Clinton, Iowa, January 26th, 1878
Regarding inscriptions on Father Gould's grave stone.
Dear Mother
Written on back of very small envelope; Oda to Father 1878
On front of envelope: Mr. Papa Howe
Clinton Ia May 26 1878
My Dear darling Papa
I thought I must write and tell you how we were getting along.
We are all very well and are having breakfast at eight instead of seven but this morning we got up at 8:30 and had breakfast at nine.
I guess you would like to have stopped in and eat breakfast this morning we had corncake and ham strawberries and dry toast and coffee now don't you wish you could? Papa will you tell me if I improve in writing? I spent ten cents of my money for a harpers weekly and that is all I have spent.
Do you remember you told me about the little wrens scolding the big birds away well I saw one do it.
I will send you what the herald says about your going away. I want to see you so much Papa but if you get better I shall be pleased. I will close now for I have used up my paper. Good bye from your loving daughter Oda
February 18, 1879, Clinton, Iowa.
[This written on envelope: Care of M.C. Tucker, 2nd auditor's office, Treasury Department. Washington DC Pepa's writing "Frank Tucker's father. Don't know the writer." Apparently Harriet Sibley is a nanny, babysitter/housekeeper. She was previously in letters from Clinton in Nov 1871 and Mr. Sibley is mentioned from 1889 in New York where they were visiting.]
Mr. Howe and Mrs. Howe,
I suppose you would like to hear from the Children, they are well and Mary says she has had good times at school, and at home, and at her sings.
Daisy comes to me, and kneels down, and tries, to say her little blessed prayer I think that is good enough.
Last Monday night at 12 o'clock, the wind commenced blowing and continued to blow, very hard until Wednesday, and it was very cold. Mary did not go to school until Wednesday noon.
Hadi melted the ice them cold days. We have got along nicely as far as I know. Your beef has not come. Mary said she should like some beef and we bought some. I should like to hear from you, and how is little Oda, they are all a bed and asleep and I am going to bed so goodnight.
My best regards to you, Harriet Sibley? [Harriet Sibley, nanny]
[Notes from a child, George? Same envelope. In very childlike block letters:]
DEAR PAPA AND MAMMA. I HAVE BEEN TO CHURCH TODAY AND SABBATH SCHOOL I AM WELL AND DAISY TOO I HAVE A GOOD TIME AND I AM NOT HOME SICK I SEND A KISS TO ALL OF YOU AND DAISY SENDS A KISS
1879?
Another letter saying "from Mrs. Keith". Dr. S. Keith wrote from Mechanicsville in Nov72 on the occasion of George Alonzo's birth. Apparently they were very good friends.
Tuesday evening
Dear Mrs. Howe,
We have enjoyed the girls visit very much, was disappointed in not seeing Mary, but if you was ill you needed her with you. To me it seems quite an event to have you return east! but hope it will be a means of improved health for you all. In your removal Clinton will lose one of its most useful influential citizens in your husband, and in yourself one who has always set a good example for others to copy. I trust your new home will be pleasant. I shall often think of you and of your kindness bestowed. I shall ever feel an interest for your children, the thought of the long distance that will separate them from us is touching and painful. When you are well settled in your dear N. England home cannot Mary let me hear from you sometimes. I wish I was near you to assist you what I could in making ready for your journey. Please accept of a good bye kiss from your loving friend
Hastily, M. B. K.
P.S. Thanks for the pretty ?sabot.
The family moved from Clinton sometime in 1879. They bought the house in Danvers, 11Peabody Ave., in Oct., 1879.
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Boxford, June 12/ 79
My dear little niece [Daisy 9]
It is high time your nice letter was answered. I some expect Nettie [Annette 15] will come home this week if she does not I shall send your letters to her. I am very glad you like your teacher. Our school is not much larger than yours, one of the schools has closed until March on account of sickness. We do not have as cold weather as you do but perhaps it is to come. You give my love to your mother and ask her if she does not think it her duty to write to me. She has her three girls with her, mine are all away. I should really like to know how she likes my girl. [Soph's daughter, Susie Sawyer 24, acting as housekeeper]
I wish you had been down to George Peabody's to Christmas. You would have enjoyed seeing the tree, and the children. Anna is a good little girl very well behaved. I suppose they will go to Florida when George comes back from the West. I wish you would write me something about your sister Oda [12]. You know I have never seen her. I suppose Mamie [14] is quite a young lady. These girls grow up so quick. Do you play with dolls now? I should think you girls would have real nice times. Enjoy all you can, you may look back upon these days as the happiest of your life. What does George [7] do out of school? Play with his father I suppose. I wish your father could be well and strong as he was when he used to boil sirp in the sugar place. We have some sweet memories of his boyhood. He has been a good brother all these years that his hair has been turning grey. I pity those who have no brothers and sisters. Ike [21] has been sleigh riding. Trub? is here this evening. They all remember little Daisy. Now my dear will you write to me again soon. Give my love to all the girls, your Papa, Mama and George.
Tell Susie Mrs. Cleveland is very sick. I have not written much of a letter but the boys have been talking fast as they
Be very careful and not freeze your toes, and look after Susie a little, so that she does not freeze her nose.
Lovingly from Aunt Soph