Sarah Ann Camfield, 14 December 1897

Batavia December 14th 1897

Dear Children

we got home last thursday all right and found every thing allright all well and soforth we had a pretty good visit to Goodriches we stayed there untill friday and came home the next thursday we was gone just amonth we went to Catholic Church at South Bend X^goodrges they have nice cows they are fat enough for beef they saw us safe on the train we did not get cold going up there we went allmost flying I do not belive the horses walked half amile all the way the road was good anf the buggy easy to ride in we enjoyed the ride ever so much we got ther alittle before four oclock

well we had a good visit and agood time all through and we enjoyed it ever so much and are glad we went at least I am and I guess Father is he dont say any to contrary excus the blunders

write soon

S A Camfield


I wonder what Sarah thought of the Catholic service?

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


Camfield, Sarah Ann (Batavia, MI) to “Dear Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 14 December 1897 Digital Image.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1897,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Rose Graham Camfield, 10 December 1897

South Bend Dec 10th 1897

Dear ann I will write a few lines to let you know Mother and father went home yesterday they had their visit out and was anxious to get home they said they had a good visit ay your house and goodriches they arrived here from goodriches last friday mother was so pleased with the cape you made for her we did not think you could get one out of that old cloak, how are you all any way, we were glad to hear Frank is working he might come over here during the Holidays if he hasnt for gotten us entirely

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how we would like to see you all but dont know when that will be unless you come if they ever get that Rail Road done we will come to see you and may be before Bell is Embroidering a dressing sack for herself, it is almost done it is embroidered in cream colored Roses I enclose a sample of the goods it was thirty nine cts a yard she is going to Elkhart to morrow to spend sunday

Lilly carlisle + Husband and little boy are very sick with Typhoid fever

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he husband is not expected to live that is bad luck for them as Lilly was sick all sumer, Mamie has gone south to Bell
I havent heard any thing more definately about that property in Oklahoma only I received letters from __ two girls we havent found the boys yet
I suppose Orville C is at the soldiers home Pearl wants to write him a letter he Gave her some lessons in Drawing while here and she improved wonderfully, she has

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made a couple of crayon pictures since he left and remarkably well in fact her work is almost as good as orvals and so she is very anxious to write to him to tell him how she gets along
well I must close this letter so good by oh I almost forgot to tell you we sent Freds wif some things 1 dozen tea spoons 1 bolt of toweling 2 1/2 yards and a lot of other things the box was fule and bundles besides she is very young but I hope all will be well
love to the children Rose

additional scrap of paper, front

I almost forgot to mention the pictures they are fine as natural as life and the shoes they are just the fit for Ruby and we are ever so much obliged for them I supose Danel and Tamerson are talking of christmas I hope santa C

additional scrap of paper, back

will remember them as well as he did last year Leroy and Ruby have written letters to him telling him what they want they have got a little black hen she lays them an egg every other day they make a great pet of her and would not part with her

Aunt Rose


Rose is very chatty in this letter with updates on Ashley's family as well. Lilly Carlisle was by this time Lillian Carlisle Ghrist, the wife of Thomas O Ghrist. She was the daughter of Orville and Lydia Bartlett Carlisle. The son mentioned was Glenn H Ghrist, 1894-1975. So Orville was still living in the soldiers home and it seems his daughter Mary Frances "Mamie" was visiting her sister Clara Belle Carlisle Sewell, most likely in Tennessee or Georgia. Obviously I have more work to do on that line.

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


Camfield, Rose Graham (South Bend, IN) to “Dear ann”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 10 December 1897 Digital Images 1-6.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1897,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Rose Graham Camfield, 22 November c.1897

South Bend Nov 22nd
Dear ones all I will drop a line to tell you we cant come over thanks giving for one reason Joe works till noon and another is we would have to hire a Carriage and couldnot stand the open so just now when we have to prepare for winter and other things I hope you will all come here if you possibly can come any day it is most convenient for you if you can drop and card and if

Not never mind and come any way, it is cold and snowy today but may be pleasant tomorrow I hope father and mother are having a good time we recd a letter from Freds wife will enclose it with this Joseph _am will Brocieus the next day after father and mother left here he said they could have rode to your house with him but it would have been a long cold ride for them

I recd a letter from a lawyer in Californie last Saturday informing of the Death of my Father, he died oct 28 at Hoyle, Wood Co, Oklahoma, he was buried one mile from Hoyle P O he left a Claim of one hundred and sixty acres 40 acres in wheat that is looking fine he left no wife nor children there so of course his children here are the Heirs to his property as he left no

Will, we will have to get the property the best we can it is not much but it is ours and we ought to have it, you know he went to Californa before I was born and never came back. I have written to my sisters and we don’t know where the 2 boys are it may be some time before we get it but better late than never, so good by and come all of you just when you can Rose


This letter was a huge find as it has at least put me on the path to finding out more about Rose's father, James Graham.

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


Camfield, Rose Graham. (South Bend, Indiana) to “Dear ones all” [Sarah Ann Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 22 November c. 1897. Digital Images 1-4. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Undated c. 1850-1899, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Libbie Warner Camfield, 18 November 1897

Batavia, Nov 18. 1897

Dear Ones All:-

We received Mabel's letter the next night after Grandparents left and was glad to hear that they arrived all right and we hope they are now enjoying themselves. Everything is going all right here so they need not hurry. I am sure Mabel, I should like to come and see you as well as you would like to have me and am equally anxious to get accquainted with my mother-in-law (and the rest too) as she is with me.

Tell Grandmother that Elder Culp is dead, he died last week I guess they sent a dispatch to Noble but didn't say what the cause was but Meno Good and his wife when out there and when they

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return the particualrs will be known I suppose, he was intending to hold meetings in Ohio commencing Tuesday and the next Saturday he lay a corpse, and his wife is failing also. We sold the chickens the next day after you left and got $3.67 for them and it now awaits your return there was only sixteen roosters that is all we sold, no old hens or pullets. Ma and Minnie were here yesterday that was the first time I have seen Ma since she came from Ind. Minnie gave us an invitation to eat our Thanksgiving dinner with them and I guess we will. Fred is going to bring the things from the garden in to day. We had a hard frost last night.

Haven't time to write more, so Goodbye
Libbie

Let us hear from you soon.


I was quite excited when I read this letter because Sarah so loved to travel and visit but almost never got the chance.

I have no information on Elder Culp. He may be the John W Culp b abt 1852 shown on the 1880 census in Coldwater, Branch, MI with wife Josephine and children, Minnie and Charlie. Menno and Susan Good are listed on the 1900 census in Noble, Branch, MI so they must have been neighbors before the move to Batavia.

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


Camfield, Elizabeth Warner (Batavia, MI) to “Dear Aunt Anna”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 18 November 1897 Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1897,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Libbie Warner Camfield, 31 August 1897

Batavia. Aug. 31, 1897.

Dear Aunt Anna,

I guess you will think that Fred and I have forgotten you but when we first received your letter the one written after you got our pictures of course grandmother read it but didn't find the part written to us. we thought it very strange that you didn't say anything about the picture but we knew that you got it alright as the letter was wrapped around it otherwise we should have doubted your getting it, but after a long time grandma was reading the letter over again and found it, then I thought when she writes I write

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too but when she finally did write or when it was mailed I was away from home so it past, but now if nothing happens to this you will read at last our thanks for the congratualtions you sent and also for the invitation to visit you we would like to ever so well but we do not suppose we shall get there very soon, we would like so much to go to South Bend this fall but I guess it is impossible and then we think too that if anyone went from here it would be grandparents and ahve them go and see you also it would do them the most good and we may have change when they won't, but I do not think

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we will be able to send them this year

The only wedding trip we had was from my sister's, where I was married, to Bronson to take Mabel and Mr Marsh to the train and then to his home not a very extensive one you see

I should like to get a picture of you this one grandma has is so old or rather so young that I don't believe it looks like you now, and the same way with Fred's mother.

Fred and grandpa are cutting clover and to-day grandpa drives while Fred rakes off, we will have quite a little seed I guess.

Perhaps Fred and I will go

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fishing tonight so I must close so I can get my work done early.

So adieu for this time.

Your Niece,
Libbie


Libbie became a regualar correspondent with Anna after her marriage to Fred.

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


Camfield, Elizabeth Warner (Batavia, MI) to “Dear Aunt Anna”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 31 August 1897 Digital Images 1-4.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1897,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, 26 August 1897

Batavia aug the 26th 1897

Dear Children
now I will try to write to you once more to let you know that we are alive and well week before last week we had company every day but one last week wednesday Father and I went to a funeral and thursday we went to another funeral here at the Church both of them
and friday and saturday we went to Bronson Father is diging potatoes our potatoes are very small few in a hill Fred and Libby went to Noble tuesday to tend to thrashing the wheat on Williams place we expected 2 hundred bushels but only got 1 hundred and thirty odd bushels last night they went to her Mothers to day is Libbies birthday and one of her Brothers also so the Children was to have a surprise on their Mother and and all come home and grand children there will be 16 in all so I supos they will have abig time.
we have been looking for Joseph and family this summer but have not heard from them in 2 months or more

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from your mother S A Camfield

Sarah's crop estimates always seemed to come up short.

I think Sarah would have enjoyed a surprise gathering of all her family.

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


Camfield, Sarah Ann (Batavia, MI) to “Dear Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 26 August 1897 Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1897,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, 5 July 1897

July 5th 1897

Dear Children

I don't know what you think because I have not written before it was not because I could not it was because I did not we are all well as we can be this hot weather we are busy haying now and working in the corn next week will in the wheat I suppose we have 18 acres to harvest on Mr Williams place there by Mr Bogarduses place Mr and Mrs B was here last week Father and I went to Coldwater to the celebration saturday and yesterday we had a celebration sermon here at the Church so we have been to 2 celebrations this year the church decorated with green and flowers and flsgs of all kinds thos made of cloth and those that grow in wet places and we had agood surmon and all seemed to enjoy it


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I did for one three weeks ago last saturday Father and I went out to our old home in Noble for a visit to meting sunday forenoon and evening and had a good time in general

we have a good many Cherries they are getting ripe enough to begin to can I wish you and Joseph folks could be here I think the Children woul enjoy it so much especily. Josephs you have fruit so yours would not care so much yes it is the station between Bronson and Coldwater I did not forget it was Ashleys Birth day I believe the 55th how time flies we are having terrible hot weather Father is cultivating corn in the hot sun I am afraid he will give out but he will do it

upsude down, top of page

Mr Michael and Mrs S A Camfield

Isaac Ashley Carlisle was born 5 July 1842, Edwardsburg, Cass County, MI so Sarah did have the date and age correct.


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


Camfield, Sarah Ann (Batavia, MI) to “Dear Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 5 July 1897 Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1897,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, 9 April 1897

Batavia apr 9th

Dear Children we are well we have move and partly settled it is so cold we cannot getalong very fast the men are plowing for oats they are interesting to see 22 acres this spring and plant 40 acres of corn if they can get it done they have five horses Father has a riding plow so he can plow as much as any one and riding cultivater to work in the corn he thinks it nothing but fun he seems real wel only his shoulders are lamer this spring than I common it dont trouble him in most kinds of work nothing bu reaching up like pitching hay or some such thing I have to help him on with his coat and off but otherwise he seems as well as he seems as well as he is soslow he canot get around very fast but gets around all the same I am wel as I can expect to be of course I can not get around as I once could but the neighbors say I get around faster than most of the young women I ma sitting in the bay window writing we have

reverse

anice parlor and sitting room and kitche and two porches one in front of the sitting and room and one back of the kitchen three 3 bed rooms downstairs and three rooms upstairs and acellar it is not very large but it does not let any thing freeze they say
I suppos you know Fred is marrid we all live togather but we have plenty of room.
give our best respects tall enquiring frends and neighbours
Libbie send her best regard and their pictures
Fred and Libbie send their best regards and their pictures as a token of love and respect
pleac excus all mistakes foris I have made many but amthank that I can do as well as I can may the lord bless you is all in my prayers

from your Mother and Father
Michael Camfield write soon
Sarah Ann Camfied

upside down at top of page

direct to batavia branch Co Mich

It sounds like the new house is nicer than the last one.


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


Camfield, Sarah Ann Wisner. (Batavia, MI) to “Dear Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 9 April c.1897. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1,
Correspondence, Undated c. 1850-1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Rose Graham Camfield, 26 February 1897

South Bend feb 26th
Dear ann and all of you the children have all gone to scool the house is nice and still and I will take the oppertunity to write you a letter and tell you the news of Freds wedding or maybe you have heard it, he was married wednesday evening feb 24 the to miss Libby Warner three miles from Bronson at the home of the Brides sister Mr. and Mrs. Bert Harris the wedding was

2

a very quiet affair only the near relatives were invited none of us went only Bell she and Mr Marsh went they went wednesday and came back thursday night Fred met them at the train and took them to Mr Harrises where they remained until next day noon she says they live in a large white house and had a lovely wedding grand ma and grand pa was both there the Bride received a great many presents Bell took her a set of china dishes and a dozen napkins Fred and

3

his wife brought them to the train when they came a way, they did not go to grandmas for they are not fixed to receive visitors, they are was going to move out on the new farm to day it is 8 miles from them where they are now Bell says grandpa and grandma both look as well as they did when we was there three 4 year ago she says they seem so lively and good natired
the Brides father performed the wedding ceremony as he is a minister
I would like to see you

4

and have a talk feel like I could talk a week you might come over ine the spring vacation if you only think so bring frank an if you cant come have him come any way Grandma told Bell the Bride did not invite any of her aunts and uncles and of course fred could not invite his or you would have had an invitation. Bell says when she is married aunt ann and uncle ashley is going to be there and she would as soon not get married at all as not to have Frank there I spose she feels nearer to Frank for she has been

5

with him more than she has fred and I spose we all feel ne a little nearer to him he is here more than fred ever was do you know when I think of fred it always seems as though he is grandmas own son more than my own and of course frank comes to see us some times and we expect him to come and fred never comes and that makes a difference the children often speak of frank and danl and Tamerson but of course

6

they don’t think of fred for they never see him they was much pleased with the valentines we forgot to send them some we have got some things for them if they come over they can get them then we have been so busy mad a new quilt and so much other work we are never done
let me know if you can come so good by love to the children
Mrs J H Camfield

Frederick Harrison Camfield married Elizabeth "Libbie" Caroline Warner, 24 February 1897 in Bronson, Branch County, MI.

How sad that Fred was so disconnected from his family but I know he provided help that Mike and Sarah needed.

Keep this sentance in the back of your mind for later: "Bell says when she is married aunt ann and uncle ashley is going to be there and she would as soon not get married at all"


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


Camfield, Rose Graham. (South Bend, Indiana) to “Dear ann and all of you” [Sarah Ann Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 26 February c. 1897. Digital Images 1-6. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Undated c. 1850-1899, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, 19 January 1897

Noble January 19th 1897

Dear Children I will try to write to you once more it is hard work to write my hands are so lame I suppose the rheumatism but I neglect it it was more than a year since I had written to Josephs until a short time ago I wrote to them we are all well Father and myself have bad colds we could hardly speak this morning but are better now we had the grip last spring I think that is hangimg on us yet when we get alttle cold but we will not complain for I think we are most wonderfully blesed with health and strength for our age I am in my 80th year he is in 77th year do you know we was married 50 years the night before Christmas I do the washing and ironong do up Freds fine shirts and all house work mending and making for us Fred buys his clothes ready Father buys his overall I make his shirts stockings

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I do not know whether I wrote you we was going to move in march we are going toward Coldwater in the township of batavia we have afarm of 100 and 25 acres we will have abetter house there is 2 good barns on the place 3 orchards good cellar and cistern we have it 3 years 300 and 50 dollars per year
Bogardses folks are wll I have not seen them since Christmas they came hre and brought me afootstool for apresent I have not seen either of them since
Ashley I think you mae a better looking old man thanayoung one we thank you for the picture we looked at it some time before knew it when we showed it to Fred he hardly looked at it he said I dont have to take but one look to know Ashley we rent this place for 50 dollars ayear

M and S A Camfield

Prior to transcribing this letter I did not have a marraige date for Mike and Sarah so now I have 24 December 1846. I wish she had given some details or said where they were married. I assume it was in Onondaga County, NY as they were still there for the 1850 census. (There was an earlier letter that mentioned their wedding date I had doubts about the year it was written.)


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


Camfield, Sarah Ann (Noble, MI) to “Dear Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 19 January 1897 Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1897,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Events of 1897

My family seemed fairly isolated from US and world events around them. Here are just a few events from 1897 that they may or may not have been aware of.

• The Greerbrier Ghost testifies in the murder trial of Erasmus Shue
  
• Harrisburg, PA destroyed by fire
• William McKinley becomes US President
• The Boston subway opens
• Lattimer Massacre, Pennsylvania
• First use of the word computer