Stephen Grover and Nancy Borland family
Copy of a letter written to Mr and Mrs Freeman Grover by Susan from Phippsburg Maine, USA., where she lived once, and was married to the lighthouse keeper on Ponds Island
Dated: May 6/1861
Dear Brother and Sister
Thinking that perhaps you would like to hear from me by letter, I now take a short leisure to write yous as I am sure it would seem the next best thing if I cannot have a visit from you to have a good long letter which suggestions I suppose will make you a little nervous, you are always so busy but I shall expect one nevertheless. You will perceive by date we are yet on Pond Island but we do not know how soon we may be removed. mean time my husband says he shall go west in August for certain and we expect to move west next fall if nothing happens to prevent it Seems a great undertaking but we think it best for the boys And now a few words about politics or rather no politics is not our country in a dreadfull state Surely Abraham is our Father and I hope we are children of promise but are we not like Ishmarlites (?) rather that is every mans hand against the other almost. There is a company of volunteers formed here in Phipsburg ready for duty. Our Boys have not volunteered nor shall any of them if I can help it. They are very busy now. Melville is building hedges or weirs and the rest of them go a fishing in their vessel. Every thing with regard to our Nation is in such a sate of uncertainty that that it is impossible to foresee what will come next. but one of two things seems certain and that is if this warfare of the states is not settled on peacefull terms there will be such a war and I dare not think of it. But I trust that the Sovereign (?) of Him who in ancient time said to the raging elements peace be still may now be (heard?) controlling the yet fiercer elements of the passions of men ---------- I received a letter from Caroline this week she writes they are all well but she is much troubled about the war. She says several of their neighbors boys have enlisted and Warren wants to (?) Catherine is at Bath yet to School but I expect her home soon Nancy & her family are well -- I want you to come up and see us this summer & make us a good visit. Write on receipt of this & let us know of your welfare I believe Susan McKewn has promised us a visit remind her we shall expect her to come we should like very much from all your children my love and kind regards to them all. Milton received a letter from Littel Master Nathan & he was highly pleased he wrote an answer bu we had no postage stamps on the Island then & I do not know if he sent it but if he did not he will write him soon Milton goes a fishing with the boys when you write please write about Woodbury & how himself & family like out where they live I must now close by
Subscribin Myself
Your Affectionate
Sister
Susan Spinney