Library & Archives
Collection # 50
SUSSMAN FAMILY
Papers, c. 1900-1955
Processed by Jean Houston
Edited by Barbara Carver-Smith
Monmouth County Historical Association
70 Court Street
Freehold, New Jersey 07728
December 1994
INTRODUCTION
The Sussman papers contain correspondence between Anna Schaffel and Herman
Sussman and from Herman's mother, all of New York City, from 1915 March 30 to 1920 August 5. Most of the letters were
exchanged during Herman's World War I service. In addition to the correspondence, the collection contains photographs of the Sussman family, dating from c. 1900 to 1955.
The initial group of correspondence between Anna and Herman relate to their courtship and to making arrangements to meet and date. At this
time Anna's brother, Phil, was drafted into the service. There was the shock and remorse of family members, but then, as emotions died down, the reality was accepted.
After Herman was drafted, he and Anna wrote each other voluminously, often writing
2 and 3 times a day. At boot camp the hours were long, the work
is tedious, boring, and constant. Herman's only relief was the occasional movie
shown at the YMCA and mail call.
Herman was classified C-3, domestic service only, because of foot problems.
In his letters home he asks for $5 - $10 for "essentials" (stamps,
paper, soap, etc.) not supplied by the Army. He waits for news of the war
and hears little, if any. Waiting and hoping it will be over soon
so "everyone can go home," he worries about his "ma"
and "Honey Babe." On October 7, 1918 Herman writes that the "general
feeling [is that the] fighting will be over by Christmas." On 1918
October 18, he writes, "About Germany accepting the peace terms this
is camaflouge. The only terms worth while are unconditional surrender."
Herman's letters often mention his mother, who owned an import business in New York City. He writes to her with
bits of news and information and tells Anna to speak to her about these
letters. On 1918 October 9, Herman's mother wrote to the President with a plea to
release her son from service or possible work closer to home at the arsenal in New York where Herman
worked between January and August of 1918.
In September 1918 Herman was assigned to "a company
permanently attached to this post." " and was given "kitchen police" duty.
He complains that the worst possible jobs are given to Jewish soldiers.
By October 14, 1918 he realized that his mother's letter writing campaign is "no
good" -- he would not get out until all the drafted men are sent out.
1918 October 22, "Service Company is a polite name for camp laborers,
with the exception of office jobs [which Herman has just acquired]. The
rest [of the soldiers] get jobs that are handed out as punishments in the rest
of the army." "This is as bad as a term in prison."
The remaining bulk of material from Herman is very similar, always detailing
the day's activities, professions of love for Anna, and concerns about
the family he has left behind.
The last letter from Herman is dated November 3, 1918.
Anna's letters to Herman during the same time period are much more emotional.
She is always upset, worried, and afraid that Herman is going to be sick,
that he is not eating enough, that he is working too hard, or that he is
being abused and mistreated. She wants to get married and while Herman is
away they make final plans to do just that. She always asks how he his,
then gives him the minute details of her day. She keeps him abreast of home
life, his mother, and what the general population is doing and thinking.
In addition to correspondence written during World War I, there are letters from Herman to Anna who is vacationing
in Long Branch, N.J. between June 1 and August 5, 1920. His last letter indicates that he is about to lose his job, and has been
out looking for work.
The photographs are black and white snapshots (with a few color snapshots and cyanotypes) of Sussman and Schaffel family members in New York City, around the home in Monmouth County. There are images of son Edward R. Sussman as a young man in local swing bands, at the University of Miami, in uniform in World War II, and as a bugler at Monmouth Park. There is an interesting photograph of Edward in his Monmouth Park bugler uniform with trumpeter Harry James clowning with the bugle (1950) [Photo S-249] and a cyanotype of a waterfall (perhaps Niagra Falls) [Photo S-510].
Provenance:
Restrictions:None
Size of Collection: 5 manuscript boxes
CONTAINER LIST
Box / Folder / Contents
1 / 1 / Letters, 1915 March 30 - December 4. 2 items
1 / 2 / Letters, 1917 January 10 - December 17. 24 items
1 / 3 / Letters, 1918 January 26 - August 30. 26 items
1 / 4 / Letters, 1918 September 4 - September 18. 33 items
1 / 5 / Letters, 1918 September 19 - September 30. 26 items
1 / 6 / Letters, 1918 October 1 - October 14. 36 items
1 / 7 / Letters, 1918 October 15 - October 22. 21 items
1 / 8 / Letters, 1918 October 22 - November 3. 26 items
1 / 9 / Letters, 1920 June 1 - August 5. 13 items
2 / - / Photographs, S-257 through S-338; S-342 through S-355
3 / - / Photographs, S-1 through S-81; S-85 through S-90
4 / - / Photographs, S-91 through S-224
5 / - / Photographs, S-225 through S-249; S-252 through S-256; S-356
through S-437
6 / - / Photographs, S-82 through S-84; S-250; S-251; S-339 through S-341;
S-438 through S-581
6 / - / Miscellaneous: Programs, report cards, post cards, etc.
Library and Archives Home
Online Catalog |
Archives | Book Collection
Genealogy Resources | History Resources
Services | Contact Us | Visit Us | Information at Other Repositories
Publications For Sale | Did You Know? (Facts about Monmouth County)
Email the Library and Archives Visit the MCHA Main Website
|