← Part of Wildermuth Family of Marietta, Ohio (Wildermuth & Bain, 2005–2009)
letter
Letter from Peggy Eesley to Charles & Terrie — the wedding aftermath, c. September 1971
Undated letter (c. September 1971) from Peggy McMaster Eesley to her son Charlie and new daughter-in-law Terrie, shortly after their 1971 wedding — as transcribed in the Wildermuth family book. Peggy forwards the newspaper picture and account of the wedding and relays Mrs. Morris's praise ('the wedding was simply perfect and in such good taste'); mentions ordering a portrait; describes a 25th-anniversary party for the Danders at Murray's 'Crow's Nest' by Devol's Dam and a planned trip to Columbus to visit the Schramms; reports heavy canning (tomatoes, beans, peaches, jam, spiced peaches); notes the next project is driving Anne up to Madison; and closes with a mother's practical note urging Charlie to keep his insulin dose as small as possible while trying brewer's-yeast tablets. Signed 'Mother.'
What the letter is
An undated letter — placed here at c. September 1971, in the weeks after Charlie and Terrie’s 1971 wedding — from Peggy McMaster Eesley to the newlyweds, preserved as a transcription in the Wildermuth family book. The canning season and the plan to drive Anne “up to Madison” (the University of Wisconsin) both point to late summer / early fall 1971.
Transcription
Dear Charles & Terrie,
I’m sending the newspaper picture & account — it came out ok., I think.
From Mrs. Morris (who sent the gorgeous plate) in church today. She said that the wedding was simply perfect and in such good taste. This is what we hear on all sides — so you can feel that you did yourselves proud.
I’m sending the one glossy print or news account to your _____. There’s a second glossy print which the paper will return. I would like to give it to Kay & Ted [?]. We ordered a portrait for you which I’ll send over when it is finished.
We had our party for the Danders on their 25th anniversary. It was at Murray’s “Crow’s Nest” which is located by Devol’s Dam. He’s got it fixed up really nice. Everyone enjoyed the food & the company — big evening. Next weekend we plan to go to Columbus to visit Schramms — I can use a change of pace.
Have been canning like mad — tomatoes, beans, peaches. This afternoon I made jam, spiced peaches, sugar canned & sugar substitute canned ones. __ _____.
The next project is to get Anne to Madison. It seems that I’m selected to drive her up — do hope she makes it this time.
Are you reducing your insulin dose, Charles? When the brewer’s yeast pills come, & you run out of magnesium (or multi-____) pills — just try the yeast tablets alone for a while — see if your insulin dose (small as possible) will hold you — Much _____ to you both — Mother
Notes
The letter is a small portrait of the Eesley household the season after the wedding: the newspaper write-up circulating, the compliments “on all sides,” the anniversary party at a local supper spot by the Muskingum’s Devol’s Dam, and Peggy’s canning marathon. It closes on the note that recurs across this family’s correspondence — Charlie’s diabetes — with Peggy, ever practical, coaching him to hold the insulin dose “small as possible.”
Source: Wildermuth Family of Marietta, Ohio (Wildermuth & Bain, 2005–2009). Blanks marked ___ are illegible in the photographed page.