Author: Helen E. Nelson of Springport, Jackson Co., MI
Title: Letter to “Aunt” [Hannah P. Draper]
Date: 21 May 1863
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:
Miss Hannah P. Draper
21 May 1863
Dear Aunt [Hannah P Draper]
I received your letter in due time and hasten to answer it. It is very warm this afternoon almost uncomfortably and I have the head ache as hard as I want to have it. So you see I am not in any tune for writing and if I make mistakes you will excuse me. It is customary I believe to begin a letter by telling the state of health of each member of the family and I may as well begin now as at any time. Father (Moses Nelson Jr) is or has been middling well for some time and I think if he takes thorroughworst enough he may keep well. I have no encouraging news to tell about Mother (Nancy Jane Draper Nelson). Her ankle is at times very painful and again it is quite easy some times her health is better and again worse. I think probably if she could be some where, where she would not have to work that she would be better and might get well, but as long as we work a farm she will work and that is what keeps her down. Valeria is just now well. She is teaching school here in the chamber. Mrs. Carpenter sends her daughter Esther. They pay a shilling a week and that is all she gets for teaching this summer. I am studying some this summer though I have not made a business of going to school. Mariah and Carrie Dixon, the girls that live here, and also Emma French, attend school, but as they live here they go free. Mrs. French has been giving Emma a whipping for about 1/2 hour and her music has kept time to my writing in no very agreeable manner. We have felt like saying in the midst of squalls and screams from Emily and the scolding of the old woman and girls, “O! for a lodge in some vast wilderness, some boundless contiguity of shade, where rumors of oppression and deceit might never reach me more.” You can see what pleasant times we have living here. The place itself is pretty, but the folks are disagreeable both to themselves and everybody around them unless they chance to be in an uncommon pleasant mood which state occurs but very seldom. I should be very glad if we were able to come and see you when he new arrangements are completed and you were alone. I think the wall paper is very pretty especially the blue and I should like very much to see it on the wall. Well Aunt I have a new dress. The skirt and waist are different. I wanted to get a whole dress like the skirt but there was not enough in the piece only 7 yards so I got another kind for waist and sleeves the colors are more brilliant, but the quality of the cloth is not as good as the skirt. I had to pay $.25 a yard for it. I will send a piece of my waist, but I have used the other all up in my skirt and an apron for Valeria (sister). So I shall not be able to send you any now. I am going to send you a four leaf clover and also the language which is industry, it applies to you I think very well. Charles Dixon of whom I spoke in a previous letter as being in a hospital at Washington happily surprised his folks by making his arrival about three weeks ago having been discharged. Theron E. Carpenter has joined the regiment we shall not probably see him again unless he survives the war and returns. It is sad to think of, so many have taken the parting kiss for the last time to meet no more on Earth but those that have a hope that their loved ones are prepared for eternity will not mourn as those that have no hope, although the loss will be the same. I can sympathize with those that have friends in the army for I have had sad experience myself of having a brother there who suffered and fought and fell for his country. I miss him more and more, the longer the lapse of time, the more I long for a brother’s love and frequently I go away to think and weep and pray for him, if living that he may be protected from the snares of the world and kept free from all temptation and if not that I might be reconciled to the will of God and trust in His love knowing that he chastens in love and merciful kindness and that he dose all things well. You asked if we received a letter dated in February. I cannot tell but I think we did. How do you like your collar. Does it fit you. Mother and Valeria are not able to write to you today so you will excuse them this time. We are all glad to hear from you. Our horses are getting along quite well. The colt is as smart as a whip, but we have to feed him part cows milk. His name is Billy. We have a new milks cow, one he bought for the purpose of raising the colt. I thought I would try and cover this sheet too, but I don’t know as I shall be able. There are five women getting vituals and they jar the house so that I can hardly write. I believe supper is about ready and I shall have to conclude this letter. Our folks are going up to Springport after supper and will start this on the road. I have not been very well for some and on account of poor health I have not been able to make this letter any more interesting. Write soon. With much love I remain as ever your affectionate niece,
Helen E. Nelson (age 17)
Springport, Jackson Co., MI
I will send you a flowering Almond. The language is Hope.