153. Thomas Curtis⁴ Alderson (Abel³, Thomas², John¹) was born in Harford Co, MD 6 January 1820.⁽⁶⁷⁹⁾ Thomas died 12 December 1906 in MD, at 86 years of age.⁽⁶⁸⁰⁾

He married Mary Jane Barton in Harford Co, MD, 8 May 1849.⁽⁶⁸¹⁾ Mary was born in MD ca 1825. She was listed as a resident in the census report in Pleasantville, Harford Co, MD, 1860.

He was listed as a resident in the census report in Harford Co, MD, 1850. He was listed as a resident in the census report in Pleasantville, Harford Co, MD, 1860.

The following two letters from Tom G. Alderson, are transcripts of correspondence between Thomas Curtis Alderson (1820-1906) and his aunt, Mrs. Frances (Alderson) Alderson (1778-1856), of Palestine, Greenbrier Co., VA (now Alderson, WV). Thomas was the son of Abel Alderson (1775-1841), brother to Frances and son of Thomas Alderson. The writer presents a fascinating account of family life at that time, and he is quite frank with his opinions on being single, being a Democrat, and the recent Mexican-American War.

Bachalor's Hall Sept. 24th 1847

Dear Aunt, I received yours of the 18th June in due time but have neglected answering it owing to the pressure of business through the week, and no time of Sundays that day of all the rest being my busiest time. I have been nearly eight months living or rather staying in this most despisable way called "Bachelors Hall" sometimes solitary and alone, at other times having to get victuals for half a dozen men, not a female to be seen or heard except sometimes they would pass by and stone the house, but thank fortune, it is nearly at an end, for I have just concluded an article for renting the whole establishment, and as soon as I can get my produce sold I bid farewell to such a life, and try to seek a better, as there's no danger of getting a worse one. What business I shall engage in I cannot tell as yet. It's my intention of present to take a trip to the South and West to see my Brothers Abel and Benjamin and if I do you may expect a visit also. Perhaps my sister Elizabeth and I may take our Christmas dinner with you this winter, provided Mother's health will permit her to leave. I have now arrived to that age in which every young man should conclude what business he intends following or how he intends to live. Mother is much opposed to my renting and wishes me to continue on my farm, but what is the use, the man that lives to himself without a suitable companion, one whose interest would be mutual, drags out the most wretched life that can be. Let people talk or write of the charms of solitude as much as they please, its all a humbug.

You wish me to give an account of our family. That is a small task, and by way of doing it correct I shall commence at the oldest and take them in rotation. Lucretia has been married about 12 years to Dr. Mechem. He has a good practice and doing well, except he is a Democrat. They have two children Abel Francis and Sarah Ann. Lucretia has been a member of the Old School Baptist Church for several years. John is a farmer, has been married about 10 years ago, and a widower for the last three years with two children, Charles Davis and Sarah Frances. Sarah Ann has been dead some 20 years. Benjamin has been married about 10 years, a farmer in Missouri. He also lost his wife on the fourth of March last, leaving him six young children. He is rich from accounts. Jane has been married 10 years to Joshua Morris near Bell-air, our county town. He follows farming. They have no children. James is married and one child lives with Mother and follows tanning and farming. Abel lives in Fayette, Mississippi and practices law. Hannah has been dead about 24 years, and I, the ninth child, am a farmer living in single distressedness. Elizabeth lives with Mother and is also single, making 3 single and 5 married.

You seem to have been somewhat at a loss to know what character I assumed last winter while at Washington. It was nothing than a private, and a little too much so for my use, for during two weeks' stay, I did not make even one single female acquaintance, although I was staying at John Davis, a cousin of ours. It is a delightful place to be at during the sitting of Congress. It is worth a visit from anyone even though they should have to pay their booards while here. I expect to take a matrimonial excursion to Philadelphia on the 14th of October, as Brother John intends taking his second wife on that day. I have never seen her but from reports she is a very fine girl, but the misfortune is, girls generally bear that name before they get married. You seem to think the accounts which you have given of our relations will be of no great interest to me, not so, it always affords me great pleasure to hear from a relative whether they be of the same name or not. I am not so selfish, as some on that point, some there are who care not who sinks or swims, so they themselves are buoyed up by the tide of fortune. I must come to a close as I have to ride to Baltimore to?day, through a driving a distance of 25 miles. I would be glad to see some of you in these parts. Ther's no doubt you would be pleased as there has never any one visited it--yet--but has been pleased, as I have heard of yet. You may expect me through you country this winter and no mistake unless something very serious should turn up. Mother is quite feeble though she is able to go about and do some work. She is now near 70 years of age. My love to all enquiring relatives, and believe me your affection nephew. [P.S.] Do not forget to write and let us know how you all are and tell some of the rest write, if we are not acquainted, we are related and why not correspond. T.A.

Cheerful Innocence, Harford County Md March 23rd 1848

Dear Aunt, When I wrote you last I did expect to have been with you this winter, but alas! we know not what one day will bring forth. At that time I had some buildings to complete, which was necessary for the renting of my place, but being disappointed by the masons who were to do the stone work, I had to put it off till this spring, thinking still I would come and return in spring. Mother was taken down very ill. She had scarcely recovered before Elizabeth was taking down, which lasted some two or three weeks. By this time the scarlet fever got started some five or six miles off, and Dr. Mechem, having to ride night and day brought into his family, his daughter lying at the point of death with it, while the rest were hardly able to wait on her except the Doctor, which was seldom that he could be at home, induced Elizabeth and I to go to assist. A few days after our return Elizabeth was taken with it and so it has been in the family for the last months. Out of 9 in the family, none has escaped except James' journeyman, but none of them very serious except James and his child. He was nearly well but took a relapse by going out too soon. The child is not 18 months old yet, which made it more difficult to treat than it would have been had it been able to have talked. I was taking with it and the bilious, but am recovering fast, should I not get a back set I shall be able for work in a few days. So you can see that we have had an afflicted family for some time. I say we, because I have been boarding here since I quit keeping Bachelors Hall, and that has been ever since the weather got too cold to cook for myself, and it would be a fine thing if there was more of them frozen out, for it is a very poor life to live or rather to stay in. When I shall pay you a visit--it is hard to tell, as I am now halting between two opinions, some advises me to go to the study of medicine, should I adopt that I shall not attempt anything like a travel until I shall have accomplished my aim, which will take me at least two years. But if on the other hand I shall determine to go to the West, I shall give you a call either before harvest or soon after. It may be that I shall teach school for a young man from Maine, as he wishes to return to see his parents about the first of May. Some of our relatives might as well come on this spring to pay us a visit. Very well, perhaps better than any of us, as I suppose that out of so many there must be some that can command means by which they can take a short trip and spend a few months. They might come on to the Whig National Convention or before, that will be held in Philadelphia on the 7th of June next. Should life and health permit I intend being there and can be found by inquiring for the Maryland delegation, so if any of our friends should be there they can enquire at least for the Harford part of it as it might be they can't all get the same place. What do folks think of the treaty with you? I suppose though, it is the same in all parts, those that are in favour of the President, or rather, the "one-man power", will weigh it the best thing ever happened. But let partisans say what they will, Cromwell of England never was a greater dictator than Polk has attempted to be, "better that a millstone were hanged about his neck and dashed in the depth of the sea." The treaty proves the war to have been a war of conquest for the accumulation of territory, territory too that will be an expense to the nation as long as it stands, or at least till I get to be President. But I must come to a close for I am so weak that my hands trembles too much to write. They all send their love to you and the different connections, while I remain your affectionate nephew.

Thomas Curtis Alderson and Mary Jane Barton had the following children:

692 i. Abel A.⁵ Alderson was born in Harford Co, MD ca 1850. He was listed as a resident in the census report in Pleasantville, Harford Co, MD, 1860. He was listed as a resident in the census report in Midland, Beaver Co, PA, 1910.

693 ii. Thomas Alderson was born in Harford Co, MD ca 1852. He was listed as a resident in the census report in Pleasantville, Harford Co, MD, 1860.

694 iii. George Alderson was born in Harford Co, MD ca 1854. He was listed as a resident in the census report in Pleasantville, Harford Co, MD, 1860.

695 iv. Margaret Alderson was born in Harford Co, MD ca 1856. She was listed as a resident in the census report in Pleasantville, Harford Co, MD, 1860.

696 v. Frances Alderson was born in Harford Co, MD ca 1858. She was listed as a resident in the census report in Pleasantville, Harford Co, MD, 1860.

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