1936-1940 Incredible Diary Chronicling a Rural New York Farm Girl’s Life from Age 11 to 16, Meeting Her Husband and Becoming a Woman

On offer is the outstanding five-year manuscript diary of bright, chatty and boy-crazy Pauline E. Gelser (b. July 26, 1924) kept from age 11 through 16, as she completes her schooling, dates, supports her family’s work on the farm, socializes and meets her future husband [See BIO NOTES on Pauline at the end of the listing]. 

Pauline begins her diary at age 11, in January of 1936 and keeps it religiously until December of 1940, when she is 16. Pauline records her graduation gifts and discusses her graduation in the spring of 1940 (and records show she graduated high school in the class of 1940) however she does return to school in the fall of 1940 and we are unable to verify where this schooling was taking place. This coming-of-age diary shows Pauline growing from a young girl who doodles on her diary pages in 1936, to a young woman who is preparing to enter the adult world. It is a rare treat to find a young diarist so dedicated to her writing, allowing us to watch a Depression-era high school experience unfold in detail. 

The first year of Pauline’s diary includes funny anecdotes from school, jokes and doodles and, in some cases, just the names of boys she likes written in a huge hand. 1937 begins as the year of Gail Coombs. Pauline has a big crush on him, though he doesn't seem to share her feelings. She spends 1937 talking about the boys, school, her work on the family farm and her family. She is now a freshman. As Pauline grows and changes, she finds new boys on whom to focus and gains confidence in herself as a woman. Her entries become more insightful and more self-aware. However, she never loses her childlike quality. In 1940 Pauline realizes she is in a less-than-great relationship with a boy named Bill and finds her true love in Tommy, her future husband. Some excerpts from the diary to give a flavour of Pauline’s writing and growth follow:

“The boys said the teacher was coming. They brookin [sic] the door when we opened it. They stayed after school, also apologized” [Feb 6, 1936].

“Had party, young folks. Danced with Johnnie, Francis, Vernon and Billy. Billy was good. (Oh I can never forget it)” [May 9, 1936].

“I got 100 in civics, 100 in General Science and 48 in Home making. I am…not smart. Don’t know what happened” [Sept 16, 1936]. 

“I got a note to-day warning me to let Gail Coombs alone from my advisor whoever that is. It is my own business” [Dec 3, 1936]. 

“Gail was pretty good. Didn’t talk nor write any notes. I got a note today…but Gail never wrote. I hope he likes me. I sat by Johnnie, Francis, Claire, Billie…Gail went by and did not like it” [Jan 8, 1937]

“Our new teacher was there today. She isn’t very good looking and some say she isn’t very bright” [Feb 9, 1937].

“I went to the Freshman party at the “Old Mills”. Walked down Gerald. He roasted a weiner for me and got my lemonade for me. My slip came down. I had a good time. Swim was there. I went wading and fell in. Gail said I didn’t have any pants on. Imagine!” [June 2, 1937]. 

“Gail’s father hung himself today. Geo Gates came down and got Gail this noon. It’s too bad. He was 45 years old” [Oct 4, 1937]. 

"Mr. & Mrs. H.R. Jones were over to dinner. Guy has 2 boils, pretty bad. Grandma gave me a dress, apron and $.50. Pretty good Grandmother" [July 17, 1938]. 

“Have seen Bill every day this week. Boy! He sure is swell” [May 10, 1939]. 

“Went to Japland. About 20 min to 3 deadline. Margie and Laverne, Eleanor and Clair, and Bill and I. I fought with Bill. Eleanor sat out with Leighton….” [July 12, 1940]. 

“Election! Mother’s 43rd birthday. Old pie face Roosevelt won - Bah! Humbug!! Tommy came over, went to Birdsall and around by Gawoods home. Sat to home on his lap” [Nov 5, 1940]. 

In nearly 2,000 daily entries, Pauline charts the course of her life as she grows up. This is an absolute gem of a find for anyone interested in the lived experience of a teenage girl during the Great Depression and the experience of living on a family farm while cultivating a thriving social, academic and church life off the farm. 

BIO NOTES: Pauline Gelser was the second of four children born to Paul and Frances Josephine (Hamilton) Gelser in Hornellsville, New York. She lived her entire life in that part of New York state. According to records, she graduated from Canaseraga Central School in 1940 (though in her diary she discusses attending school in the fall of 1940 and no post-secondary records have been located). In 1943 she married a farmer, Thomas J. Bennett (1918-2002). They lived on a farm in the Dalton, New York area, near Short Tract, and had a son, Thomas R. Bennett, Jr. 

This diary measures approximately 6.75 inches by 5.25 inches. It contains 365 pages and is 99% complete. The fabric covers are in fair condition with staining and lots of markings written by the diarist (and maybe her friends?) Markings include the handwritten names of the author’s crushes and friends. There is a clasp closure but the strap is broken. The spine and binding are intact and the pages are in good condition. The handwriting is legible.