Edward Jenner Carpenter was an eighteen-year-old apprentice in a cabinetmaking shop in Greenfield, Massachusetts when he began this diary, following his father’s advice. Carpenter faithfully made daily entries and his journal provides a detailed record of a young man’s life in a busy rural commercial center, including work, recreation, celebrations, family, and community gossip.

As a young man given relatively little supervision by his employers, Edward Jenner Carpenter lived more independently than a young woman could. He had to keep the hours his masters set for work, but he could choose where to go in the evenings and whether to go home on the holidays. Greenfield was a large enough community to have quite a few young men working there as apprentices and employees. Their presence meant a range of activities not found in smaller communities. (He noted in fact, on one visit to his hometown of Bernardston, Massachusetts, that he was bored and wanted to go back to Greenfield!) During the year covered by these diary entries, he took several weeks of lessons at a dancing school, went to meetings of a young man’s Literary Club, attended a course of lectures on human physiology, went to listen to an African-American fiddler, played cards and “ball,” visited with friends from his home town, attended the Mechanics’ Fair, and took up—and later tried to quit—the chewing of tobacco. Although Carpenter was an apprentice, and primarily working for room, board and instruction, he was able to earn some extra money by working more hours than the usual work day in the shop. Payments for “overwork” allowed him to afford the leisure time activities he enjoyed so much.

Edward was learning the skills of cabinetmaking, as apprentices had done for centuries, but with a difference. His employers were not making furniture on demand for specific customers, but “mass producing” desks, chests and tables to be widely distributed for sale. He was making furniture by hand, but making the same item many times before he turned to another one. These production shops were a halfway stage in the transition from custom production by hand in small shops to mechanized furniture factories. He was probably not learning the same range of skills that an 18th-century apprentice would have. He noted in his diary that he wanted more variety in his work and a chance to learn how to make other pieces and acquire a greater range of skills.

Excerpts from the diary of Edward Jenner Carpenter, 1844-1845

Friday March 1st 1844 According to my Fathers advice when I came here, which I have long neglected, I have concluded to commence a Journal and write down every night what has occurred during the day worthy of note.

I am at work on a Butternut Secratary*. I worked till 9 o’clock and then had some fun parching corn. I began to take the Hampden Washingtonian* of Mr. Eastman for which I am now to pay him 75 cts. at the end of the year.

Tuesday March 5th It has been pleasant today but rather cold. I went down to the Literary Club tonight held in the Fellenburg Schoolhouse and listened to a debate on the question Which is productive of the most happiness Married life or Single life, it was decided by the President in the negative. As I came up from the Club I called at the Cotillion party held at Mr. Keith’s & see them dance about an hour.

Sunday March 10th 12 o’clock Very pleasant indeed a first rate sap day. I staid in the shop in the forenoon & read some old Saturday Couriers alone Dexter [the other apprentice in the shop] having gone home…

Monday March 11th Very pleasant, the robins begin to appear to charm us with their songs.

After 9 this evening I went over to the Town Hall to see the Aristocracy of this village dance or make an attempt to dance. The music by Mr. Temple Charles Lyons & Isaac Harkness was good I staid till nearly 11 o’clock I think I shall feel rather sleepy tomorrow therefore I will stop my scribbling and go to bed.

Thursday March 14th Very pleasant & warm. I read tonight a story called Easy Nat or Boston bars and Boston boys. It is the life of three boys during their apprenticeship one of them was Easy Nat who was led into drunkenness & all sorts of dissipation by his brother apprentice & afterwards became a Washingtonian* & the other apprentice set his masters house on fire & then cut his throat. This shows the evil of drunken Companions. I finished the Bureau* today that I began a week ago last Monday and began another just like it & I hope it will not take quite as long to make it.

Saturday March 16th It has rained hard all day & the roads are all sposh; the mail that was due here from the south this morning at eight o’clock did not get along till two in the afternoon. My brother Timothy was here tonight he came down after Mr. P. L. Cushman who came in the Boston stage. I bought me one of Chapman’s Magic Razor Strap tonight for which I paid 75 cents. I look over my account tonight with Miles & Lyons* & if I made no mistake they owe me $8.41. I received my Washingtonians today the last weeks having got mislaid I did not get it till today. We quit working evenings last night we shall not have to work any more evenings till the 20th of next September.

Saturday March 23rd It is considerable cold today, but pleasant...They tried Ransom Guillow today for Adultery after they had examined 3 or 4 witnesses against him he plead guilty, & is now waiting for his sentence which will probably be a states prison I concluded today to stop chewing tobacco I do not know as I shall hold out more than two days but I mean to if I can for it is a filthy habit, & it injures my health I think.

Wednesday March 27th Rather cloudy this afternoon…The house of Mr. Priestly Newton was burnt last night they saved some of the things from the house but the bigger part of them was burnt it was insured for about $350…

Monday April 1st Thaws very fast today rather cold again this evening. Dexter came back this morning. Town meeting today to choose County Commissioners it is Temperance & Anti Temperance the Rum party carried the day in this town but I hope it will not be so through the County for the old board of Commissioners Licensed everything almost that applied.

Tuesday April 2nd Very pleasant indeed. I attended the Literary Club this evening now held in the town Hall & heard a debate upon the question “Which have done the most good Lawyers or Mechanics*” It was decided in favor of the Mechanic.

Thursday April 4th A very warm day it is fast day* & I have played ball so much that I am to tired I can hardly set up I dont think I shall want to have fast day come again for a year

Monday April 8th The warmest day we have had this year we can hardly see any snow now.
I played a game of Wicket ball tonight after I got through work. The Greenfield Artillery have been training about the streets this evening with their muskets, under the direction of Capt. Wm. Keith. Dexter’s brother Frank begun his apprenticeship in Mr. Hunt’s tailor’s shop today.
They tried Ransom Guillow today for Adultery after they had examined 3 or 4 witnesses against him he plead guilty, & is now waiting for his sentence which will probably be a states prison I concluded today to stop chewing tobacco I do not know as I shall hold out more than two days but I mean to if I can for it is a filthy habit, & it injures my health I think.

Thursday April 11th Another warm pleasant day.
2 years ago today I came here to learn the Cabinet trade & I suppose I must stay till 4th of August 1846, a long time to look ahead, but short to look back.

Thursday April 18th A cold raw day Miles & Lyons sent off a load of furniture to North Adams for H. L. Dawes tonight, consisting of a Sofa 2 tables a Pillar work table, Dress table, Washstand, 3 Bedsteads a set of Chairs & a Rocking chair.

Four of us came up into the shop tonight & took a hand of High low jack* & the game, just for amusement for I never played for money, or anything else.

Monday April 22nd A warm day, but rather cloudy. I finished the Secratary today, & began another just like it. I went into Mr. Hunt’s tonight and got measured for a pair of pantaloons*, which will cost me five dollars…There has been a Rail road Convention* here today, & there was quite a large collection too.
There has already been stock taken in this village to the amount of $40,000. Miles & Lyons put down 3 or 400 dollars. The road is to extend from here I believe to Northampton…

Saturday May 4th A warm day…I commenced another Secratary this morning like the one I finished last night. Cheap secrataries are in good demand…

Thursday May 16th …I began a Board end Bureau with Ogee* Drawer this morning. I went up to H. W. Clapp’s this afternoon to the raising of a barn, & worked considerable hard & did’nt get as much as “thank you sir” for it…

Tuesday May 2lst A cold raw day & I think we shall [have] a frost tonight. I went down to the black barber’s tonight & heard him fiddle till ½ past 10, he is a good fiddler…

Friday May 24th …Wilson finished painting chairs today, & went home. Russell Warren the tin peddler was here today & bought a Butternut table & a couple of rocking chairs.

Tuesday May 28th A warm day, but some air a stirring. I finished a Bureau this noon, & after dinner I begun another just like it only a three cornered drawer instead of an Ogee.
I went down tonight and went in swimming and I feel much better for it.

Wednesday May 29th A pleasant day.
It is old fashioned ’election* today besides being training day*. The Greenfield Artillery & the Cavalry trained here today, the Artillery look first rate in there new uniform, but the Cavalry looked shabby enough, they are a going to have new uniform I believe.

Sunday June 2nd …Cyrus [his brother] came after me last night about 5 o’clock & I came home with him I went to meeting at the Unitarian Church all day. I was homesick before night for there is not so much going on here as in Greenfield…

Tuesday June 4th ...I started this morning about 8 o’clock for Greenfield, my father brought me down I think I shall not want to go home again for some time…


Tuesday June 11th …I began another cheap butternut Secratary this morning it is Bureaus & Secratary all the time I have worked on them about a year & I begin to think it is about time to learn to make something else.

Tuesday July 2nd …Dr. Darling gave the first of his course of lectures tonight, which I attended, he lectured this evening on digestion. He has a Model of the Human System called the French Manakin which is almost perfect, he can take it all to peices and show every part of the body. He has another lecture Friday evening.

I received a paper this morning from S. W. Dickinson an apprentice that left here a little more than a year ago, he is now working in North Adams.

Wednesday July 3rd A very pleasant day. I have made my calculations to go home tonight to spend the 4th of July, therefore I think I shall be off, Henry Willis talks of going with me.
There is to be a Loco foco* Celebration there, besides one or two tea parties.

Thursday July 4th The Anniversary of American Independence & a very good day it is very cool for the time of the year, we had a fresh breeze from the North West. Willis & I started last night about 7 o’clock to come up a foot but we walked about a mile & a half to two miles, & then got a ride almost home, we arrived at my father’s about half past eight we went to bed about 11 and was awaked in the morning about sunrise by the cannon & bells.
The Greenfield Artillery & Shelburne Falls Band came up here about 9 o’clock, & they formed a procession at the meeting house between 10 & 11 & marched on to the N. W. of Purples’ tavern where they heard the speakers of the day. Whiting Griswold Esqr of Greenfield delivered the Oration, after he got through they marched back to the tavern & partook of a dinner prepared by John N. Purple on some tables a little east of the tavern. There was about 250 sit down at the first table, besides some afterwards at 75 cts each. I went to the Tea Party about 3 o’clock, the table was set in Mr. A. Flint’s door yard. There was a large number there of old & young, & it passed off very pleasantly. Dr Brooks gave us a short speech & a few toasts, Mr. Hawks of Deerfield gave 2 or 3 songs accompanied by the Melodian which were good. Henry Willis got a chance to ride home & so he went home while I was gone to the tea party young fellows flew around after the tea party was over and got about 15 or 16 couple together before dark & went into Purples hall and danced till nearly midnight. Mr. Hunt got my sack* done after I came away last night & sent it up to me this morning on the stage, but it did not fit, it was to small, therefore I shall carry it back to him.


Monday July 15th ...Dr. Darling gave the last of his course of lectures this evening, he lectured on Physical Education & it was very interesting, he gave the ladies a considerable hard touch on tight lacing & Baloon bustles…

Wednesday July 17th A pleasant day. The “big bugs” had a picnic this afternoon & they are a dancing now in the town hall, they would not let the mechanics in & so they staid outside & made such a noise that [they] could hardly hear the music…

Friday Aug. 2nd Very hot, & I should think the hottest we’ve had this summer, it is dog days in good earnest. The village have a meeting this evening to see if they could adopt some measure to stop the nightly disturbances we have here lately, made partly [by] the village boys & partly by a lot of rowdies from Cambridge College. And they concluded to choose a committee of ten to act as a kind of police, to try to stop it by persuasion & entreaty & if it could not be done in that way, to resort to the law as a last resource.

Sunday, Aug. 4th …Today is my 19th birth day, 2 years & I am my own man. Uncle Jo. [Joseph Frost*] Dexter and myself have been at work all day making Coffins. We made one out of Bass for David Williards wife, it is to be covered with broadcloth, & one of Cherry for an Irishwoman by the name of Lewis.

It being my birthday I concluded to quit chewing tobacco, but I don’t believe I shall hold out, for the habit has got pretty well fastened on to me. I wish I had never put a bit into my mouth.

Tuesday Aug 6th We have all sorts of weather today…I had to use a little tobacco today it comes hard to quit.

Tuesday Aug. 13th The weather today is “fac simile” of yesterday. I got the stuff for my pictures frames tonight & veneered them, I put mahogany on to one & zebra wood on to the other.
I received a paper this morning from J. M. Lyons, and I did up my July number of the Despatch & put into the post office for him.
I cannot make up my mind to quit chewing tobacco entirely yet. I have taken about two quids a day since my birthday, & it is almost impossible to reduce the quantity to nothing, nor even to one quid. Lyons brought up his Saturday Courier for me to read tonight, I read one good story in it entitled “where there is a will there is a way”

Wednesday Sept 4th Another fine day. Dexter came here a year ago today, he has got to stay 3 years longer, about 6 months after he is 21…The Ladies are getting a Mechanics fair here, independent of the Aristocracy, to raise money to fix up the village grave yard, & I hope they will put it through. The “big bugs” tried to get up one but they could not get any one to do the work for them so they had to give it up, but the Mechanics are not afraid to work.

Tuesday Sept. 10th A very warm day. I have been at work this evening on a little bedstead for the Mechanic’s Fair. I finished the cubboard today & went to work on the Bureau once more, I wonder what will come next.
I received my Despatch from New York this morning.

Friday Sept. 27th A clear cold day, & a hard frost last night. The Mechanics held their Fair this evening It was got up in first rate style, they took about $250. & the expenses will probably be some where from 50 to 75 dollars. The money goes to repair the burying ground. They paid the Band $10. & all the Glee Club asked was their keeping over night. They were first rate singers, they sing Temperance Songs mostly, which did not hardly suit the rummies.

They had a Post Office which took in 12 or $15, & the fortune teller as much more. They broke up about half past 12, & then the Band came out & played around the square. The Hall was crowded so full, that you could hardly stir, they took about $50 at the door. I should think there was 500 in there. The bedstead that I made, sold at Auction bed clothes & all for $2.25, & the spool stand that Buzzell made sold for $5.00. W. F. Davis bought it.

Sunday Sept. 29th A cold stormy day…I staid in the shop all day, & did not leave it only to get my meals. I have been reading the Adventures of Handy Andy an Irish c[h]aracter.

Monday Oct. 2lst Cloudy & begins to rain a little this evening. The world come to an end today or tomorrow according to Millers last prophecy*.

We have all been at work this afternoon, except Lyon, on a coffin for old Mrs Eddy of Wisdom.

Tuesday Oct. 22nd Rather cloudy but not very cold. Today is the day that the world was coming to an end instead of yesterday, but I dont see much signs of it yet.

Saturday Nov. 9th Another warm pleasant day. The Locos are crowing considerable today over New York… “victory! victory! James K. Polk is elected President of the United States” but I think they had better not crow too soon. They fired their cannon most of the night.

I have quit chewing tobacco again, but I dont suppose I shall hold out much longer than I did before.


Saturday Nov. 16th A pleasant day. I finished the Bureau, that I have been at work on this fortnight, last night, every thing has gone wrong this week, because I did not have any tobacco, but I have pretty much [got] over it. I think I shall not chew any more very quick. Lyons went up to Gill tonight I have got to make Butternut tables for my next job. Hunt has been making me a vest, for which I pay him $3.25, it fits very well.

Wednesday Nov. 27th A pleasant day for me to go home in. I finished a couple of butternut tables about 3 o’clock, & now I am ready to go home to spend Thanksgiving. I shall not write any more till I get back.

Tuesday Dec. 3rd It looks some snowy, it has been cloudy all day. I got home last Wednesday about dark, Cyrus came down after me. Thursday it snowed pretty much all day, I went with Aunt Mary Thursday evening & see Uncle Justin “Annexed” to Miss Lucinda Atherton, the knot was tied by Mr. C. Kendal the Orthodox Minister, they was married at her fathers, Mr Horace Atherton’s, Justin took his bride home with him that night & I went with them & staid all night. Friday they had a wedding party at Justin’s. Richard Hoyt was married Thursday to Adeline Chapin, they was married at 2 o’clock & they had there wedding party in the evening, ther was about sixty at the party. Saturday was a pleasant day, Sunday was rainy & I caught a pretty severe cold on top of one that I had before which made me about sick. Monday was pleasant, I was calculating to come back yesterday but concluded that I would stay another day & doctor my cold.
My father brought me down today, we got here about 11 o’clock.

Monday Dec. 16th Considerable cold.

Horatio Rockwood talks of starting a dancing school here if he can get scholars enough. I think I shall go, if I have to go alone. Terms $4.00 per couple.

Tuesday Dec. 24th Rather windy, but the wind went down with the sun, & we’ve had a very pleasant evening. I did not work tonight, for it was Crismas Eve. I begun another bureau today

Wednesday Dec. 25th Rather mild & warm for the time of the year. It is Crismas today. I had the headache this afternoon & evening so that I did not work much, I took a couple of pills just now, I guess I shall sleep it off before morning.

Thursday Dec 26th Antoher mild spring day. I slept off my headache last night, but I have a stiff neck in place of it. We had the first dancing school tonight, there was about 18 couple there, it went off first rate, we had a livery team to go around & pick up the girls. I had Frances Wells for a partner.

Monday Dec. 30th …My father was down today, but did not come to see me. I suppose he was in a hurry, he most always is…

Tuesday Dec 31st Clear & considerable cold.
It is the last day in 1844. They up up to [went up to] the Methodist tonight to watch the old year out & the new one in. They have just got through, it is a little after 12 and I got “Happy new year” on to Dexter first.

Wednesday January 1st 1845. A clear & pleasant day very mild for the time of the year. It is “happy new year” with every one you meet today…

Saturday Feb. 22nd Very warm & pleasant. The stages begin to go on wheels. Today is the birth day of the father of our country, George Washington…

Wednesday Feb. 26th …I went and heard Dr. Darling lecture again this evening and the more I hear him the better I like him, he has got a good deal of Imitation, & acts & feels all he says. He gives another lecture tomorrow evening, which I must attend he is so interesting. I don’t know but the bosses will think it is too much to go every night in the week. I have not worked but one evening this week, and probably shall not work another, for dancing school is Friday night.

Saturday March 1st …I began this Journal a year ago today, & the more I write in it the more I like to. I also began to take the Washingtonian a year ago today for which I paid 75 cts. Dexter is going to take it the year coming…

Friday March 28th Very warm for the time of the year. The Chisel factory hands struck today, and swore they would not work any more till Russel would agree to pay them every month, he paid them up once in six months before. They took a game of wicket ball in front of the shop this afternoon, there was thirty or forty of them playing at a time.

Saturday, March 29th Warm & pleasant. The Chisel factory hands all went to work again today on the old terms.

I quit the card table today & went to work with Lyons on some furniture for the Odd Fellows. There is a Cotillion party coming off next Wednesday night.

Tuesday April. 1st Rainy this afternoon, but it cleared of this afternoon & is very windy this evening.
If is April fool all about town today, but they have not come it over me much. Timothy & Cyrus were here today. Tim was going to his summers work over in Wisdom, at Mr. Charles Hawks’

Friday April 11th Warmer, but March wind yet. It is three years today since I came here.
I finished a bureau today & went to work on the card table again.


*Bureau - low chest of drawers
*Election - Election Day: a celebration of the annual installation of the governor and some other elected officials that occurred near the end of the month of May. Many people observed the day as a holiday. Election Day is a misnomer; the actual voting was conducted during town meetings in November. In Massachusetts, the governor served a one-year term.
*Fast day - day declared by the state governor for public prayer and fasting
*Hampden Washingtonian - a temperance newspaper published in Springfield
*High low jack - a card game
*Joseph Frost - a journeyman employed by Miles & Lyons. Frost was in his fifties during Carpenter's apprenticeship and was not his relative. `Uncle' was an honorary title.
*Loco foco - a disparaging name for the Democratic-Republican party, especially its radical wing. The word is derived from the “brand name” of a match that was used by party members to light a darkened New York convention hall and subvert an attempt by other party members to control the convention.
*mechanics - persons whose occupation is to construct machines, or goods, wares, instruments, furniture and the like; blacksmiths, cabinetmakers, printers are examples of mechanics
*Miles & Lyons - cabinetmaking firm of Issac Miles and Joel L. Lyons located in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Edward Carpenter became an apprentice there at the age of sixteen. His apprenticeship was to be four and one-half years, until he was twenty-one.
*Millers last prophecy - a derisive reference to William Miller, a lay Baptist preacher from New York state. He predicted the end of the world in 1843, and when that failed to occur he continued setting later dates.
*ogee - having an S-shaped profile
*pantaloons - long pants, trousers worn by boys and men
*sack - a coat without a waist seam, similar to a modern man’s suit jacket
*training - day of practice and drill for the militia. Muster or training days were often treated as holidays as people went to observe the training.
*Washingtonian - The Washingtonian Society was the nation’s largest temperance organization for former drinkers who had taken a pledge of abstinence.

“The Diary of an Apprentice Cabinetmaker: Edward Jenner Carpenter’s ‘Journal’ 1844-45,” edited by Christopher Clark in the Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, Vol. 98, Part 2 (Worcester, Mass.: 1988), 320, 322-331, 333-339, 342-343, 345, 348-349, 356-357, 360, 364, 366-373, 379-381, 385-386, by permission of the publisher. Selected entries. Edited by Old Sturbridge Village.