Elizabethtown College - Anna V. Blough Missionary Letters and Diaries from China

About This Collection

The Blough missionary letters and diaries from China are an invaluable resource to those researching Church of the Brethren history, along with those scholars studying the Western missionary endeavor in China in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. They enhance other collections of Western missionary documents, such as those housed at Yale Divinity School, the Union Theological Seminary, and Harvard University. In addition, the letters and diaries of Anna Blough provide information about Chinese people and events that may not be available in China, as well as offering general information about life in China at that time (1913-1922). Anna V. Blough was born in 1885 near Waterloo, Iowa. She was baptized into the Church of the Brethren in 1989, and later attended Mt. Morris Academy and Bethany Bible School. In 1913 she sailed for China, where she served as a missionary at the Pingding station until her death from typhus on May 9, 1922. Blough's service was part of the broader Church of the Brethren involvement in China, which began in 1906 when Daniel Long Miller traveled there for the General Mission Board to investigate possible sites. He stopped at Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shanghai; after returning home, he made his report to the board. In the fall of 1908, the board sent George and Blanche Hilton, Frank and Anna Crumpacker, and Anna Horning to China to begin the church's missionary work. After speaking with missionaries of other denominations, devoting themselves to prayer, and studying the Atlas of Missions by H.P. Beach, they selected Shanxi Province as their mission field. The Crumpackers opened the first mission station in Pingding on May 25th, 1910, and the Hiltons opened a second station in Zuoquan in June 1912. The Brethren missionary presence in China ended in 1951 following Mao's rise to power.
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Anna Blough's final letter
Anna Blough's final letter
Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, DVD3 final_letter_0039-0042.tif
Written circa 1913-1922. Part of the Anna V. Blough Missionary Letters and Diaries from China Collection.
Anna V. Blough diary, Oct. 31, 1913 to Aug. 19, 1916
Anna V. Blough diary, Oct. 31, 1913 to Aug. 19, 1916
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Diaries, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1913-1916.1031-0819
Anna V. Blough diary, Sept. 1916 to Nov. 1920
Anna V. Blough diary, Sept. 1916 to Nov. 1920
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Diaries, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughdiary1916-1918
Anna V. Blough letter envelope to Mrs. U.S. Blough, April 1, 1922
Anna V. Blough letter envelope to Mrs. U.S. Blough, April 1, 1922
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1922.0401
Envelope for one of Anna's letters.
Anna V. Blough letter for Orange Twp. people, Nov. 4, 1913
Anna V. Blough letter for Orange Twp. people, Nov. 4, 1913
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1913.1104
Anna gives an explanation of her arrival in China to her loved ones in America. Along the way to the mission site, she notices the beautiful cultivation of the crops in China and the various forms of transportion used to arrive at ones destination (train, donkey, "sedan chair"). On the train some Chinese women were very curious about Anna and the other women missionaries due to their feet and dress. When she finally arrived at the mission, Chinese school boys and girls of the mission greeted them by singing songs in Chinese. There was a large welcome dinner at the Crumpackers, afterwards she settled into her home with Minerva and Emma. The next day she witnessed fifteen baptisms, two of which were the first Chinese women to ever be received; a love feast followed the baptism. She reports she is anxious to begin her lessons in the Chinese language.
Anna V. Blough Letter to... and Children Jan. 23 1914
Anna V. Blough Letter to... and Children Jan. 23 1914
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1914.0123
Description of eating in a Chinese fashion on Saturdays. A Chinese man with a western education arrives to head up the boys school. He was upset that his wife spoke English crudely, but she made much improvement at the mission. Anna complains of having to watch over the cook, and trying to explain how to cook western food.
Anna V. Blough letter to brother Elmer, Dec. 21, 1913
Anna V. Blough letter to brother Elmer, Dec. 21, 1913
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1913.1221
Anna congratulates her brother on entering his senior year. She encouraged Elmer to enjoy his free time because he may not have it in is his older years, and wishes him a Merry Christmas. She spoke of having her teeth cleaned in Taiku, and complained of feeling helpless because she has not yet mastered the Chinese language.
Anna V. Blough letter to brother Robert, Oct. 2, 1915
Anna V. Blough letter to brother Robert, Oct. 2, 1915
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1915.1002
Asks Robert if he is enjoying school and city life. Encourages her brother to continue his education.
Anna V. Blough letter to dear home folks, Aug. 7, 1915
Anna V. Blough letter to dear home folks, Aug. 7, 1915
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1915.0807
Anna is one days journey from Liao to Ping Ting at a mission station when she begins the letter. She explains the long journey (she was accompanied by Raymond Flory). Weather conditions are keeping her at the small mission. She arrives home (Ping Ting) on August 10th, she has fleas from travelling and uses formaldehyde to get rid of them. She is happy to be home.
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at Delano, Waterloo, Cuba, Aug. 20, 1916
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at Delano, Waterloo, Cuba, Aug. 20, 1916
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1916.0820
Anna will be leaving the sea soon to return to Ping Ting. On her way, Anna hopes to find a Chinese girl nurse in Pao Ting Fu to bring back to the mission to work at the hospital. Anna visited the Great Wall of China, and gives a brief description of the Great Wall. Some of the walls surrounding the mission have been swept away by the rain. Anna also learned a quick way to read Chinese, and hopes to teach it at Ping Ting.
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home and elsewhere, May 22, 1915
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home and elsewhere, May 22, 1915
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1915.0522
The Floyrs arrived at the mission, but are travelling to Liao Chou in a couple of days. Anna is giving a lesson on Mark to six Chinese women. The women are helping Anna improve her Chinese characters. Anna discusses buying a furnace for $125.00.
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, April 1, 1917
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, April 1, 1917
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1917.0401
Minerva will be leaving for America this week. Bessie Rider has arrived at Ping Ting to replace her. Anna has taken over almost everything at the school. The school girls were given medicine for worms this week.
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, April 15, 1915
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, April 15, 1915
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1915.0415
Anna and Minerva go to seek out a girl who is promiseed to Rung Gien, to see if she is coming to the mission school. They find they girl, and she comes the next day. They are over-fed by the girls family, and the other missionaries in the town.
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, April 24, 1915
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, April 24, 1915
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1915.0424
The missionary bought land to build onto the compound. A hunchback girl was left at the mission, described to be nine years old, but no taller than a four year old and rather shy. Anna is sending a plan of the intended compound to show to dears one back home.
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Aug. 29, 1915
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Aug. 29, 1915
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1915.0829
There will be a parade in the village for the rain god. However, Anna and other Christians are not allowed to attend because it is considered idolatry. An eighteen year old girl from the mission school was married to a forty-eight year old man. Anna describes the traditions of the Chinese wedding ceremony. Anna is still waiting for the products she ordered from Wards.
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Dec. 13, 1914
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Dec. 13, 1914
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1914.1213
Attended a house warming party for a former opium patient (ate noodles and told the gospel). Comments on the night watchman who kept the thieves away. Explained the cultivation of vegetables and fruits in China. She put in an order to Montgomery Wards for supplies to last another year (since it was difficult to find all the correct supplies in China). Now has a horse to ride occasionally. Received a smallpox vaccine (missionaries were vaccinated every year or two).
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Dec. 25, 1914
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Dec. 25, 1914
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1914.1225
Explains the Christmas celebrations that occured at the mission in China. The school girls were thrilled to receive their first dolls, and the school boys their first tennis muffler. There was a feast at the Crumpackers. The mission sent invitations to all the local shops, inviting them to the mission in order to share the gospel. Complains of the constant change in the value of Chinese currency, and the intricacies of converting the U.S. dollar to the Chinese currency. Explains that the mission only gives to the Chinese who show an earnest interest in the gospel (rather than helping all in need).
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Feb. 23, 1914
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Feb. 23, 1914
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1914.0223
Brother Crumpacker and others caught pheasants and rabbits. Dr. Wampler is going to a medical conference in Shanghai, and Emma shall go along so she will not have to stop at night like she usually does because she is a woman. Comments that very few Chinese women wear skirts regularly, and gives an in-depth description of foot binding. She sends some shoes home to show the how small feet are desired in China. Also asks for a calendar because she feels lost without one.
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Jan. 23, 1916
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Jan. 23, 1916
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1916.0123
The Crumpackers will visit South China at the end of January to investigate a new site for a mission. Anna discovers that Chinese women only sweep once a year so they do not make their spirit blind. A woman came into the hospital with a broken hip from falling on flat ground (her feet were bound, which makes it difficult for her to walk). When the doctor leaves for Shanghai, Anna will care for the woman.
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Jan. 30, 1915
Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Jan. 30, 1915
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1915.0130
Received the calendar she requested. Dr. Hemmingway's little girl, Isabel, arrived. Isabel had scarlet fever last fall. Chinese New Year is approaching and many women do not attend church due to the many preparations. Anna takes a break from learning Chinese, and read about gold fish in her zoology book (since she bought gold fish from a peddler).