Sewing Circle at Boston Post offers home forum for readers
The Sewing Circle column invites New England homemakers to discuss home life and family issues. Topics include household economy, baby care, gardening, and managing spouses and children. Writers may use pseudonyms and should submit on one side of the paper to the Sewing Circle Editor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sewing Circle
Boston Daily and
Sunday Post
New England
Mffay
Boston Post
The Also-Rans and the Peepul Illusion of Merit
A 1912 verse by Walt Mason mocks political losers the “also-rans” who blame others for failure. It envisions them reshaping habits toward work while ridiculing reformers and drug users, finishing with a cynical note on cure not fixing status.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walt Mason
Advice on marriage and temptation in letter from Aunt Hannah
A reader offers counsel on honesty in marriage and handling temptation. Do not confess sins to a lover, engage with confidence, and bury old loves. The letter argues mothers and sisters often push daughters into "gay" resorts, praising forgiving treatment of brothers and urging supportive female guidance. MATRON.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sewing Circle
New England
Licely
Hannah
Secrets and Marriage Strife in a Woburn Letter
A reader from Woburn recalls a broken pact of honesty with her husband before marriage. She reveals how past lies, exposed by others, damaged trust and left them emotionally distant. The piece laments childless, formal marriage and questions secrecy within a partnership.
Prodigal Daughters and Women in a 1900s Echo
A reader from the Sewing Circle recalls misjudged sins and maternal judgment, recounting elopement fears, public shaming, and the double standard. She laments prodigal daughter stereotypes, notes her own tempered hopes, and critiques suitors and societal expectations shaping young women. Comet Aster hints more letters will run.
Extravagance in a 12 Dollar Week Debated
A reader arguing over cost of living notes that monthly rent could exceed weekly wages and lists expenses for gas, electric, telephone, groceries, insurance, coal, and extras totaling about 75 dollars. She counters a critic who calls her extravagant, suggesting many would spend more if given the chance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bol
Anyon
Anne B
Forgiveness for One-Ruin for Other
In a police matron’s account, she recalls late night confessions from girls who faced ruin after offenses, contrasting a mother’s public forgiveness of a son with the harsher consequences for daughters. The piece examines double moral standards in a New England city.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Police Department
New England
A Girl Seeks Homemaker Ideal in Letter from Reader
A 21 year old woman writes about her experience in cooking and housekeeping and defends the duty of women to be homemakers. She acknowledges exceptions and responds to a prior letter, noting the era’s young women while arguing for traditional roles.
Mildred Champagne Answers Love and Parental Interference
A young 18 year old asks if she can leave home and marry the older man she loves despite parental objections. Champagne notes she is legally of age to marry but advises delaying marriage a year or two, suggests uncovering parents real objections, and emphasizes the right to visit with her partner in her home.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Miss Champagne
Virginia
Violets and the Fair Maid of Sudbury Lane
A lyric observer notes a maiden’s beauty in Sudbury lane on a Sabbath day. The speaker contrasts her grace with aging memories, asking why a benevolent God could create such loveliness, while witnessing a faithful congregation and a flickering sun on her lilac gown and yellow hair. The poem ponders youth, desire, and reverence within a churchyard scene.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sudbury
Fragments Hint at Parental Consent Dilemmas and Self-Rerouting
Readable lines discuss independence and time to decide about parents’ views. The fragment hints at challenging authority and seeking personal judgment, with no clear events, dates, or names to anchor specifics. The piece reads as a reflective note on autonomy and choosing a correct path.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Deac Jacobi
Senora Jacobi
Tine Belle
Don
Gerard Ration
New York
The
Bossoh
Coco
Huyler’s
Tremont Street
Boylston Street
Summer Street
Court
Washington Streets
Boston
Westminster Street
Providence
Chapel Street
New Haven
Casino
Newport
U.S
Canada
Les
New York City
Broadway
Robert Stafford
Copeland Townsend
Hub Manufacturing Co
Wasnirpton St
Henry Siegel Co
Jesse A. Case
Brockton
Mass
Lantmens Fg
Mar
Rexallston
Liggett’s
Opeko Tea
Opeko
Rauty
Puff Sett
Lemported
United States
Ebony Boe
Impo
Pagan
Williams
Brilleros
Akissa
Apkins
Carter
Liggett’s Soda
Eff. Sci. Cit. Magnesi
Cascura
Ely
Arnica
E Sale
Union Ten
Londres
Lle
Lord Baltimore
Halco
Lile
Zor
Mn Pills
Panerness
West Point
Dle
Quart Kosmos
Ibs
Washington Street
Avon Street
Worcester
Lowell
Salem
Pawtucket
Holyoke
Cor
South Street
Haverhill
Lawrence
Paterson
Troy
Syracuse
Buffalo
Toronto
Detroit
Columbus
Baltimore
George Matthew Adams
Woburn
Aster
Mildred Champagne
Lizette Woodworth Reese
Sudbury Lane
Hell
Hood
H. P. Hood
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!