and trouble. I dressed myself and went down to the bar-room and then went out for a short stroll before breakfast during which I purchased a few things in which I stood in need. I break- fasted with rather a motley crowd, and after breakfast meeting in the bar-room the same person who so kindly procured me my ticket the night before I immediately insisted in being placed aboard the ship, as he agreed to do the evening before. This, he told me he intended to do, but that it was too early yet and that I must meet him at 1/2 past nine. I met him at the time appointed, and went with him to the office when I received the [pleasing?] information that the Christiana was

Last edit over 3 years ago by Mick

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full; but they exchanged my ticket for me ensuring my passage by the "American Union" advertised to sail about the same time. My kind assistant now informed me, that he could do nothing more for me towards putting me aboard, but that the best thing I could do, would be to hire a dray and get myself and baggage aboard as it was more than a mile to where the ship was lying. This I considered rather too bad and remonstrated with him accordingly, but as some little altercation ensued in which they threat- ened to kick me out of the place, I thought it best to comply with his recommendation. I could find no drayman who would undertake the job for less than $2.50; heavy as this was I could not help myself, and was obliged to pay it and so about twelve o'clock on Saturday I was safely placed aboard the "American Union" bound for Liverpool. A soon as I had an opportunity to look around

Last edit over 3 years ago by Mick

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