Ellen G. White: The Progressive Years: 1862-1876 (vol. 2)

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The Fountain Farm—The Oakland Residence

A few days later Ellen White, in a letter to Willie, described their rented residence: 2BIO 412.3

We are now getting settled in our new home four miles from the city. It is rural here. There was once a very good “water cure” upon this place. The large three-story house is standing desolate, shattered and dilapidated. We live in a neat square house a few rods from this building. We have not got settled as yet, but we shall soon. This is a very pleasant place to live. There are trees and flowers; no fruit, but our neighbors have fruit in abundance, so we can purchase of them. 2BIO 412.4

The Chinese have a house not far off. We buy peas of them for 3 cents a pound. Strawberries are plentiful, and there is every kind of vegetable in abundance; new potatoes for 3 cents per pound. We have the use of a new milk cow for pasturing her and giving the owner three pints of milk each day. 2BIO 413.1

We have a good house and barn. Our horses were brought to us from Brother Judson's yesterday. We shall now have a spry team to take us to and from the city.—Letter 26, 1874. 2BIO 413.2

In an earlier letter, the first written from the Fountain Farm, she declared that she could “stand upon the piazza and look out upon the Golden Gate” (Letter 19f, 1874). 2BIO 413.3