https://archives.saltresearch.org/handle/123456789/38 2026-04-20T12:46:29Z 2026-04-20T12:46:29Z https://archives.saltresearch.org/handle/123456789/46782 2020-02-12T09:09:32Z

Title: Elias Riggs's sermon notes Description: Elias’s sermon notes (28 sheets) Handwritten in ink on darkened paper, but quite legible. No serious stains or markings. Opens with Revelations 22:17: “Let him that heareth say come.” Content is similar to ABARPDR008. Undated, sermons preached date from 1871-1888. Undated. Sermons listed in the back pages range from 1871-1894.

https://archives.saltresearch.org/handle/123456789/46781 2019-09-25T10:09:32Z 1844-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Memo pad Description: This appears to be a memo notebook (not a diary) of Martha Dalzell Riggs, from 1844-1847. The agenda opens: 'This mem.was made in the autumn of 1844 but –ah! How were my plans changed! 'Even so Father for so as it seemed good in thy sight.' There is a list of clothes to be made and for whom, shopping lists for household items. A newspaper clipping with just a fragment of text: '…of the Missionary Bishop be $2,000, in travelling expenses, &c., which w…by the following vote: …' A list of letter recipients, and a separate extended 'List of Correspondents.' Smyrna: July, 1844: Notes about Samuel’s ninth year studies, including lessons (History, geography, Greek, arithmetic, spelling, writing, Sabbath lessons, hymns) and rules (Speak, think and act the truth, Put away all improper curiosity, Speak and act without affectation etc.). An entry dated April 22nd 1845 expresses grief at the loss of “my precious departed boy,” presumably Samuel, who died in 1844. A similar entry appears on Dec. 24, 1845 on the anniversary of Samuel’s death (Oh that fatal fall!...Is he safe and at rest in heaven?). The next entry is dated 1847 (though similar 'regulation of time' lists follow, dated 12-24-1845, July 1844, April 1845), composed of rules for organizing the day (Rise at five, prayer half past seven, breakfast eight, etc.). A detailing of 'objects of devotion' refers to 'my own wants and those of my family – husband, children & servants.' Endpages written in ink, with details about chemical analysis of mineral water.

1844-01-01T00:00:00Z https://archives.saltresearch.org/handle/123456789/45838 2019-09-25T10:09:32Z 1862-11-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Journal of Emma Riggs Description: Title page reads “Emma Louisa Riggs” (daughter of Elias Riggs and Martha Dalzel, born 1847). First entry dated Nov. 1 (no year, but likely 1862 based on later dating) from Malta. Emma reports that the family has been in Malta for three weeks, and that she has been sick for the previous four months. On Nov. 10, Emma describes her daily activities, which include arranging pressed flowers, sewing, reading, and playing games. She has a “bad pain” in her side which prevents “writing or doing anything else,” though a week later she is going for walks with her father. She describes the family’s efforts to educate her brother Charlie (born 1855): “Papa his Arithmetic, Mamma his Spelling, reading, hymns and verse, Jamie his History and I his Geography.” Emma details her daily life, including making “a basket of beads” with Margaret and Ellen, Michael’s quarrelling with neighbors (“he threatened to go away but I don’t believe he will”), donkey rides, trips to town, visits with friends, the weather, and various outings (to St. Elmo, the prison and hospital on Malta). She is frequently in poor health. On Dec. 10th the family leaves Malta for Alexandria, a 7-day journey. In Cairo Emma writes that they spent a night in Mr. Ewing’s house, and that “a good many of the missionaries live in the same house…given them by the Viceroy of Egypt.” In Alexandria the family stayed with the Watson and Dales families before lodging in a boarding house. The first entry with a firm year dating is January 1, 1863 it’s New Year’s Day, and after visiting the Patterson family, Emma and her father go for a donkey ride in the desert. On Jan.20 she writes, “Said Pasha is dead & Ismail Pasha has succeded him. The people are having a grand illumination this evening to welcome him.” Around Feb. 18 the family boards a Nile boat, arriving at Thebes on March 6th, stopping at Denderah March 9th, Gizeh on March 11th, and visiting a number of historic sites en route and in the area, eventually reaching Cairo around April 1st, and returning to Alexandria a week later. By April 20 they are en route to Smyrna. On Apr 21, on a ship off Rhodes, the family interacts with a pasha who has “engaged two berths in our cabin” and “wanted his whole harem to come down.” They arrive to Smyrna on Apr 24, staying with the Doddses, and by May 10th are en route to Constantinople, arriving shortly thereafter and reuniting with friends and family.

1862-11-01T00:00:00Z https://archives.saltresearch.org/handle/123456789/45837 2019-09-25T10:09:32Z 1858-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Daily register of Elizabeth Riggs, 1858 Description: Details the daily affairs of Elizabeth and her family from January to late July the family lives in Philadelphia, with occasional trips to New York to visit friends and family (her father Elias is frequently in New York). Elizabeth’s regular habits include going to church and religious lectures, visiting with friends and enjoying the company of family, doing homework, and going on occasional outings, such as to art galleries the Philadelphia Masonic Hall, Fairmount Water Works, the Academy of Sciences, a synagogue, and numerous churches. The few sources of anxiety include loved ones’ illnesses, missing her mother, and the perceived lack of a “thoughtful” and “serious” approach to spiritual discussion by other young women in her Philadelphia church community. Based on the diary, Elizabeth treasures her relationship with her parents and siblings, all of whom she refers to frequently and affectionately. In early August (8-4) the family boards a ship bound for Smyrna. Aside from seasickness and occasional delays due to rough weather, the trip is seemingly uneventful. Land is first spotted on August 31st. On Sept. 2nd she writes, “We are rapidly approaching Gibraltar…Oh what joy to see again the waters of my own blue Mediterranean!” She notes sightings of Gibraltar, Sardinia, Sicily, and describes an onshore excursion to the “gardens of San Antonio and … Vecchio with its catacombs and St. Paul’s cave” on 9-28, and later the Castle of St. Angelo and the Church of St. John. On Oct. 5 she writes that, “I suppose Papa reached Constantinople today.” Between Oct. 6-9 she notes passing “the island of Cerigo [Kythira/Çuha Adası],” “the isle of Minos [Crete],” “Eubea” and Andros. On Oct. 12 they reach Smyrna [İzmir], and the following days are spent doing shopping and setting up house. On Oct. 22 her brother Jamie is diagnosed with scarlet fever, and by Nov. 6 her brother Eddie and sister Emma have also fallen ill. Elizabeth reports on their condition “with great anxiety,” and she makes her last chronological entry to the diary on Nov. 24. [She passed away of scarlet fever on Nov. 28]. The diary contains an entry for Dec. 27, seemingly a few lines of poetry obviously added at an earlier date and the impression of a pressed leaf. The space dated Dec. 31 is filled with a “farewell to my journal” entry also clearly added earlier. The back of the agenda contains details about washing and shopping, and two pencil drawings, one of the sea voyage and one of New Vernon.

1858-01-01T00:00:00Z