Browsing Items (202 total)


This letter from Ada Kirby to her mother, Frances, discusses Bettie’s health. Ada has come to Bettie’s home after Bettie gave birth to Robert Earl in April. Ada says that Bettie has been left bedridden with an abscess from injuries during the birth, and that her condition has neither worsened nor improved.

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This is a letter from Robert Kirby to Ada Kirby, written on May 15th, 1885. This letter is faint and difficult to read.

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This is a letter from Rosa Kirby to her aunt, and it was written on May 14th, 1885. This letter is faint and difficult to read.

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This letter from Alice Kirby to Ada Kirby, her aunt, talks about the farm they live on in Kansas, and the process of plowing. Alice mentions that she is sad to hear that some of her aunt Fannie's children have died.

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This is a letter from Robert Kirby to an aunt of his. In this letter, Robert discusses the upcoming end to the school year and some of his plans for what to do after he finished teaching. Robert mentions his grandpa being ill, and that he wants Millard Fillmore Kirby to know he is planning on coming to visit. Robert says one of his aunts, Lindy Roberts, has died, and that another, Phebe, is very feeble.

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This letter from Alice Kirby to her aunt, Ada Kirby, discusses the farming life that Alice leads in Kansas, where her father, Samuel Kirby, moved the family to. Alice says she is late in responding to the letter from her aunt because they had moved to a new farm where they are tending to 135 acres of corn. Alice says she wishes that their new house was closer to neighbors as they all feel lonely.

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This is a letter from Alice Kirby to her aunt Ada. In the letter, Alice talks about how her father and brothers have been very busy making hay, and are so driven by their work that they camp out in the fields where they are baling. Alice says that she feels like her father is working too hard for his age, and hopes that her uncle John Mallory (her mother’s brother) will come and help them with cultivating.

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This letter from Laura Kirby to her aunt Ada talks about Samuel J. Kirby's moving the family to a new farm. Laura says that she and her sister Alice have left school and discusses the winter weather.

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This is a letter from Laura Kirby to her aunt Ada Kirby. The letter discusses how Laura no longer plans on attending school and how the weather has been some of the coldest they have ever had in Kansas. Laura talks about a fair they attended and says that her uncle John Mallory wrote them a letter for the first time in seven years.

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This is a letter from Ada Kirby to her sister Elizabeth Eller. Ada talks about the family's health, the weather, and her hopes for getting visits from relatives.

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This letter from Elizabeth Eller to her sister Ada Kirby talks about how Kirby Luke Eller, Elizabeth's son, has caught pneumonia and is extremely ill.

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This letter from Elizabeth Eller to her sister Ada discusses domestic happenings in Elizabeth’s life. Elizabeth talks about her children going to school, the cold weather, her nephew Emery, and a funeral.

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This letter from Alice Kirby to her aunt Ada discusses life on the Kansas farm that Alice’s father, Samuel Kirby, is renting. Alice says that they had a rough Christmas and that the weather is very bad. She talks about how Samuel Kirby intends to continue renting the farm they are on.

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This letter from Robert Kirby to his aunt Ada talks about what has happened to Robert over the Christmas holiday season. Robert talks about teaching and how he only got two days of break for Christmas. The letter also includes mention of the murder of a black man by Rich Reeves, whom Robert says fled the country, abandoning his wife and mother. Robert says that he is homesick and plans on taking a trip to see his family soon.

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This is an envelope addressed to Millard Kirby and dated 26 July 1887.

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This is an envelope addressed to Ada Kirby and dated 1885.

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This letter from Alice Kirby to her aunt Ada Kirby comes from the Kansas farm which Alice’s father, Samuel J. Kirby, rents. Alice complains about the weather and family problems, saying “I don’t think there is another family in the world that has to put up with what we do.” Alice also references family drama bringing them disgrace, and is critical of the integrated schools which her younger siblings attend.

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This letter from Alice Kirby to her aunt Ada Kirby talks about life on the Kansas farm where Alice and her family live. Alice talks about going to school, fairs, and other sources of entertainment, but her letter is focused on the price of various goods. She goes in detail about how much money was made from everything they raised on their farm, and what the going price is for various crops.

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This is a letter from Laura Kirby to her uncle Millard Fillmore Kirby, and his wife. Laura talks about the farm they live on, and how her brother and father are making hay in the fields. Laura mentions that she was very saddened by the news that her aunt Ada Kirby had died.

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This is a letter from one of Samuel J. Kirby’s children to their aunt. The letter is a fragment, and talks about selling some of the farm animals they have.

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This is a letter from Nancy Kirby to Mary Ann Kirby, in which she talks about her sister Ada’s health. She also mentions a gift Mary Ann sent to them.

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These are two letters written to Ada Kirby from her nieces, Laura and Alice Kirby, who live in Kansas. Alice writes about the weather and friends she wants to visit with, while Laura talks about life at home and how she enjoys having company.

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These letters from Laura Kirby and Alice Kirby to their Aunt Ada Kirby discuss life on the farm in Kansas that their father, Samuel J. Kirby rents. Laura talks about going to school, while Alice discusses various domestic events and the price of crops.

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This is an envelope addressed to Ada Kirby and dated 18 October 1881.

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This is a letter written by Helen (last name unknown) to a friend. Helen talks about going to school, the subjects she is learning, Christmas, and the marriages and romance she sees going on around her. Helen hopes someone will marry her.

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This is a letter from Emory Kirby to Mr. Pennington, and is a follow up to a discussion that took pace over a year earlier. Emory left that talk with high hopes, as he had bought land, but found his property sold off. Homeless, Emory was forced to rent room in a store and felt humiliated. He managed to buy a new property, and finishes out the letter describing his new land and thanking Pennington for his friendship.

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This is a letter from W. Weaver to Millard Fillmore Kirby. Weaver writes about life in the Colorado Territory, where he is a farmer. He mentions that a man was murdered there shortly before he wrote the letter, and that he might go to Arizona to try digging for gold.

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This letter from Susan Eller to Luke and Sarah Eller discusses farming and the impact of Reconstruction on Susan. Susan mentions the price of crops and that some vendors of farm animals are not selling in her area anymore because there is an abundance of animals such as mules and horses. Susan also says that the people in her area of Tennessee are confused as to the impact that the proposed Civil Rights Act (passed in 1875) will have on the African-American community, and that many African Americans are being murdered and lynched in her area.

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This letter from William Lee King to one of his uncles discusses land that belonged to King's mother, but that his cousin, John Baker, has taken possession of. King says that he is now of age, and that he should inherit the land.

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This is a dismissal letter written in 1870 for Joel and Frances Kirby in regards to them joining another church.

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This is a letter from Luke Eller to B. F. Dickson, transcribed by Joseph Lafayette Eller. Luke Eller tells Dickson that someone by the name of Hiram Brown has run away again and that he is offering a 500 dollar reward for bringing him back.

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This is a letter from Emmitt McEwan to Mollie Eller, his cousin. Emmitt talks about how there are very few women in his area. He asks about an upcoming wedding and mentions he might attend, and he wants to marry someone from Ashe County and not someone from Missouri or Kansas, where he lives.

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This is a letter from Jennie King to Mary Eller. Jennie says she is going to be marrying soon and that Mary’s father has promised to buy her a dress.

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This is a letter from Emory Kirby to his sister Nan. Emory talks about how his recent bout of measles has prevented him from rejoining the cavalry he is a part of, and he details several positions and occurrences in his area during the Civil War.

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This is a letter from B.F. Dickson to his friend Mollie (Daniel). In this letter, Dickson mentions how there has been a drought in his part of Kansas, leaving them without rain for over a year. Dickson also writes about how he wants to marry, but he living in Kansas is so far removed from his friends and family in Ashe county, and he does not want to marry outside the community.

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This is a letter from Emmitt McEwen to Mollie Eller, whom he describes as an acquaintance. Emmitt writes about how he hopes to get married soon and that he worries he will not be able to marry any of the women who live in Ashe County because they might all marry before he gets back.

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This is a letter from Sally King to her aunt and uncle Sarah and Luke Eller. Sally talks primarily about her strong religious belief and talks about her fears that several of her family members won’t go to Heaven because they aren’t as fervent believers as she is.

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This is a letter from F. Kirby, one of Samuel J. Kirby’s children, to an aunt or uncle. The letter begins with mention of a robbery that occurred in a nearby county in Missouri, a robbery that likely was committed by the Jesse James gang. In the remainder of the letter, Kirby discusses how ugly women are in the area they live in.

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This brief letter from E. Harrington to Mollie is about having Mollie come visit Harrington so that they can discuss something Harrington is uncomfortable mentioning in the letter.

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This is a letter from Mollie Daniel to Mollie Eller. Mollie asks about coming marriages and family members, and she mentions events going on around where she lives in Tennessee.

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This is a letter from Fannie Kirby to her cousin Bettie Kirby. The letter, which is largely illegible, discusses Bettie’s going to school and romance.

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This is a letter from Mollie Daniel to her cousin Mollie Eller. Mollie writes that she is anxious to hear from Mollie, whom she says never answered an earlier letter. Mollie is also anxious to see and hear from family members.

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This is an envelope addressed to Mollie Eller.

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This is a letter from Hansford Eller to Luke Eller. The letter is very faint, making it largely illegible.

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This is a letter from Mary Daniel to her grandmother Martha Ashley. Mary says she has not communicated with her grandmother in years, however, she is glad she is alive since most of Mary’s family, including all of her sisters, have died.

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This is a letter from Mary Eller to her cousin Mollie Daniel. In this letter, Mary explains that Mollie’s family is not dead, and that her parents and brother are very much alive, and then she says where they all are living and working. She also mentions that their Uncle William Rufus King received a pardon from Andrew Johnson for fighting for the Confederacy.

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This is a letter from a friend to Bettie Kirby. The letter says that many people whom Bettie knows have died.

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This is a letter from Frances Roberts to Bettie Kirby, her cousin. Frances says she deeply misses Bettie and very much wishes to see her at some point, but she does not know when she can. Frances mentions the past Easter, and how she had an interesting time.

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This is a letter from Hansford Eller to his parents, Luke and Sarah Eller. Hansford says that he has heard from his brother Aswell, and that he is fine. There is also mention of an attack planned on a town once a gunboat comes to the area, however, Hansford believes that is some time off.

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This is a letter from Hansford Eller to Luke Eller, his father. Hansford is serving in the Confederate Army and has been away from home for some time, and is hoping to come back soon. His grandmother, he says, has grim outlooks on both the war and her lifespan, and he relays her worries to his parents, although he implores them to not worry about him much, for if they pray, he claims, then he will be fine and they will win the war. Hansford talks as well about how he swapped his mare for another horse.

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