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Diary of E. Amelia White

1 folder (0.1 linear feet)

(1850 – 1866)

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier SC2013.104
Creator(s) White, E. Amelia
Acquisition

Acquired by Dr. Beatriz Hardy (Dean of SU Libraries and Instructional Resources) in 2013.

SC2013.104
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding aid written by Ian Post.
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Separated Materials See Nabb Center Staff
Abstract

The Diary of E. Amelia White was written between 1850 and 1855, but includes at least one entry from 1866. White lived in North Springfield, Vermont and, during the time of this diary, attended music lessons in Boston, Massachusetts, turned 18, visited New York, and witnessed the devastation of her community from a smallpox epidemic. White also shared her thoughts on religion, death, and culture after she visited Boston. Several pages were removed from the diary. Also included are a lock of hair and two calling cards.

Biographical History

Esther Amelia White Fairbanks, known as Amelia, was born on March 7, 1833 in North Springfield, Vermont. She was the daughter of John White (1794 – 1872) and Esther Eusebia Atwood White (born c. 1815). She was the oldest of three. She had two sisters, Marcella Eusebia White Dresser (1835 – 1863) and Abbie Sophia White Upham (1843 – 1928).

On March 26, 1867, Amelia married Amos Parker Fairbanks (1827-1902). The couple had three children; one son, John White Fairbanks (1868 – 1935), Marcella Euseba Fairbanks Mellish (1870 – 1909), and Abbie Amelia Fairbanks Graves (1871-1958).

After the death of her husband in 1902, Amelia went to Toledo, Ohio to live with her daughter, Abbie Graves. Amelia died of pneumonia on March 4, 1915. Her daughter’s family returned her body to North Springfield, Vermont where she was buried in the family plot at Pine Grove Cemetery.

Scope and Content Note

The Diary of E. Amelia White was written between 1850 and 1855, but includes at least one entry from 1866. White lived in North Springfield, Vermont and, during the time of this diary, attended music lessons in Boston, Massachusetts, turned 18, visited New York, and witnessed the devastation of her community from a smallpox epidemic. White also shared her thoughts on religion, death, and culture after she visited Boston. Several pages were removed from the diary. Also included are a lock of hair and two calling cards, one of which contains the name of her youngest daughter.

Amelia had a knack for writing and her journal entries contain a high degree of passion and feeling. Her phrases occasionally border on poetic. Her diary is rich with detail that provide insight into the life of a young girl living in New England.

Arrangement Statement See Nabb Center Staff

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Diaries
    • Diaries (Women)
    • Family Life
    • Medical History
    • Spirituality
    • Voyages and Travel
    • Youth
  • Location Terms
    • Boston (Ma.)
    • New York (Ny.)
    • Springfield (Vt.)

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