Mary Guion Brown diary, 1800-1852 (bulk 1800-1808)

Diary kept by Mary Guion, of North Castle, New York, who married Samuel Brown in 1807. Beginning when she was 17, she records, in considerable detail, the personal and social life of a young girl in Westchester County, N.Y., including daily activities, her efforts to encourage or discourage some of her many suitors, often quoting their conversation in her entries, courting, visits to friends and relatives, local news, social events such as balls and spinning bees, and reflections on life and love. She frequently mentions various members of the Smith, Knapp, Lownsbury, Haight, Hobby, and Searles families. Entries become less frequent after 1808 and mainly concern significant events such as births and deaths.