13. October 31st, 1855 Entry in Henry David Thoreau’s Surveying Field Notes

Henry David Thoreau took up land and property surveying in the 1840s, and worked for both private property owners as well as the town. The Concord Free Public Library holds nearly two hundred of his surveys, as well as related field notes and papers. This entry from Thoreau's field notes was made on October 31st, 1855, and records his work for Concord attorney George Brooks. Brooks represented A.C. Collier in a suit against neighboring business owner Cyrus Pierce. Documentation suggests that Thoreau's surveys on these properties were commissioned for the court case, which went to trial in October 1856.