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 far 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:
[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.
