Maude

An epistle Maude wrote as a teenager
Maude Wickham Roe

Wickham: History Family Father Mother Alice Edna Ross Maude Genevieve Ancestry Home

Maude was born May 1886 in Paterson, New Jersey. There are many pictures of an active, fun-filled family life.

Here is Vieva, Maude and Ross playing the banjo--on tennis rackets. Picture was labeled, "Summer."

CONTENTS

At pier with son, Robert

See the epistle below that Maude wrote to Vieva when Maude was a teenager.

Pictured here with her sister, Vieva, in front of a Wickham statute in Richmond, Virginia, a southern branch of the Wickhams. This was taken at Monroe Park, between Franklin and Bolvidere - Main and Laurel Streets, the Virginia Commonwealth University Area.

PHOTO
On a picnic

FAMILY
Maude married Ernest A. Roe. They had one son, Robert, pictured here at the pier with his mother.

Sweet little Vieva Wickham

"Dear Madame."

     I now take pen in hand (ink too) to write you a few lines to be read on board your boat or where the directions on the cover tell you to.
     I suppose you have had your dinner- I hope Papa will let you eat something more than a lemon.
     Well I can imagine the way you look now - the following is a rough sketch of the way I think you will look about the time you are reading this.

Oh! I forgot, I guess the sun will have "got" a little lower down.
     Then a little later you will get sleepy and go to bed. - -

Ahem! Here is a little good advise -
1. Take a chicken sandwitch up to your room if you only ate a lemon for dinner.
2. Turn the sheet of your cot over the blankets before you get in bed so the - the ah -- "angels won't bite you." If you don't understand I think "Goliath" will explain to you as he was the one that put me wise.
3. Don't put a leach in your tooth mug.
4. Notice what is written on the pretty pink gas shades in the hall. (It will probably save you a good deal of hunting around.) Take the advise of an old sailor like me. Ahem!

About half past four in the early morning I imagine you will wake and get curious like I did. For the boat stops and you will hear lots of people walking past the door.
If you peek out be sure and close the door as any one goes by - because they might glance in. I didn't look out of my window very long because my nose got cold.

Then perhaps you will eat your sandwitch sitting up in bed -

- but all my prophecies may be wrong and you may sleep until morning when "Pater" bangs his hand (or head) against the partition to wake you.

Then you will hurry and dress. Be sure not to leave your rings in your state room as I did (had to go back for them). Then breakfast and - then all aboard the train for Bridgewater.

NEWS PAPER, BLOOMFIELD
Miss Vieva Wickham is to spend two weeks in Mass. with friends.

Oh! Horrors! That man was supposed to be Papa but I guess it had better be some person who occupied the other half of your seat when you got in - we will say it is Mr. Stetson - Don't know but it looks like him!!!

Soon - "All off for Bridgewater" and

I've grinned about three minutes over that picture. The man is Papa - and not one of those young men Papa was afraid would flirt with you when you are all fixed up so nicely.

(I must hurry for Papa is home and I am afraid I won't have time to finish this.)

Well, deary, I hope you have a lovely time. If you get tired of reading this why don't bother to finish it. Good time to tell you, isn't it?

Say! Isn't Allie's letter witty? She's most as smart as my "dear little Ma."

Those are kisses. Again wishing that you will have a lovely time.

I am
your little sister ----

Pleasant dreams and sweet repose to Pater.

END OF LIFE
When Robert was a teenager, Maude entered a mental hospital where she remained for most of the rest of her life. She died March 22, 1969.