Identifier

MA 44

Dates

1863-1870, 2006

Extent

0.21 linear feet (1 small document case)

Abstract

Susan A. Jones (January 11, 1844 – June 23, 1925), came to South Dakota and homesteaded in Hughes County in 1905. While her daughter was proving her claim, she taught school in Wisconsin and South Dakota. The collection is composed of a photocopy of transcriptions of dairies kept by Susan A. Jones while she resided in Massachusetts and Wisconsin.

Historical Note

Susan A. (Sedgwick) Jones was born on January 11, 1844 at No. Adams, Massachusetts. She married Henry R. Jones on May 3, 1865. They moved from Massachusetts to Clintonville, Wisconsin in 1866. They had six children: Clara, Lillie, Jessie, Stella, Bert and another boy. Henry died in 1897.

Susan and her daughter, Jessie, came to South Dakota and homesteaded in Hughes County in 1905. While her daughter was proving her claim, she taught school in Wisconsin and South Dakota. Susan resided on the claim but went back to Wisconsin in the winter.

Susan died on June 23, 1925 at Clintonville, Wisconsin.

Content Notes

Transcription of the Susan A. Jones diaries was performed by Virginia Vander Wal, great-granddaughter of Susan, in March 2006. The diaries appear to have been written while Susan resided in Massachusetts and Wisconsin. The entries provide insight into her daily activities from 1863-1870. Topics include various social activities, mention of the weather, work activities, and important events, such as funerals, first communion, engagement to be married, etc.

The 1863 transcription was from a very small diary that was written before Susan married Henry. There are several entries concerning the Civil War in this diary.

Some of the original diaries were written on loose pages and were very old and fragile. Others were written in 3 x 4 inch diary books with three days to one side of each page. The writing on these pages was very small and faded, especially those entries written in pencil, making is difficult to read.

Blanks in the text indicate words that could not be read due to illegible handwriting or damaged areas on the paper. Words typed in brackets, { }, are words which a guess was made at some of the letters. The spelling of words in the original diary was maintained.

Virginia Vander Wal includes an account of the transcribing of the diaries as well as some genealogical background of Susan A. Jones. Virginia's personal notations are indicated in bold-faced font in the transcription. Also included is a photocopied photograph of Susan A. Jones and discharge papers for Henry R. Jones.

The diaries are not complete in that some years may not have entries for each day or month.

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Language

English

Publisher

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Rights

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

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