1861

In a letter addressed to her sister Dorcas Chapin, Angie McNeil recounts her feelings about the death of her daughter Fanny. She was previously unable to sympathize with Dorcas after the death of her own child, but now can empathize completely. Angie speaks of this in the context of their mutual friend Harriet Pepple also having recently lost her child to diphtheria. Angie addresses the wellbeing of her other children, what they look like, and how they are growing up. Angie expresses her sympathies for Dorcas’ current illness, and discusses the situations of other family members that have recently dealt with or are still dealing with illness.

In this letter sent from a military Paducah, Kentucky, Union soldier John Englebert Schwartze addresses a letter to Lucinda, whom he calls a “Dear Friend.” Schwartze is a close friend of the family, evidenced by his familiar tone and fond greeting.  He writes about a rainy shift where he stood guard, his thoughts about the town of Paducah, and recounts some successful captures of foodstuffs, livestock, and prisoners, providing valuable insight into the day-to-day functions of a Union soldier. Schwartze encloses with his letter a present for 1-year-old Maggie, though exactly what it was is unknown.

Orange Chapin addresses potential subscribers to his publication, Chapin Genealogy, which began as a project by Charles Stearns when compiling a history of Springfield, Massachusetts. He explains how he came to undertake the project, how much each volume will cost, and details of its distribution.