Manuscript Collection

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Identifier

Accession 351

Inclusive Dates

1906-1931, nd

Restrictions

Open under the rules and regulations of the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

Collection Size

1000 pieces, .50 linear feet

Language

English;

Historical Note

Mary Elizabeth Frayser was an educator, home economist, social worker and club woman. She was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1868. She received her B.S. degree from Columbia University in 1911. After serving as Head of the Home Economics Department at Bessie Tift College in Forsyth, Georgia 1911-1912, she became the State Agent for Rural and Mill Village Community Extension Work at Winthrop College in Rock Hill, South Carolina in 1912. Frayser subsequently held positions with Georgia Federal Children's Bureau, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Virginia Tuberculosis Association, She returned to Winthrop in 1922 resuming her mill village work as well as teaching Sociology. In 1926 Frayser began research projects in Home Economics through a co-operative program between Winthrop and Clemson, a position she held for the next 20 years. Miss Frayser was a member of and participated in numerous organizations concerning social issues in South Carolina. She died just short of her 100th birthday in 1968.

Scope and Content Note

This collection, primarily correspondence, relates to Mary Elizabeth Frayser’s career, business dealings, and family. Also included are financial records, a biographical sketch of her business partner William Horton, a book titled, Things Mundane which is a collection of humorous observations by “The Idle Reporter,” Evan R. Chesterman, who wrote for the Richmond Evening Journal, newspaper clippings, and photographs. Correspondents include her sister Ellie Douglas Frayser Chesterman (1876-1958) and, Mary’s brother-in-law, Evan Ragland Chesterman, Sr. (1870-1931). Mary Elizabeth Frayser (1868-1968) was a South Carolina educator, social worker, home economist, and club woman.

Provenance

The Mary Elizabeth Frayser Papers were donated to the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections in November 1981 by Natalie Roberts Foster.

Copyright

For information concerning copyright please contact the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University.

Mary Elizabeth Frayser Papers - Accession 351

LC Subject Headings

Frayser, Mary E. (Mary Elizabeth), 1868-1968--Archives; Chesterman, Ellie Frayser, 1876-1958--Correspondence; Chesterman, Evan R., Sr., (Evan Ragland), 1870-1931--Correspondence; Chesterman, Evan R., Sr., (Evan Ragland), 1870-1931. Things mundane; Home economists; Home economics extension work--South Carolina

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