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John M. Rogers to Walt Whitman, 11 April 1875

About This Item

  • Title: John M. Rogers to Walt Whitman, 11 April 1875
  • Date: April 11, 1875
  • Creator(s): John M. Rogers
  • Whitman Archive ID: loc.01871
  • Source: The Charles E. Feinberg Collection of the Papers of Walt Whitman, 1839–1919, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
  • Contributors to digital file: Alex Kinnaman Elizabeth Lorang Eder Jaramillo John Schwaninger Nima Najafi Kianfar Caterina Bernardini Marie Ernster Paige Wilkinson Amanda J. Axley Stephanie Blalock
  • Cite this page: Rogers, John M.. "John M. Rogers to Walt Whitman, 11 April 1875." The Walt Whitman Archive. Gen. ed. Matt Cohen, Ed Folsom, & Kenneth M. Price. Accessed 11 May 2025. <http://www.whitmanarchive.org>.
  • Source File: loc.01871.xml (TEI)
 loc.01871.005_large.jpg New Britain April 11th 1875 Dear Friend and Sir

As I have just came acrost​ one of your letter I thought I would write you a few Lines just to let you know that I have not for goting​ you I am enjoying good health as well as my Family. Cince​ I last saw you I was Married I have been Married two years to day I have got  loc.01871.006_large.jpg a little boy ten months old1 on the 18 of this month and I named him after you so you see I have not for goting​ you How is the times in Washington it has been hard times here but I have got through the winter allright​ . We have had very cold weather here it has been the coldest winter I ever experance​ . Work is very dull here now I am not doing much at preasant​ how do you get alon​ out there. I have been away from Brooklyn Two Years next fowl​ I was throwed​ out of work in New York with  loc.01871.007_large.jpg about two Hundred others ten days before the Panic from the American Bank, Note, Co and did not do any thing till January 20th I came to New Britain Conn​ and I have been here cince​ I do not like it here I had rather be in the City some where how is Buisness​ there if you come on this way I should like to have you come and see me if you can not stay more than one day but I would like to have you make me a good visit I have got a fine boy I can till​ you he is as prety​ as a picture we all send  loc.01871.008_large.jpg Love I hope you will forgive me for not writing before this

from your Affectinate​ Friend &c. John M Rogers Address John M Rogers New Brittain​ Conn John M. Rogers, New Britain Conn April, '75 (ans. & sent paper)

Correspondent:
John (Jack) M. Rogers was a Brooklyn driver with whom Whitman had a loving relationship. Whitman first met him in Brooklyn on September 21, 1870. For more on Rogers and his relationship with the poet, see Charley Shively, ed., Calamus Lovers: Walt Whitman's Working-Class Camerados (San Francisco: Gay Sunshine Press, 1987), 122–135.

Notes

  • 1. As yet we have no information about these people. [back]
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