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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Love Letters 1836

Two love letters written by John Cooley to his wife Lucina in 1836. John is on board the brig Sampson under the leadership of Captain Purkis. Lucina is staying at John H. Purkis’s house in Providence Rhode Island while John is away.

The first letter is two pages long and finds him at Brunswick in a frantic state because he has not received any letters from Lucina and is terribly worried because of it. The second letter, which is 3 pages long is written 3 months later, and shows that he has finally received a letter. In this one he recites poetry to her and in both letters you can see how much he loves and misses her and the children.

A few excerpts from each letter……

“Brig Sampson at Bruswick, 15 miles below Wilmington

January 19th, 1836

Dear Wife,

I with pleasure inform you that I enjoy very good health and hope that you and all of the family enjoy the same blessings. If you ever lived or died on suspense or ever knew anybody else to, consider my anxiety. 23 days ago I wrote a letter to you from this place and one from Havana on the 10th of last month and I have not received an answer from neither of them yet. What can be the reason of it I cannot imagine unless it is because you have not wrote to me. Capt. Purkis has received answers from his and our letters all were sent at the same time and by the same mail. You must suppose that it causes a great uneasiness and an anxiety that I cannot express. I cannot believe that you would neglect writing to me when you know how earnestly I entreated you before I left Providence and in my two last letters I made the request; and directed you how to proceed to get an answer to me in this place. Capt. Purkis went to Wilmington yesterday and as soon as he gets on board again (we expecting him every moment) we shall sail for Havana and if he does not bring me a letter from you------and if you did not write by Capt. Chambers, altho I have not seen him yet------what shall I do or what is to be done. I left a vessel last winter and came after a letter myself but I did not expect to do it this. If I accuse you wrongfully I humbly beg your forgiveness but I assure you that I am very uneasy about you all. I hear the winter is very severe in the North and I am anxious to know how you and the family fare…….Capt Purkis has come from Wilmington and he has not any letters for me. I am very sorry that it is so for it has disappointed me and increased my anxiety very much. We are under sail and shall leave the pilot in a few minutes. If you have an opportunity of writing to Havana as soon as the 8th of February write and you will unburden me of a load of uneasiness which is hard to carry…….Dear Lucina, I remain yours until death, John Cooley.”

“Havana, April 26th, 1836

Dear Wife,

I with pleasure sit down to inform you that we have commenced taking in cargo to sail for Boston on the first day of May. I received your kind letter of the 24th of March on the 23rd of this month and am very happy to hear that the family are all alive and well. It is a great disappointment to all that we cannot come to Providence with the Brig first as going to Boston deprives us of bringing home fruit and other necessaries which would be of some benefit…..I do assure you that there is no one in the family that wishes me at home half so much as I wish to be there myself for I might say with the poet, “How oft in the visions of night I desire thee, thy countenance attends thy form bent with grief with the fondest affections, endeavors to sooth thee but all my exertions trust fail of relief. Though for distant from thee perhaps at this moment, thy thoughts may arise with affections sincere and though cruel fortune so long keeps me distant, I still will be with thee and still will be dear.” For there is no telling how I long to see you all since I have heard the glad tidings that you wrote in your letter of our family and sister Mary. It is the greatest consolation message you could have ever sent me…..It is getting late and I have not time to say half so much as I wish to. Give my love to sisters Bowen and Mary and their children. Congratulate them for me on the happy changes that has taken place among you. I hope soon to be with you myself and then we can say more about it. Give the children all a father’s kiss for me. I hope they will not have long to look for papa……I remain your affectionate until death, John Cooley.”

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James Crandal 1792 Rhode Island

Hand written letter dated 1792 with the letter writers seal beside his name.

Know all men by these present that I James Crandal of Westerly in Washington County and State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation for it valuable consideration to me in hand well and truly paid by Daniel Whitney Late of Newport now residing in the State of Masachusets and herewith I am content do hereby sell asign set over and transfer unto him the said Daniel Whitney a certain ballance reported to be due to me by a committee appointed by the Legislature of the State of Rhode Island and on account of the depreciation of my pay as a solider in the late State Regiment commanded by Coll. John Toppin which ballance amounting to fifteen pounds eleven shilling lawful money as by the depreciation account of said regiment will appear and with the interest due thereon to have and to hold the said transferred balance to to him the said Daniel Whitney his heirs Executor (?????can't make this word out) or asigns forever furthermore I the said James Crandal do hereby constitute and appoint the said Daniel Whitney or his atterney my Atterney and in my name but for his or there use to demand and recover said ballance and acquittance thereof to give in my name and this I give as my Irrevocable power with full power of substitution In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 30th day of March in the 16th year of American Independence A1792 Signed sealed and delivered in presents of Sam Bliven George Saunders Washington County of Westerly March the 30th A1792 Personally appeared the above subscriber M'James Crandal and acknowledged the before going instrument to be his free act and deed hand and seal before me. Sam Bliven Justice of the Peace.

This document is for sale on Ebay Item number: 180359723034.

Letter to Thomas B. Gould, Newport, Rhode Island, from Quaker John King, Ledyard, Cayuga County, New York, February 5, 1855

Name: Phillip F. Schlee
E- mail: schlee@ksu.edu

Ledyard, Cayuga County N. Y.
2 mo. 5 1855

My dear Friend Thomas B. Gould

Although I have written two letters to thee which remain unanswered, I felt this evening again like taking the pen to let thee see that thou hast still a place in my affectionate remembrance, that I realize no abatement of that true nearness and unity of feeling towards thee, which I have long entertained, being enabled cordially to embrace thee as a brother beloved; and I hope and believe that nothing different to this is entertained by thee towards myself.

Since my last communication quite a change has taken place in the general aspect of matters, but now particularly in Ohio and consequently in Philadelphia Yearly Meetings: although we have much to regret the weakness observable, in relation to coming up promptly to Truth and consistency, in at once avowing that unity of spirit which all must realize one with another, who continue as branches of the living vine, that they may be enabled to show forth the fruits of the spirit, love, gentleness, long-suffering[,] charity, and all those virtues which alone compact us together as the living temple, entirely consecrated to the Lord of Hosts, yet I must desire that those who may be compared to some formerly, who saw men as trees walking, may be ultimately favored to see things as they really are; for unless there is an abiding in the Truth, we cannot truly and entirely acknowledge those who dwell in it.

As we severally endeavor to keep our places in the Church of Christ, looking to Him who has all power both in heaven and in earth, for our daily sustenance, and for strength to do all which He requires in the eternal and invincible authority of Truth and in the innocence of the Lamb immaculate; He will bring about results in His own good pleasure and time (which is ever the best time,) marvellous in our view; but what a mercy during the commotion of the elements, while those who act in the unsanctified and corrupt nature are suffering a cushing abrasion, as they are set in motion by the human will, to find that we are safely held, as in the hollow of the Divine hand, hence none are able to pluck us, and to trample us, as under their feet.

I was much interested in a letter thou wrote to Joshua Maule giving an account of thy journey through Ohio and Pennsylvania, a copy of which he kindly sent me, and although I had deeply to regret that there was that full unity wanting in regard to embracing our New England Friends then present, as brethren, as well as fully acknowledging both your meeting and ours, both on their own account and on ours, yet I was much gratified to find that so much kindness and sympathy was shown thee by others: and above all, I think there is great cause for gratitude, that the Good Master was pleased to be near thee, enable thee to divide the word aright, and as I think was the case, to give general satisfaction wherever He was pleased to direct thee.

I have understood that thou has some prospect of visiting our next Yearly Meeting, which I hope if consistent with His precious will, who directs all things rightly, thou may be able to accomplish: Should thou do so, if it seem pleasant and best to thee, it would be gratifying to me if thou would make my house thy lodging place. Our valued Friends Ezra and Phebe Haines attended our last Y. M. and I hope were upon the whole pretty well satisfied; and Oh! that we may be favored so to live that in condescending mercy He may still deign to be near us; to enable us in the meekness of eternal wisdom to keep all from amongst us displeasing in His Holy sight; that we may each and all dwell in the mind of one formerly who said; “One thing have I desired of the Lord, and that will I seek after, to dwell in the house of the Lord, and inquire in His temple”; and as we are living stones of His church or temple, He will answer our enquiries, be our guardian, our guide and sure reward and a counsellor in the needful time.

Please to inform thy wife that Susannah Marriott still continues to enjoy a comfortable state of health. In love to thyself, wife and family, my wife and Susannah Marriott uniting with me Thy affectionate friend John King A few lines from thee would be acceptable.

Notes: Letter to Thomas B. Gould, Newport, Rhode Island, from John King, Ledyard, Cayuga County, New York, February 5, 1855; from the Phillip F. Schlee Collection.

Albert Arnold Corfu, 1847 to Amey Allin, Rhode Island

Letter is addressed to Mrs. Amey Allin, Providence, R.I., and is a three+ page 'Dear Mother' letter written by daughter Sarah, and also one page of writing from 'son' A.N. Arnold. He was actually son in law, but the usual custom in those days was to leave out the 'in law'.

The headline is Corfu, Jan 8, 1847.

Arnold did his writing on Jan. 21. A.N. Arnold would be Albert Nicholas Arnold.

Here's a bio I saw on the internet: "Albert Nicholas Arnold ARNOLD, Albert Nicholas, clergyman, born in Cranston, Rhode Island, 12 February 1814; died in Cranston, Rhode Island. 11 October 1883. He was graduated at Brown in 1838, studied at Newton theological seminary, and on 14 September 1841, was ordained pastor of the Baptist Church at Newburyport, Massachusetts. From 1844 to 1854 he was a missionary to Greece, from 1855 to 1857 he was professor of Church history at Newton seminary, and in 1858 he became pastor at Westborough, Massachusetts, where he remained until 1864. He was then chosen professor of biblical interpretation and pastoral theology in the Baptist seminary at Hamilton, New York, and from 1869 to 1873 held the professorship of New Testament Greek in Baptist theological seminary at Chicago. Dr. Arnold published, in 1860, "Prerequisites to Communion," and in 1871 "One Woman's Mission."

Some abstracts:

[Sarah]"My dear husband has enjoyed almost uninterrupted health, and has been permitted, after two years hard study, to commence the preaching of the gospel, in the difficult language of the Greeks, and has been favoured with very good audiences."

"About a fortnight ago we had an examination of our little Infant school. Seventy six children were present, others were kept at home from sickness and other causes."

"What a sad account you gave of Prof. Gale's voyage to the South, but this was not so dreadful as the loss of the Atlantic, if reports which have come to us are true. Did you know any of the passengers?"

[Albert]"While Sarah is having her Italian lesson on the opposite side of the table, I must write you a few lines."

"Sarah has not told you that we have two American sailors in Corfu, one from Providence, from Christian Hill, from High Street. At least his mother now lives, he says, on High St. His name is Nathan Crowell. His mother is married to David Coller, machinist. His family, he says, are all Methodists. The other is from Lowell. They were shipwrecked on the Albanian coast, about a day and a half's sail north of this island, and their vessel and cargo were lost."

B. Gove Docketing, Maine to Rev. C. H. Titus, Rhode Island, 1840

This stampless letter has a faint red circular date stamp for MONMOUTH Me. [Maine], a handwritten 5 cent rate, and is addressed to Rev. C. H. Titus, Woonsockett, R.I., and is a two page letter written by B. Gove. Docketing on a fold says "Bradbury Gove".

The headline is Monmouth Dec 19, 1840.

He starts out 'Dear Brother', which may mean brother in law.

Some abstracts:

"We have long been in a state betwixt two wheather to write or not if we knew you had entirely forgotten us. I should not have troubled you with this but as we are very anxious to hear from you and to know what has become of Mother ..."

"Charles, we have felt that it would be a privelege to hear from you as we could not see you and tell you our feelings, we feel that we have been truly afflicted in the death of our darling boy and although the wheels of time are swiftly roaling ..."

"Our family are all well as common at the present all though sickness and death are all a round us there has been a number of deaths since I last wrote you, Mr. Stephen Prescott has died and I.N. Prescott has lost a son, we are now all a lone, Aunt Lydia has gone, we have moved in to the parlor expect Mr. Donell to move in soon."