[…] Mrs. Thos. has shown me your hens one’s name is Rebecca & the other, Bell—they having been named according as they characterize the individual whose names they bear. The latter being more gay than the former wears a crown, & this is the distinguishing feature. But the former produces the largest eggs & is the more independent.
Why was only Jim’s name inserted & nothing further said of him either “pro or con?” I might have known ’twas some of your work Bell.
[…] The letter you’ve expressed to me is not yet rec’d. and I think you’d, better make inquiries at the office. We’ve sent regularly every mail day & made diligent inquiries. Your other letter containing the $50 note came safely & directly. I will not write any more today so adieu.
[…] We rec’d. the unexpected intelligence of the death of Emily’s baby yesterday, it died last Mon. week, in consequence of which advent she’s expected to return to Mr. & Mrs. Thomas this week for they’d, agreed in case of its death to receive her again & she’s very disirous of doing so promising at the same time to be a very different girl, & I’m told she is very anxious to see me.
[…] Remember me to all of my friends and accept my best love to yourselves & Jim tell him to be a good boy till I come. From your absent daughter & sister
Rebecca
Here are some mock orange seeds Mrs. Thos. sends you to plant around the house for shading the windows.
Hartford April 28 1867
My Dearest Adopted Sister
[…] Mr. Tines brother is dead he went on to Phila Tuesday and his brother was buried Thursday I feel sorry for them all the family seems to be very much attached to each other I received a letter from Mr. T and he will be down to see me this evening he expect to leave Phila Saturday A.M. in time to take the boat. Mr. Green called on me Tuesday I wish you could of seen my head I was busy sewing I thought I would not stop to comb my hair until the P.M. […]
Mr. T. expect to go to the Springs in the last of June I understand they are not going to run in the new boat it is called the State of New York they say it is very handsome. Mr. Green told he will not go head write on it and if he dont go—Mr. T will not. […] No I have never allowed Mr. Tines to visit me at Mrs. Crowell he has escorted me to the door and that is all.
[…] I suppose Bell will have all Mrs. Pennington clothes I heard she had very nice one she ought to have some one clothes. She got none of her own. She is worse then I am for I have got two or three pieces. A few more weeks I will hear My Dear Sister is home, wonder when I will have the pleasure of seeing her. Please to direct your letter to your Mother and she will forward it to me to Farmington [….]
Addie moves to Farmington, Connecticut, to begin working at Miss Porter’s School for Girls.
Farmington May 5 1867
My Dear Adopted Sister
You see where I am and I like it very well so far. I left Hartford Thursday 3 P.M. and arrived 6 oclock Sarah accompany me and expect to return Tuesday A.M. I had rather a tedious ride the stage was so full in side and out something happen I will not tell you until I see you it made me rather low spirited since Friday A.M. I have been in rather good spirits since. I have not been out any so I cannot tell you much about the place. I like the house, and the grounds are very pretty. I have had excellent appetite ever since I have been here.
Mrs. Jefferson reported that the work was very hard it rather discourage me coming out here what I have to do is nothing. I have great deal of time Mr. Sands is very kind. Any thing is very heavy he lift off the range. Some of the cooking utensils are as large as I am. Some of the help are quite sociable one girl I like very well she ask me quite often if I was homesick I seldom feel that. Last evening I saw the young ladies dance not many of them graceful.
I hope I may have the pleasure of seeing you out here when you return home. Mr. Sands was speaking of you this A.M. you the best one out of all the family and you was a lady now what do you think of that.
Now about Election day it rain of course which I did not care very much I did not intend to go out in the A.M. I promise Ellen that I would come over then in the P.M. […] We seen the parade Main Streets was crowded not withstanding the storms if you could only seen the styled. […]
The Granite never reach Hartford most 5 oclock so I did not see any one. I spent a very pleasant evening with him[Mr. Tines] and he also called Monday I suppose it will be sometime for I will have the pleasure of seeing him again.
I have been looking at the young ladies going to church. Sarah wishing she could go the only thing keep her she forgot her stocking and I would lend her pair I will not learn nexe time when she comes out to bring her things she grows worse instead of better. I had quite a time to get her off Sunday evening to church with your Mother I did not go out all day for I have nothing this spring to wear.
[…] I am please to hear that you spent such a pleasant time I am sorry you was disappointed not seeing the ceremony perfrom who know but the nexe be the Royal teacher dont tell her I said so seems to me nothing but marriage there.
[…] I have pen you all of any interest I coming to a brief close except my best love from your affectionate Sister Addie
P.S. Please to direct your letter
Care of Miss Sarah Porter
Farmington Conn
Rebecca documents a series of conventions at which freedmen began to exercise some of their newfound political clout. In the series of letters that follow, she details their participation in a mass meeting at Easton, the purpose of which was to elect delegates to the statewide convention in Baltimore in 1867. Rebecca’s letter relays a sense of optimism and urgency, and one can almost feel the exuberance of the attendees. During this relatively brief period, blacks emerged as lawmakers and the black public crowded the galleries of state legislative halls. Rebecca also introduces us to Judge Hugh Lennox Bond, who supported black participation in the Union Army as well as other initiatives to grant rights to the freedmen.12
This letter also includes a tender expression of concern for Addie.
Royal Oak, Talbot Co., Md
May 11, 1867 Sat.
7½ A.M.
My dear Parent & Sister,
[…] The mass meeting convened at Easton per agreement, and multitudes of the col’d. race from all parts of this county were assembled there. I continued school as usual & as all from Ferry Neck, St. Michaels, Bayside & Broad Cr. Neck were obliged to pass the church enroute to Easton. I had a fine opportunity for sight seeing which I enjoyed hugely; as many walked as rode I judge—both women & men. It was cloudy all the A.M. & at noon it began to rain here & continued very hard & steadily the rest of the day. Mr. & Mrs. Thomas went up they say it did not rain as soon or so hard there, however the meeting went on. A Judge Bond has charmed all the people of color, but the Copperheads are all raging & raging about it—him & his colleagues. Both col’d. & white delegates were chosen to attend the State Convention next Tues. Mr. Thomas is one, & he goes up to Balto. Mond. I’ve sent to Easton for a paper to send you with this letter, so that you can know the full particulars of the meeting. Some of the men who attended it have been turned out of employment on account of their going but notwithstanding this, they are all very hopeful & look forward to brighter days. I can assure you the col’d. men are all wide awake now upon political matters & the whites are saying all they possibly can to discourage them, but in vain.
[…] I have 35 pupils attending school now & yesterday everyone of them was present all day. Every Friday P.M. the girls being sewing & some of them sew very neatly.
[…] We’re again disappointed this week in rec’g. out lumber, and too, just by the dilatriness of Mr. Janney who failed to get it to the boat ’ere it left although the capt. delayed one day to accommodate him. It is very trying indeed, & still more discouraging for we’re to such a great disadvantage thereby.
I would like to be in Balto, now. I’d just tell them how meanly we’ve been served by them, & I’d. should endeavor to make everything appear in its worst form & lig
ht. Mr. Thos. says he’ll tell them, & he’s going to ask Mr. Janney to give us the coat of the lumber—that is the money—& we’ll take it & buy what we need here without further delay, by so doing we’ll be spared the cost of transportation etc. so that ’twill be much cheaper for us. I hope Mr. J. will do so.
I rec’d. your truly welcomed epistle Thurs. & Addie’s also. She writes me that she’s very much pleased with her new situation, which I’m very glad to hear as she’s going to receive such good wages. I’ve rec’d. letters from Ed. Randall & Josephine this week. I don’t know whether she rec’d. her box or not, she’s so peculiar that sometimes I feel real provoked with her. She seldom ans. any of my questions & I’m done propounding them now. I suspect she does cause much remark when she’s from home & she’ll never be any different from what she now is I know. Ed. Randall wishes to be remembered to you all. He is well.
[…] I forgot to tell you a teacher has finally arrived for Ferry Neck & yesterday A.M. He paid my school a visit, he’s from New Bedford & is an acquaintance of Mrs. Armstrong’s. He is young & I should judge quite smart, but he’s very short in stature. He said he was quite well pleased with the appearance of my school. He opens school Monday. There are now seven col’d. schools in this county.
Geo. Carr is such a steady young fellow that I hardly think he’ll have any trouble in getting a situation to teach, all he requires is to get some society to adopt him, pass an examination & the asson. will supply him. There’s to be another school opened in this county as soon as a schoolhouse can be built, but twill not be opened this term. I wish Mr. Burton has known it. Miss Usher’s sister is teaching under the Del. Asson.
[…] Now about the girl you have with you. I told Mr. Thos. of the probably connexion, he says it may be for he has an aunt that was sold away from here years ago & she’s never been heard from since.
I had to smile at Jim’s movements but I’m glad he did not hurt the child. I’m surprised to know he’ll allow her to play with him at all. He has become remarkably gentle. […]
In the following letter, Addie paints a portrait of Miss Porter’s School as an intellectually, socially, and culturally stimulating place.
Farmington May 12 1867
My Dear Adopted Sister
[…] Mrs. Porter was asking me this A.M. if I was not going to church I think I shall go nexe Sunday Mr. Sands is not feeling very well this A.M. I will have to wear my hat I have nothing else and dont expect to get anything for the present Miss Porter is very much of a Lady. Her housekeeper cant step in her old shoe for all she is a cousin to her. […] You know I am not as fond of cats as you are. Babes[are] my pets. […]
I presume you have heard from Mr. Tines ere this he inform me in his last that intended to write to you last Sunday I am getting very tired receiving morning letters I hope they will come to a close.
[…] Rebecca do you think you will return to the school again? Rebecca I think I will ask a favor of you this summer which I am always doing so and you always gratify me in every thing. I would like you to lend me some money. I thought I would tell you in time. I only wish that I could of come out there last winter. I must not complain. […] I hear music all day there is a piano in the hall nearly at my room some of the Ladies play nicely Saturday there is not school they do what they choose some go out riding and walking there is 17 pianos? and their all going on Saturday in the winter they tea evening in the week summer evenings Miss Porter read to them.
One of the Chamber Maid is very pleasant I was setting in my room sewing she came and invited me in her room and staid until 10 P.M.
I have promise to go out some evening while I am here she came from England a year ago last month. She likes Aunt Emily very much and wants to go in see her with me.
I have free access to the library Miss Porter has two one for the week and one on Sunday I have read two quite interesting books, so I will have every thing to make it pleasant but society. I can depend on that for a while. Now I must come to close
except my best love
from your Sister
|Addie
Care of Miss Sarah Porter
Farmington Conn
Rebecca the black Yankee reemerges here as she requests information about the young freedwoman who boards with her family and as she describes a spring church service in Royal Oak. The compassionate Rebecca gives an in-depth portrait of “old man Moore,” an elderly man who is sustained by the Royal Oak community. For the remainder of her correspondence she will respond to her family’s inquiries about him. Eventually the Hartford family will also send packages to him as well. This demonstrates the ethic of care and concern that maintains a sense of connection and community for struggling black communities North and South.
Royal Oak, May 18, 1867
Sat. 7½ A.M.
My dear Parents & Sister,
[…] Mr. Thomas returned We. morning. He says the convention passed very quietly & pleasantly the Republicans had the majority; the object of it was to add an amendment to the constitution in favor of “Negro Suffrage.” The col’d. delegates numbered about two to one white man, the democrats would have been the victorious party but for that. All were allowed to speak ten minutes at a time, & he says some of col’d. delegates spoke well also some of the whites, both those who were for, & against the suffrage question.
The ambition of the col’d. men in this state is raised high I’ll assure you, & they are confident of voting at the next election. It’s the general topic of the day now among them.
Mr. Janney has again promised to send our lumber down by the first boat & we look for it next week, should he fail to do so we’re going to procure it here & say no more about it to him. Mr. Janney & Mr. Thomas have applied to Gen. Gregory for assistance for me & he’s promised to furnish our desks, & as they cost $3.00 apiece ’twill be a great help to us. Collections are gradually going on & I hope we may raise a sum sufficient to defray all of our intervening expenses.
[…] Mr. Mills with whom Josphine boards was one of the delegates. He went up Mon. night with Mr. Thomas. He says Josephine is the most singular person he ever saw. I have heard from her this week. She acknowledges the receipt of your letter. The box has not arrived yet, but she presumes it will come along by & by. She says “you know it takes longer for these heavy bodies to move south of Mason & Dixon’s line than it does north of it.” She deems the whites here only half civilized.
I rec’d. a very interesting letter from Carrie’s sister last Saturday eve’g. She seems to be getting along finely with her school, has a good boarding place and likes very much. The church in which she teaches is made of logs & never possessed either a sash or window pane. She has a walk of two miles & has 39 pupils now, she has had more than this number, but they’ve been taken out of school and put to work as is customary in the South.
[…] I did not rec’d. your letter Thurs. but I’ve this morning sent to Easton for it. Addie’s came as usual, she seems to be delighted with her new home & all its surroundings.
Old man Moore is quite sick both his feet are badly swollen & pain him constantly. The rest of our neighborhood of people are all well I believe & just as busy as they can be. […]
As for that girl I judge she’s one of Emily’s make,13 but why do you clean until Bell returns or why not leave it till I come home to help? Don’t put yourselves to the trouble of cleaning my room. As it’s not been much used ’twill not be much or hard to clean & I can do it myself as well as not. She would not suit me I know.
[…] I see Jeff Davis14 has been released. His bond’s men just esteem him very highly indeed, to go his security for such an enormous sum of money.
In this week’s Independent, there is an account given of a grand presentation of a marble clock to Wm. Lloyd Garrison by a few of the col’d. citizens of Boston, also the presentation address by Wm.
C. Nell, & Mr. Gis. reply. His white friends have presented him the handsome of $30,000 & purpose raising $20,000 more so as to make the whole am’t.
$50,000 on account of his real & unwearied labors in the abolition cause. The world truly moves. I want you Bell to write & tell me all about your visit to Boston & everything else you can think of to write.
How does that girl treat Jim is she for or against him? Tell her I say she must not ill-treat him upon any consideration.
Give my love to all the friends. Mr. & Mrs. Thomas wish to be remembered to you all.
[…] It was a delightful Sabbath and I see a number of the blacks attired in their new spring hats, bonnets & dresses some in the latest styles. I judge, & oh! such looks some presented! Some of these people do make themselves appear so much more ridiculous than they really are. I don’t know what they think of my always dressing so plainly. I must close now as I’ve two letters to write for outsiders. So adieu.
Rebecca
I send you two papers with this the “Easton Gazette” Rep. Ed.
Beloved Sisters and Loving Friends Page 22