Letters from Abby Turner to her mother, Emeline Cogswell, 1904-1920

[Envelope]

History

Abby Turner 1896 wrote to her mother, Emeline Cogswell Turner 1855, when she was traveling. She told her mother about the people she saw and the things that she did. Abby seemed to care very much about her mother and other relatives, and often inquired about their health and their activities in her letters. At least occasionally, Abby handled her mother's finances and hired attendants for her.

The more prolific letter series have been broken out to their own pages:

The Images

All documents have the first page scanned, and comments about their contents are included below.

A Letter Written on Oct 2, 1904
envelope Postmarked Oct 2, 1904 12noon in New York City. Addressed to Mrs. George Turner, 4 Crown St, Nashua NH. Transit mark Oct 10, 1904 4:30pm in Nashua, NH on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Oct 9, 1904
envelope Postmarked Oct 10, 1904 10am in South Hadley. Addressed to Mrs. George Turner, 4 Crown St, Nashua NH. Transit mark Oct 10, 1904 4:30pm in Nashua, NH on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jul 10, 1905
envelope Postmarked Jul 10, 1905 9pm in Nashua NH, on Hotel Ausable Chasm letterhead. Addressed to Mrs. George Turner, 4 Crown St, Nashua NH. Transit mark Jul 11, 1905 11:30am in Nashua, NH on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written around Feb 16, 1906
envelope Postmarked Feb 16, 1906 7am in South Hadley, from Box 57 at Mount Holyoke College. Addressed to Mrs. George Turner, 350 Genesee Ave, Cleveland, Ohio. Transit marks Feb 16, 1906 8:30am in Holyoke Mass, and Feb 17, 1906 7:30am in Cleveland Ohio on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

An Article Sent on May 28, 1906
envelope Postmarked May 28, 1906 7am in South Hadley. Addressed to Mrs. George Turner, 4 Crown St, Nashua NH. Transit mark May 28, 1906 2:30pm in Nashua NH on the reverse.
article Full contents of article, though only part of the article is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jun 21, 1906
envelope Postmarked Jun 21, 1906 10am in South Hadley. Addressed to Mrs. George Turner, 4 Crown St, Nashua NH. Transit mark Jun 21, 1906 6pm in Nashua NH on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jan 13, 1907
envelope Postmarked Jan 13, 1907 8pm in Wallingford, Conn. Addressed to Mrs. George Turner, 4 Crown St, Nashua NH. Pencil notation: "Visit to Frances Smith." Transit mark Jan 14, 1907 9am in Nashua NH on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Aug 21, 1907
envelope Postmarked Aug 21, 1907 9pm in Boston, Mass. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, 4 Crown St, Nashua NH. Pencil notation: "keep" Transit mark Aug 22, 1907 7am in Nashua NH on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Mar 26, 1908
envelope Postmarked Mar 26, 1908 12pm in New York City. Addressed to Mrs. Emeline M. Turner in South Hadley.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Mar 29, 1908
envelope Postmarked Mar 29, 1908 12pm in New York City. Addressed to Mrs. Emeline M. Turner in South Hadley. Transit mark Mar 29, 1908 9am in South Hadley on the reverse. (Someone forgot to change the date on the postmark!)
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

Letters from the summer of 1908

A Letter Written around Jan 3, 1909
envelope Postmarked Jan 4, 1909 10am in New York, NY. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, South Hadley. Transit mark Jan 4, 1909 5pm in South Hadley on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written around Jan 29, 1909
envelope Postmarked Jan 29, 1909 9:30pm in Baltimore, Md. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, South Hadley. Transit mark Jan 30, 1909 5pm in South Hadley on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 22, 1909
envelope Postmarked Sep 23, 1909 9:30am in Nashua NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, 48 Bellfield Ave, Cleveland Heights Village, Ohio.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 30, 1909
envelope Postmarked Sep 30, 1909 3pm in Cambridge Mass. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, 48 Bellfield Ave, Cleveland Heights Village, Ohio.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written around Oct 10, 1909
envelope Postmarked Oct 11, 1909 2am in Cambridge, Mass. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, 48 Bellfield Ave, Cleveland Heights Village, Ohio.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written around Oct 17, 1909
envelope Postmarked Oct 17, 1909 5pm in Cambridge, Mass. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, 48 Bellfield Ave, Cleveland Heights Village, Ohio.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written around Nov 28, 1909
envelope Postmarked Nov 28, 1909 10pm in Cambridge, Mass. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, 48 Bellfield Ave, Cleveland Heights Village, Ohio.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written around Apr 3, 1910
envelope Postmarked Apr 4, 1910 9am in Cambridge, Mass. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, 2206 Bellfield Ave, Cleveland Heights Village, Ohio.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written around Dec 4, 1910
envelope Postmarked Dec 5, 1910 3am at the Jamaica Plain station in Boston, Mass. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, 7 Merrimack St, Nashua NH. Pencil inscription: "Christian Science" Transit mark Dec 5, 1910 8:30am in Nashua NH on the reverse.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

Letters from 1911

A Postcard Written around Apr 30, 1912
front "70452 Bird's Eye View, Pennsylvania Station, New York."
back Divided back, postmarked Apr 30, 1912 3pm in New York, NY. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass. "I've gotten to New York safely and had my lunch in this wonderful station. I never saw its equal. Love to you - Abby"

Letters from the summer of 1912

An Invitation for Mount Holyoke's 75th anniversary on Oct 8-9, 1912
invitation No envelope survives. "The Trustees and Faculty at Mount Holyoke College invite you to be present at the commemoration of the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the Founding of the Institution on Tuesday and Wednesday the eighth and ninth of October nineteen hundred and twelve / You are requested to reply before the seventh of September to Miss Caroline B. Greene, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, indicating the exercises which you will attend in order that tickets of admission may be reserved"

Letters from the summer of 1913

A Letter Written on Dec 31, 1913
envelope Postmarked Dec 31, 1913 11:30am at the West Philadelphia Station in Philadelphia Pa. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Postcard mailed in Aug 1914
front "Islesboro Inn, Dark Harbor, Maine."
back Divided back, postmarked Aug 1914 2pm in Dark Harbor Maine. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass. "We are having a fine all day sail today and have landed at Dark Harbor, where there are some very grand houses. Much love to you - Abby Tuesday."

A Letter Written on Aug 30, 1914
envelope Postmarked Aug 31, 1914 1:30pm in Bangor, Maine. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass. Pencil inscription on the reverse: "ans Sep 1"
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Aug 31, 1914
front "Braggon's Castle. Is the second Point on the Penobscot River below Hampden Wharf. A man named Braggon was chased by Indians, jumped into the water, coming up under the Point into what was then a cave, not rising to the surface, the Indians, thinking him drowned, left him unharmed, hence the name Braggon's Castle."
back Divided back, postmarked Aug 31, 1914 2:30pm in Bangor Maine. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass. "Monday. We've had a fine trip up the Penobscot to Bangor, and have celebrated by getting our shoes shined! This place in the river was lovely. It all is, for that matter. Mrs. Dow was on the boat[.] Love to you - Abby"

A Postcard mailed on Sep 2, 1914
front "Camden, Maine. Negro Island from Dillingham's Point"
back Divided back, postmarked Sep 2, 1914 in Harborside Maine. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass. "Elizabeth left yesterday and Beryl and I went as far as Rockland with her and then to Camden by trolley. We climbed a nice little mountain there. This island is in the pretty Camden Harbor. Love to you - Abby"

A Letter Written on Sep 2, 1914
envelope Postmarked [Sep 3, 1914?] in Harborside Maine. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Sep 4, 1914
front "Water View from Sunset, Me."
back Divided back, postmarked Sep 4, 1914 [...]pm in Dear Isle Maine. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass. "Fri. Deer Isle / We are having a beautiful walking trip and hope to spend the night on an island that is well out at the edge of the islands. Weather fine - Get back to Gray's Sat. probably - Love - Abby"

Letters from the summer of 1915

A Letter Written on Dec 30, 1915
envelope Postmarked Dec 31, 1915 12:30am in Washington DC. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Jan 1, 1916
front "Library of Congress, Washington D.C. The Main Hall"
back Divided back, postmarked Jan 2, 1916 1am in Washington DC. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass. "You remember the entrance hall and staircase in the Boston Library, don't you? This is the hall in the Congressional Library where we went the other night. Your note came this morning - I'm glad you are well. I'll write more tomorrow. A Happy New Year to you - Lovingly - Abby Jan. 1."

A Letter Written on Jan 5, 1916
envelope Postmarked Jan 6, 1916 11:30am in Washington DC, with corner card for The Hamilton, Fourteenth and K Streets NW, Washington DC. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Apr 29, 1916 [?]
front "Interior of Gossport Church, Star Island, Isles of Shoals, off Portsmouth, N.H."
back Divided back, postmarked Apr 29, 1916 [?] 10:30am in Portsmouth NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass. "This is the church where Mr. Crothers preached on Sunday, with brick floor and the supports on the wall where they hang the candles for the evening service. It's a very quaint little place. Love to you, Abby / Miss Smith sends love"

Three Letters Written Jul 2-9, 1916
envelope Postmarked Jul 3, 1916 am in Wonalancet, NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
letter 1 Written on Jul 2. Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
letter 2 Written on Jul 6. Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
letter 3 Written on Jul 9. Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Aug 14, 1917
envelope Postmarked Aug 15, 1917 3pm in Gorham, NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Aug 19, 1917
envelope Postmarked Aug 20, 1917 am in Randolph, NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass. with corner card for Ravine House, Randolph NH.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Partial Letter Written on Aug 23, 1917
envelope Postmarked Aug 23, 1917 4pm in Shelburne, NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Aug 26, 1917
envelope Postmarked Aug 27, 1917 am in Shelburne, NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Aug 28, 1917
envelope Postmarked Aug 28, 1917 am in Pemaquid Point, Maine. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 2, 1917
envelope Postmarked Sep 3, 1917 am in Pemaquid Point, Maine. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 6, 1917
envelope Postmarked Sep 7, 1917 am in Pemaquid Point, Maine. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Mar 24, 1918
envelope Postmarked Mar 24, 1918 12pm in New York, NY. Addressed to Mrs. George Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass. Pencil inscription on reverse: "ans March 26 : 1918"
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jun 16, 1918
envelope Postmarked Jun 17, 1918 8am in Brattleboro VT. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Aug 25, 1918
envelope Postmarked Aug 26, 1918 5am in Jackson NH. with corner card for Iron Mountain House, Jackson, NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Aug 28, 1918
envelope Postmarked Aug 29, 1918 2pm in Jackson NH. with corner card for Iron Mountain House, Jackson, NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass. Pencil inscription: "ans. August 30: 1918."
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Aug 31, 1918
envelope Postmarked Sep 2, 1918 2pm in Jackson NH. with corner card for Iron Mountain House, Jackson, NH. but altered to forward to A. H. Turner in South Hadley. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 4, 1918
envelope Postmarked Sep 5, 1918 5pm in Jackson NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 6, 1918
envelope Postmarked Sep 7, 1918 2pm in Jackson NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 8, 1918 [?]
envelope Postmarked Sep 6pm in Intervale NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jan 22, 1919
envelope Postmarked Jan 23, 1919 10am in Baltimore Md. Addressed to Mrs. Emeline M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
Two postal cards were enclosed in this letter.
Postal card #1: front Postmarked Jan 22, 1919 in New York City. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley, Mass.
Postal card #1: back "Tues. night. Dear Mamma:- I'm in New York and at a cheerful play at the theatre with Mabel Hedge. I had time enough in Holyoke to get a little more to eat and to eat an apple so I had plenty. Miss Marks came down on the train from Spr. to New York - which was full of soldiers and sailors. It is very simple to get off at 125th St. and over to this part of the city. Tomorrow I go to Baltimore. Will write you from there. Much love to you Abby"
Postal card #2: front Postmarked Jan 23, 1919 11pm in Baltimore Md. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley, Mass.
Postal card #2: back "Thurs. p.m. Dear Mamma:- It has been a nasty rainy day, but I have managed to get things done and to have a very good time. The candidate seems good, and I've had a pleasant time with Miss King and Miss Jervis, and with two of our own girls one of whom is assisting Miss King, and the other of whom is in a place Miss Smith will like to hear about, a remarkable statistical laboratory. Now I'm going to get ready to go to dinner with Dr. Welsh and Dr. Sherwood. Tomorrow I start early for New York. Much love to you. Abby"

A Letter Written on Jul 19, 1919
envelope Postmarked Jul 19, 1919 1am in Woods Hole Mass. Addressed to Mrs. Emeline M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Aug 16, 1919
envelope Postmarked Aug 18, 1919 7am in Warren NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Aug 22, 1919
envelope Postmarked Aug 23, 1919 6am in North Woodstock NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Aug 29, 1919
envelope Postmarked Aug 30, 1919 11am in Gorham NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Aug 31, 1919
envelope Postmarked Sep 1, 1919 am in Shelburne NH. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 27, 1919
envelope Postmarked Dec 28, 1919 1am in Cleveland, Ohio on Hotel Statler, Cleveland letterhead. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Mar 31, 1920
envelope Postmarked Mar 31, 1920 12noon at the Baltimore & Arlington railroad post office in Baltimore Md. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Apr 4, 1920
envelope Postmarked Apr 5, 1920 12:30pm at the Grand Central Station post office in New York NY. Addressed to Mrs. E. M. Turner, Box 34, South Hadley Mass. Pencil inscription: "Easter letter"
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.