Call Number:

Ms. Codex 2328

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

.4 linear feet (6 volumes)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Rachel S. Glick diaries, 1937, 1940-1941, 1943, 1951, 1955, Ms. Codex 2328, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1937, 1940-1941, 1943, 1951, 1955 (inclusive)

Creator:

Glick, Rachel S. (Rachel Stoltzfus), 1912-2004

Form:

Diaries

Abstract:

Rachel S. Glick (1912-2004) was a member of the Old Order Amish Church in Upper Leacock, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who served her community as a practical nurse and midwife. Her diaries document her every-day life in 1937, 1940-1941, 1943, 1951, and 1955. Nearly every day contains a brief description of the weather and her activities which largely included washing; cleaning; cooking, baking, and preserving food; farm and garden work; stores visited; people visiting or visited; people she nursed; and her midwife work.

Rachel S. Glick (Rachel Stoltzfus Glick) was born on May 5, 1912, the eldest daughter of Amos R. Glick and Fannie Fisher Stoltzfus. She had 10 siblings who lived into adulthood; among them Malinda (1920-1998) who is frequently mentioned withing the diaries. It appears that, sometime in her 50s, she married Henry Stoltzfus Zook (1908-1991); who had previously been married to Leah Glick (1909-1963).

An Amish woman, Rachel S. Glick lived in Upper Leacock, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and census records listed her occupation as housework in 1940 and as practical nurse in 1950. Throughout the diaries, Rachel S. Glick comments on her cooking, chores, farm work, and attending to the sick and helping with birth of and caring for babies. There are numerous mentions of wedding and funerals; as well of mentions of attending Gmay (Amish term for religious services). Her obituary states that she was a member of the Old Order Amish Church.

She died on October 27, 2004 in Leola, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Rachel S. Glick's diaries document her every-day life in 1937, 1940-1941, 1943, 1951, and 1955. Nearly every day contains a brief description of the weather and her activities which largely included washing; cleaning; cooking, baking, and preserving food; farm and garden work; stores visited; people visiting or visited; people she nursed; and her midwife work. Midwifery work is frequently described in the following format: "Yonie fetched me in the morn to Amos K. King's, they have a little girl named Mary. Weight 8 ¼ pounds." It appears that when Glick helped with nursing and new babies, she also helped that family with meals, cleaning, and other chores.

Funerals of people are almost always recorded with full names and often ages. While entries are short and often minimal in detail; the diary provides a glimpse into the community-centric way of life of this Amish community. Glick often spent nights with the families for whom she was caring; and there is frequent mention of her sisters or other women from the Order taking over care when she needed to leave. She helped plan funerals and possibly helped determine when a doctor or hospital was required (lockjaw, abscesses, extraction of tonsils, and accidents). While her role in the community seems vital; it also seems as if every member of the community was equally invested in the congregation's well-being.

Glick's diary entries are recorded in a commercial diary, The Ready Reference Diary, produced by Watt and Shand, which contains printed information, in addition to space for daily notes. Each volume contains slightly different printed information, but the following can be found within at least one volume: a place to record personal information, a place to record important telephone numbers, weights and measures, postal information, weather signs, home maintenance calendar (as well as specific tips), tips for healthy eating and ready reference calorie chart, the bride's linen supply, handy facts to know, fifteen "don'ts" in use of the flag, state motor vehicle laws, allowable tax deductions, timely suggestions on fire prevention, points about banking that everyone should know, banking tables, social security benefits, a place to record Christmas card list, what the stars foretell/astrology, information about the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of America, legal holidays for the year, population of the United States by census, a place to record insurance record, and a place to record accounts. In 1943, the volume contains directions for what to do in an air raid.