Written by
Welles, Mary Jane Hale, American, 1817 - 1886
Received by
Welles, Gideon, American, 1802 - 1878
Date
August 15, 1863
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W (Open): 7 15/16 × 10 in. (20.2 × 25.4 cm)
H x W (Closed): 7 15/16 × 4 15/16 in. (20.2 × 12.6 cm)
Description
This is a personal letter from Mary Jane Hale Welles to her husband Gideon Welles. The bifolio letter has a narrow black border around the front page. The letter is dated at the top [Bellfonte 15 Aug.] and begins [My dear Husband / This is Saturday / very warm for this region, but pleasantly cool enough nights]. The writing on the front and second page is oriented vertically, with the writing on the third and last page oriented horizontally. The writing on the last page runs vertically. Mary Welles wrote the letter from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. The content of the letter covers the stay in Bellefonte, the couple's children and acquaintances, an upcoming journey to Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, a possible vacation to Glastonbury, and the recent Civil War draft lottery. On the third page, Welles writes, [There is great excitement here about the draft. Some of their worst copperheads are drafted but suddenly many of them are half lame]. The letter is signed [Truly your affectionate wife M.J.W.]. Another hand has added the date [1863] to the top right corner of the first page as well as [M. J. Welles / Aug '63] to the top center of the last page.
Transcription Center Status
Transcription Available
Place made
Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Documents and Manuscripts
Type
letters (correspondence)
Topic
Correspondence
Families
Parenthood
U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2018.35.2.5
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5583eb572-9d3b-4720-9095-d49bf57d993b

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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