(This is such a banal letter from my great grandfather when he was convalescing at the seashore from an illness.  One wonders why it ended up being saved over the years to find its way to me.  His sister’s letter’s written ten years later from Germany where she was studying — see 1989 timeline– are so much more worthwhile.) However, This is the first mention of ‘Oak Bluffs’, a New England beach resort town,  which figures in the family history in an unexpected way twenty five years later.

Preston Hotel : One of many upscal resorts for Bostonians, and others vacationing at the sea shore. Twenty five years later C.C.’s son, would meet his future wife at this Hotel.

Oak Bluffs  Aug. 22, 1879

My dear Sister

                          I read your letter and was very glad to hear from you.

I am getting fat and healthy fast.  I have gained six pounds since

I have been here already.  I hope

to gain a good deal more before I go

away from here. the weather

here has been very warm and

pleasant so far this week

The annual illumination occurs

here on the night of the 30th.  of this

month.  The city is illuminated

with lanterns flags etc. They

have a procession, fireworks etc.

There is always a big crowd

here. They say that there not

so many people here this year

as common.  There is some very

pretty cottages here.  I went up in

the high (?) yesterday. There is

very good view of the ocean there.

I have changed my boarding

place. They don’t begin to set as

good table here as at the other

hotel for there they had almost

everything you can think of. I

have abetter room I think.  Write

me all the news you know

and send me the weeks Times.

I rec’d the other one you sent

me all right and was very

glad to get it.  I went down to

the wharf this morning and

while I was there a boy

lost his hat. but a boat went out

and brought back.  It is most time

for the mail to close and I want

this in the mail.

Your brother

Carl

Tel mother my birthday is Saturday.

that is tomorrow.