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Racine June 24th Dear Sister Your long expected letter came two days since- your last previous one was dated 1st of March, three months ago. You half promised a while ago to write me once a month without reference to answers,- so when when Apr. came I pleased myself with the prospect of a letter, but I watched and waited in vain- three long months passed without bringing a letter from any of you:- my last was from Isaac received soon after yours but which I have not answered because I did not know where he was- supposed he had probably left Milo, I am glad he is able to be there so long. I sent a letter to Mother and Joseph about two weeks since of which she does not make mention- perhaps it has not yet reached her.I expect you have been a very naughty girl, worked too hard and been 'kerful', just as you used to do sometimes: health is priceless in value, and I think it imperative duty to take some of it under all circumstances. All know or may know how much they can endure without injury, and should govern themselves accordingly. Oh if Joseph had realised what he was doing in those years of incessant exertion how gladly would he have made any sacrifice and retained sound bodily health. When my thoughts dwell on his sad condition, helpless, and I fear hopeless, it seems as if I could not have it so. it seems as if I must fly there to see him and comfort him. I do want to see you all very much, yet [left side of letter and top]could dress her daughter so well and send her two years as she intends to the best school in the land, that people could spend their money for what they pleased to - this was when Miss was complaining of the work how tired they all were + I asked why they did not have help. If I could talk it I think probable I should tell our some little capers of Miss A. towards myself which would amuse and perhaps provoke you. but all these things are mere trifles, do not trouble me much nor would any if I was not so isolated or respects companionship. I believe meanness above any thing else is my abhorrence The weather is delightful, all nature is gay this will reach you before the 4th I hope; on that much of home write soon and often if you love me, Ann
Title
DeWitt, Elizabeth Anna Rich (half-sister), to Lucy M. Furber (sister) (also to Samuel S. Furber), Isaac Stevens Metcalf family papers, 1850-1851, 1853
Creator
Metcalf, Isaac Stevens, 1822-1898
Date
1850-1851, 1853
Place
United States
Subjects
Bowdoin College
,
Brothers and sisters
,
DuQuoin Coal Company
,
Illinois Central Railroad Company
Description
Use the link to the finding aid for a fuller description of collection contents that explains the use of the name and subject terms appearing in this catalog record.
Summary
Correspondence, writings, diaries, and journals documenting family and rural life, as well as early business correspondence and records, and a few photographs, all pertaining to Isaac Stevens Metcalf and the Metcalf, Furber, and Putnam families. Family correspondence was used to keep all of the branches of the family in touch with each other when family members moved away. There are many instances where multiple family members wrote on one letter to one or more other family members, and some people even wrote "family letters" that were intended to be shared amongst parents, siblings, and the like. Topics of family correspondence tend to be related to religion, daily activities on the farm, weather, and the news of friends and relatives (births, deaths, sicknesses, etc.) Business records of Metcalf's pertain to land ownership, railroad engineering and construction, and running a coal mining business. The mid-19th century business records also document tax payments and some reports including labor and payroll expenses. There are a few drawings and sketches from Metcalf's tenure as division engineer of the Illinois Central Railroad. The first accession of these family papers was a donation of the letters between Charles W. and Albina Rich, given by Grace Leadingham, Charles Rich's granddaughter. This gift was facilitated by Keyes D. Metcalf, 17th child of Isaac Stevens Metcalf.
Biographical/Historical Note
Railroad engineer, farmer, and businessman of Maine, Ohio, and Illinois during the second half of the 19th century. Isaac Stevens Metcalf was born in Royalston, Massachusetts, on Jan. 29, 1822. His father, Isaac Metcalf, had married Lucy Heywood in 1810; she died childless in 1820. In March 1821 he married Anna Mayo Stevens Rich, the widow of Charles Rich, by whom she had had three children (named Charles, Elizabeth Anna, and Almeida). Isaac was born to Metcalf and Rich, followed by Joseph, Lucy, and Eliab. Isaac Metcalf (father) died in Boston in 1830, and the family relocated to Milo, Maine, where half-brother Charles had purchased a farm. Isaac Stevens Metcalf lived there with his mother and siblings, preparing for college and working on the farm until he entered Bowdoin College as a sophomore in 1844. He graduated there in 1847, having taught school while studying engineering. He surveyed and built railroads in New England until the spring of 1850, when he became a division engineer on the southern section (near Centralia, IL) of the Illinois Central Railroad. Metcalf worked closely with the Chief Engineer, Roswell B. Mason. Metcalf remained on the job until the line was completed to Cairo, IL, in 1855. While in central Illinois, Metcalf purchased land and with his partner Chester A. Keyes laid out the railroad town of Du Quoin, which was officially dedicated on Sept. 20, 1853. On Jul. 5, 1852, he married Antoinette ("Nettie") Brigham Putnam, the daughter of prominent New Hampshire minister John Milton Putnam. The couple had twelve children, three of whom died young. They settled in Elyria, Ohio, in Nov. 1856, to be near Metcalf's half sister, Elizabeth Ann (also known as Ann Elizabeth), and more family joined them within the next ten years. Metcalf and family lived in Elyria for over 41 years, farming and running a flour mill while Isaac Stevens Metcalf maintained business interests in Du Quoin, Illinois (real estate and coal mining). Antoinette died Aug. 14, 1875, and three years later Metcalf married Harriet Howes. That couple had six boys. Harriet Howes died of pneumonia Dec. 7, 1894, and Isaac Stevens Metcalf died Feb. 19, 1898, age 76. A more complete Metcalf genealogy family, focusing on the children of Isaac Stevens Metcalf, is available in the Special Collections Department information files. The genealogy was compiled by Keyes DeWitt Metcalf, 17th child of Isaac Stevens Metcalf.
Extent
10.8 linear feet (20 boxes and 1 oversize folder)
Format
Business records
,
Correspondence
,
Diaries
,
Genealogy
,
Invoices
,
Manuscripts, American
,
Personal narratives
,
Records and correspondence
,
Sources
Archival Collection Title
Isaac Stevens Metcalf papers
,
Midwest Manuscript Collection
Rights Status
No Copyright - United States
Newberry Open Access Policy
The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to
these terms and conditions.
Contributing Institution
Newberry Library
Link to Catalog
View finding aid
|
View record
Call Number
midwest ms metcalf Box 1 Folder 2
BibID
821787
Size
3051px × 3872px 67.63 MB
IIIF Resource Type
Canvas
Filename
998217878805867_mms_metcalf_box_01_fl_02_004_001.tif
Unique Identifier
NL11FDBY
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