After the Trip - November 1943 - A Letter From Ellen Upton Hall

Grover got his furlough, and he and Ellen Upton Hall visited Upton relatives in N.Y. and Pennsylvania.

Ellen wrote a letter in late November of 1943.  The letter is written in pencil and difficult to read.

"Did you get my cards I sent on the trip?"

"Mother said Pat & Bob were home. Lucky stiffs."

"Excuse pencil - my pen is at the factory being repaired."

"Ml. Rt. #38

Augusta, Ga.

c/o D.J. Bowles

27 November 1943

Dearest Sis and family,

You do owe me a letter but will write and tell you something of our trip.

There was just oodles of snow all the time we were there - which made it beautiful (scenery I mean) and it was fun to play in but was very unpleasant in other ways.  Grandma is fine, looks much better than I had expected.  Sure hope Dad gets to see her soon though.  That is about all she looks forward to is when Dad and Mom can go see her again.  By the way she and Grover clicked it off at once, just like old pals.  Jimmie1 is a big boy - fact didn't know him - even mistook a neighbor for him.  Aunt Mildred2 looks much different...There is a new arrival3 coming there on April 26 is "she" arrives when expected.  Say nothing to anyone that I told you as Grandma doesn't know and they don't want to tell her for awhile. Uncle Robert is the one I was shocked when I saw...He could barely walk.  He had the flu and when he got over it his legs were absolutely useless.  They are taking him to a chiropractor (sp?) in Erie and he was getting a little better when we left but was still pitiful...

We went to see Aunt Ida4 for a little while,  She looks old and tired - but still not much gray in her fair.  Helen5 was home....Helen had had a boil and hadn't worked since Wed (that was Sat.)  Went downtown and saw Jane.6  She is a big girl, not quite as tall as I am but before she's twenty she'll be taller.  I'm quite a bit taller than Helen.  Jane is a pretty girl.  Never got to see Virginia7 and family.  From their picture the boys are sure handsome little fellows.  Did you know Bill was a strict Catholic - I didn't.  Uncle Robert, Aunt Mildred, Grover & I stopped by Aunt Ida's again on Monday but no one was home.  As for Aunt Jennie & Uncle Ross8 and family, Aunt Jennie looks the same...Uncle Ross looks very tired...Rachel is a sweet little girl and as bright as a dollar...Janet sure looks like V'Ona did as a little girl.  Except for the brown eyes she's almost identical to V'Ona, especially in that picture of you two kids...All in all we had a swell time while there.

I got home from the trip and came down with the flu.  I'm supposed to be well now but my body hasn't been thoroughly convinced  of the fact and I still drag around a bit.  I have a bad cold.  I went back to work Wednesday but was mighty glad to have the day off Thurs.  We both got the day off.  Instead of having turkey for dinner we had a nice roast.  After dinner we went to a putrid show.

Must get Grover's dinner now.  Bye and write soon.

Love,

Grover and Ellen

P.S. Now about about a letter Jim?"  

       

  

1 Jimmie Upton b. 1928 1st child of Robert & Mildred Upton. Would have been 15 in 1943.

2 Aunt Mildred b. abt 1905 - wife of Robert Upton b. 1898 the 5th child of James & Nellie Upton. 

3 New arrival - "she" turned out to be Robert Upton born April 1944 - son of Robert & Mildred Upton.

4 Aunt Ida b. abt 1890 - wife of Parney Upton b. 1888 the 2nd child of James & Nellie Upton. 

5 Helen Upton b. abt 1914 - 1st child of Parney & Ida Upton 

6 Jane Upton b. abt 1927 - 3rd child of Parney & Ida Upton.

7 Virginia Upton b. abt 1920 - 2nd child of Parney & Ida Upton. 

8 Ross Upton - 4th child of James & Nellie Upton b. 1893 - married Jennie - two daughters - Janet & Rachel.