Hill Country Living
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
By Coulter Fussell
It’s a Wagner Week and we can file this one under “How the super-rich people lived.” You can look up the Long Island names, houses and village histories mentioned in this letter if you’re looking for a random rabbit hole. Just find yourself a lounge in a New York brownstone one block from who is most likely the famed architect Francis Kimball and lose the ambition to move for a while.
794 Prospect Pl.,
Brooklyn
My dear Jessie,
I’m sorry it has been so long. I’ve had many things to prevent my writing and I know you will forgive my long silence. I’ve been quite ill for more than a month. Part of the time in the bed, but most of the time on the lounge with no ambition to move.
The excitement of the wedding came and father’s household moved back to their old house just two weeks before the wedding so you can see that they have had all they wanted to do! Mary looked her best and the wedding was as sweet as could be. The bride and groom sailed for England, France, and Scotland where they have been having a most lovely trip.
Father’s place has finally matured and he has built a new house in Quiogue to which we are looking forward. It is large enough to hold us all in summertime. We shall have a room in the house instead of at the Halsey’s this summer and expect to enjoy it thoroughly.
We have decided to move and leave our dear little flat. We dislike to leave it but we want more room and have decided to take a house. We move furniture in next Monday but we’ll not try to settle at all till fall. Our house is only two blocks from father’s and one from the Kimball’s so you will know in what direction we are going. It is a pleasant little two and half story brownstone front and I think we shall enjoy having plenty a room. You must come and see us when we get into it.
This letter was began nearly two weeks since and now we have been in Quiogue for some time. We are all enjoying the new house immensely I wish you could see it. It is so roomy and comfortable quite different from the old house. It stands farther back from the bay. The front of the porch comes just were the nasturtium beds were.
Now my dear, I have hesitated about telling you something else which I think you will be glad to know that I have made up my mind to tell you. Next winter, if all goes well, we expect the arrival of a little stranger in our house, and we are very happy over the prospect. I have been very miserable for some months past but I’m much better now.
The party is ready to go to the beach. There is a heavy wind and the surf will be beautiful this morning so I must say goodbye for the time.
Evie joins me in love to yourself and hope to see you before long.
Your loving friend,
Harriet
West Hampton,
Beach Long Island
July 12, 1897
