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Commissioner Roosevelt encloses a note that John Wallace Riddle can give to Mr. Rock, Roosevelt’s tailor. He considers Rock to be very good, and so does Elliott Roosevelt, which is more to the point. Roosevelt enjoyed the “alligator-bagger” clippings, and he will send them on to his family.
1889-10-08
Diary of Theodore Roosevelt for the year 1879. Roosevelt attended Harvard College, spent the summer in Oyster Bay, New York, and went on two expeditions to Maine. The diary concludes with notes on Roosevelt’s personal finances and his “game bag” for the year.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1879
Diary of Theodore Roosevelt for the year 1880. Major events include Roosevelt’s graduation from Harvard, entry into Columbia Law School, and a Midwestern hunting trip with Elliott Roosevelt. Roosevelt also engaged, married, and honeymooned with Alice Lee Roosevelt. The diary concludes with notes on Roosevelt’s personal finances and “game bag” totals for several years.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1880
Theodore Roosevelt had an asthma attack but has recovered. He explored a cave in the Albano area and has been playing soldiers with some Roman friends. Of the Roman sites, Roosevelt has seen the Colosseum and tombs along the Latin way. The Roosevelts are looking forward to returning home and leave for New York on May 15.
1870-01-28
Theodore Roosevelt suffered an asthma attack but has recovered and is in “perfect health and spirits.” He has recently taken a walk in the country, visited a beer garden, attended an open air concert, and shot air rifles. When not studying, Roosevelt has been spending his time translating natural history, wrestling, and cooking.
1873-06-08
Corinne Roosevelt has arrived to stay with them for the summer. Theodore Roosevelt accompanied the Minkwitz family to a castle and a service at the German Reformed Church. His language studies are going well and the children have started a club that meets once a week. The boxing gloves are a “great amusement” and Roosevelt relates his “best round yet.” Elliott Roosevelt is the best boxer but Theodore would win “rewards” for bloody noses.
1873-06-15
Theodore Roosevelt requests that his father gather some plant specimens for his museum, particularly two pieces of supple jack of certain size. His favorite mouse, Brownie, was crushed. Nothing much has happened at home but the plants in the piazza are budding.
1868-04-30
Theodore and Elliott Roosevelt are well but Corinne Roosevelt is often homesick. Roosevelt has been studying German and French. He even overhears some Minkwitz family conversations as they do not believe he can understand them. Roosevelt is concerned about the location of his boxing gloves and gun.
1873-05-29
Theodore Roosevelt and his friends set off large numbers of fireworks over the Fourth of July and they all have some burns. Corinne Roosevelt had an asthma attack but has recovered. Roosevelt is now permitted to stay in the water as long as he likes but he was almost drowned the other day after being caught under water. He is studying English, French, German, and Latin.
1872-07-07
Theodore Roosevelt received boxing gloves from his father and has been sparring with his companions. He is getting along with his hosts, the Minkwitz family. However, they do not approve of Roosevelt’s scientific pursuits. His arsenic was confiscated and mice thrown out. Roosevelt responded by waving a mouse close to one of the ladies’ faces and provides an illustration of the scene. His German studies are going well and he can read and understand French.
1873-06-15
Theodore Roosevelt has arrived safely in Lenox, Massachusetts. He ate eight sandwiches and twenty-four peaches while traveling. Uncle Hill picked them up and is glad to have “somebody to talk and swim with.” Martha Bulloch Roosevelt is homesick but made friends with a Shaker named Sister Belle. Roosevelt sends his love and gives instructions on how to care for his various pets.
1872-08-11
The Roosevelts spent Christmas in Rome and there were many presents. They ascended Mount Vesuvius and Roosevelt stuck an alpine stick into a small crater which caught the stick on fire. The route down from Vesuvius was very rough.
1870-01-06
The Roosevelts are in Europe and have been traveling long hours by rail, by carriage, and on foot.
1869-10-09
Theodore Roosevelt is staying with his family in Barrytown, New York. They have a new pony and Roosevelt is now able to paddle the rowboat. He hopes to see Dora Watkins soon and requests a return letter.
1867-06-06
Theodore Roosevelt requests that his horse and cart reach Harvard before September 24. Elliott Roosevelt will find him a whip, and Anna Roosevelt will find the rug.
1879-09
Theodore Roosevelt and Alice Lee Roosevelt miss Martha Bulloch Roosevelt and want her to visit as often as she wants to come. Roosevelt is anxious to discuss the new addition to the family, Anna Hall, who will be marrying Elliott Roosevelt. He thinks it is great that Elliott is to “marry and settle down with a definite purpose in life.” Roosevelt sends his love to Corinne Roosevelt Robinson and her young son, Theodore Douglas Robinson.
1883-07-08
The trip through Switzerland has been happy, and the mountaineering has put Theodore Roosevelt in “splendid condition.” Alice Lee Roosevelt was less enthusiastic about traveling by mule. They visited Geneva and Basel. Strasbourg Cathedral has been a highlight, especially the cathedral’s astronomical clock. Traveling has been comfortable, and nothing has been lost.
1881-08-12
Theodore Roosevelt is enjoying the “loveliest honeymoon imaginable.” They are spending their time driving, walking, playing tennis, and reading aloud.
1880-11-04
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to receive Martha Bulloch Roosevelt’s letter and is glad that they will be spending the winter together. He will try and be a good son to make up for Elliott Roosevelt’s absence. Roosevelt is marrying Alice Lee in six days.
1880-10-21
Theodore Roosevelt is enjoying the hunting expedition with Elliott Roosevelt, although the hunting has been poor. Elliott is very popular with the farmers and hunters. Roosevelt provides a summary of the “motley crew” they are staying with.
1880-08-25