Search

Margaret Nolan wrote 39 letters to her husband Stanley from Gloversville, New York, during World War II. While Stanley worked for the West Construction Company in the Aleutian islands in 1944 and early 1945, Margaret informed him about her social life, local news, and her opinions about politicians and the war.

Margaret Nolan wrote 39 letters to her husband Stanley about her everyday life in Gloversville, New York, between September 12, 1944, and January 30, 1945.

The Nolans were strongly opposed to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's policies and the continuation of the war. Margaret reported on increasing numbers of drafted men from Gloversville and she warned Stanley that he would be unlikely to escape induction if he returned to the continental United States. She shared her opinions about the president (particularly in early November 1944) and Winston Churchill, commented on war news and local sentiment, and complained about tobacco prices. Most of her letters concern her relationship with her husband, their finances, and her experiences in various jobs.

Nolan frequently interacted with family members (especially her sister-in-law Lorraine) and provided news of acquaintances, family members, and soldiers from Gloversville. One soldier eluded censorship and reported on the black market in France, where American soldiers sold soap and other goods to the French people (January 5, 1945). Margaret's regular activities included reading books and magazines, and on one occasion she reported her attempt to fix a plumbing problem (January 6, 1945). One letter (undated) is from Margaret to an unidentified acquaintance.