Name/Title
Letter: Anna Jones Rankin to Gertrude SeiberlingEntry/Object ID
A 2025.12.b1.f7.3abDescription
[a] Letterhead is printed in red ink at the top of the letter paper and says, "Hinsdale Gold Club, Hinsdale, Illinois".
The writer mentions a letter Gertrude sent from Kilarney. She implies she would love to hear the stories of Gertrude's travels when she returns. She mentions that she's happy Gertrude and F.A. did not live during the times of monasteries. She says, "Isn't it fun to think of yourself as living in different times and in various places". She talks about staying with someone (a widower?) in a "fine dig home" with an English woman as a housekeeper and cook. The writer talks about listening to the housekeeper's stories. She describes the place they are staying out and then says she will not excel at golf because she gets distracted by butterflies, birds, and gophers. She mentions gossip and asks Gertrude to tell her anything. She says she is becoming mentally free but would like to be legally free.
[b] The word "clippings" is handwritten along the left side of the envelope.Subject Person/Organization
Borroff, Anna Jones Rankin, Seiberling, Gertrude PenfieldSubject Place
Village
HinsdaleState/Province
IllinoisCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaCollection
PERMANENT COLLECTIONCataloged By
Katrina NeffAcquisition
Accession
A 2025.12Source or Donor
UnknownAcquisition Method
FoundLetter Details
Postmark
Date and Time of Postmark
July 19, 1911 at 1PMPostmark Place
City
ChicagoState/Province
IllinoisCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaDate and Time of Postmark
July 20, 1911 at 11PMPostmark Place
City
HesselState/Province
MichiganCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaStamp
Red and depicts George Washington; cost 2 centsSender
Name
Anna Jones RankinAddress
3200 Beacon St
ChicagoAddressee
Name
Mrs. Frank A. SeiberlingAddress
Hessel, MichiganPrimary Language
EnglishTranscription
Transcription
My dear Lady - Guardian Angel,
You should have had a [illegible] letter in answer to forward to me before you left. but alas! The overwhelming press of small things kept me busy- The letter from Kilarney came yesterday and filled me with joy and reproach. You are too good to me It is fine to think of you seeing such interesting and beautiful things- and wont [sic] you be the most delightful returned traveler. It will be difficult for me to keep away from you when you come home. I surely am glad you did not live during the time of flourishing monasteries if both you and Mr. Seiberling had the feeling of the monastic habit. I should not want to be shut in the most beautiful place in the world so could only have visited you as a poor traveler. Isn’t it fun to think of yourself as living in different times and in various places? Just now I’m having a fine time - George is a member of the club and we eat our meals here and have rooms in a fine big home near here. The old widower who owns the place is a real curiosity and has for a house keeper and cook a quaint and witty English woman. Her wit was acquired in the country where she has lived 23 years - She lobs little curtesies [sic] and says sir and Maim every other minute. She has told me more interesting details of her own life and of the people for whom she has worked. and [sic] yesterday a niece of hers arrived from England. Sent only to New York and a letter written to Rose to meet her- She sent money and had her forwarded - and a pale pathetic little thing she is. Rose has been bottled up since January when Mrs. Middaugh, the wife died and she welcomed my coming as a person to whom she could tell her mind. She said I know you are a lady - that is why I tell you these things- The house and grounds are glorious and I am so happy at being in the air. There is a field of rye out of my windows and a big family of crows live down by the barn and they tell all they learn in their day journeying and scold and make love and it sounds better than people. And I never saw such great fields of daisies. They look like patches of snow. People come from far and wide to gather them. I’m not going to excell [sic] in golf because I love to look at the butterflys, [sic] birds and gophers - Mr Donaldson wrote me a very nice letter asking me to sing with the Club next nite [sic] - I think it best not to do it. Though I’d love to sing for the Akron people and would do so if I felt I’d be calm and undisturbed. I dont [sic] believe I could without an effort greater than I can to make for the result. I do feel so grateful that the kindness is [illegible] me and hope that time will give me the power to be a really brave woman. I thank you for writing me as you did about what you had heard and sent word to cousin Walter to look up some gossip. If you can tell me anything I will be grateful- for I would like to be legally free. Thank God I am becoming mentally free. With love and all good wishes to all of you, I am
Devotedly yours –
Anna Jones Rankin
We will be home when your letter comes -3200 Beacon St. Chicago-
Dont [sic] take your time to write-Transcriber
Roberta Searle, Barb VargoLanguage
EnglishCreate Date
February 4, 2026Update Date
August 28, 2026
