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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem Library
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, Virginia
Business Number: 757-221-3090
spcoll@wm.edu
URL: https://libraries.wm.edu/libraries-spaces/special-collections
Finding Aid Authors: Ute Schechter, Michael Lusby.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation:
Violet L. Barnett Diaries, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
Purchase.
Processing Information:
Accessioned and minimally processed in October 2009 by Ute Schechter, Warren E. Burger Archivist. Collection organized, series list entered and contents described in further detail by Michael Lusby, SCRC Staff, in November 2009.
Biographical Information:
Married to Joseph Percy Barnett (1882-1967), Violet Laughead Barnett was a homemaker in West Chester, Pa. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .
Scope and Contents
Diaries of Violet Laughead Barnett (d. 1972) of West Chester, Pennsylvania for the years 1931-1972 (with the exceptions of 1967 and 1968). Violet Barnett was a homemaker and had two children, Ethel and Earl. Daily entries cover chores, weather, family and social life. There is also the occasional comment on national and international events. Violet Barnett was very engaged in church activities and a member of several chapters of the National Grange. Also included are a few newspapers clippings, invitations, greeting cards, postcards, business cards and miscellaneous notes. A ledger book from 1920 is contained at the end and the identity of the author is not confirmed.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- Diaries
- Grange
- Homemakers--Pennsylvania--Diaries
- Pennsylvania--Social life and customs--20th century
- Women--Diaries
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- Pennsylvania--Social life and customs--20th century
Container List
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 1 id63014
Diaries1931-1932, 1913Scope and Contents
1931 diary contains entries from the end of 1930, beginning with Christmas morning. Marriage announcement is for Violet and Percy Barnett in 1913.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 2 id63015
Diaries1933-1937Scope and Contents
First diary contains entries for 1933-35. Diaries for 1936 and 1937 are individual pieces. Notes on the funeral of Percy's father are contained in the entry for February 4th, 1935. Frequent references are also made to the family's lack of money between 1933-1935. Entry for February 24th, 1936 contains a song of tribute to Lincoln from the Grange.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 3 id63016
Diaries1938-1942Scope and Contents
First diary contains entries for 1938-40. Diaries for 1941 and 1942 are individual pieces. Contain various newspaper clippings and notes.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 4 id63019
Diaries1943-1945Scope and Contents
Contain various newspaper clippings. 1943 contains a birth notice for Ellen Laughead. Photo clip from newspaper of Robert Laughead during World War 2.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 5 id63021
Diaries1946-1950Scope and Contents
Entries for 1946 and 1947 are kept together. Entries for 1948 and 1949 are kept together. Diary for 1950 is kept individually. Contain various newspaper clippings, letters and notes. 1947-48 contains a tract from the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union and refrigerator warranty card.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 6 id63022
Diaries1951-1953Scope and Contents
Contain various newspaper clippings, advertisements and notes.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 7 id63023
Diaries1954-1956Scope and Contents
Contain various newspaper clippings and notes. 1955 contains a birth announcement for Barbara Barnett.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 8 id63024
Diaries1957-1959Scope and Contents
1959 Diary contains several postcards.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 9 id63025
Diaries1960-1962Scope and Contents
Diaries also contain various newspaper clippings, business cards and postcards. 1960 contains a funeral tag for a car, note reads "Clinton's Funeral." 1962 contains a photograph.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 10 id63026
Diaries1963-1965Scope and Contents
Diaries contain various newspaper clippings and church service invitations. 1964 contains a letter to Violet from her grandchild. 1965 contains a postcard from Violet's daughter Ethel.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 11 id63051
Dairies1966 and 1969Scope and Contents
Diaries contain various newspaper clippings. Diary from 1966 contains several postcards and memo about the construction of a new Presbyterian Church. Marriage announcement for Ellen Laughead and Frank Balestrieri 1967. 1967 and 1968 were not included in this collection.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 12 id63054
Diaries1970-1972Scope and Contents
Various newspaper clippings and correspondence with friends are contained in these diaries. On April 18, 1972, Violet Barnett was discovered in the den by her son Earl who surmised that his mother had suffered a stroke. Entries from the 18th to the 22nd are then kept by him. Documents Violet's care and the rapid deterioration of her health. She died April 22nd, 1972. A clipping of her obituary is attached inside the diary.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 13 id63101
Ledger Book1920Scope and Contents
Contains entries referring to Percy Barnett and the Grange. Possibly authored by Mrs. Batter.