Name/Title
Lettera to William Jackson, Daniel JacksonEntry/Object ID
03770eScope and Content
Letter 1: Catherine T. Jackson to Jeannie Moore (Feb 2, 1857)
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Letter from Catherine T. Jackson to Jeannie
Moore, dated February 2nd, 1857.
Hamptonsh Feb 2nd/57
My Dear Jeannie
This is the third pen I have tried since I commenced writing, the first one fell into the ink, after blacking my fingers and loosing five minutes I have it up in despair what a loss, it barely quoted one true maternal sentence - "My dear Jeannie" and then sunk in oblivion, hope its dying sentence may make an impression on your heart - Now what shall I say truly I have nothing - it wont do to write on the first page about the weather and that is the only variety I witness these days - I sent out last week and had a trio of old ladies Grandma Aunt Sally and Mrs Van Voorhies - they enjoyed themselves very much telling their domestic troubles of course Aunt Sally knows how to get other peoples secrets and keep her own, after dining here Mr Jackson took them all home again - My girl Kitty made her visit to New York and is back again, washing away in the kitchen and seems perfectly contented yet I make no calculation about such matters - women and girls of all conditions are fickle - one young girl I know always protested she would be an old maid and the last expression
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had from her was that she dreaded it was coming upon her, hope she will not realize her fears, but meet with a good husband some of these times -
Tell your Aunt Simpson that our old friend Nathan Youngs was married this winter to a widow woman of Sullivan Co. aged about thirty - poor - and with three small children, domestic bliss truly - his children are much displeased, and Mrs. Gross I hear goes to live with her daughter, I have not yet been to Hopewell and perhaps it may not be quite so bad, it seems he has been paying attention to her for some time and sending love gifts in the shape of barrels of flour; meat, and other creature comforts. Young folks sometimes act silly but old folks oft act like fools - Dear Jeannie the winter will soon be passed away & then what are your arrangements, tis most too early to enquire - you and I managed matters so badly last Summer that I hardly dare ask you to spend it with me again, tis true we have now the wisdom of experience - Our house will need much repairing in the Spring - we loose all our papering in parlor and hall, the water injured both, but I hope the next time we will do it effectually in that too we have learned a lesson of experience - Andrew Wilson & wife return home next week - Cousin Wm Bull returns to College this morning - I think he took a fancy to our pretty little Miss Thea, you know I somewhat admire her face - No word of the steamer Atlantic Mrs Hepburn has a half brother on board
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and feels very anxious, my pen refuses to write more - Love to all - the boys and Charly attend school - have recd no answer to my letter mailed 13th write soon
Your affectionate Mother
C Jackson
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Letter 2: William A. Jackson to Daniel A. Jackson (Feb 17, 1857)
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Letter from William A. Jackson to Daniel
A. Jackson, dated February 17th, 1857.
Union Coll. Feb 17th 1857
Dear Brother
I have not written any of you for some little time, the principal reason being want of time. When last I wrote you it was almost a different season from what it is now. Since then we have had a regular thaw and break up, and overflow of water. The valley of the Mohawk as far as we could see seemed like a broad lake and from having three feet of snow we have almost bare ground, and nothing but the almanac prevents us from thinking that spring is on us Though the weather is fine the travelling is bad, the roads and streets abounding in mud Judging from our condition I can have some slight idea of the rides you have to Montgomery I have no doubt but that your reception by Prof L-- when you do arrive is not the most pleasant You are getting along well in your studies. If you think of entering next fall term you will no doubt be prepared but a better time to enter is next term or 3d term Sophomore as you would get a better knowledge of Greek and have a better stand in the class This term is considered the one in
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which we study the most. It is however well suited to hard study as there is not much going on in College of an exciting nature, and there is not much outdoors to draw us from study, so it is not much of a hardship to stay within and "Poll, Poll away".But I must close these few lines sending my love to all I amYour Aff. Brother W. A. JacksonD.B.Jackson)P.S. Received your letter informing me of Aunt Kates death. I was indeed much surprised and sorry to hear of it. You were right in attributing not hearing from me to the state of the mails. College politics are not important just now though last Saturday our party carried every thing in both societies President being the highest elected, on this there is not usually much strife, I have joined a new society called the $\Delta KE$, the A.O.'S becoming so low that any farther connection with them either as a social or literary soc. was of no advantage. You will now as things are more settled hear from me more regularlyW.A.Jackson-2-
Letter 3: Catherine T. Jackson to William A. Jackson (Feb 25, 1857)
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Letter from Catherine T. Jackson to William
A. Jackson, dated February 25th, 1857.
Hamptonsh Feb. 25th/57
My Dear Willy
We received a letter from you this week directed to Dan - he thinks it is my turn to write you, how he makes that out I cannot imagine, but without any further preamble I will set to work - You say you are very busy - I am glad to hear it for "Satan finds mischief for idle hands - dear Willy we have had all kinds of traveling - over head in banks and down to the hubs in mire - now the poor boys have rather better getting back and forth to school - but the winter did not pass without its chapter of accidents - broken shafts runners &c - I suppose Dan. wrote you that old Johnston has taken Patrick's place, I am still maid and lady - could do tolerably well with Charley's help but your Father has so many demands on him that when I want him most he is seldom on hand - however in two weeks more I expect old Julia Desmond, then I hope to get along nicely - You have passed your eighteenth birth day really you have almost attained the age of manhood, I look at you as a boy but years tell the truth - Have you yet begun the great business of life - seeking the salvation of
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your soul - with all your gettings do not forget the one thing needful - I tremble when I think if you should be snatched away by death - Where would your Soul be found - at peace with God or forever banished his presence - Just bow down at his feet and with the publican exclaim God be merciful to me a sinner - Your Father's health remains about the same - his speech more affected than when you left - he now takes a small strychnine pill at every meal - I dont put much faith in but perhaps it may help some - boys have done no evening visiting since you left - their evenings are occupied with their studies, and you know how their Saturdays are spent - To morrow is observed by most of the churches as a day of prayer for Colleges and Seminaries of learning - that God in mercy would pour out his spirit upon them and incline many of the youth in our land to choose the ways of wisdom
Thursday eve - just returned from the prayer meeting 'twas a blustering afternoon and very few in attendance - boys took their tea and then started off on foot to Campbell Hall to the debating society that is weekly held there. Dan. is a member and had to speak this evening Mr Gillespie preached his farewell sermon last sabbath - he is going to Hebron the first of next mo' Vendues are now the order of the day but your Father does not feel able to attend any - I suppose you will soon be sending on for the residue of your funds - let us know in good time - I have
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been out very little this winter - once to Goshen once to Hopewell and to Church on Sundays is about all From Alex I hear every week - he is a regular correspondent, I hope you have written him - Mr Smith is now in N. Y. he came over in the Africa and expects to remain a few weeks - Was not that a dreadful murder in Bond St - how important for young men to form right associations, think of young Snodgrass being in such a family. Mrs Cunningham has visited Dr Snodgrass's family in Goshen but Mrs Snodgrass is a very inconsiderate woman - You noticed the death of Richard M Jesup, our old friend - he was a good man - I trust we will soon hear from you - My best wishes for your welfare All join in love - Your ever affectionate Mother
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