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I took out of long box, the marble, they were so heavy, also some
old clothing & school books. I saw but one double blanket & sent it.
The two kept were
old, &
simple
Village [November] 3rd, 1868
I remember now that the other double blanket is in
the long box
My Dear Martha,
Your letter reached
me late on Sunday. Yesterday we opened
school. Today I stayed at home
& packed your things. Tomorrow they
must go to Beaufort so as to be in
time for the Thursday steamboat from
Savannah. Hartings & Jacob are to
haul them down. I am afraid I
have not done all you wished, but
I have done the best I could. For
instance- the rope around the trunk
is of the weakest description. We
sent to Mr. Mihols for it, & this was
all he had. We had no tacks
to tack the carpet on. The boxes
were not very secure as to lids
& we could get no boards.
[Page Break]
when I say "We", I mean my brother
& I, for he did all the
nailing, strapping & moving.
every man being at the poll
as it is election day. All our big
boys were away from school.
Ellen says. She taught my class
as well as her own, & drove "Saxby"
home alone. I sent all the things
you wrote for but one blanket as
you had four single & two double
blankets and Ellen & I have
not [underlined:one] [Pennsylvania] [Association] blanket
in our house to give the new
teachers, & they may need them
severely in this cold mattress, I
thought I had better not send
all. You will see that moths
have made havoc with them
If you want the two that are
here you can have them no
[Page Break]
doubt after the teachers are settled.
I do not send the boxes of shoes
& clothing, because there are already
two cartloads to go, & I
cannot get more means of transportation
in time. If you want
these things sent they can go later
, but do not forget the old
folk & orphans. I can't bear to
have any clothing go away from
this poor island, especially as
[underlined: I] have none to give the folks.
I do not know whether the
association would like my sending
at such great expense as the
long carting causes, things for
the poor that may as well be
given away here _ without expense.
But [underlined:you] know, I will take care
of these things till I hear from you.
[Page Break]
I sent all your dishes in the long
box, and I managed to " edge in"
as you say, nearly all the articles
that you could find useful,
except the pots etc, that belong to
the stove, two basins, and two---
also one good, and one broken pitcher.
I do not know what the poor newcomers
will do, but I thought your
box ought to go full, & I know you
will want the things as well as they.
Your preserved fruit, alas! I
had to leave_seven out of ten
jars had worked, and run out.
I was just holding what I thought
a sound one in my hand, thinking
whether to send it, when it fizzed
out up my sleeve, & I concluded
that none of them would stand
shaking. They might spoil your
[Page Break]
other things, so I did not send any.
If you want them you must write
for them. And now, my dear Martha
I must say that I cannot possibly
undertake to put any valuation
on the things left. I will send you
a list, & you can return it with
the prices marked. It will be
in plenty time for the ladies to
decide upon. I am an ignoramus
where prices are concerned. You
can estimate much better, & are the
right one to do it. I have not
yet heard whether those teachers
are coming or not. You are the
only person who has in anyway
alluded to [whom?] to me, and I fear
they will get to Beaufort, & not
be able to find a shelter for
Ms.[Cooley's?] is closed I hear.
[Page Break]
I did not pack any of the boxes but
the long box. The others were all locked
or nailed up. I only strengthened
them, & am not responsible for breakage
In the long box are [?] &
tumblers, dishes & tins_ close together
so I think breakage inevitable, but
I stowed as well as I could, & made
the comforts do duty as protectors.
Caroline, who was married to Jacob
by Ms Wardell of Beaufort &
who is more useful & good than
ever, and Louisa helped today.
They are all sorry you are not
coming back, & sorry too that you
will not even come to see them.
We are [?] our preparations
for removing to [?], but cannot
, as yet, get it repaired. The
[?] are all well. Much love
from Ellen & myself. Very truly yours
Laura M. Towne
[Page Break]
Miss Martha Schofield
Care May, W m Stone
Aiken
[South Carolina]
[November 3rd 1868]
Laura Towne
Laura M. Towne letter to Martha Schofield
Laura Matilda Towne was an abolitionist, doctor, educator, and founder of the first schools for African American freedmen. Schofield and Towne worked together teaching freedmen on the islands of South Carolina. Schofield is leaving to work inland at Aiken, and Towne details the inventory of Schofield's belongings she has packed for her. References the school operations on St. Helena and specific students.
Towne, Laura M. (Laura Matilda), 1825-1901
1868-11-03
7 pages
reformatted digital
Martha Schofield Papers, SFHL-RG5-134
Martha Schofield Papers, SFHL-RG5-134 --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/5134scho
A00182779