Goshen Library purchases Jansen letters

Goshen — The Goshen Public Library and Historical has recently purchased a group of letters written by Frances (Fanny) Jansen to her daughter Mary Ellen (who later marries into the Haight family. The letters were written between 1828-34 when Mary Ellen was living in Manhattan with the family of Jeromus Johnson and attending school. Goshen historian Michelle Figliomeni evaluated the letters for the library prior to the purchase. She commented that “The content. provided an interesting insight into the cultural framework of a prominent Goshen family... I find this material of particular sociological interest because I do not recall there being any data from the feminine point of view in the current manuscript collection of this library.” The Jansen-Haight property incorporates the lands of the Haight Cemetery Association (which houses the VFW building), the site owned by the Library and the Salesian Park. In a letter dated Jan. 17, Fanny writes “ You wished to know about the Library. The books was purchased soon after you left here. We have had a number your Uncle James goes lately he gets for himself and me your Papa has no time to read this winter.” The Library’s plans to construct a new building near the site of the Jansen home, make this letter especially noteworthy. The letters have been preserved in acid-free casings, will be available to researchers and will be available for display when the Library has a facility which can accommodate displays.