These letters are addressed to either Hattie Shepard or Esther Shepard. Hattie is the mother of Esther. Hattie was born 1872 in Missouri, she moved to Michigan and married Samuel Shepard. They had three children, John, Mary and Frances. Hattie died in1958. Esther’s full name is Frances Esther Shepard. She was born March 10, 1907 and died December 26, 1995. These letters contain everyday conversation among the mother or daughter from various people. In the letters addressed to Hattie many people are mentioned including her other two children, Mary who married and last name became Parish, and John. An Uncle James is also mentioned a few times in the letters. All of the letters addressed to Hattie are from the 1920’s. Esther’s letters are from both the 1920’s and 1940’s. She gets two letters from a Forrest Boyd who was in the army during the 1940’s. One of the letters mentions the Larnent Festival in Nashville, Michigan and how that is home. Hattie’s letters also mention Nashville, Michigan.