Elmira NY Home Circle Council Antique Handwritten Letter Mourning Stedwell

Description

Handwritten resolution, "Elmira Council No. 81" "Home Circle". It was written to recognize the passing of one of their charter members.
The name of the deceased is hard to discern but the last name may be Stedwell. Two initials appear before the last name- perhaps P.W., H.W., or F.W. (I cannot make out the first initial).
The deceased is referred to as "brother" in a couple places.
Three names appear at the conclusion of the resolution ( possibly written by the same hand). The first may be Mrs. Elizabeth ? Coke but the other two I cannot confidently decipher.
The year 1866 is written at the beginning of the letter but the year 1886 is written at its conclusion.
The handwriting is only on one side of each page.
8" x 12-1/2". Two pages tied with a ribbon. It has multiple fold lines and it will be mailed folded along existing lines. Creases, stains, edge and corner wear including bends and nicks. The ribbon is fraying and worn. The letter is larger than my scanner bed which is why it is shown folded. It has an old paper smell.
Old paper items often bear remnants of their long lives and previous homes. They may have had past exposure to a variety of environmental conditions such as odors, dust, storage in attics/basements, etc.
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