On March 8,
1861, Sarah Smith Horr of Castleton, Vermont, wrote to her daughter Angelette
Blakely in Pawlet, Vermont:
“ … I have spent one evening abroad and had some friends to see us. Capt. Ellery’s little folks have been in three times, a sister and two brothers. They sing sweetly, and melodious to my ear, and their behavior is the best of all, not that they are without fault, for they would not be human if they were."
"Their Father & Mother are away at Philadelphia, he as a recruiting officer at the United States Navy Rendezvous and Mrs. Ellery as a companion for her husband.”
According to
the National Archives & Records Administration, a Navy Rendezvous was
recruitment station or vessel. During
this period (1846–1884), Rendezvous reports were filled in at the time of
enlistment, recording the name of each recruit, his rate, rendezvous location,
dates of enlistment, where born, age at time of enlistment, and a physical
description.
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| 1862 boys in sailor suits and little sister |
“There are four sisters. The elder takes charge of the young and all seem to live like ladies, supported in reality by our government.”
Does Sarah
blame the captain's sisters for living off his government salary? If it weren’t for the war, he would not be
needed in that government position. Or
does she endorse their ability to “live like ladies” despite his absence?
This is probably not a realistic image of the the Ellery children. They were probably not so fancy. I hope to learn more about Capt. & Mrs. Ellery in Vermont and his duties during the war.
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