August, [1855],1 No year is given, but the sequence of events related in this letter matches what is reported by James White for their visit to Maine in 1855. According to the Review report, the Whites visited Palmyra, then traveled to Hartland for Sabbath meetings, and on to East Pittsfield for further meetings on Sunday. See: James White, “Visit to Maine,” Review, Sept. 4, 1855, p. 36.
Letter to Identity: Major clues to Harriet's identity are that she had lived in Paris (first and last paragraphs) and that she has two sisters named Angeline and Paulina (which is the likeliest interpretation of the first paragraph). These particulars exactly fit Harriet Stevens, daughter of Cyprian and Almira Stevens, of Paris, Maine. Ellen White was closely acquainted with Harriet Stevens, who had left Paris the year before to assist James White at the publishing house in Rochester, New York. Now that Ellen was visiting Harriet's house in Maine, it was natural for her to write a friendly letter to Harriet, back home in Rochester. See: 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Harriet Stevens,” Maine, Oxford County, Paris, p. 194.
Harriet Newall Stevens.2
Previously unpublished. 1EGWLM 458.3
A visit to James White's parents and two sisters in Maine. 1EGWLM 458.4
Dear Sister Harriet:
Here I am at your old home in the girls’ chamber.3 The Whites’ visit to Paris, Maine, was in mid-August 1855, toward the end of an 11-week journey through New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine, which had started in mid-June and ended back in Rochester, New York, on August 30, 1855. See: “At Home,” Review, Sept. 4, 1855, p. 36. See: Note 2.
Since we wrote you last5 The most recent letter from Ellen White to Harriet Stevens that is still extant is Lt 1, 1854, written March 10, 1854, more than a year earlier, but would not fit into the short-term time scale suggested here. The letter referred to here is not in the White Estate archives. Aug. 11, 1855. See “Visit to Maine,” Review, Sept. 4, 1855, p. 36. The three towns mentioned in these opening paragraphs—Palmyra (the parental home of James White), Hartland, and Pittsfield—are within about 10 miles (16 kilometers) of each other.
James [James Springer White] was burdened and distressed beyond measure on the way to Hartland. He wept like a child. I pitied him. He said he wanted to help his folks, but they would not be helped. Mother [Betsey White] did not feel as Father did. She longed to keep the Sabbath. She believed it with all her heart.8 John White was a longstanding member and deacon in the Christian Connection denomination. According to his obituary, John White had since 1842 “cherished faith in the leading points of the Advent doctrine,” without, apparently, leaving the Christian Connection. Despite the efforts of Ellen and James, he did not become a Sabbathkeeper until some years later (see note 15 below). See: “The Venerable Dead,” Review, July 18, 1871, p. 36.
At Hartland had a good meeting. All there were very glad to see us. There is a band in Pittsfield [Maine] lately been raised up. First rate people, I should judge; some of them were present. 1EGWLM 459.2
James had quite a free time and the church was much comforted. Took supper with Brother and Sister Flanders [Samuel W. and Elizabeth M. Flanders].9 Identity: Although there are several individuals named Flanders mentioned in the Review during the 1850s, the only ones located in the Hartland—Pittsfield area of Maine, through which the Whites were traveling, were Samuel W. and Elizabeth M. Flanders, of Canaan, about eight miles (13 kilometers) from Hartland. See: Search term “Flanders” in Words of the Pioneers.
Sunday, rose with sick headache, but go we must. Had an appointment to Pittsfield in the afternoon, about 12 miles [19 kilometers] distant. We rode in company with Abram and wife.10 These persons have not been identified. Identity: Very likely “Brother Burton” is S. G. Burton of Pittsfield, Maine, the only Burton mentioned in the Review during the 1850s. Since he is located in Pittsfield, the very area through which the Whites were traveling, the identity is confirmed. That “S. G.” stands for “Samuel G.” is given in census information. See: Search term “Burton” in Words of the Pioneers; 1840 U.S. Federal Census, “Samuel G. Burton,” Maine, Somerset County, Pittsfield, p. 210; 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Samuel P. [sic] Burton,” Maine, Somerset County, Pittsfield, p. 93; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “Simon [sic] G. Burton,” Maine, Somerset County, Mayfield, p. 0; 1870 U.S. Federal Census, “Samuel G. Burton,” Maine, Somerset County, Mayfield, p. 238. Identity: Ellen White's association of Mr. Lothrop with the “Messenger paper,” which was published by the breakaway Messenger Party, provides a useful indication of his identity. James White later recalled an “Eld. Lothrop” who had joined “in full fury with the Messenger spirits against us and the Review.” Since both “Lothrope” and “Lothrop” are associated with the Messenger Party, it seems likely that they are one and the same person, despite the divergence in spelling. James White provides the further information that Lothrop was a preacher and that the Whites had met him in Canada East. This points to Howard Lothrop, from Eaton, Canada East, as the person in question. There are several reports in the Review of Howard Lothrop's preaching activities during the early 1850s, and James White mentions meeting with “Brother and Sister Lothrop of Eaton” while in Canada East in 1850. See: [James White], “Organization,” Review, Aug. 27, 1861, p. 100; W. [James White], “Our Tour East,” Advent Review, August 1850, p. 15; search term “Howard Lothrop” in Words of the Pioneers; EGWEnc, s.v. “Messenger Party.”
I think the children will not be left in darkness. They will see these things and know of what spirit he is of. 1EGWLM 460.1
After meeting closed we went to the house [of] one of the brethren. They made us stop to supper, molasses again for drink. There we met a Scotch girl from the highlands of Scotland. She is a Sabbathkeeper. Talks much like Jane [Jane (“Jenny”) Fraser].13 Identity: Probably Jane Fraser, who assisted in the White household. According to the 1860 census she originally came from Scotland. See: 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “Jane Frazer,” Michigan, Calhoun County, Battle Creek, p. 224.
We drove to Father's that night, found Mary Chase [Mary S. Chase]14 Older sister of James White, married to Daniel Chase in Fairfield, some 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Palmyra. See: 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Mary Chase,” Maine, Somerset County, Fairfield, p. 133.
A change, a wonderful change took place in Father's feelings in one day. His mind is settled. He will move just as soon as he can.15 James White reported a few weeks later in the Review that his parents “desire to see a more fertile soil, and to spend the rest of their days in a milder climate, free from the cares of the old farm home.” They did eventually settle in Battle Creek, Michigan, to be with James and Ellen. The exact date of their move is not known, but according to later reminiscences of James White his father spent his last “twelve years at Battle Creek, Michigan, where he died July 5, 1871,” thus locating the move to about 1859. Certain entries in Ellen White's diary for 1859 support this date (Ms 5, 1859 [Jan. 28 and Mar. 20]). The statement “He will move just as soon as he can” might also, given the context of the letter, refer to John White's intent to keep the Sabbath in the future. There is some disagreement in the sources as to when John and Betsey White actually began to keep the Sabbath. James White, in Life Sketches, claims 1856, but in his father's obituary he gives the year as 1860. The earliest contemporary reference to their observance of the Sabbath is found in Lt 31, 1859 (Feb. 21). See: “Visit to Maine,” Review, Sept. 4, 1855, p. 36; James White, Life Sketches (1880), p. 9; “The Venerable Dead,” Review, July 18, 1871, p. 36; Martha Byington, 1857 diary; Ellen G. White, Lt 31, 1859 (Feb. 21), note 4. Older sister of James White married to Thomas B. Tenney, a farmer living in St. Albans, Maine, about five miles (eight kilometers) from Palmyra. See: 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “Thomas B. Tenney,” Maine, Somerset County, St. Albans, p. 160.
Tuesday, Father and Mary helped us to the depot about six miles [nine kilometers]. We parted with the tenderest of feelings. And on, on, we came in the [railroad] cars. The old stage brought us to Paris Hill [Maine]. Changed there for a single wagon and soon we were to your own home. Just before we got here saw Frances, Rebekah, and Angeline17 Harriet Stevens had three sisters listed in the 1850 census: Angeline S., Paulina R., and Frances J. It seems very likely that Ellen White is here referring to these sisters. The identity of “Rebekah” is uncertain. See: Note 2 above; 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Maine, Oxford County, Paris, p. 194.