Compositions of Mary B. Griggs

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0099-F0577

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Mary Griggs and her family lived in Center Rutland, Vermont. Mary attended Rutland Union High School from 1861-1864, during which time she wrote the several compositions which comprise this collection. In addition, the collection includes a composition, dated 1858, that she wrote when she was younger. These compositions are written in her own hand, most are several pages in length, and many contain comments and corrections written in pencil, presumably by her teacher. Through these brief works one gets a sense of her personality, her interests, and her family life. They also provide interesting reflections of a teenager on life in the 1860s, particularly the story entitled "Old and New," which laments the passage of time, and compares various aspects of life in her time with those of her grandmother. In all of these compositions, there is no hint of the Civil War which was raging at the time, and this silence may reflect the geographical distance of the struggle, the lack of family or friends in the war, or even suppression of her own emotions.

Dates

Creation: 1858-1864

Language of Materials

Materials entirely in English.

Access Information

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library, https://library.udel.edu/static/purl.php?askspec

Biographical Note

Mary Griggs and her family lived in Center Rutland, Vermont. Mary attended Rutland Union High School from 1861-1864, during which time she wrote the several compositions which comprise this collection.

According to donor information (see "Biographical Note, 1956"), Mary Griggs attended Vassar College, and married the Rev. James Zernold of Philadelphia. Wilson R. G. Bender of Wilmington, Delaware (d. 1985), was the grandson of Mary's brother, George Henry Griggs, to whom she makes reference in, "How I do wish my schooldays were over!"

Biographical AND/OR historical information derived from the collection.R.L. Polk & Co. Wilmington City Directory. Richmond, VA: R.L. Polk & Co., 1918-86.