American Civil War Letters - April 28, 1964 - Heart Disease, Suffering, A New Sewing Machine

There has been a report that all...the blacks that were taken at Plymoth, were taken out and shot. What are we coming to? We can only trust in the Lord and believe all will be well.

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Nephew George and Daughter Mary make an appearance in this letter! George is very excited to fire off his cannon...

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Springfield April 28, 1864

My Dear Husband

I have sad news to write to night. Frankie Sawyer died this morning with the heart disease. He has been sick a week and suffered very much before that. He did not suffer any [more] though.

Mrs Sawyer told me early in the spring that his heart was diseased and the Dr. was very much worried about him. I was down there this afternoon. They had had an examination of him and found the heart very much enlarged, three times as large as it should be. It had become attached in a large place beside some water had collected about it.

The Dr. said it was astonishing that he had kept around and suffered so little. The Dr. thinks he has appeared like a changed child this winter and others have spoken of it. Since he was sick the Dr said "Frankie you are suffering very much."

"Yes father, but the Savior suffered more than I do."

He told aunt Theoda he suffered a great deal but no more than he ought to. "Why?" said she.

"The Savior suffered so much for me, I ought to be willing to suffer."

Abby Knight called here to day and told me that Sophia is but just alive. They thought she could not live through the night last night but was alive this morning. Hannah is going up there tomorrow. Susan is there now, intends to stay as long as she lives, unless she should get better. They think she cannot get up again.

Aunt Safford called here with Mrs Porter while I was down to the Dr's and made more enquirires about you and asked if you spoke of Mr Roice. Sarah did not tell all that I should. I shall soon go up there and can tell her then.

I am glad there are some good fellows for you to see as a relief from the bad you are obliged to see.

I have received two letters this week from you. The first one, I cannot tell the date. I let Aunt Theoda take the letters to read and to day received one dated Apr 21. I am glad your prayer meeting is attended and you get warmed by the love of Christ in a prayer. We are glad to sit close if we can feel we all love the Lord.

I got a letter from Albert to day and part of it was written by his wife. She thinks I have a great charge to keep so many left in my care, but by what she can learn of me she thinks I am qualified to teach them and will watch over them and bring them up in the nurture of the Lord. I do not know who should speak so well of me. I wish I might merit the commendation.

They have received a letter from you giving your experience. Last winter they got a letter from Mr Marble. Phebe has sold her place, talks of hiring a house about 3 miles from Albert. They do not hear anything from Hiram. It is singular. He thinks they do not want him to know for fear he will call for the money.

M S Grennell

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Springfield Apr 28

Dear uncle

You told me you wanted I should have the wood all piled up the next time I wrote to you but I have not got it quite done on account of the rain. When I get done I am going to fire off my cannon. Mr Lovel has sold his house and bought another that has got a little colt. I think I shall have live cows besides colt to drive.

From your nephew

George.

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Apr 29 Dear papa

School has commenced. Miss Lewis teaches the lower school. Miss Fairbaks the upper school and Miss Gregg over to the new school house.

Mary

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29

Mary commenced to write but was so taken up with the sewing machine which is screaching and screaming over to Mr Kidder's that she did not have time to finish before school time.

I am afraid some of the large girls will try to act bad and I do not know but Crain will fool around more than he ought to. Hope all will be well.

I went to see Mr Kidder and he says he does not want to take Sarah unless she will work right along for him through the fall and winter. I told him she must go to school so that ended that matter. I hardly know where the money is coming from to pay such high tuition and buy clothes which cost a great deal.

I bought some calico to make some aprons and it cost $2.50, and when one does not try to save those they have it costs a good sum even to be decent.

I have got my pay of Mr Mitchel for the last year. I sent down for it and they sent the pay for two beds and said they had but two. I went down and found all three and got my pay. They thought they did not pay you for but two and maybe did not, but they have me. I hope that will keep me along till I get pay for tomato plants.

You need not worry about me I shall get along some how.

It seems strange that butter has been 35 and 40 cents per pound but it is now down to .25. I have bought only 50 cents worth since you went away. So you see, the high price does not affect me much.

Hiram Fairbank's mother was here yesterday. I did not know before that Harriet Ann's husband died in the army. There has been a report that all the N.C. men & Co, with all the blacks that were taken at Plymoth, were taken out and shot. What are we coming to? We can only trust in the Lord and believe all will be well.

Sometimes I am about as much distressed as Aunt Betsey, but there is One in whole hand our lives all are. There I rest and will trust "Though he slay me yet will I trust in him." May you be preserved and blessed in all your labors.

Your wife

Marcia S Grennell

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This is a transcription of a letter that my great-great-great grandmother sent to her husband during his service in the American Civil War. It was written with minimal punctuation, so I have made regular edits for readability while keeping the content of the letter as close to the source as possible.

Where archaic and mis-spellings do not hinder understanding, I have transcribed them as written.

Click on any of the thumbnails for a full sized scan of the source document.

I have dozens of letters from Marcia Spencer Grinnell to her husband Abel from this period, and will continue to share them as time and interest permit. The letters make for fascinating reading, and provide an intimate look into domestic life at the time of this conflict.

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CLICK HERE to read more letters from Marcia Spencer Grinnell and her family during the civil war. I'll be sorting the links by date as I add them.

Or CLICK HERE for a complete catalog of my work on Steemit, so far.