Letters from the Attic

I was pleased to get a letter from you. We had heard from fathers ones that you had come out to New York. It must have been very heard for you to have left your parents and come out hear but perhaps it was for the best. We were very glad that you have got such a good place. You could do a good deal better there than you could hear. I suppose there is a great many things that seems strange to you but it would not seem so bad you having

sister to go to in the first place. I hope you will still continue to like your place. Joes were all well the last we heard from them. They have quite a large family. There children are nice smart children. Edna is getting to be a lot of company for me now. She was two years & four months old the first of the month & she does think such a lot of her Pa & he does of he. Nothing that she does is rong I am most afraid that he will spoile her but she is a good dispositioned child or he would (or I suppose you will say that is what the mother thinks). Oliver and I both send our love to you. Hoping to hear from you soon. From your brother and sister Oliver and Mary Howe

Mentions Jane's parents suggesting that perhaps this letter was written prior to Jane Howe's death in April 1897 and Oliver Howe's death in November 1891.

Suggests that Edna is "two years & four months old the first of the month." The 1901 Census suggests that Edna was born 12 October 1886. The inscription on her headstone suggests that she was born November 1, 1886. This would date the letter approximately February or March 1888.