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Papers of Phoebe Emery

 Collection
Call Number: RH MS 304

Overview

This collection consists of diaries and journals which provide daily accounts of the life of Phoebe E. Emery, particularly focused on her missionary work.

Dates

  • Creation: 1907 - 1968

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Biography of Phoebe Emery (1884-1977)

Phoebe E. Emery was born on September 8, 1884, and died in November of 1977. She was the daughter of John L. Emery and Mary Frances Wilkinson, the 8th in a family of 12 children. Phoebe Emery graduated from Baker University in 1916 with an A.B. degree. While there, she was elected to the sorority Alpha Delta Sigma.

Upon graduation, Emery went to India to serve as a missionary. At an unspecified date she attended Boston University where she earned an M.A. Phoebe Emery's missionary work consisted of village evangelism and teaching Christians to read and write. She was instrumental in the organization of 50 village schools and at one time directed the Christian operations in over 1,000 villages.

Phoebe Emery raised money in the United States to help build two churches. The Indian Christians in the Budaun district combined their own funds with those raised in the US to build the Phoebe Emery Church in Baudewn City.

After spending 30 years in India as a Methodist missionary, Emery returned to the United States in 1946. She served as a member of the board of evangelism of the Kansas Conference of the Methodist Church. She was also a supply secretary for the Women's Society of Christian Service of the Ottawa district. Emery received a citation from Baker University for her outstanding contributions to society (approximately 1956?).

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (3 document cases)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of diaries and journals providing daily accounts of Phoebe Emery's life. The diaries mainly contain descriptions of her Kansas life in which she wrote about the weather; domestic activities such as cooking, baking and sewing; Kansas University events; and world events. She also mentions family members, friends and secular associates. The journals are day to day accounts of her life and are centered around her missionary work, as well as her worldly travels. The collection also contains diaries and miscellaneous materials from other family members that reflect the domestic activities of their everyday lives in Kansas.

Physical Location

RH MS 304

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, Betty Emery Miner, September 9, 1980.

Title
Guide to the Phoebe Emery Collection
Subtitle
Papers of Phoebe Emery
Author
Finding aid prepared by jl, February 1981. Finding aid encoded by mg, 2004. Finding aid revised by mg, 2004; skt, 2010.
Date
2010
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/3378839609
Preferred citation
Phoebe Emery papers, Kansas Collection, RH MS 304, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334