Box 1

The collection primarily consists of letters written by Mary Taylor Alger Smith while she accompanied her husband, Commander Roy Campbell Smith, Jr. on his assignment to the Asiatic Theater from 1925 to 1928. Also included is a journal maintained by Mary describing the initial trip, by ship, from Seattle, WA. to China, and her earliest experiences in China. The letters were mailed to family in the U.S. during her time in China and the Philippines.

Mary and the four children split their time abroad between China and the Philippines. The letters cover a wide variety of subjects including, life abroad for military families, Chinese culture, Philippines culture, and many other aspects of life as a spouse to an active duty Navy officer. All of the letters were written by Mary and most of them were sent to her mother in Annapolis, MD.