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Rose Plaisted as a Child
Rose Plaisted as a Child (original on tintype) Probably taken about 1875



These are the letters written to Rosette Plaisted in the 1880's from her various beaux and her best friend, Lucy Wyckoff. They are a true transcription, complete with misspellings. I have provided commentary in brackets when I felt it was needed. Photos are interspersed throughout, with several at the bottom.

Rose Plaisted was born on November 5, 1866 in West Union, Steuben County, a small rural town in upstate New York. She was about eighteen years old when most of these letters were written. Her parents were Rachel Aber Plaisted and Edward Harmon Plaisted, wealthy farmers. She was the youngest child of five with four brothers. Only one of Rose's brothers is mentioned in these letters, David Wass Plaisted, who was seven years her senior, and who was courting (and later married) Rose's friend Lucy Wyckoff.

Genealogical information on Rose Plaisted is listed elsewhere on the site (use the menu to the left or the search function above).


Canisteo
February 11th 1883

Miss Rose Plaisted i dont think you used me right Thursday Evening acting the way you did. if you did not except of my company you had ought to have told me so. under the circumstances i would like to see you Friday Evening regarding you will

My pen is poor my ink
is pale my love for you
will never fail

Yours Truly William Marshall [looks like it was crossed out]

True Heart
Here is a heart that is fond
and true i never could forsake it
it rightfully belongs to you the
priceless gem please take it

It is well to bare in mind a
handsome beau is hard to find
But when you find one good and
true change not the old one for the
new


Hallock. May. 10. 1883.

Miss. Rose,

I received your most welcome letter and was very glad to hear from you. I am well and happy as a clam in high tide, when I came hear I only weighed one hundred and fifty pounds but now I weigh 200. pounds in my mind [?] so you will see by this that it must be a fine [?] healthy place for a roving chap like myself but (by the way) Rose there might be cleverer fellows in the world than I but probably you will think it yourself that it is rather doubtful if there be yes I think you are right about it being shurking under difficulties yes it is very difficult indeed but I dont shurk a great deal nowadays for I am getting so bashful you know I am without my telling you for I suppose you formed your opinions of me last winter I had an idea that Lucy did not think much of me is C. E. Simpson and Allie W. [Wyckoff, Rose's friend's sister] married yet I should think they ought to be by this time considering the attention he paid her last winter I thought she was rather nice untill she comenced going with him and then I changed my opinion for if you new him as well as I did you would not have a very good impression of him perhaps you have not any I thought about coming up to the boarding house after I went to that concert but I thought perhaps I might get fired out but I think as far a you were concerned that I would have been used like a Gentleman as for the other partiers were concerned I think it would have been rather different in as for me I shall never forget your school days at Canisteo I will bet you was rather lonesome after you went home from school I guess I will backslide for I have not been to meeting of of any kind since I left home but next sunday there is going to be meeting hear next sunday so I guess I shall have to go for a change this is rather of a lonesome place to be for there is nothing going on to pass the time away only plenty of work to do I did not much expect to get an answer from my letter but I enjoyed getting a letter from you very much for it seemed just as though I was a visiting with you I will have to close my letter as it is must ten o clock and the boys keep a saying Will blow out the light there is eight of us all in one room not only sixteen feet square ( by the way) if you can't read this come up and I will tell you what it is dont let anyone see this letter for it is a note so nice it is only [unreadable] Hear is a kiss for you ta ta good night pleasant Dreams to you with regards I am sincerely your friend without a struggle Please write soon by, by you I will think of I and you can think of one Will Holmes, Hallock, Kittern County Minn Box [?]


Troupsburg May 20/ 83

Miss Plaisted,

Please pardon if there is any harm in asking you to favor me with your company at some time in the near future. If my company would be agreable to you please answer if not please distroy this.

Ira Miller,
Troupsburg
N.Y.


E.H. Plaisted Home
E.H. Plaisted Home & Family
2 of Rose's brothers (David & William?) on left
Rachel Aber Plaisted, Edward Harmon Plaisted, Rose to far right

Troupsburg,
July 9th 1883,

Dear Rosy,

This is unexpected to me and I think it will be to you.

I expect to go to Watkins tomorrow and from there farther east but did not know I was going untill last eve. if I had I would have come over to see my little girl. I shall not be back untill the last of July if I am then. but you will hear from me often. Have all the fun you can. be a good girl.

Grandfather is the one that wants me to go

I will write to you when I get there and give you my address.

P.S. If you cant read keep it untill I come over and I will read it for you

from your lover,
Ira Miller


Wallace
Steuben Co"
N.Y.
Oct. 7/83

I suppose you are happy that you have got rid of me and got a fellow that has got a fine horse and bugy.

I was coming over Sunday night but I heard that W. [William] Scott had gone over to see you so I stayed to home for I went to see a girl once and her fellow came and she did not no what to do so I thought that I would not bother you in that way.

But you have made a good change Wm S has a nice horse and bugy and lots of money and friends his folks has property and He will get some of that.

And my folks are poor I have not got any horse or any bugy or friends or money, and am an outcast from society

and it dont make any difference whether I live or die to me or any body else

But my best wishes are to you that you will have a good husband a good home and lots of money and always be happy and live to a good old age,

Ira, M.


Troupsburg
Steuben Co. N.Y.
Sunday Dec. 16./1883

Miss Plaisted

It being in convenient for me to call on you at present is the reason why I address you by letter, although it may be to late.

I would very much like the pleasure of your company at the Christmas Tree and Sister Supper at Troupsburg N.Y.

Christmas Eve. Dec 24/ 83

Please do not disapoint and answer immediately. I will call you before the 24. if the oppurtunity presents itself.

Yours very truly,
Sam T. Griggs


William Scott
William Scott

Troupsburg N.Y.
Dec. 28, 1883

Miss. Rose,

I received Your startling letter of the 22 announcing that our engagement was broken I have nothing to say except it is hard for me to bear and if you regret the step you have taken console your self with the thought that it was you that broke it to presume you will never be sorry for your procedings to suppose you think me in the wrong but imagine my feelings when I heard that you did not care whether I came or not that Ira would come if I did not, but that is all right for you to say if you felt like it, I forgive you every thing and ask of you the same

if I said any thing 2 weeks ago that hinted on your being slow I did not mean it , I hope you will never meet with the misfortune that I have that is to think so much of a person that cares nothing for you . I have run of the track in the dark you think if you had not given me the mitten that you would have got the same from me that would never have been, You may count me among Your many friends and I hope you will be blessed in every effort that you make to get more Interesting company than I, I always enjoyed your company and I am sory that you did not mine,

good by from Your
true friend Wm Scott

please keep this from other readers than Your self


Wallace Jan. 4,/ 84

Miss Plaisted,

Your letter a hand and contents noted I received it this morning. Rose I confess I have done you a great wrong Which I wish had never happened. But there is one word in your letter that if I had ever heard it from your lips it never would have happened. That word is found in the first line with five letters in it. Rose I was always well entertained when I came to your house by you and your people also, and I thank you verry mutch. I always had a splendid time whenever in your company. Oh: Rose can you forgive me for the great I have done.

But I think there is one line that does not alude to my ease it is this (when I saw your eyes in ire) did you ever see me mad or hear my voice in anger Oh: Rose do not accuse me of more than I did for what I have done is more than I can bear under. Oh: I was false But Rose I never left you for another for I did love you better than any other and so I do still But forgive me please. If you do not want my picture burn it.

But never give it to another I shall wate anxiously for the answer to this

Your ______ ________
Ira Miller
Wallace,
Steuben Co..
N.Y.

[on back says "Burn when read"]


A Tete a Tete Game

Set down a lady name. Some time past. The name of a place, either yes or no. yes or no again, A ladies name. Sometime to come, yes or no yes or no again. Name of a City or town. Some color yes or no Ladies name. Gents name. another Gents name still another name of Clergyman. sum of money, name a place, any number, any not exceeding 40.

[Rose's replies]
Ira Miller,
July 4 1883,
Portage.
Yes.
Yes.
W. Scott.
Dec 25 1885.
No. Yes. Rexville.
White. 3. Gray,
yes. Sam Griggs.
Jessie Moses. Stella Bishop
Grace Perry Abram Gould.
ten thousand. Bath.
1. 5.

To whom did you make your first offer. When: what place, Does she love you? Did you love her. Whom will you marry How soon? Does she love you. Do you love her. Where does she reside, color of her hair, her height, color of her eyes, is she pretty. Who will be Bride maid, the Grooms man, your confident, your rival, What clergyman will marry you, how much is she worth, withwhom will you live. How many servants will you keep, how large a family do you wish to raise.


Lucy and Rose
Lucy Wyckoff and Rose Plaisted

Jasper N.Y.
Jan. 16th 1884.

My dearest Rose:

I received your letter yesterday, I was up to my eyes in the washtub and I instantly extracted myself. You had a "devil of a time" dident you. that expression is not an original one I stole it from Patrick K. [?] I must tell you what a "devil of a time" I had last sunday. Mr. S. [Simpson, her sister's suitor] came to see Allie and I thought I was de trop so I got a volume of Tennyson and went upstairs to read. pretty soon ma came to the door and called me down there was Will T- [?]. well I marched him into the parlor and sat down. after a while I looked out of the window and there came a pair of gray horses and a cutter and a young man and stopped at our gate. it was Frank Simpson. well you cant imagine how awfully I felt I nearly fainted but Allie went to the door when he came in and told him I wasent at home. so it all came out right. but I never was caught in such a trap before. you could just bet your bottom dollar that I have got done having two fellows at once. I have got F.L.s [?] picture graph. I'll take it along when I go over to your house and let you see it. I can go any time after Feb. 1st I'm in such an awful hurry that it seems an age to wait but I shall have too for I promised too. but I shall not wait any longer than that.

Did I tell you that before that Ellie M. [?] and Jessie Van W. [?] were both married. well they are. and Allie and I are the only girls left up here.

You said you heard my fellow was a heartsmasher. he hasent smashed mine yet. any how.

What has become of Will Scott. you dident say a word about him. has he gone the way of Ira.

Allie and I are going to Cannisteo in a few days to have our pictures taken I wish you could go too, we would have a jolly time. I cant' half write for one of my terrible little irish kittens is climbing over me. Rose you really ought to send that letter to Wm. H. [Holmes, of first letter] and then some time we will trot them out and astonish the natives. I mean you will have Holmes come up to see you and I'll have F.L. up here, and we will have lots of fun, now if it could only be Joseph Heallott and we could have a storm house to sit in . we have got one over our back door but it would be pretty cold to stay in very long at a time. Heave you thought any thing about its being leap year. I have and I also have made up my mind who I shall leap at. Well I have got to stop scribbling or get some more paper, and I persume it will take you about a week to decipher this. write just as soon as you get this, and tell me who that young chap is that you flirted with at T-----[probably Troupsburg]. and if it turns out to be my fellow we will have to fight a duel. so much from your own loving. Lucy


Jasper N.Y
Feb 29th 1884

Dearly beloved:

Your letter came into my possession just 1 1/2 days ago. I was surprised shocked completely taken by storm. do you suppose she opened it? Why oh why dident you tell her that there had been a new law passed that any one that opened another persons letters wasto be beheaded. suppose she should open it what would be the result . she might die. and if she decided I guess we would if it was ever found out. Probably you have heard of our Canisteo expedition, today I believe is the day that I was to start. but I hardly think I shall get there the wind blows like a small hurricane and the thermometer is 150 [degrees] below zero nearly. I caught cold up at the sociable and it all settled around my heart. there. I felt another heartstring snap.

I've prepared an april fool card for Mr T-- [Talbot] it is a donkey drawn on a very pretty gilt edged card and I'm going to send the proposal too. I heard he was at the exposition in Jasper with some girl I dont know who. you remember I told you I knew I should not go with him any more. but I dont care I'll show Mr Talbot that there are other young men in this world quite as good as he.

You said not tell any one that you and Ira were corresponding. I guess you mean not tell D--- [probably David, Rose's brother, and a beau of Lucy's] dont you. I wont tell him or any one else. you can trust me.

I can hardly write decent today one of my irish cats is trying to make a mouse of my pen holder.

Rose Allie has been telling me that you and I will not be as good friends as we have been, I cant see any reason why we should not think as much of each other as we did, can you? I'm sure I dont want to lose all my friends just yet.

I've made up my mind not to have photographs taken yet. for I promised one to F.L. [?] you know and I want to wait until my flirtation with him gets cool so I wont have to give him one. I dont really like the idea of peddling my pictures to all the young men.

I'm awfully glad you heard from Ira but Rose did he say any thing about that "sweetly solemn thought". now tell me do. you said you would.

You know I told you about Maurice Moores wife, well she's got it . or rather she had it, and it froze to death. I guess it dident really freeze up stiff. but they let it get so cold that it died.

I heard you dident go to the dance why dident you.

I live in constant fear every time I pick up a newspaper I expect to see something in it about that letter, I've lost my oppurtunity in it about that letter, and I'm getting to be on regular ghost all thats lacking is the winding sheets and I can get them off from the bed. I really must stop writing for I get sillier all the time. When can you come over. I'm in such a hurry I cant tell half I'm writing. Oh say Rose I think Will Scott is real nice, I like him better than I did he bears acquaintance well, if I see him many times and keep on liking him better every time you may prepare to be minus a fellow unless you take mine or Ira. I will now say adieu forever and ever not quite. I guess your bestest friend

Lucy [Wyckoff]

Edward Harmon Plaisted Rachel Aber Plaisted
Edward Harmon Plaisted (Rose's father) Rachel Aber Plaisted (Rose's mother)
Original on glass

Saturday
Jasper N.Y.
Apr. 6th 1884.

My darling Rose:

I have been so awfully lonesome all day that I made up my mind I couldnt stand it any longer. accordingly I got my pen paper and ink and proceeded to pour forth my burning thoughts. I suppose I must put on my outside garments before long and waltz up to the red schoolhouse on the mounting and hear old Alderman discourse, I had rather be kicked. I feel more like going to a dance than to church but oh how lame I am. I haven't got a joint that dont ache. I havent smoked any more cigarettes but I'm going to very soon. Andrew B. is brokenhearted. the big tears run down his cheeks and he dont eat more than 1/2 as many pangcakes as he did while you was here. The Buffalo Girls are interfering with one to such an extent that I cant tell a word that I am writing.

I have carefully thought over our plans and tried to come to some conclusion as to how we were to bring in our hints. but alas! all I can think of is that we must watch our chance. unless we send them such a letter as we did to Ira. but I dont believe they would appreciate it if we did.

Well I've been to church . I was awfully in hopes that Din G--- [?] would be there but he wasent. there was one with a snub nose sat and made eyes at me all the time. I was mad at him because he wasent nice looking and so I dident make any back.

We are going to walk down to examination next thursday, I guess I'll have to go in and purchase a bunch of cigarettes of Mrs. Clarkson to cheer us on our homeward journey.

Tuesday. I have just got around to finish we have to work some now. I suppose you have heard of the party at Frank Wrights you and your huckleberry will not be likely to be there will you. for it will be a dance of course. you gave up dancing just in the wrong time I think, but of course you know your own business.

Doctor Perry has just gone away from here I thought some of asking him about Jennie Souths tumor, but I changed my mind about it. Allie and I are going on another "raid" some day this week we are going over to the Gully, it is about four miles from here I wish you could be here to go with us. it would seem quite natural to start out once more "spurred and booted" as we did when we started for the city. Pa wrecked his boots so sadly that he has had to borrow some of grandpa. Our evergreen horseshoe "holds out faithful" with about a thousand carpet tacks in it have you begun yours yet?

I must now say "farewell" another heart string has departed. I felt it go. but really dear Rose I must smoke a cigarette. I feel that it is my duty, and you know that I will do my duty. I hope I shall see or hear from you soon and in the meantime my dear girl put in the "hints" thick and fast. your own. Lucy. ta ta pleasant dreams good night yum yum


Troupsburg
N.Y.
July 9. 1884

Miss Rose Plaisted
Friend Rosa

If I am not mistaken I saw you at Woodhull on the evening of the fourth but did not have the oppurtunity to speak with you which I wished to do.

I would very much like the pleasure of calling on you some Sunday which I should have done last winter as I promised at the hall but it was so cold at the time that it was impossable to come.

Please forget all past promises and I will surely keep the newly made

Let me hear from you soon and oblige

Your Friend
Saml Griggs
Troupsburg , N.Y.

P.S.
I can come most any day if you say
S----


Jasper N.Y.
Sept 4th 1884

Dear Rose

I suppose you are enjoying the picnic very much I am not I might have gone but I chose to make a fool of myself which I do on every possible occasion. I watched Allie and Maggie start and wished all the bad luck on them that I could think of. Maggie has got the school again for a fall term. I think I'll attend. I dont think you ought to have changed Will for Mr. Griggs unless you wanted to people sometimes think differently you know. I think he is very nice looking but I dont know how good he is. he looks like a saint. but looks are often deceitful. I am alone today Ma has gone to quilt for Mrs. Giles and my 'stern parrient" has absented himself. and I think I could work myself into the blues very easily, the fair is quite close at hand, I propose to take that in my way. I shall go every day, provided I get a new hat and it dont rain pitchforks and darning needles. I'm getting disgusted with you and William but I believe there is something more to it than that you dont tell. I shall have to talk with Will. I had a chance the other day if Maggie hadent been along. I heard Wesley Smith was married everybody is getting married I think they are foolish dont you? they could enjoy themselves so much better if they had remained single I think Betsy B. [?] which she said.

Oh let who will oh let who can
Be tied unto a horrid male man
I would prefer a female woman

Allie has just got home and told me all about the picnic and I feel as lonesome as a grasswidder because I dident go.

I am trying an experiment if it is successful I guess I'll tell you about it, it is likely to prove rather interesting.

I have already written enough nonsense so I will close I suppose will see you Sunday but we never get any time to talk when you belong in that choir and I'm tied to Minnies apron strings.

I shall look for a letter about 24 hours after I send this and probably will get one in the same number of days at least.

Your loving friend
Lucy.

Rose in School
Rose at school (first one in second row?)
I can't identify any of the other children. School is probably in West Union.

Troupsburg, Oct. 19th, 84

My Dear Rose

I did not expect to come home in a week When I saw you last I came home last night I would come over this evening but I have got to go back to hartsville this afternoon. I hear the supprise party of Wednesday eve was a failure I thought wouldent amount to much without You and I.

I should like to see You shall come over as soon as convenient pleas excuse this short letter for I am out of practice

If I flirted as much as You do I presume I could write a better letter but then I suppose it is more natural for girls to flirt than it is for boys If you cant read this keep it till I come over. please write soon

Yours Ever,
Wm Scott
Direct
Highup or Wayup


Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Wyckoff,

request your presence at the marriage of

their daughters on

Wednesday Afternoon, Dec. 3d, 1884

at their residence

Ellsworth Simpson, Allie Wyckoff

David W. Plaisted, Lucy Wycoff

David Plaisted
David Wass Plaisted

Troupsburg, N.Y.
Dec, 7th [1884]

My dear Rose,

I recieved Your welcome letter of ther 24 to day have been away for the last 2 weeks. My dear you dont seem to have much confidence in me because I have not been to your house. You wanted to know my intentions they are just as they have been for sometime past. I will tell you the reason that I do not come to your house oftener it is because I think your folks do not approve of my going with you, I think they would be very much out of patience with us if they knew of our engagement but this does not hinder me from loveing you all the same, I do not blame them for that for it is natural for some folks please do not think I dislike your company because I do not come oftener I shall never love any other girl excepting yourself, It was all right your writing and I never saw any thing in you but what was you speak of writing a letter before this I did not get it.

My dear Rose you think my conduct strainge you would not wonder if you knew the state of my mind take things mild every thing will be all right,

I wish you much Joy with your sister

good by dearest, from
Will,

please destroy as soon as read,

these are the honest sentiments of my heart,

I have just read this letter and I cant make any sense in it if you can your a better scholar than I

My pen did not work to suit so I took a pencil


Troupsburg, NY
Feb 1, 1885

My dear Rose

You will excuse me for addressing You in this form, but I prefer this to any other I do not see why there should be any trouble between us I will admit that I have been to blame for staying away a good many times but as I have told you can give no reson only my (carelessness) I was careless I am sory that I have done as I have, but I am willing to do any thing that you ask of me to rectify any mistake I have made if it is not to late You did not tip Allen over going home did you I do not think You would do that I did not go home so quick the other night as I would if it had not been for You but I did not like to leave your company, I will have to close for this time hopeing this will find you well

from your friend Will,

please write soon

excuse poor writing for I am out of practice,


Troupsburg, N.Y.
Feb 8,1885

My dear friend Rose,

I recieved your letter last night and never have known what heart trouble was till I read the contents, I hope you will excuse me for taking the liberty to write you on the subject of my trouble but it is hard for me to give me up, You think I do not care any thing for You, I am sory my actions so deceive me,

I tell you truly it is with a sad heart that I write this letter for I feel that my happyest hours are past,

Oh if I could only recall the past few months I would do different You would not think me cold and indifferent, I think I have to pay dearly for any offense I have given you I think there must be something els connected with this affair that I do not know of if so I wish I knew what it was as you said of me I never took you to be a person that believed all you heard, if you have heard any thing that I have said that was ungentlemanly I hope that I said it before you abandon me altogether for if these wer the last words that I was ever to say I should deny saying any thing out of the way with you, but as your mind is made up I suppose it is useless for me to say any thing more, but when I think of the many happy hours I have past in your company, this is a sad day for me, I thank you for your kind invitations but I can not except of them under present cicumstances for I think my company would not be enjoyable to you,

good by,
from Your true friend Will,

I have still one more favor to ask of you please let the contents of these too last letters remain a secret betwen you and me,

I am sure you can grant this favor


Dr. Emeline S. Aber (Rose's aunt)
Dr. Emeline S. Aber

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Colburn

desire the pleasure of your company at

the marriage of Miss Emma S. Aber

to

Mr. Warren Atwood,

Thursday, Evening, November 26th,

at half-past seven o'clock,

1885

Warren Atwood. Emma S. Aber

[this was Rose's aunt's (Dr. Emeline S. Aber) second marriage; more info on her at this link]

[newspaper clipping enclosed in envelope]

Wedding Bells at Cambria

Married Thursday evening, Nov. 26th, at the residence of Mr. Harry Colburn, Dr. Emma S. Aber, of Cambria, and Warren Atwood, of Frontier, the Rev. Lilley officiating.

The wedding march was played by Mrs. Rev. W.Denman, of Jonesville, the ceremony performed in the presence of over seventy guests, and never were those brief but solemn words spoken in a more beautiful and impressive manner.

The contracting parties are well known in this vicinity. Dr. Aber by her twelve years successful practice and Mr. Atwood by the integrity and honor with which he has filled the various places of trust and honor assigned him by his townsmen. After receiving the congratulations of their friends, supper was served and at the close of the evening's festivities, Mr. and Mrs. Atwood left for Frontier, the home of the groom, where a reception was held on Friday by Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Clay, daughter and son-in-law of the groom. The presents received consisted of gold-lined silver tea set, silver water pitcher, silver cake basket, silver pie knife, silver desert spoon, set silver knives, cheese plate, celery dish, berry dish, Bible, Brussels rug, and student's chair.

A GUEST


Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Plaisted

request the pleasure of your

company at the marriage of

their daughter, Rose, to William A. Scott,

Wednesday, January 27th.,at one

o'clock, P.M., at their residence,

West Union.

1886

Rose & William Scott
Rose & William Scott

Rose married William Scott on January 27, 1886 and bore him five children, all girls (Mabel, Eva, Gertrude, Reba, and Mildred) before her death on October 18, 1899, at the age of thirty-three. The girls were subsequently split up amongst relations until the older girls could set up house and care for their younger sisters at which point they all lived together in Troupsburg. For more information on the Scott sisters, visit this page.

According to Rose's death certificate, she died of "Bright's disease", which was a kidney disease (now usually named nephritis), possibly related to an episode of scarlet fever. It is possible that at least Gertrude contracted scarlet fever at this point as well, since Gertrude died at age 36 of heart complications probably related to an early case of scarlet fever. The other four girls lived to be at least eighty years old.

All five of Rose's daughters went on to complete college, but only Mabel and Mildred married. Mildred had a daughter, Mary Patricia Hill, (my grandmother). Patricia Hill was the only offspring of Rose's children.Mildred had a daughter Mary Patricia Hill, (my grandmother). Patricia Hill was the only offspring of Rose's children.

The Five Scott Girls (Rose's daughters) David and Lucy Plaisted and Rose and William Scott
The Five Scott Girls, 1906 David & William & Rose & Lucy