Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
The title page of Orange Frost Small's daily journal, inscribed: "Mr. Orange F. Small. Andover, Maine. Daily Journal, January 1st, 1859. Presented to Me by Herbert D. Wright."
The journal has three parts: an account of his daily life and memories from childhood, written between 1859 and 1862; transcriptions of letters he sent home while serving in the Union Army from 1862-1863; and notes on living addressed to his son Robert Orange Small (1872-1951), written in 1876. In his journals, personal writings, and correspondence, Small chronicled both the events of his life and his thoughts on religion, sin, morality, and family. These writings provide an intimate peek into his life and mind.
Orange Frost Small was born in Letter B, Maine, in 1842, and spent most of his youth living on a farm in Andover, Maine. He served in the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment, Company C, before being discharged for insanity in 1863. Small returned to Maine and worked as a teacher, store proprietor, and farmer. He married Mary Moubery and the two had Robert Small in 1872, before Mary died in childbirth in 1874. Small lived in various towns around Maine, including Andover, Falmouth, and Paris, as well as in New York City. He married twice more, to Eliza Douglas in 1875 (the two divorced in 1890) and Emily Wilson in 1894. Between 1880 and his death in 1909, Small was admitted four times to the Maine Insane Hospital, and ultimately spent over six years in the institution. He died there in 1909.
About This Item
- Title: Orange Frost Small daily journal, Andover, 1859-1876
- Creator: Orange Frost Small
- Creation Date: 1859–1876
- Subject Date: 1859–1876
- Location: Andover, Oxford County, ME
- Media: ink on paper
- Dimensions: 25.4 cm x 20.3 cm
- Local Code: Coll. 4281, Box 3, Folder 5
- Collection: Orange Frost Small papers
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Andover (Me.)
- Augusta State Hospital (Augusta, Me.)
- Diaries
- Family farms--Maine
- Maine Insane Hospital
- Mentally ill--Institutional care
- Photograph albums
- United States. Army. Maine Infantry Regiment, 20th (1862-1865). Company C
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.
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Orange Frost Small and hardware store, Greenwich Village, New York, ca. 1885
