Russell King Homer's History

Letter Written by Anna Warner to Her Son, Russel King Homer and Family

November 18, 1863

Conneaut Ville, Crawford Co., Pa.

Dear Children:

I take this time to write a few lines to let you know that we are all well at this time, excepting myself. My health is poor and I am almost blind in my right eye; I can see but very little with it.

I hope these few lines will find you and yours all well. You must excuse me for not writing sooner for my hand has been so lame that I could not write.

Edmond wrote to Julia that you were going a hundred and fifty miles farther west. I was sorry to hear that. I thought you had gone far enough from me before, but I expect you think it is for the best. I should be glad to have a letter from you. I thought you had forgotten us entirely it has been so long since I had a letter from you. I wish that I could see you all but do not expect to. I. wish that I could see Nancy and Anna and all the rest of you.

Russell, I love you soul and body as my child, but your principles—you and I can never agree upon such principles. But that need not make any difference in our love for each other for if you think you are right, stick to it, but for my part I cannot think so.

I wish you and yours well if I never see you again. I have got to be so old that I cannot see to write. If my eyes should get better, I will try; if my hand is not too lame. I can use it, but it is a great trouble to try to write. This is a poor letter and may be the last. I hope you will try to write to me as often as you can.

I had a letter from Elizabeth Rice. Her family are all well that are living. Norton is dead, he died down south.

He enlisted in the Engineer corps and died of typhoid fever.

I had a letter from Benjamin; they are all well. And 1 hope, Russel, you will come and see us before you go on your Journey to the north. Delania’s family is all well at this time, and William’s family is well. Will Crockett is married to Miss Susan Norris, a very nice woman. James Crockett is a very smart man, he is buying stavers and selling them. Thomas B. Crockett’s family are all well at this time.

This is from Anna Homer, your Mother, and so I remember my love for you and remain your affectionate parent until death.

To Russel K. Homer and Eliza Homer