Rebecca Gratz to Maria Gist Gratz - October 03, 1820

Rebecca writes to her brother Ben, sending sympathies for a recent loss within his wife's family, updates him on her and Julia Hoffman's improving health, and sends a request for a photograph.

Rebecca tells her friend Maria her thoughts about Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe, her impressions of a sermon by a Unitarian preacher, and shares family news, including Issac Hays's graduation from medical school.

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

Rebecca writes to her sister-in-law Maria, describing the effects of cholera in Philadelphia. She also reports on the antisemitic attack Philip Minis had suffered, which led to a fatal duel and the subsequent murder trial of Minis.

Rebecca updates her sister-in-law Maria on the health of family members, deaths and marriages in her community, and shares news of Philadelphia's social scene. She also compliments Maria on her drawing of her family.