1919-1923 Diary of a Washington and Annapolis Newlywed Balancing Her Husband’s US Navy Career and the Pressures of Young Family Life

On offer is the 5-year diary of Marjorie Brown Rush, a newlywed who is deeply committed to US Navy officer Richard (Dick) McKee Rush. This diary is a testament to enduring marital love and a portrait of the evolution of a young family in the early 20th century. 

When Marjorie’s diary opens on Jan 1st, 1919, it is her 23rd birthday and Dick is deployed with the Navy. Marjorie spends all her time with her mother, Francis. She also visits friends and cares for their home. She mentions a downtown office job a few times, but never again after early January. Marjorie and her mother are loyal church-goers and Marjorie records the sermons presented at each visit. She is a dutiful wife and daughter, visiting her in-laws when Dick is away and caring for her parents as needed. Dick comes and goes, sometimes working in Washington, other times out at sea, and sometimes at home. Marjorie adores Dick and keeps close track of his Navy schedule and responsibilities. 

Marjorie begins writing of an illness she is experiencing in summer of 1919, which aligns with her early pregnancy with her first daughter, Marjorie Mae, who is born on April 12, 1920. Marjorie’s telling of her time in hospital after the birth paint a stark contrast to the brief inpatient postpartum care mothers are offered today. Marjorie later describes weaning her newborn to cow’s milk at only two months old - another stark contrast to recommendations of the 21st century.  Marjorie and Dick are doting parents. Before Marjorie Mae is born, they move to their first home in Annapolis, and Marjorie struggles with being further from her mother, who is still in Washington. Dick and Marjorie end up moving multiple times between 1920 and 1921, and, interestingly, their struggles finding the right house in 1920 mirrors the drama seen in the real estate and rental markets today.

A sampling of Marjorie’s entries over her five years of writing give a sense for how we see her grow up through her writing, from lovestruck newlywed to serious adult seeking housing and parenting a preschooler. 

“Husband and I have been married a year today and we’re more in love now than ever before. He phoned me at “the hour” and was home to me with flowers and candy at six. Had our grand and glorious dinner at the Monticello and were very happy in each other!!!!” [June 6, 1919]. 

“No word of Dick’s whereabouts since he left Newport Wed and I’m worried sick since last night’s storm. Feel rather bad physically today. Mrs. Connor and Peggy called” [Sept 12, 1919].

"In labour from 4 A.M. til noon when our darling baby girl – Marjorie May – was born. Weight 8 lbs 4 oz”  [Apr 12, 1920]. 

“All anticipation this morning, and at 2:30, Mother, the Baby and I rode home in an ambulance. Oh it’s so good to be here and not in the hospital and the conservatory makes an ideal convalescing parlor. Husband home to his family about seven PM” [April 21, 1920]. 

“Another restless day for my baby - she slept poorly last night and up “playing” from 2:30 to 4:30. Have decided to put her on cow’s milk. Spent most of my day working out a formula. I’m awfully tired tonight, so just wrote mother and turned in” [July 7, 1920]

“Chased up a house in Belmont to no avail this afternoon and had a stroll down to Harvard Square in the evening. Baby feeling much better and it’s so delightfully cool” [Aug 22, 1920].

“The great migration took place at 8:15 AM today…we left Washington. Had a drawing room and were all quite comfortable. Mother standing  the trip beautifully. Navy ambulances at both ends - Fannie and Roy met us here in Cambridge - seems wonderful to be back in our own little home again” [Sept 30, 1921].

“Mardi [Marjorie] and I had breakfast at the Allies Inn and went to market. I did my ironing today and she was as good as gold. A heavy shower this afternoon cooled us off a great deal. Read a while this evening and wrote to Dick” [July 25, 1922].

“Mardie is feverish and rather listless so we had Dr. White in tonight. He says she has a touch of tonsillitis. Did the washing, scrubbed kitchen, entertained callers and got dinner for the Holder’s who spent a happy evening with us” [Nov 13, 1923].

This diary provides an in-depth view of middle class womanhood in the early 20th century and how it changes over a five year period, as the woman matures into her role. It provides insight into how career Navy men managed their post-war duties, and balanced them with family life. Touching on such interesting themes as new parenthood, the evolution of a romantic love and one’s duty to the extended family as the nuclear family blossoms, this diary would make a fantastic addition to any academic collection focusing on families embedded in the context of society. 

BIO NOTES ON MARJORIE BROWN RUSH AND RICHARD MCKEE RUSH: Marjorie was born in Washington, DC to parents Stephen and Francis (Hilder) Brown. On June 6, 1918, she married Richard McKee Rush in Annapolis, following his graduation exercises at the Naval Academy. Richard served in both World War 1 and World War 2, gaining progressively higher ranks. He was ranked a Seaman 1st Class when he participated in the bombing of Pearl Harbor in WW2, and retired from the Navy before 1950 as a Captain. Marjorie and Richard had four children: Marjorie (1920-2008), David (b. 1925), Frances (b. 1932) and Richard (b. 1936). After their time in Annapolis, Marjorie and Richard moved back to Washington, DC, where their first two children were born. By 1930, they had settled in Winchester, Massachusetts, where they lived out the rest of their lives. 

Diary measures 5.75x4.5 inches. It has 365 pages and is 80% complete. The leather cover is in good condition. The covers have separated from the bound signatures. The pages are in good condition and the handwriting is legible.