James Adam diary: 1857-1863 (Ms. Codex 1948) (Travel Diaries and Journals)

James Adam diary: 1857-1863 (Ms. Codex 1948)

Diary comprising two volumes spanning the years from 1857 to 1863 written by James Adam. Volume 1 contains Adam's descriptions his journey from Scotland to India as a medical officer. On August 15, 1857 Adam departed from London on a steamer ship the Candia. He wrote of his sea voyage including officers he traveled with, the weather, landscapes, missing his family, sea sickness, and miles traveled. He arrived at Kalkota on November 5, 1857. Adam worked at a hospital and witnessed a portion of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. In February 1858 Adam was deployed to the ship Belgravia to take charge of the wounded and sick at the South African Cape. He traveled with his servant Harold. Once anchored at Table Bay Adam described the native people, seeing Dr. Livingstone. Adam noted he had a muster of forty natives whom he reluctantly treated for skin diseases. There is a copy of a letter to his parents and pencil drawings of the Cape of Good Hope. On the journey back to Calcutta there was an incident with the captain regarding ailing horses. In June 1858 Adam mentioned seeing cholera cases, reading Waston and works on homeopathy. Adam also worked off of the H.M.S. Proserpine. In March 1859 Adam began his voyage back to England on the Ivanhoe he mentioned playing chess and catching fish. Reading volume 1 from back to front are poems and songs. One of the poems was "written on board the Candia". Tables of daily latitude and longitude for the voyages to India and England are in the volume. Some accounting of receipts and expenditures is in the volume. Adam arrived back in Edinburgh on August 5, 1859. Volume 2 commences in 1861. In sporadic entries Adam described his arrival and work at Bethnal House Asylum with Dr. Ritchie. and Dr. Miller. In August 1863 Adam wrote of his trip to Scotland and attending a wedding in Portobello. He mentioned seeing family members in Edinburgh. Reading volume 2 from back to front is a clipping of an epitaph for Lord Clyde pasted over writing in pencil. Adam wrote an autopsy of a young woman named Ann Jones aged 23. A majority of volume 2 is blank. Inscribed on the first leaf of volume 1: J. F. Adam journal, commenced August 13, 1857 on leaving home for the first time to sail for India. Inscribed on the last leaf of volume 1: James F. Adam, Surgeon, H.M.S. Proserpine. Volume 2 is inscribed: Private, Jame Adam M.D., January 20, 1861. https://franklin.library.upenn.edu/catalog/FRANKLIN_9977359130603681

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p. 46

Sept 24th. Sent home from [struck through: Nov]Aug 13th till Nov 5th

Nov. 5th. Arrived at Garden reach. Ferris waiting. got to government place to dinner at 7 o'clock. Sailors of the Nile exhibiting Guy Fawkes.

Nov. 6th. Went down to the "Candia" in the morning. [struck through: drove] Carried in a palanquin most of the day. looked for Doveton College taken to Medical & Hindoo Colleges.

Nov. 7th. Went down to Garden Reach in a garry. got Dr. Barrys boxes into an open cart. met Egan Walter McDakin. Went to Fort. William with Egan then to Wilsons [written between lines: Called on Smith saw McLaren & Bruce ] Saunders going up country in the eveng.

Nov 8th. At the Scotch Church in the fore noon with Y. Barry. Sacrament at the church. Went to the fort in the vening. saw McDakin wrote note to Dr. Barry about E.I. Corps.

Nov. 9th. Received note from Barry. Offered Govt. appoint. prefer staying with Barry. to it. Met Smith McLaren Bruce at the post office went home with

Last edit over 1 year ago by Dendendaloom

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p. 47

Smith. I was driven home at 7 in his garry too late for dinner party of 12. Posted letter Journal for home letters & collars for Bessie & Kate & letter to Fred: Nov 10th. Mail leaves this morning. Up at 7 o'clock. Weather was cool in the morning Great numbers of Brahminie Kites Crows. & Adjutants about. [? Beastie] filling up the baths from leather water bags. Watering sheets with same. Nov. 11th. Up at 6 this morning. Saw Capt. of the rifle brigade leave. to go up country played Cheer boys Cheer. A review of the 42nd Highlanders in the afternoon. Gov: Gen & Lady Canning attended. Quick & slow marches Garb of Old gaul & Bonnie Laddie, played. Called at the fort in the eveng. Saw Walter Fielden McDakin. All busy packing to go up Country in the Mg. Nov 12th. Up at 6 Went to post office to look for letter from home- found none While ar P.O. 42nd, Highlanders 4 Company

Last edit over 2 years ago by Dendendaloom

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Marched past going to Railway for Raneegange Went with Walter across the Ferry to other side of Ganges. Saw the 42nd off in the Rail bid Walter Feilden Coleridge McDakin Christie good bye. how many of them will return to Calcutta & England? Returned with Shaw. got his garry to Gov't place. got back at 9-10 am. promise of Nana Sahibs head from Feilden. Nov 13th. up at 6 went to P office to inquire for letters, looked old letters (none). told there was none. returned home very dull what can have happened that there is no letter. I am sure Jessie or Mary must have written. Next to Dispy. after Tiffin 1st time. Shortly after a letter came all well at home thank God for that, Egan called in the eveng. Dined with us. What can be wrong with Fred that he has not written? Nov 14th. Rose this morning happy with the thought that my mother was well oh how it makes me feel for her to think of the tedious

Last edit over 2 years ago by Dendendaloom

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hours that must elapse before my letters reach. Oh how happy will be the time when I first am able to send home something to assist those at home. Volunteer Artillery out practicing this morning. do not like the idea of working in a Dispy.[Dispensary] but what would I not do for the sake of my mother. May God Almighty spare her many years to come. May I once more [meet scored through] see her again.

Nov. 15th. Up at 7 Oclock. did not go out for a walk. Must conquer this lazy habit. In the Labr. all day arranging it. made Zinc Iod: Ferri Iod: &ce.

Nov 16th Up at 6. Read from 3rd. Went out for short walk. Went with Dr. Barry to church in the forenoon. text 2 Cor. 5-14-15 Scotch church in the evening. Minister with Crimean medal. Subject compare the Christian to a Soldier. Met Egan & walked home with him.

Nov. 17th. Up at Gun five. Went to Bazaar with Mr. Parker & Tom Barry

Last edit over 2 years ago by Dendendaloom

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p. 50

in the medical Hall after till Breakfast time

Nov. 18th At Bandar. at "Candia" at Garden reach for lep. box. at Med Hall all day. Egan called in the evg. walked to Col Lys park St: News from Lucknow Sir Colin Shelling on both sides. Commun with Sir J Outram latter advised his friends not to attack until it could be done efficiently

Nov. 19th. Went down to the beach

Nov 20th to 30th At Medical Hall every day. till between 5 & 6 . 29th dined on board the Candia Saw Dawson & Fitz at the Fort. Came home in D.s Buggy. 30th Had diarrhea which made me feel weak News today that Col. Cameron 42nd & Col Rourke 19th both dead of Cholera. posted a letter to a soldier at Lahore entrusted by Mrs. Achison 23rd At a tea party at Smith's met Dr. Bryden. E I Co &ce. 3000 Sepoys enclosed in palace garden [Dec. 1st. scored through] & bayonetted by Sir Colin. Sepoys retreat upon Hyrabad.

Last edit over 2 years ago by Dendendaloom

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