2 ledger books which serve as Mary Ferguson's diary: 1) November 1855-December 12, 1870; 2) December 15, 1870-February 1881. The second also serves as a songbook and commonplace book. Diary entries begin after her marriage to Alexander Ferguson in 1854 and shortly after the birth of their first child. Although Mary Ferguson does not write daily, her concerns revolve around her family and community. She includes discussion of weddings, anniversaries, births, deaths, and funerals in the community, current events such as elections, the laying of the Atlantic telegraph, the opening of Troy University, the hanging of John Brown, significant battles during the Civil War, antislavery societies such as the Wide Awakes, and Fenian alarms in Canada. Closer to home, Ferguson describes her husband's brick-making business and notes when kilns are burning and not. Trips and special events are also described. These include annual holidays - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Decoration Day, July 4, wedding anniversaries and birthdays - among others - as well as trips to New York City, Coney Island, and Ocean Grove. Mary's social life revolves around the church, the Dorcas society, her home social group, and various musical, fruit, and other festivals as well as exhibitions and fairs. Also described are several visits to Dr. Fowler for phrenology readings for herself, her children and a friend.