Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
Interesting 24 letter archive pertaining to the family of Thomas J. Rayner. Rayner was a businessman in New York City, and had family in Massachusetts. The letters date from 1863-1866, and have some very good content, in part: April 1865 from Rayner to Emmie...."Well Emmie the war is over at last. You feel certain if could look at my sales book today and find two good orders mrk'd Richmond Va. As the man says in the play :How the old time come o'er me, Oh no; you can never conquer the south! They never will trade again with us! They'll always feel so bitter to our people! Well if they are bitter they keep it to themselves and rush to buy goods ever of such a malignant "abolitionist" as the subscriber. I feel a degree of triumph to have the Secesh come back and take their old ways again, albeit there isn't so much of the old time arrogance and high toned chivalry as "use to was". They seem to accept us more; a very good thing amongst folks is self respect and respect of others. A trifle more of both was needed to our Southern "brothers". Those southerners too that I have seen are as bitter on Jeff Davis and his clan as our people are, or more so!! Poor Jeff, as "hated in the house of his friends". Slavery destroyed, the south devastated, Jeff a fugitive with a price on his head...T.J.R." The next letter, dated July 11 (1865) Rayner writes to Emmie discussing traveling to upstate New York and visiting Revolutionary War sites and other historical sites, and for her to stay out of trouble or he might end up like the recently hanged Lincoln Assassination Conspirator Mary Surratt, in part: ...."Remember the fate of Mrs. Surratt, and don't bring to an untimely grave the grey (red) hair of your friend. T.J.R." The next letter dated July 16, 1864, speaks of the death of Henry A. Cowles of the 150th Ohio Infantry and how his mother went to visit him in a hospital in Washington, D.C. only to find that he had died. Letter details the feelings of his father. mother, and friends upon learning of his death. The next letter, dated March 2, 1866 pertains to family goings on, and also about a friend attending the wedding of P.T. Barnums daughter Paulines wedding, in part: ...."Van is alright....family reconciled and I think rather likes it. He was at the big wedding of P.T. Barnum's daughter yesterday and apparently "all a gay" to go to ours now....". There are 20 more letters with dates from 1863-1865 with more family and historical content. Overall the letters are in fine condition, some with splits at folds, some with light ink. A great Civil War era New England / New York City family archive.
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