The HOWE Family

I do not know how the HOWE's are related to the Edwards. They could be related via Sarah (BOLTON) EDWARDS' sister Katherine who married John YOUNG & moved to Ohio or Elisabeth EDWARDS sister of William EDWARDS Sr. If YOU have ANY information to ADD or CORRECT, PLEASE DO!

Ebenezer HOWE b. 13 Jul 1763, Boston, Suffolk Co, MA, d. 10 Jul 1830, Oxford, Butler Co, OH, m 4 Apr 1793 to Sarah SEARS.
11 known children:
01) Calvin Banister HOWE b. 1794, m 24 May 1817 to Eliza Garrison.
02) Gabriella Fay HOWE b. 17 Dec 1796.
03) Gideon Sears HOWE b. 11 Apr 1799, NY;m 3 Sep 1835, Union Co, IN to Sarah McCLAY b. circa 1808, Ireland.
04) Althea Sears HOWE b. 25 Nov 1802.
05) Sarah Maselle HOWE b. 8 June 1804, m Dec 1822 to William BENTLEY.
06) Lydia Rice HOWE b. 1 Apr 1806.
07) Samuel Davis HOWE b. 21 Oct 1808.
08) Martha Banister HOWE b. 1810, m 28 Jul 1829 to Samuel PETTIS.
09) Marianne B HOWE b. 9 Sep 1813.
10) James Henry HOWE b. 7 Aug 1815.
11) John Milton Chamberlain HOWE b. 31 Oct 1818, m to Anna Maria Matilda Taylor.

01) Calvin Banister & Eliza (GARRISON) HOWE lived in Center Twp, Union Co, IN. Their P.O. was Cottage Grove.
10 known children:
a) Theador L. HOWE b.circa 1820, IN, m Harriet b. circa 1834, OH.
b) Minerva Pomeroy HOWE b. circa 1822, m Charles Sanford, originally from Nantucket, Mass(*)
c) Harriett HOWE b. circa 1824.(*)
d) Sarah HOWE b. circa 1826.(*)
e) Ebenezer b. circa 1828. (*) f) Mary L. HOWE b. circa 1829.
g) Thomas HOWE b. circa 1834.
h) Frances M. HOWE b. circa 1836, IN.
i) Gideon HOWE b. circa 1838, IN.
j) Margaret HOWE b. circa 1840, IN.
(*) = info. from Theresa Overholser

a) Theador L. & Harriet HOWE lived in Union Twp, Union Co, IN. Their P.O. was Cottage Grove & they had the following children:
Clarinda HOWE b. circa 1854, IN.
Laura B. HOWE b. circa 1856, IN.
Alfred HOWE b. circa 1859, IN.

03) Gideon Sears & Sarah (McCLAY) HOWE.
Lived on-&-off in Oxford Twp, Butler Co, OH & Harrison Twp, Union Co, IN. The P.O. in Union Co. was Beechy Mire.
They had the following children:
Calvin B. HOWE b. circa 1837, OH.
Mary HOWE b. circa 1839, OH. 1850 census has occupation as Teacher.
Balsora "Belle" HOWE b. circa 1842, IN. 1850 census has occupation as Teacher.
Sarah E. "Sallie" HOWE b. circa 1843, IN. wrote letters to Nellie Edwards below
Abdalah HOWE b. circa 1845, OH.
Eliza HOWE b. circa 1847, OH.
James M. HOWE b. circa 1849, OH.
Winfield HOWE b. circa 1852, IN.

11) John Milton Chamberlain HOWE. wrote letters to Nellie Edwards below
m 1st 1 Oct 1847 Union Co, IN to Anna Maria Matilda Taylor d. before 11 May 1862, Butler Co, OH.
children:
Ebenezer HOWE b. 28 Aug 1857, Butler Co, OH.
Minnie HOWE (only daughter).
Calvin HOWE b. before 11 May 1862, Butler Co, OH.
John Milton Chamberlain HOWE m 2d 21 Feb 1865, Butler Co, OH to Elizabeth DUNKERTON. known children:
Dicky M. b.circa 1866.
George b. circa 1868.
Ida 3 b. March 1870.
The following information was given to me by David Walsh:
Regarding John Milton Chamberlain Howe and his second wife Elizabeth Dunkerton, they are living in Butler County Ohio in 1870 Census:
JMC Howe 57 dry goods merchant b Indiana =Lizzie 29 keeping house b Ohio
children
Calvin 8, Dicky M 4, George 2, Ida 3 months (b March 1870)
I suspect the whole family died before the following census (1880), with one exception. See the entry below from the LDS 1880 census index:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Augustus H. LEWIS Self M Male W 34 OH Druggist CT MI
Jennie S. LEWIS Wife M Female W 35 OH Keeping House ENG ENG
Mary A. LEWIS Sister S Female W 46 OH None CT MI
Ida M. HOWE Niece S Female W 8 OH --- OH
Mary THAYER Other S Female W 24 PA PA PA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Census Place Marion, Polk, Missouri
Family History Library Film 1254710
NA Film Number T9-0710
Page Number 312B
Jennie S. Lewis was the younger sister of Elizabeth Dunkerton (Howe). They were two of the 13 children of Richard Dunkerton and his second wife Elizabeth Haine, both of whom are my relatives, and came to Ohio from England in 1834.

[3P]
Beechy Mare Ind. May 5th/.60
  Darling Nellie
   I received your dear good, welcome missive day before yesterday and untill this hour have not found time to pen one line in anwer My feelings on receiving your letter are easier imagined than discribed; my feeble pen would fail to portray half the delight I experienced on that occasion; but I must make an effort toward answering it, and I am well aware that my letter cannot interest you as yours do me, but please recollect while you are draging through my great "bore" of a letter that I am but a novice in the art of letter writing, but a truce to all this for the present.
  Nell! I am "awful" tired I have been working all week. Belle is teaching school and May is unwell so you see I am "maid of all work" and it keeps me very busy from morning till night to get the work "done up"
  I discovered from your letter that you are over head and ears in love with that captivating young Mr. D. all right Nell I allow you to fall in love with any body you please Irve S___h excepted and I just dont want you to see him for I know you would be captivated at once and then there would be very little chance for me to gain favor in his eyes. by the way he called here not long since back just like he always did, his mouth is as big as ever Nell I dont believe I ever told you about going to a School exhibition with the owner of that "big mouth" it has been several weeks ago now; the exhibition was at Mr. Beelers school about five miles from home. we started in the afternoon went to a friend's house for tea and from there to the school room; remained till after eleven and was home ad mid-night (we went in that fine buggy) Oh I had the best time imaginable. I wish you had been with me I know you would have enjoyed yourself hugely. The exercise of theexhibition were good very good there was excelent music too for there was two bands in attendance one brass band from Kington and a string band from Wayne Co. and taking it all in all I had most a glorious good time enjoyed Mr. S___h society on the way home very much indeed I was very sorry to hear such sad new from Mr. Thomas and I sincerly hope that your fears on his account are not well grounded when you write to me again please let me know whether you have heard from him or not for I am extremely anxious to know his fate whether ha has swallowed himself or got married, either fate is "awful" . Now about that Dr. is he pretty? is he practicing medicine in the vicinity of your home? if soI expect he makes it convenient to call on "Miss Nellie" frequently when on his way to visit patients I know he is a welcome guest at Nellie's home, well success to the enterprise may you succeed in captivating the Dr. I think you might tell me his name in your next. I remember of hearing you speak of Mr. Heath when you were at our home you remember I fell completely in love with the discription you gave me of him you know I have a passion for "black eyes". I am comming out to see you and stay long enough to captivate him if possible. I must quit scribling for to night is the small hours are fast aproching and I was up last night untill after twelve
Good night and pleasant dreams
Sallie
   Nellie! avery good morning to you. you see I am up already. did you sleep well and dream of Dr. Somebody? I hope so at least I slep soundly and dreamed of everybody in general and nobody in particular. Nell I feel very sorry for Mr. H___h I expect he is almost heart broken if so I know of no better remady for him than to fall in love with the first young lady he meets for I am sure he does not occupy a very [?] position in your affictions Belle says she was not thinking of Mr. K__g when I recieved your letter but I have my doubts on that point. He has graduated at the Law School and the white baker comes next.

Letter from John Milton Howe to his cousin Cornelia Edwards

[2P]
[?] [?] June 13/60
  Dear little Coz Neil
  I recd your very welcomed letter in due time but delayed writing because you have been "so busy" since you returned home that I was afraid I was bothering you too much and you would be glad for me to quit writing awhile if not entirely. You know I am a little stubborn and will have the last word so I have seated myself for you a few times. Mollie Mesler has returned to these parts and you will have to give up all ideas of capturing David unless you can invent some mode of getting her out of the way and I do not know how you can accomplish that unless you give her a pill of asafieta. I can let you have that, that I got of D [Hainly?] for you it is as good as ever, I feel sorry for you but I suppose the big greasy Carolina Doctor will be some consolation to you in you trouble Now do'nt grieve too much dear Nelie I think you will live through it if you do not get a back set and if you do the Doctor will be handy if it is only to "grease" your head with. We had a Sunday school Rail Road excursion to Hamilton about two weeks ago there was about six hundred Men, Women, & children, went down had a picnic in Mr Millers Grove, and address by the Rev Monfert Kerrick, Harris & Hain, [?] thing went off nice and we had a pleasant time. O, I wish you had been here to enjoyed it with us. The Hamilton folks thought they would return the complement and so the came [damaged] day last week, but we beat them in numbers and I do¹nt know but what we had a better looking crowd you know I would think so as I went to Hamilton, but David did not go he had to attend a picnic in Tuckers Grove they had a dance there the same day of our excuddion.
  Perhaps you would like to know what I am doing this summer, I am chopping wood, picking brush, burning trash, making fences helping plant corn [?] my "tater" patch, Clerking in the store, trying to collect money and numerous other occupations too [?] to mention.
We have about 20 acres of corn on our land and it look[s pretty] well I think we will raise enough corn to have plenty of [?] next winter Can't you come and help [?] it. All your old friend here are in good healthy none of them married and no prospects. We are all in usual health and send our best love [ damaged] to you all and a good portion to you own dear self. O I wish you were here so I could pinch you a little my fingers ache to get a hold of you, but I will have to wait. Excuse haste, you know the male start early and I am not an early riser
Respectfully Your Affec. Coz
Milt Howe

Letter from Sallie E. Howe to Cornelia Edwards

[1P]
damaged at edge envelope: Miss Nellie S Edwards, Fallcreek, IN
Home. Union Co. Ind. [Mar. 1861]
  Nellie
  There are times when the [damaged] [?] cases of life are lulled to sleep by [damaged] gentle voice" and then there are times [damaged] we feel as though we hadnt a frien[d damaged] in the wide world, and it would be [damaged] pleasure for us die; and this last Nellie [damaged] what sage philosophers call the bliss. I am affected with this strange and truly wonderful disease at this time. I know I couldent laugh to save my gizzard pardon me - I mean neck. Nellie did you ever have a pet plan that you been months in completing suddenly dashed to earth, if so you can symithize with me tonight I just feel as though the whole would was one grand [?][damaged] and every person in it were conspired to make me miserable, the fates are [damaged] . I know they are Now! I expect you are [wo]nering what in the world has happened [to] upset my usual good humor. I assure [yo]u that it is no foolish "love affair" as [I h]ave too much sense to break my heart[damaged]ning over any thing that wears [bri]ches- excuse me - I mean pantaloons; but [non] the less I am troubled very much in [t]he "body and mind" I have been most [damaged ]orfully disappointed to day my pet "air castle" was completely destroyed dont you think that sufficient to upset the equilibrium of any young [?] of twenty nine summers. I couldent stand it at all, at all, but just took a good cry and now I feel some what relieved I guess I wont commit suicide either as I had thought some of doing but I am sure I shall never be the same merry light hearted girl again [e]ver
  March 24th
  Will I guess I will try and fin[ish] this sembling I hope you will pardon [my] presumption in writing to you the [damaged] time I hope you will not consider [damaged] intention for I just couldent help it. [damaged] sume your reasons were very good for[ damaged] answering, although I must confess [damaged] have some curiosity to know what they [damaged] But a truce to all this for the present
  You perhaps have heard of the death of Uncle Miltons babe, it died several weeks ago.
Sister Mary is attending school at the Institute at Oxford she started last fall in September. but has been at Asbury is at home now but is going back in a few weeks
Belle and [?] Smith havent committed matrimony yet I guess I have exaused my store of news so I will bid you an affectionate adieu
Sallie E [Howe]
{Miss Nellie Edwards}
Please answer if you consider it worthy if not pass it by unnoticed, but I fain would ask a place in thy remembrance
Sallie

Letter from Sallie E. Howe to Cornelia Edwards

[45]
Home Union County Indiana
April 14th 1861
  Dearest Nellie
  Your dear , good, sweet, letter was recieved on last Friday. language proves efertly inadiquate to express my sincere pleasure its [?] and [can't read line] [?] a letter that did one half as much good It was a strange idea which posesed me to write that last letter to you I was about "half dead" or at least had an awful attack of the "blues" when I suddenly concived the idea of writing to you and as you are aware put it in execution. several times [can't read line] again but each time I failed my pride forbade but had it not been just in the frame of mind thatI was I never could have written that last letter As a matter of course I had often wondered at your silence but could not possibly account for it I had thought perhaps I had unknownly given offence, in that case of course nothing was left for me but to remain silent and not "bore" you with any more effusions from my pen; but now that I have written and received such a sweet letter containing your exuse for not answering my other [epidte] (which excuse I consider sufficint ) I must say that it is with pleasure I have taken my pen for the purpose of repying. You inquired of the cause of my sorrow I guess I will not tell you for fear you will laugh at me for talking so foolish an affair is much to heart my grief was very short lived as it only lasted a day or two so long [?] you [perused] my doleful effusion I had forgotten my grief. And as you and I are two unforunate young ladies who I just beleive have been treated quite too bad I think we can sympathize at least with each other our grief. But enough of this.
  Well really Nellie if you had not insisted that clause stating that you were not in love with Mr. Bond I should have been very certine that you were; but honestly Nellie I do think that girls can and do admire young gentlemen without loving them. they can reverance them (if they are worthy of it) If I live long enough I intend to do the honor of paying you a visit and then Nellie I want you to send the "Gem" to me sometime we will call on that young M. D. (if he is there then) and in short have a good time generally. but before I proced any farthure allow me to thank you for your kind invitation to visit you. I was glad to learn that Mr. Thomas is still in the land of the living I think that you had better been on the "look out" that right at [can't read line] [?] kind. I am very sorry that Mr. R. & Mr. H. are so soon to leave your neighborhood for believe me you have sympathy in the loss of friends. if I thought it would relieve you any I would cry but I am afraid you would not thank me. You say that Mr. Heath is going to school somewhere tell him for me that Asbury University is the place to go to [?] [?] is there at this time. he is a member of the Sophmore class It is vacation at the Institute now and May is at home but she intends to return tomorrow. Belle is going to commence teaching next Monday near [Eontreras] Ohio she has gone down there now, it is about fourteen miles from home I guess; her health is not very good this spring Well! you wanted me to tell you something about Irv Smith he is still living and Belle hates him as bad as ever he has not called here for about three months. he sent word to me that he had heard that I was married and that he had been wearing crape on his hat ever since; poor fellow! He has got to be the greatest believer in infidelity and has joined a society called the "Liberals" they reject a belief that the Bible is the word of God and do not recognize any God except the God of Nature They also reject a belief in a future existance. I once heard Irv Smith say (in a joking manner) that he intended to have a band of music at his funeral and that he had selected one tune for them to play which is "On the other side of pordon" just like him aint it? Did old St Valentine visit you? he sent me three missives one of them is very sentimental, mailed at Oxford. I thought it originated at the Female Institute and so I answered it to a Miss Sallie Brown one of the pupils but I have since discovered that she did not send it and that Miss Hattie Gordon is the real offeder. I will do as you wished me too the first time I visit [?]___ [?]___ and kiss Uncle Milt a dozen times for you if you wish. father was there yesterday he said that Uncle has again ventured into the merchantile business "Success to the interprise" I say. Will as it is growing late I must close for the present by wishing you a very good night and pleasant dreams
Sallie

Letter from Sallie E. Howe to Cornelia Edwards

[55] [very damaged]
Home Union County, Ind.
July [d] 1861
  Dear; Darling Nellie,
  Your sweet good loving letter was received about half an hour ago [ damaded ]ed with the utmost delight I ass[ damaged ]tat I never received a letter. that d[id] me more good, indeed it would be impossible and now hasten (although w[e] have company) to write a reply I wish you were with m[e my ]dear Nellie that I might put my arms about [you ]eek and whilst covering your face with kisses [tell] you how much I very much love you: how I have y[ear]ned to get one more look at your dear face. I have [ ]one more talk with you, such as we have had have[ en]joyed in the days that are gone, gone forever,. I would [ d ] you that the moments spent in [perining?] your swe[et] letter are among the happiest of my life. and you know dear Nellie that my life has [ ]ns far flowed smoothly [ ]ard & very few are the hours of sadness that that have darkened my life, but among my dearest pleasures are the thoughts of your own dear self and the p[ ]ing of your letters. But a truce to all of this for th[e ]present. Well about that "Lily White" I was getting greatly alarmed lest the price would raise so that we could precure it during those "hard times" but I have concluded not to give up in dipare
  a[nd] as my "big brother" takes so much [ damaged ] matter for as he has a very large [ damaged ] heart I am sure that he will not allow his little sister to suffer for anything as essentual he[r ]happiness even if the "rag" business should be a [big] failure.
[ "]You that have tears to shed
Prepare to shed them now"
  Oh Nellie I have sustained the most imposible loss as you will see when I inform you that my dear and [ ]ed friend Mr. Irvin Smith is about to leave [ d ] world and go to Madison County; how I am ever to "bear up" under this heavy affliction is more than I can imagine; just imagine my feelings when I [aff]ect that in all human probability my eyes w[ill] never more be cheered by a sight of his "lovely countenance" that my ears will never more be greeted by the words of wisdom and and wh[ich] fall from his lips! Now! Nellie if you aint comp[leat]ly overcome and "weeping bitterly" I think you are an "awful" hard hearted young lady. I hope you wont think now that I have done so foolish a [thing as] fall in love with my handsome frie[nd ]ay my hand on my heart (or at[spot] where my heart is supposed to be) and sey that I have never been in "love". There! you need not grow so sleepy as I was just going to change [the] subject now please dont scold me for "boring" you w[ith] much foolishness. I presume that you have hear[d ] the death of cousin Maggie Howe. that was indeed a melancholy occurance as she was a young lady of rarely met with accomplishments an[d b]eing the youngest of the family it seems harder [ ]her mostly to bear it; it was quite an unexpected death [ ] for they did not think her dangerous untill a day or two before her death, it seems very hard [to] part with those we [ ] those who are near and dear to us, but we should ever remember the [?] heavenly father wills it so, and [ damaged ] things will." We have receaved word that cousin Gideon has been wounded in a skirmish with [ ]e rebel troops he belong in the twentieth Ohio [rege]ment, company B. I believe Our friend Sallie Sadler was married last week to Mr. George Adams of _________ I have forgotten where he is from but he is a merchant anyhow. As I am getting very sleepy I shall quit for the night by wishing y[ou a ] good night and pleasant dreams.
Sabbath Morning   Again I find myself at the stand pen in hand ready to have another chat with you per. pen, ink, and paper. national Sabbath (the fourth of July) has come [and] gone I attended a basket picnec at College Corner[ ]that day had a very pleasant time met a great [ma]ny of my friends among the number was Emma Karter but as she was deeply engrossed in conversation with Mr. Tucker I only got the benifet of a how and smile. she is looking better than she did in the winter. I also met your friend Mr. Hall of him I woul[d ]ly say that he is as handsome and appears to be[ ]me old flirt of you. perhaps you think that I use my strong language in pronouncing him a "flirt" but from what little knowledge I posses of him I do not think it to strong a [ ]. I attended the examination at the Oxford Female Institute two weeks ago it was highly credit[ ]th teachers and students. May had been home [ ]months and of course did not pass examina[tions we]ll resume her studies next fall
  Oh Nel I must tell you of my [ ]y me which took[ place] a couple of weeks since. I went in company with Cal and while there was introduced to two of Cal's college chums Missrs Cox and Nebeker two very interesting young gentlemen so I was assured by bother. and so I found then Mr. Cox is a member of the [?] [?] Asbury University and Mr. Nebeker is a Freshman they both left college and enlisted some three months ago andare now quarted at camp Wayne; but [ ]written more than [?] to tire your patience[ ] Nellie you will please excuse this miserable scribling and write me [?] to your affectionate Sister Sallie
  Dear Nellie I shall most certantly expect an answer in about two weeks. now be a good little girl [ ] [?] your sister Sallie

Letter from John Milton Howe to his cousin Cornelia Edwards

[42]
[little damage] envelope: Miss Nelie Edwards, Nobelsville, Ind, p.m: May 12 College Cor[?] OHIO

At home May 11th 1862

My dearest Coz Nelie
I have come home to write you the last letter for years perhaps for ever that I will head at Home, Sweet happy Home, This week I expect to pack up our things and break up house keeping. I would have preferred it otherwise, if I could have hired a suitable person to keep house for us but I knew of no elderly lady that I could get and I have to adapt the last alternaty of breaking up housekeeping and making my [damaged] children and my self out casts [? & damaged] a home on society, hey not out casts either for we have kind friends who will do every thing in their power to make us happy. But for all that dear Coz it is not like the sweet happy Home we once enjoyed when She who has gone to that happier Home (where she will never know sorrows, pain sickness and death anymore) was the ruling Genius. When I returned home from the cares and perplexities of business I was allways met with a welcome smile and kiss. If perplexity in business, anger, sorrows, or pain clouded my [?] she was allways anxious to know the cause and try to dispel the clouds, but alas! [?] changed

Farewell, farewell, beloved home; Heaven of rest: a long farewell; Where¹en my weary footsteps roam, With the shall faitfull memory dwell.

They tell me other [lowers?] will rise
As fair, in fancy¹s future views;
They little think what tender ties,
Dear home: attach my heart to you:
They can not know, they have not proved,
The sympathies that make the dear;
They have not here passed and loved:
They have not lost and sorrowed here
These are the feeling, this the [band?],
Dear home! that knits my heart to the,
No heart but mine can understand
How strong that secret sympathy

But I am boring you Coz with trash that I don't think will be any way interesting to you. You wrote that you "gave me a pressing invitation to visit" you but I had not refired to it in my reply. It was neglect in me. When I wrote you last I wrote in the store and was bothered several times before I finished. It was not intentional that I neglected to say any thing ab[out] it. I do not think we will [damaged] out there this summer, perhaps w[e] me may in the fall. Minnie is going to school, and there are some things that Daniel can not attend to as well as I can, I know it would do me good and give us great pleasure but I think it is out of the question at this time, and if we should come now you would be off at stool and we would miss enjoying your Sweet society, while there. We have not named the babe yet. Gideon wanted us to call it Calvin.
Matilda talked of doing so before she was taken so bad. After she got worse she was delirious part of the time and would some times say those people call their baby John, Milton, Chamberlain and other such expressions that led me to believe that she wished it called by that [damaged] [?] . When she was rational I never thought to speak to her about it, till she was struck with death and then she could not answer me part of the friend want to call it Calvin and part the other name. I think we will name it Calvin. If I only knew his wish I would be more satisfied

May 12, 1862   Dear Coz
  This is a world of disappointments. I thought yesterday that I could have the pleasure of being alone a few hours and the opportunity of writing a fine letter but alas, how uncertain are morals calculations, Ive resolve what we will do today and when night comes on we find we have fill far short of doing what we intended to. I had just got fairly engaged in writing when time was a man walked in whithout knocking, coldly took a [?] and [?] me with his company for about two hours after he left there was two more came in and staid till nearly sundown so I didn't get even your letter finished. Don¹t you think that was provoking. The babe has his health very well, some say he is the very picture of Sammie but I do not think so. I think he will be handsome but has blue eyes small mouth & chin, round featured. If you ever see him you can judge for yourself. Minnie was taken very sick last night, the Dr. thinks it is nothing serious but I am anxious about her. I have lost so many that you can not blame me for feeling an anxiety for her. I resd. some letters last week from the soldier boys, they were all well. The Ry that [David?] & [?] are in is about 12 miles from Nashville Ten. The balance of the C. C. boys are at Pettsburge Landing and with they are keen for a fight. We had a wedding in town today Rev Jas Welsh to Miss Maggie J Buck all of C. C. Mr. W. is pasture of the United Presbyterian church, above town. hope they will live a happy life. Business is very dull for this time of the year I think it will be better in a short time. The news about C. C. is rather dull, not worth writing.
  Your blissfull hopes and anticipations at the prospect of a change in your in you way of living are all natural but do not place your heart too much in them for all earthly hopes and prospects can soon be blasted. Mortals can propose but high Heaven [disposes?] I hope dear Coz that your path through life may be strewn with [?] and that all the happiness that mortal are capable of enjoying may fall to your lot, but still I would advise you to place a large portion of your affection on higher object than earth contains. To lay [damaged] your treasure where [moth?]and [damaged] do not [?], and [?] of your earthly hope are blasted you will have an abiding hope which the world can neither give nor take away. O how I would like to see you and converse with you. I could then tell you my hopes, sorrows, troubles and anxieties better than I can write and you could advise and compfort me. Write soon, if you think the correspondence is worth keeping up.
Respectfully your effnt Coz
J Milt Howe

Letter from Sallie E. Howe to her cousin Cornelia Edwards

[44]
envelope: Miss Nelie S. Edwards, Fallcreek, Hamilton County, Indiana
Oxford Ohio
February, 6th 63
  My dear Nellie
  Your kind and really good letter was received in due
course of mail, for the contents of which I return many thanks to you. and Nellie dear it is a sad heart - which is to dictate the answer. I know you will not ask "why sad" for too well you know that life to me is not what it once was, but dearest Nellie I have yet to tell you that the Angel of Death has claimed another who was very dear to us all, perhaps I have written to you of John Davis our Soldier boy we called, him, he was living with us at the time this infamous rebellion commenced, he enlisted at the first call for men, passed through a hard campaign in Western Virginia made many long and wearysome marches endured hardships, all without [?] And now in this last horrid battle a musket ball struck him in the breast he lived about fourteen hours, when Death that silent messenger came to him releasing him from pain. he died about day break on New Years morning. The Captain wrote to Belle that he had lost the most "brave and efficient" Soldier in his company. He was a good christian young man his life was pure and spotless in this world and we believe that he is now in the enjoyment of perfect bliss, "beyond the river". his remains were buried by his comrades on the field where he fell; but we expect to have them brought home and buried in the the grave yard where sleeps my Brother. And I have another to tell you of, who "foremost, fighting fell" on the last day of that terrible battle. Captain James King of Co. G. 36th Ind. Reg. - he was a friend of ours in whom we took a great deal of interest, his sister was here in Oxford going to school when the sad indelligence came. Belle accompanied her to her home, and stayed with her a few days. his remains were brought home last Thursday and buried on Saturday. Belle attended his funeral. Their home is near Liberty Ind. Nellie! do you not remember that young "lawyer" we teased Belle as much about, where you were at our home? the Captain I have been telling you of, is the same one; his sister has returned to school, she looks so sad; it would make you weep to look at her. he was all the brother she ever had. Enough of this - I must tell you some thing of our school and teachers. there are about 75 scholars & five teachers. Miss Hemphill - the lady Principal - is (at is said) one of the best teachers in the west; it seems to me that she knows almost everything; but the dearest, sweetest one of them all is Miss Hughes a pretty little lady from Pennsylvania; the most kind and gentle looking woman I ever knew.
  I believe I have not yet told you of sister Mary's sickness, she was taken sick before we were here a week, with inflammatory rheumatism; and them she had inflammation of the bowels which last disease you know is a very dangerous one. Mother came down and stayed almost three weeks. May has not been out of the house yet. she will not be able to study this term she expects to go home as soon as she is able. Give my love to your Mother and sisters
Sabbath Evening Feb.13th
  Dear Nellie I hope I will be able to complete this imperfectly written letter to night. I believe I have not yet acknowledged the receipt of your clear, good letter as it deserves. May was very very sick when it came, and oh! it did do me so much good I read it many times and thank you more than I have words to express. Nellie I received a present yesterday. under very sad circumstances a friend of mine (A young lady) died on the 2nd of this month. I was not with her for some weeks previous to her death. yesterday a relative of hers brought a beautiful Photograph Album with her miniature in it, and gave it to me telling me that shortly before my friend died died she told her mother that when she was gone, for them to give it to me. it makes me feel so sad, but dear Nellie I fear that I am desponding too much that I do not trust God as I should.
  Now Nellie darling do please write soon I know you will pardon my delay when you know that sickness and death have done a part in causing it. May Belle and I send you much love
  Nellie you said you would have "discovered from the tone of my letters, that I had changed" let me tell you Nellie what Miss Hemphill said. She says that Belle and I are the saddest looking girls she almost ever knew, and she reproved us in kindness. telling us that it was not right to feel so, when there is yet so much to live fore
I have five studies. Mental and practical Arithmetic, Grammar Physiology & Biblical Antiquities. I recite to four teachers, like the school very much indeed. There is a young gentleman in town who roomed with my dear Brother when he was at Collage. he called on us one evening or afternoon; I should say we all liked him because our Brother thought so much of him. Now my dear Nellie: I hope you will write to me soon very soon, for dearly as I always prized your letters they are dearer now than ever. I wish so much that you would come and see us next summer; Nellie I will direct my letter to "Fall Creek" as I suppose your school has closed [ere] this with much love your friend Sallie
When you write please direct to "Sallie E. Howe" O. F. I.

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The Edwards Family
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