Letter from John J. May to Samuel Downer stating that ill health prevents his attendance at the reunion

Letter from John J. May to Samuel Downer stating that ill health prevents his attendance at the reunion

In this two-page letter John Joseph May explains that ill health prevented him from attending the Reunion of the Free Soil Party. He then reminisces about early Free Soil Party meetings at Samuel Downer's bowling alley and the fact that the success of many endeavors depends not upon the skill of the participants but rather their dedication and perseverance.

Downer, Samuel, 1807-1881

Reunions

Abolitionists

Abolition movement

Political parties

Invitations

Sick persons

Sadness

Nostalgia

Allegiance

Religion

Bowling alleys

Reminiscing

May, John Joseph, 1813-1903

Hingham Public Library

1877 August 9

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English

Correspondence

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Hingham (Mass.)

1848

1877 August 9

Hingham Public Library

[Aug. 9 1877]

Dear Mr Downer,

A slight ill turn shuts me up at home today and robs me of the anticipated pleasure of joining in your reminiscences of early free-soil days.

But I shall continue to enjoy, as I constantly have for 29 years, the memory of those early meetings in Mr. Downer’s bowling alley which have made the very name a household word with us.

How often have we had occasion to call to mind that the ten strikes and all kinds of success in human affairs often depend less upon the skill of the operators than upon their earnestness and their conviction that the work is a good one and has the approval of Heaven.

With high regard + best wishes

                                Faithfully Yours

                                John J. May

8" x 10"