1935-1937 Diary of a Boy Crazy, Popular Sayville, New Yorker Who Writes from Age 17 to 19 and While Completing High School and Who Would One Day Become a Journalist and Historian

On offer is a fascinating journal of a young American woman, Ruth Harris Diuguid Dougherty Fallon (1917-2007). Born and raised in Sayville New York, Diuguid lived most of her life in or near Brooklyn. She married Frederick Howard Dougherty (1918-2004) in 1940 and subsequently Robert Edwards Fallon (1917-2012) in 1987. Ruth and Frederick had two daughters. Ruth was a housewife but on the side, she was a published journalist and photographer. She published articles in magazines such as Seventeen, but was best known for her historical newspaper articles in the Suffolk County News, where she wrote a column called Reflections of the Past about the history of Sayville, New York. Ruth also served on the world-wide governing council of the Girl Scouts and was an active member of the Sayville Historical Society.

Ruth was 17 when she began this diary in 1935. She was a high school junior at Sayville High School. She crams every single page with detailed entries of the type of personal and social events that are of such crucial importance to a teenager. While the diary is set up to be kept over five years, Ruth writes voraciously and the vast majority of the entries are 1935-1937. On some pages, the entry for a single day will take up most of the page, with entries for other years jotted in the margins or skipped. 

The diary opens with a “Notice”:

“To whoever takes the liberty of reading this diary may it reflect upon their character and be a curse to them if they use the contents against me (or those mentioned) or to embarrass me (or those herein)” [Flyleaf]. 

And, with that dire warning, she launches in to a breathless description of her life with family and friends. The entries are very long so these are mostly just excerpts:

“Went to school. I had little homework to finish. I am going with the gang to see Tommy Richards (who was stabbed) but some of them appeared []. Maybe I ought to introduce most of the gang – they are the boys and girls of the neighbourhood ...(she then goes on to list over a dozen friends including Freddie Dougherty whom she would later marry)” [Jan 3, 1935].

“Went to school for an hour in the morning to take English mid-term. I think I barely passed. Bee, Vi & I went to Metropolitan Theatre to see Folies Bergere. Had soda in Lofts. Vi & I went to store for mom...Vi, Helen, Connie, Flo, Margie and I walked to Bob’s, sat on steps listening to his orchestra play awhile. Some young boys followed us. Met the boys from our gang on our block. Stood talking a while” [Apr 3, 1935].

“School. No assembly. Harold & I wandered around a while then went to baseball game. SHS vs Bayshore . We won 5-0. Water pistols were numerous in grandstand…” [May 22, 1936].

“Wednesday work. A day I have long been awaiting arrived - I took my driving test for my senior license! Ma drove me down by 11:00 to Patchogue(Granville Ave). The man was so nice. We carried on quite a conversation. He visited Daddy’s business in Brooklyn years ago. I didn’t do perfectly but I may have passed and I may not have. I do hope I did. I took mom to lunch in the Bonnie Mart. We looked in stores. (I had lunch…). At home I cleaned my car (as I do once in a while). Then…went to the beach. I later went to library. We felt the urge to study. I get biology and [? French]. Joe and John came down …before we had to…with work….At church meeting Howie said he had a compliment to tell me ++ nice to hear that the most enjoyable evening he ever spent was at Darcy’s party. I can only say I…find it enjoyable to when Howie is concerned” [August 19, 1936].

For a social historian, this is a terrific look into the lives led by American teenagers during the pre-war years. It would be an excellent source record for a Women’s Studies program, particularly as it shows a lifestyle that was about to undergo a radical change with WWII and the post war years in America. For a genealogist, it offers and outstanding list of names and connections in this community, including the school community of Sayville High School.

This diary measures 5.25 inches by 4.0 inches and contains 365 pages. The covers are in good condition as is the binding. The pages are in good condition although there is some slight ink blotting in places. The handwriting is tight but generally legible.