I am affectionately your brother,
James Fletcher.Whatever occurred relative to Susan's father, Charles Smith, Sr., it certainly wasn't good news. I suppose any potential marriage would have to address the partner's responsibilities to their parents. However, in this instance it seems to involve some perceived scandalous situation, heretofore unknown, that suddenly came to light.
Charles Smith, Sr. was sixty-four at the time of the letters. The 1850 census of Ipswich, Mass lists him as a shoe maker, and in 1860 as a day laborer. The 1870 census records an individual of that name, as an inmate in the Ipswich Insane Asylum. While we do not know for sure it is the same Charles Smith, the age is correct.
James mentions his school being visited by a Mr. Peabody of London, England who made a few remarks to the students. The philanthropist was to make another donation of $140,000 to the Peabody Institute, an important world renowned antiquarian museum in Salem.
George Peabody, was born over seventy years earlier in Danvers, one of seven children of a poor family. He became extremely successful, first in Baltimore and later London as a business man, financier and philanthropist. He spent most of his life in England but never forgot his roots. Newspapers of 1866 suggested him as a possible democratic presidential candidate but most considered him too old to take on the responsibility.
Has perhaps Edwin ignored his older brother's advice?