Messrs Brown & Benson, Merchants, Providence 1786

Hewes & Anthony, Philadelphia, Aug. 9, 1786 - Two page handwritten merchant letter, postally sent to Messrs Brown & Benson, Merchants, Providence [Rhode Island]. The content pertains to the purchase of salt, and Menhadin [? ] which for lack of demand were put up in barrels and now "appear to have lost their pickle." Also mentions goods shipped to Providence on the Delaware in "a fine wind." The top of the third page lists the goods -- 12 Boxes Glass, flour, etc.

1841 Major John H. Bills

Letter dated Feb. 4th 1841. This Letter is addressed to Major John H. Bills Postmaster, from Elijah M. Ringo. In short, it addresses the inheritance of land, 2 children(William & Elizabeth) and the "Negros" belonging to William & Elizabeth(obviously inherited as they are children). The author asks of John H Bills, advice concerning the certification of land papers and the best time for moving the Negros, so as they do not "suffer" due to the harsh winter travel. Item number: 160230951682

David Parker, Shaker Village 1866

This letter is signed by Canterbury Trustee David Parker and is on a rare Shaker letterhead with an engraved illustration.

A letter to Fellows and Davis of Albany, dated “Shaker Village, N. H.” September 17, 1866, signed “With Perfect Respect, David Parker”.

Brother David responds to what must have been an offer to sell land by stating (perhaps tongue in cheek) that he had not intended “my letter as an offer, but if he had named one dollar in greenbacks, I am inclined to think we might have taken it”.

He suggests that he have an opportunity to examine the land first and goes on to state that “we are inclined to believe the land is heap and would be willing myself to invest there…” He also suggests that the owners or agents of the land contact write Benjamin Gates at New Lebanon, N. Y.

William J. Cheney of 1st Heavy Artillery Vermont

William J. Cheney of "D" Co. VT 1st Heavy Artillery writes on two pages of the letter, dated July 3,
then his Cousin Fannie writes the other two pages, dated July 4, 1865.
It appears he wrote "July 3, 1864" - but in keeping with the content and other date,
I'm sure he meant to write 1865. He writes of settling down to work, his discharge & Bounty pay and the obvious post-war effects of the fear of shells and bombs dropping around him.

Transcibed in part::
June 3rd 1864
Dear Cousins
Here I am once more at home in the long period of three years but not for good quite
I have got to Burlington & I get my discharge & pay I have not had any pay for six months & my Bounty which is $75.00. I have over $100.00 charged in the Regt. I could not get my pay till after the middle of next week or this week tis now so I thought I might as well come home for a week & spend the 4th as any way I thinking perhaps you would like to see some of my poor handwriting and once more I thought I would put a few words into Fannies letter...

...My health is good first rate...I am going to help Father Shewin at his haying this year...I expect to be what they call a light hand this year for it has been most three years since I have done any such work but it seems kind of good to get home & work some. Yesterday I hoed 1/2 day went first rate seemed much better than to hear a shell coming over Whicher Whicher Whicher Bumb - but then things have played us out I hope for they throw things rather careless.
Write me as soon as you get this...your own true cousin,
Wm J. Cheney
1st Vt. Arty
Bond mustered out.
Good Bye.

Cousin "Fannie" then writes:
Stowe, July 4, 1865
"..What gay times you are having keeping house by yourself. Well I am taking some comfort Will is at home again but not for good. Came last Thursday night & you may bet he was a welcome visitor. His Regiment arrived at Burlington at three O'Clock & he got a furlough & left that night. Charlie hardly knew his father & his father was about as bad off. The left George and Ed at Washington they are well. Chandler and Jane are at home.
...I am doing all sorts of work this summer have made a barrel of soap & white washed some and cleaned the the whole house now I am making Charlie some dresses will send you some pieces & when I get him rigged up I am going to quilt a bed quilt then weave my table linen just getting ready to be married...[more]

This letter is for sale on Ebay Item number: 290219681754. If you want to place a bid just follow one of the links to Ebay on this Blog.

Samuel Swett, Poland, Maine, 1796

Letter from Samuel Swett, a merchant, dated Poland, Maine, May 22, 1796, to Robert Boyd, a Portland, Maine wholesaler or importer. Swett is ordering brandy, rum, "good tea", cider and more.

This old letter from Samuel Swett is for sale on Ebay Item number: 200211010501.

1865 CARROLLTON, ILLINOIS,

THE LETTER WAS WRITTEN FROM CARROLLTON, ILLINOIS , DEC 26TH, 1865 AND STARTS. " DEAR FRIEND MOLLIE,"

THE LETTER STARTS BY ASKING MOLLIE WHY SHE HASN'T WRITTEN IN RESPONSE TO A PREVIOUS LETTER, WONDERING IF SHE HAD JUST BEEN SO BUSY THAT SHE HAD THOUGHT SHE HAD. IT SEEMS THAT SHE MAY HAVE BEEN AWAY VISITING BECAUSE HE WARNS HER TO STAY AWY FROM THE "YANKEE MEN" IN HER TRAVELS

HE THEN GOES ON TO STATE THAT HE HAS ALSO BEEN VERY BUSY DO TO THE CHRISTMAS SEASON GOING TO EVENTS AT SEVERAL CHURCHS. ONE OF WHICH WAS AN OYSTER DINNER AT WHICH HE ATE SO MUCH THAT HE WAS SICK FOR A WEEK. HE STATES THAT HE FAILED TO ATTEND THE CATHOLIC TIME BECAUSE HE WENT TO A CONCERT BY A NOTED VIOLINIST "ALF HOWARD" AND HOW AT ANOTHER HE SAT AS THE CHILDREN MET WITH SANTA CLAUS.

HE SIGNS THE LETTER "AS EVER, CHARLIE" AND THEN CONTINUES WITH THE FOLLOWING :

"GEORGE DAVIS HAS GONE TO KENTUCKY TO GET MARRIED, YOU SEE MARRYING IS ALL THE RAGE. YOU BETTER STAY WHERE YOU ARE FOR IF YOU SHOULD RETURN AMONG US THE DISEASE MIGHT FORM CONTAGIOUS AND AWAY WOULD GO MOLLIE AND LEAVE ME IN THE LIST OF OLD B-'S AND AWAY DOWN IN THE LIST."

This great old letter is for sale on Ebay. If you want to take a peek just follow one of the links on this blog.