Temporary record

A diary kept by an educated, unidentified German immigrant to New York State. A birth certificate included in the diary is of Georg Philipp Weber, who may be a relative of the author. The author was apparently born in Luchow, Germany, before emigrating to the United States in April, 1843. He eventually settled in western New York state (Middleport), where he found employment as a tanner and shoemaker. From the date of his departure, the author maintained a regular journal of his experiences, which he apparently periodically sent to family members in Luchow. This volume, begun in May, 1847, is the fifth. He is an incisive social critic and keen observer of the events taking place in Europe as well as locally. Throughout, he displays a strong mistrust toward organized religion particularly missionary activity, and appears to hold decidedly "liberal" views on economic issues: while he wishes to succeed in his business ventures (and does, becoming a partner of the tannery in December 1847), the author remains sympathetic to the plight of the poor and oppressed in the U.S. and it appears that he would like to return to Germany in 1848 to support the cause of freedom. There are only sporadic entries after mid-1848, and the pages representing August 1849 through April 1852 have been removed. In the last entry, the author indicates that he is leaving Middleport, though he does not specify his destination.

M-2488

Subjects

German Americans--New York (State)
Germans--United States--New York (State)
Immigrants--New York (State)
Shoemakers--New York (State)
Tanners-New York (State)

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