On board steamer Shenango at Cincinatti, April 15, 1856

Dear Uncle,

We are detained at Cincinatti a day and mother thought that you would like to hear how we are getting along. We are doing very well although too slow for us, we are getting impatient. We had a long journey from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and now a very long one to Cincinatti, but we cannot complain for we have everything for our comfort, a handsomely furnished boat, a well kept table, very good company and everything else very nice. The worst of it is, this boat goes no farther than St. Louis where we will be obliged to take another for St. Paul so we cannot tell when we will get to our journeys end, but when we do you shall hear from us. Cincinatti is a very handsome city. I think I should like to live here very well. But Pittsburgh exceeds all that I ever dreamt of for filth and dirt. Mother says she could not recognize anything she ever saw. We were all glad enough to get away from there. I am keeping a journal of my travels which when you pay us a visit I will show you. Mother and the rest of us send our love to you and all your family. Would you please be so kind as to write a note to Grandmother Grimshaw and direct it to John Murray, Lombard St., above Tenth, saying we are all well and oblige Mother.

From your affectionate niece, M. Virginia Grimshaw

On board steamer Shenango, at St. Louis. April 20th, 1856

Dear Uncle,

We have just arrived at St. Louis, and we are obliged to reship here and take another boat for St. Paul. Pop being very busy requested me to write, he thought you would like to know how we are getting along. We left Pittsburgh on the thirteenth and we were detained at Cincinatti twenty four hours, so we have just been seven days coming to St. Louis, we have had a very long passage but a very pleasant one, pleasant weather, good company, a handsomely furnished boat, a well kept table and everything else for our comfort and accommodation. If we fare as well the rest of our journey we'll do. Pittsburgh is a horrid dirty place, we were glad enough to get away. Cincinatti is a handsome city and looks much like home, it is situated higher and the streets are wider than they are in the "City of Brotherly Love"' it contains many handsome dwellings. There are a great many nice little towns along on the Ohio river, and the scenery is beautiful. Pop is getting impatient and wants to be at his journey's end. He thinks of letting us go on up the river, while he goes through Illinois to purchase cattle. We all feel very anxious to hear from you all, but I suppose you cannot write until you know where to. Please _____all my ____in this letter. Mother has not had a spell with her head since we have been on board and all of the rest of us have been well. We are in good spirits and not at all tired out yet. Our love to Grandmother and all inquiring friends, not forgetting Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Davis

Your affectionate niece, M Virginia Grimshaw

Minneapolis July 11, 1856

Dear Mother,

After a good deal of labour I have succeeded in getting in some crops which are doing well and have built a house of good hewed logs and will make a kitchen for a better one some other day, it will be warm and dry and will be very comfortable. We will have, by the time I get back, a well dug near the house which is well shaded by forest trees. I also have a good cellar under the house for the purpose of making butter. I have in the front of our cottage one acre of land, plowed and planted in corn and potatoes, some beans and peas. By next year it will be mellow and will make a fine garden. I have plowed eight acres of land and planted three of it in corn and one in potatoes and turnips, the balance intended to put in buckwheat but could not procure the seed. I intend to break land all of this month and the next so that next spring we can start with better hopes of success. I am here for Mary and the children and will start for home on next Tuesday, will write again when we arrive. The family are all well and I am very well. Craig (_______) and all the rest are well with the exception of Mr. Pollock who has a sore hand but it is getting better, this is a fine country and very healthy abounding with wild fowl from which we can find our meat in the season. Last fourth of July we shot 18 pigeons from our house and stewed them for our dinner. Prairie hens are abundant in August and ducks and geese in the fall so we shall have plenty. I have two yoke of oxen and a cow and a calf. I am going to take with me a couple of pigs and some chickens so as to have things comfortable in a short time. I wish you could get John Brooks to send me some seed of the red currant this summer if possible. He can get them in the neighborhood if he does not have them himself. My best respects to Mr. Lovele and tell him he may rely upon it that Minneapolis is the place to speculate in town lots or send money and if he is that way inclined John Murray will act for him. John is boarding at my friends Mr. Hoag and is in employment and in good health. He is building himself a house and I think will do well. My best love to the girls and respects to my friends all. Tell them I have been so busy that I could not write but will soon have time to attend to them, and remain your affectionate son,

R.E.Grimshaw

Direct to me in care of A.J. Bell, Glencoe, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Nov 26/56

Dear Mother,

I am here for the purpose of taking Mary home. She has been spending a week or two with Kate and Mrs. Hoag. We will start in a day or two, Kate and John are well and are growing fat. Kate in particular, as for ourselves we are all well and in good spirits. Ginnie has grown to be quite a large girl and during Mary's absence has astonished me with the aptitudes she displays at house keeping. She baked bread and does the washing and all other things most admirably. You need give yourself no uneasiness on our account, we are living very comfortable in a well built log house with plenty of room, well warmed with a good large stove and plenty of wood at the door. We have about one hundred bushels of the best potatoes that you ever saw in the cellar that (____?____) in our garden, plenty of pumkin (sic) and some turnips, a barrel of pork and two hundred pound of beef, and under our bed we have seven barrels of good flour and two sacks of corn meal and besides all this I can get just as many rabbits as we can eat so that with all this along with our milk we have an abundance of food. I wish you were here to help us eat it.

I have just finished Mr. Pollack's house and he is in it, he has been living with us for six or seven weeks back and his wife and five children, so you may know we were pretty thick but went along quite happily and contented, in fact we have had all along plenty of company, "Grimshaw's" Grove has become quite a point. I am on the outpost of civilization and every one knows that Bob Grimshaw is always ready to share his hospitality with any clever fellow and there are many such, that comes along, we leave on hand a meal and a spare bufalo (sic) robe all the time and hope to share it. I have become a finished pioneer. As strong as a bear and feel myself a match for one or half a dozen indians, but, by the way, we are not troubled with them. Mary is better contented now than she was at first and I think she will like this mode of live, at any rate she will in the future direct our mode of live, for she is a jewell (sic) of the first water and I will yield to her desire, but at present I think we will stay and develop our farm.

Mr. White has his wife here and is comfortable situated in his house. She proves to be quite a good neighbour, Mr. Craig I suppose will be out in the spring, we will then have seven settlers in our place and others will come. I am afraid we will get so thick that we will have to go to the west.

My farming operations are as follows: We have a first rate garden containing one acre of land just in front of the house, it was ploughed in the spring and cropped ploughed this fall for the action of the frost this winter. We have nine acres of land broke last spring on which was corn and on the same I intend to sow wheat and oats next spring. I have contracted with Mr. White to fence me forty acres with good post and rail fence and I intend to have the whole of that ploughed and planted with corn, potatoes, buckwheat. We have two horses, two yoke of oxen, one cow and calf, and by the way, our cow will have another calf in about a month. We have six chickens and a young brood about half grown, a first rate hunting dog and two good stables, plenty of hay and fodder. I intend in the spring to enlarge our stock of cows to ten head and get some pigs. Probably some sheep and some turkies (sic). We have a good farm containing about twelve acres of wood and twenty five acres of the finest meadow on which I can cut three ton of good natural hay to the acre, the balance of the place is in fine upland prairie making in all 160 acres with stream of good water running through the whole. I believe I have now told you all that is interesting and will close with my love to all the family and my sincere regard to all my friends, tell Arthur that he need not fear of me placing my light under a bushel as he intimated in one of his letters. He (____?____) has not yet to learn that the most profound thinkers and the greatest statesmen that our country has given birth too, have and are not following the same pursuits of live that I am not, and I remain your son,

R.E.Grimshaw

Additional note on same letter of REG 11/26/56

Mr. Grimshaw leaves space for me to say that I have no where in so new a place as Grimshaw seen three more pleasant or prettier homes that those of Grimshaw's, White's, and Pollack's or families more comfortable situated in so short a time than theirs.

I have recently visited the settlement and was surprised at the progress they have made and the conveniences with which they have surrounded themselves. I am happy to be able to certify to their success.

Yours truly, C. Hoag

the following post script is written in pencil and appears to be REG handwriting. Some corrections were made to body of letter in pencil.

The new road to Fort Ridgley goes just by our door and I am informed it will be much traveled

Minneapolis, Jan 8th, 1857

Dear Mother,

The last time I was in this place I wrote you and gave an account of ourselves and prospects. I have nothing new to relate, save that we have the coldest weather I ever experienced. The thermometer being 30 below zero. It is astonishing the degree of cold we can endure in this climate, and be comfortable. Mary and the family are all well, I am heavier now than I ever was before and in good health and spirits. Ginnie is spending some time here with Cass (?) and Miss Addie Houg. I will be here in a week or two for her. John and Kate are well and Kate has grown quite fat, she is now writing to Ell at the same table that I am. Ginnie is desirous of writing to you and I will close by wishing you to present my love to all the family and respects to all inquiring friends and I remain your son.

RE Grimshaw

(continuation of same letter)

Dear Grandmother,

I now sit down to write a few lines to you. I am now spending a few weeks in Minneapolis, we were three days coming down, we had delightful weather all the way. We left Mother and the children all very well. Pop brought is in the sled and will start back tomorrow with a load. Emma grows very fast and says that she would like to have spent Christmas in Philadelphia. Kris Kringle did not get out to our place. Ellwood is as tall as Emma. He thinks he has plenty of snow to use his sled on. Lidy does not grow much, her head is as white as ever, she was six years old just before I came away. Willie (William) is larger than she is and wears pantaloons and jackets. I like it out at Grimshaw (reference to Grimshaw Grove, their name for their property or settlement) very well. There are three families there and we are all very sociable. We eat pot corn for nuts and roasted potatoes for apples. Pop says if you have got your land warrant to transfer it to him legally and he will in return send you an order to John Davis for the money. Give my love to Uncle Arther and Aunt Jane and tell (?) I will write soon. Emma has written to Mira (?) . Ella us going to send a few lines to you. We all send our love to you and all inquiring friends. Good bye and a dozen kisses for each cheek.

Your Affectionate (?) , Ginny Mary Virginia Grimshaw

Minneapolis,

April 4th, 1857

Dear Mother,

Your letter of (_____)came duly to hand. I am at a loss to know how to advise you in reference to your coming out to Minnesota. I would like to see you, and nothing would give me more pleasure than to have you living with us the balance of your days, but still I think the journey would be too much for your feeble state, and our winters too severe for a person of your age and shattered constitution, and upon the whole I think I will be compelled to say no, but nevertheless if you should make up your mind to come I will make you as comfortable as the circumstances here will admit. It is needless to say that you are welcome to our prairie home. I am in some difficulty in money matters in this manner.

When I left Philadelphia I owed a mortgage of Seventeen Hundred dollars on my property in West Philadelphia, due this spring. I had one of he same amount due me in Bristleton with which I intended to pay it, and now I am informed by Mr. Davis the money in Bristleton will not be paid this spring and that the mortgage in West Philadelphia he thinks will have to be paid.

My money here is all invested with the exception of Seven Hundred Dollars that I have in hand. I have written to Mr. Davis to borrow $1,000. If he can and I will send him a draft for the balance. I am in hopes that he will be able to get the money as he can offer property of mine to the amount of Six Thousand Dollars as security. I wish you would state the case to Arthur and ask him if he can help me out, and if he cannot, ask him to assist Mr. Davis among my friends to do it. I will appreciate the kindness.

I will not be able at present under these circumstances to pay you for your warrant, but I will in the course of a month or two, and I hope you will not part with it, I can obtain one here but I am desirous of having yours as it is the bounty land of my Father and I hope to hand it down to my family.

We are all well and I am busy preparing for spring operations. I am fencing 100 acres of land with post and rail fence. I have hauled this winter 3000 rails and 1000 posts so you see I have been busy at work. I think I the fall next I will visit you and will write frequently, so keep up your spirits and consider that you have learned us all to take care of ourselves and that we are not unmindfull of your teachings.

You will observe that this is not my hand write. I have written thus thinking it would be read by you with more ease.

Please tell Ell that I consider a letter to you one to you all and that she must take no offense at me not writing to her as my time is limited but still I have a heart big enough for you all.

Remember me to all the family and friends.

Your son, R.E.Grimshaw

Murrays are all well.

Grimshaw Grove

July 26,1857

Dear Louisa,

It being Sunday afternoon, I sit down to enjoy myself talking to you. You must excuse this little letter this time as I do not feel able to write a long one. I am feeling pretty miserable all the time now, I guess it will be the last I shall write before my sickness, (birth of last child) so you may expect the next one from Ginnie. I received yours on Friday and was glad to hear from you all. I also received one from Martha and Sarah Jane last week, which should have answered before yours, but Emma has written so I thought I would let this one do for all a little while longer. We have a mail going through this place now once a week therefore our letters will go and come with more regularity than when we had to go twelve miles to the PO.

There has been some trouble in the territory with the Indians but the last accounts are that all a quiet and no more trouble is apprehended. We have not seen any of them and the place where they committed their outrages is fifty miles away from us, with a fort filled with soldiers between us and them. We do not feel alarmed as yet any of us in this settlement except Maggie White who appears to be in great perturbation about them, so that we do not tell her anything we hear concerning them and do not let her see the newspapers, her life is more precious than the rest of us you know. We had another pest last week in the shape of a cloud of grasshoppers which came down like snow flakes, eating up everything that came in their way. Robert thought his whole crop was gone, however, they went up again the next day and did not do as much damage as was expected. They ate the tops off of nearly an acre of potatoes and a great deal of corn, but they did not touch our garden although Whites and Pollocks were completely destroyed. Our crops, garden do look very promising now. We have pear, beans, beets, cucumbers, turnips, radishes, onions, salad in abundance, besides herbs of kind growing nicely. Plenty of sweet corn also tomatoes which I am afraid will be too late to ripen much. I wish you had been here on the fourth. We had company from another settlement. We expected Mrs. Nuttall but were disappointed. However we had eight and Maggie W. had four besides our own families to dinner and tea, there was one Lady among them. I will tell you what we had for dinner, in the first place we had turtle soup then a wild goose with green peas and salad, coffee and milk for those that wanted. Plenty of good bread and butter and last rhubarb pies and rice pudding, but against all was over I was pretty well tired out with cooking and baking, I needed more help than I had I assure you. J. Hunt (James Baldwin Hunt) was among the number of our guests, he has bought a place about seven miles from us and is now busy farming. I tell him he ought to have brought a wife with him from B for he wants one badly but he says he would not bring one out here to be dissatisfied, he wants one that is already here and satisfied with the country. I say he will have to wait until some of the children grow up as young ladies are very scarce. Have you seen Alf Dungan since he came home? He has written a letter to Ginnie in which he gives her a very pressing invitation to come on this fall and pay them all a visit, also Frank and her mother joins in the invitation, but I guess it will not be accepted for if there was nothing else I could not spare her now. But I must bring my letter to a close, Elwood, Lidy and Willie are playing around in the house and out, there is a good shade here, the house is in the edge of a grove, Lidy says tell her that I like her, Willie says, so do I. Ginnie and Emma have gone to Pollocks which is about a quarter of a mile off, Robert has gone walking round somewhere and it is near tea time. Give my love to your mother and all inquiring friends. Mrs. Clark (wife of Hoag) has gone on a visit to Phila.

From your friend Mary P. Grimshaw

Noted in margin- The mosquitoes bite me so much I can hardly write.

This letter in an envelope marked as follows:

Return Address:

Dept. of Justice

District of Minnesota

U.S.Marshals office

St. Paul, Minn.

Written by hand: For Will Grimshaw, Jr. After my death. WHG

This envelope contains two letters from Ginnie written while enroute from Philadelphia to St. Paul. Also letter of father and Ginnie and a letter of Uncle James in regard to my mothers death. WHG (his mother was Mary Page Nicholson Grimshaw.)

Philadelphia Oct. 9/57

Robert E. Grimshaw, Esq.

Dear Brother

The intelligence of Marys' death reached me on the 21st ult. I have been expecting to hear more fully from you and have therefore delayed acknowledging the receipt of your letter. The news of Mary's death was so totally unexpected that it fell upon me like a thunderbolt. It seems too hard that she should be taken away so early. Leaving her little children without a mother's watchful love and that the western prairie should only have furnished her with a sod for her grave instead of a home and happiness with you. For yourself I can but reach across forest and prairie and give you the hand of sympathy in this the great grief of your life.

Your own heart will be your best councilor, but consolation comes from God. I shall not attempt therefore to proffer advise or to open your wounds afresh by recapitulating my sorrow but merely assure you that I feel deeply for you and your children in your bereavement and though separated by distance I am united with you in the fellowship of tears.

Truly yours,

James B. Nicholson

Handwritten at bottom:

Son Will,

My mothers name was Mary Page Nicholson

" Uncles " James B. Nicholson

Minneapolis, March 6/58

Dear Mother,

I understand that you have disappointed in not having had a letter from me recently.

I have written two to which no answer has been returned and all I can say is that I do not know why you have not received them.

The children are all well and Ginnie performs the household duties in a very creditable manner. She has grown to be quite a woman. (note: Mary Virginia "Ginnie" Grimshaw was born July 1843 and would have been 15 years old at this writing) For myself, I am well and weigh heavier than ever before in my life.

I have let my farm to Mr. Bartlet (?) and George White for the coming year upon shares (?) I furnish two teams and all the seed for cropping fifty three acres of land, they furnish themselves and we divide the crops equally. I intend moving to Minneapolis during the spring or to Saint Paul, for the purpose of going into my business. My (_______) in the matter appear to be fair.

I understand that you have determined to come out here in the spring provided I send you money on account of your warrant. That I cannot do, my money is all loaned and owing to the pressure of the times cannot realize it at present. And notwithstanding your presence here would be very desirable in my home situation cannot recommend you to undertake the journey and moreover I am afraid the climate is rigorous for your delicate constitution

I will be compelled under the law in the event of my leaving my place, to permit it. You would favour me then by leaving your warrant properly transferred and send it to me immediately and I will pay you the market price of it at home and interest for the amount until paid. At present I have no money and you shall be attended to at the earliest opportunity. If you send it to be sure it is correctly transferred to me and have it registered at the PO

Elwood is boarding at Glencoe and going to school. The baby is growing remarkably and is good. Will is as stout and rugged as a bear and the rest of the children are all well and Ginnie has grown to be quite a woman and very pretty. I have no hesitation in saying she is the prettiest girl in the state and with a good share of common sense for her years.

I have no more at present and I close, your son.

R.E.Grimshaw

John and Kate are well, Murray is doing a good business REG

P.S. March 7

In my hurry yesterday I forgot to send my love to all the family and my friends. You will please remember me to them. I start for home tomorrow at sunrise. I have just received a letter from Mr. Yerkes (?) informing me that he had seen you at Coates's

PS Since writing the above I have had the offer of the work of two single houses for Mr. Hoag. Perhaps I may take them. I wish Auth (?) was here to join me, we could do a large business.

PS I do not know why James Nicholson does not write he has not answered my last letter four months since, ask him.

Minneapolis Sept. 20/58

Dear Mother,

I have just received your letter and at once hurry to reply to the main question" am I contented". I am, as much so as the nature of my case will permit, it is true indeed that I am not happy. I and the children all, enjoy good health and have plenty to eat from off he farm and things are moving along with (____) a tolerable share of success and all nature looks inviting. The flowers bloom and impregnate the air with their sweet perfume, the feathered birds sing as sweetly and make the groves vocal with their songs. The stars shine brightly and the rivers roll and all things combine to make a philosophic mind contented and I am. But happiness in his life. I do not expect it and I do not want it, there is a void in my heart that cannot be filled and hence the reason ( it should be noted here that the writers wife, Mary Page Nicholson Grimshaw died on Sept. 1, 1857. JGF) Now I do not wish you to understand from the above that I am grown to be a sour irritable grumbling creature, not at all, but quite the reverse of this. I have long since believed that there is no such thing as positive evil in the world, but that all our misfortunes are for our good and I look upon mine as a stroke of divine providence into whose hands I commit myself.

I am now in town and at work, this fall I will build a house and move the family here so that they can be educated. When I left home last Friday I made ample provision for the family and you need give yourself no uneasiness on their account.

Ginnie is well competent for their care, I will return home in about two weeks and in about two weeks after that I will have them here, I will rent the farm next year as usual.

I recently wrote to my friend Mr. Wetherby, asking him to purchase your land warrant and send it to me. I have not heard from him since it will be necessary to have one to (preempt ?) with, I have not yet heard from James Nicholson, will write him at the first opportunity.

The school in Glencoe has discontinued and Elwood is at home. He has grown to be a stout boy and can shoot a bird or goose as well as any of us. Last Friday he put a ball into the center of a mark with a rifle at Seventy Yards. Will is also stout and rugged as a bear. Kate can walk by chairs. She is a fine child. Murrays are all well and now I believe I have told you all that is important and will close by acknowledging the correctness of Dr. Buck's advice. I feel it to be true, and if we do not meet anymore upon this earth as intend, I hope we may meet in heaven, that we may do this is the humble prayer of your affectionate son.

R.E.Grimshaw

Minneapolis Nov. 28, 1858

Mother Dear,

My last remains unanswered but I do not stand upon formalities. Next week I will leave this place for home, that sweet word, how I love it "Home". I shall remain there but a short period and then return to commence my house in this place. Murray and I have taken lots adjoining each other and will build together.

I would have built before this but my time has been employed at building a church and the committee would not let me off. It is now nearly finished and makes a pretty appearance and the congregation are pleased. I think it will be to my advantage in a business point of view.

The children are all well and I am enjoying good health. I am heavier than ever before in my life and in good spirits. This is a glorious climate, it would be impossible under the most adverse circumstances long to remain dull. One's digestion is perfect and the lover of nature cannot but feel happy as he rambles along by our rapid rivers and gazes at our picturesque hills. The wild ruggedness of the falls of St. Anthony is worth a trip out here to look at. The falls are at least twenty five feet and then a perfect foam as it dashes along for miles below, the whole confined on either side of the great river by hills nearly approaching mountains. I have in my life, you know, spent some time in travelling about, and altho attended by some disappointment I do not regret it. I believe the pleasure that has been derived has more than compensated for it and as soon as I get the opportunity to do it I intend crossing the continent to the Pacific. You need give yourself no uneasiness on my account. I will not start for some time yet and not until I have all things right.

I am of the opinion that before ten years there will be a continuous railroad from Philadelphia to the Pacific in British America through this region it is now this far, and our companies are pushing along with theirs, and already an English company are negotiating for an interest in the work and if they succeed in obtaining it the thing is done.

Commend me to the family and friends. Your affectionate son,

R.E.Grimshaw

My thanks to (?) for the interest he manifested in obtaining the currant. I appreciate the favor.

Minneapolis, April 10th, 1859

My dear Ginnie,

Will you allow me to address you a few lines? I have often desired to write to you but was restrained by the thought that you might object as you declined writing to me.

I saw a letter you wrote to your "Pop" in which you manifested a deep concern in regard to the relation existing between him and "Althea". You need not be alarmed anymore on her account. I believe it is all at an end, at least he told me that nothing was further from his thoughts than marrying her and I would join you in deploring the fate that would place your brothers and sisters under the care of such a thoughtless creature as she is.

Your Pop was in St. Paul yesterday looking for a chance to get into business, he thinks there is a prospect of doing something. I hope he will conclude to stop here or at St. Paul and try, for I believe he could build up a good business. Would you not rather stay here? I would very much like to see you and have intended coming up before this but am so hurried in my business I know not whether I'll get ? (before you leave) or not.

Will White, your Pop and myself were at St. Paul last Monday. Saw __?__ Craig and Jim as big as life. They said nothing to me concerning the charge that Rebecca has been pleased to prefer against me. I am sorry that are so bitter against your Pop and yourself.

There are no news worth mentioning. Then ice has not gone out of the Lake yet and it is still cold with same snow on the ground. I understand that the people in the Settlement are very much homesick and discouraged.

Ginnie, will you write me in return and give me all the news and everything that has happened?

I wish you were here, Ginnie, I should enjoy myself very much. I am ever thinking of you and I do hope the time will speedily come when you will be here, that we may enjoy ourselves together. Til then, I remain your absent but loving friend.

Jas.B.Hunt

Minneapolis Sept. 2nd, 1860

My dear Jim,

I have heard that you were sick, and I could not resist the temptation of writing, to inquire if it was true and if so, if you are very sick, or if you are now getting better? I cannot bear the idea of your being sick, especially in a strange place, with no one, but strangers to care for you. You must not think me foolish, but I have been very much worried concerning you. I have been expecting you every Saturday night for three weekends. Have always been sadly disappointed, but, as I am used to waiting , I consoled myself with the thought that another week will soon roll around and then he will surely come. But, oh Jim you don't know how long the weeks sometimes appear. I have been looking for you all day, and now, as I cannot see you, I must content myself, with thinking about you and writing to you. I sincerely wish the day wold speedily arrive, when, in sickness as well as in health, we will be a source of help, and happiness to each other, and when both the joys, and sorrows, of one will be shared by the other. I wish you were here, Jim, that I might tell you how impossibly dear you are to me and how deeply I sympathize with you.

I believe Pop has concluded not to go south this winter but to stay and build Wilkins' house. He is going down to the fort next week to work on the fair buildings, by that time he will be done with the Harrisons house. I have had two invalids to nurse for the last two weeks, but they have now retired, and Pop is away. The last words he said to me were "Ginnie don't sit up late, but go to bed and try to get rested" so I must make my letter as short as possible or he will come home and find me disobeying him which will be awful. This is the second time I ever undertook to write to you as I am not used to writing to gentlemen. I scarcely know what to write. I know what you would say "write just what you think" but if I did, I would fill half a dozen sheets like this, and you would only think me a little goose for my pains. So I will only say what is uppermost in my mind. I love you dearly and am very sorry that you are sick, and if I could, I would gladly go to you (and not go away again either).

Please come up as soon as possible. I forgot to tell you Althea is not married (which pleases Pop amazingly). By assuring you that you possess my fervent love as well as my sympathy I must close. Believe me to be your own,

Ever affectionate

Ginny

Christmas Night (1860) Minneapolis

Friend Louisa:

Ginnie and Mr. Hunt have gone to spend the evening at a friend's house in the neighborhood; the cubs are all in bed, but not asleep. I hear Kate's voice above all the rest insisting that Santa Claus did come. Last night, the others not being quite so positive, they begin to question his reality. Look on him as a recondite personage. I will leave them to settle the matter as best they can but they will be sleeping before that happens.

In your letter to Ginnie of the 18th inst. You suggest that I must feel a sense of loneliness having lost so good a wife - Alas! My kind friend, this is truly my case. I hope it may not be considered weakness, but, notwithstanding all my philosophy, I feel a void in my heart, that cannot be healed. She was a noble woman, so dutiful , so loving, so cheerful and amiable - her sense of right so clear - her judgement so exact. My good friend, you knew her well but I knew her heart. She was void of guile. Her hand and heart were open to everything that was good, and moved to nothing because it was conventional, or because it was customary; but only because it was right. Oh, what a loss we did all sustain in her death. You will not understand me as being melancholy, and desponding, for I am not, nor do I desire her back, but conceive of me, as being cheerful and happy, in good health and competent to discharge all the duties incumbent upon me to perform. And now let me say a word concerning the children. It will not do to say much of Ginnie, as she will copy these pencilling to you but suffice it to say that she is all I can desire.

Emma is with her mother in a happier and better state of existence. I firmly believe this. (note: In some notes I have, in Bertha "Aunt Bert" Bell Hunt's handwriting, it states that Emma was born In 1846 and died in 1860. No cause given. Also in these notes there is reference to a first born daughter named Elizabeth Nicholson Grimshaw who died at 1 week. In 1850 another daughter was born and named Elizabeth Nicholson Grimshaw and it is noted that she married a George W. Cooley. -JGF) Elwood is going to school, perhaps he is not so far advanced as some of his old associates, but I do not deem this a disadvantage. He has ample time yet to pursue his studies, mean time, he has developed an athletic form, and a robust constitution, with a tolerable share of beauty, a good mechanical head, with a fair amount of intellect, and with all a good boy.

Will has entered school and is doing well. I have no hesitation in pronouncing a perfect model in structure. He is the largest boy of his age that I ever saw, full chested, square built, with perfect limbs, large head with light curly hair, large clear blue eyes, and pleasing face, and as much vigor, and strength as is rarely found in boys of his age. I look upon him as the flower of the flock.

Lide is the same little witch she always was The same complexion of her mother. She can do anything, or thinks she can, which will amount to about the same thing in the future, for when we think we can accomplish a thing, the end is more than half attained. I set her down as the making of a competent woman.

And now I come to speak of little Kate. She is just the nicest little "critter" you ever saw. She speaks every word as plain as any of us, and knows every tune by name as soon as we sing or play it, goes to bed at night and is as little trouble as a grown person, all she wants is enough to eat and drink and plenty of time to sleep. Her hair is light, eyes deep blue, cheeks like roses. I have been particular in describing the cubs because I thought you would be interested in knowing how they progressed. Probably in the spring I will send you their daguerreotypes.

The times have been exceedingly hard in the west, owing to the late financial crisis. Real estate has fallen immensely in value, and individuals who thought themselves wealthy, and were living accordingly have been so reduced that they cannot get credit for a pound of butter. You are acquainted with some of these. I do not pity them, for they became quite arrogant in times of prosperity and now are having their reward. But the times had changed and I began to think we were at the beginning of a more prosperous condition and were ushering in a new era upon a more permanent basis. When suddenly new difficulties that I have long foreseen burst upon us. I allude to the feeling manifested between the people of the north and south; our currency is again depreciated, confidence destroyed, and this brings me to speak of politics; a subject unfortunately not very agreeable to ladies generally. I think the Union will be severed, the "irrepressible conflict" must go on, we cannot, nor we should not, compromise with slavery; We must do what is right in accordance to our conscience, let the consequence be what it may. I have not been one of those that looks upon our system of government as the "ne plus ultra" of human achievement. It has many objectionable parts, and I am of the opinion that if this union is to be preserved in no other way than by enslaving of four millions of her people and allowing this spread of " this sum of all villainies" the sooner it is destroyed the better. I have a firm faith that the good people if our country will be equal to the emergency when it comes. "Chaos will not come again" - you may rely upon this, we will not retrograde, man's course is onward. We must to justly, and remember at all times that God reigns. I can but admire the position assumed and sustained by the president-elect. His silence is awful while we know his ability to speak. Amid all threatening and clash of contending parties he stands unmoved.

"As some tall cliff that lifts is awful form,

swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm.

Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread

eternal sunshine settles on it head"

Commend me to your husband, and family, and to my friends generally, and believe me to be your sincere friend.

R.E.Grimshaw

418 W. James St, Lancaster Oct, 20, 1899

Dear Cousin Will,

I am writing you again on the same errand as before. I heard last night of a sufferer and they are very anxious to try your famous remedy. Glad to be able to tell you that the ladies in Zanesville (?) are better. Mrs. Moorhead wrote me to that effect in her last letter. You sent me a pamphlet a long time ago. I gave it away to Cousin George McGowan and I have forgotten the name of the physician. Can you send me another or tell me his name and I will write him myself. You were so very kind in responding so promptly before . Mrs. Moorhead wrote me of the nice letter you sent. I thank you sincerely. I know your good heart of old. How long ago it seems since we walked together around the Minneapolis streets. Do you remember the night that dear Mary Jenks (?) lost her sack and it was found the next day. How Aunt Salome wondered how we wandered so far. You were such an impossible youngster then. I can hardly realize that you have grown so great and famous. That was in 1872. I remember the date so well because it was ten years after the Indian Trouble in Minnesota and one of your favorite practices was to try to make us think that the Red Skins were still lurking around in dark places especially at Minnehaha. You never succeeded in scaring me but I know Mary used to shake. I am growing old, wearing glasses and getting gray. The change is only on the outside I am thankful to say, what matters then if we pile up the years.

I have been looking to hear from dear Aunt Salome for some time. I know her's are busy days and full of trouble but I do wish she could find a little while for me. I would be so glad to hear from her and she writes such newsy interesting letters. If there was only good news of Uncle Roberts condition.

I have been home but a few weeks and next week we are on the wing again. Mary and I go to Philadelphia to attend Percy Hix's (?) wedding. He is Mina's oldest boy and will be married on Wednesday 25th at 7 PM We will likely remain to see "Dewey" He comes on October 31st as the guest of the city. Our Exposition is rather good. The musical feature remarkable fine. We can put in a week very pleasurably. Dewey might feel slighted if we missed him.

The other day in overlooking my papers that had accumulated while I was away I found one I thought you may have sent. It was from Minneapolis and contained the account of Ingersoll's death. Shall I tell you how it made me feel: Ah, so sad, sad for him. To think such a brilliant life ended in such darkness. Sad for his family to whom he left such a legacy (No hope for the future) and sad for all those whose minds had been perverted by his brilliant but false reasoning. Dear Will, my heart aches for you for I judged you shared his views. It is so dreadful to live this life with no hope for the after-life. His family clinging to his empty casket dreading to bury it out of their sight because they had no hope of ever seeing him again was pathetic in the extreme. He was most cruel to those he loved the best because he taught them so. On the other hand when I see how in the midst of the deepest sorrow a Christian is sustained, sorrowing not, as others who have no hope. I cannot be too glad and thankful to know there is such an anchor for the soul sure and steadfast. I say know, not hope, because there is this perfect assurance of a blessed life beyond the grave. I am so glad to tell you , Will, that my greatest comfort, yes, my only comfort is this. There is not __?__ in this world that I would exchange for it. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God, a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens" Eye hath not seen nor ear heard. Neither hath it entered into the heart of man The things God has prepared for them that love him. Death is only transition and the beginning of the real life. Not the end of all. Our few school years here are only the preparation for the eternal riches beyond. This is not idle talk nor a sentimental rhapsody. I wish I could make you know how real it is and I only wish that you could have seen even a faint conception of the blessed comfort. Thine is in this assurance. Dear Will, I do not want to preach but Oh, if I only could make you know him real. This is (real) to me and the joy and happiness I have in knowing that. God is not a cold impersonal thing but - My Father in Heaven - and that I am his child not only by creation but adoption because, I believe in Her dear Son, I do not want to weary you but my heart is so full that I scarcely know how to stop.

Will you give my best love to all my dear cousins. How often I think of you all. I hear there is some talk of holding the next National Republican convention in Phila. You know we have facilities not, the Exposition building is finished. There is a fine auditorium seating capacity of 6000, big enough for you people with swelled heads, reaching out "Hands across the sea" in all directions. I wish something would turn your feet this way, I would dearly love to see you.

If you write promptly a letter would reach me in Phila I send my address there for it. At least, a week after the 25th. (no 1629 Vine St.) otherwise the address at the heading of letter would be best

With much love

Sincerely yours, Rosa H. Jenks (?)

I do not know who this person is. Possibly a relation through Robert Elwood Grimshaw's second wife Salome. If anybody knows I would appreciate hearing. ~~JGF

(Letter apparently erroneously repeated from Letter 18 below)

1716 23rd St., Galveston,

January 6, 1913

Dear Will,

I received a letter from Louisa's daughter, lately, in answer to a Christmas I sent them, in which they tell me of their Father's death. They said they would not be able to keep the home any longer, and had been preparing to move. In looking through their Mother's boxes I had come across a package of old letters, which they thought I would like to have so sent them to me, and I send one to you knowing you will like go have it. It was written on Christmas night 1860 and speaks for itself. (See letter from Robt. E. Grimshaw to friend Louisa, I believe this is the letter referred to ~~JGF)

We are all well, and still enjoying the climate. There is a norther expected in a few hours, and then we may expect a day or two of disagreeable weather. We have had one or two since we came but they don't last long.

We had a very happy Christmas, we were well remembered by all our children and feel that we are indeed blest. I am sporting a new bonnet, a present from my brother Will. Give our love to Marion, I hope her health is better this winter.

Your loving sister

Virginia Hunt

La Jolla, Cal

Dear Uncle Will -

I am enclosing the receipt for the Thousand Dollars which I received a few days ago. I certainly think it was a lovely thing for my brothers and sisters to do, to assign all their interest in Grandpop's estate to me and I assuredly do appreciate it although I feel that I have no right to it.

I feel that I have already received more than my share of Mothers love and affection especially during these last few years and that the lions share of her fathers estate ought not to come to me also. Sometime I hope to be able to tell you all about her since she last wrote to you, but as of yet I cannot think of her without tears.

In her last illness her thoughts were on the past and she reviewed so often all the scenes of her childhood and recounted many times the trip from Philadelphia to Minnesota and the life on the claim afterward. I know that her love for you was always very great and that you were in her mind up to her last conscious hour. Dear, dear mother, the savor of life seems to be gone since she died.

I want to thank you for all the trouble you have taken on my behalf and for your assurance of love and affection. There is no one I would turn to quicker in time of trouble than you, Dear uncle Will, and if at any time there is anything I can do for you I shall be most happy to do so.

I wish I might be in Minneapolis for a short time to see you and Hazel and her little one, but am glad to escape the cold weather. Give my love to Aunt Marion and if you ever see Cousin Ella I would like to have you give her my love also.

May sends love and wishes you and Aunt Marion might come to California while we are here.

With many wishes for a Happy and Prosperous Year, I am

Your loving Niece, Bertha