Sisters of Providence: The Search for God in the Frontier South (1843-1858) ed. by Allen Paul Speer with Janet Barton Speer (review)

Abstract

Speer, Allen Paul with Janet Barton Speer, eds. Sisters ofProvidence: The Searchfor God in the Frontier South (1843-1858). Johnson City, Term.: The Overmountain Press, 2000. 290 pages. Paperback. $19.95. Although voices of early Appalachian women writers are receiving more and more attention, the Appalachian female philosopher's voice is barely acknowledged. Sisters of Providence gives significant insight into the minds of the educated and introspective Nancy Jane (Jennie) Speer (b. October 8, 1882) and her sister Annis Melissa (b. May 22, 1834.) Although both died young (Jennie at 28, and Ann at 23) their diary entries, essays, and letters reproduced in this volume show women who critically reflected on numerous social and intellectual issues, including women's rights, the "sordid and debasing" practice of slavery, environmental preservation, and most of all, the meaning of God, faith and religion in everyday life and, ultimately, in death. The journals do show the Appalachian's commitment to home and kin, as both sisters love and respect their parents, siblings and home place, and long to be with them more often. Ann contributes several poems about the beauty of her home and family. Dr. Allen Paul Speer, professor of education and associate professor of social studies at LeesMcRae College, and editor of the collection, is the great-great grandnephew ofAnn and Jennie. His personal connection is evident in the editorial notes, serving to enhance the reader's feeling of kinship with the women, although at times the volume of notes distracts from the sister's voices. This is his second book after the critically acclaimed Voicesfrom Cemetery Hill (1997), which chronicles the Civil War through the eyes of Colonel William Henry Asbury Speer, Jennie and Ann's brother, who served and was killed in the Confederate army. These "Sisters of Providence" resonate doubly, not only because Providence is the name of their hometown in western North Carolina, but because of their continuing devotion to God and the obligation to devote their lives and work to a higher power. "I believe that faithfully recording the incidents of the day and the state of one's mind is one of the greatest means of Christian improvement," 958) writes Jennie in her November 10, 1850 entry, and she continues to examine her actions in light of her faith throughout the collection. Unfortunately, all too often she fails to live up to her high expectations. Never again let it be said that female feelings of inadequacy and lack of self-worth stem from the "superwoman" model of the late twentieth century. Jennie and Ann both feel the need to accomplish something important and worthy in their lives, but fear they never will. In April 1851, having been promoted to full professor 65 at Greensboro Female College, Jennie laments "I am displeased with myself and all around me...I fear I shall never accomplish anything of importance"(82). She longs to travel, to continue improving her mind and those around her, and in Fall 1852, becomes the first North Carolina woman to attend Mr. Holyoke Female Seminary in Massachusetts. But she returns to North Carolina, and in July 1854 continues to struggle with her dream of making some contribution to society: "O shall I always fall short of accomplishing what I wish!...My spirit struggles to be free that I may work in a great and wide field. I so do much wish to write some word, to say some word, to do some work that shall live when I am dead...I am not anxious that my name be remembered. I am anxious only that I work a permanent work"(234-5). The obstacles to this work are often in Jennie's own mind, and the agony of her indecision on what God really wants her to do leads to continual dissatisfaction with her work, even though many sources indicate she was a well-respected teacher. As her death nears, Ann also fears being forgotten, but she doesn't have the sense of failure and inadequacy that plagues Jennie. As Ann relates in one of her last entries on August 25, 1857, "I have just been reading my poor sister's journal and it makes me...