Ames family

Left to right

Frank, Father Fordyce Ames, holding William, George, Mother Electa Rae Ames holding Fred in front, Henry back from Civil War, Hart holding John, Whit standing behind John and Hart.

Fred was the best friends with John. John was # 6 brother, then William # 7 and Fred the last # 8 brother. When Henry the oldest brother came home from the Civil War he was angry that his mother had another boy. He wanted a little sister. He refused to have his picture taken with the family if Fred the youngest brother was going to be in the photo. So Electa had a photo taken later of her 3 youngest boys. She cut out the photo of Fred and pasted him in!!! You can see in the photo how funny it looks. John looks very cute in his little stripped pants and shirt with ruffles.

John Doan at www.johndoan.com is named after his great grandfather John. They both seem to have a refined and kind nature. Rev. John Ames who loved his parishioners and John Doan who loves his students at Willamette University Salem Oregon and his fans for his recording career on his 20 string Harp Guitar.

OFFICE OF THE

Cape Vincent Eagle

Warren W. Ames, Publisher

Cape Vincent, N. Y., March 9 187 3

Dear Brothers, Fred and Will.

I have got some news to tell you! We are all well at present. Our writeing school is most out, only three or four more lessons. Prof. J. H. Warren our teacher offered 25 cards with youre name written on them, to the one that would write the best set of captals. Henry Marks and I got them, I will send you one of mine, so that you can see some of his work, he is as I have probly told you before, the best writer in the United States, “I can't begin with him.” perhaps I shall want you to send it back, keep it cleen

Fred you must write next time. I sent you a cupple of coppes of the Childrens Hour when you have red them them pleas send them to 10.ac. I also send you a coppy of the Schoolday Magazine. (keep that.)

Will you speak about not haveing any thing to read. Take the History of the United States and you will find it the most interesting reading you ever red, when you have red it through and can answer all questions tharein let me know it and I will send you reading enough to last a sentury, poste paid. __________

It is quite warm to day, it thawed and rained yesterday, does sap run yet down youre way? . …. …. . . .__ _.. . . . … …. . . .._ ._. . . __ ._ _... . . .._ _ _ . .. .__ . … _.. ._ .. … _.._. Telegraph above can you read it?

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t

._ _... … _.. . ._. __. …. .. _._. _._ _ __ _. ._. ….. .._. … … _

u v w x y z & . ?

.._ …_ .__ ._.. …. …. . ..__.. _.._. This is the telegraph alphebet, lurn it!

Will I cant think of any more to write now, only Whit talks of moveing into a room next of the office then it will be so handy for Ell, she wont have to run to the house every once in 30 minutes to fix the fire. I have not got time to write to you , Mother, for I must write to George to day.

To all of you.

From

John F. Ames

Cape Vincent N. Y.

Mother you need not send me no stockings I have got enough for this Winter

NOTES:

John Ames would be 15 years old in May. He seems to be living in Cape Vincent, going to school there and helping his older brother Whit on his newspaper, the Cape Vincent Eagle, then about one year from its start date.

Sad to say, John got about one third of the Morse Code alphabet wrong.

Left to right

John Ames, Fred Ames and William Ames

youngest Ames brothers.

This letter was written by 14 year-old John Ames to his eight-year old brother Fred Ames. John seems to have gone to Cape Vincent to work for his brother Whit Ames on his new newspaper the Cape Vincent Eagle.

OFFICE OF THE

Cape Vincent Eagle

W. W. Ames, Proprietor

Cape Vincent, N. Y., July 21 1872

Dear Brother

I supose you are writting to heere from me and so you shall. We are all well at present and and hope that you are sitting in the same saddle It is rainy to day and the weather is cool.

You ought to be up heare and see all the Cherry Trees which are verrey numerous, laidened with their writch and wripened fruit. Mr. Seeleys folks the ones who we hire the house of went to Mr. Irvines (a farmer who lives about 2 miles out) to pick some Cherries and fetched home large pales full (gave us a taste) and were invited to come again. Well Fred how are you on the swim cant swim nor dive yet eh I guess that I have got the start of you fellows I can dive swim on my back or under water) ask Eugene if he can). How does Mark get along. Please send the Visitor up heere and I will send it back again when I have read it.

Ma what is it about cloths I want a new Coat next winter and I dont know but I have got to have pants and vest Them pants Aunt B made are so big I dont want to ware them under a yeare or so And if I have got to have new cloths next winter why not get them now and so have them when I get my picture taken I think that I can get them cheep But it is just as you say if you want me to wate I will.

What is it about Mrs. Phillips Baby Ell wants to know whether it is a girl or a boy and if it is as handsome as its Parents.

We have about all we can do to keep up with the woork. We printed some Circulars for Charlie Corning he is going to have a Select School in Georgetown commencing Aug 20.

I have tried to rite a long letter but I have sliped up on it. I tried my bigest to rite a good one if it is short C ant hink of any more.

So good by Write soon from

J. F. Ames

to

Fred Ames

NOTES:

This letter was written by 14 year-old John Ames to his eight-year old brother Fred Ames. John seems to have gone to Cape Vincent to work for his brother Whit Ames on his new newspaper the Cape Vincent Eagle.

Cape Vincent is a small town on the St. Lawrence River about three miles below Lake Ontario. It had a strong French heritage and in the census of 1870 had a population of about 3,500. Cape Vincent is about 100 miles north of De Ruyter.

Ell who wants to know about Mrs. Phillip’s baby was probably William Elmer Ames, born in 1860 and seventh son of Fordyce and Electa Ames. John, William, and Fred were the three youngest children and brother George, the fifth son, was 18 years old in 1872.