The tax stamp on this photograph indicates that this
picture was taken between 1864 and 1866. Jameson was about 30 years old.
A letter written by Jameson Clark to Augusta Clark and her husband, John Creed Moore:
Cold Spring, Put. Co., N.Y., March 2nd, 67
Dear Sister,
Your letter to mother has arrived also a circular to Father from Mr. Moore & a letter
from Eddy - Well here we are in the little house on hill [what there is left] Father, Mother the children
Walter, George & myself, all in extreme poverty of the worstest kind. Dallas is boss of a shop
in N. York City, he is going to be married in May. Lou de Mille was hitched just last night to
one of the LeMaine girls so I heard & Melissa is going to do likewise before soon. Mother and
Jessie are just going to prayer meeting. The winter which has been very severe is about over,
We have had lots of snow and ice & any quantity of zero weather to fill up the chinks. The river
is open once more & every thing begins to have the appearance of an early spring. Eddy seems
to be at last contented with his situation it is the first time I ever knew him to be so - long may
he kontinue so. Aunt Martha is living in a pleasant place near the Depot at Garrisons - the
house is one of the largest in this vicinity - I have been to visit her several times this winter &
always found her in first rate spirits - although I don't believe they have any more of [can't read]
than they know how to [can't read] Melissa is as [can't read] as ever you know she must be
or her feller would not have taken such a shine after her. The children are all fat ragged &
barefoot, they are all sadly off for clothes & shoes I don't think Mother was ever so much in
want as she is now - Never since I can remember. Grandma is up to Uncle James. I suppose
she is well, we have not heard from her since last winter. I suppose you remember Mat Ward
and Mike Newman's son on West Point.They have both got commissioned in the regular army -
Father has been out of employment several months, he got cheated out of his pay for what he
did do [two months], he is always very unfortunate somehow- Will you ask Mr. Moore to find
out if he can, if the deed that Mother has of the Land they bought from Mrs. Henry in the
Northwestern part of Texas is of any value. Dallas is doing better than any of us [can't read]
got the situation for him, he gets a hundred dollars per month for taking charge of the shop &
lives like a gentleman he don't have to do a thing only see that the men that works do. Walter is
doing quite well but he has to work hard - George the same- I will send you some papers with
this for Mr. Moore. I don't suppose you get many where you are - I really wish I could get a
good place down south where I could get good pay, I never can here the people are too stingy.
Why don't Mr. Moore or yourself write to a feller if either of you do I will not fail to answer--
My love to all yr aff. bro. Jameson
The contents of this letter was graciously provided by Gene Barnett.
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