1881 Diary of the Wealthy Wife of an Entrepreneur and Politician in Spencer, Massachusetts Who Wants for Nothing, Travels and Became Known as the “Oldest Person in Spencer”

On offer is a splendid 19th century diary, kept by a middle-aged woman born into the Massachusetts Pope family and married to a successful wool manufacturer and member of the Spencer, MA town council. 

Our author is Lucretia Howe Upham (nee Pope) (1824-1916). She was born to parents William and Eliza (Prince) Pope. In 1853, Lucretia married William Upham (1825-1882) and they resided in the Pope family mansion in Spencer. William was a highly successful wool manufacturer. He was a self-made businessman, finding success after being taken into the care of a family friend following his father’s death at age two. William Upham was a member of the Spencer town council for 24 years, until his unexpected death while on an excursion in California at age 57. He was also a respected philanthropist. Lucretia and William had no children but helped care for their nieces and nephews. Sadly, William would die only a few months after Lucretia concluded this diary, in June of 1882 of apoplexy. When Lucretia died in 1916 at the age of 92, the Boston Globe named her the “Oldest Person in Spencer”. 

While Lucretia lives in Spencer, she is often taking trips to New York City where she attends the theatre, shops and visits friends. She also takes day trips to Boston, Massasoit, Andover and Springfield. She spends a lot of her time attending and supporting her church. She is also a very involved aunt, often writing about her nieces and nephews, caring for their children, and caring for other members of her family and community. 

The diary entries are sometimes brief, sometimes in depth, but always newsy with reference mostly to Lucretia and William’s daily lives. It includes a lot of name-dropping of friends, family and associates in Massachusetts and New York. Obviously educated, Lucretia also comments on other events, including the attempted assassination of President James A. Garfield. In the memoranda section she has kept good notes on her expenses most months. Some excerpts give the flavour of the diary:

“Word came J.W.J. sick. Company postponed. Jenny sick all day. Give sulphur for cough. Great snow storm. Mr Upham goes to Boston. Jennie coming down with measles. Sleep on sofa” [Jan 21].

“Went to Worcester to buy a dress. So cold. Went only w Mrs. Tanis. Mr. Cruickshank’s lecture on Egypt and pyramids. Dr. Pennington married to Ms. Field” [Feb 2]. 

“Little Anna [Pope] spent the day. Pretty sick child. Held her most of the time. Took supper at Massasoit. Twenty six couples. Nice time. Postal from E.P.P. Mr. U brought me pin from New York” [Feb 11]. 

“Bought gloves and handkerchiefs and went after lunch to Newark. Took carriage. Called on the bride. Found her splendid. Called at Mr. Jones. Back to N York at six. Went to Madison Square Theatre in evening. “Hazel Kirke” Georgia Cayvan” [Feb 25, while on a trip to NYC]. 

“Left at half past nine for N York, saw much of the smash up near Baltimore. Train late. Mr Upham met me at Jersey City. Laurie Dennis called in the evening. Mr and Mrs Baldein called…” [March 10].

“President assassinated” [July 2].

“Gloomy day on account of anxiety for President” [July 3]. 

“Left for home on 11 o’clock train. Mrs. Shackford with us. Bessie Bateman, Aunt Eustus and Everett met us at East Brookfield. Found house locked. Key at Joseph’s. Mary gone to Worcester. Jennie came at noon sick with a cold. Made a fire in the damp house as soon as I could and Nellie gave bread” [Nov 9]. 

“Staid at home and cooked Christmas dinner. Joseph’s family here. Mary gone all day and night. Christmas cards…Fred and Cheryl, Mrs. Holder, Mrs. Champan, Mrs. Temple, Carrie Westin, Susan Brown, Mr. Hayes” [Dec 25].

This diary provides a terrific peek behind-the-curtain of upper class America in the late 19th century. It also gives excellent insight into the woman’s work completed by a wealthy childless woman who had the resources to delegate all tasks. As our diarist enjoys naming her friends and acquaintances, there is a lot of content in here for researchers of both Massachusetts and New York. A delightful diary. 

The diary measures approx 6x3 inches. It contains 183 pages plus memoranda. It is about 80% complete. The soft leather cover is in good condition as is the spine and all pages. The writing is legible. Overall VG.