Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-27
AN ANCIENT ALMANAC,
Publfshed I'm London During the
Reign of King Charles IL.

Reign of King Charles II.
From the Hartford Times.
In the year 1877, and the reign of his
most excellent majesty, Charles II, the
twenty NINTH a little book was issued in
London by ct. Swallow, Gent" desig
mated as an "Almanack'' for that year
1t found it's way to America not more
than three years later, and in 1886 was
found by H. Wells, jr., in the old Ches
ter house on Broad street in Wethers-
field A few days ago s. I. Wells of
Wethersfeld, son of H. Wells, tr., brought
1t to the Times office. In spite Of it's hoary
age-234 years and more-the book is in the
best of condition. There is slight discol-
Grafton of it's pages. caused by the passing
years, but the print is as clear as one
could wish. 1t is leather-bound, sheepskin
thongs serving to keep the leaves together
at the back, and showing the thoroughness
of the old-time printers and binders. The
book seems to have served a triple purpose:
First of all as an almanac; also as a memo
rendum, for which it was largely used, and
finally as a receptacle for small documents,
as the inside Of the covers are fitted with
pockets.
John Chester seems to have been. the
first owner of the "almanack," as his name.
written in a round, old-fashioned hand,
adorns the fy-leaf. (Captain) John Ches-
ter was one of those to whom, on February
II, 1856, was granted, by the general court,
q patent for all the territory then embraced
In the town of Wethersfield. The Memo
rial History of Hartford County says that
John Chester was born in 1876. and was
the first white child born in Wethersfield.
His father was an English esquire. The
printed matter in the book is quaint in
wording and grammatical construction. 1t
contains the usual monthly almanac tables
with church feast days and holy days in
ink, and weather prognostications on each
page. For instance, In May, This month
begins with pleasant weather, very suit
able to this delightful season Of the
year" There is a table Of the reigning
monarchs Of England from William the
Conuueror down to Charles II, with whose
name is quantity placed Whom God Pre-
serve" There are also interest and tide
tables, a chronological table of Memorable
Things From the Creation of the World"
Directions for Husbandmen," and lists of
highways and fairs.
A printed advertisement and two or three
written in ink form part OF the al
manack." DR.. William JONES' "Chymist in
Ordinary to His Majesty" says that he
hath Prepared such Medicament for the
Good O. the nation which means his Males
! tvs subjects may be preserved to long Life
| by making Use Of Them. whereas their
destruction and Ill Prepared Medcaments, -
etc. The memorandum pages give some
thing of an insight into family living of
| that day, showing articles purchased, sold
and bartered. Captain Chester seems to
have made Boston his principal trading
gers in the book. Here Is one: "Memoran-
| dunn to buy, viz, At Boston some Kersey Il
Sarge & Bottoms & Silk. pr of curtains
| & Valliants; powder barrel; sugar and
pepper; Synimon & spices & fruit; Bodice
| for Sarah. a fan & lamp for Lott Treat;
some shoes" etc. On another page Is
given AN account of what money laid
cut In Boston & my Jorney. June. ITO"