File:Rebecca A. Jones to Alice Mary Longfellow, 22 March 1888 (48f0c4f2-fa64-44ef-85eb-2447837e6f8b).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1007.001/002.003-001#032

[printed letterhead: Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute]
Hampton Va., March 22, 1888
Miss Alice Longfellow,
Dear Friend:-
I write to thank you for paying my scholarship. My home is in Gloucester Co. Va. near the Mobjack Bay and the York river. I was born November 1st 1870. And when I was three weeks old my mother died, And when I was three weeks old my mother died. And then I stayed with my aunt untell [sic] I was twelve years old. My aunt was very kind to me in giveing [sic] me as far as she was able of corse [sic] she was poor but what ever her children had I would have the same. I went to school at twelve years old. After going to school three years. I went in service and stayed three years. I lived with a very nice lady in Baltimore. She was very kind to me and took good intrest [sic] in teaching me how to sew. So after living with her so long I thought I would go to school again and concluding to go to school again I thought of [p. 2] the Hampton Normal Institute, and then I made up my mine [sic] that I would come here to get an education so that in my future life I may do some good for my race.
Since I have been here in this school. I ^have been here working in the studence laundry. My work in sprinkling clothes. I like it very well and much intrust [sic] in doing my work. I have told you about my work.
So now I will tell you about studies. I am studying Arithmetic reading writing and language.
I havent had the chance to learn [sic] to write well but hoping [sic] some day that I will.
Yours respectfully
Rebecca A. Jones.

• Keywords: long archives; document; alice m. longfellow papers (long 16173); organizations; hampton institute; education; correspondence; Manuscripts (1007.001); (LONG-Subcollection); Correspondence (1007.001/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Scholarship Student Correspondence (1007.001/002.003); (LONG-SubseriesName); Letters to Alice Longfellow (1007.001/002.003-001); (LONG-FileUnitName)