Box 28

Scope and Contents

Matilda's birthday book, "The Shakespeare Birthday Book," and Deborah Ferris's "Whittier Birthday Book," which was continued by Matilda Ferris, 1912, and Frances C. Ferris, 1937. Removed ALS from latter, noted Frances that it was the last letter she received from her aunt Matilda.

Scope and Contents Journal begins in short-hand which he abandons in May, 1870. Despondent at age 18 about his future, longs to be at a good college, not on the farm. At the end of second month 1871, he moved to the family's farm in Virginia. The rest of the family joined him soon after. Matilda was teaching, Frank and Henry working in the printing business, their father running the farm, and Will was fretting about being socially awkward. He resumes study of shorthand in the summer and becomes interested in...