Henry and Mary Warner lived in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh. They are the great-grandparents of poet Marianne Moore. By the 1860s they had three surviving children: John, Henry, and Anne. Their letters to John, a Presbyterian minister living in Gettysburg, are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.
Transcript:
2 ½ P.M.
Allegheny City Wednesday October 2nd 1861 Front Bed Room
Our Dear Children. We are all in excellent health & Spirits. Hope by this day week, one or the other of you, will be in the midst of us, perhaps both. On last sabbath, when we came home from meeting in the afternoon, got in by means of my night-key, wondered to see the parlour door half open, I walked in, when lo! I behold! here was Henry squatted in the large armchair, he also had a night key, and by that means gained admittance, Joe & him came down in a Skiff, Henry looks right well—did not get any old, thinks they will not go back, Henry left here this morning to go to John McMasters by Rail Road, will be home this evening;
We are happy to inform you, we escaped the effects of the flood, in Mrs Whites cellar across the street, the water from the canal was up to the cellar door—in Kingons house in rear of us, the water was five feet deep, and notwithstanding all this, our cellar floor which is a good depth was as dry as a bone. Yesterday I mailed a Dispatch for you giving an account of the flood in our three rivers hope you have received it. Robert is still with us, as the war prospect is still more gloomy he will not of course leave—
kind remembrance to Jennie, and as we expect soon to see you, will conclude & remain
Your affectionate father & mother
Henry & Mary Warner
Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 2 October 1861. Moore VI:04:23