Matthew Patten seems to be a pretty extraordinary, yet ordinary person. By trade, he was a judge and Justice of the Peace. He tries his hand at all sorts of skills and documents them day by day. Through his diary, we gain insight into his purchases and bartering, traveling arrangements, and how he communicated and shared with his neighbors. If you are interested in learning more about the inner workings of citizens living in a community during the 18th century, this book is a must have!