Letter to an English Landscape Architect, November 12, 1991. Part II

I truly enjoyed listening to your ideas this summer, [English Landscape Architect]. I think a number of them are very good ones that may work. You should consider writing them down, if you haven't already. The key thing in making change work, is translating ideas into practical steps that can be achieved, or at least tried, in little, manageable steps. 

Revolutionary ideas, like ones dealing with new ways of living with the world, & with nature, & with each other, always meet with stiff resistance. Some resistance is valid. People's counterarguments should be well-considered, & not brushed aside as rubbish without a fair hearing. People don't like to be preached at, nor told what they're doing is all wrong.

I believe that change can only be effected on a small scale, working from the community level, but also simultaneously working to change the attitude and practices of government, and people within national boundaries, and beyond them. 

There is only so much one person can do alone, but in conjunction with others, grander goals can be reached for. There is so much that needs to be changed, that there is plenty for anyone who wants to, to work for those changes, or for even some of them. 

Some people may prefer to live in model communities, to serve as examples of how things could work throughout the world. Others may work better within the existing structure & system, in professional or political spheres. 

But I'm convinced of one thing: it's far easier to talk about change than to actually work for it & sustain a momentum for it.

I've tried to live half in and half out of the existing framework of American society. But it is frustrating to do so, & I've decided to work within the educational system, to work toward long-term attitudinal changes, beyond nationalism and beyond the present tendency to live wastefully and even wantonly. 

I think it's important for people to try to work in harmony with others of a similar outlook; or at least to stay in touch, to keep up and learn from others where possible. . .

I also hope that this letter finds you well, and that your family is fine. Please send my best wishes to them. I will get around to sending your grandparents the info. they wanted about ICOMOS, as soon as ICOMOS gets around to sending it to me.

Take care, [English Landscape Architect].

                                                       Yours truly [&c.] 

Letter to an English Landscape Architect, November 12, 1991. Part I

Tuesday, Nov. 12th 1991
Durham, NC

Dear [English Landscape Architect],

The time between my leaving England and writing this now is about ten weeks, which seems at the same time both actual and surreal. 

Working for the AIDSTECH Division of Family Health International as a temporary secretary for three people, one of them the deputy director, another a "Condom Logistics Specialist," and all of whom are women adds to the mixture of actuality & surreality. 

I can appreciate the trials and tribulations of permanent secretaries, without having to become fully embroiled in long-term bureaucratic politics and power relationships. I can leave whenever I like, being a temporary; on the other hand, I've made several friends and I can probably stay through December, and since AIDSTECH is a better place to work than a bank or a for-profit corporation, I'll probably stay. 

Fighting the spread of AIDS, particularly in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and Southeast Asia is a good cause, though the attitude occasionally seems at times to dip into patronizing.

Out of eleven secretaries, two of us are men. Stephen F. is an ex-minister who worked in West Virginia until, after a month, he decided he'd had enough. His father is a Swedish Lutheran minister living in New Jersey. Patricia M. is a Classics student, she has a Ph.D in ancient languages, & here she is working as a secretary! Several people are working between "here & there," deciding what to do next, or like me, about to move on.

I'll be moving in early January to Philadelphia, and will set off in a couple of weeks for an exploratory visit. My history program begins on January 20, 1992. Living in London has prepared me well.

I really enjoyed spending the summer in greater London, both in Clapham and downtown. 

London is perhaps fifty times larger than Durham, North Carolina. The entire metro area here, the Research Triangle -- including Chapel Hill & the University of N.C.; Durham & Duke Univ. & N.C. Central University; and the state capital of Raleigh & N.C. State University -- may have 600,000 or 700,000, which is still only about one-tenth of London's population.

At the same time, this area has seen an increase in crime. In the last year, there's been a 45% rise (according to statistics-driven social scientists) in violent crime, with more murders than in all of London during the same time span. 

This is a more openly violent, and certainly more gun-toting country than England; we're a nation under arms. Some guy in Texas, just a few weeks ago, drove his truck into a cafeteria and gunned down 27 people; and not long after that, a Chinese Ph.D student in physics shot seven people at the University of Iowa.

I'm looking forward to Oliver Stone's new movie about the Kennedy assassination, because of its commentary and apparent indictment of violence in the U.S.  

I'm not sure how we'll get out of this mentality, but we should start with sensible gun control and improved humanist education. Whatever, it will take a long time.        

[End Part I.]

Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn to Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie, May 5, 1817

[Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn [at or near Lynchburg, Virginia], to Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie [at Pharsalia,] Nelson County, Virginia, May 5, 1817, conveyed “by Uncle George.” Massie Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers. Extra paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading. Internal note, made much later, says "1815" but it's more likely 1817.]

                                                                       May 5, 1817

Dear Sally,

As I know a letter is never unacceptable especially from one of the family, I have determined to write you however short my letter may be; you mentioned in your last to write you all the knews [news] that was stirring. I hear of none except that Crawford has again attempted to get his wife and children to live with him but she most positively refused, I suppose he expected after Mrs. Austen's death that Charlotte would come in for a part of the property, it is I believe the general impression when they first met she appeared to know him but her mind soon became disordered she told him he was a very faebale [feeble] sort of a fellow and if he would pluck the grey hairs out of his head he ought get a young wife that she had a very pretty little Daughter she would give him. 

I am told Miss Esther intends living with Mrs. Watts, I still hear Betsy Irvin[?] is to be married but can't tell when Miss Peggy is  . . and I expect assisting about the wedding cloaths [clothes] tis only my conjecture, poor Charlotte Scott lays at the point of death she has miscarried, expected to have had it next month. Mrs. Clark went down a few days ago to see her and has not returned yet.

I was very near forgetting to write you that Mrs. Johnston had staid [stayed] two or three days with Papa and says she would like to live here very much. I think she must want to take the old gentleman in.

We have broke up housekeeping are staying with Pappa, you may expect Shorts and Tom about the 4th of the month Shorts is in search of Land and if he could get any in your neighborhood that would suit him at 10$ would purchase I expect, I am more outrageous [outraged] at the thoughts of going to Tenesee [Tennessee] than ever, do pray return with Tom.

Uncle George says he does not know how you can contain yourself at home so much, come up and take a look at my fine son. I am sure you would not believe the account you say you hear of him he is the sweetest little fellow you ever saw; Baldy talks of giving a great supper but has no Cook you may guess what sort of an affair it will be.

John Benton is completely deranged also Mrs McClelland. 

[M]y love to Mr. Massie and believe me dear Sally to be your Affectionate Sister Lucinda

you see Mrs. Penn has put a postscript here.

N.B. Have seen a speck in the Sun am stark-staring mad -- more so than Mrs. Crawford. 

[L. Penn = Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1854) in 1814.

Sally = Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828), who married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814.

Mrs. Johnston = unclear. Possibly Elizabeth Prentiss "Betsey" Steptoe Johnston (1783-1820). Mr. Johnston = Charles Johnston (1769-1833).

Miss Peggy = probably Peggy Bradfute.

Charlotte Austin Crawford married Samuel L. Crawford, July 19, 1800, by James Mitchell, Bedford County, Virginia. Note: William C. Mitchell married Lucie M. Crawford on December 15, 1851, also in Bedford.

Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826), residing at Federal Hill.

My fine son = James Steptoe Penn (March 20, 1817-1854). 

Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).
Shorts = unsure who this is. 
Baldy = unsure who this is.

Uncle George = possibly George Steptoe (1785-1862), who was married to Maria Anne Thomas Steptoe (1792-1872), but he was Lucy’s older brother; their Uncle George Steptoe (1748-1802) had presumably died in 1802, though these vital details are not fully verified.]

[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]   

John Preston Johnston to Susan Smith Preston Radford, April 18, 1842

[John Preston Johnston (aka Johnstone) at West Point, New York, to Susan Smith Preston Radford at Greenfield, Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia, April 18, 1842, to Box 26, Folder 13, Robert Morton Hughes Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library, Old Dominion University Libraries, Norfolk, VA 23529. This is my rough transcription. Extra paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]

My dear Aunt

Yrs of 14^th March was received in due time, and by way of following the good example which you therein set me as to answering letters, I sit down to answer yours just three weeks after the reception, which for me, is quite an improvement in regard to all my correspondents, save Lizzy, to whom I always make a point of writing at least once a fortnight; and though I cannot promise you to be by any means an interesting correspondent, or at all times a very punctual one, yet, if you will only be as faithful in answering my epistles, as you were in the last case, I will trouble you with them as often as I can spare time and raise the energy; & tho’ more do I now wish you to write to me, as I have no longer any one, as Lizzy, in Virginia to give me news of my relations there, & consequently am kept in perfect ignorance of every thing concerning them.

Speaking of Lizzy reminds me that she told in her last (which I received only a day or so ago) that she had written you a long letter; a thing I had been trying to get her to do for some time past, but the truth is, that she is as lazy if not lazier about letter writing than myself, & nothing is more difficult for her to do than to open a correspondence, & you must by no means attribute her not having written sooner, to any want of affection or love for Aunt Sarah or yourself, but simply to her aversion to writing; for would you believe that I have been trying for upwards of two years to induce her to write to Uncle Jo, whom she loves as much as any one in the world, and she never did it until the other day, when suddenly a fit of reason seized upon her, & she wrote to both of you about the same time; and I dare say that if you answer her letter &  impress upon her your anxiety for her to continue writing to you, she will not fail to do it. You must have received her letter before this, but in case you have not I will give you her address, which is

                                    “Care of Dr. E. Marks

                                             Barnhamsville

                                                Near

                                                  Columbia

                                                          S.C.”

She is much pleased with her school & shool [school] notes – when she will come to Virginia, she does not know; she will either come with Cousin Margaret, who will come in shortly to see Cousin Thom. married; or if not then, Uncle Syd will bring her in about the 1^st of June, the latter, more probably, as she does not like to lose so much time as she would have to lose, were she to come with Cousin Mary. In my last to her, I gave her, as you desired me to do, your pressing invitation to come and spend her holiday or a portion of it with you & Aunt Sarah.  

Cousin Eliza still continues silent & I really do not know where she is or any thing about her, I shall write again however to her, & direct to Fincastle, some time this month. I have been much mortified at her not writing to me, but I suppose that the settlement of the Gen’s affairs, moving over to Botetourt, &c., occupy all of her attention & time. If you ever see her I pray you do not fail to give her my best love & beg her to write again to me.

Of cousin Sally McDowell’s separation from her husband, I know nothing more than the mere fact that they have separated, & am not aware of any of the reasons which caused it; it certainly is, as you say, a “horrible affair,” but the marriage in the first place I have always considered a very unfortunate one from what I heard of his character: of course, I take it [for] [gr]anted, that “he is entirely to blame.”

I hope very much that Lizzy or Minnie will soon . . . to write me a letter; nothing would please me more than to get one written in their own hand; & tell Lizzy, that if she will knot me a pair of socks, I will send her the next great big paper that comes out, all covered with pictures as Susan Bowyer’s was.

Carlton comes on finely as usual, & no doubt will continue to get along very well, though as well as myself he does get tired of studying sometimes; in fact, his stay here has raised in him so belligerent a disposition, that he is hot for joining the Texans to invade Mexico, especially if he could get Winston to go out before-hand to see what kind of place it is!! As for myself, I incline rather to entering the service of the Grand Seigneur of Turkey, or of offering myself as Commander in Chief of his forces to the Chief of the Celestial Empire; I have no doubt but that I could cause the British to “clear out” in “Double Quick.”

I see that Wm Radford U.S.N. has been appointed to the command of a sloop of war, & has lately sailed from New Orleans with the American Minister for Mexico; last fall as soon as he was kicked by Miss Bruce he came to New York, & got “ordered for sea” to cure his broken heart, though Uncle Jo, who saw him there, says he didn’t mind it much. I hear, by the way, that they (the Misses B) have been in Washington city for some time, giving more magnificent & grand Levees, than even the President can afford.

Do make Uncle Radford write me a letter; I should so like to get one from him, or aunt Sarah, or Uncle Bowyer; & if in no other way, the next let[t]ers I write to Greenfield, shall be directed to Aunt Sarah, for I consider that when I write to one, I write to all, & indeed it is equivalent to it.

Nothing of any interest is now occurring, save that from the last advices there appears a little more hope of War, a very pleasing thing to us.

Give me love most affectionately to Aunt Sarah, & the whole of her family, forget not to remember me also to any of my relations or acquaintances in that pat of the world whom you may from time to time come across. As I have very little spare time, any letters have to be written by snatches & piecemeal, & I doubt whether they are very commendable for accuracy, so you must excuse them.

                                               Yr. nephew

                                                  J. Preston Johnstone

[p.s.] Carlton sends h[is love] to the whole of Greenfield, & so do I; oh [how we] wish we could only have a chance to co[me] see you this summer; but, at any rate, ther[e] is very  little over one year more & then Lt. Johnstone U.S.A. is his own man.   JPJ

[Susan = Susanna (Susan) Smith Preston Radford (1805-1857).

Preston = John Preston Johnston/aka Johnstone (1824-1847), eighteen-year-old cadet at the US Military Academy (Class of 1843).

Lizzy = Eliza Mary Johnston (1825-1909).

Aunt Sarah = Sarah Radford Preston Bowyer (1806-1848)

Uncle Jo = First Lieutenant Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891), US Corps of Topographical Engineers.

Dr. E. Marks = Elias Marks (1790-1886), head of Columbia Female College, known variously as Barhamsville Academy, Barhamsville Collegiate Institute and South Carolina Female Collegiate Institute. Lizzy was a boarding student there at the time.

Cousin Margaret = Margaret Buchanan Frances Preston Hampton (January 13, 1818-January 27, 1852); she had married Wade Hampton III (1818-1902) in Abingdon, Virginia, on October 10, 1838.

Cousin Thom. = Thomas Lewis Preston (1812-1903) married Elizabeth Watts (1822-1843) on September 18, 1842.

Uncle Syd = Algernon Sidney Johnston (1801-1852).

Cousin Mary = this could be one of several people, unless he means Margaret above.

Cousin Eliza Carrington = Elizabeth (Eliza) Henry Preston Carrington 1796-1877).

General Carrington = Edward Codrington Carrington (1790-1855).

Cousin Sally McDowell = Susanna “Susan” Smith Preston McDowell (1800-1847), was married to James McDowell (1795-1851). But how Cousin Sally McDowell fits into the puzzle, I’m not sure.

Lizzy = Elizabeth “Lizzy” Radford (1832-1898).

Minnie = Mary Anne “Minnie” Radford (1833-1878).

Susan Bowyer = one of the Bowyer clan.

Carlton = Richard Carlton Walker Radford (1822-1886), West Point Class of 1845.

Winston = Edmond Winston Radford (1820-1861), who married Ann Maria Norvell on October 2, 1844. He was later killed at the Battle of First Manassas / First Bull Run.

William Radford, U.S.N. (1809-1890). The sloop was the USS Ontario with sixteen guns. Radford had a storied career with the US Navy, siding with the Union during the American Civil War.

Miss Bruce = either Sarah “Sally” Bruce (1822-1882) or Ellen Carter Bruce (1820-1862) of Halifax County, Virginia, daughters of James Bruce (1763-1837), third wealthiest man in the USA at the time of his death. Sally married James Alexander Seddon (1815-1880) on December 23, 1845. Ellen married James Marion Morson (1817-1868) on September 13, 1843.

Uncle Radford = William Moseley Radford (1810-1873), husband of Susanna (Susan) Smith Preston Radford.

Uncle Bowyer = Henry Morton Bowyer (1802-1893), husband of Sarah Radford Preston Bowyer.]

[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]  

Nella Fontaine Binckley to Cousin Robbie, November 28, 1930

[Nella Fontaine Binckley at Washington, D.C., to Robert Morton Hughes at Norfolk, Virginia, November 28, 1930, Box 1, Folder 8: Nellie Brinkley [i.e. Nella Fontaine Binckley], 1927-1937, Robert Morton Hughes Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library, Old Dominion University Libraries, Norfolk, VA 23529]

Apt. 700. Portland Hotel [Portland Flats]. Washington, D.C.
November 28th 1930.

Dear Cousin Robbie:--

I received your letter of Sept. 27th and no answer being required, had not intended to send one. But I kept thinking of the matter, and it seems such a pity. And I have tried to think of some way of carrying out the plan.

None of us are young, and we are getting older every day. If anythings happens to me (life is uncertain), the family could make so advantageous an arrangement with any other artist of equal standing.

I am the poorest one of my family -- I have only what I earn -- also I would gladly paint the portrait for nothing, as a tribute to Uncle Joe. I have been wanting to paint one for years. But my expenses are heavy, and I cannot afford to give the time. And the cost of artists' materials has increased so enormously. For instance, a little bottle of retouching varnish I used to buy for 25 cents now costs me 90 cents! And other materials in proportion.

As your branch of the family is so very small, and, more over, its share of the expenses falls entirely on your shoulders alone, I would gladly wait for that $100. till you could spare it. This arrangement could be between us two, and no one else know of it.

If you could do the arranging of the matter with the other branches of the family, and got the thing started, I could get at the work. I paint much more rapidly than most other artists, but a large and important portrait would necessarily take me a good while to do, -- especially from a photograph. From life I can work much more quickly.

As Coralie offered to raise $100 from her branch -- and as their circumstances are, as far as I have heard, substantially the same as at that time -- I should think she could do it. Aunt [Sue?] told me, some time ago, that Joe was retired, on a small pension, I understood. That branch is so large the expense would fall lightly on the individual. 

Cousin Lavalette lives here, you know. Her daughter Mary had recently had a legacy, I understand. The last of the Riggs sisters for whom she kept house for many years, died last summer. They were very wealthy -- the Riggs National Bank family, you know. 

Our branch of the family is much larger than yours, also, though considerably smaller than Coralie's.

Aunt Sue has a comfortable pension, and her son Bennett is comfortable. Her daughter, Lil, has married again to a man of property, who is also Chief of the Forestry Service,-- without doubt at a very handsome salary.

My sister's husband, as you know, is a man of wealth. My brother George is comfortable, and all three of his children are doing well.

I am the Cinderella of the family. But I am willing to give more, individually, than anyone else,-- unless yourself. The frame would cost at least $100. I am sure.

I wish so much Mother could have had the very great joy and satisfaction which seeing the portrait would have given her. If the matter had only been put through at the time you broached the subject to Aunt Sue, -- more than three years ago -- it could have been concluded before she died, last January. My brother Harvey died this year too, you know.

Aunt Sue is now very old. I hope she may live to see it. It would give her, also, very great joy and satisfaction, I know.

Can you not get the ball rolling, and give her this satisfaction?

It would assuredly be a satisfaction to all of us to have an adequate portrait of Uncle Joe in Richmond and painted, moreover, by one who knew and loved him. I am perhaps the only artist now living who did know him.

It seems to me it would not only be a  thing we all would enjoy, but it is also a duty we own to Uncle Joe's memory. There is that statue in Georgia, but nothing in Virginia, -- is there? Except, of course, the bad picture you spoke of.

My own hands are tied in this matter, as you can see. My position is a delicate one. I cannot afford to do the work without some compensation. So I am reluctant to urge the affair, with the others. I am doing so with you as you were the one who proposed the plan to Aunt Sue, and she gave me your letter to answer, suggesting I should paint the portrait myself. And besides, I know you, and moreover, feel sure you will understand.

Coralie and Joe I knew as a child, but not since. The other Richmond cousins I have never seen. I have never been to Richmond. So they have hardly even heard of me. We are complete strangers.

Cousin Lavvie's family I never saw till about two years or so ago, when Mother went to board with them. 

If you could write to Aunt Sue and Coralie and ask them to arrange things with their respective cousins, and get things started before some of us die, I would get right to work. Time is slipping by so fast.

Then there are a lot of preliminaries  to settle before I could actually begin. The photograph has to be selected by the family before anything else can be done by me. You said you had plenty of them. I have only one, and an engraving. All this detail will take time. Cant [can't] we get at it?

Affectionately your cousin
Nellie

[Ellen/Nellie/Nella Fontaine Binckley (September 1, 1860- April 27, 1951; she was not born in 1877 as she successfully hoaxed some time after returning from the West Coast to the East Coast in the early 1900s)
Cousin Robbie = Robert Morton Hughes, Sr. (1855-1940)
Coralie Henry Johnston (1861-1954), childhood friend of her cousin Nella Fontaine Binckley (1860-1951), educated at Johns Hopkins and Old Dominion, nurse and longtime (for three decades) reference librarian at the Virginia State Library (The Library of Virginia) in Richmond
Uncle Joe = Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891)
Portland Flats (1880-1940)
Aunt Sue = Sue Henry Mitchell/Michel Taliaferro (1845-1940)
Joe = Joseph Beverly Johnston (1859-1943)
Lavalette = Lavalette Estelle Johnston McMullen (1850-1941)*
Mary = Mary McMullen (1872-?)*
Riggs sisters = Alice Lawrason Riggs (1841-1927) and Jane Agnes Riggs (1853-1930)*
Bennett = Bennet/Bennett Crawford Taliaferro (1868-1943)
Lil = Lilian Johnston Taliaferro (1877-1965), first married to John Moncure Conway (1870-1922), then Herbert Augustine Smith (1866-1944)
My sister's husband = Mary "May" Binckley (1875-1969), married to Thomas Armat (1866-1948)
My brother George = George Sydney Binckley (1870-1941)
And all three of his children = Sydney William Binckley (1898-1971), Milton Johnston Binckley (1902-1991) and Helen Louise "Elena" Binckley, later married to Frank Edward Blauvelt (1899-1963) 
Mother = Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel Binckley (1838-1930)
My brother Harvey = Harvey Mitchell Binckley (1864-1928)
*A wealth of material looks to be in the McMullen Family Papers, 1783-1969, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Duke University, link to guide here]

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration; in this case, specifically to William for providing a scan of the original letter, and in turn thanks to Mr. Mel Frizzell, Special Collections Specialist. 

Nella Fontaine Binckley to Cousin Robbie, September 25, 1930

Thomas Circle from Portland Flats, 1921 (Library of Congress)

[Nella Fontaine Binckley at Washington, D.C., to Robert Morton Hughes at Norfolk, Virginia, September 25, 1930, Box 1, Folder 8: Nellie Brinkley [i.e. Nella Fontaine Binckley], 1927-1937, Robert Morton Hughes Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library, Old Dominion University Libraries, Norfolk, VA 23529]

ARTS CLUB OF WASHINGTON

2017 I STREET NORTHWEST

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Apt. 700, Portland Hotel [Portland Flats]
Sept, 25th 1930.

Dear Cousin Robbie:--

I have been extremely busy -- ever since last writing you. I always am, for that matter. But just now, I have more than I probably will have later on.

So I have thought of the portrait of uncle Joe which you and Coralie suggested. Do you feel like planning for it now? Time is slipping by.

I should be willing to paint it for the price named,-- $300. And my contribution would be a handsome frame,-- which would make a considerable hole in the $300.

Unless the picture was entirely satisfactory to the family, I would not expect it to be accepted. I would not wish it to be. Being a member of the family myself, I am willing to do it on approval, which few (if any) other first class artists would do.

It would probably be exhibited in Washington before being sent to Richmond,-- at the Arts Club, or one of the best galleries.

I hope you and the others are well.

Affectionately your cousin
Nellie

Thomas Circle from Portland Flats, 1930 (Library of Congress)

Address

Portland Hotel

Apt. 700.

Thomas Circle

Washington, D.C.  

[Ellen/Nellie/Nella Fontaine Binckley (September 1, 1860- April 27, 1951; she was not born in 1877 as she successfully hoaxed some time after returning from the West Coast to the East Coast in the early 1900s)
Cousin Robbie = Robert Morton Hughes, Sr. (1855-1940)]
Coralie Henry Johnston (1861-1954), childhood friend of her cousin Nella Fontaine Binckley (1860-1951), educated at Johns Hopkins and Old Dominion, nurse and longtime (for three decades) reference librarian at the Virginia State Library (The Library of Virginia) in Richmond
Uncle Joe = Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891)
Portland Flats (1880-1940)] 

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration; in this case, specifically to William for providing a scan of the original letter, and in turn thanks to Mr. Mel Frizzell, Special Collections Specialist.