Letters to Abby Howe Turner 1896, 1925-1929

History

Abby Turner corresponded with many of her colleagues, classmates, and students. This particular set of letters (and postcards, and photos) are mostly from students that worked overseas, or other professors who were on vacation.

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 Postcard Written on Jan 18, 1925, from Esther Jaquith

front Archaeological Museum in Athens.

back Divided back. Original postmark indistinct. Also postmarked Feb 6, 1925 5:30pm in South Hadley. Addressed to Miss Abby Turner in South Hadley, and forwarded to 9 Aubur[n] Pl, Brookline, Mass. "Near East Relief, Athens, Greece Jan 18, 1925. You will see by this that mother and I actually came to Greece after a while. We have been here for nearly three months now and I am enjoying it very much. We are all gone so much of the day that mother gets a bit lonely now and then but think she enjoys it most of the time. We are living quite near the museum in a modern seven room apartment. Kind regards, Esther Jaquith"

A Postcard Written on Jul 16, 1925, from Helen Vincent McLean

front "Warwick. St. Mary's Church and War Memorial."

back Divided back. Postmarked Jul 25, 1925 5:30pm in South Hadley. Addressed to Miss Abby Turner at Mount Holyoke College, and forwarded to 9 Auburn Pl, Brookline, Mass. "July 16, 2915 This far our trip has been a great success - a little medical education mixed in with much sightseeing. We had one splendid day at Cambridge - in Barcroft's, Langley's and Hopkins Laboratories - & today here in Oxford. We're hoping to see first hand the exciting work on carcinoma - which sounds too good to be believed. Best wishes for the summer! I was sorry you weren't around in June in SoH. Helen Vincent McLean"

A Letter Written on Aug 11, 1925, from Lilian Welsh

envelope Addressed to Professor Abby Turner at Mount Holyoke College, with corner card for Grd-Hôtel de la Ville de Paris, Strasbourg. Postmarked Jun 8, 1918 1am in Baltimore, Md.

page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Aug 19, 1925, from Margaret Tyler

front "Balmhorn 3711 m Aufstieg"

back Divided back, postmarked Aug 22, 1925 in Kandersteg. Addressed to Miss Abby Turner in South Hadley. "Aug. 19 Kandersteg - Switzerland. This is surely the land for people who like walking; every one we met has a knapsac & hobnail shoes. Yesterday we had the joy of going up this - started at 3 a.m. by candle light, so the snow wouldn't be too soft. We were all roped together and it was most exciting. I guess one's first snow mountain always is so, anyway. What are you doing this next year, and did you have an interesting time in Nova Scotia. Love from Margaret T."

A Postcard Written in Aug, 1925, from Lilla Clement

front Chaumont Le Château

back I have thought of you & have wondered how your trip to Novia Scotia came out. Hope you have been well & that everything has gone well This is one of the numerous castles I have visited - truly this region is rightly named "The Garden of France." Have absorbed a good deal of local color and some more French. Now in Paris doing the town. Home about Sept 2nd or 3rd. Hope not to allow so long a time to go by without seeing you. Lovingly, L. E. Clement"

A Letter Written around Sep 6, 1925, from Charlotte Ferguson

envelope Addressed to Miss Abby H. Turner at Mount Holyoke College, with a return address from the C. E. Ferguson at the American College for Girls in Old Phaleron, Greece. Postmarked Sep 6, 1925 in an indecipherable location.

page 2 First page is missing. Full contents of letter, though only the first surviving page of the letter is scanned.

A Letter Written on Apr 18, 1926, from Charlotte Ferguson

envelope Addressed to Miss Abby H. Turner at Mount Holyoke College, with a return address from the C. E. Ferguson at the American College for Girls in Old Phaleron, Greece. Postmark indistinct.

page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page of the letter is scanned.

A Letter Written on Jun 5, 1926, from Francis Benedict

page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page of the letter is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Aug 3, 1926, from Anna Starr

front "Gannet Ledges. Bonaventure Island - Perce P.Q." #112

back Divided back. Postmarked Aug 3, 1926 in Perce P.Q. Addressed to Miss Abby H. Turner in London. "Aug. 3. It was very pleasant to hear from you & have your pretty card. I am sending you this stunning view of the ldges we saw yesterday. Miss Smith said you would have loved the birds. They are larger than gulls, have pale-yellow heads & necks, white bodies & wings tipped with black. With best wishes for more good times & a safe return - Anna Starr."

A Letter Written on Aug 24, 1926, from Gertrud af Klintberg

page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page of the letter is scanned.

A Letter Written on Oct 9, 1926, from Florence Purington

envelope Addressed to Miss Abby H. Turner at Mount Holyoke College. Postmarked in Tientsin China.

page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page of the letter is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Nov 7, 1926, from Gertrud af Klintberg

front Addressed to Miss Abby H Turner at Mount Holyoke College.

back "Eriksbergsgatan 13 Stockholm 7.11-26 My dear Miss Turner, It hardly may seem as if I did appreciate your sweet and interesting letter of Sept 28 as I really did when I have left it so long without an answer - but the leisure I have been waiting for has not come and now I will just send you my prelimanary [sic] thanks on a P.C. - Life is very kind to us when it gives us to meet people we feel that we like and sympathise with - people we feel towards as friends from the very first - if the meeting has been longer or shorter we feel there is not an end of it, but hope there is more to come - This is what I have felt towards you and it has given me so much pleasure to hear from your letter that you have felt something of the same. The harmony and quiet enjoyment sitting as we did on the deck of Stockholm last summer seemed to me so perfect - What I did of writing in my book for notes I have of course not been able to complete. The work has been and is still very pressing - I must try to get rid of some but do not know how. - However I hope to be able to write more before so very long. This, as before said, bring a first lot of thanks and all good wishes for your work and for your leisure and also very kindest regards to Miss O.Hara. To you yourself best love from Yours very sincerely Gertrud af K-g"

A Letter written on Dec 1, 1926, from Ada Comstock

envelope Addressed to Miss Abby H. Turner at Mount Holyoke College. Postmarked Dec 8, 1926 6pm in Cambridge, Mass.

page 1 Full contents of letter.

A Letter written on Dec 8, 1926, from Katharine Wallis

envelope Addressed to Miss Abby H. Turner at Mount Holyoke College. Postmarked Dec 8, 1926 8pm in Bryn Mawr, Pa.

page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page of the letter is scanned.

A Letter written on Dec 12, 1926, from Cecil Drinker

envelope Addressed to Dr. A. H. Turner at Mount Holyoke College, and forwarded c/o Charlotte Haywood, 11 Harwood St, Lynn, Mass. Postmarked Dec 12, 1926 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page of the letter is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Jan 2, 1927, from Gertrud af Klintberg

envelope Addressed to Miss A. H. Turner, prof. at Faculty House. Postmarked Jan 3, 1927 in Stockholm.

card Front of a greeting card. The letter is started on the greeting card, and finished on paper. Full contents of letter.

A Letter Written on Jan 22, 1927, from Katherine Drinker

envelope Addressed to Miss Abby Turner at Mount Holyoke College, with return address for K. R. Drinker, Turist Hotel, Copenhagen Denmark. Postmarked Jan 22, 1927 in Copenhagen. Transit marks Feb 2 [1927] in New York and Feb 3, 1927 in Holyoke on reverse.

page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page of the letter is scanned.

page 1 A typed, edited version of the letter. Full contents of letter, though only the part of first page of the letter is scanned.

page 1 A typed, edited version of the questions. There were three copies of this in this envelope. Full contents.

A Postcard Written around Jul 8, 1927, from Catherine Baldwin

front "London Tower Bridge from the River." #L18 by Judges.

back Divided back. Postmarked Jul 8, 1927 11am in Paddington. Addressed to Miss Abby Turner in South Hadley, and forwarded to Woods Hole. "My dear Miss Turner, As you can guess I am in London. I have been here for four busy days. I love it and am so sorry to be leaving to-morrow for Oxford and the Lake District, 'to' I know that part will be charming. I wish to thank you for your kind note which I received on the Mountain. I've nearly forgotten that terrific thesis & hope you have too. Sincerely Catherine Baldwin"

A Postcard Written around Jul 20, 1927, from Anne Young

front "Norge. Midnatsol, Nordkap" 1/102 Eneret Mittet & Co.

back Divided back. Postmarked Jul 20, 1927 11am in Leithdo, and transit marked on Jul 30, 1927 5:30pm in South Hadley. Addressed to Miss Abby Turner in South Hadley, and forwarded to Woods Hole. "We did not see the sun at the North Cape but we have seen it at midnight on four other evenings and have had almost perfect weather all the way. Indeed we had to come up to the Arctic Circle to get warm! Norway is wonderful and this Arcadian trip seems to be admirably planned in every way. Each day brings something different. The Bennett guide has been our constant companion. Best wishes Anne S. Young."

A Postcard Written on Aug 20, 1927, from Gertrude Hyde

front "Le Tarn-et-Garonne Moissac. - Le Cloitre de St Pierre (XIII-s.) et le Clocher"

back Divided back. Postmarked Aug 20, 1927 in Chartres, Eure-et-Loir, and transit marked on Sep 3, 1927 7am in South Hadley. Addressed to Miss Abby H. Turner at Mount Holyoke College, and forwarded to Mrs J. W. Giddings, 54 Concord St, Nashua, NH. "Dear A- Isn't this a sweet place? How we gazed on these wondrous capitals! Hope you are well and are having a fine vacation - Much love to you always - G. S. Hyde. Aug 20, 1927."

A Postcard Written on Nov 8, 1927, from Grace

front "Tartar Wall and Gate, Peking."

back Divided back. Postmark indistinct. Addressed to Miss Abbie Turner at Mount Holyoke College. "Loving Christmas greetings from Peking, where I am temporarily in exile. The boys are in Korea and their father in Paoting fu! Best wishes for all beautiful things for your New Year. Next fall I hope to see you at college. We go home probably in July. Affectionately Grace. Nov. 8, 1927."

A Postcard Written on Mar 31, 1928, from Charlotte Haywood

front "Mount Vernon Mansion Mount Vernon, Va."

back Divided back. Postmarked Mar 31, 1928 12pm in Washington DC. Addressed to Miss Abby Turner at Mount Holyoke College. "Washington. Mar. 31st Went to Mount Vernon to-day by boat - a lovely trip, but cold. - however, the place was wonderfully attractive - Saw deer in the deer park, holly trees with their red berries, and - to cap the climax - a cardinal bird! Thursday we visited the Senate & the House - interesting, but the House seemed rather maudlin - like a base-ball game. Spent last Sunday with Hazeltene and Betsy; Tuesday, we went to the DuPont gardens & I visited Helen Whiting; Bruce Rankin is a dear. Love from Charlotte H"

A Letter written on Apr 29, 1928, from Nell Neilson

envelope Addressed to Miss A. H. Turner at Faculty House. Postmarked Apr 30, 1928 12:45am in London.

page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page of the letter is scanned.

A Letter written on Aug 27, 1928, from Annah Bursaw Tucker

envelope Addressed to Miss Abbie Turner at Mount Holyoke College, with return address for Mrs. F. S. Tucker, Inhambane P. E. Africa. Postmarked Sep 3, 1928 11:45am in Laurenco Marques Mocambique.

page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page of the letter is scanned.

A Letter written on Oct 9, 1928, from William Hammond

envelope Addressed to Prof. A. H. Turner at Mount Holyoke College, on stationery for Second Congregational Church in Holyoke, Mass. Postmarked Oct 10, 1928 5:30pm in Holyoke, Mass.

page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page of the letter is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Nov 29, 1928, from Margaret Porter

front Artwork of young women reading.

back Divided back. Postmarked Dec 1, 1928 in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Addressed to Miss Abby Turner at Mount Holyoke College. "Prague, Czechoslovakia. November 29, 1928. My dear Miss Turner, I was glad to hear from you again in the summer. I hope you and Miss Blood had a wonderful time during the remainder of your stay in Europe. With best wishes for a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Very sincerely yours, Margaret Porter."

A Letter written on Feb 24, 1929, from Jane Carpenter

envelope Addressed to Miss Abby H. Turner in South Hadley. Postmarked Feb 25, 1929 3am in Lawrence, Mass.

page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page of the letter is scanned.

A Letter written on Mar 2, 1929, from Eleanor McDougall

envelope Addressed to Miss Abby H. Turner at Mount Holyoke College. Postmarked in India.

page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page of the letter is scanned.

A Postcard Written on Jun 21, 1929, from Bertha Blakely

front "Lake Maggiore - Stresa - Bacino delle Isole Borromee"

back Divided back. Postmarked Jul 5, 1929 10am in South Hadley. Another postmark indecipherable. Addressed to Miss Abby H. Turner at Mount Holyoke College, and forwarded to Woods Hole, Mass. "Stresa, Italy June 21 The mountains, the lake, the villas, with their wealth of rambler roses, rhododendrons, trees native and exotic, delight us. The Borromes [sic] palace and highly artificial gardens which we visited this morning will not be forgotten. We enjoyed our four days in Venice except the hours I had to spend in the dentist's chair. We were on the Riva Schiavoni opposite San Giogio Magiore [sic] and had the full benefit of moon and electric lights reflected in the water. We are well and do much sightseeing, enjoying the pace of gondolas and bases [buses?] rather than motor boats and automobiles. We are due to go on to Wengen, Switz. on Mon. B. E. Blakely"

A Postcard Written around Jul 17, 1929, from Ella Dickinson

front "Old Colonial Pillars, Main and Pleasant Sts., Nantucket, Mass."

back Divided back. Postmarked Jul 17, 1929 7pm in Nantucket, Mass. Addressed to Miss Abby H. Turner at Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Mass. "Greetings from Nantucket where I am spending a week of my vacation! I may stop at Woods Hole for an hour or two on my way back near Monday and if I do, I will try to find you. I hope that you are having a good summer. E. S. Dickinson Springfield Lodge Nantucket, Mass. C. Brigham is with me."

A Postcard Written on Aug 5, 1929

front "Trafalgar Square. The Nelson Column, London."

back Divided back. Postmarked Aug 6, 1929 1:45pm in London. Addressed to Miss Abby H. Turner at Woods Hole. "London - Bank Holiday, Aug. 5, 1929. I was so glad to get your card, it is up on the table before me now. The general style of the door-way pictured on it does seem a bit different to my surroundings here. I am staying in Suffolk St. off Pall Mall just around the corner from [...] Cooke & everything. By looking out my window around some chimneys I can see Nelsons statue also can see the spire of St. Martins in the Fields and just then I heard Big Ben strike - everything is closed today but the museums & Lyons. H. M. [...]"

A Letter written on Dec 10, 1929, from Verz Rogers Goddard

envelope Addressed to Professor Abby H. Turner at Mount Holyoke COllege, with corner card for Department of Zoology and Physiology, Wellesley College, Wellesley, Mass. Postmarked Dec 10, 1929 8pm in Wellesley, Mass.

page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page of the letter is scanned.

A Letter written on Dec 20, 1929, from Edward Schneider

envelope Addressed to Prof. Abby H. Turner at Mount Holyoke COllege, with corner card for Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. Postmarked Dec 22, 1929 12:30pm in Middletown, Conn.

page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page of the letter is scanned.