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Pennsbury [January] 29 [1869]
My Dear Mart Aunt Jane is sitting by
me writing to thy mother, our [?]
folks with Rache have gone to [West Chester] to take
Lydia home and to have a sleigh ride
on the sleet which fell on New Years and
yesterday untill the trees are so loaded
with ice that they are breaking in every
direction over [?] even [?] they never
saw such a time. a rememberance of the times
about our beerlilings broken. Lydia and
[?] three [?] daughters spent the
holidays here Hall took the girls up
yesterday. Sallie H spent a few days
in town came out on [third] day grand parents
were at [West Chester] where the storm of freezing
rain came got safely home to day, wife
Lydia, Self and Rachie went to old
Kennett meeting quite small tho Lydia
had good service. is one of our political
progressive ministers, [?] gift is
[Left and top margin]
on a farm joining ours we want to [?] [?] [?] with them before
leaving. Sam and
Sallie [?] to
[?] had quite
a time with
sickness before
things are [?]
clear of such
a bothersome
disease I was
fearful Sallie
or Lydia might
take it. Well I
Believe I have
said many
sorry [?]
accounts
will fill half sheet
as ever thy
loving uncle
P Price
improving bids fair to be our own great ministers
her health seems better is much stronger than she was
a year or two ago. Well what of my visit to Millersville
It's needless to say I had a nice time and enjoyed it
so much the girls both well and out waiting for
the Beefs as they call it, Could see Mary going
thro various evolutions indicative of her
gratifications to find we were on board. Had
lots to tell them and a trunk and carpet
bag filled for their gratification and pleasure
chickens, Turkey, [Underlined: pig] coconut pie cakes
apple preserved, pickles, and a couple of [Underlined: Beans]
around in the eve while with the accompanying
good wishes gave them much merriment I told
them it was something to see their surprise
as one thing after another was brot forth
in the eve they had quite a number of their
friends in their room and soon demolished the
turkey and bread and butter. about 200 of
the students had gone home so the rest
had a good time as the restraints of school
Life was for the time laid aside and
all at liberty to enjoy the holiday as seemed
to suit their fancy after dining on Chestnuts
all went skating. also next morn our
girls about the best amongst the Ladies
As there was no school I did not get to see any thing
of the workings of the school, but from the apparent equality
between teacher and pupil all must work in harmony
They have various exercises on the Sabbath but
all were dispersed with but the Sunday school
and prayer [meeting] in the eve which were addressed
by a former teacher who was on a visit. Mr
Brooks and a few others with Sallie and self
attended A Methodist Church in the
village I was much pleased with the
officiating [?] who was very liberal
Had much interesting conversation with Mr
Brooks going and returning. he invited me
to come to his library in the afternoon
so I spent most of it with him. he
belongs to the Episcopal Church but
is very spiritual in his views and very
liberal sets great store by friends considering
their influence in the school one of the
best elements in it. Thinks there are few
girls like Sallie and indeed she is a favorite
of all the teachers as is Mary, her he had
not seen much of her as she is not in
his classes. Sallie stands at the head of
the graduating class on the Ladies side
is one of the faculty in the [?] school
all the graduates have to teach in it. 17 only
compose the faculty. Mental philosophy
one of the branches in the studies of the graduates
one in which he is very much interested. The spiritual
element in education is the title of an address
he delivered before the state teachers association as
also before the Lancaster [?] institute I will send
thee a coppy, knowing thee will recognize a
spirit activated by notions of a high order for
the growth of our race. I spent four days there
I don't know when I enjoyed a visit more not
only the pleasure of seeing the girls and
knowing that they were doing so well
but that I found an institution calculated
to advance the course of education on
an elevated and progressive basis. Love
to God and Love to man, confined to no sect.
It is a great trial to be separated from our girls but it is
one of those that we must sooner or later look
forward too as every family circle is sooner
or later separated branching of in various
directions each to fill new possitions
in life, may we be able to so being their
use that they may become useful workers
in the great vineyard of this word whether
as teachers of the young or in the domestic
circle. a life spent for the elevation and growth
of our fellow creatures is for more worth
striving after than it is to seek wealth
we can only enjoy a portion of it. and that
sometimes becomes a curse to those who
follow after. I saw Marys sister the other
day she seems quite happy in her [?] relations
is spending the winter at his fathers they live
First day evening
My Dear Mart
I must fill this half sheet to go
with Uncle Paxsons, or thee will think perhaps I
am shirking from that which I want thee to know
gives me so much pleasure, tho I dont always get at
it just when I ought to - I think we have had but
one letter from thee, are quite ready to hear again
how thee is getting along, tho we heard from
home about thee getting the carpet and some
other things, it was kind in aunt E to get the
money which would contribute to so much to
thy comfort and Marys - I was surprised to
see in yesterdays press that Mary B Sellers died
on New Years day, and is to be burried tomorrow
at Darby - know not the particulars, but hope to
hear soon, what a trial it will be to her family -
I have filled a [Underlined: fools Cap] sheet, ready to send to thy
Mother tomorrow, have had no letters from there
very lately - has thee got those books yet - I took to
Uncle Hall to send he was here three weeks ago
and said his boys had been reading them and he
had not got them off yet - I told him it was too bad
[Left and top margin]
now let us hear from thee when thee has time to write - I must close this
as I have
written Mary
[?] to day
nine or ten
So will be
looking for some answers -
love to Mary
and thy own dear
self from
us all
lovingly
Aunt Jane
that they wanted there by [Underlined: Christmas]
I must tell thee [Underlined: Miss Lanford] is going to be
one of the candidates for [County] [Underlined: Superintendant]
there is no law against a woman holding that
position, and she has great encouragement
from many School directors to make the
effort - if she succeeds will it not be a great
advance to have a [Underlined: woman] hold that
position, we are all deeply interested for
her tho we know there will be a strong
prejudice against it - We have had no
[Underlined: sun shine] here since 2nd day and the
heavyist sleet that has been known for many
years - sleighs been running two days without
any snow - Paxson told thee of his nice visit
to Millersville - and how nicely the girls are
getting along - particularly Sallie how is likely
to graduate without doubt between [Underlined: thee] and I
Mr. Brooks wants to keep her in the School if there
should be a vacancy, dont want to loose her influence
there, as it not satisfactory to have such accounts
they are to come home the first week in
March - tell Mary we expect to spend next
5th day evening with her Sister, were going last
but they were going from home, Paxson called
there and had a pleasant little visit with her, came
home ever so much pleased - I told him I expected
to be for I liked her sister Mary - she was
going to the City next day to meet her Sister
Carrie who was making a short visit there -
[Envelope]
Martha Schofield
Aiken
South Carolina
Paxson Price letter to Martha Schofield; Jane Jackson Price letter to Martha Schofield
Paxson and Jane Price were Martha Schofield's uncle and aunt, respectively. They inform Schofield about recent events and news concerning family/friends. Paxson discusses the education of their daughters. Jane reports that Miss Lanford will be running for County Superintendent, saying "if she succeeds will it not be a great advance to have a woman hold that position, we are all deeply interested for her [tho?] we know there will be a strong prejudice against it."
Price, Paxson, 1818-1905
Price, Jane Jackson, 1817-1895
1869-01-03
7 pages
reformatted digital
Martha Schofield Papers, SFHL-RG5-134
Martha Schofield Papers, SFHL-RG5-134 --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/5134scho
A00182799