In a letter to Lewisboro, the view
from Kentucky, November 1860
The file box containing the letters of the Lawrence family is rather full. I am always grateful that some families save, if not everything, almost everything. Before we close that box and put it back on the shelf, I thought it would be interesting to share another letter in this column. The letter is written to Darius from a business associate in Kentucky who is quite frank about his opinions on the current political crisis that very shortly thereafter led to the outbreak of Civil War.
Although the 19th Century penmanship is flowing and fairly legible, the writer’s name is difficult to decipher. As near as I can tell the letter was written by J.N. Crutcher from Frankfort, Kentucky.
Frankfort, 27 Nov. 1860
My Dear Lawrence,
Your communication extraordinary is at hand. It gives pleasure to know that you will be with us early in January. I hope nothing will prevent your coming.
It may be that I will not be here at that time. The union may be dissolved, and I appointed Minister plenipotentiary from Kentucky to the Court of Indiana. Things begin to look that way now. Why do you not get up some rousing Union meetings and pass resolutions asking the northern states to nullify the Fugitive Slave law — Just a little movement in the north now would do away with all this deviltry. But be it as it may Ky. will be the last to leave. When all the states have dissolved and gone their way, I, J.N. Crutcher will be seen standing [in] the middle of old Kentucky bearing above my head a glorious stars and stripes and crying with a loud voice even the voice of a Bull, to my country now, what shall I do for my Country. Oh my country how she bleeds.
Money is exceedingly scarce here now — times getting awful tight. What shall be done. It is hard to know what will be done.
My Baby, “Smith Brown” [may be a notions store] is well at this time. I will introduce you when you come. Old Frazier was in today, and sent his regards to you, says he is afraid you are a “damned abolitionist.” I disabused his mind of the idea.
We received yesterday a bill of goods from Wm. Smith Brown & Co. The goods will be here in about 10 days ...
Remember me to Cyrus J. Lawrence — we owe him a little bill — but we are able to owe him. When you come with your soap, nail brushes, etc. we will increase the amt. and pay all together. Cyrus seems to be a clever fellow — his little Bell is worn by my wife — she prizes it very highly.
I will close for the present.
With the highest regards, I remain
Yours, etc. J.N. Crutcher
A few words about the Lawrences
Darius Lawrence died in 1887, at the age of 49. He worked for a Yankee notions company and often traveled in the south selling goods for the company. His older brother Cyrus J. started out in the notions business, but later went into finance and his company became quite successful in New York City.
Various letters from Rhoda B. Lawrence, a descendant, shed a bit of light on Darius’ later life. She also mentions that “Uncle Cyrus was in the Yankee notions business with Henry Faile as the box in Lawrence’s room shows. The Civil War stopped that.”
Apparently, business was still good enough at the time of the above letter.
Rhoda Lawrence got the following family information from her older sister, Elizabeth L. Wood, who was about eight in 1887.
“Uncle Darius used to come up to see us. Then we knew he was ‘sick’ in New York and then came up and lived with us for some time till he was well ... He used to take Meta and me driving with Ned (the horse) and the phaeton. We had lots of fun singing and seeing things along the road, but it certainly doesn’t seem it could have been three years. He died, I suppose in New York and I don’t remember I ever knew how. Just supposed he was sick.” The house Darius stayed in is now the Tator home on South Salem Road, Route 124.
Civil War notes
The extended Lawrence family lost two South Salem members, George P. and John Benedict Lawrence. George was the nephew of John. Both enlisted at Tarrytown in the 4th Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery, Company F. George P. was wounded in battle and died in hospital on April 9, 1865. John Benedict died from pneumonia in Mount Pleasant Hospital in Washington, D.C., June 1, 1864, less than six months after he enlisted. He left his widow, Anna, and at least five children. They lived in what is now the Pessoni home on South Salem Road.
Kentucky seceded from the union about a year after the letter from Mr. Crutcher was written, in November 1861. It was the last state to secede. In May 1861, Kentucky had declared itself neutral.
