John Menzies diaries

1793-1839

John Menzies of Philadelphia created this volume. The first section contains an account of his adventures (using the alias John Little) beginning in the years 1793-1794, including those on a slave-trading ship from Liverpool to the Congo, thence to Barbados; impressment into the British Navy; a battle with the French and his subsequent escape and journey overland from Gravesend, England to his home in Langholm, Scotland. This portion concludes in Philadelphia in 1835 The second section served as Menzies' diary from June 19-September 20, 1839 and contains an account of a journey from Philadelphia through Scotland, Ireland, England, France, and return via New York The third section, "Jock's Notions," contains poems and other entries, primarily in Scotch dialect, relating to local happenings and people in Pennsylvania. Entries were made between 1832 and 1839