This letter was submitted by Don Rickwalt. Letter from Minerva Jane Lewis (31 Jan 1845-) to her niece Ella Catherine Lewis (6JUL1873-25JUN1951).  Ella  was  15 years old when this letter was written in 1888.  Kitty  was her nickname.  Ella was my grandmother, on my mother's side. The envelope was addressed to Miss Kitty Lewis, Morrice, Michigan in care of Ralph Lewis, Box 32.  It was post marked March 7, 1888 in Deford, Michigan and again postmarked March 8, 1888, Morrice.

Deford, March 7th

Kitty Lewis

My dear niece, I have just received your most welcome letter. I will hasten to answer it as I am alone with Arthur just now: and I fear I will not have so good a chance again to write. I very seldom write a letter and am Dreadfully out of practice but will do the best I can. I am so glad to hear from you but very sorry you are suffering with your teeth, it is so hard to bear. We got home and found everything all right but your Aunt Ann has been sick ever since. She had a severe attack of Neuralgia in the stomach. I have had a very bad cold so I have been about sick too, but we are both better now. The Children are at school now. Your Uncle Joe has gone to Wilmot, will be back this afternoon.  We have four children, Hattie is Seventeen, Ralph is 11, and Myrtie is 9, Arthur is 5, he does not go to school. Hattie is intending to go before the board of examination in about three weeks. Her teacher thinks she will pass all right.  Kitty, I am so glad to hear you speak of your dear mother so tenderly, yes she was a good woman and I believe you are a good girl and you seem so much like her and your friends will be many, not only your Pa and I but everybody will love you.  And though you may feel lonely without a mother's care, your Pa will never forsake you.  I am glad to hear Eva is so well cared for and I hope you and her will never be very widely separated. Give my love to her and tell her I remember her as a little toddling baby and I trust she is growing up to be a nice good girl and my best wishes are for her through life. Yes, Kittie, I have a picture of your Mother taken with Alva in her lap, but is is not a very good one. Your Aunt Ann has one that was taken when she was a girl and is very natural.  She has offered it to me but I told her to keep it until I called for it and will get it and either one you wish you can have. You asked if I ever taught school, Yes dear I taught school a few terms but I never liked teaching.  Your Ma taught a great many terms and liked teaching. I wish Eva had come with you and your Pa. I would like to see her so much. It all seems like a pleasant dream seeing you. I have thought of you all so much and wondered would I ever see you again.  I am glad you are at Uncle Ralphs and they are kind to you. Give my love to them.

Tell Aunt Louisa I can Symphathize with her in her suffering for I am afflicted with Rheumatism too, very bad. Give my love to Mrs Dippy and may the great Giver of all good reward her for her kindness to my Dead sister's child in my prayers.  Kittie you must have patience when you read this and excuse all blunders. I will try to do better next time. It is the first letter I have written in two years. I will have to close hoping you will write again soon. I am so glad to get a letter from you and to see your good penmanship.  If you are as good in other branches, I am sure you are a good scholar. I think Hattie will write to you, she remembers you quite well but I will answer all your letters.  good bye. This  From Auntie Minerva J. Lewis. Direct your letters as you have. I write with a pencil because I can write faster.

Note: Ella Catherine Lewis was the daughter of Edwin Lewis and Miriam Pease. Miriam died in childbirth, the child being Eva, Ella's sister. Eva was raised by one family, Ella by another. Ella traveled with her father who was a lumberman and moved about the state of Michigan. During the winters she stayed with  the Ralph Lewis family in Deford, Tuscola County, Michigan.  Minerva and Miriam  Pease were sisters who married brothers, Josiah  and Edwin Lewis.