USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Sandwich > History of the Somonauk United Presbyterian church near Sandwich, De Kalb County, Illinois : with ancestral lines of the early members > Part 19
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The young men have a great debating school once a week. I went down to hear them Thursday night, there were some very weighty arguments brought up and I thought the majority of them did very well considering.
They have had two lectures at Lakeville on animal magnatism. The gentleman who lectured magnatized a fellow who came with him. He made him talk and sing. They would set things and hold behind him and he would tell them what they were but they would have to hold them where the magnetizer could see them.
There has been two or three magnatized here since. Mr N. Dyre has been magnatized three times, the first time by Dr Mack and then by Samuel Matthews. Sidney Matthews magnatized McNaughton, he touched the bumps of mirth and music and he began singing Rosa O More. John Dobbin put one or two sound asleep. They are beginning to have much faith in it around here.
They tell me that I would make a good subject but I think it will be after this when I allow myself to be magnetized.
Mr Harsha, our teacher, has a fine school. They all met last night at 5 oclock at North Argyle. There was a Mr Mason who had two schools, that met with them. I was there and we had some excellent singing. There were so many the singers were all up in the gallery and the spec- tators below, it no doubt sounded much better to them than it did to us.
To prevent a rush among the crowd during recess, they had the minister Rev. J. Harsha to address them. He complimented them very highly, I thought it bordered on soft soap. We had a delightful time while there, but Oh dear !- stop-I shall not say a word about our ter- rible cold ride home for fear you will think we paid too dear for our whistle.
They think of having a concert (this last was only a meeting of the schools to learn to sing together) towards spring in the church in Argyle. I expect that will be something smart.
William McDougall and wife have gone back to Tennessee. Jane Ann (McDougall) is married. Uncle John Bishop and Aunt Mary have been here to make us a visit.
You spoke in your letter about our shanties. I was well pleased with the plan. I found no fault with any of it. I soon had things straightened. I was the longest finding a place solid enough on the clapboards for the clock, but a few moments of planning made things all right, but in your letter to Elizabeth you say you are going to build a log house.
Well, never mind, it did not take me more than a minute to tear down the shanties (I don't believe in letting old houses stand to rot down)
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and put up a log one. What care I whether the house is built of slabs, sods, logs or anything else (excepting rattlesnakes) sweet contentment is what I desire.
James Dobbin and Henry Rogers talk of going out with us in the spring and William Henry also talks of going.
We rather expect Robert (Patten) home next week and then have matters and things talked over. Elizabeth came here last night and will go to meeting with us tomorrow and then home.
We laughed about your charges not to quarrel. We are on very good terms now and trust we shall ever be.
Elizabeth wrote you last week and no doubt gave you the particulars of her sister Eleanors death. How very sudden it was! It was a solomn warning to us all to be also ready. Two weeks before she died we were all over to Mr McKallor's. She and I sang much together that evening. She was then in good health, much better than I was. That was the last time I ever saw her alive. We did not hear that she was ill until we heard of her death.
Give my love to Mr Beveridges people and am glad to hear that their health is so much better. Mr and Mrs Tanner send their love.
I must leave the next page for Alex and he will tell you what I have forgotten.
Write often and excuse us for not writing sooner.
From your sister, Martha N. Patten, East Greenwich.
II. Alexander R. Patten, of East Greenwich, N. Y., to his brother, William Patten, of Somonauk, Illinois.
William :
January 23, 1844.
You have waited long and no doubt impatiently for a letter but you have at last received one. Mother and Martha have not been well but have almost recovered their former health. My health has been as good as usual. I will now commence and give you a mixed account of our affairs since you left. I had quite a disagreeable time getting to Uncle Archibalds that night after I left you.
Although I always knew Jack to be a slow horse, yet his motion seemed to be retrograde instead of onward that night, at last however the long looked for place came in view, with a shout I aroused Duncan (Robertson) and soon found myself in a warm bed resting my weary bones, for such they really were.
The next day I felt much better, gathered my apples and returned home. From that time until the commencement of my school not any- thing of great importance took place.
We had one party at Mr McKallor's. We had a social evening but one of our then joyful company-God has seen fit to remove to another
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and I trust happier world. Like the bud nipped by the untimely frost, she fell to the earth to be mourned by her friends and associates. That reminds us that from dust we came and to dust we shall return.
Elizabeth was at our home last week. She came Friday and staid until Sabbath. I had no school on Saturday and we had a social visit. We anticipated our home in the west-a log cabin, and the enjoyment we should take there, if life and health were spared. The time will most likely seem longer to you than it will to us. We shall be preparing to go and the time will pass quickly to us. You must live on anticipation.
We shall have many difficulties to encounter before we get started. Getting our money will be the most troublesome.
I shall enclose five dollars in this letter and would ten if I thought it would be safe. I will send you five dollars in about two weeks. Uncle John Bain was at our place last Thursday on a visit and paid and paid his note of $11.44. Barker has paid me five, Martin will pay me this week. I have not seen Watson. There will be no difficulty in collecting all of your money. ج
I am filling up this sheet without saying anything I suppose you will care to hear. I suppose you would like to hear how I get along with my school. This much I can say far better than I expected. I began Novem- ber 13 (1843) my time was half out last Thursday if I teach 4 1-2 months, there is no doubt I will. I have 39 scholars on my roll, will have two or three more, will average 25 since I commenced. This is more than they have had in several years.
I have had no difficulty, every one sends and appear to be satisfied. I dreaded to commence as I told you before you went away. They were a saucy lot, but I soon taught them I was master and they scholars. I punished eight of them at once severely, that put a damper on them. They found it best to submit.
It is as good a school as I could wish to have. I am looking for the inspector every day. The teachers in this part of the county had a con- vention in December. I attended. There were about 50 teachers there. The teachers in this township have a meeting every two or three weeks. I have been unable to attend any of them. I shall go next week. Robert Robertson is getting along very well.
He has a large school and some think it rather noisy but must be suited.
Robert Livingston has returned from the west. He looks quite well.
I am expecting Brother Robert home every day. I shall write again as soon as he comes. You must look up a farm for Robert and me-a nice one. Uncle Moses Robertson has rented the farm to James McEachron. He pays $20.00 for the rent and finds his own firewood otherwise he rents it just as you did.
He will have to work hard to make anything. He comes the first of April.
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Roxy Washburn is talking of moving down to the Kill in one of Uncle Moses' houses. Mother will most likely go with her. We will pack up the most of our things before we go down there.
We will have a short time to make our visits and then start for the west.
I do not know what time Robert will come home to stay, soon after the 1st of April I suppose.
We have a debating school in the school house by Dunn's every week. We have quite eloquent speeches. Mr. Tanner, George and John Christie, William Harden, the Dobbins, Robertson's and the young men around here, are members. We had quite a respectable audience at the last eve- ning. The ladies attended. The next question is ought the President be elected for more than one term?
Isaac Shaw left a church certificate here for you, but I did not think you will need it and I could take it in the spring; if you think you will need it, I will send it to you.
George Christy asked me for your salery which is $1.50. He said you agreed to pay while you staid, if so I will pay him 75cts.
The store in Lake was broken open last week by Frank Dutcher They suppose others were engaged in it. None but Dutcher are missing. There were but ten or fifteen dollars worth of goods taken
Sidney Matthews had received considerable money that day, but he had laid it where they did not find it.
Dutcher went down to Sanford Langs and took one of his horses from his stable and rode it to his brothers in White Creek and then turned it loose. The horse came back again the next day.
Langworthy was more lucky this time than when his horse was stolen before. Dutcher has not been caught yet.
The weather has been very cold here this winter. The thermometer has registered as low as 25° below zero. It stood at from 12 to 16 below all the latter part of last week. We have had good sleighing for six or eight weeks. The snow has not been very deep, about a foot.
I think you had better sell your wagon, but you must be sure and sell it to one who will pay you when it is due.
I was up to Mr Pratt's last night. Elizabeth wrote a few lines on this sheet. Mr Henry is much better. They think they are out of danger now. I have room to write no more From your brother
Alex R. Patten
III. Alexander R. Patten, Somonauk, Illinois, March 25, 1850, to his brother, William Patten, at Council Bluffs, Mo.
Dear Brother
Somonauk Ill March 25 1850
The time has arrived when I was to write to you. I received your letter dated at Albany-last week. I was pleased to see you in such good spirits. I hope you may enjoy yourself as well till you return. I am
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going to Ottawa to morrow If were not I should wait till the mail came from the east, to-morrow, before I wrote.
Have not yet received that certificate of deposite from Pratt. It is not impossible for it to come yet. I hope it may-
Anthony Harmon sent up last week after that five dollars. Said he needed it verry much So I paid it. James Beveridge rec $100 from Andrew which he paid me.
There was a caucus held at the School House last week. It rained very hard, but few there. Merritt & I went down about 8 o clock they had made out the ticket, before we got there Lay was chairman of the meet- ing, Eddy secretary Dale & Kirkland chief speakers. I will give you the ticket
David Merritt, Sup. Chs Merritt Town Clerk, Eddy, Assessor Capt. Davis, Capt Pratt & W. D. Alexander Road Com- Samuel H. Lay Esqr-Poor Master and poor enough Israel S. Clark Const & Collector. Alford & Wilkins Justices of the peace
What do you think of the ticket
I should be inclined to think that an effort will be made to Elect Col Miller Assessor I favor the idea of course. I should like to see Eddy & Lay defeated. I believe they will be
I think that Merritt will have some opposition, but I think will be elected
I have attended two weddings since you left. Mahala P Fay-to Gilbert & Mary D. Arnold to Mr. Ismon. I had the honor of standing up with both couples
Mary Delia was married last week. They got horned good and strong. I went out in the evening and found near the door a large rag youngone, with a paper attached to it on which was written: these lines
Take me in and use me well For within this house my father dwells
I put the paper in my pocket and tore the youngone to pieces and threw it in the hog pen I thought it would hurt their feelings and the less knew it the better I hope Ismon is a better fellow than we thought he was
I know of nothing else to write. All are well. Robert was up here Saturday. Said all was right at home. Elisabeth sent up a line which I will enclose with this. Hough & Mahala leave for the South Thursdy They are to be at Beveridge's this evening. I may go up. I will not seal this letter and if I should not start in the morning till the mail arrives I will tell if any thing comes.
Yours truly A. R. Patten.
IV. Alexander R. Patten to his wife, Agnes Beveridge Patten.
Dear Wife Cambridge (N. Y.) Monday, April 25, 1853
I received your letter at Coila last Friday: If you had sent it to N. York I would not have received it. I left N. York on Thursday.
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I came up to Cambridge that night, stayed at Uncle John's; the next day I went to Mr Culver's and to Uncle William's. Saturday morning I went up to Slab City. In the afternoon I went to Carter Street, took tea at James Dobbin, he lives in the house where Mr Tanner used to live. I called in to see Mr Campbell's folks. I found old Mr. Campbell just alive, he died yesterday-from there I went up to Deacon Robertson's, was there about fifteen minutes. Then went up to Lakeville-took tea at Wm. Henry's-then went to Thomas Robertson's, was there about an hour-then started for James Henry's. Got there about 9 o'clock. We talked till the clock struck 12 then went to bed. I found them all well. I never saw Jennet so fleshy. Andrew had been there but a few days before I got there. He intends to go to Ills about the 1st of June.
Yesterday I went to Meeting at Argyle. Mr Collins (a brother of the one in Wis.) preached. I saw nearly all of our friends and had a great many warm invitations to stay a week but I told them my wife would object. I went home from meeting with Thomas Robertson- stayed there till evening-then went to the Kill-stayed all night with Mr Hall. Got up early in the morning and called on Roxey-left there between 6 and 7 to take the cars at Clapps Mills-got down to Cam- bridge about 9 o'clock-was with Uncle Moses till after dinner, then came up to Uncle John's-where I am now. It is now just 4 o'clock. Phebe Ann is nearly through washing. She feels bad to think that you do not write to her. Uncle William and Aunt Mary both wish me to stop in Indianna and go and see their land. It has been sold for taxes and the time for its redemption runs out this summer. They have written several times but can hear nothing from it. It is situated about 15 miles from Elkhart on the Sou. Michigan Rail Road. They feel so bad about it, and insist on my going so much that I have partly promised that I will stop. If I should I cannot get home this week-perhaps till the middle of next. I think I shall get to Chicago Saturday. I will have some business to do there. If I should get to Chicago Saturday Morn- ing I will try and get home Monday. I do not know how long I shall be detained in Indianna. I feel anxious to get home, if it had not been for this business I should have been half way to Buffalo by this time. I do not know whether I shall stop at Martin's or not, it will depend on circumstances.
You cant imagine how much good it done me to hear from you. When I left New York I gave up the idea of hearing from you till I got home. I supposed your letter had been detained on the Road and that it would not reach New York till after I left-but I was happily disappointed to find it (at) Coila. George Culver had taken it out of the office. Mr. Culver's folks were all pleased to see me. Tell James that they are all well. I shall call there again this evening.
You must try and enjoy yourselves as well as you can till I get home. I am getting homesick myself. I could not content myself to stay here a week. I shall start tomorrow morning. I shall write to you again from
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Chicago. If I should not get there so as to be home on Monday-I wish you would write to me again direct to Chicago, send it on the first mail East after you receive this. James promised to write to Chicago. I feel lonesome. I don't know what ails me. I never felt so discontented and so anxious to get home before. But there is no use in feeling bad- I shall be home in a few days-be a good Girl-kiss Jimmy for me, keep things all right. And I shall get home as soon as possible. Johnny is run- ning around the room, he talks quite plain. He looks fleshy. I will bid you farewell.
Your affectionate husband
A. R. Patten.
V. Alexander R. Patten to his wife, Agnes Beveridge Patten.
Dear Wife
Chicago, Oct. 1 1862
I recd. Yours to-day. I was up to Evanston last night came down this morning with the intention of going home to-day but as you are coming I will stay. I was afraid you would give up the idea of coming. I am glad you have concluded to come and I don't want you to fail-never mind if it does look a little rainy, it may be fair by the time you get here. I will go back to Evanston to-night & have John and Helen come down with me to Chicago to-morrow morning.
I took dinner with Mr. Kimball today. Lib made me promise to have you and the others go there to-morrow for dinner. I promised if possible to go.
I will meet where the Rail Road crosses State Street and we will go down to Camp Douglas and back to Mr. Kimball's then go down town and do your trading and get ready to leave for home. I was intending to get your dress and other things this afternoon but I had rather have you select for yourself. I spoke to Mr. Shepard about your getting some money-he will give you what you want, bring along enough. I will send this to you by George and have him deliver it to-night-now do not fail to come. Kiss that good natured little son for me, imagine one for yourself. Retire and have a good night's rest and then "be up in the morning early" and we will endeavor to have a pleasant time.
from your husband A. R. Patten.
[NOTE: Mark Kimball, a hardware merchant, at Lake and Dearborn Streets, was the father of Eugene Kimball.]
VI. Alexander R. Patten to his wife, Agnes Beveridge Patten.
Galt House
Dear Wife
Louisville, Ky. Nov. 5, 1862
We arrived here at 12 M to-day-had a very pleasant time. This afternoon Mr Abel and I have been to several hospitals to see if we could find any of our Co's sick. Fulton and Mr Wells son are here but we did not succeed in finding them. I have been to the Provost Marshalls
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office and procured a pass for Lebanon, they say I will have no difficulty in reaching Jamestown. (I leave at 7 A. M.tomorrow.) So you need not fear my being caught by the rebels. Mr Abels recd. a Tel. dispatch from Mr Castle dated Nov. 4 at Bowling Green. The Reg. is there. I may or may not go to see them, it will depend on circumstances. I will write again when I reach Cousin John's if I think the letter will get home before I do.
I hope you are all getting well. Tell the boys to see how well they can do the chores till I get back.
Yours Affectionately A. R. Patten
LETTERS OF WILLIAM PATTEN AND HIS WIFE ELIZABETH PRATT PATTEN
I. William Patten to Miss Elizabeth Pratt, of Cossayuna, New York, who a few months later became his wife.
Elizabeth :
Somonauk, Ill., June 16, 1843.
I do not know but you will think I have been very careless and negligent in not writing before this time.
It was my intention to have written as soon as I arrived, but by commencing to work the next day, I have been prevented until today or rather I have waited for a more convenient opportunity, but I find that I may wait all summer, if I wait for a rainy day.
The boys prayer that it would rain nights and Sabbath days that hired men could rest, has been fully answered since I have been in Illi- nois, for we have not been obliged to remain under shelter more than two or three hours, although it has been very wet for this country.
It is now almost two months since I have heard from home. Although I am not homesick, I can assure you that a separation from friends that I love, associations that have become endeared to my heart, has not been made without many a painful sensation. One of the many days that I spent so pleasantly with my friends in the east would be an acceptable treasure now.
I arrived at Mr. Beveridges, after considerable delay on the way May 16th. I had a pleasant time traveling, the weather was generally favor- able and company agreeable.
I made many new acquaintances on the route, some of whom I parted with regret. I had many cordial invitations to call on persons in different parts of Wisconsin and Illinois with an assurance that I should meet with a welcome reception.
I was fortunately able to be of some service to a young Scotchman in Buffalo, which I had repaid me four fold in going around the Lake. It is customary for deck passengers to find their own bedding and as I had made no provision for this, would have fared hard had it not been for the Scotchman, who generously shared his with me.
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My friend left the boat at Milwaukee and from there to Chicago, I had the opportunity of trying how comfortable it was to sleep on three slats about two inches wide, with the boat pitching and rolling so I had to hold on with both hands, sleeping on the soft side of a white oak plank is nothing to be compared to it.
I do not know as I could give a description of this country than what you have had already. It exceeds my expectations. It is all I expected and more.
If a man cannot suit himself here, whatever his circumstances are as to wealth, I should be inclined to think he did not know what he was looking after.
This is the land for the poor or the rich farmer. There are room, opportunities and employment for all, and if they can succeed any- where, they can here.
Industry and perseverance and an ordinary blessing from Him "who feeds the young ravens when they cry" is all that is needed.
I am confident you will be pleased with the country generally, if not with the place I have chosen on which to begin my improvements.
There are as many different fancys as individuals.
You cannot find a man in Illinois, who has not the best and hand- somest place in the state.
It appears to me all fancy, one part being so much better than an- other; it is all good enough.
I have met and conversed with men from nearly every county in the northern part of the state and find they all have the richest land and the best market, even those who are hauling their wheat from a hundred miles west of here to Chicago, they all tell the same story.
If I were able to buy an improved farm, think I should settle fifteen or twenty miles nearer Chicago (nearer than the land is mostly cold and wet) but as I cannot I think this is the best place.
The most of the passengers on our boat left at Milwaukee and Racine. The tide of emigration is setting into Wisconsin with a perfect rush, but the reason the most of them give for going there would keep me away, viz. that every body else is going there.
I have had good opportunities for getting information about Wiscon- sin from those who have traveled through any part of the territory and I cannot hear anything that would induce me to settle there at the present time. The land is no better and the chances of getting near a market not half as good as here.
Everything the new beginner has to buy is exorditingly high and to crown the whole the snow falls sometimes four or five feet deep with a slight touch of winter now and then.
The number of emigrants going into Wisconsin at the present time is so great they consume more than they can produce. Here in many ways it is entirely different.
The country has been settled long enough to produce five times as much as they consume.
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Here the climate is milder, provisions and necessary clothing and farming tools are cheap and easily obtained, besides there is plenty of land to work on favorable terms while we are making improvements on our own.
For wheat they will find team and seed, standing in the field in the stack, corn the same leaving their half standing on the ground without cutting or husking.
I have engaged to work for Mr. Beveridge three months for forty dollars, this is as long as I wanted work as I intend to put in a crop of wheat this fall.
I believe it will be better to go back (to Washington Co.) this fall as next spring to go and return after navigation opens, to put in a spring crop.
Mr Beveridges family are all well. James and John are at school. They received a letter from Andrew this morning.
Give my respects to your folks. I wish you would write as soon as you receive this and tell me if mother is well, if Martha and Alexander are home.
I wish you were here. Our coming out here this spring would not have been as far out of the way as you thought for there are hundreds coming out every season, without knowing any more than we did about country. I can have plenty of employment at a liberal compensation. I had rather be here without a dollar to begin with than to have $500.00 in the east and be under obligation to stay there. I believe I could obtain a com- fortable home here sooner.
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