Title:

Louise Peelor Curtis diary, 1877-1879

Creator/Contributor:

Curtis, Louise Peelor., creator

Diary of a nineteenth-century San Jose, California woman, an artist who was beset with many health problems. Entries alternate between ink and pencil. Diary begins with entry on Louise Peelor Curtis's 43rd birthday. Most entries describe the writer's physical ailments, frequently what seems to be a prolapsed uterus. She writes of her three children, all school age; of death and illness; of financial concerns; of her faith in her Creator. Her husband Harmon was the jailor at the County Jail in San Jose (1872-1875), but lost the position with a change in County Jail administration, and he is unemployed for the bulk of the period this diary covers. Louise teaches art lessons to individuals in her home, including Miss Alice Black and Mrs. Edmonson. She laments Harmon's unemployment; mentions his trips to the ranch to repair a pump; his sick sister Mary, bringing up blood; Mr. Clayton visiting Nettie. The October 6, 1877 entry mentions winning first premium for Harmon's portrait, at the county fair? Harold is almost shot in a gang shooting downtown. Louise's mother visits.

Date:

1877 (issued)

Subject:

Women artists -- California -- San Jose -- Biography

Artists -- California -- San Jose -- Biography

Women -- California -- San Jose -- Biography

Women -- Diseases -- California -- San Jose -- 19th century

San Jose (Calif.) -- Biography

Two other diaries written by Curtis were extant as of 1983: the first was written between 1854 and 1855 while she lived in Cambridge, New York, and the second was kept between 1872 and 1877 while she was living with husband Harmon Curtis in San Jose. See Tawni Hileman, I Am So Sick: The Diary of a Nineteenth Century Housewife (San Jose: Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History, 1983.)

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.

Louise Harrell was born in New York state in 1837. She married John Peelor, who died young, and then Harmon Curtis. They moved to San Jose, California, where he worked as jailor at the County Jail, San Jose 1870-1875 (the family lived at the jail); later he worked at livery stables. An artist, Louise was head of the Decorative Department at the University of the Pacific, Santa Clara, in 1872-1873. She taught art to students in her home as well, and her son became a California painter. Harmon died in 1907. Beset by many illnesses, Louise still lived to a great age and died in Santa Clara County in 1928.

Louise Peelor Curtis diary, (SFH 309), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

In English.

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

1 item.

English

Origin:

California

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.