The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

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]