In this fascinating diary, written between 1784 and 1819, William Bentley chronicles daily life in Salem, Massachusetts and provides insight into the religious and political landscape of the early American republic. Bentley's diary is an invaluable primary source for historians studying this period, offering a unique window into the lives of ordinary people and the social and cultural forces that shaped early American society. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.