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Oma Seay Vincent's letter to cousin Maud Kelly May 12, 1944
On May 23, 1944, Oma Seay Vincent (1888-1955) wrote a letter to her cousin Maud McLure Kelly (1887-1973) regarding a trip she took to New York City with my oldest brother, Rick Vincent (1941-2017). The purpose of the trip was to visit her youngest child, my uncle Harry Burgin Vincent (1924-2001), who had joined the Navy during WWII.
Uncle Harry may have been following my dad, Wilburn Glenwood Vincent (1919-1993), who also joined the Navy in WWII. I'm not sure which one joined first.
Images of the letter my grandmother wrote are below. They may be difficult to read. I transcribed the letter to make it easier to read. CLICK HERE to jump to the transcript below.
Here's the text of Oma's 1944 letter to her cousin Maud Kelly:
Calera Ala. Box 143
May 12. -- 44.
Dear Cousin Maud. & Mother,
I know you will be shocked to
hear from me, but I have tryed
to get to this for last few weeks and
as I am put to bed, nothing else
I can do. I am going to catch up
with most of my writing. So I am
starting with you first. I have
just returned from a very nice
trip Seen things, and in states I
never dreamed of Seeing. Harry
our Baby is in the Navy, Stationed
in Phila. Pa. I went up to be with him
for the commision of Wisconsin
the ship he is commisioned to. We stayed
out from Sunday 10, until Monday
3 Nite AM. I had 5 meals with him
there. Then they gave Harry a 4 day
Pass. Then the fun Started. We went
up to New York, Newport R.I. then back
down in New Jersey, Del, MaryLand,
Washington, and then back to Phila.
There I Stayed with him nine day.
he would get Liberty every afternoon &
we would tom cat until after mid
nite. Then I would sleep all day, and
be ready for him again that nite.
Cousin Maud, I met a real old
lady on train, between Columbus
and Pitsburg Ohio, a Mrs Jennings
2/ her address is Mrs Fannie Jennings
550 West 11, Erin Pa. her Grand mother was
a Vincent. Mrs Sarah Vincent, Said she
did not know very much her Self but
for you to write her. Mention, our meeting
on train. her Sister or daughter one
I have forgotten could tell you a lot
about the Vincents. Her mother married a
Mr George Cooper. I was in bad shape
when I left here, and I am afraid the
trip was to much for me although my Dr
Says no. I had a very bad pain around
my heart, and would fall asleep. So I made
it up to one of the boys home they carried
to TCI Hospital. My blood pressure was
over 200, enlarged heart, with musles of
heart broken down. So here I am in
bed for 3 weeks. I am feeling fine Since
I have been in bed for a few days.
I will be up and Sawing Wood, and
ploughing soon -- you can't keep a good
Woman down -- the only thing I can do
is write, and that I can't do in bed.
How is cousin Lonnie? Just fine I do hope.
Well if its not asking to much please
answer -- Oakly is planting cotton. -
he has 10 acres of corn planted we will
plant around 50 more. I have a nice
garden. eating Several things from it
Our irish potatoes are fine planted
200 lb. the freeze Killed all of our
fruit. berries will be fine cousin
Maud I am going to ask a favor
of you. Please write Harry. he sure
would be glad to hear from you.
[PAGE 3 (unnumbered)]
Harry B. Vincent S 1/c
c/o Fleet P.O. Box 20
New York, NY
U.S.S. Wisconsin
I am very tired. with love to
you and cousin Lonnie,
Oma _ V.
May 12. -- 44.
Dear Cousin Maud. & Mother,
I know you will be shocked to
hear from me, but I have tryed
to get to this for last few weeks and
as I am put to bed, nothing else
I can do. I am going to catch up
with most of my writing. So I am
starting with you first. I have
just returned from a very nice
trip Seen things, and in states I
never dreamed of Seeing. Harry
our Baby is in the Navy, Stationed
in Phila. Pa. I went up to be with him
for the commision of Wisconsin
the ship he is commisioned to. We stayed
out from Sunday 10, until Monday
3 Nite AM. I had 5 meals with him
there. Then they gave Harry a 4 day
Pass. Then the fun Started. We went
up to New York, Newport R.I. then back
down in New Jersey, Del, MaryLand,
Washington, and then back to Phila.
There I Stayed with him nine day.
he would get Liberty every afternoon &
we would tom cat until after mid
nite. Then I would sleep all day, and
be ready for him again that nite.
Cousin Maud, I met a real old
lady on train, between Columbus
and Pitsburg Ohio, a Mrs Jennings
2/ her address is Mrs Fannie Jennings
550 West 11, Erin Pa. her Grand mother was
a Vincent. Mrs Sarah Vincent, Said she
did not know very much her Self but
for you to write her. Mention, our meeting
on train. her Sister or daughter one
I have forgotten could tell you a lot
about the Vincents. Her mother married a
Mr George Cooper. I was in bad shape
when I left here, and I am afraid the
trip was to much for me although my Dr
Says no. I had a very bad pain around
my heart, and would fall asleep. So I made
it up to one of the boys home they carried
to TCI Hospital. My blood pressure was
over 200, enlarged heart, with musles of
heart broken down. So here I am in
bed for 3 weeks. I am feeling fine Since
I have been in bed for a few days.
I will be up and Sawing Wood, and
ploughing soon -- you can't keep a good
Woman down -- the only thing I can do
is write, and that I can't do in bed.
How is cousin Lonnie? Just fine I do hope.
Well if its not asking to much please
answer -- Oakly is planting cotton. -
he has 10 acres of corn planted we will
plant around 50 more. I have a nice
garden. eating Several things from it
Our irish potatoes are fine planted
200 lb. the freeze Killed all of our
fruit. berries will be fine cousin
Maud I am going to ask a favor
of you. Please write Harry. he sure
would be glad to hear from you.
[PAGE 3 (unnumbered)]
Harry B. Vincent S 1/c
c/o Fleet P.O. Box 20
New York, NY
U.S.S. Wisconsin
I am very tired. with love to
you and cousin Lonnie,
Oma _ V.
.