Peter Colegrove (1817-1860) Diary

The diary of Peter Colegrove (1817-1860) includes entries made between September 9, 1833 and November 10, 1840. Colegrove recounts his conversion to a life of Christian faith and, throughout the diary, records his struggles and failures to attain Christian perfection. The diary reflects on Colegrove's education at the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution (now Colgate University) and, during vacations from school, his preaching at churches in southwestern New York and northern Pennsylvania. Also included are a brief biographical sketch, entries concerning the Eastern Association, and accounts of Colegrove's visits to both friends and area residents. Colegrove referred to his diary as "my history of feeling & of the exercises of my mind..." It is a valuable source for the study of religious experience in nineteenth century New York.