These diaries, written by Isaac Goodnow, describe his daily life and his community activities. He settled near Manhattan, Kansas Territory, and was involved in promoting the town and in establishing and promoting Bluemont College, which was the predecessor to Kansas State University. Although many of the entries are somewhat mundane, dealing with weather, illness, neighbors, etc., others describe activities in Kansas aimed at making it a free state, as well as the land speculation involved with both towns and farm land.