LETTERS – and Misc. Correspondence to Francis Davis Millet from:
A collected PDF of letters from friends, and acquaintances of Francis Davis Millet. Scans of letters are in various states and unfortunately the source for most of the letters is not recorded, however a review suggests that many may be in the Archives of American Art at the Smithsonian, there is also the possibility that these are transcriptions (made by Peter Engstrom) of notes made by James Hunt, who was a devoted friend of Franks for most of his life and kept a record of Millet’s artwork, correspondence, news clippings, photos etc. and came from Hunts estate upon his death.
Link: FD Millet Letters
*ABBEY, Edwin Austin, paper fragment, 2 3/10 x 4 2/5″ (6 x 11 ½ cm):
Obv. Reads: “To introduce Frank D. Millet to Edmund Clarence Stedman, So.
[80] Broadway, New York” signed LL “Edwin A. Abbey”; Rev. reads: “Mr. Mr. – Esq. Esq – All. Etc- I place a collection of epithets on the back for you to select from – if the other side is too informal – E.A.A.
72 Redford Garden. W., April 14th 1881- with double square embossment of EEA inside, 7 x 4 ½” (17 ½ x 11 ½ cm)
“My dear Boy- I have been hoping for a letter from you for a long time–ut noe has come… ” signed E. A. Abbey
*ADAMS, Charles Francis
31 Pemberton Square, Boston, January 16, 1874, 8 x 5″ (20 ½ x 12.7 cm) “My dear Mr. Millett/ Yours of Dec m 23d reached me two days ago.
Quincy/Sunday/8 th Feb 1874
“Do you realize, my dear Mr. Millett, that it is six months since you put me into the carriage at Vienna, on my first stages home?-“
31 Pemberton Square, Boston, 3d March 1874, 8 x 5″ (20 ½ x 12.7cm)
“My Dear Mr Millet/Your letter of 10th Feb reached me today and I hasten to answer it in part at once.”
31 Pemberton Square, Boston, April 15, 1874, 8 x 5″ (20 ½ x 12.7cm)
“My dear Mr Millet,/ Yours of 8 Feb reached wher while I was away in New York, and lay on my tale until my return.”
31 Pemberton Square, Boston, May 29, 1874, 8 x 5″ (20 ½ x 12.7cm)
“My dear Mr Millett/ Your letter from Capri of My 6th reached me a few days ago and gave me sincere satisfaction.”
31 Pemberton Square, Boston, August 17, 1874, 8 x 5″ 20 ½ x 12.7 cm)
“My dear Mr Millett/ I got your letter of July li a couple of weeks ago and again , test I may not answer it at all. I find myself reduced to a line, and half a sheet of paper.
Adams Building, 23 Court St., Boston, November 8, 1881, 8 x 5″ (25xl3.5 cm) “My dear Millet/ You say you “hope you may be able sometime to do me a
favor…
. Adams Building, 23 Court Street, Boston, August 12, 1888, 8 x 5 3/10″ 25 x 13 ½ cm), opens to twice size.
“Your letter of July 20th is before me… So!- another infant Millet gladdens your eyes… [John Alfred Parsons Millet was born at Russell House on July 8, 1888.]
UNDATED PAGES in the Charles Francis Adams packet of letters
31 Pemberton Square, Boston
“the state house. In… $1060
Adams Building, 23 Court St., Boston
“This is the drudgery which gave him facility and paved the way to sucess.-” ·
Adams Building, 23 Court St., Boston
“give New York a square professional try. For myself, I don’t believe in it.”,
*ALMA-TADEMA. Lawrence,
17 Grove End Road, St. John’s Wood, N.W., Nov. 16, 1886, 6 x 4 (15.5 x 9.8 cm) “My dear Millet/So manyh thank to you and all inRussell Housee for the nice
Sunday so happily spent. I found on my return a letter :from Ragon who you may remember in New York/ He is unwell & feels lonely. Do send him a line… (P. Rayon/ c/o Avry 86 fifth Avenue)
17 Grove End Road, St John’s Wood, N.W.; November 24, 1887; 3 2/5 x 4 3/5″ (8.7xl 1.6cm)
“Dear Frank/ Thanks for the [?]… So you are back at Russell House again and painting I suppose & ned returned only at 2a.m.. [a drawing and something about the Trogan Column at South Kensington Museum.]
17 Grove End Road, St. John’s Wood, N.W., Sunday, November 7, 1897,
“Dear Frank/…….. Ijust fill up this [letter] to take you away from your decoration
for a while, for I am afraid you are going to spoil it if you go on fiddling along…. When
you leave for New York don’t leave on but wish for a speedy return sand a happy journey & much success behind for we do send thanks to yo both by bucket s full. Love to the boys. We are still surrounded by spoils of your garden that dear place we love so well..
CONTEXT: On the inside of the last page Alma-Tadema drew a small pencil sketch of Thesmophoria, “a faint recollection” and signed it in Lr. corner.It is wonderfully accurate considering it was from memory. The mural was shipped to New Yorkjust two days after the date of the letter. See: A Titanic Life, pp. 239-240.
17 Grove End Road, St. John’s Wood, N.W. [London], June 3, 1899, 6 x 4″ (15 ½
x 10 cm)
Dear Frank – Delighted that Broadway is delighted with the honor bestowed upon
me…
34, Grove End Road, St. John’s Wood, N.W., [London], July 21, 1904, 6 x 4″ (15
½ x 10 cm) There are 8 stylized square sheep-line drawings at the top.
“Dear Francesco/ We are all so glad to hear you are coming home, & congratulate ourselves heartily that we shall be seeing you soon. Hip Hip hurray!/ Yours affectionately’ Lawrence AlmaTadema/
‘eas ‘eas- ‘ip’ip/ Anna E. AlmaTadema/ wou’t mind setting eyes on you again/ Alice send welcome & love.
cm),
34, Grove End Road, St. Jonh’s Wood, N.W., January 11, 1909, 6 x 4″ (15 ½ x 10
“Dear Laurence & Jack/ Don’t mind my writing only one letter to you both. You
have the same address & I have so many letters to answer that I hardly see my way to get through the lot last night 45 wrote.
cm),
34, Grove End Road, St John’s Wood, N.W., August 21, 1909, 6 x 4″ (15 ½ x 10
“Dear Frank/ Seeing your dear face at the [word?] was a great comfort to us so
many thanks for all the kind thoughts for us /love to all/ever yours/ L AlmaTadema Please thank Laurence for his sweet letter received tonight. I am glad to find him
in the [word?] that comforts us/ LAT/ Gratitude & love from Laurence & Anna”
*ANDERSON (de Navarro), Mary
Court Farm, Broadway, Worcestershire., January 1, 1908, “New Years Day, 1908” signed, “Mr. & Mrs Nav.
*BALFOUR, Edith
A Song about “Bell Sofie” inscribed to “Mr [s?] Millet fro Edith Balfour, Half-sheet size 7 x 10 ½” (17 ½ x26 cm)
*BARNARD, FRED (RICK)
LETTER: 4 Canfield Road, Belsize Park (London), July 9, 1886, 6 x 4″ (15.5 x 10 cm)
“My dear old Frank/ Many thanks for your kind note, which I have ben so long in acknowledging.
[CONTEXT]: This is the letter that I had so much trouble identifying because of the signature, but realize it had some importance because of the wonderful sketches in it. The date July 9, 1886, was the clue that I had overlooked. Fred Barnard broke a bone in his left foot during the spring of 1886 and delayed his arrival in Broadway, much to the chagrin of Sargent who wanted to finish Carnation, Lily, Lily Rose using Dolly and Polly Barnard. See: A Titanic Life, p.177.
*BARRIE, J.M.
Black Lake Cottage, No Farnham, Surrey, August 28, 1900, 6 x 4″ (15 x 10cm),
Peter Pan’s creator wrote, “My dear Lawrence, You have been elect unanimously an allahakbarrie with all the rights and privileges pertaining there to. What they are, even the captain does not know, but they include the wearing of the badge which is herewith enclosed. I hope you will often play for us, and that your father will often play against us
– You will thus be both helping us to victory. With kindest regards to all/ Yours Sincerely J.M. Barrie
[CONTEX] Frank Millet had hosted at Russell House the third annual cricket match of the locals versus the Allahakbarries Cricket Team and his ten year old son Jack (John Alfred Parsons Millet) scored the game. Lawrence was sixteen when elected during the summer of 1900, but may not have been able to play since he was only a year from recovering from typhoid fever. [See: A Titanic Life, p. 252.
*BYRAM, Susan, East Bridgewater, May 16, 184[2 or 5?], to Mrs. Hulda A. Millett,
Mattapoisett, Mass 3×5″ (7 x 13cm) cover of many folds “Dear Sister…………………… “
*GREENE, FRANCIS V., Constantinople, April 16, 1878, My Dear Millet.
[CONTEXT] Francis V. Greene was the U.S. Army observer during the Russo-Turkish War. This letter tells of trying to meet up with Frank before he left Constantinople and of the medals offered to Green by the Russians.
*HOWELLS, William Dean,
Card, 3 1/5 x 5 7/10″ (8.2 x14.6 cm), Editorial Office of The Atlantic Monthly, Boston, September 15, 1880.
Reads: “My dear Millet: Mr. Tilton, of Rome, is here, with all his sketches and studies, at Mrs. Rand’s, 23 Beacon Street. Could you and would you lok look ( I suppose I had better spell it with two o’s) at them with a view to writing about them in the Atlantic? He exhibits in New York in November, and here in December. Please answer. Yours ever, W.D.Howells.
[Same card as above]
Reads: Nov 3, 1880 My dear Millet:
The final volume of the illustrated [word?] is now published, and I should like to send it you for immediate review. May I do so. Yours sincerely/ W.E.Howells.
*LA FARGE, JOHN:
“Newport Sunday. Oct 8th [1876]/ My dear Mr Millet/ Many thanks for your letter. I may still need you for more than I asked, and I was very much pleased that you should so kindly have offered further assistance. I may find the time to work for Mr. Lathrop….
[CONTEXT] Millet, La Farge and Lathrop worked on Trinity Church in Boston beginning in October, 1875. Since all are named in this letter and since 1876 has Oct 8th on a Sunday, this letter must be about the early stages of the mural work for the church.]
*MILLET, Dr. Asa
LETTER: to Frank [son, FDM] from Asa, Abington, August 28, 1860.
“Dear Frank/Yours was received this evening for which you will accept my thanks. I think I see in you letter to me some restraint as if you were a little afraid of me.
[CONTEXT] Frank would have been nearly fourteen years old when his father wrote this letter.
Letter, from Asa Millet on “Commonwealth of Massachusetts Council Chamber” letterhead, dated January 10, 1866, 8 x 5″ (20 ½ x12 112cm), to an unnamed person about genealogy.
A small note, undated, 5 ½ x 4 2/5″ (14 x 11cm) quoting Asa to F.D.M. dated Dec. 10, 1871,
about a request to keep a sketch for the Academy … “Frank has not an enemy in College.”
East Bridgewater, June 17, 1877, “No 9”,
“Dear Frank/ Your 9th took us by surprise for I supposed you were settled for the summer. I do not however think it at all strange thet you wish to se the dread panoply of war again….
Letter, to Lily, from Asa Millet, c. 1888, 7 ½ x 4 9/10″ (19 x12 ½ cm)
The letter mentions neighbor Mrs. Hobart wishing to see The Love Letter that’ was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1888, so this letter to Lily had to be written on or after that year.
East Bridgewater, July 21, 1890, 8 x 5″ (20 ½ x 12 x ½ cm)
“Dear Frank/ Yours dated July 11 at London came last night…… [the letter seems to
be about money Frank gave to his brother Charles.]
East Bridgewater, February 9, 1892, 8×5″ (20 ½ x12 112cm)
“Dear Frank/ I am very much obliged for yours because it gives me the assurance that you all are in good health and also for the information given by [name?] of our ancestors.” The remainder of the letter is about Asa’s passion for family genealogy, closing with “But I must close. We are all well. Laurence’s arm is most well and the children are very happy here. Your etc A. Millet”
*MILLETT, GEORGE BROWN
Penzance [England], October 10, 1872,
“My dear Cousin/ [Asa Millet] all about Millet genealogy Penzance [England], July 5, 1874,
“My dear Cousin.. .I can form n idea of real life in Rome… You seem happy in the choice of a studio-I hopeyou won’t kill yourself with overwork; and don’t let those [word?] of whom you speak, chain you to the rock upon which you have perched yourself..How long do you think you will stay in Paris? Until you have thoroughly examined its miles of picture galleries probably. The wall flowers & sweet Williams you brought from Statford on Avon are growing in our scrap of a garden…
*IVIlLLET, HULDAH [MRS. ASA IVIlLLET]
Note 6 x 4 1/5″ (15.3 xl0.8 cm) in pencil in what appears to be F.D.M.’s handwriting that reads: “Copied from a letter written by mother to Frank-Nov. 24, 1872/ We did not forget you on Nov. 3 – I always live over again the days that stand out distinctly from others in all the children’s babyhood. I used to say to Aunt Susan that your father didn’t care much for his babies so when some one called to see him one eve, we caught hime in the act of showing you to the caller. You were very young not many weeks. Aunt Susan called me to look through a crack of the door and we had a merry time over it. She does not forget to tell him of it even now at this late day. I can hardly believe that 26 years have passed since then but I am happy to say that the father is as fond of his big boy as he seemed to be of the little fellow that lay asleep in the cradle that evening in Mattapoisett.”
[CONTEXT: See A Titanic Life, p. 9.
Letter to Lucia Millet, London, July 3[?], 1895, from “Mother” Hulda B. Millet.
The letter is about the sights of London with the Pierces, including comments about Parsons, Tadema and Ely on 3d page.
*IVIlLLET, Francis Davis
LETTER, F.D.M., to Dear Father (Dr. Asa Millet), Abington, Sept 9, 1855, 6 4/5 x4 2/5″ (17.4x 11.1cm)
[This is a very early letter from eight year old Frank]
LETTER, F.D.M. to Dear Father, Indianapolis/ Camp Carrington/ Aug 14th 1864, ten pages, 8 x 5 (20.3 x 12.6 cm) in original envelope addressed to Dr. Asa Millet/Bridgewater/Mass, annotated: “Frank F.D.M- in the war as drummer boy”
[CONTEXT]: Frank begins his adventures as a Civil War drummer boy. See: A Titanic Life, p. 23.
LETTER: F.D.M., “On the Danube/ Tuesday- noon.”, [June 20- Sept 9, 1891, Frank was on the Danube.]four pages on onionskin paper, to
“Dear Mem:-, signed “Francesco”,
“Dear Mem:- Lest you should think that a few days vacation in a civilized place should have so shaken my nerves that I cannot write a steady hand I begin by dating my letter …
Letter, F.D.M., signed “Francesco”, to “My dear Mem:-, London/Sunday [May 13, 1878?]
[CONTEXT: Millet traveled from Paris to London in May of 1878 on business with the
Daily News. The letter is quoted in A Titanic Life on p. 112 and 115.
Francis Davis Millet, 54, Bedford Gardens, Kensington. W., July 24 [1884], to Isabella Lewinna Millett Pierce, London.
“Dear Bella:-
This is to say briefly, because I am hurrying to get the mail that Lily gave us a boy yesterday at 5 a.m. Both are [word?] very well indeed and we hope for her speedy and safe recovery. She send her love to you both so does the 10 pounder. And so does the proud papa/ Yours faithfully/ F. D. Millet
[CONTEXT] Cousin Belle, as Isabella Pierce was called in the family, lived in the capital with her wealthy English husband, Josiah. See: A Titanic Life, p. 152 for Laurence’s birth and naming controversy.
POSTCARD: From F.D.M., Broadway, England, postmarked Aug. 3, 1906, to Mrs. H.
- Millet (Huldah), East Bridgewater, Mass, U.S. America, postmarked, Aug. 13, 1906, East Bridgewater, 3 ½ x 5 ½” (9 x 14 cm)
Reverse, right half: shows a photograph of the handsome mustachio Prince Aladro Kastrioti, pretender to the throne of Albania, in a white fez. On the left is written, “My traveling companion to Rome, Prince Kastristi of Albania. If it hadn’t been for the wedding I fear of almost have gone to Albania for a “flutter” F. D. M. Aug 2
[CONTEXT] : This is a wonderful post card from Frank to his mother after he attended his daughter Kate’s wedding in Broadway on July 18, 1906. It seems to indicate that Frank was candid with this mother on his relationship with men.
F.D.M. Forrest Hall, Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, to Hon Huntington Wilson, Assistant Secretary of State, Washington, D.C, June 25, 1910, 6 4/5 x 5 2/5″ (17.2 x 13.7cm)
“Dear Sir:-
I beg to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your favor of yesterday informing me of my appointment by the President as a member of the Commission of Fine Arts. I accept the appointment with full appreciation of the high honor conferred upon me. /I am, Sir, Yours to command, Francis D. Millet
F.D.M., on board the Berlin, of the Norddeutscher Lloyd Line, Bremen, March 9, 1912, to Laurence, 7 ½ x 5 3/5″ (18.8 x 14.3 cm)
[CONTEXT: This letter was sent while Frank and Archibald Butt were crossing the Atlantic to Rome in 1912. In the letter Frank mentions planning to catch the Titanic on
| • |
April 10th
See: A Titanic Life, p. 354.
*MILLET, JOSIAH (JOE)
Letter to F.D.M., from his brother Joe, at Exeter, on “Saturday”
Joe wants Frank to get some information about examinations for Harvard.
*SAMBOURNE, Edward Linley. embossed “Beefsteak Club”, 7 x 4 ½” (17.7 x 11.5
cm), June 11, 1889.
“My Dear Millet – Many thanks for sending me the letter from Scribners – only to borrow a drawing – which they are welcome to….
*SARGENT, John Singer, Buzzards Bay [MA],[?] September [1887], 8 x 5″ (20 x 12 ½ cm)
*VERESHCHAGIN, VASILY
Letter, 1887, 6 9/10 x 4 3/10″ (17.5 x 11 cm)
“Moncher Millet/ II est possible qui…… [The French needs to be translated.]
Letter, June 25, 1888, Taroslawsky, Rostoff, Russia, to England, Worcestershire/ Evesham Station, Broadway, Russell House, Millet, Esq 8 1/5 x 5 3/10 (21 x 13.4 cm)
“My Dear Millet/ After having received your explaination of this dreadful paragraph I I am affrayed stil more. Look at the whole business in the case of government hindrance: I will send a great number of very large cases to New Yorld I will come myself with two servants, etc, etc………………………….. and the cases will be returned and I will return and my servants will
return etc. etc….. after having spent something like 15 or 20,000 franes and not having
received one penny oft damages from the Society, which, as you know, declines the whole responsibility! And bear in mind please that I have declined two invitations to Barcelona and Munich for the time of their great exhibitions, when private galleries were offered to me on very liberal terms!
If I will not receive a guarantie that these gentlemen will pay at least an half of my transport and traveling expenses even in the case of hindrance of the exhibition, I must decline to exhibit in the Art Society galleries/ had I not right to say that I fear you Amyrican people?
I fine that £ 700 is not a great price for such a picture as yours; the hegeinng[?word] was good and the lining was not a small piece of work. The weather is very bad here, so that I can not finish a few studies and am writing some souvenirs for my book. Perhaps the matter will be arranged with America; in this case I will see you this summer and if you can will bring you some Russian crosses and images?/ My respects go madam/ Your very truly/ V. Venstchagy/ My address: Russia/ Rostoff, Taroslavsky
*WHITMAN, ROYAL E.
LETTER: to Lily Millet, from Royal E. Whitman, Office, Whitman Saddle, NY, May 11, 1880, 8 ½ x 5 ½” (21.7 x 13.8 cm)
“Dear Lily/ Two letter from you and I have not written you. One of your little Kate. And this one of the untimely taking off of the older Kate. I had hoped to see you after the first letter and tell you how glad I was for you. I write now [,] not that there is anything to be said[,] but is there anything to be done? We are well and please [command?] us for anything/ Yours with much love/ Royal E. Whitman
[CONTEXT] Royal E. Whitman was the uncle of Lily and the designer of the Whitman Army saddle with offices in New York. This letter serves the dual purpose of expressing the uncle’s congratulations to Lily on the birth of her daughter Katherine “Kate” Millet on January 28, 1880, and the condolences on the death of her younger sister Katherine (Kathleen) “Kato/Cato” Merrill in Paris on May 8, 1880 from T.B.