Maria Jane Schuyler Hatch wrote her "Centennial Journal" in 1876 for her best friend, Clara Shelley. Maria was born January 20, 1850 in or near Atlanta, Georgia. She moved from Georgia to join her father, James Schuyler and her stepmother who owned the elegant Schuyler Hotel in the coastal town of Half Moon Bay. Each entry is filled with images of Maria's daily life. Some were of sorrow and heartbreak while most were filled with humor and fun. Faith was a very important part of her life. Maria was an adventurous, independent woman full of spunk and spirit.