My Family Tree

Have letter she wrote: Cheryl (Chatfield) Thompson.

Letter from Emily (Chatfield) Sperry, New Haven, CT, sister of Enos Beecher CHATFIELD, to Nellie CHATFIELD, Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Enos Beecher and Mary Elizabeth (Seymour) Chatfield.

New Haven Feb. 17th, 1899
My dear niece Nellie
Your letter of Jan. 20th did not reach me until Feb. 15th. Someone must have taken it from the post office by mistake and carried it in their pocket ever since. It had been opened. We found it at our front door before the postman had been around that morning. I will make inquiry and find out if there is another Emily C. Sperry in New Haven. I notice by the envelope it was received in New Haven Jan. 27th.
Well, dear Nellie we were very glad to hear once more from your family. The last letter we had received from anyone was from Emma, June 3rd, 1894. I was negligent in answering but finally sent her a letter, guess it might have been months afterwards. In that letter I requested her to send me a copy of the names of my father's family recorded in the family Bible of Enos Chatfield. Your father being the eldest son felt he should have the family Bible, so we gave it to him.

(NOTE FROM CHERYL: Who has it now?)

I had a letter from a lawyer in Minneapolis, Minn. asking for data of our family, very likely your family have received letters from him, as I referred him to you. I will enclose the envelope so you can have his address.
Dear Nellie, we are all so sorry for you, and all the dear children. Your loss is a severe one. I can sympathize with you in the great affliction. Home is desolate without a mother. You did have a good mother. I visited your home twice, once while living in Dubuque and remember how everything was at that time. I shall never forget the faithfulness of your sister Lucy, while you folks lived in the cabin on "Cedar Bottoms". I thought she was so kind and competent to go ahead with the care of the house and relieve her mother. Then again in 1884 we found her the same helpful daughter in the home. My mother always said that there was a blessing to follow the child that was kind and obedient to their parents. Certainly, Lucy will have God's blessing. Cheer up, dear niece, God will reward you.
Cousin Fannie Neal visited us last fall and informed us of your dear mother's death. She heard it through Eliza Pomeroy, of Janesville, Wisconsin. Some of you wrote to Mr. Handy. We did not hear the cause.
Your brothers and sisters are quite scattered. How many children has Augusta. How could she stay so long from home and from May until Sept.? Lucy should be well paid for all her years of care and watchfulness over the family. Did your mother make a will? Seems to me she should have done so. Am glad Emma has a kind husband and a comfortable home. What is your brother Edward doing?
How well I remember Charley.
Have never seen Fred, since your folks lived in Wilton, Iowa, 1856. Well, hope all are doing well. Like to hear good reports.
Now I must give you news of your relations here. Aunt Hattie Warner lives at number 10 University Place, New Haven. Arthur Warner, their son, and family live in the same house with them. Mary their daughter, teaches in the kindergarten, public school, boards home. Uncle Egbert Warner, is losing his mind. He had to give up business. His general health is good, may live several years. Auntie does the work for the three in family and looks after Uncle Egbert. She seems very well. Aunt Julia is a great worker in the church (does sewing for Mary Warner), and her mother, sister Hattie, beside.) Uncle William has rheumatism which troubles him. Manages to get about and use his pair of horses. He does a great deal of riding during the summer. Is very good to take different people to ride. He likes to take a drive up to Oxford when the traveling is fine. We get a treat once or twice during the summer. Wales Chatfield your only own uncle living, on your father's side, lives on the old homestead in Oxford. They have only two children. William Everett is 22 years old, works on the farm with his father, unmarried. Mary the daughter is 17. She has been attending school for 2 years in N.H. and boarded with us. The first year, 1897, she attended a young ladies school, stayed there one year. Her health would not permit of her graduation. This year she is home. She may teach next season if her mother can spare her help.
Your Uncle Heibus (Heber's) widow and family are living in Ansonia, Connecticut. Carrie, the eldest daughter is married, has one little girl, they live with the mother. Edward, died when he was 24. The twins, (Ruth Wooster & Charles Heber), are now 20 years old.
Charles Heber is in the clothing store, boards home. Ruth has learned dressmaking. She also lives at home.
They are very nice to their mother. All are doing well. Jennie (Heber's wife), & Jennie (Wales' wife), were here about two weeks ago, and spent the night. Wales' wife (Jennie) was visiting Heber's wife (Jennie), for a week in Ansonia, so they surprised us with a short visit. Our family are well. Julia, is with her parents still. She is a very kind, helpful daughter. She is not married. We are glad to keep her with us. Lonie, (probably Lucius Bruton), and family live nearby on the same street. They have two children. Ruth will be five the 24th of next May. Everett will be three the 27th of June.
Our son Frederick Alfred, lives in Chicago, our business is there, residence is in Oak Park, Illinoia., one of the suburbs. They have two boys, Donald Draper, and Frederick Lewis. Donald will be five in April. Frederick was three the 16th of this month. He lost his wife year ago last August. She was a beautiful woman, and we all loved her, and it was very hard to have her called away so early in life.
I will send you a memorial, so you can judge something of her loveliness of life and character. You may keep it as we have another. The picture is excellent of her. Fred has just married another sister, Grace Draper. They were married the 7th of this month.
Grace is another very sweet and lovable girl. She has lived with our son ever since Fannydied. She will be a good mama for those children. (Fred), is connected with the Frank B. White Company, Agricultural Advertising, 17th floor of the Fisher Building, Chicago.) He is doing very nicely, has a good business. I was out there in Nov. after Fanny died. Julia, went home cousin Fannie Neal last Oct. and stayed a month with them.
Fred has two beautiful children.
Your Uncle Lucius and Aunt Emily, had some pictures taken three years ago. (When we had been married 40 years) We have a few left, will send one of each to you, and if any of the other members of your family desire one, just write to us and we will remember them also.
Now dear Nellie, I must stop. Thanking you for such a nice letter. I shall send the photos and memorial together in a day or two and direct to you. When you write again address me Mrs. L. P. Sperry, 96 Lyon St. and it will reach me all right. Give our love, and sympathy to each member of the family. Uncle Lucius and Cousin Julia send love to all.
Be sure and tell me who has the Family Bible. Fred being the eldest son, should have it. Do write soon to your loving aunt.
Emily C. Sperry
96 Lyon St.

Lived at 257 Sherman Avenue, New Haven., CT.

Records not imported into INDI (individual) Gramps ID I13396:

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