A local historical book, Letters from Nancy to her Dear Mother, will be available for purchase on May 19, 2012. The book is being sold by the Ellington Congregational Church youth group, TELOS, at an outside table, during their plant sale the same day.
The book was transcribed by Mildred Dimock and includes journalized letters with 68 different dates, from Nancy Ann Sikes who was born in Somers, CT in May 1826. Nancy married the Reverend Rollin Porter on February 16, 1851. Reverend Porter was born in Lysander New York on February 12, 1822 but, taught in Somersville for three years, and was later ordained in Somers on August 18, 1850. On March 21, 1851, the newlyweds set sail for Gaboon, West Africa as missionaries under the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
The letters provide a brief, small slice of life for the missionary family from 1851-1852, and there is a family connection to Nancy Sikes Porter in the Somers/Ellington area. Nancy was Nellie McKnight’s great aunt.
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Sadly, the mission work was cut short as Nancy, her husband Rollin, and their infant daughter all died from influenza in July 1852. The family was buried in West Africa. The letters ended up at the Ellington Historical Society, where they are now presented and available in book form at $10 per copy. The proceeds benefit Ellington Congregational Church, and copies may also be purchased by contacting the Church Office at 860 871-6606.
