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Subject: [HACKETT-L] Letter from Charles Merritt Hackett to his mother Lydia, 1861
Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 10:27:37 EDT

I am interested in any additional information on the following line of my
grandfather John Arnold HACKETT.

*John Arnold HACKETT and Harriet Marie DOBLE had the following children: John
D; Mary Frances; Doris Mae.

*His parents: Jonathan Clark HACKETT and Susie Eliza WILLIAMS had the
following children: Edith Idella; Leon Horatio; Almond Herbert; Frank
William; Mable Frances; Nellie Lydia; Alberta Susie; John Arnold.

*His grandparents: Jacob Morrill HACKETT and Lydia Wilson CLARK had the
following children: Charles Merritt; Edward Augustus; Edwin Augustus; Sumner
Socrates; Jonathan Clark; and Moses Morrill .

The following is a copy of a letter that I have given to me by my uncle, John
D. Hackett of FL. It is difficult at times to read because of its age and
condition but here is my best attempt. The names in the letter made no since
until Howard Johnson sent me extensive information that filled in the gaps.
Hope you find it interesting. It is written by Charles Merritt to his mother
Lydia. Also of note, within three months of this letter his twin brothers,
Edwin and Edward will enlist in the 5th Maine to fight in the Civil War.

THE ENVELOPE:
(from) Eureka, (M…?)
March 9, 1861

(to) Mrs. Lydia Hackett,
Mechanic Falls, Maine.

THE LETTER:
Eureka Mar 6th 1861;
Dear Mother: I have just received your letter of Feb 19th and was very glad
to hear from you, but you don't appear to get all of my letters from your
talk. I received your letter that you spoke of on my birthday. It was quite a
birthday present. (Father?) said that I did not know when I could come home
or not but I would if I could come, for I should have money enough from my
school if I did not get the rest. I have $14 per month and board and was to
have 4 months school and have my as soon as school is done. I finished school
yesterday on account of my not being likely to get my pay right off. I have
kept 3 months, the reason of it is this the district had money enough in the
treasury to pay me for 4 months but they have lost every cent of it through
the rascality of the town superintendent (actually this county-a bundle of
rascals). They told me that they could not pay me still another fall but
wanted me to keep the school out. But I thought that I was about deepening
in the mire already without getting in deeper so I quit. They are going to
have a school meeting in a few nights to see if they can't raise it out of
there own pockets. But it is so hard times here for money I don't think they
can. If they don't raise it I don't know what I shall do for I can't get any
money on my old debts. If I can collect enough to come home with I shall
come. But I don't have much hopes of it. It takes a pretty good sum to come
$41.60 for a tickett to (Hartland ?). I shall be at home sometime between
this and next fall but I don't think you had better look for me this spring.
I will come if I can and If not I shan't. I have good a pretty bad cold
today My snoot runs a stream while I am writing this You did not send all of
that speech. I know what you sent. It was the part that you did not sent
that I had forgotten. I don't think much of Edward's business for I think
the sun is the best dryer to do clothes by. What did he give for the thing.
Write-how he makes it selling them. What is Edwin going to do? I wish I was
back there now. We have had real hard winter here not much like last
winter. The snow is melt off now. It is very pleasant today. I am going to
take a ride. We have a tall sycamore here I like I like it. The house was
as full as it could be at the last meeting. How do Jona and Moses get along.
I suppose they are great boys now. (Laz Moses is …yet?) Why don't some of
Uncle John's folks write to me. I guess Wilson and Sarah have forgotten
there is such a boys as Charles Hackett for they don't take time to answer my
letter. I can't write any . So good-bye Write soon C.M. Hackett

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