Elizabeth Riggs' Journal

Amerikan Bord Heyeti (American Board)

Elizabeth Riggs’ Diary, spanning from 1848 to 1856, ages 9-17. The first entry, dated March 11, 1848, is Elizabeth’s ninth birthday. Of the day she writes: 'I finished my Arithmatic [sic] and Catechism. I wish this year to be a good girl and when I die to go to heaven. I hope God will give me a new heart.' The diary is primarily devoted to Elizabeth’s thoughts about her relationship with god and living a Christian life. She hopes that her brothers and sisters will join the “fold of Christ” as well. She wishes “to live as long as God sees fit, that I may do something, however little it be for Him who has done all for me.” (Jan. 4, 1849) On Jan. 16 she writes that she is “to join the church…three weeks from today.” On Feb. 3: “I feel as if it was to [sic] great a privelege [sic] for such as I am.” The second-to-last entry, dated March 7th 1856, contains Elizabeth’s reaction to the death of a Mr. Everett [Joel Everett died Constantinople March 1856]. The final entry, March 10th, reads, “Last day of my seventeenth year.” The overwhelming focus of Elizabeth’s diary during these years is on her ideas about Christianity and how to design her life according to religious principles.

A record of Elizabeth's thoughts from age 9-17. Unlike later diaries, this is primarily concerned with Elizabeth's religious development rather than with daily life, though there are references to her family and some acquaintances. Handwritten in pencil. Small ribbon-bound notebook with red faux-leather cover. Paper has darkened and pencil markings faded with age, making the writing quite indistinct and difficult to read. Some staining, possibly water damage. Later pages are written in a darker, more legible pencil.

1848-03-11
1856-03-10

English

Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey), Bebek (Istanbul, Turkey)

Missions, Missionaries

SALT Research

https://archives.saltresearch.org/handle/123456789/43903

Diaries

Diary

Print, Handwriting

55

ABARPDR003

Open Access

United Church of Christ (UCC), American Research Institute in Turkey (ARIT), SALT Research

On deposit at SALT Research from UCC and ARIT