John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, Page 36

[John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, page 36. Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing scans of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source. This is my rough transcription. Extra paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.]

[continued] omnibus, and all start to walk up to Pettit's, near by. 

Newark does not look as fine as I expected, hardly equal to its old appearance. So I ma informed, also, in reference to its prosperity.

Here we are at Doct. Pettit's. Doc. sets out at his front door with characteristic laziness. We are received very warmly, even by Doc.

Angy [Angeline Pettit] is half crazy to get a hug at Mother, who is perfectly content to be hugged to death by her. 

After seeing us seated in, Doct posts off for Caroline, Mrs Scott, whose home is miles off. Meantime, my baggage arrives, and I wash, dress etc to some extent.   

Having, according to my custom, ridden nearly all the way in on the platform, I was about as my color could allow without much apprehension, or danger of incurring abolition sympathy and advice.  Ben Pettit is living at home, about eighteen now, etc etc, but cannot get to see him now.

While Doct is off, in come Ursula, Mrs. Deling[?] and Olive, Mrs. Shirley. Another scene between the old ladies.

Meanwhile, Margaret and I talk of Banks[?], Somerset, old times etc., particularly of our earliest days at school, when I used to go to the woods with her and Mary Moler [to be continued.]  

[John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).
Mother = Charlotte Stocker Binckley (1788-1877).
1860 Federal Census, Newark, Licking County, Ohio: David W. Pettit (52), Angeline Pettit (37), Benjiman [Benjamin] Pettit (20), Sarah Rutley (40). Caroline Scott, dressmaker. Newark's overall population in 1860 was under 5,000 people.]