Antique 1850s NewBerry District, SC Letter to Cousin (who later served in Civil War)

Antique 1850s NewBerry District, SC Letter to Cousin! See transcription This letter was written by 25 year-old Nancy (“Nannie”) E. Tillery (1(contact info removed)). She was married on 27 February 1858 to S. H. Tillery of Newberry District, South Carolina and died a little over one year later on 1 April 1859. She was survived by her husband, parents, a sister, and three brothers (The Rising Sun, 4 May 1859). When Nannie wrote the letter, she was residing with the Gunter family in Newberry Village, South Carolina. Dr. Edwin L. Gunter (1(contact info removed)) of Newberry Village was married to Nannie’s younger sister, Ella Lark (1836-18xx) of Laurens District on 3 April 1855. Dr. Gunter died on 25 February 1858, less than a year after this letter was penned. In the 1850 US Census, Nancy (age 17), Sally (age 15), and Ellen Lark (age 13) were enumerated as lodgers at the hotel operated by Joel Towens in Anderson, South Carolina. Presumably they were all attending school. Nancy wrote the letter to her cousin, John Lark Stockdale (1(contact info removed)), the son of Rev. James Seeds Stockdale (1(contact info removed)) and Sarah L. (“Sallie”) Lark (1(contact info removed)) of Edgefield, South Carolina. John studied medicine in Charleston, graduating from the Medical College of South Carolina in 1855, before moving to Alabama where he was probably practicing his profession at the time this letter was written in May (probably 1857). At the onset of the Civil War in 1861, Stockdale entered service as a member of the Alabama Mountain Rangers, later merged into the 8th Confederate Cavalry. He was transferred and commissioned a Major and brigade commissary in 1862. By 1863 Stockdale was serving as Assistant Commissary of Subsistence for the Confederate’s Western Department in Port Hudson, Louisiana. In addition to his duties as A.C.S. he served as the assistant surgeon at the nearby Confederate hospital. Stockdale was taken prisoner when Port Hudson was surrendered on 8 July 1863 whereupon he was taken a prisoner to Johnson’s Island, Ohio. While there, he acted as Assistant Surgeon for the prisoners and afterwards at Point Lookout, Maryland, and Fort Delaware. He was finally paroled on 27 July 1865. Transcription Newberry Village [Newberry county, South Carolina] May the 30th Time, patience and perseverance will accomplish all things is a noted proverb with a certain worthy society, ’tis true cousin. Therefore, I hesitate no longer writing to you now. Had my spirit been able to commune with thine in thy own pure style, I should then have had no hesitance in thus holding a tete-a-tete conversation with you. Since fate has ordained that we should be thus far separated, but being conscious of my own inability to send you anything worthy of being appreciated by you as a letter, I am almost tempted to lay aside my pen. However, I’ll trust to your generous nature for forgiveness for my heart is not strung with poets sirens. Therefore will remain unawaken by the golden touch of Orpheus and instead of soaring will plod along in dull prosaic style. In writing to you, cousin, I lay aside all formalities and write as to a much beloved cousin whose acquaintance I hope to have the pleasure of cultivating. Cousin, I have passed through many checkered scenes since I saw you. I frequently take up my fortune and read it; though there is but little truth in it. I have been spending some time with my sister, Mrs. Dr. [E. L.] Gunter 1 at this place. He has located here. I am the only child that Pa and Ma has with them. I have a small brother but he is at school. I lead quite a lonely life when I am at home in the country. I spend the greater portion of my time with sister but I have a great deal of company when there and I become tired of it. The society of my parents I like best. I have just received a letter from brother John and sister Sallie. They were quite well but did not mention anything about returning. Oh what would I give to see them. I gaze in the likenesses often—very often—and often look at yours and think of the pleasant time spent in Charleston. Do you ever think of it? I suppose not. Your time is now devoted to the relief of suffering humanity and your thoughts too of course. Cousin, I wish I could write something to interest you. I have nothing to write about. I scarcely ever hear from my relations in Edgefield. You, I suppose, correspond with cousin Sallie Boulware. 2 Cousin, you must excuse this insipid letter and forgive me for this intrusion for I know you have long since forgotten your cousin Nannie. But I trust this will revive me in your recollection and hoping you will answer this miserable effort soon, I beg to subscribe myself your cousin, — Nannie E. Lark

Condition

Used (normal wear)

Type

Letter