ALTON ROSS HODGKINS

1904 Diary of a Bright New England Teen Who Would Become a Foreign Relations Advisor for the Us Government and Economics Professor at Top American Universities

Maine, New England, Usa, 1904. Softcover. On offer is a diary of a seemingly average teenage boy living on a farm who would grow up to become an academic and have an important impact on the United States of America. The author of the diary is Alton Ross Hodgkins (1890-1952) a 14-year-old boy who would go on to become Dr. Hodgkins, a foreign relations correspondent for the US State Department and an Economics professor at many renowned academic institutions [SEE FULL BIO NOTES AT END OF LISTING]. Hodgkin’s diary is full of the details of a young teenager who is intent on keeping a detailed record of his daily life. At the time he kept this diary, Alton was living in Damariscotta Mills, Maine. His father was a farmer. It is clear from Alton’s diary that he equally valued contributing to the family farming work and his academics. Some excerpts give the flavour of the diary: “It has snowed all day. It was tough coming home from school tonight. We had to take some exams today. Got A in Latin and B in Algebra. We had Uncle Charlies team today” [Jan 22]. “My Birthday. Got up a little after seven. Pa carried uncle John to the train this morning. I went down to Ermalines after milk this forenoon. Been reading about all of the afternoon. Marm gave me a couple of books. Been reading them” [Mar 19]. “Pa and I have been hoeing, planting, etc. All the day. Sunie went up to Nettie’s this evening and is going to stay all night. I went down to Sizzies after milk tonight” [June 4]. “Pa and I mowed McCurda’s swamp this forenoon and branched it this afternoon. I read some today. Ella cooked, washed the floor, dusted and so forth all day” [Aug 27]. “Christine, Sandford, Roy and I went in Tad’s wagon with his horse today. Norman got hit on the head with an iron ball today. I was down to the store this eve. Pa went over the pond this afternoon” [Sept 20]. “Got up, did the chores, ate breakfast and went to school. We didn’t come down to dinner. Went over street this evening, came back and went to sociable at the Congo. Roy was up to David’s. Have been studying” [Dec 6]. “Got up, ate breakfast and went to school. Took exams in German, Latin and arithmetic today. Got Algebra paper, A. We walked home tonight. Been doing nothing this even. Mamma is over to Lill’s” [Dec 23]. “I will make more money than before, and that I will keep an account of my spendings, earnings, etc. Also, that I will pay more attention to my studies and be more orderly and respectful to my instructors. And that I will try to be more attentive to my work at home” [1904 New Year’s Resolutions tucked into diary’s back pocket]. For a social historian, this diary paints a very clear picture of day-to-day life in rural New England at the turn of the 20th century, as seen through the eyes of a young teenager. It is fascinating to find clues as to this boy’s future success. His surprisingly tidy handwriting, dedication to recording details and ongoing comments about his academics make up some of the pieces of the puzzle. BIO NOTES: Dr. Alton Ross Hodgkins was born in Newcastle, Maine to parents Daniel and Alice (Bartlett) Hodgkins. Alton graduated from Bates College in Maine, received his Master’s degree from Washington University and a PhD from John Hopkins. Dr. Hodgkins worked as a special adviser to the Minister of Guatemala, served three years as a foreign relations correspondent for the US State Department and completed a Carnegie Research project on the living conditions in Haiti. Dr. Hodgkins taught economics at the State Normal School in PA, University of Maryland, National University in Washington, Randolph-Macon Women’s College in Virginia, Tulane University, Newcomb College and ended his career at Centre College in Kentucky. Dr. Hodgkins was married twice. He married June Atkinson in 1914 while living in Washington, DC. They were married for 27 years before divorcing in 1941 and had no children. Later in 1941, Hodgkins married Blanche Couessin in while living in Virginia. He died of cardiac causes unexpectedly at the age of 61. Measuring 6 inches by 3 inches, this diary contains 122 pages plus memoranda. The diary is 100% complete and the memo pages at the end are about 10% complete. The leatherette cover is in fair to poor condition with a large stain on the back cover. The spine is damaged and the rear cover is partially separated. The enclosure strap is quite worn. The pages are in good condition and the handwriting is quite legible. Overall Fair. ; Manuscripts; 16mo 6" - 7" tall; 122 pages; Signed by Author. Fair in Fair dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012225

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Johns Angst

AMASA MAYNARD HOLCOMBE

1906 Manuscript Diary of a Cool Mit Grad, Transportation Enthusiast, and Future Lawyer Working and Living It Up in New England

Hartford Connecticut CT: MIT Graduate, Patent Lawyer, Hartford, Washington, N.D.. Hardcover. On offer is the well-kept 1906 diary of bright 23-year-old Amasa Maynard Holcombe (1882-1971) , who is coming of age as he works, socializes and dates in the interval between his graduation from MIT (class of 1904) and his return to law school. In the years after this diary was written, he would attend George Washington University’s law school (class of 1910) , become a patent lawyer, serve as a Major in the US Army in WWI, marry and remarry repeatedly, and become a pillar of the community as a member of many respected organizations. At this diary’s writing, Holcombe was working as the assistant to the treasurer at Pope Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Connecticut. He was also dating (by the end of the year he’s getting serious about Miss Ella Knapp) , working on his motorcycle, attending auto club meetings, and socializing up a storm. When he does comment on his work, it is clear to see that he is sharp as a pin and focused on his future success. SEE FULL BIO NOTES AT THE END OF THE LISTING. Some excerpts from this excellent diary follow. Amasa M. Holcombe is such a solid diarist that these excerpts only scratch the surface of his year. Typical of a gentleman in his early 20s, Holcombe writes much more about his social encounters than his work life, but the diary as a whole provides many insights into his career and the broad New England landscape. “Cold, Fine. Office routine. Saw Mr. Jenkins about patent application Rec’d letter from Geo. Fayban. Went to Waterbury to costume party in Friendly League Hall. Made up as Bro. Jonathan. Put up at the “Connecticut”. Rec’d celluloid scale from Clarence E. Whitney” [Jan 25]. “Office routine. Sent mother $15.00. Put $20.00 in the bank. Bought tie, socks, etc. Took Miss Woods to the bowling club at Y. M. C. A. 136-103. She invited me to play bridge some evening” [Feb 23]. "Office routine. Ground new exhaust valve into motor. Ordered new summer suit at Gemmel Burnhams. Called at Mr. Jenkins office with two applications. Met Stevens on the street. Went over to Ella Knapps and had a little food. Had lunch downtown. Bought pair of tan low shoes. Rec’s whist invitation from Hattie Legett. Accepted" [May 3]. “Cold. Cloudy. Office till 9: 30. Went to the Hartford Club to a meeting of the Mechanical Branch of the A. L. A. M. Subject - tires. Lunched there. Visited the Hartford Rubber Works, and Henry Souther’s laboratory with the crowd. Had my first ride in a Pope-Hartford Mod. 7. Went over to Ella Knapp’s. Sent Elsie five dollars” [June 8]. “Showers in PM. Went to Svelle’s camp on motorcycle, arriving at 12: 20. Left Htfd 10: 05. Had dinner and played 3rd base in game against the “Albers”. They won 8-7. Hard and fast game. Made two runs. Went swimming with the boys. Went canoeing with Marie. Teresa, Clara and Miss Baker were out, also Dan. Sprinkled a little. Hot night” [July 22]. “Office routine. Took out commission as Notary Public. The Toledo racing care came up for repairs. Looked it over. Pretty well smashed up. Mr. Russell called to talk insurance. Rec’d letter from BG Wilson. Went over to Ella Knapp’s. Took a walk. Wrote postals” [Sept 25]. Holcombe’s diary provides a detailed, precise description of what it was to be motorcycle-riding, popular and successful white man in 1906 America. This diary is an absolute treat for social scientists and New England collectors. His diary is simply replete with names and places which makes it a goldmine for genealogical researchers. BIO NOTES: Amasa Maynard Holcombe (1882- was born in Winchester, Massachusetts to Frank Gibbons and Inez Norman Maynard. He completed a BSc at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (class of 1904). Immediately after graduation he worked in machine design at Farrell Foundry & Machine Co in Waterbury, Connecticut and as assistant to the treasurer at Pope Manufacturing. Holcombe returned to school in 1908, attending George Washington University to earn his law degree (class of 1910). While in school in Washington he worked as an assistant examiner at the US Patent Office. Holcombe was called to the DC bar in 1910 and the Missouri bar in 1913. He became a respected patent lawyer, working with many prestigious firms around the US, and becoming partner. Later in his career, Holcombe worked as the Director of Kistner, Lock & Appliance Co and as Special Assistant to the Attorney General (1920-1924) , and as a consultant in the Department of Justice (1946-1950). His personal life was almost as interesting as his career. In 1909, Amasa married Eleanor Pearl Marshall (1885-1932). Together, they had two children, Priscilla and Marshall. After Eleanor’s untimely passing, Amasa remarried Violet Strong Gillett in 1934. They divorced in 1946, and Holcombe married his third wife, Martha Ellcott Ramey in 1952. Holcombe was known to have been a member of the following clubs, societies and associations: American Bar Association, American Patent Law Association, Patent Institute of Canada, Association International Protection Industrial Property (American section) , American Society Military Engineers, Washington Society Engineers, American Ordnance Association, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Washington Board Trade, Sons of the American Revolution Clubs: Rotary, University (Washington). Measuring 4.75 inches by 3.0 inches, the diary contains 365 pages plus memoranda. It is 100% complete. The diary is in good condition. The covers are intact with little evidence of wear. The spine and binding are in good condition as are the pages. The handwriting is exceedingly neat and legible. Overall Good+.; Manuscripts; 32mo 4" - 5" tall; 365 pages; Signed by Author. Good+ with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0011067

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Cars

CHARLES G. JACKSON

1909-1920 Archive of Diaries Following a Hardworking Aging Erin, New York Farmer Painting a Fulsome Picture of Farm Life and the Farming Community

Erin, New York: Farming Life in Rural New York, Retiring Farmer. Softcover. On offer is an archive of three diaries covering the years 1909, 1910 and 1920, that very clearly describe life of an aging farmer in rural New York at the turn of the 20th century. The author of these diaries is Charles G. Jackson (1859-1943). Jackson was born in 1859 in Schuyler County, New York, and farmed near the village of Erin, New York, in the ‘Southern Tier’ region of the state. He passed away inCorning, New York. He was married to Hattie (Harriet) who predeceased him in 1928 at the age of 70 years. They had one child, a son named John Raymond who is often referred to in the diaries as ‘R’. Jackson is 50 years old when he writes the first of these three diaries and 61 when he writes the final diary. His entries are succinct, showing him to be a factual and ‘to the point’ person, yet they paint a clear picture of life on a farm at that time. It was a life of hard, physical labour. Some excerpts give the flavour of this collection: “Nice day. Hat went to Elmira on train. I sorted apples this p. M. ” [Jan 20, 1909]. “Fine day filled ice house only about 5 in of ice done a good job had plenty of help” [Mar 8, 1909]. “I finished drilling side hill about 3: 30 [ ] dry & dusty a hard job” [July 9, 1909]. “Cut B wheat all day. Binder does not tie good had O Elstum come down at nite to fix it” [Sept 17, 1909]. “Finished plowing for corn the am PM I helped shingle a while then raked up some stone fine weather has been a warm month” [Nov 30, 1909]. “Finished plowing hill at 4 pm began to plow garden ground is very dry tho had no rain this spring” [Apr 1, 1910]. “J Jacobson helped me draw hay put about 6 loads in stack 1 load in barn this day hot” [July 15, 1910]. “I plowed all day. Cold wind and snow squalls in PM. I wore my big Ulster and leggings to plow in” [Nov 3, 1910]. Ten years later, at the age of 61, he still has a hard, physically demanding life. Excerpts follow: “Snows some and blows a little. A little warmer. Took 1ó hours to shovel out creek for water” [Feb 28, 1920]. “Fine day. Thrashed 135 bu B wheat 8 ac (acres) 140 bu oats 5 ac 40 bu wheat 5 ac 35 bu barley 1 ac” [Oct 19, 1920]. For a historian or researcher, this is an excellent collection of diaries. Succinct though the entries can be, taken as a whole, they vividly portray in detail life on a family farm in rural New York a century ago. Jackson makes many references to neighbours and this makes these diaries valuable to a genealogist as this is a stable population in this part of the state with long roots in the area. Altogether, this is a fine collection. All three diaries (1909, 1910, 1920) measure 5x3 inches and contain 183 pages. All are 100% complete. The cover, binding and pages are all in good condition. Handwriting is legible and our author wrote in pencil. Overall G. ; Manuscripts; 24mo 5" - 6" tall; 549 pages; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0011132

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

WILLIAM NEWTON KEESY

1928-1929 Manuscript Diaries of a Willard, Ohio Farmer Who Becomes a Widow But Must Continues to Thrive While Enduring Further Tragedy

Willard, Ohio. Softcover. On offer are two diaries covering two years in the life of a farmer in Willard, Ohio named William Newton Keesy (1867-1942). William married Carrie Niekirk (1867-1928) in 1892, and they had two children, Parke and Wilma. He farmed near the small Ohio town of Willard. He also served as commissioner in Huron. Following the death of his wife, William moved in with his daughter Wilma and her family. Sadly the 1940 census, completed two years before his death, shows him living in a boarding house. When he kept these diaries at age 61-62, William Kessy lived an ordinary life, looking after his wife who was very ill, and would die before the end of 1928, and participating regularly in community organizations. Again, from context, it appears that, in addition to farming, he worked servicing pumps at gas stations and service weigh scales. His entries are succinct and convey a sense of the rhythm of life in small-town Ohio at that time. The following excerpts will give a flavour of these two diaries. The diaries also contain a fair amount of ephemera such as medical bills, invoices, etc. “R and cloudy. I went to Willard and tested Standard Oil Co Bulk and Service Station” [Feb 15, 1928]. “I made a thing to put coal oil barrel on and in P. M. Went over to see Herbert he is sick has been since Monday. Wilma came and her and Carrie went to W. M. A. At Dawson. I went down to in eve a little while” [Apr 6, 1928]. “Hung screen door and painted in A. M. In P. M. Hoed potatoes. All kids were here in eve had ice cream. We set out tomato and cabbage plants. I went down to Clarks and got them” [July 4, 1928]. By late summer, Carrie was beginning to have health problems and there are a number of references to doctor appointments, a receipt from the Cleveland Clinic and a detailed list that William kept of Carrie’s medical bills at the back of the diary.. Through the autumn, Carrie’s health continued to fail, but life continued for William and his adult children. Some excerpts: “I went to Willard then to cemetery and over to Charley’s then home, then got a message from Mabel and went to Willard, and in eve to Willard to a Republican meeting. Frances Riddle went with me. Carrie and Mary went over to Wilma’s for dinner” [Oct 8, 1928]. “Got things ready to go to Columbus in the morning to Sealer Convention. In PM I went to Delphi and Willard. Eva came out first before dinner and is going to stay until I get home from Columbus” [Dec 3, 1928]. “At home all day. Carrie has been bad. Doctor was out in eve. Bob and Wilma was out in eve” [Dec 12, 1928]. “Fair. Carried died this evening at 7 o’clock. Parke and I cut up beef and Dora put it down” [Dec 28, 1928]. His family troubles were not over, but continue in his 1929 diary. On Jan 2, 1929, he notes that his 10 month old granddaughter is sick. She had contracted measles and a bronchial infection and did not recover: “Stayed at Bob last night. Merle died at 5: 20 this morning” [Jan 30, 1929]. “Little Merle Aileen was buried today aside of Carrie. Now she has her. Dear lord keep me so I can go to them” [Feb 1, 1929]. Despite the tragedy of 1928 and 1929, William perseveres. He spends a lot of time with Wilma and her husband Bob, and Parke. He also continues with his daily tasks, as was necessary at the time. Some excerpts: “Frank and I cleaned the chicken coop then I went to Attica and brought Eva and Minnie out and Dora and Wilma came over and they divided up Carrie’s wearing apparel and then took them home” [Feb 18, 1929]. “I went to Norwalk by way of Younges and home to Willard and got car greased and shaved and hair cut and got oil changed and car greased. Bob and I got all of my things last evening” [May 3, 1929]. “At election then out to Park’s and to Grange in eve” [Nov 5, 1929]. “Got ready for Christmas. Parks were down in eve. I got 2 pairs of socks and a tie from Parkes and a desk light from Bob and Wilma” [Dec 24, 1929]. For a social historian, these diaries provide a real look at one aspect of life in small town America in the early part of the 20th Century. He keeps detailed cash account listings at the back of both diaries, and the ephemera helps shed light on economic information from the time. There are numerous references to family, friends and neighbours for this to be a good resource for genealogists. The 1928 diary measures 5.5x3.4 inches, is 183 pages and 100% complete. Overall Good. The 1929 diary measures 6x3.4 inches, is 183 pages and 100% complete. Overall Good. William’s handwriting is particularly legible for a male diarist. ; Manuscripts; 24mo 5" - 6" tall; 183 pages; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0011131

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Sickness Rural

EMILY MARY KEHOE

1933-1937 Diary Following a Pennsylvania Girl from Pre-Teen to High School Senior

Philadelphia, PA Pennsylvania. Hardcover. On offer is a fascinating 5 year diary of Emily Mary Kehoe (1920-2013) , who writes from age 12 through 17. Born in Manhattan, Emily is in her final year of middle school and becomes a teenager on August 2, 1933. She keeps the diary until age 17, when she is a senior in high school. In Fall of 1933, Emily begins at Tredyffrin Easttown High School in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Following graduation, Emily would go on to attend Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. In 1952, she married Raymond Emanuel Fahnestock (1923-1975). Raymond served in WWII in the 43rd and 63rd Bomb Squads. It does not appear that they had any children, though data was somewhat lacking in researching this couple. Although born in Manhattan, Emily was raised and settled in Pennsylvania. Emily keeps her diary during the depths of the Great Depression, though the world is viewed through the eyes of a child, blissfully focused on the coming-of-age events that define a young woman’s life. She begins with optimism and hope, listing the resolutions she has made for herself in 1933: “I resolve to: Be more helpful to Mother and Dad/Avoid quarrelling with Honey & Ted/Keep my room, closet and dresser neat/Take disappointments quietly/ Keep the friends I have and make more/Keep up in all schoolwork”(frontspiece). Her diary records the expected events of a young lady's life. She talks about school and friends. Emily keeps her diary religiously in 1933 and 1934. Her entries become very spotty after that, with few entries in the final three years. Her last entry in the diary is on Sept 24, 1937. Some excerpts give the flavour of Emily’s entries: “Wed. Cloudy. Cold. School. We won in gym 12-6. Did errands. Put time in on machine. Homework. Bed. In assembly name was called for being on honor roll. Signed book” [Jan 25, 1933]. “Raining. Went to Camp Tweedale Oxford, PA. To stay for 10 days. Lunch. Played. Supper. Campfire and bed…” [Aug 21, 1933]. “Clear. Warm. Went to town (Mother and I). Eyes improving. Shopped. Lunch. Shopped. Home. Supper. Played ball” [Apr 3, 1934]. “…went to High School. Had fun. Going to like HS. Lunch - played- helped - PML - Supper - Read - Bed. Taking academic courses with Latin and Music. PTOM” [Sept 5, 1934]. “Cloudy – clear. School. Radar Game. We won 7-0 ! ! ! Home Supper Victory Dance. Tired but happy. Mother & Dad went to New York til Sunday” [Oct 9, 1936]“Ted going to Valley Forge Military Academy! ! ! ! ” [Nov 2, 1936]. “Clear. I like Jim (James Lovall). Cold. S. S. And Church…Home - Lessons = Went to Miss Brinton’s (Sunday School teacher) home in Phila - Dinner…” [March 7, 1937]. She makes little reference to the turbulent outside events that affecting so many other Americans. In this, her diary offers an interesting view of life in those difficult times. For a social historian, this offers a contrast to the journals that describe events from a wider perspective on just how difficult it was living in these time. It is an especially valuable piece as it shows life from the perspective of a child. The diary measures 5x3.75 inches, has 365 pages and is approximately 55% complete. The front cover is missing, as is the clasp on the locking strap. The spine and binding are barely intact and worn to the point that the back cover may separate in shipping. The pages are all intact and the handwriting is legible. Overall Poor. ; Manuscripts; 24mo 5" - 6" tall; 365 pages; Signed by Author. Poor with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0011138

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Coming Woman Growing Christian

HELEN CUSHMAN KEITH

1935 Diary of a Massachusetts Housewife Noting the Daily Rhythms of Life and Motherhood in the Great Depression

Kingston, Massachusetts, 1935. Softcover. On offer is a simple, interesting little diary kept by Helen Cushman Keith (1889-1974). Helen was born in Kingston, Massachusetts to William C. Hathaway and Adah F. Snow. In 1914, she married Clinton Thomas Keith (1887-1975). William and Helen both graduated from Plymouth High School. William worked as a civil engineer. Helen worked as a stenographer before marriage. Together they had three girls and one boy, however only the girls - Virginia, Cynthia and Helen - survived infancy. The diary was kept for the year 1935. In 1935, Helen is in her mid-40s and her children are ages 8, 10 and 15. Helen keeps her diary consistently at times, and inconsistently at others. Her entries range from relatively newsy to sparse - sometimes she lists off activities of the day or provides insight into her family or community life. Other days, she simply notes the weather or makes a quick comment. Some excerpts give a sense of her writing: “Helen still sick and upstairs. Very cold. Had bridge club. All here but Lucy. Dr for Helen” [Jan 4]. “Worst snow storm for 25 years. No school. No club at night” [Jan 24]. “Food buying 10.30” [Feb 12]. “Our 21st Anniversary. Cleaned all day. Will Rogers movie in evening” [June 18]. “Recreation Report on Old Home Day – nearly $150 this year. Everyone pleased” [July 15]. “Sue’s anniversary. Dr. B’s birthday. Dramatic comm meeting here at 3 o’clock” [Oct 8]. “Bradford House supper. As warm as summer” [Oct 26]. For a social historian, these brief entries give a glimpse into the life of a married woman and mother during some of the hardest years of the decade. This small diary measures approximately 4.25 inches by 2.5 inches and contains 92 pages plus memoranda and maps. The covers are in good condition, albeit with some signs of wear. The binding is intact and the pages are in good condition and the diary is about 50% complete. Most entries are brief. The handwriting is legible. Overall Good. ; Manuscripts; 32mo 4" - 5" tall; 92 pages; Signed by Author. Very Good; On offer is a simple, interesting little diary kept by Helen Cushman Keith (1889-1974). Helen was born in Kingston, Massachusetts to William C. Hathaway and Adah F. Snow. In 1914, she married Clinton Thomas Keith (1887-1975). William and Helen both graduated from Plymouth High School. William worked as a civil engineer. Helen worked as a stenographer before marriage. Together they had three girls and one boy, however only the girls - Virginia, Cynthia and Helen - survived infancy. The diary was kept for the year 1935. In 1935, Helen is in her mid-40s and her children are ages 8, 10 and 15. Helen keeps her diary consistently at times, and inconsistently at others. Her entries range from relatively newsy to sparse - sometimes she lists off activities of the day or provides insight into her family or community life. Other days, she simply notes the weather or makes a quick comment. Some excerpts give a sense of her writing: “Helen still sick and upstairs. Very cold. Had bridge club. All here but Lucy. Dr for Helen” [Jan 4]. “Worst snow storm for 25 years. No school. No club at night” [Jan 24]. “Food buying 10.30” [Feb 12]. “Our 21st Anniversary. Cleaned all day. Will Rogers movie in evening” [June 18]. “Recreation Report on Old Home Day – nearly $150 this year. Everyone pleased” [July 15]. “Sue’s anniversary. Dr. B’s birthday. Dramatic comm meeting here at 3 o’clock” [Oct 8]. “Bradford House supper. As warm as summer” [Oct 26]. For a social historian, these brief entries give a glimpse into the life of a married woman and mother during some of the hardest years of the decade. This small diary measures approximately 4.25 inches by 2.5 inches and contains 92 pages plus memoranda and maps. The covers are in good condition, albeit with some signs of wear. The binding is intact and the pages are in good condition and the diary is about 50% complete. Most entries are brief. The handwriting is legible. Overall Good.

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Book number: 0012210

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Wife

MARGIE K. NELSON KELLER

1928-1930 Diaries of the Dedicated Mother and Wife of a Shoe Trimmer Making the Most of Life in Pennsylvania During the Great Depression

Lititz, Pennsylvania. Hardcover. On offer are three diaries following three consecutive years in the life of young Pennsylvania wife and mother, Margie K. Nelson Keller (1896-1987). Born in Lancaster County, Margie married William Grumbine Keller (1894-1962) in 1917. William worked in a shoe factory as a trimmer. Together, they had two boys and a girl. Margie lovingly recorded all three of their full names and birthdates in the back of her 1929 diary. Keller spent her entire life in Lancaster county, living mostly in Lititz. Keller’s diaries paint a very clear picture of domestic life at that time. Written while she was in her 30s, her life is consumed with looking after her husband Bill and her young children. When she begins her diaries, her boys, Alfred and Arthur, are approximately nine and seven when she begins her diaries. In 1929 she gives birth to her daughter Annette. The following excerpts will give a flavour of these lovely diaries: “I started to wash this morning then my wash machine broke. I did not finish til in the afternoon. It was nice so it dried better than I expected. Bill came home early he had something in his eye that hurt too bad” [Mar 19, 1928]. “I worked all morning. The boys did not go along with Bill today they go to bible school every day. It is just in the morning from 8 to 11 o’clock. Mother gave us a chicken yesterday so this evening we killed it. Am having chicken corn pie tomorrow” [June 15, 1928]. “Think of it a baby girl came to our place. Our baby was born about two o’clock Monday morning” [Apr 22, 1929]. “I was busy all day cleaning and baked this morning. I don’t know what I would do without Arthur to help me” [July 12, 1929]. “I did my week’s cleaning upstairs. In the afternoon I mended and made apple jelly. Its very cold a sudden change that’s why we mind it so” [Sept 19, 1929]. “I made my pineapple jam this morning and done some mending and made 2 baby dresses over for the baby. We called on Grampa Keller and at Fredericks this evening” [June 11, 1930]. “They had Rally Day at Sun School this after. We all went I could not stay in the whole time on account of Annette. The church was crowded. They had a special choir. We were home the rest of the day” [Oct 19, 1930]. “I ironed til dinnertime. It rained a little today. I mended this afternoon. This evening I went to the hotel and voted the strait Republican ticket” [Nov 4, 1930]. “Thanksgiving Day. Grandpa Kellers and Grandpa Nelson’s were here for dinner. We had two roasted ducks filling potatoes after, vegetables cranberry sauce 2 kinds of pie 2 kinds cake and ice cream” [Nov 27, 1930]. These simple diaries paint a fine picture of the day-to-day life life of a young, working class mother in small town Pennsylvania. If times are hard, she really doesn’t mention it. Instead what the reader sees is the slow rhythm of life as she looks after her family. She keeps a detailed record of daily and weekly expenses which give a picture of costs to support her family, which only offers more insight into how a working-class family in the 20s made a go of it. ABOUT LITITZ, PA: Lititz was first settled in 1756 by members of the Moravian Church, one of the oldest Protestant denominations in the world. For the first century, only members of the Moravian Church we allowed to live in the community. Even when residence was opened to others, only Moravians were allowed to own property. Situated in the heart of the Amish “Pennsylvania Dutchland”, Lititz is home to Linden Hall School, the oldest all-girls boarding school in the United States and to the first commercial pretzel bakery.; Manuscripts; 16mo 6" - 7" tall; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0011144

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Motherhood Maker

MARGARET SHEPHERD HUTTON KEMP

1910-1924 Diaries of the Wife of a Lanman & Kemp Druggist Living an Upper Class Life in Nyc As a Manhattan Kemp

Manhattan, New York, Nyc, New York City, Europe, Abroad, England, Spain. Hardcover. On offer are two diaries of a highly affluent American woman who was involved in the operations of Lanman & Kemp, the high profile Manhattan drug company. The diaries were kept by Margaret Shepherd Hutton Kemp (1863-1944). Margaret married George William Kemp (1860-1912) in 1889. They had one daughter, Margaret (Peggy) (1890-1940). The Kemps were Irish immigrants to New York and quickly became a highly affluent family. They were the Kemps of the Lanman & Kemp drug dynasty, which is currently best known for selling “Florida Water”. [CONTACT BUYER FOR FULL BIO NOTES ON THE KEMPS AND OUR DIARIST. WORD LIMITS ON THIS SITE]. Importantly, our diarist Margaret was involved in the family business running Lanman & Kemp, as indicated by legal records in which she is a defendant on behalf of the company. The diaries themselves are both 5-year diaries that cover the years 1910-1914 and 1920-1924. The first was begun when Margaret was 47 years old. She writes almost every single day and her life is luxurious, to say the least. For example, In April of 1911, she writes daily of her extended trip to Europe visiting places in Spain such as Madrid and the Alhambra Palace, France and England with her husband and daughter. She travels by ship to Europe again in the spring of 1913. The rest of the time the focus is on her daily life in NYC. While each entry is only a couple of lines, she is very honest with her diary and one comes to know her. Some excerpts: “...In afternoon, Peggy, Bidy and I walked to Bloomingdales and back…I went to late concert” [Apr 18, 1910]. "Wednesday Fine out for last time in little car. Went to Dr. Cragins. Peggy went to Biddy at Passaic" [June 15, 1910]. “…Damp. Report that Titanic had sunk Monday at 2: 20 AM…” [Apr 16, 1912]. “Friday. Fine. Cold. Went to Miss Richard’s, Met KOR. Home with George all aft. He very weak. Dr. Thomas here. Peggy at Ritz dance” [Dec 20, 1912]. “Heavy rain. Geo died at ten minutes of one. Saw lots of people” [Dec 24, 1912]. “Monday. Heavy rain all day. Fixing George’s room. Depressed…” [Dec 30, 1912]. “Friday. Fine cooler. Started for Trossachs at 9: 30 in carriage. Sailed down Loch Katrine and back. Had tea at Callandar. Motored to Bridge of Allan” [July 4, 1913]. “Tuesday. Fine cold. Down shopping lunched with Jim and Peggy. Ed here in aft” [Dec 22, 1914]. By the time Margaret begins her second diary in 1920, she is married to Edward Charles Mears Kemp. Peggy is still unmarried (she marries later, in 1928, at age 37). She references her affluent lifestyle including shopping at Harrods in London [June 1, 1921], ordering evening coat and day coat [Aug 30, 1921] and Tea at the Ritz [Oct 16, 1924] Excerpts from the second diary follow: “Fine. Warmer. Peggy and Ed playing golf. I walked out but missed them. Sey took me for a drive. Ed rode. Merrie’s at night” [Oct 15, 1921]. “Monday. Rain. Ed went to meet Mrs. Ward. I down at League Lecture. Home in aft. Opera at night, first night” [Nov 14, 1921]. “Wednesday. Showers. Went to Harrods alone. Ed had church in room. Had fire. Peg out with Isabelle Baggallays at Eunice and Heath” [Sept 19, 1923]. “Dine out with Peggy in morning. Home reading. Van Braam here at sea. Heard chimes. May fired” [Dec 31, 1924]. This diary is a fantastic look inside a highly successful Manhattan family, giving readers a sense of the lifestyle enjoyed by a Kemp wife in middle age, and painting a stark contrast to the lifestyle of those of lesser means in New York at the time. Both diaries have substantial notes including names and addresses of those in Margaret’s life as well as financial documentation. The diaries both measure 5.75 x 4.5 inches. Both of their spines are coming loose but they are otherwise in good condition. Both are 90% complete. Overall Good. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0011106

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Wealthy Pharmaceuticals Generational Wealth

KURT SCHWITTERS, FRED UHLMAN, HELLMUTH WEISSENBORN, HEINRICH FRAENKEL, ERNST SCHWITTERS-GULDAHL, SIEGFRIED OPPENHEIMER, BRUNO AHRENDS, FREDERICK SOLOMON, MICHAEL CORVIN, AND OTHERS

1940-41 Hutchinson Internment Camp Almanac Signed by Internees with Largely Hand-Coloured Artwork

Hutchinson Camp, Isle OF Man, Artists Camp, 1940. Softcover. On offer is a sensational and extremely rare copy of The Camp Almanac 1941, no.13-14, which was created and published at Hutchinson Internment Camp (see NOTES at end of listing) on the Isle of Man in December of 1940, amid World War II. This special presentation copy of the December 1940 newsletter, produced by the internees at Hutchinson Internment Camp, contains mostly hand-finished pages, some signed by contributors. This copy belonged to internee Frederick Solominski (Frederick Solomon) , who contributed a piece of art, “Elijah and the Angels”, to the Almanac. It is signed on the Preface and Thanks page by hand “To our friend and collaborator Fr Solominski”, by Michael Corvin (Leo Freund) (March 7, 1941). The Almanac was also hand-signed in pencil by the following internees and contributors: Walter Simmel, who signed his essay, “Madame X”; Dr. Bruno Ahrends, who signed his essay and accompanying images on post-war reconstruction of seaside resorts; and Erich Kahn, who signed his image, “The Philosophers”. The Camp newsletters included artworks, illustrations, cartoons and articles on camp life and the world outside. The edition on offer features contributions from the Dada artist Kurt Schwitters, who fled from Norway to Britain in 1940; the lawyer, artist and author, Fred Uhlman; the artist Hellmuth Weissenborn (who drew the cover page) ; the historian Heinrich Fraenkel; the photographer Ernst Schwitters-Guldahl; the art dealer Siegfried Oppenheimer; the architect Bruno Ahrends, and others. [Note: It was Oppenheimer who convinced the camp authorities to provide the painters and sculptors in the camp with artistic materials]. According to the article listing in the Table of Contents, this Almanac is close to complete, save for the missing “Maxim” article. As well, two pieces not listed in the Contents are present in this Almanac: Dudelsack Auf Capri by Dr. Richard Friedenthal (the only German piece in the Almanac) and Music-Review by Dr. Alfred Perlmann. The Almanac contains 13 full-page hand-coloured images plus a title page with beautiful hand-coloured zodiac frame and many smaller hand-coloured images on the pages with typed text. This Almanac contains 25 mimeographed pages. The book is hole punched and bound by string with a simple cardboard folder cover. The cover measures 15.5x9.5 inches while the pages themselves measure 13.5x8.5 inches. The Almanac is in VG+ condition with some minor age toning, bends and folds. A similar copy of this exact Almanac was sold by Christie’s in 2018 for 16,500 GBP (approx 21,000 USD). NOTES: Hutchinson Camp (also known as “P” Camp) , located in Douglas on the Isle of Man, was an internment camp. Initiated by Winston Churchill during World War Two, it was one of many camps opened to quell the anxiety of British citizens who believed spies were among them. Hutchinson kept “enemy aliens” - or those living in Britain with German, Austrian and Italian passports - jailed behind barbed wire in boarding houses. Tragically, many of those detained in Hutchinson were Jews who had fled the Nazis only to be imprisoned by the country they hoped would liberate them. Hutchinson became known as the artist’s camp as it housed many professors, artists, composers, writers and more. Notable artists interned at Hutchinson included Kurt Schwitters, Hellmuth Weissenborn, Paul Hamann and Eric Kahn. According to AJR Refugee Voices, “Despite the injustice of the situation, the internees quickly organised. The camp became a hub of creative endeavour, with a daily program of lectures, live music performances, poetry readings, and English lessons”. In fact, they even produced a camp newsletter (a special edition of which is offered here). Hutchinson was opened on July 13, 1940, housing up to 1200 men, and was in operation. In early 1942, most of the innocent men had been released from Hutchinson and, while it remained open until 1945, it became a camp for Prisoners of War and its cultural life faded. ; Manuscripts; 4to 11" - 13" tall; 25 pages; Signed by Author. Very Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012217

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary; 20th Century Manuscript; 20th Century Rare Book

Keywords: Drawing

EVA B. LAMPHERE

1936-40 Manuscript Diary of a Rutland, Vermont Grandmother Who Is the Wife of the Town’S Creamery Owner

West Rutland, Vermont, 1940s. Hardcover. On offer is an excellent 5-year diary from New England focused on the daily life of a middle class, middle aged woman and those in her circle. The diary belonged to Eva Jane Bassett Lamphere (1886-1975) to parents Jane Pullen and Wellington Bassett, a farmer. She lived her life in the West Rutland, Vermont area. In 1907 she was married to George Winfield Lamphere (1888-1967) , who ran a wholesale and retail creamery in town while his brother, Emmett, ran a local convenience store. They had a son, Richard (Dick) Wellington (1915-2003) who would grow up to work as a physicist at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). At the time of this diary, Dick was married to a woman named Eunice. Eva Lamphere was 56 when she began this diary. Although this was a momentous decade for the United States, her diary is very focused on local events and happenings in her life (and her son’s) vs those of the wider world. She does make a few insightful comments about the war raging around her, such as this one: “1942: Rationing began Sugar first, then tires and gas. 1943 will see everything rationed. Geo spends more money and manpower on rationing than would be needed to double present production. Silly administration in Washington. Hope the new congress coming on Jan 3 will be wiser. No Nazi in labor, rationing and agriculture. I think Hitler would like civil war in American and bureaus are trying to provoke one” [Special Events Section]. Of interest is the way Eva discusses her relationship with her daughter-in-law, Eunice. Eunice and Eva’s son, Richard, live in Pennsylvania, have a child named David (and later a baby named Grace) and are regularly involved in Eva and George’s lives…for better or worse! Some excerpts: “A 2 lb girl born to David and Eunice. She’s in hospital. Mrs. Avery says she did not know nurse left Eunice. Nurse should have her license taken away” [Feb 19, 1942]. “David plays out of doors and continually gets dirty. Eunice a little irritable. Try to hold patience” [Nov 19, 1942]. “Mrs. Avery came for Eunice and children this PM. Wish Eunice would stop complaining about Dick, she also has shortcomings” [Oct 16, 1943]. Overall, the diary is focused on the people and places that Eva, George and their family visit regularly. There are lots of fascinating tidbits in Eva’s thorough daily entries that help paint a fulsome picture of the lives of the middle class in New Hampshire. Excerpts follow: “Ironed in A. M. Changed position of couch in dining room. Went to Rutland for cord for radio. Went to G. Meads. Cat came back from vet” [Jan 23, 1940]. “Went to store very early so Geo could take men to []. To Rutland after dinner Made arrangements to get Dodge back” [May 8, 1940]. “Geo did not sleep much last night. The effects of the carbon monoxide poisoning is affecting his kidneys” [Dec 10, 1940]. “Stay home all day. Cold – raw, mend shirt and stockings. Fix moose meat for stew in P. M. And wash bureau scarffs” [Mar 5, 1941]. “Stay home excepting for taking wash cloth bag up to Grace Meads. U. S. Declares war on Japan. Am sorry our country must go to war” [Dec 8, 1941]. “Disturbing letter from Dick. He considers joining air corps. Will he never be content to live a normal life? Both of us much upset” [Jan 9, 1942]. “...Geo very depressed. Imperial Dairy Co. Refused to take his frozen cream as they agreed to do, dirty trick on their part” [Feb 3, 1942]. “Mrs. Eastman’s oil stove set our corner house on fire. We all work to save things. Margaret slept here” [June 3, 1942]. “Geo and Edith return from Mass 12: 30. Geo keeps store for Emmett in eve. Nellie Bell here this eve” [May 26, 1944]. For a social historian, this diary is filled with the minutia of daily life in rural Vermont during the war. For a Women’s Studies program, it very clearly describes the daily life experienced by many women in the middle of the 20th century and the gender roles they lived out. This diary measures 5.0 inches by 4.25 inches and contains 365 pages. It is over 90 % complete. The padded cover is in good condition although there are wear marks on the corners and edges. The diary has a lock and the keys to the lock are in the box in which the diary was found. The binding is in good condition as are the pages. The handwriting is legible. Overall VG. ; Manuscripts; 5" x 4.25"; 365 pages; Signed by Author. Very Good- with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0010047

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: . ' II Two Homefront History

ETHEL LEBER

Handwritten Depression-Era Vermont Diary by Ethel Leber

Bristol, Vermont, 1928. Hardcover. A detailed 1928 diary handwritten by 62-year-old Ethel LeBer in rural Vermont during the early years of the Great Depression. LeBer was born in November 1865 and lived her life in northern Vermont, near the city of Bristol. She passed away in 1929 at the age of 63. She was married to William LeBer and they had one child, a daughter who died when she was 16. Together, Ethel and her husband operated a small farm. She was 62 when she kept this diary. The diary describes the daily life that she and her husband lived, detailing the many tasks necessary to keep their farm operation going. It is totally focused on their immediate life, with almost no references to what was happening in the larger world. “Still cold -- 15 degrees below. Nelson came down to dinner, was here just about 2 hrs. Will went down to Bristol and got a horse shod . He and Lloyd cleaned out the sawdust in the ice house” (February 6). “70 degrees. Hot & sultry. Lloyd drew rest of wood to W. Wright. Will made ice cream & did chores. He filled the refrigerator for the first time. Put milk in trough to cool for first time” (April 5). “Clear and cooler. Men worked at haying. Nailor boy worked here. I cooked beet greens & made graham pudding” (July 17). “Cloudy and cool. Snowed a little in the morning. Men finished digging potatoes. Had 850 bu. Nelson stayed here last night and went home this AM” (September 25). “Very pleasant. Ate our dinner with Lou and tried to be happy but when the heart is sad, its hard to be glad” (December 25). Details- 6" x 3"- 122 pages- 100% completeCondition- Cover is in good condition- Binding is damaged on the inside of the front cover- Stitching is intact but the binding has cracked- Pages are in good condition and the handwriting is legibleEthel LeBer’s diary offers an excellent view of the daily life of a small farmer in upstate Vermont during the Great Depression, and paints a clear picture of the life that many many women in rural America led at that time of severe economic distress. ; 6" x 3"; 122 pages. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0010046

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Farming Vt

MARJORIE MAUD LUSH

1940 Remarkable Scrapbook Diary of British Woman Observing the Early Days of World War 2 (Wwii) and Recounting the Blitz Bombing

Hampton, England, Britain: The Blitz Bombing England War Effort Farmer Woman, 1940. Hardcover. On offer is a superb, first-hand account of ‘the Blitz’ - the bombing of southern England in the early days of World War Two, combined with a journal of a young entrepreneurial woman engaged in the family farming business. This diary belonged to Marjorie Maud Lush (1917-2016) , a 22 year old girl living on a farm in southern England, specifically in Hampshire. She was born in Ringwood, Hampshire to Louisa Maude Thorne and Albert Ernest Lush. She never married, passing away at 98 years of age. In 1940, she was living with her parents on their family farm, Badmington Farm, near Fawley just outside of Southampton. She is recorded as working as an assistant to her father in a small herb business and many entries refer to that. She was certainly aware of what was going on in the war and her account provides a fabulous insight into the experience of the war from an English layperson: “News of the bombing of the Altmark by the men of HMS Cossack and the rescue of between 3 and 400 English merchantmen who had been prisoners on board since the battle of the River Plate. They had been captured by the Graf Spee” [Feb 17]. “Raid on Portsmouth (dinner time) hit a brewery and one or two small boats in the docks. Very heavy gunfire. Terrible smoke over P. Saw one man come down by parachute - landed in water off Calshot” [Aug 12]. Amidst all of her day-to-day activities are her entries about the rising tide of bombings as Hitler’s Luftwaffe sought to pummel England to her knees. “London had its first bad raid. Gunfire here nearly all night long” [Sept 8]. “Another raid on London. Gunfire here until the ‘wee wee hours’. Supposed to have been invaded yesterday. Church bells were rung and L. V. D. ’s were ready but nothing happened although the C. O. Told Mr. Soffe that we had been very hush hush on the subject” [Sept 9]. That ‘gunfire’ was the planes of the RAF engaging the waves of German bombers in what came to be known as the Battle of Britain. The Battle of Britain raged for several moths between July and October in 1940 and resulted in Germany’s first defeat in WWII. Earlier, she had written: “The day Hitler said he was going to be in London. A tea party was arranged with places saved for Hitler and Mussolini but message received from H - “Regret not being able to attend; set out as arranged but blown back by a hurricane! ! . Raid over Southampton again…7 or 8 balloons were shot down…” [Aug 15]. The “hurricane’ reference being a nod to the RAF Hurricane fighter that made up the majority of RAF Fighter Command. As well as her detailed accounts of the war, Marjorie wrote of her daily life, including her work on her family’s farm and her acquaintance, Madge Hooper, who owned and operated The Stoke Lacy Herb Farm in Hereford. In 1940, Hooper had just begun this venture, which was to grow into an internationally known business: “... Madge engaged to Mr. Hooper, the male student at the Herb Farm” [Aug 2]. “G. M wanted 3 packets mixed herbs of course I only had 2 in stock. Sent off to The Herb Garden [Stoke Lacy Herb Farm] for 1 doz pkts Mixed Herbs 10 pts mixed and 2 pkts Lemon Thyme. Beagles caused great excitement among the cows” [Feb 24]. The diary covers the year of 1940 and Marjorie has tipped in two additional pages containing diary entries for January 7-21, 1941, in which she writes details of a “bad raid on Pompey…” likely referring to the German bombing that killed dozens near the Bank of England. Marjorie has also tipped and glued in an extensive number of newspaper clippings such as one with King George and his wife, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother surveying damage to Buckingham Palace after one air raid. There are 2 ration books and 2 sketched-out family trees. This is not just a diary, but a scrapbook too. For a historian, this is a superb, first-hand account of those grim and harrowing days in the early years of WWII weaved in alongside the daily diary of a young, entrepreneurial British woman. Measuring 12.25x 7.75 inches, this hardbound book contains 107 numbered pages. It is approximately 75% complete. The cover and pages are in good condition, the binding is loosening. Legible. Overall G. ; Manuscripts; 4to 11" - 13" tall; 107 pages; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0010316

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

ELEANOR L MACRAE

1940s Pair of Diaries Handwritten by a Wealthy Toronto Area Woman

Greater Toronto Area, Canada, 1944. Hardcover. Offering two 1940s handwritten diaries by 61-year-old Eleanor L. Macrae, which provide an outstanding look at life in urban Canada during and immediately following World War II. Macrae's entries are lengthy and detailed, portraying daily life during and after the war as part of a well-off family for whom service to “King and Country” was considered a given. Inside the front cover, Macrae has noted the names of her family members who were at war: her son Donald, serving in the Royal Navy (HMS Diadem) , and his two brothers serving in the Royal Canadian Navy, Bill on HMCS Penetang and John (Bubs) on HMCS Sudbury. “Damp & Cold -- threatening rain or snow. Up to shop in the morning and busy taking down Christmas tree -- went to Gwyn Cornell’s for tea with Lallie Pullen. Delighted to hear from her of Hugh having been awarded the OBE for his services in the Navy. Sis, Mont & I went to see ‘Young Mr. Pitt’ at the Gregory” (January 5, 1944). “Very happy letters from Bub & Gilly. Having a wonderful time in Victoria. Bub is to be in Vancouver working on Victory Loans and making speeches in war plants etc. Filling in his time til his ship is ready” (April 18, 1944). Despite having three family members in combat, she writes the following: “Thanksgiving Day ... Mont had planned for an all day sail but as the weather looked bad they called it off ... Had our Thanksgiving dinner... A very happy day & a lot to be thankful for” (October 9, 1944). The 1946-50 diary is actually a hardcover lined notebook in which she made dated entries. It begins on March 1, 1946. The entries cover the time period of March 1946 through December 1950. Macrae writes in a chronological order but entries are not made every day. Often there are gaps of several days or weeks. However, taken as a whole, they provide an excellent overview of Macrae’s life in the immediate aftermath of WWII. “Up early getting ordering, etc done. Pat & Sis looking at farms in afternoon. Had an early lunch then Mont & I off to Toronto to Gordon Wright’s wedding. Enjoyed it very much. Saw a lot of the younger relatives from Ancaster. Afterwards, Mont & I had dinner at the King Edward & came home” (March 2, 1946). “Bill & Holly married seven years ago today in Port-of-Spain Trinidad. Went over & looked after the children while H went to have her hair done. Children stayed all night with us as Holly and Bill went to the Yacht Club ball at H. M. C. S. York” (February 18, 1949). “Went to Toronto on 12: 20 bus. Shopped & home with Mont. Fun prowling around with my Christmas cheque to spend! Got a new clothes dryer. The tumbler type. $1,850! Awful price but I always wanted one” (January 16,1950). At the back of the journal are four pages listing a variety of dividend cheques received. Ephemera includes transaction receipts for stock purchases, birth and death announcements, and photographs, among other things. Eleanor L. Macrae was born in 1883 in the Hamilton, Ontario, area of Canada. Through family and marriage, she was related to prominent members of Ontario’s early society. The Heritage, a large stone mansion, whose ruins now belong to the Hamilton Conservation Authority, was constructed by a direct ancestor, George Leith. The mansion eventually passed to Leith’s daughter Alma Leith, who married the grandson of a Scottish Earl, Stair Dick-Lauder. Alma Dick-Lauder wrote historical articles for the Hamilton Spectator, which were later published in book form. There is a photograph of Alma Dick-Lauder in the ephemera accompanying these journals. Macrae’s husband was Albert Montye Macrae from Oakville, Ontario, a wealthy community west of Toronto. His family was successful in business and finance, and Montye was no exception. Eleanor’s journal records a number of stock and bond transactions carried out through Macrae & Company, a brokerage firm in Toronto. The 1944 diary measures 8.5 inches by 5.5 inches, contains 365 pages, and is 100 percent complete. The cover, binding, and pages are all in good condition. The 1946-1950 diary measures 9.5 inches x 5.5 inches, is 160 pages and 95 percent complete. The cover is in fair condition, but the binding and pages are good. This group of journals and the accompanying ephemera offer a wonderful look at life for a well-off woman in the years around World War II in a prosperous community in Ontario.; Manuscripts; 8.5" x 5.5" ; 365 pages. Good with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0010045

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: History 1940s Southern

ELIZABETH HELEN MAHON

1951 Detailed Travel Diary of a Halifax Woman’S Train Tour Across Canada and Into the Western United States

Regina, Seattle, Vancouver,, 1951. Softcover. On offer is a wonderfully detailed description of a classic train trip across Canada in the middle of the 20th century, often reading as a love letter to Canada as it was shortly after the second world war, as the baby boom was in full swing. The journal belonged to Elizabeth Helen Mahon (1926-2020). Mahon was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, graduating from Dalhousie University with a B. Sc in 1948. She worked in public health and as a registered lab technician. She married Ronald Curtis Lewis, who passed away in 1964, and in 1993 she married Ernest Cavanaugh, who passed away in 1994. Elizabeth had three children. After leaving Halifax, Elizabeth lived in Amherst, Dartmouth, Toronto, Brantford and finally settled in Cornwall, Ontario. Elizabeth was devoted to the United Church and an active member of the UCW. She was also a long-term member of the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW). In 1951, Elizabeth was 25, apparently dating her would-be husband, who she calls “Curtis”, and working in public health. She embarked on what is often seen as the iconic Canadian experience – travelling across the vast expanse of Canada by train. On this trip, she was accompanied by her aunt. She travelled west to British Columbia and then south to the United States, stopping in Seattle before heading back east through Montana. Some of the many places Elizabeth stops, tours and discusses at length in her diary include Montreal, Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton, Banff and Lake Louise, Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, Yellowstone (Montana). She does indicate that she travels to Chicago on her way back to Halifax, but her record cuts off after the Montana leg of her journey. Helen’s descriptions are well written and offer an excellent perspective of Canada as it was, as well as some nice insight into western USA. Mahon often stopped in cities where she had friends or family and described local tours or excursions she took which adds a richness of detail to her journey. The following examples will illustrate not only the images and impressions of what she wanted to capture but also her descriptive writing. Note that these are just excerpts. Her entries are very long and chatty. : “Soon after leaving Newcastle came to Bathurst and to the Bay Chaleur and saw the Gaspé Peninsula very clearly. High hills looking quite purple with green fields just like squares at the foot and little white dots where there were villages. Some places looked like sheer rock” [June 10]. “...Returned over the Henri Mercier Bridge in heavy traffic and came through west part of Montreal. Many of the Indians from the Reserve work on bridges because they are surefooted at high altitudes. Many work on bridges in New York and Montreal. Return to their little shacks on weekends in big cars…” [June 11]. “...There are a great many very tiny homes, poor looking but almost no tenements in Regina. Saw many different foreign churches, Greek Orthodox, Ukranian…Romanian…Saw many of the buildings of the crown corporations such as Saskatchewan Gov’t telephone Insurance, power etc…Many wooden sidewalks in Regina” [June 18]. “... As we climbed higher above Lake Louise the lake became a deeper color. It really is turquoise, clear when you are beside it but seems to be a solid color as you get higher. Came to a little lake called Mirror Lake. From there we could see the Little Log House way up above. So we kept climbing…” [June 27]. “...The bus brought us direct to Banff Springs Hotel. We really felt “ritzy” in our room which is huge. If this is what the cheapest ones are we wonder what the more expensive ones are like…then we went to the Town to get mail at the Cascade and take the chair lift up Mount Norquay. This chair life is really wonderful the way you just float to the top of the mountain. The view was superb. We looked down on the Town of Banff, the Banff Springs Hotel and right down the Bow Valley the way it flows toward Calgary. Mt Rundle is really a beautiful mountain and no picture I have seen does it justice…went to look around the hotel and discovered an illustrated lecture on the Rockies being given in Mt. Stephen Hall…” [June 28]. “One of the first places we noticed was Butte Montana. Rather a barron looking town from the train…Plateau land, rolling hills, no trees, lots of sage brush, then all of a sudden this ended and there was flat prairie…we disembarked at Three Forks for Yellowstone…the bus took us to Gallatin Inn…This iss a very nice inn run by the Milwakee railroad…” [July 7]. Also included with this diary are 20 black and white photographs. The pictures are of individuals and small groups who obviously were important in her life. One has the annotation “Anna”. Anna was with Elizabeth on this trip. For a social historian, this diary offers a fine overview of what Canada looked like through the eyes of a a young woman on her first trip across this vast country. For a gender studies program, it points to the changing roles of women in Canadian society, prompted by the enormous changes in society as a result of WWII. This small travel journal measures 6.5x4.0 inches and contains 108 pages. It is about 90% complete. The covers and binding are in good condition as are the pages. The handwriting is quite legible. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 108 pages; Signed by Author. Good+ with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012240

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Canadiana Tourism

CATHERINE ELIZABETH MEIER

1903-1905 Diaries and Ephemera of a Talkative Indiana Quaker Mother of 11 Keeping House and Keeping Busy in the Community

Indiana, United States. Softcover. On offer are two diaries of a woman describing in great detail life in the mid-west at the end of the 19th century. The author of the diaries is Catherine Elizabeth Meier (1854-1934). She was born near Bucyrus, Ohio to parents George and Catharine Keller, and raised in Indiana. In 1874, she married John Conrad Meier in Randolph, Indiana. John had emigrated from Bavaria, Germany in 1870. John C Meier was a baker by trade and, after moving from Cincinnati, took over the successful grocery business of his father-in-law, George G Keller in Winchester. Catherine Meier's father had emigrated from Germany before she was born, and Catherine was literate in German. She was a Quaker and an active member in her church community. Winchester had a high percentage of German speakers and Quakers in the local population. Given the Quaker influence, Winchester became a very important stop-over on the Underground Railroad – the secretive route that spirited runaway slaves from the southern states to Canada and freedom. As the mother of 11 children, Catherine Meier had a very busy household and her diaries reflect this. Somehow she finds time to write daily, keeping extremely detailed notes of all that happens to her, her family, and members of her community. Some excerpts follow: “Am very nervous. Did not sleep well on account of Edwin not coming home. Where could he have spent this cold stormy night? My are is better. I cut 2 underwaists for myself, then a waist for Clifford, got all done but the buttonholes. Minnie did the other work. Alma complains of too much appetite. Had a nice soup for dinner. Willie Tisher was here to dinner. Father had me write a letter to S. C. Cramer and send the money for the periodicals. A letter from Hugo. Pa heard that Edwin was going to St. Louis to join the national guards. I pray God be with him! Father told me Aunt Christine broke her wrist” [Feb 16, 1903]. “Minnie rinsed and hung the white clothes up before going to work. I then washed two lines full and the girls double blanket. Beans and a little salad for dinner. I then rested 15 min, then Troy and I went to the farm and planted the lettuce, it was 4 1/2 when I got home. Irene and the Sanders girls went to the woods. After supper went to Eastmans & Prices 5 minutes. Then to the store. Mrs McAllister was here to see about her hat. Alma and Minnie did the ironing. Edwin went to Muncie this morning, he said to hunt work! When will he be back and when will he settle down and do right? Bertha Marlatt married Ira Macy” [Apr 29, 1903]. “I washed dishes until time to dress to go to Union City to the funeral of Geo Lenkensdorfer. At the train I met Mr and Mrs Guthiel, Wm. Lenkrensdorfer and three daughters and Mr and Mrs Hirschand Mrs Study & Karl & George. Heard a good German sermon. Came home about 5: 30 PM. Irene had dumplings for dinner. Pa had 5 loaves of bread ready which I baked, also baked a cake and three apple and teo custard pies. Bathed the boys early. I was almost too tired to undress for bed. Mary Meier Blizzard had a little son” [Aug 29, 1903]. The pace doesn’t change two years latter as she records her daily life in 1905.“Another year begun, who will see the end. Today was warm as spring. At 5 to 9 I started to the farm to get cream. I had not enough to supply. Wineland came to town to his cousin to dinner. I baked 11 pumpkin, 2 apple & 2 mince pies. Had potatoes beef & turnips for dinner. I took a nap then read in Tennison which Minnie gave me last night. After supper I started to mothers but met Minnie who said mother was going to bed so I returned & went to church to hear the cantata “Nativity”. The church was full. They received a collection of 40 dollars” [Jan 1, 1905]. “I got up at 5 1/2, wrung the clothes from the boil. Then the others got up. Had fried potatoes for breakfast. It took me till noon to get the washing done. At 11 1/2 it began to rain, the clothes were not all dry. Wineland was here to dinner. Has beans and pork. I was too tired to wash dishes. Had little help from the men. I laid on the bed and dozed and rested, then took my work and went to Mrs. Hopkins. Grace & Bernard came from school to stay all night. Pa baked 6 loaves of bread, a coffee cake and lots of doughnuts. Hugo pulled teeth for Mrs Sallie Smith. Past 10 and still raining. Some water in the cellar” [May 11, 1905]. “I was sore from head to foot from yesterdays work. If only Pa would give me a bit of sympathy. How much easier all would go! ...” [Nov 28, 1905]. The 1905 diary has a very thorough cash expense record for January through September, giving a very good picture of the costs of many of the daily items needed and used by families at that time. Accompanying these two diaries is a collection of nearly 4 dozen newspaper clippings and ephemera. These also include some invoices for various products she and her husband purchased and a lovely black and white photograph. Although it has no information on it, it is not unreasonable to suggest that this is a picture of Catherine Meier. For a social historian, this is a simply excellent look at the daily life of a busy mother at the beginning of the 20th century. It is simply stuffed with the details of everyday life. For research in Women’s Studies, these two diaries are a superb illustration of the daily life and routine of a very hard-working woman coping with the challenges of raising a large family at that time in a small mid-western community. It would be an excellent addition to any reference collection depicting that time and that place for ordinary women. A genealogist would find the countless references to family friends and neighbours a valuable source of information. Both diaries measure 6.75x3.0 inches. Both contain 365 pages and are 100% complete. Both diaries are in Fair condition with obvious signs of age and loosening of the spines/pages. ; Manuscripts; 16mo 6" - 7" tall. Fair with no dust jacket .

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Book number: 0012254

Catalogue: 20th Century Diary

Keywords: Homemaker ' Experiences Motherhood