The Fassett Letters - Letter #25
One sheet ~16” x 10” folded in half to make 4 pages

Date: 9/18/1855
Place: Placerville
From: H.H. Fassett and Ann
To: Father

Placerville Sept 18th 1855
Dear Father
                                                                It having been a long time since I have had a line from you I write this hoping you will answer soon. We are all well and doing well and in hopes that some day we can all visit you at least. California I think much of as a place to live in, and am very healthy if you were all here would care very little for Ohio and think it would be a long time before you would see me back. Still many things here are not as one would wish them to be. Sunday being no day of rest. I think however that the Legislature will this winter will pass a law to prohibit the Sunday traffic. It is raining a little now about the first since May last. I suppose you have plenty of fruit at home while we have scarsly anything of that kind, Dried fruit being mostly out of the market. Apples 25 c pr lb, Peaches 50 to 63, Cranberries $2. per Gal, Currants not to be had, Ranch Butter $1.00 per lb, Kg 75.c Potatoes are very high 5 c per lb by the sack. All kinds of Salt meats high Beef 22, Pork 20, Shoulders 20, Bacon 24, Hams 25 to 28,c Mackerel 25, Salmon 12½ c, Oysters 2# Cans $12. pr Doz. and most every thing in the same ratio. Flour however being an exception it being only $12. pr bbl at retail. Wholesale at San Francisco $7.50 to $8.00

[Begin p. 2]

Tell John I wrote him a long letter some time ago & that I have not had a word from him. wish him to write me immediately, as I wish very much to know how he is getting along. Tell Mary to study hard & Harry to do so too, & that he must take good care of Peter so I can break him when I come back. Rolla, Buckeye, & the Grey & Roan must not be forgotten. And Willie will have to study hard or his little nephew Guy will get the start of him. He commenced going to school in May & is now over as far as words of 5 syllables and learning very fast. Willie must not let him beat, and must help gather the corn, &c &c. Enclosed this time you will find that letter sheet and map of the mining regions. And I will also send you a few papers. Could you not once in two or three months send us some Newark papers, having considerable local news. Also when writing, any little items conscerning any of you or our friends & relatives will be thankfully received. Be sure and remember me to all of them, & if Lydia & family have started to this country let me have their P.O. address. if they have not gone tell Lydia to write me on arrival and that I think I will visit her this fall.
                     The Dinner Bell has just rung and I must close. Ann will finish this. My love to all the family, friends & relatives, & if Alma is still at Uncles tell her I regretted very much not seeing her in New York, & that I am in hopes some day to visit her & Alfred in the room Uncle built expressly for them. Your Aff Son
H. H. Fassett
[Begin page 3 in Ann's handwriting - additional inverted text added at top of page; see end of letter.]
Monday eve, Sept 18th
              Would you like to know what we are all doing this evening. Parker has gone to the blacksmith shop to get his pick sharpened (which must be done every 2 or three days.) Guy, Clara, & Sarah asleep, Dwight sitting by the table reading the manners, and customs of the Bedouin Arabs, and my humble self, writing. How much I would give peep in your window to night and see what you are all doing. But I dont think I should stay there long. What a bobbery you would all kick up if my phiz should show itself among you. that is the way I would like to visit you, just to step right in unexpected, and give you a pleasant surprise. How many times have I sat and pictured a meeting with you all till time & space would seem annihilated, and for the moment would really be with you. These idle dreams give me many a happy hour. God grant they may be realized soon.
                                                                                      Tuesday morning.
                                                                                                                        Last night I was so tired and sleepy I could not keep awake to write. Harris is very good about writing to you so much, he really has no time to call his own, neither day or night. he always comes up here as often as he can but that is very seldom, and only a few moments at a time. Chit dont come once a month. all he thinks of is business, business. Chittenden started yesterday morning for San Francisco, to be gone till Saturday. he goes every 2 or 3 weeks. Hale is quite well.
Tell Aunt Sally her letter was very welcome, and she may look for an answer next mail. I intended writing to her this time but am very busy making the children some winter clothes. Sarah’s letter that Mother spoke of in her last (written Aug 13th) has not arrived yet, I shall look for it next mail, and when it comes

[Begin p. 4]

will answer it. Jane wrote to Harris from Johnstown and although she was so spunky about the baby’s name that she would not write a word to me yet. I intended writing with him, in answer to her but did not know when he wrote. If she could see the sweet little thing, she would love her very much. She is a perfect little beauty (if I do say it) with black eyes and a very good skin though not as fair as Dwight. She is also very intelligent for her age, and extremely good natured. She seldom cries and we think her disposition as pleasant as any we ever knew.

[Inverted interleaved text is added here; see end of letter.]

Indeed we very much hope she will resemble her Aunt Sarah. Harris laughs at me and calls her black, and homely, but he remarked to Parker the other night about how fast the baby grew handsome. I dont know that Chit has seen her for 2 months. Jane wants Chit to kiss the black baby for her. he can have a chance any day, as the squaws are always around, but I dont envy him the pleasure. Of all the dirty, filthy, nasty, creatures, that ever was, these are certainly the very worst. Jane never saw a dirty person there. I must tell you of a great event in the still routine of my life. The ladies of the Presbyterian Church, made a supper, the proceeds to be applied to the church debt. Chit bought a ticket ($2.00) but not wanting to go himself gave it to me. Parker kept all the children and I went with Mrs. Lee, wore a blue basque waist, and white skirt, with underhandkerchief and sleeves to match. went about sundown, and came home at 11, baby had slept all the time. spent the evening very pleasantly. the Baptist have just commenced a singing school, and Parker keeps the children while I go, ’aint he clever. The school is in the upper town and some of the gents come after me and home with me. I flatter myself they want me some. Mother may look for a copy of the minutes next mail if I am not disappointed in getting it. Please return the favor if convenient. Look out for 3 papers this mail. John, Mary, Harry, and Willie, will please write to me when they can. does Willie “sisser Ann” yet. Guy says ‘Moler’ yet. But paper fails, so good bye for this time with very much love to all.           Affectionately yours, Ann.

[The following is written upside down at the top of the third page.]

I feel anxious to hear from Lydia. hope it will be no bad news. If Lydia come to this country, should be glad to visit if possible.

[The following is written upside down in the middle of the fourth page merged in between Ann’s discussion of the baby.]

I expect you will laugh at what I have written about the baby, but it is all true. If you dont believe it come and see.

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