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Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt discusses his upcoming visit to the Cowles’s house. Edith Roosevelt is only slightly better and may have to wean the baby. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. is still sick, and Kermit Roosevelt is also ill.
1898-01-25
Edith Roosevelt required emergency surgery on an abscess in her psoas muscle; the surgery went smoothly and she is doing well but her recovery could be several months.
1898-03-07
Governor Roosevelt thanks General Johnson for the possum Johnson gave the Roosevelt family and describes his sons’ reaction to the new pet. Roosevelt also mentions a recent Harvard football game he enjoyed.
1899-11-21
Theodore Roosevelt is curious about whether William Sheffield Cowles, Jr. chose the Navy, and provides updates on Kermit Roosevelt’s health and career plans. Roosevelt has an opportunity to change his current trip’s itinerary and go down an unknown river. He is pleased at the reception in South America and has been able to give his views on the Monroe doctrine and on democracy in general.
1913-11-11
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Anna Roosevelt Cowles for the wooden bowl and wishes they could have spent time together. He describes a lovely Christmas with the grandchildren.
1914-12-29
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he enjoyed William Sheffield Cowles Jr.’s recent visit. Roosevelt explains that they have secured permission to build a new road on their property and describes the redevelopment to accommodate motor vehicles. Roosevelt is amused by the effect of their newfound mobility on Ethel Roosevelt, Kermit Roosevelt, and their friends; they visit friends who live farther away and these guests reciprocate by visiting the Roosevelts’ home too. Roosevelt explains that he is glad they did not have a car before this summer, because he would rather not socialize so much. He updates Anna on the academic interests and college plans of Archibald Roosevelt. Archie and Quentin Roosevelt have taken to playing tennis together, which makes Roosevelt happy, and Quentin also plays baseball with James the butler. Roosevelt speaks very highly of the staff and servants of the house and stable, who are black, and the gardeners and the chauffeur, who are “native Americans.” Roosevelt hopes Anna can visit in the fall or spring and is glad he was able to visit her the past spring. He tells her that the Emlen Roosevelts have had a difficult time because of Aunt Lizzie (Elizabeth Emlen Roosevelt), who is feeble and suffering from mental illness. However, Edith just spent time with Aunt Lizzie and enjoyed it.
1911-07-28
Theodore Roosevelt is on an extended trip in the upper Nile region with his son Kermit Roosevelt. He describes the native people, a variety of wildlife, and the big game and birds they are hunting on safari. Kermit’s health is excellent and Roosevelt is pleased at the quality of his own health during their nine-month excursion in Africa. Recently he received a telegram notifying him that Gifford Pinchot had been dismissed as head of the United States Forest Service, which Roosevelt found surprising. He looks forward to seeing his wife Edith Roosevelt.
1910-01-21
Theodore Roosevelt responds to Robert Grant’s letter discussing his four sons and extends his regards to Mrs. Grant.
1918-07-26
Theodore Roosevelt updates Anna Roosevelt Cowles on his health and the well-being of family members serving in the war.
1918-11-27
Theodore Roosevelt is proud of Anna Roosevelt Cowles’s son William Sheffield Cowles, and encourages her to notify him in advance of their next visit to New York so he can arrange to be home. He also mentions he is pleased that his son Kermit Roosevelt is in the United States Army, and that Kermit will travel through Madrid to reach his assignment in France.
1918-05-01
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Anna Roosevelt Cowles to tell her his family is well and to update her on the news of his sons, who are away at war. Archibald Roosevelt was promoted to captain, Quentin Roosevelt is frustrated at not being permitted to fight, and General Duncan has written to say that Theodore Roosevelt Jr. is the strongest major in the unit.
1917-12-31
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Anna Roosevelt Cowles to update her on his potential involvement in the war. He strongly disagrees with President Woodrow Wilson’s approach to the war and does not believe Wilson encourages proper service to the country and patriotism among citizens. Roosevelt notes that Quentin Roosevelt is now a sergeant in the Army Aviation Corps and his other three sons are heading to officers’ training camp at Plattsburgh.
1917-04-26
Theodore Roosevelt shares his thoughts with Anna Roosevelt Cowles about the military preparations for the impending war. He suggests that William Sheffield Cowles should enlist at Plattsburgh, where Archibald Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt Jr. have completed their two years of training and are now available for deployment in the case of war. Roosevelt states that all young men are duty-bound to serve the country in this way. He has volunteered his own services to the Secretary of War. Roosevelt and his wife Edith are planning an eight-month trip to Polynesia the following year. He mentions an article he has written about Canada’s lesson to the United States in the current issue of Metropolitan.
1917-02-03
President Roosevelt’s diary, dated January 1 to June 10, 1910, records details of the animals he and his son, Kermit Roosevelt, killed during their African safari. The diary includes sketches of the animals, with dots marking where they were shot; places Roosevelt and Kermit visited; and meetings with European dignitaries.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
1910
Roosevelt family portrait outside the White House. Left to right: Ethel Roosevelt Derby, Kermit Roosevelt, Quentin Roosevelt, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, President Roosevelt, Archibald Roosevelt, Alice Roosevelt Longworth and Nicholas Longworth.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
1908
Theodore Roosevelt is glad sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles is in England. Roosevelt is busy with his work as Police Commissioner and the political campaign. He mentions inviting Uncle Jim [Roosevelt] to lunch with [Mark] Hanna. Roosevelt says his work will be lighter until the New Year and he cares not if they legislate him out of a job. He also gives updates on the family.
1896-10-11
Theodore Roosevelt thanks his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles for the presents and describes what he intends to buy for himself. He details a hike with son Ted and house guest Bob, who came for Thanksgiving, including the shooting of a possum. He enjoys the fact his work as Police Commissioner has put him in contact with the philanthropic work in the city.
1896-11-29
Theodore Roosevelt encloses a letter he wrote to journalist Julian Ralph for his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles to read. The Roosevelt household is quarantined because of son Kermit’s “diphaeretic sore throat.” He describes the guests at a recent dinner.
1896-03-15
Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles about recent house guests and his disgust with Congress. Sister Corinne is beyond help until she begins to help herself. Uncle Jimmie Roosevelt wrote he enjoyed his visit to Anna. Roosevelt provides updates on the family and says he did inspections to see how the new liquor law is working.
1896-05-03
Theodore Roosevelt describes the family’s activities since they moved back to Sagamore Hill. Kermit turns somersaults in overalls, Ted is riding the pony Grant, and Roosevelt has been teaching them both to shoot. The scenery is beautiful but Roosevelt’s work as Police Commissioner has been wearing and harassing.
1896-05-24