As
the summer of 1850 passed, James Griffing must have watched with special interest for
news from Washington, D.C. After
his visit to the Nation's Capitol, how much more meaningful it must have been
for him to read the columns in the Owego Gazette, to engage in political
discussions with the old men of the village, and to cheer from afar the recent
success of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. As
fate would have it, President Zachary Taylor, who had long opposed several of
the measures proposed in Clay's compromise, became ill and died on July 9, 1850. Succeeding him to the Presidency was Millard Fillmore who favored the
compromise and worked quickly to remove all of the barriers to its passage. By September, all of the collective resolutions that constituted the
"Compromise of 1850" had been adopted and the Nation could sigh with
relief knowing that it had dodged another bullet.
As
July capitulated to August, James knew that his goal for returning to Wesleyan
University to complete his Senior year would not be realized. He thought
of his classmates about to graduate and wished he could be
in Middletown to celebrate their good fortune. His mother sensed his disappointment and tried to encourage him. His friends and relatives set to work to help him find employment for the
winter. And just when his
depression seemed about to get the better of him, a letter from Augusta lifted
his spirits.
Newfield
[New York]
August 1850
Dear
James,
I
had thought of not writing again in Newfield, but perhaps it will be some little
time before I go home [to Owego]. Therefore, I have concluded to send a few
lines but have very little news to write. The greatest piece of information is
that my [select] school is to be closed tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday). I am both
glad and sorry, for I do not like to leave my Newfield friends, and glad because
I want to see my home. It does not seem possible that four months have passed
away since my school commenced, but still, some two weeks or so have seemed like
months. I think of spending a little time at Uncle William [Stratton's before I
come home] as it may be some time before I see them again. I do not like to
think of parting with them, and [with] Ruth [Stratton] especially. We [were]
just getting well acquainted and are [now] obliged to part. She came over with
us Sunday and we both expect to go back Wednesday. Hope to at least. I believe
all [the people] that you know about here are well with the exception of Susan
Brown. But she is somewhat better. Mrs.
[Lucille A.] Denton is better but cannot talk. I was at Uncle William's on Saturday last but
did not see any of them as we went a "black-berrying" that day, and
they (the Denton's) could not go with us. I should think about thirty met at the
patch, but few berries were picked.
Saturday
eve. You see that several days have passed since I commenced this, but still [my
letter] is not finished. At the time I commenced [it], I was called away and
could not finish. We came down as we expected on Wednesday. I was sick all night
before coming down and have not been well since -- have taken a severe cold as
has also Ruth, but do hope to be better tomorrow.
My
school closed on Tuesday, but did not cry very much as the girls [in my class]
were determined that I should not feel very bad. Ruth set up a few nights ago
with a Miss Dudley, cousin to the Dudley's in the village [of Owego]. She is
quite low with the consumption. She is visited by Mr. Hesler, our minister here [9].
I believe he is [also] a physician, at least he gives medicine sometimes. She is
a Baptist but likes him very much. My cold is so bad that I cannot write longer,
but must finish at some other time.
Sabbath
morning. It does not look as if it would be very pleasant today, but we all
think of going over to church as we are to have a sermon for teachers and
scholars of the Sabbath school. The new minister is liked very much. We (the
sick ones) do not feel much better this morning, but a cold will last some time
in spite of all that can be done. I do not know just when I shall return [home],
but expect to sometime next week. As I have not visited any yet, I must stay
rather longer. I have not seen the Cox girls since last Sabbath and then their
sister from Elmira [New York] was with them. A Miss Stratton from New Hartford
in this state is expected before long, a cousin to the girls and I hope to see
her before I go home. But I feel quite anxious to be there. I intended to fill
this sheet but cannot as it is time to prepare for church.
I
hope to see you soon. Till then, I remain yours truly, -- J. A. Goodrich
It
could be safely assumed that when Augusta returned to her parents home in
September, 1850, she and James rekindled the feelings they shared for each other
and that certain pledges were made. He,
almost 28, and she, almost 22, were well beyond the average age for matrimony,
yet their maturity of judgment caused them both to realize that it would be
foolish to consummate their wish to be together until more favorable
circumstances. First, he must raise
enough money to return to school, graduate, and pay his debts, it was reasoned. Then, and only then, could marriage be contemplated.
While
staying with her family in Tioga, Augusta received a letter from one of her
girlfriends in Hartford:
Hartford [Connecticut]
November 2, 1850
My
Dear Augusta,
Have
you quite forgotten a young lady in Hartford by [the] name of Sarah Maria
Wright? If so, perhaps with a little effort you may find in some distant corner
of your heart a faint outline of such an individual. I know that I have a very
vivid recollection of a Friend who we familiarly called "Cutie". And
lest you think that my actions would seem to contradict my words, I will frankly
give you my reasons for not writing before. I happen to have such correspondents
as are very regular, & to have one otherwise, I thought would be almost an
impossibility. And knowing that you had such a formidable list of
correspondents, I flattered myself that I should necessarily be placed in the
rear. But I do not care now if it should be so. I have taken my pen in hand
& intend to have a little talk with you which I hope you will acknowledge
when you can conveniently, (now honestly, "Cutie") & not allow it
to crowd anything else aside. For I think that time brings with it so many
pressing & important duties that we must do our duty before complying with
our inclinations. [Yesterday], in accordance with the above, I thought it my
duty (as I had opened the way to you) to write to a friend who has but just left
her Northern home for the South, and as she desired much to hear from somebody
in [Connecticut], as she expressed it. I received four letters that week, more
than I ever rec'd at one time and embracing my entire list of correspondents.
And you may suppose it was a very happy week.
We
have just finished cleaning house and papering our sitting [room] &
bedrooms, which you will please imagine very light and very pleasant. And before
anything else claims my attention, I intend to send this [letter] to you. The
next thing I fancy -- no realize in
some degree by anticipation -- will be fixing [garments] for the winter. Have
you forgotten our evening of trimming bonnets together? That same ribbon matched
some plumes I have & they are on that same bonnet this fall & it has
often reminded me of you. And so has the season, and our [horse] rides, our
hymns & many more [things reminded me of you] than you are aware of. That
L[adies] Society still lives but this winter it will not be very active; though
the same amount will be contributed without so much trouble as to the meetings.
We shall probably meet three or four times only.
Mary Wildman [1] is President & Miss W. lets us do as we please. She has retired
from S. School for a season, perhaps for age, & I stayed with her as
long as she remained (last June). I have a very interesting class of four girls
[in my Select school] & enjoy it very much. I have longed for an opportunity
to practice teaching and hope to make it a means of improvement to myself as
well as my pupils. I suppose you will like to hear all the little news but as
Miss Goodrich endeavors to do that, she says I really hardly know where to begin
fearing it might be only a repetition.
The
Dodges have made a visit at the Callandette's, and around town of more than four
weeks & are just as they used to be in every particular... And please tell
me a great deal about yourself. How you have occupied yourself since you left
our city. Our city [Hartford, Connecticut] is improving in appearance but not so much as I could wish in
life or animation in anything. I like to see more zeal in everything & waste
very much myself. Our dear Pastor has been quite sick for several weeks with the
dysentery, but yesterday they said he was advancing for the better. I think
there has been no new members added to the church profession since you left --
several by letter. Dr. Joel Hawes is as faithful as ever and we prize him much. Rev. Dr.
Taylor of New Haven has supplied his place for their Sabbath & to my great
satisfaction. He is too slow for some. I am glad to be favored with a moderate
example for awhile for my special improvement in speaking and acting.
I
have been practicing domestic duties for some time and though permitted to take
the helm but seldom, I keep learning something. I do not sing in the choir
thinking it my duty to spend my strength in other directions for awhile though I
keep up my music with my brothers at home. A year ago, George talked of going to
China for his health and joined the church to our great joy. Our family is all
together & we are very happy. I have about 30 plants for the winter (small
ones) & I wish now almost that someone else have them for I think I ought to
spend my time on more enduring matters. I hope to do much this winter for
improvement of [my] mind. What [are] all your plans?
Excuse
all that needs it & accept all with the best wishes & prayers of your
very affectionate friend, -- Sarah
P.S.
When you write, direct please to the care of Mssrs. Mather, Morgan &
Company. And don't be afraid to go into particulars & apparently small
things for all will interest your Sallie.
Through
the courtesy of friends, James was finally able to land himself a job teaching
Select school in the little village of King Ferry, New York, not far from the
eastern shore of Lake Cayuga. The
following letter describes the journey from Tioga to his new temporary home and
the prospects for his school.
Kings
Ferry [New York]
December 6, 1850
My
dear Augusta,
I
find myself in debt this evening for several letters, some of which I have too
long neglected owing to my late migratory habits, but as I am permanently
located for a time, I am determined to bring up all arrearages. I don't know as
I feel very deeply indebted to you in this line, but as I am anxious to hear
from you, I send you the first letter from Kings Ferry. Perhaps you would like
to know how, and when, I arrived. And what are the opening prospects [for my
school]? If it had not been taxing you too long, I believe I should have engaged
myself better to have visited with you until my time for leaving [Tioga] that
morning for I hardly slept a wink after I retired. Oh, how slowly old time
dragged his weary wheels. The first time I struck a light, it was just two
o'clock and I had been up there [in my bed] a little more than an hour.
It seemed nearer six [o'clock]. So I laid down and tried to sleep. But
oh! such sleeping! How [I dreamed that] the [railroad] cars left me [behind] and
what times I had trying to catch them. One would have thought that the steam
engines would have pitied a being, toiling and panting as I did to make up. But
there was no pity. Sweating away, I struck a light [again] and found it to be
three o'clock [in the morning]. I rolled over and tried to sleep but couldn't,
only with one eye. I kept the other [eye] measuring the time and long and
patiently did it do this until it was relieved by the whistling of the engine. I
sprang upon my feet [and] found that it was past four [o'clock]. I hurried on my
clothes and over to [Owego], arriving there about one minute after the Eastern
train came in. I could not have been more fortunate as regards time. I had good
opportunity to get my things ready, safely stored away in the baggage car so
that I was perfectly ready to take heed to the announcement, "All
aboard!". Selecting a seat by myself, with my India rubbers for a pillow, I
had a fine refreshing nap going through to Ithaca.
Ithaca,
New York 1845
Arriving
there shortly after light, assisted by wind and steam, I soon found myself at
the Ferry. By this time, the wind had become so high that the landlord said it
was dangerous to cross [the lake]. But I thought that as he owned both tavern
and Ferry, he thought quite as much of the custom [selling food and drink]
through the day as the danger of his boat. He kept us there until almost night
when we gave him to understand that "sink or swim, survive or perish",
we must cross the lake that night. The lake, which had been furious throughout
the whole day, seemed to redouble its anger with the setting sun. The landlord,
seeing us determined, ordered the ferry man to bring on the horses. The boat [2]
was somewhat larger than the one at Middletown, Connecticut, propelled in the
same way only assisted by sails which were used to good advantage at this time.
The little boat pitched and jumped about just as might be expected at such a
time but for my part, I could not see wherein consisted the great danger the
Landlord apprehended might befall us, without it was that we should not have the
"privilege" of taking dinner with him [as well].
Arrived
at Mr. Seymour's (my present home) just [after] dark, and stranger as I was,
they all seemed glad to see me. Mrs. Seymour said she had been thinking about me
the whole day and did not know but that as I was a stranger and peddler too. I
had been playing with them some real peddler's trick and said she was real glad
I had proved faithful. After all, I do not know what grounds she had for such
suspicions. I am sure I never could detect in myself the physiognomy of a rogue.
I
think I shall enjoy my school here just about tolerable. The society of young
people appear quite sociable and intelligent. They meet in sewing society once a
week and also for singing. Have attended the singing school this evening. It is
taught by a Mr. Riggs of Groton who also has a school at Ludlowville &
Ithaca. Have not attended church here yet. Have met the minister, however. His
name is [Nathaniel Dwight] Graves [3]. Like his appearance much and have made application to board with
him during my stay here, but as his wife's health is poor, he can not give me
word until he has tried his success in securing domestic help. Think my school
will not average thirty scholars. Some of them are bright & active &
promise fairly. Others are of sufficient age to give character & influence
and others are just as mischievous and boyish as they can well carry.
How
glad I am that you were so kind as to let me have that daguerreotype. Have your
people missed it? I would not like to live away up here without [your picture].
Foreign as it may be from possessing the life, and lips, and heart, yet you may
be assured that I could not be furnished with a better substitute for the
veritable self. Its presence, I am confident, will tend to shorten the long
winter hours. Yet oh! it will seem like a long long winter without being
permitted to see yourself Augusta. I am looking every day for that letter from
Cousin Hancie [Abbey]. I will warrant that it is now in [Post Office] Box 164 at
Owego. I wish our folks would hasten it on [to me]. Please write, Augusta, [as]
soon as you receive this. Let me know all the news from Hartford, Owego, &
Newfield. How is Daniel Cunningham? If soon to die, what are his feelings in
view of it?
There
is much excitement in this County at present during the session of the trial of
three brothers named Baham for murder. It was committed but a short distance
from this place upon the person of a peddler under circumstances the most
aggravating and ferocious ever conceived of. After a trial of over two weeks,
the eldest was criminated and sentenced to be hung the 24th of January. The
others await their trial yet. Had I room and time, I would furnish you with the
details, but without doubt you will see them in the papers. [See "The Murder of Nathan Adler"] Don't fail to let me know any news
you may get from Ruth and when you write to Cousin Mary Stratton, forget not to
give my compliments. I think her an excellent Cousin & Lady of far greater
worth in my estimation than one from W.
Do
you go to school [at the Owego Academy]? If not, how passes the time? How are
all our folks? And when shall I see you again? Until then, believe me,
Yours faithfully, -- J. S. Griffing
Kings
Ferry, New York
Three weeks later, James wrote to Augusta again:
Kings
Ferry [New York]
December 28, 1850
[Dear Augusta,]
After waiting
and waiting and waiting, that long expected message at last came, yet its delay
only added to its interest for every item almost was new. And now Dear A., what
can I tell you about doings here, be they ever so cunning or strange that you
would care a fig about, or feel the least interest in. How shall I return you an
equivalent for your kind favor? You enquire how I like school and patrons. I
think I like both far better than in Pennsylvania. I have some scholars that are
as kind and obedient as scholars need be and I think would be willing to make
almost any sacrifice rather than disobey their teacher; others full of mischief
and make considerable trouble. Upon the whole, I think my school will be as
pleasant as I could possibly expect. As for the patrons, I like them better, far
better as I become acquainted. I do not think I was in a place where the society
of young people are more united than here, where as a body they are more
intelligent and seem to possess as correct and exalted views of the great object
of life. The people are nearly all Presbyterians. They love their minister
dearly and I guess I think him as near right as the Hartford people used to
think Dr. [Joel] Hawes was.
Was invited
night before last to attend the sewing society. It was held at a private house
about a mile out of town. Early in the evening a messenger announced that a
sleigh was waiting at the door to convey me down. Out I went, and Oh! such a
load. We were soon there and escorted into a commodious farmer’s house where
already there was a large gathering. We were not left to grope our own way among
the strange crowd with none to care for us. But our excellent hostess published
us to the crowd in the very best manner possible but more particularly to the
treasurer. After paying our initiation fee, we were conducted to a large table
and set to work under an overseer. Our employment was the manufactory of a lamp
mat. How precisely this met my idea of a sewing society. Not a single idler was
allowed amidst all that busy and happy group. Young and old combined their
genius and influence in directing the method of obtaining the greatest amount of
available product out of the smallest amount of material. The loud laugh, which
too often speaks the vacant mind and boisterous conduct together with the
foolish waste of time, which too often characterize such gatherings, were
features unobserved. The abundant sociality and smiling countenances furnished
undeniable evidence that they cheerfully performed their labor and wished to do
all the good they could. At intervals the minister would read some interesting
selections, which would be listened to with the most profound attention, the
substance of which perhaps would furnish a theme for conversation. Thus
pleasantly though swiftly passed the evening. Before parting, however, the
minister breathed a solemn prayer upon that interesting group when, after
shaking a hearty goodbye, all quietly left for their houses. We left more
favorably impressed than ever of the utility of these gatherings when properly
conducted.
We are
expecting to have a fair in six weeks. Can you come up Augusta? Will you agree
to come if cousin Hancie [Abbey] will meet you here? I have sent an invitation for her
to come and I indulge the faintest hope that she may come. By the by, I have
this week received a good long letter from her and will tell you what the plan
is. I suppose you know Louisa Jarvis? Well I am boarding with her Uncle’s
brother. Her uncle lives quite near here. Hancie writes that as Louisa’s
sister is married, she is going there to live a while and be her sister. Well I
have written her that just as soon as this takes place, she must get Father
Jarvis to consent to let her and sister Louisa come here to Genoa [New York] and
visit her Uncle John [Seymour] and Aunt Charlotte. And when they get tired staying here, I
have promised to harness old Pomp and carry them to Owego. Now don’t you think
I see them coming? And I have thought if you would only come up here, I would
carry you back at the same time.
I have
received one of Hancie’s best letters and to attempt to give any of it in my
own language would just spoil it so I will give you occasional extracts. She
says, “I wrote to Augusta a long time ago; have received no answer yet and
when next you see her, will you please give her my love and say to her that I
shall expect an answer by New Year’s day. Also tell her that her cousin John
[Edwards] Tryon was married last Wednesday evening [December 11] and now she has a cousin
Julia [formerly Julia Ann Stevens]. They
made a large wedding and we had a nice time.” Says, “Aunt Rachel is usually
well, has been visiting but once this summer and that was at her brothers.”
Says, “I took dinner last week at Mr. Goodrich’s in Hartford. They were all
well.” Says, “My sister Emily is as dear to me as ever. She intends to go to
Cleveland in the spring and spend the summer. I may meet her halfway on her
return. She wishes to be remembered to you and also to Augusta.”
I have taken
from the [post] office a letter today that did me a world of good. And who do
you think it was from? Why from my old [college] chum, Mr. [George] Stillman. I
wrote to him just before commencement and as I did not receive any answer, I
almost uncharitably came to the conclusion that he had forgotten me. I have
often thought, how could he be so neglectful? How is it possible that we who had
learned to love each other as brothers could be so quickly alienated in feeling?
Although my chum may forget me, yet I can never forget him. Today’s reception
removed every ground of suspicion. He commences in his own way familiar way,
“Dear Chum. Ever to be remembered and often thought of! Where art thou? Dost
thou yet breathe the vital air? I have written to you twice and have received no
answer. I am going to write once more and send at a venture. I do hope this may
reach you for I long to hear something from you. A thousand times have I thought
of you at late and have been waiting for you to answer my letters.” Says, “I
am teaching a select school in my native place, have closed the first term and
intend soon to commence another of eleven weeks.” Says he intends to join the
New York East Conference in the spring. Says he will not tell me about his
“more particular affairs” until he hears from me. May the best of success
crown all his calculations and he live to prove a great blessing to the church
and world is the ardent wish of one of his best earthly friends.
It seems you
have concluded to spend the winter at home? Don’t you believe you would enjoy
yourself better at school? How does time pass along? And what do you find of
reading that interests you most? The spare time that I could get from my studies
have been reading the life of Marie Antoinette of France, Life of Alexander the
Great, and am now reading [Archibald] Alison’s History of Europe. I like it much.
Who is
that Mr. Worthington that was coming to your house with Ruth? You are great to
just mention that [which] you know I would be deeply interested in and say
nothing more about him. You know I would not do so. When you do see Ruth, give
her my best wishes. But I must close. Goodnight Augusta. I would like very much
to [come down to] see you [but] I must wait until I close [my school] here. Yet
I shall often, very often, think of you. Also, when you kneel in prayer to our
Father in Heaven, do not forget to pray for James, that his life may be such as
shall continually meet with the divine approval and that he may finally be
welcomed to that better home where no sigh escapes and no parting is ever known.
And you shall have the heart’s best wishes of him who writes, -- J. S.
Griffing
Write soon.
Don’t wait so long.
And again, two weeks later:
Kings
Ferry [New York]
January 10, 1851
Beloved
Augusta,
And so you are
at Newfield [New York], are you? Well instead of being surprised, I almost
expected to hear from you next at Newfield, for I concluded that Ruth [Stratton]
would certainly be out there at Owego on her bridal tour, and would of course
bring you back or you would manage in some way to get out there to Newfield.
Well, now I
have procured a better pen and I will start again and see if it will stop so
soon. The pen I now have I should think from its appearance will want to write
faster than I can think, so that doubtless many of the sentences you will be
obliged to turn the other end to, to get the sense. Well I do not know as I can
blame it much as I have only just one hour and twenty minutes to write, as I
wish this carried down in the next mail, and I am confident I can record all the
news I have that would interest you in less than that time.
I should
certainly think the fault was your own if you do not enjoy yourself back there
among your old friends even if there were no other than cousin Ruth [Stratton
to] not
only make it pleasant but really profitable. I should have liked very much to
have been present at that donation visit for I am confident that I should have
recognized many old friends. How did it pass off? Did the people eat half they
carried in? Was sister [Mary] Hesler [9] sick for a week or two? Did they have
auctioneering and running, snap, and catch ‘em, and all the other extra’s
that I have witnessed at such visits? I am confident that I should be insulting
the good sense of the people there even to think so. Methinks I see them taking
their supper at home and taking in the shape of eatables something of real worth
to the Pastor for his own family, and with open, liberal hearts, filling his
house with plenty and doing all they can to cheer him in his work of faith and
labor of love. And after making him a good friendly visit, conducting themselves
in a manner becoming the place and occasion and at a seasonable hour retiring,
enjoying in all their fullness those blessings that ever follow the cheerful
giver. Yet Oh! I have seen such inconsistent conduct and such consummate folly
at such places that for my own part, I am not very much prepossessed in their
favor, and have often questioned their utility [when] thus conducted.
You made
no mention of the condition of the church, whether dead or alive, whether each
standing in his allotted place is doing all in his power to make the earthly
happier & better, or whether a settled apathy has fallen upon many which may
continue until they are aroused by that messenger which introduced each one to
his changeless destiny. I hope for the best. Yet Oh! It is a fact that too many
in this day live only for the moment, and the enjoyment of the pleasure of
sensuality, whilst the great purposes of their being are entirely lost sight of
and all that happiness that flows free and full to that person filling out
life’s great designs aright they are entire strangers to. Like myself wasting
the best part of life, doing nothing. When each day should witness them making
loftier strides and obtaining higher positions upon life’s “vantage
ground” where they can make every moment count and be able to wield a powerful
influence for good. A few such the earth possesses and one is of more worth than
a vast multitude of the indifferent. I do believe that one good faithful day’s
labor for the cause of God and the elevation and happiness of man does more
towards satisfying the actual aspirations of the immortal soul than a thousand
days spent in the gratification of the pleasures of sense, in the most
delightful way, the human mind or the utmost stretch of the imagination has
power to conceive of.
But I am
consuming my paper and time without coming directly to what I wished to say. I
am well and the times pass along agreeably and pleasantly as ever. Saw at the
sewing society last evening Miss Sprigg [4] from Ithaca – a tolerable
good-looking girl. Said her father lives about a mile east of Newfield [New
York] and that she was acquainted with Ruth & Nancy [Stratton], the Cox
girls, and others up there. She had friends in this village and is down on a
visit. Oh I do wish you all had Uncles and Aunts here or that there was some
inducement for you to come down this good sleighing. I want much to see you and
were it not that I wish to close my school as quickly as possible, I should have
a vacation on purpose for freedom to come up there.
I teach every
Saturday forenoon, but I have been thinking that as you purposed to make a visit
at Ludlowville [New York], if you would manage to be there Friday evening,
January 17, I would manage to meet you there and will return with you to Ithaca
and Newfield to spend Saturday and Sabbath. What say you? I would like much to
know beforehand and that is the reason why I write this direct; that I may get
an answer before then. Please tell me where they live and who are coming and
how. Be sure and bring enough that I may have company down in my conveyance. Now
don’t fail to write. An answer will come through in a day if put in at Ithaca.
Of course the weather must be taken into consideration. If the weather is fair,
I shall expect to meet you there even if you should not receive this in time to
send an answer back. Now don’t fail if possible.
How did you
leave all at home [in Owego]? When shall you return? I received another good
long letter from Chum [George Stillman] yesterday containing much news that was
interesting to me. Ah, I like that fellow better than ever. Some eight or ten of
my class have been married since they graduated and perhaps others unheard from.
So goes the world. Chum is engaged to one of the best of girls and thinks he
will not be married until after he joins Conference. Remember me kindly to [your
cousins] Ruth & Nancy, and all the rest of the folks, and believe that you
shall ever share the best wishes and kindest regards of your friend, -- James
In
haste. I hardly dare look it over. Please pardon.
In
January, 1851, Augusta wrote in response:
Newfield
[New York]
Monday, January 27, 1851
My
dear James,
You
will be surprised, or have been I suppose, not to have received an answer before
this. But I did not receive your letter until the 22nd, rather too late to
answer it before the 17th. I was sorry that I did not get it before, but hope
for your sake that you did not go down [to Ithaca]. We had talked some of going
down to see Mary and spend the day, but gave it up as Ruth was not at home. We
came through Newfield one evening a few days before the 17th and intended to
stop at the [Post] Office, but it was closed. If it had not been, I could have
answered [your letter] in time. If you went, I presume you had a pleasant visit
for she is a very pleasant woman. Why did you not come down to Newfield? It
would not have been much farther.
Nancy
[Stratton] and I went to Danby the Thursday before and came back on Monday. We
visited only at three places -- spent some time with Miss Julia Beardsley [5]. Her
older sister spent a year at Mt. Holyoke [Seminary] about six years ago and is
now teaching a select school with Mr. _______, the Presbyterian minister of
Danby. Have you heard the Denton's speak of a Miss Brock [6], a deaf & dumb girl
in Danby? She, with a sister, two brothers, four Denton's & a Miss Thacher [7]
(teacher here) spent the afternoon and evening here last Friday, and there were
four other married people here at the same time. We spent a very pleasant
afternoon & evening.
Ruth
has been gone from home two weeks and we do not know how much longer she will
stay. She is in Enfield at Mrs. Woodward's [8]. The doctor is very low indeed
instead of getting better. I do not think he can live long. Aunt Alice
[Stratton, cousin]
George, and I went there one day last week and then he had no thoughts of dying.
He urged me to stay in [Newfield, New York] until he was better and then he
wanted to take Ruth and I to Ovid [New York] to see his friends there. But no
one thinks he can get well. I received a letter from her yesterday and he was
not as well as when we were there and had begun to think he could not get well.
I suppose he has the consumption.
Yesterday
morning we went over early enough to go in to the Lovefeast at a quarter past
nine. Two were taken in the church and two children were baptized. Mr.
Winterbern from Ithaca preached a very good sermon, but I like Mr. Hesler best [9].
In the afternoon, we attended the Presbyterian Church. I have never heard Mr.
Fitch preach before, but he has preached in Owego. Mr. Fitch went last Monday to
Owego for his wife & called for me to go with him but I had not finished
visiting & did not go. But must go this week on the [railroad] cars or they
will think I intend to spend the winter here.
I
saw C. Starr Saturday. She is in P. Dudley's store and was well & precise as
ever. Mr. John Bush & Miss Ursula Dean were married last
Wednesday eve. When Mrs. Fitch came from Owego, she brought me a letter from
Aunt Mary [Goodrich in Hartford] and a note from Ma. She wrote that your brother
Henry and Nancy Orcutt were married the week before, two weeks tomorrow
(Thursday), but I presume you have heard of it before this.
Aunt Mary wrote that all were well. Sarah
(Beach) Knapp and husband had removed to Hatfield, Massachusetts. She is Aunt
Mary's only sister and her husband a Congregationalist minister. She said also
that Mr. [John] Olmsted intended to retire from business and they intended to
take Walter Stillman (cousin of your chum) as a partner. He has been a clerk
there some time.
We spent Saturday evening at Mr. Blakesley's [10]
and enjoyed it very much. We visit some here or have company all the time &
I do not know how I shall get away -- but must go this week. I wish you were
going out too and then I could have company.
Wednesday. I thought I would finish this as I
think it can go to the [Post] Office tomorrow for Uncle William [Stratton] &
Aunt Alice think of going to Ithaca. Yesterday, we went to Enfield again and
found Charles better than he was last week. He had walked out a little way in
the morning for he wanted the fresh air, but it was too much for him & he
was not as well as before. He is very imprudent although he does not think so.
Only the day before, he sat up the first time for a long while. No one thinks he
will ever be better and I am afraid he never will.
They wished very much to have
me stay the rest of the week there but could not, and have promised to go next
week and stay a day or two. They do not want me to go home and so I have
concluded to stay another week. If there should be good sleighing next week,
[Uncle] William & Aunt Alice would go to [Salem Township, Wayne County] Pennsylvania near where
Hancie [Abbey's]
parents live & would go and see them. And if they go, they want me to stay as Ruth is gone. Charley
says that Ruth must not come away until he is well or dead.
She would like to be at home soon, but she is doing good there. Mrs.
Woodward thinks a great deal of her, as much, she says, as of any of her
daughters. We think of going up to Mr. Cooks & Carpenters [11]
this afternoon
& evening -- you know where they live. It is dinner time & I will try to
write more in the morning.
Friday
morn. They did not go down yesterday because it was so cold, but think some of
going today. And as I must write some to Ma, I cannot write more. We are all
well. Ever yours, -- J. A. Goodrich
In
the Spring, of 1851, James Griffing closed his Select School in King Ferry, New
York. The good people of the little village had been very kind and
generous in meeting their obligations to him.
He decided his school closure message must be something special; not just
for the students but for the parents as well. And so that he wouldn't forget the message he wanted to communicate, he
wrote it down in advance and laid it before him on the high teacher's desk. After examining the students, he turned to the scholars and their
parents, and bade farewell to his Select school, the last that he would ever
teach. With heart-felt sincerity,
he began....
Well
scholars, the time has come when we must say Goodbye. With me, this is always an unpleasant task, and it is
especially so at this time. It is
generally the custom I suppose -- at least it used to be -- for the teacher when
leaving to make a speech to the scholars giving them all sorts of advice. Telling how they have wound links of chains around his heart that can
never be broken &c. and [other such] indulging similes and rhetorical
phrases, and displaying a great deal of eloquence, which was evidently intended
for the old folks present on the last day (for it could not be understood by any
but them). I always thought [my
teachers] were overdoing the matter a little to tell how much they thought of us
when we had been so much bother to them. I
was very sure I wasn't sorry to be let out of the tiresome school and I
would run and kick up my heels and never feel bad at all when the teacher was
bidding us goodbye. But that was
because I was a bad boy in school, I guess, for I think every good boy
ought to feel bad when his teacher leaves.
In the shape of advice, I don't know as I have anything to offer except
a single sentence which I want you to fix in your minds and always remember it.
And although you may forget everything else I say and forget me [as well], yet I
want you to remember this one sentence. I first heard it as you are to hear it
today, from a teacher who was about to leave us. And although I have forgotten
all else he said & all every other teacher ever said, this one sentence is
ringing in my ears as if it had been but yesterday I heard it. It was this.
"There is no royal road to knowledge." What he meant by it was
this. That it matters not whether you have the best chances of obtaining an
education, unless you apply yourselves you will never amount to much. It lies in
each persons own self whether he or she will [be] somebody or nobody. And it
matters not whether your parents hold high positions in life or come from the
dregs of society, whether you were brought up in a palace or in a log cabin,
there is one way, and only one way, to obtain knowledge and that is by long,
patient, careful study.
[1]
There is a Mary Wildman, age 18 in the 1850 Hartford,
Connecticut Census, living in the household of Mrs. C. B. Wildman, age 50.
[2]
The type of ferry that James took across Lake Cayuga was a "teamboat."
These horse-powered paddleboats were commonplace in the mid-19th
century. There is an excellent description of these ferry's in the October,
1989, edition of the National Geographic Magazine (see graphic below).
It was somewhat unusual, however, for the ferries to be equipped with sails
as the one described by James.
Teamboat,
as illustrated by National Geographic Magazine
[3]
The 1850 census for Genoa, Cayuga County, New York shows a 36 year-old clergyman
named Nathaniel Dwight Graves -- a native of Belchertown, Hampshire County,
Massachusetts. Others in the household include his wife Cornelia H. (Bradish)
Graves (age 27) of Floyd, Oneida County, New York, and two girls, ages 20 and
18, who do not appear to be related to the clergyman. These were, perhaps, other
select school teachers or domestic help. Rev. Graves and his wife were married
in September 1845. According to the History of the Pomeroy Family, Vol 2, page
358, Rev. Graves was educated at Lane Theological Seminary and graduated from
Auburn Seminary in July 1845.
[4]
The 1850 census for Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York shows a 19 year-old Mary
Sprigg living in the household of 29 year-old Amelia McWhorter. She is one of
several young female boarders that appear to be employed as seamstresses, though
an occupation is not recorded for her. The 1850 census for Newfield, Tompkins
County, New York has a Maryland-born farmer named William Sprigg (born 1794)
residing with his wife, Eliza (born 1795), and five children. Mary -- the eldest
child -- is shown living with her parents in this census record too but it's
likely she is recorded twice.
[5]
The 1850 census for Newfield, Tompkins County, New York shows a 12 year-old
Julia E. Beardsley living with her parents, William (age 38) and Mary (age 39)
Beardsley. An older sister, Elizabeth (age 16) is also shown living in the
household.
[6]
The 1850 census for Newfield, Tompkins County, New York shows a 23 year-old
"deaf and dumb" girl named Lovennia [Lavinia?] Brock living in the
household of Thomas Brock, a 55 year-old farmer, and his wife Phoebe, also age
55. The census shows one brother, Alfred Brock (age19), and two sisters, Electa
(age 17) and Phebe (age 14) Brock living in the same household. A laborer named
James Abbey, age 18, also lived with the family. Perhaps James Abbey accompanied
Alfred, Lavinia and Electa to Newfield and Augusta assumed Alfred and James were
brothers.
[7]
The 1850 Newfield, Tompkins County, New York has no "Thacher" listed.
However, there is a "Thatcher" family residing in Newfield with a 21
year-old girl named Elizabeth. She was born in England, daughter of Thomas and
Elizabeth Thatcher.
[8]
Probably Kelulah Woodward who appears as the 47 year-old widow of Charles
Woodward in the 1850 Enfield, Tompkins County, New York census.
[9]
The 1850 Tompkins County, New York census indicates that a clergyman named
Oliver Hesler, age 31, resided in Dryden with his wife Mary, age 21, and their
two small children, Olin (born 1845) and Albert (born 1849). They would later
have a daughter named Mary (born 1855) and relocate by 1860 to Sharon, Schoharie
County, New York. Oliver Hesler (or Hessler) was born 6 December 1817 and was
christened in the Reformed Dutch Church at Fort Plain, Mongomery County, New
York.
[10]
Probably John Blakeley and his wife Elizabeth who had a farm in Lansing,
Tompkins County, New York. The Blakeley's had three eligible bachelor sons
living in the household with them in 1850: Henry (age 25), Mark (age 23) and
Horace (age 18).
[11]
Presumably these are the farms of Abram Cook (born @ 1801) and William Carpenter
(born @ 1822), who are shown as neighbors in the Newfield, Tompkins County, New
York census of 1850. In 1843, Abram Cook served as a Board member of the
Tompkins County Agricultural and Horticultural Society, "Committee on
Horses." He and other members of his family are buried in Teeter Cemetery
near the Enfield/Ithaca town line not too far from Enfield Falls.
