Adair was the daughter of James Adair, II, and Jane Ann Swart. She was born in 1845 into an affluent Irish immigrant family whose plantation home, Bell Point, was located near the New River in Giles County, Virginia. She attended Hollins Institute from November 1861-1863. While living at home, she and her family were forced to evacuate their home due to the invasion of Yankee troops. In 1863 she married Thaddeus Waldo (1840-1867). His life was cut short in a mill accident and she later remarried Benjamin Porter Gooch in 1872. Gooch had also served in the war and later obtained a medical degree. Ellen had one child, with Waldo and three more with Gooch.
The Adair's home was located near Red Sulpher Springs and was consequently a stopover for travelers along the way. The family housed boarders almost constantly.
Waldo's diary is a field diary. He served in the Confederate Army, as Captain in the 17th Virginia Cavalry, Company C, at the time of the diary. Approximately three months after the last diary entry, his company was sent to Narrows, in western Virginia, where he met Ellen. He is mentioned in Ellen's diary for the first time on October 26, 1863.
From the description of The Civil War diaries of Ellen Adair & Capt. Thaddeus P. Waldo, C.S.A. / edited by D. Darlene Richardson. 2004. (Hollins University). WorldCat record id: 440810178
