Rebecca
The enclosed check I rec’d. Sat. eve’g. from N.Y. Please get it cashed and then retain all excepting ten dollars in your hands until I send for it. Send $5.00 in one letter & $5. in the next, that I may have some money by me in case of emergency.
[…] It is election here & hereabouts tomorrow, but it’s very quiet in tis vicinity. I hope you’ve all well Ive a cold from Rebecca. Excuse hasty penmanship. Mon. P.M. I’ve had a fine bunch of monthly roses sent to me this afternoon.8
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas send all of their respects to you. Hope Jim is well, he was not mentioned in your last.
How was Sarah pleased with her letter?
Your expenses to Balto, will be just $8.65 each & in my next I shall send you all the directions that you may come straight through without any difficulty.
Rebecca instructs her family regarding their visit to Royal Oak. Using her own behavior as an example, she suggests that they not accept segregated seating. This is just another example of the struggles that confronted black Americans in public accommodations and in other aspects of their daily lives.
Royal Oak, Dec. 6 1866
Sat. 8 A.M.
Dear Mother, Sister & Brother
Your expenses to Balto, will be as follows—$2.00 on the Boat or $3.20 on the Cars. Then to Balto. $6.65.
Get some one to conduct you from the Boat to Jersey City Ferry, & express your Baggage to the same place, it will cost less than to get a carriage, the chambermaid will instruct you.
When you arrive at Kensington station the cars stop & you leave them and take the Horse Cars for the Southern depot—you’ll have a long, long & tedious ride through one portion of the city of Philadelphia—but keep up good courage. The Conductor will tell you which cars to take after you arrive at the Phila, depot, & if you find he puts you in the smoking car & the door of the next car is locked watch the opportunity & as soon as the door is unlocked get up & go into that car. I did not occupy it either time, as soon as I found out where I was I improved the opportunity and changed cars.
Your daughter & sister
Rebecca
Hartford Dec. 7 1866
Dear Sister
[…] That Mr. Lane9 and wife will find they have got somebody to deal with and is not afraid of any one or any things.
I will close hoping this will find you well fr[o]m your loving adopted Sister
Addie
Royal Oak Talbot Co. Md Dec. 8 1866
Sat. 8 A.M.
My dear Parents & Sister
[…] I had school at night and most of my scholars were present. I have upon my roll book 27 names now for this night with your letter. Mon. A.M. I rec’d. a call at my school from Mr. Graham, he has been in Easton several days, & at A.M. he’d been to see the St. Michaels school & on his return he stopped to look at mine. He said it was ahead of that school, and that there was more interest shown by the people in sending their children etc. He returned to Easton gave a lecture that night at one of the col’d. churches, and I’m told he gave this school & people all the praise.
Now I tell the children we must keep ahead, & encourage their parents to keep ahead too. The attendance at the night school is not so good as that of the day for this reason, there are a series of protracted meetings going on at Ferry Neck four miles from here, & every other night the greater part of this neighborhood go down to it, I judge nearly all went last night for I went out to school as usual, and only three scholars came, at 8 oc’k. we returned to our homes.10 Mrs. Thomas & I rode down there Wednesday eve’g. but did not remain long on acc’t. of the meeting being rather dull, on our return we stopped at the church here. Prayer meeting had closed, they had just begun to talk upon the school house subject, they were all wide awake for it and among the men with a few of the women $23 of the $25 or $30 was subscribed towards having the lumber brought here from Balto. They seem to be quite active about the matter now, & I think they’ll make an effort to go through with it with what aid you can send us. I mentioned it in my letter to Mr. Burton11 which I have sent him this week. I hope soon to be able to inform you what it will cost to build it, Mr. Thos. thinks we can not get it erected for less than a hundred dolls.
The one that’s being built at Easton will cost nearly a $1,000. It is a large building & very nice one too. I’m told Mr. Graham has the supervision of it. He is also one of the trustees appointed for ours.
I’ve not yet got my chair. Mr. Thomas has the money in hand & has postponed going to Balto, till Christmas, he is very anxious to see you and Bell & I believe if the truth were told, that’s the principal reason he’s not gone before. He, as well as I, will be greatly disappointed if you do not both come, particularly if Nelson can not come on. It’s been my theme every since I arrived on Eastern Shore, but I don’t want either of you to come on alone. I will be responsible for Bell’s board during the time we remain in the city, then if it is pleasant we’ll take a day & go to Washington, the fare is only $1.50 from Balto. Miss Knowles was to come on but I’ve not heard from her yet, although I’ve written once since I came back.
[…] I had another fine bunch of monthly roses & box, with another kind of flower interspersed, sent to me Mon. on my return from school. The leaves of the roses have nearly all fallen off now, and I’ve preserved them in one of my books. O yes, I was always fond of flowers but do not care to work among them. By your being so fond of them Mother, I cherish them more highly, & because it reminds me of home & of those that constitute it. I’m glad you sent no papers last week for I don’t want any more to pass through the Lane’s hands. I’ve written to have the Independent sent to Easton too. I’m really surprised to hear that any of those freed women had been sent on. If we should go to Washington you can go & see that Mrs. Griffin if you bring her address with you. I’m pleased to know they all will be supplied with homes, which I trust will be good ones for them. I hope Miss Fellows will have those books in reserve for me I shall be disappointed if not. I’m going to allow a portion of my night scholars to use them too. I weigh now same that I did several years since, the very first time I was ever weighed. That time I went down East I only weighed 118. Eve gained all since then, and enjoyed better health too ever since my return from there. The down east air & [?] agree with me. I had on the same clothes that I usually wear [….]
I’ve been informed today that they are going to have a festival here during the holidays, the proceeds of which are to be divided between the church and the school [….]
We are having company this P.M. one old man has been in here talking & arguing ever since I took up my pen, he’s just gone out & I’m so glad, but here’s another one come to fill the room made vacant by his predecessor, oh, these men are the greatest cases for talking that I ever met with. Sunday’s their only leisure day, they make it a point to go from house to house and hold long arguments, & it’s so very annoying, to me in particular [….] Mr. & Mrs. Thomas wish to be remembered to you all.
Accept my best love to yourselves.
Rebecca
I’ll ans. Jim’s letter next time.
Here, we have Rebecca’s letter to her cherished cat, Jim.
Royal Oak, Dec. 11, 1866
My dear Jim,
I have been mending & reading the papers this P.M. but becoming tired of the latter employment, I thought I would take up my pen instead, & write you a few lines in ans. to your letter which it gave me so much pleasure to me. After reading my self I read it aloud to the folks, & Mrs. Thomas don’t believe you wrote it to make your hand tired.
I’m delighted to know you had such a nice Thanksgiving diner, & are so well cared for by your Auntie, Uncle, & Bell. I only wish I could see you myself. Your being so full reminds me of the time you got upon the table & drank up half of your Auntie’s milk out of the pail one day—do you recollect it?
I suspect you do really look finely now my noble fellow, for I imagine you are very fat.
The night of the day I rec’d. your letter I dreamt about you, & I thou
ght you looked so large and was so very clever. I know you can not be beaten in the whole U.S. Tis too bad poor Major & Kittie Smith had no Thanksgiving, and I don’t believe you gave them a very strong invitation to partake with you.
Little Jim, Jr. is well and his mother & brother write with him in sending lots of love to you, he says he never saw his father. He would liked to have shared your nice turkey with you for he seldom gets such nice food, but he catches a good many mice.
Mrs. Thomas & Emily wish me to give their love to you, Emily was delighted to think you sent your love to her.
They all think you are a very wonderful creature but will not believe you are so superior to others of your race—but I tell them you are.
I would like to see you when I go up to Balto, very much, but I would not have you brought so far from home for anything, you’d be so frightened with the noise you’d hear & the new & strange scenes that would meet your eyes, that you’d very soon become wild, and then I’d be afraid you’d die.
You must strive to live and keep fat & good until I return home again. I think of you every day I believe, and I often tell little Jim about you, he listens, & sings, & seems much pleased. He is very timid & runs from every strange cat or thing he sees.
I must stop writing now, give my love to all & to Major, his mother & Sarah. Accept a very large portion to yourself and write again some day.
From your own mistress.
P. S. Addie must be more particular in applying epithets to you my boy.
Royal Oak, Dec. 14, 1866
My dear Parents & Sister
[…] It’s been another great hog killing week. I guess fully one hundred of these quadruped animals have fallen victims to the butcher’s knife since Monday A.M. for one white man alone was to have 28 killed.
Mr. Thos.’ brother-in-law killed 8 yesterday weighing respectively 225, 208, & 199 lbs. each, all for home consumption. Mr. Thos. also killed his two shoats one weighed 156 & the other 120 lbs. the latter he’s sold intending to get beef instead.
I’ve not had so good an attendance at school this week on account of the great hog sacrifice, both parents & older grownup children all go out to hog killing. I think they are all hired, the younger children are detained at home housekeeping. With this exception the school has gone on as usual. There was a gay old wedding here among the whites last week, & it’s created considerable sensation, an old dame 52 yrs. of age was married to a youth 18 yrs. old. Mark the disparity if you please,—he is a dutchman, which probable accounts for his choice of a wife.
[…] Will you please get me a nice little turkey for[Nelson] and send it on immediately that they can have it for their Christmas dinner. Benajah dined with them Thanksgiving day. He’s got the idea of going to Europe again upon his mind.
I’m glad he’s succeeded in getting a good tenement to live in. I guess they find it much more desirable and comfortable too. Don’t forget or neglect to send the turkey. Make out my bill & bring with you that I may know just how much they all cost.
Gertrude says she’ll assist you all she can when you have the Fair if she knows when it’s to be. I think you will do better by postponing it for I see there’s so much going on in Hartford now it would be almost useless.
The last papers you sent I rec’d. Sat. & they’ve afforded me a mental feast all the week. The others Mrs. Thomas will call for tomorrow.
That old Mr. Moore has been very ill during the past two weeks. I hope you’ll not forget to bring him something from the Society, he needs clothes.
[…] You need not have sent any money for those papers for I apprehend no danger. I got Mr. Thos. to inquire of the former Postmaster, he informed him that there was no such fine imposed in fact, that he know of none whatever, he’d often sent papers in that manner himself, all that is required is to pay the postage at the office from which they’re mailed. No, I shall never trouble Lane or his wife for the papers.
[…] The col’d people home must be having & overplus of money this season, there being so many Balls among the class that attend them.
I hope you may be successful in selling Nelson’s paintings yet.
I am glad to hear the Supt. is endeavoring to make the S.S. present a better appearance. I think he must be interested in the school [….]
Given the consistency of her requests to Rebecca, Addie is perhaps envious of the pending visit to Maryland of Mehitable and Bell Primus.
Hartford Dec. 16 1866
My Dear Sister
I suppose this time nexe Sunday you will have the company of your Mother & Sister. I hope you will have a pleasant time is the wish of your adopted sister.
[…] your letter was rec last Wednesday P.M. and it found me very well. I shall try to act upon some what the same principle Miss Booth present. So you had a visit from your friend Mr. Graham doubtless was please to see him. There was a freed girl at your Mother on Saturday. Look and act like Bell Sands. I would like Thomas to see her. I must ask your Mother if she didn’t agree with me I do not know those persons that was at Mr. Firds She keeps the bakery in Main St. thank you I do not care about taking pattern.
Dear Sister you mistake me. that I doubt your veracity and uncertainty upon the subject of love in your letter you pen as your expected it from what other have said and what you have read I doubt you then I think you know more about from your own feelings [….]
Chapter Eight
“We must have a school house”
1867
REBECCA’S letters document the truth of historian Eric Foner’s assertion: “In 1867, politics emerged as the principal focus of black aspirations.”1 Throughout Maryland, the rights of the freed people were being debated. They were the objects of physical violence, their churches and their schools were burned, and teachers who came to assist them were threatened by violence as well. Barbara Fields notes: “Black churches attracted violence as velvet attracts lint…. The most common reason for attacks on black churches… was that the freedmen conducted schools in them.”2
It is in this atmosphere that Rebecca writes: “These white people want all the respect shown them by the col’d. people. I give what I rec. & no more.” In spite of the danger, she maintains her dignity and is fearless in her commitment to educate the freed people. Those of the Eastern Shore joined their counterparts throughout the South in a quest to gain and exercise their rights.
As for Addie, her most stable employment during this time is at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut, where she begins work in the spring of 1867. Miss Porter’s was a private boarding school for white girls, founded by Sarah Porter in the 1840s. Just as blacks established their own schools, this period also witnessed the rise in educational institutions for women and girls. Prior to the Civil War, only Oberlin and Mount Holyoke accepted women. Following the war, the colleges known as the Seven Sisters opened in rapid succession. Miss Porter was ahead of her time when she established a curriculum that included Latin, French, German, chemistry, philosophy, rhetoric, mathematics (up to trigonometry), history, geography, and music. There were daily Bible readings, as well as rowing, riding, and tennis. Famous authors such as Mark Twain gave readings, and there were frequent concerts and dances. Addie writes of all these activities.
Miss Porter not only supplied secure employment but also encouraged Addie to take advantage of the library, which she did with a great deal of relish. During these years, Addie becomes determined to create a life for herself above and beyond that allowed by her circumstances.
Hartford Jan. 9 1867
Dear Sister
[…] Saturday night I went to N.Y. and return to N.H. Monday night I had a very pleasant time indeed. I went to Phila in the P.M. in the evening [….] It is a beautiful church. Monday Mr. Tines took me to Barnum I enjoyed it very much.
I had a very[nice] time at N.H. although it rain and snow. But part of the time New Years day Mrs. Cummings invite Mr. Tines to tea and threw a fire. And then about eight o’clock we all attend the Temple street c
hurch festival. Mr. T met Mr. Green there and left for the boat ten P.M. it was very pleasant we start quite late. Friday Tiller gave a surprise in her Laver house. Mr. Tines was invited and also was requested to bring two or three more. Had a very nice time some was disappointed about the music they played several games past of the evening very nicely indeed the Gent seem to enjoyed themselves very much. That same evening Mr. Tines made me a New Years present a set of sleeves studs they are very pretty.
He ask to claim my hand. I don’t think I shall let him claim until nexe fall.
[…] Doubtless you attended Mrs. Adams grand affair. No doubt Bell look very charming. Has she made any conquests while in Baltimore? Aunt Emily and I been speaking about. New Years day it snowed all day in N.H. all the girls had several calls.
[…] Mr. Tines wish me to ask you if you had received his letter he would like to know he also send his regards to you.
Except my best love from your Adopted Sister
Addie
A letter from Addie Brown, dated 1867, to her “Beloved Sister,’’ Rebecca.
Royal Oak, Jan. 11, 1867
My Dear Parents & Sister
[…] I settled my bills with Mrs. Adams—Mr. Israel condescended to give me $10—I told him I had not rec’d. my check, had no money, etc. & I wanted very much to return to my school therefore he opened his heart to give me that amount & Miss Hoy the sum of $5 [….]
While at Easton I spent an hour or so at Mrs. Armstrong’s school, I am rather disappointed in it & she is also, for she expected to find it farther advanced, none write or study Geog. & she has 66 pupils.
She was delighted to see me, after this week she expected to board with Mrs. Thos. Sister, she inquired very particularly after you all.
They raised over $200. at their Fair in Easton all of which is for the school house.
At the Festival here during that week I’m told they did not do so well for it was so very cold.
Beloved Sisters and Loving Friends Page 17