| Notes |
- Corydon came to California, living in Woodland, Yolo County. He was called "Coe" by the family, and for many years he corresponded with his niece, Ellen Cogswell Sturge Dallas, eldest daughter of Corydon's half sister, Prudence Sprage Cogswell. Ellen was only two years younger than Corydon. Three of his letters are transcribed below:
Office of C.P. Sprague
Attorney-at-Law
625 Main St.
Woodland, Cal.
April 17, 1883
My Dear Ellen Your kind letter informing me of your change of residence came to hand yesterday. I was glad to hear of the general good health of our Stanislaus* friends. I went to Stockton on Sunday 8th inst. and of course I went to your old home the first thing, but before I reached the door something seemed to say to me, Ellen is not here. When I found you had really gone I assure you I felt lonesome, for I had expected to find you there. After residing so long in the city and having so much company you must feel lonely in such an out of the way place as Waterford. But you need not be confined there. You can go when and where you please and I hope you will please to visit us occasionally. Our folks are all well and all seem comparatively happy escept myself. I have the blues sometimes when business in dull but try to conceal my feelings.
It will always be more convenient for you to visit us then for us to visit you. I have no news to write, except that George Potter** and wife from Michigan made us a short visit not long since. They left the Michigan People well, but they report Ruth and Semantha*** failing rapidly. Ruth insisted upon their visiting Corydon. They asked her if she desired to send any word; she answered, Yes. Tell him to seek Salvation. So you see what is uppermost in her mind.
Write often and visit us frequently. Your old uncle
Coe
Love to all the family, especially to Sister Prudy****.
*Stanislaus: Ellen's brothers lived in Waterford, Stanislaus County, California ** George Potter: Son of Diantha DeGraff Potter, Corydon's niece [daughter of Sally Sprague DeGraff]
***Likely Samathan Preston, Corydon's niece [daughter of Rebecca Sprague Preston]
****Prudence Sprague Cogswell, Corydon's half-sister.
Woodland, November 23th 1883 Dear Ellen, It is not because I have any news to write, but because I am anxious to know how you are getting along in the settlement of Mr. Dallas'* Estate , how your health is, how you are situated, how your mother's health is and how the boys are getting along. We are all well and about as comfortable as could be expected in anticipation of the incoming administration of that great and good man, Grover Cleavland. Mother Sibley** is as healthy as she ever was in her life. Charlotte*** is at home working as hard as ever and scolding me about over a week for not writing to you or visiting you. Frank**** at the last election was elected District Attorney, his salary twenty-five hundred dollars a year, and he ought [I should think] to be able to live on that. Ellen**** is at home with all her odities as usual. Fred**** graduated in the public school last Spring and is now attending college, is a faithful student and expects to graduate in two years. Well, about Chand***** and Ed*****. I suppose if they wanted to see me they would either come and see me or let me know so that I could go and see them. Has your mother****** got back to Stockton? If she is there let me know it and I will come and see her almost any day. Now I have written enough to let you know what I want you to write about, and if you are able I wish you would write immediately. Charlotte sends her respects and I am your affectionate Uncle, C. P. Sprague
*Charles Dallas: Ellen's deceased husband.
**Mother Sibley: Corydon's mother-in-law
***Charlotte: Corydon's wife
****Frank, Ellen, Fred: Corydon's children
*****Chandley & Edson Cogswell: Corydon's nephews, son of Prudence Sprague Cogswell
******Prudence Sprague Cogswell, Corydon's sister.
1144 Broadway
Alameda, Cal.
May 1, 1904
Dear Ellen, Your letter, informing me of Clara's* death, written on the 25th ult. for some reason did not reach me until the morning of the 29th, the day after Clara's funeral. The sad news of your family sickness and of Clara's death, together with my foolish forebodings regarding my own affairs disqualified me to answer your letter at once. I, of course had only a limited acquaintance, made upon me a very favorable impression and to me, her children seemed to possess more than average intelligence and domestic felicity. When I think of Chandley it is generally as a young man, and it is hard for me to realize that he is a man about 75 years old; his loss is irreparable and though I can sincerely sympathise with him, I can in no way comfort him. You too must be lonely and will miss the society to which you have long been accustomed. Ellen we are not GETTING old, we are ALREADY old, but it would not be philosophical, sorrowfully to lament that our time is nearly spent; yet as unseasonable as that would be, I must admit that I am rather a disconsolate old man.
There was a time when I think I had many friends whom I cherished but
"They have passed away.
"The fair in form, the pure in mind
"And like a sticken deer I stray,
"When all are stange and none are kind." Frank** has been with us ever since last September. Very soon after we left Shasta County he was taken sick and was in a private hospital and under a Dr.'s care and that of a private nurse most of the time from February to September. After he came down here his health seemed to improve for a time, but he in the dark fell down stairs and I think permanently injured his back and has not since been able to do anything. Fred** did not seem to be successful in establishing a practice in San Francisco. He has now gone to Sonoma where his prospects seem to be quite flattering. Charlotte*** and Ellen** are as well as usual. I used to think I did very well at letter writing and really enjoyed, but now everything is awkward, and it seems to me I can write nothing of interest, but I think if we were so situated that we could visit each other frequently, our declining days would be more pleasantly spent. Remember me kindly to Chand**** and Ed**** and the rest. Write again and i will try to summon more courage to reply.
Affectionately
C.T. Sprague
*Clara Sykes Cogswell, wife of Chandley Cogswell, Corydon's nephew
**Frank, Fred, Ellen: Corydon's children
***Charlotte: Corydon's wife
****Chandley & Edson Cogswell [brothers of Ellen], nephews of Corydon.
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