1852–1861 Five Letters to the Eldest Daughter of Delaware’s 41st Governor, William Cannon of Bridgeville, Sussex County, Delaware.

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These letters were all addressed to Elizabeth Amanda (née Cannon) Cahall (1835–1912) who was the daughter of William Cannon (1809–1865) Delaware’s 41st Governor, serving the majority of his term during the American Civil War. Her mother, Margaret Ann Laws Cannon (1813–1899), and father lived in Bridgeville, Delaware.

“Lizzie’s” correspondents are her brother, Henry Pervis Cannon (1847–1929), and sister, Ellie Sophia (née Cannon) Buckelew (1845–1905). Two letters from young Henry and Ellie, may have been written on their behalf (possibly by an older sibling). One letter is penned by Kate Crawford, a friend from New Jersey.

From Irving Female College in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, sister Ellie sends news. In part:

(Spelling not corrected:)
I received your kind letter and was very much pleased to think you thought so much of your little sister as to rite to her. ... I am tring to learn to read before you come home. I want to here you play on the pianno and to see youre paintings… you must excuse my hand write as it is the first” [February 16, 1852]

I like it hear very much. I am very much pleased with my teachers and have know doubt but what I shall learn if I only apply myself. I think it is a very good school indeed yet with all its good qualities it is not home... I expect Mother’s greenhouse is looking very pretty now is the lily in bloom that was about half in bloom when I was home I expect it is how I would like to see it. ... Sis Lizzie is my pony getting along very well now tell dear bud Dr to remember the word I sent him not to drive him to hard. ... The girls hear are agoing to have a Soirée to-morrow week (Friday) I expect it will be very nice it is to be the Senors and Juniors. ... Sis Sallie [Sarah P. Cannon Heydrick] is in Baltimore now I hope she is enjoying herself there very much. ... I have been hear just two weeks today and been from home 3 weeks on Monday. Oh! how long it seems it actaly seemes like two monts.[February 16, 1860]
I consider myself very fortunate indeed to receive so many elegant presents and I am convinced I have the kindest Parents in the world and the sweetest sisters and brothers. Your present (the cake) was splendid and you nead not of tride to get anything better. I liked and appreciated as much as though it had been something very handsome. ... I have written to Mother and told her how I spent my holidays. I indeed had a “merry Christmas.” I judged you had a happy Christmas and was convinced by your letter. Dear Willie [William Laws Cannon]  and Joe I can imagine how cut up on going to their stockings and found them all nicely filled by old “Crist Kingle.” Didn’t Joe’s big eyes sparkle when he found so many goodies stored away in that little stocking of his? I expect he thinks as Will does that “Crist Kingle” is a “nice old man.” Tell them sis Ellie hung her stocking up too! and got a few things. Old Crist didn’t slight me. He sent a “great big box” wasn’t that nice?
I am very sorry to hear that Dr [brother-in-law, Dr. Lawrence M. Cahall] is sick and I truly hope he will soon be well again and by sis Lizzie’s kind nursing he will soon be well no doubt. Colds seem to be very prevalent. I suppose Dr caught cold from riding at night. Sis Sallie told me she was having a grand time and was afraid of losing her heart if she had not. I told her I expect Cupid had strung someone else’s around her own. Wouldn’t it be funny if she would catch a Jerseyman. I am so glad she is enjoying herself so gayley. She told me when I left school I would have more good times than she ever had. Do you think so? I am afraid not. She’s had a good deal of fun in her life but my “day is coming.” ... Sis Lizzie there is nothing new going on worth relating only the war seems to be the general talk. I am much alarmed about it for I think war we’ll have for a surtainty, but I can only hope and hope is all we any can do that the result will not be as bad as anticipated. Ask Willie if he thinks himself big enough a man to go and fight. He thinks himself such a big man. I sent two little watches in a letter to mother the other day one for Joe and one for Willie. Have you or they received them? Tell them they must wind them up every night and every time they take them out to see what time to think of sis Ellie. I can see Willie jump and laugh when he sees it. I wish I could send them some nice things but I can’t and they will have to (in this case) take the will for the deed.” [January 5, 1861]

Younger brother Henry writes, in part:

“Good morning to you. I hope you’re well and learning away very fast and will come home quite accomplished. I would like to see you very much and here you sing some pretty songs and I want you to paint me a pretty horse and a nice little dog. ... Phillip [Philip Leonidas Cannon] is a smart little boy and throws you kisses… This is my hand write. As you are learning French perhaps you can read it. [February 16, 1852]”

While friend Kate writes, again, in part:

“Oh! Lizzie are you really going to be married? I can scarcely realize it, – it seems but yesterday we were at St. F Hall, with no thought of love or marriage in that sober little head of yours…and Lizzie dear how kind of you to remember me and to want me to be bridesmaid. ... But how many take that step [getting married] without giving it any serious consideration. They enter into it as though they were merely forming a connection which could be broken as a piece of brittle thread instead lasting as it does through time and eternity…. [1856]”

An intimate gathering of correspondence, primarily written between the children of this prominent Delaware family.

Price: $250.00