Ellen Axson Wilson to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

Title

Ellen Axson Wilson to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

Creator

Wilson, Ellen Axson

Identifier

WWP17334

Date

1905 May 19

Description

Ellen Axson Wilson sends her daughter and discusses clothing options and travel plans.

Source

Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library, Princeton University

Language

English

Text

My darling Jessie

I enclose the check for the allowance,—yours and Margaret's,—for May and June,—also for Margaret's ticket home. Let us know what more you (or she) needs for final expenses for the year & I will send at once.
I think Miss Cockelman and you can decide better than I how to make the silk muslin; for of course I have seen absolutely nothing this Spring. I think I would have sleeves something like Nellie's dotted Swiss—full with three lace-edged ruffles. Indeed you could not have a prettier waist than that of Nell's. Lace yokes of all styles are especially fashionable I understand. Don't have a wide collar effect as in your white dress,—there would be too much sameness,—it should be kept sheer and really transparent about the neck & shoulders; and don't let her make the standing collar high—as she is so apt to do.
If you haven't got your white duck skirt altered and your pink dotted dimity, you would better send them by Margaretas I will have a sempstress here and can have them done here. I have a dressmaker coming on the twenty-fourth.
Is Miss Cockelman making your black silk skirt? I hope so.
We returned from Atlantic City night before last, both of us much improved. Nellie says she feels as well as ever, but she is still pale. She starts back to school Monday—doing the languages only.—Little Annie left an hour ago;—She is to sail on the 24th.
We are all distressed about a terrible accident to one of the boys,—while diving in the swimming pool he struck his head and is paralysed from his chest down. There is scarcely a chance of recovery; but they think he will probably die in a few days as the internals organs seem paralysed too. He is wonderfully brave & cheerful, is constantly trying to cheer his family.—Excuse this hurried scrawl, dear;—am very busy over some work for Nellie. We are counting the days now until we have our darlings back, I feel you will be home-sick to see Margaret gone off without you. With a heartfull of love to both

Your devoted
Mother.

Original Format

Letter

To

Sayre, Jessie Woodrow Wilson, 1887-1933

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/EAWtoJWS19050519.pdf

Tags

Citation

Wilson, Ellen Axson, “Ellen Axson Wilson to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre,” 1905 May 19, WWP17334, Jessie Wilson Sayre Correspondence, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.