Annie Mason Letters, 1852-1862

Mission de San Diego, California April. 15th 1853.

My dear Mother & sister.

I received a letter from you Eliz last night, it seemed a long time since I had heard one of my letters to you or Mother must have been lost unless you have since received it. I sent 5 dollars in two different letters so that if one should be lost both would not – I sent it as a gift to Mother – when you wrote to us that you were going to be married John sent you a draft for twenty dollars for the promised wedding dress I do hope this too has not been lost. last fall or perhaps in November John sent two & a half in a letter which I wrote to Maria, to get a Steubenville newspaper – Maria hinted that I had not written but she was mistaken – I am going to take a new plan–, I will write to Smithfield twice a month, on the 1st & 15th & to Steubenville on the 8th & 20th & will try & not neglect it & then you will know if any are missing – it will not be my fault – we are to have a weekly mail after this which pleases us mightily – I am sorry to hear Mother has been so sick – I hope she is quite well now – I wish she had used as much of that brandy as she wanted – John is sorry she felt any hesitation in using it as he could not wish it used in a better way & is thankful it was there for her —

Ginnie wrote us of the death of Joseph Mason – it is very sad & such a death – poor little children he was so fond of them.

I had a long letter from Mrs Quinby also last night & such a good kind one too – she has lost her little baby but seems very patient in her affliction – I think the Quinbys are real friends of ours & I appreciate their friendship —

Uncle Sammy's seem to be indeed afflicted – does Joel live at home – you said he was to be married —

Mother I hope thee will enjoy the country & be well there & I hope you will all be very happy together – I cannot tell when we will see you again – John seems to think the time not very far distant – Will can ride down there frequently as it is so near – John or I or both of us will write to Will soon – but our letters are hardly worth receiving for one cannot write any news – Kate received a bundle of books from Maria a few days ago – she makes us read them to her every day – & has read the primer thro. twice herself – is now going through it the third time. she was getting tired of her old spelling book & the new books gave her an inducement to learn with pleasure – her chickens still amuse her – we get as many eggs as we can use –

We heard a few days since of the sad fate of the Steamer Independence of the Nicaragua line

she struck a sunken reef near the island of San Margarita – about a days journey below here, perhaps more – the Captain tried to put her on shore but the waters increasing so fast stopped the draft of air & caused the blaze to come out & set the ship on fire – some of the passengers escaped & many were lost Mrs Haly (with whom I was acquainted) & her sister were saved – whale ships lying near carried many of the passengers to San Francisco – the Tennessee also a fine steamer of the Pacific company was wrecked near San F – but her passengers & every thing saved – Mrs Maj McKinstry was on board – The steamer passed here instead of stopping as she had intended. The vessel is a total loss – these accidents frighten me when I think of the distance between us & the states. but we are in the hands of God where ever we may be – & He never forgets us.

John has made a nice shower bath for us on a little porch just outside the bedroom. he had the bed room window cut down to the floor & made a little door to open – it is nicely arranged. The water falls into a large tub made of boards & we can take either a shower or tub bath –

We had an opportunity of seeing some of the Senoritas of San Diego a few days since at a little party Col Magruder gave – but as they cannot speak English

and we cannot speak Spanish our communications were very limited – I still study but hearing so little of it spoken I do not improve fast – if we had remained in Monterey, no doubt but we would all have spoken it ere this —

Ginnie wrote us that Mrs Stokely was ill – she must at least have been living or you would have mentioned her in yours – I hope I shall get a letter soon from you giving me all the particulars of the wedding – I am glad Mother & Will like your husband (I suppose he is so in this ) so of course we will tooDo write often – John sends his love to you all – & Katy sends many kisses to Grandma Aunty & Uncle Will — she is so busy spelling in her little book she will hardly stop to say so –

Give much love to Will for me. & to all friends – With our best wishes for the welfare of the newly married couple & love to all –

I am yours as ever –

Annie Mason —

Mission de San Diego, California May 20th 1853.

My Dear Mother.

I had a good long letter from Martha yesterday – telling me of Eliz's marriage. I was so glad to hear from home – letters from home have been so scarce of late but now the wedding is over, Eliz I hope will feel settled & write oftener – she can at least give me an hour on Sunday, if the business of the farm occupies her too much through the week – she is not one who takes much time in putting her ideas on paper & I shall feel slighted if she does not write to me twice a month – she must write if she only fills one page. I am always anxious to hear how thee is – I do hope thy health will be good in the country. do try and take the world as easy as possible & be careful of thyself for the sake of thy children I hope some day, but most likely not under a year to be with you again – I thought for a while we might go this summer but the prevailing idea now is that no companies will be relieved before next year – we have one consolation in this – I hope then we will be better able to go – John & Mr Slemmer have bought a piece of good ground in the valley which they are going to have cultivated, in hopes of making something – being in different regiments

[left margin] and to Will & our regards to John – Kate sends a kiss to Grandma & Aunty give our love to all friends – John sends much love to thee – Martha says thy new son John says Mother already but if he does he cannot love thee as well as the old one I will not say that he never will – Thy loving & devoted daughter in California