The oldest letter among the papers that may have belonged to Birdie WINCHESTER was dated Aug. 26, 1883; it was written to Birdie from her Aunty Susie.
The letter was written in one long paragraph and had little punctuation. As I transcribed it, I added some commas and periods and divided it into several paragraphs to improve its readability. However, I didn’t change any of the spelling – and hopefully, none of the meaning.
The John mentioned in the letter is probably John Merritt WINCHESTER, Birdie’s older brother. He was born ca. 1872, about a year before Birdie.
I do not know the identity of Bell, Mary, or Dee Henderson.
Birdie’s mom, Maggie, died on 7 Jan. 1882 at age 37 from “heart disease.”
“Detroit, Mich., Aug. 26, 1883
“My Own Sweet Birdie
“Aunty was oh! so pleased to get a letter from you. I expect you will wonder when I tell you that it made poor Aunty cry for you did not mean to darling. But my heart is wrapt in you and John. You do know how much I love you, or how many times every day I think of you both. How I would like to see you.
“I expect you climb the highest tree by this time. When you come to the city to stay a little while with me I will have your pictures taken with me.
“Birdie, I could read your letter right off plain as print. There is no little girl in here your age who can write such a nice letter. I showed your letter to them. They thought you must be more than nine years old.
“Why does not John write to me? It would please me so much.
“And you did not tell me about your dollies, how they are getting along. Or the old dog. And you must tell me how many turkies, ducks, and chickens you raised this year, and if you help Mary wash dishes. And what Grandma is doing if she is well. And who your teacher is.
“Birdie, I am so glad Mary is going to stay with you. You must be very kind to her for she has been a mother to you and John: and you must ask her to learn you to work and sew then when you are a young lady you will not be afraid to do anything.
“I hope papa will have you instructed in music for some day I want to look at Maggie’s daughter as an accomplished young lady. And how proud I will be darling if God will let me live long enough to see that.
“If your dear Mama had lived she would have devoted her life to the culture and education of her children and I know papa will do all he can to have her desire carried out.
“Tell him, Birdie, Bell has been very sick under the Dr care since he was here. She is better now and has gone to Chicago on an excursion, will be home on Wednesday next. She read your letter and is going after you when it gets cooler.
“Tell papa I have not made his shirts – been so busy after Bell got well. Dee Henderson was here sick for over a week — very sick — and now I have written you a long letter and you must answer it.
“A kiss to you and John.
“Love to all. Aunty Susie”
On the back of the letter is the following note.
I assume that this is Birdie’s handwriting.
