WALT WHITMAN Family Papers Whitman, Louisa Van Velsor (mother), 1872-73 Box 1 Folder 3 (Includes LC Catalog #282 & 283) Independence Iowa Feb 7th 1872 Dear Mrs. Whitman, I have thought of you many many times since last fall. How well I would like to run up your stairs, rap at your door, and hear your "come in" and "How-do-you-do-Grace." To find you well, and pleasantly pass an evening with you, as coisily as we used to, you sitting in your rocking chair, I in mine, talking upon general topics or a little harmless gossip. But instead of that, the Letter-man will ring, this bit of a letter will be brought up, and good Mrs. Whitman will look it over, wondering who it is from, open to see and read these few sentences I have penned which will be stale and cold, traveling so far. How much better I could say it all, and more too if I was sitting opposite to you, looking right into your eyes. I fully appreciate the privileges of the pen, but it is so very slow. Now How do you do? Mrs. Whitman, are you lame this winter, and are you and Eddie alone! Father wrote that the family in your house had moved, perhaps you have someone else in, if not you must be lonesome. Do you go out much and has it been very cold. Oh! it has been so very cold here. People say here, it has not been so cold, or as much sleighing for many years. We have had good sleighing for nine weeks and the thermometer as low as twenty two deg. below zero. The wind is fearful. Sometimes when I ride, I am inclined to drop into the bottom of the sleigh, and have whoever is driving sit on me, for fear I shall blow away. but in spite of cold and wind, they tell me I am growing fleshy. I am feeling quite well, most of the time. Sister is quite pleasantly situated, a short distance from the Main st. so that we are quite retired. A large house with abundance of room. The people we have met, seem friendly and agreeable, most of them are Eastern people that have been here but a few years. We have not been out any evenings, there is always something to prevent. [The people seem] They have their village Sociable, or Hop every week, and each church has it's social meeting each week, at private houses. and by what I hear, I should think them quite enjoyable. I miss very much Lectures, Concerts [etc?], but have an abundance of good reading, and as I cannot have other music, furnish my own, which passes away many an hour pleasantly. I notice many things which strikes me as odd or funny, and I often repeat it, or act it out for the benefit of the rest, and we have many a good hearty laugh. I quite enjoy the novelty of the change. [LC # 283] There are seven churches in town. Two large, three story brick school houses, carefully graded. Many stores, with good assortment of goods Dry goods a little dearer than in Brooklyn, but provision much cheaper, especially meat, fowls, butter, eggs, flour & meal. Chickens, Porterhouse steak, eight and ten cents per lb. Sugar about two cents more per lb. Tea & coffee the same. Coal (hard coal) $16. per ton. We have burned three tons already in the sitting-room stove. we burn wood in the kitchen & parlor. I often think of Father and Mother fearing something may happen to them, for I know Mother has more than she ought to do. but I hope they may enjoy continued good health. and I Soon shall be home again and relieve Mother a bit, and tease Father, I am afraid they will dry up from very quietness. I ought to be on hand to stir them up. Thursday is the most eventful day of the week, for then I receive my letters from home. and only those who know, who are seperated from their dearest friends, how precious a letter is from them. When I hear that they are well, I feel quite satisfied for another week, and all the other bits of this and that about home, neighbors and friends, give many pleasant thoughts. I never cared so much for letters as now they are doubly welcom, scarcely a day passed but what I recieve one or more and papers. Last saturday I received, After All, Not To Create Only The American Institute Poem, for which I am very much obliged indeed. I suppose you sent it. You are very kind to think of me. I have read it through. I missed much of it the day it was delivered. May I expect an answer Mrs. Whitman, with very much love to you, I remain Yours sincerely Grace B. Haight. New York June 28th/72 Mrs. Louisa Whitman In relation to the above interest money would say that Mr H Maybee's affairs are now in the hands of his executors. I have informed them about this amount due you & as soon as they take action either they or I will advise you Yours J. W. Avery [*[LC#283]*] New York 1 Aug 1872 Mrs Louisa Whitman 107 North Portland Ave Enclosed please find receipt & $15.51 for interest from Estate of Elizabeth Maybee . The bond is now only paying 6 per ct interest & the 51 cents is for additional interest on the amount paid you Jany 3/72 & which could not be drawn until the present time. You will please sign the enclosed receipt & return by bearer Very Respy Yours J W Avery 309 Water St [*[Lc#282]*] Brooklyn Oct 17th 1872 Dear Mrs. Whitman, You cannot imagine how glad I was to receive your letter, in fact, I was afraid you had forgotten me altogether. I called at your house a few days after you had left, an old gentleman informed me of that circumstance, and the unfurnished hall assured me of it, but I could get no clue to your whereabouts until Van sent me your address the third of this month, the next day, being too lazy to write I dispatched you an Appleton's Journal, and since then my time has been exclusively occupied with fever and ague. You have no idea how much I miss you, since the death of my friend last summer, you were the only one I visited intimately in Brooklyn. Besides, I can no longer hear from St. Louis. Mrs. Whitman said Hattie would write to me, I hoped she would, but suppose it has been too much of a task for one so young. Never mind Mrs. Whitman time and space will be annihilated by science, and soon you will hear a rustling sound, and a balloon or flying machine will float before your door, I will jump out, make you a nice little call and get back home again in half the time it need to take to go to Portland avenue. I am so sorry you have the rheumatism, does not Bache's Specific do you any good? Mine is so much better that I consider myself cured. Ma and Harrie send their love to you. Fred goes to day school, but there is some talk of sending him with me to Europe, as he will get both education and clothes cheaper in that part of the world. Mrs. Whitman I will be ever so happy to hear from you, and you will write to me sometimes if it is only two or three lines, will you not? And you will hear from me often, but my letters are exclusively for you, I hope we will be good correspondents. I hear crowing which reminds me it is my bed hour. Good night, yous are deep in your dreams, and I am kissing you in imagination [*[LC#283]*] you half awaken and say "Is that you - Walter?" but you are mistaken it was - Yours truly Joe St Louis Oct 26th 1872 Dear Grandma I intended to write to you before but I have so many things to do I did not get time I have to go to school every day. take music lessons. & go to dancing school so it takes up all my time How are you & Eddie and all of them I would so- like to go on with Mama when she goes to Philadelphia but I can not leave school. We have just got through house cleaning it looks so nice now if you was only here it would be so nice I would give up my room to you so you would be comfortable here I think - Mama feels pretty well today Jessie has just begun music lessons & she is playing on the Piano now Mama told me how little Georgie got killed it was to bad. I would like to see all of you so. Mama has got company to day. I have changed music teachers Mr Bowman the one I used to have has gone to Europe so now I have a lady teacher. We have good girls now so mama does not have to do a thing Jessie & I go to market every morning we all got vacinated yesterday Mama & Papa and Jessie & I. now I must go and practice on the Piano as Jessie is done Grandma I will write to you every Wednesday and Saturday I send my love to Aunt Loo & Uncle george & Eddie & you so Good-bye. Dear Dear Grandma Hattie PS Mama says to tell you she will send you a nice long letter tomorrow We all send our love. Good Bye I send 10 kisses to you [Lc283] Brooklyn Nov 3rd 1872 Dear Mrs. Whitman, You see I do not intend to be forgotten, for again I am writing to you. I received a letter from Mr. Whitman last week, he wrote _ Mrs. Whitman hoped to come to Philadelphia, and to see us; when she comes cannot you come with her? we should all so like to have you. If you were in Brooklyn to was obliged to ask ma, who can walk, to go in her place. How much I would like to peep in upon you and see how you were getting along, but as I cannot I shall content myself with a look at your photograph, I have had it framed according to orders, it looks nicely. It was thoughtful of your son to give it me, but he took you away from me and that was not so pleasant. Mrs. Whitman if there is anything I can do for you you must ask me as freely as you would any old friend, you know it will be a pleasure to me to be useful to you in any way. Write me when day you would not know the city - not a car is running and very few other conveyances; it is as quiet and christian-like as a Sunday of long, long ago, such as we can remember in our early youth. It is no fun to have the horses all sick, our's belongs to the kind that does not get sick, but my relatives on each side have not a horse they can use; it happened in a very bad time as my aunt received word her daughter was ill, and as she could not walk, nor hire, nor borrow a horse to take her to her child she you feel like it and are real well which I hope will be all the time. I know my family would send their love if they knew I was writting to you, but as ma is away, and the rest are asleep I will send it for them. Is Eddie well? and does he begin to like Camden? It is getting late I must bid you good night Yours sincerely Joe 915 Third Av. [LC#283] Brooklyn Dec. 16th. /72 Dear Mrs. Whitman I have been hoping in vain to hear from you, or to have a visit from you and your St. Louis children, but fate has decreed otherwise, and now I shall bid you adieu as I sail tomorrow in the Queen for London, and expect to spend the rest of the winter at Bruges in Belgium where I hope to perfect myself in the French and German languages. I will write to you as soon as I get established and I hope you will write me if it is only a few lines; it is so sad to leave the country without knowing that you are well, or seeing you once more, but I will be only two weeks distant from you and will think of and love you as much in Europe as at home. I leave, my most earnest wishes for your happiness and health. Yours sincerely, Joe P.S. I enclose a photograph of the vessel in which I will sail. Any letters directed to my home 915 Third ave. will be forwarded to me [Lc#283] [*Hattie*] St Louis May 6th 73 Dear Dear Grandma I wrote you a letter the other day but as I didnot send it I guess I will begin again How are you grandma I have not heard from you in so long. It is rainy here today & it has been very damp all day. We had a concert the other [da] night at our school & Little Jess sand a german song (she is a regular dutchman) we have lived so long in a german neighborhood that she has got the accent real well How is Dear Eddie & Uncle George & Aunt Loo I hope they are all well Minnie Bulkby is to have a kind play on next Friday. I expect to go & See her We do not have any school on Friday because A Lady gave some money to the school & she is now dead & they celebrate her birthday which is on the 9th of May. How is Uncle Walt I wonder if he will ever get all well again I hope he will be well as soon as possible I wish he could come out here & make us a visit it would be so nice & if he could bring you I should be happy I believe. There are some very nice children around here so I go out ot play almost every afternoon after I practice my 2 hours i am writing in papas room at his desk it is very pleasant it has four windows as there is a nice breeze through in summer Now Grandma I must go to practice Good Bye Your little girl Hattie P S Grandma Jessie sends you a programme of her concert [LC#283] St Louis Dec Dec 8th / 8 [[Ca. 1872]] Dear Grandma I hope that you are not provoked at me for not writing but I have not had any time for I take music lessons and go to dancing school. Dear Grandma I hope that you are felling well and how is Aunt Loo and how is Uncle Gorge how is Uncle Eddie and have you heard any thing from Uncle Walt, and if you have not heard any thing as soon as you do you must write to me and tell me how he is. Mama is felling very well. Christmas will soon be here and I am very glad and I like New Years to come. Dear Grandma my letter is not very long because I am very tired So Good bye from your little granddaughter little jessie --- I send many a loving kisses to you and wish I could se you now --- [LC# 283] Brooklyn Sep 22nd 1872 Dear Mrs. Whitman You will see by this I am home again after nearly a year absence. I do not need to tell you, how very glad I am to be here, with Father and Mother and to settle down again in our little nest of a home so quiet and pleasant. I was very agreeably surprised when I first entered the front basement to see Mrs. Whitman. One of your pictures stood upon the mantle. I said "How do you do" you quietly and pleasantly returned my look, but was silent. I thought how I would like to have run into your house, and found you sitting in your old arm chair, and I am very Mrs. Harris called in yesterday to see me. She has just returned from Vermont. had been up to her husbands Father's funeral. She has sold out her store. I cannot write you anything of the neighbors I have scarcely seen them yet Grace sure it would not have been a silent meeting, but you and I cannot arrange every thing to our liking and I am very thankful we have a kind Father who knows us altogether and leads and directs our steps knowing the future as well as the past and present and He invites us to put our trust in Him. Your picture brought forth your letters and your son Walters You were both very kind to think of sending the picture to us we shall all prize it very much. I am very sorry Father has neglected to acknowledge receiving it. I am afraid you and Walter may think it was received with indifference, or that it was lost. I can assure you it is not so. Your letter was not replied to, because Mother thought I was coming home soon, and I would like to write. [/page] [page] Father intends to write to Mr. Whitman Father and Mother met me at the depot Sat. afternoon the 20th I started thursday at six P.M. and had company as far as Ohio. Unfortunately our train was behind at Chicago, and we barely made the connection. The sleeping car was entirely engaged, only part of our baggage came. So I had two days and one night to ride in an ordinary car which was very tiresome. My trunks have not come yet. I wish Mrs. W - you had been with me as we commenced the ascent of the mountains (the Alleghany) as far as Harrisburg. The scenery was lovely. The road followed the river (Juniata) crossing and recrossing it, Penn. canal [strikethrough] canal [/strikethrough] in sight much of the way with lofty mountains for a back-ground, clothed from topto bottom in bright green. The shadows in the [[LC#283]] water were beautiful, trees scattered in the fields plentiously so large and stately, altogether it was most charming. I was prepared to admire it for a year past, my eyes have rested upon scenes, or country so different. I like Iowa very much, and the people there, but it is not [underlined] dear old [/underlined] Brooklyn, by any means though B- is not the lovliest spot, I am quite content. When may we expect you Mrs. Whitman, we would like to have you visit us. How do you like? does it seem like home yet! and how does Eddy enjoy it. he will miss the church. Mother delivered your messages to Mrs. Brown and the picture. Mrs. Wallace and others. The neighbors all wish to be remembered especially Mrs. Manen Gilberts mother, she said "she felt sad every time she passed the house. We all send much love to you. Your Grace. Hattie St Louis Dec 29th /78 Dear Dear Grandma I wish you a happy new year and a merry christmas. Mama is not atall well or she would write to you she never gets up out of bed till 12 o'clock and then she don't sit up much she is worse now than she has ever been How are you I want you to answer my letter to me alone I dont want it to be written to Mama How did you spend christmas. We all got some nice presents Mama got a gold chain for her watch Papa got a fur collar and gloves and Jessie got a toy book a portfolia a penknife and some other things I got a book of poems all bound in Russia leather and the same as Jessie The weather is very bad here just now for Mama it is so cold We had such a nice time on Christmas day we though if you was only here it would be so nice. Did you know that Jessie took music lessons she does and her and I are learning to play duetts togeather. Now I must practice I have three hours to do a day during the holidays. So Goodbye Your Little Granddaughter Hattie P S I send my love to Aunt Loo Uncle George and Dear Eddie tell him I want to see him so much. Good bye Cypress Hills Feb 20th/73 My Dear Friend I have been thinking so much about you this winter and have wished many time that I could hear from you or have your address so I could write to you, but have never been able to obtain [strikethrough] until [/strikethrough] it until last Friday. I took the liberty of calling on Mrs Price of 55th Street New York and introduced myself as an old friend of yours she was very pleasant likewise was Helen who recognized me as soon as she came in the room remembered meeting me at your house last winter, she told me that she had just recieved a letter from you and all about how you had been, also informed me of Mattie's illness wich I was very sorry to hear, and that you was about to try the journey to St Lewis to see Mattie once more. If this does not reach you before you leave Camden I hope it will be forwarded to you I had previously seen in the Herald that Walt was sick in Washington suffering from that terible disease Paralysis. Helen also informed me that he is improving, I hope he may soon be better. - you know my Dear what experience has taught me in that disease how my own Dear Mother suffered for more than ten years, but the hour came when we were least expecting it and she passed away from earth happy & peacefuly and has we trust gone to rest and to her reward in Heaven, she died on the fourth of Dec. nearly three months ago. I would like very much to tell you all but cannot now, my health has not been very good all winter, but am feeling somewhat better now since I have been visiting my Sisters I was at Libbies in N.Y. three weeks & on saturday last I came out here to Susie's they are both in good health also thier Husband's & L's children are all well My Father and all those remaining at home are well, And now my Dear Mrs Whitman I want you to please write to me as soon as you recieve these lines, and tell me all about how you are, and Mattie I feel very anxious about her, give my love to her, I hope when I next hear [[LC#283]] from her to hear that she is better tell her to trust in Jesus and all will be well with her, remember me kindly to each member of your family when you write them With much Love to you, and kind regards to Jeff. - a kiss to each of the Dear little Girls. I remain Your ever true & Affectionate Friend Anna Van Wyck Please direct to Libbies Address 253 East 50th Street New York City N. Y. Hattie St Louis Mo Feb 23d 1873 Dear Dear Grandma Oh if you could only be here I would be so glad I shall never see Dear Mama again she looked so sweet after she died it would have been [??] [??] so nice if you could only have seen her. We all feel pretty bad but I think it is better as it is How are you Dear Grandma It is very cold here today Mr Lane came out here we had [a] quiet a large funeral yesterday it was so hard to see Dear Mama die when no one could help her. when I got home from school the buggy was out side of the door and papa said he would take Mama out riding as it was such a pleasant day and Mama wanted to go so much so papa lifted her out and put her in the buggy and then went to take the reins and while he taking them Mama fell over in the buggy and when papa turned around he did not know what had happened so he lifted her in the house and just then I came home from school and found that Mama was dying but she seemed to know me though she could not speak I felt so bad that I did not know what to do Papa got two of mama's pictures but as soon as he gets the rest home he will send you some he says he would like to keep them till he can get some more Oh Dear Grandma if I [*[LC#283]*] only could see you I would [So] like it so much but as I cant I suppose I shall have go without every body has been very kind to all of us Papa [fel] feels very badly but it is all for the best for Mama is now out of suffering and that is such a blessing how are all the folks there now Grandma as it after [?] nine oclock & I have not had much sleep till last night I will stop for the present We all send our love to them all especiialy you Dear Dear Grandma Good bye. Hattie P S I send my best love to Dear Eddie and so does Jessie St Louis Mo. Feb 27th 1873 Dear Dear Grandma We received your letter this morning & we all were so glad to get it Dear Grandma I am going to write to you often We are quiet lonesome here it seems when I go in Mamas room as if she were there but the old chair looks empty. I am in the house all alone. The girls both of them have gone out to get a place & Papa is down town & Jessie at school so I felt lonesome then I thought I would write to you I wrote a long letter to Uncle Walt seven pages long, it was the longest letter I have ever written every thing here is about the same We feel quiet unsettled just now till we move up to Mr Bulkleys Papa entends to take up there the sideboard his bedstead wash stand & all his bedding & a few other things that you use about a house. One thing that I shall like is that Little Jessie can go to the same school with me. Now Jessie has just came home from school so I shall have to stop to keep her company Grandma I will write you often you may depend on me Good Bye We all send love. Your Little Hat. P S Grandma I want you to write me a letter all to myself & direct it to me Good bye [[LC#283 [*[LC#283]*] 25 Feb 73 Mattie died Cypress Hills March 2nd 1873 My Dear Mrs Whitman I received your kind letter which conveyed the sad inteligence (the Death of our Dear Mattie) on Tuesday last, it came to Libbies Monday Morning; she enclosed it with a note here to me, saying that the enclosed note to Helen Price, she forwarded immediately and it is all wright; poor Mattie I did not think she would be taken away so soon, when Helen told me how she was failing, and that you thought of going on to see her, I felt that I would like to go with you and help to take care of you; you would felt better if you could have seen her once more, would you not, it would have been such a satisfaction to her too; but I fear the journey would have been too much for you this cold winter weather & you must try to think it was all for the best, poor Jeff it will be a sad loss to him, and the Dear little girls, truly they have a kind and affectionate Father, but as you say, their Dear Mother is taken from them, just at the time a Mother's care is most needed, I suppose you have heard from them before this time; did George or his Wife go on to attend the Funeral, if not there was none of your Family present. -- How is Walt by this time? and how long has he been suffering from this attack? you say he gains so slowly, do you think he will get better so he will be able to attend to his business again? and you feel so worried about him, I know you cannot help it, but try to hope for the best. I wish I could comfort you a little in this hour of affliction. I am thinking of you daily and wish so much to see you, I felt very badly when Susie wrote last fall and told me you had moved from Brooklyn, I had a hope of seeing you once more, and I cannot tell how much I miss you, now it seems as if I must go to see you, if you ever keep house again I will certainly visit you for it would be perfectly natural; I always thought if my Dear Mother was taken away I should come right to you for consolation, but now I am deprived of that privilege, it will be three months next Tuesday since she died, & it has been a sad dreary winter to me, I stayed at home nearly two months, and tried to become reconciled to the great change, but could not; the house seems desolate and I feel so lonely, the first week that I came here it seemed so quiet and pleasant, & so natural to be with Susie, that I became quite cheerful, but last week I was all down again just as gloomy as ever, it seems as if half of my existence was gone, I have been trying all winter to control my feelings and not give away to them, but it is hard to do it, to control your thoughts, and I have almost lived my past life over again, but I know it was our Heavenly Fathers will therefore I am submissive, & try to think He knoweth all things best; now the winter is nearly passed, & I shall try to go out more and see if I cannot improve my health I suffer so much from lameness in my back, & [la] weakness all over me, You must try to be careful of your self, March is such a bad month for your rheumatic pains, and try to keep up the best you can, I hope Walt will soon be better, EH sent me a piece from the Long Islander, of Huntington, of his illness published in that paper. Lawyer Floid of Comac L. I. died a few days ago in the 82nd year of his age, and I suppose you have not heard that John -- Velsar of Woodbury, Died the 2nd week in Dec, quite sudenly; also in December, at the Jones Mansion Phebe Hewlett, wife of Charles Hewlett. now any dear Friend you must write to me soon, for I am anxious to hear from you, Susie joins me in sending much love; Affectionately your Friend Anna Van Wyck Please direct as before, I shall go back to Libbies in about a week; Susie wishes me to ask if you ever received the money she left in the hands of Mrs. M[arhm]ann, of Portland An.) (Mrs. Morhmann I mean Brooklyn March 9/73 My Dear Friend It is with much pleasure I seat myself this Sabbath evening to answer your kind letter I so gladly received for indeed I had thought you had forgotten me. I was very sorry I was not at home to have seen you before you left Brooklyn but I trust we may be spared to see each other again. we was sorry to learn by your letter of Marthas death it must indeed have been a hard blow to you all to have her taken away from your midts so suddenly but what a happy thought it is for us to have to know that if we do what is right in this world we will some day go to see all of our dear departed friends what a blessed thought and what a happy meeting it will be. we read in the paper of Walters illness I am glad to hear he is improveing and I hope he may be spared to you. Mother is very well she sends her love to you she woul like very much to see you and misess you too she often feels as tho she would like to put her bonnet on and run in and spend a few hours with you. Mrs Wallace starts for San Fransisco the last of next month she sends her love to you and would like to see you before she goes we will miss her very much and it will seem very loansome without her. Mrs Young's family are agoing up at Whitestone in the Spring to live they sold their house in Gates ave and have built one up there. Mrs Lucas too has sold her house and will move to Baltimore week after next there will be quite a change all around this Spring we will remain in the same house for another year and I am glad too for I do dislike so to move, my health is about the same as when you was here some times I dont feel able to be about I am agoing to wean the baby next month and perhaps I shall feel some stronger she is eleven months old and I think she is old enough she feeds very well so I dont think I shall have much trouble [[LC#283]] I have had a real seige with them this Winter Jennie and baby have had the Whooping Cough since before Christmas and are not entirely over yet Jennie had it the worst and I was afraid at one time it would go hard with her she often ask's after you and Eddie and Belle too they grow nicely and before I am aware of it I shall have young Ladies instead of three little girls. I do wish you will be able to come on to make us a visit this Summer Mrs Whitman and I know all of the neighbors would be pleased to see you. the weather now is begining to have a Spring like appearance and how pleasant it seems after such a very severe Winter. and now I guess I have written all I know of that would be interesting I will draw to a close give my love to George and his wife also to Eddie and retain a very large share for yourself. write as soon as you can for we are pleased to receive letters from you and believe me to be your affectionate friend Mary E. Mann 89. North Portland Ave Brooklyn Hattie St Louis Mo March 9th 1873 Dear Dear Grandma I received your letter but I could not answer it untill now Oh Dear Grandma how do you feel. I have just written to Uncle Walt I believe I will write to Aunt Hanna I like her letter so much she must be nice We received a letter from Mr M'Namee it was a very nice letter and we also got one from Mr Probasco I am going to write to the latter and tell him to send me that picture of Helen he promised me so long It seemes like a dream for this past three weeks Grandma you must write to us as often as you can You do not know how pleasant it is to get letters Jessie and I started school last monday she goes to the same school with me now The weather is very pleasant here. Every body has gone to church and have left Jessie and I all alone with the girls I entended to go but Jessie would not so I had to stay home to be her company. Jessie is playing with her doll & talking so loud with it that I can hear her in here. Papa hung some pictures yesterday & he hung your picture right by mama's Papa will never write a letter he makes me write all the letters Papa went to Jefferson city and has returned Grandma if I only could see you & Eddie I would be so happy Perhaps I shall home on this summer I wish I could Grandma I must study my lessons before the folks come home from church so Good Bye Dear Dear Grandma Give my love to all. Good Bye Hattie [[LC#283]] Hattie St Louis March 14th/73 Dear Dear Grandma I received your letter and Jessie received her's Poor little thing she was so glad to get a letter directed to her Papa has been to Kansas city and has just returned Papa gave me a present of a most beautiful diamond ring it is perfectly elegant it has 4 splendid diamonds and five emeralds and he gave me a Jet necklace and cross and a black locket with six pearls and he gave Jessie a plain gold ring I told him that I never got so many presents at once before I dont know what he did it for but I suppose he gave them to me because he was sorry he was going away Grandma I am very tired so I will close I will write you a long letter on Sunday when I have time Dear Grandma Good Bye Your loving girl Hattie PS. We all send our love to Eddie Uncle George & Aunt Loo Good Bye. [/page] [page] Evening Grandma after my supper I feel better so I think I can write you a little more We moved up here on Saturday it was a very snowy day Papa has a very nice room but I sleep with Minnie - Bulkley a young lady about sixteen years old I went to school the same that spinal disease is all the rage here now it is perfectly awful. you are taken so suddenly that you die before a doctor can get to you. How do you feel and how is Dear Eddie. I was looking over some old letters and [[LC#283]] saw the letter from you asking me if Eddie's money could buy me any think I believe now I think I have every thing a heart could wish Papa gives me every thing I want no matter what it is and he gives me money to carry in my pocket in case I should need it I send love to all Good Bye Hattie Woodbury May 4th 1873 My Dear Dear Friend I do want to hear from you so much I can not endure it much longer, thinking perhaps my letter never reached you, or you may have lost the address, or you may be sick so I will write you a few lines again, and inform you that I am again at the old home returned about three weeks ago my health is better in one sence I am feeling stronger and hope soon to be better of the weakness in my back, I am glad to see Spring again although the weather is cool most of the time, all the Family are very well Father & Selah have commenced thier farming work about the same as usual, and EH has concluded to stay, and raise poultry this year, and there will not be much change with them, but I am not going to work much this year for any body, I feel so sad and lonely here, now that my dear Mother is gone, but I intend to stay intil July; and then go around and visit some friends the remainder of the Summer, Jimmie wants me to come and visit Kansas City, but I shall not go this year unless he comes on, he is doing nicely in his business now, has bought his partner out and so has lost his home in consequence, & has to board now Sisters, Libbie and Susie are both very well Susie was home two weeks ago for a few days, Libbie's little Boy has been very sick with remitent fever, the second one, they all had the Measles while I was there, and doubtless left him with some weakness wich has caused this attack. -- And now Mrs Whitman will you Please write me a few lines as soon as you recieve this and tell me how you have been and how you bear your trials, and how Walt is, and poor Jeff and his little Family. I think about you all, and would like to hear so much, I did [[LC#283]] not call on Helen Price again after I went back to New York am sorry now that I did not, I did not go out much, How is Eddie, please remember me to George, & his Wife although I have never met her, if you are sick Mrs Whitman and not able to write, will they please inform me immediately Enclosed please find a kiss from your True Friend Anna Van Wyck Woodbury Queens Co. Long Island Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.