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Ann Eliza Fritcher was born in Millport, New York to Henry and Annie Ryder Fritcher. She graduated form Mount Holyoke Seminary in 1857 and began teaching in Pennsylvania. In 1859 she returned to Mount Holyoke as a teacher where she stayed until 1863. She then sailed to Turkey to become Principal of the Gilrs' School in Marsovan. She returned to the United States in 1893 and became very ill. She died on June 27, 1896 in Walden, New York.
The Ann Eliza Fritcher Papers contain a notebook 1856-1863; a journal entitled "Private jounal of Miss A.E. Fritcher, who embarked on the 'city of Baltimore' May 30, 1863, from New York to England"; and a photograph. The notebook includes quoted passages from many famous literary figures, and the journal describes her voyage to England.
Attached to this beautifully handwritten journal entitled "Private Journal of Miss A. E. Fritcher who embarked on the City of Baltimore May 30, 1863 from New York to England - to Miss Pond" is a small note signed by Mary Louise Pettibone (Class of 1864). In it she writes that she is sorry she is unable to "finish this copying." It would appear, therefore, that the journal was copied from other papers.
Ann's voyage to Liverpool on a ship that had been used in the Crimean War took about two and a half weeks. She described the rigors of travel on a sailing vessel and on rough seas. "Never go to sea without lemons ... right in your satchel" she wrote. After Sabbath services on board, the sailors were given religious tracts. Ann was on deck at 2 a.m. when they entered the harbor in Liverpool on June 17. From there she visited Chester with its old walls and cathedral and where she had "pleasant Christian conversation" with an old lady selling cakes.
On June 20 twelve passengers sailed on the Thessalia for Constantinople. Seasickness struck again. The passengers needed air but could neither stand nor sit so they were all laid out on mattresses "like soldiers in the hospital"; and when the rains came, the sailors made a tent for them. There were brief trips ashore at Gibraltar and at Malta, where they were celebrating St. Johns Festival with parades, fireworks, and "miserable music, yelping dogs." For Miss Pond she bought a little silver filagree cross; "do not use it very hard for the silver may rub off" she wrote. July 4 was celebrated with red, white and blue rosettes which they made for all "who belonged in the cabin" including the stewards.
On July 15 they arrived at Constantinople which "sits like a queen... but a dirty queen." She was escorted over "wretched narrow rough streets" and up the hardest hill she ever climbed to be received warmly by Mrs. Trowbridge.
CR Ludwig
January 1995
Unrestricted
Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:
Ann E. Fritcher Papers, Mount Holyoke College, Archives and Special Collections, South Hadley, Massachusetts