In the original project of his biography Mr. Wanamaker intended to include voluminous extracts from the diaries and family correspondence of Isaiah Williamson. But in the end he decided to include as an appendix only a few letters, written between 1876 and 1879. These, he felt, would illustrate the human side of Isaiah Williamson at a time when the writer of the letters was growing old and had amassed great wealth.
Dear Brother:—
I have been thinking that during the winter is perhaps the best time to buy a Horse, and if you think "old Black" will not be able to do duty the coming Summer, I wish to propose to you that if you will buy a good, quiet, safe and suitable Horse for such old fellows as you and I to ride behind, at a price not exceeding $200, that I will pay for him. I at first thought I would say "buy a Horse and I will pay for him," but then it occurred to me that you might go and buy a $20,000 Horse that would trot a mile in two minutes or less, which neither of us would feel at home in riding after; in truth such an one might take us a great way from home contrary to our wishes. Then the question arises, if you get another Horse what will be done with "old Black." You would not like to sell him for fear he might get into possession of some Huckster of Fish or other things, who would not appreciate him as we do, and starve and abuse him; and I do not suppose you would like to kill him; so the question to me is difficult of solution.
I heard from brother John's widow a few days since who, in acknowledging receipt of check sent her, stated they were all well.
The weather here today is delightful and makes us think of the near approach of Spring. When I next visit "Clover Hill" I expect it will be by the new R. R.,—as they expect to commence running during April, the "Frog and Bridge War" to the contrary notwithstanding. Give my love to Anna Mary and Emily, and tell Anna Mary I should like to have a letter from her.
Your affectionate Brother
(The "Frog and Bridge War" mentioned in this letter, is a reference to the effort which the Pennsylvania Railroad was making to prevent the new Bound Brook line from running between Philadelphia and New York.)
Dear Brother:—
Please meet Clinton and myself at Langhorne Station on Saturday next (14th inst.) at 4 O'clock P. M., as we expect to be there by that time.
I was at the "Centennial Exhibition" this morning, and "finished it up" in precisely 2 hours and 35 minutes. Talk about spending 3 or 4 weeks on it is all humbug; there is nothing like going at it in earnest and doing it up at once.
Yours affectionately,
My dear Anna Mary:—
For a long time past I have been counting the months, weeks, and even the days, until the weather will probably be pleasant enough for me to visit "Clover Hill." I long to see Nature in her New Spring Bonnet and Dress. Although she makes no change in Colors and Styles from year to year, with Bustles, Chignons, etc., as do our Fashionable Chestnut St. Belles, still her style is always neat, in good taste, and beautiful. I think she must belong to "Friends Meeting."
I never could understand why so many people sacrifice time, talent and money to obtain Copies of Nature, when the originals which ought to be, and are, so much more beautiful, are open and free to all without money and without price. What I refer to more particularly is that numbers of persons will travel all over Europe visiting the different Galleries for the purpose in a great measure of seeing the most celebrated Pictures, many of which are Landscapes and Marine Views, while in numerous cases they pass by the originals (in seeking the Copies) without even a passing notice. Suppose one of the most celebrated Artists of Europe, or of the World, were to paint a Landscape from a view taken on the line of Rail Road between this City and Pittsburg where thousands of persons pass daily, and place the Copy on exhibition in this City, there would probably be ten persons to see the Copy where there would be one that would see, or look for, the original; and what makes it the more surprising that this should be so, is that God is the Author and Man the Artist.
I often think of the old adage, "Once a man and twice a child," and how fully it has been verified in my own case. When I first left home, and for many, very many years thereafter, nothing gave me so much real pleasure and enjoyment as to visit Home; but after becoming immersed in business this Home feeling gradually died out, and for a long time I felt very little interest in the scenes of my boyhood. But now this Home feeling is returning stronger and stronger every year, and for the present and sometime past nothing gives me more real pleasure than to visit Home, which I now call "Clover Hill."
I have received several letters from you since I last wrote, and I assure you they have given me a great deal of pleasure; the first letter opened when I receive my mail is the one with the "Oxford Valley P.O." stamp, should there fortunately be one such.
Write whenever you have time, and do not wait for me, as my time is so fully occupied that I have very little time for anything but business. I would like to receive a letter from you every week.
Yours affectionately,
My Dear Anna Mary:—
What's in a name? They say "A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet." I was forcibly reminded of this a few days since when called upon to sign a petition to the North Penna. R.R. authorities to establish a Station at "Glen Lake." I was not in the office when the party called; he left the Paper, and when I signed it I said to Clinton that I had never heard of a Lake in that vicinity and thought it must be a "Mill Pond"; which sure enough the party when he returned for the Paper said it was somebody's "Mill Pond." I suppose the Glen-Lakeians intend to erect there a fine Hotel and make it a fashionable watering place; and instead of going to Atlantic City or Cape May during the Summer I can visit Glen Lake every other week, to bathe in its pure waters and amuse myself in Fishing for Bull Frogs, etc., and sailing on its placid waters. Of course they will have Sail-Boats, Yachts, etc., for the accommodation of visitors. How convenient it will be for me particularly, and I feel grateful to its projectors.
I think the old Residents of the County would understand the location better if the Glen Lakers had connected the name of a former owner of the Mill-Dam with their Lake—as "Lake-Carlisle," "Lake Sutton," "Lake-Satterthwaite," etc.; then I for one would know pretty near where to find them.
When it is generally known by residents of the City that you have a " Glen Lake " in your vicinity, convenient of access by Rail Road, I should not be surprised if there would be a great demand for building sites for summer residences on the margin of Glen Lake; indeed it may increase the value of Land for miles around. Tell your Papa he ought to increase the price of "Clover Hill" ten dollars per acre at least.
Your last Letter of the 26th ultimo was duly received, for which I feel most grateful. Write soon again and often, telling me all the news, particularly about the success of the subscriptions to the new Reading Room, Library, etc., etc.
My general health is very good, and I am looking forward to the coming of warm and pleasant weather with fond anticipation. It is now snowing here a little—I suppose the commencement of the annual "St. Patrick Day's storm."
Remember me to Emily; tell "Old Black" I long to see him; and believe me
Yours very affectionately,
My dear Anna Mary:—
Your most welcome Letters have all been received, and I feel and confess that I have been very remiss (unexcusably so) in not replying to them as a faithful and prompt correspondent should have done; but you know the ordinary excuse of business men for neglecting such duties, and you must allow me to avail myself of that, although I do not think that in many cases it is sufficient. However if you really knew the great pleasure it gives me to receive a Letter from "Clover Hill," I will tell you what I think you would do; you would say to yourself, "Well! there is that old Bachelor uncle of mine whose time is fully occupied with business matters, and who I know fully appreciates my Letters. I don't think I can do anything better than to afford him the pleasure of receiving one every two weeks at least, even if he should (for want of time) neglect to answer them." And then to confirm the arrangement, I will imagine I hear one foot fall heavily to the floor, accompanied with the expression, "I'll do it." It is rather a one-sided bargain, but under all the circumstances I hope and believe you will come to the conclusion to carry it out to the Letter, or Letters. As a general thing I have really been very busy since I saw you last, and I find that Age is beginning to claim its rights, as I discover that I cannot accomplish as much in the same time as I could thirty years ago.
I think of you all every day almost (not excepting "old Black") and imagine you all seated in the cosy little Sitting Room around the stove (excepting "old Black") discussing the news of the day and wondering if there will be Ice enough this winter to fill the "Ice House." It really begins to look a little dubious, although I believe some Ice has been gathered here from the Ponds during the last cold "snap."
My health thus far during the winter has been generally good; we have had as yet very little cold weather and scarcely any Snow. I suppose in the Country you are obliged to substitute mud for snow.
I visit Cousin Peter's about once a week; they are as well as usual. Had I known two or three days before Christmas that it would be as pleasant and mild as it proved to be, I think I should have written your Papa to meet me at Woodburn Station on that morning.
I enclose the result of Mr. Shaeffer's experience in raising different kinds of Potatoes, thinking perhaps your Papa may wish to avail himself of it before I see him. I did not receive it until after my last visit to the Country.
Oh! how I long for the time when I can write your Papa, "Please meet me at Woodburn on Saturday next, etc., etc." I like Springtime in the Country, with its Green Fields and Trees, and Singing Birds, and particularly its necessary accompaniment, "Warm Weather."
I hope you will ratify and confirm my proposed arrangement by writing soon and very often to your most affectionate Old Uncle.
Remember me most kindly to Emily, and I hope it will not be very long before we all meet again at "Clover Hill" and have a drink together of "Lemonade with Ice"—Adieu.
(½ past 7 P.M. at office)
My dear Anna Mary:—
Your most welcome letter of 19th Inst., as well as many others of previous dates, have all been reed., and you may be assured have all been highly appreciated. My Conscience smites me when I receive your Letters and think that you are doing all the correspondence for my exclusive benefit, without any return whatever on my part; and can only offer the old and stale excuse, which I fear you are heartily tired of hearing, that I am and have been very busy since I last saw you. I have quite as much or more to do than heretofore, but the great trouble now is that it takes me much longer to do the same amount of business than it required a few years ago; my sight is failing and am getting old; the 4th Feby. was my 76th Birthday. However, my general health is good and has been during the winter; scarcely a day but I have been able to attend to business; for all which I feel extremely thankful. You have kept me posted in regard to the Library and I agree with you fully in regard to the name of the "Hall," which had I been consulted would have objected to decidedly. I think of you all daily and am counting the months, weeks, and even the days, when I shall have the pleasure of seeing you. I have thought a great deal about your suggested visit to "Florida" to spend a winter. Wouldn't it be nice, or even as the Boys say, "Bully," for us seven (I mean you and your Papa, Emily, myself, Old Black, Minnie and Grant)[1] to go down there and take a little Cottage to spend the winter. If I had the leisure I think it would be well worth taking into serious consideration. Having a Cottage or even a Log House to ourselves we should be perfectly independent, particularly so as we should have our own Horse, Cat and Dog. In a little over two months now, if nothing occurs to prevent, you will be received every two weeks Letters saying, "Please meet me at Woodburn Station on Saturday P.M.," signed I. V. Williamson.
P.S. Write often and keep me informed of all that is transpiring, as I feel a great interest in all that is going on in "old Bucks."
Yours affectionately,
- ↑ "Minnie" was the cat, and "Grant" the dog.