Sally Thompson Powers collection, 1835

Full finding aid (pdf)

Collection Scope and Content

Written in 1835, this diary records Sally Powers’ early childhood experiences, including the loss of her mother; her feelings of guilt and self-doubt and struggle to be a “real” Christian.

Biographical/Historical Note

Sally Thompson Powers was born in “Cornish County of York State” in 1797, to parents who were “professors of the religion of Jesus Christ.” Sally’s mother passed away when she was seven, and at the age of 17, many of the youth her age died of spotted fever. Sally struggled with her spirituality and feelings of unworthiness throughout her youth.