Gertrude Swift Nuckols diary, 1869-1900 (bulk 1884-1888).

Format:

Other

Author/Creator:

Nuckols, Martha Gertrude Swift, 1854-1906.

Contributor:

Nuckols, Elba H. (Elizabeth Halladay), 1872-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

American diaries--19th century--Specimens.

American diaries--Women authors.

Manners and customs.

American diaries.

Virginia--Social life and customs--19th century.

Virginia.

Genre:

Diaries.

Photographs.

Manuscripts, American.

Specimens.

Penn Provenance:

Sold by Michael Brown Rare Books (Philadelphia) catalog 48 (2009).

Physical Description:

1 volume (200 leaves) + 1 photograph, 10 leaves inserted

Place of Publication:

1869-1900

Biography/History:

Born in Elmwood, Virginia, living in Hanover County (west of Richmond), Martha Gertrude Swift Nuckols (Gertrude) was wife to Henry David Nuckols (1836-1913); mother to Clifton Rice (1867-1925), Lilian (1872-1950), and Elizabeth (Elba) Halladay Nuckols (b. 1886).

Summary:

The diary of Gertrude Swift Nuckols contains sporadic entries from February 1869 to December 1900; most consistent entries date from 1884-1888. In 1885 Nuckols expresses that her writings are "heart thoughts" (p.72), an apt description of the diary. Gertrude begins by writing her feelings about living with her new husband, being eighteen, and married two years, with a child. Throughout the diary Nuckols writes of the love for her children, husband, friends, and church. Nuckol's children, when of age are sent away to Louisa, Va. for their education and she notes the pain of missing them. She writes her dreams, desires, fears, and blue periods; the losses in her life--the death of her mother and later her father being especially taxing. She quotes the Bible and prays for answers to her troubles, for strength, and for her family. Gertrude describes her longing for home, reflections of why she married so young, and about men and their freedoms. Descriptions of meetings at the church, conversions, and Gertrude's pledge of $100, on the condition that others match it, for the building of a new church in Goochland; the new church was dedicated in August 1888. In the last entry, December 1900, Gertrude records that they are moving to Barton Heights, a suburb of Richmond. The inserted leaves of the diary consist of one photograph, possibly Gertrude Swift Nuckols; an ad card for real estate; six leaves of the Nuckol's genealogy as recorded by Elba H. Nuckols from the family Bible; two leaves with written prayers, dated 1890; and one leaf signed by Elba, in a child's hand. The diary has a cloth and leather cover with gilt label inscribed "Aunt Gertrude from Irene"; the leaves are ruled with stamped, numbered pages, 121 leaves are blank. The diary was a gift from her niece Irene in September 1885; Gertrude writes that she copied the old diary into the new (p.100).

OCLC:

440772555