Beloved Sisters and Loving Friends
Page 13
[…] I spoke to your mother about your rubber boots she will see the society about it. Doubtless you would like to know how I get along here so far very well I must tell you something when Mrs. Jeff came for me she left word that Mr. H pays $2.50 when I came around to see them she told me the same last Sunday eve she began to talk about Mrs. Williams that was here in the conversation she says they never paid but two dolls and perhaps they would be willing to pay two & quarter I give her to understand that I would not stay for that so Monday P.M. Mrs. W went up to get her money and came down with out for Mr. H would not pay her prices that was two & half. I told Mrs. W and J I was going to have a talk with Mr. H if he was not willing to give me that I should leave that night when I went to him he never hesitate to give it to me. Rebecca I have been working for nothing comparitively speaking now I have come to a decision stand that people shall pay me for my work I dont care colored or White. To speak plainly Mrs. J does not like it that she only get 50 cts more then the second girls. Mrs. William’s think that through her they got displeased with her if she had of staid until the 16 of nexe month she would of been here one year. They say the children did not like Mrs. W they seem to like me very well the youngest make me kiss him every night when I put him to bed we see how thing will end when I have been here a month.
[…] Dear Sister I have told you all. Please to direct your letters No 15 Cor of Elm & Clinton Hartford
except my best kiss
your Adopted Sister
Addie
Hartford Mar. 4 1866
My Dear Sister
The bells are ringing for church how many are answering it [….] I have not been out all day or rather to church. Mrs. Huntington was confine Thursday she has a daughter they seem to be very proud and delighted about it. Dont you think there was no one with her but Mrs. Jefferson I went after Dr. Taft I did not find at his office or at home. She knew that she would be sick the first of the month and was to mean to send for the nurse and did not get here until 10 A.M. nexe day they send me after Aunt Emily to come and stay that night or your Mother. I could not get either. Your Ma said that she had been out of that line of business for sometime so Mr. H sit up with her he felt mortified.
Mrs. H is very mean in somethings. Last eve she ask me if it was pleasant she would like me to take Harry to church this A.M. It was very damp and I was delighted to hear Mr. H say that he could not go out. It cleared up quite pleasant and this P.M. Mrs. J took him with her she is welcome to do it.
[…] The Methodist put end to the protracted meeting last Friday night Mr. Buehards one of those comments again. Some of them make it a parties getting religion every year only one female all Males.
[…] I had the pleasure of perusing the Rules of your School last eve that your Mother so kindly sent me by Sarah I like them very much these particular to the pupils. I suppose in time I will see your report (patience is a virtue).
[…] I guess your school will ahead of all of them there is but very few take such a interest as you do except your friend Mrs. Asher. I told Bell about sending you Battle Cry of Freedom [….] These picture of you are excellent they do so look like you.
Addie relates two scandalous stories. The first is about Bell Sands. The second is about Rebecca’s younger sister, Bell Primus. Bell’s family and friends are especially concerned about her involvement with the mysterious Mr. Aldridge.
Hartford Mar. 11 1866
8 o’clock P.M.
My Dear Sister
[…] Bell has acted very mean toward me she know that I told her that I was not going to get it up one thing I could not get out to invite any one. I told her and her Dear friend Mr. A to tend and they said they would and Bell was to let me know whether they would have it or not and never came near me. I have not seen her until today at church [….] That mean contemptable of a Aldridge has made a change girl of Bell for I am opinion she has got some of his ways [….]
A Mrs. Thurston send Bell Sands a letter stating that she had peruse a letter that she sent to her Husband William Thurston asking what kind a woman was she and was going to have the penalties of the law put upon her she send it up. Thomas with one from her saying she was not guilty of such a thing Thomas then wrote to Mrs. T demanding explanations, and did not see any ans so went to NH Thursday and no better satisfied after all he might as well staid at home. One thing Bell Sands done went in to see Bell when WT was up here on a visit and was no one home but him and remain all the P.M. and the mean time kissing [….] Aunt Emily has no confidence in at all.
Today I have heard some thing else two weeks ago today Aunt Emily and myself was return from Church and met Bell Primus going back I ask the cause and said she had lost something. Sarah was with her at first S went along with us and Aunt Em ask her what Bell had lost she said a letter and was out of the envelope. I said that was smart almost week after that Mrs. Johnson told me that she speak it of and read and then gave it to Ellen Haris she done the same and some parts was very improper and said also that Bell thought herself in the family way and sigh [….]
This day Addie shares with Rebecca is especially interesting in showing the physical demand her work places on her, such as the number of times she is required to go up and down the stairs during the course of her day, not to mention her strenuous chores.
Hartford Mar. 25 1866
4 P.M.
My Dear Sister
[…] I went to the Biccum last Monday night I was very much please with the meeting the debate was if the Black Man will have any rights that the white man bound to respect Mr. Cros Mr. Freeman & Haldin and Clogget. Mrs. Robison was to read a composition and Mrs. Mary Randle was to read they did not have time I think something of going to morrow night if I have time or if it not to cold. They was great many out some of the young ladies carried on [….]
Half past 7 P.M.
Dear Sister
I have just come from up stairs I have put the children to bed I believe I am done for the night. Do you know that I have five pairs of stairs to go up 20 times and sometime more yesterday I counted how many times I went up and down before breakfast six time you can judge for yourself there is a hundred & seven steps when it time for me to go to bed my limbs ache like the tooth ache I think I shall leave the second week April Mr. & Mrs. Huntington dont want me to leave and neither do the children.
[…] I bought Aunt Emily a butter dish I could not get any like the one I broke I have told you all that will be of any interest I have to go of errands for Mrs. H most every day besides do my work,
your Adopted Sister
Hartford Apr. 1, 1866
My Dear Sister
What a beautiful day it has been this morn how I wish for you so that we could enjoy a little walk together. I suppose many has enjoyed and made happy and other has been made to mourn. Lucy Wells was buried today between the hours of 12 & 1 she had the inflammatory rheumation she was sick six or seven weeks she was 22 years old. Mr. Ross attended the funeral he spoke very well indeed Lucy died happy very large funeral.
[…] Mrs. H wanted me to take Harry to church I refuse doing so I am no advocate to take White Children out or to Church either in the P.M. C & I had words and all about the house leaving the bread uncovered C has been scolding every since I told her I would not do the baby washing I dont speak to her now I dont think very soon.
[…] I thank you very much for the perusal of the pieces about the freedman aid society It speak very well of the Royal Oak teacher.
[…] My Dear you asking the last time about the Jackson girls I dont know any thing about them they beaus. I did hear that Frank been out on the hills to the Green I heard that the masquerade ball they had on Wednesday was for G Daniels they had not enough to make up two sets John Francis fell over the banisters pick him up for dead. Chas Jackson was so high that they had to carry home
Nexe Sunday I will be writing to you at home please direct your letters to No 12 Wadsworth St. except my best love
your Adopted Sister Addie
Royal Oak, Talbot Co., Md.
Sat. 8 ¼ A.M.
Apr. 7 1866
My Dear Parents & Sister
Your letter was not rec’d until yesterday. I sent to the office on Thurs. as was told there was no mail for me, I was somewhat disappointed, however I thought I should get it on Saturday so I endeavored to quiet my mind & make myself contented, when to my surprise yours and Addie’s letters were sent to me about 6 P.M. I was delighted. I’m pleased to hear that you are all well and also that the box has finally started, for I had begun to feel quite uneasy about it. There have been enquiries made at the Easton P.O. every mail day since I rec’d your letter & Mr. Thomas went himself on Wed. he is going to send for it again today. I am in hopes to receive it.
[…] A great many of the people are planting, plowing up their grounds etc. vegetation too, is springing forth & soon I expect everything will be looking very thrifty about here. Mr. Thomas says people begin to plant before the frost is out of the ground. They raise wheat here. He had his land sown with wheat last year. I don’t know what he intends to plant this season, he owns an acre of land on this road and this upon which he lives he rents. It belongs to an old maid and Mr. Thomas wants to buy it of her but she declines to sell. The house is small but comfortable and pleasant, he says he would raise it & enlarge it by adding one more room on the lower floor for a bedroom.
There is a plenty of work here now for men & I think none have occasion to complain for want of it. All have some kind of employment; at the saw-mill where Mr. Thomas works, from four to six men are constantly employed, all colored too. A number of men follow hewing, sawing, others are at work in the fields. Although the whites are mostly Secesh12 here they all give colored men & women employment, the greatest difficulty is they do not pay sufficient wages & if the people will not accept their terms they send off and get “contrabands,” as they are here denominated, to work for them so that it takes the labor right out of these people’s hands & they are obliged to submit.
I hope there will be justice, impartial justice, given to the colored people one of these days. I was reading the “Civil Rights Bill” for colored & all people, in the “Communicator” & I will send it to you that you may read it if you’ve not already done so. As it had passed both houses of Congress with amendments I am very anxious to know whether Prest. Johnson has signed it or not. The Bill is excellent I think, only I hope the col’d. people will not take the advantage of the privileges it prescribes.
I have had real benefit all this week in perusing the “Independent” it goes down on Johnson pretty hard, & gives him his just dues. The paper is full of able & very interesting articles, all advocating the rights of the colored man. There is a good deal in it about Conn. & the Democracy. Rev. A.G. Beman has recd, a call to Mount Zion Cong’l. ch, Cleveland Ohio. I wonder if that’s the Society Mrs. Green was in Hartf’d. begging for that time?
[…] I thought about the meeting house’s Fast Day, I’m glad there is so much sympathy manifested in behalf of the Col’d. man’s Rights, and I hope the subject will continue to be agitated throughout the country by our smart intelligent col’d. men as well as white, until these rights which are so unjustly withheld from us now, have been obtained.
I would have liked one of those question books much, but you can tell me the subject of each lesson as they occur, as you’ve previously done, and it will answer every purpose. I’m pleased to know they’ve chosen Mr. Osborn to superintend the school, the choice of Miss M. Fellows to fill Miss Welch’s place is a good one too. I shall be delighted with all of those books that’s been sent also the papers, and all the other articles the box contains. Please tender my heartfelt thanks to the Donors.
[…] I cannot conceive how it is others aside from my own folks, are so desirous to peruse my letters. I cannot think they are so very interesting. I never expected or even thought of any others perusing them. Why don’t you read them to Miss Wells yourself, for I do not think they always bear inspection.
[…] I tell Mr. Thomas I shall be obliged to enter complaints at the office about my letters for I think they must forget to send them sometimes and so they lie over.
[…] The children are all getting better of the measles, some have returned to school, there are several cases yet in this neighborhood, new ones.
[…] I’m quite surprised to hear of Miss Hamilton’s boarding with colored people, Mr. Thos. says if it was here the house would be stoned. I’m glad she enjoys her labor, the freed men, women etc. in Washington are different class of people from those in this state I am told.
I rec’d. a letter from Miss Dickson at Trappe, Tues. she has 74 schol’s. & until the last month every thing has gone on quietly & well & now she’s stoned by white children & repeatedly subjected to insults from white men, in passing they have brushed by her so rudely she says “as to almost dislocated her shoulders,” she says she tries to bear it patiently. I feel real sorry for her, her position is truly an unenviable one. The whites are very mean there I’m told. White children take col’d. children’s books from them, and otherwise misuse and ill treat them.
I’ve rec’d. no intelligence from any of the other teachers very lately. Now I must bid you good morning. I have been unable to write to Mrs. Cheney this week as I entered, so I must do so this P.M.
Remember me to all my friends & accept my best love to yourselves.
Your affect daughter & Sister R.P.
Apr. 8, 1866 Sun. P.M.
My dear parents & sister
I think I will add a few more lines to your letter [….]
The box has not arrived yet unless it came to Easton last night. I guess the Postmaster must think its of some consequence. He is on the watch for it too. I shall get it as soon as it comes, we shall send again tomorrow & Tuesday also. The Independent & Record with a letter from Mr. Israel13 constituted my mail yesterday. Mr. I says[he] hopes I had a pleasant vacation. I think he must be a jovial & pleasant man. Mr. Graham was at Easton last Sunday & delivered a lecture to the colored people, they are going to build their school house now [….]
Rebecca
There are no letters from Rebecca to her family until June. Addie’s letters suggest that Rebecca spent part of this time in Hartford.
Hartford Apr. 10 1866
My Beloved & Cherish Sister
What a unpleasant day I am very much disappointed I was in hopes that I would be able to see you this P.M. No sign of it now [….] What are you doing reading or sleeping? Perhaps you have been indulging in both. Such days is this I like to be near you time passes of no small pleasanter [….]
I finish that skirt and also mend one to put on to morrow Mrs. Nott use to make it a practice to sew on Sundays. Dear Sister Mr. Nott is reading the Anglo something he was reading cause me to lend listening ear it was this the marriage of Mr. H J. I hope he has done well I was quite surprise to hear it excuse me for pening this. My Beloved Sister your last note gave pleasure and also cause me pain. My One & only Sister I know that I have done wrong. It will always be a tinge of remorse.
My Darling Sister you say trust you until I have even to mistrust you never will I have cause to do so. You have been to me more than any living soul has been or ever will be you have been more to me then a friend or Sister. My Idol Sister God being the judge I do not and never did doubt your constancy or your affections. I had a little fears about something but they all have vanish never will I allow such thought again.
Sister you say if I can not trust you can you trust me. I will let my actions speak for me about you trusting me have I ever ain’t trust you if I have forgive my true Sister
I wish that I could express my feelings to you excuse me for this note I am your loving
Sister Addie
Hartford Apr. 1866 8 A.M.
My D
early Beloved Sister
[…] Monday eve I went to see Mrs. Crowell they was very glad to see me Mrs. M wanted to know when I was coming that I had been engage to come them for some time and they was very glad that I had left Mrs. Hungtington. I am going the first of May. Poor Mr. C was delighted to see me. He wanted to know if he could rely upon my word I told him I thought he could. Tuesday A.M. I help Aunt Em about the house and we dress ourselves to rec Mr. Tines in the P.M. he came and was very much please to see him. He inquired very particular after your health. I was going up to Mrs. Saunders so he accompany me as far Asylum Street [….] I got home about nine oclock and what do you think I came across the Park alone [….] Dont you think I am getting brave now-days? Wednesday I iron all day just before tea time I call in to see your Mother and Bell was down stairs she came up before I left and was like herself Miss Booth came in I have not seen her for sometime while she was their Sarah came in After me for Harriet was here wanted to see me she invited me to spend Thursday and also the night of this week
Thursday I dress and went [?] beautiful day it was the opening of the Milliners and Main sts was crowded with Ladies I saw few colored Ladies [….]
Friday I felt realy bad I suppose I walk so much I was in all the morn siting in the same spot I am now writing to you I then went in to your Mother she invited me to take tea Bell played for me and then in the I went up to Mrs. Saunders and Bell accompany me Elizabeth lend me her Guitar it look almost as bad is the one you lent me. Aunt Emily laugh enough at it.
Saturday Sarah and I kept her house Aunt Em was out to work I busy until one I then dress to rec my friend Mr. T. Sarah ask me if I would comb her hair which I did and she said she wish that she had a afternoon dress to put on when I came down she a clean apron and then sit down and took her knitting to wait the coming of Mr. T. He came at last I rather think he was little provoke since he ask me for my company he has never saw me alone. I dont care about it all time but once a year I would like it Bell would like to have us call in there we contemplate doing so on Tuesday then I wont see him until the first of May.