1941-1947 Unique Handwritten Manuscript Diary of a Single Mother in New England during WWII, Waging Legal Battle for Support Payments
Published by Nahant, Massachusetts, 1941
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc., Cochrane, AB, CanadaKatz Fine Manuscripts Inc.
AbeBooks seller since May 11, 2005
Condition: Used - Good
£ 1,297.02
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
On offer is a very simple yet unusual diary written by an unnamed woman from 1941 to 1947. Context suggests she was a single mother living with her son in Nahant, Massachusetts, a town in Essex County. There is no record of a husband, although she does note a legal action for non-payment of support from a man named Jay. Her son, Jamie, is 10 or 11 years old in 1941, and is mentioned in almost every entry she makes. She appears to be close with her family, as passages detail much time spent with her father and possibly a brother. When the author isn’t working at one of her many jobs, she is helping her father repair a house, part of which she rents out. Life is not easy for her. This was an economically difficult time in the United States and she refers in several places to the OPA—the Office of Price Administration, created to regulate prices and rents during the war years. She also takes courses, presumably to help her find better or more steady work. “Salem to court. Jay and his 2 sisters went there got Legal Aid . Miller did well. Questioned Jay. Judge Phelan upheld his former order of $15 a week – to date $315 due Now try and get it! I will turn it over so as not to have any [ ]. Jay arrested on non- support charges.” [Jan 17, 1941] On a note page at the back, she records the amount the court awarded her for support of her child: “. all income received from court for 12 yr old child - $3.00 a week.” “Finished Standard Red Cross course at YMCA Final test on bandagings and splinting. Mr [ ] - Instructor. Mr. Harry Downs – Instructor.” [Sept 18, 1941] “Started Instructor’s Course at Lynn Classical High. Mrs. Amiro – Instructor. 5 nights – 16 thru 20. Jamie going to Valley Rd. School. 6th grade. Pa here & Roberts. I am also taking Advanced Course in Gases and Bombs at Broad St. Fire Sta. . Chief O’Neil – teacher.” [Feb 16, 1942] During the difficult times, she also experienced tragedy: “Pa was complaining of stomach ache when got up at 3 AM. I called Percival at 6:30 AM from Police station. And he came right up from Hamilton. Pa died at 8:30 AM on Thurs Oct 19 1944. Ma went first 5 years ago Oct 13, 1939 . I feel awfully to have him gone.” [Oct 19, 1944] “OPA bothering about home I rent at Nahant. Jamie had topaz ring for his birthday Apr 27/43.” [Apr 27, 1943] This journal offers an excellent look inside the world of a single mother in New England during WWII. For an historian, it offers a wealth of small detail. The gaps in entries do not take away from the picture of life at that time. This would be an excellent reference for anyone looking at the role of women during WWII, especially that of a single mother. The diary measures 5.5 inches by 5.5 inches and contains 104 pages. It is approximately 80% complete. The covers are in good condition. It is coil-bound, with the coil across the top of the book. The pages are in good condition and the handwriting is legible. The diary covers the years 1941 through 1947. There are large time gaps in the entries, which accounts for 7 years being recorded in 104 pages. The entries, however, paint an interesting picture of the author’s life and struggles.…
Seller Inventory # 0010006
Bibliographic details
- Title
- 1941-1947 Unique Handwritten Manuscript Diary of a Single Mother in New England during WWII, Waging Legal Battle for Support Payments
- Author
- Unknown
- Publisher
- Nahant, Massachusetts
- Publication year
- 1941
- Condition
- Good
- Binding
- Coil Binding (top)
- Dimensions
- 5.5" x 5.5"
Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc.
Cochrane, AB, Canada
AbeBooks seller since May 11, 2005
Shipping rates from Canada to U.S.A.
| Item | 7 to 14 business days | 4 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 14.24 | £ 15.97 |
Payment methods
- Invoice
- Paypal
Store description
Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc. (formerly known as M. Benjamin Katz, Fine Books/Rare Manuscripts) is based out of both Ontario and Alberta, Canada. We do business by appointment, and have had an online presence selling rare books and manuscripts since 1999. Specializing in handwritten, historically significant books, manuscripts, diaries, documents and ephemera. A member of The Manuscript Society each treasure on offer is guaranteed authentic and as represented for life. Worldwide clientele includes esteemed collections and public, private and university libraries on both sides of the Atlantic and Pacific. Always buying collections and estates. Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc. (formerly M. Benjamin Katz, Fine Books/Rare Manuscripts) has been an online sales presence with over 7000 transactions since 1999. All items are as stated or returnable for full refund. If a refund is requested, seller must be notified within 7 days of postal delivery of the item based on postal tracking data. To receive a refund, the item must be returned to seller in the same condition in which it was received. All digital items are final sale.…
Specialty
Rare Books, Rare Manuscripts, Diaries, Rare Judaica, Antiquities, Journals, Documents, EphemeraSeller's business information
Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc.
12 West Chapman Place
Cochrane, AB Canada T4C 1J9
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