The Fassett Letters - Letter #26
One sheet ~16” x 10” folded in half to make 4 pages

Date: October 11, 1855
Place: Placerville
From: H.H. Fassett and Ann
To: Mother, Jane,
 
                                      Placerville Oct 11th 1855
                           Dear Mother,
                                            Yours of August 30, came to hand last mail, found us quite well and all very glad to hear “from the old folks at home” Just stopped a few moments to wait on some customers sold about $30. worth got the cash. Our profits are not very large but sales are quick. Chittenden goes to the bay once in 3 or 4 weeks and buys 18 or 20 tons goods. It’s some work to sell & handle them all as Hale & I do. but then I like it first rate. I have been in the lumber business a little have a yard near the store so that I can attend to both. One must pull every string now days in Cala to make money. Germain is doing very well & I think now if they all have their health they will be able to live as they please ere long. One thing you need not fear for your children here. they are at least all respected and if were in a pinch think they could find some true friends to meet them with cordiality in the hour of adversity, and assist them to start again. Hope we may none of us need it at least. If we do not more fully write you in our letters you must at least excuse us taking the will for the deed. As to when any of us are coming home for a visit cannot say it will

[Begin page 2]

all be owing to circumstances and how fast we make money. and while one is doing well here they had better stay and get enough to live in ease than to because they have a few hundred run back home to spend it and then be dependent on days works for a living. Much as we all think of home & you all we think it better to stay here under present circumstances. When you can write 2 c a month wish you could as you cannot think how much good it does us to hear from home often & how proud we feel to get letters from you often, & then every body seems glad to see that you get them, & always enquire as if acquainted. I took one of our teamsters horses this morning got up before sun rise and took a ride (horseback). Oh! fine I felt to get on a good horse & gallop away once more; but I do love it but cannot go without I get up before time to open the store. I shall let Ann finish this & write to Father on that long finished and promised mining sheet. Please write often & long any little trifles light as air & believe me as ever
                                                       Your Affectionate Son
                                                                       H. H. Fassett
               P.S. Remember me to Uncles Aunts and cousins and Grandmothers too. I should like much to hear from any and all of them. I have been rather unfortunate in writing Aunt Jerusha as have never received any mail from her. I leave for Ann to finish.
                                                         H.
[Begin page 3 in Ann's handwriting]

Wednesday, 2 o’clock                  
Dear Mother,
                           Harris sent me this letter nearly a week since, but I have had no time to write in it. Since writing you last I have been quite unwell, hardly able to sit up and could not write to Aunt Sally as I wished too. Little Sarah too has had a touch of the bowel complaint and is very troublesome. I left my washing last week because I did not feel well enough to do it. washed all yesterday forenoon and all day today. am not done yet, but H. wants the letter, and have stopped to put in a word. Sarah’s letter that you spoke of has not come yet. want to write to her but dont know where to direct too.
we have concluded to stay here this winter. Parker lined and repaired the house some last week which, helped to fill up my time. I am keeping Dwight out of school this week to assist me. letter after letter comes from Jane and not a word to, or about me. will she never forgive me till she has a namesake?
    Chittenden is in San Francisco. Baby crying a blue streak. Please excuse me this time.
                                                       Yours in haste,
5 minutes after.                                                    Ann
    a lull in the storm. Please send some more morning glory and cypress seed. the hens eat the others up. send anything that will run up on the porch. dont forget. I send 3 papers, & will send a copy of the Minuites if I ever get it.
Love to all.               A

[Begin page 4 - Insert in Ann's writing above Harris' note to Jane]

I did not forget Oct. 13th

[In Harris’ handwriting....]
Oct 17th 1855
Dear Jane.
Ann finished this at a great rate. cannot think
of sending so much blank paper home, when I know if it was me should wish every line filled. I still like Cala & the worst luck. I wish any of my friends or family would be to have them all here. I have but little news from the states. hope you will keep cool under all circumstances and recollect, “least said soonest mended.” Oh! Jane, the Lady of the house where I board is quite a woman, a very great amount of gass continually escapes from her safety valve, something our Marys, Mothers fashion. Her Gall is also named Mary, is a “perfect little Ducky,” as graceful as a pudding bug on stilts. Is learning to play on the Piano, and being within my hearing I am continually saluted with “Rachele” like strains of gushing melody. something between a gong & a Brass pan out of tune. There the old Woman & Girl both have been in here trading. Ah! me. my heart, of hearts, I fear its conquered I who considered myself invulnerable. Oh! o o o o, o o     Gone your good bye
                                                                          Yours Truly                   H. H. Fassett

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