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Bradford County PA
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Chemung County NY
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Tioga County PA
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Tri-Counties Genealogy &
History by Joyce M. Tice
Diaries & Letters of the
Tri-Counties
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Letters of the Frost, Walker
and Allied Families
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| Letters: Frost, Walker Family |
| Township: |
| Year: 1856 to 1949 |
Transcribed & Submitted by Wendell Evans
Formatted & Published by Joyce M. Tice |
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Return To Table of Contents
of This Collection of Letters
0447 - Letters from Nathaniel Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.
[]
Vicksburg July 16th 1863
Dear Sister & Brother Walker
I got your letter the other day and have ben to busy to answer
it before. My health is prety good I hope this may find you enjoying the
same blessing. We have got Vicksburg with all the rebels over 30,000 men
& all their artilery and guns and about 12,000 horses & mules.
The rebels surrendered on the 4th of July in good time to stop. For fun
we was about to have a general jubilee on that day we had over 500 cannon
in position an plenty of men to keep the rebels in while we battered down
their works & the town with shot & shell. The prisoners have ben
paroled and sent to Jackson for exchange all that was able to march. There
is a good many sick rebels here in the hospital. There loss must have ben
much larger than ours. They have made grave yards all along the works in
every revine they have buried piles of those poor deluded creatures men
that dare not know anything but what their leaders tell them. They know
no more what they are fighting for than the mules that hauls the supplies.
We hear of great victorys being won in the east if all is true the rebelion
has got its death blow. The southern confederacy is bound to crumble to
pieces the platting of northern copperheads to the contrary not withstanding.
I got a letter from Maryette on the 4th. Gust she was well her letter was
dated June 21st. Give my respect to all good bye.
Write often. My pen is poor and my writing is poorer.
Yours as ever
Nathaniel Frost
The Papers come all right
[]
Transcribe June 25, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans
0448 - Letters from Nathaniel
Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.
[]
Vicksburg July 22, 1863
Dear Sister
Of the 5 Frost favours
I received yours & Mary’s yesterday was glad to hear from you once
more my health is as good a I could expect considering the hot climate
& the time of the season. But the hot weather tells on some of our
men we have about 30 sick in the regiment. I hope this may find you enjoying
good health & cooler weather than we have here. We have got Vicksburg
and the whole rebel garrison you have doubtless heard the particulars by
papers long before this. Our forces marched in to town on the 4th of July.
I have ben told that there has ben over 32,000 prisoners paroled besides
all the sick & wounded rebels that are left her in the hospital. Which
numbers is not small by any means. Gen. Grant let the rebel officers keep
their side arms and all field officers 1 horse each also one teem to every
regiment to take along their rations & cooking utensils. We took every
negro servant from them as they passed out of our lines. The rebs did not
like that much some would use profane language when the sentinels would
step into their ranks to take the darky out. But was cooly informed that
colored men were not slaves at the presant day as the rebs did not except
of Abraham’s offer and the day of grace for slave holders passed last January.
I got a letter from Maryette on the 4th of the present month. She was well
at the time she wrote on the 21st of June. I expect to get one from her
the next mail I have some hopes of getting a furlough after a while so
I can and se her & my babe. We have just received 2 months pay they
are giving furloughs for 30 days but they cant let 2 go from a company
at a time. So I have to wait a while before I get one. Tell Mary that she
can read your letter and write me again just as well as if I write to her,
as I have to be at my work pretty soon she must excuse me for this time.
Tell Ruel & Harmon I would like to hear from them ocasionaly. Tell
Nancy she may write me just as often as likes & I will try and answer
all her letters. Tell Lyman & Jane they can get as much time to write
as I can. I have 37 men to cook for and bake all their bread it makes me
swet some this hot weather. Give my love to our parents and on all the
rest of our friends generaly so good bye for the presant yours as ever
Nathaniel Frost
To Julia
[]
Transcribe June 26, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans
0449 - Letters from Nathaniel
Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.
[]
Vicksburg – August 29 A.D. 1863
Dear Sister
I have just received yours of the 2nd just was glad to hear from you
& hear what was going on in your part of the country. My health is
very good at presant. I have got out of that cooking business much to my
own benefit as the weather has ben so very hot that most of the men that
has worked at cooking have nearly all got sick at it. I only worked 10
days at. But our Sargents and some few men got rather hard to please to
suit my notion of decing consely __. I told them they could get another
cook and pay me for what I had done, for my cooking days was over. They
have had two men in the place that I left since & the boys grumble
worse than ever. Now they take our flour to the bakers & get our bread
ready baked when I was there I baked all the bread cooked the beans meat
& rice and other vegetables & men have left the cook tent sick
since I left. There 1 of them is now in the hospital it is doubtful if
he ever gets out alive. Our regiment is doing guard duty in the city we
number a little over 100 men for duty 5 per cent is away on furlough all
the time. Some 14 have died out of the regiment since we came inside of
the rebel works and many more are sick. But the weather has ben getting
cooler for the last 2 weeks & some very heavy rains which improves
the sick as well as them that are not on that list. Please tell me in your
next if it is Aunt Betsy Baity that died if it is it has taken me by surprise.
I did not expect to hear such news from her for many years to come. Please
state how Aunt Aurela is getting along. Tell Albert I would like to have
a line from him and know if he would like to join some of those veteran
volunteer regiments & get $400 bounty for 3 years or the war. Give
my best respect to all & tell all our folks that a letter from any
of them would be very acceptable to me at any time. Tell them folks down
in Scoduck that a letter from any of them would surprise me about as much
as a treaty of peace would with Uncle Abraham & the rebels not that
I think a treaty kind of that very probable for some time to come. I am
looking for a tough old winter campaign get before we get out of this scrape
even that will be better than laying in camp through hot weather. I got
a letter from Maryett about 3 weeks ago she was well at the time she wrote
I expect another one before long I cant get a furlough for a month yet
and mabe not for 2 of them there is but little confidence in our company
officers they don’t count a promise of any weight when it interferes with
any of their skeems. I have not told you about the boat I saw blown to
pieces on the 19th of the presant month. The City of Madison was the name
of the boat it was laying at the levee by the side of the Steamer Ed Welch
they were both being loaded with amunition to New Orleans they had 100
soldiers detailed to load the boats when a shell exploded then another
and soon the fire got into the barels & boxes of powder and then it
went up 100 feet carrying boxes and men and pieces of the boat some of
the men were blown half way accrost the river while some were thrown into
the city some 2 squares from the river the number of lives lost probably
never will be known they had plenty of negroes on board and some women.
The hul of the wreck sunk within 3 minutes after the explosion the Ed Welch
badly damaged and several persons killed on her. One wheel house was all
shatered to pieces. Wel it is getting late and I must close yours ever.
Nathaniel Frost
To Sister Julia
[] Transcribe June 27, 2002, by
Wendell R. Evans []
0450 - Letters from Nathaniel
Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.
[]
Camp Near Chattanooga November 22nd 1863
Dear Sister & Brother Walker
I received yours of Oct 19th last evening was very glad to hear
from you and hear you were usualy well. I hope you may continue to enjoy
that greatest of all earthly blessing. I am now within about 1 ½
miles of Chattanooga and under marching orders to go up the river about
4 miles and cross in the face of the enemy we are to move at 12 o’clock
to night we have to lay pontoon accrost to get over our artiliry acrost.
We have 8 full baterys moved up there last night so if the rebs interfere
with us while we are at work they will smell powder. We marched all the
way from Corinth over mountains and waded rivers until we arrived at Bridgeport
there Hooker had a pontoon bridge to cross the Tennessee River at that
place then we come up on the north side of the river and we expect to cross
and take a position on the rebels right above Chattanooga. Where we expect
to have some fighting or a big skedadle. Mother wrote that she had got
some fruit & butter to send me if she thought I would get it. Tell
her when I answered her letter I did not think to say any thing about it.
But I think she had better not send it as I don’t know where I will be
by the time it would be here. The only chance to send is by Adams Express
Company and that would cost from 8 to 10 cts per lbs freight. We get hard
bread & bacon coffee & sugar and as long as we get that regular
I can live with out starvation. So on the whole if she has got any thing
of the kind for me she had better keep it until the end of the war and
I will be arround if I live. Tell Ruel that I am glad that his folks are
all well and would be pleased to have letter from him at any time. Tell
Harmon to keep up good courage that 300.00 dollars will help some towards
us putting down the rebellion. Wel I must stop scratching give my best
wishes to all yours ever. Nathaniel Frost
To Julia & D. H. Walker
My Adriss will be here after Co. K 4th Minn. Grants Army near Chattanooga
That is all that is nessary
[]
Transcribe June 27, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans
0451 - Letters from Nathaniel
Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.
[]
Huntsville, Alabama Jan 2nd 1864
Dear Sisters
Yours of the 13th _ult is just received & finds me in tolerable
good health. We have tolerable comfortable quarters in the railroad buildings
in town & are on Provost guard in town. This town is about the size
of Wellsboro and a very pretty place. Tell our folks that I was in the
fight at Chattanooga but come out all right & so did all the rest of
our regiment except 1 man he was wounded in the knee and died about 1 week
after with the lockjaw. There is great times about reenlisting in the veteran
volunteer service how many of our regiment will go in I cant tell I think
I shall go in if I do I will get furlough as soon as I can & go home
for a short time then I will come & see you. But when that will be
I cant tell. I am sorry sister Mary has got into trouble I hope the _ufs
may be reconciled. I don’t know what caused the trouble but I never thought
Mary was a girl that needed whipping but if my case was hers I would fit
the whole family for the bone yard before they should take my child and
keep it against my will probably. She will get along with all such trouble
better than I could may god help her tell her that I owe her a letter I
will write it when I get leisure. It is awful cold day & it bothers
me to write my fingers get stiff but I think you can read it. Our regiment
has ben out on a forageing expedition & got about 700 head of stock
including cattle hogs & sheep and lots of poultry some lunking big
turkeys. I tell you we live high at presant as far as fresh meat is conserned.
We went down about 27 miles into Allabama took 3 secesh soldiers got back
with all the stock without lossing any men or having any fight. I want
to hear from you all as often possible if our veteran business got through
as it bids fair to do now I will probably see you before spring, Give my
love & best wishes to all and keep a share for yourself, We have not
had any snow here yet but it has ben cold enough for the North Pole for
the past 3 days this is the most disagreable winter weather we have down
in Dixie of any country that ever I wintered in. The last letter I got
from Maryett was dated Dec. 10th she says the wether is very cold there
and great excitement about the draft & was offering 600 dollars for
substitutes the folks were well with the exception of bad colds we had
pretty hard time out after the rebel stock we had to be on duty night &
day. The weather was was bad & rainy windy & cold enough to freeze
the fingers off of a fellow & it still remains cold I think this would
pass very well for Minnesota weather the Alabama people say the Yankees
have brought cold weather with them. I hardly know what to write next so
I think I had better stop yours in last. Nathaniel Frost
To Sisters Seely & Walker
P.S. tell Merrick that taking off the little finger wont clear him from
the next draft. But I would not advise him to take off another one on that
account. Tell Delos he ought to help write the next letter but Merick is
excuseable if he has a lame hand give fathers folks my best wishes &
tell the to write when ever they get ready and not wait for me.
[]
Transcribe June 28, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans
0452 - Letters from Nathaniel
Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.
1864
[]
Hunsville Alabama Feb 9th 64
Dear Sister & Brother
I received yours of Jan 28th a day or two since it found me well and
anxious to hear from you tell mother Walker that I was much entetained
with her letter I got some information out of it that I have not got from
any one else. She wrote about David Gardner beind at Huntsvill I have made
inquiries about Penn Cavalry. But I did not find any one that knew about
any Cavalrys being here from that state he could sertainly find our regiment
if he is about here if is so disposed in regards to reenlisting & the
big wages you are getting at home I have only to say that I am glad to
hear of your prosperity the better you are getting along the better it
suits me but my duty is plain I have ben learning to be a soldier at some
expense to the government & now that every vetteran that is worth 2
new recruits any where & can do the duty with greater ease & less
suffering I think that man in good health that cares any thing for his
government & country will go in for the war be it long or short. Not
that I like soldiering but I am willing to stick to to the service untill
the last rebel lays down his arms and submits to the powers that be. We
got payed of yesterday our old bounty & pay up to Feb 1st My whole
pay whole pay & bounty & clothing money amounting to $226.05 cts
was payed me the first of March we will have 60.00 dollars more Due on
our new enlistment it is all true enough that I could make more money and
and do it easier out of the service but that aint the thing the plan is
to put down rebelion first and look out for money making afterwards it
has ben 3 weeks since I got the last letter from my wife the folks was
all getting better when she wrote you can tell aunt Eliza she can see this
as I cant get time to write her separatily without neglect of my other
duties so good bye for the presant yours
Nathaniel Frost
To friends in Bloss
P.S. give my best wishes to all and tell our folk to write when ever
they feel like it. We are all hoping to get home on furlough soon but a
soldier never knows what he is going to do until he gets the order to move
so what is the matter may heavens choisest blessings ever attend you all
yours truly
Nat- Frost
[]
Transcribe June 28, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans
061 - Maine January 3d 1864
Dear Cousin Julia
It has been a long, long, time since I received your very welcome
letter when it came I was attending school at the Cortland Academy. Our
people sent it to me there and I meant to answer it while there but had
so much to occupy my time that I did not answer it and after I came home
mother was very miserable and about five or six weeks ago she was taken
with a kind of [Eareegpelas] that is what the Dr. called it but she thinks
it is the same Aunt Sally died with she seemed to get better until for
a few days it seemed much worse and is now in her eyes and face very badly.
She thinks it has been lingering about for a long time but has never broken
out on her before it will not be possible for ma to come to Covington this
winter for she cant go in the cold at all. It will be a great sacrifice
for her to give up going for she has anticipated so much. But she says
if she is good for nothing else next summer she thinks she will come. We
would all like very much to see yourself and husband her this winter. Or
any of the friends in that vicinity Uncle Frost and Aunt Hannah especialy.
We heard about the middle of Dec. that “Iouesa Minor” had gone to visit
her mother and suppose you have had a visit from her Nea has gone to New
York to spend the holidays and has not returned.
They are volunteering very rapidly at present but I do not know
as they will make out their quota for there have a great many soldiers
gone from our little town Nea will stand the draft he did before but did
not happen to be drawn the prevailing opinion around here is that the war
will not last five months longer I wish it might not we are having very
cold weather. And it is very icy but not much snow. Although there was
very good sleighing for the holy days. I have staid at home all of the
time during the holy days for we have all been sick and I have had a very
hard cold I was not at home when Sara and her husband was here. I was very
sorry but hope to see them again some time. I thought I would commence
our correspondence with the new year and see if I could not be more prompt
about writing,
Ma says she would writing some if her eyes were not so bad. Please
answer this soon. Mother sends her love to all and says she wants to hear
from you often. Please give my love to all and reserve a good share for
yourself and write very soon to.
Your affectionate Cousin
Hanna Curtis
[] Transcribed on January 3, 2004, by Wendell R. Evans []
100 Letters from Nathaniel
Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.
1864
[]
Benson VA March 18th 1864
Dear Parents
I once more take my pen to write a few lines to let you know that I
am still alive and in tolerable good health the folks here are all well
and making sugar when ever the weather will admit and taking things easy
general I expect to start for your place about the 28th [___] if
nothing happens that I don’t know of now my regiment have gone home
on the 30 days furlough allowed veterans by law I got mine at Chicago and
have to report to fort Snelling on the 12th of next month I’ll
try and make you a short visit on my return
Mother Roots is getting strong western notions she is going to Minnesota
this Spring to see what Cooly & Gene is doing we left Huntsville on
the 5th of the presant month we had a prety Rough journey until we got
to Chicago Then we had quite a change in fare I don’t know as I can think
of any thing that would interest any of you if nothing happens I shall
see you in a short time and you can ask all the questions you like give
my best wishes to all yours as ever Nathaniel Frost
To Our Folks
[]
Transcribe July 21, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans
101 Pontiac Sunday Evening
March 26th 1865
Sister Jane & Mother
We recd your letter several days ago was glad to hear from you
again and will write this evening to let you know that we are usually well
_ _ _ I am out of business having sold out on the 8th [__st] I liked my
business well enough but did not like the way it had been conducted lately
as our affairs were getting mixed up with a brother of Eatons against my
wishes and I had about made up my mind that it was the intention to wrong
me & expected to loose some money but I am getting things in shape
now & have got most of my money safely deposited into the Bank but
have had to do some pretty sharp figuring to get what belonged to me. I
am selling out. We had to take a span of horses wagon & harness at
a high price which I agreed to take if Eaton would take the claim against
his brother. I thought of going out a farm then but I found they were asking
very high rents & that it would cost me a great deal to buy seed keep
my team &c and that I would have to expand several hundred dollars
to get to farming I concluded if the war came to a close produce would
be low next fall & my horses would not be worth as much by $100. As
they cost me & that I could not get the moony back that I would have
to invest beside the Draft was hanging over me and I dare not get a farm
on my hands. I had a chance to sell my horses Harness & Wagon for more
than I gave for them & let them go. I made some more than my expenses
beside furniture dishes &c that I have bought which cost over $100._
I am enrolled here and have already paid out $75 to help fill the quota
which was only 22 in this ward we tried to raise a bounty by paying $50
a piece but a great many would not pay we put on 7 men & gave it up
and found a club agreeing to raise money to put in men enough to clear
all its members that are drafted they will draft this ward about the middle
of this week I think I think we are very lucky in selling out as we could
buy goods now for a great deal less than we sold for. I am very much unsettled
in my mind what to pitch into this spring as the times are so unsettled
no one can tell what is a safe investment old heads advise me to keep my
money where it is safe and wait I have not got enough to brag of but what
little there is I want to save to help buy me a home but it would hardly
make a mark towards it around here as land is very high. So I think I shall
have to go father west where land is cheaper or else clear up a new farm
in Mich which I don’t propose to do very soon the oil regions of Penna
is where they are all going from here to make money. A great many from
around here have made large fortunes there {I will have to take another
sheet to wind this off}
[] Transcribe February 18, 2004, by Wendell R. Evans []
102 Aug. 10, 1865
Dear Jule
I believe I owe you a letter and I am going to pay it now with
interest.
I heard some very good tidings to day I heard from Mr Seelys people
in the West that they were all alive and well Mrs Seely has two sisters
living not far from here one is a Mrs Lhaight I believe she told me that
she had some acquaintance with you.
Fred was out to see me the 4th on his way back he went to your
Fathers and he wrote to me that they had heard that Merricks folks were
killed by the Indians I have felt very anxious to hear the particulars
about it and was gratified to learn the facts.
I must make some excuse for not answering your letter I waited
to hear from Isa after the fall of Richmond and then I was not satisfied
for he did not know when he would be discharged he was guarding a court
house in Charlottesville Va at his last writing which was about six weeks
ago. I have been very anxious to hear partker from him I have been afraid
he was sick there is one satisfaction I don’t feel afraid of his being
taken prisoner but by the way of a returned soldiers I heard that the 11th
Cav had come to Harrisburg or two Co had arrived a week ago. So I have
hoped of hearing from or seeing him soon. I was glad to hear of Nathaniels
safe return. But was not sad about David Gordmen how I pity Melissa when
he had encountered all the dangers then to die on his way home. She is
all alone now she will miss more than his mother will for he is her all
I had a letter from sister Emily they were well and Ufford Bradley had
returned and Harrison Randolph but Charles and George had not, Curtis and
herself talk of going to Ohio I have an invitation to accompany them which
I should be happy to do but I don’t expect to be able. We came through
Blossburg on our return from Union I thought of you all the way but that
was all I could do I wanted to call at Mrs Walkers I saw Mrs Walker and
another lady getting supper I tried to make out twas you as Mr Champney
thought we were not relation enough to call there but I thought we were
but I could not make him believe it do you. Mary Beach she is very sick
Em stayed with her last night it is quite sickly about here I am rather
poor health myself but you know that is nothing new. Julia goes to school
she is quit a speller this is her first term and she can spell words of
five an six syllables don’t you wish I would stop writing well I will for
it is getting quite dark. I am going to send hear something from you oh
I heard they had struck salt on the Camp Canoe was it near your folks write
soon don’t wait as I have remember me to your husband
C C Champney
[] Transcribe February 18, 2004, by Wendell R. Evans []
103 Covington April 16th 1865
Dear sister Julia
I will try and answer your ever welcome letter that reached its
destination last evening found us in usual health with the exception of
Nancy she is quite sick am inhapes she will soon be better. Chetty is gaining
so he can come over here after a foot think he will get a long now. I am
very glad Mr. Wetzel did not come after me. We are very busy just now.
Ma has just got her first piece wow and wants to get another one in as
soon as she can. I am spinning tow now. Maryette has got through she spun
13 knots & give it up. Just as I thought she would: she has gone to
house keeping in Uncle Jameses front chamber she thought she could enjoy
herself better to keep house so she is trying it. She is going in on the
onions on the big side
When I commenced I did not think I should write but a little
but I see hawse. Please excuse small sheets of paper
[] Transcribe January 11, 2004, by Wendell R. Evans []
104 April 15th 1866
Dear Sister and Brother
After this long while I make another attempt to converse with
you through the medium of pen and paper not because I like to write but
because I want to hear from you and don’t know any other way. We are all
enjoying good health and hope this may find you enjoying the same blessing
in as high a degree we have taken a farm for this year we find our own
seed and team and have two thirds that we can raise and a good garden spot
throwed in and a comfortable house to live in and fire wood plenty for
cutting we expect to sow about 20 acres of wheat 10 of oats 7 corn and
potatoes Merrick thinks he & Waltz can work [___] much without any
help. We live about half a mile from Nats they are all well and Nat has
his wheat partly sowed Flora is just as musical and good as ever and grows
like a weed but you would not know Waltz if you were to see him he looks
more as Pete did one year ago than he did then and I think he is full as
tall. Now I want to know what you are ding and how [Mrs] Works is going
on there by [Mrs] Time and what [Mrs] Railroad is doing and what wages
are and finally what our acquaintances and friends (if we have any) are
all doing and how prices in general range with every things. We expect
to milk 3 cows this summer if nothing happen to them now Delos this is
just as much to you as to Jule and I have not [___] colded one might so
I shall look for a letter from you too. O yes and I want to know if your
school is out and if you think of teaching this summer Grandma Root has
bought 3 acres of land close by Mankato City and is about having a house
built on it, they are all well Father Seely’s folks have bought a farm
of 80 acres down in Mower County some 70 or 80 miles from here they moved
down there last fall they were well the last we heard from them their place
is south east from here.
Now Jule I have waited a long time for you to see as to answer
my last letter but it seems in vain the last one I received from you was
the next day after I mailed one to you but I shall waite for an answer
to this before I write again but I must stop and don’t forget that you
have a sister here who often thinks of you when you write to Nat direct
your letters to Kasato, Lesuer County Minnesota from Kezia to Delos and
Julia
Merrick says please tell him if any of the old hand that worked
on the cars when he did remain there still and if they do what are their
names and what positions do they occupy
[] Transcribe on February 16, 2004, by Wendell R. Evans []
105 Mankato, Jan 14th /66
Dear Sister and Brother
I now sit down to write a few lines to you to let you know that
we are all well, dog and all. Knowing as I do that it will be very uninteresting,
for I have no news to write as there is no one here that you know to yarn
it about and not much going on [___] course my observation but ever [___]
I will make my mark [___] you may know that we are still alive and wish
to hear from you often and the oftener the better, we received your very
welcome letter some little time since and I have not acknowledged the same
sooner for the simple reason that I mailed one to you the day before receiving
yours and nothing to write about. Jule I think that was a pretty leaf of
hair you sent me and I prize it as a treasure would that I could have each
one from all my Brothers and Sisters I would also like to know how to weave
them too when you come out here you will learn me wont you. I shall send
you a lock of hair but it is so gray I hardly think that you will use it
Merrick says you will not want his it is so short but we will put in some
and if it gets enough longer to make any difference we will send some more
oh Jule I wish you could see our [___] for I can tell you that they look
good for cover is to plenty and to cheap for cows to go hungry Molly is
a large white or rather speckled Durham cow and has give milk since [___]
first of may last Star is a small bright red cow has give milk since the
first of April last and I now get 10 quarts of milk a day wish I could
hand you enough so you could have some mush and milk every now and then
well then Jessie is a nice square brown 2 years old heifer coming 3 in
spring we expect she will give milk before long, Then Miss Rose is about
8 months old but I can tell you she is a plump one she looks like your
old Rose. Then Merrick has a pretty Yoke of steers will be 3 in the spring
and just as handy as open but they are as lively as colts we went down
to Nats Tuesday last with them and it did not take long and they all look
as though their homes would be good salted and dried well now. Nat says
I must tell you about his chicks as Mrs Hardlow calls them of which he
has 9 then he has [___] a large [beakna] Rooster which he is going to have
roasted because he is to lazy to crow. Then there is little red Dick he
is going to keep because he is sure to let him know when morning comes
11 in all.
Waltz is going to school this winter he likes his teacher very
much they use Robinsons Arithmetic and the National Reader and speller
by parkes and Watson so he had to have another set of books so I guess
he will I get all kinds after awhile.
Brother Nat and family are all well Flora is a fat as a pig and
just as sweet as ever and just as full of fun. The weathers we had rather
a severe snowstorm a little before the midle of Dec it was pretty cold
with considerable wind but we have had good sleighing ever since and not
a stormy day until last Wednesday it commenced to rain and before it stopped
storming we had another foot of snow and if boats don’t come up this river
when this snow goes off I don’t think it be because there is not water
enough. But many [prop___] that the cars will reach this next season. I
don’t know how it will be but I do know that the Minnesota Valley road
is now [___] within 60 miles of here and the Central or Winona and St Peters
road within 40 and they are to get them along as soon as possible but Jule
I want you and Delos both to write as often as you can and I want to know
how Melissa is getting along also Isaac’s wife and and I would like to
know if they have ever heard anything positive as to Jimmys fate and I
would like to know how all of my old acquaintances are and what they are
doing but I must stop. Give my respects to all inquiring friends if I have
any there and Mrs Obrian in particular tell Mother Walker and Adelaide
that I would like to hear from them Mother Root and family are all well
but good bye for the present from your sister kide to Delos and Jule
[] Transcribe January 11, 2004, by Wendell R. Evans []
0029 Elkrun August 2nd
/68
Sunday
Dear Sister & Brother
I will now try & write you a few lines, O want to hear from
you oftener & I don’t know when I shall have a chance to see you so
I thought I would scribble a little & see if you would not do the same.
I have first been writing to our folks we received a letter dated June
28th which told of Lymans safe arrival at home the night previous but I
presume you have heard from there since as Ben Frost told me to day that
Delos said Father thought he would be out next month. O how I hope he will
come & mother too. It seems so long since they went away. Art has cut
his little finger on his left hand pretty bad with cycle when reaping wheat.
I prsume his finger will always be stiff if it grows in again. Blanch seems
to be improving I oint her head with Magnettie ointment & it seems
to make her feel much better the rest of us are usually well, I want to
come up will bad but don’t know when it will be so I can. Art has sent
to R S Hamilton & get some medicine & I think it will help him
if he does not keep overdoing. He was feeling better till he worked to
hard when it was so warm. He has jus received the third package last night
& he says he will be more careful while he is taking that & I hope
he will. Art & Ben have just gone over to uncle Elias’s I expect Ben
will come back with Art. Sam Frost is at work here this summer, if A gets
back in time I will get him to write some.
Monday Eve, well I will now try & scrible a little more Art
did not return until about dark last night & we had to visit so much
he did not get any time to write & he has gone to Delmar with Ben &
Steve Richard to day. Kattie Allen & Aunt Lib Frost have been here
to day & I think they have done to find the way over the big hill don’t
you. They seem to be well & feeling well Kat is spinning for Aunt she
said that Selia is not well the rest of Harmon folks were as well as common.
Kat said Nancy told her that your limb was troubling you bad. I hope it
is better now. Let me hear from you often I can not write much more to
night for I have been washing & I am pretty tired & I must go to
bed with my little Blanch before she wakes up Jane talks a greatest about
going to Aunt Jules, Good bye from your affectionate Sister Mary Goodspeed
To J & D Walker
Write down as you receive this
I will send this to day Thursday write soon
Let me know what news you get from Sade & what her [___] is &
tell her to write to me
[] Transcribed February 7, 2004, by Wendell R. Evans []
107 Mirabile May 25th 1868
Dear Brother
Your note came to hand a short time since was glade to hear from
you this laves us all in usual health except mother she is troubled with
her back all and sad are here All talks of going to your house if he should
and you have eny money collected father wants you to send it by him as
he is coming back here after going to Ludington All will tell you all of
the news so it will not be eny use for me to make the attempt that there
will be a large crop of grub worms this year excuse all blunders write
soon yours as ever
Peet
[] Transcribed February 7, 2004, by Wendell R. Evans []
108 Mansfield Tioga Co.
July 26th 1868
Mrs Julia Walker
Dear friend I am sorry to say that I cannot comply with your
request to coming to stay with you I thought when sisters N first spoke
to me about going that I should be glad to do so but have sence concluded
to go to school this fall but I think you can get sister Jane for she is
not going to stay home she is only till school is out the work is so hard
she cant stand. I am quite sure she will be glad to come if you will write
to her or let her know I have not seen Hanmons in some time but hear from
them often they are usualy well I must stop hoping these lines will find
you will
My respects to all
Am E Allen
[] Transcribe January 11, 2004, by Wendell R. Evans []
109 Canton Jan 11th 1868
Mr D. H. Walker
Dear Nephew
Some months since I recd a letter from you, bringing the sad news of
your Mothers illness, in which you said you would write as soon as there
was any change, I sat down that same evening, and requested an immediate
answer, for which we looked, with fear and anxiety, watched the mails closely
for two or three weeks in vain, no inteligence of any kind reached us from
Bloss. Through Roswells letters have learned she was improving. I have
written two letters, one to your Ma, and the short one to you, & neither
have been acknowledged we have not a little puzzled to know the cause,
have come to the conclusion that were not worthy of notice, however it
was the best I could under the circumstances. When I recd your letter I
was very poorly sat up about half of the time, had I been able to have
rendered assistance in taking care of your Ma, should have went immediately
then was not able to ride that distance, had palpitation of the heart &
other difficulties, which weakened me very much would have to drop down
on the first thing I came to or faint my heart would beat so fast &
hard. I thought it pretty hard to have Roswell away when so poorly in same
respects am much improved so that with Amzi’s help, am doing my work alone
again, I understand by Mrs Spencer (the preachers wife) that your Ma is
still feeble does not regain her health what seems to be the trouble, we
had supposed her quite recovered, hope the spring season may have a good
effect, should like much to come & see her if we had any way short
of stage & cars.
Had a letter from your Uncle R__ today, he is still improving
& gives some little encouragement about coming home before long can
hardly get courage to start alone, a young Merchant will come East, next
month to marry a wife & go to New York for goods, He ® will come
with him or before. This young man I speak if will marry Lydia’s sister
will make it very pleasant for them.
They are all quite well at Houstons having very lively times
sleighriding & eating turkeys &c. a great place for getting up
dinners, R was invited out to a thanksgiving dinner, also Christmas, &
New Years had a great time at Houstons. R. and an old lady, (a friend of
ours) took the head of the table, he enjoyed it well I presume they are
very social friendly people in Lansing, our family (babies included) are
usually well. Blanche is with me most of the time going to school.
Now Delos I do think some one of you Julia, Mary or yourself
might write to me you may not always have Aunt Julia to trouble you in
this way. I told your Uncle I should drop the correspondence it being too
onesided for me, but you see I couldn’t defer it any longer. I want to
hear from your Ma & all of you___
I am entirely alone this evening & shall be untill about
twelve oclock, the Brass Band have gone to Alka to play for some kind of
an entertainment. this is why I am writing just now to pass some of the
hours. Anzi belongs to it, does your Ma know old Mrs Cumings is dead, she
died of a cancer last summer sometime. Julia was in Canada last we heard
& George in Chicago.
About 9 oclock last Saturday evening we were startled by the
ringing of the church bells the alarm of fire. James O Randals Grocery
building was burnt, his things mostly saved a small family living over
head lost almost all, the fire having caught in upper part of the building.
Canton improves very fast, you would hardly know the place. Should think
you might come & see us love to all
Yours truly
J. J. Hazleton
[] Transcribe on February 16, 2004, by Wendell R. Evans []
110 Hamilton March
Thursday, 5 oclock, 19, 1868
Dear Sister & Brother
We have just arrived here are all right have had no bad luck.
We arrived in Palmyra last night. We saw a man from York State he said
this was the place to come too. So we are in the public house will stay
here to night then I don’t know where we will go. I like the people what
I have seen Pa is a great deal better than when he started we are all very
tiard. You will hear from us as soon & we get to a place where we are
going to stay please let the friends know you have heard from us I cannot
write any more this time and good bye from sister
Jennie
[] Transcribe on February 16, 2004, by Wendell R. Evans []
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