Lancaster Ohio.,
January 3, 1860
[1860/01/03]
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
I find myself constantly thinking of the probability of your going to England. Indeed I feel quite assured that you will accept the proposal, and Father has no doubt but it will be made you very soon. I am already counting the time that must elapse before you will probably be here, and I have made the children happy by assurance that they will see you soon. Poor Tommy is at Mother's, where we thought he would be in less danger of having his arm hurt then here among the children. Effie keeps him in Sis's room and when I go over each day he is carried down stairs and runs about there awhile. He is very cheerful and has a nice time, with his christmas toys and books. He and Edith visit each other two or three times a day. He is very fond of her and she jumps & crows whenever she sees him. The Doctor readjusted the bandage, on his arm, yesterday, and he says he has never seen a fracture heal more prettily than that is healing - He bears it manfully and carries it most carefully in the sling - Father and Boyle are or rather have been in Cincinnati again. Boyle is expected hom today and Father was to have gone to Chillicothe today. Lewey Wolfley is visiting at Mother's, Mrs. Watts, of Chillicothe wrote to Mother that she would like to visit her. Mother has written to invite her and I presume she will soon be here, Jones is still at work on Father's bust. He expects to finish it soon, I beleive. I called yesterday to See Henry Reese's children. They have been sick, & the baby has had spasms, since Helen, left - but they are better now, The children have all gone down street - that is the three older ones. It is snowing & cold but not as severely cold as it has been, My health is much better than it was last Summer & last winter. I am glad indeed to know that you are better. I hope to hear from you soon again, I hope you find Mr. Smith an agreeable companion,
Truly your affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
January 4, 1860
[1860/01/04]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Last evening I received your letter of the 23rd ult. and it made me feel unhappy indeed to find you complaining of loneliness. Would to God we could be happily settled in this world to seperate no more during the little while that you & I have to live dear Cump. I fear that is not very long for you are never well and I preserve what health I have by the utmost care. After a cold or anything which reduces my strength* Why do you wait there for that five hundred. Your friends will do what can be done for you even if you do leave & the sooner you come home the more satisfactory will be your arrangements for the spring. You must not feel concerned about furniture for the house I have rented. I felt obliged to secure it in order to have a comfortable retired room for my confinement next Summer & to have healthy sleeping rooms for the children. The rent is pretty high but the two rooms which Dr White used as an office have been rented & I can continue to rent them if you think it advisable - thus reducing the rent considerably. Tell me if you think I had better rent them. I am in hopes you will be on in time to See to it but if are not write to me about it. If I have not got money to buy any more furniture than I have now I can go without more. I have beds enough and nearly all that is necessary to make us comfortable & I see no disgrace in having bare floors & but little furniture when I have no money to do better. I do not know what is to be done about the farm or the Salt wells but I will write to Father about it. Father has been sick since he went to Washington but he is well now. Boyle is now at Chauncey & Philemon in Cincinnati Minnie is perfectly & she & Willy attend school regularly but poor Lizzie has been afflicted with such a severe cold on her lungs that I have been obliged to keep her at home for several weeks and take great care of her. Her cough is better but she is again as deaf as ever she was. Indeed I fear she is worse than she ever was before. Tommy & Willy are hearty as possible & little Elly thrives well. She is so much of a Hoyt you ought to notice her more than you do. That note has already been negotiated & Father has the money. I will attend to the security if you do not soon come to do it. I knew nothing of it until after Father had negotiated it and after he had left home. The children are all in high hopes of your return soon. I do hope poor Clay will recover. I beg you will not give that nuisance John as much as a pair of old suspenders. Please do not give him five cents in money even if he has to beg from door to door. I am glad Joe is so happy there. His friends are all well I beleive. I will be thankful indeed if you can come home to stay for I dread getting through my trouble next Summer without you. Do come now & we will get along without that five hundred if you cannot get it. All send love to dear Papa.
Beleive as ever, dear Cump,
Your truly affectionate,
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
January 9, 1860
[1860/01/09]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
On Friday evening I received your long and interesting letter of the 23rd ult. and I intended answering it immediately but many less important duties have prevented me. Tommy, you are aware, is at Mother's. I have to See him every day and stay with him some time; then I must see the rest of the family & that with my home duties has taken up the most of my time. I wrote to you on Thursday last and I had also written to you once before that acquainting you with Tommy's accident. The arm is healing as well as possible - Dr. Bigelow says he never knew a fracture do more nicely - he visits him frequently and readjusts the bandage. Effie is perfectly devoted to Tommy & keeps him in her room (she has Sis's room now) except when Mother or I promise to take care of him down stairs. He has a perfect toy shop - four wagons two or three men on horseback a roly baby an accordian birds parrots dogs & cats and marbles innumerable - He arranges and rearranges them during the day keeping them always in good order and at night he puts horses wagons and all, away in the stable - the corner of the room behind the bed, He bears his trouble very patiently. Some time since he began to improve and now he is really a "good little boy." Willy went to the farm with Father today and returned in a glorious humour with one of Bunty's pups - Minnie Lizzie and Willy all went down with Mother Father & myself to See Father's bust. Minnie & Willy thought it good - Lizzie thought it was not. Mother thought the lines of the face were too strongly marked and Mr. Jones said he was much obliged for the criticisim & would soften them down. Elly grows and laughs all the day long - she is not pretty now except her eye, which is like yours. She is the dearest little thing ever was and we all love her heartily. all the children are very fond of her and even Willy coaxes & pets & talks to her, Lizzie looks better this winter than I ever saw her - she seems very happy and is never happier than when she has Elly on her lap.
Father & Boyle say there is no doubt but Rolofson will go down for you very soon. The time is appointed I beleive. Father and indeed all of us think you had better accept the proposition & leave that part of the country at any rate. I had a letter from John lately about Captain Bontwell. Henry Reese has gone on for his wife - I was over to See the children today & found the baby better. They have been obliged to sit up with her of nights. Last week the weather was so bitter cold we could scarcely keep warm & now it is warm enough to have open windows almost. Willy has had plenty of sleding this winter. We all really expect to welcome you home before the winter is out and should you not come we will be greviously dissapointed. Beleive me now
as ever - ys.
Ellen -
[EES]
Address Sis care of Washington Young Esq -
Lancaster Ohio.,
January 15, 1860
[1860/01/15]
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
Boyle leaves in the morning for Cincinnati where he meets Rolofson who is on his way or about starting down to See you. Boyle has been very anxious to go with him but Father prefers that he should remain with him thinking it to be unnecessary. Boyle told me that he had not told Father and did not wish to tell him the principal reason why he wished to go down but he is exceedingly anxious for you to go to England. Boyle thinks that you may not be sufficiently urged by Mr. Rolofson. I was over to See dear Tommy this afternoon and came back to my Orphan Asylum for the purpose of devoting the greater part of the evening to you in writing but company has prevented & it is now too late to say more that good night. I write often. I hope my letters do not mis carry. All are well & hope to See you very soon.
As ever dear Cump yr. truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
January 16, 1860
[1860/01/16]
[WTS]
I wrote to you on Sunday & sent the letter by Boyle who went to Cincinnati to See Rolofson. The latter was to leave Cincinnati To day for your present abode to bring you the proposition from the London House. This morning Father received a letter from Rolofson, stating that he would be obliged to go to New York before going South. I begin to agree with you that he is not going at all but Father talks as if you were already in England & thinks that he will take us over (by your desire of course,) next Summer. Father thinks it will be a splendid thing and considering the discomforts of your present position I really hope you will accept should the proposal ever reach you. Father wrote you by Rolofson, Boyle was anxious to go down with R. but Father thought it unnecessary. Boyle thinks that R. would himself like to have the place offered to you & that therefore he will not hold out the Same inducements that another person might.
As I told you in my letter of Sunday all the dear children are well. I have not been well lately. Fortunately for Elly her nurse is well and a good amiable girl. Tommy bears his misfortune like a man & takes the very best care of his arm. It is now nearly three weeks since he broke it & the Doctor says he will soon be able to have it out of the sling. The children are very happy, they have full liberty to amuse themselves in romping & playing - they read & play chequers in the evenings. Sis writes from Washington that she has quite fallen in love with John & that she and Helen are very anxious for his election for several reasons. First because he looks like you, secondly because he is handsome & more gentlemanly than any one else in the house & thirdly because he is "the gentleman from Ohio" & is being constantly abused. I wrote to John yesterday telling him that Sis was there & asking him to call on her if Cecelia was not in the City Elizabeth Reese is in New York with Rose. I understand that Amelia's health is very poor, indeed that she has consumption - Susan is not well either.
Susan Stambaugh moves into the Latta house in April. If I find that I am likely to be a widow here a year longer I shall also take a larger house. Minnie Workman & Teresa Clark are here on a visit. They seem to be enjoying it very much. Lewey Wolfley has just left after a visit of a few weeks. If I hear that Rolofson really goes down to you I shall hope to See you soon,
As ever your truly affectionate
Ellen,
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
January 22, 1860
[1860/01/22]
[WTS]
I have been sadly disappointed several days, dearest Cump, to find no letter from you at the office for me. It has now been nearly two weeks since I received your last letter which was dated the 28th of December. You are really further off than you would be in England. I feel uneasy about you now for no matter how long it takes a letter to come there would not be so long an interval between your letters. The mails may be so very irregular as to cause the long delay or even the loss of some letters. Indeed I have several times thought that my letters to you must have miscarried or have been lost, but I hope they have not as you are too much alone to do without frequent letters from us. If I do not hear from you to-morrow I shall be seriously alarmed, notwithstanding the great irregularity of the mails. As I told you, in my last letter, Rolofson has gone on to New York and intends to go from there by way of Charleston to New Orleans and thence to see you. Gibson is going with him. I understand from Boye that Rolofson wrote to you before leaving Cincinnati for New York, stating that he would probably reach Alexandria between the fifth and the tenth of February, Father is very anxious for you to return with him and to tell the truth I am too. as I would rather you would be in England than down South, under any circumstances - and more especially under the existing circumstances. If Rolofson ever gets there I hope you will give them a breif time to appoint a successor and return with him.
I read the papers concerning John with much interest and have become anxious for his success. I have not heard from him since I wrote him last.
Did you ever see a man of his age travel as much as Father? He is going, tomorrow, to Cincinnati, from there by railroad to Athens. Boyle is to meet him at Athens with the carriage and bring him to Chauncey Rock Oak and then home. Very soon after he returns he is going on to Washington.* Father says we must go stay with Mother while they are all gone but of course we cannot. Should I hear of your accepting Rolofson's proposition I shall conclude that I am to be left at the head of my little Orphan Asylum at least one year longer and I shall therefore rent a better house if possible & may remain with Mother during the progress of moving. Did you get my letter in which I suggested that R. might not urge you to accept on account of his own desire to have the office - this I am told whether Boyle really meant it I cannot say, but you can tell if it be so.
Minnie Workman & Henry Clark's daughter, Teresa, have spent two weeks at Mother's and are going to leave to-morrow for home. They have enjoyed their visit very much, Dear little Tommy cried to come home with me, this evening so I had him carried over & he is now asleep in my bed. Philemon called when I had got to this point in my letter; he has just left, it being now a little late. Willy has one of Bunty's pups which plays with him nicely - he is very fond of it and it seems fond of him follows him about every where. Willy is growing tall & so is Lizzie. Minnie grows every way but poor Lizzie is very thin, yet she is well. I am not at all well - About all my joints the glands seem swollen & I am so stiff. I can, with difficulty get up & down steps. I have but little appetite & seldom taste anything but meat bread tea & coffee. I have serious fears that I am never to be well again. I hope I shall hear from you tomorrow.
Beleive me ever,
Your affectionate,
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
January 30, 1860
[1860/01/30]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Saturday was Minnie's birth day & in honor of the event Mother promised her a party to day - so she & Lizzie & Willy are over there now - no doubt enjoying themselves very much. Willy dressed in my room & when ready to Start he rushed to my cupboard and took out his muster hat which Uncle Charley gave him for a Christmas gift. He thinks his "exterior man" is perfect when he has that on. I am going over after tea to See them dance, as I hear they have a fiddler engaged - I called this morning to See Mary (Reese) Granger who is visiting at Henry's with her babe - her husband is not here. She looks strong & well and her little boy although two months younger than Elly is much larger & heavier. Elly is well however and still growing nicely. I have put the other baby out. A woman is taking care of it, who is very fond of children & has herself been employed in England as wet nurse, We seem to have much more room & quiet without the little fellow yet we were all fond of him. You will receive this letter before Rolofson reaches you. I do hope you will think it advisable to accept & go to England for from all you have said I fear that neither you nor I will long be contented where you are. I am glad to find you writing in good spirits For a little while things may go on Swimmingly but sooner or later trouble will come.x Father is very much in favor of your going. I received the check for $100, - & will give it to Father this evening with my St. Louis note which will soon be due. If my money does not come from California very soon you will have to Send me some money - "six small children & two at the breast" cant live on nothing - even if their father has not been made a Martyr - like poor John Rogers. Indeed I am not ashamed of the money from California - I think it is mine & I would think so even if I never got it - or what is the Same if you never got it. Father is going soon to Washington but Henrietta has concluded not to go on with him. Mr. Jones is succeeding admirably with the bust - I saw it again this afternoon - He enquired particularly after you. I wish you could have been here when he came - he is very agreeable. I did not know that I had failed to tell you where it was that poor Tommy's arm was broken - it was between the elbow and the wrist. He still wears it in the sling but I think it is strong, again. He has come back to me again & says he cannot stay with Effie any more at night. I write often & hope you get my letters -
As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
February 5, 1860
[1860/02/05]
[WTS]
Minnie has written you today, dearest Cump, and I will add only a few lines to what she has said. Yesterday I had some company which took up all the day and all day to day dear little Elly has been so sick that I have nursed her nearly all the time. She has a bad cold and adding to it yesterday induced fever, which lasted from twelve o'clock last night until late this afternoon. I had the Doctor up, & he has given her some light medicine to break the cough & the fever and I have greased her well and given her to Emily to be nursed to Sleep, I hope she will not be worse but I have some fears, as scarlet fever putrid sore throat and lung fever are all prevailing to some extent about the country. If she should be worse I will write you tomorrow & if better I will not write for several days perhaps,
John Sherman has borne himself most admirably & I am sorry he could not have been elected. Sis writes me that he had called on her & Helen; they were very anxious for his election. I observe that the New Orleans Bulletin calls attention to the "singular fact" "that the brother of John Sherman, is the head of the State Military Academy of Louisiana." The Commercial copies the article & makes some republican comments. Yesterday I persuaded Tommy to let me take the bandage off his arm but he holds on to the sling. The fracture has healed thoroughly but there are blisters on the arm which hurt him yet. When bandaging his arm the Doctor dipped the paste board in vinegar which proved to be strong enough to blister him, Winter still lingers but we are already talking about making a garden. I have a nice little dutch girl who says she can make garden & loves to do it, so I intend to try her, & have beans peas tomatoes radishes & onions planted. We will plant flower seed too, and have some vines running over the porch. I hope our cherry trees will bear fruit be it ever so sour - We all get along nicely - Minnie seems as happy as any of the children. Effie is at Mother's - she did not come back when Tommy came. Poor Willy talks incessantly about that pony you are going to have for him. I do not look forward to a residence down there, because I feel certain that you will go to England. Philemon and Mrs. Daugherty have played eucre against Mr. Martin & me so often, that we have taken great interest in playing together & have frequent meetings - sometimes at the home of one & some times of another of us - they are coming here to-morrow evening should Elly not be sick - All send love -
beleive me as ever, yours,
Ellen -
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
February 9, 1860
[1860/02/09]
[WTS]
Yesterday was your birthday, dearest Cump. and I had the pleasure of receiving a cheerful letter from you. I would have written to you but I attended a funeral and was afterwards invited to Spend the afternoon at Mother's with some friends & was obliged to go early. This letter will I think be in time for to-day's mail. You complain that I do not write often enough.* I write more letters to you than I receive from you. I have seen Gov. Wick-liffe's message and I am glad there is a prospect of our having a good house should we live there. The only recommendation of that situation over the one offered you in London is that your health is good where you are. How it might be in England I could not conjecture but I fear the climate would have the Same effect upon you as the climate of California. There is no doubt but Rolofson will go to See you and I still think you will accept his proposition. I am not only out of money out in debt so send me some when you can. All the children are well & my own health is better this winter than for a year & more past.
All send love - I will write day after to-morrow -
As ever yrs.
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
February 14, 1860
[1860/02/14]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
The children are all on the qui vive this morning, & two of them are just starting to the post office to enquire for valentines. Mother and I have taken care there should be several there for them. Tommy's broken arm is as good as the other now. He stays with us altogether & is so much afraid of a second imprisonment that we cannot persuade him to go to his Grand Pa's even for an hour. Father says he is not surprised, as during the time his arm was tender he was confined, like a little felon; & we all that, however kind, Effie is not the most cheerful person in the world. He sleeps with me now, We have put Frank out where he is well taken care of and Miss Elly, sleeps where she wants to Sleep, between two mountains of milk. Willy is growing quite slender & resembles you more in consequence, Minnie grows at her usual pace & even Lizzie grows out of her dresses but only one way, they are the same size around the waist that they were a year ago. I declare they are deafening me with their clatter over the valentines. They are perfectly delighted & no one but Minnie has any idea where they came from. Tommy & Willy think St. Valentine sent them, but where from or in what way they cannot imagine.
Father has not yet gone to Washington - his cases do not come up until March. Sis is still there & is taking singing lessons from the Author of "Sing to me Norah." - I dreamed last night of yellow fever and it has left a weight upon my heart this morning. I dread that as a home on account of fever & I do hope, all things considered, you will find it to your advantage to go to England. You you must use your own judgement, however in the matter. We remembered your birthday & celebrated it among ourselves.
I hope you have sent me some money as I am going on tick, not having had a copper for some time. I spent last evening at Mothers & this evening Charley Garaghty & I are to play cards at Mrs. Daughertys against her & Philemon. I will write Soon again.
Beleive me as ever your truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
February 20, 1860
[1860/02/20]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
The weather is bright and beautiful and the children are all astir. Minnie & Lizzie have gone to the church to witness a marriage, and the two boys are playing in the yard. I have not yet taken my breakfast, preferring to write first, lest my letter should be too late for the mail. The mail goes south, earlier than it did last summer & the eastern mail does not leave until the afternoon. I take my breakfast whenever I happen to be ready for it. The children & the girls breakfast at half past seven. When I have no appetite for their early dinner, after my late breakfast I go over to Mother's to dinner. I spent last evening over there, instead of writing to you. Father is going east probably tomorrow, but it depends upon the weather and upon how he feels. He has had a bad cold but he is now about over it. Philemon will probably go on with him. Jno. D. Martin has just returned from Washington where he had a pleasant visit & transacted some business. He was very much pleased with Mr. Young and his family. Clara Martin is to marry John McNeil in May. Helen Hunter returned with Mr. Martin. She called yesterday at Father's where I met her. She spoke in the most exalted terms of John Sherman & said she was at the house the day he with drew. She says he did it most handsomely. She says the democrats all regret their opposition to him. Pennington they say is inefficient. Cecelia Sherman has been in Washington a week or two. Helen & Sis called to See her and had a great deal to say about her.
I was truly sorry to find that your troubles had commenced so soon. They are only a commencement and they would grow worse as they grow in number. I hope, by this time, Rolofson has seen you and you are soon to free yourself from a post that will prove annoying & even dangerous. All send love to dear Papa & I need not say I hope to See you soon,
As ever dear Cump,
Your truly affectionate,
Ellen,
[EES]
NEW ORLEANS & OHIO TELEGRAPH LESSEES. The public are notified, that in order to guard against mistakes in the transmission of messages, every message of importance ought to be repeated by being sent back from the Station at which it is to be received to the Station from which it is originally sent. Half the usual price for transmission will be charged for repeating the message, and while this Company will, as heretofore, use every precaution to ensure correctness, it will not be responsible for mistakes or delays in the transmission or delivery of repeated messages, beyond an amount exceeding five hundred times the amount paid for sending the message; nor will it be responsible for mistakes or delays in the transmission of unrepeated messages from whatever cause they may arise, nor for delays arising from interruptions in the workings of its Telegraphs, nor for any mistake or omission of any other Company, over whose lines a message is to be sent to reach the place of destination.
All messages will hereafter be received by this Company for transmission, subject to the above conditions. N. GREEN, Prest., Louisville. HULL'S PRINT, LOUISVILLE. 121 By Telegraph from To
Lancaster O
Feb 20 1860
[1860/02/20]
Capt W. T. Sherman
[WTS]
We have Consulted fully all prefer London all well.
Ellen B. E. Sherman
[EES]
9pd. insured Repeated back
Cincinnati Ohio.,
February 28, 1860
[1860/02/28]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
After hearing by telegraph that you were at Baton Rouge & in New Orleans and then having reason to suppose that you would soon be here I have neglected writing to you for a week past. Yesterday week, after writing you, in time for that morning's mail, I started out on a long errand and was over taken by a boy with your dispatch of that day 20th. I returned to Father's and by his advice I replied by telegraph, immediately, that we had "all consulted and preferred London," On Friday the 24th I was puzzled by the following dispatch signed by you & dated New Orleans 22nd - "Will if necessary - "Telegraph me at Baton Rouge before Saturday." I could not understand what it meant unless it was intended for Rolofson & had been missent to me - I therefore sent it to Rolofson on Friday afternoon and came down here yesterday expecting to hear from him that you had agreed to be here by a certain time now near. So that accounts for my not writing to you since yesterday week. Boyle came down here to attend to Some business & brought Henrietta & the baby & nurse so they persuaded me to accompany them which I was easily induced to do as I hoped to hear what you intended to do & when I might expect you, Hamp & Judge Moore came with us en route for Leavenworth. Fanny & Dilly accompanied the Judge, Mr Hunter came as far as Circleville & Charley Borland was one of the party all the way here Effie went over to stay with the children during my absence & as the girls are all faithful I have no reason to feel any anxiety on their account. I have not lost my milk but I can nurse Edith whilst here. The nurse has more than enough for Elly but I do not like to put it out of my power to nurse her as I may have the misfortune to lose the nurse. I have no reason to apprehend it however. It seems to me if financial ruin follows your advent to a City that rain is no less certain to follow me to Cincinnati. Yesterday the weather was beautiful but I am looking for the rain now the cloulds are so very lowering. It is early in the morning & I have not yet seen Charley - Mother wrote to him that I would be here but I suppose he was attending a lecture last evening & could not wait upon us. I am to devote the day (as usual in Cities) to shopping. On Thursday morning I must go home. I hope Mr. Borland will be going up that day as otherwise I shall have no escort. Boyle and Henrietta will not go up for a week I think. Hamp was uncuccessful in Washington. Thompson gave him the Office & the nomination was sent as a matter of form to the President for conformation. The President wrote to Thompson that Mr Denman he had been informed was an anti Lecompton man - he stuck to his friends & had given the office to Some one else. Judge Moore talks of going to Pike's Peak. I left the children all as hearty as possible and all crazy to See you - I hope to hear soon when you are coming,
As ever, your truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
March 4, 1860
[1860/03/04]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
On my return home on Saturday -- yesterday - I found three letters awaiting me; and the children's two valentines were also lying in the post office. They were charmed with them and I really think they are very pretty and very appropriate. Tommy complained that you did not send him one but I told him you thought "boys were too rowdy dowdy for valentines" which offended him still more. He says he is willing to die & go to heaven if he can have candy and express wagons up there. He got two express wagons for presents Christmas which amused him greatly whilst his arm was broken, I need not tell you how happy we all are at the prospect of seeing you so soon. Do come to stay with us as long as possible. I feel impatient to get your next letter to learn when you are coming. Rolofson left Cincinnati on last Wednesday for England. He was to go to Washington to See Father before going to New York. He is to be back in thirty days, from England. Father will probably be home from Washington by the first of April. He has a great deal to Say about John & Cecelia & they had a great deal to Say about you. Mr. Reese & Doly called to See me to-day. Elizabeth is in Brooklyn with Rose, who has a fine young daughter, a few days old. Henry's wife will soon have "No. four,"
The weather is spring like and beautiful, the children are happy as birds and my health is unusually good just at this time, I hope your health will not suffer by the change you have determined upon. I cannot bear to think that you must be there alone so long and I will hope that you will find yourself justified in sending for us before a year is out, But of this when we meet -
As ever, dear Cump,
Your truly affectionate,
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
March 28, 1860
[1860/03/28]
[WTS]
I wrote you, dearest Cump, on Thursday, the day after my return from Cincinnati. For several days after I parted from you, down there, I was oppressed by a severe cold which settled on my lungs and took such firm hold upon me that I was completely prostrated on Sunday & compelled to keep my bed all day. I was so weak that for the first time in my life I felt unable to write. Sis wrote to you for me that day. Yesterday & the day before I felt very weak but now my strength and appetite I returning and I hope soon to be well again. As I told you, in my last, I have unmistakable evidence that I am not enciente, - some consolation amid many trials. Poor Tommy has the scarlet fever, Where or how he got it no one can tell. The rest will all take it I presume in which case I shall have my hands full, Tommy's throat is swollen on the outside & the inside and the inside is ulcerated. The Doctor gives him nothing but some wash for the throat. It has not been necessary to give him anything yet to keep his system in proper order. He is quite irritable & cries to go out doors, but the Doctor will not hear to his going even to the door. I have him taken to the next room & have the room well aired several times a day. He sleeps with me at night & I see that he is sufficiently but not too warmly covered.
I got your letter from the "John Raine" & felt glad to know that you had got a New Orleans packet. By this time I hope you are safely ensconced at the College & that you have none but agreeable recollections of your visit. I fear you took cold in Cincinnati going out that morning after Clay. It seemed to me that you could not have been in earnest in proposing to take us down with you immediately with the prospect of going into a rented house. If you were and you still wish us to come write to me and I will make what speed I can & get down before the hot weather sets in. Should you determine that we had better remain here until fall had I not better break up house keeping a month or two before I start & send the furniture & the most of our luggage by the river before it falls? If you wish us to come down now & think that we ought to come do not hesitate to say so in plain words - and I will go within a few weeks time. Aside from the fear of taking the children into that climate in an unpropitious season, I have nothing to prevent my starting to join you immediately but the difficulty of providing for the nurse's baby & thereby enabling myself to Secure her services, But I implore you not to feel that I am unwilling to go with you when you wish me to do so. If you want us there now & think it prudent for us to go write to me and you know I will go. I wish you would give my best regards to Gen. Graham and thank him for his kind invitation to me to stop at his home. If I go now the furniture can preceed me & you can have a house ready for us - All send love to dear Papa. Was it not strange that Elly loved you at first sight? She still cries when gentlemen take her.
As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
March 29, 1860
[1860/03/29]
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
Fearing that you may feel anxious about Tommy I write to Say that he is no worse. With the scarlet fever it is hard to Say when a patient is better. His throat is not so sore today but he complains of his limbs & pains all over him. Poor little fellow he has fallen away very much. Lizzie is complaining a good deal. I presume she is getting the fever, but she is still about the house. She had a fainting spell yesterday morning & seemed sick all day but this morning although not well she is better. I am getting stronger & my appetite is returning but my lungs are very sore and painful yet. - I want you to See about that house that is for rent down there and if you are in earnest about wanting us to come down you rent it and write me word and you will see us all in about four weeks time. I can ship everything from here by water, & get any additional furniture, we may want, in Cincinnati. Emily has heard of a couple in the country who want her baby to raise and who being friends of hers she is willing should have him, So I trust there will be no obstacle in the way if you write for me to come. I shall make no more arrangements for staying here until I hear from you on the subject. Consider the matter well & if you feel that you want your family with you say so in a plain positive way & you will have them. If you do not it will not be my fault as I am anxious to go if I can take Elly's nurse, Tommy talks to every body about the pecan nuts he will get when he goes to Louisiana.
I got your letter from Memphis. Poor Clay I hope did not lose his tail. The loss of that ornamental appendage would distress his master more that it would Clay. You must have been impatient at the delay in getting down the river. By this time I hope you are safe back again & enjoying weather as fine as we have here to-day. Beleive me not only willing but anxious to join you immediately & write to me from your own judgement & feelings
As ever, your devoted,
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
April 5, 1860
[1860/04/05]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I intended to write you a long letter this morning but Church commences so early that I will not have time. It is the last - week of Lent and this is "holy Thursday - the commemmoration of the institution of the Blessed Sacrament" the night before our Savior Suffered."
I dreamed of you all night - I want to write this morning to ask you to let me know, if we shall get ready to go down this spring, as soon as you can - If you can, send me word what wages (exactly) are given to girls, & all you can about my probable wants down there. Whether I shall ship the furniture &c - &c - Boyle leaves this morning for Cincinnati en route for Leavenworth - I'll write at length in a day or two. I see the "John Raine" is advertised to leave New Orleans so you got safely off her -
As eve,
Ellen
[EES]
Tommy is better. I am so hoarse with my cold I cannot speak aloud.
Lancaster Ohio.,
April 6, 1860
[1860/04/06]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
It seems to me that I ought to hear, by this time, of your safe arrival at Alexandria. For several evenings past I have been very much disappointed to find my messenger returning from the post office without a letter. As I told you in my note of yesterday morning, I have seen the "John Raine" advertised to leave New Orleans so I am assured that that boat did not explode whilst you were on her. I am anxious to hear of your safe return to Alexandria & I await with anxiety your decision as to whether we shall follow you very soon. As I told you in a former letter, we have heard of a family who will take Emily's babe and so that difficulty is disposed, or, at least, it can be disposed of, If you can rent the house and really want us to come down, dear Cump, all you have to do, is to Say so, and with prompt cheerfulness will I prepare our little family to join you whom we all wish so much to be with, I feel my loneliness more now than before you came up & whenever the sense of it oppresses me I cannot but reflect upon your solitary situation. You are so devoted & so kind to us when we are with you, that you have more than ordinary right to call us to you whensoever you please. Now that the move you suggested is no longer impossible - on account of Elly & her nurse - I am anxious to be with you & eagerly await the summons, to go. Write me word what wages are given so I shall know what inducements to hold out to girls. Send me a plan of the house as soon as you draw it & before you commence it. Ever since I left you in Cincinnati I have been suffering from a severe cold which is fastened like a vice upon my lungs. I cannot speak above a whisper & the least effort to talk pains me exceedingly, My strength is again failing & my appetite too owing to an additional cold which I caught a week ago nearly - Tommy has almost entirely recovered from the scarlet fever. The weather was so beautiful I let him go to Mother's today and he returned in a high glee with some Easter eggs, Willy goes to the farm often. Where he was the other day, perfectly charmed by the burning brush & the burning grass on the meadow -
"Ellen Cox" has a colt which is called (I beleive) "Clay" - Min horse has a colt which Father says must be called "Lizzie." Willy informed me yesterday that "two more of the mares, at the farm were going to have colts in a month or two." I asked him who gave him that piece of news & he said with an innocent smile "William Walters" - so I suppose it is the case & if so your horse will not be so much missed after awhile. As soon as Boyle heard the news of the first colt he rode to the farm without a moment's delay to have it well cared for and the same when he heard of Min's colt - Father leaves tomorrow for Cin: from there he goes up to Athens & on to Washington. Henrietta leaves here on Tuesday next for Washington. Boyle left yesterday for Cin. where a sale of property takes place on Monday, He goes from there to Leavenworth and will not be here for two months, I have not heard one word from McCook in answer to my letter enclosing those notes for collection - Instead of every thing turning to gold at my touch it seems that every thing gold turns to trash & dishonor when it comes to be due to me from men in every part of the land. I enclose a note which Philemon received from Mr Patterson about the respectable pick pockets of the Missouri Bank. I have not heard a word of the California money and suppose they have succeeded in getting the property for nothing. I wonder who it is owns it - Blanding Billings or Gilmer - I suspect the former, for he is certainly too proud to let others make a tool of him. ----------- I want you to write me more about your companions the professors, so that I shall not feel them strangers when I get there. I find myself constantly thinking of the house you are going to have for us, which is to be our own and where we are to spend so many of our coming years, together For the first time I look forward to all my arrangements connected with it, with the zeal & interest of a child. I feel that it will be a quiet retired comfortable happy home & I trust in God it may prove so. We have had a good many ups and downs & have been tossed about heretofore in such a way that we will both hail a quiet resting place as a weary thirsty traveller in the desert would hail a spring of water - Thus far none of the other children have taken the fever from Tommy & I hope they will not - I hope I shall hear from you soon
Beleive me now as ever, yr affectionate,
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
April 15, 1860
[1860/04/15]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
After suffering great anxiety for several days, concerning you, I at last received your letter announcing your safe arrival at the Academy. Your letter was dated the 30th of March and did not reach me until the 13th of April. The enclosed one hundred dollar note came safely and was gladly received. I have had it placed to my credit at the Bank.
I am still waiting to know whether you would like to have us come down this Spring. I have heard no more of the family who offered to take Emily's babe but I have no doubt they are willing to take the child as they at first said. In the meantime we are making a little garden and setting out some flower seeds and some vegetable seeds and the children are having a little of every - thing planted within a very small space, each having a garden seperate from the rest. We are all enjoying the buds & flowers of spring. Every day some of the children run to me in great excitement telling of some new bud or blossom. "There are white flowers all over one tree & pink over another" - little hyacinths are blooming here & blue bells are modestly budding there - A quince tree in the yard gives us promise of plenty of preserving - Lizzie thinks, whilst Willy & Tommy entertain extravagant notions of supplying all their friends with corn beans & peas besides innumerable other vegetables. All the fire shovels are in constant use for digging & a hoe which is on the premises is often the bone of contention. I have had morning glories planted along the porch & the windows so as to have some shade from them if we stay here. The cold on my lungs continues but it is not so severe. Lizzie is now sick with scarlet fever: She has been confined to bed since Thursday.
Father went to Cincinnati on Monday & from there he was to go on to Washington where he may remain two months. On Thursday Henrietta left for home - a Mr Headington - a lawyer of Cin: & associate counsel with Father in one of his cases - came this way & she went on under his protection. The high waters just at that time had damaged some of the roads so that the cars could not run between Columbus & Zanesville & many other points. All the travel from Cin, east had to go through here. To get from Columbus to Zanesville they had to go to Morrow & then on up through here. Boyle has gone, as I told you to Leavenworth. He left Cin. on the 13th. The sale of their property on Monday last turned out even better than they had anticipated. I sent you my letter from Major Turner & Gilmer's letter also.
How many years do you think Gilmer will succeed in living in the house without paying rent? I think he is playing the Colgate game on us. If I had the deed to the property he should not occupy it for nothing - I would get rent for it, as long as he had the use of the money - his pretext of not using the money is folde rol - I would like to use either the money or the house - I have made a purchase of a ladies Secretary of Gabeline the dutch Carpenter in town. Whether we go down this spring or not had I not better send it down? I think you could certainly give it safe room there where it can remain unboxed until I go down. Tell me the probable cost of transportation, from here, all the way by water.
I am surprised to hear of Ann Patterson being in that neighborhood. Who are the Professors that were pleased with her? I hope they are not in love. for one at least must then be disappointed - besides she is Charley's flame.
I had a letter from Luke Clark saying that he would like to go to you, or to learn a trade in some eastern City - meaning in any City east of Leavenworth. Gertrude's brother is studying hard at Hill's school & learning the fife & drum in hopes you will take him down there in some capacity - his going would secure us a first rate girl in his sister.
Tommy says, if I will give him money enough he can get a drum & "then he can play" "Not a drum was heard." Tommy talks a great deal about Louisiana. He looks better now than before he was taken with the fever,
You did not say that you were well but I hope you were. You seemed to be in fine spirits and I am truly glad that you found all right on your return. Do not forget to give me a plan of the house when you draw it,
All send love. Beleive as ever,
Your truly affectionate,
Ellen
[EES]
Recd Ape 23
Lancaster Ohio.,
April 20, 1860 Saturday morning
[1860/04/20]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Yesterday - or rather the day before - I recd your letter conveying the message to Charley, from Miss Patterson. Charley had just returned from Cin: and called over to See me a few moments after I got your letter. I read him that portion of it & it seemed to gratify him very much. In the evening he asked me to let him see the letter that he might read it again. Charley looks well. He passed his examination well standing No 1. in some things. This Philemon heard from Mr. Curwen one of the Professors of the Law School.
Sis got home yesterday and shewed me her letter from you. You must have been surprised at my getting her to write for me. It was the first time in my life that I ever felt I could not write a letter. The cold on my lungs had so completely prostrated me that I did not feel able to sit up in bed. I have had constant trouble with my lungs ever since and am releived now, only by the use of Croton oil which has brought out an eruption all over my chest. My cough still continues but the great heat and soreness are gone. Poor Lizzie has been confined to bed for the past ten days, with scarlet fever, which has affected her head - or rather her ears & her lungs. She is now free of fever & has had no ear ache since night before last but her cough is bad yet and she is pale and thin and very weak. Tommy is as well as ever again.
If you have finally determined, Cump that we cannot go down this spring, I want you to let me know when I can best ship my goods. What is the last Summer month that the rivers will be in good order, because then I will send down nearly all I have here and we can Camp out or distribute ourselves until a proper time for going South ourselves, I am truly thankful. that your health is so good, I hope you will meet with as few annoyances as possible, in your Summer work.
All join me in love to dear Papa.
Beleive me as ever,
Your truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
April 25, 1860
[1860/04/25]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Like you, it seems to me that I am in haste whenever I write. Attending to spring sewing & nursing the children through their sickness my cares seems multifarious, if not of the utmost importance, all of them. Lizzie is able to sit up all day but she continues very weak. Her hearing is rather more affected & she still complains of ear ache. I am very careful to guard her from cold as the danger of scarlet fever seems to be greater when colds come on after an apparent recovery. Tommy is to all appearances entirely well but he is very noisy & quarrelsome & violent. Day before yesterday he could not make Willy yeild to his wishes in some slight matter & he struck him with an iron rake skinning his nose terribly but fortunately missing his eyes. He might have killed him with one stroke of that rake. Only a day or two before he had thrown a stone & hit him on the nose making it bleed & almost knocking him down. Yesterday when he struck Willy, I called him in & stripping him very quietly I broke one switch over his back & then applied another until I left him in a pretty uncomfortable way. He was quite subdued however & seemed to be conscious that a severe correction now would perhaps save him from crime & its punishment after awhile. Willy felt badly to See him so severly whipped but there was no help for it. After having had most delightful weather we have bleak cold days with frost at night. My lungs are better but the inflammation has gone to my head & eyes. Willy is growing very tall. Lizzie weighs only 39. lbs. & Minnie weighs 67½. Quite a difference, Father has written that his cases will not be up this term & he will be home next week.
I hope you will enclose our lot excluding for the present the space for the house & plant on the lot fruit trees and strawberries & any thing else you think desirable. I think we will have a pleasant home there - the winter I am sure will be delightful. We will have plenty of time for reading. I wish you would write me a long leisurely letter & tell me what wages are given there &c. &c. What time I had better send my furniture down & what quality of clothing we will want in winter. The same as here?
All send love.
As ever,
Ellen. .
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
May 1, 1860
[1860/05/01]
[WTS]
Ten years, this evening, dearest Cump, we were married. You cannot have forgotton how delightful the weather then was, nor how propitious everything seemed to us. And on looking back, I cannot help feeling that we have been particularly blessed, notwithstanding all our cares & trials and disappointments. Our children are healthy and, with one exception, at least, they are good: they are bright and as pretty as we need wish them to be, active and with every ability to acquire information. We ourselves - I speak from my own heart - are more attached more fondly love and more truly esteem one another than ever before and are more necessary to one anothers happiness than when we had no children or when we had fewer. My prayer to day shall be of thanksgiving for the blessing of a good husband and of earnest entreaty that neither of us may leave the other, when called away, desolate & uncomforted by the sure hope of a reunion hereafter, where the spirit will be unencumbered by the frail & erring body. ------The first anniversary of our wedding we spent in St. Louis - the second also - the third you were on your way to California & I was in Lancaster. The fourth, we were in the Green Street house in San Francisco. The fifth I was shipwrecked on the Pacific & you were with the children in our Harrison St. home. The sixth I spent with you there, the seventh also. The latter part of May 1857 we left California and the ninth & now the tenth anniversary find me here without you, We it not for one fear I would leave the children here, in good hands, and go down before the very hot weather comes on, to make you a visit. You can guess what that fear is I suppose when I tell you it is concerning myself & not a fear of yellow fever. If you think it will do to risk having another baby so soon I wish you would approve of my going down. I could take Willy for company & I think I could get better ready to move & would feel at home sooner when I do move if I make a visit beforehand, The children will soon be over the scarlet fever & then I can leave them without any anxiety. Tommy & Lizzie have recovered from the scarlet fever and now Minnie has it. This is the fourth day she has been confined to bed & she is quite weak. Her throat has been exceedingly sore & very much ulcerated but it is cleaning out now and her tongue is cleaning off & I look upon her as in a fair way to recover nicely. Willy's turn will come next I suppose but he may not have it as he had staid pretty constantly at his Grand Pa's ever since the first day Tommy took it. He still sleeps there - with his Uncle Charley now - & he comes & goes at will. He takes unbounded pride in a cluster of rather dull looking tulips that is blooming in our front yard & they all continue to go a dozen times a day to watch the growth of the peas beans corn lettuce radishes &c. &c. all of which are peeping up & all of which, truth to tell, I watch with great interest myself. Not because I am so anxious for the use of the vegetables, for the market is abundant, - but because they possess so many charms when one watches their daily growth. The humming=birds have been dipping into a little flower that blooms before my window & the bold little robins hop about the fences in perfect security. The children, I suppose, must drop them plenty of bread crumbs. Morning glories that I have planted are coming up and the trees are in full foliage - the lilac is in bloom. I am rejoiced to hear that you will have a good long vacation. You will certainly come home and I will have every thing in readiness to leave with you any time. About the middle of October I suppose you would have to start. Do you think it will do to wait until then to Send our furniture? I think I shall send down all I have that is worth shipping - two carpets & a rug my new secretary - a bureau chairs tables &c. &c. Do you know that I think that will be a delightful home. If we can have no market we can make no pretensions to entertaining & must see all our company in the evenings - We can live to ourselves and have a quiet happy time with our children and books. I hope I shall like the Professors.
Now I want to ask you a question which I wish you would remember to answer. What did Ann Patterson mean, by that message to Charley? Did she say what she did to you alone or before others? Do you think Charley could get her were he to try? because if I thought so I would encourage him to try. Do not forget to answer me - - - Major Turner has written me that he will write to Blanding instructing him to have Capt. Gilmer pay rent for the use of the house until he pays for the house. If they Say the house belongs to me, I would like to have the money for it or the rent & I hope the Major will see to it. Father & Mother are going in a week or two to Leavenworth. Willy gets to the farm nearly every day either in the wagon or the carriage - Write often dearest Cump & beleive me ever your truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
May 7, 1860
[1860/05/07]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I beleive I have not written to you since the first day of the month - the anniversary of our wedding. Minnie was then confined to bed with scarlet fever. She is now up and has been riding several times. Her Grand Pa being absent, at the earnest wish of her Grand Ma she has spent several days & nights over there. Tommy, (I am thankful to be able to Say), has improved considerably in his behavior & I think he is benefited in health by the cold bath, which I have used with him & Lizzie & myself with very pleasant effect - Elly is out in short clothes and makes very great use of her feet as she does also of her lungs. She screams and laughs as loud as any of them now. She was eight months old on Saturday and yet she has not the sign of a tooth. Nearly every one thinks she is like your Mother - She has looked like her to me since the first moment I saw her. She is a high spirited little piece & I shall not be surprised if she gives us a good deal of trouble as she grows up. She will doubtless be as wilful as Tommy & she is very sensitive & quite full of whims. She is not satisfied now with walking in the yard but she often cries until they take her on the street & then she will sometimes jump & hold out her arms when carriages go by and cry with disappointment that she cannot get a ride.
Father & Charley went down to Chauncey several days ago. They will not be home for three days yet. Father is riding that hobby now, He is having cows sent down & a woman to take care of them &c. &c. &c. Min horse's colt died last evening - they had been up here, the colt under a Doctor's care - & were in the pasture by his orders, yesterday. Willy has just gone down with Mike to see it buried, I suppose Minnie is quite distressed but I have not seen her this morning.
I asked you a very important question in my last letter & now I have two more things to Speak of which I wish to impress upon your mind so that you will not forget to answer me.
One is, that you will send me some money. The other is this. Who is to pay the taxes on my Leavenworth property, when will they be due & how much will they amount to.
I wish to entrust the care of the property to a person of my own choosing, out there & not to Tom McCook or Hamp. I will give up the property if in order to hold it I must have any kind of business dealings with Tom.
Please write me fully about it. What taxes you have paid - up to what date - and whether you left anything there where with to pay taxes coming due & with whom you left it. Do not write anything to Tom about it but let me know all about it first. I have more to tell you on the subject when I write again. Now it is time my letter was in the Office.
I want you to send me Gen. Graham's address on I wish to write to him requesting him to write to Baton Rouge & have me telegraphed in case you should be taken sick. I could soon get down the alone, by railroad & stage.
As ever your truly affectionate,
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
May 11, 1860
[1860/05/11]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Yesterday I received your letter of the 29. of April. I hope you will continue to write to me often, no matter whether you have anything to Say or not. But I think you have had, so far, a good deal to write about. Charley returned with Father yesterday from Chauncey & I told him about Ann Patterson. I think he had entertained serious thoughts of cultivating her further acquaintance & perhaps eventually becoming a suitor. Charley, you know, is determined to go to Saint Louis. I am very glad to hear that we are to have Catholic ladies there. How soon do you think they will be married? by Fall? or not for a year? An old school-mate of Sis's, (but younger than Sis) is engaged to a Dr. O'Neil of Alexandria or thereabouts. Miss Bennet is her name - she is an orphan & is a protege' of a lady in Cincinnati who is a neice of Judge Boyce's. It seems that we find friends wherever we go. I am sorry you are subject to Such delays and provocations regarding the house but I think you need not allow yourself to be worried, as we can easily rent a house in Winter should ours not be finished. I will be ready to go down any day after the first frost here as Elly can then be weaned should her nurse fail to go. I hope you will not let the buildings keep you there during the vacations. I would much rather go into a rented house than have you remain to finish ours.
I asked you, in my last, to let me know in what condition, as to taxes, you had left my property in Leavenworth. I hope you will not fail to answer me. I have made up my mind to cut loose from Tom & McCook in all business matters & to get some stranger to attend to my taxes &c. for me. On the 24th of February I wrote to McCook & sent him the three notes for collection. Not receiving an answer to my letter I wrote to him again on the third of April. On the fourth of May - two month & a half after my first letter he condescended to write to me to this effect - that Zinn could not pay - that Hartman had paid about the time my first letter was received but that Tom had the money & said there were some taxes to pay & that money must be appropriated for that purpose. Also that you had agreed with him (McCook) that he should pay only the interest on his note until he sold the lot & then pay the principal. His letter was so very long coming that I determined never to write to him again. So I sent for John Hunter & told him that I wished him to write, in the name, of the firm "H. H. Hunter & Son," & request Mr. McCook to send me Zinn's note - also his own note with the interest due on it & the money which had been paid on the Hartman note. I told John Hunter that if the letter was not promptly responded to I wished him bring suit against Mr. McCook for them.
Last evening I told Father what I had done & intended to do & he did not disapprove of it, but said it would teach them not to trifle with me. He is worried to death by those things in Tom & of course it is Tom who has influenced McCook to treat me with such lofty indifference. Tom shall not pay my taxes or have anything whatever to do with any of my affairs. If it is necessary that he should have anything to do with my property there I will give it up rather than submit to the provocation of his quiet insults. Father says that he thinks a bill in Chauncey can be filed in New York against Perry. He says he cannot substantiate a claim & I would rather give it to the lawyers - than let him have it - Father says he will probably see Major Turner in St. Louis & speak to him about it. I told Father that you said I was coveting my neighbours goods in wanting it but it is a present to me & that Saves me from the Sin. Father was charmed with the condition of things at the Salt works. Charley says he seemed to love to linger about every part of it & watch the work that he used to do. Elizabeth Reese returned two or three days ago from Philadelphia & New York - All friends are all. The children talk about Papa & about "Louisiana" all the time. Minnie & Lizzie are still very weak & pale, Tom is as strong as a young bull - he is rather a better boy now.
I shall look for you in August,
Beleive me now as ever
Your truly affectionate,
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
May 16, 1860
[1860/05/16]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I have not written to you since Friday and this is Wednesday. Minnie has got well but she is still very weak, not however as weak as Lizzie. Lizzie is so very weak that her little hand shakes when she attempts to do any sewing or to use the hand carefully in any way. Yesterday she complained of it so much that I felt quite uneasy for fear she might be getting St. Vitus's dance - a miserable disease. But I trust to the efficacy of the Salt Water bath and and the out door exercise both of which she enjoys. We are having weather So very delightful that mere existence is a pleasure. Father and Mother started down in the buggy to Chauncey this morning and nothing would Satisfy Father or Willy until the latter & younger gentleman was equipped as one of the party. He was perfectly crazy to go, particularly after hearing from Uncle Charley that a fish had been caught down there weighing forty pounds! - more than Lizzie, who weighs thirty seven pounds. They will spend a week down there and I suppose Willy will return with his face burned the color of his head. He is devoted to Father: stays with him all the time & follows at his heels like a little dog. Father is very fond of him & thinks him one of the best boys in the world. They are all very much attached to him, over there, but they have pretty much given Tommy up as an outlaw.
I think I told you that Elizabeth Reese had got back from N. York. She says Taylor Sherman was in the City six weeks without going to See them. She tells me that Gussie has brought suit against her Father for her Mother's property which he held in trust for her & Charley. She thinks, I beleive that Mr. Cleaveland got it when her Father was in the Asylum once. Did I tell you that I had a letter from Mrs. Bowman? She writes from Philadelphia - "No 1521 Arch Street." I have had a most friendly letter from Mrs. Turner giving me a pressing invitation to visit her this Summer. She says her fourteenth baby is three months old - a fine boy named Henry -
Judge Perkins of Leavenworth has been baptized and come into the Church. He and Bishop Miegges have gone to Pikes Peak - for what purpose I did not hear. All send love to dear Papa. I would have Minnie write but she is weak & nervous yet. Poor Lizzie begs me to read every word of your letters to her. Do write her a short letter.
As ever,
Ellen -
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
May 22, 1860
[1860/05/22]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I have written to you since Father and Mother went to Chauncey, taking Willy with them. They are still there but we think they will be home tomorrow. Philemon went down, on Friday, at Father's express request, not to attend to any business but to See the works &c. &c., All the cows have been taken down and the milk is used in clarifying the Salt I beleive. - Butter is to be made of the cream and packed into jars & sent up by boat. Father is charmed with the present success of the works; and Charley says he lingered about every part of the premises exhibiting the fondness one often feels for old familiar places & occupations. Charley says he would sit in one fireman's seat apparently unconscious & without object until fearful of attracting remark he would change his seat and remain gazing at the works from another point - spending several days in this way. Ten days had not elapsed between his two visits. but he was keen to go down. Minnie & Lizzie seemed to have recovered from the scarlet fever but they shew that the pernicious effects of the disease still linger in the system. Lizzie is reduced to a mere skeleton almost, as to her form. Her face is not so thin but it has been very pale and she seems distressed by a scrofulous affection of the nostrils such as I used to have. I think however it will not trouble her long as I am using active remedies to scatter it. Minnie's neck swells up on both sides & pains her greatly whenever she takes a little cold. One of her legs is full of lumps too & she suffers such pain with it, that she hobbles when she attempts to walk. I shall have to be very careful with them & treat them as invalides for some time yet. Tommy seems as strong as ever and although he has exposed himself in several showers & storms of rain he has not suffered any bad effects.
I hope you have sent me some money ere this as I will soon be in debt every where. I will be as economical as I can and as you suggest I will make no especial preperation for the new house. I intend to preserve fruit & make jellys & they can be sent down when the river opens, at which time some of my furniture must go down, - This is Clara Martins wedding day. She marries John McNeil this evening & every body and his wife are invited.
All send love to dear Papa,
As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
May 28, 1860
[1860/05/28]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I see by your last letter that some of my letters have missed you but as there was nothing important in them and as you did not seem to regret the loss I need not do So. As I told you in my last, Minnie & Lizzie are still weak and suffering from the effects of the scarlet fever. Minnie is quite lame and poor Lizzie is very deaf and her nose is effected as mine used to be. Her face is swollen of mornings and broken out in little splotches. I am doing all I can to restore their strength for when it returns I know they will be better. Willy & Tommy are as hearty as they could be. Elly seems well and very fat but her neck is full of glanular Swellings - quite large and hard ones. The children have quite a fine garden, the corn is quite high the radishes are in use & the peas are in pod. The lettuce is fine and so were the greens, Two peach trees a cherry & a quince are quite full of fruit & they look everyday to see if the fruit is getting ripe. The birds are thicker & tamer than I ever saw them, Tommy has nearly succeeded, a great many times in getting salt on the tails of the little things as they go hopping about the yard. You say you will send me a hundred dollars at the end of this month. I will want more before the month is out for I have not paid up all my bills yet. Father goes to Chillicothe today on that Marietta rail road business. Rolofson is there besides many others - A daughter of Mr. Scanmon (formerly of the army) is now visiting Sis. She is a smart gentle interesting young girl. I must go over to See Father before he starts. He was not well yesterday -
As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
[Recd June 2]
Lancaster Ohio.,
May 31, 1860
[1860/05/31]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I spent last evening at Elizabeth Reese's, with some company eight of whom formed two tables of whist. I played with a strange gentleman, from Cleaveland, who said he was a distant relative of Ellen Cox's, against Mrs. Daugherty & Judge Whitman - Mr. Reese & Heny were at the other table & both games I beleive were very interesting. I am invited to dine at Mrs. Talmadge's today but I do not feel much like going. I accepted the invitation however & so must be ready at one o'clock when she is to Send for me. They have a beautiful fountain at play in the midst of their lake & the Swans float majestically about - it is really a sweet pretty place and is kept in such fine order. Elizabeth Reese told me, when she returned from the east, that Gussie Hoyt had commenced suit against her Father for the recovery of the property left to her & Charley by their Mother.
Fanny (Van Trump) Moore has a young daughter. born a day or two ago. All the Van Trump family seemed charmed with Judge Moore still, but it seems to me he is sadly "namby pamby." A letter was received at home, yesterday, from Ellen Cox saying that Tom was sick. He must be better by this time or we would have heard by telegraph. Mother feels uneasy. Mc.Cook has not answered Mr Hunter's letter. Philemon tells me that he saw from the Leavenworth papers that McC. had gone to Pike's Peak for a few weeks. I shall find out immediately when he returns and have suit commenced against him for my notes & my money. I was glad to get the plan of the house which was in your last letter. I am quite delighted with it, with the exception of one thing. I see no room for a pantry such as we should have, near the kitchen & yet removed from it, for barrels of sugar - flour for starch soap jars of preserves pickles & things unnumerable. I think the kitchen should be longer a pantry should be partitioned off at the end of of the kitchen nearest the house. The pantry should run from the door back & not extend entirely a cross the room - it should be well lighted and aired. And over the kitchen we should have space enough for two rooms. Do make the kitchen longer by several feet, cut off one corner nearest the house for a pantry and then have two rooms over the kitchen. - Another change I would like & indeed quite insist upon & that is a door of communication between the two rooms up stairs, which are on the Same Side of the hall. I like the situation of the house in reference to the college & the Valles house. I think we will have a delightful home there. Willy is sick to-day & I think he is getting the scarlet fever. Tommy wants his gun & ramrod. All send love to dear Papa.
As ever yr. affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio,,
June 5, 1860
[1860/06/05]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Yesterday Lizzie and I received your most welcome letters of the 26th of May. Poor Lizzie was perfectly charmed - her eyes danced & she was in a glee the whole afternoon in consequence. The picture of the room where she & Minnie are to sleep, the bed they are to make themselves, and the sweet scented magnolias that Willy is to gather from the tops of high trees for them are the pictures that most interest them. Tommy was present when I gave the letter to Lizzie & he said, "read it Mama - do not leave a word without reading." When I read your compliment about him & the reason why you thought he must sleep in the Stable, I really felt sorry for him, he looked so mortified. I promised him that I would write and tell you that he is now a better boy. He has really improved very much lately, I think I told you about Willy's visit to Rock Oak and how charmed he was with the fine fishing and swimming down there. He was anxious to write to you after he came home, and I intended to be his amanuensis, but he is away so much that I have suffered a long time to pass without complying with his request. He has been fishing lately with his Uncle Philemon & Tommy Ewing. He sleeps at his Grand-pa's and he generally insists upon going over in time for tea, when he happens to be here, because they have chocolate and we have not.
Mary Ewing has been confined to bed for six weeks past. I scarcely know what ails her, but I think she has suffered with a miserable carbuncle and also with inflammatory rheumatism. She has been obliged to wean her baby and it is younger than Elly. Her Mother is still with her but she intends going to Notre Dame soon.
Had I not better have butter put up here? and we can have it sent down whenever the River is high.
I told you that Mary Scammon had been visiting Sis. She is an admirable girl & altho' but seventeen she has the discretion & judgement of mature womanhood. She told Sis that she was going to procure a situation South, as Governess. Can we not engage her? She would be a most agreeable companion to us & I am sure you would like her. Of course, I have said nothing on the subject, but I think we had better take her as the children must be taught by some one. What pretty girl is it, pray, that you are to escort east, Is she going to the Convent to school?
I never could consent to buy or sell a slave - so if I am to be consulted we never can own property of that sort but must depend upon labor of some other kind. There is no difficulty in getting girls to go down with me, and I think by adopting the plan you suggested some time ago - of paying them a bonus at the end of the year or after - we can certainly keep them. We are now enjoying, strawberries, cherries & green peas. I think the girls are better for them, they both look better than they did,
Tom Ewing has been sick but he is recovering now, McCook has gone to Pike's Peak & will not be back for several weeks yet. As soon as he returns I will have him sued, as he deserves a mortification for his impudence in keeping my notes & my money & neglecting to answer my letters. I had a good opinion of him when I left Leavenworth but now I think him an unpolished boy - or green horn, I shall not beleive him dishonest enough to keep my notes for his own profit unless he refuses to surrender them when called upon to do so.
You tell me to hold on to my notes like death - Father has not yet given me any thing for the St. Louis money he got & I will not take Carpenter's notes for it if he offers them to me, I wish you would write to Major Turner & have him see about an investment of the California money should it ever come,
I am sorry you are suffering for rain down there, we have had fine rains here & the crops are all very promising, Ever most affectionately yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
June 11, 1860
[1860/06/11]
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
On Saturday I received your letter written on the eve of your departure with Capt. Prime for the neighbouring plantations. I am glad the Capt. made you a visit and I hope we will see him often when I go down there. By the Same mail I received one hundred & eighteen dollars nineteen cents from New Orleans. I am sorry to hear the house is not likely to be finished by fall - Your suggestion about servants alarms a little for I shall be helpless if left without them, and I must change considerably before I can consent to buy slaves. I am unwilling now to invest my money in that way -
The children are all well - Minnie & Lizzie look better than they did and I think they are improving now -
Father & Mother left on Saturday for Leavenworth. They expected to Stay in Cincinnati until tomorrow & several days in St. Louis. All send love - It is wash day & I am busy -
As ever,
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
June 14, 1860
[1860/06/14]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I have this moment written to Mr. Tebault of the New Orleans Bank an acknowledgement of the receipt of two draft which he has sent me by your directions. One for $118-19cts and the other for $234-25cts. They have been deposited in the Bank & I will be as economical as I can. You must remember, if you think me extravagant, that I have six hungry little children to feed and care for - Emily's boy is as much on my hands as if he were my own. I have had shutters taken from an old house belonging to Martin and put up to my west windows. They have contributed greatly to our comfort, rendering the house cool and pleasant at all hours of the day and night. We have, as yet, had but one short spell of warm weather. To day it is delightful & has been so for a month past. We have had copious falls of rain & some storms of wind & hail & thunder & lightning but nothing sever as you may observe they have had in the southern part of the state & in other states. Strawberry season is past & raspberries are not yet ripe but we got some cherries in market for the children this morning. We get vegetables now from the farm & Father has left orders for them to supply me in future. Mother gave Willy a picnic down there on his birth=day & I went down with the crowd. I never saw so many vegetables nor finer ones than old man Kane has there. The children were as happy as Eve could have been in her earthly paradise & even we older & somewhat care worn members of the party felt the blissful atmosphere pervading our whole hearts. I told you in my last that Mother & Father had gone to Leavenworth. They will be absent four or five weeks. Boyle is in St. Louis. I received a letter yesterday from Tom enclosing a draft for 39, dollars the amount due on the Hartman note. Tom wrote me that as you had determined not to pay taxes he had written you an offer for my property. Do not sell to Tom. Philemon will make me an offer for it & I prefer to Sell to him or to some one who is willing to Sign a deed & answer a business letter. Tom wrote me a long and affectionate letter but his first feeling is to be incensed when I call upon him for a deed or a letter relating to business, & I will therefore find another purchaser if I sell or some one else to pay my taxes if I retain the property. I will write again in a day or two,
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
June 17, 1860
[1860/06/17]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I am rejoiced to hear that you are coming this way as you go to New York & Washington and still more happy to hear that you will be with us during September & a part of Oct, I think, with you, that it would be better for us to go down when the rivers are in order, for then we can take with us all our furniture and thus save considerable expense. Your hints as to economy have been well considered and acted upon as far as possible, I do not know how it is that I spend so much money but I will try to Save all that I can. Neither you nor I understand economy, I think, but so far, we have had the good luck to "owe no man anything." Your California debts I look upon as gambling debts - even worse - if they had drugged you & then won your money I would consider this, But if it bind your conscience of course you must pay it. I do not fear as much trouble as you seem to in regard to servants. I never can consent to buy servants (unless I change) for two reasons - The first is that I am conscientiously opposed to it and the second is that I would consider it a very poor investment of money - and you know I have got to be a very sharp money dealer. - witness the case of "Sherman versus McCook" - "Hunter & Son" for the Plaintiff. German girls & boys will go with me & stay with me for the sake of the high wages and is as you suggest, we offer them a bonus at the end of a year I beleive nothing would frighten them away until they could gain it. Between you & me I would not be surprised if you should be frightened away. I feel confident that if anything else offers you would leave there and I would be glad of it, Had you not better take my California money if it comes & buy yourself a modest share in some business and then be looking round for some employment in a more congenial climate. I feel the greatest anxiety about the yellow fever and I am truly thankful that you are coming away as early as August. I will get Sis to write and invite the young lady, who is to accompany you to Stop with her. I would like to go east with you and were it not. that you are going to make such a good visit, when you return I certainly would not let you off without me. The children are, all over playing in their Uncle Philemon's yard. Agnes & Elly come for them everyday - & sometimes they play here and sometimes there. Minnie & Lizzie are improving but they still look rather pale and even Minnie is still thin. Willy goes fishing with his Uncle Philemon & Tommy; & he manages to get frequent opportunities of going swimming. He thinks of nothing but these two Sports - he goes with Mike for the cows and Spends his leisure at the Stable. By the bye Charley told me enquire how Clay is. I will not say anything to Charley about Ann Patterson. I feel quite disappointed that she is not to be one of our society down there. What a pity you cannot have rain. I beleive it is beginning to be very much desired here. I had a letter from Mother from St. Louis - they were getting along their journey nicely. Boyle was to return, with them, from St. Louis to Leavenworth. Sis gives a large party this evening for Clara Martin, now Mrs. McNeill. I must go over and help her. Minnie and Lizzie were invited & they have selected their dresses to wear & of course must go for awhile.
Beleive me, as ever,
Your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Recd June 28
Lancaster Ohio
June 23, 1860
[1860/06/23]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I have been very busy this week between Sis' party and the preserving that I have done. I put up cherries in brown sugar and I have made considerable current jelly and intend to make more. You are very fond of it, with meats and if we do not go down until Christmas we can take plenty with us. The bushes at home are laden with currants. Sis had made all the jelly she wants and I have got all my currants there. Sis put up a dozen cans of gooseberries for me. I am very fond of them in winter. as well as in summer. Sis has been quite sick since her party - she gave up today and sent for the Doctor. I have not seen her yet this morning. We hear through Mrs. Jenny Conwell that Ellen Cox talks of coming home to spend the summer. I think, they sojourn here until times improve in Leavenworth, as it must be hard for Father & Tom to-gether to furnish the wherewithal to live there at the rate of six thousand a year - Ellen cannot sew she cannot cut out her children's clothes and she has a doctor & generally two of them in constant attendance.. So besides ordinary expenses they have to pay out a good deal. I beleive I told you that I had a letter from Tom. He said he had made you an offer for my Leavenworth property - still lofty - he did not condescend even to tell me what the offer was. One thing is certain that I never will sell to Tom - so it makes no difference what his offer was. I will never again have any business transaction with Tom for it is seeking the occasion of sin to give him the opportunity of making me angry. He is opposed to treating me with ordinary politeness where business is concerned & I will not be treated by him with such profound contempt again - When he wants to play the lofty hereafter he must try it with his wife & its my opinion she'll raise him higher than he intends to go. He wrote me in a polite affectionate manner & I answered in the Same way. Sis thinks Father & Mother will be home next week but I do not expect them so soon. We are still enjoying charming weather. The children are improving. All are looking forward with anxiety & impatience to your return.
Ever affectionately yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
June 26, 1860 Tuesday morning.
[1860/06/26]
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
It has been an unusual time since I heard from you last & I begin to feel a little uneasy - however I hope to hear to day. I commenced writing to you on Tuesday dear Cump but I felt uneasy and fidgety and soon left my table - To tell the truth I was quite unhappy for several days for fear you were sick until yesterday I received your letter of the 18th. I am thankful that your only trouble has been with insubordinate boys. - but that is trouble enough. You did not tell me what offence they had committed. I am rejoiced that the vacations occur so soon and I shall look for you with great anxiety. You will come this way as you go east. I told Elizabeth Reese that you expected to bring a young lady with you and she said she would entertain her. Sis also said that She would entertain her; so you need not hesitate to come on that account. I am afraid you will find our house rather warm; we are quite crowded for summer weather & it is now very warm and very dry. We have not had rain for some time but I beleive nothing is suffering except the gardens. The farmers are cutting their wheat and are rejoicing over fine crops. The corn looks well. - Wednesday I found that after being interrupted in my letter it was too late to attempt to close it for the mail yesterday. Last evening I attended another party given for Clara Martin and I had also an invitation to Mrs. Talmadges where a party was assembled in honor of Mrs. King who was Lizzie Neal and is now a widow. Her husband was the nephew of the Worthingtons in Chillicothe. She has been visiting Mrs Tallmadge. She brought her little boys with her and they have lived on the lake. -- Willy sees very little of us at home - he is almost crazy now, with excitement, watching the construction of dove-cotes or pigeon houses and the setting of hens & the bringing out of young ducks over at Tommy Ewing's. He manages to get here once a day to be bathed but he is off again as soon as he is dressed. Tommy is now a very good boy and I only hope his goodness will last, for it is really a comfort. He will not sleep anywhere but with me. You will have hard work to find a place to Sleep when you get back for he will contest with you for the place in my bed. Elly is just now suffering with a sore arm from vaccination. There are several cases of small pox in town and Physicians have been appointed for each ward to vaccinate persons generally. & babies particularly. Dr. Bigelow had no vaccine matter & I got Dr. Effinger to vaccinate Elly without waiting for Dr. Wagenhals to be appointed or to come around. Dr. Bigelow addressed a letter, sometime since to Capt. Whipple congratulating him on his admission into the Church. The Capt. replied and offered the Dr. a situation under Government which was then vacant at Detroit. The Dr. left a few days ago, He will come home again & then return to Detroit to remain as long as this office is left to him. He left his warmest regards for you & says he wants to write to you. We look for Father & Mother home next week. We have had a most refreshing rain, All are well and send best love. I am glad to hear that you have the deed from Dr. Perry, I got the letter only yesterday dated 12th I had been very uneasy about you-
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
July 3, 1860
[1860/07/03]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
We are having hot and, just now, rainy weather, Yesterday the air seemed filled with moisture which made the heat much more oppressive. This morning it is bright and clear & very warm. I spent last evening at Mrs. Daugherty's with Susan Bartley & some others. Susan came down last week with only one of her children - the baby and with Julia McComb. Amelia is in very ill health but she is better now than she was. Susan is in much better health. - Father and Mother got home on Saturday having been absent just three weeks. They are both well and they both enjoyed their visit and would have been glad to prolong it had not business called Father home. Father goes to Chauncey today with Mike as driver. They have commenced harvesting at the farm. The wheat is magnificent and all the crops throughout the state are fine - better than they've been for years I beleive. We have had a great number of sudden deaths at the north this year but whether arising from heart or head disorder or from indegestion, it is impossible to tell. One case occurred in town last week & it was supposed to have been from eating pickled oysters. I hope it will not be long before you get home after the school closes. Do not delay down there for it the people anticipate yellow fever you ought not to stay a day after you are released from the duties of the school. Boyle came home with Father and Mother - He has quit chewing & the use of tobacco in any form and he will not taste wine unless urged to do so. Henrietta is at her Father's and is crazy for Boyle to come on but he will not leave here before next month and I think that he may be ready to go on with you & perhaps not before you. I never saw him lock as well in all his life - Mother Says that Tom & Ellen are in fine health and the children are well. Poor Hamp Denman has been shut up, with inflammation of the eyes, & threatened with the loss of his sight, but he is now better, yet not able to leave the house. Mary Denman is here now and will probably remain sometime. The democrats are quite discouraged by the result of the Baltimore convention. They are so accustomed to triumph that they cannot well bear such poor prospects. Judge Whitman's face is as long as his hair.. It is impossible to tell who will be elected I suppose - Philemon Boyle, & I think Charley, are Douglas men Father says he would vote for Lincoln had not the party admitted Giddings clause into their platform. Now that the Know Nothing element has left the party I am for Lincoln in spite of slavery clauses. Ain't you afraid they'll hang me for an abolitionists when I go south? Do you think there is any prospect of serious difficulty between the North & the South.? - I hope you have had no more trouble with your cadets or with their Parents, All the children are well and are counting the days until you get back. It is so warm I cannot well confine them to their studies but I make them read some.
Ever affectionately yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
July 10, 1860
[1860/07/10]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Again I am sometime without letters from you and feeling quite anxious, in consequence. But I hope it is with you as it is with me: I feel that you will be here soon and in my anticipations of seeing you and having you with us I almost overlook the duty and lesser pleasure of writing. You say the vacations commence the first of August therefore I shall hope to See you by the tenth of the Month. Boyle was here last evening and he says he would like to wait and go on east with you if you can come on so soon. I shall feel strongly tempted to make one of the party but unless you intend to be there Sometime you will probably think me an encumbrance, as ladies generally are, to gentlemen, when on business excursions. I do not enjoy travelling now as I suffer more with fear in travelling on rail roads every year of my life. - Father is again at Chauncey with Mike as Charioteer. Boyle thinks he will be fortunate if he gets home without an upset, as he will have the horses driven fast and the roads are not easy to drive over. Father has been well since his Leavenworth trip but Mother has suffered a good deal. Charley is now superintending the harvesting at the farm - the crops are particularly fine. The weather now is delightful and the children are enjoying it I assure you. They will eat apples which I fear will sooner or later make them sick but I see no way of preventing the evil. If I forbid them they will eat as many and have the disobedience on their souls as often as they take the apples into their stomachs. I have had Willy's & Tommy's hair cut "a la Heenan" and they are cool & comfortable. Willy says his hair does not need brushing except on "Sundays & Easters" Susan Bartley & Julia McComb Spent a week or so at Elizabeth's, I saw a good deal of them & was glad to find Susan in better health and spirits than heretofore: Mr Bartley came down for her bringing Herbert with him. Bartley is much chagrin'd at the aspect of the political horizin. He is not a Douglas man I beleive - At a Lincoln demonstration the other evening Sis & I went out to the gate and waved - so I suppose we are on that Side - I am for the North against the South as soon as they take sides and as I see no abolitionism or know nothingism among republicans now I see no objection to that party but look upon it as the best of the lot, Cump you will have to let Freeman wait a month longer for his money & give me some more before long, You have given me between six & seven hundred since your salary commenced last November - I do not consider that a startling amount. I must either go in debt or have more before September. When my Cal. money comes I will attend to my Leavenworth property. As ever -
Your truly affectionate,
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
July 13, 1860
[1860/07/13]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Lately you have allowed a much longer time, than usual, to elapse between your letters and during each interval I have felt very uneasy lest sickness or trouble kept you silent. And I perceive you are having a good deal of trouble. I would give anything if you could get a congenial occupation in the North. I am a poor stick to live without servants and I do not feel willing to See you troubled about bread and butter for a parcel of boys. I do not beleive you can be happy there a day after your decision is reversed by the Board. And sooner or later they will do something of the sort which will make your place too hot for you. John Sherman is to be here soon to attend a Republican meeting. I will (if you do not object) ask him, to keep you in mind if an offer of a situation such as wd suit you should ever come up among his acquaintances. Bartley came down for Susan. He is in a desperate humor about his party. He is strong pro slavery and seriously talks of going to St. Louis to live. Susan came over to have a talk with me the afternoon before she left & I suspected that the Judge had sent her. She was interrupted in the conversation & then sent for before she finished but she hinted at your going into partnership with Bartley at St. Louis. Susan thinks they will move there soon. Susan's health is better than it was and she seems rather more happy. I promised to go up with you. Amelia sent me a most pressing invitation to bring all the children & make a long visit but I told Jude it would be an imposition to take so many children into the house when her Mother is in such miserable health. We can take the boys up when we go & they will have a fine time with Hoyt riding on his poney. We are all well and anxiously looking forward to the time of your return. I had a strong presentiment that you wd not like Valles - Hungarian refugees are growling beggars & Kussuth is their king -
As ever yr. affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
July 17, 1860
[1860/07/17]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Your letters are at longer intervals but as you are coming home so soon I do not mind it as I would at another time. As the time for your leaving approaches you must be quite busy, and the trouble with those Cadets has no doubt given you some extra labor. I am anxious to get your next letter that I may know what was the decesion of the board of Supervisors - You would not be satisfied there a day after they reversed a decision of yours. This they will do some day in some other case if they have not done it in this case. I do not consequently look upon that as likely to be a permanent home for us - Did I tell you that John Sherman is coming down to attend a Republican meeting. I have instructed both the boys to hurrah for Lincoln and I am bound to have a flag to produce on the occasion should it seem appropriate at the time. Sis is a great Republican & so much in love with John that Cecelia would have good cause for jealousy were her own health bad. Bartley is in a great way about his party - Whitman says the Douglas party is "up a stove pipe." Did I tell you that Captain Whipple who was on the Boundary Commission with Dr Bigelow, has procured for the Doctor an agreeable position under Goverment. The Doctor will take his family there in the fall. He left today to remain all Summer - He desired his best regards to you. Capt. Whipple has lately become a Catholic. Judge Wilkins of Detroit is now in Cincinnati preparing for the reception of the sacraments. Our new Church is progressing finely. The windows & doors are in & the brick work is half way up the windows. Father went to Chauncey again today. Boyle took him down & Philemon is going down on Friday - You will have to let Freeman wait and send me more money before fall or bring me some, When my Cal. money comes I will give you back what you want, I have agreed upon a disposition of that money, by which I expect to make two thousand dollars in eighteen months - Father approves, All are well & send love to dear Papa -
As ever,
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
July 24, [1860]
[1860/07/24]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I think it very doubtful whether you will receive anything written as late as To day but I will nevertheless write a few lines. The Ohio Militia - or rather Gen. Schleigh's brigade - expect to have an encampment here on the 27th of August. Charley is to be acting quarter master. Henry Reese is the quarter master but he cannot leave the bank at that time. Gen. Schleigh wishes you to review the Companies & give them instructions &c &c and Charley desired me to request you to bring your uniform with you - They are anticipating a grand time. We are having remarkably cool weather for the Season. Yesterday I sent Elly and her nurse to the farm to spend a week or so. Emily has had chills and we thought change of air might be beneficial to her. Minnie & Lizzie have just gone down in the wagon to Spend the day. This afternoon I will take the boys and go down & See how they are getting along. Father & Boyle are still at Chauncey - All are well but Tommy and he has made himself sick eating green corn.
As ever, your affectionate,
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
October 18, 1860
[1860/10/18]
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
In a day or two I trust I shall hear of your safe arrival in New Orleans. My anxiety about your health is great, as I feel since your last attack here, that no climate will ever protect you from those terrible colds which make such inroads upon your constitution. May God have us in his holy keeping and preserve us from evil. My hourly prayer is for your health & happiness - my thoughts are with you always. The dear children miss you sadly & the whole house seems enveloped in gloom since you left. Fortunately, for the first day or two, after you left I had work which kept me in the kitchen & quite busy. I put up a quantity of quince marmalade in cans to Send to you. I have a half barrell filled with glasses of jelly and a barrell filled with cans of peaches quince and tomatoes. Mr. Willock packed them for me & marked them and they are now ready to ship. He promised to send a drayman in time to take them down for this morning's train. . I hope he will not be too late. Mr. W. is one of the pall bearers at Mr. Work's funeral. The Joe Work with red hair left his home on Tuesday morning in usual health & an hour afterwards he dropped dead in his shop, 'Tis a pity it was not the old man as his mind is affected. The weather is pretty cold. The children started to school on Monday morning & go as regularly as usual. They all have a horror of being tardy. Even Willy is prompt to go when the bell rings. The Andersons did not come over to the fair. I understand that Miss Boyce is to be in Circleville to the races which begin to-day. Ellen Lynch left for home on Monday. Mr. Lynch paid Willock his bill the day he left principle & interest. Sis went with them to Spend a few weeks. Mary Denman is going to Leavenworth as soon as she can hear of an opportunity of getting to St, Louis. Mr. Hunter is able to be about. He & Mr. Daugherty are in partnership again. Clark did not bring me that deed. I am going to him for it today. Beleive me as ever, dearest Cump,
Your truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
October 20, 1860
[1860/10/20]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Day before yesterday I wrote you a hurried letter and yesterday I had the pleasure of hearing from you. I am truly thankful that you felt improved in health instead of feeling worse as I had feared you might from your long journey. I enclose a bill of lading for those barrells & kegs which were started at last by yesterday's freight train They were directed to be sent by the river. The only address on the outside of the barrells was (W. T. S.) and "Kennett Blood & Co. New Orleans." I suppose it will be necessary to remark them at New Orleans or will the description in the bill of lading be sufficient? This that I here enclose to you you will have to Send to Kennett Blood & Co. Boyle got home quite unexpectedly, last evening. I have not seen him yet - He is going back for Henrietta. Father is still at Chauncey - The children have improved very much at school. Willy has had to get a Reader. All send dear love -
As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
October 24, 1860
[1860/10/24]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I have written to you twice and my last letter enclosed the bill of lading of those barrells & kegs. I wrote to Kennett Blood & Co. describing the packages & requesting them to forward them. I hope they will reach you in good time and in good condition. In the barrell I had your shoes packed which you doubtless left by mistake. I told you that Boyle returned on Friday. On Saturday Father got home from Chauncey & on Tuesday - yesterday - Father Boyle & Philemon went to Cincinnati - the two former to return by way of Chauncey & Philemon on his way to Hillsboro on business - for Father. Mary Denman went down with them on her way to Leavenworth. Sis is at Syracuse & Mother is quite alone. The Theater has returned & the first night they played the Serious family - Father had seats engaged and took eleven of us - Mother included Last night I was there again Dr. Boerstler was there with a part of his family, Mother sent Tommy a little tin plate a few days ago. He was delighted with it & has it placed on the table for him at each meal. When he is through his meal he slips out with his plate & gets Sarah to wash it when he puts in the top of his cap & carries it there until the next meal - Quite camp fashion. Poor Tommy has been again afflicted with severe cold & cough and bad diarreah. I am obliged to keep him in his wrapper & diet him. Willy has been running races on a track which the boys have on the vacant lot by Willock's. They have a Judge's stand and a distance pole & the lot is so crowded that they have difficulty in keeping the track clear. The first I knew of it was the other evening Willy rushed in with his cheeks in a glow and his hair dripping with persperation & announced to me that he had run a race with Eddy Hall & "distanced him." The children have not been late to School yet nor have they lost any interest in their studies Willy is improving as well as the rest. Some disgraceful disclosures have been made regarding one of the teachers at the School on the hill - A Son of Preacher Wise has been teaching there & has been just dismissed owing to his habits of intimacy & familiarity with the older girls of the School - Alamode was distanced in Circleville by Ellen D. & the next day beaten by "Tite Eye" Reber is crest fallen - I am fitting the children to remain & preparing for my journey to you.
As ever dearest Cump your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
November 3, 1860
[1860/11/03]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
The weather is clear & beautiful but somewhat cold - this being Saturday the children are prepared for the greatest amount of fun and frolic. Last Saturday I sent them all to the farm when they had a regular tumble down frolic - climbed up hay stacks and slid down and enjoyed all the sports that the country offers at this time. The old woman prepared a nice lunch for them and on the whole they Said it was by far the happiest day the had ever had without Papa. They were to have gone out again today but it has rained lately and the ground is too damp. I have written to you I beleive since I received your letter from Alexandria. I assure you I was rejoiced to hear that you had got there safely and that you were feeling better, I greatly fear that that place will not agree with your health and for that reason if for no other I think you ought to make some effort to secure a more congenial position. If Lincoln should be elected I hope that either Father or John will be able to get you reinstated in the Army or some other position equally agreeable to you. Do tell me in your next what you think we had better do. I am now preparing to leave the children & go down in December to spend a couple of months but of course we will do as you say. I am sorry to find that I am again pregnant & I shall be confined about the fourth of July - This seems to me an additional reason for keeping the family here until next fall - If either of us were robust & healthy or if I were better able to nurse my babies or if we had a permanant home that was comfortable I would not dread a further increase of my family so much. But my reliance is upon a good God who will not forsake those who hope in Him. My hourly prayer is for your health & happiness dearest Cump Minnie will write to you tomorrow,
As ever
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
November 6, 1860
[1860/11/06]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
This is the election day and a bright & beautiful morning. Father is to vote & then start for Chillicothe this morning from whence he goes to Chauncey again. Boyle goes this morning to Chauncey & thence to Washington for his family. Mary the slave & one of her daughters are coming out with Henrietta. The have been several deaths within the past week among the children at school but our children, thank God, are quite well. I wrote a few lines in Minnie's letter yesterday requesting you to Send me some money - I have used for the family two hundred & fifty dollars of my money & I have spent all that you left me. I wish you would send me a months pay as soon as you get this letter. I have had a great many dresses &c. made for myself preparatory to moving away & that among other things has helped to make my expenses heavy. I want you to Send me at least three hundred dollars as I owe some bills & do not like to feel that I am on the last ten dollars all the time. I will curtail expenses as much as possible hereafter & try to save a little if possible. I told you in my last letter of my situation & that by the fourth of July next we will be both burden'd & blessed with another child - Would to Heaven your health were better & I could feel more happy in the anticipation.
The children have none of them been once tardy to school -
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
November 24, 1860
[1860/11/24]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
A day or two since I received a good long letter from you & enclosed with it the deed to Lizzie's Cal. lot and a description of your Illinois farm & the map. I will attend to the deed soon. I wrote to Capt. & Mrs. Welsh lately a long letter of congratulation on the birth of the baby.
Yesterday I received from the New Orleans Bank a draft for $290-22cts which I am very glad to have. If you send me soon again a hundred dollars I will be able to pay all my debts & have all that I need for some time. All here predict hard times Disunion - suspension of Banks and perhaps cival war. Well if we all come down to it I can dress in cheap clothes & keep the children in them as well as any body. But I hope we will never be so far reduced that we cannot set a good table. News from the South are still stormy and suspiscion seems so wide spread that I would not at any time be surprised to See you coming North. Have you received the Commercial? I have sent you many numbers. I am afraid you will not get the apple butter & can'd fruit I sent you. It was consigned to Strait Demming & Co. Cincinnati & the firm has lately been denounced in the Southern papers & Mr. Strait Sent home from the South with a caution not to return. And all because when questioned, on the Subject he acknowledged his preference for Lincoln, - - - The children are all well. They have had the chicken pox but they did not lose an hour from school on account of it. Boyle arrived with Henrietta & the children & two Slave nurses on Tuesday. Sis got home on the Same day. Father has been nearly three weeks in Chauncey & has not yet got home
Monday Morning - Bitter cold on Saturday & yesterday & to day somewhat moderated but ground covered with snow. Willy is at home crying with the ear=ache - Minnie had to Stay at home from Church yesterday as she was suffering with sore throat and I felt uneasy about her. She is better & has gone with the other two girls to School this morning. Father is not home yet & I fear he will have a bad ride when he does come. Dr Effinger called and interrupted me in my letter yesterday or rather Saturday. He has bought the whole of that house & hearing that part of it was for rent I made application for it but the part they intend to rent will not suit me. Martin's case has been decided in his favor in every point. Philemon thinks they will not appeal it - I am late this morning & must close in time for the mail
As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
I hope you got the apple butter &c - Your shoes were in the large barrell -
Send another hundred dollars soon so I can pay up & have a little left at the Bank. I have to lay in more coal now & my year's flour. You had better Send two hundred & I will make it go as far as I can I have paid all my wages with a small exception Ellen
Lancaster Ohio.,
November 29, 1860
[1860/11/29]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I yesterday received your letter of the 14th inst in which you say that about the 1st of December you may write for me to start on the 15th of that month with the family & baggage for our new home. You write on the supposition that the election of Lincoln is quietly received in the South. In the letter received just before, you said that in case of Lincoln's election South Carolina wd probably leave the union & the other states wd not see her forced back. She has gone so far towards secession that she cannot come back without sneaking back & their pride will doubtless sustain them in their already formed purpose. When you come into possession of the New we have on the subject you will no doubt change your mind about having us go down, as you said in your former letter that if S. Carolina seceded the other States would sympathise & in that case it would not be well for us to be there. I cannot think that you will desire us to go, when you hear the excitement which has existed & therefore your letter makes me feel quite perplexed & uncomfortable. If I get ready the probability is you will write to me that it would be rash to go & if I do not get ready and you write to me on the 1st of December I will not receive your letter before the 14th & it will be necessary to Start on the 15th to avoid the danger of ice on the river. I think it would be altogether better for us to wait as we had determined until next fall, to furnish our house & move the family down. Then there will no longer be this doubt & uncertainty about union or disunion & by that time I hope that through John & Father you will be able to Secure a position in the Army or some occupation which will be congenial & will not expose you to a climate as trying as the one you are in. You were an evidence when you returned last Summer of the unhealthfulness of the place & for you more than the children I dread the climate. I see no reason why my situation should be a reason for the prompt move you suggest but rather for my remaining here until it is over. You know how sadly prostrated I was in my last confinement & I know how long it was before I recovered my health. To be confined in a climate like that in mid summer & my first summer would be a severe ordeal & I honestly beleive I never would recover from it. I have sufficient evidence that the ulceration of the womb is not healed & that with the terrible prostration of child birth will be as much as I can bear well in a northern Summer with the comforts of an Ohio home about me. My situation need not prevent my visiting you unless you think the southern people too much excited to treat me with civility on my journey. Weighing all these considerations I have hitherto supposed that you had made up your mind to leave the family here until next fall & let me make you a visit this winter & you visit us in August. Acting upon that I have rented Dr. White's house for the Summer and being out of groceries laid in a supply from Cincinnati. I have also laid up coal for the winter as it had got too cold and too late to postpone it any longer. Notwithstanding all this if you write for me I will go but it will be with many serious fore bodings - the result of moving into a newly plastered house being one of them. I await with anxiety your next letters.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
December 5, 1860
[1860/12/05]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I wrote to you last week after receiving your letter of the 14th ult in which you warned me to be ready to start bag and baggage by the 15th of this month. Since then & indeed at the time I received your letter Philemon told me there was not even a possibility of your sending for us as there was no doubt but South Carolina would secede and the other states would sympathise to an extent which would lead to great excitement & make it unpleasant if not unsafe for us to go down. On the 24th I observe they held a great disunion meetin in New Orleans. Father says there will be no disunion but you know Father always persists in beleiving what he hopes. Philemon says we are to have disunion and a multitude of evils in its train. Philemon quite sympathises with the South but I do not in the remotest degree. I think the northern democrats are to blame for stirring up this spirit but I have no shadow of sympathy with the South any longer - They claim to much & are themselves guilty of the faults they charge upon us - I see they are sending back quiet respectable gentlemen who have been in the habit of going there for years on business simply because they declare when asked their preference for Lincoln. They would put me off at the first landing south of Mason & Dixion's line, on the Same grounds. But I am ready to start if you say I must come, however much I would prefer to keep our little family here until next fall. Father leaves on Monday the 10th for Washington where he will remain most probably until some time in February - You really must excuse my errors the noise of the children & their constant questions quite bewilder me, sometimes. Minnie is quite sick with chicken pox & sore throat: She has been from school since last Friday, Lizzie is looking remarkably well now & she & Willy are learning. Minnie has improved in her reading very much & she is now paying more attention to her writing. Minnie Anderson is still here but she wants to go home for Christmas. She has been very happy & the family write that they are very sensible of my kindness to her & affording her this opportunity of going to school - All Send love to dear Papa -
As ever dear Cump. -
Ellen
[EES]
Tell Joe his friends are all well. I am sorry Clay is sick. I have had a long letter from Mrs. Turner. She says the Major wants to know what has become of you he has not heard from you for a long time. -
Lancaster Ohio.,
December 13, 1860 Thursday noon
[1860/12/13]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Last night I received your letter of the 29th ult. which was not as long on the way as your letters usually are. The use of the pistol among those Cadets has frightened me as well as Joe. I really think you ought not to remain there any longer. You had better pack up and come away whilst you can do so peacably. If you wait until the excitement grows greater in the political world you may be molested & have your goods destroyed. I would be greived indeed to lose Minnie's picture and I would also regret the loss of my books which you have down there with you. And although you have no Northern predjudices you may be roughly handled for after awhile they will consider all who are not for them as against them & treat them accordingly. If they vote the Submissionists but put off their boats in traveling I do not know what they would with me were I to attempt the journey down there & be questioned on they way. You have a bad name for that region of the world and I advise you to come where it is honored. You ought not to be desponding as to the future. There is no doubt but we will continue to live comfortably & that you will obtain some situation congenial to your tastes - quite as much so, at least, as the one you have now.
Minnie lost eight or nine - no six or seven days of school on account of chicken pox but she is well now and has resumed her studies with great interest. She suffered very much with the chicken pox & she was so terribly broken out & the postules were so large & ugly that Dr. Boerstler said the was great danger of her being pitted as in the Small pox. But I warned her not to scratch the sores and they have disappear'd without leaving any mark except a slight discoloration of the skin which will doubtless wear off. Lizzie is in particularly fine health, Willy is so fond of spelling that he is constantly learning lessons after school & coming to me to recite. Tommy is in the condition of a young bear so fat & strong that he keeps warn without the external aids which the rest of us require. Elly is completely wean & is a hearty eater. Every one thinks her the image of your Mother. I wish she had her disposition.
Henrietta has dyptheria & has been pretty sick but is getting better.
Hoping to See you soon
As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
December 18, 1860
[1860/12/18]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
On Saturday I got your letter & the two letters of yours from Bragg & Gen. Graham. The latter I gave to Philemon to read. All men who have any thing to lose & who have sense enough to See the risk they run of losing it feel the Same anxiety that these two gentlemen express. Charles Anderson send a paper to Father containing an account of a meeting at some point in Texas where the flag of the Union being unfurled one spontaneous burst of enthusiasm arose from the crowd & afterwards a union speech from Charley himself was received with unbounded applause. He spoke most beautifully of the perpetuity of the Union & deprecated the idea of independent states relying on their "old tyrant" Great Britian for aid. He represented them as "frightened whipped whelps running with backs drawn up their tails between their legs & whining sneaking to the British lion for protection." This is his picture in his own words as near as I can recollect them. From recent numbers of the London Times it seems evident that the British Lion will not protect them - so they may as well abandon that hope at once, Yesterday the S. C. convention met & by this evening I suppose we will have some indication of their future movements. I think there will certainly be trouble enough down there to Send you home so I shall look for you shortly after the Louisiana Convention meets on the 23rd inst. I am sorry that Gen Graham is disappointed in the Seminary but he had met with disappointment before the political excitement commenced. I will not be able to divert myself of all fear for your safety until you get home from there. I heartily wish you were here now. I expect poor Joe is frightened half out of his wits by this time. How is poor Clay? I want you to Send me some more money - what you sent went to pay debts & I have not enough even for that. I owe a good many small bills & have not a cent to pay them with when payment is demanded. House rent coal groceries & wages take considerable money, and you have not given me very largely out of your salary considering that I keep up the house & have the entire care of the children. Lizzie has a severe cold on her lungs - She commenced a letter to you but she is so weak that her hand trembles too much for her to hold her pen. The rest are all hearty as can be - Willy & Minnie eat potatoes by the quantity - I am only tolerably well but am rejoiced to know that you are better -
As ever
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
December 24, 1860
[1860/12/24]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I have not written to you as often as I used but I do not know that You care about hearing more frequently. Nevertheless I would write more were I well, but I am so much indisposed that I seldom feel the energy to use my pen. My days are spent in reading and my evenings - whenever I can - in playing either whist or eucre. You have heard ere this of the Secession of South Carolina. Yesterday the 23rd was the day appointed for the meeting of the Louisiana Convention and before the month is out I presume you will have decided whether to remain there or not according to the action they take. I confidently look for you home before the first of February. The United States Army will undoubtedly be increased whether the treasonable movements of South Carolina are successful or not. The is no doubt but John Sherman or Father either one can & will procure for you a Major's or General's commission and I do not apprehend that you will be sent to the frontier
Contemplating your return as certain I have rented Dr. White's house and will go into it the first of April. This house would answer in consideration of the hard times, were it not that I will be confined in midsummer and I could not be comfortable in my room here without being exposed to the the gaze of the passers by & of inquisitive neighbours. Dr White's house will be exceedingly comfortable, the rooms are large & airy & there are plenty of them. There is a good Stable & I will keep a cow, which will cost me no more than to buy milk. The side walk is paved up to the top of the hill so I will have a comfortable walk to Church & to Father's - a retired walk too.
The children are all well except Lizzie who still has a cold. It has gone from her lungs to her head and she is deaf again. Willy is very fond of study. All send love to dear Papa & hope to See him soon. Martin & Co. seem to hold out well. I will be glad to get the money as soon as you can send it,
As ever,
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.,
December 31, 1860
[1860/12/31]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I have just received your letter of the 18th inst. I hope you will not think of remaining there one hour after they have left the Union. There is no doubt but you can get a high place in the New Regiments which will be added to the Army as soon as Lincoln comes in. With Father's recommendation & John Sherman's you cannot fail to secure a high position your own merits being superior. Father is in Washington & writes that prospects are gloomy. I commenced writing early in the evening but Boyle came in & spent the evening & it being now nearly eleven o'clock & tomorrow New Year's & Churchday I must hastily close my letter if I want it to go in to-morrow's mail. I will write again in a few days.
I am disgusted to know that John Keating is bothering you. I request as a particular favor that you will not expend one five cent piece on him but let him rather go to the poor house or beg or steal of other people. He never "worked for me" but against your advice, which I ought to have followed, I harboured fed & clothed him for months & then sent him away completely disgusted with him. - a brainless thankless vagabond. I do not know that he ever stole I never had reason to suspect him of that but he is an intolerable nuisance & has not brains enough to damn him if he did steal. For my sake kick him whenever you meet him or he will fasten himself upon us for life & I will feel that it all arose from my disregard of your advice. I got him shipped from here just in time to avoid you seeing him when you came home last Summer. To my horror he was back again soon after you left. I told he could not stay here a night & I would not give him a dime to pay for a night's lodging & I sincerely hoped that I might never see him or hear of him again.
I am very sorry poor Clay is suffering so much & that you are put to so much expense for him. Buchanan is a superannuated woman or a traitor. I hope when Lincoln holds the reigns of Goverment he will protect United States property - regain what has been dishonestly appropriated by a part of the people & make the insurgents themselves smart for their disloyalty, In the mean time a few people of Charleston must govern the Goverment. I will rejoice to See the day dawn when Goverment resumes her lawful Authority. My note has already been negotiated & Father has the money placed to his credit, I have no fears but all will be well - do not worry yourself by fears of the future, We can come down to corn bread & hominy linsey woolsey & coarse shoes if necessary - & we will do it long before we will encourage treason by a word or look - Burn this letter
Beleive me as ever yr truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
A happy New Year & I pray God many returns for mine & for your children's sake.