Ca 8x7 in. 2 pp. Brown ink on bluish wove paper. Fold marks and light soiling, but overall a very good letter, written in a legible hand.

Historically interesting letter, apparently written by German immigrants in Fredericksburg, Texas, describing city through the eyes of pioneer children.

Fredericksburg was founded in 1846 by John O. Meusebach under the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas. Located between two creeks north of the Pedernales River, the town grew quickly, with settlers farming, trading, and preparing for continued immigration. By 1850, it had 754 residents and was deeply rooted in German customs and communal life. In the 1850s, Fredericksburg had already become a popular layover for travelers heading west, serving as both a cultural center and a stop on the expanding frontier.

The letter was written in 1850 by the mother of young Julia Webber and addressed to her cousin, Toby, in Missouri. In the text, Julia describes the daily routines of local children, including learning to knit, practicing dance steps, and riding in a boat on a nearby mill pond. She mentions her father’s departure for California, likely drawn by the Gold Rush, and singing a collection of California songs. Near the end, she laments being denied the fine “little dresses” and bonnet worn by other girls and confesses plainly, “I don’t love to stay here at all.”

Overall, a historically interesting letter apparently written by a German immigrant family in Fredericksburg.

Excerpt from the Letter:
“I received your letter a long time ago + wanted mama to answer it for me, which she never had time to do, until now. I have had a bad cold + cough for a long time, but it does not keep me from being very hearty, + growing very fast. I was exactly a yard high my birthday, but I am taller now than I was then, tho not so fat. I  have a sweet little sister that I love dearly, she looks a little like cousin Susy. I think her very pretty indeed. I can carry her all about the room, when our mama will let me. I have learned to knit + I know all my letters, but mama does not care about my having a book, she says I am too young yet. I talk about you every day + beg mama to take me back to Missouri, for I don’t love to stay here at all, they all tell me I am so bad, I often promise to do better but I forget it directly. I have learnt a parcel of California songs which I love to sing, for my papa has gone there, + I talk about him very often. I must tell you how distressed I was here lately, you know what black hair I have, well it had got very long, + mama fixed it up in beautiful braids down my back, but I hated so bad to have it combed. I made a fuss nearly every time it was fixed, +  when the weather got warm mama said it must be cut off, but I could not think of that, for every body said I was so beautiful, + mama was sorry to do it, but one day I was so bad, + my head was so hot, I asked her out of  impudence to cut it off, not thinking she would, sure enough but she seized the scissors + clipped it short off behind my ears in a minute, I screamed + danced + cried, but as it was off now, + combed very easy, I hushed up, but I don’t like my looks half as well as I did. I tell mama pa will cry when he sees me now.

You don’t know how bad I want to see you all, I often wish I could write, so I could tell you all about what I see + hear, for I have no – to talk to, except little Ella, as we all call her, as she cant understand what I say, altho she laughs whenever I talk to her. I love my dear mama better than any one else in the world. I hug her and kiss her very often every day, + tell her how I love her, for she often looks sorry + tells me about papa which always makes me feel sad, whenever I get candy I want mama to save some for you, but she says I am night stingy yet. I wish you were here at Uncle W, with me, here is a big mill pond with fish in it + a boat too, which I am anxious to ride in with Johnny, but mama will not let me. I am going to aunt Kate’s in a day or two, + I shall see my little cousins there, 4 little boys, + my cousin Anna Bettie, as I call her. I love aunt Kate more than any body in Virginia, except cousin Johnny. I tell mama if she does not take me home soon I shall forget every body, for I have forgotten a great deal already. I saw a little girl with a fine bonnet the other day, + I begged mama to let me have one too but she talked to me and told me how silly it was to want such things, I do not care about it now, for mama never lets me have a single fine thing, nor wear short dresses like all the little girls wear here. All the children in Fredericksburg nearly, no bigger than you + I are learning to dance.”