In
July 1848, James Griffing wrote to his friend Augusta, telling her all the news from
home, and mentioning the activities of the Missionary Society:
Middletown [Connecticut]
July 8, 1848
[Dear
Augusta,]
I
have deferred until the present writing to you hoping that I might receive some
valuable news from Owego to communicate, but as yet, it has been in vain. And
that I might not seem unsociable and forgetful of the obligations which you
tried to make out was resting upon me, I have concluded to occupy the little
leisure I have this afternoon in writing to you. I received a letter from [my]
brother Samuel last week stating that a general state of health prevailed in
that section and that nothing of particular importance had occurred there of
late. They were making preparations for a celebration in the grove on the fourth
[of July]. Rev. Mr. [William H.] Pearne was to be the orator and Col. B. C.
Whiting, Esq. -- Reader [of the Declaration of Independence]. I expect they had
a good time. F. J. Foy was to deliver an oration in Spencer [New York]. My
brother [Samuel] is at present engaged as clerk for Mr. [Thomas] Chatfield. He receives
very good wages and will probably remain with him some time. Owego is improving
considerable this summer owing to the rapidity with which they are carrying
forward the railroad.
[1] They are fencing in the park
[2] very neatly and making great improvement by paving the streets and
flagging the sidewalks &c. I have about given up the idea of going home this
next vacation and shall endeavor to spend my time in some profitable way in this
section.
The
anniversary of our nation was scarcely recognized by the citizens of this place,
and were it not for the case that a real "yankee" (that he might add
to his coffers) had not devized a plan of recreation, I presume that the
factories would have observed their usual clattering upon that day. At a grove a
short distance from [Middletown], he erected a huge swing making revolutions
like a water wheel, having four shafts at the extremities of which were small
cars sufficiently commodious for containing 3 persons each. [3]
It
being rather a novel affair, he had more applications for swinging than he could
possibly accommodate. Notwithstanding, he charged 12 1/2 cents each for swinging
15 minutes. Besides the swing, he has constructed well arranged walks throughout
the grove, erected commodious seats, and has given names to different parts of
the grove such as, "Washington's Parade Ground", "Union
Place", "Park" &c. and has also erected a temporary building
for trafficking in deserts. He has named the place the "Hoboken of
Middletown" and I think perhaps may become a place of considerable resort. [4]
I
heard that the day was to be celebrated in a grove by a parish about 3 miles out
of the city and that some of the students had been selected to deliver addresses
on the occasion. Being kindly invited, I concluded that I might perhaps pass my
time more pleasantly there than anywhere else and consequently went. It proved
to be a celebration of a division of the Sons of Temperance. The addresses were
short but frisky and appropriate, after which we were seated around a table
which for a variety and taste exhibited in the arrangement, would have
dishonoured no city. After refreshing ourselves, a large company of us walked
about a mile through a wild, yet romantick country to visit the
"Middlefield Falls." [5]
The
body of water is nearly as large as the Owego Creek and falls over a ledge
of sloping rocks about 45 feet, somewhat resembling Ithaca Falls, if you have
ever visited them. After entertaining ourselves nearly an hour, we returned home
well satisfied with our celebration of the fourth. I suppose you had an
interesting time in Hartford for I learned that there was a "general turn
out" there. Please give some of the particulars when you write.
We
had an interesting time here last evening at the dedication of our new
Missionary and Theological debating room. An entertainment was provided in the
Hall by Ladies of the city, the benefits of which were to be applied for
Missionary purposes. The room was dedicated by our President Dr. Olin and a
sermon preached for the occasion by the [Baptist minister,] Dr. [Robert] Turnbull of [Hartford] city.
Several interesting pieces were sung by the choir and a piece written for the
occasion by Mrs. [Lydia] Sigourney [6] was sung in the tune
of Old Hundred by
the congregation. The following is a copy of the verse:
Not
to the pomp and pride of life
Not to the wealth that fleets away
Not to ambitious noisy strife
We consecrate these walls this day.
But to their self devoted toil
Who choose the path their savior trod
Low with Heaven's seed a sterile soil
And point the pagan soul to God.
For
deeds like these with fervent prayer
We dedicate them Lord to thee
Arm them with strength thy yoke to bear
And faithful in thy service be.
Grant
power to break Guadama's chain [7]
Illume dark India's ancient night
Send streams 'oer Afric's torrid plain
And give our brethren light.
And
when their work on earth is 'oer
They with the myriads of the blessed
Shall find on your celestial shore
High plandid and eternal rest.
And
so this place where now we pray
Shall breath thy praise without alloy
And in the judgments fearful day
Come up with memories of joy.
There
was quite a concourse of people present and I guess the highest expectations of
all concerned were fully realized. And I believe many left that room fully
resolved that they hereafter would endeavor to be more alive to the interests of
the heathen. Such a room has been long needed and doubtless will not fail to add
greatly to the religious interests of the College, and I hope be the place where
more than one soul shall resolve to offer itself exclusively to the work of
their salvation. Our religious meetings are well attended and a willing and
obedient spirit is manifest. And we do hope 'ere long we may witness the tears
of the penitent and the rejoicing of newly adopted children into our Father's
family, for this in weakness are we laboring, for this praying, confident that
in due time we shall reap if we faint not. Yet Oh! If in everything we but
strived to imitate our Savior, how much greater would be our influence? How much
greater our usefulness? How very soon would there be a breaking in the ranks of
the enemies of Christ. Especially if that scripture is true which says that one
humble Christ like child shall chase a thousand enemies and two put ten thousand
to flight. Humility and Christian boldness are jewels that should shine brightly
whilst they adorn the true Christian. They are the torch lights that are to shine
forth dispelling darkness and revealing Heaven. They are the Christian's
strength, his solace, and a guarantee of his heavenly reward. That they may be
the crowning virtues of your life, and your support in death is the
prayer of your friend -- James.
Shortly after
the close of his Sophomore year, James
received a letter from a fellow New York classmate named George Washington Cole who had
dropped out of college due to a severe illness. George's
older brother Cornelius Cole also graduated from Wesleyan University and became
a lawyer, a California forty-niner, a senator from California, and eventually a
close friend and confidant of Abraham Lincoln during his administration. George
W. Cole would eventually regain his health, receive a Medical Degree from the
Medical College in Geneva, New York, and become a
physician in New York State. During the Civil War, he was a captain and
later Major General of Cavalry. He died due to wounds received during the war in
1875 in Mora, New Mexico. [8]
Lodi,
Seneca County, New York
August 11, [1848]
Dear [James]
Griffing,
How do you
find yourself? Where will this scrawl find you? When and how? I hope not on a
sick bed, but on a bed “laying off” or perhaps on the bed of luxury among
your old friends where you taught school.
As for me,
this leaves me “in status quo” at my home, my corporeity diminished from
180 to 150 pounds which, however, is in advance of some 20 lb. upon the last few
weeks so I will not complain. The fact is I have had a sick time of it since I
left Middletown, both bodily and mentally. I have lost a sister by death who
was, how dear to me, under circumstances most painful. I have seen my parents
upon the very verge of the grave. I have seen my own bright hopes and
anticipation recede from my grasp and I know not how distant the time may be
when I may again live, for this dull monotonous existence cannot be called by
that name.
Griffing! For
the last 9 or ten months I have not been able to read hardly a dozen pages (and
I think now even Kichner would be a relief). Dr. [Claudius C.] Coan of Ovid [New York] (Samuel
Hall Herrington knows him) says I will not be able in more than a year to come
[back to college], though I hope he only wants to scare me into an observance of
his prescriptions. I have in the time done not a week’s work at any labor so
you can guess how dull time is. But I am making great calculations when I do
recover my dear sight, for I look upon my health as already reinstated.
I’m bound to
get it yet if it must be some time distant, but you may well guess I should like
to be a Junior!!! with the rest of you, but it will be my turn to shine some
day, though I joy in your prosperity now, and should like to grasp your hands
again, all of you.
I received a
letter from [Ebenezer] Hodsdon a few days ago since and all my goods and
chattels all safe. He said he left with you a table, mirror, washstand, and 2
chairs. These you may sell if you please and send me a bill, the loose change
over which you can keep for yourself for your trouble, for I am not particular.
And [even] if I were, you could not send change in a letter, you know. Sell them
soon if you can for what you wish and can – the more the merrier.
Remember me to
your chum and (I was about to say Gould before I thought.) But his spirit is now
as near to me as you. Poor [Thomas] Gould. How I was shocked to hear of his
death [last November], but “pallida mors acquo &c.” you know.
[My brother]
Cornelius [an 1847 graduate of Wesleyan University] is home an admitted lawyer
[and] has a case once in a while. He sends his compliments. If you see our
Middletown friends, remember me to them but I will not “bore you” any longer
this time. Write, write. Remember me to
all. Call if you ever come near here.
As ever yours, –
G. W. Cole
George Washington Cole
Circa 1865
Picture History, Copyright
James concluded his sophomore year of classes with
his annual examinations during the last few days of July 1848. How he
spent his next four weeks of vacation remains a mystery though it appears
likely he remained in Middletown. It is
certain that he did not return home to Owego to visit his mother whom he had not
seen in over two years. On August 31st, the fall term began and, once again, James roomed with
George Stillman. This time they
were assigned to room 59, Middle Section, of the Dormitory. On September 13, 1848, James settled up his miscellaneous debts to the
University by paying for his last three terms, a total of approximately $15. It is presumed that he made this payment with money
received from
his brother-in-law, Rev. Charles W. Giddings, as there are several entries in
his journal showing monies received from that source, carefully recorded so as
to ensure that the money would not be forgotten, but dutifully repaid.
Illustration Credits
[1] In June, 1849, the New York and Erie Railroad was completed between New York
City and Owego.
[2] The "park" was the Owego village green. A Greek revival style courthouse originally stood at the
northeast corner of the green, a few feet north of the Owego Academy where
James went to school. Both
structures stood facing west on the village green. Eventually, the old court house was demolished and a new one [still
present today] was built in the center of the green.
[3] The "swing" that James is describing in this letter may be the
first record of a crude, first generation "Ferris Wheel" in the
U.S. In the September/October
issue of American History Illustrated, contributor Jack Klasey
(“Who Invented the Ferris Wheel?”) says, “Certainly the notion of
using vertical passenger-carrying wheels for amusement did not originate
with Ferris. A book by the 17th-century English traveler Peter
Mundy depicts a hand-operated vertical wheel with ten passengers seated in
trapeze-like swings around its rim. Amusement
wheels carrying four or more people were common at fairs in Europe and
England during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Visitors to the 1849 New York State Fair in Syracuse may have been
the first in the United States to see such a device.
The first U.S. patent for a “Rotary Swing” went to I. N.
Forrester of Bridgeport, Connecticut in November 1867.”
[4] The money grabbing "Yankee" described in this letter, had actually
created what was to become an American institution -- the Amusement Park.
[5] Judging from the distance that James and the other students walked from
Middletown, it is likely that the "Middlefield Falls" they visited
are known today as "Wadsworth Falls." They are located about three miles from Wesleyan University
and are part of a state park. The
"Ithaca Falls" are located near Ithaca, New York. The woodcut of
the water fall shown in this chapter is Westfield Falls, near Middletown,
Connecticut.
[6] Lydia Sigourney, of Hartford, was described as "the
over fertile queen
bee of American female poets in the mid-1850's" by J. C. Furnas in his
book, The Americans, p. 78. She
was featured along with 78 other female poets in a book entitled, The
Female Poets of America, in 1852.
[7]
Guadama lived 625 years before Christ and was considered by the Buddhists living
in Burma to be the noblest of men. His laws and sayings became the foundation
for their religion. American Missionaries sent to Burma from the Methodist and
Baptist missionary societies considered the Buddhists to be living in darkness.
James Griffing longed to be such a missionary and envied his boyhood friend John
R. Nisbet when he was sent to Burma by the Baptists in the early 1850's.
[8] Hollis
Palmer, an author of several true crime stories, is currently researching
material for another book in which George Washington Cole was involved.
According to Hollis, "Cole was a very noble man. Prior to the Civil War he
was a State Senator from the Syracuse area. He resigned to join the Union Army.
After a few months he left the army and joined the New York State Cavalry, where
he had a very distinguished career. He resigned from the State Cavalry to take
command of the "colored cavalry." In taking this position he knew that
if captured he would be shot on the spot -- the Southern punishment for any
white officers leading "colored troops." Because he was leading
"colored troops," he was not discharged until 1867.
When he got home he learned that his wife had
had an affair with Luther Harris Hiscock, the man who took his position as State
Senator. He boarded a train from Syracuse to Albany. He found Hiscock in a hotel
across from the State Capital. He walked up to Hiscock and in front of three
other Senators and a newspaper reporter shot Hiscock dead. Cole was not
convicted on the grounds of "Momentary insanity." A prominent defense
attorney named William A. Beach represented Cole."
Cornelius Cole -- older brother of George
W. Cole
