Guide to the Eliza Ann Dutton Diary, 1868

Collection number: MS 265
Size: (1 folder) (.10 cu.ft.)

About Eliza Ann Dutton

Eliza Dutton was born on August 6, 1850 in the granite house on Nashua Street in Milford, New Hampshire, daughter of Reed Dutton and Betsey Peacock Wheeler. Eliza wrote, "Father bought me this diary in Boston and paid 60 cents for it." The diary was for 1868. She faithfully wrote in it each day that year. In this record she revealed her daily activities. Eliza Ann had exceptional talent and loved her town and people. (Silva, p. 141)

About the Diary

The diary records the activities of an 18-year-old woman in 1868. Eliza had many girlfriends and several suitors, with whom she attended the Lyceum, band concerts, and church gatherings called ‘Socibles’. She enjoyed going to the railroad depot to watch arriving passengers, designing and sewing women's hats and clothes, reading books she borrowed from the library and visiting neighbors and friends.

J. Donald Silva, English Professor Emeritus at UNH, discovered Eliza Dutton's diary and "read it with a mangifying glass." He then transcribed and published the diary in a book titled Diary for 1868 by Eliza Ann Dutton, Milford New Hampshire. The book includes a Biographical Sketch, Afterward, and Index of Names.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

This collection is open.

Copyright Notice

Contents of this collection are governed by U.S. copyright law. For questions about publication or reproduction rights, contact Special Collections staff.

Preferred Citation

Eliza Dutton Diary, 1868, MS 265, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Donated by J. Donald Silva, Dec. 2015

Related Material

Diary for 1868 by Eliza Ann Dutton, Milford New Hampshire, edited by J. Donald Silva. Call number: NHamp F44.M6D88