1857

Historical Happenings
March 4 Washington, D.C. The inaugural address of James Buchanan, sworn in today as the 15th President of the United States, continued the theme of his Save the Union campaign platform, stressing tolerance of slavery for the purpose of keeping the states united Washington D.C. The Supreme Court has decided the Dred Scott case, ruling that a Negro descended from slaves is not a citizen and that the Missouri Compromise is unconstitutional. Dred Scott freed by his new owner. First passenger elevator, invented by Elisha Otis, installed in Haughwout Department Store Baseball ruling sets length of game at nine inning. In 1839, Abner Doubleday laid out a diamond-shaped field with four bases 60 feet apart in Cooperstown, New York and named the game baseball. Thomas Edison founds chemistry lab at home, marking all bottles poison, to amusement of friends. Arizona - Edward Beale blazes wagon trail from Fort Defiance to Colorado, using camels as pack animals. American cities reportedly have highest death rates in world, due, in large part, to tuberculosis. Lithographers Nathaniel Currier and James Merritt Ives establish their own imprint. The company published more than 4,000 color picture showing the manners, customs and sports of the times; the California gold rush; railroads and clipper ships; fires; and other historic events.

March 9

May 26 New York City

Chicago

Michigan June 16

United States

New York City

1858
Historical Happenings
New York City Mason Jars A jar that makes it possible for any housewife to preserve food for extended periods has been patented by John L. Mason. The Mason jar utilizes a rubber seal and a screw top to prevent deterioration of food once it is cooked. This invention is one of several this year that promise to make life easier for workers, farmers and homeowners. Others include the steel-nibbed pen, a lawn-mowing machine and a harvester that ties grain into bundles.

April 6 Washington, D.C. President Buchanan, in demanding that the Mormons obey federal law, accuses them of levying war against the United States May 11 June 13 June 16 Minnesota becomes Unions 32nd state. Memphis, Tennessee Steamship Pennsylvania explodes on Mississippi River killing 160 people. Springfield, Illinois Republican Abraham Lincoln, upon receiving Senate nomination, proclaims, A house divided against itself cannot stand. New York City Admission charged to baseball game for first time: New York All-stars defeat Brooklyn. Stagecoach owned by the Overland Mail Company went from St. Louis, Missouri to Los Angles, California in 20 days, the longest stage route in the world. It ran day and night, non-stop, over 2,600 miles of deserts, plains and hostile Comanche Indian territory. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow publishes The Courtship of Miles Standish, narrative poem about romance among Pilgrims Ladies Christian Association founded (YWCA)

July 20

October 7

October 16

New York City

Haddonfield, New Jersey First dinosaur skeleton excavated in United States

1859
Historical Happenings
Cambridge, Massachusetts Massachusetts Institute of Technology is founded. Mount Vernon, Virginia George Washingtons home dedicated as national monument. Salem, Massachusetts Moses Gerrish Farmer demonstrates his electric incandescent lighting with two lamps powered by wet-cell battery with platinum filaments. Mississippi January 5 Legislature resolves to secede from union immediately if a Republican is elected president.

Springfield, Illinois, Stephen A. Douglas wins second term in Senate, defeating Abraham Lincoln. Oregon 33rd State admitted into the Union

February 14

April 9 Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) becomes licensed riverboat pilot on Mississippi River. July 2 Utah Territory Mail service established to Salt Lake City by stagecoach. Aug. 20 Titusville, Pennsylvania Oil began flowing today from a well drilled by Edwin L. Drake on property owned by the Pennsylvania Rock Oil Co. It is the first such well to be drilled anywhere in the world. Oct. 16John Browns raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia Oct. 30Massachusetts Henry David Thoreau speaks adamantly on behalf of John Brown. Dec. 2 John Brown hangs for Harpers Ferry. December Colorado Pikes Peak or bust is gold rush slogan. The Pikes Peak or bust phenomenon is reaching epidemic proportions. Since gold was discovered in Boulder Canyon on January 15, the rush that ensued has brought an estimated 100,000 would-be miners from all parts of the United States to the slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

1860
Historical Happenings
April 13 Sacramento, California

Pony Express makes 11-day run to West

A young Tom Hamilton received a rousing welcome as he galloped furiously into town bearing a satchel with 49 letters and three newspapers after leaving St. Joseph, Missouri, just 11 days ago. The 11-day pace is an astounding improvement over the eight week wagon convoys. May May 16 June 20 Indian disturbances interrupt Pony Express services for a month. Chicago Abraham Lincoln was declared Republican presidential nominee today. President Buchanan vetoes Homestead Bill which calls for federal land grants to Western settlers.

November 6 Washington, D.C. Abraham Lincoln Elected President of the United States November Florida State legislature appropriates $100,000 for troops after Lincolns election. December 20 December 20 New Haven Washington D.C. Senate names Committee of Thirteen to seek ways of preserving union: members include Stephen A. Douglas and Jefferson Davis. South Carolina secedes from union. Winchesters rifle is now in production Nations population reaches 31 million.

1861
Historical Happenings
January 11

See George Wadsworths Diary, Jan 11, 1861 South Carolina had seceded from the Union on Dec. 20, 1860. On December 26, 1860 Major Robert Anderson moved the Union troops into Fort Sumter. South Carolina protested to Washington but instead of withdrawing the Union troops, President Buchanan sent an unarmed merchant steamer, the Star of the West, with men and supplies to reinforce the Fort. On January 9, Charleston gunners fired upon her and she turned back.

Jan. 29 March 4

Kansas becomes 34th state admitted to the Union. Abraham Lincoln of Illinois inaugurated President of the United States..

April 12 April 13 April 15 April 17 April 19

Confederate troops attack Fort Sumpter, South Carolina Bombardment and surrender of Fort Sumpter. Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 volunteers. Virginia secedes from the Union. Sixth Massachusetts Volunteers fired on by a mob while passing through Baltimore. Three men of the Sixth were killed and eight wounded.
1899 Franklin & Wrentham Directory

April 20 Seizure of Norfolk Navy Yard by Confederates. General Butler declares fugitive slaves contraband of war. May 6 Arkansas secedes from the Union. May 20 May 21 June 8 North Carolina secedes from the Union. Richmond, Virginia, was chosen as the Confederated capital. Tennessee secedes from the Union

July 21Northern troops retreated in disorder after first Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) Virginia

1862
Historical Happenings
Feb. 6 March 9 April 6-7 April 16 April 18-29 May 4 May 30 June 3 June 6 Aug. 29-30 September 17 Grants Northern troops captured Ft. Henry, Tennessee. The ironclad ships Monitor and Merrimack battled to a draw. Both sides suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Shiloh, won by the Union. The Confederacy began to draft soldiers. A Union fleet under Farragut captured New Orleans. McClellans Union troops occupied Yorktown, Virginia, and advanced on to Richmond. Corinth, Mississippi fell to Northern forces. Lee takes actual command of the Confederate armies around Richmond. Memphis fell to Union armies. Lee and Jackson led Southern troops to victory in the second Battle of Bull Run. Confederate forces retreated in defeat after the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) Maryland. On this day 12,410 Union soldiers and 11,172 Confederate soldiers lost their lives in the bloodiest single day of the Civil War. Burnsides Union forces received a crushing blow in the Battle of Fredericksburg.

December 13

1863
Historical Happenings
January 1 February 23 March 3 Washington, D.C., Emancipation Proclamation is signed by Abraham Lincoln. Act establishing National Banks. Washington, D. C. March 3, 1863

North orders first draft.

With todays signing of the Conscription Act, President Lincoln can, by executive order, compel American citizens to report for duty in the Civil War unless they can buy their way out instead. The law empowers the War Department to draft males of 20 to 46, for the Union army. However, for a fee of $300, ones military obligation can be waived.

May 10 July 1 3

Guiney Station, Virginia, Stonewall Jackson dies of wounds received at the battle of Chancellorsville. The Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, ended in a southern defeat and marked the turning point in the Civil War. The South, under General Robert E. Lee, suffered more than 20,000 casualties and the North, lead by General George G. Meade, had about 18,000 casualties. Draft riots in New York City. George Wadsworth sees his name on the draft list
George Wadsworth goes with 14 of us conscripts to Worcester to be examined for draft. George Wadsworth Went to Mr. E. Adamses and got my draft papers.

July 13-16 July 17

August 13 August 24

Sept. 19-20 Nov 19

Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia. Southern casualties.

Northern casualties, 11,500 and 17,000

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Abraham Lincoln delivers Gettysberg address.