Amy Barnes (1859- ) was the daughter of George Barnes (1815- ) and Mary Ware (Lincoln) Barnes (1820- ). She may have been a native of Northborough, Mass., as it was her family's home during the period of this correspondence. She had a career as a cook and as a teacher of cooking in Worcester, Boston, and New Bedford, Mass. In 1892, she married Samuel Taylor Maynard (1844-1923), a teacher and horticulturalist.
Melora Fletcher Pratt (1837-1928) lived in Worcester, Mass., the wife of Henry Salem Pratt (1836-1913), a successful businessman. They had no children, though Melora seems to have assumed a maternal role toward two young men, Heinrich and Charley, who may have boarded at the same boarding house as her. It was upon Amy, however, that she lavished her praise and affectionate encouragement. She sought opportunities for her to establish cooking classes locally and helped to organize them.
From the description of Correspondence, 1876; 1883-1889. (American Antiquarian Society). WorldCat record id: 191259147
