SKU: 13491892571

Growing Up in the 1850s: The Journal of Agnes Lee

Sale price$20.66 Regular price$22.95
Save 10%

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 14 - Jul 19

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Growing Up in the 1850s: The Journal of Agnes LeeEleanor Agnes Lee, Robert E. Lee's fifth child, began her journal in December 1852 at the early age of twelve. An articulate young woman, her stated ambitions were modest: The everyday life of a little school girl of twelve years is not startling, she observed in April 1853; but in fact, her five year record of a southern girl's life is lively, unpredictable, and full of interesting detail. The journal opens with a description of the Lee family life

Eleanor Agnes Lee, Robert E. Lee's fifth child, began her journal in December 1852 at the early age of twelve. An articulate young woman, her stated ambitions were modest: The everyday life of a little school girl of twelve years is not startling, she observed in April 1853; but in fact, her five-year record of a southern girl's life is lively, unpredictable, and full of interesting detail.

The journal opens with a description of the Lee family life in their beloved home, Arlington. Like many military families, the Lees moved often, but Agnes and her family always thought of Arlington -- with its commanding view, fine old trees, and the soft wild luxuriance of its woods -- as home. When Lee was appointed the superintendent of West Point, the family reluctantly moved with him to the military academy, but wherever she happened to be, Agnes engagingly described weddings, lavish dinners, concerts, and fancy dress balls.

No mere social butterfly, she also recounted hours teaching slaves (an illegal act at that time) and struggling with her conscience. Often she questioned her own spiritual worthiness; in fact, Agnes expressed herself most openly and ardently when examining her religious commitment and reflecting on death. As pious as whe was eager to improve herself, Agnes prayed that He would satisfy that longing within me to do something to be something.

In 1855 General Lee went to Texas, while his young daughter was enrolled in the elite Virginia Female Institute in Staunton. Agnes' letters to her parents complete the picture that she has given us of herself -- an appealingly conscientious young girl who had a sense of humor, who strove to live up to her parents' expectations, and who returned fully the love so abundantly given to her.

Agnes' last journal entry was made in January 1858, only three years before the Civil War began. In 1873 she died at Lexington at the young age of thirty-two.

The volume continues with recollections by Mildred Lee, the youngest of the Lee children, about her sister Agnes' death and the garden at Arlington. I wish I could paint that dear old garden she writes. I have seen others, adorned and beautified by Kings and princes, but none ever seemed so fair to me, as the Kingdom of my childhood.

Growing Up in the 1850s includes an introduction by Robert Edward Lee deButts, Jr., great-great-grandson of General Lee, and a historical note about Arlington House by Mary Tyler Freeman Cheek, Director for Virginia of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Association. The editor, Mary Custis Lee deButts, is Agnes Lee's niece.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
Published: 09/01/1988
ISBN: 9780807842430
Pages: 171
Weight: 0.49lbs
Size: 8.02h x 5.94w x 0.42d
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 13491892571

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.9 ★★★★★
Based on 629 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
H
Verified Purchase
Hercilio Zimila
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
Well, I used it already lol
Met all my expectations. Delivered on time.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
Stang001
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Good quality and good packaging.
Very fast delivery (overnight), packaging very good. Expensive but no shipping via Amazon makes it about the same
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2026
L
Verified Purchase
Lizzy
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Taste
Very tasty
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Andrew Y.
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
Delicious
As a South African living in America, this is an absolute must in our house hold. We love having it available on Amazon
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2025
M
Verified Purchase
Mphatso Banda
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 4
Received on time
Received this on time. Mayonnaise tasted as good as I remember. Thank you for the gum too.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2026

recommand products