Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory 1879

Very interesting letter from, a man with his brother, who were locked up in a Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, jail dated Apr 17 1879, to a Mr. Allen, with content, which reads in part, as follows,

I was glad to hear from you. I am very much obliged to you for the recommendation, which I think will do me considerable good. I received some papers, which I am very much obliged for. If you see Mr. Steele, tell him I wish that he would send me another recommendation... [for] while my brother was tearing up some letters, he tore it ... before he noticed what it was ... As for dead-beating [catching free rides on freight trains] my way through life, it is something which I do not intend to do], as we had no money and wanted to get out West, it was the only way we had to do it. I intend, if we get out in May, to go to some Ranch, as they call it, and to to work. I think some of going to Leadville [Colorado] which is only about 175 miles from here, and see Will Davenport and get a job down there if I can. I was in a [news] paper here ... that the people were dying at the rate of about 15 per day on account of the water ... The conductor, I don't see how he can make it out [as] assault, when he swears he hit us first, and we fight in self-defense. It is a very weary job to wait so long a time for trial. I have nothing to read, only what papers I get from home, and from you. We was arrested on the 7th of Dec., and have been in jail ever since. We asked the sheriff this morning when Court set [sat], and he said that it not set until the 3rd week in May, which is quite a while to wait yet. There is 16 prisoners in here at present, two road agents, one murderer, one for rape, one for illegal voting, some serving a small sentence, and three for assault. Tell Dan that the road agents are the ones that were in that robbery that ... [was] in thw Watertown Dispatch [was published in WAtertown, New York]. Tell Brete I wish he would write to me. I should be glad if Dan would write. I wish you would send the paper while I am in here, and I will pay you for it when I get out. Tell them if they write to inclose stamp, paper & envelope, as it is very scarce here at present ... When you send the paper ... [make] in care of Geo. A. Draper, Sheriff ... [signed] William C. Williams."

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Thomas Simons of South Carolina

6 letters, dated 1790s, from Thomas Simons of South Carolina, written from Charleston SC, Newport, Rhode Island and New Haven, Connecticut, all addressed to Charles Ludlow, an early Wall Street, New York City merchant banker. The letters were carried by hand and have no postal markings. A summary of each follows:

[Simons to Ludlow; dated Charleston, South Carolina, Dec 10 1793; 1 p.] "I was requested by our friend COL Read to forward a Bill of Exchange of one hundred dollars to you, the second of which I now inclose. The first you will receive by the Ship INDUSTRY. The bill is drawn on Messrs. Hoffman & Seton. I was happy to hear by Mrs. Read of you & your family. She speaks highly of your charming little daughter. I was in hopes that we should have had the pleasure of seeing Mrs. Ludlow & yourself in this Country, but Mrs. Read does not give us much encouragement to expect you soon. Mrs. Simons joins me in requesting our best respects to Mrs. Ludlow & your father & mother. We will also thank to remember us affectionately to Mr. & Mrs. Livingston & Miss Vanhorne when you see them ... [signed] Thos. Simons ..."

[Simons to Ludlow; Charleston, Dec 10 1793; 1 p..] This brief letter originally enclosed the first Bill of Exchange, mentioned above. In those times important letters and documents were often sent in duplicate -- by different ships or land routes -- to insure delivery against loss.

[Simons to Ludlow; "Rhode Island," Aug 18 1795; 3 pp.] "I have to acknowledge the receipt of your two favors, the last of which I received this morning. Your first favor I should have answered sooner, but I have left Newport & stay above five miles from it in the Country. I am in hopes that the Country here will be of more service to Mrs. Simons & to our girl than Newport, that we cannot so much find here as there. We are agreeably situated on a pleasant farm, which is open to the sea. Mrs. Cain was so well pleased with it she has joined us. Mr. Read I am in hope will also make one of our party. This is certainly the place for invalids. The day is pleasant if you do not vapor yourself in the heat of the Sun, but the agreeable coolness of the evenings contributes more to one's recovery. In your last you mention that you can get 18/6 for my ... indentures payable in Oct, if that price can now be obtained I will ask you to sell them. The first day of Oct is about the time I expect to be In New York. I will therefore [reqeust you] to file them payable on that day. If you cannot get that price, I will thank you to wait until the first of Sept and then sell them, unless you wish that they will sell better now, as I have no thoughts of funding them. I am in hopes that Mr. Read is in New York by this time & we shall meet him soon. The season is so far advanced ... [signed] Thos. Simons ..."

[Simons to Ludlow; from Mrs. Hazards, Thames Street, Newport, Aug 8 1795; 2 pp.] "I wrote you a letter just as I was about sailing from New Haven & inclose one for Charleston. I have to apologize for the trouble I then gave & now give you & shall rely on your goodness for my excuse. I have not received a line from any of my friends since I left New York. I can account for it no other way, than to suppose that their letters are at New York. If you should have any letters, bring them for me. You will greatly oblige me by sending them forward. We are in hopes that you feel no inconvenience from the heat of the weather in New York. We find it pleasant here & may make our best respects to Mrs. Ludlow & Miss Vanhorner and let them know that NewP. has increased very much, but that our little daughter has had a fever. She is now getting the better of it ... let me know what you can get for my indentures payable the first of Oct ... [signed] Thos. Simons ..."

[Simons to Ludlow; New Haven, Connecticut, Jul 26 1795; 2 pp.] "I was obliged to leave New York so early on Sat week morning, that I could not take my leave of you, as intended, without disturbing you. I therefore send up my indentures to you & will thank you to keep them until you hear further from me. Mrs. Simon recovered very much since she has been here. Her eye is much better. Our stay here has been much longer than we originally intended, on account of Dr. Flagg's daughter being sick. We shall, however, sail I hope tomorrow. We have spent the time very agreeably; Mr. Platt's and Mr. Broome's families have been very polite and attentive to us. Will you be good enough to make Mrs. Simon's & my best respects to Miss Vanhorne & Mrs. Ludlow & inform them of the flattering prospect we have of their speedy recovery. Mrs. S. requests of Mrs. Ludlow to beseach such sweet meats she thinks will keep best for her. I will be happy to hear from you ... [signed] Thos. Simons ... P.S. Mrs. S. has had 4 half gallons I've made here for her sweet meats, with her name, which I will forward to the person, who is to make the sweet meats, as would not wish to trouble you with them."

[Simons to Ludlow; Rhode Island, Sep 28 1795; 2+ pp.] "We had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Read on Monday the 4th Inst., but he had stayed so long we dispaired of seeing him here this season. He mentioned to me that you did send him to inform me that I could not get the price that you respected for my indentures. I hope, however, that you have sold them, as I have no idea of sending them to Carolina to be funded. I desired my friiends in Carolina if they could get me a small sum in indentures to get COL Read to inclose them to you; if has sent any, I will be much obliged to you to put them in a broker's hands to be sold immediately. I am giving you a great deal of trouble. If I could be of any service to you, I wish you would command me. I will thank you to make Mrs. Simon's compliments to Mrs. Ludlow & Miss VAnhorne. I inform them that Mrs. Simon is considerably better, but her eyes are still weak that she does not venture to [word not clear] ... [signed] Thos. Simons ...

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39th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment

Union Civil War soldier's letter, written in pencil, dated Camp 39th Reg. Wisconsin Volunters, Memphis, Tennessee, Monday, Aug 29 1864, from Sergeant Frederick William Friese, Company "A," 39th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, to his wife Mary in Milwaukee WI, with original stamped US 3c postgal envelope cancelled Memphis TN, Aug 29 (1864). The letter reads, in part, as follows, "I have just come in from picketing & have only time to write you a few lines before the mail leaves. We shall probably leave this place by Monday or Tuesday at latest & perhaps as early as Saturday. As soon as we get "marching orders," I will write you again as we shall probably leave within 48 hours after the receipt ... If Godfrey has not sent the money, mentioned in my last; when you get this, he need not send it & I shall try to get along without it. Any letters that may be sent here after we leave, will, of course, follow us. Let my folks know this ... [signed] F. Wm. Friese ...

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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."

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1829 St Clairsville Ohio to Staunton Virginia

Letter from St Clairsville, Ohio to Staunton, Virginia. It was written from John Hinton who had recently made his way to Ohio to start a new life. He writes to his sister Elizabeth in Staunton in Mach 1829. He talks about traveling to Ohio about the business there, and tells her to tell their brother that he couldn’t make a good business out of blacksmith but could as a tanner. He talks about possibly traveling to Cincinatti and much more.

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Edwin S. Kortz and Jennie E. Kern

These are the handwritten love letters of Edwin S. Kortz and Jennie E. Kern. There are also letters involving the Kortz’s children, Isabella and William. There are 15 letters in all, the earliest being 1876 and the latest 1902. There is also the wedding announcement of Edwin and Jennie.

To;

“Miss Jennie E. Kern

Nazareth Penna. Northampton Co.

Ann Arbor, Mich. Oct. 19th, 1876

My Darling Pet,

Your kind and very unexpected letter arrived tonight and was very much surprised as well as somewhat scared for I thought something might have happened to my darling but that feeling passed away rapidly as I read your sweet letter and darling I think you must think a great deal of me for your kindness is not to be surpassed…….Well Pet, that is what I am doing, thinking of nobody but my darling. Indeed as I read, somehow or other your sweet face will appear to me and then I must stop and think about you and my dear. By this you will see that I am not studying so very hard after all……I am very glad I have a picture of you so I can at least look at you if I cannot have you and which is something I do every day and oftener sometimes. I showed your picture to my roommate the other day and he remarked that you were a very good looking girl so you see I am not the only person who thinks your good looking. But you know that I do not only think you are good looking, but think you the dearest and sweetest darling wife (even tho they aren’t married yet) there can be in the world. Now darling that is just what I think you are and I want you to believe it. You know that I do mean it do you not my pet?…….kisses to my darling.”

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“Friday Noon, Phila, Dec. 30th, 1881

My Own Darling,

Having a large order to get out I was down to the store last eve till 10 P.M…….Words cannot express the loneliness felt by me since. One would hardly believe that on such a short acquaintance we would endure such pangs on being separated but as it is there is an uncontrollable feeling I cannot help it. Writing to you this morning makes me again feel happy and is a most delightful task…..Has anything leaked out yet? I suppose N. people are full of talk. Well we afforded a fine opportunity to have something to talk about. Darling how I long this morning for one sweet kiss, one look from those beautiful eyes. One loving smile but cruel, cruel fate whispers No! No! I hope God will grant us an opportunity to meet soon again and time may soon come when we shall be united together, never to part no more until one or the other is called home to Him to wait for the other on the beautiful shore in the beautiful city of gold. Should my time come before we meet, remember I will be watching and waiting for you there, ready to welcome you in through the pearly gates of the city of gold……I remain yours always, Ed. S. Kortz.”

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William Peter Maxwell of Brown University, Rhode Island 1798

2 page letter dated 1798, from William Peter Maxwell to William Green, both alumni of Brown University, Rhode Island....where Maxwell gives Green the business for not writing and keeping in touch.......signed William Peter Maxwell.

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Camp Stevens 1862

Camp Stevens Nov. 16, 1862 / Mr. J. H. Greenwood / Dear Sir / Will you see that James Lynch returns to Camp tomorrow morning in the 11 oclock train. His Irish friends persuaded him home last night.We gave him permission to go the junction to see his friends off and he skidaddled. If you will take this trouble we shall be under renewed obligation to serve you at the earliest opportunity. P. S. If he refuses to come than arrest him. Truly Yours John D. Edgell for Capt. Ashley.

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Camp Michigan, Virginia,1862

Alexandria Virginia Soldier's Cemetery ca 1861-1865

Union Civil War soldier's letter dated Camp Michigan, Virginia, Feb 2 1862, from Private Edward A. Mitchell, Company "K," 17th Michigan Infantry Regiment, to his brother A. H. Winchell, PO Box 484, Detroit MI;

original stampless cover postmarked Alexandria Virginia, Feb 5 1862, with ovate "Due 3" postal rate marking, accompanies the letter. The content reads, in part:

"I would like to know how ... [his friends] are getting along in different parts of the Army. I receive letters from Kentucky, that is from Ben. The last I heard from him the regiment were going towards Bowling Green to guard railroads. He says he has not seen a Sesesch [rebel] and no signs of seeing any. He says he was well and getting along finely. 

And have you ever heard from Dick Thayer since he left Detroit[?] I believe the regiment is quartered at Baltimore, where it has been ever since it came from the state. I have no news to tell you. All the news we have got out of the New York and Baltimore [news] papers, which we get every other day, but I do not see one in two weeks. 

I have received two Weekly Advertisers in the last two weeks and I guess thery are going to come all right after this. I found a good deal of news in the last paper I received ... if you take any weekly papers, will you send one to me after you have read it ... [?] I have nothing to read and it would pass away a good deal of spare time. If you don't take any, why never mind ... I got so hungry that I had to quit writing and get some bread to eat before I could finish the letter. 

Stephen Lowell is sergeant. He was promoted about three or four weeks ago. I was going to have my picture taken with all of my dressings on and send it home, but I had not money enough so I will wait until next pay. I got all but six and a half dollars dollars of that twelve that was sent me & that Nat Jacobs owed me. He went away without paying me. He came to see me in the morning before he went, and he said he would come in the afternoon and see me again, but he did not come so I lost the money ... If you see him, try and collect it ... [signed] "Bro. Ed."