January 9, 1917 - News from Distant Family in Vermont and Cousin Also Involved in the War Effort

 This is the 50th anniversary photo of the Robert Fletcher Richardson II (author of this missive)  family taken on July 4, 1907. Robert and Rosetta are in the center.  "Charley" Henry (who was mostly known as Henry in his family, and who is referenced in this letter is sitting next to his father with his wife behind him and daughter sitting crossed legged on the ground in front of him.   According to a letter from Rosetta it was a very bright day and it was hard to keep everyone looking in the right direction and not squinting over much.

Washington, Vt, January 9^th, 1918

 Dear Sister[1],

            I expect you will scold some for your letter not being answered but I have been drove with work for this last six months – cannot get any help [probably because of so many young men going off to war] so have to do what I can and let the rest go.

            Mother[2] began to fail some ten weeks ago and the last four weeks very faint is not able to sit up much. Suffers terribly with pain of her limbs as well as all over.  It is the general breaking down of the whole system due to old age and hard work.  Her case is one that cannot be cured.

            The last we heard from Julia [author’s widowed sister-in-law, wife of his late brother Nathaniel] she lived with her children in Worchester, Mass.  Arthur [Julia’s son]  has gone to California to reside.  Eva [Olive, niece of author] Richardson still lives at Waite’s River [Vermont].  Brother Henry’s widow [Lilla M Keyes] has secured a pension [from Henry’s Civil War Service] of twenty five dollars per month and some back. Hope you have secured yours [Eva, recipient of this letter, was also a widow of a Civil War Veteran].  Will’s [Henry’s son] children and family about as usual.  Our children quite well.  The last we heard from them Charley Henry [author’s son] enlisted the first of the war as a chemical and mineral expert but does not expect to be called to go to France.[3]

            Will Richardson’s wife is helping us now. Expect Bertha Tillotson to help us for a while. Cold hard winter, the worst known for 40 years.  Take extra good care of yourself and write us as often as you can.

                                                            With love,

                                                                        Your loving Brother[4]

[While this letter can be confusing with all of his quick references, it is fabulous first-hand knowledge of their individual situations at this time and is verification of family members and events.  Charles Henry referenced here was a graduate of Dartmouth and at this time an assistant professor at Syracuse University teaching geology and mineralogy.]

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[1] This letter is written from Robert Fletcher Richardson II, George’s Great-Uncle, to his youngest sister, Evalina Irene Richardson.  Eva was known as Nellie outside the family and was widowed of George Thompson a Civil War Veteran

[2] He is talking about his wife, Rosetta Dexter Richardson.  She passed away February 2, 1918. 

[3] Charley Henry, Charles Henry Richardson, had achieved a Ph. D at Dartmouth College and was an Associate Professor of Geology and Mineralogy at Syracuse University in 1910

[4] Robert A Richardson and Rosina Healy Richardson, were parents of, Robert Fletcher Richardson II, and of a total of 8 children, six of whom grew to adulthood and had children of their own.  Two died very young.