Letter signed Flora [Byrne], Byrnham Wood, to My dear Eliza [Mrs. Charles F. Mayer, Franklin Street, Baltimore]. Speaks again of her grief in the loss of little Lizzie. But I must not talk of it and will write you a description of the outside of our home. As yet everything is rough and unfinished but I think how you would enjoy rambling over these hills. If we only had ready money we could make it handsomer than any place around Baltimore. You must not think of me as buried here. I am as contented as I ever was. Everything is very primitive but it is a delightful way to live. Please send me newspapers occasionally so that we do not get out of touch with the world. The St. Louis newspapers are merely political tracts. Individuals mentioned include Mary Mayer, Rlixs, Frank, Poor, Mary Spear, Burnaps, Mrs. Thomas, Lizzie, Mrs. Hoffman, Aunt Flora, Edmond, Margaret, and Mr. Metham. Places mentioned include St. Louis and Baltimore. (4 pages), [1844] Mar 20

Item — Box: 1, Folder: 1

Staff Only

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.