OLIVE COOLIDGE Correspondence 1941 Oggy to Richard Coolidge father

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY – Staff
Olive Coolidge, Asst Nurse, 1941-1942
Olive Dame Coolidge (1920-2008)
Correspondence with Family
1941 Richard Coolidge, Father of Olive Coolidge

OLIVE COOLIDGE Correspondence 1941 Oggy to Richard Coolidge father

Richard B. Coolidge, father of Olive Coolidge. [Richard_B._Coolidge.png]  [Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons.
(Original text: Howard, Richard T. (1921), Public officials of Massachusetts 1921-1922, Boston, MA: The Boston Review, p. Page 130)]

TAGS: Richard Bradford Coolidge, Olive Coolidge, Coolidge family, Sons of the American Revolution, lawyers, Massachusetts Legislature, Republican Convention, Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States, Portland Maine, National Republican Convention, 1928, Jamestown, Thomas Jefferson, Joseph Coolidge

OLIVE COOLIDGE Correspondence 1941 Oggy to Richard Coolidge, Father

Richard Bradford Coolidge (1879-1957). the father of Olive Coolidge was a prominent leader in the state of Massachusetts. As a Harvard Law School graduate and a mayor of the city of Medford, the family had a prominent position in the city and the state. Richard served as a delegate from the state of Massachusetts to the National Republican Convention in 1928, He was born in Portland, Maine, and proudly traced his origins to the early settlers of Jamestown, Virginia. He was a close (4th cousin) of Calvin Coolidge and felt a close relationship with the founding fathers. He was deeply interested in politics and also served in the Massachusetts legislature (1920-1922).

Richard was familiar with the Settlement School movement. Through his sister Olive Dame Campbell, he became well aware of the American Folk School movement and was on the Board of the John C. Campbell Folk School where he often visited with his sister Olive Dame.

He appears to have been a devoted and engaged father to his daughter Olive, who was fondly called “Oggy.” The following letter from Oggy to her father describes her work as a nurse’s assistant at Pine Mountain Settlement School and her feelings about her fiance, Robert “Bob” Butman.

TRANSCRIPTION: OLIVE COOLIDGE Correspondence 1941 Oggy to Richard Coolidge father

[NOTE: Text was slightly edited for clarity.]

[On PMSS letterhead for “THE HOSPITAL, Wynham Nutter, Grace M. Rood, R.N.”]

[N.D.] Sunday Night

Dear Pop,

I just remembered today that the 14th is your birthday – and I had forgotten all about it. Not even a chance to wish you a happy birthday – well a least the sentiment is there on the birthday. Well someone else was born on your birthday tonight – right here, just about 20 minutes ago. A little baby girl – named Turner. I wasn’t at the delivery but I will be soon no doubt. This is the 3rd baby…in 2 days. Fast work!

Well, life is going on better now – I’m getting to enjoy it more. The job has lots of routine and housework in it but it is interesting and very educational. They say the nurse I will work under is a perfect peach and this Dr. would make life happy for anyone. He is a perfect brick – lots of fun and an excellent Doctor. The substitute nurse is nice, too, and I’m getting to know more people – though I must say most of the teachers are pretty ossified. Maude (?) is a nice person – very lively and peppy. He [Glyn Morris ?] is [a] Presbyterian minister and gave an excellent talk in chapel today. To me, life isn’t as intriguing as Brasstown life. It’s more routine – more like a boarding school for high school people – as it is. They work 2 hrs. every day then classes. Student nurses do most of the dirty work here. When the regular nurse gets back I’ll have more definite duties – bookkeeping, etc.– now I fill in wherever necessary. Feeding and changing babies mostly. I have learned plenty, though, and I don’t think I’ll ever be afraid of sickness again.

Thanks for letters and check and trunk key. Trunk got in on Friday but I can’t get it till Thursday when bus people go after it. I’m furious – ‘cause I need it. Putney is correct – is the best place. I sent [a] check to Bob for I owed him it, and I found I had plenty of money, after all. I do hope you sent [a] check to Hudsons however. If she hasn’t collapsed yet I don’t know why.

I’m glad you approve of Bob [Butman] and I don’t think I’m making any mistake and I think when you get to know him better you’ll like him more and more. I’d like to know your impressions of Mr. Butman. I think he’s swell – I only pray that he doesn’t marry that dope. Please don’t broadcast the news too publicly. Good night, use some discretion. I plan to be home all next summer and get 2 weeks at Christmas. If you all don’t come to Brasstown, I hope Bob and I can go home. It all depends on how you want to announce the thing.

Get some rest and let me know how things are progressing. How is the LaPrite imbroglio? I’m interested. Well, a happy birthday to you. I can’t send you anything, from here – but I intend to send some money later – (from my first check) for you to spend on golf. Hang on.

Love, Olive

GALLERY: OLIVE COOLIDGE Correspondence 1941 Oggy to Richard Coolidge, Father

 Guide to the Dame, Coolidge, and Butman Family Collection, 1869-1989

A finding aid that describes archival material held in the Research Library at the Nantucket Historical Association. The guide also provides biographical information on the Coolidge family. The Dame, Coolidge, and Butman Family collection includes a diary written by sisters Olive (age 14) and Ruth (age 16) Dame, during a summer in Siasconset, Mass.

SELECTED CONTENTS of the Dame, Coolidge, and Butman Family Collection at the Nantucket Historical Association 

Note: Unless otherwise noted, the materials described in the finding aid are physically available in the Association’s reading room, and not digitally available through the internet.

Hinckley Lane: Letters from Richard Coolidge, 18 December 1950 – 30 July 1953

Hinckley Lane, view “A”, c. 1900 – Photograph shows Hinckley Lane, view “A”. Ruth Dame Coolidge is standing at the top of the path to Sachem Spring, on the north shore.

Hinckley Lane, view “B”, c. 1900 – Photograph shows Hinckley Lane, view “B” with two women on sand path to Sachem Spring, with the ocean behind them. On the left is Ruth Dame Coolidge, right is Olive Dame Campbell.

Olive Dame Campbell sketchbook, 1901 – Sketchbook kept by Olive Dame in 1901 that includes images of many Nantucket farms of that time as well as family portraits.

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Our Family, by Marcia Butman, 2020 – Family history of the Dame and Coolidge families, which have summered on Nantucket since 1867.

See Also:
OLIVE COOLIDGE Staff – Biography


OLIVE COOLIDGE Correspondence 1941 Oggy to Family OCT-NOV
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