local
Revolutionary War diary and artifacts offer rare glimpse into America's founding
By Charles Benson at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 1, 2026
· 4 min read
A diary written by a young Connecticut soldier 250 years ago offers a rare, firsthand account of what it was like to fight in the American Revolution and to learn, days late, that a new nation had just been born.The diary belongs to Joab Daggett, a soldier stationed in the New York City area in ...
Key takeaway "He wanted to record his experience of 1776," Landis said.
Why this matters in The Waco
The story of Joab Daggett's diary and its preservation at the Wisconsin Historical Society offers a unique connection to Waco 's own historical narrative. As a community with a strong sense of patriotism and appreciation for American history, Waco residents can appreciate the significance of Daggett's firsthand account of the American Revolution. The diary's contents, including the delayed news of independence, serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers like Daggett and Abel Crandall, who also served in New York in 1776. The presence of Crandall's powder horn in the archives alongside Daggett's diary underscores the importance of preserving historical artifacts. For Waco, this story highlights the value of local historical societies and museums in collecting and showcasing artifacts that tell the story of America's founding, and the need to support these institutions in their efforts to share our nation's history with the community.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A diary written by a young Connecticut soldier 250 years ago offers a rare, firsthand account of what it was like to fight in the American Revolution and to learn, days late, that a new nation had just been born.The diary belongs to Joab Daggett, a soldier stationed in the New York City area in ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Charles Benson at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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