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[Identification of item], [box #, folder #], Thomas N. and Sarah C. Lindsey Letter, 1861, SC 0067, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
James Madison University Special Collections acquired this item at auction from Cohasco, Inc. in March 2016.
Thomas Newton Lindsey (b. 1818) and his wife Sarah Cook Lindsey (b. 1832) were residents of Churchville, Virginia in Augusta County at least through 1870. The Lindseys two young children, Mollie and Charlie, died in early March 1858 for undisclosed and seemingly unexpected reasons. The couple went on to have more children.
Mr. Lindsey was employed as the postmaster for Churchville and as a merchant with Dinkle & Lindsey, a general dealer in dry goods, groceries, and hardware in Churchville.
The Thomas N. and Sarah C. Lindsey Letter, 1861, is comprised of one letter written by the Lindseys of Churchville, Virginia to a Mr. Wynant. The letter is dated June 24, 1861, just two months after the start of the American Civil War. While Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey addressed Mr. Wynant separately, resulting in two distinct letters, both letters are contained on one leaf. The Lindseys comment on the changes taking place in Churchville and the Shenandoah Valley as a result of the Civil War. Additionally, they mention the price and scarcity of goods, harvest yields, the evils of liquor, and general community news.
Mr. Lindsey begins his letter by mentioning that he had recently seen Mr. Wynant's father and that all was well. He goes on to write that "Churchville is quite lonesome these times. Except on Saturday when the militia muster. The governor has ordered them to muster once every week. They are drafting the militia in Rockingham. There is some allready gone to some point down the Valley." Mr. Lindsey discusses the price and scarcity of goods - "I bought a few goods about the last of May. They were very scarce & high, & I have sold nearly out of some goods allready. I sold out of Bro. Cotton a few minutes ago." Mr. Lindsay closes his portion of the letter by discussing the recent harvest and requests updates "about the expected movements of the armies both north & south, & how the people are divided generally, as near as you can ascertain out there."
Mrs. Lindsey begins her portion of the letter by mentioning that she and other young ladies in the community have been packing up clothes and "fixing pockets for the gentleman." She herself made several jackets. It seems likely that she is referring to community men going off to war. She continues with gossipy news and expresses a similar sentiment as her husband by writing that "Churchville is a changed place, it makes one feel sad." Mrs. Lindsey ends by mentioning George Hanger. She writes: "I understand [he] is taking two barrels of liquor with him. The ladies are all down on him; he had better not let it come this way. I consider it his worst enemy. I hope it shall not be used as a beverage; it will I am afraid destroy more of our men than the enemy."
The letter is housed in one letter folder.