“Home Weeklies’’ to Rebecca Primus’s family.
Mrs. Thomas is not well & not been since I left them, Mr. Thos. was taken sick Christmas day & was ill the rest of the week, which prevented his coming to Balto, as he intended, he kept his bed for he had no use of his limbs, & one day he said he did not know that ailed him,—he’s quite well again now—but oh! he regrets so much not meeting with you & Bell. I told him you did not know but you’d come on here just before school closed they are both in hopes you will do so, rest assured you’ll not lack attention among these people; they’ve all been anxiously awaiting my return. Mrs. Thos. says every day there have been calls here to know whether I’d come back or was coming [….]
Emily is not here & I had no opportunity to see her in Easton—Mrs. Thomas says she cried when she went away. Poor girl I expect she feels badly enough. I feel real sorry for her, her family are very poor but she has two older sisters who are as bad & lazy as they can be, all are home now & their old mother is an invalid, I don’t know as she’s scarcely able to help herself, & the father is of no account they say, and older brother & his wife partly sustain the family.
There have been a number of changes here by removals & by which I’ve lost some of my very best scholars, their parents having gone out of the place. Oh! I do regret it so much!
In Mr. Graham’s letter which was among those I rec’d. yesterday, he desired me to encourage that lame young man that attended my school, to prepare himself for a teacher & then to come to Balto. & enter the Normal class, but to my great & sad disappointment this can not be effected by me, for his folks have moved to St. Michaels. I’ve been very proud of him.
Miss Dickson has also written and has been adopted by some society in Boston, & now she has three reports to make out. She can have some idea of what I’ve been doing all along. Mr. Burton has written to Mr. Israel concerning our contemplated school-house, I was informed at the Rooms.
[…] Give my love to every body & Jim & accept my best to yourselves.
From Rebecca
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas send a great deal of love to you.
Hartford Jan. 14 1867
Dear Sister
What shall I attribute to your silence to? You are not punishing me for not writing last week are you? I am at Mrs. C again. Came last night and today I have been washing and back ache like a toothache they all seem to be glad to have me return to them even the cat [….]
Gertrude Plato was out to church yesterday she has a new-look she is getting ready to visit Boston nexe month I hear she is making great preparations I dont think dress became her what do you think about it I guess she would not like to hear that.
There is quite excitement amongst the upper tier here. Mrs. Worburton is contemplating marriages […] with Mr. Williams I under stand that he waited on her before. Mr. Warburton and then rejected not only once but twice now to think she is going to take him up after all that and he also has a living wife out west I wonder what Mr. Mitchell will do. her friend want to hear it up I don’t think they will succeed now days many go the fourteenth well I am glad my love is not quite so strong as that when it is refuse one that is me for all with any one.
Dr. Green has put his wife in the retreat I heard it was for indulging in the intoxicating beverage I ask Mrs. Crowell if it was so she said yes and also Marshall Jewell wife for the same crime. I guess that nexe will be Mrs. Huntington on Clinton Sts I would not be surprise.
[…] I suppose your Mother is return home by this time Mr. Primus expect them this eve. Miss Addie Babcock in a great story about the fair think it time they had it. I called on her Saturday P.M. and was showing me some of the things she has made for the fair enough to fill a small table.
They have arrested three men in Farmington for murdering the Mr. Johnson of that town they have put the trial off until March they think one more is concerned in it. I hope they will get all of them [….]
Royal Oak, Jan. 19, 1867
My Dear Parents & Sister,
I am all right side up again now and I’m feeling as well and brisk as ever I did [….]
There is a plenty of snow upon the ground now and it’s being improved, & if this weather continues ’twill last sometime. Mr. Thomas says it’s seldom they are favored with such a season of sleighing. I only wish you could see the various and many styles of jumper sleighs that have been fitted up for the occasion by both white and black, some of them look hard but nothing for that they answer every purpose.
I guess the poor horses will rejoice when this snow is gone. I’ve been favored with two or three short rides, & Mr. Thomas purposed taking me out last evening but he was disappointed about his horse, some others had been driving him without his knowledge & he was in no condition to be driven any distance again. I did not regret it much for it was so very cold, & windy also. He owns one of those basket sleighs.
I suppose Mother you and Bell have reached home again ere this, I rec’d. your letter last Tuesday and I was delighted to hear you were both enjoying your visit to Phila, so well. I only wish I could have accompanied you. I am glad you met with Amanda Robinson & also that she paid you so much attention [….]
I’ve had a school every day this week, but no night session, the largest number that have attended have been nineteen, the severe weather has kept the children at home. Four of my night scholars are attending the day school, they are out of employment and so improve the opportunity of coming to school. I wish they could all come so as to dispense with the night school entirely, but many are hired out by the year & therefore can not attend during the day.
I gave the old man his clothing & he was perfectly delighted with it all. He says he’ll try to pay me for it. I told him I did not wish him to do so but hoped they’d be of service to him.
The people here think you are the kindest woman that lives and they’re all anxious to see you and desire to know if you’re not coming to see them. I tell them I guess you’ll come on before I return home.
It is a very dull time with everybody here now, and sleighing is the most that’s thought of. The mill cannot run on account of the weather therefore Mr. Thomas is out of employment. As soon as the weather moderates they’ll all go into the woods chopping.
[…] Why did you not write to Father again seeing you continued your stay. I guess he thought you had gone for the winter surely. How did you find Jim upon your return? I hope he is well [….]
Royal Oak, Talbot Co., Md
Feb. 2, 1867
Sat. A.M.
My Dear Parents & Sister,
It is very cloudy with us this A.M. and I think ’twill rain before long. Within the last two days the moderate weather & the sun’s rays have nearly cleared the fields of snow & has done very much toward removing it from the roads. I can tell you it’s wet and muddy enough here now, and will be until we’ve had a good rain to settle the ground.
This week I’ve made out my reports for Jan’y. finishing last night, and now they’re in Easton—went early this A.M. I began them Thurs. P.M. I had 44 pupils in all during the month, the bad weather and bad traveling have prevented a number of my day scholars and nearly all of my night pupils from attending school this month, and five of my night scholars have attended the day session so that it has numbered 33 pupils.
The present month I expect to have a better attendance, the winter has been very hard upon us as with you, for it’s been very cold here and we’ve had a considerable snow. I took my last sleigh ride—partly upon mud and partly upon snow—Thurs. night but to & upon my return from school, being drawn by a mule.
Quite a serious accident occurred in Easton last week, I think. A horse took fright ran away and with the shafts attached to him jumped or fell into a sleigh that was standing by the side of the road containing a man & his wife, broke in the breast bone of the latter besides doing other injuries, from which she has since been insensible, and seriously injured her husband about the head nearly tearing off his scalp. There are no hopes of his wife’s reco
very, but some for himself. He is a livery stable keeper there [….]
Mr. Thomas has gone this A.M. to dig a grave for an old white lady 88 yrs of age, who died yesterday & is to be buried at 2 P.M. today, she was not sick long, and a younger sister who has been bedridden for 22 yrs. and whose death has been expected for years, outlives her. She was the oldest person here and also was a widow.
[…] Mr. Benson is exerting himself to get the land for us, and very soon I expect the money will be forwarded to Balto, for the transportation of the lumber, $5 or $6 more has been subscribed. The schoolhouse is my theme in school and out of it, and I’m striving to induce those living upon farms to ask their employers who are favorable to the school, to give something towards it and they’ve promised to do so. They’re all very anxious for me to return to them this fall. I tell them that it only depends upon the school house, and it must be completed before school closes for the vacation. Their invariable plea is we’re all poor, just out of bondage and times are hard with us etc. My reply is, very true, nevertheless we must have a school house; and then what the consequences will be if it’s not built this Spring. I want to raise their ambition and survive & increase the interest. In my last letter to Jane I told her to do all she could for us. And wherever I think I can get any aid I shall put forth my plea. I hope the Fair will be successful in realizing a good sum. I shall keep account of every $1 and cent that I rec. for it from whatever source it may come, and I’ll transmit a full acc’t of the whole amt. to all the donors when it’s completed.
[…] I am glad to hear Jim’s living so highly upon the fat of the land, I can imagine how his fat sides stick out after eating, but I think it’s too bad he should rec. such unkind treatment every now & then. His mistress will be there to protect and defend him one of these days.
You must give my love to Henrietta and her husband always.
[…] I paid my visit out today and enjoyed it, a portion of the P.M. I read aloud to the family We had a nice dinner & tea also, the former consisting of the following articles, so that you can judge whether ’twas a good one or not—Pork & Cabbage, a Roasted Possum, Fried Oysters, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Irish do, Fried Parsnips, Stewed Apples, Pickles, & Wheat Bread—for Dessert Mince Pies, Peach, Apple and Quince Preserves & Cheese. For supper we had tea Biscuits, Bread, Sausages, Crackers, Cheese Preserves and Tea. I enjoyed both meals greatly, though the host & hostess complained of my not eating & kept urging me to do so, but I ate very heartily at dinner and had no appetite for supper [….] Mrs. Thomas made Mr. Thomas and myself some nice potato pudding yesterday, & today besides eating half of his own which was in a good sized Pudding dish, he’s eaten about two thirds of mine today. I told him as I was writing to you I should mention it; he’s a very hearty man, was weighed last week and weighs one lb. of being 200lbs. We tell him it’s because he’s not been at work this winter [….]
In this letter Rebecca reveals a black community that presents one face in the company of whites and a very different, more relaxed one in their absence.
Royal Oak, Talbot Co., Md
Feb. 8, 1867
Fri. 11 A.M.
My dear Parents & Sister,
Today we are having a cold rain-storm, or as is a more common expression here,—“we’re having failing weather,” and in consequence of which I am at home today,—privilege of which I am highly glad to avail myself, for the reason that I did not retire till about two this morning, and I am feeling very dull & rather sleepy [….]
Mr. Thomas & I attended the wedding last eve’g., the ceremony took place at 6½ o’ck., the bride wore a Delaine skirt—brown and figured with a white waist, and her head was decorated with flowers, artificial, as were also the heads of the two bridesmaids, who were likewise attired in delaines. The groom wore a full suit of black his vest being velvet I think, and his attendants wore the same; all looked plain, neat and well. Rev’d. Trantum married them, afterwards congratulated them and eating a small piece of cake very soon retired. The man with whom the bride lives was present with two other white men, they all came & went with the minister, ’twas a relief too, to have them gone, immediately following which the entire company a large number of whom had assembled relapsed or collapsed I don’t know which would be the most applicable term here,—into a long and painful silence. I was glad to have some refreshments passed for a relief & a change of scene. The refreshment at this time was iced cake in thin slices, cookies & lemonade, after an interval of an hour or two the tables were arranged for supper, upon which was placed two large Turkies, Cold Boiled Chickens with drawn Butter turned over them, Shad Ham or Bacon & Sausages, Bread Biscuit & Butter, Tea & Coffee, & Scallop Oysters or something similar—they were very nice. I tasted them ate part of a Turkey leg & two flat biscuit cakes, I suppose they’re called here, and drank two cups—very small—of tea. At supper a different spirit pervaded the guests which continued till we left which was about 1 ½ o’ck. After supper & the tables had been removed, played upon; which created much amusement. I did not participate in any of them however, but remained a silent & interested spectator. Mrs. Thomas did not go. We were the first to make a movement to go home although ’twas so late. I can’t tell at what hour the rest separated.
While we were at supper a number of men both married and single, came to the house surrounding it making the most horrid noises with cow and sleigh bells, horns etc. added to their yells & songs, firing of pistols & guns, that you ever heard, and I judged they kept it up full an hour, to the discomfiture of all present.
This is a custom here upon such occasions among both black and white, and is considered very annoying, still it has to be endured though now & then I’m told, at the expense of law, for they go too far in their demonstrations sometimes. Just before we came away the bride’s loaf which had occupied the center of the table during supper, was cut & passed around with confectionery. Everything seemed to be nice & was enjoyed the meats here decorated with evergreens, also three of the side walls of the room which was quite large & nearly square & warmed by a fire in the fireplace, the floor was uncarpeted but white and very clean.
I think I’ve now given you a full and fair description of the wedding, and you’ll probably infer that ’twas a very pleasant affair upon a whole, which is quite true [….]
Mr. Thomas thinks of going to Easton tomorrow, so I thought I get my weekly epistle ready to send by him. I rec’d. your letter & one from Josephine yesterday, Addie’s has not come yet.
The mail driver has very kindly offered to bring my mail from Easton every Thurs., and stop at the church so that I can send out one of my scholars to get it [….]
Tell Gertrude to take a position as clerk in the Fair, and act in my place. I am glad you’re going to have it soon, and I really hope you will realize a handsome sum of greenbacks at its close, then I shall have something to write to Mr. Graham & Mr. Janney3 concerning a portion of what we expect & from a reliable source.
I would like to see the various articles you have made and recd, for the Fair. Have you made any of those Gen. Putnum pen-wipers Bell? I suspect “Jacob’s Well” will create a general sensation.
I hope the white friends will add to their interest therein liberality, has Miss Wells given you that ten dolls, her sister gave?
Mr. & Mrs. Snell must have taken a great interest in our School, I think it must present a fine appearance now every Sunday. I hope our church as done well at their festival this week. I think you could select something of value at the Fair and sell votes on it for Mr. Snell & our minister keeping an accurate acct. on paper of each name & vote sold, whichever of the two gets the largest number, to rec. the article.
I think Jim must eat too much. You must allowance him. Has he got so that he can shut his eyes now while he is sleeping. I would like to see that picture of the Cat and I think Jim, Jr. would be pleased to look at it. He sends his love to Jim, Sr. & to you all. He was delighted to have me back again.
[…] Remember one & all accept the best por
tion to yourselves.
From Rebecca
P.S. I sent you a copy of the Annual Report of the Balto, with the last letter.
PS. I enclose $7.00 the balance of my contract $3.00 of which you already have in hand.
Royal Oak, Talbot Co., Md Feb. 16, 1867
My Dear Parents & Sister
[…] Will you please tell me what Boneset is for? I made a tea of it & drank hot at night & cold during the day for my cold, but not knowing the nature of it I’ve not continued it. and I don’t know whether I was benefited or not. I’ve taken sage & hop tea, and now I’m drinking wormwood again for my stomach has felt very weak and bad all this week. I’m also making a faithful and daily trial of your snuff now, which is doing my head & cold more good than anything else I’ve tried, at least I’m impressed to believe it is [….]
Miss Dickson is in their new schoolhouse, and who’s delighted, she has 68 day and 3 night pupils, she feels that tis more than she can do justice by and she’d applied for an assistant. She’s enjoying good health and has recently visited Mrs. Rogers, who is well but much dissatisfied with her present situation. I think she’s at the same place where Mallie Gordon was sent.
Miss Smith retains her health and spirits, and she’s getting along finely with her school. The Assoc. agrees to furnish her with books upon the same terms with the other teachers, they also desire her to send them monthly reports for which they will furnish blanks. I shall endeavor to persuade Josephine to have her school brought under the protection for the Asson. in the same way if she will.
Miss Carrie writes that she has 42 scholars now and seems to be quite elated, she returns you many thanks for your kind wishes etc. She has rec’d. your letter Bell, sickness prevented her going to Balto, as she anticipated [….]
I hope you had good luck with the Fair & also favorable weather, twas pleasant here those days, in fact all the week up to yesterday. That young man is attending school with his sister in St. Michaels. I say him the last time I was there & told him what Mr. Graham recommended, he said it would take too long to prepare him for a teacher. I told him I thought differently. I presume he’ll think upon it and make what advancement he can [….]
Beloved Sisters and Loving Friends Page 18