Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID |
2020.027.005A-B |
Object Name |
Letter |
Description |
Seven-page letter from Portia Gage to "My Dear Sister." Letter is written in black ink on two sheets of ivory-colored, lined stationery, each page folded in half with an embossed seal upper left which reads, "Congress" and includes a depiction of a building. The letter begins, "Jacksonville [Florida] Mar 21st/ 76 / My Dear Sister." At the top of the first page is written, "Answered Apr 2 / 1876" in black ink, and in red ink over part of the date, "Portia Gage / Jacksonville Fla. / 21 March, / 1876". The letter begins, "You will perceive that we are on backward track if not on the homeward,..." The newsy letter mentions a number of people they saw, including Mr. Mitchell, Mr. & Mrs. Leak, Mr. & Mrs. Starr, and places they visited such as Palatka and Cabbage Bluff. Asahel left them to go to Gainsville. Portia describes their possible route back home by way of Washington and then to Vineland. She mentions that she has heard from Helen [Asahel's wife] and Portia's son, Neander. On page four she talks about sending oranges to her sister - glad she received them, and on page five she asks about an election and some women's issue or such. She also mentions "Cousin Sarah," Maria, George, Mrs. Mablette, Betsey, Neander, Annie, and Hope. She ends the letter by remarking, "I expect to live in my Vineland home yet awhile and to tell the truth I like it as well as any place I have seen South, and there are a thousand more comforts to be had there than anywhere else, and I am glad you and Sarah are there to enjoy them. Your loving Sister". The back page is blank except for the date in red ink, " 21 March '76". According to a note accompanying the three 1876 letters in this accession, they were written when John, Portia, and their son Asahel made a trip to Florida. |
Date |
March 21, 1876 |
Classification |
Elections Travel |