Description
This collection contains correspondence of Los Angeles schoolteacher Allie Prescott to her family in Massachusetts between
1870 and 1891.
The letters in the collection deal primarily with family history and Prescott's struggles with loneliness, teaching, and living
in Los Angeles.
Background
Sometime before 1870, Allie Prescott (born circa 1847) left her native Massachusetts to start a new life in Los Angeles, California.
She travelled alone,
leaving behind a large family in Boston. Prescott soon became a public schoolteacher and fell in love with the young city’s
sunny climate,
abundant fresh produce, and mix of cultures. Deeply religious, Prescott’s letters include mention of several Los Angeles area
churches:
Methodist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and Unitarian. Finally, while the motivations behind Prescott’s move are unknown,
her letters indicate that she was sending money home to help support her mother.
Restrictions
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to
quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such
activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is
one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Availability
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services
Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.