Maria Plant, 20 August 1912

Aug 20th 1912
Burr Oak
Mich

Mrs Carlisle..

Dear Friend I was very Pleased to hear from you I know time does fly so I cant keep up with it I am way behind in Letter writeing and seems I cant catch up..

I am very glad to hear you are so well.. its to bad Ashley is not well it makes one unsettled when there is sickness around..

Ive been having quite a time with whooping Cough. but supposed I had it years ago must be Im having my

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second childhood.. and come __ with whoopng cough for I have been reposed a number of times I thought first I must be having consuption for I did cough dreadfully.. my Brother said why that whooping cough, and it reads in the Dr Book that way I thought I should break my windpipe open.. cough, vomit choke whoop.. till I could not get my breath.. but its all gone now only I feel the Strain in my throat some.. Brothers Grandchild came down from chicago She had it the Dr pronounced it whoop cough and my Brother was sick

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Most all summer so it has Kept me very busy.. I just got to a stoping lace in sewing.. now its canning pears pickling always something we have had plenty of rain hear to Lots of Potatoes around this year the market has opend 50 cts quite different from just last years market.. Corn is a very fine crop to.. we had lovely weather for haying and harvesting hear.. but now it seems to rain some every day.. they seem to have terrible storms all around us.. some have apples others have none.. I would enjoy your flowers. very much

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but must say that I could not get to your house this time. I should enjoy a visit with you very much.. but Im planning to visit my husband brothers as soon as I can get away now. am soroow to disappoint you. for I have thought I should like to meet you again and I do hope it will be so I can..

you remind me so much of my Dear Friend thats gone.. I know you must miss Mrs Camfield to por Dear I miss her letters.. but she was a wonderful writer at her age I miss Mother Plant to so much we all keep going soon it will be our turn.. hopeing to meet you sometime in the near fuure. your well wishing
Friend Maria Plant

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Sarah Ann Wisner Camfield, 1817-1912
Michael Camfield

Plant, Maria (Burr Oak, Michigan) to “Mrs Carlisle”
[Sarah Ann Camfield Carlisle] Letter. 20 Aug 1912. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Orlando, Florida. 2011.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1912,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Maria Plant, 14 April 1912

Burr Oak Mich
April 14th, 1912.

Dear Friend,

I received your good letter and was very glad to hear you arrived home safe.

My what a terrible storm I shall never forget it I thought so much about the dirve Mr Warner had going back but the wind was more at his back made it some better.

I was going to do some shoping in Bronson but have not been down since.

I was so glad to see you all I had known Mrs. Camfield so many years living in our Neighborrhood in Burr Oak the Pleasant memory bring back by gone years and pleasnt visits. I thought

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I must see her and you once more, she felt bad to think I could not see you when you was at the Noble farm once and the more I thought of it, the more I thought I must see you. And the beautiful letters she use to write, at her extreme age to.. I could not seem to give her up.. I shall miss her words and letters.. a dear old Friend of mine was near 90. died last spring in England. We have always exchanged letters.. and now I do miss them too..

I didn't think to go further than Bronson that day.. but when Fred said I could Just as well as not, I was very thankful for the chance for I could see Mrs. Camfield once more and realize she was gone. I appreciate your kindness very much.

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My husband was not as friendly as some with every one, but he seem to take to these old people very much.. she told us all about your life and how you came into the family.. and she wrote in her last letter how strange things turned out for her benefit.. how things had come around for her a home in her old age.. and to think how it all worked around for her. she was filled with wonder Love and praise My Dear Old Friends keep going one by one.. how much you look and appear like my Dear Friend Mrs Smith she died two years ago. My most intermint intermate Friend how I do mis her too..

how is your back now I hope its better or rather entirely cured.. the new grandson

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is that your Daughters child ahe has a nice family y now..

I was going to show you our house hear were I stay when we were coming into Burr Oak that day.. but Joseph Supprised me saying he hadent anything to do with Rosa for 7 years.. that is to bad its bad for children.. you say you stayd there house does she live with her girls.. its to bad. she was a happy go easy lady always pleasant and very good looking but a slack housekeeper -

Mrs Camfield youd to scold about it.. but i use to like her for all.. I think its so wrong for familys to part so. Mrs Camfield wrote something once made we wonder if she was there yet or friendly with her do you know how old Julia Seaver is a well we have Spring now shure but its rather Sote [?].. wheat is

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looking very bad around hear grass killed out to..

Will Watson has plowed to sow clover seed and is now plowing for potatoes.. so many have their Potatoes froze in the cellars this past winter was a tearer they are talking 2.00 for seed Potatoes we didn't have any freeze hear but the next thing to it. 5 fires going but this is a big house.. it did seem as if we never would see the ground again.. but our pot ___ wer tried and we now have sh __y it raind and haild to day about one o clock.. hail as large as hazle nuts was all but the Said around on the ground for half an hour we had our first auto ride to day. Will Watson

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has not ____to run it yet but his Brother was up to day and got it out so we had a good ride but had to hasten in for the storm came up so quick..

well its house cleaning now.. Ive been sewing for Mrs. Watson hear.. Made 3 Dresses, A Percales - a white Embroidery and a Blue silk an auto cloak. I have four others waiting so I shant have any vacation very soon

well I must close Im getting sleepy guess you will think so by this scribbling Mind wishes for all yes I did get your card Just as I sent mine

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for I did wonder if you got home all right grandma room will look lonesome for some time to you.. how we Miss their Voices and disurbe the precious thing that fingers have touched..

hopeing you write me occassionally.. and hope we will meet again some time

your ever loveing
Friend
Maria Plant
Burr Oak
Mich

Page 8

P.S.
Buchanan is a much larger place than I thought it was thanks for the View you dont live very far from Main St or the farm either its a nice little walk.

I believe Maria's maiden name was Watson and that the Watson's named are her relatives.

My great grandparents, Joseph Harrison and Rose Arazina (Graham) Camfield split up but as far as I know never actually divorced.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Sarah Ann Wisner Camfield, 1817-1912
Michael Camfield

Plant, Maria (Burr Oak, Michigan) to “Dear Friend”
[Sarah Ann Camfield Carlisle] Letter. 14 April 1912. Digital Images 1-4.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Orlando, Florida. 2011.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1912,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Laura M Warner, 1 March 1912

Bronson Mich 1 = 1912

Dear Aunt Ann

I receved your very welcome letter Tues, was so glad to hear from you sorry you was so blocaded, as to keep you from geting home but you was near acquaintence I supose I thought of you ever so much Boltis got home all safe but said it was the worst storm he was ever out in. I was so glad Fred got home safe. I havent heard from Mrs Plant to know how she stood it. I thank you for Grandmas picture also for the handkerchief booth are very nice, in hast

Laura M Warner

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P.S. I didn’t get this out to the mailbox quick enough yesterday I was glad to hear you found all well threw such a hard storm This leaves us well hope you are the same

Its very pleasant today.

Hope to hear from you again. from Your friend well wishes Laura M Warner

Laura M Ruple Warner was the mother of Elizabeth "Libbie" Warner Camfield. Libbie was married to Anna's nephew, Fred Camfield and I believe that is why the letter is addressed to "Aunt Ann." Laura and Anna were contemporaries and I do not believe that they had a closer family relationship than that. The Warner family were friends and neighbors of Anna's parents, Michael & Sarah Ann Camfield. Boltis was Laura's son.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Sarah Ann Wisner Camfield, 1817-1912
Michael Camfield

Warner, Laura M (Bronson, Michigan) to “Dear Aunt Ann”
[Sarah Ann Camfield Carlisle] Letter. 1 Mar 1912. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Orlando, Florida. 2011.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1912,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Maria Plant, 25 February 1912

Burr Oak Mich
Feb 25th 1912

Mrs Carlisle

Dear Friend, how are you, I wonder if you arrived home all right the same day

wasnt it Just awful I only went one block from the Carrs, and I nearly give out, "the snow was so hard" to walk through and so deep. I staid in town till Friday afternoon now I think I will stay at home till I will stay at home till warm weather comes

but I was so glad to have the preveledge of visiting with you, for your Dear Mothers sake and for old time sake to hope you fell rested, I do know

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your house feel lonely but such is life and we have to endure those things can you give me the teset that was sued. I felt shure it was Rev = 14th chap - 12 verse but it doesnt read to me Just like it..

the evening train into Burr Oak from the east had to stay all night at Stugis all night = and the evening train from the west had to stay at Elkhart all night on the wednesday.. so I did winder if you got through at Buchanan all right that day.. men shoveled snow at the Depo.. all night anither friend of mine died Monday and had the funeral services wednesday but had to give up the burial till friday.. for the Hearse came near tiping over

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wasnt it dreadful though it looks none as if we should have more = our road is full. but we got our mail from town for a few days till they have shoveled the road now

I have often thought of Mr Warner? trip back home and wonder if he got home all right I hope your back is feeling much better by this time.

I often think of you how much you look like my Dear Friend Mrs Smith that died two years ago I did think so much of her she was a dear good Friend of mine and went so sudden I cant realize she is gone

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when you have time I would like to know how you got home and if you are well

I still have some cold = but cant be entirely of fashion

Your ever
wellwishing Friend

Maria Plant
Burr Oak
Mich

King James Version: Revelation Chapter 14, Verse 12:

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Sarah Ann Wisner Camfield, 1817-1912
Michael Camfield

Plant, Maria (Burr Oak, Michigan) to “Mrs Carlisle”
[Sarah Ann Camfield Carlisle] Letter. 25 Feb 1912. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Orlando, Florida. 2011.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1912,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

My Search for Mrs. J.H. Belote

In 1908 Sarah Ann Camfield received a letter from Mrs. J. H. Belote. Initially I assumed that the J. H. would be her husband’s initials. I know, assume makes an ass out of u and me! I don’t know why I’d make such an assumption as both Sarah Ann and Anna always used their initials rather than their husbands when they signed letters.

So my incorrect assumption found me wasting a bit of time trying to find a likely candidate for the author of the letter.

Some other assumptions I worked with:

The letter was written 10 Feb 1908 and referred to letters and cards Mrs Belote had received for a recent birthday.

Mrs Belote said that she was a quarter century from the Sarah Ann’s age of 90, making her age about 65 in 1908 so she was born about 1843.

When she was 10 years old she lived in Buffalo, NY, so probably born in New York.

Many of Sarah Ann’s correspondents, other than family, lived in Branch County, Michigan as Sarah lived there many years prior to Mike’s death. So that is where I started looking.

[Note that links are to census images at Ancestry.com and you will not be able to view them unless you have a subscription]

On the 1910 census I found Jeanette Belote, age 67 born Wisconsin, wife of Lewis W. Belote.

On the 1900 census I found Jeanette H. Belote, age 57, born Jan 1843, Wisconsin in Sherwood, Branch, Michigan. She was the wife of Lewis W. Belote.

Sherwood, Michigan jumped out at me as Sarah had received birthday letters of her own. Sarah Ann's letter dated 12 Oct 1903 mentions receiving a birthday letter from Bell Plant’s mother-in-law of Sherwood.

On the 1910 census of Bronson, Branch, MI I found Bell Belote, age 36 wife of Horace E Belote, age 40. And on the 1900 census of Matteson, Branch, Michigan is Belle C Belote, born May 1874, wife of Horace E. Belote, born May 1870.

Mrs Belote’s letter also said, “When I was 28 years old (then a wife and Mother of two boys)……” which fit perfectly with the family’s 1880 census record, where they are found in Colon, St Joseph, Michigan: Lewis Belote age 43; Jeanette age 37; James L. age 6; and Horace E. age 1/12.

So I am fairly sure that Mrs. J. H. Belote was Jeanette H. Belote of Sherwood, Michigan. But what was her maiden name?

I first looked at some public member trees at Ancestry.com and found a tree named Pacific Northwest Necrology, owned by genehisthome. This tree had Lewis Waldo Belote, born about 1836, prob. Colon, St. Joseph, Michigan, died 19 Mar 1919 Tebonsha, MI. He married about 1865, Helen Jeanette Currier who was born 1843 and died 1919.

An online index to St. Joseph County, Michigan marriages has: C-421 Lewis W. Belote to Jannette Currier.

My next stop was Seeking Michigan where I found Jennette’s death certificate. It gives her birth as 29 Jan 1843, New York; daughter of Rufus Currier and Mary Hunt.


On the 1860 census I found Rufus Currier, age 54, born NH; Mary, age 48, born NH; Janet, age 17, born WI; Sarah, age 12 born NY; and Oscar, age 7 born NY.

The census records I’ve found all agree that Jennette Helen Currier Belote was born in Wisconsin. The family didn’t stay there long and based on Jeanette's birth and her letter they must have relocated to Buffalo, NY for a time before moving to Michigan.

I have not located any of these families on the 1850 census but I have found more than enough to satisfy my curiosity about a woman I am not related too! Now I will contact those that have trees that include Jennette to let them know that one of her letters survived.

Sarah Ann Camfield, Nov 9, 1903

South Bend Nov 9th 1903

Well Anna

I suppose you think it is time to hear from me well I have been buisy doing nothing it seems to me I have not been feeling as usual I have quite a cough and am lamer than I have been but I will be all right after alittle I think Rosa is tiing some Comforters she has tied two and is finishing another today that is all she is going to do thay have been mooving stoves that is done now we are going to have three stoves running this winter we ought to be warm

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the hard coal stove is in the front room and the little wood stove is in the dining room right by my bedroom dore so you see I can be warm if we can get coal there is potatoes and apples in the seller to last some time I dont know how many and they made 13 gallons of crout so you see were provided for awhile any way and 1 hundred quarts of canned fruit the Mothers meeting was at our house the day before I came home and last week it was near enough so I went and this week wensday it will be here again the first sunday I was home I went to the Evangelical Church

page 3

I think I left two pocket handkerchief in the pocket of your cape it seems as if there was something else but donot know if you will send them I will be Obliged Joseph has been out of work ever since I have been home to day he is at work on the sewer I believe I have not called on any of the neighbors yet nor seen Mrs Gallop she is taking care of the same woman she was when Joseph was here for 5 five dollars per week I think she better stick to it if it is money she is after and of coure it is and nothing else from your Loving Mother S A Camfield

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every thing is straitened up now there is one paper we have have not got but it is ready when we call for it the money is out on interest at six percent the same ast was before so that is off my mind for two years

I wrote to Elizabeth belden yesterday today and tomorrow I think to write to Ella did you send the one I left for misses Plant of coare you did


Interesting that Sarah Ann had an investment and struggling to have enough money most of her life.

I wonder if Grandpa Joe was rethinking giving up barbering when he had to take work on the sewer? I was never clear on why he gave up his barber shop.

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


Camfield, Sarah Wisner (South Bend, IN) to “Well Anna”
[Sarah Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 9 November 1903. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1903-1904,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, Oct 12, 1903

Buchanan October 12th 1903

Dear Children this is Monday morning and I thought I would begin my task of writing letters by writing to you for I thought you would be most interested in it I received 15 letters Fraiday and one saturday I got one from Jud Sweeting did you write to him he said he received a letter frome me the day before I thought it must have been from you and he thought it was fro me I never wrote to him I supposed they were out west I did not know they were in Bronson

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now for the writers of the letters it was a perfect surprise to me Anna had six that she had got but said nothin about till Friday morning they came and put them in my lap bed had them looked over Ashley had been to the Office threw another lot in my lap then the wonder was more than ever wen they had had fun enough of seeig mybewilderment Anna explained it to me I had never heard of such a thing I think there could not have been a more complete surprise

Page 3

Mr and Mrs Warner of Noble ane from Mrs Orrie Smith one from Mrs Ola Harris and Harrises niece that is taking of one from Mrs Plant of Bur Oak one from Mrs Bloat Bell plant motherin inlaw of sherwood I never saw her nor hardly heard of her but she wrote a splendid letter also one from Mrs Spero and one from Mrs James Burk Batavia and one from Mrs Minlin Batavia and Mrs Bogardus of Noble Mrs Elizabeth Belden of Wisconsin Mrs Ella Mc Kinnon of Minnesota and Mrs Libby Camfield of Kansas palace and one from Mr Earl Camfield of the same

Page 4

your letter came Friday morning and the picture saturday I think you and Earl look very natural but I cannot much of Freds looks in him Anna says he is in the dark more I know I cannot see near as well as I could last year not ever last spring wel I do not of any thin more only to thank your part in the party I thought you would like to know how it came I think it was verry nice indeed

[no signature]

What a nice birthday surprise for Sarah Ann! Most of the letters I have of hers were written to her daughter Anna. I don't know how this letter written to her son in South Bend, IN came to be saved.

Warner, Smith and Harris were related to Libbie Warner Camfield (Fred's wife).

Sweeting, Plant, Bloat, Spero, Burk and Minlin were neighbors of Sarah Ann when she lived in Branch County, MI.

Mary Bogardus was the wife of Henry, see link below.

Elizabeth Belden and Ella McKinnon were Sarah Ann's nieces and letters they wrote to Anna can be found with the Hall Family letters link below.

Libbie and Earl writing from Kansas was a big surprise for me. I knew that Fred and Libby left Chicago for a time and that at some point they lived in the Ozarks but I didn't know that they tried Kansas first.

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

Camfield, Sarah Wisner (Buchanan, MI) to “Dear Children”
[Joseph Harrison Camfield]. Letter. 12 October 1903. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1903-1904,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, March 15, 1902

South bend March 15 1899 [1902]

Dear Children and Grand Children

we are all well and this will find you all enjoying the same blessing this is such a beautiful spring morning I have been out taking a walk and called on a neighbor it very hard walking on acount of the ice

I thought I had blocks enough for three quilts one for each of the girls and comenced setting one to gather and found I had only just half enough so you see I am not out of work yet

Fred is with us yet he has rented a house two weeks ag but Libby has not come yet

I got a letter from Mrs Plant aweek ago she is in Newyork state will come back in March to burr oak

them bulbs did not grow

page 2

I suppose you know today would be Fathers eighteth birth day if he was alive I have read two sermons this morning and Called on a nabor and peeled potatoes for dinre and written this letter and made my bed and it is onl eleven oclock I do not mean to brag but am so glad I am able to do it and try to be thankful for the blessings of health that I can do it

I feel to prais the giver of all health ana strength and power


S A Camfield

write when and as often as you can

PS
I send you this star so you can see the size of my work I had 126 stars thought for 3 quilts 48 for each it wants 84 Bells the star is all pink and out side blue the others will be all kinds just as they come I have Bells partly cut out togather have 14 stars to peace yet



1899 is written on this letter but I can not tell if it was added later. Mike would have turned 80 in 1902. There is a letter by Libbie Camfield written 15 Mar 1899 that firmly places Sarah in Batavia that year. Either the date was added later or Sarah Ann was missing Mike and put his death year on the letter by mistake.

Sarah Ann's break from piecing either did not last long or I still haven't properly dated this letter!

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


Camfield, Sarah Ann (South Bend, IN) to “Dear Children and Grand Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 15 March 1899 [1902]. 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.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, Jan 7, 1901

South Bend Indiana Jan 7th 1901

Dear Anna all of you

I suppose you will be glad to hear that we are all well Roza has quite a cold but sinot sobad but that she is washing and I am sewing carpet rags peacing bedquilts is athing of the past when I got the 15th done I quit and went at carpetrags for arest I have had six rides on the street car we have been three times to sit to have our Pictures taken the four generations you know I hope they will be righ this time we went yesterday

Mrs Warner Libbies Mother was here last week she came Christmas and went home the day after newyear

now about Christmas Joseph and Rose gave me a little shoulder shall dark gray with a small white border striped and alot of candy and Bel gave me a nice lite apron ready made and some candy and Libby gave me

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alittle candle stick it cost five cents Fred gave Perl abottle of perfume that is al they gave the family we all to gather gave them as much as one dollar my hyacinths are growing but they seem to grow so slow our plants froze one of them cold nites but they was not much loss how is Toley going along we hope she is having a good time tel her we should like to hear direct from her

I dont know whether I wrote to you that Mr Bogard and wife went east last fall so if we had gone to noble we shoul not have seen them they went in august and came back saturday before election when you get ready to weave your carpet we are going to donate ours

I got a letter from Mrs Plant the same time I got yours before Christmas they both came to gather now I must answer hers so good by for this time please give my love and best wishes to all S A Camfield


Fifteen quilts! Sarah Ann was 83 when this was written. I really wish one of her quilts had been preserved.

I think I have shared this picture before. It may be the one she is talking about.

Earl, Fred, Joseph and Sarah Camfield c. 1900

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


Camfield, Sarah Wisner (South Bend, IN) to “Dear Anna all of you”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 7 January 1901. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1901,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, Oct 10, 1899

Batavia October 10th 1899

Dear Children and grand Children

we are as well as usual and enjoying our selves as well as we can we had Mr and Mrs Spero and the two Chlidren here last week they came friday after noon and stayed until sunday morning 10 o'clock also Mrs Plant called last week one day alittle while she was going to Coldwater on buisness she she could not go by without Calling she is going to york state to her Brothers I dont know whether she intended to stay or not she said she would try to come and make us avisit before she went october 11th There is some prospect of rain this morning it is neaded badley every thing is very dry Freds man lift Saturday and he has considerable corn to husk yet hans are

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verry scarse they say it is impossible to get aman to work at any price I went to Coldwater the 2d and sold my place in Noble and had the writing drawn for it so now I have no place any more I get 1,100 dollars for it I have a mortgage on it Libbbies health is poor she is taking medacine all the time it is so dark I cannot see the lines I did not get the Rig pattern of Mrs Vorus will you please send it to me in your next letter now I have rags ready cut and sewed for 15 or 20 yards of carpet what had I better do with them please tell me in your next letter what you think I thought to have it wove and bring it with me to the bend and I thought to fetch the rags and have it wove there but dont know what is best if I could sell them I think that would be ebst but dont know as I can write soon and tell me what you think

S A Camfield


Added scrap of paper

I forgot to tell you I went to Mrs Tiltons last week had agood visit write soon and tell what you think about the rags I have walked up to Mrs Burks twice since I came back


It seems sad that Sarah Ann has sold her home. She hadn't lived there in some time as the house was rented out and they in turn rented another, larger place.

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


Camfield, Sarah Ann (Batavia, MI) to “Dear Children and grand Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 10 October 1899. Digital Images 1-3.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Apr - Dec 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Elizabeth Warner Camfield, April 2, 1899

In her next letter Libbie is very chatty. She, Sarah Ann and Earl are all feeling better. Her mother hurt her back, so she has returned to her home and Libbie's father is caring for her.

She tells a little about her sister, Ola, and her brother-in-law, Bert Harris.

Well Uncle Ashley my father has been having a time keeping “bachelor's hall" ever since Ma has been here he has been over to Ola's taking care of things Bert's father, mother, and grandfather have all been sick at the same time at the other house (you know they live in their daughter's house) and Bert + Ola + children had to go over there and that left things to suffer for the want of care at their home so Pa is staying there he does the barn chores gets his own meals of course besides skimming the milk, churning and taking care of the butter. The Dr. said Berts grandfather might drop away any time and again prehaps he will get well. Ola has her hands full but yet they have good neighbors while here their hasn't been a neighbor woman only Mrs. Burks in the house since grandfather was buried. Mrs. B - hasn't been here for aweek now but she has had a bad swelling time with a tooth.

Mrs Plant, who was a neighbor of Sarah Ann's and who has been mentioned in previous letters has been staying with her nephew in Burr Oak.



Ola Warner was born in 1867 and married Bert Harris about 1890. At the time of this letter they had three children; Howard Harris, born about 1893; Laura Harris, born about 1895; and Norman Harris, born about 1897.

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


Camfield, Elizabeth Warner (Batavia, MI) to “Dear Ones One and all”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 2 April 1899. Digital Images 1-4.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Apr - Dec 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, 29 Oct 1884

letter no 2 Noble Centre Oct 29th 1884

[upside down, top of page]
love to all write soon

wel I will begin again weare gathering Apples there is a small crop and no sale hardly Mr Bogardus has gone to Coldwater with a load he was here and Father got him to go down with aload he knew better where to sel them Father hates to take any thing to market the worst of anything I believe we sold 4 head of Cattle last week for 85 dollars and 4 hogs for 44 dollars and 50 cts now I have 8 hundred laid up for the payment on the farm we have to pay 1 thousand the first of march I dont know the rent on this place is not half paid yet we have stock enough if we can sel it for what it is worth but there seems to be nothing

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doing in that line there dont seem to be much business any way that is not much buying and selling you would think there was something doing if you could see how they are building up Bronson since the fire
we went to Burr Oak two weeks ago last sunday we went to Geries the Irishman the old woman and man both are looking better than they used to they was so pleased to see us she the old woman hugged me almost in to she shook Father all most to pieces she said give me both hands to shake I thought she was going to kiss him he said she squeezed his hands til they was sore for 2 days
Old Boyles wife has left him the Plants have gone to Decota except Will and his family

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Billy Davison and all Will lives north of Burr Oak he put in apiece of corn there by geries this summer Rob and Morrice has bought twenty acres of the plant farm astrip on the north side rite through to the Boil rad so they have 30 acres there in one piece and you know Rob had 40 so now they have 70 acres I guess hey are doing first rate the girls was all at home the one that married that Simpson had only been home from cansas 2 weeks they had been gone 2 year Emma Grave has gone back to the asylum they say there is no hope for her
O I must tel you we saw Old Harvey and his wife and daughter but he did not have on his smock or he had it poked in side

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now Franky Grandma wants to know how you are getting along then she wants you to give three times three cheers for Blain and Logan loud enough so we can hearit

S A Camfield

PS Mr Seaver family are in Burr Oak yet Julia is teaching in the Brick school house in that town and Bev is clerking in the hardware and the rest go to school they live across the creek some where they say they dress terrible fine but he dont work I guess they must have got Aunt lucys money

side margin of page

am alone yet have had no girl for more than a month

upside down, top of page

We have not heard from South bend since june I think I am hinders to write to morrow if nothing


Gerie the Irishman may have referred to Jerry Donahue, born about 1814, Ireland. The reason that I am not sure is that he would have been only three years older than Sarah. Jerry's wife, Maragaret, would have been younger than Sarah, Margaret having been born about 1830, Ireland.

The Boyle's, Plant's and Seaver's have been mentioned in earlier letters, as had Emma Graves. I'm not sure how Billy Davison fits in. Rob, Morrice and Harvey are mysteries.

Three cheers for Blain and and Logan refers to a political song of the time. The sheet music can be found here. Also see: Lives of Blaine and Logan (1884)


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) “letter no 2” [Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 29 October 1884. Digital Images 1-4. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1884 - 1886, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, 10 Feb 1883

Noble Center Feb 10th 1883

Dear Children

we are well as usual and hope you are the same we have had a hard tome to take care of the stock this Cold weather we had such an ice storm as we had several years a go it last friday and saturday and every thing is covered with ice yet it is so slipery the cattle and sheep can scarcely move they stand around it sees as if they would freeze it has been a little plesaent for two days there has not been a Woman in the house since Mrs B was here the week before Christmas I have not seen one since 3 weeks ago yesterday I went to the write soon in haste w S A Camfield

reverse

Doctors have not been away from the house further than the barn since
we have not heard from south bend since the first of november Rosy said then she would writ about Christmas we have no letter yet how is Mr vorhees getting along how is Frank this cold weather Frank did you not get any Christmas present your ma did not tell of any so I thought you did not get any
Pet Plant is dead and I supose Bell Will was verry sick the last I heard we have been wanting to go to Burr Oak all winter but we cannot get away we will have 3 new milks cows 2 or 3 weeks and then there wil be more to do so we shall not go any where



I'm not certain who Pet Plant was. I believe Belle and Will Plant were the children of Harrison and Adeline. Then again by this time Will had a wife named Maria and they had a daughter named Belle.


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) to “Dear Children” [Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 10 February 1883. Digital Images 1-2. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1882 - 1883, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]