William Byrd Diaries

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Maybe this has already been discussed, but i found an on-line text of this I thought some here would enjoy.

http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/becomingamer/economies/text5/williambyrddiary.pdf

Check out the May 6 1709 entry for its mention of shipping loss.

Here's some more bawdy entries:

http://userpages.umbc.edu/~bouton/History101/ByrdIIDiary.htm

Hope you enjoy the reading.

Bo

Edited December 18, 2009 by Capt. Bo of the WTF co.

[Quartermaster James]

Nice find.

Thanks Bo!

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

I keep expecting to find Capt. Jas. Sterling mentioned in those "flourish" and "rogered her on the billiards table" accounts somewhere!

How 'bout it Sterling, you know this guy?

Bo

[Honour Bright]

Wow, this guy is a real piece of work.

The only good thing is he and his wife saved two other people.

Nothing gets your blood up I guess more than a morning rogering, beat a few slaves and a good night rogering.

[Honour Bright]

Oh, it's not to say I didn't find it very interesting....

but I think he was narcissistic and hypocritical.

He seemed more concerned what he ate or whether he was constipated than in the death of his son.

I guess if I was his wife I would have slapped him upside the head!

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

He was definitely not concerned with any but himself for certain. Lots of little gems buried in those entries though.

Still looking for any mention of monkeys, chamber maids, and Sterling though. I think these two hang out together, they do live in the same neighborhood, and are involved in shipping to one degree or another *ahem*.

Bo

Edited December 19, 2009 by Capt. Bo of the WTF co.

[Honour Bright]

Here's your chambermaid reference. Wikipedia had this as an example of his diary--

October] 6. I rose at 6 o’clock and said my prayers and ate milk for breakfast. Then I proceeded to Williamsburg, where I found all well. I went to the capitol where I sent for the wench to clean my room and when I came I kissed her and felt her, for which God forgive me. . . . About 10 o’clock I went to my lodgings. I had good health but wicked thoughts, God forgive me.

Bet she is sorry she bent over to make the bed!

No, really, I found it to be a fascinating read. I couldn't stand the guy by the time I got done, but it really was insightful as to how colonial America had their mind-set.

Thanks for sharing it with us.