Margaretta Anshutz was George Anshutz, Jr's second child by his first wife, Martha Simpson. She was born 26 APR 1809 and died in 1891. She married Captain Thomas Linford 31 JUL 1833 and the couple produced 5 children 4 of whom died young. Their youngest son, Charles, born 11 OCT 1846 lived to become a somewhat noted artist. All are mentioned in the "Anshutz Letters" from the Dreer Collection posted separately on this site. This is a group of 10 letters documenting considerable family happenings, including a trip by riverboat to New Orleans and an over-winter stay in Memphis with cousin Eliza Rahm Bryan and her husband Rev. Alfred Bryan. Margaretta loved getting and sharing family news and observations on mid-19th century life so I find these to be interesting reads!. Most of these letters are to "Eliza" who I believe to be my g-g-g-grandmother Eliza Jane Holmes Anshutz. If anyone has scans or photographs pertaining to this or any other family group I would be happy to add them to this site with permission of course. Send me an email!!
17 December 1857
Descriptions of New Orleans... She went to the French Market for coffee!!!
7 January 1858 
She has gotten to Memphis. Observations on slave life.
7 February 1858 
Still in Memphis.
28 February 1858 
Still in Memphis but getting ready to return north.
August 1858 
Back at Tyrone. Page 3 contains some interesting intelligence: "Alfred says he has been quite unwell he says he fell in the St several times. I am shure I was pleased to hear of his resolution if he will only stick to it. It will be worth as much to his family as if he had given them a mint of money. I am glad for their sake and his own."
28 November 1859 
She refers to a baloonist in this one. I am pretty sure she is talking about John Wise, an early American baloon pioneer.
6 April 1860 
Report of a big fire at the neighbor's farm.
19 July year? 
No year given
8 April year? 
This one my be 1877, but the date is hard to read. Margaretta has been sick and she swears by the homeopathic physician. Charley seems to be involved in the temperance movement.
11 July year? 
This one I date after 1870 because of the stamp. The letter, unlike all the others, is to MCA's sister Jeanette. Charley has obviously started his career in art as she refers to his sketching.