I'm researching for a book that uses personal diaries/letters as a device set in the latter part of the 19th century, and I would like to get insight into the mode of writing, as well as the kinds of reflections teenagers of that time made about their parents, siblings and peers, the world etc.
I'm aware of Queen Victoria's teenage diaries, but I'm sort of looking for the perspective of a more ordinary person (though class doesn't matter).
Thanks!
The 1879 diary of nineteen-year-old Florence Evans Ranger of Glens Falls, New York has been transcribed/digitized, and is available through the Chapman Historical Museum's Pastperfect site. Florence was reasonably well-off, but not a member of the upper class. Her diary shows a range of normal activities: she spent much of her time paying and receiving visits, teaching Sunday School, attending club meetings, and dealing with her family.
That site also has letters written by eighteen-year-old Angela Wing from Vassar to her family at home. These are less usual - the family was obviously more affluent, since they could send her to college, and she's dealing with college issues rather than home ones - but still may be useful regarding her writing style.
Lastly, I would point you at the 1858 diary of Stephen DeForest Hopkins. He was actually 24 at the time, and male, but he gives a lot of examples of what a young person might think in specific while reflecting on their sweetheart.