Ron Allen
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In searching for old books over the years, I've come across a number of old nineteenth century 'Sentiment Books' from east Tennessee. They contain notes, poems and other sentiments written to the album's owner by friends and acquaintances. When I was a youngster, some called them "Roses are Red, Violets are Blue" books, since that was the most common type of unimaginative comments written in such little albums back then. But in older such volumes, the original writings -- sometimes humorous, sometimes sentimental, often poetical -- often exhibit the rather unexpected level of intelligence and ability of young people back then. Reproduced here is one such book, from my personal collection, originally the property of a young girl named Mattie Whitson, who lived in Clinton, Anderson County, Tennessee.
Friends and relatives wrote their sentiments in Mattie's album during the years from 1862 to 1867. Whether in fact these young people were in all instances the original composers or writers of all of the sentiments in this book, or perhaps in some instances had copied from others, it is a rather amazing glimpse into the minds of these youngsters in the middle nineteenth century. The fact that they were capable of such legible and sometimes beautifully composed writings at the time, when many in East Tennessee could neither read nor write, certainly has elevated my opinion of the abilities of some in those times.
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To Mattie
How few in life one friend can find
Who'll sympathize in heart and mind
with treasured thoughts that we hold dear
and does not change as far or near
But by his kindness give a pleasure
That's better far than earthly treasure
Yet whoso'er this blessing wins
a favored life each day begins
begins anew and ends in joy
since love like this knows no ally
But seems in those to who it's given
Much less of earth than 'tis of heaven
May such a friend be thy fair lot
to live in stately hall or not
to double joys, or share thy woes
on who thy ever canst' repose
that this thy happy lot may end
is the best wish of thy true friend
Love
East Knoxville, October 14th, 1862
(Unsigned)
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To Mattie
May earth's brightest flowers
ever 'round thy pathway lie
Nor the darkest shadows never
cloud the sunshine of thy sky
Helen
Clinton, Tenn., March 18th, 1864
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To Mattie
May I think and you find out
I have a fear and a doubt
come a question I will ask
to you it will be a task
see if you can find out
you will then know
what I am about
Written by me
"Balaam"
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My Sentiment Fully Expressed
Let those refine who will at fate
and drop their heads in sorrow
I thought when cares upon me wait
I know they'll leave tomorrow
my purse is light, but what is that
my heart is light to match it
and if I tear my only coat
I'll laugh then while I patch it
Written by a lover of money and
a lover of the girls that has got the money
I would get upon my knee, if that would do
to get money or a kiss from you
(Unsigned)
March 17th, 1865
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Miss Mattie
Here is one leaf reserved for me
and here my simple song might tell
the feelings thou must guess as well
but could I thus, within thy mind
one little vacant corner find
O, it should be my sweetest care
to write my name forever there
Allison
July 18th, 1864
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To Miss Mattie Whitson
The rosate hue is on thy cheek
and youth is on thy brow
thy mind for aught I know is meek
I never saw this until now!
Oft time in wandering through the land
we met with many a lovely face
in friendship grasp a snowy hand
and lives to lives in love we place!
And now, adieu! we'll met no more
nor have we met today
my heart a sadness ever wore
nor wilt thou make it gay
( signature illegible)
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To Mattie
I wear a jewel in my heart
more brilliant than a diamond's light
and with it I would never part
thy friendship is that jewel bright
When first we met I seemed to know
a kind spirit dwelt in thee
our heart's would thrill with friendship's glow
and echo back it's melody
I found the all I thought and more
than I in others often find
Thou dost not scan the casket o'er
and by its lusture judge the mind
Friend of my heart, though years to come
may drift our life-barks far apart
thine image still will have a home
a cherished picture in my heart
Then smoothly glide down life's streams
the waves ne'r ruffled by a breath
and when life ends it's fitful dreams
Unite beyond the vale of death"
Clinch River Cottage, April 18th, 1863
Mountain Mattie
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David M. Nelson
Ex : Lieut. Batty' 'B'
1st. Tenn. Lt. Artillery
( Signature only - from a Civil War soldier)
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To Mattie
Thine be the praise Mattie Fair
and with it take the poet's prayer
that fate may in its purist page
with every kindness best presage
Of future bliss, enroll thy name
and wakeful caution still aware
of ill - but chief, name's felon snare
all blameless joys on earth we find
and all the treasures of the mind
these by thy guardian, and compensation
so prays thy faith friend
John E. Chapman
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Joe Marshall loves money
Mat Whitson is not far behind
Joe also loves honey
Mat also loves wine
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May happiness thy pillow be
may peace thy brow entwine
may every earthly bliss be thine
is still my wish for thee
M.T.,, East Knoxville Nov. 1862
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Dear Cousin Mattie
When summer's sunny hues adorn
thy forest hill and meadow
the foliage of the evergreen
in contrast seems a shadow
But when the winds of autumn have
their sober rein asserted
the landscape that cold shadow shows
into a light converted
Thus thoughts that flow upon our mirth
will smile upon our sorrow
and many dark fears of today
may be bright hope tomorrow
Kate
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Miss Mattie You requested me to write in your album. I cheerfully comply. But feel my inability to properly portray thy many virtues, graces, and accomplishments, which shine forth with all the effervescence of a noon day's sun, to make glad the hearts of all who come within thy friendship's circle. May this world be to thee a vast field of pleasure, in which no seeds of sorrow shall be sown, to mar thy earthly happiness. When your earthly probation shall wind to a close may you sink kindly down as a summer's sun, below the western horizon, whose rays though not so effulgent as when in the zenith, are you more beautiful and mild. May the ravages of time and the cares of life never obliterate thee from my memory, are the wishes of Your true friend, Clinton, Tenn. April 20th, 1867
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Who has not seen Matty
she lives at the foot of the hill
in a sly little nook
by the babbling brook
that carries her father's old mill
(Unsigned)
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May Angels with their snowy wings
fan every shadow from thy brow
Is the wish of your friend,
Mollie
Clinton, Tenn., Nov. 30th, 1862
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To cousin Mattie
But then to part! To part when time
has wretched his tireless wing with flowers
and spread the richness of a clime
of fairy o'er this land of ours
when glistening leaves and shaded streams
in the first light of autumn's lay
and like the mirror of our dreams
the viewless breezes seem to stray
I was bitter then to remind the heart
with the sad thought that we must part
and like some low and mournful spell
to whisper but one word - Farewell
Yours affectionately
Kate
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Dear Mattie
OH! May your life be ever bright
and joys be pure and gay
and you obtain a glorious crown
to last through endless days
Sallie, April 2, 1867
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To My Sister Mattie
My sister, companion and friend
we are friends by the earliest choice
our union and childhood began
and still we can week and rejoice
in unison only, my sister
while many in solitude walk
together we travel along
or pang like twin buds on a stalk
we call ourselves flowers in song
the showers that kindly descend
have nourished us both as they passed
and together we shiver and bind
assaulted by the winterly blast
but let every sigh be expressed
since mutual our pleasures must be
the ivy that climbs to its breast
is reckoned a part of the tree
And Oh! May we never divide
till closed in this turbulent day
should I lose you, my sister and friend
how dreary the rest of the way
Lizzie
Clinton, Feb. 18th, 1864
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Tis' not for fame I write on friend's life page
nor for wits to whet their wits on
but to be remembered in old age
by the lovely Miss Mattie Whitson
'Cosmopolitan'
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For Mattie
May thy pathway through this sinful world be strewn
with flowers of the brightest hue
May not one single iota mar thy existence here on earth.
May thy sky be cloudless
and may the breeze fan thy cheek be perfumed with the roses sweetest fragrance.
May you enjoy health of body, a cheerful mind, long life and happiness.
May you live in the fear of the Lord. And when the winning of thy days shall come May you sink to rest as calm as the summer's twilight
Is the wish of Your Friend, Allison
July 19th, 1864
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