Letter from Mrs S. A. Donovan dated 2 November 1915

Brook Haven Nov 2nd - 15

Dear Bobbie

I was glad to
received your letter, and still
more glad that you are coming
back to us. I always
felt rather dubious regarding
that business proposition and
it is, I am sure, all for
the best that you gave it up.

I had a presentiment
that you would be in New
York when the Panama arrived
and I told Mr Foss to that
effect and he said he hoped
so and that we would look
on it as your vacation so
you see your place is waiting
for you. As for myself,
the Panama did not seem
like home without you,
Therefore you may be sure
of a warm welcome from
me on Thursday.

I looked at all points
of the compass for you on
Thursday last, when in New
York but saw nothing of
you. Miss Cole sends
her best wishes and says
that she is sorry you did
not come out our way,
as she would have welcomed
you most assuredly.

Very truly your friend

Mrs S. A. Donovan

Note: The envelope was postmarked Nov 2, 1915, 4 PM, BROOK HAVEN, NY, addressed to Mr Robert Noble, c/o Panama R. R. S. S. Co, Foot West 27th St, New York City, with note in left corner S. S. Panama; reserve side shows additional postmark Nov 3, 1915, 9 AM, NEW YORK, NY PENN TERM STA.

Mrs S A Donovan, 40 years old and a US citizen, appeared on the manifest of the S S Panama, which had departed New York on 26 April 1917 and stopped in Cristobal, Canal Zone, on 9 May 1917 on its way back to New York. She was serving with the ship's crew as a stewardess. The 8 June 1917 manifest shows Mrs S A Donovan as being from New York.

Also aboard the 26 April 1917 ship was a Mell Foss, 49 years old and also a US citizen. He was listed as chief steward aboard the S S Panama. The 17 July 1917 manifest showed him as Milton Foss. The 8 June 1917 manifest showed M Foss was from Maine. The 1870 Federal Census shows Milton Foss, age 3, son of farmer John G Foss and his wife Mehitable, both of New Hampshire, living in Athens, Somerset County, Maine.