Accession: 352.48.011
Editorial Title: Selwin B. Peabody to Mary Baker Eddy, November 17, 1882
Author: Selwin B. Peabody 
Recipient: Mary Baker Eddy 
Date: November 17, 1882
Manuscript Description: Handwritten by Selwin B. Peabody on printed Tilton Mills stationery, from Tilton, New Hampshire.
Editorial Note: This letter is related to a monument for Mary Baker Eddy's parents, Mark Baker and Abigail Baker, and her husband, Asa Gilbert Eddy, which she ordered to be erected over their graves in Park Cemetery, Tilton, New Hampshire.
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352.48.011
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Mrs. Mary B.G. Eddy
My Dear Friend,

Yours of 13th instEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. was not received As Written: recd. till last evening and I reply early as possible. I note carefully the contents of yours, and will should the monumentEditorial Note: Mary Baker Eddy ordered a monument to her parents, Mark Baker and Abigail Baker, and to her husband, Asa Gilbert Eddy, to be erected over their graves in Park Cemetery, Tilton, New Hampshire. come here, make them wait, till I can send you word and you have opportunity to inspect the work yourself. With us neither monuments nor tablets are usually not up so late in the season as this, because it is not convenient for the workmen. A foundation for a monument should extend below the action of frost and must be so, to be permanent. As regards exact location etc. -- this of course can be determined better when the ground is bare -- I presume the parties with whom you contracted have not the monument ready -- and are making excuses, till snow comes, then they can tell you, you must wait till spring.

As regards the contract if signed by both you and the agent, you can hold them to every bit of it, but if signed by you only, it does not hold them. Again, if no time was specified when the work should be completed, you can do nothing but wait a reasonable time, making all allowances for unavoidable delays. The main points of the contract should have been specification of time, price, and workmanship -- as well as size, quality of stock etc. --- I think if I was in your place, I would write directly to the firm, ascertain whether the work is done. If not, whether it is begun, and if not commenced (which very possibly is the case, they thinking to make a winter job of it, as they can make the same work $50Editorial Note: $50.00 in 1882 is the equivalent of $1,261.48 in 2016. cheaper in winter than in summer,) than throw up their agreement and make a new one with justice reliable and nearer home. Should the monument come, I will telegraph you, and you can bring the contract with you. But I do not believe it will come before Spring As Written: spring.

I remain yours Truly
S.B. Peabody
352.48.011
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Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library
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Copied document link to clipboard.

Mrs. Mary B.G. Eddy
My Dear Friend,

Yours of 13th instEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. was not recd. Corrected: received till last evening and I reply early as possible. I note carefully the contents of yours, and will should the monumentEditorial Note: Mary Baker Eddy ordered a monument to her parents, Mark Baker and Abigail Baker, and to her husband, Asa Gilbert Eddy, to be erected over their graves in Park Cemetery, Tilton, New Hampshire. come here, make them wait, till I can send you word and you have opportunity to inspect the work yourself. With us neither monuments nor tablets are usually not up so late in the season as this, because it is not convenient for the workmen. A foundation for a monument should extend below the action of frost and must be so, to be permanent. As regards exact location etc. -- this of course can be determined better when the ground is bare -- I presume the parties with whom you contracted have not the monument ready -- and are making excuses, till snow comes, then they can tell you, you must wait till spring.

As regards the contract if signed by both you and the agent, you can hold them to every bit of it, but if signed by you only, it does not hold them. Again, if no time was specified when the work should be completed, you can do nothing but wait a reasonable time, making all allowances for unavoidable delays. The main points of the contract should have been specification of time, price, and workmanship -- as well as size, quality of stock etc. --- I think if I was in your place, I would write directly to the firm, ascertain whether the work is done. If not, whether it is begun, and if not commenced (which very possibly is the case, they thinking to make a winter job of it, as they can make the same work $50Editorial Note: $50.00 in 1882 is the equivalent of $1,261.48 in 2016. cheaper in winter than in summer,) than throw up their agreement and make a new one with justice reliable and nearer home. Should the monument come, I will telegraph you, and you can bring the contract with you. But I do not believe it will come before spring. Corrected: Spring

I remain yours Truly
S.B. Peabody
 
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This letter is not extant. Mary Baker Eddy ordered a monument to her parents, Mark Baker and Abigail Baker, and to her husband, Asa Gilbert Eddy, to be erected over their graves in Park Cemetery, Tilton, New Hampshire. $50.00 in 1882 is the equivalent of $1,261.48 in 2016.