Letter, James H. Clement to Rachel Clement, Dec 3 1858
Two letters written on opposite sides of the same sheet, in an envelope addressed to Rachel Clement.
Amboy Illinois
Sunday December 3 1858
My Dear Sister,The time has arrived when I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines.
I received Mother's letter a few days ago with much pleasure and received one from Dr. Glines a short time ago and have answered it.
I wish to inform you that my health is very good and hope I may reach home about the 6th of February if nothing happens. Mother wants I should come so bad.
I suppose you are still attending school this winter but I hope you are I should say advise you to by all means it is one of the best things you can do I think.
What kind of a time do you have this winter have you attended many dances this winter. Please tell me quick. There has been two balls where I am boarding old unreadable
I received a letter from cousin Ann [?] Clement a short time since it was short letter it was worth 100 dollars. She say she wrote you a letter in the summer and you have not answered it yet. She wanted me to tell you she should like to have you answer her letter. I should think you would be ashamed of yourself now. I advise you to write to her before you sleep a wink. I should like to see her and have a little nice sociable dance. J H Clement
You must excuse my short leter because I sat up all last night and I feel pretty sleepy to day. Please write me a good long letter as soon as you can. Write all the news you know of.
Other side:
My Dear Mother
I received your letter a short time ago with mushc pleasure and I thought I would write you a few lines in sister's letter. My health is very good and hope this may find you all the same.
I think I shall start for home about the 6 of February. I don't see as I can come much before that time but if nothing happens you will see the old man by that time shure.
Please give my best respects to all of folks. Tell father I miss him.Happy new year
Yours very respectfully
J H Clement
Amboy, IllinoisWrite as soon as you get this
Notes:
- So far this is the only mention I have of James being in Amboy, Illinois. It's a small town even now. Located in north central Illinois west of Chicago. It would have been a new town at the time (founded 1853 according to online sources), apparently created when the Illinois Central Railroad was extended to that point. The railroad's headquarters building there wasn't built until 1876, so it's not clear what would have drawn James there in 1858. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amboy,_Illinois
- Rachel Perham Clement (1838-1920) would have been 20 at the time, when James asks if she's still in school.
- Cousin Ann Clement might be Ann Maria Clements (1832-), daughter of James's uncle Asa Clement (1784-1851).
- Dr. Glines is probably Thomas Jefferson Glines (1829-1909), who married James's sister Caroline Clement (1832-1905).