Phoebe George Bradford diaries (microfilm)
Creation: 1832-1839Abstract
This collection consists of a microfilm volumes one and two of the diaries of Phoebe George Bradford (1794-1840), a native of Cecil County, Maryland, and resident of Wilmington, Delaware. The diaries contain descriptions of social doings and daily activities, opinions on family matters and religion, and occasional references to national matters and local happenings.
Dates
- Creation: 1832-1839
Creator
- Bradford, Phoebe George, 1794-1840 (Person)
Extent
1 item(s)
Biographical Note
Phoebe George Bradford (1794-1840) was the wife of Moses Bradford (1788-1874), editor of the Delaware Gazette and later the Delaware State Journal.
She was born on April 26, 1794, at Mount Harmon Plantation on the Sassafras River near Earleville, Maryland, to Sidney George Jr. (1755-1806) and Mary Louttit George (1765-1811). After her father died in 1806, she moved to Wilmington, Delaware, with her mother.
On May 17, 1817, she married Moses Bradford (1788-1874). At the time of their marriage, Moses Bradford was editor of the Delaware Gazette. The couple resided at Middle Neck plantation in Cecil County, Maryland until 1824, when they returned to Wilmington where he became the editor of the Delaware State Journal. He later managed the Maryland estates from the couple's home in Wilmington. While living in Wilmington, Phoebe Bradford was active in the social and church scenes. While she attended various churches regularly, she considered Trinity Lutheran Church at Fifth and King Streets her spiritual home. She was active in many civic and church societies. Because of her family's economic status and her husband's political status, Phoebe was a vivacious Wilmington socialite with connections to the area's most prominent families.
After leasing a home just outside of downtown Wilmington for many years, in 1838, the Bradford's constructed a large stone mansion at Eleventh and Washington Streets. Phoebe George Bradford and Moses Bradford had four children: Julius (died in infancy), Sidney George (1817-1849), Edward Green (1819-1884), and Julius (b. 1829). Phoebe Bradford died suddenly on February 13, 1840, while on a shopping trip in Wilmington.
Scope and Contents
Microfilm of diary of Phoebe George Bradford (1794-1840) covering January 2, 1832 to Spetember 23, 1832, in typescript made from original manuscript. This microfilm covers volumes one and two, of the more than twenty diaries Bradford wrote.
The diary document Bradford's thoughts on religion, raising and educating her sons, and the activities of friends and family. The diaries also document her relationship with her prominent husband, Moses Bradford (whom she refers to as B. in the diaries) and her attendance at social events such as weddings, funerals, parties, and political gatherings in the Wilmington area and beyond. Because of her social and economic standing the community, Bradford was friends with and mingled with the most prominent families in Delaware, Maryland, and Philadelphia, many of which are documented in her diaries.
Location of Originals
Originals owned by Historical Society of Delaware, Wilmington, Delaware.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Not to be reproduced.
Language of Materials
English
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- Phoebe George Bradford diaries (microfilm)
- Author:
- John Beverly Riggs
- Date:
- 1970
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2021: Ashley Williams
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository