Grace Fraser Waugh Correspondence, 1850-1984, bulk 1900-1936

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Creators:
Waugh, Grace Fraser.
Abstract:
This collection contains the family correspondence of Ohio-born Grace Fraser Waugh (1871-1938) consisting almost entirely of letters sent by Waugh between 1900 and 1936 to her younger sister and brother-in-law from various places including, Heidelberg, Germany, Florida, Oregon, Ohio, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Washington, with descriptions of the locale, her life and daily activities, and personal issues.
Extent:
371 items in 4 boxes
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

The family correspondence of Grace Fraser Waugh consists almost entirely of letters sent by Grace addressed to her younger sister, Alice Fraser Scott "Babe"/"Boo" and her husband, Frank A. Scott. Grace's husband, Justin Miner Waugh, is frequently referred to as "Budd" in her letters. The bulk of the letters sent by Grace were from 1900-1936. Over the span of almost four decades, she writes from various cities and states including, Heidelberg, Germany, Florida, Oregon, Ohio, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Washington.

Grace's correspondence begins in Cleveland, Ohio in 1897. In 1900, she writes from Heidelberg, Germany to "People" back home in Cleveland and Mansfield, Ohio. The couple lives in Heidelberg and Berlin for approximately seven months as "Budd" is completing his postgraduate work at a medical school. While in Europe, she describes in great detail the scenery, buildings, and local people she encounters along with daily activities. She frequently visits neighboring cities to shop and see museums. Although the majority of the letters are by Grace, there is one letter by "Budd" while in Germany. In reference to the German lifestyle, he states "I don't think a German has ever worked a straight week...If Columbus had lived in Germany he wouldn't have made up his mind to discover America yet and just about the time he got ready to look us up on the compass they would have another holiday and all his plans would go broke for a few days" (June 18, 1900). They left Germany in late September 1900. A letter dated September 30, 1900 from Port Chester, New York, describes a short stop in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland before heading back to the United States.

Grace's letters from Hood River, Oregon begin a few years after they leave Europe. The majority of these letters cover news on family members and friends, including social activities, short trips, a house renovation, births, and deaths. Grace also writes about marital issues. Throughout the correspondence, it appears that "Budd" constantly questions moving or applying for another job. Grace writes, "Budd isn't going to be satisfied to stay here long- It troubles me a lot ... That is- if Budd asks my opinion- I want to have one- and oh- I'd like it so well, if it didn't clash with his!" (August 10, 1913). Grace was also an avid reader, knitter, and a student of chirography. In a many of the letters, she reports to Faith a list of books she has completed or eager to read. In one letter dated April 15, 1915, she enthusiastically writes about her fascination with Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. The couple also maintains an active social life with friends and family, including repeated camping and fishing trips and social gatherings with her husband's colleagues. They frequently visit Portland, Oregon, White Salmon, Washington, and Grey Beeches, Ohio. In July 1918 Grace writes about a trip from Grey Beeches, Ohio with stops in Vancouver, Canada and Chicago, Illinois.

Grace and "Budd" divorced sometime in 1920; therefore, he is absent in Grace's later letters.

There are also a few letters by Martha Fraser Waugh sent to her Aunt Faith. Martha is frequently mentioned in Grace's letters. Subjects include how Martha should be educated and her difficult pregnancy because she had a medical condition called colitis.

Also included in the collection are empty envelopes, legal documents, a marriage certificate (photocopy), notes, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous printed matter.

Cataloger's Note: The following letters are incomplete: June 1, 1900, December 5, 1910, October 17, 1913, September 9 [1916], November 4, 1916, August 3, 1926 March 1, 1935?, and 2 letters from the Box 4 (4). Some of the letters have water damage.

Organized chronologically.

Biographical / historical:

Grace Fraser Waugh (1871-1938) was born in 1871 in Ohio to John Gaius Fraser and Martha Matilda Miner. Grace's grandfather was Reverend John Malcolm Fraser born on October 21, 1802 in Ferrisburgh, Vermont. Grace married Justin Miner Waugh, a surgeon, from Ohio. The couple had one child, Martha Fraser Waugh, born in 1905.

Grace's sister Alice Fraser Scott was married to Frank A. Scott, a businessman and civic leader who was chairman of the War Industry Board during World War I, as well as chairman of the board of Warner and Swasey Company in Ohio.

Justin Miner Waugh's sister was Dorothy Waugh, who was married to George Gates Brown. Brown was a director and the manager of the General Underwriting Company.

Grace passed away on November 4, 1938, in Codfry, Illinois, and Justin passed away in November 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Acquisition information:
Gift from Dr. Malcolm Rohrbough, March and July 2014.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Website