Three letters from a Polish immigrant detained and working in the kitchen at Ellis Island in 1947
Three letters with manuscript translations written by Piotr Batuszyniski, a Polish immigrant. 7 leaves total with creasing and minor handling wear, two letters pinned at the corner. Very Good. The translations are transcribed below as written and have not been checked for accuracy. "Piotr Batuszyniski," and a range of guesses at Americanized versions thereof, could not be located in any records and his fate is unknown. Donald Reist spent time in France working for the Mennonite Central Committee in the 1950s and later ran the Mennonite Publishing House in Scottdale, Pa.
We know from other found letters that Reist had studied at Penn State in 1946 before leaving to serve in WWII in June that year. We speculate the two met during his deployment and the letters indicate Reist had previously sent a letter to Poland to stay in touch, but the writer had already departed. The use of Ellis Island shifted during WWII to a broader site of detainment, and the reason for the writer's extended stay is unknown.
He writes in April: "I left before January 12, 1947 and arrived in the US on January 28, 1947 and now I am at Ellis Island in New York. You asked whether they would allow me to stay here, I do not know for certain. I don’t have anyone here who would aid and help me.” In June, he writes, "I am still here at Ellis Island working in the kitchen, but don’t know much about the future."
The letters all have "Censored" stamps and the mild content likely reflects the knowledge the letters would be read, and the men's familiar, but not intimate, relationship. He is lonely, eager for Reist to write and "impatient" for his letters, but declines reaching out to others: "Those addresses which you sent me, well for the time I have nothing to write them for I don’t care to write to people whom I don’t know."
Transcribed translations:
(1.) April 24, 1947
These are the first words of my letter
Blessed be Jesus Christ. I sit down to the table to write you with the greeting, dear friend as an angel greets an angel before the holy church.
I first am inquiring about your health and fortune. For the letter you sent 17 April 47. I heartily thank you for I see that you did not forget about me my friend. You said you sent a letter to Poland. Well, I did not receive it because I left before January 12, 1947 and arrived in the US on January 28, 1947 and now I am at Ellis Island in New York. You asked whether they would allow me to stay here, I do not know for certain. I don’t have anyone here who would aid and help me. I am here three months, and to write me use the address Ellis Island room 217 N.Y., N.Y. Dear friend, if you would like to see me, then tell me when you can come to me. I am inquiring about an other friends.
I have no more to write, I greet you sincerely and heartily
I wait for an answer patiently
Greetings, greetings, friend, [signed]
(2.) June 9, 1947
Blessed be Jesus Christ, dear Mr. Donald Reist,
I am asking you, sir whether or not you received from me a letter for which I have not received an answer. I am very impatient. How are things with you, sir? I am still here at Ellis Island working in the kitchen, but don’t know much about the future.
Please tell me how you received the letter I sent before and how are things with you. I am sending you sir my heartiest greeting. With greeting [signed]
(3.) June 20, 1947
Blessed be Jesus Christ
Dear friend, I ask you about your health and circumstances for I at the time am healthy. For the letter of yours which I received I heatily thank you. I received your letter on the 20th and you sent it out on the 12th. It took almost as long as from Poland to America.
Dear friend, I am informing you that there are interests for me, that maybe God will grant it that I will know freedom and we may someday meet. Those addresses which you sent me, well for the time I have nothing to write them for I don’t care to write to people whom I don’t know. And I ask you very much to write me whenever you have time and you can write in English, for they will translate it [?] me. I have no more to write you. I greet you with all my heart I remain with respect [signed]