Handwritten letter addressed to a Mrs. Johnson from Nelly, dated August 4 [1850s]

by Divorce

Original

Price: $75.00
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Book desription: New England: Not published, 1850. Original. not bound. Very Good. Sepia ink in a neat, legible hand, 4pp. Nelly has received a long letter from her son, Robin, who is in his father's custody and whom she has not seen for many years. She had written to Robin that she would like to communicate with her children so that they wouldn't have to sneak behind their father's back, but Robin replied that his father would not consent to this. Robin stated that if it hadn't been for Mr. Bond, he'd "have left this place," and he promises to remain there until Nelly thinks this through. She had asked Robin what he'd like to do with his life. He replied that he would hate office work, and wants to learn a trade. Robin sent along a photograph of himself at age 11, which startled Nelly because he now looked so much like his father even though he hadn't as a "little boy." Robin says he will tell his sister about Nelly when he sees her in September, news that is not safe to put into writing. Robin communicates with his mother, Nelly, through a third person (Milly Haskell) because he does not know his mother's name or address. This is a poignant relic of 19th-century American divorce law which placed children in the custody of their father and could forbid contact with their mother. 8" x 5".

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