Remembrances, 1861

     Another civil war Quilt square. In Purple. The colour of Remembrance, and a patterned Star. Nice and simple. The  letter  attached was written by Hannah Walton Sanders.  Seems like Hannah dwelled a lot on death, and who had died, when and where. Not surprising, since the War was full of it.
     She and her husband, William, eloped when she was 19. The night she climbed down the ladder , she then climbed back up as she had forgotten her gloves ( a lady was never without them), and then she climbed back down the ladder and off they went to get married. They had five children, one of which died in infancy. Hannah started her diary when the Civil War began, when she was 55. Her diaries contined simple sentences with references to her family, visitors, and historical events.Their home was always open to anyone who passed by, or to relatives. She died in 1876, and the Jackson Ferry Farm is still owned by family descendents.

"Jan. 1st, 1861 A very severe frost this morning. Everything covered with frost and a snow on the ground that measurd two feet. The deepest I ever remembered. To see the river backed up has not been any crossing since Saturday. Our canoe is up at the falls, Richard crossed to see a patient. E. Crawford, Mathilda Sanders and Lynch with us. Posey and Nannie at the Judge's. O what a change shince this day twelve months ago. Uncle Adams and Aunt Senah Sanders in their graves. She only survived him four months short ones to us, but long ones to her. No one knows my feelings, but my self, to lose two such good friends in so short a time. Friends we enjoyed for thirty odd years.

"Jan. 10th, 1861 A cold windy day,some snow. Mary Pankin adn Mathilda Sanders here. Mr. McCamant here for dinner Mr. Sanders sent him to the Depot this day 27 years ago. My little George breathed his last this day 12 years ago. Aunt Senah was here, who then thoughtthat she would not be here but once more. Now, cold in the grave.

"Feb. 14th, 1861  Father Newell's birthday. Had not thougtht of it until night. Poor Senah if she had been alive, she would have thought of it all day. So many days to pass up without being thought of now that she is gone.

March 11th, 1861 A very nice day. This is my Mattie Ann's birthday. So many changes in all things. Poor Aunt Senah. She was at our house this day twenty three years ago. Now in her grave."
 ( From Civil War Diary Quilt by Rosemary Youngs.)