The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects

Browse Items (37 total)

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    H. M. Saunders writes to the Home in response to another letter, and states that he and his wife have decided to "take little Henry Sexton by Apprenticeship," and adds that it is likely that they will adopt him later on. He adds that there is an "excellent graded school" they will send him to, and also that he plans to teach Henry "in every department of a newspaper office, and make of him a practical hewspaper man." According to the header, Saunders is the publisher of "The Star," the only paper published in Carlisle County. He concludes with information of how to deliver Henry to him. Letter marked Bardwell, KY. In a follow-up letter from 13 Nov 1893, Saunders writes that he and his wife "have learned to think a great deal of Henry already although we have not seen him yet." He asks for the Home to send him to Paducah on Nov 20th to meet his brother-in-law, Jno. W. Overstreet at 1335 W. Court St. Henry may be 1 year old, as Saunders asks "to whom will he belong the other three years before he is 4?" (NOTE: Henry cannot be 1 year old due to development) Letter marked Bardwell, KY. In a letter from 23 Nov 1893, Saunders writes to Weller regarding Henry's arrival and settling in to Bardwell. He says that he seemed delighted to meet his wife and daughter, was pleased with the farm animals, and was starting school the coming Monday. He ends the letter, "We are quite proud of our dear little boy, and trust God for life, health, and the proper skill to teach him to be a useful man." In a letter from 13 June 1894, Saunders writes to Weller to ask about Henry's living relatives, especially his sisters Minnie, Maggie and Rosie. He asks if they are still in the Home and if they are well, and asks about his parents and grandparents. He says that Henry, though very bright and good, is sometimes difficult to "govern," and constantly writes letters that he asks Saunders to deliver to his sisters. Saunders wants all information he can gather regarding Henry's family so that in a few years he can give him the information. He says that he has been teaching him to set type, and that he has been attending school. Letter marked Bardwell, KY. In a letter from 25 July 1894, Saunders writes to the Home to ask if Henry Sexton's sisters are still in the Home, stating that Henry is "very desirous to know about them." He says that he doesn't think Henry should be in regular contact with them until his apprenticeship is over, but that he feels it is his duty to find the sisters for Henry. He goes on to say that Henry is a very bright boy and fast learner, and that he continues to pick up typesetting. Letter marked Bardwell, KY. In a letter from 11 August 1894 in folder 11, an unnamed author writes to Mary regarding Henry, that Mrs. and Mr. Hugh Saunders got from the Home, saying that he is "doing real well." Letter marked Bardwell, KY. In an incomplete letter from 8 April 1896, Saunders writes to Hollingsworth to say that he is "deeply grieved to tell you that my wife and I can not get along with Henry at all." He says that he stole at school, and even after punishment, "he seems to have such a mania for attending to other people's business." He adds that he is very untruthful, but he is "certainly one of the smartest children" he has ever seen. He says that he was punished for "stopping on the road to and from school" and he can never "depend upo him to make the trip without stopping." Handwritten, "Apprenticed to Hugh Saunders Nov 20 1893, Born Henry H. Sexton, Feb 5 1886." Letter marked Bardwell, KY.
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    Mrs. Amie Goodman writes to the Home regarding her sister, Eliza. She says that she is between 6 and 8 years old and is blind in one eye and was left at the Home last winter sometime. She says that she is married now and wishes to adopt Eliza, as she is her only sister and can take care of her. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 19 June 1894, H. C. Kenduck of the Home of Methodist Orphans writes to the Home regarding Eliza Collard. She says that Amie Goodman wrote to them, but they have no record of her, and want to see if the Home had her. Letter marked Louisville, KY. In a letter from 26 June 1894, Amie writes that she is unable to come to pick up Eliza, but that she can send money for Eliza to be brought to her. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 30 June 1894, Amie says she encloses $1 and the necessary bonds. She says that she can meet her July 3rd if she is sent, and the letter is signed also by William R. Goodman. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 20 August 1894, Mrs. Mira Ash writes to the Home to say that "there is a great deal of complaint of the home that little Eliza Collard has." She goes on to say that Amie stayed with her before she was married and though "it seems strange to say that she would treat her little sister so unkind," she is satisfied that what she has heard is true. She says that the house they stay in is very small, they do not send Eliza to school, allow her to nap, or get her new clothes, and won't allow other children to come over to play with her. Eliza told Ash that she wants to "come back up there but is afraid to tell them because she thinks that they will whip her." The situation is time-sensitive, as the Goodmans are moving "next Thurs. 23rd" to Summit, KY, where "they will be in a neighborhood where the people are something like themselves and would allow the child to be treated most any way." She says for the Home to contact Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Floyd and Mrs. Soncinda Scipses for more information. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 29 August 1894, Ash writes to say that the Goodmans moved to East View, KY, not Summit. She says that the last she spoke to Eliza she was being treated very poorly and could "scarcely find a worse home." She says she hopes the Home will inquire soon, and says "to be very plain about it Amie is not (or does not seem to be) very bright and is of a very strange and unpleasant disposition." She also says "Eliza was almost without clothes when she left," implying that the Goodmans have already departed for East View. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 31 August 1894, a letter from Mrs. Amie Goodman inquires about adopting a boy 9 or 10 years old to Mrs. Leharly Johnson. On the back of the letter, Hallie Coombs writes to Weller: "This must be from Eliza Deppen (or Collard's sister). Miss Hollingsworth said you had better look well into it as you had such a bad report from Eliza." Letter marked East View, Hardin Co., KY. In a letter from 25 Oct 1894, Amie writes to the Home. She says she thinks it "impossible for [her] to keep her as [she] cannot do nothing with her." She says she thinks it would be best for both of them to send Eliza back to the Home. Letter marked East View, KY.
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    Mrs. Amie Goodman writes to the Home regarding her sister, Eliza. She says that she is between 6 and 8 years old and is blind in one eye and was left at the Home last winter sometime. She says that she is married now and wishes to adopt Eliza, as she is her only sister and can take care of her. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 19 June 1894, H. C. Kenduck of the Home of Methodist Orphans writes to the Home regarding Eliza Collard. She says that Amie Goodman wrote to them, but they have no record of her, and want to see if the Home had her. Letter marked Louisville, KY. In a letter from 26 June 1894, Amie writes that she is unable to come to pick up Eliza, but that she can send money for Eliza to be brought to her. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 30 June 1894, Amie says she encloses $1 and the necessary bonds. She says that she can meet her July 3rd if she is sent, and the letter is signed also by William R. Goodman. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 20 August 1894, Mrs. Mira Ash writes to the Home to say that "there is a great deal of complaint of the home that little Eliza Collard has." She goes on to say that Amie stayed with her before she was married and though "it seems strange to say that she would treat her little sister so unkind," she is satisfied that what she has heard is true. She says that the house they stay in is very small, they do not send Eliza to school, allow her to nap, or get her new clothes, and won't allow other children to come over to play with her. Eliza told Ash that she wants to "come back up there but is afraid to tell them because she thinks that they will whip her." The situation is time-sensitive, as the Goodmans are moving "next Thurs. 23rd" to Summit, KY, where "they will be in a neighborhood where the people are something like themselves and would allow the child to be treated most any way." She says for the Home to contact Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Floyd and Mrs. Soncinda Scipses for more information. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 29 August 1894, Ash writes to say that the Goodmans moved to East View, KY, not Summit. She says that the last she spoke to Eliza she was being treated very poorly and could "scarcely find a worse home." She says she hopes the Home will inquire soon, and says "to be very plain about it Amie is not (or does not seem to be) very bright and is of a very strange and unpleasant disposition." She also says "Eliza was almost without clothes when she left," implying that the Goodmans have already departed for East View. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 31 August 1894, a letter from Mrs. Amie Goodman inquires about adopting a boy 9 or 10 years old to Mrs. Leharly Johnson. On the back of the letter, Hallie Coombs writes to Weller: "This must be from Eliza Deppen (or Collard's sister). Miss Hollingsworth said you had better look well into it as you had such a bad report from Eliza." Letter marked East View, Hardin Co., KY. In a letter from 25 Oct 1894, Amie writes to the Home. She says she thinks it "impossible for [her] to keep her as [she] cannot do nothing with her." She says she thinks it would be best for both of them to send Eliza back to the Home. Letter marked East View, KY.
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    Mrs. Amie Goodman writes to the Home regarding her sister, Eliza. She says that she is between 6 and 8 years old and is blind in one eye and was left at the Home last winter sometime. She says that she is married now and wishes to adopt Eliza, as she is her only sister and can take care of her. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 19 June 1894, H. C. Kenduck of the Home of Methodist Orphans writes to the Home regarding Eliza Collard. She says that Amie Goodman wrote to them, but they have no record of her, and want to see if the Home had her. Letter marked Louisville, KY. In a letter from 26 June 1894, Amie writes that she is unable to come to pick up Eliza, but that she can send money for Eliza to be brought to her. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 30 June 1894, Amie says she encloses $1 and the necessary bonds. She says that she can meet her July 3rd if she is sent, and the letter is signed also by William R. Goodman. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 20 August 1894, Mrs. Mira Ash writes to the Home to say that "there is a great deal of complaint of the home that little Eliza Collard has." She goes on to say that Amie stayed with her before she was married and though "it seems strange to say that she would treat her little sister so unkind," she is satisfied that what she has heard is true. She says that the house they stay in is very small, they do not send Eliza to school, allow her to nap, or get her new clothes, and won't allow other children to come over to play with her. Eliza told Ash that she wants to "come back up there but is afraid to tell them because she thinks that they will whip her." The situation is time-sensitive, as the Goodmans are moving "next Thurs. 23rd" to Summit, KY, where "they will be in a neighborhood where the people are something like themselves and would allow the child to be treated most any way." She says for the Home to contact Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Floyd and Mrs. Soncinda Scipses for more information. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 29 August 1894, Ash writes to say that the Goodmans moved to East View, KY, not Summit. She says that the last she spoke to Eliza she was being treated very poorly and could "scarcely find a worse home." She says she hopes the Home will inquire soon, and says "to be very plain about it Amie is not (or does not seem to be) very bright and is of a very strange and unpleasant disposition." She also says "Eliza was almost without clothes when she left," implying that the Goodmans have already departed for East View. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 31 August 1894, a letter from Mrs. Amie Goodman inquires about adopting a boy 9 or 10 years old to Mrs. Leharly Johnson. On the back of the letter, Hallie Coombs writes to Weller: "This must be from Eliza Deppen (or Collard's sister). Miss Hollingsworth said you had better look well into it as you had such a bad report from Eliza." Letter marked East View, Hardin Co., KY. In a letter from 25 Oct 1894, Amie writes to the Home. She says she thinks it "impossible for [her] to keep her as [she] cannot do nothing with her." She says she thinks it would be best for both of them to send Eliza back to the Home. Letter marked East View, KY.
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    J. A. Coffman, M. D. writes to the Home to say that his adopted child, Nora, is doing well in school. He also asks about adopted another little girl (10-12 y.o.) on behalf of a friend. He provides details about his friend's circumstances and asks for costs. Letter marked Poetry, Texas.
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    Heyser writes to Mary on behalf of a "'grass' widow" living near him whose husband has deserted her and who has two young children, aged 9 and 2 years old. He says that the woman won't put her children anywhere else but the "'Home,'" and that she is located "seven miles in the Country." Letter marked Cloverport, KY.
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    Mrs. N. M. Sanderson writes to the Home "in behalf of his little children," Mary (7 years old) and Willie (6 years old) Freeman. The children's father is dead and their mother is very poor and is desperate for the children to be placed in the Home. Sanderson includes references for the children, and a note on one side of the letter from M. A. H. (very likely Mary Hollingsworth) asks that the children be checked out by a doctor and admitted. Letter marked Cave City, KY.
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    Mrs. N. M. Sanderson writes to the Home "in behalf of his little children," Mary (7 years old) and Willie (6 years old) Freeman. The children's father is dead and their mother is very poor and is desperate for the children to be placed in the Home. Sanderson includes references for the children, and a note on one side of the letter from M. A. H. (very likely Mary Hollingsworth) asks that the children be checked out by a doctor and admitted. Letter marked Cave City, KY.
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    Lella Robertson writes to the Home in regard to a girl in her parents' charge (possible her sister?) and giving her up to the Home. She says that she can "place her in good hands here or send her to you," because her mother is dead and her "home being broken up." Letter marked Rock Lick, KY. On the reverse side of the letter, Weller writes to Geo. A. Cubbage to ask if he knows "the party" on 7 Feb 1894. On 8 Feb 1894, Cubbage writes to say that he does not know the signer, but that Rock Lick is in Breckinridge county and about "30 miles from here." He says that if the girl is 14 or 15 years old, his aunt, Mrs. Geo. W. Cubbage, (who "took Lelia Crockett some 20 years ago from the Home, and who Miss Hollingsworth knows") can take her. Letter unmarked but Geo. Cubbage is from Leitchfield, KY.
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    Lella Robertson writes to the Home in regard to a girl in her parents' charge (possibly her sister?) and giving her up to the Home. She says that she can "place her in good hands here or send her to you," because her mother is dead and her "home being broken up." Letter marked Rock Lick, KY. On the reverse side of the letter, Weller writes to Geo. A. Cubbage to ask if he knows "the party" on 7 Feb 1894. On 8 Feb 1894, Cubbage writes to say that he does not know the signer, but that Rock Lick is in Breckinridge county and about "30 miles from here." He says that if the girl is 14 or 15 years old, his aunt, Mrs. Geo. W. Cubbage, (who "took Lelia Crockett some 20 years ago from the Home, and who Miss Hollingsworth knows") can take her. Letter unmarked but Geo. Cubbage is from Leitchfield, KY.
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    Ms. Whitworth writes to the Home regarding two of her three children-- two boys aged 10 and 12 and one girl aged 13. She is "bad sick" and her husband has been dead for two years, and she wants to drop the boys off at the Home. Her daughter had the measles five years ago and "it made a cripel i girr of her for life," so she wants to keep her; she requests repeatedly that the boys be kept together and that she be allowed to visit them and send gifts and clothing. Letter marked Lewisbart, Louback Co., KY. "My Dear Sister" is presumably referencing Miss Mary Hollingsworth.
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    G. W. Perryman writes to Hollingsworth regarding Mr. and Mrs. Walker, who want to adopt a little girl from the Home between 1 and 2 years old. Perryman also mentions that Walker's sister, Mrs. Knight, adopted a child from the Home. Letter marked Newport, KY. Another letter from January 5, 1894 from Mr. Perryman states that Mr. Walker's father and mother have contacted him to say that the young Walkers are too young to adopt and child and "it would be bust all around." Letter marked Newport, KY.
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    Quinn writes to Hollingsworth in regard to a little girl she is in the process of adopting. She asks if she should send the bond to the Home, and also includes instructions for delivering the girl. Letter marked Sturgis, KY (handwritten) and Caseyville, KY (embossed). In a letter from 14 Feb 1895, Quinn writes again to the Home stating that she has "watted some time expecting to hear from you if you have declined" her offer to adopt a girl. Letter marked Sturgis, KY. In another letter from 21 Feb 1895, Quinn writes to Weller to say she feels she has "bin treated bad" because she drove to Morganfield to give a bond for the girl and never heard back. She later refers to the girl as Elly, and explains the lengths she has gone to formalize this adoption. Letter marked Sturgis, KY.

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    Ben and West write to Hollingsworth to donate $1 to the Home and to ask about adopting a little boy. They say that "next year Nannie is most grown dear sweet child light of our home," which could refer to another adopted orphan. Letter marked Crofton, KY.
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    Wm. Haynesworth writes to Hollingsworth regarding a poor, crippled Baptist preacher in the area who is no longer able to care for his two children, boys aged 6 and 8. He is 69 and married, though his wife is also old and cannot provide care for the boys. Haynsworth writes on behalf of the Rev., who wishes to place the boys in the Home.
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    Q. B. Coleman writes to Hollingsworth regarding a widow in his town who has two children she cannot take care of and wants to place in the Home. The children are two girls aged 4 and 6. Letter marked Greenville, KY. In a response letter, Coleman includes the names of the girls and states that they "leave here to day at 12 o'clock for the home." Letter marked Greenville, KY.
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    A widow, Ms. Chambers, writes to the Home asking about employment. She states that she is trained as a dressmaker, but can also teach or clean. She has a 10 year old boy she hopes to get into school. Letter marked Burgin, KY.
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    Q. B. Coleman writes to Hollingsworth regarding a widow in his town who has two children she cannot take care of and wants to place in the Home. The children are two girls aged 4 and 6. Letter marked Greenville, KY. In a response letter, Coleman includes the names of the girls and states that they "leave here to day at 12 o'clock for the home." Letter marked Greenville, KY.
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    M. E. Scott writes to Hollingsworth in regard to children in the area whose widowed mother is "now at the point of death with brain fever." The children are a girl and a boy and 4 and 6 years old, respectively. Scott describes another orphan as a "sprightly black eyed boy 7 ys old, mother dead and his father been gone five years." Scott then asks for additional "blanks" in order to get the children into the Home. Letter marked Somerset. In a letter from 15 Nov 1893, Scott clarifies that the children's surname is Smiley, from their mother's first husband. He says that the girls are 12 and 11 years old. The children described in the earlier letter- girl and boy 4 and 6 years old- are from the woman's second marriage, surname Miller. Letter marked Somerset.
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    M. E. Scott writes to Hollingsworth in regard to children in the area whose widowed mother is "now at the point of death with brain fever." The children are a girl and a boy and 4 and 6 years old, respectively. Scott describes another orphan as a "sprightly black eyed boy 7 ys old, mother dead and his father been gone five years." Scott then asks for additional "blanks" in order to get the children into the Home. Letter marked Somerset. In a letter from 15 Nov 1893, Scott clarifies that the children's surname is Smiley, from their mother's first husband. He says that the girls are 12 and 11 years old. The children described in the earlier letter- girl and boy 4 and 6 years old- are from the woman's second marriage, surname Miller. Letter marked Somerset.
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