James Ferdinand Fiske (1841-1909), of Holliston, Mass., was the son of Ferdinand Fiske (1806-1883) and Sarah A. Clarke Fiske (1809-1893), and the grandson of Dr. Timothy Fiske (1778-1863). The latter was a graduate of Harvard College, class of 1801. In 1865, James Ferdinand Fiske married Sarah Maria Craig (1844- ), of Leicester, Mass., and raised five children. He later became postmaster and treasurer for the town of Holliston.
This collection contains four diaries, 5 January 1857 to 10 December 1860, kept by James Ferdinand Fiske. They record life in Holliston as seen through the eyes of a young man between the ages of 15 and 19 years. Included are terse references to his chores on his father's farm and part-time work for other farmers and surveyors. He recorded his school work and his attendance at anatomy lectures and bookkeeping courses, baseball matches between youths representing area towns, concerts, panoramas, church meetings, lyceum lectures, court trials, auctions, and dramatic performances. His social activities also included evening singalongs, sleigh rides, balls, and meetings of the sewing circle, debating club, and the temperance society (Band of Hope).
Fiske wrote of political gatherings in Holliston, especially caucuses of the Democratic and Republican parties in 1858 and 1860. There are also references to celebrations concerning the laying of the Atlantic Cable in 1858. Volume 4, 16 November 1859 to 10 December 1860, contains information on Fiske's new responsibilities as caretaker of the Congregational meetinghouse. It also provides a fascinating account of a young man in the throes of love. Following the rejection of Sarah Maria Craig (who eventually became his wife), Fiske detailed the fluctuations in his romantic relationship with Stella Adeline Makepeace (1845- ) of Norton, Mass. He referred to the many social activities that they attended together and dwelled on their growing love. He also revealed his deep frustrations, including several tear-filled nights, as their relationship cooled. Toward the end of the volume, Fiske resumed his terse, unemotional entries. At one point he stated: "If any one should happen to see this I should not wonder if they would think that I was loved cracked or something else but its [sic] no such thing. I only write my honest sentiments." (11 April 1860)