Mary Grossetete Diary
Collection
Identifier: MSS-902-SC
Scope and Content
The collection consists of a holographic diary written by Mary Grossetete Landon, a typed transcription of the diary, and a partial typed diary written by her granddaughter. The granddaughter’s diary outlines some of the family genealogy.
Mary Landon’s diary provides first-hand insight into the desperation and hardships of frontier and pioneer life in Catron County. Drought, poverty, lack of food, hungry children, harsh winters, and the constant struggle to “make it" are described in detail. Hunting for prehistoric pots to sell, catching skunks and foxes to sell the skins, killing cattle that did not belong to them for meat, and planting seeds for a garden were among the subsistence measures necessary for survival.
Sources:
Landon, Susan. “Reporter’s Roots Found at Creek." Albuquerque Journal: 4/10/1977.
Bryan, Howard. True Tales of the American Southwest. Santa Fe, NM: Clear Light Publishers, 1998.
Westphall, Victor. Thomas Benton Catron and his Era. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Press, 1973.
Mary Landon’s diary provides first-hand insight into the desperation and hardships of frontier and pioneer life in Catron County. Drought, poverty, lack of food, hungry children, harsh winters, and the constant struggle to “make it" are described in detail. Hunting for prehistoric pots to sell, catching skunks and foxes to sell the skins, killing cattle that did not belong to them for meat, and planting seeds for a garden were among the subsistence measures necessary for survival.
Sources:
Landon, Susan. “Reporter’s Roots Found at Creek." Albuquerque Journal: 4/10/1977.
Bryan, Howard. True Tales of the American Southwest. Santa Fe, NM: Clear Light Publishers, 1998.
Westphall, Victor. Thomas Benton Catron and his Era. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Press, 1973.
Dates
- 1893-1895, 2007
- Majority of material found within 1893-1895
Creator
- Landon, Mary Grossetete (Person)
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research. Due to the fragility of the original diary, researchers are urged to use the typed transcription.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biography / History
Family matriarch, Clothilde Grossetete came to America from France. She made her way from Kansas to Gallo Springs and Apache Creek, New Mexico. Her daughter, Marie Adele (Mary), born in Frenchville, PA on January 15, 1859, followed her mother to New Mexico four years later. Mary Grossetete married Charles Martin Landon, who later abandoned her. She and most of the 5 children she raised on her own ended up living in Albuquerque, NM, where Mary died on June 7, 1949.
Extent
1 Folder
Abstract
The collection centers on Mary Grossete Landon’s diary, providing first-hand insight into the desperation and hardships of frontier and pioneer life in Catron County in the late nineteenth century.
Creator
- Landon, Mary Grossetete (Person)
- Title
- Finding aid of the Mary Grossetete Diary, 1893-1895, 2007
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- B. Silbergleit
- Date
- © 2012
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451