Background: George Jayne was a student at Fergusonville Academy in Fergusonville, NY.  Many of the students at the academy came from the New York City area.  It was thought that the isolation of Fergusonville would protect the children from corrupting influences such as drinking and gambling. George Jayne's family lived in Orange, NJ. 

Fergusonville August 18th, 58

Dear Charlotte
I received your letter on last Friday On the Friday just after we received the news of the laying of the cable we had a torch-light procession, we started from the academy about four o’clock in the afternoon and went in wagons to West Davenport we joined in a procession of wagons and came to the Fergusonville church where there were adresses delivered by Squire Becker, and Dominie Erskine, when they were delivered the torch-light procession was formed which marched down to the academy and back.

Please tell mother that I dated my letter to her a week ahead by mistake also tell her that I need postage stamps (and that I have borrowed several of Em.)* Give my love to all

From your brother
George

* Dear Lottie, You need not deliver this part of the message to mother. I do not lend stamps.

-Em
 

Courtesy of the Davenport Historical Association, Davenport, NY, 13750. Over 500 letters from the Ferguson and Jayne families, most dating from the mid-nineteenth century, are available from the Davenport Historical Association in The Ferguson-Jayne Papers, 1826 - 1938, edited by Mary S. Briggs,. Transcribed for this web site by Margaret Monaco. All misspellings have been carefully preserved..

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