Sarah Eliza Congden's Journal 1838-1845

pp 5-164: Arithmetic Lessons at Elmira Academy, Chemung Co. NY Begun January 1, 1838 when 13 years old through 1840 (A sample of dress silk p. 27)

p. 61-Sarah was born in Rhinebeck

pp. 156-157: A lock of hair, perhaps Congdon's, was pressed into the gutter between the pages. It has been removed and stored in a mylar sleeve for safekeeping.

pp 165-260: 165-213 a diary from February 1, 1843 - Mary 26, 1844; Religious doubts and emotional agonizing over her lack of goodness. Her Mother is dead-she addresses her, Jesus and herself. Some entries are written during revival meetings. May 1, 1843, she begins teaching in Southport (2 1/2 miles from Elmira). Presbyterian prayer meeting is "rather cool" but the Methodists were "warm-hearted and whole-souled." June 2, They have had prayer meetings each night for two weeks.

p. 171 - Recording of a vision, in great detail

Preachers mentioned: Samuel C. Adams; A.E. Chubbuck (Austin); John Perry; Gordon Garretson Hibbaro; Bird (a schoolmate from Rinebeck); Goldsmith; Richard Baker; Eliza Greatsinger; Lodge Arnold Castle; Danial Baker; Bishop Waugh; Arnold

p. 174 - Thousands at a camp meeting. Their prayer meeting continued at the altar till 3am. Singing and prayers in all the tents.

p. 176 - She swoons in church in religious ecstasy.

p. 180 - Compares a recalcitrant pupil with herself refusing to accept Christ in the past.

pp. 247-260 - An 1806 oration by Theodore North, copies by Sarah, June 2, 1842.

+ 13 laid in separate pages of entries-introducing preacher William Harrison Bailey, to whom she becomes engaged. These entries, full of zeal and hurriedly recorded on scraps, take Sarah from April 4, to December 29, 1844.