Ella Gertrude Clanton Thomas

[18thVirginia]

You get a real insight into the every day life of the wealthy Southern woman from reading about Gertrude Thomas and I don't say that in a tacky sort of way. She's an interesting woman who talks about pregnancy and the fear of childbirth and mourning for her children, something Carolyn Curry says is rare for the diaries of Southern women. Haven't read the diary yet--it's a lot of pages, but I look forward to reading parts of it at some point.

There's a short video of Carolyn Curry talking about her biography in U of ACW. Check it out if you're interested.

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/carolyn-newton-curry-talks-about-gertrude-thomas.112854/

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Yes, these are dangerous to begin reading- you can't stop. Even the most mundane of days become fascinating once you have a good grasp of someone's character and personality- and decide you like them. There is a lot to respect about Ella- where did she get her unique ability to see some things so clearly? Obviously not all- but there seems to be an undertone of unease about the enslaved population and the entire concept. Her entry on the person named Susan was hugely interesting for example.

 

[Belle Montgomery]

Author Carolyn Curry talking about her book, Suffer and Grow Strong. I heard Dr. Curry speak and she's an interesting author.

I didn't read Curry's book. I read Burr's 1990 "The Secret Eye" published by University of North Carolina Press. It is strictly Gertrude's journal albeit it edited because of it's massive contents.

 

[donna]

Thanks for bringing this thread back up. Missed the first time. Very interesting lady.