I rec’d. a very friendly letter from Mr. Burton Last Sat. he also gave me the financial standing of the Society and cheered me considerably by saying how willing the members seemed to be to aid in building our schoolhouse. He says my letters are read at their meetings & they are just what they need to keep up the interest in the cause. He adds “I do not know any sort of labor in the world more interesting just now than this teaching the Freedmen at the South.” And he wishes me all sorts of success, he says, “at the present rate of work we shall in a few years have so many of them taught to read, that all of the Andrew Johnsons in Creation will not be equal to the job of keeping them down in the dirt under the white man’s heel.”
You wish to know whether those who attend school exhibit the same interest in it, I wish you could see for yourselves & then you’d think they had. The school is the topic at home & abroad, among the children as well as adults.
I’m invited to two “Pancake Toss” Parties this eve’g. but I shall decline attending either. One is given by my scholars & the other by some old folks—our neighbors [….]
I hope the society will not employ those persons of whom you write unless they know who & what they are both in politics & principles [….]
I had a full school this morning at the close of it we had singing. I had another name entered upon my Register—a little boy who’s never been to school before, he has a hair lip which disfigures his face very much. His mother has the same [….]
Rebecca
Boneset is an herb taken as tea for insomnia, fever, and the elimination of intestinal worms. Hop tea is believed to relieve insomnia, flatulence, and intestinal cramps. Sage is taken as tea for nervous conditions and depression, as well as for relief from diarrhea.
Rebecca’s family and friends hold a fund-raiser fair for her school; Addie describes the event.
Hartford Feb. 16 1867
Saturday 4 P.M.
My Dear Sister
[…] Now I shall tell you about the Fair monday PM Bell and I went up to the Hall and found the table all arrange except the refreshment table had some difficult in getting something for the tables at last they succeeded every thing look very nicely indeed great many handsome fancy articles the White people was very friendly indeed.
Tuesday night we had the colored band it made it very lively and great many would like to participate fantastic time. I will tell you who was the table tenders doubtless you would like to know. Mrs. Champion and Sounds Harden Mason Hammer Bell and Julia Addie O yes Mrs. Andrew Mitchell Tuesday or Wednesday eve your Aunt Mrs. T look very pretty indeed O a royal purple dress and a white apron with a ruffle on and that was fluted she put some of us in the shade that night. Mrs. C Freeman made the cream it was very good but the best the night Mrs. Hammer made it and it excellent. Mrs. Hammer cream it was very very nice. I will say extra nice Mrs. F tried to find fault but she could not get any one to agree with her.
Eliza Smith and Miss Daniels was up from Middletown and also Mr. Lloyd. I have not seen your mother since Thursday night I do not know how much they realize as yet Your Mother must be tired out she was the most prominent person. Aunt Emily made me a present of a very pretty scarf Thursday night. Bell made me a present of a pair of boots from cowskin [….]
Mary Champion4 is very wild. I am afraid she is going to be like Emily [….] Sarah Sands very uncouth in her manners but she was out every night while the Fair [….]
I am very glad that you have written to Mr. Tines he has spoken of it tow or three times. My Dear allow me to inform you that Mr. T does not hear but once a week from me. I am very much please of the interesting account you gave of the wedding you say the guest forgot that the Bride and Groom would like to retire do you think they done much sleeping when they did retire [….]
I think the table must of look very nice but sunsoyes? must be in the place of chicken salad. Do you not think so too? Rev Mr. Burton wife was at the Fair and their son they spent their money freely. Gertrude was out one night and your mother got her to assist with the refreshment table.
[…] I told Aunt Emily I glad I dont run after the men. She said I would if I love them as she did—as Mrs. Mitchell does I mean.
[…] Anne Francis has lost her baby made a great mourn even kept crape on the door only 10 days old Bell and Julie and I went to see the corpse it was very pretty is was born with a veil.5
[…] Miss Margaret has just told me they had cleared $200.00 at the Fair I think they have done well. I must not pen any more for I do not feel like it. Miss M is going to mail it for me this P.M. they wish to be remembered to you.
I except my love from your
Affectionate Adopted Sister
Addie
Royal Oak, Feb. 23, 1867
My dear Parents & Sister
[…] Yesterday A.M. I suspended two boys from school for the day for fighting, one went home & rec’d. a severe whipping, and I’ve not yet learned what has bestowed upon the other.
As a general think my pupils behave very well, but now & then an evil spirit rises among them, and I introduce different methods of punishment to quell it.
[…] The man with whom we’ve contracted to build ours says, if we’ll get everything ready for him by the 20th of April he’ll complete it by the 1st of June. The trustees have the desired amount for conveying the lumber over, and Mr. Thos. says they’ll make arrangements to have it brought next month; aside from this they have all the materials such as nails, hinges, windows sashes etc. to get, and one of them will go up to Balto, so as to get them as reasonable as possible. We are to know this eve’g. whether we can have the land or not.
I rec’d. your letter Thurs. and I’m delighted to hear of the unexpected success of the Fair, I think you’ve amply repaid for all your labor.
Your assertion that we’re sure of $200 for our schoolhouse certainly exceeds my highest expectation, and when these people are informed (which will not be until after they’ve all given what they’ve promised towards it, and the building is completed) I imagine they’ll not know how to express their gratitude or what to think of the liberality of my Northern Friends. They’ve all been wide awake upon the subject since knowing that they were actually to be assisted in the matter. They’ve also agreed to raise a certain sum by the 1st of June to settle all minor expenses, which is a good idea. Mr. Thomas proposed it, the others approve and agree to it.
I’ve rec’d a letter from Josephine this week, she is well and complains of the mud & mire with which she’s had to contend since the snow left. These country places do certainly excel all other places for mud, there is such an abundance of it. It is very springy here which I suppose accounts for it, out when the roads are in order they are excellent.
[…] I’ve devoted my leisure hours this week, to reading Mrs. Sigourney’s6 book, which I think & find exceedingly interesting.
From a regiment of colored soldiers recently disbanded in Balto, three have returned to their families and homes in this place this week and they’ve been warmly welcomed. Some of these poor fellows ran away from their masters and return free men. They seem to be very happy. A great many joined the Union forces from this county which has deemed a great loss to their owners, and strenuous efforts were made by some to get their portable & uncertain property restored to them, but all to no purpose. One poor fellow—some one’s son who went from here has died […],& he’s the only one. there are a few others expected yet, whose time of service has not yet expired.
Some of the young women gave a “Pancake Toss” here Thurs. eve’g. and gave me an invitation which I did not accept. The young men to return compliment I suppose—are to give one next Saturday night.
The whites are also giving a round of parties now, and it’s first here then in Easton. They have regular Balls on so private scale, and employ a colored musician to play the fiddle for them.
The P.M.’s wife here is confined to her bed with the Rheumatism. They are very particular of late to send me word when there are letters at the off
ice for me if I’ve not previously sent to enquire. And they will not send them by any & everyone, for they say I’m so very particular about my mail. I don’t know what led them to be so considerate. I’ve not had more than one letter mailed from their office since our little difficulty. I suspect they feel the slight. These white people want all the respect shown them by the col’d. people. I give what I rec. & no more.
I am quite pleased with Pussy’s picture and shall deem it mine from this time henceforth.
Little Jim does not care anything about it though he looked at it.
I do not think he understood it as old Jim did, for he’s not favored with the good sense that his namesake possesses.
I am very glad you have paid Mrs. Thompson, and I hope the members of the society will agree to have the remaining portion used as you propose, it will be so good to have the poor creatures cared for in this way. And I think it will be such an encouragement for the poor girls, Now do those get along that have recently come to Hartford?
[…] You desire to know why I did not introduce conversation at the wedding—simply because I had nothing to say, I went merely as a spectator. I sometimes think they’re almost afraid to talk or move in my presence. I always do what I can to remove their apparent embarrassment [….]
Hartford Feb. 24 1867
My Dear Sister
[…] Dear Sister I am delighted to learn that you approve of me going to Farmington should Mrs. Jefferson leave I shall certainly inform you all of my arrangements should I go. Mrs. Crowell send the money for the Fair.
Rebecca I did not say anything to Mr. Tines about coming I have not forget last summer I did not return a fond imbrace. Rebecca I have to smile but I do not mean to say that we were courting as long as you think for I shall tell you all about it when we meet So you think I do queer thing every now and then.
[…] Colonel Trimble of Tennessee is going to lecture at Talcott street Church on Wednesday evening the subject is the capacity of colored men; I think I shall go for I would like to hear him providing I will have company there. Rev Mr. Dranes preached his farewell sermon yesterday at St John Church. He goes to Albany at St Peter Church. I am very sorry for I intended to have him marry me I must hunt some one else. I must come to a close. They all send their love except my love your adopted sister
Addie
On the back of this letter Rebecca wrote the following: “Addie, please give this to mother.” This was probably enclosed in one of Addie’s letters.
Royal Oak, Talbot Co., Md
March 2, 1867
Sat. 9 A.M.
My dear Parents & Sister:
[…] I will give you a statement of my school report. I have had 38 day & 22 night scholars during the month, with an average attendance of 30 for the former, and 12 for the Latter. The largest number in attendance at any one session was 34 pupils. I’ve had 2 new day & 4 new night scholars.—13 are reading in the 1st reader, 28 in the 2nd, and 16 in the 3rd; 18 are studying Geogr; and 20 are perusing Arith; 16 write in Copy Books and a number of others upon slates. The general health of the school has been good with the exception of colds.
I shall fill a blank and send to Mr. Burton with my letter next week, it will be [?] change to be rehearsed in the audience of the Society at their next meeting. Amount of sales for books during the month $5.18. I was adding up the amount of sales for last year and I found I had sold $65. worth. I keep a strict account of every book sold as well as all those I receive from the Asson.
We have secured the land for the schoolhouse & I’ve enclosed the bill of it which is $50. with my report, to the N.Y. Soc’y. & as soon as the money is rec’d. it will be paid for, then a deed of the land will be obtained & we shall also have it recorded at Easton.
As soon as the house is built we intend to have it insured, & my object is to have an exhibition to raise the means for its insurance.
Mr. Thomas or one of the other trustees will go to Balto, this month for the lumber & other materials. I shall be delighted to see the building fairly commenced. Whatever amount is further needed above the $200 which you have for us, the people have agreed to raise it among themselves and their friends.
A young man who was married here during the holidays has been very sick with the Typhoid Fever for the past two or three weeks, was supposed to be dying early this morning, [t]he doctor says he can’t recover. He has been quite a steady young man and is a native of Virginia.
The young woman whom I think I mentioned in my last epistle is thought to be getting better she can sit up I’m told.
There are others here who are sick from colds, the old man Moore is also quite ill.
[…] My little Jim hurt his foot last night and this A.M. I’ve been bathing it with Rum, and he thinks it’s awful, always making a terrible time. I hope old Jim is well.
[…] That young man died at 8 o’ck. last night, he has experienced religion during his illness, & gave his friends to understand that he was perfectly willing to die. He said to one of them yesterday A.M. that he should die that eve’g. He has been buried this afternoon.
I rec’d. your letter, the papers, and a letter from Gertrude & Mr. Tines yesterday P.M. None from Addie I hope she’s not sick. The one you enclosed was from Mr. Silvia, he is very well sends his love to Bell, wishes to be remembered to you. He enclosed one for Aunt Em he says he rec’d. my letter but not hers.—which were written when I was home. He has shipped for home & expects to reach N.B. if spared in five or six months. His letter is very brief as usual, I’ve not penned Aunt Em’s.
Those daises & the corn starch were rec’d. safely, I made a custard of a portion this A.M. and Mr. Thos. & I ate it for dessert this noon, reserving a part of it for supper. I can tell it relished well. Mr. Thos. likes it so well he’s going to buy a paper of it to use in the family. Mrs. Thos. does not use milk & therefore can not eat puddings etc. in which it’s used.
Those daisies I will keep for future use, as I am rejoicing in my accustomed good health again, which I shall endeavor to preserve.
How well our church must have looked last Sunday being so well filled, I should liked to have been there too.
[…] I have just spread a plaster to put upon my chest which has recently become very weak, and today has began to pain me. It is so strange whenever I have an ailing of any kind & recover from it another is sure to follow.
I suppose that Tennesseean delivered his lecture, I have no sympathy for any of them, I think they would all be glad to be restored to their former power and slaveocracy.
[…] We shall have our schoolhouse built in a substantial and comfortable manner. When do you think you can forward the money? If you can send us $50. which we desire for immediate use soon, I will oblige us. You can send it in a fifty doll. bill. I think ’twill come as safely in a letter as that I’ve sent on. We’re determined to begin upon it next month, another man desires to have the job of building; but Mr. Thos. told him we had one engaged. I will enclose the proposed dimensions etc. of the building, & one of these days I will send you the plan so that you may be able to [?] all in a measure. It will be a little larger than the white schoolhouse here, and just half the size of the new schoolhouse at Easton, only that has two stories.
I intend to superintend its erection etc. the trustees are very willing that I should.
I am glad the mere rolling of the Pill in Jim’s mouth effected the cure. I hope he’ll be fat when I come home.
[…] The Church in which I now hold our school is two or three feet smaller both ways, than the schoolhouse will be. Then more books are being given, I’m very glad, for if we do not need them all I will share with Josephine. Tell that woman we’re in the country. & the S.H. will be erected in accordance with it’s surroundings.
Dimensions of School House as Drawn by Sam’l Benson, Carpenter and the Contractor.
20 by 25 ft.—width & depth.
16 ft.—height, cor posts.
to be weather boarded up & down and stripped, the inside sealed u
p to the joice.
Materials required.
3 sills 6 by 8—25 ft. long.
2 “ 6 by 8—25 “ “
2 plates 4 by 6—25 “ “
2 “ 4 “ 6—22 “ “
5 scant 3 " 4—10 " "
20 " 3 " 4—16 " "
4 cor posts 4" 6—10 " "
26 rafters 3" 4—14 " "
16 Joice 3" 7—20 " "
13 " 3" 7—22 " "
750 ft. plank—12" x " 1 in. thick
60 pieces stripping 16" " 5 " wide
1400 ft. flooring 3500 shingles—Cypress
3 window frames—sash & shutters
" 10 by 14—12 lights
2 door frames & doors 6 by 10—3 wide
1 keg 10 penny nails
1" 8 " "
40lbs. 6 " "
1000 bricks
1lb. lime
Royal Oak, Talbot Co. Md.
Give my love to all of my friends & relatives, & accept the largest portion to yourselves.
from
Rebecca.
Addie continues to attend lectures and concerts, and to keep Rebecca up to date on the variety of cultural events in Hartford. The two friends also share gossip that proves incest and sex outside of marriage are not only contemporary occurrences.
Hartford Mar. 3 1867
My Dear Adopted Sister
I have been perusing the Standard having a few moment to spare I thought I would answer your letter. […]
They are having great rivals over to the Methodist Miss Sills wish to have me to accompany them to night she has never been in the church since she has been here. Miss Babcock called Wednesday eve and gave me invitation to attend the lecture at the church Col Trimble. His subject was Colored Mans Capacity. He spoke very well, there was not many out. He wanted to have the White people those that are against our race. He had been brought up in the south with all the prejudices of the southerners against the colored race. He did not think them fit for anything but servitude or capable of any great mental or moral improvement. Since the war his opinions has changed. He thinks there are in the equal of with the white. He also spoke of Garnet, Douglass and other distinguish men. The day would come when states would allow every man vote he also said that he was going back to Tennessee and take two blackest men one on each arm and go up to the ballot box. Now Dear Sister I must lay aside my pen for I must get dinner and prepare for Sunday School adieu.
Beloved Sisters and Loving Friends Page 19
