The collection consists of a one-volume diary written by two generations of women about their respective daughters. The diary begins in 1858 with Mary Heald writing about the birth of her own daughter, Mary. Entries continue through the first year of the younger's life, and details not only her growth, but also the elder Mary's experiences raising one child and grieving the early death of her son.
Entires recommense in 1905, when the younger Mary begins chronicalling the young-adult years of her then 10-year-old daughter Madeleine. Mary describes Madeleine's maturation for the next five years and includes some brief notes from Madeleine, as well as her own writing.
Mary Heald lived in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where she raised her daughter Mary Heald Lane beginning in 1858. Her writings include discussions of her grief following the death of her infant son, as well as details of her daughter's early growth and development.
Mary Heald Lane married Dr. Orville Lane and gave birth to her daughter Madeleine Hooker Lane in 1890. Her writings concern Madeleine's adolescence, beginning when Madeleine turns 10 and continuing through her early teenage years. Mary emphasizes her daughter's growth and education, describing not only Madeleine's expanding freedom, but also the differences from her own young adult years.
