The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1439]
It is ascertained that if Mrs. C. could obtain the means of opening, herself, a boarding-house in this city, she could support herself and her daughter comfortably with something to spare. But a small capital would be necessary for an undertaking of this nature, and many of the widows of our first people are engaged in it, and find it profitable. I am willing to advance, for my own part, $100, and I believe that Wm. & R. Poe will advance $100. If then you would so far aid her in her design as to loan her, Yourself, 100, she will have sufficient to commence with. I will be responsible for the repayment of the sum, in a year from this date, if you can make it convenient to comply with her request.
I beg you, my dear Sir, to take this subject into consideration. I feel deeply for the distresses of Mrs. Clemm, and I am sure you will feel interested in relieving them.
P.S) I am the son of David Poe Jr. Mrs Cs brother (The rest of the letter is missing)
Edgar Allan Poe to George Poe, Jr. — November 30, 1845
New-York: Nov. 30. 45.
Dear Sir,
Since the period when (no doubt for good reasons) you declined aiding me with the loan of $50, I have perseveringly struggled, against a thousand difficulties, and have succeeded, although not in making money, still in attaining a position in the world of Letters, of which under the circumstances, I have no reason to be ashamed.
For these reasons — because I feel that I have exerted myself to the utmost — and because I believe that you will appreciate my efforts to elevate the family name — I now appeal to you once more for aid.
With this letter I send you a number of “The Broadway Journal” of which, hitherto, I have been merely editor and one third proprietor I have lately purchased the whole paper — and, if I can retain it, will be a fortune to me in a short time: — but I have exhausted all my resources in the purchase. In this emergency I have thought that you might not be indisposed to assist me. The loan of $200 would put me above all difficulty.
I refrain from saying any more — for I feel that if your heart is kindly disposed towards me, I have already (. . . .)
POE, GEORGE WASHINGTON
Edgar Allan Poe to George Washington Poe — xxxxxxDatexxxxxx
Philadelphia - July 14. / 39
My Dear Sir,
Owing to my absence from Richmond for some time, I did not receive your letter until a few days ago, it having followed me from place to place, and at last caught me here.
I am truly glad that you have written , and hope that the correspondence thus commenced may lead to more intimate acquaintance hereafter. It affords me great pleasure, moreover, to recognize, in one of my own name & family, those very principles of stern independence which I trust, have always activated my own conduct through life, and which, at all events, have reduced me from high affluence to comparative poverty — or at least to a reliance upon my own resources.
Our relationship is that of second cousins. My father, David Poe Jr., was the sone of David Poe Sr, who was the brother of your paternal grandfather, George Poe Sr, Your father & mine were own cousins, and playmates. My wife, who is my own cousin, is also your second cousin, being the daughter of Maria Poe, my father’s sister. She is connected with you, moreover, as being the daughter of the gentleman who married your aunt Harriet. She, you will remember was the first Mrs William Clemm — my wife’s mother is the second. Neilson Poe, of the Bal. Chronicle, is my second cousin. He is the son of your brother’s brother, Jacob Poe.
There can be no doubt, I think, that our family is originally German — as the name indicates. It is frequently met with in German works on Natural History, and a M. Poe is now living in Vienna who has much reputation as a naturalist. The name there is spelt with an accent thus, Poé, and is pronounced in two syllables, Po-a. As far back, however,