Extracts from the private journals of ABNER JACKSON, D. D., LL. D.

ABNER JACKSON, D. D., LL. D., President of Hobart College from 1858 to 1867.

These journal extracts were compiled by his daughter, Mrs. Philip Norborne Nicholas, and begin with the following introduction.

I have often been asked to look through the volumes of my father’s journal in order to verify a date, or prove some statement or trace the history of some
phase of college life. But rarely has my work been successful. Either I did not
examine the right years, or I searched for what had chanced to go without
mention, or my eye failed to notice, in English or in Latin, an abbreviated entry.

Finally the thought came to me that it would be well to do the work
systematically – to take out from the Geneva journals all facts relating directly or indirectly to the College, and form of them a manuscript volume which might ave value for private college use as a book of reference.

This work is now done. The journals begin with 1858 and continue half
through 1867. One year – 1865, is not to be found; it is quite possible that it
never came into my hands.

I find it very hard to adhere to my resolution to limit this compilation to
matters collegiate. A few entries about diocesan affairs have indeed been
admitted, but the “daily round” of an active, vigorous, sympathetic and most
kindly life has had to be excluded.

It has not been an easy task to decipher the extremely fine handwriting in
old and faded ink, the entries made hastily at the close of every busy day, and he long passages (amounting in all to two or three years), which were wholly in Latin. I am greatly indebted to Miss M. S. Smart of the DeLancey School for girls, for much assistance in the matter of translation.

Now that these extracts are put together and I can better judge of the
effect as a whole, I see, and regret, that they can represent but one side of a
many-sided life; they say nothing of the drives and walks and rows; they do not how the unwearied chess-player or the fine marksman or the skilful bowler; they do not point out the friend of animals; they tell us little of the keen observation of nature and intense appreciation of its beauties, little of marked social gifts and relations of amity with all the town – high and low, rich and poor alike; neither do they describe the laborious Sundays wholly devoted to the service of Christ in neighboring towns or at home. I am sorry that these characteristics and diversions and labors must be so slightly indicated; but, on he other hand, I am deeply thankful that I have had the opportunity to make and reserve this record.

It is our intention to publish one journal entry at a time, probably at the rate of one or two per week.