J B F Russell, General Land Agency, Chicago, Feb. 24, 1842

Letter signed of J B F Russell, General Land Agency, Chicago, Feb. 24, 1842, with integral printed broadside, circular, 8" x 10", dated June 1, 1840, for his land agency business. It was postally sent to Joseph Roby Esq., Brockport, NY (forwarded to NYC). The letter contains information on paying taxes on Roby's land in Will and Cook Cos. "My sole business is in attending to the interest of non-resident land holders - and all such as are intrusted to my care will always be attended to promptly."

The printed portion gives information on Russell's land agency noting that he will pay taxes on Illinois, Wisonsan [sic] and Michigan land for residents and non-residents, in addition to title work and related business. The bottom contains a lists of (31) references, including military officers.

This letter is for sale on Ebay, Item number: 170180592924.

1843 Cork Ireland to Nantucket Letter.

1843 Ireland to Nantucket letter Item number: 250195696989

Mother of boy, Charles Fudger, who left home in Cork Ireland to go whaling writes to Charles and Henry Coffin of Nantucket Ma. Asking about her son Charles who left on the ship Charles and Henry three years ago. Pitiable out cry by a mother who very politely asks for help to locate her son.

This old letter is for sale on Ebay. Just follow the links on this page if you want to see more.

Elmira Prison Letter 1864

Civil War Elmira NYV Prison Guard Letter Jan 9 1864 Item number: 320185669996

Civil War Soldiers Letter from Jacob Larben (or Larfen) of the NYV Prison Regiment to his brother John. Jacob was a Guard at Elmira Prison. The letter is dated January 9, 1864. The three paragraphs are divided into a rathre formal greeting and take my pen in hand kind of relationship. He looks forward to the war ending in the Spring and states that Father Lincoln is attempting to bring to a close this terrible occasion. Do not fear. The Union will win and the Sessionist will repent. The second paragraph gives a few details about Prison Camp duty: it reads as written: Prison duty thu it be safe is much harder on the spirit than would be the wizzing of shell and ball. The rebels here are a sad lot, wounds and disease take many and our provost are less than gentel when dealing with them.

This great old Elmira Prison Letter is for sale on Ebay.

1749, Noddles Island.

1749,Noddles Island,Boston, Wm.Clarke letter, Item 170162458877

Letter dated December 1749, Noddles Island; where William Clarke has written to (Shute) Shrimpton Yeamans discussing the French amd Indian War, conditions of the buildings on Noddles Island, currency is unstable due to the war. He also talks about the land coming to Colonel Shrimpton from the old Indian land patent, the Million Acre purchase in New Hampshire.

This great old Noddles Island letter is on Ebay.

1806 Letter, Burlington Vermont

1806 Letter Burlington Vermont Item number: 300171869686


Dr Brother:

We arrived safe at home a few days a ago - I sipt (sic)at Middlebury several days, in order to affect something with regard to Banks -

When I got there - they had a bill before the house for a State Bank.
This Bill was brought forward by the opposition to the Banking interest and was carried one branch for this place, and another at Woodstock, before it passed the (worried (?) some of our friends left the house and they took that opportunity to propose an amendment and have one branch at Middlebury which was carried

- however we were glad to get rid of it the bill being one of the most inconsistent things ever brought before any Legislation

- It anticipates no capital as only five hundred dollars is appropriated to put it in ---and when the bills are issued if the State pleases they will pay them otherwise they will not as the State is not suitable and of course the holders of bills must loose them if they are not disposed to pay them

- When I get my business arranged I shall set for Boston / It will be uncertain whether I will come your way or not - If I should be in haste it will be better for me to go down the north turnpike....
...M Jewett."

1903 Kansas City, Missouri Letter

1903 Kansas City, Missouri Letter Item number: 200172634566

A personal letter by the Clerk of the Criminal court addressed to “My old friend Billie… you stick so close to Pony, [Missouri] now, don’t think that I don’t like Pony, and Pony people, infact I have wanted to come back to Pony ever since I left… why don’t you come to Butte once in a year, and call a fellow up and have a few more ‘bunches of rye’ together. One cant get lonsmn out here for there is an missalaneous croud dropping in here … as any Bohemian quarter in Paris.“ He then writes about his brother in law taking a “trip down the Mazoo” which will be a failure as “money making scheme.” “I will spend the late fall and all of winter in Southern California, Utah & New Mexico…I have seen some very bum prize fights… there has only been two good ones.” Etc… Signed “Chas Renick”.

This great Kansas City, Missouri letter is for sale on Ebay. If you would like to place a bid just follow one of the links to Ebay on this page.

1857 Abner J. Lowell Letter

1857 Abner J. Lowell Letter Item number: 230189476815

A May 25th 1857 letter from Abner J. Lowell to his cousin that mentions fishing voyage where "The Schooner was rolling rales (sic) under." It was written in small Point, and mentions a place called "Oak Hill". Abner says that the fishing voyage was rough for 48 hours. He also makes mention of the stationary being used and of the vignette which decorates it being a likeness of Col. J.C. Fremont.

I went and had a look in the 1860 United States Federal Census for Abner J. Lowell. I found a few people of intrest.

Abner Lowell Westbrook, Cumberland, Maine, 12, 1848 Maine
Abner Lowell Portland, Cumberland, Maine, 48, 1812 Maine
Abner T Lowell Bucksport, Hancock, Maine, 6, 1854 Maine
Abner Lowell Bucksport, Hancock, Maine, 62, 1798 Maine
Abner Lowell Palermo, Waldo, Maine, 15, 1845 Maine
Abner W Lowell Barnstable, Barnstable, Massachusetts, 57, 1803 Massachusetts
Abner Lowell Newburyport Ward 6, Essex, Massachusetts, 60, 1800 Massachusetts
Abner Lowell Raymond, Rockingham, Massachusetts, 35, 1825 New Hampshire

This letter is for sale on Ebay. If you are interested just follow one of the links to Ebay on this website.

Pittsford, Culpepper, Vermont, 1864

1864 Culpepper Vermont letter 10th Vermont Item number: 160176966468

1864 soldier's letter written camp near culpepper, Vermont. April 4th to MC Boyne, or Bogue in Pittsford, Vt. Written by John A Sheldon, Captain, 10th Vermont volunteers. Sheldon is answering the letter and says he is trying to secure a commission for Willie Peabody, and will notify of any incidents regarding the Pittsford boys.- I have recently promoted John Dike to a corporal.

This letter is on Ebay. Just follow one of the links on this page if you want to have a look.

Spanish & Philippine American War Letter

Spanish & Philippine American War letter Item number: 160176735028

Bayambang, PI Company I, 17th Infantry April 19th, 1900

Mrs. E. C. Bates,
My dear sister,
Mr. Bates letter came a few days ago. I was glad to hear from you all. Glad to hear that you were improving and hope you will get completely well again. We thought we would get to come home this summer but the way things look now, we will be here at least another year. We’re having more men killed on this island now at the present this than any time since. We have been here ?? to your face is mucho mego. That means “your friend” and where they get behind your back. They would cut your throat. They captured three men on the 29th just not long ago. Then they tied them to a stake and burned them alive and then drug them through the town and then cut their head off with bolows and such things is that are happening every day.



Looking up and the ?? has formed small bands of 25-50 bolow men and they rob all the natives and kill all the soldiers they catch away from their command. So you see you can’t ??? at all. We thought after we broke up all the large bands of ?? that the army would be reduced and some of the troops would get to go to the states. But I don’t think many of them would be sent back before another year. Our ball of the 14th infantry has gone back to the states. The ball of the 18th and 20th infantry will go home in May. We have been one year and one month, nine days and I think we will be another year. While I can’t stand it if it’s like the rainy season that was the course of all the cause of men’s death. Five companies of us of some regiment had quite a scrap in the 8th of this month on Sunday. We left here at 1pm on the 5th of this month and marched all night that night without any supper and went to camp at 6 o’clock and stayed like that til night and started out on the 7th and went to camp that eve at 5 o’clock. Got up the next morn at 3 o’clock to march to the mountains about four miles where we stayed at night and got our position by daylight. And I wished you and Mr. Bates could have seen the mountains. We have had the fight. General McAbolous was on that mountain with a squadron men well entrenched. Against us, took out mountain in tenn. ?? Is not in it well over our company was to attract the enemy and I trust Bradford gave me orders to take my squad of 7 men and take in and over guard in front of the hill where the enemy was are the rest of the company went out as flankes on both sides. A company was sent out on the left flank. Me and L company was sent out under command of Lt. Col. Rober. On the extreme right to get in the rear of the enemy. They had to march (8) mile over the mountain to come behind the enemy. While company D and the scouts come up the ravine on the right flank and we had the front where company A got all on the mountains on the left flank. The ladrous went up, then A company captured our post and burned the stalk ?? thin into the main body. When company A got around all the main body, we opened up from the front. The scouts got in from the rear they didn’t know what to do. But they retreated as far as they could. If A company had waited 30 minutes longer before they flanked them, and the scouts to get behind them, we would have demolished all of them. We kill about 20, wounded a good many and captured about 18 prisoners. Nothing will ever go down in records as driving General McAbolous and General Antoinio Montenegro out of there positions and if we had there positions, all the troops on the island couldn’t have driven us out but they didn’t have the nerve to stand. We had our officeIf they had stayed in their position, they would have killed all of us very freely. The reason they left their position, they thought we had them surrounded.Our officer wounded through both thighs; 1st Lt. Morrow of company D. He is getting along very well. I will send you a map of the hill in this letter.



General Montenegro surrendered to me and my squad on our port on the 9th day after the fight. I will send you this paper when get it. I have the paper now that the piece about the infantry but it can’t come and want to send it. I will wait until get the right one. Will jaru is better really now than those. Health now is poor for some time. Weight 180 lbs. yesterday. Please tell Mr. Bates to tell Mr. Clay that I haven’t been able to hear from Dr. Lester in Manilla at the 3rd hospital yet. I wrote to him but haven’t received any answer. He will be your back to the states. He is only a contract doctor and as you hear from him, I will answer his letter. And tell Mr. Bates to give the members of company H to give best wishes and kindest regards. And tell them the regiment will never be forgotten by the troops in the Philippine Islands and we would all like them to return again in the near future. Well we’ll close for this time. Write soon. I hope when this letter reaches you it will find enjoying good health. As it leaves me well that by the time this letter reaches you it find Mr. Bates enjoying good health. Mr. Bates said time ago thank him to please send me some chewing tobacco. Has he gotten better this time. Well good bye for this time you Bates write to your brother Corporal H. ???



You will all you will see in this sketch of the battleground, you can’t see any infantry but A company on the left flank over the mountain. And the advance guard below, that is my squad that is shooting up straight at the enemy. The paper wasn’t large enough to give all the companies. You will see where General McAbolous went straight up and jumped through the hole on the other side. You will see him making his escape down the mountain and you will look at the picture I sent you of Aguinaldo Cabirsh. And you will see the mau that surrender to me last Wednesday a week ago (General Montenegro). We have been after him for a year and just got him to speak good English. He was in New York 3 years. All the grass marks X are the mountains kept the where we had to charge up. The mountains in the search. There aught to be a back trail but you can’t get per it. In the sketch I will put a checkmark where the trail is to the other mountain. Well I want to write our mom and will send you a paper that gave a letter about the scrap. I will send you another paper in a few days. Well goodbye for this time. Write soon to your brother. Show this picture to some of the home troops and you could give it to the rancher. I would think they should be glad to get it. We burned all his headquarters. If you don’t give it to the people, send it to Billy. I will send you some of things I captured from McAbolous after the fight.

1796 Moses Jewett New Salem, Massachusetts

Autograph Letter Signed from Moses Jewett, dated New Salem, Massachusetts, May 10, 1796. Addressed to Mr. David Joseph Mallibran. It reads, in full:

Dear Friend:

You formerly observed to me, in one of your letters that nothing made a more ridiculous figure in a man's life than the disparity we often find in him, sick and well; thus one of an unfortunate constitution is perpetually exhibiting a miserable example of weakness both of body and mind. Sickness is a kind of early old age, it teaches us a diffidence in our early state, and inspires us with the thoughts of a future; it gives so warning a concussion to those props of our vanity, our strength and youth that we then think of fortifying ourselves within, when there is so little dependence on external. Youth at the best is but a betrayer of human life in a gentler and smoother way than old age; it is like a stream that nourishes a plant on a bank and causes it to flourish and blossom in the sight and at the same time, it is undermining at the root. Happy are they, my friend who learn not to despair, but shall remember that though the day is past and their strength is wasted there yet remains one effort more to be made. Reformation is never hopeless, nor sincere endeavors ever unassisted, he who implores strength from above will find danger and difficulty give way before him.
...Moses Jewett."


This New Salem, Massachusetts letter is for sale on Ebay. Item number: 300167189841

John Prince Knight. San Francisco California Letters

1850s San Francisco California Letters Item number: 330180082954

38 Pre Civil War Handwritten Letters. Most to: John Prince Knight. San Francisco California. And a few to other family members in Massachusetts. From: Most from Family Members & a few friends. Most from Boston & a few from other cities like Brighton, Germantown and one from Burlington College. & few other cities 1850 - 1866. Most later 1850s to early 1860s. [ 18 with year dates either on postmarks or letterheads & 20 without year dates] Mentions In Part: Visiting & Visitors - Wine bottle broke in Franks hand quite badly across the palm while drawing the cork - Sarahs wedding anf who attended - Henry Baldwin out in Brighton is engaged to a Sheep Killers daughter - Sleighing has been good - There is to be an ? immense cast at the Foundry and we expect several friends over to see the sight - The Brother Cup is perfect both in shape & color I can't imagine how it could have come such a distance - Daisy and Anna are playing and shaking the table so I can't write - Baby Daisy has Lung Fever, Dr. Channing - Trips to Brighton Massachusetts and New York City - Lydia talks of having a Ambrotype taken soon - Mr. Hooker took his dinner to the Mill to be ready for the train - Social at the House, all you will need is plenty of Light, you have lamps enough for the whole house but we have no oil, the can is at the Mill, got the Church cookery - Gift of a rocking chair - Goat attacked by dogs, men to the rescue - Their old friend Capt. Thomson died of cancer - Sick in bed for a number of weeks - Lovely Easter & Easter Sunday with flowers - New family dog named Dash, followed our old potato man came to see us - We had the house illuminated one night. A splendid procession formed on this street just in front of the house. The firing of the Cannon shook the house and caused one of the little ? lamp to fall from a bar on one of the front windows in my room ....., I threw a clock and shawl over the flames without sucess..... - It is prudent for you to be on the Wharf all night alone? - Writer updates John on all of the trees. The English Walnut you planted is eight feet high, Devils Walking Stick is about seven feet high ..... - Mr. Alger took us all over to the Foundry to see a large boiler for a Steam Ship cast - Mother died, I arrived the second day after the funeral - Mr. Bray has been making me a pair of skates from a mismatched old pair he found in the house. He took off the runners, fixed them onto a pair of Mahogany soles which he cut out very nicely .... & More.

This batch of John Prince Knight. San Francisco California Letters is for sale on Ebay. If you want to have a look or place a bid just follow the links to Ebay.

Moses Jewett to David Jewett Massachusetts Letter

1799 WWeston Massachusetts Letter JEWETT Jaffrey NH MANN's TAVERN Item number: 300164522801


letter dated June 24, 1799 Weston, MA to David Jewett, Jaffrey, NH
Hand carried and in manuscript on the delivery side
"To be left at Mann's Tavern"

Letter is from Moses Jewett to David Jewett, his brother. He mentions wishing to send his Horse to New Ipswitch within three or four weeks when he'll be arriving there and to ride to David's house. He desires to have Mr. Crosby informed and have the horse sent there and "take care of her."

This Massachusetts letter is for sale on Ebay. If you want to bid just follow one of the links on this page.

John H Greider Civil War Letter

1862 Manchester Tenn illustrated soldiers letter Ebay Item number: 280165030665


Manchester August 3rd from
John H Greider- no unit designation, to his sister.
I am no at Manchester Tennessee near the mountains-the rebels are with in 15 miles of us-we expect an...every day we have to stand ready for them-all the time we have a line of battle formed all the time day and night we have but very little rest now and besides that we have to go on picket duty every other night and besides that only half rashens-we have the hard times since we were in service-we are now detach to general smith devishen...to previde for his man like Negly did but I hope we will soon get to him again. but smith is a better general than negly is....the resen we got only half rashens was that battle at muffortsborro and the rebels burnd that bridge... you need not look for me insight a year. captured 1100 barrels of flower from the rebels at this town.

This John H Greider Civil War Letter is for sale on Ebay. Just follow the links if you are interested.

Hannah Osborne in Keene, NH to David Jewett, Jaffrey, NH

Letter from From Hannah Osborne in Keene, NH to David Jewett, Jaffrey, NH. The letter, though with a Keene postal, is datemarked Paris, NY,
JULY 4TH 1803!
In Part:

From Hannah Osborne writing her brother and send her regards, tells him she intends to see him and Hannah asks David to "make me seventy or eighty dollars" They have an extraordinary chance to by a farm home if we can make out a first payment. "If not we shall go to into black river cuntry (sic) as we have taken up land there."

This interesting old letter is for sale on Ebay. If you want to bid just follow one of the links on this page.

Morriss family Letters of Lynchburg, Va

Spanning a time period beginning 1920 thru 1930, 5 envelopes addressed to various Morriss family members of Lynchburg, Va. There is family gossip and much talk of investing and financial dealings. Some of the letters are handwritten and some typed.

One sample letter reads: Jan. 26, 1926. Dear Sisters, I have been intending to write you a few lines since my return, but have been putting it off from day to day as I have had no news of interest to write. I found everybody pretty well on my return and went to Va. Beach last Friday and ate New Years dinner with the family. All of them were there and they had a nice turkey for dinner. Emerson and Meyer came that morning. We had a joint note from Louise this A.M. saying they were all well. They left here last Sunday for Baltimore. Don't ever refer to what I told you in regard to the history of Louis's case to Etta or any one as it was told me as a secret, and it will do no good now to stir it up, just let it be a thing of the past and don't let Louis know that you know it. I guess she suffered enough over the matter. There will be a big banquet at Monticello Hotel Friday night which will be $5.00 a plate. We will have some distinguished speakers such as Gov. Trinkle, Gov. elect Byrd, some of the Admirals and others as well as good music and I judge good eats. I have applied for a reservation. I suppose you have seen in the papers about the fire in the Governors mansion in Richmond from a Christmas tree, they are dangerous things after they have been in a heated house a few days, if they should catch on fire they will burn as fast as any thing saturated with kerosene Oil, and there is no way to put them out without great damage to your building by flooding with water, so you had better get yours out as quick as possible. We have had rain here for several days. It is not raining today but is very warm and bad weather for colds and Pneumonia. Montie has had a bad cold but think he is getting better. I am glad to say I have been free of one so far and am feeling fine. Love to Preston and all. Aff. Your brother, E.W. Morriss

The Morriss family Letters of Lynchburg, Va Item number: 170160262330 are for sale on Ebay. If you would like to bid just follow one of the links on this page.

Rockbridge County Virginia, Mary T. Miller

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY VA LETTER PLEA FOR WELFARE Item number: 190163133213


A woman named Mary T. Miller writes a poignant plea to a Rockbridge County board—probably for welfare assistance. Her writing is quite illiterate with many words misspelled.


“GENTLE MEN OF ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY WHO ATTEND TO THE POOR OF GOD’S EARTH: as I am one of that number, I hope you will do what is just and right by me as I am in bad health and can’t appear myself before you.

Please think of me one minute I waited on that sick(?) man that had known him whom was as helpless as an infant babe. If it was your mother or wife that lost her (?) 5 weeks and could not get rid of her burden, what would not you think this a just cause?

I am a mother of 4 little helpless children and a crippled husband. Please, I will be thankful for whatever you think right for me.
From Mary T. Miller
In care of my mother Margaret Thompson.
I hope you will accept her to tend to this for me.”

Written on reverse is “Mrs. Miller’s petition to board of O. D(?).


This Rockbridge County Virginia letter is for sale on Ebay if you want to take a look just follow one of the links to Ebay on this page.

Letter G. Barrington Richmond Pitkin

I found this interesting letter on Ebay. You can bid on it by following one of the links on this page.

“Great Barrington April 2, 183-

My Dear Budd,

In your last some three or four______ you said something very clever about a “brisk Correspondence” good! but the bad is you are so subject to changes…….As to Pegasus, he had done grandly without blanket or oats. One hundred lines more will make me four thousand, which work I tell you is grand or would be with a good sitting. You will hardly credit my judgment firstly on account of natural partiality, secondly writers of good judgment are known to be ill judges of their own works, and thirdly because I thought so well of my old poem. As to the former poem, I now see it but poor poetry but it has been an ample aid, a treasury where I had deposited many valuable and grand ideas and some as near original or will generally be found at the present day…….Well I say the poem is in a fine way, before it’s completion, I shall probably add a thousand lines more. 5,000 that will make a pretty volume. The subjects, as a work, are far from being trite, and it is connected in a chain something like Child Harold, which you pointed out for my imitation in plan. The Indian is the predominant character. I have added sixty more lines to the piece I sent you, which I think more lyric than the other stanzas. When you write make some remarks on these things that will aid me. I want much to know what your calculations are about coming home this summer, you must come here or I must go to you and fix the poem. I must have it prepared and out this year. I need the avails of it and I have no doubt it will win it’s way in the world and amount to something; though I am as still as a mouse. _______are impatient to have it out……..I am very sorry to inform you that Nash B. has not been home yet. Since he left here he has found bad associates and his “natural tastes” as you call it has got the ruins, and he has become in some measures intemperate, though he had persevered in abstinence for two years……..Summer’s have just lost a beautiful boy sixteen months old. I never saw any person so completely cut down at the loss of a little child as he is and I think the effect will be lastingly beneficial. The night before the funeral there were two watchers to watch with the corpse there. Summer called his family together with the watchers, knelt down and made a very fervent prayer with them, as one of the watchers stated. Should Summer be a Christian he would be one with all is might, he is an Episcopalian…….I don’t know what you do to these Northerners down there for they all tell one story and that is a mighty fine one. Tis monstrous queer to blind so many eyes! Nor fairy gold could bury so many lies……(More on Nash)……I have not once attended meetings since you left here nor has there been much meeting to attend…..Our villagers are making their move today. John Russet takes the tavern and Beebe’s move opposite Mr. Burts. Mrs. House keeps a boarding house in the brick building south of the tavern. She has been very dangerously sick but is getting better…….Doctor Rogers inquired the other day whether you were publishing a paper and said you promised to send him some numbers. Your ever affectionate mother M.B. Pitkin…..162 lines remember!”

David Jewett of Jaffrey, New Hampshire 1802

Burlington Vermont dated June 17, 1802. Addressed to David Jewett of Jaffrey, NH from Moses Jewett, his Brother. Letter regards enclosing a twenty dollar bank note, thinks the money was stolen in the mail – he just returned from Canada – Talks of supplying leather and a “load of harness and some bridle leather…and shall trade with then for the usual credit…” He sold his horse for sixty dollars…”


This letter is for sale on Ebay, Item number: 300159529184. If it is of intrest to you for your genealogy, you can bid on it. Just follow one of the links to Ebay on this page.

HENRY WALLER LETTERS 1840s

HENRY WALLER SURVEYOR - 5 LETTERS - 1840S Item number: 260168648165

LETTERS PERTAINING TO HENRY WALLER - CIVIL ENGINEER IN NEW ORLEANS, ETC. - 1. Four Page Letter Dated July 7, 1843 New York - From Joseph Waller to Henry Waller at Donaldsonville, Paris of Ascension, La. - Regarding Family Matters - 2. Four Page Letter from Mother in New Orleans to Henry Waller at Land Office Donaldsonville, Dated March 16, 1845 - Family Matters - Caring for very sick daughter, etc. - 3. Letter Postmarked "Steam 5" - Addressed to Henry Waller - State Engineers Office - New Orleans, Dated March 9, 1846 - On Steamer Clinton From Brother William - Regarding Survey Business & Prospects for work - 4. Letter Addressed to Henry Waller, Asst. State Engineer, New Orleans - Baton Rouge - Dated March 20.1846 with "Steam 5" Cancellation Postmark - Regarding Family Matters & Surveying Business - 5. Draft of a Letter to Hon. Henry Johnson, Washington City - from Henry Waller for appointment of Survey General of Louisiana - Mentions references of General Taylor and his experiences of three and half years etc.

The letters are for sale on Ebay. If you are interested just follow one of the links on this page.

BAILEY & CHANDLER FAMILY LETTERS FROM MAINE

1861+ ANTIQUE MAINE FAMILY LETTER LETTERS COLLECTION
PRAYER MEETINGS - AMPUTATION - BAILEY & CHANDLER FAMILY Item number: 330171237595

Handwritten Maine Family Letters - Correspondence. Most To: "Dear Sister" Janette Bailey Chandler. Most from: "Sister Nancy" Bailey. Some from Sands Bailey, Daggett & Others. Most from Cambridge Maine. a few from Amesbury, Green Corners and other Maine locations. 1861 - 1889. Most in 1870s. Mentions In Part: Anne did not come with us. She did not wish to leave Maine, therefore stopped at Lewis Woods in Winthrop giving lessons on the Melodrum - Headstones - Prayer Meetings - Wm Collins suicide - Making over our old dresses - It seems to bad when so near and you have a good team that you can not come - Sends you the little bottle of Preserves to remember her - Issiah has two singing schools besides his daily labor in the store - Louista impending Amputation - My left arm cannot do anything hard because it pulls hard on the kidney - P.M.B. from Boston & two of this place had her limb Amputated just a little above the knee& you can better imagine than I can tell how ? tending the scene. She took ether but still a disturbing moan was heard all over the house, it did seem to me I could not endure it. Writer goes on to write about the following days after the amputation...... she was suddenly taken of violent coughing and vomiting ......all exhausted grew cold, all the extremities arms and leg, death ......the physicians all night working with all their power resides all the rest of us warming cloths and rubbing applying a battery and all was cold as death and like it ? her fingers turned stiff & pale as death & the most disturbing scene I have ever witnessed - [the next day] Levista seems better & her physician thinks she is as well as can be expected, like raising the dead - Influenza which prevails in this place - The doctors are the greatest Humbugery of the age, they didn't know enough to know their ignorance - Sleighing - Made pudding and gingerbread - They are attending yearly meeting at New Port RI - I sent some silk to have a bonnet made by Levesta, I don't care if tis a Quaker - Minister C.R. Daggett [Duggett?] with us now and boarding - Fathers Death - Bottle of Medicine duly received - Mothers Death and description.

This bunch of Bailey family letters is for sale on Ebay. If you want to bid on it you can follow one of the links on this page.