My Tree

Deeply Rooted

Nelson, Helen E.

Source 042 – Personal Letter by RF Gustin

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Author: RF Gustin
Title: Letter to Mrs. HE Cooper [Helen E. (Nelson) Branch Cooper]
Date: 02 November 1882
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Maitland, Orange Co
02 November 1882

Mrs. HE Cooper
Dear Friend –
Very glad to get a letter from you. Nothing would be more congenial to me than to be living with your folks [Moses & Nancy Nelson]. But fear lest I should add to their labour and duties. I would ask who does their work in the house or on the place. Since you are away I am very glad you are fixed up for the balance of your life. You ought to be thankful and happy I have proved (?) up my settlement of my homestead and am ready to sell. But while you are talking Florida is looming up and looking hopeful. Think of the guava ripening its fruit every day, for ones lunch every day. How does that compare with the peach whose crop ripens all at one time. They are an astonishment to every one then. When your fine apples turn yellow, hang them up in the house and while they are getting mellow your house will be melodious with perfume, more than ten bushels of northern apples would make them …do not shrug our shoulders at the cold blasts of winter, but are in cozy circumstances all the time. Without care or responsibility. What ever, I have been here now near 7 years and am more acclimated to the climate. We have a Capitalist , a Connecticut man by the name of Clark. He comes here every winter and buys out people. He bought out a number of the Boston folks last winter. I think I will try him on this coming winter. Then if I [?] I will come and see you all next summer. Likely I work at the brick yard, here on the …and the boss pays me ten dollars at a time, before I do the work.

RF Gustin

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 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]

Source 029 – Personal Letter by Helen E. Nelson

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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.

Source 026 – Personal Letter by Helen E. Nelson

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Author: Helen E. Nelson of Home Springport, MI
Title: Letter to “Aunt” [Hannah P. Draper, age 41] of Westmoreland, Oneida Co, NY
Date: 30 November 1862
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: [confirm the signature as being “Nellie”, confirm the “sent from” location, too]

Home Springport, Michigan
30 November 1862

Dear Aunt:
Since last I wrote to you change after change has taken place, and tonight I am seated by my brothers little stand trying to write to you. Excuse me for not writing to you before, for after I heard that Marcus had enlisted I felt as though I could write to no one else, my mind was so absorbed in thoughts of him both day and night. I could not possibly compose myself to write, but now I am alone, no welcome letters shall I again receive from him for he is gone perhaps forever. God alone knows and into his hands do I commit him. Sad indeed is my heart tonight. Today father got a letter from Leut. Lusk Commanding Co D. Western Sharp Shooters. He writes that he found Marcus severely wounded in the head by a musket ball. He wished to put him in an ambulance but the driver refused as there was no hope of his recovery, however the Leut. insisted on his being placed there saying that where there was life there was hope. He then, assisted by others, put him in the ambulance and started him for the hospital. The next day the Leut. with a company of his men went in search of him. They searched every hospital in and around Corinth and could neither find nor hear any thing from him and he says there is no doubt in his mind but what he is dead and that he died the day he was wounded which was the 4th. I cannot see as there is much chance for hope, yet I have not given him up. You say aunt there is no use of weeping. I was the only one that wept, not when the intelligence first came, my faith in God was so strong I felt that it could not be so and not until we received your letter could I bring myself to believe it possible then I thought it certain and wept for a little season but then I thought as you say that weeping would do no good. I felt that there were others left who needed my care and attention and that even though he was taken from us that he was better off than those who were left behind and that we had better rejoice than weep for him as we had every reason to believe that he was an heir to the throne of grace and that he was singing the new song in that bright and beautiful home to which we are all journeying there with those loved brothers to welcome us an unbroke family to our never ending home there to sing praises to God forever and ever. I am reconciled to God’s will whatever it may be. For I know that he is watching over him if he is alive and still on earth and that he will raise him up to glorify him both in this world and in the world to come, but I must close. Remember me to God and may his blessings rest upon you and all that trust in him. with much love I remain as ever your affectionate niece. Nellie

Helen E. Nelson (age 16)
Otter Creek
Jackson Co, MI