Urspringen, July 9, 1855 Beloved sons, Seligmann and Sigmund! I have wanted to wait to send this letter until you had answered my March 11th letter, but something wonderful has just happened that I must tell you without delay. Yesterday, our dear Regina became engaged to Feifer Gutmann of Karbach! I congratulate you, my dear children, on this most happy occasion. Feiferle knows both of you, and Sigmund knows that as early as three years ago, I had wanted this fine boy for Regina. With all of this formality and courting we have had to go through, he has always been the person I wanted most, but since his brother brought 3500f when he was engaged and I was convinced that Feifer would bring even more, I felt we could not even think of such a match for Regina. I know for a fact that he was offered from different parties 3000 to 4000f. Then something wonderful happened that had nothing to do with a financial contract. Because of Regina's fine reputation and her proper and sweet manner, Feifer and his family became deeply impressed with her. Feifer began paying considerable attention to Regina. After observing this and also having been given additional courage by your most generous offer, dear Seligmann, I made initial approaches to just see if there was any possible hope for such an arrangement. I received such encouraging response from this that I asked Joseph Dillenberger, the marriage broker, to speak on my behalf. Last Wednesday, I also met with the family and a dowry of 2500f was agreed upon. With expenses, gifts and trousseau, the total cost came to 3000f. Yesterday, we had Knass here. It was a very happy time, although we were so sorry that both of you were not here. Regina has been blessed with a very fine man. Her fiancé is a very good businessman, as well as a good and loving person. He already has considerable assets and shows great promise of providing a secure and substantial living. His life seems to be complete with our Regina. Last night, we all met at the Felsenkeller[1] in company with all of Regina's friends. It was the first time her fiancé met her friends from the village. We all drank to your well-being. No one had a better time than your dear mother. It is so wonderful to see Regina's dreams fulfilled and we are so happy that she will not live far from us. The wedding will take place in one year. Now, dear Seligmann, I will be very happy to accept your generous, brotherly offer of 1000f for Regina's dowry. I do not have to assure you that you have made a great burden much lighter for your mother and me. What else could we have done? Should we have accepted a tradesman or a widower that would only require a dowry of 1500f to 1800f? Or should we have waited until Regina was 28 or 30 years old? We have done the only thing we could have done and she now has a conscientious, kind man, who will honor and appreciate her. His business is in horses, cattle, and agriculture. Our Caroline and Max are very happy with Regina's new fiancé. It is a shame that you are not here to be with us at this happy time. It has been two months since we last heard from you and we are so anxious to receive a letter from you. I assume one is presently on its way. I am very curious to know what kind of business Sigmund is in and how everything is going with both of you. Max could not come home for Knass, because he is very busy at a trade show. Our two little ones, David and Sophie are well and full of life, thank God. We are waiting daily for your letter. I will close my portion of this letter with my blessing. I send you a kiss from the bottom of my heart. Your faithful father, Aron Heilner My beloved sons, Seligmann and Sigmund! I congratulate you on the engagement of our dear Regina, whom we all love so very dearly. I must tell you that this has been a great concern to us, and we thank the dear Lord that he has led this fine man to us and that this worry has been taken from us. It has also been a tremend6us concern to us that we were not in a position to offer the required amount of money to obtain the kind of person we wanted for Regina. If it had not been for your most generous offer, dear Seligmann, it would not have been possible even though your dear father would have gladly given all he had. Your father has spent many sleepless nights and many tears have been shed before you so generously expressed your love for such a fine and tender sister. The Lord will greatly bless you, my son. We are anxious to receive a letter from both of you. You have promised to write us often, however, it is already almost 4 months since we heard from you. What are you doing, dear Sigmund? Do you already feel at home? What is your business? I hope you are well and happy and that you are satisfied now that you are together. We wish you could be here to express your opinions of this important event in our lives. Our dear Max is also not with us. Perhaps we will be so fortunate to have you here for the wedding. Live well, dear children. Think of us often and write us often. Your loving mother, Nanni Heilner Our dear Sophie sends her greetings and kisses. My dear and faithful brothers Seligmann and Sigmund! At the beginning, let me congratulate you on my engagement. God has blessed me with a good man. Our dear father wanted this one long ago and our dear mother, who is such an asset to me, has been so concerned about me. I know Gutmann quite well. He has paid considerable attention to me for some time. He is quite handsome, has a good heart, and knows how to treat a wife, as far as I can tell. How much I wanted you to be here for my engagement, my dear brothers! Then my joy would have been complete. I hope the dear Lord will someday let us have much happiness together. It is my fondest wish to hear from you. You, my dear Sigmund, must feel at home by now. In the expectation that you are both well, I remain your true and faithful sister, Regina. My fiancé sends his greetings and will write you himself in our next letter. Also, I want to congratulate you, my dear brothers, on the engagement of our good sister, Regina. It is only too bad that you are not with us. Since we are expecting a letter from you, I will only write a short note. I send my greetings and kisses. Your faithful sister, Caroline Finally, it is my turn to greet and kiss you. Live well and do well in your business. That is my wish for you. Your faithful brother, David [1] A tavern in Urspringen.