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Archives & Rare Books

Waterloo County: Anthes Family Letters

Leaving a Child Behind

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German Transcription of Page 1

Carrick Aug. 30 1867

Liebe Eltern [:] Gottes Segen zum Gruß, euern Brief habe ich gestern erhalten und gesehn das ihr noch alle Gesund seid [.] Gott sei Dank dafur [,] das ist auch der fall bei uns, ihr wold wisen wie wir nach Carrick kamen, Gut aber die liebe Sarah haben wir nich mit nemen konen den als der Doctor sie sah[,] so sachte er sie ist zimlich gefärlich krank und wurte lieber sie Öfters zusehn [.] Er sagte mir wieter sie beser drunder lassen [.] dieses ging uns zimlich hart, den so weit fort zu gehn und ein krankes Kind zuruk zulassen wist ihr ja wie Eltern fühlen − der Doctor sagt sie ist Angesteckt an der Lung und wan sie Kald bekeme so wehre ihr kaum mer zu helfen [.]

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English Translation of Page 1

Carrick, August 30, 1867

Dear Parents,

My greetings to you, with God’s blessing. I received your letter yesterday and saw that you are all still healthy. We thank God that this is also the case with us.

You wanted to know how our trip to Carrick went: (it was) good, but we couldn’t take our dear Sarah along because when the Doctor saw her, he said she is quite dangerously sick and he would prefer to check her frequently. He told me again that it would be better to leave her down there. This was a severe blow for us, since going away and leaving a sick child behind − you will know how we parents feel. The doctor said she is infected in the lungs, and if she were to catch a cold, almost nothing more could be done to help her.

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German Transcription of Page 2

Wir befahlen sie dan dem Lieben Gott, und liesen sie in Wollwich bei den Großeltern un[d] namen die M. Lisabet mit, bis sie wieter Gesunt − Gästern had der Liebe Br. Jen uns geschrieben, das sie viel beser ist und der Doctor Gute Hofnug hat, sie bald ges[und] [.] Er schreibt sie had schon viel zugenommen [,] sie kan essen wie ein Drescher [.] Gott sei dank dafür, das hat uns sehr erfreut, letzte Woche verliesen wir unser heimat[,] gingen nach Port Elgin, kamen Gester Glücklich zuruck [,] brachten eine Woch zu in Port ___ [Elgin] Es gefil der Lena1 gut in Port Elgin [,] wir hatten auch gute Versamlungen dort auch eine Claß2 versamlung [.] haben uns Frische Fisch mitgebracht aus Sauthhamton, u[nd] wan es aufs Wünschen ankäm [,] so hätet ihr auch schon gehabt.. − der Martin u[nd] Flaranc wahr auch mit [.] das wahr

Footnotes:
1 Presumably refers to Jacob Anthes’s wife Magdalena.
2 "Claß" probably refers to classis, a Reformed Church term for a group of churches within a geographical area – an administrative level between the individual church and the synod.

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English Translation of Page 2

So we commended her to our dear God, and left her in Woolwich with her grandparents until she returns to health, and took M. Lisabeth3 with us. Brother Jen wrote us yesterday that Sarah is much better and the doctor is very hopeful that she will recover her health soon. He writes that she has gained weight and can eat like a thresher. God be thanked for that; it made us very happy.

Last week we travelled away from home to Port Elgin, then returned happily yesterday after spending a week there. Lena liked it well in Port Elgin, and we also had good assemblies there, including a classis4 assembly. We brought fresh fish from Southhampton, and if it were merely a matter of wishes, you would also have had some. Martin and Flarenc were also along. It was

Footnotes:
3 Mary Elizabeth, born 1860, was Jakob’s daughter, two years younger than Sarah.
4 Anthes uses the word "Claß," which I have translated as classis, a Reformed Church term for a group of churches within a geographical area.

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German Transcription of Page 3

eine freit für den kleinen Martin als er die Lake sah und als die Fischer ankamen mit ihr kleinen Schiffen angefüllt mit Fisch [.] das halb Berrel kostet $3-1/2. Mit füsche früsche5 wir sint jetz gerate färtig an Br. Büschs zu gehen um die Mary Katharina zu holen den sie blieben dar bis wir zuruck kerten [.] Busch ist auch wieter gesuntter [.] sie lasen euch alle Grüßen, ich und Br. Büsch gedanken zu komen für Aepfel, der Br. Wigand will auch eine loth [.] seit so gut und haltet die spätjahr Aepfel wan der Wolf sie runter mach im Keller, den der Wigand nimt auch spätjahr Aepfel [.] schreibt uns auch wan wir komen sollen [.] macht den Seiter auf Montag. Dan kenen wir bis Diestags bei Euch seyn [.] Büschs wollen auch Ladwerk [.]

Footnotes:
5 Anthes is evidently writing the words "fische frische" as "füsche früsche": perhaps a play on the similar pronunciation of the two words? The 'ü' was sometimes pronounced as 'i' (the "ee" sound in English), which would give the equivalent of "fische frische."

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English Translation of Page 3

a fright for little Martin when he saw the lake and the fishermen came up with their small boats filled with fish. A half barrel costs $3-1/2.

With our fresh fishes, we are ready just now to go to Brother Busch’s and fetch Mary Katharina, who was staying there until our return. Busch is also healthy again. They send greetings to you all, and brother Büsch thinks of coming for apples. Brother Wigand also wants a load. Please be so kind as to keep the late apples when Wolf puts them down in the cellar, for Wigand will also take some late apples.

Write us when we ought to come. If you make cider on a Monday, we can be with you on Tuesday. The Büsches also want Ladwerg.6

Footnotes:
6 Latwerg (also spelled Latwerk and Latwerg) is pureed apple, and a staple food item of the time. Writing in Kitchener: A history etc.

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German Transcription of Page 4

wegen dem Separetor habe ich den Br. Graff geschrieben ich habe ihn niemand so versprochen [,] werte ihn au[ch] nicht für solchen breis geben [.] Er kostet uns ja $400 ohne den Wagen, − wir haben imer noch muth [,] Gottes Werk helfen zu treiben [.] Betet für uns [.] das nechste mal mehr [;] Entschuldigen [.] dem J. Schneider seinen Brief will ich abgeben an Br. Braun [.] ob Er wohl nicht benant im brief so denke ich doch dem Schreiber7 nach [;] er ist für ihn [.] Er soll nur kommen [.] Es ist genug arbeit für ihn u[n]d gibt alle Jahr mehr. Er kan den Schwand sein haus bei uns 1 Aiker Land mit Opst beumen [,] Guter brunen für $250 haben [.] kans auch renten − Wir Grüßen Euch alle Herzlich [.] Eur − J Anthes

Footnotes:
7 It is unclear what is meant here. Could this refer to the "Schreiber" mentioned in "Take the money straight to Breithaupt"?

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English Translation of Page 4

Concerning the separator, I wrote Brother Graff that I never made such a promise about it to anybody; and I will not sell it for such a price. It cost us $400 without the wagon.

We still have the courage to carry out God’s work. Pray for us. I will write more next time; please excuse [this brevity].

I want to give J. Schneider’s letter to Brother Brown although he isn’t named in the letter. I am thinking about the Schreiber8 ; it is for him. He should come now. There is enough work for him and there’s more all year long. He can have Schwand’s house next to us: an acre of land with fruit trees and a good well for $250. He can also rent it.

Warmest greetings to you all,

J. Anthes

Footnotes:
8 It is unclear what is meant here. Could this refer to the "Schreiber" mentioned in "Take the money straight to Breithaupt"?

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June 19, 2013