Halfway Brook

Walton, New York, February 28, 1870

My school closed the 25th of February and now I feel very much relieved, though I have had a very pleasant school this winter. It has been rather small compared with that of last winter as I have had only about one fourth the number of scholars, yet they came much more regular.

It looks very much like sleighing at present, a rare thing this winter. But the winter with its joys has nearly gone and the spring finds me as busily engaged in farming as ever.

About the first thing I shall have to do will be to prepare for sugaring, as that necessarily comes along in the order of my business before long, yet it is not very pleasant work taking it all into consideration.

I have been thinking whether I could find a convenient time to come to Lumberland or not before long.

I suppose you have had everything your own way at school this winter have you not? How large a school do you have? Continue reading →

On January 9, 1870 Addie Austin wrote to her cousin Emma. Emma did not get the school she was hoping for and had stated that she would die an old maid. It would be interesting to know if this related to Emma’s “friendship” with Chester.

New York, Addie to Emma
January 9, 1870
My Dear Cousin Emma, Uncle Henry (Emma’s father) tells me that you were disappointed in not getting your school.
I am sorry, but if you are successful in
getting one in the spring, I should not care very much about teaching this winter. I think they treated you very mean though about
it. I doubt very much you are dying an old maid… Addie
—The Mill on Halfway Brook, p. 149.

Emma Austin wrote “Mrs. Prindle’s Soliloquy,” a poem which compared the lives of two sisters, one married and the other unmarried.

Mrs. Prindle married because she was afraid of living and dying “an old, old maid.” Her sister Sally, “the happiest soul alive,” had no annoying husband or quarrelsome children. Sally was not “afraid of living or dying an old, old maid,” and teased her married sister.—Abby, Laurilla, and Mary Ann, p. 243.

Mrs. Prindle’s Soliloquy
It kind-o-seems to me tonight
While darning these stocking by candlelight
That I ain’t quite the woman I used to be,
Since I let old Prindle marry me,
Because I was so much afraid
Of living, and dying an old, old maid.

I always used to dress so neat;
My hair was smooth, my temper sweet,
I have learned to be cold, seldom brush my hair,
And don’t care a pin about what I wear.
And wonder that ever I was afraid
Of living and dying an old, old maid. Continue reading →

New York State was home to 4,370,846, people. Lumberland: 1,065 townsfolk. Highland township: 958 townsfolk; 260 lived in Barryville.

Halfway Brook Village included the post office at C.C.P. Eldred’s house, a sawmill on Halfway Brook near C.C.P. Eldred’s house, two stores, a hotel, a school, and two churches—Congregational and Methodist.

Charles C.P. Eldred, a farmer, and his wife Effa (Emma’s uncle and aunt) lived near Halfway Brook and west of the Austin family). Their daughters daughter Sarah Jane, 18, and Becca, 27, a teacher were mentioned in Chester’s letters.

Their son George W. Eldred (also mentioned in one of Chester’s letters) and his family had moved to New York City, where George worked as a carpenter.

In 1870 Emma Austin’s family lived in the triangle created with Collins Road on the east—possibly 260 acres. Emma, a teacher, lived at home with her eight siblings, ages 1 to 19: Henrietta, Maria, James Eldred (Ell), Alonzo (Lon), Aida, Charles Mortimer, Henry Ladore, and Randolph. Her father Henry Austin, 46, a farmer, worked in New York City part of the year. Emma’s mother Mary Ann, 43, kept house and was busy with their nine children.

Hagan Pond
Chester mentions Hagan Pond, now Highland Lake, in one of his letters.

Martin D. and Jane Ann Myers lived near the corner where Hagan Pond and Collins Roads met. Chester mentioned their daughter Maria Myers, who was 16, in 1870.—Excerpted from The Mill on Halfway Brook, p. 146.

Previous Posts
1. Is that the New Teacher?
2. The Math Tutor
3. Chester Beers to Friend Emma, Correspondence Continues
4. What is the News? October 29, 1869
5. The Merry Laugh of the Village School
6. Teaching Advice in a Poem
7. I Would Not Wait for Erie’s Train

Chester’s December 31, 1869 letter continues
I wish you a happy New Year

’Tis New Year’s day my thoughts go back
To Lumberland’s unbeaten track.
If I could go where doth my mind
Or even as the listless rime?

At Halfway Brook I’d be again,
I would not wait for Erie’s train
Nor in a coach I would not ride
But o’er the hills, I’d make a stride.

But as it is I cannot tell
When I shall see your village dell.
It may be years yet only one
It may be when my school is done.

Now when you write give all the news.
Write anything that you may choose.
About the boys about the girls
And if you wish about your curls.

That picture which you saw is gone
But then I have another one.
I send it forth. It may suffice,
View it with care, don’t harm your eyes.

The artist’s done his best I think
He said that I might gently wink
And on a piece of tin he drew
The likeness which I send to you.

Yours etc.

Image: Erie RR at Susquehanna River and Owego Narrows, N.Y. Glass Negative, Detroit Publishing Co., 1900. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division: 4a07757.

Previous Posts
1. Is that the New Teacher?
2. The Math Tutor
3. Chester Beers to Friend Emma, Correspondence Continues
4. What is the News? October 29, 1869
5. The Merry Laugh of the Village School
6. Teaching Advice in a Poem

Did Emma ask for teaching advice? In this next letter Chester answers her last letter with a poem. Who is Billy B.? I wonder if he is a made up person.

Walton December 31, 1869
Friend Emma,
Your note I got in course of time
I’ll try and answer it in rhyme
I’m teaching as I said before
Five weeks I’ve taught and even more.

First you wished my love to share
(I’ve seen of course your curly hair)
I crown’d your wishes with success
Then all you’d have and nothing less.

Of Etiquette you next complain
Then say you’ll ask it not again.
My letters then someone may see
Are you afraid of Billy B.++++?

You say you had to do my will
That is, the laws of school fulfill
And write of course a composition
Against your will and disposition.

Now in teaching if e’er you do,
Remember this tis ever true
If one breaks o’er the laws you make
That liberty they all will take.

You need not tell me how you’ve done
In time that’s past, with teachers gone
I judge by this ’tis true you’ll find
“As the twig is bent the tree’s inclined.”

I’ve said enough, I’ll close this strain.
I hope I’ve given you no pain.
But never let your pupils rule
If order you’d maintain in school.

Previous Posts
1. Is that the New Teacher?
2. The Math Tutor
3. Chester Beers to Friend Emma, Correspondence Continues
4. What is the News? October 29, 1869
5. The Merry Laugh of the Village School

On October 29, 1869, Chester answered Emma’s letter. She had asked him when he would be in Lumberland. Apparently, there had been a problem before with Hina (possibly Henrietta, Emma’s oldest sister).

Chester asked about his Halfway Brook students, many of whom are mentioned in The Mill on Halfway Brook.

You wish me to let you know when I would be in Lumberland again. I do not know at present. I have just returned from the Institute…

I guess I must stay all night if I come out ever again. As to the excitement I care nothing about. The more the better I am pleased. If I stay at your house you will have to make it all right with Hina before I come. What is Hina doing now?

I suppose you are teaching ere this. Tell me where and how much you get per week.

I shall teach again this winter if I can get a school to suit me.

How did school meeting pass off? Who is trustee and who teaches your school this winter.

What is the news in general? How does Will Kyte and Julia get along? [They will marry.]

Maria Young, where is she? I suppose Adda Eldred is teaching now, also Rebecca [Eldred]?

Where is Jane [Eldred], R. James, Maggie Hills, Maria Myers, and all of the schollars that came to school last winter?

If you will send me one of your pictures I will try and return the compliment.

Write when you get this given the news. Give my love to Hina.

Yours truly, Chester Beers

Note: Adda, Rebecca and Jane Eldred erre daughters of Emma’s uncle C.C.P. and aunt Effa Eldred.

Previous Posts
1. Is that the New Teacher?
2. The Math Tutor
3. Chester Beers to Friend Emma, Correspondence Continues