1911 DIary of a Spunky, Academically Inclined 8th Grade Girl Who is the Baby of a Large Chautauqua County, New York Farming Family

On offer is the sweet-as-pie diary of a bright and lovely young teenager, the baby of her large family, growing up on a farm in Chautauqua County, New York in the early 20th century. 

Florence Lettie Slaght (later Van Scoter) (1897-1990) was the youngest of five daughters born to Charles S. Slaght (1854-1924). and Nellie Dewey (1862-1916). Charles worked as a tin-smith and the family resided in Fredonia, Chautauqua County, New York. In 1921, Florence married Walter David Van Scoter (1896-1974). Walter was a farmer and Florence worked as a school teacher in Fredonia. 

Florence keeps her diary during the 8th and 9th grades, when she is 13 to 14 years old. She is a hardworking, high-achieving student whose hobbies are limited by the amount of time she spends working on the family farm, spending time with her family, and working hard to achieve exceptional grades at school (she records her grades in the memoranda section of her diary and she is an A student almost across the board). 

Florence is very close with her family. She writes frequently about her sisters’ whereabouts and activities. Her sisters are Mabel (1880-1956), Lola Etta (1884-1969), Alice Edna (1893-1976). She did have another older sister, Alice Bula (1881-1890), who died well before she was born. 

Florence’s tidy writing descriptive daily entries make her seem older than her years. She notes highlights of her daily life in the Memoranda section of her diary, providing some context to her daily entries. Some excerpts give the flavour of her writing:

“...Got up late and did a little sewing. Made a bag for my gym shoes. Mrs. Johnson, Gustie, Helen K and James were here to-night. Played pit. Had a sore throat when I went to bed” [Jan 7, 1911].

“...Sore throat is much better. Did not go to church nor S.S. & Mable and Edna went. Mable’s birthday to-day. She is 31 years old. We gave her 1 dozen plates. I wrote to Lola…terrible wind tonight” [Jan 8, 1911].

“Went to school. Gave a poem in assembly. Went for a walk in cemetery with Dorris Newjune’s grandmother buried today. Mother very sick. Had Doctor Dodds. Dorris called in evening. Gustie called. Studied in evening” [April 3, 1911].

“Stayed at home nearly all day. Stayed in store while Mabel washed. James went to Little Valley on early train. Very hot. I went to the Y.W.C.A. social at the guild house. Had a grand time. Very busy” [July 3, 1911].

“Froze ice cream with Father early. Are all going to Bear Lake. Edna still at Lola’s. Had a lovely time at Bear Lake. Had ice cream and watermelon. Got up there 9  o’clock and got home at 10:30. Was sick a little. All is well” [July 4, 1911].

“Got up early. Did dishes and mowed from 830 until 12 oclock. Tired. Edna stayed in the store all day. Mable sick in bed. Had the doctor. Did the work. Mrs. Roth called. Rained in afternoon. Wrote to Lola” [Sept 5, 1911].

“Union school begins. Got up early. Rec’d a letter from Lola. Went to Dk. with Father with horse to be shaved. Went to Doc Black. Home alone. Stayed to home in afternoon. Band concert. Edna lost her beads and had row with Jas” [Sept 6, 1911].

“Went to school all day. .Rec’d cards. Am not going up into High School in Jan. Went out walking after school with Edna. C.K. called. Mabel ironed. Stayed in store. Papa tired. Good supper. Mother doing lots. Jas went home early” [Nov 21, 1911].

“Slept until 10:30am. Worked. Papa working atout and not home for dinner. Mother started my blue dress and finished skirt by night. Got new corset waist. Stayed at home all day. Went to game in gym which was won by Ex-Normals 41-49. Good time” [Dec 30, 1911].

“...I must be good to my enemies instead of hating them. Keep up my friendships with everyone for true friends are valuable. I must never be infatuated over any boy nor show by my outward appearance that I care for them in any way…Try to get your Sunday School lesson every Sunday…” [Notes for 1912, Memoranda section].

This diary is a terrific look at the life of a bright young female who has not yet turned her focus to boys, and who instead provides great insight into the day-to-day of the academic, social, familial and farming experiences of rural New Yorkers in the early 20th-century. 

The diary measures approximately 3x5 inches. It is 100% complete, with thorough entries every day for 1911 plus additional memoranda pages and some tipped in ephemera.  Overall Good to Very Good.