Since our last post on Levi Holbrook, Jr., more valuable information has been sent our way by faithful and interested readers. Firstly, we’d like to offer a HUGE thank you to David Scott Kirby of Atlanta, Georgia who sent us the first three letters to Levi from Levi’s wife, Viola. Mr. Kirby has since sent us two more of these wonderful letters. We are so excited to have these treasures of Danville’s past. Thank you! Secondly, a reader in Richmond, Mr. Robert Kingery sent us a death notice for Levi Jr. The astute reader will remember our reference to Mr. Holbrook’s obituary published in the Massachusetts, New York, and New Hampshire papers, but, as it turns out, his friends in Virginia, and most notably in Danville, did not hear of his death until a full three years later!
A search through digitally archived newspapers for this date shows this notice being published across the state to the shock of the Virginians who knew him. Notice they give no indication of when it was he died (he passed away 26 July 1922). The other thing worth noting is the brief review of Mr. Holbrook’s life, including the fact that his mother left Danville with him in tow. That’s a different account than the one typically found in references about Levi Holbrook, Jr. It has been previously reported that his mother died just shy of a year after his birth of Tuberculosis and that he was thereafter sent to his mother’s family to be raised in Massachusetts. It’s possible the family simply traveled back and forth, as Levi Jr. was apparently well known in Danville (he did spend some time here after finishing college) but it does leave one to wonder if life in Massachusetts simply suited her better than a life with her husband and whether or not Levi Jr.’s preoccupation with his business life was somehow passed onto him by his father. These are suppositions, of course, and we cannot know, but it is nevertheless interesting to read of this alternate version of previously understood history. The notice also refers to Mrs. Holbrook as Levi Sr.’s widow, but records do show that she died in February of 1836, while Dr. Holbrook died in his old age in 1872. Levi Jr. was buried in the same plot as his father and mother in Westborough, Massachusetts.
And now for the letters!
Our previously received letters were written in August of 1881. These are from September and October of that same year, both from the family home in Northborough, Mass.
Sept. 8, 1881
My own dear husband,
From letter rec’d this morning, am delighted with the thought of again being with you. I replied as soon as I got it, for my letter cannot go out until five this p.m. Everyone says they will do all they can for Clark and for me not to take him. I will do as you think best. You will tell me what to do after the telegram I sent. Eliza will be here all the time and Aunt Susan Hannah and Barbara both say they will do all they can – but if you think on the whole it will be better to bring him, I will do so.
What follows is some neighborhood gossip and Viola’s further efforts to get away to see her husband without bringing their nine year-old son along. Then more gossip:
Walter left to be married Tuesday. I pity him so. I am confident he has no moral sense left.
Devotedly your own wife, Viola
And a post script:
Thermometer 105 degrees in the shade yesterday.
Oct. 16, 1881
My own dear husband,
If you had kept me posted as well at P.O. 8-36 (Boston address) you would have had a letter. I was in Boston Friday and did not get your letter until last night. Too late to send and to post it.
We went to Boston Friday, your aunt, cousin Eliza, and myself. We drove up to J.B. Kimballs, where Eliza is visiting. Mrs. J.B. invited us to dine at 2:30 pm which we did. I went with your aunt and bought the carpet. I refused to be made so utterly tired, and took your aunt to Mrs. Denny’s in the afternoon. Your aunt stayed with the Kimballs and went there next morning to spend the morning with Mrs. Aaron Kimball. George K. is ill in bed with typhoid fever, so I did not see any of his family.
I left Clark with Hannah and Barbara. I think those girls get along wonderfully well together considering Barbara’s temper.
Now don’t scold—you told me I could do as I liked—my tooth ached for three days and nights—that heavy ache, which means business. I hurried to go to Dr. Fetchers Friday to do something for it and as he said, and I know it was going to ulcerate, I had it out, and I feel SO thankful to you for saying I might and it feels so much better in my pocket. I cannot tell you how glad I am.
I have looked over the whole very carefully and can save only $1.50 by going home by boat. Pris says I won’t have to pay for Clark and the B.A.R.R. I dread the boat this time of year.
Your wife, Viola
Post script written upside down on previous page:
Frank (Name) was sent to sea for his health and died. Was buried at sea.
Again, we express our gratitude to both Mr. Kirby and Mr. Kingery for helping us to know Mr. Levi Holbrook, Jr. a little better.
