Collection: Mary Lucinda Smith Commonplace Book | Special Collections & Archives

Scope and Contents

The collection contains the commonplace and copy book of Mary Lucinda Smith of Jefferson County, Alabama. There are several pages, particularly the first ten to fifteen pages, of statements copied over and over again. For example, one page is covered with the repeated statement "I do not love to see ink blots on the copy book of a young lady" and another with "Any thing that is worth doing at all, is worth doing well". The rest of the book is filled with articles, pictures, and handwritten notes and poems.

Dates

after 1860

Creator

Collier, Mary Jane Cobb (Person)

Physical Description

The commonplace book is in poor condition. The boards are detached and most pages are loose and brittle.

Biographical / Historical

Mary Lucinda "Mollie" Smith, oldest child and only daughter of John B. and Sarah Nabers Brown, was born on January 6, 1846, at Old Jonesboro in Jefferson County, Alabama. She married William S. Brown on March 18, 1875. The couple had four children: (1) Lula; (2) Brett Rutledge; (3) Owen Smith; and (4) Bessie Wadsworth. Mollie died on May 9, 1933.

Extent

1.4 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

Commonplace and copybook of this Birmingham, Alabama, young woman.

Provenance

gift of Virginia Collier Shirley, 2015

Physical Description

The commonplace book is in poor condition. The boards are detached and most pages are loose and brittle.

General

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