Table of Contents
Scope and Contents of the Collection
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Overview of the Collection |
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| Creator: | Lyon, Irving M. |
| Title: | Irving M. Lyon Diaries |
| Inclusive Dates: | 1824-1870 |
| Quantity: | 0.5 linear ft. |
| Abstract: | Diaries kept by farmer and businessman Irving M. Lyon of Naples, Ontario County, New York. |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Avenue Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center |
Biographical History
Irving M. Lyon (1802 or 1803-1870) was a farmer and businessman in Naples, Ontario County, New York. His parents, Hannah and Simon (or Simeon) Lyon, were early settlers of Naples who came from Woodstock, New York in 1798.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Irving M. Lyon Diaries consists of seventeen small volumes, hand-stitched and without covers. The volumes contain diary entries and a few financial records of Irving M. Lyon of Naples, Ontario County, New York. Lyon recorded every major aspect of his life as an industrious small farmer and businessman: crop plantings, weather, harvests, hiring of laborers, and so on. One entry from December 15, 1840, reads as follows: "Began to plow Parade ground with four horses helped L. W. Gerome get the number and description of the lots of land in this town." Over the years Lyon built and sold houses and barns, as well as selling lumber and the produce of his farm. Diary entries also document his keen interest in town business, such as his attendance at court and local elections. An entry from March 22, 1861, reads "Went to war meeting at Independent Hall." The diaries provide a vivid picture of the life of a successful small farmer and entrepreneur in mid-nineteenth century central New York.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.
Use Restrictions
Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Subject Headings
Persons
Subjects
Places
Genres and Forms
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Irving M. Lyon Diaries,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
Purchase, 2016.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: MRC
Date: 9 Jan 2017
Revision history: 21 Feb 2017 - processed, name corrected (MRC)