Reference
HG12/10/242b
Title
Letter to Gertrude Longuet Higgins from sisrer Bertha Rhodes. Sent from Seal Harbour, Maine.
Date free text
Jul 1916
Production date
From: 1916 To: 1916
Scope and Content
Good withes for Gerturde's birthday. Wonders if there will be peace by her next birthday.
Hopes John is still safe. was sorry wedding present to him got smashed; has written to Cara telling her another will be sent as soon as it is made. Hand made glass is about the only de luxe object that Americans manufacture. Comments about items that are imported. American talant runs to machinery and hand made or machine made clothes, furniture, cooking ranges and electrical things; not much in the line of the lady-shopper.
Having desperate struggle to get repairs done to this rented house. The caretaker died in the winter and his family were supposed to have the house in perfect repair for the Rhodes' arrival in June. The roof leaks and the door bell does not work and other issues. The Rockefellers absorb every ounce of labour for their enlargements; there is not enough labour to go round.
'It is very sad how grasping we all are with the Rockefellers'.
John D Rockefeller Junior has 6 children, 'matching ours' and they are quite nice. They never have alcohol or tobacco in their house, have old fashioned family prayers and are strict Baptists.
Last year Nancy and 'Babby' [Abby Rockefeller] had sketching lessons together, but this year the Rockefellers have brought a companion little girl for Babby and nurses, governesses and tutors able to fill every role.
Martin has gone to camp 'Mowgli's' in New Hampshire. They have a lot of boating and writer hopes he will learn to swim. They live almost entirely out of doors. Hopes it will do him good, 'He is a dreadfully backward idle boy and I don't know what school we shall try next fall.' Comments about a possible school.
Writer is expecting baby No. 7 after Christmas.
Nancy will also go to a new school in the fall. 'Becca is to try public kindergarten while Tim will start under Adam's wing at Luis Pierce's school.
Rebecca is a very difficult lady, very clever we think. She will be four next week.
'Dennis seems quite marvellous to us, used, as we are to rather small and backward children.' Makes further comments about his personality. He is just a year and a half old.
embargo on the production of this document
Level of description
item