Austin Letters 1891, 1896, 1897

Pillipsport, NY
September 21, 1891
Dear Brother
You will begin to think I have forgotten you all, but I haven’t. I was sick all day yesterday and day before with a sore throat, was able to teach today, although, I do not feel very well yet. I have not written to Mort yet.

I wish you would tell Maria to finish my dresses as soon as she can for I need them very much.

Hope you will write soon and tell me all the Eldred news.
Your loving sister, Aida

———————
1896
(Aida is in Eldred)
From: 13 Leland Ave
New Rochelle, NY
May 25, 1896

My dear Aida,
I received your letter of the seventeenth. I am glad you have so good a lookout for summer boarders. Who are they? Ladies or gentlemen and are they real nice?

I have made no plans for this summer as I am thinking some of going west, but I have not decided yet; if I do not go west you will probably see me at your place in July. You need not save a room for me because I am not sure enough for that.

I would like to help you fix up your house. I like that work if I am not all tired out.

I think your circular is quite swell. We have had so much rain here yesterday and today. If you had as much as we have, I am sure that spring would not go dry.

I am so glad your mother is able to be around. Is Maria with Lon now? Remember me to them. Has Dora work yet?

I expect Aida you will see me in July. Be sure and write and tell me who you are expecting for July; not that that would make any difference with my coming, I can assure you.

I wish school was over for this year and always for me. I am sick of it tonight.
Remember me to all your folks.
Lovingly,
Lou or Lon Young

———————-
1897
Envelope from Port Jervis
addressed to
A A Austin
Mt Grove House
Eldred, NY
January 26, 1897
Dear Lon:
Last Thursday, while Mamma was in New York and I was acting as housekeeper, Papa and I were much surprised to receive a barrel of apples and the butter enclosed from you.

Please accept our thanks for the apples and as to the butter, there is none too much for we can use it all and after using it, will weigh the crock and then papa will send you a check.

He would settle with you now, if you knew the number of pounds, but since you are willing to wait, he ought to be. The apples came just at the right time, for we were getting down to the last of what we had.

The presiding elder has been with us since Sunday, last evening at the Quarterly Conference. Papa informed the official men that he rather expects to leave here in April, so if he does, that will mean a new home for us.

Yesterday and today have been very cold here. Can’t imagine what it must be up in Sullivan.

Aunt Annie talks of coming up to visit us this winter and if she does, we will both come up for a few days and then accept your invitation.

Mama saw Aunt Annie and Mr. and Mrs. Walker last week at that time theyw were all well and inquired about you all.

Remember me to all, if you are in port Jervis at any time, come in to see us. Again, thank you for your kindness
Very sincerely Bertha SS Collins
————
New York, April 10, 1897
Dear Aunt Mary,
Your dear letter (no date) gladly received, and I do wish I had been a good child and answered it sooner, but then you know “I always did so!” Never mind, I am going to write now anyway.

Yes dear! You waited so long I had heard all the news. Willie Kyte’s death, Alvy Sergeant’s cancer, Isaac’s illness, ground broken for the new mansion and studio on the hill, proposed return of the alaska delegation, George Beck’s marriage etc!

Now whether my news will be any news to you or not, remains to be seen, but here goes. Bud’s sweet little girl has recovered from the diphtheria and appears to be as well as ever.

Ida received a letter from Polly Mapes saying that Rebecca had started (by easy stages) for home. She intended to stop on the way to visit her friends. I suppose they are as numerous as the sands of the desert or leaves of the forest. she will probably arrive in time to ride home on the first trolley car that runs between Barryville and Eldred!! Hoop La!!

Ida had a letter from Tina a short time ago. She was not very well, having just recovered from an attack of grippe, which had left her with Catarrh of the stomach that is pretty bad, I think. She does not say anything about coming home. I wish she would come. I should like to see her very much.

I received a letter from aunt Julia Austin a week or two ago. She and her sister Mamie? are living at Golden’s Bridge Westchester Co., they are keeping house. Jennie is married and lives about six mile from them.Sarah died last Thanksgiving day of pneumonia. I was very much surprised to hear this. She was always so much stronger than Mamie or Jule. I had not heard from them for six years and was very glad to hear from them once more.

Yes that was very sad for Annie C to lose her husband, poor girl! She has had her share of trouble.

Polly is with me yet. She sends her love and hope to see you soon. Mrs. Bassett was here yesterday. She often speaks of you and told me to send her love when I wrote.

You wrote that Maria had gone back of Proctor’s. Has she given up the idea of running the boarding house this summer? I hope you have all got rid of your colds.

———-
Envelope addressed to A A Austin Eldred
Mt Grove House
May 23, 1897
My dear Lon,
It was a great disappointment that we were unable to come up and see you all before our departure from Port Jervis, but owing to our being busy, we had to forego the pleasure.

We had expected you and Mort would drive down and we could then have given you the crock and butter pail which belong to you, but since you did not come, we took them into the house next to ours and left them with Mrs. Ingram to keep until you call for them. So they are there awaiting your coming.

I expected to send you this word before, but with our moving and unpacking and getting settled, I’ve had very little time for writing.

We stayed at my Aunt’s, Mrs. Walker’s for ten days after leaving P. J. coming down here on the 4th. Since then, we have been busy trying to make things look homelike.

I’ve been terribly homesick for Port Jervis and the mountains, for this place is entirely different, but I’ll get used to it, and then we are near New York.

We have a very pleasant home, nice large yard and a garden, very nice church, fine pipe organ and good music.
The people are pleasant after we know them a I think we’ll like them. They have done much in the house for us and have shown their goodwill in many ways.

Sometime when you or Mort or the girls are in NY, just take a little trip down to Staten Island. It’s only an hour’s ride. Remember us all to all the family. We will hope to meet again in dear old Sullivan some future day.
Very sincerely,
Bertha SS Collins
Amboy Ave.
Tottenville, Staten Island, New York
You received papa’s last check, did you not?

Leave a Reply