| Description | Signed manuscript and typescript diary letters, some with envelopes. Comprising original correspondence and typescript copies. The copies are compiled in chronological order as 'The Journals of Miss A. E. Allen, Uganda: From June 1899-October 1914// First Section: June 1899 to September 28 1902' (pages 1-79: three sets: identical).
Annie Allen sends news of her life and work in Uganda to family and friends, including letters written for children whom she taught before becoming a missionary, dated 1900-1904, 1907-1909, 1912-1914. There is also a letter, dated 29 June 1899, written from CMS headquarters, Salisbury Square [London] before she started her mission service overseas. Most of the letters have manuscript revisions and some are marked with suggestions for how they should be reproduced or used with a class ('omit'; 'here put in photo of .....'; 'write on blackboard all underlined in red ...'); a few are illustrated with line drawings. Some have references to things which are being sent with the letter including illustrations or a 'specimen of paper string' - these enclosures are not present. Round Robin letters are addressed to 'My dear friends'. A few envelopes include contact details; named correspondents include Rachel Allen, 'Lancelot', 'Marian', Miss Lidgett, Rev David Davies.
There is no record of the date when the letters were brought together as a collection. They have been retained in the order in which they were found which broadly corresponds with lists written in pencil on the back of the surviving envelopes and on a sheet of paper printed with the letter-head for Annie Allen's family home in Pembrokeshire and endorsed in pencil: 'From Miss A. E. Allen'. |
| Administrative History | Annie Emma Allen (1853-1942) went out as a missionary to the CMS Uganda Mission in 1900. She served in an honorary capacity for 25 years at Gayaza, Mengo, Kabarole, Toro and Nabumali and spent much of her time teaching and helping in the hospital and dispensary. She was a talented artist and one of the legacies of her time in Uganda are watercolours featuring scenes of everyday life which she painted whilst in Uganda; some of her artwork was used to illustrate articles in CMS periodicals. She introduced weaving and other handicrafts to local women and girls. After being invalided back to England, she retired in January 1926, aged 70 years. She died 27 January 1942 in Narberth, Wales. |