1856 Autograph letter from a bored, celibate man teaching in Blair County, PA, who "might as well be living in a nunnery"

Single sheet, 9.75 x 8 inches. "O & H" embossed maker's mark in the upper left corner. Folds and minor sunning, Near Fine condition. Addressed only, "My Dear Friend," the letter comes from a discontented young (presumed) man who's taken a job teaching in Frankstown, Blair County (central Pennsylvania). His letter mentions writing to David Riggle in Antis (and getting no response) and references a school being set up there by his correspondent. Overall, a humorously whiny letter. 

From a historical perspective, the letter reflects an eventful chapter in Blair County, which experienced considerable expansion after being reached by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the early 1850s. From an individual perspective, it gives us a narrative slightly different from the romanticized archetype of a dedicated schoolteacher—a young man, modestly educated but not wealthy, who took a job in one of the many schools cropping up during the industrialization of rural regions. In 1877, Blair County Superintendent John H. Stevens published part of his annual report, “Educational History of Blair County,” in the Altoona Tribune (Aug 30, 1877) which explained that when the Superintendent role was introduced in 1854, the new oversight and increased scrutiny made it difficult to find anyone willing to work in the county. So, it's little surprise Dunn was neither an ideal nor lasting candidate in the position.

He writes (excerpts):

I engaged for four months, and I should not care that they were at an end for I have got tired of well doing. This evening I kept in ten of my livelies for not having their lesson, and having tried them in it a minute ago, I let off them all but three who have not a wind of it yet, and as it is getting dark, I will have to let them off in a few moments, and call them to resume their task tomorrow evening.

There is excellent sleighing here now, but I can get very little pleasure from it as I have neither a horse nor sleigh...

This is one of the greatest places that ever I was in, for they have neither singing nor anything else that a person can go to, and I can say that I have put in the dullest time of it since I came here that I have ever done in all my life, in fact I might as well be living in a nunnery...

I am still living in celibacy and feel quite contented that my luck has been so good for a ___

I must close as it is getting too dark for me to see...