James Weldon Johnson notes: “As late as 1880 the major portion of the Negro population of the city lived in Sullivan, Bleecker, Thompson, Carmine and Grove Streets—the area commonly known as Greenwich Village.”1 It seems that the Jacksons were part of this community.
Addie’s letters of 1861 refer to “father’s restaurant.” By 1862, she refers to his “saloon.” In the New York City directory of 1861, there is a John H. Jackson, colored, who owns an eating house at 824 Broadway; his home address is 68 Sullivan. He is the only black Jackson in the directory who has a restaurant. In the directory of 1862, Jackson appears again, this time with the designation “Liquor.” He also appears in the Federal Census of 1860, 5th Ward, District 3, as a forty- three-year-old black male, occupation: restaurant. No women are listed in his household, though he is married.
Addie worked for the Jacksons as a domestic and cared for their nine children. Mrs. Jackson took in sewing, and Addie and another young woman, Selina, assisted her. Though the Jacksons claimed to treat her like one of their children, Addie would have preferred that they pay her more frequently. In fact, she seems to have been “in service” with Mrs. Jackson, learning the trades of dressmaking and millinery. As indicated in these early letters, Addie struggles to make a living.
In addition to Mr. Jackson’s restaurant/saloon and Mrs. Jackson’s sewing, the family home was a boardinghouse. Consequently it was filled with people and the tensions that come with overly crowded households. Addie mentions frequent fights between Mrs. Jackson and various boarders, especially over issues of money.
That the Jacksons ran both an eatery and a boardinghouse places them in what Leonard Curry identifies as the entrepreneurial class of free northern blacks. As such, they should have had greater access to economic opportunity than either skilled or semiskilled laborers. However, Curry warns that “the very few practitioners of entrepreneurial occupations had, if anything, even less likelihood of achieving any significant degree of economic success” than did those of the professional class (clerks, teachers, etc.).2 This is yet more evidence of the fluidity of class boundaries in the black community. Whatever the case, Addie Brown does not seem to have benefited from the family’s status. Furthermore, she seems to have been mistreated at times. This would have made the kindness of Rebecca Primus and her family all the more attractive to her.
Nonetheless, Addie Brown lived in a vibrant community where people attended church, picnics, concerts, parties, balls, and fundraisers for fugitive slaves (sometimes called “contraband”). It was an area where the activist preacher James Pennington pastored after leaving Hartford. The great abolitionist Henry Highland Garnet was there as well. On the other hand, it was also a community where large numbers of people died from consumption. “Consumption, or tuberculosis, was a common disease among the poor living in New York. In some areas of the city it was a virtual scourge.”3 Addie writes of many inhabitants contracting smallpox.
Addie’s New York household consists of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson (a socialite who spends beyond her means), Aunt Charity Jackson, Selina, who works in the house, Selina’s brother Warwick, Addie’s brother Ally, the Jacksons’ nine children, and several boarders.
Chapter Three
“Like meat to a hungre wolfe”
New York, 1861
CANNONS fired on Fort Sumter in April 1861, yet there is very little mention of the war in Addie’s letters. Notices about fundraisers for the “contraband”—slaves who escaped to Union territory—and mention of the worsening health and economic standing of her community are the only evidence of the war we see here. On a day-to- day basis, Addie demonstrates little concern over the national events that surely must have had an impact on her life.
New York Apr. 4 1861
My Dear Rebecca
this is the hour I would like to hear you played [….] At this moment I would give all I poses that not much to hear some music [….]
Aunt C is going to Sea1 again she expect to go in two week time if not sooner she expect to be gone four years. Selina and I will miss her very much another point I am glad she going for she is very unhappy Mother and her has fell out Aunt C says she hate Mo as much as she use to love her I feel for her its must be hard with one to love and be deceived in them and who just love a person what you can get out them will and when they have not the means to do any more not care for them any more I scorn such people it seem I hardly want to treat them with common civility [….]
You ask me if I was making any skirts No My Darling I have not made any but I have one to make and the waist of this it has four breadths in it I am making now Chemise & drawers the yoke and sleeves that you gave me if I should live until that day, shall wear the night that I am married I am very much oblige to you for these stamps you sent you are more then a Sister to me nexe month this great fair is coming up the Ladies with Selina and I to keep a table I dont care about it I would like it if you was going to help me if Selina was to hear me she would not like it I cant help that. This eve Aunt C and her Mother and I are going up to the[restaurant] perhaps we may have a very nice time I dont no I dont care much about it but father is so very pleasant and always delighted to see me he says sometimes I act so strong that he dont believe that I love him. He make me smile. I am going to bring this to a close for I know it not very interesting I have not much news to relate [….] Now Dear it getting dark so I must close your Ever dear Devoted
Sister Addie
Of special interest is Addie’s description of a very intelligent young girl who experiences “fits” because of her intellectual ambition and academic competition with white students. This might be part of a long-standing belief among some uneducated African Americans that children who were intellectually precocious were thought to be vulnerable to “brain fever.” It is ironic, however, that Addie would believe this, given her own intellectual proclivities and her admiration for Rebecca’s ambition and intelligence.
Aunt Chaty (Charity) was one of the few women who found work on ships. These women often did laundry and sewing for steamboats. Some wives also went with their husbands. Because this was wartime, Aunt Chaty may have worked on one of the steamboats between New York and Connecticut. Such employment could have brought more income into the Jackson household. In later letters, we see the intricate and creative economic networks Aunt Chaty’s employment set into play.
New York Apr. 13 1861
My Darling Sister
I’m alone all the inmates of the family gone to Church. O no Aunt Chaty is not gone she feel rather indispose to day. The reason I’m home I did not get my Shoes last night Mother gave me some money this AM so of course that was to late then so I will have to remain in the house this lovely weather.
O Rebecca I am getting somewhat discourage with myself. Dont say anything about it I rather think Mother another one added to the family she is complaining very much I told her if she did I would not stay with her for I have had my heart full of Children I was not going to take care of any more without it my own I suppose you think my Dear I am talking rather large but I mean just what I say.
[…] How I have wanted to see you if I only could have rested my head on your bosom for a moments give vent to my feeling I have been sad I am so full some time that I could take a knife and cut my heart out perhaps then I feel better if I could be with you daily I know that I would be happy well that cant be O my I shant worry you.
Mr. Hicks has move his family to New Y[ork] account of his Daughter Emma dont you think she has fits last summer received the prize and she is very ambitious with her books and as she was going to a white S[chool] she did not want any of them to excel her she over her mind in order to win the prize and the Dr says any excitement will throw her into them one day last week as she was getting ready for school she had two and after she got them she had one she has been pretty gay since she been here I think she will of have to denied herself some of the pleasure of this world she is keeping company with a young girls that is… very much about for
I think she ought to go the best society if there any it not like it use to be. Selina is finish her trade now Mrs. Thompson has hired her last week I think it very nice for she is learning all this time one thing whats spoil her she is so very careless but with her work she like to cut so much and often spoils her work.
[…] I am waiting for my irons to get hot Mother has been out most of the day Aunt Chaty she down to her ship I believe she leaves us nexe week I want to tell you what a foolish thing she is going to do last night she will be here she going to invite about 30 of Mother and Selinas friend and are going to have three pieces of music she think she will spend about $10 who will thank her for it the people in this house will injoy themselves and then after she is gone talks about her one in particular O what a word my irons are hot so good by my sweet Sister.
New York Apr. 16 1861
My Beloved Sister
We are very busy Aunt Chat has brought the linen of the ship for us to make I must tell you something to make you smile Mother says sometime ago to me Addie if you can get a… sewing out I can go for it would help me on with what she gave me I never had a chance out until the other day so Aunt came home on Monday Eve and was telling Selina and I that Captain wanted her to get someone to make up the linens and she did not know who to get so I happened to think what Mother said so I offer to go. Aunt Chat says you M would let you go so I was so sure that I go or rather I could go you ought to of heard me so I went to Mo and told her she says Addie when I told you that I was not able to pay you and I am now I told her it was not so that she was paying me I made her remember so she did not know what to say then she could not say any thing else that she would not be able to pay me and I go out too I could take the work in the house and do and she would give me my board for what I do I was so provoke there. I said I would not go and neither would I bring the work in the house what little while I had to stay and then that would be very short and came out and shut the door Mother like have all no body any so I had but a very little to say to her yesterday
[…] Rebecca when I come to Hartford this summer will you go up to Springfield then I would like to see it… stay over one night will you my love my Dear you ask me if I had any trimmings for my underclothes no my Dear I have not as yet if you like I would like you to send me one of Kelly kittens be company for me if you wont come [….]
good morning Dearest
except a kiss from your
Affec Loving Sister
Addie
Addie claims to have many suitors in New York. The most persistent of these is Mr. Lee, a gentleman she considers marrying. She begins to express her philosophy about the institution of marriage as a practical choice that provides economic stability.
New York May 24 1861
My Darling Rebecca
your most Affec letter to me was like pieces of meat to hungre wolfe I will not tell how often I pursue the contents of it this eve for the first time since I left that I gave vent to tears O Dear Dear Rebecca no one knows the heart of your Dear Friend I am afraid I will become irksom to the Family they say I am a change girl in every way I will try and be agreeable as I can how can I when you are so far off. I’m thinking of you hourly.
[…] Dear Rebecca if I had the energy of the dove how swiftly I would fly to the arms of my love.
Dear Rebeca Mother has a great deal of work in the house I’m very much pleased for that I must have something to occupying my mind Rebecca what do you think Mr. Lee has here turn to me he has been expecate his Affec towards me but I act so indifferently that he dont know what to make of me I like him as a Friend and nothing more then that but Dear Rebecca if I should ever see a good chance I will take it for I’m tired roving around this unfriendly world Dear Rebecca in all this do not forget what I have said about marrying do not mention what I’m about to pen to you my true Friend that is this I do believe by Mr. Lee action that he truly loves me I cannot reciprocate his love he ask me if I thought that I ever live in Hartford again. I told him did not know he said I thought I would.
Rebecca what do you think my old lover come home from church with me stay sun AM the… to stir a little in my breast dont laugh at me my Darling. Mother has two gentlemen boarded and one of them has partly fell in love with me mother told him and also Selina that no chance for him now Dear Rebecca mother says she did not think I was so dear to her I must say she is very Affectionately to me but if it only be lasting dont you say so to my love as for my part I try not to be changeable although I leave that for you to judge.
[…] Rebecca where do you think Mrs. Nott will go when she dies for I think she is not… live please to forgive me for saying so but that is true she know just as well as she was a living that she did not give me but one shirt and then she hardly wanted to then but I would persist in having it she wanted to send it down there I know I now have it then so I made shure of it then Rebecca I dont think I ever shall make my home again with Mrs. Nott because I dont think Mrs. Nott no kind of a woman to be with Im almost disgusted with her.
Dear Rebecca we have deep bereavement in the Family Mother only Friend is dead he has been a Father to her he has staid by in all her trouble if she wanted anything would always go to him and him only he has been a near Dear Friend to this Family Rebecca it heart rendering to see his widow I saw him for the last time on Sunday he was apparently in perfect good health and very lively indeed Monday AM Mother was sent for and thought he would choke to death but they work for over him he seem to much better mother come home at 2 o’clock PM thought he would get along mother went in the evening to see he was great deal better so she came home at 1 o’clock she sent for and he was dying before Mother got up there he was dead O Rebecca how suddenly that was we all are very much afraid that Mrs. Scott will live very long now both are old and she is so nearing… that was the Family I thought to live with Rebecca I must bring this long letter to a close for I dont think will be very interesting to you if I only exchange this pen and paper for a seat by my loving Rebecca it is possible and must be thus seperation how long how long God knows and he only my heart is breaking for you and only you good night from your sweet
Affec.
Addie
PS give my love to your Dear Mother and all the rest of the Family give my love to your Aunt Em and all the rest of the Friend Addie
In the following letter, Addie relates the many complications that arise from Mr. Scott’s failure to leave a will. The subsequent family drama reads like a nineteenth-century “passing” novel, in which a protagonist of mixed race “passes” for white.
New York June 7 1861
My Darling Rebecca
[…] I would be in such deep reverie I would really think your was by me when my attention would be call how sad I would feel Ive felt like bursting in floods of tears. Mother had to go up to see her Aunt Selina accompany her that left me entirely alone I can assure you I gave in to my feelings wretched I did feel in fact I felt so all the evening
[…] Mr. Scott did not make any will so his Widow was worried about of there is some of his relations and to come in for their share and she does not want them to have any for when he was living they did not recognize him I suppose you wonder how that they past for white. O that skin that skin Mrs….
[…] Do not mention this to any one will you this I have been entertain by a very inteligence young man Mr. Toars he says he is very much please with me he was asking me about NY I was sick of it he said he was astonish at me I told him he would be more so before he wanted to be less Dear Rebecca Mr. Lee still comes to see me he said he was coming to see me once a week he did not come last week so he sent me a letter so I ans it seeing that I not see him or reply perhaps Ive offended him my old lover call to see me Dearest Mother say I ought not to do as do Dear Rebecca the flames within my breast and head consume me for before I would summit no no no! I would take Mr. Lee fast my Darling I must bring this letter to close for Ive two dresses to finish by tomorrow night so my love good by my own sweet Friend
you
rs Devotedly Addie
[…] good night
Addie
At this point in the correspondence, Addie is twenty years old and Rebecca twenty-five. Given her youth, it is not surprising that Addie, who has many suitors and ongoing flirtations, is beginning to consider marriage. Addie’s willingness to share information regarding her suitors and admirers suggests that she and Rebecca did not regard these secondary flirtations as threats to their relationship. Nonetheless, one cannot help but think that there are times when Addie is trying to provoke a jealous response from Rebecca.
In the midst of her world, Addie is losing friends and neighbors to death and disease. She makes few allusions, however, to the war, although she is very critical of Mrs. Jackson for focusing so much on “worldly” things in this context.
New York May 30 1861
To my only Dear & Loving Friend
I thought I would rest myself from sewing by writing a few lines to the one that I truly love and only one Dear Rebecca I have been so very busy today that hardly know myself but the mend of it all I received a letter from the one that I idolize the letter took away the bulk of my work did not appear so irksome to me. Rebecca I want to tell you one thing that is this if I went with out eating for two or three days and then a person was to bring me something to eat and a letter from you and they say that I was only to have one or the other I would take the letter that would be enough food for me.
[…] Rebecca Im waiting for Mother to get up for breakfast they do not rise as early here as they do in Hartford sometimes I get so provoke at them up all night most and then lie bed all the AM Dear Rebecca I’m not going to get in that habit if can possible help it for I think it dreadful dont you my love? Dearest the people are dying here very fast I was telling Mother that they out to be thinking of something else beside the worldly affairs there was Mr. Tillman at Mr. Scott funeral last Sat and while he was giving of the story he said Mr. Scott I will be the nexe one will follow but Sunday Eve he went to church apparently in the best of health came home very… and set to talk with his family when all once he took on sudden change his wife ask him what was the matter he went to go upstairs just before he got up he died dont you think that was sudden, now I must go down and get my breakfast good by my loving Friend until nexe time.
Beloved Sisters and Loving Friends Page 4