Cappel Altendeich, August 20, 1876

Dear Brother-in-Law and Sister,

Perhaps I have waited again rather long to write to you. From time to time, however, so many things have come up that the writing was once again put off. I was able to write a couple of lines immediately after the receipt of the package, for a letter now only costs 2 groschen, whereas with the old denomination it was 5 groschen. Coinage has changed a great deal over the years and we are once again getting new money. The thaler is being recalled, and we are to receive marks and pfennigs. A hundred of the latter will amount to a mark. Weight and measurement systems are also to change. The French meter and centimeter are being introduced, and instead of pounds we have kilograms and liters. One kilogram is exactly two pounds. But let us not get lost in details. I wish to acknowledge the duly received clothing and cotton [illegible][1] , cherry/brandy, black [illegible][2], etc. and state that I have received everything from I. Spincken in Wulsdorf including both half-dollar pieces.

She was afraid to take the trip over here because, after all, it is still a considerable distance from the other side of Bremerhafen, so she asked me to pick up the package, which I have done, receiving everything as you described. It gave us great pleasure, and especially the little ones. We thank you for it with all our hearts. One of the dresses has already been fitted for this summer and the others will still be big enough for next summer, since she has just gotten one. Our Alma Catharina Dorothea will be 8 years old on January 27th and is quite big for her age. The two other ones have the names of our parents, except that our second one is called Heinrich Johann Wilhelm, and is 5 years of age; and then I have to inform you that we had a son on the 27th of June, who was baptized two weeks ago and we chose your daughter Wilhelminne as godmother. The boy received his name after the godfather and is called Willy Hermann Amandus. It suited us well that the photographer Angelbeck happened to be here, so I delayed writing a couple of days in order to be able to send the picture of Alma and Heinrich along. Alma is wearing the same dress which appears to be almost white in the picture.

I would have thought that, since your children have grown up already, you all would take another trip to Germany because it is now less expensive than before, and the trip is fast since only steamers are used. There are several people now who take pleasure trips to New York and even farther. Pfia Getreu has just returned from New York where she visited with her children. The trip takes approximately 12 to 14 days one way. There were several big fires nearby last spring and summer. First, Eduard Aller’s property burned down in the spring. There stands already a new but smaller house in the same place. The so-called Pohlmans Hof was sold and is being occupied by the son of Eibe Hey of Neufeld. The mill of Nordholtz burned down after being struck by lightning and another one is already standing on the same spot, almost ready for use. Recently, the Pratje farm has been completely destroyed by fire. The young Pratje, who is married to M. Meyer’s daughter, went bankrupt, and has always been involved in many illegal activities. The young girl Johanna Spietka seems unwilling to return after having given testimony.

Now I would like to remind you to send us soon some pictures of all of you, and then in return we will also send you some more in the near future. You are writing about our sending peas and beans to Charleston. You are welcome to them, but where should I send them? The opportunity is not so favorable as before, as it used to be each week to New York. The explosion which took place in Bremerhafen on the 11th of December, 1875 claiming so many lives and which involves Thomson, a native American, is, I am sure, not unknown to you through the newspapers. Both Anna Margaretha Hillmann [illegible], who has been in failing health for a couple of years, and Heinrich are still at home, and all other acquaintances are the same as before. N. Horeis is dead by the grace of God. We have the harvest in, the crop is good, and it has been so hot for so long that it is almost unbearable. We haven’t had rain for a long time, the pastures are in bad shape with all the grass dried out, the water is unusually scarce, and if things continue like this the cattle will not be able to hold out. In the Oldenburg area, they are already keeping the cattle in barns, and they’re feeding them with straw and hay. Concerning Wienholtz, I think the half of it is almost gone. I believe they should be ashamed of themselves and should pay. First, you all must see if it is so bad that nothing more can be obtained, because it seems to be better to get a little than nothing at all. In closing, greetings to you all.

Your brother-in-law and brother,

C.H. Hillmann and wife

Notes:

[1] The word is illegible but might have meant thread.

[2] The word is illegible but might have meant berries.