Martha Farnsworth Diary

Martha Farnsworth kept a personal diary from 1882 through 1922 with only a few gaps. These diaries describe her daily activities, her first unhappy marriage to Johnny Shaw, her second happy marriage, and her involvement in social and community affairs, primarily in Topeka. Both of Martha's husbands worked for the Post Office. Martha and Fred, (sometimes called Teddy in the diaries) taught a class of boys at the First Christian Church in Topeka. They continued to teach the same class as the boys grew up and these young men and the girlfriends became a surrogate family. This particular diary covers the years 1917 and 1918 during which a number of the boys in the Sunday School class served in the Army. They frequently gathered at the Farnsworth house and the class took an annual camping trip. There are emotional statements about the "enemy" as well as constant concern about "her boys." Martha did not show her diaries to anyone during her lifetime so many of the entries are person and show her emotions. She, at times, is judgmental of others. Martha was an avid amateur photographer and this diary included references to taking and printing pictures. She also make reference to traveling by car, meaning a street car. She generally makes a distinction if she if traveling by automobile.

Date: 1917-1918
Creator: Farnsworth, Martha 1867-1924