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Written from Morris, Conn.; Maywood, Ill.; Boston and Auburn, Maine; and New Vineyard, Cornish, Bangor, Portland, and Farmington, Maine to Annie in Cornish and Bangor, Maine. 27 January-24 November 1882 Both John and Nellie write to Annie about the family's health; rheumatic fever is rampant. Fannie has been having horrible nose bleeds and the doctor barely kept her from bleeding to death. John writes to Annie and informs her that she will be getting a new sister soon, implying that he is to marry. Cousin Stella writes to Nellie and Annie and sends her best wishes to them and their new mother (apparently their father remarried though this is not discussed at length by any of the letters) and is excited about the news that John is marrying as well. Other friends write to Annie that Katie is getting married and Georgie is teaching at Auburn.

Letters from Bella, Stella, C.P. Griswald and Nellie; all talk about daily things. C.P Griswald says how Nellie has had a son.

Alice sends a thank you letter. Carrie talks about the start of school and the "girls".

Scott talks about an annual picnic. Ms. Frauk talks about the Nineteenth Century Club. Carrie gossips about the town and books.

36 letters from various friends and family in Maywood, IL; Parsonsfield and Boston, Mass.; Bangor, Portland, Farmington, and Cornish, Maine to Annie and Nellie in Cornish and Bangor, Maine 10 March-25 December 1880 Annie's cousin Stella Small writes to her to initiate a correspondence and asks a lot of questions about the family and Annie's hobbies. Nellie receives two letters from her friends discussing school and the horridness of Latin. Nellie and John both write to Annie to inform her that Sarah has been very ill and that their mother has also been feeling poorly. The next letters reveal that Annie's mother has died and that Sarah is still very weak. Several friends and relatives write to Annie with words of sympathy and support; they quote the scripture frequently. As the year continues, letters reveal that Sarah is not improving and that Annie has not returned to her teaching post; Miss Prescott assures Annie that she will do her best to take over her school post. By Christmas, new sympathy letters reveal that Annie's sister Sarah has died as well after a brief period of recovery; the letters again offer consolation and inquire as to whether Annie will return to Bangor to teach.

Written from Linnington, Cornish, Bangor, and West Brooksville, Maine; Meredithville, N. C.; and Plattsburgh, N. Y. to Annie and Nellie in Cornish and Bangor, Maine. 7 January-18 December 1883 These letters are written to Annie who is alternately in Bangor and Cornish as well as Nellie. Nellie is also in Bangor going to school and performing what one friend calls "missionary work." Nellie's various friends and schoolmates, some of which are male, talk about classes, exams, and teachers. They exchange information as to who is taking what position and where. They also report that the measles have been going through school and forcing many to stay home in Cornish. Local news is also exchanged, such as Mrs. Evans' suicide and the fact that the fair came to town. There is also much talk about attending prayer meetings and circles; Aunt Griswold is often the one who expounds on the scripture and glory of God. Mary, John's wife, writes often to Nellie to report about the family and how the planting is going; she says that father has been traveling on business a lot. Nellie, Annie, and H.E. Pease/Marmie (their stepmother?) exchange letters between themselves describing what they have been up to; they consistently discuss fabric and the mending and making of dresses. Annie usually tells Nellie how much fabric to buy and then makes the garments when she has time. John and Mary write to Annie about trying to find a new home; John has been working in the fruit tree business and has been traveling through New York. Mary is in Fryeburg Maine where she complains of loneliness and homesickness. John writes at the end of December about his shock at the news of Aunt Chase's death.

Written from Meredith and Sandown, N. H.; and Bangor and Cornish, Maine to Annie and Nellie in Bangor and Cornish 8 January- 30 December 1884 Annie receives some letters from her students asking her for her photograph; the tone of these letters connotes a type of relationship that seems more akin to friends than students and teacher. John and Mary both write to Annie and Nellie about their travels and their search for a new home, a search that evidently has displeased some in the family. Their baby, three weeks old, is not very healthy and may have "water on the brain," a diagnosis given by two separate doctors. John and Mary both seem resigned to their child's poor health, although in later letters he seems to be improving and they have given him a name: Carl Francis. Ultimately, John and Mary move to Fryeburg. Annie and Nellie also receive news from their friends. Rose Wedgewood was expelled from school but has become a Christian. Lunette Perkins was married but barely told anyone; this has angered many of her friends. Some of the letters reveal a detailed inventory of Lunette's wedding presents. Several people have died of typhoid and scarlet fever; disease and sickness are omnipresent in most of the letters. Annie, Nellie, Mary, and H.E. Pease/Marmie constantly write back and forth to each other concerning fabric and clothing. They are very concerned with the details of style and sewing. Typically, Nellie and Mary write to Annie to request that she make items from the material that they send her.

Written from Flanders, Mich.; Boston, Mass.; Cornish, Bangor, Sullivan, Alfred and Groveville, Maine to Annie and Nellie in Bangor and Cornish Me. 22 January- 29 December 1887 The majority of these letters are from Annie and Nellie to each other. They exchange news and discuss fabric and fashion at length; Annie also receives letters from Mary regarding what fabric and buttons to buy for her. These letters provide insight into what was in fashion in terms of colors, prints, and styles as well as the prices of the various fabrics and materials. Annie reports to Nellie about the Chautauqua society meetings she has attended as well as the musical entertainments, preaching, and lectures she has attended. Annie writes that Aunt Cal Griswold fell and suffered a sprained wrist which does not seem to heal well. Nellie writes back that cousins Edgar and George are in school and that John has traveled to New York. There are also several deaths to report due to whooping cough. Nellie writes to Annie about her relationship to Mr. D. She maintains that he is a respectable person and that there really is no relationship at all. However, in later letters she writes angrily to Annie that her relatives need to stay out of her business regarding her personal life. She explains that Mr. D. is not from this country and his ways are different but in no way has he acted reprehensibly. Mary confides in Annie that Nellie may be feigning interest in Mr. D. just to upset the family. Mary is unclear how true Nellie's feelings are or whether Mr. D. reciprocates them.

Written from Shelburne, Mass.; Alfred, Bangor, Cornish, Farmington, West Brooksville, Maine; Meredith, NH to Annie and Nellie in Cornish, Bangor, and Alfred, Maine 6 January-27 December 1888 Nellie has gotten married, apparently to Mr. D; John refers to the fact in one of his letters. Almost nothing is said about it and Nellie continues to exchange letters with Annie as usual. They continue their lengthy discussion about fabric, fashion, and what books would make appropriate presents; books with alligator skin are very popular though costly. Cracker jars are also mentioned as excellent presents. From home, Mary writes that she has increasingly been feeling weak and tired. John then reports later that Mary is still ill and has been using oxygen which seems to have improved her health. Several other neighbors have also fallen ill; many have had cancerous tumors removed. One of John's workers, Charles, fell from the ladder while working in the orchard and died shortly thereafter.

Nellie talks about daily things such as fabrics and friends. She also mentions her pregnancy. C.P Griswald mentions deaths and acquaintances and also says how she is taking care of Annie's father. Harriet writes and lists the teachers for next term.