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JENNIE BACON : 1886 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY HAND WRITTEN BY A HARDWORKING UPSTATE NEW YORK TEENAGE GIRL

24mo - over 5" - 5¾" tall. On offer is a very interesting diary kept by a young woman in upstate New York in 1886. Measuring 5 3/4 inches by 3 1/2 inches, the slim volume contains about 150 pages including memoranda. The diary portion is 100% complete. The covers, binding and pages are all in good condition. The handwriting is legible. Tucked into the diary are three newspaper clippings. These are obituaries published in the local papers. Two refer to the death of her mother in 1914. The third refers to a man who is possibly related to her by marriage. There are also 2 photographs in the diary - 1 is a family grouping and the other is a portrait of a young woman. Research confirms that the picture of the young woman is indeed Jennie Bacon. Interestingly, in the same pocket that held the photographs was a folded paper package that contains a small calibre bullet casing. The flyleaf is inscribed "Jennie Bacon, Layden NY Jan 4th, 1886". Research establishes that she was born in 1870 in Iowa. Her family moved to Lewis County, NY at some time in her early life. This makes her 16 when she began to keep this diary. She lives at home on a farm with her parents and her brother, Arthur. Jennie Bacon passed away in 1949. The year opens with her attending a local school which she enjoys very much. Interspersed with her daily attendance are the many tasks that she carries out daily: "Pleasant and warm. Up at six. Washed the dishes and went to school. Had nearly all my lessons good. Knit some on my mittens. Got a certificate of vaccination today had a good time at school today. Pa went to Boonville and got the mechanic today" [Jan 18], "Snowed and blowed late [ ] going to school this morning some drifts half way up the house sides. Up half past seven. Went to school had a very good time but way behind in my lessons. I wanted to stop History but Mr. Wadleigh would not let me. He lent me the history he had" [Jan 21]. Mid-march, her schooling comes to an end and daily entries revolve mostly around the seemingly unending tasks of keeping the house: "Rained most all day. Up ten min past six. Went to school today and it is my last day this term. Felt very badly, did not like to leave..." [Mar 19]. "... Sarah and I have worked hard all day. We cleaned the parlour, hall closet and cellar ... I am very tired tonight" [May 21]. "Her entries describe cooking, cleaning, sewing and farm tasks such as milking, making cheese and churning butter. "... Did the mornings work then I went to washing got it all out before dinner put away the wash things ... ground coffee, made biscuits, hunted eggs, sprinkled clothes in the evening set up my skirt again. I am sure tired tonight" [Oct 11]. This diary is very well-written and gives and excellent, detailed account of the tasks and responsibilities of maintaining a home in rural America in the late 19th century. It is rich in detail. There are a great many references to local people and local places which can provide valuable cross-referencing. This would be a superb resource for local historians or researchers studying 19th century rural life in America and the role of women at that time and place.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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