Cleveland, Ohio,
My dear Auntie and Cousin:-How soon we will be writing 1907. Does it seem possible that almost two years have flown since precious Mother left us I believe I have missed her more lately than ever. The Christmas time brings with it so many happy memories. Dear Uncle George too has been gone nearly a year, but we should not wish them back for they are now so free from pain and anxiety.
I am glad you could be together. We were more than pleased with the beautiful gifts you sent. Mine that I sent were so small but the love went with them. I did want so much to give this year but our County Treasurer has been making life miserable for the people by compelling them to pay their taxes by December 20" or pay the 5% penalty so it spoiled Christmas nearly for a good many people. We did have a very happy Christmas though - As we were all going to S.T.'s for Christmas day we had our gifts Monday evening here at home and such an abundance! I was simply overwhelmed. We were all bountifully remembered. S.T. and Mina gave me, what I have been wanting for so long, a beautiful little mahogany desk. I have it in my room now and am almost Christening it by writing to you. I just wrote a little note to Mina first. Six of my girls gave me a beautiful cut glass celery dish to match the compote they gave me [for] my birthday, then I had three boxes of stationery[,] an embroidered corset cover, lovely hand painted hat pin, half a dozen nice handkerchiefs, a picture of Reno and Hattie, (but Mittie didn't send me one of hers.), a fountain pen, fancy silk bag, medicine case, books, pictures and lots of other nice things beside what you sent. Abbie, that embroidery is beautiful. I just wondered if you did it your self. I am so glad you liked dear Mother's picture. It was taken from a group that Hattie took over at Besse's one time. There was Grandma Ballard, Mother and Bert's mother. It was the best picture I had ever seen of Mother better than the enlarged ones I think although the artist did his work beautifully. The more I see of it the better I like it and the more natural it looks.
We are all real well here with the exception of colds. I have been working nights at the office since Christmas. That was the reason I hadn't thanked you before.
Mina gave Emma material for a nice blue dress lining and all, Mary an umbrella and silk muffler, and Eloise the material for a lovely white dress for Summer. She was more than generous I thought. Hattie too sent them stockings, handkerchiefs and a dressing sacque and shirt waist for Emma.
Certainly we had many many times what we deserved.
I don't like to think of you staying there alone Auntie at all and hope you wont have to. It certainly will come very hard to leave the old home should you do so. I know how hard those things come for we have had to go through the same and I wish I could help make the way easier.
Bertha likes [being?] at the Croxden very much indeed. Mrs. Adams was not at all well for a week or two so Bertha had Mary Gable who used to help her over at Open Hearth come and help care for Mrs. Adams. She has not kept any girl there. Knowlton goes over to the West High. He has started there and liked so much that he preferred taking the long ride to changing. The twins go to the Sibley School near where they are living. They were all over at S.T.'s last Tuesday. I was so glad.
Do you ever see Fred and Florence? I want to write Orra Sawyer a little note so will say Good Night for this time. I would so love to see Uncle George's picture. Does it look as natural as the small ones?
I hope Miss Smith is all well again. It would be hard to have anything the matter with one's tongue.
Wishing you a very happy New Year and again thanking you very much indeed for the beautiful gifts
I remain, With a heartful of love
Your own Jessee.Emma wishes me to thank you for remembering her and the girls and says they will write very soon.
[Charles Henry Wellman was Emma Cogswell Turner's nephew; his mother was Emma's sister. His wife's name was Bertha Elizabeth Adams, and they had a son named Samuel Knowlton and twins Julian Adams and Marjorie Elizabeth. Charles died in a railroad accident near Cleveland in June of 1905. Mittie is Charles' and Jessee's sister. S.T. is Samuel Thomas Wellman, who was Charles Henry's half brother. Mina is S.T.'s sister.]