HISTORICAL NOTE

The journal consists of the Unitarian Minister's travels through New England.  Centering on the years 1789-1794, Mr. Abbot travels throughout northern New England and Maine.  Among the notes of interest are his 1791 trip to present Maine as a youthful missionary to the Indians and the remote settlements. 

On 5 November 1789 Abbot describes seeing the new President of the United States.  Washington was then on his triumphal tour of New England.

The diary consists of daily entries where Abiel Abbot records his observations of the many towns and settlements through which he passes, some of which obviously seldom had visitors.  Going mostly on horseback, but occasionally by canoe, often preaching to only a very few people, Abbot actively traversed the Maine frontier and helped with the first U. S. census at one point.  That he was well-received there is established by one of the laid in papers, a 1794 call from the first parish in Penobscot to settle with them as their minister. 

Included in this collection is a copy of Abbot's appointment by the “society for propogating the gospel among the Indians and others...” Boston, May 16, 1791, sending him to the “the county of Lincoln, and the infant towns and plantations in the countys of Cumberland and York which are destitute of settled ministers....,” a copy of additional instructions, and a manuscript map, about 10” x 7”, on which his route is shown. 

The diary is on paper of varying size, stitched or laid in a paper wrapper titled “Waste Book 1794,” with miscellaneous other writings and partial diaries, much in the introspective religious style of the time as would be expected, and with some employment of shorthand that slightly impeded reading.

Processed by Susan E. Keats, December 1985.