Diarist Identified

In my last post, I mentioned the diary I found with other possessions belonging to H. Morse Bond of Brattleboro, VT. I have since found out that the diary was kept by his grandmother, Maria Louise Knight Bond, who was originally from Dummerston. It appears that Morse's mother died when he was a baby, and he was raised by his father's parents. Mrs. Bond was in her late 70s and early 80s when she kept this diary from 1921 to 1925. She passed away in 1928.

Although her life centered on her home and domestic duties, it was not without drama. She documents difficulties she had with her housekeeper, Mrs. Lee (who eventually quits) and her own depression and physical ailments. Mrs. Bond was very lonely after her husband died in 1924, and relied on visits from family and friends to keep her spirits up. There is also occasional mention of unusual occurrences - an earthquake, an eclipse, President Coolidge passing through town. She was an active member of the Daughters of 1812 and the Colonial Dames. And she made lots and lots of doughnuts.

I was able to find a very detailed family tree of the Bonds, including photographs of Maria, Henry, their son Will, and Morse as a baby, on Ancestry.com. Here she is, looking very Victorian.