Josie B. Crandon Nash Papers

The Josie Crandon Nash Papers fill one box and date between 1888 and 1901. This series, consisting almost entirely of incoming correspondence, provides insight into the life of a college-educated young married woman at the turn of the century.

The letters have not been removed from their envelopes, so as to preserve the postmarks and other identifying information. All correspondence is incoming.

The letters from Anna L. Crandon, daughter of Frank P. Crandon, span 1889 to 1891.  The letters from Caroline [H.], postmarked Minneapolis MN, span the years 1889 to 1892.  The letters from Margaret Watson, probably a former Northwestern classmate who lived in Evanston, span the years 1889 to 1898, with most of the letters dating from 1891.

The remainder of the correspondence is comprised primarily of letters received from friends and family recounting daily occurrences. Much of it consists of professionally printed wedding invitations, marriage announcements, and birth announcements. There is at least one letter from Josie’s children to her, and one from the children’s caregiver to them.

Other general documents include bills and statements for purchases of clothing (or fabric for clothing), along with a few advertisements.