Background note. The Mary mentioned in this first letter is Mary A. Gray of Cochranville (West Fallowfield Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania), who was her roommate. Penningtonville lies in Sadsbury Township, Chester County near Christiana. Simmons Coates was a resident of West Grove in Chester County. Coopers Red Lion Hotel was located on West King Street in Lancaster. L. M. Hobbs was the Steward of the Normal School from 1855 to 1858. Miss E. McV. Budd was the teacher of Reading and Elocution at the Normal School from 1856 to 1858. Mr. Wickersham was of course James P. Wickersham the principal of the Normal School from 1856 to 1866. Milton L. Brosius was Sallie's cousin who resided in the city of Lancaster. Mr. Moore is John G. Moore a student from Mechanics Grove in Lancaster County.