Etola Robinson, March 18, 1899 (2)

(99)

South Bend Ind. March 18

Dear Annie: I recd. your letter and was very glad to hear from you and that your mother is better I was afraid you were going to suffer a double bereavment and one at a time is bad enough.

I hated to come away while you were gone but I thought Lib would see after the children all right and I knew you would not want me to mis the chance.

This is mothers birth day have you thought of it? Wednesday will be Fathers.

page 2

get possible. Do you know I have forgotten Lillies's name? expect we will go over to Mishawaka some day and maby I could find her if I could think of her name.

I went to see Magesea Paly Mary Sturet since I wrote you and it was fine well I huess that is all this time maby I will have more to write about next time.

write soon and tell me all the news

yours Toley


Lib was Anna's neighbor, Elizabeth Vorhees.

I think Lillie refers to Ashley's niece, Lillian M. Carlisle Ghrist but I'm not certain.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield

Robinson, Toley (South Bend, IN) to “Dear Annie”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 18 March 1899. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan - Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Etola Robinson, March 18, 1899 (1)

(1899)
(99)

South Bend. Ind. March 18

Dear Tamerson: I am a little late with my letter but my intention was good. I intended to write Thursday evening but we went to town and when we got back I wrote to Mrs. Gosline and by that time it was to late. then I thought I would write last night but then I had the sick headache and had to go to bed but this morning I am all wright.

My violin came all wright and I am very much obliged for the trouble they took. I am still working and

page 2

the Minister's wife wants me to do some work for her and I have not done my visiting yet. it is such gloomy wether is all the time that we can not go any place it could not be bisy I should get homesick it rained nearly all night last night and is fogy and cold this morning. Daniel did not write me a very long letter. I am so glad your mother has got home I hope it will be pleasant this afternoon so I can go see Ruby. I suppose you are having the usual amount of fun at school? we have planed to go out to notre Dame while I am here if the roads only

page 3

I am so glad Abb is geting better I would like so much to see baby.

I attended a lecture delivered by Rev. James Mc intire of Chicago it was fine. he was a witness of the Chicago fire and gave the grandest description of it that I ever heard or read.

I met Claud Mathew's mother on the st. car since I have been here I should not have known her but she spoke to me and asked me to call up on her but I guess the weather is not going to permit me to call on any one. There is lots of building going on hear

page 4

your mother

Mr. Milbanks is a contractor he does not have any thing to do with the mason work but it seems to me if Ashly wants to work here there would be no trouble in geting a job.

well I believe I have writen all I can think of so will close was this time. write soon

From your friend

C Toley Robinson
to
Mrs I A Carlisle

Ruby Blanche Camfield was Tamerson's cousin.

Abb was Abner Robinson, Toley's brother.

I do not know anything more about the other people mentioned.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Robinson, Etola (South Bend, IN) to “Dear Tamerson”
[Tamerson Louisa Carlisle]. Letter. 18 March 1899. Digital Images 1-4.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan - Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Elizabeth Warner Camfield, March 15, 1899

Anna must have returned home because Libbie opens her letter asking Anna why she didn't write to let them know that she got home alright. She goes on to say that Sarah Ann is slowly continuing to improve but that she (Libbie) has not been feeling well herself.


For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Camfield, Elizabeth Warner (Batavia, MI) to “Dear Auntie and all”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 15 March 1899. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan - Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Anna Camfield Carlisle, March 2, 1899

POSTAL CARD - ONE CENT

Postmarked: Bronson, Mich, Mar _, 1899

Mr Ashley Carlisle
Buchanan
Michigan


reverse

Batavia Mar 2.Ashley, Mother is not quite as well today, so I guess I will have to stay some longer.

Yesterday when I sent the card I expected to start today. Fred is going to see the Doctor again now. your letter came last evening I was glad to hear from you all.
Yours
A Carlisle


I did not find a letter or card dated March 1st.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Carlisle, Anna Camfield (Batavia, MI) to “Ashley”
[Isaac Ashley Carlisle]. Post Card. 2 March 1899. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan - Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Tamerson L Carlisle, Feb 28, 1899

Tamerson wrote a long letter to Anna, chatting about all the things that were important to a twelve year old.

• Mrs. Vorhees had been combing out her hair.
• She confirmed my guess that her friend was Edna Kean and mentions another friend, Paul Plimpton. Kean's may move to Chicago next year.
  
• She had her picture taken at school and would like to buy it, only 15¢.
• Daniel does not feel well enough to write.
• Tamerson had had an eye infection, "they felt like they were burning up and the water was in them all the time. The kids noticed them because they were swolen so bad and would ask me what was the matter."
• She'd like Libbie to bring Earl to visit.

I'm not certain exactly what this part of the letter means:

Mamma you know the invitations we got last year to Mrs. Estes'es house and had sacks to put our birthday offerings in, well I have got another invitation and would like to go but have not got the money, write and tell me whether I can go.

And this account of her classroom was very interesting!

In school Fred Provan sets back by Mary and me and he brings looking glasses to school and passes them around and he looks in one and Mary in another and they can see each other.

Today teacher wanted to keep Fred P. still so she put her pencil between his teeth and told him to keep it there so he bit it and made teeth marks the whole length of it.

Yesterday he whispered and teacher tied her handkerchief around his mouth and he pulled it off and put it down inside of his collar and then he asked teacher if she said he could have it. After he had got his things on teacher said for him to come there and when he did she could hardly get it.

She closed the letter with:

P. S. My under close are all dirty what will I do? I have not a clean thing but my unionsuit.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Carlisle, Tamerson Louisa (Buchanan, MI) to “Dear Mother”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 28 February 1898 [1899] Digital Images 1-8.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1898,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Anna Camfield Carlisle, Feb 27, 1899 (2)

(1899)

Monday Feb 27th

Dear Toley,

I was glad to hear from you and the children and glad they were getting along all right. but I do want to get home. I think it is a lonesome place here. but Mother needs me yet: I suppose Ashley has told you about how things are. Mother does not sit up any and is very weak, is about as helpless as a baby in every way.

I shall be home as soon as I possably can.

Your.
A Carlisle



For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Carlisle, Anna Camfield (Batavia, MI) to “Dear Toley”
[Etola Robinson]. Letter. 27 February 1899. Digital Image.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan - Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Anna Camfield Carlisle, Feb 27, 1899 (1)

(1899)

Batavia Feb 27th

Dear Ashley and Children,

It is Monday morning but I do not feel as though I ought to leave Mother yet although she seems a little better and looks brighter.

Fred is going to see the Doctor today and will have him come out to see her if he is able. then prehaps we will know better what the prospect is. I do hope I can get home this week.

Try and do the best you can and if I am needed badly let me know and

page 2

I will come. Tell Toley I hope she does not think I have deserted her entirely

children I hope you are doing all right and getting along nicely I think of you often.

Yours,
A carlisle


For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Carlisle, Anna Camfield (Batavia, MI) to “Dear Ashley and Children”
[Isaac Ashley Carlisle]. Letter. 27 February 1899. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan - Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Isaac Ashley Carlisle, Feb 26, 1899

[Edited with a correction on 23 Dec 2011. See below]


Preprinted:
Carlisle & Dressler [Dressler penciled out]
BICYCLE REPAIR SHOP
> Dealers in< All Kinds of Bicycle Supplies. Buchanan, Mich., Febuary 26, 1899 I am at home whare I shold bea like any Boy I went to see Jorge Richson he is some beter now Jarey mothenlaw is any beter but geting weeker. Loso sid she could not last long. Cheans foalks are going out of the Darey bisnes soon they have sold some of the Cowes. I went to see Tamerson this after noon all well harey is thare yet the Landlord was held up th other knight or the atemp was made. it rained all knight last knight lordey how it came down the wind did blow and it was very moist this morning I think it will get Coldes before morning. Wall tell Liby I can wash and wipe them all a lone and pare tatos with out help. wall anna if you donot this month dont stop at Liley fore she wont brb at home fore they got along side of page to m___ they dont know hare upside down, top of page uncles you write to her so you can get anrer side ways, top of page I think about half of the potatos are frstd I will cary them out tomorrow along very top of page I A Carlisle Stay as long as y can dont foget that
This stationery is the first I've heard of Ashley having a bicycle repair business. I guess I was a little surprised because so much has been made of the fact that Ashley walked everywhere. I have no idea who Mr. Dressler was.

More joking about doing dishes.

George Richerson, born Oct 1829 and his wife Alozia (?), born Dec 1836. lived behind Carlisle's, on Moccasin Ave.

I have no idea who "Jarey", "Loso" or "Cheans" refer to.

Tamerson is a name that was handed down through the family. In this case, Ashley is referring to his cousin, Tamerson Glover Merrill. She was born February 1843, the daughter of Orville B. Glover and Julia Ann Carr. She married George B. Merrill, born about 1839 and died before August 18 July 1898, when Tamerson applied for a widows pension. George and Tamerson had two children, George who died in infancy Jesse B Merrill 1870-1874 and Harrison G. Merrill born February 1876. By the 1900 census he was living in Hyde Park, Chicago, Cook, Illinois and working as a dry goods salesman. He is listed as having been married 2 years, however his wife is not listed with him. In my notes I have her name listed as Lillie Shultz.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Carlisle, Isaac Ashley (Buchanan, MI) to “I am at home”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 26 February 1899. Digital Image.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan - Mar1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Daniel M Carlisle, Feb 26, 1899

(1899)

Buchanan, Mich. Feb, 26.

Dear Mother -

We received your postal card to day, yesterday a letter from Frank + 2 packages of pictures of culeen scenery 11 pictures

Papa has had them all over town already we will send F.C. letter

It is awful wet here The wall at the end of the race in town went out

Blogets Brickyard is all flooded. (average 6 ft) rick bottom + flats are all flooded and very high water is every whare

page 2

we got 5 eggs yesterday (LUCKY SUNDAY) I hope you are well

E3 Tolly. R. has gon to South Bend well as I canot think of anymore I will quit

Yours truly
Daniel Carlisle,

P.S.

How is grandma


Another very short letter from Daniel, so I have included all of it.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Carlisle, Daniel Michael (Buchanan, MI) to “Dear Mother”
[Isaac Ashley Carlisle]. Post Card. 26 February 1899. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan – Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Tamerson L Carlise, Feb 26, 1899

In this letter from Tamerson to Anna, Tamerson is missing her mother and wishing that Grandma was doing better and could come home with Anna.

She also mentions having gone to her friend Cora's for ice cream and cake, and that another friend, Edna, also went.

Anna's son, Frank was set to Cuba during the Spanish American War and Tamerson writes:

Frank sent us 11 pictures of different places in Cuba.

Jennie Churchil has got three letters from Frank in the past week and he sent her a piece of the Maine. Would you like to have us send you the letter he sent us?

She also talks about the weather and not attending Sunday school due to the mud.

We are having a regular flood here in some places the roads are so bad that the water goes from one house to another in large puddles and the water goes up to the hubbs on the wheels of wagons and this morning when Tambling's Milk wagon went in front of McKays the water got inside of the wagon for it is so low.

I have not located Jennie Churchill on the 1900 census. I don't know what her relationship was to Frank at the time.

On the 1900 census I find a Cora L White, born February 1889 but I'm not certain this is the Cora mentioned.

Based on the 1900 census, Edna is most likely Edna A Kean, born August 1887, the daughter of widow Florence, born June 1855. They lived on Moccasin Ave, Buchanan which would was the block that the Carlisle house backed up to. (Kean's lived just a couple of house from Jay Glover, a Carlisle cousin.)

Claude B McKay, widower, born December 1867, lived on Cauyga St and he had a daughter named Edna who was born June 1893.

In 1900 Robert S. Tambling, born April 1852, was listed as a farmer and dairyman.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Carlisle, Tamerson Louisa (Buchanan, MI) to “Dear Mother”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 26 February 1899 Digital Images 1 - 2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan - Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Anna Camfield Carlisle, Feb 25, 1899

POSTAL CARD - ONE CENT

Postmarked: Batavia, Mich, Feb 25, 1899

Mr Ashley Carlisle
Buchanan
Michigan

reverse

Batavia Feb 25

Ashley,

There is not much change in Mother except that she grows weaker. I cannot tell when I can come home. would be glad to know how you are all getting along. Yours,
A Carlisle

Uncle Ashley - I miss to to wipe dishes for me. Now isn't that a dreadful miss?
L.C.

For me, one of the most interesting things about the letters is that I am learning more about Ashley. Family stories portray him as a mean, miserable, S.O.B. For those stories to have been handed down there must be some truth to them however here we have Libbie joking with him about drying the dishes.


For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Carlisle, Anna Camfield (Batavia, MI) to “Ashley”
[Isaac Ashley Carlisle]. Post Card. 25 February 1899. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan – Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Isaac Ashley Carlisle, Feb 24, 1899

Febury 24, 1899

I got home all right the children were at school I went to see Toley fond her all well I asked her how my wife and children wer she said the Children were all right but my wife She di not know.

I stade in Mishake last knight with lily they wer all well.

Abner Robensnson is beter soe he can sit up

this is all fore this time

page 2

tole gose to the Bend to morow to soe she has got a Job of too week work there So you see I came home in time. the coal came to day so I will work to morrow

I A Carlisle
Buchanan
Mich


Ashley had visited with his niece, Lillian Carlisle Grist, in Mishawaka, IN.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Carlisle, Isaac Ashley (Buchanan, MI) “I got home all right”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 24 February 1899. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan – Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Tamerson L Carlisle, Feb 24, 1899

Another letter from Tamerson that I will summarize.

She talks about Toley going to South Bend to work and how she was happy that her father had arrived home so that she would not have to go stay with Mrs. Vorhees.

She also talks of going to see Abner Robinson, Toley's brother and mentions that he was "sitting up."

There has been no word from her brother Frank since Anna left but:

He wrote to Jennie and sent her a piece of the Maine.

The rest of the letter is about school and other little things she wants Anna to know.




For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Carlisle, Tamerson Louisa (Buchanan, MI) to “Dear Mother”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 24 February 1899 Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan – Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Daniel M Carlisle, Feb 24, 1899

Feb 24, 1899
Dear Mama -

Papa came home today Tolly is going to South Bend the 25th saturday. I hope grandma will get well I think Mrs Fast will finish the term out (though I hope not) It seems as though you was never coming but stay as long as you want to Papa is going to unlode coal the (25)

Krean Brothers + Co are going to go to the country they are selling there cows now.

Kitty was very bad he tried to catch the bird he almost but Tolly caught him and kuffed him

page 2

Maby Tamerson will Looose here frend Edna K if they move away

well good by
Daniel

(PS
(write to us soon
Daniel Carlisle
Buchanan
Michigan

Daniel didn't die until 1960 so I should probably have just summarized his letter, however it was so short and contained so much information about other people in Buchanan that I decided to share it. It's obvious that he would like Anna to come home soon.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Carlisle, Daniel Michael (Buchanan, MI) to “Dear Mama”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 24 February 1899. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan - Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Etola Robinson, Feb 19, 1899

Buchanan Mich Feb. 19. (99)

Dear Annie: I write to tell you to stay as long as you can do any good as we are geting along all wright and the Children seem very well content

the cat is curled up in my lap and seems content also the house does not lok very good but I intend to straiten up and sweep tomorrow. we stay at our house day times and at your's nights.

Yours with sympathy

Toley


So the children weren't alone at night after all.

Anna always had cats at the house on Main St as did my grandmother and mother.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Robinson, Etola (Buchanan, MI) to “Dear Annie”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 19 February 1899. Digital Image.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan - Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]