#MC62
1856
Octavo (ca. 25x19.5 cm or 9 ¾ x 7 ¾ in). Brown ink on creamy laid paper (bifolium). 2 pp. Fold marks, several minor tears on folds, but otherwise a very good letter.
A fascinating letter providing insight into child rearing during the mid 19th century. Written by San Francisco banker Edward W. Church, of Drexel, Sather & Church (1850-1857) and Sather & Church (1857-1861), to one “John J. Hudwell.” Church writes about how unlikely it is that his wife Letitia will visit New York accompanied by one “Mr. Sather” and stay with Hudwell as planned due to their child Seymour being in ill health. “Mr. Sather” is likely Peder Sather (1810-1886), a well-known California banker. He mentions the fair weather and recent lack of earthquakes in San Francisco. He provides updates weeks later having failed to send the letter off prior; the health of his child has improved after they hired a wet nurse. Overall, an interesting letter about child rearing during the mid 19th century.
Excerpts from the letter (spelling original):
“I adviced [sic] you by last mail steamer that Letitia expected to go to New York in company with Mr. Sather by steamer leaving San Francisco March 5th.
Since that time our Baby who has been reduced by teething and the whooping cough so as to be very delicate and weak has caused us to change our mind and induced us to postpone going to New York till some future day. very probably will not go till I can acompany [sic] her.
We have had during the past month remarkable fine weather here in San Francisco much such weather as you have in New York in June.
Since my last [...?] to you no more Earthquakes have been noticed in San Francisco to disturb the equilibrium of our citizens yet another shock would not surprise me as they have been very frequently felt during the past 5 years yet none has been as severe as the one mentioned in my previous letter.
<…> I have now the pleasure to say that our son Seymour has much improved in health during the last ten days but we have to pay for his board $3.33 per day besides giving board to a nurse. Letitia near about starved the Boy before she found out what the trouble was which [..?] us to hire a wet nurse at the wages of $100 per month, the [prospect?] is now that he will soon recover his usual Health.”
