Bremen, Georgia

A single hand written letter of 10 pages (6 leaves, 4 have writting on verso too, ca. 8 1/2 x 11 inches) is on Southern Fruit Growing and Colonizing Co letterhead and concerns real estate in Bremen,Georgia in 1896.
The letterhead has the names of four company officers across the very top, a depiction of a formal fruitbowl with fruit in it on the left hand side, and the company name mentioned above. Under the company name is printed information concerning the company: An Enterprise Conducted by Practical Fruit Growers for the Promotion of Fruit Growing at Bremen, Haralson County, Georgia. Situated at the Junction of the Southern, and Chattanooga, Rome and Columbus Railways Shipping Faclities not Equalled at any Other Fruit Growing Point in this Section.

The, letter addressed to J S G Edwards of Glen, N.Y., is a long letter containing a great deal of information. The writer attempts to sell lots from a recently organized company. He refers to a prospectus, which is not present here, but he goes on to discuss most of what is probably in it anyway: claiming the truthfulness and accuracy of its information. He mentions the grapes which are already grown in the area, the start of a canning factory, the beautiful weather, the various kinds of fruit that can be grown on this land, they own or control 8,000 acres, beside grapes, he mentions berries, blue berries, festive tomatoes, apples, peaches, cherries, plums - in fact, he states, all fruit do well. As do Irish potatoes and grasses.

He knows that the person addressed has the qualifications of a civil engineer and appeals to his background and knowledge as well. He also states that Natives like the American Indian are being rapidy pressed backward and crowded out.

Ebay Item number: 320312158192

Warren Hobbs to William Newhall 1823

An excellent letter from Warren Hobbs to William Newhall. Three pages and well written., letter details the people of Virginia. The schools of Virginia and how they are not up to standard as northern schools. He is a northern man who has moved to Virginia to teach., and talks of the people and their kindness to him. The many grand plantations situated back from the roads., with a lot of woods between. It is a fine three page letter written and signed by Warren Hobbs.

The town markings are hand written, dated underneath., 22 March., has a rate of "25"., going to William Newhall, Leicester, Massachusetts.

Philadelphia, 1832 J.N. Fitch

Dated Philadelphia, 1832. letter regarding Choleria in Philadelphia by J.N. Fitch - Physician. ALS, 3pp, 4to, plus integral address leaf addressed to Dr. Lewis Wolfley, Lancaster, Ohio. Nearly two pages on the cholera: visited two hospitals in Phila.; saw 25 patients; spoke with physicians about treatments; gives the recipe for a compound used in "the common premonitory stages". Fitch observes, "Bleeding is not resorted to in any case.

I found this letter for sale on Ebay, Item number: 220295322531. If you are interested just follow one of the links to Ebay on this blog.

War Department 1785

Up for sale on Ebay is a original document dated 1785, War Department; where Joseph Carelton has written a letter to Major Wyllys; requesting muster rolls of discharged troops so that proper payment can be completed.

Joseph Carelton was acting Secretary of War between General Benjamin Lincoln and General Henry Knox....Acting Secretary at War, 1783 to 1785 Acting Secretary at War (while Secretary in the War Office), November 1783 to April 1785; Deputy Secretary at War, May to November 1785.

If you would like to take a peek at this document or place a bid just follow one of the links to Ebay on this blog.

Item number: 180295583850

Walter E. Lick Olcott Texas

To Lt. Walter E. Lick. Ellington Field Barracks 52, 2nd Prov. Squad, Olcott Texas. Letter From A.H. Olson. June 24, 1918. Written on writers business letterhead: "A.H. Olson D.C. Chiropractor"-------- Letter Mention In Part: I resume by this time you can do the spiral glide and loop the loop. Do you know where you are when you loop the loop? Heads up or tails up? Heads up you win - The Class A1 men are all gone here and they are going to change some of the rest to Class A1 at once - Papers says 250,000 will be changed, they have me Class 5G - I was #314, some looked like Ghosts and some looked green very few had a smile. This was in the Cleveland Court House on the 3rd floor. We went around with nothing on only trousers until we saw the MD's - Marble floor cold on bear feet - Writer mentions brothers enlistments - & More.

You can find this letter on Ebay, Item number: 330274906869.

Whitesborough, New York, 1841

Letter by Laura Dexter of Whitesborough, New York, 1841, with postmarked integral address leaf to Edward North and reads in part: "McLeod's trial is the all absorbing topic of the day, our quiet, peaceible village, has been under military guardianship for many weeks, by orders of our good & careful whig Governor," William Seward, "an armed band have patrolled our streets, breaking at intervals the still watches of the night. I am thankful that thus far, the law has taken its course, & McLeod is unmolested, but I fear the result, if he be acquitted, as many curses, both loud & deep, have come forth against him, and a war with England instead of being deprecated, seems with some to be the great desirable."

Andrew J. Glover Rockingham County, New Hampshire

A 3 page letter with a red paper seal on the front., from the State of New Hampshire., Rockingham County., an order to the sheriff. A citizen is asking for the arrest of another for his crime of breaking and entering his home and stealing all sorts of items.

He used force to enter his home., he stole 50 lbs of salt pork, 20 lbs butter, 3 lbs of candles, 12 silver spoons, one silver butter knife. The letter is more detailed, has other pages of description of the thief., named Andrew J. Glover., with the autographs of the Judge and the Sheriff and the person who has filed this arrest order, Elbrdige Robinson.

Kokomo Indiana Love Letters

Up for auction on Ebay is a group of 40 handwritten vintage love letters to a woman by the name of Daisy B. Smith who lived in Kokomo Indiana at the time these letters were written. The letters are written by her soon to be husband, Howard Spitzer who owns his own business in Mount Vernon Ohio called “Spitzer’s Shoe Parlors.” The earliest letter is dated March 21st, 1912 and the last letter September 1st, 1913 only 9 days before the couple gets married.

“Tampa Fla. March 21st, 1912

My Dear Friend,

…..I sure wish I lived close enough to you so we could take a moonlight ride. I am fond of them aren’t you. Well we will keep getting acquainted better every day and I am going to reveal a secret to you right here and I trust you will forgive me for not telling you sooner. Now hold your breath. Do you remember one time I wrote you and told you that I did not like the southern girls, however I was foolish enough one time to marry one and I am what some people call a grass widow. Now what do you think of that. We could not get along together so we called it quits. I know this will be quite a surprise to you and I have wanted to tell you for some time but have just put it off……I don’t believe you would be satisfied away from your people….I remain as ever, C. S. McCalister. Sunlight Mfg. Co.”

This group of letters would be a fantastic find for someone working on a Spitzer genealogy.

New Orleans 1846

Letter written March 22, 1846 from New Orleans by Hiram A. Goodlett to his mother, Mrs. Harriet Goodlett, in Alexandria, Benton Co. Alabama. Benton County’s name was changed to Calhoun County in 1868. The letter includes a ½-page note to his brother Alfred.

Important letter filled with fascinating observations about New Orleans, its population, fashions, etc. Hiram begins by writing that he had become uneasy, having received “Only one letter in two months.” He continues, “This is a great and growing city, and I think I shall do well here yet…There are people of all nations and kinds here…The rich and the poor are near neighbors…Poor people ought not to live in cities [because] it requires wealth to be fashionable, and if families do not follow fashion, they are out of the world…All cities are more or less filthy, and a person from the country accustomed to neatness, though poor, would be disgusted with what they could not avoid…It is a great benefit to a person, of the right turn of mind, to live awhile in a city…A farmer settled in a good country, with enough for independence, is the happiest man on earth…Most persons [in New Orleans] dress finely, and the women extravagantly…There are three theatres, circuses, galleries of paintings and numberless other places to take a man’s money.”
The note to Alfred encourages him to continue his studies: “study Book Keeping…You ought to improve your handwriting by all means.” He suggests that if Father can sell the lot “on which there is a meeting house” near Goldville (some distance from Alexandria), their father can have Hiram’s share of the proceeds.
In addition, there are descriptions of the City’s distinctive cemeteries, the Mississippi River and its steamboat traffic, ships, etc., the cost of lodging and his difficulty finding affordable accommodations, cotton seed that he is sending and wants Alfred to plant (“The seed is worth $4 per bushel here.”), “I was vaccinated two weeks ago and it took well, so I shall not fear the Small Pox”, etc., etc.

1864 Civil War Letter Horace Holton

1864 Civil War Letter written by a Mississippi Riverboat Captain relating to work on the river with his Sidewheeler - the "Polar Star". The letter is dated December 2nd, 1864 from St. Louis, Missouri and written to Horace Holton's cousin George at Charlestown, New Hampshire.
The Letter reads in part: "Dear Coz George, /I think you owe me one but I will overlook it. I have had a gay old time since I wrote you. been 9days, most all long ones on a sand bar in the middle of the "big Muddy" only 40 miles below the City. I loaded my Polar Star for Duval Bluffs, Ak and started with an old hull in tow for Cairo on the 19th of Nov. and when 20 miles down struck a bar & snapped all my tow lines like pack thread. The boat wiggled off without difficulty & I caught the hull before she grounded & again we went on our way rejoicing. About 40 miles below at Herculaneum bar we grounded again and our hull floated 4 miles down the river & lodged on a sand bar... It took me 3 days to get the boat off and 6 days to get the hull off and then the water had fallen so much I had to leave it and 1105 sks (sacks?) of oats & sending the other boat along, come back to get another boat to tow the hull and take the oat along. Total loss by detention $4,000... This is some of the beauties of Steamboating, How would you like it when you come out West to see me, I will take you down the river, if I own a boat then, and let you see for yourself.... / Yours, (signed)H. H.".

1864 Charles N. Sake

LETTER DATED JUNE 12TH, 1864. A letter from Yonkers [New York] by Charles N. Sake? addressed to his mother.

Dear mother I am thinking it is about time to wright.....Charles tells his mother about his work, pay and friends which he wants to bring home for a few days. He also tells her “they enrolled our names last weak so we are all right for the next draft when they draft I will make track for some place unnone this world is larger bigger than New Milford mutch as two [ ? ].”

Mobile Alabama 1866

Letter from Israel Putnam. Malone Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods, etc 52 Dauphin Street, Mobile Alabama. Dated Feb 19, 1866. It is a letter to G&C Merriam regarding their debt advising that they have been "pressed" and are only able to pay a portion of their balance and willingness to pay interest should they "say so". A post script advising they sold their house and lot in Eufaula and will send payment to settle off old claims once "the deed can be made out and the money paid".

Rahway, New Jersey 1872

To the mayor of Rahway, New Jersey. In full: “There died at this place on the 8th inst. Of Typhoid Fever a young man of the name of Geo. Jackson whose parents and family reside in your place as ascertained from letters found among his effects. Will you be kind enough to break this sad news to them and inform them that a letter to me will be answered giving full particulars as regards his effects &c. Respectfully, Dr. A.A. Mix, Public Administrator, Yuma Co., A.T.”

This letter is for sale on Ebay Item number: 260281923720

Concord, Massachusetts 1818

Document dated 1818, Concord, Massachusetts, where Peter Wilson has written to 'Friend Hamilton' of Hamilton and Wood; regarding shipping various whiskey to him....signed Peter Wilson.

This great old Concord, Massachusetts letter is for sale on ebay Item number: 350085787778. What a great find for your Wilson genealogy.

H.L. Roberts Civil War Letter

An original Civil War letter which includes the envelope which has the address of Cambridge Maryland. It is dated Load's Chester Co. Va, Dec 2 1862. The letter reads as follows:

My Dear Eliza,

I know you will think me a real good girl for replying to your long looked for letter so soon after its very welcome reception but I was so real glad to hear from you and I thought the very best way to convince you would be by letting you hear from me very soon I have very often thought of you this summer & sometimes was forced to the conclusion you had forgotten me surrounded by old friends.....I never have passed so quite a season nothing at all to relieve the monotony. Not even an occasional visit from our friends & relations in the Army. Exceptin John Potts poor fellow who was wounded as you know & home for a very little while but that was in September, July and August, were sad months of fearful suspense Sister Annie was with us during the month of August, & of course that was very plesant. The only comfort I had was in writing & receiving letter from my friends in the Army. Making things for the soldiers & keeping very busy about the house & on the Sabbath walking two miles to teach Sunday School.....I had time quietly to think of others besides myself & I hope I may have done some things which were profitable at least I have learned that life is both "real and earnest." Emma Bull came over to see me on Saturday I gave her your photograph with which she was delighted.......Our cousin Capt Heber Smith poor fellow had been sick but was quite well again how I do want to see him it seems so funny that he should be in the Army I have such a good potograph of him & like you I find my album a very great comfort......I am going to tell you next of my own dear Brother Dewees, poor fellow was sick in the Fall we were Oh so very anxious but I am thankful to say he is quite well again indeed has been in two & perhaps three quite little battles since down near Suffolk (where he is stationed) on the Black water River. He is Captain of his company now. And Levi...is in West Chester at the Military Adacemy. A young Cadet to be sure so when next you see him he will have quite a military air & more than ever a beaux. He often speaks of "Miss Eliza," Our pleasant parties in Phila last winter will not be realized....None of our number will be there.....Capt Elliot you know is with Gen Pope, I've not heard from him very lately....I do wish this war over, I want so much to see my friends but I think now everything looks very dark. How do you feel in regard to the removal of Gen McClellan? I am so sorry indeed I fear it will have a very bad effect. My friends under him seem very much discouraged. However I will still hope for the best. Having great faith in Gen Burnside. Did you think of us all when the Rebels were in Penna? Everybody went to defend the state. Heber Bull took his horse and went as Cavalry indeed the excitement was intense I cannot say that I felt very much alarmed but still I suppose there was cause for fear but I have written already so long a letter you will wish you had never written me........Your Sincere friend H.L. Roberts.

This letter is on Ebay if you want to have a look.

Private P.J. Murphy 1917

Three page typewritten letter, dated November 4, 1917, from "Somewhere in France". Private P.J. Murphy, Company D, 14th Engineers AEF to his friend Syl. Great content about travel to France, organizing camp, railroad movement to the front, description of the trenches "evacuated by Fritz", dealing with snipers, problems with mail. "We were the first regiment of American troops to see active service in France within range of the German guns.

Ebay Item number: 200245325965

1778 William Jackson

Original letter dated 1778, where William Jackson has written to a Lt. Croker, of the 28th Regiment at Truro, regarding the estate left by his Uncle, though he was left only a very small amount....it seems the Uncle did not like the Nephew....in any event letter is 2 pages, 8x8 with addressed outer leaf.

Berkshire, Massachusetts 1822

I found this great old letter for sale on Ebay Item number: 280253517331 It is full of great info and would be a great find for someone who is working on the Fruser family, Pitton family or Case family.

Addressed to Mr. William Whitney, Pittsfield, County of Berkshire, Massachusetts", the content relates to settlement of property taxes due for years of 1810 through 1822 on certain real estate located in Township 4, Range 18 in or around Hartford, Connecticut.

Evidently the property had been split, and while most of the new owners had paid their taxes, there remained 12 years of unpaid real property taxes due from the owner of the bulk of the property, (looks like "Dorsance").

Some of the owners of the split properties were "Abraham Fruser", "Parker Pitton", "Leonard Case", and one I simply can't make out.

The writer, Jess Kingsbury, states that Mr. Whitney will be sent the receipts upon payment of the back taxes, the amounts of which are listed, and were verified by a General Simon Perkins.

Order Of Arrest For John Steffe 1819

This order of arrest dated July 23, 1819. To the Sheriff of Baltimore County, State of Maryland, to arrest John Steffe, to answer to Adam Slyder, Administrator of estate of Philip Slyder for debt of $533.33. Signed by William Gibson, Clerk of the Court of Judge Walter Dorsey. Docketed on reverse with Sheriff's attestation.

I found this item for sale ao Ebay. If John Steffe is one of your ancestors you might want to place a bid. I have a link to Ebay on this blog if you are interested. The Item number is: 200242006784

Salem, Massachusetts 1836

Two letters, probably written by brothers from Salem, Massachusetts, to an uncle Roswell Morgan in West Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1827 and 1836. The first letter shown is that of 1836, mentioning the "old Crowningshield wharf which had almost gone to pieces, and how it had been bought by enterprising young men, and the Hon. S.C. Phillips and was under repair. "He has got 3 whale ship of his own and bought another. The whaling company in this city had an arrival from a 18 1/2 month cruise in the Pacific Ocean with 2150 lbs of Sperm oil." Other text about weather, family, etc.

Second letter, the earlier one, begins with the writer's recollections about having paid a visit to the Springfield area (the mountains, the lead mines, the gun factory, the asylum for the unfortunate deaf and dumb, etc.) Then the writer mentions some Salem news, " perhaps you have read in the papers something of the postponed mill-dam. I am afraid it will be like most other projects that are started in the town their is not public spirit enough in the monied folks to carry it through." He finishes with an invitation to the uncle to "visit us (and) enjoy yourself a sail on the water (and) very pretty fishing on the sea shore.

The letters are for sale on Ebay Item number: 370062164747. If you want to place a bid just follow one of the links on this blog.