USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. from a period preceding its settlement to recent times, including the annals and geography of each townshipAlso a sketch of woman's work in the county for the United States sanitary commission, and a list of the soldiers of the national army furnished by many of the townships > Part 69
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Their labors were continued to the close of the war, with a total result of consignments (including the above) of five barrels and four boxes of sanitary stores, two firkins of pickles, two tubs of butter, and a cask of blackberry wine. The estimates of two barrels and two boxes are not given; the re- mainder were valued at $206.68. The society was always small, there being two other societies within the limits of the township. Perhaps no contribu- tor was more active than an aged lady-Miss Sarah Babcock-whose knit- ting-needles were kept steadily at work; the avails sometimes found their way to the Montrose Aid, without waiting for the less frequent consignments from Dimock. She died at the latter place a few years afterwards, aged nearly 84 years. She was born in Westerly, R. I .; came to this county in 1812, and was one of the constituent members of the Dimock Baptist church.
In August, 1863, the following report of the Elk Lake Society was given by the corresponding secretary :-
"The Elk Ladies' Aid Society was organized November 5th, 1862. There were twelve ladies present, who proceeded to elect a president, secretary, trea- surer, and a committee of three ladies to solicit contributions. As.we had no funds, it was 'resolved that the society commence work by each member fur- nishing such articles of necessary clothing as can be spared from our own houses ; that we meet one afternoon each week to repair such articles until we can obtain new material; also, that each member pay to the treasurer the sum of three cents per month, to be used for the purchasing of thread, tapes, but- tons, etc., for our work.' Any one, however, was at liberty to pay more. The average number of ladies in regular attendance until May 1st, 1863, did not exceed seven."
595
APPENDIX.
"During the winter we filled one box with dried fruit, butter, new flannel shirts, woolen shirts, slippers, dressing-gowns, towels, handkerchiefs, and many other useful articles. It was sent to Washington, D. C., in charge of Miss Clara Barton, from Massachusetts. We have, since the first of May, filled two bar- rels and one box with clothing, pillows, quilts, lint, bandages, and delicacies, which have been sent to the Women's Pennsylvania Branch, Philadelphia."
By the 18th October, 1864, the Elk Lake Society had contributed, in- cluding donations to the fair at Philadelphia, very nearly $500, for the benefit of suffering soldiers. The average number of working members was but five the second year; for, though at times the neighborhood was well repre- sented, far oftener only three ladies met for work. But there is abundant evidence that they were not idle in their homes, in the immense quantities of dried fruit prepared for the society, the liberal quantities of butter and cheese (106 lbs. of the latter), and other articles of home manufacture.
The meetings of the society were frequently enlivened by the presence of the associate manager for the county, or encouraged by her letters in her absence. "It is a source of satisfaction that not only our county, but that our own township should be so well represented in the Women's Council at Washington," wrote the secretary in reference to Miss Walker, and added, "Every hour that I work for our brave soldiers, every garment I cut and make, every sock I knit, and every delicacy I prepare, increases my interest in the Sanitary Commission."
About this time the society seemed to increase in popularity, also in means, and for several weeks the meetings were well attended. "I make it a rule," wrote the president of the society, " to read something from the docu- ments sent me every week, also the letters I receive from Philadelphia." Here it may be stated, that the correspondence of all the societies with the secretaries of the commission was a source of comfort and strength not to be forgotten by us. A oneness of feeling with all who labored in the same humane and patriotic cause was one of the blessed outgrowths of the work- ing of soldiers' aid societies everywhere. Denominational differences were lost sight of, and, in politics, the only question was of loyalty to the Union.
The officers of the Elk Lake Society were : Mrs. Denison Thomas, pres. and cor. sec .; Mrs. George Young, vice-pres. ; Miss Harriet Stevens, treas., and Misses Mary E. Young and Sally Stevens, rec. secretaries.
The receipts of an oyster supper given by the society were $85. This, in a farming district where the inhabitants are scattered, indicated a general interest in the cause. Still, reports prejudicial to the Commission found their way here, and proved one of the severest trials of the society. Their cash receipts in all amounted to $112. From November, 1864, to the close of operations, July, 1866, six valuable boxes were filled and forwarded, which, even at the moderate estimate of the donors, added to former supplies, made the total value of their consignments not a whit behind those of Little Mea- dows, or about six hundred dollars. The list below is too much condensed to fully represent the results of the organization. It is from the pen of the corresponding secretary :-
We submit the following report from the Elk Lake Aid Society since its or- ganization, November 5th, 1862, to the present time, July, 1865. Forwarded 16 boxes, 4 barrels, and 6 firkins, containing 33 shirts, 53 pairs socks, 32 pairs slippers, 7 dressing gowns, 144 handkerchiefs, 27 towels, 73 pillow-cases, 6 quilts, 2 bed-spreads, 14 pairs drawers, 25 needlebooks, 30 ration bags, 6 sheets, several pairs mittens, 100 fans, a large quantity of dried, canned, and pickled fruit, blackberry cordial, scrappel, potatoes, dried corn, horse-radish, dried herbs, lint, bandages, old linen and cotton, reading matter, etc. etc. We have re- ceived efficient aid from Auburn Four Corners and also from Rush.
[We notice the omission of pillows, of which quite a number were sent, and one pair deserves special mention-it was filled with rose leaves-the
596
HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
fragrance of which was not sweeter than the love that contributed the gift. Mothers who had given their sons, their bravest and their best, and mourned them fallen in the service of their country, alleviated their grief by laboring for the sons of others, then suffering in hospitals or exposed to the perils of the field of strife.]
John Young kindly gave the society the use of a room, which two or three of the ladies furnished pleasantly. One gentleman supplied a stove ; another the most of the fuel ; and receipts in money from many of the gen- tlemen enabled the ladies to purchase material for their work. Even small boys rendered efficient aid in various ways.
SOUTH DIMOCK.
The members of this society, previous to their organization, contributed to the two other societies of the township.
Its officers were Mrs. George Blakeslee, president; Miss C. J. Newton, secretary; and Mrs. E. C. Miles, treasurer. The cash receipts, including $10 per Miss Walker from the fund entrusted to her, were but $43.42.
The meetings were held every Tuesday, at Mrs. Wm. Miles'.
The society consisted of but ten members; but they were able to report, November, 1864, having filled two boxes for the W. P. B., valued at about $80.
HARMONY.
It is not known that any regular organization was ever effected by the ladies of Harmony; but there is evidence that their hands furnished sup- plies for the comfort of the Union's defenders. Mrs. Amanda Lyons was successful, during the first year of the war, in filling a large box, which was sent to Washington. Considerably later, Mrs. David Taylor forwarded a box to the Sanitary Commission, vin Montrose Aid.
It is not probable this comprises all the effort made; but no further record has been given ; as, also, in
OAKLAND,
where, as early as the summer of 1862, rumors reached us from Susquehanna Depot of work accomplished in getting off supplies for sufferers from the battle of Bull Run; but no definite report was ever made of it. No organiza- tion of the ladies was ever effected, so far as known to the associate manager for the county.
GREAT BEND.
The records of effort here are wanting in several particulars. The first box consisted of private contributions, valued at $35. It was sent to Wash- ington after the first battle. The Presbyterian Society, Mrs. F. D. B. Chase, secretary, sent a box, valued at $50, to the Washington Hospital ; the Young People's Society sent two boxes to the same amount. At a late period, Great Bend became auxiliary to the Sanitary Commission at Philadelphia, and sent two barrels and one box of supplies, besides one box, valued at $100, for the central fair. These contributions, with a few dollars in cash from one or two parties, amounted to $325.
This, however, seems a meager statement of what was actually done at Great Bend for the soldiers ; but societies appear to have been discouraged because of injurious reports respecting the misappropriation of supplies, and because some of their donations were never heard from after being for- warded. Agents for different commissions obtained frequent contributions from the place.
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APPENDIX.
HARFORD.
When it became a settled fact that the war would not be ended in 1861, the citizens of Susquehanna County quickly anticipated the needs of the army for the winter. It is believed that townships, in which no aid societies were afterwards in operation, were then active in forwarding supplies. Har- ford began early, and continued late in the good work in the face of strong opposition.
At a meeting held Oct. 28, 1861, at which Dexter Sibley was chairman, and E. T. Tiffany, secretary, it was " Resolved, To send aid to soldiers in the field to make them comfortable during the winter."
The committee appointed to carry out this resolution were, Tyler Brewster, Shippard Carpenter, Mrs. B. Wartrous, Mrs. A. Abel, and Mrs. H. Spear- beck. Their efforts resulted in filling a box containing socks, mittens and nightcaps, to the value of $100, which was forwarded to Captain Gates' Company of Fourth Pennsylvania Reserves.
In July, 1862, two large boxes containing hospital stores of considerable value were sent to Washington. No account is given of any further move- ment until July 22, 1863. when the Ladies' Aid Society was organized by the election of Mrs. Joab Tyler, president, Miss Lucina Farrar, vice-presi- dent, Miss M. M. Edwards, secretary, Mrs. C. S. Johnson, treasurer, and Miss Melissa A. Tiffany, corresponding secretary. The society became auxiliary to the Women's Pennsylvania Branch of the Sanitary Commission, and two days later sent its first consignment : 1 bbl dried apples, 110 lbs., and 1 box of berries, 75 lbs. At this time there were 33 members enrolled, but the number of contributors were more than 100, and thus they were able, Aug. 31st following, to send another box of dried fruit, and one of cloth- ing, etc.
Within a fortnight these were followed by a barrel of eggs (50 doz.), and a firkin of butter, and, before the close of September, a tub of butter (55 lbs.), additional. Dec. 16, 1863, the ladies were ready with another valuable box of clothing, bedding, etc., and a box of dried fruit (30 lbs. apples, 20 lbs. currants and berries) with 6 bottles of wine and jelly. The record thus far, ranks Harford next to Montrose in the number of consiguments ; but the year 1864 was one of discouragement to the society, whose only effort appears to have been made in connection with the Sanitary Fair at Philadelphia, to which it forwarded
Supplies to the amount of
$100 00 And, in addition, cash
50 00
The collection on Thanksgiving-day, sent to the Christian Commis-
$150 00 sion 27 30
The three boxes filled prior to the organization of the society . 205 00 The contributions to the Sanitary prior to Jan. 1865, estimated at . 217 10
Total amounting to . $600 00
Besides this, the citizens throughout the township sent 1100 lbs. of edibles for the soldiers' Thanksgiving dinner, 1864, among which were 1 tub of but- ter, 1 bbl. of apples, in all 5 or 6 boxes.
In the fall of 1864, on the resignation of former officers, Mrs. Peck was named as president, and Mrs. Whitney, treasurer. After replenishing the treasury from the avails of an oyster supper, in January following, and with $10 from Miss Walker's fund, the ladies filled one more box with clothing, dried fruit, etc., and forwarded it to the W. P. B., Feb. 22, 1865.
Probably two dozen boxes, barrels, and tubs constituted the total con- signments, containing at least 56 pairs drawers, 45 shirts, 40 pairs socks, quantities of old cotton and reading matter, and small packages, besides 249 lbs. dried apples, 165 lbs. berries, and about 3 gallons blackberry cordial.
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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
WEST HARFORD.
The ladies comprising afterwards the West Harford Aid (Mrs. Alvin Stearns, president, Mrs. Tyler Brewster, secretary), sent to a hospital in Philadelphia, sometime in 1862, 1 firkin of butter, 1 keg of eggs, and a box containing over 50 pillows and cases, 36 pounds of dried berries and cur- rants, old muslin, towels, etc.
In 1863 and '64 they contributed many valuable articles to the Aid Societies of Brooklyn and Montrose, among which were 3 bushels of dried apples, 15 pounds of dried berries, 10 pillows and cases, 10 towels, hop pil- lows, socks, mittens, 4 flannel shirts, and some other large garments.
From June, 1864, the ladies made their consignments independently, sending first, one box to Central Fair, Philadelphia, containing 1 quilt, towels, pillows, housewives, etc., valued at $25.35. Also, 2 barrels of pota- toes, and a box of eggs. (Many contributions in township report were from this section.)
September, 1864, 1 box, containing 20 pounds of dried berries and 35 pounds of dried apples, and three kegs of pickles were sent to the W. P. Branch. A barrel of sauer kraut (44 gallons) was afterwards forwarded, and January, 1865, the ladies were engaged in making up into shirts and drawers the flannel purchased with $10 received per Miss Walker. Total estimate about $185.
FRANKLIN.
No. 1. The ladies of Upsonville forwarded a box, as early as October, 1862, to the Sanitary Commission at Philadelphia
The contents valued at 12 00
· $35 00
Cash, Dec., 1862
·
One box to Sanitary Fair, 1864, valued at
17 00
. Cash 12 10
One box to Sanitary Commission, at Philadelphia, September, 1864, valued at
34 00
One firkin of pickles
5 00
Cash sent to the Christian Commission
12 00
Total
$127 10
·
It is not stated when an organization was effected, but it is believed to be not earlier than that of the foregoing societies. The president was Mrs. O. M. Hall. She received from Mrs. Plitt, secretary of the W. P. B. for this section, an acknowledgment of the box sent in September, 1864, in which she said :-
"Your box was unpacked yesterday, and every article found to be useful and of the best quality. Everything will be disposed of as you requested." Such words as these sustained the courage of the societies all over the county.
The secretary of the Upsonville Aid, Mrs. Mary A. Ward, was the widow of a soldier wounded at Gettysburg, and whom she had nursed for two weeks in the hospital just before his death. It was from such scenes that desolated hearts turned to the work of relieving the sufferings of those still languishing in hospitals.
No. 2 .- The Franklin Aid Society had not been thoroughly organized prior to a visit of the associate manager for the county, in November, 1863, but the ladies of the township had already accomplished something in the way of sending supplies, as is seen by the report of the Upsonville Aid, and by the acknowledgments of the secretary of the society at Montrose.
599
APPENDIX.
"The visit of the associate manager referred to resulted in a meeting at the Baptist church. Sausage-making, and all the after-work of butchering, was readily laid aside, but the work of some was brought along; the mother of eleven children had the eleventh in her arms, a babe of eleven months, and a quiet one at that ; so, business was undisturbed. Suggestions were made and canvassed, and the result was the unanimous vote of the Franklin ladies pre- sent, to exert themselves anew for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers, and to combine their efforts by a systematic organization. Officers pro tem. were appointed, and the day for their first meeting, Thursday, the 19th inst. Here, too, the services of the stronger sex were not wanting to give the revived so- ciety a cash basis, which, if not large, still showed generous giving."
The Sanitary Commission department of the Saturday Evening Post, in copying a printed notice of this organization, said :-
"We must add an interesting incident that occurred at this meeting, and which reached us through a private source. A woman arose and said, 'I wish to tell you what the Sanitary Commission did for me. It saved the life of my only son, and sent him home to me with warm clothing on, which bore the stamp of the Commission.'
" If we mistake not, this unsolicited, simple testimony was of more benefit to our cause there than any argument could have been."
Pursuant to the appointment made at the church the ladies of Franklin met, and elected Mrs. D. H. Blowers, president ; Mrs. Henry Beebe, vice- president; Mrs. Edwin Summers, treasurer; and Miss Jennie H. Lane, secretary.
By the last of December, 1863, they had forwarded to the W. P. B. one barrel of supplies, and, by the last of April, 1864, another, containing bed- ding, clothing, dried fruit, etc.
After these consignments were made, little appears to have been done until after the reception of $10 from Miss Walker's fund. In acknowledging it the secretary adds :-
"We are much encouraged thereby. Last Sabbath, at the close of our ser- vices, the congregation were told of the gift with which to resume our labors for the soldiers, and were asked to aid also. They responded by giving us nearly $20. We met yesterday (Nov. 25, 1864), and elected our officers, and are going to work with new energy and zeal, we hope. Our place of meeting is at the church."
Mrs. Mahala Pierson, president; Mrs Charlotte Stockholm, vice-presi- dent; Mrs. James Fisk, treasurer; and Jennie H. Lane, secretary (as be- fore).
The contributions of this society were estimated to be at least $72.35.
NEW MILFORD.
As early, probably, as the spring of 1863, something was done by the ladies of New Milford, but no report has reached ns of the result, except that by September of that year one box had been sent to the W. P. B., and they had held a festival, from which they realized $48. A reorganization is men- tioned as having then been made; but, not expecting ever to render any ac- count of it, no note was taken. "Their intention was good," writes one of their contributors; "their sole aim and object being to provide something for the aid and comfort of suffering humanity."
Their meetings were held at the houses of members (six or eight only) each Wednesday afternoon. Their officers, six in number, were relieved of their duties each month, except the treasurer and secretary, who were elected permanently. No name is given except that of the latter officer, Miss Mary W. Bowers. The society were in receipt of $89 upon their reorganization.
It is not probable this " talent" was " hid in a napkin ;" but the compiler
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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
has no clue to what it really " gained." No aid from the associate manager was accepted, as had been the case with many other societies ; and, proba- bly, on account of the fact that the ladies seemed desirous to send their sup- plies directly to Miss E. Mitchell, of their acquaintance, who was then en- gaged in hospital work ; thus severing for a time, at least, their connection with W. P. Branch, represented by Miss Walker.
By March 27th, 1865, " 2 boxes of eatables and a keg of pickles" had been forwarded to Miss M., and clothing was soon to follow. At this date, Mrs. Ellen Whitlock was president.
BROOKLYN.
No. 1 .- The first Aid Society was organized July, 1863. Mrs. Lydia C. Adams, though in feeble health, missed but one meeting while they were held. Mrs. Geo. Chapman was also untiring. D. S. Watrous was secretary.
The fourth box of hospital stores was forwarded December 22, 1863. [The ladies of this section, prior to their organization, had contributed liberally to the Montrose Aid.] Feb. 22, 1864, they sent 40 lbs. butter, a quantity of socks, dried fruit, etc.
No estimate at the time was made of these five boxes; they were worth, with the $7 cash sent with the last, probably $250. Much was done in the way of private individual donations, such as stamps, en velopes, socks, and hand- kerchiefs to friends in the army. These were in almost every corps and divi- sion. "We are looking many ways, and trying to pray and encourage them all," wrote one of the society.
" In response to the call for supplies for the soldiers, and for contributions to the Great Central Fair, the members of the Methodist and Presbyterian congre- gations of Brooklyn assembled at the Presbyterian church, May 24th, and con- tributed and sent to Philadelphia the following articles : One large box of dried, canned, and preserved fruits, jellies, wines, and other hospital stores ; two kegs of pickles ; one tub of butter containing 84 lbs., with $11 cash. They also sent to the Children's Department of the Fair a box of fancy articles, maple sugar, and other gifts of the children. The value of the whole was estimated at $126. " M. A. ADAMS, "Chairman of Committee."
Total estimates of official consignments about $375.
No. 2 .- In April, 1864, the ladies of the Universalist denomination with- drew from the former society, and organized with Mrs. L. F. Porter, presi- dent; Mrs. Obadiah Bailey, treasurer; Mrs. E. S. Kent, secretary. The first organization declined in consequence. The second sent to the Sanitary Commission, in 1864, cash $55, a box of stores of equal amount, and eight barrels of apples, worth $20. March 17, 1865, the avails of a festival held at Mr. Wm. Craver's, $105; and April 18, $139 cash in addition, swelled the total contributions of this society to $374 at least. Total from Brooklyn Aids, $749.
CHOCONUT.
The Sisters of the Convent at St. Joseph's, under the supervision of Mother Mary Philomena, filled two boxes in 1863 and 1864 with delicacies and old linen. and forwarded them to the Sanitary Commission. They had no society organized. [In the report forwarded to the general secretary after the war, the copyist wrote " bbls." for "bottles," thus giving undue value to choice, but comparatively small contributions.]
Other ladies of Choconut were liberal contributors of cash, delicacies, and clothing, through the societies of Friendsville and Montrose.
601
APPENDIX.
SPRINGVILLE.
The ladies of Springville began their work by holding an ice-cream fes- tival, on Thursday evening, May 21st, 1863, with the avails of which they were encouraged the next Monday evening, May 25th, to organize a sol- dier's aid society. Its first officers were : Mrs. Albert A. Root, pres .; Miss Philena L. Meacham, treas. ; Miss E. Ursula Scott, secretary ; with an executive committee of three-Mrs. Edward B. Scott, Mrs. E. H. Culver, and Miss Juliette Smith-for the first month.
Contributions began to flow in ; but, to accommodate distant friends of the society, three officers were gratuitously furnished, by the gentlemen of the place, with horse and wagon for a collecting tour, from which they returned with supplies more than sufficient to fill the first box, which was sent to the W. P. B. (to which the society became auxiliary, June 25th, '63), on the 3d of July following. Bedding and delicacies for the sick were the principal contents, and it is interesting to note how these were procured. Ladies parted with part-worn dress skirts (no small sacrifice when dry goods were at maxi- mum prices) for the linings of bed quilts, others brought carded wool for their manufacture, and still others sent patchwork and thread. Some sent feathers for pillows, others striped linen for ticks, and others cases for them ; one lady gave sugar for making cordial, another the brandy, another, " the jug to put it in." As a rule, in all the societies, the spirits used were paid for from the treasury.
By the 29th of July another box was filled and forwarded to Philadelphia ; its contents being shirts, drawers, double-gowns, towels, &c., in addition to bedding and delicacies. It is but just to mention in this connection, that not only for Springville, but for most of the other societies, the boxes and barrels, used for packing, were generally the gift of the merchants ; and, as a rule (though there were exceptions, as in Auburn,) consignments were carried free of charge to the nearest depôt, the Commission paying freight by rail- road.
In December, 1863, M. H. Smith, who was Miss Scott's successor as secre- tary, made the first published report of the society, in which she stated :-
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