Box: 2 Fold: 24 Sarah Cram
Includes news of the clubs and intellectual societies of Hampton Falls including the reading circle, common school meetings, religious meetings, and debating club "from (which) last the ladies are excluded..." Also refers to the interest of some residents in Hampton Falls in forming "spiritual circles...Uncle J. Cram especially so...," the latter having "lent (her) a pamphlet on the "Spiritual Manifestations" written by Mr. Snow who was formerly minister at Westford..." On the subject of spiritualism, Sarah Cram also remarks, "...and I think I could sit one more evening trying to have the table tip..."
Box: 2 Fold: 25 Sarah Cram Box: 2 Fold: 26 Sarah Cram Box: 2 Fold: 27 Sarah Cram
Includes enclosures: ANS from Sarah Cram forwarding an autograph poem by Ariana Walker dated October 26, 1852.
Box: 2 Fold: 28 Sarah Cram Box: 2 Fold: 29 Sarah Cram Box: 2 Fold: 30 Sarah Cram Box: 2 Fold: 31 Sarah Cram Box: 2 Fold: 32 Sarah Cram & Catharine A. Cram
Includes ALS (dated 3/18/1856) from Catharine A. Cram. References include: hearing several lectures in Exeter by Mr. Phillips (Wendell Phillips) and
Mr. Emerson (Ralph Waldo Emerson); news of Jacob; Mr. Bridge suffering from ague who "...last Sunday preached with his face bandaged and looked very sick..."; comments on the health of her sister Sarah Cram.
Box: 2 Fold: 33 Sarah Cram Box: 2 Fold: 34 Sarah Cram Box: 2 Fold: 35 Sarah Cram Box: 2 Fold: 36 Sarah Cram Box: 2 Fold: 37 Sarah Cram Box: 2 Fold: 38 Sarah Cram Box: 2 Fold: 39 Sarah Cram Box: 2 Fold: 40 J.A. Cram (?) Box: 2 Fold: 41 A.R. Curtis Box: 2 Fold: 42 A.R. Curtis Box: 2 Fold: 43 A.R. Curtis Box: 2 Fold: 44 George L. Davenport Box: 2 Fold: 45 R.L. Duncan Box: 2 Fold: 46 Mr. Gibbon (from Sanborn) Box: 2 Fold: 47 Miss Gray Box: 2 Fold: 48 Sarah A. Greene Box: 2 Fold: 49 Sarah A. Greene Box: 2 Fold: 50 Sarah A. Greene Box: 2 Fold: 51 Edward Everett Hale Box: 2 Fold: 52 Frank Harding Box: 2 Fold: 53 Frank Harding
Box: 2 Fold: 54 Frank Harding
Further remarks on the terrain and agriculture of the area (Illinois): "...Our wild kind of life I enjoy I must say, and we have merry times quite often. I like the splendid prairies which we cross most every day, splendid for their variety; instead of being a dead level as far as the eye can reach, they slope greatly for some distance then gradually become level and then rolling which I like much better than the "dead level." Vast quantities of corn are raised in this part of the country, and it seems to be the staple production, though much wheat is also raised. I am surprised to find also that there are more apples raised here than in the old Bay State. They bring here but one dollar per barrel, and fine apples at that..."
Box: 2 Fold: 55 Frank Harding Box: 2 Fold: 56 Frank Harding Box: 2 Fold: 57 Frank Harding Box: 2 Fold: 58 Frank Harding
Reference also to his father, portrait painter Chester Harding (1792-1866): "Father arrived yesterday from Buffalo, where he has been spending the winter painting portraits. He only came over because he was obliged to wait a few days for a sitter...He is looking finely and bids fair to winter twenty years yet from all appearances..."
Other news of family including brothers James, a minister; Horace also employed on the railroad; Edward, "doing well on the "Detroit & Milwaukee R.R." at Grand Rapids (Mich). We shall be renowned by & by as the Railroad brothers, seems to me. All railroading but one, & he's a lawyer..."
P.S. refers to the Krum side of the family in St. Louis. A sister married into the Krum family: "Please direct your letters here, care of Krum & Harding."
Also refers to mutual friend Higginson James (possibly James Higginson?).
Box: 2 Fold: 59 Frank Harding Box: 2 Fold: 60 A.G. Higginson (Annie?) Box: 2 Fold: 61 H.L. Higginson Box: 2 Fold: 62 H.L. Higginson Box: 2 Fold: 63 James J. Higginson Box: 2 Fold: 64 Louisa Higginson Box: 2 Fold: 65 Stephen Higginson Box: 2 Fold: 66 Thomas Wentworth Higginson Box: 2 Fold: 67 Franklin Lane Box: 2 Fold: 68 Benson Leavitt Box: 2 Fold: 69 Charles B. Leavitt Box: 2 Fold: 70 Susie Leavitt Box: 2 Fold: 71 Susie Leavitt Box: 2 Fold: 72 Susie Leavitt
Reference also to a visit by Ariana Walker to friend Kate Cram (Catharine Cram).
Box: 2 Fold: 73 Susie Leavitt
News of Ariana Walker who is suffering from ill health; and the opinion of Susie Leavitt's father: "....father said she was an interesting, well-informed young lady, and as you know my father and his peculiarities you will understand that to express considerably..."
References to "a pleasant visit from Helen," and of Louisa who has "succeeded in obtaining a school."
Also comments on her current reading: "...Have you read, Frank, Dream Life and the Reveries of a Batchelor by Ike Marvel (sic.)*? I found them quite interesting, especially Dream Life, for it seems life like, all persons indulge more or less in dreaming of the future, even in youth still they rather dislike owning it; do you not think so?"
* Reference to essayist and novelist Donald Grant Mitchell (pseudonum: Ik Marvel)(1822-1908), and two of his works, "Reveries of a Bachelor" (1850) and "Dream Life" (1851).
Box: 2 Fold: 74 Susie Leavitt
Also mentions the Hungarian patriot and orator Louis Kossuth (1802-1894), who was the leader of the Hungarian revolution of 1848-49: "I do not know, Frank, when Kossuth will come to Boston. It is doubtful if he comes at all. I believe the city are too much in debt to invite him and his retinue; the excitement has abated in a great measure and very little is said about him that I can learn; sometimes there is a short paragraph in the newspapers relating to him..."
January 16, 1853
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 1/16/1853, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: receiving a letter from Ariana Walker; progress of both Sarah Cram and Ariana Walker in their German studies: "...Ever since I was twenty-one I have made a point of studying some German everyday - but sometimes it is only for a few minutes, sometimes an hour or two - yet even in this little time I think if I am spared, so long and if I persevere, until I am twenty-two I may be able to read something beside Adler's Reader..."; letter from Cate (Catharine Cram) about a recent illness.
Winter 1853
DESCRIPTION: 2 ALS (undated, c.Winter 1853, presumably written from Springfield, with unpostmarked envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: condition of the invalid Ariana Walker; news of the Bliss family, including George Bliss, Jr.; description of the library of the house in which she is staying (possibly the Bliss home); news of George and Sarah Walker; news that Sanborn has come down with a case of the measles and advice to take care of his eyes especially during the illness; visit from Cate Sylvester a former school friend of Ariana Walker's.
July 3, 1854
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 7/3/1854) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: her return home to Hampton Falls from visiting Ariana Walker; anxiety over the latter's delicate health.
October 8, 1854
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 10/8/1854, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: Sanborn's hearing Mr. Parker (Theodore Parker) and her own wish to hear him speak also, "now more than ever"; grief over the loss of her friend Ariana Walker, "...it seems to me now that I could not have realized the full blessedness of all those weeks and months with dear Anna - if I were to live it over how much better would I live - and now she has gone where I can do nothing for her..."; recuperation from recent illness of Caty (Catharine Cram?); news of other friends including Lucy Thayer and George (George Walker?).
October 26, 1854
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 10/26/1854, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: sad reminiscences of Ariana Walker, "...Sometimes I can see what once I could not at all how her death would be better for us than life. I know it must be so and everything is done by our heavenly Father for the good of his children tho' we cannot see it always..."; receiving a "beautiful" letter from Ednah (Ednah Littlehale?); news of Cate (Catharine Cram) "keeping house during Father's and Mother's absence"; illness of Uncle Walker; and news of George (George Walker?).
February 28, 1855
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 2/28/1855, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: thoughts about the grave of Ariana Walker buried in Springfield, "...that place so sacred and hallowed to me..somethimes it seems strange that this should be so - merely the resting place of the body - but as the least thing connected with Anna is dear to us so must the form which her spirit animated be especially so..."; Sanborn's belief in life after death as well as her own belief to some extent in "the departed having a form similar to that they had with us - not earthly but spiritual..."; hearing good sermons from Mr. Bridge; serious illnesses of Jenny Clarke and Mrs. Cheney, as well as the death of Carrie Grey; enjoying various readings including Thoreau's "Walden,"; Theodore Parker; other family and friends including Aunt Mary Ann and George (George Walker?) from whom she has not heard.
September 5, 1855
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 9/5/1855, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: progress of her illness; visit from Mr. Folsom and his friend Mr. Perkins; news of Lizzie and Ednah Littlehale.
February 22, 1856
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 2/22/1856, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: her health; Sanborn's prospective trip to New York; hearing lectures by Mr. Curtis (George William Curtis?) on Thackeray and Dickens; receiving a kind note from Sanborn's brother Charles; looking forward to the arrival in Exeter of Ralph Waldo Emerson who will deliver a lecture; letter from Sarah Walker about George (George Walker) who "is still troubled with dyspepsia"; news of other friends and family including Aunt Mary Ann, Aunt Catharine, and Aunt Elizabeth.
March 17-18, 1856
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 3/17/1856, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: reading poems by Ralph Waldo Emerson in her English class, "...there is some that I can appreciate and much that I do not understand..."; prospects of Jacob's going to Cambridge (to study at Harvard College); thoughts on Sanborn's suggestion that she travel "South or West. I cannot doubt that the change would be good for me and if there were some aerial car I might be on my way thither now..."; Catharine Cram reading aloud to her from "Jane Eyre," and enjoying the poetry of Vaughan (Henry Vaughan?).
March 31, 1856
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 3/31/1856) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: admiration for Ednah Littlehale and gladness that Sanborn was able to visit with her and share his grief over the death of Ariana Walker, "I thought it would be a rest to you to be with Ednah who knew the burden of our grief and your desolation..."; receiving a bouquet of flowers from George (George Walker?).
April 3, 1856
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 4/3/1856, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: Sanborn's trip to New York; Jacob's school vacation; Charles in Boston; John Shepard and wife Lizzie Knight about whom Sarah Cram comments: "...I think she is very unwise to be married so young - she is a pleasing young lady with a pretty face and considerable intelligence - but she needs to have a few more years of maidenhood before assuming the responsibilities of a wife - however I may countenance the marriage so much as to go to the wedding if I have an invitation!..."; visit from Mr. Bridge who seems depressed by domestic troubles; and news of various other friends and relatives.
undated
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated "Saturday evening" with unpostmarked envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: Sanborn's relationship with Ariana Walker.
undated
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated "Sunday P.M.) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: anticipation of a visit from Sanborn; very ill health of Aunt Mary Ann.
undated
DESCRIPTION: ALS (undated) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. References include: Ariana Walker.
undated
DESCRIPTION: ANS (undated) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. Possibly an addendum to a letter which she describes in this apologetic note as being "too sad for me to send."
undated
DESCRIPTION: ANS (undated) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah Cram. A note forwarding a letter (not included) from Ariana Walker.
January 10, 1854
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 1/10/1854, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from J.A. Cram (?). References include: Cram's assistance in procuring subscribers to the Harvard magazine being promoted by Sanborn; other news relating to Cram's accommodation at "the Club," his roommate, etc.
September 25, 1854
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 9/25/1854?, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from A.R. Curtis. Concerns arrangements to send Sanborn a collection of past correspondence between Curtis and Ariana Walker.
Postmarked June 21, 1855?
DESCRIPTION: ALS (postmarked 6/21/1855? , with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from A.R. Curtis responding that he will be unable to attend class day at Harvard.
undated
DESCRIPTION: ALS (undated) to Franklin B. Sanborn from A.R. Curtis. References include: Curtis' correspondence with Ariana Walker which he allowed Sanborn to read after her death; comments about her character.
October 1852
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated "Wed. Aft. Oct.(?)/52," with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from George L. Davenport. References include: responding to request by Sanborn for a book; anticipated lecture by Prof. J.G. Hoyt in the evening.
undated
DESCRIPTION: ALS (undated, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from R.L. Duncan. Regrets for being unable to visit Ariana Walker with Sanborn.
undated
DESCRIPTION: ANS with envelope (undated) from Franklin B. Sanborn to Mr. Gibbon, extending an invitation to attend Class Day at Harvard College (c.1855, the year he was graduated).
undated
DESCRIPTION: ANS (undated) from Miss Gray requesting the pleasure of Mr. Sanborn's (Franklin B. Sanborn) company to tea.
November 11, 1854
DESCRIPTION: ALS (11/11/1854, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah A. Greene. References include: consolation and reminiscences after the death of Ariana Walker: "...I remember Annie as a light, sweet girl of fourteen or fifteen, as she first dawned upon our hearts. She was very dear to Mr. Greene and myself, and as she changed from pupil to companion, won our respect, confidence and love...:
April 15, 1855
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 4/15/1855, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah A. Greene, offering more words of comfort and support regarding the death of Ariana Walker: "...I like to hear from you and would like to know always of what you are doing and thinking. Indeed I have a great interest in you, for you seem to be set apart from the herd of young men, a mark upon you - sad but holy. For is it not a holy thing to possess the love of an angel - even a removed one? Translated to her own land she is still yours and may God help you to go to her finally..."
Summer 1855 and 11/25/1855
DESCRIPTION: ALS (first part dated "Early Summertime, 1855"; second part dated 11/25/1855, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Sarah A. Greene. References include: illness of her children from typhoid fever during an epidemic in Providence, Rhode Island; reopening of her school; reminiscences of Concord before she married.
undated
DESCRIPTION: ALS (undated) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Edward Everett Hale, to say that he was sorry to have missed seeing him.
October 26, c.1856
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 10/26/1856, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Frank Harding. References include: Harding's appointment as member of the "Engineering Corps at Jerseyville which will be the head quarters of the Alton and Jacksonville Rail Road. I go in the capacity of flagman at 1.25 per diem..."
November 2, 1856
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 11/2/1856 from St. Louis) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Frank Harding. References include: description of his work as flagman and suffering from sore feet as a consequence; election campaigns involving James Buchanan and John D. Freeman (?): "Everybody here is for Buchanan, and if there is as much enthusiasm shown everywhere for him as here, there is not in my opinion the slightest chance for Freeman. I feel as if his chance were lost for this election."
November 9, 1856
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 11/9/1856, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Frank Harding. References to his experiences as a surveyor with the railroad engineering corps; being at this time "thoroughly initiated in the duties of engineering," and having "some very pleasant places in my new life, and also some that are unpleasant..."
May 10, 1857
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 5/10/1857, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Frank Harding. Asking advice about what studies he should prepare for in order to apply for entrance to the "Lawrence Scientific." However Harding adds with commentary on the life of the railroad surveyor: "...Still I don't quite relinquish the hope of getting onto the railroad. Besides, this is the most beautiful part of the year to enjoy "camp" life. I had a letter from my nephew who is a surveyor, the other day, and speaking of the fare he says, "I must confess that the fare is not extra, and we have nothing but Cornbread and Bacon from morning till night, but when we want variety, & that you know is the "spice of life" we take Bacon and Cornbread." Thus you see by making a little change he is able to "stand" it or as he says to "grin and bear it." We have had a very backward spring in this section of the country, but now the trees are beginning to look green, and the peach trees give every appearance of bearing plenty of fruit..."
June 2, 1857
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 6/2/1857, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Frank Harding. Written from Springfield where Harding planned to spend the summer at his brother's store to "learn bookkeeping and get considerable knowledge of mercantile life generally. All my brothers strongly oppose my being an engineer, and advise me to choose something else for a profession..."
June 27, 2857
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 6/27/1857, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Frank Harding. Inquires about the Thoreaus: "It is an age since I have seen a line from any of them. I wish you would ask them if they don't owe me a letter? And if I owe them one, I will try and cancel the debt..." Also mentions Sanborn's school at Concord: "From the Circular that you sent me I should think that your school will be the school of the Boston Vicinity anyhow if not of our renowned state..." References also to Miss Sophia Thoreau: "Do you have as many thunder storms as when I was there? You ask Miss Sophia Thoreau and she will know how to answer the question..."
March 13, 18?
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 3/13/18?, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Frank Harding. References include his return to "railroading": "My brother has got me a situation of rodman on the North Missouri R.R. This road is in fine condition, having plenty of "Rhino" which I can assure you is most essential for the Western Railroads at least. The road is completed to St. Charles, distance 25 miles from here, and cars running to that place. The road is to connect with the "Hannibal & St. Joseph R.R." and ultimately to be continued on as far as the Iowa line..."
December 16, 18?
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 12/16/18?, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Frank Harding. Refers to his "sore toes" from work as a railroad surveyor/engineer and career prospects: "...unless my mind changes, I shall not be an engineer. Although I like the business well enough still I think that I can follow some other business with just as much success, and perhaps more..."
April 1, 1856
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 4/1/1856, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from A.G. Higginson (first name possibly "Annie"). Reference to the progress of (son?) Frank in his studies.
May 9, 1855
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 5/9/1855, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from H.L. Higginson. Note to say he is sending Sanborn some figs, to arrive "...at Mr. Emerson's house. It seemed best to take the liberty of using his address, as your own was unknown to me."
January 30, 1856
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 1/30/1856, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from H.L. Higginson. Reference primarily to his brother who "in the Junior class at (Harvard College in) Cambridge has got tired of his life there & wishes to be absent from "the shades" a term. He has never studied hard, has read pretty well, lived merrily...with the set of men who are in our society...It has recurred to us that you might be willing to take the young gentleman under your care for a time..." Also mentions that his brother is particularly anxious to come to Concord in order to meet Ralph Waldo Emerson.
February 7, 1856
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 2/7/1856), with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from James J. Higginson. Thanks Sanborn for looking up rooms for him in Concord where he intends to reside for six months.
September 13, 1855
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 9/13/1855, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Louisa Higginson, expressing concern about the progress of her grandson Francis J. Higginson, Jr., a pupil of Sanborn's.
August 8, 1855
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 8/30/1855, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Stephen Higginson. A letter of introduction for his son Frank (Francis Higginson, Jr.) who he was sending to Sanborn's school in Concord: "...My idea has been that, to the regular exercises in Spelling (& Definitions), Reading, Writing, Geography & Arithmetic, he may profitably add some elementary study in Natural Philosophy - generally neglected in our schools - or in History in which I do not know of a single good text book for boys of his age. Possibly he might join a class in beginning Latin..."
June 26, 1882
DESCRIPTION: ANS postcard (dated 6/25/1882) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Thomas Wentworth Higginson, who, together with Sanborn, was a member of John Brown's "Secret Six" committee which knew about the Harper's Ferry raid. Wentworth informs that due to illness he is unable to "attend meetings in Boston," but that he "is in favor of retaining the fund in hands of trustees, not having entire confidence in the (________?) of Mr. Brown (John Brown?)."
December 19, 1853
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 12/19/1853, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Franklin Lane, desiring Sanborn to assist in arranging for Theodore Parker to speak at the Lyceum in Exeter.
March 12, 1852
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 3/12/1852, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from his uncle Benson Leavitt giving advice on the value of education.
circa November 8, 1853
DESCRIPTION: Autograph invitation from Charles B. Leavitt and Miss E.D. Stearns. (Date given in pencil on envelope: 11/8/1853.)
October 27, 1851
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 10/27/1851, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Susie Leavitt, his cousin. Reference to Ariana Walker, whom she met through Sanborn: "...I suspected, as you imagined, your love for Anna and was heartily glad to learn it was so; she is, indeed, worthy of your purest love; I think I understand it and trust your confidence is not misplaced in me..."
November 27, 1851
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 11/27/1851, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Susie Leavitt. Compares Ariana Walker to a dead friend, Sarah B. Smith whose obituary she transcribes into the same letter.
December 15, 1851
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 12/15/1851, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Susie Leavitt. Recounting a visit to Ariana Walker who was staying with Mrs. Littlehale in Boston: "...I feel greatly indebted to you, Frank, for knowing Anna, for I love her now more than at first; it seems impossible for anyone to see her and not admire her. Emily was in extasies (sic.) with her although only a silent listener; she thinks when Anna smiles she is beautiful..."
January 30, 1852
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 1/30/1852, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Susie Leavitt. Reference to Sanborn's life at the Phillips Academy at Exeter: "I am glad you are meeting with so many new and pleasant acquaintances. In after life, it will be a pleasure to you to recur to your schooldays and the reminiscences of your schoolmates, as you occasionally meet them when years have rolled over your head, will be enjoyed with greater zest than even now..."
February 26, 1852
DESCRIPTION: ALS (dated 2/26/1852, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Susie Leavitt, thanking Sanborn for sending a Valentine's Day letter. Reference to receiving a letter from Ariana Walker who was recovering from an illness; other friends and family including Mrs. Chessman and Addy who "are quite well," Mary who "is not well" and "has a bad cough," and Lucy, who "is very much obliged to you for her Valentine's," and who "is succeeding nicely in teaching and has a pleasant boarding place directly opposite (the Leavitts') house."
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