The
The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and
Printed Ephemera
Henry Francis du Pont
5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur,
Delaware 19735
Telephone: 302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883
OVERVIEW OF
THE COLLECTION
Creator: Smith, John Spooner,
1790-1872.
Title: Letters,
Dates: 1861-1862.
Call No.: Col. 645
Acc. No.: 02x19
Quantity: 19 items (1 folder)
Location: 34 J 4
BIOGRAPHICAL
STATEMENT
John Spooner Smith (1790-1872) was a physician in
Randolph, Orange County, Vermont. He
married twice; his son from his first marriage (to Mary Brewer) was Francis
Brewer Smith (1823-1899), who became a dentist in New York City; his home was
at 11 Waverly Place, off Broadway.
Francis was married to Elizabeth (Lizzie) Richardson. Their son Frank was born in 1858. John Spooner Smith and his second wife
Caroline Sabine had two children, daughter Carrie (Caroline Ann, 1837-1908;
sometimes her name is given as Ann Caroline) and son John Sabine Smith
(1843-1900). John Sabine Smith graduated
from Trinity College in Connecticut in 1863 and eventually became a successful
lawyer in New York City. Carrie married
Patrick Henry Murphy (1838-1905).
The Hart Smith mentioned in the first letter was the
son of John Spooner’s brother Dr. Hart Smith (1804-1838) and his wife Eliza
Granger (who, after she was widowed, married David Partridge). Nephew Edward Hart Smith was born in 1838 in
Orange County, Vermont, and died at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, in
1863.
The Cylinda mentioned in a few places was John
Spooner’s sister Cylinda, who married Stephen Barker. She was born in 1794. Aunt Betsey (born 1792) was an unmarried
sister of Dr. Smith.
Aunt Marinette was the widow of the Rev. John
Theodore Sabine (1811-1851), a brother of Caroline Sabine Smith. Cousin James was her son (he lived
1837-1894). She also had a daughter
Marinette (1841-1927) and another son John D. (1843-1921). Aunt Emma and Aunt Euselia were other sisters
of Caroline Sabine Smith.
Helen was not identified, but appears to be a
neighbor. Helen Partridge (half-sister
of Hart Smith) lived fairly close to the Smiths, and perhaps she was this Helen.
Presumably Julius Richardson was a relative of
Lizzie Richardson Smith, but the relationship was not found. The family of Henry A. Gow, wife Mamie, and
daughter Mamie was not identified.
SCOPE AND
CONTENT
Nineteen letters written by John Spooner Smith to
his daughter Carrie, December 24, 1861-July 27, 1862. The first group of letters, dated December
24/25-January 23/25, were written while J. S. Smith was in New York City being
fitted for a new set of teeth, a process that took longer than he had
anticipated. The work was done by his
son Francis Smith, in whose home he stayed.
He wrote to his daughter to tell her about the places he visited, with Trinity
Church, the Barnum Museum, the Astor Library, Green-Wood Cemetery, and the
Historical Rooms being the most prominent.
He attended lectures at the Cooper Institute and at the College of
Physicians and Surgeons. The constant
noise of the city bothered him. He was
surprised by the cost of food and coal but delighted in the variety of goods
available in the shops. In one letter,
he compared coal grates with wood stoves, finding good in both, but he
concluded that wood stoves were cheaper to use in Vermont.
J.S. spent part of his time helping Francis with the
latter’s accounts. He enjoyed playing
with his grandson Frankie, who received books and roller skates in his
Christmas stocking. He inquired after
his daughter’s health and asked if anyone had needed his services while he was
away. In one letter, he sent his
daughter the recipe for a cough syrup, in case she needed it. Several times, he mentioned buying fabric and
trim for cloaks and shirts. There are a
few passing references to the Civil War, such as the fact that a neighbor had
enlisted. With J.S. during this visit
was his son John Sabine Smith, a student at Trinity College in Hartford,
Connecticut.
The second group of letters, dated June 25-July 27,
were written while John Spooner Smith was in Vermont, and Carrie was visiting
her brother and his family in New York City. These letters are not very
informative, being rather short. He
sends some family news, asks her opinion about having the house painted, and
looks forward to Carrie’s return.
ORGANIZATION
The letters are in chronological order.
LANGUAGE OF
MATERIALS
The materials are in English.
RESTRICTIONS
ON ACCESS
Collection is open to the public. Copyright restrictions may apply.
PROVENANCE
Purchased from Michael Brown Rare Books.
ACCESS POINTS
People:
Smith, Carrie (Caroline Ann
Smith Murphy), 1837-1908.
Smith,
Francis B. (Francis Brewer), 1823-1899.
Smith, John Sabine, 1843-1900.
Smith, Lizzie (Elizabeth Maria Richardson), 1830-1917.
Topics:
Trinity College (Hartford,
Conn.)
Christmas - New York.
Dentures.
Family life.
Fireplaces.
Stoves, Wood.
Textile fabrics
- Prices - 19th century.
Transportation.
New York (N.Y.)
- Description and travel - 19th century.
New York (N.Y.)
- Social life and customs - 19th century.
Randolph (Vt.) -
Social life and customs.
Letters.
DETAILED
DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION
Location: 34 J
4
All accession numbers begin with 02x19. All letters are from John Spooner Smith to
his daughter Carrie.
Folder 1 of 1:
.1-.11 were
written in New York City and sent to Carrie in Randolph, Vermont:
.1 Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1861 [to
Christmas]: using his new gold pen; price of train ticket; J. Sabine happened
to meet the train in Hartford; what they had for supper; Sabine needs a softer
bed; visited son’s friend in hospital; on train to New York, met Dr. Phelps of
Windsor who was on his way to a camp in Washington; mentions Hart [a nephew];
Francis took him on buggy ride through Central Park; enjoyed architecture of
Trinity Church, but not the service; visited Ball & Black’s store, the N.Y.
Tribune, and City Hall; describes an evening at home; if cousin is in Brooklyn,
will visit her; New York is elegant, but doesn’t like the constant street
noise; grandson Frank hung up his stockings;
Christmas:
Frank got books and skates with wheels; very cold outside
[Carrie labeled this as
letter One]
.2 Thursday, Dec. 26, 1861, [to Monday,
Dec. 30]: is cold all the time; had turkey and trimmings for Christmas dinner;
urges her to stay home if there is a lot of snow; asks who has called for his
services;
Saturday: visited
the Astor Library, Thompkins Market, the Tombs, Five Points, and Francis’
riding school;
Sunday, went to
Dr. Syng’s church and later to Grace Church (which was beautiful) to hear Dr.
Taylor; summarizes article from Herald about
Mason and Slidell; Frank’s sore throat is better; hope to hear from her soon;
Monday:
yesterday evening, John Sabine went to hear Dr. Cheever’s abolition sermon;
[Carrie labeled this as
letter Two]
.3 December 31, 1861, [to Wed., January 1,
1862]: her letter received; went to Bowery Street to buy beaver cloth for her;
Lizzie stays busy, goes to market daily; someone sent a turkey for a new year’s
gift; examined the Edinburgh steamer;
Wednesday: asks
if she wants some braid and cloth for trimming garments; stores closed on New
Year’s Day;
[Carrie did not give
this letter a number]
.4 January 1, 1862, [to January 3]: took
ferry to Brooklyn to visit Green-Wood Cemetery [describes it a little later in
letter]; Mr. Demerit [?] of Montpelier was at supper – on his way to Camp
Griffin where he is to repair guns of Vermont soldiers;
Thursday: bought some braid for her; bought some weights
for Anson; John Sabine went with Mr. Demerit[?] to Park Barracks; Frank
sometimes sits in his lap; oil cloth carpeting for the office will cost too
much; hopes for a letter from her, and Carrie ought to write Lizzie because of
the shopping she is doing on her behalf;
Friday: if John
Sabine’s college report comes, please forward it to here;
[Carrie labeled this as
letter Three]
.5 January 4, 1862, [to January 6]:
visited Barnum’s Museum [describes some of exhibits]; bought an illustrated
guide book to the museum, and saw a play there, “Undine, or the Spirit of the
Water”; comments on street noise;
Saturday:
Francis uses coal grates, not stoves, and grates consume more fuel and put out
less heat; found needles for her and B.; wants to wait until has new teeth
before getting photograph or ambrotype;
Sunday: attended
St. Bartholomew’s Church; please send particulars of what kind of cotton cloth
is wanted; hopes new teeth will enable him to speak clearly and masticate his
food; asks if she has enough warm chemises and petticoats;
Monday: snow is
accumulating;
[Carrie labeled this as
letter Four]
.6 Monday, January 6, 1862, [to Friday,
Jan. 10]: John Sabine has a healthy appetite; Francis is still making molds of
his mouth;
Tuesday: visited
Historical Rooms, where saw mummies; Mr. Lefler finally able to get a good mold
of his under jaw; John Sabine was invited to the artists’ reception by Dr.
Shattuck;
Wednesday: called
on Herman[?] Morgan, who conversed with him while performing an operation on a
lady’s tooth; then went to some iron works, a brass foundry, and gas works
[describes what saw]; John went back to Barnum’s Museum;
Thursday: went to
College of Physicians and Surgeons to a lecture, and then to a medical museum;
mentions the poor children who sweep the crossings; teeth are taking so long –
fears his patients in Vermont will not get proper care;
Friday: the
wagon called the “Black Maria” just passed, full of wretches
[Carrie labeled this as
letter Five]
.7 Saturday evening, January 11, 1862, [to
January 13]: went to lecture by Judge Nate[?] of Albany at Cooper Institute;
went to market with Lizzie and Frank;
Sunday: went to
Dr. Muhlenberg’s church but he was not preaching [William Muhlenberg, Church of
the Holy Communion]; venison and mince pie for dinner; death of Sam Colt, the
firearms manufacturer; contrasts between city life and country life, between
use of coal and wood for heat; bells tolling for fire;
Monday: off to
market
[Carrie labeled this as
letter Six]
.8 Monday, January 13, 1862, [to Friday
morning, Jan. 17]: went shopping for shears; mentions buying an India rubber
article which will enable him to attend church with more comfort [perhaps
overshoes?]; comments on other goods;
Tuesday: did
accounts for Francis; John Sabine’s activities;
Wednesday: did
more for Francis; Thursday: more work on Francis’ accounts; Julius Richardson
visited and has gone out with John Sabine; Francis has made little progress on
the new teeth; compares shopping in New York with shopping in Vermont; gives
recipe for a cough syrup;
Friday: Lizzie
repairing John Sabine’s clothes before he returns to college;
[Carrie labeled this as
letter Seven]
.9 [Friday], January 17, 1862, [to Monday]:
bought a map of the city; Julius and John Sabine went to Central Park, where
many were skating; went to another lecture at Cooper Institute; Francis bought
another horse;
Saturday:
price of cotton fabrics has gone up; he and Lizzie worked on account books, and
he wrote bills for Francis;
Sunday:
unsuccessful attempt to get impression of upper jaw so seems he will have to
stay longer; if had known he would have to stay so longer in New York, he would
not have come, but if he gets new teeth, it will be worth the efforts; cost of
food; will need more money if stays longer;
Monday:
feels anxious about matters at home; doesn’t think he needs to be a witness in
the lawsuit;
[Carrie labeled
this as letter Eight]
.10 Monday, January 20, 1862, [to Wed., Jan.
22]: gives her a remedy for an unnamed neck problem; able to get good
impression of upper jaw, but Francis is busy with other patients, too; Julius
and John Sabine went to Fort Hamilton;
Tuesday:
Mr. Knowlton is working on his teeth; glad people are coming to visit her; they
need not worry about each other; Helen’s cloth has been purchased; John Sabine
and Julius went to Jersey City to visit glassworks; Lizzie and Julius went to
Laura Keene’s theater; price of sugar; looks forward to taking her to church in
the sleigh; please send money;
Wednesday:
longing for home; directions for using a plaster between her shoulders;
[Carrie labeled this as
letter Nine]
.11 Thursday evening, January 23, 1862, [to
Sat., Jan. 25]: all up early, and John Sabine and Julius arrived at depot in
good time, for trip back to Hartford; he, Lizzie, and Frank went to market; was
fitted with new upper teeth;
Friday: describes the
range of people one sees walking down the street;
Saturday: Helen wrote
that Carrie had taken records to Chelsea; prays that Heaven protect her; still
needs to buy medicine; hopes to return next week;
[Carrie labeled this as
letter Ten]
.12-.19 were written in Randolph, Vermont, and sent to
Carrie in New York City:
.12 Wednesday, June 25, 1862: all are well;
has taken the medicine she prepared once; one day more of smoking hams and then
they go into brine; news from home; Hart is acting as cook for his company;
Patrick Murphy is near Richmond; flowers are blooming
[Carrie labeled this as
letter One]
.13 Monday morning, July 7, 1862: John Sabine
has arrived home; hopes Lizzie is recovering; he has said nothing to
neighborhood about the cause of her disease, but if Carrie told her Aunt
Betsey, then everyone knows; enjoys Francis’ letters; has made several calls on
the sick; very hot;
[Carrie labeled this as
letter Two]
.14 Friday evening, July 11, 1862: hopes she
is well; Aunt Cylinda likes the dress goods Carrie sent; looks forward to
seeing all in Vermont, but be sure to say when they are coming; asks if John
Sabine should paint the house; asks for a piece of gutta percha;
[Carrie
labeled this as letter Three]
.15 Friday morning, July 18, 1862: glad
Lizzie is better, and thinks Vermont will be good for her; few professional
calls; is keeping the garden weed-free; overworked a bit one day and ilium was
sore;
[Carrie labeled this as
letter Four]
.16 Friday evening, July 18, 1862: sending
her two dollars; Lucretia hopes Carrie will write; neighborhood news; lonely
without her; sending this with Helen’s letter
[Carrie labeled this as
letter Five]
.17 Wednesday morning, July 23, 1862:
received a letter addressed to Henry A. Gow, apparently from cousin James
Sabine, but knows nothing of an intended visit from the Gows;
[Carrie labeled this as
letter Six]
.18 Friday evening, July 25, 1862: hears from
Helen that she and Lizzie, Francis, and Frank are planning to come; let him
know when;
[Carrie labeled this as
letter Seven]
.19 Sunday evening, July 27, 1862: her Aunt
Marinette and cousin James arrived yesterday; James and John went riding; all
went to church together; expect to see Henry, Mamie and little Mamie tomorrow
[the Gow family]; James has only a short holiday so she must return soon if she
wishes to see him; David Partridge would like her to bring him some beer, but
there is the danger of the bottles breaking in the trunk
[Carrie did not number
this letter]