1870's Rebecca Staples CDV Photo & Letter, Skowhegan, Somerset, Maine

#316:

On reverse of photo: "Rebecca Staples, Grandpa Staples Mother" handwritten in old ballpoint pen. Photo type: Original vintage Victorian CDV or Carte de Visite Photograph. Photographer: Bridge, Skowhegan, Somerset County, Maine.  (known to be photographer Oliver C. Bridge, Oliver Bridge) 

This is a beautiful old Maine related Staples family set. It is an old CDV photo found with a 4 page handwritten 19th c. letter wrapped around it by the original dealer who acquired it. The letter was sent Sunday July 29th, unknown what year, but is 19th century in origin.

The letter begins..."Dear Son and Daughter....." and is handwritten from the writer's home, a town called Lawrence. (Lawrence, Massachusetts is in Norfolk County) She talks of her visit to Grandmother's house, and how spry Grandma is at age 80, milks the cows, goes berrying, does all the wash, works all day, but that Father (her own father) is failing.

Other notes from the letter: She is glad that Hattie is better, she mentions Hiram and family, Ziba is doing poorly, Lizzie V. Gold (Lizzie Gold) left friday, She forgot to tell them that Susie has an 11 week old baby, and sent a picture of the baby to Hattie. At the end of the letter, she asks them to say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, which may be who they are staying with?

She details her trip costs to see Grandma: To Franklin $11.85, $2.00 to Waldoboro Maine for a total of $13.85, and a stay in a Rockland Maine hotel. She also mentions that the men are out plowing the fields and that Charlie wishes they would come as soon as they can. She asks them to write soon and it is signed "Mother."

These two beautiful pieces were found together in Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut, CT.  We are hoping a Staples family genealogist may be able to put this family info all together. Counties in Maine related to her letter contents are: Knox County, Lincoln County and Hancock County. There is also a mention of a name that appears as Grandmother Strant, although the last name is somewhat illegible (it may be Grandma Shaw).  Any help or correction appreciated, email Debra here.

Size: 2.5 by 4 inches
          Note: Hello from ~debra. I have spent years collecting over 10,000 ID’d lost family photos & paper from US flea markets & antique shops. I do the best gen research I can, but am always open to corrections. This is an original antique item, not a reprint. A new high quality rigid sleeve is included for extra protection, especially during shipping. You may buy a piece alone, or large intimate 300 dpi scans of the front and back and of letter sent immediately via email, or both. Please search carefully, as they are often found together and many may be related. I also invite you to join me at Ancestorville Genealogy on facebook. Thank you, enjoy! ~Debra Clifford (contact info on top bar)