The Thomas A. Edison Papers Digital Edition

[The images for this folder are not currently available.]

These five undated letters by Edith Clarissa Edison (1870-1947), first cousin of Thomas A. Edison, are addressed to "Blackie"—a nickname that Edith gave to Mina Miller Edison. They were written during the period August 22-31, 1898, when Mina was in Akron, along with her six-week-old son, Theodore. Mina had traveled to Ohio to attend the funeral of her brother, Theodore W. Miller, who had died of his wounds after the Battle of San Juan Hill. Included are comments about the activities of Mina's other children, Madeleine and Charles, whom Edith was watching while their mother was away. There are also remarks about Thomas Edison, including his work at the ore separating plant in Ogden, New Jersey, and a visit by Admiral William T. Sampson at his West Orange laboratory on August 30. Other topics mentioned in the correspondence include Theodore Miller's death and funeral, William L. Edison's service in the First New York Regiment of Volunteer Engineers, and Grace Miller's impending move to Atlanta to teach French at the Washington Female Academy.