Letter: To Mrs. John Zug Newville,1 Cumberland Co., Penna. from her husband, 1842
John Zug’s wife Margaret is staying in Newville with their three-month-old baby, John Edgar, while her husband is living 15 miles away and working while the house they will live in is being prepared. His cousins have been visiting, and Mrs. Postley and her brood have arrived in Carlisle. He misses his wife and son and hopes to be with them soon.
My Dear Margaret,
Carlisle October 14th 1842
It is pouring down with a vengeance out of doors, and I am here tonight sitting by a good blazing fire, too blazing indeed, for I’ve just had to remove my little table away from the fire place to save my shanks from blisters. Well, I feel right comfortable after a hard and long day’s work. This week, every day since my return, I have been constantly employed within the field or barn. This morning we went to the fields-carried shocks of corn to the fence awhile, then I sowed timothy seed until noon; in the afternoon “Dutch John” and I tramped out and cleaned up barley, and we just finished hauling away our straw this evening, as this rain came on briskly-so very briskly as to give us a little wetting. After changing my clothes and eating my supper I now have the evening to myself and here I am disposing of it, as seemeth to me good.
We are still at the corner; though the new house has been thoroughly cleared and white washed and is now ready for use. Mrs. Uhler has gone, and Ephraim is in the house, the furniture of his room having been taken down this week. We have also been gradually moving down some things for the garret and cellar, and sometime next week we expect to get in “bag and baggage.” Mother2 found the house in a tolerable condition, and every room has been fired except the parlor, which is reserved until we get into the house. As for us, I hardly know where we are to be stowed. The room intended for us I find is so small that I have declined to take it, knowing that it would not hold us and our things. The alternative now is the parlour or the chamber above it, which is a tolerable room, with a fireplace. Early in the week I had removed my books to my shelves, which I have set up in that room. My own preference is for the parlour, which you know, mother would not use at all events; and the only objection is the difficulty of warming it, but you know we had a large room in Baltimore3 and kept it warm with a very small stove. However, we shall either fix up the things in one of these rooms designated or let all lie until you come on, when you can choose for yourself. How we shall fix I don’t know, but one thing I know, I wish all was done.
Mr. Heron has not been here yet; I presume he will be here next week, which will be convenient enough, as I shall only go for you in the latter part of next week. Cousin Adaline and her sister Molly are here yet but will likely leave tomorrow for Mechanicsburg. On their way home, in the course of ten days or two weeks, they will stop again a few days.
But who else, think you, is here? No other than Mrs. Postley,4 who came on Wednesday with her flock. She looks remarkable well—not what is called “respectable”--and her children also appear promising; “Sis,” however, has the whooping cough. Bub has not grown much but seems to be more of a man. She left all well in New York-and Margaret Postley married, and a mother at that; did you know anything of it; I am sure I never heard a word of it. I should like to see her; they say she is a splendid looking woman, but as big a devil as ever she was when a girl in Carlisle.
I don’t know how you take it; but I assure you I am tired enough of this grass-widowhood-or widowerhood; or whatever you please to call this way of living. I don’t relish this having my family 15 miles from me. So, you may look out for me as soon as I can possibly come on for you. Among other thousand considerations, I want to hear the tones of the big fiddle rattling in that big hall. My love to Bub, father, mother and all, not forgetting the folks in the neighboring city of Stoughstown.5
Your devoted husband
John Zug
John Zug, a new lawyer, writes to his intended bride Margaret about the perils to his mind, body, and soul of being a lawyer. He is determined to follow a new regimen to improve his health.
1Margaret Hood was the daughter of Josiah Hood (1794-1873) of Springfield, West Pennsboro Township. He served as a private in Capt. Squire’s Co. of Pennsylvania Militia in the War of 1812 and was a prominent figure in Springfield. Margaret married John Zug in Springfield on July 28, 1841.Carlisle Weekly Herald, August 4, 1841.
Their only child, John Edgar Zug, was born on July 27, 1842, and he died in Washington D. C. in 1915.
2John Zug’s mother was Elizabeth (Kimmel) Zug (1797-1846). His father was Jacob Zug (1793-1877).
3John Zug (1818-1843) graduated from Dickinson College with honors. He studied law and was admitted to the Bar. His obituary stated that “At several times, however, he was diverted from the pursuit of his profession, but what he considered the calls of public duty… He was Principal first of the Grammar School of Dickinson College, and afterwards a Classical School in Baltimore…While living in Baltimore he became particularly interested in the movements of the Washington Temperance Society…His frequent exertions in public speaking, especially in the open air, brought on haemorrhage [sic] of the lungs. From that time his health began to decline, and he was soon compelled to relinquish his school.” Carlisle Weekly Herald, September 13, 1843.
4This is possibly Mrs. Charles Postley. Charles Postley of Perry County, PA married Miss Elizabeth Thomson, daughter of James Thomson of Carlisle on January 21, 1836.
5Stoughstown is a village in North Newton Township on what was once called the Great Road and in 1816 became the Harrisburg/Chambersburg Pike. The “Sign of the Indian King” tavern, operated by the Stough’s from 1802-1839, was a stopping place on the Pike, and beginning in 1820 it also served as the post office.