To Read My Heart: The Journal of Rachel Van Dyke, 1810-1811: The Journal of Rachel Van Dyke, 181-1811

"The Journal of Rachel Van Dyke," a compelling primary document previously unpublished, offers insights into the life and mind of a seventeen-year-old young woman, while also providing a fascinating window into the cultural and social landscape of the early national period. Rachel was a thoughtful, intelligent, observer, and her journal is an important account of upper- and middle-class life in the growing city of New Brunswick, New Jersey. Her entries reveal her remarkably studied views on social customs, marriage, gender roles, friendship, and religion. The journal is dominated by two interrelated themes: Rachel's desire to broaden her knowledge and her friendship with her teacher, Ebenezer Grosvenor. Since Ebenezer was both her teacher and her romantic interest, it is impossible to distinguish between the themes of education and romance that dominate her writings. On several occasions, Rachel and Ebenezer exchanged their private journals with each other. During these exchanges, Ebenezer added comments in the margins of Rachel's journal, producing areas of written "conversation" between them. The marginalia adds to the complexity of the journal and provides evidence of and insight into Rachel's romantic and intellectual relationship with him. The written interactions between Rachel and Ebenezer, together with discussions of friendship and courtship rituals provided throughout the journal, enrich our understanding of social life during the early national period. To Read My Heart will be of interest to students of American history, women's studies, and nineteenth-century literature; all readers will be captivated by the rich expression and emotional experience of the journal. Whether she is relating the story of a young friend's wedding, the death of a small boy, or the capture of a slave in Guinea, Rachel's pages have universal appeal as she seeks to understand her own role as an emerging adult. To Read My Heart: The Journal Of Rachel Van Dyke, 1810-1811, A Primary Document Previously Unpublished, Offers Insights Into The Life And Mind Of A Seventeen-year-old Young Woman, While Providing A Window Into The Cultural And Social Landscape Of The Early National Period. Rachel Was A Thoughtful, Intelligent Observer, And Her Journal Is An Important Account Of Upper- And Middle-class Life In The Growing City Of New Brunswick, New Jersey. Her Entries Reveal Her Remarkably Considered Views On Social Customs, Marriage, Gender Roles, Friendship, And Religion. The Journal Is Dominated By Two Interrelated Themes: Rachel's Desire To Broaden Her Knowledge And Her Friendship With Her Teacher, Ebenezer Grosvenor. Since Ebenezer Was Both Her Teacher And Her Romantic Interest, It Is Impossible To Distinguish Between The Themes Of Education And Romance That Dominate Her Writings. On Several Occasions, Rachel And Ebenezer Exchanged Their Private Journals With Each Other. During These Exchanges, Ebenezer Added Comments In The Margins Of Rachel's Journal, Producing Areas Of Written Conversation Between Them. To Read My Heart Will Be Of Interest To Students Of American History, Women's Studies, And Nineteenth-century Literature.--jacket. Journal -- Book 2. May 20-june 9, 1810 25 -- Book 3. June 10-23, 1810 41 -- Book 4. June 24-july 12, 1810 60 -- Book 5. July 13-30, 1810 77 -- Book 6. July 31-august 10, 1810 94 -- Book 7. August 12-25, 1810 107 -- Book 8. August 26-september 6, 1810 120 -- Book 9. September 7-20, 1810 133 -- Book 10. September 21-october 2, 1810 147 -- Book 11. October 3-23, 1810 157 -- Book 12. October 24-november 9, 1810 169 -- Book 13. November 10-24, 1810 181 -- Book 14. November 25-december 22, 1810 194 -- Book 15. December 23, 1810-january 12, 1811 209 -- Book 16. January 13-31, 1811 222 -- Book 17. February 1-22, 1811 232 -- Book 18. February 23-march 14, 1811 242 -- Book 19. March 15-april 5, 1811 252 -- Book 20. April 6-30, 1811 264 -- Book 21. May 1-21, 1811 275 -- Book 22. May 22-june 13, 1811 285 -- Book 23. June 14-july 21, 1811 296 -- Epilogue: Rachel Van Dyke's Life After 1811 303 -- We Would Share Equally: Gender, Education, And Romance In The Journal Of Rachel Van Dyke / Lucia Mcmahon 309 -- Appendix A Dates Of Journal Exchanges Between Rachel Van Dyke And Ebenezer Grosvenor 339 -- Appendix C Ebenezer Grosvenor's Code And Translation 343 -- Appendix D Excerpts From The Rural Visiter 344 -- Appendix E Journal Of Ebenezer Grosvenor (april 20-may 31, 1808) 360 -- Appendix F Genealogy Of Rachel Van Dyke, 1580-1709, And Genealogy Of Rachel Van Dyke, 1709-1891 371 -- Friends And Family Mentioned In Rachel Van Dyke's Journal 375. Edited By Lucia Mcmahon And Deborah Schriver. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [409]-418) And Index. To Read My Heart: The Journal of Rachel Van Dyke, 1810-1811, a compelling primary document previously unpublished, offers insights into the life and mind of a seventeen-year-old young woman, while also providing a fascinating window into the cultural and social landscape of the early national period. Rachel Van Dyke was a thoughtful, intelligent observer, and her journal is an important account of upper- and middle-class life in the growing city of New Brunswick, New Jersey. Her entries reveal her remarkably considered views on social customs, marriage, gender roles, friendship, and religion.The journal is dominated by two interrelated themes: Rachel's desire to broaden her knowledge and her friendship with her teacher, Ebenezer Grosvenor. Since Ebenezer was both her teacher and her romantic interest, it is impossible to distinguish between the themes of education and romance that dominate her writings. On several occasions, Rachel and Ebenezer exchanged their private journals with each other. During these exchanges, Ebenezer added comments in the margins of Rachel's journal, producing areas of written "conversation" between them. The marginalia add to the complexity of the journal and provide evidence of and insight into Rachel's romantic and intellectual relationship with him. The written interactions between Rachel and Ebenezer, together with discussions of friendship and courtship rituals provided throughout the journal, enrich our understanding of social life during the early national period.To Read My Heart will be of interest to students of American history, women's studies, and nineteenth-century literature; all readers will be captivated by the rich expression andemotional experience of the journal. Whether she is relating the story of a young friend's wedding, the death of a small boy, or the capture of a slave in Guinea, Rachel's pages have universal appeal as she seeks to understand her own role as an emerging adult.