Scope and Contents

Letters from Joseph C. Hilton, Brooklyn, New York, to his "sweetheart" (his wife, Margaret) discuss his search for employment and the lack of suitable jobs. He mentions the possibility of work in Colombia excavating a tunnel through two miles of rock.

Scope and Contents

Letters from Joseph to his "sweetheart" (his wife, Margaret) discuss his voyage on the S.S. Tivives, owned by the United Fruit Company, from New York down the East coast to Cartegena, Colombia. After disembarking, his travels continue through various cities until he reaches Medellin. He writes that he'll send for her once he is settled. In preparation, he advises her to take her typhoid inoculation.

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Letters from Joseph, Medellin and El Limon, to his "sweetheart" (his wife, Margaret) discuss the workings of a nearby gold mine and his observations of the local culture. Several letters are written on "Ferrocarril de Antiquia" letterhead, including one addressed to his son, Tommy.

Scope and Contents Letters from Joseph to his "sweetheart" (his wife). He discusses his wife's plans to come in early spring, his daughter starting college at Cornell University, and local opposition to his company's involvement in the tunnel project. An incomplete letter is addressed to his daughter Sylvia, also referred to as "Old Tops". In it, he tells her of his experiences flying with the Hydroplane Company in Colombia. An incomplete letter from an unknown author is addressed to Margaret (Joseph's wife)...

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Letters from Joseph to his wife, Margaret, with one to Sylvia and one to Tommy. He seeks news about the hurricane and tidal wave that swept over Miami. He describes hiking up the Chorerra waterfall. Although he continues to discuss his wife's impending move, he contends that Colombia is unsuitable for Tommy, despite him also being "pretty young to be separated from his mother". (Tommy was approximately seven years old.)

Scope and Contents Joseph writes of his visit to the La Clara gold mine, owned by Willis Mcguire and Ernest Mcguire, down the Porce River (Medellín River). He remarks on their goldmining operation, the hydraulic siphon pump used, and the owners' diversification of wealth into cattle and sugar cane. Joseph tells his wife of the house that will be provided for them. He describes hydroelectric development and of placing a dam above the Chorrea Falls. He discusses the "Blessing of the Tunnel" attended by church...

Scope and Contents

Letters from Joseph to his wife, Margaret, in which he describes the work on hydroelectric specifications, his recovery from dysentery, the local fashions, and his desire for her to come next spring. He laments being away from her on their 25th wedding anniversary. In separate letters to his wife and daughter, Joseph describes a coming out party for a local 16 year old girl held at the hotel. He sends his wife his annual earnings so she may file taxes.

Scope and Contents Letters from Joseph to his wife, Margaret, discuss a design for their six room bungalow. Having relented on the issue of his young son Tom staying in Colombia, Joseph discusses the logistics for bringing him. He describes the rainy season, people he's met, and reminisces about his family at Christmas. Joseph advises his wife on selling their shares of Hooker Electric in the stock market. In letters to his daughter Sylvia, he continues to encourage and praise her performance at Cornell...

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Letter from Joe to "sweetheart", his wife Margaret, in which he mentions that he will have to fire some men for drinking too hard. (Several of their letters mention temperance and prohibition back in the United States, a reoccurring theme.) The letter from Margaret to her mother describes their recent activities.

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The folder contains letters from Joseph addressed to Sylvia and his niece, Marion. Also, included are letters from Margaret in Santiago to "Mother" as well as letters from Margaret to Tom, who later returned to the United States to stay with relatives. Letters from Margaret to her niece Meg, describe her experiences in Colombia including the celebration of Holy Week. The August 28, 1928 letter from Margaret to Sylvia concerning her pets, clothing, and a trip to the ocean is typescript.

Scope and Contents Letters from "Mum" (Margaret) to "Darling" (Sylvia) describe Margaret's activities and interactions with friends including Mrs. Raynor, Mrs. Noble, Mrs. Huntington, Mrs. Davidson, and the Huxfords. Letters from "Dad" (Joseph) to Sylvia discuss her tennis playing, her college life, and his recent outings with her mother. He mentions news of a war between Bolivia and Paraguay over uninhabited land that may contain oil. The folder also contains a letter from Peggy (Margaret) to Codie. Letters...

Scope and Contents Joseph writes to his daughter, Sylvia, that they anticipate finishing the tunnel in October now, due to the repeated changes in soft to hard ground. Margaret writes regularly to Sylvia, describing their social life. Margaret also includes a letter to her mother. In a letter to Sylvia, Joseph shares the news of the accidental drowning of Roy Krauss in the Cauca River. He later tells her they have been invited to watch a "clean up" of the La Clara gold mine, which is expected to yield 40 to 50...

Scope and Contents The folder contains letters from Margaret (also known as "Peggy") to Sylvia, Codie, Teddy, and Margaret's mother. Much of the content focuses on friends and her social events in Santiago. She shares that Joseph's injury was infected and the doctor reported it as anthrax. She mentions that the "cement business" is dragging out and may keep Joseph even after the tunnel is completed. Joseph writes to Sylvia that his work in Colombia is nearing completion after three years. The tunnel is now in...

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The folder contains letters from Margaret, Santiago, to Codie and Arthur. The content is news of her friends, inquiries about family back in the U.S., and preparations for travelling. Includes an incomplete letter from Margaret addressed simply to "family".

Scope and Contents Margaret, Santiago, writes to "family". She inquires about news from back home (Congress, the money rate, the "China-Japan" War, and the missing Lindbergh baby). She describes her social activities, that she is being tutored in Spanish, and remarks on family news from back home. In Joseph's letter to Arthur, he writes that he is sorry to hear the Yarmouth school is closing. He comments on turning 60 and being out of a job, competing with men half his age. He discusses money concerns and...

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The letter from Joseph, Bogota, to his wife Margaret, describes in detail his trek via taxi, train, and horseback to view the site of a future dam. The letter is written on "Hotel Granada" letterhead.

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Includes an incomplete, undated letter from Joseph to his daughter as she prepares to go to Cornell University, in which he describes his own college experiences in Ithaca. The folder also contains a single page of a letter from an unknown writer (possibly Margaret) to a child, asking about how they plan to improve their History grade.