About Zebulon Metcalf

Zebulon Metcalf, reportedly born 18 December 1803 in Otsego, was the son of Charles Metcalf and Mary Fitch. In his own words, he "commenced the studying Physic and Surgery with Doct Erastus Curtiss, on the second day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and twenty five." Eight days later he began writing in a journal which he kept through 1831.

Zebulon viewed the world with a poet's eyes and this is reflected in his journal entries.

"Sensible" of a Mother's Worth

On 26 June 1825 Zebulon walked a young woman home and subsequently engaged in conversation with her mother. He was moved to learn that his deceased mother had taught at the school that stood nearby, and he recorded the experience in this way:

After discoursing a while upon common topics, I stepped to the door, where as my eye wandered over the adjacent scenery, it at length rested upon the school house which stood a few rods off.

"Is there a school taught here this summer?" said I to the old lady.

"No, sir," said she, "but this is the first summer that has past without one, since the school house was built. Your mother," continued she, "was our first school mistress."

"Ah," said I, "you have apprised me of a fact, of which, till now I was ignorant" and as I cast another look at the school house I felt that it was doubly endeared to me though I did not express my feelings in any other way than by my countenance.

At length I took my leave of this very agreeable and interesting family, with something like regret that I could not spend a longer period in their society; though I meant in part to recompense myself, by enjoying the beauties of sun-set as I walked up the hill. And truly, so I did; for pausing when I had nearly gained the summit of the hill, I "sent a delighted eye" over the cottages, orchards, and waving fields of grain in the valley below.

Nothing but bushes, and men as stupid and ignorant, could have gazed upon the scene unmoved. But in my mind it was linked with many dear associations for I remembered what the old lady of the cottage had said respecting my mother, and I was soon lost in the contemplation of the virtues of that amiable, and excellent woman, of whom death deprived me before I was sensible of her worth.

Death in Iowa

Zebulon eventually moved to Dewitt, Clinton County, Iowa, where he died on 22 September 1845. On October 8 of that year, his brother Nehemiah Fitch Metcalf received word of Zebulon's death and recorded the news in his own diary: "Recd a letter from a Mr Wheeler in Dewitt Iowa Territory informing me of the death of my brother, Dr. Z. Metcalf."

On July 18, nearly a year after Zebulon's death, Nehemiah further noted: "The interest this day possessed for me is in the arrival of Geo Foot from a visit to Illinois, and by whom I had sent to bring home to me from Chicago a trunk belonging to my late deceased Brother, and containing many letters & papers which were received with heartfelt gratitude & melancholy pleasure for the merit they possess as relies of a departed and much esteemed Brother."

It is possible Zebulon's 1825-1831 diary was in that trunk.

Clark-Metcalf Family Diaries

Both diaries mentioned in this post are part of the Westmoreland Historical Society's Clark-Metcalf Family Collection. If you would like to explore these diaries, stop by the Historical Society Room during open hours or contact us to make other arrangements.

Published 8 May 2024

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Banner Photo: Part of a page from Zebulon Metcalf's 1825-1831 diary.