Chapter two of Ancestors of interest

Yesterday we left off with hearing Louisa George report of the yellow fever taking servants as well as  more dear ones. To continue... 

 Our father and mother were almost overwhelmed with grief.  Three good
servants were dead and three children were expected to die at any time.  But
the cup of sorrow was not yet full and once more the death angel appeared,
taking our faithful, devoted, and precious mother.  
 
 She had been for the last time to see her sick servants.  She found the maid
dead and the cook in a dying condition.  Mother prayed with her and comforted
her as best she could.  Upon leaving, Julia put her arms around mother' s neck
and said, " Miss Ann, meet me in heaven" .
 
 The next day mother was not feeling well, but did not go to bed.  That night,
she had a congestive chill, and at four a.m., she went to meet Julia in
heaven.  Her death was so sudden and unexpected, that father was beside
himself with grief and for several months the physicians were afraid he would
lose his mind.
 
 We three children were now wholly dependant on relatives, friends and
servants.  Although mother died in a room across the hall from where we were,
we knew nothing of her death till three weeks later.  The first thing that
seemed to call me back to consciousness was brother Elias crying and begging
for mother.  Father was holding him on his lap and when he continued to plead,
father burst into tears and told him mother had gone to be with God in heaven. 
With this explanation my brother ceased to call for her.  I was too weak, I
suppose, to realize the meaning, and never did until we moved back home to
begin life anew,---without our dear mother and faithful servants.
 
 I grieved for mother and Sarah, the girl who was my competitor in knitting.
(End of the original page cut off).

....all the time.  Sometimes I wanted cube sugar, and another time, brown
sugar; and again it would be sugar cane.  Once, I wanted oranges,  but none
could be had, even in Monroe, which was 60 miles away.  But I could not be
reconciled, and father sent Carter, the carriage driver and gardener to
Lakeport on the Mississippi River, over 100 miles away and told him not to
come back without oranges.  It took three or four days for the trip, but when
he returned with plenty of large, sweet, juicy Florida oranges, I feasted on
them till I was satisfied.
 
 Beginning to walk a little, I decided I wanted to go to Aunt Caroline's, and
seeing that I was determined, Mammy Chloe took me up on her shoulder and
carried me over.  Dear old Mammy Chloe,---how I loved her.  Right here, I want
to say that she nursed me when my first child (Paul) was born in my father's
home where we were living during the Civil War.  Mammy died during the War.
 
 Aunt Caroline let me stay as long as I desired (several weeks), and when the
last strand of hair disappeared from my head, she knitted me a black silk cap. 
She also bought some red, green, and white material for a quilt and taught me
how to sew the squares together into a double-chained square.  This was a very
wise thing to do, for I was very irritable and discontented, but upon getting
busy with my quilt, I was no longer any trouble.

(Note: Aunt Caroline was Rev. George's younger sister, Caroline Holt George McAdams, (1822-1887)
 
 As I grew stronger, my greatest joy was in the garden.  It was now Autumn,
and the chrysanthemums were in greatest profusion.  I had been with mother
when she superintended the planting of these flowers.  There was a cozy nook
with a cape jasmine bush on one side, a frame of honeysuckle vines on the
other, and in the rear, a frame of Marshall Neal roses.  Here, it seemed, I
could realize her presence more than anywhere else, and I was comforted in my
quiet solitude.  But I missed her more than anyone could realize and my heart
ached with its longing, finding relief in tears.  Sue, who was now 14, took me
under her wing and looked after my every need and ever after maintained that
same motherly interest, which endeared her to me more than the fondest, most
devoted sister.  She is still living in her old home in Marion which she and
her husband bought soon after the Civil War.  She was 90 years old last
January 6th of this year (1926).  (end of original page cut off)

(NOTE:Sister Sue was Susan Sophia George Thomas, (1836-1926) who would only have two sons of her own, one of whom lived to be an adult)

(Here we're hearing about the slaves...)
 
...can realize the strong personal attachment which exists between them.  The
fact of ownership and responsibility on the part of one, and the childlike
dependence of the other formed a mutual love, akin to parent and child; the
parent to control and the child to obey.
 
 We were indeed a sad family.  My oldest sisters (Lizzie and Sue) had to leave
school to be at home with us four younger children,---three of us still
invalids, though slowly gaining in health.  Sue and Lizzie were children in
experience but brave, dear sisters who did what they could.  The new
house-servants were untrained for domestic work but they were good and willing
to learn, and under the supervision of father's sister, Aunt Caroline McAdams,
who lived on a high hilltop nearby, they became quite proficient.  Aunt
Caroline was a widow with one daughter and three sons, and she did all within
her power to mother and care for us.  We saw little of father; he was so
stricken, yet he saw that we had everything needed.  He was so depressed in
spirit that he stopped building the house in Marion.
 
 Besides Aunt Caroline, sister Elizabeth cared for us four younger children. 
The youngest, Linn was four years old; Elias, 6; I, 8; and Jane, 10.  Lizzie
was a good sister, fond of reading, study, and music.  A new piano at this
time was company for her and Sue.  They did what they could for the happiness
of all and we were a peaceful and harmonious household.  But we missed our
family worship which mother never neglected, nor father, when he was home. 
But now he stayed on the farm with the overseer, coming home occasionally to
see that all was right.
 
 Father was troubled on all sides.  His good overseer, whom he brought with
him from Alabama, had also died and he hired another who understood very
little of superintending a large plantation of negroes and farm work. 
However, it was a good thing, even a blessing that father had to supervise
till the new manager was fully initiated into the routine of duties devolvent
on him.  The sight of his motherless children was a fresh stab of the dagger
to his poor bleeding heart.
 
 The three months' sickness left me no flesh nor strength. I was so emaciated
that they carried me around like a baby.  Dr. Traylor, the physician said I
could have all the sugar and sugar cane I wanted.  I kept a bowl of sugar on
the bed-table (bottom of original page cut off).
 
 
 THE MEMOIRS OF LOUISA GEORGE TOMPKINS
 PART 4:  SCHOOL DAYS

 A year had passed since dear mother left us and I was stronger, so father
decided to send Sue, 15; Jane, 13; and me, 9 to school and board us with Uncle
Dick (Bass, mother's brother) in Marion.  Sissy, now 17, had to stay at home
to look after Bud (Elias), 7; and Melinda, 5.

(NOTE: This episode takes place in Marion LA, not Marion AL.)

 
 I can't express the great delight and joy when I was permitted to go to
school, and to have a slate, book, and a pencil of my own; and to have a
lesson assigned me in Webster's Blue Backed Spelling Book
---one of which I have now, and which I treasure as a souvenir of my first
school days and which, like myself, remains alone,---a relic of the past.
 
 Marion was then a village of about 20 families, the most of whom were
prosperous farmers with plantations a few miles out in the country.  These were
cultivated by negroes and supervised by competent white overseers.  Though a
village in size, Marion had the finest school in north Louisiana.  The
principal was a highly accomplished lady from Virginia, and her sister was the
music teacher.  Their names were the Misses Harriet and Mary Whiting, and I
want to say that they were the best teachers I ever had,---even better than
those in the Judson College.
 
 There were only three of us in the primary class,---and the other two were
about my age.  All of us were ambitious to excel, and each of us was generally
perfect in lessons and deportment.  Occasionally, at the end of the month, one
would get an average of 99 (100 was perfect).  Then, for the other two there
would be much grief, but Miss Harriet would promise to cancel the failure if
we were perfect in everything the following month.  While at school I often
had chills and fever, but I could not be induced to go home to be doctored,
till Miss Harriet promised to give me my credits if I would study and recite
my lessons to Sue, who agreed to hear them and make faithful reports.  I would
often lie in bed and study while I had fever. 
 
 Doctor Traylor, father's family physician, finally took me from school and
kept me in his home for three weeks while he doctored and finally cured me. 
He was the father of Kate Traylor, one of my classmates and rivals.  He was
like a dear father and had Kate and me sleep in a trundle bed in his wife's
room.  I had every care, with a servant in an adjoining room to be called if
needed.  Kate and I were devoted friends until her death in Temple, Texas in
1914.  I had visited her the previous summer.  At this time I lived in San
Jose, California, and was returning from Marion where I had been visiting
Sister Sue.

(NOTE: Dr. Traylor was probably John Randolph Traylor MD, 1807-1864, my 3 times great uncle. The daughter closest in age to our Lou George was Sarah Katherine Traylor, 1847-1914. His wife, Sarah Simpson Traylor had been born in France, and they had 12 children together. Dr. John Traylor was brother of my 3 times great grandmother Nancy Jones Traylor Powell.)

 
 Coming back to school,---I began to take music lessons at the age of ten
(1852).  As I was very fond of music and liked to practice, it was not too
many months before I was in Class A,---out of 40 pupils.  We had a fine
teacher and her recitals, then called concerts, excelled those in larger, more
prominent schools.  At the age of twelve (1856) my teacher had me learn and
play at her recital, a solo with variations which the music teacher of the
College in Farmerville, the county seat, had played at one of their concerts,
for there was great rivalry between the schools.  At this time also, by my
father's request, my teacher had me play "The Battle of Buena Vista" , with
cannons, fife, drums, and battle raging.  Then I was the principal alto singer
and had to supply the need in duets and choruses, as well as in character
songs.
 
 I trust that you will bear with this egotism, by recalling that I am writing
my autobiography, and am speaking of self as of another person.  I reveled in
music and art and had made such progress in drawing and water colors that my
teacher often called upon me to help her in assisting and finishing the work
of her class which was too large for one teacher.
 
 School days in Marion were drawing to a close.  Our devoted teachers, Misses
Harriet and Mary Whiting, whom we all loved and respected, honored, and
obeyed, were leaving.  Miss Mary, the music teacher, married a lawyer and
located in Omaha.  Miss Harriet returned to Virginia and was later married.
 
 Our next teacher proved to be a failure,---many of her pupils being more
advanced than she in every way.  She was really a "back letter"  and did not
command the respect of her school.  Under our former teachers, we were taught
to be courteous and respectful to everyone.  We were required to be thorough
in each study, and we all seemed to be inspired with an ambition to be first
in our studies because we loved our teachers.  It was the difference between
these teachers that first gave me to understand that respect must go before
love.  Our parents soon learned their mistake and after one term, discharged
her.

 
 The next Fall (1856) father decided to send me and my two stepbrothers, who
were 16 and 17 years old, back to school in Marion, Alabama where there was a
large female college (The Judson) and male college (The Howard) of 300, and
each was a Missionary Baptist college.  We had been there only two months when
the boys were called to the deathbed of their mother who passed away soon
after their return.
 
 I remained throughout the whole term which closed with graduating exercises
and a concert,---the grandest it has been my pleasure to hear and in which it
was my privilege to have part in several instrumental numbers and choruses. 
The Concert, with all the closing exercises, was held in the city auditorium
and about 150 pupils took part.  The first piece on the program was the "Norma
March and Variations".  This was one of my numbers.  Nine pianos, arranged in
a circle on the rostrum faced the center where there was a full orchestra,
including an Italian harp.  There were 27 performers at the pianos---three at
each instrument.  I also played in another number with 18 performers at nine
pianos.  In a chorus called, " Scenes that are Brightest", 17 of us played
guitars which were suspended from our shoulders with pink ribbons.  The
principal of the music department was a German professor.  Under his
supervision were three music teachers (Ladies) of whose work and efficiency he
was responsible.  He had a musical family of five boys and girls from eight to
sixteen years of age, and each played a different instrument.
 
 We wore uniforms at Judson.  Our winter uniform was a green suit with a green
dolman for a wrap.  There was no jewelry, not even a breastpin for the collar,
which was of plain white linen pinned neatly at the throat, and there were no
low necks or short sleeves.  In summer, the uniform was pink and white.  At
the close of the study hour on Saturday night, the Governess, who was in
charge would tell us what we were to wear to church the next day.  One time,
it would be a pink dress and a white berege (fashionable dress material at
that time) talma (a circular cape with a bias ruffle).  Perhaps the next time
we would be told to wear a white dress and pink talma.  The bonnets were white
woven mohair, circling around the face and tied under the chin with a bow of
pink ribbon.  There was no trimming whatsoever, but they were lined with pink
and had a circular skirt of pink ribbon with narrow straw braid at the bottom. 
We wore these summer and winter.
 
 There was no difference shown with richest or poorest; all fared and shared
alike.  One a month, each girl was permitted to have fifty cents worth of
candy, nuts and fruit.
 
 The governess was not a teacher but had general supervision over the girls
out of school hours which were from seven to nine p.m. and from five-thirty to
six-thirty a.m.  She also supervised morning and evening study hours. 
Breakfast was at seven and school started at eight, with two hours for noon. 
School then began at two and closed at five.  From five to six, we were free
to play out in the beautiful grounds or park surrounding the buildings.
 
 The day began at five a.m. with the ringing of a large bell at the top of the
College, which was so loud that its peals could be heard all over the city. 
We sleepy girls had to bathe and dress as best we could in thirty minutes
before the school bell rang for study in the assembly room.  When the tap bell
was given for order and roll call, anyone not answering to his name was marked
tardy and received five demerits.  I always managed to be present, but once,
when I was not feeling well, I stayed in bed till the last minute, when I
jumped into slippers and study gown and with stockings in hand, rushed
downstairs to the study hall, reaching my desk just as the bell tapped for
silence.  That was the nearest I ever came to being tardy during the three
terms I spent there.
 
 When I first entered the College, I was assigned to the Junior Class.  The
first day I went to grammar class, they analyzed sentences, something I had
not been taught in our village school.  My teacher, however, told me to give
attention while (bottom of original page cut off).
 
 About a month later, father came to Alabama on business and visited me.  I
was so happy I cried for joy and became very homesick.  And since I was also
discouraged with my schoolwork, pleaded with him to take me home.  After much
persuasion he consented, and what joy!  I began that day to pack my trunk as
we were to start the next day.
 
 Bidding friends and teachers goodbye, we took the train the following morning
for Selma, where on the Alabama River there was a boat for Mobile and thence
we crossed the Gulf to New Orleans.  After spending several days in that city,
we boarded one of the finest and most popular boats at that time, the " Doctor
Buffington", which ran from New Orleans to Little Rock.  Her patrons were
mostly farmers and merchants.  There were so few railroads in the country that
all transportation was dependent on river navigation.  These were fordable in
summer but out of service to large steamers, except in the winter.
 
 The boat landed at nine a.m. on the third day of our trip from New Orleans
and five of us landed.  There was Hattie Bryant, a girl of my age, and two
young men from Marion.  Father went ahead on horseback to Marion which was ten
miles away.  Our baggage was sent in a wagon and we had to wait until father
sent the carriage for us.  But we started walking to meet the carriage and had
gone two miles before it approached us.
 
 (1858) I had not been home long when my father began to receive numerous
answers to an advertisement which he had placed in the " New Orleans Picayune"
calling for a school teacher and a music teacher.  He had me help him make a
choice.  From among the thirty or forty letters, I selected a mother and
daughter and this letter also suited father.  This he answered and a few weeks
later Mrs. Harrison and Anna Porter were added to our family.  They were all
that could be desired both as teachers and as companions.  Both were well-read
and quite intellectual.  Porter sang and played beautifully.  She was a fine
entertainer,---so full of life and vivacity and with never a loss for a word. 
The first time I ever heard "Kathleen Mavourneen"  was when it was sung by
her.  She and I became constant companions even though she was two years older
than I.  And what she was in companionship to me, her mother was to Sissy
(Sister Elizabeth).  They were both fond of reading and search for knowledge. 
Sissy often wrote continued stories for the "Boston Olive Branch"  and her
nom de plume was "Isabelle Gayle".  She also wrote for "Godey's Ladies' 
Magazine".
 
 Porter and I learned many vocal and instrumental duets which kept us in
practice and added pleasure and entertainment.  My life-long bosom friend,
Georgie Goldsby, was still at school in Memphis, Tennessee.  Her parents were
neighbors and dear friends of the family.  They had several children and the
oldest was a son named Miles; a very bright, intelligent, and handsome young
man, with no bad habits, such as tobacco, intoxicants, and swearing.  Although
he was generally admired, I cared very little for him.  He and Porter became
mutual admirers, which developed into stronger ties; but her mother, ever
watchful of her daughter's welfare, and being a wise and practical woman,
objected to anything further than mutual friendship.  The Harrisons suddenly
left Marion that Fall, but Porter left her heart behind.  This episode
resulted in the popular ballad, "In The Gloaming".

 
 After Porter and Mrs. Harrison left us, Sissy and I decided to move back to
her own farm called "OakLawn", a beautiful place which I shall describe at
another time.  There were many pleasant episodes at this delightful home and
my dear sister did everything possible for my happiness and welfare.  Georgie
Goldsby returned from Tennessee and we spent many pleasant months together. 
But the time came when Georgie and I realized that we were wasting golden days
in taking ease, comfort, and pleasure which could never return.  Our better
judgement decided us to return to school that Fall (1859) which was near at
hand.  Little did we think that the halcyon days of our close companionship
were drawing to an end.  She returned to her aunt in Memphis where she
attended college.  After graduating, she married a gentleman named Smith whom
I met.  He lived only a few years, dying in Memphis, and leaving her with two
little boys.
 
 At this time, I also, left for Mount Lebanon College in Farmerville,
Louisiana---a Baptist college of much notoriety at that time.  There was also
a large Baptist Male college in the same town, which my youngest brother,
Elias, 15, attended.  My youngest sister, Linn was with me at college.  The
Fall term opened September 1st of .(bottom of original page cut off).  

Our
president was named Prescott, a fine man of reputation as an instructor of
booklore.  Before taking charge of the female college, he was for several
years president of the male college.  The trustees elected him to the change,
hoping to have it established and managed on the same basis, rules, and
regulations as the Judson in Marion, Alabama.
 
 When Professor Prescott learned of my having attended the Judson School, he
requested me to assist him in formulating rules for governing each department,
just as they were at Marion.  All these he followed, except the uniforms,
which could not be adopted at that time.  In a few days, the school was in
order and all seemed to understand that it was a place for study and the
obedience to its laws,---and all were strictly enforced.
 
 On the first of October, the County Fair was opened in town for one week. 
Our school laws were suspended for the time and students were free to attend
it with suitable chaperons or escorts.  During that week, I made many pleasant
acquaintances, among them several very nice gentlemen,---one of whom I shall
specifically mention.  This was Doctor Key, son of Martin Key, a very fine man
who never forgot me after our meeting on this occasion.

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NOTE: the following note came with the text as presented, where it changes to an observation of Louisa George and her future husband, Thomas B. Tompkins.

 
 Note:  At this point, the school days were brought to a close.  Dr. Key was
indirectly responsible for the romance between Louisa George and Thomas Brooks
Tompkins and the story will be told in another chapter.

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And there are some important changes coming into Sarah Louise (Lou) George's life soon.

1860s woman's dress