William M. Coates autograph album and diaries

Volumes include decriptions of William M. Coates's time at and after Haverford College from 1860 to 1863. William Coates’s diaries detail his time at Haverford College and following his graduation. He writes about the weather, academic studies, weekly collections, the Everett Society, exercise, his letter correspondence, and trips with his friends and family. He begins writing about the Civil War on April 14, 1861, detailing Fort Sumter’s surrender and evacuation, remarking on the “great excitement” and formation of a mob in Philadelphia. He later remarks on Civil War events such as the Baltimore Riots and the Battles of Harrisburg and Gettysburg. Coates continues writing of his life at Haverford, describing his classes, flute playing, friends, religious life, weather, health, clubs, cricket matches, and family, providing insight into Haverford during the Civil War. This includes writing about a runaway enslaved person on June 8, 1861, and the successful request to the Faculty to prevent Charles Parry from returning to Haverford for being a “blackguard, Secessionist, Infidel to all that’s bad + carries a big knife, etc.” on June 22, 1863. Following his graduation, Coates mentions his musket drills with a Company in Philadelphia, describing the balance between his bookkeeping work and military drills. Coates stops recording after October 27, 1863.