how lonesome I felt when I came in sight of the house and thought I had no husband here to greet me. The tears would come and a sick feeling at my heart...
Lots of great stuff packed in this short letter! Hearing Marcia itemize her farm implements is fascinating. She's alone with five daughters, one nephew, and no husband, and she's expected to run a profitable farm with less stuff than I've got sitting in my garage! Meanwhile it's late January and people are dropping dead of cold around her.
I'm glad that she was able to have a new dress made.
This letter contains the first mention of Aunt Betsey. It sounds like she's a bossy busy-body, and a little respected for it, if not appreciated.
Springfield Jan 27 1864
My Dear Husband
I have been out to the barn to see what tools I have. I found a rake, two forks, one shovel, the long handled spade, the iron bar, and one hoe - but not a new one. We had more than one before you bought that of John Holmes. Where are they? The forked spade I cannot find. You know that I cannot do much farming without that. I found (in the corn barn) an iron rake, and a dung fork - not a very new looking one. I want to know what we have got, for I am afraid that George will lose them.
Mr Balie did not do the fair thing about the wood, I guess. He ought to have allowed me some for [what] Geo. sawed, but did not. He worked up that big hemlock log and asked me 2.50. Geo. says that he found the ax broken after he was done. This morning I cannot find it. Perhaps he has borrowed it, or taken it. I do not know but I shall have to be looking about as sharp as aunt Betsey, or go to ruin (as she probably thinks I shall). She is afraid, evidently, to trust me.
The ax is returned with the notch partly ground out.
I want you to write me particularly about these things. I am sorry I did not know more about my affairs before you left.
28
I have been down to have Hannah cut my dress. It sets very nicely. She told me some things about their trouble at the tavern which made me think more of her than ever, and perhaps less of Mrs Ingham - but she suffered dreadfully both in body and mind. She did not ask me anything, and it is done better than I have been able to get my work done.
You cannot tell how lonesome I felt when I come in sight of the house and thought I had no husband here to greet me. The tears would come and a sick feeling at my heart which I find hard to shake off, but if you are well it will help me bear it. I hope it will prolong your life enough to make [up] for the time you are away - but to be prepared for a blessed eternity is the main thing.
Ellen Williams was buried today - her death caused by going to a dance and taking cold after diptheria.
Both cases of sudden death that I know anything about were caused by violent exercise and sudden cold. Probably it was paralysis. Agnes said she would go to the ball if she died the next day, and the Lord suffered it to be so. There has been three other cases in different parts of the town but I have not heard the particulars. It is bad weather for the health - warm and damp. One hardly knows they are cold until they are chilled.
Children do great business sliding in the morning. It is first rate.
I do not know what part of the week to send a letter to you, but I have sent one the first of the week and will send this. You may tell me when you rather I would send.
May the Lord bless you and let the light of His countenance shine upon you.
Your wife, Marcia S Grennell
This is a transcription of a letter that my great-great-great grandmother sent to her husband during his service in the American Civil War. It was written with minimal punctuation, so I have made regular edits for readability while keeping the content of the letter as close to the source as possible.
Where archaic and mis-spellings do not hinder understanding, I have transcribed them as written.
You can click on the original letters to see a high resolution scan for comparison.
I have dozens of letters from Marcia Spencer Grinnell to her husband Abel from this period, and will continue to share them as time and interest permit. The letters make for fascinating reading, and provide an intimate look into domestic life at the time of this conflict.
CLICK HERE to read more letters from Marcia Spencer Grinnell and her family during the civil war. I'll be sorting the links by date as I add them.
Or CLICK HERE for a complete catalog of my work on Steemit, so far.