Minna R. Harris's diary entries are brief and they mention visits; attendance and school and church; the receipt of wood, meat, flour, beans, and other goods; Thanksgiving 1880; winter weather; and other subjects, 1880-[1881?]. The pasted-in ephemera includes colored fall leaves, an engraving titled "The Queen of May," a presentation bookmark, cards bearing scripture, rewards of merit for Minna R. Harris, cross-stitch examples, a CDV of an illustration titled "My First Sermon," calling cards including a photo-illustrated card for Mary I. Sommers, illustrated cards for five of the 10 commandments, and others. Printed advertisement cards represent Horsfords Acid Phosphate, F. W. Griswold Watchmaker and Jeweler, Thaxter's Sewing Machine Rooms, and Queen Anne Bouquet manufactured by C. E. Nichols.
Minna R. Harris was born to brick maker Henry Harris (d. 1877) and Elizabeth B. Harris (1835-1895) on May 2, 1869, in South Newbury, Vermont. Around 1880, Minna lived in Gilford, New Hampshire, where she attended school. By 1900, she lived in Haverhill, Massachusetts, with her younger sister Winnafred R. Harris. There, she worked as a hat trimmer. In 1940, she remained in Haverhill, living with her other younger sister Mabel W. Harris.
