From: Mary C. Brantingham (b. July 20, 1869)
Married Daniel D. Test on October 23, 1896 Winona, Ohio
To: Howard B. and Mary Dean Test
Barnard, South Dakota
The month and day are in the heading of the following letter written by Mary C. Brantingham Test to Mary Dean and her husband Howard B. Test. The letter is dated "August 3". The year the letter was written can be determined by the reference made to Mary Jane Test Cutter--her granddaughter--"the eldest Mary Jane 22 yrs old was married over a year ago and now has a small daughter."
Since Mary Jane Test Cutter was married in 1943 and had her first child in April of 1946, the letter must have been written after 1945. And since Mary Dean Test died August 12, 1946, it is highly unlikely that the letter would have been addressed "Dear Mary and Howard" after 1946. Therefore the letter was most likely written, August 3, 1946. As a side issue, it is interesting to note to that Mary Dean Test died of cancer on August 12, 1946--nine days after the letter was written.
"Winona, Ohio Aug 3 [1946]
Dear Mary and Howard:-
I am sure you will be surprised to hear from me but when Alfred and Lizzie Patton told me of their visit with you I felt that I wanted you to know that my thoughts were with you and that I had not forgotten you and that I was thinking of you now especially when thee Mary is sick. I am spending a few weeks here visiting my nieces and nephews and renewing old friendships, but will return home near the end of this month. I went with Alfred and
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(click to enlarge)Lizzie to Barnesville to see Aunt Hanna a few days ago she looks frail but says she is well and she still keeps her sparkle and humor. She is living in the Walton Home wh[ich] was given to Ohio Friends for elderly people. They have abt 12 guests I think. Alfred Fowles is here for a few days visiting his daughter Ruth and they go to Barnesville tomorrow to see his mother. You doubtless knew of Emma's death more than 6 months ago & A. now makes his home with Dorothy Bailey his eldest daughter who lives near Lebanon Ohio.
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Perhaps you would like to know how I am situated since uncle Daniel's death in '35.I sold our home at Maylan Rose-Alley where we lived for 12 yrs. B---ous? and my cousin Rachel Brantingham (who is a nurse) lives with me in a 5 room apt in West Phila. My eldest son Alfred & family live in Lakes--- Hill a suburb of the City abt 25 miles outside. They have four children, the eldest Mary Jane 22 yrs old was married over a year ago and now has a small daughter so I am a great grandmother, but still I so not feel old. William is a Dr. and was married this June to a California girl with whom he became acquainted when he was practicing in Los Angeles Cal. His health broke while he was there and he had a return of his T.B. wh[ich] he contracted 10 yrs ago after his internship in the Pena Hospital. He was with me in our apt. for 9 mos. & is again able to practice & has a good position in Worcester Mass. in a T.B. Hospital. Daniel Jr. is married & has two little girls 4 1/2 & 2 each. They live in Maylan Rose-Alley.
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Enough of our family; I should like to know more of you and your boys, but most of all I wish I could do something for thee Mary. There come times in all our lives when human help fails but God never fails and He can give strength and comfort to us and I trust that thee and Howard may both feel that Presence with you.
Mary thee asks for information abt thy Grandfather Dean's mother, and Lizzie has asked me to reply to this. Her name was Hanna Jackson. I'll give thee all of Barton and Hanna Jackson Deans children
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David Dean married but I do not know to whom
Ephraim Dean never married
Jonathan Dean married Elizabeth Brantingham
Ann Dean married Alfred Brantingham
Barton Dean married the 2nd time Elizabeth Stratton and they had two children
Abigail Dean married Wm. Coppock
Joshua Dean married Mary Ann Hobson
Barton Dean married the 3rd time Ann Oliphant and later in life moved to Iowa where they both died.
Jonathan Dean thy grandfather and Ann Dean my mother married respectively Elizabeth and Alfred Brantingham so thy father's Joseph and I were double first cousins.
Thy great grandfather Brantingham was Joseph and he married Lydia Whinery. Their children were
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William Brantingham married Rhoda Walton
Rachel Brantingham married Jos. Stratton
Alfred Brantingham married Ann Dean
Eliz. Dean married Jonathan Dean.
Cyrus Brantingham married Sara Kirk
George Brantingham " Eliz. Allen
Joseph Brantingham married the 2nd time Annie Stratton they had two daughters Lydia Brantingham married David Thomas
Sina Brantingham married Linneus Warrington.
I hope this outline is clear enough to be understood. And be assured of my living interest in both thee and Howard. I would like to see you both.
Aff. Aunt Mary B. Test."
[on side of page 1 of the letter she gives her address as 207 N. 35th St. Phila 4]
