[page 67, continued:]

[1826] 1 FEBRUARY. CHARLOTTESVILLE. The second session of the University of Virginia begins.

[1826] 8 FEBRUARY. BALTIMORE. The Baltimore Gazette reports: “Died this morning, William Clemm, in 47th year.”

[1826] 9 FEBRUARY. William Clemm, Jr., is buried (St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church record; Quinn, p. 726).

[1826] 13 FEBRUARY. Elizabeth Cairnes Poe draws up her will, bequeathing all her belongings to her daughter Maria Clemm (Baltimore Wills, 17:38-39, Maryland Hall of Records, Annapolis, Md.). [page 68:]

[1826] 14 FEBRUARY. CHARLOTTESVILLE. Poe is one of five students who matriculate at the University of Virginia on this day. He is 136th on the list of 177 who attend this year. Of the 177, six withdraw, three are suspended, three are dismissed, and three are expelled during the year (Kent, pp. 10-11).

Poe pays his fees ($60) for attendance on two professors, George Long, School of Ancient Languages (Greek and Latin), and George Blaettermann, School of Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, and Spanish).

His class schedule is: Ancient Languages: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 7:30 to 9:30 A.M. Modern Languages: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 7:30 to 9:30 A.M.

Mr. Brockenborough, the Proctor, makes an entry in the Matriculation Books:

[George Long later recalled: “If Poe was at the University of Virginia in 1826, he was probably in my class which was the largest. ... The beginning of the University of Virginia was very bad. There were some excellent young men, and some of the worst that ever I knew. ... I remember the name of Poe, but the remembrance is very feeble; and if he was in my class, he could not be among the worst, and perhaps not among the best or I should certainly remember him” (Long to John H. Ingram, 15 April 1875, in Wilson [1923], p. 164).]

[1826] CA. 21 FEBRUARY. A week after his arrival Poe writes Allan “for some more money, and for books” (Poe to Allan, 3 January 1831).

[1826] CA. 24 OR 27 FEBRUARY. RICHMOND. A short time afterwards Allan, “in terms of the utmost abuse,” replies to Poe (Poe to Allan, 3 January 1831).

[1826] MARCH? CHARLOTTESVILLE. Poe is “tolerably regular in attendance” at classes (Wertenbaker [1868], p. 114).

[1826] 29 APRIL. William Matthews is “allowed the use of the Gymnasium ... for the purpose of giving instruction upon military tactics to such of the students as may choose to be drilled. Mr. Matthews is held responsible to the faculty for all riots, or other disturbances of the peace, happening during his attendance upon the students composing his class” (Kent, p. 12).

[1826] APRIL OR LATER? “During the year 1826, there used to come into the [page 69:] Library a handsome young student [Poe], perhaps eighteen years of age, in search of old French books, principally histories” (Wertenbaker [1879], p. 45).

[Quinn, p. 102, writes: “The library really began to function only in April, and was not properly catalogued until after Poe left college.”]

[1826] BEFORE 9 MAY. John Allan visits Poe (Poe to Allan, 25 May 1826).

[1826] BEFORE 9 MAY? Poe scuffles with Miles George, whose home address is the north side of Grace Street adjoining the Washington Tavern, Richmond. Poe moves from the Lawn to No. 13 West Range.

[Denying the account of a fellow student, Thomas Goode Tucker, that he and Poe were roommates and had a fight, Miles George wrote E. V. Valentine, 18 May 1880: “Poe and myself were at no time room mates, therefore he did not leave me, or I him — Poe roomed on the West side of the Lawn, I on the East, he afterwards moved to the Western range — I was often in both rooms, & recall the many happy hours spent therein — Of the pugilistic combat so minutely described, I have some recollection; it was a boyish freak or frolic, & both fight & the feeling in which it originated were by consent buried in oblivion never again to be revived — Poe, as has been said, was fond of quoting poetic authors and reading poetic productions of his own, with which his friends were delighted & entertained, then suddenly a change would come over him & he would with a piece of charcoal evince his versatile genius, by sketching upon the walls of his dormitory, whimsical, fanciful, & grotesque figures, with so much artistic skill, as to leave us in doubt whether Poe in future life would be Painter or Poet; He was very excitable & restless, at times wayward, melancholic & morose, but again in his better moods frolicksome, full of fun & a most attractive & agreeable companion[.] To calm & quiet the excessive nervous excitability under which he labored, he would too often put himself under the influence of that ‘Invisible Spirit of Wine’ which the great Dramatist has said ‘If known by no other names should be called Devil’ —

“My impressions of Poe do not agree with the idea that he was ‘short of stature, thick & somewhat compactly set’[.] On the contrary, he was of rather a delicate & slender mould[.] His legs not bowed, or so slightly so, as to escape notice, and did not detract either from the sym[m]etry of his person or the ease & grace of his carriage — To be practical & unpoetical I think his weight was between 130 & 140 pounds” (ViRVal. For Tucker's account, see Sherley, pp. 427-28).

Tucker reported: “Poe's passion for strong drink was as marked and as peculiar as that for cards. It was not the taste of the beverage that influenced [page 70:] him; without a sip or smack of the mouth he would seize a full glass, without water or sugar, and send it home at a single gulp. This frequently used him up; but if not, he rarely returned to the charge” (Tucker to Douglass Sherley, 5 April 1880; Woodberry, 1:33).

James Albert Clarke described Poe as “a pretty wild young man ... [who] took much interest in athletic sports” (Richmond newspaper, 29 November 1885, VIU-I; Stovall [1967], p. 309).]

[1826] BEFORE 9 MAY? Poe and Thomas Goode Tucker read the histories of Hume and Lingard (Sherley, p. 379; Kent, pp. 14-15).

[1826] 9 MAY. Student disturbances at the University of Virginia cause the Faculty to issue a “proclamation,” which is little heeded (Poe to Allan, 25 May 1826; Quinn, p. 105 n. 15).

[1826] 10 MAY. Thomas Bolling, a University student, writes his father Colonel William Bolling: “We have lately lost a student by the name of Thomas Barclay, expelled for a very trivial offence, and suspended for the Session” (Allen, p. 714). [page 71:]

[1826] 11 MAY. James Albert Clarke of Manchester, Poe's former schoolmate at William Burke's seminary, is suspended from the University for two months and J. Armstead Carter “for the remainder of the session” (Poe to Allan, 25 May 1826).

BEFORE 24 MAY. Sterling Edmunds, a University of Virginia student, loses $240 at a single sitting playing cards and horsewhips Charles Peyton, another student who he believes has cheated him. Peyton is later expelled and Edmunds is suspended until 1 July (Quinn, p. 106).

[1826] 24-25 MAY. The University Faculty meets (Stovall [1967], p. 308).

[1826] BEFORE 25 MAY. Allan makes a second visit (“Soon after you left here”) to Charlottesville (Poe to Allan, 25 May 1826).

[1826] 25 MAY. Poe writes Allan, acknowledging the receipt of clothes, describing the disturbances at the University, and asking for “a copy of the Historiae of Tacitus — it is a small volume — also some more soap” (L, 1:4-5).

[1826] MAY? Poe meets Peter Pindar Pease.

[“As a boy old Pease was apprenticed to an itinerant saddler, Hermann Tucker by name, and shortly before the early ’30's arrived at Charlottesville, Virginia, where the worthy harnessmaker opened a shop, and my great-uncle [Pease] became his assistant.

“Trade was pretty brisk, and soon the little shop expanded into a sort of curio store filled with second-hand articles, including a library which had fallen under the auctioneer's hammer in order to satisfy a plantation debt and so came into the possession of Tucker. Among these books was a rare edition of Hogarth's prints, and this work the young assistant resolved to purchase on the installment plan from his employer.

“Two small payments had been made when Poe, then attending the college there, happened into the shop one day, noticed the book, and desired to buy it. Upon Tucker's telling Poe that his clerk was attempting to purchase the work out of his meager earnings, the poet asked to be made known to my great-uncle, and thus their acquaintance began.

“Poe immediately invited young Peter up to his room, asking him to bring the Hogarth along with him that they might look it over together, and the invitation was accepted.

“Next evening the call was made, and after some parley Poe suggested that they gamble for the book, agreeing to pay Peter the full price which Tucker asked in case he lost. If Peter lost, he was to continue paying off the debt to Tucker and Poe was to keep the Hogarth. My great-uncle had [page 72:] been brought up to fear the devil and all his works with Calvinistic severity, but he resolved to take the chance of getting the book for nothing, so the dice were thrown.

“Poe lost, and promptly paid over the money. Whatever became of the Hogarth I do not know. It is certainly not in the Pease family library and Peter probably sold it. This incident occurred some time in May, 1826, as nearly as the old Deacon remembers it” (Stearns, pp. 25-26).]

[1826] 13 JUNE. Poe withdraws from the Library the “1st. 3d. 4th vols Rollin's A. hist. [Histoire Ancienne] — [Charles Rollins, Œuvres Complètes .... Paris, 1807-10. 60 vols.]” (Cameron [1974], p. 33).

[1826] 4 JULY. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams die.

[1826] 5 JULY. CHARLOTTESVILLE. The University of Virginia bell tolls, for the first time, in honor of Jefferson.

[1826] 7 JULY. FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY. Jereboam O. Beauchamp is hanged for the murder of Solomon P. Sharp (see CA. 26 NOVEMBER 1835).

[1826] 15 JULY. PHILADELPHIA. John Lofland's poem “The Bride” with its first line “I saw her on the bridal day” appears in the Saturday Evening Post.

[This line Poe may have had in mind when he composed “Song” (“I saw thee on thy bridal day”).]

[1826] 8 AUGUST. CHARLOTTESVILLE. Poe withdraws from the University of Virginia Library: “33d. 34th vols Rollin (his. Romaine) [Charles Rollin, Histoire Romaine]” (Cameron [1974], p. 33),

[1826] 15 AUGUST. Poe withdraws from the Library: “1st & 2d vols Robertson's America [William Robertson, The History of America ... , Dublin, 1777. 2 vols.]” (Cameron [1974], p. 33).

[1826] 29 AUGUST. Poe withdraws from the Library: “1st & 2d vols Marshall's Washington [John Marshall, The Life of George Washington ... , Philadelphia, 1804-1807. 5 vols. and atlas]” (Cameron [1974], p. 33).

[1826] 12 SEPTEMBER. Poe withdraws from the Library: “9. 10. Voltaire [Either volumes 9 and 10 of the complete works, 25 volumes, in French, Paris, 1817, or volumes 9 and 10 of a collection of letters, 12 volumes, in French, Paris, 1785]” (Cameron [1974], p. 33).

[1826] 20 SEPTEMBER. Charles Wickcliffe, a student from Kentucky, is expelled [page 73:] by the Faculty for fighting, the fight having taken place before Poe's door (Poe to Allan, 21 September 1826).

[1826] 21 SEPTEMBER. Poe writes Allan that he is studying for an examination to be given from 1 to 15 December and that the Library has a “fine collection” of books (L, 1:6-7).

[1826] 17 OCTOBER. The Library is open every day from 3:30 to 5 P.M. after this date, except Saturdays and Sundays (W, 1:52).

[1826] 4 NOVEMBER. Poe withdraws from the Library: “1st and 2d Dufiefs Nature displayd [Nicholas Gouin Dufief's Nature Displayed in Her Mode of Teaching Language to Man]” (Cameron [1974], pp. 33-34).

[1826] 4? DECEMBER. James Madison (rector), James Monroe, Joseph Cabell, and John Hartwell Cocke conduct an examination in ancient languages (Kent, p. 20).

[1826] 4 DECEMBER. Poe makes some purchases.

Mr. Edgar A. Powe [sic]

In Acct. With Samuel Leitch, Jr., Dr.

[1826] 5 DECEMBER. An examination in modern languages is given at the University (Kent, p. 20).

[1826] 15 DECEMBER. The University of Virginia Faculty meets. Poe is listed in Professor George Long's “report of the examinations of the classes belonging to the school of ancient languages and the names of the students who excelled at the examination of these classes” and in Professor George Blaettermann's report of “the names of the students who excelled in the Senior French Class” (Kent, p. 21). [page 74:]

[1826] 20 DECEMBER. The University Faculty begins an investigation. Present are John T. Somes, Chairman; Dr. Robley Dunglison, Dr. George Blaettermann, Charles Bonnycastle, George Tucker, and J. Hewitt Key (Allen, p. 133).

[1826] BEFORE 21 DECEMBER. RICHMOND. Allan sends Poe $100. Poe's application to James Galt for a loan is refused (Poe to Allan, 3 January 1831).

[1826] 21 DECEMBER. CHARLOTTESVILLE. Poe leaves for Richmond.

[1826] AFTER 21 DECEMBER. RICHMOND. Poe's engagement to Elmira Royster is broken.

[The Royster-Shelton wedding did not take place until 6 December 1828, while Poe was stationed at Fort Moultrie.]

[1826] 1826. CHARLOTTESVILLE. Poe signs a promissory note for $41.36 made payable to Dan’1 S. Mosby & Co. (Stovall [1967], p. 311).

[1826] 1826. Poe joins the Jefferson Literary Society and becomes its secretary (Stovall [1967], pp. 312 and 314; W, 1:60). [page 75:]

[1826] 1826. Poe reads one of his stories to an audience of his friends.

[1826] 1826. Poe excels in athletic exercises and has a fine talent for drawing.

Two classmates, William Wertenbaker and William Burwell, later recorded their recollections of Poe.

[page 76, continued:]

[1827] 6 JANUARY. RICHMOND. The Richmond Enquirer lists John Allan as a director of the Bank of Virginia and its branches (Bondurant, p. 223).

[1827] 20 JANUARY. PHILADELPHIA. The Saturday Evening Post prints Henry Poe's poem “Jacob's Dream.”

[1827] JANUARY? RICHMOND. Perhaps Poe is employed without pay in the Ellis & Allan countinghouse (see 21 DECEMBER 1826). [page 77:]

[1827] JANUARY. Poe visits a guest of Mrs. Juliet J. Drew, an instructor in Miss Jane Mackenzie's school (Whitty, p. xxx; Phillips, 1:283).

[1827] FEBRUARY. MONTEVIDEO, SOUTH AMERICA. Aboard the U.S.S. Macedonian Henry Poe writes a travel letter (Allen and Mabbott, pp. 23, 31).

[1827] 3 FEBRUARY. PHILADELPHIA. The Saturday Evening Post prints Henry Poe's “Psalm 139th.”

[1827] FEBRUARY. GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA. Perhaps Poe spends a short time at the Allan plantation and studies law (Whitty, p. xxix; Phillips, 1:283).

[1827] 3 MARCH. RICHMOND. Bernard Peyton writes Messrs. John Cochran & Co., Charlottesville, about his problems with Poe:

On the $30 note of Poe, I gave credit for $15 Dolls, & I have given the note to the constable, to warrant him for the residue, who has not yet made a return upon it; — for the dft: [draft] he gave you on Allan, I have taken his bond including interest from the date of the dft:, to the date of the bond — he says if these bonds had been held up & not presented to Allan, he would have returned to the University 1st Feb & discharged them all, but being pressed on Allan, he would not send him back there, but he thinks he will do so the next session & further, that after a while, he will discharge all these debts. I mention these things that you may consider of them, and if you still wish suit instituted against him on the bond, I will hand it to a lawyer forthwith — in writing, he is approaching to 21 years, when he will probably legally bind himself for these debts. I shall promptly obey any instructions you may give touching it (ViRVal).

[In the Richmond City Directory of 1819, p. 62, Peyton is listed as a merchant whose address is “ss [southside] of D [Cary] bt [between] 12 and 13th sts. sixth from 12th st.” His name frequently appears in the pages of the Richmond Compiler in the 1820's. In 1822 Peyton was Secretary of the Board of Public Works of Virginia. In 1835 he was a Trustee of the Richmond Academy.]

[1827] 14 MARCH. Bernard Peyton writes his client, Messrs. John Cochran & Co., Charlottesville, for instructions: “The constable informs me he has judgment against Poe, can find no property to levy execution on, & Mr. Allan assures him he will not pay that, or any other debt of his — under these circumstances shall I have him put to gaol, or compel him to plead nonage?” (ViRVal).

[1827] 18 MARCH. Poe quarrels with Allan (Poe to Allan, 19 March).

[1827] 19 MARCH. Poe quarrels again with Allan, takes a room at the Courthouse [page 78:] Tavern, and writes Allan that he has resolved to leave the Allan household, and begs for money and his trunk: “My determination is ... to leave your house and indeavor to find some place in this wide world, where I will be treated — not as you have treated me. ... A collegiate Education ... was what I most ardently desired ... I have heard you say .... that you had no affection for me” (L, 1:7-8).

[1827] 20 MARCH. Poe writes Allan that he is roaming the streets. He begs for his trunk and passage money to Boston: “I sail on Saturday” (L, 1:8-9). Allan writes Poe, refusing him financial aid: “I taught you to aspire, even to eminence in Public Life, but I never expected that Don Quixotte, Gil Blas, Jo: Miller & such works were calculated to promote the end ... the charge of eating the Bread of idleness, was to urge you to perseverance & industry in receiving the classics, in perfecting yourself in the — mathematics, mastering the French” (Stanard, p. 67).

[1827] 24 MARCH. NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. Poe, perhaps accompanied by his friend Ebenezer Burling as far as Norfolk, takes passage in a coal vessel for Boston (Stanard, pp. 52-53; Mabbott [1969], 1:538; E. V. Valentine to J. H. Ingram, 10 December 1874, VIU-I; Philadelphia Saturday Museum, 4 March 1843).

[1827] 25 MARCH. DINWIDDIE COUNTY, VIRGINIA. Edward G. Crump, a classmate of Poe at the University of Virginia, writes Poe:

[1827] 27 MARCH. RICHMOND. John Allan writes one of his sisters, giving information about the settlement of William Galt's estate, and adds that “though Mrs. Allan occupuys one of the airiest & pretty places about Richmond it seems to make no improvement in hers [health] — it is indeed a lovely spot. ... Miss Valentine is as fat & hearty as ever. Im thinking Edgar has gone to Sea to seek his own fortunes” (DLC-EA).

[1827] MARCH? Frances Allan writes Poe two letters (Phillips, 1:294). [page 79:]

[1827] MARCH? BALTIMORE. En route to Boston Poe perhaps stops off to see his brother Henry, to call upon Nathan C. Brooks, to become acquainted with Lambert A. Wilmer, and to meet Edward Coote Pinkney (Stanard, pp. 51-57; Woodberry, 1:67; Stovall [1969], p. 23; Mabbott [1969] 1:538). Poe composes “To Octavia” and writes an extract from Voltaire's Princesse de Babylone in Octavia Walton's album (Mabbott [1941], pp. xii-xv; [1969], 1:16-17; Leary, 9-15).

[1827] MARCH. BOSTON. Poe meets Peter Pindar Pease again.

[1827] 2 APRIL. CHARLOTTESVILLE? George W. Spotswood, a hotelkeeper and a distant cousin of George Washington, writes John Allan:

[1827] 24-25 APRIL. BOSTON. The Boston Courier advertises William Dimond's The Foundling of the Forest, a play in which Poe's mother once performed.

[It is purely speculative that Poe was the “young gentleman of Boston” in the cast who played the part of Bertrand in this 1827 performance. See Mabbott (1942), p. xxvii. T. H. Ellis wrote: “The occasional letters which he [Poe] wrote home ... were written while he was on the stage in Boston” (ViRVal-THE).]

[1827] 28 APRIL. RICHMOND. Bernard Peyton reports to John Cochran & Co., Charlottesville, on his collection problems with Hugh R. Pleasants, one of Poe's University of Virginia classmates, and with Poe: “Poe has gone off entirely, it is said, to join the Greeks — he had as well be there as any where else, I believe, for he appears to be worthless” (ViRVal).

[1827] APRIL OR LATER. BOSTON. Perhaps Poe meets the printer Calvin F. S. Thomas at 70 Washington Street (Woodberry, 1:38-39, 368; Wegelin, pp. 23-25; Quinn, pp. 119-22).

[1827] 1 MAY. CHARLOTTESVILLE. George W. Spotswood writes John Allan:

I presume when you sent Mr Poe to the University of Virginia you felt yourself bound to pay all his necessary expences — one is that each young man is expected to have a servant to attend his room. Mr. Poe did not board with me but as I had hired a first rate Servant who cost me a high price — I consider him under greater obligations to pay me for the price of my Servant — I have written you two letters & have never recd. answer to eather — I beg again Sir that you will send me the small amt. due. I am distressed for money — & I am informed you are Rich both in purse & Honour (DLC-EA).

[1827] 19 MAY. BALTIMORE. Samuel Sands begins the publication of the North American or, Weekly Journal of Politics, Science and Literature.

[Henry Poe's contributions to the North American included “The Pirate;” a prose sketch based on his brother's love affair with Elmira Royster, and two of his brother's poems, “The Happiest Day” and “Dreams.”]

[1827] 26 MAY. CASTLE ISLAND, BOSTON HARBOR. Poe under the alias of Edgar A. Perry enlists in the U. S. Army for five years and is assigned to Battery H of the First Artillery in Fort Independence, Boston Harbor. He gives his age as 22, his birthplace Boston, occupation clerk, and personal description: grey eyes, brown hair, fair complexion, and 5 ft. 8 in. in height (National Archives — Register of Enlistments, 37:153).

[Kent (1917), p. 522, speculated that Poe may have borrowed the last [page 81:] name Perry from a University of Virginia classmate, Sidney A. Perry, who matriculated four days before him, on 10 February 1826.]

[1827] JUNE OR JULY. BOSTON. Calvin F. S. Thomas publishes Tamerlane and Other Poems.

[TAMERLANE / AND / OTHER POEMS. / (rule) / BY A BOSTONIAN. / (rule) / Young heads are giddy, and young hearts are warm, / And make mistakes for manhood to reform. — COWPER. / (printer's device) / BOSTON: / CALVIN F. S. THOMAS. .... PRINTER. / ....   ...   ...  . ... / 1827. 40 pages. paper wrappers.

Contents: “Preface”; “Tamerlane”; “Fugitive Pieces”: “To — —” (“I saw thee on the bridal day”), “Dreams,” “Visit of the Dead,” “Evening Star;’ “Imitation,” no title (“In youth have I known one with whom the Earth”), no title (“A wilder’d being from my birth”), no title (“The happiest day — the happiest hour”), “The Lake”; “Notes.”

“The greater part of the Poems which compose this little volume, were written in the year 1821-2, when the author had not completed his fourteenth year” (from Poe's Preface).

Perhaps 50 copies printed. A facsimile edition with an Introduction by Thomas Ollive Mabbott was published for the Facsimile Text Society by Columbia University Press, New York, 1941.]

[1827] JUNE. BALTIMORE? Miss E. S. B., an acquaintance of Henry Poe, dies (see 28 JULY 1827).

[1827] 28 JULY. BALTIMORE. Henry Poe's “On the Death of Miss E. S. B.” appears in the North American.

[1827] JULY. LONDON. Sir Walter Scott reviews the works of E. T. A. Hoffman in the Foreign Quarterly Review, perhaps suggesting to Poe the title Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque (Quinn, p. 289).

[1827] 4 AND 11 AUGUST. BALTIMORE. Henry Poe's “Oh! Give that Smile” and “In a Pocket-Book” appear in the North American.

[1827] 18 AUGUST. The first of three installments of Lambert A. Wilmer's Merlin, a verse drama based on Poe's unsuccessful romance with Elmira Royster, appears in the North American.

[1827] 25 AUGUST. The second installment of Wilmer's Merlin appears in the North American. [page 82:]

[1827] AUGUST. BOSTON AND NEW YORK. The United States Review and Literary Gazette lists Tamerlane and Other Poems under “New Publications.”

[1827] 1 SEPTEMBER. BALTIMORE. The third and final installment of Wilmer's Merlin appears in the North American.

[1827] 11 SEPTEMBER. Henry Poe enters “Woman” in the album of Margaret Bassett, which includes Poe's undated cento, “To Margaret” (Mabbott [1969], 1:14-16, 518).

[1827] 15 SEPTEMBER. A variant of the stanzas entitled “The happiest day — the [page 83:] happiest hour” (from Poe's Tamerlane and Other Poems) appears in the North American over the initials “W. H. P.” (Mabbott [1969], 1:81).

[1827] 21 SEPTEMBER. A pamphlet edition of Wilmer's Merlin is offered for sale (North American, 22 September).

[1827] 22 SEPTEMBER. Henry Poe's “To R” and “To Montevideo” appear in the North American.

[1827] 29 SEPTEMBER. Wilmer's “To Mary” (later printed as “To Mira” in the Southern Literary Messenger for December 1835) and Henry Poe's composition “I’ve lov'd thee” appear in the North American.

[1827] 6 OCTOBER. Henry Poe's composition of sixteen lines beginning “Scenes of my love” appears in the North American.

[1827] 9 OCTOBER. PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA. Poe's friend John Hamilton Mackenzie marries Louisa Lanier (Mackenzie Family Bible, ViHi).

[1827] 20 OCTOBER. BALTIMORE. Poe's “Dreams” (as “Extract — Dreams”), signed “W. H. P;” appears in the North American.

[1827] 27 OCTOBER. Henry Poe's “The Pirate” appears in the North American.

The North American prints a notice of the death of Elizabeth Usher: “Died ... On Friday evening, the 12th inst. Elizabeth Usher, daughter of the late Thomas Usher, sen. of the county of Antrim, Ireland, and formerly a merchant of this city.”

[According to Allen, p. 683, these Ushers, who settled in Baltimore, were friends of the Poes.]

[1827] 31 OCTOBER. BOSTON. Poe's battery is ordered to Fort Moultrie, Sullivan's Island, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina (National Archives).

[1827] OCTOBER. The North American Review lists Poe's Tamerlane and Other Poems as a recent publication.

[1827] 3 NOVEMBER. BALTIMORE. Henry Poe's “A Fragment” and “Despair” appear in the North American.

[1827] 3 NOVEMBER. BOSTON. The Boston Evening Gazette reports that the brig Waltham has “Cleared.”

[1827] 6 NOVEMBER. The Boston Palladium reports: “Brig Waltham, Webb, for [page 84:] Charleston, dropped down to Fort Independence, on Sunday [4 November], to take on board the garrison, &c. and proceed to Charleston. We learn that she returns to this port with the garrison of that place, as likewise one from another port, which she is to land at Portland” (Charleston Courier, 15 November, taken from the Palladium).

[1827] 9 NOVEMBER. The Boston Palladium reports: “Went to sea, on Tuesday afternoon [6 November] ... brig Waltham, Charleston, with a company of soldiers, in charge of Lt. Griswold” (H.C. Davis, p. 3).

[1827] 10 NOVEMBER. BALTIMORE. Henry Poe's “Recollections” and “Lines” appear in the North American.

[1827] 10 NOVEMBER. BOSTON. Captain Jacob Brown reports that the brig Waltham went to sea 6 November (H.C. Davis, p. 3).

The Boston Evening Gazette prints details of the sinking of the Aurora in a gale off the Hook (H.C. Davis, p. 3).

[1827] 17 NOVEMBER. BALTIMORE. Henry Poe's “On Seeing a Lady Sleeping” appears in the North American.

[1827] 19 NOVEMBER. CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA. Both the Courier and the City Gazette print the following “Ship News”:

[1827] 20 NOVEMBER. The Charleston Courier prints a card of thanks, dated 18 November, under “Ship News”:

[1827] 24 NOVEMBER. BALTIMORE. Henry Poe's “Waters of Life” appears in the final issue of the North American.

[1827] 30 NOVEMBER. RICHMOND. The Richmond Enquirer reports that Charles Ellis has recommenced the drygoods business on his own account.

[1827] 1827? CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA? Perhaps Poe meets Colonel William Drayton and Dr. Edmund Ravenel, a conchologist (Quinn, pp. 129 and 130).

[1827] 1827? RICHMOND. Rosalie Poe composes two poems (Mabbott [1969], 1:521-22).

[1827] 1827. BALTIMORE. Maria Clemm is listed in Matchett's Director, a directory, as the “precepteress of school, Stiles Street, North Side near Foot Bridge.”

[page 85, continued:]

[1828] 25 JANUARY. WASHINGTON. In the rooms of the Senate Committee on Claims Duff Green accuses Edward Vernon Sparhawk, a reporter for the National Intelligencer, of maliciously misquoting the Washington Telegraph's report of a speech by John Randolph and then physically attacks Sparhawk (Telegraph, 1 and 11 February 1828; Ames, p. 161).

[Sparhawk preceded Poe as editor of the Southern Literary Messenger. See 11 JUNE 1835.]

[1828] 17 APRIL. RICHMOND. Rosanna Dixon Galt, wife of William Galt, Jr., dies (NcD-G).

[1828] 1 MAY. FORT MOULTRIE, SOUTH CAROLINA. Poe is appointed an artificer (National Archives).

[1828] 28 JUNE. CHARLOTTESVILLE. Samuel Leitch writes Charles Ellis regarding Poe's debt incurred 4 December 1826: “Please let me know if Mr. Allan [page 86:] [has] done anything with my account again[st] Mr. Poe” (DLC-EA; Quinn, p. 112 n. 26).

[1828] 31 OCTOBER. RICHMOND. The firm of William Galt and William Galt, Jr., quits the drygoods business (Compiler, 31 October).

[1828] 31 OCTOBER. FORT MOULTRIE, SOUTH CAROLINA. Poe's battery is ordered to Fortress Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Virginia (National Archives; W, 1:70).

[1828] 28 NOVEMBER. RICHMOND. The Richmond Enquirer reports that John Allan is chairman of a group of merchants protesting auction sales (Bondurant, pp. 223-24).

[1828] BEFORE 1 DECEMBER. FORT MOULTRIE, SOUTH CAROLINA. Lieut. J. Howard writes a letter which John O. Lay, a Richmond insurance agent, leaves with John Allan for his perusal (Poe to Allan, 1 December 1828).

[1828] BEFORE 1 DECEMBER. RICHMOND. John Allan writes John O. Lay, who in turn writes Lieut. Howard, enclosing Allan's “note” — a note which gives Poe “concern” (Poe to Allan, 1 December 1828).

[1828] 1 DECEMBER. FORT MOULTRIE, SOUTH CAROLINA. Poe writes Allan:

In that note [addressed to Lay] what chiefly gave me concern was hearing of your indisposition .... at no period of my life, have I regarded myself with a deeper satisfaction .... I have been in the American army as long as suits my ends or my inclination, and it is now time that I should leave it ... I made known my circumstances to Lieut. Howard who promised me my discharge solely upon reconciliation with yourself .... He has always been kind to me, and, in many respects, reminds me forcibly of yourself. ... I ... am no longer a boy tossing about on the world without aim or consistency. ... A letter addressed to Lieut: J. Howard assuring him of your reconciliation with myself (which you have never yet refused) & desiring my discharge would be all that is necessary — He is already acquainted with you from report & the high character given of you by Mr Lay .... My dearest love to Ma (L, 1:9-11).

[1828] 3 DECEMBER. CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA. The Charleston Courier reports: “In the offing: The ship Harriet, (of Bath) Johnson, from Baltimore via Norfolk with two companies of U. S. Troops for the garrison in the harbor, anchored below yesterday” (Hoole, p. 79).

[1828] 4 DECEMBER. The Harriet clears a day after her arrival and remains in the harbor one week (Charleston Courier, 5 December; Hoole, p. 79). [page 87:]

[1828] 6 DECEMBER. RICHMOND. Elmira Royster marries Alexander Barret Shelton (Mabbott [1969], 1:65 and 539 n. 5).

[1828] 11 DECEMBER. FORT MOULTRIE, SOUTH CAROLINA. Poe's battery sets sail on the Harriet for Fortress Monroe (Hoole, p. 79).

[1828] 15 DECEMBER. FORTRESS MONROE, OLD POINT COMFORT, VIRGINIA. Poe's battery lands (Hoole, p. 79).

[1828] 20 DECEMBER. Colonel James House issues an order:

Special Order No. 91 — Private E. A. Perry of Company “H,” and Private Joseph Moore of Company “E,” are detailed for duty in the Adjutant's office until further orders. By order of Colonel House — H. W. Griswold, Adj’t. Art’y. (National Archives).

[1828] 22 DECEMBER. Poe writes Allan:

I wrote you shortly before leaving Fort Moultrie ... Perhaps my letter has not reached you & under that supposition I will recapitulate its contents. ... Lieut Howard has given me an introduction to Col: James House of the lrst Arty to whom I was before personally known only as a soldier of his regiment. He spoke kindly to me. told me that he was personally acquainted with my Grandfather Genl Poe, with yourself & family, & reassured me of my immediate discharge upon your consent. ... Richmond & the U. States were too narrow a sphere & the world shall be my theatre (L, 1:11-13).

[1828] 22 DECEMBER. CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA. The Gazette prints a notice from a correspondent: “Norfolk. December 15: The ship Harriet, Johnson, fm Charleston, with two companies U. S. Artillery, anchored off Old Point this afternoon” (Hoole, p. 79).

[1828] BEFORE 23 DECEMBER - 3 FEBRUARY 1829. RICHMOND. John Mackenzie writes Poe at Old Point Comfort (Poe to Allan, 4 February 1829).

[1828] BEFORE 23 DECEMBER - 3 FEBRUARY 1829. FORTRESS MONROE, OLD POINT COMFORT, VIRGINIA. Poe writes his friend John Mackenzie and requests that he solicit Allan's aid in obtaining a West Point appointment for Poe (Poe to Allan, 4 February 1829).

[1828] 1828. BALTIMORE. Frederick William Thomas, a young author, meets Henry Poe.

I was intimate with Poe's brother in Baltimore during the year 1828. He was a slim, feeble young man, with dark inexpressive eyes, and his forehead had nothing [page 88:] like the expansion of his brother's. His manners were fastidious. We visited lady acquaintances together, and he wrote Byron poetry in albums, which had little originality. He recited in private and was proud of his oratorical powers. He often deplored the early death of his mother, but pretended not to know what had become of his father. I was told by a lawyer intimate with the family that his father had deserted his mother in New York. Both his parents had visited Baltimore when he was a child, and they sent money from Boston to pay for his support (Thomas’ “Recollections,” Whitty, p. xxi).

[page 88, continued:]

[1829] 1 JANUARY. FORTRESS MONROE, OLD POINT COMFORT, VIRGINIA. Poe is promoted to the rank of Regimental Sergeant-Major (H. W. Griswold's note, 20 April).

[1829] JANUARY. Dr. Robert Archer, a post surgeon, attends Poe, who is ill in the military hospital (Allen, pp. 186-87).

[1829] JANUARY. BALTIMORE. Henry Poe, who is employed in the countinghouse of Henry Didier, lives with his aunt Maria Clemm in Mechanics Row, Wilks Street. Also living with Maria Clemm are her daughter Virginia and her mother Mrs. David Poe, Sr. (Allen and Mabbott, p. 31; Quinn, p. 188 n.6).

[1829] 4 FEBRUARY FORTRESS MONROE, OLD POINT COMFORT, VIRGINIA. Poe writes John Allan:

... the appointment [to West Point] could easily be obtained either by your personal acquaintance with Mr [William] Wirt — or by the recommendation of General [Winfield] Scott, or even of the officers residing at Fortress Monroe .... You will remember how much I had to suffer upon my return from the University. I never meant to offer a shadow of excuse for the infamous conduct of myself & others at that place.

It was however at the commencement of that year that I got deeply entangled in difficulty which all my after good conduct in the close of the session (to which all there can testify) could not clear away. I had never been from home before for any length of time (L, 1:13-14).

[1829] 28 FEBRUARY. Poe answers roll-call (National Archives; Cameron [1973], p. 172).

[1829] 28 FEBRUARY. RICHMOND. Frances Allan dies (Richmond Whig, 2 March 1829). [page 89:]

[1829] 2 MARCH. Frances Allan is buried at Shockoe Hill Cemetery. The Richmond Whig reports: “Died on Saturday morning last, after a lingering and painful illness, Mrs. Frances K. Allan, consort of Mr. John Allan, aged 47 [44?] years. The friends and acquaintances of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral from the late residence on this day at 12 o’clock.”

[“Poe spoke of the first Mrs. Allan with the tenderest affection — of the second with admiration of her beauty & an avowed feeling that the [second] marriage was one of great discrepancy. Entre nous Mr. Allan was represented to me, by him, as a man of a gross & brutal temperament though indulgent to him & at times profusely lavish in the matter of money — at others, penurious and parsimonious” (Sarah Helen Whitman to John H. Ingram, 27 March 1874; Miller [1979], p. 95).]

[1829] 2 MARCH. Poe, on leave, arrives the night after Frances Allan's burial (Poe to Allan, 3 January 1831).

[1829] 3 MARCH. John Allan is charged with a bill of drygoods sold “p[er] order to E A P,” including three yards of black cloth at twelve dollars a yard, three pairs of black hose at four shillings per pair, and one “London Hat” at ten dollars (DLC-EA; Campbell [1916], pp. 144-45; Stanard, p. 97).

[1829] 4 MARCH. John Allan writes a younger brother of Charles Ellis, Powhatan Ellis, U. S. Senator from Mississippi, in Poe's behalf. He also addresses a note to Charles Ellis: “Please to furnish Edgar A. Poe with a suit of Black Clothes 3 pair Socks or Half Hose — McCreary [McCreery] will make them / — also a pr Suspenders / and Hat — & Knife / pair of Gloves” (DLC-EA).

[1829] 9? MARCH. Poe leaves for Fortress Monroe (Poe to Allan, 10 March 1829).

[1829] 10 MARCH. FORTRESS MONROE, OLD POINT COMFORT, VIRGINIA. Poe writes Allan:

I arrived on the point this morning .... Colonel [James House] has left the point this morning for Washington to congratulate ... President [elect Andrew Jackson] so I have not yet seen him. He will return on Thursday week next. In the mean time I am employing myself in preparing for the tests which will engage my attention at W. Point if I should be so fortunate as to obtain an appointment. I am anxious to retrieve my good name with my friends & especially your good opinion. I think a letter of recommendation from Judge [John S.] Barber [Barbour], Major Gibbon, & Col: Preston forwarded to Washington with a letter to Mr. Patterson requesting that if nothing would prevent I may be regarded as a Bostonian (L, 1:15).

[1829] 30 MARCH. Colonel House writes a letter in Poe's behalf to General E. P Gaines, commanding the Eastern Department, U. S. Army. [page 90:]

[1829] 4 APRIL. NEW YORK. General Gaines grants Colonel House's request. Under Special Order No. 28 “Edgar A. Perry,” on furnishing an acceptable substitute without expense to the Government, is to be discharged on 15 April (National Archives).

[1829] 15 APRIL. FORTRESS MONROE, OLD POINT COMFORT, VIRGINIA. Poe is officially discharged from the U. S. Army (Gaines to House, 4 April 1829).

[1829] 17 APRIL. Sergeant Samuel Graves of Company H re-enlists as a substitute for Sgt.-Major Perry (National Archives; Quinn, p.742).

[1829] 20 APRIL. J. Howard, Lieut. 1st Artillery, writes a letter of recommendation:

H. W. Griswold, Bt. Capt. & Adjt. 1st Arty., adds:

W. J. Worth, Lt. Col. Comd’g Fortress Monroe, writes his recommendation:

[W. J. Worth was probably the commandant of West Point whom the cadets carried on their shoulders during a Fourth of July celebration in 1825 (Oelke, p. 2).]

[1829] AFTER 20 APRIL. RICHMOND. Poe visits the Allan home (Phillips, 1:329-30; Allen, p. 195).

[1829] 6 MAY. Both Andrew Stevenson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Major John Campbell write Major John Henry Eaton, Secretary of War, Washington, D.C., in Poe's behalf.

[1829] 6 MAY. John Allan writes Secretary John H. Eaton:

[1829] AFTER 6 MAY. WASHINGTON. Poe brings testimonials of 20 April to Secretary John H. Eaton.

John S. Barbour interests himself in Poe's behalf (Allan to Poe, 18 May 1829).

[1829] 7 OR 8 MAY. BALTIMORE. Poe reaches Baltimore and perhaps resides with his cousin Mrs. Beacham, in a house then No. 9 (now No. 28), Caroline Street, corner of Bounty Lane (Stovall [1969], p. 28; Mabbott [1969], 1:541).

[1829] AFTER 8 MAY. Poe writes “Alone” in the album of Lucy Holmes, later the wife of Judge Isaiah Balderston (Mabbott [1969], 1:145).

[1829] 11 MAY. William Wirt gives Poe advice:

[1829] 12 MAY. Poe intends to leave for Philadelphia (Wirt to Poe, 11 May 1829).

[1829] AFTER 12 MAY. PHILADELPHIA. Robert Walsh, editor of the American Quarterly Review, points out to Poe “the difficulty of getting a poem published in this country” (Poe to Allan, 29 May 1829).

[1829] 13 MAY. RICHMOND. Colonel James P. Preston, father of Poe's schoolmate John T. L. Preston, writes Secretary Eaton:

[1829] CA. 14 MAY. BALTIMORE. Poe meets William Gwynn, editor of the Federal Gazette and Baltimore Daily Advertiser, to whom he shows “Al Aaraaf.” Gwynn employs Neilson Poe, Poe's second cousin, and perhaps Poe himself (W, 1:73; Woodberry, 1:55 and 368).

[1829] CA. 14 MAY. Poe writes John Allan (Allan to Poe, 18 May 1829).

[1829] 16 MAY. RICHMOND. Allan hands Poe's letter to Colonel James P. Preston (Allan to Poe, 18 May 1829).

[1829] 18 MAY. Allan writes Poe:

[1829] 18 MAY. BALTIMORE. Passages from Poe's “Al Aaraaf’ (“Extract from Al Aaraaf, An Unpublished Poem”), signed Marlow, appear in the advertising columns of William Gwynn's Federal Gazette and Baltimore Daily Advertiser (Rede, pp. 49-54).

[1829] CA. 19 MAY. Poe writes “Elizabeth” and “An Acrostic” in the album of Elizabeth Rebecca Herring (Whitty, pp. xxxiii and 284-85; Campbell [1917], p. 297; Mabbott [1969], 1:147-50).

[1829] 20 MAY. Poe writes Allan that he has received the draft for $100, that he has succeeded in finding his grandmother (Elizabeth Cairnes Poe) and other relations, and that he has introduced himself to William Wirt: “He treated me with great politeness, and invited me to call & see him frequently while I stay in Baltimore — I have called upon him several times. I have been introduced to many gentlemen of high standing in the city, who were formerly acquainted with my grandfather & have altogether been treated very handsomely” (L, 1:16-17).

[1829] BEFORE 27 MAY. PHILADELPHIA. At Heiskell's Indian Queen Hotel, 15 South Fourth Street, Poe writes Isaac Lea of Carey, Lea & Carey, publishers, regarding his manuscript “Al Aaraaf’: “If the poem is published, succeed or not, I am ‘irrecoverably a poet, But to your opinion I leave it, and as I should be proud of the honor of your press, failing in that I will make no other application ... the poem is by a minor & truly written under extraordinary disadvantages” (L, 1:18-19).

[1829] 29 MAY. BALTIMORE. Poe writes Allan:

I have been several times to visit Mr Wirt, who has treated me with great kindness & attention. I sent him, for his opinion, a day or two ago, a poem which I have written since I left home .... if once noticed I can easily cut out a path to reputation ... give me a letter to Mssrs Carey, Lea, & Carey saying that if in publishing the poem “Al Aaraaf’ they shall incur any loss — you will make it good to them .... I have long given up Byron as a model — for which, I think, I deserve some credit (L, 1:20-21).

[1829] AFTER 29 MAY. Poe's distant cousin Edward Mosher robs him of about $46 at Beltzhoover's Hotel (Poe to Allan, 25 June 1829).

[1829] 7 JUNE. NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. William Mackenzie dies.

[A brief account of Mackenzie's sudden death in the Norfolk Beacon, 8 June, was copied by the Richmond Compiler, 10 June. Surviving him were his wife Jane Scott and the following children: John Hamilton, Mary [page 95:] Gallego, William Leslie, Thomas Gilliat, Richard Neil (or Neal), Martha H. Gilliat, and Rosalie Mackenzie Poe (Poe's sister).]

[1829] 8 JUNE. RICHMOND. Allan censures Poe's conduct and refuses him any aid (L, 1:21).

[1829] 10 JUNE. BALTIMORE. Poe writes Allan (Poe to Allan, 25 June 1829).

[1829] BEFORE 25 JUNE. Edward Mosher writes Poe, acknowledging his theft (Poe to Allan, 25 June and 26 July 1829).

[1829] 25 JUNE. Poe writes Allan:

I should by no means publish it [“Al Aaraaf’] without your approbation .... The poem is now in the hands of Carey, Lea & Carey .... I have left untried no efforts to enter at W. Point .... it is only a little [money] that I now want .... A cousin of my own [Edward Mosher] robbed me at Beltzhoover's Hotel while I was asleep in the same room with him of all the money I had with me (about 46$) of which I recovered $10 — by searching his pockets the ensuing night. ... I have been moderate in my expences & $50 of the money which you sent me I applied in paying a debt contracted at Old Point for my substitute, for [which] I gave my note — the money necessary if Lt Howard had not gone on furlough would have been only 12$ as a bounty — but when he & Col: House left I had to scuffle for myself — I paid $25 — & gave my note for $50 — in all 75$ [page 96:] .... I have learnt ... that I am the grandson of General Benedict Arnold (L, 1:21-23).

[1829] 15 JULY. Poe writes Allan: “I am afraid that being up at the Byrd [plantation] you might probably not have received them [my two letters] .... I am incurring unnecessary expense as Grandmother is not in a situation to give me any accommodation .... You would relieve me from a great deal of anxiety by writing me soon — I think I have already had my share of trouble for one so young” (L, 1:23-24).

[1829] 19 JULY. RICHMOND. Allan sends Poe money (Poe to Allan, 26 July 1829).

[1829] 22 JULY. BALTIMORE. Poe receives Allan's letter of 19 July (Poe to Allan, 26 July 1829).

[1829] 23 JULY. WASHINGTON. Poe walks from Baltimore to Washington to see Secretary John H. Eaton (Poe to Allan, 26 July 1829).

[1829] 26 JULY. BALTIMORE. Poe writes Allan:

I received ... the money which you sent me, notwithstanding the taunt with which it was given “that men of genius ought not to apply to your aid” .... As regards the substitute, the reason why I did not tell you that it would cost $75 — was that I could not possibly foresee so improbable an event — The bounty is $12 — & but for the absence of Col: House & Lt Howard at the time of my discharge it would have been all that I should have had to pay — The officer commanding a company can (if he pleases) enlist the first recruit who offers & muster him as a substitute for another, of course paying only the bounty of 12$ but as Lt Howard & Col: House were both absent, this arrangement could not be effected — As I told you it would only cost me $12 I did not wish to make you think me imposing upon you — so upon a substitute, offering for $75 — I gave him $25 & gave him my note of hand for the balance — when you remitted me $100 — thinking I had more than I should want. I thought it my best opportunity of taking up my note — which I did .... As regards the money which was stolen I have sent you the only proof in my possession a letter from Mosher .... On receiving your last letter, I went immediately to Washington, on foot, & have returned the same way, having paid away $40 for my bill & being unwilling to spend the balance when I might avoid it .... I saw Mr Eaton, he addressed me by name, & in reply to my questions told me — ”that of the 47 surplus, on the roll, which I mentioned in my former letters, 19 were rejected [9] dismissed & 8 resigned — consequently there was yet a surplus of 10 before me on the roll .... if the number [of resignations] exceeded 10 I should be sure of the appt without farther application in Sepr if not I would at least be among the first on the next roll for the ensuing year. ... he regretted my useless trip to Washington .... As regards the poem, I have offended only in asking your approbation (L, 1:24-27). [page 97:]

[1829] 28 JULY. Poe writes Carey, Lea & Carey: “Having made a better disposition of my poems than I had any right to expect ... I would thank you to return me the Mss ... Mr Lea, during our short interview, at your store, mentioned ‘the Atlantic Souvenir’ and spoke of my attempting something for that work ... As I am unacquainted with the method of proceeding in offering any piece for acceptance (having been sometime absent from this country) would you, Gentlemen, have the kindness to set me in the right way” (L, 1:27-28).

[1829] 3 AUGUST. PHILADELPHIA. Carey, Lea & Carey write Poe (cited on Poe's 28 July 1829 letter).

[1829] 4 AUGUST. BALTIMORE. Poe writes Allan: “I repeat that I have done nothing to deserve your displeasure .... By your last letter I understood that it was not your wish that I should return home — I am anxious to do so — but if you think that I should not — I only wish to know what course I shall pursue” (L, 1:28-29).

[1829] CA. 7 AUGUST. RICHMOND. Allan writes Poe (Poe to Allan, 10 August 1829).

[1829] 10 AUGUST. BALTIMORE. Poe writes Allan: “I knew that I had done nothing to deserve your anger, I was in a most uncomfortable situation — without one cent of money — in a strange place .... My grandmother is extremely poor & ill (paralytic). My aunt Maria if possible still worse & Henry entirely given up to drink & unable to help himself .... they will no longer enlist men for the residue of anothers’ enlistment as formerly, consequently my substitute was enlisted for 5 years not 3 .... I left behind me in Richmond a small trunk containing books & some letters — will you forward it on to Baltimore to the care of H–W. Bool Jr & if you think I may ask so much perhaps you will put in it for me some few clothes as I am nearly without” (L, 1:29-30).

[H. W. Bool, Jr., was an eccentric auctioneer and second-hand bookdealer, whose business and residence address was 60 Baltimore Street (Jackson [1977], p. 44).]

[1829] 19 AUGUST. RICHMOND. Allan writes Poe, sending him $50 (Stanard, p. 183).

Margaret Ellis writes her husband Charles: “Mr. Allan goes tomorrow to Virginia Springs, he has been sick, complains of being weak and nervous” (Phillips, 1:442).

[1829] AUGUST? BALTIMORE. Poe writes John Neal, perhaps at the suggestion of [page 98:] his cousin George Poe, the brother of Neilson Poe (Yankee; and Boston Literary Gazette, 3 [September 1829]:168; Phillips, 1:339).

[1829] LATE AUGUST OR EARLY SEPTEMBER. PORTLAND, MAINE. In the “To Correspondents” column of the Yankee; and Boston Literary Gazette for September John Neal addresses Poe:

[1829] SEPTEMBER. WASHINGTON. The quota for West Point does not include Poe (Poe to Allan, 10 August and 30 October 1829).

[1829] 22 OCTOBER. BALTIMORE. Henry Poe is perhaps the author of the lines entitled “Life,” written in the album of Miss Mary A. Hand (Mabbott [1969], 1:519).

[1829] CA. 27 OCTOBER. RICHMOND. Allan writes Poe (Poe to Allan, 30 October 1829).

[1829] 30 OCTOBER. BALTIMORE. Poe writes Allan:

[1829] OCTOBER-NOVEMBER. Poe writes John Neal about Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems: “I am young —— not yet twenty —— am a poet —— if deep worship of all beauty can make me one ... I am about to publish a volume of ‘Poems’ —— the greater part written before I was fifteen” (Yankee, VI, December 1829, 295; L, 1:32-33).

[1829] OCTOBER-NOVEMBER. Perhaps Poe writes Nathaniel Parker Willis, submitting “Heaven” (later “Fairyland”) for publication in the American Monthly.

[1829] LATE OCTOBER OR EARLY NOVEMBER. PORTLAND, MAINE. A notice appears in John Neal's Yankee for November:

[1829] EARLY NOVEMBER. BOSTON. In his “The Editor's Table” of the American Monthly for November Nathaniel Parker Willis rejects Poe's “Fairyland” and confines the manuscript to the flames:

[1829] 7 NOVEMBER. BALTIMORE. The Baltimore Gazette notices a performance of Timour the Tartar (Campbell [1917], p. 148. See 12 JULY 1822).

[1829] 12 NOVEMBER. Poe writes Allan: “I wrote you about a fortnight ago and as I have not heard from you, I was afraid you had forgotten me .... I am almost without clothes — and, as I board by the month, the lady with whom I board is anxious for hey [her] money” (L, 1:33-34). [page 100:]

[1829] CA. 15 NOVEMBER. RICHMOND. Allan sends Poe $80 and states that his health has improved after a visit to the Virginia springs (Poe to Allan, 18 November 1829).

[1829] 18 NOVEMBER. BALTIMORE. Poe writes Allan, thanking him for a check for $80 and asking him to obtain from the Galt store a piece of linen so that his Aunt Maria can make it up for him “gratis.” He adds: “The Poems will be printed by Hatch & Dunning of this city upon terms advantageous to me they printing it & giving me 250 copies of the book: —— I will send it on by Mr Dunning who is going immediately to Richmond — I am glad to hear that your trip to the springs was of service in recruiting your health & spirits” (L, 1:34).

[1829] LATE NOVEMBER OR EARLY DECEMBER. PORTLAND, MAINE. In “Unpublished Poetry” in the Yankee for December John Neal gives Poe advice:

[1829] 10 DECEMBER. BALTIMORE. Perhaps Poe acts as Maria Clemm's agent in the assignment of a slave named Edwin to Henry Ridgway for a term of nine years (Jackson [1977], p. 44).

BEFORE 29 DECEMBER. Hatch & Dunning publish Poe's poems.

[AL AARAAF, / TAMERLANE, / AND / MINOR POEMS. / (rule) / BY EDGAR A. POE. / (rule) / BALTIMORE: / HATCH & DUNNING. / (rule) / 1829. Printed by Matchett & Woods. 71 pp.

Contents: no title (“Science! meet daughter of old Time thou art”); “Al Aaraaf’; “Tamerlane”; and “Miscellaneous Poems”: “Preface” (“Romance who loves to nod and sing”), “To — —” (“Should my early life seem”), [page 101:] “To — —” (“I saw thee on thy bridal day”), “To — —” (“The bowers whereat, in dreams, I see”), “To the River —,” “The Lake — To —,” “Spirits of the Dead,” “A Dream,” “To M—” (“Oh! I care not that my earthly lot”), “Fairyland.”

Perhaps 250 copies printed. A facsimile edition with a bibliographical note by Thomas Ollive Mabbott was published for the Facsimile Text Society by the Columbia University Press, New York, in 1933.]

[1829] 29 DECEMBER. Poe writes John Neal, forwarding a copy of Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems: “You will see that I have made the alterations you suggest ‘ventur’d out’ in place of peer-ed ... and other corrections of the same kind ... I wait anxiously for your notice of the book” (L, 1:35-36).

[Before publication Poe had revised “Al Aaraaf” (line 33, Part 1I), following a suggestion Neal made in a footnote to the excerpts in the Yankee for December. The presentation copy he sent Neal contained holograph alterations to “Tamerlane” and “To — —” (“I saw thee on thy bridal day”); see Mabbott (1969), 1:25-26, 65-66, 577.]

[1829] AFTER 29 DECEMBER? An unknown critic, possibly William Gwynn or Lambert A. Wilmer, favorably reviews Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems in a Baltimore newspaper (Church, pp. 4-7).

[1829] AFTER 29 DECEMBER? Poe gives a copy of Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems to Elizabeth Rebecca Herring, inscribed “For my cousin Elizabeth” (presentation copy in NN-B; Wakeman, item 936; Mabbott [1942], pp. xxiii-xxv).

[1829] 1829? Poe transcribes three stanzas by his brother Henry in the album of Lucy Holmes, later Mrs. Balderston. Henry writes several verses in an album belonging to Rosa Durham (Mabbott [1969], 1:518-19).

[1829] 1829? Henry Poe's poems “To —” and “To Minnie” appear in the Baltimore Minerva and Emerald, a literary weekly edited by John Hill Hewitt (Gill, pp. 43-45).

[1829] 1829. BOSTON. Poe's Tamerlane and Other Poems (1827) is listed in Samuel Kettell's “Catalogue of American Poetry,” included in his three-volume anthology Specimens of American Poetry.

[1829] 1829. NEW YORK. Lucretia Maria Davidson's Amir Khan contains a reference to “Israfil,” a probable source for Poe's 1831 poem “Israfel” (Mabbott [1969], 1:173).

[page 103:]

[1830] JANUARY? BALTIMORE. “S. S.” (John Hill Hewitt) in the Baltimore Minerva and Emerald reviews unfavorably Poe's Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor poems: “The dead alive! Has the poet been struck with numb palsy? We believe not; for then it might only be said, that the poor fellow had but ‘one foot in the grave,’ where, as it appears by the above, that he has gone the whole ————, and fairly kicked the bucket, still possessing the full enjoyment of his faculties. We have done with the book; what more is to be done remains with the public” (Hewitt [1949], pp. 22-24).

[1830] JANUARY? PORTLAND, MAINE? John Neal reviews Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems in an unidentified periodical: “If the young author now before us should fulfil his destiny .... he will be foremost in the rank of real poets” (quoted in the Philadelphia Saturday Museum, 4 March 1843).

[1830] JANUARY. BOSTON. Sarah Josepha Hale publishes a review (not hers) of Poe's Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems in her American Ladies’ Magazine and Literary Gazette: “It is very difficult to speak of these poems as they deserve. A part are exceedingly boyish, feeble, and altogether deficient in the common characteristics of poetry; but then we have parts, and parts too of considerable length, which remind us of no less a poet than Shelley. The author who appears to be very young, is evidently a fine genius, but he wants judgment, experience, tact.”

[1830] EARLY JANUARY? BALTIMORE. Perhaps Poe writes Sarah Josepha Hale (L, 1:106).

Perhaps Poe accepts John Lofland's challenge to see who can write more verses in a given time and loses (Phillips, 1:457-58, 461; Mabbott [1969], 1:501-502).

Poe makes his earliest appearance in a satire in lines from The Musiad or Ninead, by Diabolus, edited by ME: “Next Poe who smil’d at reason, laugh’d at law, / And played a tune who should have play’d at taw ... ” (Stovall [1969], pp. 64-101; Mabbott [1969], 1:505, 541; VIU-I).

[That Poe was the author of this poem of eight pages is unlikely (Mabbott [1969], 1:541 n. 9).]

[1830] BEFORE 8 JANUARY. RICHMOND. Poe returns to Richmond and meets Thomas Bolling, a former classmate.

[1830] 8 JANUARY. Allan purchases a pair of gloves at $1.38 for Poe (DLC-EA; Campbell [1916], p. 145; Quinn, p. 166 n. 1).

[1830] 19, 21, AND 23 JANUARY. The Richmond bookseller R. D. Sanxay runs an advertisement in the Compiler:

[The Richmond Whig printed a similar advertisement on 19 January, according to Phillips, 1:358-59. These advertisements were probably supplied by Poe himself. See LATE NOVEMBER OR EARLY DECEMBER 1829.]

[1830] 26 JANUARY. BALTIMORE. Neilson Poe writes his cousin Josephine Emily Clemm, later his wife: “Edgar Poe has published a volume of Poems one of which [‘Tamerlane’] is dedicated to John Neal the great autocrat of critics — Neal has accordingly published Edgar as a Poet of great genius etc. — Our name will be a great one yet” (Quinn, p. 165).

[1830] 30 JANUARY. RICHMOND. John Allan purchases for Poe “1/2 doz. Ret. L. Wool Hose. 4.50” (DLC-EA; Quinn, p. 166 n. 1).

[1830] 2 FEBRUARY. William Galt, Jr., marries Mary Bell Taylor, daughter of Thomas Taylor and Lucy Harrison Singleton Taylor (NcD-G).

[1830] 13 MARCH. WASHINGTON. Senator Powhatan Ellis of Mississippi writes Secretary of War John H. Eaton a letter in Poe's behalf: “I have recd. a letter from a young gentleman in Richmond by the name of Edgar A. Poe [page 105:] stating that he was an applicant for a situation in the Military Academy at West Point. He requested me to ask you, if there was any probability of his receiving a warrant to enter that institution. I am not personally acquainted with Mr. Poe — but from information I would say his capacity & learning eminently qualify him to make in a few years a distinguished officer” (National Archives; Cameron [1973], p. 168).

[1830] 31 MARCH. RICHMOND. Allan writes Secretary John H. Eaton: “As the Guardian of Edgar Allan Poe I hereby signify my assent to his signing articles by which he shall bind himself, to serve the United States for five years, unless sooner discharged, as Stipulated in your Official Letter appointing him a Cadet” (National Archives; Cameron [1973], p. 170).

[1830] BEFORE MAY. FORTRESS MONROE, OLD POINT COMFORT, VIRGINIA. Sergeant Samuel (“Bully”) Graves writes Poe regarding Poe's debts to him and to Sergeant Griffith (Poe to Graves, 3 May 1830).

[1830] CA. 1 MAY. Sergeant Graves writes Poe again (Poe to Graves, 3 May 1830).

[Poe apparently had paid the $75 bounty due Graves for re-enlisting as his Army substitute on 17 April 1829 (see Poe to Allan, 25 June 1829). Graves may have been referring to other debts.]

[1830] 3 MAY. RICHMOND. Poe writes Sergeant Graves:

[1830] 13? MAY. Allan buys “4 blankets, [$]5.34. 7[?] Hckfs. 4.63” for Poe (DLC-EA; Quinn, p. 166 n. 1. Campbell [1916], p. 145, has 12 May).

[1830] BEFORE 21 MAY. Poe leaves Richmond for West Point (Stanard, p. 231; Stovall [1969], pp. 43-44).

[1830] 21 MAY. RICHMOND. Allan writes Poe and encloses $20 (Poe to Allan, 28 June 1830). [page 106:]

[1830] AFTER 21 MAY. BALTIMORE. Poe stops in Baltimore and promises Nathan Covington Brooks a poem for his forthcoming annual (Woodberry, 1:67).

[1830] CA. 20 JUNE. WEST POINT. Poe reaches the Military Academy (L, 1:38).

[1830] 25 JUNE. Poe receives John Allan's letter dated 21 May and forwarded by Henry Poe from Baltimore (Poe to Allan, 28 June 1830).

[1830] 28 JUNE. Poe writes Allan:

[1830] JULY. PHILADELPHIA. Godey's Lady's Book commences publication.

[1830] 1 JULY. WEST POINT. Poe's name appears for the first time on the muster rolls of cadets. His age is recorded as nineteen years and five months (Cadet Alphabetic Cards, USMA).

[1830] CA. 1 JULY RICHMOND. Twins are born to Mrs. Elizabeth Wills and John Allan, who is courting Louisa Gabriella Patterson, of Elizabethtown, New Jersey. “ ... it was when on a visit to her aunt Mrs. John Mayo that she [Louisa Patterson] first met Mr. Allan” (W 1:78; see 15 MARCH 1833).

[1830] JULY AND AUGUST. WEST POINT. Poe takes part in the encampment at Camp Eaton (Poe to Allan, 28 June 1830).

[1830] 25 AUGUST. Cadet Jacob Whitman Bailey from Rhode Island writes his brother William and describes the masquerade ball at the end of Poe's summer camp (Oelke, p. 2).

[1830] 30 AUGUST. The cadets move from camp to barracks (Oelke, p. 2). Poe rooms with Thomas W. Gibson (Indiana), Timothy Pickering Jones (Tennessee), [page 107:] and perhaps John Eaton Henderson (Tennessee), Room 28 South Barracks.

[1830] 31 AUGUST. The cadets receive their assignments (Oelke, p. 2).

[1830] 1 SEPTEMBER. Classes begin at West Point. Poe takes two courses, French and mathematics (Oelke, p. 2).

[1830] 11 SEPTEMBER. PHILADELPHIA. Poe's “Sonnet — To Science” appears in the Saturday Evening Post.

[1830] EARLY OCTOBER. Poe's “Sonnet — To Science” appears in the Casket for October.

[1830] 5 OCTOBER. NEW YORK. John Allan marries Louisa Patterson (W, 1:78; transcript from Allan Family Bible, ViRVal).

[1830] 6 NOVEMBER. WEST POINT. Poe writes Allan:

[Allan B. Magruder, a classmate from Virginia who left the Academy in 1831, later recalled:

Timothy P. Jones recalled:

Thomas W. Gibson recorded:

Russell (p. 13 n. 23) points out that Gibson was “sixteen and a half years old when finally dismissed in 1832 after his second court-martial having been convicted of setting fire to a building near the barracks.”]

[1830] 15 NOVEMBER. Before a general court-martial Timothy P. Jones is found guilty for gross neglect of his academic and military duties (Allan, p. 451).

[1830] 27 NOVEMBER. RICHMOND. The Richmond Whig reports that John Allan has been elected Secretary of the Amicable Society Club (Allen, p. 684).

[“The AMICABLE SOCIETY was instituted in 1788, with the benevolent object of relieving strangers and wayfarers, in distress, for whom the law makes no provision” (Mordecai, p. 255). Its membership included Michael B. Poitiaux, Robert Greenhow, William Lambert, William Galt, Jr., Robert Gwathmey, T. Gwathmey, and W. Munford (Mordecai, pp. 257-58).]

[1830] 27-28 DECEMBER. Allan writes Poe (Poe to Allan, 3 January 1831).

[1830] 31 DECEMBER. WEST POINT. Timothy P. Jones, one of Poe's roommates, is dismissed from the Academy (Allan, p. 451).