1882 HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT DIARY OF A STUDENT/TEACHER IN WESTERN NEW YORK STATE UNDER THE THUMB OF A MEAN PRINCIPAL

On offer is an 1882 handwritten manuscript diary once belonging to Minnie L. Caywood of Red Creek in Western New York State. On the face of it Minnie's life seems busy but simple and is detailed as such. Basic notations such as getting vaccinated; Minnie's great joy from receiving a valentine's card; her responsibilities as a student and job as a teacher; her part in the Literary Society; death of old schoolmate Clara Meade, village of Clyde, to name just a few. But then something terrible happens at the school. It is all the more uncomfortable as she boards and teaches. She is forgiven, but others are not and the tension and stress creates a situation where the boys and girls are made to turn their backs if they meet in the halls or on the campus. For the most part we understand Professor Baker the principal is terribly mean and is the main conductor directing the investigation and punishment. He is also such a looming presence that there is almost a daily note until the summer regarding his distemper. "Prof. is mean today as usual....There is Prof. walking along the fence. O how I wish I had a stone....In the evening we all went to a concert…Prof. watched us quite carefully....Prof. gave the boys a fearful lecture for cutting the bell cord." A closer reading may very well reveal answers or even more mystery. Many names and details of travels in the area for supplies are recorded. Cover is in fair shape but the interior is quite good. ; Manuscript; 24mo - over 5" - 5¾" tall; GENDER STUDIES, WOMEN'S STUDIES, DIARY, DIARIES, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, KEEPSAKE, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, AMERICANA, NEW YORK, EDUCATION, BOARDING SCHOOL, PRE SUFFRAGE,CAYWOOD, RED CREEK, CLYDE