Chapter Title PageSearching for Susan

A Compilation of 1866 Love Letters

By R. E. Derouin

Copyright 2015 R. E. Derouin

Chapter ProloguePrologue

If I hadn’t resurrected my pre-teenage stamp collection, or my wife hadn’t expressed a mild interest in the hobby, the whole adventure never would have begun. It was 1970. I hadn’t glanced at my old stamp albums or the box of unsorted commemoratives since I hit puberty twenty years earlier. But television reception ranged from none to poor and we both found sorting the old stamps something interesting to do on quiet evenings.

We were settled in New Hampshire in our first house. I was pleased with my new employment though it called for frequent travel away from our growing family. Visits to Boston, ninety miles away, were often necessary. It was on one of these trips that I stopped in a small hobby shop. In a dusty corner an antique letter chest caught my eye. The case had a round top and was about the size of a shoe box. In it were scores of envelopes, all in the same neat hand writing. All bore a Lynn, Massachusetts postmark, the city of my birth. The stamp interested me enough to choose one of the envelopes randomly. I purchased it, for twenty-five cents.

Later, at home, my wife and I examined my acquisition. The small envelope contained not one, but two different letters, both dated in the summer of 1866. One of the lengthy notes was from a woman in Lynn, Massachusetts; the other from a man in Acton, about twenty-five miles away.

The woman’s penmanship was excellent and her writing easy to follow, in both clarity and style. His letter was also outstanding but his penmanship,

although far less precise, was decipherable with a little work. The letters were beautifully descriptive and written with obvious care. Each was two or three pages in length and highly formal by present day writing standards. The pair spoke of mundane, daily happenings, with a hint of the writer’s tender feelings for the recipient.

Even now, nearly fifty years later, I’m not sure what it was about the letters that so anchored our attention. After all, reading other’s private letters is certainly impolite, even if more than a hundred years had passed. Their writing was stiff and incredibly formal. Yet there was a polite sincerity that seemed perfectly natural. While their lives were simple, their curiosity was boundless and they took true pleasure in everything around them. My wife and I found the letters utterly fascinating.

Some days passed before I returned to Boston, but on my next trip, I made it a point to revisit the stamp shop. After some Yankee haggling, I purchased the entire contents of the letter box. Unfortunately, the proprietor wouldn’t sell the beautiful case that had contained the correspondence.

There were ninety-seven envelopes containing over a hundred letters. Friends we let read our purchase were equally fascinated. A kindly co-worker offered to transcribe the correspondence to type-written pages for easier reading. The result took up two-hundred and twenty-one double-spaced pages, over fifty-thousand words.

All the letters were written during a ten month period between April 5, 1866 and January 16, 1867. Only thirteen letters were missing from the exchange between Susan Smith and Edwin Fletcher. In addition, there were eleven letters from other relatives. Here was an honest slice of ten months of the near daily life of two ordinary people in a far different era. It was to me, a much more realistic history than what I’d found in school books.

Before I could hope to understand the details of what was I was reading, I longed to know more about the authors. What were their ages, their positions in life and who were those other people they discussed? I wanted to know more of the times they lived in. What were their lives like before, and especially after their correspondence ended?

I was a total novice at investigating anything. In 1970, the Internet was but someone’s dream. Research was a hands-on endeavor. I had never scrutinized any historical documents nor had I an interest in genealogy. In fact, I was ignorant of the dates of birth of my own deceased parents! Never-the-less we studied the letters in earnest and sought out detailed information where we could find it.

Thus, for the price of ten dollars, began what proved to be a time consuming, but rewarding journey into the daily lives of two charming people.

Chapter One

"Correspondence Begins"Lynn, Mass. April 7, 1866

Mr. Fletcher,Your note of April 4th was duly received. Concerning your wish that I would inform you when and where you might meet me I hardly knew what to say to you.

I shall be disengaged from my usual lessons of Wednesday & Saturday afternoons, on Wednesday of next week, and, if agreeable to yourself will meet you at my boarding house, 294 Chestnut St. Lynn, (opposite the school house.)

Thanking you for your friendly interest, I remain,Respectively,Susan Smith

It was few days short of the first anniversary of President Lincoln’s assassination when the correspondence began, with this response from Susan Smith, a Lynn, Massachusetts school teacher. She seems surprised to receive an invitation from a man she was briefly introduced to the past winter. However, she agrees to meet socially with Edwin Fletcher, a widower who lives in the town of Acton, about twenty-five miles away.

The introduction had come from Rev. James Fletcher, Edwin’s brother, seven years his senior. He was a Dartmouth graduate, ordained minister and school teacher. Recently he had started a school near Susan’s home.

Edwin Fletcher was thirty-six years old at the time he received this response. Widowed three years earlier, he’d lost both his wife and young daughter within months of each other. Edwin worked in a family shoe manufacturing business.

Susan Smith taught school in Lynn, Mass. While school was in session she boarded in the home of the school principal, Nathaniel Hills. Susan was single, age twenty-eight, and lived the balance of the time in Danversport, Mass., about ten miles north of her school.

The first social meeting of Susan and Edwin, on April 11, 1866 in Lynn, apparently went well, although no correspondence confirms it. On April 20, 1866, Rev. James Fletcher wrote Edwin from Danversport that he’d seen Miss Smith in Lynn two days after, on the thirteenth, and taken tea. However, he wasn’t aware Edwin had met with the teacher he’d introduced. Apparently she was discreet enough not to mention it.

On Saturday, the twenty-first, Susan wrote to Edwin. They had met a second time.

Mr. Fletcher,Another week is ended, the key turned once more in the school-room and I am enjoying a part of this pleasant afternoon in my home in Danvers. It is a pleasure that comes none too often.

After Susan’s mother had died in 1861, she moved from her childhood in Ipswich to board with her brother Charles, his wife Elizabeth and their two children.

I was glad to learn from your letter that you were able to reach home with so little inconvenience to yourself. My impressions of the walk from south Acton are by no means unpleasant, even in so early a season of the year.

Acton was a suburban town of about seventeen-hundred citizens, twenty miles west of Boston. The railroad had arrived there twenty years earlier. Edwin owned his own home in town and worked with his seventy-six year old father John, and his older brother John, Jr. They operated a shoe manufacturing business started fifty years earlier, in 1815.

Susan describes the installation of a new pastor in her church, hoping that prior “discords” might be harmonized. She mentions attending a “Vocal and Organ” concert in Lynn, the evening before and encloses a copy of the program, underlining her favorites.

I have not seen Mr. and Mrs. James Fletcher since he commenced his labors in Danvers. I have been told his school has opened very pleasantly and I doubt not that he will enjoy it very much. I think they both may feel assured that their welcome was a cordial one.

There is always a peculiar interest to me in these early months. I so love to watch the springing of the grass and opening of the first flowers. They seem ever to be teaching such lessons of trust and are so sweet proofs of God’s watchfulness and care.

The days of our school term are passing very quickly. Less than four weeks now remain, at the end of which time, I presume, my connection with the school will terminate. Although I have enjoyed some things here, I anticipate more pleasure in a school of a higher grade.

Susan has been asked to become an assistant to the principal at the High School at the next term. At this time she is teaching at a primary school in a section of Lynn called Gravesend.

The first of May is given us as a holiday, and should it be agreeable and convenient to yourself, it would be pleasant to me to see you on that date, instead of the next day, Wednesday, as I shall be totally disengaged from

school duties. Shall I expect to hear from you?

Monday morning.I took dinner at your brother’s yesterday. I found them well and pleasantly situated.

Lynn, Danversport, Boston and Acton, were all connected by frequent and punctual train service. Service ran six or more times a day. Susan was able to travel easily north to her Danversport home from her weekly teaching location and Edwin could visit Lynn from Acton, with a Boston connection. While there were horse-drawn street cars, Electric trolleys would not come until the 1890s.

In these times, before telephone and telegraph, the mail service was extraordinary with deliveries twice daily, often the next day. All this for a three cent stamp! Edwin received Susan’s letter Monday evening, in spite of her mailing it the very same morning!

It seems widower Edwin Fletcher is courting a potential wife and Susan Smith has not so far discouraged him.

Their detailed correspondence had begun.

Chapter Two

"May 1866"

We hear from Edwin for the first time as he responds to Susan Smith. Their correspondence begins in earnest.

Acton, Tuesday evening, April 24, 1866

Miss Smith,It was with pleasure I received yours of the 21st instant last evening, and will now write a few lines in reply, having no means of spending a few moments more pleasantly than in this silent manner.

The time you name of meeting you will suit my convenience, and I am anticipating much pleasure in seeing you at that time. If the weather should be decidedly unfavorable on Tuesday, I will meet you on Wednesday unless

your engagements are such you would prefer some other time, of which you will please inform me.

Edwin discusses his brother James and his new school in Danversport, thought to be easier to govern than in Acton where he previously taught. The institution appears to be a private school, perhaps affiliated with a church. He now has eighty-four students. The letter mentions a musical chorus Edwin attended the prior year, with seven hundred voices and a “very great organ.”

We have, we think, a very good choir of about thirty, although perhaps I am not a judge, as the Fletcher family is largely represented in it. My brother John is the chorister, and sister Abbie is lead soprano, and myself a private on the tenor. James represented the family on bass when he was in town and my brother John’s wife Clarissa is on the alto.

I am planning to go to Brighton and Boston tomorrow and am hoping for a pleasant day as it is about a three hour ride by private conveyance which I propose to take with my sister’s husband, Mr. Smith. We are going to the nursery for plants and trees for our gardens. The prospect is that we will have a cool ride as we expect to start about five in the morning. There is such a decided change in the weather. We have had a fine rain which has given a beautiful appearance to vegetation. I am longing to be at work in my garden as soon as the weather is favorable. Looking forward with pleasure for the time of meeting you, I remain with kind regards,Very respectfully etc.

Edwin Fletcher

The formality of the correspondence seems ludicrous as do their interests; church, choir, garden; all differ so much from the activities of our lives. It’s difficult for us to conceive the planning necessary for a trip of twenty-four miles, taking three hours, with the goal shopping for garden items. Yet, visualizing a horse drawn carriage ride on a countryside lane paints a serene picture. They would have passed through Concord, by the homes of Emerson and Louisa May Alcott, both living there at the time, and passed Walden Pond, though Henry David Thoreau had died four years earlier.

Edwin was able to meet with Susan on Tuesday, May 1st. She writes of that meeting on Friday.

Lynn, May 4, 1866

Mr. Fletcher,

This is one of those quiet hours which accompanies the sunset of a beautiful day, and if you please, I will spend it writing to you. Nature has been beautiful today and the temptation to be free of the classroom and be where it could be enjoyed was so strong, that I yielded to the entreaties of the scholars and closing school a little before the usual time, took a walk over the hills and pastures searching for flowers. The sweetly scented saxifrage, the tinted anemone, the modest violet, innocence and some other varieties awarded the eager search of the children, while the teachers were receivers of their sweet little offerings. The views of the harbor and the thickly settled portions of the city and in another direction the green fields and little groves of pines added not a little to our pleasure. Although pretty wearied, we concluded as much good had been accomplished as would have been in the schoolroom with the text books.

I trust you were successful in making the desired connection of trains on Tuesday and were not disappointed in meeting your brother at the station.

I am looking forward with pleasure to my visit home, over the Sabbath. I could hardly content myself to remain in the city with home so nearby.

At this season of the year Danvers is particularly pretty. The river is in front and the pond in the rear of our house making it a pleasant situation.

You will see from the programme of examinations that we, in Ward Two, are to enjoy such an occasion next week. I sometimes am quite startled by my own indifference concerning it, when I see other teachers so anxious for their own. I trust, however those scholars who have been faithful during the term will do themselves credit at the examination.

I am still boarding with Mrs. Hills and a letter bearing my name, in care of Nathaniel Hills, Johnson Street will reach me without difficulty.

Bidding you good night, with kind remembrance, I remain respectfully;

Susan Smith

Susan is referring to the direct examination of her students by the School Board Committee, certainly a trying experience for both pupil and teacher. I am surprised she doesn’t seem nervous. It is the last time she’ll be involved with this procedure as she is moving on to the high school where she’ll serve as assistant to the principal.

The home with the setting Susan describes so beautifully still stands, with the river running to the harbor before it and a pond to the rear. Edwin

receives the letter next day and responds.

Acton, Monday Evening May 7th, 1866

Miss S-I was agreeably surprised on Saturday evening by receiving your letter a little in advance or the promised time. I was much interested in your account of your pleasant walk in search of flowers and your success in finding them. I have no doubt, as you say, that time was more profitable spent than it would have been in the schoolroom as such excursions tend to interest the children in the beauties of nature.

I had a prosperous journey home by my brother John meeting me at the station a little before seven, according to our agreement. The next morning when the rain was pouring down I felt like thanking you for suggesting the change in the day of my visit. It is with much pleasure that I often think of our ride to your pleasant home and only regret that my plans were such that we were obliged to make so brief a stay and shall hardly be satisfied till I have had a view of the scenery you write about. It is not surprising that you look forward with pleasure to your return home after the labors of the week. I often think of the wise arrangement of one day in seven for rest to say nothing of the higher and nobler value of the day.

Susan must have invited Edwin to personally attend the public school board examination of her students, but he declines.

I should be happy to attend your examination but think I may enjoy seeing you when you are not under the charge of the committee and probably it would be more pleasant to you to see me some other time. I shall think of you on that date as “enjoying” yourself and have no doubt it will pass off satisfactory to yourself and the committee.

He continues the letter, discussing his garden and that of his elderly mother next door. After planting what he presumably purchased in Brighton, he looks forward to, “the results of his labors.”

Yesterday of Sabbath School was reorganized. I have charge of a class of eight ladies of about fifteen years of age. I do not feel competent for the responsibility but felt it to be my duty to accept the trust another year.

With pleasant recollections and bidding you goodnight, I remain very respectfully etc.

Edwin Fletcher.

The Fletcher Shoe business must have contributed financially to brother James and his family, at least until James is settled in his new teaching position. In a letter to Edwin, he asks that his brother pay a twenty-five cent insurance premium, and pay a local man who “carried him over to the depot.”

James complains that the choir at his Danvers church, does not sound very pleasant to the ear and if invited, he should hesitate joining the company. He then mentions another means of communication. There are public places where they leave messages for one another.

Boston. May 12, 1866

Dear Brother Edwin.I have just read your letter left at Earle's and as I have a few leisure moments I will write a few lines in reply.

The singing on the Sabbath is very much out of taste - and the style of singing drawling and screeching. I say nothing but do not see how the people can long be satisfied with such entertainments. Mary (his fifteen-year-old daughter) is well and happy. She has to do all the playing on the seraphim all the other girls having failed. She can play much better than any other one in the school. If she had an instrument at home it would help her and I may decide either to buy or hire.

Miss Smith dined with us last Sabbath and appeared well but complained of feeling tired. My assistant is to take tea with us tonight.

James is playing the spy in this beginning relationship between his brother Edwin and the spinster school teacher he has introduced. It’s unclear if doing so is his idea or that of Edwin. In any event, in his next letter he reports in detail.

Chapter Three

"Brother James Snoops"

Brother James Fletcher’s letter continues to report on Miss Smith.

Boston May 12, 1866

Dear Brother Edwin,I have just read your letter left at Earle's and as I have a few leisure moments I will write a few lines in reply.

Miss Smith did not intimate to me that she had seen you the previous week or that she had ever met you. She keeps dark presuming I judge that it would not be in good taste for her to open first upon the subject, especially as the decision has not been reached by either party. I think she would be quite free if I should introduce the matter, but I have held back not wishing to get abreast of the times.

I notice she complains of being tired and I can easily account for her fatigue as there are several things on her mind beside the school which is enough of itself to tire a common woman. I should infer she had taken the subject of your attentions into serious consideration and see nothing to indicate an unfavorable response. She seems cordial and like herself when we see her. She knows how to keep a secret as well as anybody and has a nice sense of propriety on all matters of delicacy, especially where her own interests are involved. She is obliged to decide very soon whether she will take the position at the High School at Lynn and if she was settled in her decision towards you, and you towards her, it might affect her plan of taking the school.

Mr. Hills, the principal, of course is interested to know what her plan is. She cannot decide against it while uncertain what her relations to you may be and even if you should agree upon something she might go into the High School for a season. She ought not to keep school any more till she has time to rest. Mr. Hills asked me in case you should decide to take her if willing, whether you would wish to take her at once. He was hoping she might even remain in his school awhile. If you decide in her favor, I should recommend she should not go into the school at all but rest immediately and make needful preparations for the future. I have no doubt this would be for her health and comfort and also for your accommodation. I can see no reason why she will not make you a choice companion.

This brotherly correspondence seems a tad chauvinistic, as if the decision to further this relationship is solely in Edwin’s hands! James sounds as if he’s recommending the purchase of a new wagon, not a potential wife for his brother. His investigations and the intrigue continue.

I have no misgiving in any direction except her health, and I do not see why she may not with a change of duties and have good health. She must have had considerable vigor to do what she has done in school teaching.

Susan's health is important as Edwin's first wife and young daughter died unexpectedly from sickness.

I have not let (wife) Lydia understand the sign, but have told her I thought you had probably met Miss Smith in Lynn. I may see her again to-morrow and if anything occurs of importance I will communicate again.

James suggests Edwin stay at the Parker House in Boston but then hits up his brother for more money.

I received the twenty dollars sent and if it is convenient for you to send some more I will be obliged. I found a silk sacque for Lydia at Jordan and Marsh's today which just suited me, and I think will suit her. Cost $27. It seemed cheaper and better than one I could find elsewhere and I think it is a good bargain. I have also been obliged to buy a sacque for daughter Mary costing $12, and there are current expenses every day. If it is not convenient to send I can borrow in Danvers, but should prefer to borrow of you. I shall be able to pay at the end of the quarter, the first of July. Send $30, if you can in your next.

James isn’t finished as he adds a post script after seeing Susan Smith again.

We had a pleasant call from Miss Smith last Sabbath. She is to stop at Mrs. Fellows tomorrow upon invitation. She had promised to tell Mrs. Fellows when she was engaged. So Mrs. Fellows asked her, the reply was that it was an acquaintance and that she would report when it became an engagement. Mrs. Fellows thinks very highly of her and she has had good opportunities of seeing her - she having taken her dinners there for over a year - and has visited there a good deal beside.

The next letter from Susan is after her final week at the Gravesend school. She and Edwin have once again met in Lynn. Perhaps they strolled the Lynn Common pictured above.

May 19th. Danversport. Saturday Evening.

I can with difficulty persuade myself that Saturday has come so quickly , and as I sat musing by my window, those beautiful words of Milton came to my mind.

"Years following years , steal something every day , At last they steal us, from ourselves away. " You can imagine I hail this eve with pleasure, for it brings with it two weeks of rest. I think I never have had a vacation at this season of the year and I look forward with much pleasure to this one.

On Thursday and Friday I attended the examination of the High School. The exercises from the first to the finale were very excellent. From the programme you will see what was accomplished in those two days. The essays and orations of the masters & ladies were well written and listened to with much interest. I wished I was a school girl with them. Was it wrong? Friday evening, rather reluctantly, I accepted the invitation to the meeting of the "alumni." Although quite a stranger to many I enjoyed myself very well. The hall was very tastefully decorated with flags & bunting & mottoes of the different classes that have graduated from the school. One of the prettiest and most significant was the first my eye fell on as I entered the hall. "Carpe Diem." ("Enjoy the present day," seize the opportunity. ) During the evening, two gold & two silver medals were presented by the alumni to the two masters & misses who ranked first in recitation, deportment & punctuality.

This morning I made a farewell visit to Gravesend School, everything was moving on its quiet way.

The following remark remains unexplained. Was she perhaps paid in a lump sum for her teaching quarter? She continues.

My visit at the office of the City Clerk on Thurs. was more successful than the one of the day previous, and I was enabled to reach home with "the heavy purse," without, I think, even exciting a suspicion, that I was a "moneyed man ".

Our impression concerning the little wild flowers gathered at Nahant is correct for I find it answers the description of one in Botany bearing the name, Cerastiurn Arvense, or, Field Chickweed.

Nahant is a peninsular town that extends into the Atlantic from Lynn. In the 1800s it was a popular getaway spot for wealthy Bostonians. Susan’s interest in flowers is explained later when we learn one of her high school teaching classes is botany.

Nothing preventing, I shall probably spend next week, the first of vacation in Danvers & the second in Ipswich. My address will be in "Care of Charles E. Smith, Danversport. " I do not know whether the mail from Acton comes through in one day or more. I am quite free from the cold which was troubling me on Wednesday; not withstanding I increased it on that day. I trust you suffer no inconvenience in reaching home, and was not obliged to walk from the station after the pleasant ride of the afternoon.

Wishing you good night, as always I am, respectfully,

Susan Smith

Chapter Four

Edwin has written to Susan while she vacationed, either in Danvers with her brother Charles and his family, or in Ipswich, presumably with her father. Edwin acknowledges her agreement to meet him in Boston.

Acton, Monday Eve. May 28th 1866

Miss Smith.The Saturday evening mail brought me your very welcome letter accepting the invitation to meet me in Boston and I now take pleasure in writing a few lines in reply. The time you name will suit my convenience and I hope the weather will prove favorable but if otherwise the next day will accommodate me as well or even Sat. if that should be the first pleasant day. I shall enjoy much in anticipation and trust we may have a pleasant day. I am much interested in the lines you sent. I always like to read the poems of Whittier

as there is something in them that cannot fail to interest. I think I have never met with this one before. I used to see many of them in the "National Era" for which he used to be corresponding editor and which I took several years.

John Greenleaf Whittier was an influential poet and strong antislavery advocate. He was widely read, especially in his native New England. Early in life, before he was successful, he was employed for a short time as a shoe maker, a similar profession of Edwin. He later taught school. At the time of the letters, Whittier was living in nearby Amesbury, Mass.

I hope you will have a pleasant time at Ipswich and have no doubt you will enjoy visiting the scenes of former days. My sister attended the Seminary at Ipswich several years ago.

What a fine rain we had on the Sabbath. I could not help enjoy it though I much prefer to have it pleasant on the Sabbath. Our people seemed to be unusually afraid of getting wet and we had a very thin meeting. I think I never heard it rain much faster than it did during the night accompanied with some thunder. My trees and plants seem to enjoy it even more than I did myself.

Your vacation is passing so quickly that I should hardly think you would feel satisfied with it. Perhaps it would be for your health and comfort if you should fail to receive the appointment in the high school and take a longer vacation, but I suppose you would hardly feel reconciled to the disappointment it would cause you.

Could this line be Edwin feeling her out about “staying at home?” He continues his letter discussing the weather, his garden and apple orchard, and how the moon “made a beautiful show,” after a shower. He ends, remaining, “as ever, very respectfully.”

After their Thursday meeting on May 31st, Susan responds.

Lynn. June 4th , 1866. Monday P.M.

Mr. Fletcher.Respected Friend.Vacation being ended, this rainy morning found me on my way to Lynn to begin the labors of a new term in the High School. My appointment as teacher there was received on the Friday previous. I hardly felt in the right mood for it this morning but soon got into working order when I found 170 scholars waiting for something to do. The machinery is hardly running

smoothly yet, but hope to take a fair start tomorrow. I am quite satisfied with the arrangement for study. Two classes in Botany , three in Algebra, one in English Analysis, and perhaps one in Chemistry coming under my care. I love to teach these (with the exception of the last) and shall not find the need of much work out of school. The afternoon of every day I can use as I choose. But excuse me for giving you so detailed an account of school affairs. I forget sometimes, that other people may not be as much interested as myself.

I decided, all things considered, that it would not be best to return to Danvers daily and I am boarding with Mrs. Hills.

I trust you were as successful in reaching home on Thursday as in times before when you have taken the 5:30 train. I stopped in Lynn till half past six and reached home safely three quarters of an hour later, with pleasant thoughts of the visit to Mount Auburn. On referring to my Botany, I find my impressions concerning the odd looking tree with its showy white blossoms, were correct; it is the flowering dogwood, not belonging to the Sumac family which includes the poison dogwoods, but to the Cornel order. I was glad to know we were not poisoned by trespassing on forbidden ground to examine it!

Susan refers to Mount Auburn Cemetery, near Boston, in Watertown, Mass. The one-hundred-and-seventy acre site was first established in 1831as “America’s First Garden Cemetery.” With the help of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, it was constructed far differently than Colonial graveyards, and is a beautiful arboretum. Mount Auburn is considered the start of the American Garden movement and many cities followed suit in mid 1800s. It is now a National Historic Landmark, welcoming two-hundred-thousand visitors annually. She continues.

On Friday I visited Holten High School. I think your brother must enjoy teaching there; everything seemed to be moving on very pleasantly and successfully. The religious interest still continues in Danvers, and I wish many more souls might be led to Christ. Mr. Carruthers was quite unwell last week and was not able to perform his usual labor. I think he was expecting to preach on the Sabbath however. If you will excuse me I will not lengthen my letter now, but answer the summons of the tea-bell which just at this time is no unwelcome sound.

Hoping to hear from you soon, with esteem, I amVery respectfully, Susan Smith

P.S. "Please not view it with a critic's eye - But pass its imperfections by."

Edwin wasted no time, responding two days later.

Acton, Wed. Eve. June 6, 1866

Esteemed FriendIt gave me much pleasure to receive yours of Monday evening and to learn that you have so pleasant and easy a prospect before you for the coming term. Judging from the number of scholars I should think Mr. Hills would have a plenty to do to keep the scholars in order and the teachers in good mood, though I presume the latter will cause him no trouble. It must be much more agreeable and less care for you than the school at Gravesend.

I succeeded in reaching the 5:30 train just in season and had the pleasure of walking from So. Acton, which on the whole I enjoyed as it was such a pleasant evening and the thought of the day spent so pleasantly made the time pass quickly away and I found myself at home a little after seven o'clock about the time you found the end of your journey. My brother John was busy making preparations to attend a wedding in the evening or he would have come after me.

Last Sabbath our minister gave us quite a severe, though perhaps deserved, sermon on conduct in and about church. I hope it may do good but thought at the time it might not tend to make him more in favor with those who already have a prejudice against him.

Edwin mentions the wet weather and gifts they have exchanged on the recent visit.

Your painting of the pansies is very fine and much prized and for which you will please accept my thanks. I enclose a photograph of a later date than the one I showed you in Boston, though this was taken two or three years ago.

This oil painting by Susan of flowers from Edwin’s garden comes up again, much later. Photographs too, a popular item of the era, are also mentioned many more times. Edwin then makes additional plans.

I have been thinking that I would call on you the first of the week - perhaps Monday or Tuesday if pleasant and agreeable to you. If you would prefer to see me at some other time I should be happy to receive a letter by the Sat. evening mail. It's getting late and I will bid you good night and hoping for the pleasure of meeting you again soon. I remain as ever, again soon, I remain as ever Respected Friend,

Very respectfully yours etc.

E. Fletcher

We have moved along to “very” respectfully! Now, if older brother James won’t poke around too much, we may progress further.

Susan was raised in Ipswich, Mass. This seacoast town was first settled in 1633 and is located about fifteen miles north of Danversport where she is living with her brother’s family. Her father still resides in Ipswich but we’re not sure of his circumstances.

Nine days pass before we hear from Edwin, answering another letter from Susan which is missing from the collection.

Chapter Five

"A Little Art Appreciation"

More than a week passed by before Susan wrote again. They have met, first at her school and then in Boston. It is Friday when she commences her next letter, but she remains in Lynn as there is a brief Saturday school session. She speaks of Miss Brown, a teacher-friend from her days at the Gravesend School. Miss Brown was with them in Boston. As a chaperone?

The free day from school she mentions commemorates the June 17, 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill. The date was first publically recognized as a holiday a few years earlier in 1863. As the date fell on Sunday, Monday was the day of celebration in 1866. The observance continues to be a state holiday in Massachusetts.

Respected Friend.

As I have no more lessons to prepare for this week, I will spend a part of the afternoon in writing to you. Tomorrow we have only a short session from eight till eleven as the committee allows us Monday, the 18th as a holiday; so you will see I am anticipating quite a little vacation at home. I trust you

were in season for the cars on Tuesday and were not obliged to find your way from the Concord station. Miss Brown and I went back to Washington St. & after doing a few errands took the horse cars for the Eastern depot & returned in the 6:20 train. Notwithstanding the day was spent very pleasantly, when I remembered that I took breakfast in Danvers, had an early ride which I enjoyed very much; taught school in Lynn, and spent the afternoon in Boston, I thought the day had been a very long one!

Our school is fairly underway and we are enjoying the term very much. You can, from what you saw of it, form some idea of the way in which we are employed, perhaps. I sometimes wish I could more fully realize, that in each hour & each day following in such quick succession, life is passing, for if I did, it seems as though I should be more earnest to accomplish something for our Heavenly Master.

I feel particularly glad that we have no school on Monday since it is the anniversary of my mother's death; the day will ever carry with it a shade of sadness and sacredness.

"After tea."

We have had a delightful shower, accompanied by some thunder. The sun is just shining from between the broken and scattering clouds and the bright bow of promise fading slowly from the eastern sky. The silver lined clouds rolling away from the tops of the "high rocks" and hill, revealing a clear blue beneath, the bright and fresh green of the grass and foliage all gilded by the setting sun, present a picture which language is powerless to describe, and painter's skill unable to imitate. I was intending to visit my old school at Gravesend this afternoon, but found myself too tired for so long a walk. I shall have the pleasure in reserve for next week.

Miss Brown wished to be remembered to you and thanks you for your kindness to her when in Boston; she would also like to ask if you have had any opportunity of late, for studying paintings of John, the Baptist's head, or Adam's expulsion from the Garden of Eden?

While the location was not identified, the couple probably visited the Boston Athenaeum on Beacon Street. This private subscription museum was founded sixty years earlier was, and yet remains, a city landmark. Before the opening of the Boston Museum of Fine Art in 1870, the Athenaeum displayed numerous works of important art.

I think this must have been a fine growing day for your plants in your garden; the sun has been very warm.

Miss Annie Wilkins is visiting here, she has been teaching the freedmen at the south; perhaps you have heard your brother speak of her; he knows her well; she gives us some interesting accounts of life in Virginia.

Daylight is fading, & I will bid you good night. Hoping to hear from you, and with kind regards, I am very respectfully

Susan Smith

It is just a year after the end of the Civil war and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The Boston area was at the forefront of the abolitionist movement long before the war began and continued to strive to improve the lot of the freed slaves.

Once again the mail delivery is prompt. Edwin receives her letter the very next day and responds.

Acton Monday Eve June 18, 1866

Dear friendThe Sat. eve mail again made me happy by receiving your ever welcome letter. I was gratified to learn of your safe arrival in Lynn. I must confess I felt a little uneasy to leave you alone with Miss Brown after finding that you were both so much attached to the bottle.

This remark is totally out of character with everything else written. I know from later comments about temperance that Edwin wasn’t referring to liquor! I assume this was some private joke between them or "bottle" had another meaning we’ll never know.

I was just in season for the 5:30 train, not having time to purchase a ticket. I should have had ample time but for the blockade of the car by a truck across the street unloading molasses. I amused myself during the stoppage by noticing the expressions on the countenances of those expecting to be "too late for the cars." Others might have been amusing themselves at my expense but I trust not.

It is interesting that Edwin noted molasses being unloaded. New England was long noted for consuming and distilling the sticky stuff, back to colonial days. For many decades molasses was used in lieu of sugar. It is found in numerous recipes. Fifty years after these letters, in this Boston neighborhood, a tragic event took place. A fifty foot tank, containing over

two million gallons of molasses ruptured, spewing a river of the slow moving liquid that crested at twenty-five feet and covered several blocks. Twenty-one people died, and over a hundred were injured. It was said you could smell molasses in Boston’s North End for years after.

I had the good fortune to get a ride from the depot with one of my neighbors. I must say that I enjoyed the trip very much, particularly the ride to Lynn in the morning under your skillful management of the "ribbons” and it affords me much pleasure to think of the visit to Lynn and Danvers and also of the P.M. spent in Boston.

Please give my regards to Miss Brown and say to her that I have had no opportunity to study paintings since we had her for a delineator. I think she was more successful in her explanations than you were. She must be well versed in Bible history judging from her quick understanding of the characters in the picture of the garden of Eden.

We have had another fine rain which I was glad to see. I have no doubt you have enjoyed it today in your pleasant home not being obliged to start for Lynn in the rain. My plants are coming forward very fast and I find that the weeds are not at all backward.

I made a bouquet for the church yesterday. I should be happy to give you one of the best my garden affords if you could call some evening "after tea" when you will usually find me "at home" in my garden. I expect my brother's family will accept my offer next week when I shall have an abundance of company. His little girl is sick with the measles or they would have come this week.

My sister and family started for Clinton Saturday on a visit and the weather today will cause them some disappointment. I don’t know but you may have other engagements but if not and it would be agreeable to you it will give me pleasure to have you meet me in Boston and spend the P. M. next Saturday. Perhaps you may not able to take the 11:00 train but if convenient I should be happy to have you come in season to take dinner with me. If you have other engagements I trust you will feel at liberty to change my plans. I shall be pleased to receive a line from you by the Friday evening mail or earlier if convenient. It is getting late, though I am disturbing no one by keeping late hours, and I will bid you good night with kind regards and pleasant recollections.

I remain very respectfullyYours etc.

E. Fletcher

Times may seem tranquil, but brother James is about to become a disruptive force.

Chapter Six

“Brother James Offers His Opinion”

There are no surviving letters between June 18th and July 4th, but much occurred during that two week period. Edwin and Susan apparently met as they planned, on Saturday, June 23rd. Either on that date or later, Edwin traveled to Danvers, where Susan was living with her brother’s family. Also, during that period, she visited his Acton homestead. The details of what was discussed have been lost to history, but we may assume the main topic was a serious discussion of their future together. This we can surmise given the third party comments of snoopy brother James who details his investigation of the potential bride and offers his strong opinion.

Danvers - July 4th evening, 1866, Wednesday

Dear Brother Edwin.

I went to the depot at 6 1/2 o'clock Tuesday evening, but did not see you. Did you come to Danvers? I could not infer certainly what course you took - nor what decision you reached in conference. We talked over matters quite freely with Mr. and Mrs. Hills. They were glad you invited Miss Smith to go to Acton, as it brought her to some decision, at least so far as to mention the case of her Father. I should expect from the impressions they have received that she would probably insist upon this condition, of any permanent arrangement. If so, I am clearer in my advice than when I saw you, to let her go.

Mr. Hills thinks the son Mr. Smith should take on the laboring (word

unclear.) and not let this prevent an engagement if other things are mutually satisfactory. I am more apprehensive in regard to her health, from little items referred to by Mrs. Hills. Mrs. Hills thinks Miss Smith ought to have mentioned the objection of her father's case sooner and has told her so, as she has spoken of it occasionally. They think in Lynn it must have been made public - so far as it has been - through the Smith family - as they, Mr. Hills & family have kept perfectly quiet.

Your letter affected her a good deal - as they saw from her appearance, and changed countenance. It was just the thing, under the circumstances. I am the more persuaded, whatever may be the issue. We felt a lively sympathy with you all day Tuesday, and today, and of course it marred our pleasure in visiting, though we had a cordial welcome at Mr. and Mrs. Hills. We spent the forenoon quietly at home and went to the beach in P.M., taking the horse cars, and walking home. I was obliged to leave this evening in order to be in season for my school tomorrow. Lydia and Mary will spend tomorrow at Lynn and I shall keep bachelor’s hall.

I trust you will not lay the disappointment and trial too much at heart. It may be the most fortunate thing to you in the light of future events that you have preceded no further. Do not be discouraged in the least, for you are not half so badly situated as many who have wives and the right one will cross your path at the proper time and place. Let me hear from you soon. Do not have the least thought about us - in connection with the subject - as we shall get over it easily enough.

With love and sincere sympathy,

Your brother, James Fletcher

Perhaps James is looking out for the welfare of his younger brother. Remember, Edwin lost his first wife and infant daughter in the same year, so health is a matter that must be on their minds, and of primary concern. However, it’s difficult not to think ill of James for putting his nose where it doesn’t belong. It looks like he is trying too hard to make Edwin’s decision for him. Edwin responds immediately to James letter, but we’re not privy to his answer, only a second letter from James three days later that acknowledges hearing from him. Now he has his wife Lydia snooping as well. Poor Susan is getting it from all sides.

Dear Brother Edwin.

Danvers, Mass July 7, 1866

Your letters have been received and though I have nothing really important to add, I will write a few lines. Mary (James fifteen-year-old daughter) remained in Lynn through Thursday, coming home in the eve. Lydia came home last evening, and is nicely - the visit and journey having done her good.

Yesterday she visited Mr. Hills' school, and went into Miss Smith’s department. She looked pretty sober at first, but afterwards resumed her usual cheerfulness and they had a pleasant time in P.M. playing backgammon, etc.

Lydia inquired of her how the case stood. She said her father was to remain in Danvers with her brother, so that I infer she will write to you a favorable letter. You ask about her health? I hardly know what to say.

She has been poorly more or less through the season, but still she has not been obliged at any time to give her school up. It has been a hard year with her. A married life and a change of scene and occupation may effect a decided change for the better, possibly not.

You will have to decide with an uncertainty facing you. Mrs. Hills said she thought she would be able to do the house work with perhaps someone to wash for her. She is particular about matters - sewing, etc. Mrs. Hills thinks she has good ideas about cooking.

I should wish to have the matter of her Father put perfectly at rest, so that she should not feel uneasy or dissatisfied. And I should want her to be cordial and happy in any arrangement made.Her father is somewhat childish and thinks a good deal of her, as of course he should. I learn she has recently received a little legacy, some five hundred dollars from her grandmother. This is in confidence to Lydia from Mrs. Hills.

My school closes next week. It was pretty hard for the scholars on the 5th, after the holiday. I told them they might have one nap apiece.

I trust brother John is better by this time. I am affectionately your brother, James Fletcher.

Whatever occurred relative to Susan’s father, Charles Smith, Sr., it certainly wasn’t good news. I suppose any potential marriage would have to address the partner’s responsibilities to their parents. However, in this instance it seems to involve some perceived scandalous situation, heretofore unknown,

that suddenly came to light.

Charles Smith, Sr. was sixty-four at the time of the letters. The 1850 census of Ipswich, Mass lists him as a shoe maker, and in 1860 as a day laborer. The 1870 census records an individual of that name, as an inmate in the Ipswich Insane Asylum. While we do not know for sure it is the same Charles Smith, the age is correct.

James mentions his school being visited by a Mr. Peabody of London, England who made a few remarks to the students. The philanthropist was to make another donation of $140,000 to the Peabody Institute, an important world renowned antiquarian museum in Salem.

George Peabody, was born over seventy years earlier in Danvers, one of seven children of a poor family. He became extremely successful, first in Baltimore and later London as a business man, financier and philanthropist. He spent most of his life in England but never forgot his roots. Newspapers of 1866 suggested him as a possible democratic presidential candidate but most considered him too old to take on the responsibility.

Has perhaps Edwin ignored his older brother’s advice?

Chapter Seven

"The long Way Around"

During this period of absence of letters between Edwin and Susan, another member of the family briefly entered the picture. We were confused at first because of how the letter was addressed; to “Brother Edwin.” Later, we learned the writer was Sarah Elizabeth Jenkins, the sister of Edwin’s deceased wife.

Lizzie, as Sarah Elizabeth is called, speaks of her younger brother, twenty-six year old Henry Jenkins who had travelled west during the gold rush.

Billerica, Mass July 8th, 1866

Brother Edwin,I will write a few lines this afternoon, to tell you the news that came yesterday. We had a telegram saying that Henry sailed for home in the steamer June 30th and wished Father to meet him in New York. I knew you would be glad to hear there is a prospect of our once more seeing him. We

feel very anxious for fear he will not stand the voyage, but hope for the best. He must be more comfortable, for in our last letter he wrote, that he would come east, but knew he could not stand the voyage. The steamer will get in the last of next week.

Father wished me to ask you if you would have business in New York soon, and if so you could make arrangements to go when he did, as he dreads so much going alone, for fear of what may happen when the steamer get in. He knew that some of you went once in a while, and did not know but you might be going soon. I wish it could be so, for he worries so much about Henry that I am afraid he will be down sick. Oh dear, have we got to go through another of those sad scenes that we have passed through three times, within as many years. I suppose we shall have strength given us equal to the day.

Lizzie refers to the death of Edwin’s wife Marie Jenkins. They had married in 1858 and she bore him a daughter, Carrie Evelyn Fletcher. On April 27, 1863, the two-year old child succumbed to fever. Five months later, on September 11th, Marie too passed away, a victim of pulmonary consumption, most likely tuberculosis.

In April of this year, 1866, Lizzy’s brother Thomas Jenkins, Jr., also died of consumption. The letter continues with talk of the weather and a bountiful cherry crop.

It is as much as we can do to wait on ourselves. I have written much more than I intended to, and will close. Hope to hear from you soon.

Your sister LizzieP.S. I believe I did not owe you a letter, but never mind, hope you will excuse it.

While we do not know how long Henry Jenkins was in California, or how he ventured there, we know any means of travel undertaken by the gold seekers was an arduous journey. The transcontinental railroad would not be completed for three more years, when the tracks met at Promontory Point, Utah, in May 1869. A land journey might take up to six months, but the preferred route to travel west before the railroad was by sea.

By the 1860s, many steam ships left both New York and San Francisco for roundabout travel to the other side of our expanding country. Hearty voyagers would sail rough seas, until reaching either the east side or west side of the Isthmus of Panama where they would board the recently opened ocean to ocean railroad. The fifty mile train trip was no less dangerous as the intrepid traveler was exposed to cholera, yellow fever and malaria. The survivors boarded another waiting ship for the second half of what had, a

few years earlier, been a three month journey. By 1866, with large paddle steamers, the trip could be made in but forty days.

It was sometime later we heard more of Henry’s journey from a letter Edwin wrote to Susan.

I received news of the death of my brother-in-law on Monday. He died at Panama and was buried there. He was very feeble on the journey and could go no further. His father saw two men who were with him, brother "Odd fellows," who stayed till they were obliged to leave on the steamer. The physician said he could not live 15 minutes when they left which is the last his friends have heard from him and I suppose is all they will hear. It is very sad and is a severe trial to the family.

We made all the necessary preparations for his death and burial before starting thinking that he might not be able to reach home. He was very anxious to get home but the poor fellow was obliged to die among entire strangers with no one to shed a tear over his grave. There is to be a funeral service in Billerica on the Sabbath.

Later in July, correspondence between Edwin and Susan resumes with her Friday letter, following a visit together.

Lynn, July 20th 1866

Dear Friend,I feel very much as I think a prisoner may when set at liberty and will spend a part of my leisure afternoon in writing to you.

Mr. Hills has been away from school three days, and has just returned home. We who were left with the charge of the 170 scholars have not only lived through the time but have been quite successful in our labor. But a great care was removed by his coming home. I think I rather act as assistant than principal.

I have thought with pleasure of the afternoon spent so pleasantly on Wednesday, as well as the agreeable surprise your call at the school-house gave me. I looked for you in the cars on Thursday morning and was sorry not to see you again, but inferred that you had not sufficient time to allow you to take the early train. I was hoping you with your brother would give the school a morning call & see that we started fairly for our day's work. I even looked for you during the day, thinking possibly you might remain in Lynn over one train.

How cool and delightful the weather has been since the shower! It was a fine rain and I have some faint recollection of being out at the time. I shall think you are a pretty good weather-wise & shall have less opinion of my own judgment in such matters.

You may be interested to know the result of my search for the missing porte-monnaie. I did not allow my fears to rise very high, and on reaching Lynn went over to my room before school & found it in safe keeping just where I had placed it. Saturday morning.

Miss Brown called yesterday afternoon and wished me to go with her to Gravesend , and although feeling rather too tired , as we had planned to make some calls there so many times I went with her. We found it very pleasant, but the attractions of the place can never be so strong as to cause me to desire to be permanently located there.

I trust you reached home safely and was glad to see that the weather was fair enough for you to take the route by steamboat, which, perhaps, you did not do.

I am beginning to realize that our term is nearly ended and that a vacation is at hand. I think the scholars are doing remarkably well considering the heat, but are longing for a rest. Today I shall go home, as usual.

As it is nearly school time I must bid you good morning. Hoping to hear from you soon & with much esteem,

I am very truly yr. friend,

Susan Smith

Edwin’s letter to Susan crossed in the mail.

Acton July 20, 1866

Dear Friend,Perhaps I owe you an apology for not meeting you yesterday but I believe it was left that it was your time to write if I should not see you again and so you must not expect much of a letter at this time. I arrived at my brother's before they had made any signs of opening the house but I succeeded in disturbing the sleepers and obtaining an entrance after the necessary delay under such circumstances.

We were meaning to take the early train and call at Lynn with you and open

your school agreeable to your conditions of admission, but the time was so limited that the train arrived without giving us time for the necessary preparations and so we concluded not to call after the opening as our service would not be needed.

We left the cars at Swampscott and walked down to Nahant on the beach and took the steam boat for Boston and had a nice time. The tide was out and the beach more extensive and handsome than I had ever seen it before. The sun was clouded which made it all the pleasanter for us. I never had so good a view of rocky Nahant before and was not aware that it was such a rugged and romantic a place.

We could not resist the temptation to take a salt bath which we found very refreshing but rather cool for comfort. It was quite a long walk but we both enjoyed it. I should judge the distance must have been as much as six miles or more. We arrived in Boston at 12 o'clock and were glad to find ourselves seated at the dinner table.

As we had a little leisure in Boston we went through the unpleasant operation of sitting for our shadows and succeeded in getting some small pieces of tin with colored images on them. I will send you one of mine and would also send one of James but perhaps he will not wish me to assist in circulating them. We separated and left in the 4 o'clock trains for home.

I feel interested to hear whether you were robbed while with me on Wednesday, but hope you found missing treasure at your home in Lynn.

You must excuse me for writing so hasty a letter and I must close as my services are needed. I shall expect a letter from you soon and should it pass mine on the road you will remember that you are still in debt. With kind regards, I remain very truly your friend,

E. Fletcher

Ferry service between Nahant and Boston began in 1817. Prior to 1853, the peninsular community was part of Lynn. Hotels and summer homes for the wealthy became increasingly fashionable during this time. A different view of temperance caused the split. A few years later, Nahant was home of some of the nation’s first amusement parks. In 2014, commuter ferry service across Boston harbor from Nahant was renewed, after perhaps a hundred year absence.

Chapter Eight"Tintypes and a Disaster"

Photographic imagining had begun less than thirty years before these letters, at first in a primitive form. Early images were expensive and difficult to attain, but the popularity of owning a portrait of a relative or loved one soared after the civil war. With the introduction of tintypes, sometimes called shadows, the craze hit a peak in the 1860s and 1870s when prices were no longer prohibitive. Customers flocked to studios to endure long sessions while remaining totally still lest they blur their likeness.

Edwin and Susan’s correspondence continues, with a touch of humor. She introduces an option for vacation plans with her school teacher friend, Miss Brown, the young lady who sometimes chaperones her meetings with Edwin. She too is moving on to the Lynn High School to teach, while Susan will both teach and act as assistant principal.

Lynn, July 23rd, 1866 Monday P.M.

Dear Friend.You wish, I see to make it appear, that in the line of letter writing I am in debt. How can it be! Unless one letter of yours is to two of mine, granting this to be true I conclude the best way to prove to you that you are in debt is to write you this afternoon. Just as I was about to leave school on Saturday, your letter was given to me; although unexpected it was none the less welcome.

I enjoy a surprise. I am obliged for the picture and if you should ask my opinion concerning it, I should say it is not as much like you as it might be, although I should have known it had I not found it in your letter. I think your brother would not object to your sending me one of his. I think I am entitled to one, as he has mine. I am glad you had so pleasant a trip to Boston & that the day was so favorable. It has been very dull and rainy since morning & there is a prospect for such weather tomorrow.

I spent the Sabbath in Danvers, but did not attend church anywhere, fearing to add to my cold which has troubled me much, and which I think I must have taken on Wednesday. I think now it will be entirely well in a day or two. Mr. Hills was very thoughtful & had fires made in the furnaces to day & it was really pleasant to gather around the register. It seems as if such changes

must cause much sickness; but all these things are in the keeping of our Heavenly Father. How many, many times, in hours of darkness and seasons of joy, in my life, has the thought of that guiding and loving care, brought a quiet trust & comfort which the world will ever fail to give to immortal souls. And it is none the less pleasant to feel that all that is in the future will be measured by the same gracious hand. I sometimes wonder why in hours which are clouded, our faith can be so weak, for are we not having abundant proof that his promises are wise and in him, amen?

Miss Brown is desirous that I should go to Burlington, Vt. with her during the vacation to attend the meeting of the American Institute. I am quite undecided; but am inclined to think I shall not go, which decision on my part would I think deter her from going. Julia thought she would like to send you a tintype if you would like it, and wished to know if I would not ask you to give her one of yours. I told her I would do the errand.

Julia is the ten year old daughter of Susan’s married brother Charles Smith and his wife Mary. Together with Charlie Junior, their seven year old son, all reside in their Danversport home. Susan lives there when not boarding weekdays in Lynn.

Perhaps you will be interested to learn that I have resigned my class in Chemistry to Mr. Hills, giving me one less recitation in school and less to do at home. The reasons for it were chiefly these, that I needed more time for Algebra, and it was, it seemed to me better for all the class to review the book together, which they could do by reciting upstairs. So I shall not be under the necessity of taking that one book with me on all my travels.

It seems really pleasant to have "a head," this week, and know that we are not responsible for all that goes on in the school-rooms. Sister Mary wished to be remembered to you; my brother and young Charlie took an early boat-ride this morning, leaving home about four o'clock. I think they would have taken you as passenger, had you been there.

May I not hear from you soon? As it is late, with kind regards, I will say "good night," and remain very truly your friend,

Susan Smith

Brother Charles and his young son must have gone fishing to leave so early in the morning!

Acton Thurs. Eve July 26, 1866

Dear Friend.Yours of Monday P.M. was received on Tuesday evening, proving that I am indebted to you and if I could pay all my obligations as easily and with as much pleasure as the one I am now paying the misfortune as it is usually considered would be the reverse to me.

I am sorry to learn that you are suffering from a cold for which I suppose that I am partly responsible as I was the means of taking you from your warm and safe quarters. I trust you have recovered before this and will pardon me for the affliction caused as it was entirely unintentional on my part.

I expect to go over on the Sabbath, and return on Monday. My brother John has gone to Portland on a pleasure excursion to see the ruins of the once beautiful. I suppose he is having a splendid ride on his way home tonight. I took the same trip several years ago and had just such nights to go and return and enjoyed it much. His family members are still with me but I expect to be left alone again tomorrow. I have enjoyed their being with me and shall probably miss them a good deal.

Brother John Fletcher, two years Edwin’s senior, worked with him in the family shoe business. He, together with wife Martha, son Silas, age twelve and daughter Sophia, age ten, live next door to Edwin in Acton.

The “ruins of the once beautiful” John was viewing was the city of Portland, Maine. Three weeks earlier, on the Fourth of July, a great fire destroyed much of the state’s largest city. Ignited by either a fire cracker or cigar ash, nearly two thousand buildings were destroyed, killing two and leaving ten thousand citizens, a third of the population, homeless. According to Wikipedia, most of the commercial buildings, half the churches and hundreds of homes lay in ruin. Until “The Great Chicago Fire,” five years later, the Portland, Maine conflagration was the worse city fire in American history.

John may have travelled by either train or steam ship as both means of transportation were available at the time for the ninety mile trip. Edwin doesn’t specify, but his pleasant description hints to the reader of the water excursion.

Edwin continues his letter. He is to have more company.

Mother received a letter from brother James’s daughter Mary yesterday, saying that they were intending to make us a visit next Tuesday and spend a part of their vacation in Acton. He will probably supply our pulpit for two

Sabbaths as our minister is away on a vacation.

We had another fine shower yesterday. I should judge it was the mate to the one we had on our way to Danvers. We seem to have an abundance of rain of late for which I feel thankful as I do not like to see the grass and flowers suffer from drought. My garden enjoys the wet weather and what pleases that has the same effect upon me.

What a delightful day we have had and this evening would be a very favorable one for a ride on the water which I should enjoy very much and am hoping at some future time to take the trip down the river with you. In the absence of my brother John I have taken his family out this evening to ride as I thought it too pleasant to be shut up in the house though I am spending the latter part of the evening very pleasantly.

Have you decided to go to Burlington? I think you will find it a very pleasant trip and would not object to taking it myself if my business engagements did not forbid it. If you conclude to go I trust you will have a pleasant and profitable time and see that Miss Brown is returned to her home in safety, not forgetting to take good care of yourself. I see that I am getting near the end and the clock is also hinting that it is time to close and so I must bid you good night and hoping to hear from you again soon I remain,Very truly your friend,

E. FletcherPS: I am obliged to Julia for her tintype and am sorry that I cannot send her a better one in return.

It is clear our ancestors led an active and interesting life a hundred and fifty years past.

Chapter Nine

"A Memorial Service"

Edwin is in Billerica, Mass., a town about twenty miles north of his Acton home, attending a memorial service. His brother-in-law Henry Jenkins, died

in Panama, returning from California. Susan writes her condolences.

Danversport. July 26th Saturday eve.

Dear Friend.I felt almost sure I should have a letter on my return from school yesterday, but instead, I found a paper and within sweet flowers so fresh in their hiding place that it hardly seemed that they could have been folded since the previous day, both proofs of your thoughtfulness and kindness, for which please accept my thanks. A letter was not long behind, which I always receive with pleasure and although the hour is late, I will write to you, lest I should not find time on Monday.

I was thinking of you this afternoon as starting for Billerica if the weather with you is such as it is here, you must have had a rainy ride. I trust you suffered no inconvenience from it. These repeated afflictions must be very sad for your friends, particularly so under such circumstances as you have mentioned. It is so great a pleasure to be with our dying friends, and perform with your own hands the last offices of love. But if those we love died with the Christian’s hope, it seems that it is no longer death, but only a separation to be crowned with eternal reunion. And it matters little where the body is laid for He who has said I am the resurrection and the life will gather our frail dust together & clothe it with immortality.

I think we can scarcely be grateful enough for these delightful rains, clothing everything in the extreme heat of summer with all the green freshness of early spring. I do enjoy my early morning walks to school and wish you could look on the same beautiful views. I know you must enjoy your garden and flowers as they appear so refreshed each day.

On Thursday your brother James spent most of the day in Lynn, visiting school till recess. He took dinner with us and returned to Danvers in the five o'clock train.

On Friday we were honored with a call from Mayor Usher of Lynn, and Maj. Gen. Butler. We had the pleasure of an introduction and he addressed the school. The scholars cheered him with a great deal of spirit.

Benjamin Franklin Butler was an important figure in the Civil War, and for many years after an active politician. As a Major General, he was highly praised by some while reviled by others. As Commander of the force that took New Orleans in 1862, many of his actions against the citizens proved locally unpopular. So too were some of his financial dealings. He was a New England mill owner and was especially interested in the cotton trade and

profited by it.

President Lincoln moved him out of New Orleans, to Virginia. There, he commanded several African American troops that served with honor, but more controversy followed him. However, his popularity back home remained.

In 1866 Butler was elected to the U S Congress where two years later he was one of the managers of the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. He also authored the first Civil Rights Bill in 1871 and, after losing twice, served as Massachusetts Governor in 1882.

Susan continues.

We have just three days more of school, closing on Wednesday noon. If I am not too tired, I think I shall go to Burlington. I wish it was convenient for you to do so, too. We shall go probably on Monday or Tuesday of next week and return on Friday. Would you be unable to be away for that length of time? I send you the arrangements, as should you be able to do, you might like to avail yourself of the excursion ticket.

We have not decided by which route, we shall go. Miss Brown wished to extend an invitation to you, also.

My cold is much better, but please do not feel that you are in the least responsible.

Should you write before Wednesday a Lynn address will reach me, after that during the week, Danversport. It would me pleasure to hear from you by return mail, that I might know if you thought it best for you to visit Vt. I feel that I should also be excused for such a hurried letter. Hoping to hear from you soon, with kind regards. I am very truly yrs.

Susan Smith

Plans remain up in the air.

Acton, Tuesday eve July 31, 1866

Dear FriendIt was with pleasure that I received yours of last evening and should have answered it by this morning's mail but have delayed till this evening hoping to be able to answer it more definitely in regard to the excursion to Burlington, but I am still undecided whether I shall be able to go. I have a great desire to accept of the invitation and know I should have a pleasant

time and if I can arrange my business so that I can leave I shall endeavor to meet you somewhere on the route.

My brother is planning to be away on a business tour and unless he should be at home it will be impossible for me to leave and have things satisfactory. I never have thought I could leave for so long a time but possibly I may be able to at this season if my brother remains at home, but I do not wish to have you make any change in your plans as it is so very uncertain with me. I am much obliged for the invitations from you and Miss Brown and shall feel that I am losing a rare opportunity for a fine excursion if I am obliged to stay at home. I shall be glad to hear from you when you decide by which route you go and the train you take.

If I decide to go I shall probably meet you at Nashua if you go by that route. I trust you will not be disappointed if you do not see me as there is so much doubt about it that I would not wish to have you make any calculations on it but think of me tied at home by business engagements which I can wish were not quite so pressing at the present time. I hope you will have a pleasant time and shall think of you if I am not able to be with you. I was glad to learn that your cold was so much better.

The rain prevented my going to Billerica Saturday and so took an early start Sabbath morning and had a very pleasant ride with no one to share it with me. I returned yesterday A.M.

The funeral services were held in the Orthodox Church - the Baptist minister assisting in the exercises which were very solemn and interesting. He was a very pleasant and agreeable young man and left many friends to mourn his loss, and among them a young widow. He was not a professing Christian but from letters he wrote home he gave us reason to hope that it is well with him.

We had several heavy showers yesterday P.M. for which I have no fault to find. Last season I gave my garden up to the drought and this year we are having a happy contrast which I enjoy much and seem to get rewarded for my labors in the spring. Today it has been very pleasant without a shower for which the haymakers ought to give thanks.

Brother James and family came tonight. I have taken the liberty to enclose one of his tintypes which he had taken today. Thursday our church class has their picnic at the pond when we expect to have a nice time simply fishing, picking berries, sailing, etc. We deferred it till this week so that James could be with us. I was hoping to see you this week and perhaps I may if I do not decide to go to Burlington with you.

I fear an apology will be necessary for this hasty letter but I know you will pardon me if it does require some study as you are more at leisure than while teaching. Hoping to hear from you soon I remain with kind regards very truly your friend,

E. Fletcher

Edwin and his brother James' sea excursion sounds far more pleasant than that of poor Henry Jenkins.

Chapter Ten

"Conflicting Schedules"

Apparently both Edwin and Susan’s schedules have not allowed them to see one another for nearly two weeks, since July 19th. Even plans to take the Burlington, Vermont excursion together appear not to be working. Susan writes from her home.

Danversport. Friday, Aug. 3rd '66

Dear Friend.Your letter was received yesterday morning and although I cannot write concerning the visit to Burlington as definitely as I could wish, I will not defer writing any longer, lest a letter should not reach you this week. I trust you will not put yourself or your business to any inconvenience because of our going there. When I left Lynn on Wednesday P.M., the plan was that I

should spend next Monday night in Lynn that we might leave there for Boston at six o'clock the next morning: and then start from the Fitchburg, Mass depot in the 7.30 Express train for Fitchburg. But I think that would not take us by the Vt. & Lowell Road.

Mr. Hills was going to Boston yesterday to learn more with regard to the arrangements and I shall quite likely know today and will write to you directly on ascertaining; unless I should have the pleasure of seeing you before then. I have not been very well this week and it is possible that I may be disappointed in going, but I hope not.

I thought of you yesterday on your excursion and trust the rains which we had did not trouble you. This morning is very fine and shall I look for you today? Did I remember to tell you that it is vacation? The committee and some friends visited school on Wednesday and we closed about 11.30. They spoke in the highest terms of the school, thought it surpassed by none, etc. You will excuse my speaking of it when you remember I have been there so little while, that the praise belongs to others and not to me.

The view from my window, where I am writing, is delightful. The sparkling of the water through the trees adds not a little to the picture; and everybody seems to be on the move.

We believe the view Susan is seeing was from the house, still standing, on water Street in Danvers, Mass.

I have not time, before the mail closes, to write much now, but should you deem this worth a reply, I should be happy to hear from you. I think you must enjoy the visit of your brother and his family. Please remember me to them and accept my thanks for the tintype. In haste, I will bid you good morning and remain, as ever,

Very truly yr. friend,

Susan Smith

Once again, her letter reaches Edwin the same day it was written. However, she writes a second letter, later the same day. It is mailed too late and does not reach him in time. Her excursion to Vermont is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, August 7th, so she is perhaps anxious.

Danversport. Friday, Aug. 3rd,'66

Dear Friend.

I have just finished my ice-cream, having remembered to eat one for you, which we hoped you would be able to take for yourself, and now I will write to correct the error which I made in the letter to you this morning. I received a letter from Lynn this afternoon, saying we are to take the Lowell & Nashua R.R. and are to start from the Lowell station at 8 o'clock instead of 7.30, and do not go through Fitchburg. I am feeling better to day and hope nothing will prevent my going on Monday afternoon to Lynn and starting Tuesday morning for Vermont.

As I have not seen you today I have thought perhaps you were thinking you would be able to free yourself from business long enough to go too.

Cousins Lucretia and Annie came today and other friends have made us little visits since I have been at home. Perhaps as you have but just received my other letter you will not care for another so soon. I will mail this in Lynn, so it may reach you on Saturday. With kind regards & hoping you will not find the week without enjoyment, if you find it necessary to remain at home I will bid you "good night." Be assured I shall think of you if I do not see you.As ever your friend –

S. Smith

There is a hint of disappointment in Susan’s letter. Perhaps after brother James Fletcher’s interference she harbors some anxiety at their lengthy absence from one another. Nonetheless, her vacation excursion is about to begin. Edwin responds to her early Friday letter the following day.

Acton Sat. P.M. Aug. 4th 1866

Dear Friend.The last evening mail did not disappoint me for with it came the ever welcome letter for me to read after my return from the excursion, which was delayed one day on account of the rain, and which prevented my making you a visit this week. We had a very fine day and everything passed off very pleasantly and it was not our fault if the island was not satisfied with our entertainment of vocal music, for we intended to give enough of such as we had to last through the season. Our party numbered about fifty and I think we enjoyed it more than is usually the case in larger gatherings.

We had a splendid sail on the pond which is the best in this vicinity. We took dinner and tea before leaving and left a liberal supply for the inhabitants of the grove which I have no doubt was gratefully received. We had berries of the best kind in great abundance.

I was sorry to learn that you were not feeling as well as usual and can sympathize with you as I am suffering from a severe cold myself which I am not much accustomed to have and hardly know how to manage it but hope it will soon leave me and take care of itself.

I should have tried and made you a short visit today if I had been in my usual health but thought on the whole it would be better for me to keep quiet. I think I shall be obliged to give up making the excursion to Burlington with you, but trust you will have a pleasant time and return all the stronger for having taken it. I would advise starting with a good supply of strength and making as much addition as possible during your absence. I am very sorry that I cannot accompany you and shall think of you upon the hills looking down upon us in Massachusetts.

If I feel able I expect to go to Boston Monday and shall try and give you a short call but my cold may prevent my going as it has done today. You must excuse this hasty letter as I thought you would like to hear from me before starting for Vermont. I shall look for a letter from you tonight posting me up in regard to your movements and the state of your health. Shall I look for your next letter from Vermont or will it be dated at Danversport? With kind regards to you and all your friends at home I remain Very truly your friend,

E. Fletcher

Once again, their letters cross in the mail. It is ten days before Susan writes again, after returning from her vacation excursion.

Chapter Eleven

"The Burlington Excursion"

Susan Smith’s excursion to Vermont and Lake Chaplain, in part accompanied by her school principal Roland Hills and fellow teacher Miss Brown, took place from Tuesday, August 3, 1866 and lasted until the weekend. Upon return, she remained at home on school vacation until

September 2nd. Sunday, August 12th, the day after her return, Edwin visited her in Danvers. The next day she wrote to him, describing her trip.

Danversport, August 13th, Monday

Dear Friend.I have just come in from the garden, having paid a visit to the blackberry bush and the pear tree (you know where they are) and was liberally rewarded with the ripe fruit which I found abundant. While there I thought of the visit made to the same place a week ago and was impressed quite forcibly with the change which one week's time have wrought even there. I wish you could take some of these nice pears which I gathered, they are much superior to those you tasted. You will by this time, I think, receive the impression that I am once more at home in which you are correct, and I thought I would write to you what I intended to say in Burlington but did not really have time to tell you much of my visit. I think I told you of our journey and safe arrival.

On Wednesday we attended some of the meetings which were wanting in their usual interest and so we made arrangements with some lady friends, whom we met there, to take a ride. We were furnished with a barouche, span of horses & driver, in the best style, at the very reasonable rate of $2.00 per hour. By this way we were able to see the most interesting places in the city. We halted at the college and went up into the observatory elevated 280 ft. above the level of the lake. The enclosed photographic view of Burlington taken from the college grounds will give you but a slight idea of our extensive view.) A scene of more beauty I never expect to see. The Green mountains on the east, the Adirondacks on the west; the lake stretching out north and south far as the eye could reach combined to make a most beautiful picture.

We were more interested in the exercises in the hall on Thursday, but it was so rainy in the evening that we remained at home. You probably received a line from me written on Friday just before we started on our excursion on the lake. The day passed very pleasantly; the steamboat ride was delightful; we left the landing at 10 o'clock A.M., & returned about six in P.M., stopping at Crown Point half an hour. I send you a bit of Sweet Clover gathered at that place. We did not go on to Plattsburgh, as we had quite enough pleasure in the first trip for one day. I thought of you many times and how much you would enjoy the day if you could be there. We saw little of interest in New York state, as we had not sufficient time to go far from the landing. This trip of course delayed our return home one day and not till Saturday morning did we find ourselves headed in that direction.

Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, is situated on beautiful Lake Champlain. It nearly doubled in population in the1860s and housed about ten thousand citizens at the time of Susan’s visit. With the opening of the Erie and Champlain Canals and Chambly Canal in Canada, Burlington, became an important hub where railroads and steam ships met. The city was also the home of the University of Vermont.

The school was founded in 1791, the year Vermont became the fourteenth state. In 1865, a year before these letters, the institution merged with the Agricultural College. “Old Mill” is the iconic campus building that houses the tower from which Susan viewed the beautiful lake and mountains. The building’s cornerstone was set by Marquis de Lafayette, the French hero-general of the Revolutionary War, when he toured the United States in 1824.

Susan sailed south from Burlington, about forty miles down the lake as it narrows to Crown Point, on the New York shore. There stood the ruins of the forts, the first built by the French in 1731, and later by the Colonists. This was an important strategic location, fifteen miles north of the more famous Fort Ticonderoga.

She continues her letter.

We bade good bye to the city soon after seven and rode with only one change of cars till we reached Boston at seven P.M. Miss Brown stopped in Manchester, N.H. and I was left quite alone. I had just time to reach the eastern train and being behind time did not reach Lynn till eight o'clock; when the conductor said he thought I could make no connection with any conveyance for home. I was obliged to remain with Mrs. Hills over the Sabbath. I took the first train this morning for Danvers and was very happy to find your letter awaiting my arrival.

It is but little of all the much we saw and heard that I can tell you by writing, but I can assure you I enjoyed the trip very much and although tired feel benefited by it. It would have added to the enjoyment could you have been with us, but as you were unable to do so, I will feel that the time was not un-enjoyed by you at home.

Mr. Hills left Burlington for Chicago on Wednesday P.M. expecting to spend most of the vacation there.

Mr. & Mrs. Holroyd of Providence, Mary's sister and her husband came this morning and will spend a few days with us. I intend to make a week's visit in Ipswich, but do not think I shall go this week.

I was sorry to learn that you were compelled to take so long a walk on your return from Danvers. I was fearful that you would be late for the express train. I feel I was somewhat to blame. Will you excuse me this time? Perhaps I have written you quite as much as you will care to read and as it is rather late, will say good night. I hope I may hear from you soon. With many kind wishes I am very truly yr. friend,S. Smith

It is some time before Edwin has the opportunity to read Susan’s letter as he too is vacationing this summer. After business in New York City, together with his father and brother James, he sails up the Hudson River to Saratoga. He writes to Susan from there.

Crescent House Saratoga, New YorkThurs. Eve. Aug. 16th 10 1/2 o'clock

Dear Friend.We arrived at this at about 8 o'clock this eve having spent most of the day on the Hudson River which we enjoyed very much. We left New York quarter before eight and arrived at Albany quarter past five in the P.M. where I mailed to you a description of the journey better than I can give you. The steamboat ride was very fine and the scenery most beautiful. It is a trip I have long wanted to take and find it even more pleasant than I had anticipated. The river is much wider than I expected and seems more like a lake a great part of the way. The weather was very fine - rather cool for comfort part of the way.

Yesterday A.M. it was quite rainy in New York but as we spent the first part of the day doing business that did not require us to be out much on the street, it troubled us but very little. The P.M. was very pleasant and we visited Central park - the extent and beauty of which must be seen to be realized - it is thronged by a vast multitude every pleasant P.M. by all classes, from the humble foot passengers to the most expensive livery.

It has improved much since I saw it last year. No labor and expense is spared to make it attractive.

I have enjoyed the trip thus far very much which will make up in part for the disappointment of last week. Tomorrow we shall start for Whitehall where James and father take the boat for Lake Champlain and I shall return home by way of Rutland and Fitchburg. If I could spare another day I should visit the lake myself but I must return tomorrow.

I expect to reach home about seven o'clock P.M. I have been told the

scenery is very fine on the route I am to take. I have thought of you many times on the journey and am anxious to get home expecting to hear from you on my arrival. I hope to meet you someday next week but cannot decide when till I get home and see what plans my brother has made in my absence. You must pardon me for writing with a pencil again and I will endeavor to do better next time. James and I took a stroll this eve through the different Hotels and could not help feeling disgusted to see what slaves some of these people were to fashions and pride. They have a “hop” at Union Hall this eve. We thought best not to join them. I must close and with kind regards bid you good night. Hoping to see you soon I remain very truly your friend,

Edwin FletcherP.S. I shall decide that it is your turn to write.

Albany is ninety miles from New York City. Saratoga Springs is about thirty miles north of Albany. The year before these letters, the still-famous Saratoga Race track was opened, adding to the glamour of this popular resort town. Edwin is silent on his activities here, but there was much to do. Mineral springs were highly popular as was gambling. It’s too bad Edwin isn’t as descriptive of his travels as Susan Smith.

What he tells us of New York City however, is most interesting. Central Park sounds delightful. Mid-nineteenth century citizens prized their parks and walkways as they were often found out of doors in these pre-air condition times. Walking was a primary means of transportation, and promenading a leisure activity, often beneath trees we no longer see. No honking cabs, no exhaust fumes; only the clicks of horse’s hoofs and the murmur of voices.

Beginning about 1900, three billion American chestnut trees fell victim to disease, and basically are no more. Another beautiful tree, the stately elm shaded many eastern parks while growing to more than a hundred feet. Some of these trees lived for two hundred years, but Dutch elm disease caused the loss of seventy-five percent of the seventy-five million. Even some of the birds Edwin and Susan surely saw, exist no more.

In 1866, a flock of an estimated three and a half billion passenger pigeons passed overhead. In the 1870s, a catastrophic decline began. The last bird died in 1914.

Different times, different sights, different attitudes. Remembered in art and letters

Chapter Twelve

"A Visit to Acton"

Susan writes from her home.Danversport. Aug. 18th '66 Saturday P.M.

Dear Friend.I felt like writing to you and as you consider me the indebted one I will spend a few minutes as I have many Saturday afternoons before. I cannot tell you how pleasant it is as I look from my window. I think descriptions are powerless to convey such pictures as nature has given us so abundantly this season. I mailed a letter to you on Tuesday of this week and was some disappointed in not hearing from you till to day, when I received your letter dated at Saratoga and the "guide" from Albany. I was quite surprised to learn that you were so far away and was glad you were able to free yourself from the care of business for a few days. I know your journey must have been a very pleasant one and trust it will be beneficial, as well. I presume tonight finds you safely at home, praising it none the less for absence from it and the inconveniences one is subject to when travelling.

Is there a hint of annoyance that Edwin neither mentioned the trip he was taking nor had he invited her along, as she had offered him to accompany her on her vacation? Perhaps a tad of sarcasm too, when she mentions he was able to free himself from business, which he wasn’t able to do to join her in Vermont. He must have known of the trip to New York when he visited her at Danversport a few days before his departure. Perhaps we’re reading too much into this, and what she tells us in the rest of her letter is perhaps the reason for her rather somber tone.

I was at the office at the opening of the mail this P.M. and the same mail which brought tidings from you gave us news of my Aunt Mary's death. She

was the youngest sister of my mother and resembled her so much in manner and features that she was particularly dear to me. We occupied the same house with her for more than fifteen years, and it seems very hard to me to think she too must be gathered to her long home. She will be buried tomorrow at Ipswich directly after the church service in the afternoon. Father, Charles and Mary and I will go tomorrow to attend the funeral. Her disease was dysentery which prevails there at this season. I do not think I shall make my intended visit there now, but shall return with my brother Sunday P.M.

I spent the fifth of July with Aunt Mary and she was in her usual health and I little thought as I bade her goodbye, it was the last time she would ever express her kindly interest for me. I trust she has entered into rest and may we not believe my dear mother was permitted to welcome her to those eternal mansions?

Mr. & Mrs. Holroyd are still with us, expecting to return to Providence, Rhode Island Wednesday in the first train.

Monday morn.

We attended the funeral yesterday and returned about nine in the evening having quite a rain most of the way, but we were nicely protected with warm clothing & did not take cold. Aunt Mary looked perfectly natural, just like her own dear self even that death look was wanting & almost a hue of health taking its place. We shall miss her so much.

I shall be happy to see you this week and hope you will find it convenient to spend a few days with us. Shall we look for you on Wednesday?

Does your brother return this week? Charlie is wishing he would remain in Acton another week for he has not had quite enough vacation.

Hoping to see you and to hear from you soon if convenient for you to write,I remain very truly yrs.

Susan Smith

Edwin doesn’t write for a full week but the two have gotten together in Acton. She was accompanied by Edwin’s brother James. It’s assumed he offered his condolence on the death of her aunt while they were together.

Acton Sat. Eve Aug. 25, 1866

Dear Friend:What a splendid evening we are having. I have thought of you many times as looking out on the river if not taking a sail and wished that I could enjoy it with you. I felt quite lonely after you left with James and family. I enjoyed your visit very much and my only regret was that it was so brief and the weather so unfavorable but the hope that you will at some future time make a longer stay helped me to feel reconciled to it. I conclude that you had a safe journey home as I have heard nothing from you to the contrary and I think you promised to write if anything special occurred.

How did you get along with the pickles and other baggage? I feared the bouquet would cause you more trouble than pleasure as you had so many other cases. I regretted that I did not make my plans to go with you and assist in the transfer between the two depots. I can imagine how you all looked and have no doubt it caused quite a commotion if you carried the baggage as proposed by James. I hope he procured some other conveyance. My brother's wife was much disappointed in not having the pleasure of meeting you. They have been to take a ride this evening. Last evening I took a ride with brother Smith.

Henry Smith, no relation to Susan Smith, is married to Edwin's younger sister Abbie who also lives in Acton. They have two young children.

I have been troubled today with one of those colds which require the constant use of the pocket handkerchief and can shed tears as easily as the members of the Philadelphia Convention did on seeing Mass. and So. Carolina delegations coming into the wigwam arm in arm, I think I took the cold by sleeping with the window open at mother' s and not being protected as I should have been from the dampness. I have just been down to mothers and taken one of her doses of pain killer which I hope may have a favorable effect. I do not often indulge in that way. I hope you did not get any addition to yours during your stay in Acton. It is getting late and I will bid you good night and perhaps will add a line tomorrow evening. Hoping for the pleasure of hearing from you soon, I remain very truly yours, etc.

Edwin

This is the first instance of this reduction of formality by his signing his first name!

Edwin’s political leanings are certainly made clear! He speaks strongly against Andrew Johnson, who has been president only a year and a half after assuming the position following Lincoln’s assassination. Johnson, a southerner by birth and residence, remained loyal to the Union during the

Civil War. Lincoln chose him as a running mate in 1864 in an effort to display unity as the war crawled toward conclusion. Johnson, whom Lincoln had appointed military governor of Tennessee, showed southern bias early after taking office.

Johnson quickly alienated himself to congress by vetoing much of the Republican planed reconstruction legislation, while being against the fourteenth amendment and backing the reappointment of Southern legislators. This mutual animosity led to an 1869 trial to impeach the man widely despised, especially in the Boston area.

Edwin doesn’t wait for Susan’s reply but writes again the following day.

Sabbath Evening Acton Aug. 26, 1866

We have had a beautiful day. I suppose you have attended church. Did you go to the plains? We had an unusually large attendance. I made what I thought a very pretty bouquet for the church which I carried down to mother this evening. She called it the best of the season.

John and family came in and took their dinner with me. Father and mother called in after the evening meeting. John starts on another journey tomorrow to be gone two or three days. My cold is much better and I hope to hear that you are entirely relieved of yours. I will close with kind regards to all the friends. I remain as ever,Yours, etc.

E

They continue to chide each other as to whose turn it is to write.

Danversport, Tues. evening Aug. 28th 1866

My dear Friend.

I had just returned from Lynn in the last train and on inquiry if there was any letter for me, yours of Saturday evening was given to me. I need not tell you I was much pleased to receive it, and I had just finished reading it, when Mary asked "what I would give for another?" and handed me your second letter. I sometimes wonder if other people enjoy receiving letters as much as I do. Do you?

I suppose, without doubt, I am now in debt and will get out of such a situation as soon as possible. I received a letter from Lissie Hills yesterday

saying she was to start for Chicago next Thurs. morning & wished me to come to Lynn if I could do so as she wished very much to see me, as she might not return before spring. Just as we were ready for dinner on the same day Mary's cousin came and as he was going through Salem, he took me in his carriage and from there I went to Beverly, stopping till two o'clock and then I left for Mrs. Hills'. She will board me next term if I wish, and I think it will be easier than to return home every day, and suppose next Monday will find me in the old accustomed place. I expect at first the restraint of school life will be a little irksome. I have had my liberty so long.

I think I may have two classes in Latin; reading "Caesar," which I shall very much enjoy; although it will require more study out of the classroom.

I thought of you many times after leaving you on Friday and would have enjoyed your company home with us. My visit was very pleasant notwithstanding the rain and I shall remember it with pleasure.

She continues the letter the next morning.

Wednesday morn.

Since writing to you on Monday, Charles has planned to go to Boston & will probably take Mary with him and he will go tomorrow if pleasant & as one object of my going was to obtain some photographs at Black's, I think I may do better if they should be with me, as he will not remember me.

I have hesitated in deciding for I shall feel much disappointed in not meeting you, and on any other consideration should defer going till Friday. If it storms tomorrow, I shall go on the next day. If you should be in Boston tomorrow, you would quite likely find us at Black's, up in the upper room; in the morning. I do not know what train Charles will take, perhaps I had better say we will be there (at Black's) at ten o'clock. If I do not see you, I hope I may hear from you on Saturday. May I not? If I am successful in the picture line I will inform you. Today I go to your brother's and will remember you & think you would like to be one of the company.

I will not write more now as some other employment is waiting for me. Hoping to see you soon, if not tomorrow, I am aff. Yours,Susan S.

Their lives move forward but we sense some decision needs to be made. A new term at school is beginning.

Chapter Thirteen

"School Begins and More Tintypes"

A new term at school must call for commitments and some decision needs to be made soon. They have managed to get together on Thursday in Boston. Edwin writes to her the following day. He follows her lead with the salutation, “Dear” Friend!

Acton Friday Evening Aug. 31, 1866

My dear Friend.It is a pleasure to write and as you say it is a pleasure to you to receive letters you will excuse me for writing before the promised time.

It is needless for me to say that I enjoyed the day very much yesterday and was glad that circumstances were such that I could meet you - though I suppose it is not right to rejoice at other's disappointments, but as all things are ordered for the best I happened to be the fortunate one this time. I was just in season to get on board after the trains had started, though I had time to buy a paper and a ticket.

I was fortunate enough to get a ride home from S. Acton and just as I arrived my brother was getting his load together to go to the sing and I told him if he would wait till I could get a lunch I would go with them. So after taking tea very hastily at his house I jumped aboard and went. We had a nice sing and waited till the moon was up before we came home. Before starting the choir went out in front of the house and sang "Home, Sweet Home" which is my favorite song, and I think was well sung on that occasion. The readings in the

town hall were very good but as I was engaged in another place was not able to attend.

I trust you had a pleasant journey home and that a good night's rest made you as good as new and none the worse for the severe ordeal through which you passed while in Boston. I am feeling quite interested to see what kind of impressions were left at Black's by some people who made a longer stop there than I did. I have called at my brother' s and sister's this evening and after returning home, perhaps while you are enjoying a nice sleep - could not resist the temptation to finish up the evening by writing to you but I must now bid you good night. Hoping to hear from you very soon I remain very aff. yours etc.

Edwin

His Friday night letter, most likely mailed the next morning, arrived the same day in Danversport. Susan responds immediately.

Danversport Sept l, 1866 Saturday eve.

My dear Friend.

You were very kind to remember that I enjoyed a letter and also the more when it comes unexpectedly. I was happy to receive yours this evening & if it is late will reply tonight as I know you will be anxious to know the result of our visit to Black's. I was glad to learn you were so successful in reaching home and were not too much fatigued to be out in the evening. After you left us in Boston, Mary proposed that we should go to the Fitchburg station and see if you were in the cars; accordingly we walked through the entire depot and looked in various trains but seeing nothing of you concluded you were on your way home.

I am glad if you passed the day pleasantly, I was afraid it was taxing you too much going for our accommodation to so many places. We enjoyed it much & have had some laughs over our mania for pictures at "Southworth's Gallery." The day certainly was a fine one, I believe you always bring pleasant weather when you come this way. This evening the pictures arrived. I do not know as I can remember how many. A large one of Charlie, & a package of cards, a dozen of cards of Charles, two large of Mary and cards, three large of myself and proof cards. One of the large ones is very finely finished on porcelain. All, we call very excellent. Then we find four of yours, just as perfect, it seems to us, as pictures can be. I suppose they are proofs; there are two of each kind & I will forward two in this letter with one of each of the different positions of mine.

If convenient for you I would like to have mine returned by Tuesday's mail, as I think I shall take them to Boston for the others next week. Shall I retain the other two of you till I see you? I would like to ask another favor of you if I am not imposing on your kindness, & it is that you will gratify a few friends of mine by giving them one of the photographs which you may have finished.

Your brother called this evening & while showing him ours I took the liberty to show him yours. He called them very excellent.

Vacation is over, and Monday morning providence permitting, I shall have to rally my drowsy powers for active work in the schoolroom. And, Mr. Fletcher, I cannot think how it would seem, not to have such work to do.

This certainly gives us a strong indication she enjoys her profession! Is she drawing a line in the sand, telling him she will insist on continuing teaching, if he finally proposes? We’re not privy to their private conversations but the topic is sure to come up. This is another instance of other times, other traditions. Married women seldom worked. She continues.

Tomorrow, thirty persons are to unite with the Maple St. Church, I hope the day will be pleasant.

I would write more but shall soon be encroaching on the Sabbath and must not keep such late hours when all in the house are sleeping. I can appreciate your admiration of "Home, Sweet home," I like it very much, but I seldom hear it when it does not strike a tender chord which will vibrate through memory' s halls and start a tear.

With much esteem and hoping to hear from you soon, I am aff. Yrs,

Susan S.

P.S. Mary sends love and says she is ready to go to the city any day next week when you would like to go for tintypes, and thinks it might be well to have some hour engaged at Southworth's. She also says she wishes you had been here at the opening of the pictures last eve - she is quite anxious you should see the larger size –

Yours, S.S.Do you not think the smaller one of yours the best? Please write which of mine you consider the best picture.

Once again, another letter is written before receiving a response. In it we learn more of Susan’s strong religious convictions, not uncommon in those long ago times.

Sept. 2, 1866 Sabbath evening.

Dear Friend.I do not usually write letters on the. Sabbath but this hour is so clear and pleasant, and the sunset so beautiful that I have thought it may not be wrong to spend it in saying such things as are not inappropriate to this day. It has been very warm and seems as if summer was just coming to us & not taking her leave of us. I am always sorry for her departure for she carries with her so much I love and admire yet the autumn is enjoyed in its season & its cool winds & chilly days make home & the fireside more prized. And it always reminds me so much of those hours at my own home with my own dear mother; hours which I would live over again were it in my power to recall the past. But this life is forever on, and I think is always teaching us to improve each gift as God bestows it upon us.

I attended church at the plains and saw thirty persons, young and middle aged publicly consecrate themselves to Christ. Among them were Mrs. Fellows, Landley & Butler. Near by sat their husbands. Could they remain unmoved by such an effort? There is something always so unpleasant to me in the thought that in one household, those who are its head & share mutually life's joys & sorrows should have no sympathy, no union of feeling on this most important interest.

The exercises were very interesting in themselves & Mr. Carruthers said very little. I never see any communion season in that church, which does not carry me back to those times when your brother broke to us the bread of life & presented to his flock the symbols of spiritual life; and it never will seem as pleasant as then. I perhaps ought not to form such strong attachments to much in this changing world, but I cannot help it.

I hope it will not be so warm tomorrow, for we need considerable nervous energy to which I find the heat is not very favorable. Hoping I have not wearied your patience & if I have, trusting you will pay me in your own coin I will bid you "good night".

Aff. yrs.

S.S.

The Old Lynn High School was built in 1850 and served as an educational

facility for 124 years. The structure was somewhat smaller in Susan’s time. The rear half was added sometime later. The second floor remains the same, with two teaching rooms on either side of a central hallway. How long Susan will continue to teach is yet to be determined.

Chapter Fourteen

"Feeling Lonely"

Edwin receives Susan’s letter the same day she mailed it and answers immediately.

Acton Mon. Evening Sept. 3, 1866

My dear friend,I thank you for the pleasure your good long letter gave me this evening and can hardly believe that anything I can write will give you the satisfaction I derived from reading yours and examining its contents. The pictures I think are very fine and I am perfectly satisfied with the result of the day's experience in that line. I think it is very easy to come to the decision you have in regard to mine but yours are all very good and I hardly know which to call the best but if I were to make my selection think I should choose the largest of the card pictures as nearest the original and for this reason should prize it the most. The vignette is very good and is usually my preference. I feel much interested to see the larger size and shall hope to do so the next time I visit you which I hope may be before many days - not merely to see the pictures, I would not have you think though it is pleasant to look at the pictures of friends but I always thought there was more satisfaction in meeting face to face.

My brother and wife are planning to go to Brighton, Boston and Chelsea to be gone two or three days and I shall be obliged to wait another week I suppose before I shall have the pleasure of meeting you. They go down with the team and expect to have a nice time visiting friends. I am boarding with them a few days, mother not being well. She had a severe attack of cholera morbus Saturday night and was not able to sit up any yesterday but today is better and I think will get along without any further trouble. My brother and family took dinner with me or perhaps I should say I took dinner with them at my house yesterday as usual.

I provided the usual bouquet for the pulpit. I have thought of you many times today and felt sorry that you felt it to be your duty to be shut up in the schoolroom this warm day with the prospect, I think, of more of the same sort. I suppose if I should advise you to "slight your work" it would be of no use as I understand it is not your way of doing things.

I was glad to learn of the continued prosperity of the church at Danvers and of the pleasant addition.

I return the pictures, though I am sorry to part with them. I mean the ones that are marked to be "returned" and if it is not too much trouble you may leave an order for a dozen of the smaller size of mine and I will call for them when I am in the city.

Please give my love to your sister and say to her that I am obliged for her invitation to visit Southworth's this week but I have so good a supply of tin ware that I think it will not be necessary to accept at present.

Please give my regards to Miss Brown and tell her to be as easy as she can with you this warm weather. And now I must bid you good night again hoping to hear from you soon and that you will excuse this hasty letter I remain very affectionately yours etc.

Edwin

Edwin refers to Susan’s sister Mary, who is the wife of her brother Charles. It’s interesting to note that the term, “in-law” never occurs in any of these letters. These relatives by marriage are always referred to as brother, sister, mother or father. Until we realized this, it was very confusing. Equally confusing was the reoccurrence of some of the more common first names.

Edwin and his brother John share work responsibilities at their family shoe business as Edwin is unable to meet with Susan when John is travelling. Otherwise, he seems to have an abundance of free time. The mail is a little slower this week as it is several days before Susan responds.

Lynn, Thurs. afternoon Sept. 6th 1866

My dear Friend.

I was not disappointed yesterday, on my return from school in a letter from you; I felt sure I should find one. And now having finished dinner & entertained company instead of correcting a package of compositions I am going to spend the time in letter-writing and do you care if I write yours

first?

This is a lovely day, such as one cannot help enjoying & if you were here, we would take a view from "high rock" which is very pleasant today.

High Rock is a hilltop in Lynn, Mass. that offers a marvelous view of the city, the Atlantic Ocean and Boston beyond. A tower topped the hill earlier, constructed in 1847, by a widely popular musical group of the time. The Hutchinson Family Singers were a politically active abolitionist group that travelled the country, singing to large crowds, combining music, satire and comedy. In 1865, in celebration of the end of the Civil War, the tower accidentally burned. A new tower was finally constructed, but not until 1904. The iconic structure still stands today.

Our school opened very pleasantly and I enjoy every day of it. I have copied for you an order of exercises so that you can see how we are employed during each hour. My recitations are very interesting & noon follows morning so quickly that I hardly notice the flight of time. I thank you for remembering me, I did not think I wanted school at present, with such weather as we had on Monday; but my fears concerning the heat were needless. Notwithstanding the many things in school to take up one's attention I have many times thought of you and wished you could spend a day in my recitation room; though it might not be very entertaining to you.

I think, one week ago today we were in Boston; & I do not know but I shall have to go again to replenish my stock of "tin-ware;" the demand is great just now. If you have any difficulty in disposing of yours, you might forward them to Lynn High School and I am quite sure they would soon disappear.

I received a letter from home today, for which I was very grateful. It seems a long time since I was there I was strongly tempted to go today, but would not listen to the temptation, for I ought to stay away one week, but I do not forget that the day after tomorrow will be Saturday.

The “Home” to which Susan refers is Ipswich, where she grew up and where her father still resides. She mentions little of him and as we learned earlier, there seems to be a problem with him that is an embarrassment. Perhaps it is a mental health issue. The situation was serious enough to cause Edwin’s brother James to suggest his brother drop Susan as a potential wife. She continues her letter.

A blind pianist came into school today and gave us some very fine music. I asked if he played "Variations of Home, Sweet Home" and he gave it to us in a way you would have enjoyed hearing.

The geranium was very fresh when I opened your letter, and although I have been pressing it, is not much wilted now. If I could paint something like that, how much I should delight in doing it. I do not believe you would advise me to slight any of my work; I think the caution should come in the opposite direction for I think I cannot be too faithful I was taught "Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well." I know that is your doctrine, too.

What do you think of the speeches and course of our beloved (?) Andy Johnson? Particularly that one made at Cleveland? I become so vexed in reading them, that I do not know how to express my indignation. I feel as if I would like to "pitch him out" of the house once occupied by Abraham Lincoln.

While Susan was never able to vote in her lifetime, it didn’t keep her from expressing her political opinion!

I hope to hear that your mother is quite well by this time. You did not tell me in your letter if she was suited with the articles which Mrs. Fletcher sent her.

I have not been to Black's to order any pictures, possibly Charles will do the errand & he will be happy to do yours also. The day has been so fair that I imagined your brother starting on his visit to Boston etc. I suppose you have double duty when- he is away. I hope if convenient for you I may find a letter on my return from school Monday. And now I must bid you good night & look a few minutes at my lessons for tomorrow. Hoping to see you soon - I am,

aff. yrs. – Susan

Finally, we have Miss Smith signing her first name too!

Chapter Fifteen

“Letters and Politics”Edwin’s pencil is put to use over the weekend.

Sat. Eve. Sept. 8, 1866

My dear friendYour letter with the familiar postmark "Lynn" was received last evening and enjoyed very much and I now take pleasure in answering it though I would much prefer to spend the evening with you. That pleasure I have in anticipation and must make this substitute answer for this evening. I thank you for placing my name first on your list of correspondents and also for your kind remembrance of me and I can assure you that have not been forgotten.

I should be pleased to visit "high rock" with you and hope to do so someday. I am glad to learn that school has opened so pleasantly and that you have the order of exercises so much to your mind. What a decided change of weather we have this evening. I find the wind rather troublesome among my dahlias and additional supports necessary to keep them upright.

My brother and wife returned last evening. They left home Wednesday P.M. While in Boston they were taken with the same mania for pictures that we had and went through about the same experience. The result of the tin type fever on them I will send you. If you are in want of more goods I shall be very happy to show you the place where they can be procured and if you will meet me in Boston next Wednesday P.M. I will assist what I can in procuring a supply.

I think it will be well to try some other artist as Mr. Southworth's supply must be nearly exhausted. My brother went to Seaver's on Tremont Row and I think got very good pictures. I was surprised to learn that you should condescend to read such low stuff as falls from the black guard's lips. I derive a good deal of satisfaction in reading his speeches as I feel the more of them he makes the better it will be for the Republicans or the true friends of the union. I hope he will continue his journey to St. Louis where the cholera is prevailing and if it is the Lord's will that he should be one of the victims I will try and be reconciled to it for "he doeth all things well."

I am sorry and surprised that Henry Ward Beecher should wish to be found in such company.

Henry Ward Beecher was the son on Lyman Beecher, a nationally prominent

evangelist of the time, and brother to Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Henry Ward Beecher, a minister like his father, became widely known on the lecture circuit, especially with those in the abolitionist movement. Beecher raised funds to free slaves and sent guns to the mid-west, arming abolitionist in the area. He was a strong supporter of temperance, women’s suffrage and Darwin’s recently published theory of evolution.

Mother is in her usual health and I am now boarding with her. She was much pleased with the articles you purchased for her. I received a letter from James this eve. He speaks of your porcelain picture as very fine and I have a great desire to see it and perhaps if agreeable to you we will ride up to Danvers, where I suppose it is kept, and examine the goods. I will be at the station in Boston Wednesday P.M. on the arrival of the 2 o'clock train from Lynn and shall be pleased to meet you but if I do not see you there I will take the 3 o'clock train for Lynn or Danvers as most agree able to you. I hope to hear from you by the Tuesday evening mail informing me which will best suit your convenience and pleasure.

It is getting late and I must close for tonight and perhaps I will follow your example and add a few lines tomorrow evening. With many kind regards I will bid you good night and remain very affectionately,Yours etc.

Edwin

The next day finds Edwin writing again.

Acton Sunday Evening Sept. 9, 1866

Dear Friend,What a cool comfortable day we have had and this evening makes us begin to think of frosts and approaching winter. I am always sorry to see the first frost for it makes sad work of my garden where you know I so much enjoy spending my leisure time. I made my usual bouquet for the church this morning and think I was successful in furnishing one that was satisfactory. I should be happy if the distance did not prevent my passing it into your hands.

I suppose you have attended church at the plains today if the labors of the week have not been too much to admit of your doing so. We had a teacher of the freedmen from N. Carolina address us this A.M. He gave a very interesting account of his labors among that despised and unfortunate race.

I took dinner "at home" with brother John and family as usual. I am hoping the time will come when I can dine at home without inviting the neighbors to

provide. Do you wonder that I should have that feeling? I have as good a mother as anyone can have and my friends all make life as pleasant as they can for me but after one has a home of their own for eight years it is difficult to give up and come down to boarding out again.

I called at my brother's this eve and found them sitting around the stove which seemed so comfortable that I started a fire myself after returning home and if you could drop in and share it with me it would do away with the necessity of writing and I think I should enjoy it more. Perhaps I have written enough to satisfy you for this time and trust you will pardon me if I have said too much and shall not object to your paying me by returning the same quantity but of superior quality.

Hoping to hear from you soon and for the pleasure of meeting you on Wednesday I will once more bid you good night and wishing for you pleasant dreams I remain aff. yours etc.

EdwinEdwin’s musings don't seem to have generated the response from Susan one might expect.

Lynn, Monday eve. Sept. 10, 1866

My dear Friend.The nine o'clock bell has just finished ringing & quietly seated in my little sanctum I will write you a few lines for the morning mail. I felt so sure there would be a letter for me that I went round to the office on my way from school at noon, but came empty away, with the impression that the evening mail would be more indulgent, in which I was not disappointed. I thank you for your nice long letter; for the tintypes, one of which I call very good, the other I never have seen; and for the sweet little flowers: you know how much I prize them.

The weather is decidedly cool & (I do not know as I ought to tell you, lest you should think me careless, but indeed I am not)has visited on me a disagreeable cold , which I am trying to rid myself of & think I shall be successful; I trust you will escape a like misfortune. But I do enjoy being out, these delightful autumn days.

I did not attend church at the plains yesterday, but listened to Mr. Holbrook at the Baptist. From this you will infer that I was in Danvers. I enjoyed my visit home, but the hours seem to fly more swiftly there than I like to have them.

Rev. Mr. Currier's church (where Mr. Hills attends) was burned to the ground on Sabbath morning at 2 A.M. The origin of the fire not yet known, supposed to have been an accident of the choir who met there the evening before for practice.

Mr. Hills' salary has been raised to $2,000. And the probability is, that the assistant's will be placed at $650. Don't you think it will be worthwhile to teach school for the present with such compensation?

Here again Susan is doing a little politicking about continuing to teach, if matters should become more serious. She is always polite, but lets her feelings be known. Her letter continues.

I had not thought of having any more tintypes taken at present, for I do not enjoy the fun very much.

Tuesday morn. Before breakfast.

Being rather too stupid to write last evening I will add a few lines this morning, and then after breakfast & prayers it will be time for school.

I hardly know what to say to you with regard to meeting you in Boston. If it were not for disarranging your plans & causing you any disappointment, I should prefer to go to Danvers before going to Boston, as I can do my errand at Black's better after going home. Would it be as pleasant & agreeable to you to come to Lynn at the time you usually do? And I shall be most happy to have you visit Danvers & stop as long as you are able to do so. Shall I meet you then at Mrs. Hills'?

I have finished breakfast & now must hurry to school. My cold is better. Excuse my hurried letter & hoping I have not disarranged your plans, & that I shall see you tomorrow with much esteem, I am very aff. yrs.

SusanP.S. Please do that which will accommodate you best. Will you?Yrs. S

Edwin and Susan meet on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 11th and 12th, in both Danvers and Lynn. We also learn they were in Boston as they travelled in different directions when they parted from there.

Lynn, Sept. 13th, '66 Thursday eve.

My dear Friend.

Perhaps wisdom would suggest retiring instead of writing; but I will only say a little at this time. You left us but a few hours since & yet it is sufficient time to place many miles between us. As we watched the train leaving your station, at the same time with ours, & saw you moving off in one direction & we in another, it seemed that it would have been much pleasanter had you kept your seat in our car & gone with same way with us. I rode on with Mary till we reached Lynn, where I bade her good night & she went on her way to Danvers.

On reaching Mrs. Hills' I found Miss Lewis & Miss Hilliker, friends from Gravesend School. Miss Lewis you remember was with me there & we saw her in the morning, which she says made her homesick. It was pleasant to meet them & reminded me of pleasant hours gone by: how many such pleasant times we may treasure up through our lives.

Friday evening.I have left the company of the sitting room & once more the evening finds me alone in my room & having finished nearly all of my compositions will resume my letter lest I should be prevented from fulfilling my promise of mailing a letter to you in the morning.

I hope you had a nice ride home & were fortunate enough to find someone to take you there, for I think you were too tired to walk that distance. I felt very sorry that we caused you to lose the other train.

Please, once more accept my thanks for the contents of the box, all proofs of your kindness & thoughtfulness. I hope to find the flowers fresh & bright on reaching home tomorrow; I have wished I had them here a number of times, for I do love to have their company. We have had rain this afternoon & it was accompanied by thunder & lightning this evening. I think we had the fairest day of the week for your visit to Danvers. I did not take any cold, but am relieved of some that I did have, by my evening rid e. I never should have thought of recommending such a remedy. Do you think it would be a universal cure for coughs & colds?

I can hardly realize that tomorrow will be Saturday; & that two weeks of this term have passed already. I commenced this term with a desire to do more for the moral & spiritual good of those whom I meet in the school-room every day; but I feel as though I had accomplished almost nothing. I do not know as you ever have any feelings of discouragement, perhaps you always see the brighter side. I do not mean that I am inclined to despond, but I become so dissatisfied with myself & what I accomplish.

I shall look for your promised letter on Monday, and trust this will reach

you tomorrow.

I think I must say good night, for I have quite a headache & will say the rest when I write again. Wishing you a pleasant Sabbath & God's blessing with you,

I am, as ever, very aff. Yrs

Susan

The following short note is written on a scrap of birch bark. It was difficult to read!

In school. Lynn 12 o'clock

Dear FriendFannie Patch, one of my favorite Caesar scholars has just brought me this, to write on she says. So while I am waiting for a change of classes I thought I would try birch bark, by writing to you. I presume you are just taking your hour of recreation, but mine will come an hour later. Mr. Johnson (not Andy) one of the committee has been in school & informs us that the matter of raising the salaries of the assistants in the High School has been referred to a committee of three, consisting of the Mayor, Dr. Breen & himself, and he proposes putting them at $650. But I hardly think they will go higher than $600.

But, I have come to the conclusion that I prefer paper to this material & will not write more now.

In one sense, it seems strange she would be so candid about her personal income, but I assume it is one more hint at her desire to continuing to teach.

Chapter Sixteen

"The Jenkins Side of the Family"

During early September, 1866, another exchange of correspondence took place. The author is the sister of Edwin’s deceased wife, Mary. “Lizzie” is Sarah Elizabeth Jenkins, age twenty-nine, and single. We heard from her earlier when she informed Edwin about the details of her brother Henry’s

death. Her letter demonstrates a familiarity with her brother-in-law. She has presumably known him for the five years he was married to her sister.

It is unclear if she is flirting with Edwin, but her style of writing is far more direct than that of Susan Smith. Nor is her use of language on the same level as better educated Susan. Lizzie is quick to criticize Edwin. Lizzie mentions many people we haven't identified, probably from the Jenkins family or common friends. There is a reference to an earlier letter from Edwin, but unfortunately it is not with the others. It is presumed “Ned,” to whom she addresses the letter, is a nickname for her brother-in-law Edwin. This is the only time the name is used.

Lowell Sept. 6th, 1866

Brother Ned,You see I am in Lowell. I came up yesterday. Mother, Auntie Page, & Helen Brown came up and brought me. Uncle William and Auntie Marie have gone out to N.Y. I stop a week or so, Mary sent for me to come and stay with her while they are away. After I got here I wrote to Lawrence to Sophie to come up and stay as long as she can. I don't know as the house will hold us, if she comes. You say you think it "rather cool" in me to let Sophie return, without coming to Acton. I don't see as there was any time to come as you went to N. York. Could she have stopped a day longer, Mother Sophie & I should have come up there, and spent the day, but she was sent for to come home as her folks wished to go to Dow the next Tuesday. I think if you had wanted to see us very much, you would have all come down, and let James & family come too.

I am glad you enjoyed your trip so much. I hope sometime I may go out that way. That very interesting paper came after two weeks. All think it worth a good laugh. I sent it to Sophie.

Did you go to Camp Meeting last week? Mary says she guesses you did not. I would like to attend one very much, I have no idea of them. I read that it was a very interesting meeting. Mary enjoyed her visit to Acton very much. I would like very much to come to Acton, but don't know when I can.

I would like to see your garden, your kittens, (I hear they have come) and John. Would not mind seeing E. Fletcher. Are your grapes ripe yet? We have a great many early apples. I don't care for them. Mary and I intend to see their new house while I am here. I like her very much. We are going to Tyngs Pond one day. Shall wait and see if Sophie comes to go with us. Don't you wish you were here to go? My garden looks very well, but I suppose you would not think it much. I enjoy it very much. Mother’s garden is doing nicely and she thinks it pays well. Come over and see what you think of

them.

Mother had a long letter from Mrs. Smith of Redwood City, California last week. She seems to feel Henry's death very much. She says all loved him out there. They had a funeral sermon there the Tuesday before. Said she would not let him started had she not thought he would have reached home. He was anxious to get home. He wrote her husband a letter on board the steamer, the 8th of July, which she sent us. Mrs. Tilton had got home, went on the "Golden City" – the same one that Henry came on. She visited his grave at Panama. Poor boy, I wish he could be laid beside Thomas. We shall expect a letter from Mrs. T the next steamer.

Mary is out cooking something nice, don't you wish you could have some. We are going to make some preserves someday. Come over and we will treat you. As soon as it comes warm we are going to make ice creams. They have a freezer. We are going down to take tea with Mother one afternoon. How is Martha? I wish she would come down to Billerica when I get home. It seems an age since I saw her. Write me about your kittens. I have had bad luck with my little darling. One week ago last Saturday night, as we were getting tea, Mother came in a hurry from the backroom, and either trod on or kicked her, and she did not live 10 minutes. I never had so bright a kitty before, and miss her very much. I don't know as I have more to write.

How is that lady from Lynn? You have not said anything about her lately. Come down and call on us if you can. I shall stop here a week or so. Good bye, love to all. Mary sends love.

From your sister, Lizzie

PS: Send me one of your new tintypes. I forgot to tell you Mary and Charlie have closed up accounts. I don't know the reason. We are all so glad.

Edwin’s response eight days later uses a nickname in his salutation as well. While both letters contain references we don’t understand, they contain many interesting observations. The correspondence causes us to wonder if Edwin might have considered his sister-in-law as a potential wife. It’s difficult to read between the lines. His hurried trip to Saratoga which he failed to mention to Susan before he left, seems to have resulted from a misunderstanding that involved Lizzie Jenkins. All that occurred around the time brother James Fletcher was expressing his opinion that Edwin should drop Susan as a potential wife.

Acton Friday Evening Sept. 14th 1866

Dear Sister Sal.I believe I am owing you a letter and wishing to be square with the world and the "rest of mankind" I will write a few lines this evening, though I shall hardly know where to direct it but think I will send it to Lowell as the most likely to find you. Is Sophie with you? I hope you will keep within the bounds of propriety if she is and not try to learn Mary those kicking freaks that came off on one of my visits to Lawrence and which frightened me so that I have not dared to visit the place since that display.

I do not consider that my visit to New York, etc., is any excuse for your not making me a visit, as I had no thought of going till I received your letter saying that you had decided not to come which caused me so much disappointment that I feared for my health, and started for Saratoga the next day.

I did not go to the Camp meeting. Father, Mother, John, Martha, Henry and Abbie were intending to go but the funeral of Mrs. Deacon Hayward kept them at home.

Quincy went one day.

This is the first mention of the youngest Fletcher boy, twenty year old Quincy, brother to James, Edwin, John and Abbie.

I saw by the papers that Dea. Patten died very suddenly. It is a great loss to your society and will make quite a change I should think in his family. What effect will it have on his business matters and the boys?

It is pleasant to hear from Henry' s friends in California and to hear that they should notice his death and have a funeral service for him as it showed that he had made many friends there as he always did wherever he went.

I have no doubt that yesterday your thoughts went back three years when we followed dear Mary to her resting place beside her darling child. I visited the graves last Sabbath after ten and carried some flowers and can assure you that whatever else may happen to me that they will not be forgotten.

This is the only direct reference Edwin makes to his deceased wife and their child in the entire collection of letters.

Once again, the common use of first names is confusing as the Mary and Charlie mentioned in Lizzie’s letter and in the next paragraph are not the same as Susan Smith’s sister and her husband!

Martha is nicely and better than she has been for a long time. Last week they went to Brighton, Boston & Chelsea on a visiting tour with the horse and carriage and their next trip they think of taking toward Billerica and Lawrence.

My garden is not in so good a trim as it has been though I have something of a variety yet. I was glad to learn that Mary and Charlie had closed accounts for I think she can do better by remaining single if no better opportunity offers.

In regard to my account with the "lady at Lynn" I have nothing special to say in addition to what I have said to you, only that I continue to visit the city on business and pleasure, and this week took a view from High rock and also called on my brother James and spent the night in Danvers. She has just commenced the full term of school from which you may judge that I am to live alone a while longer and I hope you will not wait for me to go to keeping house before visiting Acton again for if that is your excuse I will get Peggy or someone else to come up and open house and cook a dead hen or something else for you if you will only inform me when you will come over.

I attended the State Convention yesterday and had a nice time. Butler had on his high heel boots. Father and mother went to Boston went to Boston to the Temperance Union Wednesday. We have had quite a thunder shower this evening.

The Universalists have a picnic at Walden Pond tomorrow. I shall not go down. It is too late and I have not room to write more and will close with much love to all I remain,

Your brotherEdwin

This was an interesting exchange. How Edwin’s letter to Lizzie ended up with the correspondence between Edwin and Susan is a mystery. Perhaps he never sent it might it have been returned undeliverable? We don't believe Lizzie Jenkins ever married.

The same Sunday Edwin wrote to sister-in-law Lizzie, he wrote to Susan as well.

Chapter Seventeen

"Let's Get Serious"

Edwin spends Sunday evening in a familiar way, letter writing.

Acton September 16, 1866 Sunday Evening

My Dear Friend

At the close of this pleasant day I will fulfill my promise and answer your promised letter which was received last evening. It gave me pleasure to learn that your cold was some better and the remedy though a very pleasant one to take I should not consider a very safe one to recommend for such troubles. I do hope that you will take care and rid yourself of yours for it causes me not a little anxiety as I know full well the result if not attended to in season.

This is surely a reference to the death of his wife. The three year anniversary was the previous day.

I have thought of you many times today and will now attempt to put a few of my thoughts on paper so that you may have the pleasure of reading them for I am aware by happy experience that it is a pleasure to read letters from those we love, and from your disposal of the fine picture I have in front of me I feel assured that this will be received with pleasure and I know that I enjoy writing to you. . . I have enjoyed the day very much and trust that you have felt able to attend church and enjoy the day also. Perhaps you will feel interested to know how I spent the day.

I took breakfast at mother's and after doing the necessary work of one keeping bachelor's hall, and making the bouquet for the church, I went to the rehearsal of the choir before service, at noon attended the Sabbath School, took dinner at home alone making my own tea, my brother's family not coming up, having the minister to provide for at home. Took tea at mother's

after which I walked down to the cemetery alone and meeting a friend there rode home with him who attended the third service with me at 6 o'clock after which he called in with brother Smith and made quite a stop. After they left I made a short call on my brother having my usual weekly bundle to carry down to be returned improved. So you will see that I have not been entirely idle today though I have not had so much time to read as I would like. You will pardon me for giving you so full particulars and I will not do so again.

Our minister exchanged with the Westford minister today and I think the Westford people had the best end of the bargain. He was altogether too long winded to suit my fancy though his subject was a good one - "the beauties of our religion." I think short sermons are almost without exception the most useful.

After leaving you I had a very pleasant ride home finding my brother at the station looking for me. And I did not regret being left by the other train as the time passed Very pleasantly and I do not wish to have you think that it was a fault of yours, if one, but of the horse cars which did not come along in season.

We had quite a frost this morning in some places but did not visit my garden. Being on the hill I usually escape the first frost. I find a fire quite comfortable this evening and if I had not said it before should say that it would be much pleasanter if you could come in and share it with me.

I wrote to Mr. Black last evening and ordered a dozen photographs for mother.

Brother Quincy goes into camp tomorrow with the company at Andover.

And now dear Susan I must bid you good night as it is getting late and perhaps I have written enough for this time and hoping to hear favorable news from you soon I remain as ever your affectionateEdwin

P.S. If I do not write plain enough for you to read please inform me and I will try to do better.

Edwin had a good reason to ask this question! While Susan Smith’s penmanship was impeccable, Edwin’s writing leaves something to be desired! She used an ink pen, he a pencil. She wrote on new stationery, his letters were mostly on scrap paper. While his grammar and spelling were equal to hers, he often used all of his paper, including the margins! Furthermore, he had an annoying habit. After he filled a page completely, he

would turn the paper ninety degrees and continue writing over his initial script! At first glance, this appeared indecipherable, but as your eyes focused, you could read it, if you looked carefully.

Susan too, is spending this Sunday, putting her pen to paper. Her carefully chosen words lead us to believe she may be aware of the importance of the recent date to Edwin.

Danversport Sept. 16th Sabbath evening.

My dear Friend.All have gone to meeting, excepting father & myself, & sitting around the fire this cool evening led me to think that perhaps you might be doing the same thing, only you might be all alone; & I thought I would write to you. It is not necessary to say that it would be pleasant to have you sit this evening by our fire. I presume you received my letter last evening & perhaps you may be engaged as I am now, in writing. Today I had the pleasure of hearing my own dear pastor Mr. Southgate of Ipswich. I can assure I enjoyed it very much.

The sermon this afternoon from these words "Seeing him who is invisible," was very excellent. He said it was not so much our hold on Christ as his hold on us that kept us in the right way, & showed so plainly the happy effect on our lives if we were only continually seeing him who is invisible.

One thing that often troubles me is, that too many times the motive which prompts the action is not a pure one; some selfishness or wicked pride will work its way in & render it exceedingly sinful in the sight of a holy God. Life seems like a continual sinning & repenting & too often I fear, more of the former than the latter. When I think of my own short life I am led to wonder that God should so long spare "a tree so unfruitful."

But there is one thought which I always enjoy so much, and it is, that it is not too late now, to begin a new life with Christ. Whatever may have been our shortcomings & coldness in the past, repenting now, we may be accepted in Him.

I suppose you have attended church all day & I hope you have had as good preaching as we have had.

I do not wonder that you should have such feelings as you expressed in your last letter, concerning your home; I have lived long enough to learn that there is no place like home (home in its true sense, I mean) but how is that place changed when death makes its inroads upon it?

Tuesday P.M. Lynn.

On going down to dinner this noon, I was happy to find your letter; I should have been very much disappointed if it had not been waiting my arrival. I was glad to hear that you did not have to walk from South Acton, but found someone waiting for you. From your letter I see that I was not wrong in thinking of you as writing, on Sabbath evening, perhaps it might have been at the same hour when I was writing the first of this letter.

I thank you for your interest for my health. I am trying to be free from this cold which I have entertained quite as long as such as visitor is welcome. I think there is no need for anxiety concerning it.

School went well today & this hour finds me alone in my room, & the clouds which have been quite thick today, breaking away & letting the sunlight fall upon the page as I write. Tomorrow I am invited to dine & spend the afternoon with Miss Hilliker at Gravesend; the visit which I postponed the day you met quite unexpectedly at the school house. I will postpone it a second time if a similar occasion should require it. I am glad the frost spared your garden & trust it will not spoil all the flowers yet.

You also have my thanks for the proffer of the "seat by your fireside." Perhaps some evening I will accept it. But, dear friend, I do not know as I can express to you the many thoughts which come to my mind with the prospect of leaving the work in which I have been so long engaged & assuming cares & responsibilities to which I am almost a stranger.

You, of course, know how little experience I have had in all that is needed to make home a happy one. Did I not feel that I should find in you one who will be patient with the erring; who will not expect perfection from imperfection; who has sympathy for those who may find difficulties to overcome, I should never feel willing to make the exchange. But I am filling my letter & will you pardon me if I have ·spoken too freely; but I have sometimes felt that I restrained you from speaking as you wished by my silence.

Mr. Hills wishes to be remembered to you, & wishes he had the opportunity of becoming more acquainted with you. When may I hope to get a letter from you? I will look for one on Thursday. Shall I get one? May I have one then? And now it is five o'clock & I must study my Latin before tea.

PS: I never have been troubled in deciphering any of your letters – S

The last paragraphs of this letter offer thoughts far more candid than

anything written to date, by either party. We can only imagine how carefully Susan must have considered her words. Her confession that her silence might have been misinterpreted is a brave step forward on her part. It’s easy to assume the two might have had serious conversation on the many occasions when they met, but perhaps not. Maybe these ice-breaking comments by Susan Smith are the first direct mention of the subject that is at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

How will Edwin respond?

Chapter Eighteen

"Mr. Topliff's Offer”

Edwin surprises Susan with a visit.

Acton Thurs. Eve. Sept. 20, 1866

My dear friend.Knowing of no better way of passing this cold stormy evening I will answer yours received last evening, and I must ask your pardon for not doing it on the evening of its reception so that you might receive it today agreeable to your request.

I was intending to go to the agricultural fair at Concord today with mother and thought I would carry a couple of bouquets which I made last evening and being late when I got through I felt too stupid to write and do justice to you and myself suggested that I should defer writing till this evening. The rain prevented our going today and this evening I carried one of the bouquets down to mother and the other to Martha. They thought them very handsome and I thought of you and wished I could hand them to you though I think they were rather larger than you would wish to manage. I did not expect to compete with the larger and more skillful horticulturists but being a member of the society wished to help what I could in the exhibitions. I have usually carried down apples but have not so good a show as usual this year. My brother and wife expect to go tomorrow if pleasant and I expect to stay at home.

How do you enjoy this weather? I think the sunshine will be prized all the more when it comes. Quincy returned tonight from the camp and has had a wet time of it and he finds not so much fun as he expected in a soldier's life.

I thank you for your good long letter which has been read more than once and I am hoping that Saturday evening I shall have a later edition with a "review of the week" to read. Shall I be disappointed?

I think I can appreciate your feelings in regard to your thoughts of the future and I trust you will have no reason to regret the confidence you have placed in me. I thank you for the freedom with which you have written, as it shows that you have true ideas of what constitutes a happy home, for without that true sympathy for one another I feel that no home can be happy but with it, "be it ever so humble there's no place like home."

It seems that you did not receive my last till Tuesday which was not a fault of mine but of the P.O. Department, for I put it into the office in season for the Monday morning mail. I trust you will receive this in season to give me an answer by the Sat. eve mail for you know that is a favorite of mine.

Please give my regards to Mr. Hills. I have been a little shy of making his acquaintance fearing chastisement for the prospect of my interfering with his school arrangements. If you will guarantee to make that satisfactory with him I shall have no objections to meeting him and making his

acquaintance.

My brother and wife think of making another visiting tour next week to Lowell, Billerica and Lawrence and possibly may go to Danvers. I shall try and find a space week to leave and where do you think I want to go? And who do you think I want to see?

When do you think we shall have a change of weather? I hope you are taking good care of yourself through this storm. I find a fire quite comfortable this evening and which I am having all to myself. Isn't that selfish? You must feel that you are sharing it with me by receiving this letter. And now my dear friend I must bid you good night and hoping to hear from you again Saturday I remain with much love yours truly,

Edwin

“With much love…” It only took five months for one of them to say the word!

Edwin managed to meet with Susan. He travelled to Danvers over the weekend and left her in Lynn on Monday, a school day. He then continued to Boston for the day. By the tone of the next letters, it seems an understanding of sorts was reached during his visit. The lightened tone of their correspondence is laced with subtle humor, from both parties.

Lynn. Sept. 25, 1866 Tuesday afternoon

My dear Friend.The rain is pouring down still (alas! for my fair weather) & I am sitting alone in my room. I have felt a little lonely since you went away this morning & to prevent anything like homesickness I thought I would write to you. I was not a very good weather prophet this time, was I? But then the rain did not trouble us any & I do not think our enjoyment depended on the weather.

I left you very hurriedly this morning & was just in time to get into the schoolroom (I would not often like to come so near being late) & soon I had to lose myself in Latin verbs & equations & the kings and queens of merry England.

Mr. Hills brought into my Algebra class, Mr. Topliff, who was in pursuit of a teacher for the high school in Weston. When hearing the last recitation Dr. Drew, one of the committee, came in, & was quite surprised that I had yet, no means of heating my room & said there had been some

misunderstanding with the stove dealer, & it should receive immediate attention. He carried a favorable report to Mr. Hills, of the condition of things & soon after left. Recitations went pretty well under the circumstances & we started for home at the usual time. On reaching there, I was glad to find your letter, for it seemed next to seeing you again. The rose-bud was beautiful & in remembrance of you it shall have a place in my herbarium.

Evening.

About this time last evening I think we were riding in Danvers. I presume now you are spending the hours quietly at your own home, where I trust you arrived safely after a dull day in the city. I conclude you did not visit the Public Gardens as you intended under a clear sunny day. I am anticipating a rain for our visit tomorrow, but hope we are to have sunshine soon, for I think too much of kind friends & home in such dull days.

Perhaps you will think I am old enough to put away such feelings, but I am not to blame for loving home better than any other place, am I? If I am guilty, I do not think I stand alone. Notwithstanding the pleasure derived from letters, I do think, as you, that there is "more happiness in meeting friend."

Miss Brown inquired for you & says she feels slighted that you come to Lynn so often & never call to see her. I tried to excuse you from all blame & concluded she will not treasure up any hard feelings. She is obliged to you for the photograph & thinks it very excellent.

I have a collection of books before me & as I see them in full view am reminded there is work to be done. You are not here to listen to the Caesar & tell me if my translation is a correct one. It begins with, "Ubi jam se ad earn sem paratos esse," & extends through "doms effene jubent. This day has seemed a long one to me & I think you must have received a similar impression, considering the early ride & the usual routine since. I am aware my letter will be a little in advance of the promised time & perhaps not quite as acceptable, but I did not know as you would be particular, & then I think if I should scan the motive closely I should find a little selfishness. Thinking it best to retire early I will not stop to write more now. You know it will give me pleasure to hear from you as soon as you find it convenient to write which I hope will be soon. Thanking you for all your many kindnesses & wishing you a "God bless you," I am your dear friend, with much love, aff. yours.

Susan

Susan’s first use of the word! Their recent meeting must have been most fruitful. Perhaps he popped the question during their carriage ride. As she stated, even the poor weather didn’t dampen their enjoyment!

Acton Wed. Eve Sept. 26, 1866

My dear friendWhat an evening we are having and haven't you had a nice time at Graves End? I hope you returned before the rain began to come down in torrents. I think you were a very good prophet concerning the weather today, but of the day previous I have nothing to say only that I enjoyed it much even to its close and the rain in the morning made it all the more social, don't you think so? I hope you did not take any cold for I may want to try it again if I can get your consent. Shall I find that a difficult task? I thank you for writing in advance of the promised time for I was wondering what I was going to do with myself this long rainy evening, but now I am having a nice time "at home" and should be all alone were it not for the thoughtfulness of Mr. Black, who is very good to provide company and I have no doubt has made a great many people happy in his way.

I was glad to learn that you were not late at school. I think we calculated very close and had no lost time. I trembled for you for I knew how much you feared being late. I supposed we had ample time, till we got to the last three minutes. After leaving you I was soon on my way to Boston taking the 8.10 train. I had as much time as I wanted for such weather though I managed to have a pleasant time.

I spent a part of my time at the Republican headquarters where they have a very nice reading room and also visited the Merchants Exchange reading room and took another look at the fine paintings at Williams and Everett and several other places. I welcome the result of my visit to the tin shop. How do you like my purchase?

I think I shall now be able to go on the turnpike again if I can get you to drive and pay the toll. I took the four o'clock train for home.

While Edwin’s meaning here is unclear, his reference to turnpikes is interesting. Gated, “piked” private toll roads for profit dated back to Colonial America. By the 1850s, most of these operations had ceased. The railroad became the most popular means of travel. No longer was the fee of twenty-five cents per coach, and four cents per passenger necessary.

After the train started I thought I would look back and see if there were any

that were "too late for the cars" and was amused in seeing one man going through the same exercise that I did and could see how I looked the week previous as he gave up after having about the same chase that I had. I don't believe he got as paid for being left as I did.

I do not think anyone too old to love their home and I hope that you will always have the same attachment to yours, but I wish to have its location changed. You will not blame me for that, will you Susie?

I am sorry that Miss Brown feels slighted. I plead "guilty" of neglecting her and hope at some future time to make up for all past deficiencies.

My brother and family started this morning for Billerica where they spend the night. I think they had time to reach the end of their first day's journey before the rain commenced. I hope they will have a pleasant day tomorrow as this weather if it should continue it will have a tendency to make them homesick.

The former teacher of the Weston high school is an Acton man and is now teaching in Belmont. I hope you told Mr. Topliff that you could not serve him as you had a scholar who needed your services more than he did.

It is time to close and Saturday evening I shall look for another of those substitutes for a happy meeting. You will not disappoint me will you? Good night.

With much love I remain very affectionately yours,

Edwin

Susie? Such familiarity!

Chapter Nineteen

"New Expectations, but Life Goes On."

Susan writes to Edwin at week's end.Lynn, Sept. 28th 1866 Friday P.M.

My dear Friend.

On returning from school this noon I was happy to find your letter; you were very kind to answer so promptly. I felt sure the evening mail would bring it, but hardly hoped to find it waiting for me. And I will begin a reply now fearing something may prevent my writing tonight. Mr. Hills & wife with his brother & wife, are visiting here. He and Eddie have gone to the beach. Have they not a fine day? I am reminded of some of the pleasant rides we have had there & hope they will enjoy theirs as much.

This is one of those lovely autumn days which ought to bring happiness to everyone. I can hardly feel contented to stay in the house but wish to be out among the beauties of nature & after writing to you think I will go out for a short walk.

You remember we were not to make the weather a condition of our going to Gravesend & so at one o'clock Miss Brown & I took the omnibus for that place. We enjoyed our visit very much & came home in the evening in that pouring rain. We rode, of course, but the conveyance was covered at the top but without sides & so we were not quite so nicely protected as I was in riding from Danvers; but I can assure you we had a merry ride. Yesterday I spent the afternoon at "at home" & returned this morning; not for pleasure alone but an errand called me there. Gravesend, which Susan often mentions, was a section of Lynn, Mass. Before being employed to teach at the high school, Miss Smith taught primary classes there. The area was named after Samuel Graves who settled in 1630. Nearby was well known Floating Bridge. It was an aptly named span that crossed a pond, thought by some to be “bottomless.” The pontoon and plank bridge, after years of replacement layers, would sink to water level when a heavy load was transported across the span. The bridge remained in place, frightening travelers and amusing children until 1926.

When I tell you that I also received a letter from Mary, you will conclude that I am not forgotten by them. In reply to my question on meeting her, with you on Monday, she says I never came into the house when she was not glad to see me, but when I come as then, a feeling comes over her

which she cannot describe; for which she is holding you responsible. I don't see, but you are getting into difficulty.

Susan’s sister-in-law Mary senses the two ladies may be soon parted.

I did not take cold on Tuesday, & still think a ride in the rain (if one is well protected) is by no means unpleasant. And do we not enjoy the sunshine the more after the storm? The rough, uphill places of life, are not always to be shunned for it seems to me that if we may go through them with kind and sympathizing friends, good , & even happiness may come to us from them. Have we not learned that it is the contented mind that has real enjoyment?

Evening. 9.25 o'clock.

I went out for my walk & found nature in her most attractive mood;& I wished that you could have been with me & seen the same beauties. Did you notice the fine sunset & the appearance of the evening stars? I do enjoy these autumn days so much, & I know you like them too.

I mailed a paper to you when in Danvers & you will see that the committee have given us a little vacation in October; I think I told you. The arrangements are nearly completed for heating my room; & next week I hope to have a fire; that is if it is cold & if it is not, I may, just to see how it will seem. I think your tintypes are superior to anything you have had in that line. It seems to me that it could not be better. Did you have them taken on Tremont St.?

I am glad you were not the man who was too late for the cars; & also to hear that you reached home safely. I thought of you many times on that rainy day. Did you see fine paintings into William's & Everett's?

I did not give Mr. Topliff any encouragement that I would go to Weston for I think he wanted a male teacher. But supposing he had wanted a lady teacher would you not have liked me to go?

Tomorrow measures off another week, even the fourth of the term, & I shall turn towards home. I thank you for your kind wish concerning my love for "home." I do not blame you, dear friend, for any of your wishes, but I trust if the location of my home is ever changed, & through your instrumentality, it will be to make yours a pleasanter one. You know when I shall look for a letter. Shall I hear from you soon? And now with thanks for the little rosebud & many kind wishes I must say good night.With much love I am ever aff. Yours

Susan

Edwin spends a Sunday evening in his usual way, writing.

Acton, Mass Sunday Eve Sept. 30, 1866

My dear Friend.

Sabbath evening has come again and with it the pleasure of answering your interesting letter received last evening and which was read very soon after the arrival of the mail and has also been read more than once since and it shall not be my fault if you do not receive an answer tomorrow. What a warm summer day we have had and this evening it is also very pleasant, I can hardly realize that it is the last day of September. I made a very pretty bouquet for the church today and you know what I would like to do with it if not prevented by the distance between us. I suppose I shall have but one more to make judging from the past year as I see by looking over my diary that the frost made its appearance the 14th of October, as a birthday present I suppose - but this year I shall be very glad to have the day pass without such a visitor.

I enjoy such weather as we are now having very much and often think of the pleasant rides we have had together, most of which have been in pleasant weather, and when I think of the distance that prevents their being oftener repeated do you wonder that a feeling of loneliness comes over me? I hope it will not always be so and this hope makes the hours and days pass quickly away.

My brother and family returned last evening, riding from Lowell after tea. They had three very fine days but had rather a dark ride home. They took dinner with me today as usual. Brother John goes to Boston Tuesday and will attend the County Convention at Charlestown and also go to hear Mr. Groug the evening. I see by the paper you sent you are to have an opportunity to hear him at Lynn which of course you will improve.

They are discussing John B. Grough, a notable temperance speaker of the time. During this period, lecturing was a prime entertainment and Grough was one of the most popular. Some called him the first national celebrity. His dynamic presentations stirred passions and he was most successful in converting his audience to “take the pledge.” One Ohio city noted twenty-six hundred were saved at a single meeting. Much of the content of his addresses were spiced with past personal failings which unfortunately repeated themselves from time to time over his long career.

Father attends the Temperance Convention to be held in Boston Wednesday and Thursday. He has been anticipating much pleasure in attending and I hope he will realize all his anticipations. I would like to meet you this week but think I shall hardly be able to do so before next week and if agreeable to you will defer my visit till your vacation unless you have other plans and would prefer to see me at some other time.

It seems a long time and was it not for the hope of hearing from you often by mail before and a better opportunity of seeing you at that time I should not wish to lengthen the space between our meeting. I hope you will feel at liberty to change my plans to conform to your wishes if you would prefer to meet me at Lynn as usual.

I was glad to learn of your pleasant visit to Gravesend notwithstanding the rain. I took up some of my house plants last week and am hoping to have a place to put them before long and then you know I shall want someone to help take care of them and enjoy them with me. Do you know of any one in Lynn or Danvers that will accept of such a service?

I am very sorry that my visits to Danvers should be the cause of any unpleasant feelings but I am not surprised that it should be so. Tell your sister that I ask her pardon, but cannot promise not to do so again. And dear Susie you do not wish me to get out of the "difficulty" by making such a promise, do you? It would be unpleasant to think that she really wished me to stay away. To avoid such feelings perhaps you can console her by telling her that what is her loss is to be my gain and I hope you will find it yours also.

My tintype I had taken at 27 Tremont row and if in want of any goods of that kind perhaps you will do well to try the same artist.

I remember the beautiful sunset of Friday evening and thought of friends away looking at the same beautiful scene. Did you notice the fine appearance of the sky this P.M.? It seems to me I never saw such a splendid sight.

I suppose you have attended church today and enjoyed the day as usual. I often think of the blessing of the Sabbath and wonder how anyone can neglect and trample on it.

I think I have written enough to answer your inquiries in regard to your supposition of the school in Weston. And now dear friend I must close and I hope you will excuse me if I have written too much and spoken too freely but if you will punish me in the same way we will call it square and commence

again. With much love I will now bid you good night and hoping to hear from you soon, Wednesday if not before, I remain very affectionately yours.

Edwin

Both utilize Sunday as a letter writing day. Once again, Susan describes an idyllic scene from her brother’s home where she lodges.

Danversport, Sept. 30th '66 Sabbath afternoon

My dear friend.I have but just returned from church & am sitting as I love to sit by my window which looks out on the water. The tide is now high & the smooth blue surface is only ruffled by its own inhabitants & the large schooner which is passing by to the wharf. This is a lovely afternoon & I wish you were here to enjoy the beauty but I dare say you find as much pleasure in the flowers of your garden as I do in this view before me. Not feeling quite like taking a long walk today I spent the morning at home & this afternoon attended the Baptist church & heard Mr. Carruthers preach the same sermon which I heard him preach at the plains last Sabbath morning. I was not particularly pleased with it then & did not much care to hear it repeated.

Sister Mary has not been at all well today, having severe headache & inclination to cholera morbus, & I have played the part of nurse. She is better tonight. When I commenced to write I felt just like talking with you & I would much rather do it than write, but I am afraid my thoughts are not such as are best to be put on paper, on Sunday. I presume you have attended church all day & I hope have had good preaching. I do not feel as if I had received much good today, but I suppose it is owing to my own wicked heart which has not been susceptible to good impressions.

Lynn, Tuesday afternoon.

I began my letter as you see at home & thought I would not finish it till I had received yours. Last evening I felt sure a letter was in the office for me; Mr. Hills is very kind to go for me & get any mail (it is so dark now at half past seven that I do not like to be out alone at that time) & he went last night but was too late to find the office open. I felt real disappointed, but remembered how pleasant it is to return from school & find your letter waiting for me, & I tried to forget the disappointment in anticipation of today.

On coming home there was a letter & a paper containing the sweetest little rosebuds, which I have now in a glass of water on the window beside me.

They are beautiful in their form, in their delicately shaded colors & their perfume. I thank you for your long, kind letter; it seemed next to seeing you which I should enjoy doing this lovely afternoon, but as a substitute I will talk with you through means of pen & paper.

This morning on going into my recitation room I found it warm & nice, from a fire in the new furnace put in expressly for that room. Did not I enjoy it? Now I am independent in that line.

I think I must have enjoyed the same beautiful view of the sky, which you did in Acton & probably at the time to which you refer I was writing to you. These rich clouds & sunsets are truly magnificent & I hope they will not be all gone when you come to Danvers; so that you may see the beauty which the water adds to the picture. I think it has been said that "one may be lonely in the midst of company," which judging from my own experience is not wholly untrue & so I do not think it strange that others may have the same feeling.

Mary had quite recovered when I left home on Monday, perhaps careful nursing may have been the reason.

Charles was to go to Ipswich today & return tomorrow and Mary tried to induce me to come home, but I thought it best not to do so. I do not know as I better try to make any reconciliation between you, I might become myself entangled & I think she would rather settle with you. I think she will extend her pardoning favor to you, & if she should not I will intercede, for I have learned to regard you as too dear a friend to wish you to make "that promise" as a way of escape.

She is an unselfish sister, but we have been much together since my brother’s marriage & my dear mother committed me to her keeping when she died & you can imagine the strength of our attachment.

I shall be happy to see you next week; it would be pleasant to meet you before, but shall feel more at liberty to enjoy your visit, being free from school labor, if you come during the short vacation. I presume I shall attend the convention at Boston on Thursday afternoon, as it is expected that we go to some part of the time & then the rest of the time I shall have at home to see you. I hope you will be successful in removing your plants & in finding someone to enjoy them with you. Would you like to have me make inquiries for you?

I hope to hear Gough next week. I shall hope for a letter very soon. When shall I have one? Do you not think I had better not write any more at this

time? Hoping to hear from you soon, dear Edwin, with much love I bid you good night & remain yours aff.

Susan

Wednesday, 7 o'clock A.M. Another nice morning.

I hope your father will enjoy his trip to Boston. I suppose you will be left quite alone, but trust the day will not pass unpleasantly.

Good bye, Susan

Life continues as usual with no reference as yet to future plans. The devil is in the details.

Chapter Twenty

"A Grand View"

The correspondence continues with Edwin writing Susan a mid-week letter.

Acton Wednesday Eve. 10 o’clock October 3, 1866

My Dear friend.I was made happy this evening by receiving your long and friendly letter and thinking that it may add to your pleasure to receive one from me tomorrow I will write this evening not regarding the late hour.

What a nice cool evening we are having and it seems real pleasant to have a fire even if one has to enjoy it all alone. I am trying your remedy for loneliness and have no doubt I shall find it a sure preventative.

I have gathered a quantity of dahlias and other flowers in anticipation of a frost tonight and shall be able to furnish the last bouquet of the season next Sabbath "without regard to the weather." I was glad to learn of your success in nursing and of the recovery of your sister. If I am troubled in that way, I shall know where to find one who has had experience. I was happy to know

that there is a prospect of obtaining a pardon from your sister without taking any unpleasant measures to get out of the "difficulty ". Perhaps I had better settle with her myself.

I have attended the usual Wednesday evening meeting after which I made a call at John's and had a nice treat on watermelon which I believe is not your favorite fruit. I think you will find your fire quite a comfort tomorrow and I was relieved to learn of your independence in that respect. I finished taking up my plants tonight and I think I shall be able to find one to take care of them and will not trouble you to look further. Will not that be pleasant to have a home with a lover of flowers and a true friend to enjoy it with me?

This morning I went up into the cupola and took a look at the beauties of nature.

Edwin is referring to the cupola which tops the Exchange Hall, a 3-1/2 story wood frame building in Acton. It was built in 1860 and is still standing. The first floor was originally used as a dry goods business while the third floor was an open space used for civic, social, and religious functions.

Edwin first met Susan early this year, in the winter, when his brother James brought her and her landlady and friend Mrs. Hills to Acton for a visit. He took Susan to the top for the view, as he is doing this day as he describes.

The forests are looking very beautiful with their autumn colors and the New England autumn of which so much has been written is truly a very pleasant season. While there you will not think strange if I tell you that my thoughts went back to the time when we first met there last February and the many pleasant hours spent together since that time and may we not hope that there are many more in store for us?

Father went to Boston this morning and will not return till tomorrow night. John returned this evening. I think of visiting my friends in Billerica with mother if the weather is favorable.

Yesterday we had an "arrival" of a traveling photo salon so that I shall now be able to get my supply of pictures "at home" but I think he will find me a poor customer. I know you will not advise me to make any more investments of the kind till my present stock is somewhat reduced.

Brother John went into the Democratic State Convention this P.M. and said they had a noisy time and felt thankful that he did not belong to that Party.

You were right in thinking I was alone today for I had the whole shop to

myself a part of the day, the workmen all being out doing the harvesting.

And now dear Susie I have not felt at all lonely having passed the evening very pleasantly but am looking forward to one next week which I hope to spend more so. I feel like singing that ancient tune, “Fly Swift Around” but I fear you will think I am getting sentimental and will close hoping to hear from you, you know when, if not before. I will bid you an affectionate good night and subscribe myself very truly yours,

Edwin

Susan responds at the end of her work week while still in Lynn.

Lynn, Friday, Oct. 5th, 1866

My dear Friend.It is almost the hour for retiring & yet I must make the evening a little longer that you may not be disappointed when the mail is opened tomorrow. Another Friday reminds me that the term is wearing away & that tomorrow I may hope to be once more at home. Last evening I attended the sewing-circle & on my way received your letter from the office. You were very kind to write so soon on the reception of mine.

I need not tell you I was glad to hear from you, but was under the necessity of letting the letter lie in my pocket till I returned home. Was not that a trial of patience? I dare say you have enjoyed these fine autumn days & think you can have fine opportunities for viewing the changing forests.

Miss Lewis, my helpmate, at Gravesend, called this afternoon on her way from school, & she had with her a fine collection of autumn leaves, I enclose one or two thinking you may prize them coming from some of those pretty trees which we have seen when in that vicinity.

I enjoy my warm recitation room so much that I do not know but I speak of it in every letter. You will excuse me if I do so will you not? I do not want to think that winter is following so closely upon us, for I do not think I like cold weather as I used to do.

Some of my scholars came to me today to know if they were not going to recite to me in Latin next term. They wanted to recite as they do now. What could I tell them? I told them I did not think any arrangement of classes had been made for next term, & referred them to Mr. Hills.

I anticipate hearing Mr. Gough’s lecture next Monday evening & wish you

could enjoy the same entertainment. I will try & hear for you if you would like to have me. Shall I see you a week from tonight? I presume I shall be in Boston to attend the convention Thursday afternoon, but shall return to Danvers at night. When may I look for you there?

Susan is to attend a teacher’s convention in the city.

It does seem a long while since I bade you good bye so hurriedly that rainy morning; & yet I believe it is less than two weeks. I have just looked at my watch & it says 11.5; if I bid you good night, you will hardly be paid for visiting the post- office, & yet having that weariness which Friday always brings, perhaps you will excuse me from saying all I would like to at this time. May I hear from you on Monday? & I will try & be prompt in replying.

Hoping for a letter soon, & which will be pleasant, to see you before many days, again, dear friend, I will bid you good night & with much love remain, yours, Susan.

Edwin replies the next day.

Acton Sunday Eve Oct. 7th 1866

My dearAnother of those beautiful Sabbath days of autumn is now closing and how can I spend the remaining moments more pleasantly than in answering yours received last evening? We have had excellent preaching today, by Mr. Turner of Waverly, who exchanged with our minister. I furnished the last and best bouquet of the season today and have enjoyed the usual privileges of the Sabbath but I fear I do not prize them as I ought, or as I should were I to be deprived of them for a season.

I thank you for the fine specimens, of the forest leaves from the trees I have enjoyed so much, which I have placed with the flowers from Mr. Black's & Co. I think you are very excusable in speaking of your warm recitation room and it is much pleasanter to me to hear about it than it was of your cold damp room. Your answer to the scholars' inquiries is as good a one as I could give as I suppose you did not wish to wound their feelings by telling them why they could not recite to you next term.

While we are unfortunately not privy to their discussions, it seems the decision has been made that Susan’s teaching days are soon coming to an end.

I shall think of you tomorrow evening as having a nice treat and wish I

could share it with you, but as I cannot I will accept of your offer to hear what you can for me. I trust you will have a pleasant time attending the convention Thursday. I am anticipating much pleasure in meeting you during vacation. If the weather should continue pleasant I am thinking some of driving over with our team if I can get Sister Martha for company in which case I may call on you Thursday evening. If I go by rail I shall hope to see you Friday. I can say that I have the same feeling in regard to the length of time since we bid each other goodbye and hardly feel reconciled to so long a space between our meetings but I suppose you will say the fault is all my own to which I must plead guilty.

I also received a letter from my brother James last evening. He said he had not seen you since we called on him. I presume you have seen him today. Last Thursday Mother and I mad e a visit to our friends in Lowell. We made a call on friends in Concord, and I made a business call in Bedford and finding the friends in Billerica away we went to Lowell and spent the day returning after tea.

We wonder if Edwin saw his sister-in-law Lizzie on this trip. It would be interesting to know how she took the news of his commitment to “the woman from Lynn!”

The frosts have about used up my garden for this season. My dahlias I dug up and put into the cellar yesterday ready for the spring campaign.

While wheeling down the last load I made a misstep which was rather an unfortunate one for me as it gave me a bloody nose and somewhat the appearance of a fighting character , which I do not feel that I am entitled to, not so serious however as to prevent my attending church today. And now dear Susie if I follow your example I shall close here and perhaps it will require more patience to read what I have written than it did to wait to read my last. Feeling that you will fulfill your promise to answer promptly I will bid you good night. I will look for an answer till I find it. With much love I remain,Very affectionately yours,

Edwin

Chapter Twenty-One

"A Bloody Nose"

Sunday is a day for church and letter writing, for both Edwin and Susan. She speaks of famous Mr. Grough once again.

Danversport, Mass. Oct. 7, 1866 Sabbath

My dear Friend.I wonder if you, too, are seeing this beautiful sunset! The holy quiet of this hour brings with it thoughts of days forever gone of dear friends who, having finished their work here worship God in his temple not made with hands, thoughts too, of kind friends living, yet away & is it wrong for me to write to one of them at this time? Has not this been a lovely autumn day? Have you been to church? Did you furnish your bouquet as usual? Did your brother’s family take dinner with you? And did you take tea with your mother? Please do not think I am inquisitive. I think my motive, in this case is not a wrong one. I presume you received a hurried letter last evening. It could hardly be called an answer to yours. By way of excuse I might say I was quite tired, and when the compositions were finished, I did not feel that I could interest anyone by writing, but I think you have discovered that before this. I went to the plains to church this afternoon & heard a very good sermon from, "Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world."

The preacher said if we loved God supremely, we could not love friends, nature, art, or anything which God has given us, too much. If we started from God with our feelings, they would be likely to be right towards all things. I think I do remember that we took a view from the cupola when Miss Lissie Hills & I were in Acton; but it did not at that time, enter my mind that you would ever have any occasion for remembering it. I hope you will never have any cause to regret that we met there & that pleasant hours are in the future, as well as have been in the past. I think it lies very much with ourselves whether we will be happy or not, do not you?

Lynn, Tuesday P.M.

The clouds of this morning have scattered & disappeared save enough to add to the beauty of the golden colored west, & everything looks beautiful. I presume your day's labor is nearly ended & while I sit quietly writing to you, perhaps you are going home "to tea." I think the gathering round the tea table with the loved ones at home, in these cool autumn evenings, has very much that is pleasant in it. How many times have I enjoyed it after taking my long walk from the high school in Danvers? I think I should like it just as

much this evening & if you could make one of the number, it would be none the less pleasant.

You will not be disappointed in getting no letter this evening, will you? Last evening on my way to the lecture I called at the office & was happy to find your letter. Mr. Gough's lecture was a very fine one, the same, I presume, which your brother heard in Boston, subject, “Curiosity.”

There was more of the real solid & less of laughable matter than any lecture I ever heard from him. While hearing him, the thought occurred to me that perhaps these were his last lectures, he seemed so anxious to impress moral & religious truths on those who heard him, particularly the young men. But I am to tell you about it & not write it.

After I came home I had the pleasure of a letter to read, & on opening it saw a sweet little bouquet. Is it wrong to love flowers so much? Not if we love their maker more, is it?

Today we reach a way mark in our school life, the term is just half gone; & from this little resting spot I can hardly help looking back over the five & a half weeks, gone, & I am aware that more might have been done & better. I would like to make a better use of what remains.

I saw very plainly the force of example in your last letter. Hereafter, must I write a long letter to insure such in return? I have been many times reminded of you this week, as I have been wearing those proofs of your thoughtfulness & care. They fit very nicely.

As Edwin is a shoemaker we can assume what she is wearing is footwear of his making!

I think you must miss your garden flowers very much, both, as to their care & the pleasure you have derived from them. I hope you are entirely recovered from your fall & trust you will be guarded against a similar accident again. We intend to dismiss school by twelve o'clock on Thursday & go into Boston in the afternoon. If it should be unpleasant I shall probably go directly home. I shall be happy to see you just when most convenient for you to come. I think if you ride with a horse you will find it very pleasant. Don't you want me to help drive? I should like very much to hear from you, but suppose a letter would not reach me before I leave Lynn, & I will look for an answer in person. Perhaps I have written as much as you will care to read & as I have a letter to write to my dear cousin Lucretia,(whom you have never seen but I hope you will meet her someday) & lessons to look over I will bid you good night & with much love to you

dear friend, I remain,Yours truly,

SusanWed . morn .

Have you any spare photographs? & if so are you willing to dispose of them this way? Excuse my asking you –

SusanEdwin’s next letter demonstrates a sense of humor we’ve not heard previously. It’s nice to see he can poke fun at himself.

Acton, Mass. Wed. Eve. Oct. 10, 1866

My dear friend.I was not disappointed this evening in receiving yours and I know you will not look for an answer and will not be pleased to receive one when I give my reasons for writing. Fearing my personal appearance will resemble too much that of a hard drinker I may think it will be more for your pleasure for me to defer my visit till I can look more like a sober man. It has been said that "one good turn deserves another" but my nose can testify that one bad turn follows another. Last evening I spent at my brother's and there met a friend who wished for one of my tintypes. I promised him one if he would call on his way home which he did. As I was carrying it out to him somewhat in a hurry, my nose came in contact with the edge of a door, which I supposed was open, which gave me very unpleasant sensations at the time and caused the blood to flow quite freely and today it is somewhat increased in size. If I do not succeed in reducing the inflammation I think it will be best to keep shady. This is the effect of the tintype excitement in Acton on me.

I was chosen one of the delegates to attend the Congressional Convention in Concord today, but fearing they might take me for one of the opposite party I told John he had better take my place which he did. I know you cannot be more disappointed than I shall be if I am obliged to defer my visit for the want of a respectable nose. If I come this week I shall probably come Friday and shall be under the necessity of engaging a sly corner and perhaps you will lend me a veil if we wish to stroll out on the street.

I would very much like your assistance and company in driving over and for the want of it I shall take the cars and perhaps engage your services while in Danvers. I have a plenty of photographs and will furnish you what you want. I wish I could send you one of my nose taken today and get your opinion of my showing it in public.

The lecture my brother heard by Mr. Gough was on Temperance.

I have always thought as you do that our happiness depended upon ourselves and I feel sure if I do not have a happy home it will not be your fault and I hope I shall not be so ungrateful as to give you reason to regret placing your confidence in me. I believe I answered most of your inquiries in regard to my spending the Sabbath in my last. I hope in my next I shall have something more interesting to write about and that it will not be a chapter of accidents don't you?

You will excuse me for writing dear Susie as I thought you would think strange if you did not see me Friday and if you do not you may know that I am "not fit to be seen." You will give me my Saturday evening letter if I do not come and think of me with a sorry nose.

I do not feel guilty of loving flowers too much and of course shall not charge you with sin in that respect. I think the preacher has given the right answer to your inquiries. I have gathered a few tonight that survived the frost to replenish my bouquet. I have written more than I expected when I commenced and it is now late and I will close hoping to see you soon and if not to hear from you Saturday I remain with much love to all "at home."Very aff. yours etc.

Edwin

Chapter Twenty-Two"A Visit to the Dentist"

In spite of the problem with Edwin’s damaged nose, he managed to visit Susan over the weekend. It is later learned, they drove by carriage to Ipswich, the town of Susan’s birth and where she lived until her mother died in 1861. Her father, of whom we hear little, still resides there. Perhaps Susan and Edwin met with him and announced wedding plans. We can only speculate.

After the twenty-mile trip, Susan drove Edwin by carriage to the train station. She returned alone, perhaps for the first time as everyone seems anxious.

Apparently wedding plans were discussed, at least between them, but firm commitments deferred. Susan must have agreed to give Edwin an early answer by the tone of her letter. It is Edwin's thirty-seventh birthday.

Danversport, Oct. 14th '66 Sunday afternoon

Dear Edwin.

This is what may in truth be called a rainy day and remembering your parting injunction to take care of myself, I have remained at home all day thinking it would not be provident to be out in such weather. A rainy Sabbath is usually a long day & I am taking a part of it for writing to you. I have thought of you many times since you left us yesterday & hope you had a safe & pleasant ride home.

Mine was such (only rather a lonely one); the horse maintaining his reputation as a careful traveler & I mine, as driver. He trotted very nicely & I held a tight rein as instructed to do, & passed all the teams in the road.

On reaching home, Charley had gone for more fish & I drove the horse to the stable, having taken in Julia as companion. Mary's fears had quite disappeared on seeing me reach home safely. I followed you on your way home, in mind; & if I should speak frankly, (& shall I not?) should tell you, it seemed a little lonely after you were gone.

Providence favored us with a pleasant morning, & we had a nice ride, did we not? I think I shall never forget the beautiful views which we stopped to admire. How much our Creator has given us to enjoy? Nature is ever beautiful & in all her works affords something in which we may delight.

This is a rainy birthday for you, but I know your happiness is of a more enduring nature than to be spoiled by such a thing. I sometimes wonder how those people who never have made Christ their true joy & consolation, can be truly happy.

Perhaps you have before read these beautiful lines of Florence Percy or really Elisabeth Akess; they have ever been very sweet lines to me & I think you will like them too, yet they can never, while you have your mother, give rise to the same feelings as they would were she "sleeping' neath the sod."

Elizabeth Chase Akers Allen was born in Maine. She began writing poetry at the age of fifteen under the pen name of Florence Percy. Although she achieved fame as a journalist and editor, she was best known for a single widely read 1859 poem. A Philadelphia newspaper reputedly paid her but five dollars for the submission. It is this verse to which Susan is referring. She continues to grieve over her mother’s death.

Rock Me to Sleep, Mother.

Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight,Make me a child again just for tonight!Mother, come back from the echoless shore,Take me again to your heart as of yore;Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care,Smooth the few silver threads out of my hair;Over my slumbers your loving watch keep;—Rock me to sleep, mother,—rock me to sleep!

Evening.

We are comfortably seated around the fire, but from the sound of the storm without, I do not anticipate much in starting for Lynn at half past six tomorrow morning; but I will not borrow trouble which may never come. I have rode in the storm & not found it unpleasant.

But I was to answer you another question which I have deferred till the last, and I do not know even now as its answer will be just what you may wish to have it. I think I remarked to you that in consequence of my having been in school so long I should need some time before coming to you. The space of two months from my coming from the school-room would be as little time as I should feel willing to allow; & I do not know as in this letter I had better give you that as a decisive answer.

I spoke, last evening with sister Mary, of your wish; she says she will not be selfish, for she knows I shall be happy, but she cannot bear to think of such a thing. Her feelings are very deep & it is not strange that she should sometimes give way to them. She does not speak in such a way because she would wish to influence me against my interest or yours. I wish you were

here this evening & it seems as if I could talk with you better than my pen will write. I shall hope to hear from you on Tuesday & then will mail you a letter on Saturday - as usual.

Do you hear the wind blow? I hope you are not out in the storm. Hoping to hear from you soon dear friend & wishing you "good night".With much love I am yours.

Susan

Edwin expresses his nervousness awaiting a response from Susan and wastes no time in responding once her letter is received. As was often the case, her correspondence was received the same day she mailed it.

Acton Monday Eve Oct. 15 1866 11:30 P.M

My dear Susie.I know you will not think it strange when I tell you I came very near being impatient waiting for the mail tonight which was fifteen minutes behind the usual time, but when it came I was well paid for waiting, for it brought me news of your safe arrival home.

I felt sure you would have no difficulty for I noticed that you drove very carefully till out of my sight. You will not expect much of a letter from me tonight when I tell you that I have just returned from a meeting of our choir but I believe I promised you a letter tomorrow and I will not disappoint you, except in the quality.

We had a nice sing at Dr. Little's this evening and was treated with tea and coffee and several kinds of cake. As we started for home we called at Dr. Cowdy's and serenaded him by singing my favorite song, "Home Sweet home."

Saturday evening about the same hour I gave him a serenade of a different kind and with different feelings. On my return home I made the desired connections but did not enjoy the journey very much as I was troubled with the toothache. I believe I told you I had one that I was expecting to part with soon but was not thinking the time so near. It continued to trouble me all the evening and I retired early and slept about an hour and was aroused by the pain and concluded there was not much sleep for me and so I got up and went down to the Doctor's about 11 and had two of them taken out and came home and had a good night's sleep.

I do not think it is much of an improvement except in comfort and I had

decided to go to Boston tomorrow and have eight more taken out and have a set not liable to pain or decay but my face being somewhat swollen I think I shall want a week or two before doing it. I expect there will be more necessity of my retiring to private life for a short time than there was with my unfortunate nose. Will you wish to see me while in that condition?

I believe I expressed the hope in my last that my next would not be a chapter on afflictions but you may think it is a little inclined that way. I suppose we are all liable to think too much of our afflictions and too little of our blessings.

What an uncomfortable day we had yesterday. It seemed to clear away on Saturday on purpose for our accommodation. I enjoyed the ride very much and thoughts of it are a continual source of pleasure. Our congregation was quite small yesterday. I suppose there are a great many fair weather hearers in every place. I think someone very excusable in not attending in stormy weather but there are too many who stay away and seem to be glad of such an excuse, which shows how little value they place on the blessings of the Gospel.

Saturday evening I took tea at brother John's where I found my friends from Billerica who came over to spend the Sabbath. They all took dinner with me. Mother also came in so that I had quite a respectable family. What a beautiful day we have had and I hope you have enjoyed it and this evening I could not help thinking what a pleasant one it would be for a ride and you know who I am thinking of when such thoughts come over me.

As usual, discussion of important items are left behind more mundane matters, and not addressed until the end of the letters.

I think I can appreciate your feelings at the thought of leaving home and friends for a new one and their feelings in parting with you but I know you will not blame me for wishing the happy day as near as convenient will you dear Susie?

It is late and you will excuse this hasty letter. Must I wait till Saturday before hearing from you again?

I also want to thank you for the photograph you sent. I must now bid you good morning and remain very affectionately,

Yours, Edwin

Edwin seems a tad disappointed. Losing all his teeth can’t be very pleasant either, in spite of his casual description of the extraction.

Chapter Twenty-Three

"Suffrage and Final Notice"

Day to day activities move along, spiced with a little entertainment.

Lynn, Oct. 17th, 66. Wednesday P.M.

My dear Edwin.Has not this been a very pleasant afternoon? & I think you will say it would be a fine evening for a ride, but as I cannot enjoy that tonight, I will think of those we have enjoyed together. I felt so certain that I should receive a letter last evening that after tea I went to the office, & could hardly believe the usually accommodating post-master when he told me there was none there.

I was disappointed, but I knew that it was not your fault, for I remembered you promised to write. I waited patiently as I could & on coming home at noon today, I was happy to see the familiar hand on a letter which was handed to me. Although Saturday is the day for your letter, I thought you would not care if it came a little in advance of the promised time.

I was glad to hear of your safe return home, but am sorry you were destined to undergo other troubles. I shall be glad for you when your unpleasant task is entirely completed. You know I am always happy to see you & I hope that you will not think I should consider your condition at such a time, an excuse for "keeping at home." Would you care for such a friendship as that?

Evening.

This evening we have listened to a lecture from W. Phillips Esq. I thought of you, on my way, while there, & coming home & wished you could have been with us. The subject was "The duties ofcitizenship, where there is universal suffrage." He would trample the amendments of the constitution under foot, for if they are adopted by the south, the door is open to them to regain what they have lost & enter the white house. He would impeach the "traitor & blunder head, " Johnson , not six months hence, but today, & place the vice-president of the senate in office during the trial of the president, until his acquittal, or, being found guilty, till a new election.

He condemns Senator Wilson for knowing & keeping secret, that Johnson was a traitor & U.S. Grant for retaining his command & not using his power in N. Orleans & Memphis. He says Gen. Grant has the most despicable position in the world, for if he will agree with the president he is also a traitor; if he dares not use the army in defense of liberty he is a "double-distilled coward." I liked much of his lecture, but do not take the same view of Wilson that he does.

Wendall Phillips was a Mayflower descendent, Harvard graduate, successful attorney and an early abolitionist. Together with his wife Anne Terry Green, they advocated total suffrage.

With the Civil War ended just a year and a half earlier, feelings were strong that President Johnson was not carrying out the wishes of the late President Lincoln, who was beloved in the Boston area. These strong feelings made Phillips a popular, if outspoken orator. He was called, “The Golden Voice of Abolition” and a statue in his honor, pictured above, stands in Boston Common.

Senator Henry Wilson, from nearby Natick, Massachusetts, was, like Edwin Fletcher, a shoemaker by trade. He was elected to the Senate near the end of the civil War.

Wilson was a republican, early anti-slavery advocate, and considered radical by some. In addition to twenty years in the Senate, he served as Vice President under Ulysses Grant and died in office.

On Monday afternoon we went down to the beach to see the high waves. The storm of the previous days had raised them very high & I never saw so grand a sight of the ocean. I wished you were there to enjoy it too.

The next lecture is to be given by Rev. Mr. Fletcher, and of course I wish to hear him. I do not know his subject.

Susan refers to Edwin’s brother James who sometimes preaches.

I thank you for writing but was sorry you were obliged to take the time from your rest. I am returning the favor, however, in the same way. I have quite recovered from my cold but have felt unusually tired this week & perhaps had better say good night to you.

I am intending to go home tomorrow, if the day is pleasant. Will you expect a letter on Saturday now? I like very much to receive yours on Monday but must I wait till then?

If I should hear from you on Friday, you may look for a reply as usual, Saturday. I ought to apologize for so poorly a written letter. I have before me on the table those pretty little flowers which I found in yours. Thank you for them. And now, perhaps dear Edwin I have written enough unless it is better & hoping to hear from you soon. With much love, I am affectionately yours,

Susan

Edwin receives her letter the following day and replies promptly.

Acton, Thursday evening. October 18, 1866

My dear Susie.I thought I should not go in vain to the post office tonight and was rewarded by receiving your interesting letter which I will now answer and will you call it selfish if I say I do it not altogether for your benefit but partly for your pleasure and perhaps more for the promised reward. I have been down to my brother's this eve where we had a very pleasant sing.

Is not this delightful weather? How I should enjoy these beautiful evenings if I was where I could have you to hold the reins and take charge of the horse. I shall be strongly tempted next week if this weather should continue to take a ride "by the light of the moon" and if the distance is not too great I will give you the liberty to drive as far on the road to Ipswich as you please if you will only promise to return me home safely which I know you will do. I don't know as it would be best to take so long a ride as it would be from Lynn though I do not know the distance and perhaps if you should think of driving to Ipswich you would prefer to take the cars for Danvers and start from there.

If you could get out of school in season to take the 12.15 train from Boston it would give us a good long P.M. and then we could have a nice drive home in the evening. I have merely suggested how we could have a nice ride but do not wish to make any definite arrangement as it may not be in accordance to your views and I cannot now say when I shall be able to meet you. I am expecting the workmen next week to put in my window and shall wish to be at home when they come.

I am anxious to have that other job done which is not so pleasant to me but which I think will be as much of an improvement as the window will be to the house. I plan to call on the dentist on my way home from my next visit to you. If I knew your friendship was not dependent on the number of teeth I had, but I always thought I should not desire to go into company without them, but perhaps I may have different feelings when I am in that situation.

I always like to hear Mr. Phillips, but he must say some things that are objectionable. I was much interested in the remarks of Mr. Wilson at one of the revival meetings at Natick which I read in the Congregationalist this evening. It is pleasant to have such a man come out so bold on the side of our blessed Savior. It is so much in contrast with most of our public men.

It is so late that I must not write much more and as you thought yours needed an apology I know that this hasty letter will call for one, but you will excuse me from it this time. And now dear Susie I shall look for the Saturday evening letter unless you decide that this is not deserving it. Now bidding you good night I remain,

Very affectionately yours,

Edwin

The following letter accompanied Susan’s correspondence to Edwin.

Lynn.Oct. 19th, 1866

To the School Committee.Thanking you for your favor while I have been employed in the city, & for your confidence shown in giving me the pleasant field of labor in which I am now engaged; having decided to teach no longer than this term, for the present, I resign the situation as assistant in the High School.

Hoping you will find one to occupy the place who will be better fitted & more faithful to the trust you have committed to my care,

I am very respectfully yrs.

Susan Smith

Chapter Twenty-Four

"Organ Donors Wanted"

Lynn. Oct. 19th, 1866 Friday evening

Dear Edwin.

Perhaps the above will explain itself, a copy of which I carried to the committee this evening. On my way I called at the post office & finding no letter, I am under no obligation to write, but thinking that yours may be delayed till the morning I will write as I promised & should I hear from you tomorrow will mail this at noon, or not hearing, commit this to the flames.

A little tongue in cheek humor follows.

Mr. Hills & Miss Brown have a proposition which they wish me to make to you, which is that you should take away Miss Breed & leave Miss Smith to her labor in the High School, & the resignation take effect for Miss Breed. They feel it would be satisfactory to those here & of course would perhaps be to you and I should be so placed as to have nothing to say.

Has not this been a beautiful day? I have thought of you & wished you could have been here.

Saturday A.M. 10.20.

I came home just before the close of school & find your letter, for which I do thank you, but now I have no time to reply, but will forward this & send a letter next time. I shall be very happy to see you next week & go as it pleases you. Another lovely day. I hope this will reach you this eve. If it does, may I hear from you on Monday? If it does not, on Tuesday? I fear another apology

will be needed on my part. Think of me as almost running back to school.

With much love I must say good morning. Hoping to hear from and see you soon.I am truly yrs.

Susan

Once again, Sunday is letter writing day.

Acton Sunday Evening Oct. 20, 1866

Dear Susie.I cannot explain why there should be so much delay in my letters reaching you and must say that I am not pleased with it however much you may be, for it gave you a very good excuse for giving me a short letter for Saturday eve. I thank you for it even if it was short and hasty. What do you suppose my first thought was upon opening it and reading the address? But I soon found that you had made no mistake in sending me the wrong letter. I thought I was reading your resignation to the committee and perhaps they were reading your letter to me! Do you wonder that I had queer feelings till I came to the familiar address?

Edwin continues Susan’s little spoof as proposed by her boss, Principal Hills and her teacher-friend Miss Brown.

In regard to the proposition of Mr. Hills and Miss Brown perhaps, I ought to say I must have more time to consider the subject. I do not understand that they advise me to take such a course and perhaps Miss Breed will not consent to it but, you know that I feel an interest in the success of the high school of Lynn and if you think the change proposed would be more satisfactory and agreeable to your wishes, I shall depend upon you to give me a letter of introduction, explaining the feeling among the teachers in regard to your leaving and her staying. I suppose it will not be necessary to come to any decision till about the commencement of the next term as there will be but one vacancy to fill, and I will take the matter into very serious consideration and think I shall come to a decision that will be satisfactory to us both, whether it will be to the other parties' interests or not.

I thank Mr. Hills and Miss Brown for their interest and will not accuse them of being selfish as they do not advise me to make the change proposed, but only speak of it as a more pleasant arrangement for them, which leads me to infer that it would not be so pleasant to me.

What a beautiful day we have had and isn't this a lovely evening. If we can only have such weather Wednesday I am planning to be with you and I know we shall enjoy it but I think there is some prospect of a change.

The Ladies Sewing Society meets at my brother's Tuesday or I should be with you on that eve. I think I will call on you at Lynn at about the usual time or as soon as I think you will be through dinner and leave it for you to decide what course to take for you know I am not afraid to trust myself in your care. I shall be not a little disappointed if it should be stormy but I know you will sympathize with me in that case.

My brother's family took dinner with me today and two others also came in. My brother attended church in Lincoln this P.M., for the purpose of seeing and hearing their organ. He has not given up having one for our church and has met with so much encouragement that he feels sure we shall be able to get one. He has seven names of 100 dollars each which is a little more than half the sum required for such an instrument as we want. He went to Boston yesterday to obtain information in regard to it.

I wonder if I shall be happy enough to get the letter tomorrow night. Hoping to do so I will close this letter and bid you good night dear Susie and will anticipate much pleasure in meeting you on Wednesday if pleasant and if not I may conclude to come on Thursday. With much love I remain very truly & aff. yours.

Edwin

The couple met in Lynn on Wednesday. They are now engaged, even if the details or firm date of their marriage remain unresolved. They appear to await Susan’s decision. There is no mention of an engagement ring.

Lynn October 26, 1866 Friday evening

Dear Edwin,I have just seated myself to fulfil my promise of writing to you, that you need not go in vain to the office when the Saturday evening mail comes in. Can it be that another week has so nearly ended? Is it also true that when three more weeks shall have gone, my school-days will be ended? I realize more fully as that time draws nearer, how much attached I have become to those who I meet daily in the school-room.

Applicants are already presenting themselves for the situation, & today I have had in my room a young lady who is very desirous of the place. When I considered that she was there hoping for my room, my scholar’s interest, I

must confess that for a few minutes I felt like yielding to the feelings which came over me. And when I tell you this I know you will not misunderstand me. You would rather I should have such feelings, would you not? I think I have said to you that I have enjoyed teaching; but I think there is also as much happiness in many other situations in life, and in them we may perhaps accomplish as much real good.

We are not riding from Ipswich this evening, & if we were I think we should need a covering from the rain. Did we not have the best time for our visit there? I enjoyed it very much & trust it was not so unpleasant to you that you will not wish to visit my friends again.

Our morning ride I always like very much but they cannot be repeated many times more, when you will have to hurry on our way to be on time at Lynn High School. I came from Boston last evening quite thoroughly tired; but I am some rested today. I trust you reached home safely & were not under the necessity of walking from S. Acton. I am glad you will not probably be troubled with such difficulties as you would had your teeth been removed.

Miss Brown is some better & hopes to be in school on Monday. I trust she will be for it is easier when we are all in our places. I called to see her this afternoon & there met the lady who I told you wished to take my place. If you should ask me my opinion of her, and if I thought you never would tell it to any one I should say, "she was too shallow" to suit my taste. She called on Dr. Drew & left with him similar impressions.

I think her chance small. Mr. & Mrs. Hills were in Danvers yesterday & called at your brother's. I presume they reported us as being in Boston. On more particular inquiry I learn that the tintype rooms for which we looked are Wing's, not far from 270 Washington St. I rather reluctantly disposed of some of my pictures today. Have you found a market for any of yours? I am writing in a cold room (but am quite well protected) & perhaps prudence would suggest retiring early. I suppose you are enjoying a warm room, all alone; if the distance did not prevent I would like to call upon you but in place of that will send my card. I shall hope to hear from you on Monday. Thanking you Dear Edwin for all your kindness & wishing you good night & pleasant dreams. With much love, I am aff. yours,

Susan

Chapter Twenty-Five

Edwin pens a Sabbath letter.

At home in Acton. Sunday Eve. Oct. 28, 1866

My dear Susie.Another pleasant Sabbath is about closing but before it is entirely gone I will write a few lines in answer to a letter received last eve from my dearest friend. I have attended all the usual services of the day having just returned from the evening meeting. Mr. Noyes the agent of the society for home evangelization preached for us this A.M. He was quite interesting but has the fault of most agents of being too longwinded.

My brother and family took dinner with me as usual. I do not think they will have another opportunity of doing so at present for I do not expect our house will be in condition to receive them next week. I expect the carpenters tomorrow to commence work and next week I shall expect the painter.

I shall be glad when they are done and happy when I am nicely settled down with one that I love to take charge of my quiet home and share it with me. I am looking forward with pleasure to that time and trust that thoughts of it are not all sad ones to you and your friends.

I am not surprised that you should have such feelings toward your scholars and it shows a trait of character that I love, but dear Susie I hope you will not be disappointed in finding as much happiness in another situation as you have done in the schoolroom.

I thought the committee would have applications enough as soon as it was known there was to be a vacancy, but they may find some difficulty in selecting the right one for the place.

Our visit to Ipswich I shall always remember with pleasure and hope that we may have other opportunities of meeting the friends there especially my friend at your Cousin Lucretia’s. I do not think we could select a better evening for a ride and you know that l enjoyed it.

I must ask your pardon for inviting you to meet me in Boston after such a jaunt

and the labors of the day and if you will forgive my thoughtlessness I will try and do better in future. I had a very comfortable ride home. I got out of the village as I met my brother coming for me with a large shawl for a protection against taking cold in my teeth, which I did not find necessary to use.

I provided a very pretty bouquet for the church today with the aid of some of mother's flowers which I think was satisfactory considering the lateness of the season.

John goes to Boston tomorrow to see about an organ. We feel sure about having one. The only question I think will be its size which will depend upon the amount of money raised. We dedicate the "Music Hall" and our new books tomorrow evening.

Wednesday eve Gov. Boutwell speaks at South Acton.

George Boutwell was another Massachusetts Republican who was a strong abolitionist long before the Civil War. He had served as the state’s governor fifteen years earlier and was the first Commissioner of the Internal Revenue under President Abraham Lincoln. At the time of these letters, Boutwell was a member of the United States Congress, representing Edwin Fletcher's district. Later, he would serve in both President Grant’s and President Hayes’ administrations.

I was glad to hear that Miss Brown was improving for your sake as well as her own. I enclose the tintype promised on exchange, but was a little tempted to keep it as a curiosity. I trust you will take good care of it.

I have not got up a very high trade for mine yet. I am enjoying my warm room "all alone" and you know dear Susie that it is for you to say how long it is to be so.

I am anxious to get my teeth and may go after them the last of the week and will you think me too neighborly to call on you again soon?

Don't you wish I would get paper that was ruled on all sides?

Perhaps I had better not trust the tintype in the mail for fear of its being lost. I will look for a letter Tuesday and expect one.

Wishing you goodnight and a pleasant ride in the morning I remain with much love yours aff.,

Edwin.

Their letters cross in the mail.

Danversport, Oct. 28th, 66. Sabbath afternoon

My Dear Edwin,Home & a warm fire seem very pleasant tonight after coming in from the cold; & we would enjoy it more if you were here to take tea & spend the evening with us; but although miles measure the distance which separates us, thought has travelled the road to you more than once today.

Lynn. Monday Oct. 29th.

I had proceeded thus far in writing to you and was interrupted by company and so when I take my pen again I find myself in Lynn & Monday nearly gone. I left home as usual early this morning & passed the hours in the schoolroom much as usual, receiving little kindnesses from the scholars & expressions of regret that they should learn from the report of the school-committee that I would be their teacher no longer.

I then thought on leaving school at noon, I would call at the office, & was I not glad when "Emilio" said a letter had just come for me in that mail; & still more glad when I recognized the familiar & ever welcome hand-writing. And now I suppose you are just going home to tea & it is pleasant to think that perhaps sometime I may welcome you at such a time & we may together enjoy that social hour.

I thank you for all of your kind words of your letter. I know from experience that it is pleasant to have dear friends who love us and whom we may love; & to feel that even though absent from them we are remembered.

Not feeling quite well yesterday I remained at home from church in the morning & in the afternoon heard Mr. Holbrook at the Baptist. His sermon was very good & he introduced it by saying "Perfect happiness is found only in heaven, but if we live right we may enjoy much on earth.

We have had no evening so pleasant as when we rode from Ipswich & am glad if you enjoyed the ride as well as I. You certainly showed no thoughtlessness in inviting me to meet you in Boston. I wanted to go & accomplished my errand & if I did get tired, I rested afterwards.

You have not had a very nice day for beginning on the house; I hope you will not take cold from the exposure to wh. you may be subjected. I know you will be glad when the work is finished & trust your anticipations for the future will

not be unrealized, & if I am well, with some assistance perhaps, sometime in January I may be ready to come to you; but dear Edwin I can but look upon it as one of the most important steps of my life. I have ever felt that my heavenly Father has guided my way & may I not feel assured He will lead us still? And while I look to you as my earthly friend & companion shall we not together commit our every interest to Him who will be a better friend than we can ever be to each other?

I will not think you too 'neighborly if I should see you this week. You know I am always glad to meet you. What day shall I see you? The sweet clover was very fresh when I opened the letter, having been so short a time on the way. I always wish I had some sweet flowers to send you; but as I am without them, will you take the will for the deed?

Miss Brown was in school today and is better. I presume you will have a fine sing this evening. I would like to be a hearer. The wind sounds cold, & cheerless tonight & reminds me of coming winter. I enjoy the thought of not having to start for Lynn in the cold mornings. How do you like the idea? You will not look in vain tomorrow for a letter, & if this reaches you then I wish very much I may hear from you on Wednesday, may I not? And now I think I had better not write anymore at this time, but will tell you the rest this week when I see you. With much love & a good night, I am aff. Your,

Susan.

At last! Even if a firm marriage date isn’t set, at least we know the month!

Acton Tuesday Evening, October 30th

My dear Susie.I did not look in vain for a letter this evening and as you "wish very much" to receive one from me tomorrow I will write a few lines before bidding you good night. I have thought of you on your way to and from school in the rain today and have not we had a nice rain? I hope and think we shall have a pleasant day tomorrow, as the storm will interfere with my work if it should continue longer. I have had one day's work on my window which is not one of improvement but of destruction. Today I have had a new sink put in which I think you will find a useful piece of furniture and an improvement on the old one.

If pleasant I shall expect two men to work tomorrow and shall hope for some signs of improvement.

We had a very pleasant time last evening and notwithstanding the very dark

and cheerless evening we had about 20 at our sing. None but members of the choir are invited. We have a melodeon and John played an accompaniment on his violin. We intend to meet once a week and the singing school at South Acton is to be kept once a week which I think I shall attend.

I also enjoy the thought that you are not always to go to school and be exposed to all weather but are to cheer my home and fireside instead.

Don't you think it will be more pleasant to me this cold winter to come home and find a warm house and a companion and friend to greet me? I think you take the right view of the step you have taken for it certainly is one of great importance and one upon which your and my happiness is to depend , and I think we can look with confidence to our heavenly father for his blessing upon us.

I have written to my dentist this this P.M. that I will meet him on Friday if pleasant and dear Susie, do you think I can come so near Lynn without calling on you? I hardly know how to leave home but next week I shall find it still more difficult as my brother will be away and I shall have more work on my hands.

The Military had a dance in the hall last evening but as our choir met the same evening I could not attend. They did not have a large party.

I also received a paper from you in which I see your name in print which is very satisfactory to me when I think of the reason of its being there.

Mother has not been very well today but is better tonight. I am sorry you were not able to hear the lecture by Mr. Fletcher for which I suppose I am responsible. It was through ignorance that deprived you of that treat. And now my dear Susie as it is getting late I will bid you good night and wishing for you pleasant dreams and hoping to hear from you again soon and to see you soon after hearing from you I will remain very truly and affectionately yours.

Edwin

Chapter Twenty-Six

"Sealers, and Wheeler Dealers"

Susan and Edwin have met Friday and Saturday in Danvers. They also travelled to Ipswich, Susan’s birth town.

Danversport November 4th Sabbath

My dear Edwin.Another day has gone with those that were & may I not spend one of its closing hours in writing to you? A part of the family have gone to meeting, but I am with those who remained at home. I have thought of you many times today & perhaps while I am writing to you, "all alone" you may be employed in a like way. If the distance was not so great we might lay aside pen & paper and spend the evening a little more socially.

It seems longer ago than yesterday that I saw you. Is not it? I hope you had a successful day in Boston and returned home safely. I followed you in mind in your preparation of your home for the Sabbath, & wished I could have seen where I could have assisted you. Would you not have liked some help?

On going into the school-room after leaving you I saw another applicant for a situation in the High School Miss Graham is a friend of Miss Breed’s. I liked her very well & I think she would be very glad to come there. I did not feel so unpleasantly as when I saw the other lady there, for I have but little choice in the matter & shall we not enjoy as much out of the school-room?

I forgot to thank you for the plants; they are doing well & I will try & keep them till you will help me take care of them. Charlie helped me arrange the slips and I hope some of them will grow. I attended church at the plains this afternoon & heard Mr. Carruthers. His father, who is a minister in Portland made very interesting remarks at the communion service.

I like him as a preacher better than his son. I saw Mary on my way home; she wanted me to go with her to tea & stop this evening, but the weather seemed so cold & unpleasant I thought I better not stay.

Tomorrow I am to commence my last fortnight of the term, providence permitting; & I know they will pass very quickly & I shall soon be looking back upon those days. Since knowing you, dear Edwin, I have sometimes felt that my thoughts were not as faithful to school duties as they used to be, & perhaps it is well that the term is no longer; but will you blame me if sometimes in the midst of the conjugations of "obliviscor" or "semimscor," I have just remembered you? If you think I have done wrong I will try & be more faithful in the remaining days.

Did you succeed in finding the Geometry? Mary said she did not receive it last night but thought she should tomorrow.

I enclose some lines that were once sent to me & were underlined by the one who sent them; I think letters are blessed things when received from those we love.

Shall I be rewarded if I go to the office on my way from school on Tuesday? I am well aware that I have not written much to interest you, but I have felt very stupid tonight & perhaps you will excuse me this time. Please not follow my example in the length of your letter, will you? Hoping to hear from you very soon & with much love, I will bid you good night & remain, dear Edwin,

Very aff. & truly yours,

Susan.

This is election week and Edwin and the Fletcher family are all busy politicking.

Acton Monday Eve. 10 1/2 o'clock Nov. 5th 1866

My dear Susie.I have just returned from the Sewing Society which was at our pastor's this evening and having finished eating my apples all alone will write a few lines to one I wish could be here to share them with me. I have some more left and shall try and save them for you, but have remembered and eaten one for you tonight. Would it not be more pleasant to do it yourself? I know I should have enjoyed it more.

We had a very pleasant time this evening. The party numbered about seventy five. We also had a parish meeting the early part of the evening and have chosen a committee to raise funds and purchase an organ and there is no

doubt we shall have one - the size to depend upon the amount of money raised. If you will mention our case to Mr. Peabody perhaps he would give us a lift.

This is a tongue in cheek reference to George Peabody. The Salem philanthropist visited Susan’s school earlier in the year. He was said to be worth sixteen million dollars at the time of his death, in 1869 and was known as the father of modern philanthropy.

I need not tell you that I enjoyed reading your letter and of course you will not expect a very brilliant letter after being out so late but you know I enjoy keeping late hours sometimes.

I had a very pleasant day in Boston and having a little leisure time I visited William & Everett and took a look at the fine picture of the "Sealers crushed by the icebergs."

Edwin is referring to an 1866 oil painting by artist and explorer William Bradford. The picture depicts the destruction of a seal hunting boat on artic ice. Bradford was a noted member of the Hudson River School of romantic artists and principally portrayed far northern scenes after being a part of several artic expeditions. The painting Susan viewed presently hangs in the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

I thought of you and wished you could have been with me as I know you would have appreciated it better than I could. Yesterday I furnished a very handsome bouquet and the flower you gave me found a part of it. I took dinner all alone yesterday. I should have been very glad of assistance Saturday evening and thank you for your thoughts and wishes for me.

I have had one man to work for me today. My painter and other carpenter did not come as I expected but I shall expect them tomorrow unless the election keeps them at home. We are expecting lively times tomorrow. I have been out all day rallying and brother Smith has been over to Wayland and Sudbury - the other towns that constitute our district for representative.

I thought of you this cold morning on your way to school. It would have been rather cool driving over. Didn't we have nice weather for my visit? But I suppose it was not made on purpose for our accommodation but was quite a pleasure for us.

I am perfectly willing that some one of the applicants should succeed in taking your place in the school room and hope you will find "love in a cottage" more pleasant than teaching. I think you are very excusable for

having wandering thoughts and if some of them are on your future "home" and companion, of course I shall not blame you.

The Geometry I left at the express office on Saturday. I presume they have received. I was obliged to buy a new one. And now as it is late I know you will excuse me from writing more at this time and I will bid you good night and hope that you will find time to write so that I shall not go many times to the office in vain. When shall I get another letter? Time will tell.

With much love I remain very affectionately and truly yours,

Edwin

Susan responds, mid-week.

Lynn. Nov. 7th, 1866. Wednesday P.M.

My dear Edwin.Only a few more times shall I begin a letter to you dated where I have this one. Not many times more shall I sit where I am now sitting & think of you away in your home. And as these thoughts come over me, I will be reminded that with these quickly passing hours, life is going and we are living days that never will come back.

On coming out of school yesterday I went round for a letter, and I need not tell you I was glad to find the promised one. I enjoyed dinner the more. All the older members of the family have gone to the Lyceum lecture, but having quite as much headache as I care for, I instead have spent my evening on the sofa & shall, I am afraid, give you only an apology for a letter: just to tell you that you are not forgotten; & so that you need not go away from the post office empty handed.

Yesterday I made the promised visit at Miss Lewis' & spent the night at her house; & as we started together for school, I felt perfectly willing that she should go to Gravesend & not I; & a feeling of thankfulness came over me that my work for the day would be so much more pleasant.

You have had nice weather for your house & I trust the work is progressing to your mind.

The returns from the elections I trust are satisfactory to you for the most part. Gen. Butler spoke here, last evening. I did not hear him, I believe it was not a ladies' meeting.

If I should have a favorable opportunity I shall be glad to recommend your cause to Mr. Peabody.

I trust you will meet with good success in your undertaking.

I thank you for eating the apple for me & for your promise of keeping some till I can eat them with you. It will be more pleasant won't it?

Now, dear Edwin, will you excuse me if I do not write any more, but instead try to sleep? I will next time make up for so short a letter.

May I hope to find a letter if I go to the office Friday noon? If I do not, I cannot hear from you till Monday, and I do not like to wait so long.

Hoping you are well & to hear from you soon with much love I am & will be truly yrs.

Susan.

While Susan slips in a little humor, she continues to express strong feelings and hints of sadness at leaving her teaching profession. How Edwin managed to eat an apple given his problem with his teeth remains a mystery!

Acton Thurs. Eve Nov. 8th 1866

My dear Susie.Knowing the satisfaction there is in receiving letters from friends we love it shall not be my fault if you go away from the office tomorrow disappointed. I received your letter this evening and was sorry you had such a reason for giving me so short a one, but it was very excusable. I trust you have found relief and I am hoping that when school duties are over you will find the change beneficial to you as well as more pleasant to us.

I have not made so much progress on the improvements of home that I expected. I expect the carpenters will be through tomorrow but my painter, who I have been expecting all the week has disappointed me. I received a letter this morning from him saying he could not come for three weeks and that I had better not depend upon him. I felt a little vexed as he gave me no good reason for not coming according to agreement. I don’t know who I shall get but think I may get one from Lowell if not nearer. Your brother, I think you told me, had some such experience last spring.

The elections have passed off very satisfactory in the main. Our local election was more so than we anticipated. We elected our representative by

a large majority and last evening he invited his friends to meet him at his home which invitation was accepted by a hundred or more from the different towns of the district. We had a very pleasant time and returned home very early this morning after eating an oyster supper.

I don't know but you may think father is getting dissipated if I tell you he was one of the numbers. He seemed to enjoy it as much as any of us. John was much disappointed in being away, but he seemed to be obliged to be absent. We expect him tomorrow night.

Our town agent is in a critical situation, the State constables have made him two more visits this week and they are determined to break him up and I think they will succeed. He doesn't get much sympathy from the temperance people whose rights he has trampled on so long.

What beautiful weather we are having and it reminds me of some other days passed very pleasantly. Have you thought of them? Of course you will not expect much of a letter from me at this time as I was out late last night and it is now time I was making up lost time and will bid my dear Susie good night, hoping to hear from her again soon with a better report in regard to her health and a good long letter as promised.

With much love I remain very affectionately and truly yours,Edwin

Dealing with repairman in 1866 wasn’t much different than current times!

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"Shakespeare and Meteor Showers"

"Shakespeare and Meteor Showers"

Susan remains in Lynn, at the Chestnut Street home Nathaniel Hills and his family where she is boarding.

Lynn November 9, 1866 Friday P.M.

My dear Edwin,While others in the family are playing a game of croquet in the sitting room I have stolen away upstairs & will commence my promised letter to you. This is another of those lovely afternoons we have had this month, & I have wished you were here where we might enjoy the beauty together. Brightly tinged clouds are adding much to the pretty sunset, & they do remind me of other days which are remembered with pleasure.

Mr. Hills was kind enough to go to the office on his way from school & obtained for me a letter from you. I need not tell with what reception it met. I was unusually tired & found a letter the more acceptable for that reason. The pansy was fresh and fragrant and more beautiful than art could make one. I wanted to sit down at once and paint one, but I have not the time, just now. I do love to make pictures and I hope sometime I may find a leisure hour which I may spend in that way.

I should enjoy seeing the painting which you visited; I have heard it called very fine & shall hope you will describe it to me when I see you.

This evening Miss Brown and I are to spend with Miss Breed, & the Shakespeare Club which meets at her house. If you were here I think she would extend an invitation to you. She thinks I ought to be delighted that I have not got to go into school this winter & she is afraid I won't have much sympathy for them, who have to stay. I told her I could have all the more.

She is very tired this term & I think she might think favorably of the proposition which has been made to you, & which you were to consider very seriously. Have you done so? & what is your decision? I, of course, am interested to know.

Home from the Shakespeare Club & find it 11 o'clock; but tomorrow will be Saturday & I shall not need be very brilliant, so I may finish my letter & correct some compositions before 12. I have spent a very pleasant evening. The company numbered about 20 & read "As you like it." I went back to times when I was a member of such a club & read those same plays.

The weather today has been very much as it was a week ago, & did we not have a pleasant ride in the evening of that day? And, we were guilty of keeping late hours then, if I remember rightly. It seems a long while since then, yet I know time is going very quickly; & soon the last week of my school life will be finished. I shall miss it very much, but may I not look to you for company?

I am sorry you are disappointed in your painters; I hope you will find one who will do the work as you wish it, and when you wish it.

Do you know I am to go home tomorrow? What there is in this wide world like it, even if we are ever so pleasantly situated away? May "ours" be one of those happy ones which shall be dearer than any other spot.

I think you saw Miss Lewis when we called at Gravesend school house, she tells me you look so much like your brother James (whom she has several times seen) that she could not tell you from him. When, dear Edwin, am I to hear from you again? You know when I shall go to the office & it is for you to say if I shall go in vain. But I must not sit up writing any longer or I shall bring back that disagreeable headache. With much love & kind wishes & a good night,

I am as always,

Yours, Susie

Susan’s letter is received the next day, Saturday. Edwin responds the next day.

Acton "Our cottage home" Sunday Evening Nov. 11th, 1866.

My dear Susie,

I will reward you for furnishing me with the usual Saturday evening letter by sending an answer by the first mail on Monday morning so if you go in to the office on your way from school it will not be in vain nor will the fault will not be mine.

Have you attended church today? I hardly think you ventured to go to the plains as the weather has been so doubtful. I have attended all the services of the day and will now spend the closing hours in the same pleasant way that I have done many times before but dear Susie I am looking forward with pleasure to the time when we can spend them more pleasantly. I took dinner at home all alone today and had a cup of tea of my own manufacture

but was not what could be called a "social cup of tea," though I enjoyed it as well as I could under the circumstances.

Sat. evening we had a sing in Music Hall and a very pleasant time. Next Tuesday our singing commences at South Acton. John, Quincy and I expect to go.

I have got my work on the house all done with the exception of a little mason work and the painting. I went up to West and South Acton last night to engage workmen to finish that for me but did not succeed as I hoped, not finding the painter at home.

I have moved a part of my plants into the window to see how it will seem. I think we shall like the arrangement. I have also made the proposed change in the doors and think it a decided improvement.

The brackets I like as they are both useful and ornamental but the happiest and pleasantest addition of all is in the future and it seems to me that we cannot help being happy with the blessing of our heavenly Father upon us in our quiet home.

I shall think of you tomorrow morning probably in the rain as starting for the last time to commence the duties of the week in school and have no doubt you will have some sad thoughts but I hope pleasant ones will outnumber them.

Edwin returns to the tongue-in-cheek proposition that he take another teacher as his wife and leave Susan to continue position at the High School.

I had given up all thoughts of the proposition made to me as you seemed so little inclined to fulfill your part of the condition when you had so good an opportunity and I do not know who else would be willing to assist me. You say Miss Breed thinks you ought to be delighted that you have not got to go into school this winter and dear Susie I can say that I certainly am whether you are or not.

It seems a long time since I bid you good bye at the school house in Lynn and perhaps for the last time in that place as I hardly think I will call on you till school duties are over when I shall not be under the necessity of correcting compositions and assisting in translating the difficult passages in Latin.

My brother will probably be away the last of the week and though you know I would very much like to meet you perhaps it will be for the best that you

should give your whole attention to the school as it is so near its close. Please bid all those boys good bye for me and tell them they will not probably get another chance at me and they ought to have improved the last.

Are you on the lookout for the display of meteors? I should enjoy watching for them with you. I hope we shall have a clear sky and that I shall wake to see the sight. I furnished the last bouquet of the season today which was not quite equal to some of its predecessors. It is a very dark night with every prospect of a storm.

When shall I look for another letter from you, dearest earthly friend?

I live near the office and shall keep a sharp lookout for one and you know that it is a pleasure to receive letters as well as write them. I think you will say I have written enough for this time and I will close with much love and hoping to hear from you soon I remain very affectionately,

Your Edwin.

Susan is back in Lynn to begin her final week as a school teacher. The term ends with examinations of the scholars before the school board on Saturday, November 17th.

Lynn, Nov. 12th, 1866 Monday eve.

Dearest Edwin,

Only a few words and then I must say good night. You were kind to reward my search for a letter on my way home from school & when so little time elapses between the mailing of your letter & my receiving it, it seems to bring you a little nearer. I started from home in the rain this morning, but felt I had no reason to complain when I had had so many pleasant ones & knowing I had not many more before me. The rain soon ceased to fall & we have had a pleasant afternoon; so much so that Mr. Hills & I took a walk to Gravesend.

We visited my old school, & Miss Hilliker's called at my former boarding-house & some other places. Words, dear Edwin, cannot express the feelings which came over me as many spoke to me of my leaving school & scholars, with Lynn & all its associations; & bad e me good-bye. I never did like partings from friends, do you?

Tuesday P.M.

Quarter of five, time says, & once more I sit by my window at Mrs. Hills, with a beautiful sunset picture before me, do you see that same sun? But I cannot see you. Sometime we will look at these sunsets together, shall we not? Only four more days in school. You will not think strange, will you if some sad thoughts will come over me & if I find it a little hard to break away from my pleasant school life?

Feelings of regret will mingle also that more has not been done for Him who has done so much for me. It seems as if I was leaving a life with which I have grown familiar for that which is all new, strange & untried. Such a change I might have made in days that have gone; but preferred, for reasons satisfactory to myself, my school-life.

But you know, dear Edwin, that trusting you, with you I may enter that untried future, & with the grace which is given us from above will try to be to you (what I trust you will be to me) your faithful & best friend. I think the changes you have made will be improvements & I hope the "last addition" to your home will not be one in which you will take less pleasure. How quickly the weeks will fly after I leave school & will seem very short for the much I have to accomplish in that time.

I attended church three times on the Sabbath; I went to the plains in the afternoon with cousin Lissie, who is visiting at our house, & we took tea with your brother James & went to the evening service. Your friends were well as usual & I had a pleasant time as I always do when I go there.

Charles is quite sick with cold & so bad a throat that for a number of days he has been unable to speak above a whisper, I hope to hear from him tomorrow, either by letter, or by going myself which I never object doing.

I received a letter from cousin Lucretia today in which she expresses her interest in our happiness. I wish we could watch for the meteors together. I was hoping I might see you this week; but perhaps it is best for the reasons you gave, for me to wait a little longer.

No one has been elected to my place yet that I know of. The teachers do not unite on any one that suits. The scholars don't see "what Miss Smith wants to go off for?" We do. I hope once I may call for a letter on my way from school. Shall it be on Thursday or Friday? Will not the Post Master of Lynn miss our mail?

The flowers were sweet & pretty. Will you think of me Saturday during the examination & saying the "good-byes"? I must say good night for I am

writing in a cold room & you will not care for me to add to the little cold I have. Hoping to hear from you soon & to see you before many days with much love & a good night. I am yours,

Susie

Edwin’s letter crosses in the mail.

Acton Monday Eve Nov. 14th 1866

Dear Susie,I suppose I am about commencing the last letter I shall direct to Lynn in the "care of Mr. Hills" and I will promise before I go farther that I will not inflict a very lengthy one upon you at this time as it is rather late to commence and I am obliged to take an early start in the morning as I am expecting a wash woman at 6 o'clock to commence house cleaning. I almost knew I should get a letter tonight and I think you would not regret writing if you knew the satisfaction it gives me to receive your letters.

I was very sorry to learn of the sickness of your brother Charles and hope to hear in your next (expect Sat,) that he has entirely recovered and that you are also rid of your "little cold."

I always thought the meeting of friends was much pleasanter than the parting and think I can judge somewhat of your feelings in bidding your friends and former associates good bye for new friends and scenes of a more quiet and retired situation and, dearest Susie, I shall very much regret it if you do not enjoy it as much as your school days and as our happiness will depend in a great measure in seeing each other happy I trust we shall do what we can to make our home a happy and pleasant one and that you will find that you have not misplaced your confidence.

I can but feel that providence has directed me in the choice I have made and I know that you did not decide the important question without looking to Him for direction and I feel that we can also look to Him for a continuance of his blessing upon us in prosperity or whatever may be our lot.

I was more successful Sat. eve in my search for a painter than I supposed I was when I wrote last as two came down Monday morning and I have had the outside of the house and blinds painted and perhaps you will say that I have reversed the directions of the Bible to "clean first the inside" etc. but tomorrow I expect to make a beginning in that direction etc.

Martha comes up to oversee the wash woman and see that she does not take

more than belongs to her. I shall not care "how quickly the weeks will fly" before your and my home will be the same.

I think the Post Master at Lynn will be relieved of quite a duty and I hope the P.M. at Danversport will not consider it a burden if mail is thrown upon his shoulders.

I attended the singing school last evening and like the appearance of the teacher very well.

John, Martha and Abbie went to Boston yesterday. I have not watched for the meteors but have tried to wake up in season for them. Monday I was in time but they did not come off and those that know better than I say that last night there was not much of a shower. When it comes off I hope I shall be there to see.

You may rest assured dear Susie that you will not be forgotten on Saturday and I think I can sympathize with the scholars as parting with a good teacher at the close of school was always a trying time with me. The feelings of the teacher I am not so familiar with but I know that every good teacher becomes attached to her scholars.

I have attended the usual Wednesday evening meeting and called at my brother's this evening and now I have broken my promise and must ask your forgiveness. Will you grant it? I do not mean to make a long delay after school's over before making you a visit and if I do not write will endeavor to meet you on Monday P.M. 11.45 cloudy and no meteors in sight. Good night. I shall expect a letter Sat. eve.

Very aff. and truly yours,

Edwin

Susan picks up her pen after her final day of teaching school. All that remains of her duties is the examination of students the next day. It is a very trying time for her.

Lynn, Nov. 16, 1866. Friday eve.

My dear Edwin,I have just come up to my room & find it to be almost 11 o'clock & did I not know that you would be disappointed tomorrow I should not attempt to write tonight; for I am quite tired & examination comes tomorrow & I ought to be resting. So I will fulfil the promise of not saying much; & my thoughts have

been such today that tonight I do not feel like saying anything. I know you will excuse me this once will you not?

I have had 112 tintypes taken this afternoon & hope for rest in that direction after this. Did we not have a rainy morning & how pleasant this afternoon. I went for your letter yesterday noon & found none, but it was waiting for me on my return from school today. I need not tell you how much I enjoyed it. I went home on Wednesday & found Charles much better, so much so that he had been out.

Yesterday afternoon I took tea with Miss Breed & enjoyed it very much. It seems a long time since I saw you & I hope I may have that pleasure on Monday & then I will tell you more than I can write tonight. I have been very busy this week; there were so many calls to make & things to be attended to & tomorrow the end comes: & I shall go home not to return when the school assembles for a new term.

I know, dear Edwin, I have not written anything you will wish to read, but I feel that I must bid you good night. Please take much love & these tintypes for a letter. Hoping to see you soon & with time to enjoy your visit, bidding you good night, I am aff. yours.

Susie

So ends Susan Smith's teaching career.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"Preparations for a New Life”

There may be correspondence missing during the six day period following the last letter, but we know Edwin visited Susan in Danversport. Her school teaching days have ended as the term finished with the examinations.

At home in Danvers Nov. 22, 1866. Thurs. morning

Dearest Edwin,When I promised you a letter for this evening I did not think the time would come so soon. Yesterday in the forenoon Mary & I were very busy at home, & in the afternoon we were in Salem; the eve. found me rather too tired to write & so have deferred it till this morning. I have yet scarcely realized that I am having vacation & that "school will commence again so soon." Who will sit in my chair? Who will use my keys which I must deliver today?

This morning I am going to Lynn & shall spend the night with Annie Brown. I have accomplished so little this week that I do not feel like taking the time, but will not disappoint her.

I feel interested to know how you reached home & what connection you were able to make with the trains. I shall be sorry if by persuading you to stay you were unable to attend to all your business in Lynn & Boston. The fair weather which I predicted was delayed so long that I am afraid you were not accommodated by it; but we have it for today & I think I shall appreciate it.

Did you see the fine sunrise this morning? I think I never saw one more beautiful, such golden clouds, & the water added no little to the beauty. I took the gifts from the scholars to Salem yesterday & had them marked very prettily. They will be much prized as coming from those to whom I was strongly attached.

If I had not said I would mail a letter to you this morning I should not send one so short, but Charley is nearly ready to take this to the office & so, dear Edwin, I must say good morning. Please not follow my example in the length of your letter, but set such a one as you would like to have me follow & I will be guided by it.

Charlie is Susan's seven year old nephew.

I need not tell you that we missed you after you left us on Tuesday. I shall claim a letter Monday, I should enjoy before that time. I will not send you such an apology for a letter next time. Now, dear Edwin, once more good morning. Hoping to hear from you soon, with much love, I am ever truly yrs.

Susie

With teaching now behind her, marriage preparations begin in earnest, in both Acton and Danvers.

"At home" Acton Fri. Eve.11 o'clock Nov. 23, 1866

Dearest Susie.Notwithstanding the lateness of the hour I will write a few lines this eve in answer to your "short but sweet" letter received last eve. I suppose you have made and finished your visit to Miss Brown. I fear the weather was not such as you would wish. Here we had quite a little snow storm and the ground is still white but I think tomorrow’s sun will cause it to disappear. I do not wish to see winter just yet do you Susie? I find it is not pleasant to come into a cold house. This eve I have started a fire in my chamber stove and moved up stairs as I do not like the smell of the paint. I shall be glad when they are done and all the other arrangements made for a pleasant and a happy home. I hope you will not be homesick when you come up and see the unsettled state of things, but think that it is not always to be so.

Mother had about seventy meet with her in the hall last evening notwithstanding the storm. We had a very pleasant time. This eve the choir met for rehearsal. On my return home I took the same train from Lynn to Boston that I started on. I called to see the man that I wished to see and not finding him at home I hurried back to the depot and was just in season to go on.

I called at Mr. Black' s and ordered the Photographs' and settled your bill. I have written to James this eve requesting him to see you about coming to Acton. Perhaps you will see him on the Sabbath. I am anticipating much pleasure in seeing you and I hope the day will not be so unpleasant as the last one you spent in Acton. I am troubled with a slight cold which affects my throat and I think you can sympathize with me as you have had the same experience.

Abbie has the same trouble quite severely and was not able to be out neither last evening nor this. I have just been interrupted by a commotion among the crockery which I have stored in the attic and upon my going to see what the trouble was, found the cat in search of game and I assisted her in completing it by removing some of the wares among which it was hid.

John started off Wed. morning and returned last evening in season for the meeting.

I thank you for the beautiful flower you sent which I think will retain its beauty longer than the ones I send you.

And now dear Susie, I owe you an apology for writing so hasty a letter and I know you will excuse me from writing more when I tell you that the oil is going out and I do not wish to disturb any one by getting another lamp and

so I will bid you good night hoping to hear from you again on Monday and to see you on Wednesday. I remain with much love to all the friends at home very aff. & truly yours,

Edwin

I stopped to the singing school. My brother came after me, but not in season to attend the school as he had company and it was very rainy the first of the eve. I had procured a passage home but found him waiting for me.

Following this letter, nine days pass before there is any more mail, from either. This is the longest gap over the entire correspondence. During this period, Susan visited Acton, accompanied by Edwin’s brother James and perhaps some of his family. Edwin probably returned with her as they shopped together in Boston.

Acton Our cottage home December 2, 1866

Dearest Susie,Agreeable to the promise made I will write a few lines to you this evening. I had a very pleasant ride home but must say that I did not enjoy it so much as the ride in the morning. I succeeded in getting the goods home in safety and upon examination find them correct and perfectly satisfactory. James called up in the evening and was much pleased with our selection.

John and Martha called in at noon and if it was Sunday I did not resist the temptation to get their opinion of (missing word.) They like them very much and think we were very fortunate in the choice we made. Henry called this eve and he thinks I must have had some one of good taste to make the selection for me. I told him I did not do it alone.

I found the bundle of papers directed to Concord, N.H. but as it was left at the Fitchburg depot it came all right. What a beautiful day we have had and the fine sunset I suppose you saw, but not from the same windows that I did. I need not tell you dear Susie my thoughts went forward a few Sabbaths when I should not be alone thinking of my dearest friend so far from me and not under the necessity of expressing my thoughts on paper but in a more social manner.

I trust you arrived home safe and none the worse for the visit and the days experience in Boston. Did you stop at Lynn and leave the keys? Or have the scholars got to be shut out of your room?

Some the people were disappointed in not seeing us at church today. We

have here as in most other places people who are willing to fix the day and make all the plans for any one in our situation.

We had a minister from Carlisle to preach for us today. James took charge of the meeting in the evening in the absence of Mr. Colman. We have a rehearsal tomorrow evening in the Hall. Tuesday evening, the sing school. Wed. evening the usual meeting and Friday eve the Ladies Sew. Society meet at Mr. Corrant, our representative elect, all of which I expect to attend. The other evenings are taken up by meetings that I shall not attend.

I awoke this morning with the headache but a good strong cup of tea for dinner has driven it all away. I believe I promised I would not write a long letter and as it is wrong to break promises I must close and dear Susie when shall I get an answer?

I know you will not make me go many times to the office before getting one of the letters I prize so much. And now with much love I will bid you good night.

Very truly yours,

Edwin.

Mail service between Danvers and Acton was as efficient as the service between Lynn and Acton. Edwin’s letter is answered the next day.

Danversport, Dec. 3rd ‘66 Monday evening

My dear Edwin,

It is now nine o'clock & I am feeling just like shutting my eyes, so I fear you will think your prospect of a letter not very encouraging; but I know how I dislike to be disappointed when I am anticipating a letter & I judge of others by myself. Yours which I felt sure I should receive came this afternoon & with it safely the bill which I think your credit would have allowed you to retain. I was glad to learn of your safe arrival home & that you as well as others were satisfied with the choice which we made in the paper & curtains.

I followed you in mind as you went your way & I mine & know I should have liked better to have taken the pleasant drive with you from Concord than I did the ride with a stranger in the steam-car. Perhaps it will not always be that we shall go in different ways. I found on reaching Salem that it would be necessary to change cars for Danvers; I was just planning to move

conveniently with my baggage when a friend of ours offered to relieve me, which I thanked him very much for doing. I found all at home well & expecting that I would come.

Father had gone to Ipswich & has not yet returned. I spent a very pleasant day in Boston & was not so tired as I usually am after being in the noisy city. I did enjoy that early morning ride; it reminded me of those we have taken on our way to Lynn & yet there was something about it which was more pleasant than those.

Susan’s mention of her father was surprising. It seems he too may be now living with his son Charles and his family in Danversport. With Susan still boarding there, it must be a bit crowded on Water Street.

You will not think it strange, if I tell you that my thoughts were in the school-room this morning. Why was I not there in body as well?

I attended church three times yesterday & heard an excellent sermon in the morning from Mr. Holbrook. He spoke beautifully of life's duties, that there was no station so lowly, none so lofty, but great responsibilities rested upon us. And, dearest friend, will we not strive that our lives be not aimless?

I have asked Mary about the edge of the curtains & she thinks that in time they would ravel if they were not hemmed or pasted. She fixed hers in the last way & they rolled perfectly well. Have you had painters in the house today & when will they have the paper?

So there are some people who have made different plans from yours & mine. I usually like to disappoint such ones. There are plenty of the same class here & I let them alone to enjoy their own planning. The weather has been very fine since I came home & I trust you all have enjoyed it more than the storm. Mary sends love & has been urging me to say good night, & is watching the bread which this time making. If you were here we would take good care of it.

If I send for a letter on Thursday may I find one there? I shall wish to hear from you, you know. Mary thinks it would be better to wear the oil-cloth carpet a little while before putting on varnish. Please remember me to your father & mother & brother's family; particularly to Mary whom I love very much. And now once more bidding you good night, dear Edwin, I am very aff. your,

Susie

Domestic chores and wedding plans are moving forward.

Acton. Wed. Eve. Dec. 5, 1866 10 o'clock

My dear Susie,Perhaps you may wish to know why I have delayed till this late hour before commencing my letter to you. I have been unusually busy today and have just returned home. This eve I have attended the meeting after which I called to see John about some business and I must ask you to excuse me from writing much of a letter as I am expecting to take an early start in the morning for Westford, Lowell and Billerica, all alone. Don’t you wish you could keep me company? I do. I invited mother & Martha but neither of them thought they could leave home. I expect to be gone over night. It is about 22 miles and I should really enjoy your company and think I should have a more social ride. I hope and think I shall have a pleasant day. I don't know how to leave home but it seems to be necessary for me to do so.

Father goes to Fitchburg tomorrow. James and family left us this morning. James rode to Concord with John who has been to Boston today and ordered an organ of Simmons.

The Fletcher family all attended the Congregational Church, first founded in 1832. John Fletcher, the father of Edwin, had been a deacon since 1838. The organ, often mentioned in recent letters, was finally installed in 1867, at a cost of $1,320.00.

I think you did well to attend church three times after taking such a jaunt in Boston. The carpet came Monday night and I have it spread in the attic at the shop. I washed it over with cold water today and the painters say varnish it before using it. I have got the painting all done and expect the grainers tomorrow. The paper in the bedroom and sitting room is all on and looks nicely. The parlor is partly done and will also be very much improved. I expect they will get it all finished tomorrow. I shall leave John to see that everything is right. He took the curtains to Boston today.

And dear Susie I shall be glad when I get settled down and rid of the painters etc. You will not think strange that I have that feeling and I think you would have been homesick if you had called today. I have had four men at work in the house beside myself. We found it no small job to get off the old paper. And now dear Susie I must close as I wish to start at seven in the morning and I will leave it for you to make the necessary corrections in this hasty letter and with much love I will bid you good night.

I shall expect a letter Saturday evening. Shall I be disappointed? Very truly

and affectionately, yours,

Edwin

Chapter Twenty-Nine

"A Visit to Ipswich"

Susan writes to Edwin from her childhood home in Ipswich, Mass.

Ipswich December 9, 1866 Sabbath Evening.

It is always pleasant to me to write to you on this day of the week & at this hour of the day when the sun is gilding the west before it sinks entirely behind the hills. And as I sit now in the room where my earliest days were spent many scenes come before me which tell me of dear ones who pass the days in God's temple not mad e with hands & as I write I wish you could take this seat by the same window & we would together see such beautiful clouds as we enjoyed on our pleasant morning ride to Concord.

How quickly time is flying & I am by that as well as by your letter reminded that not many weeks or Sabbaths remain to be spent "at home." But, dear Edwin, it seems to me that we shall find pleasant ones in store for us in the future if we are permitted to meet in "our cottage home."

Cousin Lissie & I have just been kindling a fire in the stove & would like you to enjoy it with us. Sometime you will won't you? And sometimes in return I will sit with you around the fire which you will kindle.

I have attended church twice today; this morning I heard our own pastor Mr. Southgate & this afternoon I went with Lissie to their church. Since commencing to write I have taken tea & having left the parlor to Annie & her

friend I will go on writing my letter. Perhaps you are engaged in a similar way & I am looking forward to the arrival of the mail tomorrow for a letter from you. I do not think you will disappoint me. Did you receive a hasty note yesterday? I hurriedly wrote a few lines just before starting for Ipswich. I thought you would not think it a very satisfactory letter but trusted you would excuse it once more.

I received a letter from Miss Brown & also one from Mr. Hills in the same mail with your last, & which do you think I opened first? Not Annie Brown's and not Mr. Hills', but one from a dear, kind friend, whom you do not need me to tell you. From their letters I find I am not quite forgotten by them in school; but I do think I enjoy taking my own time Monday mornings & not hurry for the cars before sunrise.

Tomorrow I am to spend the day with another of my many cousins, & quite a band of them are to meet in the afternoon & use their needles for my benefit, and yours too, is it not?

Aunt Martha has just come in and wishes to be remembered to you & would like to have you come & see them. Perhaps I have written enough for this evening & will finish when I have received yours. Why do you not tell me I am growing very careless about my writing? I think you must have noticed it, & perhaps if you had hinted as much, I should have made some effort at improvement. Now, once more, dear Edwin I will bid you good night, & wait to hear from you tomorrow.

Tuesday morn. 10 1/2 o'clock.

She makes plans to see him the following week.

Dear Edwin,

Yesterday afternoon while at Cousin Martha's I was most happy to receive your long letter. I need not tell you how glad I was to hear from you & this is such a nice day that I wish I could be at home that I might see you tonight. I have just come in from the office with a letter from Mary & she tells me of a package which came from Acton bearing your handwriting. I am impatient to see it.

I am glad others are so well pleased with the room-papers; though most important that we should like them. Mary intends to come to Ipswich tomorrow & to return to Danvers on Thursday, leaving her here. Then we shall probably go to Boston on Saturday or Monday. Will you excuse me if I make a suggestion with regard to your visit to Danvers?

It would be pleasant for me to see you there on Thursday afternoon, & I shall be at liberty to make any arrangements you wish for Friday. But I must if possible be in Boston on Saturday or Monday, & Tuesday & the remainder of the week, every day I am engaged with a dressmaker & seamstress. But please feel at liberty to do as you think best. But I would like if you can to receive a line Wednesday afternoon directed to Ipswich in care of Thomas H. Lord, informing me if I shall look for you then. If you should mail a letter later than Wednesday morning please direct to Danversport as I intend to leave Ipswich Thursday forenoon.

I think you will need an interpreter for this letter, but by way of excuse I would say I have been writing down in the sitting room with a number of friends talking & asking me questions & the pen is a borrowed one & not of my style.

I am going to Lucretia's today. I must end my letter or it will not reach the mail. With much love & hoping to see you soon, I am truly your,

Susie

While Susan mentions receiving a long letter from Edwin, it is missing. Edwin has however visited her, presumably in Ipswich. She has returned to her brother’s home in Danvers when she next writes.

Danversport, Dec. 16th, 1866. Sunday P.M.

My dear Edwin.

One week ago today I wrote to you from Ipswich & was looking forward with much pleasure to your coming! Today I write to you from home & look back on the pleasant hours we spent with each other while you were with us; for I did enjoy your visit & miss you today. But if it seems best to our heavenly father, it will not be many Sabbaths before we may exchange writing for each other's society, & as I look forward to that time when it will be, as it were, a new life to me, I do hope to make it a better life, a more earnest Christian-life & I know my dearest friend that your desires will not be different.

There have been times when I have felt more thankful that I had learned of Christ as a Savior, than at some others, but never so much does it seem so desirable as now, for what is lost if "home" is not a "Christian home". And I feel that "ours" will be a Christian & a happy one, & I hope I shall ever be truly grateful to the giver of all our blessings for his gifts to us.

The wind is blowing & the snow falling fast, reminding us that summer days are over. I hope you are seated around a nice warm fire, but I would rather have you here to help me watch ours.

We took our seats in the cars yesterday after leaving you & found Charles who had arrived before us. We all stopped in Lynn, Charles only till the next train & Mary & I took tea with Mrs. Hills & reached home between seven & eight. I think I was pretty thoroughly tired. I did not sit to hear the clock strike many of the small numbers but retired quite early.

I have attended church only this afternoon & heard Rev. Mr. Toles of the Little Wanderer's Home. I was very much interested in him & one could not listen to his stories without shedding tears. There is work enough all around us if we are only ready to do it, is not there?

The Home for Little Wanders began as an orphanage in 1799 but in 1865 began operating as a private organization to care for children orphaned by the Civil War. The home acted as a placement facility for its wards. Though greatly expanded over the years, the facility continues to prosper to this day. It is the oldest agency of its kind in the nation.

I am anxious to hear from you & to know if you reached home safely & if the plants were frozen, & how you found your brother. Did we not have very favorable weather, & go in just the right time to accomplish our work? Has not providence smiled on us & may we not always hope for its blessing?

I think you will have plenty of snow when you wish to send to Lowell. Am I not glad I have not got to rise early & start in the storm for Lynn tomorrow morning? I know I shall enjoy the day at home & won't you come in & take tea & spend the evening with us?

I have looked many times at your beautiful gift & admire its beauty & you know how much I prize it, & how truly I thank you.

I heard from your brother James as being in Boston on Saturday. Mr. & Mrs. Hills were there also. I wonder we did not see them; I think we were too busy. Afternoon has passed into evening & if you could look in upon us you would find Mary & I writing, Charles reading, & Charlie sleeping in his chair. What would you do if you were here? I think if I could peep in at you I should see you with the table drawn up to the fire writing to somebody.

I am not much of a clairvoyant so you need not feel afraid that I shall tell what you are saying. My teeth troubled me some last evening but have

behaved very well today. I think the cold in them has nearly gone. I have the impression that there is something about which I was to write to you, but I do not think what it is. I wish I was to have the letter tomorrow, but my turn will come the next day, won’t it? Time and paper are hinting that it is time to say good night. So with much love & a good night kiss, I will once more tell you dear Edwin, I am your own,

Susie

Monday morning.

Is not this a storm & is it not well that we did not wait to go to Boston, I shall have a real nice long day to sew & I shall improve it. Mary sends love & so do I. Good morning.

Susie

Susan and Edwin had spent two days together and exchanged gifts of some kind. A diamond ring, perhaps?

Acton Sunday Eve. Dec. 16, 1866

My dear Susie,I will comply with your request to commence a letter to you this eve and is it not a stormy one. I am enjoying it here all alone in "our cottage home" and dear Susie I do wish you were here to make me enjoy it still more. I have thought of you many times today and of the social evenings we spent together and the two days experiences. I trust you arrived safely home with your precious load and that you find them satisfactory. I can hardly feel reconciled that I should not have your beautiful present to read this evening but instead I will enjoy writing a few lines.

I reached home about 6 o'clock and found everything in the house about as I left them. The fire has not been out since I left home and the plants are in good condition. I called at John's in the evening and found him rather poorly. He had not been out since Thurs. He is now improving and I hope will soon be out again as I have as much business on my hands as I wish without taking his part also. I called down to see him this evening and had a sing.

Mother came in and took a cup of tea with me at noon. Mr. Coleman preached today. The congregation was not quite so large as usual. There was no evening meeting on account of the storm. As I have got to the bottom of the second page I will bid you good night and finish after receiving yours

tomorrow evening.

Monday eve.

I received your good long letter fragrant with the beautiful flower this eve for which I do thank you. What a fine snow storm we have had and the prospect is that we are to have some fine sleighing when it is trod and if you will only come to Acton I will give you a sleigh ride. I think I shall go or send for the goods Friday or Sat. if the weather is good and then you will come over will you not?

You know I should have enjoyed watching the fire with you last evening, but was deprived of the privilege. I will sometime gratify your wish. I thought of you this morning and knew you would be glad you was not obliged to start for Lynn High School or Boston to do your shopping.

I think we had very favorable weather and if providence smiles on us in other respects as it does in regard to the weather we can find no fault. I should have been glad to have met James in Boston. I called at John’s this evening. He has not been out but thinks of coming to the shop tomorrow if pleasant. I have been busy at the shop all day and evening. I have duties at the house I wish to do. The carpet has not arrived. I shall look for it tomorrow.

I am sorry that your teeth still continue to trouble you. Do not apply yourself too closely to the sewing this week but get what help you can. The Sewing Society meets three miles from Home Thurs. eve. We are planning to turn out in full rank.

And now, dear Susie I must bid you good night as it is getting late and when shall I hear from you again? You know I shall not get it any too soon. Would you like to come to Acton next week if I get the goods home this week? With much love I remain your own affectionate,

Edwin.

This was the last letter from Edwin Fletcher. All the subsequent correspondence was from Susan, with two exceptions. From her letters we know Edwin continued to write several more times, but his correspondence is lost. Perhaps they were sold in the stamp store, before I was able to purchase the balance.

Chapter Thirty

"Other Voices and the End of the Year”

Susan’s one sided correspondence continues.

Danversport, Dec. 19th 1866 Wednesday eve.

My dear Edwin,I have been sewing very busily all the evening & you perhaps will not expect a very long or an interesting letter; but I rather have a short one than none at all & I thought perhaps that would be the same with you & so I will write just a little to you tonight. I was so glad of your letter which did not reach me till this morning. I was real disappointed in not receiving it last evening. I had not been feeling very well & almost discouraged with the many things that need to be done & would have enjoyed it very much, but I knew you were not in fault. I retired about six o'clock & found myself this morning quite free from my headache & I have accomplished a good day's work.

I am glad you found things all right on your return home & hope by this time your brother has so far recovered as to relieve you from your extra duties. I am having my dressmaking done this week & that occupies my time pretty closely. I thank you for your friendly caution with regard to the sewing; but I find I must be very busy & even then I shall find it necessary to leave unfinished some which I would like to accomplish, in order to come to Acton when you are expecting me there to stay with you.

I suppose by this time the carpet has arrived & perhaps you have put it down also. I would like to come to Acton next week if you get the things from Lowell. At what time in the week will it be best to make my plan to come?

I had thought of spending a few days in Lynn, but can go there any time after coming from Acton.

Cousin Martha is with us; she came from Ipswich today. I think I must say good night for I am very tired & will finish in the morning. Mary sits by the fire & is sending all sorts of messages to you which I do not think best to

write. She with Martha is taking care of our fire. I wish we might help them. Mary says she is going to write to you herself and then she can say as she pleases. All that hinders her is that she thinks you would be likely to show it to me. You will won't you? Well, dear Edwin once more good night.

Thursday morning.

Another pleasant day is before us judging from appearances. I hope you will have as nice weather tomorrow & next day. I think when I come to Acton I had better plan to meet you at noon, unless there are any things to be attended to in Boston, & will you please write me when it will be best for me to be there.

When am I to hear from you again? I should enjoy a letter Saturday, but perhaps it will not be convenient for you to write. If mailed Saturday morning I should not get it till Monday, should I?

The flowers were so pretty & I have been looking at the home where they grew & think it would be pleasant to be with them & help take care of them. I would enjoy the sleigh-ride very much. If pleasant tomorrow, you may think of me as entertaining Miss Breed, who has not been here yet. I must not take time to write more this morning. Hoping to hear from you, with much love dear Edwin, I am as ever your aff.

SusieSusan continues the letter a few days later.

Danversport. Dec. 23, 1866. Sunday eve. 6 1/2 o'clock

Dearest Edwin,I have stolen away up stairs & am sitting "all alone" in father's room which is nice & warm. The rain is pouring fast & thinking the weather tomorrow may be such that I may not have the pleasure of seeing you I thought I would write to you which will be the next best to seeing you. I am hoping the day will be fair, but if it is not I presume it will be all right & I will try & bear the disappointment. As I opened my writing desk I took up one of your letters bearing the date of Nov. 15th, written to me while I was teaching in Lynn. How long ago that seems! & you speak of making ready for the painters, & other changes.

That work is all completed now & as I was reminded by it of the flight of time, I also thought how quickly these days of my stay at home are going & that probably not many more Sabbath evenings shall I sit down & talk with you with pen & paper; but it will be pleasanter to sit down with you than to

think of you all alone as I now do, I presume you expected a letter from me last evening; I did not receive yours till yesterday after noon & then it was too late to send to you.

I wish the post office would do better. I think it treats you better than it does me in giving you a letter the same day it is mailed here. You must have been very busy to have put down so many carpets in one day. I thought it would take a long time to fit the oil-cloth to the dining room. I think you will feel relieved when you have everything in order & then shall you want someone to keep them so?

I have attended church but once today & came home when it was raining fast, & I think the prospect of a sleigh-ride is not very promising.

Susan continues writing, on Christmas eve.

Monday morning.I have been watching the clouds, dear Edwin, for the last hour & come to the conclusion now (7 1/2 o'clock) that the weather is "decidedly stormy." (Such weather as I usually have when I come to Acton) & think it is not best to start for Boston for it is very rainy. From your letter I infer that you think it best for me to start tomorrow, you do not forget it is Christmas, I suppose.

If I do not hear from you & if the weather is pleasant I will start tomorrow to meet you at the same hour as you designated. If you should get as far as Boston & do not find me come right on to Danvers; won't you? I am real disappointed; for I do want to see you. You may think of us today as at work with the quilting frame. I must not write more as Charley will take this to the office.

I will not forget you today, if I cannot meet you. Mary sends love. Now, once more good morning. With much love to you my dear Edwin, I am your aff.

Susie

Christmas doesn’t seem as important as one might imagine. This is the only mention of the holiday. They did, however, exchange presents. It appears Edwin’s gift was a diamond ring. Susan visited Edwin in Acton, and Boston. Julia, her ten year old niece, travelled with her.

Now we hear a different perspective as Susan’s sister-in-law Mary writes directly to Edwin. Once again, the strong sense of family is apparent.

Danversport Dec. 30, 1866

Dear brother Edwin,I was very happy to receive a letter from you so unexpectedly, but must confess I was a little anxious until I glanced through it, thinking Susie must be sick. I think I know what it is to be busy and could imagine just how you were situated. I should have written had I not thought Susie would be home Friday, as the weather was not suitable to go to Lowell. She arrived home safely last night and it seems to me nothing but a kind Providence ever saved her from injury when in such a perilous situation. I think she will not be any more fond of driving in future than I am of having her.

Julia arrived home in safety, after having enjoyed ever so much; she has not done telling the sights she saw, one of the most prominent was the large elephant. She saw my brother James come into the car in Lynn, and took her seat with him. I am very much obliged to you for your kindness, and attention to her, and hope someday I may have the privilege of repaying it. Her kitten came safely and is much admired by her and Martha, it has not seemed lonely at all.

I went with Martha to Ipswich in the 6 o'clock train, and arrived in just season to get a good seat at the exhibition, enjoyed it much, spent the night at Aunt Martha's, in the morning made eight calls on those numerous cousins, and came home with Martha in the half past eleven train.

I thought of you both on Thursday, and imagined you enjoying yourselves though stormy, for if we have those about us we love, it makes but little difference about the weather.

I can hardly bear the thought of your taking Susie away from me, and did I not feel and know you would do better for her than I could, I should feel quite unwilling. She has been with me for nine years, and I never expect to take so much comfort in another, as I have in her. She has been as kind, and is as near as any sister could be, and I must tell you that I think you are a fortunate man in having secured her affections. Although she will move in a different sphere at a distance from me, I shall ever feel the same interest in her welfare, that I should one of my own children.

It is time for meeting to be done, and I will close off wishing you a Happy New Year. Aff. yours,

Mary

Yet another voice is heard from Danvers, that of eleven year old Julia, Mary’s daughter and Susan’s niece.

Danvers Port, Dec. 30th

Dear Mr. Fletcher.I received the kitten safely and thank you very much for it, and I think she is real pretty. I think she misses you some, but she does not seem very lonely. I thank you very much for your kindness to me in Boston. I had a real nice time and got home safely. Why didn’t you let Aunt Susie come home Thursday, as I told you to?

When I got home I found Mother and Martha had gone up to Ipswich to spend the night. I wish you a happy New Year and wish you was going to be here to spend it with us. I hope you will excuse the mistakes and consider this letter worth an answer. With much love, I am aff. yours,

Julia

Susan writes the same day after returning from spending several days in Acton.

Danversport Dec. 30th, 1866 Sunday evening

My dear, dear Edwin,It is the last Sabbath evening of 1866 & may I not spend a part of it in writing to you? The twelve months of another year have followed each other in quick succession & we stand almost on the threshold of a new year. We can hardly enter it without a review of what has passed in the one which has nearly gone. The sermon this afternoon was a review of our blessings & reasons for thankfulness. And dearest Edwin I felt that I had cause for gratitude that God has given me such a dear, kind & true friend as you, & that he has protected me from danger, & injury, aside from the numberless mercies which ever attend us.

I have thought of you so many times to day & also how pleasant it would be to spend the hours of this day in our "sweet home" with you. Words cannot express to you the many emotions of my own heart when I saw how much your loving hands had done to make home pleasant & attractive. You have mad e it so its very atmosphere on entering it was so, & you do not know how much I enjoyed the happy hours we spent there.

And most of all when I sat with you & read those precious promises of our heavenly Father & we knelt together to seek his blessing. If things could have been so arranged, we should have found it pleasant to begin this new life with the new year, should we not?

But, dear Edwin, it will not be long before that time will come if a kind providence permits, will it?

You will conclude that I have reached home, which I did safely about five o'clock. One of our neighbors very kindly relieved me of some of my baggage & carried kitty to the door. She behaved nicely & Julia is delighted with her. From both of the children she receives every needed attention. We all love her for your sake.

Miss Brown & one of my scholars had been here all the afternoon waiting for me & had gone only a little while before. I was sorry not to see them. They brought me a very pretty work basket & a picture to hang in our sitting room. Miss B. also left a photograph of herself for you which I will enclose.

Now, with regard to yourself, did you have a pleasant ride to Concord? Did you warm the soapstone? Did you get someone to hold the horse for you? Were you cold riding home? Did you have a lonely ride? Did the goods arrive safely? I hope I shall find all these questions answered in my letter which I shall be anxious to receive.

I have attended church but once today. I felt rather stiff & lame this morning but am quite well tonight. I presume you have attended both services. Did you not disappoint some people by going alone? But I suppose they are sure you will bring company next Sabbath.

I can imagine just how you are seated to night, writing I think a letter to someone who would enjoy sitting down with you. Did we not have pleasant talks? And they were such as strengthened my confidence in you & increased my love for you. I wish I could be with you tomorrow & sew the carpet & arrange the room for you. I think it will be very pretty when it is finished. Your beautiful gift of yesterday glistens as I move near the light. It is another proof of your kindness. When shall I repay it all? Was your mother satisfied with the errand we did for her? How is your brother's wife?

Please give much love to all the friends at home & excuse the "uphill" lines of this letter. I suppose this is the last letter I shall write to you this year and as I remember that one year ago I did not know you I hope that in one year to come I shall know you more.

Wishing for you dear Edwin a happy new year & hoping for a letter tomorrow & to hear that you are well. I am with much love & good night kiss, your own,

Susie

P.S. I suppose our letters will pass each other on the way. So will you not consider it your turn to write & let me have a letter Wednesday? & I will reply as soon as I receive it.

Thus ends 1866, a life-changing year for Edwin Fletcher and Susan Smith. Eighteen sixty-seven awaits.

Chapter Thirty-One

"The Last of the Letters"

It seems like old times as Susan writes to Edwin, from her recently vacated work place.

Lynn High School January 3, 1867 Thursday. 11 o'clock

My own dear Edwin,I am sitting in Miss Brown's recitation room hearing her class in Mental Philosophy & meanwhile writing a few lines to you, just to tell you where I am & that I shall not get your letter till tomorrow; & I thought you would perhaps wonder why I did not reply as soon as you supposed I had heard from you. You shall have a letter on Saturday notwithstanding. I have this morning been living over my days in the school-room.

Everything is very pleasant; the sun is shining brightly, the teachers & scholars seemed glad to see me; yet dear Edwin, our "sweet home" & your pleasant company & true friendship have for me a stronger attraction.

I do not do wrong to tell you so; do I? I think it is due you to know it when you

have been continually doing so much for my happiness; & when you know I trust you entirely.

I took tea & spent the night at your brother' s on Tuesday & Mary came to Lynn with me yesterday & returned this morning & I shall probably go home tomorrow. I went to Beverly & could not match the ware. What is it best to do?

The scholars have been here & brought to me some of their lunch just as of old. It is pleasant to have friends to love us is it not my beloved Edwin.

Our extension table is only 28 in. high. Excuse great haste & look for a letter on Saturday. With much love, Your own Susie. I want to see you.

Back home, she writes again the following day.

Home, Danvers Jan. 4th,1867 6 o'clock Fri. eve.

My dearest Edwin,While waiting for tea I have come up stairs to write a few lines to you. I returned from Lynn this morning & found your letter awaiting my arrival. Was I not glad to receive it? But I want to see you more & I have been looking forward to next week hoping that Monday will bring with it. Shall I have that pleasure then?

Probably you received a few lines very hastily written at Lynn, just to let you know where I was. I enjoyed my short visit very much, receiving many kindnesses & wishes for our happiness. I often in mind live over those pleasant hours we spent together while I was with you last week & as I was thinking of you tonight, I thought providence permitting, in three week from tonight I should be "getting tea" for you & watching for you to come home. Would you like that? Won't it be pleasant?

I need not tell you I have been busy, since I saw you. I do not forget your caution, dear Edwin, but there are many things which others cannot do for me & which need to be done; but I will try & be as careful as I can.

Charles has come & I must go down to tea & bye & bye will finish my letter.

10 o'clock.

Having finished my evening's sewing I will fulfil my promise of writing to you & you will excuse it if I do not extend my letter very much tonight, will you not? I am sorry you were disappointed in not receiving your promised letter for Monday eve. Your last letter reached Danvers the same day in which you

mailed it.

I wish you were here & I would talk faster than I am inclined to write. The fire is nice & comfortable & we would take good care of it.

In a letter from Cousin Martha she says our pastor, Mr. Southgate has resigned, his resignation to take effect in April next. What changes are continually going on?

Julia still enjoys her kitty & tends her & rocks her as she would a little child. I think she was quite frightened by being confined so long in the basket & is just recovering from it.

I would like to give you patterns of those dresses & will try to remember to enclose them in this letter. I hope your sister will like them. I am pleased to hear that she is better. Give my love to her & ask her to hasten her recovery as much as possible. I noticed in this evening's journal the marriage of some West Acton people, probably those to whom you refer. Tell the people to have a little patience & we will gratify them when we are ready. I wish I could come in & make the bed for you, for I think you are too weary when night comes to do it yourself. Sometime I will, you will not have it to do many times more.

Have you arranged business matters to your mind? & are you all ready for 1867? I thought of you while employed on Tuesday.

We shall be happy to see your sister Lizzie & family & I hope they will be able to be here.

Edwin has apparently asked Susan about inviting his deceased wife’s sister Lizzie and her family to attend his wedding. Susan agrees.

Mrs. Fletcher, your brother James' wife, would like to have you get for her a pair of those Arctic boots like mine, No. 3.M. Mine were just right for her. Your brother's school is going on well. Mary & Julia would be pleased to hear from you & also to see you soon.

You will excuse a hasty letter won't you? I would not wish to interfere with your plans but if you have arranged to come to Danvers on Monday, you know how glad I shall be to see you. If you should not come you will let me have a letter on Monday, won't you? Please remember me to your father & mother. And now dear Edwin I must say good night again with pen & ink. Hoping to hear from & see you soon, with much love, I am always your own,

Susie

Edwin has once again visited Susan in Danvers.

Danversport, Jan. 8th '67 Tuesday eve.

My dearest Edwin,The clock has just struck ten, & you may think I had better be sleeping than writing; but I have been asleep nearly all the evening & have just waked to write a letter to you as I promised. I am sitting just where we sat last evening before a nice fire & you do not know how much I miss my dearest friend. I am trying to get thoroughly warm before starting for those colder regions where I found so great a degree of cold last night, or rather morning.

Mary thinks it must have been three o'clock when she heard the door open. I let her think so. I have followed you on your way till I think now perhaps you have reached home, I hope you have, it is so cold.

I felt so sorry to part from you today for I saw the shade of sadness which I knew I had brought over you. I could not bear to do it; I thought of every alternative, & I knew not what else to do. But, dear Edwin, I would rather bear anything myself than make one unpleasant thought for you.

This is an interesting and very personal comment. We can only speculate on what might have transpired.

I am pretty tired & it is so late that I will bid you good night. God bless you dear Edwin, & I know He will.

Wednesday morn.

I am feeling nicely this morning & have eaten some breakfast. I hope it will be such nice weather in two weeks from today. And I cannot help feeling that our heavenly father will give us his favor. 0h, Edwin, the comfort, consolation & relief I feel in prayer. And to know that you too are one of Christ's own. It gives me more true pleasure than our pretty home, which you know I love.

I have written this form of invitation which is very much like one of Mary's & which she as well as I think is the prettiest. I have thought 50 of them would embrace your friends & mine. And would not 100 cards be enough? I do not know how many you would like for yourself. Perhaps I can go in .to Boston Friday & order them & then they will be ready if you should come

on Monday. Will you please write so that I can hear tomorrow & tell me how many you would like & if this style pleases you.

Charles was very sorry not to see you again yesterday; he expected to find you here when he came home.

Mary would like to have had you remained longer, for like Julia, she tells me, she likes her brother better every time she sees him; & you will find her a true friend. She is not the only one who might tell you as much; but I would not have the appearance of flattering.

I have two or three errands to do in Boston, so that I shall not need to go on purpose.

There seems to be no doubt Susan’s father has moved from Ipswich and is now living in Danvers with his son.

Father felt the cold this morning very much & for a few minutes could hardly get air enough to allow him to breathe. It seems like suffocation. Charley is nearly ready for school & I must end my letter. I think I shall not have to hurry about my work much more for friends are very kind to assist me.

I want to hear from you. Mary sends much love & so do I. Charley is waiting, so with much love, I am your own.

Susie

Today I am going to mark your handkerchiefs & fix the neck tie, for you. Did the cuffs last till you reached home?

Wedding preparations continue at a brisk pace.

Danversport. Jan. 11th 1867 Friday noon 11.45

My dearest Edwin,We have just deposited in the brick oven 9 large & 1 small loaf of "wedding cake," which we anticipate will be very nice, as it has been made with the greatest care and my brother has spared no pains to make it good. The ingredients were prepared yesterday and the lady came this morning & made the cake.

It is now dinner time but I will write a line to send in this afternoon's mail that it may reach you tomorrow evening. I am very sorry that mine of

Tuesday evening did not reach you on Wednesday. I took particular pains to fulfil my promise & must blame the P.O. department. I was disappointed too in not hearing from you yesterday but knew you were faithful to your promise.

Yesterday Mary I were in Salem & purchased my cloak etc. I hope you will like it as well as we do. I was intending to be in Boston today but the business of the day prevented. I intend to go tomorrow even if it storms. I will order the invitations & cards, as you suggest, having them ready for you if you should call for them Monday noon. The box which I was to forward by express is waiting to be packed & will not start this week. I am still hoping your brother & wife will be here. I want them so much.

I think from necessity I must decline your invitation to the levee. Don't work too hard, will you dear Edwin. I hope you will have a pleasant time. But I trust I shall see you before then. I am glad you like the book-case. I think we shall find it very convenient as well as ornamental.

I think your mother is very kind to do so much for our happiness. I trust we appreciate it & shall have opportunity to do something for her. You will hardly think this letter worth going to the office for but I wanted you to hear on Saturday & as the mail is not sure I have scribbled these few lines for sending to the noon mail. I am glad to hear of the interest & trust much good may be done. I am happy to know that you have some flowers to gladden the sickroom of the suffering.

Please say to your sister Abbie that I have been to Salem to get the medicine of Dr. Cate & he was not at home. I will go again if she would like me to. I hope we may see you on Monday. You know how much I wish to see you, but I will not be selfish & wish you to inconvenience yourself but if you do not come, you will write won't you. I hope it will be yourself whom I shall see.

You will excuse such a letter in its length & appearance, won't you? And now I want some dinner. I wish we could give you some too. I forgot to tell you how glad I was of your letter, dear Edwin. If you had seen me stop beating eggs to read it you would not doubt my pleasure at receiving it.

Now with much love to you dear friend & in great haste I am your own aff.

Susie

Once again, Edwin has visited Danvers.

Danversport, Jan. 16th, 1867 Wednesday eve. 10 o'clock

My dearest Edwin,All alone I am sitting just where we were sitting not long ago. You know how much I should enjoy having you for company, this evening, but as I may not, I will spend a few minutes in writing to you, perhaps my last one to you under the circumstances in which I usually write. It will not be less pleasant, will it, dear Edwin, to sit down together in our home & exchange a letter for each other's company?

You will not think it strange if I tell you that many times today particularly during my quiet evening has busy thought gone forward to one week from today. I cannot realize that in so short a time I am to leave this home, & call another mine. It seems to me like vacation & my going away like the new term to be followed by other weeks of recreation to be spent here at home. And yet, dearest Edwin, I know it is not so; nor will you think it strange that as much as I love our new home, I am aware that the ties here tighten as the time of sundering them draws nearer. You would not wish me to be without such a feeling of attachment, would you? Yet you know I wish to go with you.

All the family excepting father & I have gone to the fair & as I am pretty tired I think I shall not sit up till they come home. I imagine you, busy as possible & having I hope a pleasant time. Perhaps one wandering thought of yours has left the active, merry company before you & turns to one who loves you in Danvers. She, too, is thinking of you, & if you will have the rest in the morning she will tell you "good night."

Good morning. What a nice snowstorm for washing & company which was to come off today. I suppose the weather is all right. I rather have the storm this week than next. I was intending to send the book tomorrow but you may not see it before Saturday or Monday.

I have not yet been to Beverly. I shall go if I have time. The fair came off well, taking $300. The Gallery of Art caused some merriment. You will find enclosed a Programme. I sent & mailed all the invitations yesterday & today I am to work on those dresses which you would perhaps like to see finished. You, I presume, are busy this morning but I hope you will find time to send me a letter tomorrow, for I want to hear from you. You will think this a very short letter, but you know how much I need every moment of time. Hoping to hear from you tomorrow & with much love, I am your own aff.

Susie Smith.

You will be sure to come Tuesday won’t you?

Susie

With Susan’s sly reference to the day before their scheduled wedding, the correspondence ends. How could I possibly not go hunting to learn more?

Chapter EpilogueEpilogue

"After the Letters."

“You will be sure to come Tuesday, won’t you?”

That was Susan Smith’s question to Edwin Fletcher; the last line, on the last of a hundred letters between this engaging couple. How could I not wonder if Edwin did come to Danvers, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, January 22, 1867 and marry Susan Smith the following day?

I was determined to peek into the future of this couple I’d grown to know so well through their fascinating correspondence. But where would I begin? An interested friend offered to help. She would transcribe the more than fifty thousand words contained in the letters, the old fashioned way, by typewriter. My sister, who lived in California, was equally enthralled with the century-old correspondence. Once transcribed, a copy was sent to her and she agreed to index the various people mentioned in the correspondence, in an attempt to determine relationships. My wife and I would delve into public records.

It was 1970 when we began this investigation. Far fewer sources of

information were readily available back then. We lived in another state, a hundred miles away from Acton and Lynn, Mass. Furthermore, we knew nothing of genealogical research. My wife, a quick learner, studied up and we slowly began our search.

My first success occurred on a trip to Acton, where I located the graves of Edwin and Susan Fletcher. Yes, they married and had years together before Susan passed away, on January 21, 1902, two days before their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. Edwin, listed on the reverse side of the same grave marker, lived four and a half years longer, until August 8, 1906.

I remembered how Edwin’s brother James Fletcher expressed concern in an early letter, about Susan’s fragile health. He recommended Edwin “let her go.” His fears were unfounded. She lived to age sixty four, Edwin to nearly seventy-seven.

Discovering the graves was just the beginning of our search. Over the next few months, and years, both my wife and I learned to dig into federal census records, state archives and town clerk’s ledgers. It was a far slower process than we would achieve with today’s Internet, but we kept at it. Our search became a major project, and later included visits to Salt Lake City and the Mormon’s extensive genealogical archives.

Would anyone care? After all, the letters had found their way into a dusty stamp store, with only the envelope-packaging considered of value. No one was interested in the contents of those envelopes. The letters were more than a hundred years old when we began our search. Even the generation after Edwin and Susan, if children had been born of their marriage, would be deceased by the time we began our search. Still, we continued to dig further, because we cared.

Court records and census reports brought the first detailed results. Edwin and Susan were married, as their graves had indicated. Rev. James Fletcher, Edwin’s often mentioned, performed the ceremony at The First Church, in Danvers, Mass. Two years later, on June 5, 1869 Evelyn Sherwood Fletcher was born in Acton, Mass.

The family settled in Acton, with Edwin continuing in the family shoe business until John Fletcher, Sr., Edwin’s father, passed away in 1879. The business, Fletcher and Sons, begun over sixty years earlier, ceased operation. Edwin and his family moved to Lawrence, Mass. By the time of 1880 Federal Census Edwin was listed as a grocer, and later, in 1900, as working in insurance. Susan was a homemaker, her teaching career apparently never resurrected.

We followed the lives of the others who often appeared in the letters. Edwin’s father, a past church deacon and participant in the war of 1812, lived to age eighty-nine. He was an early anti-slavery advocate, strong temperance leader, and was very active in pubic for his life-long residence town of Acton. His wife Clarissa a, grandmother to baby Evelyn, died in 1875 at age seventy-six.

All of the Fletcher family, whose ancestors first arrived in 1630, were actively involved throughout their lives. Both of Edwin’s grandfathers fought in Concord at the start of the Revolution. Succeeding generations of Fletchers continued serving their nation and community.

Edwin’s brother James continued as a respected figure in both education and religion. He pastored various churches as an ordained minister and was involved in schools, both as a teacher and administrator. He returned to Acton in his later years where he served on the school board and wrote a short history of the town.

The other Fletchers, brothers John and Quincy and sister Abbie all lived to see the turn of the century after raising children to adulthood.

We never learned much about Susan Smith Fletcher’s ailing father. A man of the same name was listed in the 1870 census of Ipswich, Mass. as an inmate in an asylum for the insane.

Susan’s brother Charles and his family continued to live on Water Street, in Danvers, in the house Susan loved so much. Charles too lived beyond the turn of the century.

Young Charlie, Susan’s nephew who often posted letters to Edwin for his Aunt, married, had a family, and lived into the 1920s.

Mary, Susan’s beloved sister-in-law, continued to reside in the same Danvers home, apparently for the rest of her life. She was living there at the time of the 1910 census, at age eighty-seven. Her daughter Julie resided with her, and perhaps a cat or two. Young Julie, who turned eleven at the time of the letters, never married.

We know Edwin kept a diary, but unfortunately it is lost. It was ironic that after numerous trips to Blacks Studio in Boston and the tintype frenzy of the era, no known pictures of Edwin or Susan exist. We can only wonder what this couple looked like as they posed stone-faced before the camera. Our only hint may be a remark that Edwin bore a close resemblance to his

brother, Rev. James Fletcher. As James was an important figure of the time, there’s a chance some historical society might have a picture of him. As for Susan, I’m not sure I’d want to see her image. She can’t have been as beautiful as I picture her in my mind.

It’s ironic too, that the letters ceased in the year 1867. Perhaps that was the beginning of the end of the preponderance of beautiful, hand written letters as a form of correspondence. Eighteen Sixty-seven was the year the typewriter was invented. The telephone followed less than ten years later.

Our search went on as questions remained unanswered. How did the letters find their way to a Boston stamp store? Were there any living descendants of Edwin and Susan Fletcher? But before I relate our findings, I have a sad story to relate.

Several moves and a decade or more after our 1970s search for Susan began, we decided the Internet of the 1990s offered a resource to renew our quest. When I sought to retrieve my extensive file, I came up empty! Everything had been packed together in a single file box; the original letters, my transcribed copy of them, and all my research papers and correspondence. It was all missing! We searched everywhere. I even contacted the purchaser of the last house where we’d lived. All was for naught. I never found my work. I could only assume the file box was lost, misplaced, or inadvertently discarded during one of our moves. I was devastated. Nothing remained of Susan and Edwin's legacy.

The woman who had voluntarily transcribed the letters was now long deceased. Then I remembered I’d sent my sister in California a copy. It was while staying with her as she lingered in the last stages of lung cancer in 2002 that I finally retrieved the old typed set of Susan and Edwin’s letters. While my research papers were lost, along with the originals, at least I now possessed copies of the letters themselves.

Thirty years before, we were anxious to learn if there were any living descendants of the letter writers. Finally, after many months of research, we learned Edwin and Susan’s only child; Evelyn Fletcher had married, at the age of thirty, in 1900. She and her husband had at one time lived in Newton, Massachusetts. Sons were born in 1901 and 1909, a daughter in 1905.

We were unable to find any record of the family beyond the 1930 census. Finally, a break came when we learned Evelyn Fletcher had passed away twenty years earlier, in 1953. I made a special trip to the Middlesex Massachusetts Court House and was able to read the will of Edwin and Susan’s child and view the probate papers. The documents listed the three

children, but with addresses by then twenty-year-old.

I wrote to all three, explaining what I’d discovered, and asked if they had any interest in my findings. Letters to the oldest son and daughter were returned as undeliverable. While the letter to the youngest son, who at that time would have been in his sixties, wasn’t returned, nor was it answered. Many months passed and I had given up hope. Then I received a short note, from Edwin and Susan’s grandson, now living in Connecticut.

The gentleman was a retired dentist. His older brother had passed away in 1963 but his sister Miriam, now living on Cape Cod, was very interested in the correspondence I’d discovered.

I wrote to her. She answered by return mail. At her request, I sent her a copy of the transcribed letters. Neither she, nor anyone in her family, had any idea the letters existed, much less how they ended up in the marked-down bin of a Boston stamp store, a hundred years after they were written.

Miriam knew no details of the lives of her grandparents Edwin and Susan. Both were deceased before she was four months old. The same held true of nearly everyone else mentioned in the letters. There was but one exception. Miriam remembered, as a young child, visiting elderly Aunt Julia Smith, a kindly old lady who lived in Danvers and owned a cat.

There was one other connection Miriam, who died in 1976, could make. A painting she’d always admired had passed down to her years earlier. Even then, it was hanging on her Cape Cod wall. The old oil pictured pansies, painted by Susan, her gift from Edwin Fletcher, so very long ago.

The end.