Joseph E. Clemm Journal
Joseph E. Clemm began this diary in Augusta, Georgia on June 22, 1819 with the intention of making the gift of this journal to him [the reader] at some future period. The early part of this work is devoted to Clemm's activities in Augusta, Georgia. He discusses such everyday occurrences as visiting with friends and events in town (including a Fourth of July celebration) as well as such unusual events as a slave auction, which caused him to really shudder ... with inward horror when I beheld one of these poor creatures ascend the block and there, with a countenance intelligibly expressive of the varied feelings of his heart await in anxious and painfull silence, the dreadfull sentence. He also waxes philosophical, discussing his love for his family and meditating on God and the human condition.
Later on, Clemm embarks on a trip to Tennessee to collect an overdue debt. During this trip, he passes through the Cherokee Nation, which he finds "dirty and savage." He also describes his travelling companions, the people he meets (including numerous Native Americans and Colonel Eaton), the terrain, and his various lodgings. He visits a brother in Franklin, Tennessee on his return but does not record his eventual arrival home.
Dates
- 1819 June 22-October
Conditions Governing Access
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Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Joseph E. Clemm began this diary on June 22, 1819 with the intention of making the gift of this journal to him [the reader] at some future period. The early part of this work is devoted to Clemm's activities in Augusta, Georgia. Later on, Clemm describes a trip to Tennessee to collect an overdue debt, during which he passes through the Cherokee Nation.
Biographical/Historical Note
Joseph E. Clemm was born to William and Anna Catherine (Schultz) Clemm in about 1791. He had at least two siblings, John and William. His father was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and Joseph Clemm served with a Baltimore-based artillery unit as a third Lieutenant during the War of 1812. Clemm eventually became a dry-goods merchant in Baltimore, but his family owned land in other locations. Clemm most likely died between 1864 and 1870 in Baltimore County, Maryland.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
Special Collections purchased this journal in February of 1988.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository