1863 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT NEW JERSEY CIVIL WAR HOMEFRONT DIARY OF A 29 YR OLD WOMAN HOPING TO BE A BETTER CHRISTIAN IN THE NEW YEAR

On offer is a nice, original manuscript relic of the Civil War year of 1863 handwritten by Emma L. Kitchell [nee Reynolds] of Mendham and Newark New Jersey. Emma seems to be a down to earth, hardworking woman who on New Year's Day hopes the coming year finds her a better Christian. In fact the thread of religion winds its way throughout the narrative. On her 29th birthday, January 27th, she writes that 'about a year since I gave myself to God. Oh how unfaithful I have been. I have been devoted to God. May this year see me more.' There are some reports of the war but the year seems to be one of sickness: children with the measles, bad colds, sore throats, fevers +++. Never-ending work, constant sickness, the war and Emma continues to 'chore'. The in February Emma writes: 'Decided to go to H & L Entertainments. Quite a treat for me to go out an evening.' Collectors, historians and researchers of this era and the New Jersey area will find a treasure trove of names and local events observed and noted by Emma. In the back of the diary are cash account spending records etc. This leather diary measures 4" x 3" and overall is G+.; Manuscript; 48mo - over 3" - 4" tall; KEYWORDS: NEW JERSEY, NJ, RELIGION, CHRISTIAN, BAPTIST, DEDICATION TO GOD, KITCHELL, MENDHAM, NEWARK, HOMEFRONT, GENEALOGY, CIVIL WAR, GENDER STUDIES, WOMEN'S STUDIES, PRE SUFFRAGE, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, DIARY, JOURNAL, LOG, KEEPSAKE, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, DIARIES, JOURNALS, LOGS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, AMERICANA, antiquité, contrat, vélin, document, manuscrit, papier Antike, Brief, Pergament, Dokument, Manuskript, Papier oggetto d'antiquariato, atto, velina, documento, manoscritto, carta antigüedad, hecho, vitela, documento, manuscrito, Papel,