Diary of B. H. Roberts, 1886 - 1887

Diary covers December 1886; April 1887; and August 1887. Original is leather-bound with black cover, 4 inches by 6 3/4 inches. Covers period from 5 December 1886 intermittently to 8 August 1887, with some undated entries. Roberts begins this journal with a description of his arrest on 5 December for "'unlawful cohabitation' with Sarah L. Roberts & Celia Dibble." However, his explanation ends in mid-sentence. There are a number of blank pages, then a few brief comments on Roberts's first visit to London in 1887. Skipping a few more pages, he begins a description of travels around England between 2 and 5 April. On the fifth he visited the former home of the poet Lord Byron, and writes a description complete with quotes from the poet. These entries are badly water stained but still legible. Roberts leaves more blank pages and begins with an entry dated "Aug. 30th 1887," which is probably July, as the following entries date from the first to the eighth of August. This portion of the journal describes Roberts's trip across Scotland. The journal entries end on 8 August 1887 with his return to Liverpool. Tucked into the entry for 3 August are four pages from a small notebook labeled "The Scripture Testimony to the Christ: Especially the Testimony of St. John." Following the journal entries are pages of personal accounts, inscriptions from grave stones, remarks about the roles of women and men, notes on books, and poetry. On the last page of the volume under a pasted-in poem is the note: "Married Lena 23 Jan. 1884 Wednesday Ets. She is 23/3d Aug '87." His "temple records" show his marriage to Celia Dibble, whom he called Lena, on 4 October 1884. Celia's birthday is recorded as 3 August 1864