A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
Caroline wrote many letters to her grandfather. Among them was found this one written to someone else. It is not known who Melissa was. She is addressed as a cousin, but that usage was sometimes used very loosely and generally in the past. Still, the letter is interesting.
West Hoboken May 2nd 1869
Dear cousin Melissa, Your letter was received yesterday. I am very much obliged for the news. The last I heard from Jim they had only two boys and Theresa one girl. For some unknown cause none of Aunt Anna's children notice me at all anymore and when people treat me that way I just let them go. That is all. So you would like to know more about Mr. Burr would you? I was not aware that I did not speak of any of the family but him, it was probably occasioned from the fact of my sending the 'Old Guard' and that he was it's editor; he is a man almost old enough to be my father, is married and has three little children, one boy 6 last August, one five last January and a little girl one last October; He also has three grown sons by a former marriage. Frank, the second of the young men, is living in New York. He is an engraver and works on 'Brick' Pomeroy's paper. Ned, the little five year old is a great pet with me. I have been teaching the children all winter and one day Chan asked me what a female horse was called, I told him a mare, so a day or two later Ned says to his little sister 'Dote, do you want the night-mare? If you do then dream of a horse'. One day Mr Burr was talking to Dote (her name is Theodosia) and he said, 'Oh, Dote, you are a buster!' 'Well then,' said Ned, 'I will give her a buss' and he walked over and kissed her. I am sorry you did not receive the magazine. Once before I undertook to send the 'Day Book' to your father. I paid for it three months in advance and he never received it. I judge from what little I have learned that your people are all either War Democrats or Republicans, we should not therefore agree politically for Mr. Burr is one of the soundest, hardest, most uncompromising thundering Democrats you can scare up and he says I am a worse opponent than he is. Some time I will try to send you another 'Old Guard.' I think I will still get the May number and send you. The leader and editor's table is always Mr Burr's. I shall be here a month longer anyway. The teacher in the village school wants me to help him, the salary is $450 per year and I would like the place, but it seems another woman has some friend who is urging her claims, and by hook or crook they seem to think she must go into the school and try. So, I shall wait a month and if she fails, as the head teacher thinks she will be certain to do, I will have the situation, in which case there is no telling how long I shall remain here. Nothing punishes the children more than to tell them I shall go away. Yes, I will surely send you a May number of the 'Old Guard' In it you will find a translation from the Italian by Mrs. Burr. I will tell you one thing more, Mr. Burr is the same relation to Aaron Burr that I am to Alexander Hamilton and Mr Burr and myself are the best of friends. So, you see, there can be peace between the Burr and Hamilton blood. I had a letter from brother Jim and one from Mary a few days since. All are well. I weigh 132 pounds, more than I ever did before in my life. Give my love to Jane and her little family. I suppose they live near you. My feet are very cold so I will go warm them. Carrie
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
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