The diary of Ruel P. Bascom, kept from January 1, 1828 to December 31, 1834, describes the life of Ruel Bascom. Bascom worked agricultural odd jobs, received contract teaching positions, and assisted with various religious projects. Having lived in both Ogden, New York and Durham, New York, Boscom's diary also reflects on the impact that the Erie Canal had on him and his family.

Ruel P. Bascom was born to Zeri Levi Bascom and Mabel Murray on November 2, 1796 in Orwell, Vermont. He later lived in Ogden, Monroe County, New York, and eventually moved to Durham, Greene County, New York. He married Electa Post (born c. 1800) on October 14, 1821, and together they had four children. Electa died at an early age in 1830. Bascom worked in a variety of jobs including agricultural odd jobs, contract teaching work, and religious projects. Bascom died July 5, 1873.

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The diary of Ruel P. Bascom, kept from January 1, 1828 to December 31, 1834 describes the life of Ruel Bascom. Bascom worked agricultural odd jobs including: planting wheat, building fences, making cider, and chopping wood. He also received contract teaching positions, and assisted with various religious projects such as "canvassing for the Greeks," attending a church conference in Rochester and, while there, assisted in making arrangements for a new paper, and buying large numbers of Sunday School books. He also tracks his schoolwork (number of scholars, where they board, etc.), notes contacts with medical doctors, records Sabbath observances, and occasionally mentions his reading. Having lived in both Ogden, New York and Durham, New York, Boscom's diary also reflects on the impact that the Erie Canal had on him and his family.