Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt writes from Harvard to his mother to request his hat. He reports that he is doing well in his classes, and complains about having his Sunday School class taken from him. He says he will go to Chestnut Hill to see the girls, referring to his future wife Alice Hathaway Lee.
1879-01-11
A young Theodore Roosevelt writes to his mother, commenting on the contents of her letter to him. He mentions saying hello to various family members for him and how much he misses his sister Conie (Corinne). This is a typewritten copy of the original letter.
1868-04-28
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his mother of his activities in Bar Harbour, including lawn tennis and dancing. Roosevelt mentions that he was ill, but that Alice Lee took very good care of him.
1880-08-01
Theodore Roosevelt, traveling by train, writes of his improving health after a bout with cholera. He also sends his regards to his aunt Anna Bulloch Gracie and to Mrs. Leavitt (Sarah Bancroft Leavitt).
1883-09-04
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his mother, claiming it to be the longest letter he will ever write. He writes about many topics, including his friends and various social calls, the status of his studies and courses he is taking, his exercise regimen, and the weather.
1878-10-08
Corinne Roosevelt was ill but has recovered. Theodore Roosevelt relates a conversation he overheard with a German servant girl regarding keeping the goose for the next day. Roosevelt concludes with humorous illustrations of Darwinian theory.
1873-10-05
Theodore and Elliott Roosevelt are well but Corinne Roosevelt is often homesick. Roosevelt has been studying German and French. He even overhears some Minkwitz family conversations as they do not believe he can understand them. Roosevelt is concerned about the location of his boxing gloves and gun.
1873-05-29
Theodore Roosevelt has been living a “perfect dream” with Alice Lee Roosevelt. The house and servants are “just perfection.” He describes a relaxed, average day during their honeymoon.
1880-10-31
Theodore Roosevelt is enjoying the hunting expedition with Elliott Roosevelt, although the hunting has been poor. Elliott is very popular with the farmers and hunters. Roosevelt provides a summary of the “motley crew” they are staying with.
1880-08-25
After hunting in Iowa, Theodore and Elliott Roosevelt have returned to Chicago, Illinois, to prepare for a trip to Wisconsin. They are enjoying themselves and have had “fair sport.” A visit to John Elliott is still under consideration. The weather has been lovely and Roosevelt has enjoyed driving across the prairies.
1880-09-12
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to receive Martha Bulloch Roosevelt’s letter and is glad that they will be spending the winter together. He will try and be a good son to make up for Elliott Roosevelt’s absence. Roosevelt is marrying Alice Lee in six days.
1880-10-21
Theodore Roosevelt is enjoying the “loveliest honeymoon imaginable.” They are spending their time driving, walking, playing tennis, and reading aloud.
1880-11-04
Theodore Roosevelt describes a day trip across the Kerry countryside with Alice Lee Roosevelt. Ireland is beautiful but has a “terrible understratum of wretchedness.” He personally witnessed this in the form of a man passed out from hunger. The man was revived, fed, and sent on his way with ten shillings.
1881-05-24
Theodore Roosevelt and Alice Lee Roosevelt are having a splendid time in Liverpool, England. Irvine S. Bulloch, Roosevelt’s uncle, is the “jolliest, kindest host.” Roosevelt has been discussing naval history with his other uncle, “the blessed old sea-captain” James Dunwody Bulloch. He has convinced him to publish a work regarding “naval operations abroad” during the American Civil War. Bulloch was a Confederate agent in Great Britain and managed these operations. Roosevelt really enjoys speaking with his uncle, even though had Roosevelt been of age during the war he would have served the Union.
1881-09-14
The trip through Switzerland has been happy, and the mountaineering has put Theodore Roosevelt in “splendid condition.” Alice Lee Roosevelt was less enthusiastic about traveling by mule. They visited Geneva and Basel. Strasbourg Cathedral has been a highlight, especially the cathedral’s astronomical clock. Traveling has been comfortable, and nothing has been lost.
1881-08-12
Theodore Roosevelt reviews the Fourth of July festivities that took place with the Lee family at Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. There were fireworks, tennis, and Roosevelt “played bear” with the children. He will be leaving for home on Saturday and intends to study law in “John’s office” a few days a week.
1882-07-05
Assemblyman Roosevelt appreciates the note from Martha Bulloch Roosevelt and enjoyed his time at home on Sunday. His speech went well and he did not forget a word, even though he “felt just like a schoolboy reciting his piece.”
1883-02-20
Theodore Roosevelt and Alice Lee Roosevelt miss Martha Bulloch Roosevelt and want her to visit as often as she wants to come. Roosevelt is anxious to discuss the new addition to the family, Anna Hall, who will be marrying Elliott Roosevelt. He thinks it is great that Elliott is to “marry and settle down with a definite purpose in life.” Roosevelt sends his love to Corinne Roosevelt Robinson and her young son, Theodore Douglas Robinson.
1883-07-08
Theodore Roosevelt has returned from a hunting trip and had a pleasant two weeks. He learned how to manage snowshoes and found the northern woods beautiful. Roosevelt visited two lumber camps and was interested to see “a particularly unique type of life.” The hunting and trapping was also a success. Roosevelt will try and be more diligent with his letter writing.
1879-03-16
Theodore Roosevelt hopes that Martha Bulloch Roosevelt is feeling better. He visited the dentist and his teeth did not require any work. Roosevelt asks that Elliott Roosevelt tell him how he will send Theodore’s bridle and saddle to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Roosevelt will send his sisters the photographs this week.
1879-04-13