Name/Title
Letter to Glover ThomasEntry/Object ID
WHC 2017.17.1Scope and Content
A letter, with envelope, addressed to Glover Thomas of Camden, Maine. A person named Cora Williams is asking Thomas for the loan of $200 so that she can purchase a house in Camden. The letter is dated August 21, 1871.
Alexander Thorndike and Amasa Hosmer, both of Camden, are also mentioned. The property Williams mentions might possibly be on what is now Harbor Road in Camden, because Thorndike and Hosmer both owned property on High Street on the corners of Harbor Road.
Glover Thomas (1804-1873) lived in Camden from about 1850 until his death. He is buried in Mount View Cemetery in Camden with his wife, Emeline (1808-1871) and one of his sons, Dr. John G. Thomas (1847-1881).
Transcription:
Camden, Maine August 21st, 1871
Mr. Glover Thomas
Dear Sir,
I take the liberty to ask a favor of you, feeling assured that you will not refuse me, if your judgement approves of my request. Presuming upon the kindness shown to me by yourself, and dear departed wife, I venture to ask you for the loan of two hundred dollars for one year, for which I will gladly pay you the usual rate of interest. I am very anxious to purchase Mrs. Kimball's cottage, and I have agreed with her for its price, four hundred dollars. I have two hundred ready for her, but have been disappointed in not receiving the remainder. I wish if possible, to conclude all arrangements with Mrs. Kimball by the 1st Sept'r (?), as she desires to return to New Hampshire.
I believe I was led to you in the first place, to know about Mrs. Kimball's house, and I hope you will pardon the freedom I take now, but I have never borrowed money before, and feel a great reluctance to do so now. But your kind hospitality, the little attentions shown me by yourself and her who is now a happy dweller in the heavenly land, prompts me to this step. My feeble health urges upon me the necessity of the speedy posession [sic] of a house of my own for the declining years of my life.
I will give you security on the house; and though I consider you a friend, yet as we are comparatively strangers, I can give you reference to friends in New York and Philadelphia, who will vouch for my honesty.
Dear sir, if you can do me this most timely favor, you will oblige a lone and earnestly striving woman, one who has no kindred ties on earth; and who looks to Him above for aid and comfort; and to the few true human hearts who fulfill toward me the places of the brothers and sisters I never posessed [sic]. Will you have the kindness to let me know your decision as soon as possible?
I am staying for the summer in a dilapidated tenement belonging to Mr. Aleck Thorndike, just back of his house, down the lane, on which Mr. Amasa Hosmer's house is the corner. I could obtain no other house at the time, as the Sherman place I lived in was sold.
Hoping to hear from you favorably and soon, I am with sincere sympathy, and best wishes, truly yours,
Cora WilliamsCollection
Thomas Family PapersCataloged By
Marie StickneyAcquisition
Accession
WHC 2017.17Source or Donor
Anita Brosius-ScottAcquisition Method
GiftLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
LetterNomenclature Primary Object Term
CorrespondenceNomenclature Sub-Class
Other DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsLOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Correspondence, Houses, House buyingSearch Terms
Thomas, Glover, Williams, Cora, Hosmer, Amasa, Thorndike, Alexander, Correspondence, Houses, Harbor Road, High StreetArchive Details
Creator
Williams, CoraDate(s) of Creation
Aug 21, 1871Archive Size/Extent
1 letter, on blue-lined paper bearing an embossed watermark in the upper left corner which reads "Satin" ; 11 1/4 in x 7 3/4 in ; in envelope (2 1/2 x 4 1/2 in).Location
Location
Container
WHC 2017.17 BoxShelf
Shelf 2Cabinet
Vault Shelving Unit 2Room
Storage RoomBuilding
Walsh History CenterCategory
PermanentDate
October 21, 2025Location
Room
Storage RoomBuilding
Walsh History CenterCategory
PermanentInventory
Inventoried By
Wyatt BerryInventoried Date
Mar 22, 2018Condition
Overall Condition
GoodDate Examined
Aug 16, 2017Examined By
Marie StickneyNotes
Slight foxing on envelope. Letter has two small brownish stains toward the lower left corner, possibly from staples.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Thomas, GloverPerson or Organization
Williams, CoraPerson or Organization
Hosmer, AmasaPerson or Organization
Thorndike, AlexanderGeneral Notes
Note
Status: OK
Status By: Marie Stickney
Status Date: 2017-08-16Created By
admin@catalogit.appCreate Date
August 16, 2017Updated By
Administrator (Marie)Update Date
May 20, 2018