The Dora Kasson Letters

History

These letters were written to Dora Kasson by family and friends while she was a student at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. They give a glimpse of Seminary life, and close ties with cousins. The Hills are related to Dora through Dora's father. Dora's father George M. Kasson had a sister Susan Margaret Kasson, who married Rollin B. Hill. Their son Harvey Elbridge Hill was one of Dora's correspondents. Rollin's brother Gilman had a daughter Sophia who I believe is the Seminary student who corresponded with Dora. The Steeles are related through Dora's grandmother. George Kasson's mother Lucy Steele had a brother William Steele who lived in East Bloomfield NY and had a daughter Eliza. I was not able to identify how O. E. Steele or Martha Steele connect to the family tree.

The Images

All documents have at least a portion of the first page scanned, and comments about their contents are included below.

A Letter Written on Jan 7, 1855, to Dora from cousin O. E. Steele: envelope Addressed to Miss Deborah Kasson in Bethlehem, Conn. Postmarked Jan 9, 1855 in Canandaigua, NY. Envelope damaged. Inscription on the envelope: "Ans. June 12"; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Feb 1, 1855, to Dora from cousin Eliza Steele: envelope Addressed to Miss Deborah Kasson in Bethlehem, Conn. Postmarked Feb 1, 1855 in East Bloomfield, NY. Inscription on the envelope: "Ans. March 20 1855. Eliza Steele."; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Feb 6, 1855, to Dora from Seminary student and cousin Sophia Hill: envelope Addressed to Miss Deborah M. Kasson in Bethlehem, Conn. Postmark faint. Inscription on the envelope: "Sophia J. Hill. 1855."; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Dec 11, 1855, to Dora from Seminary student and cousin Sophia Hill: envelope Addressed to Miss Deborah Kasson at Mount Holyoke Seminary. Postmarked blurred, stamp missing.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Dec 22, 1855, to Dora from Seminary student and cousin Sophia Hill: envelope Addressed to Miss Deborah Kasson at Mount Holyoke Seminary. Postmarked Dec 24 in Waterbury Conn.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Mar 7, 1856, to Dora from friend Carrie: envelope Addressed to Miss Deborah M. Kasson at Mount Holyoke Fem. Seminary. Postmarked Mar 8 [1856] in New Milford Ct.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jul 24, 1856, to Dora from Seminary friend and cousin Sophia Hill: envelope Addressed to Miss Deborah Kasson at Mount Holyoke Seminary. Postmarked Jul [...] in Middlebury Conn.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Dec 19, 1856, to Dora from cousin Harvey Hill: envelope Addressed to Miss Deborah M. Kasson in South Hadley. Postmarked in Michigan.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jan 9, 1857, to Dora from Seminary friends Annie and Eleanor: envelope Addressed to Miss Dora M. Kasson in Bethlehem, Conn. Postmarked J... 1857 in South Hadley.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jan --, 1857, to Dora from Seminary friend Annie Grassie: No envelope survives. page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Apr 6, 1857, to Dora from Seminary friend Kate Clark: envelope Addressed to Miss Dora Kasson in Bethlehem, Conn. Postmarked Apr 6, 1857 in New Haven Conn. Stamp missing.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on May 21, 1857, to Dora from Lucia: envelope Addressed to Miss Dora Kasson at MHFS in South Hadley. Postmarked May 2-, 1857 in Auburn NY. Stamp missing.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jul 26, 1857, to Dora from cousin Martha Steele: envelope Addressed to Miss Dora Kasson at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. Postmarked Jul 29, 1857 in East Bloomfield NY. Inscription on the envelope: "Martha Steele August 1857 Cousin [August 1857.]"; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jul 28, 1857, to Dora from cousin Eliza Steele: page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Aug 28, 1857, to Dora from friend Clara: envelope Addressed to Miss Dora Kasson in Bethlehem, Conn. Postmarked in Monson Mass. Stamp missing.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jan 12, 1860, to Dora from friend Clara: envelope Addressed to Miss Dora Kasson at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. Postmarked Jan 12 [1860] in Norton, Mass.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.