Conditions Governing Use

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Conditions Governing Access

The 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

Pattie Fitzgerald Diary, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Content Description

A forty-seven page diary of a Virginia woman named Pattie Fitzgerald. Alongside school, courting, friends and family, Fitzgerald writes about darker things. She mentions feelings of hopelessness, a murder, and nightmares. Death is the focus of several entries.

There are two notes, one letter, and a dried posy in the front of the diary. Fitzgerald practiced signing her name, with several different last names, on the back of the front cover.

Content warnings for thoughts of suicide, mentions of murder.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Women teachers--United States--History--19th century
• Women--Diaries
• Women--History--19th century
• Women--History--Virginia
• Women--Virginia--Social life and customs
• Young women--Diaries