The
Fassett Letters - Letter #36
Date:
April 2, 1857
Place: Placerville
From:
Ann
To: Mother
Placerville,
April 2, /57
Dear
Mother,
You wished me to write if I were willing to live in your part of the
world again. Taking every thing into consideration I think not. When I
think of all
the dear
ones
there I long Oh
so much to see
you and feel
almost willing to live anywhere to be near you, but when I look at
Parker and see how healthy he is, scarcely sick a day in the year, my
mind recalls what he suffered there and I say no. I never want him to
live there again. Dwight too has none of that ‘awful
cough’ (as P– calls it) that he had there so much.
The children are all so well, they hardly know what it is to feel bad.
P– is very much opposed to leaving Cal– unless I
was discontented and unhappy here would not consent. Then he would
sacrifice every thing, for never woman had a kinder
husband than
unworthy me. He has done, and will do everything in his power to make
money enough for me to visit you, but misfortune has pursued us. no
fault of ours though, we have worked hard and saved it
all. Our
children must be educated and that takes money. besides where such a
family as ours have to be supported with only one pair of hands, and no
capital
to go on, money does not come in very fast.
But I do not feel
bad about it as I hope you will all be here
before long. when once here
our delightful climate will keep you, sure.
Enough of this. As I hope
to leave here soon shall I describe my cottage to you? Rough planks as
they came from the mill, stood on end for the frame, floor of the same,
(how the slivers did prick the children’s feet) clapboard
roof, doors, a plank planed with leather hinges and a button on the
inside, and (oh extravagance) one window
with 12 panes. It (the house,
not the window) is 12 by 20 ft, all in one room. The childrens bedroom
was built of cloth, when winter came P– boarded it up with
clapboards, plank or anything that came handy, that has a hole with a
sliding board for a window. last year he built a milk room, ditto, we
have a woodshed too. my stove stands there in the summer. Where do I
keep my furniture did you say? why behind a calico curtain, stands my
bed, trunk, and my 3 dresses, P– ’tother pair of
pants, (he aint but one coat positively)
childrens clothes &c
find plenty of room to hang up. by the head of the bed stands a little
round table, with my work-basket, a few books and your pictures, a
cupboard in one corner, a pine table to eat on, a cooking stove,
cradle,
3 chairs that Chit gave me last year, a low rocking chair
(sewing chair without arms) Mrs Harkers gift, with a trunk, and a
candle box or two for seats include it all. no, P– bought
Sarah a little rocking chair this winter. Shovel and tongs we never
had, but I forgot the clock & a looking glass about 8 by 10
given to Clara. The boys give me all the boxes I want some with leather
hinges make nice trunks and one with rockers makes the cradle, only I
had to cover it with calico because it was so rough, 2 years ago we
lined this room with unbleached sheeting, and last year we put matting
on the floor. Remember that the house was built by P– and the
bedsteads, tables, cupboards, &c were made by him without
paint, only I painted the front
door with some paint Mrs. Harker gave
me. I would not write this before, for fear you would think
‘poor Ann’ was suffering, but have been very happy
here and do not want anything better while here. Uncle Elias told me
once that himself & wife “eat, and drank, sat, and
slept,” in the same room. wonder if it was furnished like
mine. I dont care who sees this letter, we have no pride about for it
is our own, honestly earned and paid for. but what a mess I have
scribbled and left only room to say we are all well. P–
teaming, boys at school, Ann & daughters at home. baby grows
finely, the smallest one I mean.
[The
following in squeezed in upside down above the salutation on the first
page.]
much love
to
all. We look to Chittenden up soon. Write often as you can. in
looking this over find many mistakes account for them by saying I
hurried to write while Jane was asleep. she is trying now hard to wake
so good bye for the present. Ask Sarah if her one baby prevents her
writing to us. I have 5. ever dear
Father and Mother
your affec– daughter Ann.
[This
was Ann’s first mention of Jane, her new baby.
Sarah’s new baby is Clarence Fassett Castle, b. Oct. 12,
1856. WAC]
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