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MAUD ARNOLD BRIDGES : 1913 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY AN ILL FATED 35 YEAR OLD AMHERST MASSACHUSETTS WOMAN

32mo - over 4" - 5" tall. On offer is a very detailed diary of a woman living in Massachusetts in the early 20th century. Leatherbound, this diary measures 4.75 inches by 3.75 inches. It has 365 pages and is 100% complete. The light tan-coloured cover is in very good condition and the handwriting is quite legible. Maud Arnold Bridges was born in 1878 and married William Lawson Bridges. They lived in Amherst, MA where they raised their family. Her husband William worked in a creamery/ice house. Maud had been ill following unspecified injuries sustained from saving the life of a child, according to a news clipping in the diary. She is 35 years old when she writes this diary. She passed away in 1918 at the age of 40.The diary is packed with the small everyday details of a woman running her busy household. From context, it also appears that she and her husband take in boarders which adds to her busy days. It is replete with references to family and friends and the many tasks that fill her hours. ... Swept the bedroom thoroughly and did a lot of general work. D washed the diningroom windows for me. Carried Lillian a piece of squash. She came in here for few minutes. Rec'd paper from Mrs. Maltz. Went up to sew with D. Got a lot done in my dressing sack. Just as pretty as it can be. Felt very much better today and accomplished a lot ... [Feb 21] Cloudy very windy Horrid day. I washed and did quite a little general work. Will feels some better but coughs badly. Wrote to Blanche. Received lovely Easter cards from Jessie and her Ma and from Blanche and one from Mildred and Eva. Went in to call on Lillian's cousin, Mrs. Jones - very pleasant but nothing brilliant and about as homely as Lillian, not quite such a mouth. Wrote to Jessie [Mar 24] Such a treat to see the sun. Will got our back room in order again and we got our things back in our room. Worked all day getting settled. Lillian and John came in twice after church hinting and expecting an invitation to dinner which they didn't get. After dinner, Will and I read and it seemed so good to have it quiet again ... [May 25] And so it goes -her diary is filled with daily chores and interactions with people. She mentions excursions in the Amherst and to nearby places such as Northampton, Springfield, and Holyoke MA. Her days are simply jammed with housekeeping tasks, baking, sewing, etc. She records births, sicknesses and deaths within her circle as well as a constant back and forth with visitors. Her focus is home, family and friends. There are no references to events in the larger world such as Woodrow Wilson's becoming the 28th President of the United States or the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg which attracted thousands of veterans. This is an excellent glimpse into the working of an ordinary American urban home in early 20th century America. It provides a very clear and detailed picture of the life of a married woman at that time and would be of interest to students of women's studies or urban history.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good+

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