Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - April 20, 1920

2020.1.26 04201920.pdf

Dublin Core

Title

Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - April 20, 1920

Subject

Old Mission Peninsula (Mich.)
Agriculture
Farmers
Crops and climate

Description

Carolyn Gay Taft (1873-1952), was the owner of a small cherry farm on Old Mission Peninsula in the early 1900’s. While she spent her summers on the Peninsula, her primary job as a teacher at the Illinois State School for the Deaf required hired hands to run the farm in her absence. These farmers, and their families, lived on the farm and sent frequent written reports to Ms. Taft. Most letters are written by the farmer’s wives, and provide a record of both agricultural and social history.

Creator

Ralph Kitchen, Joseph Kitchen, Essie Kitchen, Max Gilmore, Hazel Gilmore

Source

Collection donated to Peninsula Community Library by the surviving members of the Taft family.

Publisher

Peninsula Community Library

Date

1920-04-20

Contributor

Mary T Morgan

Rights

This document is protected by copyright law. Contact the Peninsula Community Library for permission to reproduce, display, or transmit this document.

Relation

None

Format

PDF

Language

English

Type

Document

Identifier

LHC 010

Coverage

Traverse City, Peninsula Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan

Scripto

Transcription

Raymond S.D. April 20th 1920 My Dear Miss Taft:- I was very glad to hear from you. I have had several letters from Joseph since I wrote to you. He did not tell me how much he got out of the hogs & I did not care to ask over twice. Your cherry orchard was all O.k. last week. But it is so cold most of the time. That I am not enjoying my visit as much as I might. For we can not take the baby & go car riding. She has not been very well since I brought her out here. I do not like it out here for there is thick black mud every where. And the water is awful it is not fit to drink. I will be glad to get back & get a good drink of water once more. Last night I happened to step off from the cement walk & slipped down in the mud & rolled over such a sight I was. That finished me. Mamma makes fun of Mich. sand but I like it far better than mud. I would like to go to the Black Hills before I come back but I guess I will have to give it up. Miss Taft when you mention clothes it makes me think of my old clothes. I could not afford to buy new ones. Mamma & papa furnished me with funds to bring me out here. They thought I would like it here & stay. So I don't like to have them buy any clothes for us. Although they have [gotten] bought some things for the children to wear. They have a beautiful home here & every thing to get along with. I would like to paper one of the rooms at home this spring but I can't afford it & won't ask you to. Even though it is a tenant house I like to be clean & comfortable. For it is my home as long as I live in it. Now Try and write to me again before I leave for home. That will be the 3rd day of May. I will be so glad to see you back again. And I certainly hope we have a good summer & lots of cherries. Mamma & Mary send you their love. And you have a lot of mine too. Your Friend Essie E Kitchen P.S. Keep well

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  1. 2020.1.26 04201920.pdf