Guide to the Peter Lovejoy Diary,
1867-1875.

Peter Lovejoy was born February 18, 1805 in Kinderhook, Columbia County New York. In 1817 his family moved to the town of Ben ton, Yates County, New York (then Ontario County) as one of the earliest settlers in the area. In August, 1825, Lovejoy experienced a religious conversion and shortly afterward joined the Methodist Episcopal Church of Benton at Benton Centre. Although his trade was "clothdressing," Lovejoy's life revolved around his family and his church. In 1833 he was appointed to his first official position in the church as a class leader, a position he filled for 52 consecutive years, as well as serving in the positions of sexton, steward and trustee at various times throughout his membership in the church. He died on June 8, 1889, as the oldest member of the church.

The diary of Peter Lovejoy (1867-1878) begins as a memoir of his childhood, adolescent, and early adulthood religious experiences to 1867, when the diary entries begin. The memoir portion of the diary includes memories of family, the town of Benton, activities in the church, his own spiritual growth members of the church and the Benton circuit, and remembrances of revivals and protracted meetings. The diary entries vary in frequency from about one to five per year, recording his activities and opinions as a religious leader in the church, births and deaths of families and friends, quarterly meetings and district conferences attended, sermons heard, and prayers for his own spiritual growth. The last entry is dated February 22, 1878. An obituary noting Love-joy's death appears at the end of the volume.

Listed in the guide are items of note.