Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - May 21, 1930

2020.1.196 05211930.pdf

Dublin Core

Title

Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - May 21, 1930

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

1930-05-21

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 May 21st 19-30

My dear Miss Taft:

Will hurry and write a few lines to you as I know you are anxious to hear how every thing is coming on.

We have had some very cold weather since you last heard from me. But can't see where your cherries are hurt. The petals are falling now so we can soon tell what we will have if nothing more happens later on.

Your oats are up. And corn planted every thing is growing nicely but need rain very much it has turned warm today so perhpas we may get some before long.

The horses have been shod and seed drills paid for.

Jos. Is going to plant [mangle ????] & carrot seeds today and that will end the planting now spraying comes on soon again Sweets were sprayed Sat.

Winter apples look like a light crop and Dutchess & [Meathies ?????] fair. We will wait & see what comes.

I'm sorry Miss Taft but I couldn't wash your spread as I had my heavy laundry did this Spring as I can't stand to lift any more. I have that old trouble worse than ever. Am selling cream also to save so much hard work. All the joy of my 13 Summers in Mich has been spoiled by too much hard work when I should have had rest. I still stay fat but those laceration from 12 years ago pain me considerable am afraid the time is coming when I will have to go to the hospital again.

I love the farm but there is so much hard work for a woman. It seems I'm busy all the while and then can't catch up.

Hope you are well and not too tired these days. Hazel can hardly wait until school is out.

Must hurry as Jos. is in for dinner. Lovingly, Essie 

$6.76   left to your credit
 .30   pump leathers
1.00   seed drill
1.00   line drill
 .50   carrot seed
3.50   horse shoeing
 .46   to your credit  May 21st 1930

P.S. Roger and I are going in to T. C. tomorrow & I'm going in to Chamber of Commerce & report Altenberg's orchard as its full of worms nests. and they come over to yours. Was in the orchard tonight & cherries look good so far.

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  1. 2020.1.196 05211930.pdf