The majority of this collection is made up of the diaries of John Reckard. The earliest diary is dated December 6, 1864; about sixteen months after he joined the army, and they stop December 31, 1912. The diaries cover a span of forty-eight years but about fifteen years worth of diaries are missing. The diary of 1869 is not in its original form but is instead in transcript form.
Photograph of the John Reckard family outside their home in Briar Hill, New York.
Collection Overview
John Reckard was born on January 13, 1842 in Leeds, Ontario, Canada. He lived for most of his life in Brier Hill, a small village outside of Morristown, New York. During his life John worked as a Wheelwright in Brier Hill. He joined the United States Army on August 3, 1863 and served in the 14th Regiment of the New York State Heavy Artillery Division. John was married twice. John died on February 18, 1915 at the age of seventy-three years old; he is buried in the Morristown cemetery in Morristown, NY.