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What is a Love Letter?
Tender words of a budding courtship
Intimate expressions of love
A refusal to be rejected
Mary
and Thomas Cope
Poetry
Autograph
Albums
David Hackman
Wartime
Letters
Valentine's
Day
Sarah
and Jasper Yeates
Credits
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A Love That Panned Out
David Baer Hackman (1827–1896) was the second child of David
Heistand Hackman and Susanna Frantz Baer. He was a third cousin,
once removed, of Milton Hershey. In 1850, David went out to California
in search of gold. He kept a journal and sent many letters home
to his brother, Andrew. David’s obituary shows that he was
involved in the grocery, clothing, hat, and shoemaking businesses.
In the 1860 Census he is listed as a hatter, and in 1880 as a saloon
keeper.
Harriet B. Miller (1829–1870) was the daughter of Adam and
Rebecca Miller. David wrote to Miss Miller while he was in California,
but did not receive any letters from her. However, they reunited
upon his return to Lancaster and married soon after. They had one
son named Augustus, who became a minister. David and Harriet are
buried in Manheim Fairview Cemetery.
David B. Hackman one of Manheim’s best known citizens…He
was a man of kind and genial disposition, and had many friends who
will regret to learn of his demise.
Obituary, 1896
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Letter to Harriet Miller from David Hackman
8 November 1850
The informal tone of this letter indicates that David and
Harriet knew each other and were close at one time. He pleaded
with her to write to him, told her briefly about his journey
and his health, and offered to send a specimen of gold.
LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ARCHIVES, MG-72, DAVID B. HACKMAN
COLLECTION
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I will inform you that I expected a letter of you before
this time…I would very much like to here
from you because I haind heard from you for six month, and
it will be two month longer yet before
I get to hear of you and that is rather long not to hear of
a Dear Love. Which it used to be, but wether it is so now
or not that I don’t know. But I hope it may be so yet
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But before I come to Manheim I should wish to have you
sent me a few lines to Lancaster that I may [know] wether
I am a wellcome visiter to you or not.
I should be happy to call on you first if it may please you
of my doing so. I would furthermore state that if ever I have
the honour of meeting you, I can meet you with a true and
honourable heart. |
Letter to Harriet Miller
from David Hackman
4 October 1854
David was more formal in
this letter, written four years later, and apologized for
the salutation of “Miss Miller.” He did not know
if his affections would be accepted or returned, but was still
hopeful and requested a visit with her upon his return to
Lancaster.
LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ARCHIVES, DOCUMENT COLLECTION
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Letter to Harriet Miller from David Hackman
13 November 1854
Although he must have known her before going out to California,
Mr. Hackman
knew it was unseemly to visit Miss Miller without being properly
introduced and
having a mutual acquaintance present after such a long separation.
He showed his
respect for her by following the rules of etiquette.
LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES, MG-72, DAVID
B. HACKMAN COLLECTION
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Allow me to address you with a few lines to inform you
that I
have just returned from a short visit to Manheim…I regret
to
say that I have not had the honour of paying a visit to you.
But as I had no one to introduce me to you, I was for maners
sake [obliged] to leave Manheim even without seeing you. A
gentleman is always introduced to a lady, not a lady to a
gentleman. The parties
should consent to being introduced.
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