A Guide to
Women's Diaries
in the Manuscript Collection of the
Rhode Island Historical Society Library
Edited by
Rick Stattler
Originally compiled for a University of Rhode Island seminar in women's history with Dr. Sharon Strom, April 1997. Greatly expanded with the help of Rhode Island Historical Society staff and volunteers, June 2004.
Since the publication of Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's award-winning A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812, there has been increased recognition of the value of women's diaries as an important building block of our nation's history. This guide represents an effort to simplify the work of all researchers who are interested in using this wonderful resource for writing Rhode Island history. Diary research can be frustrating because of the time required to evaluate the source. Who was the author? Where was she writing from? What was her place in society? How old was she? What did she have to say? Now, it should be possible to answer these questions in moments. This guide will certainly not replace the use of the originals, but it will allow researchers to select the diaries best suited to their needs.
For researchers looking for a particular sort of woman (age, location, class, ethnicity, time period), the numerous lists in the front of this guide may be of use. For researchers looking for a specific sort of content, it might be best to browse through the records for individual diaries. All of the diaries have at least been skimmed for various categories of content and particularly interesting or representative passages have been transcribed. The guide is organized alphabetically by author. For organizational purposes, the woman’s name at her death was used.
The original diary guide had 79 entries, all by Rick Stattler in 1997. The following persons compiled a total of 61 additional entries, mostly between 2001 and 2004: Robin Alario, Michael Cardin, Karen Eberhart, Andrew Kerr, Greg McGurin, Lori Salotto and Rick Stattler. The style and format varies depending on the cataloger and the editing process was not as careful as it should have been. However, we hope that this guide will still be of value for researching the history of the women of Rhode Island.
Page Author Dates of Diaries
30 Aldrich, Abby Pearce (Chapman) (Greene) From 1910 to 1911
34 Aldrich, Harriet (Alexander) From 1902 to 1970
37 Aldrich, Lucy Truman From 1885 to 1919
34 Alexander, Harriet See: Aldrich, Harriet (Alexander)
39 Allen, Eliza H. (Arnold) From 1837 to 1841
42 Allen, Elizabeth G. (Lawrence) From 1936 to 1938
44 Armington, Edith Amelia From 1911 to 1929
50 Armington, Theodora G. (Bowen) From 1886 to 1900
39 Arnold, Eliza Harriet See: Allen, Eliza H. (Arnold)
53 Babbitt, Sophia C. (Harris) From 1871 to 1892
414 Babcock, Valena W. See: Watkins, Valena W. (Babcock)
56 Bacon, Ellen From 1846 to 1855
59 Baker, Betsey (Metcalf) From 1798 to 1804
62 Barker, Mary H. (Riley) From 1935 to 1935
64 Barstow, Emeline M. (Eames) From 1836 to 1839
340 Barstow, Grace E. See: Murphy, Grace E. (Barstow)
67 Barstow, Grace M. (Palmer) From 1873 to 1907
69 Battey, Miriam G. (Macomber) From 1932 to 1932
73 Bayles, Julia (Rider) From 1869 to 1870
76 Bengston, Madeline From 1931 to 1944
286 Bennett, Harriet Frances "Hattie" See: Jencks, Harriet F. (Bennett)
100 Binney, Avis See: Brown, Avis (Binney)
79 Blaine, Rowena (MacLellan) From 1905 to 1965
83 Blaine, Signe Adina (Hallborg) From 1897 to 1912
87 Blake, Mary Saunders (Johnson) (Mosher) From 1863 to 1863
310 Bowen, Julia See: Martin, Julia (Bowen)
50 Bowen, Theodora Greene See: Armington, Theodora G. (Bowen)
90 Bray, Gertrude C. From 1918 to 1919
92 Brayton, Celia G. (Clarke) From 1829 to 1829
411 Brayton, Lydia F. See: Walker, Lydia F. (Brayton)
357 Bridgham, Eliza Williams See: Patten, Eliza W. (Bridgham)
95 Brockelman, Flora M. (McGimsey) From 1938 to 1938
98 Brougham, Augusta P. (Webster) From 1944 to 1948
191 Brown, Abby See: Francis, Abby (Brown)
194 Brown, Ann Carter See: Francis, Ann C. (Brown)
100 Brown, Avis (Binney) From 1793 to 1804
103 Brown, Isabel B. See: Brunschwig, Isabel B. (Brown)
263 Brown, Sarah See: Herreshoff, Sarah (Brown)
281 Brownell, Henrietta See: Jenckes, Henrietta (Brownell)
103 Brunschwig, Isabel B. (Brown) From 1922 to 1927
105 Bullock, Sarah Bartlett From 1864 to 1921
109 Burge, Marie Louise From 1886 to 1907
111 Burgess, Marion M. (Walling) From 1882 to 1899
114 Butterworth, Eleonora T. (Thornlimb) From 1930 to 1930
377 Calder, Mary E. See: Robertson, Mary E. (Calder)
154 Carpenter, Lucy Daniels See: Cushman, Lucy D. (Carpenter)
117 Carrington, Candace C. (Dorr) From 1862 to 1886
160 Carstein, Mary Remington (Congdon) See: Dearstyne, Mary R. (Congdon)
283 Carter, Rebecca See: Jenckes, Rebecca (Carter)
119 Chace, Anna H. From 1904 to 1921
121 Chace, Elizabeth M. From 1904 to 1921
123 Chace, Jane C. (Moon) From 1904 to 1911
210 Chace, Sarah Anna See: Greene, Sarah A. (Chace)
125 Chafee, Mary D. (Sharpe) From 1889 to 1889
30 Chapman, Abby Pearce See: Aldrich, Abby Pearce (Chapman)
128 Chapman, Zerviah (Sanger) From 1775 to 1783
131 Chesebrough, Caroline L. (Herreshoff) From 1853 to 1855
391 Clarke, Abby Morton See: Stimson, Abby M. (Clarke)
92 Clarke, Celia Greene See: Brayton, Celia G. (Clarke)
216 Clarke, Helen See: Grimes, Helen (Clarke)
133 Clarke, Ida M. From 1869 to 1879
136 Collins, Caroline Updike (Eddy) From 1904 to 1904
366 Collins, Elizabeth "Betsy" See: Purinton, Elizabeth "Betsy" (Collins)
375 Colt, Ethel See: Ritchie, Ethel (Colt)
138 Comstock, Alice (Greene) From 1897 to 1897
141 Congdon, Cynthia A. (Sprague) From 1841 to 1854
160 Congdon, Mary Remington See: Dearstyne, Mary R. (Congdon)
146 Cook, Lucia G. (Moses) From 1898 to 1920
439 Cook, Maria Louisa See: Wing, Maria Louisa (Cook)
149 Cook, Sarah Crawford From 1809 to 1817
152 Cornelius, Laura Gertrude (Smith) From 1926 to 1926
154 Cushman, Lucy D. (Carpenter) From 1883 to 1883
157 Dauchy, Maria (Lefferts) From 1836 to 1836
372 Dawley, Mary Matilda See: Reynolds, Mary M. (Dawley)
160 Dearstyne, Mary R. (Congdon) (Carstein) From 1854 to 1916
164 DeCoppet, Beatrice From 1916 to 1928
167 DeCoppet, Gertrude From 1920 to 1924
169 DeCoppet, Laura (Fawcett) From 1874 to 1921
406 DeWolf, Katherine Kilton (Herreshoff) See: Tubbs, Katherine K. (Herreshoff)
171 DeWolf, Mary J. (Merchant) From 1910 to 1946
174 Diman, Louise From 1880 to 1954
117 Dorr, Candace C. See: Carrington, Candace C. (Dorr)
177 Duncan, Susanna (Lear) From 1788 to 1788
64 Eames, Emeline M. See: Barstow, Emeline M. (Eames)
181 Eaton, Sarah B. (Mason) (Ruggles) From 1830 to 1856
136 Eddy, Caroline (Updike) See: Collins, Caroline Updike (Eddy)
169 Fawcett, Laura See: DeCoppet, Laura (Fawcett)
185 Fearney, Hester From 1873 to 1874
187 Fitts, Helen L. From 1904 to 1904
189 Flaxman, Esther (Saslaw) From 1968 to 1968
191 Francis, Abby (Brown) From 1792 to 1820
194 Francis, Ann C. (Brown) From 1823 to 1828
448 Francis, Anne Brown See: Woods, Anne Brown (Francis)
196 Gammell, Elizabeth A. (Ives) From 1851 to 1852
198 Gibbs, Ann DeWolf (Lovett) From 1852 to 1853
347 Gladding, Sarah Cary See: Ormsbee, Sarah C. (Gladding)
201 Goff, Almira W. (Thornton) From 1903 to 1903
442 Goff, Elizabeth Lee See: Wood, Elizabeth L. (Goff)
203 Grant, Abby Florence (Pirce) From 1896? to 1911
205 Green, Edith (Jackson) From 1910 to 1911
30 Greene, Abby Pearce (Chapman) See: Aldrich, Abby Pearce (Chapman)
138 Greene, Alice See: Comstock, Alice (Greene)
208 Greene, Mary L. From 1836 to 1836
210 Greene, Sarah A. (Chace) From 1843 to 1854
213 Griffin, Abbie (Hoxsie) From 1879 to 1879
216 Grimes, Helen (Clarke) From 1920 to 1945
221 Grinnell, Elizabeth Frances From 1904 to 1904
83 Hallborg, Signe Adina See: Blaine, Signe Adina (Hallborg)
224 Harbach, Agnes Sophia From 1948 to 1948
227 Harris, Alice Frances From 1886 to 1887
230 Harris, Sarah G. From 1861 to 1865
235 Harris, Sarah H. (Hawes) From 1867 to 1890
53 Harris, Sophia C. See: Babbitt, Sophia C. (Harris)
235 Hawes, Sarah H. See: Harris, Sarah H.
241 Hazard, Caroline From 1897 to 1917
243 Hazard, Caroline (Newbold) From 1827 to 1827
245 Hazard, Margaret Anna (Rood) From 1860 to 1860
248 Hazard, Mary P. (Peace) From 1787 to 1788
251 Henley, Frances Evelyn From 1922 to 1954
255 Herreshoff, Agnes From 1821 to 1848
258 Herreshoff, Anna Francis From 1817 to 1884
131 Herreshoff, Caroline Louisa See: Chesebrough, Caroline L. (Herreshoff)
406 Herreshoff, Katherine Kilton See: Tubbs, Katherine K. (Herreshoff)
260 Herreshoff, Sally Brown From 1888 to 1888
263 Herreshoff, Sarah (Brown) From 1796 to 1796
266 Herreshoff, Sarah L. (Kilton) From 1881 to 1885
321 Himes, Rosabelle ("Belle") See: Matteson, Rosabelle (Himes)
213 Hoxsie, Abbie See: Griffin, Abbie (Hoxsie)
269 Hunt, Alice Winsor From 1905 to 1906
271 Ingall, Marjorie From 1977 to 1979
196 Ives, Elizabeth Amory See: Gammell, Elizabeth A. (Ives)
272 Ives, Harriet Bowen From 1858 to 1860
205 Jackson, Edith See: Green, Edith (Jackson)
274 Jacobs, Anne From 1864 to 1865
278 Janvier, Emma (Newbold) From 1828 to 1828
327 Jaques, Grace E. See: McNamara, Grace E. (Jaques)
281 Jenckes, Henrietta (Brownell) From 1883 to 1883
283 Jenckes, Rebecca (Carter) From 1794 to 1828
286 Jencks, Harriet F. (Bennett) From 1872 to 1872
87 Johnson, Mary Saunders See: Blake, Mary Saunders (Johnson)
266 Kilton, Sarah Lucas "Sadie" See: Herreshoff, Sarah L. (Kilton)
290 Knowlton, Marion From 1937 to 1938
294 Kroener, Edna L. From 1908 to 1921
298 LaFarge, Florence Bayard (Lockwood) From 1901 to 1938
303 Latham, Mehitable (Pearce) From 1831 to 1833
42 Lawrence, Elizabeth Grinnell See: Allen, Elizabeth G. (Lawrence)
177 Lear, Susanna See: Duncan, Susanna (Lear)
157 Lefferts, Maria See: Dauchy, Maria (Lefferts)
305 Lewis, Harriette S. (Watson) From 1886 to 1950
421 Lippitt, Jeanie See: Weeden, Jeanie (Lippitt)
380 Locher, Lila See: Roland, Lila (Locher) (McVay)
298 Lockwood, Florence Bayard See: LaFarge, Florence Bayard (Lockwood)
198 Lovett, Ann DeWolf See: Gibbs, Ann DeWolf (Lovett)
79 MacLellan, Rowena See: Blaine, Rowena (MacLellan)
69 Macomber, Miriam G. See: Battey, Miriam G. (Macomber)
315 Madison, Celia Maria See: Mathewson, Celia M. (Madison)
308 Madison, Louise From 1931 to 1932
445 Marshall, Almira See: Woods, Almira (Marshall)
310 Martin, Julia (Bowen) From 1799 to 1799
181 Mason, Sarah Brown See: Eaton, Sarah B. (Mason) (Ruggles)
315 Mathewson, Celia M. (Madison) From 1907 to 1907
317 Matteson, Ella J. From 1905 to 1913
321 Matteson, Rosabelle (Himes) From 1890 to 1918
95 McGimsey, Flora M. See: Brockelman, Flora M. (McGimsey)
327 McNamara, Grace E. (Jaques) From 1924 to 1924
393 McVay, Lila See: Swan, Lila (McVay)
380 McVay, Lila (Locher) See: Roland, Lila (Locher) (McVay)
171 Merchant, Mary J. See: DeWolf, Mary J. (Merchant)
332 Merriman, Helen Abbe (Pearce) From 1893 to 1893
382 Messinger, Shirley Canfield See: Round, Shirley C. (Messinger)
59 Metcalf, Betsey See: Baker, Betsey (Metcalf)
123 Moon, Jane C. See: Chace, Jane C. (Moon)
335 Moore, Louise K. (Winsor) From 1992 to 1992
337 Moran, Madeleine F. From 1948 to 1983
146 Moses, Lucia Gray See: Cook, Lucia G. (Moses)
87 Mosher, Mary Saunders (Johnson) See: Blake, Mary Saunders (Johnson)
398 Mowry, Jeanette See: Tiffany, Jeanette (Mowry)
340 Murphy, Grace E. (Barstow) From 1907 to 1907
243 Newbold, Caroline See: Hazard, Caroline (Newbold)
278 Newbold, Emma See: Janvier, Emma (Newbold)
342 Newton, Bessie Cahoone From 1929 to 1931
428 Nicholson, Elizabeth See: White, Elizabeth (Nicholson)
345 Nightingale, Abby From 1811 to 1812
347 Ormsbee, Sarah C. (Gladding) From 1843 to 1855
350 Paine, Bessie Rose From 1906 to 1940
353 Paine, Emily Hester From 1903 to 1974
67 Palmer, Grace Mason See: Barstow, Grace M. (Palmer)
357 Patten, Eliza W. (Bridgham) From 1818 to 1818
248 Peace, Mary P. See: Hazard, Mary P. (Peace)
395 Pearce, Adelyn Betsey See: Thurber, Adelyn B. (Pearce)
332 Pearce, Helen Abbe See: Merriman, Helen Abbe (Pearce)
303 Pearce, Mehitable See: Latham, Mehitable (Pearce)
435 Phelon, Alice Greene See: Wilcox, Alice G. (Phelon) (Poland)
203 Pirce, Abby Florence See: Grant, Abby Florence (Pirce)
435 Poland, Alice Greene (Phelon) See: Wilcox, Alice G. (Phelon) (Poland)
361 Potter, Mary Elizabeth From 1864 to 1865
363 Powers, Sarah From 1873 to 1873
435 Prew, Alice Greene (Phelon) (Poland) See: Wilcox, Alice G. (Phelon) (Poland)
366 Purinton, Elizabeth "Betsy" (Collins) From 1819 to 1824
372 Reynolds, Mary M. (Dawley) From 1856 to 1864
403 Richmond, Lusanna See: Tillinghast, Lusanna (Richmond)
73 Rider, Julia A. See: Bayles, Julia (Rider)
62 Riley, Mary Henchliffe See: Barker, Mary H. (Riley)
375 Ritchie, Ethel (Colt) From 1931 to 1931
377 Robertson, Mary E. (Calder) From 1874 to 1874
380 Roland, Lila (Locher) (McVay) From 1960 to 1963
245 Rood, Margaret Anna See: Hazard, Margaret Anna (Rood)
382 Round, Shirley C. (Messinger) From 1935 to 1944
181 Ruggles, Sarah Brown (Mason) See: Eaton, Sarah B. (Mason) (Ruggles)
128 Sanger, Zerviah See: Chapman, Zerviah (Sanger)
189 Saslaw, Esther See: Flaxman, Esther (Saslaw)
125 Sharpe, Mary Dexter See: Chafee, Mary D. (Sharpe)
388 Slade, Mary From 1840 to 1840
152 Smith, Laura Gertrude See: Cornelius, Laura Gertrude (Smith)
141 Sprague, Cynthia Anthony See: Congdon, Cynthia A. (Sprague)
417 Stewart, Cora Baxter See: Watson, Cora B. (Stewart)
391 Stimson, Abby M. (Clarke) From 1850 to 1867
451 Sutcliffe, Evelyn Estella See: Wosko, Evelyn E. (Sutcliffe)
393 Swan, Lila (McVay) From 1960 to 1960
424 Sweet, Julia See: Weir, Julia (Sweet)
114 Thornlimb, Eleonora T. See: Butterworth, Eleonora T. (Thornlimb)
201 Thornton, Almira Wheaton See: Goff, Almira W. (Thornton)
395 Thurber, Adelyn B. (Pearce) From 1937 to 1937
398 Tiffany, Jeanette (Mowry) From 1907 to 1907
403 Tillinghast, Lusanna (Richmond) From 1816 to 1819
406 Tubbs, Katherine K. (Herreshoff) (deWolf) From 1887 to 1887
409 Updike, Aritis From 1830 to 1830
411 Walker, Lydia F. (Brayton) From 1877 to 1899
111 Walling, Marion Melissa See: Burgess, Marion M. (Walling)
414 Watkins, Valena W. (Babcock) From 1915 to 1915
417 Watson, Cora B. (Stewart) From 1894 to 1932
305 Watson, Harriette Sprague See: Lewis, Harriette S. (Watson)
98 Webster, Augusta P. See: Brougham, Augusta P. (Webster)
421 Weeden, Jeanie (Lippitt) From 1882 to 1882
424 Weir, Julia (Sweet) From 1837 to 1839
428 White, Elizabeth (Nicholson) From 1928 to 1928
430 Whiting, Nellie (Woolhouse) From 1986 to 1991
435 Wilcox, Alice G. (Phelon) (Poland) (Prew) From 1896 to 1896
439 Wing, Maria Louisa (Cook) From 1881 to 1892
335 Winsor, Louise King See: Moore, Louise K. (Winsor)
442 Wood, Elizabeth L. (Goff) From 1884 to 1934
445 Woods, Almira (Marshall) From 1830 to 1833
448 Woods, Anne Brown (Francis) From 1848 to 1852
430 Woolhouse, Nellie See: Whiting, Nellie (Woolhouse)
451 Wosko, Evelyn E. (Sutcliffe) From 1915 to 1916
Diary dates Author
1775-1783 Chapman, Zerviah (Sanger) (1718-1812)
1787-1788 Hazard, Mary P. (Peace) (1775-1852)
1788-1788 Duncan, Susanna (Lear) (b.1770)
1792-1820 Francis, Abby (Brown) (1766-1821)
1793-1804 Brown, Avis (Binney) (1748-1807)
1794-1828 Jenckes, Rebecca (Carter) (1778-1837)
1796-1796 Herreshoff, Sarah (Brown) (1773-1846)
1798-1804 Baker, Betsey (Metcalf) (1786-1867)
1799-1799 Martin, Julia (Bowen) (1779-1805)
1809-1817 Cook, Sarah Crawford (1796-1882)
1811-1812 Nightingale, Abby (1768-1853)
1816-1819 Tillinghast, Lusanna (Richmond) (1800-1862)
1817-1884 Herreshoff, Anna Francis (1802-1887)
1818-1818 Patten, Eliza W. (Bridgham) (1799-1882)
1819-1824 Purinton, Elizabeth "Betsy" (Collins) (1769-1839)
1821-1848 Herreshoff, Agnes (1807-1849)
1823-1828 Francis, Ann C. (Brown) (1795-1828)
1827-1827 Hazard, Caroline (Newbold) (1807-1866)
1828-1828 Janvier, Emma (Newbold) (1811-1889)
1829-1829 Brayton, Celia G. (Clarke) (1808-1880)
1830-1830 Updike, Aritis (1819-1875)
1830-1833 Woods, Almira (Marshall) (1804-1863)
1830-1856 Eaton, Sarah B. (Mason) (Ruggles) (1804-1864)
1831-1833 Latham, Mehitable (Pearce) (1770-1843)
1836-1836 Greene, Mary L. (1821-1836)
1836-1836 Dauchy, Maria (Lefferts) (1797-1881)
1836-1839 Barstow, Emeline M. (Eames) (1813-1900)
1837-1839 Weir, Julia (Sweet) (1820-1900)
1837-1841 Allen, Eliza H. (Arnold) (1796-1873)
1840-1840 Slade, Mary (1822-1850)
1841-1854 Congdon, Cynthia A. (Sprague) (1820-1880)
1843-1854 Greene, Sarah A. (Chace) (1818-1904)
1843-1855 Ormsbee, Sarah C. (Gladding) (1800-1873)
1846-1855 Bacon, Ellen (1827-1857)
1848-1852 Woods, Anne Brown (Francis) (1828-1896)
1850-1867 Stimson, Abby M. (Clarke) (1798-1882)
1851-1852 Gammell, Elizabeth A. (Ives) (1830-1897)
1852-1853 Gibbs, Ann DeWolf (Lovett) (b.1839)
1853-1855 Chesebrough, Caroline L. (Herreshoff) (1837-1924)
1854-1916 Dearstyne, Mary R. (Congdon) (Carstein) (1842-1916)
1856-1864 Reynolds, Mary M. (Dawley) (1841-1918)
1858-1860 Ives, Harriet Bowen (1832-1860)
1860-1860 Hazard, Margaret Anna (Rood) (1834-1895)
1861-1865 Harris, Sarah G. (1844-1865)
1862-1886 Carrington, Candace C. (Dorr) (1815-1886)
1863-1863 Blake, Mary Saunders (Johnson) (Mosher) (1805-1888)
1864-1865 Potter, Mary Elizabeth (1820-1901)
1864-1865 Jacobs, Anne (1822-a1880)
1864-1921 Bullock, Sarah Bartlett (1840-1921)
1867-1890 Harris, Sarah H. (Hawes) (1812-1890)
1869-1870 Bayles, Julia (Rider) (1848-b1880)
1869-1879 Clarke, Ida M. (1853-1886)
1871-1892 Babbitt, Sophia C. (Harris) (1854-1928)
1872-1872 Jencks, Harriet F. (Bennett) (1835-1919)
1873-1873 Powers, Sarah (c1842 - ?)
1873-1874 Fearney, Hester (1851-1880)
1873-1907 Barstow, Grace M. (Palmer) (1850-1933)
1874-1874 Robertson, Mary E. (Calder) (1858-1924)
1874-1921 DeCoppet, Laura (Fawcett) (ca.1850-1923)
1877-1899 Walker, Lydia F. (Brayton) (1848-1903)
1879-1879 Griffin, Abbie (Hoxsie) (1816-1898)
1880-1954 Diman, Louise (1869-1954)
1881-1885 Herreshoff, Sarah L. (Kilton) (1836-1906)
1881-1892 Wing, Maria Louisa (Cook) (1835-a.1900)
1882-1882 Weeden, Jeanie (Lippitt) (1852-1940)
1882-1899 Burgess, Marion M. (Walling) (1844-1902)
1883-1883 Jenckes, Henrietta (Brownell) (1860-1917)
1883-1883 Cushman, Lucy D. (Carpenter) (1861-1942)
1884-1934 Wood, Elizabeth L. (Goff) (1869-1948)
1885-1919 Aldrich, Lucy Truman (1871-1955)
1886-1887 Harris, Alice Frances (1843-1887 )
1886-1900 Armington, Theodora G. (Bowen) (1877-1967)
1886-1907 Burge, Marie Louise (1865-1952)
1886-1950 Lewis, Harriette S. (Watson) (1874-1958)
1887-1887 Tubbs, Katherine K. (Herreshoff) (deWolf) (1871-1954)
1888-1888 Herreshoff, Sally Brown (1845-)
1889-1889 Chafee, Mary D. (Sharpe) (1860-1932)
1890-1918 Matteson, Rosabelle (Himes) (1852-1920)
1893-1893 Merriman, Helen Abbe (Pearce) (1876-1971)
1894-1932 Watson, Cora B. (Stewart) (1866-1936)
1896-1896 Wilcox, Alice G. (Phelon) (Poland) (Prew) (1878-1959)
1896?-1911 Grant, Abby Florence (Pirce) (1877-1957)
1897-1897 Comstock, Alice (Greene) (1857-1938)
1897-1912 Blaine, Signe Adina (Hallborg) (1881-1912)
1897-1917 Hazard, Caroline (1856-1945)
1898-1920 Cook, Lucia G. (Moses) (c1854-c1924)
1901-1938 LaFarge, Florence Bayard (Lockwood) (1864-1944)
1902-1970 Aldrich, Harriet (Alexander) (1888-1972)
1903-1903 Goff, Almira W. (Thornton) (1842-1921)
1903-1974 Paine, Emily Hester (1884-1974)
1904-1904 Collins, Caroline Updike (Eddy) (1884-1969)
1904-1904 Grinnell, Elizabeth Frances (1852-1906)
1904-1904 Fitts, Helen L. (1894-1971)
1904-1911 Chace, Jane C. (Moon) (1831-1914)
1904-1921 Chace, Anna H. (1856-1945)
1904-1921 Chace, Elizabeth M. (1868-1955)
1905-1906 Hunt, Alice Winsor (1892-1968)
1905-1913 Matteson, Ella J. (1905-1913)
1905-1965 Blaine, Rowena (MacLellan) (1886-1965)
1906-1940 Paine, Bessie Rose (1891-1971)
1907-1907 Tiffany, Jeanette (Mowry) (1871-1972)
1907-1907 Murphy, Grace E. (Barstow) (1888-1975)
1907-1907 Mathewson, Celia M. (Madison) (b.1857)
1908-1921 Kroener, Edna L. (1890-1983)
1910-1911 Green, Edith (Jackson) (1876-1971)
1910-1911 Aldrich, Abby Pearce (Chapman) (Greene) (1844-1917)
1910-1946 DeWolf, Mary J. (Merchant) (1870-ca.1946)
1911-1929 Armington, Edith Amelia (1861-1937)
1915-1915 Watkins, Valena W. (Babcock) (1875 - after 1956)
1915-1916 Wosko, Evelyn E. (Sutcliffe) (1897-1995)
1916-1928 DeCoppet, Beatrice (1878-a.1955)
1918-1919 Bray, Gertrude C. (1888-1975)
1920-1924 DeCoppet, Gertrude (1880-a.1955)
1920-1945 Grimes, Helen (Clarke) (1905-1989)
1922-1927 Brunschwig, Isabel B. (Brown) (1881-1952)
1922-1954 Henley, Frances Evelyn (1873-1955)
1924-1924 McNamara, Grace E. (Jaques) (1885-1983)
1926-1926 Cornelius, Laura Gertrude (Smith) (1882-1954)
1928-1928 White, Elizabeth (Nicholson) (1877-1961)
1929-1931 Newton, Bessie Cahoone (1878)
1930-1930 Butterworth, Eleonora T. (Thornlimb) (1901-ca.1981)
1931-1931 Ritchie, Ethel (Colt) (1888-1973)
1931-1932 Madison, Louise (1882-a.1932)
1931-1944 Bengston, Madeline (1907-1996)
1932-1932 Battey, Miriam G. (Macomber) (1910-1996)
1935-1944 Round, Shirley C. (Messinger) (1922-1978)
1935-1935 Barker, Mary H. (Riley) (c1880-1959)
1936-1938 Allen, Elizabeth G. (Lawrence) (1907-1985)
1937-1937 Thurber, Adelyn B. (Pearce) (1899-a.1961)
1937-1938 Knowlton, Marion (1906-2002)
1938-1938 Brockelman, Flora M. (McGimsey) (1892-1976)
1944-1948 Brougham, Augusta P. (Webster) (1880-1967)
1948-1948 Harbach, Agnes Sophia (1878-a.1958)
1948-1983 Moran, Madeleine F. (1901-1999)
1960-1960 Swan, Lila (McVay) (1907-1965)
1960-1963 Roland, Lila (Locher) (McVay) (1883-)
1968-1968 Flaxman, Esther (Saslaw) (1914-2000)
1977-1979 Ingall, Marjorie (1967-)
1986-1991 Whiting, Nellie (Woolhouse) (1910-1996)
1992-1992 Moore, Louise K. (Winsor) (1913-1992)
Travel outside the U.S. (this list is certainly incomplete)
Bahamas, London, etc. Aldrich, Harriet (Alexander)
Japan Aldrich, Lucy Truman
England, France Babbitt, Sophia C. (Harris)
Europe Barstow, Grace M. (Palmer)
France and Germany. Bray, Gertrude C.
Europe, Cuba Brunschwig, Isabel B. (Brown)
Europe Burgess, Marion M. (Walling)
England and France Chafee, Mary D. (Sharpe)
Digby, Nova Scotia. Cook, Lucia G. (Moses)
Paris, Peru, Valencia Spain and at sea Dearstyne, Mary R. (Congdon) (Carstein)
Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Germany Flaxman, Esther (Saslaw)
Europe Gammell, Elizabeth A. (Ives)
Europe and Middle East Goff, Almira W. (Thornton)
Holland, Belgium, England Grant, Abby Florence (Pirce)
Great Britain, France Grinnell, Elizabeth Frances
Europe Hazard, Margaret Anna (Rood)
England Hazard, Mary P. (Peace)
London, Scotland Herreshoff, Sarah L. (Kilton)
Europe Hunt, Alice Winsor
Canada: Montreal, Chicoutimi, Quebec Kroener, Edna L.
Europe Lewis, Harriette S. (Watson)
Asia, Canada, Carribean, Europe Matteson, Ella J.
England Moore, Louise K. (Winsor)
Switzerland Murphy, Grace E. (Barstow)
France, Italy Newton, Bessie Cahoone
Montreal Paine, Emily Hester
At sea, Canary Islands, Morocco Watson, Cora B. (Stewart)
Europe Weeden, Jeanie (Lippitt)
Italy, France Weir, Julia (Sweet)
Atlantic Ocean White, Elizabeth (Nicholson)
Europe Wing, Maria Louisa (Cook)
Europe and Middle East Wood, Elizabeth L. (Goff)
France, Italy Woods, Anne Brown (Francis)
United States outside Rhode Island
New York City Aldrich, Abby Pearce (Chapman) (Greene)
New York City, etc. Aldrich, Harriet (Alexander)
Washington, DC Aldrich, Lucy Truman
Savannah, GA; NY, etc. Allen, Eliza H. (Arnold)
Pittsfield, NH Armington, Edith Amelia
New Haven, CT Bacon, Ellen
Dedham, MA Baker, Betsey (Metcalf)
Old Orchard Beach, ME; New York City Battey, Miriam G. (Macomber)
Cape Cod, MA Bayles, Julia (Rider)
Hartford, CT; Massachusetts; Maine; NYC Blaine, Signe Adina (Hallborg)
Connecticut Brockelman, Flora M. (McGimsey)
Hawaii Brunschwig, Isabel B. (Brown)
Brooklyn, NY Burge, Marie Louise
Jacksonville, FL Butterworth, Eleonora T. (Thornlimb)
Philadelphia Chace, Anna H.
Philadelphia Chace, Elizabeth M.
Philadelphia Chace, Jane C. (Moon)
Chicago and Evansville, IL Cornelius, Laura Gertrude (Smith)
Worcester, MA Cushman, Lucy D. (Carpenter)
Troy, NY; Massachusetts Dauchy, Maria (Lefferts)
Albany NY; North Carolina; New Orleans...
... Georgia; Alabama; San Francisco; Maine Dearstyne, Mary R. (Congdon) (Carstein)
New York City DeCoppet, Beatrice
New York City DeCoppet, Gertrude
New York City DeCoppet, Laura (Fawcett)
Cambridge, MA; Colorado Springs; Paris, Maine Diman, Louise
New York City; Boston Duncan, Susanna (Lear)
Boston Gibbs, Ann DeWolf (Lovett)
New York, near Albany Grant, Abby Florence (Pirce)
Texas, near Houston Green, Edith (Jackson)
Massachusetts; Marietta, GA Greene, Sarah A. (Chace)
New York; Connecticut and Maine Grimes, Helen (Clarke)
Taunton; New York City; Boston Harris, Sarah H. (Hawes)
Wellesley, MA; Santa Barbara, CA Hazard, Caroline
New York; Hoboken, NJ Hazard, Caroline (Newbold)
Charleston. SC Hazard, Mary P. (Peace)
New York; Michigan; Jaffrey, NH Herreshoff, Sarah L. (Kilton)
Cambridge, MA Jacobs, Anne
Delaware Janvier, Emma (Newbold)
New York City Jenckes, Rebecca (Carter)
Florida; New York City Knowlton, Marion
Poughkeepsie; Lake George, NY; Franklin, NH Kroener, Edna L.
Moosup, Connecticut Martin, Julia (Bowen)
Carmel, California Newton, Bessie Cahoone
New Jersey; Boston; Albany; New Hampshire...
...Eustis (Florida); Larchmont, NY Paine, Emily Hester
New England, New York Patten, Eliza W. (Bridgham)
Great Barrington, MA; Philadelphia, PA Powers, Sarah
New Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore...
...Washington, Norfolk, VA Ritchie, Ethel (Colt)
New Holland, PA Roland, Lila (Locher) (McVay)
New Hampshire Round, Shirley C. (Messinger)
White Mountains in New Hampshire Tiffany, Jeanette (Mowry)
New York; Cleveland; Chicago; Omaha; Wyoming Watkins, Valena W. (Babcock)
Beaufort, SC Watson, Cora B. (Stewart)
Kentucky; NYC; Alabama; etc. Woods, Almira (Marshall)
Pittsfield, MA; New York Woods, Anne Brown (Francis)
Diaries written in Rhode Island towns outside of Providence:
Barrington Tiffany, Jeanette (Mowry)
Barrington Harbach, Agnes Sophia
Bristol Tubbs, Katherine K. (Herreshoff) (deWolf)
Bristol Herreshoff, Sarah L. (Kilton)
Bristol Harris, Sarah H. (Hawes)
Bristol Herreshoff, Anna Francis
Bristol Herreshoff, Agnes
Bristol Herreshoff, Sally Brown
Bristol Francis, Abby (Brown)
Bristol Chesebrough, Caroline L. (Herreshoff)
Bristol Green, Edith (Jackson)
Charlestown (Quonochontaug) Brockelman, Flora M. (McGimsey)
Cranston Knowlton, Marion
Cranston (Pawtuxet) Henley, Frances Evelyn
East Greenwich Reynolds, Mary M. (Dawley)
East Greenwich Congdon, Cynthia A. (Sprague)
East Greenwich Brayton, Celia G. (Clarke)
East Greenwich Dearstyne, Mary R. (Congdon) (Carstein)
East Greenwich Bengston, Madeline
East Providence Round, Shirley C. (Messinger)
East Providence Armington, Edith Amelia
East Providence Moran, Madeleine F.
Glocester (Chepachet) Dauchy, Maria (Lefferts)
Johnston Latham, Mehitable (Pearce)
Little Compton Tillinghast, Lusanna (Richmond)
Little Compton Comstock, Alice (Greene)
Narragansett DeCoppet, Gertrude
Narragansett DeCoppet, Laura (Fawcett)
Narragansett DeCoppet, Beatrice
Narragansett (Point Judith) Round, Shirley C. (Messinger)
Newport Brougham, Augusta P. (Webster)
Newport Blaine, Signe Adina (Hallborg)
Newport Blaine, Rowena (MacLellan)
Newport Bayles, Julia (Rider)
Newport Clarke, Ida M.
Newport Harris, Sarah H. (Hawes)
North Kingstown Madison, Louise
North Kingstown Mathewson, Celia M. (Madison)
North Kingstown (Saunderstown) LaFarge, Florence B. (Lockwood)
North Kingstown (Saunderstown) Paine, Emily Hester
North Providence Eaton, Sarah B. (Mason) (Ruggles)
North Providence Harris, Alice Frances
North Providence Harris, Sarah G.
North Providence Harris, Sarah H. (Hawes)
Pawtucket Jencks, Harriet F. (Bennett)
Pawtucket Slade, Mary
Pawtucket Barker, Mary H. (Riley)
Portsmouth (Prudence Island) Thurber, Adelyn B. (Pearce)
Scituate (Fiskeville) Walker, Lydia F. (Brayton)
Smithfield (Spragueville) Grimes, Helen (Clarke)
South Kingstown Griffin, Abbie (Hoxsie)
South Kingstown Updike, Aritis
South Kingstown (Kingston) Potter, Mary Elizabeth
South Kingstown (Peace Dale) Hazard, Caroline
South Kingstown (Wakefield) Kroener, Edna L.
South Kingstown (Wakefield) Lewis, Harriette S. (Watson)
Warren DeWolf, Mary J. (Merchant)
Warwick Francis, Ann C. (Brown)
Warwick Chapman, Zerviah (Sanger)
Warwick Whiting, Nellie (Woolhouse)
Woonsocket Powers, Sarah
Woonsocket Cook, Lucia G. (Moses)
Woonsocket McNamara, Grace E. (Jaques)
Diaries written largely in Providence
Downtown (Pine Street) Greene, Mary L.
Downtown (Richmond St.) Cushman, Lucy D. (Carpenter)
Downtown (Union St.) Tillinghast, Lusanna (Richmond)
Downtown (Washington St.) Robertson, Mary E. (Calder)
Downtown? Battey, Miriam G. (Macomber)
East Side Aldrich, Harriet(Alexander)
East Side Aldrich, Lucy Truman
East Side Allen, Elizabeth G. (Lawrence)
East Side Babbitt, Sophia C. (Harris)
East Side Baker, Betsey (Metcalf)
East Side Brown, Avis (Binney)
East Side Bullock, Sarah Bartlett
East Side Burgess, Marion M. (Walling)
East Side Carrington, Candace C. (Dorr)
East Side Chace, Anna H.
East Side Chace, Elizabeth M.
East Side Chace, Jane C. (Moon)
East Side Collins, Caroline Updike (Eddy)
East Side Comstock, Alice (Greene)
East Side Cook, Sarah Crawford
East Side Dauchy, Maria (Lefferts)
East Side Diman, Louise
East Side Duncan, Susanna (Lear)
East Side Green, Edith (Jackson)
East Side Harbach, Agnes Sophia
East Side Harris, Alice Frances
East Side Harris, Sarah H. (Hawes)
East Side Herreshoff, Agnes
East Side Herreshoff, Anna Francis
East Side Herreshoff, Sarah (Brown)
East Side Ives, Harriet Bowen
East Side Jenckes, Rebecca (Carter)
East Side Lewis, Harriette S. (Watson)
East Side Martin, Julia (Bowen)
East Side Matteson, Rosabelle (Himes)
East Side Merriman, Helen Abbe (Pearce)
East Side Nightingale, Abby
East Side Purinton, Elizabeth "Betsy" (Collins)
East Side Roland, Lila (Locher) (McVay)
East Side Slade, Mary
East Side Stimson, Abby M. (Clarke)
East Side Swan, Lila (McVay)
East Side Wilcox, Alice G. (Phelon) (Poland) (Prew)
Mount Hope (Camp St.) Fitts, Helen L.
Mount Hope (Larch/Doyle St.) Grimes, Helen (Clarke)
North Main St. Allen, Eliza H. (Arnold)
South Main St. Ormsbee, Sarah C. (Gladding)
South Providence (Broad St.) Blake, Mary Saunders (Johnson)
South Providence (Calla St.) Fearney, Hester
South Providence (Elmwood Ave.) Paine, Emily Hester
South Providence (Elmwood Ave.) Paine, Bessie Rose
South Providence (Junction St.) Butterworth, Eleonora T. (Thornlimb)
South Providence (Mawney St.) Thurber, Adelyn B. (Pearce)
South Providence (Public St.) Henley, Frances Evelyn
West Side (Greenwich St.) Jenckes, Henrietta (Brownell)
West Side (High St.) Barstow, Emeline M. (Eames)
West Side (Ortoleva Dr.) Wosko, Evelyn E. (Sutcliffe)
West Side (Sycamore St.) Armington, Theodora G. (Bowen)
For researchers looking for diaries of women from specific age groups, the following breakdowns might prove useful:
Diaries by girls aged 9 to 19:
Ages Final name Dates covered
9 - 10 Fitts, Helen L. 1904-1904
9 - 23 Armington, Theodora G. (Bowen) 1886-1900
10 - 12 Ingall, Marjorie 1977-1979
10 - 17 Diman, Louise 1880-1954
11 - 73 Dearstyne, Mary R. (Congdon) (Carstein) 1854-1916
12 - 21 Round, Shirley C. (Messinger) 1935-1944
12 - 18 Baker, Betsey (Metcalf) 1798-1804
12 - 13 Gibbs, Ann DeWolf (Lovett) 1852-1853
12 Lewis, Harriette S. (Watson) 1886-1950
12 - 13 Hazard, Mary P. (Peace) 1787-1788
13 Aldrich, Lucy Truman 1885-1919
13 - 81 Aldrich, Harriet (Alexander) 1902-1970
13 - 40 Herreshoff, Agnes 1821-1848
13 - 21 Cook, Sarah Crawford 1809-1817
14 Grimes, Helen (Clarke) 1920-1945
14 Wood, Elizabeth L. (Goff) 1884-1934
14 Greene, Mary L. 1836-1836
14 - 82 Herreshoff, Anna Francis 1817-1884
14 - 49 Paine, Bessie Rose 1906-1940
15 Tubbs, Katherine K. (Herreshoff) (deWolf) 1887-1887
15 - 16 Jenckes, Rebecca (Carter) 1794-1794
15 - 16 Clarke, Ida M. 1869-1879
15 Robertson, Mary E. (Calder) 1874-1874
15 - 18 Tillinghast, Lusanna (Richmond) 1816-1819
15 - 16 Reynolds, Mary M. (Dawley) 1856-1864
16 - 17 Merriman, Helen Abbe (Pearce) 1893-1893
16 - 31 Blaine, Signe Adina (Hallborg) 1897-1912
16 - 18 Weir, Julia (Sweet) 1837-1839
17 Wilcox, Alice G. (Phelon) (Poland) (Prew) 1896-1896
17 - 19 Wosko, Evelyn E. (Sutcliffe) 1915-1916
17 - 38 Babbitt, Sophia C. (Harris) 1871-1892
17 Janvier, Emma (Newbold) 1828-1828
17 - 20 Harris, Sarah G. 1861-1865
18 Kroener, Edna L. 1908-1921
18 Murphy, Grace E. (Barstow) 1907-1907
18 Paine, Emily Hester 1903-1974
18 Slade, Mary 1840-1840
18 - 28 Bacon, Ellen 1846-1855
18 Chesebrough, Caroline L. (Herreshoff) 1853-1855
18 Duncan, Susanna (Lear) 1788-1788
19 Martin, Julia (Bowen) 1799-1799
19 Patten, Eliza W. (Bridgham) 1818-1818
19 Hazard, Caroline (Newbold) 1827-1827
19 - 79 Blaine, Rowena (MacLellan) 1905-1965
19 - 20 Grant, Abby Florence (Pirce) 1896?-1911
Diaries by women aged 20-39:
9 - 23 Armington, Theodora G. (Bowen) 1886-1900
11 - 73 Dearstyne, Mary R. (Congdon) (Carstein) 1854-1916
12 - 21 Round, Shirley C. (Messinger) 1935-1944
13 - 81 Aldrich, Harriet (Alexander) 1902-1970
13 - 40 Herreshoff, Agnes 1821-1848
13 - 21 Cook, Sarah Crawford 1809-1817
14 - 82 Herreshoff, Anna Francis 1817-1884
14 - 49 Paine, Bessie Rose 1906-1940
16 - 31 Blaine, Signe Adina (Hallborg) 1897-1912
17 - 38 Babbitt, Sophia C. (Harris) 1871-1892
17 - 20 Harris, Sarah G. 1861-1865
18 - 28 Bacon, Ellen 1846-1855
19 - 79 Blaine, Rowena (MacLellan) 1905-1965
19 - 20 Grant, Abby Florence (Pirce) 1896?-1911
20 Aldrich, Lucy Truman 1885-1919
20 Updike, Aritis 1830-1830
20, 24 Woods, Anne Brown (Francis) 1848-1852
20 - 32 Burge, Marie Louise 1886-1907
20 - 21 Brayton, Celia G. (Clarke) 1829-1829
20 - 21 Bayles, Julia (Rider) 1869-1870
20, 25-40 Grimes, Helen (Clarke) 1920-1945
20 Collins, Caroline Updike (Eddy) 1904-1904
20 Chesebrough, Caroline L. (Herreshoff) 1853-1855
21 - 22 Battey, Miriam G. (Macomber) 1932-1932
21 - 22 Gammell, Elizabeth A. (Ives) 1851-1852
21 - 22 Cushman, Lucy D. (Carpenter) 1883-1883
21 - 34 Congdon, Cynthia A. (Sprague) 1841-1854
22 Jenckes, Henrietta (Brownell) 1883-1883
22 Herreshoff, Sarah (Brown) 1796-1796
22 Fearney, Hester 1873-1874
23 - 80 Bullock, Sarah Bartlett 1864-1921
23 - 27 Barstow, Grace M. (Palmer) 1873-1907
23 - 26 Barstow, Emeline M. (Eames) 1836-1839
23 - 37 Bengston, Madeline 1931-1944
23 - 89 Paine, Emily Hester 1903-1974
24 - 26 Lewis, Harriette S. (Watson) 1886-1950
24 - 51 Diman, Louise 1880-1954
24 - 72 DeCoppet, Laura (Fawcett) 1874-1921
25 - 36 Greene, Sarah A. (Chace) 1843-1854
25, 31 Kroener, Edna L. 1908-1921
25 - 28 Woods, Almira (Marshall) 1830-1833
25 - 51 Eaton, Sarah B. (Mason) (Ruggles) 1830-1856
26 Hazard, Margaret Anna (Rood) 1860-1860
26 - 28 Ives, Harriet Bowen 1858-1860
27 - 32 Francis, Ann C. (Brown) 1823-1828
27 Chafee, Mary D. (Sharpe) 1889-1889
28 - 51 Walker, Lydia F. (Brayton) 1877-1899
28 Watson, Cora B. (Stewart) 1894-1932
28 Butterworth, Eleonora T. (Thornlimb) 1930-1930
29 - 31 Allen, Elizabeth G. (Lawrence) 1936-1938
29 Watkins, Valena W. (Babcock) 1915-1915
29 - 31 Bray, Gertrude C. 1918-1919
30 - 53 Francis, Abby (Brown) 1792-1820
30 Weeden, Jeanie (Lippitt) 1882-1882
31 - 76 Lewis, Harriette S. (Watson) 1886-1950
31 - 32 Powers, Sarah 1873-1873
32 Knowlton, Marion 1937-1938
33 - 36 Wood, Elizabeth L. (Goff) 1884-1934
33 - 34 Hunt, Alice Winsor 1905-1906
34? Grant, Abby Florence (Pirce) 1896?-1911
34 - 35 Green, Edith (Jackson) 1910-1911
35 - 53 Chace, Elizabeth M. 1904-1921
36 - 37 Jencks, Harriet F. (Bennett) 1872-1872
36 Tiffany, Jeanette (Mowry) 1907-1907
37 - 38 Thurber, Adelyn B. (Pearce) 1937-1937
37 - 49 DeCoppet, Beatrice 1916-1928
37 - 74 LaFarge, Florence Bayard (Lockwood) 1901-1938
38 - 39 McNamara, Grace E. (Jaques) 1924-1924
38 Burgess, Marion M. (Walling) 1882-1899
38 - 66 Matteson, Rosabelle (Himes) 1890-1918
38 Dauchy, Maria (Lefferts) 1836-1836
39 - 44 DeCoppet, Gertrude 1920-1924
39 - 40 Comstock, Alice (Greene) 1897-1897
39 - 76 DeWolf, Mary J. (Merchant) 1910-1946
Diaries by women aged 40-59:
11 - 73 Dearstyne, Mary R. (Congdon) (Carstein) 1854-1916
13 - 81 Aldrich, Harriet (Alexander) 1902-1970
13 - 40 Herreshoff, Agnes 1821-1848
14 - 82 Herreshoff, Anna Francis 1817-1884
14 - 49 Paine, Bessie Rose 1906-1940
19 - 79 Blaine, Rowena (MacLellan) 1905-1965
23 - 80 Bullock, Sarah Bartlett 1864-1921
23 - 89 Paine, Emily Hester 1903-1974
24 - 51 Diman, Louise 1880-1954
24 - 72 DeCoppet, Laura (Fawcett) 1874-1921
25 - 40 Grimes, Helen (Clarke) 1920-1945
25 - 51 Eaton, Sarah B. (Mason) (Ruggles) 1830-1856
28 - 51 Walker, Lydia F. (Brayton) 1877-1899
30 - 53 Francis, Abby (Brown) 1792-1820
31 - 76 Lewis, Harriette S. (Watson) 1886-1950
35 - 53 Chace, Elizabeth M. 1904-1921
37 - 49 DeCoppet, Beatrice 1916-1928
37 - 74 LaFarge, Florence Bayard (Lockwood) 1901-1938
38 - 66 Matteson, Rosabelle (Himes) 1890-1918
39 - 44 DeCoppet, Gertrude 1920-1924
39 - 40 Comstock, Alice (Greene) 1897-1897
39 - 76 DeWolf, Mary J. (Merchant) 1910-1946
40 - 45 Brunschwig, Isabel B. (Brown) 1922-1927
40 - 45 Purinton, Elizabeth "Betsy" (Collins) 1819-1824
40, 44 Allen, Eliza H. (Arnold) 1837-1841
40 - 58 Armington, Edith Amelia 1911-1929
42 - 55 Ormsbee, Sarah C. (Gladding) 1843-1855
42 Herreshoff, Sally Brown 1888-1888
42 - 61 Hazard, Caroline 1897-1917
42 - 43 Nightingale, Abby 1811-1812
42 Jacobs, Anne 1864-1865
43 - 44 Harris, Alice Frances 1886-1887
43 - 44 Potter, Mary Elizabeth 1864-1865
43 Ritchie, Ethel (Colt) 1931-1931
44 Cornelius, Laura Gertrude (Smith) 1926-1926
44 - 48 Herreshoff, Sarah L. (Kilton) 1881-1885
44 - 65 Cook, Lucia G. (Moses) 1898-1920
45 - 56 Brown, Avis (Binney) 1793-1804
45 Brockelman, Flora M. (McGimsey) 1938-1938
45 - 48, 56 Wing, Maria Louisa (Cook) 1881-1892
46 - 81 Moran, Madeleine F. 1948-1983
46 - 70 Carrington, Candace C. (Dorr) 1862-1886
47 Aldrich, Lucy Truman 1885-1919
47 - 65 Chace, Anna H. 1904-1921
48 - 49 Madison, Louise 1931-1932
48 - 55 Burgess, Marion M. (Walling) 1882-1899
49 Jenckes, Rebecca (Carter) 1828
49 - 81 Henley, Frances Evelyn 1922-1954
49 - 50 Mathewson, Celia M. (Madison) 1907-1907
50 White, Elizabeth (Nicholson) 1928-1928
51 - 68 Stimson, Abby M. (Clarke) 1850-1867
51 - 53 Newton, Bessie Cahoone 1929-1931
52 Grinnell, Elizabeth Frances 1904-1904
53 Swan, Lila (McVay) 1960-1960
53 - 61 Matteson, Ella J. 1905-1913
54 Flaxman, Esther (Saslaw) 1968-1968
55 Barker, Mary H. (Riley) 1935-1935
56 - 65 Chapman, Zerviah (Sanger) 1775-1783
56 Barstow, Grace M. (Palmer) 1873-1907
58 Blake, Mary S. (Johnson) (Mosher) 1863-1863
59 Goff, Almira W. (Thornton) 1903-1903
Diaries by women aged 60 or over:
53 - 61 Matteson, Ella J. 1905-1913
42 - 61 Hazard, Caroline 1897-1917
62 - 63 Griffin, Abbie (Hoxsie) 1879-1879
60 - 63 Latham, Mehitable (Pearce) 1831-1833
64 - 64 Wood, Elizabeth L. (Goff) 1884-1934
47 - 65 Chace, Anna H. 1904-1921
56 - 65 Chapman, Zerviah (Sanger) 1775-1783
44 - 65 Cook, Lucia G. (Moses) 1898-1920
38 - 66 Matteson, Rosabelle (Himes) 1890-1918
66 - 66 Watson, Cora B. (Stewart) 1894-1932
66 - 67 Aldrich, Abby Pearce (Chapman) (Greene) 1910-1911
63 - 67 Brougham, Augusta P. (Webster) 1944-1948
51 - 68 Stimson, Abby M. (Clarke) 1850-1867
46 - 70 Carrington, Candace C. (Dorr) 1862-1886
69 - 70 Harbach, Agnes Sophia 1948-1948
61 - 71 Diman, Louise 1880-1954
24 - 72 DeCoppet, Laura (Fawcett) 1874-1921
11 - 73 Dearstyne, Mary R. (Congdon) (Carstein) 1854-1916
37 - 74 LaFarge, Florence Bayard (Lockwood) 1901-1938
39 - 76 DeWolf, Mary J. (Merchant) 1910-1946
31 - 76 Lewis, Harriette S. (Watson) 1886-1950
60 - 78 Harris, Sarah H. (Hawes) 1867-1890
19 - 79 Blaine, Rowena (MacLellan) 1905-1965
78 - 79 Moore, Louise K. (Winsor) 1992-1992
23 - 80 Bullock, Sarah Bartlett 1864-1921
76 - 80 Roland, Lila (Locher) (McVay) 1960-1963
72 - 80 Chace, Jane C. (Moon) 1904-1911
46 - 81 Moran, Madeleine F. 1948-1983
49 - 81 Henley, Frances Evelyn 1922-1954
13 - 81 Aldrich, Harriet (Alexander) 1902-1970
14 - 82 Herreshoff, Anna Francis 1817-1884
77 - 84 Diman, Louise 1880-1954
76 - 84 Whiting, Nellie (Woolhouse) 1986-1991
23 - 89 Paine, Emily Hester 1903-1974
There is very little ethnic diversity in this collection of diaries. Although Rhode Island is known as the most predominantly Catholic state in the union and has long been graced with large communities of Italian, Portuguese, African-American, Irish, Slavic, Native American, Jewish and French-Canadian descent, virtually none of these groups are represented among the 140 women whose diaries are in this collection. For this, we can only apologize. If anybody wishes to help rectify this situation through a gift, their generosity will be appreciated.
Only three diaries in the collection do not appear to be by Protestant women of northern European ancestry. These include two Jewish diarists, Marjorie Ingall (whose diary is closed until her death) and Esther (Saslaw) Flaxman and one Irish-American diarist, Madeleine F. Moran.
The remaining women who are represented in the collection are almost exclusively from old English settler stock dating back to the seventeenth century. The only other exceptions are several diaries by women who were probably what we could call Protestant ethnics. These include:
Three Swedish-American women: Madeline Bengston, Blaine, Signe Adina (Hallborg) Blaine, and Eleonora T. (Thornlimb) Butterworth.
One daughter of Scot immigrants: Rowena (MacLellan) Blaine.
One English immigrant (arriving as an adult in 1910): Mary H. (Riley) Barker.
One third-generation English-Scot girl: Hester Fearney.
One daughter of English immigrants: Nellie (Woolhouse) Whiting.
Two third-generation German-Americans: Edna L. Kroener and Shirley C. (Messinger) Round.
Two women of complex and partially Irish ancestry: Flora M. (McGimsey) Brockelman and Grace E. (Jaques) McNamara.
Class lines are harder to draw than ethnic ones. However, it seems fair to say that the majority of women represented here are from the social elite, ranging from the “upper-middle class” to the "upper class." A telling sign of the insularity of this group is the frequency with which these women discuss each other in their diaries. Another sign is the frequency of European vacations. Class is not always synonymous with money, however. A woman like Sarah Bartlett Bullock, who never married and spent the last years of her life in difficult circumstances, was still to some extent an honorary member of the elite. She traveled in the same circles as the town's rulers and apparently never worked for wages.
Only a few women represented here could be called “working class." Two wrote in the late nineteenth century. Ida Clarke was the semi-invalid daughter of a ropemaker who did knitting to bring in extra money to the family. Hester Fearney left school early to work as a seamstress and lived with her fish-peddler father in a raw neighborhood in South Providence. The remaining working-class diarists all wrote in the twentieth century. Mary (Riley) Barker was an English immigrant whose husband and sons were textile workers. Marion Knowlton, Madeleine Bengston and Madeleine Moran were all unmarried career secretary / stenographers. Grace (Jaques) McNamara was the wife of a Woonsocket street-car conductor. Nellie (Woolhouse) Whiting was the wife of a jewelry worker who had spent time in textile mills as a girl, though she later became a librarian. Eleonora (Thornlimb) Butterworth had worked as a telephone operator before her marriage to a warehouse manager.
Several others came from what was known in the early nineteenth century as the artisan class; their fathers were skilled tradesmen working on their own accounts. Harriet (Bennett) Jencks' father was a retired locksmith and gunsmith in Pawtucket; they seems to live simply but comfortably. Betsey (Metcalf) Baker's father was a successful tanner; Mary (Dawley) Reynolds' widowed mother actually went to work in a textile mill during a difficult period.
What follows is a very arbitrary list of women who fall somewhere on the spectrum from working to middle class.
Middle (artisan) Baker, Betsey (Metcalf) (1786-1867)
Middle - working Bengston, Madeline (1907-1996)
Working Barker, Mary H. (Riley) (c1880-1959)
Middle Battey, Miriam G. (Macomber) (1910-1996)
Middle Blaine, Rowena (MacLellan) (1886-1965)
Middle Blaine, Signe Adina (Hallborg) (1881-1912)
Middle Blake, Mary S. (Johnson) (Mosher) (1805-1888)
Middle? Bray, Gertrude C. (1888-1975)
Middle? Brockelmann, Flora McG. ()
Middle Brougham, Augusta P. (Webster) (1880-1967)
Middle (see above) Bullock, Sarah Bartlett (1840-1921)
Working Butterworth, Eleonora T. (Thornlimb) (1901-ca.1981)
Middle? Chapman, Zerviah (Sanger) (1718-1812)
Working-middle Clarke, Ida M. (1853-1886)
Middle Congdon, Cynthia A. (Sprague) (1820-1880)
Working Fearney, Hester (1851-1880)
Middle Fitts, Helen L. (1894-after 1974)
Middle Flaxman, Esther (Saslaw) (1914-2000)
Middle Greene, Mary L. (1821-1836)
Middle Greene, Sarah A. (Chace) (1818-1904)
Middle Grimes, Helen (Clarke) (1905-1989)
Middle Harbach, Agnes Sophia (1878-a1958)
Middle (artisan) Jencks, Harriet F. (Bennett) (1835-1919)
Working Knowlton, Marion (1906-2002)
Working-middle McNamara, Grace E. (Jaques) (1885-1983)
Working-middle Moran, Madeleine F. (1901-1999)
Middle Paine, Bessie Rose (1891-1971)
Middle Paine, Emily Hester (1884-1974)
Middle Powers, Sarah (c1842-c1880)
Middle Prew, Alice G. (Phelon) (Poland) (1879-a.1919)
Middle Purinton, Elizabeth "Betsy" (Collins) (1769-1839)
Middle - working Reynolds, Mary M. (Dawley) (1841-1918)
Middle Ritchie, Ethel (Colt) (1888-1973)
Middle Slade, Mary (1822-1850)
Middle Tiffany, Jeanette (Mowry) (1871-1972)
Middle Walker, Lydia F. (1848-1903)
Working-middle Whiting, Nellie (Woolhouse) (1910-1996)
Working Wosko, Evelyn E. (Sutcliffe) (1897-1995)
The provenance data is interesting when examined collectively. One might assume that something as personal as a family diary would tend to be donated at the initiative of a family, rather than through any efforts of a library. However, the following patterns suggest that collecting priorities by the Rhode Island Historical Society have strongly shaped the diary collection. The following table breaks down the gifts by decade.
1822-1899: 0
1900's: 2 (Eliza Bridgham and Eliza Allen)
1910's: 1 (Rebecca Carter)
1920's: 2 (Anne Jacobs and Henrietta Jenckes)
1930's: 0
1940's: 6 RIHS moves into new building under new management
1950's: 3
1960-1967: 4
1968-1969: 9 New librarian in 1968; Manuscripts Division founded in 1969
1970-1974: 25 Curatorship of Nathaniel Shipton
1975-1979: 14 Curatorship of Nathaniel Shipton
1980-1984: 4 Curatorship of Harold Kemble
1985-1989: 14
1990-1994: 10
1995-1999: 12
2000-2004: 21 Twelve of these were purchased, mostly via eBay.
Unknown: 12
These fluctuations are best explained by changes in the operation of the library. It is clear that prior to 1940, the library did not make a policy of collecting women's diaries and had the preservation of antiquities as its primary goal. The first woman’s diary to arrive was Eliza Brigham’s travel journal in 1904, followed by the Eliza Allen diary in 1908. Only three women's diaries arrived during librarian Howard Chapin’s long tenure from 1912 to 1940. All were considered incidental parts of the papers of their families of Great White Men (the Carter-Danforth and Jenckes papers). I have heard it said about Chapin that he was never much interested in anything past 1700.
In 1940, a new director assumed the helm of the Society and soon moved its headquarters into the more spacious John Brown House. The Society was revived from a long stupor and gifts started flowing in. We can assume that this new Director, William Roelker, considered women to be a legitimate part of history. Thirteen women’s diaries arrived from 1940 to 1967.
This was nothing, however, compared to the explosion of gifts in 1968, the year new librarian Albert Klyberg began. He started a separate manuscripts division the following year. During this period, through the tenure of the first manuscripts curator, Nat Shipton, who left in 1979, no less than 48 women's diaries arrived, tripling our holdings. This explosion coincides with the emergence of women's history as a respected academic discipline and also reflects the Society's emergence as a professionally run academic library rather than a musty reliquary.
After the departure of Shipton, however, the supply of diaries slowed up, despite a steady run of three curators interested in social history. Forty women’s diaries arrived in the next twenty years, less than Shipton hauled in over ten years. The pace quickened again after 2000, after the production of the first draft of this guide placed women’s diaries placed diaries in the spotlight. The arrival of the eBay Internet auction site also played a major role, allowing the inexpensive purchase of several great working-class diaries at a low cost.
What follows are a few very subjective lists, which might simply be termed “Curator's Favorites”. It is hoped that these lists will help bring some of the truly important diaries out of this mountain of information and into the hands of people who will appreciate them. As several different catalogers have worked with the diaries, some real jewels might still be missing from this list, but here are some good ones.
10 best for casual reading:
(handwriting is considered here):
Brockelman, Flora M. (McGimsey) (1892-1976) From 1938 to 1938
Congdon, Cynthia A. (Sprague) (1820-1880). From 1841 to 1854
Duncan, Susanna (Lear) (b.1770). From 1788 to 1788
Grimes, Helen (Clarke) (1905-1989). From 1920 to 1945
Jencks, Harriet F. (Bennett) (1835-1919). From 1872 to 1872
Matteson, Rosabelle (Himes) (1852-1920) From 1890 to 1918
Paine, Emily Hester (1884-1974). From 1903 to 1974
Watkins, Valena W. (Babcock) (1875 - after 1956). From 1915 to 1915
Woods, Almira (Marshall) (1804-1863). From 1830 to 1833
Wosko, Evelyn E. (Sutcliffe) (1897-1995) From 1915 to 1916
10 best for national significance of the authors
(quality of the actual diary aside):
Aldrich, Harriet (Alexander) (1888-1972). From 1902 to 1970
Aldrich, Lucy Truman (1871-1955). From 1885 to 1919
Bray, Gertrude C. (1888-1975). From 1918 to 1919
Chace, Anna H. (1856-1945). From 1904 to 1921
Greene, Sarah A. (Chace) (1818-1904). From 1843 to 1854
Hazard, Caroline (1856-1945). From 1897 to 1917
Henley, Frances Evelyn (1873-1955) From 1922 to 1954
Watson, Cora B. (Stewart) (1866-1936). From 1894 to 1932
Weeden, Jeanie (Lippitt) (1852-1940). From 1882 to 1882
Woods, Almira (Marshall) (1804-1863). From 1830 to 1833
10 best for representing unique perspectives:
Barker, Mary H. (Riley) (c1880-1959) English immigrant wife of factory worker
Fearney, Hester (1851-1880). Fish-peddler's daughter
Fitts, Helen L. (1894-after 1974). 9-year-old girl
Henley, Frances Evelyn (1873-1955) Rhode Island's first female architect
Herreshoff, Sally Brown (b.1845). Blind woman
Kroener, Edna L. (1890-1983). Socialist and suffragette
Moran, Madeleine F. (1901-1999) Irish-American stenographer
Paine, Emily Hester (1884-1974). Touring musician.
Tubbs, Katherine K. (Herreshoff) (1871-1954) Woman in process of divorce.
Weeden, Jeanie (Lippitt) (1852-1940). Deaf woman
10 best for the "old style" history
(insight into the great men and bygone ways of yesteryear):
Aldrich, Harriet (Alexander) (1888-1972). From 1902 to 1970
Baker, Betsey (Metcalf) (1786-1867). From 1798 to 1804
Cook, Sarah Crawford (1796-1882). From 1809 to 1817
Duncan, Susanna (Lear) (b.1770). From 1788 to 1788
Eaton, Sarah B. (Mason) (Ruggles) (1804-1864). From 1830 to 1856
Herreshoff, Anna Francis (1802-1887). From 1817 to 1884
Herreshoff, Sarah (Brown) (1773-1846). From 1796 to 1796
Jenckes, Rebecca (Carter) (1778-1837). From 1794 to 1794
Martin, Julia (Bowen) (1779-1805). From 1799 to 1799
Woods, Almira (Marshall) (1804-1863). From 1830 to 1833
10 best for the "new style" history
(insight into gender, class, and racial issues):
Congdon, Cynthia A. (Sprague) (1820-1880). From 1841 to 1854
Eaton, Sarah B. (Mason) (Ruggles) (1804-1864). From 1830 to 1856
Grimes, Helen (Clarke) (1905-1989). From 1920 to 1945
Jencks, Harriet F. (Bennett) (1835-1919). From 1872 to 1872
Kroener, Edna L. (1890-1983). From 1908 to 1921
Matteson, Rosabelle (Himes) (1852-1920) From 1890 to 1918
Paine, Emily Hester (1884-1974). From 1903 to 1974
Prew, Alice G. (Phelon) (Poland) (1879-a.1919). From 1896 to 1896
Watson, Cora B. (Stewart) (1866-1936). From 1894 to 1932
Woods, Almira (Marshall) (1804-1863). From 1830 to 1833
10 least utilized quality diaries:
Bray, Gertrude C. (1888-1975). From 1918 to 1919
Chapman, Zerviah (Sanger) (1718-1812) From 1775 to 1783
Eaton, Sarah B. (Mason) (Ruggles) (1804-1864). From 1830 to 1856
Jencks, Harriet F. (Bennett) (1835-1919). From 1872 to 1872
LaFarge, Florence Bayard (Lockwood) (1864-1944) From 1901 to 1938
Matteson, Rosabelle (Himes) (1852-1920) From 1890 to 1918
Paine, Emily Hester (1884-1974). From 1903 to 1974
Robertson, Mary E. (Calder) (1858-1924). From 1874 to 1874
Watson, Cora B. (Stewart) (1866-1936). From 1894 to 1932
Wilcox, Alice G. (Phelon) (1879-a.1919). From 1896 to 1896
10 most worthy of being published in a serious edited edition
(the next Martha Ballards), in order:
1. Grimes, Helen (Clarke) (1905-1989). From 1920 to 1945
2. Martin, Julia (Bowen) (1779-1805). From 1799 to 1799
3. Jencks, Harriet F. (Bennett) (1835-1919). From 1872 to 1872
4. Kroener, Edna L. (1890-1983). From 1908 to 1921
5. Woods, Almira (Marshall) (1804-1863). From 1830 to 1833
6. Eaton, Sarah B. (Mason) (Ruggles) (1804-1864). From 1830 to 1856
7. Congdon, Cynthia A. (Sprague) (1820-1880). From 1841 to 1854
8. Matteson, Rosabelle (Himes) (1852-1920) From 1890 to 1918
9. Watson, Cora B. (Stewart) (1866-1936). From 1894 to 1932
10. LaFarge, Florence Bayard (Lockwood) (1864-1944) From 1901 to 1938
Notes on the Abby P. Aldrich Diary
Entries dated 1910 to 1911
Biographical:
Name at birth: Chapman, Abby Pearce
Name after marriage: Aldrich, Abby Pearce (Chapman) (Greene)
Birthdate and place: April 10, 1844 Norwich, CT
Death date and place: February 17, 1917 New York City, NY
Age range during diary: 66 - 67
Residence during diary: Warwick, RI and Washington, DC
Places written: New York City, NY
Biographical note: Abby Pearce Chapman (Greene ) Aldrich was born in Norwich, CT to Robert and Amy (Morgan) Chapman. Abby was the wife of longtime US Senator Nelson W. Aldrich. She resided in Providence with her husband and they had eleven children, three of whom died young.
Ethnicity: Yankee
Religion of diarist: Protestant
Social class: Upper
Background and comments:
Number of volumes: 2
Number of pages: Vol. 1 - 113 pages; Vol. 2 - 26 pages
Exact dates: January 1, 1910 - May 3, 1911
Frequency of entries: Daily, except for January 9-28, 1911
How was author identified?: Outside of diary says Hon. Nelson W. Aldrich. Diary written by a woman and Abby was Nelson's wife.
Brief description: This diary describes approximately a year in the life of Abby P.C. (Greene) Aldrich, wife of a U.S. Senator. The diary is not extremely detailed, rather she jots down the weather and short items about what she and her family did on a particular day, and what Washington events she attended or did not attend and people she received. She also relates events from a visit to Florida from January 18-31. Prominent individuals in Rhode Island and Washington are mentioned briefly in relation to visits between each other.
Writing quality: Readable. Not extremely descriptive, short notes on days activities.
Related papers at RIHS: Papers of her daughter Lucy Truman Aldrich, Mss 938 sg 2; papers of her husband and herself, Mss 938 sg 1; and large collection of papers mostly from 1950 onward of her son Winthrop Aldrich and daughter-in-law, Harriet (Alexander) Arnold, including her diaries.
Family members:
Father's name: Chapman, Robert
Mother's name: Chapman, Amy (Morgan)
Husband's name: Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich
Husband's dates: 1841-1915
Husband's occupation: RI General Assembly (1875-1876); US Representative (1879-1881); US Senator (1881-1911)
Marriage date and place: 1866
Father-in-law's name: Aldrich, Anan E.
Mother-in-law's name: Aldrich, Abby A. (Burgess)
Sons: Nelson Wilmarth Jr. (1867-1871); Edward Burgess (1871-1957) m. Mary Dorrance and Lora Lawson; Stuart Morgan (1876-1960) m. Martha Louise Blackwell; Robert Chapman (1878-1878); William Truman (1880-1966) m. Dorothea Davenport; Richard Steere (1884-1941); Winthrop (1885-1974) m. Harriet Alexander.
Daughters: Lucy Truman (1871-1955); Abby G. (1874-1948) m. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.; Emma Louise (1882-1884); Elsie (1888-1967) m. Stephen M. Edgell and Stuart Campbell
Other persons frequently mentioned: Theodore Roosevelt; Pres. William H. Taft
Topical content:
Events discussed: "President Taft visits Providence today." [3/21/1910] "Nelson announced to President Taft his determination to retire from the Senate at the close of his present term in 1911. He retains his position on the Monetary Commission." [4/19/1920] "Roosevelt appointed a special American Ambassador to the funeral of King Edward of England. He will ride with visiting monarchs behind the funeral car. He will also attend the burial at Windsor." [5/13/1910] "Haley's comet passes between the earth and the sun. The disturbing influences of the passing of the comet is causing earthquakes, explosions in mines, vapors, chemicals and powders, and unusual weather. Expect the Earth to be enveloped by Comet's tail tonight." [5/18/1910] "Theodore Roosevelt and family arrived today afer his 4 months visit abroad. He was met by distinguished people and escorted by a large procession up Broadway and 5th Ave." [6/18/1910]
Births, deaths, marriages mentioned: "General Draper died today." [1/28/1910] "King Edward died at 11-45 on Friday night May 6th." [5/6/1910] "Abby's third son born Thursday May 26th 1910" [5/26/1910] On a visit in France: "We met there...Mrs. Goddard and the young Roelkers, in deep mourning for their mother who was buried on Friday the 9th" [9/12/1910]
Social life: "Mrs. Dyer came in and played poker solitaire with family." [2/6/1910] "Lucy went to a large musical at Mrs. Pattersons and dance after returning at 2 o'clock." [2/26/1910]
Family: "Lucy, Elsie, and myself went for a long automobile ride as it is a beautiful morning." [1/8/1910] "Lunched at Aby's and had a very pleasant visit with the children. Little Nelson very attractive child." [3/19/1910]
Childhood: "Abby came and took me to the Park for a drive. Then to see her four children all were looking very well. The youngest a boy 10 months old is just beginning to say words." [4/9/1910]
Marriage: "Ned's wedding cards waiting our return. Married in New Hampshire to Lorra Elsie Lawson the 29th of January, his second marriage." [2/12/1910]
Health: "Nelson woke up with a severe catarrhal cold and nose throat - sent for Dr. Richardson...said it was attack of grippe now prevailing." [1/10/1910] "Went to doctor's for treatment of inflamed mouth." [2/19/1910] "Richard [son] had been taken to the Presbyterian Hospital sick with typhoid fever. Lucy met me at the manicures and we left for New York." [6/9/1910]
Fashion: "Elsie new fur neck piece and muff." [1/1/1910] On a visit to France: "Lucy gave order for furs to be made at a store on the Rue L'Ancienne Comedie." [9/26/1910] "Went to Maison Blanc and bought six small infant slips for Dorothea." [9/27/1910] "Went with Lucy to Miss Currans to get me a hat to wear with my green velvet suit." [12/9/1910]
Race / ethnicity content: "One of Mrs. Wetmores maids has married a colored man, another one a Japanese. Unusual distinction for one house." [5/21/1910] "Jack Johnson [colored] prize fighter defeated Jim Jeffries who had never been beaten before at a place called Reno, Nevada." [7/5/1910] The white people are as indignant at the success of the colored pugilist that they are attacking blacks in N.Y." [7/7/1910]
Labor: On a visit to St. Augustine, Florida: "Senator took our Butler William James." [1/18/1910] "Leave here for New York and Warwick to day at 3 p.m. Take the cook and other secretaries." [3/18/1910] "Many buildings are being torn down and new ones put up all over the city and every day many laborers are killed falling." [7/8/1910] "Ellen our chambermaid who was a very capable and painstaking servant left us last night after a row with the housekeeper Miss Mercurean. I am very sorry." [10/17/1910]
Arts and culture: "Spent morning at the Louvre seeing its wonderful collection of pictures, tapestries, ?, furniture, and miniatures." [9/25/1910] "Nelson is having his portrait painted by a man from Sweden." [4/21/1910]
Travel: On a visit to Miami, Florida: "rode about three hours around the country seeing the grapefruit groves, and the generally desirable country around here." [1/23/1910] "Elsie left on 12-30 train for New York and tomorrow on to Boston to see about having made a dress to wear as maid of honor at Williams wedding." [3/4/1910]
Geographical and architectural: On a visit to St. Augustine, Florida: "walking about the city which contains a house said to be the oldest in America. also a Catholic church of great age." [1/19/1910] On a visit to Tarrytown, N.Y.: "The whole place [daughter Abby's home] gorgeous with spring bloom. The crew house and surrounding magnificently elaborate, especially the Japanese features. John [Rockefeller] drove us all around the six thousand acres." [4/30/1910] "Cellar of our house in Warwick begun today." [5/3/1910]
Cataloging information:
Catalog number: MSS 938 sg 1
Collection title: Nelson W. and Abby P.C. (Greene) Aldrich Papers
Location within the collection: Folders 16 and 17
Size: 10 ½ " x 4 ½"
Condition: Excellent
Graphic content: None
Format (microfilm, transcript, pub.): Bound volumes
Provenance: 1974. 33. 340. 1-, from the Winthrop W. Aldrich estate
Cataloged by Lori Salotto, May 2001
Bibliography:
Lappin, Amy. "A Guide to the Nelson W. and Abby P. Aldrich Papers in the Manuscripts Collection of the Rhode Island Historical Society Library," 1997.
Rhode Island Cemetery Database
Subject headings:
Aldrich, Dorothea (Davenport) (1886-1977)
Aldrich, Edward (1871-1957)
Aldrich, Elsie (1888-1967)
Aldrich, Harriet C. (Alexander) (1888-1972)
Aldrich, Lora (Lawson) (1874-1931)
Aldrich, Lucy T. (1871-1955)
Aldrich, Martha L. (Blackwell) (1878-1952)
Aldrich, Nelson W. (1841-1915)
Aldrich, Stuart M. (1876-1960)
Aldrich, Richard S. (1884-1941)
Aldrich, William T. (1880-1966)
Aldrich, Winthrop W. (1885-1974)
Fishing
Rockefeller, Abby G. (Aldrich) (1874-1948)
Rockefeller, John D. Jr. (1874-1960)
Roosevelt, Theodore (1858-1919)
Taft, William H. (1857-1930)
Notes on the Harriet (Alexander) Aldrich Diaries
Entries dated 1902 to 1970
Biographical:
Name at birth: Alexander, Harriet
Name after marriage: Aldrich, Harriet (Alexander)
Birthdate and place: July 3 1888, Seabright, N.J.
Death date and place: April 30, 1972, Greenwich, Conn.
Age range during diary: 13-81
Residence during diary: New York; 110 Benevolent St., Providence, R.I.
Places written: New York City, Providence, R.I., the Bahamas, London, and the rest of the world.
Biographical note: Raised in an affluent New York family, she attended the Spence School and was active in debutante activities in the Junior League of New York. She married Winthrop Aldrich of Providence and New York, who became president of Chase-Manhattan Bank. She was active on the boards of many organizations. From 1953 to 1956, she accompanied Winthrop during his appointment as U.S. Ambassador to England.
Ethnicity: Yankee/Scotch
Religion of diarist: Presbyterian
Social class: Upper
Background and comments:
Number of volumes: 15
Number of pages: Mostly 365 each
Exact dates: March 4 1902 - April 4 1970, with no serious gaps.
Frequency of entries: Fairly regular
How was author identified?: Signed
Brief description: An abbreviated account of the life of a very wealthy and active woman.
Writing quality: Readable but not very descriptive
Utility for research: Although Mrs. Aldrich led a very interesting life, it is only very briefly sketched out in these diaries. They are valuable, of course, for biographical data on her and her famous relatives.
Related papers at RIHS: Large collection of Winthrop W. and Harriet A. Aldrich Papers, mostly from 1950 onward.
Family members:
Father's name: Alexander, Charles B.
Father's dates: b.1849
Father's occupation: Lawyer, New York City
Mother's name: Crocker, Harriet
Mother's dates: Of San Francisco.
Brothers: None
Sisters: Mary (Alexander) Whitehouse (b.1895); Janetta (Alexander) Whitridge (b.1890)
Husband's name: Aldrich, Winthrop W.
Husband's dates: 1885-1974
Husband's occupation: Banker and ambassador to England
Marriage date and place: December 7, 1916
Father-in-law's name: Aldrich, Nelson W.
Father-in-law's dates: 1841-1915
Father-in-law's occupation: Long-time U.S. Senator
Mother-in-law's name: Greene, Abby Pearce Chapman
Mother-in-law's dates: 1845-1917
Sons: Alexander Aldrich (b.1928); Winthrop W. Aldrich Jr. (b.1917)
Daughters: Mary (Aldrich) Homans (b.1921); Harriet (Aldrich) Bering (b.1922); Lucy (Aldrich) Devens (b.1924; Elizabeth "Liberty" (Aldrich) Redmond (b.1925)
Other persons frequently mentioned: Husband's sister Abby (Aldrich) Rockefeller (1874-1948), wife of John D. Rockefeller Jr. (1874-1960). Husband's sister Lucy T. Aldrich (1869-1955).
Topical content:
Events discussed: Very little discussion of world affairs. No mention of stock crash on 10/29/1929. Entire entry for 12/7/1941: "Lunch M Whitehouse. Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. War is on! Our silver wedding dinner, 74, lovely. Girls went back to school." only mentions briefly her extensive work in war effort.
Religious content: Churchgoer but not much religious commentary.
Social life: A dizzying array of social activities are listed in these diaries, with many of the world's most powerful people. Also world travel, horses, golf. Unfortunately, this is all presented with little comment. A few typical full entries:
"Tried saddle horse. Hospital xmas comm meeting. K to lunch. Waited for Mr. Bacon. Berkeley Lyceum. Grace Tracy. J.P. Morgan dinner dance." [12/13/1906]
"Eleanor Roosevelt to lunch. Rain. Bee Iselin to dinner." [10/20/1926]
"City Hall all a.m. Hair washed. Reception for King Peter of Yugoslavia. Drove country, dinner for Babs Whitney's wedding party." [7/7/1942]
"Hair washed. Lunch Italian Embassy. Cocktails Audrey Bouberie. Dinner of 26 here for Queen Mother. Great success." [12/10/1953]
School: Active in alumni affairs for the Spence School; sent children to elite schools.
Gender relations: long involvement with debutante activities in New York is noted.
Arts and culture: Noted patron of the arts in New York, but only sketchy documentation here.
Travel: Constantly traveling, to Europe, Caribbean and throughout U.S.
Geographical and architectural: There is undoubtedly important material here re the house in Providence, since donated to the R.I.H.S. and known as the Aldrich House.
Organizations: president, Junior League of N.Y.C., 1911-1913; On Board of Bellevue School of Nurses for thirty years; Chairman of Woman's National Advisory Committee of N.Y. World's Fair, 1939; on countless other boards and committees.
Cataloging information:
Catalog number: MSS 938, sg 3
Collection title: Winthrop W. and Harriet A. Aldrich Papers
Location within the collection: Box 9
Size: Mostly about 6" x 5"
Condition: Good. Three rhinestones missing from 1967 diary...
Provenance: 1974. 33. 340. 1-, from the Winthrop W. Aldrich estate
Cataloged by Rick Stattler, April 1997
How much of the diary was actually read during cataloging? Only skimmed briefly
Bibliography:
Several folders of genealogical and biographical material in series 5 of the Winthrop and Harriet Aldrich Papers. There is surprisingly little documentation on the Alexander family to be found at the R.I.H.S.L.
Subject headings:
Diaries - 1902-1970
Great Britain - Social life and customs
New York City - Social life and customs
Providence, R.I. - Social life and customs
Rockefeller family
Notes on the Lucy Truman Aldrich Diaries
Entries dated 1885 to 1919
Biographical:
Name at birth: Aldrich, Lucy Truman
Birthdate and place: September 28, 1871, Providence, R.I.
Death date and place: January 12, 1955, Providence, R.I.
Age range during diary: 13, 20, 47
Residence during diary: 110 Benevolent St., Providence, R.I.
Places written: Providence, R.I.; in Washington D.C. April 7-19, 1892; in New York City for much of March 1919; in Japan April 1919.
Biographical note: Daughter of a longtime U.S. senator, she collected Asian textiles and was closely connected with the Rhode Island School of Design museum. She was captured by Chinese bandits and held for ransom in 1923.
Ethnicity: Yankee
Religion of diarist: Protestant
Social class: Upper
Background and comments:
Number of volumes: 3
Number of pages: 5, 4, 23
Exact dates: July 15-16, 1885; April 2-19, 1892; February 25 - May 13, 1919
Frequency of entries: Very sporadic
How was author identified?: Signed
Brief description: The first diary is a detailed account of two days in the life of a wealthy teenaged girl; the second diary is a less detailed account of a month at age 20; and the third diary is a sketchy memorandum of mostly from a trip to Japan.
Writing quality: Generally very rushed; Aldrich did not devote much of her considerable energy to diary-keeping.
Utility for research: Mainly biographical, but the two days of entries made as a 13-year-old are very good, and the account of the Japan trip might help document her extensive collection of textiles since donated to the R.I.S.D. Museum.
Related papers at RIHS: Lucy T. Aldrich Papers (MSS 938, sg 2) also include extensive correspondence and accounts, mostly relating to art collection. See also papers of her father (sg 1), brother Winthrop (sg 3) and her private nurse Minnie MacFadden (sg 4).
Family members:
Father's name: Aldrich, Nelson W.
Father's dates: 1841-1915
Father's occupation: U.S. Senator
Mother's name: Greene, Abby Pierce Chapman
Mother's dates: 1845-1917
Brothers: Edward B. Aldrich (1871-1957); Stuart M. Aldrich (1876-1960); William T. Aldrich (1880-1966); Richard S. Aldrich (1884-1941); Winthrop W. Aldrich (1885-1974); 2 died young
Sisters: Abby G. (Aldrich) Rockefeller (b.1874); Elsie (Aldrich) (Edgell) Campbell (1888-1967); one died young
Husband's name: None
Other persons frequently mentioned: Mabel "Belle" Wheeler, friend in 1885 diary. "John" in 1919 diary is brother-in-law John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Topical content:
Births, deaths, marriages mentioned: "I stopped at Nellie Wilbour's a friend of mine who has consumption. She looked dreadfully and I don't believe she can live but a few days." [7/16/1885]
Social life: "Tried to keep cool most of the afternoon but stopped to make that sassy Byron girl stop stealing our raspberries. Belle and I had quite a dispute with her, but after threatening her with a policeman we came into the house." [7/16/1885]
"Had our tinotypes taken. They were hideous, we left them." [4/19/1892]
Childhood: Excellent detailed account of two days in life from age 13 [1885]
Health: "I had a telegram from Papa saying that Mrs. Roelker's baby was ill and I should go around and ask after it." [4/8/1892]
Race / ethnicity content: On steamer trip to Japan, "it seemed strange to have Chinese waiting on the table and as bedroom stewards." [4/10/1919]
Arts and culture: At "the Athaneum, took out a book called Yolannde written by William Black." [7/15/1885]
"I finished Yolande tonight and I think it turned out just right." [7/16/1885]
Travel: Trip to Washington with sister Abby, April 7-18, 1892. Fairly good account of trip to Japan in 1919. Traveled overland by train from New York to Vancouver, then by steamer to Japan. Traveled extensively through Japan, seeing sights and spending loads of money. A typical entry: "Went to a private garden, Mr. Tkushima's, to see the azaleas. In the afternoon went to bank and to Yamuaka's bought 3 small screens and a Japanese print for Abby." [5/8/1919].
Cataloging information:
Catalog number: MSS 938, sg 2
Collection title: Lucy T. Aldrich Papers
Location within the collection: Box 1, folders 27-30
Size: Various
Condition: Fairly good; some blank pages seem to have been torn out.
Provenance: 1974. 33. 340. 1-, from the Winthrop W. Aldrich estate
Cataloged by Rick Stattler, April 1997
How much of the diary was actually read during cataloging? Read in entirety
Bibliography:
Aldrich, Alvin James. George Aldrich Genealogy (Published by author, 1971), vol. 2, p. 23
Subject headings:
Diaries - 1885-1919
Japan - Description and travel
Notes on the Eliza H. (Arnold) Allen Diaries
Entries dated 1837 to 1841
Biographical:
Name at birth: Arnold, Eliza Harriet
Name after marriage: Allen, Eliza H. (Arnold)
Birthdate and place: October 5, 1796, Providence, R.I.
Death date and place: August 30, 1873, Providence, R.I.
Age range during diary: 40, 44
Residence during diary: 208 North Main St., Providence, R.I. (current numbering)
Places written: 1837: To a plantation near Savannah Ga. via New York, Norfolk Va. and Charleston S.C
1841: Providence, R.I.
Biographical note: Daughter of one of Providence's wealthiest merchants, and married another.
Ethnicity: Yankee
Religion of diarist: Baptist?
Social class: Upper
Background and comments:
Number of volumes: 1
Number of pages: 90
Exact dates: March 18 - June 5, 1837; June 29 - July 31, 1841
Frequency of entries: Daily
How was author identified?: Identified by donor; fits known facts
Brief description: The first section of the diary describes a visit to her brother Richard Arnold's plantation near Savannah, Georgia, accompanied by a Mr. Dorrance, and joined by brother-in-law Tristam Burges. The second section is written in Providence while her husband and daughters are away on a vacation.
Writing quality: Fairly good; detailed but not very expressive.
Utility for research: The section written in Georgia gives an interesting look at plantation life; the later section is a standard account of elite social life in Providence.
Related papers at RIHS: The Zachariah Allen Papers (MSS 257) are a large collection consisting mainly of her husband's personal and business papers; it also includes Eliza's personal account book dated 1817-1833, and a few letters received from her brother-in-law Tristam Burges.
Family members:
Father's name: Arnold, Welcome
Father's dates: 1745-1798
Father's occupation: Merchant, Providence, R.I.
Mother's name: Greene, Patience
Mother's dates: 1754-1809
Brothers: Samuel G. Arnold (1778-1826); Richard J. Arnold (1796-1873)
Sisters: Mary "Polly" (Arnold) Burges (1774-1851), wife of Tristam Burges.
Husband's name: Allen, Zachariah
Husband's dates: 1795-1882
Husband's occupation: Textile manufacturer, Providence
Marriage date and place: 1817
Father-in-law's name: Allen, Zachariah
Father-in-law's dates: 1740-1801
Father-in-law's occupation: Merchant, Providence
Mother-in-law's name: Crawford, Anne
Mother-in-law's dates: 1759-1808
Sons: None
Daughters: Allen C. (Allen) Ely (1818-1888), m. William D. Ely;
Mary (Allen) Robeson (b.1819) m. Andrew Robeson
Candace Allen (1822-1901), never married
Other persons frequently mentioned: In 1837, traveling with a Mr. Dorrance, and her husband's cousin Phillip Allen Jr.
Topical content:
Events discussed: Re economic crisis: "Everyone here as elsewhere is distressed on account of the state of business and all are trembling for the failures." [4/27/1837] "The free suffrage procession formed by the court-house & when I thought they had passed I put on my bonnet and went out...There must have been many thousands of people in the street today." [7/5/1841]
Religious content: Strong spiritual content. Frequently makes visits to slaves in Georgia to read from Bible.
Social life: Both sections are detailed logs of visiting, which are sometimes amusing. "Mr. Dorr made me a call before breakfast but would not stay, thinking I could not make his tea to suit him." [7/17/1841]
Race / ethnicity content: The bulk of the 1837 section was written while visiting her brother's plantation in Georgia. Of course, there is some mention of the slaves. "I took my Bible and walked to the plantation as it is called, the rows of negro houses. Today one can see them all as they are in the field in the morning of week days and towards evening they are at work for themselves. I first read to Mam Kate an excellent old woman and as I explained to her the passages of the Bible I felt that I could learn much more from her than I could impart. She is humble, contented and cheerful, and constantly relies upon her heavenly father for every blessing & feels that she has many..." [4/16/1837]. Several visits like this are made.
Travel: The 1837 section describes a journey by sea from New York to Savannah, and then back.
Cataloging information:
Catalog number: MSS 254
Collection title: Zachariah Allen Papers
Location within the collection: Series 7, box 8, folder 5
Size: 9" x 7"
Condition: Good
Provenance: 1908. 20, gift of William D. Ely, a descendant
Cataloged by Rick Stattler, April 1997
How much of the diary was actually read during cataloging? Skimmed through most of the volume.
Bibliography:
Clarke, Louise Brownell. The Greenes of Rhode Island... (New York: 1903), pages 289-293
Rhode Island Cemetery Index
Rogers, L.E., ed. The Biographical Cyclopedia of Representative Men of Rhode Island (Providence: National Biographical Publishing, 1881), 259.
Subject headings:
Arnold, Richard J. (1796-1824)
Diaries - 1837-1841
Georgia - Description and travel
Providence, R.I. - Social life and customs
Notes on the Elizabeth G. (Lawrence) Allen Diary
Entries dated 1936 to 1938
Biographical:
Name at birth: Lawrence, Elizabeth Grinnell
Name after marriage: Allen, Elizabeth G. (Lawrence)
Birthdate and place: March 10, 1901, Hartford, Connecticut
Death date and place: March 13, 1985, Providence, R.I.
Age range during diary: 29-31
Residence during diary: 12 Benevolent St., Providence, R.I.
Places written: Providence, R.I.
Biographical note: Raised in Hartford, but mother was a Providence native from old Rhode Island family. Married into another prominent Providence family. After the period of this diary, founded the Providence Preservation Society and was active in many other local causes.
Ethnicity: Yankee
Religion of diarist: Protestant
Social class: Upper
Background and comments:
Number of volumes: 1
Number of pages: 170
Exact dates: November 8, 1936 - April 26, 1937; November 11, 1937 - April 27, 1938
Frequency of entries: Frequent but not daily.
How was author identified?: Signed
Brief description: Diary of upper-class young mother on east side of Providence.
Writing quality: Fairly good; sometimes opinionated (which is a good thing).
Utility for research: The most recent of the many east-side upper-class diaries here. A good account of the life of a young mother and housewife.
Related papers at RIHS: Elizabeth Allen Papers (MSS 96); Allen & Reed Papers (MSS 95)
Family members:
Father's name: Lawrence, Thomas F.
Mother's name: Weeden, Hortense
Husband's name: Allen, William S.
Husband's dates: b.1904
Husband's occupation: Industrial supplies manufacturer, in Allen & Reed
Marriage date and place: June 15, 1930, Providence, R.I.
Father-in-law's name: Allen, Phillip
Father-in-law's dates: 1869-1951
Father-in-law's occupation: Industrial supplies manufacturer. Gave Diamond Hill Reservation to the state of R.I. in 1937.
Mother-in-law's name: Reed, Helen S.
Mother-in-law's dates: 1872-1952
Sons: Zachariah Allen (b.1938); William Slater Allen Jr. (b.1930) (called "Slats" in diary).
Other persons frequently mentioned: Son's friend Tommy Greene [12/15/1936; 12/17/1936; etc]. Visit from Eleanor Washburn(daughter of diarist Elizabeth Goff Wood) [4/22/1938].
Topical content:
Events discussed: Regarding abdication of Edward VIII of England: "I am fearful of the effect this may have on the Empire. And very sad." [12/11/1936]
Religious content: Apparently only occasional churchgoer. At St. Stephen's, 2/28/1937
Social life: Kept horses; discussed riding, hunting and related activities very frequently.
Family: Some discussion of mother; mostly just the activities of her husband and young sons.
Childhood: Raising one young boy at time of diary. "Slats first real grown-up dinner party. He enjoyed himself immensely & behaved very well but seems to have cold and very tired." [11/26/1936] "He tells me he is being teased a lot in school. Gave him a long lecture on gullibillness & a few points on boxing." [12/15/1936]. Birth of a second son: "Zachariah is here! A most quick and easy labor - and he's all complete & weighs 7-14!..." [4/7/1938]
Marriage: Married woman. Odd comment: "Think I am in for domestic troubles." [1/23/1937]. On the birth of her second son, "Didn't send for Bill as I hoped to be done before he knew anything about it but he came just after I had gone downstairs & went through the usual stew but we're all O.K. now!" [4/7/1938]
Health: Careful documentation of household colds; son prone to poor health.
Labor: "Mollie Kennedy started working for us today as a cook." [1/21/1937]
Class relations: Wealthy, but apparently pinched by Depression: "Bill and I went through accounts tonight. Bad shape but will make out OK." [1/19/1937]. Still able to afford a cook, club memberships, horses.
Arts and culture: Classical music supporter. "Boston Symphony. Spalding played. He is improving with age." [11/28/1936] On the other side of the spectrum, "Went to see midget auto race at Arena." [2/2/1937]
Geographical and architectural: Moved into house at 12 Benevolent St., 1/22/1937.
Organizations: Agawam Hunt Club [11/20/1936], Hope Club [1/31/1937]. "Went to a meeting of Female Charitable Society. Most quaint." [4/7/1937]. Very active in many organizations, but all after the period of this diary.
Cataloging information:
Catalog number: MSS 96
Collection title: Elizabeth G.L. Allen Papers
Location within the collection: In box 1
Size: 9" x 6"
Condition: Good; not bound.
Provenance: 1985. 72. 1-, gift of William Slater Allen
Cataloged by Rick Stattler, April 1997
How much of the diary was actually read during cataloging? Read only 11/1936-2/1937, and 4/1938.
Bibliography:
Bendroth, Cindy. "The Papers of Elizabeth G.L. Allen" (Unpublished typescript, R.I.H.S., 1989)
Subject headings:
Allen, William S. (b.1904)
Diaries - 1936-1938
Horse sports - Rhode Island
Notes on the Edith A. Armington Diary
Entries dated 1911 to 1929
Biographical:
Name at birth: Armington, Edith Amelia
Birthdate and place: January 14, 1861; East Providence, RI
Death date and place: June 5, 1937; East Providence, RI
Age range during diary: 40 - 58
Residence during diary: East Providence, RI
Places written: East Providence, RI; Pittsfield, NH
Biographical note: Edith A. Armington was the youngest of three children born to Francis Armington and Caroline (Medbery) Armington. The Armingtons and Medberys were prominent farming families who resided in Seekonk, MA and later, East Providence, RI when the town changed states and names. Edith suffered from health problems which limited her mobility, however, she and her sister Carrie led active lives in the church and community belonging to numerous religious, social and political organizations.
Ethnicity: Yankee
Religion of diarist: Baptist
Social class: Upper-middle
Background and comments:
Number of volumes: 3
Number of pages: 365 each
Exact dates: January 1, 1911-December 31, 1915; January 1, 1921-December 31, 1924; January 31, 1925-December 31, 1929
Frequency of entries: Daily
How was author identified?: Identification written on inside cover of Vol. 2; signed inside cover vol. 3: "This is a diary of Edith A. Armington H.H.A."
Brief description: This is the diary of an upper middle-class woman written during her middle-aged years. The brief diary entries chronicle her daily activities at home, in the community and within the church.
Writing quality: The writing is not very descriptive but is neat and clear to read.
Utility for research: This diary is not very useful for studying about Rhode Island in general, however it would be excellent for studying the above mentioned organizations and committees. It could also be used to learn about the religious lives of Baptists in Rhode Island, the controversy surrounding the resignation of Dr. Frost, Edith's friend and religious leader. Also, the later years might be useful for examining radio broadcasts of the 1920's.
Related papers at RIHS: Armington Family Papers
Family members:
Father's name: Armington, Francis
Father's dates: 1820-1895
Father's occupation: Farmer turned wharf builder, East Providence, RI
Mother's name: Caroline Medbery
Mother's dates: c.1821-1904
Brothers: Arthur Herbert Armington (1853-1940). See The Armington Family in America for biographical information
Sisters: Caroline F. "Carrie" Armington (1849-1934)
Husband's name: None
Other persons frequently mentioned: Family members: Artie (her brother, Arthur), Carrie (her sister Caroline), Eva (Arthur's wife), Arthur's children: Hal (Herbert), Earl, Edith, Hal's wife Theo (Theodora Greene Bowen), Hal and Theo's children: Francis and Richard, nephew Earl's wife Marion, niece Edith's husband Frank Adams, Edith and Frank's children: "Junior" (Frank Adams born 11/15/1917), Evelyn (born 11/12/1920), and Robbie (Robert Wicks Adams born 4/21/1922). Mrs. Holt [2/18/1911], John Medbery (cousin) [3/20/1911], Emma Bevan [3/29/1911], Jessie Pearce [12/13/1911], Mr. and Mrs. Remick [4/13/1912], Lucy [4/16/1912], Dr. Slack [5/19/1913], Mr. Beckwith [8/27/1913], Mr. and Mrs. Brunton [8/27/1913], Ella [8/31/1914], Dr. Frost [2/7/1921], The Rays [6/26/1921], Jennie [12/11/1921], Belle Horton [12/27/1922], Dr. Brackett [5/7/1923]
Topical content:
Events discussed: "Lucy took Mr. Usher to the train after which she was thrown from the wagon and injured her leg badly." [9/5/1911], "Election Day. Woodrow Wilson elected. Democrat." [11/5/1912], "Saw an airplane that went up from Crescent Park." [5/30/1913], "Electric lights in the street out last night. Very high winds last night and this morning. 70 miles per hour for ten minutes. Many telephone poles down. [1/13/1915], "One hundred years ago today was the big gale and high tide in Providence." [9/23/1915], "The church automobile was stolen sometime between 11 P.M. last night and this afternoon." [4/10/1921], "Carrie and I went to the dedication of the Holiness Temple at Broadway Baptist." [6/25/1922] "Five aeroplanes flew over. I saw them." [8/13/1923], "Worst storm in 50 years. No electric lights in house or street. Snowed and rained. Wires down. Also trees. No electric light in house or street. Telephone out of commission." [3/11/1924-3/12/1924], "Total eclipse of the sun about 9:15 AM. Not quite total here but it was in Prov." [1/24/1925], "The Shenadoah (airship) went over." [7/3/1925], "First trip by anyone. Charles Lindbergh started in an aeroplane from New York at 9:53 AM yesterday and arrived in Paris at 5:21 PM tonight." [memoranda for May 21, 1926], "Swedish prince and princess went by in an automobile." [6/17/1926], "Charles Lindbergh arrived home this morning. Had a great reception in Washington. 20,000 people. Radio broadcasting all afternoon from the celebration given in his honor." [memoranda for June 11, 1927], "Charles Lindbergh (25 years old) flew from Washington to New York where they had a larger crowd than Washington. Immense crowd." [memoranda for June 13, 1927], "Bryd landed in Europe to-night at 9:24 PM forty hours in airplane from America." [6/30/1927], "Cyclone in Rehoboth at 7:30. A man killed several persons hurt, trees uprooted. $100,000 damage." [7/31/1927], "Inauguration of President Hoover." [3/4/1929], "We saw the Zeppelin go over." [8/16/1929]
Births, deaths, marriages mentioned: Frequent mentions of marriages and deaths."Richard Wickes Armington born this morning at 8:15. Arthur and Eva and Edith went over to call on him and his mother." [9/17/1912], "Edith Caroline (niece) was married to Walter Mear Adams M.H. at Seven PM Marriage in the Beneficent church reception at home. Many beautiful presents and very pretty wedding. [6/17/1915], Jessie Pearce died at 5 o'clock PM" [2/25/1921] "President Harding died at seven thirty PM." [8/2/1923] "Carrie and I went down to the church in the evening for a memorial service for President Harding whose funeral was today in Marion, Ohio." [8/10/1923] "Cousin John Medbery died this AM at 8:20. Funeral at Mrs. Richardson's 69 Waterman Ave. A large number there. More than get into the house." [7/12/1923, 7/15/1923], "I got all ready to go see Mrs. Jewell when I heard she had passed away at about 1:45 PM. She fell down the stairs and fractured her skull. Lived about 2 hours." [4/2/1925], "Mrs. Maria Miller had a shock and was taken to the R.I. Hospital. Mrs. Maria Miller died." [7/14/1928-7/15/1928]
Religious content: Edith is a devout Baptist and attends church and prayer meetings regularly as well as belonging to many church related committees and other religious organizations. "I went to the Baptist State Convention at Stewart Street Church." [10/14/1913], "I went to the Sabbath School State Convention during one address at the Universalist church on Greene Street in the morning." [10/29/1913], "I went to the Congregation Conference at Barrington in the morning." [11/5/1913], "I went to a board meeting at the First Baptist Church." [1/27/1914], "(Rev.) Dr. Frost read his resignation to take effect no later than July 1, 1921. [3/3/1921], "Prayer meeting at Mr. Hall's in the evening. Has a good spiritual meeting of over an hour." [3/24/1921], "I resigned my office of Financial Secretary of the church. My resignation was not accepted, or rather was laid over for action." [3/31/1921], "Carrie and I went to Broadway Baptist in the morning. Thirty baptized in the morning. About 14 or 15 infants dedicated to the Lord." [4/16/1922] "Went before prudential committee and related Christian experience." [4/29/1923], "I joined Broadway church this evening." [5/6/1923], "I went to Central Baptist. Memorial window for Eva presented to the church." [1/1/1928]
Social life: "Carrie and I spent the day at Nellie Turnney's and went to a lecture in the evening." [3/22/1911], "I went to the city and up to Emma's to supper and Carrie and I went to Columbia's Congress in the evening. Very fine." [3/29/1911], "Bert, Maud, her husband and I went down to Sabbather heights (New Hampshire) and to Loon Pond where the men tried fishing but did not get any. Very pretty ride." [9/21/1911], "Mrs. Phillips, Jessie Pearce, Mrs. Slayton called. We served 'Japanese tea', used the Japanese dishes." [12/13/1911] "Lawn party given by the Willing Helpers at Mr. Mac Duet's." [7/1/1913], "Entertainment and supper by the Martha Washington Guild at the church. Committee Hattie Chaffee, Clara Chaffee, Jessie Shedd, and myself. Good supper and nice entertainment. Mrs. Slack singer, Mrs. Pickett reader and Mrs. Butler and son players." [2/25/1914] "Fannie and I went to Warren to the Kickemuit Grange Bake. Good dinner." [8/19/1915] "I went to Broadway to "English tea party" in the evening." [4/4/1923], "I went to see the 'Adoration' at 5 PM." [1/1/1928], "Mr. Lauden carried me to the Associated Charities. The ladies gave me (birthday) cards and presents and Mrs. Sutton greased my nose." [1/14/1929]
Family: "A Mr. Disbrow called about the Armington genealogy." [9/14/1927], "The family (except the Adams children) all came and surprised Carrie and I in honor of Arthur's birthday. They brought ice cream and candy." [8/19/1929]
Childhood: "The Calverts came and we had a Christmas tree, mostly for the children." [12/24/1926]
Health: A childhood accident has left Edith in frequent pain. "I had the pain in my foot. I went to Dr. Slack's and took an electrical treatment." [6/16/1913], She suffers from Neuritis. "I began taking 'Robinal'." [4/1/1915], "Carrie had twenty-three teeth extracted. Took ether." [10/21/1922] "Edith got her new teeth." [6/14/1923], "I was sick all night. (Too many raw eggs)" [3/20/1925], "Junior has diabetes." [11/10/1926], "Dr. Robinson carried me to Dr. Boyd's and had several X ray pictures taken." [7/11/1928], "Edith and Evelyn and Junior went to Boston to a hildren's hospital for a week or so." [1/2/1929], "The dentist took off two gold crowns besides extractions four teeth. He injected bam-o. They did not hurt at all." [8/1/1929]
Home production: Frequent mentions of cleaning, cooking and household chores."I went to Providence and I bought a new Perfection oil stove." [9/13/1915], "Carrie and I went to Hal's to keep house for Theo to go to New Orleans." [10/13/1922], "Carrie went to Hal's to keep house for Theo to go to Indianapolis." [11/8/1922]
Work outside home: "Carrie at home from work for a few days as she had nothing to do." [6/22/1911], "Carrie went to work again." [6/26/1911] "Carrie went to work at the City Hall." [6/10/1912] "I went to the food sale at our church. I acted as cashier." [6/18/1912] "I sold aprons in the evening at the Strawberry festival." [9/13/1915]
Fashion: "Miss King commenced my ripplette dress." [7/17/1913], "Carrie and I went to the city. I bought my black furs $25.79 marked down from $43.00." [1/3/1914], "Mrs. F. got her hair bobbed." [10/19/1927]
Food and drink: "Friday, November 3rd, super at the Grange 25 cents: corned beef, sweet and Irish potatoes, squash, cabbage, parsnips, beets, pichialli, catrup pickles, beans, pork, brown bread, rolls, butter, mince and pumpkin pie, Indian pudding with cream and coffee." [memoranda section] "Food sale at church. I made two apple pies and Carrie made a cake and carried besides jelly and cookies." [2/22/1912], "The Library Association of RI menu: cold ham and tongue, rolls, pickles, mashed potatoes, coffee, ice cream and cake, grapes for 50 cents." [memoranda section dated 11/11/1912] "The E.O.W. Club went to Chin Lee's restaurant for their luncheon and annual meeting. All much pleased with the place." [5/28/1915], "Carrie made walnut cake from a recipe heard over the radio this morning." [3/24/1924], "Carrie and I made 'radio candy' of dates, figs, raisins, nuts and sugar. Too sweet." [6/4/1924], "Carrie made a new kind of peanut butter candy." [4/26/1928]
Community: "Carrie and I went to the city and signed a deed for land in the Central Park plat." [4/19/1912], "Carrie and I went to the child's welfare exhibit." [1/7/1913], "I went to Watchemoket called on Miss Fraser, the District Nurse. We sent a letter to the Town Council asking for milk inspection." [5/19/1913], "Mrs. Tarbox carried me to a meeting of the Watchemoket Library. Reverend Mr. Dingwell lectured." [1/26/1921], "Carrie and I went to the special business meeting in the evening at the church. The motion to reconsider Dr. Frost's resignation was laid on the table. It was voted (illegally) to dismiss." [3/21/1921], "I went to the First Baptist church in the afternoon to the permanent council meeting in regard to Dr. Frost and the church." [6/20/1921], "Mrs. Dodge called with a petition for the Rumford P.O. We signed it." [11/7/1921], "We went to Town Hall and voted." [11/7/1922], "I went in the Women's Parade in the afternoon. Mr. Fisher carried Mrs. Bliss, Mrs. McClaren and myself. Mrs. Fisher marched." [10/25/1924], Mr. and Mrs. Smith came to watch the E.P. Automobile parade pass. About 300 autos in line." [10/30/1924], "Election Day. Mr. Lamplear carried Carrie and I down to vote . . . Coolidge and Dawes elected." [11/4/1924], "Mr. MacLean drove Carrie and I down to the town hall. We acknowledged a deed of a lot on Central Park Flat." [3/20/1925], "Mr. Lauden took Carrie and I down to the old town hall to vote. Presidential election. Hoover and Al Smith candidates. Hoover elected by a majority." [11/6/1928]
Labor: "I went to a meeting of the Welling Workers." [12/14/1912] "Strike on the electric cars. Cars run about once an hour past the house. No cars on most of the lines." [7/15/1915], "Telephone operators went on strike." [6/26/1923]
Progress: "They laid gas pipes past the house." [9/15/1912], "Carrie bought a suction vacuum sweeper." [4/5/1913] "We rode in a 'jitney'" [4/16/1915], "We cleaned rugs with an electric vacuum cleaner." [3/8/1921], "The men worked putting in additional electric lights." [5/23/1921], "Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Jewell, Mrs. Bliss and myself to Broadway Six Corners. Opening of Narragansett Electric Co. rooms (store)." [12/27/1925]
Arts and culture: "Edith and I went down the street in the afternoon and to an entertainment at the new town hall East Providence in the evening." [1/31/1911], painting lessons each week, "Mrs. Holt, Carrie and I went to the Talma Theatre to the Negro Minstrels. Edith C. took part." [2/18/1911], "Artie came out and brought me a book Scenes from Every Land as a birthday present." [½0/1912], "Jessie Pearce and I went to the Providence Opera House and saw the moving pictures of Captain Scott's expedition." [5/2/1913], "Carrie and I went to Providence to the moving pictures of Bible scenes." [3/7/1915], "Went to Broadway to see the religious drama 'The Rock'." [4/23/1922], "Arthur showed his stereoptican slides of pictures he took while abroad." [8/30/1923 notations], "We listened to President Coolidge's address in New York broadcasted by WJAR on the radio." [4/22/1924], "We listened in on the dedication of the music temple at Roger Williams Park." [9/21/1924]
Travel: Trips to Pittsfield New Hampshire 9/1/1911-10/21/1911, 4/6/1912-4/18/1912, 8/26/1913-9/30/1913, "Alice Potter and I went by trolley to Taunton and Fall River and got dinner at Dighton Rock Park." [8/29/1912], "I went to Seacommet with the Hope and Riverside Congregational Sunday Schools." [7/22/1913], "I went to Newport with the Willing Helpers. Went by trolley to Bristol ferry. Came back by boat." [7/30/1913], Edith went to visit her friend Dr. Frost and his family in the Boston area from 6/6/1922-6/16/1922, "Arthur went to New York to start tomorrow on his journey around the world." [½1/1923], "Arthur started today for Canada, Seattle and Alaska." [6/28/1925], "Charlie Brightman took me to ride. Attleboro, Taunton, Fall River, Dighton, Warren, Touissett and home. Over 60 miles." [8/15/1925], "Went to see Theo and the boys at Lakeville." [7/9/1927-7/17/1927], "Herbert came and carried Carrie and I down to Highland Beach to stay for a few days." [8/26/1928], "Hal came, took Richard, Theo and I and Jiggs to ride down to Wickford. We had ice cream at E. Greenwich." [8/29/1928]
Geographical and architectural: They began to take down Vanity Fair." [3/29/1911], "Rode partly through the 'Parkway'. A very pleasant time." [8/1/1911], "I went on an outing with the ladies of the Hope Congregational Church. We got a shore dinner at Slocum's and then to Rocky Point." [8/15/1912], "Emma Meril came out and we walked over the grove and into Vanity Fair." [8/30/1912], "Hal went to the rifle range and Theo and the boys rode as far as Hunt's Mills." [9/9/1914], "Belle Horton, Carrie, Theo, Francis, Richard, Jennie and I went to Crescent Park. I got very tired." [8/23/1921], "I went to the city to the Arcade. Got some cards and ribbons." [2/13/1924], "We drove as far as Rocky Point. We drove through it." [7/10/1927]
Organizations: Edith belongs to numerous organizations such as: E.O.W.: "Carrie and I acted as hostesses at the Pure Food Exposition for E.O.W. club." [2/28/1912], "Mr. Lauden carried Mrs. Lauden and Mrs. Bliss and I to Mrs. Adams' to the E.O.W. club. Mr. and Mrs. Collins brought us back. I arranged the program. Miss Eals spoke on Red Cross work and Mrs. L. sang." [3/30/1928], Home Missionary Society: "Carrie went to the missionary meeting at the parsonage society. They disbanded and formed a new society 'The Woman's Mission Circle'." [4/6/1911],"I have a paper to write for the Mission Circle for January 3." [12/26/1911] Federation of Churches, Needlework Guild, Associated Charities (elected Second Vice President 2/13/1928), The Martha Washington Guild: "The Martha Washington Guild had a rummage sale at Broadway and Six Corners. I went up and helped." [9/27/1912], Home Mission Board, East Providence Nursing Association: "I was at Payne's drugstore all day as it is the headquarters for the East Providence District Nursing Association Campaign." [5/17/1913], WCTU, Providence Association, Foreign Missionary Society, Local Council of Women, The Willing Helpers:
" The Willing Helpers gave a chicken pie supper in the vestry. Over 80 there probably. Chicken pie gave out." [10/13/1915], Lyon Tabernacle, Ladies' Sewing Circle, Ladies' Auxiliary, E.P.B.N.W Guild
Cataloging information:
Catalog number: MSS 1128
Collection title: Armington Family Papers
Location within the collection: Box 1, folder 13
Size: Mostly 5" x 3"
Condition: Excellent condition
Graphic content: Newspaper clipping pasted into space for August 15, 1912
Provenance: 2003. 74. 1. 1-, gift of Albert Armington
Cataloged by Robin Alario, April 2004
Bibliography:
Armington Family in America, Vol. 1
East Providence City Directories
1860 U.S. Federal Census image from Ancestry.com
Notes on the Theodora G. (Bowen) Armington Diary
Entries dated 1886 to 1900
Biographical:
Name at birth: Bowen, Theodora Greene
Name after marriage: Armington, Theodora G. (Bowen)
Birthdate and place: December 13, 1877 in Lewiston, ME
Death date and place: December 15, 1967 in Providence, RI
Age range during diary: 9 - 23
Residence during diary: 15 Sycamore Street, Providence, RI until 1889 when they move to a brand new house at 27 Sycamore Street.
Places written: Providence, RI
Biographical note: Theodora Bowen was born in Maine. Her parents were both born in Rhode Island but as her father was a Baptist minister they lived in Maine for a couple of years during the late 1870s to the early 1880s. He was serving a congregation in Lewiston, Maine. Theodora grew up primarily in Providence. She attended Miss Emerson's Boarding School in Boston for one year during 1896-1897. Theodora also attended Brown University from 1897 through at least the spring of 1900. She married Herbert Hamlin Armington and they lived in Providence for most of their lives.
Ethnicity: Yankee
Religion of diarist: Baptist
Social class: Upper class
Background and comments:
Number of volumes: 1
Number of pages: 113
Exact dates: December 13, 1886 to December 2, 1900
Frequency of entries: Several times a year, mostly on the major holidays or for a big event in her life.
How was author identified?: Faint inscription on flyleaf "For Theodora" and on 12/2/1900 she states she has just become engaged to Herbert Hamlin Armington.
Brief description: Diary covering the early years of Theodora Bowen's life with good descriptions of holiday celebrations and her thoughts on getting older, 1886-1900.
Writing quality: Clear hand writing.
Utility for research: Very fine descriptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday celebrations.
Family members:
Father's name: William H. Bowen
Father's dates: 1836-1915
Father's occupation: Baptist minister
Mother's name: Jeanette Greene
Mother's dates: 1837-1911
Brothers: Everett A. Bowen married Jennie Stetson
Husband's name: Herbert Hamlin Armington
Husband's dates: 1878-1959
Husband's occupation: Doctor
Marriage date and place: June 25, 1907
Father-in-law's name: Arthur Herbert Armington
Father-in-law's dates: 1853-1940
Father-in-law's occupation: Surveyor and tax assessor for Providence.
Mother-in-law's name: Alice Evelyn "Eva" Stone
Mother-in-law's dates: 1856-1920
Sons: Francis Bowen Armington (1908-1998) married Marion Cline Stanwood; Richard Wickes Armington (1912- ) married Isabelle Frances O'Rourke
Topical content:
Events discussed: She gives a good description every year of her birthday celebrations, Thanksgiving, and Christmas including the presents received and the people who visited. "About quarter past twelve we saw smoke, and then we heard the fire bells ring, and then a little while after mamma came home and told us the Baptist Church was on fire. . ." [1/22/1888]
Births, deaths, marriages mentioned: Description of the wedding of her brother Everett and Jennie Stetson. [7/2/1895] "Maurice Stetson Bowen arrived this morning at half past seven. The greatest event that has happened in the Bowen family for ages." [6/9/1896] The death of her grandmother "she said to me, 'Be a good girl, do all the good you can and love God.' This was her farewell to me altho' I knew it not then." [6/4/1899] "Became engaged to Herbert Hamlin Armington." [12/2/1900]
Social life: On her tenth birthday she had a party - "Etta had to go first, then the rest of us played we were old maids, that knit and made all sorts of things for other people." [12/13/1887] "Alice brought a book and Etta brought some fancy work so the rest of the afternoon was spent by Alice reading to us while Etta and I worked. . . That night we all slept in one bed in the guest chamber. We laughed and laughed and did not get to sleep until nearly ten." [8/27/1890] "We played Tiddely-Winks before supper and after supper we pulled candy." [12/13/1890] "A few days ago I was invited to go on a sleighing party today . . the sleigh was so full I had to hold a smaller girl on my lap and a good many others had to too. . . In going through Bridgham Street we kept up one continuous noise. Girls, Boys, Men, Women and Children would all fly to their windows, and wave whatever they happened to have in their hand." [1/9/1891]
Aging: "My twelth birthday was very quiet. I did not, to my great surprise, feel any older than I did the day before." [12/13/1889] "Nineteen years old, and what do I amount to in the world anyway? . . I think all sorts of fine thoughts and make fine resolutions but it seems to do no good and I go on doing only those things that are absolutely necessary, wasting a good deal of my time and not growing in mental or spiritual life. As far as I see I might just as well be nine instead of nineteen for all that I am good for." [12/13/1896] "My twentieth birthday. The day that I have been waiting for, for twenty years! My great age (!) or something woke me this morning so that I was able to get down in time for breakfast for the first time in a long time!" [12/13/1897]
School: "A new life has begun for me. I started for Miss Emerson's Boarding School this afternoon at 4.02." [9/30/1896]
Home production: "it snowed all day, and I celebrated the day by finshing my foot stool cover, whitch I have had commenced three years. When I was filling up the spaces with white I called it putting in the snow flakes on a snow day. Anna and I made a may basket too." [4/18/1887]
Labor: Description of their new house being built. [4/25/1889 - 8/12/1889]
Class relations: "I had a cold and therefore did not go to church, but mamma did go. Irene Sanford our girl staid at home with me." [1/22/1888] "We have a new girl and Mamma was obliged to help her get the dinner so Papa and I went to represent the family." [11/27/1890]
Gender relations: Four year old Wayland Chase - "When Mrs. Chase was making the candie Wayland said, Mamma, be sure you make enough for some of those girls have got big mouths." [8/13/1887] "Before dinner the boys played ball and the girls walked around and got flowers - but after dinner the pairing off was enough to make one sick." [5/28/1892] "Had a party of my own . . .nine girls and nine boys. . .First the boys trimmed hats while the girls watched and made fun of them. It was great sport to watch the way the boys put their needle through and the way they matched colors. . . Auntie's mistletoe served its purpose well."[12/29/1893]
Progress: "As the two girls were starting for a concert one evening Isabel said, Don't it look queerly out to-night? In what way? said Margaret. Such a queer light, answered Isabel. Oh, yes, it is the electric light, said Margaret. What are they? asked Isabel. I will show you one when we turn the corner, said Margaret. How black the shadows are, observed Isabel. Yes, said Margaret, and sometimes horse are afraid of them." [11/24/1888] "Five days ag Papa and I went to the Pope Manufacturing Co. and ordered me a Hartford wheel [bicycle]. I took three lessons in their academy and today I took a 'road lesson' at the Park. It was simply elegant and I enjoyed it to its fullest extent. A wheel is something that until lately I never expected to have; but now I have one, and I think I shall enjoy it very much." [6/24/1897]
Geographical and architectural: The family went to Warwick-Neck were they "went down to the shore to look for fossilized ferns. We found a few but not very many. While Everett and Mamma were splitting the rocks open I was running around on the rocks. . " [12/26/1888]
Cataloging information:
Catalog number: MSS 1128
Collection title: Armington Family Papers
Location within the collection: Box 1, folder 14
Size: 3.5" x 6"
Condition: The cover is becoming detached from the text block which is stable but fragile.
Graphic content: none
Format (microfilm, transcript, pub.):
Provenance: 2003. 74. 1. 1- , gift of Albert Armington
Cataloged by Lori Salotto
Bibliography:
Rhode Island Cemetery Database
Subject headings:
Christmas
Diaries, 1886-1900
Thanksgiving Day
Notes on the Sophia (Harris) Babbit Diary
Entries dated 1871 to 1892
Biographical:
Name at birth: Harris, Sophia C.
Name after marriage: Babbitt, Sophia C. (Harris)
Birthdate and place: December 18, 1854, North Providence, RI
Death date and place: September 20, 1928, Providence, RI
Age range during diary: 17 - 38
Residence during diary: Providence, RI
Places written: England, France, Rhode Island
Biographical note: Sophia C. (Harris) was born in North Providence, R.I. to George J. and Sarah H. (Hawes) Harris. She was one of five siblings; a brother died young and a sister died at the age of twenty.
Ethnicity: Yankee
Religion of diarist: Unknown
Social class: Upper
Background and comments:
Number of volumes: 4
Number of pages: Vo1. 1 - 100; Vol. 2 - 89; Vol. 3. - 231; Vol. 4 - 188
Exact dates: August 11, 1871 - 1873; 1890 - September 26, 1892
Frequency of entries: Daily
How was author identified?: Inside covers of the diaries
Brief description: These four diaries chronicles different periods of time in the life of Sophia Charlotte (Harris) Babbit. Volume one details the life of an upper class seventeen year old. Volumes two and three detail an extended trip to Europe when Sophia was between the ages of seventeen and nineteen. The final volume details the life of Sophia between the ages of 36 and 38.
Writing quality: Fair. Uses no punctuation. Thoughts just run one into another.
Related papers at RIHS: Diaries kept by Sophia's sisters, Alice and Sarah and by her mother, Sarah. Found in Mss 482.
Family members:
Father's name: Harris, George J.
Father's dates: 1805-1870
Mother's name: Harris, Sarah H. (Hawes)
Mother's dates: 1812-1890
Brothers: One brother who died young.
Sisters: Abby Caroline (1837-1907); Alice Frances (1843-1887); Sarah Greene (1844-1865); and Josephine.
Husband's name: Babbitt, Edward Miles
Father-in-law's name: Babbitt, Benjamin Bosworth
Father-in-law's dates: 1827-1888
Father-in-law's occupation: Clergyman in the Episcopal; President of South Carolina State University
Mother-in-law's name: Babbitt, Mary Elizabeth (Eaton)
Mother-in-law's dates: 1831-1879
Sons: George Harris (b. 1883)
Daughters: Sarah H. (b. 1882)
Other persons frequently mentioned: Sisters Abby and Alice; mother Sarah
Topical content:
Religious content: "I went to church all day" [11/26/1871] In France:"Went to the American Church the services were long but it seem very nice to hear an English Sermon..." [9/7/1872] "Took the children to Sunday school and Church" [12/26/1891]
Social life: "played one game of croquet read until ten oclock and then retired heard the band playing this evening and made me think of Taunton" [8/14/1871] "went to Cowesett for the day we had a Clam bake and a lovely time" [7/4/1892] "Took George to Crescent Park we sat on the beach and stayed all afternoon" [8/14/1892]
Family: "I have not written any since my dear Mother went to Taunton...was there one week and three days when she was taken sick I was telegraphed...the Dr. called her trouble fatty degeneration of the heart she suffered much for over two weeks was conscious during the whole time" [10/23/1890]
Childhood: "The children played all day up stairs with their presents" [12/26/1890] "Sarah sick couldn't take her dancing lesson" [12/6/1891]
Health: On a trip to Europe, the diarist was seasick most of the time. [6/29/1872 - 7/9/1872]
School: "Went to school this morning to have our studies arranged I am going to study ? Arith French and music as mother want me to." [9/8/1871]
Home production: "Very busy all day preserved some tomatoes or pickled them" [10/28/1890] "Made George a pair of trousers" [11/11/1890] "Ella and I cleaned the parlor thoroughly before dinner" [8/5/1891] "Washed the dining room windows" [5/2/1891]
Work outside home: "after dinner Mother and I went in the buggy and collected the rent" [9/5/1871]
Fashion: "Mother and H rode in town...to get H a white dress but could not find any to suit I cut out and commenced a pair of drawers" [8/15/1871] "Mother and I went Pawtucket to the town clerks office on business then we went in to one of the stores there and I bought a pair of morning cuffs and corset." [9/6/1871]
Food and drink: In New York City: "we went in saloon got one of the most delicious sherbets that I ever tasted..." [6/28/1872] On board the 'City of Paris' bound for England: "I took some champagne and it made me sick all afternoon." [6/30/1872] "we at last landed safely at Calais took the train there bought a lunch at the station of lemonade sandwiches and oranges we ate it in the car and enjoyed it very much..." [7/26/1872] In France:"for dinner we had 1st soup 2nd delicious fried fish 3rd roast beaf potatoes and lettuce salade with egg 4th Mushrooms on toast with some kind of meat in them 5th white grapes peaches green almonds Chalotte de rouseee and Wine for every course we enjoyed our dinner very much." [8/3/1872]
Labor: "had a woman here to wash paid her $1.00" [5/12/1890] "Paid Mr. Mckay thirty dollars for repairing the house" [10/9/1891] "woman came and washed paid her 75 cents" [5/9/1891]
Gender relations: "saw quite a number of young gentlemen one of whom bowed but we did not think best to return it" [8/22/1871] "saw a splendid looking gentleman coming home he looked a us very hard as we stopped on Dorance St" [8/23/1871] "H and I rode to the ? this morning saw C M to bow to twice and several times after we tried to follow him home but he was so near and walked so slow that we could not get up the spunk to do it" [8/25/1871]
Travel: Three volumes pertaining to travel in Europe [1872-1873] "went to Jaffrey [NH?] for two weeks with the children and Miss Mosher we had a delightful time" [8/28/1891]
Geographical and architectural: "we all took a cab to the houses of Parliament went all through the different rooms the house of Lords and commons then we walked to the gardins of Buckingham Palace.." [7/20/1872] In Switzerland:"At half past eleven this morning mother Mrs. Scovill Alice and Eliza all went to the castle." [10/18/1872]
Cataloging information:
Catalog number: MSS 482
Collection title: Harris-Hawes Family Papers
Location within the collection: Box 1, folders 10-12
Size: Vol. 1 - 8 x 6 3/4; Vol.2 - 7 x 4 ½; Vol. 3 - 8 3/4 x 7; Vol. 4 - 11 1/4 x 7
Condition: Vol. 1 - Fair, binding is beginning to come apart and several pages torn out at the beginning of the diary; Vol. 2 - Good, one page is torn loose; Vol. 3 - Fair, several loose pages, binding coming undone; Vol. 4 - Poor, binding beginning to disintegrate, many pages loose, and paper brittle.
Graphic content: Vol. 2 - dried flower; Vol. 3. - dried flowers, French newspaper clipping; Vol. 4 - report card
Provenance: 1975. 73. 2. 1-, purchased from Nino D. Scotti.
Cataloged by Lori Salotto, July 2001
Bibliography:
Browne, William Bradford, compiler. The Babbitt Family History, 1643-1900, 611-612, 668. Taunton, Mass.: C.A. Hack & Son, 1912.
Hawes, Raymond Gordon. The Edward Hawes Heirs, 92, 164. Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, Inc., 1996.
Rhode Island Cemetery Database
Subject headings:
Diaries, 1871-1873
Diaries, 1890-1892
England - description and travel
Europe - description and travel
France - description and travel
Harris, Abby Caroline (1837-1907)
Harris, Alice Frances (1843-1887)
Harris, George (b.1883)
Harris, Sarah (b. 1882)
Harris, Sarah H. (Hawes) (1812-1890)
Italy - description and travel
Providence, R.I. - social life and customs
Switzerland - description and travel
Notes on the Ellen Bacon Diary
Entries dated 1846 to 1855
Biographical:
Name at birth: Bacon, Ellen
Birthdate and place: September 8, 1827
Death date and place: March 18, 1857, New Haven, Conn.
Age range during diary: 18-28
Residence during diary: New Haven, Conn.
Places written: New Haven, Conn.
Ethnicity: Yankee
Religion of diarist: Congregationalist
Social class: Upper?
Background and comments:
Number of volumes: 1
Number of pages: 44
Exact dates: January 3 1847 - November 1855
Frequency of entries: Very sporadic; only four pages after 1849.
How was author identified?: Frequently refers to herself in the third person as Ellen Bacon; there is only one Ellen Bacon in the appropriate family tree of the proper age.
Writing quality: Excellent; quirky and deeply emotional.
Utility for research: Excellent resource for research on social misfits; too sporadic for any kind of systematic study. No Rhode Island content at all. Her sister's son married into the Rhode Island Hazard family, which is the only connection.
Related papers at RIHS: Bacon Family Papers (MSS 483, sg 54) relating to sister's family.
Family members:
Father's name: Bacon, Nathaniel Almoran
Father's dates: 1798-1870
Mother's name: Selden, Almira