May Nelson's diary

Anna May Lindley Nelson, ca. 1870-1931

Brief Description: 

May Lindley Nelson's diary begins as that of a young girl recounting some of her earliest and fondest memories. Her diary entries date from 1877-1909. The first half of the diary describes silly, girlish activities, such as the number of callers she has received over a single summer. She also recounts heartbreaking tragedy, like the loss of her eldest brother (24 years old) and her youngest sister (7 years old) within two months of one another. Both frivolity and tragedy are depicted with a young girl's fervor and vivacity making the diary a fascinating historical artifact for the reader's immersion into late nineteenth century life.

Brief Bio:

Anna May Lindley was born in 1870 or 1871 to Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Lindley, who were early pioneers of the Philo, Illinois Township. She married Urbana jeweler John R. Nelson in 1890 and the two resided in Urbana until 1920 when they moved to Hollywood, California. She died in 1931 in Hollywood, California at the age of 60 after a battle with stomach cancer.

A few early entries transcribed:

September 1877

I remember farther back than this, but not very well. One of the things I remember was riding a big sled through deep, deep snow, cuddled up close and warm to Mamma, also Papa used to sing me to sleep on his breast with some old fashioned church song, Old Langsyn [sic], and how he told us stories--the “eagle story” for one, and always took our part when we were naughty and deserved punishing. I also remember when Josie was born. One thing I cannot forget is how extremely mischievous and full of pranks, romantic, exciting and otherwise I was. The dear old Christmas times, how we hung our little stockings and the lovely things old Santa Claus gave us, that wonderful feeling of mystery and joy. I remember those times well. And when I attended beautiful festivals and wanted to stay in Papa’s arms the entire evening because I was afraid. I use [sic] to speak some and can remember yet how gratifying the applaus [sic] was, I was so little then. And dear Aunt Mattie and her stories and many, many other things, after all, but I will commence at Sept. 1877 with our dear old Pickwick Society. I read of it in “Little Women” and straightway organized a society--Nell Edwards my one dearest and best chum with her sister Minn, and my sisters Bert and Josie with myself constituted the society and what fun we had.

Sept 1880

Our brother Melville died. Ah, it seemed terrible.
Melville Watson Lindley--died
5 o’ clock a.m. Mond. Oct. [?] 1880.
(he died a Christian.) Aged--24.

Nov. 1880.

Josie Lindley--died. Thur Nov. 16. 1880
aged. 7. yrs.
The darling baby of the family. truly. This year is terrible for us all!

Sept 1884

My people say I can go to College if I will give up on M., they think it is all for my good. M. asked me to elope (think of it.) with him. I told him I knew nothing of housework, how to run a house I mean, so he would not like me but he said he did not want a housekeeper but a wife to love. He also said he would love me...and be a help to me through my life and that I should have all the joy, pleasure and love that he could give “God help him” he said. I told him to wait and maybe I would love him after I had been away and had a chance in the world, but he said when I saw others I would forget and that if I gave him up it would be almost death to him as he had never loved anyone else so well he begged me so hard. I hardly knew what to say.

Feb 1885

M. has gone out west he wrote a not very complimentary or kind letter first.

May 1885

Mr. Piper called to bid me goodbye and coaxed so hard for my photo said if I would write to him, etc, etc, would bring down the loveliest ring he could find in Chicago to me if I would take it. And a lot more. but I couldn't let him have the photo. I like him because he is a thorough gentleman.

The boy said he loved me and was going to ask me___for he told one of them so, etc. but, I at least never gave him any cause to think I was in love with him I never never will again do as I did with Mr. P. and then have them accusing you and calling you that dreaded thing "a flirt"!





All transcribed material was retrieved from original documents housed at the Champaign County Historical Archives of The Urbana Free Library. Duplication is provided for educational use and is not intended to violate copyright laws.