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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.

Scope and Contents

The diaries of Thomas Scattergood (1841-1907). Scattergood was a business man in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. He was active in the Society of Friends (Quakers), on the Board of the local asylum, treasurer of the Colored Institute, and involved in many civic affairs. He was a teetotaler. He was involved in the incorporation of the Sharpless Dyewood Extracts Company. In the period of these diaries, Scattergood was married to Sarah Garrett Scattergood and had three children, Anna, Alfred and Joseph Henry (known as Henry). The diary contains tintypes of his children, tales of his business ventures, details of illnesses, accounts of Friends Meetings, his day to day business, a record of notable and local deaths, and depictions of family vacations. Scattergood writes every day except for a few times during vacation and sickness. His entries include descriptions of the weather and a thermometer reading. Some notable entries include a vivid dream about heaven, a description of the pain of passing a gall of kidney stone, a private meeting with President Grover Cleveland in January of 1889, and his attendance at the opening of Bryn Mawr College.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Diaries
• Diaries -- Male authors
• Pennsylvania--Social life and customs--19th century
• Quakers--United States--History--19th century