Letter: Eunice Marsden (probably to James Carr)
South Manitou Island ~ March 22nd, 1864
"Noomi" is Eunice Marion Burton, youngest daughter of William and Lucy-Boyd Rice Burton. She married Captain Charles Marsden in 1855, becoming Eunice Marsden; hence the signature "Noomi M." At the time of this writing, she had divorced and was living with her parents and two young daughters (ages six and four) on South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan. The recipient of this letter is not indicated, but was probably James Carr.
Teusday, March 22nd
Twenty eight years old today [1]. Mercury 8° below zero, ice as far as one can see, & taken as a whole, a decidedly frozen country.
You will see by the first date of this letter that it was written some time ago, & I am really fearfull it will remain here some time to come, Unless some good (or evil) spirit comes to ones assistance, our only hope is in Capt Hart [2], & he has not yet made his appearance.
Friday, March 26th [3]
About five o'clock yesterday we espied a vessel, got within eight or ten miles of us, could come no further on account of ice [4]. We watched her closely until dark. This morn could see nothing of her. Gone back, into winter quarters perhaps.
Father [5] has just gone out to tap a few trees for us. Step in some evening next week, and we will sugar of.
I am agoing to seal & send this down to the other dock [6], so it will certainly go the first opportunity. I have taken care of it long enough, let Kate [7] take charge of it two or three weeks. By that time it may possibly go a little fasther. Great country this.
I shall expect to hear from you again when we hear from the P O
Write soon, & believe me your sincere friend
Noomi M. [8]
Notes:
Submitted by Phyllis Begens, great-granddaughter of Eunice Marion Burton