What is in the letters?
The letters are indicative of major highlights in Margaret’s life, from the very first letter where 'evading observation' is mentioned to the letters from known political activists Theodore Debs, National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party and Gaylord Wilshire of Wilshire Magazine. The last letters are sweetly written love letters from Frank M. Moore, revealing a love story with no preordained ending.
What years are they from?
Margaret kept these letters which were written between 1894 and 1904 - a period of ten years. During the years, she didn't have one residence. There are a variety of addresses indicating she moved around quite often. The numerous love letters she received from Frank M. Moore have 4 difference addresses in a span of 6 months time.
Why do you think Margaret kept them?
Think about carrying around letters with you each time you moved - during an era when transportation was limited to horse and rail. And when you didn't have any permanent residence or permanent family abode at which you could leave the letters. Why not discard them? Because they contain very important and revealing pieces of your - or in this case, Margaret's life. Let's see if you agree!
How did I get the letters?
My grandmother, upon purchasing a house in Lynn, Massachusetts, found the letters in an old falling down barn on the property. The barn was located behind the home. My grandmother gave them to my mother who handed them down to me several years after my grandmother had passed away.
I have since learned land across the street was owned by the Casson Family - Reverend Charles Casson and his wife, Jean, lived there. One of the letters is from Jean Casson with whom Margaret had what appears to have been a close friendship.