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Minor, Louisa H.A., 1833-. Diary of Louisa H.A. Minor [manuscript], 1855-1866.

Title: Diary of Louisa H.A. Minor [manuscript], 1855-1866.

The diary contains a weekly account of the activities of Minor, her friends and family including church services attended, with the text for each sermon, visits and visitors, family and neighborhood news, weather and social events. She quotes poetry and occasionally composes her own, and there is also a lengthy list of her reading. Topics include: trips to the Richmond state fair in 1857 and 1860; activities at the University of Virginia, particularly celebrations of the Jefferson and Washington Societies; and, a lecture by Edward Everett on "The character of Washington." Of interest are mentions of freed slaves emigrating to Liberia and accounts of deaths and hardships there'; a note on the funeral of artist John Toole; and, an account of a young relative's successful efforts to go as a missionary to Liberia with Bishop John S. Payne. Most Civil War news is indirect but she does describe cooking for Ewell's troops when they came through the county and entertaining the general in her parlor. She also mentions a Christmas dinner given to soldier patients at the Delevan Hospital, Custer's diversionary raid on Rio Hill, February 1864, Federal troops passing through Albemarle County in March 1865, and the brief occupation of her home, an event that forced several family members to hide out in the woods. She also describes the difficulties of the first year of Reconstruction and expresses her bewilderment over the insubordination and disloyalty of former slaves. With the diary is a bequest 1871 April 23, from Mary W. Anderson, her foster mother.

ArchivalResource: 1 v.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/647821457 View

Whittemore, Williams Howe, 1800-1885. Williams H. Whittemore correspondence, 1866-1867.

Title: Williams H. Whittemore correspondence, 1866-1867.

Letters exchanged between Rev. William H. Whittemore of Fairhaven, Connecticut, and Rev. Ebenezer Boyden of Cobham, Virginia. The men were classmates at Yale. The earliest letter described how Boyden's parish escaped the worst of the fighting in the recent war and bemoaned the effects of Reconstruction. In later letters he criticized the actions of Congress, particularly in giving blacks the right to vote. The two men had vastly different political views--Boyden approved of the secession of the southern states and felt the current federal government a fraud.

ArchivalResource: 7 items.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/756694167 View