Jan 4th 1864
Dear Parents[1],
I have just got through reciting in arithmetic and returned to my room. I thought I would write you a line or so to let you know how we are and what we have been doing for the past few days. Carrie[2] is troubled a little with her complaint, but she is taking her medicine she thinks it helps her very much. Christmas we remained at our room and had a roast chicken for dinner that Uncle Jervises[3] folks gave us the Sunday before. Jennie Beach & Jennie Nichols went home Christmas Eve. While they were gone I received a letter from Tom[4] stating that he had enlisted and him and Hank[5] thought of coming down here to spend New Year’s. And Sunday Carrie and I went to a funeral of Sarah Shipman. And then we went over to the Annas House and hired a room and lodging and board for four and agreed to pay $8.00. We did not tell the girls. Thursday we read compositions and the gentleman had declination. After the scholars had through the Rev Clark made a speech. And after school Uncle Jervis and cousin Hannah[6] came here and wanted us to go home with them and Carrie and I combed our hair and put on our brown dresses, cloaks, furs and hats and went to the hotel. Got there just as the stage had got in. We looked in the bar room window and who should we see but Tom and Hank. We rapped on the window and they came out. We then invited them up in our room which was furnished with a yarn carpet, sofa, sofa chairs, marble top table, a large mirror and three pictures. Two pretty vases stood on the table. (The room was upstairs). After they got warm we invited them down to tea. For tea we had oysters and some splendid cake in a silver cake basket, biscuit & bread pickles, cold turkey and beef. I can’t remember all we had but the boys were somewhat surprised I guess. There was a dance to the hotel. Jim Adams hired the ballroom and was head manager. We all went up to see them dance a little while. We saw Jim & Samantha and saw them dance. They were very much pleased to see us. Samantha went and got Jim and introduced him to us after she found we were there. She said she was afraid we did not know him. She said any time that we would send word that we would like to come to their house they would be happy to come after us. We had a good breakfast and had a regular New Year’s dinner, oysters, roast turkey, roast beef, minced apple and berry pies, tomato sauce, everything in perfect order. We also had a nice supper and breakfast. I cannot write more about it at this time. The boys were surprised in the size of the town. Hank gave Carrie a little piece of paper and told her not to look at it til they got away. It was a note stating that they had paid the bill. Aunt Elizabeth[7] is so she works again. The rest of us are all well as far as I know. We have not seen any of Uncle Samuel’s folks but cousin Thomas. E.V.W. (Erranda V. Wibert[8])
(In the margin) You wanted to know how our provisions held out. We haven’t bought but one loaf of bread and we have got flour enough o bake twice or more. Butter holds out good we have only eaten down one level with the top of the pail. Aunt Deborah gave us a pound. We received your letter containing money to buy some diarys but we had purchased them at the price of 62 cents. Write soon and tell us all the news. Good by. C.M.W. (Carrie M. Wibert)
[1] George M. and Julia A. Wibert, George born in Wayne Co, NY about 1822 son of Benjamin Wibert and Sylvia Kelly
[3] Jervis Johnson born about 27 Sept 1799 in New Hampshire died 2 March 1887
[4] Thomas Akenhead born July 1838 to Thomas & Florinda Akenhead in Wayne County, NY
[6] Hannah S. Johnson born about 1835 DeRuyter, NY daughter of Jervis and Elizabeth Johnson
[7] Elizabeth (Wibert) Johnson, wife of Jervis (married 7 March 1827), sister of George M. Wibert. Died 18 July, 1896
[8] Erranda Wibert born 4 Nov 1846 in Galen died 2 Mar 1932
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