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 V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Jan. 9, 1914
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1914.0109
It is the New Year, and Anna speaks of the many optimistic resolutions people at the mission hope to achieve. Brother Crummpacker and Dr. Wampler hunted for hogs in the mountain. Spoke of a baby with sores that were untreatable, and observed an operation on a man's shin. She began holding services for the opium patients in the womens refuge. Also visited the wives of officials under the old government who were upset by the churche's denunciation of opium, however she was received kindly.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, July 25, 1915
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1915.0725
Describes the never ending rain, and the roaring of the river. She mentions the Johnstown Flood. Says she enjoys the rain and the beautiful mountains. Comments yet again on the "heathenism of the Chinese." Asks for toys to be sent to China after Christmas. Mentions the Lusitania Note, and the United States' dissatisfaction of Germany's response.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, July 30, 1916
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1916.0730
Anna complains of the peddlars by the sea; their prices are too high. Jennie's boys have whooping cough. Anna also enquires about Stuart's wedding.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, July 9, 1916
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1916.0709
Anna is still on summer vacation by the sea. She spoke of 4th of July celebrations being held by the U.S.A. soldiers. There was baseball, refreshments, and instead of regular polo, they had donkey polo (according to Anna it was rather amusing because donkeys are difficult to guide).
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, June 18, 1916
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1916.0618
Anna has left Ping Ting for the summer. She will be spending the summer with the Brubakers by the sea. However, scarlet fever seems to be in the area. Brother Flory has dysentery. Yuan Shin Kai died, and the Vice President took his place, and is atttempting to revive the former republican government. Anna learned of the Republican nominees in America (comments it is time for poor Teddy Roosevelt to let go of politics).
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, June 9, 1921
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1921.0609
The school will soon be closed for the summer. Minerva has had some trouble with the girls this semester. In the worst famine districts the crops have failed. Anna is excited about a special meeting which will take place for Chinese Christian women.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, March 11, 1917
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1917.0311
Anna has begun to take over classes. She will teach music, English, and nature studies this year. Also, she will be going to Yu Hsien with the Vanimans next week. Comments on J.G. Royer's death.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, March 12, 1916
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1916.0312
Anna has been home a week (was in Shanghai), it was a rather busy week with teaching the women. Went to an uplifting service led by Brother Yin. He encouraged the Chinese Christians to write to people in America to come and help the mission. Anna's house now has a bird as well as a goldfish.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, March 5, 1916
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1916.0305
Arrived back from her journey to Hankow. Brought back two new missionaries, Sister Senger and Sister Rider. Anna even led the donkeys on her own. The mission purchased nine goats since the price for milk and butter has become so high.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, May 12, 1918
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1918.0512
Anna had a cold for three months, but is feeling better this week. She is now involved in a sort of matrimonail bureau at the mission. She was given permission by a father to help his daughter choose a husband. The Crumpacker's house and hospitals are being built at the mission. Anna plans on going to an out-station in Luan Lu next week.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, May 12, 1921
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1921.0512
Anna fears the famine will continue until the fall harvest. Laura Shock is recovering from Typhus. 14,000 men are on the road helping with the famine relief. Anna visited a dishevelled government facility which was feeding 300 women and children, the conditions were very poor.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, May 28, 1916
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1916.0528
It has been very dry in China, there have also been many dust storms. She says the Boxers blamed the foreigners for the drought during 1900, but the Chinese will no longer do that to the missions (according to Anna). Apparently China is becoming restless, a country in Northern Shansi has claimed its independence. Wishes her brother, Robert, a happy birthday.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Nov. 20, 1915
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1915.1120
The wife of Anna's manservant, Yato, committed suicide with arsenic. Although Yato regretted taking the arsenic and Minerva tried to save her by giving her mustard to induce vomiting, Minerva was too late. A Christian funeral was held for Yato as the manservant requested. An opium patient of thirteen died of asthma as well. Anna comments that suicide is common with daughter-in-laws because they are treated so badly. Anna also makes her first attempt to give a talk to Chinese women.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Nov. 22, 1914
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1914.1122
It was her birthday, and she was thirty years old. Mr. and Mrs. Beckner are leaving the next day for America. The cold has set in, and many natives cannot afford warm clothing; one woman used anna's old dress to create a coat. Anna speaks of many parents promising to send their daughters to the mission school, but then backing out when they realized the binding must be taken off their daughters feet. She describes Chinese wedding customs as well.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Oct. 23, 1915
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1915.1023
Mrs. Crumpacker is ill so Anna has been helping with the English-Chinese child. There have been special classes for those who are being baptized this year. Went for a ride in the mountains on the horse. Finally received her placement; Anna will do country work when her Chinese has improved. The Sunday school is growing because the street children are now attending. Received a box from her family filled with fabric, a rug, and maple syrup (the maple syrup melted a little)
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, Oct. 23, 1918
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1918.1023
Influenza is rampant at the Ping Ting mission. Anna didn't contract the flu, so she took on Mrs. Crupacker's classes because she had influenza. Spoke of Wilson seeking peace with Germany. Continues to lead women's meetings.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones in America, 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.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones in America, October 16, 1913
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, bloughletter1913.1016
Anna thanks all her loved ones whom sent her letters and gifts, and tells of the beauty and monotony of life on the sea. She also complains of the Typhoid vaccines she has been receiving on the trip which make her feel like she has the grippe. Two women missionaries are mentioned who have spent time in Japan and China. One spent nineteen years in China and after the Boxer Rebellion went to the same province where Anna will spend time; the other spent twenty years in Japan, and felt the Japanese were the most immoral nation on Earth.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones in Orange Township, March 27, 1915
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1915.0327
Went to a yearly Mission Meeting in Liao Chou. Gave a lengthy description of her trip to Liao Chou (there were 23 people and 17 donkeys-traveled by foot) Complained of being gawked at on the road by locals. Assigned to "womens work" at Ping Ting.
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Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones in the homeland, March 21, 1917
Blough, Anna Viola, 1885-1922 -- Correspondence, Church of the Brethren -- Missions -- China, Missions, American -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, Missionaries -- China -- Shanxi Sheng, bloughletter1917.0321
Speaks of her visit to Yu Hsien mission, and the long journey up the mountain. There is a boys and girls school at the mission. Bessie will be taking the place of Minerva when she departs for home. Mentions she heard that Russia dethroned the Czar, and hopes the war will soon end.
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