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Theodore Roosevelt writes his mother-in-law Gertrude Tyler Carow updating her on wife Edith’s condition after giving birth to Kermit. Kermit will be christened next week. Eldest son Ted loves his new little brother and is very playful. Edith is afraid to write because of her eyes but will probably be able to next Sunday.
1889-10-27
Theodore Roosevelt writes his mother-in-law Gertrude Tyler Carow about how much wife Edith enjoyed a trip to his ranch, especially riding horses. They miss Sagamore Hill but have enjoyed their time living in Washington, D.C., and traveling out West. He inquires if she will come visit next summer as it has been two years. Roosevelt also gives updates on the children.
1890-10-18
Theodore Roosevelt writes his mother-in-law Gertrude Tyler Carow to update her on wife Edith and the children. Edith enjoys riding horses, Alice is very affectionate and is fond of reading, Ethel is a jolly baby, Kermit is a little “coax”and Ted is very fond of his father and wears glasses now.
1892-10-03
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his mother-in-law Gertrude Tyler Carow detailing his summer at Sagamore Hill. He and wife Edith row and ride and he plays with the four children. He provides updates on each child.
1893-08-01
Theodore Roosevelt writes his mother-in-law Gertrude Tyler Carow with updates on wife Edith and the children. Edith has been attending many dinners and the children had measles.
1893-02-15
Theodore Roosevelt gives his sister Anna Roosevelt an update on the pets at Sagamore Hill, including the horses and guinea pig. He relates a funny conversation he and wife Edith had with son Kermit and gives Anna some advice about living abroad in England.
1894-06-10
Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt how happy he is to be back at Sagamore Hill and all his activities. He is revising his manuscript and Cecil Spring Rice is visiting. Kermit’s leg is “iron-cased” and the new black pony is a good mate for Diamond. Ted is learning to ride and he and Alice are learning to swim.
1894-07-15
Theodore Roosevelt informs his sister Anna Roosevelt that he took his son Kermit to the doctor for his knee and he may have to wear “an instrument” for a couple years. He describes a fight between Kermit and daughter Ethel and Alice and Ted have been playing with sister Corinne’s children. Roosevelt updates Anna on their alcoholic brother Elliott who fell recently and laments that he should have died instead of Elliott’s wife Anna. He made a speech in Philadelphia and offers Anna condolences over Alice Lippencott’s death.
1894-07-29
Theodore Roosevelt expresses his gratitude to Ada May Wilkinson for the five weeks he spent at her and her husband Horace’s home. He was glad to get a glimpse into “Horace’s varied political past.” Mrs. Roosevelt is also grateful for the care they took of Roosevelt. His son Ted Roosevelt and his family are visiting and he wants the Wilkinsons to visit.
1915-05-25
Governor Roosevelt thanks Edward Sandford Martin for the book and the inscription with an extract from Martin’s son’s note about Ted. He tells him what Ted is doing at school and his “second small son’s” names for all his guinea pigs. He asks if Martin wrote the editorial on him in Harper’s Weekly because he thought it very good. Roosevelt says he has had a good time the last two years and does not expect “to go any further in politics.”
1900-11-22
Governor Roosevelt informs Edward Sandford Martin that his son Ted is not quarrelsome; he only fights in amicable boxing and wrestling matches. Roosevelt shares his theory about the traits that make men fighters and credits his father for helping him learn self-control. He also applies the theory to countries. He loathes cruelty and injustice and has tried to pass this on to his sons. He and Mrs. Roosevelt laughed over “that article.”
1900-11-26
President Roosevelt tells Edward Sandford Martin that he looks forward to reading the poems. He found Ted and Martin’s son working on a history of Rome together.
1902-09-13
President Roosevelt is sorry writer Edward Sandford Martin and his son cannot come. Roosevelt’s family thinks as well of Martin’s son as Martin’s family feels about Roosevelt’s son Ted.
1905-09-15
Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister-in-law Emily Tyler Carow. He is pleased the Fergusons have been so kind. Edith is very happy and they have been going out a lot and he lists couples they enjoy being with. Roosevelt romps with the children in the afternoon when he goes home for tea and updates her on each, especially eldest son Ted’s antics.
1890-02-10
President Roosevelt is delighted that Ethel likes the new rooms and describes taking a scramble with Ted and Peck and riding with Mother. He says he will be glad to get to Oyster Bay but he has a number of things to bother him including the peace negotiations between Russia and Japan.
1905-06-18
Theodore Roosevelt writes his daughter Ethel that he just received his letters and is so glad she is getting on with Aunt Emily Tyler Carow and he enjoyed Ethel’s description of Archie Roosevelt. He says Ted Roosevelt’s letter was what one would expect from someone his age. He inquires as to whether Harvard swept all three races and says it has been an wonderful trip.
1909-09-03
Theodore Roosevelt writes that he received Ethel’s letter from her honeymoon and he and Mother are concerned about Richard Derby’s headaches. He details riding with Mother, working on his two “infernal” books before heading to Arizona, speaking to women suffragettes and the activities of other family members. At the end of the letter, Roosevelt has drawn cartoons depicting some of his activities and entitled it “A norful little adventure: A tragedy in three acts.”
1913-05-01
President Roosevelt writes his wife Edith about their daughter Ethel Roosevelt acting as the “mistress of the White House” and how close he has grown to her. Quentin Roosevelt has been a “dear” as well. He encloses a letter from Ted Roosevelt and one from Kermit Roosevelt. Roosevelt has dined with Seth Low and the Lodges.
1908-03-17
Newly appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt writes his daughter Alice that he is homesick for his family and their new house will be very comfortable. He asks how she liked the Wild West show and says he arranged school for Ted and Kermit Roosevelt. He mentions the trees in Rock Creek Park are down.
1897-05-06
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs his daughter Alice that Edith’s sciatica is improving and he is reading to and romping with the children. During his visit to the Lodges, Nannie Cabot Lodge had an attack of the grippe. The Maine disaster has kept him very busy.
1898-02-20