May 7 – Living in Interesting Times

In reading about the great movements in history, we often wonder what we might have done in those circumstances, and how our own ancestors participated in those great events.  The Blakelys of Pawlet, Vermont, in the 19^th century did not go off to war in the American Civil War.  We can find no evidence that they helped slaves escape to Canada.  They did not actively participate in abolitionist or women’s suffragist movements.  It’s hard to find clear, passionate religious or political beliefs expressed in any of the numerous letters that were preserved so well.

In March of 1861, Sarah Smith Horr refers to the mounting political tensions that presaged the Civil War, hoping “when this political commotion subsides” that her son Richard will feel better.  In the same letter, she mentions that her son John Emory Horr, the high school headmaster in Brookline, Massachusetts, had sent her “a paper and a pamphlet”, which implies that he had political views that he wanted to share.  But Sarah does not describe any of the contents of those papers, nor does she express her own opinions about them.

Sarah does, however, mention charity cases.  “Your Uncle Whittemore wrote in the town of Natick adjoining Wayland there was a hundred families helped by the town, and the poorhouse was full, owing to the failure in business.  That was the 20^th of January.  It is lamentable that our beautiful country should be in such a condition by our own doings.”  It’s not clear who she blames for the business failures.

Jayhawkers vs. Bushwackers, “Peace Convention”,
Kansas Historical Society

In Kansas, settlers had been fighting for several years over the issue of whether or not slavery could be allowed in the territory trying to become the 34^th state.  The massacres became so severe that the territory was referred to as Bleeding Kansas.  Even when Kansas became a free state in January of 1861, slaves did not become free because the Fugitive Slave Act empowered their owners to sell them or transport them back to slave territory, and recapture them if they tried to escape.  

The Kanza Indians rebelled against the flood of outsiders.  The settlers were struggling to establish farms on the open prairie, and dealing with a severe drought.  In Castleton, Sarah describes the local response to their plight.

“Mr. Maynard[1] has been soliciting for sufferers in Kansas the past week.  Edward Gorham said there had been two [railroad] car-loads of grain sent from the vicinity where he lived, for their relief.  Our papers seem to convey the idea that it is only a certain portion of K-s that is any way suffering, that it is not general throughout the state.  I hope the most needy are relieved before this.”  

What “certain portion” of Kansans might be suffering disproportionately?  Farmers in the most remote districts?  Black people, free & captive?  “Only” the poor?  Disproportionate suffering and disproportionate sharing of charitable donations are always problems during a disaster.  Sarah wishes Kansans well, but does not mention whether she actually donated anything for the cause.

straw braiding

Sarah constantly, obsessively braids straw for hats and knits more stockings for her grandchildren than they can possibly use.  She knows about people all over town who need comfort & companionship, clothing & education, and she spreads news & gossip, but does not appear to have helped anyone.  She attends mission meetings and school meetings, then goes home and writes advice to her daughter Angelette.  I’m disappointed in her.

Kansas info:  http://www.legendsofkansas.com/morriscounty2.html

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[1] Ulric Maynard, Congregational clergyman in Castleton