Grace McClurg Carson papers

The papers of Grace McClurg Carson document the experiences of an unmarried woman missionary in China from 1912 to 1926. As such, they shed light on the role of women in a working situation as educators. In addition, the researcher can gain insight into the concerns of women who do not see themselves as mere appendages of men but as individuals in their own right.

The correspondence in the collection (1848-1970) is extensive. It includes two Civil War letters written between a brother and sister--McClurg ancestors. The bulk consists of letters to and from China, supplemented by later correspondence to family and friends after Grace McClurg married F. Stanley Carson (ca. 1957). In addition, the folder entitled "Keepers of the Gate" (1947-1965) consists of religious or inspirational letters to close friends and relatives.

The diaries kept by Grace McClurg in college reveal the extent of her religious commitments. They also can be utilized for research into the educational development of women in America at the turn of the century. Unfortunately, her diary entries written while in China are brief and sporadic.

Grace McClurg also related her experiences in the form of stories and essays which she submitted to various publications, including Reader's Digest. Included are pieces on a summer spent in the Western United States ("I Was a Harvest Cook") as well as several untitled drafts on people and places in china. In a similar vein, the collection includes essays and inspirational quotations, possibly compiled by F. Stanley Carson, which might have been used to teach religious classes.

The scrapbooks and scrapbook clippings in the collection are valuable for information on the Chicago Training School and the Hinghwa Mission. They include newspaper articles, menus, programs, Chinese artwork, and photographs. Printed material consists of pamphlets, biographical information, and general religious literature. This is highlighted by Chinese printed material that includes a foreign language Bible and hymnal, paper dolls, a rice culture booklet, and instructions on writing Chinese characters for missionaries in training.

Photographs in the collection (ca. 1884-1970) represent an extensive documentation of the McClurg family and pre-revolutionary China. In addition, one can use this material to illustrate the social history of women in early colleges and as missionaries. A list appears at the end of the box inventory which attempts to identify each photograph by subject, individual, or location. Dates have been included when possible.

CORRESPONDENCE 1848-1972. Arranged chronologically Includes correspondence largely pertaining to Grace McClurg's college experiences and missionary experiences in China. Also includes some correspondence of F. Stanley Carson and letters to and from friends and family. Postcards are also included and arranged in a separate folder.

"KEEPERS OF THE GATE." 1947-1965, n.d. Arranged chronologically Contains correspondence having religious or inspirational themes.

DIARIES 1907-1912, 1920-1925, 1958 Arranged chronologically Covers primarily the years when Grace McClurg was attending college and her experiences in China.

ESSAYS AND INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES 1940s-1960s, n.d. Arranged chronologically Includes poems, essays, quotations, and sermons of missionary, George Hollister.

MISCELLANEOUS RELIGIOUS NOTES 1940s-1950s, n.d. Arranged as removed from loose leaf binders. Includes religious notations mostly of F. Stanley Carson.

WRITINGS OF GRACE MCCLURG 1907, 1912, 1924-1925, 1937, 1955, 1967 Arranged chronologically Tales from China, essays written for Garden Club and an unpublished manuscript entitled, "I was a Harvest Cook."

Includes personal papers, family histories, newsclippings, estate correspondence of Grace McClurg Carson, Ruth McClurg (sister) and F. Stanley Carson.

Details of the donation of Chinese artifacts owned by the Carsons with an inventory.

Includes a ledger book detailing mission expenditures and two financial reports for the Hinghwa City and Primary Day schools.

SCRAPBOOKS 1906-1908, n.d. Arranged chronologically Pictures and clippings from the Chicago Training School and the Hinghwa Mission.

MISCELLANEOUS CHINESE SCRAPBOOK ITEMS 1916, 1923, 1961, n.d. Includes Chinese writing and artwork, a menu, clippings.

STEAMSHIP MENUS 1918, 1926. Arranged chronologically (scattered). Menus from the S. S. Shinyo Maru, Dollar Steamship Line.

ALLEN COUNTY REPORTER 1963, 1970. Arranged chronologically Issues for members of the Allen County Historical Society.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ON F. STANLEY CARSON 1956, 1970, n.d. Arranged chronologically Includes a biographical sketch of Rev. Carson and an obituary of his first wife, Grace Darling.

BORROWED TIME CLUB 1934, 1938. Arranged chronologically Booklets published for members with rosters.

CHINESE PRINTED MATERIAL n.d. Includes Chinese language Bible, a hymnal, paper dolls, Chinese rice culture booklet, writing instructions for missionaries, and stencils of Chinese life.

"RELATION OF CHURCH TO STATE" n.d. Draft of a sermon, probably owned by F. Stanley Carson.

"THE STORY OF FOOCHOW FOREIGN CEMETERIES" n.d. A historical pamphlet probably printed before 1926 with information on the foreign community.

CLIPPINGS AND MISCELLANEOUS PAMPHLETS 1913, 1945-1952, 1959, 1961, 1964, n.d. Arranged chronologically Includes Christmas cards, magazine articles, and general religious literature.

CHINESE TAPES undated A "letter" in Chinese from a military student, and a collection of Chinese songs.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS ca. 1884-1970. Arranged by subject and chronologically when possible. Extensive collection of photographs documenting the McClurg family, pre-revolutionary China, and American women at the turn of the century. A subject list is included with the box inventory at the end of the register.

POSTCARDS n.d. Arranged by geographical subject. Postcards depicting scenes of Japan, China, and miscellaneous subjects.