Letter from Mary K. (White) Stilwell to Minnie Stilwell, Aug. 11, 1872

The following letter was written by Mary K. (White) Stilwell to her daughter, Mary Elva ("Minnie") Stilwell on 11 August 1872.

Mary K. was at home in Metomen, Wisconsin, and Minnie was visiting her sister, Blanche, and Blanche's husband, Frank Munn, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  Minnie was 10 years old.

Here is an outline of the Stilwell family.

Also mentioned in the letter:

Frankie Cook:  Francis "Frankie" Cook was the daughter of Frank Munn's sister, Elizabeth, and therefore, Frank & Blanche Munn's niece.  The Cooks were neighbors of the Stilwells.

Eliza:  I suspect she was a live-in domestic servant.  The 1870 and 1880 censuses both indicate a female servant in the Stilwell household.

Lonson Stilwell: Minnie's father; Mary K.'s husband.  His birthday was August 13, 1819, so the watch mentioned was apparently a birthday gift.

Grandma: Betsey (Dennis) White, Mary K.'s mother.

Lucien Stilwell: Minnie's brother; Mary K's son.

Warren Stilwell: Minnie's brother; Mary K's son.

Edie: Edith Stilwell, Minnie's sister; Mary K's youngest child.

Nettie (Netty):  Annette (Stilwell) Osborn, Minnie's sister; Mary K's daughter.

Hannah: Hannah Stilwell, Minnie's sister; Mary K's daughter.

*****

Letter Addressed To:  Miss Minnie E. Stilwell, care Frank R. Munn, Fond du Lac Wisconsin

Metomen  Aug 12

Metomen Aug 11^th 1872

My Dear Minnie

                We were very glad to receive a letter from you and to know that you are well and enjoying yourself so well.  I am glad Blanche has some work for you to do.  Frankie Cook said she had received a letter from you.  I told her she must answer it and tell you that school commences a week from tomorrow and that you must come home this week.  Ask Frank and Blanche if they cannot come and bring you.  We shall have threshers next week then we shall not be prepared to entertain company.  If they can come tell Blanche to please drop us a line what day they will be here.  Eliza wants to go home and stay one night and I would not like to have her gone when we have company.  Your Father expects to finish stacking this week.  We think your dress very pretty and a very nice present.  Ask Frank if he could not think of a more profitable way to spend his money than in buying new dresses for little girls to make them look nice.  I think Frank and Blanche are very good to you and I hope you will appreciate it.  Grandma is very feeble but sits up some  does not come out to her meals and is taking medicine all the time.  We shall send Luciens shirts to him this week if Father can spend time to go to Ripon with them.  Warren has got the watch from Lucien for his Father and it is a very nice one.  He will present it Tuesday morning the 13^th.  I don’t think he has mistrusted anything.  Has Blanche made herself anything new since we were there.  We have got along through harvest nicely and when the threshing is done I shall feel as though we are at liberty again.  I hope Blanche has got a good girl and that she will stay with her awhile.  I must close with much love to yourself Frank and Blanche,

                I am ever your loving Mother  Mary K Stilwell

Edie says tell Frank I think he is awful good and him and Blanche and Minnie how the enjoyed their mess from Netty  Nettie stayed with Hannah last night      Mother.

Blanche

                Hannah says she has forgotten whether she asked [you?] to get two more of [Min]nies picture finished or not  I would them before she comes home  we will pay you for them when you come home, Mother