Santa Rosa Sonoma Co Cal. Jan 25?, 1856
James F. Moore
Dear Son
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I take this opportunity of riting to you to inform you that we are all well at present hoping that these few lines may find you also enjoying the same like blessing. I have never rec'd but one leter from you. I have rote three or four letters to you. I don't know the reason why you don't rite to me. I would like very much to hear from you. I sent your leter to the children in Oregon. Benjamin received a leter from William's wife on the 20th of last month. They was all well. Misouri and family is well. They are living on Rusion River. America is living at Clear Lake about 80 miles from here ____Celia is living with her. They are all well and doing well! Benjamin is living at the Salt Mountain. Him and Comodore Eliott is going to making salt. I think that you could make a greateal (great deal?) more here at your trade than you can in your country. It is about as good a business as a man go in to. if you don't come to this country, I want torite as often as possible and let me know how you are doing. Benjamin want you to rite him. Direct your letter to Colusa Co. Sacramento Valley the care of Matison Eaton. There is only two of the children a living with me at present. Travis started for Central America last (November?). Was in ____ (corner torn off letter) and I have not heard from him since (torn corner)
We have a lodge at about a mile and half (torn corner) and we have about thirty five members I wo (torn corner) to rite to me and let me know how you are getting along in your country. I want you (torn corner) to me as soon as you can. I am getting your (torn corner).
My weight is 213 and can do as much work either one of my boys. Ben and I taken a party a hunting party out in the mountains last spring. We was out about four weeks. Was about too hundred miles from home. We killed ____ twenty elk and five grisley bear and deer. We never keep any account of them. I am going out to Bens in May to to take a big hunt. I can beat the most of the young men a shooting as old as I am. I want you to rite to me as soon as possible son.
____ at present only remain your affectionate Father until Death.
Wm. H. Moore
Direct your leters to Santa Rosa H 6 Sonoma Co Cal. rite soon and often.
Misouri says that would like to see you here with your family. She wants to match children with _____ any of the ______ the largest and pretiest of any of the name.
(This letter is referring to Commodore & America Jane Elliott of Lake County, and Missouri Ann Porter (wife of Thomas A.D. Porter) of Healdsburg area of Sonoma County)
Contributed by Anita Crabtree
Another letter from William H. Moore to his son, James, in Louisiana (again written in Sonoma County)
Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., Cal.July 12th
Mr. James F. Moore
Dear son
It is once more that I write you a few lines in compliance with your request & to let you know the state of our health in general. My self and family is all well at present and all of the rest as fair as I know. Anderson is at my house now. He is just from Oregon and all was well when he left. Anderson has bin sick since since he come down from Oregon but he is recovering. Anderson lost his wife on the plains in fifty two and he was left with four children. Benjamin married to a Miss Waller. Americas husban has bin sick but he is about now. You wrote to know some of their names. I will tell you from Joseph Henry down Eliza Sharp, Nancy Cecilia Moore.
Missouri has 3 children, one boy and two girls. America had none. Benjamin hasn't bin married but a short time. William has six children, four girls and two boys. Robert married old Joab Powels daughter and he has four children tow of each sick. (sex) Washington married a Miss Robinet and thay have three boys.
James Cyrus died in the spring of fifty two and Mary moved to Oregon in the spring of fifty two and has married again and has one child by her last husben. She had one by Cyrus.
Anderson wishes you to write often and direct your letters Oregon Taritory Lin County Washing Butt Post office. Elizabeth lives in Iowa Maderson County Winter Sit Post office. Married to a man by the name of Thomas F. Brown.
My wife intendes to write in a few days and she sends her best respect to you and family.
Your affectionate Father
W. H. Moore
(Probably written in July 1857,
since Benjamin was married in
January 1857 and his son was
born in January 1858)
Again, a letter from William H. Moore to his son, James, in Louisiana
(The handwriting seems to differ on these letters, so I think someone else was writing for him. In this letter, the person writing couldn't spell very well. So, use some imagination on the names mentioned)
San Tarosa, nov [?], 1857
Dear Son,
After a long absence from you, I will address you with a few lines although it has not been long Since I have wrote, but having late news from your Brother, & Sisters in Orregon, I thought I would write again. They are all well and doing well. Joab Powel son John has just got in here from Orregon, and Says he left them all well, Anderson Moore has been there some three or four months, he left Sanfransisco last Saturday, for Orregon, and America, went home with him. He bought a place here, and expects to return in the Spring. Her Husband is a going about Febuary or March, to come back with them by land. Anderson is well pleased with California.
Our Family is enjoying reasonable health. And I am enjoying good health for a man of my age. My weight is from [?] to 210. my common weight is about 200. I have been in my 61st ever since 13th last may and can do as good a days work as any of my boys.
I have had late news from your Aunt Becky Lemons. Her & her children are all well. I have wrote to you all the little childrens mames younger than America, but I will write them again. They are Joseph Henry, Elijah Sharp & Nancy Cecelia.
All of our old neighbors from Pleasant hill are here in about two miles of me. Old Billy farmer and all his children are here. And Andy wilson's children are all here pretty much & all the Cooks that you knew are all here from the neighborhood of the Wilson are here, and one of old ham Taylor son, John, two of James Krynabell [?] sons. Three or four of old Jim Harences's sons are here. And the Lewise's & Bougse's. and Haiclen & Hopper and Ingelishes, and all the Bryants and a great many more to teg____ to mention. And a heavy emigration and Callifornia is full and running over. And a great many of your old re______ from Clay Conty.
We came from Missouris last Sunday. They are all well She has 3 children….Hugh Jefferson, Marry Jane ___ __ ___ Elisabeth. You must write as soon as you receive this. Your Mother joins in love with me to you.
Your ever dear Father.
William H And Jane Moore
Letter from Benjamin Logan Moore to his brother, James Frances Moore in Louisiana
Clear Lake Dec the 27th 1858
Napa Co Cal
Mr. James F. Moore
Dear Brother it is with the greatest pleasure that I take this opportunity of riting to you to let you know that I am well at present hoping that these few lines may find all enjoying the same like blessing. I have nothing strange to rite to you at present I have never herd from you since last March and to tell you the truth I have never received the scrach of a pen from you since I saw you last. I would like to see you and your wife and children although I never exspect to have that pleasure unless you to come to this country. The reason is that I have a small family myself and settled down. Down for life I exspect brother. Mary, William, Anderson and Amerca is living all close together, I am living about forty miles from Clear Lake though I exspect to move in about too miles from Father next summer.
I will send the names of my wife and son. Her name was Harriett Manerva Waller. The boy will be one year old the third day of January. His name is Joseph Hiram Moore. Times very dull in this state at present. I want you to rite to me often and I will do the same. I have ben at father on a visit I start home today. So no more at present. Only remain your affectionate Brother until Death.
From B. L. Moore and Wife
To James F. Moore
Letter from Benjamin Logan Moore to brother, James Moore's widow in Louisiana
Lakeport
Lake Co Cal
June 21st 1867
Dear Sister
It is with the greatest pleasure that I take this opportunity of writing you a few lines to inform that my family is tolerable well with the ecception of myself- I have been confined to my bed for about 2 years until last winter. My health has be gaining ever since last January. I am now away from home and here for five days. Father is lying at the point of Death and I am with him. He took a turn this morning, I think for the beter. The Phisisicians gave him up three weeks ago but the Phisician that has ben attending on me for the last few months was here this morning and thinks that there is still some hopes. I have ben afflicted so long that my Phisisians advises me to take a voyage at Sea. So I have concluded to go to South Amrica. I am going to start on the 15th August. I have leesed my mill for the term of eight months at two hundred dollars per month. If I like the country I am going to move there for I don't think that a man of my politics can ever live at peace in the United States any more. When I was confined to my bed I was threatened with imprisment.
We have now four children. Two boys and two girls. I will give you their names in full. The eldest boy Joseph Hiram Moore. The next a girl Harriett Elisabeth, the next girl is C Carria Bell. The youngist a boy 15 months old, George Allexander. Father Received your leter night before last with my brothers picture and also the childrens pictures. I would of sent you all my family pictures but I have riten to you some four or five times and have never received the scratch of a pen from you thinking perhaps that you had moved. I finily quit writing to you. Now the first opportunity that I have I will have all of our pictures taken and send them to you. I received a leter from brother William about three days ago. They are all well and also well pleased with the South American. They are in the Argentine Republicc. Will give you the directions
Direct to Wm. T. Moore
Rosario Argentine Republic
South America
To the care of William H. Perkins.
I will write to you again before I leave for South America. If you rite to me after the first of August direct your leters to Lake Port where my family will stay until I return. I shall write to you when I get to South America if I live to get there. I want you to write to me as soon as you get this leter and send me all your pictures. I want to find a place where Black Republicanism is unknown.
I don't know but I may come back by where you are on my home. I will not promise certain but you may see me some time during next winter. I have lost the use of one half of right arm as far as my elbow. The most of the relations that is near sends their love to you and the children. I want you to rite soon and often. I shall close. No more at present.
Only remains your affectionate Brother until Death.
_______ B, L, Moore
To Adeline, A, Moore
A letter from Hettie Moore to her William F. Moore family in Lakeport.
(The Aunt Sena she talks about is her mother's sister, and is married to Dr. Willard Burke of Burke's Sanitarium.)
St. Helena, July 5. 1887
Dear Mamma and all of you for I mean one letter for all. I got up this morning at 8 o:clock ate my breakfast helped Aunt Sena do the dishes took my treatment and am now writing to you. I have my treatment early. I couldn't hardly describe what all they do. Uncle Willard writes out a ticket for each one and then the lady in the bathroom does what ever that says. It generally takes until sometime in the afternoon to get through.
I did not go anywhere yesterday, my side hurt me all night Sunday night and some yesterday but feels better today. We took a walk last eveing to see the fire works there was quite a display all over town and more noise. What did you all do? You must be sure and tell me all about it.
I got your letter last night and I was so glad to hear from you all. You must write just as often as possible for sometimes I feel awful lonesome.
Mamma you did not tell me how you made your dress and I want to know. Is Mrs. Alexander going to the mountains?
Mamma I want to ask about my washing. Aunt Sena doesn't do her own washing. She lets Sarah do part of it and some of it she lets the chinaman do. I thought I might let the chinaman do my skirts and collars and if I had any dresses to let the laundry man have those. Aunt Sena says to put my underclothes with hers. They won't let me wash. Of course I can keep my towels clean.
I don't think it will cost but a little to get my clothes done up. I suppose Uncle Willard has written he said he was going to. He has been giving me medicine ever since I came. I think I ought to get well before long. He calls me Susan and Sukie until I am afraid people will think I have queer names.
Linnie you must write me the biggest longest letter and tell me everything and I wish you could send the Avalanche or Democrat last weeks or any of them would do.
I suppose Alice Mason did not come did she? Did Jo. Brott go away.
Give my love to all the girls or boys either. No you needn't to the boys I did not mean that. I have to hurry up or I won't get to send my letter.
So if this letter seems a little short the next one will be longer.
Aunt Sena said you needn't have been so particular about fixing up the pillows. She wanted to know right away if they didn't have new ticks on them.
Be sure and write all about the celebration. What everybody wore and everything.
I must quit or my letter won't go. Now write just as soon as you get this for if don't write real often I will get homesick.
Love to all,
Hettie
Letter from Daisy Martin to Mrs. Anger
Lakeport, May 10th 1906
Dear Mrs. Anger
I guess you think me lazy but I have had almost as many troubles as a poor married man lately so no wonder I don't write. We have been having earthquakes, first we had an awful hard one, it almost shook the house down here and then it shook San Francisco to pieces and set it on fire and Mabel was there and for days while the city burned to ashes we could see the smoke hear the explosions and that the whole city was on fire but we could not go there and if we had gone we could not find her alive or dead one chance in a hundred so we worried ourselves almost sick. finally we got a scrap of paper from her saying she was alive still she did not come homne and the danger was not over. Finally after another wait of a week and no more news she came home. She had been nursing the injured of that poor wrecked city trying to save life all possible. She saw San Francisco all burned to ashes from the top of the highest hills in the city as far as the eye can reach nothing can be seen but blackened ruins, thousands of people were killed and burned to death. She saw hundreds of blackened bodies buried in trenches. For days the hospitals cared for the injured while even the nurses had nothing to eat or drink and nothing to offer the thousands who appealed for aid. It was terrible. Finally they got water and some food but the water was horrible black stuff. They all expected to be killed. Mabel along with the rese, They were at Fort Mason in the officers quarters. They had established a hospital there and the fire kept coming that way it had taken all the rest of the city and bid fair to take the park and the Fort and over 200,000 people but the wind died down at sundown & saved the lives of thousands. Then the firemen got the fire under control and put it out. You see they could have saved the city from fire if it had not been that the earthquake bused all the water pipes so they had no water to fight the fire and had to use explosives to throw down the buildings but it was of no use the wind was fierce.
And all that while we were here and helpless like persons watching a ship in distress and not being able to aid. Mable came back all tired out but otherwise well. It was still shaking hard in SF and is still and last Sunday it commenced to shake here again and all day Monday it shook every little while. And it worried me so I was sick by the time the day was over and Mabel had to dope me up with medicine. In SF it shook so hard it turned the largest steel buildings around on their foundations and strew lots of the buildings entirely flat. I wish it would quit shaking here if it don't I shall sell out and leave unless it kills me first. I am tired of it all.
Now about your friend Mary Xouk is married and gone so are the rest of the Xouks gone. The Bramlets are all OK the oldest boy is married to a Miss Fouch. Ellie is not married. The Hazelwoods and Watenbergers are all well. Nora is as fat as ever. Mrs. Frank Farrier has a baby girl Cora West married Charles Benson. Wirt West & Guy West are both married. Mrs. Jackson married a black french man and went away, her younger sister is at Masons. She is 16 & her husband is 18 and she is suing for a divorce. She looks just like Mrs. Mason. Mr. Smith deserted his family so I don't know where he was at the time of the SF fire. The Smiths lost all that they had but escaped with their lives. Nobody in SF saved anything. Millions there now have to be fed & clothed by charity and carry burned bricks at the point of a soldiers gun for all who eat & are able to work are made to work to clean the ruins away.
Lakeport had several brick buildings thrown down and the rest cracked and all the big windows smashed and all the chimneys in town including ours were down in a shower of bricks. This house rocked like a ship in a storm bricks fell like rain the noise was like an immense log had struck the house. I hope you didn't have any of those shakes for they might make you sick.
Lakeport is still above ground but I have myt doubts if it then will stay so unless it quits shaking.
I tore this paper by accident. Thank you ever so much for that soapstone. I will pay you the postage on it if you will tell me how much it was. I will get that poem if Mrs. H hasn't lost it and send it to you. I hope you will come down and see us some time after these earchquakes stop. My writings bum but maybe you will forgive me this time. I have so many troubles. Mother is real well but just as helpless as ever. She sends her love to you she often talks about you & Amos. We heard you were married again.
I wrote you a long letter before but must have sent it to the wrong address.
Your loving friend
Daisy Martin
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