[Nella Fontaine Binckley at Washington, D.C., to Robert Morton Hughes at Norfolk, Virginia, October 21, 1928, 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]
"Casanella." 215 B [now Constitution Avenue] n.e. -- Washington, Oct. 21/28
Dear Cousin Robbie:--
Your letter reached me today. The postponement of this matter suits me perfectly, as I am very much upset in my mind, at present; this property may be sold, at any time, & I am trying to make plans. I only rent this place. I had thought[?] I was settled here, as the owner always declared he would never sell. But he has changed his mind. As I have been here ten years, it's upsetting.
By the way, I want to ask yo about something. Some of the family says it's true, & some say it is'nt [isn't]. Did Gov. Floyd ask to be buried at your little sister Margie's feet, without any headstone to mark the place? You would certainly know the facts.
Love to Cousin Mattie & yourself.
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)
Casanella = the artist's name for her haciendas in both Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
Cousin Robbie = Robert Morton Hughes, Sr. (1855-1940)
Gov. Floyd = John Buchanan Floyd (1806-1863), adoptive father of Cousin Robbie's mother, Eliza Mary Johnston Hughes (1825-1909)
Sister Maggie = Margaret Preston Floyd (1854-1861)
Cousin Mattie = Martha Louisiana Smith Hughes (1853-1944)]
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.
"Casanella." 215 B [now Constitution Avenue] n.e. -- Washington, Oct. 21/28
Dear Cousin Robbie:--
Your letter reached me today. The postponement of this matter suits me perfectly, as I am very much upset in my mind, at present; this property may be sold, at any time, & I am trying to make plans. I only rent this place. I had thought[?] I was settled here, as the owner always declared he would never sell. But he has changed his mind. As I have been here ten years, it's upsetting.
By the way, I want to ask yo about something. Some of the family says it's true, & some say it is'nt [isn't]. Did Gov. Floyd ask to be buried at your little sister Margie's feet, without any headstone to mark the place? You would certainly know the facts.
Love to Cousin Mattie & yourself.
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)
Casanella = the artist's name for her haciendas in both Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
Cousin Robbie = Robert Morton Hughes, Sr. (1855-1940)
Gov. Floyd = John Buchanan Floyd (1806-1863), adoptive father of Cousin Robbie's mother, Eliza Mary Johnston Hughes (1825-1909)
Sister Maggie = Margaret Preston Floyd (1854-1861)
Cousin Mattie = Martha Louisiana Smith Hughes (1853-1944)]
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.
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