Letter to Lincoln

I ran across this letter to Lincoln and found it interesting because of the mention of knitting socks for the soldiers. I hope I can still crochet and knit at that age. I have transcribed it so it is easier to read. With a little research I found the lady is Sarah B. Burges Bartlett born December 24, 1777. The letter says the socks are a "birthday gift" to President Lincoln. Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. The letter is dated Feb. 7th, 1865...Lincoln was assasinated April 15, 1865. Although this letter is about a gift to the President, it makes you think of so much more...all that had happened and what was about to happen. I hope you find it as interesting as I did.

Salem, Mass Feb 7th, 1865
To his Excellency, Abraham Lincoln
President of the United States

A year or two since, a pair of socks was sent to you from Mrs. Abner Bartlett of Medford, Mass, which you kindly acknowledged. She was 87 years old on the 24th of Dec. 1864, and has knit more than three hundred pairs of socks for the soldiers since Sept 1861. She has consented to have me send the 300th pair to you as a birthday gift.
Mrs. Bartlett is the only surviving sister of Tristam Burges, formerly in Congress from Rhode Island, and although far advanced in years, no one is more alive to the great issues of the hour, or more inspired to a true love of liberty_and no one could have a firmer confidence in yourself, or cherish a more unwavering faith in the perfect triumph of her country's cause.

With the highest respect,
I am faithfully yours,
Geo. W. Briggs

Mom growing up

Here's mom with her mom (Grandma Briggs). Don't ya just love Grandma Brigg's 20's hairstyle and the her dress?

Old family photos

That's my mom's mom on the left (Grandma Briggs) and two of her sisters. I think this picture is so sweet. Look at their lovely hair and those dresses. I don't have the year of the photo, but Grandma Briggs was born in 1903 and she looks to be maybe 5 years old.

Old photo

My mom's family took lots of photos and I love looking at them. I want to share this one of my mom as a baby in 1924. Her mother, my Grandma Briggs, is holding her. Grandma Briggs could crochet really well. I guess that is where I get my interest in crochet. Today, Tom, my DH, took me to therapy (which means I went to craft stores A C Moore and Michaels.) I bought some yarn, even though I don't need it. LOL! But I had to use those darn coupons they keep putting out...by the way...did you know you can use their coupons on magazines? I do that , especially when there is a 50% off coupon.