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New York 12/29 - 1851
My precious children - You were indeed
very kind to give so much of your time to
those at home - we were all greatly delighted
with the Christmas presents - [since?] were beautiful
- the book mark was splendid, and I shall
preserve it always as a token of your love
I see a great improvement in your writing
Sallys last letter was beautifully written,
and well expressed - I am glad your
things were satisfactory, and your other
wants shall be supplied right soon - Mr
Church is going to make your shoes
immediately after New Years - Please send
me word exactly how much tapestry wasted
is needed for 1 hood - I will send
enough for each, and say what colours
will please -
Do write and tell me all about the
party - father and Willie are not very good
at telling every thing - and be sure to send
me a copy of the lines addressed to [crossed out: thee]
both of you - and be very careful of your
presents - Mrs Sedgwick is very kind
[left side]
[Dr Beales?] sent to Willie [?] - elegantly
bound in red and gift - to Sally, the
most beautiful ivory jar I ever saw - a
neat opera pen - to Julia a hearty of a
card basket with gift flowers, and to [Lucy Homers?]
for children - three volumes in one
I keep them on the table during the
holidays, afterward shall put them
in your drawer - I sent Lizzy Hyde
a Rosetta like yours
I will send the work as Sally suggests
as soon as I can get it ready - I shall
be glad for her to make drawers for
Willie Lucy was delighted with the [ruffles?]
I will send Julia a common [moustain?]
delaine dress - I wish she would
get it fitted at Lenox. for Jane will
not be exact about it - perhaps Julia
had better get it [underlined] made [/underlined] - write and say
how it shall be managed -
Father and Willie enjoyed their visit much
and I was glad for you to have them -
we gave them a hearty welcome back, for [underlined] we
too [/underlined] were lonely in their absence - Lizzy Hyde
called while they were away she brought Lucy
2 nice [underlined] turnover’s [/underlined] - she passed an evening
here, with her & Mrs Delamite
[right side]
Grandfather was delighted with his letter - I
wish you would write often, it cheers him
and you must not expect [struck through: letters] answers
to all yours
I sent 70 dolls dressed, and
with a little bag of candy round the neck
of each to the sick children at Randalls Island
- and your accordion, as you expressed
a readiness to let them have it -
a letter from the Physician states how
happy they were made by the remembrance
Poor children - no father and mother to
care for them - I was thinking that
if you had a few [yards] of calico, you
could make some dresses for small dolls
make them a sort of ships, after the
sack nightgown fashion, without
Hope - a drawing string about the neck
and we can give them a fit by putting
a piece of ribbon round the [struck through: neck] waist
it would be convenient work for you,
and will turn to some account, for I
expect to keep these poor sick children supplied
with dolls and toys while I live - The
healthy are often treated to cakes and candies,
but those in the hospital cannot enjoy these, and are
greatly relieved by having some amusement
to beguile the tedious hours - Many have
lost the use of their limbs, and time unemployed
must hang heavily upon their hands
write to me at once dear children, and
say about the Woods, Julia’s dress &c
I was delighted to hear how well
Sally was looking - if her clothes are
tight, I hope she will after them, for
it is very [injurious?] to wear such
When you see Miss Sedgwick, give my
best love to her - you know how I
love her, and how I sorry I am when
she is afflicted - I hope she will come to
New York very soon -
I hope addy enjoyed ll the
pleasant things - I have not seen her
father since his return - but shall soon
make them a visit -
Farewell my darling children
enjoy all there is to enjoy, and begin
the New Year with a resolution to pursue
the right - I hope it has in store
the best of blessings for you - Ever
your loving Mother -
Abby Hopper Gibbons letter to her children
Discusses Christmas presents. Discusses recent news concerning family/friends, including her immediate family. Recounts donating dolls and candy to the sick children at Randalls Island, and suggests that her daughters help make clothes for the dolls to donate. She says, "I expect to keep these poor sick children supplied with dolls and toys while I live."
Gibbons, Abby Hopper, 1801-1893
1851-12-29
3 pages
reformatted digital
Abby Hopper Gibbons Papers, SFHL-RG5-174
Abby Hopper Gibbons Papers, SFHL-RG5-174 --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/5174ahgi
A00180576