The following excerpts from letters written by Maria Hannah Nutting Knapp relates the journey to Baldwin and describes the first home and farm to her sister in New England. Maria Knapp’s son, Frank B. Knapp, homesteaded the SW ¼ of Section 34 in Baldwin Township in 1870. A series of Maria’s letters to family (1868 – 1882) was transcribed and donated to SCHS by Maria’s great granddaughter, Dorthy-Jean Spencer in Big Lake.
Livonia, Sherburne Co., Minn. June 20, 1870.
My dear sister, Elisa,
Susie was right – you had not answered my last letter and I deferred to answer yours till I should do so from this place for I was almost ready to start. With the aid of George Bennett I packed nearly all our goods, and sent them on to Elk River – the nearest station to us – 12 miles. At Mendota, a few miles from St. Paul, the scenery was awfully grand, to me it was terrific. We stopped some time, on a bank dug out of immense ledges of rock which were many feet above us, crowned with noble trees, while hundreds of feet below us rolled the Minnesota river. Now we were to pass round the Horse Shoe, a circle of some miles built over the waters of those two great rivers. We just moved and everyone seemed to hold their breath. Who could help the feeling that we had but a small hold on life – an instant – a flaw in the timbers, and we were dashed below – in Eternity. But we came over in safety – thanks to our Father above – close to Ft. Snelling so that we could read the names of many who had visited it and cut their names in the soft yellow sandstone of which it is built. It was just sunset and in a few minutes we ran into Minneapolis. Stayed at the United States Hotel and left at 8 am for Elk River – reached there at 10. But I found no Frank for me and no stage for this place til the next day Thursday. But I found my goods all safe at the depot which was a gratification and went to the hotel but I found my money getting short. I told the land lady, who was quite unwell that I would sew for her if she liked and did so, and my lodging and 4 meals only cost me 1.00. Well, I came up on the stage thro’ some of the wildest country – 6 miles – I ever saw, owned by speculators who hold it so tight no one will purchase. The ponds, or lakes as they call them here, the meadows and woodlands, carried me back to the days of my childhood and youth. About 4 pm the stage stopped at the house of Mr. A.G. Lougee. It could not take me to Joe’s house ½ mile out. There I found that Joe (Bennett) and Frank (Knapp) had gone for a grist 8 miles to Princeton. At 9 pm Mr. L. called Frank in and you may judge of his surprise to see me as he had not received any letter. The next day F. came up and I walked down to their house. It is small, 16 x 20, 1 ½ stories high and rough built but comfortable. But this is Joe’s claim not ours. We are ½ mile N.W. Went over with F. the other day to see it. The spot we have selected for building is on a rise of land in an oak grove, while East and South lies a hay meadow of ½ mile or more, with a lake in the middle. This marsh we cross on a beaver dam, hard and solid as land can be made, with a clear stream cutting across the middle. There are two dams at our place, a few rods apart, which make a beautiful road. Our ride over there reminded me of rides down thru Father’s meadows and woods road, rough and not much traveled, yet dry and good….
Maria H. Knapp
Writer’s Note: Besides the 11 letters in this collection, there are 24 other letters at the Historical Society in Becker, MN. Maria’s first letter was written in Bradford, Iowa on August 5, 1868 and her last on July 2, 1882 in Clear Lake.
You, the reader, will have an opportunity to read about what life was really like in the 1870’s – 1882. It tells about the hard work, tough times and lonely moments of living in the country, in this case, mostly in Baldwin Township. Life was connected with neighbors and friends. Survival meant hard work and keeping healthy.
(From: Sherburne County Historical Society. A Collection of 35 Letters Written by Maria Hannah Nutting Knapp.)
Baldwin, Sherburne Co. Minn. Oct 1, 1870
My dear sister Elisa,
I think – Bennett was with us when I wrote July 27. Wm. Bennett, wife & 2 children, and in a few days Charlie came and all together we had quite a family for a little house 14x16 and only roughly boarded in with rough lose chamber floor, and mosquitoes thicker than you could ever think of. But we had plenty of
B___ & slept quietly. Blueberries were gone before they came but canned & dried ones did very well. In three weeks after Charlie came he moved into his own house, not finished but comfortable and pleasant. Situated on a rise of land, in an oak grove, with large hay meadows stretching to the north & south and several little lakes or ponds with beautiful while lilies, don’t they remind me of my dear old childhoods homes? Our house is 16x20 with chambers 4 ft. and very high roof which makes it very pleasant and airy, 2 large windows on the east or front end and one on the west. Our front door is in the east gable end towards north side, opening into a little entry 4x3 with stairs running up. The kitchen is 11x12 with windows east and south, a door south which will be covered by a kitchen sometime. Then my bedroom in sw corner, window – west, buttery in the nw corner, window north, 7x9. The outside is first covered with building paper and then tightly boarded and battened, to be clapboards when we can but is very tight and warm. The floors are well laid and that is all the finishing done inside yet, but it will be before long. The cellar stairs are in the buttery. Think how it would look to go out in your woods and build without felling the trees and then imagine how we are on the SE slope of a knoll and so near the edge that the broad meadows and clear lakes are in full view from our windows. The stables and haystacks are nearly south of the house, the yard therefrom to reach to the pond in winter for water. There are 12 pretty trees between the house and stables, making a pretty shady walk. Two oaks stand close to my bedroom window and two near the east window, while they are near enough for beauty and comfort all around. Abba has already planned her flower beds for next spring and broken up the ground. Frank has cleaned the brush out on the west of the house for an acre or so, ready to break for the garden and has about 8 ready to break for cultivation if he can get it done this fall which he expects to do this month.
The fencing is of tamarac, beautiful and strong & easily made and the swamp are scattered over the country. We have some on our claim. By the way Frank has just got the title to his claim secured. He told the agent about his age, but that he has been the head of a family for 4 years and wished to take the homestead in his own name. (age 18) So, considering that and also that he has built and was already living upon it, they treated him as if he were 21. As to our domestic animals, as I told you before we have a span of large & good horses, 2 cows, 2 two yr. Old heifers, one yearling heifer and 2 calves, a male & female. Our old game dog and one of her pups in training for a deer dog, a black kitten which is an excellent mouser, 1 hen with 5 chicks. Our crops this year will be small but F. will work out some and get grain. Wheat is 75 per bushel and potatoes, 90. Corn and oats cheap enough. Bugs hurt the potatoe crop very much. I think we shall get on very nicely this winter. Joe Bennett has just moved his house to a more pleasant place on his farm. He and Frank change work. We have heard from Groton (Mass.) that sister Lucinda is very sick, in consumption. Dr. Smith says, and that he can do no more for her. Her sons feel very anxious about her. How is your Mother and Emmarline? Brother John has had another Babe but it went to heaven immediately and Celeste is very feeble.
Deer are quite common here but I have seen but one. Frank has no time for hunting at present. Wild ducks and geese a plenty. Have seen many on Lake Fremont where G. Bennetts claim lies. Ducks are in every pond and nice eating. Abba takes the cooking and common housework all off my hands and she is a first rate housekeeper too, careful and economical and happy as a lark. You should see us ramble around in the bushes and dig in the dirt.
Now I think it is time to answer your letter. Thank you Susie, for your kind wishes for our happiness in our new home. We are happy and hope you are also in your dear New England home. How well I remember the multitude of kindnesses received from each member of your family. Where will you be when you are 56 years of age? How little we know what is in the future for us. Our nearest Congregational meeting is 8 miles away yet we go every pleasant Sabbath and feel paid for the journey. We hope sometime to have one nearer, tho’ we shall soon unite with the church in Princeton. Thank you for the papers you sent us. Those small ones were new to us. We will read and distribute all you please to send. Charlie sends us the Advance and some friend the - on. & Rec. so we are not destitute. We find we have some very good Christian people in our region. One old gentleman walked 3 miles “to make the acquaintance of a new Christian family”, he said, and we had a good Christian visit.
We have had very warm weather, no frost, but a very little 5 weeks since but very heavy rains. The past week has been lovely, and this ever. Is like June only the leaves are fading with age.
There is no traveled road for nearly a mile from us and the stage road is 1 ½ miles. We shall clear a road out to that soon and that will take us to Lake Fremont Post Office, where we receive our mail now.
I’m glad your kitchen is so nice. Where do the children sleep? Have you plants for this winter? If you have any new flowers send me some seeds for next year, please. Our Post Office address is “Lake Fremont, Sherburne Co. Minn.”
4th A deer came through our yard yesterday – a beautiful creature. Yesterday was very smoky but it cleared in the night and is quite cool now, but no frost.
Give my love to all friends. I wrote Aunt Leonard some time ago but no reply. Do write as often as you can. Tell Georgie to write. I suppose he is almost as large as Frank. We look for a letter from Wm. & P. soon.
Maria Knapp
Lake Fremont P.O. Baldwin, Sherburne Co. Minn. September 3, 1871
My dear sister Elisa – way down East, where Earth quakes shake you about – how are you? --- His house was burnt --Mrs. R. feels as if this made her cup of trouble overflow, doesn’t she? --- I would like some of your blackberries in exchange for blueberries. I have picked bushels this year and have a half bushel of dried ones. Fires ran over the country so much that blackberry vines are scarce but I see they are growing quite aboundantly where the fire has been off a year or two ---- crops are all first class in this region only wheat 1.05 per bushel. The dry weather reduced them to less than ½ the usual amount. We have some over 30 bushels in our granary. Enough and more for 1` the years supply. Corn and potatoes. --- Beans are a good quality but not as aboundant as they might be. You should see our pop corn and melons. They would make your eyes open wide. The Beans – the market is overrun and the price 1.50 a bushel we have 2 acres of turnips for the cattle. Tomatoes are good. Did you ever use any of those little ones with the husk on them? They make splendid pies and preserves and we eat them freely. I’.. send you some seeds this fall if you wish. --- Charlie was married July 14 in Nashua, Iowa to Mary Mitchell, a good girl whom I had known awhile in Bradford. He owns a place – house & lots in the city, and has a cow and they are keeping house ever so prettily and happily when she was taken down with typhoid fever. She was very sick and C. telegraphed for Abba to come down. So she left her school and went. Last Monday the Dr. said he thot’ the fever had turned she seemed relieved somewhat but very weak. I have not heard since. Abba says they are prettily situated and very happy. (She is recovering rapidly and will probably come home with Abba in a few days. -- -- Frank’s health has been unusually good this year and everyone says he does a great amount of work besides carrying on 16 acres of hired land and 5 at home, he has worked out enough to come to $40 or more. You may think I am boasting of him. No, but I do think he is a good boy to work and calculate his work, too. He executes as well as plans. He is pleased with his prospects and do you blame him? Hay is plenty here in some localities but where it was abundant last year, there is none this, and the reverse. Most of his hay he gets 4 or 5 miles away this year. He intends to buy 40 acres of railroad land about ½ good hay meadow which he can have for $4 per acre, and 10 yrs time in which to pay it, interest annually, 7 pr. Ct., a good investment men say. Will not pay interest 10 years, if he has his health 5 years. Our stock is a yoke of good oxen, 2 cows, 3 heifers & heifer calf, sow and 4 pigs, 4 month old – all of which ought to get fat by the corn they eat, dog-Fanny and grey kitten, an excellent mouser. Flies are not very troublesome, and mosquitoes nearly gone. Our flowers are better than we expected, the land being new and not very well prepared. The pansy bed is beautiful, so is the portulaca, Immortals and petunias of which we have beautiful varieties. I’ll send you seeds if they get ripe. The China Asters are white, red and purple, just one tree of each. Verbenas are late, just commencing to blossom, also Snap Dragon, Flax, --- & several other flowers. My Whitlanis all died. I was very sorry. Abba has some hanging baskets in the trees at the east end of the house which is pretty. I have also a small Oleander and 7 or 8 different kinds of Morning Glories and double balsoms. Now tell me about yours and send me some seeds of all new ones and I’ll do the same. The white rose is doing well and twin plants. All others died out. I’m very glad these live. I will send you a sprig of Minnesota tea, which many people use. I have drank it for some time, and like it pretty well but is not as stimulating as green tea so sometimes I take a little of that, washing days. But this saves a bill. --- Franks oxen strayed last week and he found them 12 miles north, near where they were raised. He was gone 3 days. There is nothing to prevent cattle straying 100 miles and if they loose their bell it is very difficult finding them. ---- Bears were seen occasionally or people tho’t it was a bear and were ridiculed for the tho’t. til at last they came in such numbers there was no doubt. Since then more than 20 have been shot within a few miles. Last Tues. pm I went to the P.O. and returned just before sunset and do you believe that our neighbor Felch shot one about sunset only a little distance from my path. But they are very timid and run away if a person approaches them. No one fears them, only most men carry a good shot with them. In all Frank 3 day hunt he took a 6 barreled revolver but never saw a bear! We had a piece of steak and I would not have mistrusted but it was beef (I would have thought it was beef.) – very nice and tender. This --- which we have is 8 inches long & 5 wide and very heavy. -- There has been almost no frost here, just a little in low places. -- Farmers are putting in a great amount of winter wheat. New wheat is only 80 cents a bushel & very nice.
Indians are living sumpuosly (on bear meat) and they say when bears are around look out for a hard winter. They come from the heavy timber on the Mississippi N.W. of us once in 7 years. They will all be killed off soon. Some of them weigh 500. Now don’t worry about bears. We don’t mind them. F’s husking corn – has nearly 200 baskets.
Well, F. has come from the P. Office with some papers – no letters but heavily loaded with – a whole quarter of bear. The same Mr. Felch as he was going after his cows last night treed another bear, near the same place and shot him with his revolver within 10 ft. of him – weight 300 lbs. There have been so many shot people are well supplies with ‘beef’. And it is all given away, only what they wish to eat fresh. We shall salt most of it down and dry some of the nice pieces. Till lately we have had no potatoes since we came into Minn and very little meat and it seems quite like old times to have meat & ‘tatoes plenty. We have always had flour and meal enough. ----- -- It has been so very smoky for 2 weeks past (for the past 2 weeks) that the sun could scarcely shine and fires have run as they pleased, but this morning it rained and the smoke is gone and fires all out. Many people have lost all their hay and others from 1 – 40 tons. Frank fought fire amongst hay stacks 4 nights and feels pretty well used up, but he lost none. 10 men plowed one night several hours, with 10 yoke of oxen to keep off fires from hay stacks. Frank has gone 7 miles to mill today with a grist – 6 bushels of wheat, 6 of rye, 1 ½ of corn. Rye for fattening hogs. He has 10 bushels. We dug 20 bushels of potatoes.
It is clearing off cold and I shall take up some of my flowers this p.m. and keep them to look at awhile longer and keep some over for spring. Did you know that if you dig four-o-clocks and put them in the cellar you could set them out in the spring and have them early?
Sister Sarah & family move this fall to a town near Chicago. Chap lives in Kansas and John in Iowa – not many miles apart & I’m thankful Sarah is coming so near me that we may meet again sometime.
M.H. Knapp
Baldwin, Sherburne Co. Minn. December 24th 1871
Dear sister Elisa,
--- -- There have been no nears seen for a long time. They were of the friendly Chipawas, the tribe which live in this part of the state. They are very docile and no one fears them at all. None have ever called on us tho’ they have hunted on the ponds & hills near us. --- -- Abba was gone to Charlies 8 weeks and when she came home brot Mary with her – very feeble and poor. (sickly) Lat week she returned to Charlie, very well, and fat as butter. She is only 17 but in many things quite mature and understands housekeeping pretty well. -- -- Since I have written the last page there have been 5 men in here, hunters, having just caught a large red fox. What an immense tail they sport. Three of the men were as large as Uncle George. There are many people in this region who make no account of the Sabbath, only as a day of leisure, and there being no church or anything of the kind nearer than 8 miles there is little temptation to attend to anything of a religious nature. The Methodists have meetings sometimes in the settlement east of us and we occasionally have a Congregational minister in the settlement West of us but the meetings are so irregular they don’t have much influence for good.
Frank is well and getting along well with his work. He has exchanged his old oxen for a pair of fine 4 year olds, and is much pleased with the change. He is now drawing his hay from the St Francis meadows more than 4 miles distant. It takes him about all day to get a load. He has about 14 ton to haul. There are a good many teams hauling from the same meadows, some of the farmers have 100 ton to haul. The snow is just deep enough for nice sleding and sleighing but there is not much pleasure in riding with an ox team. We have had extreme cold weather. The last half of Nov. was the coldest I have seen in Minn. One morn the thermometer was 28 degrees below zero, but Frank said it was not very cold. The air is so dry we don’t feel it, tho’ it freezes very hard. -- -- Our stock all looks finely so far, and the prospect is good for several cows next year. We ‘porked’ one old hog and tow nice pigs this fall and have several quarters of deer meat beside some bear, enough for us. I have been knitting at halves, and have nearly clothed our feet so. If I had a wheel I would get some rolls and spin myself, suppose you I could?
Maria Knapp
Lake Fremont, Sherburne Co. Minn. October 15, 1873
Dear sister Elisa – and all the family – Dexter -- goes out hunting every day some & is successful & assists Frank some. Yesterday was threshing day – men and 10 horses to dinner -- 118 bushels of wheat, 45 of oats – enough to keep us through – about 50 bushels of potatoes, don’t know yet how much corn. --- Charlies wife and babe came 4 weeks ago to remain till spring and we enjoy their company very much. You should see the little fellow - can’t quite walk along --- very fair complexion, almost red hair, eyes just like his grandfather and father – clear blue and penetrating. When Dexter first saw him he exclaimed, “Dr. Knapp”!! Even Frank, who never took a baby in his arms, and who always made them cry with a look, takes him in his lap at the table. Sometimes takes him up in the morning and dresses him. He seems very fond of him and I’m so glad. It has such a softening effect upon him. We are about finishing one of the chambers (bedroom) for her sleeping room this winter. Charlie is well and doing well. -- Dexter wants to stay – Frank will be glad to have him -- helpful, pleasant. --- 50 miles covers the distance from St. Paul to this place – farmers go down with their teams, do their trading and come back the next day. -- wheat is all the way from 80 cts to 1.00 and rising - much held back on account of the panic in N.Y. – corn 40 to 50 cts – potatoes 40 – 50 cts. We shall have about 50 bushels of wheat to sell and some potatoes. -- no flowers this year – only a few pinks – others in boxes. Moving last fall spoilt our beds. -- our morning glories were beautiful – 10 varieties all together and a pleasant shade over the window. -- Last week was real Indian summer so warm and pleasant until Friday it rained, cleared cold at night and snow fell an inch but was all taken off by rain and nothing seen of it in the morning -- Franks winter wheat and rye – 7 acres – are all looking well – has not plowed for spring grain yet. Not quite 100 bushels of turnips but grain will fill the deficiency to the cattle. ---- Weasels, hawks and owls have thinned off our chickens some, but we can count about 75 now tho’ they are rather small. They enjoy the threshing ground I assure you and the chaff pile and we hope for a good lay of eggs to put down for winter. -----
Your affectionate sister,
Maria H. Knapp
Lake Fremont Sherburne Co. Minn. Oct. 11, 1874
My dear sister Elisa and family, --
-- My knees do not like to come down stairs very well, but can go up nicely. Do you remember the time when I had that painful swelling and sent for Dr. Gale? Well, that has been troubling me sometimes this summer, when I walk too much – the first time since then, better now. – The grasshoppers made their appearance early in Sept but not in very great numbers and laid their eggs for next years crop. But our beautiful warm weather has in a measure spoilt their plans for in many places the eggs have hatched out and tho’ they have destroyed the winter wheat and rye they will all die in winter and spring grain can be raised next year, if there are not too many eggs saved over. Most farmers are keeping their grain over for next year, fearing the hoppers and thus have enough to eat and sow. Frank had about 175 bushels of small grain and I can’t tell how much corn yet. Potatoes good and splendid crop of turnips for feed! Our cows are all dry but 2 – 3 sold. Have had 5 most of the season. Have put down in jars 189 lbs butter, sold about 50 lbs besides what we have used in the family. It is now 25cts and probably will be 30 or more. Chickens are doing well. Large as hens many of them. Should like a turkey for Thanksgiving. We have frosts but no freeze yet and the morning glories over the window are still fresh and in bloom. Tomatoes show no sign of frost. Our white dahlia has almost 40 nice blossoms on it and the yellow some less. Did I tell you that the twin plants you sent me were pale pink and single. I have a Rocky Mountain Verbena which lives out over winter. I shall send you some seeds which you can plant this fall. The best watermelon I ever saw was with white seeds.
----much love to all friends – but goodbye, as ever your sister M.H. Knapp
Lake Fremont, Sherburne Co. Minn. Thanksgiving Day 1874
Dear sister Elisa, --- I cannot realize that it is 29 years today since I became the wife of Dr. Knapp. How time flies! Yet when I look all along, back upon my path since then it seems even longer. My children are men and women or would be if all were living and one darling grandson. The blessings I have enjoyed, the friends provided for me in times of sickness and trouble, how many and how kind – the trouble and care I have been to them – O, I can never know how they have suffered for me. How you and George & your children could bear with me and be so kind and tender & loving to such a miserable being as I was I can never imagine, but only thank God for it all, and pray for His reward to you. (Maria lived with Elisa and her husband, George Knapp in Dummertown, Vermont for a time after Maria’s husband, Dr. Isaac Knapp died on August 23, 1856.)
George (not Elisa’s husband) has at last, consulted a physician as to his case, and is assured that his lungs are perfectly sound and his cough occasioned by bronchitis just as we have tho’t all the time he has been here. His cough and mine seemed precisely alike and the character of expectoration the same. – will leave St. Paul for St. Louis soon. I don’t expect Frank will go there but probably canvass Iowa and that region of the country. – W.C. Nickerson came up last evening and will take us over to meeting in the cutter, th’o there is only about 2 in. of snow. Our school house is newly finished off with arched roof and will make a very pretty little church. There have been several additions to our church in Princeton. --- The double window in the lower part of the house makes us much more comfortable. I didn’t know how much cold they kept out. George has bo’t the improvements, and preempted the claim joining us on the east and intends to move his family on in the spring. --- wondering who would take care of him and Mary when they were 100 years old. I wish they had children. They are a blessing even if they are a trouble at first ---- Send me a bit of your new calico for the last year. I am intending to piece a quilt this winter. ---- Do you ever hear from E. Keep? ---
But the clock strikes one and we must eat our dinner & get ready for meeting.
Yours in much love, Maria H. Knapp
Lake Fremont Sherburne Co. Minn. Nov. 29, 1874
My dear Nephew Georgie, This is your birthday but would you believe it, I can’t tell how old you are. Do write and tell me your age – the year in which you were born. Notwithstanding this misremembering, I can think of you from a little while fair baby in your thankful mother’s arms all along until almost 9 years ago when I lost sight of you. In imagination I see you now, almost a man in stature and in Knowledge, too, for I feel quite sure that you have improved your opportunities for gaining it and are still laying up stores for future use. Of anything that is good or useful, you cannot have too large a stock. Many things you may not need now, which you have an opportunity to learn, but be sure you will need a very great variety in your future life and nothing will come amiss. To be sure, farming East is not farming West but the general rules are the same. You must have labor with suitable soil and seasons for the best crops in both places and that suitableness is what you want to understand (I suppose, as a matter of course, you intend to be a farmer). Still a good understanding of the use of all sorts of mechanics tools will be especially useful in the far West where every man does his own work, if he can, to save the money which he needs more for other things. But there is one thing, my dear boy, which you need most of all, let you be where you will, it is the Knowledge of yourself as you stand in relation to your Father and Savior. All other Knowledge is of little account in comparison. It will not only be your sure admittance into that “mansion” not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. But I did not intend to lecture you so I will take a new subject.
I suppose you attend school and help Father do chores, reading or studying in the evening. What a good time you must have. Is Susie at home? She should be. Teaching will destroy all the health she has left, if she does not leave it. Take her out to the barn with you to do the chores. That is what saved Abba, being out of doors and she did the chores, too. You would smile now to see her rig up in Frank’s coat, cap and mittens, go into the stable with 25 head of cattle, turn out and feed them and then down to the pond, 40 rods more, cut hole in the ice and come back, fresh as a rose. She is not obliged to do it now as we have a hired man, but sometimes he is away and then she enjoys it. She has also the care of our beautiful horse in pleasant weather and the creature will speak to her when she comes near the stable and follow her around the yard. Did I write you that she was stolen in Sept., or strayed away, and after advertising and searching 2 weeks he found her in a big woods with 2 other stray colts? The time he found her he rode 2 days on a fresh horse. A little snow fell in the night and early in the morning he came upon tracks and followed them up till they were insight. He called “Kate”, “Kate” and the glad little thing trotted up to him and laid her head on his shoulder. I don’t know which was most pleased.
Well, Frank left home with George H.K. in his business almost 4 weeks ago. Had been to Duluth, down the lake 450 miles into Mich. Through Central Wisc. And back to St. Paul where he was a few days since. He is doing well. Money is very scarce here and in that way he can get some for building a barn in the spring. We are expecting the ‘hoppers’ next year so we have stored all our grain for another season.
I have sold a few jars of butter and shall the rest soon. Had about 200 lbs. to sell. Next week we commence the dressing of 50 large chickens for market and they, with one quarter of beef, will be all we have to dispose of. We slaughtered a beef and for the first time in the west have a barrel of beef in the cellar. I presume the prices of provisions in the market are higher East than West, but we have plenty.
Charlie writes that the best prints (cloth) in Nashau are 10 cents – Best sheeting at 10 cts, and other things in proportion. Can you do better? Your Mother remembers when she paid 5 cts. for sheeting. I guess those were hard times for all, those who remained at home as well as those in the war. Prepare yourself to take your place as a well informed man. In social and political affairs as well as in religion. Don’t think any subject too small to be considered. Not that I want you to be a mere politician but I wish you to vote understandingly on all State and National matters.
Now I think if you have the patience to read all this and then are will to reply to it, you will show some good traits of character which are very desirable.
Very Affectionately,
Your Aunt Maria
Lake Freemont Sherburne Co. Minn. April 11, 1875
Dear Sister Elisa and all. ---Charlies wife and Clyde are with us to spend the summer. Charlie was getting thin & unhealthy shut up in the store so long so he and Frank have gone on a tour for awhile, in Georges business and are doing quite well. Were in Burlington, Iowa yesterday as a ‘dispatch’ told us. The wedding is deferred till fall, that a house may be built first, which I think a good plan. So Abba will be at home with me a little longer. Our hens have laid some this winter but not like yours. What kind have you? We have some Bramas, some black Spanish and some common fowls. One now is setting. --- -- ponds are breaking up and ducks and geese are about but no warn dry weather yet, more rainy weather than I ever saw at this time of year in this state. We have 4 new milch cows. 3 of them heifers, as gently as kittens and one of them gives the richest mild. My butter is almost as yellow as summer butter and they have no corn and very little grain of any kind. We expect 3 more calves this month. Farmers think that wheat can go in in a week but it will need some sunshiny days to dry off the land. People are somewhat afraid of the hoppers this year, but will put in crops all the same. One man on the prairie N.West of us 4 miles dug up a panful of earth in his field and placed it near the stove, and in a day or so, there were 1,000s of the little wingless insects in the room, so the report goes. I have not succeeded in hatching any yet. But we are in a wooded part of the country and very few lit on us last year to lay eggs. ---------
Love to all friends, M.H. Knapp
Lake Freemont Sherburne Co. Minn. June 18, 1875
My dear sister Elisa, Your letter from Lowell (Mass.) --- I was surprised to hear from you there. I am sorry you feel so homeless. I do indeed know what that feeling is by repeated experiences. And my Father only knows whether it is to be my lot again. ------
------- You were very kind to save packing for the shells and I hope they will come safely. --- Did you keep that heavy teakwood chest I left at your house? The lumber of it is valuable and a relic of Siam. Who has my old rocking chairs? I don’t want them, only I like to know who sits in them. ----- I am anxious to hear from you again. --- We had letters from the boys this week. They are in Muscatine, Iowa and doing a good business. Had their pictures taken there. Charlie sent his but Franks were not quite done. --- It is the first time he has had any taken since he came west. They are coming home to cut the hay----
My health is good but old age is creeping on and the walk of 2 miles to the Sabbath school seems very long sometimes. I think I am not as lame as you are, but my knees refuse to go up and down stairs as they once did. We have the mild of 7 cows to carry up and down cellar. Make over 30 lbs of butter a week, besides raising calves. We have 4 hens calling after them over 60 chicks and 7 more hens sitting. I think we shall have as many as we can take care of it they all do well. Ababa and I do all the chores and take care of a garden --- We hire men to carry on the farm and things go pretty well if Frank is about. --- Ever your true sister & friend, M.H. Knapp
Lake Freemont, Sherburne Co. Minn. Feb. 11th, 1877
Dear sister Elisa, ---- dated Oct. 5 before I came to my house here. --- Frank came back about the 1st of Oct., cleared out the family who rented it as soon as he could, and commenced tearing out the old paper finishing and lathing, ready for plastering the lower part of the house. The family were miserable, shiftless things. We left them all our crops of the year they came – wheat, corn, potatoes and garden vegetables, beans, beef, butter, eggs & candles - 3 cows and 25 hens. We were to have the pay for 36 bushels wheat, the rest free. They used most of our common furniture, also left a yoke of oxen and 7 young cattle to be cared for. Well, they at up what we left and begged of the neighbors, and got thro’ the winter. All the crops they raised was about 50 bushels of corn and a few beans & potatoes. Of course we let them have all that - two years crop. For want of care, 3 of our best breed of cattle died. Of course, we had nothing to begin upon, only to purchase what we needed. But we are getting along well. I came home the last day of Oct. and we got plastered and cleaned up before many days and enjoy the winter very much. Frank has changed work and hired what hauling his tow year old steers couldn’t do, but they have done a great deal of work. Jan. 1st one of neighbors had 2,000 bushels of corn to husk and Frank has put in 10 days at that, bringing him about 30 bushels of nice corn, which will supply what he needs. He is also getting out fencing for a pasture. Our winter was sharp and good sleighing from the first of Dec. till the last part of Jan. Since then we have had 19 days of warm weather and one day of rain- which is the first real rainy day in winter I have seen in Minn. - 7 years. But spring has not come yet. We shall have plenty of cold and snow yet. Brother Rufus was sick about 3 weeks before he died – seemed out of his mind much of the time, as indeed he had many times for years and post mortem examination showed his brain nearly covered with a thick white skin which had probably been growing there for years, which accounts for his peculiarities at times. By a will he leaves all the property in Sarah’s hands, to be used during her life just as she pleases - in caring for the minor children and herself. She has a large house, 3 stories high - one half she rents to students from college. I wish you could visit her and see her studio and indeed her whole house is full of beautiful drawings and paintings of herself and children. This year she has a studio in College also, and about 30 pupils. She is one of the college faculty now. They are having a powerful revival there and she hopes the last of her children was converted a few weeks ago. Why are not all of the children Christians? My visit to Br. Chaps in Kansas was very pleasant. His farm lies on nearly the height of the prairie and from his house you have a view of from 10 to 15 miles from S.E. round north to the S. west. It is very beautiful in summer but so bleak in winter. No hill or tree to break the sweeping wind. No tree to shade from the scorching sun in summer. But Chap is just the same fellow as when a boy. Bashful, generous, kind, affectionate, willful, overbearing – leader in politics, religion, education and farming. His wife and daughters I do love very much and I feel sure that our love is mutual. They often write me most affectionate letters and I hope to see them here sometime, if I live. But it seems to me I have written all this to you before. -- --- -- ------ Feb. 11 Joe Bennett lives 2/3 of a mile from us on his farm - all alone only a black cat. Sam Bennett came west to St. Paul this winter with his wife. - has not been up here yet. --- The hurt I got in Kansas was - we were riding over the vast prairies and the grass above the horses backs. In crossing a slue (low wet place) with a bank on the opposite side of 2 feet high, the team attempted to jump it, which threw us all off the seat and it was my fortune to light on the arm of the seat which came just inside my thigh on the left side. The pain was intense for a time - I tho’t the hip joint was injured or broken but as I could stand, knew that was not the case. But the pelvis bone was badly bruised and the cords and muscles also. For 4 weeks I couldn’t walk a step without a cane but it gradually grew stronger till now I do not feel that bruise there. But you remember a swelling in my groin which used to trouble me when I was at your house, well that has always been more or less troublesome but since that bruise, it has increased in size and is painful at times. I do not know what it may be in the end but I sometimes think it will be a troublesome thing for my friends or whoever may take care of me. The fall also increased my old weakness very much so that now I can’t walk my mile or two to the neighbors as I used to do. But my health is very good most of the time. Tho my head troubles me sometimes and I feel that I am growing forgetful and childish. Now I have told you everything I can think of to make you suppose me an invalid. But I am doing my work every day and enjoy it. Only Frank does the washing once in two weeks. I have pieced up three large rigs of squares from thick cloth when we were cutting carpet rags (6 ft. by 4) also pieced up one quilt of small blocks and whole squares all ready to quilt and one nearly done of the bits left. But my stock failed me so I took all the narrow strips, too narrow to piece into squares, and run them together, making blocks of the same size as the others, putting light & dark – dull and bright together so that Frank says he likes them quite as well as the squares. I call these the hard times pattern. I think it is an original one. I intend to piece one of delaine if I have time, and some small rugs. I want to work up all my pieces if I have time. When I leave them, I have no daughter to use them and no one else would. Only for paper rags which here are not worth more than 1 ½ ct. per lb. - not worth saving, scarcely and made up will be of use. I have no knitting to do and only our mending. The family left our house the last day of Oct. and moved 2 miles east of us into a good neighborhood to whom they are anything but a comfort or profit. We have thus far kept ourselves very comfortably - the neighbors are very kind and I enjoy my own home, small and in the wilderness tho’ it be, far more than large houses and crowded streets anywhere else. -- --- -- Our winter was cold and snowy till about the 23rd of Jan. Then it cleared away warm and pleasant and has continued so ever since, excepting one day of rain - the first winter rain I ever saw in this country. Snow melts every day, till now there is but little left but quite icy. The ‘oldest inhabitant’ does not recollect such a winter here. But Grandfather used to say that “cold weather never rotted in the sky”, and I expect we shall have it yet. It is hard on lumbermen. ------ ---- Charlie sent me a new picture of little Clyde last week. I think I never saw a finer looking boy of 4 years. They live in Fort Dodge, Iowa. --- --- Our hens commenced laying last week. Wish I could get into your apple cellar, tho’ I have two Roxbury Russets in my cellar! ---- -
Love to all friends. Write as soon as you can and feel like it. Maria K.