Item Detail
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Spencer, Clarissa Young
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1860-1939
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MSS SC 356
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Composition Book
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Clarissa Hamilton Young Spencer was born July 23, 1860 to Brigham Young and Lucy Ann Decker in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. As a daughter of Brigham Young, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she grew up living in the Beehive House in Salt Lake City. Clarissa married John Daniel Spencer on January 19, 1882 in Salt Lake City. She was the mother of five children. Clarissa wrote a book about her father that has been published under two names: 'Brigham Young at Home' and 'One Who Was Valiant.' She passed away August 21, 1939 in Salt Lake City.
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This collection contains Clarissa Young Spencer's composition book containing holographs of poems, essays, and journal entries beginning in 1876. The composition book is entitled, 'Patterson's Complete Composition Book,' and was copyrighted in 1875 by Potter, Ainsworth & Co. The preface to the composition pages is a brief summary of the contents of the book including instructions for students and teachers on writing, grammar, and format. Included are four essays Clarissa wrote in 1876. The first written on February 18, 1876, discusses William Tyndale and his English translation of the New Testament. Clarissa wrote of his power in linguistics, his love for the scriptures, and his efforts to translate and make available the New Testament in English. The second entry written on March 15, 1876 discusses the life of Sir Walter Raleigh who was beheaded in October of 1816. Clarissa wrote of his 'habitual haughty demeanor.' The third essay briefly discusses the life and works of Louisa May Alcott. The fourth and final essay is a presentation and discussion about the magnificence of the Britannia Tubular Railway Bridge, written on March 8th and 15th of 1876. Each of these compositions is signed by Clarissa Young. Included throughout the book are poems Clarissa wrote and recorded. Following the compositions and poems are lists of Christmas gifts Clarissa recorded from the year 1905-1917. At the end of the book is a journal entry Clarissa wrote about her father, Brigham Young, on June 1, 1913, the anniversary of his birthday. Clarissa recorded her thoughts about a program that was presented in memory of her father as well as recorded her own memories and thoughts about him. She wrote that she was glad the program brought forth the 'greatness and goodness of not only a great and wonderful man, but of the dearest and most affectionate father children ever had.' Clarissa desired to record her memories that had been brought alive in her mind as she heard her brothers and sisters speak about their father. She wrote that no child ever loved, revered, and cherished a father more than I.' She described her mother's faithfulness and loyalty to her father. She described her father's immaculate grooming and dress as well as his physical appearance in detail. She remembered going with her father in the carriage to meetings in the tabernacle. She recalled his summer attire and how her mother would make over his old suits into little jackets for her to wear with her dresses. Clarissa's composition book is a look into life in the late 1800s as well as life with her father Brigham Young.
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