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Quakers are all warm abolitionists
Wells
Township, Ohio
January 8, 1854
Beloved Augusta,
I did not get your letter from the [Post] Office until Saturday last and now embrace the very earliest time to answer. It was most joyfully received as I had not heard a single word from Owego since your last. I was sorry not to receive either of those papers you so kindly forwarded and did not see why they did not come as they had ample time. It must have been because I was so anxious to receive them. You must forgive that scrawl I sent you last. I almost wonder that I should have considered it worthy [of] a reply. Both letters were written at Hanover Depot on a distressing cold day and it did not occur to me that I could forward them by the train of cars I was waiting for until near the time they were to come along. Consequently the “hurry all” and dreadful scrawl.
Tonight
I am seated in the parlor of a rich old farmer residing about one mile above the
village of Warren[ton] on the Ohio [River] and nine miles from the city of
Wheeling [then Virginia]. Eyes must behold this region of the country if the
mind would conceive a correct image of the beautiful scenery along the river
even in midwinter. I know of no [scenery] which you are familiar with to compare
it. On either side [of the river], the land is very broken. You remember the
hillocks and sugar loaf mounds along the inlet near your Uncle Williams [in
Newfield, New York]? If you would only imagine them much more numerous and about
a dozen times as high with a huge brick house perched on the top of this—an
orchard on that—and sometimes one large enough for a small village on its
summit, you will have a very correct idea of the country along the Ohio [River]
for some fifteen or twenty miles back from the river.
I
do wish you could have been with me upon Mount Pleasant [Ohio] last Friday
[January 6, 1854]. It commands one of the finest views I have found along the
Ohio. It being much higher, overlooks the surrounding hills for many miles and
its summit is of sufficient size to contain a Quaker village of about 800
inhabitants. And at this season, as the water rushes down the ravines, it
freezes and, from a distance, appears like a pair of white marble stairs built
to ascend the hills. Here the vision sweeps a circle of more than a dozen miles
around and scarcely does the eye rest upon a single acre of
Here,
for the first time, I visited a Quaker school [the Mount Pleasant Friends
Boarding School, operated from 1837 to 1875]. Every student, although he lives
in the village, must board and remain in the seminary buildings. They were very
precise and strict in all their regulations and the most orderly collection of
students I ever saw together. Just before noon a religious meeting was held. All
met in the prayer room [of the school] for nearly a whole hour. Every worshipper
was silent and so very still that ‘ere one was aware the deepest solemnity
came rushing over the entire frame. And if each heart at that still hour was
holding sweet converse with Heaven, [then] He who reads the hearts desire would
be just as ready to answer as if their cries rent the very Heavens.
Quaker
Boarding School at Mount Pleasant, Ohio
The more I become acquainted with the Quakers, the more I love them. They are always so friendly and hospitable, always take so much interest in a stranger, and always like it best when a person feels almost at home with them. Besides, they are very intelligent — one of the best geologists I have found in Ohio was a Quaker living near Hanover. His [mineral] cabinet is very large and valuable. They are all warm abolitionists and their homes are always an open depot for every traveler on the “under ground railroad.” You will always find at a Quaker's house many kinds of newspapers and a good library. And they are always ready to buy maps.
You
seemed to think we had no snow in Ohio as yet. But there has been most excellent
sleighing. But it did not stay long. It was near a foot deep. I had two sleigh
rides. One on a load of wood and the other on a bobsled. Have you made out as
well? It is quite cold here now.
The Ohio [River] has frozen in several places and obstructed navigation so that it will much delay my journey westward. And whilst my business continues so good, I shall labor in this section [3] for a time longer. My health and appetite are first rate and I enjoy myself just as well as one could in my circumstances. I very often think how much I should enjoy a visit—a good long visit—with yourself. And I sometime almost promise myself that not much time [more] shall intervene before I shall favor myself with this much desired privilege. Then distance, time and duty put a veto on any such movement before I could carry it into execution. It has been a long time since I have seen even an old familiar face. Almost everybody in this section either came from Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Maryland.
Not long ago I visited the Seminary at Mt. Union superintended by the Rev. Mr. [Orville Nelson] Hartshorn, [an advocate for co-education] which pleased me much. It happened to be the day for the public exercises. The first was composition by several gentlemen and ladies who all mounted the rostrum and, in their turn, presented the creations of their genius. Some of them were quite meritorious—especially one upon “Character.” After these came another class in declamation consisting of both gentlemen and ladies. The gentlemen acquitted themselves well. But Oh! Ladies declaiming!! My pen almost refuses a description of the same. Such hanging the head to one side, such turning and blushing and faltering, such gesturing and fidgeting and mincing, such faint speaking, then haltering and looking around that I could not form a first rate opinion of lady orators. I hope these speakers were an exception. The third class that mounted the rostrum was a class for discussion—an entirely new but yet most excellent exercise — and after hearing it through, I at once wondered why every seminary did not adopt a similar exercise and make it binding upon all its members to engage in it. The question discussed was this, “Is the highest ambition of American youth to live without work?” The decision was in the negative. No ladies participated in the last exercises that day although it is customary for them to do so. I was sorry because I believe they would succeed better than in declamation. I also visited the literary exercises in the evening but as they were so similar to those of the day, I will not mention them.
But here I am near the last of my sheet and nothing written. I wanted to tell you the story of a child. Also about the beautiful situation and condition of some of the Ohio churches. Also something about the style of building and taste about their own residences. Also something about the district schools. But it takes me so long and my time and paper are so small that I must postpone. [4]
I
expect to go through Cincinnati next month. If you should learn the address of
H. Warring there, I wish you would give it in your next [letter] and please
learn and tell me where G. Stroup and Harriet Warring are in Indiana if
convenient. You must have enjoyed the visit with your Uncle [Samuel] Rockwood. I am glad
that his pecuniary circumstances are so much better. Do you hear from Hancie
[Abbey] often? She must think I have entirely forgotten her but it is not so. I
think of her often and would still write her occasionally were it not for one
reason. Remember me to her when you write. And also to Maria [Wright].
Please give all the news. Do you hear from mother? I expect a letter when
I get to Woodsfield, Monroe County [Ohio]. You may please direct your next
[letter] there. Try and get it there before the 18th if possible. Please give
all the Owego news. Tell me about [Brothers] Ossy, Sammy, and Henry. I thought
to write them. And please don’t forget to mention how my last letter was
received [by your parents]. In the meantime, reminding that I shall ever remain
your most faithful — James
Between the time that James left Woodsfield, in eastern
Ohio, and the time he arrived in Cincinnati, the slavery issue wound was
reopened at the National level. On January 23, Stephen A. Douglas introduced a
bill for organizing the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. The measure
incorporated the “popular sovereignty” principle permitting the territories
to seek statehood as either free states or slave states depending upon the
majority will of the people. This measure was quickly challenged as a attempt to
repeal the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and, as such, would lead to lively and
bitter debate during the next three months.
Presumably, James originally intended to travel to Cincinnati by way of a river packet. But with the Ohio frozen over in the upper reaches of the river near Steubenville, he opted to make his way to Columbus by way of Zanesville, and then to take the train to Cincinnati. The only notice that confirms this theory is an entry in his pocket memorandum which states:
Bot
at Zanesville Feb 2
[1854]
One coat
7.00
One vest
2.00
One pants
3.00
One
boots
3.50
One sachel
1.25
Shirts
1.75
One
drawers
.40
It would have been uncharacteristic for James not have sought out the many attractions in the bustling city of Cincinnati during his visit but he obviously did not have the time. The explanation for his rapid departure from Cincinnati and his means of transport are conveyed in his next two letters to Augusta.
Union Packet, [5] Ohio River
[February 3, 1854]
Dearest Augusta,
You can’t tell how much I was disappointed in not getting your letter at Woodsfield. I left there on the twentieth and no letter from yourself had reached there yet. I had the pleasure, however, of receiving one from Sister Mary just before starting which was only ten days in getting there. And I thought and wondered and calculated that if it would take a small letter ten days to come, how long it would take your good long one. And the conclusion was that it would be so long as never to reach me. Which conclusion I guess is correct for I left word to have it forwarded immediately to Cincinnati when it did come. And here I am, February 3rd, and no letter yet. Tonight I leave for Madison [Indiana]...
Vernon,
Indiana
February 4, 1854
No bitter without its corresponding sweet. No sorrows without its joys. Disappointed as I was at Cincinnati in not receiving a letter, I had the great pleasure last evening of greeting my good friend Harriet and her husband. Oh, it seemed so good after traveling for weeks and weeks without greeting any old phiz. How like an expression from a cold winter’s storm into the sweet summer sunshine did my approach here seem last evening. I had heard in Cincinnati that one of Mr. Warring’s [kin] was very sick here at Vernon—not expected to live—and dying too—with that worst of all diseases, the typhoid fever. Duty prompted me to hasten on and, if possible, cheer and help them in this time of extremity. But how most happily was I disappointed upon arriving here to find matters far different. After finding their boarding house (which by the way is very pleasant), I was immediately escorted to their room full of trembling and fearing and wondering how I should find the sick patient. As the door was thrown open, I espied the old well-known countenance of Harriet at first full of wonder—then with lightening speed changing to joy and terminating with a loud laugh [and saying] “What in the world could I be doing here.” Seeing the bed vacant, my first question was, “Where is your husband?” [To which she replied,] “Oh, he is over at a cabinet shop making a small wagon for little Frankie.” All at once, the burden was removed and a more pleasant meeting I have not had in a long time.
We
have talked and talked and talked about everything and everybody. The climate
here seemed to agree with herself and child very well as both appear well. But
Mr. [Almarin S.] Warring -- whose occupation keeps him continually along the streams -- has had an
occasional touch of the fever. But with precaution using some antibillious
medicine to free his stomach as much as possible from bile, he has had no very
severe attacks as yet. He was confined to his bed a day or two the first of this
week but is now able to be about and will probably resume his work next week. He
has his work arranged so that a man can oversee it in his absence so that his
time goes on.
Little Frankie can run all about, topples over, jumps up and topples again. It’s all the same. He seems to feel as well in one position as another. He is a great deal of company for Harriet. She has just received a letter from Hannah who was well and enjoying herself right well. She still remains at Rockford [Illinois]. Says Mr. Gregory intends to commence business there in the spring. Says that S. Tappan keeps the poor house at present in Belvedere [Illinois].
Harriet’s
husband will remain here for a few weeks and then take up his line of work
further west [6]. I have not had a letter from Owego in a long time. I expected one
from [my brother] Ossy in Cincinnati but none had come as yet. And I almost
think that in my last I forgot to tell him where to address me. [Sister] Mary
wrote that she had not heard from them in some time [either]. She was beginning
to enjoy herself better as she became acquainted.
She had been to Auburn [New York] and, among other things, had visited
the prison. [She said she] saw the prisoners go and return from their dinner but
did not go through owing to the prevalence of the smallpox in some parts of it.
Says that mother had complained some of sore feet.
My health continues good. I go from here to Indianapolis where I expect
to remain some two or three weeks and shall probably go from there to Chicago
and west by the Galena railroad. Whilst at Cincinnati, I ordered the Ladies
Repository sent you for a year which monthly I think you will like very much. I
think it far ahead of any [others]. The postage will be lessened one half if
paid quarterly in advance which I will make good when I return. I think you will
like it much....[In reading it, I hope that you will] think occasionally of the
donor who will ever be happy in the enjoyment of your society, whether in this
or that better world.
I have just stopped writing to read over some of Harriet’s letters. She kindly has allowed me to read several—some from Owego and some from Rockford. It seems so good [of] her. They take the Times, published at Owego, which I shall read soon as I get through. I shall not probably receive your letter in answer to my last for which I shall be sorry. And I would be glad to have you embody the substance in a letter to Indianapolis as soon as this is received. I will remain there until I hear from you. You will please excuse this apparent delay in writing as I thought surely I would receive your letter. Be sure when you write to give all the Owego news. Tell me about [my sister] Mary, [your sister] Sarah and [your brothers] Ralph and James, etc. Also your parents, your friends, and everything that has occurred there of late. As I must get this in the [Post] Office soon if it goes out today, I must close—so farewell. May smiling Heaven bless you my beloved. -- James
Illustration Credits
|
Quaker Boarding School |
Ohio Historical Society |
[1] "...the village was located in a picturesque setting on the summit of a broadly convex hill. From its elevated position, it was conspicuous several miles off. There was no level ground -- but rounded hills and winding, narrow valleys. Clear streams, foliage of great variety, and outcroppings of shale and limestone added to the beauty of the region." Mount Pleasant and the Early Quakers of Ohio, p. 9.
[2] The winter of 1853-1854 was a very cold one. Temperatures plummeted to minus ten degrees during January in the Midwestern states.
[3] James was spending the cold winter in eastern Ohio. His memoranda book notes visits to the following tiny Ohio villages, some still in existence, others faded from the map... Hagerstown, Masterville, New Market, [East] Jefferson, Salem, [East] Springfield, and [New] Rumley.
[4] James probably intended to write Augusta about the incident recorded in his pocket memoranda on November 24, 1853, involving the "prattling babe." Other notes suggest that he wanted to write Augusta about "Churches in the groves", "Private dwellings," and "Butchering Hogs." In the pamphlet, Mount Pleasant and the Early Quakers of Ohio, published by the Ohio Historical Society in 1975, it is reported that "One of the first and largest pork-packing establishments in the state, owned by John Hogg, a Presbyterian, was located in Mount Pleasant." [p. 27] Most likely this is where James witnessed the butchering of hogs.
[5] The Ohio packet was an express boat measuring 75 to 100 feet in length and 15 to 20 feet in width. With sails and a rudder, packet boats could be navigated downriver at speeds approaching 45 miles per hour. When taken upriver, packets were propelled by men using iron-tipped poles and struggled along at 2 miles per hour. The "Union" Packet was one among many packet boats that traveled regularly between Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Louisville, carrying passengers and freight before the steamboats dominated the western rivers. William C. Langdon, Everyday Things in American Life, pp. 97-98.
[6] The 1870 Census records show Almerin S. Warring living in Santa Clara County, California.