A Kansas Memory Podcast

Young Love: Martha Farnsworth Diaries

The documents used in the Married Life podcast are available on

• Martha Farnsworth Diary
  Martha Van Orsdol Shaw Farnsworth kept a personal diary most of her life from 1882 through 1922 with only a few gaps. The entries in this podcast describe her decision to marry John Shaw, a postal worker, whom she meets after moving to Topeka from Winfield. They marry on September 4, 1889. Many of Martha's diary entries are very emotional. From the beginning of her marriage to Johnny, Martha expresses her unhappiness in her marriage. It seems to stem from Johnny's drinking and his anger when he was intoxicated. Johnny dies from consumption in October 1893. Martha soon marries another post man Fred Farnsworth in 1894 and that marriage will be featured in the next podcast.