1941-1947 Unique Handwritten Manuscript Diary of a Single Mother in New England during WWII, Waging Legal Battle for Support Payments

On offer is a very simple yet unusual diary written by an unnamed woman from 1941 to 1947. Context suggests she was a single mother living with her son in Nahant, Massachusetts, a town in Essex County. There is no record of a husband, although she does note a legal action for non-payment of support from a man named Jay. Her son, Jamie, is 10 or 11 years old in 1941, and is mentioned in almost every entry she makes. She appears to be close with her family, as passages detail much time spent with her father and possibly a brother. When the author isn’t working at one of her many jobs, she is helping her father repair a house, part of which she rents out. Life is not easy for her. This was an economically difficult time in the United States and she refers in several places to the OPA—the Office of Price Administration, created to regulate prices and rents during the war years. She also takes courses, presumably to help her find better or more steady work. “Salem to court. Jay and his 2 sisters went there got Legal Aid ... Miller did well. Questioned Jay. Judge Phelan upheld his former order of $15 a week – to date $315 due Now try and get it! I will turn it over so as not to have any [ ]. Jay arrested on non- support charges.” [Jan 17, 1941] On a note page at the back, she records the amount the court awarded her for support of her child: “... all income received from court for 12 yr old child - $3.00 a week.” “Finished Standard Red Cross course at YMCA Final test on bandagings and splinting. Mr [ ] - Instructor. Mr. Harry Downs – Instructor.” [Sept 18, 1941] “Started Instructor’s Course at Lynn Classical High. Mrs. Amiro – Instructor. 5 nights – 16 thru 20. Jamie going to Valley Rd. School. 6th grade. Pa here & Roberts. I am also taking Advanced Course in Gases and Bombs at Broad St. Fire Sta. ... Chief O’Neil – teacher.” [Feb 16, 1942] During the difficult times, she also experienced tragedy: “Pa was complaining of stomach ache when got up at 3 AM. I called Percival at 6:30 AM from Police station. And he came right up from Hamilton. Pa died at 8:30 AM on Thurs Oct 19 1944. Ma went first 5 years ago Oct 13, 1939 ... I feel awfully to have him gone...” [Oct 19, 1944] “OPA bothering about home I rent at Nahant. Jamie had topaz ring for his birthday Apr 27/43.” [Apr 27, 1943] This journal offers an excellent look inside the world of a single mother in New England during WWII. For an historian, it offers a wealth of small detail. The gaps in entries do not take away from the picture of life at that time. This would be an excellent reference for anyone looking at the role of women during WWII, especially that of a single mother. The diary measures 5.5 inches by 5.5 inches and contains 104 pages. It is approximately 80% complete. The covers are in good condition. It is coil-bound, with the coil across the top of the book. The pages are in good condition and the handwriting is legible. The diary covers the years 1941 through 1947. There are large time gaps in the entries, which accounts for 7 years being recorded in 104 pages. The entries, however, paint an interesting picture of the author’s life and struggles.