The first diary runs from 1854 to 1858. It appears Philip along with being a farmer worked in the lumber industry as he notes a day to day schedule of what he did, how long he did it and how much he was paid. That part of the diary goes from 1854 to 1856. In 1857 and 1858, Farnsworth covers his daily activities.

The second and third diaries cover the period September, 1870 to December 2, 1870 and December 2, 1870 to August, 1871. He notes in the second diary that it was purchased in California. In both of these diaries, he writes about the weather, work, and other daily activities. It appears that he may have been working at some type of mill because he notes on a regular basis how many posts he made that day. He also notes seeing Native Americans around.

There were two letters and one recipe in the diaries. The recipe is for “Cherry Bounce” without the cherries. There is one letter dated March 24, 1871 addressed to “Dear Friend Steve” written by an unknown writer discussing how they “long” to find him. (Philip’s brother whom he lived with at the end of his life was named Steven.)

The second letter is addressed to “Beloved Sister” and dated “Worcester, March 12, 1819.” The signature appears to be from a Lucretia Freeman discussing everyday life and mentioning brothers Robert and William and daughter Betsy Matilda Freeman. There also is an envelope addressed to “Mrs. (Mr.) S.H. Farnsworth in Catawissa, Franklin County, Missouri.” It is not known if this envelope is for the 1819 letter. Also found in one of the diaries were newspaper clippings, one dealing with the end of the village of Pine Creek and two others dealing with James S. Farnsworth who served as a State of Michigan State Representative 1963-1974. It is not known if James Farnsworth is related to Philip Farnsworth. James’ father was Lewis (Lew) Farnsworth whose father was Sylvester whose father was Joseph Farnsworth although this family lived in Pennsylvania where Moses Farnsworth was from so there might be a possibility these two Farnsworth families were related. The newspaper clippings were copied and put in the donor file.