BLACKWELL FAMILY Emily Blackwell Sara Ellen BlackwellNew York [*Emily Blackwell*] Dec 31, 1892 Dear Ellen, I have just seen yr's of 30. I write to return yr good wishes for a happy New Year. I am very glad that you enjoy yr Washington quarters, and find pleasant occupation at the Gallery. We had a quiet Xmas on Sunday We gave our presents in the family Sunday morning. Dr. C gave me a very pretty Rosewood flower jar. I gave Nannie a new dress for her dancing club. Mrs. Stevens from Richmond came to stay a few days with us for a visit. Lucie moved in with Dr. P, and gave her room to her. Lucie dined with her father & sister, & Dr. C & Mrs. S went to a family dinner with Mrs. Brody in Brooklyn So Nannie and I dined alone.I got one Christmas remembrance that pleased, a box of roses, sent by a young lady patient from the Adirondacks, who was under my care a year ago. I tried very hard to help her-- her family feared she was going insane - I doubted how much I had done for her, but after she went home she improved wonderfully and this was a Christmas remembrance. Nannie gets a good deal of enjoyment from her dancing club, of which she has attended two meetings. Mr. Kerrine, Lucie's? brother was her escort last time, and he reported that she was one of the prettiest girls there, and that she recd a good deal of attention. Nannie thinks dancing great fun. She is gone this morning to her sewing class in the church school, to see the distribution of Christmas presents. This Saturday morning sewing class for little tots is her one bit of church work. Monday N & I dined at El Mora - I was gratified to find George & family there. G's shoulder had recovered rapidly - I hope there will be no more calamities? -he was looking well. Emma had a pretty new dress, and seemed bright and cheerful. All the young people stayed and spent the night - they proposed "to raise the roof" after the elders were gone. Little Anna had a new dress, and was charged to be very careful not to drop ice cream on it. She got through the ice cream successfully, but then undertook to use the typewriter, and covered herself with ink! However it was not a party dress, and it won't break them.Agnes and Ethel certainly make the house more attractive, and since they have both been at home the table has been much better served and provided. They seem to be very good friends. Sara seems much better this winter, which is a great satisfaction. I have heard nothing lately from Europe - I had a pleasant note two weeks ago from Frances, a late reply to my letter of congratulation on her marriage. She says she is very happy in her husband and in her son: speaks of the home being covered with yellow Jasmine in bloom then the very end of Nov. From Boston you hear much more often than I do. Alice like a good girl makes an effort to write you, but does not feel that I am so much in need of letters, and I hear very rarely. But I am glad to know that all seems to be going on well there. With best wishes for a Happy New Year. Affty EB in and move in. Sat college work begins, and I must try and get rid of all thought of the house by that time. I shall keep this open to add tonight after his return whether we have the house. 30th It seems that Root is doubtful about letting his Essex St house for the winter only —- but there are others and I do not like to conclude a bargain in yr absence as there are disadvantages to all. Moreover if I take Frannie in it must be in a few days, and after today I am to be at the College every day. You had better come on at once and let us settle. It will be a horrid pull, but it must be done and put through, and I feel as though I had done all the preliminary enquiry & effort I can, and must now settle and dismiss the thing from my mind now that the winter's work is upon me. So I shall expect you in the beginning of the week. Could you not take the Sunday night boat — if not then Monday morning one. I shall look for you then. Affty Ey53 East 20 St Sep 29. Thursday. 1881 Dear Ellen I have rec'd a succession of Postals from you, and this morning yr letter from Springside. I have had a most oppressive and disagreeable fortnight. Weather as hot and close as in July - and then the nuisance of a raft of callers about the house. I must have seen a hundred people. Several parties wd take it - there is one today - Mother and 5 grown sons & daughters who are eager to get it at $600 [fur] unfurnished, and I retain the parlor floor & blue bedroom. They are very decent people, but common, and such a crowd - the eldest son is assistant to Byrne the plumber in 4th av, that's the kind of people. I have seen enoughto know that I can't get a profitable tenant except by filling the house with people of a common stamp. I rather incline to a different course. I think I can put in Dr Fannie and her brother, giving them rooms and getting fuel gas & service in return — they wd be such quiet people they wd not show at all in the house, and they wd desire greatly to please me. Dr. McMutt says she is an excellent housekeeper and good cook. They wd have a girl to open the door & I, and it wd cost them just about the same as to board. They wd be glad to board me when in town at a very moderate price. She wd try to let a suite furnished to a gentleman, having a percentage if she succeeded, but if she did not the arrangement for household service & I wd hold good. I think I shall do this till spring because it will make no perceptible change in my arrangements and leave me the control of the home, and the feeling of a home centre in the city. George is today to try & secure the Essex St house. If he do you had better come[*Emily Blackwell*] Dr. E. Blackwell [Office Hours] No. 53 E. 20th Street. [10:30 to 12:30 a. m.] Jan 15. 1893. Dear Ellen I hope this severe weather is not bringing back your rheumatism, and that you are continuing to find yr Washington quarters satisfactory. We have deep snow here — It began before Christmas and has been snowing at intervals ever since — It is snowing hard today Since the Blizzard we have not had so much snow, nor such steady cold weather — Thermometer at zero several times, and constantly down in its neighborhood. Furnace & fires seem scarcely able to keep the temperature moderate. We have all kept well however, and things go on quietly. Nannie attends the Conservatory and practices. She slipped the other day, and strained her F. HAAS, DRUGGIST, 266 FOURTH AVE,. COR. 21ST STREET, NEW YORK.ankle, and is laid by for the present in consequence. She has greatly enjoyed her dances. We hear that she is considered a very good dancer, and that she receives a good deal of attention, and is never in want of partners. Last Thursday we had quite a group of young people here - Two of the Doctor's nephews were here to go to the dance with Nannie, Agnes & Ethel were here to go to a concert with me in the evening, they having tickets. They all slept here, the girls in Nannie's room - the boys on sofas. They all dined here before going out, and seemed to feel it quite a lark. Both the girls seem well. Ethel has very light work, and goes home early, which is good for her.