William F. Dusenberry was born in New York and migrated to Cabell County around 1850 when his father purchased a farm and mill site there. This work includes Dusenberry’s 1855 and 1856 diaries, parts of his 1862, 1869, 1870 and 1871 diaries, a list of riverboats and events, a map of Bloomingdale, a picture of Dusenberry Mill, and more.

In 1855, Wm. F. Dusenberry was the son of a well-to-do businessman and land owner and he acted as representative of his ill father as well as pursuing the profession of dentist. Wm. F. talks about his duties, social and business activities and all the people that lived in the area. The two years 1855-56 are carefree and full of the activities of a well-to-do (idle?) young man and his family.

The 1862 section consists of only one week of material, but the reader is struck by the fear of the writer and the hardships he has already faced and his uncertain future.

This section from 1869-70-71 is written by a much more experienced person who has many more responsibilities. Wm. F. is so busy that he has little time to record social or neighborhood activities, but he makes many comments about his busy [business?] and the river.

These combined diaries give the reader an insite into life in Cabell County in the 1850’s that is not available elsewhere.

A full-name index follows each diary: 1855, 1856, 1869 and 1870. Appendices include: Mill Deeds, 1873 Map of Guyandotte, Deaths & Burials, Marriages, Lodge, Dusenberry Genealogy, and Guyandotte Herald Ads.

(1992), 2020, 81/2x11, paper, 242 pp