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Nantucket 26th March 1828 Dear Parents, I wrote a few days since by mail in answer to yours of the 21st, in which I said that it was uncertain when Mr. Paddack left and as I have not as yet seen him, I write in anticipation of his being the bearer - Mary Gardner was here night before last and seemed undetermined about embracing the opportunity, but we are inclined to think that she will, and if she arrives sage, I have no doubt she will be welcomed at "Pinkham Place" with cordiality—I will not repeat our situation as I have mentioned it fully in two former letters, and our being young housekeepers has prevented me from seeking Mr. Paddack (who by the bye is cruising in such "sleek" water that I am afraid to attempt to working ship there and as I have no acquaintance with him, I hope that parents will not be disappointed if he has not seen me. On Saturday last I was at the "Town Meeting" called to choose Town officers and the only excitement has been the choice of a school committee - In both printing officers were printed the names of persons willing to serve. But the "Inquirer" or in other words the Liberals succeeded - a law of Massachusetts compels each Town to have and support so many schools, but Nantucket located as it is, and not forming a District, is an exception to the general law, binding districts, and therefore dependant upon the voice of the people for the support which shall be given for the education of the youth -The greatest opposers of the system of assessment for the support of the schools [taxes] are of course the rich (& I must here in justice make many exceptions) yet there are such men as Joe Starbuck, Levi Starbuck, RR Bunker, and others who set upon formidable opposition to Free Schools. Uncle Reuben spoke at some length in opposition to the proposed appropriation ($2,500) because |
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the School Committee had been out last year with so much when the question was put up, he was the only one to vote in the negative. Since writing the above Mary has called to see us and is going tomorrow with William Paddack. Aunt Hussey is a little better, and yesterday I carried her some clam chowder which she relished very much - I took the palsied hand and rubbed it for an hour. Amid her afflictions it seems somewhat fortunate that her mind is sufficiently impaired to render her less sensible to her situation- I am now going to work to make a fence across the back yard to prevent Harriet from falling down the bank. She is now down to papa's and has been there all night,- but will come home this evening - Lydia says she will lay by her ironing cloth to write a few lines and I remain- Your affectionate son Reuben [Lydia wrote] I have just put the pet to bed for the first time this winter. I shall now try to wean her from the cradle evenings and put her to bed as we have a very convenient bedroom, but while we were at father's we slept in the north front Chamber it being so far off, I did not like to put her to bed in the evening for fear she might fall out of bed and I should not hear her. After I had put her to bed he requested be to sing by—by which means, rock a by baby on the tree top. Deborah knows the story. I presumed Harriet is more fond of ding-dong bell and rock a by baby than any other. I tell her a number of different ones, she has learned to say almost everything, and seems to understand everything I said to her. We often say what would grandfather Pinkham say if he could see her. Mary Gardner has just been in here, and has gone to see Aunt Hussey and Reuben has accompanied her and I am alone in the house. I am in hopes be of interest to parents. I feel loath to part with, as he has been here so long, and we have talked over Ohio so often, but the nearest friends have to part sometimes, and we must submit. We have commenced housekeeping and are comfortably situated, and I presume with prudence we shall be very comfortably. I regret very much that Thomas's letter has not come to hand. Tell him not to be discouraged but try again, as I should |
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be very much gratified to receive a letter from him. I am in hopes that at some future period. He will be able to visit us, as it is becoming very easy and very cheap traveling to what it used to be formerly. Our father's health is not yet restored, and I fear it never will be. We have got one of the best of Mother's. I have proved her kindness and find that she is everything I could wish. Her price is far above rubies. I presume that Deborah is very busy about this time, sitting hens, geese, and ducks, and if Harriet was there she would see "calarks" and "tootoos" enough, as she calls them, and "meeews" likewise, as I suppose Deborah keeps a number. Harriet gets up at the window but she can see no hens or roosters nor cats as there is nothing of the king around the house. I shall send a trifle to Mother and Deborah wishing them to accept it as a token of affection from Lydia. The lace cape is for Deborah, and the cuffs and been for Mother. The been to put in Mother's snuff box. The articles Charles brought me from Liverpool. The cuffs are very nice to put on Mother's wrists when riding in the winter. Accept these few lines from Lydia. [Reuben writes:] 10 PM I have come home and found Lydia and Elizabeth, the former finishing the above few lines. Out is moonlight, Elizabeth going home alone. As Harriet has waked up, and is begging "Ma" "Ma", "bye “bye" -that is come to bed Ma -I would write to Thomas by this opportunity, did I not hope to receive soon his letter, which may be on the way, and will probably reach us. If it does not arrive soon we will write to him and in the mean time we are affectionately Reuben and Lydia P.S. Thinking it will be gratifying I will go into the bedroom and steal a lock of H's hair- Please give our love to all my old associates, particularly Mr. Ross's family. 27th Mary will probably leave tonight. It is now noon and Harriet is in bed taking her nap, a picture of health in miniature. She has been this morning running out in the yard and bringing in spears of grass. |
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Page 4.
Captain Andrew Pinkham Politeness of Mrs. Mary Gardner |