November 1 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Gerding. — Sam Moffett Lincoln Bank” [NB 44 TS 16]. Note: Charles Gerding, Jr. obtained a judgment against Isaac K. Funk of Funk & Wagnalls publishing. Funk had reorganized the Eastern Tennessee Land Co. in 1894, which had originally been formed in 1889 to establish a prohibition settlement. Charles Gerding, Sr. was at one time employed by the Co. and helped Funk reorganize the company but was not reimbursed $5,000 in Harriman Northeastern RR bonds as promise. He then sold his claim to his son, who filed suit and obtainted judgement for $6,804 [NY Times 28 Jan 1889, p.2.] Sam Moffett had recently investigated the Clemens’ family’s eastern Tennessee Lands (see Sept. 15 entry), and judged they still had mineral rights on 1,500 acres. Moffett likely discussed the Gerdings with Sam.

In Riverdale, Sam wrote to Helen Louisa Stokes (Mrs. Anson Phelps Stokes, Sr.)

It is too bad that I bothered you about the coat. I would have kept still, but I supposed I should only be bothering the care-taker.

I called yesterday at your New York house in the hope of finding Mr. Stokes at home, but was disappointed—the workman were in possession—trying to pull the house down, I thought, but I was afraid to try to stop it without authority.

My best time on that great New Haven occasion was in your house, & I desire to say my sincerest best thanks, Mrs. Stokes, for your kind hospitalities [MTP].

Sam also wrote to an unidentified man, declining an invitation as he lived “too far from town for much going” [MTP]. Note: This note listed as Nov. 1901 or 2, and similar to a form letter Sam wrote in pencil sometime this month.

Beatrice M. Benjamin (1889-1956) wrote from Ardsley-on-Hudson, NY to Sam, enclosing a picture she’d taken of him at Fairhaven and one of herself. “Do you recognize me in the Puritan dress?” [MTP]. Note: H.H. Rogers’ granddaughter was now 12 years old.