LETTERS: Letters to their sister.
[Sugar Weather in Ohio]. [Lewis], Sarah and Martha [her sister].
Autograph letters, signed by Martha and Sarah, to Whitney Clark and his wife (and their sister) Minerva in Huntington, Lorain County, Ohio. New Haven [Ohio], April 18, [18]48.
4 pages on an unlined bifolium, 10.25 x 7.75 inches, approx. 1050 words. Original stampless cover addressed to Whitney Clark, Esq., with a fine, clear New Haven, O. cancel.
News from sister Martha, who seems to be en route to Racine, and sister Sarah, who has just relocated to the then-thriving village of New Haven, Ohio, with her physician husband and her brother Edwin. Martha notes, “Mr. Tracy has indeed lost his house, well, I do not think he will merit much sympathy, how does Mrs. Tracy bear the loss, perhaps it will be the means of her cure,” also that, “Eliza thinks some of attending school next quarter. Mother has had an attack of chill fever, but has broken it up with quinine, and is improveing.” She also notes, “I think you must have had more sugar weather in your place than here, I ate warm sugar twice at Horners but it gave me the teeth ache so bad I choose cold sugar.” Her plans for travel continue to take shape: “I received a letter last mail from Mary [almost certainly Mary Hoy, wife of Romayne Hoy, 1816-1892, who had been a physician in New Haven, O., prior to moving to Racine in 1846] they were well and happy as usual wished me to take Fathers and Mothers Portraits and know the day I expected to start so they could meet me at the landing. Minerva you spoke of Miss Ruth A Culver going with me to Racine, I should like her company very much, I now expect to go with Mr. Roland to Celveland, and to start the first day of May if she could come to Ripley and start from here with me, I should like it much. I did expect to start next Monday but Mr. Roland has deferred starting one week, and we do not know as the upper lake boats run yet.” Her sister Sarah (referred to in Martha’s letter familiarly as Sally) notes of the recent move to New Haven, “ I supposed you have been informed of our intention of moving to New Haven well we moved a week ago last Friday. I find it is rather a hard job to move but after a person gets use to it (is nothing) I think we have done pretty well for the first year, but the prospects were that the Dr. would have more practice.” She gives details of making a new rag rug for the new house: “After we concluded to come I went to work to make a rag carpet before I moved Mother Lewis gave me rags and the Dr. got some shirt. I had to cut and color, I wove it out at Fathers. I made 10 yards 5 and which covers my front room and bed room. I think it is very pretty considering the time I spent which was in all about three weeks.” She inquires after Minerva’s health and suggests she come stay with Sarah and let the Doctor prescribe for her. The letter would seem to suggest that a brother Edwin is also a physician in New Haven. A fine look at the domestic concerns of women in the Western Reserve shortly before the railroad led to the slow decline of New Haven as a commercial center and stop for teamsters on the route from Lake Erie. Some mild soiling and wear; in find condition.
Print Inquire
