Clara Barton
General Correspondence
Norton, James
Apr. 1874-Sept. 1878I hear (by Mrs Grosh) that you
are "taking gas." The inventor of that
remedy lives here - in Hightstown and is
Mother's physician, yet I dont see that
it is beneficial to her case. He has been 
very successful in curing many consumptives,
by his remedy. I suppose Mary has told
you all about Mother's case, and family
matters generally. There has been no
changes in our family since you was here
I think. We are all 'older, of course, &
I suppose look older. But a lady called
here last fall and said "I dont see that
Jimmie has changed, or looks a bit older
than he did when I used to see him
20 years ago". I have however increased 
in flesh some in 2 years, - from 150 lbs
to 180. I have outgrown my clothes.
But I must close. Clara, should
you get down sick, abead: Have you anybody
in Washington to care for you? Please
write us. Affectionately yours "Jimmie"


[*30*]
[*Jamie Norton*]

                   Hightstown N.J. April 9th 1874
Dear friend Clara: - I am pleased to
avail myself of the opportunity to write you 
with Mary. And though it is a long time
since I headed a letter to you; yet the recollections  
of bygone days, when you lived
with us as one of our family, are among
the happiest days of my life. Indeed -
Clara, I can never cease to thank gracious
Heaven for those blessed days and
nights we spent together, for I point back
with pride to that time as a very great
and proper change in my respect for the world,
and my own course of life. I fancied that
no one ever knew me before you - unless
I may except my Father - but knowing 
me, you know just how to manage me
and develop what there was of me as no
one else did, or ever has. And this development
was in the right direction.And you not only knew me better than
anyone else, and had more controll over
my spirit, but I trusted that you sympathised
with me more than any other person
- scarcely excepting my Father, with his
great heart - because you knew me rightly:
And I think I knew thy spirit, Clara, too
as few other persons did, because I thought
it in such full and complete harmony 
with my own. Do you remember how you
used to instruct me in Phrenology & how
we used to compare notes on character?
I used to think we were remarkably similar
in our natural character, though in
culture, I was nowhere. But, bless me!
Clara, How different has been the character
of our lives since then? I have
passed the time - most precious in the 
life of man - with scarcely an incident
worthy of mention, and am now doing 
nothing, but keep about the house to be
on hand to lift my helpless Mother.  


     I do not point to this as an improper
or unworthy act, but to the littleness
of my life as compared to the heroic 
deeds that have made your name famous
on two Continents. Clara, I am proud
of you, or my relations with you. I have
no visible relations with you to boast of
before the world, except our daguerreotype
taken together. It still lies in the front 
room - a source of pride and gratification.
But aside from this visible relation with
you, I cannot, shall not doubt that despite
the excellent name you have obtained,
and the little that the world knows
of me, yet a love as that between brother
and sister abides between us always.
And with this feeling and assurance, I
write you without my old time reserve.
I hear you are in Washington, "sick."
I hope not seriously so, but that you
may soon be about in the enjoyment of
life and health and soon visit us here. 



 






formed a near district
in Millford, leaving the old
hive a little weak. I suppose
Mary will post you on family
matters, and so I think I will
close, I will venture the remark
however that it has been a long 
time if ever before when reading
a letter from a valued friend
that I was obliged to stop
and wait for nerve to proceed
as when I read yours to Mary.
Harriet soon sends her best
respect, & most ardent affection
with your scribe; and she 
requested Mary's permission
to retain your letter as a memento.
If it is not too much 
to ask we would be very
glad to hear from you
at any time. I am as ever
your well wisher. Yours Respectfully 
                                  J. R. Norton. 


                                Hightstown. N.J.
     Sunday Afternoon. Jan 9th 1876
Miss Clara H. Barton Valued
Friend. Sister Mary told
me this morning at church
that she was writing a letter
to you today and if I wished
I might add a sheet. to her
package. which offer I gladly
embraced, and I will first
say that I was very glad to hear
from you through Mary, and
that you was again regaining
your health, and hope you will
so far recover at least as to be
able to make a visit to this
part of the country again. We
would be very glad to see you.[*Sent postal card Jany 23 -
Norton family*]

HIGHTSTOWN
JAN
11
N.J.

Miss Clara Barton
New England Village
Mass.


When I reflect upon the past
at the time when you was
here with us a gay healthy
active young Lady, a resident
of our family, we all looking
forward with bright anticipation
for the future, we little thought
of the great trials, and also
of the wonderful sacrifices
that some of us at least would
be called upon to make, to 
satisfy our own consciouses.
Little did we know at that
time that we was h housing
an angel of mercy. and one
that we should be proud to acknowledge as having
been of our own household, how be it
she was only a sojourner with us,
I very often go back to those days
when we used to have with you
the romp of youth & sleigh rides 
and various recreations usual 


with a lot of young people.
Our good father looking on so
complacently, & our Mother
who although not of so quiet a
nature, often engaging with 
us in promoting our happiness
and joining in hilarity with us.
I have just been interrupted by
a call from Harriets Brother
C. R. Field, who you doubtless remember.
I am still living
upon the old homestead, and 
if you should ever chance
to come this way you will 
find the door on the latch
and the string hanging out
The old school room has
been enlarged, and is still
kept up as a district school,
although we have had a division 
in the district since you was 
with us, a portion drawing off & 




[*[1876]*]

Dear Clara. - In answer to your
excellent letter to Mary, I am offered 
the privilege of a "leaf" to you. And
though I am not very profuse in thought,
yet if I were to write you all that has
engrossed my mind in thoughts of you
for these many bygone days, it would 
require a book to contain it all. I 
must therefore banish all thoughts of
the past and its pleasant memories,
and confine my thoughts to the present
and the future. First, then,
I rejoice to hear of your returning
health. And I hope the day is not
far distant ere we shall have the 
pleasure of seeing you again. Wonder
if I should know you, if I should
meet you unexpectedly on the street?
I hope that time has not so changed
your appearance that I should not 


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

WASHINGTON
SEP
22
[?] PM
1878
D.C.

Miss Clara Barton
       Dansville.
             New York





recognize my dearest friend of
my youthfull days, - I mean 
youthfull in mind and thought. I
think you would recognize me, if you
met me unexpectedly. For I was told
last summer by one who had not
seen me in 20 years - "I don't see that
you have changed a bit since we met."
And then you remember I always
had such a "striking countenance."
My hair and whiskers show some
silver threads; but with reference
to the last, I have strictly obeyed
your request, - "Don't shave them
off Jimmie." And I never mean to.
Mary will write you the general news,
I suppose, and of mother's condition.
I wrote an article for the "Gospel Banner"
a week or more ago, and if I get
a spare copy I will send it to you,
that you may see that "I still live."
And if I ever come within 50 or so
miles of you, you will see your devoted friend 
                                                       Jas Norton -


[*Norton*]
Dear Clara. I fully appreciate the case & none
would be more pleased than I to be with you
all a fortnight or so but business providence says
stay at home &oc & work. with good health and
the only employment for nearly three years in
view with the hope & expectation that you are to Board
with me next winter, conscience says &oc stay at
home & work, another thing I have a good horse
Buggy & Harness & I cannot well leave my pony
(Don't tell the girls), but tell then I'll take them out to gather
autumn leaves if they come soon enough & show them
soap stone quarries. but though I should like to see
them very much they need not leave you till they
have made a good long visit. glad you want not nor ill
nor nothing I heard so any how. Ever ever now Yours Jas E. N

I go to Staunton tomorrow. be gone all the week Oh the Poney