Abby Hopper Gibbons letter to Sarah Hopper Gibbons Emerson

5/3 - 56

Dear daughter Sarah
Thy letter with Uncle
Edward's generous gift
in addition to stamps
previously sent makes
me feel very rich in that
line - say to Uncle Ed
I am very thankful and
so are Julia & Lucy -
Let me give thee the history
of a week - A note
from Mrs Rickland imploring
me to help her
with the Report during
church hours - (1st day
morning) saying she would
stay at home on purpose
induced me to the service
very reluctantly - But to
accomplish an object of
such necessity urged
me on, and the work is

[left side]
done - of the rest of the
day thou art informed.
Second day calls & Langdell
in the evening - so
pleasant was he, and so
much is he associated with
dear Willie that I was
really [underlined] glad [/underlined] of his presence
Third day of The Home
from thence to the Family
with Dr. and Mrs. [Osgood?]
community 4 poor neglected
children of intemperate
parents to Dr [Russ?]'
charge (Juvenile Asylum)
Yesterday to visit, fine
Councilman - obtained
their notes in favor of
giving The Home 4 lots
for building, and agreed
to meet committee at
City Hall next second
day - I am now sure
of success, as I am sure

[right side]
the Mayor will sign the
grant To day with
Mrs Osgood in Avenue
6 - Tomorrow I go a
Meeting of Industrial School
Last night [Joseph Hodges Choate]
called bringing me a delightful
letter from his sister
[Camie?], and a present of
a very fine photograph
of dear Dr Walker
he brought me too a
letter from Rantoul
and a likeness of him
sent by Rantoul herself
Mrs Brace's brother sent
me his card with kind
sympathetic words, and
a figure of Christ after
[?]

Say to sister Sarah
that I have received most
affectionate letters from
the Lemmings of Cork

(Ireland) In addition
to what I have here stated
I have been very busy at
home, doing many things
in all my spare moments
and seeing many people
and but for constant
employment what should
we all do - And this
is work in which dear
Willie sympathized - He
never spoke lightly of it
but always encouraged
me and how many times
he helped me - When
a very little boy in 14th
street I remember well
how our poor neighbors
loved him - And
how kind and loving
he was to poor little children
The little [turk?]

is yet in our possession
given him by Mr Stack
and there is Willie Gibbons
Scott - Billy Burt and
a host of others who will
never forget how he drew
them towards him, never
[st?ing] any, however
tattered the garments -
All these are sweet memories
of the darling boy,
I am very glad to hear
how much thou art enjoying
thyself, and have no
feeling to hurry thee home
Father will go out West
on the 10th about - I
will let thee know when
he comes to a final decision
- He will certainly
not go before
When thee left, the

[left side]
arrangement was to let
me know if thee wanted
more clothes sent - I am
depending upon thy message
Do not abuse thy [?]
dresses dear daughter
and do not ride & walk
in thy black sill

When thee goes to Sally
Barker, give my love
to her - And tell her I
often think of her as well
as of the various members
of her family -

I need not say, my darling,
be circumspect in
all things, for the memory
of a sweet brother is
thy safeguard always -

I am obliged now
to lay aside the pen with
my hearts best love and
wishes that happiness may
be thine dear child

[right side]
Give my best love
to all the dear ones
I hope Aunt Anna
and sweet baby are
back, and that she's
not discouraged from
coming again, when we
can have more time
together

Tell Aunt [?]
I am daily expecting
her letter - Give my
love to Aunt Lizzy
and tell her to write to
us all

Ever thy loving
Mother

Mother
3 May 1856