The following letter has no year on it, though it is dated March 13. It was written by Ann Eliza (White) Cady, who was the sister of Minnie Stilwell's mother, Mary K. (White) Stilwell. Ann Cady was also the grandmother of Minnie's friend and correspondent, Fannie A. Ireland.
Ann was born in 1809 in Connecticut. She married Stephen P. Cady in 1829. I know of the following children of Ann and Stephen: Mary E. (1831-1872) who married Alex Ireland and was the mother of Fannie Ireland mentioned above; Edwin R. (1834-1901); William H. (1836-1877) who married Martha O. Anthony; Elza (1841-?); Julia (1842-1864); Willis (1848-1919); Alice (1851-?); and Celia (1855-?). Several of these children are mentioned in the letter.
Stephen Cady died in 1871 and Ann died in 1889. From the text of the letter, I believe that Ann was living alone at the time she wrote it, so I suspect it was written after 1871.
It is addressed to Miss Minnie Stilwell, Rippon, (sic) Wisconsin and is postmarked New Berlin, NY, March 15.
Here is a transcription:
"Pittsfield, March 13th
Dear Minnie
Your good long letter of Feb 11 received and I was so pleased to hear from you all that I thought I would certainly answer it soon but it is the same old story. Such a task for me to write. Your mother is sometimes very good and writes if I neglect to answer but I have heard nothing from her in such a long time. Fortunate for her she has such good girls to take care of her and the family. My health is very good. I can take care of myself after a fashion. I manage to keep out of mischief by finding something to do since I came home. Have knit one dozen pairs of stockings, five pairs of mittens, made myself a nightdress and underwear, also a bedtick and pillow slips by hand. I knit edging to trim the pillow slips. I will send you the piece I learned on. Nettie said I learned it easy. I think I succeed better in almost anything than writing letters. Yesterday finished fitting (?) a bed quilt together. I fear it will be a little too much of a job to try to quilt it. I have over twenty house plants. Some are blossomed, others budded. The cally and a large white variegated lilly are just opening. They are some company and require a good lot of care.
Two weeks ago Nettie and I went down to see Ettie. She and her family were well. Burdett's father has been sick all winter so I have not been there to stay any. He is better now. Willis and family were well the last we heard from them. They do not get home often in winter. Have so much to do and family of little ones. They have a nice baby boy. Will be a year old in May. Celia says in her last letter she hopes Hannah will visit her on her way home. I wish Celia could make a long visit when she comes home as Hannah has but don't expect it. She says she shall surely come next summer if all are well as usual. Does not think Fanny will conclude to come with her.
The people here had the privilege of enjoying a good deal of sleyriding (sic) this winter. Sleying (sic) commenced on 5th of Nov. and kept straight through. We have not had heavy falls of snow but kept coming almost every day or night. It did not drift much till this month. Now there is a good lot of drifts in the road. Edwin and wife got tipped out yesterday right in front of the house. Such long winters as this I think I should like to go a little farther south and when summer comes, as far north as Wisconsin. I would love to see you all again. May not unless you come to see me. With much love to your father and mother, brothers & sisters, your loving Aunt
A. E. Cady"
