Name/Title
Lettera to William Jackson, Daniel JacksonEntry/Object ID
03770gScope and Content
Letter 1
Letter from Catherine T. Jackson to William A. Jackson, dated October 27th, 1856.
Hamptongh Oct. 27th/56
My Dear Willie
I think it is time you heard from home or you will soon forget us all - Dan. this morning went to Montgy expecting to meet there his Aunts Sarah and Martha and in company with them visit the City of New York - the weather is very dull to day but hope it will brighten up tomorrow, or Dan. will see very few of the lions in the great city of Gotham he returns home on Wednesday by the Erie railroad in company with Alex. who proposes making us a visit at that time - we had given up all thoughts of his going to the city this fall, but I visited Hopewell last week & hearing of others going concluded it would be a good chance for him - they go down to take leave of Mr Smith who goes out with the Persia which sails on the 29th We received the Catalogue of Union College which you sent - see your name among the members of the anti secret society - I like the name secrecy often implies something bad - but perhaps it does not in your College concerns Did I tell you about two weeks since I attended a political meeting at Goshen - we stopped and took with us Cousin M. A. Bull & Keturah Jane - Hoxie spoke - the court room was full - I wonder any could leave a Buchanan or Filmore man. - but so it is people will not believe the truth - Your Aunt Isabella's folks are hot for Filmore - It will soon be decided I suppose who will be our next President - We should pray to God that he would give us just rulers and that oppression and tyranny might no more prevail - Husking corn is still the order of the day - perhaps they are half done - you know our help is nothing to boast of - Last Saturday a colored boy came along about your size so your Father engaged him for a few days but he cannot husk as well as Charley - however every ear counts something - I hope they will get thro' the most of it before Jack frost bites their fingers and toes - Your next vacation will be quite long from 28th Nov. till 9th Jan. - I suppose you cant tell yet what baggage you will bring home - boys have not yet gathered many nuts - truth is they have not time - their Saturdays are fully occupied with work - Your Father keeps pretty well but does not recover the entire use of his arm and leg - I wanted Dan to write you last Saturday night but he was too dull and tired - so you must take this and wait for something better - I have a piece of work waiting for me down stairs, and I must close -
-2-
but prompt remedies soon restored him - I hope if you are spared you will all make good and useful men - you will all have to earn your own living - improve yourself all you can - the more knowledge the higher the station you will be qualified to fill - but above all do not neglect your duty to God and your souls I know I am not as faithful as I should be and I greatly lament it - but my heart's desire and prayer is that you may flee youthful lusts and by grace overcome the temptations of the world neglect not private prayer - for how can you expect a blessing unless you crave it - always remember "Thou God seest me" - that thought will keep you from many neglects of duty - Strive to love him - think of him always the last of your waking thoughts - and may he ever be your guide - All send love
Your affectionate Mother
Letter 2
Letter from Catherine T. Jackson to William A. Jackson, dated January 20th, 1857.
Hamptongh Jan. 20th/57
My Dear Willy
We received your letter last week - glad to hear that you reached Union in such good time - Julia went the next morning after you as well as the boys on their visit to Hampton - they had a pleasant visit and found all well - Hannah has not yet got a situation as teacher What do you think the same afternoon Julia left, Patrick started after - he expected to visit a friend at Chester there he went - got drunk and slept in a barrel all night - came back the next Wednesday and I believe would have gone to work again but his wife Mary came to see him - so angry was he about it that he said he would go as far as his money would take him - she said she would go along then to quiet and get clear of her he said - he had a little business to see to but would be back the next day - and that is the last we have or ever will see of him I suppose 'tis too bad to leave his wife so and we have many reasons to conclude that Julia is the cause of it all - his wife thinks so too - Julia was artful and from Charley's account now they made quite too much of each other - no good will ever attend them - You may judge we have quite busy times with so little help - and such a storm as we had on Monday - we are literally shut up - boys could not get to school yesterday or to day - all hands have been to work opening the roads, and barbarous ones they are - by our front door was a bank as high as your head - loads were in the garret - all which made extra labour - Sabbath was extremely cold - we almost froze coming home I think it is the coldest day we have had this winter What says your thermometer? So you lost one of your rubbers will have to get a new pair - Your dictionary must be quite a good one Mr Jackson only paid four and a half for the boys new one - hope you sleep warm this cold weather - Mr Jackson went to Hopewell on Saturday to see some man about taking the place next Summer - heard that your Uncle Jno. Thompson's wife had a little daughter saw Julia Desmond who says she will come to us next Summer but I do not like to be alone so long Sarah wants her until the middle of March - but we will see - Your Father got home in good time from Newburg and did not feel the cold as much as I feared he would - 'twas well you went the day you did - no better time since - I am sorry you had to give up your French - you should look over a little what you have some time you may have an opportunity to resume it again - Had a letter from Alex. since you left nothing new in it says he likes his new business very much and feels quite at home again - was quite sick one day
Remember all the advice I have previously given you
Write soon - all send love - My regards to Mr Niven
Your affectionate Mother
The following enclosure accompanied the foregoing letter:-
To night Rob. brought me a letter from Alex. saying he was going to England with Mr Smith he made up his mind suddenly, so we will not see him here - expects to return the last of Dec. Dan will have to return alone - Alex. will loose his vote which is too bad Mr Hepbern has been absent two Sabbaths - Jno. Boyd preached last Sabbath - Alex says he will write you ere he sails
