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This letter from Emma Lewis Coleman to George Sheldon is dated February 2, 1900. Miss Coleman refers to a petition (L99.133) that she and C. Alice Baker have made in regard to the proposed trolley route through Deerfield, Massachusetts. Realizing that women's voices were often overlooked in matters of public affairs, she cautions Mr. Sheldon to copy it over since it must not be "presented to the gentlemen in my handwriting." Several names are mentioned: "Mrs. Pratt" was Jenny Eliza Pratt, Deerfield postmistress; "Wm. Abercrombie" lived in one of the oldest houses on the Deerfield street; "Mr. Jones" refers to Charles Jones (1820-1903), Deerfield farmer who played a leading role in town affairs.