1939 - 1943 ORIGINAL 5-YEAR MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A YOUNG FEMALE STUDENT DETAILING LIFE IN A TENNESSEE COMPANY TOWN CHURNING OUT DUPONT'S FAMED REAL SILK
On offer is an interesting 5 year diary of a young American woman in the early years of WWII. Measuring 5.5 inches by 4 inches, it contains 365 pages. The diary is in good condition with all pages intact and covers sound. The handwriting is legible. The author of the diary is Cherrie Elli Barrow. She is a high school student living in Old Hickory, TN. Context suggests that she is living in a Girl's Dormitory at her school. The diary begins in 1939 and covers the time period 1939 to 1943. Casual research did not turn up any additional information on her. Old Hickory, TN was a DuPont Industries company town. From the 1920s, it operated plants manufacturing a variety of synthetic materials. Included in their products was rayon, known at the time as artificial silk. A major manufacturing plant for this product was Real Silk, located in Old Hickory, TN. Real Silk is referenced a number of times in Barrow's diary. Her diary is a chatty record, listing family members and friends by name, noting daily events and happenings, that for the most part touch on her immediate circumstances. There are many gaps in her entries but overall they offer a fairly clear picture of her life and experiences in this time period. She opens her diary with a reference to one of America's greatest 'self-help' writers (and self-promoters): "At Uncle Clates. Bronchitis. Listen to Dr. Hill". [Jan 1, 1939]. This is a reference to Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, probably the most successful self-help book published in the 20th century. Entries frequently record activities with family members, clubs or organizations she belongs to and attending church: "Went to program meeting of Business Women's Circle at church". [Feb 9, 1939]; "Went to Columbia "Mule Day". 1,000 mules, about 50,000 people. Went to Mrs. Claude Paris 1301 S. Main St." [Apr 3, 1939]. In May, 1940, she finished high school and moved out of the dormitory: "Went to High School graduating exercise ..." [May 24, 1940]. Left Girls Dormitory. Moved to 910 Hadley St. with Mrs. Watson. Pd rent in advance" [May 25, 1940]. This entry was in all caps and obviously an important event in her life! After high school, it appears that she works for a period at DuPont's Real Silk plant. The next several years were spent in and around Old Hickory In oblique references to WWII, she notes: "Went to Lebanon. Bought bonds $112.00 (3 - $37.50)" [July 11, 1942]; "Went to Red Cross & folded bandages" [July 13, 1943]. Despite the frequent gaps in entries, this diary paints a good picture of life for a young woman in the southern United States in the early years of WWII. It is a good resource for genealogists as she notes many individuals by their full names and relationships. A researcher looking at the role of women, especially in the American south in this time period would certainly see patterns of broad gender roles in her daily life.
