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Before this curse shall be lifted
Lincoln [Kansas] My Dear Cutie [Augusta], Last night a letter came from Carrie Winans that I thought I would enclose to you with a few words of my own. I have already received three letters from you, which were most welcome favors. I have been alone for two or three days which has given me a fine time for reading & study although it has been excessively warm – by far the warmest of the year – the air feeling as though just from the mouth of a hot oven. Already the prairies have commenced burning and the grass is drying up very fast. I want to go down [to Topeka] soon as I can and gather hay for my stock for the winter but I cannot go for two or three weeks yet as I have got no hay for my own use here yet. It is difficult to get any cut. I have the promise of some next week but I am not sure until I see the machine at work. Next Monday I believe is to be the great day of the draft [in New York]. [1] I shall feel very anxious to hear [your brother] Stephen’s fate. I do not hear anything about the draft here and presume there will be none. If Stephen should go, what will [your] mother do? What time have you fixed upon to start for home? And should it be possible for me to come and stay three or four weeks, when shall I better start? Mother spoke about keeping you through the winter but that was before the children had fairly opened their music. She certainly has changed her views long before this time. I shall not be in your way for anything you think is for the best. It will seem like quite a long time to stay alone but if it thought best, I will not come on until after my last Quarterly meeting in the year, which will be about the middle of February, and then come back just before Conference sometime in March [1865]. My greatest anxiety will be for the children. I am afraid they will rob you of much enjoyment during your visit in your anxiety for them. I hope they will behave well – especially Johnny. Please tell me all about him just as it is and Willie. Should you have their photograph taken, it better be with both on one card and then have a dozen taken. Also a couple of dozen of your own. Did [my] mother ever get that dollar I sent her once towards having hers taken and did she ever have it taken? Does it seem any way natural back there yet? And have you seen any of your old acquaintances? I hope Cutie you are having a right pleasant time. Enjoy it all you can. I know the children will require much of it, yet after all, it will pay to look after them. Keep them in their place, just as much as you can under all the circumstances. Does Johnny read regularly? How are [my brother] Sammy’s children? Does [his son] David [2] help him much and is he growing up a good boy? Are the boys in the neighborhood about very wicked to him? Brother [Luther B.] Jones arrived home last night and you may be assured was tired. He says about twenty or thirty have been killed beyond Ft. Kearney but only one man who had __________ _________. The trains still keep going on the road but go around. The stages have ceased for the present. I have not heard from Brother Giddings, only by way of your letter. Did they say anything about the Indians or [about my brother] Ossy? [3] Please write soon my dear. I shall always be glad to hear about everything. Ever yours, -- James
Lincoln [Kansas] My Dear Companion [Augusta], The duties and anxieties of another Sabbath are over and at the evening hour I seat myself to commune with you. I wonder how you all are tonight – whether you all keep well and are enjoying your visit right well. Tomorrow's the day of the draft with you and I suppose you are looking forward with some degree of anxiety with reference to it. I do hope the result will be favorable. Of the 500,000 to engage in our country’s behalf, how many will be spared to return? Heaven only knows. A great many sons & husbands & fathers must fall before this great curse shall be lifted from our midst and the cause for such difficulties in the future be forever removed. It’s dreadful to think of, but there seems to be no other remedy. To die in a better cause, no person would ever desire. And as all are to die at sometime or other, it would seem as if a life sacrificed for the benefit of untold numbers in the ages to come were far preferable than to die a natural death. My candle is going out & I must wait until the morning. The glass chimney to our lamp is all broke in pieces. Morning. Oh what a rain we have had, and such a thundershower! It reminded me of the one when we were out coming from that camp meeting. The lightning seemed without cessation, winding in sheets on all sides, then every little while would go Spang as if hitting the corner of the house closely. But we needed rain so badly. I guess everyone was glad to see it come. The prairies were on fire and several already had several tons of hay burnt, among them Brother Howard of the Colony and Brother Kilmer, the lame man. They seem to think that Brother McNeil put the fire out first and, if proven, may cost him soundly, besides not make the state of feeling any better at the colony. [4] The fall crop is generally quite light. Corn not near as heavy a crop as it seemed to promise at one time. Afternoon. Have just returned from Tennessee Creek. [5] One of the Clark’s children is quite sick. Also Sister Burke but both were getting a little better. On my way back, met Nicholas Hocker who was after my buggy to go to Topeka with his wife to visit their relation there. Of course I let it go. Ben Clark wants my double waggon to haul hay and Father [Cyrus] Beers would like my ponies to grind sugar cane. So you see, there is a great chance to be useful. You have not said much yet about my mother or [my brother] Sammy’s family. Does mother seem to grow old fast and do her feet trouble her any now? And is she comfortably fixed and would she like to come to Kansas to live? How is Sammy & Malvina and their children? Do things appear any way natural there? Will Sammy & Grove [6] be subject to draft? How do John and Jack get along? Do they appear natural? And how is [my] sister Mary’s health? My health keeps good. I am boarding with Brother James Jones this week and shall stay about a week at a place until I get around. Everybody enquires about you and already some are beginning to ask when you are coming back. I tell them I suppose not until you get done with your visit. Which appears the oldest – yourself or those of the same age which have always lived there? Now Cutie, write often. Tell all the news. Give my love to both mothers and all my friends and always believe me yours, -- James
Hartford,
[Connecticut] Sister Mary Ann [Goodrich], I arrived home on Saturday evening last and found all well and expecting me. After leaving you I visited Westfield [Connecticut], Trenton, New Jersey, & New York. I found all well. [My son] Fred is pleasantly situated and doing well. I send you one of his weekly papers that you may see what he is doing. [7] I staid two nights at Trenton with Fred & one night at Westfield [Connecticut] with my wife’s father. [8] I spent one night at Aunt Lydia’s in Harlem, [New York]. I was very much pleased with my reception there. Lydia was very cordial. [9] I walked through the Central Park [10] with Mr. Skeel [11] on my way down town the next day. Friday night I passed in Brooklyn at Mr. Arrowsmith’s [12] – a friend of my wife’s. I enjoyed my visit there very much. After all my wanderings, I was very glad to get home. Home is a pleasant place, let its surroundings be ever so plain. I remember my visit to Owego with a great deal of pleasure. The [horseback] rides with [your son] Stephen I shall not soon forget. I wish to be remembered to all and each one of your family and to both Lucy’s and would like to hear from you all. I would like you to engage of "Cousin" Ruth, if you cannot furnish it yourself, a tub of butter, made this present month, (I do not want one made in August,) and send it me by Express as soon as it can be put up, and also one made later, and send to me some time in November – in all two tubs. Also I wish [your son] Stephen would collect a barrel of fresh eggs and send me. He may do it as soon as he can; send all by Express. The butter I suppose will be 50 c/pr lb and the eggs 20 c/pr dozen. I will forward the money for both upon receipt of the articles. I am thankful to say that we are out of the Draft in Hartford and hope that you are in Tioga & Owego, for I do not want [your son] Stephen to be obliged to go to the war or get a substitute. Mary [13] & Rob [14] are both well & send love. I hope to see you and [your daughter] Augusta here soon. Truly your own brother, -- Elizur T. Goodrich
Lincoln [Kansas] My Dearest [Augusta], I think of going to Seneca this morning and will just tell I yet keep well. I have only received three letters from you as yet which I acknowledged some time ago and have written several to you since. I do not know why yours do not come. I am afraid you or the children are sick. Now Cutie, should this be the case, I would be glad if you would let me know promptly. I hope you are all well. You must remember if you were away by yourself from your companion and children how you would want to hear from us every day. And as each bright morning came when you were accustomed to kiss your little ones and hear their welcome ‘good morning,’ to have no precious ones near and that day after day, I am confident you would want to hear pretty often. Besides, it would make the weary hours pass so much the more cheerfully & pleasantly. Now don’t fail to write often. Don’t wait for Sunday to come. I had far rather get a weekday letter. I was over to Centralia visiting yesterday & the day before. Things move along about as usual over there, only a little more so. Nothing of especial interest occurred. I had a pleasant visit at Rev. Mr. Preston’s. They are very well fixed and making a large amount of cheese. Our next quarterly meeting will be held on Turkey Creek November 12th & 13th. I do not expect to go down to Topeka until Monday the 19th inst. How long I may stay I don’t know. I have not succeeded in getting any hay cut yet and the prospects look somewhat dubious. What had I better do with what molasses is in the barrel? I am afraid we shall not get as good here. People have already commenced to work at it. A man living at Omaha has patented a new way of making the sugar from the molasses. It is done by pressure -- something after the manner of cheese making and is making an independent fortune selling his patents. It cost $10.00 per family and sugar can be made in fifteen minutes. So I am thinking that something out in this big west must come down a little [in price]. Can our people raise sorghum? If not, till then I think we shall be prepared to ship something out to them at reduced rates. How do [our boys] Johnny & Willie get along and my darling duck [Mary]? Kiss them all for Papa. Tell them Papa does love them and hopes they will all be good children and keep well. Take good care of yourself, my dear. Remember the children are not accustomed to the fall changes there and will be likely to take colds without care. I shall gladly welcome any word from you, even though written with a pencil. Please excuse mine. I thought it the quickest way as I am in something of a hurry. Always yours, -- J. S. Griffing
Owego
[New York] My dear husband [James], Two letters came from you the past week. One contained a letter from [my brother] Ralph. I was glad to hear your expedition had not made you sick. Could Sister Taylor find things to cook with? It seemed strange to think of anyone else there keeping house. The past week has been much the same as the others since I came – not half long enough. We have had considerable company & a great deal of housework to do and get but little time to visit ourselves or to sew. We have been to Newfield [New York] & that is about all of the visiting we have done. It stormed last Monday. Tuesday we washed & after washing, [my sister] Sarah & I rode over to town to do some shopping & make some calls. When we got over there, found out that Aunt Lucy & Anna who is here now on a short visit had walked over to visit us, so we turned back home. Anna had been over before while we had gone to Newfield. She looks very natural. We had a pleasant visit. Thursday we started out to visit Rhoda Stiles & met Joseph Berry’s wife & Lot Conklin and so came back. Friday Rhoda sent for us to visit with Louise and Eliza Smith of Pipe Creek. Ma has concluded is well enough to go to Connecticut with me. And [so] yesterday [my sister] Sarah & I rode over [to Owego] and bought her a dress & other things. We would like to go sometime next week before it gets any colder but we sew so little that I fear we cannot get ready. [Your brother] Sam & [his wife] Malvina were behind us yesterday as we went to Owego. All are well. Your mother stays in Springport a week longer. I hope to go up there [to her home in Thorn Hollow] soon & would rather she would be at home. I asked her about her photograph when here. She said she received the dollar [you sent her] and intended to have some [photographs] taken. It is quite cool here & has been nearly ever since we came. We have a fire nearly every day, night and morning in the sitting room. Evening. [My sister] Sarah & I went to church today, the first time I have been since I came. Ma & [my brother] Steve took care of the baby. And this afternoon, [my sister] Mary & [her husband] Gurd [Horton] came up awhile & this evening, Mr. Bristol has been in. He & his wife come in nearly every Sunday evening. They keep Saturday night & then come here Sunday nights. He always inquires about you. I saw Mr. Pettigrove yesterday & Mrs. Elizabeth (Catlin) Smith. They both inquired about you, & David Goodrich also. People [here] look somewhat older, but better preserved than Kansas veterans. The Methodist minister is more precise, particular & formal than our Kansas ministers. He preached a very good sermon today – no better than I have heard Brother Paulson & some others I could name. The church looks nice. They have an organ & choir singing. It seems like old times to be back again in the fashionable world. I do not know how you will like it but I enjoy it only too well. [Our son] John reads some. Not as often as I wish, but I cannot find time to do one half I want. [Our daughter] Mary takes up a great deal of [my] time. Mary does not walk yet, but crawls up the stairs if she gets a chance. The boys – or John especially – are always anxious to hear your letters [read] and seems to understand them & wants me to write a good report of him. He is John still, but tries to do pretty well. He helps some too. George Berry has left and Steve has no boy now to help him. The bounties were such that enough came in from other parts of the country & enlisted so then there was no draft in this county. The people voted a county bounty & it all amounted to some 8 or 9 hundred dollars. The county bounty is going to make the taxes enormous, but many would rather pay than stand a draft. I think of you often. John does too and we would love to see you. Our folks would like to have you had better come on the first of November. Yours, -- Augusta
Lincoln [Kansas] My dear Cutie [Augusta], I have just returned from my appointment on Turkey Creek and had quite a pleasant time. I stayed at Brother Sly's. She had considerable to say about her sister Mrs. Skinner who is living with her sister at North Java, New York, and about her other relatives – two brothers and another sister residing at Angola, a little town on the railroad about midway between Buffalo & Dunkirk. Do you remember stopping at such a place? And does the express [train] stop anywhere between Dunkirk & Buffalo? She wants her sister to come out there, especially if these Indian troubles do not become serious. Her brothers are named Hammond who live at Angola. A young man died at Seneca this morning who was shot by Indians at the time of their depredations some weeks ago. His name was Nelson Ostrander, son of P. M. Ostrander of New Hackensack, Dutchess County, New York. [15] About four months ago, Nelson and his brother Lewis came to Atchison and invested about $3000 in an outfit and loading to go over the plains, each having a waggon and four horses, loaded with flour. When they reached [the] Little Blue [River] and had gone up it forty or fifty miles to Comstock ranch [known as Oak Grove] some twelve weeks ago, Lewis was accidentally shot by the carelessness of a man along with the [wagon] train, so that he was laid by. And Nelson was obliged to stay there and take care of him. When he had done so [for] about six weeks, one day some Indians rode up and pretended to be friendly and shook hands with him and asked to see his gun. He showed it to them and soon as they got it, they commenced firing arrows into him. He rushed into the house and up the stairs where his brother was and alarmed the family. The Indians commenced tearing the sacks of flour all about and then set his waggon on fire. He managed to get his wounded brother out a back way with some of the family, and in some way made their escape and with an ox team started back for the river. The Indians burnt the ranch, drove all the horses and cattle there they could get. The Comstock’s family brought Nelson & Lewis on as far as Seneca, and Lewis was so poorly it was thought best to stop. Lewis was taken to old Mr. [Samuel] Lappin’s and Nelson to Mr. [Bolivar] Scofield’s where both received the best of care. Lewis died in about a week after he came and Nelson in four weeks or this morning. I was with Nelson about two hours Friday. He seemed to be suffering most severely. Yet he was disposed to bear up under his sufferings with a great deal of fortitude and Christian resignation. He seemed to feel as if he was not long for this world and would be glad could he spend the last few hours of his life among relatives. Yet he died – “The Lord’s will be done.” [Go to Indian raid at Oak Grove Ranch for a description of this event.] The brothers are represented as being fine young men, were intelligent and received good advantages, and I presume their parents are in very comfortable circumstances. Mrs. Scofield wanted me to write to his father announcing his death and also attend his funeral tomorrow at 10 o’clock, which I promised to do, the “Lord willing.” [16] [See the link at the top of the page entitled, "An Entire Stranger to Me"] Mrs. Scofield has done for him all a person could and seemed to realize how one must feel dying away among strangers and tried to make it just as much like home for him as possible. She showed me an arrow, which was shot through his arm. It is about 18 inches long, pointed with a piece of sharp steel like the end of a butcher knife with feathers at the other end. They were obliged to cut it in two to take it from his arm. The stick was a reed. Quite a number of families are leaving about here on account of the Indian troubles and not having much to keep them here. Three families leave Tennessee [Creek] this week. You know only Mr. Price’s. That Mrs. Carter who lived in town, and who hearing her husband was killed, went back into Missouri. But the past week he returned all safe and sound. Another family [of] refugees has moved into the house – quite nice Missourians, old acquaintances of Stith’s & Hickerson’s &c. I don’t know what you will say but [during] the past week, having a chance, I sold [my horse] Phil for seventy-five dollars. And now there is a chance to buy a yearling colt for sixty-five – a first-rate mare colt which, if she lives, will make her worth $150 as horses are selling now. Had I better buy it? I am afraid I shall [need to] decide before your letter gets here. The people about here are head and ears in the sorghum. I can hear the mill squeak every round up to Bros. Connell’s and Father [Cyrus] Beers is working hard as possible to get ready. There will be a great deal of it made in Kansas this year. A good many reports are in circulation about the Indians. It is difficult to tell which are facts and which are not. I will endeavor to keep you appraised if anything very startling should occur. I am boarding with sister L[uther] B. Jones this week. Brother [A. King] Moore and his wife [Anna] start in the morning on a visit to her friends in Princeton, Illinois to be gone 15 days. I would not care if I was ready to go along. How are you enjoying yourself my dear? I hope first-rate. Your good letter of August 28th reached me on Saturday, which I forgot to tell you. I was sorry to hear about [our daughter] Sissy, [17] the poor little sufferer and Pa did not know it. Kiss my daughter and tell Johnny and Willie [that their] Pa often, very often, thinks of them as well, as you all, and wants to have them eat an apple occasionally for Pappa. And to be good boys. Love little Sissy. Help Ma take care of her and help Grandma & Aunt Sarah a great deal. I suppose the draft is over but it will be some time before I shall hear [the result]. I have not heard from James Goodrich yet, have you? And where is he? Now Cutie, see this is a big letter [even] if there is not much in it. Please write a good long letter and remember me as ever yours most truly, -- J. S. Griffing Lincoln [Kansas] My boys John & Willie, You must be having a very pleasant time there at your Grandma's where you have such nice apples. What will make it very pleasant for you and Ma and Grandma id for you to be pleasant & good yourselves. Ma has not told me yet of your being naughty so I must conclude you are good boys. [Our dog] Dan is all the company I have now. How glad he seems every time I go outdoors. And by his looking in the house and watching about, it does seem as if he was wondering where John & Willie are and that one who used to feed him. Mr. Stinson took his gun when going on an errand to Tennessee Creek yesterday and shot two raccoons and a fox squirrel. Dan killed a prairie chicken the other morning and we had it for dinner. I am keeping your little [Christian] Advocates for you so that you will have quite a number when you come home. Pa wishes you would write and enclose it in Ma's when she writes. The children about here ask about you so you see you are not forgotten. You may kiss your little sister for Pa. Can she eat apples? And do you always give her the nicest one? Please tell me all about it and take these kisses from Pa. oooooooooooo -- Pa
Owego
[New York] My dear husband [James], I promised to write once a week but in one of your letters you wished I could write twice a week & I thought I would try and do so this week and supposed today was the 13th, the ninth anniversary of our marriage & intended to write, but find on looking at the Almanac tonight that it is a day later than I supposed. Monday in the forenoon we washed and soon as we could after dinner went over to visit at Aunt Lucy Fiddis’ for the first time. They were expecting us and we had quite a pleasant visit. [My sister] Mary was over too. Anna expected to go back this week. Lucy has commenced her school and has all she can care for. Tuesday forenoon, [my brother] Steve took Ma & I up to Aunt Ruth’s but we had been there but a few moments before he came after us saying we had company. The Farnham girls, Mrs. Hancock & Mrs. Gore had come. After dinner [my sister] Sarah drove and we all went down to visit [my sister] Mary. And so the days go. Today Mrs. Tiffany came down and spent the day. We want to visit up on the hill and to visit Aunt Ruth’s this week. [Our daughter] Mary is quite fretful and has been awake all the evening, until just now. And all gone to bed and I am in my room upstairs. Willie sleeps at the foot of my bed & John sleeps with [his Uncle] Steve. Roswell Woodbridge died day before yesterday and was buried today at one o’clock. We could not well go and soon after one it commenced raining quite fast. We hear that [the bushwhacker William] Quantrell is taken [prisoner]. I hope it is so and that they will take good care of him. Your letter of the 2nd with Carrie [Winans’] has come. I will answer hers when I can, but I get very little time to write only to you. When you had such warm weather, it was quite cold here. I hope you can get hay cut. Tell me all about it. Am very glad to hear of Brother [Luther] Jones safe arrival [home]. I was afraid that he had been killed [by Indians] and I presume his wife had many fears too. What has been done about the Indians? I have nearly $18.00 left. I am very saving of it & dare not spend it as I will use it nearly all to go to Connecticut. And then I want to get some things there [but] everything is very high. I tell our folks I cannot stay all winter and they want us to stay as long as possible. I think if you come so as to go back the latter part of November, it would be best. I ought to have come earlier in the season so as to go back sooner, but I cannot get things done & visiting too before then at the present rate of doing business. I think we had better go back by Mr. Curtis’s & you had better get the papers & everything ready so as to settle with him. An old acquaintance of mine was at Uncle William [Stratton’s] when I went [to Newfield, New York]. She lives in Minnesota, had lived in Woodstock [Illinois], & was there visiting before coming here. [She] visited at [your] cousin George Griffing’s. She said all were well [but George’s son] Theodore died in the army. I asked how cousin George was getting along. She said they told her he was going behind. I am sorry. You could come that way when you come on if you would like to see them. How would you manage to have us taken from St. Joseph to Lincoln? Well it is
very late and I must say goodnight and send a kiss. Hope you are well. –
Augusta [1] In March 1863, the Union Conscription Act provided for the drafting of all able-bodied men between the ages of 20 and 45. Throughout the summer of 1864, there were major draft riots in opposition. By August, however, these drafts had peacefully resumed. See Drafts Riots. [2] David Griffing, son of Samuel Griffing and Malvina Taylor. [3] Ossy Griffing, brother of James Griffing, was living in Table Rock, Nebraska, where he operated a dry goods store. During the Cheyenne Indian uprising in August 1864, he tried to enlist but was rejected because of his handicap (blind in one eye). [4] James is probably referring to the Swiss Colony that settled in Nemaha County, Kansas, in the late 1850's. [5] Lincoln, Kansas (no longer in existence) was located east of a crossing of the South Fork Nemaha River near the mouth of Illinois Creek, south of Seneca. See map of Nemaha County. [6] “Sammy” is Samuel B. Griffing, James’ younger brother. “Grove” is Grove Pike, who married Mary Griffing – James’ younger sister. [7] At the time of this letter, Frederick Elizur Goodrich had recently graduated from Yale and was just launching his newspaper career as a journalist with the Trenton Monitor. [8] Elizur T. Goodrich's second wife was Mary E. Johnson but the identity of her parents has not yet been verified. [9] Lydia [Goodrich] Fiddis was Mary Ann Goodrich's stepsister, who lived in Harlem in 1864. [10] New York City's Central Park was laid out in 1858-1861. It was designed by Federick Law Olmstead, the son of Elizur T. Goodrich's Hartford business partner. [11] Probably Roswell Skeel whose occupation was listed as "Wholesale Grocer" in the 1850 census. He would have been 40 years old in 1864. [12] Probably Benjamin Arrowsmith whose occupation was listed as "Ship Chandler" in the 1850 census. He would have been approximately 51 years old in 1864. Eliza, his wife, was seven years his junior. [13] Mary E. [Johnston] Goodrich, 2nd wife of Elizur T. Goodrich. [14] Robert Rhea Goodrich, born 1864. Rob was Elizur and Mary's youngest child. [15] The 28 September issue of the New York Times carried the following obituary notices: "At Seneca, Nemaha County, Kansas, on Friday, Aug 19, Lewis F. Ostrander, of New Hackensack, Dutchess County, NY, in the 38th year of his age. The deceased came to his death from the effect of a wound, caused by the accidental discharge of a musket, June 25, at Comstock's Ranche, on the Overland Route to California." Also, "At Seneca, Nemaha County, Kansas, on Monday, Sep 12, J. Nelson Ostrander of New Hackensack, Dutchess County, NY, in the 29th year of his age. The deceased received his death wounds on or about the 8th of August, at the hands of the Indians, while gallantly assisting in repelling an attack made by them on Comstock's Ranche, situated on the Little Blue River, 75 miles southeast of Fort Kearney. These brothers leave a large circle of friends to mourn their untimely end, and in their death a void is made which on earth can never be filled. But while we mourn their absence from the circle which so heartily welcomed and loved them, we have blessed assurance that they have gained 'an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.'" Lewis and Nelson Ostrander are found in the 1850 US Census living in Waterford, Saratoga County, NY. The date of enumeration was 6 August 1850. It appears that their parents, Peter (age 45) and Tamer Ostrander (age 44) kept a boarding house; Peter's occupation is given as "Traveling Agent" and Lewis Ostrander (age 22) is named as the "Landlord." Also living in the house is Nelson Ostrander (age 14), William Joslin (a machinist, age 29), J.B. Enos (a miller, age 26), Lawrence Enos (a clerk, age 22), Joel Ostrander (a carpenter, age 23), William Philo (a carpenter, age 22), Mrs. Gibson (age 60), Cornelia Gibson (age 25), Thomas Morgan (a farmer, age 39), Alida Gibson (age 35), George Kidnoy (a carpenter, age 25), Thomas Smith (an ostler, age 55), Jane Thompson (a 47 year old Black woman), Ellen Allen (age 35), and Ellen Gorden (age 20). I cannot find Lewis and Nelson Ostrander in the 1860 census, but their parents, Peter M. and Tamer Ostrander are found in Broadalbin, Fulton County, NY (this time shown ages 56 and 58, respectively). Peter's occupation is given as "farmer." The Civil War Soldiers database contains records for Lewis F. Ostrander, 59th NY Infantry; and Nelson Ostrander, 10th NY Heavy Artillery. Both units were largely confined to the defenses of the US Capitol until May 1864. It is unknown whether these soldiers were the sons of Peter M. Ostrander. If they were, perhaps they left the army at the end of their enlistments and decided to find the fortune in the West. [16] Under the "Death" column of the Weekly Nemaha Courier edition of 25 August, 1864, appeared the following notice: "In this place on the 19th inst., from the effects of an accidental shot received in the back, Mr. L[ewis] F. Ostrander, of New Hackensack, New York. His funeral sermon was preached at 3 o’clock P.M. on the 20th, by the Rev. E. T. McLaughlin." [17] “Sissy” was Mary Griffing, daughter of James Griffing & J. Augusta Goodrich. She would have been a little more than one year old at the time. |
