Diary of Mary "Mollie" A. Hezlep Jones, 1868 (Copy), ca. 1987, Accession: 1987

Item — Box: 2

Scope and Contents

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Mary “Mollie” A. Hezlep Jones’ diary exists in the Oberlin College Archives as a photocopy with transcriptions and other notes written by Jane Barrell, an alumna of Stony Brook University. Barrell purchased the diary in Sag Harbor, New York, in 1968 and used it for an independent research project before donating scanned pages of the book, along with copies of biographical research done at the Trumbull County Historical Society, to the Oberlin College Archives.

The diary includes monthly calendars, pre-dated pages with space for brief entries, and additional pages for memoranda and cash accounts. It spans January 1–December 31, 1868, and follows Mollie’s experiences while studying at the Oberlin Academy Preparatory Department and her life in Mecca, Ohio, following her permanent leave from the school in early April. Frequent subjects include Mollie’s close relationship with another student, Charles “Charlie” Johnson, music and singing lessons, letter writing, washing, clothes making, and church activities.

Dates

Creation: ca. 1987
Other: Accession: 1987

Creator

Jones, Mary A. Hezlep (Mary "Mollie" Hezlep Jones), 1850-1903 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted.

Biographical / Historical

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Mary “Mollie” A. Hezlep Jones was born in April 1850 in Mecca, Trumbull County, Ohio, to parents John M. and Cynthia A. Hezlep. At age ten, Mollie’s mother passed away shortly after giving birth, and by the age of fourteen, Mollie had become an orphan. Her stepmother, Alice W. Hezlep, assumed guardianship of Mollie’s younger siblings John and Cynthia, but Mollie refused Alice’s guardianship. After her father’s death in 1864, she enrolled in Oberlin College's preparatory department. Her stepmother, Alice had also attended Oberlin, graduating from the Literary Course in 1859. In her diary, Mollie recorded her experiences at Oberlin: practicing piano, going to singing and geography classes, doing her washing in town, and attending church services in the mornings and evenings. After developing a close relationship with a male student names Charles “Charlie” Johnston, Mollie temporarily left Oberlin in February 1868. Her departure followed entries about Johnson staying late in her room, which was against the College’s rules.

She resumed her studies a week later and maintained a relationship with Charlie. By early April, Mollie had permanently left Oberlin and returned to Mecca. Her diary details cleaning, ironing, sewing, and washing clothes to earn money. In Mollie’s spare time, she attended church services and wrote to various friends and family. While this initially included Charlie, who also visited Molly in Mecca, the two eventually ceased contact. Mollie later returned to a local school but continued cleaning and washing clothes for wage. In 1869, Mollie married Flavel Erasmus Jones and moved with him to Wayne, Ashtabula County, Ohio, where they had five children: Charles Hezlep, William Crowdery, Benjamin Samuel, and Mary S. Jones. Mollie lived out the rest of her life in Wayne until her passing in 1903, and she was buried in Hayes Cemetery.

Biographical sketch by Andrea Kinstle.