Letters from Edwina

Edwina Booth Grossman was the only child of Edwin Booth and his first wife, Mary Devlin Booth. While visiting the Players Club, an acting club founded by Edwin, I had the chance to transcribe a letter from a young Edwina to her father. Edwin's mother, Mary Ann Holmes Booth, must have been watching Edwina while Edwin was away and also wrote her son a letter beside the one Edwina had written.

 

(Edwina and her mother)

What I find fascinating about Civil War era letters in general is that most of them are not about the war or the huge events we learn about in history class. Many are just about day to day life, who is sick, who is asking for something to be sent to them, or who is taking what classes in school. In fact, one of the tidbits Mary Ann Booth mentions to Edwin is how Edwina has a loose tooth and is excited for it to fall out.

 

(Edwina with her father)

 



The letter was written in 1867. This would make Edwina six years old.

Dear Papa,

I have been good for (unreadable word) mornings. Can I have my hair cut short? It's very warm and can I (her words became hard to read but I believe she began talking about her loose tooth).

I am going to be very good. I'll try and not get mad with Katy any more. The little birdie takes the paper in his mouth and puts it through the bars. Aunt Rosey says another little bird takes them to you. (She writes another few words about the birds but they were hard to read). 

Good bye dear papa. Make haste & come home to your little daughter.

Edwina

Kisses 60000000000000000000000

Aw, children, no matter what era they live in, are so precious. And it sounds like Edwina was very close with her father, who was known to be a quiet but loving man. Imagine having the greatest Shakespearean actor of the 19th century as your father. That must have been awesome.

(Edwina with her father and stepmother, Mary McVicker Booth)

  

Until next time.

 

XOXO, Kate