Schlesinger Library

[3]

the excitement was begun on the evening of the 14th of last April ([fort?] day) some unruly students took it into their heads I suppose to have a little bit of a train, such as blowing tin horns, singing, hallooing &c &c. and another set of students called faculty informers were out to see who made the disturbance, when one of them got knocked down then the faculty went into an immediate investigation of the matter and have not got through with it yet, mean while horn blowing has been of frequent occurrence, two students have been expelled and there are three or four more whose fate has not been decided yet. The most disgraceful occurrence took place a week last Thursday night, so much so (disgraceful) that I almost forbear to speak of it. Our honorable President Rev. John Wheeler while doing his duty in endeavouring to quell the disturbance, or find out who made it was met in the street near the college about midnight, and some one probably to avoid detection knocked him down senseless in the road, and there he lay some ten or fifteen minutes before he was able to get up. The ruffian has been detected and put under bonds for his appearance before the university court of next fall, the person who committed the offense proved not to be a student to the joy of many and credit of the institution.

I must now tell you how and where I spent the vacation. Last quarter [?] the 4th of last month and then followed a vacation of one week. I had previously accepted an invitation to attend a wedding party in Ferrisburg on the 10th (Wednesday) Cousin Hermann Joseph Burnum of F. was to be married to a lady of Keesville N.Y. (Miss Phebe Keese daughter of the Hon. Richard Keese) on the morn of the 10th and immediately cross the lake to F. Well Wednesday morn early I went aboard the May 2 for Ferrisburg arrived there about 9 oclock in the morn. Cousin Henry Rogers rigged me right off with with a horse and waggon, gave me a letter of introduction to a lady living about two miles from there, whom I never saw nor heard of before, told me to take her in (if she did'nt give me the [missing?] and go to meet the weddingers at McNeale Ferry Charlotte where we should all take dinner together. I accordingly done as he directed, the girl did'nt give me the slip but what do you suppose she thought when she saw such a looking fellow as I am drive up and call for her, we being entire strangers to each other. I guess how that if I had not had a pretty good reccommendation with me, I should have faired pretty hard well to cut a long story short we had a first-rate time all that day, and the next

[Verso of letter--address and postmark]

Received the 15.

Miss Susan B. Anthony Center Falls Greenwhich Post Office N. Y,

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received a response from Hannah the first of last month was glad to learn she was contented with her situation hope she may be prospered in her undertakings give her my love and tell her I mean some time to answer her letter but unless I do it within two or three month I may have an opportunity to do it verbally. We are very busy this term more so than any other term in the year preparing for examination. Tell your father (if he is not in Illinois) that I received a line the day from old uncle Rhodes dated 2nd of 5th mo saying he would cancel that note within six weeks. Give my love to your fathers family. I beg your pardon for this tiring your patience I have [spun?] to the end of the sheet and have not said any thing [more?]

Your most obt. Servant Mr. E. Neil must stop here ---------------------------

Danby Aug 3 1843 Sunday Forenoon

My Dear Susan

Very much obliged for the Rover have not read much in it dont know how interesting it is. Said Rover returned the next day after we came. We had a pleasant time coming home stopped to Mr. Walkers and took dinner then came along to "Hellwells" and called I tell you I did not set in the kitchen but in sort of a little bedroom or which was much pleasanter. I guess they were not making pies this time I did not see any signs of it. We started from their about five got home at nine found people all well as could be expected Sophronia has fine little boy (and not so very small as might be) we think. I cannot think of any name can you if you can I wish you would send it along. it wouldn't do to have it out o the family so I think it must be [?G. G. Vail?]

Paulina and Husband took tea here the Saturday after I returned she dont look as ?? healthy as she did rather pale and poor perhaps hard work. I can tell you just how she acted she had an little shawl would keep pulling it down and fixing it especially if any one came in J. Rover for instance but I guess she is happy that is enough you know

You said you would like a recital of the first interview after the rover returned I promised it to you therefore you shall have enough to guess the rest ersounds so foolish but never mind.

[2]

He called Sunday. Well said he do suppose you have a pleasant time to Easton and with Gidion also very pleasant said I but why do you speak particularly of Gidion. Oh! nothing only you was so well acquainted with him and seemed to enjoy yourself so up to Uncle Davids so well last winter. Said I I went all the way from Easton to Centre Falls with Gideon and had a pleasant time to. Presume so said he didnt go back with him did you. Said I that would have been foolish when I was coming home the next day. Then said he you didnt calculate to go out to the Springs with him did you. Said I their was no calculation about it dont know but I should have gone with him and what if I had. Oh! nothing "Gid" is a pretty good fellow. That is a specimen about as I told you it would be I will stop writing & guess the Rover thinks he will call so good bye for a while

Monday afternoon

Somewhat rainy this afternoon I guess our folks will not work much longer in the hay field. I reckon I will not realate much of our converstaion yesterday only this much he wanted to know if I thought it was probable or if I wished any such thing to take place between us. Said I I suppose you dont now if you ever have done yes said he I do I told him I I such a thing was probale possible and I did not know but probable now what do you think I want you should tell me just exactly you will wont you dont for the world say anything about this

[3]

I can tell you I missed Brother Moses very much for about a week then it began to seem like old times I have not been any where since I came home except to Uncle Davids a short time. We have had a Phrenologist about here the past week General Southerland perhaps he has been through your city. He gave two lectures here told me I was first rate bad disposition said he should pity the man that had to live with me if I did not get the right one and so on after that sort I guess he understood the science very well he told some precisely almost

Seth and wife are well enjoying themselves well to apearance she calls an me quite often first rate company. Oh! I almost forgot to say that it was much pleasanter coming home having S. Bragg and bus Miss McLure in company with no we did not see them after we started did they start soon after we did

I advise you to go by all means and live with Mr Bragg when he goes to house keeping their will be a fine lot of you I shall want to visit you but when is he going please tell me

I have not received my mits presume I shall however the other article I had not missed yet supposed it was with some of my things. Suppose Mary was glad to see her old friend back again. I see you are a little given to poetry suppose you a volume or two as it seems to be natural or did you study sometime before that come

How is Aaron's little boy if living I hope he may be spared to them what an affliction it would be to them if the all wise Creator should see fit to remove him from the but of course it would be right

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I thought when I was their if he did not get help he would be worse his coutenance looked very bad

Please give my love to Guelma and all the rest I do not think of much more to write dont you think this is remarkable long letter for me you must give me praise of it for the Phrenologist said my Approbationess was large

now with much love I remain thy loving Cousin S. S. Vail

To S. B. Anthony write soon and answer all important questions

N.B. Keep this in its place

[Address on bottom of page in different orientation]

Danby [Sept.????]

Miss Susan B. Anthony Greenwich NY

Curtisville, Oct 1st 1843.

Sundy morn Very, rainy and lonesome

Dear Sister

Here I am yet at Curtisville, been here just a fortnight yesterday, it does not possible it can be 5 weeks next wednesday, since I left home, but I suppose it is. Did not get acquainted with one single girl until yesterday, Uncle Albert sent up for Susan Williams.

She came down, staid untill after dinner, we then walked through the College, went through both factories, then came back, and rested wile, then I went to home with her to ride a horse-back we took a short but a beautiful ride, I never was on a horse that went so very easy before. I do think she is an excellent girl, I took one quite a long ride at Daniel Smiths with A. E. but their horses are not good for girls to ride, I have done considerable sewing for Anna Eliza since I have been here. Uncle Albert has been quite sick, but is now is much better. Doctor White has just come in, helped himself to some crackers, that stand on the table then examined my letter to see whether I was a good writer or not. He is quite inquisitive about the young ladies aches & ails, and so forth. but he does not get much out of me. I can tell you -- We looked very strong indeed for Grandfather last Friday night, but he did not come, so I shall not look for him any more until next Friday night, then I certainly think he will come - but wether or no I think Father & Mother better come down directly after receiving this, for I do not think H & M go up there -- I think if you want me at home, you will have them come, if not why then you need not hurry, Aunt Avis told cousin Beth she wanted to see them very much, for she were badly situated, and was not happy -- So I think on the whole they had better

come right away -- I think if you wanted to make Aunt Avis any present, that Grandmothers black silk bonnet would be as acceptable as any thing I saw hers at funeral that day, it was not hardly as decent as any common sun-bonnet -- That is all I have to say at present, only do some of you come down as soon as you recieve this, I think you will have a very pleasant visit especialy at Mrs. Howes -- Give my love to all enquiring friends. I have no other way of getting home, unless you come down, Mother & Father I mean ______

Yours, &c Mr. G. Anthony

S. B. Anthony--

Dear Friends

Mary having done my washing with a little assistance I have time to write a few lines. I look for Father & Hannah to night to visit us Albert F. has been quite sick since M. has been here & she has not had as many rides as I wish she could Hope if she stays untill they get through paying them off he will be able to escort her round a [?] little Wish any of you would come down if Father & Mother cannot. M thinks on Aunt Avis's account they ought to. Should be happy to see you at Curtisville Should think A. & Guelma might visit us this fall as I am getting sleepy again will quit hoping some one will finish it in better style. Do write anything to please Mary & Myself -- A. E. Dickinson

3d day 10th Mo 3o - 1843

Respected Mother Sister Neices &c

Mary & Ann E has written some of the P.S.is left fo rme I have nothing new to write I am convalescing slowly am not able to write but very little. Our business here is pretty good in the way of mfg at this time how long it may continue to be cannot tell --

Cannot find out much about that man Tanner should think thy chance for any thing from him in the way of damages was rather thin I think he has got a might hard chance of a bargain --

Rec'd a letter from Humphrey this morning say'g all in usual health am looking for some of them down here tomorrow it being Cattle Show at Pittsfield. Mary is fine should think a little homesick from appearances but that may be owing to my not being able to go about with her to see the country things &c - love to all &c

A. F. Dickinson

Be good enough to let us hear from you soon [& oblige?] A.F.D.

[Verso of letter]

[Postmark] Curtisville NY Oct 3 1843

[Address] Susan B. Anthony Care Dan'l Anthony Greenwich NY