Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series:

Internal Church and Academy correspondence, various authors

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Dr. George R. Starkey in Washington, D. C. to his daughter, Gertrude Starkey Pitcairn. “G. R. Starkey, M. D.” letterhead. Dated "Sunday 28 1876" Mrs. H. (Hatch?) and Aunt (Sarah?) now wish to travel on Wednesday, and, as Starkey plans to accompany them to Philadelphia, this leaves him very little time to collect payments etc. He is doubtful he can get everything done in one day, but in any event, he expects to be at home on Saturday. If Gertrude needs anything in...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Dr. George R. Starkey in Washington, D. C. to his daughter, Gertrude Starkey Pitcairn. Embossed seal with the word “Extra” in the center pressed into the upper left corner of the first page. As Starkey is Gerturde’s “accepted lover” and she is “greedy” for his letters, he must cater to her appetite. On Sunday, he spoke with Mamma and prepared her “to recognize the changes which evolution necessarily brings about. So that, if she should fully realize the state of your...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Dr. George R. Starkey in Washington, D. C. to his daughter, Theodora Starkey Smith. “G. R. Starkey, M. D.” letterhead. Starkey acknowledges Dora’s favor, received Dec. 28th. Reading it, he was glad to learn that the children had a very nice party at Auntie Peirsol’s, which Auntie P. enjoyed almost as much as they did. They should all feel very grateful to the Peirsol folks for “getting up such fine entertainment.” He was pleased that Dora and Cara took the...

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 Abell 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 Gertrude left...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Edith Abell 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 Webster in tow...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Emilie Tafel at 14 Rothbury Villas, London to John Pitcairn, Jr. Two pages, second page damaged and particularly fragile. On returning from Birmingham, the Tafel’s received the paper announcing Pitcairn’s safe arrival in New York. They have been expecting a letter from him ever since regarding the rest of his trip to Ireland and voyage home. Rather than wait, Mrs. Tafel has decided to send news and to say again how thankful she and Mr. Tafel are for Pitcairn’s...

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...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Gertrude Starkey Pitcairn in Philadelphia to her father, Dr. George R. Starkey. Gertrude has been thinking about her father lately and the constant strain he is under to upkeep the family’s finances. She feels something ought to be done to lower their cost of living, and she suggests moving somewhere with cheaper rent and provisions where they can dress more plainly. While she enjoyed being a bridesmaid and her trip to Boston, she now regrets the expenses involved;...