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Letter: Personal

Source 061 – Personal Letter by Mary Jane Thomas

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Author: “Sister” Mary Jane [Jane Thomas]
Title: Letter to George S. Thomas and Sister Julia
Date: 02 May 1878
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

May the 2, 1878
Dear brother George S. Thomas and Sister Julia:
i sit my self down to write you a few lines to let you know we have not quite forgotten yo we are as well as common and hope this letter will find yo the same. Brother George we did have such a good visit when yo was out here that we will never for get. we think of yo and talk of yo often time went off so fast and after yo was gone i could think of lots of things i wanted to say i wish i could see yo often yo are gone and all the rest of the boys and no one for me to see of my folks i have not even Laura since yo went away but i no i have been good to them and i do not care. They say Laura has traded for that house and 5 acres of land on the hill where Irwin was plastering when yo was out and the people says she has been cheated ? gave or is to give $9 hundred dollars to boot. Irwin has gone to work by the month for Leroy Smith the last i heard Laura was sick with hart complain. If she has not written to yo about there trade yo say nothing that I have written for it is nothing to me I do not want any thing to say about her business, but she has got a very large house and i want yo to no all that is a going on in and about town. Well George i will say we are not a keeping a dairy. Ashur has sold and traded all the cows but three to old ones and one 4 year old that i claim. Asher has got 10 yearlings and they are very nice yo saw some of them. he has got in all 14 head and 4 young calves and one ? cow that i did not count. We have had a very nice winter. Not but very little snow and spring has come of very fine the farmers are a doing spring work and are one month ahead of other springs we have a great deal rain so far it is a warm growing time things looks as forward now as in some seasons in time i do not no what to think Old Thomas Parker is married he is 74 years old what do yo think of that Brother George. I have not heard any news worth mention. Very lately only Mary Bell has had a shock of palsy we are going down to see what the mater is and what was the cause as we have not heard the particulars i hope Julia is better. Nellie wrote she was complaining this spring we have not heard from the boys down to the Gildom [?] in some time.

Well Julia yo must come and see me some time. It will do yo good in August i am going down to see Ham and James Edwin if nothing happens i do want to see Ham so bad and all the rest. Tell Nellie i received her very kind letter and will answer the same some day. She must not wait for me. George send me your receipt for that liniment and don’t fail it may be good for my head i can hardly write there is such a noise in my head and i am quite deaf. George your specks I can see very well but yo must excuse this letter but i must write to yo as i can give my best respects to Mrs. Bender and her family and all my uncles and aunts and cousin. Well i must close good by George and Julia. My love to all the children give my respects to Scott if at home. Charles and all the little ones did my baby like the quilt i sent it. Kiss the babe Nellie for Jane and Frankee. Asher B sends his respects to Julia and yourself George. says he had such a good visit with yo. from sister Mary Jane. Write soon. Good by..

Source 030 – Personal Letter by Valeria L. Nelson

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Author: Valeria L. Nelson of Lawrence, MI
Title: Letter to “Aunt” [Hannah P Draper, age 55]
Date: 05 June 1876
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Lawrence, Michigan
June 5, 1876

Miss HP Draper [age 55]

Dear Aunt,
I promised mother I would write to you it is such a task for her. You have doubtless received the card mother sent you just before she received your letter. Uncle Lawton was taken violently sick with Typhoid fever the Dr said in the night of the 26th of February. He had sat at table every meal through the day though he complained of having one of his old spells of headache. When the Dr called in the morning he said there was no help for him. and they had better send for the children; which was done. They gave him stimulants and opiates and he lived till Friday April 3rd died about three in the morning.

Henry got work up in the north part of the state last winter and Mary thought she wasn’t needed at home, so she went with him. Henry all at once thought they were wanted at home; so they packed their trunks and started. They left the cars at Bangor, and Henry’s Br brought them up to his fathers where they first learned that uncle was sick as they left before the telegram was sent to them; Mr. Wells told Henry how sick he was, and had them go as soon as they had eaten something. Mary thought strange they didn’t let them stay all night, and was surprised when Helen met her at the gate and told her that her father was still alive. Why is he dangerously sick she asked. I did not know he was very sick, she was fairly overcome for a while but when she spoke to her father he knew her and called for her often till the last. He was conscious only at intervals, but all the while he seemed sure he was nearing home. The last time he spoke in meeting he said perhaps it was the last. He seemed on the very verge of Heaven. He said he did not know as Elijah’s experience would be his that the firey chariot would come for him, but he was sure the host would be there and I guess none who knew him doubts of his welcome by the host and the Lord of hosts to eternal rest. June 11th our little Edgar’s birthday. I began this Monday eve when Will was gone off to fish. But didn’t get it finished I went early Tuesday to help Mother on a quilt and two of my neighbors with me. And I went again Thursday morning and helped her through the day. She got the quilt on week before last. Friday morning a week ago Ida had a fit. Father brought her up home at night and I went home and helped Saturday. Sunday they got Minnie Draper to help them for a week. Today Ida Squires is going back. Mother isn’t able to get a long alone a single day. Ida has been there since February 24th. She worked there when Helen was gone north a year ago. Our folks thought they wouldn’t have her again. But she agreed to do better; said she had rather work there than any where she had ever worked and would work for ten shillings a week if they would take her back and try her. She has worked better, but she is so cross she adds to mothers cares, while she lightens the labor. No one is angry with you for not coming though it would have been pleasanter, could you have come, but it is all right. Mother finds that with every burden, strength is given to bear it. Helen is very lonely and home sick too [husband Elam Branch died in 1874]. I guess she reached her place. April 8th found Mrs. Livingston expecting. They join places with her. V she is dependent on him for help to clear and build and she was to stay there till her own house was up. We think Mrs. L is sick as Helen hasn’t written since May 24th. Her address is Gaylord, Otsego Co, Mich. All are usually well.

Your loving niece, VL Nelson

PS I meant to tell you that Mr Wells died with an apoplectic fit just one month after Uncle was buried so Henry and Mary went to live with his mother.

Source 033 – Personal Letter by Nancy J. Nelson

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Author: Nancy J. (Draper) Nelson
Title: Letter to “Children” [Valeria – age 34, Marcus – deceased, Helen – age 25]
Date: 01 January 1871
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Lawrence
January 1, 1871

Dear Children,
I suppose you have looked long and anxiously for a letter. I was sick with Erisipelas when I received your last and since I have got about it has been such cold weather and so much making fires at night that I have not found time or felt able to write. Valeria came and stayed one night and a day and Mrs Benjamine was here at the same time the rest of the week. Mrs. Bercham came once a day and swept and done all she could, my limb was dreadfully swollen so the skin burst and so inflamed the skin pealed off, I had to go to work when I was obliged to use my crutch. my limb is swollen considerable yet but is over the soreness. Aside from this we are in usual health, but with all my privations and sufferings I feel that I have much to be thankful for at the beginning of this new year. Many blessings of which thousands are deprived. Mr Benjamine and wife have both been out likewise Wm Haverd [unclear] from Yor Stand. Susan went with him when he went back, she expected to stay five weeks. Her Br James was to be married the 14th of December so she got there to the wedding. I suppose your Aunt Ellen is very sick again. I have not been to see her but Uncle said she was better to day, I went to V’s yesterday. She is well and wanted to write to you but had not time before we had to come home. She says she will write as soon as she can.

We were very sorry that we was away when Elam came, we had gone to Wills for turnips. We had a fine lot of them. OW Rowland is going to try to get my Pension. We should have went up last week but it was so cold until Saturday we could not leave the house, we shall go to morrow if the weather is fit. Valeria has a parlor stove for her front room so she is comfortable, her cow makes lots of butter so she gets along finely. I got a letter from your Aunt Sarah [Nancy’s brother Nelson B. Draper’s wife, Sarah Spencer Draper?] about the time I got yours. She was feeling quite unwell when she wrote she had been helping your Uncle do his falls work. She and the girls had husked all their corn 300 bushels and she was tired out. She said their crops turned out better than they expected. She thought they would have more potatoes than they should want, your Uncles health is better. She said they had not heard a word from my son in law since he left. I think he had best let them know of his welfare. I thank you very much for the Sack. It is so comfortable under my Shawl. With wishing you all a happy new year I will close, pleas excuse mistakes.

Your loving Mother,
NJ Nelson

PS Helen have you thought what our watch word is yet.

Source 182 – Personal Letter by Wm H. Thomas

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Author: Wm. H. Thomas
Virgil, Nov 7, 1870
Brother George, I take a few moments to pen you a few lines. We are all well at this date and hope this will find yourself and family the same. Ma reed the box in due time and all write and were very much pleased with the contents Mary and Manly was over here one week ago . they are all well. I was at John Franks last Saturday. They are well, health generally good in this vicinity. It has been very dry in several counties in this state. Cortland has not suffered as much as the northern and western counties. Pick is a running his old machine and as you see God as I had a nail I could fix it. I keep the same team I had last fall and am a plowing it goes complete Ed has gone to Pa with James and has gone to work driving team at $25 per month. We are a having rather a warm political stir in this senatorial district at the regular radical convention. Cortland was promised the member provided they would not run RH Duel when they met at Syracuse Duet got the nomination. The Onandaga Deligates bolted and offer Dennis McCarthy of Syracuse in an independent ticket and the democrats has dropped their man and go in for McCarthy the home stir is for Sherif Haynes Rep John D Benton Dem it is a close thing I think Benton will get the office.

Ashur has bought out Den Hearvy I was over to see them they feel good over their bargain 70 acres of land for ?? dollars. Lots of good tiber, chestnut, oak, ash and all kinds of fruit was a great yield with us this season. Cider is worth $150 per bushel apples are from six cents to 37 cents per bushel produce is low and slow of sale. Stock is a drug it is mostly thin owing to the drought. Sheep are low and finally everything is cheap compared with last fall. I sold those ewes I had when you was down here for 450 in Jersey this fall state sheep bring 2.75 and $500 in the same market and are slow of sale on 3 months time. Butter and cheese is short by one third of last years product. Grain is rather short. We have large shipments from the west. I have no more news to write you this time. My excuse for not answering your letter before is had a lame hand and it has got tired out and I shall have to close by saying Ma was as proud of her peaches as a little girl with a new dress and the shugar was a great treat to her. Has health is very good for her. she sends her love to George, Julia, and the babes and her respects to David and all of her folks.

Write soon as you receive. From Wm. H. Thomas
To G.S. Thomas
Give my love to Julia and kiss the boys and gals for me

Source 036 – Personal Letter by Eaton Branch

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Author: Eaton Branch
Title: Letter to “Son” [Elam Branch Sr]
Date: 16 October [illegible; perhaps 1870]
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Lawrence, MI
16 October –70 [1870]

[difficult to read]
Dear Son, I will attempt to write again. We are now all on foot. Mother has just got up again. She has been as sick a person as ? generally life. She had as ? the collary as could be. She was taken vomiting and purging clear blood if we had not had the doctor near and ? or at least help ? I think she would not had lived. But she is up again. Frank called for help yesterday morning a little before sunlight and we cared him to the gates in a chair. Bell gave birth to a fine girl weight is 6 lb, 10 oz. Bell is quite smart and if nothing sets in will soon git up again. My health is not very good, but so I am to work the most of the time. We are gathering apples. I have but a few to spare. Less than I have had in my years and that with all other disappointments it makes me hand up I can’t pay my debts at present. Now in the mater in hand I was a delegate to the call at your place and was again to take Mr …

Source 032 – Personal Letter by Nancy J. Nelson

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Author: Nancy J. (Draper) Nelson age 56
Title: Letter to Helen [age 24]
Date: October 1870
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Lawrence
October 1870

Dear Helen (age 24),
Although you do not write to me I suppose for some good reason I doubt not you will be glad to know how we are getting along so this eve the sixth anniversary of your wedding day and the 9th since we last saw our beloved Marcus, I am alone as your Pa [Moses Nelson Jr] has gone to Wills so to commence work early in the morning. He has sowed three acres of wheat there on shears, he finished sowing Saturday but had not time to finish dragging in, as it was a prospect of rain it seamed very necessary for him to go to night, though alone I feel I am not alone for my beloved Shepherd is near. I heard an excellent sermon to day from Br Havens from these words – contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, not for creeds, he said but alone for this faith it is a feast to hear him preach for all that love the truth we had a good lodge meeting last evening though our number was but eight, Sister Squires thought best to give up but was opposed by nearly all the rest she could not see what good the Lodge was doing, I was stirred up by such a speech, I told them by the same rule we might say as individuals we could not any see good we were doing so we would do nothing more, I told them I thought instead of being discourage it would be better for all that had an interest at the throne of grace to pray for our cause your Father intended to give you the pass word but for got it.

Now about your peaches. Your father Branch [Eaton Branch] got six two quart cans (as we had no means to get them) and I have caned them to the best of my ability he did not bring the word in about a week he was very much drove and forgot it, but we had saved yellow peaches expecting to hear from you, they were our late peaches but very rich flavored they were smaller than the early ones but I cut them in halves so they look nice tell Jesse and Amanda [age 3] that we have got a calico kitty and to night she catched a mouse though she is a very little kit. I did not dry many peaches for I was so lame I could not, we sold them at a dollar per bushel very readily.

My ankles are improving some, so I do not suffer as much pain as I did. I have been taking Ayers Sarceparilla is the cause of improvement, I suppose you missed Jesse’s N gowned. It hung in the chamber. It has been very sickly in Lawrence and vicinity. Uncles folks have all been sick but Frank, but we have been highly favored not having to call a physician this summer. It is after ten so I must close pleas write soon if but a short letter.

With love and good wishes I remain your ever loving mother,
NJ Nelson [age 56]