Grace Coolidge writing to her father-in-law John Coolidge: March 31, 1918.

Not only Calvin, Jr. but also Grace wrote to wish Col. John a happy 73rd birthday. She comments on the “grip,” the first wave of the influenza pandemic, that “seems very prevalent around this part of the country” and notes that her son John is sick with it. Apparently, John is the second case of the “grip” in the Coolidge household as Lt. Gov. Coolidge was sick with it earlier.

Grace also makes mention of “Mrs. Reckahn.” Alice Reckahn was the longtime Coolidge housekeeper at Massasoit St. Although she did not come to Washington, Mrs. Reckahn kept up the house in Northampton during the Coolidges’ absence.