Mrs. Shelton Griffin Diary

 Collection
Identifier: MSS.0968

  • Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains a diary written by a woman working on a cotton and peanut farm near Bakerhill, Alabama at the beginning of the Great Depression in 1931. The diary details daily farming life in rural Alabama. The daily entries are brief, noting a constant list of on-going tasks and responsibilities and visits from family and friends. The family farms cotton and peanuts, and late Summer/early Fall entries are dominated by the harvest. The crops were sold in Dothan, Alabama. While this diary is from the Depression and the family makes little money, there is limited to no mention of acute hardships experienced by the family as a result.

Though never mentioned by name, the diary was likely written by Beatrice Ethel Seaborn Griffin (June 18, 1906 - April 30, 1994), wife of William Shelton Griffin (June 17, 1905 - February 29, 1972). A "James Allen" mentioned often in the diary likely refers to James Allen Griffin (October 17, 1929 - January 30, 1996).

Dates

  • 1931

Conditions Governing Access

This collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Special Collections in the Jean and Alexander Heard Library. Collections should be requested 2-3 days prior to visiting in order to facilitate easier access. For questions or to request a collection, contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu.

Biographical / Historical

Though never mentioned by name, the diary was likely written by Beatrice Ethel Seaborn Griffin (June 18, 1906 - April 30, 1994), wife of William Shelton Griffin (June 17, 1905 - February 29, 1972). A "James Allen" mentioned often in the diary likely refers to James Allen Griffin (October 17, 1929 - January 30, 1996). The three are all buried at Pond Bethel Methodist Church Cemetary in Barbour County, Alabama.

Extent

.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains a diary written by a woman working on a cotton and peanut farm in south Alabama at the beginning of the Great Depression in 1931. The diary details daily farming life in rural Alabama.

Physical Location

Special Collections & Archives

Title
Finding Aid for the Mrs. Shelton Griffin Diary
Status
Completed
Author
Zach Johnson
Date
March 2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Vanderbilt University Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Special Collections Library
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States


 

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