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Mrs. Joel J. Baily diary
The diaries of Mrs. Joel J. Baily, nee Susan Jones, the wife of a Philadelphia merchant, give a portrait of the life of a rising mercantile family in Philadelphia. Susan Jones (24 January 1830-23 June 1917) married Joel J. Baily (1826-1903) on 12 April 1849, about the time she begins her diaries. T...
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| Collection: | Mrs. Joel J. Baily Diary |
| Collection Number: | Am.0114 |
| Format: | Manuscript |
| Language: | English |
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| Physical Description: |
0.6 Linear feet 0.6 linear feet, 4 volumes |
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| Summary: |
The diaries of Mrs. Joel J. Baily, nee Susan Jones, the wife of a Philadelphia merchant, give a portrait of the life of a rising mercantile family in Philadelphia. Susan Jones (24 January 1830-23 June 1917) married Joel J. Baily (1826-1903) on 12 April 1849, about the time she begins her diaries. These four diaries (1849-53, 1853-54, 1856-59 and 1870-76) were discovered by a Dr. Henry C. Shurtleff of Philadelphia who bought them at a sale of old books. Dr. Shurtleff researched for the missing volumes without success before giving the books to Charles R. Barker who donated the collection in 1945.
Mrs. Joel J. Baily was the only child of William D. (1802-1875) and Frances Lloyd Baily (1803-1871). Her diary abounds with references to the Jones family of Lower Merion, Pennsylvania and the Lloyd family of Darby, Pennsylvania. Most entries begin with a weather report and record the events of the day. While family events abound; unfortunately, details and emotions are rare in these entries. The entry for the centennial celebration on 4 July 1876 is short and barely takes interest in the event. However, the entry for 10 November 1876 does record some nice details about the closing day of the Centennial and mentions President Grant.
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