Letter dated May 12, 1860 from Mary Elizabeth Caulk (1813-1868), Isle
of Rays farm, Trappe, Md. to her son William (1845-1870) while he was
attending West River Classical Institute in Anne Arundel Co. At that
time, with only public primary schools in Talbot Co. opportunities for
higher education were limited, however a steamboat trip across the Bay
changed all of that. Mr. Kirk was a famous Baltimore silversmith. Mary
Elizabeth obsessed about her health and that of her son. At this time
many people, including this worried mother, thought it was dangerous to
sleep in the night air- which meant no open windows. Whitsuntide is the
week following the Sunday after Easter and celebrates the descent of
the Holy Spirit onto the Apostles.
Mary Elizabeth was more than a little bit worried about William,
nevertheless, she does include details about affairs at the farm. Her
"carte de visite" photo is shown which has been hand colored. William's
photo is a gem tintype the back of which is a marvel of advertising
which reads "J.H. Pope's Celebrated Electro Exquisito Gemotypes, 4 For
25 Cents. Gallery, No. 91 W. Baltimore Street. Gallery Open From 71/2
to 6 o'clock, In order to avoid the Crowd, Call Early." This was
decades before people owned their own cameras. Photography was still
new and taking a photograph was very complicated, so one went to a
photographic gallery to have his or her picture taken.
Island Creek May 12, 1860
My Dear Boy,
I received your letter yesterday and was greatly distressed to hear
your throat was sore again, but hope it is better by this time; you
cannot tell the many ancious moments I see about you and it seem very
long to wait a week before I hear from you again do not fail to write
once every week I send to get your letter every Fryday; you say you
made a speach last Fryday; well every one has to have a beginning and
you will not mind it so much again do the best you can and that is all
that is necessary I expect to go if I am well enough to see you about
three weeks from next wensday I may get threre sooner but do not look
for me as I am so often not well enough to go and may not get there;
write word what you are studying as I would like to know; whither your
in class with any other Boys whither you are a head of any there all
thease things will be enteruraining to me write as long a letter as you
can and tell me all the news I want you to attend church when ever you
are able to do so; do not expose yourself in bad weather or sleep in
the night air I want to see you very much and if I live I will try to
get there before the wheather is so bad I am compel to keep in the
House all the time we are done planting corn some time our wheat is
looking very well we have some chicken that would do to make pies of
but Sallie say they are not to be killed she intends to keep them all
our Goslings are feathering fast we have know turkey yet but hope we
will soon we have a large lot of watermelons planted if they come up
we’ll ought to have a great many let me know in your next how [you] get
on with your cloathes. I will try to get your studs but do not like to
get gold ones on this shore as there is so many sold for gold that are
not when I get them I would like to get them of Mr Kirk in Baltimore as
I think they would be pure, and now my dear child as I have said all to
you I can at this time; I now comit you into the hands of our blessed
Redeemer and Oh may he [guide?] and keep you from all temtations of
Evil and prepare you to live right in this world and for a happy home
in Heaven
Monday 14th
As I have not filled up my paper I will tell you how we are this
morning we are as well as usual except I feel very feeble I have fallen
off very much lately have very poor appetite but think I will try to
get to see you wensday two weeks the wenday after whitsuntide if the
weather will permit and I am well enough do not look for me unless it
is a good day I shall bring Mary Jane with me as I need some one let me
know if I can be accomodated there I may stay untill the next day week
if I do not go to St Michaels on the satterday after I get there that
will be the only way I can from there untill the next thursday I will
bring you some cake be a good Boy and you shall have the feable praises
of your unworthy Mother every one send their love to you except [i.e. accept]
large [portion?] from [your] Affectionate Mother M E Caulk
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