NOTE: The genealogy continues with three additional posts to the blog dated 2/8/11.
George (01) and Jane (02) Chandler immigrated to Pennsylvania from Wiltshire, England, arriving in Pennsylvania in December 1687. The family genealogy is recorded in “A Record of the Descendants of George and Jane Chandler (who immigrated to Pennsylvania from Wiltshire, England, in 1687) with a Pedigree of the Chandlers of Oare, Wiltshire,” published by the Chandler Family Reunion Committee in Philadelphia in 1937. The materials were originally compiled by Gilbert Cope for, during, and after the family reunion held in 1887. The book traces the family back to 1252 – during the 36th year of the reign of King Henry III. Numbers in parentheses following names are those assigned by Gilbert Cope and used in the family genealogy.
It is believed that George Chandler died aboard ship en route to Pennsylvania. Jane arrived with her children and remarried several times. The children of George and Jane Chandler include:
George Chandler (03), born in England 06/14/1671 and died in Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1715. He married Ruth Bezer.
Swithin Chandler (04), born in England 09/06/1674 and died circa 1742 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He married Ann, whose maiden name is unknown.
Jane Chandler (05), born in England 07/09/1676 and died in 1726 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. She married Robert Jefferies circa 1692.
William Chandler (06) and his descendents are detailed below.
William Chandler (06) was the fourth child of George and Jane Chandler. William was born 12/08/1678 in England. He married Ann Bowater 07/10/1712. He died in 1746 in London Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
William Chandler (3503) was the son of William (06) and Ann Bowater Chandler. William was born 02/20/1718 in Pennsylvania and died 02/28/1795 in London Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania. William (3503) is the earliest Chandler from whom we have a written document in his own hand, a letter dated 1791.
William Chandler (3512) was the son of William (3503) and Rebecca Allen Mode Chandler. William (3512) has left a number of 1789-90 journal entries and a 1794-95 log in his own hand. We also have his 1797 wedding certificate to Hannah Winder, and a number of Ross County, Ohio land and court records dating from 1807 to 1839. According to Gilbert Cope, his siblings include the following:
Joseph Chandler (3509)
B: 10/12/1757
D: 1817
M: Eleanor Caples 05/04/1788
Allen Chandler (3510)
B: 10/31/1759
D: 12/23/1834
M: Sarah Pyle 05/13/1789
Thomas Chandler (3511)
B: 10/25/1761
D: 01/08/1823
M: Ann Lamborne 1785
Rebecca Chandler (3513)
B: 11/09/1766
D: 02/13/1853
NOTE: A 1791 letter from Rebecca and William Chandler (3503) to his son William (3512) notes the death of Hannah Chandler, the sister of William (3512). The letter also mentions Joseph Chandler (3509).
1.
William Chandler (3512)
B: 12/25/1764
D: 05/10/1839 at 8:00 p.m.
M: Hannah Winder
B: 10/11/1766 (Bucks, PA)
D: 10/13/1803 at 9:00 p.m. (Ross Co., OH)
Children: Rebecca Chandler (3559)
B: 11/11/1798 at 6:00 p.m. (High Bank, Ross County, OH)
D: 10/04/1869
Thomas Chandler (3560)
B: 09/11/1801 between midnight and 1:00 a.m.
D: 10/09/1801 at 11:00 a.m.
John Winder Chandler (3561)
B: 10/10/1802 at 10:00 p.m.
D: 05/29/1805
M: Sarah Harrison 04/12/1809 (04/14/1809 by Ross County, Ohio records)
B:
D: 05/19/1839 at 7:00 p.m.
Children: William Chandler Jr. (3562)
B: 02/07/1810
D: 11/21/1875
Sarah Chandler (3563)
B: 08/16/1811
D: 03/18/1858
M: Samuel Hess 1851
Thomas Chandler (3564)
B: 10/17/1812
D:
Hannah Chandler (3565)
B: 10/17/1814
D: 11/29/1904
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
APPENDIX B: Notes on Land Transactions by Miss Laura and Miss Edna
A 1913/14 notation in a family ledger maintained by Miss Laura and Miss Edna records payments made to one C.A. Blain for “labor and materials. The same listing records payments made to “Chill. Hardware.” On May 1, 1914 Edna and Laura sold a farm to C.A. Blain for $17,000. It seems probable that the land sold was the family farm located in Ross County, Ohio, and that C.A. Blain was a relative on their mother’s side of the family.
On November 30, 1914 Laura and Edna purchased an 80 acre farm in Missouri from S.C. Tobin for $13,000. On February 22, 1915, they purchased an additional 80 acres in Missouri from W.B. Lunbeck for $11,200. (Note that Lunbeck is a name closely associated with the Chandlers in Chillicothe, Ohio as far back as 1824, and documents singed by or referring to various Lunbecks appear throughout their history.)
The property purchased from W.B. Lunbeck was sold for $16,000 on January 3, 1921. On March 1, 1923, Laura and Edna purchase another 80 acres of land in Missouri from S.J. Wilson for $12,000. This appears to be the last land transaction made by Laura and Edna until Laura’s death some 40 years later.
On November 30, 1914 Laura and Edna purchased an 80 acre farm in Missouri from S.C. Tobin for $13,000. On February 22, 1915, they purchased an additional 80 acres in Missouri from W.B. Lunbeck for $11,200. (Note that Lunbeck is a name closely associated with the Chandlers in Chillicothe, Ohio as far back as 1824, and documents singed by or referring to various Lunbecks appear throughout their history.)
The property purchased from W.B. Lunbeck was sold for $16,000 on January 3, 1921. On March 1, 1923, Laura and Edna purchase another 80 acres of land in Missouri from S.J. Wilson for $12,000. This appears to be the last land transaction made by Laura and Edna until Laura’s death some 40 years later.
APPENDIX A: Notes on General Nathaniel Massie
During the 1st decade of the 1800s, William Chandler acquired land in Ross County, Ohio from Nathaniel Massie. The land grant, #3604, signed by President Thomas Jefferson in the City of Washington on January 2, 1802, notes that Massie had acquired the rights to the land from Richard Parker and Benjamin Brooks.
During the Revolutionary War, the new Government of the United States realized it had little it could offer to pay the soldiers who were fighting for the new republic. In the early 1780s, the various states agreed to cede to the federal government lands in the western reaches of their territories. Under the British, each colony had had an undefined western border, in many cases stretching all the way to the Mississippi River. The federal government asked the states to accept defined western borders, normally running along the eastern mountain chains. The states agreed, but with a catch. The federal government would establish a law that would pay the soldiers of the various state militias with lands in the territories they had ceded to the federal government. These laws, known in Virginia as the Virginia Cessions Act, granted land in Kentucky and Tennessee to the soldiers of the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment (the state militia). When lands in those two territories proved inadequate, the Virginia Military District in the new territory of Ohio was created to provide additional land for the Virginia Line. The two laws are referred to in the wording of the land grant. The legislative history of the law, HR85 of the very first session of Congress, can be found in the documents of the National Archives in Washington, DC.
General Nathaniel Massie is a figure tied closely to the history not only of the Chandler family but also of the state of Ohio and of Ross County. He is from an early Virginia family which can be traced at least to 1707 in New Cook County. His father, Colonel Nathaniel Massie, was born August 2, 1727 in New Cook County and died in 1802. General Nathaniel Massie was born December 28, 1763 in Goochland County, Virginia and was an eldest son. His father educated him and encouraged him early on to learn a profession. Massie chose surveying as his field, and apparently became quite good at it. In 1780 he joined the Virginia Line and served for a brief period.
By 1783 Massie was surveying lands in Kentucky, and by 1786 was engaged in several business ventures in the territory. In 1788 he made his first trip to the newly established Northwest Territories. Although unconfirmed, it is believed he was surveying the Virginia Military District in Ohio with a gentleman by the name of Arthur Fox. In 1791, Massie and a group of 25 families established the town of Manchester, the first in the Virginia Military District and the fourth in what would become the state of Ohio. In 1793 Massie led the first expedition into the area between the little Miami and Scioto rivers, and in 1795 he tried unsuccessfully to establish a settlement in the Scioto valley.
In 1796 Massie was successful in establishing Chillicothe, Ohio.
Massie would go on to become a member of the constitutional convention which permitted the establishment of Ohio as a state, became a member of its first Senate where he served as Speaker, and served very briefly as a Governor of the new state.
In the spring of 1813 Massie, an excellent woodsman and Indian fighter who bore the rank of General in the Ohio militia, was called upon to form a troop and march north from Chillicothe to relieve Benjamin Harrison and his army who were besieged at Fort Meigs by the British Army. Word of his coming preceded him and the British fled before his arrival. Massie and his men returned to Chillicothe without firing a shot. He lived only a short time after, dieing on November 3, 1813.
The above information is documented in a book titled “Biographical Sketches of General Nathaniel Massie, General Duncan McArthur, Captain William Wells, and General Simon Kenton: Who Were Early Settlers in the Western Country,” by John McDonald of Poplar Ridge, Ross County, Ohio, published in 1852 by D. Osborn and Sons, Dayton, Ohio.
A 1994 article in “Ohio History,” the journal of the Ohio Historical Society, offers another view of General Nathaniel Massie. The article is titled “Marketing ‘the great American commodity’: Nathaniel Massie and Land Speculation on the Ohio Frontier, 1783 – 1813.” The article documents Massie’s purchasing land grants in the Kentucky and Northwest Territories during the 1780s and 1790s from veterans of the Revolutionary War. Massie then goes on to survey and lay out townships, and resells the land to new settlers in those areas. He builds roads and takes a great interest in providing schools in his new settlements. By 1800 Massie owned more than 75,000 acres in the Virginia Military District, by far the largest single land owner in the district. Massie was very influential in the drafting of several early federal land management acts, most notably the Land Act of 1800. In 1806 Massie was successful in having Chillicothe named the first capital of Ohio, which it remained until 1811. The article ends with the following observations:
“Like many other speculators of the time, Massie found it difficult to profit from his ventures. In fact, one historian has described post-Revolutionary speculators as the ‘most unsuccessful group of businessmen in American history….’ Massie became entangled in numerous legal disputes and, as a landlord, he found it difficult to collect his rents…. As Massie discovered, speculation in ‘the great American commodity’ of land could bring both riches and ruin in one man’s lifetime.”
While there is no direct evidence that Nathaniel Massie and William Chandler were acquainted, we can document that Chandler’s first child, Rebecca, was born 1798 at High Banks in what would become Ross County, and that Chandler purchased from Massie 110 acres of land described in land grant #3604.
During the Revolutionary War, the new Government of the United States realized it had little it could offer to pay the soldiers who were fighting for the new republic. In the early 1780s, the various states agreed to cede to the federal government lands in the western reaches of their territories. Under the British, each colony had had an undefined western border, in many cases stretching all the way to the Mississippi River. The federal government asked the states to accept defined western borders, normally running along the eastern mountain chains. The states agreed, but with a catch. The federal government would establish a law that would pay the soldiers of the various state militias with lands in the territories they had ceded to the federal government. These laws, known in Virginia as the Virginia Cessions Act, granted land in Kentucky and Tennessee to the soldiers of the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment (the state militia). When lands in those two territories proved inadequate, the Virginia Military District in the new territory of Ohio was created to provide additional land for the Virginia Line. The two laws are referred to in the wording of the land grant. The legislative history of the law, HR85 of the very first session of Congress, can be found in the documents of the National Archives in Washington, DC.
General Nathaniel Massie is a figure tied closely to the history not only of the Chandler family but also of the state of Ohio and of Ross County. He is from an early Virginia family which can be traced at least to 1707 in New Cook County. His father, Colonel Nathaniel Massie, was born August 2, 1727 in New Cook County and died in 1802. General Nathaniel Massie was born December 28, 1763 in Goochland County, Virginia and was an eldest son. His father educated him and encouraged him early on to learn a profession. Massie chose surveying as his field, and apparently became quite good at it. In 1780 he joined the Virginia Line and served for a brief period.
By 1783 Massie was surveying lands in Kentucky, and by 1786 was engaged in several business ventures in the territory. In 1788 he made his first trip to the newly established Northwest Territories. Although unconfirmed, it is believed he was surveying the Virginia Military District in Ohio with a gentleman by the name of Arthur Fox. In 1791, Massie and a group of 25 families established the town of Manchester, the first in the Virginia Military District and the fourth in what would become the state of Ohio. In 1793 Massie led the first expedition into the area between the little Miami and Scioto rivers, and in 1795 he tried unsuccessfully to establish a settlement in the Scioto valley.
In 1796 Massie was successful in establishing Chillicothe, Ohio.
Massie would go on to become a member of the constitutional convention which permitted the establishment of Ohio as a state, became a member of its first Senate where he served as Speaker, and served very briefly as a Governor of the new state.
In the spring of 1813 Massie, an excellent woodsman and Indian fighter who bore the rank of General in the Ohio militia, was called upon to form a troop and march north from Chillicothe to relieve Benjamin Harrison and his army who were besieged at Fort Meigs by the British Army. Word of his coming preceded him and the British fled before his arrival. Massie and his men returned to Chillicothe without firing a shot. He lived only a short time after, dieing on November 3, 1813.
The above information is documented in a book titled “Biographical Sketches of General Nathaniel Massie, General Duncan McArthur, Captain William Wells, and General Simon Kenton: Who Were Early Settlers in the Western Country,” by John McDonald of Poplar Ridge, Ross County, Ohio, published in 1852 by D. Osborn and Sons, Dayton, Ohio.
A 1994 article in “Ohio History,” the journal of the Ohio Historical Society, offers another view of General Nathaniel Massie. The article is titled “Marketing ‘the great American commodity’: Nathaniel Massie and Land Speculation on the Ohio Frontier, 1783 – 1813.” The article documents Massie’s purchasing land grants in the Kentucky and Northwest Territories during the 1780s and 1790s from veterans of the Revolutionary War. Massie then goes on to survey and lay out townships, and resells the land to new settlers in those areas. He builds roads and takes a great interest in providing schools in his new settlements. By 1800 Massie owned more than 75,000 acres in the Virginia Military District, by far the largest single land owner in the district. Massie was very influential in the drafting of several early federal land management acts, most notably the Land Act of 1800. In 1806 Massie was successful in having Chillicothe named the first capital of Ohio, which it remained until 1811. The article ends with the following observations:
“Like many other speculators of the time, Massie found it difficult to profit from his ventures. In fact, one historian has described post-Revolutionary speculators as the ‘most unsuccessful group of businessmen in American history….’ Massie became entangled in numerous legal disputes and, as a landlord, he found it difficult to collect his rents…. As Massie discovered, speculation in ‘the great American commodity’ of land could bring both riches and ruin in one man’s lifetime.”
While there is no direct evidence that Nathaniel Massie and William Chandler were acquainted, we can document that Chandler’s first child, Rebecca, was born 1798 at High Banks in what would become Ross County, and that Chandler purchased from Massie 110 acres of land described in land grant #3604.
1887 Chandler Family 200th Anniversary Reunion
The descendants of George and Jane Chandler organized their first reunion in Pennsylvania in 1887. An original invitation was found with William Chandler family records. The invitation included the beginnings of the family genealogy prepared by Gilbert Cope.
EPILOGUE
William Chandler, the son of William Chandler, the grandson of William Chandler, and the great grandson of William Chandler of Wiltshire, England, died in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio on November 21, 1875.
According to Ross County Probate Court records, William died without having executed a last will and testament. Stephan Slane, his nephew-in-law, was named by the court to act as the executor of William’s estate. Probate records filed with the court provide details of the estate including both real and personal property. The Chillicothe City Directory, 1861 edition, on page 29 lists William Chandler as a carpenter with a shop located on Main Street between Hickory and Canal. Probate records list lumber, fence posts, nails, and similar items among his assets. Two bank accounts contained modest amounts of cash. Livestock sold by the estate included both cattle and hogs. Also recorded as assets are a double barreled shot gun and a rifle.
Chief among Williams assets were his several pieces of land in Ross County. The probate records for the estate show that taxes were paid by the estate to Ross County on several tracts of real property. In Scioto Township, the tracts are identified as #3604 comprised of 110 acres, corresponding to the warrant issued by Thomas Jefferson in 1802; and #3865 comprised of 4 acres, of unknown origin. Property #3565 comprised of 64 acres, of unknown origin, is in either Scioto or Franklin Township. Tracts #13372 comprised of 15 acres and #13773 comprised of 30 acres are in Franklin Township. These two properties conform to the two warrants issued in 1833 by Andrew Jackson and numbered 13,372 and 13,373 respectively. Property #9709 comprised of 40 acres, of unknown origin, is in Franklin Township. The property is referred to by number in the Jackson warrant #13,373 in describing adjacent properties for survey purposes.
I believe the property identified in Ross County tax records as #13773 is actually the property #13,373 described in the Jackson warrant. A further review of Ross County tax records might provide clues as to when properties #3865, #3565, and #9709 were acquired by Chandler.
Property numbers used by Ross County in its official records are reflected in “A Ross County Atlas,” printed by Gould & Co. in 1875.
William Chandler never married, had no children, and at the age of 65 had outlived all but one of his siblings. Hannah Chandler was four years younger than William. She had married Charles Blain in 1837 at the age of 23. Their only child, Sarah Chandler Blain, was born nine months after the marriage, and Charles Blain died within a year after Sarah’s birth. Hannah Chandler lived with her brother, William, for the remainder of his life, and would continue to live in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio until her death in 1904 at the age of 90 years. She survived her daughter, Sarah Chandler Blain Slane, by more than a year.
Sarah Chandler Blain married Stephan Slane on February 14, 1865. Their marriage produced three daughters: Laura, born in 1871; Edna, born in 1874; and Bessie, born in 1876. The youngest, Bessie, would die in Chillicothe in 1898 as the result of typhoid fever. Sarah, her mother, died in Chillicothe in 1903 as the result of cancer.
Contained in William Chandler’s ledger is a brief entry in an unknown hand that indicates Edna and Laura Slane moved from Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio to Malta Bend, Saline County, Missouri in 1905. The details are not documented. However, family papers include a notebook detailing the income and expenses of a Saline County farm belonging to Laura and Edna. The notebook is supported by tax receipts on a year-by-year basis from 1914 until 1963, the year Laura Slane died in Malta Bend. Laura never married and lived with her sister until shortly before her death.
Edna Slane married twice. In 1907 she wed Payton Jeter, who died in 1910. Their only child, Byrle Elizabeth Jeter was born in 1909 and died in 1917. Edna married a second time in 1926. Her second husband, Alexander Highlander McRoberts, had three children by a previous marriage: Ellen Houston McRoberts, born in 1909; Lawrence Houston McRoberts, born in 1910; and Mary Elizabeth McRoberts, born in 1912.
In 1935, Ellen Houston McRoberts married John Aubrey Clyde. A family photo from 1944 shows Edna Slane McRoberts holding a newborn infant, her step granddaughter Susan Ann Clyde. Miss Edna, as Susan was to know her until Edna’s death in 1970 at the age of 96 years, was the great great great granddaughter of William Chandler, born 294 years earlier in Wiltshire, England.
Ellen Houston McRoberts died in 1965. Her brother Lawrence, who married Joyce Johnson on December 20, 1940, died in 1984, shortly before Susan Ann Clyde and I were married. On my first visit to Malta Bend, Susan and I stayed in Joyce McRoberts home across the street and several houses down from what had been the home of Miss Edna and Laura. It was during that visit with Joyce that I first noticed several framed documents hanging in the upstairs hallway outside the guest bedroom. One of those documents eventually drew my attention because it bore the signature of Thomas Jefferson, President….
1944 photo from Malta Bend, Missouri shows Miss Edna (3992) Slane Jeter McRoberts, the great great great grandaughter of William Chandler of Wiltshire, England holding the infant Susan Ann Clyde.
According to Ross County Probate Court records, William died without having executed a last will and testament. Stephan Slane, his nephew-in-law, was named by the court to act as the executor of William’s estate. Probate records filed with the court provide details of the estate including both real and personal property. The Chillicothe City Directory, 1861 edition, on page 29 lists William Chandler as a carpenter with a shop located on Main Street between Hickory and Canal. Probate records list lumber, fence posts, nails, and similar items among his assets. Two bank accounts contained modest amounts of cash. Livestock sold by the estate included both cattle and hogs. Also recorded as assets are a double barreled shot gun and a rifle.
Chief among Williams assets were his several pieces of land in Ross County. The probate records for the estate show that taxes were paid by the estate to Ross County on several tracts of real property. In Scioto Township, the tracts are identified as #3604 comprised of 110 acres, corresponding to the warrant issued by Thomas Jefferson in 1802; and #3865 comprised of 4 acres, of unknown origin. Property #3565 comprised of 64 acres, of unknown origin, is in either Scioto or Franklin Township. Tracts #13372 comprised of 15 acres and #13773 comprised of 30 acres are in Franklin Township. These two properties conform to the two warrants issued in 1833 by Andrew Jackson and numbered 13,372 and 13,373 respectively. Property #9709 comprised of 40 acres, of unknown origin, is in Franklin Township. The property is referred to by number in the Jackson warrant #13,373 in describing adjacent properties for survey purposes.
I believe the property identified in Ross County tax records as #13773 is actually the property #13,373 described in the Jackson warrant. A further review of Ross County tax records might provide clues as to when properties #3865, #3565, and #9709 were acquired by Chandler.
Property numbers used by Ross County in its official records are reflected in “A Ross County Atlas,” printed by Gould & Co. in 1875.
William Chandler never married, had no children, and at the age of 65 had outlived all but one of his siblings. Hannah Chandler was four years younger than William. She had married Charles Blain in 1837 at the age of 23. Their only child, Sarah Chandler Blain, was born nine months after the marriage, and Charles Blain died within a year after Sarah’s birth. Hannah Chandler lived with her brother, William, for the remainder of his life, and would continue to live in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio until her death in 1904 at the age of 90 years. She survived her daughter, Sarah Chandler Blain Slane, by more than a year.
Sarah Chandler Blain married Stephan Slane on February 14, 1865. Their marriage produced three daughters: Laura, born in 1871; Edna, born in 1874; and Bessie, born in 1876. The youngest, Bessie, would die in Chillicothe in 1898 as the result of typhoid fever. Sarah, her mother, died in Chillicothe in 1903 as the result of cancer.
Contained in William Chandler’s ledger is a brief entry in an unknown hand that indicates Edna and Laura Slane moved from Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio to Malta Bend, Saline County, Missouri in 1905. The details are not documented. However, family papers include a notebook detailing the income and expenses of a Saline County farm belonging to Laura and Edna. The notebook is supported by tax receipts on a year-by-year basis from 1914 until 1963, the year Laura Slane died in Malta Bend. Laura never married and lived with her sister until shortly before her death.
Edna Slane married twice. In 1907 she wed Payton Jeter, who died in 1910. Their only child, Byrle Elizabeth Jeter was born in 1909 and died in 1917. Edna married a second time in 1926. Her second husband, Alexander Highlander McRoberts, had three children by a previous marriage: Ellen Houston McRoberts, born in 1909; Lawrence Houston McRoberts, born in 1910; and Mary Elizabeth McRoberts, born in 1912.
In 1935, Ellen Houston McRoberts married John Aubrey Clyde. A family photo from 1944 shows Edna Slane McRoberts holding a newborn infant, her step granddaughter Susan Ann Clyde. Miss Edna, as Susan was to know her until Edna’s death in 1970 at the age of 96 years, was the great great great granddaughter of William Chandler, born 294 years earlier in Wiltshire, England.
Ellen Houston McRoberts died in 1965. Her brother Lawrence, who married Joyce Johnson on December 20, 1940, died in 1984, shortly before Susan Ann Clyde and I were married. On my first visit to Malta Bend, Susan and I stayed in Joyce McRoberts home across the street and several houses down from what had been the home of Miss Edna and Laura. It was during that visit with Joyce that I first noticed several framed documents hanging in the upstairs hallway outside the guest bedroom. One of those documents eventually drew my attention because it bore the signature of Thomas Jefferson, President….
1944 photo from Malta Bend, Missouri shows Miss Edna (3992) Slane Jeter McRoberts, the great great great grandaughter of William Chandler of Wiltshire, England holding the infant Susan Ann Clyde.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Sarah Blain Slane circa 1866
The photo is from a Chandler family album. Most of the photos were taken in Chilicothe, Ohio during the mid-1860s.
1875 Aug. 17 Letter to Sarah Blain Slane (3705) from Sallie A. Renick
The letter is written in ink on four sides of a folded sheet of paper. I believe the letter is to Sarah Blain Slane (3705) in Chillicothe, Ohio in 1877 and refers to the death of Stephan Slane on August 14th. The letter is faded and difficult to transcribe.
Clintonville, KY Aug 17th
My Dear Dear Friend
When I think of you tonight in your loneliness and bitter grief I cannot rest until I send you some --- to tell you how deeply I feel for you. & we all are sympathizing with you. For all who knew your husband can feel how miserable is the loss you are ---tonight. His rare good nature, his amazing cheerfulness, his warm kind heart made him a friend whose place can not be filled by any other. I have not shed such bitter tears for the loss of any friend since we were called to feast with Hattie. For Mr. Slane was always a warm good friend to me, one on whom you could always rely and whose empathy and assistance never failed me. How little I thought when we parted with gay laughing words at your gate that I should never see the face of my friend again in life. All through his illness I prayed so earnestly, hoped so fervently that he might be again returned to health. That he might be spared to you and the dear little ones he loved so well. It is hard now to say “God knows best” but I have been taught this lesson in many ways. My trials have been as nothing compared to yours. The “shadows on me” are not like the cloud which makes all life look dark to you. But I pray that God may comfort you and grant that you be not crushed by your grief. That He may make easy the path for your feet where --- you have had such a loving guide and protector. I am thankful that my brethren were with him in his illness, that they were --- in some measure, and repay his unceasing kindness to us in our time of trial. How glad I should have been had they laid him in our cemetery. He should have been placed herein for he was one with us in all a childs and brothers kindness to my father and his body should have been laid with us --- least once to --- he had been such a tireless friend. Oh, my friend, I wish I could comfort you, but such grief is almost comfortless. I can only tell you how I --- --- --- and how sad my own heart is tonight. There is only comfort in the thought “I shall go to Him but He shall send --- to me.” Try to remember that, and not to think to much of the darkened path. Your tired feet must walk alone. And the added cares and responsibilities when thrown upon you. And when you --- of --- ,when your burden seem greater than you can bare, may God be with you and comfort you and sustain you.
Your loving friend,
Salie A. Renick
Clintonville, KY Aug 17th
My Dear Dear Friend
When I think of you tonight in your loneliness and bitter grief I cannot rest until I send you some --- to tell you how deeply I feel for you. & we all are sympathizing with you. For all who knew your husband can feel how miserable is the loss you are ---tonight. His rare good nature, his amazing cheerfulness, his warm kind heart made him a friend whose place can not be filled by any other. I have not shed such bitter tears for the loss of any friend since we were called to feast with Hattie. For Mr. Slane was always a warm good friend to me, one on whom you could always rely and whose empathy and assistance never failed me. How little I thought when we parted with gay laughing words at your gate that I should never see the face of my friend again in life. All through his illness I prayed so earnestly, hoped so fervently that he might be again returned to health. That he might be spared to you and the dear little ones he loved so well. It is hard now to say “God knows best” but I have been taught this lesson in many ways. My trials have been as nothing compared to yours. The “shadows on me” are not like the cloud which makes all life look dark to you. But I pray that God may comfort you and grant that you be not crushed by your grief. That He may make easy the path for your feet where --- you have had such a loving guide and protector. I am thankful that my brethren were with him in his illness, that they were --- in some measure, and repay his unceasing kindness to us in our time of trial. How glad I should have been had they laid him in our cemetery. He should have been placed herein for he was one with us in all a childs and brothers kindness to my father and his body should have been laid with us --- least once to --- he had been such a tireless friend. Oh, my friend, I wish I could comfort you, but such grief is almost comfortless. I can only tell you how I --- --- --- and how sad my own heart is tonight. There is only comfort in the thought “I shall go to Him but He shall send --- to me.” Try to remember that, and not to think to much of the darkened path. Your tired feet must walk alone. And the added cares and responsibilities when thrown upon you. And when you --- of --- ,when your burden seem greater than you can bare, may God be with you and comfort you and sustain you.
Your loving friend,
Salie A. Renick
1868 July 23 Letter to Sarah Blain Slane (3705) from Stephen Slane
Letter written in ink on two sides of a folded sheet, from Stephen Slane to his wife Sarah Blain Slane (3705).
July 23d 1868
Dear Wife,
Your favor came to hand and was received this morning. I am glad to learn that you are no worse than when I left you. For my part I am tolerably well. So are the rest of the folks.
I sent for that you spoke of Monday morning and I am looking for it tomorrow or Friday evening. But I cannot come down before Saturday on account of thrashing Friday. I will then come in a buggy and if everything is all right I will bring you home with me.
I intended to quit with this page but will write ‘til Lockwood comes from breakfast. I am really sorry to be deprived of your society so long, but am willing to put up with anything in order that you should regain your health.
You must not let your mind dwell too much on home. Remember that it is for your own good and also my earthly happiness that you are there. So be content for the short time you have to remain absent from the one to whom the world is a blank without you.
Your affectionate Husband
Steve
July 23d 1868
Dear Wife,
Your favor came to hand and was received this morning. I am glad to learn that you are no worse than when I left you. For my part I am tolerably well. So are the rest of the folks.
I sent for that you spoke of Monday morning and I am looking for it tomorrow or Friday evening. But I cannot come down before Saturday on account of thrashing Friday. I will then come in a buggy and if everything is all right I will bring you home with me.
I intended to quit with this page but will write ‘til Lockwood comes from breakfast. I am really sorry to be deprived of your society so long, but am willing to put up with anything in order that you should regain your health.
You must not let your mind dwell too much on home. Remember that it is for your own good and also my earthly happiness that you are there. So be content for the short time you have to remain absent from the one to whom the world is a blank without you.
Your affectionate Husband
Steve
1867 Feb. 10 Letter to Sarah Blain Slane (3705) from Anna Bell (3703)
Letter written in ink on four sides of a folded single sheet. From Anna Bell (3703) in Findley, Mo. to her Cousin (Sarah Blain (3705)). Dated Feb. 10, 1867. Pages are crammed with script in margins, on top of page, in all spaces. It is not possible to reproduce as written.
Findley, Missouri February 10th 1867
My Dear Cousin,
I seat myself this pleasant evening to pen a few lines for in answer to thy kind letter which came to hand in due time and was read with real pleasure. I received and read it one night at church before the minister commenced his exercises. I did not want to read it until I got home. I think I was perfectly excusable in doing so. I was a little surprised to learn thee had been married so long and I had not been duly apprised of the fact. I had a great mind to scold about it but concluded it would do no good. So I wish thee much joy, a long life of happiness, and may thee never have to regret the change thee has made in thy circumstances. Oh, Coz, it surely is a great undertaking and one that ought not be lightly entered into. When I take a retrospective view and call to mind the friends of my childhood – they are mostly married but also how many of them are really happy. Too few I fear. Some of them I know are not. And when I muse on their blighted hopes I am sometimes almost ready to vow I’ll never marry.
There, I know my dear coz will say I am only looking at the dark side of the picture and am trying to throw a shadow over her fair future. No no. I would not do that for anything. I was simply thinking of some of my friends who I have reason to believe have found the golden apple bitter at the core.
I would really like to see who won the prize and carried off my cousin. Do send me his picture now. I want to know the color of his eyes, hair, beard & mustaches (if he wears them). Is he tall or short? I also want the same description of thyself. There, you will say, I am getting very
inquisitive. Expect I am some times and in some cases.
I would really like to come over and see you all, but fear I’ll never get to. I’m getting to be an old maid you know and have nobody to go with me anywhere. No man I mean of course. Well, that’s enough on that subject certain.
We are all in reasonable health at this time and sincerely hope that this will find you all enjoying life and health.
We are having quite a moderate winter so far generally. New Years morning
Mercury sank 4 degrees below zero, and yesterday morning it was 6 below, and that is the coldest. We have had several light snows, but only two or three that made good sledding.
Thee spoke of coming west some time. I think some of our western countries are indeed beautiful, but father and mother (3559) often say they have got ahead of the best country. They think the Sciota bottoms are hard to beat. But an honest industrious saving kind of person cannot fail to make a good living in the west, and many of them get wealthy. I admire the west, but of course I don’t know anything about any other place.
I think this section of the country is very handsome - high rolling prairies dotted over with grasses, and here and there a stream of water skirted along with a narrow strip of timber. The water in the streams is a little inclined to be muddy. The most of us have to depend on cistern wells for house use. I think it is rather a poor chance for renters here. There was so many people moved in since the war and refugees returned that every old shanty is filled up. And farms that can be rented are generally poorly fixed with accommodations. There is plenty of land for sale from 4 to 30 dollars per acre according to improvements.
A great many are ready to go to what is called the ------ purchase on the south border of Kansas. It is said to be a good country well watered. Sister Martha (3700) and her husband expect to go out there somewhere this spring. They will not likely get started before the first of April as there is four weeks of his school to come yet. Martha (3700) would like to see those pictures before she leaves if thee can send them conveniently. Address me in Findley, Grundy County, Missouri. Mail matters got so irregular at Alpha that we changed to Findley. We live six miles from the last named village I sent my letter to the office by some one that was going to Chillicothe and that is how it came to be mailed there. We live 18 or 20 miles from Chillicothe. Consequently, I never heard there was a letter there for me.
Brother John (3698) met with quite a loss about the middle of last month. His house was burned to the ground just before daylight. They saved their beds, bedding, and most of their clothing, but lost their meat and molasses with many other articles besides nearly 40 bushel of sweet potatoes he was keeping. It caught from the stove in the room where the potatoes were put up.
Please write as soon as convenient and tell all the news. Give my love to Uncle (3562) and Aunt (3565). Mo more at present but remain thy affectionate
Anna Bell (3703)
Brother (3698?) sent uncle (3562) a paper. He addressed it to Chillicothe. He did not know you had changed your address.
Findley, Missouri February 10th 1867
My Dear Cousin,
I seat myself this pleasant evening to pen a few lines for in answer to thy kind letter which came to hand in due time and was read with real pleasure. I received and read it one night at church before the minister commenced his exercises. I did not want to read it until I got home. I think I was perfectly excusable in doing so. I was a little surprised to learn thee had been married so long and I had not been duly apprised of the fact. I had a great mind to scold about it but concluded it would do no good. So I wish thee much joy, a long life of happiness, and may thee never have to regret the change thee has made in thy circumstances. Oh, Coz, it surely is a great undertaking and one that ought not be lightly entered into. When I take a retrospective view and call to mind the friends of my childhood – they are mostly married but also how many of them are really happy. Too few I fear. Some of them I know are not. And when I muse on their blighted hopes I am sometimes almost ready to vow I’ll never marry.
There, I know my dear coz will say I am only looking at the dark side of the picture and am trying to throw a shadow over her fair future. No no. I would not do that for anything. I was simply thinking of some of my friends who I have reason to believe have found the golden apple bitter at the core.
I would really like to see who won the prize and carried off my cousin. Do send me his picture now. I want to know the color of his eyes, hair, beard & mustaches (if he wears them). Is he tall or short? I also want the same description of thyself. There, you will say, I am getting very
inquisitive. Expect I am some times and in some cases.
I would really like to come over and see you all, but fear I’ll never get to. I’m getting to be an old maid you know and have nobody to go with me anywhere. No man I mean of course. Well, that’s enough on that subject certain.
We are all in reasonable health at this time and sincerely hope that this will find you all enjoying life and health.
We are having quite a moderate winter so far generally. New Years morning
Mercury sank 4 degrees below zero, and yesterday morning it was 6 below, and that is the coldest. We have had several light snows, but only two or three that made good sledding.
Thee spoke of coming west some time. I think some of our western countries are indeed beautiful, but father and mother (3559) often say they have got ahead of the best country. They think the Sciota bottoms are hard to beat. But an honest industrious saving kind of person cannot fail to make a good living in the west, and many of them get wealthy. I admire the west, but of course I don’t know anything about any other place.
I think this section of the country is very handsome - high rolling prairies dotted over with grasses, and here and there a stream of water skirted along with a narrow strip of timber. The water in the streams is a little inclined to be muddy. The most of us have to depend on cistern wells for house use. I think it is rather a poor chance for renters here. There was so many people moved in since the war and refugees returned that every old shanty is filled up. And farms that can be rented are generally poorly fixed with accommodations. There is plenty of land for sale from 4 to 30 dollars per acre according to improvements.
A great many are ready to go to what is called the ------ purchase on the south border of Kansas. It is said to be a good country well watered. Sister Martha (3700) and her husband expect to go out there somewhere this spring. They will not likely get started before the first of April as there is four weeks of his school to come yet. Martha (3700) would like to see those pictures before she leaves if thee can send them conveniently. Address me in Findley, Grundy County, Missouri. Mail matters got so irregular at Alpha that we changed to Findley. We live six miles from the last named village I sent my letter to the office by some one that was going to Chillicothe and that is how it came to be mailed there. We live 18 or 20 miles from Chillicothe. Consequently, I never heard there was a letter there for me.
Brother John (3698) met with quite a loss about the middle of last month. His house was burned to the ground just before daylight. They saved their beds, bedding, and most of their clothing, but lost their meat and molasses with many other articles besides nearly 40 bushel of sweet potatoes he was keeping. It caught from the stove in the room where the potatoes were put up.
Please write as soon as convenient and tell all the news. Give my love to Uncle (3562) and Aunt (3565). Mo more at present but remain thy affectionate
Anna Bell (3703)
Brother (3698?) sent uncle (3562) a paper. He addressed it to Chillicothe. He did not know you had changed your address.
1865 Jan. 8 Letter to Sarah Blain (3705) from Stephen Slane
Letter written in ink on two sheets of paper, multiple pages. Dated January 8, 1865. From Stephen Slane in Sharonville to Sarah Blain (3705).
Miss Sarah Blain (3705)
Dear Sallie,
I beg the liberty of addressing you a few lines as it is impossible for me to communicate verbally with you this evening. And I feel vary much disappointed as I had my arrangements all made to spend yesterday evening and today with you. But Fate was against me and I suppose I will have to make the best of it. But Sarah, rest assured that though absent from you, you have the uppermost seat in my heart. I never knew what true enjoyment was until I met you at your home and declared my Love for you. And oh the response I got completely electrified me. That was really the first time that I ever felt true happiness. And I know and feel that there is still greater enjoyments to be attained, that I may be permitted to drink deeper and deeper from that blissful cup that fortune has deigned to place to my life. That I may be permitted to spend the remnant of my days with the only being on this Earth that ever made an impression on my Heart.
Sarah, I speak the truth when I say I never loved until I met you. And ever since, my love has grown stronger and stronger until it has become a living fire burning upon the alter of my heart, consuming all others, leaving you to reign supreme.
Oh how slowly rolls the wheels of Time. It appears as though the coming week was treble its length. But time will wear it out, and when it does I hope to be found in the enjoyment of your society. There is nothing but sickness or death that will prevent me from seeing you next Saturday evening. I anticipate staying over Sunday. How I long for the time to roll around, the time when I can claim you as my bride. Why should we defer that happy period? We are sufficiently acquainted with each other to defer with a long courtship.
Let us consider the matter so that when we next meet we can have a perfect understanding with each other. For my part I am tired of this my mode of living. I long for something more substantial, more lasting, and something worth living for.
Oh Sarah, I hardly know how to appreciate this, my happy condition. It is beyond expression. It almost exceeds hope. Yet I feel that it is real. Oh that I could properly appreciate it. Oh that I could (and I hope to) realize the full extent of your love. I know it is as pure as the dove from Heaven, as constant and true as time, and as lasting as life.
Sarah, did I for one moment doubt your love for me, it would make me the most miserable of men. But I am happy in knowing the same to be wholly mine, mine I hope forever. And I hope to prove myself worthy.
I know that I like the rest of the human family have my faults, but with you to guide my erring ways I hope to make a man of myself - one worthy at least of you, and one that you will not be ashamed of. I hope thus to conduct myself through life. And with your aid I can accomplish it. But without it I feel it is worthless even to make a trial.
Well, Sallie, I will now give you a slight description of the manner in which I spent New Years Eve. Well, we the youngsters of Sharon and vicinity concluded that we was not quite dead and that we would make a demonstration on Mr. C. Foster’s. I saw Will Princake and got him to bring a sleigh. And about four p.m. we began to collect the Sharon girls and succeeded in getting all of them into the sleigh (some 10) and we lit out for St. Catherine’s Island where we arrived in good time to partake of a fine turkey. After supper we concluded to have a little dance, and play as suited our convenience. We had the hardest kind of work to get up the first set. We could only get three girls that would make the attempt. So I took a gent for a partner. After the first set was over we had no trouble in getting up a set, and we had a very pleasant time. We did not play much. We had a game of Blind Man’s Buff, Old Willen, & Opossum Pie. Playing, we concluded, was too dry and we dried it up and went to dancing again - which we kept up until half past eleven when we concluded to quit and return Home.
We had a very pleasant but rather cool ride. There was some in the sleigh that did not enjoy themselves. I know of a certain young fellow that would of enjoyed himself better had he been differently situated. That young fellow was your Humble Servant.
Well, Sallie, I guess I have detained you quite long enough for this time. Oh, I came very near forgetting. I suppose you was at the wedding of Miss Lide and Claypool, and I have no doubt you had a fine time. At least I hope you enjoyed yourself in the highest degree.
Sallie, here’s a Kiss and a goodbye until Saturday evening. Then I hope to meet you and enjoy your sweet smiles again. How I long for the opportunity of again clasping you to my heart and feel and know that I am thine and that thou art mine forever.
My love to your Mother (3565) and Uncle (3562). And reserve a portion for Sallie. I remain as ever yours in love and truth.
Steve
Miss Sarah Blain (3705)
Dear Sallie,
I beg the liberty of addressing you a few lines as it is impossible for me to communicate verbally with you this evening. And I feel vary much disappointed as I had my arrangements all made to spend yesterday evening and today with you. But Fate was against me and I suppose I will have to make the best of it. But Sarah, rest assured that though absent from you, you have the uppermost seat in my heart. I never knew what true enjoyment was until I met you at your home and declared my Love for you. And oh the response I got completely electrified me. That was really the first time that I ever felt true happiness. And I know and feel that there is still greater enjoyments to be attained, that I may be permitted to drink deeper and deeper from that blissful cup that fortune has deigned to place to my life. That I may be permitted to spend the remnant of my days with the only being on this Earth that ever made an impression on my Heart.
Sarah, I speak the truth when I say I never loved until I met you. And ever since, my love has grown stronger and stronger until it has become a living fire burning upon the alter of my heart, consuming all others, leaving you to reign supreme.
Oh how slowly rolls the wheels of Time. It appears as though the coming week was treble its length. But time will wear it out, and when it does I hope to be found in the enjoyment of your society. There is nothing but sickness or death that will prevent me from seeing you next Saturday evening. I anticipate staying over Sunday. How I long for the time to roll around, the time when I can claim you as my bride. Why should we defer that happy period? We are sufficiently acquainted with each other to defer with a long courtship.
Let us consider the matter so that when we next meet we can have a perfect understanding with each other. For my part I am tired of this my mode of living. I long for something more substantial, more lasting, and something worth living for.
Oh Sarah, I hardly know how to appreciate this, my happy condition. It is beyond expression. It almost exceeds hope. Yet I feel that it is real. Oh that I could properly appreciate it. Oh that I could (and I hope to) realize the full extent of your love. I know it is as pure as the dove from Heaven, as constant and true as time, and as lasting as life.
Sarah, did I for one moment doubt your love for me, it would make me the most miserable of men. But I am happy in knowing the same to be wholly mine, mine I hope forever. And I hope to prove myself worthy.
I know that I like the rest of the human family have my faults, but with you to guide my erring ways I hope to make a man of myself - one worthy at least of you, and one that you will not be ashamed of. I hope thus to conduct myself through life. And with your aid I can accomplish it. But without it I feel it is worthless even to make a trial.
Well, Sallie, I will now give you a slight description of the manner in which I spent New Years Eve. Well, we the youngsters of Sharon and vicinity concluded that we was not quite dead and that we would make a demonstration on Mr. C. Foster’s. I saw Will Princake and got him to bring a sleigh. And about four p.m. we began to collect the Sharon girls and succeeded in getting all of them into the sleigh (some 10) and we lit out for St. Catherine’s Island where we arrived in good time to partake of a fine turkey. After supper we concluded to have a little dance, and play as suited our convenience. We had the hardest kind of work to get up the first set. We could only get three girls that would make the attempt. So I took a gent for a partner. After the first set was over we had no trouble in getting up a set, and we had a very pleasant time. We did not play much. We had a game of Blind Man’s Buff, Old Willen, & Opossum Pie. Playing, we concluded, was too dry and we dried it up and went to dancing again - which we kept up until half past eleven when we concluded to quit and return Home.
We had a very pleasant but rather cool ride. There was some in the sleigh that did not enjoy themselves. I know of a certain young fellow that would of enjoyed himself better had he been differently situated. That young fellow was your Humble Servant.
Well, Sallie, I guess I have detained you quite long enough for this time. Oh, I came very near forgetting. I suppose you was at the wedding of Miss Lide and Claypool, and I have no doubt you had a fine time. At least I hope you enjoyed yourself in the highest degree.
Sallie, here’s a Kiss and a goodbye until Saturday evening. Then I hope to meet you and enjoy your sweet smiles again. How I long for the opportunity of again clasping you to my heart and feel and know that I am thine and that thou art mine forever.
My love to your Mother (3565) and Uncle (3562). And reserve a portion for Sallie. I remain as ever yours in love and truth.
Steve
1864 Dec. 17 Letter to Sarah Blain (3705) from Steven Slane
Letter written in ink on three sides of a single folded sheet. Dated Dec.17, 1864, from Steve to Sarah Blain (3705).
Sharonville Dec.17th 1864
Miss Sarah Blain (3705)
Dear Sallie (3705),
Allow me so to call you, for you are dearer to me than life its self. And the only being who can claim my confidence, though unworthy. I fear you think me rather a strange unfeeling man, and my conduct towards you goes to convince you, but feeble words cannot always express the feelings of a grateful Heart.
Sarah, my love for you is beyond expression. I have loved you since first we met, and with shame I acknowledge that I have not the Heart to make the same known to you before. And the result was more than I expected. I think I ought to be the happiest person on this Earth. Yet I cannot but regret my utter unworthiness of your love and esteem.
Sarah, I propose paying you another visit about the 25th of this month - that is if the weather will admit. And if I should fail to come at that time you must not feel disappointed. Rest assured I will not disappoint you unless something serious takes place. But if I should fail to come the 25th I will be sure to be there on the 31st.
Sarah, I feel very anxious to see you. There is some things that we should have a more perfect understanding about, and until we meet we will just let them rest as they are. I will not attempt either to ask or answer any of the questions that will naturally arise, but let them rest until we meet again. Which I hope will not be very long. Until I see you again time will hang heavy on my hands.
The Health of the folks is good. Hannah is still talking of visiting you. Hattie appears very anxious to visit you. There is nothing going on here nor is there likely to be anything for either Christmas or New Years. The youngsters of this place and vicinity are dead. All they need is some kind friend to bury them and then the world will be rid of them.
Well Sarah as I did not start out for a letter, “only a note,” I shall close. Hoping and longing to meet you, and then I hope to be able to claim you as mine own for life.
Sarah, having all confidence in you, allow me to subscribe myself yours forever in the bonds of Truth and Love.
My compliments to your Mother (3565) and Uncle (3562). Reserving a goodly portion for Sallie.
Yours,
Steve
Sharonville Dec.17th 1864
Miss Sarah Blain (3705)
Dear Sallie (3705),
Allow me so to call you, for you are dearer to me than life its self. And the only being who can claim my confidence, though unworthy. I fear you think me rather a strange unfeeling man, and my conduct towards you goes to convince you, but feeble words cannot always express the feelings of a grateful Heart.
Sarah, my love for you is beyond expression. I have loved you since first we met, and with shame I acknowledge that I have not the Heart to make the same known to you before. And the result was more than I expected. I think I ought to be the happiest person on this Earth. Yet I cannot but regret my utter unworthiness of your love and esteem.
Sarah, I propose paying you another visit about the 25th of this month - that is if the weather will admit. And if I should fail to come at that time you must not feel disappointed. Rest assured I will not disappoint you unless something serious takes place. But if I should fail to come the 25th I will be sure to be there on the 31st.
Sarah, I feel very anxious to see you. There is some things that we should have a more perfect understanding about, and until we meet we will just let them rest as they are. I will not attempt either to ask or answer any of the questions that will naturally arise, but let them rest until we meet again. Which I hope will not be very long. Until I see you again time will hang heavy on my hands.
The Health of the folks is good. Hannah is still talking of visiting you. Hattie appears very anxious to visit you. There is nothing going on here nor is there likely to be anything for either Christmas or New Years. The youngsters of this place and vicinity are dead. All they need is some kind friend to bury them and then the world will be rid of them.
Well Sarah as I did not start out for a letter, “only a note,” I shall close. Hoping and longing to meet you, and then I hope to be able to claim you as mine own for life.
Sarah, having all confidence in you, allow me to subscribe myself yours forever in the bonds of Truth and Love.
My compliments to your Mother (3565) and Uncle (3562). Reserving a goodly portion for Sallie.
Yours,
Steve
1864 Oct. 19: Battery L, First Ohio Light Artillery, at Cedar Creek
The day following the discharge of Stephan Slane, Battery L, First Ohio Light Artillery was involved in action near Cedar Creek in Virginia. While not a part of the Chandler family documents, I have included Captain Gibbs’ report of the action as an example of the dangers faced by Stephan Slane while fighting as a soldier in the Union Army. It is doubtful Stephan Slane participated in the action reported below.
CAPT. L.C. GIBBS
“Headquarters, Battery L, First Ohio Light Artillery. Camp near Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 25, 1864.
“Sir: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by Battery L, First Ohio Light Artillery, in the engagement of October 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek, Virginia.
“Just before daylight on the morning of Wednesday, October 19, 1864, while in camp on the north bank of Cedar Creek, with my Runs in position on the crest of a hill on the east side of the Pike overlooking the creek, I was aroused by a straggling fire of musketry on my left and front. I immediately ordered my commoners to their post and the horses to be harnessed. During this time stragglers from the left, in large numbers, were passing through my camp, reporting the capture by the enemy of the artillery and earth-works on my left. Captain Dupont soon after arrived, ordering one section of my battery to take position on a high cleared point to the rear of my position, and the caissons to the rear; also to open on the enemy to the front, which I did at once. The caissons were sent to the rear, but so rapid had been the enemy advance that the wheel horses of my rear caisson were shot down and the caisson abandoned. While the battery, which had fired a few rounds of case-shot, was limbered up and started for the Pike from the other flank down a very steep hill-side, and as my last piece left the position, my camp was full of the enemy rushing for my pieces, and but for the fortunate occurrence of the lock-chain breaking just as the piece reached the foot of the hill… it must have been captured. I brought the battery down the pike, when one of my guns was ordered in position in the rear of the center of Kitching’s Provisional Division, east of the Pike, and my other three guns a little to the rear and left of the same division. I opened with case-shot, and soon the enemy advanced on the charge, when I ordered canister, but my supporters giving away without any resistance to the advance of the enemy, I immediately limbered up and got away just in time to save capture. I then crossed to the west side of the Pike, crossing a run which runs nearly parallel to the Pike, going into position on a crest beyond. We here fired a number of rounds, and as the right of our lines fell back, Captain DuPont ordered me to fall back to a position still further to the rear on a higher crest running parallel to our former position. I was here supported by a squadron of General Devin’s command. I was then ordered by Captain DuPont to take position to the left and rear which commanded Middletown, where we did good execution on buildings filled with the enemy’s sharpshooters, using case-shot; and also sent our compliments in the shape of solid shot to a battery in the south end of the town. The right still falling back, I limbered up and took a position further to the rear and firing. From thbeyond a farmhouse, going into position. From there struck the Pike one mile north of Middletown, and went into position on the east side of the Pike. From there I went into position on the west side of the Pike in the rear of a large barn. I then was ordered to return, going into position on the west side, and Battery B, Fifth U.S. Artillery, on the east side of the Pike. At 4:00 p.m. Captain DuPont ordered my battery forward to a position on the west side of the Pike, 600 yards from Middletown. We here opened on a battery near a point in the woods southwest of the town, using solid shot, and receiving from them a severe fire of shell. The battery was soon silenced and the enemy gave way from behind a stone wall on the north side of a plowed field (the battery we had silenced being on the south side), when we poured a concentrated fire into them for some minutes… until they disappeared. Captain DuPont then ordered me to limber up and forward on the trot. We came up to the skirmish line, and I was ordered into position on the west side of the Pike, on a crest overlooking the south bank of Cedar Creek, and opened on a battery which was annoying our troops terribly; it was soon silenced. We then turned our attention to the mass of men, horses, artillery, and baggage wagons of the enemy who were crowding the Pike in confusion in their efforts to get away, until we had fired away our last shot in the limber-chest.
“I was ably seconded by Lieut. H. F. Guthrie, of my battery, while the noncommissioned officers and privates could not be surpassed in gallantry and courage under the very severe fire we were frequently under. I had eight men wounded, three mortally. I was myself severely wounded in the foot by a piece of shell by the last round the enemy fired, and had a horse shot under me in the morning. Eleven horses were killed.
“I fired 261 rounds of fixed ammunition, went into position twelve times, fired my first shot at daybreak, my last at dark.
“I am, respectfully, your most obedient servant, F.C. Gibbs, Captain, Commanding L Battery, First Ohio Light Artillery.”
CAPT. L.C. GIBBS
“Headquarters, Battery L, First Ohio Light Artillery. Camp near Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 25, 1864.
“Sir: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by Battery L, First Ohio Light Artillery, in the engagement of October 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek, Virginia.
“Just before daylight on the morning of Wednesday, October 19, 1864, while in camp on the north bank of Cedar Creek, with my Runs in position on the crest of a hill on the east side of the Pike overlooking the creek, I was aroused by a straggling fire of musketry on my left and front. I immediately ordered my commoners to their post and the horses to be harnessed. During this time stragglers from the left, in large numbers, were passing through my camp, reporting the capture by the enemy of the artillery and earth-works on my left. Captain Dupont soon after arrived, ordering one section of my battery to take position on a high cleared point to the rear of my position, and the caissons to the rear; also to open on the enemy to the front, which I did at once. The caissons were sent to the rear, but so rapid had been the enemy advance that the wheel horses of my rear caisson were shot down and the caisson abandoned. While the battery, which had fired a few rounds of case-shot, was limbered up and started for the Pike from the other flank down a very steep hill-side, and as my last piece left the position, my camp was full of the enemy rushing for my pieces, and but for the fortunate occurrence of the lock-chain breaking just as the piece reached the foot of the hill… it must have been captured. I brought the battery down the pike, when one of my guns was ordered in position in the rear of the center of Kitching’s Provisional Division, east of the Pike, and my other three guns a little to the rear and left of the same division. I opened with case-shot, and soon the enemy advanced on the charge, when I ordered canister, but my supporters giving away without any resistance to the advance of the enemy, I immediately limbered up and got away just in time to save capture. I then crossed to the west side of the Pike, crossing a run which runs nearly parallel to the Pike, going into position on a crest beyond. We here fired a number of rounds, and as the right of our lines fell back, Captain DuPont ordered me to fall back to a position still further to the rear on a higher crest running parallel to our former position. I was here supported by a squadron of General Devin’s command. I was then ordered by Captain DuPont to take position to the left and rear which commanded Middletown, where we did good execution on buildings filled with the enemy’s sharpshooters, using case-shot; and also sent our compliments in the shape of solid shot to a battery in the south end of the town. The right still falling back, I limbered up and took a position further to the rear and firing. From thbeyond a farmhouse, going into position. From there struck the Pike one mile north of Middletown, and went into position on the east side of the Pike. From there I went into position on the west side of the Pike in the rear of a large barn. I then was ordered to return, going into position on the west side, and Battery B, Fifth U.S. Artillery, on the east side of the Pike. At 4:00 p.m. Captain DuPont ordered my battery forward to a position on the west side of the Pike, 600 yards from Middletown. We here opened on a battery near a point in the woods southwest of the town, using solid shot, and receiving from them a severe fire of shell. The battery was soon silenced and the enemy gave way from behind a stone wall on the north side of a plowed field (the battery we had silenced being on the south side), when we poured a concentrated fire into them for some minutes… until they disappeared. Captain DuPont then ordered me to limber up and forward on the trot. We came up to the skirmish line, and I was ordered into position on the west side of the Pike, on a crest overlooking the south bank of Cedar Creek, and opened on a battery which was annoying our troops terribly; it was soon silenced. We then turned our attention to the mass of men, horses, artillery, and baggage wagons of the enemy who were crowding the Pike in confusion in their efforts to get away, until we had fired away our last shot in the limber-chest.
“I was ably seconded by Lieut. H. F. Guthrie, of my battery, while the noncommissioned officers and privates could not be surpassed in gallantry and courage under the very severe fire we were frequently under. I had eight men wounded, three mortally. I was myself severely wounded in the foot by a piece of shell by the last round the enemy fired, and had a horse shot under me in the morning. Eleven horses were killed.
“I fired 261 rounds of fixed ammunition, went into position twelve times, fired my first shot at daybreak, my last at dark.
“I am, respectfully, your most obedient servant, F.C. Gibbs, Captain, Commanding L Battery, First Ohio Light Artillery.”
1864 Oct. 18 Discharge Papers of Stephen Slane
Stephen Slane’s Discharge Papers written on a printed document dated October 18, 1864 and issued by F.C. Gibbs at Cedar Creek, Virginia. Two seals are stamped on the document. The document is printed front and back.
Front:
To all whom it may concern
Know ye, That Stephen Slane, a
First Sergeant of Captain Frank C. Gibbs
Company, (L), 1st Regiment of Ohio Light Artillery
VOLUNTEERS who was enrolled on the Nineteenth day of October
one thousand eight hundred and Sixty One to serve three years or
during the war is hereby Discharged from the service of the United States
this Eighteenth day of October, 1864, at Cedar Creek
Virginia by reason of Expiration of Service
(No objection to his being re=enlisted is known to exist.*)
Said Stephen Slane was born in Licking Co.
in the State of Ohio, is 25 years of age,
Five feet Ten inches high, Light complexion, Gray eyes,
Dark hair, and by occupation when enrolled, a Cooper.
Given at Cedar Creek this Eighteenth day of
October 1864.
F.C. Gibbs
Battery “L” 1st Ohio Lt Artly
Capt Commanding the Regt (crossed out) Co
*This sentence will be erased should there be anything
in the conduct or physical condition of the soldier
rendering him unfit for the Army.
[A.G.O. No. 99]
--- C. Roberts
------ (?)
Reverse:
OATH OF IDENTITY
of Stephan Slane
of the town of Sharonville
County of Pike in the State of Ohio
On the 28th day of November in the year
one thousand eight hundred sixty four personally appeared
before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for the county
and State above mentioned. Stephan Slane
who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the
identical Stephan Slane who was
a first sergeant in the company commanded by
Captain F C Gibbs in the regiment
1st O Lt Artly commanded by Col Jas Barnett,
that he enlisted on the 19th day of October 1861,
for the term of three years, and was discharged
at Cedar Creek, Va on the 18th day
of October, 1864 by reason of expiration
of term of service.
Stephan Slane
Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year above written.
John Blain, J.P.
I certify that John Blain Esq. before
whom the above affidavit purports to have been made, is a Justice of
the Peace duly authorized to administer oaths, and that the above is
his signature.
In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand and affixed my
official seal, this 29th day of November
(SEAL) in the year one thousand eight hundred sixty four
at Waverly in the State of Ohio.
David Armstrong
Clerk of the Com Pleas Court
Pike County, Ohio
Reverse, hand written notations:
Adm (?) Office
Martinsberg, VA
Oct. 20, 1864
Transportation furnished hence
to Washington, D.C. at cost of $4.75/100
Jas J Bray
Capt J. A. Grant (?)
Recorded in Ross County Record
of Soldiers Discharges Vol. 1
Page 372
Jno. F. Brown (?)
County Recorder
Note:
An oval stamp in blue ink notes the following:
Additional Bounty
Act of July 23, 1866
$100
Paid Apr. 6, 1868
D. Taylor, P.M., U.S.A.
A second round stamp in blue ink is difficult to read. It appears to note “Paid in Full. Major R. George, Paymaster U.S.A. Oct. 21, 1864”
Front:
To all whom it may concern
Know ye, That Stephen Slane, a
First Sergeant of Captain Frank C. Gibbs
Company, (L), 1st Regiment of Ohio Light Artillery
VOLUNTEERS who was enrolled on the Nineteenth day of October
one thousand eight hundred and Sixty One to serve three years or
during the war is hereby Discharged from the service of the United States
this Eighteenth day of October, 1864, at Cedar Creek
Virginia by reason of Expiration of Service
(No objection to his being re=enlisted is known to exist.*)
Said Stephen Slane was born in Licking Co.
in the State of Ohio, is 25 years of age,
Five feet Ten inches high, Light complexion, Gray eyes,
Dark hair, and by occupation when enrolled, a Cooper.
Given at Cedar Creek this Eighteenth day of
October 1864.
F.C. Gibbs
Battery “L” 1st Ohio Lt Artly
Capt Commanding the Regt (crossed out) Co
*This sentence will be erased should there be anything
in the conduct or physical condition of the soldier
rendering him unfit for the Army.
[A.G.O. No. 99]
--- C. Roberts
------ (?)
Reverse:
OATH OF IDENTITY
of Stephan Slane
of the town of Sharonville
County of Pike in the State of Ohio
On the 28th day of November in the year
one thousand eight hundred sixty four personally appeared
before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for the county
and State above mentioned. Stephan Slane
who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the
identical Stephan Slane who was
a first sergeant in the company commanded by
Captain F C Gibbs in the regiment
1st O Lt Artly commanded by Col Jas Barnett,
that he enlisted on the 19th day of October 1861,
for the term of three years, and was discharged
at Cedar Creek, Va on the 18th day
of October, 1864 by reason of expiration
of term of service.
Stephan Slane
Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year above written.
John Blain, J.P.
I certify that John Blain Esq. before
whom the above affidavit purports to have been made, is a Justice of
the Peace duly authorized to administer oaths, and that the above is
his signature.
In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand and affixed my
official seal, this 29th day of November
(SEAL) in the year one thousand eight hundred sixty four
at Waverly in the State of Ohio.
David Armstrong
Clerk of the Com Pleas Court
Pike County, Ohio
Reverse, hand written notations:
Adm (?) Office
Martinsberg, VA
Oct. 20, 1864
Transportation furnished hence
to Washington, D.C. at cost of $4.75/100
Jas J Bray
Capt J. A. Grant (?)
Recorded in Ross County Record
of Soldiers Discharges Vol. 1
Page 372
Jno. F. Brown (?)
County Recorder
Note:
An oval stamp in blue ink notes the following:
Additional Bounty
Act of July 23, 1866
$100
Paid Apr. 6, 1868
D. Taylor, P.M., U.S.A.
A second round stamp in blue ink is difficult to read. It appears to note “Paid in Full. Major R. George, Paymaster U.S.A. Oct. 21, 1864”
1864 Oct. 18 Commendation for Stephen Slane from 1st Lt. H.T. Gutherie
One-page recommendation written in ink on folded sheet of paper, from HT Gutherie, 1st Lieut, Battery “L” 1st Reg, Ohio Light Artillery for Stephan Slane to whom it may concern.
Near Cedar Creek, VA
October 18th 1864
To whom it may concern-
The bearer hereof, Stephan Slane, for the past (16) sixteen months 1st Sergeant of Battery “L”, 1st Reg., Ohio Light Artillery, having been discharged today on account of expiration of service. Being about to return to civil life again, I take pleasure in recommending him as a very capable and energetic man. He has always performed the duties of his office with ability and credit to himself & battery.
His integrity is undoubted. I have no doubt but his service will be advantageous in any capacity they may be used.
H.T. Gutherie, 1st Lieut.
Battery “L” 1st Reg Ohio Lt Arty
Near Cedar Creek, VA
October 18th 1864
To whom it may concern-
The bearer hereof, Stephan Slane, for the past (16) sixteen months 1st Sergeant of Battery “L”, 1st Reg., Ohio Light Artillery, having been discharged today on account of expiration of service. Being about to return to civil life again, I take pleasure in recommending him as a very capable and energetic man. He has always performed the duties of his office with ability and credit to himself & battery.
His integrity is undoubted. I have no doubt but his service will be advantageous in any capacity they may be used.
H.T. Gutherie, 1st Lieut.
Battery “L” 1st Reg Ohio Lt Arty
1864 Oct.17 Letter for Stephen Slane from Capt. F.C. Gibbs
One-page letter written in ink on paper from F.C. Gibbs, Capt., Commander, “L” Battery, 1st Ohio Light Artillery
Headquarters, Battery L
1st Ohio Lt Artillery
Camp near Cedar Creek VA
October 17 1864
I certify on honor that the saber and belt now in possession of Stephan Slane, late Orderly Sergeant in Battery “L” 1st Ohio Lt Artillery, is his own private property, the saber having been presented to him by Lt. Wm. W, Walworth & the belt by myself.
F.C. Gibbs
Capt Comdr “L” Battery
1st Ohio Lt Artillery”
Stephen Slane wearing his saber in a mid-1860s photo.
Headquarters, Battery L
1st Ohio Lt Artillery
Camp near Cedar Creek VA
October 17 1864
I certify on honor that the saber and belt now in possession of Stephan Slane, late Orderly Sergeant in Battery “L” 1st Ohio Lt Artillery, is his own private property, the saber having been presented to him by Lt. Wm. W, Walworth & the belt by myself.
F.C. Gibbs
Capt Comdr “L” Battery
1st Ohio Lt Artillery”
Stephen Slane wearing his saber in a mid-1860s photo.
1864 Oct. 17 Commendation for Stephen Slane from Capt. F.C. Gibbs
2 page commendation, ink on folded sheet of paper, from F.C. Gibbs, Capt., Comdr, Co. “L”, 1st Ohio Lt Artillery, for Stephan Slane, to whom it may concern.
Headquarters Battery “L”
1st Ohio Lt Artillery
Camp near Cedar Creek VA
October 17th 1864
To All Whom it may Concern,
Permit me to introduce to you Mr. Stephan Slane, late Orderly Sergeant in Battery “L”, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, a man in whom I have the highest confidence and respect, he having acted in the above responsible and arduous position with my battery for the last sixteen months, having attained the high position (rising from a private) by his manly conduct and strict attention to his duties as a soldier. (He received a commission from Gov. Borrough as 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Reg. Ohio Lt. Artillery, but reasons of a private nature caused him to decline the proferred complement to his soldierly qualities. While with the Battery he was in the following battles: Winchester, March 23, 1862; Port Replublic; Antietam; Fredericksburg; Chancellorsville; Gettysburg; Wine Run; Siege of Washington; Winchester, September 19, 1864; Fischer Hill; besides numerous skirmishes, in all of which he displayed all of the manly attributes of a soldier. I can cheerfully recommend him for any position he will accept.
I am very respectfully
your most obedient servant
FC Gibbs
Capt. Commanding, Co. “L”
1st Ohio Lt Artillery”
Capt. Gibbs is identified in a Chandler family photo album from the mid-1860s
Headquarters Battery “L”
1st Ohio Lt Artillery
Camp near Cedar Creek VA
October 17th 1864
To All Whom it may Concern,
Permit me to introduce to you Mr. Stephan Slane, late Orderly Sergeant in Battery “L”, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, a man in whom I have the highest confidence and respect, he having acted in the above responsible and arduous position with my battery for the last sixteen months, having attained the high position (rising from a private) by his manly conduct and strict attention to his duties as a soldier. (He received a commission from Gov. Borrough as 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Reg. Ohio Lt. Artillery, but reasons of a private nature caused him to decline the proferred complement to his soldierly qualities. While with the Battery he was in the following battles: Winchester, March 23, 1862; Port Replublic; Antietam; Fredericksburg; Chancellorsville; Gettysburg; Wine Run; Siege of Washington; Winchester, September 19, 1864; Fischer Hill; besides numerous skirmishes, in all of which he displayed all of the manly attributes of a soldier. I can cheerfully recommend him for any position he will accept.
I am very respectfully
your most obedient servant
FC Gibbs
Capt. Commanding, Co. “L”
1st Ohio Lt Artillery”
Capt. Gibbs is identified in a Chandler family photo album from the mid-1860s
1864 June 24 Letter to Sarah Blain (3705) from D. Sampson
Letter written on two sides of a single sheet. It is addressed from D. Sampson in South Salem, Ohio to Miss (Sarah) Blane (3705). I believe the letter dates from 1864 and is related to the April 22, 1864 letter from John Blane to Sarah Blane. The sender would be the widow Sampson. Note that Frank is not mentioned in any other family records, nor is he recorded in the 1870 Ross County census data.
South Salem Ros Co June the 24
Miss blane I take the present oportunity to write you a few lines to
inform you that I am well and hope these few lines may find you and frankey and also your other friends well. I am staying at this time at south salem. I am sewing by the week for a lady here and expect to stay here till fall. I would like to know how frank is getting along by this time and if you are still satisphied with him. Tell him that I am very glad to here that he was a good boy and I hope that he will still continue to be so and do all he can to pleas you. Well I will close for the present. Give my love to frankey. Rite as soon as you can. Youres
respectfully.
D Sampson
If it would not be to mutch trubble to you I would like for you to send me a photograph of frank if you can get one taken.
South Salem Ros Co June the 24
Miss blane I take the present oportunity to write you a few lines to
inform you that I am well and hope these few lines may find you and frankey and also your other friends well. I am staying at this time at south salem. I am sewing by the week for a lady here and expect to stay here till fall. I would like to know how frank is getting along by this time and if you are still satisphied with him. Tell him that I am very glad to here that he was a good boy and I hope that he will still continue to be so and do all he can to pleas you. Well I will close for the present. Give my love to frankey. Rite as soon as you can. Youres
respectfully.
D Sampson
If it would not be to mutch trubble to you I would like for you to send me a photograph of frank if you can get one taken.
1864 Apr. 22 Letter to Sarah Blain (3705) from John Blain
Letter written in ink on one side of a half sheet. Dated April 22, 1864, Omega, Ohio. From John Blain (?) to sister (Sarah Blain) (3705)
Omega, Ohio April 22, 1864
Dear Sister (3705),
We have not heard from you for some time. We have been looking for you down here every time the packet goes down. We are all well. There is a widow woman living here, Mrs. Sampson, that has a little boy about ten years old. She wishes to get a place for him. We thought you might want him. She requested me to write to you and let her know.
Come down as soon as you can. Also I would like if Uncle William (3562) and your mother (3565) could come and see us. If you cannot come down, answer this as soon as you get it.
Yours truly John Blain
Omega, Ohio April 22, 1864
Dear Sister (3705),
We have not heard from you for some time. We have been looking for you down here every time the packet goes down. We are all well. There is a widow woman living here, Mrs. Sampson, that has a little boy about ten years old. She wishes to get a place for him. We thought you might want him. She requested me to write to you and let her know.
Come down as soon as you can. Also I would like if Uncle William (3562) and your mother (3565) could come and see us. If you cannot come down, answer this as soon as you get it.
Yours truly John Blain
1863 Nov. 23 Letter to Stephen Slane from Deal
Letter written in pencil on four sides of a single folded sheet. To Mr.Stephen Slane from his friend Deal. Dated November 23, 1863
Home, Monday Night
November 23rd 1863
Mr. Stephen Slane,
My kind friends, this pleasant evening in the latter part of November I have sealed myself to answer that welcome little white winged messenger that winged its way over the hills and vallies from Steve’s soldier home in Virginia. It brings many pleasing remembrances to know that although hundreds of miles intervened I was still thought of and ever kindly remembered by friend Steve.
The present finds sister Dell and I quite well. Hope you are enjoying good health also. Yesterday Dell and I had company from Chillicothe - Mr. D. Montgomery and sister, James Briggs and sister, also Major Mitchell of the 7th Ohio Cavalry. Mr. Montgomery belongs to the 11th Ohio Battery. He is at home now reconciling his health. He has been in the service over two years, and has passed through a great many scenes. He had the honor of firing from their Battery the first gun upon Vicksburg. Well may his sister be proud of him.
I hope you will excuse me for writing with a pencil, for my ink is so bad that I cannot write with it, and my pen is not any better. So I am going to write a few hasty lines with a pencil.
Last Friday morning Henry Stark’s wife met with quite a serious accident. They had eaten breakfast, and Henry had gone to the shop to his work. The girl that was living with them was in the kitchen washing the dishes. Sallie was in the room feeding the baby to sleep. She got up to lay it down and had her back turned toward the fire place, and her dress caught fire. She ran to the door and tried to get out, but it was locked. The girl heard the screams, ran in, and got the door open. She was then all in flames. John Blair was just coming to his breakfast and saw her. He ran with his hat full of water which he dipped up out of the pond in front of your fathers house, threw it on her, and she threw herself down in the pond and extinguished the flames. But it was too late. She was burned awfully, and there is but little hope of her recovery.
Poor Henry - I fell sorry for him. It seems as though him and Sallie have been very unfortunate since they have been married, but such are the ways of the world. Each one must have their share of horrible in some way.
Steve I was to see your mother the other day, and she told me when I wrote to you to give her love to you. And tell you to write to her soon for she is very anxious to hear from you. Dell says to tell you that her beau was here last Sunday, the first time he has been here since the war broke out. Pa is going to start to Cincinnati tomorrow night. I have nothing of importance to scribe so I will close. Hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your friend.
Deal
Excuse this miserable writing and I will try to do better the next time.
Home, Monday Night
November 23rd 1863
Mr. Stephen Slane,
My kind friends, this pleasant evening in the latter part of November I have sealed myself to answer that welcome little white winged messenger that winged its way over the hills and vallies from Steve’s soldier home in Virginia. It brings many pleasing remembrances to know that although hundreds of miles intervened I was still thought of and ever kindly remembered by friend Steve.
The present finds sister Dell and I quite well. Hope you are enjoying good health also. Yesterday Dell and I had company from Chillicothe - Mr. D. Montgomery and sister, James Briggs and sister, also Major Mitchell of the 7th Ohio Cavalry. Mr. Montgomery belongs to the 11th Ohio Battery. He is at home now reconciling his health. He has been in the service over two years, and has passed through a great many scenes. He had the honor of firing from their Battery the first gun upon Vicksburg. Well may his sister be proud of him.
I hope you will excuse me for writing with a pencil, for my ink is so bad that I cannot write with it, and my pen is not any better. So I am going to write a few hasty lines with a pencil.
Last Friday morning Henry Stark’s wife met with quite a serious accident. They had eaten breakfast, and Henry had gone to the shop to his work. The girl that was living with them was in the kitchen washing the dishes. Sallie was in the room feeding the baby to sleep. She got up to lay it down and had her back turned toward the fire place, and her dress caught fire. She ran to the door and tried to get out, but it was locked. The girl heard the screams, ran in, and got the door open. She was then all in flames. John Blair was just coming to his breakfast and saw her. He ran with his hat full of water which he dipped up out of the pond in front of your fathers house, threw it on her, and she threw herself down in the pond and extinguished the flames. But it was too late. She was burned awfully, and there is but little hope of her recovery.
Poor Henry - I fell sorry for him. It seems as though him and Sallie have been very unfortunate since they have been married, but such are the ways of the world. Each one must have their share of horrible in some way.
Steve I was to see your mother the other day, and she told me when I wrote to you to give her love to you. And tell you to write to her soon for she is very anxious to hear from you. Dell says to tell you that her beau was here last Sunday, the first time he has been here since the war broke out. Pa is going to start to Cincinnati tomorrow night. I have nothing of importance to scribe so I will close. Hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your friend.
Deal
Excuse this miserable writing and I will try to do better the next time.
1863 Oct. 19 Letter to Sarah Blain (3705) from C.W. Blain
Letter written in ink on two sides of a sheet of paper. From C W Blain (?) in Portsmouth, Ohio, to his sister Sarah Blain (3705) in Chillicothe, Ohio. Dated Oct. 19, 1863.
Portsmouth, Ohio Oct. 19th 1863
Dear Sister (3705),
It has become my Melancholy duty to inform you of your sweet little namesake’s death. She left us on Friday morning last at fifteen minutes past six o’clock after a painful illness of eleven days. At the time of her Death and for twenty-four hours previous, we thought her better. And the physician told me the evening before he thought her considerable better, and he would not come to see her any more unless called. And I think the disease was broken, and the fever which accompanied it had subsided. But the little light was so near extinguished that nourishment failed, and our dearest little Angel passed away from us and is now a Sweet Sweet One in Heaven.
It makes my heart bleed to think how that dear one suffered through so many long days and nights. And when she got so weak she could not talk aloud, she would raise her sweet little hand and move her little lips for a kiss from her Mother or me. O, Sarah, you cannot conceive of the feeling one has for a dear one like that is gone forever.
P.S. She had the flue and sore mouth. We buried her Saturday at two o’clock. I cannot say more now. Excuse my weakness and write soon.
C W Blain
Portsmouth, Ohio Oct. 19th 1863
Dear Sister (3705),
It has become my Melancholy duty to inform you of your sweet little namesake’s death. She left us on Friday morning last at fifteen minutes past six o’clock after a painful illness of eleven days. At the time of her Death and for twenty-four hours previous, we thought her better. And the physician told me the evening before he thought her considerable better, and he would not come to see her any more unless called. And I think the disease was broken, and the fever which accompanied it had subsided. But the little light was so near extinguished that nourishment failed, and our dearest little Angel passed away from us and is now a Sweet Sweet One in Heaven.
It makes my heart bleed to think how that dear one suffered through so many long days and nights. And when she got so weak she could not talk aloud, she would raise her sweet little hand and move her little lips for a kiss from her Mother or me. O, Sarah, you cannot conceive of the feeling one has for a dear one like that is gone forever.
P.S. She had the flue and sore mouth. We buried her Saturday at two o’clock. I cannot say more now. Excuse my weakness and write soon.
C W Blain
1863 Jan. 20 Letter to Sarah Blain (3705) from Hannah M. Blane
Letter written in ink on two sides of a printed sheet. The letter is from Hannah M. Blane to her sister Sarah Blane (3705). Dated Jan 20th, the paper would indicate the letter is probably written in 1863. The letterhead includes a printed tree, and the following poem:
The Tree of Liberty
Traitor, spare that tree!
Touch not a single bough!
In youth it sheltered me,
And I’ll protect it now.
Jan the 20
Dear sister, it is with pleasure I sit down to write a few lines to you. I received your letter and was glad to hear from you as we have moved to Portsmouth. We have got to house keeping again. You must come down and se us. You said I must come up. I do not expect to get up very soon for it ceeps me busy moving. It has got to be al the go with me. If you want to learn come and take lessons. I will graduate soon. I would like to se you al very much.
Saly has a nother daughter a week old. Jane is living with Charley. She talks comeing up to se you in the spring. Saley Truit is in very poor health. Maney lives in one end of Charleys house. She has had a very bad cough al winter.
They are takeing the sesesionists around where we lived in MO. They have takeing sevrel hundred prisioners of which we was acquaited with several of them. James Baker the man we left in our house he was killed. Old Hary Baker and his other son was taken prisioner. They went from Chillicothe in Ohio. I hope they wil get them thind out after while.
You say Meg Stinson is married. Do you think it would be safe for him to go through a stuble field without wareing out his pants also. Saley forgive my bunders for I do not write enough to ceep my hand in. Give my love to your mother and uncle and a share for your self. No more but remain you affectionate sister til death.
Hannah M. Blane
Salie C. Blane
Direct your leters to Portsmouth
The Tree of Liberty
Traitor, spare that tree!
Touch not a single bough!
In youth it sheltered me,
And I’ll protect it now.
Jan the 20
Dear sister, it is with pleasure I sit down to write a few lines to you. I received your letter and was glad to hear from you as we have moved to Portsmouth. We have got to house keeping again. You must come down and se us. You said I must come up. I do not expect to get up very soon for it ceeps me busy moving. It has got to be al the go with me. If you want to learn come and take lessons. I will graduate soon. I would like to se you al very much.
Saly has a nother daughter a week old. Jane is living with Charley. She talks comeing up to se you in the spring. Saley Truit is in very poor health. Maney lives in one end of Charleys house. She has had a very bad cough al winter.
They are takeing the sesesionists around where we lived in MO. They have takeing sevrel hundred prisioners of which we was acquaited with several of them. James Baker the man we left in our house he was killed. Old Hary Baker and his other son was taken prisioner. They went from Chillicothe in Ohio. I hope they wil get them thind out after while.
You say Meg Stinson is married. Do you think it would be safe for him to go through a stuble field without wareing out his pants also. Saley forgive my bunders for I do not write enough to ceep my hand in. Give my love to your mother and uncle and a share for your self. No more but remain you affectionate sister til death.
Hannah M. Blane
Salie C. Blane
Direct your leters to Portsmouth
1862 Nov. 28 Letter to William Chandler (3562), Hannah Blain (3565), and Sarah Blain (3705) from Rebecca Bell (3559)
Letter, ink on two sides of a single sheet, dated November 28, 1862. From Rebecca Bell (3559) in Grundy County, Missouri to her brother (3562), sister (3565), and niece (3705).
Grundy County, Missouri 11th month, 28th day, 1862
Dear Brother (3562), Sister (3565), and Niece (3705),
I take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you to let you know we are still in the land of the living and are of usual health at present. I hope these lines may find you all well for I think health is a blessing we cannot prize too highly.
Well we are still in Missouri. This state has been the scene of a good deal of confusion and bloodshed. Yes, many a poor fellow has left his home and friends and all that was near and dear to them, and has lost his life in defense of his country and the loyal people of Missouri and other states. The bush whackers and gorillas bands were very troublesome in north Missouri last summer and fore part of fall. But there is a section of country in here where we are that never has been disturbed with the gorillas. No, I don’t know that we have even heard a hostile gun except at the battle of Lexington more than a year ago. We heard the cannon. I suppose it is over a 100 miles distant. But they have been around east west and south of us some distance off. It is quiet and peaceable now in north Missouri as far as I know.
When the government called for the last 300,000 men our son John (3698) volunteered amongst the rest. Sorrowful news for us. We got a letter from him yesterday dated the 23rd. He said he was well and was then at St. Louis. He said the talk was that they were to start the next morning for Helena, Arkansas, but he did not know whether it was so or not.
In consequence of the men being so many of them gone into the service, renters and croppers or any person to hire is very scarce, and old men that have not plowed any for years have had to go to the plow. I don’t think Alexander had plowed but very little for near 30 years. He tended about 17 acres of corn and 1 acre of sorghum cane. Corn crops are pretty good. Fall wheat and rye were good; spring wheat poor. We have had such a dry fall then I don’t think that the fall grain looks very well now. We had a pretty good crop of buckwheat and fruit apples and peaches. We dried about five bushels of peaches and have plenty of dried apples.
The farmers are engaging their pork at 2 dollars and 25 cents per hundred gross. All produce is low, but what the farmers have to buy is high. Salt 6 dollars per barrel; cotton yarn $3.75 cents per bunch; shirting muslin from 25 to 30 cents per yard. It is thought it will be higher. Calico from 11 to 25 cents per yard.
Our children are all in Iowa, except the two daughters that is with us, and John (3698) his family is there also. Well, I will just tell you of our once little family, of their families. Mary Jane (3694) has eight children – Hannah (3695), 8; Nancy (3696), 6; John (3698), 5; Rebecca (3699), 4; Martha (3700), 2; Thomas C. (3702), 2. 35 grandchildren in all. Hannah’s (3695) oldest daughter (3944) is married, and Nancy’s (3696) little girl (3954) that they had with them at your house was married last summer.
Well, my brother (3562) and sister (3565), it has been a long time since we have had a line from you. No, not since last winter or early in the spring. We got a letter written by Sarah C. Blain (3705). Anna (3703) wrote some time in the summer. No answer has come yet. She says she has wrote Sarah (3705) two letters that she has never received any answer to, and she don’t think she will write any more until Sarah writes to her. It seems to be all the way we can know of each others’ welfare. And why should we be so neglectful of the privilege. If this comes to hand, write soon. No more at present but to remain your sister.
Rebecca Bell (3559)
Grundy County, Missouri 11th month, 28th day, 1862
Dear Brother (3562), Sister (3565), and Niece (3705),
I take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you to let you know we are still in the land of the living and are of usual health at present. I hope these lines may find you all well for I think health is a blessing we cannot prize too highly.
Well we are still in Missouri. This state has been the scene of a good deal of confusion and bloodshed. Yes, many a poor fellow has left his home and friends and all that was near and dear to them, and has lost his life in defense of his country and the loyal people of Missouri and other states. The bush whackers and gorillas bands were very troublesome in north Missouri last summer and fore part of fall. But there is a section of country in here where we are that never has been disturbed with the gorillas. No, I don’t know that we have even heard a hostile gun except at the battle of Lexington more than a year ago. We heard the cannon. I suppose it is over a 100 miles distant. But they have been around east west and south of us some distance off. It is quiet and peaceable now in north Missouri as far as I know.
When the government called for the last 300,000 men our son John (3698) volunteered amongst the rest. Sorrowful news for us. We got a letter from him yesterday dated the 23rd. He said he was well and was then at St. Louis. He said the talk was that they were to start the next morning for Helena, Arkansas, but he did not know whether it was so or not.
In consequence of the men being so many of them gone into the service, renters and croppers or any person to hire is very scarce, and old men that have not plowed any for years have had to go to the plow. I don’t think Alexander had plowed but very little for near 30 years. He tended about 17 acres of corn and 1 acre of sorghum cane. Corn crops are pretty good. Fall wheat and rye were good; spring wheat poor. We have had such a dry fall then I don’t think that the fall grain looks very well now. We had a pretty good crop of buckwheat and fruit apples and peaches. We dried about five bushels of peaches and have plenty of dried apples.
The farmers are engaging their pork at 2 dollars and 25 cents per hundred gross. All produce is low, but what the farmers have to buy is high. Salt 6 dollars per barrel; cotton yarn $3.75 cents per bunch; shirting muslin from 25 to 30 cents per yard. It is thought it will be higher. Calico from 11 to 25 cents per yard.
Our children are all in Iowa, except the two daughters that is with us, and John (3698) his family is there also. Well, I will just tell you of our once little family, of their families. Mary Jane (3694) has eight children – Hannah (3695), 8; Nancy (3696), 6; John (3698), 5; Rebecca (3699), 4; Martha (3700), 2; Thomas C. (3702), 2. 35 grandchildren in all. Hannah’s (3695) oldest daughter (3944) is married, and Nancy’s (3696) little girl (3954) that they had with them at your house was married last summer.
Well, my brother (3562) and sister (3565), it has been a long time since we have had a line from you. No, not since last winter or early in the spring. We got a letter written by Sarah C. Blain (3705). Anna (3703) wrote some time in the summer. No answer has come yet. She says she has wrote Sarah (3705) two letters that she has never received any answer to, and she don’t think she will write any more until Sarah writes to her. It seems to be all the way we can know of each others’ welfare. And why should we be so neglectful of the privilege. If this comes to hand, write soon. No more at present but to remain your sister.
Rebecca Bell (3559)
Undated Letter to Sarah Blain (3705) from Emma
Letter written in ink on four sides of two folded sheets of paper. The letter is addressed to Sallie (Blain) (3705) from her friend Emma. The only date is Wednesday evening. Based on content, it appears to date from the summer or fall of 1862 while Sarah is in Granville undergoing the water cure.
Wednesday Eve
Dear Friend Sallie,
I received your letter a week ago last Monday but you will excuse me for not answering sooner for I have had a toothache ever since. I had the tooth drawn, but it did not do very much good for it ached as bad as ever until yesterday. We are all well. I am glad that you are getting well so fast for I think tis a very hard lot to be sick. I would like to be with you this evening. I do not think we would sleep much. I have to sleep by myself and I do wish that I had you here for company. Hurry and get well and come and stay with me when John and Ettie goes away. I’ll be so lonely then. They talk of starting in about 6 weeks. Their boy is so large and fat and pretty too. That is on account of his name. Brother Jim and Annie went home last Sat. Their little girl is very delicate. She is never very well.
I heard today that Gil Penick was expected home today. John Riley did not succeed in getting a commission. I guess his father was not quite as free to buy as Old Gregory. He went to Columbus for to get one for Fil. John would have been the best officer. Dan and Issac (?) have good times now. Joe Lunbeck is still at Charleston. Beck Chesnut was down to Sharon not long ago and staid 9 weeks. She says all the boys have volunteered. Alex too. I guess her and him have dissolved partnership some time ago. I do not know how soon they leave but not very soon I know.
Sallie, if the boys have not all gone away before you get back we must make a visit to Sharon and try and get a fellow down there for our fellows here have all left. George Stinson will be home next week. His 9 months are up next Sat. You need not be afraid of Joe Trigo going to war for they are all frightened for fear of being drafted. John and Mat are keeping house. If you was here we would go to see her. I have not seen Jennie Trigo since I got your letter but I will tell her when I see her. Mr. Nelson is very attractive to her. I recon it will be a match.
We had a sort of a picnic here last Friday on Lunbeck’s Hill, just what few young folks are left home, and about 6 or 8 from town. It was tolerable good. We had no music such as violin and I did not enjoy that so much, you know. Dan Penick had the blues all day on that account. Fil McCan did not attend. Sida said he was sick. I guess the true reason was that he knew you would not be there. Sallie, you ought to write to him recommending the water cure, that would be a good excuse to start a correspondence. I got a letter from Meg Stinson a week before I got yours and have not answered it yet. She had been in poor health, and had the toothache for 2 or 3 weeks. Meg --- to have told that for all we can guess the cause. I write to Fowlers Mill, Grange Co, Ohio.
It would be nice to go to the seminary there when you get well. I believe I would if I was you. I know you would have better times there than here, for we do not see a fellow once a year here. If you would go to the seminary a term or 2 you would have such pleasant acquaintances and might come across some nice fellow. I believe tis best to marry as soon as you can get a good fellow. I intend to marry the first one I fall in love with if I can get him. I never have had the luck to fall in love very deeply.
Becca Lunbeck, Hat, & Will went to Columbus today in their Rockaway. They will stay about a week. I want you to write soon and do not wait as long as I did for I would not have done so if I could have written. I put off writing while I had the toothache until I have to answer, and I answered yours first. So I’ll not have the occasion to delay again I hope. I want you to pick out a fellow for me up there if you can spare one. I must close for it is more than bed time and I am very sleepy. I could write all night and not get done telling you what I can think of but you must hurry home and come up and stay with me and we will settle this matter! Dallie Renick has gone south to live with his people. Tell me when you are coming home and I’ll come straight to see you next day. I must say good night. Ettie said to give her love to you tell you thank you for your kiss to Frank.
From your loving friend Emma
Write soon
Wednesday Eve
Dear Friend Sallie,
I received your letter a week ago last Monday but you will excuse me for not answering sooner for I have had a toothache ever since. I had the tooth drawn, but it did not do very much good for it ached as bad as ever until yesterday. We are all well. I am glad that you are getting well so fast for I think tis a very hard lot to be sick. I would like to be with you this evening. I do not think we would sleep much. I have to sleep by myself and I do wish that I had you here for company. Hurry and get well and come and stay with me when John and Ettie goes away. I’ll be so lonely then. They talk of starting in about 6 weeks. Their boy is so large and fat and pretty too. That is on account of his name. Brother Jim and Annie went home last Sat. Their little girl is very delicate. She is never very well.
I heard today that Gil Penick was expected home today. John Riley did not succeed in getting a commission. I guess his father was not quite as free to buy as Old Gregory. He went to Columbus for to get one for Fil. John would have been the best officer. Dan and Issac (?) have good times now. Joe Lunbeck is still at Charleston. Beck Chesnut was down to Sharon not long ago and staid 9 weeks. She says all the boys have volunteered. Alex too. I guess her and him have dissolved partnership some time ago. I do not know how soon they leave but not very soon I know.
Sallie, if the boys have not all gone away before you get back we must make a visit to Sharon and try and get a fellow down there for our fellows here have all left. George Stinson will be home next week. His 9 months are up next Sat. You need not be afraid of Joe Trigo going to war for they are all frightened for fear of being drafted. John and Mat are keeping house. If you was here we would go to see her. I have not seen Jennie Trigo since I got your letter but I will tell her when I see her. Mr. Nelson is very attractive to her. I recon it will be a match.
We had a sort of a picnic here last Friday on Lunbeck’s Hill, just what few young folks are left home, and about 6 or 8 from town. It was tolerable good. We had no music such as violin and I did not enjoy that so much, you know. Dan Penick had the blues all day on that account. Fil McCan did not attend. Sida said he was sick. I guess the true reason was that he knew you would not be there. Sallie, you ought to write to him recommending the water cure, that would be a good excuse to start a correspondence. I got a letter from Meg Stinson a week before I got yours and have not answered it yet. She had been in poor health, and had the toothache for 2 or 3 weeks. Meg --- to have told that for all we can guess the cause. I write to Fowlers Mill, Grange Co, Ohio.
It would be nice to go to the seminary there when you get well. I believe I would if I was you. I know you would have better times there than here, for we do not see a fellow once a year here. If you would go to the seminary a term or 2 you would have such pleasant acquaintances and might come across some nice fellow. I believe tis best to marry as soon as you can get a good fellow. I intend to marry the first one I fall in love with if I can get him. I never have had the luck to fall in love very deeply.
Becca Lunbeck, Hat, & Will went to Columbus today in their Rockaway. They will stay about a week. I want you to write soon and do not wait as long as I did for I would not have done so if I could have written. I put off writing while I had the toothache until I have to answer, and I answered yours first. So I’ll not have the occasion to delay again I hope. I want you to pick out a fellow for me up there if you can spare one. I must close for it is more than bed time and I am very sleepy. I could write all night and not get done telling you what I can think of but you must hurry home and come up and stay with me and we will settle this matter! Dallie Renick has gone south to live with his people. Tell me when you are coming home and I’ll come straight to see you next day. I must say good night. Ettie said to give her love to you tell you thank you for your kiss to Frank.
From your loving friend Emma
Write soon
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