The Diary of Mary Elizabeth Auman, Seagrove, North Carolina, 1928–1930

About the Book

Mary Elizabeth Auman was a teenager living in the rural south during the waning years of the Jazz Age when electricity, the radio, talking movies, and the 1928 Presidential election were the talk of her community. After rescuing her diary from being discarded by his father in the late 1950s, her nephew, William Auman, held on to the written memories for years until recently when, as a tribute to her memory, he decided to share both Mary’s insight into the social and academic life she experienced as well as his own historical clarifications. Through her journal entries, Mary presents a portrait of life in a rural southern village, describing many trips with friends to parties, movies, and fairs. While providing vivid accounts of life in the dormitories at coed Elon College and social activities at parties, ball games, and other collegiate events, she also details how she and her classmates rebelled against the taboos of dating, dancing, and smoking—often finding themselves on probation or suspended from school as punishment. The Diary of Mary Elizabeth Auman, Seagrove, North Carolina, 1928–1930 Provides a fascinating glimpse into southern history and into the development of a rebellious attitude by young females against the gender conventions of the day in a rapidly changing world.

About the Author

William Thomas Auman was raised in the Auman’s Crossroads community located four miles west of Seagrove, North Carolina. He earned Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in history as well as a Master of Science in Library Science. He has taught history at several universities and published articles and books in history, archives, and genealogy. Now retired, he lives in Greensboro, North Carolina.