Beloved Sisters and Loving Friends

by Farah Jasmine Griffin

  […] Did I tell you a “Union League” had been formed among us? It was organized last Sat. night at the schoolhouse, and they meet once a week. They have one at Easton, Oxford & Trappe. The one here bids fair to prosper.

  [….] There has not been so much wind today. We re all enjoying good health this cold weather. I expect Emily will heave us at Christmas. It’s thought she’s in trouble again & Mr. Thomas told Mrs. Thos. if she was so, she could remain in his family any longer & when she goes she’s never to return. She don’t want to leave but otherwise does not seem to care. [….]

  Rebecca.

  At a masquerade ball, one of Miss Porter’s students dressed as Topsy, the black urchin from Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Mr. Sands took great offense and protected his young daughter from witnessing the stereotype.

  Farmington Dec. 11, 1867

  My Dear Adopted Sister

  It is a very cold day but very clear indeed. Mr. Sands is preparing for church. I shall be the only occupant in the Kitchen. Thanksgiving has past. I am glad of it for I work quite hard on that day. Aunt Emily & Mr. DeSilva & Sara came out night before. Mr. & Mrs. Brown dine with us. It was quite pleasant at the table Dine at half past 3. I will give you the bill of fare: Turkey, Chicken pie and Macaroni. Oysters potatoes and wines. Apple, pumpkin, mince, coconut pies, ice creams, oranges, grapes, nuts, candy, raisin, prunes, dates coffee and cake. I left the company at 7 PM and went to my bed I was very tired. I[woke at] half past five AM you can imagine how I felt when night came. Some of the young Ladies went home. About 20 remain and some of them had there friends to visit them which made it fifty, altogether. Friday Evening the young Ladies had a masquerade Ball. They look very well. One of them was Topsy and Mr. Sands was quite angre about. Was not going to let Sarah see them. She was the only one remain until Saturday A.M. the rest went Friday A.M. Mr. DeSilva was going to New Bedford. Saturday. I did not get a chance to talk to him. Both of the female kept close to him while he was here. I am very glad that your Mary came down an hour ago and she is just gone so you see I had to stop writing in the meantime Mr. Sands ask me to fry some oyster while he was at church. I have just got through doing so.

  Your interesting letter was rec Saturday noon. I was quite well and please to think you all had such a pleasant time at the Festival. I rec a letter from Gertrude too. Also for Miss Carrie Cummings. I had given up hearing from her. No I did not witness the great shower of meteors nor did I hear anyone speak of them in the house. Snow is all gone has been for some days. I am glad you wrote to Mr. De Silva for the first time that he was out here. He did seems to like it that you had ans his letter. He told me that you did Thanksgiving.

  H. Brown was telling me that he read in the Hartford paper about the grand ball. Was as many there. Miss Downing from New Port was there. Mrs. Saunders brother took the Landy and Mr. Walter Mitchell took Miss Houston. I guess they had a stormy night for it rain very hard out here. I guess Thomas Sands aint very much please with his Mother for he has not written to her for sometime. I heard there was more money missing out of the house. I suppose they think it Mrs. B Sands. I hope they will find the thief. It was cold last night. Three of the girls came down in the kitchen to keep me company. One of the girls or rather three of them wants me to learn them to dance. I am afraid they will be disappointed. Mr. Sands sends his love. Says he’s sorry there aren’t any rich men there. Well he says you are a good girl and wants to see you do well. He say you are the best of the family. I agree with him. Good After Noon from your Sister Addie.

  Royal Oak, Dec. 14, 1867

  Sat. 9 A.M.

  My dear Mother,

  I am expecting to take a sleigh ride to Easton this morning, at the same time I am going to get my check cashed -which I have rec’d. this week, and enclose to you twenty dolls, for those spoons. Please pay father the $3.28 I am owing him. This is all I will send until I know whether it’s been safely rec’d.

  Hope you’re all well. I shall write as usual next week. Time will not allow of my writing any more now. With much love to you all I remain y’r. affect. Daughter,

  Rebecca.

  Please have these initials H.J.C. put upon Henrietta’s spoons & N.A.A.P. put on Nelson’s.

  Farmington Dec. 15 1867

  My Dear Adopted Sister

  [….] I received letter from Mrs. Tines and Daughter, Mrs. Brown. They both very well but not Mr. Tines. He keep about. I think he is rather too old to work. The other Daughter in New Port is poorly. She has a cancer in her right breast. Truly feel sorry for her. Mrs. Tines wish me to write to Joseph to inform him of his Sister situation. Wants him to go and see her. Mrs. Brown babe grows finely. Her husband is still home and expected to leave every day.

  The Ladies in Phila is preparing for a fair for Christmas. Don’t I wish that I was going to be some where this Christmas and New Years in particular.

  [….] Today I write two teachers in Norfolk for one is Amelia Adam sister Mrs. Miels and the other Miss Gordon. Perhaps nexe Sunday I will ans Miss Cummings letter. I have my night gowns done. I shall wash them this week. I am reading a book called Our Old Home, a series of English sketches quite interesting. I think you would like it. Now I am coming to a brief close. Hoping I will soon rec my letter. Good night, your affectionate Sister Addie.

  Chapter Nine

  “The people are quite

  cheered up & hopeful

  once more.”

  1868

  THE spring of 1868 witnessed some of the most dramatic events of Reconstruction. President Johnson went on trial for “high crimes and misdemeanors,” for which he was eventually acquitted. Ulysses S. Grant received the Republican nomination for president. Grant had been a war hero and was favored by the more conservative and moderate members of the party who wanted to weaken the influence of the radical Republicans.

  Addie and Rebecca make little mention of the impeachment procedures, though Rebecca continues to document black participation in state conventions, and she and her family anticipate election day.

  Addie continues to work at Miss Porter’s School, but her letters cease after February. Apparently she left Farmington for Philadelphia following her marriage to Mr. Tines in April 1868. An undated letter that appears to have been written to her from her husband (see Appendix) suggests that she had a happy marriage and that she had children. On the back of an envelope, in Rebecca’s handwriting, is written: “Addie died at home, January 11, 1870.” She was twenty- eight years old.

  Ironically, in 1868 Rebecca’s letters start in March, after Addie’s end in February of that year. Instead of providing a sense of the correspondence between the two of them, it is as if the surviving friend speaks for them both.

  A mature, determined Addie speaks in the following letters. She welcomes the opportunity to leave her job as a live-in servant and to begin a new life as the wife of her longtime suitor, Joseph Tines. Nonetheless, though she views marriage as an escape from life as a domestic servant, she continues to express some ambivalence and fear about the institution.

  Addie’s letters also provide additional information about the elegance and intellectual stimulation Miss Porter makes available to her students.

  Farmington Jan. 6, 1868

  My Dear Adopted Sister:

  [….] This winter only three of the young Ladies. Expect more this evening. We prepared dinner for them. It only 16 weeks more and then I shall take my departure from Farmington.

  Mr. Brown gave us a New Years Eve Supper quite a surprise. I was up in one of the girls room about 10 o’clock. He called us down. We enjoyed ourselves very much indeed. Mary went to Watch meeting and staid a little while. Wanted me to go. I rather stay at home. I was quite busy. New Years day I was all alone too. [….] Rebecca, sometime ago I ask if you would lend me some money to get some cotton cloth to make some skirts. Will you send me two or three dollars in your nexe and I will send it to you in April? I don’t want to take any money up until then.

  I rec your lette
r Thursday at noon. I was little surprise but very much please. I think you had a very nice dinner. Almost went head Miss Porter dinner on Christmas. Well Rebecca I am getting tired of turkeys. I was just reading the bill of fare to Mr. Sands. I am thinking you are having a grand time there. [….]

  Mr. Tines was telling me what nice time he had in N.Y. on New Years day. Mr. Dunsey from Phila and two other gent in company went out calling at 4 PM Some of them kept it up until morning. Mr. Tines left them at eleven P.M. for he was very tired. He had partly promise to accompany them night after to a Fair at Saint Phillips Church. He would have to disappoint them for he was not going to make any present this year. Whether they succeed in having him to go I presume I will know in my nexe. I am wearing my night dress that you gave me. I tell you they keep me nice and warm. I hate to get up in the morning I am so comfortable. Mr. Sands joins me in love to you from your affectionate Sister

  Addie

  Farmington Jan 19 1868

  My Dear Adopted Sister

  My reason for not sending my weekly missive last week was on account of sickness. I have not felt well for sometime. I was taken with a severe headache and backache and sore throat. Miss Porter sent for the Dr. Sunday night and said I must keep very quiet and gave me some medicine they all was very kind to me. Jane took care of me. One that been here 16 years. Miss P came in three times in the day while I was sick and Miss Ran gave me my medicine. I am not intirely well yet. I am doing my work. Mr. Sand had some one to help him.

  The School is together again. It quite lively and several new scholar comes this term. Miss Porter has Prof. Adrian J. Ebell to lecture on Geology for two weeks. He has been here one week. They go in the evenings at the School house. They had tea in the Study Hall last eve and dancing afterwards. I look at them a few moments.

  Rebecca do you recollect me telling you a Mr. Bowen here died so suddenly. Well his Daughter and her husband both follow him in less in six week. Only the mother Mrs. Bowen survive. She is sick too and they are very wealthy farmers. Miss Porter and her Mother family attend the funeral yesterday of the daughter Mrs. Lewis.

  The Methodist had a Festival Thursday & Friday night. Several of the help went the first night. Had a pleasant time. They cleared over a $100,000 dont you think they done well in this country place.

  We are having very cold weather but I dont feel it very much only when I go to my room. It very good singing now. I have had two rides I dont suppose I will have any more this winter. I have told you all that will interest you about Farmington.

  [….] Do not think Dear Rebecca when I say I have 16 weeks to stay that I am thinking of the change in life. I expect for realy I have very serious thought and make me feel unhappy at times. I often wonder if everyone feels as I do. I realy think I should be little surprise to hear you thought of marrying too. Well you will have a nerve.

  One thing more, Miss Porter came to me or rather call me down in one of the music room and ask me pointedly if I was going to be married and when, where I was going to live, everything about it. Her object for asking, she wanted us to live with her like Mr. Edge and his wife is doing. I dont think Mr. Tines would and I am sure I would not. They dont care to have me leave here. I would not stay under no consideration for I am tired already. [….]

  from your sister

  Addie

  Farmington Jan. 26, 1868

  My Dear Adopted Sister

  I feel quite well today. I felt miserable all the week. Mr. Sand favored me considerable and I am in hopes to keep well during my stay out here. I took a little walk with Mary Friday night up to the School house. They think I stay in the house too much but where am I to go. Nothing to see this time a year in the country and very bad walking so I think the best place for me is to remain in the house. What say you? Prof. Ebell is still here I believe is to remain until first of Feb. Miss Porter will have to pay something for his lectures. The young Ladies seems to enjoy it very much. They go up Saturday afternoons and the evenings they dance every evening through the week. [….]

  Rebecca now please not say what I told you but Miss Porter went in to see if she could get Mr. Joseph Curtis to come out here and take charge of the dining room and she told Mr. Sands that him and his wife both are coming. She seems to be very much please. She said his wife took in her rooms remarkable neat. So you may have the pleasure of seeing Farmington in its beauty for it is lovely in the Spring and Summer. Joseph told me Miss Louisa friend Mrs. Henson expect to be married Feb. 6th to Mr. Hicks family of Phila. I hope Miss L will find some one also. I heard Mr. Bantum Josie particular friend was waiting on her. I ask him about it. He said it was not so. I rec your welcome missive yesterday at noon. I was afraid you would not write to me because you did not rec any from me I was agreeable disappointed. I presume by this time you know the cause.

  You seems to have a great many wedding in that country. I hope you will have pleasant weather so not to prevent you attending. I suppose Leila must look quite pretty as she is a sweet looking child. I am please to think your brother is doing so well I hope he will meet with greater success. I think the Methodist done very well indeed I can imagine how Mr. Ross must look. He walk more dignify as them.

  Why I did not know that Miss Powers had[a brother] out to Africa. I guess she dont take after him. Is she still at Mr. Ed Freeman. Yes, you told me about the Saunders being in Baltimore. I dont know what to think about that woman visited heaven or hell. I rather doubted it. It may be so. It will do for a story. Mr. Sands send his love and except mine from your

  Sister

  Addie

  Farmington Feb. 5 1868

  My Dear Adopted Sister

  [….] Miss Porter has company came Friday eve. Last evening they had tea in the Study Hall. At half past seven commence to dance. I looked at them a little while. Mr. Sands received a letter from his son Friday night. He was quite well but quite likely in Saratoga. He sent his love to his sister Sarah and never mention his Mother. Mr. S. feel rather bad about it so he wants me to writ for him some time this week. A French teacher, Madam Carpenter gave birth to a daughter Saturday A.M. at 4. She was at school day before until 5 P.M. Apparently quite smart she very much disappointed for she expected to be a Son she has three children.

  O Mr. Sands rec a letter from Mr. John DeSilva Thursday. He sent out his love to Addie Brown out there. I suppose they are quite happy at No 12 Wadsworth Street now. (Well such is life). […] My invisible company came and made me feel pretty bad I should think Leila would be miss very much. It rather strange about Miss Dickson having these spasms I should think she would go to her friends perhaps some one has done something to her and has affected her in that way.1 I have no confidence in those people at the south or even with some at the north. I rec a letter from Mr. Tines this noon the boat he on caught a fire. Considerable excitement for a while but he did not tell me all the particulars will in his nexe he says. Some of the young Ladies commencing to go home to spend a few days this week. [….] Except mine from your Sister

  Addie

  Royal Oak, Mar. 16, 1868

  My dear Parents & Sister,

  [….] Labor is getting more plentiful now and the people are quite cheered up & hopeful once more. It continues to be very healthy among the col’d., the children have commenced to go about in their barefeet—they’re as tough as pigs & I sometimes think they’re getting more & more wild daily.

  The Southern relief society throughout this county are now raising funds by means of fairs, concerts etc. to send relief to their suffering friends still further South. They held a concert at Easton one night last week, & the avails arising there from went over an hundred doll.

  The boats have resumed their regular trips again through the day, but the night line is not expected till the last of the present wk.

  I rec’d. a lengthy epistle from Josephine last Tues. She’s enjoying her usual health & has recently paid another visit to Trappe. I presume she walked although she said nothing about it. It is eight miles from Oxfor
d.

  She says she rec’d. two valentines but from unknown sources. She thought they were out of date. She is always silent about school one would judge from her letters that she had none. I want to go over there as soon as the traveling gets good.

  […] Sun eve’g. I rec’d. verbal messages from the Easton teachers all were well. Miss Price sent me a couple of papers—“Harper’s Bazaar” in which there is a very interesting but continued story, the previous numbers she baned me the time I was there.

  […] Was glad to hear that you were all well at home & that you hens are doing so well. Mrs. Thomas has sixteen & they seem to laying quite sharp now. Also all of our neighbors hens.

  [….] I’ve no doubt the Soc’y meeting was quite interesting.

  Does Mrs. Saunders attend them? I wonder if Miss Elwell has the whole charge of her school? I have so many reports to fill out & prepare always that I’ve decided to be as brief as possible, though the one I sent to Auburn contained a sheet and a half. I think the Soc’y. does well to continue to support so many teachers.

  I hope cotton is not going up again. I was really in hopes ’twas falling for I wanted you to get me a real nice piece of bleached. The unbleached I will keep as I shall want some chemise for next winter.

  I will send you my next check as soon as I rec. it. We’re only paid once in two months now or I should have sent it before. Mr. & Mrs. Thos. borrowed a large portion of my last or I should have sent that. It would make no material difference with me about your getting the money, only I don’t know but twould interfere with their arrangements with the Balto, asson.

  [….] Mr. & Mrs. Thos. are quite well & unite in love to you.

  Royal Oak, Apr. 4, 1868

  My dear Parents & Sister,

  It being a stormy night I am at home otherwise I should have been down in Ferry N’k. at this hour. I have been obliged to postpone writing your weeklie until now on acct. of being from home etc. Mrs. Armstrong is here & expects to return home tomorrow if the weather permits, so I thought I would write to you this eve’g. & thereby improve the opportunity of having her mail it for me.