Education

17087 — 19th c. Women Education Archive of 6 handwritten letters from a student at Lewisburg Seminary an all Women academy in Pennsylvania. 1868-1869. She writes on her education to become a teacher tuition and family matters. 5 letters come with original mailing envelopes. 8.25 x 5.5 in. Each letter is 3 or 4 pages long; final letter is only 1 page. The letters are dated: December 27 1868; January 9 1869; February 3 1869; February 13 1869; February 27 1869; February 1869 original mailing envelope is postmarked March 1. Lewisburg Seminary was the female branch of the University at Lewisburg now known as Bucknell University. In all of her letters student Libbie Grant talks on the importance of her education. In the first letter she offers to help her recently widowed brother but that school was also a priority for her: "If you want to keep house the rest of the winter I will come tome and do my best. It will seem so hard to board right away. I don't know how I can stay here all next term without seeing any of you but shall content myself if you don't wish me to come. It is for my own benefit to get an education." In the January letter she lists subjects she is taking in school: "I study Grammar Physiology Geography and Astronomy." She gives a lengthier update in the February 3 letter: "I get along very well in my studies much better than I did last term. Miss Brown said there was a mistake made in my report and Scripture is excellent also Spelling. I do not get as homesick as I did last term." In one letter Libbie writes on how nervous she is regarding her future: "When I think of the future I feel sad to think I must wander from place to place." She is likely referring to various places where she would work as a teacher. In the February 13 letter her teacher Miss Brown adds a line about Libbie's next steps likely where she will work as a new teacher: "I trust she will succeed in getting a pleasant school for the summer."<br/><br/>Libbie also writes on financial matters requesting money from her brother for tuition and clothing. She stresses the necessity of new clothes which seem "unnecessary" to her brother Robert Grant residing in rural upstate New York; this highlights some one of the different social challenges that young women from rural backgrounds faced while living in and attending schools in cities. In the February 13 letter she writes about how she needs money for clothes to wear and new shoes; she is clearly distressed as her brother residing in Neversink NY seems unconvinced that new shoes and Church appropriate clothing is necessary. "I write this with my eyes full of tears for I know your thoughts. I know you think these re all unnecessary. They would be if I were home and I could get along with less." Miss Brown's addendum on the following page affirms Libbie's need of money and assures her brother that these items are necessary and his sister is "exceedingly economical." Lewisburg Seminary was originally the female branch of the University at Lewisburg which later became Bucknell University. In 1852 the Female Institute was established to exclusively educate women at the University. All letters in very good condition. A lovely collection of letters from a young woman studying to be a teacher in the 19th c. unknown books