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[Frothingham, Mary Wood; Mary Louisa Wood.]

[Diaries of an independent business woman originally from Bath, Maine.]

Newburyport, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Walpole, Portland, Bath, [1811]–1844. 5 vols., sm 8vo (7.875” x 6.5”) to 16mo (6.625” x 4.25”), totalling 169 pp. manuscript, almost entirely in ink, of which 145 are by the business woman. CONDITION: Overall very good, light wear to covers, some splitting and surface loss to paper at spine of one volume. 

Three diaries by an intelligent woman who ran her own store in Newburyport, Massachusetts after separating from her husband, recording the beginning of her business, family and sightseeing visits over the years to Philadelphia, Boston, Walpole, New Hampshire, and her hometown of Bath, Maine, and more.

The diaries offered here span some thirty-three years in the life of Mary Frothingham (née Wood, in 1774), a Maine woman who spent most of her adult life in Newburyport, Massachusetts. She was one of several siblings—a sister (“ now alas! no more”) and at least three brothers, in Bath, Portland (William, a merchant, 1782–1833), and Newburyport (likely John, merchant and shipper, 1780–1853, whose papers are held at the Peabody Essex Museum). Her father had operated a store near the wharves in Bath, which she describes as “my native town.” By the late 1810s, however, only one brother remained there, and her mother was settled in York, which is listed as Mary’s birthplace in the records of her 1799 marriage to one Andrew Frothingham, Jr., of Newburyport. By 1815 Andrew was deeply in debt, and within two years he and Mary had separated. In 1817 she records a trip to Andover with her brother-in-law Henry, who owned a Newburyport hardware and chandlery shop: “I saw my husband in the most painful situation to me that can be described—O how did it pierce my heart—but I desire to leave all with Him in whose hands we are—it was and is of no use for me to go there.” On June 17th, 1817, she opened her own store on State Street with $1000 in stock (although of what sorts of goods she doesn’t say), purchased in Boston. Although Mary evidently remained on warm terms with the Frothingham family, no further mention is made of her husband. By the early 1840s, her health was in decline, and in 1845, the year following her last entries, she died.

In addition to reflections on the unexpected twists and turns of Frothingham’s life, her diaries include interesting descriptions of notable sights and experiences, careful and emotional records of important family and personal events (weddings, births, deaths, illness, etc.), and the names of many family members, friends, and acquaintances in Maine, Massachusetts, and Philadelphia.

The first volume records Frothingham’s 1811 visit to Maine, including sightseeing and social visits to Portland (where stays with a brother and details a visit to the Portland Observatory), Brunswick (where she receives a tour of the Bowdoin College library and hears John Barton Derby—later a poet-recluse in New Hampshire—speak at commencement), and Bath (“I can hardly realize it after leaving it for more than 20 years”). After a joyful reunion in Bath with another brother, his wife, and their two children (“which till now I had never seen”), she spends several days calling on old acquaintances, walking about the bustling town, and visiting cemeteries and the old meeting house, “which is fast decaying”:

The Methodists use this house sometimes for worship & the Town transact their public business in it. This town contains 2500 inhabitants, 1 third under ten years, and before these wretched times, was increasing with great rapidity. The streets are not regular—the soil clayey many hills to walk over which makes it fatiguing—and after a rain must be bad—they have built mostly near the water, where it is most busy and where you constantly view all the shipping—vessels continually passing up and down the river—I can have no recollection of these lower streets, they have been laid out where I once knew it only as a foilage [sic] of bushes & trees. What is now called high street I can recollect—as some part of it remains the same, in walking it what sensations arise, days of childhood are brought fresh to mind—some large trees & rocks I cannot get by—but stop and view them—here a dear & only Sister with many others (now alas! no more) rallied round them as standards of play…

The second volume includes sporadic entries from December 31st, 1817 through 1840, and in addition to recording the opening of her shop, describes a rather disappointing 1833 encounter with Johann Spurzheim, the phrenologist, and an encounter with the poet William Cullen Bryant in Boston; the tragic death of her brother, William Wood, in Portland, after falling into a ship’s hold, as well as the marriages, births, and deaths of several other family members and close friends; visits to nephews and nieces in Walpole, New Hampshire and Philadelphia; a dreadful bout of “irrasipila” (erysipelas?); and the placement of a nephew “in Worcester hospital as a maniac 20 years of age—sad indeed is this affliction. Long have I seen this childs [sic] mind was without balance, but parents do not always see deficiences…”

In the last volume, which opens on May 9th, 1844, the author records leaving “my lodgings at Captn Hodges Brown Square” in Newburyport and embarking on two trips. The first, to Boston, includes a meeting with poet William Cullen Bryant and visits to “the menagery [sic] now in exhibition” and “the reservoir of Croton[,] water from which…is distributed in pipes to the city—it is wonderful—and a noble work”). Next, she joins a brother and his wife to visit their children and grandchildren in Philadelphia, and visits Laurel Hill Cemetery and the “Stone Hospital for the deaf & dumb” (probably the Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb). Among her final entries is one describing several weeks without “strength to use a pen or able to think,” followed by a short walk on July 22nd, 1844 that ends in “great distress and then vomiting a large quantity of blood” (a symptom of abdominal tuberculosis?). She is eventually moved to her brother’s house where, for a time, she is cared for by a friend. “Yet I have no strength have not been able to see company—on Friday Augustus & Susan with their dear infant came which is rather cheering…” The last entry, from early September the same year, records continued “feeble health.”

A fourth volume in the author’s hand contains extracts and literary notes, including a dated reflection from 1812 (“I have just finished reading this most interesting biography of [Henry] Kirke White interesting invalid peculiarly so at this time while I am sick and confined to a lone chamber…”) and a brief reflection on Mary Brunton’s Self-Control (“worth reading, however, rather tedious”). Numerous quotations are copied from, among other works, John Foster’s Essays by a Series of Letters, Lucius Manlius Sargent’s Hubert and Ellen, and William Paley’s Natural Theology. The fifth and smallest volume is the 1834 schoolgirl diary of a younger member of the Wood family, Mary Louisa, of Newburyport.

SOME REPRESENTATIVE PASSAGES:

[26] August [1811], Portland, Maine: “At 9 oClock we walk to the observatory, this building is 80 feet in height standing on high ground, we ascent 7 flights of stairs to reach the top. You then have—and by the help of a good telescope a very extensive view of the country round—of the Town—of the harbour—and a cluster of Islands, said to be 365 in number—I doubt if so many were ever counted—to these Islands parties are often sailing for pleasure. Some families live on them—some good land to cultivate—see the white hills so called 50 miles of—Limeric[k] Academy 78 miles—Gor[h]am a little village 11 miles—Kennebec light house—discern a large ship standing for it in full sail more than 400 tons—vessels gliding along in the Bay—the water perfectly smooth—all was delightful…We then descend and leave this hill after paying 19 for each one to the man who stays in the building fixes the glass as you wish to vary your views [i.e., Captain Lemuel Moody, who organized the construction of the observatory and occupied it until his daying day in 1846]. As we return walk among the tombs—a place for sober reflection. This must be our certain doom…Past eleven we return, and I prepare for a new excursion—a journey to Bath—to visit my Brother and my native place—what sensations arise at the idea. Quarter past 2 oClock I leave Portland with Brother Wm in chaise…”

[28 August 1811], Bath, Maine: “Tuesday—In Bath my native town I can hardly realize it after leaving it for more than 20 years” – they left brunswick in the morning and 8 miles riding tho’ mostly woods with a wonderful variety of tree sand shrubbery brought us to my Brother’s door—he was out, but his wife with two sweet little children kindly met us—which till now I had never seen—Soon my dear brother arrives his eyes beaming with that affection that clasps us to each other with tears of silent joy. These moments are not to be described. I leave the two brothers for an hour, in that time refreshed and tranquil we meet and dine & walk perhaps two miles about the town. Such an alteration astonishes me. We walk today the lower streets by the water, see the wharf & store once my Fathers———Many new vessels[?] building some very large—wharves & stores—looks more busy than any place I had seen for some time. Walk by Mr Kings handsome house & garden very near the water—two large ships lying at his wharf. Stores full of business…”

31 December, 1819: “Although I have had much to struggle with but I have been carried forward in a wonderful manner—my heart can raise a song of praise to Him who hath been ever strengthening me always beyond my expectation…Since July I have been living in State Street Boarding in Mrs Baddily’s family—have taken a store and am doing business—engaged in active life—on reflection what a strange step this seems but it has not been a hasty one—I believe it to be duty—and I hope it is—great has been the conflict to know what to do—earnestly have I sought direction from Him who heareth prayer in this case—and there has seemed an answer of peace diffused over my soul aiding and strengthening me to go forward notwithstanding the many discouragements thrown in the way thus far I have had no reason to be sorry I have engaged in this business—it brings me cares and concerns and I think it best that I have them—the mind will lose nothing by an active life—May mine be gaining new vigour—new resolution new home & new joy—that I may be useful to my fellow creatures in this way of business comforts me much—I think I can do some good by employing one and another—of late I have had no means to do anything only enough for myself and how does it seem only to live for ones miserable self? Alas! Alas! But I would not complain how great are my mercies! Much I have enjoyed the last year altho sorrows yet sound my heart—may they have a salutary effect and bring me near the Fountain of Light. I left Mrs Harrod’s where I had passed a still and peaceful winter, they were kind & good to me—I went to York told my Mother of my plans saw that she was comfortably fixed with all she needed after two weeks returned…I then went to Andover with Brother Henry in May—I saw my husband in the most painful situation to me that can be described—O how did it peirce my heart—but I desire to leave all with Him in whose hands we are—it was and is of no use for me to go there. I am more than ever convinced—I would wish to act up to all that was duty however distressing it may be.—In June I went to Boston but never did I go with such feelings, often did my heart faint within me—how did I feel my forlorn State—but the everlasting Arm was supporting me and I was lead [sic] forward…I purchased about 1000$ worth of goods, returned and my kind Brother had my Store put in order the goods put in…then on the 12th opened the Store to public view, again there was a conflict within whether it was prudent and how would be the success? I can only say it has been more than expectation altho small. I have been in Boston three times since June, my health and spirits far beyond my fears. I desire to be grateful, to wonder and adore that Goodness that is so unbounded. July 11th Became resident in Mrs Baddily’s family living under the same roof of my store where I have a good chamber and accommodations—her daughter about 18 I find amiable and pleasant…assi[s]ts me in my business.”

March 23 [1835]: “This day has been a most interesting one to my feelings—mingled emotions of joy & sorrow with much to be thankful to who [?] all things for good. It has been the wedding day of my dear Niece E. A. Wood—married to Mr S. Bradford of Philadelphia. Doctor Andrews & Mr Fox performed the ceremony.”

1838: “Another year gone…In Oct., my brother Johns youngest son Wm was placed in Worcester hospital as a maniac 20 years of age—sad indeed is this affliction. Long have I seen this childs mind was without balance, but parents do not always see deficiencies —they have spared no pains in striving to make something of him it was in vain…My Nephew John Henry has lost their first born only son—9 months the age—named John—a most beautiful and lovely Infant—much we all have enjoyed its little prattle. A sweet opening bud of promise, in one short month it blighted and was no more. God saw fit to take it away—it was grievous to its parents & friends to give it up…may it be a sanctified sorrow.

Feb 1 Albert & Catherine are blessed with a fine daughter to be named Mary Louisa.

March—we received very pleasant news at this time from Philadelphia—our dear E. A. has a fine son named Samuel Bradford—In three weeks tidings came the child was taken from its earthly abode gone to Him who gave it—the scene changed and the parents grieve. But death should not grieve the survivor ‘The soul immortal as its Sire will never die’; How much to console the reflecting mind?”

1839: “A journey to Walpole in NH, during the month of Sept., opened new sources of pleasure never to be forgotten and gave a new spring to health & spirits. The ride with two Nephews Albert & Augustus in that delightful part of our country so picturesque with mountainous scenery and so new to me…” her nephew Horatio is pastor there, and together they’re visiting with six nephews, “something new for so many of us to meet together on a visit” - and they drive to Bellows Falls: “It is a fine ride on the banks of the Connecticut so highly picturesque with all the ‘varied charm of bush & tree’ & when in this village we walked over the bridge to the Falls—arrived the great Fall mountain so called—on the side as it seems almost suspended is a large house with out buildings all looking in good order—I cannot attempt to describe the beauties I saw and enjoyed…After a while we passed back from the bridge to the village, walked into the burying ground which is in good order—saw many fine buildings & stones—passing the afternoon in this way we returned…Horatio lives in a fine house, his grounds are laid out in much tast[e]—a fine garden yeilding[sic] all they need…”

1844, Boston: “A Mr Stedman City Missionary called & remained to tea—a great wit—full of humorous anecdotes—keep all laughing but—a little too much of it for my tast[e]. He once was in Newburyport but never saw him before”

May 1844, Boston: “Mrs. Schuyler calls we have a good time with her—a lovely woman, and much beloved—engaged us all for the morrow and sent her carriage for us. Rain done and gone—the sun once more send forth it[s] cheering rays…Dewey invites us to see the menagery now in exhibition, and we hasten out to take the fresh [air] there was a great collection of wild animals from the monkey up to the huge Elephant, always worth seeing. The best or most amusing to see the keeper dressed fantastically and go into the Lion’s cage where were many kinds beside Lions—lay down with them—play all kinds of pranks—[?] over him—jump on him—hugging them as babies—then mesmerising one of them—giving much amusement. Goodly number looking on—saw Dr Wainwright[?] Episcopal clergyman with a little child…”

June 1844, Philadelphia: “We devoted one afternoon to visit the fine Stone Hospital for the deaf & dumb children in this City. Well worth seeing their wonderful progress in reading, writing, arithmetic, and understanding the scriptures—everything done with great facility—after their exercises they relate stories, with such gestures, movement of the hands, most impressive motions of the body—it is amusing to see them feeling so engaged—one of them told a story of a thief stealing a ship…I conversed with their instructor who seemed greatly interested for them, told me of many who had gone out and doing well in different employments in life. He mentioned the manner in which he had instructed them to understand the death of the Saviour on the cross—making a representation of pieces of wood so they could have a knowledge of his sufferings. We then went into the spacious work-room and saw the girls of all ages at work—some very pretty work on canvas and other kinds were exhibited the youngest [of] them only 6 years old—a sweet girl looking bright & happy”

A revealing document of the life of an intelligent and enterprising single woman in New England in the early to mid-1800s.

REFERENCES: “Mary Wood Frothingham” at FamilySearch online; “Marriages of Mainers Recorded in Newburyport, Mass.” at Maine Genealogy online; “[By Order Of Court.] Will be sold at Publick Auction…,” Newburyport Herald and Commercial Gazette, June 30, 1815, p. 3; “Captain Jonathan Hodges House” at Walkies Through History online; “John Wood Papers, 1806-1853, undated,” at Peabody Essex Museum online; “We have to record…,” Eastern Argus, Dec. 18, 1833, p. 2; “Bailey, Winthrop” at McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia online; “John Barton Derby” in Strangers to us All : Lawyers and Poetry at LawLit online; “Brunswick Commencement,” Portland Gazette and Maine Advertizer, Sept. 23, 1811, p. 1; Elizabeth A. Bradford” at Find A Grave online.

Item #9741

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Price: $3,750.00

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