griffing@fnal.gov

Indianapolis [Indiana]
July 22, 1854

My dearest Augusta,

Yours of the 17th reached me this morning freighted with the usual amount of interest. Was glad to hear you speak of mother and glad to find her so cheerful. I sometimes almost reproach myself for remaining away from her so far and long whilst she, who has ever been so kind a mother and reared with such affectionate regard such a large family of children, must while away so many of life’s weary hours without the company of a single one. I was glad also to hear of the returning good health of your own mother. I hope your brightest anticipations with regard to returning strength and usual good health will be fully realized as you will enjoy your visit [to Hartford, Connecticut] so much more to know that she is not suffering at home. As you said nothing of your father, I infer that his health is usually good...

During the past week, I have been about much among the sick and afflicted. And it was comforting to speak to them of that blessed one who “ever hath a heart that can be touched with a feeling of our infirmities,” whose compassionate heart could only ease itself by weeping freely when two sisters had buried their dear and only brother, who loves with an everlasting love all that put their trust in Him. To see an unbeliever die is truly painful. But to stand and wipe away the death sweat from one exulting as he treads upon the shores of the dark river seems quite a privilege, especially if I can administer any comfort to those in whose earthly home a great vacuum has been made.

We have staked out the ground for our new church and hope to commence operations next week in laying the foundation. We had our first Quarterly Meeting last Sabbath and were much straightened for suitable room. The meetings were quite interesting. The Lord was with us to cheer and comfort. We were glad the “out doors” were so large. On this account, all found room so that the Presiding Elder, by standing in the doorway, could make them all hear. I hope we may get our church ready for worship before conference. We already have the subscriptions nearly large enough to build it.

My good room companion, Brother Sage, has gone out in the country about four miles to hold meeting. They come in for him every Saturday. I am inclined to think that he will labor as a minister in the Baptist Church. He seems to feel most at home in that church—only he does not relish close communion first rate. He is quite companionable and makes the time pass much more pleasantly than ever before.

The health of the city, I think, continues quite good when we take into account the excessively warm weather. We are not favored here with those fine night dews that you have there so that vegetation seems to feel the continued scorching sun much sooner and much more sensibly than there. The ground seems to have baked in some places so as to turn the grass almost a brick color. Whether it is killed at the roots or not, I do not know. We need rain very much and hope to have some soon. There have been a few deaths of the cholera during the past week—probably some eight to ten in all—and there are and have been quite a good many cases of the flux and diarhea. Yet, where proper care and good management is exercised in these latter cases, but few deaths have occurred. Upon the whole, I believe it as healthy here as any of the Western cities and quite as many of its size [back] East. Should my health continue good, I do not see how I can well excuse myself from joining the conference in September. My friends here all seem to expect it and I am sure, if it is Providence’s intention that I should [join the conference] and by this the Glory of God may be promoted, I can only bow submissively and say, “Not my will, but thine oh God, be done.”

I can not say positively when I may come home but hope to this fall after you return from Hartford. [This will probably be] sometime in October. At that time, if it is your wish, we will be married and you can return with me to my field of labor. [On our return trip, we can come] by way of Newfield [N.Y.], [my brother] John’s, Clyde [N.Y.] where I have an uncle [Luther Redfield] and his family living and, if you wish, Cato [N.Y. where your Uncle Cyprian Goodrich lives] and Niagara Falls. Or, should you wish to remain home for a time, we will make a northern visit—or take whatever trip it is your pleasure—after which we will return to your fathers where you can stay for a time. [Somehow,] we will manage so that you can come West this Fall as I believe it to be the best season to come West. Whenever it may suit you best [to come, however,] will please me. I know that it will at any time be painful to leave your own dear home, but to go where you may strengthen and cheer the heart of one who loves you in the great cause of leading precious souls to Jesus, and trying to do good although it may be where stranger hands will greet you for a time, yet that you may help so much to constitute a home under such circumstances would seem to compensate in a great measure for the sacrifice you would be making. However, if it is your pleasure to wait a while longer, I would be most happy to abide by any suggestions that would seem to please you most. Please let me know when you propose to start east and how long you will probably stay. [Also, please tell] where you wish me to direct my letters. Do you think [my brother] Ossy will be married soon? Where is he working now? Please write soon. The Lord bless and keep you safe, -- James

Indianapolis [Indiana]
August 3, 1854

My dear Augusta,

I am so glad you put in that extra letter a few weeks ago. It enabled us to hear from each other so much oftener and also stimulates us to give an immediate answer that we might not have two letters to answer at the same time. Letters never come too often for me, especially to read. I much prefer this than to write them. However, I consider it a very great privilege even to be permitted to speak with you in this manner.

I have been very busy for the past week, hardly finding time to read even the newspaper or my Bible. At our trustees meeting last evening, they appointed one of their members to act in conjunction with me in the building arrangements, which has lifted quite a burden from my shoulders. We have just finished [negotiating] the contract with a gentleman to finish what brick we may want that will not be donated. We now have our sand and lime, brick, and almost all our lumber contracted for and nearly means enough to pay for these and build our house [of worship]. We have a man digging a well which will be completed this week and we hope to have the foundation laid and most of the brick delivered for the entire building this week. [1]

You ask how we shall manage to finish our house before conference. I answer, “We manage just as they do every thing out in this Western country — Everything must be done in a hurry or it will not be characteristic of the country and the times.” Should you witness some of the buildings that have gone up here within the past two months and the magic-like manner that they have been erecting, you would begin to say, “Why, you are a long time building your church.” Why, if we don’t have it dedicated, hold a “big meeting” and witness a few conversions and some accessions to the church before conference, I shall be greatly disappointed. I feel desirous, at any rate, that things should move along just as rapidly as possible. I want the privilege of holding meeting in the house once or twice myself before Conference and it will seem so pleasant and rejoice the heart of my little Sabbath School charge to have a so much more comfortable and commodious place for meeting.

I was sorry to hear that you were troubled so much with the headache. In some measure, I can sympathize with you. But I suppose my sufferings have not been so protracted or painful [as yours]. A good cold water bath of the head was the best remedy [for me] -- along with having as little contact with the direct rays of the sun as possible. So it is whilst we may be enjoying the best of health, how little we know of the amount our nearest friends may be suffering. I hope the return of cooler weather will entirely remove this disagreeable suffering and find you entirely well. I don’t much believe that a colder, rather than a warmer latitude than that you now have would suit you much better. I believe you generally feel better in the winter than summer, do you not? I can not for the life of me tell where the good people here—or rather the Conference—will wish me to do labor next year. But if I connect myself with the Conference with a submissive heart, I will endeavor cheerfully to abide its decision, feeling that it’s there the Lord has work for me to do. Yes, I know that wherever the Lord opens the way for me to work, that there is sin to be subdued and sinners to be saved—it is there that I hope to be useful.

I was glad to hear you express a willingness to come out here this fall and it will depend much upon yourself whether we go to house keeping. I think it will be much more pleasant if we do. But at present, I do not think it will be possible to have a permanent home — but I hope we may be able to before a great while. It will be necessary for me to rent some convenient building wherever we may be stationed. I have made partial payments on two city lots and also on forty acres in an adjoining county, [2] and hope to be able to meet the payments as they become due. But in order to do so, it will be necessary to practice the strictist economy. Possibly upon one of these lots, should the good Being spare my life, I hope to erect a house which I can make a resort at any time — or rent it when vacated. There will be so much uncertainty connected with the place where I may be stationed that I cannot speak with positiveness in regard to my time of coming East. Neither do I know precisely when you may return [from Hartford]. I also am somewhat experimenting upon the climate here to find out how it will agree with me. I have grown some thin this summer and lost 15 or 20 pounds of flesh, melted away by the excessively warm weather. The sun has given me rather a brown tinge. Not so much, however, but that I retain in a manner my identity. But whether you would be obliged to look twice to know me, I could only tell by seeing you.

I hope [my brother] Ossy will find permanent employment up there near brother John’s [in Union Springs, New York]. I think probably for awhile, it will be the very best thing he can do.  You said nothing about [my] sister Mary; consequently, I guess she has not come from Springport [New York] yet. I felt well acquainted with Miss Wright by hearing yourself and Miss E. Moore speak of her so often. I had only a few moments acquaintance with her made at the time of our call there which only tended to place her much higher than ever in my esteem. Never for a moment would we wish her back now; she is entirely free from all earthly sorrows and enjoying so much more exalted pleasure than ever she could here, mingled with none of the bitter. Don’t you think that good old Father Haives’ welcome to his Upper Home will be a most blessed and soul cheering one, not only to himself, but also to the great multitude that will be ready to greet him? The health here remains about the same. An occasional case of slow cholera generally brought in by some imprudence. Yet, for the time of the season, I suppose it may be put down as quite healthy.

Brother [Samuel] Cooper is married and has a fine, red-haired little woman nearly as good looking as Harriet Warring and resembles her very much — minus about 6/8ths of the tongue. They live in the parsonage near their church and you don’t hardly know how pleasant every visit seems there.

I don’t know but I shall be obliged to advertise my friend Sage. He left my bed and board without any just cause of provocation and has been out in the country for nearly two weeks without coming to see me but once in the whole time. He likes it quite well out there and I guess will do much good. But I am afraid I shan’t like him much if he don’t come and see me oftener. I suppose it is to pay me for using time so unceremoniously when he was with me — I was obliged to be out of my room so much of the time collecting [money for the church]. Oh, there is so much to be done in this Western country for the cause of God which ever aims at the elevation, salvation, and happiness of men. You can scarcely turn your eyes about you but what in some form the Macedonian cry may be heard, “Come over and help us.” And I do hope the time is not distant when there will be a great ingathering to the church of Christ throughout all this Western country. Its other advantages are so great that if its morals do not keep pace, it may meet with Gomorrah’s doom. To the Lord only, we look for help and salvation. Good night, my dear Augusta.  The Lord keep and bless thee. – James

Baltimore [Maryland]
August 10, 1854

My Dear Brother [James],

Your kind letter of the 20th inst. favored by Mrs. Perine came to hand within a few days from date of same. We were fearful that you were not well as it had been so long since we had a line from you. But glad are we to hear otherwise and that your prospects for doing good are so flattering. Mrs. Perine gave us a short history of your doings, the number of her house &c, but I have not as yet been able to get up town that far, it being in the southwest portion of the city—but will the first opportunity. Mrs. Perine stated that she has been writing to her son [3] living there [in Indianapolis] and that you was acquainted with him. [She] inquired whether we were all well and said she would request [her son] to state the same to you. Otherwise, I should have written on the receipt of yours.

I was sorry to hear of the sudden death of Esq. Goodrich [that] you spoke of in your letter and how very unpleasant the sad news must have been to his family—his death occurring as it did among strangers. But how uncertain is life. It shows how our hopes may be cut off from all that is near & dear to them in a few short moments. I suppose you have heard of the sad [railroad] accident [that] happened near this city on the Fourth inst. causing the death of some fifty persons in all & maiming many more—some of whom will never be able to do any thing for life.  You probably recollect the person by name of Mr. McNier who was hard of hearing and was frequently in my place when you were here? He has his right leg mashed about half way from the knee down and has the big toe of his left foot cut off. He appears to weather it so far and his Phizicians think will be able to save the leg. But [they] say that he will not be able to get about for nine months or more with the best of luck. [4] There are several of my acquaintances who were more or less injured, some but slightly. I came very near getting in the mess [myself]. After purchasing my ticket, I found the accommodations not very tempting, disposed of the same again, and returned home. And so things wound up. Afterwards, I did not regret my procedure.

My wife left here for Westminster yesterday morning to spend a couple of weeks. Her health is much better than last Spring. She has been using Hampton’s Tincture. [5] Thinks it helps her much. I am in hopes a few recreations amongst her friends, cousins, &c. will be of much benefit to her.

The weather for the last few days has been fine. We have had a few showers to cool the air, but we have had very hot weather previous to this week. And by your letter, I see that its been somewhat the case in that section of the country. There has been several sudden deaths in the city for the past month or so, but the Dr.’s report but one or two deaths by cholera. At the Almshouse some 2 ½ or 3 miles out [of the city], some 30 or 40 have died of cholera—but I believe that no deaths have been reported from there the last two days. We have a plenty of cholera fodder for the next two months & if the weather should again take a change, I have no doubt [we will] have a time of yet as I learn that cholera and its like is traversing almost every city and town in the Union.

We were pleased to hear from home and that [brother] Osmyn was enjoying—and also trying to make Mother and Mary enjoy—themselves so comfortably in taking them to brother John’s. I like to hear that he is so attentive to them. Well, I wonder how [our  brother] Henry & wife come on? I must write him yet tonight and will have to cut this short. We are all in our usual health with the exception of wife as before stated. We would like to receive a good visit from you as soon as you may be pleased to make it and bring along your wife—or intended one—as the only way to settle down in earnest is to lay a good foundation. Perhaps I am transgressing—so I’ll stop right short. Papa, Mother and the children send love’s best wishes for your future health & prosperity. Yours, as ever,  -- Daniel Griffing

Indianapolis [Indiana]
August 17, 1854

My Dearest Augusta,

Your good letter reached me to day. August 20th — I had just time to write so much when I was called away and this blessed Sabbath morning is the first time I have had to take my pen in hand. I never was so circumstanced but what I could find a few minutes if I was willing to make considerable sacrifice. For a few days past, I have had hardly a moment that I could call my own. I have had a great anxiety to get our church completed, if possible, before Conference. We have now the back wall high enough to receive the upper joists, one of the side walls reaches as high as the windows, [and] the other side wall about five feet above the lower floor. The front wall is only a little above the foundation. If we have first rate luck, I think we may nearly finish the mason work the coming week. Not a day has passed but that I have tried to assist in some way either in wheeling brick, sand, or doing all that I could to help the work along. The trustees seem to work together in harmony and every thing as yet is moving along very pleasantly. The United Brethren are holding their Conference in this city now. I am expecting some of their ministers will preach for me today. They are quite a numerous organization in this section of the country, much like the Methodists in their mode of worship and discipline. They have their Bishops, are stationed, and itinerate yearly. 

After so long a time, I have had a full fair view of an old familiar countenance. Whilst on my way to the Post Office on Wednesday last, who should Saul-like come strolling along the street gazing in all directions, but Hon. Nathaniel W. Davis [6] of Owego. I grasped his hand and gave it a good hearty shake, calling him by name. He stared at me like a wild man, said the countenance was familiar, but he could not give the name. After telling him, he seemed well to recollect and appeared quite glad to see me. Having but a few moments to see him then, I called at the public house where he was stopping and had quite a chat with him in the evening. A Mr. [Frank D.] Wright was with him — a young lawyer from Waverly. I [had] intended on calling upon him again the next day, but was not circumstanced so that I possibly could. Has he yet married his second wife? He holds his own very well, slightly growing old.

I received a letter from brother Daniel the past week stating that his wife had left and gone among her friends in the country for her health. He thought her some better than when he last wrote. Did you ever see [his wife]? He says it has been quite healthy in Baltimore this summer.

Mr. Walton, [my old college chum], gave a succinct history of my class in his letter. All were yet living except Parsons and most of them are engaged Professionally or teaching (Is that a Profession?). Mr. Dusinberre, who educated himself for a farmer, has almost finished a course of reading law with the intention of soon entering upon the practice in Geneva, New York. Walton is succeeding very well in a select school in Brooklyn, New York. He seems to like it very much. I am hopes after awhile [that] I may induce him to come West. That silver cup costing twenty-four dollars to be presented to the first male heir in the class [of 1852] has not yet been drawn. Several of the class are already married. Excitement stands on tiptoe to know who shall be the fortunate one.

Miss Rachel Kinder, daughter of my hostess, passed through your village in Thursday last on her way East to visit among friends in New Jersey, I believe.

Governor Wright, of this city, returned from Kentucky (a slave State) last week with a captured daughter of that fair State. [7]  I hope they will not accuse him of kidnapping as she was voluntarily bound by “that three fold cord not easily broken.” [8] She is said to be quite an heiress which will be quite a help to the Governor as his great generous heart would never allow him to get rich.

I am confident that this letter will not reach you when it ought, yet I will try and answer your next so that it may reach you in time. When shall you start east? When [will you] return?  Will [your sister] Sarah go with you? How is your sister Mary’s health? Is your Uncle [Elizur Goodrich] married yet? Has my sister Mary come back yet? How is my mother? And how is your own health? I cannot say that I have felt better for a long time than I do now. Outdoor exercise is just what I need to make me healthy.

After meeting in the evening — How very warm all day and how much we have suffered by heat in our little pent up schoolhouse. Our congregation and Sabbath School were quite full and well calculated to encourage us in our multiplied and yet inexperienced toils. I was glad to have help in my meetings today for I have been so busy during the week that I have hardly had time to collect two thoughts together and the “Dear” knows that I stammer and blunder quite enough after having investigated what I intend to say without my making a booby of myself by trying to preach offhand. Yet foolish as I am, to my chagrin, be it said that I have tried it a few times. I will be so glad when I can have your counsel in my work. I do believe I shall do so much better. I suppose I shall be obliged to decide before Conference whether next year I shall be sent where they are only able to support a single or married man. What say you? Which shall it be?

Please pardon this scrawl. My pen goes scratching along as though it would act and do just as it pleased [despite] the best of care. Adieu Augusta. The Lord ever bless and keep you, so prays your, -- James.

[1]    Undated entries in James' Memorandum Book record the following expenses and materials associated with the construction of the "7th M. E. Church": 

For hauling brick       2.00
Paid Lender              3.00
To C. Warrick brick   .62
Paid Mason              7.00
To Kayzee hauling brick    .35
Paid Lender              5.00
Hauling Timber            .65
Paid Mason              12.00
For M. E. Church book   2.00
Paid for lath                4.42
Railroad Fare               .60
Paid Mason                4.00
Paid Cellar digger       1.00
Paid Lender                3.35
Paid [James P.] Childers for pump   9.00 [Made by John Philanders]
Paid Levi Rodgers         30.00
Paid D. P. Noel for lumber  64.00
Paid Jones for Shingle 20.00

32  Joists, 2 by 12 -- 25
32  Do.   , 2 by 10 -- 28
46 Rafters, 2 by 6  -- 16
1400 ft. Poplar Sheeting

[2]    James' Pocket Memorandum records traveling expenses to Anderson, Indiana. It is believed that James purchased 40 acres of farmland from John H. Forrest of Alexandria [Madison County] Indiana.

Fare to Anderson town  1.00
Horse hire                       1.00
Lodging and food              .60
Fare to Indianapolis         1.00

[3]    Mrs. Perine's son was John T. Perine, born 1831 in Baltimore, Maryland. John was a carpenter by profession, learning the trade from Baltimore resident William Reed -- an immigrant from Ireland. Sometime between 1850 and 1854, John Perine left Baltimore for Indianapolis where he found good wages constructing houses. By 1860, he'd married an Indiana native two years his junior named Margaret and had two children. John's father was Thomas I. Perine, born about 1808 and his mother's name was Achsah, born about 1812. Thomas lived in Baltimore's 16th Ward and labored as a trader in "segars" and other such commodities. Thomas Perine undoubtedly was a supplier to Daniel Griffing who was a "Segar" salesman in downtown Baltimore.

[4]    This is John McNier (or McNeir) who appears in the Baltimore City Directories in the 1830's through 1860's. The 1864 City Directory lists his occupation as that of a "watchman at Records office" which would be consistent with someone who had suffered a disabling leg injury. The "sad accident" that caused Mr. McNier's injury was a collision between two trains on the Susquehanna Railroad. According to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, an excursion train carrying passengers back to Baltimore from a Fourth of July celebration at "Rider's Grove" collided with the regular passenger train from Baltimore for New York. "John McNeer" is identified as one of the injured in the following clipping from a Brooklyn paper:

 
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 5, 1854
(Click on image to enlarge)

[5]    This is probably Hampton's Vegetable Tincture which was manufactured locally in Baltimore by the firm Mortimer & Mowbray.

[6]    Nathaniel W. Davis -- sometimes referred to as "Col. Davis" -- was a lawyer from Owego, New York. He was born in Weston, Fairfield, Connecticut on 10 May 1807. He studied law at Ithaca and came to Owego in 1832. Five years later, he married Annie F. Clason of Stamford, Connecticut. She was born 20 December 1837, the daughter of Samuel Clason and Mary Webb. Sometime between 1850 and 1854, Nathaniel married his second wife whose name was Ruth.

Nathaniel Davis presented an imposing appearance. He was six foot three inches in height, "slender, ...muscular, and strong." As to disposition, he was "pleasant in conversation, and quite jovial in manner."  Source: History of the Independent Order of Good Templar's, by Isaac Newton Peirce and Sylvanus Philips Thompson, 1868.

The "young lawyer" accompanying Nathaniel W. Davis in Indianapolis was Frank D. Wright of Waverly, Tioga County, New York. Frank (or Franklin) was the twenty-six year-old son of Chauncey and Mary Wright of Moravia, Cayuga County, New York. Frank was a relatively recent graduate of Union College. He practiced law in Waverly early in his career. By 1860, he was practicing law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  

[7]    Joseph Albert Wright was Indiana's 10th governor. He won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and was elected to the governorship on 6 August 1849. Under the state's new constitution, he was reelected to a second four-year term in 1852. "During his tenure, the first Indiana state fair took place in 1851, a new state constitution was approved, and a state board of agriculture was established. Also, school reform was initiated that included the creation of a school board of education, city taxes were instituted for school programs, and schools were placed under a township trustee system." Governor Wright was married to his first wife, Louisa Cook, from 1831 to 1852. On 15 August 1854, he married Harriett Burbridge of Kentucky.

griffing@fnal.gov