Travel diary - A Journal of the Travels of George Mygate | McCord Museum

Travel diary

A Journal of the Travels of George Mygate

Date February 3, 1745

Dimensions1 textual record ; 14.7 x 10.4 cm

ClassificationCommunication Objects - Documentary Objects - Other Documents

Origin Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, Canada, North America

Object NumberS001/C1.3,9.1

DivisionArchives - Textual Archives

CollectionStewart

Scope and ContentOn June 28, 1745, during the War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748), Louisbourg was captured by an army from New England. George Mygate and Caleb Lamb, both soldiers in the 9th Massachusetts Regiment, arrived at the fort a few days after it was taken. Mygate kept a daily diary from the time he left his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts, on June 22, 1745, until September 19 of that year. The journal gives an account of everyday life in the garrison: the soldier describes his duties, his boredom, the difficulties arising from the constant fog, training exercises, parades and the young French woman he attempts to woo, although without success, since he speaks no French. Mygate became ill during his posting in Louisbourg and died suddenly. His friend Caleb Lamb added a few lines to the journal, which would later become the property of Jonathan Merrick, who used it as an account book.

NotesSource of title: based on the title of the document.

Physical description: manuscript with homemade leather binding.

Physical condition: fair; there are pages missing.

General notes: during digitization of the document in 2016, 8 blank pages were not photographed.

Status

Not on view

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