The Fassett Latters - Letter #21
One
sheet
~16” x
10” folded in
half to make
4 pages.
Dates: 3/4/1855,
3/12/1855
Place: Placerville
From: Ann F.
Germain
To: Mother
Date: 3/14/1855
From: H.H. Fassett
To: Mother
Placerville, March 4th, 1855.
My
own dear
Mother.
Your letter of Jan 27, I have
just rec from the shop (Chit takes them out late in the evening when
they are
sent to him. I dont get mine till the next morning) and I cannot tell
you how
much pleasure it gives me. I have never for a moment doubted your
earnest love
for me, but I do not think my letters can do you as much good, as yours
do me.
To fully appreciate a letter one must be a stranger in a strange land,
away
from friends and home, that
dear old home. ask Grandma
Peck if she dont think so. I often think of her removal to Ohio,
& of
Mother Germain going to N. Y. Yet they never make me homesick. I am so
glad to
hear from you that I have no room for sad thoughts. Dearly as I love
you all,
& much as I should enjoy a visit with you, I am happy, and
contented here.
Duty seems to have called me here, & I have never repented
coming. But I am
a perfect egotist in writing, it is nothing but I, I, I. If you could
look in
this pleasant Sabbath morning you would see the doors wide open, fire
out,
& a pitcher of lovely wild flowers on the table where I am
writing. They
are very handsome, yellow, white, red, &c with a splendid bunch
of wild pea
blossoms. Dwight loves flowers as well as Grandma does and keeps me
supplied as
long as they last. him and Guy are at Sunday School (Baptist) Clara is
here
looking at me as I write as it is too muddy for her to go today. They
go to
Baptist at 9. Methodist at 2. Harris seems as contended as any of us
when I see
him which is not very often. he has not been up for 2 weeks, and
Chittenden
dont come sometimes for a month and then dont stay hardly ten minutes.
The last
time he came I threatened telling you, he said if I did he would get a
scolding. he is doing better than ever before making money. I dont know
how
much he writes to you about it, so do not say anything myself. Hale and
him are
in partnership in a new shop down town which Hale tends. Harris tends
Chits
shop, one man packs, while Chit, oversees, buys goods, &c.
Parker is doing
well in his tunnel, but will sell the first good offer and move down to
the
bay. The boys are anxious to have us stay here & we would
rather on their
account, but it is unpleasant living in this way. we live so rough
&
unsettled, no garden, no yard, no house, but a little temporary shanty,
as H
says not half as warm or well finished as Father’s barn. When
we move, we shall
buy a little place, have a good house, & something we can call
a home.
we intend to settle ourselves, as if for life, though Parker says we
will visit
you as soon as we are able, and if I wish it he will stay there if he
can have
good health. I would rather live in this country if my friends were all
here.
March 12. Give Harris a long credit mark. he has been up here this
stormy day
to chat with me a while. (what if I did mend his coat, and what if it happened
so the last time he came.) Chittenden has not been here lately but then
his
coat dont want mending so I excuse him. I am going
to send this down for
them to finish. The stockings are nice, they keep my feet so warm these
cold,
rainy, days, again many thanks for them, and all the nice presents from
all.
Give my love to Grandma Fassett, Uncle T, Aunt Sally, Jeff, Mary,
&c. Tell
Uncle Thomas I think he need have no fears of his name becoming
extinct. It is
in good hands. You write, little some one has been sick, but did not
put the
name, I suppose it was one of Mary’s children. When H. came
here first we were
eating supper, just dark. I was expecting him, and on hearing his step
said to
Parker, ‘that is Harris,’ ran to the door and met
him, he was quite unwell with
bad cold, sore throat &c and went right to bed, but I kept him
talking
several hours. he unlocked his trunk and we sat down on the floor and
pulled
everything out to see the presents. Chittenden staid in San Francisco
that day
and came here the next night. It would have done Father good to have
seen him
and the children. I dont hardly know which was the happiest. When
Harris first
came his face was broke out and I thought him not as good looking as
formerly, but
he is now well only so very fleshy. I dont know what
to compare him to
if you have killed your fat pigs. he is actually fat, very fat, and in
fine
spirits. I have not heard from Mrs. Harker lately. James Morrow started
last
week for home, poor fellow, I hope he will reach it in safety. Parker
gave him
5,00 said if he had, had what was owing to him would have given him
30,00. he
(P.) only had 10 by him then. Chit gave him 10,00 H 2½. The
people gave him
nearly 200,00. I dont know where that negro man is, have not seen him
since
last summer. The Recorders come regular, and I enjoy them much. Chit
has signed
for a Presbyterian paper one year and made me a present of it, have
only had
one number yet but will send it to you if I can get any stamps. am glad
you have
so much charity for me about writing, but am afraid I have offended my
other
correspondents, as I have written to no one out of the family since
last
summer. But it is supper time and I must close with much love and warm
wishes
for all. I always think of your birthday and all the rest.
As
ever, yours affectionately.
Ann F.
Germain.
[The
following in in Harris’ handwriting.]
Tell Father I
will write to him soon & expect an answer. Harris
Wednesday
morning March 14 1855
Mother
I
think Ann had not ought to have “told” of James
Morrow & what was given to
him but as she has please let no one see this letter or know but what
he made
his money all himself for the sake of his own feelings at least,
I
have not had my Breakfast, Franklin Platt (our
Packer) from Columbus
Ohio is getting Breakfast, Chit– is in Bed and even I myself
have not combed my
hair or slicked up any yet. Please excuse my looks, for I am so fat you
would
hardly know me only when I laugh it would sound natural I think,
The “Golden
Hills” of El Dorado
Co have other attractions to me than the ore they contain. for
“sierra
nevada’s” snow caped mountains blow the breath of
Joyous health upon us all the
poor as well as the rich. What Parker has told you of the health of
this
country is all true. I wrote you a letter by James Morrow when he
started home
& he says he will go & see you & tell you all
about how we live
& where &c &c. If I but had time I could fill
sheet after sheet
with the incidents of our journey here & promise myself that at
some future
time I will do so.
We
are all well & wish to hear from you as often as you can find
time to write
& when the mail comes in & no letters from home we feel
a little ————
in the countenance, Give my love to Father & the children
& all the
friends. Grandma & Uncle & Aunt. Play with the Dogs
& ride &
drive the Horses once in a while for me. I have no such opportunity now
I
suppose the buggy has not had any spokes broke out since we left. Yours Truly
H.
H. Fassett
[The
following is upside down at the top of the first page.]
I was up to
Ann’s yesterday & looked at all your Daguareotypes
had
quite a chat & if it din’nt do me good then I
forgotten strangely in a day.
H
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