Rebecca Gratz to Maria Gist Gratz - December 31, 1837

Rebecca tells her friend Maria of the safe birth of Rachel's son, discusses their friends the Hamiltons, and informs her on the death of a mututal acquaintance.

Deeply affected by the death of her estranged brother Simon, Rebecca gives her sister-in-law Maria a detailed account of his last days and expresses hope that the family's relationship with his children can be restored.

Rebecca conveys to her sister-in-law Maria her sorrow and her memories of Henry Clay's recently deceased daughter. She also updates her on the activities of Maria's two eldest sons who are staying with Rebecca while Maria is in Washington, D.C.

Rebecca gifts her nieces Miriam and Anna in Kentucky a book of fairytales and a book of holiday stories, respectively.

Rebecca writes to her brother Ben, sending her deepest condolences on the death of his wife, Maria Gist Gratz. Their niece Sarah adds a note, also expressing her grief.