Letter from T.O. Ellis Sr. to William and Jane Davis, 9 January 1867

Date: 9 Jan 1867
Location: Millerton, Fresno, California, United States
Surnames/tags: Ellis Davis Tucker

After the death of Sarah Jane (Ellis) Davis (1838-1930), a collection of family letters, including the following letter, was found in a trunk. The original is held by members of the Davis family. The index to the complete collection is found at The Letters of Rev. T.O. Ellis, M.D.. The letters are all written by Reverend Thomas Oliver Ellis, MD (1808-1879), and almost all of them were to his daughter, Sarah Jane, and/or her husband, William Hale Davis (1828-1871). Ellis wrote from various locations in central California to family members also in that area.

Contents 1 Biographical and Historical Context 2 The Letter 3 Additional Information 4 Sources

Biographical and Historical Context

In the following letter, T.O. Ellis reported on his recovery from a serious throat infection, most likely strep throat. In the pre-antibiotic era, an infection could be fatal and even in the present day, can lead to rheumatic heart disease.^[1] Ellis’ case turned into tonsillitis with an abscess (quinsy),^[2] and the enlarged tonsils impeded his breathing, leading his family to believe he might not survive. The intermingling of medicine and religion are clear, and T.O. gave thanks to God, but directed another physician to assist in his treatment. The course of T.O. Ellis’ illness matches the textbook description given by Da Costa in 1864.^[3] Daughter Mary recovered also. The loss of income prompted T.O. to inquire about some horses he owned, considering a sale to bolster their financial position.

In this letter, T.O. Ellis described performing the funeral of “Uncle Jimmy Tucker” [James Tucker (1780-1866)]. The family appears to have met Tucker during their time in Visalia, and both families relocated to Centerville.

T.O. Ellis again reported that the family was growing distant. He lamented that Mattie had not visited since her marriage in October, reported in the prior letter. He described the Ellis daughter’s teaching positions and named most of the children remaining at home.

Note: spelling and line breaks preserved from the original. Transcriber's additions or interpretations in [square brackets].

The Letter

Millerton, Fresno County, Cal. Jan. 9/1867
Dear William
& Jane,
Confined by the fire, & having
been in my room one month, I am just
barely able to inform you of the reception
of your Letters & my late, dangerous illness.
Having on the 13th of last month [December] perform-
ed the Funeral services of our lamented
Friend, Uncle Jimmy Tucker, well known
to the family, with much ado I arrived
at home, rested badly at night; the next
day confined with Glandular Sore throat.
Saturday the 15th worse, Sunday 16th the
disease run into the Quinsy, called by
Physicians Tonsilitis. Now, two, instead [of]
one disease, preyed upon Me. By one oclock
Monday 17th could not Swallow, &, in the
P.M. same day the Family become alarm-
ed, &, began to devise ways & means to
notify the Children, one & all, to witness the
last of their aged Sire. Forthwith Lizzie
& Mary were sent for, the first arriving at Mid-
night, the latter, Tuesday Morning day-
break the 18th, intending if the Crisis did
not by that time pass favorable to dis-
patch two Messengers, the one to Mariposa
[page 2]
Creek, &, the other to Visalia. God be Pra-
ised! The Tumors, or Tonsils bursted, or were
discussed (scattered) & I could swallow a
little — very little. As this danger was
giving way, another loomed up; the Gland
under the left Jaw enlarged & hardened
locking tight the left Jaw where it works,
got worse & worse, using all powers to keep
it from going back to the Throat, having
failed to Scatter it, until Christmas day on
which, we celebrate the Birth of our Heav-
enly Savior; when, the Family again be-
came alarmed for My Safety. Being all
the time in my proper Mind I had my own
Prescription carried out, to which, under
God, I owe my life. Christmas Evening
I had a Physician sent for, who concurred
with me the point to make the incision, which,
when made blood flowed for some seconds,
then matter & blood, &, finally, pure Matter
to a considerable quantity. Thanks to the
world's Savior, I gradually, but very slow-
ly improved until now. Yet, the swelling
is not quite gone, &, the lock of the Jaw not
quite as free as before. I shall not magnify
my Sufferings, nor number my pains &
danger, known fully, only to God & myself,
for it would trouble you.
[page 3]
Suffice it to say, I am yet on the Mundane
shores, Still reading the Bible night & morning
& imploring help from on high to live happily
& leave the world in triumph when our charge
shall come. Mary while waiting on her Fa-
ther took the same disease, &, the same Prescrip-
tion by God's Mercies, prevailed, & she recov-
ered & has returned to her School at King’s-
ton, Lower King's River. Lizzie's School was
out the 5th Inst. & we expect her return
home every hour. She is healthy & in fine
spirits, as is also your Sister Mary.
Your Ma & Nancy & Hindman, with
the three little Boys are well. Our Finan-
ces are depressed in consequence of a Months
expenses & loss of Business.
I suppose Calhoun [son-in-law, John Caldwell Calhoun Russel] has explained
to you the reason I gave him an order
for Jule & her colt. He presented to me
a Letter directed to him by Mr. Inglesby
inviting him to take possession of the
mare & pay charges, which I hope he
has done, or will do. I could not think
of taking $30. for her without seeing
her, because, when last Seen she, alone
was worth to me, more than that. I
will lose all or realize more than that.
[page 4]
I doubt not your Judgement, but yet
I could not be satisfied without seeing
her before taking so little. I take this
occasion to present my thanks for your
kindness in getting her, &, I wish J.C.C. Rus-
sell to pay you for lost time. Provisions
I expect are a little higher here, than where
you reside. Flour five, Beef on foot 7 to 8
Pork ten, Barley 2 by the Small. Rains
plentiful & grass in great abundance.
I & the rest desire to see you all very much.
Your Ma, Sisters & Brothers join me
in much love to you all. Hoping you
are all well, & will do well, I subscribe
myself your afflicted but improving
Father evermore. Thomas Oliver Ellis Sr.
[To] Wm. Hale Davis Esq.
& Sarah Jane Davis
& the Sweet precious
little ones

P.S. W.J. & A.O. & S.J.G. & families
well a few days ago. They have never
come to see us since Camp Meeting.
Mattie has never seen the family since
her marriage. T O E
[To] W. H. D.
S. J. D.H.

Additional Information

The final letter in the collection was written on 11 April 1867.

Sources

1. ↑ ”Rheumatic fever,” Mayo Clinic (link : accessed 19 October 2023.)
2. ↑ Benjamin F. Miller, and Claire Brackman Keane, Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, (Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1978), page 853.
3. ↑ J.M. DaCosta,Medical Diagnosis with Special Reference to Practical Medicine, (Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1864) pages 332-333.