Nancy Shippee, of Readsboro, Vermont

4 page letter, dated Feb. 10, 1862, from Nancy Shippee, of Readsboro, Vermont. Discusses family matters, marraige, Francis Boyd enlisting to go south, and Stamford soldier brought home named Richardson.

Ebay Item number: 170312713836

James Magee 1784

Letter from Fairfax County, Virigina., dated 22 day of April, 1784., stating that a young woman has taken the oath that she was made pregnant by Cpt. James Magee of the Ship GUSTAVUS, and that he shall be found and brought forward to answer to these charges. The woman has born a bastard female child and will likely be charged to the state for support.

This letter is for sale on Ebay Item number: 300300812759.

Camp Pierpont 1861

Nov 28th, 1861 letter written at Camp Pierpont, Va. . Letter was written by Sam M Stricby.
He writes We have our tent built up 31/2 feet with poles and then dug down 11/2 feet in the ground and our tent set on poles and banked up around the poles with dirt and then a fire place in the bank and one bunk in the floor for 2 to sleep and one a bove for 2 more to sleep. As this was Thanksgiving for Pa., I was in the country at an old favorite place and had a splendid diner, it consisted of roast pork-fresh- stewd rabid, warm buisket mashed potatoes....I suppose you have the news of the 1st Pa R Cavelry at Dranesville the other side of us. They brought along 11 prisners past our camp next day most of them on foot and 2 other rebels wounded and left 2 ded in the field. Our men was 4 wounded, one of them was the assistant surgon of the hospital. more about camp life.

Sam M Stricby

This great old Civil War letter is for sale on Ebay Item number: 280321194537

Samuel Lillie 1705

Letter dated 1705, where mechant Samuel Lillie (Lilly) has written to Captain William Pickering, presently at Newfoundland, regarding the contents of the Sloop Content, mostly a hoard of fish....he also wishes Pickering to sell, at best price, a load of sundry goods to the people of Newfoundland and get paid in bills of exchange from London based banks, then to re-load with what fish can be had..but no contraband goods...if he gets blown of course then proceed to Berbadou (Barbados?)and get molasses and rum...signed Samuel Lilly.

This letter is up for sale on Ebay Item number: 350173047320.

John H. Bowles of Portsmouth 1879

A fabulous reminiscence written by John H. Bowles of Portsmouth [New Hampshire} to a young man named George in Boston, Nov. 12, 1879. In elaborate detail, Bowles describes his first trip to Boston, the "El Dorado" of his imagination, as a thirteen year old in June of 1825:

The vast wharves with ships; visit to the Hancock Tavern; trip to the New England Museum where he sees a wax statue of George Washington and strange sea creature; death and funeral procession of Gov. Eustis; attends an amazing grand Equestrian Spectacle with a fire ball, chariot and cream colored horses; witnesses a fire on Doane St. which burned 60 of the finest warehouses in Boston - "...massive granite buildings..split to pieces like glass"; Bunker Hill Celebration; hears Daniel Webster orate; shakes hands with Lafayette.

Ebay Item number: 170307811557

Muntown May 28 1863, Thomas Briggs Letter

An original Civil War letter dated Muntown May 28 1863. This is a letter written to Thomas Briggs from his mother. In this letter she mentions the Battle of Fredericksburgh which occurred in Virginia and someone who was in the fight it looks like his name is Laz she writes, "we have got three letters from laz since the batle at fredericksburgh and he was in the fight but he came off safe Bill donaldson and Boy atkinson and McCune of Cannonburgh was all killed laz says there was eighty five killed and wounded in his regiment Colin walls got the hind part of his cap shot off and cut the skin to the skull the report came here that laz was wounded in the knee but it was to so torn we her that you had run off to cannedry...we want you to try and rite oftener and give us the war news and tell us if you think there is any prospect of the war coming to an end...." She also talks about a draft and that they are enrolling all able bodied men, she says some say they will not go till they are forced out, she also says if he wants to write to Laz Briggs he should direct the letters to 140 Regmt Co H Care of Capt Stockton Washing City. At the end it is says, "...tell us you think you can get a discharge your Mother Nancy Briggs writen by A H Caesber."

This letter is for sale on Ebay Item number: 120382539422.

El Paso, Texas Court Martial 1850

Letter dated Presidio de San Elizario [El Paso, Texas], June 28, 1850, from Major William S. Henry, Third Infantry, to Lieutenant Lafayette McLaws, regarding changes to the court martial charges being brought against Lieutenant Lawrence O'Bannon.

If Lieutenant Lawrence O'Bannon was one of your ancestors this letter would make a great addition to your genealogy. You can find the letter on Ebay Item number: 200312167079.

W.S. Mills, Colorado River 1881

Letter signed by W.S. Mills (business man possibly of Oakland California Area).

Steamer Gila Colorado River January 31, 1881

My Dear Daughter Lyra; We expect to reach Ehrenberg this evening where I can mail this letter. Ehrenberg is 125 miles from Yuma --- 125 miles in 9 days is slow traveling. We have made most of the distance in the last three days, and we hope to make the next 175 miles to Ft. Mohave in 6 days. The scenery on the colorado is varied and at places very fine. The most noted things we have passed are Castle Dome, Chimney Peaks, Light House Rock, The Barriers, and Red Rock Gate. Castle Dome is a high mountain, the top of which looks like the Capitol Building at Washington. The Dome looks exactly lilke the Capitol Dome. It was in sight for seven days and from each location it presented the same appearance. The Chimnney Peaks look like immense monuments with perpendicular sides, tapering very little more than the Washington monument at Washington, but seeminly ten times its height. They have been in sight ever since before we reached Yuma on the railroad. Day before yesterday we passed near them. When in a certain position as we came up the river the top of the tallest peak looked like an immense human head with two distinct human faces, one looking south the other looking north. It is said there is another profile to be seen on this peak from some other position--where upon we named it Trinity Peak. Light House Rock is in the river and looks quite like a Light House structure. The Barriers is a place in the river where at a little distance it seems to come to an end-- to be barred by rocks. Red Rock Gate is a point in the river where it is quite narrow--drawn in by the red rock bluffs on each side. We are now in a wide valley with the mountains in the distance on both sides. Occasionally there are groves of cottonwood trees in the valley. My fellow passengers are Mr. Macfarlane, Major Walton of Oakland Cal. A Mr. Morez a machinist, and Mr Sanders of San Francisco who is engaged in gathering mining statistice forthe Government census. All are intelligent men and good company. Through the day we read and talk and comment on the scenery. The boat ties up to the bank at evening. In the evening we generally have a game of whist. We pass the time very pleasantly. The steamship crew is of a remarkable cosmopolitan character. The Captain is a New Yorker, of German descent. The Clerk is from North Carolina and was in the rebel navy. The Engineer is a Yankee, the Mate is a Spaniard, the Wheelman is a Greek, the steward and cook are Chinamen, the men are Mexicans and Indians-- the Indians being from four different tribes Yumas, Cocopaks, Mohaves, and Deegans. The variety of language is amusing and interesting. Mr. Sanders is a German and speaks the German language. Mr. Welton is a college graduate and speaks French. The Indians seem to know more Spanish than English, so their orders are given them in spanish. Mr Macfarlane tells me he left school at 17 and I was surprised to hear him talk German, French and Spanish. Sinche we left Yuma he has read a book in German, some in Spanish and is now studing Latin, remarking that he read Latin a little is School. All else he has learned sincer he left school-- as well as the science of chemistry which gives him his particular profession, and enables him to command a high salary. All this learning has been picked up as he passed along through life. He is now 47 years old-- he has a wife and nice children and is as industriouis a student as you would find anywhere. My cold is somewhat better though I cough considerable yet. Otherwise I am in good health. Love to your Mother and Leof and you. This letter must answer for all of you. I hope you are getting strong daily. W.S. Mills.

This letter is up for sale on Ebay Item number: 400032010830

LETTER FROM WEST POINT 1882

Letter acting on behalf of the widow of a soldier named Rodger Maher, hoping the Congress will grant her some "bail out" money. Rodger Maher served with the 10th New York Vols and was wounded at the Wilderness, treated and returned to duty and died while on pickett duty.

Ebay Item Item number: 290295395759

Indian Agent of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency

The writer is D.B. Dyer, Indian Agent of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency, I.T. (Indian Territory). This agency was located at Darlington, now Oklahoma.

The letter is dated Feb. 7, 1885 and is addressed to Hannah Hardin of Shawneetown, Indian Territory.

The text concerns payments for the care of "Mary and Annie".
"Yours of 24th ultimo just reached me and I enclose herewith draft for 52.57 to pay for board etc of Mary and Annie from Nov 1st/84 to Jan 31/85 inclusive. Your receipts were not made correctly please send me new ones same as sample I enclose. I also send copy for next quarter's account. I am Respectfully, D.B. Dyer, Guardian and Indian Agent"

The letter written on the letterhead of the United States Indian Service.

This letter is for sale on Ebay Item number: 300291776597.

Wake County, North Carolina 1803, Sam Johns

Handwritten letter dated May 15th 1803, on the front signed by John Tallen, William Eamle, Joseph Hannes. On the back is a recording of the Clerks office in the book of Wills, Black Sams pass, negro Sam signed Allen Trimble June 1811.

*The front of the letter is as follows:

May 15th 1803 Wake County of State of North Carolina know all men by these presents that we the justases of the peace do sartifi that the barer of these lines is entitled to freedom & we desire that all may let him pass as he behaves sivle his name is Sam calling himself Sam Johns and he further informs us that he wants to travel to the Western Country and we desire that all may let him pass for he a good hard working honest in dustres fellow.

Signed by us, John Tallen, William Eamle, Joseph Hannes

*On the back of the letter is as follows:

Highland County Ohio Recorder in the Clerks office of the Common ( ) of ( ) County in the book of Wills ( ) Allen Trimble ( ) June 1811 Black Sams pass Negro Sam

This fantastic letter is up for sale on Ebay Item number: 160312865866.

Carroll Benton in Boston 1908

Letter dated "Upton Ranch, LaCinta Canyon, Solano, N.M." [New Mexico], October 11, 1908, written from a lady named Irene to her friend Carroll Benton in Boston. She describes some aspects of ranch life and family news, and then casually mentions "We had two shooting scrapes in one day this week & as I happened to be in town when the first started up, I came near not getting home. A Texan sheriff came in after a saloon keeper, the saloon keeper swiped a horse and beat it out of town with a 30-30 across his saddle. After him two sheriffs with six shooters drawn, then five minutes later four more joined the party. The man headed right for the canyon and of course we couldnt go home on account of possible shooting. Same night our town blacksmith got drunk and went after the Texan sheriff on an old score and shot up town before he was arrested".

This fantastic leter is up for sale on Ebay Item number: 200302264010. This would make a great addition to your genealogy if you are related to Carroll Benton.

New Haven Connecticut, W.S. Swane, William Okeeff

An letter from William Okeeff in New Haven, Connecticut, March 21, 1898 which includes the envelope. This letter says, "Dear Madam, In the matter of the W.S. Swane note we have been unable to serve papers on the maker of the note as he has eluded the sheriff. If we are able to make service we will collect the note and damages as he is in a position to pay but manages by fraud to keep his money out of our way.....Yours truly, William Okeeff.

This letter is for sale on Ebay Item number: 120365724091.

John Pitts of Tyngsborough, Massachusetts

Letter dated 1794, where John Pitts of Tyngsborough, Massachusetts has written to Captain Josiah Danforth regarding a court case coming up..he tells Danforth to present his case to the General Court and if all the facts are out, justice will prevail..signed on back, your friend Jn. Pitts.

This great letter is for sale on Ebay Item number: 350144743321.

Chrissie Hansen, World War One letters

World War One letters that belonged to a soldier named Chrissie Hansen. 3 are written by him and 4 are written to him. They are all dated 1918. Chrissie Hansen was stationed at Camp Jackson.

This great batch of ww1 letters is for sale on Ebay, Item number: 120362350200. If Chrissie Hansen is part of your family this would be a great addition to your genealogy.

Letters From Delaware, Connecticut, Albany.

ONE LETTER DATED 1795, from Dover, Delaware., written and signed by John Fisher., Forwarded by William A. P Phelps. A notation states the letter is from the Chief Justice of Delaware., letter is about his wife and goods being bought for her.

ANOTHER LETTER dated 1826., has MS markings of PAID and a small PAID 5 in the upper right corner., about a Court Martial and at the bottom of the address., asks the postmaster to forward this without delay to Mr. Sherman. Curious no town marks., but likely Connecticut being addressed to a fellow in North Milford, Ct.

ANOTHER LETER dated 1834., from John P. Cushman., to Hon. James McKown., hand stamed in red STEAMBOAT., with the word STEAM over the word BOAT., upside down with a rate of "12"., from Troy, N.Y. About the President of the New York Medical Society.

ANOTHER LETTER:, dated at Albany, NY July 11, 1823., marked FR [means Free] addressed to the Hon. Smith Thompson., Sec. of the Navy, Washington. Letter concerns a young lad's recommendation., likely to the Naval Academy or for a position in the Navy. The writer's name is hard to make out, appears to be Fr. Bloodfood, or Bloodford.

This batch of letters is up for sale on Ebay Item number: 290287184487.

1878 British Solicitor sending Share of Late Father to Hackettstown NJ resident

Apparently Miss Annie Maria Russell of Hackettstown New Jersey had requested addresses for her brothers but Solicitors Watson & Sons, 18 Parliament Street, Hull said they'd received their shares of the fathers estate and he didn't know where they were.

This letter is up for sale on Ebay Item number: 250351848871.

4th Battery Maine Volunteers 1865

Letter signed "Adelbert A. Dailey," Headquarters, 4th Battery Maine Volunteers, March 4, 1865.

Dailey writes to "Eddy" [Edward Elmes of Maine]. In full [original spellings and punctuation retained]: "To day I have been thinking of you and that I had ought to send you some some little token of friendship for you have been a good boy and have been kind and good to Mother and Zylpha since I have been away and Eddy you will always find a true friend in me[.] I hope you will do as well as you have while you stay with Mother[.] I should like to have you stay thru all summer if your Father and I can agree[.] I will send you a little present[.] I can not get much here to send you or I would give you something handsome[.] But be a good boy. Take good care of the things and I will make you a handsome present when I get home[.] I should like to have you with me if you will[.] I shall have to write Zylpha a short letter so I will close[.] Be a good boy Eddy and remember you will always find a good friend in me[.] With much love...."

This great old letter is for sale on Ebay Item number: 160307521898. This would be a great find for someone working on the genealogy of the Dailey family.

Port Au Prince, Captain William Van Allen

Letter dated 1818, Port Au Prince, where Captain William Van Allen has written to merchants in Philadelphia regarding some courageous events in the capturing of Spanish ships; travelling with the USS Hornet, going up against a 16 gun Spanish Ship....capturing goods from a smaller ship, exchanging more gun fire...being captured and losing his crew.....making a bargain to get his crew back....

Wagon Train Travel Letters

Manuscript copy of (12) riveting letters home from husband and wife, G. Nelson Allen and E. A. Allen, and daughter Lizzie H. Allen, while they were travelling through the mid and southwest, 1857-1860. It appears as if the copy, nicely penned in an unknown hand, was made circa 1890s-1910.

Letter locales: New Philadelphia, Ohio; Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; Fort Des Moines, Iowa; Cass Co., Iowa; Council Bluffs, Iowa; Fort Kearny, Nebraska. A 13th letter is dated much later, 1887, from Camden, Delaware, but also mentions this trip. 35pp total, octavo and legal.

Fabulous content: Traveling to Pike's Pike; wagon trains as far as the eye can see; men heading for the mines; Sioux Indians; horse stolen; Pawnees begging for food; and more. Great local color and description.

This batch of Wagon Train Travel Letters is up for sale on Ebay Item number: 170287256399.