CLARA BARTON FAMILY PAPERS Barton, Stephen, Jr. Correspondence Apr.1839; May 1850-Dec. 1854April 3, 1839 Jacob Bone to Stephen Barton Dr For one lot of hay in the bay worth Five days at 4/6 for day ----- 3.75 1831 Oct for use of plow and harrow ----- 2.00 Oct 13 for keeping his calf 16 weeks and four days at 8c pr week ----- 1.33 for use of land to plantt----- 30.00 37.08Stephen Barton Jr P.M. Miss C. H. Barton Washington D.C. North Oxford Sunday 5th May 6 P.M. Dear Sister I have just returned from the funeral of Mrs Nancy Holman She died Friday evening (Mr Bartnell attended) Sister Vassall and her family were all there all well, return to Worcester this morning Your favor containing the $15.00 order was duly recd and accepted and Frances has got the money for it Business is quite dull here - all well no news that would interest you Stephen PS Father has got his garden mostly planted David & Family are well, David is doing his farm work Ada, Ida & Bub go to school and Tot stays at home to look after the catsNorth of ford Friday eve July 18 /57 Dear Sister From what I wrote this morning you must be partially prepared for the heavy and affecting news that I have to impart to you Our excelent mother is no more she died this afternoon at a quarter after five o clock her last end was without a struggle and apparently easy The funeral will be at Father's residence next Sunday at one o clock the Rev Mr Baker is expected to attend the funeral She will be buryed in the New Cemetery Dear Clara how much i think of you and what your feelings must be when this sad news reaches you I think of you as far away from connections and and aquaintances in a strange country and among strangers and none to comfort and sympathize with you in this stroke of affection, yet I hope and trust that you will bear it meekly and with fortitude Sister Vassall will write you in a day or soI think from what mother has said to many of his friends that she has not expected to live but a little while she has expressed great anxiety for you and has often seen you in her dreams Sister Vassall brought her and aunt Hannah up on the hill to see the new fountain that I am building one day last week she highly gratified but said she should never see it again Fathers health is good as could be expected and so are all the people here it is growing late and I must draw to a close with a promise that I will write longer next [?] which will be soon from your affectionate Brother S, Barton Jrpaid So Oxford Map July 19 /57 Paid 3 Mothers last 1857 July 18 [Unanswered] Miss C.H. Barton Clinton N.Y. N. Oxford Sept 18[33?] Dear Sister It has been so long since I have written you that I have forgotten what I past wrote so if I should repeat some part of my story you must excuse it, Business is great in N. Oxford but little going on save the [mfg?] Business whichmoves on us usual considering how dry it is and has been. The Factory, on twos stream have stoped but little compared with other streams I really believe that we have had much more rain in the south part of the Worcester County then they have had in any other section of the county that I have heard from Father is quite well now is up [?] the village every day, Aunt Hannah paid him a visit last week says she intends to visit often for she does not always expect to be able to, I have not seen sister [V?] or any of her family for two weeks [Victor?] was in rather better spirits the last time I saw him I think he [?] do quite as well alone as he would with a partner [Carrie?] is looking after his garden some and official Business.I have been for the last month improving the damm to my upper pond think that it is now right do now know from what I shall go about next have some little law business to look after I have one suit against Schuyler Hubbard and one against The Real Estate Insurance Co. Boston from the loss on the Hobart Factory and the Bowditch company at Salem have a suit against me they will probably all be tried [?] one month so you will see that I have about business enough notwithstanding all of this I now think of engaging in some large contract soon I called at Mr Childs soon after Frances came home and I believe that she has been in the village twice she and [?] visited our school yester which is now in successful operation under the management of Mr Wood and Miss [?] Daniel Childs will not be likely to live till morning his disorder is consumption Elizabeth Larned is quite low with a disorder in her head is not expected to get well I see the Col often he always enquires after you his health is quite good Miss Mary Larned (now Mrs Segraves sends her respects to you and wants you to visit her when you come east again she has married a rich old man in Uxbridge. Folks at first said that his age was "four score and two" but that was a mistake for I have since learned from good authority that he is but eighty one years old Jacob has taken possession of the N. Oxford Depot and is now selling tickets there Sunday Sept 3rd 1854 Schuyler Hubbard has settled the suit I had against him so I have but two left which is quite enough. Money is scarce and it is with difficulty that business men can meet their payments I have not been laying out much for myself for more then one year so I should not really be short if I could get what is due me - I saw Vester in Worcester yesterday he is much in want of $300. to meet his payments on the 10th of this month but find it difficult to find anyone that has the money to loan I told him that I would help him if I had it, but at any rate I would endorse for him if he could find any place where he could get He told me that Francis Child started for the south tomorrow has just been visiting at this house Elijah McKnight died of the cholera in Worcester last Friday is now being buried in the N. Oxford Semetery todayI suppose you have heard that Carolin [?] is married to Mr. Samuel Lord and lives in Worcester Martha is with David [?] is in the mill yet do not know how long she will stay there I suppose you will ask how Otis is doing I can not really tell you he is doing sound and working on his new house nearly oposite Mr. Dunbars (which is nearly done) and does not appear to notice the indictment against him at all has imployed no Council nor does he intend to have any (so Stone tells me) - but Homer Jones has Choat Stone thinks that Choat will try to clear Jones at the expense of bus and will succeed all the better for Otis having no council Stone say that Otis need not expect a fair or impartial trial for that would be impossible for a Larned to have if charged with any crime however innocent he might be I have not seen Jerry for some time but he is in grafton living quite at ease Oliver was here a few weeks since health not very good you must consider this letter as coming from Father for he has often asked me to write one for him Stephen North Oxford Sept 30th 1853 Dear sister I regret verry much that I cannot be in Worcester to see you start and bid you good bye but I cannot leave my business to day I enclose you a letter which I took from the office yesterday I have got our school house on to the spot and shall finish raising the roof today I have command on the Hobart Factory and shall have it done before you come to Oxford again from your affectionate brother StephenNorth Oxford Oct 30th 1853 Dear sister When Sunday evening comes round I think I must write to you even if I have nothing to say that could possibly interest you. Last sunday evening I wrote to Ber so you see it as your turn to right All our friends are well and the weather has been fine untill one week ago since it has rained and blowed in good earnest I was at Worcester last friday saw the Judge aunt Hannah and [?] The Judge says that you are doing great things in jersey by way of free schools for he sees by the papers that they are trying to establish them in Trenton, Aunt Hannah says you have never written to her and [?] has neither eyes or ears for anything but her breathing machine The school house is in a good way of being finished it will be eligant am progressing slowly with the Rockdale Factory but shall quit the mason work at the first snowstorm I am appointed P.M. - and Mr Hodges is my assistant to be kept in my office shall remove it this weekI have not seen sister since you left but David has and heard her read your letter which is all that I have heard from you Livy is out of the mill for one week resting and cleaning house I know that you will be pleased to learn that Mr Pickett has gone to work with my carpenters has been at work for near three weeks says he wants me to find him work all winter which I shall surely do if he continues as steady and smart as he is now the change in his appearance is wonderful I find him to be much more of man than I ever thought him to be Mr Hobart is still lecturing on the 10 hour system Please say to Fran that Julius Fitts Esq. [has] returned last friday and J.A. Johnson left about 3 weeks since for the Land of Gold our school will commence in one week you will see by the Worcester papers that there has been a great exitment for the last few weeks in this county about the Barre Burglars their trial is not completed I do not think of anything more to say now but will write you again in one fortnight and should be happy to hear from you whenever you can get time to write from your affectionate Brother Stephen Barton Jr. P.S. Mr. Whittiam & Mercy have gone to live with their Uncle Benjamin Fitts and take care of him or have him taken care of Andrew I dont know which Lewis Fitts' widow and children have sold out all their interest in the old home place and moved to the Plains please excuse this hasty scrawl and oblige meMiss C. H. Barton Bordentown New Jersey North Oxford Dec 12th 1853 Dear Sister your favour of the 4th though mailed the 10th is just viewed and read with much pleasure but not withought [without] great anxiety for your health and permit me again to beg of you to take the most affectual measure to recover your health as soon as posible Excessive labour is without a doubt the direct cause of your illness and rest & relaxation from business will probably be a good remedy Should be extremely happy to see you have if you could make it convenient to come I have but little news to tell you all things continue to move on here as usual Fathers health is quite good so are all our friends in [??atus] place I took dinner with sister S. last Thursday found them well - Irving is at school at Berling with Bing and [Chutds] and [god] minimum Mr Ben I think is doing well and will continue another time at Clinton The Col has gone to washington I suppose he did not call on youLivy has not been working in the mill for some weeks but talks of going in again soon Our Lyceum commenced operations under favourable circumstances last saturday evening have raised Paul Woods house have fine pleasant weather David things are moving on quietly David leaves in about two weeks for Boston where he expects to enjoy himself well I thank you for your good & reasonable advice relative to a dancing school in the New Hall but have not decided what we shall do about it There is no need of paying any postage on the letters which you send to me direct them to the Postmaster North Oxford and I shall be sure to get them the privelage of sending and receiving my letters free is all that I got for my trouble of attending to the Postoffice I dined with Jeremiah at the Central Hotel where he is now boarding he tells me that he thinks of changing his business in the spring Aunt Hannah says she has not yet recd any letter from you! The system of free schools in Bordentown is curiously and strangely assailed on every side and it cannot defend itself any better then to pursue an honourable and upright course and to deal justly and impartially with all sects and denominations for they all have a common right to expect that under a free and Republican government and I think if the friends of the system are governed by strict principles of justice & prudence that they need not fear the attacts of sectarian Bigots I do not think of anything more to say to you at this time so I will close this hasty scrawl after I have again admonished you to look well to your health and regard it as the chief of all blessings for you know that the sage Andrew W. told Mr Lyon that if he did not take care of his body that he could not of his soul your affectionate Brother StephenStephen Barton Jr P.M. FREE NOth Oxford Mass Dec 13 Miss C.H. Barton Bordentown New Jersey North Oxford Sunday Evening 18th Dec 1853 Dear Sister I am greatly concerned about your health and the longer I wait without hearing from you encreases my anxiety so I wish you to write at once and tell me how you do and what is the prospect of your getting well again I am thinking that it would be a good plan for you to come and spend a few weeks with Livy as she is out of the mill and would stay out if would come and make her a visit and I feel confident that with the care and attention and pleasant company that you would find here would soon restore you to your usual health at any rate let me hear from you as often as you can find time to write even a short letter All the people here are well and I have nothing new to tell you that I think would interest you I have received a letter from each of of sister's boys the past week Livy sends love to you & your affectionate Brother StephenLiving Parlour North Oxford 25 Dec 1853 Dear Sister This day brings the recollection continually before my mind of you and the way you spent your last Christmas and often have I made the enquiry of myself weather your health would admit of your enjoying the present as well as you did the past I have nothing new to tell you for we are all well and about as usual It has been a long time since I heard from you and you cannot imagine how acceptable a letter from you would be to all of us we do not expect to hear that your health is good or that you are soon able to be in your school but we want to hear from you at any rate and if you do not answer soon I shall have to do as Professor Ramsay did when he wrote to me know where you was I shall send you aspy of yesterday which will surprise you [I] think and I am sure that you will with me lament itYou will see also by the manuscript which I will also send you that a safe has been robbed at Jonesville suspicions as usual rest on the Larneds but not on Abijah but on Otis I can hardly tell why only that his name is Larned Some say that Otis is and has for a long time been quite intimate with Mr Jone's sons his oldes Sanford is a partner of Otis in Livery stable on the plains an his youngest Horace is the Bookkeeper for the Jones Mfg Co and has always had the care of the money + he to is represented as being an intimate friend of Otis and that Otis is often at Jonesville and some say suspect that they are confederate in this business but I know of no reason that any one has beyond what I have said these things are to me very unpleasant but I cannot help it In conclusion let me beg of you to write me as soon as you receive this and releve my anxiety about your health all send love and wish to be remembered from your affectionate Brother StephenStephen Barton Letter FREE North Oxford Mass Dec 26 Miss C.H. Barton Bordentown New JerseyNorth Oxford Jan. 16th 1854. My Dear Aunt I thought I would would write you a few lines. I study about the same things as I did when I last wrote Philosophy, Grammar Arithmetic are my principle studies We speak peaces and write compositions. If you have got any peaces I would like to have you send me some if you would. The people are all well I believe Father is getting logs into the mill yard and they have begun to run the saw mill night and day and I guess they will as long as there [?] enough We have had a great deal of snow here this winter but there came a thaw and carried away about all of it while the snow lasted we had first rate sleighing and I had one or two good rides. Uncle David has come [come] home to spend the Sabbath and returns to day Mr Roberts[?] continues to work for father and keeps stedy. I should like to have you write as soon as convenient. Please hand Franks letter to [?] which I will enclose with this. I will close for father to write a few lines as he said he wanted to. Good Bye S.R. BartonDear Sister Samuel has told you all the news of any importance so you will not expect much from me--but I thought I would write more if I had--but little to say I think Davids situation agrees with him for I think I have not seen him, look sullen for many years than he does at this time Father is quite well--and enjoys himself well-- Sister has been at Mr Childs the last week having millinery work done so I have learned for I did not see her I had a good letter from Irving the other day. I think he must be doing well at Berling this winter I hardly know what to tell you of our school some are dissatisfied with its progress and think it moves to slow. It may be so. I think it lacks interest and believe this is reasons for it The school is not classed as I would have it and the doctor is quite tenacious of his time leaving the school each day at 3 1/2 P.M. -- Forcibly giving 1/2 hour at noon so it seems he is in a great hurry to get his days work done with the home schollars item if possible are in question he is yr Stephen North Oxford Feb. 2d 1854 Dear Sister I saw a long history of your trials & perplexities which you sent to David or rather to me for him I will just tell you that I shall write you a long letter soon approving of the course you have taken as being independent propper and correct and meeting my entire approbation I suppose that you have done much to establish the system of free schools in the citty and in so doing have done an infinite amount of good to the rising generations if those schools can be sustained untill the true principles of free schools are understood by the people and I hope you will weigh candidly any course that would injure them for I feel certain that the Publick will be sure to do justice although it may come slow Do not misunderstand my meaning I do not recommend to you to make any pecuniary sacrifices to sustain it for it is not necessary but continue the straight forward, just, & independent system which you have commenced and I think that all will be rightDoctor Mason has left our school or rather our school has left him verry many of the more admired of his school had left in disgust some time before he did The energy of the school was gone from the labour saving plan which he adopted He had but few classes and what he had were large and contained the young beginner and more advanced and the class was not Alowd to go any further than they all understood it of course you will see and understand why thing are as they are I have hired a young man by the name of Wood from the Normal school he comes well recommended as a successful teacher I intend to have Martha [?] go in as his assistant it will commence on the 13th of this month David has been home sick with the mumps is now better and returned daybeforeyesterday father is sick and so are all our folks Esq Larned can not live long he has a tumor growing on the back side of his head and is crazy Col. Stephen Davis[?] has had an appoplectic fit and is probably not alive now Elezer Parks died this morning in springfield of the small pox his friend had just started to go to him Irving is going to Boston & Medway to day I had a letter from Ber he wants $50,00 which I suppose I must send him Irving is still at Berlin and doing well I think have not seen sister or Vest for some weeks I must now draw to a close for I can spend no more time now but will write you gain soon from your Brother Stephen P.S. If you can read this you will do better than I canStephen Barton Jr P.M. 1854 FREE NOth Oxford Feb 2 Miss C.H. Barton Bordentown New Jersey North Oxford Feb 21st 1854 Dear Sister Your favour of last sunday came to hand this day I saw the letter that Frank wrote to Samuel and thought there was something in the mind but did not really think you would come home to stay long I am sorry that things have taken such a turn in these publick schools and think that it must be unpleasant to you after you have done so much to help to establish them to feel that you cannot with propriety and respect to yourself continue to assist them but suppose you know best about that I am at a loss to know what you are about and why you are in Baltimore hope you will write soon and relieve my suspense The people are all in health David left to day for Boston I [showed] gave him your letter and have not seen him since let me hear from you as soon as you get this from your affectionate brother StephenLiving Parlour Feb. 24th 1854 Dear sister I am quite anxious to hear from you and so is father he inquires of me any time he sees me if I have heard from Clara I have to answer no two or three times each day when I know that my answers do not satisfy him David left soon after I gave him your letter (for he was in the Postoffice when it came in and there were many people there at that time so I read it to myself and passed it to him We have had quite a cold storm of snow and wind the weather has somewhat improved but the Thermometer was down to Zero this morning All the people are well as usual but Oliver Williams who has been sick at Mr Fitts with the fever and Ague is now a little better was at N. Oxford yesterday he told me that he saw you at Bordentown Mr Childs was at my place to enquire about his girl I found by inquiry of him that he knew just as much as I did so I could give him no information overI had a long letter from Col de Witt last Wednesday he said he should try to be in Oxford at the first of the month and some thought he should stop at Bordenton and see you Our new school is doing well teacher popular I think that I told you in one of my letters that I expected Martha Parr would take charge of the primary school--but it is not so I wrote to her and sent money to pay her fare and she wrote me that she would be at N. Oxford in season to begin our school but she did not come and Caroline went into the school for a few days when I got another letter from Martha telling me that she had concluded to go to school another term for her Brother would pay her tuition So Mr Wood (for that is our teachers name) hired a Miss Knowlton from Auburn who is now in the school I think I told you that Esq Larned was very sick but has unexpectedly to all got his lease of life extended I can not tell you how long but in all probability for no great length of time I have not fully decided that I will contract to build the Rockdale factory by the job this season for Labour and all material are uncomon high at this time and will be higher I think I am getting out all the timber for it by the thousand so [some one] he will be likely to build this season Mr Hobarts mission to Beaver Pa as a general Bookkeeper and special agent I think will end in gass and he begins to think so himself Our good Minister Mr Hodges will have to lease the tenement he now lives in (the Otis Larned house) for W.A. Fisher has bought it and intends to move into it sometime so sumner says but cannot say that I think so (that is that he will ever move there) Tenements in the settled part of N. Oxford are scarce this season but they are plenty of them taxes Livy wants to know what you are doing says she would like to join you and become a partner in your business that is if you need one I can not think of anything more to tell and I guess you will think if I had told less and wrote better it would suited you as well StephenNorth Oxford March 1st 1854 Dear Sister Your favor of the 27th Feb came duly to hand I assure you that it give me much pleasure to learn that you are healthy, wealthy and spunky and I will tell Father that you are well and that your health is dayly improving and I think that will pacify the old man I have not seen sister Sarah for some weeks had a letter from Ber the other day he was in good health will probably leave there at the close of this term Irving has come home but I have not seen him since he returned Vest says his boys must now go to some business when they can earn something I have not seen or heard from David Barni I first wrote you at Baltimore think he will be at home next saturday to attend March meeting which I think will be an interesting one on account of our system of schools relative to an act passed at the last Legislature to break up all little districts unless sustained by vote of the Town, Did I tell you that old merchant Hunsi has brook his thigh and Luthur Sparhunt's mother is dead and soone of Benjamin Stafford's children This has been a beautiful spring day although there is much ice now laying on the top of the ground but a few such days as this will move it to the river Oliver has gone to New Bedford and from thence he is going to Providence have not seen Jerry for some weeks but suppose he is in Worcester most of the time Otis is doing sound--quite smart more than half the folks think or pretend to that he knows about the Templeton affair Horace Jones is out on bail have never learned that they have found any evidence against him I think I never saw business more helthy than it is now, no one is permitted to be idle for a single day Paul Wendl's New house is nearly done it makes a fine appearance and Shows off to as good advantage as any house in the place I will now draw to a close for I suppose you will think that it is time. When you write me again tell me if you have seen the Col. I think I told you that he was coming home about this time Livy sends lots of love and thinks that your letter reads just like Clara yours truly Stephen Living Parlour March 5th 1854 Dear Sister Your favours of the first to Father and myself reached us yesterday for which I thank you not only on my own account but more on Fathers as it seemed to relieve and satisfy him that all is right and for the best. I hope you will continue to write as often as you can conveniently for I like to read your letters to Father for he listens and catches every word with so much satisfaction that I embrace the first opportunity on receiving a letter from you to carry it to him, David came home in excelent health last Thursday evening to remain well after town meeting I think that I never before saw him so fleshy I am drawn as a juror to attend the march term of the court at Worcester suppose that I shall have to stand it as I have not been on a jury before for ten years but I hardly know how to spare the time I have so much to do--but I shall come home each night when I can for I think father would be very lonesome to have all his children away from him I am thinking that we shall have a warm town meeting tomorrow but it will be short for it is the first on the Plurality system we have ever had so each time we vote will tell for there will probably be no tiesThe existence of the small school districts comes before the town under an act of the last Legislature which seems to interest all parties much Their advocates have great fears for them as they seem to know that they ought to have been demolished years ago The question before the Lyceum was brought forward by Albert Kelley who is going to speak in behalf of honesty and against deception it will be satun rebuking sin. It reads (Is deception justifiable in any case) I will tell you more about it some other time I would gladly write you a long letter if I could tell you any think that would interest you, Judge Barton is about selling his house and land--as far west as his barn to the old south church society to erect a new meetinghouse on he ask $25000, and will probably get it it is 1,00 per foot for the land and $2000, for the house Aunt Hannah says if he sells she shall come and spend her days in N. Oxford Old Mr Parmenter is dead and Abram is going to live on the farm and take care of his mother The oposition to the Nebrasky Bill is universal here all parties sects and conditions unite in condemning it as wicked and unjust beyond measure. If it passes as they generally expect it will I think the affect will be to make all Abolitionist at the North and they will scold and threaten for a time and then settle down as usual I saw Vest yesterday all well Irving at home did not know but he should let Ber stay at Clinton another term did not tell what he was going to do himself David may posibly go in trade at the first of Apr with Healy & S Taft but it is not certain I shall let them have The Post Office if they do for I can not afford to spend my time or hire one to see to it but think I shall retain the office myself to keep it from leaving this Village I expect Mr Hodges will have to move this spring for Fisher has bought The house he lives in some say he will come to N. Oxford to live himself but that is not certain Livey says if you are in [sher?] earnest[?] and she can be useful to you that she will come and see you but would not want to come unless she could be serviceable to you Poor Mr. Whittman is still with his uncle Ben getting an honest living and drunk every day and says he dont care a damn how quick God calls for him and I dont think any boddy beside him does so you see God is at liberty to take him just when he wants him The Baptists have a donation party at the residence of the Rev Mr Hodges on Tuesday the 14th inst inst..for the benefit of himself & family from your affectionate Brother StephenNorth Oxford Sunday Eve Mar 19th 1854 Dear sister I have recd your favour of the 12th came duly to hand I was quite happy to hear from you and was also glad to hear that your eastern friends were getting reconciled to their situation or yours I dont know which or in fact I dont know but it is both at any rate they will be more happy if they are contented and evry boddy else will be just as well They have kept their sorrow to themselves or at least I have heard but little from them on the subject, I have been for the last two weeks at Worcester as a juror have now done David is now at home, returns in the morning health good and so are all the people here We had a frightful gale here yesterday it blew one fourth part of roof off the Phoenix Factory there were 40 people mostly young Ladies in the upper room at The Time and no one was hurt, but all were terrible frightened for the big timbers and boards and mortar fell thick among them and I learn that the rush for the door was truly sublime and the getting down stairs was comical overAs soon as the wind abated all hand were at work to repair it have worked all of this Lords day shall raise the roof tomorrow and The Roofer will be here The next day loss near $500, will fall on Fisher While I was in Worcester I stopped one night with Parameter and one with Mary Bacon they and their families are well except measles I was going to see sister the next night but it was so dark and rained so hard and was so muddy that I gave it up for that night They had had a donation party at the house of The Rev Mr Hodges for his and families benefit collected more then $100, mostly from sinners that seldom go to meeting this was got up in contra-distinction to one that the church had last May when they collected $19, so you see that where sin abounds grace does much more abound I have had another letter from Bev he says he shall return about the first of Apr and wants some money to square his bills which I suppose I must send him some I have sometimes shown your letters to Mr Hodges he approves of your conduct and says that he would have done the same himself He say that those that do the hardest work generally get the least pay I saw Weston the other day did not tell what he is going to do but I think that he has decided Kelley's debate has come off he advocated truth and sincerity to the great amusement of all that know him Old Mr Dunbar followed him and sustained him most nobly by quoting from the scriptures and arrayed all the curses then to be found that would bear on deception I advocated the necessity of deception in some degree as connected with the nature and habits of mankind and that were qualified & fitted by it it to take the world as it comes and make the most of it Then I cited the great improvement that had been made in the blessing character of neighborhood that I could mention by coming in contrast with a keen specimen of humanity who gave their good lessons and got well paid for it by way of good bargains I told them that he could rejuvenate the old worn out horse, explain away all his blemishes even if he was blind and halt, and that the old and beastly oxen were always orderly young and hansome and if he could not return the old cow to youth that he could espouse the marks of age by scraping his horns and she was always farrow on things just as the buyer chose to want and that his skill was equally great in advancing the age the younger animals for with his veal calves a day was called a week and that could transmute the old Bull into good ox beef I said that his neighbors admired and imitated and had been known to rival those teachers but manifested gratitude for all that had been done for them and all that he would now get would be the conscientious satisfaction of knowing that he had done his dutyI further Kelley respond to the charge just as he would had his name been called to great amusement of all present was keen and witty in his replyes and kept good natured I alluded to the deception practiced by the Patriarchs and Bible men particularly of Moses directing the Isralites to borrow the gold jewels and raiment of the Egyptians and that the Lord made them willing to lend Mr Dunbar that the circumstances should be viewed in that light for the Egyptians owed the Isralites for 450 years work and that they were only taking their just due I thanked him for his lucid and clear ilustration of the scriptures and praised him for the ready answers and further told him that God himself recomended deception when all other means failed and that this was just what we had been trying to prove of course The question was given to us and Mr Dunbar and Kelley left in right good humour I have written much but it does not follow that you are obliged to read it for I do not really suppose you would if you could Livy's health is first rate is now writing his sister B.H. Brown our school is doing well soon have a high school--that will be free to all all send Love Stephen Living Parlour Sunday evening Apr 7th 1854 Dear sister I have been waiting for you to write to me for two weeks but hearing nothing from you I have concluded to write again for I know that you must naturly want to hear from me Fathers health is quite good. he says that he shall go on a visit to Millbury to see Esq Rufus as soon as David gets through at Boston which will probably be about the first of May but I suppose as they have raised their wages to $3,00 per day that they will not hurry much his health is quite good never saw him look better L[???]'s family are well she is going to the mill to work tomorrow morning I have commenced on the work at the Rockdale Mill do not know how much I shall do--but think of building a large damm and building a Factory in the course of the season Peter King is in company with me in the job I do not know what David is calculating to do when he returns it, Larned Esq is dead The town is much excited at this time about our district schools a party are determined to do away with the district system and are taking active measures to bring it about Mr Bardnell[?] is engaged in the good work and has called to our assistance the Mass boardof Education we had a splendid lecture from one of the board the other evening and made many converts among them was the Rev Benjamin Paine whose views are entirely changed who now advocates as strong as he was opposed it shall have another townmeeting in a few days think we shall succeed our school under the management of the Normal Teachers is what a school should be The discipline and regulations are first rate and satisfactory to the district & town committee which by the way is headed by M Bardnoll to the great joy of all friends of Education I shall send you in a few days the copies of the Flag of our Union forwarded to me by Brother containing a story of Ivan the Serf in the Rusian Circassian which David and L[???] & I are reading with much interest & David thinks it will interest you I suppose that you hear from Mr Childs family often I saw Ann at the school Lecture last Wednesday evening she said that she had just got a letter from Fran and that you now both well Col de Witt is at his Baronial mansion sick with the Rheumatic Fever confined to his bed and not able to receive company he wonders that you have not made yourself known to him will be likely to find you if you are there wen he returnes I spent four hours at [V?] the other day he has gone in to trade in New Worcester as you will see by a paper that I shall send you sister gave me the whole history of her correspondence with you which I listened to with much interest for I had previously learned by your letter that you was not quite pleased with every body but had not known [the] the particulars before When she read the whole correspondence to me I actually felt proud of my sisters not particularly that you had each of you misconstrued the others meaning and got a little excited but the keen sarcastic reproof that each gave the other was to me quite amusing seeing as I did that the strongest love and friendship was with each the chief motive Bev is at home & Irving has been at work in the Telegraph office with Williams for 1 1/2 days and quit on account of the hard work Oliver is sick at Warwick R.I. with the Fever & Ague where he has been confined for some weeks hopes soon to be able to go to Providence saw a letter that attemped to with D Verter enquiring to know where you was he will be at W[????]'s again as soon as he is able I think that I have not written since I was on the Jury in Worcester court Otis has moved in to the Hotel againI will tell you a little silly story about that old sanctified Lady Miss Mary Turner as I heard it confidentially from Mr Judge Barton It seems that Miss Mary has been teaching Daniel Moulton's boys who were expelled from the citty schools for bad behaviour the first winter while their father who is a regular sot has been at work at the diferent grogeries selling liquor intill he got complained of and fined and put under bonds and had to quit it As Miss Mary in discharging her duty to God or the Devil I dont know which found it necessary to speak freely of the said Daniels character which Daniel & family did not take kindly and Miss Mary found it necessary to seek a new home quickly which she found in a house of doubtful character to which she removed her bed and furniture when she came to Oxford to see her friends and set right the characters of the wicked Aunt Cynthy on learning where Miss Mary had located herself said that [?] she would never associate with Miss Turner but she would write and warn her of plan she was going to Lucy would Miss Turner do like that? your affectionate Brother Stephen North Oxford Thursday evening Apr. 13th 1854 Dear sister Your very welcome letter came to hand this day, as I wrote you at some length last Sunday of course will not suppose that I can have much to say so soon except that we are all well and that I have spent one hour with Col de Witt this evening his health is much improved was sitting in his Parlour, looks quite feeble for him says he is gaining as fast as can be expected is beginning to have the use of his Limbs of which he has been deprived I do not think that he will be at Washington sooner then the first day of May I am now at work with 20 men inbuilding the Rockdale Mill the Col sends his respect to All Truly your brother Stephen Stephen Barton Jr P.M. True American Daily Trenton N.J. April 15th 54 [American Banner] David Naar Ed & Pub FREE Miss C.H. Barton Washington D.C. North Oxford April 24/54 Dear Sister Your favour of the 15th was duly recd and I think I sent you a brief answer we are not without much anxiety about your eye nor does your favourable description of it entirely remove our fears but all that can be done is to be careful--of it I am happy to be able to tell you that the Cols health is much improved and they may expect him back to Washington in a week or two if he continues to improve. I conversation with President White the other day he said that he told Mrs de Witt that the Col's sickness was not unexpected to him for he expected as much as that when he heard that he was passing himself of at Washington for a Batchelor All the people here are well as could be expected in such cold snowy weather The Oxford Hotel was burned entirely up las friday afternoon it was owned by Emory Sanford and Otis Larned who wer well insuredA small piece of my Tarkill[?] damm went out last Friday quite unexpected will cost me $100, to repair it We are at work at the Rockdale Mill when the wether will admit Livy says that you prescribed for her eye when it was sore and cured it by giving a Labelid Emetic and thinks that the same prescription would be of service to you and wishes that she could request the favour by administering one to you Father commences planting his Garden some time since and stuck to it until he was driven from it by the snow but I think that he is not discouraged for he will surely go about it again when the snow is gone I expect that David will remain in Boston two or three weeks longer he comes home once a week and stays about three days his health is first rate I think I never saw him so fleshy before. I told you in one of my letters that I should send you the tale of Ivan the Serfe but I have concluded not send for I think it would do your eyes no good to try to send it Sister's family are all well I saw Ber Saturday he said he was going back to Clinton again and Irving was in the Store and had the care of New Worcester Postoffice great business that for him I have sent our post office to the N.O. Store and Samuel Healy is my assistant and hope that you will write none the less for that Otis Larned and family are now at his mothers dont know what he thinks of doing he hurt himself at the time of the fire but will probably recover in a few days I think that I have told you about all that I know and more perhaps than you will want to spend time to read so I will draw to a close and remain you affectionate Brother Stephen All send lots of LoveNorth Oxford May 3d 1854 Dear Sister We have been reading the Trenton paper containing the Bordentown correspondence and have all come to the conclusion that you took a prudent course with the Bordentown school - and left it at just the right time I think it will be a long time before they can have a feaceable publick school and they had better have none there to have any other To tell the truth about it I felt bad to have you abandon those schools for I know that you had laboured long and hard to establish them and would not leave them so long as you could be servicable to them for our sort of folks always persevere I send that paper this morning to J.S. at Grafton he will read and hand it to Bernard as he has not gone to Clinton as he told me and I think I wrote you David has got through at Boston Father has a lameness in the same foot that used to be lame it rains near all the time your affectionate brother Stephenthe Col is slowly improving will be back as soon as he is able David says that he wrote you and sent you a paper but has heard nothing from you since he thinks it is because his letter did not reach you he wished me to mention it to you and say that he should be happy to have you write him and Father often asks when I suppose that Clara will be at home and we should all be glad to see you I do not think that you ought to require of us to come to Washington as we are all so busy here and have families to look after as you can come and see us all with one journey but should have to make many to see you Please write as often as convenient North Oxford Sunday Evening May 14th 1854 Dear Sister Hearing nothing from you for the last two months we begin to be concerned about you Livy says that she is sure that your eyes are worse and she fears that they are so bad that you cannot write I hope you will write soon and relieve us I have but little news to tell you for I been at home for most of the time since I wrote you and I make no discoveries among my French and Irish that can interest you Fathers health is quite good he is in his garden most of the time David and family are well he is farming Lizzy works in the Mill evening 8 per day and Jacob [?] work on the [farms?] Jacob has bought the N Oxford Depo will have possession the first of Sept S.B. has been farming for the last week will go to school again tomorrow I have about 20 men at work for me at Rockdale I have not heard from sister since I wrote you and do not know wether Ber has gone to Clinton or notMr Hobart has returned from Beaver wether he is going with all his family in about two weeks he says that is a kind of general Agent for the company he talks of talking Bill Fosgate and [?] Wetherell with him if he does and keeps them the community here will have abundant reason to respect him and possibly may send him a gold handed cane Otis Larned is building a house on the road nearly oposite Jacob wood house do not know wether he intends to live in it himself or not S.S. Taft is preparing to put him a house on a piece of land which he bought of Mr Moulton in the corner near the North Oxford store he is not yet married It has rained here more than half of the time for the last three weeks The spring work is much behind but vegetation is usually forward the Apple trees are just beginning to leave out and peach trees are not yet full in the blossom I have not seen Jerry for [previous?] two weeks he told me then that he thought of going south or west in about a fortnight I wish you to tell me when you think of coming east again for we should be all very glad to see you I have often told you of the reforms that the people of Oxford propose to make respecting our schools but I now assure you that most of the rich men on the plains intend to do nothing but to stave off a fine that they are liable to pay if any one should take it in his head to indict them Some two weeks since the town voted to abolish the district system and establish a town system and to make all the preparation to carry it in to affect on the 4th day of next month The committee consist of 10-- from all parts of the town but I have no faith to believe that they will accomplish anything from your affectionate Brother StephenStephen Barton Jr P.M. 1854 FREE NOth OXFORD MASS Miss C.H. Barton Washington D.C. North Oxford June 12th 1854 Dear Sister I must make an apology to you for neglecting to answer your business letter but I assure you that I have not seen the Col since his return from Washington untill today when he called on me at my place although I have sought him at home and in Worcester but could not find him and he came and saw me he says he shall return to Washington soon I have seen the Judge but once since his return and then but a few moments I read Mr [?] speech yesterday with much interest All the people here are well and busy I will ask father about his peas and lettuce when I see him I believe the Judge & Aunt Hannah have planed a great time at Fathers on the fourth of July Father is to be President Aunt to be Vice President and the Judge to be Orator and are to sit round a small table David & I & families are to sit in a circle around them and others in a circle back of us should not you like to see us I have not seen or heard from sister or family since I wrote you I recd your letter by the Col today and also one from the office I would just say that all me letters come free wether franked or not I also recd the Registers and will send them to FatherOtis is again in the Lintons[?] Indicted and under $10,000 Bond to appear and answer to a charge of Embesslement in connection with D.W. Jones and his son Horace of Templeton but I know nothing of the merits of the case and can tell nothing about it of course I am busy with my men on the big damm and Factory think of getting through about the first of Aug We should be very glad to see you or even to hear that you some time think of returning home again our school closes its first term next saturday when our present excelent teacher will leave Martha Parr has returned from Maine I can think of nothing more to write and so will draw to a close and send you lots of Love Stephen P.S. Livy is yet in the Mill tends Looms and is quite healthy Mr Hobart & family have gone but [?] has not North Oxford July 2d 1854 Dear Sister I have not written you for some weeks for the reason that I have had no news to tell you that I thought would interest you I recd your letter by the hand of the Col and have see the Judge by once since his return but I am doing a heavy job at the Rockdale shall compleat it by the first of Aug Our school is disorganised and broaken up and we have our children running in the streets doing no good I assure you how long the district will have patience with Silas I cannot tell but hope soon to see a call for a meeting to start a school Taft I think is waiting for Emily Rice & R[?] Hunse[?] to finish the scool that they are now teaching to put them in to our school foolishly thinking that they can keep it you must naturly suppose that his scheme has no friends but himself andis very unpleasant to me to see as good a school as was ever in Oxford broaken up by such supreme ignorance and folly and such a contemptable and silly substitute offered us in its stead but enough of this. We are all expecting the Judge on the fourth and should by quite happy if you could make one of the number It would not be strange if Mr Hodges should leave N. Oxford The church are dissatisfied with him and say that the worlds[?] people do not like him and they think that they must try to suit him I tell them to remember the old man who tried to please evry boddy Father has a beautiful garden as usual and enjoys himself much in taking care of it Aunt Hannah has been at N. Oxford for some weeks all our folks are usually well I will send you a Spy to let you see the local news much better than I can tell it I have not heard from sister Vassall for two months but shall go and see them as soon as I can get time S.R.R. is farming a little when he cant help during the long Vacation Lizzy[?] is still in the Mill says she shall celebrate the 4th some where but has not yet made up her mind where All will be sad and gloomy in N. Oxford on that day for we have no school to meet with us as formerly and nothing will be done H.J. Pickett has left my work and is again loafing about He prevailed on me to become responsible for the rent of his place to keep the officers from turning him and family out of doors--of course it is a hard and unpleasant operation for me but I must make the best of it I hate to tell you of this for I know that it will be unpleasant for you Mrs King she that was Ann McIntire is dead and so is James Davis the brother of John Mrs Wellingon is married to Salem Larned God have mercy on him I have not been on the plains since the Col left and know nothing what is going on there The Batteys have been Indicted and combined on I can not tell you how many times for selling strong drink They are subdued and under heavy bonds and beging for mercy and an addition will shortly be made to the Catecise of who was the most persecuted man The Answer will be Lafayette BatteyLivy reminds me to tell you that Bourroughs Gorton called on her a few days since and enquired for you and said that they had heard that you was married and lived in the city of Washington and wanted to know your address for Theodore wanted to write you he said that Mary L. Jones had gone to some medical institution at Saratoga Springs to be cured and all have much faith in the remedy Please give my respects to my good friend the Col and tell him that D.W. Jones has not yet been arrested but has sent word to the district attorney that he does not intend to be but is willing to come forward and give himself up if they will give him a seperate trial from you affectionate Brother S Barton Jr North Oxford Sunday Evening July 23d 1854 Dear Sister Your favour of the 13th was duly recd I went and showed the Col and thanked him as well as I could for his generous kindness to you and myself and evry boddy beside As for the little Editor you speak of I suppose you mean the gentleman who called on me with Ann Childs but I was so busy just at that time that I had no time to see him then but should have been pleased if he would have stoped and taken dinner with me when I could have talked with him but I must say that I liked his appearance much but he was much agitated just then I think I shall finish my contracts in about one week and do not know what I shall go about then I have not seen sister Sarah for three months but heard bad news from them last night Vesters partner in business has deceived and carried off all the available funds and left him behind with the business and liabilities but I am in hopes to hear that things are not so bad as representedOtis lives on the plains in the old cash store and keeps a large livery stable there and another in Southbridge and is building a cottage opposite Mr Dunbar he appears to be in good spirits Mrs Larned is in good health I have not seen Mrs Fitts for six months but think her health is quite as good as could be expected I have not heard from Miss Turner since she left I will now tell you something about our fourth of July The Judge came over in the morning and Aunt had come a fortnight before to make the arrangements which she did to the entire satisfaction of the whole company Father took charge of the potable part of the ceremonies and Aunt and [?] of the Edible The Judge began his address to Father by telling him that all he had against him was his being born under a monarchial government and what made the sin the greater was for being born under that imbecile old Tyrant George the 3d he told him that he should have been born under a Republican government like himself and mother As the Judge decided to hold his independence in North Oxford at the time when the city government decided to toll the bells of the city on that day and mourn for Nebraska and Burns He commenced the oration by reading an article in the Boston Journal which I presume he wrote himself on that occasion, and which paper I will send you (I have just been to David's to get that paper but it is misslaid or destroyed for which I am sorry but will try to get one and send you) for the remaining ceremonies and toasts will not be well understood without that paper but as that alluded to ringing of the bells at the time that the declaration of Independence was delivered at Indpendence Hall in Philadelphia which perhaps you may have read, and the opinions of the great and good on that point and particularly his news of the folly of tolling the bells and mourning on the 4th of July on any occasion The sentiment which he addressed to Father was that he might live to hear the Bells ring on the 4th of July for 1000 years after evry Slave is told out of the union he compliment Aunt for the silence overof the arrangements and July on the good dinner David on his wisdom and sagacity in his vote on the Maine Law and the Hoosic Tunnel after which the Egg-Pop was all gone when he bethought himself that you had not been toasted but said that it should be done even if the EggPop was gone His precise words have sliped my memory but there meaning was something like this May Clara continue to write and fix speeches for the members of Congress while she knows more than half of them and is more honest then any of them I think you will be glad that I have done with this tedious description Reason has resumed her sway again with Pickett and he has come back to work and sends his respects to you and so does evryone that knows you The large Barn at Abisha Larned's place was struck with Lightning and burned last evening all the people are in good health and heartily congratulate you for the success and prosperity that always goes with well directed energy and persistence from you affectionate Brother Stephen Livy says she wants to see you and if you do not come and see her she may come and see youNorth Oxford Oct 1 1854 Dear Sister It has been two or three weeks since I wrote you I have been to Newbury Port to attend to that suit with the Bowditch Co P.C. Bacon & B.D. Hyde went with me as Council, and R.W. Adams (formerly of the American Temperance House Worcester) and S. L. Chase Esq of Ohio as witnesses His Excelency Gov G.N. Briggs was the Judge on the Bench and Otis P. Lord the speaker of the house of Representatives was council for the Company so you will see that we had a dignified trial and the Cost amts to more than the claim and the case has gone to the Supreme Court on exceptions I tell you Clara that this L[???]ng may introduce a man into high company but after all it is not so pleasant as some think it is I was in Worcester yesterday and learned that Vester was better but I do not think that he will get entirely well verry quick Father's health is quite good he has been toThe cattle show and horse fair two days and enjoyed himself well all the people here are in good health and busy I will send you a paper by which you can learn more of business here then I could tell you I think I told you in my last that Silas Turner was dead and his Widow and two of his daughters are sick with the Typhoid fever recovery reported doubtfull Loring Learned is not improving. The Col's health was never better. H.J. Pickett is so disipated that I can not trust him from house with my team when he can get Liquor[?] I is if no use for me to try to keep him longer I can not but think of Otis situation for the Court is now in session that will try his case but he minds nothing about it was at the horse race yesterday and drove one of his horses and won nothing L.C. Parker[?] has come back to take the charge of the red mill much to the joy of the neighbors We have had but little rain here for sometime to raise the streams Our friend Joseph Woodbury has invented a machine to dress stone which good judges think will surpass evrything of the kind that was ever invented he constructed a small machine some weeks since and fully satisfied himself and others that saw it that it was a practical invention far exceeding their most sanguine expectations Its simplicity and originality will be a novelty that can not fail to amuse you in short you will think it is Woodbury himself He told me that he had been offered $20,000 for the invention as it was - I told him that he ought to secure his patent at once I think he will secure it when the Col. comes to Washington if not sooner I trust that it will not be a work of much time for him to do it his extreme diffidence is all that deters him. He is now a man of good temperate habits and industrious to a fault I wish you to write and let me know what will be his best course to secure it Livy want to know if you ride horse back anyStephen Barton Jr P.M. FREE Miss C.H. Barton Washington D.C. North Oxford Mass Oct 2 North Oxford Tuesday Eve 10th Oct Dear Sister You favour of the 4th reached me last Friday went to see Mr Woodbury Sunday Evening and read that part of it to him that related to his patent business Think he will take immediate measures to secure it he has no draft or moddle I saw Wm Dickinson Esq of Worcester he told me that he would render him all the assistance he could free of charge to him I this [?] recd your patent directions which I forwarded to him by mail I shall continue to see to him until he receives his patent as the prospect is good for him to do it to advantage to himself I am going to Salem tomorrow to close and compromise by suit pending there Sarah Turner is dead buried tomorrow four others in the family are sick recovery doubtfullAunt Hannah is out on a visit has been to day to see Lizzy Larned found her very low and down spirited thinks that the medicine that she takes does not help her has asked her doctor (Bates of Worcester) to give her a Lobelia Emetic which he will not do She has been wishing for a long time that you was here to give her one I saw Capt H.M. Paine to day he said that Vester was better he is going to Washington next week will call on you The Judge was at Vester Sunday found him better think they are getting along well with their business says Ber is a good srewd manager Charles Fuller the Carpenter on the Plains has failed for 15,000 dollars--not much to pay with I am glad to think that he owes Dan Tucker some $2000, but sorry to think that he owes old Mr Turner[?] $800, can not tell what course his creditors will take Livy thinks that horseback riding in Washington is expensive Ada & Ida have lately commenced riding horseback they ride finely Ada has been in the village this evening with her long dress and attracted much attention The district attorney has put the trial of Otis & Jones over to Jan. court because they were not ready to try them, Rufus Choat was expected in Worcester tomorrow to defend them Otis thinks it not right to bring such a charge against him and then to defer his trial and keeping subject to a bail of $20,000 The Col's health was never better his reelection is considered certain Yes I did receive your description of the patent building think it must be a strong looking edifice will come and see it this winter if I can make it convenient Emory Hobart has been enquiring of S.R.B. how to direct a letter to you Hobart is at Brighton Beaver County Penn Father and Uncle Jo are busy just now in husking the corn which will complete their harvesting J.L. Stone has moved to Clinton Mass and taken a large boarding house Old Mr Dunbar has been to Scotland the summer will return in a few days in the Clipper ship New World C.D. Bowmans wife died yester buried tomorrow he is disipated and fit for nothing I have written in such hast that I am not sure that you can read it from you affectionate Brother StephenStephen Barton Jr P.M. NOth OXFORD Mass Oct 11 Miss C.H. Barton Washington D.C. North Oxford Oct 29th 1854 Dear Sister It has been some days since I have heard from you and feel a little anxiety to know how you do or where you be for the Col. enquired of me some days since if you was at Washington for he said he had visited you on some business and had not heard from you knowing you to be prompt in all matters of business and thinking you would be especially so to him I have been afraid that I should that you was sick. David was at Vester's Thursday last they not having heard from you for a week or two rather increased my anxiety Father is quite well so is David & family Vester is slowly improving Aunt Hannah has been quite sick is now a little better but not able to sit up Livy and family are well Silas Turner's family are recovering I think I wrote of the death of Sarah TurnerPeter C. Bacon has been confined to his bed ever since he returned from Newburyport with me saw him last friday he is not improving hardly know what they term his disease if flies all over his system from his feet to his head Our school is doing well have 125 scholars in attendence in both schools--Mr Parks finds himself much at home in N. Oxford Mr Daniel Horey has sold his Farm to a Mr. Cummings of Auburn for $1800, leaves in the Spring Business is quite dull but little doing beside finshing the jobs that were begun early in the season Old Mr Parks is quite sick with a fever recovery doubtfull Lizzy[?] Larned I learn is slowly improving but have heard nothing officially and it may not be true The Col you will see by the papers is happy in his Political prospects for he is the Candidate for all political parties that are antinebraska and the Know Nothings beside Charles Fuller s failure turns out to be a miserable affair will try to pay 10 cents on a dollar Have had but little rain for a long time wells and streams are getting low but my factories are in full operation and will be for some weeks even if we have no rain Thomas Applebee has sold his farm to two Irishmen perhaps he has made a good Change for the neighborhood Old Mr Allen Stafford has snaped off his place near the school house with Jerrus and Sumner Sparhawk on the Reubin Adams place they are now moving their families I think of nothing that will interest you and will close by requesting you to write as often as you can find time StephenStephen Barton Jr P.M 1854 North Oxford Mass Oct 30 Miss C.H.. Barton Washington D.C. North Oxford Nov 19th 1854 Dear Sister I thought I would tell you the news and let you know what is going on in the Know Nothing community Fathers health is good is about selling a wood lot of course he is busy I saw sister & Vesterr & Ber yesterday on the street in Worcester of course they were all tolerable well Vest is heavier then he was before he was sick Irving is going to school this winter Aunt Hannahs health is good again David & Jacob & my families are all well Mrs Turner's family continue to be affected with sickness one of the girls is not expected to live through the night I think her name is Jane Samuel Healey & Taft have sold their interest in the Store at N. Oxford to E.M. Smith the same man who owned or run the Pigtail at the time it was burned he will move in to his house and the Minister must leave it but I do not see where he [move] can go toThe Col told me that he should leave Oxford for Washington the day after Thanksgiving so as to be there on Monday You said something in your last about coming home to have some dresses made we should all be extremely happy to see you Lizzy says she wants some made to and would be so glad to see you that I think she would stop her looms a whole week if you would come Ann Lyceum is again in opposition Ann school - is now having a vacation of 2 1/2 weeks - after a term of 13 weeks average attendance 99- Mr. Burdnell says it is the best school he ever visited in Oxford I hope you won't take any offence at this remark for there is a much better chance to make it a good school now then there was when you used to teach it I can not tell you much about Lizzy Learned for we do not often hear from him only some favored friend should call on them and by chance be admitted to see him but rather expect that she is gradually improving Elenor Boomen is dead he died in Palmer of a fever was buried in Chartion The Windham County Bank at Brooklin was robbed last Friday night of $45000, dollars so says report have seen nothing of it in the papers I will tell you that I had all my law questions settled a week since and commenced another yesterday for the recovery of the loss of the Hobart Mill this is an action of Fraud We have had about ten days of rainy wether the ponds and woods are all filled with water The town voted to our school $172., as an equivalent in part for what our District had been cheated out of by unjust divisions of the school money for the two last years the Col was on the committee that awarded it us for it was by his influence that we were enabled to get it Lizzy sends lots of love and so do I --- StephenStephen Barton Jr P.M. Miss C.H. Barton Washington D.C. NOth OXFORD Mass Nov 20 North Oxford Nov 27th 1854 Dear sister As Sunday evening comes round I think I must write to you so if I fail to interest you let this be my excuse The health of all our people is good, business of all kinds quite dull, and money scarce. have had heavy rains for the last week and one snowstorm which went off the same day with rain. Mary Jane Turner was buried to day funeral from the Baptist meeting house which was filled with an attentive and sorrowing audience. The sympathy of the community is greatly moved towards this afflicted family The oldest boy is not expected to survive the week out I have not seen or heard from sister Vassall or family since I wrote you E.M. Smith has the N.O. store to himself S Healey will return as soon as he can close up his affairs.Worsley & Pickett will probably have to leave their house this week for I understand that Hosea Grover has bought and will let Mr Hodges move in to it as Mr Smith wants to move in to his own house. Charles Wallis Jon Pope George Holman & James Campbell are attending Eaton's Academy at Worcester pass over the N.&W R.R. each day on a season ticket at a cost of $6,00 pr quarter Our school will commence the monday after Thanksgiving under most flatering prospects for a good school-- The Lyceum is in Blast discussing the most abstruse and dificult Questions and making them appear as plain as mud Is the present Credit system beneficial? was the Question last evening. decided in the negative A large Singingschool hold their meeting in the Hall sundy evenings I believe you have never seen our Hall--which I should be pleased to show you. Irving Larned I hope is getting better but cannot tell you certain I have not seen the Col. since I wrote you he has been in Boston most of the time for the last week. expect he will leave next Fridy for Washington. I will send you the Weekly Transcript which will give you something of an idea of the ]?] Pickets which will [will] appear to be about as silly an affair as could reasonably been put in motion by ignorance and zeal. Mr Nathaniel Akin Vial was married to Miss Sarah Shippy both of North Oxford. old Mr Vial has moved back to N. Oxford It is getting late and I am all alone and the room cold and I think I will draw to a close hoping you will write as often as convenient I cannot begin to tell you half that wish to be remembered to you so I may as well say that all do & Livy in particular from your affectionate brother StephenStephen Barton Jr P.M. Miss C. H. Barton Washington D.C. N. Oxford Sunday Evening Dec 10th 1854 Dear Sister This is the third or fourth time I have written since I have heard from you and I suppose that should continue to write until I do. The people here are usually well Fathers health is quite good so are all the rest of us, Sister Vassall and Vester was at Oxford last week his health is good. Business of all kinds is unusually dull and a plenty of labourers out of work the cotton factories in Oxford are running as usual but the woolen mills here and in Clappville are running short time. The shoe business on the plains is much reduced. Mr Hodges I think will leave N Oxford in the spring he is now breaking up keeping house his family are going to live with his Father in [?]. His reason for moving now is because he is obliged to leave his tenement to make room for Mr Smith who is now ready to move in. I hate to have him move out of the village.Our school is doing well has more large -schollars- in it this term then ever before. Livy asks if I suppose you will come and see us at Christmas I can only say that I hope you will but am afraid that you will not. The Col told me that he thought of spending the hollydays in Mass if he comes could you not come on with him without discommoding your business for it has now been more than a year since any of us have seen you I suppose you think that we could come and see you but you know that it would not be so economical for all of us to go to see you as it would be for you to come and see us and that is something of an item these times. I have just written a letter to George Hobart Esq at Brighton Beaver County Penn to tell him what we are doing here and to request him to be present at the March Court to testify in relation to insurance on the old Rockdale Mill for I fondly hope when this case is disposed of to be out of the [?] Mrs Turners family have not yet recovered so as to be out of danger. Old Mr [?] is not expected to live through the night his health has been poor for some months We have now 18 inches of snow on the ground and have had a few days of good sleighing but do not expect to have any more this snow for it is now raining and a south wind. I am cutting off a timber lot in Leicester should finish in two weeks if the wether had proved favourable David is preparing to draw wood from the lot I [?] in my last I will send you a Worcester Transcript which will give the local news better than I can tell you. We had an interesting debate in our Lyceum las evening the Questions are the Allies justified in going to war with Russia decided in the affirmative contrary to my opinion or argument I do not suppose that these letters of mine can be verry interesting to you but I assure you that one from you will interest us. from your affectionate Brother StephenStephen Barton Jr P.M. Miss C. H. Barton Washington D.C. North Oxford Sunday evening Dec 31 /54 Dear Sister Your verry welcome letter of various dates was duly received last Monday I assure you I was glad to get it notwithstanding the Col had releaved our anxiety that we were beginning to feel on your account in the long intervals between your letters I sometimes thought you was sick Livy said you would be here at Christmas but it seems that we neither of us guessed right. All our people are well but Irving Vassall who I understand has a slight fever or a bad cold The Col is here yet but will return this week neither cold sleighing good but cannot last long if the wether becomes warm Livy has just returned from a visit to Whitinsville of one day Professor Bushee lectured before the Lyceum last evening on Philosophy used the school apparatus will probably lecture again soon I do not write because I have ennything new to tell you but simply because I am in the habit of it and like to write to you Did I ever tell you that Amasa Eddy is to be called before the church next Saturday a 2 P.M. to answer to a grave charge of stealing corn on the [?] from Deacon Samuel Jennison will tell more in my letter next Sunday evening overThe church is in a great commotion about it and are down on him the hardest kind they say that this can be no doubt of his guilt I pity the poor old fool from the bottom of my heart and really hope that he may be dealt mercyfully with and suffered to return his standing in the church with a repremand for I do not know what would become of him if he should loose the [?] power of the church over him with his strong appetites and dishonest propensities and so little reason to keep him right. The Know nothing Legislature come together next Wednesday and no boddy seems to know or care what they do I have not seen any of M. Childs folks for the last four weeks or scarce been on the plains in that time All send lots of love from your Affect Brother StephenClara Barton Family Papers Barton, Stephen, Jr. Correspondence Jam. 1855-Feb. 1865North Oxford Jan 11 1855 Dear Sister I hasten to forward the enclosed letter and let you know that we are all well and no news since Miss Childs left and I suppose she has told you before this time whatever has happened here that could interest you I have not heard from Sister Vassall's family for a number of days was at the Judges yesterday Aunt was not quite as well as usual had probably taken a slight cold but Father I think is quite as well as he has been for many years is in the village nearly every day S. R. B. has shot a large owl and sold it and yester after a great effort succeeded in capturing alive and unharmed a large Grey Squirrel and has him safly secured in an iron cage I presume you will have the satisfaction of seeing the varmint and hearing a verbal discription of the Generalship in the capture from your affectionate brother Stephen PS. O. C. Williams was in Oxford last Tuesday North Oxford 17th of Jan 1855 Dear Sister Livy says that your correspondents think it is time that you should be in North Oxford if she could judge by their directing your letter and further she has been thinking of the same thing herself It seems a long time since we have seen you but we live in hopes of again seeing you and hope it will not be defered longer then the coming spring the Col thought you would come then I have received several papers of late from Washington for which I thank you or some one for I am not quite certain that you sent them I have sometimes been sorry that Father did not go and join the Old Veterans on the 8th of Jan he would have enjoyed it so well We are all in health and no other news since I last wrote you You will recollect that I told you last spring that Hobart was going to take Wm R. F[?] to the west with him but he did not do it then but he has since deserted his bondsman (Otis Larned) who was bound for $200, for his appearance and hasgone to Brighton wether Otis is now in pursuit of him with authority from the court to arrest and bring him back to Justice Otis is highly indignant at his ingratitude and treachery and swore he would bring him back in Irons if it cost him as much as the Amt of the bonds He left last monday and must be gone two weeks at least I do not know that I can blame Otis much but if he succeeds I shall always consider it the meanest thing he ever did and the most to be deplored by the the people of this vicinity for after he has served his 6 or 8 months in prison he will not be likely to start again inless he is hunted off by stern old Justice and his contaminating influence with us for a long time if not for life Livy sends her love-- Your affectionate Brother Stephen Sunday Eve Jan 28th 1855 Dear Sister When I last wrote I think I told you that W. R. Toskett had badly deserted his bondsmen (Otis Larned) and it was suspected that he had gone to Brighton Penn to see his friend Geo Hobart. Otis went there and found him and brought him back and gave him up to the court and saved the amt of his bonds which was $218. Otis says Hobart has a small old factory their and is trying to make bags. Otis got there a 7 P.M. and left a 11 P.M. same evening did not stop long was gone but four days Please say to the Col that the school is doing first rate is full of large schollars who are doing well That malicious suit that was brought against Mr Wood was thrown out of court by the District Attorney without trial or one cent of cost to Mr Wood Lucius Parks died last Monday after being sick just one week with lung fever. He has been quite healthy for some years untill his last sickness which originated in a severe cold which he took two weeks ago last nightI have no news to tell you for I believe all our folks are well and busy Business dull and prices of livables high and Labour is plenty Livy continues to weave in the old Mill and Jacob tends the Depo. The Rev. J.N. Hobart has preached here to day by way of exchange with Mr Hodges may settle again in N Oxford I understand that he will come for $600, a year and some of the people are making an effort to raise it The wether has been verry changable first a snow + then a rain with occasional extremes of heat and cold for the season I think I will draw to a close as I can think of nothing that will interest you from your affectionate Brother Stephen N. Oxford Sunday eve 4th Feb 1855 Dear Sister Your very kind letter reached me on Wednesday was pleased to receive it for it seemed a long time since I had heard from you I will tell you that after we have waited some 3 or 4 weeks for one of your letters, we all begin to feel uneasy about you and Father enquires evry time he meets me (if it is two or three times in a day) if I hear anything from Clara I am sure that we prise such a letter when we get it more then we should a half dozen had you written us so many in the same time I do not mention this to have you defer writing as often as you do but to show how the scarcity of all necessary things inhances their Value I have not seen or heard from sister Vassall since monday night and suppose that she is recovering as they told me that they would write if she grew worse I received a Valuable Agricultural Report from the Patent Office franked by Ed Everett but do not know who to thank for itOne of my workmen tells me that he saw the Col in the carrs last Thursday evening but I have not seen him yet for I was away from home but once last week I have been trying to have Livy come to Washington and come home with you in March she says she will come if Jacob will come with her and you will promise to return with them Father health is quite good is often in the village and enjoys himself well Is growing more and more deaf and I think you would notice that he has grown old in his appearance faster then ever before I have not been on the plains for near two months and know but little that is going on their All the people in Oxford are well and no news beyond what you will find in the Transcript which I will send you. Our school is doing well and is well attended and is appreciated by a verry large majority of the inhabitants notwithstanding Silas Taft & Co have done all they could to break it up and make it unpleasant for the the teachers and unprofitable for the schollars but the school is triumphant and he is disgraced Business is dull but little doing all expecting an improvement in the spring Archibald Harris and wife & child are at Davids this winter he has bought him a pair of oxen and is helping David to draw wood they may go into some business in the spring I expect that Elizabeth Larned is slowly getting better but I have not seen her nor anyboddy that has seen her for months I am sorry to be obliged to tell you that Mr Andrew Whittman has become quite intemperate and his friends have fears that he will become a confirmed sot if nothing happens to him has not been in the village for two months Pickett is as poor and mean as a man can be and noboddy can help him he is laying round home doing nothing and I cannot tell how they subsist he cannot get much liquor for I think it is not sold in N. Oxford We all send love to you and respects to all StephenStephen Barton Jr P.M. 1855 Mrs C.H. Barton Washington D.C. Stephen Barton Jr. P.M. A FREE Mrs C.H. Barton Washington D.C.Sunday Evening Feb 18th 1835 Dear Sister The time for writing to you has come round and I find myself seated to write but have but little hopes that I can interest you We are all as well as we could expect to be Father is unusually well I saw A.C. Williams yesterday in the camp he came right from Vassalls reports them all well & sister up about the house Williams is tolerably well thinks of going to California the coming summer I understand that the Baptist Church have decided to dismiss Mr. Hodges much to their loss I think, In trying to please all they may succeed in pleasing none our school is doing first rate has two weeks longer to keep is full of schollars well sustained and no fault found it has lived down its opposers and reversed their favorable opinions. Professor Bushee of the Medical College Lectures before our Lyceum next Saturday evening on Electrisity has given one lecture before on Philosiphy The factories are all running but business is dull Fisher has not paid his help since last OctoberWe have had the coldest weather I ever knew it has been as low here as 27° below Zero The channel of the river below the Factories filled with solid Ice and the view run all over those large meadows and thy become one large field of Ice never saw the like of it before The weather has been extremely changable from extreme cold then snow then rain one of those Revolutions generally last about ten days I am doing but little this winter home but three or four men at work for me, Lizzy is working in the Red Mill do not suppose she will come to see you but wants you to come and see her Chs has sold his new house near tumbars to Sunford Mason do not expect that he made much by building Old Mr Hogden is sick and applied to the town for help (poor old man) Jane Honey is being married this evening to Harrison Door a brother of John Mrs Mary Ann Tope has a boy Beth Tookell is in jail for some month months and no one cares but all blame Otis for bringing her back but they ought to know that he could not afford to pay $216.00 and cost for the poor sweet I called at the Cols the other day Mrs DEwitt told me in confidence that Father has been to see the Widow Joan Sibley I has told it to no one not even David and I think he does not know it and you of course will say nothing about it for I can hardly believe that his visit if he made one was nothing more then a neighbourly call David and A. C. Harris think some of going into trade in N. Oxford Fishers protracted payments are the greatest objections and that is enough to kill out and discourage any business and drive away any person that has any pride or independence about them when it will be better I cannot tell I saw Jerry Lunch the other day he says the same troubles prevades all his Factories at the New England Villiage and Grafton. Davids three oldest children are one of them at a time living with us taking regular turns of two or three days each I saw Mr Childs the other day he and his family were well Tell the Col that I expect the town will undo at the March meeting all that they did at the Nov meeting relative to our system of schooling and a fine will surely follow if they do, The strongest opposition comes from a source where it should be least expected that is from the small Districts who have got the absurd notion into their heads that they shall be Duped to build a large house on the plain and it is of no use to try to reason with them to the contrary from the Misers these have an object in confirming their worst fears on the subject Your affectionate brother StephenStephen Barton Jr P.M. Miss. C. H. Barton Washington D.C. North Oxford Sunday Evening Feb 25/55 Dear Sister I have to acknowledge the receipt of a large package of garden seeds from the Patent office containing three parcels one directed to Stephen Barton one to David Barton and one to myself which I have distributed as directed and me owe all very much obliged to someone for the same. All our folks owe you and I have no other news to tell only that wether here is quite cold only 5 degrees above zero - snow mostly gone. Please say to the Col that I saw George [?] and wife in the carrs yesterday afternoon had been to his place to see his father thinks he cannot live but a few days at furtherest as he is failing fast. I have sent you a Transcript which will give you the local news better than I can. We all wish to be remembered to all our friends in Washington. Professor Bushee lectured at our hall last evening on Electricity. Your affectionate brother StephenNorth Oxford Sunday Evening March 4/55 Dear Sister Your favour of the 23rd of Feb was duly recd and Father got one yesterday which pleased him much although he sympathizes most sincerely with Col. Benton for the irreparable loss of his valuable manuscripts and papers that not only the Col. but the community have sustained. We are all in good health as usual and so was Sister Vassall's family when I last heard from them a few days since. The North Oxford Grammar school was examined yesterday by the Rev Messers Bardnell + Hodges and J. Dance accompanyed by the Rev Mr. Holman (who I think I once told you is teaching on the plains) and 49 other literary people and friends of the school The examination continued all day and was a most brilliant affair about 120 schollars present who I venture to say were never before equaled in Oxford for thorough and solid schollarship I wish that you could have been with us for I am sure you would have been as happy as I was to witness the confidence and animation.of the different classes as they took their places before the committee it was of that kind that nothing but real merit can inspire the examination as I said before lasted about six hours during which time all the different studdies taught in our schools was handled in a most familliar manner and called forth the unqualified approbation of the committee and all present You are aware that this school has been under the care of its present teachers for more than one year and has had just difficulties enough to contend with to keep them constantly on the allert and I do not know as I can say that the school as a school has suffered by the unjust opposition it has received I think Mr Taft has never let any opportunity pass unimproved to make trouble for the school by encouraging rowdy boys + girls to disobedience by exciting the jealously of weak or ignorant parents and by low slander untill he did not believe it himself nor no one beside of course you see that the business has not been profitable or honorable to Mr. Taft or his associates but the main loss has fell on the expelled schollars and the parents who have been fined and the state in whose behalf one suit against Mr Wood was brought This scool has been kept on the Normal plan which I feel certain will soon come into general use in all of our large schools The advantages gained by order and disapline must soon overcome the prejudice of the ignorant + conceited I am encouraged to believe so in view of the ordeal through which our own school has just passed Tomorrow is our March meeting no one know what the knownothings will try to do I understand that the other parties do not oppose them and will let them kill themselves with responsibility The school system is the most important measure to come before the town You ask if Abial lives with his wife she will not speak to him or stay in the house where he is Mr Hodges I think will leave Doctor Holman is on the committee so is deacon Shepardson neither friendly to him they are influenced by a set of men about the factories + vicinity who care nothing for their religion or society but hold out promises of liberality if they will get a minister to suit them so they will I guess but the most substantial part of the church and society do not approve of the change say the Warrens' [?] Jennison W. Sibley and the Copps beside a majority of the real friends of the ChurchI saw Jeremiah L. the other day says he is going to Kansas this month thinks of buying land if he likes I should like to go and see the country There will many people go from Worcester County [there] the coming season I suppose before this reaches you the Col will have left for home and we have some hopes that you may come with him but dare not make to much calculations on it I assure you that I should be happy to see your nice collection of choise Friends for I think I can conceive the Value you set on them for you and I Value Friends about alike Messrs Burdnell & Holman took dinner with me yesterday enquired particularly for you Mr Holman said his children and the Grass Hill schollars would be overjoyed to see you he said you secured the love and respect of that school in a surprising manner Livy has had company to day Ada & Ida & Bub have been having a feast of Pop corn and Candy have had a good time I guess your affectionate Brother Stephen North Oxford March 18th 1855 Dear sister I have just recd the Specimen of Marble by the hand of Mr Childs and fourth with applied to use as directed and shall in all probability always keep it in constant use Livy also tenders her thanks for a beautiful pair of Kid Gloves Mr Childs says that Ann has returned but Fran stops a week or two in Bordentown to visit All the people here are well Ber came out from Worcester this afternoon and is stopping with us to night I shall write you the usual letter next sabbath evening so good night StephenStephen Barton Jr P.M. North Oxford Mass Mar 26 Miss C.H. Barton Washington D.C. North Oxford Sunday Evening 25th March Dear Sister We are all well and ploding along as usual in the midst of excitement about schools, Roads, & Ministers you know that their is 10 1/2 school districts in Oxford the fraction being the north East half of it being in Auburn. That part of the people interested in good schools have long been trying to adopt the Town system but have recd strong opposition from the Plain misers and the small districts, and a few around the Townhouse so the Town have voted to adopt it at one meeting and reconsider it at the next untill we have become weary and tired of hearing of it and would stop where it is but the Town has been complaned of and will surely be fined $3000 if the they do not set up a High school fourth with. There are two articles in the warrant for a town meeting to come off the first monday in Apr one to see if the Town will establish a high school in the Town Hall and another to see if the Town will raise a sum not to exceed $9000 to build a school house on the plain and one at North Oxford I think the meeting will be well attended will tell you the resultMr Hodges preached his farewell sermon this afternoon it was verry affecting and drew tears from some and put others to shame He commenced by describing the sacred relation that should exist between a Pastor and his flock and their duty in forming such a connection to consider well its importance. He assured them that he did not make any remarks with any unkind feeling, but for their good and the good of his successor He told us that he had too many real and genuine friends here to say one unkind word to injure or wound their feelings but that there were others who were members of the church professing great friendship to his face but secretly doing all in their power to destroy his usefulness, and make his situation unpleasant by slyly hinting that the sermons were not brilliant and varied as they should like and that he did not fully meet their expectations. And improved evry opportunity to discuss his merits in Stores, shops and even in horse-sheds as often as they should meet anyone who would listen to them whoever they might be or whatever their religious opinions were (if they had any) He assured us that it had not been his object to please an audience unless it could be done by a faithful discharge of his duty but he said if the only object was to collect such an audience that they could convert the pulpit exercise in to Theatrical performances and call in all the various sects & denominations even the Catholics, the Mormons and the Spiritualists and they would then have a full house He spoke of the impropriety of having their Pastor made the butt of ridicule in the stores and publick places before the children & youth by men who had not good sense enough to deter them, but the bad spirit to induce it He told of the trial it had been to him to sustain himself as he should in his situation knowing that some of the church only winked at their folly he described the situation of his family broaken up and scattered abroad in stead of being with him where they could have his care and instruction and how this treatment affected his wife who had laboured from early dawn often until midnight in the various duties and labours of caring for and instructing their large family but expressed fears that this double anxiety of sympathising with him in his trouble, and the situation of her family would prove a blow so hard that she would not have sufficient elasticity to regain her former situation He closed by wishing them to forgive him if had ever injured any of them and hoped to meet them all at the great day and bid them an affectionate farewellI have not done anything like justice to the able and truthful sermon of our much respected preacher but you must supply the deficiency by your own imagination Dear sister all that you ever predicted of S. Healey + Taft is fully realized by a community who have suffered by them in all our social relations but all things have an end that ever had a beginning and so will they soon. Wm Makepeace Esq died last night agd 92. I have not seen the Col more than twice since his return The Factory are all in motion at this place but business is generally dull David is douning wood and my teams are helping him I should like to hear from you and hear what you have to say about making us a visit. Livy is yet in the red mill but but think she will not stay the whole season. I have no news to tell you for you have been gone so long that I found that our common changes and business operations here would not be interesting to you all send Love Your affectionate Brother Stephen P.S. If you can read this you will do more than I can North Oxford Apr 12/55 Dear Sister Yours was duly recd I will say in reply that I will meet you in the city of N. York or Philadelphia at any time or place that you will name All in health will tell you the news when I see you Your Affectionate Brother Stephen$644.29 North Oxford April 24th 1855 For Value received I promise to pay to the order of Jacob Rich Six Hundred and Forty four 29/100 dollars on demand and Interest Stephen Barton JrWorcester April 25th 1855 Dear Sister Having a few moments leisure & feeling some anxiety about you for the reason that neither myself or anyone about here has heard from you for the last three weeks Your being often inquired after only makes me the more anxious about you. The Col often enquires for you. George Tower asks how he shall direct a letter to have it reach you as he has written 3 weeks since and got no answer Ber this morning asks if I have heard from you lately I am really afraid that I shall hear that you are sick for I know that you never trouble any boddy with any of yourown misfortunes or troubles but I hope you will for once deviate from you rule and favour me with a line at once if you are sick We are all in health and usually prosperous I sent you a paper giving an account of the melancolly death of Miss Abby June Worsley, her remains were brought to N. Oxford to be intered I have held myself in readiness to meet you when I should hear from you, some time I think that my letter did not reach youagain I cannot think that the only one I even whrote you that failed to go directly to you Samuel R. takes the charge of the Post Office at the N. Oxford Store that is he keeps the accounts and makes up the morning mail Fred. Copp does the remaining part of the business and they divide the pay equally between them which Amts a little more then $100 Dollars per year Father gets 80 acres more bounty land Jerry Larned is going west in a few days has delayed going for a few days for the sake of making a settlement with the Milbury Bank I feel quite certain that the town of Oxford will this year build a house for a high school as it has been confirmed by two Town meetings with increased majorities The committees are chosen and all arrangements made to carry the same in to affect Mrs Harris (she that was Mariah Brown droped dead last Friday evening at the house of Daniel Horey of a heart disorder she had made arrangements soon to start for the west to visit Mr Boones family she leaves a little girl about three years old and $15,00 in money Mr Hodges leaves N. Oxford to day his goods are packed away in one of my buildings They have no one to take his place The desk is suplyed by trancient ministers N. Oxford Apr 25 9 P.M. I had intended to have mailed this in Worcester but had not quite time to finish it there Livy thinks that you are sick or you would have written before this She is still tending 8 Looms besides doing her house work Philander Pond his wife and child are going west to settle Mary Stone goes with them Otis Larned is building a large house on the old Oxford Hotel site bad business for him I am afraid Poor Aunt Mary's husband is prematurely cut off before she had spent the Honey Moon with him but she will probably get some $500, to console her and heal her bleeding heart Please give my respects to any of your friends who enquires after me Livy sends her respects and best wishes to you and so do we all S. D. Holmans wife is quite low will not probably live untill I write you again from your affectionate Brother StephenStephen Barton Jr P.M. 1855 FREE Miss C.H.Barton Washington D.C. North Oxford Mass Apr 26 North Oxford Tuesday May 22d 1855 Dear Sister Your favour with enclosure was duly recd will answer you soon All well and wether cold Your Brother StephenNorth Oxford May 28th 1855 Dear Sister I reached home this afternoon and found all well and pleased to hear from you but they were much disapointed when I told them that it was uncertain about your visiting them this season Please give my respects to all your friends in Washington with whom I got acquainted from your affectionate Brother Stephen P.S. You will find two one Dollar Georgetown bills which I took at the United States Hotell in exchange for $3,00 three Dollar bill which I handed them when I paid for lodging lodging last Saturday night they would not pass in New York$370. North Oxford June 30th 1855 For value received I promise to pay to the order of E. M. Rich Three Hundred and Seventy Dollars on demand and interest. Stephen Barton Jr $326.69 North Oxford May 15th 1855 For value received I promise to pay to the order of E. M. Rich Three Hundred and twenty six 69/100 dollars on demand and interest. Stephen Barton Jr North Oxford July 4th 1855 Dear Sister Yours complaining of my negligence in not writing came to hand this afternoon I resply would say that I wrote you and acknowledged the receipt of the three gold dollars and can not tell why it has not reached you it is true that I have not written as much of late as usual for two reasons the first is when I got home they were all wait -ing and impatient to have me commence on that Damm and it claimed all my care and attention untill it was done and there was nothing about it that would interest you much All business here has been quite tame and Otis' trial has engrossed a great share of the conversation among all classes here for the last few weeks which trial I think I sent to you in different numbers of the SpyI am now engaged in repairing and enlarging my old barn have been working on it to day with a number of men with me Father has been spending a few days in Worcester where I believe they are all well with the exception of Aunt Hannah who has a severe swelling on her knees, Davids folks are well Lizzy[?] has done working in the Mill I wrote you at some length in my last about Jerrys return & Oliver had not reached Wocester last monday I will send you a paper containing the particulars of a slight accident to the Col on the Rail Road he has got nearly well now Some big rascal has stolen one of my white horses I cannot but suspect Ben. Bond S.R. has been looking for it for the last week and Sol. Sh[????]ay is now helping him I have agreed to give Sol half the horse if he will find {him] her I am verry happy to learn that your friends in Washington are well and particularly that Mr Fales health is improving in your last you did not tell me how Mr Orrs child did Please give my kind regards to to Mr Orr and Madame also to Mr Upperman and Mr Fales and his family This day morn July 5th Father has returned from Worcester all well Father is going to Maine in Aug if he is well to stay two months I hope you will think that I neglect you in not writing oftener for I am sure I would write as often as thought I had anything to tell you that would interest you and will always continue to from your affectionate brother Stephen G 2 North Oxford July 29th[?] 1855 Dear Sister I must again begin and end my letter by simply telling you that we are all well as usual and this I suppose is welcome news to you, but then I know that you would expect that if you heard nothing from me I have but little too tell you that would pay for the time it would take you to read it but you know that I am somewhat used to writing and if I cannot tell you how much is going on here I can tell you how little The Factories are all running and have plenty of water. The wether has been warm for a few days say from 90 to 100 Degrees in the shade. Crops here are all good but the hay crop which is light people are now in the midst of their haying L.C. Park has again left the Porksville[?] mill he is likely to move from N. Oxford soon Rum has killed William S[???] in spite of the Maine Law Father has been here this afternoon and wants to send and have Aunt Hannahcome out and make a visit before he goes to Maine which I suppose will be in the course of 3 or 4 weeks he thinks of staying two months at least and I cannot but think that he will enjoy his visit Monday evening July 23 - I again resume my writing it being the first time I have had for 3 days I was all day yesterday helping Brother David dry and cart his hay that was caught in the rain of Friday we got it all into the Barn and today it rains and looks likely to for some time, Aunt Hannah is at Oxford gone to day to see Livy Learned We are having Mr Woodbury hammer some stones to set for our cemetery fence think of bolting wrought Iron rails to then so as to make a durable and substantial fence Livy has done work from the present in the Mill is helping Jacob tend the exposition she occasionally goes over with him and stays half a day she will probably visit her uncle at Westport this fall Oxford is now under Know Nothing rule and may God be blessed when it is over for I verily believe that all without distinction of party, Know Nothings, and all will be glad their ignorance provokes every thing that they attempt to manage and our roads, schools, and meetings all suffer in common under their misrule We have no regular preacher at the Baptist and sometimes no irregular one yesterday they had none Our school fares still worse for master Ignoramus presides in all his glory over what is left of the grammar school Mr Burdnell & don't back and let them know nothing committee men manage the school and much I fear that the whole will be leavened Oliver had not returned to Worcester last week I had a scare attack one week since from eating cherries after I had eaten a little milk come near dying with the cramp Mr Hodges was not settled the last that I heard from him his goods are still in the 2d story of the Newhall cotton house John Door is miserable and Wellington has run away and no one blames him Pickett & John Pierce are objects of pity and Sam Healey is so poor & mean that none do him reverence he gets living by making hair oil and blacking in south bridge and Tucker left none to soon for his profit or pleasure I speak of these men not that they are worthy of notice but because of their great activity to get up an sentiment against Mr Hodges & our school Doctor Holman and Deacon Shephardson were their tools and I think they will repent in sack cloth and ashes before the year is up for the church has put them on the committee to hire and raise money & pay the minister and that they find hard enoughThey were agoing to economise and get along cheap and supply the pulpit well so they hired priest Holman one day to come and preach to them they were astonished when he asked them Ten Dollars for his days work I have not seen any of sister Vassalls family for one week when Irving was here and staid a day or to and Bev just called to see me when I was sick Do you ever hear from George Hobart or family if so write and let me know for I think he has used me so mean that he is ashamed to write to me Otis has been having his Father and all his Brothers that lay in the old ground removed to the New Cemetery and good Stones raised[?] over them I have not seen Frann since I saw you but understand that she is getting allong well Please remember me to all of my aquaintance in Washington and forgive this hasty incoherent scrawl Stephen North Oxford July 31st 1855 Dear Sister Your letter and the enclosed one reached me last evening found us all well and nothing new to tell you but same routine of evryday occurences that it seems unnecessary to repeat Aunt Hannah is just stopping at Davids so is the Widow Rufus Barton Fathers health has not been quite as good of late as usual but nothing serious and will be well as usual in a few days as soon as the wet damp wether subsides I sent you a Transcript yesterday and will send you a Spy or Paladium often if I thout you could find time to read then, David says tell Clara if she will come home she shall have some new corn and Beans which I suppose would be something of a treat Have not seen or heard from sister Vassalls family or Oliver since I last wrote you The Col is at the Springs and a large part of North Oxford have gone to the shore to fish and regain their health Please remember me to all Truly your StephenA coppy of my reply to Miss H. North Oford July 31 1855 Miss Haskell Yours of the 27th is read and forwarded to Miss C. H. Barton Washington D.C. She will probably answer now her time is so much taken up in The Patent Office that she writes her own family but seldom Respectfully your Stephen Barton JrFarmington Maine. July 27 / 55 Post Master at North Oxford Sir Having written several times to Miss Clara H. Barton, and directed to Washington D.C. and receiving no reply, I am somewhat concerned about her, and not knowing the address of any of her friends, I have taken the liberty to trouble you. If you will ascertain where she is, and inform me you will much oblige. Respectfully, L. P. Haskell Address Miss L. P. Haskell Farmington MaineNorth [?] Aug 5th 1885 Dear Sister The time for writing you has arrived but I have nothing to tell you but I will answer your questions in your last letter [?] will not be likely to be put on trial again I think I told you that. The jury did not agree and no jury will ever convict [?] on the testimony produced. Mr. Aldrich the District Attorney told me that he was the coolest man that he ever, saw on trial he said he sit and slept during the most exciting part of his trial and no man in the court- house appreciated more indifferent from the [?] of the trial then he did. As for Bill Haskill he lay in jail long enough to pay $250. Which think was about two months. Since then he has been drinking and working by turns he looks like a sot and his wife is often seen out in the street realing and staggering with [?] and thinks wife on [*John [?] has been at home said he seen me in Washington with you.*]is just now the subject of many remarks from the frequent late evening rides that she takes with Sessions the school master who boards with Mrs. Lucius Parks and she lives there too. Sessions moral character is no better than Bill Foskitts a storm is gathering that, will burst by and by if there is vitality enough in the connection of the two to create one Hester Picketts tires of her fathers envied by no one and pittied by all George Hoburt Jr arrived here yesterday in good health left all his folks well at Brighton His Father is making Bags and doing noth the story of his leaving to go to Virginia originated in a letter that he wrote to Bill Turkett to keep him from coming in turn. Daniel's health has been as good as usual this season sometimes he works a little to hard and then is a little down for a day or two but soon gets up again Mr. Hodges has just paid us a visit he preaches in Webster today he says he has had two of these calls to settle as a Doctor but thinks he shall accept an offer of a situation profered to him connected with the boards of foreign [?] does not regret leaving N. Oxford only the manner. I saw the Childs girls in the [?] yesterday morning. They had been to Holyoke and Springfield was going home expecting to meet Jenny Dryden on the steamboat train Sunday morning They said that they had just got a letter informing them that their father was sick. I had understood so before I think I told you sometime since that one of my white horses was stolen, circumstances, strong almost as positive proof point to Ben Bond as the thief Ben was off as soon as he found that we were looking after the horse and no one knows where he is that will tell and I do not know that any one cares if he only keeps away The Bonds are getting notorious [?] tells me not to tell you that she has been fishing Please remember me to all my acquaintances in Washington and between me your affectionate brother Stephen [?] has not come to Worcester yetStephen Barton [?] Free Miss C. H. Barton Washington D.C. North Oxford Sunday eve Aug 12/55 Dear Sister I cannot tell you this time that we are all well as usual for it is not so with Father he had an ill tum about one week since and was confined to his bed for a day or two but got better and has been up to the village about [?] day since he was taken again last night as before with a severe pain in his bowels had a restless night called the doctor in this morning is a little more [???y] this evening he tells me that his appetite has been poor for some days He told me this evening that he was afraid that he should not be well enough to go to Maine I got a letter from the Rev Mr Hodges informing me that he had been appointed agent for the Bible Society in Maine will go [th??] the last of this week or the fore part of next he kindly offered to call and accompany Father to Maine if he was ready to go. Father gladly accepted his offer and requested me to write and tell him that he would go with him if his health would permit. I do not think that Father will go to [?] this fall I saw Jerry yesterday tells me that he is going to Plymouth tomorrow to see a store that he thinks of [????ing] to set up a friend of his in the [?] business and also another in the jewelry business [?] has not yet come to Worcester Mr Childs tells me that my [?] has come Sally and Vester was out yesterday and went a berrying with [?] folks please remember me to all my friends in Washington Stephen Three Rivers Aug [1?] 1855 Capt Barton My Dear Sir, I intend to leave for N. Oxford next Monday - and on Tuesday go on to Boston. I will be at N. Oxford as I have named provided your father can go to Maine in company with me. If he does not do so I may not stop at Oxford. Will you therefore please inform me in case he decides not to go. My family are now all together at my fathers - all usually well with the exception my wife and Rosabella. All wish to be remembered to you and Mrs. B. and other friends. Very truly yours. [?] Hodges, [?].N. Oxford Saturday Morn Aug 18/55 Dear Sister Agreeable to the request in the letter recd yesterday from you I will say that Father was quite ill Sunday called in Doc R[????]son Monday was some better Tuesday came up to the village Wednesday got the enclosed letter from M Hodges Thirsday morning reluctantly decided to have me answer Mr Hodges that he could not go Friday continued better this morning is quite comfortable nothing new to tell you only that we are all well as usual Please give my respects to all Affectionately yours Stephen North Oxford Aug 21/55 Dear Sister Saturday you know was Fathers birth day so it was Mr Phineas Lovetts he being 80 years old that day He came up in the morning and spent the day with Father I will not undertake to tell you how many Rubbers they played or the number of jacks that were cought and it was not a Maine law affair neither for I think neither of them cared a fig for that Law The Judge came out and stayed with us untill the last train left for Worcester on the whole we had a pleasant time I wish you could have been there Father handed me your letter of the 14th relative to Jenny S[?????]s reception but she had gone before your letter arrived David says that he met her at John Fitts in company with the other Childs girls and Bernard and invited them to come to his houseJulia says they passed by the next day and she went out and tried to have them come in but could not prevail on them to stop longenough even to call and see Father for it was one of the days that he was confined to his bed David was sorry that he did not get more aquainted with her but said that most likely that she enjoyed herself between Bev and those girls than she would with his family I think I told you that I went to Mr Childs to see him and invite them to call on me they said they would but they never did to my knowledge though I tried to have them set some time when they would call and I would be at home and show them all about the Mills & Bev and the Miss Childs monopolised the whole of her company shall not write again before Wednesday if Father continues as well as he is now Pleas rmber me to all as usual Stephen North Oxford Sunday evening Sept 5 1855 Dear sister I have not written you for some days because I had nothing to say as Fathers health continues to improve he thinks he shall go to Maine about the middle of this month He attended the Liberal Democratic convention at Worcester the 30th of last month and is as much engaged in politics as ever and hard dow[?] on the Kirks Sister was at Oxford the other day but I did not see her Father thinks that she and Irving will come and stay with you a while I am glad to think that she can arrange her business to go for I cannot but think that you will both enjoy yourselves well All the people here are generally well except Samuel and my self Samuel is afflicted with scrofulous disease has had sores gathering on his head and in his throat am afraid that he will not be well soon he has growed tall for the last year but has not been well I slightly injured my lame foot took cold in it cannot wear a shoe or bear my weight on it we have all visited valuable books from Mr Tupperman I suppose shall acknowledge the rest of them to him in a day or two Please give my respects to him and all your friends in Washington affectionately your brother Stephen Wednesday evening Sept 12th 1855 dear sister The heat has been oppressive today as much so as any day this season. If it is proportionately hot in Washington I think you will melt all well as can be expected Father will leave for Maine soon Julin. Talks of going with him shall let S-B go and come home with him was in Worcester today did not see Verten or hear from him. Father has been rejoising to day over the victory of the anti-named Liquor Law party in Maine Give our love to all your affectionate Brother StephenNorth Oxford Sept 25/55 Dear Sister Father & Julia left here one week since for Maine have heard nothing from them since suppose they are well Vester was at Oxford last evening I had gone to Worcester and did not see him I saw Oliver and his mother last Saturday in the cars. she is quite broken down in her mind do not think she will live long he told me last evening that she was going to york state to stay with Thomas a while tell Irving that I thank him for town papers and [?] send him a [?] all well and going to cattle show tomorrow from your affectionate Brother Stephen North Oxford 25 Sept 1855 Dear Sister I wrote to Mr Tipperman yesterday went Sunday evening and saw the Col he said I had better go to Sutton and ascertain where Father was initiated in to the Chaplain of Royal Arch Masons and get a certificate from the master of the Lodge. I called on Asa Woodbury Esq of Sutton yesterday he said he had known Father to have been a Master Mason for more than 40 years and that he formerly belonged to the Olive Branch (or Sutton Lodge) but thought he was made a Royal Arch Mason at [?] in Charlton and this is the opinion of E. Harwood, and the Col did know but it might be he so Mr Woodbury said when the secretary Mr. Sibley, returned who had gone to grafton surveying that he would examine the records with him and soon send me all the information on the subject he couldI went to Worcester on the last train yesterday to see the Col he had gone to Boston will see him if he is at home this evening and will loose no time in sending to you the desired paper Stephen North Oxford Sept 28/55 Dear SIster I have seen judge Barton to day he told me what I had just found to be true, that is, that it would be difficult for me to find the record of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons to which Father and himself formerly belonged as that Lodge had been disbanded for may years He said he had written you on the subject and given all the facts that would be required for your purpose and you could use his letter for that purpose if you choose to. He did not mention to Mr McPlunnen that Father was a Mason as I suppose you are already aware that he and Col Isaac Davis have each written to him in your behalf and so has Col de Witt. The Judge says he is in hopes that what has been done will be affectual He showed me your letter and remarked that you plead the cause of your female friends much stronger then you did your own He says Col Davis wrote an excellent letter in which he said that you was the daughter of of one of Gen Waynes soldiers who first was marched in to Michigan and made it a free teritory and had ever been a firm and steadfast Democrat And expressed as much and assured him that it would be gratifying to the Democracy in this section to have you retained in you present position if consistent with the public interest North Oxford Sept 28/55 David has had a letter from his wife by which he learns that she and Father reached Augusta the same day they left home and are all well David, Uncle, Jo, Steve and Bub, went to New Worcester and went to the plowing match with Victor[?] I was their one afternoon think the show megre enough Tell Irving to write and tell me some things that he has seen and what he is doing and what he is going to do if he can I shall send him a Spy and he can see all about the cattle and horse show It was Jonas Bacons boy that was injured at the horse show The Mills have been stopped for water two days but there is a plenty in the Reseryory when Denny lets it come along. It is now ten o clock and I will stop for to night I want Sarah to write and tell me how she enjoys herself from your affectionate Brother Stephen 1859 Conditions prior to war. Her views and impressions 12+ pages gone [?] Written before the war Stephen Barton [?] Abt. 1859 I have not seen Mr. Leaver Since his return and regret exceedingly that there should have been any necessity for such a termination to his residence in the South. I should not have Supposed that he would have felt it his duty to uphold such a cause as Harpers Says, and if he did not it is a pity he had the misfortune to make it appearing so. Of course I could not for a moment believe him a danjerous Man, hostile to either human life, rights, or interests, or antagonistical to the community among whom he resided, but if they felt him to be so. I do not by any means blame them for the course they took they took, situated as they are, they have a right to be cautious [and] and adopt any measures for Safety and quiet which their own judgment may suggest. They have a right even to be afraid and it is not for the North who in no way share in the danger to brand them as cowards, they are the same that people the world over are and would be under the circumstances. Unorganized men every where are timid, easy and quick to take alarm.it is only when bodies of men are organized, and disciplined, and prepared to defend themselves against expected dangers, that they stand firm and unshrinking, and face death unmoved. Occasionally we hear that you have been or will be requested to leave. this amuses me. It would be singular indeed, if in all this time your southern friends had not learned you well enough to tolerate you. It will be a strange pass, when the Bartons get fanatical, and cannot abide by and support the laws they live under, and mind their own business closely enough to remain anywhere they may chance to be I am grieved at and ashamed of the course which our northern people have taken relative to the John Brown affair, of their relief societies, and mass meetings and sympathetic gatherings I can say nothing for I have never witnessed one, and never shall -- from the first they seemed to me to be wrong and ill- advised, and had a strained and forced appearance and the longer they are persisted in, and the greater extent to which they are carried, the more ridiculous they become in my sight. If they represented the true sentiments and feeling of the majority of candid thinking men at the north. It would savor more of justice but this believe to be very far from the facts. There gatherings and speechifying serve the purpose of a few loud mouthed, foaming, eloquent fanatics, who would be just as ready in any other cause as this. They preach for notoriety and intirecal praise, fearlessly and injudiciously, with characters long stamped and nothing to loose. I matters little to them [*pityful pitiful*] that every winded sentence which falls from their chiseled lips, every burst of eloquence which “brings down the house,” drives home one more rivet in slaveries chain—if slavery be an evil they are but helping it on. it is only human nature that it should be so , and so plain a fact. “that the wayfaring man cannot err therein.”—Nature and cause and effect are I suppose much the same the world over, and if our Southern neighbors clasp their rights all the fair men when assailed, and plant the foot of resistance toe to toe with the foot of agression. it is not for us to complain of it. what differently should we ourselves do? That slavery be an evil I am neither going to affirm or deny, let those pass judgment whom greater experience and observation have made capable of judging. but allowing the affirmative in its most exagerated for. could it possibly be equal, to the pitiful scene of confusion, distrust, and national paralises before and around us at the present hours? with the prospect of all the impending danger threatening our vast republic? Men talk flippantly of describing the union. this may happen butin my humble opinion never let our very horses gallop in human blood. But I must hold, or I shall get to writing petitions to you, and you might tell me as Old Mr Perry of N.J. did Elder Lampear when he adviced him to leave off drinking whisky and join the Temperance Society. After listening a long and patiently [having] until the Elder had finished his remarks he looked up very very longingly with Nell Elder your opinions are very good. and probably worth as much to yourself as any body Burtonsville N.C. Feb 26th 1862 My Dear Sister You welcome favor of the 19th was duly recd It gave me unspeakable satisfaction to hear from my friends and relatives, and I should be overjoyed to see them, but would not advise any of them to attempt to come here during the Political Troubles My health is good, and I trust with the care I take of myself that it will continue so, I have done a very limited business with my machinery the past year, but I confidently expect that brighter prospects await the Southern Mechanics then they have ever yet seen. My time has been mainly taken up in looking after the farm and Garden and attending to my Hogs and cattle. I read the daily papers in the evening afterI have got through with the business of the day I seldom go from home except sunday after noon, when I usually pay Mr Riddick a short Visit I am generally so busy that I get no time to be lonesome Often in my dreams I imagine myself with my former friends and relatives Please remember me kindly to all my friend and aquaintances and believe me your affectionate brother S.Barton Jr. Feb 26/62 Miss C.H. Barton Washington D.C.North Oxford March 1st 1862 My dear exiled Brother, I trust at length I have an opportunity of speaking to you without reserve. I only wish I might talk with you face to face, for in all the shades of war which have passed over[?] we must have taken in many different views. I would like to compare them, but as this cannot be. I must tell you mine, and in doing so I shall endeavor to give such opinions and facts as would be fully endorsed by every friend and person here whose opinions you would ever have valued. I would sooner sever the hand that pens this, than mislead you and you may depend upon the strict fact of every thing I shall say remembering that I shall overcolor nothing. In the first place, let me remove the one great error prevalent among all (union) people at the South I presume, viz. that this is a war of Abolitionism or abolitionists, this is not so, our government has for its object the restoration of the Union as it was, and will do so ,unless the resistance of the South prove so obstinate, and prolonged, that the abolition or overthrow of slavery follow as a consequence--never an object Again,the idea of "subjugation".--this application never originated with the North nor is it tolerated there, for an instant, desired by no one unless like the first instance it follows as a necessity incident upon a course of protracted warfare. both these ideas are used-- stimulated by the Southern (mis)leaders, and without them they wouldnever hold their army together a month. The North are fighting for the maintenance of the Constitutional government of the United States, once the defence and honor of their Country's flag. This accomplished, the Army are ready to lay down their arms and return to their homes, and peacable pursuits, and our leaders are willing to disband them, until such time, there will be found willingness on the part of either. We have now in the field between 500,000 & 600,000 soldiers - more cavalry and artillery than we can use to advantage. our many growing to a formidable size, and all this vast body of men, clothed, fed, and paid as never an army in the face of the earth before, perfectly uniformed, and hospital stores and clothing lying idly by waiting to be used, we feel no scarcity of money. I am not saying that we are not getting a large national debt, but I mean to say that our people are not feeling the pinchings of "war time". The people of the North are as comfortable as you used to see them, you should be set down in the streets of Boston, Worcester, N.Y., or Philadelphia today, and only by a profusion of U.S flags, and occasionally a soldier home on a furlough would you ever mistrust that we were at war. - let the fire bells ring in any of those cities, and you will never miss a man from the crowds you have ordinarily seen gather on such occasions. - We can raise another army like the one we have in the field (only better men as a mass) arm & equip them for service, and still have men and means enough left at home for all functional purposes. Our troops are just beginning to be effective, only just properly drilled, and are now ready to commence work in earnest or "just" as ready to lay down their arms when the South are ready to return to the Union as loyal and obedient states, not obedient to the North, but obedient to the laws of the whole country. Our relations with foreign countries are amicable, and our late recent victories must for a long time set at rest all hope a fears of foreign interference, and even were such an event propable, the Federal Govt would not be dismayed, we are doubtless in better condition to meet a foreign foe, along with all our home difficulties today, than we should have been all together one year ago today. foreign powers stand off and look with wonder to see what the Americans have accomplished in ten months. They will be wary how they wage war with "Yankees" after this. - I must caution here, lest you think there is in all I say something of the spirit of brag. There is not a vestage of it. I am only stating plane facts and not the hundredth part of them. I do not feel exultant, but humble and grateful that under the blessing of God, my country, and my people have accomplished what they have, and even were I exulting, it would be for you, and not over or against you, for "according to the straightest of your sect, have you lived" a "Yankee." and this brings me to the point of my subject, here comes my request, my prayer, supplication, entreaty, command, call it what you will, only heed it, at once. Come home. not home to Massachusetts, but home to my home. I want you in Washington. I could cover pages, fill volumes, in telling you allthe anxiety that has been felt for you, all the hours of anxious solicitude that I have known in the last ten months, wondering where you were, or if you were at all, and planning ways of getting to you, or getting you to me, but never until now has any safe or suitable method presented itself, and now that the Expedition has opened a means of escape, I am tortured with the fear that under the recent call of the state, you may have been drafted into the enemy's service. If you are still at your place and this letter reaches you, I desire and most sincerely advise you to make ready, and when the opportunity shall present, (which surely will) place yourself with such transportable things as you may desire to take on board one of our boats, under protection of our officers, and be taken to the landing at Roanoke, and from there by some of our transports up to Annapolis, where either myself or friends will be waiting for you. then go with me to Washington and call your days of trial over---for so it can be done. If we could have known when Genl Burnside's Expedition left that it was destined for your place. I am have accompanied them and made his way to you on the first boat up your river, as it is he is coming now, hoping that he may be in time to reach you, and have your company back. I want in some way that this and other letters reach you before he does, that you may make such preparations as will be necessary, and be ready whenever he shall appear to step on board, and set your face toward a more peaceful quarter. You will meet a welcome from our officers, such as you little dream of, unless perchance you have already met them, and if you have, you have found them gentlemen and friends. You will find scores of old friends in that Expedition--all anxious to see you, would do anything to rescue you if you were with them, but dint now where to find you. There are some 5th down on the Island, among Gen'l Burnside's men, who have your address, but they would secretly be on our gun boats. There are plenty of men there who have not only your name in their pockets, but your memory in their hearts and would hail you with a brotherly welcome. Genl Butler came in at Hatteras with a long letter in his possession relating to you, and if he has advanced so far he would have claimed you, I don't know how many of our prominent Worcester men have come, or sent to me, for your address, to make it known among our troop if ever they reached you, that they might offer you any aid in their power, no one can bear the idea of our forces going near you without knowing all about you, and claiming and treating you as a brother, you were never as near and dear to the people of Worcester County as you are today, I have seen the tears roll over more than one mans face when told that Sam was going [a] to see and take something to you, and bring you away if you could come, "God grant he may" is the hearty ejaculation which follows. I want to tell you who more will find [in the] among the officers & men comparing the Expedition near you, Mass has five Regiments - 21, 23 24, 26, 27th - the 21 & 25th - were raised in Worcester - the former under Col. Augustus Morseof Leamenister, formerly May Genl Morse of the 3rd division State Militia. - he is detachedfrom the regt. and is Commandant (or 2nd in Command) of the Post at Annapolis. it is he who will serve Sam. free cost to you, he is a good true friend of mine, and tells me to send Sam to him, and he will put him on the track to you. he will also interest both Gen Burnsides & Col Goldsborough in both of you, and leave nothing undone for your comfort & interest--in the mean time he is waiting to grasp your hand, and share his table and blanket with you at Annapolis. So much for him. the other officers of the Regt. are Lieut Col Mazzi Maj. Clark (of Amherst College Prof of chemistry) Dr Calvin Cutter as Surgeon. (you remember Cutter's physiology) Adgt Sterns Chaplain Boll, & & all of whom know me, are my friends, and will be yours in an instant. among the men are scores of boys whom you know you cant enter that regiment without a shout of welcome, unless you do it very shyly.--then for the 25th Col Upton of Fitchburg Lieut Col. Sprague of Worcester, Maj. Caffidy of W. Chaplain Rev. Horace James of the Old South. Cousin Ira's old minister one of the bravest men in the Regt. one of my best friends, and yours too. Capt. G. Waldo Denny son of Denny the Insurance agent the Capt has been here talking about you. for the last six months and if he once gets hold of you will be slow to release you unless you set your face for me, the old gentleman, (his father) has been very earnest in devising plans all through the difficulties to teach, aid, or get you away as might be best he came to me in Washington for your address and all particulars, long months ago hoping, that he could reach you through some just opening as the present I state all this, be assured as due you that you should know the state of feeling held towards you by your old friends and acquaintances whether you choose to come among them or not. even Old Brine[?] was in here a few moments ago, and is trying to have Sam take a hundred dollars of his money out to you lest you should need it and cannot get it there. There is no bitterness here even towards the Southerners themselves,and men would give their lives to save the union men of the south. The north feel it to be a necessity to put down a rebellion, and there the animosity ends. Now my advice to you would be this, if you do not see fit to follow it, you will promise not to take offense or think me conceited in presuming to advise you, under ordinary circumstances I would not think of the thing as you very well know. I get my privilege merely from the different stand point I occupy. No word or expression has ever come from you, and you are regarded here as a Union man closed in and unable to leave, standing by your property to guard it. this Expedition is supposed to have opened the way for your safe exit or escape to your native land, friends and loyal government, and if now you should like the first opportunity to leave and report yourself at your own government you would find yourself a hundred times more warmly recd than if you had been here naturally, all the time, so far only in thein the power of our troops your property would be sacred, protected far more so than if you remained on it in a manner a little hostile or doubtful. I am not certain but the best thing for Mr Riddick would be for you to leave just in this way and surely I would have his property harmed no more than yours. I have understood Mr Riddick to be a kind man at heart like hundreds of other men, whom our government desire to protect from all harm and secure against all loss, this being the case, the best course for both of you which could be adopted in my judgment is for you to leave with our troops, this will secure the property against them, they would never harm a hair of it intentionally knowing it to belong to you, a union man who had come away with them and you could so represent the case of Mr Riddick that his rights and property would be respected by them, he would be infinitely more secure for such a move on your part, while his connection with you would I trust be sufficient to secure your property from molestation by his neighbors who would be slow to offend or injure him.--if you leave and your property be unofficially injured by our troops, the Federal Government must be held responsible for it, and if after matters are settled, and business revives you should find your attachment to your home so strong as to desire to return,I think you could do so, as I would by no means have you do any thing to weaken the goodly, feeling between you and your friends Mr Riddick,for whom we have all learned to feel the utmost degree of grateful respect, and I cannot for a moment think that he wold seriously disagree with my conclusions or advice at all events I am willing he should know them or see or hear any portions of this letter which might be desired. I deal perfectly fairly and honestly with all and have written or said nothing that I am or shall be unwilling to have read by either side. I am a plane Northern union woman, honest in my feelings and counsels desiring only the good of all, disguising nothing, covering nothing and so far my opinions are entitled to respect and will I trust be received with confidence. If you will do this as I suggest,and come at once to me at Washington, you need have no fears of remaining idle-- this Sam will tell you of when you see him, better than for one to write so much, Washington had never so many people and so much business as now. some of it would be for you at once 9th you must not for a moment suppose that you would be offered any position which would interfere with any oath you may have given for all know that you must have done something of this nature to have remained in that country through such time unharmed, and all know you too well to approach you with any such request as that you shall forfeit your word Now what more can I say, only to repeat my advice, and desire you to consult Mr Riddick in relation to the matter (if you think best) and leave the result with you, and you with the Good God, whom I daily desire and implore to sustain, guide, keep & protect you in the midst of all your trials and isolation. I sent a short letter to you some weeks ago, which I rather suppose must have reached you, in which I told you of the failing condition of our dear old father, he is still failing and rapidly. he cannot remain with us many days I think, (this calls me home) his appetite has entirely failed he eats nothing and can scarcely bear his weight, growing weaker every hour He has talked a hundred volumes about you, wishes he could see you, knows he cannot, but hopes you will come with Sam until the trials are ended, which distress our beloved country. Samuel will tell you more than I can write Hoping to see you soon I remain Ever your affectionate Sister ClaraNorth Oxford Mar 3/62 Dear Brother It is now almost midnight S.R. has just here says he shall leave for your place to morrow I am unable to say any thing more than he can tell you if he should be able to reach your place Father is verry low at this time it seems to be the opinion of all I believe that he cannot be long for this world, the rest of our Family are as well as could be expected considering the case & we have had in consequence of his sickness your friends all seem to be writing you at this time as they feel very anxious about your situation that be assured is the first from the least to be granted I feel my self incompetent with regard to advising you what course to take should S.R. succeed in getting to your place, as I can barely[?] think how you can be situated at this time but as I feel at this time I can most cheerfully enclose Clara,s letter she has written you I think it the best letter I ever heard I most sincerely hope you will consider that as speaking my views & Wishes a thousand times better than I could express them to you it is folly for me to trouble you with any thing further at this time as S.R. can explain to you any thing pertaining to us at this time much better then I can tell it From your Affectionate Brother David Copied[?] march 1/62, Capt: Stephen Barton JrMch 1/1862 C.B. letter to her brother Stephen giving her views of the war Also short letter from David enclosing C.B.'s letter North Oxford Mass. Oct 31st 1864 My Dear Uncle Stephen It has been so long since I have written to you, it looks odd to commence a letter this way. I am glad to hear from that I hardly know what to say to you & can express my gratitude no way only by seeing you. OH how I wish you could come home to see all, we should be so glad to see your face once more. I can remember just how you look. I have often thought of you & thought how much I should like to hear from you & how much more I should like to see you. I waited to write write to you when Father wrote & sent his letter by "Flag of Truce" but thought it would be of no use & oh no good, so I thought I could let it go being in hopes of a better opportunity. I am going to see you sometime if I can & give you a complete history of myself, but have not time now. Some things look about the same in North Oxford as they did when you went away, & others have changedwonderfully. Father has got entirely out of the Military Service. The climate did not agree with him in the summer time air in South Carolina, in the winter he was quite smart. His labors were not very hard. He would write to you tonight but he cannot so very well in the night. He sayd he will write to you some day. I am carrying the mail now & have been for about four (4) weeks. I saw Aunt Betsy today. She appears to be quite smart this fall, much better than she was last winter. She keeps Tasse yet, Tar[??]er is dead. Well Uncle Stephen it is 9 oclock p.m. & I have written every thing I can that will interest you. You must come home as soon as you can leave your things allright & we shall be glad to see you, I can tell you. I wish I could see you tonight. You must write to me if you can & I will try & answer. I am as ever your most affectionate Nephew Stephen E. Barton "Good night" Capt. Stephen Barton From Steh E.B. to his uncle Stephen (C.B.'s brother) 1864Flying Hospital 19th Army core Butlers Army Front of Richmond Nov 1st 1864 My Dear Friend Supposing that you would like to know something of my Whereabouts I thought I would devote my strength to day in trying to tell you you have doubtless heard of my arrest at Elizabeth City on the 25th of Sept by a Raid of Federal cavalry I had with me at the time my four mule team and two bales of cotton and my horse I had in my trunk $2300, in old N.C Bank money and $20, in Green backs and a Note against W.A. Harney for $b25, I was on my way to south mills where I expected to get of Mr Harney a lot of cotton Bugging for the cowpen and several other of my neighbors I had engaged Flour and Meal at theNixington[?] Mills and Bought to [it] and my team if I did not get the Bugging Lieut Budd the officer in command asked me where I was going with the cotton I told him he then asked me if I had ever had any other deal with Harney I told him that I had carried him twice before expecting each time to get the Bugging but had always failed he asked me if I had ever had any meat of Harney I told him that I had recd my pay in old BC[?] money and a note which he wanted to [see?] I took from my trunk a book containing the Note and some $1200, in O.B. money all of which examined and found nothing objectionable but remarked that for my safety that he had better take charge of that Book I replyed that if he was going to take it that he would count and [give?] me a receipt for it as I did did know exactly how much there was in it he replyed that he had not time and took the Book and carried it off In a few moments he sent a Sargeant to examine the contents of the Book that I carried in my coat pocket I objected to his taking it he replyed that he did want the money but wanted to see what papers it contained he took it and commenced looking it over when he found a Green back bill he [????]ed to house in his pocket remarking that I had no business with that after looking the book over and taking from it it some 20--or 25 dollars in Greenbacks and two or three papers which he did not understand. he carried it to Lieut who was seated some 20 yards from me apparently counting money In a few moments this Lieut brought the Book to and remarked that there wereno papers in that would be of any use to him I looked the Book over and found nothing but N.C State money left in it which was good for nothing here In about half an hour a detective by the name of Hutchens who had been assisting the Lieut. in conducting and securing Witnesses came to me and told me that they had decided that it was their duty to take me to Norfolk to testify in the case against Harney who was soon to have a trial at Fortress Monroe He then remarked that he had been told that had a lot of money in a Book which was dangerous for me to keep in the Wagon with me overnight and proposed to take charge of it untill I got to Norfolk I objected to this [?] as it was the last money I had that I could use he replyed he replyed that he would count it and give me a receipt for it, he counted about half of it and started away with the Book remarking that I should have it all wen I got to Norfolk The next morning they directed me to proceed to Norfolk by way of South Mills and said they should overtake me before I got there I went within 10 miles when I waited one day for them to come up they came in through Caroline county. one of the prisoners told me that when they came in sight of my wagon there is that [?] [?] Flying Hospital 190th Army Core Nov 19th 1864 Major Samuel Butler Comdg Army of the James General Since I came to this hospital most of the time with a confirmed chronic diarrhea which surgeon in charge has been successfully treating I am now steadily recovering but yet I am weak and feeble In the note that I addressed to you the day that I last saw you I expressed a desire that I had long entertained to see you in relation to the Political condition of the counties in N. Carolina east of the Chowan River, and Hartford County on the opposite side, since that time my anxiety has been increased by the destruction of [?] Albemarle and the fall of Plymouth which open safely the navigation of theChowan River and the constantly Wavering and hopeless condition of Confederate Government and the kind and conciliatory Policy that was shadowed forth by President Lincoln even in his Washington speech which has since been sustained by many of the leading Politicians of the county. I cannot but hope that this is a favourable opportunity to assist the Conservative and even Loyal men of Hartford County to roll back that weight of Confederate tyranny that has so long robed them of their property, and most sacred Rights I have been often through many of the counties east of the Chowan River the past year, There has been a steady and regular increase in Union sentiment there, the People now only seem to be waiting for Peace to come in some form, or for the state to take her place again in the Federal Union, so as to enable them to adapt themselves to their condition The object I have in view is to strengthen the Union sentiment in N.Carolina so as to enable her the better to assist her Independence of the Confederate Government and take her place again in the Union The that I have in view and propose to lay before you will add to the [?] of the Federal Government incur no risk of Property or of strengthening the Confederates but will add most affectually to the union strength in the counties wen it is put in operation I trust I am now able to ride as far as your headquarters and will try to do so if at any time when it is convenient for you to give me an interview Respectfully your obt sevt Stephen Barton Head Quarters Dept. of Virginia & North Carolina Army of the James In the Field Va., December 7th 1864 Sir The Major General Commanding directs that you report at these HdQus tomorrow morning at ten (10) o clock Fred.[?] [?] for Mr Stephen Barton 11th Corps Flying Hospital Captain & A.C.C.Flying Hospital 10th A.C.[?] Butlers Army Front of Richmond Dec 9th 1864 E.W. Smith a.a.g. Sir Please send by bearer my transportation papers to Washington City and N. Carolina which I suppose to be waiting my call at your office and oblige your obt Servt Stephen Barton Flying Hospital 10th core Butlers Army front of Richmond General Butler December 9th 1864 Will you direct that my transportation papers be sent to me by the bearer I supposed untill I reached home yesterday that they were contained in the sealed package delivered me in the ambulance. I wish to leave for Washington this afternoon and oblige your obt Servt Stephen BartonHEAD QUARTERS DEPARTMENT VIRGINIA & NORTH CAROLINA, ARMY OF THE JAMES, In the Field, Dec 10- 1864. Transportation is hereby furnished to Stephen Barton movement Transport from [[Brunnion?] Hundred to Washington By order Maj Gen Butler Jno W Turner Brig Gen [?Ch ??] Washington, Dec. 11th, 1864. My little I was about to say, but I will say my great friends for I suppose you have grown big since I saw you. To Ada, Ida S. Emory and Mary Barton, I have received many kind letters from each of you since I have had an opportunity to write you and am not now able to write much. I left the Flying Hospital last Friday and got to [?.] R. Sunday morning- stood the journey well. Otis larned came on with me and took fist rate care of me. I am feeling quite well this morning,but am weak and poor but hope that I am getting stronger. I need not tell you that I want much to see you and the rest of my North friends and intend to do so at no distant day. Tell your father that my interview with General Butler was as favorable to me as I could hope or even ask for. I have no news to tell you of this place,only that I believe our friends here are well. I find a fine Grandson at Sam's. When I left the hospital Clara was well and had no time to be sick and attend to all the business that she is now doing. She arises in the morning about 6 1/2 o'clock and goes into the cooking tent and directs the cooks in preparing the light diet for the more feeble of the sick and wounded soldiers, whose many wants have her attention until after 8 o'clock. She takes all her meals at the surgeon's table. Breakfast at 8 1/2 and dinner at 3 o'clock and no supper. Her time between the two meals she generally spends directing the business in her cooking tent, gets through with serving out the delicacies which those sick and feeble men require about 6 P.M. She then comes into her house and attends to her correspondence, which often takes her until on to bed time. She rides on horseback one [evening] afternoon in each week, about six miles, to the Base Hospital situated on the river, where all the boxes and barrels of food and raiment are landed from the steamboats that are constantly reaching her from the charitable people of our yet great nation. This is her regular routine of business, beside she attends numerous calls each day from her friends and acquaintances. Tell your Father that his old friend Captain Lamb has been here twice and inquired each time for him, wants much to see him. The Flying Hospital is situated on the James river about six miles from Richmond and one mile from the Dutch Map canal where there has been a continued cannonading kept up since I2 came here and some of the time it has been rapid and loud enough to shake the ground when the big guns from the Federal iron clads took a part in the exercise. The hospital is located on a swell of land which was before the war a fine plantation. The mansion is occupied by the surgeon and their assistants. The surgeons have the West wing, the assistants the East. The out buildings are stone houses for the hospitals,a row of log negro houses running from the mansion East are occupied by the Sanitary & Christian commissions. The last one in the row is fitted u[p] in superb style for Clara. A yard is built entirely around it by a fence composed of little pines about 15 feet high,set so close as to touch each other where they are set in the ground. Ofcourse they hide all but the roof from view. Two new floors were laid in it which are carpeted and the walls are papered. There is a bed on each floor of her house- I had one of them while there- I had a first rate nurse detailed from the hospitals to attend to me; ofcourse I wanted for nothing. About three weeks since some of the officers in the corps thought Clara's chimney on her house ( which was of wood lined, did not correspond well with the house and sent bricks and masons to build a new one,which was most effectually accomplished in three days, during which time I removed to her big cooking tent where I had an opportunity to study the art of scientific cooking. This tent is situated twenty feet west of her house, is very long and wide ; a floor is laid in some fifteen feet of the North end of it, on which is placed a big stove. The balance of the tent is always crowded with boxes and barrels which the teams bring each day from the Base Hospital on the river before mentioned. Therewere many barrels of apples and eggs delivered at this tent the night before I removed to it. As soon as the breakfast was served,some 6 or 8 cooks were directed to open and examine the apples, many of them had come a long way and were more or less rotten, which were carefully assorted and pared and put in the big boiler for stewing, from which thousands of good apple pies were made. In the course of two days I could not imagine what would ever become of all of them. They all disappeare in two or three days among the hundreds of sick men. The examination of the eggs was much more tedious than the apples,for each one in the much affected barrels had to be broken before its true quality could be accurately determined. My old friend amasa Eddy used to make two qualities of eggs, which he denominated eggs and pretty good eggs. Clara has gone far ahead of Uncle Amasa for she makes four kinds, the qualities of which were decided in the following manner. The eggs were piled on a long table; her cooks would strike each egg had enough with the edge of a knife to break its shell,when as they said, they could readily decide to what quality it belonged. The first quality were used for omelets, the second for custards, the 3 third for corn starch,puddings and the fourth were cast away as worthless. I left the tent and went back to the house before the eggs ad all been examined; but not before a host of custards had been made and dispensed. I wish you to show this letter to your Aunt Metsey and tell her that I am not well enough to write much, but will write her to-morrow or next day. I found Sam pleasantly situated and to all appearance in a good way to make himself useful, happy and respectable. I feel myself in my present weak condition much at home in his family. I have now no idea how long it will take me to recover my strength,so as to return to N.Carolina; but must for the sake of my business there improv the first opportunity that my strength will safely admit of. It has been storay ever since I left the hospital until to-day; it is now clear and cold, the ground covered with snow. Tell your father that I should have written him this morning and gave him a history of my interview with General Butler, which were most interesting, happy and amusing to all present, except the officers who commanded the raid and arrested me and took my property. Clara was present at the examination and will give a description of it. I do not feel able to review what I have written. You will probably find bad spelling and omissions of both words and letters. If you cannot read it, you must hand it to your mother for Sam has often said that he never saw any writing so bad that she could not read it. My love to your father and Mother and all inquiring friends and believe me, your affectionate Uncle, Stephen. [*original filed 3 x. Stephen Barton Jr.*] [*1864*] My brother Stephen-when with me in front of Richmond Hearing a voice I crept softly down my little confiscated stairway and waited in the shadows near his bed side. He had turned his face partly into his pillow and resting in upon his hands was at prayer. The first words which my ear caught distinctly were "Oh God whose children we all are, look down with thine eye of justice and mercy upon this terrible conflict, and weaken the wrong, and strengthen the right till this unequal contest close. Oh God save my country, Bless Abraham and his armies. A sob from me revealed my presence, he started, and raising his great skeleton form until he rested upon his elbow, he said, "I though I was alone" then turning upon me a look of mingled anxiety, pity and horror, which I can never describe he asked hastily, "Sister what are those incessant sounds I hear, the whole atmosphere is filled with them. They seem like the mingled groans of human agony, I have not heard them before, tell me what it is." I could not speak the words that would so shock his sensative nature but could only stand before him humbled and penitent as if I had something to do with it all, and feel the tears roll over my face. My silence confirmed his secret suspicions and raising himself still higher, and every previous expression of his face intensifying ten fold, he exclaimed, "Are these the groans of wounded men?" are they so many that my senses cannot take them in? that my ear cannot distinguish them. And raising himself fully upright and clasping his bony hands,-he broke forth intones that will never leave me-"Oh our God, in mercy to the poor creatures thou hast called into existence, send down thine angels either in love or wrath to stay this strife and bit it cease, count the least of these cries as priceless jewels, each drop of blood as ruby gems and let them buy the Freedom of the world. Cloth the feet of thy messengers with the speed of the lightning and bid them proclaim through the sacrifices of a people, a peoples freedom, and through the sufferings of a nation a nations peace."- and there, under the guns of Richmond, amid the groans of the dying, in the darkling shadows of the smoky rafters of an old -2- negro hut, by the rude chimney where the dusky form of the bondsman had crouched for years, on the ground trodden hard by the foot of the slave, I knelt beside that rough couch of boards, and sobbed "Amen" to the patriot prayer that rose above me.Poems Andersonville other side Washington Feb. 1st 1865 Lieut Davenport at Fortress Monroe Sir Please deliver to Otis Larned a copy of the Order Promulgated by General Butler to Col Sanders Provost Marshal at Norfolk to restore to me the Property that was taken from me by Lieut Budd of the 20th N York Cavalry and J.B. Hutchens Detective at Norfolk and left in the possession of Col Sanders and also the Pass to enable me to take my property and return with it to North Carolina and oblige your obt Serct Stephen BartonWell mothers I am here here with your darling ones Before me lie the narrow graves that hold your [?] loyal sons And sisters pale with weeping close clasping one another Here lies the [mournful] tribute wreath [?] [?] for that lost [?] brother And women with the tear glazed eyes close clad in widows weeds Recounting to your prattling ones a fathers noble deeds And maiden turned in your love grown pale [?] scarce [?] With stolen glance at hidden face, and lightly smothered sigh I know my son was brave in battle firm in the cannons breath Oh could I know his soul was brave when with the monster death When far from home and mother weary and faint and pale I pray some soldier brother will speak of Vale [And women with the tear glazed eyes]