[…] Miss Sills and I went to the Methodist it was crowded of course she likes the appearance of the church they had prayer meeting after church we staid a little while they are having great times. Mary Champion is one of the converts [….]
The Mason contemplate giving a Banquet the 26 of this month they are not going to have a dancing the first part of the evening I am told so I suppose they will have more than would have if they did.
[…] Bell & I went to the Allyn Hall last friday evening to hear Mr. & Mrs. Howard Paul we was very much please with them Mrs.
H has a fine voice the Hall was crowded to excess your Mother Aunt Emily came in after nine o’clock they went to some meeting.[…]
I am surprise to hear about that young man to think with his own Sister. I should not think that he would ever seek the company of a respectable people and to think that you respect him so much your Mother was speaking about him few weeks ago having him educated for a teacher. He is a fit subject for a teacher one I think I would not trust any one with him I hope the Young men will not give him any peace about it.
I am afraid Dear Sister the people will think you dont appreciate the invitation to the Pancake parties, who does Jane expect to hear from here when she dont write to anyone. Mr. Griffin does not take after his brother he cant go without a companion.
[…] I heard yesterday a young girl in New Haven went from there go south to teach her health was miserable so her Mother sent for her to come home since her return she present her Mother with a grand child. That is a new method of teaching.
[…] I am delighted to hear that you anticipate having the School house done so you can enjoy being a little while in it before you leave.
I do not know much about Chas Jackson he trys to get with Bell as often as he can. She dont like him any more she says I dont think she encourages him very much you know how men are sometimes. I dont think I should like any one come up to my bed room and see how my Husband and I was lying. It was a very good thing they both was asleep. […]
Addie
Prompted by Rebecca’s report of a young man’s deathbed repentance, Addie here initiates an informed theological discussion of the possibility of such contrition.
Hartford March 8, 1867
My Dear Adopted Sister
[…] That young man has not enjoyed married life long. I am glad that he experienced religion before he died. I read in one of the Congregational paper speaker death-bed repentence he has not much faith in it. I will describe it as much as I can remember if it is a minister was sent to visit a Young Lady she had no hope that she was a Christian and was afraid to die he prayed with her from time to time and she was also sincere in her prayer after a few days her terror passed into hope bright delighted hope in Christ He had never met with a clearer case of conversion of anyone had she died he should of treasure it up as a beautiful example of death bed repentance but she recovered and was able to attend School again and he visit her and see if she continued the same delightful frame of mind. To his amazement she remember no such experience during her sickness nor even that the minister had visited her and was living the same life she was before she was taken sick so my dear what do you think of this not please tell me what you think or what you view on Death-bed repentance there is a knock at the door [….]
your affectionate Sister
Addie
Again, in this letter, Rebecca expresses her disdain for the emotionalism of some southern blacks as well as her doubt of the religious sincerity of those who convert to Christianity during emotional revivals.
Royal Oak, Talbot Co., Md
March 10, 1867
Sunday 1 p.m.
My Dear Parents & Sister,
[…] I was favored with a visit from Josephine Friday eve’g. and she remained until this morning. She came very unexpectedly and I was quite as pleased as surprised to see her, she is very well & appears as usual. Mr. & Mrs. Thomas look upon her as a very peculiar being, he says he does not think her equal can be found & I think he’s about right,—they both like her very much, she brought each of us a little gift. She came in the steamboat & returned in the same early this morning. Mr. Thos. carried her down to the landing & I accompanied them. She inquired after you all her school occupies so much of her time & attention that she does but little writing, which I presume accounts for her having never written to you. She has been out to school every day since the 2nd or 7th of Jan’y. with one exception—& that was last Thurs. it rained so hard she remained at home. She heeds not storms or mud, distance or cold,—they’re all one & the same to her.
[…] I went out this A.M. to see that poor sick young woman, it is thought she has the consumption. I read to her from the New Testament & one of the Psalms, also a very interesting piece in the Inde’t. She seems to be very resigned & expressed her hope in Christ. Some of the church members held a meeting with her in her room last Thurs. evening. She does not sit up now and has a bad cough. We’ve had rain more or less all this week, & for two days in succession Wed. & Thurs. I was unable to have school, & there’s not been a single night session.
[…] I took Josephine to see the little structure in which I teach & pointed out the site of the new building, and when it is finished she’s coming over to see it.
[…] Yesterday I rec’d. a check for $50 from N.Y. society to pay for the land for the schoolhouse. Mr. Thomas saw the contractor again yesterday & he says he’ll commence work upon the first of April if the materials are ready. We’ve engaged to have the lumber brought down the next trip of a schooner that runs between Eastern Shore & Balto. The Capt. has engaged to bring it for $2.00 per hundred ft. his usual price being $2.50. He’s a very clever man to col’d. people though a rank secessionist.
[…] I suppose you refer to the revivalists of last fall’s meetings. I’m told they are all or nearly all of them lost sheep during the holidays, the excitements, pleasures & parties occurring at that time, cause their fall, so I’m informed. The converts here are like those we have home—they’re only for a season.
I regret to hear the girls who have lately come on there have got into the habit of attending those night meetings, but the Southerners are so emotional & so fond of excitement that it’s nothing more than could hardly be expected from them.
Jim and his little chum must have become excellent friends. He should not be called a “little heap,” I suppose whether I accept of the explanation given of those pictures of mine or not ’tis all the same. All right—“all’s well that end’s well” I suppose it will lead to the selling of the object itself next.
That Lincoln Institute must be a great and good enterprise. I hope that man may be successful in collecting funds for it but I think his demand upon the Conn. people are rather exorbitant. Is he a white man or one of the pupils?
Jim is increasing in importance I judge, & I’m very glad to hear it. I’ve no doubt he takes the best of care of your little birds Sundays. Tell him he’s always remembered by his absent mistress. Little Jim lies stretched out upon the bed. He seems to feel he’s of some importance too, for he stands upon his dignity like his namesake.
Mr. Perry Davis7 is so interested in the welfare of the freedmen perhaps on account of the pecuniary returns that he may re. He understands how the thing is done!
[…] All nature is re animated—people, creatures, birds, and also the vegetation,—everything today wears a cheerful aspect. I hope ’twill continue many days. I shall have a night session this evening. I expect the night scholars will be very glad to be able to meet again.
I’ve just been informed of the illness of another col’d. woman here. The Dr. thinks she has inflammation upon the Lungs. She is a married woman & has children, her husband is a real shiftless man. Old man Moore is better, and I understand that young woman is better today. She’s not in any pain, had bad cold, and has hot fevers followed by chills almost continually. She’s very weak, her appetite has come again and the Dr. says she can and may eat anything she desires. […]
>
This letter reveals the complex relationships between some freedmen and their former masters.
Royal Oak, Talbot Co., Md
March 16, 1867
Sat. 10 A.M.
My dear Parents & Sister
[…] So then Nelson’s little girl has finally arrived does she walk yet? I don’t see what he’s sent so many rules to govern her by for, he goes upon extremes. How did Gertrude endure the “cross.” Is Benajah going to return to Dr. Brown’s? I suppose his education is now completed and I’ve no doubt he feels himself to be somebody of consequence now. I presume Nelson will miss his society very much. Can Leila talk much? How does he[Jim] appear to like her, don’t let her plague him.
We could not get the place of land we at first made application for although the owner gave every reason to believe that we should have it. He is a hard-headed old Negro-hating secessionist and looks like an angry bulldog in the face—which is his most pleasant facial appearance.
Mr. Thomas sold us the land though he would not have disposed of it for any other purpose upon any consideration. The $50 note that you enclosed came safely to hand & next week Mr. Thomas will go up to Balto, for the various articles needed for the building. You can send the remainder of the money in the same way—that is fifty dolls. at a time, we shall reserve that to pay for the house being built. I don’t know as yet how much money has been collected here. Mr. Thomas has begged two trees from his former master for the sills, which he very readily gave & spoke very much in favor of the school & expressed his hope that it might be the means of improvement among the col’d. people. The Trustees purpose getting the sills here on acc’t. of their being so heavy to move and so get the Asson. to give us something else instead. Mr. Thomas has spoken to someone to draw up a deed of the land for him, & when that is done one of the trustees will have it recorded at Easton.
[…] The young man that died had been in the service and was among those who were disbanded a year ago from Texas, & has been very steady ever since he’s been here, his employer said he was the smartest hand upon his farm.
[…] Addie told me she assisted in the Fair. I think she overdid which Eve no doubt is the case with Miss Babcock, you must give my love to her.
[…] Tell Jim I want to see him very badly too, & he must not hurt the little girl, also to keep out of her way so that she may not hurt him. […]
I should like to see those rules of Nelson’s. Have you seen Harriet Jackson’s baby yet? […]
Give my love to all the friends; it continues to snow very hard & it is fully a foot deep now.
Accept my best love to yourselves and overlook bad writing.
From Rebecca
[…] I forgot to tell you Saturday that one of our best young men here was beaten & badly stabbed in three places last Monday night, by some drunken white rowdies at St. Michaels, he with his brother & one other man were walking down to the landing to meet the steamboat, they were all attacked by these fellows & badly beaten. T his young fellow fared worse than any, & could not be brought home, he remains there with an aunt under a Dr’s care his parents go down to see him daily, & his mother has been there attending him. He can not be moved and he can not talk on account of his distress. One gash is three inches deep; his employer & friends have taken the matter in hand & have commenced a trail upon it. It was an unprovoked assault. There a great many low white fellows in St. Michaels.
I see in the Independent the death of Artemas Ward, which occurred at Southhampton, Eng. the 8th inst. I also noticed the statement of Dr. Livingstone’s death in Africa, it seems he was murdered. He was that renowned African Explorer of which we’ve all heard and read so much.
The Independent contains a great deal of interest, there is always an article relative to the doings of Congress in it.
[…] Mr. and Mrs. Thomas unite in love to you all. they are as well as usual. He has today begged two more trees for sills, and they were freely given.
With much love to you all & my best wishes for you health & happiness I remain.
Your affect’e. daughter & sister.
Rebecca.
Artemas Ward (real name Charles Farrar Browne) was an American humorist who took his pseudonym from the American revolutionary general. He wrote for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Vanity Fair, and also published several books. Ward died in 1867 at the age of thirty- three.
Dr. David Livingstone was a Scottish physician, missionary, and explorer. His Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa documented the cruelty of the slave trade and greatly influenced public thinking in Britain. He died in 1873.
Royal Oak, March 23, 1867
My dear Parents & Sister,
[…] I should like to see Nelson’s little girl, I suppose she’s quite contented with you, he ought to let her stay as long as he could, for the change of air might improve her so far as strength is concerned. It’s very good she’s so hearty. Bell you had better write to Nelson to that effect, how do the rules work—well or otherwise?
The money you sent came perfectly safe, also that which you enclosed in your last letter, and I’m very thankful to the donor for it.
I am very much pleased to hear of the happy state of mind that Benajah is enjoying, and I trust he may be enabled to influence the minds of his associates so that they too, may follow his good example.
[…] Can Henrietta’s husband play the guitar or has she taken it into her head to learn again? Give my love to both of them. Tell her not to forget she’s owing me a letter. I shall be glad to hear from her whenever she can make it convenient to write.
So the Methodists are keeping up their exciting meetings, when they get tired I suppose they’ll stop, and in the end have the pleasure of seeing the fruits of there labor, two thirds of which when the excitement has worn off, will have forgotten all about their professions. There’s something said about starting another one here, but whether there’s any reality in it or not I can not say.
I’m glad to hear from Jim & to know he’s enjoying such good health, & continue to exhibit an interest in his Auntie’s welfare. You see, he wants to impress upon your mind his desire to see the meat is unharmed when it’s brought into the house. Little Jim Jr. is well and sends his love to him and to you all.
[…] Nearly all of my boys were at school & just about half of the girls, the road is settling fast & the traveling is quite good. I had the pleasure of a ride out to school. I always improve such opportunities, it saves one walk through the mud, & I appreciate it as highly as one could under the circumstances.
[…] I rec’d. a letter from Miss Cummings last Tuesday. She sends much love to you, she tells me that Miss Anderson the teacher at Havre-de-Grace, persecuted a fellow for pushing her off the walk this winter, and was defeated so she carried the suit up and beat him.
[…] I have today put my second class into the third Reader and they’re all delighted. They have just finished the Second R. for the third time. There are six in the class & with one exception they have kept together ever since the school first opened. The other classes are doing well. Every now an then I make promotions which always produces a stimulating affect. I’ve recently excited an interest in them to write letters to me upon their slates, & occasionally one comes inscribed with pen & ink; when they have made more advancement I will send on some specimens. They are very amusing & in some respects contain very sensible expressions.
[…] All the afternoon we had company—two men, the eve’g. we were left to ourselves & I began the “Life of Lincoln” & read aloud till nine o’clock. I think it’s very interesting.
[…] Your wish to know what’s become of Emily—she still lives and now has a daughter a week old who is as homely as herself we’re informed.
[…] Mr. Graham was over last week. They’re going to build a house for the teachers there adjoining the schoolhouse. Mrs. Armstrong has gone to Balto. I suppose it’s on business connected with the school. The other teacher likes there very well. They take charge of each session
jointly, which must make the burden lighter upon each, and still more pleasant for both. This arrangement would suit all of us who are teaching much better.
The postmaster said he’d send my papers to me as soon as they came. I shall watch for them with interest.
A man accidentally shot off one of his arms in Oxford a few days since. We’ve not heard whether he was a col’d. or white man.
This is all the news I can now relate, & I’ll close this poorly penned sheet. Give my love to all the family connections and remember me to all of my friends.
Accept my best love & kindest wishes to yourselves, an with much affection & a daughter’s & Sister love, I remain as truly as ever, Rebecca.
P.S. I enclose $10 for you Mother to get me a piece of unbleached muslin with. The seven dolls, was the balance of Bell’s board bill you know I agreed to pay it.
Hartford Mar 25 1867
My Dear Adopted Sister
[…] Gertrude was in Church she walk up the hill with me and spoke of the party of course her Ladyship is not going to attend and dont want them to come to her house she also dont approve of them this something new a Masquerade surprise perhaps I shall go.
[…] Please dont mention what I am going to inform you Mrs. Babcock told me that Mary Evens was in the family way by Mr. Snyder lost his wife last summer. Mrs. Swan told her I saw her in church last night she look rather suspicious. She is one of the young converts. Mr. Tines went home last Wednes to see his brother Dr. has given him up I received a letter from him Saturday saying he is no better. The Granite is running here on Sunday for the present on the account of the great storms in NY none of the boats could leave if Mr. T. had of been on the boat yesterday I would had the pleasure of his most agreeable society instead on that we had Mr. Ladure company Mrs. Fuller well acquaint with him I had them both come home with me first do you see through it my Dear Sister now I have pen all will be of any interest I hope this will find you enjoying good health all send their love to you except mine from your loving
Beloved Sisters and Loving Friends Page 20
