Letter from S. G. FitzSimons ('Uncle Sam') to W. Huger FitzSimons about the sale of the Farm for 'Sis' (Edie) and helping Aunt Lillian move from Brookland
Book 1, Page 653 ·1918
Transcription
11/8/18
Dear Hugh,
I have put my name opposite the two pieces that Minnie expressed a wish that she would like to have if it [does] not interfere with any one [else’s] plans, [and] it but if it does just say nothing about it but let me down for any thing else as it really does not make any difference to me. I think you will agree about The Farm for Sis & I know that you are a great help to Aunt Lillian in her moving — it was a sad breaking up for her at her age.
Truly yours, S. G. FitzSimons
AI Notes
A single sheet of ruled writing-paper, the lower-left corner torn away along an irregular edge. Written in dark brown ink on the front (recto) in a hurried, looping hand, dated ‘11/8/18’ at the upper right (8 Nov 1918). Salutation ‘Dear Hugh,’ addressing the writer’s brother W. Huger FitzSimons. Signed ‘Truly yours, S. G. FitzSimons’ (Samuel Gaillard FitzSimons — ‘Uncle Sam’). The verso of this same sheet — see page 654 — bears a pencilled note by the compiler identifying it as ‘Uncle Sam’s letter about sale of Farm for Edie & helping Aunt Lillian move from Brookland’; that note clarifies the body’s ‘Sis’ as Edie. The woman expressing the wish is Minnie (the family’s nickname for Mary Annie Perry FitzSimons / Minnie FitzSimons Allston in context — though the precise referent here is one of the family women, likely ‘Minnie’ Allston, the writer’s sister); the rapid-hand signature reads ‘S. G. FitzSimons’; the lower-right corner is torn, but the body of the letter is complete. The named ‘Sis’ (per the compiler’s verso note) is Edie.
The writer Samuel Gaillard FitzSimons (“Uncle Sam”) is addressing his brother William Huger FitzSimons (“Hugh”) about the division of family effects from the Brookland house being broken up by their Aunt Lillian. “Sis” is Edie (per the compiler’s pencilled note on the verso, p. 654). “Minnie” is the family nickname seen elsewhere for Mary Annie Perry FitzSimons (the compiler’s mother) and/or Minnie FitzSimons Allston; in this letter’s context — distribution of household ‘pieces’ among the siblings — it is more likely a sister or a sister-in-law of Sam and Hugh than the compiler’s mother, though the precise identification is unconfirmed.