The 1938 Bessie Nesbit Letters

[Envelope]

History

A few items are dated before 1938, including a childhood photo and a lock of her hair. She used to live in Maryland and Delaware as a teenager, and relocated to New Haven, Conn. in 1936. A few friends from her old neighborhoods are writing to her in her new homes. Bessie Nesbit is a first-semester freshman in the fall of 1938. Her parents are writing nearly every day, and visiting frequently. A few letters touch on the damage of the great hurricane of 1938.

The Images

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

Baby Bessie's Hair
envelope Bessie's father's stationery from First Methodist Episcopal Church in Brooklyn NY. The envelope contains a cut lock of reddish brown hair tied up with pink thread.

Look Who's Here
folder "Look Who's Here" The back identifies the photographer as Wilson-Way School Photography, Cambridge Mass and East Orange NJ. There's space for a stamp and an address if the photo is to be mailed.
photo "Bessie B. N." The fireplace art under the photo suggests this was taken for the winter holidays.

An Invitation Mailed in May, 1902
envelope Postmarked May 1902 7am in South Hadley. Addressed to Bessie's father.
invitation Invitation to the class of 1902's commencement.
envelope Inner envelope that held the invitation.
program Events for Commencement Week.
card Card for Miss Helena M. Fulton.

A Letter Written on Aug 6, 1912
Envelope missing. Written on the back of Epworth League stationery dated 1912. page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.

Undated Letter
envelope Addressed to Bessie Nesbit. Not mailed. Probably in the 1933-1935 era when Bessie's family was moving around in Delaware and Maryland.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Feb 21, 1932
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit in Wilmington, Del. Postmarked on Feb 23, 1932 1pm in New Rochelle, NY.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 26, 1932
envelope Addressed to Mlle. Bessie Nesbit in Wilmington, Del. Postmarked on Dec 26, 1932 5pm in Wilmington, Del.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 27, 1932
envelope Addressed to Bessie Nesbit in Wilmington, Del. with return address of 311 Cedar Lane, Swarthmore, Penna. on rear flap. Postmarked on Dec 27, 1932 6:30pm in Swarthmore, Pa.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 31, 1932
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit in Wilmington, Del. with return address for J. Hickcox, Cutler Knoll, Watertown, Conn. on rear flap. Postmarked on Jan 3, 1933 6:30am in Watertown, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jan 26, 1934
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit in Hurlock, Md. with return address for E. L. Nesbit, 243 NY Ave, Brooklyn NY on rear flap. (Address for Nesbit & Company, Guarantee Trust Building, 522 Fifth Ave, NY is scratched out. Postmarked on Jan 28, 1934 12:30pm in Brooklyn, NY.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 20, 1934
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit in Hurlock, Md. with return address for E. L. Nesbit, 243 NY Ave, Brooklyn NY on rear flap. Postmarked on Dec 21, 1934 12:30pm in Brooklyn, NY.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Nov 8, 1935
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit in Claymont, Del. with return address for Mildred Bradley, Hurlock, Md. Postmarked on Nov 8, 1935 5pm in Hurlock, Md.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 8, 1935
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit in Claymont, Del. Postmarked on Dec 9, 1935 11am in Hurlock, Md.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jul 21, 1936
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit in New Haven, Conn. Postmarked on Jul 21, 1936 4:30pm in Claymont, Del.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Business Card Written around Dec 1936
front Bessie's father's business card, with their New Haven address.
back "Pro Sedecim Dulci Cum Amore Parentum Amborum" - Latin translation: "For sweet sixteen with love from both parents" Bessie turned sixteen in December 1936.

A Letter Written on Dec 20, 1936
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit in New Haven, Conn. Postmarked on Dec 21, 1936 1:30pm in Hud. Term. Annex, NY.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jan 2, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit in New Haven, Conn. Postmarked on Jan 3, 1938 11am in Hurlock, Md.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Jul 28, 1938
front "Lone Tree Hill from Bantam Lake, Morris, Conn."
back Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit in Naugatuck Conn. Postmarked Jul 28, 1938 6pm in Bantam Conn. Inscription: "Dear Bessie, Bantam Lake is so high because of the recent rain that it is over its banks. My cousin and I are having fun rowing around the Lake. I hope you heard good news about the scholarship. Dorothy Calvert"

A Letter Written around Sep 8, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit in New Haven Conn, and forwarded to Naugatuck Conn. Postmarked on Sep 5, 1938 6am in Belfast Maine, and transit marked Sep 7, 1938 3pm in New Haven Conn. Inscription on rear flap: "F. Worth / Stockton Springs Maine"
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 20, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Sep 21, 1938 in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Sep 21, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Sep 22, 1938 8pm in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 22, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Sep 21, 1938 7pm in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 23, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie Benedict Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck and stamped with a new address in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Sep 23, 1938 8pm in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Sep 25, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Sep 25, 1938 7:30am in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 26, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College, on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Sep 26, 1938 5:30pm in Waterbury, Conn. Transit mark Sep 27, 1938 12:30pm in South Hadley on reverse. Special Delivery.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Telegram Written on Sep 27, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbith [sic] at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons).
page 1 "Naugatuck Conn Sep 27 150p Weather permitting expect us Pearsons Wednesday sometime after lunch love Papa. 235p"

A Letter Written on Sep 29, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Sep 29, 1938 8pm in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Sep 30, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Sep 30, 1938 8pm in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Oct 1, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (20 Pearsons), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Oct 11, 1938 [error?] in Winsted & Bridge RPO. Transit mark Oct 2, 1938 12:30pm in South Hadley on reverse. Special Delivery.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Oct 1, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Oct 3, 1938 in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Oct 7, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (20 Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Oct 7, 1938 8pm in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Oct 8, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (20 Pearsons), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Oct 8, 1938 1:30pm in Winsted & Bridge RPO. Transit mark Oct 9, 1938 12:30pm in South Hadley on reverse. Special Delivery.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Oct 9, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Oct 13, 1938 1:30pm in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Telegram Written on Oct 11, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons).
page 1 "New York NY Oct 11 1938 125p Letter received just as we were starting for Claymont to attend Eddies wedding we return tomorrow evening. Big parcel is in mail. Lots of love it in remember Pop is the big fixer. Cheer up Father. 314p"

A Telegram Written on Oct 14, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons).
page 1 "Naugatuck Conn Oct 14 640a Your loving parents expect to drop in late this afternoon try to get substitute if possible to wait on table perhaps we will play rummie Mama. 801a."

A Letter Written on Oct 15, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Oct 15, 1938 10pm in Waterbury, Conn. Transit marked Oct 16, 1938 12:30pm in South Hadley. Special Delivery.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Oct 24, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Oct 24, 1938 9:30pm in Waterbury, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Oct 27, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall). Postmarked on Oct 28, 1938 9:30am in Eagleville, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written around Oct 27, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked on Oct 27, 1938 10:30pm in Waterbury, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Nov 2, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked Nov [4?], 1938 8pm in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Nov 4, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (20 Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked Nov 5, 1938 8pm in Waterbury, Conn. Transit marked Nov 6, 1938 12:30pm in South Hadley. Special Delivery.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Nov 7, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked Nov 7, 1938 8pm in Winsted & Bridge RPO.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Nov 10, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked Nov 11, 1938 8pm in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Nov 12, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Naugatuck. Postmarked in Winsted & Bridge RPO. Transit mark Nov 13, 1938 12:30pm in South Hadley on reverse. Special Delivery.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Nov 15, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church. Postmarked on Nov 16, 1938 5:30pm in Naugatuck, Conn. Envelope indicates 5 enclosures, but only three remain with the letter.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Nov 18, 1938
front "Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A., New Haven, Conn." Inscription: "Remember the fine time we had here - at your play. M."
back Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall). Postmarked Nov 18, 1938 10:30pm in New Haven Conn. Inscription: "Rec'd lovely surprise - Thank you. Papa and I are in New Haven to-night - for my birthday[.] Sang last night. Had great success. Love from both Mamma Nov. 18 '38."

A Postcard Written on Nov 18, 1938
front "County Court House, New Haven, Conn."
back Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall). Postmarked Nov 18, 1938 10:30pm in New Haven Conn. Inscription: "Καηον Τεκνον:- μητηρ και πατηρ εν Νευ Α&upsilonεν εισι - pignantes oppidum painting town red. Multo cum amore Pop. Nov. 18/38"

A Letter Written on Nov 19, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church. Postmarked in South Hadley. Special Delivery.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Nov 21, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church. Postmarked on Nov 21, 1938 8pm in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Postcard Written on Nov 28, 1938
front "Naugatuck Savings Bank and Library, Naugatuck, Conn."
back Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons). Postmarked on Nov 28, 1938 4pm in Naugatuck Conn. Inscription: "Dear Bessie Sent package this AM. by Express. Hastily, with love. Mamma."

A Letter Written on Dec 1, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church. Postmarked in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Dec 3, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons), on stationery from the Methodist Episcopal Church. Postmarked on Dec 3, 1938 4:30pm in Winsted & Bridge RPO. Transit mark Dec 4, 1938 12:30pm in South Hadley on reverse. Special Delivery.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 5, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall). Postmarked on Dec 5, 1938 7:30pm in Waterbury, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 6, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall). Postmarked on Dec 6, 1938 9:30pm in Waterbury, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 10, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall). Postmarked on Dec 10, 1938 8pm in Naugatuck, Conn. Transit marked Dec 11, 1938 12:30pm in South Hadley. Special Delivery.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 11, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall). Postmarked on Dec 1-, 1938 1:30pm in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 13, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons). Postmarked on Dec 13, 1938 3pm in New Haven, Conn. Transit mark Dec 14, 1938 10am in South Hadley on reverse. Special Delivery.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 14, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie B. Nesbit at Mount Holyoke College (Pearsons Hall). Postmarked on Dec 14, 1938 5:30pm in Naugatuck, Conn.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.

A Letter Written on Dec 17, 1938
envelope Addressed to Miss Bessie Nesbit in Naugatuck, Conn. Postmarked on Dec 18, 1938 4:30pm in Brooklyn, NY.
page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.