Letters of Harry Payne Bingham to Charles Osberg 1924 - 1935
Oliver Payne willed the Esopus estate to Harry Payne Bingham in 1917. Bingham owned the estate until 1933, when he donated it to the Protestant Episcopal Mission Society of New York City.
Charles Osberg came to the estate in 1912 and was still handling the electrical and engineering problems at the time of the transfer. He remained on the estate until it was sold in 1942 to the Marist Brothers.
These letters give some insight into the reasons for the donation by Bingham.
Bingham to Osberg snippet 1924
This is the remnant of a sympathy note sent to Charles Osberg on the occasion of the death of his youngest son Charles (1920-1924). Oscar the older son (1918-1924) died shortly afterward. Both died of scarlet fever. Martin Nilan is listed as a watchman on the Bingham estate in the 1920 census. He lives on the estate with his wife Mary and son Martin.
Dear Osberg:
Nilan has just written me of your great sorrow in losing your youngest boy from scarlet fever, and I want to assure of Mrs. Bingham's and my sympathy for you and Mrs. Osberg.
I understand also from Nilan that you other boy is also ill. If the physician you are having feels it necessary to have a consultant in, the expense of which you might not feel able to favour, please get whoever your doctor advises and send me the bill,.
Again assuring you of our great sympathy, and hoping that you will allow me to assist you in the case of your other boy if I can do anything, I remain
Very truly yours,
(signed) Harry Payne Bingham
Bingham to Charles Osberg 11 February 1927
Lathrop P Weaver is listed in the 1920 census as the head engineer on the Bingham estate, where he lives with his wife Emma. He is listed as a building engineer in Brooklyn in the 1910 census. His widow, Emma, is listed as a shirt maker in Albany NY in the 1930 census.
HARRY PAYNE BINGHAM
32 BROADWAY
Dear Osberg:
I have learned this morning of Mr. Weaver's death. It comes as a great shock to me although I had anticipated its happening for sometime as his condition last Fall when I saw him was, to say the least, dangerous.
I know you have been doing all the work for some time and hope you will continue to live there and do the necessary things in your line. Because of the increased responsibility which you are assuming and in consideration of the fine work you are doing, I am taking great pleasure in increasing your salary to $125.00 a month, with the assurance that if everything goes along as it has in the past, I will again increase it to the salary Mr. Weaver has been getting on January 1st next.
Very truly yours,
(signed) Harry Payne Bingham
HPB/shs
Bingham to Charles Osberg 21 October 1932
Except for the masthead, the following letter was handwritten by Mr. Bingham himself.
THE HOMESTEAD
HOT SPRINGS
VIRGINIA
Dear Osberg,
I did not answer your first letter as there was nothing definite to say and there isn't now.
As you know I have for years been trying to sell West Park without success. Because of the heavy taxes, and bad business I am now trying really hard to get rid of it and undoubtedly will in the next few months find someone to take.
If an individual buys it probably he would give you a job on the place. If a ??? gets it, it is more than likely that they would not keep you on. You will hear more as anything develops.
In the meantime you better keep looking around in case the worst happens. You may rest assured that I will not turn you loose without giving you some help for the immediate future.
I would advise against your trying in N.Y. for a job. Conditions there are almost hopeless. I will send you a recommendation as soon as I return to N.Y. area next ???
Harry Payne Bingham
Bingham to Charles Osberg 7 February 1933
COTTON HALL PLANTATION
HARRY PAYNE BINGHAM
Tennessee, S. C.
February 7, 1933
Mr. Charles Osberg
Ulster County
Esopus
New York
Dear Osberg:
You will have heard by this time that I have given West Park to the Episcopal Church. This has become necessary for me to do due to the depression and the heavy taxes. I have written the people to ask them when it will be necessary for you to vacate your house and will let you know as soon as I hear but I do not think it will be before May. I have told them that it would be foolish of them not to keep you for quite sometime as you are thoroughly familiar with all the electrical and mechanical details of the place. They are inclined to agree with me so that I think probably they will keep you for sometime - certainly until Mrs. Osberg has again regained her strength.
In your last letter you spoke of the possibility of your
coming to New York to try to find a job there. I should think this would be inadvisable as there is probably no place in the country at the present time where there is so much unemployment in all trades.
I will give you to take with you all of your furniture and whatever tools, etc., you can use, which are not screwed down. I will continue your present salary for a year from March 1st inclusive. At the expiration of that period we will discuss this matter again.
I am more than sorry that conditions have made it necessary for me to get rid of the place and sincerely hope that you can relocate yourself happily.
Very truly yours,
(signed) Harry Payne Bingham
Bingham to Charles Osberg 20 February 1934
HARRY PAYNE BINGHAM
39 BROADWAY
Mr. Charles Osberg
Esopus, N.Y.
Dear Osberg:
Referring to my letter to you of February 7, 1933, in which I said I would continue your then salary for another year, I want to say that I would like to send you a monthly cheque of $62.50 for the next year as a help to you and an appreciation of your interest in my behalf while you were working for me.
I hope your family is well and that you have not been entirely frozen up during the past cold winter.
With best regards,
Very truly yours,
(signed) Harry Payne Bingham
Bingham to Charles Osberg 9 April 1935
HARRY PAYNE BINGHAM
39 BROADWAY
Dear Osberg:
Just a line to thank you for your very nice letter of April 8th. No one can regret more than I the reasons making it
impossible for me to continue to own West Park. I have been delighted that you were able to continue on at the place with the Mission, and of course while it will not net you as much money, anyone today who has a steady job is fortunate.Let us hope that times will change and the uncertainties will be removed.
Please give my best regards to Mrs. Osberg.
Very truly yours,
(signed) Harry Payne Bingham
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