Gavuetta "Detta" (Goodhue) Sawyer Papers, 1874-1936

Title:

Gavuetta "Detta" (Goodhue) Sawyer Papers, 1874-1936

Creator:

Sawyer, Gavuetta M., 1859-1936

Accession / Call Number:

2023.019

Object ID:

2023.019

Date:

1874-1936

Physical Description:

2 boxes ; 0.63 linear feet

Scope and Content:

This collection of Gavuetta "Detta" (Goodhue) Sawyer's papers, 1874-1936, consists primarily of her writings, some meant to be published and others recording her thoughts and activities. Detta kept diaries intermittently and wrote essays and poems, most of which are undated. The poetry is light and often slightly sarcastic and meant to amuse, providing quirky takes on her life and times; some was published in local newspapers (undated clippings are included among her papers) and others circulated among her family. Her brothers Charles and William especially seem to have also written light poetry. Her prose essays and fragments are sometimes very detailed about her activities, with lists of chores accomplished and amusing behaviors of her toddler daughter. One, "Wanted a Minister's Wife," is a sardonic list of expected tasks and comportment of a woman in that position. There are also a few Goodhue family photographs and papers. This collection supplements another about the same family (Sawyer, Goodhue and Fisk Family Papers, 2003.013) which contains more about Detta's husband and daughter. Note that Gavuetta's name is spelled variously in public documents and census returns. The spelling used here is taken from her tombstone.

Subjects:

Clergy , Diaries , Farm life , Farmers , Housewives , Methodist Church , Photographs , Poetry , Postmortem photography

Locations:

Penacook, NH
Webster, NH

People:

Goodhue, Charles, 1854-1936 , Sawyer, Gavuetta M., 1859-1936 , Sawyer, Harvey Calvin, 1868-1948 , Sawyer, Orrine, 1909-1986

Organizations:

Goodhue family
Junior Epworth League

Credit Line:

Gift of Susan E. Schnare.

Restrictions:

Available for research.

Level Description:

Collection

Finding Aid Link:

RS65746_Sawyer_Gavuetta_Detta_Goodhue_Papers_2023.019.pdf