kinexxions: family letters

Showing posts with label family letters. Show all posts

Friday, April 03, 2009

Joslin Family :: What Happened Next?

There are no more letters written between Irwin and Grandma in her files though I'm sure they stayed in contact with each other. I wonder, why didn't she keep all of his letters?

Grandma received a letter from Mrs. Edith Wessler dated November 7, 1970 that went on about several different Joslin families that she thought might be possibilities. But the letter is confusing. (For reference, Mrs. Wessler is the lady that published "The Jocelyn-Joslin-Joslyn-Josselyn Family" in 1961 and had written to Grandma in 1968, which is the letter that started this series, see bottom of post for links.) Grandma made a notation on the November 7th letter that she answered it in December but there is no copy of her letter in her files.

In another letter from Mrs. Wessler, dated December 23, 1970 she mentions that Grandma had sent her a copy of a letter from Mr. Joslin. Irwin's wife, Alice had passed away on May 17th, 1970. Mrs. Wessler goes on to say that "Mr. Joslin mentions seeing my book in the Fort Wayne library. On page 125 under 99-Joseph Joslin, is Jonas, 3rd child, born March 1, 1769. I have no record of whatever became of any of the children of this Joseph Joslin except the 4th child, Samuel. In the last few years, I have corresponded with two of the descendants of Samuel, who settled in Ringe, New Hampshire. He died there at the age of 49 years."

That is the last letter from Mrs. Wessler in Grandma's files. But Mrs. Wessler and Irwin continued to correspond with each other. In May 2000, I received copies of two letters from Richard Kutz that Mrs. Wessler wrote to Irwin in December 1980 and December 1982. Richard is a grandson of Phoebe Joslin, sister of Irwin's father Virgil.

In those two letters to Irwin, Mrs. Wessler provides information that she believes makes the connection between the Jonas Joslin in Delaware County, Ohio and 99-Joseph (mentioned above) in her book. Her information came from Mrs. Jean Oldham Heuman, a descendant of Jonas through his son Jonas Jr.

As I later found out, Mrs. Heuman is the researcher who originally located the 1794 marriage record of Jonas Joslin and Ruth Dyer in Franklin County, Vermont and the Alien Registration Card in Ottawa, Canada which I wrote about in the post Roadblock - Ruth Dyer and Jonas Joslin and which I wrongly attributed to Donald Joslin. The "credit" for finding those two documents should actually go to Mrs. Heuman.

The tradition in Mrs. Heuman's family has it that "In 1816 the oldest child, James Joslin, age 20, came with the younger son, Jonas Joslin, Jr., age 9, by canoe from Lake Champlain, Canada, to Liberty Twp., Delaware Co., Ohio. They brought the family's heirloom, Joseph Joslin's old Revolutionary War flintlock rifle (which is still in the family), and staked out a claim, put in crops and built a two-room log cabin for the family. Jonas Joslin, Sr., wife, Ruth Dyer and five daughters, age range 6 to 19, followed by canoe later in the season."

Mrs. Wessler's letter included this transcription of a record in "The Book of Aliens, 1794-1795" No. 43, Ottawa, Canada, which Mrs. Heuman says was in Jonas' own handwriting:

"I Jonas Joslin, do hereby declare that I am a native of the United States of America from the state of Massachusetts in the town of Leominster. My age is twenty-four years. My trade or occupation is that of a farmer, that for this six months last past, I have resided in the Seignory of St. Armand in Mississkuoi Bay, and came into this Province of Lower Canada, by land, on the East Side of Lake Champlain on the 18th day of March 1793, and now reside on the aforesaid Seignory of St. Armand as witness my hand at Mississquoi Bay this 9th day of January 1795. Signed: Jonas Joslin".

According to that record, signed in January 1795, Jonas was 24 years old. Jonas, the son of Joseph, was born March 1, 1769 so the age would be off by a year or so. Unless he was giving his age at the time he entered Lower Canada.

So, at this point, the "data" that connects James Joslin to Jonas and Jonas to Joseph comes from:

Ohio Census records of 1820 and 1830 for Liberty Township, Delaware County, discussed in a previous post.
A family tradition passed down through the Jonas Joslin Jr. family.
The 1794 Franklin County, Vermont Marriage Record of Jonas Joslin and Ruth Dyer.
Entry No. 43 in "The Book of Aliens, 1794-1795" of Ottawa, Canada.
Page 125 of "The Jocelyn-Joslin-Joslyn-Josselyn Family" compiled by Edith S. Wessler.

Is that sufficient evidence to make those connections? A bit weak, I think.

Irwin obtained Mrs. Heuman's address from Mrs. Wessler and they corresponded but I have no record of it, except for some brief research notes compiled by Irwin in June 1983. I received those notes from my 1st cousin, David Phend in March 1991. I think David got them from Grandma's files.

A couple of weeks ago I did a search for Mrs. Heuman and found a message board posting from 2006. Taking a chance that the email address was current I wrote to her asking if she had found anything new on the Joslin family, particularly the connection between James and Jonas Sr., but she said she had no new information.

Grandma passed away on May 3, 1984 and all of her genealogy papers went to my Uncle Bill, cousin David's father. It was about 10 years ago that I was given those papers. I'm pretty sure that Irwin continued to correspond with Grandma until her death. Irwin passed away on January 16, 1990 (that's weird, January 16th was Grandma's birthday). Most of his research papers went to his brother George and his wife Lorene. When I visited George and Lorene last year I copied some of Irwin's papers, among which was a letter that my Aunt Phyllis wrote, at the request of Grandma, in November 1983 to Irwin correcting some family information as well as telling him about Grandma's cancer and how excited she was about her upcoming family Christmas dinner.

Shortly after Irwin died in 1990, Lorene wrote to Aunt Phyllis and she passed the letter on to me. By that time I had been interested in the family history for a few years and eagerly responded to Lorene's letter. We corresponded off and on for several years and lost contact with each other in the mid 1990s. Then came the "Internet Age" and we reconnected in 1999. Since then we've learned an awful lot about the descendants of Lysander and Lydia Joslin, but little more about his (presumed) parents, James and Abigail, or his (presumed) grandparents, Jonas and Ruth.

Other posts in this series:

Up Next: What evidence is there to connect Lysander Joslin to his presumed parents James and Abigail (Goodrich) Joslin? Shouldn't we really "prove" that Lysander is their son before going back to earlier generations? It would all be so much simpler if something like this actually happened...

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Joslin Family :: Irwin Visits Grandma

According to this letter, Grandma had scheduled Irwin's visit for August 2nd and 3rd, 1969. There are no letters in her files between the one she wrote on March 30th and the next one that Irwin wrote on Tuesday, July 29th, after his visit. So apparently the date of his visit was changed. I'm guessing that the visit was the previous weekend, July 26th and 27th.

I don't think that I was even aware of the visit. At the time, I was living in Fort Wayne, working for the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company in the accounting department, and busy with my own life. Family History was the furthest thing from my mind, at least until the early 1980s.

From Irwin's visit, we have two photographs commemorating the event:

Irwin Joslin and his wife Alice.

Second cousins. Irwin Laverne Joslin and Hazlette Ferguson.

July 1969 - Irwin was 47 years old and Grandma was 67.

This letter from Irwin, following his visit to grandma, was written on stationary from the Westinghouse Air Brake Company.

7-29-69

Dear Mrs. Ferguson,

We had a real nice morning in Fort Wayne then a nice drive home. It rained a little but cleared up as we got near home.

We really enjoyed our weekend at your house. Thank you so much for having us. Hope that you can come to Peoria sometime.

We feel like we accomplished something in Fort Wayne - that is a fine genealogical section in the Library. First we looked over the Whitley County history in the newer book - it is about the same as your book. I made copies of the Troy Township section.

Then we found something we didn't know in a book of marriage records of Whitley County from 1838-1860. Did you know Lysander's middle name was Price? That is what it shows. It says Lysander Price Joslin married Lydia Robison on Aug 23, 1843. I thought that was interesting. Of course he was named for Price Goodrich but until we came to see you we didn't know who Price Goodrich was.

Then we also suspected that James Joslin might have come from Delaware County, Ohio since we knew the Goodrichs were from there. So we looked at the 1820 census for Delaware County, Ohio & the only Joslin listed was a Jonas Joslin who had 1 boy under 5 years old & one between 20 & 30. Then the 1930 [sic] census of that county lists both Jonas & James in Delaware County. It shows that James had one boy under 5 (probably Lysander) & one boy between 5 & 10 years as well as 2 girls - one under 5 & one between 5 & 10.

Therefore it looks very much like Jonas is James father. We got out a book on Delaware County & we knew the township was Liberty so we read through that section but never found his name. The 1830 census lists 10 other Joslins but only James & Jonas are in Delaware County.

So we think we have found another clue. We will keep working at it. We also looked over Mrs. Wessler's book - "the Josselin -Jocelyn Family". They have it in the library there. She has a lot of Joslins listed & if we go back far enough we may be able to connect on to someone she has. I was glad to see the book - I may buy one sometime.

Well, that is about all for now. Hope you have no ill effects from your fall - is your foot still sore? Take care of yourself.

Sincerely,
Irwin L. Joslin

=+==+= Some Notes Regarding the Letter =+==+=

There were two histories published on Whitley County at the time, both are now available online. The 1882 history by Goodspeed and Blanchard is at the Harold B. Lee Library and the other, in 1907, by Kaler and Maring is at Google Books.

Jonas Joslin is listed in the 1820 census on page 95a in Liberty Township, Delaware County, Ohio. In 1830 he is listed in the same location, on page 85 as is James Joslin. In that census, Lysander (born in May 1825) would have been the male 5-10 years of age, not the one under 5 years.

Click on the images below for a larger, legible version.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Joslin Family :: Grandma Invites Irwin to Visit

North Webster, Ind.
April 6, 1969

Dear Mr. Joslin:

Your most welcome letter received: I have marked my apointment book Aug. 2 and 3 - Irwin Joslin may come here today; I had to use these dates as I work five days a week and the weekend is open and free to entertain you and your family. I do hope you can arrange to be here on these dates as I can show you so many interesting things about your ancestors.

I am enclosing an obituary of your great-gr-grandfather which I found in an old scrap book of Grandma's. You will note that it lists your ancestor as Mrs. Joslin of Okla. I was disapointed that her given name was not used. I told my Aunt Hazlette, about you and she knew all the Elliots here, and as she is now 84 years old she may be able to tell us many things. There is a Robert Elliot in Larwill and she says he is Robert J. Elliots decendent. Yes I know all these people about Larwill. My five children graduated from Larwill High school.

A few years ago I found the 1850 census for Whitley Co. This is in the Ft. Wayne Library and Columbia City Library too. Ft. Wayne has one of the finest geneology departments in the U. S. Hope you can find time to visit there while on your vacation. This is the information I want to share with you:

Census 1850
Lysander P. Joslin age 25
Lydia Joslin 29
Anna E. 5
Mallisa 11 month

James Joslin age 54
Abagail Joslin 45
Edwin 20
Joseph 19
Emily 12
Mary 6
Bela Goodrich 74

Henry Robison age 56
Ann Robison 56
Eliza 22
Henry 17
Emily 15
Elizabeth 10

There are so many ways to find the answers to a lot of things we want to know about these people, but I seem to have so little time to work on it. However, I shall keep at this line now until you come in Aug. in the hope that I can help you. Hearing from you has given me incentive to work harder on this line. I am trying to trace all my ancestors on each branch. All my great grandparents were in Whitley county by 1850 and I am realy having a ball in working on this in my spare time.

=+==+= Some Notes Regarding the Letter =+==+=

I don't know if she wrote more at this time or not. There isn't another letter or page in her files that goes along with this.

The obituary she enclosed was for Robert J. Elliott, father of Luther Joslin's wife, Phoebe Dorcas Elliott. Robert died on December 6, 1893.

Lysander Joslin was found on page 471 of the Whitley County, Indiana census, James Joslin on page 472, and Henry Robison on page 461. No townships were given in the census for that year. Grandma misinterpreted Lydia's age on the census - by comparing other entries on the same page you can see that she was 24 years old, not 29.

Grandma seems to have that age-old problem that most genealogists encounter - not enough time to devote to research!

Other posts in this series:

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Joslin Family :: Irwin's Letter of March 25th

1002 E. Tripp
Peoria, Illinois 61603
March 25, 1969

Dear Mrs Ferguson,

I was very happy to receive your letter of March 21st. I was also glad to get your invitation to come to Indiana sometime & discuss the Joslin family tree. If it would be convenient for you I would like to plan on doing that sometime when I am on vacation this year which is the week of July 28th and August 4th. We would like to spend a day or two in your part of Indiana.

I am afraid I misled you in saying my Grandmothers name was Phoebe Dorcas as if Dorcas was a last name. It was Phoebe Dorcas Elliott. She also named a daughter Phoebe Dorcas (my Aunt Phoebe - Mrs Frank Kutz who lives in Chicago).

What information do you have on James Joslin who married Abigail Goodrich? Was James Joslin born in America? Your letter states they came to Indiana in 1834. I just wonder what you know of them before that time. Do you have names of his children?

I am sending you copies of some of the data I have accumulated. Some of it is from a family bible my Aunt Phoebe has. Some of it are my father's (Virgil Newton Joslin) writings which are quite personal but tell a lot of history also. Some are from a notebook he had at age 14. Notice in there that he referred to his mother as Mrs. Dott Joslin and another place as D. Joslin so possibly she was called Dott or Dorothy. Also note on the next page pg. 2 he lists her as Phoebe D. Joslin. On Page 4 he has again Phoebe Dott Elliott.

In this same notebook my Dad put down a lot of names of people he knew at various places he lived. I ran a copy of pg. 10 & 11 where he listed a lot of people in Whitley County Indiana. Perhaps you know some of them. It appears on a map that North Webster is not too far from Larwill.

Must close for now,
Sincerely, I. L. Joslin

=+==+= Some Notes Regarding the Letter =+==+=

I think you can tell how excited Irwin was about making contact just based on the date of his letters. Irwin's reply was written only four days after grandma's letter!

The copies that Irwin sent to grandma comprised 21 pages of information, some handwritten and some typewritten. One of the documents, 3 pages in length, was a timeline for Irwin's grandfather, Luther Marion Joslin which included all of the towns where he had lived in Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. There were several years in which the family moved four times!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Joslin Family :: Grandma Responds to Irwin's Letter

If you haven't already done so, you may want to read the post Joslin Family :: First Contact before continuing. In that post, my grandmother corresponds with Edith Wessler and makes contact with her 2nd cousin, Irwin Joslin. Their correspondence continues... This letter was typewritten. It has been transcribed as written including spelling and typing errors. Click on the image to view a larger, readable version.

=+==+==+==+=

Box 27
North Webster, Ind. 46555
March 21, 1969

Mr. Irwin Joslin
1002 E. Tripp
Peoria, Ill. 61603

Dear Mr. Joslin,

I was so delighted to receive your letter of March 3rd as I had been hoping to hear from the Joslins in the west. I have so many interesting things to tell you of the family, that I hardly know where to begin.

You were right about the birthdate of your grandfather as my records show that he was born January 2, 1852. Then the record shows that Luther Joslin married Dorothy Elliot in 1876. Now may I make a suggestion? Could the above named Dorothy Elliot have died and your grandfather married Phoebe Dorcas some time later? I notice that your father, Virgil was born Feb. 1891. That is 15 years after the marriage record I have, I am having a copy made of the letter written by Andrew Joslin on Feb. 7, 1895 and sent to my grandmother. I will send this to you as soon as I can.

Now I shall tell you some of the things I know about our family, other than that which Mrs. Wessler has told you. The Goodrich family tree has been researched by a member of the family and it seems that they were from Wales and the line was traced back to several Kings(?). This is not of much interest to me as I expect some researcher made some money for this. However, the family was very interesting after coming to Indiana in 1834. They were of the first settlers. Abagail and her husband James Joslin had several children by that time. Lysander was 9 years old. He married Lydia Robison in Aug. 1843. They were both 18 years old. In the next 24 years they had 15 children. Now this was a big family by any standards and I know where the family lived and it was very poor land. They did not prosper financialy as can be understood. By 1877 four of their children were married and five had died. That year they took the 6 remaining children and went to Kansas. I have letters from them written in 1890 and 1894.

My grandmother kept in touch with Eliza, who died in 1885. Her decendents are in Iowa. She also wrote to Roxie Parkinson (their husbands were half brothers) and Madella Quillan and Ida Dressier. I have some old letters from these. Robert Quillan the author and columnist of the 30's was Della's son. Please ask any questions that you would like answered and I shall do my best to help.

Grandma Mellisa Brubaker had two sons, Charles Romain b. Aug. 1872 and Hale b1886. Charles Remain was my father. Hale died when only 25 years old and had not married. I have a brother William Hale Brubaker and a sister Jane Jacobs. I was born 1902, my sister 1903 and Bill 1905. I Have 5 children, 17 granchildren and 7 great-granchildren.

I do hope that you can come to Indiana some time. I know of only one Joslin family here, besides my family and that is the decendents of Lysander's sister, her granddaughter and I are very close friends. I shall send the copy as soon as I can.

Very sincerely yours,
[since this was grandma's carbon copy, there was no signature]

=+==+= Some Notes Regarding the Letter =+==+=

The confusion over Luther's wife was partially because the bible record stated that Luther had married Dorothy Elliot. Apparently grandma had not seen the Whitley County marriage record (Bk2 p521) which gives her name as Phebe D. Elliott. Also, in Irwin's first letter to grandma he simply wrote his grandmother's name as Phoebe Dorcas and my grandma interpreted that to mean her maiden name was Dorcas. Irwin's father, Virgil, was the fourth child of Luther and Phebe. Their first two children came rather quickly then there was a six year gap between the second and third as well as between the third and fourth child. Their fifth (and last) child was born two years after Virgil.

James and Abigail come to Whitley County in 1838 and they were among the first settlers in the county. That makes Lysander about 13 at the time rather than 9 years of age.

The sister of Lysander's that grandma mentions in the last paragraph was Emily Eliza Joslin Long and her close friend was her 2nd cousin once removed, Gladys Burnworth Moore, who was only 4 years older than grandma. Gladys was one of the "girls" that grandma played cards with on an almost weekly basis for many years. I don't recall ever having met Gladys, though my mother knew her too, so it is possible. I attended a Burnworth Family Reunion in the summer of 2005 after tracking down Gladys' two sons who live in Columbia City. One of Gladys' nieces, who also happened to live just two blocks away from me at the time, compiled a history of their branch of the Burnworth family. They knew that Emily's parents were James and Abigail (Goodrich) Joslin. She graciously loaned me her book so that I could make a copy. It was chock full of family pictures and obituaries, a real treasure!

Other posts in this series:

Friday, March 27, 2009

Joslin Family :: First Contact

In the files of my grandmother, Hazlette Brubaker Phend Dunn Ferguson, there is a letter dated November 12, 1968 that was written to her by Edith S. Wessler. This was in response to grandma's inquiry regarding "Ohio Joslins" in the Genealogical Helper.

Mrs. Wessler had published "The Jocelyn-Joslin-Joslyn-Josselyn Family" in 1961. Although the book did not include specific source citations, it has been considered by many Joslin researchers to be the "go to" book for information, especially on the early ancestors. But grandma didn't have that book available at the time.

In her letter, Mrs. Wessler indicated that she was not a professional and doesn't charge for her research, which encompasses a multitude of descendants of Thomas and Rebecca Jocelyn, the immigrant ancestors who settled in Massachusetts in 1635. Mrs. Wessler invited my grandmother to send as much information as she could about her Joslin family, which grandma did, responding on November 17th "with self addressed & postage enclosed, also attached information." What information she enclosed is not known since she didn't keep a copy of her letter (or the letter has been lost).

On November 20, 1968 Mrs. Wessler responded to grandma's letter. Some of the information she included doesn't really make sense to me now, but I have the advantage of hindsight and later research. But the exciting thing to me, and I suppose also to my grandmother at the time, was the inclusion of a portion of a letter that Mrs. Wessler had received in 1962 from Irwin L. Joslin. She says "I will now quote the major part of a letter received from a Joslin in your branch of the Family. (The twins you mention caused the identification.)"

Irwin's letter to Mrs. Wessler provided information on his siblings and his father's siblings but the "important" parts (dates have been removed) were "My father was Virgil Newton Joslin… the son of Luther M. Joslin… the son of Lysan Joslin, born in Indiana - date unknown - died about 1904 in Kansas." And "My grandfather was one of 11 children of Lysan Joslin. The oldest was a girl, Elizabeth. Next oldest was my grandfather - Luther; then John, who went from Ind. to Calif. Another son was Andrew, who lived in Kansas at one time. There was a set of twins - Elmus and Elmer, and two girls, Ida and Della. That is all I know about my line. . ."

Mrs. Wessler acknowledges that "The data he gives are not identical to yours - but there is enough to know and identify his Luther M. with your Melissa Miriah (as brother and sister)." Her letter continues for another full page, providing information on some other Joslin families.

Now I can imagine the excitement that my grandmother felt when she read the information from Irwin's letter! But at the time, I was a 20 year old who had no interest in that stuff.

Four months later, grandma received a letter from Irwin, dated March 3, 1969. He states that he had "corresponded some with Mrs. Wessler who wasn't much help to me, at first - then she sent me the enclosed letter of 12-16-68." Irwin goes on to say "I am positive this is my line of Joslins. It appears that your grandmother Melissa & my grandfather Luther were brother & sister." He included information about himself and his immediate family and concluded by saying "I would be very glad to hear from you and perhaps some day we can sit down to visit & compare notes."

The letter that Mrs. Wessler sent to Irwin on 12-16-68 appears to be a compilation of the data from the transcribed bible pages that grandma had in her possession. At that time, grandma already "knew" that Lysander's parents were James and Abagail (Goodrich) Joslin and that his wife Lydia's parents were Henry and Ann Robison. In Mrs. Wessler's letter to Irwin. She says "Nothing known about James, father of Lysander, other than that there were four or five more children, and that he went to Whitley Co. Ind. in 1834. His wife Abagail, was born 1805, Delaware Co. O.; d. Whitley Co. dau. of Bela and Sally (Church) Goodrich. Bela Goodrich was born in Conn. In 1776; was in the War of 1812."

Next up: Grandma replies to Irwin's letter.

Note: Due to possible copyright issues regarding the letters written by Mrs. Wessler, I've chosen not to post images of those letters. I'd probably be "safe" in posting images of the letters from Irwin but they include quite a bit of information on living people, so they won't be posted here either. It is Irwin's brother, sister-in-law, daughter, and nephew with whom I'll be taking the Joslin Heritage Tour in September.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Letter from Ida (Fall of 1936)

Letter to Malissa Joslin Brubaker Bower from her sister, Ida Joslin Dressler Lewis. A copy of this letter was made by Irwin Joslin from my grandmother's files. The location of the original is not known. I received a copy of the transcribed letter in November 2007 from George and Lorene Joslin. This is the transcription that was done by Irwin Joslin. You will probably notice that he "cleaned up" her spelling, which makes it easier to read, but perhaps loses some of the "flavor" of her previous letters.

For more information on Ida and her family see Ida Joslin Dressler Lewis (1863-1937)

Other posts in this series:

This is the last letter from Ida. She passed away on March 8, 1937 "of pneumonia which followed influenza" but, more likely the cause was that "Mrs. Lewis died of shock when told of her husband's death last Friday by a friend who visited her at the hospital." Ida and her husband had both spent the previous three weeks in the hospital. [1]

Joe is Ida's son Joseph Dressler who lived in New Mexico. Belva is Joe's wife. Lolo is their daughter, Lola. She was a teacher from 1926-1929 at Ewing School in Torrance County, New Mexico. Lola married Irvin Taylor. Just yesterday I found them in the 1930 census living in Inyo County, California. From the California Death Index, I learned that Lola died March 1, 1983 in Los Angeles. Though Joe and Belva Dressler apparently had health issues (mentioned in the previous letters), they both lived into the 1960s.

Malissa passed away September 30th, just about 7 months after Ida. Their sister, Roxie Parkison, died on March 5, 1941 and their other sister, Della Quillen, mentioned in the other letters, died on February 7, 1943.

No date, probably the fall of 1936. Sounds like it was an election year.
==+==+==+==+==+==+==

My dear dear sister, So glad to get your letter, but it makes me sad for I know the end is near for us buy why should we be sad. It is only the passing on to a new life but I can’t help being lonely for my loved ones. I just ask God to give me grace to carry on until He comes. I’m feeling much better. I went to church yesterday. Friends brought me home. Heard a wonderful sermon. Our new pastor is a young man from Louisville, Ky. and he is a marvelous man. Just preaches the old, old fashioned religion of Jesus and Him crucified for us. It gives me new strength to hear such encouraging words - the old, old story ever new.

This is such a beautiful day. I long to be out but can’t go alone. I get all the news of both sides - Roosevelt - Landon - Smith governor to be of Missouri. The radio gives me everything and it helps to pass away many otherwise lonely hours. I guess it made you sadder to bid your boy goodbye forever. I don’t know as I will ever see Joe again although he always says he will come when he can get away from his farm. I wrote him it would be too late if he kept putting it off but I know its hard to get away from the farm. He is not well. Neither is his wife. Just working themselves to death - children all worried. Still they don’t seem to know how to let up. They always say - “just one more year” - but they keep right on.

The youngest boy, with his family, lives on Joes farm. He built a house for him. The other one not far away but Lolo is the one Belva wants near her but she is a long way off. Only comes every year but she seems happy with her husband and two boys. Guess she won't have any more. I hope not. The youngest is 3 ½ - the other one 6 - going to Kindergarten. Lolo gives them a good start as she taught school several terms before she married Ervin. I wonder why Roxie don’t write. I’m afraid she is very poorly and she is so alone - has three daughters and not one near her. It don’t seem right - and she is so lonely. I wish I had something pleasant to write you. But seems I can’t. But everything comes from my heart and I feel very near to you when I’m writing. Oh how I wish you could sit on my porch in the sunshine and we could have a visit - and it would help us. But if I was able physically I would drop in on you. But that will never be so lets keep in close touch by writing and in that way we can help one another.

Sam thinks Landon will make a good President and he will cast his first vote for a Republican President. [2]

Tuesday - 10:00 a.m.
A cool dreary morning - going to rain. How did the flowers look I sent you? I’m feeling fair this A.M. Hubby has gone to Kansas for the day - working. No word from sisters this A.M. - Charity drive is on - they will be at my door today but I’ve nothing for them - I know too much about them - its a lark for the swells to get out in the expensive cars, new coats of fur that cost hundreds of dollars and tell us what we ought to do, etc. Well, we have several millionaires here - they are the ones to give. Election here will be terrible - probably bloodshed. Its a bitter fight and we think a close run. 300 registered here from empty houses - Democrats. The police is trying to run them down. Well, we hope

[The rest of the letter is missing. . . . ]

[1] Obituary of Ida Joslin Dressler Lewis published on March 8, 1937 in the Columbia City Post, Whitley County, Indiana.
[2] Alfred Mossman Landon was governor of Kansas 1933-1937. A Republican, he was defeated in his bid for the Presidency in 1936 by Franklin D. Roosevelt. (Wikipedia)

Friday, January 11, 2008

Letter from Ida (January 1935)

Joe is Ida's son, Joseph Dressler. Belva is his wife. Sam is Ida's husband, Sam Lewis. Babe is the youngest child of Roxie Joslin Parkison, Gladys Parkison Elder, who lived in Cardin, Oklahoma in 1930 but moved to San Diego, California.

Not dated - possibly written in January 1935. In the previous letter, which I think was written in December 1934, Ida mentioned that she had written three letters to Roxie. And she mentions that here also.

==+==+==+==+==+==+==

Dear Sister, the new year has just began and because you are lonely I’ll write you. Always so glad to hear from you but first I must pick a bone with you. One letter was addressed to Kansas City, Mo. - no street number. It came after Christmas. Then one came today addressed to Wabash, Kansas City, MO. - no street number. They have a hard time locating me and for a wonder they looked me up instead of returning it to you. So no harm done but its a wonder they went to that much trouble as they are very important here in their own imagination.

This is beautiful weather - snow all gone - some ice remains and nasty and muddy a few days before Christmas. I started out and fell off the stone steps on the concrete walk - skinned my knee up pretty bad but, oh was I lucky. I might have broken bones. I’m all right now and rally happy that I was so lucky but I haven’t been out of the house. My legs are not what they used to be and so many have had awful bad falls and are in the hospital - its terrible here. Now the day before Christmas my little girl friend came and brought mince meat she made and made a nice fat mince pie and I believe I’ll make up the rest this afternoon. Sam will be glad to get it for his supper tonight. His cousin wrote us they would send us a chick when they could get to town - roads terrible.

Did I tell you they have taken Belva (Joe's wife) 160 mile from home to a hot springs. A woman doctor (I hate them). Maybe they will finish her money. Joe is awfully worried. He can write often when he is in trouble. I’m sure they are giving her the wrong treatment but I won’t say a word that might discourage him. They will have to fight it out alone as I have always had to do. Sam is so strong and well - fat, ragged, and sassy. I’m glad he is. How quick they will gobble him up when I’m gone so I’m just holding on - just sticking around and he actually seems to want me but the time is coming when one must walk alone but it won’t be for long as we are both getting near the end. I know Della will be awfully glad to hear from you and if you addressed it right she will answer you if she is at all able. Let me know for even though her children are with her she to is lonely, a great sufferer and a shut in. I believe Roxie is bed ridden or gone as she never answers. I have written three times. They didn’t come back so the children might get them. Babe is or was in San Diego, California. She is the one I would expect to write me but not a word has come. And, of course, I can’t help but worry as I can’t rely on the old “saw” that no news is good news.

Well, the cat has come in for its supper - the golden sun is sinking in the West - the mince pie is still to be baked, so I’ll quit. I love to hear from you so don’t wait so long for the end is near for both of us but I do mourn for my loved ones these Christmas and holiday times that had meant so much to me but they are happy their suffering is over.

John 11th at Lazarus’ grave - Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life - He that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall be live and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die”. Comforting words to me.

Now I hope this will be a Happy New Year to you and me both. Perhaps it is best we don’t know what is in store for us in the future. Goodbye sister dear - I might send you some more candy when

[the rest of the letter is missing. . . ]

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Letter from Ida (December 1934)

Sam is Ida's Husband. Joe is Ida's son, Joseph Dressler, and Belva is Joe's wife. They lived in New Mexico. Lolo (actually Lola) is the daughter of Joe and Belva. Della and Roxie are Ida's sisters Della Quillen and Roxie Parkison, they lived in South Carolina and Oklahoma, respectively.

The letter is not dated but Ida makes reference to it being after Christmas. She also states that Malissa is 85 ½ years old. Malissa was born June 24, 1849 so I'm guessing that this letter was written the last week of December 1934. The first paragraph of this one might make a bit more sense if we knew what Malissa had written to Ida...

==+==+==+==+==

Sunday afternoon.

Dear Sister, this is an awfully cold day, snow a little this a m but has turned bitter cold. I could not venture out to church this a m but Sam went to represent the family. They are going to have a big time thare to nite. Three churches combining with a speaker from Forin misonery but I'll not go out. And you want me to die and leave my dear Sam alone now isent that funney but you were always that way so I don't mind it but its strange how some people want others to die when thay are not in any bodys way. Well I never felt that way in my life about any one when those I love and I know love me. I want them to live on to be with me to help and comfort me and maby I can help them in a way to bare thare burden. I suppose thare are some that are waiting for you to pass out but as for me I hope you may live on as long as you enjoy life and can write to me. I like to git your letters even thou you are 85 ½ years old but I know it can't be long and if I should out live you I will be very very sad. I'm ready when my dear Savior calls me so let us not worry about thoes things as that is our Lords Business and he will take us home when he is ready.

Well a letter came from Joe & Belva that made me heart sick. While Joe and son Chester (his wife stayed with Belva) was at the Hospital 160 miles from home the man (Mexican) they left in charge, he had been employed by Joe, stole all thare clothing, the beautiful cloaths I sent them and lovely keep sakes, two suits of Chesters, shoes, shirts, all of Joes cloaths, 3 new comforts, all thair meat canned, fruit, etc. Just cleaned them out. Took Joes Truckto pack them away in but brought it back. Stock tied up in Barn. He has about one hundred head cows, mules, horses etc. Joe had just written how desolate and bad off with Belva so bad off but now he surley has something to worry him. I hate to think of the thief wearing all those lovely shirts, suits, flanel pajamas etc. that I might have kept for Sam as he could have worn them all, both 6 ft weigh 200 lbs, but Belva says it might have been worse but at that it made her worse. She is quite bad off. I doubt if she recovers and I want her to live. She is young. Joe loves her and needs her. She wants to live, asks me to Pray for her. You see someone has need of me and I'll try to help in my small way.

A letter came from Lolo. She seems happy with her 2 little Boys and her husband. I'll send you thair Pictures, just snap shots, but please return when you ans [answer] me. I haven't a word from Della or the girls since before Christmas but I'm sure if she gets your letter she will ans [answer] if she is able. I'm worried about Roxie. I'm sure she is gone or something has happened as she never treated me this way before and some one gets her mail. Three letters have never came back. Well write me as soon. Sam don't feel very good this afternoon. Guess he eats to much. It's 5 pm and getting dark. I wonder if you still have that church certific of Mothers.

Lovingly from sister Ida, no I'm not mad I just think you are funny! So will I be at 85.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Letter from Ida (November 1934)

Letter to Malissa Joslin Brubaker Bower from her sister, Ida Joslin Dressler Lewis. A copy of this letter was made by Irwin Joslin from my grandmother's files. The location of the original is not known. I received a copy in November 2007 from George and Lorene Joslin.

Malissa was living in Columbia City, Indiana. Ida lived in Kansas City, Missouri with her second husband, Sam Lewis. Joe is Ida's son, Joseph Dressler who would have been living in Torrance County, New Mexico. Della is Ida's sister, Della Quillen, who lived in South Carolina.

Spelling has been transcribed as it was written though punctuation and paragraphs have been added to make it easier to read. Ida's handwriting is atrocious and she used hardly any punctuation, which makes the letters somewhat difficult to decipher. Bad writing and all, I'm very grateful to have these few letters that have survived.

For more information on Ida and her family see Ida Joslin Dressler Lewis (1863-1937)

Other posts in this series: The first letter from Ida

==+==+==+==+==+==

Envelope attached.
Return address: Mrs. S T Lewis, 2711 Wabash, K City Mo
Sent to: Mrs Lissa Bower, 201 East Market St, Columbia City, Indiana
Postmarked: November 9, 1934

Sister dear, its such a beautiful morning, sunshiney, crisp, lovely. I would like to take a long ride out in the woods. They say they are beautiful. The leaves are going fast. So are we. But the new life is more beautiful. I'm very much better. This new treatment, 4 tablets a day, is helping my general health. Of course, I'm still suffering pain in my swollen joints. My wrist is the worst but I don't suffer as bad as I did.

We have our rugs secured, floors polished, screens out, old vines taken down, etc. Still thare is a lot of work to do yet but Sam can do most of it when he is not busy. I got beautiful lace curtains for my living room this fall. Our house needs redasking [?] its stucco and painting but it will have to do this year. Living is surely high. Sam pays more for everything he needs for his work and works for less. The union have cut thair price so he must keep below them to get the work but he keeps going. He's strong and healthy and I'm awfully thankful.

My Joe is not strong & never quite well. The Dresslers are not strong. His father has been dead a great many years so are nearly all of their folks. Joes wife has never quite recovered from her gall bladder operation. Was going to be xrayed for another operation (maby). Joe was running for a Political job. Haven't herd how he came out. I hope he was defeated. He is to clean and decent to mix with the class that is now running the country. Conditions are tearable but its not only here its every where. Our Bible teacher said last Sunday Saten was runing the country now. It surely looks that way.

Well, I've got rested and will try it again. I'm making ice box rools [rolls ?] besides lots of other work but so thankful I can. Haven't herd from Roxie for a long time. I think its wonderful you keep so well. My dearest friend passed on to that other home, aged 82 years. She was a mother to me. Another dear friend died 4 weeks after she buried her husband and I miss her so but after his death she couldn't make the grad [grade?], just layed down and quit, no children, just those old folks alone. She was 60, he was 70. And so it goes. Had a beautiful home and were very happy after 35 years of married bliss.

Dear sister Della says the Lord is coming in the clouds. So be it. I'm ready to live so am ready to die for the Lord sayed who so ever will may come and that included me. I'm tire of writing, my wrist pains, ans [answer] when you can. It seems to me you have a easy life as you are nearing the setting sun, and I'm glad you have, but of course you must be lonely too.

Lovingly yours, Ida
2711 Wabash

Sunday, January 06, 2008

The first letter from Ida

The letters that Malissa received from her sister, Ida Joslin Dressler Lewis, were apparently in the possession of my grandmother in the summer of 1969 when she was visited by her 2nd cousin, Irwin Joslin, who is the grandson of Luther Joslin. Irwin made copies of the letters at that time. Good thing, because the originals were not in with the box of grandma's papers that I have. I received copies of these letters in November of last year when I went to the Joslin Reunion in Springfield, Missouri.

There is no date on this letter but Ida mentions that it is Father's birthday, May 1st. And, since Father was going to live with "Nerve" (his daughter, Minerva Knight) I think it must be 1899. His wife, Lydia, passed away on January 25th that year and according to his obituary, Lysander was living at the home of his daughter Mrs. Knight in Keighly, Butler County when he passed away on May 14, 1899 - just 13 days after this letter was written, if my assumptions are correct.

Other people mentioned are Romey, Malissa's son. I'm guessing here but the sickness referred to was probably a result of his service in Cuba during the Spanish-American War where he contracted malaria. Elnora is Ida's 16 year old daughter. In the 1900 federal census Ida and Elnora were listed as boarders and living in the 8th ward of Kansas City, Missouri.

Nerve is Minerva Knight and Dellie is Mandella Quillen, both daughters of Lysander and Lydia. Merl and Nellie are children of Minerva and William Knight. Nellie's husband was Bert Sutton, whom she married in 1897.

==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==

[probably May 1, 1899]

Dear Sister & Family

I will reply to your letter, has romey got home? I do hope his sickness was not severe and that he is now at home. I can relize your trouble and suspence knowing he was sick and you where you could do notheing for him. I guess we all have our troubles in one way or anoter. Elnore is trying hard to make up for lost time although she has not gotten strong yet. Do you hear from Nerve - of course I don't - haven't a word from any one only Dellie & she knows nothing about them. This is Fathers birthday May 1st. They tell me Nerve will take father to town with her (I don't know which town). Merl goes on the road with his Father & Nellie & her husband will farm the place at Keighly. I don't believe father finds it as pleasent as he expected to.

I will send you a picture of our first home in K. C. the little one in front is Elnora the one with a hat on is me. Will also send the Band of Mercy program. 20,000 children were gathered together. It was a beautiful sight.

Sister you speak of us going to Chicago. I think (by what I hear) it would be the rong place for us. This is a beautiful place. Just the town for working people. So many factorys and great stores. One can always find employment. Of course thare is crime & vice but that is in the slums. We know nothing about that part of town only what we read in our daily papers.

I want Elnora to finish her education here than she will stand a better chance to get a school. She is quite a favorite with the teacher & principle man if she only holds out. The kerchief you sent me is lovely. I think so much of it. Many thanks & the tea tray is quite unique. I will get Elnora to write. I'm layed off for a few days and am glad of it. Will make Elnora a calico dress. Thare is so much I can find to do when I get home. She is not strong enough to work and some times I like a chance to stay at home a few days. We get along nicely & I have the Doctors bill nearly paid. Come soon. Love to all.

Lovingly your sister Ida.
501 E 12th
K C Mo

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Letter from Lydia - October 1895

Letter to Malissa Joslin Brubaker from her mother, Lydia Robison Joslin, October 1895. Spelling is the same as in the original letter [with some corrections within brackets]. Some punctuation added for readability.

Father is Lydia's husband Lysander Joslin. Charle is their 16 year old grandson who lived with them. Ida is their daughter who, by this time, had divorced her husband John Dressler and was living in Kansas City. Though not mentioned in the letter, Ida's 12 year old daughter Elnora was living with Lysander and Lydia at the time the 1895 Kansas Census was taken. Her 10 year old son, Joseph Dressler, lived with his father. Ole Joslin is Lysander and Lydia's grandson.

==+==+==+==+==+==+==

Oc the 1895
Lyndon Kansas

Dear Childron. I will rite a few lines, Lisse I em a lone this after noon. Father and Charle went to quiqnamaw withe a load of appels. took a load yesterday. only gets 25 cts per bushe [bushel] for winter appes [apples]. we made a bout 37 galons appel butter. we have not all gatherd. mabe will be this week. it is quite cool and windy to day. I em baking punk pies.

charley will go to help get out rock for the new church to Morow. the are billing [building ?] two new churches in Lyndon, the Babest [Baptist] and christian.

well Lisse I em nerves to rite but I em quite well if dont work to hard. Ida was home last week. cleaned house. she is so good to help work. her an Father did the work.

I ges you have a nice winmill up now. I wish Miss parkison cold [could] come here to. has romey went home yet, do you know or her [hear] of ole Joslin. well rite soon, tell all the noose [news]. the dipthera is very bad thru ocage co.

well be good to the girl, does will like her.
the Lord bless you all

Mother. L. R. J.

==+==+==+==+==+==+==

The 1895 Kansas State Census shows that they had 40 acres of land with 38 under cultivation. The cash value of the farm was $1,000. They had farming implements valued at $30 and planned to plant 30 acres of corn in the spring of 1895.

They had 100 Bushels of corn on hand 3/1/1895. Had cut 3 tons of tame hay in 1894 and 40 tons of prairie cut. They sold $100 worth of poultry and eggs and made 200 pounds of butter. Farm animals included 3 horses, 3 milch cows, 26 swine and 2 dogs. They sold $180 worth of animals for slaughter. Their orchard contained 274 fruit bearing trees: 140 apple, 2 pear, 50 peach, 7 plum, and 75 cherry. They had 6 stands of Bees that produced 60 pounds of honey.

This is the third (and last, darn it) letter from Lysander and Lydia to Malissa that were in my grandmother's papers. The other two letters are posted at:

Friday, January 04, 2008

Letter from Lydia - September 15th 1894

This is the second of three letters from Lysander and Lydia Joslin that were in my grandmother's papers. I realize that I'm extremely fortunate to have these letters but I want more! I also have several letters written to Malissa from her sister Ida in the 1930s. I'm sure that the family stayed in touch through the years and there were probably many other letters written, so where are they? Probably tossed out when someone was cleaning up the clutter!

Letter to Malissa Joslin Brubaker from her mother, Lydia Robison Joslin
Spelling the same as in the original letter. Some punctuation and paragraphs added for readability.

Lysander and Lydia moved from Barton County, Kansas to Osage County in 1891. Delles is their daughter Della Quillen. Della's little girl, Lydia Elizabeth, was about 18 months old. Kattie and Freddy are the wife and son of Elmus Joslin, youngest son of Lysander and Lydia. Luther was their oldest son and Ole was Luther's oldest son. I don't know who the Seely boys were or Henry or Jake. Charly was the grandson of Lysander and Lydia. We're pretty sure he was the child of their daughter Ida, born when she was about 16 years old. Charley lived with Lysander and Lydia.

==+==+==+==+==

Sep 15th 1894
Lyndon osage co kansas

Dear children. it has bin so long sence we herd from you, do rite; we are as well as commen. can get a meal and do it jestes yet, we had had a dry summer the the crops is short, corn very lite, but we will have a nuf to do us. we have 24 hogs 15 to fat to sell, have 3 cows. I make quite a bit of butter to sell, it is 16 cts per pound. we had a plenty appels in the spring but the frost and hard wind shock them of [shook them off] so we have but few left. we will make a little appel butter. I made 5 gallons grapes some Jely. have a bout thirty 5 quarts charies.

Delles was all here last sunday, had a nice visit. her girl look so nice with its sandy cirley hair a most to her wast. Elmus and Katte and fredy come home and staid 3 months then went to the mines. thot he cold not start up on a farm here yet, yet he is so tired mining.

the last we herd from Luther he had not herd from ole. have you. how did you get trace of the seely Boys, I em glad to here of them, do rite and tell how henry is. can he get a bout, Jak wold not tell his folks anything a bout the folks, I think it Mean in him.

Father and charly went Lyndon this after noon to get the Mail, we got the paper you sent and letters also but no riting from you. we have plenty of rain this month.

[rest of letter written in pencil]
I will finish my letter. we made 6 gallons appel butter. it is nice. I ges I will go to Lindon this after noon. rite as soon as you get this, a long letter to make lost time.

god bless you all, Mother

to Malise and famley

[written up-side-down at the top of the 4th page]
the appels trees is done bloomim

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Letter from Lysander - January 2, 1890

Letter to Malissa Joslin Brubaker from her father, Lysander Price Joslin. Spelling transcribed the same as in the original letter though punctuation has been added for legibility.

The year of the letter is confusing because of the reference to “the baby Romy”. Charles Romain “Romey” Brubaker would not have been a baby - he was born in August 1871. Malissa’s second son, Hale, was born in May 1886. It is possible that Lysander simply got confused over the name of the baby. If the letter was written in 1890, Hale would be about 3 1/2 years old.

Lysander & Lydia moved to Barton County, Kansas in January 1877 and lived there until 1891 when they moved to Osage County, Kansas where they lived until their deaths in 1899.

Quilen is James Downey Quillen who married Della Joslin, daughter of Lysander and Lydia. Children of Lysander and Lydia mentioned are Andrew, who was in Montana was born in 1860. Elmus was born in 1868 and was off roaming about with his older brother John, who was born in 1855. Andrew returned to Kansas where he raised a family of five children. He died in Arkansas in 1921. Elmus did some mining in Colorado before moving to Montana where he died in 1928. It is not known what became of John, he may have gone to California.

As always, click on the images for a larger view...

==+==+==+==+==+= =+==

Oden PO Barton Co Kansas
January the 2 1890 [??]

Dear Lissa and Family

we are all well at present, hope this will find you all well. we got the aple Butter all right it is very nice and we are very thankful for it. until you are better paid inclosed find $1.00, to pay the freight.

we are having very cold weather for this country but no stormes, Just clear cold with nort wind. will finish husking corn in 4 days Quilen is helping me. I will give you the prices of produse - wheat 50 cts, rye 25, corn 15, oats 15, butter 15 cts per lb, eggs 19 per dozen, pork 300 per hundred lbs grose, potatoes 40 cts per bushel. every thing is low but plenty. I was offered 32 Dollars for too Steers, one 2 year old and one yearling, but would not take it. have plenty of feede and only 13 head of catle and 6 horses to winter. we kiled 8 hogs that weight about 250 apice, had 17 galons of lard.

have 8 hogs feeding to sell. they are yong, will weigh 200 when fat. have 5 brood sows and one mail is English burkshire. cost me 10 dollars at 2 months old, he is nine months old, will weigh 250, he is a daisy. our wheat looks well, have 50 acres of wheat and 20 of wry.

the ground is in good condition think we will get a crop next year., if we get rain in the Spring and summer. if we get crops next year I think we will see you all if we keepe our health.

Andrew is in Montana. John and Elmus has left where they was, sayed they would rite when they got setled.

I will close hoping to heare from you soon. kiss the Baby for me, cant pronounce his name, Romy, rite.

So good by, Love to all
Father

Thursday, December 27, 2007

March 16th 1849

Among the papers in the files of my grandmother, Hazlettle Brubaker Phend, is a photocopy of a letter written in 1849. The thing that struck me most about the letter is that even though times change, basic human nature really doesn't. The things that concern us now, concerned them also - the birth of children, the health and well-being of family and friends.

The letter was sent by Sophia Elizabeth (Hazlett) and James Dunfee to their son and daughter-in-law, William and Catherine (Jones) Dunfee. Sophia and James are my 4th great grandparents. William and Catherine are my 3rd great grandparents.

Lakeville, March 16th 1849

Dear William, we received your welcome letter bearing date of March 2nd and was much pleased to hear that you are well and in good health and that you have a living Mother and daughter and I feel to thank God for his mercies toward his creatures. How we would like to see you all and this little grand daughter which numbers 21 for us. On reading your letter Lucy cried out, well done for Will, I wish I was there now, and Sarah said, I guess that William don’t forget me yet for he says that his babe looks like what I did when I was a babe.

Now I will tell you that we are all well at this time and so are all your friends here and they seem all to be looking ahead for themselves. I did hear some weeks ago that father had rented some of his fields and that George is going west in the fall, but this is all I can tell about them as none of them have been home since Henry and I were sick last fall.

Mary and little ones are well. She has had her dower set off this Spring. She has the most of the old home stead, 120 acres and Henry is about finishing his plowing this spring and he is quite rugged and hearty again and I can’t tell what he will go at next.

Aunt is well but She hung her lip at not having her name mentioned in your letter.

Your father thinks he will be to see you this Spring if we keep well. He would have been out last fall if we had not taken sick. We were sick from September till beginning of winter.

Jonathan and Marye An are both well but I don’t know how they like your compliment as I have not seen them since. Give My best Respects to Oliver Quick when you see him again.

William this is a Short letter from your mother, I could fill a little book if I were to write perticlers but this I will Say that Henry Dunfee is not the very worst boy in the world, he’s like yourself, he feels kind hearted towards us, the rest your father will say when he comes, So farewell. My dear Children.

James and Sophia E. Dunfee

To William H. Dunfee and Catharine B. Dunfee

=+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+=

Some notes regarding the letter:

Lakeville is in Holmes County, Ohio. The 'recently born grand daughter' mentioned in the first paragraph was the first child of William and Catharine Jones Dunfee, Laura Virginia, who was born January 25th, 1849. Laura Virginia was the 21st grandchild of James and Sophia. I come up with sixteen, so far. The ‘Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana’ reports that James and Sophia had thirteen children, but I have names for only ten born between 1811 and 1839. That 28 year time span certainly allows for additional children and would also account for the 'missing' 5 grandchildren.
Lucy and Sarah, also mentioned in the first paragraph were the two youngest children of James and Sophia Dunfee. (Lucy born in 1834, and Sarah in 1839)
George, mentioned in the second paragraph is most likely William’s older brother who was born in 1815 and settled in Dekalb county prior to 1850.
Henry, mentioned several times is probably William’s youngest brother, James Henry, who was born about 1828 and settled near the WhitleyCounty line in Aboite Township, Allen County in the late 1850’s.
The ‘father’ mentioned in the second paragraph, is in all likelihood Sophia’s father, whom I believe to be Jonathan Haslett who was 78 years old and living in Ashland County, Ohio with his granddaughter Eliza Dunfee (aged 39), according to the 1850 Ohio Census records.
Mary and ‘little ones’ is probably a reference to William’s older sister, Mary Bonnet, who had five children and lived near Lakeville and whose first husband had died in 1847. Mary remarried in March 1850 to James Lovett. They lived in Washington Township, Holmes County, Ohio.
I have not been able to determine exactly who the ‘Aunt’ is. There is a Catherine Dunfee 'daughter of G. & M. Dunfee died July 27, 1851 aged 57y 9m' buried in Evergreen Bethel Cemetery, Jefferson Township, Whitley County - the same cemetery in which James and Sophia are buried. It seems logical that Catherine is a sister of James, thus she could be the aunt that was 'disappointed at not having her name mentioned.'
Jonathan and MaryAnn is a reference to William’s younger brother, Jonathan who settled in Whitley county, Indiana in the early 1850’s. Oliver Quick could be MaryAnn’s brother or father.
About 1850, James and Sophia Dunfee came to Whitley County, Indiana. Most of their known children also came to Northern Indiana and settled in DeKalb, Allen, and Whitley counties, at about the same time or a few years earlier. The only child known to have remained in Holmes county, Ohio was Mary Bonnet Lovett.

Pages