Guide to the Keyton Family Collection (RG 256): Coblenz Letters, 1919-1920
Folder 256-20-0701-001-010
Transcriptions and Links to Scanned Original Letters (in PDF) for folder 256-20-0731-001-010: May—August 1919, Joyce Williams Keyton writing to her in-laws, John and Ida Keyton. 6 items.
Biographical Note: John Arthur Keyton of Dothan, AL and Joyce Williams of Norwich, CT married in 1917 before he shipped off to World War I. In 1919, his unit became part of the US Third Army (Army of Occupation of the German Rhineland) headquartered at Coblenz ("Coblence" in French). Joyce joined Arthur in Late Summer, 1919. The couple was stationed in Sinzig, Germany then relocated to Coblenz when Arthur was reassigned to the 6th Field Artillery and the American forces were reduced in number. They returned to the US in Late Summer 1920.
Table of Contents
256-20-0731-001-010-001 [Summer 1919] [Norwich, CT] Joyce to "Dear Father and 'Little Mother'"
256-20-0731-001-010-002 May 16, [1919] Norwich, CT Joyce to "Dear Father and 'Little Mother'"
256-20-0731-001-010-003 June 7, 1919 Norwich, CT Joyce to "Dear Father and 'Little Mother'"
256-20-0731-001-010-004 July 3, 1919 Norwich, CT Joyce to "Dear Father and 'Little Mother'"
256-20-0731-001-010-005 July 17, 1919 Norwich, CT Joyce to "Dear Father and 'Little Mother'"
256-20-0731-001-010-006 August 7, 1919 Norwich, CT Joyce to "Dearest
'Little Mother' and Big Dad"
Item 256-20-0731-001-010-001
Friday a.m.
Dear Father & "Little Mother,"
Your letters of the 7th & 10th respectively came yesterday a.m. and one from Arthur dated May 20th came this a.m. so I shall proceed immediately to tell you what he said, although you have perhaps received one too.
He said he was well and getting on fine, weighed 185 ¾ lbs, and that he surely was seeing a great many interesting sights.
The Colonel told him he thought the Division would leave for home before long which of course sounds good to us, but I am not expecting him until I see him, you know I always said I wouldn't believe he was home until I actually had my hands on him.
[page 2]
The package hasn't come as yet but I shall thank you for it for I surely do appreciate your thinking about me.
Nellie took some pictures of the baby in his bath tub and if they are good I will send you all some. Mother is feeling much better and of course I feel very much relieved.
My Dothan surely is one place to marry the teachers, I surely hope Iona will be happier now than she has been at home, where is she making her home?
I took Uncle Alex's car out yesterday, it surely did seem good to be driving again.
With love to you both from Mother and I am your loving little bother girl,
Joyce.
[Transcribed by Martin T. Olliff, February 22, 2023]
Item 256-20-0731-001-010-002
Friday a.m. May 16th [1919]
Norwich, Conn.
Dear Father & "Little Mother,"
Of course you have my letter by now telling you about Arthur's transfer. His address is Third Division, Andernach, Germany, c/o Division Surgeon.
It nearly kills me to write that name Germany. I hate the name and all that goes with it.
To-day is our second anniversary and you know I fee a wee bit lonesome with my husband so far away.
The Cottons must be overjoyed with to have George home again and I don't blame them we would be wouldn't we?
[page 2]
Listen, I saw in the paper that wives and mothers would be able to obtain passports after June 1st so I hope I can go over. What do you all think about that?
It would be such an educational trip and such a fine time of year to go.
Father if I go I am going to expect you to help me out on the fare, I have no idea what the rates are by I do so hope I can go.
Well I'm glad the terraphin returned for he really is precious to us just because our boy was so sweet and thoughtful to bring it home to me.
With love from Mother to you all and my best love I am your loving little girl, Joyce.
[Transcribed by Martin T. Olliff, February 22, 2023]
Item 256-20-0731-001-010-003
June 7, 1919.
Dear Father & "Little Mother,"
Your nice long letter came [hather] while I was at Ellsworth's so Aunt Louise brought it down to me yesterday.
I enjoyed it so much and appreciated it to think even if you are so busy you can find time to write to your "Yankee daughter."
[page 2]
2.
If my coming home would take you to Tate's Mother I would surely be glad to come. Of course I would just enjoy the mountain.
"Little Mother" I think you ought to decide to go somewhere for a change for you need one as badly as one can need a change.
You see by going away for a while it would build you up and then
[page 3]
you would get a good start and then with Winter coming on you would get along very well.
I haven't had any more mail from our Boy and I think it is time for it is two weeks now since the last mail came.
Of course I realize that he has been unusually busy since he has
[page 4]
taken up his new work with the 3rd Division. Oh say, I heard or rather I saw in the paper where the 6th Division has already started home and that the others would follow. It just thrills me to think of it.
So Aunt Tommie is going to Fla. to live well I wonder how Myrtle will ever make out
[page 5]
without her.
I was so sorry to hear about poor Lillie May, I sent her a card telling her I hoped she would soon be well, I do hope she will get it O.K. not knowing her correct address it may not reach her. You can tell her when you see her.
Clementine seems to be getting some beautiful gifts for graduation.
[page 6]
Commencement starts the 15th ending continuing for one week.
What seems to be the trouble with Bonnie's Father, I do hope he isn't seriously ill.
I wonder if Bonnie's reducer proved as successful as she expected. Mother has wanted me to ask you before but it escaped my mind.
[page 7]
It seems to me Bess is in bed most of the time she ought to have a trained nurse all the time.
Supposed she and Rab are as loving as ever. Believe me I don't envy her.
All the folks seem quite well once more and I surely and thankfull for it. Junior has
[page 8]
just had some pictures taken in his bath tub, if they come out good I will send you some.
Give my love to all the folks, especially to Grandmother Newton. With hugs and kisses I am your loving little bother girl,
Joyce.
[Transcribed by Martin T Olliff, February 22, 2023]
Item 256-20-0731-001-010-004
Norwich, Conn.,
July 3, 1919.
Dear "Little Mother & Father,"
We are up in Norwich again and Nellie and the baby will spend the fourth of July with Aunt May. They just adore having him there since there only one had to be taken.
I received your sweet letter of the 30th and I was so glad to get it. I watch for your mail and am always so glad when it comes.
You all must have had a nice time at the Springs.
Have had no mail and I think it is just because Arthur doesn't write, I suppose he gets blue and despondent at times and just doesn't feel like writing.
I saw in the morning's paper where the Fifth & Fourth division were entraining from Germany for Brest
[page 2]
and that the 2nd, 3rd, & 1st would be relieved latter, the date however has not been set as yet, and the rapidity with which the regulars would be relieved would depend upon how the Germans carried out the Peace Treaty, judging from that it will probably by Sept. before Arthur gets home.
Clementine has just accepted a fine position in one of the High Schools in New London and she starts in at $1000 a year, isn't that fine? You know $800 is the most they ever pay the first year.
With love to you both from Mother and all the folks and kisses from your little bother girl I am
Lovingly, Joyce.
[Transcribed by Martin T. Olliff, February 22, 2023]
***************
Item 256-20-0731-001-010-005
July 17, 1919
Dear Father and "Little Mother,"
I know that you are thinking only to-day of your son's birthday and I have lived this day with you in spirit.
Your sweet Sunday letter came this a.m. and with it one from Arthur. His letter was dated June 30, the day after the Peace Treaty was signed and he just said he was well, etc, but didn't say anything about coming home, but of course I realize it was too soon to find out anything definite.
Surely I would like to have seen Virgil and Daisy. Did they bring their daughter with them?
I am busy knitting at present. This morning I did my own washing, can you imagine me washing, well,
[page 2]
it is just like this, since I came I have had a woman in New London do my washing while I was a[t] Ellsworth's and she is quite reasonable but up here the woman is very unreasonable so I thought I had better save that money and not pay for what I wasn't getting.
Mother seems to be having considerable trouble with her stomach, I don't seem to be able to find out what causes it so I guess if she doesn't feel better soon I shall have to take her to the Doctor.
With love to you both from Mother and all the folks and myself, I am
Your loving daughter,
Joyce.
[Transcribed by Martin T Olliff, February 22, 2023]
Item 256-20-0731-001-010-006
Tuesday P.M. [August 7, 1919]
Dearest "Little Mother" and "Big Dad,"
I can just imagine how you are feeling after hearing that Arthur is not coming. How I wish I were with you so we could console each other.
For the last few days I have felt like a rag and of course this hot weather doesn't help much.
You know Arthur said for me to go over so I shall as soon as I can arrange things.
Charles, Ruth's husband wrote
[page 2]
to find out about my passport, when I can get it etc, which will take about 10 days then I shall go as soon after that as possible.
Poor Mother hates to give me up but she rele realizes it is my place to go. I know it is a wonderful opportunity for me and I shall try and get as much out of it as possible.
Wednesday
I have just received a letter from Mrs. Collins, whose husband, Dr. Collins has been assigned to the same
[page 3]
hospital as Arthur has and she and her 3 ½ year old boy are going over so we shall try and arrange to go to-gether.
Listen, have you a real small bible I could take, not taking a trunk will necessarily mean I shall not be able to take as much as I would like to take so I want a small bible.
I shall take two large suit-cases so I won't run any risk of losing my baggage.
[page 4]
It has been raining here to-day and I have been crocheting & knitting.
Haven't had a letter from Arthur for two weeks or so, surely hope we will be hearing again before long.
Well it is late so I will say "Good-night," with all my love and hugs and kisses, I am
Your loving daughter,
Joyce.
PS. Mother and all the folks send love.
[Transcribed by Martin T Olliff, February 22, 2023]
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