BLACKWELL FAMILY Emily Blackwell Dec. 13, 1871-Dec. 19, 1879 Henry B. BlackwellRockaway July 16, 1876 Dear Harry I did not see you & Lucy on your return from Phil. and George & Emma report you both as not having been very well. I think you must have suffered severely from the heat, and be very thankful to be at home in your pleasant spacious quarters again. I do hope you will stay quietly at home now until the hot weather is over. It is not safe to muck about in such a climate. I shall be glad to hear that you are both well again. Down here we are simply enduring the heat - I have never known so long a succession of hot days and warm nights, in so little [?] [*Alice shd write me an exhibition letter. Love [?] Emily]breeze. The air is warm and dry as inland - nothing gets damp nor moldy - towels & sponges dry quickly, there is no moisture in the air - and no coolness either. It is an exceptional season. Ellen & the children have kept well however - Cornelia has been under the weather for a few days but seems to be improving. Ellen & Willie the colored girl, have papered the bedrooms, which has improved the appearance of the house. Ellen has also been very particular about clearing away all rubbish, waste, dish water &c and we have succeeded in keeping the kitchen surroundings and grass in good condition. It has been so intensely hot that we are obliged to keep the children in through the middle of the day. Consequently they get a little teaching, and are beginning to make some progress. Gracie spent some time down here with us. She is growing up a tall girl, and I groan when I see all these girls stripping up into young women, and these valuable years so wasted. How I wish half of them had gone into your family instead of Sam's. If you were only within a distance for short visits I shd run in and see you before the time when I go to George's. As it is I mean to pay you a visit later, even if it be a short one, as it is only once a year I can see you, also get the run of yr goodly living. Isn't it odd that George and his little household starting off with everything so clean and trim & compact! After little George or Emma has had the run of the place awhile things wont be so proper. But I think George is much happier, more interested and occupied, and they both seem to me to have aEmily a quiet settled way, and an affectionate companionship between themselves that seems as though they suited each other, and found the joint living satisfactory. Emma comes in now & then and consults me about little garments, and I am rather amused, but hope to be a better guide and authority in questions of health than I am on points concerning sleeves & tucks. The little household is pleasant to me, however, because they seem to find so much interest & satisfaction in all their small housekeeping down to the very kitchen spoons. At present I am spending more time than usual at Rockaway for I only go up every second or third day - on account of the great heat, and I spend my mornings reading outside the side door in the shade. Drop me a line to tell me that you are all recovered or [?] Alice [?]. I think Emily Emily Blackwell 1876 53 East 20 St Nov 14 1876 Dear Harry Wrote to Harris giving him description and asking him to report any positive offer. I tried to sell top of mountain separate from valley, but after consulting with George, I told him I thought it wd be difficult to see South end alone as access can only be had on that side. If you will send me Hubbard's address I will write himAsking him to keep it in mind. I dont know of any other agents at Montclair do you? I hope now that you & Lucy are having rest and peace after the political row. I wonder if you are having the same mild November that we are. Ellen and the children are still at Rockaway, and I am keeping bachelor's hall in N.Y. I suppose you heard from Emma of the temporary domestic crisis produced in their establishments by the sickness and death of their Nurse's baby. I should be very sorry for the woman if she were not rather a selfish unfeeling sort of woman who I think cared little for the child. She is an excellent nurse however and little Howard has thriven wonderfully. They turned up unexpectedly Sat night as I was going to Rockaway, and encamped for a week, hoping to go home from day to day as my house was all packed & locked up, and only the char woman who kept it through the summer on hand, my hospitality was not brilliant. But we did the best we cd, and finally they returned with their nurse to Orange and have quietly settled down again, But a baby is a wonderful domestic tyrant, setting alldomestic regulations & arrangements at defiance. The baby is a nice one, and is growing large, plump, and bright but he's an awful trouble - like all his kind. Well G & E haven't anything else to do but take care of him and each other so it's very good for them. George is quite well from his boil, but is rather dypeptic. a new development which I don't at all like. Otherwise he looks well, and is certainly very much happier for his newer personal interests. Emma looks very well and delights in her "baby Bylow" I wish I cd step in and spend an evening with you occasionally, but winter work is fairly in. Love to Lucy & Alice Affty Ey Do you know of any City of Boston open of bonds? 53 East 20th Dec 19th. 1879 Dear Harry I have delayed answering your letter because I have been so strongly tempted to run on for Christmas that I kept putting off writing to say I could not. If it were only myself & Ellen I'd come, but children are such little nuisances about taking cold, and being troublesome out of their accustomed rut, that I am afraid to undertake a flying visit in winter, when I can not count on the weather. We shall think of you on Christmas and send warm Christmas greetings. I hope Sam and Gracie will join yr party. Every year makes the children more of girls however, and perhaps another year will bring them up to travelling point. [*]On New Year's Day. With best wishes for a merry Christmas and happy New Year. Affty EyI shall be glad if you see your way toward a Christmas gift in the clothes line for Ellen, for she is very much in the position of trying to make bricks without straw. What she needs most is first a good winter cloak I think a good black cloth rack wd be the best kind. But a nice one would take quite a part of the $50, it wd be a thing she has needed for a long time. She also needs a good dress, some good black woollen material like cashmere would be best if there were enough left. If not some less expensive material I don't see how you cd buy her a cloak if she doesnt come to Boston, I almost think you had better commission me to get it for her here where she cd try on and change if required. I wanted her to accept Lucy's kind invitation, and go and spend a week. But Susie has a cold which has made her a little troublesome, and Ellen has scarcely got over her moving up yet, and seems to prefer the easier journey to Orange, rather to my surprise. I am almost inclined to think that at the bottom she is a little afraid of the Sound. She always was, rather. She certainly is improving in health since coming up to New York. The gripping is less constant, and she is less [for] forlorn. I think it is partly the cold weather, and partly being rid of the Rockaway household. although she won't allow it Paul and the calves were the last straw that broke her back. But I am afraid they are only partly rid of, for they are all down at Rockaway living at her expense, and as she has literally not a dollar in her pocket, I suppose there will soon be a howl about money for them. Still it is a great reliefto be rid of the daily bother, and to have the comparative comfort of the New York household and things all going on quietly & smoothly for the present. Mind you do not on any account send her your Christmas gifts in money. I hope from what you say that after January you will be less pressed by the beet question, and more at home. It must be a very weary thing being so much away from your own home and home interests. I think George takes a great deal of interest and satisfaction out of his house and family, though two young children make a world of work and care; and Howard is just at the most troublesome age when activity has come without any reason to guide or restrain it. He is a fine child but a truly awful inmate of a house. We shall spend Christmas day with them, and they wd be much disappointed if we did not But we shall only dine with them, and as we are to take out the pudding, and a girl to wait and wash dishes, I don't think they will be burdened. Will you be at home Emily New York Jan 13th 1873 Dear Harry I think the arrangements with George will be quite satisfactory, and I shall be ready to do my part when called on. I have already advanced him $62.00 .00 to meet the deficiency caused by P Browning failing to pay his mortgage promptly. I hope something will bring you on to N Y this winter. This is the worst of practice that you must either be absolutely fettered or give it all up. so I cant visit you while the winter's work is going on. The 25th or 6th March will be the Commencement - so I am looking with longing to the 1st April as the end of College work & cold weather together.I wish it were easier to pay you a visit. I scarcely see anything of you or of Sam's family through the greater part of the year. George drops in occasionally, and takes tea in the little office privately. His Orange life must be very dull I wish we wd have a nice little head quarters - but he might pop straight off to England if we had. Ellen keeps better this winter than usual - I think her long Rockaway summer was a great benefit. Yrs affectly Ey Emily Blackwell New York Dec 13th 1871 Dear Harry I was greatly astonished & grieved at receiving yr note this morning. Still it is a great blessing that Alice is safe, and that you will not lose the whole damage. I wish we were near enough to help, but I suppose you wd hardly wish to send Alice away just now or we wd receive her & either keep her or forward her to Somerville. I think of that pleasant cheerful house being gone! I suppose it is not entirely burned or your loss wd be more than $10,000. It is a real family misfortune, and we shall all feel it so. I shall be verydesirous to hear, what you do, where you are staying, and how the damage comes out when you have gone into it more fully.. I do sympathize heartily with Lucy, to lose the results of so much labor, in getting her home established, and to be thrown out of all her winter arrangements. Give my love to her & Alice. If I shd tell you fifty times over how every sorry I am it wd not help, and yet that is all we can do now, but I shall hope to hear again from you shortly more details Yrs afftly Ey B 53 East 2d st Oct 20th [st] 1875 Dear Harry & Lucy Ellen & I both mean to come up if we can, and accept yr invitation, and Ellen wd stay ten dys or a fortnight if convenient, She wd like to close the house early on purpose, which I rather regret, If we both comeI shd probably take two children out to Sam's for the three days I shd be away and bring Nannie with me. If it wd not be convenient for Ellen to stay the next fortnight please write and let us know. Shall be very glad to see you in Nov and Nettie means to come in at the same time. Ellen if she come will come by the Wed morning train -- and I ditto if possible as the night boat wd make the trip fatiguingEmily Blackwell all well Affty Ey Emily Blackwell Rockaway, June 11 . 1877 [?] Dear Harry & Lucy I have not heard from your direction for some time, but then so far as I know neither have I written, but see some of your doings in the Journal. We here have moved to Rockaway, Ellen and the children came down on the 20th May, so now we are pretty well settled. Miss Warner a young teacher from Mt Holyoke is with us to teach the young ones. She was not well, and had been recommended sea air, which, as her home is in Cummington it was not easy for her to get, and she was glad of the opportunity of paying her way by a little teaching, sothe children will get a little drill. They have two hours of morning lessons, and an hour in the afternoon for sewing, learning on their little globe and other small exercises. I hope to find the arrangement answer on both sides. As we came down nearly a fortnight before the other families I found it very pleasant no driving, no walking, & riding past our very exposed ground - it was so green quiet & rural that it was very nice. Now they are all moving down - the Carriages appear and the dust will follow. Still it is pleasant now, so fresh & green, and the pleasant sound of the surf, and the birds notes come in at the window this grey quiet Sunday afternoon, and make a pleasant change from the city. I have a very respectable man & his wife with a baby to whom I have given the use of the basement - that is the kitchen & dining room, with fire & gas, in return for the care of my office, and attendance on the door - they are glad to save expense, and I find it so far the quietist as well as the most economical arrangement I have been able to make. So the house is locked-up - all but my business floor - everything cleared for the summer rut. The children were much pleased with Lucy's present of pieces - they are manufacturing doll's dresses out of them. They are all well, but Nannie still remains the little one. George set off yesterday to join Emma at Gardner. He called in on his way to the train. I wasgreatly amused when I saw him. He has always inveighed against all the members of his family who have households for making "pack horses" of themselves by lugging out parcels &c for the family benefit. Well, he went off with a large wallet-filled with strawberries & pine apples -- a huge pocket - like a small valise, of paper envelopes and other articles that Emma couldn't so well get in Gardner - a strap bundle of his male items - and two plants in pots! which were favorites of Emma's and could nt be left behind for fear they wd die of neglect. I couldnt help laughing to see him stultifying his own criticisms so, but I don't doubt he took a world of satisfaction in producing his pack on his arrival. He expects to spend the summer in Gardner with an occasional visit to Orange. I am glad he cd go, for it must have been dull for him staying with the Foggs. I think Alice shd write and tell me what she is doing. Does the Colorado plan hold good. Let me know of movements for the summer With love to all yrs afftly EB Emily Blackwell 1876 Emily 53 East 20th St Sep. 11. 1876 Dear Harry and Lucy I reached Rockaway safely at 8 p.m. The train from Boston was just crowded down with passengers - extra cars stuck in every where, and at N Hanover [?] they put on an extra engine. All the aisles were full of people standing, and we were an hour behind time in arriving. I thought of you and the Convention this morning, and hoped every thing went off well. I found all well in Rockaway the children in bed & asleep, but Nannie heard my voice and came slipping out in her nightgown. I put a pear on each of their pillows, and there was great Enclosed $3 - [?] due Harry.publication this morning. You can't conceive the smells of New York. If the Boston winter weren't so everlasting - I surely think I wd some day cut N.Y. Meanwhile I am plunged up to my ears in business - found a table full of letters - this among them. I had a good pleasant holiday however and it is pleasant to remember. Love to all - I shall think of Alice tomorrow afty Ey Emily Blackwell 53 E 20th Jan 3th 1877 Dear Harry & Lucy A Happy New Year to you, and all yr household. I was glad to get Harry's note telling me of yr Christmas, and of yr all being well. Finding that G's family wd not be here, we were induced by the lovely weather and the children's desire to spend the day at Somerville. Ellen and the children went Monday, and I on Tuesday morning. George also came over from Orange, we all dined together, He returned in the evening. I and my party Wed morning. It was a lovely day. I sat bareheaded on a seat on the hill side for nearly an hour in the middle of the day, enjoying the light and the broad country view.There was a tree and a pudding and the children had a grand and delightful time. When the tree was ended, the rest of the day was spent out of doors and in the barn, where they had delightful romps. And the elders had a pleasant day also. I had expected E & G to spend New Years but hearing nothing from them, Neenie and I went out in the morning and visited Dr Cushier and her little niece Bessie, and Miss White, their former young teacher of whom they are quite fond, to help them commence their pudding. The children felt as though it were their first dinner party as they invited their guests. and enjoyed it very much. Last night [Tuesday] Wednesday, to our surprise, and the infinite delight of the children, the whole Gardner party, Mrs L E. Sarnia & Baby, arrived bag & baggage. They had expected to meet G at the station but by some mishap of letters he was not there, so they wisely made for the nearest sure quarters. This morning E & I went out by the morning train to Orange, to help make ready, leaving Mrs S and Howard, till they shd be sure of safequarters. They have come just in time, for the weather thought still bright, is getting very much colder, we had a little snow gust last night, and it is time they were settled. They are all looking very well, little H much grown and in good condition. And on Christmas I thought George looking remarkably well. He says he has had a most uncomfortable time finishing the house, but the mild winter has been good for him, he has had no colds. I shall be glad to see them fairly settled. The little girls have renewed their school, and I resume my lectures today. Love to H & A. Afftly Ey Emily New York March 19th 1873 Dear Harry & Lucy It is examination week. Commencement next Tuesday - I have driven with a press of small business, but I take a moment to inform you that I have signed the contract and completed the purchase of the [Casy?] house. I feel better & better satisfied, and George seems to feel better pleased the more he looks into it. It will be a very cheerful convenient little home, and I believe a very safe purchase.next fall when you come to see me I shall be able to give you more home like hospitality. George has been admitted to Union League - Mr Mann wrote me a friendly little note in reply to mine informing me he had been recd the day after I wrote. George enters into my repairing & furnishing plans with great though critical interest, he rather expects to go to the Vienna Exhibition some time this summer, but not to make a long stay, but his plans are not decided. I feel a great relief in the termination of the state of uncertainty & dissatisfaction in which I have been for the past year. I shall try now for a time what kind of a home I can keep in N.Y. If it prove too expensive or not a success I shall quit N Y altogether. But I believe it will answer. The children are very well, and we are looking forward with satisfaction to the termination of the College session and the coming of spring. Love to Alice - Has her mind subsided into peace on the European question. Affly Ey