Scope and Contents From the Collection: The collection consists mostly of love letters between Ella-May Abbott of New Orleans, Louisiana and Walter James Rathbun who is based in ship ports in the United States, Europe, Nicaragua and the Panama Canal Zone.  Letters from Walter Rathbun’s Mother, Mrs. J. Baird of Floral Park, New Jersey and other family members are included. Ella-May and Walter begin a correspondence courtship in 1916, then breakup in 1919. They begin writing to each other again in 1926 and finally marry...

Scope and Contents

Walter Rathbun writes from the S.S. Matanzas of the Ward Line and Ella-May writes from her home in New Orleans, Louisiana. Walter relates some of his onboard duties and says he wants to enter the U.S. Coast Guard School. He tells of his past relationships and of his past wild ways. These letters are the beginning of his courtship of Ella-May.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents Walter remembers saying goodbye to Ella-May seven years ago in 1909. He is transferred to the S.S. Pamco of the Ward LIne as a 2nd Officer, then returns to the S.S. Saratoga doing military duty since the ship is being turned into a hospital ship. He's taking an exam for chief mate, but needs to decide whether to take an officer job of "navigating Lieutenant" on an auxiliary cruiser. Ella-May writes about her job, family and friends.

Scope and Contents

Very few letters between Walter and Ella-May since they ended their relationship during this time. There are letters from Walter's father and brother, Charlie, both associated with ships. Walter is in Norfolk, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia and Woodstock, New York and works on ships S.S. Oglethorpe and S.S. San Pasqual.

Scope and Contents

Correspondence with family and one post card from Ella-May.

Scope and Contents

Walter works on the S.S. Lorraine Cross in Argentina, Texas and Brazil. He marries sometime in 1922. Correspondence is with family members. Ella-May sends him a Christmas card on December 12, 1923.

Scope and Contents On March 3, 1926 Ella-May writes Walter and asks what has he been doing for the past 4 years. She also asks about his wife. He answers on March 25 that he came back to his Mother's house in New Jersey without his wife. Later letters imply that the marriage is over. By May 18, Ella-May tells Walter that she loves him. They continue writing love letters to each other, interspersed with news of their daily activities and the problem of annulling his marriage. Walter's Mother writes to him...

Scope and Contents

Walter and Ella-May continue writing love letters to each other, interspersed with news of their daily activities and the problem of annulling his marriage. Walter's Mother writes to him regularly.

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The collection consists mostly of love letters between Ella-May Abbott of New Orleans, Louisiana and Walter James Rathbun who is based in ship ports in the United States, Europe, Nicaragua and the Panama Canal Zone.  Letters from Walter Rathbun’s Mother, Mrs. J. Baird of Floral Park, New Jersey and other family members are included. Ella-May and Walter begin a correspondence courtship in 1916, then breakup in 1919. They begin writing to each other again in 1926 and finally marry...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The collection consists mostly of love letters between Ella-May Abbott of New Orleans, Louisiana and Walter James Rathbun who is based in ship ports in the United States, Europe, Nicaragua and the Panama Canal Zone.  Letters from Walter Rathbun’s Mother, Mrs. J. Baird of Floral Park, New Jersey and other family members are included. Ella-May and Walter begin a correspondence courtship in 1916, then breakup in 1919. They begin writing to each other again in 1926 and finally marry...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The collection consists mostly of love letters between Ella-May Abbott of New Orleans, Louisiana and Walter James Rathbun who is based in ship ports in the United States, Europe, Nicaragua and the Panama Canal Zone.  Letters from Walter Rathbun’s Mother, Mrs. J. Baird of Floral Park, New Jersey and other family members are included. Ella-May and Walter begin a correspondence courtship in 1916, then breakup in 1919. They begin writing to each other again in 1926 and finally marry...