Do you think family letters are ephemera, or are they time capsules in ink? It’s nice to know that something seemingly ordinary can become extraordinary over time. It’s extraordinary to me. Old letters are a treasure trove of family history and information. I’m overjoyed to share this 162-year-old gem written by one of my ancestors. His name was Otho Thomas Cook, and his letter was to his son, John C. Cook.
Can you believe it? 162 years old? The following letter has survived so much. Here’s where I need to add a disclaimer, though. While I’m confident this letter is an authentic piece of family history, I have yet to have it formally verified by experts. (I need to figure out how to begin that process…) Nevertheless, its age, content, and emotional weight make it a priceless treasure for me and my family.
Thanks to the magic of Ancestry.com and my dad’s diligent research, I know that Otho Thomas Cook was born in 1815 in Urbana, Frederick Co., Maryland. Otho married Mary Ann Montgomery in 1837 and had ten children together. John, Pembrook, Absalom, Frances, Oscar, Francis, Emma, George, Ida Cook Tabler and Nellie. What a full house.
As far as I can read my family tree correctly, this is how I’m related by marriage. Here goes…
Otho is married to Mary Ann Montgomery. Her brother was James Ijams Montgomery, 1824-1908. He was the father of Luther A. Montgomery, 1855-1935. He was the father of James Ijams Montgomery, 1885-1980, and my grandmother, Catherine Mauzy Montgomery, born in 1911-1994. My dad came along in 1946, so many more years passed, and I was born in 1975.
As far as I can see, this letter doesn’t have any periods in it. It’s like one long sentence. Also, this letter is written with misspellings that were probably acceptable in the 1860s. There are several words that I cannot decipher, so they’re in brackets. (You are welcome to help me figure out any words. Let me know.) There are other people mentioned, and I will research further in my Ancestry tree. I love everything about this letter. I hope you do, too.
January 13th 1861
John C. Cook
[My] dear child we received your letter on the 12th and was very happy to hear from you and said you [was] will your letter found us all enjoying the same blessing except your dear mother she is still complaining as usual Francis is at your grandfather’s going to school there as we have no school at Urbana except the primary school which is not fit for her we intend to help her at school no until harvest. We have butchered our beef he was very fine he weight 700 pounds and was very fat As for the [preant] [trobels] that is [know] in the [country] we cannot tell what they Mary or I do not know of any [dissension] about Urbana they all hold on to the union as far as I know they all want the matter settled his our bloodshed if it can be [dun] We have had a green Christmas Francis had a bush with candies and cakes hanging on we had fat Turkey to feast on we have now the best of beef and five barrels of flour
your dear mother will keep some two or three turkeys until you come home so you will have a chance to get some Turkey yet I have sold all my weed for $1.25 per bushel or dear mother treated herself to a new [cloake] and set of furs that the best quality so you will hardly know her when you come home we have learned that your entended is very handsome besides a full purse which makes things look very bright do not let a good chance slip a good purse is not fished up every day so you had better hold on your uncle James had a Turkey dinner yesterday but we was not invited to the feast your uncle Langley and aunt Janet will be on with their Christmas present your aunt presented him with a fine son for a Christmas present. P.S. Cook (Pembroke Somerset Cook) was home he said he [weighted] heavier than he ever did before he is well and looks well he has a good home he is now getting wages you said you would like to try old Maryland next year we would be glad to have you
near as next year if it should be your lot are quarterly meeting comes on next Saturday and Sunday at Urbana this is the 4th and the last one for this year our preachers I am afraid will not get all their money I am out [beging] money to make the [defisency] at Urbana we would like to keep the married preacher next year if we could pay him he is a man that takes very well though he has some enemies at Urbana Tom Smith and old [Jacob Froenburgh] do you not like him but they are small [potaters] you said you had some hard trials to pass through but you must not be discouraged in the work you have engaged in you know our blessed savior when he was on earth was persecuted [bufeted] and spit upon and his [troubels] did not stop there for they hung him on the accursed tree but we know he had power to lay his life down and take it up again so do not be discouraged only call upon Jesus and he will be your friend he is [abel] to bear you through all
of your [crosses] never mind what man can say it is not in the power of man to [injer] you only strive to do your duty and God will bless you at all times you know that the [aposles] was lightly spoken of and maltreated and most of them fell martyrs some [burnd] at the stake so take [curage] and [grow] you are one that stands on the walls of Zion warning sinners to flee the wrath to come he that shall persuade a sinner to forsake his sins shall hide a multitude of sin oh what a reward we shall have when we leave of our sins and fight the [battels] of that crucified savior you have the prayers of your parents that God will bless you in your laborers it [geting] late so I must close your brothers and sisters all join in love to you always give us your post office so we will know where to direct your letters we remain your loving parents Otho T. Cook Mary A Cook John C cook [rite] soon
I’ve read through this letter at least a dozen times, and I’ve learned some things. I’m going to start writing and mailing letters more often. Also, I wish I had actual photographs of these people. And, this letter belongs to John C. Cook. I’m the keeper of it for now. According to FindAGrave.com and Mount Olivet Cemetery, John rests in Frederick, Maryland. I just may have to take a trip there someday.
In today’s world, we’re bombarded with reels, threads, and text messages, oh, my! Have we lost the art of letter writing? It can’t possibly be that outdated. But as we’ve seen with Otho Thomas Cook’s 162-year-old letter, some things are timeless. Letters capture the moments, feelings, and shifts in society. They’re windows into the souls of the people who wrote them and the times they lived in. I know a video reel can do that too, but you don’t need a smartphone or Wi-Fi connection. You only need a pen and paper.
Otho’s letter has survived over a century and a half, giving us a glimpse into his life and times. Now, imagine giving that same gift to future generations. What would someone in 2123 think of a letter written today? What insights could we offer about our world, challenges, and joys?
So here’s my challenge to you: Write more letters. Send more cards. It doesn’t have to be a manifesto; even a simple note can become a treasured keepsake. Maybe one day, someone will find your letter and feel a sense of wonder and nostalgic connection.
Yes, I know we live in a digitized world, but let’s not forget the power of a handwritten letter. They’re not just ephemera; they’re emotional and historical landmarks. They’re time capsules in ink, waiting to be discovered and cherished, now and for generations.
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