Finding Aid
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Collection Summary
Identifier
MA 44
Title
Susan A. Jones Diary Transcription
Creator
Susan A. Jones (Sedgwick) Jones and Virginia Vander Wal
Dates
1863-1870, 2006
Extent
0.21 linear feet (1 small document case)
Language
English
Repository
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Access note
This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.
Preferred Citation
Name of item . Susan A. Jones diary transcription. MA 44. South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Abstract
Susan A. Jones (Jan. 11, 1844 – Jun. 23, 1925), came to South Dakota and homesteaded in Hughes County in 1905. While her daughter was proving her claim, she taught school in Wisconsin and South Dakota. The collection is composed of a photocopy of transcriptions of dairies kept by Susan A. Jones while she resided in Massachusetts and Wisconsin.
Biographical Note
Susan A. (Sedgwick) Jones was born on January 11, 1844 at No. Adams, Massachusetts. She married Henry R. Jones on May 3, 1865. They moved from Massachusetts to Clintonville, Wisconsin in 1866. They had six children: Clara, Lillie, Jessie, Stella, Bert and another boy. Henry died in 1897.
Susan and her daughter, Jessie, came to South Dakota and homesteaded in Hughes County in 1905. While her daughter was proving her claim, she taught school in Wisconsin and South Dakota. Susan resided on the claim but went back to Wisconsin in the winter.
Susan died on Jun. 23, 1925 at Clintonville, Wisconsin.
Contents Note
Transcription of the Susan A. Jones diaries was performed by Virginia Vander Wal, great-granddaughter of Susan, in March 2006. The diaries appear to have been written while Susan resided in Massachusetts and Wisconsin. The entries provide insight into her daily activities from 1863-1870. Topics include various social activities, mention of the weather, work activities, and important events, such as funerals, first communion, engagement to be married, etc.
The 1863 transcription was from a very small diary that was written before Susan married Henry. There are several entries concerning the Civil War in this diary.
Some of the original diaries were written on loose pages and were very old and fragile. Others were written in 3 x 4 inch diary books with three days to one side of each page. The writing on these pages was very small and faded, especially those entries written in pencil, making is difficult to read.
Blanks in the text indicate words that could not be read due to illegible handwriting or damaged areas on the paper. Words typed in brackets, { }, are words which a guess was made at some of the letters. The spelling of words in the original diary was maintained.
Virginia Vander Wal includes an account of the transcribing of the diaries as well as some genealogical background of Susan A. Jones. Virginia's personal notations are indicated in bold-faced font in the transcription. Also included is a photocopied photograph of Susan A. Jones and discharge papers for Henry R. Jones.
The diaries are not complete in that some years may not have entries for each day or month.
Key Words
American diaries
Civil War, U.S., 1861-1865 -- Diaries
Jones, Susan A. (Sedgwick), 1844-1925, Diaries
Jones, Susan A. (Sedgwick), 1844-1925
Container List
View container list on Open Prairie
| Box | Folder | Description | Date(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Diary transcription [photocopy] | 1863-1870 |
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.
Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.
South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.
Copyright note
Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.
Arranged and Described by
Crystal J. Gamradt, 2008 Feb. 13.
Processing note
The processor wrote the pagination in the bottom right-hand corner of each page in order to maintain original order. This material was received in a bound folder.