My grandmother saved many letters she received from family and friends and I was fortunate to end up with them. On August 25, 1939, 83 years ago today, her mother wrote her the letter transcribed below. The letter was about her brother John’s marriage, which had taken place that morning. My grandmother had just gotten married herself on August 10 and by the time she received it, she and my grandfather were back in Louisville, Kentucky, where they had met and where my grandfather’s family was from to begin their life together.                   

It’s interesting to think back on these people as young adults just starting out. Especially, as I knew most of them as “old folks.” My great grandmother was 54 when she wrote this letter – my grandmother just 26.   

The decade long Great Depression was just ending and a week or so after this letter was written Germany invaded Poland and Britain and France declared war on Germany starting WWII. While there is no mention of world affairs, a central theme in this letter is on money (or lack thereof) and material things – a great example of how the Great Depression impacted their lives.   

The family members mentioned – in order of appearance:  

Beck – my grandmother Rebecca Blanton (Morris) Eisenbeis pictured above

John and Florence – my grandmother’s brother and sister in law

Webbie – my grandmother’s brother      

Helen Lee – my grandmother’s sister

Bobby – my grandmother’s brother

Eleanor – my grandmother’s sister  

Jimmie – my grandfather

Mother – my great grandmother Annie May (Blanton) Morris pictured above

Transcription

Jetersville, Virginia [this is in Amelia County, Virginia]

Aug 25, 1939

My Dearest Beck,

Well, John and Florence were married this morning at 11 a.m. at the parsonage at Burkeville. They left after the marriage, to be gone until Sunday, I don’t know where they went. I know you have been expecting a letter from home, but I have just had my hands full this week. Webbie came home Saturday eve, not so long after you left. I was so glad to see him sorry he didn’t get here before you left. He was out of work in N.Y. so came home to try and get something in Rd [Richmond]. Pattie Lee Perrin’s husband is trying to get him on with Larrus Tobacco Co [Larus Brothers Company]. He went with us down Tuesday & put in his application. If he doesn’t get anything by Oct. 1^st I think he will go back to N.Y. He doesn’t like farm work any better than he ever did. And I certainly hope he will get something to do.

Helen Lee didn’t take the car the boy brought up here, she got a 1936 Ford Coupe with heater, radio & good tires, 2 new ones, for $300 & license included, had to pay $1.00 to transfer there and no finance charges, only had to pay $25 cash & $20 per month until pd [paid] for. Just put the notes in bank, and don’t have to pay the 3 summer months. It is a nice looking car & paint not hurt & she says it drives so much easier than the Chevrolet. She let John & Florence go away in it as the tires are bad on ours, John surely hustled around & got out some logs to get some money.

I went to Rd. [Richmond] yesterday & got his ring for him. It’s yellow gold with orange blossoms around it. I hope it turns out all right. I hated to see him get married with such a little, but if he goes to work and sticks to business I know he has a good opportunity here. He saw the road man yesterday & he told him they were going to tar the road to Deatonsville & would give him a job on it with his truck. I was glad to hear they were going to fix that road on Helen Lee’s acct [account]. You have a present here from Emerson & Mary Ellen and one from Poral C [?]. They were mailed in separate pkgs [packages], but I am putting them in one and mailing so it would be less package, and I thought you wouldn’t mind our looking at them, as we wouldn’t have an opportunity to see them soon.

I recd [received] your card and was so glad to get it, and you surely are getting some nice things. Be sure and write me a long letter and tell me about everything. We didn’t get any new furniture for John – just took one bed out of his room. I wish I could have gotten him a new suit of furniture, but just couldn’t afford it now. I think they both would rather use the old furniture & try and put in bath [a bathroom?]. Florence looked real sweet this morn. Her dress was rose & she wore black accessories. Mrs. Knicely & myself, Helen Lee, Laura, Cleo, Frances, Tommy Flippen, Webbie & Bobby went with them to Burkeville.

We took two pictures of them after they were married & if they turn out O.K. will send you some. I am enclosing your picture that came out Sunday for fear you didn’t see it. I am crazy to see your apt [apartment] – know it is sweet. Well, John was married on Eleanor’s birthday, but he didn’t know that when they set the day. Frances is going to give a shower next week for the young folks & Mrs. Johnson & me & have the older ladies, the members of the Home Demonstration Club. Helen Lee, Laura, Cleo, Frances, & Tommy came with us home from the marriage. I guess they will all go out to Sandersons tonight. Be sure to write me a list of everything you get. We surely miss you & Jimmie. I went over to the watermelon patch a while ago and got three cantaloupes I thought about Jimmie. Well, I must stop now and fix some supper. With lots of love for you both from us all & hoping to hear from you soon.

As ever Devotedly,

                Mother  

[P.S.] What did the folks think of your pictures & your wedding dress?

My great-grandmother died when I was thirteen years old. I remember several of my grandmother’s siblings including John and Florence who lived on the family farm and where I was fortunate to spend the summer between 8th and 9th grades. It was a punishment, but it turned out to create a lifelong connection to my Amelia relatives and to that land. I was there not long ago and got to ride around with my cousin Willie and it brought back so many memories. More about that next time . . .

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