Storer, Ebenezer. Diary
Collection History
Please note that as of January 2022, the Ebenezer Storer diary, 1749-1764, and all future digital collections are now hosted on the library's new digital archive.
Ebenezer Storer (1729-1807) graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in 1747 and a masters in 1750, along with an ad eundem degree from Yale in the same year. He married Elizabeth Green in 1751, was a merchant in Boston, and became the Treasurer of Harvard College in 1777. Storer was a member and deacon of the Church in Brattle Square, Cambridge, as well as an early member of the Society for Propagating the Gospel in North America, the American Academy of Arts and Science, and several other organizations. He kept a sporadic diary consisting of long form entries detailing deaths in his family and providing meditations on death and other spiritual matters. He includes excerpts of both prayers and poetry, much of the latter authored by the celebrated English Congregational minister Isaac Watts.
The original manuscripts in this collection are owned by our project partners, the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Further information about the collection can be found in the NEHGS catalog.
Digital Materials
The entries in Storer's journal typically consist of a spiritual reflection followed by a prayer, and often conclude with several stanzas of pietistic poetry. He also includes occasional genealogical or family information, as well as passing observations on current events. The location is not stated, but is probably Boston, Mass. The entry for March 11, 1764, mentions the spread of smallpox in "the town" and Storer's decision to have his children inoculated. Pages 25 to 44 are missing.
Related Materials
Wigglesworth Family. Papers, 1649-1794
Special Thanks
These digital resources have been made possible in part by the Council on Library and Information Resources, through a Digitizing Hidden Collections grant.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this resource do not necessarily represent those of the Council on Library and Information Resources.
