Hart, Catherine to Sister Lottie, July 3rd, 1867- Jacksonville, Fla. (1 sheet, 4 leaves)

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[Written at top in different handwriting]
After Ma's death


Jacksonville July 3rd 1867

My dear Sister Lottie

Your letter of kind enquiry reached me day before yesterday, and I hasten to reply,
although I presume you have received mine, written about ten days since, ere this, and
there learn all the grief and sadness oppressing my heart, and deep sympathy with you in
this our great bereavement. No Lottie dear I am not sick, God in his great mearcy [sic]
and in answer to my prayers, supports and sustains me, and enables me to do my duty to
the loved ones around [sic] me, though my heart is heavily pressed with grief, and mind
burthened [burdened] with the loss of our Sainted Mother. I go from room to room, and
from one duty to another, but one thought is ever present with me, Ma has left me to
struggle alone, I have no Mother now, but for Ossian, dear sake who is all love and
kindness, and who feels all the grief I suffer in sympathy. I try to be resigned and do my
duty here, that we may meet her here after. I am so glad I was able to go home last
summer and did not put it off till this summer, had I have done so, how much harder
would have been the blow? I enjoyed her company last summer more than I can find
words to express, and now that she is gone from me it seems to me the greatest comfort
to recall every word and action, and look, and thought of hers while I was with her, and I
shall always feel a tenderness for the parsonage, and the pretty little vil[l]age of Madison,
for her sake and because I spent so many pleasant hours with her there. I am glad you are
going to board with Mrs. Mandel. I love her for her kindness to my Mother and her
sympathy with you. Little Flora often talks about Madison and the nice times she had
there, and only this morning told me she and Grandma used to go out and pick currants
and strawberries, and her innocent prattle and childish questions often touch a chord,
which starts the tears & the heart to ache over the memories of bye gone hours. Ossian
calls her his sunshine, and such she is indeed to our home, she still clings to me with
uncommon affection. We have concluded to send Mary E. out to Conn. with Mr. George
Fuller who is here in the grocery business, about the first of August. Miss Fuller will
take charge of her and place her at school, and look after her for us, this arrangement will
enable me to stay at home this summer and take care of Ossian, and help him along with
his troubles. I mailed to you one of our Jacksonville papers containing a notice of his
appointment as Suprentendant [Superintendent] of Registration. He gets $300 per month
for his services [sic]. His cares and responsibilities are very heavy, and he needs all the
home comforts he can get, and he thinks no one can bestow them so well as his wife.
The Republicans of Florida are to have a convention on the 11th of this month at
Tallahassee. Ossian stands at the head of it, and will very likely have some good office
as soon as the State is reconstructed. I am almost at the bottom of my fourth page and
have not told you how to send the coat, send it by the southern express, but have its full
value given in the receipt. Ossian recovered $50, from the company here for the boy lost
last winter. I am a thousand times obliged to Charley for his generous kindness. Ossian
will soon pay all up. Write me soon again, give much love to Dealia & Charley, and to









the children. Has Abby recovered? Love to Mary G. and family- and for Em & yourself
the undying affect of your sister

Kate

PAGE 1

[Written at top in different handwriting] After MaÂ’s death Jacksonville July 3rd 1867 My dear Sister Lottie Your letter of kind enquiry reached me day before yesterday, and I hasten to reply, although I presume you have received mine, writ ten about ten days since, ere this, and there learn all the grief and sadness oppressi ng my heart, and deep sympathy with you in this our great bereavement. No Lottie dear I am not sick, God in his great mearcy [ sic ] and in answer to my prayers, supports and sustains me, and enables me to do my duty to the loved ones arround [ sic ] me, though my heart is heavily pressed with grief, and mind burthened [burdened] with the loss of our Sain ted Mother. I go from room to room, and from one duty to another, but one thought is ever present with me, Ma has left me to struggle alone, I have no Mother now, but for Ossian, dear sake who is all love and kindness, and who feels all the gr ief I suffer in sympathy. I try to be resigned and do my duty here, that we may meet her here after. I am so glad I was able to go home last summer and did not put it off till this summe r, had I have done so, how much harder would have been the blow? I enjoyed her company last summer more than I can find words to express, and now that she is gone from me it seems to me the greatest comfort to recall every word and action, and look, and th ought of hers while I was with her, and I shall always feel a tenderness for the parsonage and the pretty little vil[l]age of Madison, for her sake and because I spent so many pleasan t hours with her there. I am glad you are going to board with Mrs. Mande l. I love her for her kindness to my Mother and her sympathy with you. Little Flora often talks about Madison and the nice times she had there, and only this morning told me she and Grandma used to go out and pick currants and strawberries, and her innocent prattle a nd childish questions often touch a chord, which starts the tears & the h eart to ache over the memories of bye gone hours. Ossian calls her his sunshine, and such she is indeed to our home, she still clings to me with uncommon affection. We have concluded to send Mary E. out to Conn. with Mr. George Fuller who is here in the grocery business, about the first of August. Miss Fuller will take charge of her and place her at school, a nd look after her for us, this arrangement will enable me to stay at home this summer and ta ke care of Ossian, and help him along with his troubles. I mailed to you one of our Jack sonville papers containing a notice of his appointment as Suprentendant [Superintendent ] of Registration. He gets $300 per month for his servises [ sic ]. His cares and responsibilities ar e very heavy, and he needs all the home comforts he can get, and he thinks no one can bestow them so well as his wife. The Republicans of Florida are to have a convention on the 11th of this month at Tallahassee. Ossian stands at the head of it, and will very likely have some good office as soon as the State is recons tructed. I am almost at the bottom of my fourth page and have not told you how to send the coat, send it by the southern express, but have its full value given in the receipt. Ossian recovered $50, from the company here for the boy lost last winter. I am a thousand times obliged to Charley for his generous kindness. Ossian will soon pay all up. Write me soon again, give much love to Dealia & Charley, and to

PAGE 2

the children. Has Abby recovered? Love to Mary G. and familyand for Em & yourself the undying affect of your sister Kate