1939 Fascinating Working Southern American Woman's Diary, Focused on Her Romantic Entanglements, Social World, in the Midst of the Outbreak of World War Two (WWII)

On offer is a wonderful look life in a small town in the U. S. South through the eyes of a young working woman. The diary was written in 1939 by Essie Lee Nash. Nash lives in Hemp, North Carolina (now renamed Robbins) and works in one of the mills in town. Our informal research has not turned up any additional biographical information about her. In her diary, she recounts in detail her daily routines and the many people she interacts with. One key consideration is her social life, especially with young men. One such entry reads: "Dear Diary. I just made a mistake but I'll let this be the 'memorial". A lot has happened this month. Dorothy came to live with me. JR got expelled but went back. Cay told her and she told him This past month has been stuffed alright. Roberta got married the first day. Pauline told me that she was pregnant. Wonder what it will be. I hope the next month will be as happy for me as the past." [Feb 1]; "Dear Diary. Dorothy and I didn't want to go to work today because it was so pretty. We got our wish. The Throwing Dept didn't run today. Everyone was glad. We put on our new dresses and went to town. Clyde carried us with him to deliver groceries early tonight J. R. And Buster came about 8: 15. I was so glad to see him. He told me something tonight (je vous aime) We went to Green Top and got cagin Bernie was drunk and asleep in his car. They left early. I fixed light socket" [Apr 15]. It is interesting to note, that she makes no reference to event happening beyond the scope of her own world. There is no mention of Roosevelt's television speech, the first ever or of the outbreak of WWII. After many 'crushes', she met a young man named Harold. Over time, he would occupy a more and more central role in her life. "... We rode back and saw Harold. He came with us and we went to ride. He has had a time today. The girl he used to love came to see him (He was home) He is through with her. She is married too. Aggie ran away from Charles tonight too, Harold said. He got in Dutch about it. Dud seemed despondent at first but he soon got all right. I've got a date to go swimming with him tomorrow night. ..." [June 6]. "Dorothy worked all day today. I was lonesome but I worked all day. Certainly seemed funny that Harold wasn't here tonight. He walked to the mill with me. ...." [Sept 16] . Her relationship with Harold blossomed and her second last entry describes it all: "Dear Diary. This has been the happiest day of my life. We left this morning at 11: 30. We got to Martinville VA just before 3: 00. We were married at 3: 00 by Rev [ ] Horne. He was so good and kind. It was a beautiful ceremony. I've been so happy all day. We had a grand supper. Came back by High Point to the [ ]. Saw a boy I used to know in Monroe. He spoke to me. ..." [Dec 3] For a social historian or researcher in Women's Studies, this is a superb recounting of the daily life of a young working woman in the southern United States. It paints a very clear picture of the social world that existed at that time and place. It would be an excellent addition to any reference collection depicting that time and that place for ordinary young women. This diary is a leather bound volume, measuring 5.5 inches by 4.0 inches. It contains 365 pages and is approximately 90% complete. The cover is leather with wear marks on the corners and surface. Otherwise, it, the binding and the pages are all in good condition. The handwriting is legible. ; Manuscripts; 24mo 5" - 6" tall; 365 pages; Keywords: handwritten, manuscript, document, letter, autograph, writer, hand written, documents, signed, letters, manuscripts, historical, holograph, writers, autographs, personal, memoir, memorial, antiquité, contrat, vélin, document, manuscrit, papier antike, brief, pergament, dokument, manuskript, papier oggetto d'antiquariato, atto, velina, documento, manoscritto, carta antigüedad, hecho, vitela, documento, manuscrito, papel, Women's Studies, North Carolina, Robbins NC, Hemp NC, Southern US experiences, Women's studies, working woman, World War Two, WWII, snapshot of life, wartime life, Roosevelt, speech ; Signed by Author