Rebecca Gratz to Benjamin Gratz - March 21, 1861

Rebecca expresses her excitement to her sister-in-law Maria about the family's plan to visit Philadelphia and updates her on the education, travels, and activities of family and friends.

Rebecca updates her sister-in-law Maria on the health of her niece Harriet Etting and her newborn son, comments on the personality of the actor Fanny Kemble, and relates the death of her young orphaned cousin.

Rebecca writes to her brother Ben, describing in detail the consecration service of the newly built Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia and gives him updates on family and friends.

Rebecca tells her brother Ben that their nephew, Horace, has left home to pursue a career in iron manufacturing. She also details Horace's heroic preservation efforts during a recent fire.

Rebecca writes to her brother Ben about the health of their siblings, compares his difficulties in travel to a poem she is reading, and updates him on their brother Joseph's business problems.