Emily Todd Helm and Phoebe Pember

[Susan Higginbotham]

Some of you might be interested in this letter in Emily Todd Helm's papers at the Kentucky Historical Society. It was written to her by Phoebe Yates Pember, known for her memoir recounting her days as matron of Richmond's Chimborazo Hospital.

https://www.susanhigginbotham.com/posts/...todd-helm/

[RJNorton]

Enjoyed reading about the couch hassle! Thanks for posting the link, Susan.

[Susan Higginbotham]

Thanks for reading it!

[Anita]

Thank you Susan. I enjoyed the letter enough to consider reading "A Southern Woman’s Story: Life in Confederate Richmond." Would you recommend it?

[Susan Higginbotham]

Thank you Susan. I enjoyed the letter enough to consider reading "A Southern Woman’s Story: Life in Confederate Richmond." Would you recommend it?

Yes, I would! There are a number of editions, but the one I mentioned in my post contains some Pember's wartime letters in addition to her memoir. Here is an edition of the memoir itself:

https://archive.org/details/asouthernwomans01pembgoog


A number of her letters have been digitized as well:

https://finding-aids.lib.unc.edu/02232/

[Anita]

Thanks so much Susan. My next read!

[Steve]

Thanks for transcribing and sharing the Phoebe Yates Pember letter, Susan. It was a good read.

[L Verge]

Many long years ago, we had a member of the Surratt Society who was related to Phoebe Pember. We have lost touch, but I wonder if she is aware of this letter.

[Susan Higginbotham]

Thanks, Steve!

Laurie, unless she's been through Emily Helm's papers, I doubt she would be aware of it. It seems to have been overlooked; I suppose because most who have delved through Emily's papers aren't interested in Pember. A librarian at UNC is looking to see if its collection of Pember's papers contain any letters from Emily. It would be great if they did!