1856 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A YOUNG WOMAN MATURING, GROWING, AND FACING THE ALL-TOO-COMMON DIFFICULTIES OF YOUTH: MEAN BOYS, HURTFUL GOSSIP, AND DIFFICULT FAMILY

On offer is an 1856 handwritten diary originally belonging to an 18 year old girl, Maria A. Tuttle of Cazenovia (near Syracuse), New York The diary is a fascinating look into the life of a young girl as she matures and grows into herself, and as she endures the kind of bullying and difficulties faced by so many young people still. Young Maria is plagued by boys calling her ugly and she mentions it many times throughout the diary. Other than that, Maria attends church faithfully, goes dancing with friends, receives the occasional gentleman caller, sews and darns clothing, and spends much time around the Lake where she and her family live (most probably Cazenovia Lake). There is a full handwritten entry for 280 out of the 365 days in 1856. At the time of the diary, Maria is 18 years old. She would die only 8 years later, at the young age of 26 and only two years into her marriage to a man named Edward Lowrie. After the daily entries end there is very interesting letter written. The background for the letter is unknown, and it is addressed to a “Brother and Sister Blackman,” who are only discussed briefly in the diary. On May 1st, a day before the letter was written, Maria writes that she “gave them a piece of my mind.” The diary does not say what offense the Blackman’s gave the Tuttles, but in the letter it appears they attempted to slander the Tuttles and “censuring us beyond all reason.” The letter is copied at the bottom of this listing. Many, many names are mentioned of the folks in the area, some of which are: Maria Lefft, Will Colwell, Elder Howlett, Edwin Hewes, Nell Raleigh, Mate Hunt, Elder Tukes, Henry Stannard, Willis Mitchell, Martha Morse, Phillips, Charlie Jackson, Elinore, Matie Cook, McConnell, Brown, Reynolds, Levi Tillosten, Lovejoy, Britton, Whiting, Truax, Dr. Mitchell, James Beckwith, Jane White, and more. The front cover and part of the spine has a notable spot on it from water damage and this stain carries on through the pages until about the end of April but it does not affect any of the writing. The binding is still in good condition. The pages within show little signs of wear or discoloration. Maria wrote the diary in a combination of black pen and pencil. Both have faded at parts, but the writing is legible and readable throughout. The diary measures about 3” x 5”. Text: “January 1st, 1856. In the forenoon I assisted in arranging the store for the festival. I went to store about two o’clock afternoon. Maria Lefft and myself attended to the grab bag. Had lots of fun. Coz Henry went to the Hall with me, staid till 12. I saw Will Colwell, had a long chat. Father, mother and Carrie came to meeting in the evening.”; “January 18th, Prof. Hyde lectured at the free church. Adda and myself attended. Coz. Henry came home with us. We walked up Lincklaen Street and back. Henry came in and we had a real time reading scrapbook.”; “February 22nd & 24th, Mr. McConnell and Adda and Mr. Brown and myself went to Wheeler Tilloston in the evening to see Eliza. She was not there she was in Pitson. We went to the flats, stopped to Weaver’s to dance, had a very good time…..I went to meeting to Universalist in the evening. McConnell came home with me. Adda had come from home in a few minutes H. D. Brown came and apologized for going home with Hellen Gilson. We all went serenading then the boys staid all the evening.”; “Friday March 7th, I met Mr. Howry D. Brown at the Cazenovia House at 7 o’clock in the evening. He had been in Mr. Bannistor’s office and had a talk with him in relation to our going to Nelson Flats. We had a long talk about it. We bid farewell, no more to meet on this earth.”; “April 27th, Father, mother, Philemon and Hannah went to Caz. to meeting. I was so sick while they were gone I sent for Mrs. Colwell. She came up and give me some spearmint tea then I felt better. Louisa Colwell came to sea ma a little while towards night.”; “May 16th, Father and Philemon went to Caz. Mother and myself went to Mrs. Buttons to quilting, Lucinda, Mrs. Whiting and Hannah Bacens were there. Martha Norse came after Hellen. Hannah B. and I rode to our house with them. They took tea then we rowed across the lake. Alfred rowed for us. I staid to Levi’s all night with H. Levi went fishing with Jerry Mentee.”; “June 22nd, I staid at home all day with Hannah and Eddie and Charlie. Mother, Phil, Cassins went to Caz. to meeting. Will Colwell came about five o’clock and staid till after eleven. He said I was ugly. I got kinda mad at him and I guess he went home a little miffed but do not know for certain.”; “August 10th, Went to Caz. to meeting. Father and mother staid to five o’clock meeting. Cassins went after them. Will came here about five. We went to the lake and sit under the elm tree. Had a good time. Will said I was ugly.”; “October 16th, I finished Lucinda’s dress today. William Colwell here in the evening. Played checkers. Had a glorious time. I thinkin he said I was hateful. He said I was afraid he would tell the reason why I would not tell him something.”; “May 2nd, 1856. To Brother and Sister Blackman. After long meditation and much consideration I can no longer do injustice to my own inclinations and such ingratitude to the high station you possess in the nation to extend my extreme thanks to you for your pains in reporting us. I do sincerely hope that you enjoy the happiness of a clear conscience. I will venture to say you will be richly rewarded for your trouble in going to different persons with skins of slander that never were twisted. Besides censuring us beyond all reason, doubtless you are aware what persons I refer to. I dare say if we were Methodists then we should be considered perfect then of course it would be right, but as we are not we do not prefer to be perfect. I thank fortune that I do not belong to the number, however I do not consider your tongue any slander whatever you have my best wishes for your future welfare. May you prove an honor in whatever society you move and in whatever situation you are placed. May you go on faithful always doing your duty and continually live so that your daily walks will show that you possess what you profess. I suppose Mrs. P. feels as much relieved of her anxieties after having her patience but to such an extent and her house so disgraced as she terms it. I should think it would make her sick, poor woman. I am afraid she will not survive. I fear her situation is very alarming, however, she has my most tender sympathy. I close hoping you will al prosper and much happiness will be your lot. And when time with you shall be no more, may you tread the heavenly shore and reign in constant bliss. Maria A. Tuttle.” OVERALL: G+; Manuscript; 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, MARIA A. TUTTLE, EDWARD LOWRIE, CAZENOVIA, PAINTED POST, LAKE CAZENOVIA, NEW YORK, PRE CIVIL WAR ERA, LIFE OF A TEENAGE, 19TH CENTURY GIRL'S LIFE, GOSSIP AND BOYS, YOUNG WOMEN IN THE 19TH CENTURY, GENDER STUDIES, WOMEN'S STUDIES, PRE SUFFRAGE, AMERICANA, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, KEEPSAKE WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, ARCHIVE, DIARY, DIARIES, JOURNAL, LOG, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, DOCUMENT, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MANUSKRIPT, PAPIER OGGETTO D'ANTIQUARIATO, ATTO, VELINA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITTO, CARTA ANTIGÜEDAD, HECHO, VITELA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITO, PAPEL