Letters to and from Lillian Mateer x1881

[Family Portrait]
Family portrait taken in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Jan 2, 1880
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Erdmann

Back row, left to right: John L. Mateer, Jane Stewart Mateer, Horace N. Mateer,
Lillian E. Mateer, William D. Mateer, Anna Hamaker Mateer
From row, left to right: Jennie Mateer Henderson, Robert M. Mateer,
Mary Diven Mateer, Calvin W. Mateer, Julia Brown Mateer

History

The Mateer family was very involved in Presbyterian church work, and their letters to each other were sold on eBay in 2009 in individual lots. I could not afford to buy them all, so I focused on the letters that mentioned Lillian, the only Mount Holyoke Female Seminary student in the family. From the seller's other auctions, I learned the following facts about Lillian's family. Some of these names also appear in the letters now in my collection.

Lillian's mother was Mary N. Mateer. Mary's son Calvin W. Mateer (1836-1908) arrived in China as a missionary in 1864 and was there until his death. He founded the first Christian College in China (Shantung Christian College), and translated the Bible into Mandarin in 1907. His wife was Julia B. Mateer.

At the urging of his brother Calvin, John Lowrie Mateer (1848-1900) studied printing in order to take charge of the Presbyterian Press at Shanghai China, which he did from 1872 until his health broke down in 1876. He returned to the U.S.; in 1893, his wife died, and John Mateer remarried in 1894. He returned to China in 1894 with his new wife to take charge of the American Board Press at Peking, and died there in 1900 just before the outbreak of the Boxer Rebellion.

Lillian's brother, Robert M. Mateer (1853-1921) graduated from Princeton in 1878, and from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1881, in which year he went to China. He spent the remainder of his life as a missionary (Presbyterian), except for a couple of visits to the U.S. His mission was in Southern Shantung Province, based at Wei Hien. He founded the boys' high school at Wei Hien, established several churches in China and trained Chinese pastors and church workers. Lillie accompanied Robert to China in 1881, but had to return to the US for health reasons.

In 1885, Mary's son William Diven Mateer (1843-1914) was engaged in the hardware business in Onarga, Illinois. In 1892 he was farming in Carthage, Missouri. About 1900 he and his family moved to California.

Horace (Horrie) N. Mateer (1855-1939) graduated from Princeton in 1877 and received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1883. In 1884, he moved to Wooster, Ohio and engaged in private practice, and was instrumental in founding the town's hospital. He was professor and head of the department of biological science at Wooster College, where he established the first pre-medical course in any American college.

Lillian's sister Jennie Mateer (1837-1926) was married to Samuel Henderson, a Presbyterian minister. They had at least one child, a son named Willie. Jennie's husband died in the early 1880s [Jennifer Erdmann tells me Samuel Henderson died in 1875] and she remarried to Samuel J. Kirkwood, a graduate of Indiana State University and professor of mathematics and astronomy at Wooster College in Wooster, Ohio.

Jennie's son William (Willie) Edwards Henderson was born at Wilkinsburg, Pa. in 1870, and died in Columbus, Ohio in 1962. He graduated from Wooster College, Ohio, 1891, and received a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University in 1897. He was a professor of inorganic and physical chemistry at Ohio State University, 1899-1940. He was also Dean of the College of Arts, Philosophy & Science at Ohio State University, 1921-27.

Jennifer Erdmann, who contacted me in 2016, added names and birth dates for three more children for Lillian's sister Jennie Mateer: Mary Henderson, born 10/20/1865; Janet (Nettie) Henderson, born 1/10/1867; and William E. Henderson, born 1/29/1870.

The Images

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

A Letter Written on Oct 21, 1872, from Mary Mateer to daughter Jennie Mateer Henderson
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written in 1873, from Lillian Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer Henderson
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written in 1875, from Jennie Mateer Henderson to sister Lillian Mateer
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Mar 4, [1873?], from Mary Mateer to daughter Jennie Mateer Henderson
envelope Postmarked in Monmouth Ill.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Apr 29, [1873?], from Mary Mateer to daughter Jennie Mateer Henderson
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on July 4, [1873?], from Mary Mateer to daughter Jennie Mateer Henderson
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jun 25, 1875, from Samuel M. Mateer to mother-in-law Mary Mateer
envelope Postmark illegible.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 13, 1876, from Robert Mateer to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked Sep 14 [1876] in Princeton NJ.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Oct 4, 1877, from Mary Mateer to daughter Lillian Mateer
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Oct 22, 1877, from Mary Mateer to daughter Lillian Mateer
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Nov 19, 1877, from Mary Mateer to daughter Lillian Mateer
envelope Postmarked in Mechanicsburg PA.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Nov 23, 1877, from Mary Mateer to daughter Lillian Mateer
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Feb 19, 1878, from John Lowrie Mateer to mother Mary Mateer
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Feb 10, 1879, from Mary Mateer to daughter Lillian Mateer
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Feb 19, 1879, from Robert Mateer to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked Feb 21 [1879] in Princeton NJ.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on May 7, 1879, from Mary Mateer to daughter Lillian Mateer
envelope Postmarked May 8 [1879] in Mechanicsburg PA. Stamp damaged.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jul 8, 1879, from John Lowrie Mateer to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked Jul 10 [1879] in Centre Point MO. Transit marked Jul 13 [18790 10am in Philadelphia PA.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 8, 1879, from Robert Mateer to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked Sep 8 [1879] in Princeton NJ.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Nov 14, 1879, from Mary Mateer to daughter Lillian Mateer
envelope Postmark is indistinct.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Feb 4, 1880, from Mary Mateer to daughter Lillian Mateer
envelope Postmark is indistinct.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Feb 14, 1880, from Robert Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer
envelope Postmarked Feb 16 [1880] in Princeton NJ.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Mar 5, 1880, from Robert Mateer to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked Mar 6 [1880] in Princeton NJ.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 6, 1880, from Jennie Mateer to mother Mary Mateer
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 16, 1880, from Lillian Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer Henderson
envelope Postmarked Sep 17 [1880] in Steubenville [Ohio]. Transit marked Sep 18 [1880] 7am in Wooster O[hio] on reverse flap.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 25, 1880, from Jennie Mateer Henderson to sister Lillian Mateer
envelope Postmark and transit mark illegible.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jan 12, 1881, from Lillian Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer Henderson
envelope Postmarked Jan 12 [1881] in Steubenville [Ohio]. Transit marked Jan 14 [1881] 7am in Wooster O[hio] on reverse flap.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Apr 19, 1881, from Lillian Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer Henderson
envelope Postmarked Apr 20 [1881] in Steubenville [Ohio]. Transit marked Jan 21 [1881] ?am in Wooster O[hio] on reverse flap.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Apr 28, 1881, from Lillian Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer Henderson
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on May 13, 1881, from Robert Mateer to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked May 21 [1881] in Crestline O[hio].
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on May 18, 1881, from Jennie Mateer Henderson to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked May 20 [1881] in Wooster O[hio].
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on May 19, 1881, from Lillian Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer Henderson
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on May 23, 1881, from Jennie Mateer Henderson to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked May 24 [1881] in Wooster O[hio].
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on May 27, 1881, from Jennie Mateer Henderson to sister Lillian Mateer
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jun 1, 1881, from Lillian Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer Henderson
envelope Postmarked Jun 2 [1881] in Steubenville [Ohio]. Transit marked Jun 2 [1881] in Wooster O[hio] on reverse flap.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jun 4, 1881, from Jennie Mateer Henderson to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked Jun 4 [1881] in Wooster Ohio.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jun 23, 1881, from Jennie Mateer Henderson to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked Jun 25 [1881] in Wooster O[hio].
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jul 11, 1881, from Lillian Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer Henderson
envelope Postmarked Ju1 11 [1881] in Mechanicsburg PA. Transit marked Jul 12 [1881] in Wooster O[hio] on reverse flap.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jul 26, 1881, from Lillian Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer Henderson
envelope Postmarked Ju1 26 [1881] in Mechanicsburg PA. Transit marked Jul 27 [1881] in Wooster O[hio] on reverse flap.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 14, 1881, from Robert Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer Henderson
envelope Postmarked in Mechanicsburg PA. Transit marked Sep 16 [1881] in Wooster O[hio] on reverse flap.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 14, 1881, from Lillian Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer Henderson
envelope Postmarked Sep 14, 1881 in Mechanicsburg PA. Transit marked Sep 15 [1881] in Wooster O[hio] on reverse flap.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 23, 1881, from Lillian Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer Henderson
envelope Postmarked Sep 24, 1881 in Mechanicsburg PA. Transit marked Sep 26 [1881] in Wooster O[hio] on reverse flap.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Oct 6, 1881, from Robert Mateer to sister Jennie Mateer Henderson
envelope Postmarked Oct 6, 1881 in Onarga Ill. Transit marked Oct 7 [1881] in Wooster O[hio] on reverse flap.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Oct 24, 1881, from Annie Mateer to mother-in-law Mary Mateer
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Nov 28, 1881, from Jennie Mateer Henderson to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked Nov 30 [1881] 12noon in Cleveland O[hio].
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 19, 1881, from Robert Mateer to mother Mary Mateer
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Partial Letter Written around 1882-1883, perhaps to Jennie Mateer Henderson
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter fragment, though only the first page of the fragment is scanned.

A Letter Written on Mar 28, 1882, from Jennie Mateer Henderson to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked Mar 29 [1882] in Wooster O[hio].
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on May 16, 1882, from Jennie Mateer Henderson to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked May 16 [1882] in Wooster O[hio].
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on May 28, 1883, from Jennie Mateer Henderson to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked May 28, 1883 in Wooster Ohio.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 18, 1883, from Jennie Mateer Kirkwood to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked Sep 22, 1883 in Clifton Springs NY.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on May 3, 1884, from Lillian Mateer Walker to sister Jennie Mateer Kirkwood
envelope Postmarked May 3, 1884 in Monroe GA.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Aug 3, 1886, from Mary Mateer to daughter Jennie Mateer Kirkwood
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 9, 1886, from Mary Mateer to daughter Jennie Mateer Kirkwood and grandson Willie Henderson
envelope Postmarked Sep 10 [1886] in Onarga Ill.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Oct 16, 1886, from Mary Mateer to daughter Jennie Mateer Kirkwood
envelope Postmark was placed off center and is illegible. Transit marked Oct 19, [1886] in Wooster O[hio] on reverse flap.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jan 26, 1889, from Mary Mateer to daughter Jennie Mateer Kirkwood
envelope Postmarked Jan 28, 1889 in Monroe GA.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jun 27, 1892, from William Mateer to mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked Jun 28, 1892 in Carthage Mo.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jan 19, 1893, from Mary Mateer to her children
page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jun 14, 1894, from William Mateer and wife Anna to his mother Mary Mateer
envelope Postmarked Jun 16, 1894 4pm in Carthage Mo.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page of the first letter is scanned.

A Letter Written on Feb 17, 1896, from Ellen to cousin Jennie Mateer Kirkwood
envelope Postmarked Feb 19, 1896 in Monroe Ga.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.