This is the last letter we have from Swen Peter. Though he is very ill, he is making plans for the future and has bought more land. He also tells of the troubles of another immigrant Swede he knows.
Andover 3 Oct 1869
As brother August sends a letter, I will with gratitude write some lines to you my brothers and tell how it is with us. It is rather good, as long as we work hard.
I will let you know how the harvest was this year. We got something from it all, but not as much wheat. We have straw but not much grain. Because of that I have lost $1,000 this year.
I was not satisfied so I have looked around and bought another farm and will move the next spring.
Now my brothers, you who want to come here next spring can perhaps stay with me as farmhands. I would be rather glad because I have land in three places. I do not want to entice you. Do see what is best for you.
Hans Petter from Fundshult came here with a strong body, but now he is bad and his health will never come back. He went away to work as a railway worker. He had to sleep on the ground directly because there was no cottage there. He has now come back with a bad body and will not stay in bed. He wants to go "back to Fundhult". He has brain damage and is dizzy and acts like he is crazy.
Sven Petter
Showing posts with label Swen Peter Swenson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Swen Peter Swenson. Show all posts
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
10. May 12 1869
In this letter written by Sven Petter and signed by Johan August, Sven Petter Swenson and their sister, Lovisa's, husband, Hans Olson, who are in America, there is a discussion of what to do about Spakarp Farm. As more of the family emigrate to America, there is concern for the "old" (the parents) and what will happen to Spakarp. Victor is deciding whether to stay in Sweden or move his family to America and seems to have made an offer for Spakarp. There is some concern about their brother, Hans Alfred, who we think has had some personal mental problems. The letter is complicated with money denominations that are hard to understand. Irene has done a wonderful job of translating, but I will shorten that part of the discussion.
Roselyn
This is a response to your question in your last letter about how to divide Spakarp. We have given much thought about that what the best should be. We have decided that if "the old" will agree that the farm be sold to Victor, part of that money would be deposited in the bank for the loan and part will be for the "old" with money left. Hans shall have some money as a compensation for being at home and giving his best days. Then some of the rest would be given to each who has not received their inheritance. The money from the auction of other things would be given to the children. There is a little debt on the house, which must be paid first from the children's inheritance.
Father, I (Sven Petter talking) will say a little about brother Hans and his compensation. You should not forget that it is only you who pay him. He has been at home and worked ten years, the best time of his life and helped his parents and siblings and brother-in-law. He should not have to come here with bad body and clothes like rags. It should not be so. Some of you say he has what he needs. If anyone says that, I say it is unjust and not right. The one who is religious, which I think you are, Father, will say yes to that.
Now we have told you what our opinion is and wish that all will be satisfied. We think that Fredrik and also Karl Magnus think that the asking price is too high for a farm that does not feed people. Then my wish is that of seven sons, somebody ought to stay in the father's house and take care of the father's ground. You talk about renting, which will be much worse. The farm will be ruined. If brother Victor will agree, do not say no to that. It is better for him to do that than to go to America with wife and so many children without having somewhere to live. My dear parents, I wish that Victor and his wife will be kind to you. You can let the young work and the old be restful.
Now we leave it to "the old" and may see how it will be, because it is not polite that the children oppose the parents. The Lord says: "The one who goes against his father and mother is not worth welcome when I come". S.P Swenson
We have dry and warm weather and are planting corn now, or as you say in Sweden "maize, so we are in a hurry. We use two pair of horses and we have another three younger ones, and 33 swine, I would be happy if I could just send you 5 swine and a load of wheat in a letter.
J.A. Swenson, Hans Olson, S.P. Swenson
When you have read the letter and thought it over, we will wait to know what you decide. Kindest regard and farewell to you all.
From Roselyn: Jonas Victor Swenson (my ancestor) decided not to buy Spakarp and emigrated with his wife and family the next year to settle in Riley CO. Kansas. The final heir to Spakarp was Gustav Albert, some of whose descendants now own the Spakarp Farm.
Roselyn
This is a response to your question in your last letter about how to divide Spakarp. We have given much thought about that what the best should be. We have decided that if "the old" will agree that the farm be sold to Victor, part of that money would be deposited in the bank for the loan and part will be for the "old" with money left. Hans shall have some money as a compensation for being at home and giving his best days. Then some of the rest would be given to each who has not received their inheritance. The money from the auction of other things would be given to the children. There is a little debt on the house, which must be paid first from the children's inheritance.
Father, I (Sven Petter talking) will say a little about brother Hans and his compensation. You should not forget that it is only you who pay him. He has been at home and worked ten years, the best time of his life and helped his parents and siblings and brother-in-law. He should not have to come here with bad body and clothes like rags. It should not be so. Some of you say he has what he needs. If anyone says that, I say it is unjust and not right. The one who is religious, which I think you are, Father, will say yes to that.
Now we have told you what our opinion is and wish that all will be satisfied. We think that Fredrik and also Karl Magnus think that the asking price is too high for a farm that does not feed people. Then my wish is that of seven sons, somebody ought to stay in the father's house and take care of the father's ground. You talk about renting, which will be much worse. The farm will be ruined. If brother Victor will agree, do not say no to that. It is better for him to do that than to go to America with wife and so many children without having somewhere to live. My dear parents, I wish that Victor and his wife will be kind to you. You can let the young work and the old be restful.
Now we leave it to "the old" and may see how it will be, because it is not polite that the children oppose the parents. The Lord says: "The one who goes against his father and mother is not worth welcome when I come". S.P Swenson
We have dry and warm weather and are planting corn now, or as you say in Sweden "maize, so we are in a hurry. We use two pair of horses and we have another three younger ones, and 33 swine, I would be happy if I could just send you 5 swine and a load of wheat in a letter.
J.A. Swenson, Hans Olson, S.P. Swenson
When you have read the letter and thought it over, we will wait to know what you decide. Kindest regard and farewell to you all.
From Roselyn: Jonas Victor Swenson (my ancestor) decided not to buy Spakarp and emigrated with his wife and family the next year to settle in Riley CO. Kansas. The final heir to Spakarp was Gustav Albert, some of whose descendants now own the Spakarp Farm.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
7. 1869
These are parts of undated letters sent by Sven Petter, mostly to Victor about coming to America. I have dated them 1969 because they follow others about the same subject. Even though he is ill, Sven Petter is trying to help his siblings. Johan August has already come to America.
Andover IL 1869
Something else I want to let you know about is the sale of grain, which is only a little. I have 18 buyers every day (?). Sometimes I have 6 horses, 12 cattle and 25-30 pigs. Every year I need grain to feed horses and pigs. I have large expenses and small income. Here we have winter rye, but we mostly use spring wheat. Broom rye we use to sweep the cottage.
To go from Sweden to here the money shrinks. If you have four thousand you get 12 hundred in dollars. I am a little disappointed with Hans money. He had $200 left after he had bought a few household things and a stove. He cannot do anything for me next year because he does not know how to drive a couple of horses.
My friends and brothers, I am a poor writer because the sun has burned me so I am shaky and am failing as a man.
You should know that you must promise to spell and read in pounds and you will be here a little quicker to get together wheat so you can soon eat.
Brother Victor is going to Spakarp to think over what to do with the farm. My younger brothers would not be one day in Sweden if they were thinking right, but I will not force any of them.
S. P. Swenson
I will say that if brother Hans comes alone, I think he will be satisfied and manage well.
Brother Victor, read this little note at last, because I have written much in the two others before, which you perhaps have not understood. I leave it entirely up to you to go or not to go. If you have a farm and have settled down, there is some possibility to get enough to make a living, you should stay. But if you see that it is not enough, do not wait too long so you will be without enough money for the trip. In that case it will be too late. Do you understand that? Nearly all maids and farmhands ought to quickly go. But I will not force or entice anybody.
Therefore, search your happiness while you are young. When you get old it is too late. (I think Sven knows he is dying and is only 37 years old.)
S. P. Swenson
You talk about coming together. It can be ok but "the old" should stay and die in Sweden. It will not pay at all if they come, because Father has bad health. You have the right to go to a new country.
Sister Lovisa sends her greetings. She is well. She is fine looking and has much to eat and something to do. Her husband, Hans, is laughing constantly and pats her.
Andover undated probably 1869
Now we are caring for two children, one is four and the other is two years but they are not our children. Their mother died and we are caring for them.
Now I have 70 acres of ground (does he mean planted or his own ground?) My health is worse and my lung sickness hangs over me, but I can still work some.
Kindly regards to you all and friends.
S. P. Swenson Carolina Swenson
I will say that if Hans is feeble minded he should not come.
Andover IL 1869
Something else I want to let you know about is the sale of grain, which is only a little. I have 18 buyers every day (?). Sometimes I have 6 horses, 12 cattle and 25-30 pigs. Every year I need grain to feed horses and pigs. I have large expenses and small income. Here we have winter rye, but we mostly use spring wheat. Broom rye we use to sweep the cottage.
To go from Sweden to here the money shrinks. If you have four thousand you get 12 hundred in dollars. I am a little disappointed with Hans money. He had $200 left after he had bought a few household things and a stove. He cannot do anything for me next year because he does not know how to drive a couple of horses.
My friends and brothers, I am a poor writer because the sun has burned me so I am shaky and am failing as a man.
You should know that you must promise to spell and read in pounds and you will be here a little quicker to get together wheat so you can soon eat.
Brother Victor is going to Spakarp to think over what to do with the farm. My younger brothers would not be one day in Sweden if they were thinking right, but I will not force any of them.
S. P. Swenson
I will say that if brother Hans comes alone, I think he will be satisfied and manage well.
Brother Victor, read this little note at last, because I have written much in the two others before, which you perhaps have not understood. I leave it entirely up to you to go or not to go. If you have a farm and have settled down, there is some possibility to get enough to make a living, you should stay. But if you see that it is not enough, do not wait too long so you will be without enough money for the trip. In that case it will be too late. Do you understand that? Nearly all maids and farmhands ought to quickly go. But I will not force or entice anybody.
Therefore, search your happiness while you are young. When you get old it is too late. (I think Sven knows he is dying and is only 37 years old.)
S. P. Swenson
You talk about coming together. It can be ok but "the old" should stay and die in Sweden. It will not pay at all if they come, because Father has bad health. You have the right to go to a new country.
Sister Lovisa sends her greetings. She is well. She is fine looking and has much to eat and something to do. Her husband, Hans, is laughing constantly and pats her.
Andover undated probably 1869
Now we are caring for two children, one is four and the other is two years but they are not our children. Their mother died and we are caring for them.
Now I have 70 acres of ground (does he mean planted or his own ground?) My health is worse and my lung sickness hangs over me, but I can still work some.
Kindly regards to you all and friends.
S. P. Swenson Carolina Swenson
I will say that if Hans is feeble minded he should not come.
6. January 18 1869
This is a letter to Sven's brother, Jonas Victor who is my great grandfather. Apparently, Jonas Victor has asked for advice from Sven about coming to America--the pros and cons. Sven gives him both sides. He thinks that most of the best land in Illinois has already been taken.
Roselyn
Andover, !L 18 January 1869
By request of Victor, I will give answers and common sense about coming to this country. I know that you will not believe my letter. I write the truth and not a lie. You know that I will not urge you to come here to America. The reason why I write this, is that when you come here and get to eat enough you will not remember the distress in Sweden. You will want to go home like sister Lovisa does. The second day she wanted to go home, to live one day here and one day in Sweden. Perhaps it would be so for you brother Victor if you come here.
I think that both you and your wife have a good head, knowledge and a little humor. It is not odd that it is slow to decide. You are now sitting with cattle, house, home and little of everything. You want to come here. You sell everything for nearly nothing. You take your money, your children and wife and come here. When you come, you have nothing. You cannot use your language here. You are not sure you can learn English or not. Your money is gone, but you don't feel that so much. You will miss your Swedish place and your house. There is why you have sadness.
I say, if you cannot get what you need where you are now, come here in the right time, when you have enough money. Clothes and food you can get where ever you are. If you do not demand more, you will be grateful for the little you have. What we have is a loan from God and we should not search for our treasure here on earth, but rather in Heaven.
My friend and brother Victor, if you come here looking for getting a large estate like many people think, you may be disappointed. If you come to take the Lord with you and ask for mercy and forgiveness, he will be with you always and give you daily bread. If you have such thoughts it will be good for you.
You ask how we use the milk we get. We let the calves suckle and I have 30 pigs who need a little. The milk is not so great, so we have nothing to boast of. The land here is going fast and it will be less and less. Finish and great regards to you.
S. P. Swenson
Roselyn
Andover, !L 18 January 1869
By request of Victor, I will give answers and common sense about coming to this country. I know that you will not believe my letter. I write the truth and not a lie. You know that I will not urge you to come here to America. The reason why I write this, is that when you come here and get to eat enough you will not remember the distress in Sweden. You will want to go home like sister Lovisa does. The second day she wanted to go home, to live one day here and one day in Sweden. Perhaps it would be so for you brother Victor if you come here.
I think that both you and your wife have a good head, knowledge and a little humor. It is not odd that it is slow to decide. You are now sitting with cattle, house, home and little of everything. You want to come here. You sell everything for nearly nothing. You take your money, your children and wife and come here. When you come, you have nothing. You cannot use your language here. You are not sure you can learn English or not. Your money is gone, but you don't feel that so much. You will miss your Swedish place and your house. There is why you have sadness.
I say, if you cannot get what you need where you are now, come here in the right time, when you have enough money. Clothes and food you can get where ever you are. If you do not demand more, you will be grateful for the little you have. What we have is a loan from God and we should not search for our treasure here on earth, but rather in Heaven.
My friend and brother Victor, if you come here looking for getting a large estate like many people think, you may be disappointed. If you come to take the Lord with you and ask for mercy and forgiveness, he will be with you always and give you daily bread. If you have such thoughts it will be good for you.
You ask how we use the milk we get. We let the calves suckle and I have 30 pigs who need a little. The milk is not so great, so we have nothing to boast of. The land here is going fast and it will be less and less. Finish and great regards to you.
S. P. Swenson
5. January 21 1868
In this letter Sven Peter is suggesting to his brothers they should come to America while they still have enough money for the trip. You will notice that all the family go by their second names. Even my father and some of his siblings also went by their second names.
Roselyn
Andover 21 January 1868
The letter I received 15 January came too late to me. A man with the same name has got it out of the post office, and I cannot help you with any money because I had loaned out $350 before and will not get it back until next autumn.
I have heard that it goes backwards for you at Spakarp, so try to sell everything, and my nine siblings could receive about $75 each. Let both my parents and yours have the rest of the money for needs. It will be the best to do so while you have something left. If you stay more years in Spakarp youwill have nothing left. The more you work, the more you will be be poor. I do nothing during the whole winter and get on well. From New Year we have had cold weather but no snow yet.
You, (Johan) August and (Gustav) Albert want to come here and you can come, but I say that you come too late. I nearly came too late. Now I can say that I have money enough to be able to live here. If you come it will be good for me. I can give you work, my brothers. If you can, come early in the spring to learn the ways, but only buy the ticket to the town of Geneseo, where you can stay. At that place there are always many Swedes with corn, so you can go with them to Andover. You should only take a few clothes in a little trunk. If you get this letter, let all read it. As father is sick he should have money for living and Hans and Gottfried can come another year.
A Lovely Greeting. S. P. Swenson
Roselyn
Andover 21 January 1868
The letter I received 15 January came too late to me. A man with the same name has got it out of the post office, and I cannot help you with any money because I had loaned out $350 before and will not get it back until next autumn.
I have heard that it goes backwards for you at Spakarp, so try to sell everything, and my nine siblings could receive about $75 each. Let both my parents and yours have the rest of the money for needs. It will be the best to do so while you have something left. If you stay more years in Spakarp youwill have nothing left. The more you work, the more you will be be poor. I do nothing during the whole winter and get on well. From New Year we have had cold weather but no snow yet.
You, (Johan) August and (Gustav) Albert want to come here and you can come, but I say that you come too late. I nearly came too late. Now I can say that I have money enough to be able to live here. If you come it will be good for me. I can give you work, my brothers. If you can, come early in the spring to learn the ways, but only buy the ticket to the town of Geneseo, where you can stay. At that place there are always many Swedes with corn, so you can go with them to Andover. You should only take a few clothes in a little trunk. If you get this letter, let all read it. As father is sick he should have money for living and Hans and Gottfried can come another year.
A Lovely Greeting. S. P. Swenson
4. February 19, 1861
In this letter we learn that Sven Peter has contracted tuberculosis and is feeling his mortality as he writes much about religion and God. It is sad to read of this when he and Carolina had worked so hard to be a success. There was a lot of tuberculosis in America, and most people who got it died. My father, Victor Skonberg, lost three older siblings to that disease, bringing sorrow to his whole family, especially his mother, Matilda Swenson Skonberg.
Sven Peter also writes about his success and happiness in having a "cottage".
Roselyn
Andover 19 February 1861
To you my dear parents and brothers and sisters and even my fellow-creatures, I wish all the best from now and forever.
My friends, I will tell my situation before I am separated from you. My health is not good now. I have been ill since May 10, 1860 and there is no help for my illness--just death. The illness is tuberculosis. Only a minority can be cured. I have been strong and healthy, but it is finished. As I have written before, in this country you can get ill quickly because the weather changes so often from summer one day to winter the next day (this was before they knew what caused tuberculosis and often blamed it on the weather) This is a strain for the working people. I have worked much during the dry weather, but no longer. Everything has been in vain. I cannot get my health back anymore, but I say thanks to God who has given us grace. (Irene writes "there is so much about God, I cannot write everything").
I would be happy if I could talk to you face to face for only one hour. I will try to tell you a little about our clergymen. We have divine service at 9:00 on Sunday morning until 3:00 in the afternoon and then again in the evening from 7:00 until 11:00 or 12:00. We also have divine service in the week both three and four times. (Irene writes "then come several lines about trespasses and forgiveness").
Now I will tell you that I have built a cottage on my land and the cottage is small, not so big, but it is a place for two people. The cost is only $100 and I am so happy now that I have a home, which is mine. If I had good health I would have everything I want to have. I am happy that I did not get ill as soon as I came here. Now I have so much that I can take care of my myself. I have property worth $400.
You ask what we use for heating. We burn coal which we take from the ground and that makes a fire.
There are even sheep in some places here and our calves do no freeze because they nurse. It is our remedy for keeping them. If the animals in Sweden were allowed to be outside, they would be much better and not get pains or lice.
Last spring I wrote you before I got ill and sent portraits. Did this arrive? I have heard that you have to pay for my letters, but that is not correct because I have paid in full. I have more money to pay for the letters than you have. It does not cost me so much. I can earn enough in one day but you cannot.
We had a good harvest here last summer but we are having a cold winter with much snow. In Kansas they had a bad harvest--both animals and people are starving. It has been such dry weather, the ground has been red like fire.
In the South of America there is a war (The Civil War). But it is not a problem for me. They who want war can make much money, many thousands of dollars from the public. But nobody is forced to do that.
Irene writes that she cannot find the rest of this letter.
Sven Peter also writes about his success and happiness in having a "cottage".
Roselyn
Andover 19 February 1861
To you my dear parents and brothers and sisters and even my fellow-creatures, I wish all the best from now and forever.
My friends, I will tell my situation before I am separated from you. My health is not good now. I have been ill since May 10, 1860 and there is no help for my illness--just death. The illness is tuberculosis. Only a minority can be cured. I have been strong and healthy, but it is finished. As I have written before, in this country you can get ill quickly because the weather changes so often from summer one day to winter the next day (this was before they knew what caused tuberculosis and often blamed it on the weather) This is a strain for the working people. I have worked much during the dry weather, but no longer. Everything has been in vain. I cannot get my health back anymore, but I say thanks to God who has given us grace. (Irene writes "there is so much about God, I cannot write everything").
I would be happy if I could talk to you face to face for only one hour. I will try to tell you a little about our clergymen. We have divine service at 9:00 on Sunday morning until 3:00 in the afternoon and then again in the evening from 7:00 until 11:00 or 12:00. We also have divine service in the week both three and four times. (Irene writes "then come several lines about trespasses and forgiveness").
Now I will tell you that I have built a cottage on my land and the cottage is small, not so big, but it is a place for two people. The cost is only $100 and I am so happy now that I have a home, which is mine. If I had good health I would have everything I want to have. I am happy that I did not get ill as soon as I came here. Now I have so much that I can take care of my myself. I have property worth $400.
You ask what we use for heating. We burn coal which we take from the ground and that makes a fire.
There are even sheep in some places here and our calves do no freeze because they nurse. It is our remedy for keeping them. If the animals in Sweden were allowed to be outside, they would be much better and not get pains or lice.
Last spring I wrote you before I got ill and sent portraits. Did this arrive? I have heard that you have to pay for my letters, but that is not correct because I have paid in full. I have more money to pay for the letters than you have. It does not cost me so much. I can earn enough in one day but you cannot.
We had a good harvest here last summer but we are having a cold winter with much snow. In Kansas they had a bad harvest--both animals and people are starving. It has been such dry weather, the ground has been red like fire.
In the South of America there is a war (The Civil War). But it is not a problem for me. They who want war can make much money, many thousands of dollars from the public. But nobody is forced to do that.
Irene writes that she cannot find the rest of this letter.
3. March 19, 1860
This is the second latter from Sven Petter. It is much shorter than the first letter we have. He tells of sending a "portrait" of themselves. It would be nice to see it. There are no pictures of them that survives.
Roselyn
Andover 19 March 1860
Dear Father and Mother and Siblings. We wish you everything good. While it is time I send some lines with a person who is going to Sweden this week.
We will tell you that we have good health until now. It is a good advantage.
I will send you our portraits so you can know us as when cannot see each other face to face. We send it as a memory. When it comes to you, look at it closely and then send the other half to my parent-in-law, but be careful about the portraits. We hope it will go quickly to my parents-in-law. Please try to do as I want, if that is possible.
My time for writing is short, so I can not tell you any details. We live on our place still and are satisfied and glad with our exchange. We have provided much since we came here. We have bought ground, which I wrote in the last letter and we still have our cattle. We have 7 cattle and oxen today and I have thought if I have had this farm in Sweden I should be a rich man.
My friends, my time is short so I finish my letter for this time with a kindly greeting to you all.
Sven Petter Svenson and Carolina Andersdotter.
I ask for an answer if you had not sent that before.
Roselyn
Andover 19 March 1860
Dear Father and Mother and Siblings. We wish you everything good. While it is time I send some lines with a person who is going to Sweden this week.
We will tell you that we have good health until now. It is a good advantage.
I will send you our portraits so you can know us as when cannot see each other face to face. We send it as a memory. When it comes to you, look at it closely and then send the other half to my parent-in-law, but be careful about the portraits. We hope it will go quickly to my parents-in-law. Please try to do as I want, if that is possible.
My time for writing is short, so I can not tell you any details. We live on our place still and are satisfied and glad with our exchange. We have provided much since we came here. We have bought ground, which I wrote in the last letter and we still have our cattle. We have 7 cattle and oxen today and I have thought if I have had this farm in Sweden I should be a rich man.
My friends, my time is short so I finish my letter for this time with a kindly greeting to you all.
Sven Petter Svenson and Carolina Andersdotter.
I ask for an answer if you had not sent that before.
Monday, August 22, 2011
1. September 1859 Part 3
This is the last part of the letter. Sven Peter tells more about life, his family and coming here, etc.
Roselyn
I have thought much about you, my siblings. I know your living earnings in Sweden. I see what should be better for you, but I will not say that you should come over here. The parents would be worried and our father would not be well here. The person who comes over must have good health for it demands it here. So you had better stay where you are as long as you can. You must understand how to do it before you try to come here.
I understand that brother Hans has to go to the military two years in succession. We do not know about that here, not any war or military service. Here there are no supermen, you are as you are.
We have no names of the farm. The man's name is on the farm. What we call Andover is a town where we post our letters. I live close to the town so I can see it every day. When you write, let me know if there is postal service between Vimmerby or Svinhult or some other place, so you could receive the letter faster.
I hear it has been very hot and dry in Sweden. We have had the same here, but we have got a good harvest in spite of that. I also hear that Lovisa (his sister) is getting married and will live in Hamra. Victor (his brother) already has two heirs. I have been married nearly as long as Victor, but I have no heir. Still no child is on our way. My wife send a patch of a quilt she is making for Lovisa so you can see what it is like. She has sewn four. We cannot come to the wedding, Lovisa. We wish you a happy marriage.
Now, my sisters and brothers I have in a few words told you about how we are and a little about America. I have more to tell but my work is waiting. I only will say some words to all of you. We have a fight in this world, but let us not fight in vain and remember the Heavenly Father and pray about help from Him. The Lord bless us and save us forever. Amen
Kindest regards to relatives and friends and thousands regards from us.
Sven P Svenson and Carolina Andersdotter.
Roselyn
I have thought much about you, my siblings. I know your living earnings in Sweden. I see what should be better for you, but I will not say that you should come over here. The parents would be worried and our father would not be well here. The person who comes over must have good health for it demands it here. So you had better stay where you are as long as you can. You must understand how to do it before you try to come here.
I understand that brother Hans has to go to the military two years in succession. We do not know about that here, not any war or military service. Here there are no supermen, you are as you are.
We have no names of the farm. The man's name is on the farm. What we call Andover is a town where we post our letters. I live close to the town so I can see it every day. When you write, let me know if there is postal service between Vimmerby or Svinhult or some other place, so you could receive the letter faster.
I hear it has been very hot and dry in Sweden. We have had the same here, but we have got a good harvest in spite of that. I also hear that Lovisa (his sister) is getting married and will live in Hamra. Victor (his brother) already has two heirs. I have been married nearly as long as Victor, but I have no heir. Still no child is on our way. My wife send a patch of a quilt she is making for Lovisa so you can see what it is like. She has sewn four. We cannot come to the wedding, Lovisa. We wish you a happy marriage.
Now, my sisters and brothers I have in a few words told you about how we are and a little about America. I have more to tell but my work is waiting. I only will say some words to all of you. We have a fight in this world, but let us not fight in vain and remember the Heavenly Father and pray about help from Him. The Lord bless us and save us forever. Amen
Kindest regards to relatives and friends and thousands regards from us.
Sven P Svenson and Carolina Andersdotter.
1. September 1859 Part 2
In this part Sven writes about the housing, the animals, the weather and the grains. Rye bread is the common bread in Sweden and immigrants had to get used to using wheat. It is still the custom in Sweden to eat 5 meals a day. Immigrants had a difficult time changing to 3 meals a day in America. Our experience in Sweden is that they drink even more coffee than we do! He is becoming satisfied.
Roselyn
We are not so "circumstantial", here is only a "cottage" for horses. They who have money can build good enough, but they who have not money have to support themselves any way they can. There are deals to buy, but we live many hundred miles from there. They who have not money have not much to build for. The farm animals are freezing much during the winter. They have no protection against the cold. It is colder here than in Sweden. But the winter is not so long, only 4 months. The sky is much lower here. The sun "works" more and it is big thunderstorm here. Our grain we get during the spring. We cannot cultivate rye wintertime because the weather changes so much, no snow on the ground and cold wind. The roots get broken off. Certainly somebody can get winter wheat here, but it is not many years you can get rye. If you could that would be much better. The climate here is so intense during the summer.
The food is good but not enough. Those who come lose much of their strength. They use too much coffee here. Breakfast and supper are not used here (?).
I will let you know that you can buy land, but to build and put up fence costs three times more than to buy land. We need to earn money. You need money for everything, but the clothes are not so expensive here as in Sweden. The reason is that they use sewing-machines. They do nearly everything with a machine. We under open sky can thresh 100 barrels a day or more and that machine both threshes and shucks at the same time.
The first letter I wrote you I thought I was more satisfied here. If you shall say the truth it was quickly dreary when we came here. At least a year you must be here for getting accustomed to the country. Now I should not want to go back in any way, but of course it would be nice to speak to you for a week but not longer. I have much to tell which I cannot describe.
Many people have gone from Andover to Kansas, but they soon come back. They have not commended Kansas. I think they scantily have religion or clergyman. We have both here. America is large, many times larger than Sweden, but I think that the best land is here. In Kansas the price of land is good compared to here. It does not matter. I am so satisfied with the land I have. I only want to be able to have a cottage but I am happy.
Roselyn
We are not so "circumstantial", here is only a "cottage" for horses. They who have money can build good enough, but they who have not money have to support themselves any way they can. There are deals to buy, but we live many hundred miles from there. They who have not money have not much to build for. The farm animals are freezing much during the winter. They have no protection against the cold. It is colder here than in Sweden. But the winter is not so long, only 4 months. The sky is much lower here. The sun "works" more and it is big thunderstorm here. Our grain we get during the spring. We cannot cultivate rye wintertime because the weather changes so much, no snow on the ground and cold wind. The roots get broken off. Certainly somebody can get winter wheat here, but it is not many years you can get rye. If you could that would be much better. The climate here is so intense during the summer.
The food is good but not enough. Those who come lose much of their strength. They use too much coffee here. Breakfast and supper are not used here (?).
I will let you know that you can buy land, but to build and put up fence costs three times more than to buy land. We need to earn money. You need money for everything, but the clothes are not so expensive here as in Sweden. The reason is that they use sewing-machines. They do nearly everything with a machine. We under open sky can thresh 100 barrels a day or more and that machine both threshes and shucks at the same time.
The first letter I wrote you I thought I was more satisfied here. If you shall say the truth it was quickly dreary when we came here. At least a year you must be here for getting accustomed to the country. Now I should not want to go back in any way, but of course it would be nice to speak to you for a week but not longer. I have much to tell which I cannot describe.
Many people have gone from Andover to Kansas, but they soon come back. They have not commended Kansas. I think they scantily have religion or clergyman. We have both here. America is large, many times larger than Sweden, but I think that the best land is here. In Kansas the price of land is good compared to here. It does not matter. I am so satisfied with the land I have. I only want to be able to have a cottage but I am happy.
1. September 1859 Part 1
Sven Peter Svenson and his wife Carolina Andersdotter emigrated to America in 1857. He is the oldest son of Swen Johnsson and Great Pehrsdotter. (In Sweden for many years, the child took the father's first name and added son for the boys and dotter for the girls. Women kept their maiden names)
This seems to be the second letter he wrote to his family in Spakrparp and he mentions having received two from them. We do not have the first letter. This part of the letter tells about how things are for them and the cost of living here. He has concern for his father's health. Times were hard in Sweden in these years and I think there was some hunger. Good health was a constant concern.
This letter shows that Sven and Carolina are ambitious and successful in getting a good start in America.
It is interesting to note that his wife seems to have some property of her own. Roselyn
Andover 24, September 1859.
My dear parents, siblings, relatives and friends. I wish you everything good. I will with much gratitude answer your letters. The first arrived 27 February 1859, which told that you were alive and had the health. I say Thank You God for the same for us. The second letter came to me 22 September 1859. It was nice to hear about you, but not so pleasure to hear that you were bad in different ways. Such a pain and hardship that Father now was more ill than when I was home. I am sorry for that, and who can work, I am so far away and cannot help you. You have had so much care for me.
Perhaps you think that I have forgotten you, but now I will tell why it was such a long time before I write. I have been working with buying a piece of land. Now I have bought 10 acres of land, so I can tell you that I am so happy with 10 acres of land I have my perfect food. I have paid 100 dollars for that corresponding to 400 Rdr in Sweden.
I have had good health the whole summer so I have earned $100 off the land and we have some dollars left. My wife has also had a little income from a cow and a calf for the summer and a little of everything, so we are living at the same place as the last year and we will stay here over the winter for we are feeling much agreed with our master. I have got much since I wrote the last time, when it was bad and heavy. Now the light begins to shine over us, everything gets better and better. We are very happy because we know America.
I can tell that we have two cows, three heifers, two pigs and also fowls and it is a great value here because you earn much with having farm animals. This winter if God gives me the health I will tame my first bullocks.
I will with a few words answer our request how prices are here. Wood, carriages and tools are immoderately expensive. A complete log here costs here $100, a carriage with four wheels several hundred dollars, a room in town one dollar for a week, in the country 25 cents. We can buy 40 acres of land in built or unbuilt area for $1,000 and it supports six persons.
This seems to be the second letter he wrote to his family in Spakrparp and he mentions having received two from them. We do not have the first letter. This part of the letter tells about how things are for them and the cost of living here. He has concern for his father's health. Times were hard in Sweden in these years and I think there was some hunger. Good health was a constant concern.
This letter shows that Sven and Carolina are ambitious and successful in getting a good start in America.
It is interesting to note that his wife seems to have some property of her own. Roselyn
Andover 24, September 1859.
My dear parents, siblings, relatives and friends. I wish you everything good. I will with much gratitude answer your letters. The first arrived 27 February 1859, which told that you were alive and had the health. I say Thank You God for the same for us. The second letter came to me 22 September 1859. It was nice to hear about you, but not so pleasure to hear that you were bad in different ways. Such a pain and hardship that Father now was more ill than when I was home. I am sorry for that, and who can work, I am so far away and cannot help you. You have had so much care for me.
Perhaps you think that I have forgotten you, but now I will tell why it was such a long time before I write. I have been working with buying a piece of land. Now I have bought 10 acres of land, so I can tell you that I am so happy with 10 acres of land I have my perfect food. I have paid 100 dollars for that corresponding to 400 Rdr in Sweden.
I have had good health the whole summer so I have earned $100 off the land and we have some dollars left. My wife has also had a little income from a cow and a calf for the summer and a little of everything, so we are living at the same place as the last year and we will stay here over the winter for we are feeling much agreed with our master. I have got much since I wrote the last time, when it was bad and heavy. Now the light begins to shine over us, everything gets better and better. We are very happy because we know America.
I can tell that we have two cows, three heifers, two pigs and also fowls and it is a great value here because you earn much with having farm animals. This winter if God gives me the health I will tame my first bullocks.
I will with a few words answer our request how prices are here. Wood, carriages and tools are immoderately expensive. A complete log here costs here $100, a carriage with four wheels several hundred dollars, a room in town one dollar for a week, in the country 25 cents. We can buy 40 acres of land in built or unbuilt area for $1,000 and it supports six persons.
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