Aunt Rebecca Whiting lived in Watertown.  Rebecca's husband Nathaniel was one of the richest businessmen in Boston, until his death in 1872.  The Bullards were the "poor cousins" from Holliston.  Rebecca feels it is her duty to "improve" her nieces and nephews when she can.  Rebecca's daughter Addie was in her mid to late teens.

 

Just before Thanksgiving, about a hundred and fifty years ago, she wrote to her sister-in-law, Bethia Bullard, who was married to Rebecca's brother, Henry.  Bethia's daughter Alice Bullard was in her teens, her sister Fannie was nine years younger and her sister Hattie was still just a toddler.  Bethia was raising seven children while Rebecca had just four.

 

 

Dear Sister,

            I intended to send you a line with that bundle of dry goods but having company I did [not] find time to write one word. 

            There were 19 ½ yards of the green [fabric] at 7 cents per yard.  I thought if lined with some old stuff it might make Alice & Fanny a dress.  There were ten yards of the blue & brown at 6 ¼ cents per yard & 12 yards of the gray at 9 cents. 

            I thought they were all so cheap you could make use of them in your large family.  The little piece of calico, I paid 30 cents for the remnant.  I thought it would [make] Hattie a dress. 

            We are all well but think we cannot come up for Thanksgiving.  I should like to have some or all of you come here at any rate. 

            I want Alice to come & spend the winter with us.  It will do her more good than going to School in Holliston for years.  Tell her I have bought a nice little piano, which we have in the nursery & she can take lessons as she did last summer. 

            I think Nanny will study at home this winter.  She has been to Miss Lyman’s this autumn but takes care in the ears & I think she had better study with Alice.  There is a great deal going on here now & I know she will have a nice time.     I shall expect her within two weeks.

            Tell Henry I should like another pail of lard if he has it to spare & half a bushel of cranberries if he can bring them as well as not when he brings the pork.

            I want Alice to bring all her finery, her pink berage & c.

            With Much Love,

                        R. Whiting