Carrie Carvell letters

Letters between Sisters Carrie Carvell Niess, Rosa Gantt Hamilton
and their Aunt Julia Ziegler Keim

Carrie and Rosa were sisters, and close ones at that! Rosa was born to Mary Jane Ziegler and her first husband, Joseph Don L. Gantt, and Carrie was born to Mary Jane and her second husband, Jeremiah Mark Carvell. Aunt Julia was Mary Jane's yougest sister, Julian Ziegler Keim.

Julia lived in Newport, Pennsylvania, the area in which she was born and raised. Julia was married to Abraham Frederick Keim. Rosa married John Hamilton, a widower, when her step-father was pastoring in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and she remained in that area. Carrie married while her father was pastoring in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and she and her husband, my great-grandfather, settled in Washington D.C.

The stage is now set for the series of letters exchanged between the three women.

Thursday morning
(No Date!)
Dearest Sister:
Wish you were here this morning so I could talk instead of write. can't write fast enough. Mrs. Mc Cra-- is coming over to help me fix that black silk skirt and jacket this morning so must write a flying hand. You know I told you Hun's new office is all Law and this morning he said "By the way Caddie that is true about Han's Graffs money there is about Three hundred millions in the Bank of England awaiting the heirs to claim it, it is cited as a case in one of the Law books in the Dep't Library and is a true case. We are going up to the Congressional Library to look over some other books and if we can, work up a case. My souls if we only could get hold ever since I am married (seems to be out of context to me!) and guess I always will. I pittied her awfully. Hun is deep in the mysteries of the Graff family and fortune, I have some fine data on the subject. Hans Graff was know in his country as Baron Von Weldon, a member of the peerage and the coat of arms is still in existance. We are going to get a copy if possible and Hun thinks we can. We are in direct line and I have our ancestors back eight generations. I will send you a copy of everything we get when we are through. When we are through getting data we will join the D.A.R. for we are eligible and it only cost $1 to join and two for dues after the first year it is only $2. Hun is going to see it to the end now is going to communicate with the State Dept on the money question tomorrow. The Chief Clerk is a friend of his I think.
We were up to the Library again last evening, my! I enjoy this research very much only wish you were here to go with us. I wrote seven letters Wed. trying to find out where Elizabeth Graff and Peter Wolf were married but it seems that is where we are stuck. We have their births but no death or marriage record. But cousin Julia Grove says Elizabeth Wolf was the sister of Philip Graff who was her grandfather and the son of Jacob who was the son of John the son of Hance or Hans, see it is direct.
THE REST OF THE LETTER IS TORN OFF

(this is the continuation of a letter, however
I have no idea which one!)

Hun had a lovely letter from Dr. Wolf in Ind. he says the Graff Estate is worth $150,000,000 and the heirs have been advertized for. We have found from records in the Library that Hans Graaf come to the country in 1696 and first settled in Lan. Co., and the original homestead is now ocupied by Levi W. Grove a lineal descendant of Hans. Hans was given a thousand acres of ground in 1716 and another in 1717 by the King and the papers given him are still in possession of this Grove family. This is the same man. Mr. Wolf says he left Switzerland for England in 1695 and came to this country later, which this paper shows was the year following. My! We are getting down to fine points. You see we can go to the Library and get all this information when we know just what they want. I'm going to write to the Groves in Lanc. Co., as soon as we get hold of another book of "Early settlers," which will be a big help to us. We can talk this over when you come. Come the latter part of April as just now the weather is so changable. I am afraid you will take cold, and we want to "gad" when you come. The kids are talking about coming to see you and what they are going to do. Do write me a fat letter soon. Our love to all,
Lovingly
Cad.

Newport March 8th 1900
My Dearest Rosa,
I do not owe you a letter, but will write any way, as this will be a business letter.
Do you have in your posession any old German Books. that had been given to Uncle Carvell, buy Grandma Lemon. If so would you please look through them and see if they contain any writing. As they are again resorecting (sic) that old long talked of fortion (sic) that the Groves in Maryland were trying to get when your Mama yet lived, but they used the name Grove instead of Graff which is the real german name.
well however, several weeks ago there was a letter sent to the Post master in Millerstown, asking him if there was any Woolfs, or Keelys lived in the town or about the county. Signed by Atorney (sic) Jacob Woolf, (from quite a distance, (am sorry I have forgotton (sic) the place) But as the Woolfs have all died, the Postmaster handed it to Charley Keely, who's great grandparents were mine also.
So Charley Keely, answered the letter and Atorney Woolf, wrote back saying that he was a son of Benjamin Woolf, who was my grandmas oldest brother (of couse he has been dead for many years, he was a doctor.) He had left his home in Millerstown when quite a young man and wondered (sic) so far from home that his friends never heard from him. I often heard Grandma talking of her brother Dr. So this Lawyer is a son of his, and he has received a letter from the old country saying there is a fortion of millions lying there for old Grandfather Graff's heirs, and Grandma, Lemon's Mamas name was Graff and her father was an Earl born in Wales and when a youth, there was a war broke out between the Catholicks and Protestants and he ran off. And never dared to go back, or according to the laws of their country would have been killed. They say he left a large fortion as his parents were worth millions. and no one else could touch his share and they say it is sixty or more million and in order to get this fortune Mr. Woolf, says they will have to have the old family record which he had heard his father say was translated in English from an old German bible to a Testament at his home which Ellie Adams said she had gotten from her Mother, but when they were burned out the Testatament burned too, So you see that is of no use. They say they must know what the first names of Grandma Woolf's parents were before they can go ahead and move since the Testatment is burned. They thought by ransacking all the old German books that belonged to Grandma Lemon. That they might be able to find the necessary helps. And I promised to help them to look up what I could. At the same time I have no belief that it will ever reach us. But some of the friends are very much excited over it.
I told them if I were as anxious as they were, and could not find the names any other way. I would go at once to the old Maryland graveyard, and see if it could not be found on an old tombstone. But Abie sais they would have a good time finding it. But they say that old Grandpa Graff was the only Emigrant by that name that ever sailed from that country, and that we are all h is desendants (sic).
Well this may all be, But I don't intend to loose any sleep over it any how ha, ha.
Don't suppose you have ever saw such writing, but indeed I am kept so busy that I find so little time for anything like this. Had company all day, and for supper too, and have no help so you see it keeps me very buisy. (sic)
Must close. hope to here (sic) from you soon.
With Love to all, from both,
Ever you Loving
Aunt J.
Written under this is the name Margreta Hengesson in a different handwriting.

Monday Morning
Mar. 12, 1900
My Dearest Sister:
Will try to write you a more composed letter. I scarcely know what I said in my letter Sat. was so excited and nervous am feeling more like myself this morning. I certainly did have a time of it last week the kids seem to be alright this morning. Buzz looks haggared though. My dressmaker did very well she made my black and brown paid and a light shirt waist, then I fixed over my cheviot skirt took my satin skirt and made me apleated flounce for the bottom then took the blue for an over dress, it looks very nice. My plaid suit is very stylish looking, have the waist trimmed in light blue silk. My shirt waist is sweet. it's blue too, anything so its blue. Here is a sample. Well since I'm an heiress its well I got something to wear in case we are summoned to England suddenly. ha!ha! I for one don't think there is anything in the fortune business, we might have some noble blood in us but as to the fortune, it is queer we never heard of it before. If we can find out the name of the Earl and Grandma's maiden name and what part of Wales they came from, we can get a great deal of information right here in Washington, as Mr. Roberts a friend of ours was born there in Wales and goes over every few years to visit his home, was over last year. Then too, we can go to the Congressional Library where they have the name and record of every nobleman and his family in England, and through friends here we can find out if there is such an estate to be settled, so don't put any money into it before you let us know the Earl's name if you can find out. Of course I know nothing but what you have told me and that wasn't much to work on. There is another way of finding out if this is true by writing to the Consul, of course he will charge a fee, but we will first find out the name and then we will know what to do. I was telling Dr. about it. he gave me some good pointers. Their family has the next to the oldest record in this country. His father has traced his family back seven hundred years. The Camerons are nine hundred years old. Dr. says the most important thing is the mans name. Do you know the name? Wish you had sent Aunt Julia's letter to me so I would know more about it. My guess we will be as rich as the "Sam Hill" my souls! maybe we are related to Em Hill - ha! ha! Wednesday evening we are going to a very swell receiption. Hun was to a Banquet Friday night and was sick Sat. ha! ha! Sorry to hear of Mrs. Atkins being ill. hope she will so recover. Remember me to Mrs. Shively - Ellas and all my friends. My love to all the family.
Lovingly Your sis
Cad
Tuesday
(same letter)
My we certainly will be rich if we get all that money ha! ha! no danger of us getting any the case is too "obscure" there are always lawyers ready to stir up such cases. I'm like Aunt Julia. I'll not loos any sleep over it. ha! ha! well we will do all we can to find out about it. The M.P. on my letter stands for Member of Parlament. (sic) ha! ha!
My! I am so glad you & Mr. H. are coming next month.

Wednesday
(same letter)
Just had a letter from Aunt Julia saying that she made a mistake in your letter by saying the Earl was from Wales as he is not from Wales at all its Holland ha! ha! and the fortune has now riz to $7000000 ha! ha! my! don't you feel rich? They have found the names and ages of Grandma & Grand Pa Wolfe in an old book up there but what they still want is the names of Grandma's Great Grand parents which I am sure they will never find. Aunt Julia says its all true about the fortune being there but to get it is something else. She says she remembers Grandma Lemon saying how wealthy her ancestors were and how when they lived in Maryland her father used to go after the interest of his money and come home with his saddle bags filled with gold and silver. The Lawyer is a doctor. ha! ha! Woolfe from Indiana and there are two of them, oh, it certainly is mixed. Aunt J. says she is sorry she made so many mistakes in regard to this in your letter.
My! souls, I wrote and asked Aunt J. to send us the address of the Wolfe who is stirring this thing and she says she had forgotten the address, but he lives in Indiana some where. ha! ha! This is all very exciting ha! ha! Will send your Aunt Julias letter later as this is such a budget am afraid it won't go for one fare. So we are not welsh we are German see? Perhaps if we could get the address of Mr. Wolfe we could find out what is needed.
Write me soon.
Your loving Sis
Cad
We are all well this morning.
C.

Newport March 13th 1900
My Dearest Rosa,
Have just received your kind letter and will answer at once. I wrote to Carrie yesterday and told her if she was writing to you to please correct my mistakes. She said I had in your letter, that Grandpa Graffe was from Wales, well it is a sad mistake. He was from Holland. Germany and probably I have made a mistake in Uncle Jess Woolfs name, I believe I called him Benjamin in your letter. Well however Grandmas Lemon's oldest brother's name was Jess, he was a doctor, and her brther Jacob was a Dr' also" But this is Uncle Jesses son who is looking up this fortune which belongs to the Graffe heirs and we are all his desendants. I was first informed that he was a Lawyer, but Mrs. Car was here last evening and says he is a Doctor, same as his father was. And now since he has found one of the friends here to write to, he has already written three or four letters to him, he says he knows the money is in Holland and he is bound to see after it, and also to see that the Lawyers do not cheat them out of it, either of course now, all that I know is just what I hear from these letters. that Doctor Woolf has been writing to Charley Keely, who lives on More Street in Harrisburg. And I suppose if you were to go to him he would show you the letters. and then you would still know more correctly
(some pages seem to be missing at this point) and would be only tood glad to forward it to them.
No I could not tell her any more than I often heard Grandma say that her relations over in the old country were imensly (sic) wealthy, and when her Grand parents came across the watters, (sic) that there was a dreadful storm rose at sea and all were likely to be dround (sic). And that everything on the ship was soked (sic) with water. She said that was the cause of all their old german books being so ragged and stained. And she often talked of hearing her Grandma saying she brought a bag of dry nudels (sic) across to this country and when they got them here they were all green moldy. (My if I just could remember the one quarter of teh many things she would tell me when I was young. You know the poor old people them days would sit and talk for hours and turn themselves clean rong (sic) side out in order to make themselves interesting to you. I remember two of her saying that they landed in Maryland, but I do not know what part of it they settled in. And from there they moved to Little York, and from there to Millerstown. I also heard her say, when her father would go after the interest of his money, he would come riding home with his saddlebags full of Gold and silver. And she often told me of the beautiful clothing she and her sisters wore when they were young. She said it was nothing to them, to wear the finest of silk crape (sic) dresses and crape shals (sic) and kid slippers, and always the best of material for everything. And had abundance of everything that was made to use even to owing (sic) slaves, for they were by no means common people. They were very aristocratic and well cultured.
No Dearest, I am not able to tell you what part of Maryland the old graveyard is. Neither can I tell you in what part of Maryland Grandfather settled. More than I know he landed in Maryland but could not say how manny (sic) years he lived there. But you can rest assured that they were of nobility for a truth.
Yes it is too true about poor Myrtle. I am expecting her two little girls on Satturday. (sic) She wrote me that she would like to send Julia up about the middle of this month, as the girls all object to living with her on account of the children. And I wrote to her to send both Julia and Berta, on Satturday and I will try and keep them for her sake untill (sic) she gets well, if it is in the good fathers will. She is getting her same old nurse, but has to have a kitchen girl beside. Now must close as it is allmost (sic) eleven oclock. Will have to ask you to excuse my led (sic) pencil, also the dreadful writing. love to all, Your loving Aunt J

The following letter is handwritten on United States Senate, Washington D.C., letterhead. Written at the top of it is: "Copied from Dr. Wolf's letter to my Brother-in-law, by Rosa V. B. Hamilton, Great Great Grand daughter of Elizabeth Grove Wolf. Mrs. John M. Hamilton, Shippensburg, Cumb. Pa."

Shelbyville, Ind.
March 23rd 1900.
Edwin A. Niess,
Dear Sir, Yours of the 21st at hand and contents noted. In answer I will say that in 1866 there was a rumor that there was a very large estate over in Holland belonging to the Grove heirs, then valued at $20,000,000. My father Dr. Jacob Grove Wolf had considerable correspondence about the matter with many of the Grove heirs - and it was finally decided to send a man by the name of Ewing to look after the matter. This Ewing then lived in Ohio and was an attorney. After collecting quite a sum of money from the heirs - and a considerable time had elapsed - he reported that there was nothing for us and there the matter dropped. It was generaly supposed that this man never investigated the matter, but simply got all he could out of the heirs and dropped the matter. In a letter from Jacob F. Grove, Baltimore, Feb 1st 1866 to my Father, he stated that he had been traveling in Pennsylvania a short time previous and attended a meeting of the Grove family, and learned that Hans Graff fled from Switzerland to England in 1695 and finally came to this country. He had 6 sons, Peter, David, John, Daniel, Mark, and Samuel. The above John had 2 sons - Jacob and Henry. The above Jacob had, Catherine, Elizabeth, Philip, John, Stephen, Paul, Henry, Jacob and Peter, all born in Sharpsburg, Washington Co., Md. Stephen Grove had William, Elizabeth, Catherine and Jacob F., the writer of the letter mentioned herein. I have also in my possession a letter from Daniel L. Grove of Baltimore written in 1866, who says the original name was Graff not Grove - and that a Mr. Wolf married a Miss Grove near Sharpsburg, but he did not state the given or first name of Wolf - and was not certain but he thought the maiden name of the wife was Catherine Grove. Now here come the trouble with me - Through parties in Pennsylvania my Father was lead to think that his Grandfather Peter Wolf married a Grove whose maiden name was Elizabeth Grove. The main point with me now is to find out who was Elizabeth Grove's father - and so on back as far as possible - also what Wolf married a Grove near Sharpsburg, a letter from George Keely about the same time - (then 78 years old) says that he well remembers that Peter Wolf and his wife made yearly visits to Maryland to look after an estate left the wife by her Father. this George Keely married a sister (Julia Ann Wolf) of my Grandfather, Jacob Wolf and resided at Millerstown Penna. my Grandfather was born near Little Rock, Pennsylvania and had four sosns, Jesse, John, Henry and my Father Jacob G. Wolf who is now past 77 and the only one of the sons living at this time. In daughters he had Julia A, Mary Ann and two other children who died in infancy. George Keely has now living two Grandsons, Charles C., Harrisburg, Penna and Ulysses G. in New York City. I expect to hear from Charles in a few days in regard to an old Testament that his Grandfather Geo. Keely claims to have had and as belonging to John Grove who came to Lancaster Co. Penna - in 1744 giving a description of the stormy voyage ect while crossing the ocean. My Father thinks his Grandmother was a direct descendant from this John or Hans Grove. (It is said that John and Hans are one and the same name) a few days ago I received a letter from Robert W. Grove, Sharpsburg and he promised to go to Hagerstown Md (the county seat of Washington Co) and look into the marriage records there. He also stated that Hans Groff was buried in German Cemetary at Sharpsburg. Here I will say that the Jacob F. Grove referred to is dead and has living now four daughters - Salome F. Nowel, Mt. Clair New Jersey, Alicy McCoy, Gap, Penna, Anna R. Fulton and Katherine Register, Baltimore Md. The last named has written me a letter in which she says Mary Grove, sister of Daniel L. married a Mr. Locker and lives in Harrisburg, Penna. She also writes that Mrs. Alice Gibson of Shepardstown, W. Va. is connected in some way with the Daniel Grove family.
I have been trying to find the whereabouts of the old Hans Graff Bible, but as yet I have no trace. But I think from what Jacob F. Grove wrote in 1866, that this Bible must be in possession of some of the heirs in Pennsylvania. He stated that his information was obtained from said Bible still in possession of the family and that it could have been secured at that time. the question now is where it was at that time and who has it now. I will state here that through a newspaper I learned that this Hans Graff Estate was being investigated by a man by the name of James A. Groft, who claims to be a great Grandson. I wrote to him and he informed me that as yet he knew but little, but desired all the information that he could get, and that he expected to shortly publish a circular concerning the same and asked me in the meantime to get all information I could and inform him. I have heard nothing more from him.
So I will close by kindly asking you for anything that you may learn about my family History. I would especially like to trace the orgin of my Great Grandmother Peter Wolf's wife - whose maiden name was Grove or Graff.
Wm. R. WolfM
Dentist -
Shelbyville, Ind.
Box 386
P.S. The Hans Graff estate is now said to be valued at $150,000,000. Dr. Calvin Shull of Mt. Pelier Ind is a relative. His Grandmother was a sister of my Grandfather Wolf.

Newport - June 17th 1900,
Dear Niece,
Will try and scribble you just a few lines. Am not at all well. Could not go to Sunday School or Church today. So thought it no harm to talke just a few words to you through aid of pen and ink. Am sick so much which has rendered me very careless or rather more forgetful. Therefore am unable to say whether I owe you a letter or not. think I wrote to Carrie last, but can not say as for you.
Suppose Carrie is with you at this time, as she wrote me that she expected to visit you shortly after she had written to me. Poor soul. She has my deepest sympathy in regards her helth (sic). Think thos hemorrhoids are just something dreadful, and so many people are affliced with them, but do hope by this time she is much better if not entirely well. The Dr. says there is no cure for me now but open air. Which I have been indulging in quite freely when my health permits. Think too that it is benefiting me quite a good deal as far as strength is concerned, but then my sore feet which there seems to be no cure found is the one thing detrimental to my much walking.
Suppose you have heard nothing further about the fortune unless Carrie has heard through Mr. Woolf. Mrs. Carr was in Harrisburg at Chas. Keelys and he told her to tell me that if we would get it at all, it would come in side of a year.
He was down in Maryland and found out all about the old ancestors as far as he could. They told him that they never had a family record in the old Bibles, that they went by the Coat of Arms and that he could find old Grandfathers in Philadelphia Museum. So Charles Keely is going to visit that next. He said all the Groffs there is just as rich as Jews. They told him that when Grandfather Graff died he was worth twentyone million in this country, beside what he had to leave in the old, and we suppose that was the estate that they were settling up at that time. When our people here were notified about a fortune amoung (sic) the Graffs ares (sic) and that anyone connected with them were to report by sending so much money to a Lawyer in Maryland who had at that time under took the case. And Papa and Grandma with others thought it was only a money making scheme for the Lawyers and would run no risks to send them any aid in the matter. So the estate was settled up and the accounts filed and that has left us out in the cold as far as that is concerned. But Keeley says the money is there in the old country yet, and has not been taken up by the state and that Dr. Woolf says he is spending lots of money to get it, and that he has lots of money to spend.
So if I am so fortunate as to get mine, the first thing I do is to fix up dear old Fathers and Mothers semetory (sic) lot as it came through Mama and I will ahve a large monument erected and all the small stones removed. And your Parents included as well who are lying
REST OF THE LETTER IS MISSING

This is another letter hand copied with the notation: "copied from a letter to my sister, Mrs. E.A. Niess, Rosa V.B. Hamilton"

Shelbyville, Ind.
Jan'y 30th 1901
Mrs. Carrie Niess:
My Dear Friend.
Your letter of Sep't. 26, 1900 came to hand in due time - but as I had nothing of importance to write at the time, I passed it by, and now although I do not know of anything new, I concluded to write you just to show you that I had not forgotten you. I have tried very hard to get information from several of the Grove or Graff families in regard as to who Elizabeth Grove was before she married Peter Wolf. That is whose daughter she was. But most of them seem to take no interest in the matter - and I as yet have no positive proof whose daughter she was. My Great Grandfather, Peter Wolf was born May 14th 1757, and his wife Elizabeth on the 27th 1759. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Groff or Grove, and I am pretty well convinced, although no positive proff - that she was one of the 9 children of Jacob Groff, son of John Groff, one of the 6 sons of the original Hans Groaff who came to this country in 1695 or 1696.
Peter Wolf had 4 sons - Jacob Wolf (My Grandfather), Peter, Henry and Daniel. Also 4 daughters, Catherine, Julia Ann, wife of George Keely, Millerstown, Pa., Sarah, wife of Henry Shull, Mt. Pelier, Ind., and Mary who was married twice - first to Philip Troup, after his death to a man by the name of Lemon. George Keely has a grandson, Charles C. Keely, at No. 2136 Moore St., Harrisburg, Pa., who can give you lots of information.
You say that your mother's Grandmother's maiden name was Wolf. Who was her father. Was it one of my Grandfather's brothers, Peter, Henry or Daniel? Of course you understand that this said estate comes from the Grove or Graff side of the family and not from any of the Wolfs. Further back than my Great Grandfather, Peter Wolf, who married Elizabeth Grove.
In the Indianapolis Daily Sentinel, yesterday, I saw an item from Greensburg Ind. stating that the heirs of the estate of Hans Groff had been notified that a meeting of said heirs would shortly be held at Cincinnatti. I have no notice of the meeting. The Hon. Jas. A. Graff of Cincinnati has been interesting himself in this estate, perhaps more than anyone elsl. But I have not heard anything f rom him for about a year. He promised to keep me posted, but as I said before, I have heard nothing and as to getting information, Charles C. Keely has done more than all the rest combined, and deserves much credit for what is known on the Wolf side.
I have a cousin, Mrs. Agnes Mateer - maiden name Agnes Wolf, and daughter of Jesse Wolf. My Father's oldest Brother who was the first of 1899 living at McVeytown, Penna. The Rev. Eugene H. Mateer is her husband. Perhaps you may come across her sometime.
Wm. R. Wolf, Shelbyville Ind.

Newport March 13, 1901
My Dear Niece.
Your kind letter received will answer at once but must be brief as Maggie Dukes is with us and have no time to write much. Thanks for the invitation to the reception, but will have to decline the invitation, but we are certainly sorry to do it as we would just love to be present with you, know it will be grand.
Now I have had a little more news about our fortune, and suppose Chas Keely has written to Carrie. He was up at Mrs. Kate Carrs, last evening, and told her to tell me that I should not be discouraged that they have a brighter look-out-now, Dr. Woolf wants every one of us to write and tell him all we know in the way of being related, so Carrie & you both must write, Ellie Adams, Cloyd Bender, Mrs. Carr, Phill Troup and all who clame a relationship to the Graffs, Now Dr. Woolf says they are after Grandma marriage certificate which they think is in the old Church record if they can find it and says they are on pretty good track of ot now which will explain the whole affair. Mr. Chas Keely says he expects to meet you and Carrie in Hbg, next week. Seems he either was down again to see that Old Miss Julia Graff again or heard from her some how but this time she has given him quite a bit of satisfaction.
Think I will write out to Dr. Woolf this evening if I can get the time, but if there is any thing in it, it will have to take time. And I will be so glad if you and Carrie sees Chas Keely your selves and he can tell you so much better than I can. As he first tells Mrs. Carr and then she comes up and tells me. So you see in that way we both might get things a little mixed , so to sure and to meet him.
Must close now. Lovingly your
Aunt Julia

Waterville, Me.
April 22, 1902
My Dearest Sister -
We have just been having a terrible thunder shower but it seems to be clearing off now. Had a long letter from Dr. Wolf, he is getting quite affectionate. ha! ha! he now calls me his dear and says he won't stop writing to me now until I tell him to ha! ha!
He wants me to find out the name of the Lawyer who is engaged in Holland in hunting up the fortune. I wrote and asked Miss Julia who he was and if she knew his address? I think I am the fellow is hunting it up. They all seem to be afraid of Miss Julia and expect me to ask all the questions, she will get weary of me soon. Why don't Dr. Wolf write to her himself? I've told him half a dozen times that she would like to hear from him. He says he can trace us clear down now to Hans and the next thing is to find out where the Elizabeth & Peter were married. I also asked Miss Julia this. In my old German book is the birth of Philip Troup Grandma Lemon's husband "Philip Troup born 1789 Oct. 28. You better copy it for Hun says we must have the names and ages & death of all the husbands too. When I come down I'll bring the book along. We are not to housekeeping you won't need to sit in the house on account of my beautiful wardrobe this summer as I only have one new dress I that I made the skirt myself, then I have my shirt waists but I have been wearing thm right along. They fit O.K. you know I never could make shirt waists but am very much pleased with these. Thanks for the papers I certainly do enjoy them. My! I am sorry for poor Sallie it's a shame for she worked so hard. Have you done any of the darned work doilies? I made a green one and have a yellow one to do. I think they are so pretty, it goes so fast. I made a good sized one in two days.
Wish I had some of your fresh bread and rolls and your good ginger bread. I sent you Uncle Terry let me know if you get it alright. I'll let you know as soon as I hear from Miss Julia what she says, for I have asked some very pointed questions don't know if she will answer or not. Write me a big fat letter soon. Will let you know as soon as we move. Our best love to all. Do you think it will be alright to leave our stuff with Grant H.? don't forget to tell me ask Mr. H. what he thinks of it.
Always your same Devoted sister Cad.

(No Date! but in envelope
dated 8 Dec 1905)
Dearest Sister -
This is sweep day but I will tell you what you want to know - Miss Julia's sister is Mrs. Alice Gibson and her son's name is Hop. When I was visiting you I invited her in your and my name to come by and stop off a day or so, you said I should at the time.
No, this is not cousin Alice Gibson who is visiting for she is near Mammas age and never went to school with Mrs. A. But she must be related along Hance Graff line. You can tell h er I have a copy of the Hance Graff Coat of Arms as used by the members of the Grove family in Phila. Tell her this and she will know you are related. This is your line Hans, son John, grandson Jacob, great grand daughter Elizabeth Wolf. Grandma Lemon, Grandma Ziegler, Mamma, You. Yess all the Groves are very wealthy. It was Miss Julia who told the woman about you for she claims us sure and fast. Kate Stevens add. is Mrs. Jos. Irving, 2559 Franklin St.
I tell you about the Coat of Arms later. I've got it from that Lawyer in Phia. (sic) We are getting quite gay ha! ha! I nearly die laughing at his letters as does Hun. He must be about 60 years old.
Was down town shopping all day yesterday have all my presents ready to send. Hope you will make good use of what I have for you, Nellie helped select it. Now honey, I must git.
Lovingly Cad
Come down for Christmas can't you? Answer

Dec. 5, 1905
Dearest Sister: -
Just finished three letters but will scratch you a few lines before I quit. It keeps me busy writing letters. I have written to a Lawyer in Phila. and had an awfully cute letter from him, I was told by a Mrs. Jacob Grove in Md. that this Lawyer had a family tree of the Groves she sent me his address and I wrote him. He said what he had gathered could scarcely be called a tree but might be dignified by the name "shrub" ha! ha! He is a descentant of Marcus Graff and has no record of the Wolfs.
I do not know who fought in the Rev. War, but Hun is going to find out from the War. Dept. then I'll let you know. I just got the record of my Grandma Carvell - Mary Carvell was Pa's stepmother, but Rebecca Mark was his mother. Did you keep any of those old letters Pa got from those Marks out west, or might the address be on the back of that picture of them in a group. I wish you would look for now that I'm in the business I'm going to do it right. ha! ha! I'm going to write to that Harrison Carvell in N.Y. Hun is going to get his address in the N.Y. Directory in the P.O. Dep't. I'll bet you wouldn't do it. ha! ha! We had Hun's cousin Albert Niess for dinner Thanksgiving day. We were talking about looking up our ancestors and Hun said I had mine traced back to Alsace Germany. Buzz looked so funny and said "the question now is who was Adam's great grandfather" We certainly did laugh, it sounded so funny.
I am trying to get ready for Christmas but dear me the stores are so full one does not know what to select. Indeed I have to laugh. Nellie had a manicure set on her list and I said "what would be the use of our speding several dollars for a manicure set when you keep your nails all chewed down". So for the past week she has come every day to show me how long her nails are ha! ha! I guess she will get it. Buzz wants a students desk. My! I'd like to get them everything they want.
I have not seen Mrs. MCCrary for over a week. Guess she is busy getting settled. My grocer just sent me tickets to the "Food Show". It is quite a big affair.
Did I tell you the Abotts are back from California? Were gone six months at Govt. expense. I have not seen them yet but hope to soon, for I am very fond of her. Albert Niess knows Harvey Runkle very well. They live just a square and half from them and were school mates.
Cant you and Mr. H. come down for Xmas? When you come I'll let you read my collection of letters. I'm sure you will be interested.d I want to go down town tomorrow to do some shopping. We (the kids and I) were down all day last Friday - took lunch with Hun. Must "cut out my komona" and make it as soon as I can for my summer ones are rather cool these mornings.
Write me a fat letter soon. How does John like his job? Our love to all.
Lovingly Sister
Cad

Newport March 4th 1907
My Dear Rosa,
I do not owe you a letter but can not wait longer and expect you have been kept busy getting ready for the wedding. As those affairs take work. Would have written what I want to talk about, in Carries letter but had closed her letter and sent it off before I thought about it. It is concerning our fortune which we have to be cheated out of just because we can not prove what our Grandmothers Great grandfathers first name was. Dr. Woolf wrote in to Charley Keely saying taht he as well as the rest of us would be cut out entirely if there was no writings to prove our selves belonging to the Graff heirs. And he sais (sic) he thinks it so strange that there is no one here who knows or even tryes (sic) to help him find out anything except his cousin Chas Keely and Mr. Niece. He sais (sic) that Niece is certainly a smart man. Now Aby says for his part he would not know where to commence, as it has always been a hidden mistry (sic) to him. The Maryland heirs ary (sic) very much interested about it just now. So are the Grafs in Cleaveland (sic) Ohio, and they are all so wealthy already, and to think they will get one hundred million more divided among them which we should have part. They say the Maryland Grafs have kept a stich (sic) record of all their ancestors, and could probably tell us of our great-great-grandfather, but they can't get any satisfaction out of them. It is now published in the Philadelphia Inquire (sic). I will send you a slip which you can read for your self, and it reads just as our old Grandma had said, that her great-grandpa had fled from Holland because he would not take up arms, and fight against the Christains,(sic) and that he had landed in Maryland and that they were ship recked (sic) and all their goods were saturated with water and their old Books show it plain but as they are leaving now to get the money (which Dr. Woolf says is over a hundred million) and that we must show our claim in writing or else we are not in it and he thinks if we could only find the old German bible that that would proved us all right. But Aby had advertised in the papers, and have serched (sic) through every county around but not a remnant can be found, and every body who knows anything about it is dead so who could tell us a thing. And Aby sais too that there is no law in the world that can help us to claim our right unless we have writings to prove us heirs. Oh I just think it can't be that we can not scratch up proof some where. If my Great Grandma had never moved away from Maryland to Millerstown I suppose then we would be all right. Ask Carrie if she thinks that Mr. Niece might be able to find out any thing concerning the Heirs, when he travels throu (sic) Maryland. he is so quick that he might draw their minds out. Where Chas Keely could not. He maid (sic) a special trip down to find out all he could, but one old Aunt seemed to be the only one who would tell him much of anything. And she would not give him much satisfaction, more than she told him that when old Grandpa Graff died he was worth 21 million in this country, and that we did not lay in our claim and that was the reason why we got nothing.
I think it is a dirty shame that we must be kept out of what lawfuly belongs to us. And yet if it would be Gods will that we should have it, I am quite sure that we would get it.
I am still a prisoner to the house, took a back by going out too soon and now it is six weeks that I have been in doors.
But am still looking for you and Carrie. Maggie Duke will pay us a visit on the twelth of this month. And am looking anytime for Mrs. Fleisher from Greensburg, had a letter from her that she would be with us soon but mentiioned no date.
Must close, but write soon and tell me what you and Carrie thinks (sic) about our lost fortune (Too bad)
Love to all from both
Ever your loving
Aunt Julia

return to Linda's family history

Return to our Homepage