Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - January 18, 1931

2020.1.210 01181931.pdf

Dublin Core

Title

Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - January 18, 1931

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

1931-01-18

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. Jan. 18th 1930

Dear Miss. Taft:-

Received the check and your short note am so sorry for your sister as I've had to pass thru the same suffering only I had my baby spared. I know how dissapointed you all must feel. I hope she will soon be well again.

We have been having very nice weather with very little snow. But am afraid it will mean a loss to us if it continues to be like this.

I was talking with Christopher's the other day and they are looking for another 1/2 cent from Lardie very soon now. It may be less but expect that much any way. I suppose if we have fruit this year it will be less on account of the hard times.

Most of our local ladies are buying new winter coats at marked down prices. I can see myself in the new styled coats. My old one must do for at least two years more. I have better places to put what little I have.

Roger has a bug to join the U.S. Navy and it makes my heart nearly turn over to have him think of going away. He will likely change his mind after talking to some of our neighbor boys who have served four years. He had a letter yesterday from Grand Rapids with a list of questions to answer. I have burned it up. Maybe I'm wrong as it may be to his advantage. But Miss. Taft when you raise a boy to be 20 years old its hard to think of him going in all kinds of tough company.

I'm so glad Alberta is coming along so nicely with her work. Hazel is doing better this year and is in much better health.

I hope your eyes are better by now. I paid Tom for hauliing the grain home from town and will make out your bills in my next letter.

I was calling on Mary Christopher the early part of last week when a man stoped and was inquiring for a farm that a widow woman had for sale he couldn't find the place I told him about your farm and told him we would be glad to have him come and look it over. He hasn't been here so far.

Quite a few of our Traverse people have gone to Florida to spend the winter. Wish we could go just once. Altho' Mr. Hughes that owns the beautiful farm near T. City will never return to enjoy our beautiful Michigan again. Henry and Dora Gore left over a week ago.

How is Mrs. English? I had a dreadful spell about 12 days ago but there isn't much I can do only keep off from my feet and not lift.

There isn't any news to ammount to much only card parties I seldom go as it usually storms so I have to stay at home. I go to the Ladies Aid thats about all

Hope you are well as the leaves us all well and all is fine on the farm so far.

With love, Essie K.

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  1. 2020.1.210 01181931.pdf