L.W. Small (New York) to Annie in Cornish, Me. L.W. Small responds to a request for a picture book. She agrees to send the book in return for information regarding Rosene, John, Sarah, and the baby. She says to write to her in care of Hewe and Nan at 88 Wall Street and notes that she will be in New York until New Year's.

Nellie writes about her boyfriend problems, dances, old friends and her daily activities. Annie's Mother writes about Thanksgiving and sends Annie ten dollars. Georgie McClark, a schoolmate, writes to Annie about their acquaintances; how he can't wait to see her again in the fall; his trip to Portsmouth; flowers and her Aunt and Uncle. Hattie (Bangor) to Annie Pease in Cornish, ME Hattie has been nursing a very ill Jenny King. Fannie Hatch is boarding with Jenny Pike and has been acting as if insane though the doctor says that she is not. There is to be a singing school but Hattie does not think she is good enough and probably will not enroll. A Flora Ripley is visiting Ella Ayer from Paris, Maine; Ella, Eva, and Howard Brackett will be visiting for New Year's.

Ella (Porter, ME) to Annie Pease in Cornish, ME Ella Stanley writes Annie to reminisce about old times. She remarks how fond she is of Annie and how much she misses her as well as Nellie and Nannie. She thanks Annie for a previous letter and lets her know that Mr. Hawkes writes to her and is planning to come around in three or four weeks. She closes by asking for more correspondence.

Annie's friends write to her describing their vacation activities, daily chores, hobbies, and travels. Nellie writes to Annie describing the various dress fabrics that she has and what she is making. She says that the baby is standing on his own and is afraid of the cat. Sarah writes to Annie that the weather and roads are very bad which Agnes Brand reiterates. The girls all saw their teacher Miss Wilson off down at the river. Several of the girls question Annie about her botany collection and if she has added to it while describing their own attempts at collecting specimens. The girls also discuss their school plans in the fall; many remark about having to recite Latin aloud. They all beg Annie to come back in the fall. They also note that some teachers like Miss Daggett are leaving while others like Mr. Dame and Miss Wilson are returning. A few of the girls mention boat excursions and going to the salt water to improve their health; feeling faint and fatigued and getting headaches are a common complaint. Fannie Hatch was so ill she had to be forced into the house after screaming out the window. They sent for Doctor Sweet of Brownfield.

25 letters and one postcard from various girlfriends and family in Cornish, Kezar Falls, and Bangor, Me. to Annie in Cornish and Bangor 4 January- 10 December 1876 Early in the year, Annie's father bought more cattle and the family has been sleighing, attending picnic dinners, and going to lectures. Annie's parents cannot send her much money for the moment to buy her new gloves. The snow is bad and many are ill with sickness and lung fever. During the summer, Annie's friends and family write to her about the Centennial and Independence Day; they continue to do so after Annie returns home to Cornish. Her aunt writes to her about her travels from Boston while her various friends report to her what they have been doing on vacation, mostly traveling to see relatives and preparing for the new school year. Annie's teacher Miss Philbrook is not to be married, apparently she had a near escape with the wrong man; all her friends knew this would be a relief to Annie. There are rumors of a new school being founded and all of her friends entreat Annie to return to school in the fall. Nellie reports that there were rumors that Mr. Dame was not returning to school but when Agnes questioned Miss Wilson about it, the rumors were crushed, to every girl's dismay. As fall and winter come, Annie is informed that Howard Brackett is seeing Georgie Luce, Ina Otis is seeing Ella Ayer and Nan Barker is learning how to make dresses. Others have caught consumption while still others like Emma Danforth and Nina Pike are to be married.

Written from friends and family in Cornish, East Cambridge, and Cumberland Mills, Me.; Freedom , Hew Hampshire; Northport, Burlington , Mass. to Annie in Bangor, Me. 11 February-27 December 1877 In these letters, Annie is still receiving news about her friends and family; the majority from the former. There is some news about recent local marriages while some of Annie's friends, like Hattie, have become teachers in the local schools. Annie is a teacher in Bangor as well, for which her friends congratulate her. Some of Annie's friends are still attending school; Katie mentions that there is a new male teacher named Mr. Jordan. Mostly, the girls talk about their daily activities, travels down river or visits to relatives, and school. There are the occasional interesting and insightful comments about marriage, lost loves, and religion. Some of Annie's friends talk about church and the various sermons that they have been to, leading to brief discussions of their understanding of religion and various religious affiliations. Those mentioned in particular are Episcopalian, Baptist, and Unitarian.

Written from various friends in Cumberland Mills, Cornish, Portland, Camden, and South Paris, Maine; Atlanta, Georgia; Boston, Massachusetts to Annie in Bangor 14 January- 29 December 1878 The girls continue to inquire about events in each other's lives. There is much talk about school with its classes of Latin, German, math, geology, and astronomy. Some of the girls, like Katie, are also acting as teachers while others like Hattie and Ella have taken jobs working in local shops and at the milliner. Aunt Griswold writes to Annie about her charity work in Georgia teaching lower class women to read and write. Katie discusses teaching with Annie and wonders about living off of a wage of $8.50 per week; she also reports that Miss Wilson wants to open a school for language in Bangor.

Written from various friends and family in Cornish, Cumberland Mills, and Burlington, Maine; St. Louis, Missouri to Annie in Bangor, Maine 6 January-December 1879 Nellie reports to Annie that whooping cough has made everyone sick while scarlet fever has been killing several children according to Hattie. Hattie and Lizzie both have jobs teaching and would like to compare teaching strategies with Annie. Both Nellie and Sarah write to Annie informing her of what is going on at home with the family; they talk of chores, making dresses, and the great amount of snow that fell and caused them to use the sleigh to get to church. Aunt Griswold writes to Annie congratulating her on becoming a Christian and suggests that she come to St. Louis to get a better position as a teacher. Aunt Griswold also complains to Annie about her African and Irish servants and makes recommendations to Annie about the best types of servants to acquire.

36 letters from various friends and family in Maywood, IL; Parsonsfield and Boston, Mass.; Bangor, Portland, Farmington, and Cornish, Maine to Annie and Nellie in Cornish and Bangor, Maine 10 March-25 December 1880 Annie's cousin Stella Small writes to her to initiate a correspondence and asks a lot of questions about the family and Annie's hobbies. Nellie receives two letters from her friends discussing school and the horridness of Latin. Nellie and John both write to Annie to inform her that Sarah has been very ill and that their mother has also been feeling poorly. The next letters reveal that Annie's mother has died and that Sarah is still very weak. Several friends and relatives write to Annie with words of sympathy and support; they quote the scripture frequently. As the year continues, letters reveal that Sarah is not improving and that Annie has not returned to her teaching post; Miss Prescott assures Annie that she will do her best to take over her school post. By Christmas, new sympathy letters reveal that Annie's sister Sarah has died as well after a brief period of recovery; the letters again offer consolation and inquire as to whether Annie will return to Bangor to teach.

Written from family and friends in Cornish, Bangor, Sullivan, Cumberland Mills, Maine to Annie in Cornish and Bangor, Me. 13 February- 29 November 1881 Nellie writes to describe how she is taking care of John and father and the boys Ralph and Walter at the house; she details her daily chore schedule of cooking, washing dishes, making fires, and knitting clothes. John and Father write to assure Annie that all is well and that Nellie is doing a fine job. Father is ill; his feet, hands, and legs have been swollen and he can hardly move. Even so, he is planning a trip to Chicago. Aunt Griswold writes about the shock of the news of the assassination of President Garfield in July; she describes the community's reaction and anxiety. Carrie writes to tell of her travels and her job teaching at a Sabbath school while Georgie writes that she will be attending Auburn. Aunt Griswold writes from Washington to describe her impression of the buildings there; she is not impressed with the White House but adores Mount Vernon. She also muses on the African Prayer meeting that she saw and how several older black men have improved their situations through education despite their poverty and disadvantaged situation; Aunt Griswold comments that she has been talking to some friends of hers that have been doing missionary work in New Orleans.

Written from Morris, Conn.; Maywood, Ill.; Boston and Auburn, Maine; and New Vineyard, Cornish, Bangor, Portland, and Farmington, Maine to Annie in Cornish and Bangor, Maine. 27 January-24 November 1882 Both John and Nellie write to Annie about the family's health; rheumatic fever is rampant. Fannie has been having horrible nose bleeds and the doctor barely kept her from bleeding to death. John writes to Annie and informs her that she will be getting a new sister soon, implying that he is to marry. Cousin Stella writes to Nellie and Annie and sends her best wishes to them and their new mother (apparently their father remarried though this is not discussed at length by any of the letters) and is excited about the news that John is marrying as well. Other friends write to Annie that Katie is getting married and Georgie is teaching at Auburn.

Written from Linnington, Cornish, Bangor, and West Brooksville, Maine; Meredithville, N. C.; and Plattsburgh, N. Y. to Annie and Nellie in Cornish and Bangor, Maine. 7 January-18 December 1883 These letters are written to Annie who is alternately in Bangor and Cornish as well as Nellie. Nellie is also in Bangor going to school and performing what one friend calls "missionary work." Nellie's various friends and schoolmates, some of which are male, talk about classes, exams, and teachers. They exchange information as to who is taking what position and where. They also report that the measles have been going through school and forcing many to stay home in Cornish. Local news is also exchanged, such as Mrs. Evans' suicide and the fact that the fair came to town. There is also much talk about attending prayer meetings and circles; Aunt Griswold is often the one who expounds on the scripture and glory of God. Mary, John's wife, writes often to Nellie to report about the family and how the planting is going; she says that father has been traveling on business a lot. Nellie, Annie, and H.E. Pease/Marmie (their stepmother?) exchange letters between themselves describing what they have been up to; they consistently discuss fabric and the mending and making of dresses. Annie usually tells Nellie how much fabric to buy and then makes the garments when she has time. John and Mary write to Annie about trying to find a new home; John has been working in the fruit tree business and has been traveling through New York. Mary is in Fryeburg Maine where she complains of loneliness and homesickness. John writes at the end of December about his shock at the news of Aunt Chase's death.

Written from Meredith and Sandown, N. H.; and Bangor and Cornish, Maine to Annie and Nellie in Bangor and Cornish 8 January- 30 December 1884 Annie receives some letters from her students asking her for her photograph; the tone of these letters connotes a type of relationship that seems more akin to friends than students and teacher. John and Mary both write to Annie and Nellie about their travels and their search for a new home, a search that evidently has displeased some in the family. Their baby, three weeks old, is not very healthy and may have "water on the brain," a diagnosis given by two separate doctors. John and Mary both seem resigned to their child's poor health, although in later letters he seems to be improving and they have given him a name: Carl Francis. Ultimately, John and Mary move to Fryeburg. Annie and Nellie also receive news from their friends. Rose Wedgewood was expelled from school but has become a Christian. Lunette Perkins was married but barely told anyone; this has angered many of her friends. Some of the letters reveal a detailed inventory of Lunette's wedding presents. Several people have died of typhoid and scarlet fever; disease and sickness are omnipresent in most of the letters. Annie, Nellie, Mary, and H.E. Pease/Marmie constantly write back and forth to each other concerning fabric and clothing. They are very concerned with the details of style and sewing. Typically, Nellie and Mary write to Annie to request that she make items from the material that they send her.

30 Letters from New Salem, Mass.; Rochester, New York; Whitefield, New Hampshire; Cornish, Fryeburg, to Nellie Pease and Annie Pease in Bangor 4 January - 9 December 1885 These letters mostly describe how things are at home. The baby's health is still precarious according to John. Several people have died recently due to fever and diphtheria. Moreover, the weather has been very cold. John traveled to Rochester where he visited Aunt Griswold; Annie and Nellie received letters from them both describing their sightseeing. In the fall, baby Carl passed away but Mary is pregnant again; she gives birth to a baby girl named Katie Nellie receives several letters from her friends Alice, Sadie, and Minnie concerning school lessons, vacation travels, and the latest fashions in Bangor. The last few letters are from Mary reporting that John has contracted typhoid fever and is very ill. He slowly recuperates.

Scope and Contents 17 letters and 1 postcard from Texas; Flanders, MI; Fryeburg, Cornish, Gorham, and Bangor, Me. to Annie and Nellie. 9 January-27 December 1886. Aunt Griswold writes from Texas and describes her travels there, particularly the "northers" which are very bad storms. Mary writes about the baby and how she is quite a handful. H.E. Pease/Marmie writes about things at home and requests fabric and buttons; she says that father wants to buy a new horse and they are waiting to hear from Aunt Cal to come calling. Meanwhile, there have been some interesting dealings in the local community concerning the buying of property. Nellie's friends keep her abreast of their school situations as well as their romantic situations. Nellie writes to Annie about getting a school to teach in; she is currently staying with Mary. Annie is teaching "upstairs," which is a promotion, and is staying with Aunt Delia. Her letters to Nellie describe several of the lectures that she has attended on history. She also tells Nellie about some of the local news, such as the horrible divorce of the Holyokes. During Christmas, she sends a detailed list of all the presents she received.

Written from Flanders, Mich.; Boston, Mass.; Cornish, Bangor, Sullivan, Alfred and Groveville, Maine to Annie and Nellie in Bangor and Cornish Me. 22 January- 29 December 1887 The majority of these letters are from Annie and Nellie to each other. They exchange news and discuss fabric and fashion at length; Annie also receives letters from Mary regarding what fabric and buttons to buy for her. These letters provide insight into what was in fashion in terms of colors, prints, and styles as well as the prices of the various fabrics and materials. Annie reports to Nellie about the Chautauqua society meetings she has attended as well as the musical entertainments, preaching, and lectures she has attended. Annie writes that Aunt Cal Griswold fell and suffered a sprained wrist which does not seem to heal well. Nellie writes back that cousins Edgar and George are in school and that John has traveled to New York. There are also several deaths to report due to whooping cough. Nellie writes to Annie about her relationship to Mr. D. She maintains that he is a respectable person and that there really is no relationship at all. However, in later letters she writes angrily to Annie that her relatives need to stay out of her business regarding her personal life. She explains that Mr. D. is not from this country and his ways are different but in no way has he acted reprehensibly. Mary confides in Annie that Nellie may be feigning interest in Mr. D. just to upset the family. Mary is unclear how true Nellie's feelings are or whether Mr. D. reciprocates them.

Written from Shelburne, Mass.; Alfred, Bangor, Cornish, Farmington, West Brooksville, Maine; Meredith, NH to Annie and Nellie in Cornish, Bangor, and Alfred, Maine 6 January-27 December 1888 Nellie has gotten married, apparently to Mr. D; John refers to the fact in one of his letters. Almost nothing is said about it and Nellie continues to exchange letters with Annie as usual. They continue their lengthy discussion about fabric, fashion, and what books would make appropriate presents; books with alligator skin are very popular though costly. Cracker jars are also mentioned as excellent presents. From home, Mary writes that she has increasingly been feeling weak and tired. John then reports later that Mary is still ill and has been using oxygen which seems to have improved her health. Several other neighbors have also fallen ill; many have had cancerous tumors removed. One of John's workers, Charles, fell from the ladder while working in the orchard and died shortly thereafter.

Nellie talks about daily things such as fabrics and friends. She also mentions her pregnancy. C.P Griswald mentions deaths and acquaintances and also says how she is taking care of Annie's father. Harriet writes and lists the teachers for next term.

Aunt D. talks of a dinner party and daily things. E.W.S. talks about a nephew in Paris.

Letters from Bella, Stella, C.P. Griswald and Nellie; all talk about daily things. C.P Griswald says how Nellie has had a son.

Scott talks about an annual picnic. Ms. Frauk talks about the Nineteenth Century Club. Carrie gossips about the town and books.

Alice sends a thank you letter. Carrie talks about the start of school and the "girls".

Postcard from H.A.L who talks about botany.

Miss F.H.H. talks about the Ninetieth Century Club. Annie H.W. says how Annie Pease has become the Chairman for the Ninetieth Century Club. Cami says how she cannot come to Annie's classes. Nellie talks about family matters.

Letter 1. Oct. 16. Letter to Annie from Nellie. Discusses everyday things; a meeting, and how she's sleepy. Letter 2. Sept. 3. Letter to Mother from her daughter. Talks about her trip back to Bangor. Letter 3. July 13. Letter to Annie from H. Chase. Talks about going to church on Sunday. Talks about staying at a hotel. Letter 4. Nov. 21. Letter to Annie from Mother. Says how she thinks they will not be able to go to Bangor. Talks about daily household things. Said that she has sent her 10 dollars. Letter 5. Oct. 11. Letter to Annie from Mother. Discusses daily things, i.e. how she is dressing apples and how Annie's aunt Nancy has been slim but is doing better. Letter 6. Jan 9. Letter to Annie from Mother. Discusses a new dress for Annie and how she would love a visit. Finishes off with saying that she is going to town. Included with the letter are fabric samples. Letter 7. Sept. 14. Letter to Annie from Mother. Talks about the renovations of the house and news of family and friends. Letter 8. Aug. 16. Letter to "my dear niece" from M.P.C. Talks about the weather and everyday things. Letter 9. Undated. Letter to Annie from Auntie C.P. Griswald. Discussing Annie's stay at her house. Talks about close to 100 women boarders that are staying with her. Letter 10. July 14. Letter to Annie from Auntie C. P. Griswald. Talks about how hot it is. Talks about the amount of boarders and other daily things. Letter 11. Sept. 9. Letter to Annie from C.P.G. Wrote of everyday things. Letter 12. Nov 23. Letter to Annie from C.P. Griswald. Speaks of God and quotes passage from Paul in the Bible. Annie's sister Sarah died of an illness that took an unexpected turn. Letter 13. June 19. Letter to Miss Pease from Miss Chauwick. Discusses daily things, news and gossip of mutual acquaintances. Letter 14. Oct. 10. Letter to Annie from Carrie. Talks about "the girls". Talks about that morning's sermon at church. Letter 15. July 25. Letter to Annie from Carrie. Talks about the company she had. Describes an outing and how she went exploring in the banks of a river. Also talks about mutual acquaintances. Letter 16. July 2. Letter to Annie from Carrie. Writes about her sympathy in Annie's great time of sorrow. Letter 17. Undated. Letter to Annie from Carrie. Talks about a trip to Birch Hill. Talks about flowers and green apples. Says she is happier than ever before and attributes this happiness to finding Jesus. Letter 18. Undated. Letter to Annie from EMPS. Writes about news of Caribon, where she lives. Talks about a meeting she had with other people. Letter 19. July 23. Letter to Annie from C.P. Griswald. C.P. Was shocked to find out about the burning of some important building. Letter 20. Aug. 21. Letter to Annie from C.P. Griswald. Talks bout Annie's aunt and uncle. Talks about riding in a boat and other daily things. Letter 21. Undated, Wed. Letter to Annie from Nellie. Talks about home things, school, toothache, clothes, etc. Letter 22. Aug. 26. Letter to Annie from Alice M. R. Talks about the amount of company she had over the summer. Says that she has "got a new school and a good salary". She is sad to be leaving her house but is happy for the new opportunity. She also hopes that Annie's new school is a good school. Letter 23. July 17. Letter to Annie from Y. E. Describes a stage ride. Talks about news and says how she got lost. Letter 24. Undated. Letter to Annie from her sister, Fannie. Talks about acquaintances and family. Letter 25. Sept. 20. Letter to Annie from her sister, Fannie. Unfinished. Talks about how she is glad that Annie likes her new school. Talks about her journey home. Letter 26. Oct. 2. Letter to Annie from Sarah. Talks about daily things, i.e. dresses. (Packet of Not Counted Letters) Letter 27. Nov. 18. Letter to Annie from Nellie. Discusses daily things. Letter 28. March 22. Letter to Annie from Nellie. Talks about getting a new dress with her mother. Talks about a baby named Walter, their brother. And other daily things. Letter 29. Feb. 9. 1890. Letter to Annie from Nellie. Talks about dressing Harold in clothes and not in long dresses anymore because he is too old for them now. Talks about a cat named Sam, etc. Letter 30. Sunday afternoon. Letter to Annie from Nellie. Talks about daily things, such as how Walter is behaving badly by screaming loudly, etc. Letter 31. Feb 20. Letter to Annie from C.P. Griswald. Talks about her daily things, her "arrangements of the house". Talks about religious things, tells Annie that she knows she wants to be a Christian. Letter 32. May 7 and 10. Letter to Annie from Mother and Nellie. Talks about Walter, school and dresses. Letter 33. May 6. Letter to Annie from Mother. Says she'll send money to her. Talks about family things and town things, i.e. a new road. Says she doesn't mind if Annie becomes a Christian. Letter 34. Feb. 25. Letter to Annie from Mother. Says they're having a snow storm. Talks about illnesses in the family. Letter 35. June 16. Letter to Annie from Mother. Says she is sending money. Letter 36. Tuesday morning. Letter to Annie from Carrie. Says she is sorry for Annie and that Annie must write soon. Included is a religious poem. Letter 37. June 20. Letter to Annie from Carrie. A letter saying that she is so sorry for Annie's loss. Letter 38. Sunday. Letter to Nellie from Annie. Saying how she is very busy and how she would still like constant letters from Nellie even if she can't write back immediately. Talks about her school and her scholars. (Newspaper clipping on Bangor Teachers) Letter 39. Jan 20. Letter to (sister) Nellie from John. Talks about how he works evenings. Talks about how he likes New Yorkers. Talks about the village he has been staying in, says he likes it and talks about going to church. Letter 40. June 24. Letter to Annie from Agnes Brann. A letter saying she is sorry for Annie's loss. Letter 41. Wednesday. Letter to Annie from Lizzie Hatton. A letter saying she is sorry for Annie's loss. Letter 42. June 20. Letter to Annie from Luc. A letter saying she is sorry for Annie's loss. Letter 43. July 30. Letter to Annie from Angus. Talks about a trip, about school and how she is beginning organ lessons. Postcard. March 14. To Mrs. Griswald from J.P. Says she/he wrote a letter. Letter 44. Undated. (on paper that says Memoranda). Letter to Nellie from Annie. A note discussing an argument. Letter 45. Dec. 27. Letter to Annie from C.P. Griswald. A letter wishing Annie a Merry Christmas even if she is without her mother. (Included in the letter is a Christmas book mark.) Letter 46. Undated. Letter to Annie from Pete S. Writes about his trip home and daily things, i.e. school. Letter 47. Undated. Letter to Annie from Lottie. Says that she would like for Annie to come and visit and not to "stay away for anything". Also says that "the bonnets will do". Letter 48. June 6. Letter to Annie from Sarah Pease. Says that there is work going on in the house, i.e. fixing the roof. Talks about friends and family things. Finishes off telling Annie that she put $20 in the letter. Letter 49. Jan 14. Letter to Annie from Sarah Pease. Sends Annie money to get new gloves, also talks about a dress. Letter 50. June 1. Letter to Annie from Sarah Pease. Says how she has a new dress, talks about her father going away and mentions how she thinks that someone can help her clean the house. Letter 51. Jan 31. Letter to Annie from Sarah Pease. Says how school finished last week because it was so cold. Talks about everyday things. Talks about mutual acquaintances. Talks about how Father bought another farm, etc. (Included is a gallery slip).