The Walt Whitman Archive
Life & Letters
Correspondence
About this Item
Title: Walt Whitman to Susan Stafford, 15 July [1887]
Date: July 15, 1887
Whitman Archive ID: upa.00220
Source: Walt Whitman Collection, 1842–1957, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania. The transcription presented here is derived from Walt Whitman, The Correspondence, ed. Edwin Haviland Miller (New York: New York University Press, 1961–1977), 4:108. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
Contributors to digital file: Alex Ashland, Stefan Schöberlein, Caterina Bernardini, and Stephanie Blalock
Camden
Friday Afternoon
July 15
Dear friend Susan Stafford
I should like to come down & see you & see George,1 but I am quite poorly & it has been such hot weather—I am quite concerned about him2 & w'd wish to help somehow—If you w'd wish a little money I can let you have it, as I can spare it—or if there is any thing George would like that I c'd get up here, you write me, & it w'd be a pleasure to me to get it—I send George my love & the same to you all—
Walt Whitman
Correspondent:
Susan M. Lamb Stafford
(1833–1910) was the mother of Harry Stafford (1858–1918), who, in
1876, became a close friend of Whitman while working at the printing office of
the Camden New Republic. Whitman regularly visited the
Staffords at their family farm near Kirkwood, New Jersey. Whitman enjoyed the
atmosphere and tranquility that the farm provided and would often stay for weeks
at a time (see David G. Miller, "Stafford, George and Susan M.," Walt Whitman: An
Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings [New York:
Garland Publishing, 1998], 685).
Notes:
1. George Stafford (1827–1892) was Susan's husband. [back]
2. In his letter to Susan Stafford of August 1, 1887, Whitman noted that George was recovering from his illness. [back]