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Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to Carrie, Oct. 1872:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: October 13, 1872
Text: Vassar College. Oct. 13, 1872. Dear Carrie, "Another six days work is done" and I again take my "pen in hand" etc. With me it has been a very uneventful week, and with you, I suppose, quite otherwise, for the first week of your return must have been somewhat filled up with visits. If I were of the homesick kind I presume I would be "blue" enough, because I have not had any letters from you all since those written in Janesville. Ihave to comfort myself with the...
Show moreVassar College. Oct. 13, 1872. Dear Carrie, "Another six days work is done" and I again take my "pen in hand" etc. With me it has been a very uneventful week, and with you, I suppose, quite otherwise, for the first week of your return must have been somewhat filled up with visits. If I were of the homesick kind I presume I would be "blue" enough, because I have not had any letters from you all since those written in Janesville. Ihave to comfort myself with the old saying that "bad news travels fast" and believe that you are well since I have heard nothing to the contrary. I shall be disappointed enough if I do not get a letter from home tomorrow, for I have counted the days and find there is time for a letter. Friday afternoon I was somewhat surprised to find Ida Whitman here. She had come to see her sister Nellie and enquired for me as well as her other friends here. You know she has two own cousins here, Mary Taylor and Carrie Norton. Ida Is quite small and dark, I find, but quitelively and perfectly at her ease. She spoke in affectionate terms of you and hoped to hear soon from you, as "Carrie wrote such entertaining letters." I fear Jenny Is quite homesick, although she does not say so. She Is not well pleased at being a preparatory, but I think It in her own fault. If she had only been examined through Algebra and Geometry when she came all would have been right, for I am almost certain she could have passed. I shall never say another ward in favor of your coming here, for perhaps, you might he discontented and then I should blame myself. Persons tastes are so different, that no two are ever satisfied with the same thing. In Literature we have begun right in the middle. Instead of at either end. Shakespeare is the first person whom we have studied. We have had to write an essay upon him. This, of course, has caused me much trouble and grief but now that it is off my mind I am greatly relieved. It Is very cold now, and the College having been somewhat torn up In the tower regions is as like a barn In regard to warmth as it can well be.My highneck wrappers are not at all unseasonable. Soon we hope to keep a little more comfortable. Remember me to all the servants & don't forget to tell them how much obliged I am for their nice presents. Love to Papa, Mamma and yourself. Julie.
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Title: Barnes, Lucy -- to mother, Jun. 9, 1872:
Creator: Barnes-Sellers, Lucy
Description: VC 1875
Date: June 9, 1872
Text: Vassar, Under the woods under trees. Sunday afternoon June 9. 1872. My dear Parents; In the noon matt yesterday I received letters from both of you much to my delight as I could not bear to have the week pass with out them. Last Friday evening we had a chapter meeting for the nomination of officers* which are to be voted upon next week—I was put up for secretary but have no idea that I shall ever fill that office... I will however be better able to tell you after that time. Saturday the...
Show moreVassar, Under the woods under trees. Sunday afternoon June 9. 1872. My dear Parents; In the noon matt yesterday I received letters from both of you much to my delight as I could not bear to have the week pass with out them. Last Friday evening we had a chapter meeting for the nomination of officers* which are to be voted upon next week—I was put up for secretary but have no idea that I shall ever fill that office... I will however be better able to tell you after that time. Saturday the Sophomore fe Juniors were all pretty busy— The Sophs,on a account of the party given to the Frosh- and the Juniors on account of the same - for the Seniors- Just before Chapel some of us were privileged to see the College Parlors which the Juniors had fixed ap for their entertainment. Really I never saw them look so lovely- before -They For the first time since the college was furnished took home Ctct down the old pictures of Mr. Vassar's home &ct. and in their place had some of the handsomest pictures In college. They had two harps made of flowers beside ever so many large boquets &ct. In the center of the two rooms they had large balls of ferns- Then too they had the grand piano from the Presidents house in there— All the faculty were invited and from all accounts they had a splendid time— In room J. which opens Into the parlors — they had their table. It was all fixed up too— They had hot & cold supper both and very even allowed wine, just think of that for Yassar. About 3 o'clock we, the Sophs & Fresh- went over to the Gymnasium were we were rec'd. by Miss Cushlng president of the Sophs. From the minute I entered the hall I knew I would have a splendid time for immediately upon entering the room we were handed printed programs lor dancing and upon the plantform sat two musicians besides the pianist I could not keep my feet still— the music was so splendid. The Soph were Just as attentive as could be and did every tfrfag they could to make us enjoy our selves. In Hie society hall refreshments were served from 8.30 - 9.30 The table was set along the platform - which !s very low- and in the room small tables were set which held two or three- Several of the Sophs were waitress and looked too pretty for anything they all wore white and on their shoulders long streamers of the College colors... After we danced a long while we sang College songs accompanied by the music- ft was Just splendid and I dont think I ever enjoyed my self more since I have been in College. We stayed up until nearly twelve. . how is that for Vaasar? I hope next year we the class of '75 my make it as pleasant for '76 as '74 has for us. Yesterday Immediately after dinner we had our class elections- which resulted as follows- Miss Lough - pres. Miss Kellog Vice Pres.- Miss Buffington Sec- Miss Hollister Trea. I don't suppose I need reiterate about our rooms la this letter as no doubt you have received my last telling you the decision and when I get hold of you I am going to ask for some thing real elegant for my room because you know I will be here for three years after this- some thing perfectly lovely. This morning I was in Sue's room and she wanted to know that ti Saliie Herman came to our house whether she might come up to Vassar with you- as Mrs Herman cannot come up- and Victors is coming with 3 or 4 young gentlemen so that it would not be pleasant for either part if she came with him-- X know you would only be happy of her company but Sue insisted upon my asking you the question— X have been able to get tickets for Auntie and Howard. As yet I am unable to inform you as to "Original sir &ct— but will endeavor to find cut who wrote it— Affec- & loving Lucy- Lucy (Sellers) Barnes, '75Mrs. John Sellers Jr 3300 Arch Street West Phila Penn @
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Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to father, Oct. 9, 1870:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: October 9, 1870
Text: Vassar College. Oct. 9th 1870 My dear Papa* Another Sunday has come and this afternoon before service in Chapel commences I will write you. This morning a young lady and myself have been out hunting chestnuts. We did not have very good luck for X think X found only about a dozen. Sunday hero is such a very gloomy day that we will do almost anything to make it pass quickly. Thereare a good many chestnut trees In the Collage grounds but among four hundred girls some are always ready to pick the...
Show moreVassar College. Oct. 9th 1870 My dear Papa* Another Sunday has come and this afternoon before service in Chapel commences I will write you. This morning a young lady and myself have been out hunting chestnuts. We did not have very good luck for X think X found only about a dozen. Sunday hero is such a very gloomy day that we will do almost anything to make it pass quickly. Thereare a good many chestnut trees In the Collage grounds but among four hundred girls some are always ready to pick the nuts up as quickly as they fall. After taking a morning walk on Sunday I generally go In library and read until dinner which is at one oclock. Then write and dress until chapel exercises. Is our church nearly finished? X should like so much to see it for it will be lovely when completed. President Raymond has preached here one Sunday and a minister from Poughkeepsie the other while I have been here but neither were at all Interesting sermons. I hope this afternoon wo will have something batter. In the evening we have aprayer meeting and as we have services in chapel directly after breakfast every morning I think we have sufficient religious instruction. Although in a short time we commence having bible classes on Sunday. The advantages here in some respects are not so very great. None of the preparatory classes have exercises In either reading or spelling, and none lower than the Freshman class write compositions. I am very glad I do not have to do the latter. But of course it would be very improving for me too; it is too bed we do not take rending lessons for I am very deficient in that respect and would like to make it up. I think I shall ask the Pres. to let me have a practise period everyday although 1 do not expect to take music lessons, for if X do not touch the piano for a whole year I shall forget all I know about music. They charge a dollar a month for use of piano. Do you think it will be worth while? You wrote some time ago that you were having the stove room and bathroom made. Will they be finished by the time Mamma and Carrie return? They will be quite an addition to the house, making it so much more convenient. The bell will ring for chapel in a few moments and I must close. Accept lots of love and kisses from your aff. daughter Julie M. Peasep.S. I have a favor to ask of you. Carrie is almost twenty years old and has a great desire to possess a watch. Will you give her oae for a birthday preseat? If you do she would have to get it this fall before she goes heme as she may aot come North i»r a year or two agaia. Almost all girls her age now have watches aad it would make her perfectly happy to receive such a preseat. loviagly Julie. (Julia M. Pease, »75,
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Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to father, Dec. 1871:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: December 17, 1871
Text: Vassar College Sunday pec. 17, 1871, My dear Papa, W e are having a perfect siege of cold weather. All last winter thers was not snore than a week of such intense cold as this. We feel it most at night. The room grows so cold that we scarcely know whether we are indoors or out and several nights I have fled from my bed to the register for protection from the cold, for the bed is as cold as the room. I wish I was at home to make with you to make an inroad upon the pantry with intention t? , to...
Show moreVassar College Sunday pec. 17, 1871, My dear Papa, W e are having a perfect siege of cold weather. All last winter thers was not snore than a week of such intense cold as this. We feel it most at night. The room grows so cold that we scarcely know whether we are indoors or out and several nights I have fled from my bed to the register for protection from the cold, for the bed is as cold as the room. I wish I was at home to make with you to make an inroad upon the pantry with intention t? , to the pies. I think we would come out victorious and laden with mince pies. I find this letter begun in my desk and although 1 ought not to send it now will do so, for it will save you the beginning of another. The weather has moderated and we do not now have any difficulty in keeping warm. The ground is covered with snow. I wish you could know Dr. Avery. She is so very nice* She Is very strong minded and is disliked by many of the girls because she so abomi- nates shams. She is very cross sometimes when the girls go to her, but it is because they do not go to her until they are very sick and then she can do nothing but send them home. I have always found her very pleasant, but then I have never been sick here* Col. Smith seems a great friend of hers and X wish you would ask him of her when he is at our house, for X admire her so much. Among tho no tables here is Maggie Stanton, a daughter of £. C. Stanton* She looks a good like the pictures I have seen oI her mother and appears like a very nice girl. There is a grandchild of Garrett Davis1 here, from Kentucky. Miss McGowan. Of course you know all about him but I can only remember hearing the name. You must forgive me for not sending you my essay, but it is such a poor productionthat I cannot send it. They are all hard to write but 1 have never dreaded any so much as the first. W hea are you all going to have your pictures taken? I want thorn so much. It seems hard for me whoa all the other girls are going homo this Christmas that I cannot, for going to Binghamton, although very pleas ant, is not like going homo. Thursday morning at ten I laavo. Quito a number are going at the same time to Binghamton and it will bo somewhat gay. W ith love to everybody and heaps of kisses for yourself your loving Julia. (Julia M. Pease, <75,
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Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to father, Sep. 1870:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: September 23, 1870
Text: Dear Papa, Vassar College Sept. 23, 1870 It Is some time since I have written to you hut we have been travelling about so much lately that I have not had time and Mamma and Carrie have written which will do as well. Now that I xm settled however, I intend writing often. I presume you will be somewhat surprised to find that I am here. The entrance examination was very hard but I passed it very well except in History which study I shallhave to review by myself and be reexamined in it before...
Show moreDear Papa, Vassar College Sept. 23, 1870 It Is some time since I have written to you hut we have been travelling about so much lately that I have not had time and Mamma and Carrie have written which will do as well. Now that I xm settled however, I intend writing often. I presume you will be somewhat surprised to find that I am here. The entrance examination was very hard but I passed it very well except in History which study I shallhave to review by myself and be reexamined in it before Christmas. They are so very thorough here and I have not studied for so long a time that I did not pass in either French or Algebra and have to go in the preparatory class, but the highest one which will entitle me to the Freshman another year if I come. I am not much discouraged for many who had expected to enter the Freshman or Sophmore classes have been put Into the preparatory. The studies that have been assigned me are double Latin, that is two lessons a day. French and Algebra. It seems too bad that I have to take Algebra over againbut whan we once finish a study hero we certainly know it. We left Carrie in Binghamton whore she will stay for some weeks. Mamma came oa here with me but left yesterday morning far Now York. I think she will only remain there a few days and then go on to Conn, and prepare for going South. She is very much disappointed because she can not go home as soon as she had expected, but we saw In the papers there wore 50 deaths of yellow fever e week end I presume It Is growing worse. We are required here to give "testomonials" from home* I believe from the minister as to your character*You wrote %at Mr* Allen wished to call on us in Conn* it will be too bad if he goes to Poquonock when none of us sre there. Auntie has gone on to the centenary convention I believe in Boston. Mamiui hoped to get back to P. in time to go with her but I think will not. After this you will have to direct your letters to me to Vassar College, Poughkeepsie. Give my love to all at home. Z am afraid you will be disappointed because Z am aot coming home this fall but the year will not seem long Z hope. Your aff. daughter Julie M. Pease \ iJulia M. Pease, '75,
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Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to mother, May 1872:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: May 19, 1872
Text: Vassar College, May 25, 1872. My dear Mamma, Having taken my exercise right after dinner, now while others are walking I can write. Chapel service in the evening now is at half past seven, this gives us three quarters of an hour after supper for exercise, which is very nice this warm weather. Day before yesterday I was ordered to the French table. The command did not give me very much pleasure, for I liked my seat at the table this time. Mollie Hill as beside me and she is quite interesting...
Show moreVassar College, May 25, 1872. My dear Mamma, Having taken my exercise right after dinner, now while others are walking I can write. Chapel service in the evening now is at half past seven, this gives us three quarters of an hour after supper for exercise, which is very nice this warm weather. Day before yesterday I was ordered to the French table. The command did not give me very much pleasure, for I liked my seat at the table this time. Mollie Hill as beside me and she is quite interesting at times I think if it wasnot for Miss Haskell, my Corridor teacher. At the french table we have not begun to talk much, simply asking for necessaries in French, Soon I hope we will do better. Charlotte Cushman will read in Po'keepssie tomorrow night. Although I should much like to hear her, there are various reasons to keep me away. Some of the Vassar girls are going, as she reads for some charitable purpose. We have been desired to state whether we will return next year. I have giveN my name as one of those who return, because if I should come back it will be better to have done so. Now, will you please tell what it is you desire inregard to the subject? It is entirely in your heads to do with me as you please. I don't want to decide for myself for I don't know what is best. Since the talk of my going to Europe I have no faith in my own decisions. I then so utterly failed in my attempts. Carrie has been at home for so long, would it not be better to have her come here or somewhere for a change and let me stay at home? Please write me what the decision of the family council will be. Have the "Dolly Vardens" reached you yet? Here, everything is a Dolly Varden, dresses, hats, etc. Some of the dresses are very pretty, and again, they remind me forcibly of thattulip bedquilt which Papa admired so much. Don't you remember, it belonged to old Mrs. Hall who had the "little button yallers." What a loss we have had In the death of the horses. I have mourned old grey so much. Jewell I suppose, was old enough to leave the land of the living, but the other two were quite youthful. Will Martha's daughter remain with you? I should think you would need her. I hope Papa did not have one of his usual bilious attacks after his return from Cincinnati. At what time do you aaw think of coming North? Very soon, I hope. Only five weeks before school closes. Please give my love to all friends who maycare for It. Mrs. Raymend and Mrs. Hamilton In particular. I love them so much. Keep lots of love far yourself from Julia.
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Title: Worthing, Margaret (Fletcher) -- to family, May 27, 1908:
Creator: Worthing, Margaret (Fletcher)
Description
Date: 27 May 1908
Text: Cranford [11?] Thurs. A.M. May 27th 1908? Dear parents; - A horrid, beastly, drizzly, rainy day, - no Brooklyn, Summit or anything else. Yesterday morning Cousin Ed took Cousin Minnie, Ella, and me on a three and one half hour ride into the country around Cranford - a perfectly georgious [sp:gorgeous?] ride. He tries to stay out all he can while on his vacation, so in the afternoon he and Willie walked 10 miles, but he was done [...] by night. He is aging some. He does not walk as spritly as...
Show moreCranford [11?] Thurs. A.M. May 27th 1908? Dear parents; - A horrid, beastly, drizzly, rainy day, - no Brooklyn, Summit or anything else. Yesterday morning Cousin Ed took Cousin Minnie, Ella, and me on a three and one half hour ride into the country around Cranford - a perfectly georgious [sp:gorgeous?] ride. He tries to stay out all he can while on his vacation, so in the afternoon he and Willie walked 10 miles, but he was done [...] by night. He is aging some. He does not walk as spritly as of yore. Lassie was home for over night. In the P.M. yesterday we went to the card club. I expected to have a dull time, but not so, - I quite enjoyed myself. It was bridge, of course. Grace has sent your Mon. ^letter on to me. I wish the suit were right. They are all lovely to me here. All for now- Margaret.
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Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 1 October 1902
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 1 October 1902

Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, circa 16 February 1903
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: circa 16 February 1903

Title: MacCoy, Marjorie Newell -- to Family, 15 March 1908
Creator: MacCoy, Marjorie Newell
Description: VC 1911
Date: 15 March 1908

Title: Jackson, Helen -- to Ann Scholfield, Apr. 1875:
Creator: Jackson (Basfield), Helen
Description: VC 1879
Date: April 04, 1875
Text: Vassar College April 4, 1875. Dear Cousin Ann, We were delighted to get your letter a day or two ago. 1 think it is very strange 1 do not hear from Aunt Helen. I wrote quite a while ago sending her my picture and she has not acknowledged it. Our vacation is most over, we begin to study again Thursday. We have had a very quiet but very pleasant rest. We have read "Our Mutual Friend" out loud, and we liked it very much. Yesterday morning I went over the steward*s department and since...
Show moreVassar College April 4, 1875. Dear Cousin Ann, We were delighted to get your letter a day or two ago. 1 think it is very strange 1 do not hear from Aunt Helen. I wrote quite a while ago sending her my picture and she has not acknowledged it. Our vacation is most over, we begin to study again Thursday. We have had a very quiet but very pleasant rest. We have read "Our Mutual Friend" out loud, and we liked it very much. Yesterday morning I went over the steward*s department and since then it is a wonder to me that we have as good food as we do. Perhaps you would like to know a little of what it takes to feed four hundred girls. When we have beefsteak it takes 158 lbs. We drink 350 qts. of milk a day, and use when 2 barrels of flour. There are two bakers andAwe have rolls for breakfast they have to begin to bake them at midnifeht. We use 75 Ibs.to 100 of butter a day, 7 or 8 bushels of potatoes a day. When we have eggs we take 1200. Aren't the pictures of the children splendid? Have you a cabinet siaed one of Richie ? I hope you have for they are so good. In Mamma's last letter she told us to be ready for a telegram any day after the twentieth, for they are only going to stay a very short time in New York, and shall want us to come right down to see them. Isn't it splen- did to think that we shall probably see them two months sooner than we expected to? We have had several spring days but to-day it is quite chilly. Sept. 22, 1869 - 1875 In Richie's last latter he said they had had but little confusion so far, and that he thought they would get off nicely. With much love to Cousin Ellen, Cousin Adeline and yourself, X am your loving, Helen F. Banfield. (Helen (Banfield) Jackson, '79, To Ann Scholfleld, Boston.T
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Title: Warner, Martha S. -- to sister, Dec. 1865:
Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Description: VC 1868
Date: December 13, 1865
Text: VASSAR FEMALE COLLEGE, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Dec. 13 1865 My very dear Sister Nell, I don't owe you a letter to be sure, nevertheless, I feel moved in spirit to write you a birthday epistle in as much as I can't give you any birthday kisses. What a pity that you did make your advent into this world in summer, and then we could all celebrate together. I haven't any thing remarkable to say, having used up all my ideas on your last letter. The all absorbing topic at present is, "...
Show moreVASSAR FEMALE COLLEGE, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Dec. 13 1865 My very dear Sister Nell, I don't owe you a letter to be sure, nevertheless, I feel moved in spirit to write you a birthday epistle in as much as I can't give you any birthday kisses. What a pity that you did make your advent into this world in summer, and then we could all celebrate together. I haven't any thing remarkable to say, having used up all my ideas on your last letter. The all absorbing topic at present is, "When are you going to leave?" A great many are going Wednesday, but we stay till Thursday, thereby going down with Cousin Emma,and seeing the last of the College also. We received a very urgent invitation from Aunt Mary this morning, via Miss Gilbert. I wish that we were not engaged for Brooklyn, as she says that it is probably the last vacation she will be keeping house. Fanny Miller has written us, not only inviting us for the Holidays, but for all other vacations we may have here. (What a pleasant thing it is to have friends. Libbie Trowbridge has sent us word that we must let her know as soon we reach Brooklyn. Hattie had a letter from Charlie yesterday saying that he expected to be at Poughkeepsie this week. Miss Lyman has given positive orders, that no young lady should be seen, save under cover of a letter of introduction. But Hattie told him to ask for Miss Gilbert, and she'll electioneer him through, having much influence at head quarters. We have had an addition to the ornamental furniture of our room, in the shape of a philipena present to Minnie, from Mother Hubbard. It consists of a man! named "Thursytes" in honor of the "homeliest man who ever came to Troy." His stately figure meas-ured four inches in his stocking feet. His dress consists of one pair of pants, of red delaine, made very loose and gathered at the ankle, a green jacket or sack, trimmed with one row of very narrow serpentine braid, flying open to display a most beautiful red waistcoat, some what disfigured by paste, and a belt of red and white which looks as if it might have bordered white cotton cloth. His head bears a blue cap bordered with red, in the center of which is fastened a rubber cord by which he is suspended to the gas fixture, then when the dear little fellow is pulled, the elasticity of the cord causes him to undergo a series of gymnastics truly wonderful to behold. His face as nearly as my unskillful pen can portray it, is as followed. as far as I can see that is quite natural. Minnie might not recognize it - Minnie has just recognized in this portrait her long lost sow Thursytes. We were much delighted by a letter from Willie this morning. How he has improved in letter writing since last year. It is as good as a feast to read one of his documents. I have taken to reading my old letters Sunday, and find it highly profitable - If you will come up here next Wednesday, we will entertain you with a translation of the first book of the Odessy. We are a were a very fine class, I beg leave to inform you. We read the whole book to Miss Grant a very fine Greek scholar, and she said it was a fine a translation as she overheard. Miss Gilbert is proud of us. I am very sorry to be obliged to stop without finishing the page, but if you have the letter Friday, and I have any dinner, it must stop here. Minnie and Hattie send much love and many wishes of a happy birthday - Give oceans of love to Mother, Father, and Willie from your ever loving sister Mattie -
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Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 25 January 1903
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 25 January 1903

Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 31 May 1905
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 31 May 1905

Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Father, 22 September 1901
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 22 September 1901

Title: Eldridge, Muriel (Tilden) -- to Mother, 30 March 1913
Creator: Eldridge, Muriel (Tilden)
Description: VC 1914
Date: 30 March 1913

Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to mother, Feb. 1871:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: February 3, 1871
Text: Vassar College. Feb. 3. 1871. My dear Mamma, It quite amazes me to leara that you still continue to write to your daughter who is so far away. I should think you would forget that you even had another child, aad have ao doubt but that you would If it were not for the frequent letters she seada you. Your letters I perceive are gettiag soon shorter and shorter and I shall not be at all surprised If they willAbe monthly Instead of weekly ones. I write home almost always twice a week and never...
Show moreVassar College. Feb. 3. 1871. My dear Mamma, It quite amazes me to leara that you still continue to write to your daughter who is so far away. I should think you would forget that you even had another child, aad have ao doubt but that you would If it were not for the frequent letters she seada you. Your letters I perceive are gettiag soon shorter and shorter and I shall not be at all surprised If they willAbe monthly Instead of weekly ones. I write home almost always twice a week and never send a letter less than four pages long and generally receive in return eight pages, once a week and sometimes not as often. And there are three persons at home to write and so much to tell of interest to mei Then the amount of wool and ivory you keep about you ought to prevent you from having anything to do* The thought of staying here and graduating had never seriously entered my head, although we oftea talk of who will be our valedlctorlaa fee. la our class. But last week Prof. Vaa Ingen our drawing teacher was trying to persuade me to stay and now your letter speaking of my doing so has come. I want to remain one moreyear aad caa tell then whether I wish to come back agaia. It depends very much upon how I get onin my classes. If I could graduate la three years I would fee to do so but if I must come four, I do aot care to. I shall study next summer aad If by doing so I can enter_Sophmore, I shall be very happy for then It will Feb. 2, 1871 - 3 only take three years to graduate. Mr. Smith is very kind, and it will be very pleasant lor me to have a friend among the trustees of the Col* lege, but fear he will forget all about me before next June. I have looked in the catalogue and find his name but among so many had never noticed it before. My examination In French came off yesterday morning. Our class did very nicely and I think nearly all have passsd. Without any conceit I can say that I am sure that X passed. I would have done miserably if X had not when Hfcave studied French so much before. X really feared the examination very much although I need not have done so, for more than but our teacher half the time we were being examined there was no one In the roomAand the rest of the time Mademoiselle and one other teacher were there. I have Just come from my last Latin examination, and am ashamed to say how badly X recited. We were examined for an hour and a quarter this morning on the Latingrammar and I dhink X did pretty well and all the others In the class did remarkably well, but unfortunately there was ihtf no one In the room but our teacher to hear our recitation; and this afternoon when we did not recite nesrly as well there were five persons in the room at one time! Our lesson this sftemoon was the first two books of Caesar to translste; of course we did not expect to go over It all; but we teacher were to be prepared upon all, because we did not know what ourAwould ask. She gave out the topics a few moments before each one recited her chapter so that she might have time to read her part over; that Iswhen Miss A. Feb. 3, 1871 - 3 commenced rending, she would tell Mies B. what chapter she was expected to read. Our teacher Miss Lord gave Miss Nelson who sits next me a certain chapter to road and when her turn came to do it, she said that she could not. Than Miss Lord turned to me and said "Miss Pease you may read it without any preparations." I got up and managed to stumble through Its but almost made a "fiaale," as a failure Is graphicly described at this college. The chapter was a very hard one but I could have read it well, if I had only had a few minutes to look it overt and was almost the only one which X could not have read without any hesitation. I was very sorry that X didnot do better for the Prof, of I*atin was In the room at the time* also one of the teachers that X like very much, and X think Miss Lord was disappointed In me. X shall not ask you again to write oftener to me, because of course, X do not want you to write unless you wish to. With love to all goodnightI have written Carrie a short trench latter, "just for fun." X hope she will be able to read It. My roommate has just told me that she was informed that X did "splendidly" in Latin. X am sure that I did not, but it may not have been as bad as X thought. X fear that I will have to have a now dress soon as I am II quite destitute, andAX do have one it will have to be made but X will wait and see what you say about it. Feb. 3, 1871 • 4 in Poughkeepsle A
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Title: MacCoy, Marjorie Newell -- to Family, 8 November 1908
Creator: MacCoy, Marjorie Newell
Description: VC 1911
Date: 8 November 1908

Title: Mansfield, Adelaide -- to mother, Jan. 2, 1895:
Creator: Mansfield, Adelaide (Claflin)
Description: VC 1897
Date: January 2, 1895
Text: Vassar College. J an. 2. 1895. My dear Mother, — That Is the first time I have written 1895. How queer It seems/ I am just going to write you a few lines this morning, to go on the nine oclock mail, if possible. I got a letter from Mary MacColl yesterday, telling me that she cannot come back to college for the rest of this year. She was not well all summer aad really was not strong enough to come in September, but she prevailed upon them to let her. She is very nervous, and has something the...
Show moreVassar College. J an. 2. 1895. My dear Mother, — That Is the first time I have written 1895. How queer It seems/ I am just going to write you a few lines this morning, to go on the nine oclock mail, if possible. I got a letter from Mary MacColl yesterday, telling me that she cannot come back to college for the rest of this year. She was not well all summer aad really was not strong enough to come in September, but she prevailed upon them to let her. She is very nervous, and has something the matter with her back* they were afraid of curvature of the spine. We are very, very sorry that she cannot come back, for she is a splendidgirl, and we will miss her very much. Poor girl, it such a disappointment to her, for she worked so hard to get to college. She has been to school only at district school, and all that we took in High School, she studied by herself, without a teacher except when her brother helped her. She has the Scotch persistency in with her Scotch blood. Mary may possibly come back next September, but I doubt it. She asked me to pack the rest of her clothes and things and send to her, and that I am going to do today. Time is flying so, I do wish we had two or three weeks more. There is so much that I should like to do. I have spent most of the vacation in being lazy- I sent those flannels home because I did not need them. They are the ones I left here last year. The smaller one I have notworn at all, because I have plenty of others of the same thickness, and I have a new one like the larger one, which I think will not need to be washed for I wear it over another one, and so I don't need any more to take its place. You know I brought a stack of flannels, as Edie said, enough to furnish an army. H you send Horace's Satires I will be very glad. Does Lou want Cicero's De Senectute before the end of January? I will be using one till then, but if she wants it before, I will send it to her, and use Mary's for the rest of the time. The trigonometry that I sent they do not use here, so I could not sell it. I sent Lou my old fountain pen Monday. I hope she will get it all right. If she cannot make it write at first tell her to screw off the piece that the pen is in, and pour water throughit. It worked very well for me. I have made a pair of bedroom slippers which I intend to give you for your birthday, but I have concluded to send them now so that you will have the benefit of them during this winter. You so often walk around the house early in the morning, or at night, that I thought you might make a good deal of use of a pair. And you can wear them to bed on very cold nights, to keep your feet warm. When you wear these out, I will make you another pair. I will send these today. We watched the Old Year out on Clarence's birthday.- four girls and myself. Then as it was too late to go over to Strong they all came up and slept here. There is going to be a candy pull tonight, for all the girls here - and I suppose it will be lots of fun. With love to all, Adelaide. £laflin,
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Title: Eldridge, Muriel (Tilden) -- to Mother, circa 12 May 1913
Creator: Eldridge, Muriel (Tilden)
Description: VC 1914
Date: circa 12 May 1913

Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Family, 5 October 1902
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 5 October 1902

Title: Griffith, Caroline -- from [Helen Ramlow], April 18, 1880
Creator: [Ramlow, Helen?]
Date: 18 Apr 1880
Text: Rome, April 18. 1880 My Dear Carrie I was very glad to hear [throug to?] your very welcome letter, that you are still in the “land of the living,” and that you still enjoy “[free?]” and the “good things of this world” as well as in the days of “auld lang syne “ at [...]. Yes, I should be most delighted to see you at my house in Cincinnati, but I am afraid it is beyond my power, as I should have to travel night & day to reach there before you. Yes, I have been abroad now nearly a year, - a...
Show moreRome, April 18. 1880 My Dear Carrie I was very glad to hear [throug to?] your very welcome letter, that you are still in the “land of the living,” and that you still enjoy “[free?]” and the “good things of this world” as well as in the days of “auld lang syne “ at [...]. Yes, I should be most delighted to see you at my house in Cincinnati, but I am afraid it is beyond my power, as I should have to travel night & day to reach there before you. Yes, I have been abroad now nearly a year, - a year in June - We traveled during the summer, - we was my sister, brother & his wife and myself - in Sept. my brother went home, while my sister & I spent the winter near Paris. This spring we have spent in travelling in Spain and as far in Italy as Naples, so your letter reached us, as you feared, neither in Boston nor Cincinnati but here in Rome. It seems almost like a dream to hear about the girls at Vassar, so many of the girls that we know so well have left. I have heard from one there for two years at least - Why did you leave? - You were so sure of going through & graduating in the same class with Blanche [...], that I surely thought you would do so, and had heard nothing to the contrary. Do you remember Miss O’Leary? I wonder if she is still as sweet as ever and if she ever studied to be a Dr. as she said she was going to do - How I wish that I was going to see you and talk over “old times,” but since that cannot be, I hope that I may see you again sometimes in [Cin?] and in the mean time, and if you care to write, I hope you will realize how gladly I will receive any [...]s from you. My address here is Lovingly Care of Monroe & Co. Your old friend & chum Bankers of the 47 Paris Helen Rawson
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Title: Marshall, Katherine (Manson) — to Emma Stewart, February 11, 1910
Creator: Marshall, Katherine (Manson)
Date: 11 Feb 1910
Text: Dear Em: How many of the buildings do you know? I think you might write me in a while. When I was home I wrote every week. Am turning into a regular grind this semester. Something awful! Manse. [Katherine Manson Marshall, VC 1910][Printed: POST CARD] [Postmarked: POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. 1--30 PM FEB 11-10] Miss Emma Stewart Box 632 c / o M. [C?] Steward Virginia Minn. [g. Mary Thom. Lovejoy (VC 1939)]

Title: Fitt, Harriet (Bradley) — to mother, February 15, 1910
Creator: Fitt, Harriet (Bradley)
Date: 15 Feb 1910
Text: Vassar College. Feb 15 - 10 Dearest Mother - I am not going to New York this week, especially as you prefer that I should not. Two dozen lovely red roses came from Annapolis today, with Judge’s card. Was it not thoughtful of him? They are quite fresh. Almost every one has flowers today, andchapel was full of them tonight. I like this sample very much indeed, Mother. I cannot think of any thing now which ought to be sent ahead. This can only be a line because I have too much work to do for...
Show moreVassar College. Feb 15 - 10 Dearest Mother - I am not going to New York this week, especially as you prefer that I should not. Two dozen lovely red roses came from Annapolis today, with Judge’s card. Was it not thoughtful of him? They are quite fresh. Almost every one has flowers today, andchapel was full of them tonight. I like this sample very much indeed, Mother. I cannot think of any thing now which ought to be sent ahead. This can only be a line because I have too much work to do for tomorrow. The entire afternoon was taken up with going to Mrs K’s office, dressing for gymclass drill, bathing and a trip to the infirmary. At that rate not much is done. Besides, they gave us such an extremely strenuous class drill that we are all exhausted, which is not the best thing. I could not find my overshoes after dinner, which made me late in starting for chapel. I ran the entire way and caught up with the “main body” but forty girls were shut out. I was the fortieth. We all managed to get into the gallery, however before they closed those doors, and I think our excused will be accepted. I love you both so much, dear ones. Tonight is almost homesick, but it is because I am tired. Lovingly, Harriet. Monday night.
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Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 10 March 1904
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 10 March 1904

Title: Ross, Caroline (Barnes) -- to Mother, May 1902
Creator: Ross, Caroline (Barnes)
Description: VC 1905
Date: May 1902

Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 5 April 1902
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 5 April 1902

Title: Bates, Sarah -- to Isabel Treadwell, Jul. 1868:
Creator: Bates (Glazier), Sarah
Description: VC 1868
Date: July 15, 1868
Text: Hartford Ct. July 15, 1868. My Dear Belle. I found your letter awaiting me, when I reached home, for I did not return to Boston (am I crazy?- I mean Hartford) until the Tuesday after Commencement. Several of us had been planning for some time before, to stay at the college a few days, to pack, rest, visit &c., and the fact that Mr. Vassar was to be buried Friday quite decided us to remain. - Of course we enjoyed it, and it was much more satisfactory to say "good-bye", at leisure...
Show moreHartford Ct. July 15, 1868. My Dear Belle. I found your letter awaiting me, when I reached home, for I did not return to Boston (am I crazy?- I mean Hartford) until the Tuesday after Commencement. Several of us had been planning for some time before, to stay at the college a few days, to pack, rest, visit &c., and the fact that Mr. Vassar was to be buried Friday quite decided us to remain. - Of course we enjoyed it, and it was much more satisfactory to say "good-bye", at leisure, than in the general hurry and bustle of the breaking up. — In reply to your question with respect to the fitness of continuing our exercises, I have time only to say, that I am sure had you been there you would have taken a different view of it. Mr. Vassar's calm peaceful death, in the midst of his work, or rather when his work was done (for he expected this address to end his business connection with the college) seemed no fitting reason for the suspension of our work, the accomplishment of which we owed to the friends who had come so far. You know we did suspend the exercises of Class Day, really the event of the occasion, and when the first excitement was over, and everything was taken into consideration, everyone of those who have the interests of Vassar College much more at heart than people near Boston felt that Mr. Vassar himself would have said, "Finish your work." - I wish I could tell you about the funeral &c, but that topic must wait, for July 15, 1868 - 2 with the thermometer nearing 100° I cannot talk long, and I have some- thing else I wish particularly to say to you. I'm in "a statte of mind". I am afraid I engaged myself too hastily to Mr. Cushing. And yet, I did the best I could then, and even now, I like the idea of being at H better than anywhere else. But, Mr. Pratt, of whom I spoke to you, has since offered me $1000.00 at Hightstown, and I have received an offer as preceptress of a largeinstitution of good standing, among friends. And likewise hints of other places, if I were not already engaged. — I have never received a word from Mr. Cushing since I wrote to him - I am in uncertainty what class I am to have beside those in Mathematics, and that I am anxious to know; on looking over the letter I think your interpretation about the ' washing" improbable, and yet there is the possibility. Now, it does seem a pity to take the small sum he offers me, when I am really bothered with much better offers, and yet on the other hand, having decided to go to Auburadalej having arranged all my plans on that basis { having become accustomed to, and pleased with, the idea of being near yourself, Boston, Miss Mitchell, Mary W, &c, I very much incline to go there in spite of all. But hear from Mr. C. I must, for my peace of mind. You said he was about to go away for the summer. Will you have the kindness to tell me the address which will reach him most quickly? And tell me also, frankly, what you should think, and in what light you suppose he would be likely to view it, if X should ask to be released from my engagement with him. X am not at all certain that I should do so even were he willing, and yet it seems like wasting my opportunities to go there. At least I must hear something more definitely from him. — I dislike to trouble you with the matter, but you are there and can judge whether the advantages are such as to justify me in sacrificing $500.00 (for my board at H. will be less than $200.00) which, of course would bring me much comfort. I wish the money difference were less,-* then I should be at my ease. As it is, you will not wonder that X am troubled, particularly as a yearly difference of $500.00 will soon make quite a difference, in my stock. — How is your sister succeeding in her plan? It does not seem to be the intention of any of my friends to send their daughters away for the coming
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Title: Kiliani, Lillian -- to grandmother, Apr. 1873:
Creator: Kiliani (Taylor), Lillian
Description: VC Ex 1879
Date: April 27, 1873
Text: Baden, April 27th, 1873 Dear Grandmother! I received your last letter on Thursday and was very glad to get it. I wrote to Mary Sickles about two weeks ago, and I expect a letter from Rose soon. I would like a letter from Percy, but I have no time to write first, but I would answer a letter from him if I got one, besides I was to see if he has made any progress. There is a young American lady here, from Cleveland, Ohio, knows Eva White and she has heard of your Golden Wedding, but she had...
Show moreBaden, April 27th, 1873 Dear Grandmother! I received your last letter on Thursday and was very glad to get it. I wrote to Mary Sickles about two weeks ago, and I expect a letter from Rose soon. I would like a letter from Percy, but I have no time to write first, but I would answer a letter from him if I got one, besides I was to see if he has made any progress. There is a young American lady here, from Cleveland, Ohio, knows Eva White and she has heard of your Golden Wedding, but she had forgotten the name. She had been at Vassar and she like it very much; she hastold me so much about it, that I want to go dreadfully badly, and if Papa has money enough, when we get back to America, which I think he will, I am going, to give a finishing touch to Latin and music, and learn some Greek, Algebra, Rhetoric and Astronomy. Was not there some talk of Ms. Sickels bringing Lydian and the girls over to Europe this year? It would be nice if they came and left the girls here with me. I suppose I shall stay her until we go back to America, as I like the school and the girls very much. I am going to begin to draw heads. I am very glad about it, because they are much more interesting to draw thanplain landscapes. Please do not write anything to mama or papa about it, because I want to surprise them, when I go to Gotha in the summer vacation. Aprils is a dreadful month here; yesterday it snowed dreadfully one minute, and the sun came out and shone very brightly the next. We don't have such sudden changes, at least in America, as here. Miss Cowles and I were talking about American eating the other day, and I was so surprised, she said they had dried beef in Cleveland too, I thought that was only to be had in Chester County. Give my love to grandpapa, Becky, and all inquiring friends from your affectionate granddaughter. Lilian Taylor
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Title: DeWitt, Nettie -- to mother, May 16, 1894:
Creator: DeWitt (Brand), Nettie
Description: VC Ex 1896
Date: May 16, 1894
Text: Vassar. Wednesday, May 16. (1894, My dearest Mamma: "Another beautiful day11. It seems as the* there was no end to them here, and how I wish that ;you were here to enjoy them with me. Yesterday I went over and had my gingham fitted, and virtuously refused to go Into town with Nan. But when night came and I had been to a very nice art lecture in chapel, I wasted a whole hour or more. It is always hard to study after an art lecture. Sunday afternoon as I wrote you I went out under the...
Show moreVassar. Wednesday, May 16. (1894, My dearest Mamma: "Another beautiful day11. It seems as the* there was no end to them here, and how I wish that ;you were here to enjoy them with me. Yesterday I went over and had my gingham fitted, and virtuously refused to go Into town with Nan. But when night came and I had been to a very nice art lecture in chapel, I wasted a whole hour or more. It is always hard to study after an art lecture. Sunday afternoon as I wrote you I went out under the pineswith Bingley and we staid there three mortal hours. 1 wrote letters and took a nap lying on the blankets and soft pine needles. Ia the evening after prayer meeting I went to call on one of the teachers, and then in to see a Wellesley girl, >94, who was her visiting her sister, Ida Kruse ,'96, the one whaan I went to N.Y. with. She was very pleasant. Monday I had my usual walk with Kate and It seemed very good to have her back again. Yesterday X had a lovely long letter from Flo in which she begged me to come to A.A. on my way home for a day or two. What do you say to my stopping over for a day? It Is only two hours out from Detroit you know. Must to work so good morning. Lots of love to you and all from Yours Nette. (Nettie (Brand) Do Witt, ex-'96,
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Title: Warner, Martha S. -- to brother, Oct. 1866:
Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Description: VC 1868
Date: October 29, 1866
Text: Vassar Collage Oct. 29. 1866. My dear Brother, Don't think it was forgetfulness that caused me to pass over last Wednesday without writing to you. The truth is that my eyes were sore and I couldn't. I think I took a little cold in them or something, but I let them rest a day or two, and they quietly subsided, and are now restored to their former place in my esteem. I am full of news for you, and don't know where to begin, unless with myself, of course the most important thing....
Show moreVassar Collage Oct. 29. 1866. My dear Brother, Don't think it was forgetfulness that caused me to pass over last Wednesday without writing to you. The truth is that my eyes were sore and I couldn't. I think I took a little cold in them or something, but I let them rest a day or two, and they quietly subsided, and are now restored to their former place in my esteem. I am full of news for you, and don't know where to begin, unless with myself, of course the most important thing. We are organized William! That is to say the Junior class are. For some days we have been reviling the importance of our following that most delightful of all College classes, a class organization.So Louise Blatchley and I deputed by the class, took our lives in our hands and went to see the President last Saturday night. He was as gracious and mild as a lamb, and said yes immediately, after which he made us a little speech and we departed. That same evening we called the class together and elected the following officers. Glover C. E. Pres. M. P. Rhoades Vice Pres. A. M. Ely Sec. C.P. Leland Treas. S. Starr Historian, S. L. Blatchley Poet, M. W. Whitney Prophetess, A. L. Baker, I Carter, M. S. Warner Executive Committee. I think it will make our class pleasanter than ever. We have already determined to be distinguished women. Not "women's rights" you know, but famous in some way. We have obtained our object and are to have a course of lectures, the best that can be obtained. I think we shall have about six - Minnie has written to Mr. Pierson. I hope he will come. I wish we could getDr. McLeod to lecture on Highland poetry - Tom McGraw's eldest brother was married on last Teusday, and Saturday we received a box from Tom, containing a large amount of wedding cake. I never saw so much together before. We didn't treat it slightingly in the least I assure you. Yesterday I devoted myself principally to hickory nuts and wedding cake. He sent it in a beautiful box which Minnie says I am to have. How I wish some one would be married every week, and treat us as well, although perhaps continued treatment of that kind might not be beneficial. Of course I didn't mean that it was more than I had seen at weddings, but only sent away. Mr. & Mrs. McGraw are coming here before long. We finish our Williams today, for which I am devoutly thankful. Williams is our book of French phrases translated into English and has no comparison for stupidity. He bid us an affecting adieu, and saysthat we shall see each other no more - I suppose that he does not make any calculation for reviews. Did I ever tell you that our riding teacher is a Baron. He was compelled to leave Poland several years ago on account of political sentiments, and like most of the foreign exiles, supports himself by teaching his accomplishments. His wife, who is a Philadelphian lady assists him. She always calls him "Baron" which would seem to me a miserable affectation if it were not than he owns a jawbreaking name, which no civilized American would ever dream of pronouncing - Our hickory nuts are last disappearing under the hammer - I am afraid that they will never see the Holidays. Mr. Ballard's sermon must have been very good - How much I would give to see and hear him. Dr. Raymond is by no means interesting as a preacher. Give a great deal of love to all the girls you see. Has Mr. Pease been at our house since we left? How does he progress at the Hawleys? I would be delighted if he would carry off Lucy. Have you seen Mr. & Mrs. James? I think you had better be married. I see no objection on the score of age -I am going to write to Mother too, so I'll bid you farewell - I'll try not to skip another Wednesday - Good bye dear. Your loving sister Mattie S. Warner
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Title: Warner, Martha S. -- to Will, Jun. 1866:
Creator: Warner, Martha S.
Description: VC 1868
Date: June 24, 1866
Text: Vassar College. June 24, 1866. Dear Will, I thought I might as well write once more before leaving here, especially as I desire to congratulate you upon your advanced age. Really mon frere, you are growing old with such rapidity that I expect to regard you with some what of awe and reverence, and to consider "my brother's judgment" as very weighty. Not an insinuation that it was of no weight heretofore, but as "a hoary head is a crown of glory", so every advancing...
Show moreVassar College. June 24, 1866. Dear Will, I thought I might as well write once more before leaving here, especially as I desire to congratulate you upon your advanced age. Really mon frere, you are growing old with such rapidity that I expect to regard you with some what of awe and reverence, and to consider "my brother's judgment" as very weighty. Not an insinuation that it was of no weight heretofore, but as "a hoary head is a crown of glory", so every advancing year adds one point to form the crown. How glad I shall be to distinguish your face among those waiting for friends at the depot, next Thursday. We are calculating upon your galantry you see. Be sure that we havenot counted upon you in vain. We now expect to reach home Thursday night, or rather afternoon, at about half past five. Possibly we may be delayed until Friday, at the same hour, therefore don't break your hearts if we are not there the first day, but I shall mine. Our room is in the most gorgeous confusion imaginable. Yesterday I undertook to pack, and brought out all my dresses, folded them, rolled them, laid them on the floor, sat down on Minnie's trunk and looked at them. After a while, in sheer desperation, I tucked every thing back again to wait till Monday. I am going to do it however, because if I never begin, I shall never know how. Prof. Tenney gave us a delightful lecture in Bible class this A.M., showing our duty to God as revealed in Nature. I wish you knew him. Will, I knowyou would like him exceedingly. He and Prof. Knapp are our men. Poor Prof. Knapp is killing himself just as fast as he can. He is worn out and sick, under the doctor's care, yet he persists at coming out here every day. Thursday he gave our Latin class a lecture on "Comparative Philology," when he had to carry his chair to and fro, to sit down, when he wanted to write on the board. Two or three times he stood up leaning on a pointer, when it seemed as if he would surely fall. I hope he won't come back next fall till he is quite rested and well. Prof. Tenney is well and strong, his work takes him out of doors so much. He is a noble man. I wish you could see little Sannie, only two and a half, and yet he knows more about birds and ether animals than I do. For instance the other day I was in there and a bird began to sing near the window and Sannie shouted "Bot-o-Link!" I hadno idea what it was, but Prof, said that he was right. He cried so for turtles that they stopped bringing them late the house. Won't you be glad to see us again? If not you are a gony, and I don't want to see you a bit. Its hot as peper sauce today, and Minnie after walking to Po'keepsie yesterday, is determined to walk to Sunset Hill. I only hope she won't find any companion, for it will surely make her sick. I guess she won't go - Its a perfect shame that we have not seen any more of the beautiful places around here, but we have never been outside grounds, except to go to that horrible Poughkeepsie. Next year I'm going over the river, a sort of Utopia for botanists. By the way I've seen the laurel! The last excursionists brought home great loads of it - I think it is the most beautiful flower taken in all its bearings that I ever saw. I must stop now. Can't possibly write a word more. Good bye, dear Your loving sister Mattie
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Title: [unknown], Gert. Letter, 1918
Creator: [unknown], Gert
Descriptor(s): Bielat, Isabel
Description: 1 letter, dated 13 Feb 1918, from “Gert” to her family about the fire at Vassar College. Marking the letter as from “Vassar College (What’s left of it!)” Gert provides an eyewitness account of the fire at Main Building as viewed from an upper floor of Strong. She also describes the observations of other students, the students’ relief effort to house Main residents and recover belongings, VC President Henry Noble MacCracken’s meeting with the school, the newspapers’ false reports of casualties...
Show more1 letter, dated 13 Feb 1918, from “Gert” to her family about the fire at Vassar College. Marking the letter as from “Vassar College (What’s left of it!)” Gert provides an eyewitness account of the fire at Main Building as viewed from an upper floor of Strong. She also describes the observations of other students, the students’ relief effort to house Main residents and recover belongings, VC President Henry Noble MacCracken’s meeting with the school, the newspapers’ false reports of casualties, and the armed soldiers who patrolled the grounds after the fire. Gert closes with a suggestion that her father’s business address the lack of fire hydrants in the area.
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Date: 13 Feb 1918
Text: Wed. A.M. Feb. 13, 1918. Vassar College. (what’s left of it!) Dearest Fambly: - Well, talk about excitement! We’ve sure had it during the last twelve hours. The back of Main has burned! Tuesday & Thursday nights we are allowed to go to other halls for dinner, and I happened to be Helen Coddington’s guest in Strong (that’s the nearest dormitory to Main). After dinner all the girls were standing around the hall waiting for someone to play for them to dance. All of a sudden all the girls...
Show moreWed. A.M. Feb. 13, 1918. Vassar College. (what’s left of it!) Dearest Fambly: - Well, talk about excitement! We’ve sure had it during the last twelve hours. The back of Main has burned! Tuesday & Thursday nights we are allowed to go to other halls for dinner, and I happened to be Helen Coddington’s guest in Strong (that’s the nearest dormitory to Main). After dinner all the girls were standing around the hall waiting for someone to play for them to dance. All of a sudden all the girls tore in one mass toward the south door (facing Main) and it was said they all decided to go over to Main to dance in “J” (the room on 2nd floor which is used for dancing). Then it turned to excitement and rumors of “Fire in Main” began to fly, and the girls were crying “No, don’t go there; it will cause too much congestion. They don’t want you to go!!” Helen & I tore up to fourth floor and looked out the end hall window - (Oh dear! there are 5 girls in here & we’re all talking at once! I’ll have to wait.) Wed. P.M. Mercy! everything’s so different. But I must continue my story and get this in the mail in a few minutes. When we got to the hall window in Strong we could see the flames from the back part of Main - about the Assembly Hall as nearly as we could figure. Engines came shrieking up and sirens blew till it was almost deafening. In less than no time all Arlington and the greater part of the population of Pokeepsie were forming a semi-circle around the north & back sides of Main. Helen and I went out too.It was very mild, and only a gentle breeze blowing - thank goodness! Everything was terribly slushy all around but no one seemed to notice how he was wading around. We watched from the north side for awhile then stood on the steps to the Infirmary. For awhhile we thought the men might just as well have been turning streams of kerosene on the flames for all the effect it had. We watched the roof of the Assembly Hall cave in and everyone stood there stricken when several of the firemen called: “Chief! Chief! man buried under there!” I don’t know what happened then, but we have heard since that about five men were carried away in ambulances. While watching from the infirmary Eleanor Emerson ([Marge’s?] sister) and one or two of her roommates who live on the fourth floor 2. far from the middle came over and this is what she had to say about it. She said that at a little while after five she was riding up in the elevator and called out: “4th” for the elevator boy to stop, but two men in the “L” said, “go on straight up to 5th, don’t stop!” Then she heard them say some more about where they had smelled smoke. A maid had told me before that when they were eating their dinner at 5 o’clock they smelled smoke & sent some men to find out the cause, but they didn’t see anything, so they concluded it must be from the funny smell they sometimes smelled from the burning of the coal. Then Eleanor went on to say that just as they were finishing their desert in the dining room the fire bell rang. (She and the girls in the back of the dining room didn’t hear it on account of all the noise from the girls talking.) But all the girls put up their hands (a sign for silence) and then they all rose in silence and started marching out of the dining room. The girls though it was just a fire drill, and those who hadn’t heard the bell expected to hear them start singing some national anthem to celebrate Lincoln’s Birthday (the only sign of recognition it might receive here!) But everyone calmly walked out and then began the fun. We tried to help the stream of girls carrying valuable books, papers, furniture, clothing - everything.They got ‘most everything out of the book store and treasury and doctor’s office and post office. The rooms of Strong were flooded with girls’ stuff and detectives and others went thru the girls’ rooms in the north transverse, throwing everything out the windows. They did them up in rugs and sheets and carted them to a distance. The gym was finally opened to drop things at Rocky. While the Infirm was filled to overflowing. Still the fire raged and the crowd was riveted to the sopr. There were two other fires in Po. we heard of & one of the firemen said, “Thank God, there comes engine no. _, now we can fight it!” The roof of Assembly Hall went first then [thru?] the fourth floor and then third. You could hear the dishes on the tables clatter as things fell in on them. Then back of the Assembly hall there are several turrets and lots of maids’ rooms and they all went. I don’t know whether they got much out of the grocery store or not but if they didn’t everything probably ruined with water, for all this morning they were still playing big streams and there was about two feet of water standing anywhere - where there was a floor left. 3. All the Main girls had to report to Strong to “sign up” and from there they were appointed to different rooms around campus for the night. Eleanor Emerson slept with Marge & we had another girl on our extra cot. We eat meals in relays & the poor maids are worked overtime. I never saw such efficiency tho! for when we returned from watching fire (we were sent home!) about 9 o’clock - here our extra cot had been made up with clean sheets all ready waiting. The maids did it, I suppose. And at the doors down stairs girls stood hearing everyone sign up whether or not every bit of bed space was being used in their room. - During the night, after we finally did get asleep a wind came up and being a bit excited anyway, we all thought how lucky it hadn’t come earlier - Still in our [semi?]-conscious state & mingled with terrifying dreams we had visions of the flames sweeping the whole building. This morning we had no first hour class but the whole college met in chapel. Prexy spoke to us for a few min. & told us that last night he was in N.Y. when someone telephoned him saying: “Main is in flames!” He took the train immediately and felt like pushing to get here, and said he heaved a sigh of relief when from the station the sky was not all lighted up. He congratulated us many times over & expressed his amazement (!) at our efficiency - said we had already done things when he thought of them. One [of] the faculty also gave us a little talk and told us some of the many funny - absolutely crazy - things that had happened. Then the Students Pres. gave out some instructions and we adjourned. I didn’t miss any classes as I didn’t have any until 4th hour - But of course no one had any work done. The post office is now in the gym! Main girls get their mail from Students` Building & the other girls have their mai come to their rooms. We’ll probably have guests for all night for a couple of nights longer, then they’ll ^let those living in the wings (which were untouched) go in. We were quite disappointed this morning to find no headlines in the N.Y. Times but it had gone to press too early. We heard that there was an extra in N.Y. saying: “Main Building of Vassar College swept by flames - 50 killed!” You can imagine the jam in Strong sending telegrams (That’s where the Messenger Room is now). Parents are pouring in, but they find all their children safe and sound. 2:; ."‘ 1 4. It was a beautiful sight and I wouldn’t have missed it for worlds. Since I have started this lengthy epistle, I have rec’d a big letter from you, Mother, and a nice big one from Daddy. I’ve taken so long and written so much. I don’t see how I can comment on everything now. There are so many funny things we’ve heard which keep coming to my mind to tell you, but I mustn’t take the time. I’m wondering if Chicago will take any notice of it in the papers. Soldiers with muskets patrolled the quadrangle a good part of the night & then - when we were trying to get to sleep we heard a bugle call repeated over & over again, so I suppose they were going then. We heard that all were searched before being allowed to leave the grounds & after a certain time in the morning they wouldn’t let any more on campus to see it, so that some girls off-campus had a hard time getting back. Mr Emerson is going to be in Po. for a few hours Friday & I’m almost as excited and glad as if he were my father. It’s funny, but for several days I’ve been pining for something exciting & different to happen! Believe me! we got it & it really is fun to have the regular routine so upset. The wires are all disconnected so the bells can’t be rung, so men have to ring the huge bell on top of Main to indicate the times for classes to begin &c. The heating system is affected somehow, so that certain buildings whose big [mains?] run thru Main will probably be heatless (Thank goodness for the mild weather!) The [mains?] are flooded. Which reminds me, the enclosed clipping is for Daddy; I meant to send it some time ago. I think he’ll see the significance. Also I’ve been noting the scarcity of fire hydrants around campus & I bet this would be a swell time for Daddy to do some business here. Also I’ve planned to spend spring vacation with Daddy in N.Y (he working [in?] a business trip). I need so many clothes I can’t get here - shoes especially. Please I need the toe-slip badly. Thank you both heaps again for the nice letters - yours was beautifully fat Mother - let them come as often as possible. I’ll answer them individually soon. Good-bye, dears & Happy Valentine’s Day [crossed out] [Th?]day - Love - Gert.
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Title: MacCoy, Marjorie Newell -- to Family, 12 December 1909
Creator: MacCoy, Marjorie Newell
Description: VC 1911
Date: 12 December 1909

Title: [unknown], Emma -- to Dell, Oct. 1868:
Creator: [unknown], Emma
Description: Unknown
Date: October 18, 1868
Text: Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Oct. 18^th 1868 My Darling Dell. This is the second letter I have written without hearing from you but as the enclosed ought to have been sent long ago will call it all square for I know when you do write it will be a good long one I am very anxious-for its arrival. I suppose it is all over with ere this. It does not seem possible that time has slipped away to that. O Dell I can't find words to express my congratulations, but you may restassured that you ^both will...
Show morePoughkeepsie, N.Y., Oct. 18^th 1868 My Darling Dell. This is the second letter I have written without hearing from you but as the enclosed ought to have been sent long ago will call it all square for I know when you do write it will be a good long one I am very anxious-for its arrival. I suppose it is all over with ere this. It does not seem possible that time has slipped away to that. O Dell I can't find words to express my congratulations, but you may restassured that you ^both will have always my best wishes for your happiness & that you may enjoy a long & pleasant life, in your new home & relations. Now if I was at home [crossed out:now] Mother would have to tell me what to say and perhaps it would be more [crossed out:to] expressive, but as I am not there I shall have to depend upon myself more as you will perceive no doubt from the foregoing effusion. This week I had seven letters, six from Seneca, & one from Chit, two from home & one from Lois, Alma, Jennie C. & the blue dress[crossed out: ed] Jennie. I should rather they would come with longer intervals from the same place. Lois said that her aunt was Niagra about the 1st of Oct. several bridal parties were there spending their honeymoons, supposed Mr & Mrs Simone were among them. There is nothing going on much at Seneca except Campagn meetings. The Republicans had a meeting where all the States were represented by young ladies mostly Factory girls, Mother wrote. It created quite a sensation. The Dem. paper railed about a considerably. Oh what do you think Nat. B. has got a Certif for teaching school* What a fascinating teacher he will make? They had a Fair at Waterloo & Johnnie went one afternoon Lois said she was there & came home in the same car -so you see he was in very good care She said he was flourishing as well as could be expected without a sister. I like it down here pretty well for the last two or three evenings we have just "come to our senses" in our room & one or two neighboring rooms, we have "table moving & rapping", Planchette quite a Spiritualistic Set we have lots of fun, after study hour you know. Our Corridor teacher came to our door twice in one evening, we have 20 min silent time, after breakfast & supper well one evening, two of our girls were talking when the teacher came & they send for their rooms pretty quick then when the ten o'clock bell rings every light must be out. one of the girls was just turning hers out when there came a tap on her window. I guess there was some giggling after she ^teacher had subsided we can hear her go snooping along every night to see if we obey the rules. I think we had better behave ourselves or she will have a poor opinion of No 80. Oh there is a girl here a Miss Mason that looks very much like your brother ("that used to was."). She Is a real carry on too I guess. There are a good many chestnuts around the College & we go out & get them, of course. Yesterday, two men poled the trees for a lot of us girls & such a scrambling you never saw. We got about 3 qts. I guess four of us girls. We roasted some last night over the gas they were real good too & we have been eating morning. sitting round the table. niting[sp:knitting?] eating & talking like school-girls generally-do.But when Christmas comes, what a time there will be everyone is looking forward with "great Expectations" we count the days & weeks, nine weeks from next Wednesday. I must close for my sheet is scribbled fullEver your affec. F. Emma.I shall direct this as formerly, till I hear from you, for I suppose you are out West enjoying yourself exceedingly. This tatting is made of coarse thread as that spool gave out just in time to finish the two yds. That Miss. Hood in my S. School class is dead. she was sister of that librarian that you took such a fancy to She died of heart disease. she was a very nice young lady.
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Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 21 January 1902
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 21 January 1902

Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 14 January 1904
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 14 January 1904

Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 3 December 1901
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 3 December 1901

Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to Carrie, Apr. 1873:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: April 30, 1873
Text: Vassar College, April 30. 1873. Dear Carrie, The Faculty have been unusually good to us, giving us a half holiday today, which, with many of us, Is a whole one as our recitations all come In the morning. Perhaps their kindness was as much to themselves as to us, for certainly we are all a pretty sleepy and dull appear- ing set this morning. Although last night we went to bed not very much after eleven o'clock, even that has used up we early birds.I do wish you might have heard Phillips...
Show moreVassar College, April 30. 1873. Dear Carrie, The Faculty have been unusually good to us, giving us a half holiday today, which, with many of us, Is a whole one as our recitations all come In the morning. Perhaps their kindness was as much to themselves as to us, for certainly we are all a pretty sleepy and dull appear- ing set this morning. Although last night we went to bed not very much after eleven o'clock, even that has used up we early birds.I do wish you might have heard Phillips Brooks. I am not In the least surprised that the Boston people so worship him, for every one of us Is half crazy over him. He had been described to me as very, very tall and overgrown looking, as decidedly "green;" yet although he Is all these he Is decidedly fine looking. He is the biggest man I think I ever saw; when he promenaded the corridors, the other men, some of whom were quite tall, seemed mere pigmies. And this morning when he departed In the hack, he alone quite filled the seat. If his mind were at all In comparison with his body, he certainlywould be a great man. His address was upon the personality of the times. If I were, like you, good at remembering and tailing speeches, etc, I would be glad to give you the substance of it, but that is impossible; so I can simply say that It was very good, and pleased all; especially as it was not all about what woman should do; far this, you must know, Is drilled Into us by every stick of a man who comes. Of course His College was all decorated with evergreens and flowers. The letter were mare beautiful than ever before. This morning earns a letter from Sarah Pease, who says thatshe wrote yon at the same time, so I need not retell to you the news her letter contained. I should think Aunt Carrie would be rather fearful to have Uncle go to Europe after this fearful accident. Just think, there were several persons from Po'keepsie killed and two of the bodies, I hear, have not been found. Mr. Merritt, the father of those of that name who were lost, is quite an old man and has living only one son, who is a perfect lot , and spends most of his time In Binghampton at the asylum. You must be very, very busy now that Mamma is unable to go about; poor child, you will be all tired out by the time summer comes. I wish I could go home now that you all need me; it would be so nice to do something for you all who do so much far me. Goodbye now, dear.
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Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to Carrie, Nov. 1872:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: November 3, 1872
Text: Sunday. Nov. 3, 1872, Daar Carrie, I have just finished writing to Mamma and will now have a little chat with you on paper since we cannot have it by "word of mouth." Yesterday Ida Whitman came down to see her sister and I had the pleasure of seeing her for some little time. There seems a chance of my forming Ida's acquaintance, at last, after having heard of her for so many years. She isnot at all pretty but quite agreeable. Not much like her cousin Mary Taylor, though. But...
Show moreSunday. Nov. 3, 1872, Daar Carrie, I have just finished writing to Mamma and will now have a little chat with you on paper since we cannot have it by "word of mouth." Yesterday Ida Whitman came down to see her sister and I had the pleasure of seeing her for some little time. There seems a chance of my forming Ida's acquaintance, at last, after having heard of her for so many years. She isnot at all pretty but quite agreeable. Not much like her cousin Mary Taylor, though. But you must know that, in my opinion, Mame is the essence of perfection. Isn't it queer that a day or two after I roec'd your letter telling of Miss Bonny's adventure of horseback, the very same thing happened to one of the girls here. Her riding dress was torn completely away. She had on gymnastic pants and red stockings. Being a tall girl she must have looked very comical; the Count, the riding master, was with them, which made the matter worse. Fortunately they were near a farm house and she succeededin getting a dress. I suppose you see the Grahams frequently. Give my love to girls and tell Lilla that my patience is sorely tried by long waiting for a letter from her. All Hallow eve was the occasion of much merry making here. Nothing very serious was attempted, the girls taking warning from the fate of their predecessors. Numerous small pranks ware played and much noise was made. There is one poor girl here who has been christened the damp young woman. She weeps continually, at meals and during reci- tations. When I see her coming I always have a strong desireto run end get a bowl for her convenience. This poor girl was the subject of much fun, All Hallow Eve. Thursday the 7. This letter has been lying in my desk since Sunday, my time this week being unusually filled up, and now I take It out to finish it. I suppose you are all feeling badly about the elections. Was It not a great surprise to find that New York state went republican? I presume Aunt Maria will be very glad that Uncle is elected. My roommate seems to be consider- ably elated over the election of my uncle,but having known higher honors, it does not materially affect me. I have searched the papers, but in vain, to learn how Texas went. It Is still reported doubtful, but the Tribune thinks for Greeley along with many other Southern states. A vote was taken here In College, for fun, and It resulted in the election of Grant. 265 for him against 65 for Greeley. About twenty were en the fence, and some were not in their rooms. The horses in Po'keepsie are so sick that none can be found to bring our mail out regularly. It is a great disappoiatment to us to receive but one mail a dayHoping to get a nice long letter from you tomorrow, I am with love to all, Julie.
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Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to family, Apr. 1871:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: April 8,1871
Text: Vassar College. April 8, 1871. Dear People, I am only going to write one letter this week aad it will be to you all* It will be a long one I think unless I am very tired of writing before it is finished, I received a letter from Aunt Juliet a few days ago. She wrote me that Dr. Thermaa was dead. Isa't it sad for Kitty? Last Saturday I woat into Poughkeepsie and stayed nearly all day. We expected to ride in* but only one carriage came out la the morning, and so rather than fail to go...
Show moreVassar College. April 8, 1871. Dear People, I am only going to write one letter this week aad it will be to you all* It will be a long one I think unless I am very tired of writing before it is finished, I received a letter from Aunt Juliet a few days ago. She wrote me that Dr. Thermaa was dead. Isa't it sad for Kitty? Last Saturday I woat into Poughkeepsie and stayed nearly all day. We expected to ride in* but only one carriage came out la the morning, and so rather than fail to go after we were all ready, wewalked. The day was very pleasant, bat the roads were very muddy. Carrie, who thinks that Vassar girls are rather differeat from others, would have beea amaaed to see us I : 1 ' walking on the rock wall and climbing fences to avoid mid. We stopped a few minutes at a conservatory and I bought a pretty ivy, price 15 cts. We thought it very reasonable. I feel guilty and want to confess. I feel that I have spent too much for my dress and hat. My dross la lovely, and I will put in a little scrap aa that you may see It. The stuff cost $ 14.40 and the making and trimming $8.50. It is made very prettily with a basque waist andifcwonly one skirt trimmed with a fteaace and two folds. The hat was seven dollars, a most enormous sum. I never had a hat cost so much. I used the ribbon and lace of last summers one but had to get a new flower and more ribbon. The hat is white straw, which will be worn more this year than any other style. I really think I had better not come back another year. I cannot help spending money, when I have any it slips through my fingers as if it were so much water, tf Papa's letter telling me to be economical had only come sooner, I would have tried to get along with- out a new dress this spring and 1 suppose I might have done so, butwhen one sees others dressing well, it is very hard not to try to do the same. Now I plead guilty and await the decision of the court. which One questional would like to have settled, I will now introduce far I j ?cuss ion. Julia Moon has written several times wishing me to come on to Maine as soon as school closes, and remain with them until they come to Poquinock and accompany them there. Will you held a council upon this, and send the results? I do not intend to go to Binghamton this summer, r.or to New Terk or Brooklyn- At the time I could visit there Mr, Levenson's family and my friend j/ Connie Smith would be out of town. Besides the summer is a miserable time to go to New York. Bf I should rec eive another invitation from Florence Smith to visit her In Newport, I would like to accept it, and if you think it well for me to go to Maine I will gladly do so, otherwise I shall be In Poquinock all summer. I shall have to study some during the summer to make up Algebra and enter Freshmaa another year, If I come back. I aught te have studied it here the first semester but the President thought that I had enough to da, making up History, and would not let me take it. When I was In Poughkeepsie I had a ferotype ferrotype, taken withthe four others who went with me. Only two, Sarah aad Bessie Hogg, are particular friends of mine but I like the others very well. Mies Randall is on the right and is a Sophmore, the one seated on a stool is Miss Sharp a special and a great friend of the elder Hogg. X send the picture tc you, thinking perhaps you will be Interested in it. You can see how very fat X have grown, my eyes are almost hidden by my cheeks. The last time I was weighed X could not make the scales say any less tlvi.n one hundred and twenty four pounds. Please send the picture back again. A photographer cornea to College every year andtakes the pictures of all who are anxious to waste their money. JLast year he charged four dollars a do&cn and the Faculty not being content with that, are trying this year to get one that asks sin. Do you think it worthwhile to pay fifty cents for each picture of your premising daughter and sister? One day this week three or four of us went over the Stewards Department. Everything is kept in such order as would please Mamma. The cooking and washing is all done by steam. Xt seems strange that icecream can be made by steam but so it is. We were told that two or three barrels of flour & two or three hundred quartsof milk are used daily. Two or three hundrdd quarts of icecream are used at oae meal. The pot for boiling soup holds just oae barrel full. Whea we have warm rolls for breakfast those who mould them must rise aad commence opera* tions at 2 A.M. Two persons are occupied all day, with the exception of two hours, cutting bread for us to eat. You will perceive that we have very good appetites. These few item3 will give you an idea of the grandeur with which things are carried on here.——Today we went to Cedar Ridge. It is a very pretty place, about a mile away. We found a great many hepaticas, but it is too early for many varieties. The vralk back to theCollege, at half past eleven, was one of the warmest X ever took. This day has been the wonder of the season. The thermometer here in the uliade stood at 80° and is said to have been 90° in town. As it is almost the first really warn; day there has been, we feel it very much. Mamma wishes to know if I find time to practise any. My answer is no. I hoped to take a practise period daily this semester, but find all my time occupied. I am very sorry as I am forgetting all 2 know, which never was much. This afternoon I tried to play a little but soon grew dis- couraged. I had topick the music out almost as if I had never before seen it. Carrie, it is too bad that X have some of your pieces of music with mo. They are those that you used to play most. I wish I might send them to you* Do you think X could? I would like the undergarments of which you wrote, Mamma, open at the side. So, papa has the stump mania? Can you not ornament them In some aafanner} there are some very pretty ones here several feet from the ground* Miss Garfield, foe President of the Freshman class, received a telegram a few days ago saying her mother was dead. She is now an orphan. of flowers made In this style . The stump pointed and set on a stick It is a fearful thing when ona is away from home to hear of the illness of any of \he family, but a death—I cannot bear to think of it. This is the second girl this year who has been called home after her mothers death. Auntie wished me to writs and ask you all to come on this summer. I want you to so much but cannot ask you to take the long Journey so soon again. I am very much disappointed that Papa Is not eomlng. The time goes very swiftly and I hope it will not seem very long before we see each other again, and then we will not be seperated any more.Tomorrow is Easter day. Will the children have their usual offer- ing then? I would like to be with you, going to St. David's but shall have to con'. :ni myself by going to Christ Church, I think it is, which we attend. We expect to walk in if it is as warm as today I do not know how we can do it. I am writing this after ten oclock. Miss Smily (Adelaide L. Smiley, to let me I eould sit up "but not very long, not over half an hour," she said. I have just heard a clock strike eleven and feeling slightly guilty will hasten to bed. Gcod night yourvery loving and very faulty Julie. jJulia M. Pease, '?5j
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Title: Pease, Julia M. -- to Carrie, Dec. 1874:
Creator: Pease, Julia M
Description: VC 1875
Date: December 6, 1874
Text: Vassar. Dec. 6. 1874 Dear Carrie, The girls are trying to make me turn around and talk to them, but it is in vain. I will not, but their efforts do not improve my powers of concentration. I cannot remember what I said in my last letter, so fear this will be a repetition of that - Today Prof. Seelye conducted our services, much to the delight of us all. His sermon was very finely written, his manner perfect, and his head splendidly shaped. Wehave done nothing but mourn that we were not born a...
Show moreVassar. Dec. 6. 1874 Dear Carrie, The girls are trying to make me turn around and talk to them, but it is in vain. I will not, but their efforts do not improve my powers of concentration. I cannot remember what I said in my last letter, so fear this will be a repetition of that - Today Prof. Seelye conducted our services, much to the delight of us all. His sermon was very finely written, his manner perfect, and his head splendidly shaped. Wehave done nothing but mourn that we were not born a few years later that we might have gone to Smith College under his Presidency- I would love to hear him preach every Sunday, and to be In his Mental Class would be bliss - Isn't Mr. Killough somewhat smitten? He seems to be a constant visitor at the house, and this can scarcely be entirely due to his fondness for wedding cake - What Is his business? and Is he fine-looking? Are there going to be any girls left unmarried when I get hame. They all seemto be marrying. When I mentioned Mr. Brockenbrough in connection with Annie Dewy to her cousin. Miss Moffett, she said, "Oh no, SAnnie would never marry him, they could not get along together.", that said gentleman always paid more attention to the younger girls of the family - Philalethlan day was pleasant as usual - A debate, poem and music, was the programme. Afterwards Collation and promenading. Col. Smith was not here, so I was not again attacked Bird Bell's father and Mother were out, andtalked with them a while, and with a peculiar youth, to whom Fannie Swan introduced me. By the way, Capt. Roberts and Nannie are now on Governors Island where they hope to remain through the winter. Fannie wants me to go down some Saturday with her and make them a visit, and Nannie has sent us an invitation. If we have our Class pictures taken In New York, perhaps I shall do so. Nannie is perfectly miserable they say. At last I have thought to send those designs for houses. If I see anyothers will send them though I hope there will be no need of them soon - Lovingly, Julia
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Title: Williams, Ellen -- to parents, Feb. 1866:
Creator: Williams, Ellen
Description: VC Spec 1865-1866
Date: February 11, 1866
Text: Vassar College Po'keepsie Feb. 11th. 1866 My Dear Parents. Father's letter of the 8th enclosing the two drafts was received yesterday afternoon. I am very much obliged indeed. I have been so fortunate the past week in receiving letters yesterday especially I was so delighted. I did not received any in the morning but in the afternoon I expected one from Louise so of course I was around when Miss Grant distributed the mail. She happened to hand me Louise's the first thing almost...
Show moreVassar College Po'keepsie Feb. 11th. 1866 My Dear Parents. Father's letter of the 8th enclosing the two drafts was received yesterday afternoon. I am very much obliged indeed. I have been so fortunate the past week in receiving letters yesterday especially I was so delighted. I did not received any in the morning but in the afternoon I expected one from Louise so of course I was around when Miss Grant distributed the mail. She happened to hand me Louise's the first thing almost and I perfectly satisfied was marching off to read it when the girls called me back saying I had another and Miss Grant handed me Father's. I was perfectly delighted & again turned away certain that no one else owed me a letter when Miss Grant called my name and gave me one from Mrs. Cornell in answer to one I had written her soon afterour return as Mary was not able to write. It was very kind of her to answer for I only wrote for Mary. Imagine how happy I must have been with three letters and I love so to get them on Saturday. But I was no less favored Friday for in the morning I received Mother's which was so interesting and at noon much to my surprise one from Fred Halsey and one from Mbllie Bartlett. You will say I ought never to complain about not receiving letters enough but remember it is not so every week by any means. Mollie's letter was so welcome for she sent me the promised Photos, of herself and Mr. Bartlett. They are very good indeed I am so anxious for you to see them. —- I don't know how I have managed to write so much and not to say anything about Julie, for it is nothing but Julie with me at present. I am so delighted to have her here but it is rather hard to have her with Mary and that up on another floor but you can imagine we see each other pretty often. She came Friday after-noon after I had finished all my recitations so I had a nice time to visit{page apparently missing} ...much and think Miss Hattie has made a very good choice. He is a good Sig. I can assure you He was in Ithaca several years ago and praised the place very much. He is acquainted with nearly all the Sigs there & says he remembers "having the pleasure of shaking hands with Father and having the grip but did not become any farther acquainted with him. I hope you may become acquainted with both he and Hattie Raymond some day they are so pleasant. I have not said any thing about Mothers proposed visit but not because I have not thought of it. I think of ever so much & it is very hard not to set my heart on it. Do come if you possibly can. Julie says perhaps her Mother will come too. Would it not be splendid Julie has come down so I must close. Love to all my friends with a large share for yourselves from Ella
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Title: Vincent, Anna -- to Aunt Anne, Sep. 1881:
Creator: Vincent (Mabbett), Anna
Description: VC Prep 1881-1882
Date: September 25, 1881
Text: Vassar College, Po'keepsie, N.Y., Sep. 25, 1881. Dear Aunt Anne, As I have a little time to myself to-day, I thought I would write you. I would like to see my dear Aunt very much and hope to hear from her very soon. Don't you think you will be able to come out and see us before long. We hope very much that you can. Laura and I are studying French, Latin, and Rhetoric. These studies come in the morning and we have all the afternoon to prepare for the next day. The grounds are very...
Show moreVassar College, Po'keepsie, N.Y., Sep. 25, 1881. Dear Aunt Anne, As I have a little time to myself to-day, I thought I would write you. I would like to see my dear Aunt very much and hope to hear from her very soon. Don't you think you will be able to come out and see us before long. We hope very much that you can. Laura and I are studying French, Latin, and Rhetoric. These studies come in the morning and we have all the afternoon to prepare for the next day. The grounds are very beautiful hereand we have enjoyed walking around them very much. On the other side of the road is a very pretty lake and there are boats for the students to use and we enjoy rowing very much. Laura an[nonter]- [n]other young lady and myself went down to Po'keepsie yesterday morning and had a very pleasant time. We called upon Mrs. Rudd she gave us some very nice grapes which we brought home and will enjoy eating them very much. We also called upon Miss [Bedile] but- she was not at home we saw his mother but after we saw her in the street. We met Mr Gregory in the street and he took us into Mr Charles Johnson's store and in- traduced us to him we found him very pleasant. He said he was over at Dover on Sunday and sawMamma. I suppose they are very lonely at home I hope you will go down very often to see them. I was very glad when grandma wrote that you were coming down. I should think Myra would miss Charles and cousin Annie very much as she went so much. Please ask Myra when she can to write me as we like to hear from our friends very much. I suppose Uncle Jo Is working as hard as ever I [wish] think he had better rest a day and bring you all to Po'keepsie to see us. We would be so glad to see you all, as we sometimes feel quite lonely. One of the girls has gone home she was very home-sick. I hope we will not arrive at such a sad end. As we have come, we wish to remain as long as possible. I do not know whether we are allowed to go homeon Thanksgiving or not, but I hope very much that we can. Of course, if nothing happens, we shall come home on the Holiday. [At] It has been very warm and dusty here and the grass is all drying up I hope it will rain soon and refresh the earth. We have one girl here from Japan she dresses like our girls but her skin Is very dark. She has very pretty teeth and Is quite tall. I have written you a long letter and now I must close with love for each and all. I am Your loving niece, Anna B. Mabbett. Anna (Mabbett) Vincent, prep.'81-82
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Title: Mansfield, Adelaide (Claflin) -- to Bess Claflin, Oct. 12, 1894:
Creator: Mansfield, Adelaide (Claflin)
Description: VC 1897
Date: October 12, 1894
Text: <p>Vassar College. Oct. 21. (1894, Oct. 12. 1894. My dear Bessie,- You have been so good about writing to me several times aleeady, that I will answer your letters next. I want first to thank you for the postal stamps you sent me for my birth- day. They were about the most useful thing you could hav? +hought of, and they came at just the right time, for I intended to buy some that very day. I am taking this time to write because I am too lazy</p> to do anything else just now. I...
Show more<p>Vassar College. Oct. 21. (1894, Oct. 12. 1894. My dear Bessie,- You have been so good about writing to me several times aleeady, that I will answer your letters next. I want first to thank you for the postal stamps you sent me for my birth- day. They were about the most useful thing you could hav? +hought of, and they came at just the right time, for I intended to buy some that very day. I am taking this time to write because I am too lazy</p> to do anything else just now. I have two recitations the first thing Friday morning, and nothing more till late in the afternoon. So the middle of the day seems like Saturday, and when I have had the hardest part of my week just before this, I like to do something else at this time than study. Our work is going to take ever so much time this year, for we have so much library work in history. For that we have to scheme and wait to get hold of the book we need, for often there is only one copy and 130 people want to use it. Then we have to read pages and pages, and take notes of the principal ideas we pick out.We bought several history books which we can use all we want to, and that is a great help. Studying history this year is interesting out of class, but not in class, for our teacher, Miss Johnson, is said to be more like a primary school teacher than any other here. If there are any more of mamma's pictures at home, I wish you would send me one as soon as you can. The other one, that you said Mr. Zndean sent, never reached me. I wrote to the postmaster in Poughkeepsie about it, but he could not find any trace of it. I am so anxious to see one. Mamma said thefamily did not like them very well. Etta's picture carne all right, though the wrappings were nearly off of it. Aren't you going to send me Clarence H.'s too, or cant Lou part with it? The other day, after I had been out walking with Katharine Dunham for an hour, I found a note on my door saying that Mr. and Mrs. West of Des Moines were in the parlor and would like to see me. I had not the slightest idea who they were, but I went down to the parlor. However, they had gone by that time, so I have not yet found out who they were. They sentup the note about half an hour before I got here. 1 have been wondering whether they are the relatives of the Fuller's, -wir for those are the only people I have heard of that live in Des Moines. But I couldn't remember whether their name was West. Some Des Moines girls were entertaining them while they were here. This morning Ray brought a letter from Mamma down to Greek class, and I read it there. I wish she would stay longer than till tonight, in Ypsilanti.Tomorrow Mr. Thompson is going to have the annual excur- sion to Lake Mo hunk, for the Freshmen, Seniors, and all the new students, in other classes. I wish we could gc, for it is such a beautiful place, and the long ride is a treat. It is twenty miles av/ay, and they ride both ways in buses. You remember we went last year. Katharine Dunham was not sure whether she was going, for she expects her Aunt Belle here today, and if Miss Sutliffe can stay over till tomorrow, of course Katharine wont go toohunk. We had a very exciting meeting of the Students Association night before last. They discussed the question of wearing the cap and gown. Most of the girls are in favor of it, but it can not be done without sending a petition to the Faculty, and getting their permission. This was sent, two or three years ago, asking that the Senior Class might wear them, but the Faculty would not grant that then. So there is a good deal of doubt about whether the Faculty will approve of it this time- I am not sure whether I want them or not. Itseems to me personally that I would rather wear my individual clothes, but still as the majority wanted them I did not vote against them, because I have no real objection, and I did not want to make the petition less unanimous. You have not told me about school, and how you like German, and whether you find it hard. Did you know that we were both read- ing Cicero? We are reading two of his essays, "Be Amicitia", and "De Senectute", which twill leave you to translate. They are very interesting, and I like my Latin teacher, Miss Greene, ever so much. Lovingly Adelaide. jClaflinj
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Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 15 April 1904
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 15 April 1904

Title: Eldridge, Muriel (Tilden) -- to Mother, 4 June 1913
Creator: Eldridge, Muriel (Tilden)
Description: VC 1914
Date: 4 June 1913

Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Family, 28 March 1902
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 28 March 1902

Title: McAndrew, Marjorie — from Aunt Florence, September 28, 1916
Creator: Aunt Florence
Date: 28 Sep 1916
Text: Dunkirk New York Sept 28 - 1916 - My dear Marjorie Your letter came this morning and I am writing you so that you may receive it on Sat - the 30th at least. I was sorry not to have the jacket laundered, but did not think of it in time. It also slipped my mind in regard to the laundry bag or I should certainly have had a more satisfactory one for you. It will [however?] serve its purpose of course. The little silk bag is not quite finished, but I will get it off to you in a few days...
Show moreDunkirk New York Sept 28 - 1916 - My dear Marjorie Your letter came this morning and I am writing you so that you may receive it on Sat - the 30th at least. I was sorry not to have the jacket laundered, but did not think of it in time. It also slipped my mind in regard to the laundry bag or I should certainly have had a more satisfactory one for you. It will [however?] serve its purpose of course. The little silk bag is not quite finished, but I will get it off to you in a few days Grandmother has done most of the real work on it, so you know to whom to express your appreciation. Will just Vassar College be sufficient for your address or will your letters require the name of the Hall as well? I have been over to Mrs- [Nelson’s?]: she is progressing with the blue dress. I doubt if she will have it ready to send to-morrow. In case she does not, do you prefer it sent directly to you or to [Mamaroneck?] I think it will look very well. [...] will plan on the [..ile?] as soon as possible. You will learn to be very [...ple...at…?] with your letter-writing and not think that you can delay it till some future date. In fact, you must conserve your energy and concentrate upon each thing, so as to make ^time for an opportunity to enjoy the various activities. I really feel that the ^first few weeks will be the hardest. Until you learn their [...p] and methods. You must be very brave if things aren’t just as you would like them, and you must attribute the best motives to everyone. I am enclosing the draft for the amount I said I would send you at this time. I shall think of you and pray that you may be fortunately located and greeted with much [love?] Affectionately Aunt Florence Have [...] one [drop?] a line as to [when?] [...] shall send the blue dress Miss Marjorie McAndrew 134 Prospect Ave [Mamaroneck?] New York
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Title: Shipp, Margaret M. -- to Sister, 12 January 1905
Creator: Shipp, Margaret M.
Description: VC 1905
Date: 12 January 1905

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