Sarah Ann Camfield, 9 Nov 1887

Noble Center Nov 9th 1887

well I will try to answer your letter we got the babys picture I thought I had written we also got the boys we think them very nice I think Frank has changed very much in both looks and size he looks like anice large boy but I do not know who Daniel looks like but think he is pretty good looking boy we are getting along as well as we can Father is huskin Corn he is getting pretty well along with it we have about half a crop that is better than the most around here a goodeal aint worth husking we have about 100 bushels of old Corn
Freddy does the house work what is done I have tried to help alittle for the last week or two but it dont amount to much I but I am up and ride out some walk out to the barn and round the yard yesterday I made some squash pies tomorrow I am going to try baking

2

bread for the first time in two months and a half we have bakers bread until I am tired of it
I am taking medicine yet yet the Doctors have not left me yet
I have had a pretty serious time but am getting alone nicely now the Doctors think I will get along if I am careful they have had several similar caces this summer they say I have got about the best of any of them Freddy is going to the office so I will say

Good by for this time

S A Camfield



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


Camfield, Sarah Ann Wisner. (Noble Center, MI) “well I will try to anwser”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 9 November 1887. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1887 - 1889,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, 7 Oct 1887

Noble Center Oct 7 1887

Dear Anna

I just got your letter today I suppose you are very anxious so will try to write alittle I am getting better but am verry hove not been able to sit up but 2 days until to day I went out door this morning for the first time in six weeks
I helped fred alittle about the dinner to day we but our Bread and hire the washing and ironing done and he does the threst he skims milk and makes the butter works it and packs it what what we dont use it sels the same as if I did it
9th I thank you for your generous offer but we are getting along verry well and I am glad if you are able to take care of your self and family without helping me we will be ever so glad to have you come and see us but I want to be well so I can enjoy the visit I suppose you know today is my 70th birth day

2

Father is well as usual
it has rained all day and still rains
must lie down so will say gooby for this time
S A Camfield

will write again when I can



Happy Birthday Sarah Ann!

I wonder how Anna heard that her mother was will? Sarah hadn't been feeling well back in May.

Family oral history says that Fred Camfield went to live with his grandparents in 1886 or 1887 because he was too much for Rose to handle after her daughter Pearl was born. Was that the real reason, or did he go for the summer as he usually did and stay because he was needed? Or perhaps a little of both?

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

Camfield, Sarah Ann Wisner. (Noble Center, MI) to “Dear Anna”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 7 October 1887. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1887 - 1889,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, 24 May 1887

Noble May 24 1887

we are going to Bronson this morning we just got your letter last night so I will write a few lines to let you know we are well a usual I have not got done white washing and cleaning house yet it is slow work when you cannot work only 2 or 3 hours a day I feel pretty wel but cannot stand it to work but a little while at a time
I think Faney wrote us a very nice letter for alittle boy

well you have chosen the very name I had for the baby
I suppose you and Ashley are not at all pleased with it being a girl as you said nothing about it
in haste write as often as you can
S A Camfield


The baby was named Tamerson Louisa, for her great-grandmother Tamesin Hall Glover, Ashley Carlisle's maternal grandmother so I find it odd that Sarah says, "well you have chosen the very name I had for the baby".

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


Camfield, Sarah Ann Wisner. (Noble Center, MI) “we are going to bronson”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 24 May 1887. Digital Image.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1887 - 1889,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, 12 May 1887

Noble May 12th 1887

Wel I am all most ashamed to write I have waited so long but if you excuse me I will try to do better I have not been very wel and we have been so buisy it seemed as if I could not I would think tomorrow I will write but tomorrow always brings its work and cares and I cannot get along with them as I used to not by a goodeal
it bothers me to write I cannot think or remember as I used to my head troubles me very much some days I can hardly do anything
Father is sick now we have been to the Doctors for medacine to day he was taken last night he seems better this after noon I am in hopes it not last long he is lying on the lounge and taking medicine every half hour

2

we expected to plant corn tomorrow and potatoes saturday but they wil have to wait we have planted 16 acres of corn on Bogarduses place we have 5 acres of oats here on our place we did not sow any wheat here last fall we have about 16 acres of wheat on B’s place that we have one half of
Bogardus has not rented his farm yet the house stands empty only when he is there she comes about twice a year and stays a day or two he comes every few weeks and fetches his grub and stays 4 or 5 days tinkering around fixing fences he will not let it for less than five hundred dollars a year
13 well now it is another day Father is feeling better he is going to carry this to the office I have no chickens yet but expect a lot next week
wel Frank how do you like that little sister and what is her name I suppos you

3

wil call her Millie after that Case girl does Daniel talk yet wel I suppose that little girl is anice thing at your house I wish I could see her and all of you are you all comeing to see us this summer
we have no Calves yet this spring I your Mother Carlisle at your house and how is her health and Mrs Strawsght is she better Mrs Woods is she well

well Ashley Mike says he thinks you will have to begin to put additins to your house Anna I suppose you do not hear from the Illinois folks or you would let me know how are you getting along are well and the Children Ashley how is your health this spring how is the prospec for work these hard times verything seems dull this way Frank why dont you write Grandpa and Grandma a letter

4

I got a whitewashbrush the other day and am going to try to do my own whitewashing if I can

S A Camfield

write as soon as you can and as often




I haven't figured out who Millie Case was. Frank (Francis) Carlisle was born in 1878 and I assume she was close to his age. There were several Case families in Buchanan.

Daniel Carlisle would have been a little over two years old.

Tamerson Louisa Carlisle was born 12 April 1887 in Buchanan, Berrien, MI.

My best guess is that Mrs Woods was Nancy L Wood or Woods, born about 1810-1811 Vermont. She was the wife of William Wood(s). I really have not investigated very far on this but their son was born in New York so perhaps there is some realtionship that I have yet to discover.

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


Camfield, Sarah Ann Wisner. (Noble Center, MI) “Well I am all most ashamed”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 12 May 1887. Digital Images 1-4.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1887 - 1889,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Isaac Ashley Carlisle, 1 May 1887

May the 1 1887
Dear wife and children
I went up to O.D.
to day found no wone
to home so I dont
know how they are
Rosey got a letter
from home thish
week they were all
well as usal
she said that thare
was twelve in the
famley it did not
seam posable it
was so she said
thare was three
she had not seen
how she wold
like to see them
very much
they have bilt
__ betwen wone hundre

(continued along margin)

__ rods of fence this spring

2

so the old frady
catle cod not
get in to hert
any thing
wee hant got
the Basment

done yet weem
any thisk week
as ever youre
x I. A. C.
and well as
usal



"Rosey got a letter from home" What does this mean? Rose was abandoned by her father before she was born. Her mother died in 1880. Her grandfather, Porter Graham, died in 1871. Perhaps this refers to some of her siblings. Maybe I'll learn more from other letters.

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



Carlisle, Isaac Ashley. (South Bend, IN) to “Dear wife and Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 1 May 1887. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1887 - 1889,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Isaac Ashley Carlisle, 6 March 1887

March 6 1887
Dear wife and Children
it is Sunday now
I have been up to
O.D. to day they are
all well mama is
South bend over
Sunday Bell chool
will beo out in fore
weeks they dont talk
with each other
atall if they can
help it so things
are not nice now
wall anna I bought
a coat and some shews
coat $3.00 shews $1.50
I have binn out in
the country blasting

2

Stone I may not go
agane I dont yet
I will come home
this week if it ranes
like fu__ are water
the foalks are well

from your Deares
I. A. C.

I went to church
to day with Lillb


O.D. = Orville Daniel Carlisle
Belle = Clara Belle Carlisle, daughter of Orville.

Hannah L. Carlisle was visiting Orville through Sunday.

I'm not clear as to who wasn't talking to whom.

Lillb? Orville had another daughter, Lillian M. Carlisle. Orville's wife was Lydia. I was surprised to read that Ashley went to church.

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


Carlisle, Isaac Ashley. (Souh Bend, IN) to “Dear wife and Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 20 February 1887. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1887 - 1889,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Isaac Ashley Carlisle, 20 Feb 1887

Febuary the 20th 1887
Dear wife and Children
how often I have thought
of you this week
but I hoped that he
So much Beter or
____ we __ he wil let me
know wall anna
I am well as usal
I will ____ pay too
marrow if you want
me to Send some
when yu write
sa so wall I went
and Bout me Some
drores too pare and
wone Shirt it was
a Blue wone I wont
go up to O. D. to day
anaBell writes some
to Frank Josey is
some Beter now

2

I expect to be cut
Down Some on my
wages I dont know
yet how much Dont
say how much
I will now next
pay day if it do nt
Sa te I will not Stay
I will keep Still
until I know then
I can kick them
Love to all as ever
I.A.C.

O.D. Stade unt ill
I got back right
here they was
eating when I came



Ashley's handwriting and spelling are very hard to read. The rest of the family were quite literate so I am surprised. I have transcribed his letters line by line.

O.D. was Ashley's brother, Orville Daniel Carlisle. In 1870 Orville lived in Mishawaka, IN, not far from South Bend. In 1880 he was living in Buchanan, MI and by 1889 he lived in Grand Rapids, MI. From this letter it is apparent that sometime between 1880 and 1887 he moved to South Bend, IN.

Anabell was Mabel Camfield

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



Carlisle, Isaac Ashley. (Souh Bend, IN) to “Dear wife and Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 20 February 1887. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1887 - 1889,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Anna Camfield Carlisle, 3 Feb 1887

Buchanan, Michigan.
Febuary 3, 1887

Dear Ashley I received your letter last evening was glad to hear from you I should have been very much disapointed if you had not writen. We are getting along all right. Toley stayed with me the first night you was away and your Mother has been home every night since.
Now Ashley dont work so hard that you make yourself sick you had much better rest some than be sick. Frank goes to school every day. I made his coat last week, also a new cap, out of the same cloth, so he has his whole new suit to wear this week. Frank and Cuthbert Wright go together and sit together and are as good friends as they used to be.

2

Daniel has had quite a cold but is getting over it all right, he seems to fell as well as ever today, and is so busy he has not got time to go to sleep. last sunday morning Grandma got up and built the fire when Daniel saw it was built he got right up and called you to take him up he was not satisfied until he came out and see you was not here, then he said, papa gone Bend, and seemed disapointed. all the rest of the time when I get up and build the fire he seems satisfied and thinks it all right to sit in the big chair and rock.
Dell brings the water all right and we have enough in the barrel to wash next week and some over. Mrs Steretts baby has been sick but is better. Mr Sterrett was sick a few days after he went to Chicago and Harry was quite sick the last we heard. Mrs Sterrett has been here twice and Mrs Robinson once so you see we have some company. No news from Sims yet, only Ettie had to go Berrien as a witness and Sim went with her and did not let her get out of his seight. Frankie Bachilor has another baby born last sunday.
Joe Blakes baby is dead, buried last saturday. and John and Gene Hamilton have lost their little girl, funeral last Sunday at the Methodist church. I did write some in the letter you wrote to Fannie and sent it so she must have got it before this. I sent you last weeks Record and will send you this weeks when we get through reading it. I am sorry Josey is sick I hope he is better by this time. tell Rosa I am afraid I will not know Daisy if she lets her grow so fast. Frank wants to write you but I guess he wont have time this time. we will all be glad to see you when you come home so come when you think best. we seem to be getting along all right here, so dont worry about us, bu if the work seems to be hard on you, you had better come home and rest a few days. we all send love.
Anna Carlisle.

3

Sim just steped to the door and invited your Mother to come down to his house.



I believe that Anna had someone stay with her because she was pregnant. Toley was her friend and I have some letters written by her but none of them have a last name on them.

Cuthbert Wright was most likely born about 1878 and the son of Thomas and Margaret Wright. On the 1880 census they are found in Marcellus, Cass Co, MI.

The Sterrett's must have been neighbors but I haven't located them on the 1880 or 1900 census.

There was a family named Robinson who lived behind the Carlisle's. I am unsure of their first names. EDIT 15 May 2010. Etoley Robinson was a close friend of Anna's and her brother Abner Robinson and perhaps her parents lived near the Carlisle's.

So far I don't know who Sims and Ettie were. Maybe they'll be mentioned in a future letter.

My best guess is that Frankie Bachilor was Frances Norris Batchelor, 1858-1950; wife of George Batchelor.

Joe Blake is another mystery right now.

John Hamilton married Genie H. Michael, 23 October 1881, Berrien Co, MI

Fannie was Ashley's sister, Frank his son.

Josey was Anna's brother, Joseph Camfield and Rosa his wife. Apparently my grandmother, Pearl Camfield Carlisle, was called Daisy when she was a baby!

Pearl Vivian "Daisy" Camfield
born 14 July 1886, South Bend, IN
date of photograph unknown

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


Carlisle, Anna Camfield. (Buchanan, MI) to “Dear Ashley”
[Isaac Ashley Carlisle]. Letter. 3 February 1887. Digital Images 1-3.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1887 - 1889,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Almira Goodrich Phillips, 1 Feb 1887

[Postmarked ‘87]

feduary the 1 87 08

dear friend,
as it was lonesome ithought
iwood let you know that
ihad knot for got you yet
and we are all well as cand
be and hope that you are the
Same it smows and rains all the
time we have moved right
east from the school house any
what do you find to so ihant
got nothing ihave tide one
quilt and quilted one thas fall
and mother has nothing to do
pa has nothing to do onley
to fee the chickings and he think
that is hard enrf this mudy wethr
they have two men milks cows
you come and we will have mash
and / milk

2

what is Ashley doing

otis is halling folts
do you hear from youre mother

ana cant you come and
See me if you come let
me know now and iwill
come be hind you and
if you cant come wright

Send me that name of
that medison that you
take be fore that franky
come to town and when
to take it and when yoy
come iwill Settle up with you
isant think of any
/ more
This time
So goo by to all

3

how is the little Boy

This is to any
and Ashley

wright Soon

this is from

Almira Phillips

good buy
wright



Almira Lawina Guttrich was a friend of Anna's. She Married George Otis Phillips in Berrien Co, MI on 2 Feb 1877. "Goodrich's" are mentioned in other letters. In a letter to her mother-in-law, Hannah Glover Carlisle, dated 18 May 1890 Anna said:

My friend from Galien (I guess you remember her) Mrs Myra Phillips died this spring she left 3 little girls the youngest only a few months old.

Per 1870 census Elmira, age 12 b MI was the daughter of William and Mary J Goodrick (Goodrich) in Galien, Berrien, MI. Her siblings were Laura, age 4 and Asa, age 2. In other letters she was mentioned as Myra or Almyra.

At Family Search Labs I found the birth record for Emma C. Phillips, 22 Dec 1889, daughter of Otis and Almira Phillips.

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



Phillips, Almira. (Galien, MI) to “dear friend”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 1 February 1887. Digital Images 1-3.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1887 - 1889,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Carlisle, Anna Camfield. (Buchanan, MI) to “Dear Mother”
[Hannah L Carlisle]. Letter. 18 May 1890. Digital Images 1-4.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1890,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, 11 Jan 1887

Noble Center Jan 11th 1887

well I suppose you are wondering why you dont get a letter all the reason is because I have not written one we are as wel as usual and I have talked about it every day but did not sit down and do it
we are having very Cold weather but I suppose you know that I suppose it is cold there
thank you for the presents you sent us I ment to have sent you something but it was so Cold I could not go to town there is nothing new to tell of only we have got 7 little pigs this cold weather they are 4 weeks old I dont know whether they will stand it through to spring or not but they are looking first rate now I have been making 6 pounds of butter

2

aweek but if it keep so Cold I shall not make so much any more I get 15 cts per pound for what I have to spare Father is getting out rails for fence we have about 100 rods of fence we wat to build in the spring I am afraid it will not get all done but we do what we can and that is all any one can do
we hope you all had a good time Christmas and newyear we staid at home all alone andid not see any one but each other afew goby

S A Camfield




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


Camfield, Sarah Ann Wisner. (Noble Center, MI) “well I suppose you are wondering”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 11 January 1887. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1887 - 1879,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Events of 1887

My family seemed fairly isolated from US and world events around them. Here are just a few events from 1887 that they may or may not have been aware of.

• Pearl Harbor leased by the United Sates for a Naval Base
• 15" snowflakes reported ay Fort Keogh, MT
• 1st Groundhog Day obserance in Punxsutawney, PA
• Dawes Act
• Susanna M Salter elected 1st female mayor in US; Argonia, KS
• A. G. Edwards founded
• Carlisle D. Graham survives 2nd ride in Niagara waterfall in barrel (No relation hat I'm aware of!)
• Sears hires Roebuck and sells watches
• Blizzards continue across US
• Log Cabin Syrup introduced