Nelson and Daniel Gordon Diaries

Access and use

Location of collection:
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

Nelson and Daniel Gordon Diaries, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William & Mary

Collection context

Summary

Extent:
0.25 Linear Feet
Creator:
Gordon, Nelson and Gordon, Daniel
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Nelson and Daniel Gordon Diaries, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William & Mary

Background

Scope and content:

Diaries, 1890-1899, of Nelson and Daniel Gordon, brothers from Thorndike, Maine. Nelson Gordon was the town clerk of Thorndike, Maine, and Daniel Gordon was a school teacher who also made caskets. Nelson's diary, 1890, talks about his wife, Emma, his daily activities, his interaction with his local community, his job, among others.

Daniel Gordon's diaries, 1894 and 1899, include his views on teaching school, his students, inventions that he makes, and his work making caskets with the Coffin family. He also discusses his declining health and the various methods he uses to try and improve it, including making electric warmers for his feet and buying zinc plates "for electrical purposes."

Acquisition information:
Purchased, August 2011
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard