[…] I have been writing a hour and half so I must leave you until this eve so adieu
Addie
5 P.M.
[…] Talcott St Choir give a festival on Wednesday eve here Music both sacred and secular reading and dialogue I think I shall go as you know I am very fond of music only wish you was here. Saturday I was perusing over your letters and notes one I rec Jan 29th 1861 it is a pleasure to read them if you would like to read it I will send it providing that you will send it back to me. I would like to have you peruse it.
[…] Except my best and also a kiss, from your loving & adopted Sister—Addie
Hartford Apr. 29 1866
My Dear & Adopted Sister
[…] I have been out sewing for two weeks I guess siting so steady is the cause of my pain yesterday I was sewing for Mrs. Mary Goodwin in High St and I expect to go tomorrow and Friday and Saturday and the rest of the days to Mrs. Saunders. I dont think I could stand going out everyday.
[…] Henrietta is living with Mr. Wilson on Asylum Hill she dont like very much she want to go to Mrs. Bedfield. I dont think I shall go to the boat while Mr. Tines is on it. He expect to go to Saratoga last of June. Mr. Tines told he rec a letter from you I rec a letter from him last night he is rather low spirited I am coming home to see him Tuesday Aunt Emily is to Farmington she went Wednesday 3 P.M. expect her back tomorrow I wish Mr. Tines was here Sundays now when I did not want him the boat was here.
[…] O I must tell you Thomas Saunders gave his sister a present of a silk dress Saturday. It cost $9.00 per yard. He is the best of brother she tell me. Dont mention it he expect to be married I think it will be nexe fall.
[…] adieu my Sister
3 P.M.
Hartford May 6 1866
My Dearest & Adopted Sister
[…] Aunt Emily and I are going to remain in the house this beautiful springlike day on account of our unfortunate bonnet. The place she told her to be pressed has been careless and cant find it So I dont know what she will do. I dont expect to have mine until nexe week then I shall have Bell trimmed it for me with the same ribbon I had on it last summer I am not going to get any thing new for the only I want is cotton cloth. I cam out of draws I want a pair of shoes that will cut me a great deal I have a calico dress to wear in return with one I had last summer.
Dear Sister I must tell you the news Peter Nott and his family move to Boston Levina went Wedns P.M. Peter I understand went yesterday I went there so they requested me on Monday night from my work L wish me to go up stairs with her. then she ask which of those dresses I wanted of Mrs. Nott so of course I chose the best one and if you remember that striped calico that Mr. Nott bought they had not the rest of things to pick up so I was to call for them nexe evening Peter gave me those hoops earings that Mrs. Nott use to wear, the Charter oak pair to Mrs. Fuller that done so much for Mrs. Nott while on the boat so Tuesday I call and it rain very hard that I could not return home I had to remain the rest of the night. Jennie Strims was also there helping [….]
My Dear & Adopted Sister
I truly wish that I could exchange pen and paper for a seat by your side and my head reclining on your soft bosom and having a pleasured chit chat with thee. It has been a lovely day most every one looking as blooming as a June rose. I attend S.S. and Mr. Cross seem to be very much please to see me I told him your message he was delighted and wish me to give his love to you and think its most time that you was coming home to your Dear friends that you have left [….]
We had a colored minister to preach today he is from NY. I understand Mr. Cross I do not know his name he spoke very well his text was the first chapter of Romans and 14 ver. I do not know whether He will preach tonight or not.
[…] A Mr. Henry E Rovins was accidentally killed Friday P.M. from New Haven to the city he was passing from one car to the other and caught his foot in the door sill falling forward rolled of the car on to the track between the cars his right arm was crushed his head had a slight wound he died when he got to Berlin he leave a wife and two children he was buried today at 1 oclock from St John Church. I do think men ought to be careful some of his friends think he had been drinking for he indulge very freely when he was at home Mr. Saunders says he was one of his best friends He showed me his picture he was a fine looking man [….]
Dear Sister I shall ans your very interesting and welcome missive I received on Friday evening that same eve I spent with Bell as she invited me to do so. She had four Gents to call on her and Julia was there I heard some very sweet music. My Dear Rebecca you will not be delighted to get home then we are to welcome you home I dare not think of it I do not want to be disappointed I will tell you what I mean when you are home a few days you ask me if Levina paid me for what I done for when she was sick no she did not and never will now [….]
I dreampt of you last week I thought you was at home but much change though O do not Dear Sister and friend change towards me again for I am lonely enough as it is [….]
your loving sister
Addie
Addie is in New York for a brief visit before returning to Hartford. In both cities she enjoys a range of entertainment, amusement, and activity: from the popular venue of Barnum’s to a concert featuring a piano prodigy, the young African American Blind Tom. Unfortunately, because a black classical pianist was seen as an oddity, the broader culture probably made little distinction between the young man and Barnum’s “freaks.” For one of the first times, Addie speaks of reading a book by a black author, and the familiarity with which she mentions it suggests that it was well known at the time.
New York May 29 1866
My Dear & Adopted Sister
You see where I am I expect to return tomorrow It has been raining all day this A.M. I went to Jersey City after my Album I found them all very sick.
[…] They are playing Uncle Jim at Barnum they have a […] there she is only ten year old and a Gin Grunt 50 years not much laugh then. I not get out too Central Park [….] My Brother and Warwick will bring me something to the boat for tomorrow he says Selina gave me a pair of cuffs. I have told you all the New York news that I know of at present.
[…] Miss Saunders took me to hear Blind Tom. He plays quaintly on the piano in Hartford last week two evening I have got to be very good friends with the Saunders. My Dear Sister I cannot write a long letter of late my head trouble a great deal, your caring Sister Addie
[…] the Farmington murder some time ago they arrested some men great many in Farmington know these are the guilty ones and they have had they trial and Lawyer Chapman was for them they have got clear I realy think it is a shame. I dont think they ought to be allow to remain in F. The Methodist is holding a Fair at Talcott & Post Hall it for Ben. Mr. Roes Miss Fuller wanted me to go with her I think I shall decline for I dont care anything about it I have pen you all that I can for the present so I am coming to a brief close.
Oh I am reading the Life of Frederick Douglass14 I never had the pleasure before.
Chapter Seven
“I am pleased to hear
of the success of those freedmen”
Summer/Fall 1866
IN his Semi-Annual Report on Schools for Freedmen for January 1866, John W. Alvord, inspector of Freedmen’s Bureau Schools, wrote: “The educational work in Maryland has had much opposition, such as stoning children and teachers at Easton, rough-handling and blackening the teacher at Cambridge, indignation meeting in Dorchester County with resolution passed to drive out the teacher and the burning of churches and schools.” Though Rebecca does not experience any of this kind of harassment, she writes about the violence visited upon Miss Dickson, a teacher in Trapp. She makes no mention of Cambridge, Maryland, where her friend Josephine is stationed.
Royal Oak, June 2, 1866 Sat. A.M.
Dear Parents & Sister
[…] I shall not write to Mrs. F. W. Cheney till Monday, though I’ve the Report ready. I would like to send you one even were it not such a task—the attendance has been very goo
d this month, the average attend, being 25. I have the same number of pupils though, one a boy, is kept at home so much to work that I think he’s as good as none.
[…] I’ve read your letters over and over, also Jim’s. I am real sorry for him and I think he’s been treated shamefully, for I do not think he would have ever been guilty of touching the little chicks. I wish I had been there to have afforded him some protection. Poor fellow! His Auntie certainly did not treat him right.
I rec’d. a letter this w’k from Miss Dickson who was at Trappe, she has been very ill for five weeks, brought on by the assaults, etc. that she receives from her enemies there, she writes that she lay totally unconscious for two days and received no nourishment for nearly a week—poor thing! She had a serious time! When she had sufficiently recovered the Dr. advised a change of scenery on account of her nervousness. She went to Balt. I had only just had her health sufficiently restored to enter upon her studies again, the actuary has sent her to Chestertown to teach the rest of the term.
[…] I forgot to tell you in my last of a murder that occurred at Easton last Sunday night one week. It seems a very respectable colored man who resided with his family there was on his way to church and en-route he was shot by a white rascal so that he fell a dead man immediately. The villain made his escape and has not yet been caught, he is said to be skulking about in the woods sustained by his Secesh sympathizers. He is well known and detectives are after him.
Now a law been passed there fining any person the sum of five dolls, who is known to fire off a pistol or any thing else in the place. There are some very lawless fellows in these towns and there is nothing too bad for them to do to a colored person. I trust something like justice will be given to the black man one of these days, for some are persecuted almost as badly now as in the days of slavery. Miss Cummings writes me that two of the colored teachers—Miss Anderson and Mrs. Jackson, are having a law suit in Balto, with a fellow who put them out of the Ladies Room at the Depot where they were sitting waiting for the train. It was going in their favor when the fellow plead a jury trail and she says there’s no telling now which way it will go. I hope however he may get the worst of it at any rate.
[…] I am quite surprised to hear Miss Snells shows my letters. I did not even suspect it. I shall be glad to have those Books reserved for me & these people. I guess you would think Emily was a prodigy or something else if you could see or be in the house with her. Bell is partly right about my having such hearty laughs, when we were all in Balt, together I used frequently to indulge in a good laugh in fact we all did. I think Starkweather1 ought to be hung; if any one ever was deserving of that death he is. I am quite surprised to hear about Emma Daniels, she will never make any thing in my opinion. Her mother ought now to prosecute those who had her shut up so long just on suspicion. I suppose that Miss Butler will have a grand wedding. Bell you should by all means attend to get the fashions, you are very fashionable.
We are going to have a lecture here Sunday night by a Mr. Taylor—agent of the Us. Court. Now I must close give my love to all and accept the best to yourselves.
Your daughter & Sister Rebecca
[…] Mr. & Mrs. Thomas wish to be remembered to you all.
In this letter to Rebecca, Addie is obviously upset with her friend’s decision not to come home to Hartford until July; furthermore, she suggests that Rebecca does not want to get together in New York, though she anticipates their meeting daily. She speaks more openly about her relationship with Mr. Tines.
Again, she talks about her economic situation, paints a grim portrait of a black laundress, and then notes that she hopes she will never have to take in laundry. This gives evidence of the small range of work available to black women in the North. Later, in the South, black laundry women would be among the most independent and organized of black laborers.2
The letter marks a more mature and thoughtful Addie.
Hartford June 5 1866
My Dear Adopted Sister
[…] I have great deal to relate to you but I am going to retain it until you come home. Now I shall peruse your letter I receive when I return. If I had of been home I would of had it Tuesday same time your mother received hers. Where do you keep your better paper? It has a beautiful ordour to it this week in particular. Doubtless you will be glad when you receive your orders to close school. Yes I intend to meet you in New York but I thought perhaps your mother was going to meet you in Baltimore then you would not care about my company from New York here although it is in my thoughts daily.
So Mr. Tines told you that I was not going to remain in Hartford any longer. I guess I will have to for a while [….]
O Rebecca only to think he is only 24 years old [….] I marry a man younger than myself that is against my principle. You know this. I am positive that he love me perhaps he will not care about marrying me if he should know my age it always something. Addie if not one thing it is another.
You was speaking about Bell fixing you bonnet when you return I guess she will have to if it the same style when you left they are having some very gray bonnets.
Look here Rebecca do you want to tell me that you only going to stay nine weeks? The longest been gone seven months it will be almost eight before you return. I think it is really mean.
I should like to been at that Pancake toss. So you did not participate in any of their amusement. I wonder what they think of you. O I had the pleasure of reading a little piece about Royal Oak School and their teacher Miss Rebecca Primus. I hope you will make her acquaintance before you return home My Dear [….] I have had a nap and then I get up had a nice wash and all nice and sweet for you to give a sweet kiss and a embrace [….] It is so very gloomy ever baby in this house is so still even the cat. Any body want quiet just come here they will find it to it full extent. I am glad that I am not in New York [….] Don’t you think I left my album in New York. I guess by this time it is on the boat. Mr. Tines had promise to write in it[…]3
Addie
“Well dear Sister since you have been gone you have slept with a fellow who would of thought of that.” This surprising tidbit goes unexplained in Addie’s next letter, but it certainly suggests that Rebecca shared the most intimate details of her life with Addie and that the suggested relationship was not viewed as a threat to their own.
Hartford June 17, 1866
My Dear Adopted Sister
[…] I also went to the festival with Bell first time since you have been absent, I enjoyed myself very well [….] The minister took different ladies and promenade around the Hall ad sing [….] It was quite amusing to see them even got your mother and Aunt Emily out but a very few moments [….] It was at Gilman Hall [….]
Well dear Sister since you have been gone you have slept with a fellow who would of thought of that.
Mrs. Lloyd and her family is up here. They stop to Jennie Strimes you ought to of heard her brothering and sistering folks. I have to smile sometime. All is not gold that glitters [….]
Can you do something for the pain in your side? I had a little of it today I guess I am sympathizing with you. I have got to wash for Mrs. Terry she is stopping with us. Mrs. Crowell says if she don’t give me anything they will make it all up to me [….]
I like the new songbooks very much. They sung two this P.M. Mr. Osher told them he would like to have them meet next Saturday evening to prepare for SS.
I hear that Peter Nott is working for a firm called Streets or Walker. Don’t you think they will get along. I think he will get rich [….]
I cut some cloth to make some dresses for those two you gave me are about gone. Kind friends are around me. They bid me to be gay. What merriment now to chase away sadness. Yet still I am lonely for the are not here. They bid me to join in the laugh[ter] and glad[ness] I try […] but I am feeling most sad and strange [….]
I wrote you such a long letter last week I will not worry you this week so I will come to a close by bidding you a good night.
Your loving Sister,
>
Addie
Hartford June 20 1866
My Dear Adopted Sister
[…] Miss E. Saunders and her friend from Boston Miss L was speaking of Miss Addie Howard saying that schools would close the 16th of July I said then that was encouraging little did I think if your was acquainted with this Lady you would be very much please with her she is very much of a Lady very much accomplished. She went out last year as a book keeper in a store. When she was about to return to her mother and Sister the Mississippi River was frozen and she had to cross it she thought she never could do it then she said how grand it would be to hand it down from generation to generation that she had to walk on the ice and also thought of Eliza in Uncle Tom’s Cabin.4 It is beautiful to hear her relate it [….] I often think when people has a chance to have a Education why will they throw it away. They have lost golden opportunity [….]
I saw Mr. Tines yesterday and he wish me to say he leave the last of this month for Saratoga and would like to here from you again before he leave [….]
Addie
The following is the only letter from Rebecca during the summer of 1866. She seems to have been in Hartford while her school was on break. In this letter, she writes of a visit to Boston, where her brother, Nelson, and his family live. This is the first time we hear of the much- adored Leila, Nelson’s baby daughter.
The portraitist Nelson Primus (1843-1916) learned the painting trade at the Hartford Carriage Works. In 1858, he won a medal for his work from the Connecticut State Agricultural Society. Nelson moved to Boston in 1864 and painted prominent Bostonians. Unable to survive as a portraitist, he continued to paint carriages and even worked as a bookseller. In 1895, after the death of his wife, he moved to San Francisco’s Chinatown, where he continued to paint portraits and religious studies until his death.
Beloved Sisters and Loving Friends Page 14
