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CSHR 9/52

[Washington]
March 21st 1882.
[1882/03/21]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

You are travelling so desperately that you may look upon letters as an interruption & a bore: mine are of late a bore for I have lost the art of writing & I find it tiresome. Papers & telegrams leave us nothing to say. Even if we were dead or very ill they would be obliging enough to notify you by public telegraph for the newspaper friends are howling about seeking something to devour. One called here yesterday to know if it were true as reported that a negro had snatched my purse from me as I was about to take my carriage and that he had gone off & was not overtaken with $800.!! (he could have got 800 ctc.) Give love to Lizzie & Winnie - Lizzie has no doubt heard of the death of Father Boyle on the 13th - the day she wrote her last letter at San Antonio. All are well with us. Cump growls a little at the rain but he gets riding enought.

Affectionately, as ever, yours,

Ellen
[EES]

[Washington]
March 26th 1882.
[1882/03/26]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

From Lizzie's account you are having a delightful trip. I am glad to hear that you keep so well in spite of the fatigue. We are getting on nicely here; Cump is very much addicted to horseback riding & Peddrick says he rides too fast 9. miles an hour. Do you think it too fast? He is in a very uneasy state of mind on account of his desire to ride Col. Bacon's horse. He would not care so much except that Patrick has ridden it once. He says Patrick only rode it around the President's grounds but he is not satisfied to be behind Patrick even to that extent & moreover he wishes to surpass him. Rachel says "Col. Bacons horse will climb a tree backwards" & several gentlemen have said Cumpy should not ride him. Rachel even wants to ride him but I think they will have to forego their desire.

Rachel & I spent an evening lately at John's Senator Sherman where we had a nice little family chat no one else happening to call. John was amused at our account of Cumpy's non appearance. We did not wait for him to don his best suit & he would not go in his every day suit. It is lonesome yet but we are growing more accustomed to the change in the size of the family. With love to all

Ever affectionately yours,

Ellen
[EES]

[Washington]
March 18th, 1882 Saturday
[1882/03/18]

Dearest Lizzie,
[]

I do not take much interest in writing because I feel not perfectly certain about the letters reaching you. When I sent to Col. Bacon for the address for different dates he sent me quite a full written memorandum from which I do not gather the precise points at which you may be supposed to be at given times. I enclose his note. As your Papa left me no mem: & did not leave one for me at Head Quarters I concluded not to write. Meeting Mrs. Poe however she told me that Genl Poe had left one with her a copy of which she sent me and as I know that you will care to hear I must write once in a while.

I have a letter today from you from San Antonio & one from your Papa also both on the 12th. You acknowledge my letter but your Papa says you found no letters from me. If he will tell me where to address him I will write to him but he will be just as well satisfied to hear through you. You know I do not now like to write letters.

Poor dear Father Boyle is dead and buried. He made every preperation & to me (now that the shock is over) it is a relief to think that his sufferings are over; his heavy burden laid down. All particulars (& they are many) I must reserve until we meet. Owing to my desire to be present at his funeral I shortened my visit to Elly & staid there only from Monday evening until Wednesday morning. I enjoyed it very much indeed & feel satisfied about every thing except Elly's health.

Minnie writes that Willy & Eleanor go to the little german Parish school & have fine times - Poor Minnie is not well but the children are in good health. Diptheria is prevailing here & many persons are much alarmed - Lord George Montague died of it & mo[?]ve Barca & Miss Waten[?]rugh have it. Mrs. Henriques daughter of thirteen died and the Physicians would not consent that the funeral should be from the Church owing to the contagion. Do you remember that she gave poor Fr. Boyle so much trouble about a pew? and she is not in the parish?

Thursday evening Ellen (the chambermaid) "silently folded her tent (put her clothes in a basket) and as silently stole away" - The why or wherefore remains to be found out. There had been no complaint on either side and I was surprised in calling for her to hear that had vanished!! Betty - Alfred - no one knew why. I am not at all troubled. Alfred is a host in himself - then on the 23rd - Thursday next - James leaves, as I told him he could. I said I would give him fifteen dollars & no more & he could get another place if he could secure higher wages. Alfred will do dining room work & all from that until we go to Oakland where I shall want him.

From the paper I see that Maj. Larned is dead. Poor man. His family will miss him. Give my love to Papa & to Winnie [Gen Poe's daughter] & best regards to the gentlemen of the party.

The Camerons have returned from Florida. Jamie Blaine is still sick.

Ever your loving Mother

Ellen Ewing Sherman
[EES]

Oakland
June 17th 1882. Saturday
[1882/06/17]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

We got here in clouds & rain which made the place look rather dismal, but this morning it is very bright & pleasant. It seems to be a fine thing for Rachel to have found things in chaos for it gives her something to expend her energies upon and she is equal to the occasion. This is purely a summer country place but it has many advantages - a well of excellent palatable drinking water and a good spring - both unfailing. The trees are not yet in full foliage but it is an additional pleasure to see them coming out. The atmosphere is delicious & we are all wonderfully well. Of course Cump I do not mean to add to your burden about arrangements for next winter & I shall accede to whatever you conclude to be for the best but I want you first to take time to understand the serious objections to the house where we are - We might stay till Jan. 1st and then if we find it better we can remain month by month or close at our leisure. It is terribly expensive & as I shall not save any this Summer, by reason of the large family, I shall not be able to pay out the multitudinous demands which incessant company & a succession of young ladies to take out call for - An extra dining room man for one dinner is $3. and if one young person is even casually invited to dinner the cost amounts of $8 & $10 additional to very high current expenses.

I hope Cumpy is enjoying the delicious air. I shall be very happy to see him here. With best love to dear Lizzie as ever yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Oakland
June 23rd 1882.
[1882/06/23]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I am releived to hear that they have decided to give you full pay & allowance. About our future we should be very deliberate in determining. I hope it will not be long before you come out here to see us. I will send you the pass any time. Minnie writes that she will leave home Saturday the 1st of July & Mr. Fitch will remain over the 4th & then return to St. Louis.

I gave Pat bills amounting to $176.31 requesting that they be paid when you were ready to pay them. Please do not pay out a dollar for me without first sending the bills to me to see if they are correct - It worrys me dreadfully to have money given out in bills against me without my knowing what they are. They may be all wrong. You would not like it. I cant imagine the $300 unless you count the money for the horse. Please let me have the bills. I do not know anything about the Plumbers being in the house nor by whose orders but I suppose it is necessary to have them whenever there is a leak - or anything wrong. If you have paid $300- now and have given me $300- there will be very little coming to me & I shall have to get you to charge some against next month & send me as much as $300. here by the end of the month.

There is a great scarcity of grain here. As a favor we got a few bundles of Straw of one man, five bags of oats of another and a little hay of a third in time for the horses. I got oates later from Cumberland and have the promise of a ton of good hay (from some distance out) today. I will send the total amount of cost when I get the last. We are very comfortable & have plenty of room & think you would enjoy it if you will only come out. Cumpy is well and the horses in fine condition.

As ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

Oakland
June 24th 1882. Saturday
[1882/06/24]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Your dispatch got here just as Lizzie arrived last evening. The telegraph office will not open until the 25th when the Hotel opens - (tomorrow). I am very glad you think of coming down. The children will be here on Sunday or Monday. Minnie writes that they leave home Saturday the 1st & Mr. F. will spend the 4th with us. What about fire works?

It will be time enough to bring me my money when you come down & please bring some dollar bills some quarters & some ten cent pieces; also five dollar bills.

The hay (one load of it) came to the place yesterday but it was not fit to use - Alfred refused to take it. I don't know now what we will do - he or Cumpy will have to scour the country for some.

The night of our arrival here in winding or attempting to wind my watch I found the main spring broke. I sent it up by Patrick & Lizzie says he intends to send it to me on Monday. I would rather have you bring it down to me - (or up to me) unless you prefer to have him send it by express.

The oats cost $22.25, the hay & straw - the straw was $2.25.

I will make arrangements to stay at 817. 15th St. next winter & we can all talk over the rest when we are together. Elly is coming here the 15th of July. The house is large enough and I am sure you will like it notwithstanding the rural drawbacks. I can get ice after next Wednesday. Lizzie has gone out with Rachel in the cart 9 a.m. Cumpy sends love.

As ever your affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Oakland
June 27th 1882 Tuesday
[1882/06/27]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I did make quite a mistake, but it is all right, only bring me the two $100. bills instead of the draft on N.Y. for two hundred. The drafts for $75. and $125. I paid to Mr. Perry - the other two I used one in paying a bill here at a store where we got everything kindling groceries shoe blacking &c. &c. that bill was $83. the other $100. draft I got small money for & used in current expenses for butter eggs meat &c. &c. - I gave Rachel $24. when she left & sent her $5 in a letter. Some has gone for wages here - washing &c. Some little I have on hand for Saturday's marketing. I always use the St. Louis rent with all the rest for current expenses but I can save that now & with a little more it will pay the $325.85 in September. I try to save some during the Summer to pay for dresses cloaks & hats of which we are all more or less in need for winter always.

Not anticipating that we would be living soon in St. Louis I made this arrangement in order to give Minnie a change of air and a rest from housekeeping our house in W. being too small to admit of our entertaining her and all her family. It turns out most happily that dear Elly has come to us and I feel thankful to have the means to entertain them as my dear Father & Mother used to entertain me & my children for months & years at a time & I will not embitter it by reflecting on the cost. To live in three back rooms at 817. 15th St. with the air from Alleys (used as they are) & stables & negro quarters is not good for any one. The two front rooms are well enough. To pay for Lizzie Rachel Cump & myself at $90. a month (which they now charge even here) would be $360. Elly's board at Paschale was $140. a month and Minnie must pay out when housekeeping a large sum every month for her family So after all it is all well spent on those who are dearest us. Cump was never so well off.

I enclose the B. & O. pass and am glad you are coming Friday & hope you will come during the day so as to get here at 6 p.m. You get a good dinner at Cumberland. All well but me. I have been suffering a good deal -

As ever your affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Oakland Md
July 6th 1882. Thursday Morning
[1882/07/06]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I was very glad to receive a letter from you this morning for it has seemed lonesome without you & we all missed you very much. The bills & drafts came all right this time - many thanks. I shall get through nicely & be able to save my taxes but the time they are due.

The sun is now having a contest with the clouds for supremacy & the result is doubtful but so far it has not rained today. Minnie has had a pleasant ride on $Duke" with Cumpy as an escort on "Belle". Rachel & Cumpy are now out, and Lizzie & Elly have walked to town for the walk & to return a call Mrs. Crook made on us before you came. The children are well and all are beginning to feel quite at home now.

I hope you are well & not suffering from the exposure here. Let me know if you have had any more trouble about the carriage. I hope not. All send love.

Your affectionate,

Ellen.
[EES]

Oakland
July 1882 Tuesday Evening
[1882/07/00]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I am truly obliged to you for the barrell & box of "hard tack" & dry toast which came this morning. The little ones like the hard tack very much and the older children as well as the grown members of the family like the other. It is a great & wholesome addition to our Commissary store.

I am glad to have your dispatch announcing Rachel's arrival & also the receipt of the telegram from Morristown requesting her to wait until Friday. I had it forwarded from here & was anxious to know if you had received it. I hope she will not be much inconvenienced by the delay. Do not forget to have her leave the B. &. O. pass with you.

I am quite annoyed at being obliged to trouble you so much, but Alfred, after telling me he would not want any money for his wife this month now asks me to send her $15. If you will give it to Pat for her & charge against my account I shall be greatly obliged. I hope you will not feel annoyed about it. I suppose I shall get the two drafts for $100- each and I shall make them go as far as possible for I must save my taxes whilst I am here & I still have one or two unsettled accounts in W. I gave Rachel about twenty four dollars but I do not know how much she may need. What a blessed thing that Lamp - [Lampton Sherman the Generals brother] is going to recover! I am so thankful for it! Why do you not write me the result of your letter to Charley Ewing about the carriage?

All are well and send love, hoping to see you soon again.

As ever your affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Oakland.
After the 15th of July 1882 Thursday Morning.
[1882/07/15]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

The same causes which make you feel that you will be glad to get away from Washington have such an effect upon me that I feel exceedingly loath to spend next winter there, at least in our house. You can economise better by giving it up for the winter & letting Cump Rachel & myself spend the winter in San Antonio. We could easily get a tenant for it during the winter months & we need not leave it until November. We continue to have cool weather & I am glad you find it comfortable in W-. Minnie, Elly, Cump & Mr. T. are out on horseback. Elly has had a gathering in her ear, just at the entrance of the ear, which has been painful but is now easier so she bound it up and started off in spite of the cool air. The children are all very well & happy. You must have enjoyed your visit to the Camp & to your nameless country friend. I hope Lamp is now out of danger of all sorts.

Your affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Oakland
Aug. 2nd 1882.
[1882/08/02]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I have yours of yesterday & hasten to assure you that I shall not trouble you for money until the very last of the month after you get your pay for August. We have had a long rain but it cleared off this morning & now the weather is beautiful. Minnie's little Katie is sick but I think it is a slight fever from indigestion & she will soon be over it.

Tom Sherman S.J. came last evening to spend a few days with us. He wrote me he would come as I had written him that you would be here on the 23rd. He is much disappointed at not finding you here & says he will stop over & spend Sunday morning with you in Washington. Genl Barstow died here on Monday. Lizzie is just starting in to the Hotel to enquire about Mrs. Babcock of whom we have heard nothing. Your letter in which you mention Mrs. Babcock was received only yesterday, it having gone first to Oakland California. One came for Rachel last week which had also been to Oakland California. It might be a good thing to [?] Mrs. Hunt to ensure our letters. Cump has had Tom out practising with the pistol. Duke is better but not yet well.

All send love. Give my very best regards to Judge Key if you see him again. Mrs. Ricketts must feel happy to have defeated Baxter. I am very glad she did.

As ever, your affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Oakland,
Aug. 6th or 7th, 1882 Monday Noon.
[1882/08/06]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Dr. McComas (an Allopath) has been attending our dear little Katie. Last night he sat up with her the entire night. Now Dr. Norris is spending the day at her bed side. I do not know what Dr. Norris telegraphed you but I do know that he considers the child very dangerously ill but not beyond hope although the hope is slender. I never can regret for the child's sake to see it taken from the cares of this life to a life of eternal happiness, but I feel dreadfully for poor Minnie for I know by experience what the anguish is.

Whenever I am conscious of a decided change for better or worse I will telegraph you instantly. I appreciate your consideration in explaining to me about Charley. I have not had a line from Charley since I left W. and only one letter from Virginia two or three weeks ago in answer to a letter I wrote her on our home here.

Should we lose little Katie it will be a sad termination of our happy brief season together. All the rest are well & Minnie's baby does wonderfully well.*

It was an exceedingly great releif & comfort to see Dr. Norris this morning. The train was in on time & I had a carriage waiting for him. If any one can restore the child he can. Human skill will not be wanting - the result is with God. I am so glad to hear about dear Tom's visit to you.

Mr. Fitch arrived this morning en route to New York. If Katie is not worse he will venture on, stopping in W- from two p.m. tomorrow, until ten p.m. when he will take the train for N.Y. I shall not be surprised if he is prevented by Katie's condition.

As ever your affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Oakland,
Aug. 7th or 8th, 1882 Tuesday Noon.
[1882/08/07]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Katie had a very good night, as Mr. Fitch has told you or will tell you in an hour or two from now. She continues to do well but she is still a very ill child. The baby is also sick - the same trouble but I hope the Doctor will soon arrest it. She has high fever now. As soon as they are able to travel I hope Minnie will get them home for I fear that all of them may take it & some of them die here. They are better off at home.

The Doctor is the soul of kindness. He was rejoiced to learn through your dispatch of the confirmation of Crane.

The enclosed letter came a day or two ago. I have known Mrs. Latta all my life but I think I never spent an hour in her society putting all the years together. She never came to see me unless she had some thing to gain by it, but she is a very excellent person & is now I presume very poor. You know her I suppose - she is of the Creed family & is the widow of Wm: Latta son of Jno. Latta whom we both remember.

Ever your affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Oakland,
Aug. 28th or 29th, 1882 Tuesday Afternoon.
[1882/08/28]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Your letter containing three drafts came this morning at 5 o'clock & I supposed the registered letter would come on the 9 o'clock train but it did not come. It may come to-night. I remember that a registered letter was a long time reaching me at Cresson & I have some fear that this may be as slow. The only inconvenience will be that I had intended to keep the one hundred dollars drafts until the last. I want to go to Columbus on Thursday where I can see Philemon & Ewing perhaps [Mrs Steele] Sis on Friday & then come on with Rachel whom I have told to leave St. Louis Friday morning without fail. The trip to New England is the very one for Lizzie & Elly is under promise to go to Boston. Whether they go or not I feel that I want Rachel here. I have written her that I will meet her in Columbus Friday night.

Cumpy has gone to Deer Park to see Nailor's head man about sending up the horses. Little Lizzie T. Thackara is perfectly well.

Your affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Oakland
Aug. 30th 1882. Wednesday Morning
[1882/08/30]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

The registered letter has this moment been brought to me by Cumpy. I thank you for sending me such nice bills. It is such a convenience. I have sent the $300 check to Mr. Perry and hope to keep the two $100 ones for my bills in W. during the time Minnie and all were there. The market & grocer milk ice and butter & gas & incidentals

Your dispatch about Alfred & Horace came at the moment I commenced writing. At the time I had the difficulty with Alfred I told him I would keep him until we returned to W. and that he might write to Mrs. Bell in St. Louis that he would come to her in the Fall. Mrs. Bell told Lizzie she would be glad to get him any time & she had written for him before that occasion. I have heard (but not from him) that he has written to Mrs. Bell. I think you would be better pleased with Horace for Alfred is not as neat & particular and he knows less about the care of horses. He certainly expects to go.

I am glad Emily makes you so comfortable. I often thought of arranging for your breakfast at home & I would have done it were it not for two things. I would then have had to provide all the fuel that was used in the kitchen & Genl V. V. would have rung in for his breakfast at my expense which I was not willing for. It is cool here now but the air is certainly fine & healthful. Little Lizzie T. is perfectly well. It makes my heart sick to see the places where the other little darlings were but I know they are in a happy home now.

Your affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Rec'd at 1351 Penna. ave. cor. 14th S
Aug. 6. 1882
[1882/08/06]

To Genl Sherman
[WTS]

871. 15" St. NW. Minnie wants a physician sent quick as possible to Kate She prefers Verdi homeopathic but send Norris if you think best please answer

Ellen E. Sherman
[EES]

[1800/00/00]

Dr. Norris -
[]

Could you possibly go up to Oakland to see Minnie's child Katie - 3 yrs old - with diarrhea.

Train goes at 1010 tonight - I will pay all Expenses - Please answer -

W. T. Sherman
[WTS]