September 6, 1859,1 The handwritten original reads “Sep. 26, 1859,” but the number “2” has a line drawn through it, suggesting that it has been crossed out and that “Sep. 6” is intended.
Letter to
William Clarence White. 1EGWLM 701.2
Portions of this letter are published in Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 3, p. 121.
A letter to her son Willie, age 5. 1EGWLM 701.3
Dear little Willie:2 If written on September 6, 1859, this is the earliest extant letter written specifically to Willie from his mother.
We are at Brother Folsom's [Paul Folsom].3 Identity: Paul Folsom, of Somerville, Massachusetts, gets frequent mention in the Review during the 1850s. In the 1860 census his trade is given as “confectioner,” which fits well with Ellen White's description: “It is where they make candy.” Later in the letter it appears that his wife's name is “Margaret,” which also accords with the census records. See: Search term “Folsom” in Words of the Pioneers; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “Paul Folsom,” Massachusetts, Middlesex County, Somerville, p. 76. There is some evidence that Willie had accompanied his parents the previous year on their tour of the Eastern states, which included a visit to the Folsoms in Somerville. Willie would have been only 4 years old at the time, but Ellen guessed that he would have been impressed enough by the candymakers and the novelty of the streetcars in nearby Boston (par. 6 below) to remember them. That Willie traveled with his parents to Somerville and Boston in 1858 is inferred from the memoirs of J. N. Loughborough, who traveled with them. He recalled an incident involving Willie that happened in October 1858 while they were en route to Massachusetts. See: J. N. Loughborough, “Sketches of the Past—No. 110,” Pacific Union Recorder, Jan. 26, 1911, p. 1.
As we were riding from Springfield [Massachusetts] to Berlin [Connecticut], there were three children in the [railroad] cars. One was a little boy about your age. He was dressed very prettily. I think his hair curled, but although he looked handsome, he was not so, for he did not behave well. He disturbed those who sat near him by his loud, sharp voice, contending and plaguing his sisters until they had no peace. They told him they should tell his mother but he did not seem to care, and he behaved so rudely that we were all glad when he got off the cars. I thought then how badly I should feel if my little Willie was so disagreeable. 1EGWLM 701.5
Now, Willie, that badly-behaved boy with pretty clothes did not make people love him. His pretty face did not make them love him. His behavior made those who had the care of him ashamed of him, and all seemed pleased to get rid of the troublesome boy. 1EGWLM 702.1
If Willie acts well, if he is gentle, kind, and obedient, father and mother will love him and all good people will love him.5 See: Lt 5, 1859 (Sept. 6), note 4.
Willie, I must tell you about Margaret's [Margaret Folsom]6 Identity: See later in the same paragraph: “Sister Folsom.”
Willie, we had a ride in the horse car again.7 Horse-drawn streetcars running on rails were beginning to appear in major American cities in the 1850s. For Boston the launch came in 1856. Carrying upward of 40 passengers, they provided a quieter and more comfortable ride than the old stagecoaches and omnibuses. See: Chaim M. Rosenberg, The Great Workshop: Boston's Victorian Age, p. 20.
Tell Grandpa and Grandmother8 Both sets of Willie's grandparents were living in Battle Creek during these years, but since Robert and Eunice Harmon were in Iowa on an extended visit at this time, this reference must be to his paternal grandparents, John and Betsey White. On the visit of the Harmons to Iowa in 1859, see Ms 8, 1859 (note on Nov. 16 entry) Jane Fraser had worked in the White household since about 1852, and later had responsibility for the children during Ellen and James White's travels. In W. C. White's later recollections he calls her “my foster mother until I was five years old.” See: W. C. White to Rosetta Perry, Apr. 30, 1928.
From your affectionate mother. 1EGWLM 702.6
Here is a peppermint, Willie. 1EGWLM 702.7