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These letters cover the period 1884-1898. Most of the correspondence is addressed to Mina Miller Edison. There are numerous letters from her mother, Mary V. Miller; her sister, Jane (Jennie) Miller; and her stepdaughter, Marion Edison. There are also letters by Mina's stepsons, Thomas A. Edison, Jr., and William L. Edison; by their teachers; and by various members of the Miller family, including her father, Lewis. Also included are items authored by Mina Edison and some letters addressed to Thomas A. Edison. The correspondence deals mainly with the domestic life and activities of the Edison and the Miller families. The letters contain numerous references to Thomas A. Edison's work schedule, his health, his paternal and spousal role, and his relations with the Miller family. There are also items pertaining to his wedding; Mina Edison's pregnancies; the health of family members; time spent at Glenmont, Fort Myers, and Chautauqua, New York; Marion Edison's years in Europe and her marriage to Oscar Oeser; and the education of Thomas A. Edison, Jr. and William L. Edison at boarding schools. About 50 percent of the correspondence has been reproduced.
In addition to the correspondence by family members, there are numerous letters addressed to Mina Edison dealing mainly with the purchase of goods and with charitable donations. Some items pertain to the financial needs of nonprofit and other institutions, including the Orange Free Library, the New Jersey Home and Training School for Feeble Minded Children, and church and hospital funds in Fort Myers, Brooklyn, and Newark. The selected letters relate to Edison's health, Marion Edison's French tutor, Mina Edison's charitable activities, and her $50,000 loan to Aultman, Miller & Co. of Akron, Ohio.
The following categories of documents have not been selected: correspondence pertaining to the purchase of household items, clothing, and domestic services; telegrams regarding the travel arrangements or the transmittal of documents; solicitations and acknowledgments of annual dues and charitable donations; requests for loans; letters concerning subscriptions for the Orange Methodist Episcopal Church. Courtesy of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.