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UNKNOWN : 1876 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A YOUNG NEAR PHILADELPHIA WOMAN IN THE YEAR OF AMERICA'S CENTENARY

48mo - over 3" - 4" tall. On offer is a small diary kept by a teacher in the centennial year of the United States. Measuring 3 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches, the leather bound diary contains about 400 pages and is about 90% complete. The handwriting is legible and the book is in good condition. The writer is unknown. She is a teacher, living away from home. Context clues suggest she lives and works in the area immediately west of Philadelphia, PA., quite likely Collegeville, PA. [ref.: Sept 7]. The students, few as they are, live at the school. Much of her entries make a brief comment on what is happening at her school and the letters she writes or receives. "Took the young ladies to the creek to skate before school. They enjoyed it so much they insisted on going again after dinner. We went down, Miss C accompanying us. Feel somewhat the worse for our efforts at skating" [Jan 15]; "... Was surprised and delighted to receive a lovely letter from my friend Sally to whom I had not written for nearly two years. Sent me a lovely tie she is a dear good girl. Received a letter also from [ ]." [Jan 19]. Like many small private schools, enrolment was always a challenge: "Rained and I was sorry Mary had to go home but there seemed no alternative. Had a note from her saying she was very wet when she reached home. We had several new day scholars added to our slender number" [April 3]. On May 17th, she refers to an opportunity to write a Teacher's Examination which suggests that she is not yet licensed. On June 1st, she references a parade that she attended in Philadelphia which helps confirm her location and time: "A most delightful cool day. Had went to the city to witness the parade of the Knights Templar [ ] pronounces it the finest sight of its kind ever witnessed Received letter from C saying that the little daughter's name is Mabel Lois. I am greatly pleased. Wrote to Mary C" [June 1]. This small book is a fine record of the events in the daily life of a young woman at the centennial of the United States. Its details give a very good window into what life was like for a young, unattached woman as she was beginning to make her own way in the world. A social historian or researcher into gender studies would find this an excellent reference work.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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