Rev. John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War, he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Mary Craig Eyster was his sister-in-law, who lived in Chambersburg. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Chambersburg, Nov. 17^th/64

Dear Brother,

It is now after ten o’clock and I cannot write much. I intended to write early in the evening but was prevented by company. I had a letter from Martha to-day saying that Mother has not been well for some time, and is very anxious to see me—I expect to go up to-morrow, dont know when I’ll return, will write you from there. There has been some talk here about the rebels coming but I believe it is all over now. The citizens here have organized—they have raised three company’s. I suppose you have heard that we are going to lose Mr Nicolls he is going to the second church St. Louis Mo. On next Sabbath Mr Hays declared the pulpit vacant. What time do you think of going to Pittsburg? Sallie says tell you she sends Mary Warner a kiss. The children would like very much to have her with them. Caroline sent me a blanket—we have a plenty to do us this winter—dont require so much sleeping in a warm room. Hettie & Ariana are to be home next week

Yours in haste

Mary

Citation: Mary Craig Eyster, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Chambersburg, Pa.; 17 November 1864. Moore VI:06:11

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:

Allegheny City, Wednesday, November 9, 1864

Afternoon

Dear John, Mother & your dear little ‘ducky’ have just left the house, both in good health & Mary junior in excellent spirits and I cannot finish this letter until I know the result of their journey, this morning Mother put on an old frock to do the work about the house, and Mary told her she would cry and bawl out loud if she did not take it off, when going out now I asked her if she would leave me, yes, and the cat yes, and the chicken yes, oh well come back soon again, Oh yes I come back soon again; the new stockings you sent her just go on comfortable, are none too large.

It is now 3 oclock, & I feel so anxious to obtain even a partial account of the result of the election, that I cannot confine my mind to any thing else, I suppose by Saturday the final result will be known. On last Monday Mrs Lewis paid us a visit, is very anxious Mary would spend a day there on Saturday as there is no school on that day, well, on that day Jonnie & Sis A. wants her but we must try and make some arrangement so as to suit all parties, Mother will have to manage that affair the best way she can; As usual this season of the year, at this hour, the day is disagreeably dark; we are all in excellent health; Dr Clarke is home & preached last Sab. In forenoon, Mary heard him & behaved like a very good girl; Mother & Mary have just arrived safe & sound in the cars from town, were over to buy a winter hat for Mary, the lady they went to will not have her stock from the East until thursday next.

Yesterday Mary told Mother if she would be a good girl she would wash her and take her to meeting and put on her best dress, and if she did not behave well she would give her a good whipping when she came home and all the time she was delivering this speech, her head was going, as if she was laying down the law very serious, her little prattle never ceases, and all visitors seem to delight in listening to her telling how the ‘yebels burnt her best dess’ she seems to be coming more & more attractive every day

Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 9 November 1864. Moore VI:06:11

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:

Allegheny City, Wednesday, October 19, 1864 Afternoon

Dear John—Mary is hearty & well, Mother and Anne & your little ducky were over in town this forenoon, Anne dined with us, and is now seated beside me, giving the result of their journey over to town; All three took the passenger cars, went first to White Orr & Co, and selected a very handsome green plaid with a red stripe in it, to make her a sack for the winter, it is to be trimmed with red silk cord and red silk buttons to match it, made double breasted like a mens coat and two rows of the red buttons down the front & pockets trimmed with the red cord & buttons, it is to be made in Whites store in the latest style; One of the young ladies in store put on her a sack of this kind, and you would be astonished how highly delighted Mary was with it, putting her hands in the pockets &c &c, it is to be lined for winter, there were several young ladies in the store, they were very much interested in her childish prattle, with her conversation about the dirty rebels burning her best dress, she talked that loud she could be heard all over the store, The sack becomes her very much, more so than the cloak, Mother bought her a very nice pair of gloves that fits very well, they are warm silk ones for winter, drab colour; the sack that is making at Whites is to be nine dollars (9$) and is to be ready on Saturday. A little hood was ordered also at a fancy store on 4^th street, it is to be knit of blue & grey chinchilla, zephyr worsted, and to be ready by Saturday night, a round comb to go across the top of her head was also purchased. Last night Mary slept at 262 Jackson St, her Aunt Anne took her away yesterday morning, she enjoys herself there very much with the children, while writing this letter she was standing here beside us looking at the album and the different likenesses she knew all the likenesses, and when she came to her papa’s, she was asked who that was?, that is my pap’a and he ‘lubs’ me, your likeness was among some others that Mother was shewing her; We will all take her out as much as we possibly can, Anne says it is one of the greatest pleasures she has to take her out wherever she goes, or to be with her—she was at church last Sabbath once, as we had only meeting in the forenoon she remained at home in the afternoon, she behaved very well, she is now battering the pillow on the lounge & says she is making the bed, Grandma said to her last Sabbath night what will you do if the rebels come here and burn us out, she shook her head and with much vehemence said “I would ‘pit’ upon them” meaning (spit) grand ma laughed hearty at the expression, at this very moment she is amusing us highly about ‘Whetting’ battering the pillow on the lounge Grandma says are you whetting, she answers just feel my face;

Your affectionate father & mother Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 19 October5 1864. Moore VI:06:10

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 [excerpt]:

We think the loss of your winter overcoat was a serious one. The Htown ladies gift. We received a letter from Henry weekly as usual, at his request I paid his taxes at the court House amounting to 50 cents to enable him to vote as he says himself for ‘Old Abe’. It is now afternoon and by the time I shave &c for Sabbath will get little chance to read last nights paper and the other one will be in before I get the chance—your affectionate father & mother Henry & M Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 15 October 1864. Moore VI:06:10

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:

Allegheny City, October 5, Wednesday, 1864, afternoon

Dear John, This morning we received Harpers Weekly for our Dear Mary, she left this morning in high glee, along with Anne for Sharpsburgh, at the same time telling her Gamamoddy & Gamapa not to __ I’ll come back. Anne wishes to write to Uncle Maxwell & before writing it was necessary to see Anne Bradshaw she therefore called for our little company & took her off we hope they may return safe; she is becoming more and more interesting every day can talk and ask for any thing & we understand every thing she says. When she lays down to sleep at night she says Grandmuddie give me your hand and is asleep in a few minutes sometimes she wakes once in the night, and sometimes not at all, & when she does awake it is for a drink; If we could remember her little pranks through the day it would fill a letter, but it would be impossible to remember them—For instance, Mother, Mary & I were in the front bed room, Mother says got raise the garret Window I was going Mary was for following, Mo says Mary do not go up there you will be dirty I went down stairs to the back kitchen found the door shut and a chair against it, why Mary whats that for? I want to keep Gama out, so she shut the door & put the chair to it & when Mo came & wanted to know what that was for, was told she wanted to keep her out for not letting her go with gamapa—When she gets out of humour, she will say, Pa is gone to Shippensburgh and I will tell him on you when he comes home, but it is very seldom she gets out of humour Mother says, she is the best and easiest managed child she ever saw, Not a neighbour about here but is very fond of her, Mr Stewart nurses her on his knee, Mrs Brown is also very fond her of, Ag Stevenson took her away last evening, and weighed her, and she weighed 32 ¾ lbs—The peaches are excellent, and we feasted well on them, Mother gives Mary 2 every day, & some times three, & what we have are in a good state of preservation yet, in the cellar. Poor Tommy Riddle has enlisted in Ravenna, is going as a substitute for 800$– sore against the will of his brothers and sisters May the Mighty God of Jacob bless you is the sincere prayer of your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh],5 October 1864. Moore VI:06:10

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:

Allegheny City, Thursday, September 29. 1864

Dear John, Last evening, we received your welcome letter, this afternoon we received the box by Express that you alluded to in your letter, all came to hand safe & sound. Grandma presented the peaches that you mention to our Dear little Mary, & at the same time informed her that her Pa was the donor, she is in excellent health & spirits. This is a great gala day with us. An immense Union convention is here assembled from towns at a considerable distance all round, although the rain has been pouring down in torrents all day, at noon a salute of 100 guns was fired and the people are making the most of it, visitors are about from subburbs and as it is now 4 OClock & clearing off there will be more of a demonstration – excuse haste, we appreciate the kindness very much, of the people who has made you such a rare gift of rich luscious fruit. Mary is at present sitting in the front door, she is singing a little song, looks well, has been lately washed, dressed, and her hair curled

Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

P.S. Mother said to Mary just now, Mary you have left your rocking chair at the door, & some of the boys will take it away, well now you ought just to see the race she made for the door, it caused grandma to laugh hearty

H & M W

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh],29 September 1864. Moore VI:06:9

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:

Allegheny City, Wednesday, August 31, 1864 Afternoon

Dear John, With pleasure we inform you that about 3 OClock P.M. yesterday, Henry arrived on a furlough of ten days from the time he left the fort until his return to the same place, he looks extremely well, and is in excellent health; Your welcome letter reached us on Monday morning 29^th Inst. We were very glad to know that Mrs Eyster and the three dear children arrived in G. safely, we sympathize very deeply with you all, we are in great hopes the rebels will never trouble you again, but if they should, make no stay but come on in good time, don’t mind the trouble of the children, and we will do the best we can for you all. We both laughed when we read what little Mary said about the rebels burning her fine dresses, we say, keep up your hearts as none of you perished in the flames, if one of the children suffered death in that way it would be worse than all the loss you have sustained; When two years of Henry’s time had expired which was the 22^nd of this month, he offer’d the Gen’l his resignation but the Gen’l would not accept I – so H. concluded to stop, and received the furlough. The Gen’l said he was of too much use to the Government, and could not be spared, and gave him the furlough; We are all well, with the exception of poor Anne, she has had poor health since she returned from Uncle Maxwells, but is going about the house; Mother says she will get the flannel and the muslin and make the babys things with a great deal of pleasure; Was MacDowel Sharps house burned? Give our best respects to Mrs Eyster, we were very glad to hear that Mr Eysters trunk was saved, that was so much, although little, still it was a fortunate circumstance, also Mrs Eysters watch and your own. The E. family loss was terribly severe surely. Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh],31 August 1864. Moore VI:06:8

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:

Allegheny City, Wednesday, August 25, 1864 Afternoon

Dear John, This letter is dictated by your Mother. We are very much concerned about you and your little affairs, from last nights news, we fear that the rebels are going back to you, and it is only the Most High knows where they are going to stop. We think the best thing you can do, is to fix up your affairs and come on here, and just stay here and content yourself until we can see further, and if Mrs Eyster and her children were to come on, we would receive them gladly, we fear that in consequence of the state of affairs in Indiana and other places that there will be much bloodshed at the North, the copper heads are very numerous and very bitter, they are opposing the draft as much as they can, but they are not opposing it here, as far as we know, if you have any time at all answer this as soon as you receive it. If Mrs Eyster is with you give our love to her

Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh],25 August 1864. Moore VI:06:8

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:

Allegheny City, Wednesday, August 24, 1864 Afternoon

Dear John, These dreary, & gloomy times, while our border is threatened with another ‘raid’ we send you our usual Wednesday epistle; your father did not feel very well this morning, in consequence of a slight attack of diahorea, however he made an effort to visit the P.O., with no success but merely to look into an empty box; Anne was quite unwell last week, had three teeth extracted, is now much better. Mother saw her, the two children, & Charlotte in market yesterday morning; Robert seems to be doing very well. Mr. Temple has advanced his salary 1 ½ $ per week. Mother thinks he is in a deep consumption; we had a letter from Henry on Monday morning, it was short, he is hearty and well; we hope Mrs Eyster & family are well, our dear little Mary, and yourself; If it was so ordered in Providence, we would like to be nearer you than we are, or that you were nearer us; Our markets are abundantly supplied with vegetables, and farmers, and gardeners, are striving to ma[i]ntain their fruits with all their might; we are glad to think things are no worse; Is Mrs Eyster and the children with you, Was Mr. Sharpe’s house burned? There is nothing going on here but recruiting for the army, we suppose we need not look for you while these rebel raids threaten the southern border of Pennsylvania; We live in hopes that both you and ourselves may live to see a speedy and happy termination to this sad state of affairs; nothing is impossible to the Most High and it is in his power soon and sudden to bring order out of confusion when least expected, although we sinners have brought on the confusion

Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh],124 August 1864. Moore VI:06:8