Lydia A. Schofield, Samuel S. Ash, and Sarah J. Ash letters to Martha Schofield

[Philadelphia] 2 [month] 24th 1867.

My dear Sister

It is two oclock first day
P.M. we have had a nice dinner of Roast
Beef, etc. Cocoa with pudding & grape pie for
desert. I have just left the others in the
parlor to come up in the sitting room
to write to my dear Sister - Isaiah Sallie
Price & Lide Samuel Sallie & Harry are
down there. We were all at Race [Street] this
morning - & O dear Mart it was good to
be there. a very beautiful Sermon from
dear Dr. Truman, part of it was as the
"oil of wine" to my Soul. oh if we only had
more power to carry out the spirits - brightest
purest aspirations which well up "like
springs of living water" at such seasons
[Underlined: then] it is we feel how easy it might be for
us to ever dwell under this divine, holy
influence, but alas for human nature
how often when the tests come the divine


guide seems far away from us. it is these
repeated failures that discourages me & yet
the desire to overcome Evil to do that which
is right increases as each day rolls away
even with the unrealized yearnings and
strivings unattained, the [Underlined: inner] life will
look up grasping after the promised
inheritance from the Fathers kingdom.
Dr. T. spoke beautifully to those who were depressed
holding up their hearts in hope -. I feel myself
one of that class - poor & lowly in Spirit. The
Stone has not rolled away from the Sepulcher
of my heart, it is in the prison house of bondage
& I often feel it will be a long time ere I
can come out of the wilderness, may his mercy
& loving kindness extend over me through
the dark valley and lead & teach my spirit
submission to his will -.

It seems a long time dear Mart since
I had a letter from thee. I wonder
what you are doing this afternoon how
I should love to see you - it is raining
here commenced since dinner - a great


deal of Snow fell last week - we were in
hopes the cold snowy weather was over
Sallie Price has been here a week - & Jeanine
Satterthwait has been down, she made
her home at Aunt Rachel's - been here
two or 3 times, Lide came in 6th day P.M.
that evening several beaux came to see
the girls - [Underlined: [?] Price] Ben, the Good Benny
Wilson & [Underlined: Newlin Fell] came with the Good
Samuel had to be away on a Committee.
[Underlined: Cousin] Newlin is quite pleasant - I would
not have known him - his brother Watson
was married a few weeks since, they are
going to live on the farm & Cousin Joseph &
Harriet, going to move to William & Lucy Williams.

Howard went to Darby yesterday to
stay until tomorrow - his sled is out there
but this rain will wash the snow away -
he likes his school very much. I think
I will leave the last page for Samuel
or Sallie - with much dear love
ever thy [affectionate] sister Lydia


Dear Sister Mart,

Lyd just informed
me that she had left a page here for
me to fill. I don't like the last
page, for it is not ruled & crooked
writing is my aversion but
perhaps thee can stand it.

Lyd's such a good corresponding
Secretary that we let her do the
most of it & I don't like much
to crowd out what she might
have written on this page.
I can only express my sympathy
and encouragement, in your
good work and hope and
trust that the compensations
found in the path of duty will
more than repay you for the losses
sustained in separation from
friends & inconveniences incident
to your situation. I suppose
you will soon have the spring
blossoms opening around you
to brighten your pathway. And the
faith of every true sower, that the harvest
must come will strengthen your feet to walk there.
Very truly thy Brother,
Samuel S. Ash


[Crosshatched top margin]

this half sheet
& not said
much either,
will try to write
soon again -
sent dear
Lyd faithful
in doing it -
with much
love to Lizzie
and a great
share for thy
our dear
heart - as
ever - thy
loving sister
Sallie

[February] 24th [1867]

My Ever Dear Mart

Lyd and Samuel have
both written thee but I must add a few
lines also -. How often we think of thee dear
Sister away from us all- but with dear Lizzie
there to talk too - Our young folks are all
down in the Parlor - Sallie P. singing - she
is a sweet singer and we are having a
real pleasant visit from her - although the
weather is so unpleasant for her to go out -.
Tomorrow eve she is to go to the [Underlined: "Walnut"] at
the [Underlined: "Opera"] one night last week - she is bound
to see all if possible - I suppose Lyd told
her of the sweet spirited sermon from Dr.
Truman this morning - I wish you could
only hear such now and then - Listening
to his divine teachings so often, ought
we not be greatly benefitted thereby - they
do us good for a season - and perhaps
the lasting influence may be felt, even
if not always practised -

It seems quite a long while since


we heard from thee dear Mart [?]
I do not deserve a letter - I am so
unpunctual in writing - each week think
I will improve - I must tell the of a
pleasant visit Samuel and I made at
Samuel Shipley's took tea last third day with
them - and all the family met in the eve -
had a nice time - tomorrow P.M. we are to
take tea with Cousin Beckie and James -
they two seem so happy in each other's
company - [?] it well that it is so -
There is an announcement of an [Underlined: engagement]
of marriage which is creating quite a [Underlined: stir] among
friends - for my part I think every one has a
right to marry whom & when they please -
[Underlined: Rachel W. Moore] and [Underlined: Samuel Townsend] -
Clara Townsend's father - so they say - and
guess it is so - folks think it strange on
her - but she had married twice & might
as well six times more if she wants to -
I see by the papers both William Lloyd's daughters
are Married - Esther and Anna -
Mart the other morning dear little Harry
came running in our room and said -
Mama I had a [Underlined: "dream"] last night -
"thout I [Underlined: was] with [Underlined: Aunty Mart] in
[Underlined: Charleston] thought I saw her -" he seemed
quite pleased and I really believe he
did dream it - Here he runs up stairs
& is standing by me now - wants to tip this
paper all over for thee - the little fellow

[Right margin]
is great company while Howard is away - I have filled


[Envelope]

Martha Schofield
Box 279 Charleston
[South Carolina]