December 20, 1911

Hello: What are

doing this pretty

weather talking to B  I

guess. Esther, Susie

said that she wished you all would come

down here Sat and

bring her trunk that she didn’t any

clean cloths to put on and for you

to come ___ Pearlie is coming

__ ___ ___ can’t come and stay.

U__ x mas

come and stay a day or two be sure and

come and bring Susie’s trunk if you can.

Postmarked: ______, VA
Addressed: Miss Esther Richardson
                  Ringgold
R.F.D. 2     Virginia

The writer of this postcard was most likely Ila [Adams]. She signed her name just above the "o" in Post above.  Ila Adams (b. 1889) was the daughter of Julia Richardson and  Thomas Adams and first cousin to Esther. There is a possibility the writer was Ila Aherron, another first cousin to Esther and the daugther of Lucy Richardson and Thomas Aherron.  However, indications are this Ila went by the nickname of Sootie.

Pearlie may refer to Esther's first cousin Pearl Gosney (b. 1890) and daughter of Thomas Gosney and Amanda Sarah "Sallie" Richardson.  The identity of Susie is currently not known.

December 13, 1911

Hello

            How are

you all getting on

by this time fine

I hope I am getting

on all right

I have gone to

work

guess I will see

you Xmas.

            Atwood

Postmarked: Danville, VA
Addressed: Miss Esther Richardson
                  Ringgold, Va
                  RF#2

The writer of this post card is Atwood Gosney, first cousin to Esther and son of Amanda Sarah "Sallie" Richardson and Thomas Gosney.  Previous postcards dated  January 2, 1909 and May 2, 1911 were also from Atwood.

November 24, 1911

Nov 24 1911

Dear Esther-

            How are

your boys getting

on up there. What

do you expect to do

on Thankgiving.

You bet that fellow

cleaned out your

well. I know he

will be there Ha Ha

C.T .Barnett

Postmarked: None
Addressed:

     Miss Esther Richardson

     Ringgold, Virginia

C.T. Barnett may have been Esther's first cousin Cam Barnett, the son of Cynthia Elliott and Sam Barnett.  If the writer was indeed Cam Barnett, he would have been about 11 years old.  This seems perhaps a little young, but maybe not.  Of course, the writer could be a different Barnett altogether.

Barnett cousins, what do you think?

Wishing your family a Merry Christmas!  Look for Dearest Esther to return December 28th!

October 16, 1911

Hello,

            How are you

standing this

pretty weather fine

I guess.

When you are sitting

all alone

and thinking of the

past.

Remember that

 you have a

friend as long as

life shall last.

            By By Willie W

Postmarked: News Ferry, VA
Addressed: 
     Miss Esther Richardson

     Ringgold, Virginia

     R.F.D.#2

The identity of Willie W is not known.  He appears to be a friend and early suitor of Esther's.

September 11, 1911 - Will Elliott

Surrender of Santa Anna, April 22, 1836

Hello      Sep 26.1911

            Received card all

O.K. was very

glad to hear from you and to know that you are enjoying

Life so well. Give all

my love and best

regards.  Bye Bye, Will

Postmarked: San Antonio, Texas
Addressed:
     Miss Esther Richardson

          R.F.D. #2          

          Ringgold, Va

Will Elliott is the son of CR Elliott and a first cousin to Esther on her mother's side.  Will wrote Esther frequently and at times signs his name W F Elliott or W F E.  His distinctive handwriting as well as the postmarks on his cards, make him easily identifiable. 

August 23, 1911

Hello how are you feeling to

day we are well as usual

Mama was to see Aunt Eliza

Sun. how is Aunt Hattie getting

on?I went to cousin Bill’s and got

Figs yesterday. You all

must be sure to come down

here while Ora is there and

bring her with you. Mama

says tell Aunt Hattie she must

come real soon come one

day this week. I am going to look

for you and Ora soon. Yours as ever

            Mannie

Postmarked: Ringgold, VA
Addressed: Miss Esther Richardson
                  Ringgold, Va
                  R #2

The writer of this postcard is Mannie, likely the daughter of CR Elliott and his first wife Evelyn New.  Aunt Eliza is Eliza Richardson Yeaman, Esther's paternal aunt.  Ora [Yeaman] is Eliza's daughter.  If Mannie is indeed Mannie Elliott, it would appear Hattie Elliott Richardson was not the only Elliott to interact with the Richardson.  Currently I have found no other connection between the Elliott and Richardson families.

August 21, 1911

Fort San Cristobal, San Juan

 August 21, 1911

Vernon Hill, Va R.F.D. #1

Kind Friend can you

give me any information

where Mr. S. O. Talbott

is or please give me his address obliged

friend

            C.E.Talbott

            Vernon Hill, Va

Postmarked: Vernon Hill, VA
Addressed: Miss Esther Richardson
                  Ringgold, VA
                  R F D #2

I am not sure who C. E. Talbott or S. O. Talbott is.  Esther Richardson was associated with the Talbott family.  Her uncle CR Elliott married Sarah Elizabeth "Bettie" Talbott in 1915 and she herself married Boss Henry Talbott in 1915.   However, this letter was written prior to either of these events.  Of interest is the picture from Porto Rico on the front side of the postcard.  The postmark is from Vernon Hill, [Halifax County] VA.  This postcard is the first mention of Esther's knowing/interacting with the Talbott family.

June 18, 1911

Fort Sam Houston Camp, San Antonio, Texas

Hello Esther.

            How is

every Body?

Give all my

love and best

regards.

Bye Bye.

            [Signature rubbed off.]

Postmarked: San Antonio, Texas
Addressed: Miss Esther Richardson
                  R. F. D. 2
                  Ringgold, Va

The signature for this postcard has rubbed off; however, all is not lost.  This postcard is from W F Elliott, Esther's first cousin and son of C R Elliott.  The writer of this postcard is identifiable since Esther received other postcards from San Antonio, TX from WF Elliott who was apparently stationed there.

June 16, 1911

Hello  how did

you enjoy the wedding all

OK I hope

I liked it just fine good

by from a friend

guess who

Postmarked: Ringgold, VA
Addressed: Miss Estha Richardson
                  Ringgold, Va
                  R.F.D no.2

Guess Who appears on a number of Esther's postcards.  Often times there are clues somewhere on the postcard as to the identity of the writer.  Unfortunately, that is not the case for this postcard. I would have to guess that Guess Who is one of Esther's earlier suitors.

June 1, 1911

Hello Hattie

            how are you

feeling this dry weather[?]

there. we are well as usual. we all

went to Eliza’s Sun had a nice trip.

we are coming over there before long.

you all must be sure to come next

Sun and get some cherries. they will be

about as good by then as they will

be at all so you must come next

Sun. let me know if you can come

and bring me a pink geranium________

I will send your patterns first ______

or by mail if you need them. I will

look for you  write soon.

Yours lovingly  Ruth

Postmarked: Ringgold, VA
Addressed: Mrs. D.T. Richardson
                    R #2 Ringgold, Virginia

Mrs. D. T. Richardson is Harriet (Hattie) Elliott Richardson, the mother of Esther Lee Richardson.  This is a postcard sent to Hattie from her sister-in-law Ruth Richardson Ricketts. Eliza is Hattie's sister-in-law and Ruth's sister Eliza Richardson Yeaman.  I love the every day things  these young mothers talk about.

May 5, 1911

Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, Texas

Hello.

            Received card

this a.m. am getting

on fine. Give all my

love I am sending

D.T. a paper. had

a very nice Easter.

write soon. By By

Elliott

Postmarked: San Antonio, TX
Addressed: Miss Esther Richardson
                  R.F.D. #2
                  Ringgold, Va

The writer of this postcard is not definitely known. It is simply signed Elliott.  Based on the postmark and the handwriting the writer was likely William F Elliott, Esther's first cousin and son of CR Elliott.  The D.T. referred to is Daniel Thomas Richardson, Esther's father.

May 2, 1911

Post Office, Danville, Va

 Hello,

            how are you all

by the fine, all

O K ___ ha ha

I had good luck

the other morning

I came form there

the train past the station

just as I got along there

about Dr Taylor as I

had to ride the gravel

train I got there about 6.30

how is Aunt Sara. Henderson 2.1.7

Postmarked: Danville, Va

Addressed: Miss Esther Richardson

                  Ringgold, Va

                  RFD#2

I am unsure who Aunt Sara Henderson is in the above text.  Note the numbers at the bottom of the postcard: 2.1.7.  This is a simple letter replacement code for the initials of the writer seen frequently in later letters.  The numbers stand for the initials B.A.G.  These could be the initials of Beverly "Atwood" Gosney, son of Amanda Sarah "Sallie" Richardson and Thomas Gosney.

February 11, 1911

Dear Esther, Your note rec’d

yesterday. Many, Many thanks

to you for same. I think it is

perfectly beautiful I am coming

to see you all before very long.

Tell them all hello for me.

Write soon                   

            With much love,

            Your cousin

                        Edna

Postmarked: Ringgold, VA
Addressed: Miss Esther Richardson
                  Ringgold, VA
                  R.F. D.#2

Edna, the writer of this postcard, could be one of two first cousins of Esther: Edna Elliott (daughter of Elie Elliott) or Edna Yeaman (daughter of Eliza Ann Richardson Yeaman).  I believe the writer is actually Edna Elliott.   The handwriting of this card is very much like that of a postcard Edna Elliott sent to Esther in 1909. You can view the 1909 postcard here.

July 16, 1910

This is the only postcard or letter in the collection to Esther Richardson for the year 1910.  Esther kept all her correspondence, so I can't help but wonder what happened to the other letters from that year.  

Hello, Esther. received

your letter a fue

minutes ago. will

write soon. Give all

my love. I Remain as

ever.  WF. Elliott

Postmarked: Fort Slocum, NY
Addressed: Miss Esther (torn) Richardson
                  R.F.D # 2
                  Ringgold, Va

W.F Elliott was the son of C.R. Elliott and Eudore Ware (source: WFE's death certificate) and a first cousin to Esther. Notice the faint penciled name Mannie at the top of the card. That would be WFE's brother Mannie Elliott.

December 2 1909

Lafayette Square, Buffalo, N.Y.

Write soon.

            Bill

            By, Bye.

Postmarked: Buffalo, N.Y.

Addressed: Miss Esther Richardson

                    Ringgold, VA

Bill is most likely Esther's first cousin William F Elliott, son of C. R. Elliott.  [C R Elliott was the brother of Harriet Elliott.] William Elliott wrote Esther a number of postcards and letters over the years.  Typically, he signed his name W F Elliott and sometimes Will Elliott.  However, the handwriting here is remarkably similar to postcards you will see in the future.  W F Elliott was in the military and many of the postcards sent to Esther were from areas where he served or visited.

September 9, 1909

Top Left Front:

address Buffalo Junction

Reuben Richardson

Bottom Front:

Hello Ester  How are you progressing

this rainy weather?                  Edward B

The backside of this postcard has been used by someone to practice penmanship.  The  multiple names written on the back included Katie Richardson, Danville, Reuben, Ringgold, and Willie Richardson. Willie was Esther's younger brother born in 1909.   Katie was Esther's younger sister born 1901. Perhaps it was Katie who used the postcard to practice her penmanship.

Postmarked: Buffalo Junction, VA

Addressed: Miss Ester Richardson 

                  Ringgold, VA 

Edward B was likely Esther's 22 year old first cousin Edward Barnett, son of Cynthia Elliott and Sam Barnett. 

August 19, 1909

Hello,Esther,

            I received your

card  all O.K. Esther cousin

Daniel got his horse and buggy now.

He reached home about

eight o’clock, the horse

is not damaged much,

has fallen off some.

Cousin Daniel is not

so well, he is worried very

much.

(Front)

bye, bye,  Lizzie

Postmarked:

1. Ringgold, VA (Aug 19, 1909)
2. Midway, VA (Aug 20, 1920)

This postcard is addressed to Esther in Midway, VA.  It appears she was away from home visiting relatives. I am unsure who the writer Lizzie was. Since the postcard references "cousin Daniel", Lizzie was likely a cousin on the Richardson side of Esther's family. Daniel was Esther's father Daniel Thomas Richardson.

March 9, 1909

1909 Easter Postcard

Hello Esther how

did you enjoy

Easter? I had a fine time. you just

aught to been with

me Easter and hope [help]

me hunt Easter eggs.

Tell Aunt Hattie I say

hello she must let you

come up here to see me      

[Written in the top left hand corner]

Edna has

three the

prettiest

little ducks

you ever saw.

I will close

Goodbye

            from

            Ora

Postmarked: Witt, VA

Ora was Ora Yeaman was the 12 year old daughter of Eliza Ann Richardson and Isaac Yeaman.  Ora was a first cousin of Esther's. Esther was 12 years old at the time of this writing.

January 21, 1909

Hello Esther

            how are you getting

on, having a good time

I guess I reckon I will

be home Sunday

            Atwood

Postmarked: Danville, VA

Atwood is Atwood Gosney, son of Amanda Sarah "Sallie" Richardson and Thomas Benjamin Gosney. Atwood was the first cousin to Esther.

January 6, 1909

Helo Esther. how are you all

getting on at this time

all right I hope we are

all well at this time

we moved to our new home

today and like fine. It

has been raining all day

Santa Clauss brought

me a doll and some

confectioneraies Well Bye By

       a cousin Edna

Postmarked: Buffalo Junction, VA

Edna is likely Edna Elliott and Esther's 10 year old first cousin on her mother's side.  Edna was the daughter of Elie Elias Elliott and Novella King Owen.

December 11, 1907

 Esther's First Postcard

Hello

Esther

come

to see

me xmas

send 

me a poste

soon

Rynthe

Postmarked: Danville, [VA]

Rynthe [Ryntha] is likely Ryntha Adams, 11 year old daughter of Julia Elizabeth Richardson and Thomas Jefferson Adams.  Ryntha was the first cousin of Esther on her father's (Daniel Thomas Richardson) side of the family.

The Letters of Esther Lee Richardson

Esther Lee Richardson
1896-1923

Esther Lee Richardson was my great grandmother. She lived in Pittsylvania and Halifax Counties in Virginia. Sadly I never knew her.  She died in 1923 of influenza. She was the daughter of Harriet Elliott and Daniel Richardson of Pittsylvania County, VA.  She married Boss Henry Talbott and together they had four children: Crafton, Ruth, Garnet and Alma.

I do know a lot about Esther.

 For one thing, she was a prolific writer of letters and postcards to her family and friends.  What's more, her family and friends were prolific writers as well.  They maintained a social network long before social media on the internet would come into existence. The best part of all that?  Esther kept ALL the letters and postcards she received. Many are dated from before her marriage in 1915.  Even after her death, her husband kept all her things including her letters. It is in reading her letters that I got to know my great grandmother.  She was a pretty amazing woman.

In reading Esther's letters I came to realize that her letters contained not only the stories of my ancestors, but the stories of other people's ancestors, too. I quickly came to realize that  I might have YOUR ancestor(s) in my closet.

So....

I started Dearest Esther to:

• ...let Esther's postcards and letters tell her story and that of her family.
• ...share the information on non-relatives/ancestors with other family researchers.
• ...preserve Esther's letters and postcards by transcribing and scanning them.  After all, many are over 100 years old! 

If you find your ancestor mentioned in Esther's letters, please leave a comment or contact me.