VARLEY FAMILY LETTERS: 1835 - 1854
1835 letter
This letter is written on a single, folded sheet; there are traces of a red seal
The letter is addressed to:
Mr Thomas Varley
Gardener Tadcaster
Yorkshire
England
Paid 25 (handwritten)
The postmarks are
LIVERPOOL SHIP LETTER
CINCINATTI
Vine Hill
Columbia
Near Cincinnati,
Ohio
Dear Tom,
I received your letter which was only 6 weeks and 3 days in coming to Columbia,
and very glad we was to hear from you and to hear that you were all well, But
this is to inform you that we have had a very sickly time of it. I had the colrera
very ill for 1 2 Hours it has been raging round a long time in this part and a great
many Died, and it is never clear of one illness or another a great many people
has the small pox twice over, and died of it. We are something better than we
were and if our health do not improve you will see us at Tadcaster soon if all
happens well and I expect Mary Ann has got to England by this time but as not
hear anything from her since she went off and wether she be lost or not I cannot
tell. for we are such a great distance from New York. I cannot hear anything
about her for it is near a thousand miles too Cincinnati by the stage and more by
water. the steam boats very often take fire and all are lost my fences took fire
and part of them was burnt the fire ran on the grass like has if it were scattered
all over with gun powder and I expected nothing but our House and Barn and all
our corn to be burnt up for the season is so hot and dry that all is scortched up
and destroyed, this country is like a brick oven when it is heated untill you
cannot stand on the bottom with your feet it is has hot as that from sun rise untill
sun sets and if you stand with your bare feet upon a flat stone heated by the sun
it blisters them. The thunder and lightning is tremendious here close by us
there was two large barns ful of corn burnt down with the lightning and the
wind drove large pieces of fire right upon our hill which his as high a gain has
York Minster from the levil of the water in the river Ohio, and as high has we
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are we cannot see above 6 miles distant from us for the country is nothing but
large hills and dales and very bad to cultivate and troublesome Oats and Barley
is very little worth Wheat is very small it is a very great crop indeed to have 6
load upon one acre of ground but it makes good Flour Hay is very bad Potatoes
Peas Beans Cabbage Turnips Beet and scarlet Beans is very bad no Cauliflowers
at all. Melons Pumkins and Carrots very fine, Cucumbers not fine but plenty of
them, there is plenty of Walnuts but good for nothing Heazle nuts bad. no
Plums Peaches and Cherries very bad, no Apricots, Currants and Gooseberries
bad Rasps and strawberies very small plenty of Apples and Pears fine but will
not keep. A gardener very seldom gets two crops of one piece of ground for if
he miss the first crop of peas he never can get another that year, then w(h)ere is
all their cheap land. I have 50 acres of grass land and ill set to keep 4 head of
cattle. One acre of land in England is Worth 5 in America the best they can
produce. I (k)now of many families from the south of England that brought a
great deal of money with them and bought large farms and built good houses
and every thing to them when all their life money was done they broke and were
forc’d to leave them and ramble up and down the country in distress like
Vagabonds, there is hundreds that would give skin of their backs to be back
again and I may say thousands for a man cannot work here as he did in England
in summer he is burnt nearly to death in winter froze to death. A Man that
depends on common labour has no chance unless he be as hard has flint for most
of them Die and if it was not for the English coming over to cultivate the ground
America would become a total forest a gain very few of the Yankeys will do
any thing but go a hunting they eat all sorts of animals and all sorts of birds but
the Turkey bustard.
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Cows gives very little milk here and mostly ill tasted in summer and goes a long
time dry I have never killed a pig yet but what has had 6 or 7 live snakes in their
kidneys and sometimes more and the inside of a pig cannot be used at all We
are tormented all summer with misquittoes bugs fleas rats snakes and grass
hoppers and many toads. I have had Atkinson and is wife daughter and
Bennington at our House last week they are coming back again Miclewood is too
and many more I have not seen Clapham lately, Mother has been very sick they
was obliged to cut her (indecipheral) and bowels and sow them up again and
now is doing well, John Snowden and another young man with him came to
our house on horse back they stayed a little while and went back again when
they got on the road I suppose they rode very hard John’s horse took fright and
the saddle turned round with him and drag’d him a long way I heard tell of it
ran down to the road and found him dead too all appearances I went for a
doctor and got him bled but still there was no hopes of life I sent for my horse
and wagon and took him home he never spoke untill 7 o’clock on the next
morning he was deranged for 2 or 3 days but as got better again. we had a very
severe frost last spring which kill’d all my grass it was a loss of 400 dollars to me
and it has been a very severe winter for it has destroy’d a great many things I
could tell you a great deal more but have not room and I wish you to write too
my sister at London for I think my letter as mist’d off going so write to her
immediately and send this letter if you can to her and write to me directly do
not send any thing to me yet. your brothers and sisters send their love to you
and we wish to be remember’d to all inquiring friends and tell them never to
leave Old England for it is the Garden of the World so no more at present from
your affectionate Father and Mother.
Samuel M Varley
1835 April 16th
1839 letter
This letter is written on single, folded sheet: there are traces of a red seal
The letter is addressed to:
Mr Thomas Varley
Tadcaster, Yorkshire,
Old England.
The postmarks are:
LIVERPOOL SHIPLETTER
MAR 6 WALNUT HILLS
MAR 13 NEW YORK
PAID 25
Wallnut Hills March 5th, 1839
Dear Brother and sister
I now sit down to write to you at my mother’s request. The last letter we
received was from my uncle Thomas dated Augst 12th 1837 in the letter my
uncle said that he wrote part in a letter which you had sent before that time, but
we have never received it. We have left Columbia and taken a farm of 50 Acres
3 miles from Cincinnati. The seasons are often unfavourable for Vines so that
we think we can do as well and perhaps better on a farm. If we had a piece of
land of our own we could do much better. Father thought of buying some land
here but they ask 100 Dollars per acre for what we could buy at 6 or 7 when we
first came here, so that we have some thoughts of going to Illinois. Everything is
high. Potatoes are 1 Dollar per bushel. The price of a cow is now 30 dollars it
was not long ago 10 Dol. Flour is 6 Dol 25 cents per barrel of 196 lbs. Beef 8
cents per pound. Sugar 10 cents per lb. Groceries have been high on account of
the River being very low the steamboats could not come up. The River was
froze over this winter. A very sad accident happened here last April. The
steamer Moselle Bound for St Louis proceeded up the river for the purpose of
taking a family on board she had scarcely started down again before the boilers
burst and blowed the boat to pieces. She had on board 150 passengers about 75
were killed. Heads hands arms and legs flew about in every direction one man
was blown ashore on the roof of a house and his mangled body was found in the
inside. I was there a day or two after and saw part of a boiler nearly half the
way up a high hill. I also saw the wreck of the boat. It is a common thing to
hear of a Steamer being burst or sunk They run races and are so careless that
there is no wonder. Father and me went down to Louisville soon after this
happened to see Mr Atkinson he has a kitchen-garden about 2 miles from
Louisville his son William is apprentice to a steam Engine maker. While I am
set down writing to you Ellen is sitting at the other end of the table talking and
laughing to me. Among other things she says I must tell you that Sarah cant get
a husband here you must send her one. I expect you would not know Ellen
she is 5 feet high She wants to know how Robert Snowden is and all her
playmates. I wish you to tell me something about my old school-fellows. Tell
me if they ever enquire about me Tell them If I could see them now I could tell
them something. Pardon me if you think that I do not think about you and the
rest of my Relations. I should like to see you all again. Mathew improves in
every respect. We are all well I hope you are the same. I am almost afraid
something is the matter for we have not heard from you for so long. Mother
wishes to know how Aunt Henryhetta
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comes on. She would very much like to see you and Ann and little James again
but is afraid she never will, she wants to know how many children you have
and their names. when you write send us word about mother’s relations If you
know anything about them. My Father is pretty well in health excepting he has
the colic bad sometimes he would like very much to be with you all in England
again. I give 19 Dollars for a Double barrel gun, one of the barrels burst soon
after I bought it, fortunately without hurting me. Father has got a very
handsome one which came from London we have a pointer Dog, so that we go
ashooting sometimes. Rabbits, Partridges, and wild Ducks are the chief game
about here. The Partridges are small. We have had very little snow this winter
those that are fond of Sleigh-riding are very much disappointed. If it was to
come a thick snow and you could be here you would be very much amused to
see all the roads crowded with Sleighs some are beautifully made and painted
some are merely two poles fastened together with a box on them such are used
by the Hooshers as call they country people the horses that draw these sledges
have a string of small round bells round their necks. The people scarcely use
any waggons when their is Snow on the grounds. It is now the latter end of
February and we do not expect to plant vegeatables before the latter end of April.
They do not plant the Indian Corn before the middle of May. The gardeners
make a good deal of money by growing Tomato’s or Love Apple I expect we
shall grow a good many. I have not yet learnt to like them But I like pumkin pie
I like the green ears of the Indian corn roasted or boiled. There is a wild fruit
something like a plum about the size and shape of a goose egg which they call
the Papaw I cannot endure them the Hogs will not eat them but the Americans ar
fond of them Neither can I eat Bears Squirils Racoons or possums. I have seen
Pumpkins 3 feet in diameter. We have got a cooking-stove we have it in the
middle of the room in winter. John Clapham’s wife is dead he has married
again. he drinks hard and is not doing very well. I believe I little more to say
If I could see you
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I could tell you anything better. Excuse my letter if it does not answer your
expectations. Plase to write soon. You must thank my mother for this letter for
lately I have had no inclinations to write I hope to have the pleasure of hearing
that you are doing well and shall conclude with my best wishes for your
everlasting wellfare.
From Your Affectionate Brother
Ingram Varley
dear Brother and Sister,
I sit down to write to you once more to tell you that we have never heard of our
sister Mary Ann and we fear that she his no longer in the land of the living I wish
to know how Sarah Backhouse come on and pray give me some account of my
playmates and tell little James that his aunt Sarah would be so glad to see him
and to give apples and peaches to him When you write please sende direction
weare to write to Aunt Sarah every thing is dear for them that is in the City but it
is pritty good for farmes butter sells for 50 cents per pound egg 31 cents per
dosen. we are all well at present. Mother dose not enjoy very good health but
she is as well at present as usul I would verey much like to see you all agian but
I fear that will never be unless you Consider to come to us but let us all prepare
to meet in Heven whear parting will be no more give my good wishes to all my
relations. If you can, give me some account of Mrs Swift. I conclude by wishes
you all well.
I am your Affectionate Sister
Sarah Varley
Direct for us at the Wallnut Hills,
near Cincinnati
Ohio, North America
1843 letter
The letter is addressed to :
Mr Thomas Varley
Tadcaster
Yorkshire
England
The postmarks are
CINCINNAT O. JAN 21
PAID 20
LIVERPOOL SHIP
12 MAR 43
TADCASTER
MR 13 1843
Cincinnati January th 23 1843
Dear Brother and Sister. I take up my pen to writ to you but I dont know ware
to being(begin) I bilive you know of Ingrams Marrige he has one son Named
Thomas Sister Mary Anns husband is dead and her yongest Child two years age
this next March, she has three children and they are at Fathers while Mary has
gone to the State of Mississippi with a Lady to be her housekeeper and overseer
of her female Slaves it is two Months since she went but we have not had a
letter from her yet. Mary lived at home from the time her Husband dide to last
July but father got in one of (h)is mad fits and abuesed her most shamefully for
takeing Mothers part as you know too well is the case but more pictarlar
(particular) on my account (I tremble so wile I write it I am afrade you cant read
it) I ofended him by refuseing to go with him any longer to Market you know
what he is when he gets into company leveing (leaving) me in the wagon in the
Street to take care of two horses and wagon and get home at dark and then praps
receve blows in saveing my Mother from them and to finish I kept company with
a young man he first invited to our house and that vexed him I left home
without his knowing last July and have been erening (earning) my own living by
my needle part of the time to morrow I am going to do housework I have been
this last week home to see them, our Dear Mother is very poorly I wonder she
(h)as stood it so long here and Ellen came with me across the fields yesterday
and both wept at parting with me. O God wat a triel (trial) to me leave them,
though Father is better just now.
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I could not be happy nether could I get any thing at home though to look at
Fathers outward apparences they might think he was well off he rents a farm of
eighty acers of land pays 205 dollars a year as got horses and cows pigs geese
turkes and chicken a wagon and a one horse carri(a)ge and every farming utencle
(utensil) nesery (necessary) but times is hard now and produce is very low the
banks as(are) mostle broke that there is no dependence on paper money and
silver is very scarce.
All Father children shares alike Ingram Mary and myself as left home through
his cru(e)lty ther(e) is but poor Mother and Ellen and I expect Ellen to leave
next, my letter will not be very agreeable to you but I am writing things as they
are, please Dear Brother writ to me and tell us how you are it is Mothers request
for me to write to you though dont think I forget you. I expect James can writ(e)
better than me but I have not been to a writing sc(h)ool but one Month in my life.
Mother sends her love her Prayers to all she wishes me to mention Aunt
Heneretty and say that she often thinks of her and would like to see her and you
all, I would like to know how the folks are in Tadcaster. I wish we could come
and see but I suspose (suppose) I would not like to stay, give my Love to all
enquiring friends uncles Aunts and to Cousins. Mary would like to know about
Sarah Backhouse. I bilive (believe) I canot tell you much about the Contry but
hard times a depressen (depression) in trade, two weeks ago we felt the shock of
an earthquake.
page 3
By the by do they ever in England Advertize for a Wife or Husband for there is a
Man that as(k) for a Wife in Cincinnati and the fun of it is he has heard of me but
not seen me and has sent me a letter wishing the honour of my acqua(i)ntance
he is in good business lives in (h)is own house. I have past his place though did
not (know) it at the time all he wants is a Wife, but enoufe of this Dear friends
shall we never meet again in this World then O may we meet in Heaven ware
(where) parting will be no more let us lay our tre(a)sures in Heaven ware
(where) Moth canot corrupt or theves break through and steal my best Love to
you all writ me all the news something calls me away I must finish
Dear Brother and Sister I am
your most affectionate Sister
Sarah Varley
address Cincinatti Ohio
1845 letter
Letter is addressed to:
Mr Thomas Varley
Tadcaster Yorkshire
England
PAID 25 (handwritten)
Columbia 19th April
The postmarks are
26 MY 1845 LIVERPOOL SHIP
MY 27 TADCASTER
Columbia 19th April (Handwritten)
8 Miles from Cincinnati
April the 15 1845
Dear Brother and Sister,
I write to you again to inform you a little how we get on. Father (h)as just
moved to a freash farm of 4 hundred acre I belive there is two more besides
Father rents it one is a man that lived near us the last place the other is Mary
Ann’s Husband for she is married again to a man by the name of William Smith
from Yorkshire but ther as been a great deal of unplesentness alreade the house
is not sufficiently large for all to be comfortable though all as (have) ther own
parts. but we are going to a log house ther is on the farm as soon as it can be
repared you wished to know more particular of your Brothers and Sister Mary
I have mentioned. Mathew is at home and is very clever and serviceable to his
Father every apparent evel as some good for if he had not been as he his Father
praps would not (have) had a Son at home. Ingram lives a little out of
Cincinnati he as three children Thomas, Jacob and William Henry, Ellen is at
home yet she is in the garden sowing flower seeds as she is very fond of
flowers. for myself I was Married last June with the consent of Father and
Mother to a young man of the name of Clifton F Clements from Lincolneshire
England he as some property left him by an Aunt in England he is coming to
England next spring to be ther in April and I would like to come with him but I
am not certain that I can
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if that should be the case I should see you all again, but as my husband will go to
London will you please send us Aunt Sarah addres so that if I do come I may
have some one to go to, as my Husband Parents might think he had Married
below them he dont wish to tel them of his Marriage at first untill he (h)as
secured his right as his Father is a lawyer and one of the trustees of his deceased
Aunts property. Ellen wishes me to ask you and James if ther is any plants
seeds or curiosity you would like me to bring if I come, Aunt Mary and Aunt
Dinah wishes to hear from Mother it would be too hard a task for her to writ
now her eye sight is poor and memory bad but she sends her Love and best
wishes for ther present and eternal wellfare she sends her Love to you both to
your Children to Aunt Henryette and all enquiring friends and hopes to meet in
Heaven wear parting shall be no more. Father talks of writing but still puts it
of(f) he wishes to write to Aunt Sarah but don’t know her addres, we all have
our troubles and trials in what ever part of the world we are in. he has had a
great deal to vex and trouble him of late on account of the farm he as rented or
more especially the meanness of the other two men and one is Mary Husband
and she as taken against
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her Parents and though she lives next doore she passes our Dear Mother without
speaking while she was a Widow she lived at home with three Children but
now she is Married she thinks she can do without their help, she quarrel’d with
Ann and with Ingram wife and now with my Husband but that is nothing in
comparison to her ingratitude to Mother, praps I have not explained wher I am
though I have not been at home all the time since I was married I have not kept
house but I am at home now and expect to be untill my Husband return from
England, please answer this as soon as possible and send the desired information
give our Love and best wishes to our relations and enquiring friends please send
us the news of Tadcaster but I have not said a word of this Contry yet well
the times as been hard but it is belived it will be better the price of produce as
been too low for the rent of Land about Cincinnati. no more from your
Affectionate Sister Sarah Clements
Columbia
Direct your letter Sarah Clements at Mr Samuel Varleys Columbia near
Cincinnati Ohio
P.S. I hope this will find you all well as it leaves us at present thank God for it
{Please writ as soon as possible} - written along the edge of the last page
1847 letter
This letter is written on a single sheet of paper with a round impressed mark:
H&E Goodwin
The letter is addressed to :
Mr Thomas Varley
Tadcaster,
Yorkshire
Old England
PAID 10 (handwritten)
The postmarks are:
COLUMBIA 0 JRY 23RD (hand-written)
LIVERPOOL SHIP 21 FEB 47
WAKEFIELD FEB 22 1847 B
TADCASTER FEB 23 1847 2
On the outside of the folded letter are written in pencil the following lines:
Fly to the prairie in wonder and gaze
as o’er the grass sweeps the magnificent blaze
Jan 1st 1847
Dear Son and Daughter,
I have received a letter from Brother Thomas from Fairburn and I think it very
strange that you cannot write to some of us for there has been three letters sent to
you and no answer yet for what reason I do not know, But I wish to hear from
you as soon has you can but you must get your Uncle Thomas letter that I have
sent him before you write I have sent more particulars in it than I shall in this.
And give my best respecks too all inquiring friends, and we are very sorry for
your sons misfortune but hope that he will not be much worse and I hope you
are all well as we are at present thank God. And now my dear grandson, I begin
with something for you but you must excuse my bad wrigthting for I am no
schollar and now I begin where I left off in my Brother Thomas letter that I sent
The river nobly foams and flows
Illinois
The charm of this enchanted ground,
River
And all its thousand turns disclose,
Some fresher beauty varying round
There are fine springs of water and hazel nuts trees furze and small sassafras
shrubs interspersed with grape vines, and in the season of flowers become
beautifully decorated by a rich profusion of gay herbaceous plants Early in
March the forests are in blossom and the brilliant red tufts of the Judas tree
handsomely exhibit its charms, The yellow flowered honeysuckle diffuses its
pleasing fragrance and the lovely yellow jasmine impregnates the air with its
delicious perfume and a vast variety of other odoriferous plants are passively
engaged in the faithful discharge of their offices either of a display or of the
emissions of their well flavoured odours. The bushes are often over topped with
the common hop.
Travellers ent’ring here behold around
A large and spacious plain on every side
Prairies
Strewed oer with beauty whose fair grassy ground
Mantled with green and goodly beautified
With all the ornaments of Flora’s pride.
The Indians and hunters annually set fire to the prairies in order to dislodge the
game the fire spreads with tremendous rapidity and presents one of the
grandest and most terrible spectacles in nature The flames rush through the
long grass with a noise like thunder; dense clouds of smoke arise; and the sky
itself appears almost on fire, particularly during the night; Travellers then
crossing the prairie are sometimes in serious danger, which they can only escape
by setting fire to the grass around and taking shelter in the burnt part where the
approaching flame must expire for want of fuel: Nothing can be more
melancholy than the aspect of a burnt prairie presenting a uniform black surface
like a vast plain of charcoal,
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The day I left St. Louis was very fine one of those days in autumn when
summer seems to linger on earth as if unwilling to yield to Boreas Chill and
nipping blast. The scenery on the river was truly grand and sublime, Whilst
enjoying the sublimity of the scene night threw her mantle o’er the earth, and the
sentinel stars set their watch in the skies, when suddenly the scene was lighted
by a blaze of light illuminating every object around. Lo, it was the prairies on
fire. Language cannot convey. Word cannot express to you the faintest idea of
the grandeur and splendour of that mighty conflagration. Methought that the
pale queen of night, disdaining to take her accustomed place in the heavens had
despatched ten thousand messengers to light their torches at the altar of the
setting sun, and that now they were speeding on the wings of the wind to their
appointed station as I gazed on that mighty conflagration my thoughts were
O fly to the prairie in wonder and gaze
Prairies on
As o’er the grass sweeps the magnificent blaze
Fire
The world cannot boast so romantic a sight
A continent flaming and oceans of light
I assure you my dear Boys that I wished some of you had been with me when I
was roaming over this beautiful country to view this scene in all its glory, to cast
your eyes over a boundless tract of land on which stern Winter has cast his
fleece-white mantle to feel the west wind blowing on your cheek and to sigh &
experience that thrill of pleasure which the sight of those grand and mighty
prairies alone can bestow on me, when Flora cast her garlands o’er the land come
when the chain that now binds these sluggish streams is loosed and hear them
laugh and merrily sing as they journey on to the ocean. Come then and view
this growing, this flourishing country come and pitch your tent in the great – the
growing – the mighty – the boundless West
A Snow Storm on the Prairie
Now sharp Boreas blows abroad and brings
The dreary winter on his frozen wings
Beneath the low-hung clouds the sheets of snow
Descend and whiten all the field below:
Such was my thoughts when I awoke from sleep and saw large white flakes
descending and the whole country covered with the snowy garb of winter.
However this morning I was in a good humour and determined to resume my
journey I was compelled to ride against the wind, which whistled around and
blew directly in my face, so violent was the storm that I was almost blinded by
the thick flakes that were dashed directly in my eyes. but I determined to reach
Peoria by night. Still I drove on anxious to reach my point of destination, Not a
single star peeped out from the heavens to shed its light on a benighted traveller
The storm increased in violence and the cold winds whistled a wintery tune. I
now found I had strayed from the road and here was I on a broad prairie
without mark or mound, and lost the trace which was ere now covered by the
falling snow, but the weary traveller, who has lost his way on a prairie, is on a
boundless sea. Had even one
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accommodating star beamed in the heavens, I should not have been the least
disconcerted for then I could have some object whereby to guide my steps, and I
assure you my feelings were by no means comfortable. Insensibly I felt a strong
inclination to sleep I had always heard that this was a dangerous symptom and
if I yielded to its influence my life would certainly be lost. I endeavoured to
shake off the drowsy feeling. Never before did I experienced such a strong
inclination to sleep. Never before did I exert myself more to keep awake I
halloed - I shoulted – I beat my breast to preserve animation and tried every
method to prevent my yielding to the drowsy influence. My noble horse was
almost exhausted and I myself began to despair of reaching a place of shelter –
when suddenly a ray of light beamed upon the snow and shed a shadow around
me, Encouraged by this favourable token I urged on My jaded steed also
seemed to know that he was approaching a place of shelter for he quickened his
pace and shortly afterwards I discovered at a distance, a small log hut, from
whose window beamed a broad blaze of light. Soon was I at the door, and
warmly welcomed by the kind owner who shook the snow from my garments,
and gave me a seat before a blazing fire.
Early on the ensuing morning I arrived at Peoria Peoria is situated on the west
side of the Illinois river, and is in very truth a most beautiful place for a town. A
few miles above the river expands in a lake, upon the bank of which it is situated.
The population is about three thousand. and has a large Courthouse and several
fine mansions and is situated in a most delightful country its trade now is brisk
but it will increase in a ten-fold degree upon the completion of the Illinois and
Lake Michigan canal. Illinois river bank where Peoria stands is gravel with
springs of the finest water. The first bank is 12 feet above high-water mark the
Town stands on a prairie about one mile in width to the bluffs then the land
becomes level again and is beautifully interspersed with prairie and woodland.
But I must pause; my eyes grow heavy – my candle has almost burnt to its
socket and I must bid you good night. For now
The lamp of day is quench’d beneath the deep
And soft approach the balmy hours of sleep
So I wish you all a happy new year
From your Grandfather and well wisher
Samuel Varley
Columbia
Near Cincinnati, Ohio
North America
Samuel Varley
Peoria
Peoria County
Illinios
North America
It will be April before I go to Peoria
1854 letter (April)
This letter is written on a folded sheet of blue notepaper, headed with an 1851
print showing a view of Peoria with the steamboat Cataract sailing on the river.
The picture was drawn by S.D.W. DROWN who drew early town maps of
Peoria, including one which shows the location of Sarah Kerner’s house (see the
June 1854 letter for her description of the view over the river from her home)
The envelope is missing
VIEW OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, IN 1851
Stillman Cin S.D.W.DROWN Del
Peoria 14 April 1854
My Dear Aunt Newcomb,
Forgive my apparent neglect in not writing to you before you said I was
premature in forming a second Connexion so soon befor I knew the fate of the
first. Well I am as ignorant now as then. Dear Aunt I cannot convey to you in a
letter the motives for such a step. I had come to Peoria to try again to live with
my Father thinking that truble would subdue his temper but, no I staid with him
until what little I had was going fast. what I had saved while in Ohio I spent in
traviling to Peoria. all the time I could be spared at father, I was with my poor
Brother Ingram his Wife and myself was all that attended him during his long
and distressing illness. I had no time to earn any thing by my needle My
Mother was dead. I was a long way from My Sisters, and my Brother died, then
blame me not.
page 2
I am better off as regards this worlds good than ever I was before, we possess
property worth from ten to fifteen Hundred dollars, thank god I have everything
that is necessary to eat and drink and wear, perhaps you ask am I happy I try
to be so, but I have no children to my present Husband and that is a sours of
Mortification to him. My Henry Clifton is a big boy he will be nine years old the
28 of this Month he is at School while I write he is the image of (h)is Father, a
year ago this month myself and little son went up to Cincinatti to visit My
Sisters, I found Ellen just up after her confinement of her fourth child but her
second died and the fourth died when it was two months old when her first
Child was four or five month old we all got the Scarlet Fever (I was there then)
and it went very hard with Ellen since then she has not milk enough to Nourish
her children and it is harder to raise Children in this country than in England
they are comfortable situated
page 3
Living in their own house he (h)as latly bought forty acers of land near the town
of Madison State of Indiana they intend to move on it in the Fall. You say poor
Mary Ann how is she she was well when I saw her they are well off they own a
large farm that they live on in Brown County Ohio besides another by
Georgetown and he has bought more since I was up he has latly paid 8 hundred
dollars for a fine breed cow.
Mary was unfortunate earlyer in life and some to blame but I think her faults was
represented worse than they realy was under the Circumstances there was
some palliation we had the misfortune to be good looking our Father taught us
to belive we might Marry above our station see the Result to Mary and myself.
Ellen has been spard she profited by our experience, I might have had My
present Husband long before I saw Clements but I expect I would have had the
stick across my shoulders if I had attempted to keep his Company though he did
not tell me in words I could see his partiality I was his first and only Love. I
dont see Father often he his out in the contry 12 mils Mathew his with him
sometimes My husband see him in town and sometimes so intoxicated that he
cannot walk straight.
page 4
he was in dept the man sued him. My Husband went his security and had the
most of the dept to pay. I suppose that is one reason why he dont come near us
he may be a little ashamed after his promis, he wonders that he gets no letters
latly from England I expect if he knew I was writing he would send his respects
to all enquiring frinds but I cannot a young man by the name of Coe will bring
this letter to England he expects to leave Peoria on the 16. Oh that My Father
could see his errours that he would prepare for that change we must all undergo
Death may come to the young. it will come to the old are you Dear Aunt
laying up treasures in Heavean were thieves do not break through and steal. I
wrote to Tadcaster a whil ago but have not had an answer yet it is four years
since I had a letter from my Brother Thomas sometimes I get such a longing
desire to See some of my Relations from England I dont know what to do My
best respects to all my Relatives if you see proper to send thi(s) to Yorkshire
you may if I dont ask too much please write to me as soon as convenient. My
Brother Ingrams Children are well their Mother has and is doing all that an
Affectionate Mother can do for ther wellfare. Thomas the eldest is in a printing
office.
Your Affectionate Niece
Sarah Kerne
April the 14
Addressed from:
Mrs Sarah Kerner
Peoria, Peoria County
Illinois America
1854 letter (June)
The envelope is missing
This letter is written on four sides of paper, which is embossed on the top left
corner with an eagle standing on a shield and the words in scrolls e pluribus
unum carew extra super
PEORIA JUNE THE 14 1854
My Dear Nephew and Niece,
I have not complied with your request as soon as you wished but circumstances
as prevented me not my will. I think my Father did not get your letter as I was
not aware you was Married, had we any knowledge of your wifes family you
wish my opinion of your comeing to America. Well with the Blessing of health
(which is more precarious here than in England) perseverance and patience at
first any Man may succeed if he will and gain a Competence, if what you are
engaged in succeed then perhaps it may be the best for you to stay but if it fail,
then Come to the land of the Brave and the Home of the free, you say you are
not avearse to Active employment if nothing better presented, would you be
Clerk in a store the son of a neighbor of ours as 25 dollars per month and
boarding, but the term is used differently here I belive. I dont mean to sit
behind a desk and pore over account Book til you are as pale as a ghost, but to
assist the owner in selling his goods either Wholesale or retail, not that education
is not Appreciated because it is but I am ignorant of your prospects in that
capacity and I dont know how to get the desired information. I think you might
do well but am afraid to encourage you much if things did not go right I should
get the blame.
page 2
For no one must expect all roses and no thorns and especially in emigrating to
another Contry were the manners and customs are different, you must expect
some Mortification and disappointment you wish a description of the place were
we live.
Peoria is located on the marain of an extensive prairie presenting to the eye
beautiful streets graded to our hands by Nature and bounded by the Illinois
River, the principle river in the State and facing Lake Peoria an expansion of
Illinois River at Peoria, the River is Navigable for Steamboats the most of the
year. The general surface of this State may be regarded as a gentle plain more or
less rolling, inclining in the direction of the river there are no Mountains in its
whole extent. Some of the Prairies are of vast extent: presenting the appearance
of the Ocean after a violent storm. there are some localities where very little
timber is to be seen and the prospect only bounded by the sky. the picturesque
bluffs along the Mississippi River are numerous and stately, varying in altitude
from fifty to four hundred feet. Fountain Bluff stretches up three hundred and
forty feet, Starved Rock from base to apex measures two hundred and fifty feet
and received its name from a historic incident. A band of Illinois Indians there
sought a refuge when pursued by the Pottawotamies and perished for want of
sustenance, there are also several caverns of equal interest as being in early days
the headquarters of Robbers, the beauty of the Prairies embracing thousands
page 3
of acres and presenting a Carpet of flowers of every hue and perfume can hardly
be surpassed. the population of Peoria is 10,155 there are three Railroads in
course of construction that will be completed I belive before Winter. the Peoria
and Aquaka which pass below our house, the Illinois Central which will come
over the Bridge and the Burean Valley Road comes in the upper part of the City.
The Agricultural Productions are Wheat, Rye, Indian Corn, Oats, Barley,
Buckwheat, Irish Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Tobacco, Wool, Butter Cheese and a
good many other things. the estimated value of the products of the State in one
year is 156. 265.000 dollars. Our house is on Washington Street in Lisks addition
to Peoria , on the Street below us the Peoria and Aquaka railroad runs and below
that a space is the River. I can stand at my front door and see the Steamboats
pass and the Iron Horse with its whistle making the cattle run like wild fire, and
looking over the River the eye is relieved by the thick deep foliage of the trees.
You are Romantick you would have found a Congenial Spirit in the writer before
the cares and troubles of life had blurred my enthusiasm for the Beautiful the
Sublime in Nature but I found by experience that the love of Musick of flowers of
painting in a Companion did not put food in the mouth or rainment on the back,
for Clements was all that a girl of my Romantick turn of mind could have
desired, but I have had to sober down and take a matter of fact business man one
that love me long ago but saw it useless then
page 4
I have not seen your grandfather since I got your letter he does not come near me
and my Husband and has not time to take me out were he is he comes to Peoria
sometimes but he does not come down were we live. if you can send me the
address of cousins Hart I will write to them. As to Sisters living so far apart a
few thousand miles in America is nothing, but still circumstances not inclination
separated us. Father left all his children but Mother to move to Peoria against
my Dear Mother will after her Death he wrot for me, he was my Father after all
and I came to him thinking that troble would subdue his unruly temper but I
could not stay with him. I am sorry to hear of your Brothers serious illness. I
hope he will seek and find support in leaning on the Saviour. My love to your
Father and Mother. Uncle Thomas and Aunt Henryhetta and all enquiring
friends if you conclude to come to America. God Willing, write and tell me in
time to receive another letter from me as I might be able to give you some
information that would be of service to you in traviling. write soon any how,
and belive us your affectionate Aunt and Uncle
Jacob and Sarah Kerner
to: James Varley
Stafford House
Tadcaster
P.S.
I sent a letter to Aunt Sarah a while ago.