Letter 1 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
[Addressed to unknown]
[Pages missing]
....very long. Will is just at the cute age and is bright and quick as a flash
He carrys the chairs just where he wants them and climbs on to the table if there is anything he wants on it One day he was alone in dining room and when I went in was on the floor eating something
“What are you eating Will” “Medecin” [medicine] he answered, “Where did you get it” “In there” and he pointed to the sugar bowl and laughed. He was told he must not do that again
He has had a bad cold and has been obliged to take medecin and really seems to like it, asks for more, but he knows what sugar is
Grandma Hulsiger bought some ginger crackers to the children One night just before tea Will asked for one “Mama can I have a “ginger cacker” ” No Will not until we have tea. Mama can I have it after Mr Warren Lords”?
Mr Warren always asks the Blessing and Will had caught one word of it Sophie said “He means after Mr Warren prays to the Lord.”
They both know they get nothing to eat until after Mr W. has “prayed to the Lord” as S. [Sophie] says
Sophie has learned to wait very patiently to be helped and never thinks of having desert until after all the others are helped It is amusing to see Will try to keep his hands folded while he waits for his pudding
Sophie puts on her shoes and stockings and her skirts but cannot button her dress yet She is learning to work cross stitch on canvas but finds it a little hard to do much at any one time.
She and Will play church and both sing or pretend to from one book Sophie behaves remarkably well in Church better than anywhere else we think She never has been naughty in church and she goes very often But it will be a long time before Will can go He is such a restless mortal He talks very distinctly unusually so for his age, two years <in> Sept. 25th, and talks a great deal He does not seem quite so robust as Sophie takes cold easier but after all is a sturdy stout little fellow and is growing out of all his dresses Sophie will be four in January is very tall for her age. Both children are out doors whenever the weather is at all suitable They go to bed right after supper and their romp with “Papa and Grandpa”
This letter will be all....[pages missing]
Letter 2 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
[Addressed to Pamela Benton Burr?]
We are all about as busy as we can be this winter. Sue & Mollie attend school. Sue studies French Arithmetic & Algebra & Physiology I think, & Mollie dont study French. Sue plays the Organ satisfactorily both in the High School & in the church They have been to surprise parties & had one at home & have been to dances & the High school gave an entertainment at a Farmers Club at the Hall in which Sue & Mollie had quite a conspicuous part in a Farce – “The Mouse Trap” others were it also & they very much applauded & it was said Sue did remarkably well. It was quite an additional labor to get prepared for it. There seems to be something going on to keep their time pretty fully occupied. Tonight Sue was invited to a surprise party but declined, but expects to be out to a concert tomorrow evening. Mary & Bessie are now making a spring dress for Bessie & then they must make Sue & Mollie some so there is work enough planned. I am anticipating a delightful job of coloring when the weather is favorable. I am always glad when I have got through with it. Sue & Mollie had some soiled dresses which they could not wear as they are. If I can get a good color they can wear them longer. I have no doubt I shall get up a coloring That is something I can do & take my time to do it. Mary will have to do the pressing which is always pretty hard work. There is a good deal of hard work to be done in the course of a year to keep things up. It seems as through we could not do much more but I suppose we could but not in addition to what we now do. We endeavor to take pretty good care of our health which we consider of great importance
I hope you will not over exert yourself. It must be quite an addition to your labor to do so much for Edwards family. I know they must need help with three little children & a farm on their hands. I dont know how Mary would have got along if had not been able to help her in various ways She could not have got along comfortably without hiring a good deal.
I see you are in the way of having company, frequently & must necessarily keep yourself in readiness which is something to do. I am glad you can do it & hope you will not get sick by doing it.
I hope you will be able to write me soon & enclose Wm. [William] Hills Christmas letter. Tell me how the Flemington friends are getting along. I want to hear about all the friends, Abbie, Edward & Erastus & New Haven friends if you hear from them I dont expect to <hear> have a letter from there under year if I do then unless there is a death of some one of them. Well, I suppose their time is fully occupied among themselves as there are so many of them within calling distance of each other. I presume Cornelia’s time is fully occupied it was when I was there. She has gone through a great deal in bearing & rearing so many children & burying some & such poor health as she has always had. If you know any thing about Alberts & family & about Jennie Baldwin & Sybil & any body I know. I hear nothing of them only through you, you are pretty good at writing. You get a good deal of information in a short place which I can not without re writing & have not time to spare for that. I have written most of this at odd minutes & part of it when I was quite sleepy which may account party for the poor writing & composition. Perhaps it is about as good as usual I hope you will not send it off to any body as I write for you only to see & I hope you will burn it when read Do not keep my letters.
The winter has passed very quickly & comfortably with me thus far. The weather has been none too cold for me. I feel very much better in the coldest weather, not that I want to be cold but the air is more invigorating. I should like to have it winter all the year for my own comfort. I used to dread the winter
This month brings to mind the sad trial I was passing through 40 years ago when Darling little Eddie was taken sick, & died the 14th of Feb & lay dead in the house my birth day 15th I would have saved him if could but by dying so young he escaped the ills of life. How many sad accidents have occurred on the railroads this winter This last one bound for Montreal seemed the most terrible of any. How forcibly such occurrances remind us of the uncertainty of life. It is now 11 oclock Sat. evening. Our children have been out to a concert and did not get home till after 10 I am a little wakeful & so I write a little more. The man is to give instruction in singing for a week & he got up a subscription & got $14.00 this evening & hopes to make it up to $25. Amory gave a dollar & those near him gave the same & it is free to all & our girls will attend. I think they could learn to sing but not with one week’s training, but it will do any harm to try perhaps. Amory can sing naturally but never had much training. We expect Sam home to spend Washington’s birthday. He likes where he is very much but comes home every holiday.
It costs now but 55 cts from Boston There are two boys near us who attend school in Boston & board at home, which seems to bring Boston pretty near to us. We have fresh meat brought five times a week & fresh fish once & oranges brought along 18 good sized for a quarter Today Amory went to Clinton & brought home 3 dozen medium sized oranges good, for 25 cts We cant help indulging in some, although we have plenty of good apples.
I don’t know as you will get another such a long letter from me in a long time. I should like to get as long a letter from you every month but I know you have a good many others to write to & can’t spare the time. I hope you & your husband are getting along comfortably but I am aware that neither of you are very well. I hope you will get along as easily as possible. They are all in bed & asleep & I must retire
Sunday All our families have gone to church but Mary & I fancy you are at church also We have but one service & no Sunday school in winter Our minister preaches in Berlin 4 or 5 miles from here in the P.M. so one minister answers for the two towns We are hearing candidates now. Mr Boys the former Minister that married Mary Edes has gone to Nantucket. We are trying to get a minister to suit both Parishes & thus be able to give a salary of $1,100 & the use of the Parsonage. Both congregations are small. Do you take any interest in the Andover controversy & which side do you favor the Professor or their opponents? I hope the Professors are in the right although it is contrary to my early training. “As the tree falleth so it lies.” There seems to be quite an over turning of old beliefs & a great searching after the truth.
I meant to have sent this letter last Friday but got hindered & if I had it would not have been so lengthy.
Mary sends a great deal of love & she is the only one that knows I am writing
Affectionately
S. J. W. [Susan Jane Benton Wallis]
Letter 3 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
[Addressed to] Miss Paulina Ward
New Marlborough
Sept the 11 1818
Perry
Dear Brother and Sister
Having an opportunity of conveying a letter to you I dare not let it slip fearing tha you will not write to me I dont know that I should write any letters at all if it was not for the pleasure of receiving them, my Friends I have many things I want to say to you Paulina. I wat to ask you many things some respecting your work some respecting your trials and some respecting Mr. which I have heard so often Capt Catlin was hear yesterday he said he was informed you was soon to be married you need not calculat your business to get rid of trials without you mean to be disappointed for it is necessary that we <should> have some in order to make us humble if we riteley look upon them they most scertainly will Calvin what are you a doing these hard times. I hope you are a thinking that you shull come out to Perry next fall. I believe I should be some glad to <sa> see my frienuls out hear and I flatter myself that I shall some of you before many years I am especting Mr [..ailon?] now evry minet and I must leive off writing I espect another opportunity to write in three or four weeks you must all of you write by [....?] you must give my love to grand Mother I shall writ to her the next opportunity I feel verry [anxious?] to hear from her Mr Sheldon and Mary send their love to you all Mary is a good girl but [porely?] [noureished?] Paulina you must give Mr Nortons and cousin Polly [........?] my self your Loveing sister
Philena [Ward?]
Letter 4 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
[Addressed to Paulina Ward?]
Perry June 21th 1818
My Dear Paulina
What anxiety I have to hear from you but think it not propper to go to Uncles until the sunsets and then if my life be spared i shull hear from My Dear Sister I have been too miles and a half to meeting to day Elearsur say that Uncle Elikew and family got hear about noon to day how great my joy will be my pen cannot express when seeing them then I shall espect to see my honored Grand Mother of She is in the land of the living Sorrow is often mingled with our joy I must be denied of ever seeing Grand Mother in this world I have returned from Uncles and they tell me that they left her verry lo and all most helpless I think it must <have> a great undertaking for you to have the care which you most likely will I hope you will have all the patience necissary you may hear after be rewarded for your labor I excuse you for not writing this time but you must be faithfull when you [page torn] another opportunity I have a great many [page torn] I want to say to you [page torn]......writ but short [page torn, bottom part of letter is missing]
She tells me that Mr Norton requested her to tell his Brother if she see him that he was a calculating to be married in the fall to you and is it so your will write a word to me of it is so so that I may be convinced whether it is or not you may think it is none of my business if you do I am invious to no
give my love to cosen Polly and all who enquire exept of this from your Loveing Sister P S
Perry June 23rd 1818
Dear cousin, being at leisure this afternoon I thought I would devote my in writing to you although I do not feel indebted to you in any measure but I think I can excuse you for not writing to me I suppose you have a great deal to do I was very much pleased to see Uncle and his family. It looks very mournful to see Uncle and not aunt and to see the children without a mother I suppose you know to by experience how it seems to be destitute of a mother - I have no news to write of my fathers family are in tolerable good <healtht> health except my brothers wife <an> I do not enjoy very good health this spring I hope you will try to write me as soon as you can Harriet sends her love to you likewise to grandmother and the rest of the <fum> family <My fathers fami> present. My love together with the rest of my fathers family to Grandmother and the rest of your family. Accept these lines from your cousin Clarissa Ward.
Letter 5 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
[Extract from Miss Farrar’s [Cynthia Farrar] letter to Miss S. [Joanna H. Smith] dated Nov. 23, ’48.]
In Nuggar [India] & in the villages around, many are seeking to know the Lord, & to obey his word.
Eight were received into the church here in September. One was from a village 40 m. distant, another 20. One was a brahmin of much promise; another s teacher of the girls boarding school; - one was a pupil of that school; - one, a cruel persecutor of his pious wife, & of all who love the Savior; - the other two also, were interesting, promising subjects of the power of grace. Next Sabbath week, six or seven others are expected publicly to profess their faith in Christ, one of whom is a pupil from one of my schools, but now with me as an assistant in my family school. Three girls of the boarding school have received baptism with a view of being united to the church at next communion. This has exerted the severest persecutions we have ever experienced. No method is left untried for breaking up all our schools. The two under my care <have> besides the family school, have scarcely survived the persecutions of brahmins, & other influential <friends> Hindoos. But they begin to revive, & it is delightful to see the increased love, which the dear girls manifest for their christian lessons.
It would be most painful, could you know what the three girls, who have received baptism, have endured from their persecuting friends. Two of them were induced to go home on a visit, with the hope of softening their persecuting feeling against them. But sad indeed has it proved. They were constantly watched & guarded night & day to prevent their escape & return to the boarding school. One of them, however, did effect her escape, & is now happy at school again. The other, it is supposed, has been conveyed away by her friends to some distant <a> place where they have some small estates among family connexions. What may be her situation we know not, as not a word has been heard from her since she was taken away.
A few weeks ago, the wife of the head man of a neighboring village, fled from her abusive husband to the boarding school for refuge, & actually destroyed her caste by eating with the girls, before Mr. & Mrs. Ballantine, who have the care of the school, knew what she intended to do. She is now employed in cooking for those who reside on the premises, & she gives encouraging attention to Christian instructions.
Miss Joanna H. Smith
Care of Lincoln Clark, Esq.
Tuscaloosa
Ala.
Forwarded April 1, 1848
Letter 6 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
[Addressed to] Mrs. Nichols
Clayton, Mass.
Nov. 4, 1879.
Dear Mrs. Nichols,
Pressing duties have caused this long delay in noticing your request and I beg you to excuse this want of courtesy. But if this does not reach you in time, you will lose nothing, for altho’ I have a general idea of Miss Lyon’s [Mary Lyon, founder of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary] character, & teaching etc. but really recollect few particulars so as to put them in shape on paper.
I was then young, took no notes, (wh. [which] I have since regretted) was there at the very commencement of the school, the building was in an unfinished state, so that there was necessarily a great deal of planning & arranging of details, “getting the wheels in motion” as Miss Lyon so often expressed it, and her mind & strength were most earnestly engaged in the work – one could but be impressed with her activity, her zeal, her whole heartedness in her work.
Those of us who were then there remember the frequent opportunities for “benevolent work”, & there was no lack of cheerful volunteers when Miss Lyon called.
But with all her burden & weight of care she found time to give us words of wisdom & counsel on topics relating to our well being & well doing, on motives, & principles of action that should govern us.
I recollect in her talk on teaching she said the chief motive should be to do good to benefit others – that the pecuniary reward should be the least motive, “the lower most round in the ladder.”
She said much to secure a proper observance of the Sabbath & to imbue our minds with a sacred regard for it. She gave no countenance to letter writing on the Sab. [Sabbath] – I believe in cases in which she would think it right to do it were exceeding rare.
In one instance where the circumstances & the subject would seem (to many at least) to justify penning a letter home conscience whispered get Miss Lyons approval, <Miss Lyons> but her consent could not be obtained – “better to be excused from a lesson on Mon. she said
How much Miss Lyon labored to inspire in her pupils truly missionary spirit. She wanted us to give for the cause, & to receive the benefit of it, & have the luxury of it by denying ourselves in order to do it, “wear your bonnet ribbon another year, your dress or retrench in some way
How strictly were all days of fasting & prayer observed
I now almost feel the stillness & solemnity wh. [which] pervaded the house – what rich blessings often followed – Miss Lyon understood the spiritual needs of every one who came under her charge. How lovingly & tender she lead us to the foot of the Cross – I often think how many redeemed ones she has welcomed to Heaven whose steps she guided thither – may we all have the like spirit of consecration & devotion to our Masters work. I cannot speak <from> of Miss Fiske from personal acquaintance but we all know of her saintly character & bright example.
I wish I could have written a more satisfactory letter. Hope I shall in some way have a report of yr. meeting. It will no doubt be a delightful & profitable one.
[no signature]
Letter 7 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
[Addressed to] Mr. Cowles [John Cowles?]
Boston, June 7, 1850
[Part of letter is missing]
Dear Mr. Cowles,
I regard it as a favor that my only daughter can be with you. You know a mothers heart. Will you in all respects, care for Abby’s [Abigail E, Grant Burr] well being, & do for her, & by her as you mean to have another do for a child of your own under similar circumstances.
[from Caroline Burr Grant?]
Letter 8 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
[Addressed to] Rev. J. Eldridge
Norfolk
Conn. [Connecticut]
Prof. Larned about Ralph’s going to N. Haven
New Haven Jan 8, 1851
Dear Sir,
I have been absent and did not receive your letter till last night. I have to-day made the inquires. I think he can get board in a club for $1.60 week. I hope I can get him one of the college rooms, - which will be with taking care $4.50 a term: - I have just seen a man who will furnish it –that is will loan a stove – chair – table – bed-stead & Matrass for $2 or 3 dollars a term. He might bring bedding – candles – candlestick from home. He should come Saturday if possible. Let him get his baggage checked – let him leave it at the Depot, keeping his checks – and then go to the Temperance Hotel, in the corner of Church & [Grove?] - & then call on me, or if he does not find me or Mills. Perhaps he might spend the night with Mills – His fuel will be three dollars perhaps a more. I will attend to the printing of Sun Sermon with pleasure. I write in haste. Regards to your family. I am yours truly W. A Larned
I left here – Brooklyn
The enclosed is what Prof. Larned wrote about Ralph going to New Haven when he was thinking of attending Prof. Norton’s Lectures. C. [Caroline Burr Grant]
Letter 9 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
[Addressed to Caroline Grant Burr]
Jan. 23. 67.
My very dear Sister,
I am sorry & ashamed that your kind letters have so long remained unanswered. But I trust you will excuse me. You know my poor nature, how soon I become weary, & must sleep, & then there is a coat, shirt, vest, pair of pants, stockings, suspenders, or mittens to mend, wh. [which] added to the housework, so completely occupy my time as to leave very little <time> for writing. (If your mending lags, what may I say of mine?)
Abbie [Abigail E, Grant Burr] is a very, very great comfort to us, even about as much so, as Mary [Mary Burton Shurtleff] when here. She sees what must be done, & needs no prompting. I think she is less pale than when she came, hope her present discipline will be profitable, & she reelly appears to enjoy it. Her time is fully occupied, helping me, writing & receiving letters, etc.
You inquire etc. I have written to the Probate Judge of this Co. [County] He did not answer [page torn] questions but said he must forget her maiden name. Her first husband’s name was Reed. She teaches her own & husband’s children in their own house for $20 per month, has stove furnished & coal I think.
If Abbie sh’d [should] get smart enough, P. [Philander Burton?] thinks he c’d [could] get her a place in the Union in G. [Grinnell?]
I rejoice that you can still stay with father [Elijah Grant] & that you have kept so comfortably well, under your numerous cares, & that the family have kept so comfortable. I do sympathize with you in the loss of your cows. I think the little dairy can hardly be called such dairy, now still you speak of making many little cheeses, etc. If the family can be supplied with these comforts fr. [from] the 4 remaining cows, you will do well.
We only haul our wood nine miles. Wm. [William Burton] has been wishing for snow. A little fell last Tuesday. Wm. [William] thot [thought] he w’d [would] try it, but found almost bare ground. Thermometer has been 18 below zero, but weather is milder now. We keep thermometer in the cellar. It stands near freezing point I hope we shall not lose many potatoes, sometimes put coals & hot [water?] [in?] the cellar.
After losing these cows, I think <Marcis> Marcus will not be troubled with means to reduce that debt this winter. I wonder if he will not regard it, as a favor, he does hate to pay debts so bad. (I cannot see how he can ever pay, so long as he is bound to expend pay six or eight hundred dollars on the road, & receive only four hundred. But he will say I am meddling with what does not belong to me, & so I am.)
I had a list of things I thot [thought] I w’d [would] send for, but I have lost it. All for the best perhaps. I did not know what to do about it, I had written down Hammar, Meat axe, 3 or 4 Six quart pans, Foot stove, Old shoes that I wore there, that I left in closet fr. father’s bed room, (it is difficult to find shoes that feel easy on my feet). Possibly this list may turn up, but it will be much trouble to you to get the barrel started, & I will say no more about it now. Abbie & I tho’t [thought] one of those covered boxes you kept crackers in etc. w’d [would] be so nice, but perhaps you c’d [could] not spare one [page appears to be missing]
....see me, that the business w’d [would] incur large expense, etc. I do not know when I shall go to Montezuma I ought, soon.
24, Wednes.
As to articles I bought from you, none came [....?]. Even those little, new patches wh. [which] I almost thought c’d [could] do no good, (you know I am not partial to small <pa> patches) are just the thing for mittens, & the black hood, with short cape, is just the thing on the windy prairie, the clothes pins too, woe to the garment that falls upon this black sand. But brief time <fails> does not allow me to say how often I am reminded of yr. thoughtfulness & kindness. The boys think you are a wonderful aunt, & that cousin E. Pinney must be a wonderful cousin to think to send them maple sugar. Please remember me very kindly to cousins Orville & Elizabeth, also Mrs. Allen Mrs. Lawrence & all inquirers. Mrs. [Batcham?] (our nearest neighbor when with you) says, Sylvia Allen was one of her most intimate acquaintances when she lived in Granby, Conn. that she was well acquainted, with Truman Allen’s family etc. Whether she knew Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Allen, I cannot tell
I wish Marcus w’d [would] write when you write again. What you related of family matters was most cordially received.
That uncomfortable heat in my back is passing off, I hope. My limbs trouble me some. I have fears of the same difficulty father labors under, but hope still.
Only one of your letters is now at hand. I fear I have not answered half your questions. Will write again, ere long.
Mr & Mrs. Shurtleff [Mary Burton Shurtleff and Giles Waldo Shurtleff] intended to commence keeping house the 7th inst. Quite new experience for them.
Do you wish to know what we are doing just now. Abbie has just melted snow enough to wash her hair. (She makes bread, pies, cakes, etc, etc,) I made my sons cheese yesterday. Mr & Mrs Jno. [Delahoide?] & Mrs. Edward Brown, with each their only little boy, took tea with us yesterday, P. M. Wm. [William Burton] & Thedie [Theodore Elijah Burton] have gone to pick a load of corn. Think Thedie & Abbie will go to Grinnell this P. M.
We had a wagon load of citrons fr. [from] those seed Mrs. A gave me. Our garden did well but the frost of Sept. 20 melted the vines right down.
Good Bye for the present dear sister.
E. Burton [Elizabeth Grant Burton]
Letter 10 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER WRITTEN BY MISS FRANCIS B. BANISTER, THREE DAYS AFTER LEAVING HER SISTER’S HOUSE, AT MT. RURAL, NEWBURYPORT.
“No. 11, Chester Park, Boston
Nov. 20, 1868
My very dear friends at Mt. R. [Mount Rural, Newburyport] and Broad Street (as I can write but one letter):
Many thanks, more than I can express for all your kindness, tender sympathies, and loving, trustful prayers, and for kind letter received since I came here.
Thanks for that precious passage of Holy Writ, “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.” I am trying to rest and trust just there, and if I have not just that “perfect peace,” I have a pleasant quiet and cheerfulness, whether of nerves or mere natural temperament, or in part the result of true living trust, I dare not say. I need not ask it, I know you will continue your prayers for me, and I desire you to ask for me more and truer spiritual life and faith. I love to live here on God’s beautiful earth, in this world where Christ lived, suffered, died and rose again for our redemption; and I should like to live still. I feel that there is much to live for; yet if our heavenly Father has other purposes, I think I can say, “As thou wilt.” Ask that I may not deceive myself. I do not find any ground of hope for future happiness in my own merits, or any thing in my past life; but only the righteousness and atoning blood of the Son of God, can I hope. But, over and over, have I committed all my cause to Him, and I do so now: and I know, that “he is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
I thought you would all like an expression from my inmost spirit, so you have it.”
On Wednesday, March 24, a friend who saw Miss Banister for a few minutes, said to her “You are resting quietly on the arms of your Saviour,” she replied promptly and with a sweet smile,“Oh, Yes, my trust is in him alone, He is all my hope.”
To another who saw her at the close of the Sabbath, (March 28,)# she said in reply to the suggestion, that though not present at Church, she had been there in spirit, “No I think not, I have been drowsy and sleeping,” and in a moment added, “Before another Sabbath I shall be where there is no more sleep.”
# three days before her death
Letter 11 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
[Addressed to unknown] from Cousin Cornelia Benton to Caroline Grant?
New Haven March 12th
My Dear Cousin,
Jennie & Husband and Bertie have just made us a visit, was glad to see them, it brings to mind days that past, that I spent with my dear Aunt O how much like a dream my life appears as I look backward. I have thought of you and Edward in your affliction, although my silence would not indicate it. I am glad he is able, as Jennie told us to be about and do a little work, he has had a long hard siege. I do not wonder he feels discouraged, and yet if we fully trust, and believe that “not a sparrow falls to the ground without His is notice,” and that He is leading us every step, although the way does seem dark, and mysterious. He cannot make a mistake, trust Him, some good must come out of all this, I think there is contained in this poem a beautiful thought.
My Father God, lead on!
Calmly I follow where Thy guiding hand
Directs my steps, I would not trembling stand,
Though all before the way
Is dark as night; I stay
My soul on Thee, and say
Father I trust Thy love, lead on.
I have not heard from Aunt Susan [Susan Jane Benton Wallis?] in a long time, for the reason that I have not written to her, I shall write very soon. We have had company this winter most of the time, it so happened, but as I have been able to entertain them I have enjoyed it, a number of Mr B’s relatives have been here. Brother David is keeping house alone a good deal of the time this winter as Eunice likes to be away with her children. D. is as well as usual. Ollie is keeping house in N. York [New York] she is daily expecting another heir, if she has it not already, her little girl is 2 years last Sep. a pretty child name Viola. Fred Benton had a son born last Jan. an only one. There is nothing special to write about my children only they are well and seen to be prospered to a small extent. Raymond has two children, son and daughter. Fran has one son three years old Fannie still remains with us keeping house on our 2nd floor. Bessie is in school she could have graduated this year, but we thought it would seem to crowd her to much, so we deferred it until next-year, she has always been to Mrs. Cady’[s] private school. She is not very strong, but expect she will be more vigorous when through her school. Gracie’s eldest daughter is through high school, is now a book keeper for her father, so cannot help her mother much, all the others are in school the two youngest go to a private Kindergarten. Emma and her family are in very good health the three children are all in school. Alonzo’s family have some of them suffered with what they called the “La Grippe.” I think the little girl is not very well since but they expect she will come out all right. We were not troubled with “Grippe” or any such thing.
I would like to hear about the Flemington friends. I do not hear only when I hear from you. Your husband must have had a lonely time the past year. I suppose he learned to take care of himself while in the west. We attended the Stodard course of lectures this winter it was very interesting as well as instructive, two of the lectures were upon the life of Napoleon, while that was fresh in our memory, we had an opportunity to attend a play, <of the> entitled ‘Life of Josephine’ it was very fine.
Mr Baldwin’s health is very good, he is able to attend to business every day and has had some one building in process of erection for the last – fifteen years, but now he has none, and is helping Mr [Braly?] about his moving business when he feels like it. He has caused to be erected 20 brick buildings on this little square of land, and still there is room for more. Mr. B. [Baldwin] thinks we will visit his friends in Iowa and Minnesota next summer we went to Ocean Grove last summer, and other places.
Now dear cousin I would like to hear from you, and please tell me about all of our relatives. Nancy too, do you know where Cousin Warren is? We supposed he was to spend the winter in Georgetown, with his wife’s relatives, but we fail to get an answer from there. Frank Benton is in N. H. [New Hampshire] working for Fred Benton in the box manufactory, has Jessie gone west again? We would all be very glad to have a visit from you, and would it not be the best thing for you to have a change from your ardious duties of the past year, and so spend a few weeks with us, it would be convenient now as any time come right along.
Yours with much love
Cornelia [Benton Baldwin?]
22 Whalley Av.
N. Haven, Ct.
[Written in pencil on the bottom of the last page, is the following]
would like this returned please CG [Caroline Burr Grant]
Letter 12 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
[Addressed to unknown]
(Copy) of Sarah W. Curtis writing
Lee, Nov. 14, 1921
As all things have so changed I have destroyed my will and leave this writing in place of a will. In the first place I would have all debts and care of me in sickness, and all funeral expenses fully paid, together with my name on the stone in Stockbridge where I would be burried beside my Dear husband and as things now are I would have Ethel C. Ambler and Lucy C. Grant share equel in all that is left. I have promised our Dear Heavenly Father that should I get the money in the note given by Lizzie Cobb, I would give one tenth for missions and in doing this I would give twenty five dollars to the church in Interlaken and Twenty five to the church in Southfield and the remaining one tenth to go to the Baptist Association Incorporate for the aid of the feeble Baptist churches in Berkshire County. Should I get the money on the Cobb note I should be glad <to> if there was enough left to give one hundred dollars to Helen Wurtzbach and Fifty Dollars to Mrs. Adda Wilder, and Fifty dollars to Charles Curtis’ two boys, Twenty five to Raymond and 25. to his brother Charles, and if there should be any left I would have Lucy Grant and Ethel Ambler share equel. My heart is with you all.
Sarah W. Curtis.
Letter 13 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
[Addressed to] Rev. Asa A. Morrison
(Copy of a letter to the Association)
Southfield, Mass
July 22, 1924
Rev. Asa A. Morrison Sec.
Dear Mr Morrison;
The New Marlboro Baptist Church of Southfield inc has been federated with the Congregational church of Southfield for the past twelve years. Many of the Baptist people have moved away or have been removed by death, so there are now only six members of our Baptest Church. Two of our members are non-resident, and the other four are my three daughters and myself. We are away from Southfield during the winter. The pastor of our Federated Church is Rev. M. J. B. Fuller. He is living in our Baptist parsonage and pays rent which we use toward keeping the parsonage in repair. This year we have put electric lights into the parsonage, and we are having the outside of the building painted. We feel a deep interest in the spiritual wellfare of the churches in Berkshire County and want to keep in touch with the Berkshire Baptist Association.
Lucy C. Grant
Letter 14 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
[Addressed to unknown] Aug. 1932
OLD LETTERS
from Janet Curtis at Deacon Grant Farm
Compositions of Martha Grants.
John Grant to Mrs. Banister
Letters from Mrs. Z. P. Grant Banister and 2 letters to her from E. P. Grant.
Letters to Martha from Joel & John & others especially girl friends
Letters from Martha & Abigail at Mt. Holyoke.
Letter from Joel Grant (Not sent back)
Mary Lyon to Pamelia Burr 1837 (ours)
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