Grace Fraser Waugh Correspondence: Finding Aid
Finding aid prepared by Gina C Giang.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
© 2014
Manuscripts Department
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2129
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
The Huntington Library. All rights reserved.
Title: Grace Fraser Waugh Correspondence
Dates (inclusive): 1850-1984
Bulk dates: 1900-1936
Collection Number: mssWaugh correspondence
Creator:
Waugh, Grace Fraser.
Extent:
371 items in 4 boxes
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Manuscripts Department
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2129
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: This collection contains the family correspondence of Ohio-born Grace Fraser Waugh (1871-1938) consisting almost entirely
of
letters sent by Waugh between 1900 and 1936 to her younger sister and brother-in-law from various
places including, Heidelberg, Germany, Florida, Oregon, Ohio, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Washington, with descriptions
of the locale,
her life and daily activities, and personal issues.
Language: English.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
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.
[Identification of item]. Grace Fraser Waugh Correspondence, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Gift from Dr. Malcolm Rohrbough, March and July 2014.
Grace Fraser Waugh (1871-1938) was born in 1871 in Ohio to John Gaius Fraser and Martha Matilda Miner. Grace's grandfather
was Reverend
John Malcolm Fraser born on October 21, 1802 in Ferrisburgh, Vermont. Grace married Justin Miner Waugh, a surgeon, from
Ohio. The couple
had one child, Martha Fraser Waugh, born in 1905.
Grace's sister Alice Fraser Scott was married to Frank A. Scott, a businessman and civic
leader who was chairman of the War Industry Board during World War I, as well as chairman of the board of Warner and Swasey
Company in Ohio.
Justin Miner Waugh's sister was Dorothy Waugh, who was married to George Gates Brown. Brown was a director and the manager
of the General Underwriting Company.
Grace passed away on November 4, 1938, in Codfry, Illinois, and Justin passed away in November 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio.
The family correspondence of Grace Fraser Waugh consists almost entirely of letters sent by Grace addressed to her younger
sister, Alice Fraser Scott "Babe"/"Boo" and her husband, Frank A. Scott. Grace's husband, Justin Miner Waugh, is frequently
referred to as "Budd" in her letters. The bulk of the letters sent by Grace were from 1900-1936. Over the span of almost four
decades, she writes from various cities and states including, Heidelberg, Germany, Florida, Oregon, Ohio, Massachusetts, New
York, Vermont, and Washington.
Grace's correspondence begins in Cleveland, Ohio in 1897. In 1900, she writes from Heidelberg, Germany to "People" back home
in Cleveland and Mansfield, Ohio. The couple lives in Heidelberg and Berlin for approximately seven months as "Budd" is completing
his postgraduate work at a medical school. While in Europe, she describes in great detail the scenery, buildings, and local
people she encounters along with daily activities. She frequently visits neighboring cities to shop and see museums. Although
the majority of the letters are by Grace, there is one letter by "Budd" while in Germany. In reference to the German lifestyle,
he states "I don't think a German has ever worked a straight week...If Columbus had lived in Germany he wouldn't have made
up his mind to discover America yet and just about the time he got ready to look us up on the compass they would have another
holiday and all his plans would go broke for a few days" (June 18, 1900). They left Germany in late September 1900. A letter
dated September 30, 1900 from Port Chester, New York, describes a short stop in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland before heading
back to the United States.
Grace's letters from Hood River, Oregon begin a few years after they leave Europe. The majority of these letters cover news
on
family members and friends, including social activities, short trips, a house renovation, births, and deaths. Grace also
writes
about marital issues. Throughout the correspondence, it appears that "Budd" constantly questions moving or applying for
another job.
Grace writes, "Budd isn't going to be satisfied to stay here long- It troubles me a lot ... That is- if Budd asks my opinion-
I want to have one- and
oh- I'd like it so well, if it didn't clash with his!" (August 10, 1913). Grace was also an avid reader, knitter, and a
student of chirography.
In a many of the letters, she reports to Faith a list of books she has completed or eager to read. In one letter dated
April 15, 1915, she
enthusiastically writes about her fascination with Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. The couple also maintains an active social
life with friends
and family, including repeated camping and fishing trips and social gatherings with her husband's colleagues. They frequently
visit Portland,
Oregon, White Salmon, Washington, and Grey Beeches, Ohio. In July 1918 Grace writes about a trip from Grey Beeches, Ohio
with stops in Vancouver,
Canada and Chicago, Illinois.
Grace and "Budd" divorced sometime in 1920; therefore, he is absent in Grace's later letters.
There are also a few letters by Martha Fraser Waugh sent to her Aunt Faith. Martha is frequently mentioned in
Grace's letters. Subjects include how Martha should be educated and her difficult pregnancy because she had a medical condition
called colitis.
Also included in the collection are empty envelopes, legal documents, a marriage certificate (photocopy), notes, newspaper
clippings,
and miscellaneous printed matter.
Cataloger's Note: The following letters are incomplete: June 1, 1900, December 5, 1910, October 17, 1913, September 9 [1916],
November
4, 1916, August 3, 1926 March 1, 1935?, and 2 letters from the Box 4 (4). Some of the letters have water damage.
Arrangement
Organized chronologically.
Waugh, Grace Fraser
Children of physicians--Family relationships
Domestic relations--United States
Families--United States
Fathers and daughters--United States
Husband and wife--United States
Mothers and daughters--United States
Physicians' spouses--United States
Reading interests
Sisters--United States --Correspondence
Surgeons--Family relationships
Surgeons--United States
Women--Books and reading
Cleveland (Ohio)
Europe--Description and travel
Hood River River County (Or.)
Ohio--Social life and customs
Oregon--Social life and customs
Portland (Or.)
White Salmon (Wash.)
Scott, Alice Fraser,--recipient
Correspondence--United States--20th century
Box 1
Correspondence 1850-1913
Box 2
Correspondence 1914-1917
Box 3
Correspondence 1917-1933
Box 4
Correspondence and Ephemera 1857-1984