Harry Watkins

Fragments from the diary of Harry Watkins, an actor and a gentleman. On this day, 171 years ago, Harry wrote...

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

At anchor all day at a place called Anamassek—as near as I can write it after hearing it pronounced....I enjoyed the first few days on board—perhaps from the novelty—more than I have the last forty eight hours. Things begin to grow monotonous

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

Had a look at Yorktown, memorable as being the place where the final blow—of any great importance—was struck for American freedom

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

Feel "as hearty as a buck" today—Captain taught me how "to take the sun"—Schooner made good head way during the last twenty-four hours—entered the Chesapeake 5PM

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

Got my "sea legs" all right to day and I felt as comfortable as an old salt—when assistance was needed at the ropes I lent a hand, and, indeed, made myself generally useful, whereby, I created an appetite that made "salt-junk" as palatable as the best mutton chop I ever ate

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

I expected to escape sea-sickness but after supper was obliged to cash up accounts and pay old Neptune the tribute he always demands from strangers—feeling too weak to stand I concluded it would be as well to turn in, which I did at 8PM

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

Unpleasant—wind unfavorable—Writing AM ran the schooner up to Jersey City PM and cast anchor there for the night—Turned in early

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

Cloudy—rain PM. Slept first rate last night—came over to the city and walked about with Mott until 4PM—on board of schooner at 6PM. Wind still unfavorable—set out on deck blowing my fife and telling stale jokes till 10PM, then to bed

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

Caught a slight cold last night and when I awoke this AM, my right eye was so swollen that I could scarcely see out of it, it looked as though I had been taking a hand at fisticuffs and came off second best

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

PM packed up my valise with clean shirts and other necessaries for a short trip down the coast and up York river, VA.... I shall have to rough it—especially, with regard to the sleeping part—There being no spare berth I was obliged to turn in with the Captain

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

Raining—Felt somewhat better today—Reading writing & walking AM—walking & writing PM—8PM attended a meeting of "Lafayette Lodge of Masons"—to bed early

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

Feel very weak today—took a nap after dinner which recruited me up a little—at the Lyceum 7PM, the house was not very good though better than the average houses—played "Strapado" & Jeremiah Bumps

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

my old, but not agreeable acquaintance—Dyspepsia, has returned and I fear that while life lasts I shall never get rid of him

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

At the Lodge 8PM. After getting through with the business there made a visit to the "Grand Lodge of the state of New York" which commenced its annual meeting this evening at the "Coliseum," Broadway—There was quite a large attendance

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

Pleasant—Reading, writing & walking AM, PM called to see a person whom I didn't see—wrote a little—after supper visited a Masonic lodge

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

Fine day—Reading & writing AM—walking PM

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

Called on H. B. Philips at the Lyceum Theatre—he is anxious that I should play for his benefit—I shall do so for ... 'tis policy to keep before the public in order not to be forgotten

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

It is rumored that Brooke intends trying to keep this house [Astor Place] during the next season. Should he attempt it, I sincerely trust, for the sake of the profession, that he may prove successful

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

Rainy day—Reading & writing AM—Reading & walking PM

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

I remember reading some years since how that in France, when the revolutionary spirit was at its height...a man...offered a resolution that forty should be fixed as the ultimatum of life....I am inclined to think more favorably of him

[Harry Watkins @WatkinsDiary]

Pleasant. Reading & Walking AM—Writing & walking PM