March 19 Tuesday – “Tuesday’s child is full of grace,” goes the old verse, and on this Tuesday the most graceful of Sam’s children was born at Quarry Farm. Olivia Susan Clemens, known as “Susy,” was named for her grandmother, Olivia Lewis Langdon, and her aunt, Susan Langdon Crane. The baby girl appeared healthy and hearty, unlike Langdon, but was probably also somewhat premature at a tiny five pounds [Powers, MT A Life 318].

Sam wrote to brother Orion:

“Born, in Elmira, N.Y., at 4.25AM March 19, 1872, to the wife of Saml. L. Clemens, of Hartford, Conn., a daughter. Mother & child doing exceedingly well. Five-pounder” [MTL 5: 59].

Sam also sent word to the Fairbankses, who had traveled to New York and were at the St. Nicholas Hotel on Mar. 20. Sam sent out birth announcements for several days, including notes to the Twichells, Goodmans, and actor Frank Mayo (1839-1896). See Mar. 24 entry for Joe Goodman’s response.