The Diary of Nancy McDougall Robinson
Uploaded by sls465 on Apr 18, 2007
The Diary of Nancy McDougall Robinson
In this article, it is very interesting to have learned that much of what we know about nineteenth century Southern women comes from their personal diaries. Due to the likeliness of education, most of the information comes from white women living on the plantations. Many of these diaries are available to us in archives in state universities. Some diaries have been recently published to further the knowledge of the American public on this subject.
Of the many topics these women wrote about in their diaries, it is obvious that their families were very important to them. Nancy McDougall Robinson wrote many times of her husband, Alfred Bassett Robinson, whom she married on new Years Eve 1832. Nancy began her diary the summer before her marriage, but her relationship with Alfred consumed the majority of her journal entries. After their wedding, Nancy and Alfred left for Alfred's home, Checopo Plantation in Holmes County. This was fairly far from Nancy's home in Port Gibson, Mississippi. Alfred was often gone for long periods of time tending to his business, and leaving Nancy home alone. Unfortunately for Nancy, She spent many sad nights alone, and many of these nights are revealed in her diary. She often wrote to her family members during her lonely times. In July 1833, Alfred took Nancy back to Port Gibson, where she remained until the birth of their first son, Alfred Bassett Robinson II. Evidence of a second, and a third son is recorded in later entries. In 1837, at the age of four, her oldest son Alfred died. Nancy refers to this as "the greatest affliction of her life." Nancy truly loved her friends, family, and most of all the enjoyment of her husband and sons.
During the 1850's, Nancy's sons were still a main concern for her, but her diary entries consisted of various interests. She mentioned interests that she had not previously mentioned in earlier entries. She spoke especially of her niece, Lizzie Williams, who was one her favorite family members. Lizzie passed away in 1956. This brought great pain to Nancy, and she wrote often of Lizzie in following entries. Nancy continued to stay busy, caring for people in such situations as sickness and death. Diseases such as small pox and yellow fever were a significant cause of death during this period of time....