August 17 Tuesday – Sam wrote from Elmira to Moncure Conway that the new baby was “3 weeks old, & neither she nor her mother is able to sit up yet.”  Sam wasn’t certain of the date the family would return to Hartford but it would be “several weeks before” Conway sailed, and they could coordinate dates for the Conways to visit [MTLE 5: 145].

Sam also wrote to Elinor Howells, who had written Sam after he’d sent a check for Livy’s hair restorer. Livy was unable to write yet, so Sam wrote about baby Jean and who she looked like (no one could agree); and recommended a doctor for spinal diseases for Elinor. He added another note about the Stylographic pen that carried its own supply of ink—that William Dean should use one [MTLE 5: 147].