Mary AR Streeter and Esther Fessenden "Just a scribble to let you know..." 1928

This sweet letter from 1928 accomplishes what we would do in a quick text now. Esther (no last name in the letter) writes her "Aunt Maime" to let her know she can pick up up at the train station, but if she doesn't arrive by a certain time, than her Aunt should contact someone. The last line states "My head nurse promised me time off though so I probably will be there" 

The letter is addressed to Miss Mary A R Streeter of Truro, Mass. 

What Do We Have?

Miss (a good clue) Mary A. R. Streeter aka Aunt Maimie

Highland House, Truro, MA

Postmark is August 29, 1928 out of Boston and Truro

All we know of the niece is that her name is Ester, she is probably a nurse, is living in Boston and works at Massachusetts General Hospital. 

The stamp on the front is interesting - Forwarding Fee Not Claimed. Did Mary ever actually get the letter?

The Results of the Hunt - Mary AR Streeter

Mary AR Streeter was born March 5, 1882 in Worcester, Massachusetts.  By 1900, she was an 18 year old school girl, living her father, John P. Streeter, Her mother, Esther A. Streeter, and brother Henry E, age 30.  Her father worked as a milk marketer (possibly – this word is difficult to read).  Mary also had a sister Harriet, who was 25 in 1990 and was no longer living in the household.  [1900 census]

Mary's parents had married late for the time; her mother was 31 and had Mary when she was 41 years old. Mary's brother did not marry. Her sister married Walter Fessenden when she was 19 and had three daughters: Esther Louise, born 1895; Marion Elliott, born 1899 and Helen Curtis, born 1908.

Her father died on January 25, 1905 at the age of 69 of apoplexy, also know as a cerebral hemorrhage or stroke. [Commonwealth of Massachusetts Return of a Death record]

Mary graduated from Smith College in 1906 [Smith College Monthly] and by about 1911 or so, she was teaching German at a K to 7th grade preparatory school, then called Woodland Street School, now called Woodland Prep. She made $700 per year.  She moved to North High School on Salisbury Street in 1912. [Mass. City Directory]

modern day Woodland Street School

By 1920, 39 year old Mary lived alone with her mother., working as a stenographer. [1920 census] She also taught immigration (then referred to as Americanization) classes in Worcester, Massachusetts [City document #74]

In 1922 she was a member of the Worcester Women's Club, which met at this interesting hall. [Mass. City Directory]

In 1930, Mary lived with a boarder or landlady and worked at as a teacher in a publishing school. [1930 census]

By 1940, Mary lived alone, and worked as a language teacher at a public high school, including teaching German. [1940 census]

In 1944, she lived in an apartment in this gorgeous building at 72 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA. [Worcester House Directory].

In the 1940s, it appeared that yearbooks began including photos of the faculty. Here is Mary in 1942 in a faculty photo at North High School. She taught Latin.

Here is Mary in 1948, when she was still a Latin teacher at North High School.

Her dress in both photos, if not the same, is strikingly similar. 

Mary died on May 14, 1951 at the age of 69. I have not been able to find information as to the cause of death.

The Results of the Hunt - Esther Louise Fessenden

At the time of the letter, on August 28, 1928, Mary was 46 and her niece Esther was 32. The letter notes Esther was unsure if she would be able to meet Mary at the train, but her head nurse assured she could make the appointment.

Esther Louise Fessenden was born October 24, 1895 in Barre, Massachusetts, the oldest of three daughters. Her father was a merchant at the time of her birth. [Mass. town and vial records]

Esther attended Smith College, just as her aunt did. In the 1918 class book, she is indicated as a former member.

The 1930 census confirms that Esther was a nurse, most likely at the Massachusetts General Hospital noted in the letter. Esther continued nursing, and died in 1984. She was buried with her parents and never married.

You can see why these women were presumably close. Both were educated and employed in challenging work. Both never married or had children. I'd imagine that having an independent aunt who is only 13 years older than you would lead to friendship between the two like-minded women.