Lot 12

(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--1775.) Moses Hale. Almanac diary as a minister at the outset of the Revolution. Newbury, MA, January to December 1775

Previous image preload Next image preload

(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--1775.) Moses Hale. Almanac diary as a minister at the outset of the Revolution. Newbury, MA, January to December 1775

Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000

Current Bid: $1,500

(1 Bid)

by Swann Auction Galleries
June 25, 2026 10:30 AM EDT
Live Auction
104 East 25th Street
New York, NY, US 10010


Moses Hale.
Almanac diary as a Massachusetts minister at the outset of the Revolution.
Newbury, MA, January to December 1775
[16] manuscript pages on 8 leaves, interleaved into an incomplete "Bickerstaff's Boston Almanack for the Year of our Redemption 1775," plus a few entries inscribed directly onto 2 almanac pages. Almanac: 30 [of 32] pages. 8vo, stitched; title page detached with moderate wear, minimal wear to diary leaves, minimal dampstaining, lacking final leaf; uncut. With typed transcript of the diary.

Moses Hale (1715-1779) graduated from Harvard in 1734, and was the minister of the Second Congregational Church of Newbury, MA from 1752 until his death. 

The first hint of anything unusual in the Rev. Hale's diary is on 27 February, when he writes "An alarm in ye night at Salem . . . Soldieres marching by sunrise." The next day, "the training company met here." 

The Revolution began in earnest with the diary entry of 19 April: "Ye alarm the ye Regulars march'd to Concord & doing mischief." The next day, "Company went off early. Soldiers marching off for Mistick or Winter Hill." The Mystic River flows past Winter Hill in Somerville, near Boston. On the 21st, "Strangeley alarm'd here with news that a body of Regulars were marching to N[ewbury] Port, etc. Women & children fled up here in ye evening. More or less in all our houses, but soon ye report was contradicted, &c. We lodged 9 women and children." The Battle of Bunker Hill is referenced on 18 June: "News of ye battle, and burning Charlestown." 

Continental Congress declared that 20 July 1775 should be a "day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer." Hale observed the day: "Continental fast. I preached." 

The printed almanac has some interest in its own right. Its authorship is credited to Benjamin West, and it was printed by Mills and Hicks of Boston. It features an engraving of Australian and New Zealand warriors on verso of the title page; a selection from the scarce "Concise Natural History of East and West Florida" by Bernard Romans; and "Maxims for a Prince": "A People may forsake their King, and still continue a people; but if a King loses his people, he is no more a King." Drake 3245 (variant with price line after imprint); Evans 13763. 

  • Medium: Newbury, MA, January to December 1775
  • Condition: Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
32.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
27.00%
$1,000,001+:
17.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000