Diary of Henry Matthews (1799-18??), a Methodist circuit rider, schoolteacher, and practicing physician from Ohio, who made his way from Ohio, through the Illinois Territory, to Texas. This volume consists mainly of transcriptions of letters sent by Matthews to various family members and friends describing Matthews’ life on the circuit and as a school teacher in Ohio. Accompanying these letters are poetry and prose passages recorded by Matthews. In 1818, Matthews writes of his recommendation to the Annual Conference to ride as an itinerant pastor; he was just 19 years old. It also includes notes on his travel plans, time spent as a schoolteacher, religious recommendations, and lists books he has been reading. A page in the back dated 1840 includes a list of names, residences, and destinations.