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In 1998 at a sale in the Norfolk village of Santon Downham UK, I found a small brown leather notebook in a box of old books. It looked intriguing and so I bought it for just a few pence. Inside I discovered a unique diary written in copperplate script and inscribed on the flyleaf with this name and address THOMAS SHAKESPEAR. 163 Iotabella Santiago. Rancagua. Diciembra 27 del 98
The diary records the daily life of an English railway engineer in Chile between 1899 and 1902 when it ends abruptly. Notes written in another hand suggest that he died suddenly, a fact borne out by recently found burial records.
Thomas worked on the Santiago to Puerto Montt railroad as manager of RANCAGUA station just down the line from Santiago, on a section of railroad originally inaugurated in 1859. He records details of track and train maintenance and the management of his workmen.
In this fertile region of Chile he ran a smallholding, growing produce to feed his family and for sale; he keeps notes of his crops and animal husbandry.
He lived at Rancagua with his wife, Kate and their daughters Georgina and Rosa. There are references to his brothers Richard and John (in the USA), and to the death of his sister Maria in England.
Where did he come from? What happened to his family? What caused his death?
I would be delighted to hear from anyone, especially in Chile, who could contribute information. I have already received interesting correspondence from contacts reached through an earlier version of this website.
In reading the diary, don't expect great events - this really is the small stuff of everyday life. The record of what was probably Thomas Shakespear's last three years on the line will mainly interest followers of railway history. As a simple record of a hard-working man at the turn of the 19th century this document has social value and the power to engage affection and curiosity.
Anna Scott.
