Aurie Smith to Sarah Ann Camfield, Dec 14 1909

Bronson Mich
Dec. 14 1909

Mrs. S. A. Camfield
Buchanan Mich
Dear Sister in Christ.

I received your ever welcome letter some time ago a few days after we laid little Viva at rest near her papa. She had been failing for over a year & we knew there was no help for her. Now dear grandma don't feel sad of course we will always miss her for she was so sweet & good but she was ready to go & longed to go. It was God's will so we must think of the tome we will

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go to her. It wont be long when you get there & meet Masy & Mr. C - Mrs. Bogardus you will no doubt find her near her papa. When I 1st knew I must give her up it came to me papa will have one & you one he had waited over 6 yrs for her so I must not be selfish Yes I praise God for his goodness & mercy to us. I expect to go to see Libbie before long. if it's God's will. after I get back I don't know what I will do will wait for God to open the way then walk in it. I often think tho if I could only have some money left after debts were

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paid after I go Hence. I'd tell them to start a fund in the Mennonite church with it towards helping support Christian widows with children to support so they could stay at home with them & care for them. For I know what it is if I could wash iron or sew for a living I could but nursing is all right for me alone but not good for the children. But I don't expect that time will ever come if I have enough to bury me I'll be thankful. We are having grand meetings when its so we can get to them But the Christians

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are digging down deeper. Yes Mr. Bogardus nieces were here & took care of her for some time. She was buried by the North church in Gilead. I sent his address to Libbie & I think her obituary to Libbie & expect you have them by this time. He couldn't see to read but as he lives with his niece or nieces they can for him. Thank you for the cards to the girls & Gladis encloses a little keepsake for you some of her own work. she makes them quite a bit larger or sells them single as anyone wishes Must
your ___ present she says

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close & get to bed Love from all. In haste Good bless you is the wish of your friend
Aurie Smith


I originally published this letter as being from "Annie Smith." That post has been deleted and replaced with this. The explanation can be found here.

Julia Auria "Aurie" Warner Smith was the daughter of Marshall and Laura (Rupel) Warner. She was the widow of Mannasses "Masy" Smith. His death certificate can be found on the Seeking Michigan site here. Their daughter, Viva L. Smith, was born 10 September 1900 and died 20 Nov 1909. Her death certificate can be viewed here. In 1922, Aurie would marry again to Frank Newberry. She died in 1937 and is buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

More sad news that Sarah Ann's old friend, Mary B. Bogardus had also died. It took me quite some time to find her death certificate. It was misindexed as Borgerdns and can be found here. From the death certificate I learned that she was born 8 Feb 1825 in Maine, the daughter of Perrin Chapin and Sarah Wright. She died in Noble, Branch, MI on 13 Oct 1909. The informant was Mary A. Conibear of Morten, IL. She was most likely the neice mentioned. In 1910 Henry Bogardus wass still living Noble, MI, a boarder in the home of Orville and Lucinda Pinney.


For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield
Henry Bogardus, Shirt-tail Cousin


Smith, Julia Auria Warner (Bronson, MI) to “Dear Sister in Christ”
[Sarah Ann Wisner Camfield] Letter. 14 Dec 1909. Digital Images 1-4.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2010.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1909,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]