Only a mere talker

While James Griffing labored in his first assignment as pastor of the small North Street mission of the Methodist Episcopal church, the winds of change were swirling in Washington D.C. Opposing political forces across the nation hotly debated the "Nebraska Question" which was then under consideration in the U.S. Congress. The Nebraska Bill -- an act to organize the territories of Kansas and Nebraska -- was eventually passed on May 30, 1854, much to the dismay of the remnant factions of the Whig party as well as the Free Soil Democrats. In his hometown of Owego, New York, an Anti-Nebraska Meeting was held within a matter of days to denounce the bill and to criticize the local representative who had "betrayed them" and voted for its passage. [1] Though there is no mention of the Nebraska Bill in the exchange of letters between James and Augusta which follow, it was to be an event that would surely shape their destiny.

Indianapolis [Indiana]
May 27, 1854

Dearest Augusta,

Your [letter] has just been finished and I hasten to commence an answer, but expect to be interrupted before I have written far. Should you leave home, go down to the center of some civilized community far away from every person you ever knew, leave mother, brothers and sisters far behind and in the strange land have the grim monster death come and seize its prey on all sides of you, then will you in a measure be prepared to appreciate a good long letter from a dearly beloved friend, especially when all along its pages you see something said about mother, brothers and sisters, or something concerning old acquaintances. It is something like the appearance of sunshine to the tempest tossed mariner or the sparkling rivulet to the desert parched lips of the weary wanderer.

I must think that my dear mother is lonely and I almost wish at times that I had the locomotion of a door so that I could come and spend a time with her and then return to my labor. Never can I repay her often repeated acts of kindness to me, and never probably again may I hope to enjoy her society for a long time upon the earth again, although we do not know what the future may unfold. Among all my acquaintances, although I know a great many old women, yet I can find no one like her. [There is] no one so ready to sympathize, [and] so interested in my happiness. In short, no one so motherly.

I was sorry to learn that your own mother is no better. I always supposed hers a very strong constitution, and thought she might probably outwear and outlive a great many younger than herself. I suppose she is able to be about the house and do some work. How is your father this summer?

Your cousin Sarah, although tired of her mode of life and of this part of the country, I think is censurable because she withdrew so unexpectedly. I certainly hope she will have a pleasant trip over the plains and mountains. Yet I am sure she will find it far more pleasant in anticipation than reality. I have never read an account of an overland trip yet but what it was attended with more or less privation and suffering. They have so far to pass over an almost barren desert, inhabited only by an occasional bear and wolf, and by far worse enemies bearing human shape – small hordes of bloodthirsty marauding Indians who molest the traveler very much, and when they have an overpowering force, hesitate not to take life. Be sure and get an account of her trip if possible shortly after her arrival.

I don’t see why everybody chooses to go to California when Oregon holds out such fine inducements to all choosing to emigrate, and when I suppose the light of the sun falls not on a fairer climate and a finer soil. I sometimes almost envy those having a home west of the Willamette Valley on those fine rolling lands looking far out upon the broad bosom of the blue Pacific, where fresh breezes so thoroughly impregnated with vitality are ever ready to impart new vigor to the system. And then it does seem as if there would be something more distinctly speaking audibly of the Higher Power as you listened to the moaning of the distant surges. I do think I should love the Ocean shore, its storm beaten rocks, its weather beaten craggy sycamores that for centuries have reached out their giant arms to afford shelter and protection to the many water fowl seeking a home to rear their young. Its multitude of shells and its smooth washed pebbles, above all, I should like to look for away out upon its smooth broad surface when it was mild and not a zephyr to stir its anger. Yet this privilege I may never have. It is enough for me to know that I am already out upon the Ocean of life, I trust embarked for the Heaven of eternal repose. Yet Oh! in looking out upon the storm and clouds like the disciples, I feel as though it were a very easy matter for the vessel to sink and I am on the point of crying out, “Save Lord, or perish.” Sometimes away in the distance may be seen great rocks and quicksand and a great many things that seem to endanger the craft. Yet when I remember that he who stands at the helm knows all the way and is perfectly able to guide the vessel safe, faith puts to flight my trembling and the noble vessel moves steadily on. And I am confident will ‘ere long arrive at the port [with] all hands safe if they will not forsake the vessel.

Our Sabbath school excursion was a very pleasant one. The day was fine and the children on tiptoe. We met at the church at 8 o’clock A. M., chartered omnibuses to carry out the extremes of age and the provisions, and we who were in life’s vigor walked out in procession to a grove about a mile distant where were prepared swings and seats, and where flowed a most beautiful stream. Soon as it was ascertained that the stream abounded in little fish, you can hardly imagine the excitement it occasioned. Such a mania for fishing, I never saw. Anything that could be converted into a fishline was used and as a substitute for hooks, pins were bent. And you can’t begin to think how much these little inlanders were elated when they could toss a bright little fish out upon the bank. Yet whilst some were fishing, others whose taste did not exactly run in that direction were either promenading, playing ball, marching soldiers file to the music of a whistle, or swinging.

When noon came, all were tired enough to quickly gather in a large circle around a table spread out with good things loaded with enough to accommodate twice the number, although there were between three and four hundred. One amusement I could not help but notice after dinner. A hillock was discerned in the distance some thirty or forty feet high. A large number of the scholars flocked there and would climb to its top just for the privilege of running down. It’s such a rare thing here to find hills, that they regard it as a rare amusement. After remaining a suitable time, all returned I guess impressed with the fact that if children could oftener feel the bracing of the country air and have full liberty to use their limbs, it would be far better for them.

Today the Cadets of Temperance planned to take an excursion in the cars and have a picnic somewhere, but the rain has prevented. All the ministers were invited. Out of etiquette, I suppose, an invitation was extended to me although only a mere talker. You ask if speaking does not come easy as I advance in experience. I must own that it appears a more weighty burden every time I attempt to try it. And I almost feel at times that although there were times when I felt it my duty to preach, yet my long neglect has in a great measure disqualified me to engage successfully in this great work. I sometimes feel just as if I would never try to speak in public again.

Our Sabbath school is in a very flourishing condition. Our little school house is crowded to its utmost extent, not giving place for the teachers to sit down. The meetings are quite well attended. We have recently organized so that ours is the 7th M. E. Church of Indianapolis. I have found but little time for study from the fact that I am obliged to go around and solicit subscriptions for our new church. We have a lot selected and hope ‘ere long to have a good church for worship.

The Rev. Mr. [Lewis Morris] Pease you spoke of is not in good repute at the Five Points Mission [in New York City]. He was set aside by the board [of the New York Ladies Home Missionary Society] and Mr. Adams was elected in his place. I think he neglected to report all the monies coming into his hands and betrayed a want of fidelity to his trust in some other respects. [2] What was the Mission at Owego?

Do you know certainly when you will probably go east? Will [your] sister Sarah accompany you? Are you expecting your Uncle [Elizur Goodrich] out when married? I received a letter from Br. Giddings yesterday saying that all were well except little Louisa whose eyes are very much inflamed and have been for a long time. Little Sarah studies her lessons out loud in her presence so that she learns much in this way. Br. Giddings thinks it doubtful about her getting their use again. Says their Conference holds its session on the twenty-first of June at Waverly when he expects to visit home. Try and see them all if you can.

Did you notice the [solar] eclipse yesterday? [3] It was quite fine and aided by a smoked glass, I had a fine view of it. My health continues quite good. I am always unsatisfied with my letters. They seem so illy calculated to speak what the heart would wish – so cold, so stiff and formal. But as there is no other, I gladly embrace even this substitute thinking ‘ere long that I shall have the pleasure of speaking face to face where heart may speak to heart, and the cold distant shadow exchanged for the reality. I need not ask your prayers. I believe I have them. May the Lord ever bless and keep you, my own beloved Augusta. So prays your, -- James

Indianapolis [Indiana]
June 8, 1854

Ever loved Augusta,

Your well-filled welcome sheet of June 2nd did not reach me until this morning. Rather slow coming but then I would not wish to blame Uncle Sam. It is so kind of him to bring it at all. To pick up a treasure so valuable from a friend keeping it entirely guarded from the gaze of the public eye and bringing it so far at such a trifling expense—and then delivering it over just as neat as when put in his possession is a favor so worthy of regard that I hope, should I occasionally be disappointed, I may never cherish toward him the least unkind thought. Long—long may he live to benefit and bless the world.

I had not noticed an account of the burning of Charlottesville Seminary and was truly sorry to hear of it. It was under the regulations of the Troy Conference, I think, and quite an effort had been made of late to establish a college there. But this disaster will very much retard their arrangements if not entirely defeat their purpose. My good friend C[harles Wesley] Judd has been attending school there in company with his brother. I have not heard from him recently. The seminary was to be a preparatory school for the college. I supposed Mrs. Searle accompanied her husband or was intending to do so. Does he purpose to return for her? I should like much to see some of them but think it doubtful as it is considerably out of the way to come through here.

You speak of your mothers’ lameness. Is it rheumatism? I do hope you may be mistaken about the prospects of her future health and may find her after awhile as hearty and healthy as usual. But God, who is too infinitely wise to err and too good ever to be unkind, will order all things aright. I do not believe that ever a single moment of suffering ever happened to a mortal but that it was designed for their good and to promote His glory. [Your brother] Ralph works on the farm this summer does he? I am glad to learn of the interest he manifests in his standing. Has he a good strong constitution? Does he ever talk of trying to teach? Did mother say any thing to you about the lameness of her feet and did she say whether she would probably return to Union Springs [to be with Brother John] this summer?

[My sister] Mary wrote me a few days ago stating that she was attending the [Oakwood] Young Ladies Seminary there [at Union Springs] and liked it quite well. I hope she will make good use of her time as she has a fine opportunity for study. But I am almost afraid she will want to see mother so bad after a little that if mother does not come there, she will think she must certainly go home.

The Oakwood Young Ladies Seminary at Union Springs
from 1853 Map

Did you hear [my brother] Henry say any thing of the West and when he may possibly come? I do think it would be so much better for him than to tug and toil and sweat there on the old hill—and after all that, only to raise enough to meet the crying wants of nature without ever being able to provide any thing for future want—especially when growing responsibilities are claiming this at his hands. I do believe, with the same labor and without any capital, he could make a farm pay for itself in a few years. You would be surprised to see how ready and fine a price every marketable article brings now, and how the laborer is repaid for his toil. And I do think that here, if a being has no higher object in living than merely to accumulate property [and] if the good Being gives good health, he can only blame himself for struggling along in indigence. Yet the West has its poor as well as other places. Yet many of them are persons too lazy to work—were lazy whilst living [back] east and came here hoping to gain a living without work. But they [quickly] find that the growing spirit of the West frowns most bitterly upon such [laziness], and soon will entirely disown them unless they make an effort to redeem themselves and do something.

I do wish you could have been at my Sunday School last Sabbath. Our little [school] house was filled to overflowing. Some could not get in[side] for want of room and then the children and teachers all seem to take so much interest. We appointed a soliciting committee consisting of five young ladies to obtain money for a library. They had about twenty dollars collected last Sabbath and they have not obtained as yet all they think they can. After we get our library, I hardly know where we shall find a place to put our scholars without we extend a canvass out over the front door and arrange seats under that—which has been thought advisable by some. Prof. Hoss of the Blind Asylum teaches a bible class of young ladies.

At a trustees meeting last evening, it was thought best not to commence building [our church] until next Spring but to purchase our lot this fall. [We also decided to purchase] our brick and lumber [now so that we would] be ready to erect a fine large brick house [of worship] at that time. The reason of the delay is because several other churches are building and then the congregation from whom we are expecting our largest subscriptions are erecting a parsonage this summer at an expense of $2800. Viz. — Brother Cooper’s Church [Robert's Chapel]. I think the delay altogether for the best as they can then build a much better house than now as they do not believe in running in debt but always of building the house according to their means. But I was in hopes that I might see a church enclosed upon the Mission Ground this fall.

Tomorrow evening, Brother Cooper’s church [is holding] a strawberry supper and fair for its benefit. I suppose I shall be obliged to assist in the preliminary arrangements all day tomorrow. I attended such a one [the] evening before last for the benefit of the widows and orphans which passed off very pleasantly. About three hundred dollars, after all expenses were defrayed, was the result. The order of the evening seemed to be promenading about the large hall arm in arm. Old men with young lasses — old women and young men — occasionally a young gallant with his choice, but the aim seemed to be to have the contrast as great as possible. Yet the great and most pleasant feature in the whole affair seemed to be sociability... You would hardly believe it should I tell you I had been to London recently, yet such is the case. My time was so taken up with other matters that I did not have time to go to Hyde Park, the bridge, Westminster Abbey, and many other places that seem to interest travelers so much. The city was not as large as I expected to find it. Yet I passed the time very pleasantly indeed. I may go there again on the fourth of July. If so, is there any word you would like to send to the queen?

By the way, the citizens here have all been in the habit on the fourth [of July] of collecting all the Sabbath Schools and having a Union celebration. Being on the committee of arrangements, we appointed a committee to try and charter cars sufficient to take between two and three thousand children, with many of their parents, out on an excursion on that day. [The committee will] make their report next Monday evening. What the results will be, I know not. But it will be a great time should so many go. Every school must furnish their own ropes for swings and their own dinner. But if it should happen to be raining, it will be a sorry time.

I am almost afraid that there will be a visit of the scourge — the cholera — here this summer. A great many died with it here four years ago and some few nearly every year. I was informed that there were two cases in this city this morning. There have been several at Cincinnati. Should it become quite prevalent here, without duty seemed to forbid, I should probably leave the city for a while and may come home. Otherwise, I do not think that I shall come until after you return from Hartford. [4]

I sometime can hardly feel as if it were my duty to speak in public. I make such hard work of it and often feel as if a farm was a more appropriate place for me — at the same time doing all I can for the good of the church. May the Lord ever be my guide and the source of your highest joy is the prayer of your, -- James.

Indianapolis [Indiana]
July 8, 1854

Beloved Augusta,

With a trembling hand I have just opened your letter. The reception of one so soon seemed to whisper "bad news" so that I glanced over it without hardly stopping to read. Sure enough, it announced that the fell destroyer had been at work, and from the embrace of a devoted and father-loving family he has been to convince them of the exceeding frail hold we have upon earthly existence. For a long time [your] Uncle Erastus [Goodrich] [5] has been spared to his family until all have grown up and of sufficient age to manage for themselves. Providence has seemed to favor his family with good health and has crowned his path with untold blessings. Haggard want in none of its unpleasant forms has ever been allowed an inmate of his dwelling. And now quite along in years, he hath entered upon that existence quite beyond the probability of change. It would truly have been consoling in his last hours to have some one of his family around him to wipe away the cold sweat and catch his last parting words, especially to have had the partner of his toils, the sharer of his pilgrimage so long. Yet for wise reasons all these were denied and a stranger hand performed the deed. Yet I hope the messenger found him ready. Oh of what infinite importance, whilst sharing so continually all the blessings of health that we endeavor to prepare for death. When confined upon a couch withering and rolling amid the pangs of disease, especially one of such virulence as the cholera, it is a poor time to prepare for eternity. I hope that his deeply afflicted family will be sustained under their great bereavement and that it will lead them all to prepare for the great change that must speedily overtake them.

I received a letter from [my] sister Mary just now with yours stating that [my] Mother and [brother] Ossy were up there [at Springport, New York] and would probably stay until after the fourth [of July]. She said that she was trying to persuade mother to stay much longer and believed she would succeed. She says they have a great abundance of cherries. Says that the term of her school closes in four weeks and does not know whether she will return to Owego after the school or not. She seems to like it there much better than at first.

You mentioned the name of Charlotte Johnson in your letter. Who can she be? Is she a daughter of Esq. Johnson in town? If so, what kind of a girl is she?

I am sorry that they have selected Mr. [George] Watson [6] as teacher in the [Owego] Academy. I don't believe he will succeed. I don't believe he has ambition sufficient to succeed. I should much rather have trusted it again in Mr. Coburn's hands if he would have accepted.

The Fourth [of July] passed off here quite pleasantly indeed. The nerve-exciter, pleasure-destroyer, nuisance of cannon firing was entirely dispensed with. At 6 A.M., at the ringing of the bell, in groups and flocks, children dressed mostly in white with sparkling eyes were tripping along to their several Sabbath schools. It was very pleasant to go to the "awning schoolhouse" and find so many waiting to march. We had a procession of our school of between 70 and 80. It was so very warm that some of the smaller ones could not march in the procession. Our banner cost thirteen dollars. It consisted of muslin faced on one side with blue silk and on the other with white. On the white side was painted a dove bearing an olive branch and under it this motto, "On earth peace good will towards men." On the other side was a bible. Over it was printed in large golden letters, "Our guide." Under it, "Our basis." Every Sabbath school must have its banner. There were several thousand children present. (A banner will last several years.) After reaching the centre of the city, a procession was formed when we marched to the state house yard around which there is a grove of several acres. Here seats were provided where the Declaration of Independence was read and an appropriate oration was delivered, after which were passed around refreshments for the children. For many years the citizens have practiced celebrating the 4th in this way which seemed to me very appropriate indeed. These exercises were finished about half past ten when the little ones dispersed to their several homes.

Having been invited by Professor Hoss [7] in company with Brother [Samuel] Cooper, we went then to attend the celebration at the Blind Asylum. After music by their choir, which was excellent, Professor Hoss read the Declaration of Independence. A short speech was then read dictated by one of the blind, then followed singing when another speech was made by one of the blind in person. The Rev. Mr. Crawford of this city then delivered an oration, very appropriate and excellent. After music, we started for our homes. I could not but notice with how much interest these dear unfortunate ones entered into and participated in all the exercises. I trust I left the place a better man, hoping I may be more grateful and make a better use of the great blessing of sight than I have hitherto done.

[click on image to enlarge]
Blind Asylum as shown in Gleason's Pictorial
April 1854

[click on image to enlarge]
View of Indianapolis (looking south) from the cupola of the Blind Asylum in 1854
from a lithograph drawn by James T. Palmatary

The continued warm weather cannot do otherwise than make it unhealthy for a time yet. But as soon as the weather changes, we shall look and hope for better times. The cases of cholera we have had in this section have seemed to be contagious -- those watching over the sick have themselves been taken and soon leave us. The first case that we had near here was brought on from the east. The man in traveling from Philadelphia stopped to visit some relatives near the city where he was taken and died. Those attending his funeral -- many of them -- were taken and soon died. The minister was taken and died, as also his wife and child. These facts have made people afraid of it so that I am afraid that many having it have suffered much for the want of good care.

I am doing what I can towards securing means to build our church but it is quite slow work this exceeding warm weather. We hope to break ground week after next, Providence favoring. I cannot but feel that it is my duty to stay and do what I can until Conference at least. For me to leave would seem like acting Jonah's part. It is quite difficult to tell how much sickness there is about the city as the papers do not report, but in passing about I find indications of its presence among us.

Please write soon and let me know how all are. When do you start east? I am glad you visited [my] mother. Was she in good spirits? Pardon this hasty scrawl and ever believe me your own, -- James

Owego [New York]
July 17, 1854

Dearest James,

Yours of the 8th inst. was received on Friday, only a week after it was written, but since the Academy closed, I do not hear from the [post] office daily and presume it might have lain there a day or so.

I was so glad to hear you were well. I do not think it is safe for people from the east to go west in the summer if they care anything for health, for so many do not sometimes live to get home, but oftener not, and if they do, [they] linger weeks & months between life & death.

Frederick Goodrich [8] says he is going after harvest. He owns a place in Wisconsin & wants to sell & buy in Iowa. They do not want to have him go so soon, but wait until cooler weather. I suppose you remember Layard Cittern? A nephew of his and brother of Mary went west some time ago I heard, but do not know when he returned and I have just heard that he lies at the point of death, whether it is any disease contracted at the west or not, I do not know.

With your letter I received one from Ruthette Chisholm and one from a cousin in Rocky Hill [Connecticut]. Ellen writes that her oldest brother, Marshall Williams has been away from home five years and is intending to be at home this month. He has been west in different places, but is now in Iowa, but I do not know the name of the place, but think it is somewhere near Dubuque. She expects to return with him for six months or a year visit, but I hope she will not go until the weather is cooler. She is rather frail, but a sweet girl. She has a brother in England who does some part of the work on Colt Revolvers and has very high wages. He has sent them specimens of the different kinds of coins & other monies circulated in Europe amounting to about forty dollars, but sending to them of no value. Ellen and myself have corresponded for years (on paper that is). We were both named after the same person, her maiden name being Augusta and long before we met, and before we could handle a pen we sent papers with writing on them written by our parents, however. And after we met, thought we should like to continue the correspondence. I felt when I last saw her that she would not live very long unless she had help. Her throat was raw all the time and she did very little for it, and it was the worst of diseases too, the scrofula. She now writes it is some better.

Ruthette [Chisholm] writes she is teaching school up Shepherd’s Creek in Barton [New York] and likes it very much. They have broken up housekeeping for good and her father is visiting in Genesee County and her sister is at the water cure establishment in Livingston County [9] and she feels as if a mountain load were off her shoulders.

The Rev. Mr. Cargill that was killed by a cannon on the fourth [of July] was brother-in-law to Rev. Mr. [George] Blakeslee here. He lived a few hours after he was hurt & came to his sister but did not know what had hurt him. When told, [he] said he should not live then and wished them to pray much for the church. [10]

Monday afternoon. I hope you are enjoying as cool a breeze as is now playing among the trees around us and refreshing us after an extremely warm morning. Rain has fallen around us, but none here to cool the parched earth which is so dry that everything is withering as if Jack frost was too neighborly. We hoped to have a shower but the clouds passed over with two or three large drops just to show us there was water in them if we were not to be watered. But the air is much cooler and pleasant and I must finish this & write to Maria to night as Sarah and I think of going over to the village tomorrow and shall want to take them. It is such a busy time now haying & harvesting that the boys do not go over often and therefore I must send to the [post] office when I can.

Ma says today she feels better than for months before, and says if she continues as well can do without Sarah and I for our visit [to Hartford, Connecticut] with a little hired help and is very anxious to have us go. And if we go before Uncle is married, shall go in about five weeks from now. Uncle [Elizur Goodrich] writes that [his sister, my] Aunt Lucy will go to Glastonbury to live and take [her daughter] Anna. Lucy will stay and go to school. [Aunt Lucy's son,] James [Fiddis] continues to work at his trade [in Hartford]. He sent me a couple of papers a week ago with an account of the balloon ascension in Hartford on the fourth [of July]. Two went up, a man in each, about four in the afternoon and ascended about a mile and a half, and came down near Manchester [Connecticut] about nine miles from Hartford safely. One thing they noticed which appeared singular, they could see everything on the bottom of the river distinctly, sandbars &c. [11]

I suppose you remember Mary Allworth? She has made us a visit within a week. I have not seen her before but once for a moment since she was a little girl. She says her father is better than he has been & the rest quite well. Mary & Kate Taylor have been up to [your brother] Samuel’s & been for whortleberries. All are well. Your mother is at home now and stays at [your brother] Henry’s over night. She was very cheerful when I saw her last and appears to enjoy living alone much better than I should think she could.

Roswell Woodbridge [12] was here to dinner a week ago. He looks very much like Edwin now. He likes the west very much. Aunt Anna Hubbard went to Newfield [New York] on Saturday to stay two or three weeks. We have heard that Mr. [George] Watson will not go into the [Owego] Academy [as teacher]. No one that I have heard speak of it thought he would succeed.

Charlotte Johnson is daughter of a Mr. Johnson who is or has been a Wesleyan minister. Her brothers are in town & are tanners, I believe. Her father & mother do not keep house. I am not much acquainted with her, but she is liked very much by those who know her. She is quite a fleshy girl and very good looking and is I think a member of the Baptist Church.

I think you must have spent a very pleasant fourth [of July]. I do think it would be better if the firing of cannon could be done away with. I am glad to hear your Sabbath School increases and I hope your labors may be blessed and that you will succeed in building your church. Write soon and I hope you will be able to say that the cholera is subsiding. May God protect you is the prayer of your, -- Augusta.

[1] The Anti-Nebraska Meeting in Owego, New York was held on Friday evening, June 2, 1854. The following description was written by a young Washington Gladden while working as a reporter for the Owego Gazette newspaper. It reads (in part):

"Pursuant to notice given by certain handbills, pasted in the streets, a meeting was held in the village hall, on Friday evening, June 2nd “for the purpose of expressing the indignation of freemen at the manner in which they had been betrayed by their representative in Congress, and to adopt such measures as should be best adopted to the state of things at the present time…

[Here follows the creation of a Committee to write resolutions. While the committee stepped out of the hall to write their resolutions, the citizens carried on with their meeting.]

…Prof. William Smyth of the [Owego] Academy, was then called for, and responded in a speech. He said he did not suppose he felt much worse than the rest at the meeting. He presumed they all felt bad at the passage of the Nebraska Bill. He really felt as though something ought to be done to retaliate for the wrong and abuse which had been heaped upon us by the South. Within the last few days, the citizens of Boston, sons of the Puritans, had been publicly insulted, in their own city. – (Applause). Even some of the Representatives to the Congress of the United States, from the free States (he referred to [Charles] Sumner particularly,) were in danger of their lives at Washington (renewed Applause).

Prof. Smyth continued his remarks for some time urging the “dough faces” to get on a harder bake as soon as possible and repulse the Southern spirit on intoleration. He was finally interrupted by the return of the Committee who reported several Resolutions denunciatory of the Nebraska Bill, of Mr. Taylor, for supporting it, &c. &c.

[Here follows some defense of Congressman Taylor by Stephen Strong – a Democrat who appears to have been outnumbered by the Whigs at the meeting. This exchange was followed by the calling for “Mr. Porter (M. E. Clergyman)” to speak, who seemed disinclined.]

Mr. Porter, being again called, at length arose and said he felt rather delicate about the resolutions, as some of them were rather personal [in their attacks upon Congressman Taylor], but at heart, he was as strongly opposed to the principles of Slavery, as anyone present. He was anxious to do something for freedom, and doing it through the ballot box. He could not, however find it it in his heart to denounce any man for his political course. He had his views on this subject; others might have different ones; and if they had, all he had to say was, he would not vote for them. Mr. Porter closed with a very eloquent and forcible argument upon the principles and tendencies of slavery, which was frequently applauded; but said not one word against the Nebraska Bill.

Mr. [Benjamin] Tracy [who was a lawyer in Owego and later became commander of the Elmira Prison Camp] was next called out and addressed the meeting upon the resolutions under consideration. He was strongly in favor of the combination of the broken down Northern factions into one political party. He thought the Abolitionists, Silver Greys, and Hardshells would work together like a charm. Our Representative, he said [referring to Taylor], in voting as he did, had violated the express instructions of his constituents.

[This statement was then challenged by Hon. Stephen Strong, who asked:]

“Who had instructed him?”

Tracy: “1000 of his constituents” voted against the bill.

Strong: “One thousand Whigs against five thousand Democrats.”

Mr. [Hammon D.] Pinney … [a 39-year old local druggist and] a staunch abolitionist…lamented “the ignorance of the country people who had been humbugged into the belief that the Nebraska Bill affirmed the rights of the people….”

[2] The New York Ladies Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Church appointed the Rev. Lewis Morris Pease missionary of the Five Points Mission in 1850. By this date, the Five Points district of New York City had the reputation of being the closest thing to hell on earth. For a good description of the area in antebellum New York City, see Tyler Anbinder’s book, Five Points. After a couple of years, the board of the Ladies Home Missionary Society rejected Rev. Pease and replaced him because of his radical approach to providing humanitarian aid to the impoverished residents of the area rather than focusing on simply spreading the “Word of God.” Seeking sponsorship from other benefactors, Rev. Pease went on to establish the House of Industry – the Nation’s first “settlement house” – that helped transform Five Points from a slum to a respectable area.

[3] There was indeed a solar eclipse on Friday, May 26, 1854. See Solar Eclipses of Saros 135. In an interesting article appearing in James' hometown newspaper, the Owego Gazette, the solar eclipse is described as follows:

The great eclipse, so long expected and predicted, "showed" in this village on Friday afternoon last -- performance commencing a little after four o'clock. Connected with this, one of the most "singular coincidence" occurred which we have observed lately. We never saw so many people in town as there were on that day, unless it were on a "Fourth of July" or some such public occasion. Every street was full, and gingerbread and beer vanished in regular "General Training" style. We have since learned, however, that the same exhibition was visible in all parts of Tioga County, the same day. We have not received the returns from "the rest of mankind" as yet. Probably one great reason of the rush to town was the fact that a prediction was afloat that the world was to "come to its end" on that day. Many had adopted the strange belief that Owego was the end of the world, and thought if all creation was coming here, they would "come down" and see the crowd! They were not disappointed. Hosts of them undoubtedly returned home with the firm belief that the Millerite prophecy had been fulfilled.

[4] It wasn't until 1854 that the cause of cholera became known through the published works of noted epidemiologist Dr. John Snow, of London. It was not spread by human contact, as suspected in this account, but by ingestion of fecally-polluted water supplies.

[5] Augusta's Uncle Erastus Goodrich, a resident of Owego, died on 27 June 1854 at the age of sixty-six. He contracted cholera and died before he could return home to his wife -- the former Hope Talcott -- and his family. His youngest daughter married Thomas I. Chatfield, an Owego merchant.

[6] Probably the Rev. George Watson, native of York, England. George had originally been a school master and also served as the First Rector of Christ Church in Towanda, New York, before coming to Owego as the rector of St. Paul's in 1844. "Described as rotund and jolly, Watson was known to join in children's games with great delight." He resigned as rector in 1854. Jean Laedlein, The History of St. Paul's in Owego, New York.

[7] George W. Hoss "was born in Brown County, Ohio, in 1824, and moved with his parents to Marion County, Indiana, in 1836. He worked on a farm until 1845, when he entered Asbury University [now DePauw University]. Having to earn means for his own support, he left college two terms to teach for that purpose. He also taught two hours a day for three years in the Female Seminary in Greencastle. He graduated in 1850, and was soon after chosen principal of a flourishing academy at Muncie, Indiana. He remained at this point two years, when he was elected teacher of mathematics in the Indiana Female College in Indianapolis. In 1853 he was chosen first literary teacher in the State institute for the education of the blind in Indianapolis. In 1855 he was elected president of the Indiana Female College, and in 1856 he was elected professor of mathematics in the Northwestern Christian University at Indianapolis. In 1864 he was elected State superintendent of public instruction and re-elected to the same position in 1866. Before his second term expired, he was elected to the chair of English literature and theory and practice of teaching in the Indiana State University. He held this position until June 1871 when he resigned to accept the presidency of the State Normal School in Kansas. In 1873 he was elected to the chair of English literature and elocution in the Indiana State University, and on account of the decline of his wife's health in Kansas, he accepted the position and still holds it. In 1853 he received the degree of A.M. in course from his Alma Mater, and in 1872 the degree of LL.D. from the Indiana State University. He is regarded as a sound, practical, enthusiastic worker in the educational field." Source: An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana, Richard S. Peale & Co., 1875, page 660.

[8] Possibly Augusta's cousin Frederick Goodrich, born October 1818 -- the son of Alanson Goodrich. Frederic[k] was married to Abbie F. Sherman and they had three children named George, Julia and Edward.

[9] The "water cure establishment in Livingston County" was located in Dansville, New York. The Dansville Water Cure was opened for business in 1854 by a businessman from Rochester named Nathaniel Bingham. As many as 200 such establishments that were in operation in mid-19th century America when hydropathy was popular.

[10] Rev. James Harvey Cargill was born in Jackson, Susquehanna County, PA in April 1829. After graduating from Wyoming Seminary he was received on trial in the Wyoming Conference of the M. E. Church in 1852. In the third year of the itinerancy, while attending a Sabbath school celebration on the 4th of July at Susquehanna, he was mortally wounded by the "reckless discharge of a cannon." He died about two hours afterward, shouting, "Glory to the Lamb!" He was buried in Jackson, PA. Rev. Cargill's brother-in-law, Rev. George Harmon Blakeslee, was born in Springville, Susquehanna County, PA in October 1819. He married Hester Ann Cargill.

The 19 July 1854 edition of the Binghamton Republican newspaper printed the following story about Rev. Cargill's untimely death: "Rev. J. H. Cargill, of the Methodist Church, who had just been stationed at Montrose by the conference, was killed by the discharge of a cannon on the 4th of July at Susquehanna, PA. He had but a short time before come into the place to attend the celebration. There were two cannon, one larger and one smaller, stationed nearly opposite of each other, in front of the Harmony Hotel, at the distance of a rod or two from the road. The man in charge of the cannon had applied the match once or twice ineffectually to the larger one, and was about applying it again, as the deceased, coming up the road, ran hastily in front of it. As he was in range of it, it discharged, blowing him over and over some distance, shattering his left arm, tearing open his side and otherwise horribly disfiguring his person. He was taken in great agony to the hotel, and medical aid and other assistance rendered him, but he died in a few hours."

[11] The double balloon ascension from Hartford on the Fourth of July 1854 was performed by Silas Brooks and a Mr. Paulin, a balloonist from Philadelphia. "In the early summer of 1854, they scheduled the first balloon tour of New England, with scheduled ascensions in Burlington and Hartford, Connecticut and Worcester, Massachusetts. They talked Colonel Colt, the pistol manufacturer, into underwriting a two balloon ascension from Hartford on the 4th of July. The double ascension was very successful, with glowing reports appearing in the Hartford newspapers." See source web page devoted to Silas Brooks. See also the description of Silas Brooks' balloon ascension at the County Fair in Owego, New York in September 1859.

[12] Roswell Hollister Woodbridge, born 16 October 1819, lived in Murray, Orange County, New York -- considered "the West" in the 1850's. His wife, the former Laura Kellogg, was born 14 June 1830. They were married 23 March 1848 in Glastonbury, Hartford, Connecticut. Her parents were Elisha Kellogg and Emily Stratton. They had three children, Emily Louise, Sarah Electa, and William Kellogg, but only Louisa would survive childhood. Roswell died 12 September 1864.