Mollie Berry diaries
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Mollie Berry diaries
- Date
- 1866-1873
- Creator
- Berry, Mollie
- Extent
- 0.04 Cubic feet
- Subjects
- Poetry--Authorship--Kentucky.
- Recipes.
- Women--Kentucky--Social life and customs.
- Women--Kentucky.
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged chronologically.
- Preferred Citation
- 2012ms119 : [identification of item] Mollie Berry diaries, 1866-1873, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Mollie (Green) Berry was born in Mooresville, Ky., located in Nicholas County. Birth and death dates are unknown.
- Scope and Content
- The Mollie Berry diaries (dated 1866-1873; 0.04 cubic feet; 3 items) document the post-Civil War life of Berry and demonstrate aspects of social life and customs of the time, including domestic duties and relationships with family members. The diaries also include some poems of various lengths as well as a recipe for "Siver Bake" and a log of expenses. People include a frequently-mentioned girl named Maggie, who may be Mollie's sister, and a male family friend named Waller. Waller is assumed to be a family friend whom Mollie often visits at his house. One significant topic Mollie deals with is illness. On May 9, 1866, she mentions a "fever" making a lot of people sick, possibly typhoid. The diaries also document the church as a large part of the social and cultural fabric of the community.
- Processing Info
- Information on Berry's exact birthdate is unknown. The diaries are written beginning in 1866, though the quality of the penmanship and content of the diaries suggests that Berry was a young adult, possibly in her early 20s. Information about her birth in Mooresville, Ky., was included as part of the accession record, and not much was known prior to receiving the diaries from a donor in the 1970s.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky holds the copyright for materials created in the course of business by University of Kentucky employees. Copyright for all other materials has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact Special Collections.
Contents of the Collection
1866 April 1-1869 January 7, 1866 April 1 - 1869 January 7
1871 January 1-1872 March 8, 1871 January 1 - 1872 March 8
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
