Mary Malone     ( December 21, 1897 )

Mary Malone

Page 1

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Letter: Two pages: Two sides of page 1and one side of page 2

Paper: Lined paper, 7-7/8” wide by 9-7/8” high

Envelope addressed to Mrs. Wm Fitzpatrick, Dennison, Mich.

The front was postmarked Midland, Mich., Dec 23, 1897, 8 AM

The back was postmarked Dennison, Mich., Dec 24

The envelope was stamped with two 1-cent stamps

The envelope is 5-3/4”wide by 3-1/2” high.

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Midland Mich.

Dec 21 – 97

 

Dear Lizzie –

 

I haven’t much time to write but think I must write a little before xmas.  I have commenced to say four thousand Hail Mary’s for xmas so will have to use all my spare time praying.  You don’t know how I appreciated your letter for you know I always get such short letters from the boys at home and they never tell all the news.  Well I am going to Essfexville after Maggie Ryan Friday. She is going to spend her xmas vacation with us.  Sister Hyacuithnee, Kate Hines is her teacher.  Jim is not coming home this xmas.  He is going home with a boy who lives near Berlin so we will be widely scattered.  I was to Saginaw about three weeks ago and called on Rev M. Dalton and he took me over to see Father Vanpanmiel the poor old man has been very sick but is better now.  I saw Polly the parrot.  I was kept busy answering questions from both priests.  They all remember Dennison and Berlin.

 

Well; the church is complete.  He had the altar and pews painted and purchased a new matting for the floor so now it is a beauty.  I wish you could see it.  When you were on your wedding tour, why didn’t you take a run over to Midland?

 

Lizzie, I am glad you are contented and happy and always try to remain so.  I think that is the principal thing whatever we do.  I am alone tonight as Father Malone has gone to Harrison to have Mass tomorrow.  We will have Mass xmas day at five o’clock and 10:30.  He will say Mass in Auburn at 8 o’clock and then drive back here, so he will be here for dinner.  It will seem queer to me not to be home xmas but there is so much going on here then that I will not mind it.  Well; Mrs. Miller washed for me today and I am going to do some of the ironing tonight so I guess I will close for this time wishing you all a Merry, Merry, Xmas and a happy New Year.

 

I remain Lovingly your Cousin, Mary Malone.

 

P.S.  I could write lots more if I had time.  Mr. and Mrs. Ryan were here one evening last week and we played Whist.  Dan Maloney is home for vacation and they are going to play Whist at his home some evening.  Mrs. Ryan says I must surely go so I presume I will get the Booby.  xxxxx  Give my love to your Husband.  Write soon

 

 

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“the boys at home”:  Mary Malone was living in Midland with her brother the priest, so I’m assuming the “boys at home” are her brothers living at home in Dennison.

 

“Jim is not coming home this xmas”:  James Malone was Mary Malone’s brother.

 

“Rev M. Dalton”:  At one time, I believe Father Dalton was the priest at St. Mary’s in Berlin (Marne) and/or St. Michael’s in Dennison.  During World War II Berlin was renamed “Marne”

 

“Father Malone”:  Father Malone is Mary Malone’s brother

 

“Mary Malone.”:  Mary Malone is the daughter of Catherine Golden and Patrick Malone.  Catherine Golden is the sister to Patrick Golden.  Patrick Golden is Lizzie’s father.

 

“Whist”:  The classic game of Whist was played widely in the 18th and 19th centuries. Whist was derived from the older game Ruff and Honours, and in the twentieth century Bridge has replaced whist as the most popular card game internationally among serious card players. Nevertheless, whist continues to be played in Britain, often in local tournaments called "whist drives".

 

“Give my love to your Husband”:  Lizzie was married to William Henry Fitzpatrick

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Page 2

Envelope Front

Envelope Back

Page 3