Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - February 22, 1926

2020.1.87 02221926.pdf

Dublin Core

Title

Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - February 22, 1926

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

1926-02-22

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

Old Mission, Mich. Feb. 22nd 19-26

My Dear Miss. Taft:-

We have tried several parties about buying the farm but no one in view yet Maybe later on some one will turn up & buy.

We are going to sell part of our furniture in case you sell soon we wouldn't have so much to move. It would only get smashed to pieces in a short time & we wouldn't have either money or furniture as it is we have the chance to sell some of it for a good price so will let it go.

Of course we don't want to be out of a job so if we see something sure we might take it but would be fair with you & let you know in plenty of time. As I have said before I'm not anxious to leave this dear place. It seems like home to me. When we leave it I don't want to look back for it would surely make me cry. Joseph & I have worked hard together for nearly nine years here. So can't help it you may think I am plain soft hearted.

The stock is all well as ever. Jerry acts kind of old & slow but it is natural for him.

I don't like to mention about the well but am afraid it is going to do the same as before. Of late it pumps very slow takes 145 strokes for a pail of water. I didn't like to say any-thing about it until I had to. I think as the bay lowers that people's wells will keep on going dry. It is the case with a lot of people here now. Maybe it could be fixed up but will use it as long as we can get water. Joseph can't locate the real trouble so will wait until you return in the Spring.

Roger has taken his second violin lesson and likes it so much. You will be surprised to see how fast my little boy has grown to be a big one. But is the same dear boy to me as ever. I must be very careful as he is undergoing his change now.

Must hurry & wash dishes as my water will get too hot.

Hope you are well and keep well.

With love. Essie Kitchen

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  1. 2020.1.87 02221926.pdf