Serada J. and Zilpha C. Hoyt

Among the letters that have come into my possession are several from sisters, Ada and Zua Hoyt, to Laura Virginia (Watt) Braden.  Reading those letters made me curious about Ada and Zua, so I did a little research.  Here is what I found.

Zua's name was actually Zilpha Cordelia Hoyt and Ada's name was Sarada J. Hoyt.  Their parents were Jason B. Hoyt (1817-1879) and Mary J. Sutton (1823-1910).

Zua was born in January 1852 in Monroe Co., New York.   Ada was born four years later on 8 December 1856 near Vermillion, Indiana.

The 1860 census shows Jason B. Hoyt's family living in Stratton, Edgar Co., Illinois.  The family consisted of:  Jason B., Mary J. (his wife) and the following children:  Lenora, born about 1847 in New York; Adelbert, born about 1849 in New York; Zilpha, born about 1852 in New York; Florence, born about 1855 in Indiana; and Surady, born about 1858 in Indiana.

From the birth information on the census, I estimate that the family moved from New York to Indiana between 1852 and 1855.  Then they moved from Indiana to Illinois between 1858 and 1860.

The 1870 census shows the family living in Stratton, Edgar Co., Illinois (post office in Vermillion).  Zua was 18 and Ada was 14.  Their parents are listed, but none of their siblings. 

I am not sure how Ada and Zua met Laura Braden, but the letters I have run from June 1879 to October 1884.  All but one of the letters is from Ada.  Laura Braden lived near Jefferson, Clinton Co., Indiana.

On 9 June 1879, Ada wrote the following letter to Laura Braden.  It was postmarked: Marshall, Illinois,  June 9.
"Marshall, Ill
June 6, '79
Mrs. Braden,
Dear friend, -
Here I am and for fear you will get tired of me if I write so much to you I have waited as long as I could.
Our train was late so I did not stop in Terre Haute but thirty minutes; arrived at Marshall at 4.  Found my sister in very poor health.  She makes such a fuss over me that I don't know what to do.  I never was so petted by my sister before.  She is so bitterly opposed to my going out to Neb. that I think I will have to give it up if she keeps on.  She is so weak and feeble I give up to her. I had the honor of riding to Col.- with the bridal party. Marshall is such a stupid little place. I have been keeping house for Sister, baking, washing, ironing, sewing and running errands.  I know you are all happy and - well I can just tell you the truth.  I'm homesick.  I knew I would be did not you tell me so?  Did you want to see me especially when you came Tuesday?  Have you been to LaFayette?  Is your sister better?  How are the girls?  Give my best love to the girls and Mrs. Stone.  Write a good long letter and tell me all a bout [sic] your and the children's good times.  I have nothing to tell for nothing ever happens in this place or to me, except that Mr. Dunn came to see me off the morning I started and All Dunn wants my picture and won't get it.  That Johnnie was not in town and a hole was knocked in my trunk.  Now did you ever hear of such a plain prosey life? I have only four dresses to make for the folks out here.  I don't like his folks very well and they think there is no one half as proud as I and that I am a good dress maker and all I will do is clear gain, but I won't unless they will say thank you.  Mean is it not? but I was out here 4 years ago when I was sick and they kept me at work all the time and I will not do it again.  Tell Bob I miss his funny jokes.  And Mary that Minnie is of her age and is slim and tall, not as large as she is about as far along in her studies as May.  She gets to joking and carrying on and she will imitate the darkies and is funny as can be, yet I miss my little May. It makes me sick to think of you all there and me out here.  So I will send my best love and wishes for your good and hope to hear from you soon.
                Ever your friend,
                                Ada Hoyt
P.S.  I would give all I have to be with you to day or could tell you something."

On 16 September 1879, Ada wrote again to Laura Braden.  The letter follows:

"Mount Hope, Neb., Sept. 16, 1879
My dear Friend,-

I had just returned from a walk to the highest bluff in this neighborhood to find Tom Whitewater our indian [sic] hand had brought as he said white man's letters.  found to my delight that one was for me from the best woman in the world.  the first letter that I have had since I came to heathen land.  I will not say a word about how glad I am and always will be to hear from you till I have given you some account of how I came here and what kind of a place it is and then you can imagine my joy in hearing from you. 

Then the first thing is to tell you how I started.  I helped Sister Nora cook for thrashers and as a result I was sick about a week before the time set for starting.  The doctor promised to help me so I could start at that time.  when the day came I could not sit up all day, but had so little fever that by two we started for Terre Haute; staid [sic] for days there, such long weary days I could scarcely drag it was so hot.  Then for Chicago and on to Paw Paw Grove to see Mrs. McCullouch.  staid [sic] with her one week.  Back to C. again to take the "steam cars" for Sioux City which took two nights and a day.  reached Sioux about seven in the morning reached home by noon.  They said it was two miles, before we got here the driver said fifteen but now our folk tell me eighteen miles.

Found Pa and Mamma better than when I last saw them but not as strong as I would like or expected.  After dinner Pa showed us about the place. (not all of it for I have not seen all yet.)  that evening and the five or six days following was spent in getting rid of the surplus bile brought from that mud hole of a Marshall intersperced [sic] with unpacking, sewing for Pa, washing, cooking and all work in general as Mamma had been worse than usual just before we came and had done as little as possible and they had not been moved in this house long so three weeks were spent in housework housecleaning and washing quilts that had been saved for our strong arms.  (Don't you think I have had enough of house cleaning to do as I had to help Nora too?)  I have picked 8 bu. of tomatoes off our vines three in one day and canned 32 quarts in the same day.  boiled six gal. of grape juice and made five  gals. of butter.  You should have seen my black hands!  In this manner six weeks have gone and in fact the summer and I'll never know where it has gone but it has gone and fall is here and frost.

And so we find ourselves in a cottage of six rooms at the foot of the bluffs of the Missouri (one of them just back is called Mt. Hope and the adjoining one to the east prospect hill west a valley.)  half mile from Silver Lake which is in front and North; on the bank west of the house stands a large elm tree that reaches it [sic] long branches across the house.

I find myself unable to tell you how I am situated.  The house garden barn chicken hous [sic] cellar (on top of the ground) well spring and et.al. on the bluff land and not 3 yd from the front door the land falls five feet and the land for half a mile to the north to the lake is level.  We are three miles from the nearest town and that is Homer and it is fourteen miles from a railroad and so we go eighteen miles to trade and three to get letters.
   
The land in the valley between Iowa and Neb. bluffs is divided by the Missouri and all of the valley so far as the eye can reach is covered with grass so high that you can just see the top of houses and heads of cattle and through the grass grow small willows and sunflowers ever so many.  The country through which we came was cover [sic] so with grass that it was all we could see.  just think of grass as high as ones head sitting in a buggie.  Near the bluffs the  the [sic] country is just grand.  From Prospect hill we can see just how wide the river used to be.  they say that years ago it was from bluff to bluff that is sixty miles so we can see from Neb. bluff to Iowa 60 mi.  can see the Silver Lake and the river winding away in the distance.  It is nice enough I guess but I don't like it here as I did there.  I do so want to come back.  I would have staid all summer with you if I had known all I do now, and if you had wanted me this winter.  I might just as well have stayed till Sept. and then come out here as you once spoke of.  Every time I fail to mind you I am very unhappy as a punishment.

It cost me about $20.00 more to go as Zua wanted to so I could not come back but if I could - I can't bear to think of it.  It seems that I am must come.  I feel as though it was not right to act so when you were so kind and went to so much trouble for me.  Please tell me do you feel as though I have broken my promise?  and can you forgive me.  It was not a hasty conclusion you know, we Zua, Nora and I talked it over and then decided.  They need me here bad enough but I can get nothing to do it is so late in the season.  Have made 80 cts and that is all I ever expect to see.  No you know what I mean, we both like a great many things about this country but the friends we have left are missed so we can't see all the good.  Zua says to tell you that we think and talk of you so often and love you more and more.

Send the things as freight to Sioux City Iowa at your convenience.  do not let them trouble you.  If Mr. Richards calls for the cyclopedia [sic] tell him to take it as I can not pay for it.  Zua took it for me in her name I hate to lose it too.

Tell Alba that I wish he were her [sic] with his bow and arrow to shoot the indians when they come and take my mellons [sic].  Zua says she would not give him much time to kill red skins as she would want him to go fishing and promises to show him more and larger minnies that he can find in the cistern as some weigh 16 lbs.

I wish I had time to tell Bob about the ponies and May about my cat and dog and pet hen.  I will if they will write can't Alba write a letter to me?  My love and sympathy to Mrs. S.  hope John will get all he deserves.  What will she do?  I have not told you half I wanted to and not a question about you?  tell me all about yourself.  With best wishes warmest love to all I remain your  Friend Ada.

P.S.  Miss Andrew was with us at Paw Paw.  Heard of Mrs. Stewart at G.H.  Will tell you of her.  Was so surprised to hear of the proceedings at M. and F.  thought it was M. Pyke at first.  Hope you will have a splendid time at the fair and in all things.  I was so shocked to hear of your sister's death, my most earnest sympathy you certainly have.   A.  

Things look dark and dreary as I have nothing to do and amoung [sic] strangers and I know I could have made something to have sent home and Pa needs all we can do to help him at present.  I dont [sic] know what to think about what I have done but I will try to think it is all for the best that we are separated and I am a lone [sic], to try to make the best of it to call this home and like it, but it will never seem like it did out there.  No pleasant time.  Oh!  I thank you all for making it so pleasant for me and I will never forget your kindness to me never [?] if I never can repay you.         A."

The next letter was written in October 1879 to Laura Braden's three children, Mary, Robert, and Alba.  The letter follows:

"Mt. Hope, Nebraska  October 1879
Dear Mary, Bob and Alba, -

I will write you all to gether [sic], so that if part does not interest one it may another.  I have thought of you all so often and wished I could see your dear faces once again.  I shall never love any other children as I do you all.
I wish you were here so I could take you down to the lake and see the waves of silver blue coming and going on the water, and the wild ducks and blue herons.  Then we would get in one of the row boats and go out on the lake and fish.  The fish that we could catch in that way would be about a foot long.  Perhaps Alba would have his bow and arrow along and would kill a duck which we would roast for our dinner. (I had one the other day.)  Then on the way back to the house you can picture to yourselves the prairie chickens and quails by the dozen startled by our approach.  Then if we are not to [sic] tired we will climb the bluff called prospect hill which is just opposite the lake and from which you can see the bend in the lake shaped like a horse shoe in the middle of the bend the land is made in an island covered with tall cottonwood trees; on the bank of the lake can be seen the house of our nearest neighbor, Mrs. Higgingbotham, which looks from that height no larger than your milk house. To reach the top of this bluff we must follow a narrow winding path up the steep sides of the bluff through small trees, brush, weeds, vine and at last coarse grass and sage bush and we are there; this path was made by the indians years ago: looking around on the purple tops of the bluffs you can see over the heighest [sic] parts this same narrow well beaten path or indian trail.  And what you can see after you are there will well repay you for the hard climbing.  And when you come down, down and see standing at the door what I saw there once you will forget how tired you are.  An Indian chief, dressed in bright red legins [sic] black and red blouse black blanket straped [sic] round his waist, red handkerchief round his head, long black hair streaming down his shoulders, yellow beaded moccasins, and a pretty black and white spotted poney [sic] which was so small that  he could leap on his back with out touching the stirrups.  I cannot tell you how queer he and the other indian his boy did look with their bright colors pretty ponies and black faces and gleaming eyes peering at the door, saying me_trade_White_blanket for "wash cuvity" [?].  He wanted pa to give him pork for his blanket.  When pa told him "no trade" he grunted and went off.  They camp on the bluff just a few steps off and come here almost every day.  I am quite afraid of some of them.  One came the other day saying give_piece_bread_wife sick 'bout_big_wife sick give_bread_wife very heap sick  measuring the size of the piece on his hand while he talked ending with terrible face to show how sick.  We took some breakfast to her found her lying in the tent on a bundle of straw and when she found we had something for her she picked up a basin from the ground, put it in it, began eating grunting all the time.  They all do so.  I have not told you half I wanted to about them they are so queer.  I went to see some of the farms owned by them with Cousin Myron that I would like to tell you about.  One of them wanted to trade two ponies to Myron for Cousin Jennie because she has such long light hair.
    With much love I remain
                        A.J. Hoyt
Perhaps if you are interested I will tell you some more.
P.S.  Dear Bob, remembering what a busy boy you are and how you like to earn money and wishing to help my father I will give you a job that is if you will oblige me and do it for me I will be very greatful [sic] to you.  It is to send some red clover and blue grass seed with some hickory nuts about a 12 pk, and 1 pt of beech nut, 1 pt of white oak acorns and 1 pt of the whitest corn you can get and put in a box and send to me at Sioux City Iowa and do not pay for it as I can get it and pay the express at Sioux.  If this is not asking a great favor of you.  Then you must find out what all the time trouble and things cost and send me the bill for it and I will send you your pay with my best thanks.  They have no clover or tame grass here or nuts nor apples, peaches - but one tree in the county or pear to amount to anything.  Do not go to too much trouble.
                Your friend     Ada Hoyt"

On 18 October 1879, Zua and Ada's father, Jason, died in a fall in Dakota Co., Nebraska.

The next letter was written from Homer, Dakota Co., Nebraska on 7 December 1879:

"Homer, Neb.  Dec. 7, 1879
Dear Mrs. Braden,-

I have treated you badly I know, but I have not had time to think for my self.  Sister's school commenced first so the settling fell on me and I did not get through so my school was put off again and then I have been sick a wk. dismised [sic] 1 da.  Got the thing settled and Mother ready for going to my sisters, then went to be my self awhile.  I am up in the bluffs teaching [undecipherable word] are three bluffs there and back each day a trip of three mi.  how do I stand it you wonder?  "hafto" [sic]  Oh!  the cold, bitter furious wind that blow here.  Don't it seem natural to hear me growl!  But it is so lonely here 20 miles from sister, Mother in Ills. and I here alone with people I never saw before I came here to teach.  Just my misfortune to go out everytime [?] amoung [sic] strangers and my good and more worthy sister to remain with friends.  (She boards with Aunt).  The climate here is bitter the winds are like nives [sic] and the snow is blinding.  Wood is scarce and corncobs hay and cotton wood is burnt all together.  Oh! how I long to see the glorious fires at your home, and see the kind face all again.  I don't suppose I ever will.  Tell May I thank her a thousand times for my present which I think  just lovely.  Wish I could send something to her in return.  Thanks for the blades and all.  The box came 16 of Nov.  Please tell the amount paid on it.  Did you get your Opera glass?  I sent it in Oct. but was afraid you did not get it for the clerk that wrapped it up took it out of the room and was gone so long and then when it was weiged [sic] it was so light.  Please tell me if you got it and your duster I have asked before but you have not told me and I am very anxious to know.  I was going to write Clara but have not the heart to begin.  I have nothing to tell but my own selfish sorrow and I am afraid I will disgust her.  I want some one of my own age to write to but Mary is too well learned and I like Clara, could talk to her best.  I believe I will try and if she gets tired she can stop and I will love her just the same and pity myself for a dunce.  How is Mrs. Stone?  Give her my best love I could show now how much I love if I was there.  I long so to leave this western state and people and come back.  I believe I am getting quite a baby I have cried every day nearly for 7 wks.  "I see not a step befor [sic] me as I tred [sic] on my onward way, but will try to hope" that what seems dark in the distance may brighten as I draw near and the Lord may sweeten the waters before I stoop to drink"  I dont want to be a coward but it seems hard to bear.
With much love to you all and best wishes for happy times to you I remain
            Your friend always,  Ada"

The one letter from Zua is postmarked at Covington, Neb., Jan. 26.  The letter reads,
"Covington, Neb.  Jan. 21, 1880.

Dear Mrs. Braden,

I want to write you a little letter to send with Ada's next [?] and I wish I could make it sound as I mean it.  Ada and I talk of you and the old times associated with your home so much when we are together, that I often feel as though I must sit down and write you a long letter. - But again, I am so busy that there is little time for any thing but school, and Sabbath School.
I was the proud possessor of a pair of lovely blue mittens, at Christmas time, which are but another kindness for which I am indebted to you.  It was indeed grateful to get something that had come directly from your own hands.  They were a complete surprise; we had not thought to be remembered - so far away were we; when a Christmas present from Indiana came, redolent with the pleasant past, and Mrs. Braden's thoughtful kindness.  And Ada and I have nothing but our grateful love to offer in return.   Hope you had a pleasant Christmas and are having a happy new year.
I sent your opera glass some months ago.  I was so afraid it would get broken, or that something would happen it on the way.  Did you get it all right?  We are so grateful to you and Mr. Braden for it!  We had many beautiful views which would have been simply indifferent but for it.  I presume you inferred we were enjoying it from the length of time we kept it. How are you all this winter?  Your niece is with you, Ada says.  I am so glad you will not be lonely. - I think of each of you - Alba's artlessness, and Robert's droll honesty, Mary's modest affectionate little ways.  Mr. Braden's kindness and incomparable gallantry, and your warm kind-hearted unselfishness, dear Mrs. Braden.  The pleasant visits at your home did not die with the occasion, but I live them over, and over, and enjoy them yet.  I presume Ada tells you how lonely she gets here.  She has never been fully reconciled to stay here; and since pa's death, she feels as though she could not bear to stay.  I trust she will feel differently, however, if we get settled down together.  hardly know what we shall or  can do yet.  Things are so unsettled and strange, and - almost dreary.  We can only do what we can, and trust to the Lord for the rest. With love to yourself and the children, and kindest remembrance to Mr. Braden, I am    Your friend    [cant read first name] Hoyt.

P.S.  Ada came to C. Sat. and I find she has written and sent her letter, so I will send this any way.  Presume she has told everything.  her school closes in three weeks.

Sun. eve. Jan 25th                Z.H."


The 1880 census shows Zua and Ada living together in Covington, Dakota Co., Nebraska.  Zua (age 28) and Ada (age 21) are both shown as single and as teachers.

The next letter is addressed to:  Mrs. Wm. Braden, Frankfort, Ind. and is postmarked: Covington, Neb.  Mar 25.  The letter follows:
 
"Covington
March 21
Dearest Friend,-
I have written and waited but no letter from you I knew the mail did not get through till last month on some roads but at last a letter came from May it had come a round about way but reach [sic] here at last.  It was hand [sic] to me as I lay in bed and so sick that nothing but a letter that they said came from Ind. would have tempted me to raise my head or try to read but you can imagine how that little pink letter with its ferns cheered me up and I thought of the Christmas that I was and then I could imagine the pleasure of this.  Tell May that I have not been able to write here.  this has been a long dark, sick winter have not done anything this winter not since Oct. have not been able to go to the nearest neighbor.  This winter has been one of the coldest ever known here and the snow came as early as Oct. and has not gone yet.  Wood has been so scarce that in some places people have burned corn and hay and torn up all outbuildings to burn.  Word came not long ago that a town north of us all but a dozen persons were found frozen to death.  these had kept fire of furniture and the organ till found the sufferings have been terrible.  You with your blazing fire have no idea how it would be to cook and keep warm by a fire of Hay.
Miss Andrews says you came near comming [sic] out do come this spring cant you?  as soon as the roads open, some of them have been blockaded all winter.  Come and see how this country looks and the trip will do you good.  May said Mr. Braden did not want to come I thought he had land out here to see about.  I should like to see you both very much.  I might be able to go back with you if you still want me.
How are you all and what strange things have happened since I came out here?  Is Mrs. Stone there yet?
Kindest regards and much love to all,  Sincerely,  Ada Hoyt"

The next letter is addressed to:  Mrs. Wm. M. Braden  Frankfort, Indiana   Clinton Co. and postmarked at Sioux City, Iowa May 6, 12M.  The letter follows:

"Covington, Neb.
April 26, '80

Dear Mrs. Braden, -
To say that I am sorry and ashamed to treat you so badly, but poorly expresses what I feel.  But listen to my excuses before you give me my whipping.  First I wrote one letter but did have envelope and could not get them short of Sioux and I could not send as no one was coming as they could not cross the river at that time.  That letter waited from the last of Dec. till Feb. when school closed and then I had to wait till the last day of May for my pay.  (During this time 25th Dec. till Feb 22 I did not see Zua).  During the winter I rc'd only three telegrams to come at once as Sister, Mother and Niece were sick and my niece not expected to live but I could not go then and have been ready to go two different times in the last month.  Supposing that I should be in Marshall before this is another why.  We have been trying to sell the farm have made out three deeds but can do nothing with it so all the time, labor, and money spent in vain, we have given up all hope.  My Aunt has only moved three times since we came to board here and every time I have had to clean our rooms and move and arrange things.  And the last house had 15 rooms and 25 doors and 29 windows.  That was only the sixth time since I came out here.  (She only said I am aweary aweary.) But have now left the National Hotel for a quiet little cottage on the bank of the Missouri.  As we think of sending for Mother we think it is better to keep  house.  As Zua is teaching I had the glory of moving alone.  I have only earned only $75.00 and that has vanished and I can get nothing to do till fall.  I think that I will play housekeeper for Zua and learn Millinery in Sioux this summer.  The ice is all out of the river and when the wind does not blow a gale we can cross over the river.  I have had such poor health all the time and my eyes getting so much worse that I shall have to give up teaching if can get anything else to do.  I went to a Dr. here he said as Dr. Baker did, plasters nor nothing does any good now.  I can scarcely lift a kettle from the stove, back broke, walked too much, could not whip a boy like Sam Smith now I am sure 
   
May 3d
Stoped [sic] again!  everything to pay I have a position in Sioux in millinery.  go over to S. morning and return in the evening the ferry is running.  Almost dark when I get home and the house work keeps me busy sometime.  The grass is just beginning to grow and the trees to leave out. Is it spring and is the yard green and the trees in bloom?  I think of it as I saw it the first time and wish I were there again.  No spot on earth will seem so dear to me as that.  I thought perhaps I would see you if I went to Marshall and Zua thought she would go to Salem. We have been so undecided and unsettled, but I think we will be here forever and ever although I don't like it atall [sic].

I imagine I can see Bob as he goes round asking questions about the work on the farm.  And May, does she still sing at her work?  Where is Mrs. Stone and what is she doing?  Is your niece with you yet?  is she quite offended at my mean way of treating her kind letter?  Indeed I could not write sooner.  I am afraid to write now please tell her I thank her a thousand times and will write if she is not disgusted and would care to read my nonsence [sic].  Please don't think me ungrateful for your present.  I have thanked you many times in my heart this winter for many of your warm gifts to me and have thanked you on paper several times but did not send the letter.  How is Jack, Dash and Pedro?

Oh it makes me so home sick to write that I can scarcely think all I want to say.
Do you ever go to F.[?] can you go on the train? and see Miss Andrew?  Do you know that Mrs. McCulloch has a young minister?
Tell May that those three pictures that she gave me are framed and hung in our little cottage home.  I don't know what I should do but for them.  Let your niece keep house and you come out here and see the country and two lonely girls.  We live in a little old last year's birdnest [sic] but we would try to make you enjoy it.  Twill [sic] do you and us good do come.  Hoping to hear that you will I send love to all and remain as ever your friend   Ada"

The next is addressed to:  Mrs. Wm M. Braden, Frankfort, Ind. Clinton Co and is postmarked: Sioux City, Nov. 1.    The letter follows:
 "Sioux City, Iowa
Oct. 31, 1881.
Dear Mrs. Braden, -
How long has it been since I last wrote you I am quite demoralized since I came here, six months since I wrote my sister.  They say that ten years is long enough to change all things in life but be that as it may two years and its bitter disappointments its sorrows its memories serves only to strengthen my wish to come back and my love and longing for you  I have thought so often of you all of the house the yard and all around and have said to my self what would I not give to be back again that was the pleasantest time in my life.   I have taught school learned millinary [sic] worked at it canvassed worked in an apiary and learned to hive bees and extract honey wrote in the recorders office, clerk's office, lawyers office and have at last given up of even earning my salt.  I only help my sister keep house.  Miss Andrew has told you all about Zua's wedding (she could better than I as I was not there and have been sick or busy most of the time since.  Did she tell you of the floods we had?  she could not know how they are threatnening [sic] us again as it has rained all most constantly since the last of Aug. The floods have made everything scarce cabbage 25 cts for a small wormy head potatoes $1.50 per bu. flour beyound [sic] the reach of the poor, wood $6.50 to $7 a cord, cotton wood coal $15 per ton apples $1.00 a peck quinces 25 cts a doz. $16 for a house of five rooms, and all things in like rates the only thing you can do with out  paying for it to breathe and die but that cost your friends something.  I am blue to night or perhaps I would not write so but I am so disgusted so homesick tired discouraged that I have come to the conclusion that as the poor boy says "I guess there aint no room in God's world for poor folks."

We had a terrible hail storm in the city that broke all the western windows and broke in the flat roofs, took two car loads of glass to replace the broken besides that all ready here.  Some of the hail stones were 8 in. in diameter.  It came at 2 in the night.  We had a cyclone near here did some damage here.  Do forgive me and write me a long letter and tell me what you are all doing and how you are if you are well and of the changes that have taken place Miss Andrew told us in her letter that you thought of building.  Tell me when and all about it.  I wish you could come out here next summer.  No use talking of traveling till next May for the roads are blockaded [sic] by floods and then will be by snow, it was so last winter trains were days going 20 miles letters sent in Oct. got here in May.  But if you will come we will do all we can to make  it pleasant for you when ever you come.  At any rate you can see what kind of a place this is.  Tell Mr. Braden not to say no but help you to make up your mind to come.  Tell him he knows how I dislike to be disappointed and to be refused.
Remember me to all old friends to the children and all.
Please write soon.  Send you letters to Sioux City, Iowa as I am here with my sister just across the river from Covington.  With love and kindest regards I remain   Always your friend   Ada Hoyt"
In 1882, Zua married Lemuel S. Fawcett.  They had two sons, Harwood Hoyt Fawcett, born 15 June 1883 and William Russell Fawcett, born 20 November 1885.

The next letter is addressed to: Mrs. Wm. M. Braden, Frankfort Clinton Co., Indiana.  The letter reads:
"Sioux City, Iowa
June 11, 1882
Dear Friend, -
I had hoped not to write to you by this time but to see you.  I had made all my plans to come to Ills. to my sister there and then would have come to see you, but as usual Zua coaxed me to stay here.  I am bitterly disappointed.  I have at last a permanent situation in an office as copyist ar'nt [sic] you surprised? and during the summer months I work in an apiary.  Did I not tell you of doing so last summer and of writing too?  I don't want to presume on your kindness or interest but I feel as though I must tell you every joy or sorrow and some I cannot write  I guess you will think I don't have much of either the way I write, but indeed I find Bob was quite a prophet when he said "guess the folks out there dont care any more than we do."  I have never meet [sic] an other Mrs. Braden.  I never expect to.  Oh how many times I think of the things you have done for me and how patient you were always with me.  I was ugly and cross, and did not seem grateful but I can say now as I did to you then  I had my first pleasures in your home and so far the best.  I only wish I could do something for you.  Zua has a pleasant home and is well and happy.  I have a home with her when I am not at work.  She can visit and call and dress to her hearts content now.  I go very little in society.

A gentleman here wants me to buy if I can a Jersey calf years old says he will pay freight on it and keep it for four years and give me half the increase besides.  I was telling him of Daisy  I call that a good offer.  Have you one you will sell?  or can you tell me of one as I would like to get one.  It may be the making of a fortune for me who knows? 

Cant you come here this summer or fall or some time soon I want you so much.  That is very selfish I know but I cant come to you.  Oh how selfish to ask you to leave your family and pleasant home to come way out to this barren country to see me.  I must flatter myself you want to see me very much indeed to think such a thing.  Do I?  I would come to you in a minute if I could and thought you wanted me.  Come and I will show you everything that is worth seeing and introduce you to all the people I know and Zua too.  We both want you to come.  It seems as if every think bad came to pass that I did not want to and everything gone crooked since I have been here and if you come I should take new life again if you dont want to come for your self come as a missionary.  If it is as it was before tell Mr. Braden to play he would like to see us and the country out be so you cannot have any excuse.  If you do come I will paint you a picture to take home with you.  How nice your home must look and how you must enjoy it.
We are having a backward spring such rains were never known in this part of the country before.
Do write soon.  With love to you all I remain
        Sincerely,  your friend  Ada"

The next letter is addressed to: Mrs. L.V. Braden, Frankfort, Indiana and postmarked: Covington Nebraska  Jul 9, 1883.  The letter reads:
"Covington, Nebraska
[date faded out]
Dear Mrs. Braden
Your kind letter and fragrant bunch of flowers are lying before me, and as I opened it a crowd of thoughts and feelings rush over me  I can hardly calm myself to write.  I was so far away, my friends sick myself so my plans for the future spoiled.  I could not see what to do the fact of my own poor health and my folks going away had in the short time changed all my plans.  at that time your letter came.  I thought then and it all comes back today, what other woman could write such letters.  I felt so comforted and cheered by its tone of kind earnest friendship as I thought nothing could do ever cheer me again.  I had such a good chance of getting started in Colo. that in a year or two I could have been independent.  The folks told me I could do well and they intended to stay five years and had persuaded me to put all I had out in things there and send for my bees and when all was done then they decided to go to Kansas.  I should have lost all to have gone there so tried to get enough to get myself and things back knowing I could get my old place here  You know how Zua always fretted over any thing I told her (and she was sick has a thirteen lbs boy)  I did not dare write to her  But when a letter from the old bee keeper here came to me telling me I could have my old place and more the charge of all the bees and double the salarie [sic] of last summer past in advance I was only too happy to accept it.
I was so sorry to ask you to help me and am so truly grateful to you for the wish to help, yet I am glad I was able at last to help my self.  I only saved two stands of bees but as soon as I got back and was able to work I began building up and I now have ten stands and can have more if no ill luck befalls me before the last of this month.  That makes fifty stand that I have care of now.  You would not know me  I am out all day long and just as brown as a berry.  Sister says I look worse than an indian.  I cant help it I have to walk a quarter of a mile to the bees and am in the sun all the time and must work bare handed and can only weare [sic] a hat.  But I am determined to try my best to get started this year.  this writing is poor but my arm is swollen from a sting so I can hardly scratch.  I wonder why I have such times if I dont deserve better or dont manage well. Zua say born unlucky.
I am so glad to hear that the worst of your severe trouble is over.  I think how pleasant your home must be and how much you deserve it and I am so glad for you.  I thank you for your kind wishes for success.  I fear my letter is very selfish all about self but I think it is due you to know all after asking what I did.
Zua is a mile from the center of town (Sioux city) and a mile and a half from the river that seperates [sic] this from Sioux city and that means two miles from me but I go as often as I can.  I cannot find a pleasant boarding place have since the family that I used to board with has moved away so I have a room and board myself I like it.  It is a very cosy [sic] little room up stairs two windows and two closets one the full length of the room and large enough to hold a small safe (home made) a table a bench for my oil stool and water pail.  the other for trunk and dresses that leaves this room free of all things I dont want seen and I am very cosy [sic].  I would be so glad if you could come and see me now.  I dont say come and visit me at my sisters but me I can make it pleasant and you know Zua and know she would too.  Sioux City is not Denver nor are there any mountains here to see but I will see that you see all there is to see and I will not move away before you can say you will come.  I'll be here till September and may be till spring.  If I get married this fall I will go to Calafornia [sic] come and help me decide whether or not.  I think it is best to be sure about such things.  I know I like him but we are so different and he is so - well so afraid I will speak too kindly to any one else that I am a little afraid he will be unreasonable about some things though I never go with any one else or have.  I shall stay just as I am if I am to do worse.  My love to you all.  I am lovingly,
                                Ada"
The final letter is addressed to: Mrs. L.V. Braden, Frankfort, Ind. and postmarked:    Sioux City, Iowa, Oct 14, 1884.  The letter reads:
"Sioux City, Iowa
October 1884
Dear Mrs. Braden,-
I am not lost nor have I moved away, only have had a very busy summer and am very tired and not very well.  I am not sick but find it hard to keep up.  When Zua began your letter I thought now at last she will come, but the next sentence made one dout [sic] again.  But I will hope till you say you will not.
We have at last an abiding place of our own.  We are about settled.  They built this summer and I was away as usual at my work  I have been home only a few four days  I have a large room all by myself and we have plenty of room and I have more time than at any time of the year.  and the baby is just the age to be sweet and I think every thing is just right for you to come.  You know how much we both want to see you and if you only knew how much good you could do by comming [sic] you would come.  The weather is just delighttful [sic] here in the fall.  The children are large enough to leave well and you and I are growing old  and I have lost so much. I never hope to see you unless you come.  Don't wait to write but just pack your trunk and message when you will be here and come and stay just as long as you can.  I have been thinking all summer if they get moved in time I will have Mrs. Braden come.  I was so disappointed after writing from Colorado that I put off writing till I knew for sure.  I did not realize how much I had planed [sic] for it till your letter came and then it seamed [sic] to me I could not stand it if you did not come.  I know you will enjoy the trip and we will do all to make it pleasant for you here.  Zua has been back and has had friends visit her but  I have not and I feel as if I must go or see them again.  My friends are not numerous like Zua's but I love them the more.  There is only you all and Mrs. McCulloch for me.  Mrs. Dr. Pierce wrote Zua about moving out here but dont know how it will turn out she spoke of you saying you gave her the address.  It will only take one week for this to reach you and for you to get here and I shall begin to look for you then.  With love, good wishes to all and hoping to see you soon.         I am lovingly   Ada Hoyt"

This is from all.  My Big brother and Sister and my nephew if he could talk would say come.
                        A.H. "

In 1900, Zua and her family were living in Houston, Texas.  Ada was living in Sioux City, Iowa.

By 1910, Zua and her husband were living in Hughes Co., Oklahoma.  Ada was also living with them.

The 1920 census shows Zua and Lemuel Fawcett and Ada Hoyt in Los Angeles Co., California.

Lemuel Fawcett died in 1926.

The 1930 census shows Ada living by herself in Los Angeles.  I have not yet found Zua in 1930.

Zilpha (Hoyt) Fawcett ("Zua") died 23 December 1936 in Los Angeles, California.  She was 84 years old.  She was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), Glendale, California.  I have not found an obituary for Zua.

The 1940 census shows Ada still living by herself in Los Angeles.

Serada J. Hoyt ("Ada") died 19 November 1950 in Los Angeles, California.  She was 93 years old.  She never married.  An obituary appeared in the Los Angeles Times on 22 November 1950 which follows:

"Miss Sarada J. Hoyt.   Private services for Miss Sarada J. Hoyt, 93, retired nurse, will be conducted today in Pierce Bros. Los Angeles Chapel, followed by inurnment in the Chapel of the Pines.  Born near Vermillion, Ind., she came her in 1914 and lived at 1108 1/2 N. Vista St.  She died on Sunday."

I would love to find pictures of Ada and Zua.

Clyde Watt Richards, 1863-1934

For a photograph of Clyde Watt Richards, please see this link to the Tippecanoe County Historical Association. 

Clyde Watt Richards was born 31 March 1863, in Clarks Hill, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana.  He was the third child and only son of Samuel Kennedy Richards and his wife, Susan T. Watt.  He seems to have lived his most of his life on the family farm in Clarks Hill.  He does not seem to have married.

Clyde is found on the 1870 census with his parents and sisters in Laramie Twp., Tippecanoe Co.  He was seven years old.

Clyde is mentioned in passing in several of the letters his sisters wrote to their aunt, Laura (Watt) Braden.    I plan to post those letters as I have time.

Clyde's mother, Susan (Watt) Richards, died in August 1879 when Clyde was 16 years old.

The 1880 census shows Clyde (age 17) with his widowed father and sisters living in Lafayette, Indiana.

Clyde worked as a drainage engineer and was Tippecanoe County Surveyor from 1913-1915.  His father, Samuel K. Richards,, had been surveyor from 1883-1885.

Clyde was living on the family farm in Laramie Twp. on the 1900 census.  Also in the household were his father and two of his sisters, Clara and Lura.

On 20 March 1905 when Clyde was 41, his father died.

Clyde and his sisters, Clara and Mary, were living on the farm in Clarks Hill, Laramie Twp., on the 1920 census.

The Richards farm was located on State Road 52, 14 miles south east of Lafayette, Indiana.

Clyde died on 26 October 1934.  The cause of death was intestinal nephritis.  I have a copy of his obituary, but there is no date or newspaper listed.  I suspect it is the local newspaper for Lafayette, Indiana.  Here is the obituary:

"Former County Surveyor Dead:  Clyde Watt Richards, 71, resident of Tippecanoe county practically his entire life, died Friday night at 9:30 o'clock in the family home on state road 52, 14 miles southeast of the city.  Born on the farm where he died, he was a son of Samuel and Susan (Watt) Richards.  His entire life, with the exception of eight years during his childhood, was spent on the Richards farm near Clark's Hill.  He was never married.  His father was an engineer and under him the son became an expert drainage engineer, having served a term as county surveyor, being elected in 1912 on the democratic ticket.  Mr. Richards took an active part in the Christian church Sunday school at Clark's Hill.  He leaves one sister, Mrs. W.A. Coyner, who lives on the Richards farm.  The body was removed to the Coyner funeral home in Colfax and later returned to the family residence, where services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Interment in Spring Vale cemetery."

Clyde was buried in Spring Vale Cemetery.

Clara Alice (Richards) Ward, 1854-1929

Clara Alice Richards was born 29 March 1854, the eldest daughter of Samuel Kennedy Richards and his wife, Susan T. Watt.  She may have been born in Indiana or in Arkansas when her father was working on the railroad there. The family called her "Cal."

She is found with her parents on the 1860 census for Clarks Hill, Laramie Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana.  She is found again with her parents and siblings on the 1870 census for Laramie Township, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana.

In 1872, she was studying piano in the music department of the Western Female Seminary, in Oxford, Miami Co., Ohio.

I have copies of several letters written by Clara to her aunt, Laura (Watt) Braden.  I will add them to this blog as I can and in separate posts.

In August 1879 when Clara was 25, her mother, Susan (Watt) Richards died.

Clara is found with her father and siblings on the 1880 census for Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana.

On the 8th of May 1884 at the age of 30, Clara married Henry F. Ward, son of Roland and Hannah Ward.  Henry seems to have been a widower whose first wife, Abigail, died in 1881.  I have not found much information on Henry, though I have certainly looked.  I do have a copy of Clara and Henry's marriage announcement:

From the marriage announcement, I assume that Clara and Henry lived at 74 West Ohio Street in Indianapolis after they were married.

A letter from Clara's sister, Lura, to their cousin, Mary Jane Braden, dated 1 September 1885, says the following:   "We have as yet recieved [sic] no word of Henry's death, but expect to must any minute.  We received a postal from Cal yesterday saying that he was sinking very rapidly.  He has  lingered now longer than the physician thought he would." 

Another letter from Lura to Mary Jane, dated 15 September 1885, says "On Tuesday we received a telegram announcing Henry's death.  They took him to Michigan that evening.  We got word from Cal last night telling us that she would return to Indianapolis next Wednesday and as soon as she settles things up there she will come home."   This would indicate that Henry died about 8 September 1885 in Indianapolis.  I am still searching for verification.  I did find this memorial and tombstone picture on Find-A-Grave.com, that is for a Henry F. Ward who died in 1885 and was buried in Branch Co., Michigan.  I suspect this is Clara's Henry and that he had been married before.  This will take more research.

So, Clara and Henry were only married about 16 months before he died.  They had no known children.  Clara, who was 31 years old, moved back to Tippecanoe County for awhile.

In October 1890, Clara wrote her aunt, Laura (Watt) Braden from Herscher, Illinois, where she was living with her aunt, Sarah Maria (Richards) Whittum and family.

In March 1905, Clara's father, Samuel K. Richards, died.

I next find Clara on the 1920 census.  She was living with her brother Clyde and sister, Mary, on the Richards farm in Laramie Township, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana.  She was 65.  She was on the voter registration list for Laramie Township in September 1922.

Clara died on 4 August 1929 at the age of 75 years.  She had been living with her brother, Clyde.  She was buried in Springvale Cemetery, Lafayette, Indiana.  Her obituary, published August 5, 1929 in the Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana) follows:

"Mrs. Clara A. Ward Dies at Clarks Hill.    Clarks Hill, Ind., Aug. 4.--- (Special) --- Mrs. Clara A. Ward died of tuberculosis at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon at the family residence, two miles north of this place.  She was born March 29, 1854.
  Surviving are a brother and sister, Clyde Richards and Mrs. William A. Coyner, both residing at home.  Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the residence.  Interment will be made in Springvale cemetery.  Rev. A. W. Jackman, of Attica, will officiate."


In April 1935, estate papers filed in Tippecanoe Co., indicate that Clara Ward's only living heir was Lura J. Coyner, her sister.  Her brother, Clyde, had died 26 October 1934.