During early September, 1866, another exchange of correspondence took place. The author is the sister of Edwin's deceased wife, Mary. "Lizzie" is Sarah Elizabeth Jenkins, age twenty-nine, and single. We heard from her earlier when she informed Edwin about the details of her brother Henry's death. Her letter demonstrates a familiarity with her brother-in-law. She has presumably known him for the five years he was married to her sister.
It is unclear if she is flirting with Edwin, but her style of writing is far more direct than that of Susan Smith. Nor is her use of language on the same level as better educated Susan. Lizzie is quick to criticize Edwin.
Lizzie mentions many people we haven't identified, probably from the Jenkins family or common friends. There is a reference to an earlier letter from Edwin, but unfortunately it is not with the others. It is presumed "Ned," to whom she addresses the letter, is a nickname for her brother-in-law Edwin. This is the only time the name is used.
Lowell Sept. 6th, 1866
Brother Ned,
You see I am in Lowell. I came up yesterday. Mother, Auntie Page, & Helen Brown came up and brought me. Uncle William and Auntie Marie have gone out to N.Y. I stop a week or so, Mary sent for me to come and stay with her while they are away. After I got here I wrote to Lawrence to Sophie to come up and stay as long as she can. I don't know as the house will hold us, if she comes. You say you think it "rather cool" in me to let Sophie return, without coming to Acton. I don't see as there was any time to come as you went to N. York. Could she have stopped a day longer, Mother Sophie & I should have come up there, and spent the day, but she was sent for to come home as her folks wished to go to Dow the next Tuesday. I think if you had wanted to see us very much, you would have all come down, and let James & family come too.
I am glad you enjoyed your trip so much. I hope sometime I may go out that way. That very interesting paper came after two weeks. All think it worth a good laugh. I sent it to Sophie.
Did you go to Camp Meeting last week? Mary says she guesses you did not. I would like to attend one very much, I have no idea of them. I read that it was a very interesting meeting. Mary enjoyed her visit to Acton very much. I would like very much to come to Acton, but don't know when I can. I would like to see your garden, your kittens, (I hear they have come) and John. Would not mind seeing E. Fletcher. Are your grapes ripe yet? We have a great many early apples. I don't care for them. Mary and I intend to see their new house while I am here. I like her very much. We are going to Tyngs Pond one day. Shall wait and see if Sophie comes to go with us. Don't you wish you were here to go? My garden looks very well, but I suppose you would not think it much. I enjoy it very much. Mother's garden is doing nicely and she thinks it pays well. Come over and see what you think of them.
Mother had a long letter from Mrs. Smith of Redwood City, California last week. She seems to feel Henry's death very much. She says all loved him out there. They had a funeral sermon there the Tuesday before. Said she would not let him started had she not thought he would have reached home. He was anxious to get home. He wrote her husband a letter on board the steamer, the 8th of July, which she sent us. Mrs. Tilton had got home, went on the "Golden City" - the same one that Henry came on. She visited his grave at Panama. Poor boy, I wish he could be laid beside Thomas. We shall expect a letter from Mrs. T the next steamer.
Mary is out cooking something nice, don't you wish you could have some. We are going to make some preserves someday. Come over and we will treat you. As soon as it comes warm we are going to make ice creams. They have a freezer. We are going down to take tea with Mother one afternoon. How is Martha? I wish she would come down to Billerica when I get home. It seems an age since I saw her. Write me about your kittens. I have had bad luck with my little darling. One week ago last Saturday night, as we were getting tea, Mother came in a hurry from the backroom, and either trod on or kicked her, and she did not live 10 minutes. I never had so bright a kitty before, and miss her very much. I don't know as I have more to write.
How is that lady from Lynn? You have not said anything about her lately. Come down and call on us if you can. I shall stop here a week or so. Good bye, love to all. Mary sends love.
From your sister, Lizzie
PS: Send me one of your new tintypes. I forgot to tell you Mary and Charlie have closed up accounts. I don't know the reason. We are all so glad.Edwin's response eight days later uses a nickname in his salutation as well. While both letters contain references we don't understand, they contain many interesting observations. The correspondence causes us to wonder if Edwin might have considered his sister-in-law as a potential wife. It's difficult to read between the lines. His hurried trip to Saratoga which he failed to mention to Susan before he left, seems to have resulted from a misunderstanding that involved Lizzie Jenkins. All that occurred around the time brother James Fletcher was expressing his opinion that Edwin should drop Susan as a potential wife.
Acton Friday Evening Sept. 14th 1866
Dear Sister Sal.
I believe I am owing you a letter and wishing to be square with the world and the "rest of mankind" I will write a few lines this evening, though I shall hardly know where to direct it but think I will send it to Lowell as the most likely to find you. Is Sophie with you? I hope you will keep within the bounds of propriety if she is and not try to learn Mary those kicking freaks that came off on one of my visits to Lawrence and which frightened me so that I have not dared to visit the place since that display.
I do not consider that my visit to New York, etc., is any excuse for your not making me a visit, as I had no thought of going till I received your letter saying that you had decided not to come which caused me so much disappointment that I feared for my health, and started for Saratoga the next day.
I did not go to the Camp meeting. Father, Mother, John, Martha, Henry and Abbie were intending to go but the funeral of Mrs. Deacon Hayward kept them at home.
Quincy went one day.This is the first mention of the youngest Fletcher boy, twenty year old Quincy, brother to James, Edwin, John and Abbie.
I saw by the papers that Dea. Patten died very suddenly. It is a great loss to your society and will make quite a change I should think in his family. What effect will it have on his business matters and the boys?
It is pleasant to hear from Henry' s friends in California and to hear that they should notice his death and have a funeral service for him as it showed that he had made many friends there as he always did wherever he went.
I have no doubt that yesterday your thoughts went back three years when we followed dear Mary to her resting place beside her darling child. I visited the graves last Sabbath after ten and carried some flowers and can assure you that whatever else may happen to me that they will not be forgotten.This is the only direct reference Edwin makes to his deceased wife and their child in the entire collection of letters.
Once again, the common use of first names is confusing as the Mary and Charlie mentioned in Lizzie's letter and in the next paragraph are not the same as Susan Smith's sister and her husband!
Martha is nicely and better than she has been for a long time. Last week they went to Brighton, Boston & Chelsea on a visiting tour with the horse and carriage and their next trip they think of taking toward Billerica and Lawrence.
My garden is not in so good a trim as it has been though I have something of a variety yet. I was glad to learn that Mary and Charlie had closed accounts for I think she can do better by remaining single if no better opportunity offers.
In regard to my account with the "lady at Lynn" I have nothing special to say in addition to what I have said to you, only that I continue to visit the city on business and pleasure, and this week took a view from High rock and also called on my brother James and spent the night in Danvers. She has just commenced the full term of school from which you may judge that I am to live alone a while longer and I hope you will not wait for me to go to keeping house before visiting Acton again for if that is your excuse I will get Peggy or someone else to come up and open house and cook a dead hen or something else for you if you will only inform me when you will come over.
I attended the State Convention yesterday and had a nice time. Butler had on his high heel boots. Father and mother went to Boston went to Boston to the Temperance Union Wednesday. We have had quite a thunder shower this evening.
The Universalists have a picnic at Walden Pond tomorrow. I shall not go down. It is too late and I have not room to write more and will close with much love to all I remain,
Your brother
Edwin
This was an interesting exchange. How Edwin's letter to Lizzie ended up with the correspondence between Edwin and Susan is a mystery. Perhaps he never sent it might it have been returned undeliverable? We don't believe Lizzie Jenkins ever married.
The same Sunday Edwin wrote to sister-in-law Lizzie, he wrote to Susan as well.