Guinilda Ethelia Mummey commonplace books

Collection — Box: BW-11

Identifier: MS-0512

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of two handwritten journals spanning the years 1825 to 1828. The journals belonged to Guinilda Ethelia Mummey, mother of author and editor Edward Spencer. These journals contain a significant number of poems with some essays and a few drawings, some hand-colored.

Of note is the literary talent of both young Spencer's parents, Guinilda and Edward. Significant geneaology is available within the journals. Many members of the Wright family, Spencer family, and Mummey family are represented.

Dates

Creation: 1825-1828

Creator

Mummey, Guinilda Ethelia [Spencer] (Person)
Spencer, Guinelda Ethelia Mummey, -1881 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Biographical Note

The creator of the journals was Guinilda Ethelia Mummey. Her journal contains many contributions from family, clergy and prominent merchants suggesting that members of her family were also merchants. There are further contributions from a 25 year old Edward Spencer. Spencer was a merchant and, in 1833, was married to Guinilda. In 1834 Guinilda gave birth to Edward Spencer who would grow up to become one of Baltimore's "brightest luminaries in the literary world."

After attending Princeton, young Spencer wrote for Scribner's, Harpers, and many of the top newspapers in the northeast. Spencer made his career with the Baltimore Sun. His play, "Kit the Arkansas Traveler" was a significant hit.

Young Spencer died in 1883.

Extent

0.167 Cubic Feet (2 volumes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection consists of two handwritten journals spanning the years 1825 to 1828. The journals belonged to Guinilda Ethelia Mummey, mother of author and editor Edward Spencer.