Ben has written to sister Mary apologizing for being an embarrassment to the Ennekings and a poor provider to Augusta (Charlotte) and family. Mary wrote on the edges, providing some excuses for Ben, and then forwarded the letter to Levi.
Ben mentions going back to manual farm labor with his father. His father, John Elloitt, owned a farm in Corinna at the westerly intersection of now Nokomis and North roads. In 1867 John moved to Framingham, MA and is buried there with his wife Elvira. Mary and her husband John Enneking are buried in Hyde Park, MA.
A full transcript of the letter follows at the bottom of this page. Some words a difficult to read. Apparent misspellings are included. We invite readers to use the comment section below to replace or add their version of words or concepts they find in the letter.
Object ID Line 13
TRANSCRIPT
P.1
Dear Sister Mary,
I had a very bad cold and Father & Mother prevailed upon me to stay over Subbath with them. I am much better, and I believe they were right in my staying. I am sorry Mother is so poorly I almost feel she will not see many days more her cough is so bad I hope you will go and see her and stay a day or two with her I felt very sorry to leave her so poorly. Now Mary I wish to say to you in humble confession I am
P.2
very sorry I committed such an insane freak in my stopping over at Columbus Ohio. If so and suffered but myself I would never say anything I am heartily sorry you and Joseph and heartily sorry for poor Augusta and the children. My present prospects are very poor for my family I have not made 3.00 in 3 days above expenses and I have worked very hard. I sell my circulirs for 5 cts and 10 cts a piece (more?) five cents. I pay 5 cts a piece for the first 50 thousand I can get them reprinted for 22.oo for 3000 less than 80 cts per two hundred. Now Mary we must take a person
P.3
of Father and Mother save up something for old age my prayer that my downfall will open your eyes & your children to save all you can for the rainey day to come I am going to see Manufactories in Albany tomorrow and in other city Syracuse & Lockport NY. Pray I may obtain a situation so I may get a Salery competent for our liveing. It seems to bad when Agnes is so near of takeing care of her own self & I shall ask you to plan for Augusta if she had
P.4
her health she could do dress making. Now Mary I am willing to go on a farm and work hard for my liveing take business if I can obtain it. The Circulur it takes so long to experience them they will never be a success I cannot sell and travel over 12.00 per week and it will cost 12 dollars for board and traveling expenses Now I cannot tell what I can do in a week. I will try and do my best I am glad for the estimation you have for Augusta I am glad you find true sympathy and a true Christian Spitir towards your unworthy me. Well the “toils of life” will soon be over and we shall go
P.5
from whence we travel I thank God you have such a good husband and such a smart family I must close my letter I hope it will ( ? ) you can go to Revere I hope to repay you all and more than all in some way. I can say I have not been well in the head in 18 years I believe to go on a farm with Father would be the best for us both. To work and sweat would be the best for the beginning & nearnes Man shall cut his breath by the sweat of his face.
P.6
I will do my best and leave all with the Lord who is merciful to the easing . With much love to you all, Your poor and unworthy Brother, Ben
There is a (House?) who sell (Beromes?). I hope I can find where their manufacturing I hope for a situation with them to sell my old customer that is my greatest hope I shall be on the look out on all sides for business.
Page 1 – Top edge writing of Mary to Levi Stewart:
Mr. Stewart, Dear Sir,
Please excuse me for sending bro. Ben’s letter to you. I sincerely wish you would take an interest in him. He has not been well for years but has done nobly for his family until this year. Please do not think that I would ask you to aid him if we were in circumstances to do all that they need. Times are hard for Artists always. Our family is six and there is but little to spare at the end of each year, but we have given to the bank
Signed From Mrs. J.J. E. (continued on page 3)
Page 3 – Top edge writing by Mary to Levi:
nearly one thousand dollars, Ben has a fine family and they earn their living and the other two should be able to in two or three years more. Father has been good to his children. He would give freely if he had a plenty. I am thankful that my father and mother have enough laid up to carry them through.
Page 5 – Top edge writing by Mary to Levi:
I will hope you will find an interest in good brother Ben, he is a good boy but – has been too fond of preaching which now he regrets. Excuse me for writing on the ends of the sheets ___. Trusting you will not think me positively out of my right mind to write you as I (an ??? )