Intimate Letter on Sorosis Club Stationery to the Snow Family of Rockland, Maine Discussing a Memorial for the Cary Sisters, 1871

New York, 1871. Folded letter, fine condition. Fine. A letter written by Rebecca A. Morse, the activist and member of Sorosis, to the Snow family in Rockland, Maine, in 1871. The letter concerns a fundraising venture that is likely for the Cary sisters - Phoebe and Alice - who both died in 1871 Morse writes, "I know you will sympathize with me in the desire to honor the memory of the sweet sister Singers, and more than that as they believed with us in opening up to women of all avenues to usefulness and [..?..], and have done much of the good work of inaugurating that broader usefulness and higher life." Alice Cary had been the president of Sorosis, the first professional women's club in the U.S. While we can't pin down the exact fundraising event taking place from the letter, circumstances make it highly likely that it was a memorial for the Cary sisters. As a postscript, Morse writes: "Is it not a nice thing the getting up this memorial? Of course Lucy and Susan will help & your Mother." Lucy and Susan refer to Lucy and Susan Snow, two of the sisters in the family. Elvira Thorndyke nee Snow was another sister, and though she was most active in the Northern California Suffrage movement, she also assisted her sisters in founding the Equal Rights Association of Rockland in one of her trips back east. An interesting piece of correspondence that shows the national network of the Women's Movement during the period.


Full text follows.

My very dear friends at 'Vista Cottage',

Please find enclosed our appeal to the 'Women of America' for a tribute of something more substantial and enduring than words or newspaper paragraphs. I know you will sympathize with me in the desire to honor the memory of the sweet sister Singers, and more than that as they believed with us in opening up to women of all avenues to usefulness and [..?..], and have done much of the good work of inaugurating that broader usefulness and higher life. The Memorial states this all so fully that I would not add superfluous words. As you see I am the Treasurer of the Committee appointed to this good work; is it not fitting that women should have her worth represented in bronze or marble, and none I believe have ever been thus publicly honored here. As chairman of the Art Com., I shall have some influence in selecting the design and I hope we may collect enough to make it a lasting & beautiful specimen of Art, as well as a fitting memorial to the Sisters. I hope to see you all very soon.

Sincerely and aff'y yours,
Rebecca A. Morse.

Get all the names & donations that you can. Remember me to Miss Sophia. She is a pet of mine.

You need not return this note.

Is it not a nice thing the getting up this memorial? Of course Lucy and Susan will help & your Mother.

Mother has been attending some of the meetings with Jennie. She is charmed with such intelligent women, so refined, & so talented.