In a large trunk in the recesses of the Homestead attic is an envelope marked: “Letters Concerning Wedding and Wedding Trip of S.T.M & J.F.M & their confirmation certificates.” In that envelope is a letter Stephen wrote to Jeanie about six weeks after their wedding. It is on
the stationery of the National Hotel in Washington D.C. and was addressed to: Mrs. S. T. Mather, 129 W. Grand St. Elizabeth N.J.
Here, in time for Valentine’s Day, is the letter in its entirety:
Nov 22, 1893
7:30 P.M.
My darling wife
Your dear letter was waiting for me when I went down
to breakfast this morning and you don’t know how much I
appreciated it after my lonely night.
I must make this short dearest because I am going to
call on the Knights this evening. I saw Capt. Knight at the Army
building for a minute or two. I have had fairly good success
today. I have been busy right along.
I am going to start back at 9:40 tomorrow morning
and reach Phila. about 1 o’clock. I will leave there about 3:30
and reach Eliz Penn road (if train is on time) at 5:48 PM just
in time for supper.
Good by dearest wife until tomorrow
With a great deal of love From your husband
Stephen T.M.
Note: The Elizabeth New Jersey Penn Station was at 11 West Grand Street in Elizabeth, NJ., very near where Stephen and Jeanie were living at the time.