Collection Finding Aids of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections in the Harold B.

Lee
Library

Register
of the
Frederick Charles Rossiter
Diary
1894 1895
MSS 6509

By
Cynthia Ann Smith
Intern
John M. Murphy
Curator

L. Tom Perry Special Collections

19 Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts
Harold B. Lee Library
Brigham Young University
Provo, Utah 84602
http://sc.lib.byu.edu
th

November 2008

Rossiter, Frederick Charles, 1874 1947

Frederick Charles Rossiter diary, 1894 1895
MSS 6509
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Descriptive Summary.......................................................................................................................3
Provenance.......................................................................................................................................4
Access..............................................................................................................................................4
Conditions of Use............................................................................................................................4
Preferred Citation.............................................................................................................................4
Biographical Note............................................................................................................................4
Scope and Content Note...................................................................................................................4
Notes on Arrangement.....................................................................................................................4
Access Terms...................................................................................................................................4
Container List...................................................................................................................................5
Frederick Charles Rossiter diary..........................................................................................5

Rossiter, Frederick Charles, 1874 1947

Frederick Charles Rossiter diary, 1894 1895
MSS 6509
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Call Number:
MSS 6509
Creator:
Rossiter, Frederick Charles
Title:
Frederick Charles Rossiter diary
Dates:
1894 1895
Extent:
1 manuscript folder (0.05 inch)
Repository: L. Tom Perry Special Collections, 19th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts,
Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, http://sc.lib.byu.edu.
Language:
Materials in English and Shorthand.
Biographical Sketch Abstract:
Frederick Charles Rossiter was born April 7, 1874 in Salt Lake City to William A. and Eliza
Crabtree Rossiter. He served a mission to Tahiti from 1893-1897. He married Sadie Shannon
November 14, 1900 in the Salt Lake City. He died February 20, 1947 in Salt Lake City
Scope Abstract:
The Frederick Charles Rossiter diary collection contains one archival series: The Frederick
Charles Rossiter diary, 1894 1895.
3

Rossiter, Frederick Charles, 1874 1947

Frederick Charles Rossiter diary, 1894 1895
MSS 6509

CUSTODIAL HISTORY
Purchase
ACCESS
No access restrictions.
CONDITIONS OF USE
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission
to publish material from the Frederick Charles Rossiter diary must be obtained from the
Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
PREFERRED CITATION
Initial citation: MSS 6509; Frederick Charles Rossiter diary; 19th Century Western and Mormon
Manuscripts; L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young
University.
Following citations: MSS 6509, LTPSC.
ACQUISTION NOTE
Purchase
APPRAISAL NOTE
Collection development policy for 19th century Western and Mormon manuscripts Utah and the
American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Frederick Charles Rossiter was born April 7, 1874 in Salt Lake City to William A. and Eliza
Crabtree Rossiter. He served a mission to Tahiti from 1893-1897. He married Sadie Shannon
November 14, 1900 in the Salt Lake City. They had seven children. He died February 20, 1947 in
Salt Lake City. He was a farmer, with stints in insurance and sales as well.
4

Rossiter, Frederick Charles, 1874 1947

Frederick Charles Rossiter diary, 1894 1895
MSS 6509

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

Series I: Frederick Charles Rossiter diary, 1894 1895, includes Elder Frederick Charles
Rossiters LDS missionary diary. In his diary, Elder Rossiter chronicles his work as a
missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; his interactions with mission
companions, Tahitians, French colonial officials, and sailors. He also describes, at length, the
landscape, language, food, and culture of Tahiti.
ACCESS TERMS
Rossiter, Frederick Charles, 1874 1947
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsMissionsTahitiHistory19th Century
Sources
Evangelistic WorkChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsHistorySources
Mormon ChurchMissionsTahitiSources
Mormon FamiliesSources
MormonsMissionary ExperiencesSources
Diary

Rossiter, Frederick Charles, 1874 1947

Frederick Charles Rossiter diary, 1894 1895
MSS 6509
CONTAINER LIST
SERIES I: CHARLES FREDERICK ROSSITER DIARY, 1894 1895
Box: Folder:
1
1

Contents:
Charles Frederick Rossiter diary
1894 June 29 1895 June 4
Extent: Brown leather holograph Journal; 238 pages; 4 x 6 inches. The first
eighty (80) pages of the diary, June 29, 1894 January 12, 1895, are in
shorthand. Pages 81 238, January 14, 1895 June 4, 1895, are in English.
Scope and Content Note: In his diary, Elder Rossiter describes his day-to-day
activities as a missionary in Tahiti for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. Page 82 talks about opposition from the French government. Pages 88-89
tell of a discussion with a native investigator about baptism. Page 90 tells his
thoughts about the Chinese New Year. Pages 94-95 tell of the healing of a little
girl. Pages 135-137 tell of his discouragement and of problems caused by a
native brother. Pages 138-140 describe how the Elders were asked for passports
and permission to preach. Pages 146-149 a native member tries to get the Elders
out of their current residence. Page 151 tells of being forced to pay taxes. Pages
152-155 give a description of Tubuai. Pages 166-168, 171-172 tell of the healing
of another child. Pages 183-184 tell the conversation of the Elders with the fifth
person baptized in Tahiti. Pages 185-194 tell of issues with setting up a Sunday
School. Pages 202-204 tell of the Governor forbidding the holding of meetings
by the Elders. Pages 204-209 contain the petition sent to the Governor and then
forwarded to France for permission to preach the gospel. Page 220 tells of the
dedication of the foundation for a new chapel. Pages 223-226 detail the
excommunication of several brethren for drunkenness. Cash account for
November 1894-May 1895 in pages 230-232. Letters received in pages 233-234.
Letters written in pages 235-236. Distance traveled in pages 237-238.