Journal of Mollie J. Jones, 1861, Jan. 1-- 1863, Oct.

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Journal of Mollie J. Jones, 1861, Jan. 1-- 1863, Oct.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/228769862

The journal opens on Jan. 1861, when Mollie, a vivacious and well read young woman who thoroughly enjoyed her life as a local society belle, set out to "endeavor to keep a record of passing events, and jot down thoughts as they occur." She vividly describes her friends and beaux, in particular an exciting month she spent in New Orleans in February and March of 1861, going on "shopping excursions," and attending dances, theaters, (she was smitten with a Varieties Theater production of Jeannie Deans, starring Charlotte Thompson (1843-1898) and Fanny Brown (1837- after 1870) and opera performances with Adeline Patti (1843-1919), parties, parades, and other diversions, including a visit to the studio of Alenson G. Powers (ca. 1817 - ca. 1867), the renown New Orleans portraitist. The diary follows Mollie's tortuous romance with Richard J. Hancock, 3rd Lieutenant of Co. D of the 9th Louisiana Infantry, her feelings about the war and growing anxiety in the wake of the taking of New Orleans, and devastating family news. The diary breaks off in October 1863, on the last night Mollie Jones spent in Sunny Dell. An entry, in another hand, records her death, along with deaths of friends and family members. Also enclosed a poem "Manassas Battle," by Mollie's friend Emilie Garrison, a letter from her to a "Mr. Thompson, a receipt by Alenson G. Powers to "William Hamilton for the portrait of Miss Jones," a letter from Louisa F. Clay to "Mrs. Lizzie Connell," informing her of the death of her sister Carrie Harrison (July 4, 1871); newspaper clippings containing war news and Confederate poetry, and a copy of "Our Little People" (Nashville, Tenn.: Southern Methodist Publishing House, 1887), vol. VII, No. 28 (July 24).

176 pages, 31 cm., in a custom-made slipcase; also letters, newspaper clippings, and ephemera.

Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens

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SNAC Resource ID: 7088510

Related Entities

There are 4 Entities related to this resource.

Confederate States of America. Army. Louisiana Infantry Regiment, 9th

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w63z24mw (corporateBody)

Jones, Mollie J., d. 1863.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6545h70 (person)

Mollie J. Jones, a young woman who lived in Sunny Dell, in Bossier Parish, near Fillmore, La. with her married sister and her family. Mollie's brother Edward B. Jones enlisted in a Bossier Parish volunteer regiment, Robins' Greys, (later Co. B. of the 19th Louisiana Infantry), in the summer of 1862. He became Master Sergeant of Co. F. and S., and died in the fall of 1863. Following his death, Sunny Dell was sold, and the family moved to Fillmore, to "William Platt's place." Mollie Jones died on ...

Powers, Alenson G., ca. 1817-ca. 1867.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w657480m (person)

Confederate States of America. Army. Louisiana Infantry Regiment, 19th.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6g79dcw (corporateBody)