The Walt Whitman Archive
Life & Letters
Correspondence
About this Item
Title: Ellen M. O'Connor to Walt Whitman, 31 May 1891
Date: May 31, 1891
Whitman Archive ID: loc.03008
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.
Editorial note: The annotation, "see notes June 1st 1891," is in the hand of Horace Traubel.
Contributors to digital file: Cristin Noonan, Stephanie Blalock, and Brandon James O'Neil
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112 M St. N.W.1
May 31st 1891.
Wishing you many happy returns of this day,2 & good in all ways.
With love—
Nelly O'Connor.
Correspondent:
Ellen M. "Nelly" O'Connor was the
wife of William D. O'Connor (1832–1889), one of Whitman's staunchest
defenders. Whitman dined with the O'Connors frequently during his Washington
years, and he speaks often in his letters of their daughter Jean, by nickname
"Jenny" or "Jeannie." Though Whitman and William O'Connor would break in late
1872 over Reconstruction policies with regard to emancipated black citizens,
Ellen would remain friendly with Whitman. The correspondence between Whitman and
Ellen is almost as voluminous as the poet's correspondence with William. For
more on Whitman's relationship with the O'Connors, see also Dashae E. Lott, "William Douglas O'Connor,"
Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, J.R. LeMaster and Donald
D. Kummings, ed., (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998).
Notes:
1. This letter is addressed: Walt Whitman, | Camden, | New Jersey. It is postmarked: CAMDEN, N.J. | JUN1 | 6AM | 1891 | REC'D. There is a Washington, D. C. postmark on the postal card, but it is only partially visible. [back]
2. O'Connor wrote this postal card to send Whitman greetings and best wishes on the occasion of his seventy-second (and last) birthday on May 31, 1891. The day was celebrated with friends at Whitman's home on Mickle Street. [back]