(Collection of John Barber, Florida)
Mrs Frank Houston
Vienna
Dorchester Co
Md
Postmark: Linkwood Md Mar 4
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Linkwood
March 3d 1873
Dear Tillie
Old Hennie called on me a day or two ago, and asked me to write to you, and ask you if you would not take her back again. She thought as it would soon be time to attend to the poltry[sic] that perhaps you would take her back again - -
She had been at Mrs Wrightsons ever since Christmas working for her board. She has the children with her. –
I think you can name your own terms. -
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That is if you want her and them. She is quite ancious[sic] to hear from you on the matter. Please let me hear from you as soon as possible – for if you do not take her. Mrs Goslin thinks she will write to Mrs Tubman about her as she (Mrs T) has no one but a small girl and needs some one more reliable. I have thought much about you since I last saw you –
Did Margraret[sic] Birkhead Go to live with you after Sarah’s marriage? –
I would like to see you very much but I do not know when
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I shall be able to do so. I am very busy making up my linen also some muslin – Mrs Goslin has been helping me I have been staying with her – am going again Tuesday night. I have not heard from you but once this winter Dr and Mr Houston spent the day at Mr Goslins and I was there too, so I heard through them. I spent a week in Cambridge during the Plater trial – had a plesant[sic] time; Dr S told me that ___ (Kay?hay?) Houstons eyes were very cross. It is very cold and I am sitting by the fire with the family all talking – Chiles pulling
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at me and crying & mean old pen. So you must excuse This scrall[sic]
Annie sends love to you; says she wants to see your baby so badly. Frank wishes to be remembered also Annie says you must come down as soon as it gets warm enough for you to come –
Please write very soon and let me know about Hennie - - -
Remember me kindly to Mr H – and believe me always your friend
E.P. Ball
P.S. I have had a letter from Lee?Lew and she is having a gay time
Mrs Frank Houston = Tillie = Matilda H (Thompson) Houston
Hennie
Mrs Wrightson
Mrs Goslin
Mrs Tubman
Margaret Birkhead
Sarah
Dr Houston = father-in-law of Tillie
Mr Houston = likely Frank, the husband of Tillie and son of Dr. Houston
Mr Goslin
The Plater trial = ???
Dr S
Frank =not Frank Houston
Annie
Chiles = children?
Mr H = Frank Houston