Stringfellow wrote his beloved Emma a letter from Hamilton, Canada on March 4, 1866. His uncle pastured a church in Hamilton and Stringfellow probably lived with him. At that time Canada was flooded with ex-Confederate soldiers seeking safety and a new life. 

Stringfellow reported he had “but little trouble” on his trip northward. He wrote, “I have been very agreeably surprised, in finding through the North so much of generosity toward the South.” He described the New York mountains as “scenery unsurpassed in America.”  He tries to convince Emma to visit him to see the “falls.” In a later letter he attempts to persuade Emma to elope with him at Niagra Falls. “Shall I meet you at the falls? Generals E. and B. are there now. We could have the thing done up in the best Confederate style….I want you. Say plainly that you do or do not want to come. Time flies on leaden wings, until I hear from you.” 

But alas, Emma did not come and Frank pined for her. “After I make a big fortune from an oil well I shall come after you—unless I get so that I can stand it no longer, and then I’ll come anyway.” 

He worked during the day and studied accounting at night. During his months of exile he indulged in a considerable amount of soul searching. He appears to be at peace within himself and reaching a decision concerning his life. 

On April 2, 1866 he wrote Emma: “I love to recognize the hand of God in that affair (his prison escape), for in so doing, it gives me hope for the future. I feel that I have been chosen of God to perform some good work. Is it not an honor indeed to be the servant of God, however humble the position it may be? 

A thousand wonderful changes have been wrought within one short year—but no change has been more marked than the one which has taken place in my own heart….Now I see the wisdom and the loving kindness of that God whom I should have known how to trust….I begin to realize that a new life is opening up for me—that ‘man does not live by bread alone—but by every word that proceedeth from the Father….And now you know that same God who had heard my prayers, and whose servant I am, will not fail to answer that prayer which I have never ceased to offer to Him. You shall yet be mine. You will make me a better man—and I long for the day when I shall come more closely in contact with one who can walk hand in hand with me to those ‘Pearly Gates.’” 

Stringfellow returned from Canada in 1867 and wasted no time in marrying Emma. They lived at “Wakefield,” a farm in Fairfax County, owned by Emma’s father. It was located on the road now called “Stringfellow Road,” mostly likely named in honor of the famous scout. Those of you in Northern Virginia  have crossed it many times on Route 66. Next time pause and remember Frank and Emma finally beginning their marriage there. 

Stay tuned for “Rev. Frank Stringfellow” in my next newsletter.*

*From “Stringfellow of the Fourth” by R. Shepard Brown and “The Stringfellow Papers” in the Virginia Historical Society.