This letter was written by Sarah (Cass) Locke (1805-1884), the wife of James Munroe Locke (1804-1862) of Stanstead, Quebeck, Canada—just across the border from Vermont. She wrote the letter in February 1861 to her sister-in-law, Caroline Dame (Tibbetts) Locke (1809-1893)—the wife of Rev. William Sherburne Locke (1808-1896). Caroline was the daughter of William S. Tibbetts (1780-1857) and Jerusha Dame (1784-1820) of Kittery, Maine. Caroline’s husband, William, was enumerated as a retired Methodist minister in Manchester, Hillsborough county, New Hampshire, in 1860. He was born in Stanstead.
Most of the letter consists of family chit-chat but one paragraph in particular contains an item of historical interest. It reads: “I think by reading your southern papers there is nothing talked nor printed but secession. I think South Carolina will drive you to Canada. If you ever come, we should be very glad to have you come but let the niggers stop in their own country.” Apparently not all of Canada awaited the emigration of Blacks with open arms.
Transcription
Stanstead [Province of Quebec, Canada]
February 1, 1861
Dear Sister Locke,
I have just received a line from you and were glad to hear from you once more. I have no apology to make for not writing—only the care of a large family and age. My health has not been so good this year or last. I have been alone the most of the time. Louise is at home now. Her health is quite good for her. Sarah Cass is here part of the time. [ ] Rounds at home and Mr. Copps’ two boys boards here. They are quite steady here.
Florinda and family are well. The girls are growing fast. They have made a comfortable living so far. Oscar has worked part of the time. He might have work all the time if he would, but he like many others, likes liquor better than work. 1
[My husband] James visited our friends to the West last fall. Found them all well. He liked Lillie’s situation well though she had gone most too far west. She was most overjoyed to see her Father Ives, got discouraged and left off work last summer, was just getting over it when he was there. He said they make a good living and that is all. Anne W. or Perry had two little twin girls three weeks old when he was there.
Our friends in this place are getting along after the old sort though some are sick. Wesley Cass is quite sick. Mr. Nathaniel Lyford is very dangerous sick. Benjamin Lyford is somewhere in Canada West in the daguerreian business. Ruth Lyford is at home sick with consumption. They think her husband is I do not know where. Anny Reece is about the same. Has never sat up any yet. I think she might get so as to sit up if they would make any effort. She thinks she can’t. She does her [s____ ] lying in bed.
I suppose you know that our Methodist preacher is Mr. [John] Borlan[d]. He is an excellent man and a good and interesting speaker. The society are all united with the exception of one family and that is the Eld’s have very good meetings. No conversion in our neighborhood. There has been twelve baptized this winter in the Morrill District below us. They have different preachers—some advent and others.
I think by reading your southern papers there is nothing talked nor printed but secession. I think South Carolina will drive you to Canada. If you ever come, we should be very glad to have you come but let the niggers stop in their own country. I guess you will all come out right in the spring.
Well, it is getting late. Write soon if you will accept this. With much love, — Sarah Locke
to Mrs. Caroline D. Locke
1 Florinda Locke (1812-18XX) was married at Stanstead in 1844 to Oscar Wyman (1822-1900)—a man that Sarah described as one who “likes liquor better than work.” The two girls “growing fast” were Flora Jane Wyman (1848-1931) and Evaline Wyman (b. 1851).
Spared & Shared 23 