Bound Manuscript Diary, Anne S. Frobel

Containers:
Box 109, Shelf Closed Stacks
Creator:
Frobel, Anne S., 1816-1907
Extent:
1 Volumes
Scope and content:

Anne S. Frobel's father, John Jacob Frobel, was Ann Washington's music teacher, and lived for a short time at Mount Vernon (circa 1804-1806) with Bushrod and Ann Washington. The diary includes reminiscences of her childhood visits to Mount Vernon.Part I of the diary covers the Civil War years, 1861-1865. It constitutes almost 90% of the diary and deals with Anne and her sister Elizabeth's experiences as two female southern sympathizers alone on a farmstead, "Wilton Hill," outside of Alexandria, Va. Frobel describes the occupation of northern Virginia by Union soldiers, as well as their own house and grounds by the Union Army.She reveals both their fears and courage as she describes problems with Union soldier raids, and her attempts to get protection from Union officers. She relates the hazards of travelling to Alexandria, difficulties obtaining passes, and the desertion of slaves to the army. She also relates her own deteriorating relationship with her slaves, and their relationship to the soldiers.Part II of the diary describes a six-year period after the war, 1873-1879, detailing Elizabeth's and her financial hardships and the difficulty of collecting rent from tenants. She also relates their attempts to sell their farm.

Language:
English .
Physical facet:
121 pages, very fragile, binding is held together by green tape
Dimensions:
34 x 23 cm

Access and use

Location of collection:
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
3600 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Reference services
Phone: (703) 780-3600
Parent restrictions:
This collection is open for research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. The library reserves the right to restrict access to certain items for preservation purposes.