Updated: 11/13/2007
Pat Gaines worked 22 years in the Lincoln County, Oklahoma courthouse. She retired in 2003, after running the County Election Board office for many years. The great-great-granddaughter of Amos Hannah, Pat's interest in American history has inspired her to bring his journal to the world. Pat is currently the Managing Editor for Kittycat Books, the children's label of Dragonfly Publishing, Inc.
A detailed, eyewitness account of America in the 19th century
The personal journal of Amos Hannah (written between 1838 and 1850) outlines his daily life from Brookville, Indiana to the gold fields of California. A spiritual man with a curious mind and a quick wit, Amos was a cooper (barrel maker) who raised a family, traveled extensively, and chronicled the events and concerns of his day. Anyone with an interest in early American history should enjoy this inside look into the life of a 19th century American man.
INCLUDES:
* The complete journal of Amos Hannah
* Explanations of terminology and historical events
* Over 20 Photographs, Illustrations, & Maps (in Black & White)
* Brief Genealogical Overview (given in timeline format from 1,000 BC 1845 AD)
* Table of Contents and Bibliography
* Index (alphabetical by both topic and name)
On his 21st birthday in 1838, Amos Hannah started a journal. The last entry is on August 18, 1850 with his arrival at Bidwell Bar in California to join the gold rush. This book contains the complete and unedited journal text, including misspelled words. A cooper (barrel maker) by trade, Amos wrote down small details of his daily life. As a newlywed, he wrote a poem to his wife. As a grieving father, he wrote another poem at the death of a young daughter. He kept meticulous records of work performed and who owed him money. He even jotted down the names of books he read, as well as politicians he voted for in elections. Also contained in this book are letters and documents of the period. The most detailed of these is the letter written from Panama on his way to the gold rush in California in 1850. On October 27th of 1845, Amos received word that his father had died. That evening he wrote down all he knew of his family history on both sides going back to the early settlers in New England. The last chapter in the book provides an overview of Amos Hannah's ancestry from 1,000 BC to 1845. Born on February 2nd of 1817 at Portsmouth, Ohio, Amos died at the age of 75 on September 30th in 1892. He is buried at the Flora Cemetery in Fulton County, Arkansas.
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REVIEW EXCERPTS: Click to read whole reviews...
"Reading The Journal of Amos Hannah by Pat Gaines is like a visit to the 1800's." ~ Anna Myers (02/2006)
"In this generously illustrated volume filled with a wealth of support material, editor Gaines reproduces Hannah's journal that concludes in 1850 with the Gold Rush and a detailed letter describing the Panama crossing...His letter from Panama, dated May 31, 1850, is as prized as a bag of gold dust." ~ Reviewed by Gary F. Kurutz, Curator of the California State Library, and author of The California Gold Rush: A Descriptive Bibliography of Books and Pamphlets Covering the Years 1848-1853 (11/2005)
"We are fortunate in having this treasure, which gives us a window into the past, preserved and passed down. Chopping wood, cutting ice on the canal, raising farm animals, the steps used in making a barrel, Amos' bouts with sickness and disease -- it's all here." ~ Carolyn Schmidt, Editor, Canal Society of Indiana (09/2005)
"A fascinating look at day-to-day life in the rural Midwest from 1838 to 1850." ~ Martha Noblick, Historic Deerfield Library (09/2005)
"It felt as if I were a part of the hustle and bustle of early Brookville life." ~ Melody Gault, Director of the Whitewater Valley Community Library District, Brookville, Indiana (10/2005).
"You are to be congratulated for bringing the journal to light and sharing it in the way you did. It is beautifully crafted and an appropriate memorial to Amos, who I believe would love what you have done!" ~ Oma I. Rose (11/2005)
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The Journal of Amos Hannah by Pat Gaines
Non-Fiction / American History / Biography (2005)
Released by Dragonfly Publishing, Inc. Available wholesale from Ingram's
CLOTHBOUND 6x9 HARDBACK (256 pages) with Dust Jacket
EAN 978-0-9755888-8-8 | ISBN 0-9755888-8-5
CASEBOUND 6x9 HARDBACK (256 pages) 6x9
EAN 978-0-9787421-5-7 | ISBN 0-9787421-5-X
STANDARD 6x9 PAPERBACK (256 pages)
EAN 978-0-9755888-9-5 | ISBN 0-9755888-9-3
Coming in 2008 from Kittycat Books:
Written by Pat Gaines [Illustrator to be named]
Children's Picture Book (24 pages) from Kittycat Books
| Color Hardback | Color Paperback | PDF eBook
Check back soon for more information...,
