Abraham Tomlinson

Abraham Tomlinson is known for publishing The Military Journals of Two Private Soldiers, 1758–1775, a book issued in Poughkeepsie in 1855. In its opening pages, he explains that he had spent several years helping establish a museum in Poughkeepsie and that, through travel, research, and local support, he had gathered historical materials there.

Among those materials were two manuscript journals written by common soldiers during separate campaigns. Tomlinson chose to present faithful copies of those diaries, hoping readers would see the day-to-day life of ordinary soldiers rather than only the grand outlines of war. He also enlisted historian Benson J. Lossing to add explanatory notes that would help place the journals in context.

Little confirmed biographical information about Tomlinson appears to survive beyond his connection to the Poughkeepsie museum and this publication. What does come through clearly is his interest in rescuing firsthand historical voices and making them readable for a wider public.