Early 20th century family history
The payment that was promised to Ruth never materialized, so she has trouble making rent payment and worries about being able to afford food. Dave has an ice harvesting job, but also experiences a similar problem with collecting payment. February 3, 1936 Middleburg, N.Y. Hello Read More …
After what must have been a heavy snow storm, everyone is busy clearing out. Ruth’s job had ended, so she is back to waiting for another call. She receives news that her stepfather, Bill, was also laid off from work. November 18, 1935 Middleburg, N.Y. Read More …
Both Ruth and Dave are having trouble getting work. Despite the fact that Dave has complained about not being able to afford new clothes that he desperately needs, they talk about meeting up for what may have been a costume party for Halloween that Thursday. Read More …
Dave continues to cook for everyone while his mother is still away. Ruth gets an offer to work day duty, catches up with old friends, and worries about her patient, Mrs. Finkelstein. Dave is concerned that Ruth wants to return to Adams; it’s too far Read More …
Dave drives everyone around in the Essex and gets a flat tire. His mother is away for the week, leaving him to cook and clean for the rest of the Coffin clan. He has to cash in on some insurance due to losses. Both Dave Read More …
Ruth is still working the night-shift, but this time with a different patient, Mrs. Finkelstein. She says Lydia is concerned about her never getting enough sleep; she writes to Dave during the wee hours to keep herself awake. Dave doesn’t get to see Ruth when Read More …
Ruth has a night-shift nursing job working with a patient, Miss Brice. Dave finishes “working on the ice” (likely ice-chopping for filling ice houses) and expects he will get paid, but is worried about getting more work. They both refer to another recent visit. February Read More …
Ruth pokes fun at Dave’s finger injury; Lydia has been sick; Dave and Francis can’t make the trip to Albany and miss Ruth’s graduation. January 29, 1935 73 Brookline Avenue Albany, N.Y. Dear Dave, Looks like I’m spoiling you by writing two letters in one Read More …
Dave tries to find out about Ruth’s graduation date from the National Training School; they exchange a lot of wise-cracks; Dave complains about the Essex, the weather, and reports a gruesome injury to his finger. January 22, 1935 73 Brookline Avenue Albany, N.Y. Dear Dave, Read More …
Ruth writes from home and reports the birth of twins to Kent Spencer (Lydia’s brother, Ruth’s cousin) and his wife, Ethel. She also cared for her newborn niece, Shirley (see previous post), and worried about whether the infant would survive. She returned to Albany and Read More …