Warren
Wood Working Co. Belvidere N.J. Aug. 4th 1902
Dear
Cousin Henry J.:
I
desire to inform you of the A.& A. family reunion picnic which was held at
the home of Henry Aten of Hope on the 2nd inst. The day was a pleasant one, quite warm but
clear and beautiful. The reunion was
one of the best we have yet had. There
were I am safe in saying fifteen hundred people in attendance. Good cheer prevailed.—Henry and Mrs. Aten
and daughter Luella were in good humor and all met the guests and friends at
the gate and welcomed them. A large
American flag was suspended among the trees. A platform had been built in front
of the house and the Hope Cornet Band discoursed street music. A male quartet sang several appropriate
songs. There were several short speeches made
Miss
Emma F. Albertson gave two recitals—Mrs. Ada B. Albertson gave one, and Mrs
John S. Hoagland of Greencastle Indiana gave a humorous reading. A Piano duet
was played by the Misses Mary and Alice Allen of Delaware N.J. All the above are in the Albertson kinship. Rev. Wm. Aten and sister were present. He
made a few well chosen remarks—Mr. Fred P. Auten of Trenton N.J. was present.
Hon. Wm. C. Armstrong of New Brunswick N.J. of Albertson kin, made a very fine
address.—Rev. Burley and Rev. Hall both of Hope N.J. made short addresses;—and
just as the company was about to separate the beautiful song “God be with you
‘till we meet again” was sung by all and Rev. John S. Hoagland made a closing
prayer. As I said above it was a full
gathering—and the largest attendance we have ever had—The citizens of Hope
turned out well.—we went in the same coach that we went
up
in the time you was here. 18 persons in
all went up in the load from this place.—They resolved to have another next
year to be at the home of John J. Albertson at Zion’s Chapel.—in Knowlton
township.
Cousin Aten, do you remember the evening that you and
I were returning from Hope—that when we stopped the horse a few moments near a
church on the brow of a hill and looked at the sun sinking behind the Mountain
over in Pennsylvania? If so do you remember looking down in the valley and
seeing a large elegant farm home, with a large lawn with evergreen trees in it?
If so that is the place.—You will remember also that I said, “that is where old
Uncle Peter Aten lived for many years;—and where afterwards his daughter Cousin _______ [cut off]
and
raised her family;—and that I also said that, that was the place—in the old
house, where Peter Aten died! It was
afterwards owned by a Mr. Brands and for some years by his son-in-law, John
J. Albertson! It will be a fine
place. The only drawback that it will
be away from the railroad. I had
intended that if it was not a success this year to not bother any more with it.
I spoke to some about having our picture taken, like the one you sent to me in
your last letter, but they did not seem to care for it. Your letter was rec’d with pleasure. We are all well at my home. Mrs. Hay is not very well. She was not able
to go up to Hope.
Crops
of all kinds are good out here but we have had so much wet weather it has
hindered in getting in the hay and oats.
Potatoes are very good. Apples and fruits are quite plentiful. I hope that Edna and Stella had a fine time
out in Colorado. I would like very much
to visit that marvelous country—We all send love and kind regards to you
all. I will be pleased to hear from you
at any time.
[I
am yours very respectfully and fraternally Nicholas Harris]