Thomas Hill (1829-1908), Niagara Falls, c. 1860, oil on canvas
(Swain, New York – Tuesday Morn.)
Written by Susan Maria Swain (Mm. Van Nostrand)
I find this letter very sweet, between these two people I’ll never meet beyond the page.
My grandparents were married September 15th in the year 1863, he was 28 and she 24. This letter, though undated, is written from her parents’ residence (who are also my grandparents, but it’s confusing to call everyone that) and must be very recently after their marriage because this is first time she’s ever addressed William as her “husband” in a letter and she calls out this novelty by writing, “my hand didn’t tremble when I wrote that…”
My guess is this letter must be written around October 1863, because they seem to have recently traveled from Niagra falls for their honeymoon and she asks him to bring her shawl so I suspect the weather is just starting to cool off during the day.
The letter is transcribed exactly as it is presented in the original document.
My very dear Husband,
There Will my hand didn’t tremble when I wrote that isn’t it strange seeing it is the first time I ever wrote it. The week that I have been absent from you dear Will seems almost like an age & I am sure that I appreciate your [goodness] & loving [kindness] better when I am seperated from you than I ever did when with you. O Will I do want to see you so much I shall count the hours with importance till I see your dear face again! I have been very busy since I have been here & worked early & late. the time does not seem so long when I have a good deal to accomplish but I think I can get the work I have laid out done by saturday night, so if you can [oumenienlty], please come over some time saturday to stay all night but you know you must act your [???] pleasure about it. Don’t forget to bring my thick shawl & I think I left a [bushel] of black [chiffon] with a blue flower in it, in the little drawer where my collars are, if it is there please bring that also & if you can just as well as not not please call at Halts & bring Neals trunk that I had when we went to Niagra.
I am in a hurry so please excuse this hasty [seraenl] & accept a kiss from you own loving Sue
Of the North Shore 