Last week Maxine Chapin sent me copies of handwritten pages from: Bronson, Charles C. (1805-1886); "The History of Tallmadge, Ohio; in 10 handwritten volumes. The information for the Sackett family is from Vol 2. In his research Mr Bronson corresponded with 1515-Ann Filer Sackett concerning her memories of life in the early years of Tallmadge, OH and received the following response. Enjoy, Thurmon ========================== Seville, Medina Co., O. May 12th 1862 Mr. C. C. Bronson, Cor. Sec. T.H.S. Sir Yours was duly recd; you ask me for early recolections. It has been so long since I have had frequent intercourse with the friends of my childhood, or any that were conversant with them, that most of my early life, seems like a pleasant dream, long since passed away, For it was one of the first lessons I was taught, was to record 111 an unpleasant scene in the Sand. And blessed be the memory of my first teachers, the remembrance of them brings back to my mind very many dear associations, that had been so long hidden, by a succession of new scenes, and new places, that they were almost forgotten. My first recollections of Tallmadge was the brush heaps, close to our door, where I used to listen for the merry bell, of the old Dun Cow, which came night and morning, from the woods to fill my porringer with milk. the first school I attended, was taught by my sister, Lodemia, (now Mrs. Loomis of Wadsworth CCB,) in Dr. A. C. Wrights log office or shop. there were two incidents, connected with this school that I remember, one was going to sleep, and being sent out to wake up, with Charles Whittlesey, who had fallen into the same delimma. We repaired the play house, which had been erected, by the larger schollars, with great care and skill, in the corner of the rail fence; having one forked post to support the roof, which was covered with bark. It was furnished with equal taste; having moss for beds and pillows, moss carpets, helves filled with broken crockery, and make believe cups and saucers, of acorns and thier shells; indeed the whold looked as inviting and grand to me, as any richly furnished mansion, I have since entered, but Charles, now "col. Charles Whittlesey" not withstanding all my cries and entreaties; would "Samson: like try his strength upon the post, which caused a tremendous crash, that brought the teacher and schollars to the door, and un to our seats in "double quick" to give our account. The other incident was meeting one of Master Bruin's family, when returning from school, with other children, not far from where Daniel Beach used to live. (Now the residence of James Chamberlin, 1877 CCB) Although there was no attack, by either party and of course no harm done, the way we "Skedaddled," left its impressions, and afterwards it tended to similar motives, when we neared the same spot. My first Sabbath associations are rather mixed with the idea of bears, of long walks through the woods, with a father's guiding hand, and abundance of wild flowers, which I have ever since, been passionately fond of, which my Father strict and Puritanical, as he would now be called; permitted me to gather on the way. The alarm of war, and soldiers returning, as I had two brothers in the service; are all in my rembrance. 112 I do not think, I was a very regular attendant, on Sabbath worship, untill they met in the Academy that was burned. The first Sabbath School efforts, I reccollect more distinctly, and perhaps is the only thing that is worth of any record. There were a few Mothers, that used to meet together to pray and work for missionaries. I cannot remember when these meetins commenced, but I do recollect that one evening, when my Mother came home from one of these meetings; she asked sister Miranda and myself "if we would like to go to Sabbath School, and learn verses from the Bible and hymns to repeat;" She said: "Mrs. Wright would be our teacher." That evening was the first time, I ever remember of hearing of "Robert Raikes," or of Sabbath Schools. It was a novelty to me, child as I was, I entered into to it with spirit, and for 40 years have been greatly interested, and a lover of S. S. I continued a schollar untill 1828; when I took the position of teacher, the schollars were Sarah Camp, now Mrs. emory of Philadelphia, Rosanna Whittlesey, the late Mrs. Foot of the Syrian Mission, Eliza Blakelee, teacher in Baton Rouge, Louisania, Laura Clark, since Mrs. douglassl, and Laura Haines whose father lived at the foot of Coal Hill. Thery were very dear to me then , and I now look forward, to the time, when our acquaintance will be renewed, in the in the Spirit land, not as teacher and pupil, but as ransomed sinners to sepnd an Eternal Sabbath, with other dear ones singing the song of redeeming love. I have written simple incidents, that occurred to my mind after the reception of your letter. And I am willing to submit to the correction of those who may remember dates more acurately than I can. Respectfully Yours, Ann F. Russell.