1844 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A VERY ABLE 27 YEAR OLD OFFICER IN THE 83rd REGIMENT OF FOOT SOON AFTER THEIR RETURN FROM CANADA by LT. FRANCIS JOHN HEXT, 83rd REGIMENT OF FOOT - 1844

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE ENGLAND. Very Good. 1844. On offer is a super, original wonderfully detailed 1844 manuscript diary handwritten by Lieutenant Francis John Hext of the 83rd County of Dublin Regiment of Foot. Francis Hext was native to Bodmin Cornwall. The Regiment having returned from Canada the year before they settled in Northamptonshire. Francis records the daily life of a British officer in the army, parades, drills and marches, with a fair bit of time to be an avid huntsman and fisherman, often recording details of what game he had shot. Here are some snippets: January 2nd 1844 "Attended the Freemasons lodge in the evening and was raised to the rank of fellow craftmason". March 3rd 1844 "At St Mabyn church in the morning and Bodmin in the evening. Miss Molesworth and T.Tickell dined." March 19th 1844 "In the afternoon went to Woods Pottery and had my cast taken in plaster." June 27th 1844 "Very fine day. Sat on a courtmartial for the trial of Color Sgt Farnell. Adjourned at three o'clock". July 2nd 1844 "Fine morning. On duty this day for Hamilton...a new battery of artillery marched in this day from Woolwich." July 3rd 1844 "Capt Flds and Lt Mornetan with their artillery started this morning for Woolwich. Shot a large Pike in the lower Barracks Canal." July 9th 1844 "went with Cayab and Kidnall to Daventry reservoir and killed a few fish. Dived on the back of the pond." July 15th 1844 "Austin drilled the regiment... at 4 O'clock went to the canal, fished and caught some good ones. Walked to Dodford church and Daventry through the fields, and got home again at eleven o'clock. Head shave today." July 17th 1844 "Very fine day. Walked with Austin and De Rigny to Althorp Park. Saw the house and fine paintings. The park magnificent. Dined in a small village." August 18th 1844 "My birthday - 27 years of age....buried Private Rentler, who died of consumption." October 18th 1844 "Bought a gun, priced £23." November 18th 1844 'Five in the morning commence shooting with Kendall and Mr Sawle...and continued all day....killed 33 rabbits, 11 woodcock and several pheasants". There are financials besides the diary entries at the back. The diary measures 4 x 6½ inch and is brown blind stamped cloth. The binding is tight. Overall VG. ; Manuscript; 24mo - over 5" - 5¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, FRANCIS JOHN HEXT, 83RD COUNTY OF DUBLIN REGIMENT OF FOOT, IRELAND, IRISH, BODMIN, CORNWALL, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, GREAT BRITAIN, BRITANNICA, ENGLAND, BRITISH ARMED FORCES, EAST MIDLANDS, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, AUTOGRAPHED, AUTHORS, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, KEEPSAKE, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, ARCHIVE, DIARY, DIARIES, JOURNAL, LOG, PRIMARY SOURCE, FIRST HAND ACCOUNT, SOCIAL HISTORY, PERSONAL STORIES, LIVING HISTORY, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, DOCUMENT, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MANUSKRIPT, PAPIER OGGETTO D'ANTIQUARIATO, ATTO, VELINA, DOCUMENTO, MANOSCRITTO, CARTA ANTIGÜEDAD, HECHO, VITELA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITO, PAPEL,BIOGRAPHY BIOGRAPHICAL AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY PERSONAL NARRATIVES .