Sept 2 1974
Dear Jessie
Don't drop dead of shock.
I've been going through some old letters I've had ever since Mother
died -- Found these I thought you might be interested in. Some were
over 100 year old - a lot were My fathers to Mother written before they
were married. They would have be married 100 years ago com the 30th of
Sept. That will be my 90th birthday. Hope you are well. I seem to
keep going - a few old age aches and pains but can't complain.
I'd love to get up your way and see every one again. I still drive
but just not far anymore. There are few of us left - Bernice and Louise
are still at Marshall Creek. Joe Bucks family are all living. I've
lost every one else.
What do you keep busy with? I seem busy as ever - Bridge - Club -
Church. Time passes so rapidly.
Would love to hear from you.
Love
Myra
* * *
This was written by Myra Arline BUCK Seiders (1884 - 1976), dau. of Emma
Eudora Congdon (1848 - 1928), dau. of Sarah Campbell (1824 - 1892), dau.
of Joseph and Ann Clinch Campbell.
It was written to my mother, Jessica Phoebe HOYT Thompson (1892 - 1983),
dau. Joseph DeForest Hoyt (1860 - 1903), son of Phebe Campbell (1832 -
1917), dau. of Joseph and Ann Clinch Campbell. At the time Myra wrote
the letter, Jess had already had several strokes and was in the early
stages of dementia, so Myra may not have received a reply.
"My Father" -- Jabez Leroy Buck (1844 - 1921).
"Bernice and Louise .. Marshall Creek" -- Anna Bernice CONGDON Colwell
(1888 - 1992) and sister Louise Congdon (1893 - 1992), daughters of
Charles Harris Congdon (1856 - 1928), Myra's uncle. In their latter
years they lived together in their father's summer home in Marshalls
Creek, Monroe Co., PA.
"Joe Bucks family" -- Joseph Wallace Buck (1871 - 1955) was doubly
related to Myra. Joe's father, George Wallace Buck (1849 - 1911), was
Myra's uncle. Joe's mother Grace B. CAMPBELL Mowrey Buck Carey (1865 -
1947) was Myra's 1st cousin once removed. Grace was a dau. of Joseph D.
Campbell (1839 - 1909), son of Joseph and Ann Clinch Campbell. At the
time the letter was written, Joe's family would have consisted of his
widow, Marjorie B. ELDREDGE Buck (1900 - 1980), sons George Wallace Buck
(and wife Doris Hahn) & Joseph Campbell Buck (and wife Martha Taylor);
and dau. Cornelia Buck (and husband Harry Newton Key). Plus some
grandchildren. Fortunately all are still living.
"everyone else"-- Presumably her husband, Wm. E. Seiders was dead by
then. I don't have dates for him. Her brother, Geo. Leroy Buck, whom I
now believe to be Inez' "Georgie" and wife d. in 1942. Geo's older son
Donald S. Buck d. 1964,. I don't have a date for Geo..'s younger son,
Gordon Campbell Buck. Myra's elder daughter, Elizabeth SEIDERS Scott
Sublette d. 1977, but Elizabeth's son, Robert Lee Scott was still
living. Elizabeth's sister, I don't have a name, d. 1922. Myra's son,
Wm., Jr. died in WW2, abt 1943. Myra mentions her Uncle Chars.
Congdon's surviving children, Bernice and Louise, but not Bernice's son,
Thomas B. Colwell, Jr. I don't have dates for him. Her Uncle Ed
Congdon had a least one surviving desc., James Britt. I don't have a
death date for James' mother, Helen Elizabeth CONGDON Useldinger
Fluollen Carr LaPore. They lived on the west coast, so perhaps Myra
never met them. She also omitted mentioning Ruth Campbell BUCK
Mandeville's surviving son, David Campbell Mandeville (1922 - 1996).
Ruth was a sister of Joseph Wallace Buck, mentioned above.
As some of you have heard previously, my childhood memories of Myra are
summed up by 'elegant'. I only met her a couple of times. The first
was at age 7, and I remember being fascinated by the fur piece she
wore. I forget if it was a mink, marten, or fox, but it was an entire
pelt with tail, paws, head, and beady eyes. I think it was the first
one I ever saw -- very soft fur -- and I'm afraid I paid more attention
to it than to Myra. During the depression and the austerity of WW2
either fur pieces were not common, or I wasn't circulating in the right
social set to encounter them. No one wore them fishing or to play
Cowboys and Indians (but some of those assigned to 'Indian' would
probably loved to have one). My faint recollections of Myra are of
someone nice, but somewhat formal -- and old, even tho she was younger
then than I am now. "Old' is a moving target.
More of Myra-Emma's treasure trove to follow.