While communicating with distant relatives was not as simple as it is today, the Grave family did their best to stay in touch with relatives in England.  Letters from relatives were infrequent but certainly welcome.

In February of 1675 Ann Grave living in England wrote a letter to “Cousen John Graves” addressing it thus:

This for John Grave
Livinge at Guilfort
In ye county of new
haven this wheare
[sent]I
n new Ingland

Despite the vague address and lack of a postage stamp, the letter arrived and remains in our collection today. In her letter Ann writes that her daughter Susannah, who had written to George Grave in 1673, “has dyed about month ago” leaving two young sons, Joseph, age 10 and Jonathan, age 6.” Ann was herself “about eighty years old”. She writes to John, because “you ought to know who of our Famely is yet in ye Lands of ye living- “

She goes on to tell John that she has set aside in her will a bequest for each of the family members living in New England. She asks John to write to her explaining whether he wishes to receive the bequest in goods or money, and how it is to be sent.  She provides of the names of Mr. Orbell and Mr. Kiffin in England “should it please God to take me out of this world before yr letter comes.”

Ann dated her letter in February, which suggests it was delivered to John in May or later. His reply would take at least  another three months to reach Anne.. Six months between sending a letter and receiving the reply!! Hardly instant messaging!!