The Diary of Sara Bindley documents the life and travels of Sara Slocum Bindley with her children and grandchildren from 1898 to 1919. The first few pages, from 1898 to 1899 record the childhood of Sara's children while they lived in New York. The rest of the diary dates from 1916 to 1919 and describes the travels of Sara with her granddaughter Sarah Virginia Sandell as they travel to Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and upstate New York during World War I. Some of their adventures include hospitalizations due to accidents and Sarah Virginia's participation in a Red Cross Play. Pasted into the diary are photographs, postcards, and other ephemera. Also included with the diary is a 1938 document acknowledging Sarah Virginia's receipt of $300 from the will of John Bindley.

Sara Lida Solcum was born on July 23, 1861 in Mantorville, Dodge, Minnesota to George Washington Sherman Slocum and Rhoda Carey Mantor. Sara married Albion Bindley on June 4, 1889 and they had two children, Albion, Jr. (1890-1963) and Elmira (1892-1972). Elmira married Frank Sandell, a prominent Buffalo, New York real estate broker. Albion, Sr. worked as a builder in Pittsbrgh during the 19th century. Albion, Jr. also lived in Pittsburgh and worked as a superintendant at the Pittsburgh Steel Products company.

Albion Sr. died March 10, 1904 and Sara died in 1933.

Sara Bindley - Find A Grave

Albion Bindley - Find A Grave

Albion Bindley Jr. - Find A Grave

The Diary of Sara Bindley documents the life and travels of Sara Slocum Bindley with her children and grandchildren from 1898 to 1919. The first few pages, from 1898 to 1899 record the childhood of Sara's children, Albion and Elmira in Mayville, Chaquaqua County, New York.  The rest of the journal covers 1919-1919 and documents Sara's travels with her granddaughter Sarah Virginia Sandell, daughter of Elmira and Frank Sandell, a prominent Buffalo, NY real estate broker. In 1916, they were living in Beatrice Court, Newark, New Jersey, when they placed their furniture in storage and travelled to Pittsburgh, PA and Asheville, NC. In 1917, Sara and Sarah Virginia visited Albion Bindley Jr. in Pittsburgh then to Asheville and stayed in historic Primrose Cottage before heading to New York. While on the train to New York, Sara recounts a conversation about patriotism wih General Asa Bird Gardiner. Sara and Sarah Virginia visited New York City, Lakewood and Sea Girt, NJ, and Hastings on Hudson, NY. After the United States entered the First World War, they traveled to Rochester, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, and Hastings. These accounts describe discussions of the military service of family members and a description of a military revue in New York, followed by Sara's reflections on the War. Once the war is ended, the two travel to up state New York.  The diary narrative focuses on Sara's children and gradchildren and their experiences during the trips, including hospitalizations due to accidents and Sarah Virginia's participation in a Red Cross play. 

Included with the diary are family photographs, photographs of places they stayed, and souvenir postcards. Ephemera includes a few letters, an apology note by Albion, and Sara's will.