Letter signed Flora [Byrne], Byrnham Wood, to My dear Eliza [Mrs. Charles F. Mayer, Franklin Street, Baltimore, Maryland]. The wardrobe arrived safely and the new music was very acceptable. It is the first I have had since I left Baltimore. The children and I have been paying a visit to St. Francisville to the Levering and Alexander families. The other night we had the misfortune to have one of our houses burnt down to the ground. It was occupied by Harriet and her family. The trouble here is that neighbors may see the fire but never dream it is anything but burning prairie and so we got no assistance. Annie and I are going to spend a week at Waterloo, the county seat. Please ask Frank to make a drawing for me of the bookcase between the windows in his father’s study as I want one made like it. Aunt Flora is happy except when she gets a letter from Pleasant Green. Individuals mentioned include Aunt Flora, Levering, Saunders, Harriet, Annie, Jamie, Edmond, Frank, Eliza, Lizzie, Judge Perkins, Mr. Mayer, Mary, and Mrs. Norris. Places mentioned include Baltimore, St. Francisville, Waterloo, and Pleasant Green. (4 pages), [1845] Feb 9

Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2

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.