My Tree

Deeply Rooted

Letter: Personal

Source 078 – Personal Letter by Unknown

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Author: unknown [R. Wedgewood?, Aberdeen, WA]
Title: Letter to “Nephew” Charles Thomas of Hood River, OR
Date: 02 February 1905
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: Francis “Fannie” L. Irwin-Coe was aunt to Charles R. Thomas and lived in Hood River, OR. Fannie had daughters Lillie R. and Myrtle G. In addition, Fannie’s brother was David S. Irwin who married Mary E. Burdick. All of these first names are referenced in her letter.

February 2, 1905
Hood River, Oregon
Charles Thomas

Dear Nephew:
I received your ever welcome letters and was glad to hear from that (hobo?) that I came up the back street last summer. Dave and Mary are out to Lillie’s. I expect them in any day now. Rebecca stays with us. She has not lost a days school yet has been five months. Myrtle and Howel has moved over in Washington. He has a five months school is teaching will come back as soon as school is out. Well, it is a gloomy cloudy day the old bear could not see his shadow to day (Feb. second). We had some snow here but the coldest its been is 20 above zero. Fred is gaining in flesh but the asthma’s still bothers him. Mrs. Nobles health is poor this winter . don’t think she will last many years. Wish you folks could have some of my strawberries. we cannot use them all no Charlie I don’t never expect to see Michigan again you could not persuade George to come back there. That young fellow is still very attentive to Lillie Shutes.
[R. Wedgwood, Aberdeen, Washington???]

Source 077 – Personal Letter by George F. Coe

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Author: Geo F. Coe of Hood River, OR
Title: Letter to “Nephew” Charles Thomas of Dorr, MI
Date: 28 January 1905
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Hood River, Oregon
Jan. 28, 1905

Charles Thomas, Dorr, MI
Dear Nephew,
and all. we received your letter two of them last evening and glad that every thing is lovely and goose hangs high in Michigan. We have a fine extra winter. Had a weeks of snow slush. Two nights it has frosted so to form a light crust. Warm a spring. Today bees flying. Well have bare meat yet. Had some for dinner. Dave is out to Lillies and we will have a change now when he comes back. He is trapping coyotes and the bill of fare will be coyote meat butter on two plates, three kinds of pie, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and cheese. Well Charley I think your pie is dough. Lillie Shuti had two strings to her bean last week. Howell is teaching school over in Washington and they live over there now. He is over today. Will go back this evening. Well Hickox was just in and I had a chat with him the same old coon. Comes down every day to get the Jap/Jax news. Well write soon. Yours as ever, Geo F. Coe
We are all well. Give best regards to all inquiring friends.

Source 076 – Personal Letter by Unknown

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Author: unknown of Aberdeen, WA
Title: Letter to Charley Thomas [Charles R. Thomas] of Hood River, OR
Date: 24 September 1904
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Aberdeen, Washington
September 24, 1904

Mr. Charley Thomas, Hood River, Oregon
Dear friend,
Well I was over the river today and seen Ben. He is filing saws at the Union mills they open up Thursday. The foreman thought he would have a good job for us. Any way they is lots of work from $2.75 to $3.25 a day. I think I….[remaining letter is missing]

Source 065 – Personal Letter by Annie L. Jenks

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Author: Annie L. Jenks of Dryden, NY
Title: Letter to “Brother” George [George S. Thomas] and Sister Julia
Date: 03 December 1903
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

1903
Dryden, NY

[George & Julia Thomas]

My Dear Brother:

Your card is at hand, and I will write you at once so you will know how I am. For a number of days I did not gain much. My heart was so weak. But I got some medicine that helped me. I am not able to be round much but am on the gain. “O brother George how sorry I am for poor Dear Jim. I am afraid he will never will be any better. If he had only staid here with me. He was getting smart but he was set on starting for somewhere. We never will know how much hardships he has gone through with, if he could been contented here for a short time. We had a fine visit at you house. You and sister Julia had such nice things to eat. and your fine convenient house. but poor Jim I am so grieved about him. I do hope the Lord will spare his life to see us once more.

Jenks is here in Dryden at work for Mr Rockwell. He had to come here and earn a living for Ashur. He done all he could on the old farm this year but he had not one ear of corn nor one thing to sell. Katie has had to stay here and care for me. She says only for the pasture it is a failure for making a living. Edwin thought the heirs of Mary would be dissatisfied if he sold some wood to buy groceries and tobacco to keep Ashur on so he has to hire a man to do his chores and he works here. He raised a very fat hog so he thoughtt to help. His grain was a failure and Katie says he worked very faithful and cultivated and hoed but the farm is run out. The old Thomas farm is run entirely out nothing but strawberries grow. We are having very mild weather some snow but not sleighing. I am not able to go out any. But was fortunate in not having bones broke. Now George we must write to Jim and it will cheer him some while amongst strangers. I will send him a good long letter so he won’t think I am forgetful of him. I send my best regards to all of the dear friends Jane and Dan and Charley [Annie’s niece and nephews? George’s daughter and sons?]. I will write soon to Nellie and Eva [Annie’s nieces? George S. Thomas’ daughters?]. It was my intention to send the girls some Christmas presents but I will have to get able to go to Ithica City first.

Now hoping the Lord will bless all of you. I am very truly yours,
Annie L. Jenks
to my Brother George & Sister Julia
12m & 3d day, 1903

Katie sends her love to all of you and Mr. Jenks the same. Take good care of my nice kitten and give him a sly pie[?] and a kiss.

Source 081 – Personal Letter by E.B. Ketchum

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Author: EB Ketchum
Title: Letter to “Brother” George [George S. Thomas]
Date: 16 May 1902
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: I initially thought this to be Jane Thomas’s husband, Eugene B. Ketchum; however, some records indicate that he died in 1884. Could it be this letter is written by his namesake/son?

Manton, MI
May 16, 1902

Dear Brother,
Yours of the 14th received in regard to the estate my wife wishes you to pay the money and as soon as the first sale is made to take the same out and oblige yours respectfully. EB Ketchum

George we have been looking for you this long time to trout fish. Now don’t play no game on us we are all quite well, but ma she is not feeling very good. Love to all.
Ma say to bring sister Julia along, also Jane [Julia’s sister or daughter? undetermined]

Source 184 – Personal Letter by E.P. Thomas

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Author: E.P. Thomas of Foxburg, PA
Title: Letter to George S. Thomas of N. Dorr, Allegan Co, MI
Date: 24 July 1901
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Dear Sir and Brother,
Hat is washing the dinner dishes and is well. I have a lame ankle. Can’t hardily walk. It is hot weather and all crops look fairly good. Some corn poor. Now George, enclosed is a letter from John H. Miller the attorney at Marathon N.Y. in regard to the will and how to proceed at once. You will see that we just made an invoice of things after Mary died but only by our selves Jenks, Katie, Aceph Goodale and self. Aceph Goodale of Homer Fays Bay [unclear] you see they have put a road through up the [unclear] still and things is going to suit the parties up there in your immediate answer you inform me what to do by the way Millers letter directs. Read it very careful and what ever you say I will do. George, please return Millers letter in your letter of advice for I want to keep his correspondence. Don’t delay. Yours Truly, E.P. Thomas

We can do most of the business such as notifying and then I will go up. You understand the citations as Millers letter explained.