Letter from T.O. Ellis to W.H. Davis 28 August 1863

Date: 28 Aug 1863 [unknown]
Location: San Luis Obispo, California, United States
Surnames/tags: Ellis Davis

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.

Biographical and Historical Context

The staggered nature of exchanging information via post brings a poignant opening to the following letter from T.O. Ellis in San Luis Obispo where he had recently settled, to W.H. Davis in Hornitos, Mariposa County. Ellis’ daughter Sophia was still living with her sister in the Davis household at the time of this letter.

The opening paragraph describes the Ellis family receiving a letter expressing concern over the illness of George Lunsford Ellis while the family mourns his death on 14 August 1863, causing new tears to flow.

Themes of prior letters continue, including reuniting the family and the Civil War. T.O.Ellis expressed a desire to improve society, which is closely tied to his claim in the first letter (19 January 1863) that he came to California to preach the gospel. Ministers and families were two primary means to tame the wild California lifestyle that was established during the gold rush.^[1][2]

It is likely that Ellis served as his family’s minister at this time, and parts of this letter resemble a sermon. He drew parallels between the earthly activities of his son-in-law (prospecting for gold) and the earnest attention he believed should be paid to seeking Christ.

T.O. Ellis supported the Democratic candidate for governor, John G. Downey. Downey was elected lieutenant governor in 1859^[3] and became governor of California in 1860 after Governor Latham filled the senate post of David Broderick, who was killed in a duel with a Democrat. Downey was a political unknown.^[4] Downey’s sentiments became clear in 1861 when he denounced Lincoln’s use of force to preserve the Union. Downey was defeated.^[5]

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

The Letter

San Luis Obispo, Cal. Aug. 28/63
W. H. Davis, Esq.
Your family letter of the 21st,
in answer to mine of the 12th, giving an
account of Little George's dangerous sick
ness, was received yesterday Evening, with
one from Sophia on the same leaf. I read
it in Town, to myself, concealing my tears &
emotions the best I could till I left for home
& on the road, nature spoke, unrestrained.
When I reached home, I read it to your
Mother and sisters. Your Ma's tears flowed
like rain-drops from the clouds, mingled
with those of your earthly Sire. It was
then sent to W.J. Ellis & wife, who, also
read it. And now with a heaving Bo-
som & moistened eyes I answer it, than-
king God, for his mercy to us all, in sad,
heart-rending afflictions & earthly sep-
arations. I am still enabled to say “The
Lord gave, & the Lord hath taken away,
blessed be the name of of the Lord.” It was
good for me to be afflicted. I will not
Judge the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his Grace,
Behind a frowning Providence,
He hides a smiling face!^[6]
[page 2]
So it has been. I think we are more, &
& still more like our Blessed Lord, who,
on Earth was “meek & lowly in heart.” [Matthew 11:29]
I devoutly Pray, & fondly hope, we all may
“live a quiet & peaceable life, in all godli-
ness & honesty; for this is good & well pleas-
ing in the sight of God, our Savior, who,
will have all men to be saved, & to come
unto the knowledge of truth.” But vir-
tue must be cultivated, to the extent of our
whole ability. “They that are Christ's must
crucify the affections & lusts.” Like your
mining claims, Religion, must be seen
to, &, embraced. Now ardently does the
miner prospect, watching with the clo-
sest attention the precious metal, &
when he sees it, What sincere pleasure
does it afford him! O! then let us pro-
spect for the real Gold! “Search the
Scriptures, in them you. Have Eternal
Life, & they are which testify of
me, [John 5:39] says the blessed Savior. There
never has been sufficient importance
attached to the Bible! But I will not
weary you with my pious reflections,
through, it is my greatest pleasure to talk,
& read, & write about, our holy Religion.
[Page 3]
The family with W. J. Ellis's are all
well, & quietly, & pleasantly situated in
our new home. We are better pleased
& reconciled every week we remain
here. You with me “to explain the
reason of my “fears in going “to”the
Sacket house” where we now live.
It was on account, I suppose, of
little George's dangerous sickness,
or, it might have been a “fear we
could not pay for the place without
help. I was in so much anguish, I
do not recollect the half I said.
I shall purchase the place, I expect
& as it contains 160 Acres, there will
be enough for you, & Oscar [another son-in-law], & Me.
I & your Ma do not wish you, at
so critical a time of your business,
to derange your mining interests
on our account, as bad as we may
wish to see you all here. The best way
you can befriend us, is to attend to
yours & our Claims. I have a
strong impression, if you do so, we
shall yet enjoy, at least, the necessa-
ries of life. This you can do, & yet
be truly Pious. We do not expect
you to send Sophia down here,
[page 4]
as much as we want to see her, at
this time, & not until you are able.
We pray, however, that it will not
be long until you are all here. I am
satisfied, Sarah Jane [Ellis’ daughter, wife of W.H. Davis] will be better
pleased, than when here before. Her
Parents, Brothers & Sisters will be here, &
we can unite & improve Society, if
we will try. W. J. & Wife, & Mary
Lizzy, Nancy, Hindman, Charley
& Richard, your Ma, & Pa send
you Christian salutations & love.
Hoping peace on Earth & good will
to man, may shortly be universal,
& hoping Downey will be Elected,
I subscribe myself your affec-
tionate Father as ever T. O. Ellis, Sr
E. Ellis
[To] W. H. Davis Esq
& Wife & Sophia

P.S. Little Sammy is a little sick.
My Breaking out is better.
The country is Healthy, &
Religion desirable.
[End of letter.]

The next surviving letter was written on 30 August 1863.

Sources

1. ↑ Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp, “Religion and Society in Frontier California,” (New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 1994, page 92.
2. ↑ Ruth Barnes Moynihan, Christiane Fischer Dichamp, Susan H. Armitage, (editors), “So Much to Be Done: Women Settlers on the Mining and Ranching Frontier (Women in the West),” (Omaha: University of Nebraska Press, 1990), page 15.
3. ↑ Leo P. Kilby, Leo P, “Union Loyalty of California’s Civil War Governors,” California Historical Society Quarterly, volume 44, 1965, page 315.
4. ↑ Robert J. Chandler, “The Press and Civil Liberties in California during the Civil War, 1861-1865,” (dissertation) University of California, Riverside, 1978, pages 64-65.
5. ↑ Elijah R. Kennedy, “The Contest for California in 1861,” (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1912), page 77.
6. ↑ This is a paraphrase of a hymn, “Light Shining Out of Darkness,” from Methodist Episcopal Church, South, “Hymns for the Use of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Revised Edition,” (New York: Carlton & Lanahan, 1849), page 445.