Webmaster: griffing@fnal.gov
I like my present employment
Coniant
[Conneaut, Ohio]
November 23, 1852
My
Dearest Augusta,
After so long a time, another favored hour is given to address you. It was only [the] day before yesterday that your truly welcome letter was received which accounts for this very long delay in writing. I remained much longer in Southern Pennsylvania than I anticipated doing. Whilst I was at Kittanning, in Armstrong County, I ascertained that it would be out of my way some to go to Erie. Consequently, I wrote there and ordered my letters forwarded to Coniant, Ohio. I came here last Saturday evening where I expected to get a fine bundle of letters. But judge of the chagrin I felt when I found but three letters in the [Post] Office -- and those all on business! I told the Postmaster I thought there must be some mistake somewhere as I was expecting some six or eight letters. "Well" says he, "Let me see -- James S. Griffing -- Griffing -- Griffing -- James S. Griffing. Why I think! Yes! Now I remember. There were some letters came here before these to this address and [as] I knew of no living mortal about here bearing that name, I sent them over to a Post Office about three miles from here where I think you may find something for you, as there are Griffing's over there." Kindly thanking him, I was soon, for the first time in a long while, mounted on horseback in pursuit of J. S. G.'s letters. Oh, was not I glad and did some ascriptions of gratitude arise from my poor heart when I thought how kindly I had been remembered!
Many anxieties had already commenced filling my mind concerning the information the letters might contain. I had not heard from home in a long, long time and I felt almost afraid to read anything that might come from that quarter. After all [that], I did not get the first word from home which made your long kind letter [all the more] interesting and caused me to read and re-read it so many times. I hardly know what to think of it. I have written several letters home telling them where to write me, but nothing has ever reached me. With your letter came two from Brother Daniel, two from Brother Charles Giddings, one from chum Walton, and two or three on business.
I have learned, however, through a letter that Mr. Charles Hall [1] of this place received from his brother Osee -- our neighbor -- that [my] brother Samuel had just buried his dear little Lydia. It had just grown old enough to run about the room, to laugh and play and lisp in childish glee the names of Pa & Ma. But in a few short days, the destroyer had been there, robbing it of its earthly loveliness and stretching it out before them -- an enshrouded lump of lifeless clay. Glancing upon it in one light, it seems painful and almost unendurable. Yet looking again at its little form, a beauty that is untold, a loveliness that is inexpressible comes rushing to cheer our sorrow and bid us rejoice in the excellent exchange it has made in being called thus early to leave its childhood home. Methinks could its stricken parents only witness it in its new home with its new associates, enjoying all the advantages that a kinder than earthly parent is capable of imparting, no longer would their hearts ache swollen with grief. But they would be led to see that it was all the work of the kindest of benefactors.
Oh, I do believe that Heaven is a far more congenial clime for such tender buds to expand their petals, blossoms, and mature. I remember once reading an essay upon this question, "Will there be flowers in Heaven?" The writer, after bringing all the argument he could to substantiate the affirmative, concluded by saying, "Ah yes. I know there will be, for my own dear Ella will be there" -- referring to a dear babe he had lost some time before. I often think of that when I hear of the death of children and just conclude that that is the better clime after all for the bud to unfold. Blessed creature. Oh I do hope that its angelic form will win to its bright home the hearts of both its parents -- and lead them more than ever to see that none but Christ can administer true consolation in this dark and cheerless hour.
I start from this place in about two hours for Ashtabula [OH], again to engage in my business. My stay here has been very pleasant for three days. It did seem so good after traveling a long time to find [an] old acquaintance. I have been stopping at Mr. William Matson's [2], formerly of Owego, who owned the place and built the house owned by Mr. Johnson (where Mr. Nisbet lived so long). His health is poor so that he is not able to go about much and it has been most of the time wet and muddy. I have just talked with him and a rehearsal of his earlier years recalled many associations that to me were pleasant. He says that he was born and brought up in Glastonbury, Connecticut. That his father [in-law] was brother to Hancie [Abbey’s] Grandmother. He told me many things about the old people of Glastonbury, the doings of former times, some things concerning your own parents that were interesting to me.
Yes, the John R. Nisbet you mentioned [in your letter] was indeed my long tried and most confiding friend. I think I loved him, his disposition and enlarged spirit as much as any Gentleman I ever knew -- aside from kin. I was expecting his departure for Burma, the land and people that had been occupying his noble soul so long, and [I] was watching with care the Missionary papers as I could get them, but your intelligence was the first I received. I almost envy him and his place. And [I] only wish myself as well prepared as I believe he is for a work so glorious and Godlike. There is not a being that treads upon this footstool that so fills my ideal of true greatness and enlarged patriotism as a devoted Christian Missionary. And if your own dear Miss Webb could only succeed in carrying out her hearts dearest wishes with regard to yourself, Oh how every impulse of my nature would be ready to respond a hearty Amen. Ah, to be training the minds of heathen youth for active, elevated life, moulding future men and women for society and for each other, imbuing them with correct principles, impenetrating their hearts with undying love's elevated spirit and thus actively helping to carry forward the whole world toward good is one of the highest, the best, the noblest employments that an immortal can possibly engage in.
I am glad to learn that your health remains good and that you are enjoying yourself so well. I wish I only had your advantages in meetings and lectures. Has your Aunt Lucy come yet? How you will enjoy her society. Do you not think that you would enjoy yourself better to remain in Hartford with your old friends and perhaps attend school or pass away the time as you can to your own advantage? However, I suppose you will be glad to enter your beloved home again as I know I should after so long an absence. How's Hancie [Abbey Dayton] and Maria [Wright] been? My regards to them and also any that may inquire.
Your notice of S. G.'s death affected me much and he is almost the last one I should have expected [to die]. Oh what warnings! I sometimes fear that I may never enter my dear home again or see those I dearly love. But my kind Father knows best. And should it thus prove, dearest A, will you let out some perennial plant whose annual bloom will remind you of one who, although absent, loved you with far more than brotherly or paternal affection. I would like much to see you at this hour and have a long interview, but when I shall again is left only to the dark, uncertain future. My ardent wish is that all things may work for the best. Bear my kind regards to your Uncle [Elizur and] to [his sons] Freddy and Jamie. Excuse [my] brevity and all blunders, the destitution of interest and every thing wrong about this scribbling. Please write me [a letter] immediately after the reception of this. Direct to Massillon, Stark County, Ohio. And ever believe that in J. S. G., you have one who desires your happiness. When you write, tell me all you can learn from Owego. – James
Ashtabula [OH] in the
evening
Having
a few moments before retiring, I must say something of my plans and prospects. I
hardly dared to tell you of my standing as it respects pecuniary matters when I
left College. You would hardly believe me when I say that I was over two hundred
dollars in debt. Yet for all that, I am sure that I practiced all the economy
that my circumstances would allow. My chum Walton was nearly five hundred --
some had run in debt for their whole college course which was nearly a thousand
-- so that after all, I think that I got off very well. Since I left College, my
earnings over and above all expenses, have been about one hundred and nine
dollars, most of which I have already appropriated upon my debts and shall be
glad when the hour arrives for me to say, "I owe no man anything." I
hope by next April, May, or June certainly, to earn sufficiently to liquidate my
debts, assist me to buy one hundred acres of Government land in Iowa and start
me to school again at [the] Auburn [Theological Seminary] at the commencement of next Collegiate year. Should
a kind Providence preserve my life, these are my plans. And I think that with
zeal and economy, it will not be difficult to accomplish it.
I think I like my present employment better than ever. [I] have traveled in more than thirty counties of Pennsylvania and been permitted to witness much that has proved truly interesting. Could you but witness its vast resources of coal and iron, you would hardly believe it possible that [Pennsylvania was] groaning under a public debt of forty-two million [dollars], yet such is the case. Just the coal alone taken out of the state last year amounted to about twenty-two million [dollars]. Does it not argue most miserable financiering somewhere? There is not a state in the Union so very rich in internal resources of every kind, and yet not one that is becoming such a great burden to itself on account of its debt. I was greatly interested visiting some of the multitude of Machine Shops about Pittsburgh and Allegheny City. Tools of every shape and name are there manufactured by the multitude and executed with such rapidity as to astonish the credulity of any Yankee. How much it would have added to the interest of my visits could I have had yourself along or some other intimate friend with whom freely to converse.
I was intending to send you a map from Coniant before I left Pennsylvania with my journeyings marked out, but shall be obliged to defer it until I return as I left all my Pennsylvania maps there. I am anticipating a profitable and pleasant time in this state as I expect to visit all the places of much size. Tomorrow, [I] shall go to Painsville, and the next day to Cleveland. Shall go from there south to Hudson, then to Ravena, and Akron. And from there to Massillon, Ohio, where I hope to get an answer to this scrawl.
You spoke of James Thurston. I always thought very much of him & [his brother] Whitney. I never found the acquaintance of James' wife, [the former Phebe Van Benschoten], yet have heard her spoken of in the highest terms. Brother Henry says that "she is one of the best women he is acquited with." Have you heard anything about Nancy [Darling Thurston], his sister, of late. I heard that she had lost her intended. You know she was at Middletown [CT] with her sister, Mrs. [Fannie Thurston] Ransom. Well she (as the story goes) has had a young French beau. During his sojourn there [to Owego], he was taken very sick and was carried to Mr. [Prentice] Ransom's [house]. He represented himself as being of considerable property and was watched and cared for with all the incessant care that their closest vigilance could possibly command. Yet he wasted away and when he found that he must die, he willed all his property to Nancy, stating that it was about $1500.00. He died and was buried with considerable parade on their lot in our burying yard over the creek. The next day, Mr. [Prentice] Ransom and [his] lawyer Taylor, went up to examine his effects and the result of their investigations was he was insolvent for more than six hundred dollars and had a wife in Paris to boot! This is as the story reached me. You must take it for all its worth. I wonder what won't happen next in order to enable people to talk about that family. [3]
I have been thinking how I could manage to see you and no other way suggests itself than to try and get your daguerreotype. Consequently, enclosed I send you a dollar for that purpose with which you can procure one if you will in the smallest [of] cases which I wish you would send with your letter to Massillon, Stark Co., Ohio. Now please write direct and believe me ever your faithful, -- James.
Sandusky City [Ohio]
January 1, 1853
My
dearest Augusta,
Welcome,
sweet welcome, came your last long letter. You well know, dearest A., how long
absence from friends and beloved ones has taught you [to appreciate]
...listening to the voices of those we love and know.
I did not remain in Columbus [OH] but a day or two as an agent had preceded me in that city and, consequently, was fearful that much time would elapse before I should receive the letters I was expecting to meet me there. But through the kindness of a friend, they were forwarded promptly to this city. And you can judge of my gratitude when, upon my arrival here yesterday, I found in the [Post] Office for me five letters. One from yourself, one from Brother Osmyn written by his own hand, one from Brother John, one from my good old chum Walton, and one on business. I did not call upon [Rev.] Mr. [Collins] Stone [of the Deaf & Dumb Asylum in Columbus] as my time was so short and I did not know whether he would know me.
Columbus [Ohio] is truly a pleasant city, containing a very intelligent population and a very social, friendly people. The little time I was there did not allow me to go about much. There are a few very fine buildings among which are the Asylums [4] and the [Starling] Medical College. [5] The penitentiary is a very large building, not noted so much for beauty as magnificence and commodiousness. Many of the prisoners are employed in mines quarrying stone to which they are conveyed by railroad for this purpose. The quarry is about two miles from the prison. It contains a very hard limestone called Ohio Marble, of which many of the buildings of the city are built. The Lunatic Asylum is a noble structure and it occupies an elevated position. [It] commands a fine view of the surrounding country and, to a stranger approaching the city, is about the first building to arrest the attention. The building, I learn, cost about $150,000 and covers about an acre of ground, containing about 440 rooms. Is it not better and larger than the one in Hartford, [Connecticut]? The blind Institution is not near as large, but the grounds are very tastefully arranged, displaying to advantage the shrubbery and graveled walks. The deaf and dumb asylum, I should think hardly as large as the one at Hartford and not as pleasantly situated.
You know the former State House was burned down. The state is at present constructing [a new] one which, I think, will be far the finest building in Ohio. Many of the prisoners are employed in its erection. It is near the center of the city. Through the kindness of the gate keeper, I was allowed to pass through among the workmen and inspect the building. It was a very cold day, yet there were about eighty prisoners and as many other hands at work. One of the keepers took me all about the building and explained the calculations they were making in order to make the building convenient to ensure the design of its erection. And so far as the thickness of my imagination would allow me to penetrate these designs, I should truly think them wise. Several years will be necessary for its completion. The discipline among the prisoners is not near as rigid as at Auburn [NY] for I noticed they were allowed to converse with each other. [6] Yet, after all, they are prisoners -- beings who by their conduct have forfeited all claim to the privileges of society, and that for some foolish act that might as well have been avoided.
I saw one very old man among them whose anxious look and care-worn countenance could not help exciting one's pity. I noticed that he watched very closely as the Governor [7] passed through the yard. The keeper said if he (the keeper) was not present, the old fellow would be right upon the heels of the Governor, so anxious is he to be restored to the bosom of his family. His crime for commitment [to the penitentiary] was defrauding foreigners. I was informed that at the prison they have a library. [They also have] a chaplain who preaches regularly to them on the Sabbath and a very interesting Sabbath School. Also, each prisoner is allowed to have the word of truth, God's blessed Book, in his cell, and is permitted at stated times to correspond with friends and receive letters containing nothing improper. I am sorry that for success in my business, it was not so that I could stay in Columbus longer. There were many places I desired to visit. [8]
Thursday I came to this city -- a place that in the summer season, were it not so very unhealthy, would be almost a second Eden. The limestone rock reaches at this place [to] the top of the ground and, as it is right on the lake and the stone so good for building, great excavations are made in the earth. [These excavations] fill with water of which a malaria arises which I think may, in part, cause so much sickness. People don't have a fresh, ruddy Phiz., indicative of good health but a sallow, pale complexion, betraying a want of good fresh air. Yet Oh! to stand amidst the still sunshine and look out upon the beautiful lake [Erie] at this place, all sprinkled with lovely islands and many sails. To see the majestic sycamores mirrored back from the silver waters, to catch at times a faint Ocean breeze coming to drive away the faint atmosphere, all tend to surround the place with loveliness and lead one to think that all would desire a home here.
[My brother] Osmyn writes that the people are all well there [in Owego, New York]. He wrote whilst partially blindfolded. [He] thinks he will get well in a few days. [9]
But
I must away to my business and finish this evening but guess I shall not mail it
until after I get to Toledo.
1850 Census Record for Washington Township, Lucas County, Ohio
showing residence of Jasper Goodrich, Farmer.
Jasper was Augusta Goodrich's uncle.
Remainder of record from next page in Census Book
[1] Charles Hall, born 21 Apr 1806 in New York, and died 24 Jan 1878. He married Emeline Matson, born 14 Mar 1813 and died 2 Nov 1858. Emeline was probably a relative of William Matson (see footnote 2). Charles and Emeline Hall had several children, one of whom was Osee Matson Hall, born 10 Sep 1845 (shown as age 4 in 1850 census), who became a successful lawyer in Red Wing, MN and was a Democratic U.S. Representative for two terms in the 1890's.
[2] William Matson, born 26 Sep 1789 in Glastonbury, CT and died 14 Mar 1854. He married Temperance Taylor, born 1792 and died 15 Feb 1850 in Conneaut, OH. Both are buried in the City Cemetery in Conneaut. It is believed that William Matson moved to Tioga County, NY sometime between 1810 and 1820. He appears in the 1820 and 1830 census records for that county. In the 1830 Census, William Matson is shown living in Tioga, Tioga, New York near John Griffin(g). Sometime prior to 1840, William relocated to Conneaut, Ashtabula, OH where he farmed until his death, approximately 16 months following James' visit in 1852.
[3] James, Whitney, Fanny, and Nancy Thurston were the children of David Thurston and Eunice Whitney of Owego, New York. James Sidney Thurston was born 14 October 1825 and he married Phebe Van Benschoten in September, 1850. David Whitney Thurston was born 8 April 1818 and he married Elizabeth S. Bowen in May, 1846. Fanny Darling Thurston was born 27 June 1809 and she married Prentice Ransom in October 1830. Nancy Darling Thurston was born 24 March 1814. Nancy's appointment as head of the Ladies Department of the Owego Academy in 1850 is mentioned by James Griffing in a letter to Augusta written on January 31, 1850. The negative gossip or "talk about that family" is in reference to the murder trial held in Owego in which John Metcalf Thurston, another Thurston sibling, was accused of murdering the husband of his younger sister, Mary Almeda Thurston. For more details, see the letter written from Westchester, CT on October 24, 1851.
[4] The "Lunatic Asylum" was built in 1835-39 on a hill two miles west of the Statehouse. A fire destroyed it in 1868.
[5] The "Starling Medical College" was erected in 1849. It represented a formidable architectural achievement for its day. It was located at 311 East State Street, near the site of the Columbus Public Library.
[6] Independent sources confirm the fact that discipline among the prisoners was lax. So lax, in fact, that the September 23, 1852 issue of the Ohio State Journal reported that, "Two prisoners made their escape from the State House yard last evening. By some means they managed to dress themselves in citizen's garb, and in that disguise made their escape..." A follow-up article appearing the next day reports that "two convicts escaped from the State House yard and are yet at large. On Wednesday, one of the prisoners at work in the front yard at the prison walked out of the front gate, and up to last evening had forgotten to come back. It is generally supposed that all this is the consequence of the bad discipline of Judge Brown last winter."
[7] The Governor of Ohio at the time of this scene was Reuben Wood, a democrat. He was reported to have a tall, lean frame, according to Ohio Historical Society records.
[8] In George Condon's book, Yesterday's Columbus, he describes the first State House and its replacement: "The first State House had been built by the syndicate of developers in 1814 in accordance with the founding agreement with the state government. Its site was at the southwest corner of the Public Square. It was of modest dimensions, but built of bricks... [It] served well until it was destroyed in a fire on a Sunday morning, April 1, 1852. The state government had actually outgrown the building many years before, and plans to replace it with a more adequate structure for the times had been underway for years before the fire... [Construction was actually first begun in 1839 and suspended, not to be started again] until 1848. The legislative halls were finally ready for use by January 1, 1857, even though the building was not completed until 1859 -- twenty years after construction had begun. [The building was constructed at a cost of] $1,350,000. Appropriately, the gray limestone for the new building was home-grown, taken from a quarry on the Scioto River just west of the city. One of the reasons for the low cost of the structure was the use of convict labor, courtesy of the Ohio State Penitentiary... Nobody could mistake the tremendous significance implicit in the construction of the grand new edifice to house the instruments of government in the rude, rough beginning and the start of a fresh, more sophisticated era for both city and state. The people of Columbus looked at the magnificent State House with glowing pride and undisguised wonder."
[9] James' brother, Osmyn Griffing, was recovering from a terrible accident at the time that he wrote his letter to James. The Owego Gazetteer of November 18, 1852, carried the news: "Accident at the Bridge Building -- As the workmen were raising a stick of timber on the turning carriage at the Bridge Shop on Monday last, the hook, which held it, gave way and it fell, hitting one of the hands, Osmond Griffin, directly in the face and crushing him beneath it, bruising him in a most horrible manner. His injuries at the time were supposed to be fatal, but we are happy to hear, that hopes are now entertained of his recovery. He is the son of Rev. Griffin, formerly of town of Tioga, deceased. Dr. Hiram N. Eastman is the attending physician."