Franklin County: H. G. McPherson to E., May 3, 1858
Summary:
H. G. McPherson writes to her niece, E., of her removal to Mrs. T.'s former home
in Gettysburg and of her son Edward's devotion to her. She also mentions drastic
changes in the town of Gettysburg.
May 3rd--
Gettysburg
many thanks to you my dear friend for your kind letter of
condolence. It is the first I have received from any absent one except my dear
children, and other immediate relatives. I have thought much about you since my
removal to this part of the town where I have enjoyed so many happy hours in
intercourse with loved friends, and to a house so well suited in every respect
to my present situation, I am delighted with my new home and you may well
imagine me most comfortably placed in it, surrounded with the same plain old fashioned furniture of former years,
similarily arranged as at the old home down street. I feel quite contented
& should be ungrateful if I was not, I have throughout all my trials of
affliction & ill health for the last three years been mercifully and
kindly dealt with and now when permitted to step into this sweet little snug
home I feel doubly [added: so], to my Heavenly Father
who has under all the circumstances provided so liberally for me. I wish you
could see how cosily I am fixed in your once happy
home, I have chosen your favorite seat in your little back parlor in the recess
by the window looking out on the alley, where you so frequently gave me the
kindest & most cordial grettings. I like the house exceedingly &
have never felt disposed to murmur or complain of the change. I am assured all
has been directed for the best. of course it was painful
to resign
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the long loved home, of 47 years standing, but I felt [added: it] a duty and was willing to submit to all
the melancholy changes, in my situation without the [added: least] repining: it is very sad indeed to realize that I
have [added: lost] so excellent a husband, yet I want
to feel cheerful and to remember he is not lost, but only gone before. I wish so
much you would come to Gettysburg & make me a visit and if you will, I
shall promise if I [added: am] well enough to return
it in due time. I feel very anxious to see York once more in my life. &
have often regretted the many years of absence from it. Edward remains with me,
he proves to be a most precious son to me, he is devotedly attentive &
affectionate in all his feelings toward me he has taken his fathers place in
contributing to my comforts and home pleasures, he is so pleasant &
cheerful that the domestic circle is very agreeable I do wish so much you would
come up, I have so many things to talk about, confidential talks, such as we
formerly enjoyed in bygone days: I want you to participate the pleasure of this
sweet little home. I like the neighbourhood very
much every body is so kind & plain just
suited to my taste, we visit wearing our sun bonnets, without carrying card
cases & remaining but a few minutes. I never can fall into those
ridiculous customs. There is so much style & fashion here now among some
people [deleted: here]
[deleted: now], it is scarcely like G-
I am surprised to observe, how much the people & things have degerated, in the past six or eight years.
Our dear Church, is in a very lamentable &
distracted state at present. I cannot go into detail now, there is so much to
communicate, I am too weak to write long letters, I have [added: been] obliged for two years to deputize [added:
Edw
] to attend to my correspondence he intended replying to your kind letter a
few days ago, but he went to Baltimore on business, & I thought it would
be too long to wait for his return. so I concluded I would
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attempt some sort of a letter myself -- Mr
[unclear: Kouck's] family are very estimable, we all are on the most
sociable cordial terms, we often talk of [added: you]
& I am sure if they knew I was writing to you they would desire to be
remembered to you, poor old [added: lady] is in
feeble health, she suffers from spinal disease. but is cheerful &
stepping about the house. O! do my dear Mrs. T-- come up right soon we shall all
be so glad to meet you again give my love to my sister, & say to her I
shall be glad to have her come with you, you can come so nicely together
& [added: spend] a week or two with us. I
think it will be charming I have not seen Anna, since I received your letter but
have enquired for her, she is quite well &
very happy in the height of enjoyment with her young friends. please excuse this poor dull epistle.
very truly yours
H. G. McPherson
remember me kindly to the Missess Durkee. Mrs. McGreary is very well & would desire her love too. she frequently speaks of them with affection. she is truly a sweet lovely woman, she is like a daughter in her treatment toward me. I love her very much indeed she has three sweet little girls, they often run up to see "Aunty Phersy" as they call me.
