Cataloging funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). This collection has been processed according to minimal processing procedures and may be revised, expanded, or updated in the future.
Preferred Citation
Charles B. Armstrong Diary, William L. Clements Library, The University of Michigan
Charles B. Armstrong was born in Gallopville, New York, in the mid-19th century, and by 1877 completed training to become a Methodist minister. From 1877-1879, Armstrong served congregations in North Bennington and South Shaftsbury, Vermont. In 1878, he moved to Clintonville, New York, where he led a congregation until around 1880. He married, and had at least one daughter, Susan (m. Ryder). Armstrong died of pneumonia in 1886.
The Charles B. Armstrong diary details the religious aspects of a Methodist minister's daily life in New York during the late 19th century. Armstrong composed the volume between September 1, 1877, and April 1880, and stated, "to the…interests which pertain to my work and what-ever may be [desirable] to remember…will this record be kept." The diary consists primarily of brief entries encapsulating his work in the ministry. Armstrong often mentioned ideas for sermons, including relevant Biblical passages, and occasionally transcribed longer excerpts from these sermons. Throughout this period, Armstrong was involved in many aspects of his church, and detailed church meetings, prayer meetings, and his involvement in local life; for example, he often recorded funerals he attended or at which he preached. At the end of the diary, Armstrong kept several financial records, including accounts with parishioners and lists of gifts and collections.
Other records include:
List of Names of Those for Whom I Pray Daily
Rechord of Funerals Attended at Clintonville 1878-1880 [sic]
Rechord of Baptism on Clintonville [Charge] 1878-8[0] [sic]
Marriage Rechord of Clintonville NY [1878-1880] [sic]
