Details

Abstract / Summary

Frances Eliza Very (1821-1895) and Lydia Louisa Ann Very (1823-1901) were the daughters of Capt. Jones and Lydia (Very) Very, of Salem, Massachusetts. Their brother, Jones Very (1813-1880) was a controversial poet, author, and religious/spiritual figure among the Transcendentalists. The Very sisters lived with Jones and another brother, Washington (1815-1853), in Salem. Both women had long careers as teachers in public and private schools in Salem and were known as slightly eccentric, ardently humanitarian, and nature-loving.

The collection consists of one undated volume of writings by Frances Eliza Very, five volumes of poetry by Lydia Ann Very, dating from 1840 to 1848 and 1857 to 1866, and school records kept by Lydia, 1847 to 1853. Frances included poetry and several essays in her notebook. She wrote "A Dissertation on the Soul and Body," appealing to Christians to prepare for an eternal life by looking inward. Other "musings" examine such topics as education, "By Precept and Example how can we best inculcate the Spirit of Christianity?" and the "Miracles of the Fig Tree." She also wrote a critical essay addressed to Orestes Augustus Brownson (1803-1876), inquiring his opinions of the writings of Theodore Parker (1810-1860). Her poetry is inward, spiritual, and sentimental in nature.

In 1856, Lydia's poetry was published in a small volume entitled, Poems (Andover, Massachusetts: W.F. Draper). These verses are found in manuscript form in volumes two, three, and four of the collection. They also contain original drawings by Lydia. Her interests centered around children, animals, and flowers. Her poetry shows none of her brother's or sister's transcendentalism. She made occasional contributions to the Salem Gazette and the Boston Transcript and, in later years, published more poetry and several third-rate novels.

From 1847 to 1853, Lydia kept thorough records of student attendance and payments for a private school maintained by her brother, Washington.

Field of Interest

Letters and Diaries

Content Type

Ephemera

Duration

0 sec

Format

Text

Page Count

870

Publication Year

2009

Publisher

Alexander Street

Place Published / Released

Alexandria, VA

Subject

Letters and Diaries, History, Daily Life, Domestic life