Ellen Hays Etting and Rebecca Gratz to Maria Gist Gratz - December 11, 1825

Rebecca writes to her sister-in-law Ann, inquiring about the health of her step-sons. She also tells of the latest balls of the season, the literature she is reading, and the effect James Blair's death had on his family.

Rebecca tells her niece Miriam of Miriam's husband's visits to the grieving Hays, Etting, and Minis families in Philadelphia and Baltimore. She also updates her on other family news.

Writing to her sister-in-law Maria from Saratoga Springs, Rebecca critiques the social scene there and tells of the secret marriage of a young girl to a bishop's son, whose father officiated the ceremony.

While Bernard and Howard, two of her sister-in-law Maria's sons, are staying with Rebecca's family in Philadelphia, she updates Maria on their wellbeing and health, including needed dental care. She also details the circumstances around firing a newly hired domestic servant.