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N. L. B.? : Young Woman's Diary, Grant County, Wisconsin, 1877 (Together with) Companion Volume of Poetry by the Same Author, c. 1877

Original diary kept by a young woman living in Grant County, Wisconsin with a companion volume of poetry also written by her. Diary has gray wrappers. Poetry book has yellow wrappers. Contains handwriting in black ink and pencil. Both diary and poetry book are 5" x 8." Diary is c. forty-three pages. Poetry book is c. twenty-five pages. Diary is virtually pristine and intact except for slight wear to extremities and a few small wrinkles. Poetry book is virtually pristine and intact except for slight wear to extremities and slight dampstaining along spine. Binding is tight on both. Both the diary and poetry book are Fine. A handwritten diary and book of poems authored by a young woman of about 23 years of age. She lives with her family on a farm in Grant County, Wisconsin. She may identify herself as "N. L. B.," the initials that accompany one of the poems, but otherwise no name is given. The young woman often mentions going to Potosi, Platteville, and a place she calls, "The Pines." The church she attends is also located near "The Pines." The author makes weekly entries in her diary, which run from January to July 1877. In one entry, she describes her day," What have I done this live long day. Washed, cleaned cellar, emptied barrels and bins, made beds, gathered eggs, and set hens." In between writing about work, family, and social life, the author sometimes stops and makes social commentary. For example, after she felt criticized for socializing with people perceived to be below her standing, she writes that she hopes to never enter "'Fashionable Society" ... if it is composed altogether of such empty-headed aristocratic fools." In another entry, after the author feels her mother has scolded her too much, she writes, "Oh, if I could only leave this everlasting bear's den for a few months I would be willing to live in the woods alone, a solitary hermit." In the companion volume of poetry, there are six poems. In some of the poems, the young woman writes about some of the same people who appear in her diary.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Fine. Binding: Soft cover

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