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, March 30. 1864

Dear John. Hoping Baby & yourself are well, I now sit down to write you a letter as from Mother – Henry left us on Friday night, and his visit was a very uncomfortable one to us. The day after he came he prepared for Sewickly, I asked him where he was going? He said to Sewickly, it knocked me down so much that I could hardly speak. I asked him if he was engaged to her, he told me yes. I bursted out crying and told him that he said, in promise to me, that he would not do anything that would worry me; it is two years ago since he made that promise to me, then he left without making me one word of an answer, and did not come back until 12 OClock next day. I told him that I hoped, I would be quietly laid in the cemetery before that would take place; I told him that he did not do as his brother done, that he did not disgrace us, nor himself; Had we known that he was going to Sewickly, there would never be one invited into the door on his account; I went to a great deal of trouble & expense on his account but had I known that he was going to Sewickly I would not have honoured him that much. He went the second time, and staid that night and part of the second day. We never said one unkind word to him about it, but we were very cool and very broken hearted all the time he was here, and it made me so irritable that I could hardly speak a kind word to any one; We have but three, and you know the circumstances that one is placed in, now we bless God, that if Henry is lost, we still have you.

We expected a letter from you this morning, as you were to lecture on Monday night, we thought you would surely on Tuesday drop a line in the Harrisburgh P.O. which we would have this morning giving us to know what success you have had, let it be good or bad we want to know it if it had been only one line, it would suffice for the present. We are all in tolerable health.

Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh],30 March 1864. Moore VI:06:3

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, March 23^rd.1864 – 2 ½ P.M.

Dear John, your Welcome letter of Monday 21^st, we received this morning, just as I brought it in (8 1/2 o’clock) in came Dr. Rodgers, who was on his way over to Pittsburgh, and wished to see Henry before he would leave for the East; Henry will leave on Friday evening 25^th on 8 OClock train, so as to arrive at the Fort on 26^th it being the day on which his furlough will expire. On last Sabbath he attended meeting in our church three times, forenoon, afternoon, & night. Your father did not go at night, but Mother & Henry did; On last Friday we had a few friends to take tea and spend the evening. Rev’d J.B. Clarke, Lieut Lewis of Fort Delaware, from Birmingham, Mrs & Miss Eliza Lewis, Robert, Anne, & their two children, Mrs Lockhart, & Miss Mary her daughter, Miss Annie Curry next door neighbor, & Miss Agnes Stevenson & your Bro Hy. I think all told. We are glad to know, “Baby & yourself are very well”. Late in spring or summer will be a long time to look for, but if we only have the pleasure of seeing each other then, alive and well it will be a joyful meeting; there is quite ‘a stir’ here about a sanitary fair, which is to be held in either Pittsburgh or Allegheny, both cities contend for the honor, and it is not decided yet where it will be held. Uncle Maxwell still exists and is pretty well. Acy has had a young daughter, and all is well up there; Next Friday week, Anne will be moving, and as you say, we do sincerely hope mother will get through that operation without damage.

Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

P.S. We were favoured with the Legislation Record sent us by Hans “Henon Esq.” H.R. for which we return thanks, under his motion in behalf of Lee, coal company, also Allegheny and Perrysville Plank & Road Co.

The Evening Chronicle has a correspondent, who signs himself ‘Amos’, we will look for his allusion to your lecture on next Tuesday evening anxiously.

H.W.

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh],23 March 1864. Moore VI:06:3

Rev. John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War, he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He developed a lecture on the Battle of Gettysburg, which he gave widely. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Chester Pa

March 17^th 1864

Rev. J.R. Warner

Dear Bro—

Yours addressed to Mr. Jno. Cochran, a ruling Elder in my church, I had the pleasure of reading on its receipt this morning. I was not aware of his writing to you and from the character of your reply suppose than he could not have been definite enough in specifying the object whose benefit he designed in the delivery of your lecture. It was his primary intention that it should be for the benefit of the Presbyterian Church—which at the present time is making a special effort to liquidate in whole or in part a debt which hangs upon it, and which is rendered the more necessary as an effort will be made before long to commence a new enterprise, which will more or less affect the present organization. I fear very much that the terms which you state may be beyond what we ought to undertake—knowing as I do the character of the Community. Of course I would hesitate to suggest a change—and yet interested as I am in the Church, and desirous as I am to promote the spiritual interests of the Community, untrammeled with debt, I could wish them different.

As Mr Cochran has advertised the lecture of Friday Evening 25^th we expect to hear it for whatever cause— I myself am anxious to hear the lecture

1. Because of its intrinsic excellence—

2. Because of the relation of that bloody field to my own personal safety, and to a disappointed foe

3. Because the scene of the conflict has been indelibly stamped on my memory by reason of the suffering witnessed there during 3 weeks ministry, in the service of the Christian Commission, among the wounded and dying—of wh. resulted in a lingering typhoid fever to myself

4. The Community I am sure will take an interest in the Lecture, as a number of our own citizens there offered up their lives as a sacrifice in the defence of their country

While I know your interest in the various organizations, now in operation for the supply of the temporal & spiritual wants of our noble soldiery—I do not suppose that your interest in Presbyterian is less, & therefore feel that you would not be unwilling that the benefits of your lecture should go towards the debt of our Church—

If you can modify your terms I am sure the act would be appreciated—but we abide your own decision.

Yours fraternally

A.W. Sprouall

Pastor of Pres Ch

Citation: A.W. Sprouall, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Boston, 17 March 1864. Moore VI:6:3

Rev. John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War, he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

119 Harrison Avenue

Boston March 11 1864

Rev. John R. Warner

Gettysburg Penna

Rev & dear Sir:

After consultation with Mr Martin Rev. Dr. Schenck & others of Philadelphia, who are deeply interested in the effort to establish our church enterprise permanently in Boston, I take the liberty to ask you to repeat in the Music Hall in this city your address on the battle of Gettysburg which I have heard mostly highly commended by those who have heard it. We have had a series of lectures for the benefit of our church (1^st Presb’n) by Rev Drs. Rice, Bellows, Hitchcock & M.H Milburn of New York and others. And the committee of the ch. are very desirous to secure one or two more during the present coming months. I very earnestly desire you to come if possible. I think I can get Hon. Edward Everett to preside at the meeting, and so arrange it as to be both pleasant to you & profitable to our struggling church. I will pay all your expenses and shall ask you to accept $25 for your kindness & trouble. I feel ashamed to offer you so small a sum, but as we did not receive enough to pay the expenses of Dr. Bellows lecture (we actually lost $100 by it) we are afraid to commit ourselves to more liberal terms upon the experiment. Perhaps we can do better. Will if we can. Do come if possible. Please give me an early answer & oblige

Yours fraternally & truly,

Randolph A. DeLancey

Please mention the time which will suit you.

N.B.

Philadelphia March 12, I am in this city & Rev Dr. Schenck suggests that if you could procure the use of the map which Mr. ___ the lawyer has who is making an effort to raise a stock company to purchase the battlefield it would add to the interest & attraction of the address. If you can get the loan of it I will pay for the use of it.

Citation: Randolph A. DeLancey, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Boston, 11 March 1864. Moore VI:6:3

Rev. John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War, he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Wilmington, Del.

Feby. 29^th 1864

Rev. John H. Warner,

Dear Sir,

You are doubtless aware that on the 22^nd of the present month Lectures or Orations were delivered in many cities of the loyal States—the proceeds of which are to be applied to the support and education of the orphans of soldiers and sailors who have fallen in the defence of our country. The Hon. J.R. Doolittle, U.S. Senator, from Wisconsin, visited this city and addressed our people in behalf of the above object—In consequence of several other entertainments on the same evening the receipt were small, and the committee of arrangements have instructed me to ask upon what terms you will deliver in this city your lecture on “The Battle of Gettysburg”—The only suitable Hall here is engaged, until the 17^th of March—If you can come I would suggest Monday March 21^st Tuesday 22^nd or Thursday 24^th . Please answer without delay—as the com. wish to give timely notice.

The proceeds of the Lecture are of course, to be devoted to the above mentioned object.

Perhaps I ought to mention that the committee having this matter in charge was appointed at a public meeting of our citizens at which the Mayor of our city presided.

Very respectfully

Yours &c

Jas. F. Wilson

Cham. Of Com.

The other members of the Com. are Saml. Biddle, Wm. Canby, Edw. J Bellah and Dr. L.P. Bush

Address your reply to

Jas. F. Wilson, M.D.

Wilmington,

Delaware

Citation: James F. Wilson, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Wilmington, Del., 29 February 1864. Moore VI:6:2

Rev. John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War, he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This letter refers to a lecture he developed on the Battle of Gettysburg. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Phila, Feb. 13/64

My dear Brother

Both your letters were duly rec’d—I am doing everything in my power to secure a good audience. The newspaper advertisements thus far amount to near $50, & it will take $20, or $30 yet to see it through. Yet this is the main point and the only way of getting it before the Public—The sale of Tickets will commence on Monday the 15^th at 9 o’clock at Martiens 600 Chestnut St and then only can we tell how the lecture will be patronized. I am so fully of anxiety that I can do little else but plan and work & pray about the whole affair, and yet I am very hopeful. I have no fears about the lecture being well received and yielding great satisfaction, my anxiety is about a crowded house—nothing less will satisfy me, for your sake.

I had a letter from Gov. Curtain, stating that he “regretted” that he could not be present, as he had to be in Washington the week before, & his executive duties on his return forbid his absence just at that time—I shall attend to this matter the best I can—I think I can get Gov. Pollock, Gen’l Meade is now in the city—I shall see him and invite him to be there. The request of Mr Carson will be attended to. I have secured a box for him. It is to the side of the stage and on a level with it. It contains 15 seats in all but is only rented, as a whole, for 8 persons, or as many or as few as the renter chooses to put into it. Its rent on lecture occasions the managers of Academy say, is $6 for the evening—It is the best box of the six boxes for private parties—Let me know if he will have it, as soon as possible as it can be rented to others if he should not come. I will look for you on Saturday—shall I? Write me definitely when. My guest, of course, you will be unless you prefer another place—Then I will say—thy will—The individual who made the remark about the crucifixion is a very respectable Presbyterian, but just thought that remark might be better modified I think he did not understand it, the thought you compared it with the crucifixion, which I assured him you did not—He was much pleased with the lecture & you need not feel uneasy about it. It was that you might leave the term out that I mentioned it to you. I suppose you knew who the author of that “puff” in the Presbyterian was. I see the star has it in All things are working charmingly—dont forget to strengthen your voice Don’t trust to acoustics in Academy—Trust to acoustics on your lungs & throat & mouth

Ever yours

Wm McElwer

Citation: William [McElwee?], autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Philadelphia, 13 February 1864. Moore VI:6:2

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, February 10—1864 1 ¾ P.M.

Dear John, your kind & welcome letter we received yesterday, the contents of which interested us very much, your parents have much reason to be thankful, and we are thankful; Yesterday I mailed an evening chronicle of February 8^th to you, and also one to Henry of same date, that you might see, an allusion to your lecture, we hope you have received it—The friend of Mrs Dean’s was a gentleman, a relative of James Marshall’s present wife—The obituary is most excellent & Mother says I must paste it somewhere so that we can have access to it, and also the preserve it, I have copied extracts from McElwes letter, that I might send to Henry, also that we may refer to it ourselves—will hold on to Mrs Eysters letter until we write again, it will save postage, you treated the Milton folks right—we have no news—we are all well, the weather is cold & dreary, with frost, & a sprinkling of snow on the ground—On last monday 8^th Inst we received a note from Henry, says he is very busy, was then writing in the Gen.’ls office—Says “I omitted to say in my last, that it would be very uncertain now when I could get home—but almost certain, that I cannot go next Spring”; we are glad to know our dear little Mary is improving in health of body and vigour of mind, may she be a blessing & a comfort to you, an ornament to society and a valuable labourer in the vineyard of her Master our Lord Jesus Christ, when time with us will be no more—Mother says if she takes the measles now, she could not take them in a better time, if she is only kept from taking cold, we will feel anxious to know about her—the last letter we sent to Hy, Mother sent him an advice to take care of his money, so that he might have a little for himself, when the war would be over, but from the tone of his letter, she thinks, he took it in high dudgeon—now she says, if he sows it along the streets, she will never give him a word of advice on that subject. John Dutch called here yesterday & made us very sad, for he says, out of the Fort they are going to the field for certain and that the company has positioned to go—we had to bear many things and will have to try and bear that too as we cannot help it—Dutch will leave this tomorrow for the Fort—we leave the event to Providence

Your affectionate father & mother, Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh],10 February 1864. Moore VI:06:2

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. This letter refers to a lecture John  developed on the Battle of Gettysburg.

Transcript:

Allegheny City Wednesday February 3^rd 1864—11 A.M.

Dear John Yesterday evening we were favoured with a letter from Henry, giving us an account of the meeting between you and him at the Church, corner of 15^th & Lombard St—you may depend upon it we were very much interested—I will just quote a passage, he says—“It was a grand and proud success—I cannot tell how proud I felt, and how proud you would have felt, if you had been there—it was far above my expectation, in every particular—the large audience paid the most particular attention, during the whole delivery occupying a space of 1 hour, & 50 minutes, it was in a church, and of course the audience felt under some restraint, and during the first part, there were some faint buzzings, like an attempt at applause, but in the midst of it, some fellow started it, and the house came down like Thunder—McE. in the pulpit, clapping and stamping as loud and furiously as any, and when once the ice was broken it was a constant succession of applaudings to the end—I was glad and proud I went up, and I would not write this way, if I did not feel it, and what was more flattering than any thing else, showers of invitations to repeat, were rained on him from every direction” So you see John, we have the news of your success, before the receipt of your letter, which we hope to receive soon; We were very glad to know that Henry was there, and sorry to hear that he had left without bidding you good bye, we need hardly repeat to you, that we feel thankful & grateful, that you had such very good success—If the lecture comes out in print, either in pamphlet form, or news paper, we hope to receive a copy—do not forget that mother asked you for Jennies obituary—as some around us told Mother, they saw it, but she could not say that she saw it. Mother saw Mrs Dean & she seemed very grateful for the kindness you bestowed on some gentleman a relative of James Marshalls wife, in taking him over the battle field—we hope our dear little Mary is well and yourself—Henry W. Riddle left us for Ravenna last Thursday—we are all in good health—it is now cold and snowing

Your affectionate father & mother Henry & Mary Warner

We would like to know whereabouts in Penna. Milton is

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 3 February 1864. Moore VI:06:2

Rev. John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War, he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This letter refers to a lecture he developed on the Battle of Gettysburg. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Phila. Feb. 2^nd 1864—1341 Lombard St.

Rev. J.R. Warner

My dear Brother

We have just completed arrangements for the repetition of your Lecture, in the “American Academy of Music” on Tuesday Evening Feb. 23^rd or three weeks from to-day. There can be no backing out as the Academy is leased for that night and the Trustees obligated to pay $125 for its use. Nothing will be left undone by your humble servant to secure a large audience. We are to send 1000 complimentary tickets to the soldiers in our city Hospitals, and with this I shall mail a letter to Geo Curtain, inviting him to be present to introduce you, and also through him extending an invitation to all the military officers of the State on furlough, and especially to the Heroes of Gettysburg. With the above facts before you I trust you will be by for a while and recuperate for the great work. Strengthen your voice as much as possible, especially keep up the sound at the close of your sentences. Some at the back part of the church did not quite hear some words when your voice got low. Now you understand me and you will pardon me when you know how deeply interested I am in your success. Knowing your audience in part will be so and such, perhaps you might have a special word for so & such you know? I think you will do yourself a kindness by coming on the Saturday before. I fear you may catch cold or expose yourself by staying over that Sat. in Adams Co. At all events you must be here on Monday—and as I said for your own sake, better come on Saturday and get quieted & rested, & well ready for the greatest event of your life of its kind—We would have secured the Academy for Thursday Evening of same week, but that is the day set apart by Gen’l Assembly for prayer on behalf of Colleges Seminaries &c. Hoping you reached your home safely and that God will preserve your health and give you strength for your great work, I am dear brother Yours in the blessed gospel

Wm McElwer

Mrs McE joins me in kind regards &c

Citation: William McElwer, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Philadelphia, 2 February 1864. Moore VI:6:2