The following three letters were apparently written by J. Somers Smith to his mother when he was in Woodfield, Hatfield, Herts., England, about 20 miles north of London, while she was staying with her father, John Welsh, who was then the United States Minister to England. J. Somers Smith Jr. was eleven years old at the time of these letters. I am including a scanned image of one of the letters on this page, mainly to illustrate the dramatic signature the young Somers had. The text of the letters follows:
[Letter from J. Somers Smith Jr. to his Mother January 2, 1878]
Woodfield, Hatfield, Herts. [printed on stationery]
January 2, 1878 2 p.m.
Dear Mother
I had my first lesson today. I got your letters, I am having a nice time. Mr. Eve, Miss Hounsell, Miss Eve, & Mrs. Smith have gone to here a person recited Macbeth & I am alone with the Dogs (Trixie & Almas Miss Hounsell’s dog). I did not want to go. Tell papa that I will write to him & Aunty. Send the pice of paper to Papa. Miss Eve gave me a New Years present and so did Mr Smith. One was a paint box. I must stop now or I will not be in time for the mail.
J.S. Smith Jr.
[Letter from J. Somers Smith Jr. to his Mother January 3, 1878]
Woodfield, Hatfield, Herts. [printed on stationery]
January 3, ’78 9 a.m.
Dear Mother
I am coming home on Sat. to see you & then come back to stay till the 26 when Mr Eve is going to Oxford. I am very happy, but thought I would like to see you.
J.S. Smith Jr.
[Letter from J. Somers Smith Jr. to his Mother January 23, 1878]
Woodfield January 23, ’78, 12 n.
Dear Mother
Mr. Eve & Miss Hounsell went to (I don’t know how to spell it but I think this will do) Tonebridgewells [possibly should be Tunbridge Wells] yesterday & are coming home today. Mr. Eve is going to give me a sort of examination paper tomorrow and yesterday & today I have been looking over what I have learnt. I practiced at the piano for ½ an hour today. Mrs Smith & Miss Eve have gone to London this morning to look for rooms, they are going to go to London to stay next Monday. I am [not?] all alone as Mr. [unreadable] is in to. I got the newspaper & your letter. With love,
J.S. Jr.