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Elizabeth Craw diary

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0386
Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of an original manuscript diary by Elizabeth Craw, which contains entries from 1833-1841. The diary recounts in short, sporadic entries her 1833 journey from Cleveland, Ohio, to Saint Augustine, Texas to see her soldier fiancé, Samuel Evans. Craw writes of the methods and difficulties of their long trek on horseback, along the Mississippi and Red Rivers, and across Louisiana bayous. After Craw and her future in-laws arrived in Texas, the entries stop until March 20, 1836, when the diary indicates that Evans was killed at the Alamo. The journal shows that Craw opened a small school in her house in Saint Augustine in 1837. In much of her journal after this, Craw expresses her despair through poems and passages. In 1841, Craw writes in Cleveland that she had "come back to die in the home of my father/ and sit 'neath the blossoms that mock my decay/ And thus my fond memory the sad harvest gathers/ of friendships and loves that have long passed away."

Dates

  • 1833-1841

Creator

Access Restriction

This material is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish materials from this item must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Biographical Note

Elizabeth Craw (1809-ca.1909) grew up on a farm near Cleveland, Ohio, near her childhood friend, sweetheart, and eventual fiancé, Samuel Evans. Evans was educated as a soldier, and upon graduation was immediately assigned to the unsettled Mexican border. In 1833, his parents decided to make the long horseback and boat journey to visit him, and invited Craw, his fiancée, to accompany them. The group traveled from Cleveland, Ohio down the Mississippi and Red Rivers and across Louisiana swamps, and arrived in Saint Augustine, Texas. Craw wrote in sporadic diary entries about her departure, journey and experiences in Texas. After her arrival in Texas, her fiancé, Lt. Samuel Evans, was killed at the Alamo. She opened a small school in her Saint Augustine home in 1837, and had returned to Cleveland by 1841.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet ( (1 bound volume))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

The collection consists of the personal diary of Elizabeth Craw (1819-ca.1909), which records her journey from Ohio to see her soldier fiancé in Texas, and her experiences there. Craw’s fiancé fought and died at the Battle of the Alamo.

Acquisition Information

This diary was separated from the Harris Masterson Collection in the 1960's.

General

Portions of this collection are available online at: https://scholarship.rice.edu/handle/1911/35292

Subjects

Record Groups

Related Names

Creator

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Elizabeth Craw diary, 1833-1841
Status
Completed
Date
2005
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

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Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892