Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Kent, Virginia Williams, 1918-1987 to Dearest Mom

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09587.399 Author/Creator: Kent, Virginia Williams, 1918-1987 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 April 1951 Pagination: 3 p. : Height: 27.4 cm, Width: 21.2 cm Order a Copy

Letter from "Gin," Virginia Williams to "dearest Mom," Cordelia Williams. She writes that the [divorce] case came up Saturday but the only thing decided on was the maintencance. The judge ruled that she gets $70.00 per month for the kids. They discussed property settlements but could not come to an agreement. It appears that Bookers lawyer wanted to deed the property to the kids but her lawyer did not. Virginia spoke with Booker and he said he would tell his lawyer to ask for the children's name to be sbstitututed in his place and that her name will remain on the deed. Booker will still live with them until the case is heard unless he stops giving her money for his share of home expenses. If it is not a sufficient amount of money Virginia's lawyer will "issue a motion that he move." She mentions that the long process of divorce really bothers her. She thanks her mother for the coupons and she says that she is saving them. She had a club meeting Saturday and used her Sterling that she got many compliments on. She enjoyed using the dried milk she bought and says Cordelia has probably heard about it on the radio. Virginia has been taking care of her pomegranates every day and it looks like they may be growing. She asks for Cordelia's advice about how best to take care of it. She asks if Diane has started to school yet. She says that Florence is visiting for the weekend and acts like she is "sick of her aunt and the country." Her Aunt "has sick spells when she talks about comoing back up there." Virginia aks Cordelia to send her love to Mrs. Brown and Aunt Nannie. She asks for her plans to Tuskegee and to write when she can. She signs off "Gin."

Kent, Virginia Williams, 1918-1987
Kent, Booker, fl. 1943-1975
Kent, Diane, fl. 1976
Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1884-1978

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources