Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Anna Aitken in Dunfermline to John Pitcairn, Jr. Aitken thanks Pitcairn for his kind offer to be her escort, however she is sorry to say she has already booked passage with the Cunard Line. She intends to write to Miss Franks Liverpool today, requesting that she secure a place on the Perthia, which sails on the 14th. Maria Hogan had led Aitken to expect a visit from Pitcairn, but his letter settles the question. Aitken reports that her brother’s health is now much...

Scope and Contents Letter from B. F. Glenn at 1700 Green Street, Philadelphia to J. Pitcairn. Glenn plans to travel with his daughter Mary to attend Convention in Cincinnati. As he does not have much experience traveling, he hopes to convince J. Pitcairn to join them, or if not, to give them recommendations regarding route and arrangements. Glenn reports that they are getting along pleasantly in Church matters and that “the storm is over and past.” He writes that things are also going well with their...

Scope and Contents Handrwitten letter from C. Sargent to John Pitcairn. Written at the Logan House in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Rail Road Company letterhead. C. Sargent, who appears to be a coworker of John Pitcairn’s on the Pennsylvania Rail Road, writes to Pitcairn about his two recent fishing trips; one out West in Iowa with his sister Verlinda, and one in Sandy Ridge (PA?) with 7 other railroad men. He hopes Pitcairn will join them on the next one. He mentions Pitcairn’s last letter to him, a...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Dr. George R. Starkey in Philadelphia to his wife, Caira Skelton Starkey. G. R. Starkey, M. D. letterhead. G Starkey received C Starkey’s letter last night but was too tired to answer. In case she hasn’t received his letter of last Thursday, he will recapitulate its contents: C Starkey should remain where she is until she wears out her welcome, be in Boston on the 4th, if disposed, visit Bridg- (?) and elsewhere, and then return home during the second week of July. G...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Dr. George R. Starkey in Washington to Gertrude Starkey Pitcairn. G. R. Starkey thanks Gertrude for her card. He was going to write them a letter today except that Mrs. Perinchief was going up and could act as a living letter. He wonders if she had a good time in Georgetown and hopes she made it safely to Green Street. He hopes Gertrude enjoyed Lohengrin and that her sewing is going well. He also hopes her mother’s head has “recovered it’s sensibility,” as it is “such...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Dr. George R. Starkey in Washinton, to Gertrude Starkey Pitcairn. "G. R. Starkey, M.D." letterhead. G. R. Starkey writes this letter as his representative tomorrow on Gertrude’s 19th birthday. He is enclosing “a large sum of money” - 100 cents – to commemorate the day, though he wonders if it isn’t time for the children to start giving their mother something on their birthdays to express what they owe her. Mrs. Hatch sends Gertrude love and congratulations on her...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from E. Westervelt in Philadelphia to John Pitcairn Jr. Westervelt has received J. Pitcairn’s renewed invitation to visit Renovo, but unfortunately his poor health prevents him from leaving the city. He has not heard from his nephew since he last wrote to Pitcairn and so assumes he has made some other arrangement. Westervelt reports on a recent meeting of the three Philadelphia societies at the Broad Street Church “to institute measures for encouraging friendly...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Edith (no surname given) at 173 Charles Street, Boston to "Gertie" Gertrude Starkey Pitcairn. Edith and her family were glad to receive Gertrude’s letter as it relieved them of anxiety as to her fate. Edith is sorry to hear of Gertrude’s severe cold, and she hopes that rest, quiet, and steady warmth will restore her voice so that she can tell her mother and the children of her time in Boston. Edith regrets to report that Mrs. Brown made an appearance with Andrew...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Edith (no surname given) in Washington, D.C. to Gertrude Starkey Pitcairn. "First Class" seal pressed into upper left corner. Edith received Gertrude’s letter from her father today. She had intended to stop over in Philadelphia, but business calls her to New York immediately. She hopes to be home when Gertrude arrives. Edith will meet her at the station if she sends a telegram. Edith’s mother will be very glad to see Gertrude; She still cherishes a knitted ball that...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Franklin Ballou in Pittsburgh to ? (name illegible; possibly Herrin Linbrow Gunn or Gums?) in Philadlephia. Date may be 1873 or possibly 1876? Handwriting difficult to decipher. Summary: Ballou’s miserable ears are giving him so much trouble that he has almost decided to come to Philadelphia and have Dr. Turnbull (?) operate on them. This would require two operations with a day in-between, and “as there are no golden chords that would hold [him] to the city of quaker...