This collection of eight letters chronicles a relationship and subsequent "breach of promise" case in New York during the mid-nineteenth century. Vernon O. Ricker wrote all but one of the letters, with the majority addressed to Miss Kate Dennis of Hillside, New York. The correspondence also includes one letter from Vernon O. Ricker to his friend Walter Shafer and another by John Gaul, Jr., of the law firm Gaul and Esselstyn, to Hon. John F. Collin.
Over the period of two years, Vernon O. Ricker wrote repeatedly of his desire to see Miss Dennis again, but was continually delayed because of business travel. He often stated how he was "unworthy" of Miss Dennis's friendship and repeatedly apologized for his delay in seeing her again--though always providing an alternate date for when he will next be in town. The letters also contain news of various friends and acquaintances including a Captain Elmendorf with whom Ricker often traveled.
The final letters from Mr. Ricker chronicle the aftermath of his discussion with Miss Dennis about her belief that they were engaged and her subsequent lawsuit against him.
Vernon Ricker's letters to Kate Dennis include duplicate copies.
Vernon Orlando Ricker (1835-1906) was the oldest child of Danville Alphonso Ricker (1815-1902) and Lucinda (Mason) Ricker (1812-1863). Born in Turner, Maine, he traveled to New York in the early 1860s to sell fruit trees with his father for a Mr. Kelley of Rochester, New York. On November 27, 1862, he married Mary Elizabeth Tetamore (1840-1922) in Rhinebeck, New York. They had one daughter, Amie Ricker (1867-1941). In his later years, Ricker and his family resided in Kingston, New York, and New York City. A carpenter by trade, Ricker served as treasurer of the New York District Council of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. He was also a singer, giving music lessons and conducting concerts during his time in Kingston. He passed away in New York City on October 12, 1906, and was buried in Rhinebeck, New York.
Catherine "Kate" Dennis Karker (1824-1910) was born on October 24, 1824, to Tunis and Catherine Dennis of Hillsdale, New York. She married Isaac L. Karker (1814-1887) on August 20, 1867. They had a daughter, Anna Karker (1869-1934), and lived on a farm in Schodack, New York. Following her husband's death, Catherine lived with her married daughter's family in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and Allentown, Pennsylvania. She passed away at her daughter's home in Allentown on October 12, 1910, and was buried in the family plot of her sister Ellen Dennis Mann (1847-1910) in Hudson, New York.
John Gaul, Jr. (1809-1879) was born February 13, 1809, to John Gaul (1781-1841) and Rachel Miller (variant spelling Muller) (1786-1825). He studied law under Campbell Bushnell, who would later become his partner in the firm of Bushnell and Gaul, and spent much of his career as a lawyer in Hudson, New York. He married Clarissa Hall (1808-1897) and they had at least two children: Edward Linus Gaul (1837-1894) and Catherine Bushnell Gaul (1842-1924). He served as surrogate of Columbia County, New York, and later partnered with Cornelius Esselstyn in the law firm Esselstyn & Gaul. He served as president of the Columbia County Bar Association and the Law and Order Association, and as an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Hudson. He died on July 28, 1879, and was buried in Hudson City Cemetery.
John Francis Collin (1802-1889) was a lawyer and U.S. Representative from Hillsdale, New York. Born on April 30, 1802, he was the son of John Collin (1772-1833) and Ruth Holman Johnson (1780-1868). He married Pamelia Jane Tullar (1808-1870) in 1827 and they had at least six children: Jane Paulina Collin (1828-1830), Hannah Cynthia Collin (1829-1831), Pamelia Laurania Collin (1831-1910), John Frederick Collin (1833-1899), Quincy Johnson Collin (1836-1930), and Frances Amelia Collin (1840-1905). Following Pamelia's death, he married Jane Becker (1836-1922) and had a son, Frank Becker Collin (1872-1934). He worked in agriculture throughout his life, while also serving as Hillsdale town supervisor and state assembly member. As a Democratic Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives (1845-1847), Collin chaired the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Navy. In later years, he wrote several books, including a history of Hillsdale and several compilations of newspaper articles concerning national politics and finances. He died on September 16, 1889, in Hillsdale, New York.
