Letter signed Flora [Byrne], Byrnham Wood, to My dear Eliza [Mrs. Charles F. Mayer, Franklin Street, Baltimore, Maryland]. Regarding plans for Aunt Flora’s visit. If she would feel easier by staying with you until fall she could come then. Edmond is too devoted to his farm to think of becoming a politician. However, he has joined the Free Masons and so is separated from me in a measure by having a secret. Sister has abandoned her convent life and we have offered her five acres of land close to us. She and Aunt Flora could have great Irish talks. We have no a dollar and so I will get no new clothes. This is a splendid place to wear out old clothes. Annie is slow at her books but does other things that are very remarkable in a five year old. Individuals mentioned include Mrs. Gordon, Miss Betty, Edmond, Free Masons, Aunt Flora, Miss Latham, Mary, Mr. Fletcher, Millerism, Mr. Burnap, Annie, James, Sarah, Joshua Blake, Tiffany Ward & Co., Charley, Lewis, Alfred, Mr. Mayer, Eliza, and Mr. Henning. Places mentioned include Dublin. (4 pages), [1844] Mar 17

Item — Box: 1, Folder: 1

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Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Mayer Family Papers consist of the correspondence of Flora Byrne to Mrs. Charles F. Mayer. Describes her life and family at Byrnham Wood in Clark County near Winchester, Missouri. Includes correspondence from various members of the family in Baltimore, Maryland. The letters contain many sidelights on the state of development in that day, mention well-known characters, and show the facilities for transportation between the Atlantic seaboard and St. Louis. The latest letters, dated in 1861, document Civil War movements in St. Louis and Baltimore. The collection also includes miscellaneous correspondence regarding the donation and the drawings of Francis [Frank] Blackwell Mayer.