Clara Barton
General Correspondence
Norton, Charles M. & Mary
Sept. 1869 - Dec. 1880blissfully unconscious of the 
untidy, dilapidated state of
things. Pauls sister Martha is
married to a very wealthy man,
and also lives in Buffalo. I
believe she has a general charge
of their affairs,- less that they
don't poison themselves. + c.
Little Lydia was quite disgusted
with Mrs Townes incapacity and
horrified her greatly by telling her
[how] she not only "knew just how 
a chicken ought to look when
cooked", which Mrs Paul triumphantly
asserted she did, but could
kill, pick, dress and cook it
beside. Paul is getting out a 
series of books on Mathematics.
Charlie says he dont look one
but changed, [from] and he
recognized him meeting in the street.



[*Please accept remembrances of your sincere friend Charlie*]

Hightstown. N.J. Sep 28 th 1869

Dear Sister
I have had just
a little twinge of heartache, every 
time I have thought of you for a 
fortnight past, and that is very
often. I don't know any way to relive
it but telling you, hence this letter.
After you had sailed it occurred
to me I might get fuller particulars
of your illness, its causes and intensity,
 though Mrs. Gage, so I
asked Mrs.Ely to call on her for 
me, and write me the result of 
her inquiries. This she did, very
kindly and satisfactorily. But Mrs.
Gage made one remark that has 
haunted me ever since. It was that
you looked for a visit from me
before you went away. Now Clarathat is just too bad, for I wanted
to come so much, and did not do
so only because I was not sure
you wanted to see me. And now
you have gone away, and it "may
be for years, or it may be forever."
"Honest confession is good for
the soul", so the Catholic says, and
so I believe, and it is some comfort
to me to tell you why I did
not go to you. I hope you may
receive all the benefit you expect
from your change of climate, + 
come back soon, and then see
if I dont come to you, whether
you ask me or not.
We are all well as usual. Mother
sits by the table where I am writing
looking very calm and happy, with
her white cap, and kerchief, and
specks, and book in hand. Charlie


Lydia went to Buffalo last week
to attend the businessalist Con held
there. They enjoyed it much, Charley
especially. It is the very first time
he has left home for more than
a day, on pleasure, since he was
married. We think he has actually
grown stouter, and bids fair to
become a fat man yet. I wish I 
could say the same of Lydia. They
took tea one day with Prof. Paul 
A. Towne. He lives in Buffalo +
teaches a high school. He has
a wife and three children. The
wife is a southern woman and
bitterly sesesh. In person she
is very beautiful, has an exquisite
white hand, but a homely face.
Their house-keeping seems to 
be patterned after Dara [Copperfiel?]. 
But Paul seemed happy andand that proved correct. My friend
Roger was taken very ill on that
day. The queerest part of the whole
matter is , I magnatized the lady, 
unconsciously and unintentionally,
you may be sure. It is growing
late and Mother has got restless
so I must bid you good night.
God bless you, my dear sister,
and bring you home in health
and safety. Think of me, sometimes,
and always feel sure that
my old love for you can never
die till I do. Mother sends 
her love, and wishes she could
see the Alps too.
     Your friend
     Mary Norton

[*Mary Norton
Ansd. Oct. 1869.*]
[*33*]


Do you get the Tribune in Switzerland
I wonder? I suppose life might
be endured without it, but I
fear it would be very dry to me.
I have loved old Greely all my life,
and now that I know him, and
have actually won his regard in
return, I love him better than
ever. I wonder what you would
say, to see me put my arms
round his neck. I actually did
once, last winter. I know this
is very silly, but if it makes you
laugh it will do you good. I
started to say that the Tribune
had given the key-note to the 
Campaign by declaring the 15th
Con. Amendment in danger.
 The possibility of its failure
is startling, and I grow impatient
with the blind people who cannotnot even yet read the handwriting
on the wall, warning us 
that our safety lies in justice
to the negro. Whittier prophesied
truly when he wrote, that "close
as sin and suffering joined, we
walk to fate abreast." Our "womens
nights" women are very loud in 
their denunciations of the Ammendment,
and I was not a little glad
that you favored it in your address
in Washington. I had a very
full description of it, from one
who was present, and would thank
you here, in the name of every sensible
woman, or the common
sense you uttered. I was one
of the early advocates of womens
night to the franchise, but I
am really getting so disgusted
with the silly women who


are clamoring for it, here, that
I sometimes doubt if it is best
either for us or the Country. Certainly
women will not be exalted,
or public honor increased, by such
advocates as Mrs. Stanton or Miss
Anthony. We have too many of their
stamp in prominent positions now.
   I hope you will write me,
though only a few lines just to
tell me how you are, very soon.
Will you please tell me also
where you was on Saturday 
afternoon, August 28th. I spent
some time on that day with a
Clairvoyant person, a lady who
you know and respect, by reputation
and I want to test the truth of
her communication. She told
me that one of my friends was 
ill and described his surroundingsSept 17. 1878.
My dear friend.
   Your precious
letter at hand. I write
you just a line to tell
you of my changed
address, which is 372
Calumet Ave. Will
try to write more at
length as soon as I
get settled. but please
do not wait for me.
Will you give Aunt Jane
my love & tell her of my
change of residence.
Yours in much love.
Mary


I hope brain + body will grow
stronger to-gether. [One] In one thing
she is much changed. She has
come to value Mary more than
all the world, and frets if I have
her even for a few minutes
like a sick child for its mother.
Poor Mother. She has grown so 
saintly it quite worries me sometimes
& it would really be a pleasure 
to hear her give us a sound
scolding as of yore. Her boys
all pet her & wait on her with
untiring devotion. One of them
stays with her each night, but
Jamie stays all the time. I 
don't know what we should
have done without him. He made
her a beautiful reclining chair,
with wheels, spring seat and
every thing to just fit her, &
she goes out to eat with us
every meal, & in summer rides


[*Mother sends love, 
as would others 
if they knew I was 
writing, Jamie 
will give 
his himself.*]

[*33 Mary Norton*]
Home, Apr 9th 1874
Dear Clara
     How strange 
it seems to write again your
once familiar name. I have been
trying to recall the last time we 
met & parted. Was it not in
Bridgeport? Counted by years that
is not long ago, but measured by
events, keen joys & bitter sorrows,
it is more to me than all the years that
went before it. Mrs [G?rash's] letter
telling me of her visit to you
was both a pain & pleasure.
I feel very glad that you still
remember us with something
of the old regard, but sad 
that you are sick. I was not 
prepared for this last information.
I have heard [from] of you [aceasiony?]during your stay in Europe, and
always that you had regained
your health. Indeed, one who saw
you on the eve of your reception
in New York spoke of you as
looking so well that I have
never given one anxious thought
for you. I wish I could see
you and learn for myself something
of your condition. But
that is impossible unless you
come to me. I cannot imagine
any thing that would induce
me to leave Mother for a
day even, but I could care
for ever so many here, in 
my own home. I have become
quite a skillful nurse and
housekeeper and would rejoice
at a chance to emply my skill
in your service. Think of this,
and when the weather grows
too warm in W- perhaps you

 will conclude to try the air of
New Jersey. Besure a hearty welcome
would await you any time.
Mrs. S. told you of Mothers
illness. It is now 15 months
since she had the stroke
that paralised her, and most
of the time she has been
sick as well as helpless.
She is greatly changed both
in appearance and character.
Her eyes are bright and her
face as fair and smooth almost
as a girls, while her abundant
silver hair and placid expression
make her a lovely picture
to look at. She is very gentle and 
wonderfully patient. At first her
mind seemed clear as ever, but 
of late it has grown very weak.
She has been suffering from a
bilous attack, but now that is 
over and her appetite returning,

[*Ansd Sept 27*]
US Postal Card
Write the address on this side - the message on the other
Ohio Sept 7pm ILL.
Miss. Clara. Barton.
Dansville.
Livingston Co. N.Y.out in the garden + to see her
neighbors when she likes. She
is longing now to go out on
the porch, and I too shall
enjoy the taste of fresh air
we shall get when it is safe 
for her to go out. There has
been little change in our immediate
family since you saw
us. Death has not entered it
once, though he has often
threatened it. Charlie had a
serious illness two years ago,
but has entirely recovered +
strange to say has grown
stout, as indeed have all
my brothers. Even Jamie weighs
175 lbs. I am specially proud
of this and claim it a proof
of my housekeeping that I have
been able to put fat on his
bones. I used to think his
case a hopeless one. Mybrothers still live where you
saw them, except William,
who rebuilt the mill in this
place + lives in the village.
My nephews + nieces are growing
almost men + women. Horace +
Irving + very reliable boys + a
great help to their father in
his store. They took entire charge
of it while their father was
sick and proved themselves worthy
the trust reposed in them.- A
hundred things come in my mind 
that I'd like to tell or ask you if I
had space, but I have them unsaid
with less reluctance because I do
not want you to feel this letter [*requires*]
an answer. I have written because I 
hoped to give you pleasure, as I should
have done long ago if I'd known
where to address you, and not to
lay a burden on you. Mrs Grosla
will write [you] me about you, and
that will content me better than
having you taxed for me. Good by now,
and God bless you, in the wish of yours.
Lovingly  M Norton


to see his bride. forgive me for delaying so long to answer your
letter. Mothers illness and the care of nursing and housekeeping
must be my excuse. My own health seemed breaking down in
the fall but I, too, rally when Mother does. I wish I had room
to tell you about a dear friend the year has brought me. Miss Ada
Carnahan. She is a niece of Alice Carys and has much of her aunts genius.
She came here to write poetry and raise chickens, and succeeds well with
both. We have all grown to love her dearly. She sends love to you and
says she wishes she, too, could know you.
Must close, Good by, lovingly


Hightstown, Sunday Eve, Jan 9 th 1875
Dear Clara  I can think of no words to
express as I wish the joy your letter gave me.
I had long given up the hope of ever hearing
from my letter, unless Uncle Sam should return
it from the dead letter office, so, when your
response came it seemed like a message from
the dead. I read it while at dinner, and recognizing
the hand tore it open and began to read,
but before I was done one page the tears began
to flow, and so choked and blinded me I had
to lay it down. Indeed, dear sister, for a joyful
message, your letter cost a  remarkable flow of tears.
Poor Joshua and Harriet tried to read it aloud
and both broke down and had to give it up. (I have
promised to give the letter to Harriet for a memento.)
Captn's oldest daughter took it home to read to 
her pappa and "Aunt Margaret," who, with her
mother, are Wicoffs housekeepers; and when she [*(Nelly)*]
came to the line referring to "Margaret" as one
of the old home-circle, the child was astonishedto hear her give a howl and rush from the room.
The next day the poor soul came to Nellie and
asked her to "please read that letter all
over again," and that time she got through it without
any other demonstration than throwing an apron
over her head + sobbing in it. Knowing how many would
rejoice as I did to hear of your convalescense I
have sent or read it to those I know who loved
you, and this includes, of course, my brothers,
Mr. + Mrs Grosh of Wash, Mrs. Thomas and 
Mr. Waterhouse of Phila, and the Daughters of 
Bardentown, and all returned messages of
heartfelt joy and love to you. Perhaps it was
too free use of a private letter, but I thought you
would not care, as all were your devoted friends.
Mrs Thomas charged me to tell you she hoped to
see you again under her roof. She has a lovely
home in Tacony, (Phila) and is just as noble as ever.
Mr. Thomas remains in very feeble health, and those
who are [near] about him think his end is near.
Dear friend, such throngs of memories come to me
as I think of you, I don't know what to say first.
I wish I could see you and have just one more
good long talk, yet, how could I bear to see you
sick, and weak, and nervous, I cannot realize

it, you was so strong and well always when I
knew [it] you, it seemed you could not break down,
and with all the fervor I possess I pray that your 
recovery may be sure + rapid. It seems hard
 to reflect that your devotion + benevolence should
cost you so dearly, yet, I do not pity you, I 
would be willing to endure every ill poor humoring
is subject [*be*] to do one little of the good you have, though
it brought me no earthly recompense save that
which always comes rom a consciousness of a
life well spent. Sleep may desert, and pain may
rock you, but they cannot take away the memory of
the good you have done and with that you must
be blessed, always. You speak in your letter of 
the changes that have come to you, of the loved
who have gone before. Since then I know your
heart has bled afresh as the life passed out from
the form that held Henry Wilson. I grieved
for him as one always must for the loss of a good
man, but he was you friend, and so you have
felt a far greater and keener pang. I do not wonder
that as one after another of your loved [*ones*] crossed the
deep river your hold on life should loosen +
you long to follow; for I, too, feel the same, what
a glorious band awaits us there, and only the joy of meetingMy space grows small and I must hasten to tell you
something of ourselves. Two days after your letter
came, dear mother had another severe attack and
barely escaped with life. For about two months after
she seemed utterly torpid, She did not seem to be 
conscious of any thing, her whole system was inactive,
and she run down steadily in strength until
the last of Dec. Since then she has gained, and
now as she sits in her chair the picture of
calmness and comfort, a stranger would [*not*] think
the sprit was so walled in its frame that it [had]
could hold almost no communication with
us. She is "Mary's baby" now, and I doubt if she
ever got so much petting and love when
she was her mothers, 82 years ago. I would like to tell
you something of my brothers and other friends here, but
must include all in one sentence. Well and doing well.
Jamie is busy perfecting his potato digger, Captn +
his motherless family get along very well with faithfully
devoted Margaret at the household helm. William has
the mills in the village, here, Joshua has two
nice children. His boy is my special pet, He is not 16
years old, larger than his father, handsome, intelligent,
and just as good as he can be. He takes his fathers
place watching with mother, and fills it. Charley has a
beautiful home and two as nice boys as I know.
Cousin Amanda is a widow now, with one good boy. She
keeps an admirable boarding house here and says
"tell Clara to leave that cold New England and live with
me." I see that Dave has taken him a wife in his island
home, Give him my love and tell him I most earnestly
wish him every happiness life can give. How I'd like


to the true motive, my earnest
love for you. I would give
much to look in your face
once more, Good by and God
bless you wherever you are
Mary Norton
Hightstown. New Jersey
Sunday Eve, Aug 1st / 75
Beloved Friend
I received
a paper marked "Worcester
Mass." a few days ago. My
heart gave a bound, for,
we all thought it was
from you. We were disappointed,
but [*the*] momentary
illusion has so intensified
my longing to hear tidings
of you that I have determined
to make an attempt
to reach you, hoping the
P.M in Worcester will
know where to find you
if you are not there, +that some friend will
respond for you if you
are not able. There are
so many things I want
to know about you, but
I will never be content if I
can only hear how and 
where you are. I heard 
of your sisters illness
and death, and that,
contrary to the advice
of your physician you
went to her. Save that
you was very ill somewhere
in Mass. I have
heard no word of you 
since. Have I not been
patient to keep silence
so long and do I not
deserve to hear from 
you once more?
I dont believe you
know how much we 
love you here and how
we cherish old memories
of your sojourn among
us. You know you was
my first love. I speak the 
words jestingly, yet I
know, and so I am sure
do you, how true and
devout was my homage,
young and undisciplined
as I then was it was
impossible for you,
of course, to respond
to my regard in equal
measure, yet I am sure
you loved me well, more
perhaps than I deserved,
and trust you will not
be sorry, at least, to 
have those old days recalled.
I will not weary you
with a long letter at this
time, and feeling as I do
uncertain that this will


61876?7
Tuesday Mn.
Dear friend Clara,
Mary asked
me Sunday to write you a
few lines, which I promised her
to do, + to-day I was reminded
that she was awaiting a part
sheet to enclose with her own.
So upon me is chargeable
the delay of the letter. = I am
sure we were all glad to
hear from you recently, in the
flesh, this hampered so much
with its weaknesses + we all
rejoice sincerely that the cloud
appear to be lifting + brighter
days appear in the future
It has been a good many
years since I last saw you,
+ to you especially yearnreach you think best to
omit details of family
affairs that [*might*] be of some
interest to you. Mother is
still spared to us, but
her brain is so paralized
now that she knows very
little even of her own
children. I am watching
with her to-night, and
listen to her babbling
between the sentences,
poor little mother. My
heart would ache more
for her if she was not
so perfectly happy and
unconscious of loss. She
calls me now + I must close,
I shall hope to hear from
or of you very soon. Dont
disappoint me in this, and 
if I am selfish to urge it
begone me and attribute it

fraught with many vicissitudes. 
These years I suppose
have o course felt the sum
of their accretions visible
upon your countenance, +
yet I can only think of you
as I used to know you in
'ye olden time'. Will you even
let the 'light of y'r countenance
shine upon us' I wonder! I
sh'd be most happy to have
you visit us in our new home,
+ would try to make it comfortable.
Cant you persuade 
y'rself to make a visit usward
this centennial year, + try the
healing influence of a Jersey
air!
Speaking of our new 
Home, I would explain
that we have built to suit
ourselves our own old lot, only
taking away the old building
starting entirely new. We 
have been in our new
quarters a little over a 
year. Our two boys have
grown to be larger than
their mother - almost
men. The oldest - Horace
Greely - is at the head of
all his classes in Reddie
Institute, + is especially
complimented as a classical
scholar. He might
enter college next summer.
Our other boy - Irving
- takes especially
to merchandising - and 
hates school. Yet he does
well while in school.
Our girl, who has
been with us since the
day she landed inAmerica 12 years ago has
gone + got married. She 
refuses however to leave
us. She runs the home
very satisfactorily + has
made herself indispensible
so my little wife has it
very easy, as she deserves,
+ if you will only come +
see us you can rest easy
of one thing - that you will
give us no trouble.
But Mary + the mail
are both watiing + my
sheet is full.
Hoping to see you 
some time again. I remain
as ever yrs sincerely
C. M. Norton

US Postal Card
Hightstown N.J.

Write the address on this side - the message on the other

Miss Clara Barton
Dansville.
New York.Hightstown, Feb 7th 1877
Lydia is suffering 
less now than for a 
fortnight past, but I 
am not very sanguine
she is permanently much
better. She is making a
brave fight for life, but
the odds are against her.
Charley still keeps up
an appearance, at least,
of hopefulness, but the 
nursing and anxiety are
having very deep marks
on his face. - The
snow has been gone here
some time, and plowing
and gardening is being 
done in many places. All
send love. In Haste  M Norton

Hightstown Feb 14 th / 77
Dear Clara
"There are
no friends like the old friends."
many people, good friends + 
true, have written me kind
words of sympathy, but none
touched my heart like yours.
The spirit told me you right,
little mother has gone from
us. She was ill only ten days,
and passed away at last, we
 rejoice to believe, without being 
conscious of a pang.
We thought she had taken
a cold, but probably it
was the just the natural termination
of her disease.

I miss her more than
words can tell. - but if I 
could I would not call 
her back. I know thetransplanting from this
life to the higher is all
gain to her, and at times
I can even rejoice that
she is safe. I have sometimes
dreamed that I was
was dying, and Mother left
behind, and even in that
state the thought was 
agony, Thank God, that
can never come to her, and
if she had one unfilled want
during all her years of helplessness,
which human love
might have supplied, we
never knew it.
I have had had present anxieties,
 since Mother let us,
that have served to fill
my thoughts and hands
so I have had little time
to sit and mourn. Sister
Lydia is very ill. - has 
been so all winter. - and 
cousin Amanda is probably
dying. Her Dr thinks she 
will not live a month. She
lives only two doors from
one, Her life has been one
of the hardest I ever knew,
Lydia has acute laryngitis.
Has been confined to the 
house most of the time
for some months and is 
very weak. Her case is not
hopeless, perhaps, at least,
Charlie and her boys do
not let themselves think
so, but the chances are 
against her. I spend all
the time I can with her,
and may be compeled to
close my house and stay
with her i she gets worse.[*Ansd July 18-*]

Hightstown  Jul 13   NJ
3 U.S. Postage Three Cents


Miss Clara Barton
Dansville
New York

At present, Jamie and 
I remain in our home 
to-gether, I own the property,
so, it is optional with me
to stay here, and I cannot
bear to have the spot endeared
to me by so many
associations, at least for
a time.
I am so glad you are so
much improved, your letter
 bears testimony to the fact.
I hope you will come and
see us. I wish you was here
to-night. Jamie is out spending
the evening with a lady friend of 
his and I am all alone.
All your friends here, you 
have many, send love. I wont urge
you to write, that would be
selfish, but you now your 
letters are always welcome.
This is the first I have written since
Mother died, and it has cost me some
tears. Good night. Lovingly M Norton

Hightstown July 12 / 10
Dear Clara
It is so
long since we met that
it is hopeless in the space
of a letter to even sum
up the changes that have
come to me and mine [* in the interval.*]. 
I will not attempt it, but
instead, urge you to come
and see us once more if
you still are really in 
the land of the living.
I can hardly believe you
are. You seem misty, and 
surreal; I cannot realize 
that I may look in
your face again, and
listen to you voice, +
a message from youMary Norton

thrills me like a voice
from the dead. Nothing
but sight of you can
make you alive again to
me, so, come, if you can
and convince me that you 
are alive and not a holy
ghost as I half believe
you. Jamie and I live
to-gether in the home you
saw us in. I wavered
about giving up my home
and going to help poor
Charlie and his boys
to rebuild their shattered
altar. But while Jamie 
preferred to stay with me 
I could not feel it right
to have him, for they had
each other, while Jamie had
only me. Charley has been
rarely fortunate thus far.
His house is cared for now

by a young girl whom I 
have "raised", and when
she leaves (in a few months)
for a home of her own,
Ada Carnahan has consented
to take the post of housekeeper.
Charlie makes a 
brave effort to hear his
bereavement [*calmly*], but is not
always successful. His
married life was rarely
happy, + his little sister was
never so lovely as when
she was stepping away
from us. His oldest boy (my
favorite) expects to enter
the Perm. University the
first of October, and 
that will be a fresh
bereavement. I hope
Horace will be home when
you come for I want you
to know each other.and I have to keep calm
or she leaves me entirely.
I am a larger and stronger
woman than I used to
be or the grief and nursing
would have killed me.
As it is I am more 
afraid of going crazy
than dying. I [*have a*] dear cousin
near me [*who has*] lost her balance
with less apparent cause.
Did you divine before
you saw where the last
blow had fallen? If you
did I shall conclude you
are gifted with with a wonderful
spiritual insight.
Jamie is in bed and
his snores, far from
melodious, give one a
pleasant sense of comfort.
It will delight him, and
us all to see you againHe too has grown large,
weighs 185 lbs. Miss Waterhouse,
the good aunt of Lue's who
missed her father during
his paralysis is visiting
me now. Mr. Waterhouse
died last Christmas, his
wife two years before.
It makes me glad to
hear of your recovery (that
I dont believe you are alive
at all.) Bernard  bassall spent
a day here last fall and
told us something of your
suffering. (I kissed him for
joy when he came, and got
so mad I could hardly be
polite before he left.) Do
come and see me if you
can, and write soon, whether
you come or not.
Lovingly yours,
Mary Norton

Hightstown Aug 14 1877
Dear C.  Irving saw me 
write your name ad said
"Give my regards to Clara +
ask her if she cant come
to see us pretty quick." Do
come. The grapes and
peaches are getting ripe
melons coming in by loads
and we want you to share
them with us. Kate left
us yesterday and we are
so lonely. We will let C-/
and his word to mine
while I give Gussie his
breakfast.  M, Norton
+ I was to meet you
+ bring you in triumphantly 
+ the white [liliesome?]
looking or you by the house +
Mrs. Phlex peeps in at the dining
room window + the peaches hang
above them, + we all say come.Ansd by a letter Aug 17. 79.
US Postal Card.
Write the address on this side - the message on the other
Clara Barton
Dansville
New York

Jamie sends regards.
Hightstown, Jan 11th 1878
Dear Clara
It has happened
So often that you have come
to me at times when I have
been in sore need of sympathy
that I have come to believe
it is not all accident, and
in our sore extremity should
expect a message from you
if alive upon the earth.-
So it seemed perfectly
natural that a loving letter
should come to me from
you when I was steeped
in the "gall of bitterness" and
perhaps you will say in
the "bonds of inequity" too, to
my very lips. God bless
you for it. It did me more goodthan you can know to feel
there yet remained for me
in this world a true friend
who would not decieve. If
[you] we ever meet again, and
you care to hear, I will
tell you the cause of this
miserable mood, and if I
seem to you to [be] have been in the
wrong and foolishly sensitive
you shall chide me as much
as you please. For I know
you will not doubt my intention
to be honorable + unselfish,
and can understand how it
would wound me almost to
distraction to find those I
loved + trusted could stoop
to decieve me. The wound
is almost healed now, though
an occasional  sharp pain
warns me that it is not
yet sound or out of danger


of bleeding afresh, but time +
care will harden it and
perhaps, sometime, remove
the scar. But enough of this.
     Can it be possible I shall
see you again, in real warm
flesh + blood? I can hardly
believe it even though I
am building so much
upon your partial promise.
Do, try to come and
see us all. The warmest of
welcomes awaits you, and 
even if our meeting is shadowed 
by remembrance of
some who "are not," loving
memories of them will
give us a peace almost as
precious as that we usually
call joy. I hope you
will come and find me
where you left me, in
my own home. But thatis not likely unless you
come soon. Jamie will
have me in the spring
for a new home in Northern
New York, and that will
probably necessitate a
change in my life. I
have lived here so long
and this place has grown 
so sacred for the precius
memories that center in
it that it is harder than
death to leave it. It seems
I must do so, but I cannot
decide to part with it, at
least now. I wish some
one I loved would just
take it as it is, furnature
and all. I could leave it
then in comparative peace.
     As you will guess I
shall probably make my


nerve power from having
expended so much for
years in sympathetic
nursing, that I fear I cannot 
give them the cheerful
help they need. Still I
may be better than any
one else he can get now 
and if he desires it shall
go with him in the spring.
     There are many things I
want to talk to you about
but trust to do so soon
face to face so I will leave
them for the present. I have
had a very kind letter from
A. B. Grosh  asking me to visit
them, but I cannot at this
time. Give them my warmest
love when you see them
and believe me as ever
Lovingly Yours   M Nortonhome with Charlie. I would
have gone there last spring,
but for Jamie, who I then
felt needed me more than
C-, for he had his boys.
Perhaps you will wonder
that I should hesitate to
to leave my home to go with
Charlie. There are several 
reasons why I do so. One
is, for C-s own sake. I
hope he will marry again.
He has a lovely home +
I dont want him to lead
a solitary life all the rest
of his days. For this reason 
if I go to him I shall
[leave] keep my own home so
I can go back to it if at
any time he desires to
marry. Another reason is
my health is not very firm
and I am so deficient in


Dear Friend-. Mary has notified
me that she writing
you a letter, + asks me if I have
any word I would like to send
you-. In remembrance of the
letter you wrote her a  few weeks
ago from W. I have a word I 
desire to write, + that is, that
you make H. in y'r way,  whatever
direction it may be you go next,
and that you pay us a good long
visit. By us I mean also + especially
the undersigned, who
would be most happy to have
you spend such time as you
might feel able to afford at
his unassuming home.- I really
wish you w'd make us a good,
long, old-time visit - + if it wasnot for the mountains which
time + circumstance have
heaped up between us, I sh'd
insist upon such a visit with
all the fervor of years gone.
But you will understand that
if you have any time to spare
from y'r busy life work we, + I,
w'd be most happy in sharing
with you a portion of that leisure
     I am living in a quiet way at
present - with only my youngest boy
(Irving) at home + Miss Ada Carnahan
taking care of us both - They are
now in the dining-room practising on
a drama - David Garrick - which is to
be put upon the stage here by an amateur
company - Ada is soon to become
a sister - you can guess the channel -
Horace is in Univ. of Pa. Medical department
for 3 yrs.= Hoping some day 
to see you again I remain, as ever yrs
                              C M Morton



Ansd. Jany, 15 -78
Mary + Charley
Mary Norton

[Jan?] 30th 1878. Am dressed for 
bed but cannot rest until
I have sent you a word
of thanks for my pretty
book. I wanted that volume
when it was published,
but am glad now I did
not get it, for its value is
so much greater because
it speaks of your love. I am
glad you spent the day with
C-. though I'd rather think
of you in bed than rushing
through the darkness on
a railroad. My one night
ride has given me a sort
of horror of that kind of travel.
C- is full of regret, as we
all are, because he did not
stay to see you start. I have
missed of you more than I
could tell. Birdie helped
me wash the dishes and has
behaved beautiful all day.
Good night dear friend and
God bless you. Lovingly M. N.[*Ansd Sept 2*]
                                                     US 
                                            POSTAL CARD
WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER

[HIG]HTSTOWN
[AUG]
31

Clara Barton
     Dansville
          New York




Have had so many 
interruptions since 
I began this I 

fear it is almost incoherent. 
Do tell me what you think of Hays?
I like him, as much as I dislike
Blaine + Concklin + those of their
ilk who are trying their best to hamper
him. With few exceptions I despise
this whole congress. How do 
you see these things.

          Hightstown March. 26/78
Dear Friend
                     My conscience
has been troubled on your
account of late. I could not
answer your letter when it
first reached me, and I
somehow got the impression 
that your stay in Wash. was
to be short, so, when I wanted 
to write I did not know
where to address you. Joshua
had a letter from Mr Grosh
last week and through that
I learned you was still in
Washington, so I trust this
will reach you even though
you may have removed from
the place you was in when 
you wrote me last.

Note: "Concklin" probably refers to Roscoe Conkling (1829-1888), a New York lawyer and member of the Republican Party, who served in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. He was opposed to President Rutherford B. Hayes on several issues.[* Charlie has two of the best boys in the world. I don't see how I could love them better 
if they were my own.*]

Your letter was tenderly kind
and comforting, and did me
good like a medicine. Thank
you for it. I am feeling much
better in mind and body than
I did in the winter. Time, the
great consoler, has done his
work and done it well. Of course
It is not possible for me ever to forget
the pain I suffered from an
undeserved wound, but I
no longer care for it. If we
ever meet again I will tell
you the cause of my sorrow.
if not, we will speak of it no
more. When your letter came
to me I was full of trouble
about Joshua and Charlie.
Joshua had a spell of bilious
fever, but is well now and
looking better than before it
came. Charlie was threatened
with the same, but he escaped


after a few days confinement
with only an attack of jaundice.
I judge the grief and depression
of the past year was
the origin of the sickness of
[with] both. In Joshua's case
I think it was a blessing
in the end. It [think it] made
both he and Harriet realize
how much was still left to
live on for, and has had the
effect to make them more cheerful.
They have borne a heavy burden
the past year. They not only
[sent] lost their daughter but
because they thought it best
for him, sent their son away
from them to attend school
in Boston. He is a splendid 
boy (in my opinion) both in
looks and character, and has
gained [golden opinions] much respect from
Prof Tay with whom he lives.I feel sure now their course was
wise, but also feel sure that if he
had been mine, and all that was
left me, I could not have done
it. Jamie leaves me next week
for his new home in Farmer
Village, Seneca Co. N.Y. He will
stop in Brooklyn to be married 
to Miss Ada Carnahan, and together
they will begin the new
life by building a new house.
Ada is a sister to Mrs. Chas' Thomas,
and niece of Alice Carey. A
poet and a strong minded
woman. Two things Jamie
has always despised. She
has lived here about three
years and deservedly won
the love and respect of many
others beside Jamie. I hope
the marriage will be a happy 
one, for I feel largely responsible
for it, and shall condemn
myself sharply if my


loss shall not prove their gain.
I have decided to remove to Charlies,
at least for a time. I have been
very fortunate in getting a friend
to occupy my house who will
take better care of it than I
should myself, so I shall
remove nothing from it but
my clothing and can return
whenever I wish. This arrangement
has given me much
comfort and I shall go to
Charlies with a very different
feeling from that I should
have had if I had broken up
my home as at first I thought I
must. So, when you come to
see us I shall be with Charlie,
and we can enjoy you to-gether.
You will come, wont you? We
all want so much to see you. I had
a letter from Mrs Gage lately, in response 
to one I wrote her and she, too, islooking for a visit from you.
Don't disappoint us if possible.
I shall send this unsealed to 
Charlie and am sure he will
add his invitation to mine
most cordially. Send me word when
to look or you if you can, so I may
arrange my housekeeping cares
to see as much of you as possible,
but if not convenient to do so
come without and besure under
all circumstances of a hearty
welcome.- It is ten years today
since Lucretia Waterhouse
died, and now, her father + mother 
lie beside her and the family
here are extinct. I miss + long 
for her yet, at times, with painful
intensity, and when I think of the joys
of the Heavenly World, her companionship
is always before me as one of its
dearest attractions. Must close this 
and leave room for Charlie. I trust
the mild air of Wash. will do you
much good. Lovingly yours M Norton


My mental charge was unfounded. - 
You will certainly
make us an incidental visit - 
- for I despair of you ever making
us a cold-blooded, premeditated
one -- if only for the sake
of 'lang Syne' We've a room + 
a chair at our table for you - + we
shall hope to make you comfortable 
though in plain unostentatious
style - We hope - Resp  C M MortonFriend Clara  - Mary
has sent me an unsealed
letter for you saying if I had
a word to add I might do
so before closing her letter - I have
only to say I have wondered for
weeks if you had gone home
without giving us even a passing
call. and now I want to do you
the justice to admit freely that


[*Ansd Sept 16, 78*]
Thanks for paper which I
have only had time to open,
Never knew such a thing was
published. Forgive the haste in
which I have written. Will try
to do better with time.

                          Home Friday Eve
Beloved Friend
                          The
clock has just struck ten
and I am tired (choir met to-night)
but want to say a few
words in reply to your postal
just received. And first - dont
try to write when hurried or not
in the mood. I have love and faith
enough to keep the chain of friendship
bright no matter how
seldom you speak. I know writing
is a tax on your strength and
how much of it you must needs
do and I am not so selfish as
to want to add to your burden.
It comforts me to hear you felt
better when [when] with us. I feared
I had taxed your sympathy too
much for your good and haveblamed myself sharply for
being so selfish. You helped
me, oh so much. My pride
had been wounded almost
as much as my heart, and the
knowledge that one I so much
honor knows the whole miserable
story and still respects me has
removed some of the bitterness
and left me in a stronger and
healthier frame to endure until
time has healed the wounds.
But I must not waste space on this.
Are you not coming back to us
for a time before you go to Wash?
We shall all be disappointed if
you do not. I have missed you
so much. When the cars moved
off with you I felt as I always
do when trying to look my
last on a beloved face in
its last rest, - unsatisfied, I must
look once more, and then


I can give it up. Do come
again, and now I am happier
see how much I can help
you when I try. I spoke
of you in any letter to Oliver
Johnson. I enclose his reply
thinking it might please you.
Please return when you write.
Of course I shall not give him
the privilege of printing any
thing which you have not
seen + approved. I'll tell
you what I wrote, as well
as I can remember, when
we meet. Mrs McChesney
asks me to tell [you] that
when "Minnie" gives up her
charge she will take her
if you can influence her friend
to put her in her care. Will
let her share her own room
if necessary and give her
faithful attention. Ofcourse this is only an offer;
and you are under no obligations
to exert yourself in the affair
unless you desire to do so.
Mrs Mc- is a grand woman,
with a rare combination of
firmness and kindness and
if any once could deal with
queer people I am sure
she could. She has a beautiful
home in New Brunswick. Convention
meets here next week
and I am full of plans for
it. I wish you was here to act
as rec' committee, so I could
give all my thoughts to supplying
the inner man: I have a good
woman engaged but she will
not be competent to do much
except under direction. How
capable I am of that remains
to be seen. I have two guests,
Moses Ballou + James Shrigley,
engaged. If it were not for fear
of trouble with Mrs Hamford
I should anticipate the meetings
with pure pleasure. Shut full
and mind full of things I want
to say + cannot to-night. Good
by dear friend. Lovingly M Norton


to stay as long as business will
let you. Lovingly M Norton
                Home, Sept 22d 1878
Dearest Friend
                Have tried
in vain to settle myself to
work this aft. Am almost sick
with a cold, and a dreary rain
has set in so I cannot go out
doors as I should like. Have
said over and over, "if only
Clara was here to talk to I
could sit down content." I
guess the truth is I was just
a little spoiled by your
visit. I don't believe a waking
hour has passed since  but
I have [longed] thought of and
longed for you. "I need thee
every hour." I rouse up to find
the song on my lips but the
longing in my heart is for the earthlyand not the heavenly friend.
I try to think I dont want you
to miss me as I do you, but
am not sure I succeed. But of
this I do feel sure, you cannot
miss us more than we all
do you. Life has come to seem
to me so uncertain, and 
honest friendship so invaluable
that I grudge every hour I
must pass separated from
those I love best. Like
Samantha Allen I'd like
to have them all where
I could "put my hand on
them at any hour of the
day or night."
     The Con- is a thing of the
past and I feel so well satisfied
with my success as
hostess that I look back to
it with pleasure. There were
about 60 guests in all. Rev Moses
Ballou, Rev James Shrigley + Rev - 


Barber, (theological student +
nephew of Moses B-) were with
us from Tuesday to Friday.
Wed night Mr + Mrs Partridge
of Nyack N.Y. were with us also.
At meals we had others, I
think 8 the highest number
at any one. I had a good woman
engaged to help me, but her
child was taken ill and 
she had to leave me the
middle of the first day. Eva
came to my help or I should
have been in a bad predicament
as I had to play in church so
must be much from home.
I took cold before the con- 
and was almost sick with
it, but the Con itself did not
weary me at all. I begin to
feel proud of my physical
strength, and trust it to take
me safely through almost
any emergency.I sent Mrs Mc letter to her
at once and also the one
addressed to me as that
gave further information
about your charge. Have not
heard from her since. I 
wish you could see how pretty
the yard looks. The Castor bean
is so tall + luxuriant, the
new Calladium leaves are
larger + handsomer than the
first, and the asparagus bed
is a blaze of scarlet berries.
I suppose your friends are
still with you. If so give them
my love + tell them I feel
better acquainted with them
than with many I have seen
every week of my life. I was
in such haste to send my
former letter that I could
not wait until C- had
time to write, but I will
leave this open for his message
if he has one, as he is sure to.
I hope to hear soon that you
are coming to us again prepared


[*If not delivered within 10 days, to be returned to
C. M. Norton
Hightstown NJ
Ansd. Oct. 12
78 -*]
          [Hightsto]wn N.J
          [October?] 10/78
Dear Friend
          I enclose herewith,
as you see, a copy of the
little Daguerreotype, a souvenir
of 'ye olden time' To me it
looks very natural, + until
y'r visit with us their fall
was my most distinct 
remembrance of you.
I do not know if you, who
have been quite well acquainted
with the author
ever since, can trace the
continuity. It wears a
smile, as it always seemed
to wear to me - and I
sometimes find it difficultdifficult to persuade myself
that it has not always reflected
a happy heart.
Cares & sorrows manifold.
& undeserving, has it hidden
and still by some mysterious
'Grace' has been enabled to
beam forth through it all -
And such seems to be life.
But it is not too much to 
hope that in the future -
heart & smiling face may
be more  nearly in accord
than in all the past!
     I have had the little
Dag. cleaned &, polished, & while
I wish you could see it now
I couldn't think of parting
with it - but when you come
down again (& that will be
soon- I hope) we'll have a
little "Peep Show" & you're "free"


     We are keeping house alone
since Saturday, - Mary having
gone to Belvidere to visit our
cousin Mrs. Maxwell, for a 
week. A letter from her yesterday
indicates she is having
a pleasant visit. Mary has
had a cold for some weeks
& a good deal of cough that
I don't like, but which she
says in common with all her
colds. They all have written
me very urgently to come up
& return with Mary, & I rather
think I shall go tomorrow.
     What about your breaking
up your "home for Incapables" -
did it not all fall through
at last? & really have you
not increased your dependents
I look into your (photo) face, &
seem to get an affirmative answer 
in the smile!There have been very many
kindly inquiries of you since
your departure, from all manner 
of people who know you
by sight & reputation - a great
many hoping they might have
some public opportunity of seeing
& hearing you.
     I rec'd a few days ago a long (6
sheet) letter from my Virginia
correspondent, Mrs. [Hallem?], filled
with an odor of unspoken "farewells" 
& enclosing a lot of family 
portraits - all good looking people,
"like us" as Dr. Wilbur once said. -
The corr' had become rather foreign
to the original opening, & she
being a widow, I found, I concluded
it was rather awkward & had better
be closed - - - - - - Will you ever
make us that visit, I wonder?
We hope so, & that you will often write
       Very truly yours C. M Norton


[*Mary Norton
Nov 4 1878*]
[*ADVERTISED
N..
16
C.*] 

           Hightstown - Nov 4th 1878
Dear Clara
            I expect you
to score a heavy ballance
in my favor for abstinance
in writing you, I assure
you it has been a work
of grace, and not nature.
You spoiled me last
summer, and every day
since I have missed
and wanted my sister
confessor, but I know
writing must be a tax
to you and have tried
to be unselfish. Now
that the house is closed,
and the flowers adorning
window and bracket, our
rooms look very pleasant
in the soft light of stoveand lamp. The glow of
the fire seems t o remove
some of the lonely look
they have always worn
to me since little sister
went away from them,
and I often think if
I had only Clara in
one of the rockers, where
I could just see her,
sometimes, I should
be content. I wish you
could have spent this
winter with us. Cant
you come for awhile?
At Thanksgiving or
Holidays? Horace will
be home then and you
can renew your horse
back rides. Think of it.
I want to come to see
you this winter, and will
do so when it will suit


you best to have one, if - 
I can get any one
I can trust to leave in
charge here. Gussie McChesney 
took charge while
I was in Belvidere, and
did it well.
     Your account of the dispersion
of your household
amused me much. But
how long will it take
you to assemble another.
I am glad Ira is with you.
You know I have a very
tender spot in my heart
for sick or motherless
children, and what you
told me of the poor boy
interested me for him.
     Dr Woods is engaged.
He writes me about his
Emily in very rapturous style.
He will not marry undera year. Poor Kate! But for
her I could rejoice very
heartily. Dr always asks
about you and sends messages
of respect.
     Do you know Gertrude
Sawyer McEntee is dead?
It was a hard blow to her
family for they never
 suspected she was seriously
sick until told
by a Dr who chanced to
be called she could not
live a week. I believe
She had a very rare form
of kidney disease.
     Am glad to hear you are
succeeding so well in the beginning
of your work for 
the red cross. How I am
to be any help to you I
cannot imagine, unless 
it is to sit in a row like


the vice pres.t at a political
meeting. - for symmetry
You remember the story
of the old darkey who
was interrupted in the
midst of a sermon
on our duty to do whatever
the Lord sets us at,
by the irreverent query,
"sposen you cant, sposen
he tells you to jump
through a stone fence?"
Then, says the orator, it
is  [my] your business to jump
at it, but it is the Lords
business to take you
through. So, I wait in
faith, - faith in you, for
I cannot [imagine] see how
one so simply endowed
by nature or culture 
can avail much to forward
any thing.Charlie is carrying in
some flowers that have
been standing in the
barn, to secure them
from freezing.- it is 
time to get supper, and
I must close. Cousin Will
has just been in to bring
me Blaines speech to read.
The long columns of fine
print look formidable,
but of course I must attempt
it. He sends much
love to you. I had a vinelander 
with me over Sunday.
Said Mrs Gage is improving
and spoke very kindly of
your nurse, Miss Mc- something
And now good night, good
friend, and God bless and
keep you. Yours
Mary Norton

Monday Evg - 11/4
Dear friend Clara - Mary has just
notified me as she is retiring that
if I desire there is room for a few
words in a letter she is writing you.
Of course I've always a word to say,-
the question, however, seeming rather to behave 
you a moment to spare & an
Ear to listen? Presuming on these I
write briefly - - - . Winter seems to-day
to be making advances, & I have been
this Evg getting in from the barn & putting
in order the last of the plants I had
thought to cheer the inside of the house
with, during "the winter of our discontent"
Do you remember the woman who
while you was here applied in our town
for assistance on the score of having been
a nurse during the war caring for our
union soldiers? Well she was originally
a Caroline H Norton, of Worcester, who married
a Wilson, south, who died at N.O.of fever years ago. She had collected
some thousands dollars in this state
+ last week was arrested at Elizabeth,
N.J, + has told her story. I think
she is a little crazy. She was belabored
with Hotel bills, which she paid, + has
been sent on to a Sisters, at Auburn,
N.Y, - - - I was rather hopeful that
you might pay us a visit on your
way down, but I shall put my little
stock of hopefulness out at interest + let
it accumulate. So you see you'll
only have a bigger debt to pay some 
time,- + since the lapsing of the
Bankrupt act you've got it to pay. You
see your dilemma? I've got no
Peaches to tempt you, but I have still
got some most delicious Isabella Grapes
hanging about back porch + by the
barn. I wish I could lay them by
y'r plate.- then we've lots of Hot water
+ Graham Bread. So can't you come?
I offered to meet you at N.Y. but I'll make it
Phila. instead. With Kindest regard Yours CMM


P.S. I love every body who loves you, and 
you may tell them so, especially Mrs
Taylor, if you desire.
       Hightstown, Dec 5/78
[*Ansd by a card Jany. 3d -*]
                     I dont want
to write to you, - I want
to sit at your feet, and
lay my head in your lap,
and look in your face,
and feel the touch of
your hand on my hair,
and love you until the
poor strained nerves
grew calm and you
could close your eyes
 and sleep while I watched.
I could help you, I 
feel so sure of it that
I envy your nurses their
privelege. I wish you
had come here and
let me try. Yet I do
not wonder you preferedthe quiet and independence
of a home of your own, and
perhaps it was best. I may
be less helpful than I think.
You know I think I have
some gift for nursing, and
nature has bestowed so
few on me I incline to
make the most of it.
     I was not surprised to hear
you was unable to carry out
your wishes. It would have
been a heavy charge for
any one, and when poor little
Ira grew worse the result 
on you was sure. Poor child,
I could not keep back the 
tears when I read of his reluctance
to leave you. Has'nt 
the poor boy any woman relative
except yourself to care
for him? If not he is truly
 a subject of pity. Money


could not buy what he
needs - love - care. Dont 
fail to tell me of him when
you write.- Mr Grosh has
told me of your departure
and urges me not to give
out the Wash- visit. It was
never sure, and I am not 
very hopeful that I can
go, but I shall make an
earnest effort, lest my
failure give Mr G- pain,
I love and honor both
Mr + Mrs G and owe them
a debt of gratitude for
faithful friendship and
trust in me that I can
never repay.
     Horace and Henry are
home for vacation and
brought some holiday
cheer with them. Both look
well and are doing well.I owe it to you that I have
had a great pleasure the past
week. I took the corn silk
I dried last summer to
Uncle William, who is
very ill with inflammation
of the urinary organs. It
has given him great relief.
He may not recover, probably
will not, but I rejoice to
have saved him some
suffering. I told him not
to use it without the knowledge
and approval of his Dr (a great
goose in my opinion) but when
I gave you for authority he
said "why, she knows more
than any Dr I know, and I
shall ask no ones permission
to try it. Send it to me right
away." (Charlie is done
writing and begun to read
aloud, so dont wonder if
I blunder.) A letter from


Oliver Johnson last week.
He always asks about you,
as does Dr Woods. Dr has
sent me a picture of his
lady love. I like her face
very much. Dr is an ardent
lover, and his frank avowel
of it is very charming to me.
You know I never like any
one to do things by halves.
     Now Clara, Darling sister
that you are, I want to talk
to you about a hundred things,
among them some of my
own affairs about which
I'd like to ask your advice
if you was well, and here.
But I love you too well
to worry you to think for
me, and am going to give
you a proof of it by asking [you] to abstain[ing]
from answering
me until such time as you
shall feel like it.Charlie has gone down to 
the store to look after his
fire and Irving come in
from escorting his Grandmother
to church. Asked Irving
for a message,- sends
"unabating regards". C- will
deliver his own messages.
Horace is in Trenton to-day.
He has been wishing for you 
to ride with him. I enclose
a slip that may interest you.
A few months ago I should
not have understood it.
     How glad they must
have been to see you again
at the Home. I am longing 
to know all about you, but
I'll wait. I am very grateful
for your loving words, they 
cheer and strengthen me.
Good night, dear Clara and
God bless you. Lovingly M Norton


              [*[Dec. 5, 1878]*]
              Monday, Evg.
Dear Friend Clara,
              Mary has
said that she has room
for one more small passenger
inside, + I offer to take
the room - I suppose she has
given you general news of any
interest, + possibly told you how
surprised all were at your
sudden withdrawl from
Washgn But, whatever she
may have said for herself
she did not say for me that
we should have been so glad
to have tried the efficacy
of winter treatment in your
case, down here in Jersey. I
could'nt promise boating  nowwith ice 5 inches thick, but
would be able to give a warmer
treatment in the way of welcome
I had rather hoped that
we might have had another 
visit from you before the close
of the year, even allowing for y'r
erratic course, but I shall
still hope that some time ‒ in
y'r own good time? ‒ you will do us
the favor, when w[h]e sh'd be
hopeful of partially returning
the favor on the account of 
improved health. - - - I hope to
hear that y'r health has been 
fully restored, however, before this.
We have yet had no snow to more
than whiten the ground for a few
hours, although the thermometer has
touched 17°. - - - Next to seeing you,
hoping often to hear of your improved
health, I remain, Your Resy
                                                  C.M.N.

[*Ansd May 21. 79*]
          Sat Morn March/15
Dear C‒
                      I looked for
a letter from you last night.
It did not come ‒ probably
will not. And it is just as
well so. If I could look in
your dear face & tell you just
what worries me, you might
advise me to some purpose.
As it is, I know you cannot.
And indeed I do not need
it now. My course for a year
to come is determined. I 
shall remain here until H-
graduates, unless something
now unforseen prevents. What
it will be best to do then time
will show, and I will try to
await its developments in
faith and patience.Of course, you guessed I 
was sick when I wrote
you, I was sick in every
fibre of body and soul.
A week before I had a
blow that shocked and pained
me more than I could tell,
just as it fell company came,
exhausting company, and
as one shared my bed I 
had no hour by day or night
to take counsel with myself
and bind up my wounds.
They just had to be covered
up and left to fester. Then
I took cold at a specially
unfortunate time, and
the fever resulting from
the checked function made
matters seem just too hard
to bear. I wanted comforting
God seemed too far away to


hear, and so, I came to
you. I am not sorry, -
save for the pain I fear
I gave you. I think if I
had not done so I should
have fell sick.
     I am somewhat run
down, and want to get
away for a little while.
If I can get some one in
my place I shall go to
see Mr Grosh. Would like
to go in about 10 days, but
all is yet uncertain. Next
week I must store my
goods to make way for 
the new tenants. How I 
dread it.
     We are all well as
usual and would be
so glad to see you. It
would help C- as muchas me, for he, too, has
suffered, though its effects 
on him are different from 
mine.
     In great haste and
can write no more
now.
     Lovingly as ever
     Your sister Mary


    Home, Apr 9th. 1879
Dearest Sister Friend,
    Oh, Clara you must
come to me. Now, at once.
I need you, and you need
me. Yet I cannot go to you
now. I should have done
so, joyfully, if I had known
a month sooner, but when
your letter came I had
given my promise to
stay another year, and
the only one I know whom
I'd be willing to see here
as housekeeper had also
made arrangements for
the coming year which
I know she could not
break. So you see I am fast.
Others can break my bondsI cannot do it myself.
A visit I might accomplish,
but your home is
too near Jamie for that.
I should dislike the gossip
I would incur if I went 
to you and avoided him.
They are in their new home
and have both extended
warm invitations to
C & his boys, Joshua &
Harriet, & br William, to
visit them this summer.
I'd care nothing for their
[..cinage] if I was not
to return here, and I will
come, in spite of it,
if at any time you and
me and let me know
it. I should deem it a
pleasure and privelege
to serve you, darling,


whom I so love and honor.
Come to me, and see if
I don't mean what I
say. Come prepared to
stay just as long as
you like it. Let us know
when to expect you &
C- will meet you at
any point you desire.
Oh! how can I urge you
as I want to. You can
never recover amid depressing
surroundings.
I understand Fannie
perfectly. It is the
old story of a commonplace
character growing
tyranincal by the very
kindness that should
have made it forever
grateful. I am thankful
Minnie is near you. God
bless her.I am in great haste this
morn for I must make
some visits to the sick.
to-day. Came home from
Wash. last Sat. Every one
was so kind my visit
was one of the best I
ever made in my life.
I thought to write to
you from there, but was 
out so much of the time
sightseeing that my time
in the house seemed to
belong to my good friends
and I was ashamed to 
withdraw from them to 
write letters. Since my
return I have had many
calls as well as much
work pressing me, and 
am likely to be so much
occupied for a week to


come that a long, full
letter, such as I want to 
write you will be an 
impossibility. Time to
get dinner so must close.
Let me hear from you
soon, if only a few words,
and if you only write
you are coming, soon
you will fill me with
delight. Good by now,
and God bless you.
     Lovingly
                    M Nortonhouse built for Ada has
a room added and they
are living in it. Mr Ashenfetter
is full of interest in you
and hoping to meet you.
Kate is to spend her vacation
with us. She is so
much better than a year
ago. I wrote her she could
have Horace' room but not
the front one. That is for
you. Did you know Moses
Ballou? His death is a 
sad loss to me. A. B. Grosh
writes me often. He is so
kind. Oh! I want to tell
you so many things about
my Wash. visit. Your friend
Mrs Taylor called to see
me but not until after
I had left. I was very
sorry. Was tempted to
ask Mr G- to take me


                   Home, May 25/79
Dear Clara
                   Charlie
wrote you of the accident
to my eyes & I have hoped
each day to hear from you.
Perhaps you have been
doing the same, waiting
to hear from me. If so
you shall not wait much
longer. I was kept in
the dark three weeks, until
the discoloration and inflamation
was gone. It was a pretty dreary time
though relieved by the
kindness of good friends.
Irving was specially kind.
Poor, lonely, unhappy boy
that he is. My eyes seemwell, now, but weak, and I
am charged to use them 
carefully. I permit myself
to write and read
very little and try to obey.
So much of myself. Now,
how is it with you, oh,
dear sister I so much
want you, I stumble 
along, and try to see the
right, and dont, and think
if only Clara was here,
she could help me.
Are'nt you coming? I
want to see you so much
I was tempted to go to
you a little time ago,
but could get no one
I could trust to take
my place. I have come
to believe God means


me to stay here and
do what I can for the
present, else he would
open some path of release.
It would not be hard to
do this if only I could
see my work amount to
something. Horace has
just come in. Sends
lots of love. He is a 
dear good boy & a real
comfort. He will spend 
most of his vacation with
his uncle. Irving has gone
for a ramble in the woods,
and Charlie to the cemetery
so I am alone, H- having 
gone back. Have I written
you about our new minister?
He is a noble fellow
and his wife is as lovely
a woman as I know. Theto see her and introduce
myself. Wish now I had.
Have heard nothing from
Jamie or Ada of late. C-
read a letter aloud one
ay while my eyes were 
sore & I was weak enough
to burst into tears and had
to leave the room. I think
he has had letters since
but has not mentioned
them & I am not sorry.
     One of my chiefest pleasure
(as well as cares) is 
my bible class. It has
grown from my old class
of five to about 25. young
men & women. They are
very punctual in attendence
& listen with great
respect to my talks. I am
very proud of my success
in holding them & try hardto
instruct & influence for
good as well. Left this
to go to the aid of a 
sick baby & now it is
late & my eyes a little
tired so will close.
I hope to hear from
you soon & hope it
will be that you are
better & coming to
me soon. What would
I do without you. God
bless & preserve you
     Lovingly
                    M Norton


           [*Norton - 
           Chas. & Mary*]
           Hightstown July 7/79
Dear Clara
            I was discouraged
when your letter
was handed me and
I saw by [your] the stamp
you had swung around
me and was hastening
away again. I so wanted
you and had been so
sure you would come.
It was a little balm
to read that you might
return but my faith is
not strong enough to
build on so vague a
promise as that. As 
Orthodox people say
of our faith - it is too
good to be true.Charlie wrote you at Cape
May, but the card was
returned with the message
"left here". Then I hoped
you was in Vineland
and would come here
from there. Well - no
doubt your course
was wisest, yet I
wish you might have
come here with your
friend though only
for a day. I'd so
much like to know
her[e]. Let me say just
here, I hope you will
al[l]ways feel confident 
that any friend of
yours will be as cordially
welcomed as
yourself, and you know
what the last always is


Kate Mahony came here
the first of July to remain
some weeks - 
perhaps until time
to open school again.
I am so glad to have
her[e] both for her sake
and mine. Dr was married
in his own house
about two weeks ago,
Kate had charge of all
the arrangement,
in addition to the extra
labors attendant on
the end of the school
term. Of course she 
was very tired, but so
much better in health
than last summer.
Dr has been very kind
and thoughtful for Kate
but of course thechange is great, and
a little saddening. Last
year she came away regretted,
and the appeals
to return were constant
and [I] sometimes a 
little selfish I thought.
Now, her absense is
probably desirable &
she has no home to 
return to except on
suffrage. I believe
Dr has married a
rare woman and
trust that in time
the new arrangements
will grow not only 
bearable but pleasant.
I want to leave room
for Charlie to add a
note so will not write 
a long letter to-day.


I can talk so much
better than write it
makes me impatient
every time I take up
a pen. You ask in a
former postal if I 
am not well. Yes, my
eyes sometimes warn
me to use them with 
caution and I often
have sick days, but
my general health is
good. I have come to think
I was set going to run
a good while, and am in small
danger if dying
soon of anything unless
it be loneliness and
heart ache. Charlie
does not look very well
to me, but the "boys"
are more robust than
ever in their lives. -Horace is with his
uncle in Dayton most
of the time. Irving
had set his mind
that you was to learn
him to ride this summer.
He has an offer
of a horse but is so
unused to handling
them he hesitates 
to try. Henry is at
home for vacation
and the same genial,
kind fellow he always
was. How is little Ira?
I often think of him.
And now in closing I
can only add my love,
and hope that you can
come soon. I have
no sister now but you
and I long to look on
your kind face again,
Yours        M Norton


      Home - Monday Evg
      July 7/79
Dear friend Clara: -
                   Mary has
just informed me that
she has written you a 
letter & that she has
left room for me to add
a few words. As it is only
a very few. I don't know whether
they should be scolding
ones or not. You tell, - for I
did write you. a letter only
the other day, & it was
returned to me unopened.
I was sorry to see it come
back to me in that manner,
but now I shall at least
get this in your presence
I think by smuggling it
in with another. You 
dont know what an urgentinvitation to visit us you
missed, + I am almost
afraid to write the same
over again here = But we
did wish that you might
have arranged to come.
But we trust that your
determination to come
again 'some time' will not
be long deferred = I suppose
Mary has told you all the
local news of any interest
to you, but for fear she over-looked
one thing I will say
here that we shall have
lots of fine peaches this year
Can you think of them + hold
out against a promise of a visit
We are all very well, + always
glad to hear from you, if
we may not see you. Very truly
C. M. Norton

[*Ansd Aug. 27. 1879
Mary Norton*]
Home, Aug 24th 1879
Dear Clara
I set aside
this afternoon for a long
talk with you but callers
came and now it is
bed time for folks that
must rise early. You 
have been very much in
my mind since your
letter came + I write
again to urge you to 
come to us. If I could
I would come to you,
but duties I can niether
lay down nor delegate to
others forbid at this time,
And it is just as well this
is so for you need more 
than one. You need thelove and appreciation all
here give you to heal the
wounds you have had.
Come, Do Come, you
must not stay where you
have suffered so; where
every thing recalls it.
I know the peace you
must feel in being free
from a presence that
tormented you, and how
precious the rest, must
seem, but it is not
wholesome for you, now,
and I beseech you arouse
and seek it here, amid 
old + tried friends who
will deem it a precious
privelege to do you
any, the smallest service.
Come, and when you
are rested we will talk
over our future, yours


and mine. I need you
and you need me. There
is much I'd like to talk
to you about that cannot
be done by pen.
This is not an answer
to your letter - it is not
a letter at all, only a
cry for my sister. She
needs me, I need her,
I cannot go to her
so she must come
to me. Horace, will
be home during Sept.
We have a horse now
so you need not suffer
for riding or escort.
We are flooded with
grapes, + pears, + peaches,
+ melons. Mr Tay comes
Sept. 1st and you know
how much pleasure he
will find in seeing you.You shall do what you
please - when you please 
- and how you please,
and surely our love
will give you balm,
Can I [write] say more?
If I knew. how I would
but as I dont I only
subscribe myself,
     Ever yours lovingly
               Mary Norton


               Home, Oct 2d 1879
Clara dear, I did not
mean a whole month should
pass before I answered your
letter, I have been very
busy. You know much of
the comfort and many
of the luxuries of the
long winter is the result
of summers forethought,
It just occurs to me that,
this is a good illustration
of the old doctrine of
works of superarogation
(Have I spelled it right I wonder)
But my canning + preserving
must not take full credit
for my silence - I have
all my life been the slave
of moods, as you know,Present duties I can compel
myself to do, but distant ones,
that can be delayed often
wait 'till the "spirit moves,"
So, letters, other than on
business, often accumulate
until the pile appalls me
I have written only one
letter since receiving yours,
‒to good Mr Grosh, (God bless
him,) I wonder he dont
get out of patience with
me. Have just had a 
call from a dear old lady
88 years old. She brought
me a mat she has just
knit for me. She has a
sweet saintly face, and is
slender, and straight, and
dresses in a style somewhat
like my mother, and
it cost me some tears to
see her walk away, recalling


the little woman who used
to trip along with just
such elastic steps. I just
felt I wanted to take her
bonnet away and compel
her to stay and let me care
for and pet her; but she
dont need it at my hands,
Her own children almost
worship her, and in their
tender care satisfy even
my ideal of what is due
to the mother who nursed
you. ‒ Have had calls
and interruptions without
number since I began
this almost 4 hours ago.
Expect company to tea
and it is almost time to
look for them, so, must
hasten to finish this or
give it up altogether. You
ask my opinion about[*Answered later
Mary Norton*]
the Red X works, and I will
give it, albiet, I know it
will not be worth much. My
post for observation is very
secluded, so, I feel it presumptuous
to even express it.
     I do not believe you can
possibly make it a success
at this time. Your plan
to enlist prominent Gov,
is undoubtedly the best one,
but I regard that as about
as hopeful as butting your
head against a stone wall
would be. Two things, which
seem to me insurmountable
obstacles at this time make
me hold this view. One is,
we are on the eve of a
most exciting election.
These Gov. are all politicians
and too [wily?] not to know
their party wont be strengthened


by the introduction of "side
issues", as they call every thing
that dont promote their political
ends, at this time.
Then the country is poor,
I trust better times are at
hand, but as yet it is matter
of hope rather than faith,
and few people could
be aroused to any enthusiasm
for a cause which
can be delayed, or for
which there is no immediate
need, Two or
three years hence you
might succeed, Now I
am doubtful, These are
depressing views , for
I know how much your
heart as in this cause,
and I hate to give them.
Guess that is the reason
I have not felt like writing.
     I never hear any onespeak a tender word of
Mr Greeley but I feel like
thanking them as if they
had done me a personal
favor,Your eulogium cost
me some tears, sweet
tears, and made me
feel even more than before
that you are my
soul sister. Grand old
Horace, truly there is none
like him. Sometimes
even yet when I recall
what he was made to
suffer I choke with
grief and indignation,
and when I think of
Heaven, and the dear
ones awaiting me there,
sometimes his face arises
before even fathers.
     Company gone and
a call made on a sick


woman, and now, as the
clock strikes nine I
am again seated...to
finish this letter. The
woman, (My washer woman)
was too poor to emply a
Dr + seemed to me in
danger of a fit of severe
sickness, so I have
been prescribing for
her, and judge to-night
she is out of danger.
(Now dont apply the proverb
"fools rush in" &c). I found
on my second visit she 
was also suffering from
inflamation of the kidneys
and gave her some corn
silk tea. She said to night
it gave her wonderful
relief. Thank you for
that. This is the second
person to whom I havegiven it successfully.
     We are all in usual
health. Horace went back
to school on Monday last,
I miss him much. He is
very thoughtful of me
and a real comfort.
House cleaning is partly
done. Your room is
all ready for you to 
occupy, I am about
discouraged looking
for you, but you know
how gladly you will
be welcomed by all at
any time. I have many
anxious "thoughts' for you
and pray most fervently
that you may not over-
work and get ill again.
Good night now dear
Sister: Ever lovingly
your friend    M. Norton


    Home, Dec 12 - 1879
Dear Clara
                                 Have 
you forgotten me? Dont
you know your sister
is longing to hear from
you, and see you? You
promised to come
before the year closed.
Its last days draw near,
and I begin to lose hope.
I so want you. I sit
alone so much, and
pleasant and peaceful
as my surroundings are
I grow very tired of the
silence. I have thought
much of you of late until
I have grown a little
worried. You know I[*Answered Dec. 16/79 -
Mary Norton
Regards C*]

believe a little in
talismanic influences,
and I fancy my sister
wants me even as I
want her. Is it so? Are
you sick, or sad, or
suffering in any way.
Please let me hear
from you if only a
line. No news to tell 
that will be of interest
to you, so close with
one more plea that
you will let me hear
from you and see you
if possible. soon.
     Lovingly   Mary N.


[*Answered. both Mary
& Charley, Jan 25-28/1880
Norton
Livings*]

I am so afraid of weakening my
last appeal that I wont add
another word only to sign myself
                      Yours          M Norton
Come.    Home, Sunday PM -
                        Jan 18th 1880
Dear Clara
                               Your letter
reached me last night. I was
so glad to get it. I had been
feeling very sad all day. On the
anniversary of that day three years
ago [...............?] that our little
mother [her?] life she had served
[.....?] than usual for some
[.....?] and that the white book
that always [......?] a [shock?],
so, when I took her up we made
all haste to feed her so as to
lay her down as soon as possible.
She ate with apparent 
relish, but just as we were
going to lay her down seemed
to [s....?] away, and only [....?]
to breathe more & more lightlyuntil at the end of three days
[....?] Death came to her [...?]
[....?] would [....?] her back
[it I build?] yet the return of
this anniversary brings back
some of the pangs of parting
and increases the sense of
loneliness that has never left
me since that day. In this
[....?] your letter found me
and so [..........................?] out
of my thoughts that I could
go to bed and sleep, Mother
is gone, home is gone, but
"All is not lost.
There still remains loving
[........?]," Thank God for
them, and for the hope of
[received?] where partings but
[.................?] can never come.
     Dear Sister, I am
very grateful for your
invitation to visit you, but


I cannot come now. Not
an account of dress; That could
be arranged to my satisfaction
in an hour, Neither would
the journey appall me. I
don't like to travel alone, but
should not be detered from
doing so by that, I think
I could arrange [.....?]
duties to the satisfaction
of us all, (Charlie would
give me every help to do so.)
So [they?] would not prevent,
Even the expense, the most 
serious question of all, could
be managed, But, I would
not dare to risk my health
in a trip North at this season.
I have not yet gotten over the
sensitiveness to cold I acquired
in those years of [.....?]
I dread winter here and further
north I believe would kill me.unless I become inured to it
by degrees. I should fear to
reach you sick with a cold
and so spoil our visit &
give you care rather than
pleasure. I cannot tell
you how I long to see you
and to meet Mr & Mrs B- again
would indeed be a rare pleasure
Even now I hesitate to say
I cannot take the proffered
joy, but I must. Given them
both my warmest love. Tell
them I shall never forget
or cease to care for them
until I forget every thing.
They still seem to me
[nearer?] than any 'ever
[.....?] the [.....?] minister
and wife, and Roger still
holds his place as the
noblest young man I ever
knew. You know I always
wanted you to know Roger.
Perhaps you may do so yet!


Dear Sister I am still unreconciled
to your failure to
visit us. To come where
every one loves & honors you,
and see if we cannot drive
away the sorrow. I am
sure we could. Come, I want
you so much. Come now
and avoid the long cold spring
then, when the mild weather
comes you can return to
your garden & vines if you
desire and, perhaps I'll
go back with you and
help you to settle down.
Bring your papers along
and give a lecture for
the benefit of our dear
little church. I'll go on the
platform with you now and
not [quote?] a bit. Do come,
now, this week, if you can,
or if not so soon as that just
as quickly as possible, Only
come, come, Come.
5
I owe you a letter, and also
thanks for our pretty New Year
cards, but have deferred writing
because I wanted to send you
one of my pictures. I had
some taken in Phil, last fall
and am so pleased with them
that I cannot be satisfied
that any one I care much
for should have any other.
I had a dozen taken at first,
then ordered 50 more which
were to be done before Christmas
but have not yet reached me.
My S. School class numbers
26 and I wanted to give them
each one on the C. tree. They
made me a beautiful present,
but I begin to think theirs
will be a [................?] What a
pretty [.........?] the H[....?]
cards are. I value them
much and still have two sent
me by you of Mr Grosh a year ago.



[*Ansd Jan 30 1880
Mary Norton*]
           Hightstown, Jan 23d. 1880
Dear Clara
                              Your postal 
has just reached me as I was
concluding a letter to another
friend, and without laying
aside my pen I reply. I 
did not know how much
I wanted to come to you
until I sat down to say
"nay." Well, it seems it cannot
be now, but if you ever need
me specially, say so, and I
come at any risk. There is
no one left me so dear as 
are you. And I want to do
something for you, - to 
make some slight return
for the good you have always 
done me.It is three years to day since
we buried dear little Mother,
Then the ground was covered
with ice and snow. Now, it
is lovely as spring. Thus far
the winter has been wonderfully
mild. If it continues so spring
will be here in earnest in 
another month. Then you
will come, wont you? Do
make the effort, if not for
your own sake, then for
mine. Arrange affairs so
you can stay just as long
as you desire, and I'll so
cheer you, I trust, that you
will want to stay a good
while. We have a horse
that wants exercising badly,
to take the mischief out of
him, Irving wants you to learn
him to ride & drive. We all
want you for every thing
and always. Come.


My pictures came the morning
my letter left for you. Are
they not good? I am the
more pleased as they are
the only ones I ever had except one
that did not look so sick
and sad I could not bear
to see them. I sent one
to Roger yesterday and
enclosed one for his Mother.
He said she wanted one.
You did not tell me what 
they were at the Home
for. Is either of them ill?
Give them my love.
     Mrs Madison Pullen asked
me to tell you she believed 
your hot water remedy had
saved her life, And also
sent love and gratitude.
She is very dear to me.
     You have not told me
of poor Ira for a long
time. I hope he improves.[*Ansd Feby 3.d 1880
Norton*]
                 Monday A.M. 2/2/0
At last - I believe Mary
has concluded to make you the
visit. Please give best shipping
directions & we will endeavor
to forward to you in good order
I want to give her a month
off. Hope you all will have a good
visit - all usually well  CMM


Did I tell you of the death
of Aunt Gitty; mothers sister, and
the last of her family? She died
the 3d of this month, very
suddenly, of pneumonia,
Horace expects to graduate
this spring. He is a good
boy.
It is time to get dinner
and I must say good by.
Write me as often as
you can
     Lovingly your sister
               Mary Norton - 


[*Answered Feby. 15. 1880
Mary Norton -*]
                        Feb. 8th 1880
Dear Sister Clara
                              When men
are appointed to investigate
something, and have'nt done
it, and dont like to say so,
they always "report progress,"
dont they? Now that is just
my state. I fully expect to
come to you, that "unfailing
instinct" Roger talks about
tells me it is right to be &
will be, yet I have not taken
one step toward it. Every
one seems somehow to take
for granted that I am going
without seeming to realise
I cannot lay down my
duties here without some
one will take them up. And
I feel just as they do in spite
of common sense.US
POSTAL CARD
WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER

HIGHTSTOWN
FEB
2
N.J

U.S.POSTAGE
ONE CENT

Clara Barton
Dansville
NYork
Livingston Co.


Of course I could do as I
did last fall - let them
take table board with Mrs
Perrine, Charlie would
cheerfully do any thing to
spare me. But that, was
for one week, and in summer
when a home was not so
important as at this season.
I want to arrange for an
absense of three weeks and
I could not leave them for
so long as that to get along
any how. But I feel very
sanguine that my good
friend Harriet will take
my place, and if so the
other matters can be easily
arranged. I do not propose
going until about the first
of March, and Harriet was to
spend a few days with me this week
and I thought best to wait


for that opportunity to ask
her to keep house for me.
That settled the rest will
follow easily and I will
keep you informed of my
plans as soon as I have
any. I apprehend there will 
be little danger of my being
blocked up on the road by
snow after this month is
passed. I confess I'd not
enjoy that, Dear Sister You
are very good to urge my
visit so kindly. Even if I
cannot come, the feeling
that you really wanted me
will gladden me every time
I recall it. I re'cd a letter from
Jamie last week asking
me to visit them next 
summer. I don't know 
but he meant it to be
kind - think he did, but 
itsterms would make such a
thing impossible if it ever
had been possible. I needed
your loving messages to
take the taste out of my
mouth. I'll bring his letter, (the
first message I've ever had
from him since he left
us) if I come to you. It was very
funny that you thought it
necessary to tell me about your
house and its arrangements. As
if it could be a matter of
any consequence to me, a
woman who has lived in
the simplest fashion all
her life, and who, if she
lives now in a more attractive
home than ever before
only does so on suffrage
and for service. The warm
room I shall be glad of
for mine is warm and
I am used to that. But


mine is the only one above
stairs that is so, and our
halls, too, are cold. I never
lived in a house heated all
through in my life, so, if
yours was it would be an
unaccustomed luxury. Oh
it seems all nonsense to
write to you, with so many
things welling up in my
mind, when I am to see
you so soon. I'll say that
[am?] as long as I can even
if it cannot be. I'll leave
the weather, and all that, for
Charlie to discuss as he
has accepted my offer to
share my envelope.
     I began this letter in the
afternoon but callers hindered
me, and then it was time to
get tea, and then church, and
then friends came in to
sit after church, and nowthe hour is late and I
am weary. I am glad Mr
B- is better. Give my love
to him and his good wife,
but remember, dear sister,
my visit is to you, and I
should feel amply repaid
if I did not see another
person or [see] another thing
but your face. Of course, I'll
be glad to see my old friends,
too, and all such as you
choose to show me of yours,
(I expect I'll be afraid of
them) but you are my object
and all else is secondary
and nonessential. Good by
now, and, if you love me
dont, please dont, change
one item in your mode
of life for me. I shall hope
to learn + profit by your hygenic
habits. Good night now and
God bless you  Mary.


[*Ansd March 1880
Chas Norten*]
                 Hightstown, Feb 23d/80
Dear Sister
                              My housekeeper
is engaged and now, unless
you make some other arrangements,
or something
unforseen hinders, I am
coming. I think I shall 
go to Trenton on Monday
next and leave from
there Tuesday morn, so as
to make the trip by
daylight. Dont give
yourself any uneasiness
about me. I'll come 
all right. And now I must
make a confession. I shall
bring no more clothing
with me than I can
carry in a satchel, andshall wear just what
I do here - not getting
a single new thing.
Will that frighten you?
     Oh, I so want to
see you, now the time
draws so near it seems
I cant wait. I looked
a little for a letter from
you to-day. I sat up
with a child sick with
scarlet fever last night
and have been busy
all day, so, now eve
has come and I am
seated by a warm fire.
I fell too dull + sleepy
to even think, much
less write. Charlie will
trace out my route + keep
you informed of how to expect
me.  Good night now
and God bless you.  M Norton


Dear Clara - Mary I find
has left a blank page on my
stand with a query if I don't
want to fill it to you. I do of
course, for I had intended to
write you this evg. independently
of this, to say that I
had secured to-day good
faithful Aunt (of my wifes) Rachel
Schenck, who will preside with
the greatest care over the household,
+ make us plenty of good
molasses ginger cake - the soft
kind, you know. So now Mary
need not, + I think will not
have a single care for our
welfare during her absence, +
I hope, as I believe, that it will
be the happiest visit of her life.
I want her to be free of any
anxieties, + especially I hope
none of us - in all the brotherhoodbrotherhood - may get sick at
least until she gets away.
I see she has concluded to
go via Trenton. I had expected
her to go the other way, stopping
over night at Either New
Brunswick or Elizabeth, with
friends; but now I shall have
to study & enquire routes anew
& I will apprise you how & when
to look for her in a day or so.
     Wycoff ret'd to-night from a
visit up to Newark & Lyons, in
Wayne Co.. Horace passes his
examinations preparatory to
graduating to-morrow, Thursday
& Friday. He has been a faithful
student & deserves the success
he has so far earned. I have all
faith in Horace. = Hoping you
& Mary may both have a good
visit, & that she may bring
you home with her (?) I am
Yours truly          CMN


[*Ansd directly
M. Norton*]
                 Home, Friday P.M.
                 Apr 9th 1880
Dear Sister       I wrote you
of my journey to N.B. I remained
there until Thursday and reached
home last night, Mrs Mc seemed
so much to desire it, and was
looking so ill and sad I could
not refuse her although I wanted
to come strait home. Found
all the sick getting better and
every one seemed glad to
see me. Rachel had just
concluded she could stay
no longer and's now preparing
to go home. I had hoped she
would stay at least until next
week, but she "promised Henrys
wife" to come back as soon
as I returned & that ends the
matter, Went out this morn to
see some of the sick. To-night

Love to all who care for it. Minnie always.
Thank you for your loving words and believe
me ever Your sister    Mary NortonTo-night the choir meets here and
I have still to select the
music & see if I can play
once more. S. School, too, must
be inquired about & a lesson
learned, so, you see I am
not likely to rust out these
days. - Your note of Wed.
reached me this morn and 
made one so glad. I had feared
you might be more ill than you
told me & the excitement make
you worse. Poor George! I am
as glad as he that he is to come
in to assist you, and firmly
believe he is really grateful to
you and tries to understand
the right & do it. Remember me
to him. Minnie looked sick the
morning I came away and I am
not surprised to hear she is ill.
I enclose two pictures, - one for
Minnie, the other for Florence. Minnie
is to have the first choice. Tell
Florence her picture is pretty
framed and admired by every one.
I wish I knew how to make some


proper return for her kindness.
     At noon to day I showed C-
my correspondence with James &
Ada. When I spoke of your telegram
he said "theres where Clara
put her foot in it." I asked, "have
you heard from them lately." "Yes"!
"Did they speak of this matter"?
"Yes, the letter was on business, but
James appended a full statement
of the affair. I will show it to
you when I come home to-night."
Clara, I am afraid to see it. I
know it will give me pain
and I shrink from that, C-s
only remark was, "you was foolish
to pay any attention to it in the
first place and be bothered with
them." Others were present and
I had no chance to speak except
in words they would not understand.
I enclose in this three
scraps which you may keep
as I have duplicates. Shall
send by the same mailothers which you may return
just when you please, I do hope
you will like my favorite Clark,
and shall be glad if you ask for
more of him. These were selected at random
and are examples of his usual sermons.
If you think Prof Hubbel would
like them you may loan them
to him. I apprehend no one else
I saw would care for them. Dont
fail to tell me how you like
them. - Rachel has gone, have
had calls all the P.M. & now it is time
for tea & I must close. Let me hear
from you as often as you can. I
will be content with a few words
if only they are frequent, I think
of you much & am so glad I can
understand your surroundings &
picture you among them, I have
brought home many pleasant memories
of Dansville, but, the best &
dearest are of the quiet hours you
and I spent alone to-gether. It seems
as I look back I might have been more
helpful, but I thought you desired me
to do as I did. Was I right? The habits of the
housekeeper have grown so strong I often folded
my hands when I'd rather have used them.


[*Ansd July 1880
M. Norton
Regards
CM*]
              Hightstown May 16th 1880
Dear Clara
                                   Now have I not 
been good, to wait two weeks before
answering your letter? I want
you to understand it has not been
accidental but intentional delay,
& I take some credit to myself for 
it. It was so much a habit to want
to talk to you every day when
I first came home that I
yielded to the temptation very
often and fear I taxed you
over-much. Forgive me, dear
sister, and hereafter I will
be more thoughtful & less
selfish. All you write me
about Dansville and the good
people I met there is very
interesting and it is a source
of real pleasure to know they
remember me so kindly. Iknew Minnie would, and guessed
Flor & the good Prof. would, too,
at least for a little time. But
the others surprise me, especially
Dr Andrew. If he asks of me again &
you like to do so, you can give
him my regards, and tell him
I regret we did not become
better acquainted. So much seems
due him for his courtesy, but you
can best judge of it. Aunt Jane,
too, surprises me. Does she
know about that dinner at
Brightside? I judge from your
letter that Flor was still with
you. I am so glad. How I'd like
to peep in and see you both
at your work. I never saw any
one [actually] paint anything but
houses, so, it would be doubly
interesting to me. I hope 
the Seminary matter is
settled before this, and if you


are to stay in Dansville I hope
that will not be broken up and
its owners dispersed. I hope
this for your sake, for theirs
it might be a blessing.
     Poor May! I don't know whether
to be glad or sorry for her. How
does "Auntie" feel about it, I
wonder, you do not speak of
David. I hope his visit is
not given up. Do you see Miss
Edwards ever? Of all I met in
D- no one touched me like
she, I do want to help her,
and so wish I had overcome
my diffidence & sought to see
her more. Some way I feel I
had something to do for
her. It is is a foolish fancy,
but it haunts me. Give her my
love & remembrance.
     My class in SS. was large and
their attention perfect this morn.Subject, - The parable of the Marriage feast
Matt 23d. It drew out some discussion
which made it the more interesting.
Next Sunday you can think of me
as wrestling with the terrible 25th
of Matt. I confess I dread it. - Not
because it is difficult for myself
to understand, but because it is
too solid, and too extensive to
be easily compressed so as to
be clear & interesting to young people.
I told them to-day, "if the doctrine
of endless misery was not taught
there it was not anywhere, So,
you see I have some work other
than for hands in the week to come.
     "The sick", like the poor, are
always with us. Some are
better, others are still heavy
on my heart, Cousin Gertie &
Aunt Elisabeth go out and are
out of the immediate danger,
perhaps, but look like ghosts
of their old selves. Mrs Madison


Pullen took her old place in
the choir & school this morn
but was not fit to. Blanche
Pullen has been dangerously
ill with measles, but we hope 
the worst is over. Last week
the last of my fathers sisters
was buried. Mrs Miller, aged
76 years. Cause, a fall. I spent
a day with her after she was
hurt and was glad because 
it pleased her, and because
she told me all day I looked
so much like "Richard,"  J. J. Ely
goes out, was in church this morn,
but looks "awful" with his
shaved head and seamed &
scarred face. I sent your
message to him as soon as
I got home & Charlie said
it gave him great pleasure.
And now of myself. The house
runs almost of itself and
it is well for me it does.I have not felt well as
usual for some weeks, and
fear I should fail if I had
any need for special energy.
Ellie Pullen is still
with us through the week. We
are reading the "Marble Faun"
together, Ellie reads, I knit,
and we both talk, and wonder,
and admire, at every page.
     About James letter, - thank
you for your sympathy, but
it is not near so bad as you
thought. People cant hurt
me much unless they get in
the inside of my heart. That
was their power at first, &
the pain in Dansville was
from the same cause, - I
was silly enough to unclose
the entrance and take them
over the threshold again.
It is not a safe thing for one


of my make up to do, and I
must avoid it in future. Any
one who has so little respect
for me as Jamie is better away
from me. Better for both. Dont
you think so? Poor fellow,
the old love, and the newer
indignation have both passed
and in their place is a feeling
of pity for his blindness. May
it abide until the spot has
ceased to be sensitive and I
can dare to indulge in a
warmer & more sisterly sentiment.
     I had to leave you
here and go to church. The
sermon was good and so
was the singing. This last
being under my charge is
always a source of anxiety,
and when it satisfies me gives
me keen pleasure. The sermon
of Clarke you are to keep just
as long as you like, and ifyou care for them I will
send you others as I receive 
them from time to time.
I promised you one thing more
that must yet be in the future -
to copy the beautiful Christmas
Hymn of which I told you. It will
be done some time. I anticipated
a pleasure to-day that did not reach me.
I have sent for Danas' large work on
Geology (It costs $10.00.) to give to Irving.
He has long wanted it, and his interest
in geology is so strong it will be almost
invaluable to him. It will probably
reach here to-morrow. It will be a 
surprise to him. Irving has given me
much comfort of late. He seems
more thoughtful & I begin to
hope he may yet make what he
is capable of being, - a good man.
And now a word of good, by and I
must to bed. Love to Minnie, & Flor,
(I had almost added & Prof.) and regards
to Prof. & any one else who asks for
me, I am glad George remembers me. Tell
him I shall not soon forget how kind he
always was. And now good night; Lovingly
                                                            M Norton


The New Covenant.
 J. W. HANSON.
EDITOR AND BUSINESS MANAGER,
Room 26 McCormick Block.
                               Chicago, June 12 1880
Miss Norton
         Dear Madam
                                      I am collecting
material for a book, the title of which,
is to be "The Women Workers of our
Church," and hearing through Rev.
A. B. Grosh, that you were a friend,
to Miss Clara Barton, our heroine of
the Civil War, I write by his advise to ask
your assistance in giving a correct account
of the work of that noble woman,
She is briefly sketched in "Womans
Work in the Civil War," but since
that time I know very little concerning her.
     Is it too presuming to ask a stranger
so great a favor? I hope you will
not feel that it is, but will take pleasure
in helping me do your friendjustice.
     My book will be one of about three
hundred pages. I desire greatly to give a
correct sketch of the most prominent
ones of our Church, whether authors, preachers,
or heart workers.
     Miss Bartons labors under the "Red Cross
of Geneva", were written, in part, in the
N. Y. Tribune, do you think I could
obtain them?
      Has Miss Barton ever had a steel engraving
of herself? If so, will you be so
kind as to tell me where?
     Yours Most Truly
     Mrs. E. R. Hanson.
     New Covenant
              Chicago
                         Ill.
Miss Mary Norton


The New Covenant.
J. W. HANSON.
EDITOR AND BUSINESS MANAGER.
Room 26 McCormick Block.
                         Chicago June 28 1880
My Dear Miss Norton,
     I thank you for the interest you take
in assisting me to get at the facts of Miss
Bartons life. I feel with you, that her
fame belongs to us, and I also feel that
her singularly eventful, and beautiful
life, will - if truthfully portrayed - do great
credit to our blessed faith.
     I wrote a line to Miss Barton, but almost
wish I had kept silent, and waited
your influence. But she has been so
grand all her life time in helping others,
I felt quite sure that she would be very
willing to do all she could, to assist me
in giving to the public an acceptable
and pleasing book concerning "our
Women."
     You say, "If I had material in my hand
I should hesitate to use it, without her(3)
     May I trouble you as often as I feel
that you can render me assistance?
     Let me tell you, that I know Mrs.
Thomas, and agree with you in all
you say. Of course she will be one
of my "women".
                                    Yours
Miss Mary Norton    E. R. Hanson
Hightstown              New Covenant
N. Jersey.                  Chicago
                                   Ill


                                                                     (2)
The New Covenant.
J. W. HANSON.
EDITOR AND BUSINESS MANAGER.
Room 26 McCormick Block.
                                            Chicago, . . . 1880
approval "that is loyalty itself - and I
admire you for it, but what a slim account [book]
I should be able to give of our women if
all felt the same, and yet I will not urge
you to give even a whisper, of her wonderful
labors, without her full and free consent.
She ought to be most generously spoken
of, and what I want[ed] to do, is to bring out
more prominantly her work abroad.
     Of course I can hunt over every book [thing]
and paper that has had any thing about
her, and [learn] get in that way a meager
account of one of the noblest women
in our country. but it will not be
satisfactory.
     I do yet feel, that she will do all she
can to help me, it has been her
nature to render assistance, and I am sure
she has not out grown it.[*Answered July 1880
Mary Norton
Peach*]

Poor Kate is ill. Dont know
the exact condition of her health
but fear it is bad.
          Hightstown June 29/80
Dear Clara
                         Are you
sick, - or troubled, - or
have you forgotten me?
I have looked for a letter
every mail for almost two
months & at last I have
grown worried. Please
drop me a card, if you
have time for no more,
or ask Minnie to do
so if for any reason you
dont feel like doing it.
If you was strong & well
as you used to be I'd 
not get so anxious when
you chanced to be silent,
though your letters were
always a source of great joy.
Let this be my excuse if one is needed.Life has been a little hard
to me this [for] spring. I 
have been more unwell
than I ever was except
once in my life. I was
sick all over, Sometimes
my veins seemed filled
with fire, and again
with ice, and the least
exertion or excitement
would drench me with
perspiration, Then fearful
colds & coughs would follow
until I had to go back to
Cod liver oil. But the 
worst affect was on my
nerves. I got so I could
not look any one in the
face with out the tears
coming. Oh, how I longed
for you. It seemed if I
could lay my head in Mrs
Mack's lap, or feel your

hand on my head with a
"poor child", I could gain
strength to overcome my
weakness. I am better, now,
quite myself again, and oh,
so grateful for relief from
it all. I am takeing too much
space for myself when I only
meant to talk of other things.
I enclose a letter, which will
speak for itself. I answered
it at once, assuring her of
my desire to help her and
directing her to Brocketts
Women of the War for a 
fair account of your work
up to that time and told
her I thought that had
a fine profile of you
for its frontispiece, was
I right? I know I have
seen one somewhere. I 
told her I thought yourwork in the Franco German
war even more interesting
than that done here, but very
little had been said of it, or
was known, here. That I 
would appeal to you for information
as I would not
give it if I could without your
approval. I said I felt very
proud of your fame & thought
we had a right to claim
it as coming from your
Universalist parentage &
training. Did I do right,
and do you approve? Please
tell me and indicate what
you desire me to do. I cannot
write more now. What I have 
done was done so hastily I am
ashamed of it. Have been canning
cherries all the morn and
am worn & weary. All well as
usual. Love to all who ask for
me. Yours ever Mary.


[*Answered Nov 1st 1880
Mary Norton
Mrs Hansons letter enclosed
and answered same date
New Covenant
Clar*]

Captn just gone by says give love to Clara.
Of course C- always sends it, and
very many ask for you and when you
are coming. Good by dear sister. I am, Mary.
                                    Home, July 20th 1880
Dear Clara
Tell Minnie I want her picture so much. I see
her pretty [cushions] every time I open my best
drawer.
                                I ought to be
darning stockings this P.M. but
prefer writing letters, and fortunately
am forehanded enough to be able to leave the
work & follow the mood. I was so
glad to hear from you. Had got worried
about you. And I rejoice, too, that
David & Minnie are with you and
that you have a capable person to
help [you]. All these things add
to the care of whoever is the responsible
head of a house, yet
it seems to me a more wholesome
way of living than alone. I know
the advantages of the latter way, &
know, too, how fond one can become 
of it, yet I doubt it is best
for one.In the end it is pretty sure to narrow[?]
[one] them] - make them morbid, and set
in their way over trifles not worth
assuming so much importance.
Is it not so with most people
who live alone year long? I shall
probably do so some time because
I see no other practical way, [&]
but not from choice, and I know
it will be bad for me in many
ways. I think every one should spend
some portion of each day alone,
but to spend all the hours so
develops one in a very lop-sided
way. Pardon me for expressing
an opinion on this subject un-asked.
I have pondered over it 
and watched how it affected folks
very closely because I had to, &
I was thinking of myself, rather
than you as I wrote. You


are so much stronger & more
self reliant than most people
it might not be unwholesome for
you as it is for [most] others.
     I grieve for the Seminary for
your sake. Where will Prof.
Hubbell go? I always, mentally
put the ad. "good" before his
name. It seems to me to belong
there. Give my love to them
all. Tell them my best wishes
will go with them always and
I shall never forget them unless
I forget Dansville and the
pleasant hours I spent there.
I like to hear about the folks I
met there and want to send my
love to them all, beginning of
course with Minnie, and so to
George; the Krebs, Miss Foster,
the noble Aunt Jane (I wish Ihad her picture) the Edwards &.
Mrs Clapp. I could include
Miss Austin & Mrs. Johnson conscientiously 
but apprehend they
would be better pleased to be
omitted. And this reminds me of
a remark in Oliver Johnsons
last letter - "you need not regret
that you did not like Dr [Johnson] Jackson 
on my account. It is long since
I had either respect or regard
for him", and adding other
remarks I long to quote but
dare not because given in "strict
confidence". Mr & Mrs J- urge
me most warmly to visit them
at their home in Orange N. J.
but I cannot see my way to
do so now. Mrs Hanson is
delighted that she is to hear
from you. I enclose part of


                        (2)
one of her letters. You need
not return it. Good Mr. Grosh is
giving her splendid help. I do
think he is one of the best & most
unselfish men I ever saw. (I come
near leaving out the "one" and
am not sure it ought not to be.)
I hope to have a visit from him
and Mrs G- later: Mrs G- improves
in health - slowly.
     Have you read "The light of
Asia", by Edwin Arnold? If not
let me advise you to do so as
soon as you can. I could not
find words to express my
admiration of it and shall be
glad if I am the means of
introducing it to you. I only
grieve I have no one to read
it to who would appreciate it.
I believe the great want of my
life is some one to read to.I have to spend so, much time
on the S.S. lessons now I cannot
read much else. With this month
we began the study of Genesis.
I am growing deeply interested
in it and hope the class will.
But oh! What a time I had
with the first & second lessons
on the Creation and "Fall" as
it is called. I began work on
them Monday and continued it
all the week, and at the end
know less than I thought I
knew at the beginning. A
happy state of mind for a
teacher you will say & will say
right. The last lesson was on
Cain & Abel. It seemed more
practical and I succeeded
better. The class was large
very attentive and I left it


feeling I was once more on solid
ground and capable of holding
it. Perhaps by the time I
have ended Genesis I may
be fit to teach the beginning.
I certainly was not when
I tried it. Mrs Ashenfelter lost
her father a fortnight ago. She
was absent a week and left
Bertha with me. It was a
real pleasure to have her. Mr
A- had been offered a salary
double what we can give him
to go to Jersey City. I don't think
he wants to leave us but he
may feel in justice to his little
family he ought to do so. Kate
Mahony writes me her health
is very poor & she seems very
much cast down in spirit. She
is now at the shore but willvisit me before she returns to Phila.
Charlie & I are alone this week. Irving
has gone to the shore on a visit. It
is his first venture of the kind and
its importance and the magnificence
of his arrangements caused us many
a sly smile. A trunk was necessary of
course and we had a long conference about
the reading best to take. He wanted his
beloved Shakespere but I advised, paper
covered books as "handier". So we settled
on the Doge Club to take in his pocket,
and put "Rob-Roi", "The antiquary," "Vanity
fair," and Jules Verne's "Around the World
in 40 days" in the trunks. He may be gone
two weeks and I shall be disappointed
if he reads one page. Of course the
good bys to the boys was pathetic
and half of them had to go to the
station - to witness the departure. I
am to write every day, and as getting letters
will be a large part of the pleasure
I shall be sure to do so. But what shall
I find to write? The first letter, this
morn, went easy - but I feel as if that
had exhausted all I had to say and his
father will give all the news. Horace has
a patient in town and comes home
often. Is well but will kill himself over
his precious books I fear. Henry is home
and there is joy in the house of Joshua.
He is a good boy. I thought to end


                               (3)
with this page but must take another
and answer your questions of "how
I like the nominations". As men, I
judge both candidates above reproach
as Gen's[?] too, they have equal "hand."
As statemsen, Garfield certainly
is first. I saw him in Washington
and believe in him. My desire is
that he be elected, because I fear to
place the power of this government
to soon in the hands of those who
tried to destroy it. At present the
chances seem about even but it
is too soon to ever guess at the
result. The greenback candidate
I judge will [hars?]. . The Republican
candidate much, perhaps enough
to [put] tip the scale a against him.
I dread the excitement of this campaign
and wish most heartily the
time had come when a Pres term
will be longer & he be ever after
ineligible & the power of patronage
reduced so there is less temptation
for selfishness, it seems to me the
very existence of this government
depends on this last. I admire
old Gen. Jackson for very many
things, but his motto "to the
victor belongs the spoils" has donemore harm, been the cause of more corruption
that any ever invented, and when put in the ballance
of his life makes its result outweigh largely on
the side of evil. Forgive this long harangue,
I thought once I'd never "chatter" on politics again.
     Have heard your lecture is in the Laws of life.
Would like to see it and if they give it any introduction.
Joshua has just gone by and called
out "give my love." I answered "its to Clara." "Then give
a double portion." He says Uncle William is very ill
again. I much fear it is serious. One of my schollars
is also very low, - the pet of the class of course. Did
I write you Eva has a daughter, name, Bertha.
I am feeling very well now, but I was awful sick
one while. It was purely physical, the spitual darkness
came from the bodily ailments. The currants of
my life are moveing peacefully. I omitted to speak of
Captns family. Are well & doing well. A daughter of Mrs Stults
and a niece of "Aunt Martha" are visiting [Nell. Lilen?] them both


Dont have any chills in Hightstown. Do tell Flor
how often I think of her and wish I could
see her, Love to 
George,
                   Home, Thanksgiving /-80
Dear Clara
                   This peaceful day
is drawing to a close. It has
been peaceful though a little
lonely. I think as we grow
older there is a tinge of sadness
in all these Holy-days. They seem
breathing spells in the hurry of
busy life, and in the hush and
rest the "loved of other days" are
missed as at no other time. I
have grown to dread them a little
but this year I concluded to
try a reciept I have often
given to others and find it
acts beautifully on myself.
I tried brightening the day
for others and found I re'cd
more pleasure by far than I
gave. A widow & daughter lives
in a little house just back of
ours who I guess have narrowmeans as well as hard work.
I have often given them little
things I did not want myself.
But I don't think there
is much grace in that kind
of giving, so this time I
bought them a chicken
for their dinner to day.
Surely, so much gratitude
was never purchased at so
small an outlay. The old
lady cried, and I came
away feeling she had given
me back more than I gave.
I ought to happy. Intentionally
I never wronged or pained a
human being in my life, & 
I have done some little
good I know. I realise every
year I live how truly I
was a blessing to father,
how necessary I was to my
Mother, and, crowning blessing
of all, I comforted Horace Greeley.


                         (2)
To have done only that was
worth living for, and I thank
God for giving me an existence.
But enough of this.
     How much pleasure your
long letter gave me, and the
more that it contained such
positive expressions of your
faith in Universalism. I grow
more proud of my faith every
day, and more certain that the
world needs & must recieve
it. I copied what you wrote
of it & sent [it] to Mrs. Hanson,
suggesting she should inform
you if she had not got too
far in her work to use what
you could give her. I felt sure
she still wanted it, but thought
best to let her tell you so.
     You was very kind to tell
me of the people I met in D-.
I remember them all and am
interested in their welfare. Ican taste Mrs Krebs good
b[u]iscuit yet, and see graceful
Miss Edwards as she first broke
upon my astonished gaze in
our kitchen. Prof. K-, is 
always having a scarf tucked
in, and coming down their
steps. Mr Noble is expressing
his disgust for the Turkish bath
man + Mrs N-, in a crimson hat,
is telling her last message from
her familiar spirit, George is
always saying "yes?" with the
rising inflection and a backward
jerk of his head, Mrs
Clapp is at your tea table personating
Mrs Malony. Miss
Austin looks worried and dont
mean you shall look too long
in her eyes, Mrs Johnson is
smiling and trying to look
innocent while she "pumps"
you, and the dear Doctor is
switching his coat tails,


                      (3)
and prancing across the end
of his dining room and hurling
thunder bolts at poor astonished
me. I laugh yet while I think
of it. I never told the story
here until a few weeks
ago. Mr Johnson, (Oliver) wife
and child spent a Sunday
with me and as he knew 
the old humbug years ago, +
told me about him, I could
not resist the temptation to
give in my experience as
the Methodists say. I wish
you could have seen his face
when I told him how I was
told if I would hold my chatter, +
act like a reasonable being
he would talk to me as if
I was one. Clara, he is a bad
man, and I am glad he did
not like me. I should begin
to think I was wrong somehow
if he did. Yet I am 
glad you have gone thereagain. So long as your paths
lie so near to-gether it is
best you should be on
terms of courtesy, and
I really think the women
are to be pitied rather than
blamed, and behave as well
as they dare. The only pain
the affair has for me now
is for you. For your sake I
wish I had been wiser and
avoided the conflict by silence.
Flor is standing in your
back door looking as if she
wanted to run away and cry
while I talk to her. You,
always have a scarlet hood
on and Minnie a Swiss bonnet.
The Prof. - well, he just
looks good, and gentle, and
conciencious as he is. I
suppose he had eyes, and
hair + clothes, but I cannot
recall them. I guess I think


                    (4)
of him as a quality, rather than 
a person. Prof + Mrs Goodyear +
their mother I can recall in
person, but I think I never
saw Miss G-. Is she a sister
to the Prof.? I am glad you have
so capable a person with you.
It is not good for woman any
more than man, to be alone. I
am glad Miss Foster is coming back
to Prof Krebs. I like her. Give
her and all my love, and any
one else who asks for me. Minnie
was so good to write to me. I am
tempted, sometimes, to ask her if
she wont write the story of her
life during the war, just as she
told it, for me. I try to tell it,
sometimes, but can never satisfy
myself, or do it justice. Minnie
is inspiration to me. I often wish
I could lay my head in her lap
and be taught. Give her my warmest
love. And now I must tell you
something of us here. First, allare well. Horace left his uncle
about mid-summer and went to
Imlaystown, a village about a
mile beyond where "Harriet Ann"
used to live. Is doing well +
cooks well for him. Irving
is with us and growing a very
capable business man. I think
he understands and loves me
more than he once did and grows
more as I wish. Joshua + Harriet
look for Henry home on Christmas.
Harriet had to cry over your tender
words to her. Captn + Williams
family as usual. Captn's second
son, Stanton, is with Mrs Stults
in Lyons this winter going to
school. His father could not
afford to send him so I did it.
Obligating to pay his board while
there + his expenses going + coming.
I debated about it a good deal
before doing it. Prudence said,
invest in a bond, but benevolence


                        (5)
said no, invest in the boy, and
as my heart was on the boys side
he won. It was the right thing to do
I am sure, and you would say so too if
I had time to tell you all about it.
Stanton is a good boy, very strong, and
with a heart full of all kindliness. Thus
far in life he has done just as he pleased
+ only within the past year has seemed
to imagine there was any thing worth
living for except gunning, fishing,
skating + swimming when he was
not at work. When at last these ceased
to suffice was the time to change his
surroundings entirely and put him
where he would have home drill
in addition to school. This his Aunt
will give with all her power, and I
hope he will get an impulse that
will improve his whole life.
For me, I pray every day that God
will show me ways to do good,
and I did not dare when the way
was so plain refuse because it
would cost me some thing. (Do say I did right)Mr Johnson spent last summer
in Orange but has returned to N.Y.
How much I liked his wife. She
is a daughter of J.S.C. Abbot, and
finely cultured. Why could not
I, too, be low voiced, and graceful
and gentle, and easy, and always
say the right thing, I thought as I
looked at her. It must be so pleasant
to feel you can charm by just your
manners. Old Dr. would never have
pitched into her. I'd like to be
just such a woman, but I cant
be, and I dont believe I should have
been with all the culture in the world.
Do you? We talked much of you. I
think I sent their messages through
Minnie. George + Eva were very grateful
for you kindly message. They bore
their grief bravely, but it hurt sore.
They have a dear little girl now. Helen
Norton, I fear, is failing fast with
consumption, There will then
be but one girl left of all Uncle


                        (6)
Daniels daughters. I think you
remember Cousin Gertie Maxwell,
about whom I so worried while with
you. She is now on the Ocean (or
under it.) She + husband sailed
in the Gallia for a six months
tour in Europe. They went in hope
to benefit her. I'd been much more
hopeful if they had stayed at home.
She left her Cyclopoedias, scrap books
and pictures collected on a former trip
in my care, And the Atlantic + Littell's
Living Age are to come to me. Was
they not kind. - William had a letter
from James to-day. All well, but
have had a fearful gale there, took
their chimney down + some of
their neighbors houses. Strange climate
for Eden. We have taken on about
2 in. of snow to-day. The first. Then
down to °10 two days this week and
ice thicker than at any time last
winter. Yes, I went to Old Lombard
Church to see Mr Thomas. Did
not dare do as my heart prompted
me and go to Mrs T- . But aftershe got in the carriage she
saw me, called me to her,
(I went quick) kissed me, and
urged me to go with them to the
grave on the following morn. I could
not do so, but came home with
a lighter heart for the interview.
I have not sought any knowledge of
her since, am content to let things
remain as they are. If our paths
ever cross I [should] could greet her, now,
and if she was in personal need
of help could offer mine & that 
is all I desire. Lucy looked me
full in the face as she passed
out the church & I returned the
gaze with one just as blank.
Charles & she were in the carriage
and gave me their hands. Lucy
remarking as she did so, "I did not
know you in the church." Perhaps!!
Do you remember telling me once
I would sometime see my trials
were for good? I see it now, I


                         (7)
needed all that came, and today
am a stronger, more helpful woman
for it. I needed the cup, bitter as it was
and if I could, to day, I would not
dare blot out that part of my life.
I would never have stood, alone, save
for Gods presence, if I could have 
helped it. I am glad to realise this for
it makes me more forgiving.
     My class is with me & still seem
interested. I hold them to listen to me,
How much of the seed I plant so carefully
& prayerfully will spring up
I cannot know, but I have faith
that all will not be lost but will
grow & bear some fruits in nobler
lives. I do not worry about results
as I used. That is Gods business,
I just do the best I can and leave
the rest to him. We have no minister
now. Mr A-. had a call to Jersey
City and left us with a weeks notice.
It was hard for this church,
and has discouraged it. We have
supplies now, and as they areusually our guests I am getting an
extended acquaintance with our
younger ministers. And I find them
thus far grand men. - I am ashamed
of the length of this letter and must
close with this page. Stayed over
night with Kate & Dr Woods when
in Phila and saw their wonderful
baby, I just honor Dr's wife and
wish I could tell you more about 
them. Thy all sent love
to you as does every-body here.
How I wish [I] you could come
and see us (and give a lecture
for my class) I want to tell and
ask so many things. The book. Is it
ever to be? It worries me when
I think of it. I am glad Prof. is with
you and very glad he is studying
medicine. Tell him so and tell
him I would send love to him
if I dared. For you, dear sister, 
what can I say. Only the old, old,
story! I love you, and long to see
you, and am ever your friend
                             Mary Norton


[*Answered by sending
Addresses Dec 1880
C M Norton
Living[ston]*]
     Hightstown, Mond Evg
Dear Friend Clara,
                         I have been
thinking to write you for a
long time, but by one & another
reason has deferred it, but
among these, however, has been
that of 'forgetfulness', for we talk
of you so frequently your ears
must have become almost reduced
to a crisp. - - - We are all
pretty much as before, excepting
that Mary has been confined to
her darkened room mainly, for
about 2 weeks, from the rupture of
a small blood vessel in the corner
of one eye. caused by an unusual
strain in vomiting. She became
considerably exercised in mindover the occurrence, & was
almost sure she was going to
lose her eyesight - with the idea
of "ministering to a mind diseased"
I tried to induce her to take 
a trip up to the "Home", but the
process of natural absorption going
on so finely she was scarcely
left time to fairly consider it.
The difficulty has almost entirely
passed away, & she is beginning
to take up her accustomed
duties again - - - I suppose you
have begun to look after the Spr
flowers again. I have a good
many brought me by children,
such as the violets, anemonies,
spring Beauties, Dog's-tooth violets,
trailing arbutus (your N. E. 'May flower'
Liverwort, &c. The Peach, pear,
cherry, plum &c are in full bloom
& the woods look quite green again


When the Laurel comes in bloom
again, the latter part of the month,
I am to go with some friends
on a trip through a portion of
the Pines on purpose to see the
grand display. There will be 
miles & miles of the almost
unbroken pink & white bloom,
& it is a sight not soon forgotten.
     Horace is at the University
attending the special spring term
He is having bedside practise
in Obstetrics, about the city, &
has had flattering success, He
also has practise in the College
Hospital, & all the Lectures he
can attend. He will return
in June, closing his 2d year,
He is anxious to get through
his next year, to go in business
with his Uncle Clarence, who
is overrun, & wishes a little reliefJoshua has had a turn of
ill health from a cold taken
recently, + has seemed threatened
with Pneumonia. He is on the
gain again now, however, + thinks
of coming down town to-morrow.
     Now have you made up your
mind when you shall finish y'r
visit with us? I have been training
up my grape vines to-day, bespeaking
a fine crop for you, + I
am watching the blossoms on the
Peach trees by the window. The boys
have repainted the Boat, + - theres
plenty of coldwater wanting to be
cooked! You'd better come to Jersey.
We've got a minister too who waxes
more eloquent than Chapin, if possible.
I promised to meet you at the
old Book store, you remember, + I
shall expect an early appointment.
Hoping for your improved health. I
remain, as Ever, Yours Resp C.M.N.CLARA BARTON                 GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE                Norton, Charles M. & Mary
                                                                                                                  Jan. 1881- Dec. 1902 and
                                                                                                                  undated[*Answerd Jay 21 1881
Mary Norton*]

My head has ached to day so I could not think
or write clearly but I did not know when I
might have a chance if I let this slip as
I look for company to-morrow 
                  Home, Jan 14th 1881
Dear Clara
                  I want to write
you about many things, but will
begin with the last; your letter just
re'cd. I have given some previous
thought to [your] the subject of it, so
can say at once all I know to say.
I think I can understand the delicacy
of your position, and yet
if any worthy record of your life
is ever to be given to the world
it can only come from you. I 
can talk to folks about you, and
make them love and reverence
you, and have done so more
than you have ever known. But
to write of your work would
require an amount of accurate
knowelege of it that I do not
possess. I wish I did. I'd like
to be your Boswell, for I really
think I know you better than mostpeople ever could. But why cant
you give me this knowledge +
let me be the medium for
transmitting it. I can see no
other way. Write to me as you
would talk to me, and I will
edit and copy. I think you
could trust me to do this with
an eye single to your honor,
and under all circumstances loyal
to any suggestions or restrictions
you might [suggest] make. Now this
may not seem a very "wise"
plan, but I can see no
other, I do so want Mrs Hanson
to have a good sketch of you.
Your [Euro] work here has been
so much written about that
she can easily gather enough
to represent you fairly, at least.
But of your European work
I have only seen two notices,
and those I sent to Mrs H-
last summer. I had but


                       (2)
one letter from you while
abroad, and that was before
the war, and in our talks since
I have only heard fragments,
and as I did not listen to
them with any intention of ever
reproducing them, I'd not like
to make an attempt to do so
unless there was no other hope
of their being known. [otherwise.]
I shall make no fuss about "lack
of literary skill and training". You
know I know I have neither.
But I have love, and enthusiasm
for you, and generaly succeed
in making people understand
me, and if you thought these
qualities sufficient for the
purpose I would try, and
leave the polishing to others.
One word more and I'll leave this
subject with you hoping to hear
soon if it seems at all practicable.
You need not be trouble lest
you give me work. It would notseem work to serve you in
any way. Please believe this,
and if you see any thing I
can do [it] I'll be only too glad to try.
     Now about the picture. I am
delighted with it. It has more
of your expression, more of
yourself in it than any one
I ever saw. Your profile one
is good, but dead. Always looked
as if taken from stone instead
of life, but this looks just as
you do when speaking on
a platform. Then, too, it
shows your shoulders and
back well and that is your
best point of figure. (Did any
one ever tell you how graceful they
are?) I wonder if the picture
can be enlarged and retain
its excellence. I hope you
will try the experiment if
you have not yet done so. Dont
every one like it? Dont you?
Joshua was here to dinner


                     (3)
and took it home to show
Harriet. Said, tell you if you
would send him one he
would send you two in
return. Thank you for
the copy of your addresses.
They were excellent. Mrs Mad.
Pullen also asked me to give her
thanks to you. I sent mine to a
friend who was much interested in
my description of you trusting you
would give me another for my
Scrap book? Of course I was deeply
interested in the late Section,
although I never spoke of it in
my answer to yours written on
the trial day. I had a good laugh
when I remembered the omission.
Poor Marm [Guglee?]! I shall never
forget her kind face grinning
at me from out of a cloud of
steam, nor how much cabbage,
she could hold afterward. It is
difficult to think of her as the victimof such a [the] desperate wretch.
How could she have Such a son?
I often recall the good people
I met at your home. Henry
came rushing out to me a few
days ago, with, "Aunt Mary, who
is that pretty girl on the Piano."
"Florence [Hurtis?] of Bound
Brook, and she is just as good
as she is bright and pretty!" "Why
dont you send for her to come
and see you while I am
home"? "Because I would not
risk your heart. You would
loose it, sure, and she has given
hers away already." Henry returned 
to Boston last week. I should think
you would grieve to part
with the Prof. Give my love to
him, if he is still with you, I
had a letter from Mr Grosh this
week. He fell on the ice and hurt
his arm and I judge from his
letter is feeble. The death of so
many of his old friends in such
quick succession has been a
sore grief. He is so good, I tremble


                         (4)
lest he, too, may slip from me.
He spoke of you most tenderly, +
sent love. I wrote to Jamie Christmas,
and he answered kindy urging
me to visit them. I shall never
probably, do that, but I thought
it might make it pleasanter
for him to come here. I hope
he will not write again but we'll
let the past go. I did, in both
my letter and reply to his. I
have kept copies and will show
you what I wrot - if you ever
come here again. We are
haveing a hard winter thus
far, but south of us it is worse.
Think of having people suffocated
[under the snow] before
their houses could be reached
by tuneling the snow in West
Virginia! It does seem as if
the old earth had tipped over
already. I have little news
to write. Cousin Helen Norton
still keeps her room. Idoubt if she will survive[s] the
Spring, then poor Uncle Daniel
will have but one girl left. She
is a splendid one, but so overworked,
and looks so delicate.
She took the agency for the Steck
piano and Palace Organ last spring
and has done wonders selling
them. She is a fine player, + has
a great many pupils, and beside
all that is Helens devoted nurse +
the cheering element of all. She
stays here, sometimes, when in the
way of her business + I am so glad
to have her. Perhaps my own lack
of enterprise makes me admire
the quality in others all the more.
The family here are well but I am
not as well as during the fall. I suppose
I must not expect to be more than half
alive for much of the time, now, and it
depresses me a little. Give my
love to Minnie. Tell her I never think
of her but I also think what a good
place her lap would be to cry in.
Am glad about your lectures, about George
success and most of all that you call
me "your sister"  Mary Norton


[*33 Mary Norton*]
       Home, Feb 26th 1881
Dear Clara
                            Have only
time for a few words, and
they are to ask a favor. My
friend J. Madison Pullen
has applied for a position
in the Mail Railway service,
and his credentials, signed
by the P.M. here, and the
proper number of "influential
Rep." is now in the hands
of W.B. Thompson, Sup.
of Mail Railway Service, Wash
D.C. The service is about to
be increased and I am very
desirous that my friend
may recieve an appointment.
If you can exert any influence
in his favor, wontyou do so? I am very
doubtful if it is in your
power to do so now, you
have been absent from
W - so long. yet I may
be mistaken. and [if so]
at least it can do no
harm to try. I think
I need not assure you
that I would ask this
for no one whom I did
not believe thoroughly
trust-worthy + capable.
My resp. for Mad P. is
very high. His misfortune
in buying his farm (at
the earnest solicitation
of his father) just before
the crash and depreciation
came has ruined him.
and is breaking him down
and killing his wife. My
heart aches for them and
I only wish I could give


help as well as sympathy.
Their effort in this direction
is known to no one here
except myself and those
who signed the petition.
Naturally, they prefer it should
remain so if they do not
succeed. I am sure you
will help them if [of] in
your power.
     Nellie + Charlie Blauvelt
are to be married in about
a week. Am not sure but
Captn may follow their
example. The lady persists
in asking my opinion
about it, and in spite of
Captn's presentation of his
condition I think wants
to come. She says she is
utterly lonely since her
father died, and tired
of being homeless + useless
I told her it was a rare opportunityopportunity to do missionary
work, if that was what
she wanted but she must
choose for herself. Stanton
is doing well in Lyons, and
his letters show his improvement.
I think of no other
news. I have not been
very well most of the time
since Christmas, but cod
liver oil, and rest for a
fortnight have brought me
up again, + now I feel
quite well. Your lecture
slips are all gone but
one. That I propose to keep.
My last guest was a gentleman
of rare culture, who had
been through all the war,
and knew of you before I
introduced you. Tell Minnie
he fell in love with her
face and I told him
all about her, too. I


dont know when I have
met a person who charmed
me so. In speech he was like
Dr Woods, and like him
was a stray Irish boy, just
growing out of the sleeves.
Like him, too, his innate
delicacy was almost a
terror to me. - I felt so
rough + indelicate from
contrast. He looked like
Booth. Give my love
to Minnie, George, and
any one else who may
ask for me. I hope you
are well + happy - as you
ought to be. Good by
dear sister. Lovingly
                     M NortonHome, Monday P.M. 3-6./81
Dear Clara
Your welcome 
letter reached me on Sat.
and almost cast me a
spell of hysterics for pure
joy. It was all so wonderful, 
- that you was in W -,
and would go to see Mr
Thompson in person, and
at once, was almost too
good news to believe. I
am so hopeful of your
success, but whether it
is accomplished or not
God bless you for trying.
Since I wrote you before
affairs have changed with
my dear friends. They
have sold their place.I urge you to do what I feel sure you
would do without it -- let me know the
result of your effort as soon as possible.
Do you remember how you helped
another dear friend? Lucretia? Oh, if
you can but do so again
     I am so tired to day I can
write little more. Charlie + Nellie
were married last night in church.
Nellie looked very pretty and all passed
off well. C.M.N. is well and sends lots of
love. He is just as anxious for your success
in your effort to help our friends as I am.


They had an offer that was
so much better than they
had hoped that it seemed
wise to accept it. It would
relieve them from debt, +
that had become such
a night-mare they prefered
starting afresh to carrying
it any longer. But, unless
they can secure the
position they desire they
must leave here and
the prospect of losing
them is almost killing
me, and is an irrepairable
loss to our church as
well. Unless there is some
hope to justify them in
coming to the village here
they will remove to Camden,
and on Friday next Mad
expects to go there to select
a house. Because of this

I am glad you are in
W - for your sake as
well as mine. It will
do you good. I shall
hope to see you on
your return.
     Once more - thank
you - thank you - thank
you
         Lovingly
        Mary Norton


Home, March 16th/81
Dear Friend
                     I am much
troubled and want you to
help me, if you can. Will
tell my story in the fewest
words I can. Two of my
dearest friends here, Mr
+ Mrs Madison Pullen, have
met with reverses that has
compelled them to sell
their home, and they
must begin life afresh
in some other business,
with three children too
young to be helpful to
care for. They have the
resp. and sympathy of
the best people here and
some of those who had
political influence exertedexerted themselves to get
him an appointment in
the Postal service, which
was about to be enlarged.
A petition to that effect,
signed by the P.M. here,
and other strong men,
was forwarded to Mr
Thompson, who is the
Wash. official in power.
Earnestly desiring the
success of the effort, both
for the sake of my friends
and because I felt sure
the service would thus
secure a faithful and 
capable officer I wrote
to Clara Barton, asking
if she could exert any
influence in the matter.
Her reply, which I enclose
raised me to the seventh
heaven of hope. Mr P- was
about renting a house in


Camden, but I urged him
to wait until Clara had
seen Mr Thompson, hoping
if she succeeded they might
remain with us here. I also
wrote Clara of the position
and have watched and waited
ever since to hear from
her, but as yet in vain.
I begin to fear my last
letter of appeal has not
reached her. She gave
no special address, so
I could only send to
"Wash. D.C." Now what I
wish to ask of you is to
see Clara if possible and
let me know the result
of her effort at once. My
friends can remain where
they are until the first 
of Apr. but they must
secure a place to remove
before many days. If thereis ever so little ground
for hope they will remain
here. It will nearly break
their hearts to leave us.
Mrs P is a noble woman,
but not very strong. She needs
her friends here and we need
them, oh how much. Probably
two people could not be
taken from our church who
would be more missed. I do
not know where Clara is, -
probably with Mrs Taylor. If not
she is sure to know where
to find her. A letter from
C- may reach me to-night.
Whenever I hear, will let
you know by next mail.
Cannot write or think of
any thing but my friends and
their troubles now. All
well except colds. Love to
Mrs G- . I am hastily
              Mary Norton


[*33 Norton*]
    Hightstown March 23d/81
Dear Clara
                            For the
past half hour, while my
fingers were busy mending
Horaces stockings, my mind
has been occupied thinking
how I should thank you
as I ought for the efforts you
have made to help our friends,
but all in vain. I found no
words in my vocabulary that
would express my feelings, and
must leave it all to your imagination.
You know how I
love that family, and knowing
me you must also know how 
their troubles have distressed
me, and how my heart rejoiced
at even a gleam of hope for
them. Even if it is never fulfilled
the hope has made the breaking
up of their old home easier, +that is much. To-day they are
moveing in our parsonage. It
was empty now and we urged
them to occupy it until Mad.
can get his nurseries out. That
will take them about a month.
and they will either rent them
permanently for a year
or remove to Camden as
they at first proposed and
try to find something to
do there. If only the hoped
for place is secured before
then. I shall rejoice. If Will
was of coarser grain I should
not worry, but she is not strong
enough to do what she will
attempt and it will just end
in making another helpless family
of motherless children. You
ask if you can do anything
more for me. No, unless you
can see any way to aid my
friends further. It is my 


first effort at place seeking
and I hope will be my last.
It cannot be agreeable to you
either, yet I am selfish enough
to rejoice doubly if their help
shall come from you.
     How sorry I am you have
had suffering added to all
your work. I trust your
hand is well ere this - but
doubt. Such things heal
slowly. The wedding is
over and passed off very
agreeably. Charley + Nell
will open their new store
about the first of Apr. with
good prospects. I a little
suspect Captn may yet take
Aunt Martha to preside in
Nellie's place. He needs some
one, surely.
     Are you not going to stop
and see us on your way
back to Dansville. A littlevisit would be better than
none though of course
I'd like a long one.
Perhaps you can give
us one of your lectures.
We are in the midst of
a temperance fight + the
fever runs high. Once more
we have a chance to say
if we shall license taverns
to sell rum. It chances that
our S.S. class lesson next Sunday
is on temperance, from the
text on the "good P.rof's" picture
I shall take it to the school
and use it. Have saved it until
just the right time come, and
it is here. I cannot write more
now but will leave room for
Charley to add a sheet. Once
more, dear sister, thank you
with all my heart, and believe
me ever lovingly your
                             Mary Norton


Dear Friend Clara - I find in
my pocket on my regular Sunday
evg. clearing out a letter for
you w'h I remember having been
handed one by Mary some days ago
to add a few lines + then mail. She
has gone to bed so I cant 'fess to
her + perhaps I do it to you
prudentially. In fact I've been
so busy I had forgotten it when
Evg. come, + that is my only social
season. Ive been helping Horace
to a home in the village of his
adoption - the prettiest in the
place, + yesterday he moved his
office thereto. In a few months
he expects to take to it a life
companion - a very good + lovable
+ womanly little girl who reminds
us all so much of his mother
in her girlhood. - - Horace has
an Extensive practise, + isuniversally liked. The only
trouble is his long drives on
the borders of the Pines, wh
are already becoming monotonous
To-day has been cold + windy
yet I notice in my yard the
venturesome crocus standing
up bravely in the cold winds
They are a sort of fulfillment of the
earlier promise in the Frogs + the
Herring Wagons! = I am hopeful
of the success in wh you too
have been enlisted of our
good friends. They have the
sympathy of our people generally.
- - - We have another
favor to ask of you - + you can
do this I hope as well as the other -
that is to come + see us on
your return f'm W. It is a small
favor - cant you grant it? for fortunately
it dont depend upon the red
tape of the Circumlocution Office
for wh end will ever pray y?'r Petition
                           C. M Norton


[*33 Norton*]
                       Hightstown Apr 7th/81
Dear Clara
                       Enclosed you
will find a letter received to
day, from Mr Brewer, our congressman,
concerning the appointment
desired by my
friend Madison Pullen. It
seems to us all very discouraging
if not hopeless, and unless you
can see affairs in a more
[hopeful] cheerful light it seems hardly
worth while to think of it any
further. Will you write me
again as soon as you can
and give us what light you
can as to probabilities? Mad
must remain here until about
the first of May, but will probably
leave us then unless you cangive us more encouragement
than Mr B- . does. It hurts to
think of it, but it is best for
us all to know the truth.
One thing more. If this attempt
fails do you know of any
thing else he could find
to do by which he could
support his family? I do
not ask your forgiveness for
troubling you thus. I know
it will give you just as 
much pleasure to help
our friends, if you can,
as it would me and am
only sorry for the pain
you will feel if you cannot
do it.
     Nellie's wedding will be followed
by another, and another very
soon. Captn will be married
the last of this month, and
in the early summer Charlie
may add a daughter to his


family. How do folks dare to
tie themselves for life to
somebody they may get so
awful tired of. It seems very
brave to me.
     Mr Grosh has sold his
house in W- and will
soon move away. They
will visit us on their way
to Utica, and I am looking
forward to the time with
much joy. If only they
would settle with us.
     I am going this afternoon
to see the dead face of Lydia's
grandmother. She was aged
100 years and six months.
A man was buried yesterday
aged almost 94, good old
ages both.
     We are just rallying
from the excitement of
a temperance war. We tried
to put a stop to rum sellinghere. We failed, but the
victorious party are hardly
jubilant. I'd rather fail
than win, by the means our
opponents used.
     This is hardly a letter 
- only an apology for
one. But you will excuse.
All usually well.
     Lovingly your friend
                 Mary Norton
Please return Mr Brewers
letter.                    M


             Hightstown July 15/81
Dear Clara
             Have spent the
past four nights fighting with
death for a babys life. We think
we are victors, but I am so weary,
and should to bed while I can,
but the enclosed note from Mrs
Hanson has just reached me
and I know not what to do but
send it to you. Concerning the
pictures, I cant spare her mine.
They would be spoiled by use
and I might not be able to
replace them. Wont you send
her the one you prefer her to
have? I am sure it will be
the profile and if you have
none with you, and will promise
to give me another if this is
lost I will send it. Tell me
at once if you desire me to
do so.I am longing to hear from
you, but know your hands
are crowded to overflowing
and wait your time patiently.
I have been very
ill this spring. - thought
the road was near the end.
Am much better, and begin
to think my lease renewed.
I hope you are bearing
your burdens without too
great weariness. Forgive
this hasty note. So many things
are in my heart to say but I
must put them all away
this time. You need
not return Mrs Hansons
note. No news of much
interest to you. Have longed
to see you.
     I am ever lovingly
                      Mary Norton
Best love to dear Minnie.



Love to Minnie. Want
to talk about so many things.
                [*Mary Norton*]
    Hightstown Aug 28th/81
Dear Clara
                  I have company
staying with me,
but they are out for a
ride, and I take the
chance to write a few
letters. Am liable to be interrupted
very soon, so
must express my desires
in a few words.
     We have a debt of
about $800. on our dear
little church which is
a burden to us, and I
have set my heart on
lifting it. I could die
happier, if that should
chance, to know it was
wiped out. One week agoI wrote to a friend who
has often told me how
much comfort he had
re'cd from our faith,
asking his help. His
response was a check
for $100. and accompanied
by such cordial words
they have made me
happier ever since. My
next appeal is to you.
If, as I suppose, you
will soon return to
Washington, cant you
arrange to stop over
a little with us, and
give one or more lectures
to aid in my
work? Think of it, but
dont say "yes" if you
feel it will cost you
in health or strength
to do it. I love my


church but love my
friends more and
have no desire to
sacrifice the one
for the other. Re'cd
a token of remembrance
from P.T. Barnum last
week and have just written
asking the same favor
of him. Shall await
the response from
both with deep interest.
     Charlie has been away
for a week on a tramp
along shore. Shall look
for his return - to-morrow
Mr + Mrs Grosh are due
next Thursday, and promise
a long visit. The longer
the better for I love
and honor them dearly.
They are both feeble, and
may not be here long.[*Ansd -*]
                                                    US
                                        POSTAL CARD.
WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER.
                                              [*1881*]
                                     Clara H Barton
                                               Dansville 
                                                        N.Y.


There is no news here
to interest you. The tidings
from the Pres. has made
the day a bright one
to many. I have done
a good deal of setting
up with sick folks
of late and am a little
weary. Harriet Ann and
Henry are at the shore.
He is such a good fellow.
br Joshua was in a few
minutes this morn.
Have I told you about
our new minister? He
and his family realize
my ideal of Christians
better than any I ever
saw. The only trouble I
have is they are growing
too essential to my happiness.
Irving is waiting for my letter +
must close. Lovingly M Norton


Home, Wed. Sept [*[8, 1881]*]
Dear Clara
                       Mr + Mrs Grosh
were here when your [le] card
come, and hence my delay
in replying. They went out
to Joshuas last night, but
will probably return to me
soon, so, I try to write, 
though, with the thermometer
over a hundred I am
almost incapable of
any thing.
     Many, many thanks for
your kind response to my
appeal. I shall hope you
can come, and feel strong
enough to speak, but if you
dont, you must not attempt
it. One word about the address.
Please, let it be an old one
on the old, old story, theThursday 5th - You dont know how glad we
were to hear of your safe arrival at D.,
or how much they all laughed at your
idea of my being bored with a few hours
in an Old Bookstore! You did'nt know that
I had sometimes thought that as near Heaven
as I should ever get! - When you come again
we'll take a day - for I agree to your terms
of return - or any terms you propose - only so
you return = You make cautionary remarks
concerning long letters - so I make a postal
serve for [w] not what I wish - but what I may
say - When will you come down - All well CMN


                     2
war, or if a new one, of
the European war as you
saw it. If you had time I'd
urge you to lecture on this
last theme for the sake
of getting something of it
written down, but nothing
would interest, or do so
much good as the story of
our own brave soldiers.
Your audience would be
largely made up of them,
+ their families, and the
youngsters now coming
on the stage should learn
the cost at which the Union
was saved. Our minister,
Mr Copeland, a man after
my own heart, was a soldier
all through the pininsula
campaign, and he is full
of joy at thought of seeing
you. He knows Minnie, too,


                       3
and I wish she could know
him. They would understand
each other instinctively.
I am not sure but love for
Mr Copeland is one of the motives
to inspire me to make
the effort I am to pay off our
debt. He and his family have become
essential to my happiness.
I am not used to so
much kindness as they have
shown me, + it has completely
won my heart. Less brilliant
than Mr Ashenfelter, he is his
superior in every thing else.
I am impatient to have you
known him, [only], Irving is coming
and I must close. Brother William
is visiting Jamie this week. I sent
love to them. Ada has been ill and
is quite broken in health. I have
been ill with cholera-morbus and
am still weak from its effects. Much
love to dear Minnie. Shall I never
see her again? Oh, I want to ask
and tell so many things. Mary NortonHIGHTSTOWN
SEP
8
N.J.

US POSTAGE
3 3

Clara Barton
Dansville
New York

loved by you, and one I appreciate
fully, Charley has just told me
the Red +, in some shape had passed
congress; I have failed to see any
account of it. Good Night, Mary
                 Hightstown Aug. 6th 1882
Dear Sister Clara
                 [*33 Norton*]
                                   Where
are you? How are you. Has
not the point come when
you can speak at least a
little word to me? Somehow,
you have been especially in
my mind for a few days past,
until my supersticious fancies
have become aroused and
will not let me rest. I know
how you need all, and more
strength than you possess
to carry on the grand work
you have begun, and usually
I am content just to know that
you are, somewhere, in tangible
form, a living, real[?] being &
not a myth, as I almost fancy.
[at times]But I am not always so
unselfish, and at times
I long for you, and like a
child crying in the dark, cannot
be quiet until I hear your voice.
I hope you are not in Wash.
this summer, yet I fear
you may be? I like best
to think of you in your own
home, in lovely Dansville,
with Minnie near you, and
all the good people I saw 
there coming in and out.
I read of the great fire so 
near you with sincere regret.
It must change things 
very greatly. Will it be
rebuilt & improved, I
wonder? I hope so, for
I regard the institution a
great blessing to the many
who seek it, and carry the
health laws they learn


there to disseminate in
all parts of the land, I
wish I could have a
good talk with you, about
the folks I met at your
home & grew interested in,
but I wont tax you to
write of but one, dear Minnie
As soon as you can, I want
you to write me if it is
well with you, and her.
I talked of Minnie in the
class this morn, using
her as an illustration of one
who accepts [&] the teachings
of the Savior literally, &
asks directions & tells her
wants with the directness
and simplicity of a little
child. I have often spoken
of her thus, & have drawn
some valuable lessons
from the remarks I illicited.I feel like writing a long letter
but restrain me & will close with
a few words of myself. I am
feeling unusually well just now.
My health has been very uncertain
for a few years & bids 
fair to be so for sometime
to come. If it was not for the
intervals, of comparative comfort
I should grow weary of
trying to live. Mrs Butterfield
wrote me, a few days ago, that
she was nursing her daughter through
the middle passage, and how
she suffered from depression
that threatened insanity. It made
me envious, & I could not keep
back the tears as I thought of
the bliss of being upheld through
it with intelligent womanly
tenderness. - After tea, The twilight
gathers & I close. I wish I
knew how to thank you for your
goodness to me. I was never so
touched in my life as I have 
been by it. I am ashamed to
have any one who knows me read
Women Workers. Surely, they will say
what has Mary Norton done to make
it an honor to any one to be her
father!" But it Is an honor to be



              [*[Aug 6? 1882]*]
Dear Clara
              Mary has
handed me a letter for
you & signified that there
was room for a word
therein. I have been thinking
of you as having a
rest now that I see the
fate of the Red + is fixed as
I suppose satisfactorily.
     I wonder where you take
you rest, & why you dont
come down this way, &
help us with the great
crop of nice peaches. You
know what Jersey Peaches
are from olden time, & I
often recall that it was
"a box of Peaches" that gave 
you the first introduction
to Jersey, & that Washington
& the Old World led thro'our insignificant Hightstown.
Well Peaches still
grow + Ripen, as of old. +
if you should fill up one
side of our little table
you would find some luscious
specimens each day
by your plate. Then I have
just got a new Phaeton, + our
Horse is capable, so you
c'd take health trips
far + near. - - - But I am
afraid it w'd be nicer
for us than you to have a 
summer vacation here, +
I hope you dont doubt that
it w'd give us pleasure. When
are you going to make us the
promised visit? Remember - it
is always + any time your home.
                    Resy  C.M.N


I will leave this open for Charly to
speak for himself. Good night
Darling and God bless you. M Norton
                     Hightstown May 22/83
Dear Sister Clara
     I have just been writing
a love letter to A.B. Grosh.
This is his 80th birth day.
God bless him + keep him
in health + strength for many
a year to come, for many beside
myself can illy spare
a friend as true as he. I
owe the first tidings of your
new field of work to him.
Was it not odd I was about
to write to you when his
letter came. I had grown
hungry to hear from you,
and determined, selfish
or otherwise, to ask for
a little word from out
the silence + darkness that
had fallen between us.
I never write you but
I feel I am selfish, when
you are always so taxed.you know this, dont you,
and believe it is a proof
of my love, that longs to
spare you all it can, and
not of my indifference? That
I can can never be to you.
The worship + love for you
that began in the old home
has so become a part of
my life, I could not put
it from [you] me if I would.
There is a story told of Aaron
Burr that always touched me.
Long after the ship that had
sailed with his Theodocia
was supposed to be lost, he
would go to the Battery and
spend hours looking out
over the sea. A pitying
soul addressed him one
day, + tried to cheer him
with the hope his child
might yet be alive + return,
might have been wrecked
somewhere, or carried on 
some out bound vessel to


some far land, whence it
would take a long time to
return. Said Burr, "she
is dead. If it were not so, no
power on earth could keep
her from coming to comfort
her father." So, Clara, dear,
when my love + trust shall
fail you, you can know [I]
[am] Mary is dead. I was troubled
lest you had undertaken
what would over tax +
break you down again, when
I heard of your new work,
but Mr Grosh says he never
saw you look so strong +
well, + that encourges me.
That you will succeed I
never for a moment doubt.
But those who would save 
others, can never save themselves, 
and a thousand
convicts saved + cared for
would be of less value
than you in my eyes.[*33 Norton*]
[*Mary Norton
Forwarded
Ansed Aug 4, 1883
Charlie also*]

HIGHTSTOWN
AUG 
2
N.J.

Miss Clara Barton
[Sherborn]
So Framingham Mass


I mean to say all I will at this
time on this sheet. A score of
questions come up, about Dansville
+ the good people I grew interested
in there, but I wont ask one, even.
For you would think you must
answer them, + I am writing to
send, + not get a message.
One thing I must [ask] request. That
you give my love to Minnie
when you write. How often I  
think of her. I hope she is
happy. For us, life is much
as when you saw us. Disappointment
+ pain often come when
I try hardest to do right, +
then I get discouraged, and
think my life work is wasted
except to promote a little
the material comfort of a
few. Then, too, I am selfish, +
long for words of tenderness
+ appreciation + there are none
to speak them. But it is not always
so. And I feel I am victor when
I can be content to desire no other
reward than the conciousness of having 
done what I could.


            [*Mary Norton*]
            Home Apr. 14-1886
Dearest Sister I have
been questioning if I ought
to write you again, lest you
feel you must answer for fear
of seeming negligent again.
Should not do so if I did
not want to thank you for
the photo. Of course it does
not satisfy me. It looks
so tired as if your soul
had withdrawn from sight
to rest + only its mask was
before me. Yet I am glad
to have it, though every time
I look at it I feel as if I
wanted to take you in my
arms + caress + rock you to
sleep. I often feel that way
toward people, feel it would
be such a joy to myself thatNEW YORK
  AUG 2
  12 M
    83
 [..RA..]


the fancy comes that some
time the desire may be
granted, + lap + arms
be large enough to do it.
Would'nt that be glorious.
Strange that I seldom
feel that way toward children.
An orange or candy
is usually enough to comfort
them. But its tired
big folks I want to carry.
Now if this seems too absurd,
you must do as little Mother 
used when I had hugged +
kissed + laughed at her until
I had [relieved] broken up
a spell of crying. She would
look around in a shame-faced
way at the ones who
had been looking on at
my task in dispair + say
in an apologising way,
"Mary always was a little


shaller." For the decorations,
I like them. If you was
covered all over with them
it would not be more
than you deserve. I only
regret I do not know
the significense of each
one. Your name sake
Clara Bodine was in
to see me last night +
I let her take the picture
to show to her father. She
is a good girl, a member
of my class in S.S. and
very proud of her name.
Hart is about as when you
was last here, probably the
trend is always a little
downward. He + Abigale
are good illustrations of the
law of developement by
environments. One has been
made + the other marred by his
wife.Time to serve dinner and
I must close. I am
usually well. You must
not answer this for a long
long time. Accept my
grateful thanks for the
love you give, + tell me
you give me. It is the
best gift in all the world
+ helps me more than I
can tell. Farewell
               Mary Norton



                                       [*Ans. Sept. 2
                                            [1878?]*]
                                                  US
                                        POSTAL CARD.
WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER
                                       HIGHTSTOWN
                                               ....
                                               ....
                                              N. J.
                                      Clara Barton
                                      Dansville
                           Livingston Co New York



[*Ansd. Dec. 31. 1902*]
[*C Norton  40*]
          Hightstown, N. J 
                    Dec. 22/02
Dear Friend Clara.
                              After
some hesitation I take
the liberty of writing you
on a matter of business.
     In brief - the term of office
of my son, W. Irving Norton, our
postmaster at this place, has
expired. A man of no personal
popularity is making application
for the appointment - Irving
is personally very popular here, -
is member of the Republican
County Committee, but they are
both unknown, of course, at
Washington, + there is no guessing
even, what the powers might
do. Now this is what I have

Friday Evg - Home - Dear Clara - I've lots of
after-thought - When I neared New Brunswick
I thought - why did'nt I see you off at J.C. + then
run down by Ev'g. train to N.B. + see Mrs. McChesney?
When I got home + around the table
at tea told Mary + the boys all about the day
they every one said - "Why didnt you go on
+ not leave Clara to go in the night alone"
I could'nt answer again - + found I had a
big stock of after-thought on hand, + when I
looked over + saw your chair set + your plate
of Peaches - - well, we all felt homesick,
+ we could'nt help it. I shall learn f'm Mr. P.
to-morrow how you got off - Hoping all right. Ever. CMN


2
hoped you might be willing
to do on the score of old friendship,
+ I hope it is not asking
too much, or improperly, - to
write even a very few words in
recommendation of his reappointment,
either to the P.M.
General, to our member of Congress
newly elected - (Hon. Mr. Lanning,
Trenton,) or to our P.M. himself,
or, to me. I should appreciate
it as a very great personal
favor, and I can assure you
the young man is entirely worthy
of the aid.
     Our once large family
has dwindled down to Bro.
William + myself. James,
Joshua + Mary have been
the latest to pass away.


                     3
William who resides in town
with his youngest son, is quite
feeble. My own health is good,
still I am conscious of the
passing of the years that mark
the usual limit of our stay
here - three score and ten.
I am as actively engaged as ever
in daily duties, but await
the inevitable summons.
     I occasionally hear of
you, and always place great
confidence in y'r naturally
strong constitution to carry
you through many many
years of peaceful enjoyment
of the many honors you have
so nobly won.
     Very truly + sincerely your friend
                          C.M.NortonGlen Echo, Washington, D. C.
December 31st., 1902
Mr. C. M. Norton,
Hightstown, N. J.,
My dear friend:
The sight of your handwriting is good
like a medicine: I will of course do all I can to strengthen the
position of our Postmaster and I will say what I can in any direction.
I hardly think, under the circumstances, that he will be
troubled but I realize very well your cause for apprehension and
there should be nothing left undone.
The greed of the world is incomprehensible. Please let
me know at any time of the least unfavorable change and meanwhile
I will hope to reach some parties.
Please give Irving my best and most hopeful wishes.
It is very difficult to realize that great family of strong,
healthy men reduced to two: it seems strange that you and I
should be left to look over the denuded ground, shall we never
see each other again? Are we to live and go out almost unknown to
each other? Think it over Charley, and let us see to that.  I shall
be in New York a great deal after this: I go there this week, for
a partial residence; we may be more accessible then and I am going
to hope to see you. As always, sincerely yours,


Sunday Evg 1/18
Dear Friend Clara: -
You will
please excuse my pencil,
but Mary has invited me
to say a word in the letter
she is writing, w'h I gladly do,
+ I find the writing material
mainly in her hands.
I wish to thank you for
yr kind invitation of Mary,
not that I wish in anyway
to be rid of her, but that I
think she wd enjoy such
a visit with you; + especially
for the invitation to myself
dependant thereon. I have
tried unavailingly to have
her make the visit, but
she declines, + therefore yousee, my invitation fails
of availability. But no
matter for that, I have
one w'h you issued some
time ago, wh I hold, like
a R.R. ticket - "good till used."
I want to thank you
also for the pretty little
Christmas + New Year remembrance
which ornaments
my stand. It is refreshingly
green for the season, + I
have watched the growth
of the pretty fern until I have
been able to pluck one little
frond wh I return to you
herewith - - - - I was offered
only room for a 1/2 sheet, but
this is so small, + I have
so much to say that I shall
risk y'r time + patience once
by squeezing in a whole sheet
About our visit - we will


endeavor to imagine that
we have each spent 2 or 3
weeks with you; + now that
makes you indebted to us,
according to what I know
of mental calculus, to a 
visit in return of about 10 or
11 weeks with a mild suggestion
that the longer you
put it off the longer it gets.
The moral is evident: - to
come + see us as soon as
you can, + stay as long as
you can! We desire to help
you all we can to pay your 
debts! - - - - Then I want
to tell you - for I cant write
it - about a lecture I attended
the other Evg. by a new
physician recently come to our
town, on the subject of "Love
Courtship + Marriage" - the "other
side"; a reply to one on the subjectHightstown, Friday Evg
Dear Friend Clara:- I learn
this evening that you propose
making us a visit. We take
great pleasure in the anticipation,
+ trust you will make
it early + make it long - but,
long or short - will make it Home
Your Room is waiting - Very Resy C.M.Norton


by our Methodist minister.
The man showed that while
marriage was good + proper,
it still was not all - that
the world had rec'd its greatest
benefits fm the men + women
who had not time to spare
for the routine of family cares
+ duties. He read a long list
of honored names, + then made
instance of a name + fame
dear to Americans as was
that of Florence Nightengale to
her countrymen - the name
of Clara Barton! Coming so
unexpectedly you may be
sure that there were two
gaiter heels which did their
fair share of applauding. But
I hav'nt time or room to write
of the ridiculous figure he made
you cut with 8 squalling children
to look after. Talking with him later
he could'nt believe you was known
here. - Please pardon my gossip.
+ believe me, as Ever Yours +c CMN


                                                US
                                       POSTAL CARD.
WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER

                                      HIGHTSTOWN
                                               ....
                                              N. J.
                                       Clara Barton
                                          Vineland
                                        New JerseyUS
POSTAL CARD.

HIGHTSTOWN
      AUG
       [3?]
       N. J.

WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER

                          Miss Clara H. Barton
                                   Vineland
                                      N. J -
           Care of
           Mrs. Frances D Gage


             Hightstown, N. J.
Dear Clara     Come,
Come, Come, Come,
Come.
              C M. Norton


Tues. Evg. - Dear Clara: - Mary
has just informed me that
she has written you a letter,
+ has announced to you
that I would add thereto -
I am happy in having the
opportunity to do so, but have a
slight misgiving as to the 
propriety in my doing so,
knowing as I well do that
mere 'commonplaces' may
very easily become a burden
to you..+ what else have I to
write? Nothing, only to say that
you are gone - which you well 
know - + we miss you - which you may not
kw so well - We kept your plate
of Peaches, from habit I suppose,
for many days; renewing it with
the fine melocotons which were
just beginning to ripen as youleft, + tho' many a fine fruit
decayed, since no one would
touch it, we were satisfied,
as it had lain upon the Altar
of our remembrance - Today
I had a present of two fine
peaches of a new variety, + I
don't know what to do with them.
They really belong to you; - and its
too bad they should spoil! I
shall have to test one of them
I suppose in the interest of
Pomology, but I shall thank
you for it - I suppose Mary
will tell you all about the
Convention - as she has been
quite full of it - + I shall not
particularize. We had quite a
house full of visitors all the time
altho we had but 5 permanent
guests, + perhaps about as many
again to eat with us. The weather


                                        [*Ansd Sept. 2*]
                                                     US
                                           POSTAL CARD.
WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER

                                         Clara H. Barton
                                              Dansville
                                               N. York
                       Livingston Co.,


                                                      US
                                           POSTAL CARD.
WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER 

                                        H[IGHTS]TOWN
                                                 AUG 
                                                    5
                                                  N. J.

                                       Clara H. Barton
                                             Vineland
                                                  N. J.
                Care of 
                Mrs. Frances D. Gagewas fine, + everything passed
off pleasantly.
     The yard has become fragrant
with the bushels of Grapes
which are now fully ripe - You
can take your choice of Delawares
Ives, Concords, Hartfords, Clintons
Isabellas or Dianas - I have recently
cut the grass close,
over the lot, + you can get them
without fear of the dews. You
should see the tall grass - Erianthus -
now, since it has
come in bloom. I call it beautiful.
The poor Caladium, too,
which presented such a sorry
plight as you left, has put on
new + superior beauties - Roses
are blooming here + there, + the
Japan Honeysuckle is full +
exceedingly fragrant. = On the
lake a few days ago, I noticed
a number of Water lilies still
in bloom, but their glory has
passed; and in their place we
see reflected on the bosom of the
lake the brilliantly tinted leaves
of the Gum, + Red Maple, + Virgins
Bower, denoting the approach
of the "sere + yellow leaf." Such
days are not pleasant to anticipate,
but when we have passed
into them they have their
glory - - - - I have much I w'd
like to tell you of a private revelation
Mr. Ballou made me of a communication
+ interview he had with
Lydia. The old man said he knew he
talked with her, + saw her thro' a medium
as plainly as he saw + talked with
me. It is too long an account to give
here now some time I may trouble
you with it - - - Will you come + see
us again ever? I wish you might do
so - It would seem so home-like to have
you here - I'll meet you any time - you know
                                  Resy CMNorton


                Hightstown  5th
Friend Clara - Did'nt think
to ask you to drop us a card
of y'r expected time of arrival
so we might meet you - as
otherwise you might not find
us, without search.
        Very Expectantly, Yrs +c
                             C.M Norton


On board train - Dear friend Clara - Like a kill-sheep
dog fleeing ingloriously f'm the field, I feel myself
as I am flying along toward Newark + home. But I
find no consolation in that tho't as I reflect upon
the dear, good, kind friend sitting even more alone
than I in that dreary waiting-room - I've felt
continuously since I've been on the train to upbraid
myself for having left you - I never w'd do
such a thing again, + I shall not cease feeling
"homesick" until I hear of y's safe arr'l at D.
I should not have left you as it was had I not felt
sure of y'r being put straight by so good a friend as
T. J. P = I w'd not have missed going to N.Y. with you however,
for anything, + especially since you made me
feel free to go with the old time simplicity = with
thanks for yr visit + hopes that some time you may let
us minister to you again. I remain, as ever yrs. CMN[*Chas. Norten*]
              "Home"--(I lack
title for my place - can't
you invent one for me?)
Dear Clara,
                Mary has requested
me to help fill her envelope
going to you, because, I suppose,
she dislikes having a poor, starved
specimen of correspondence,
in quantity, - however rich in
quality - go to you. So I gladly accept
her invitation, + turn at once
to a consideration of the matter
in discussion - the journey to
Dansville. She has read to me
all the considerative "cons" you
have filled a letter with, but
they have been of no weight
with me, as I think they have
been of little weight with her
since she has finally decided
to make the visit. The time
is now the only question, + thata dependant one.  It matters
little if the snow sh'd be 6 feet
deep - she don't contemplate
going a foot, or, if the Thermometer
drops to 0 - she don't expect
to sit or sleep outdoors.
So, you may depend upon her
when other matters are satisfactory,
I think, without much
regard to weather, only that she
would be hardly likely to start in
a howling snow storm. Mary,
you know, is more provident toward
us poor 'evils than toward
herself, + when she gets us provided
for in her absence she will go at
once with a clear conscience. We could
get along, I know, but she w'd not
be satisfied, + for the pleasure of
her trip I want her to be so. When
she gets with you I want you to
try + make it long, + I know it will
be happy to her - she deserves + is
worthy of it. Hoping to report a time
soon, I remain, Yrs as Ever   Chs


     Dear friend - Mary has
left an unsealed note for
me to add a word + send
to you. That, you are aware,
is an opportunity I never refuse,
altho' I am at present
aware of the fact that you
have very little time for 
any thought outside of y'r
business + its reconstruction,
So I will be brief with my
words. - - We all feel that
you have taken upon yourself
a "big job" with heavy
responsibilities, but we also
feel a confidence in your capacity
to easily accomplish
any work you undertake. I 
am sure you w'd never be
willing to let the old machinerun along in the old ruts, but
that you will be full of reforms
+ innovations. I sincerely hope
for y'r sake, as well as the prisoners,
for their better condition
I know is the power that impels
you, - that you may be fully
successful in every advance
movement you may inaugurate.
- - - - But it makes
vain the hope that you will
ever (?) be able to visit us
again - + this promises to be
such a great peach year, too.
     Mary I suppose has told
you all our local matters of
any interest to you. We are all
well as usual - including James
in N.Y. - Miss Bodine often asks
after you with evident pride that
her name is Clara Barton. With best
wishes I am very truly, Yours, CMNorton


[*Mary*]
                                              US 
                                    POSTAL CARD.
WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER

                                        TRENTON  
                                             MAR
                                               26
                                              N. J.

                                     Clara Barton
                                          Dansville
                                             New York

1500
____8
12000Trenton, New Jersey
March 24th: Came
here this evening.
Propose going to
Washington to-morrow
Will write you from
there if I can. Your
card reached me
this morn. Am
distressed to hear
of your continued
illness. I have
arranged so I can
[return] stay as long
as I desire, but
will probably return
home the last of
next week. Wish
you was here. Yours
         M Norton