Ann Stevenson letter 1878
Wakefield July 25 1878
Brother Andrew.
I wish you to understand, since my brother Aby has left the place & all father's property is fallen into your hands that I expect that you will give him a support off his place. Father has been with us going on 5 years at first we had $40 a year & of late $50. If my brother Abie was still here my poor unfortunate brother I would not look for any more but as he is gone I expect you will consider the matter. If you are not aware you should be that my father wants a different kind of care & attendance from what he did even one year ago which I am very willing to give him as I know it is my duty but I too feel it my duty to do what is right towards my own family. I believe any other of the grandchildren has as good a right to work to support my father as Thomas A. Stevenson, though dear boy this is not his doing for he speaks & acts as kind & cheerful with his grandfather as if he was receiving $200 per year for his maintanence. Father knows nothing of this yet. I hope it will meet his approbation as he always wishes to do what is right & just. I know you have given father a good deal out of your store, I too have been giveing him articles that I thought he needed such as socks & mittens. I too give him Arthur's best coat & vest which he left behind when he went first to British Columbia and lately Thomas Andrews wife gave him a good coat of Thomas Andrews as she thought he needed it. I believe father did not like to ask you for as much as he wanted. You have supplied him in blankets, I have in quilts & bed linens. Now I wish you to think the matter over & do justice to my family out of my fathers means, and I meen to give the over plus to one who has been deeply wronged I meen my James if you never have paid him his wages.
Please answer this
from your Sister
Ann Stevenson
Evidently, care of the elderly was an issue among families then as it can be now.Â