Item #2362 [Manuscript Diary Written by a German Immigrant to California in the Mid-19th Century]. California, Wilhelm Karl Ernst Johann Braunwarth.
[Manuscript Diary Written by a German Immigrant to California in the Mid-19th Century]
[Manuscript Diary Written by a German Immigrant to California in the Mid-19th Century]

[Manuscript Diary Written by a German Immigrant to California in the Mid-19th Century]

[Various locations in Germany and at sea: 1862-1866]. [183]pp. in pen and pencil, written entirely in Deutsche Schrift, the standard German handwriting style of the period. Contemporary quarter black cloth and marbled-paper covered boards, paper label titled in manuscript on front cover. Spine ends a bit chipped, edges worn, boards a bit scuffed and soiled. Occasional minimal foxing or thumb soiling to text. Very good. Item #2362

An informative handwritten diary kept over the course of four years by Rev. Wilhelm Karl Ernst Johann Braunwarth (1841-1900), a German minister who emigrated to California in 1866. Braunwurth ultimately settled in San Jose, where he was the reverend of the First German Evangelical Lutheran Emmanuel Congregation at the corner of South Market and Auzerais streets. Braunwarth's diary is titled on the front cover, "Tagebuch fur Wilhelm Braunwarth 1862" but it covers his life through the next four years, including when he sets sail for California. He writes about his home in Karlsruhe, Germany, as well as visiting places such as St. Chrischona and Bischofsheim (places of religious pilgrimage in Germany and Switzerland). He was an incredibly pious man, as reflected through much of the present work.

Reverend Braunwarth's diary opens and continues for a while during his time in Germany. An example of an early entry reads as follows, in English translation: "The 13th of April. Today the Lord has sent me the strength, that I (although very feeble) can undertake some housework. The Lord smites mouths when we do not want to mend our ways completely; but he makes me whole again. May He keep in me and allow ever to grow larger the rich blessing, which He furnished me with in this dear affliction, that I may daily grow in it; but decrease in me. Thanks be to the Lord that He humbles me all the time; for without humbleness, we lose our way and cannot reach the eternal heavenly kingdom of our dear Father without humility. For whom the Lord loves, He chastises (Heb. 12:6). For that reason, thank the Lord; for he is amiable, and His Grace increases eternally. The 1st of November I had to undertake the month's kitchen duty, which is a very good school in patience for me; but the Lord helps. The 2nd of the month the dear Lord - who cannot do otherwise that bring us through suffering to splendor - sent me a dear little cross, in that I had to scald my right foot and hand with brewed coffee, about which my cross-avoiding heart at first flared up, flared up against my clumsiness; but was set at ease through God's spirit, upon which it resigned itself in this situation patiently. The tenth of the month the Lord bestowed on me Grace, after which He had sent me blessed days of rest, that I could enjoy my instruction again and perform some work by hand. Thanks be to the Lord; for Christ is amiable and His Grace lasts eternally. [Psalm 118]."

In May 1866, he mentions leaving Hamburg on a ship -- possibly the "SS Bavaria" -- via steamer over the Elbe river. The final entry, dated May 14th, was written while still on board the ship, predominantly discussing the weather and adverse winds. The last few entries are also written in a somewhat shaky hand. An article in the San Jose Mercury News, indicates that Rev. Braunwarth was given notice to leave First German Emanuel Lutheran Church in 1894, which he did not appear to accept without resistance. He subsequently filed a court complaint against the church. Also of interest is an 1897 letter written to his sister, in which he relates that he has been busy working in the cannery (presumably the fruit canning industry in San Jose). He notes that "Mama, Frieda and [Lydia]" are still working in the cannery. The letter is in German, but he closes with a sign-off in English: "Well, so-long, I'll hear from you again. Your brother, Willie"

Price: $1,250.00