Letters to, from cousin Emily H. "Lilly" Morris Wood, 1863 - 1912

Note: “Solitude” is Emily H. Morris’ residence in Philadelphia. Emily H. Morris Wood vacations during the summer in Newport, Rhode Island. The most common day-to-day activities as reported in the letters generally consist in sewing, horseback riding, letter writing, visiting and receiving friends. Somewhat frequent discussions of shopping, fashion, and art, often at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts.

Some highlights include:

Newport, 1863 7/2. [On the Battle of Gettysburg: “How anxious you must all be, and how near the danger! It is hard to realize in this quiet, peaceful, place that there is war in the land and tho’ the reports make me feel very anxious for a time yet some how the anxiety slips away as I look out on the blue waters and across at the quiet tumbling hills with the sheep feeding quietly on them, the white sails flitting to and fro and all seeming as it is, an island of rest in the shadow of those mighty wings under which alone peace and safety are to be found. I am sure we will not be disappointed.”]

Newport, 1876, 11/3. [On barn fire: “The sorrowful news contained in letter from Ira(?) James this morning makes me seize a few moments on this busy day to express to thee and dear Aunt Naomi our heartfelt sympathy and we know how it feels to have loss by fire! The horror of the shock I feel particularly for thee dearly beloved sister for thy nerves have had so much to bear in years past and the dread of fire is so great. How truly thankful we are that your house was uninjured and that your horses escaped. What a scene of excitement you must have had and does it not make you feel so terribly anxious to see those burning hands flying off in every direction. Dear old barn! How many happy hours we children have passed in and about it.” Talk of estrangement from Harry’s wife.]

Paris, 1890, 8/10. [Account of travel around Europe.]

Dresden, 1890, 12/11. [Description of life and activities in Dresden.]

Braewold, Mount Kisco, New York, 1912, 9/15. [“This is my little daughter Ellen's birthday and I have recalled her arrival at Solitude so long ago. She was a most dear child and her work seems to have grown in her absence very wonderfully. I feel her loss very keenly but am glad when I can remember that pain and sorrow are not known in that blessed country where she lives. I find myself dreading the growing old and feeble and helpless and rejoicing when any of my dear ones are spared years of failing powers as I see poor Aunt Mary Wood and Caroline Wood in their distressful day by day failure of mental and bodily powers I am fain to pray for myself that my stay may not be prolonged.”]