Heber and Caroline a Love Story – Letter 3 – 3/25/1924
When our mother passed away I was going through her things and found a stack of letters written by my maternal grandfather Heber to my maternal grandmother Caroline (aka Carrie). The letters cover an 18 month period during the great depression. My grandparents lived in Newfoundland and work was very scarce. Heber during this time stayed and worked in Massachusetts and Connecticut looking for whatever work he could find. Meanwhile Caroline stayed in Newfoundland with the children. Heber wrote Caroline a letter each month. The letters are very interesting as not only do they give a perspective of the time, it shows just how difficult life was.
I will each Sunday include photos of the actual letters which I have transcribed with the help of my brother Dana Donovan and sister Barbara Ridgway. Although Heber’s handwriting is very pretty to look at, it can be difficult to read.
Here is letter three written 3/25/1924.
My Dear Wife,
Just a few lines saying I am well. Trusting you are the same. Haven’t anything strange to tell you at present. It is lovely weather here. I am still working. I haven’t got any letter from you for over a fortnight. I hope you are not sick. Well Dear I suppose you are tired of waiting for some money. I am going to send some on Saturday. Of course
you will get it before you get this letter.
What is your father and Harvey doing? Are they gone away anywhere yet? How is things down there? Do it look any brighter? Are they doing on each at Humber now. I haven’t had a letter from Bert for a long time. I suppose he is still working there.
Give my best respects to all the family and friends. Will write again soon.
From your loving and devoted Husband. Take care of yourself and children.
xxxxxxxx
My brother Dana’s notes:
- fortnight = 14 days
- Caroline’s father was also named Heber (Chaulk).
- Harvey Green was Caroline’s brother. He lived most of his life in Newfoundland but also had a home for a while in Boston. He visited our home on Boulder Road, Manchester once in the early 1960’s with his wife, Sally. As a boy I remember being very impressed that he was missing 3 fingers from one hand. Shortly after he moved back to Newfoundland.
- Humber is a region on the western end (facing St Laurence Seaway) of Newfoundland. Apparently Bert must have been working in that area. But what the line “Are they doing on each at Humber now.” means I have no idea. Yet, I’m pretty certain that’s what he wrote.
Winterton, Trinity Bay, where Caroline lived, is on the other side of Newfoundland, out on the Atlantic.
- Bert Chaulk was Heber’s brother.
Wonderful letter. I love seeing the handwritten letter. I hope you get your WP problems solved soon. Sorry, I don’t have any ideas as to why you would suddenly not be getting your posts, especially if it says you are. Maybe un-follow and then re-follow them to see it they start showing up again?
LikeLike
That may be my last resort as there are quite a few!
LikeLike
The comments on your recent gold finch post are turned off. Is that deliberate?
LikeLike
No and when I checked the settings it said they were on! I have been having nothing but problems lately with WP. Still no email updates when others post and I contacted support but have heard nothing back! Checked my settings and they’re all fine! So frustrating!
LikeLike
Fortnight is a word we use regularly in Australia, but perhaps not in the US?
Writing was an art form in those days, but the writing is a little difficult to read at times.
LikeLike
Yes it was very pretty but do rely on my brother and sister for some of the intent as I can’t always figure it out!
LikeLike
If you look closely, the line reads “Are they doing much at Humber..” The ‘m’ is separated from the rest of the word, so at first glance it looks like 2 separate words, and confused me at first, too.
LikeLike